BaP OT oF THE L- X BNTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, 1872, INCLUDING A REPORT ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND COMMON INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. ) PRE PARED BOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY. BY THE REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE, MA., Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope ; President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; and Editor of the Canadian Entomologist ; WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontaio; and EDMUND BAYNES REED, Secretary-Treasurer of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Lrinted by Order of the Legislative Assembly. Il Torontes: , PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1873. hae pag \ ES\" Annval REPORT EN’ oF THE - ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, 1872, INCLUDING A REPORT ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND COMMON INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY. BY THE REV.,C. J. S. BETHUNE,. MA., Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope ; President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; and Editor of the Canadian Entomologist ; WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Vice-President of tle Entomological Society of Ontuin; and EDMUND BAYNES REED, Secretary-Treasurer of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. Toronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1873. | Croce l OE N eS, PEMA T COUN DANIO DOLG, :sic'< teeesg. tenvsleinssantsveeres +s «coMMeevearspents erent evsvale Figcudberetnrysc : President’s Address Ardea Sues Rtas esos sae pt dens ss seers esc cuate dah mactarerak selctamnaskes antate SSITCENIMPOL ANIC wicectceicio s)cccecesosmean tas eanketeronac pins +«< caMMMEnecatante tata tunics aeetacts ckaueye etaeeey BPSPMATNONSEO LDIANY? sic-cetuccsceuansanntyeuiuertensecsser es «+ sMepatmennticct tenet ve tel dectad see stelueteclat se Tosects injurious tothe Grape. By W. Saumnders,......5.secccks «ccna ccessteosecevedss os vessvenoes Ansects Injurious to the Strawberry. By W. Saunders, ................ccc. cccseeceseceee ceeseeuces Insects Affecting the Hop. By Rev. 0. J.S. Bethune .................csecsesses cece e ceecceeeeenes Thsects ITFER IOP EVLA DIENLLeGs. | PD YEE MreeCdin.s...... meeRacaws cartes ascuaecnsantes siurs atcisateaenes Insects Affecting the Peach. By E. B. Reed cay More. Seach Sane Once Or “Insects Injurious to the Potato. By HE. B. Reed .......cccscscscccesseseseccencceusecenesene cenee . inssomelnnoxious Lnstcts. By We Saunders......5. . < Seercssces « cvcstebecesdoececevecovienvesteves Beneficial Ineects. By Rey. C. J. S. Bethune..... ...... ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 1872, INCLUDING A REPORT ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND COMMON INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY. BY THE REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M.A., Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope ; President of the Entomological Society of ; Ontario ; and Editor of the Canadian Entomologist ; WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontario; and EDMUND BAYNES REED, Secretary-Treasurer of the Entomological Society of Ontario. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR 1872. To the Honourable the Commissioner of Agriculture,— Srr,—In compliance with our Statute of Incorporation, I have the honour to submit the Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario for the year 1872. The annual meeting of the Society was this year held at the City of Hamilton, when the various reports were read, and the officers for 1873 duly elected. ; : I also beg leave to submit herewith a Report on some of the Noxious, Beneficial, and Common Insects of this Province, which has been prepared by the Rey. C. J. S. Bethune, Mr. William Saunders and myself, on behalf of the Society. The publication of the Canapran EnToMoLoaIsT is still regularly continued, and the value of its pages has been greatly enhanced by the contributions of Entomologists both on this continent and in England, whose learned researches have rendered them authorities in their several branches of this science. 9 Z I have much pleasure in being able to report an increase in our membership, which has now reached 300, and that under the fostering care of your Department a more general interest in practical Entomology seems to be making its way steadily among the agricultural com- munity. To Canadians generally it must be gratifying to know that the course pursued by your Department in encouraging the efforts of the fruit-grower, and in disseminating a knowledge of the various insect friends and foes, has called forth warm commendations from seyeral of the English scientific papers, and strong suggestions have been made that a similar course should be pursued by the Home Department. I have the honour to remain, Your obedient servant, Epmunp Baynes REED, Secretary-Treasurer of the Entomological Society of Ontario. London, Ont., Nov., 1872. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. The second annual general meeting of the Society was held at the Court-House, Hamil- ton, Ontario, on Thursday Hyening, September 27, 1872. The President, the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A.. in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The President's address, the report of the Council, and the financial statement of the Secretary-Treasurer were then read, and on motion duly received and adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1873. The following Officers were then elected: President.—Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., Trinity. College School, Port Hope, Ont. Vice-President.—W. Saunders, Esq., London, Ont. Secretary-Treasurer.—H. B. Reed, Esq., London, Ont. Council.—Prof. J. Macoun, Belleville; R. V. Rogers, Esq., Kingston; J. M. Denton, Esq., London; J. Pettit, Esq., Grimsby, A. Macallum, Esq., Hamilton. Auditors.—J. H. Griffiths and Chas. Chapman, London. : On motion duly carried, it was resolved that the sum of $100 be paid respectively to the President as Editor of the Enromoxoaist, and the Secretary-Treasurer, for their services during the year 1872. The state of the Library was discussed, and suggestions made with reference te its management. The subject of the Report on Insects was laid before the meeting, and information elicited from the members respecting the prevalence of any special damage caused in their re- spective districts by the attacks of insects on field or garden crops. A vote of thanks was passed to Judge Logie for his courtesy in granting the use of his room for the annual meeting. The meeting then adjourned. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. In presenting the Second Annual Report, the Council feel highly gratified at the mea- sure of success which has attended the Society during the past year. Confined, as its mem- bership naturally is, to a small numerical portion of the public, it is yet very evident from the increased number of new members that the Society’s efforts are appreciated, and that the science of practical Entomology is being gradually forced upon the notice of our most intelligent agriculturists and horticulturists. Fifty-four new members have entered our ranks this season, several of them being entomologists of some reputation. Our total num- ber is now 300, made up as below :—- Qntarios peneral.. [ocses-\uves suet vivertneteamues 70 Tondon sBranchs, . Saseuwecsecis sack -/<.ated as e's 51 SINE SEN, t350,....ccessmedauscas decade cotemantese 15 136 in Ontario Quebec Province .......s:0e:se+ee- see sloctaat acne 14 INOVENS COLA 5 4: cc nectemncnemsssoct teens Jmneeees 3 British) Columbia smewciesesditestaseeenseeen 1 154 in Canada. WnitediStates:...... cee weecascesss oetorersnecess 138 Min Glandec sac isch. .qheteneee tee eeeena tei eean aces 8 Total Mascctcosetccc scar ecicaee ties 300 Members, The Quebec Branch has ceased for the present to exist; but we hope shortly to see it reorganized. : ~ Our membership in the United States is steadily increasing, and from this source we derive much substantial assistance both to our funds and our magazine. The publication of the Canapian Enromocoatst is still continued; the fourth volume is now nearly com- pleted. The ENTomo.oaist is at present the only regularly-issued periodical on this Con- tinent devoted to the science of Entomology. We must not omit to return our hearty thanks to those friends who have so kindly sent material to the editors, and by whose active assistance the latter have been able to keep up the good reputation of our periodical. Espe- cially would we make honourable mention of Mr. V. T Chambers, of Covington, Kentucky, whose admirable papers on the Micro Lepidoptera have attracted much attention both here and in England. Some of onr members have expressed an opinion that the ENromMoLoaisT is too exclu- sively scientific, and that its pages have not been made sufficiently interesting to those amongst us who are at present only beginners in the study of the science. The Council feel that there is some justice in this remark, and we wouid suggest to our successors that perhaps it may be feasible to publish, in the pages of the ENromMoxoaisr, the descriptions of our na- tive Lepidoptera, taken from the original sources, as far as practicable, and thus give some assistance to those whose want of proper books, or inability to get even a reference to them, is an insuperable barrier to their working out for themselves the names of the various species in their collections. The great drawback to the Society’s efforts is a want of sufficient funds to procure the requisite scientific works on Entomology, many of which are very rare and costly, and also a proper supply of engravings and electrotypes of the various insects treated of. It is very difficult to meet the latter demand, owing to the want ofa good artist who is well versed in the science, and able to give a correct representation of the originals; at the present time we have to send to the United States for the greater part of our wood-cuts and electrotypes. The Council appointed a delegation to confer with the Commissioner of Agriculture om the subject of an increased grant, and there is every reason to hope that the result will be successful. In their application they will be strongly supported by the Fruit Growers’ As- sociation, who are making a similar appeal. We have much pleasure in referring to the very generous donation of fifty dollars to- wards our library fund by the Fruit Growers’ Association. It becomes indeed more manifest, as each succeeding year rolls on, that the cordial feeling existing between these two sister Societies is a strong element in their suceess, and furnishes fresh proof of the necessity of their continuing the work in the same friendly manner. We sincerely hope that this feeling will always continue. The financial statement will, we think, be found satisfactory to the members. The Council have thought it advisable to rent rooms at London for three years from July 1, 1872, at $80 per annum ; of this the London Branch pays $30. We would here suggest and recommend thut the expenses of fitting it up in a suitable manner be borne by the Society. The estimated cost is about $100. It must not be forgotten that hitherto the Society has had no proper place for keeping the stock of books, cabinets, pins, corks, ete, —r The library has been largely augmented during the year, and is now the nucleus of a very fair collection of entomological books. The property of the Society is insured for $850. Arrangements have been made for the continuation of our Annual Reports, to be pub- lished as hitherto under the direction of the Department of Agriculture. If successful in obtaining the increased grant that we are now applying for, it is ; contemplated to issue with the Reports a coloured plate of insects, believing that by this means we shall be able to present to the public a much more definite and correct idea of the various insects treated of. All of which is respectfully submitted. Epmunp Baynes REeEp, On behalf of the Councit. FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF SECRETARY-TREASURER. ve Receipts. By; BalancepinyBankjot Montreal: Un. sos seen eas eee eaten ler. Watton ea $ 233 73 “ Members’ Fees, including arrears...........s.+e..0 sconces eae one" we aaaesss song) ae) WGA « Government grant for 1872. ...... COUREBOIC? - latee reas antec Abase omen ceabe 500 00 “ Enevaving, from Department for Annual "Report, he GE Rae aA 150 00 « QANADIAN HIN TOMOLOGISTH Sal elOfi fs. 1cnec es Kin@ston BRANCH. The Officers for 1872 were :— PRESUAONE. sc0eese 4+ se Prof. N. F. Dupuis, | Secretary-Treasurer.........Mr. R. V. Rogers, Vice-President...... Mr. E. H. Collins, Jun. It numbers about 20 members. Meetings have been regularly held during the year. ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY. Drury seexone Hintomolocy, Aton sn. .0s. ss ecadsecercsresto dhe scence odecectaes sa ... 3 Volumes. British Beetles: by Janson. 