-27 U- 
I II S S C T S ' A F I 3 C T IN G M A H A IT D 
DOMESTIC A H I M A L S 
• MM 
HOUSE CRIGEZT ( Gryllus domesticus L.) 
Maine. H. 3. Peirson (August 6): A heavy infestation has "been reported from 
Eidieford, where the crickets are invading houses located near a dump. 
Clothing and house furnishings are being danaged. 
Massachusetts. C. T. Brues (October 1): I have observed an epidemic of 
G. domesticus in a part of Boston where four or five houses are overrun. 
The tenants novel out on account of the continuous chirping at night. 
Clothing and rugs were ruined by having holes eaten in them. 
J. V. Schaffner, Jr. (September 25): A complaint of crickets in a 
house at Maiden was investigated on September 21. A public dump covering 
an area about U00 feet in diameter was found, where waste materials from 
houses and stores are placed. From inquiries made in the vicinity, it 
was learned that all houses in close proximity to this dump were infested. 
On the 'other side of the dump is a small brook and a newly built section. 
Occupants of houses there were troubled also. The dui^p is now covered 
with branches recently trimmed from shade trees. Although but few crickets 
were noted moving about, hundreds were seen when any of the refuse was 
moved. 
Wisconsin. E. L. Chambers (September 26): Residents of the Humboldt Park 
section of Milwaukee have experienced a plague of crickets never before 
known to that city. For many blocks millions of these crickets, apparently 
hatching in a 6-acre swamp and city dump near the park, invaded homes, 
destroying clothing, rugs, and food. 
PUSS CATERPILLAR ( Megalopyge opercular is S. and A.) 
Mississippi. C. Lyle (September 19): Specimens have been received recently 
from Houston, in Chickasaw County, and from Lake, in Scott County, the 
collectors in each case reporting that severe stings had been inflicted. 
These co.terpillars are abundant o.t present on a sweetgum tree at State 
College. 
BOXELDER BUG ( Loptocoris trivittatus Say) 
Indiana. J. J. Davis (October 2): The boxelder bug has been the outstanding 
shade tree 'insect in the State. Reports of abundance have come in daily. ^ 
Although most of the reports have come from the. northern half of the State, 
some have been received from as far south as Aurora, on the eastern border 
of the State, and from Vincennes on the west. 
