34 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
This fine species was first recorded from the state by the writer 
in 1916 (1. c.), numerous specimens having been taken at Iowa 
City the previous summer. Since that time it has been found 
only at Lake Okoboji, but in some numbers, so it is likely that, 
while the distribution is more or less localized, individuals may 
be met with in almost any favorable situation. 
The first specimens were found on May 22, 1915 about the 
roots of rush grass (Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray) 
growing in a sandy area two miles north of Iowa City. This 
uneultivated area of perhaps two acres extent is near the banks 
of the Iowa river and supports a typically arid vegetation. In 
the numerous visits to this place careful search about the roots of 
the rush grass revealed many specimens. Sometimes as many 
as four adults but oftener only one or two would be found 
among the roots of a single plant. At no time were the insects 
observed walking about on the sand. Several times, specimens 
were found with a small seed of some kind held close to the 
thorax by the middle pair of legs. When the insect was freed 
from the sand and allowed to walk freely it still clung to the 
seed, progressing by means of the front and hind legs only. 
On May 31, 1915 a pair of these bugs was taken in copula. In 
September of that year the area was inundated for several days 
and in early November when the place was again visited, many 
dead specimens were found while but two live ones were dis- 
covered. About the middle of March, 1916 careful search was 
again made for specimens but only two dead ones were found. 
However, at the next visit, on September 23, a half grown 
nymph was taken and many cast skins were observed. A few 
dead adults were found under dried grass stems at the base of the 
plants as well as in the sand around the roots. Subsequent obser- 
vation has shown that the species has successfully maintained 
itself in the locality in spite of the vicissitudes of climate and 
flood. 
In the summer of 1916 this cydnid was found in considerable 
numbers on the sandy beach at Gull Point on West Okoboji lake 
not far from the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. On July 4 the 
nymphs were found to be more abundant than the adults. In all, 
sixty-three specimens were taken; fifty-seven of these were 