1863)...........:.sseceaccaesccoscotaacnereenrressees res 1 Me MaxmillmEeats, : iby; ip Cuntisrevsessvcsceasecss glossy, rather coarser than that of Brombyx mori, and accord- ing to M. Trouvelot, can be used very extensively in com- merce. It has a continuous thread and can be readily unwound. We are not aware what the actual length of the silk in each eocoon amounts to, but it must be something very great, if one may judge it by comparison with that of the Chinese silk worm. Rennie, in his Jnsect Architecture, in speaking WiMaes Ea) of the latter states, “that the length of the unbroken thread in a cocoon varies from six hundred to a thousand feet ; and as it is all spun double by the insect, it will amount to nearly two thousand feet of silk, the whole of which does not weigh above three grains and-a-half ; five pounds of silk from ten thousand cocoons is considerably above the aver- age.” When we see the enormous difference in size between the cocoons of Polyphemus and mort, we can well believe that it may be very advantageous to the silk grower, to do all he can towards developing the experiments already made in the culture of our American silk worm. We must not forget, however, that amongst our ornamental and forest trees the larva is capable of doing much harm, and in the present instance we can only regard it as a noxious insect, and therefore one to be destroyed. Like everything else in the insect world, it has its special enemies, being very subject to the attacks of an Ichneumon fly, named Ophion Macrurum. Hand picking is the only remedy we are aware of. 4. THE CECROPIA EMPEROR CATERPILLAR. (Platysamia cecropia, Linu.) Order, LeprpopTera ; Family BomBycip&. This insect was fully described by the Rev. Mr. Bethune, in his treatise on insects injurious to the Apple, contained in the Commissioner’s Report for 1870, to which we refer our readers for further details. As the caterpillar feeds also on maple leaves we haye given a figure of it, No. 33. Fie, 33. Colours—Green, blue, yellow and red. Mr. Bethune well describes it as a giant among caterpillars. It is about four inchee Jong when full grown. The colour of the body is pale green, and it is covered with tuber- 41 (a eles of green, blue, yellow and red colours. It spins a cocoon in a manner similar to 7’. Polyphemus, which it much resembles in its habits save that the cocoon remains attached to the trees. The larva is subject to the attacks of a parasitic Tachina fly. Mr. Bethune states that the most effective remedy is to go round the orchard or garden in the winter, and cut off the cocoons which are so large and conspicuous as to be at once seen. 5. THE MAPLE OWLET MOTH. (Apatela Americana, Harr.) Order, LEPIDOPTERA ; Family, Nocrum&. During the later portion of the summer months and early in the fall, the caterpillar of the owlet moth may often be met with. It is about three inches long at maturity, the upper side of the body is greenish-yellow, ard covered with long soft yellow hairs, with four long slender erect tufts of black hairs, two on the fourth and two on the sixth segments, and a long single tuft on the eleventh segment ; the head, last segment, and all the under side, including the feet, are black. During repose it remains curled up side- wise. Dr. Harris writes that “ when about to make its cocoon, it creeps into chinks of the bark or into cracks of fences and spins a loose half-oval web of silk, intermixed with the hairs of its body ; under this it then makes another and tougher pod of silk, thickened with fragments of bark and wood, and there when its work is done changes into a chrysalis, in which state it remains till the following summer.” The perfect moth expands about three inches. The fore wings are light gray—near the outer margin there is a wavy scal loped whitish line, edged with black, and there are various black lines and streaks edged, in the same way; as are also the reniform or kidney shaped spots in the middle of the wing. The outer edge of both fore and hinder wings is fringed with wavy black and white spots. The hind wings are of a rather darker shade of gray in the males, while those of the female are more dingy or reddish brown. All the wings are whitish and shining on the under side, with a black wavy; curved band and a central semi-circular spot on each, the fringes are the same colour as on the upper side. . The body is reddish brown above, and much lighter in colour on the under side. The four wings have the peculiar mark re- sembling the Greek letter “ y,” though not so distinctly as in “ Acronycta Psi,” whose his- tory we related in the report for 1870, when treating of the plum. The Thorax is very thick, with prominent collar and shoulders. The family name of this moth is given to it frcm its nocturnal habits, having been named by the great entomologist Linneus from “ Noctua,” the Latin word for an owl. The maple owlet is the largest of our American species. It is very similar to, and has sometimes been mistaken for Apatela Aceris, the maple moth of Europe, although the larvz do not bear any resemblance to each other. 6. THE BANDED MAPLE MOTH (Ophiusa bistriaris, Hubner.) Order, LEPIpopTERA; Family, Nocrump.. It is somewhat hard to believe that this elegant little moth can be the cause of any mischief to our maples, but we must not be deceived by appearances, for it is a veritable enemy. The moth expands about one inch and three-quarters. The wings are large, and clearly and neatly shapen. The colour of the forewings is a rich chocolate brown, with a broad lighter margin on the outer edge, with awavy scalloped line dividing it length- ways ; there are two whitish lines edged on the inner side with a deeper shade of chocolate brown, the outer of these two lines forms the inner side of the marginal broad border ; the hindwings are of a uniform reddish brown, with two indistinct transverse lines and bordered with a whitish fringe, margined interiorly with a scalloped black line. The under side of all the wings is of a light brown colour, with a black wavy transverse line and a central black spot in each wing, and a broad whitish border with blackish scal- loped margin, and a fringe ; the body is the same colour above as the fore wings ; the head is thickly clothed with deeper red collar ; the feelers are erect and prominent. The larva has been bred by Mr. William Saunders from the Silver Maple, Aver 42 dasycarpum, and we give the following condensed description from his notes published in the Canadian Entomologist, vol. ii. p. 130. A number of specimens were taken late in July. Their length was 1-40 inches ; somewhat onisciform. The head was medium sized, flattened and bilobed ; of a pale, ashen gray colour, a dark brown stripe on each side, and a few short grey hairs scattered on its surface. The body above is brownish grey, with numerous streaks and dots of pale brown ; a double irregular dorsal line widening here and there throughout +its entire length. There are many other broken lines of the same character, composed chiefly of dots, but none of them continuous. On the hinder part of the twelfth segment is a raised crescent shaped line, edged behind with black, and on the terminal one two whitish dots, with a small patch of black at their base. The spiracles, or breathing pores, are pale, oval, and edged with black. The under surface is paler and bluish-green, with two round central blackish spots on the hinder part of the seventh and eighthsegments. The feet are green- ish, and semi-transparent. This larva is subject to considerable variation in its colour and markings. When about to go into chrysalis the larva cuts through a portion of a leaf of the tree on which it has fed, and turning it over constructs a snug little case, fastening it up closely and carefully with silken threads, and in this completes its trans- formations. After remaining in the pupa state about two weeks Mr. Saunders’ specimens produced the perfect imago. : Although not appearing in any very great numbers the moth is tolerably common in the western part of the Province. 7. THE MAPLE LEAF CUTTER (Orniz acerifoliella, Fitch.) Order, LeprpopTERA ; Family, TINEIDA, Many persons, we have no doubt, have often noticed a peculiar appearance of the maple leaves, resembling the effects of fire or frost, and giving a dingy brown look to the whole foliage. It is more or less common every year in this Province, but it has been unusually noticeable in the London district during the past season. It is caused by the larvee of a pretty little moth, whose dark brilliant blue colour and bright orange yellow head may frequently attract the attention of an observer during the early part_of the summer, as the moth flies about from tree to tree, or rests exposed upon the leaves. This little creature belongs to a family that embraces the smallest in size of all our Lepidoptera, and many members of which are very familiar to us, as we know to our annoyance and discomfort when our furs and carpets and wearing apparel are attacked. Dr. Asa Fitch, the talented Entomologist of the State of Massachusetts, was the first to work out the life-history of this destructive little maple leaf cutter, and from his excellent treatise, published in 1856, we intend to make a few extracts. “ The cause of this fading of the leaves was recently discovered upon examination. “It was found that the green parenchyma or pulpy substance of the leaf was destroyed in spots and irregular patches, leaving only the fine net-work of veins and the transparent cuticle. These spots were commonly in rings or in segments of a circle, with the centres green and unaffected. In addition to these, holes of a nearly circular form appeared in the leaves, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, with others of a smaller size. A dozen or more of these holes . were at that time found in almost every leaf; and some of the pieces which had been cut out of the leaf, forming these holes, might be observed adhering like round scales to the surface of the leaf, some on its upper, others on its under side. On elevating this scale from the strface of the leaf another smaller one was found beneath it, and beneath them was a small white worm, which was evidently the artizan by whom all this work had been done—cutting out these circular pieces from the leaf to form a cloak for himself, and when hungry feeding upon the pulpy substance of the leaf, thus forming the circular and irregular spots seen upon it. Occasionally one of these scales might be observed to move slightly along, the worm at such times protruding its head from under the edge of the scale, and with its feet pulling its unwieldy domicile to another part of the leaf.” “The worm within these cases is nearly a quarter of an inch in length when mature. It is slender, and of a flattened cylindrical form, soft and contractible, composed of 43 thirteen segments marked by slight intervening constrictions. It is dull white, the head, which is strongly depressed, and the three thoracic segments pale rusty brown. An interrupted broad blackish stripe along the middle of the back is more or less distinct. Only the three pairs of legs upon the thoracic segments are distinctly developed.” “These worms, or many of them at least, are carried to the ground upon the leaves, when they fall from the trees in autumn. They remain in their cases and change to pup» among the fallen leaves beneath the trees, in which situation they: may be found early in the following spring.” Dr. Fitch mentions the fact that trees standing alone in fields or yards around houses were exempt from the attacks of the leaf-cutter. Our experience does not confirm this statement, for we found that several isolated trees were badly disfigured around the country house where we spent the past summer months. A small Ichneumon-fly, about one-tenth of an inch in length, and pale yellow, is parasitic upon the larve cases, and probably is of material service in checking the increase of the moth. Dr. Fitch suggests as a remedy that sheep or cattle be allowed to range the ground occupied by the sugar orchard, and if notwithstanding the trampling of the earth by cattle standing under or travelling around them, the leaves of particular trees show that they are preyed on by this moth, it will be well after the leaves have fallen in autumn to feed salt to the animals under such trees, that any insects among the leaves may be trampled upon and destroyed. Lhe holes made by these insects are nearly circular when first cut, bnt by the subse- quc at growth of the leaf they become oblong. 8. THE MAPLE MEASURING WORM (Stegania pustularia, Guenee). Order, Leprpoprera ; Family, GEOMETRID&. We quote the following account from Mr. W. Saunders’ notes, as published in the Canadian Entomologist, vol. iii. p. 325: “The larve of this delicate looking little geometric moth feeds on the maple. It is common in the London neighbourhood, and may be readily got in season by striking the branches of the trees a sharp blow, when it drops at once part way to the ground, remain- ing suspended by a silken thread, by means of which, when danger passes, it can regain its position on the tree. It is found full grown about the middle of June, enters the chrysalis state within a few days afterwards, and produces the moth early in July. “When full grown the larva measures abont five-eighths of an inch in length ; body cylindrical, head medium-sized, rather flat in front and slightly bilobed, and of a pale green colour, with a fe-v very fine hairs, invisible without a magnifying glass,scattered over its surface ; mandibles .ipped with black.” “Body above F.aish green, with thickly set longitudinal stripes of whitish and yellow ; a double v sitish dorsal line with bordering lines of yellowish white, neither of which are unbrol.vn, but are formed ofa succession of short lines and dots. Below these, on each side, are two or three imperfect white lines, made up of short streaks, and much fainter than those bordering the dorsal line; spaces between the segments yellowish. The skin all over the body is much wrinkled and folded.” “The under surface is green, with a tinge of yellowish between the segments ; feet yellowish green, prolegs green, faintly tipped with brown.” “The moth is of a pure white colour, with three or four reddish brown spots on the costal margin of each of the fore wings, and with a faint curved line of the same, crossing them a little beyond the middle ; it expands one inch.” The larva feeds on the young and tender leaflets and buds, and of course causes some injury. In all probability the same remedy would be of service as that suggested by Dr. Fitch in the case of the maple leaf cutter. 