SCUTELLEROIDEA OF IOWA 85 
beyond hemelytra. Venter pale yellowish, sometimes yellowish green, finely 
punctate and aciculate, the outer posterior edges of the incisures without 
distinct black spots; male with a rounded black spot on the last segment 
beneath; this spot sometimes extends a little on the posterior edge of the 
preceding segment; the female unmarked in this respect. In most speci- 
mens, both male and female, the venter is more or less flecked with red. 
Ventral thoracic plates pale yellow, closely but coarsely punctate. Legs a 
little darker, more or less spotted with black or fuscous, the tibiae and 
under sides of femora with a few small, sharply pointed, black spines. 
Tarsal segments and claws more or less infuscate at apices. Length, 11.5- 
14.0 mm. Width across humeri, 8.0-9.0 mm. 
This is by far our commonest representative of the genus and, 
indeed, in most seasons, it is our commonest pentatomid, with P. 
limbolarius running it a close second; sometimes the latter is un- 
usually abundant so that the present species is forced to take 
second place. EH. variolarius may be distinguished from its con- 
geners in our fauna by the absence of black points at the in- 
cisures on the edges of the abdomen, the usually rounded ante- 
rior margin of the head, the entirely black apical segment of the 
antennae with the fourth segment also largely black, and the 
prominent oval blackish spot on the genital segment of the 
male. It averages a little smaller than E. euschistoides or servus. 
The humeri vary from subacute to almost spinose and the color 
varies from pale yellow to light brown. 
This species, known everywhere as the “‘stink bug”’ or ‘‘berry 
bug,’’ has been taken in every locality visited in the state. Indi- 
viduals have been found walking about on warm days in Febru- 
ary and as late in autumn as November. Specimens have been 
taken in every month of the year except January and December. 
July, August and September are the months of greatest abun- 
dance of both adults and nymphs. Adults frequently hibernate 
under rocks, sticks and rubbish in more or less sheltered and out 
of the way places which have been permitted to grow up in 
weeds during the summer. 
These bugs are sometimes attracted to electric street lights 1n 
considerable numbers. On the evening of May 25, 1916, a num- 
ber of specimens were taken in lowa City at the electroliers 
near the University armory. Although the night was warm and 
sultry no other pentatomids were taken at this time. Speci- 
mens have been taken at street lights on other occasions. 
