THE BBOWH COTTON-BUG. 77 
April 1. A specimen confined on a peach tree deposited 2 egg- 
batches, containing in all 44 eggs, before the middle of May, 1906. 
Nymphs which hatched from one of these batches were in the second 
instar on May 13, but, as they disappeared soon after, definite informa- 
tion concerning the appearance of adults of the first generation was 
not obtained. From this and other records of eggs of this species 
collected in the spring of 1906, however, it can be safely considered 
to be between the 1st and the middle of June. .V comparative study 
of the developmental periods of various Pentatomid bugs which have 
been under the writer's observation leads to the belief that it is 
probable that in the cotton-producing States a maximum of five 
generations per annum is possible, although four generation- is 
doubtless a more common number, and three generations the most 
common of all. As with other Pentatomids whose egg-laving periods 
may extend over several weeks with each female, it is improper t<> 
speak of the generations as "broods," for the reason that individuals 
of from one to three different generations may and doubtless do occur 
together after the maturity of the first generation. The brown 
cotton-bug is most abundant in cotton fields during August and 
September, but no rapid increase or decrease 4 in its numbers during 
the season has thus far been observed. 
DESTRUCTIVES ESS 
The usual association of the brown cotton-bug with other plant- 
bugs in the cotton fields has made advisable the general consideration 
of damage to cotton bolls resulting from the attacks of this and certain 
other species, which has been given in the introductory pages. The 
similarity of the feeding habits of the various Pentatomid bugs which 
attack cotton bolls indicates that the studies made concerning the 
individual destructive capabilities of the conchuela are fully appli- 
cable to the other species. Fortunately the brown cotton-bug has 
not as yet shown itself likely to appear over large territories in such 
abundance as has the conchuela. It has been observed in limited 
areas comprising only a few acres each, in numbers which caused 
destruction of the majority of the bolls, but thus far experience has 
shown this species to deserve the importance herein given, not on 
account of sporadic outbreaks in excessive numbers, but through its 
fairly constant and widespread occurrence throughout a large and 
important cotton-growing section. 
NATURAL ENEMIES. 
Species of Pentatomids o( the genus Euschistus appear to be 
unmolested by Tachinid parasites. Examination o( hundreds of 
specimens of species of this genus, including pinned material in col- 
Lections and live specimens in the fields, has not thus far resulted in 
the finding of evidence of parasitism by these ilies in any instance. 