44 INSECTS AFFECTING THE PEACH. By E. B. Reep, Lonpon, ONT. yr rt FAALY THE PEACH BORER (Ageria eritiosa, Say.) Order, LEPIDOPTERA ; FAMILY, ASGERID. This notorious pest, which has been well termed “the silent and insidious destroyer of the peach tree,” is so common, and its attacks are so universal wherever peach-culture is attempted, that we deem it matter of interest to our readers to lay before them the full details of its history. The laborious researches of those able American Entomolo- gists, Mr. Thomas Say, of Philadelphia, Dr. Thaddeus Harris, of Massachusetts, and Dr. Asa Fitch, of New York, have caused the whole history of the peach borer to be well worked up, and it is from their writings that we propose to condense the following treatise for the benefit of our Canadian readers. Mr. Say first described the insect in 1826, and gave it the name of evitiosa, a word signifying “destructive,” in allusion to its powers of mischief. The perfect insect belongs to a group or family of moths, which, from their transparent wings and slender bodies with coloured bands, bear so strong a resemblance to certain bees, wasps, hornets and flies that various species have received the names of apiformis, the bee-shaped ; vespiformis, the wasp-shaped ; crabroniformis, the hornet-shaped ; tipulifurmis, the gnat-shaped, ete. So deceptive is this likeness that even the celebrated naturalist, DeGeer, in writing of one of the species observes, “the first time that Isaw it I hesitated to take it with mynaked hand, believing that I had found a wasp.” The moths fly only in the day time, and they may be frequently seen basking in the sunshine. Their larvee derive all their nourishment from the wood and pith of the various shrubs and trees which they affect, and in the stems or roots of which they lie concealed. ’ Fic. 34. At figure 34 we give a representation of . of the perfect or winged state of the peach borer, No. 1 showing the female and No. 2 the male, by which our readers will notice that the sexes differ so remarkably in appearance that it is difficult to believe that they both belong to thesamespecies. The male, No. 2, is ofa deep steel blue colour, with various pale yellow marks, and has a glossy satin-like lustre. The antenne are black, and fringed on the inner side with numerous fine short hairs.. The palpi, or feelers, the shoulder-covers, the rings ef the abdomen, and of the peculiar brush or fan on the tail are edged with pale yellow. The wings expand about one inch ; they are all transparent and glass-like, with a slight tinge of smoky yellow, their veins, margin and fringe are steel blue. The body is slender and cylindrical. The feet are black, with two rings of pale yellow on the shins. The female, No. 1, has a very dark steel blue body, with a tinge of purple, and a broad bana of a bright glossy orange-yellow colour, occupying the whole of the fourth and fifth segments. The abdomen is of along oval form, nearly twice as broad as that ef the male. The antenne have no fringe along their inner sides. The fore wings are opaque, and of a steel blue colour, with the tips and fringes of a purplish tint. The hind wings are transparent like those of the male ; they are broadly margined upon hoth Colours Steel Blue and Yellow Band. 45 sides, and marked at the base with steel blue ; they have five thick veins, and commonly there are traces of a straw-yellow stripe on the outer margin towards the tip. The wings expand about one inch and a half. Both sexes have several varieties, but the two above mentioned descriptions are those of the ordinary types. The eggs are deposited by the moths in the course of the summer, upon the trunk of the tree near the root. Mr. Evan Thomas, as quoted by Mr. Say, says that “ they leave from one to fifty, and in some instances nearly three hundred eggs in each tree, according to its size and capacity to support the future progeny.. These soon appear, but it is difficult to detect them until they have acquired a growth of two or three weeks, when they are four or five lines in length. From this period their growth is accelerated or retarded in proportion to the quantity of nourishment afforded.” Dr. Fitch writes “that the worms when hatched work downwards, at first in the bark of the root, forming, a slender flexuous channel, which.becomes filled with gum. At the distance of an inch or two below the surface the whole of the bark of the root becomes consumed in badly infested trees, and the soft sap wood is also extensively gnawed and eroded, so that frequently the root is nearly severed. The larger worms in the winter season repose with their heads upwards, in contact with the exterior surface of the root, commonly in smooth longitudinal grooves which they have excavated, their backs being covered over with the castings mingled with the gum and with cobweb-like threads, thus forming a kind of cell, the cavity of which is considerably larger than the body of the worm inhabiting it. The smaller worms have no such cell, but lie promiscuously in the “gum, or between it and the root.” . The presence of these borers may always be readily detected by the castings and gum which issue from the hole in the bark. Dr. Harris tells us ‘‘ that these borers, when nearly one year old, make their cocoons either under the bark of the trunk or root, or in the earth and gum contiguous to the base of the trees. Soon afterwards they are transformed to chrysalides, and finally come forth in the winged state, and lay the eggs for another generation of borers.” “ The last transformation takes place from June to October, most frequently, how- ever during the month of July in the State of Massachusetts. Here, although there are several broods produced by a succession of hatches, there is but one rotation of meta:aorphoses consummated within a year. Hence, borers of all sizes will be found in the trees throughout the year, althdugh it seems necessary that all of them, whether more or less advanced, should pass through one winter before they appear in the winged state.” Dr. Fitch also confirms the statement that whoever examines infested roots will find worms upon them of all sizes, at all times of the year. From his reportit appearsthat the pupa state lasts at least three weeks in the warmest part of the summer, and that in the State of New York the moths generally deposit their eggs about the end of July and the beginning of August. At fig. 35 we give a faithful represen- tation of the full grown larva, and we quote its description as given by Mr. Saunders in the Canadian Entomologist, vol. ii. The larva is a naked, soft cylindrical grub, slightly flattened on its under side, and measures when full grown over half an inch in length, and nearly a quarter of an inch in diameter. It is divided into fourteen nearly equal segments by broad transverse constrictions. The head is of a medium size, with a depressed line down the centre, dividing it into two lobes. It has a triangular piece inserted in the middle, with its base towards the mouth and its apex terminating just under the anterior edge of the second segment. The head is also flattened, and of a reddish colour, becoming darker, almost black, on its anterior edge. The jaws are black and prominent. The body above is of a dull pale yellow, with the segments or rings of the body deeply cut. The second segment is of a pale reddish brown colour, smooth and horny looking. On each segment there are a few minute pale reddish dots, from which arise short reddish or brownish hairs—those along the sides and on the posterior extremity being somewhat larger. A faint line runs along each side through the stigmata or breathing pores of a paler shade on the rest of the body. The stigmata are small, nearly round, and of a dull reddish colour. The under sur ace is very similar in colour to the upper. The feet are tipped Fig. 35, SS Se SS with reddish brown, and the prolegs are pale yellow, with the fringe of hooks crowning each, of a dark reddish brown. From Dr. Fitch we learn that “‘ when ready to enter the pupa state the worm crawls upwards to the surface of the ground, and there forms for itself a follicle or pod-like case of a leathery texture, made from its castings, held together by dry gum and cobweb- like threads. This follicle is of a brown colour, and oval in its form, with its ends rounded ; it is about three-fourths ofan inch long, and over one fourth in diameter, but is variable in its size, being sometimes but half an inch long. Its inner surface is perfectly smooth, and of the colour of tanned leather, It is placed against the side of the root, often sunk in a groove, which the worm appears to have gnawed for this purpose, with its upper end slightly protruding above the surface of the ground. But if the earth has. been stirred recently, so as to lie loose around the root, the worm will commonly form its follicle an inch or more below the surface.” A great variety of remedies have been proposed by the numerous writers who have treated upon this insect, but we think that the following extracts will give the results of those experiments that appear to have met with the best success. Dr. Harris informs us “that the following plan, which was recommended by me in the year 1826, and has been tried with complete success by several persons in this. vicinity, will effectually protect the neck or most vital part of the tree from injury. Remove the earth from the base of the tree, crush and destroy the cocoons and borers. which may be found in it and under the bark, cover the wounded parts with the common clay composition, and surround the trunk with a strip of sheathing-paper eight or nine inches wide, which should extend two inches below the level of the soil, and be secured with strings of matting above. Fresh mortar should then be placed around the root, so as to confine the paper and prevent access beneath it, and the remaining cavity may be filled with new or unexhausted loam. This operation should be performed in the spring, or in the month of June. In the winter the string may be removed, and in the following spring the trees should again be examined for any borers that may have escaped search before, and the protecting application should be renewed.” Mr. James Worth, who is largely quoted by Mr. Thomas Say, writes: “The best plan of guarding against the ravages of this insect which I have found, is to examine the tree early in the month of July ; take a bricklayer’s* trowel, and opening the ground around the trunk the lodgment of the insect will at once be discovered by the appearance of gum, and it can be readily destroyed. One person can thus examiue more than a hundred trees in less than half a day, and very few, if any, of the insects will escape.” Mr. C. V. Riley, the State Entomologist of Missouri, in his first annual report published in 1869, gives yet another remedy, and one which appears to be so successful that we cannot refrain from giving our readers the full extract. ‘I have had ample occasion,” he writes, ‘to witness the effect of the mounding system during the summer in several different orchards, and am fully convinced that it is the best practical method of preventing the attacks of this insect, and that it matters little whether ashes or simple earth be used for the mound. True, there are parties who claim that the almost total exemption from borers in mounded peach-orchards is due, not to any special effect pro- duced by the mound, but to the general rarity of the insect. But I have found no general rarity of the insect wherever I have been in our own State, but, on the contrary, have with difficulty found a single tree in any orchard that was in anywise neglected that did not contain borers ; while I have found mounded trees entirely exempt. The following paragragh communicated to the Western Rural by Mr. B. Pullen, of Centralia, Illinois, » touches on this point, and I can bear witness to the thrift and vigour of Mr. P.’s trees : “ As spring will soon be upon us, I wish to add my testimony in favour of the “banking system,” as a preventive against the attacks of the peach borer. As to its efficiency there can be no doubt, I have practised it for four years with complete success. I would not advise its adoption until after the trees are fouryears old. Duringmost of this period the bark is tender and trees are liable to be entirely girdled by even a single worm. Safety lies only in personal examination and removal with the knife in fall aud spring (September and April). In April of the fourth year bank up to the height of fromten to twelve inches, pressing the dirt firmly around the tree. A little dirt should be added each successive spring ; it is not only a preventive, but a great saving of labour.” 