35 
tinned during that month and October and up to the 6th of December. 
(Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 382). During the year 1890 Ligyrus gibbosus 
was reported by Professor Bruner as having been quite destructive to 
the sugar beet over limited areas toward the western part of the State 
of Nebraska. It attacked the roots, into which the mature insects 
gnawed great holes, sometimes entirely embedding themselves. They 
worked for the most part on old ground and where irrigation was 
practiced. The work upon the roots extended from the surface to a 
considerable depth, but was most apparent at about 3 or -1 inches below 
the surface. In some instances it reached a depth of fully 7 inches 
(Bui. 23, o. s., p. 17). In 1894 Mr. Webster again reported this 
species to be destroying sunflowers by eating the roots, the beetles 
going from hill to hill to continue their depredations. This occur- 
rence took place in Indiana, as before, in St. Joseph County (Insect 
Life, Vol. VII, p. 206; Ohio Farmer, July 5, 1894, p. 17). 
In Bulletin No. 36 of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment 
Station, by H. E. Weed (Nov., 1895, pp. 156, 157), an interesting 
note is published on the occurrence of this species in Mississippi. The 
injury by the beetles is described as somewhat resembling that of corn 
bill bugs. When a stalk of corn is attacked it presents a wilted 
appearance, but after a few days of favorable weather it may recover. 
An excellent illustration of the cause of attack is given, well worth 
repeating, in Mr. Weed's own language. 
In June of this year many reports were received from Adams County of damage 
being done by these beetles and we were at a loss as to how to account for the injury. 
Upon investigation, however, we found the following to be the situation: The beetles 
were doing damage only in a limited locality, and had done the most damage upon 
a plantation where some 3,000 head of cattle were pastured last year. The land was 
not plowed until spring and the corn was planted immediately afterwards. These 
facts explained the whole matter. The beetles were attracted to the pasture last 
year by the droppings of the cattle and had deposited their eggs in the grass. The 
larvae fed on the roots of the grass last season and changed into mature beetles just 
before the" ground was broken. The corn immediately after was attacked by the 
beetles, as it was the only vegetation on the land. If the land had not been broken 
up the beetles would probably have fed on the grass and deposited their eggs as 
usual. 
The substance of this report of injury is repeated in the eighth 
annual report of the same station (p. 71). 
A short general account of this species is given by Messrs. Forbes 
and Hart in Bulletin No. 60 of the University of Illinois Agricultural 
Experiment Station (p. 152), which includes an original illustration of 
the beetle. 
SOME DIVISIONAL RECORDS OF ATTACK. 
May 9, 1898, Mr. Geo. Davenport, Mer Rouge, La., mailed speci- 
mens of this beetle with the report that, although there were few of 
this insect in corn in that vicinity the previous year, during 1898 they 
