File:Euthyrhynchus floridanus (20402320966).jpg

Title: Bulletin Identifier: bulletin8182190912unit Year: 1904 (1900s) Authors: United States. Bureau of Entomology Subjects: Insects; Insect pests; Entomology; Insects; Insect pests; Entomology Publisher: Washington : G. P. O. Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer About This Book: Catalog Entry View All Images: All Images From Book

Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image: 86 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. EUTHYRHYNCHUS FLORIDANUS L. July 7, 1909, Mr. Fred. A. Eigenman, Abbeville, S. C, sent speci- mens of Euthyrhynchus jloridanus L., which he had found that morn- ing on eggplant. When discovered the insect was attacking the larva of the Colorado potato beetle. As this was a new observation to Mr. Eigenman, he promptly apprised this office of the fact. This species is not uncommon in the Southern States, and specimens have been frequently received for determination, with notes on habits, from South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. It is highly probable that the species is beneficial, although there is a possibility that it may feed also on plant juices exceptionally, as is known to be the case with some related forms. In looking over the files of the Bureau it is found that this species was reported from Lanford, Laurens County, S. C, June 24, 1887, by Mr. Y. N. Lanford, who stated that he found the insect to be a bee destroyer. While sweeping off webs and other refuse from a bee bench and gums" (colloquial for box hives), he noticed one of these bugs with its beak in- serted into the abdomen of a honey bee, just above the sting. He did not know, however, to what extent the insect attacks the bees." During 1901 Mr. H. Walter McWilliams, Griffin, Ga., sent specimens with a letter dated October 28, stating that the species occurred in some numbers on catnip. During 1907-8 Mr. H. M. Russell observed this bug attacking the green plant-bug (Nezara Mlaris Say) on eggplant at Dade City, Fla., and the black walnut caterpillar {Datana integerrima G. and R.) on pecan at Orlando, Fla. This species is a tropical form and is recorded as occurring also at New Orleans, La., in Mexico, and Central America generally, as well as in Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. A full bibliography was fur- nished in 1880 by W. L. Distant. It has many synonyms, which is to be accounted for by its wide distribution and variabihty. The mature bug measures Ibetween one-half and three-fourths of an mch in length. The usual color is green above, spotted with red, the spots being arranged more or less as shown in the accompanying illustration (fig. 24). Individuals occur also without red markings, o Mention of this bug attacking the honey bee is given in Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 88, Sept., 1888. & BiologiaCentrali-Americana, Hemiptera-Heteroptera, Vol. I, pp. 41-42, Oct., 1880.

Text Appearing After Image: Fig. 2i.—Euthyrhynchus floridanus, an enemy of the Colorado potato l)eetlc. Enlarged. (Original.)

Note About Images