47 As further testimony, and with a view of giving the method by which the trees may be mounded, I also insert the following communication from E. A. Thompson, of Hillside (near Cincinnati), Ohio, which appeared in the Journal of Agriculture of November 14th, 1868: “The mounding system was first practised, so far as I know, by Isaac Bolmar, of Warren County, Ohio. I visited his orchards some years ago, acquainted myself with his system, and concluded to try it upon my orchard of 4,000 trees—then one year planted. I plant my trees in the fall, and in the spring following cut them back to six inches above the bud. The tree, then, instead of having one body has several—from three to six. The second summer I plough both ways, turning the fnrrows towards the trees. The men follow with shovels, throwing the loose soil around th: trees to the height of about one foot. In the fall I cut the trees back, taking off about one-third of the year’s growth. The next spring or summer I pursue the same method, raising the mound about one foot higher, cut back in the fall, and in the third summer repeat the process, raising the mound another foot, which finishes the job. The mound will then be about three feet high at its apex, and six feet in diameter at its base. Themounding need not be done in the summer or at any particular season; it is just as well done in the fall when the hurry is over, The dirt is never taken away from the trees ; in fact it cannot be removed without injury to the tree, for the young rootlets each year keep climbing up through this mound. | had occasion to remove one of these mounds a few days since, and found it a mass of healthy roots.” “ Now for the benefits. First, you have no trouble with the grub or borer ; he must have light and air, and the mound is too much for him; he comes out, and that is the last of him. I have never wormed my trees or hunted for borers, and an orchard of healthier or thriftier trees cannot be found. It has been asserted that the borer will reappear again near the top of the mound—but I am satisfied this isnot the case ; I have neyer thus far been able to find one. Second, the system imparts longevity to the tree. I saw a tree in Warren County, treated inthis manner, ¢hirty years old, still healthy and bearing annual crops. Third, trees thus treated are not subject to disease. I have never had a case of yellows in my orchard. Fourth, the expense is trifling—one man can mound fifty trees perday. The system can be applied to old as well as young orchards; but if old trees are thus treated they should first be severely cut back, when they will makea growth of young wood.” It is also stated that tobacco stems thrown round the stem of the trees have been productive of good, as they seem to have the effect of keeping away the moth. 48 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE POTATO. By E. B. Rerp, Lonpon, ONTARIO. Addenda to the Report of 1870. ee) deep orange ; (b) and (c) venetian red, inclining to cream colour; (d) and (e) cream colour aud black. During the past year we looked firward with considerable anxiety to the effect that the Colorado Beetle would produce on the potato crop; we are glad to be able to report that on the whole, less mischief has been done than we ant cipated. It is somewhat difficult, how- ever, to arrive at an accurate estimate. The Bureau of Agriculture forwards every year to the Secretaries of the Electoral Division Agricultural Societies a printed circular requesting a detailed return of the crops in each district , if these returns were properly made they would afford much valuable information. It is to be regretted that they are not more universally attended to, So far as we can learn only 40 of these returns have been made for 1872, and it is on these partial details that we must base our analysis for the Potato crop. While, how- ever, the ravages of the beetle have been somewhat less than we expected, its increase in num- bers ‘aod onward progress have yet been such as to cause not only a material effect on the crop, but also to maintain a good deal of alarm amongst the farming community. A comparison of the crop returns for “the two past years fully confirms the statement made in our former reports, tbat the second and third years of appearance of the beetle are worse than the first. A few statistics may not be out «f place here. In 1871, 45 Agricultural Societies sent in returns shewing an average crop of 131 bush- els per acre. In the past year, 1872, only 40 Societies reported, with an average of 118 bushels per acre, In 1871 only 14 Societies reported the presence of the bectle, while 33 were free from it, and none badly affected. In 1872, 26 Societies report injury from the beetle, and 8 report yery serious damage, in some cases almost total destruction, and only 14 appear to be free. 49 It is to be noticed that all the western places which in 1871 were the most badly affected, were in 1872 far more seriously attacked. In no one place do we find that the beetle after making its appearance one year, has not reappeared in the following season, The following list of Societies reporting the advent of the beetle for the first time, will shew what its on- ward progress is :— Middlesex, N. Hastings, E. Perth, S. Norfolk, N. Durham, W. Northumberland, W. Simcoe, 8. Wellington, S. Wellington, N. Middlesex, W. Niagara, Grey, S. Frontenac, Peterborough, Victoria, Oxtord, N. Hastings, N. While the following were those receiving most injury :— Bothwell, Essex, Middlesex, E. Wellington, N. Lambton, Perth, S. Elgin, E. We are quite aware of the inaccuracy of these statistics, as we know that in some of the new places the beetle appeared in 1871. We base the statements, however, upon the returns given to the Commissioner. It would be very desirable to obtain statistics of the various sorts of potatoes grown, as we are quite satisfied from our own experience that some varieties are much more subject to attack than others, and we would beg respectfully to suggest to the Com- missioner of Agriculture the propriéty of obtaining such information during the coming season. From the monthly reports of the Agricultural Department published at Washington, we obtain some information respecting the ravages of the Colorado Potato Beetle in the United States. The returns of their correspondents shew that the crop of 1872 was less than that of 1871 by abvut six millions of bushels. This, however, comprehends “sweet potatoes” as well. The western States, in which the potato crop had suffered for several years past from the ra- vages of the Colorado beetle, reported diminishing losses from that cause, and were the only States, North Carolina and Texas excepted, reporting increased production. In the following twelve Western States, viz., Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wiscon- sin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, California, and Oregon, the average yield was only 98 bushels to the acre, while the average price on December 1, 1872, was 50 cents per bushel. Harding County, Lowa, is reported exempt, after several years’ visitation of the beetle “ Tyck’s Seedling” Potato is claimed to be “ bug proof.” We give these statistics as it is frum the Western States that the Colorado Beetle has worked its way, and they shew to some extent what effect has been pruduced by its ravages for some years past. In our immediate neighbourhood at London the beetles literally swarmed, and thousands were daily trodden down on the sidewalks and streets, and we look for a still further increase next year. We may mention as a curious fact, that although we had previously seen many hundreds of thousands of the perfect beetle, it was only last season that we for the first ‘time saw even one in actual flight; but perhps the numbers we saw this year on the wing fully compensated for the “masterly inactivity ” of those f rmerly observed by us. Qur natural allies the insect enemies of the Colorado Beetle appear to be slightly on the increase, thus furnishing further evidence, if any is required, that Dame Nature still main- tains the “ balance of p wer,’’ and that for every natural evil that arises, some natural remedy is sure to be found; and although the’ remedy perhaps may not, in our estimation, work quite so rapidly as we could desire, yet it is none the less sure and effectual in the end. Especially have we noticed the more frequent presence of the Fifteen Sp tted Ladybird Fic. 37. (.Wysia 15 punctata, Oliv. )—see Fig. 37—and several friends have brought us in specimens of Lerillus circumcinctus, Say-- see Fig. 38—which they detec- ted in the act of attacking the larvee of the Colorado beetle. w We still continue to recom- mend Paris Green as the chief 50 remedy. Wherever it has been properly used, good results have invariably been obtained. : It is, of course, of the utmost importance that the quality should be good. As a marketable commodity, the quality of Paris Green is exceedingly variable. It is an arsenite of copper, and the best qualities contain about 60 per cent. of arsenic, on which its activity depends, but the inferior grades contain a much smaller percentage, and are consequently much less effective, and in some cases almost worthless for this purpose. We are Fic. 38. satisfied that every reported case of failure in the use of Paris Green as a remedy for the Colorado potato beetle, may be traced directly to the inferior quality of the poison used. We have been informed by Mr. W. Saunders, of London, Ont., that he has found Plaster of Paris a most excellent substitute for flour to mix the poison with. It should, most certainly, be very useful as a fertilizer, and where ayail- able, would doubtless be found to obtain success. Its cheapness also is a very important point in its fayour. Its proportions for mixture are somewhat more, owing to the difference between the weight of the plaster and that of flour, for while the latter works well in the ratio of from 15 to 20 parts to 1 of Paris Green, the Plaster will require at least 30 to 40. Flour, however, we consider for several reasons to be still a capital material for this purpose. There is a mixture prepared at Strathroy, Ont., which it is claimed is a very good remedy for the beetle. We tried some on a small scale, but not enough to justify us in recommending it as a substitute for the ParisGreen. We purpose testing it more extensively this next season. In the State ef Illinois we are told that the following plan has been tried and found to succeed, i.c., to plough a small furrow between the rows of potatoes, knock off with a stick all the larvae into the furrows, and then by running the plough up the row again cover them with earth. We can hardly imagine that in our climate this would answer at all, for as the lary when full grown seek the earth in which to undergo their transformation into the pupal and perfect states, it would seem that this plan would only kill a few of the tenderest and youngest of the brood, and would not interfere with the older and more mature ones. From the general returns, the early crops appear to escape the more easily, and in several instances the late crops seem to have been saved by a plentiful supply of rain, even after the bugs had attacked and finally left them. The chief thing, however, seems to be not to grow too large a crop, and to exercise a vigilant watch over what is grown; this, with hand picking and the use of Paris Green will, we think, ensure success in most instances. We have not heard of a single case of poisoning from the bite or handling of the beetle. As to our opinion on this point, we refer our readers to our Report for 1871. We would beg here to record our thanks to our esteemed friend, Professor Geo. Buckland, the able and well-known Secretary of the Ontario Bureau of Agriculture, for his courtesy in furnishing us with statistics of the past year’s crop; the Entomologists of Ontario indeed owe a great deal to the Professor for his invariable kindness and attention to their wants, and the promptitude with which he always seeks to assist them in carrying out their attempts at Practical Entomology. We feel sure that we express the feeling of all the members of the Entomological Society of Ontario, in offering to our friend all the kindly wishes of this Christmas season, and trusting that he may long be spared to superintend the working of the Bureau with which he has been so long and so honourably associated. ON SOME INNOXIOUS INSECTS By W. Saunpers, Lonpon, OnTaRI0. ’ Under the above heading it is proposed to give our readers the life history of several of our more common insects, which are neither injurious nor beneficial to the farmer or fruit gorower, but which from their great abundance, or else from some peculiarity in their appear- ance, habits or size, excite curiosity and claim our attention. Tae Arcaippus BurrerrLy (Danais Archippus, Fabr.) The first insect of which we propose to treat is one of our commonest butterflies, known as the Archippus Butterfly (Danuis Archippus.) its first appearance on the wing is usually about the middle of May, but it is not very common until later in the season. It is said that it passes the winter in a state of torpidity, hidden in some sheltered spot where it sleeps securely till awakened by the warmth of spring. The few individuals which thus early appear, lay their eggs on the tender leaves of the young milkweed