76 PLANT-BUGS INJURIOUS TO COTTON BOLLS. 
beckia sp. (one locality), Rubus sp. (one locality), peach (one locality), 
and evening primrose, Gaum parvifolia (one locality). In addition 
to these records, Scott and Fiske a have reported specimens of the 
brown cotton-bug abundant among material obtained incidental to 
extensive experiments in jarring for the plum curculio in Georgia. 
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. 
Four female and 1 male specimen and many nymphs of the brown 
cotton-bug were under observation in the laboratory. Egg-laying 
records of only 3 specimens are available, but these seem to show that 
the capacity of this species in this respect is fully equal to that of the 
species heretofore considered. The maximum number of eggs 
deposited by a single specimen was 162, the specimen concerned being 
collected on cotton on August 19, 1905. In confinement, a specimen 
collected in August lived 72 days, three specimens collected in Sep- 
tember lived 90, 73, and 30 days, respectively, and a specimen col- 
lected in April lived 45 days. The last specimen probably had over- 
wintered as an adult and was therefore several months old at the time 
the record began. 
The average incubation period of 5 batches of eggs of the brown 
cotton-bug corresponded to within 8 hours with the average of 21 
egg-batches of the conchuela. At an average daily mean temperature 
of 78.9° F., the average incubation period of 5 batches of eggs was 
found to be 4 days and 17 hours. The duration of the nymphal stages 
corresponds closely with that of the conchuela. 
Observations thus far, in the regions where these studies were 
made, have not shown any decided preference of the brown cotton- 
bug for any particular food plant early in the season, but after the 
appearance of the bolls upon the cotton plants comparatively few 
specimens are found outside of the cotton fields. Doubtless weeds 
growing in profusion along the roadsides and fences furnish favorable 
breeding places in early summer for the bugs, which later turn their 
attention to the cotton. 
On the average this bug deposits fewer eggs per batch than does 
the conchuela or grain bug. For 16 batches which have come under 
the writer's observation, the average number per batch was 16.4, the 
maximum being 34, and the minimum 5. Forty-two per cent were 
deposited in batches of 14 and its multiple. 
The brown cotton-bug is occasionally attracted to lights, but not 
in sufficient numbers to lead to the belief that light trapping in badly 
infested cotton fields would give good results. 
SEASONAL HISTORY. 
In the latitude of Dallas, Tex., the hibernated individuals of both 
sexes of the brown cotton-bug are fairly common about or soon after 
a Bui. 31, Div. Ent., U. S. Dept, Agr., p. 34, 1902. 
