THE C0XCHT7ELA. 65 
that the insects concerned in this work were either Coccinellid beetles 
or ants. As regards insects of the former group, there is do direct 
evidence of their connection with the destruction of eggs mentioned, 
but in a cotton field a small undetermined ant has been observed to 
work assiduously for several minutes attempting to separate an e-_ r L r 
from a batch. This observation gives basis for the supposition that 
various species of ants are somewhat beneficial as destroyers of the 
eggs of Pentatomid pests. The destruction of eggs by any of the 
insects mentioned is not always productive of the best results, for it 
is possible, and in some cases probable, that a large part of the number 
thus destroyed might have produced adult Proctotrypid parasites, 
the great value of which has been discussed. 
Attacking nympTis. — Even newly-hatched nymphs of the conchuela. 
as well as most other Pentatomids, are provided with glands which 
produce offensive volatile fluids. The value of such secretions as pro- 
tection against spiders and predaceous insects is problematical. Pre- 
daceous Pentatomids are cannibalistic in many cases, and it is not 
to be presumed that such insects discriminate between the flavor of 
their own and other species. The writer has observed a nymph of 
Podisus rnacvliventris Say attacking a much larger nymph of Euschistus 
fissilis Uhl. — both species of Pentatomids which give oil' disgusting 
odors when disturbed. Only one predaceous Hemipteron (Zelus r< n- 
ardii Kol.) has been observed to feed on the nymphs of the conchuela. 
This has so far been observed only in the laboratory, but the circum- 
stance indicates that it is of frequent occurrence in the field. Thi> 
Reduviid is common in the cotton fields in both Texas and Mexico, 
and the nymphs not only voraciously attack one another but any 
other insect which crosses their path. The adults frequently capture 
and suck the juices from bees of various kinds which visit the cotton 
blooms. In confinement an adult destroyed 4 nymphs of the con- 
chuela within 24 hours. Nymphs of the Reduviid readily attack 
nymphs of the conchuela, and one specimen of the former was reared 
to maturity with its diet limited to nymphs of the Pentatomidse. 
Many other species of Reduviidae are commonly found in cotton 
iields and doubtless may he relied upon to destroy a small percentage 
of the nymphs of injurious Pentatomids. 
Among other orders of insects the author has but one record of 
predaceous forms attacking nymphs of the conchuela. A larva o( 
an unknown Syrphid fly on a cotton leaf, supplied as food to nymphs 
of the conchuela in the second instar, quickly destroyed two of the 
young bugs. Credit for this observation is due Mr. \Y. W. Yothers 
of the Bureau of Entomology. 
Nymphs of the conchuela have been found on cotton plants en- 
meshed in spider webs, but spiders have never actually been observed 
feeding on this Pentatomid, although an immature spider about one 
22348— Bull. 86—10 5 