plants (Asclepias cornuti ) and other species of Asclepias, and also on the bitter root (upocynum Androsemefolium ) ; this takes place during the latter part of May or the beginning of June. The eggs when first laid are white, but in two or three days they become Yellow, and hen dull grey just before the time of hatching. They are th of an inch long, conical Fic. 39. in form, flattened at the base. When viewed ; -«q- With a magnifying glass they appear very | beautiful, (see figure 39) where a represents fe the ege much enlarged, while at ¢ it is shown Ze ee of the natural size, and in its usual rosition on 544 the under side of the leaf. On each egg there ‘S323 are about twenty-five raised longitudinale lines S333 or ribs, and about the same number of pross- S23 lines between each, so that the whole apwears covered with a regular and beautiful network qa 4s shown in the figure, which has been drawn from nature, as those also have which are to follow by our esteemed friend, Prof. 0. V. Riley, of St. Louis, Mo. In about six or seven days the egg matures, producing a yery small caterpillar, one-tenth of an inch long, with a large black head and yellowish white body, with a few black hairs on each segment or ring, as shown at ¢ and f (Fig 39.) Thjs caterpillar grows very rapidly, and soon finds that its skiu, although very elastic, will bear no further stretching, when it conveniently disrobes itself and appears in colours fresh and gay, by simply crawling out of its skin through a rent down the back, which takes place just at the proper time. This process, which is called moulting, is repeated three times during the growth of the larva, and requires no other preparation for its accomplishment than that of a short fast. Any abstemiousness shown at these critical periods in the ereature’s history is however soon compensated for by the engr- mous appetite with which it is furnished as soon as the crisis is past. At) (Fig. 39) the bead and anterior segments of the larva just before its last moult, is figured for the purpose ‘ 32 ay of showing how the long fleshy horns with which the mature caterpillar is furnished are conveniently coiled up while lying buried beneath the old skin. Fre. 40. . The full grown larva (Fig. 40) is about one and three-quarter inches long. Its head is yellowish, with a triangular black stripe in front below, and another of a similar shape above. The upper surface of the body is beautifully ornamented with transverse stripes of black, yellow and white, the white covering the greater part of each segment, and having a wide black Colours—White, Black and Yellow. stripe down the centre, while the yel- low occupies the spaces between. On the third segment (reckoning the head as first) are two long black fleshy horns, and on the twelfth two others of a similar character, but shorter, and not quite so stout. The underside is black, with a greenish flesh-colour between most of the segments. The next change which comes over this caterpillar is that which transforms it to a pupa or chrysalis, a most astonishing transformation, when the voracious larva becomes for a time torpid, senseless, and almost motionless, while preparing for that change when it is to appear in brilliant plumage and gracefully float and flutter through the air, enjoying the summer's sunshine and sipping the nectar of flowers. Kirby in his ‘Introduction to Entomology” says, ‘were a naturalist to announce to the world the discovery of an animal which for the first five years of its life existed in the form of a serpent, which then penetrating into the earth and weaving a shroud of pure silk of the finest texture, contracted itself within this covering into a body without external mouth or limbs, and resembling more than anything else an Heyptian mummy; and which, lastly. after remaining in this state without food and without motin for three years longer, should at the end of that period burst its silken cerements, struggle through its earthly covering, and start into day a winged bird—what think you would be the sensation excited by this strange piece of intelligence? After the first doubts of its truth were dispelled, what astonishment would succeed! Amongst the learned what surmises! what investigations! Amongst the vulgar what eager curiosity and amazement! All would be interested in the history of such an unheard-of phenomenon.” Yet the changes which the insect we are referring to undergoes in common with many others, is scarcely less wonderful or startling. Fie 41, In Fig. 41 the larva is represented as it appears at different peri ds during its transition to the state of chrysalis. Ata it hangs suspended from a silken web in which its hind legs are entangled, and which has been previously attached by the caterpillar to the underside of a leaf, or fence rail, or some other secure place of retreat; and here, while hanging for about a day, the larva contracts its length and increases its bulk, es: ecially on the anterior segments. By and by a rent takes place in the skin down the back, and the chrysalis begins to appear, and after long and persevering efforts in stretching, contracting, and wriggling the body, the skin is crowded backwards and worked nearly up to the hinder extremity, as shown at b; and now a diffi- culty presents itself, and a feat has to be performed to imitate which would” puzzle the most daring acrobat, for without bands or feet to hold on by, it has to withdraw itself from the remnants of its larva skin, and hang itself up by a black protuberance crowned with a bunch of hooks at the extremity of the chrysaiis. Although this feat is so wonderfully difficult, it is very seldom indeed that a failure occurs in its accomplishment. A ready) explanation of the means by which this is done is given at c, (lig. 41.) The joints of the abdomen being freely moveuble, are first stretched against a portion of the larva skin, and by a sudden jerk backwards the skin is grasped and firmly held while the terminal segments aro withdrawn and the process of suspension completed. Soon after this the chrysalis begins a series of wriggling and jerking movements with the view of dislodging the empty larva skiln after the removal of which it remains motionless unless disturbed, and becomes gradualy, harder and more contracted until it assumes the appearance represented by Fig. 42. The chrysalis is about an inch long, and of a beautiful pale green colour spotted with gold, and with a band of golden dots extending more than half way round the body above the middle; this band is shaded with black. There is also a patch of black around the base of the black pro- tuberance by which it is suspended, and several dots of the same on other portions of the surface. The chrysalis state seldom lasts more than ten or twelve days, and towards the expiration of this period the handsome green and gold colours begin to fade. and the chrysalis grows gradually darker until the diminutive wings of the future butterfly show plainly through the semi-transparent enclosure. The escape of the imprisoned insect, now nearly ready for flight, is usually made quite early in the morning. We ‘Z ’ have several times watched for their deliverance, and have usually found it Deca and to take place soon after daybreak. A sudden crackling and slight tearing ‘s is, 6 sound is heard, which arises from a splitting of the chrysalis case part way down the back; the fore legs, head and antenna are first withdrawn, and in a very short time the entire’insect is liberated. Strange looking creatures they are when they first present themselves to view, with bodies so large as to be out of all proportion to the tiny wings. When fully developed their wings measure about four inches across, but when fresh from the chrysalis they are about the size of those of a large bee. The first necessity now for the welfare of the individual is to find a suitable location where the wings may be held in a good position for expanding, for without such favourable circumstance they would never attain a serviceable size. It is necessary that a position should be secured where the wings can hang down as they are expanding, for which reason the underside of a twig is often selected ; and here, securely suspended by the sharp claws with which the feet are furnished, the wings undergo in a short time the most marvellous growth it is possible to imagine. We have seen the wings double their size by actual measurement within three minutes, and the whole process, from the time of the escape of the butterfly to that of the full development of the the wings, seldom occupies more than from fifteen to twenty minutes, and ere the sun is high in the heavens, on the morning of its birth, the soft flabby wings have dried and become rigid, and the butterfly is ready for flight. ’A winz clipped from the insect immediately after its escape, and examined under the microscope, reveals the fact that the thousands and tens of thousands of seales with which the wings are covered, and which afterwards assume such beautiful feather-like forms, are now Fig. 43. , Colours—Bright Orange, Red, Black and White. nearly all linear or thread-like, not folded up or wrinkled, but undeveloped. Impressed with this thought, one is fairly astonished at the almost incredible change wrought in so limited a time, for ‘the growth embraces not only the extension of the me ‘mbraneous surface of the ‘ 54° wing, but the enlargement and maturity of every scale or feather on it, the individuals of which appear but as particles of dust to the naked eye. What a wonderful and intricate system of circulation and power of nutrition must be possessed to accomplish this marvellous result. . The Archippus Butterfly (see Fig. 43) is so well known that it needs but little descrip- tion to recall its appearance, especially where so good a figure is given. The ground colour of the wings when fresh is a beautifully bright orange red, the veins are heavy and black, and the margins are spotted with white, the latter being more or less covered or encroached upon by the general colour. Near the middle of the hind wings there appears in the figure, on one of the veins, an enlarged black streak or blotch, which, when closely examined, is found to be a small exerescence: as this is found only on the wings of the male, the sexes may be readily distinguished by this peculiarity. : We have frequently seen these butterflies in great numbers on pine trees which have been infested with aphis, attracted there no doubt by the sweet exudations which flow from the bodies of the aphis, thus interfering with the rights and privileges which have always been accorded to the industrious ant. They also have a fashion of congregating at times usually late in the season, in prodigious swarms, consisting of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of individuals. In September, 1871, we met with a swarm of this character, the particulars of which were communicated to the Canadian Entomologist, Volume 3, Page 156, as follows :—‘‘ On the first day of September while driving along the Lake Shore Road on the borders of Lake Hrie, I was favoured with a sight which will not soon be forgotten. For several days previous archippus butterflies had been unusually abundant, and early in the morning on the day in question, some groups—numbering probably hundreds of indivi- duals—which had rested during the night on trees adjoining the hotel at Port Stanley, were gyrating in a wild manner at all heights, some so high up that they appeared but as moving specks in the sky; others floating lower, over the tops of the trees in an apparently aimless manner. ‘This was, however, as a mere skirmishing party when compared with the vast hosts seen a little later. “ Tt was about nine o’clock in the morning, when, passing a group of trees forming a rude semi-circle on tht edge of a wood facing the lake, the leaves attracted attention, they seemed possessed of unusual motion and displayed all over fitful patches of brilliant red. On alighting, a nearer approach revealed the presence of vast numbers—I might safely say millions—of these butterflies, and they were clustering everywhere. I counted those on a small space, about the size of my two hands, on one of the trees, and there were thirty-two butterflies suspended on it, and the whole group of trees was hung in a similar manner. When disturbed they flew up in immense numbers. filling the air, and after floating about a short time @radually settled again. There appeared to be nothing on the trees to attract them, yet when undisturbed they scemed to prefer resting in quiet, as if enjoying the pres- ence of congenial society. I regretted not having a net with me, as I should like to have captured a number of them, to have seen in what proportion the sexes were represented in the company. ‘Their food plants—the various species of Asclepias—did not appear to be un- usually common in that section. I apprehended that many of the individuals must have travelled some distance to be present at this gathering’ No satisfactory reason has yet been assigned for such gatherings. The fact that the larvee of the archippus is but seldom affected with parasites may partially account for theit occasional abundance; we only kaow of one smal] ichneumon infesting them, and have but rarely met with this. Tux Disrppus ButrerFry. (Limenitis disippus, Godt.) This butterfly is also common, but not nearly so abundant as the species last described. In the perfect, or winged state, it resembles the avchippus butterfly very closely in colour, but it is smaller in size and may always be distinguished by the black band which crosses the hind wings, which is altogether wanting in the archippus. The disippus butterfly is represented by Fig. 44. The ground colour of the wings is of the same warm orange red as the archippus; the veins also are heavy and black, and the wings along their margins spotted with white. In the figure the left wings represent 55 4 . the upper surface, while those of the right, which are slightly detached from the. body, Fig. 44. show the under surface. The two sur- faces differ but very little in colour and markings. It appears on the wing a B little later in the summer than archippus, ’ and deposits its eggs on the willow, which is its favourite food plant. Mr. Riley says that it feeds on the poplar and also on the plum. Although the disippus butterfly resembles the archippus so closely in the winged state, in the earlier periods of its history it is very dis similar. ai : The egg is well represented by Fig. Colours, Orange, Red, Black and White. 