[NJURI0U8 [N8ECT8 EATEN. 
25 
a c 
[mbricated-snoul beetle (Epicxrua imbricatus). 
J 
Pron 
attacks clover. Both <>!' these beetles are eaten by the horned lark. 
The potato stalk borer {Trichabavis trinotatd), the nut weevils, and 
grain weevils are all taken. Weevils in the lark's <liet take the place 
of grasshoppers, whichare the predominant element of the insect food 
of granivorous birds. The percentage of grasshoppers eaten by the 
larks. 2..'), is somewhat more than half that of the weevils consumed. 
In August and September, the months during which grasshoppers 
are most abundant, 
7. 1 and 8.9 percent. 
respectively, are con- 
sumed by horned 
larks. Grasshoppers 
were obtained in ev 
ery month in the year 
except November, 
December, and Janu- 
ary. During the 
great invasions of 
I.i ,i Chittenden, Bureau of Entomology.) 
oeusts that have oc- 
curred in the United States horned larks have been efficient in their 
destruction, and they are reported to have eaten both eggs and adults. 
Caterpillars, cocoons, and adults of lepidoptera are eaten by 
horned larks. The larvae of the tineid or leaf -mining moths (fig. 8), 
which are injurious to various nuts, fruits, and stored grain, and even 
to furs, are a favorite food. In the winter many of these are picked 
from their places of 
concealment. Th ree 
horned larks collected 
in March in Wyoming 
had eaten more than 
30 each, making 80 
percent of their food. 
Among the caterpil- 
lars, geometrids, or 
m ea suri ng worms. 
were identified. Most 
of the caterpillars are 
eaten in April and 
May, 5.8 and 6.2 percent, respectively, being taken in these months. 
Concerning the value of the horned lark in destroying cutworms, the 
caterpillars of the owlet moths. Dr. Le Baron says:" 
The peculiarity of this bird * * * is the instinct with which it discovers and 
destroys those grube which infest cornfields, and which often -I" >■> much damage t<> 
this and other crops. It came to my knowledge through the observation of an 
Pig. 8.— Tineid moth with larva and cocoon. 
Bureau of Entomology . 
(After Riley 
"The American Entomologist and Botanist, II. \'<>. <;, p. L68, April, 1870. 
