43± 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



increased to such extent as to appear in myriads in some localities 

 and command popular attention, as appears from the following extract 

 from a communication to the Country Gentleman of September 27, 

 1894, written from Shenandoah, a city in the southwestern part of the 

 State: 



While rambling along the city sidewalks I noticed an insect the like 

 of which I never saw before. It was in all stages of existence and of 

 all sizes. The immature bug was of a lively red color, while the 

 mature form was from one-half to three-fourths of an inch in length. 

 Its wing-cases were divided into two equal sections by lines; the forward 

 portion was heart-shaped, and the bug in shape reminded me of the 

 potato-bug (Cantharides). The fore-half was a dusty black color, the 

 after-half deep black. In the brief space of time that I had for investi- 

 gation I found that it fed on fruit, especially plums, which it tapped, 

 sucking the juice. It is also a cannibal, for I saw them eating one 

 another. The smaller ones will bite a person on provocation. They 

 are quick in their movements, hiding at once on the approach of man. 

 I was told that it was supposed to have been brought from the West in 

 fruit four years ago. It is a pest, having increased at an alarming rate. 

 I should like very much to know what it is, and whether it is likely to 

 become a dangerous nuisance. So far as yet known, its area is limited. 



Although no examples were sent for identification, from the char- 

 acters given by the correspondent, there could 

 be no question of its being the box-elder plant- 

 bug. When mature and provided with wings, 

 it is one-half inch long by two-tenths inch broad, 

 flattened above, and of an elongate-oval form. 

 The terminal leathery portion of the wing-covers 

 are red-bordered on their outer and hind mar- 

 gins. Its thorax is red on its outer sides, with 

 Pia. 17— The bo r-eider plant- a narrower central longitudinal line of the same 



bug, Leptocoris trivit- ~ £ , . , . 



tatus. (Original.) color. Ine lower side or the body is red, in 



places. Its original description by Siy, is given in the Fourth Rept 

 Ins. JV. Y. y cited. 



Not Entirely a Plant-Bug. 



The statement above made that this bug is cannibalistic is interest- 

 ing, as probably the first time that it has been observed. It is not at 

 all probable, however, that its feeding upon one another is practised to 

 any great extent, for if such was its established habit, its immense 

 assemblages without the visible presence of a food-supply (as in the in- 

 stance to be given below), would not be so frequently seen. That it 

 will, also, inflict a wound under provocation, is also of interest. That 

 it will bite even without provocation, has been stated of it, as in Insect 

 Life, vi, p. 328: "We have previously heard unsubstantiated rumori 