45, and is a very beautiful and interest- ing object: a shows it highly magnified, while at ¢ it is shown of natural size and in its na- tural position on the willow leaf. At d is > represented one of the minute cells of the eee, very highly magnified, showing the lit- tle threadlike processes which proceed from = each angle. Mr. Riley, who was the first = to observe this ege, thus describes it in his = “Third Annual Report,” page 154. Length 0:38 inch. Diameter at base about the ¢e same. Globular, with top often slightly tip ay depressed Hexagonally reticulate, the cells . WAN more or less regular, sunken so as to give the ege a thimbletike pitted appearance, and about ten of them in the longitudinal row, and thirty in the circumference. Covered with translucent filamentouss pines, one arising from every reticulate angle and giving the egg a pubescent appearance. Each spine about as long as the cell is wide, those on the top being longest.” He also says that_ the colour of the egg is at first pale yellow, but it soon becomes grey as the young larva within develops.. These eggs are usually deposited singly near the tip of the leaf, generally on the underside, but sometimes on the upper side, and occasionally two or even three together. The newly-hatched larva is nearly one-tenth of an inch long, with a large yellowish brown head. The body is pale yellowish brown with darker streaks, and with a few pale dots :nd warts, from which latter arise pale spines or bristles, In about a month from the time of hatching the larva becomes full grown, and appears as shown at a, Fig. 46, the following description Fig. 46. of the mature larva was published by us in the Can. Entomologist, vol. 1, p. 94. Found feeding on willow, July 24th. Length one inch and a quarter. Head rather large, flattened in front, strongly bi-lobed, pale green, with two dull white lines down the front, and roughened with a number of small green and greenish- white tubercles. Each lobe is tipped with a green tubercle, or short horn. The body above is dark rich green, with patches and streaks of dull white ; the second segment is smaller than the head, and its surface covered with many whitish tubercles: the third segment dall whitish green, raised considerably above the second, with a flat ridge above, having a long brownish horn on each side of it, thickly covered with very short white and brown spines ; fourth segment sbout the same as third, with the same kind of ridge above, with a small tu- bercle on each side, tipped with a bunch of short whitish spines; between the ridges on third and fourth segments are two small black dots above. Each segment from fifth to thir- 56 teenth inclusive, has two tubercles, one on each side, and in a line with the long horns on third segment, each crowned with a cluster of whitish spines; the tubercles on sixth and twelfth segments are much larger than the others those on the eleventh and terminal seg- ments next in size, those on the ninth smallest, The tubercles on the seventh, eighth, tenth and eleventh segments have a streak of white at their base, aud each segment behind fourth, excepting ninth, has several smaller tubercles of a bright blue colour, A large whitish patch covers nearly the whole of the ninth and parts of the eighth and tenth segments, and another -of a similar character covers the second, third and part of the fourth. A white stripe ex- tends along each side, close to the under surface, from the fifth segment to the end of the body, and in which is set a small cluster of whitish spines about the middle of each seement, from sixth to tenth inclusive. On each side of seventh, eighth and tenth segments is an elongated blackish spot, just above and behind the spiracles; the terminal segment has two dark greenish brown spots above in front of the tubercles. The spiracles are rather large, oval and brownish-black. The under side is whitish-green, with a central dull white stripe on the hinder segments ; the feet are brown, ringed with “prownish- black ; the prolegs pale greenish, faintly tipped with brown. This caterpillar varies somewhat in colour, some specimens being of a paler green than that just described. The chrysalis, Fig. 46, 6,-Mr. Riley describes as ‘‘ marked with burnt umber, brown, ash grey, flesh-colour and silvery white, and is characterized, like that of the other species of the genus, by a curious, thin, almost circular projection, which has been likened to a Roman nose, growing out of the middle of its back.” There are two broods of this insect during the year; the larve resulting from the eggs deposited by the second brood usually attain to less than half their full growth before winter, when they hybernate and complete their growth the following spring. The interesting pre- parations made-by these caterpillars in the construction of little cases, in which they rest tolerably secure from harm while in this state of torpor, is thus described by Mr. Riley « First and foremost—with wise forethought, and being well aware through its natural ins- tincts that the leaf which it has selected for its house will fall to the ground when the eold weather sets in, unless it takes measures to prevent this—the larva fastens the stem of the leaf with silken cables securely to the twig from which it crows. It then gnaws off the blade of the leaf at its tip end, leaving little else but the mid-rib, as shown in Fig. 46,d. Finally, it rolls the remaining part of the blade of the leaf into a cylinder, sewing the edges together with silk. ‘The basal portion of the cylinder is, of course, tapered to a point, as the edges of the leaf are merely drawn together, not overlapped ; and invariably the lower side of the leaf forms the outside of the house, so as to have its projecting mid-rib out of the way of the larva, asit reposes snugly in the inside. The whole when finished (see Fig. 46, c,) has somewhat the appearance of the leaf of a miniature pitcher plant. These curious little cases may be commonly found upon our willows or poplars in winter time. This insect is liable to the attacks of several parasites, which effectually prevent its in crease beyond certain limits. Que of these parasites is a tiny dark four-winged fly, which infests the eggs of the disippus butterfly ; another is a very small black four- winged fly ; and a third a larger two-winged fly, both of which attack the insect in its caterpillar ; state. Tne Hetierammite Fry (Corydalis cornutus—Linn.). This isan insect which is not uncommon throughout Ontario, and whenever and wher- ever found, either in the larval or perfect state excites much surprise and curiosity from its large size and formidable appearance; it is not, however, in any way poisonous, as some people imagine it tobe. In Fig. 47 this insect is represented in its several stages, while the expanded female is shown in Fig, 48. The larva—a most diabolical looking creature, a, Fig. 47—spends the earlier portion of its life in the water, crawling and swimming about upon the bottoms of rivers and streams, feeding upon the larvie of various other insects which also inhabit the water. Mr. Riley has published a very interesting account of this insect in the first vol. of the American Entomologist, from which most of the following remarks are con- densed. Most aquatic larvee spend the period of their chrysalis state in the water, and only emerge therefrom when ready to pass into the perfect or winged state; but the insects form 57 ing the group to which this larva belongs, leave the water while they are still in the larval state and do not usually become pup for several days or even weeks thereafter. Hence the Creator Fig. 47. a Colours—(a) rk brown, (6) whitish, (c) and (d) light brown. to meet their necessities has given them a double system of respiration—-a set of gills to breathe with in the water, and a set of breathing holes, or spiracles, to breathe with upon SSS ad Tre ¥ a ee a AL: : P| Bose = ini WN g My ma qo SS WN EEE 58 Jand. In this larva the gills assume the form of paddle-like appendages, and are placed one- pair upon each of the seven front segments of the abdomen, while the spiracles are arranged in the usual manner along the sides of the body. After leaving the water the larva crawls rapidly about, chicfly in the night time, in search of a safe and suitable place in which to spend the chrysalis stage of its existence, usually selecting the under surface of a flat board or log, or burrowing under some large stone. Before attaining its object it sometimes wan ders as much as a hundred feet from the water’s edge, and an instance is given of one which crawled up the wall to the roof of a one-story building, and then tumbled accidentally down the chimney, to the great dismay of the good woman of the house. At this stage of their existence they are sometimes used by fishermen for bait, and having a yery tough skin, one larva often suffices to catch several fish, They can pinch pretty sharply with their strong jaws, and they use the processes at their tail to assist them in climbing. After a suitable hiding place has been selected, the larva forms a rude cell in the earth, and here changes to an inactive chrysalis (see Fig. 47, b). In this figure the wing cases are slightly spread apart from the body to show their shape and structure, whereas in nature Fig. 49. they are closely appressed-to the sides of the body. The larva ieayes the water usually about the beginning of June, and by the end of that month, or the beginning of July, the perfect insect bursts its bonds and appears in the winged state. | In this form it measures, when its wings are spread, from four and a half to five inches; these, as shown in the fioure, are gauze-like and covered with an intricate network of veins. The forewings are streaked with dark brown and sprinkled with whitish dots, of which latter there are also a few on the hind wings. The male—Fig. 47, e—is remarkable for its enormous jaws, which are very long and hook-like, while the female—Fig. 47, d and Fig. 48—has short jaws. The flies hide themselves in obscure holes and corners during the day and become active as the shades of evening gather. They frequently fly into houses situated near running water, soon after dusk, attracted probably by the light. The eoes of the Helleramite Fly—Fig. 49—are oval, about the size of a radish seed. and of a pale colour, with some dark markings. They are usually deposited in patches, upon reeds or other aquatic plants overhanging the water, where, when hatched, the young lary may find ready access to that element which is destined to be its home until the end of the following spring. BENEFICIAL INSECTS. —_——___ By tHe Rev. C. J.S. Bernunez, M. A. Introductory (General Account of Insects). 1. Tiger Beetles (Cicindelider). 5. Scavenger Beetles (Staphylinide). 2. Carnivorous Ground Beetles (Carabide). 6. Dung Beetles (Scarabeide dc.) 2 Water Beetles (Dytiscidae, Gyrinidue ete). 7. Luminous Insects (Lampyride). 4. Carrion Beetles (Silphide). 8. Lady Birds ( Coccinellide). INTRODUCTORY. Hitherto, in our Annual Reports, we have devoted ourselyes to the consideration of those numerous species of insects that inflict damage upon our crops, fruits and vegetables, while we have only incidentally drawn attention to those other species that are useful to us as destroyers of their noxious fellows. We now propose to treat more especially of the latter class—our Insect Friends. We shall include amongst the number of these friends not merely those parasitic tribes whose special duty it is to keep in check the vegetable-feeding insects that would otherwise sweep everything away before them, but also those various other families that are directly useful to us from their products, or indirectly beneficial by acting as scavengers, removing nuisances, fertilizing plants, and performing other valuable offices. This is, indeed, a vast field of nature—one that we cannot traverse in a few pages or in a limited space of time; we must content ourselves, then, with taking one portion of it at a time and considering it somewhat in detail, in order to afford information that may be of use to the reader. Where to begin, and what mode of division to select. is not an easy matter to decide ; we think, however, that it will tend to simplicity, if we follow the natural orders into which insects are distributed, taking one at a time and selecting for consideration those families or tribes which are especially serviceable in their different ways. We shall thus not be confined to one form of scrvice fulfilled by insects, but be presented with a variety in turn, and at the same time we shall be able to touch slightly upon a few of the leading distinctions upon which classification is based. In order to render our arrangement intelligible to the ordinary non-Entomological reader it is advisable that we should give a brief account of the principal structural differences Xpon which the classification into Orders depends. In the first place, then, an INsEcT as the name implies (Latin :—in and seco I cut), is an animal whose body is divided into segments or rings, which are sometimes—as in wasps and hornets—almost entirely detached from each other, and cause the creature to appear as if cut in two. It thus belongs to that portion of the Animal Kingdom called the Articulata, themembers of which have their bodies composed of short cylinders or annulations, jointed or articulated together. Insects may be distinguished from the Articulata by several characteristics. 