19 
a roughening- of the skin. When peeled a dark, circular spot caused 
by the puncture of this insect, which our correspondent likened to the 
perforation of an awl, could be seen. The insects were present in 
great numbers on the peaches, quietly sucking the juice. Cantaloupe 
vines would appear to be perfectly healthy in the morning, and perhaps 
by noon would be wilted and d} T ing, although roots and stems appeared 
to be sound. Specimens of this species were observed about the middle 
of July, and Mr. Otto Heidemann, of this office, states that he saw 
nymphs of a related species still earlier. July 25, Rev. Fred M. 
Dickey, Deanewood, D. C, stated that he had recently observed the 
insects in copula on his plums and cherries. July 30 a considerable 
number of insects were received from the last mentioned locality, 
some in copulation when received. August 3, Mr. August Busck 
reported this species very abundant on peach trees in the District of 
Columbia, most of the specimens captured having been found paired. 
From the date just mentioned to August 16, Mr. Pratt observed this 
plant-bug on three occasions at St. Elmo, Ya., on stalks of corn where 
no other crop was growing and on August 27 he found numerous indi- 
viduals puncturing tomatoes. There were several colonies at work 
and the majority of the individuals were in the third stage of the 
nymph. In the first week of September Mr. Pratt noticed that much 
injury was being done to seed cucumbers, many plants being com- 
pletely covered with the bugs in their various stages. The following 
week the same observer found the insect doing some harm to cymlings, 
near Deanewood. 
OCCURRENCE DURING THE SEASON OF 1901. 
During 1901 this plant-bug came under frequent observation, more 
especially by Mr. Pratt at St. Elmo and elsewhere in Virginia. He 
noticed it on pear, plum, and peach attacking the fruit; he also saw it 
puncturing corn in milk and tomatoes, and he states that it was as 
common as in 1900 on cantaloupe and other cucurbits. September 20, 
Mr. John S. Seibert, Cumberland, Md., sent specimens of the nymph 
in the last stage, with the information that they were puncturing the 
fruit of hazel nut, transmitting at the same time nuts showing punc- 
ture scars. 
This insect is accused of more injury than the mere puncturing of 
fruits. There is no doubt whatever that in feeding it injects a certain 
liquid, the same as or similar to that which is secreted by the common 
squash bug, and that this poisons the plant, causing the fruit to be 
distorted or checking its growth. It has also been accused of being a 
transmitter of fungus diseases of pear and other fruit trees. It seems 
quite probable that this is the case, although further observations are 
necessary to settle the matter. It was reported too late in the season 
for careful investigation. 
