64 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. 
Calosoma sayi Dej. — The larvae of the carabid beetle Calosoma 
sayi were observed in considerable numbers and were reared to adults. 
They were first noticed July 6, when they were quite abundant in the 
furrows between rows of sweet potato. They were found concealed 
by the vines, feeding on the larvae of the Prodenia, and after sucking 
out the juices of one larva they immediately attacked another. The 
adults issued in our rearing cages August 11. 
Polistes annularis L. — The large brown wasp Polistes annularis 
was observed July 2, flying quite commonly in sweet-potato fields. 
One was watched which alighted on a leaf and began searching for 
prey, after the custom of such wasps. The search was continued from 
plant to plant and from leaf to leaf until a Prodenia larva was 
located, when it was at once seized behind the head and chewed into a 
shapeless mass. Other wasps of this species were also seen on fence 
posts dragging Prodenia larvae about with them. 
It is interesting to note that Mr. F. F. Crevecoeur, Onaga, Kans., 
reports having seen this wasp being carried away by the asilid 
robber-fly, Deromyia ternata Loew. 
Stiretrus anchorago Fab., var. diana Fab. — The bluc-and-red and 
the uniformly blue forms of the soldier-bug Stiretrus anchorago, 
which are common in Florida, were observed in numbers attacking 
the Prodenia larvae in July. 
Podisus maculiventris Say. — During July the spined soldier-bug 
was seen preying upon the Prodenia larvae. (See fig. 11.) In one 
instance 18 nymphs were counted on a single amaranth plant infested 
by the cutworm. The length of the life cycle of this species from 
hatching (not from egg-laying) was determined to be 16 days in hot 
July weather. 
Apateticus (Eupodisus) mucronatus Uhl. — July 17, and again in 
December, 1907, this pentatomid bug was observed preying on the 
larva of this species of Prodenia at Orlando, Fla. It is considered a 
rare species and this is probably the first observation which has been 
made on its habits. 
Owing to the obscurity of the host insect in the past, no records 
can be found of any of these parasites or of other natural enemies 
which affect it, but in Smith and Abbot's work mention is made of a 
species of " Ichneumon " which attacks the larva (see p. 58). 
Pontia rapce L. — July 22, 1907, the young larvae of the imported 
cabbage worm, which had hatched out on cabbage used as food for 
Prodenia eridania Cram, in our rearing cages at Washington, were 