'Uhey breathe, fcr instance, not through their mouths, like the larger animals, nor yet through gills, like fish, but by means of spiracles or breathing holes in their sides, through which the air is drawn in and taken to all parts of the body. This mode of breathing distinguishes true insects from many kinds of animals 60 that arefsometimes included in the same class with them, such as crabs, lobsters, shrimps, ete., which breathe through gills, and spiders, scorpions, etc., which have breathing sacs in the abdomen. The head of insects is distinct and more or less plainly separated from the rest of the body, thus differing again from crabs, scorpions and spiders. In their laryal or grub state insects have, in many cases, a large number of legs, even as many as twenty-two in the caterpillars of some saw-flies, but in their perfect or winged state they never have more than six; this limitation separates them from spiders, which have eight; Centipedes which have from thirty to forty or more, and Millipedes or thousand-legeed worms, which have in some species as many as two hundred. Another marked characteristic of insects is their wonder- ful system of metamorphoses or changes of state (for instance, from egg to caterpillar, cater- pillar to chrysalis, and chrysalis to butterfly), ending, in the great majority of cases, in the acquisition of wings. A few other classes of animals undergo some metamorphoses,— in fact, if we include the embryo state, all do so,—but none of these attain toa winged form. Again, insects in their perfect or imago condition uniformly possess a pair of those very singular organs which we call feelers or Antenne (from the Latin Antenna, the yard of a ship's mast), and which are not possessed by any of the numerous members of the spider family. Further- more insects have their six legs, referred to above, very highly organized, with numerous joints and applications to fit them for all manner of purposes, and very different from the mere bristle like appendages of many worms. To recapitulate, the distinguishing marks of an insect are briefly these:—lst. They have their bodies divided into segments ; 2nd. They breathe through openings in their sides (spiracles) from which proceeds trachew or windpipes ; 3rd. They have distinct heads, with jointed antenne; 4th. When adult they have siz articulated legs; 5th. They go througha. number of metamorphoses, ending in a winged state. These are the five grand characteristics of an insect proper; any members of the animal kingdom that do not possess them we exclude from the class, and omit from our consideration in these Reports. Many authors, we are aware, take a somewhat different view of the limits of the class of insects, and—regarding Spiders, Scorpions, Mites, Centipedes, Millipedes, ete., as degraded firms of insects—inciude them in their Entomological systems. As we all agree, however, pretty much in our definition of an insect proper, it becomes merely a ques- tion of technicalities rather than one of practical moment, whether we include or exclude these lower and closely allied forms. For the sake of simplicity and of greater ease in imparting information, we prefer to adhere to the limitations that we have laid down. Any of our readers who desire to look further into the matter—and we trust there may be many—we would refer to Dr. Packard’s Guide to the Study of Insects as a convenient repertory of information gathered from the works of all the leading authorities upon the subject. In the higher orders of animals—to quote an account that we wrote some years ago,—* while the internal anatomy is wonderfully complicated, the outward appearance is compara- tively simple and plain; al! the works of the intricately constructed machine are concealed from view, afew primary creans only being apparent to the sight. In insects the case is just the reverse. The internal organs are few in number and simple in construction; while the external parts are particularly numerous, and maryellously yaried to suit the special ends of the almost infinite number of differing species. To the student of Entomology this is a man- ifest advantage, as with the aid of a magnifier he is enabled to observe and note most of the various parts, or trace out their special uses, without having to resort to the dissectioa of the object. The great majority are on the surface, and if we give them a little careful examina- tion and patient study we shall soon learn a great deal about them. The most obvious parts of afi insect, when closely examined are: 1st: the Head and its appendages; 2nd: the Thorax to which are attached the wings and feet ; aud 3rd. the Abdomen, which is composed of several joints or segments and which is usually terminated by the organs of generation, or a sting or . other instrument. When we look at the head of a quadruped, we sce that it is very small compared with the rest of the body, and that it exhibits only a pair of eyes and nostrils, a mouth, ears, and sometimes horns or tusks. A bird’s head, again, displays still less, little more being seen than a pair of eyes and a beak. But take up an insect and examine its head with a lens, or, if it be a large specimen, even with the naked eye, and what a complicated structure do you * Canada Farmer, April 15th, 1868,Zp. 126. 61 behold! Eyes there are, big and little , antennz or horns ; mouth with jaws above and jaws below, pairs of feelers or palpi, perhaps a sucker, or possibly a set of lancets; instruments for observation, instruments of defence,instruments for taking food, all grouped together in a very small space,and constructed in the most wonderful variety of ways. Compare a few insectsof dif- ferent orders together, and the wonder is still greater. Look at the head of the large Pine- borer beetle, with its powerful jaws and antenne twice the length of its body, then at the Dragon-fly with its scarcely perceptible antenn,but with eyes that almost surround it; look again at a large Hawk-moth, with its beautiful feather-like antennz, and its coiled up sucker that will unroll to more than the length of its great body ; now turn to a grasshopper, a fly, or a bug and see what a change—what a variation of organs is to be seen! To recount all these differences of form, structure, size, colour,clothing, cte.,would occupy volumes, without even saying a word about their objects and offices. We must be content, then, with consider- ing the organs as they are common to all, and only observe, for the prisent, the variations that distingnish the several grand orders of insects, Jeaving out of sight the minor differences that are peculiar to species, genera, or even families. The Head of an insect—to come to particulars—is a hard, somewhat rounded skull ; having an opening in front for the mouth and its group of organs, On each side it has a fixed, immoyeuble eye, of large size and complex structure, between which are sometimes two, or often three, tiny little eyes. each consisting of a single lens. Close to the large eyes are two moveable jointed organs, called antenne, of endless variety of form, size and structure, whose exact uses have long been a puzzle to naturalists. ‘lhe front part of the head is often separated by a seam from the rest of the skull (especially in Beetles), and is then called the Clypeus or shield ; this part often bears a horn or knobs. The under surface of the head is called the throat, and is divided into various parts, each with its particular name, in the dif- ferent orders of insects. The head is connected behind with the thorax, sometimes by a very slender neck, sometimes by a barely perceptible division. The organs of the mouth, though varying very much in form, are yet constructed on one principle. They consist of six principal organs, two on each side of the opening, one above, and one below. The upper one is the upper lip (labrum); the |]: wer the under lip : the upper pair of side organs are the upper jaws or mandibles ; the lower pair the mazill or lower jaws; Each of the lower jaws has attached to it one, or two, jointed organs or feelers, called palpi, and the under lip has also a pair of these feelers. The jaws, it should be noticed, move side- ways, not up and down. ‘There are two principal modes in which the food-obtaining organs are employed, the operation of which is vastly different, and csuses an enormous change in form and structure. When the side pieces of the mouth are short, apart from each other, and have a horizontal motion, the action produced is biting, as in a beetle; but when these side pieces are elongated. pressed close to each other, and have a longitudinal motion, the action produved is sucking, as ina butterfly. According to these modes of action, insects are divided into two grand classes, called in English, Biting Insects and Suctorial Insects ; any classifica- tion based upon this difference, must, however, be confined to insects in their perfect form since caterpillars, for instance, have jaws for biting, which are transformed into a spiral sucking-tube when the insect becomes a moth or butterfly. In Biting Insects the upper lip is a flat plate closing the mouth above ; the upper pair of jaws cr mandibles are of a hard, horny consistency, and are furnished with teeth for biting and gnawing the food; these teeth are portions of the jaw itself, not separate in any way. The lower pair of jaws or maxill, are modified in many ways which it would be tedious to particularize here ; and the lower lip is still more complizated, and subject to great variations, Tn bees, the lower jaws and lip form together a sucking apparatus, while the form of the upper biting jaws causes them to be included among the biting insects. The accompanying large wood-cut, (Fig. 50) of a highly magnified beetle, exhibits all the various parts of the mouth of a biting insect, as well as the legs, abdomen and other parts of the under surface. The . clearness of the illustration renders much description superfluous. A Mandible. BYMaxillary palpus. C Outer lobe of maxilla. D Inner lobe of maxilla. E Labial palpus. F Paraglossa. Harpatus CALiainosts, Say. PARTS OF CUT. Ventra Surface of Harpalus Caliginosus. G Ligula. Hs Mentum. I Antenna. K Prosternnm. L Episternum of, prothorax. M Coxe. N Trochanter. O Femora. P Tibiz. Q Tarsi. R Ungues. S Mesosternum. T Metasternum. U Episternum of mesothorax. V Episternum of metathorax. W Ventral segments. X Epimeron of metathorax Y Epipleura. 63 In Suctorial Insects there is a wonderful diversity of structure. Bugs, for instance, have the two pairsof side-pieces lengthened out into slender lancet-like organs for piercing,the whole being enclosed inthe fleshy elongated lower lip,which acts as a sucker. (Fig. 51a.) In Flies,also,the five Fig. 51.