27 
the species that a majority only of that stage is referred to. It should 
further be remembered that these observations apply only to the north- 
ern region of "the cotton belt" and doubtless can be much enlarged 
upon by observations in more southern portions. 
NATURAL ENEMIES. 
The fact that the Boll Worm was so scarce during the past season 
precluded making extensive observations along this liue. 
Among the vertebrates only circumstantial evidence was obtained. 
In one instance where the dissevered wings and torn bodies of Helio- 
this were found under and near a large tree in a cotton field it was 
also found that a " butcher bird " had its nest on one of the upper 
branches. Another was the case of a negro tenant, who complained 
about the crows lighting on his corn plants in the field aud eating into 
the end of the ears. Upon examination it was found that the corn was 
badly infested with Boll Worm. This alone could not serve to estab- 
lish the fact that crows picked into the ears for the primary purpose of 
feeding on the worms. Feeding on the tender grains of corn beneath 
the husk quite probably an occasional small Boll Worm was eating. It 
is also probable that still others will be injured by the pecking into the 
ends of the ears. The crops and stomachs of a number of quails were 
examined and though they had them shot about cotton fields no Boll 
Worms were found in these parts of their digestive organs. Upon vis- 
iting the fields about which they had been shot no Boll Worms could 
be found and the negative result has therefore no great significance. 
A common species of Soldier bug (Podisus sjrinosus) was found de- 
vouring a large full-grown Boll Worm. An immature capsid (near 
Leptoterna) was overlooked and left on a branch of cotton placed in a 
breeding cage for a female to deposit upon. Soon after deposition 
some of the eggs showed signs of shriveling and were supposed to be 
sterile. Close examination, however, led to the discovery of the de- 
stroyer, which was as yet but a pupa. The eggs being nearly empty 
it was evident that the pupa had punctured the eggs and sucked their 
conteuts. The same pupa was then placed on a branch of cotton with 
some newly-hatched Boll Worms, all of which fell victims to its beak. 
A common species of the robber flies (Erax lateralis) was also seen to 
catch the moth while on the wing. 
No -observations could be made upon ants in relation to the Boll 
Worm, since the latter were not abundant enough for that purpose. 
The auts have been watched on corn for an hour without noticing an 
attack upon the eggs found deposited there. They are occasionally 
seen to enter the holes through the husks into the ears, but I did not 
observe that they went in for the purpose of attacking the Boll Worms. 
They only sipped freely of the juices and ferments of the injured kernels 
of corn and the excrement of the worms. Sometimes dead worms are 
