29 
breeds in them in great numbers. This is an nndescribed species of the 
Chalcidid genus Encyrtus. 
Geocoris punctipes attacks the small Boll Worms and the Spiny 
Soldier-bug, Podisus qpinosus, has often been observed at its beneficial 
work. 
August 24, at Dallas, Tex., upon tobacco plants well stocked with 
eggs of the Boll Worm were found great numbers of the young and 
adults of a species of Dicyphus. By counting a number of eggs which 
were shriveled and evidently dead, it was determined that about 5 
per cent were in this condition. The Dicyphus was the only insect 
found plentiful upon the plants, and it seemed reasonable to conclude 
that to it was due the puncturing of the eggs. After long and patient 
watching it was finally found that they really did the work. 
Triphleps inshliosus punctures the eggs of Heliothis and sucks their 
contents. The egg-shells appear slightly shrunken and shriveled after- 
wards. From continuous observation one is forced to realize that no 
small per cent of the eggs is destroyed in this way. The empty egg- 
shells are met with in almost every observation. Mr. Banks, who made 
most of the observations upon this insect, estimates that probably 10 
per cent of the eggs are destroyed in this way. From ray own studies 
I am convinced that the estimate is none too large. This insect preys 
also upon its own species, at least in confinement. Four specimens, 
collected from cotton, were placed in a vial for subsequent study, and 
several hours later one was found with another impaled upon its beak. 
These small insects are commonly found behind the involucres of 
squares and bolls and are very abundant in corn silks. Here the 
Heliothis eggs are most numerous and afford the Triphleps a good op- 
portunity to feed upon them. The young and pupae are small, wingless, 
pale or often bright red, and could readily be mistaken for the young 
of the Chinch Bug in general appearance, though they are shorter and 
more triangular in shape. 
No spiders were ever observed in the act of devouring a Boll Worm, 
but several species, very common upon cotton plants, have been so con 
stantly observed destroying other insects found there that probably 
the reason why no Boll Worms were taken is because they were scarce. 
The following observations upon some of the more carnivorous species 
may be recorded: Phidippus tripunetatus, devouring a Syrphid (Meso 
grapta polita) upon corn September 125; same species upon cotton bolls 
October 11 and 13. Chriracanthium inclusion on young bolls. Aio/- 
phcena gracilis from corn silks. Dendryphantes nubilus and /). octavus 
from cotton bolls, the former devouring a plant-louse. Pencetia viri- 
(hois and Runcinia aleatoria on bolls, the former devouring a large 
Dipter. 
INSECT RAVAGES MISTAKEN FOB THOSE OF THE BOLL WORM. 
Thccla pceas. — The larva of this insect bores cotton bolls just asdoes 
the Boll Worm, Occasionally it eats a hole into the young portion oi' 
