SCUTELLEROIDEA OF IOWA 125 
This msect has something the appearance of P. serieventris 
but may be distinguished from that species by the larger size, 
the sinuation behind the slender pointed humeral angles, the 
long ventral spine and the proportionately large size of the pos- 
terior black spot of the median series as compared with the oth- 
ers of this series. 
Podisus maculiventris is a common bug in most parts of the 
state. More than twenty-five localities are represented in our 
collection but in northwestern Iowa few specimens have been 
taken. It is very often swept from potato, red clover, timothy, 
sweet clover and hazel where it apparently feeds on the various 
other insects found on those plants. It has been mentioned 
many times and by numerous writers in connection with its pro- 
pensity for feeding on the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle 
and it has been one of the important natural checks to the in- 
crease of that pest. 
On one occasion an adult specimen of this species was brought 
in to the laboratory and placed in a chimney cage with a lepid- 
opterous larva about 1% inches long. The bug soon attacked 
the larva and began sucking the body juices and even when it 
was disturbed so much as to be held by a pair of tweezers it 
would not let the larva go but continued the act of feeding. 
J. L. Horsfall has observed this pentatomid feeding on _ the 
tarnished plant bug (Lygus pratensis Linn.). Other insects 
which this bug preys upon are listed by Kirkland (1. c. 484). 
For a long time this insect was known as Podisus spinosus and 
many of the earlier references to it are under that name. 
This pentatomid is a good flyer, its progress being swift and 
direct when once under way. I have many times taken it in 
flight, once at Independence from a bridge which crosses the 
Wapsipinicon river. 
Apparently this is a double-brooded species since half grown 
nymphs have been taken in June and July and again towards 
the latter part of September. The young have rounded humeri 
and the antennae and tarsi each possess one less segment than 
is characteristic of these organs in the adult. During the early 
stages the nymphs are plant feeders for the most part although 
they also feed upon larvae of various kinds, but as they ap- 