° upper organs are turned into lancets sheathed in the fleshy sucker of the ower lip; this structure is especially seen in the fierce, blood-thirsty Horse-fly (Tabanus) ; in the common House-flies the lancets are want- ing. In Butterflies and Moths the lower jaws are greatly elongated into a delicate instrument for sucking, which is coiled up and hidden from sight when the insect is at rest, but is thrust out and extended to the bottom of long-throated flowers when in action. (Fig. 52.) In all these cases the palpi, or mouth-feelers, also are variously modified. The Fig. 52. other organs of the mouth about whick we need not ewnow speak in ‘Y particular are “the antennz, and the differ ent kinds of eyes. We have just now spo- ken of insects as being divi- ded into two great sections : according to the structure of the mouth in the perfect insects, viz ;¥‘Suctorial*(Haustellaia) and biting (Mandibulata). These sections are further subdivided into seven Orders, depending upon the structure of the wings. We shall briefly recount the special characteristics of each Order, and then turn from what we fear are dry, even though necessary, details to the considera- tion of our proper subject—Beneficial Insects, There is an immense difference of opinion among Naturalists with regard to the arrange- ment of these Orders, but as this is a question that does not concern usin these Reports we shall not euter into it, but merely content ourselves with following here the series adopted by Dr. Packard. Order 1. Hymenoprera. (Greek : Hymena membrane,and Pteron,awing). Includes Bees, Wasps, Sawflies, Ants, Ichneumons, ete. Four membranous wings, with few veins or nervules ; Fig. 53. the hind pair usually the smaller, Fig. 53 represents a Fig. 54. Saw-fly and its larva; Fig. 54 a magnified Ichneumon. Order 2. Lepmpoprera. (Greek : Lepis ascale, and Pferona wing). Includes Butterflies (Fig.55.) and Moths. (Fig 56.) Membranous wings, generally four, entirely covered with scales, antennz almost always composed of numerous minute joints. Butterflies may bedistinguisked from mothsby their club-shaped antennz; the latter have these organs of very various forms, but never clubbed or thickened at the extremity. ‘Thelarve are usually called caterpillars (Fig. 57), 64 Fig. 56. and are so familiar to every one that we necd not enter into any des- cription of them ; they may be distinguished from the false caterpillars of Saw-flies by never having more than eight pairs of Fig. 58. legs. The pupa is usually termed a chrysalis (Fig. 58), and sometimes is protected by a cocoon. Order3. Drrrera. (Greek: jDis twice ; Pieron a wing). In- cludes the common Horse and Flesh-flies, Gnats, Mosquitoes, Crane- flies, ete. Two wings only apparent, the hinder pair being in a rudi- mentary condition, and represented by what are termed ‘halteres,’ poisers or balancers (Figs. 59 and 60). ‘The larvee are usually destitute of feet,and are called ‘ Maggots; some,however, as the mosquitoes are aqua- tic and actively locomotive. This order, as well as the two preceding, belongs to the Suctorial or Haustellate section of Insects. Order 4. CotnopTERA. (Greek: Coleos a sheath, and Pteron a wing). Includes all the various tribes of bee- tles. Four wings usually present, the anteri r pair of which are harden- ed and thickened so as to resemble the substance of the head and thorax, and are nt adapted for flight, but form protecting cases (called elytra) for the ample hind wings, concealed beneath them. Fig. 61 represents a perfect beetle (c), the larva (a) and pupa (6). The mouth is always fur- nished with jaws for biting. Fig. 61. Order 5. HeEmiprera. (Greek: Hemi half, and Pteron a wing.) Includes Bugs, Plant lice, oat-flies, Cicadas, Cochineal Insects, &c., Four wings, the anterior pair of which are stiff and hard like those of the beetles, for about half their length, while the remainder is thin anc{ membranous; the hinder pair are also mem- Tig. 62. branous. The mouth is furnished with a sucker or beak, through which they imbibe the fluids, animal or vegetable, upon which they live. (bigs. 62 and 63). Fig. 60. 65 Order 6. ORTHOPTERA. (Greek: Orthos straight, and Pferon a wing.) Includes Fig. 63. Grasshoppers, Locusts, Orickets, Cockroaches, &. Four wings, the anterior pair of which are somewhat thickened to protect the broad net-veined hinder pair,which fold up like a fan upon the abdomen,in long straight folds. The hind legs are large and thick, and adapted for leap- ing. Mouth furnished with strong jaws for biting and masticating. Order 7. NEUROPTERA.S” Stans.) “G4 (Greek : Newron a nerve, and — east Pteron a wing). Includes Dra- < gon-flies (Fig. 64), May-flies, Caddis-flies, Termites, Lace- winged flies, etc., Four thin, glassy wings, very finely reticulated, or covered with a fine net- work of veins or nerves. The mouth is usually furnished with biting jaws. L. Tiozr Brerixs (Cicindelide). Having now enumerated the various Orders into which Insects are divided, and their . chief charactefistics, it remains for us to select one for our consideration here. in respect to those of its members who may be deemed directly or indirectly beneficial to mankind. We have decided upon beginning with the Beetles (Colcoptera),partly because they are very favour- ite objects of study with Kntomologists, and partly because they present strongly marked peculiarities both in structure and habits, and ure very abundantly distributed everywhere. The first family of Beetles is the Cicindelida, of which we have only one genus, Cicindela, in Canada. This name, derived from the Latin, signifies a Glow-worm or bright shining insect, and is applied to them on account of their bright metallic colours, which sparkle in the sun- shine. In Hnglish theyarecommonly called Tiger-beetles from their fierce disposition and habit of leaping upon their prey. They feed entirely upon other insects, both in the larval or grub state, and when they attain to the winged or beetle condition. Their favourite haunts are warm sunny banks, sandy roads, railway tracks, or other spots exposed to the full glare of the sun, and free from vegetation, which would impede their movements. Some species, however, frequent grassy places on the borders of woods and among scattered trees. At the approach of the passer-by they suddenly take wing, and fly with great rapidity fora few yards before him, alighting again as suddenly as they rose, but always with their heads turned in the direction of the approaching danger. ‘The same individual may be started up again and again, but after a few alarms, when he begins to find himself the object of a particular pursuit, he craftily eludes further persecution by making a long and circuitous flight back to his for- mer station. By carefully marking where he goes, and going quietly back, we have often succeeded in finding the desired specimen careless and off his guard, and captured him even without the aid of a net. In cloudy or stormy weather they hide themselves in some con- venient retreat, but they soon re-appear with the returning sunshine. The eggs are laid in the earth, where the grubs that are hatched from them also spend their lives. These grubs or larvae are very curious creatures, and well repay a little observa- tion. It would be difficult to describe their form so as to render them easily recognizable to Fig. 65. the reader, but the accompanying cut (Fig. 65.) will afford a sufficiently good idea of their appearance. It will be seen that they havea pair of tremendous, curved jaws, three pairs of legs, and a pair of very curious recurved hooks or spines on the eighth segment towards the tail. They are ofa yellowish white colour with a brownish horny head, They live in deep round holes, about the diameter of a lead pencil, the orifice which they usually close with their heads. No sooner does auy unsuspecting insect approach sufficiently near than it is seized by a sudden effort, and carried off to the bottom of the hole, there to be devoured at leisure. ‘he larva lives in this manner throughout the summer, and 5 66 a a is supposed to pass through its pupa state in the ground during the winter, appearing in the beetle form early in the following spring. The beetles, of which over one hundred different species areknown to inhabit North Amer- ica,and about a dozen have been found in Canada, are provided with sharp cutting jaws,three pairs of long slender legs, which enable them to run with great rapidity, and a pair of mem- braneous wings, concealed beneath the handsome wing-coyers when not in use. They feed upon small insects of every description, and must destroy incalculable numbers. The accom- panying figures of some of our commonest species will enable the reader to recognize them without difficulty. Fig. 66 represents thecommon Tiger-beetle (Cicindela vulgaris,Say),which is found in great numbers all over Canada and the United States. It is a little over half an inch long, and about half as broad,of a dull purplish colour above, and a bright brassy green beneath. On each wing cover above are three whitish lines of irregular shape, as seen in the figure. It is very com- mon on roads and sandy banks throughout the summer. Fig. 67 represents the purple Tiger-beetle (C. purpurea, Riv.) ,a very hand- some metallic purple beetle, nearly the same size as the preceding, in com- pany with which it is often found. Sometimes it is greenish instead of pur- ple. This is one of the first beetles to come out in the spring. We have Fig 68. taken it in numbers in April, and once as early as the 17th of March, before the snow had all gone. Fig. 68. The hairy-necked Tiger-beetle, (C. pirticollis,Say) is another common species that bears a general resemblance to C. vulgaris though smaller, and with the neck covered with whitish hair, as the name implies. A most beautiful species is the Six-spotted Tiger-beetle, (C. sea-guttata, Fabr.), a most brilliant metallic green insect, with six tiny white spots on its wing-covers. It is sometimes found ; in gardens, but more usually in partially shaded places, where it chooses as its post of observation some projecting stone or log. It is rather difficult to capture, being exceedingly active in its habits, and is not nearly so common as the preceding species. Fig. 69 represents another very handsome andsrather larger species which is occasionally found in Canada. As all these beetles live upon other insects, and devour enormous numbers of those that are injurious to us, we beg that our readers, one and all, will abstain from ruthlessly trampling them under foot in the future, and will rather encourage them about their farms and gardens.* 2. CARNIVOROUS GRrouUND BrErtLes. (Carabide). Next of the Tiger-beetles comes the family of the Carnivorous Ground Beetles (Carabidae). Under this general name are included a very large number of different genera and species, which are found all over the world and in all sorts of situations. In Canada we have over forty genera and an immense variety of species already known to our Entomologists, and more are added to the listeveryyear. Some of the species are the most difficult to determine of all our beetles, and afford an intri- cate puzzle to the student; the general features of the whole family can, however, be easily learnt from a few specimens, descriptions and illustrations of which we now proceed to place before the reader. * To avoid misapprehension we would state that in this account of the Tiger Beetle, and in those that follow, we have quoted freely from our own contributions to the Canada Farmer. As our articles are scattered overa number of volumes and haye not been published in consecutive form, we think no apology is needed for their partial reproduction here. . 67 The largest and handsomest member of the family is the green Caterpillar-hunter (Calosoma scrutator, Fab.— ‘The Beautiful-bodied Searcher’). Fig. 70. It is of the same general shape as the following species, but no wood- cut can convey an idea of its exceeding beauty and bril- liance of colour. The head and thorax are dark purplish black, the latter with a greenish coppery margin ; the wing covers (elytra) are bright and shining green, with fine lon- gitudinal lines and scattered punctures, and a broad, coppery red margin; the under-side is deep shining green varied with coppery markings: the legs are blackish-brown, in some lights deep purple. This magnificent beetle, as its name implies, feeds upon caterpillars, especially the obnox- ious canker-worm of the United States, sometimes even ascending trees for the purpose ; its larva(or grub) has also Colours, Metallic Green, Purple the same useful propensities. It is rather a rare insect in and Copper. Canada, though found occasionally in most partsof Ontario; Fig. 71. collectors of insects can often find specimens insummer after a southerly gale,on the outer shore of Toronto Island, which is a famous place for obtaining rare beetles that have been drowned in the lake and washed ashore by the waves. Another caterpillar-hunter, (Fig. 71), belonging to the same genus as the preceding, is quite a common insect in Canada, and can be found in May and June under logs or stones,as long as the groundis moist ; in the hot dry weather it is not so readily met with. It is called the hot, or glowing Calosoma (C. Calidum, Fabr,) from the appearance of the wing-covers, which are black with six rows of bright coppery impressed spots, thus bearing a fanciful resemblance to a vessel of coals with a _ perforated cover. Its general colour is shining black,unrelieved except by the spots just mentioned ; still it is a handsome beetle, though not to be compared to the breceding species, Like its congener, it devours caterpillars with avidity, both in its larval Fig. 72. and perfect states, and is a capital hand at reducing the nnmbers of i those horrid pests, the cut-worms ; we usually transport a number of these big beetles into our garden every spring to keep down these cut- ters-off of our young cabbage plants. The next large beetle of this family to which we would draw at- tention, is the murky ground beetle (Harpalus Caliginosus, Say) ; it is entirely of a dull black colour, and may be readily recognized from Fig. 72. We beg our readers to take particular notice of this figure, as there are a very large number of beetles of the same general shape and structure, though usually smaller, that prey upon other insects and are consequently useful to man. Any dark-brown, black, green or metallic coloured beetles of this shape,that are found under chips, or stones in damp places, or running in grass, may be safely considered as belonging to this family, and therefore be treated with kindness and conside- ration ; it always gives us a pang of regret to find the crushed body of one of these beetles lying by the way side, where it has been ruthlessly trampled under foot by some ignorant “lord of creation.” The particular species here referred to is stated by Mr. Riley to be a formidable enemy of that western plague, the Colora- do potato beetle ; it is also satisfactory to learn that an allied spe cies (/7. Pensylvanicus,De Geer ?) a very common insect in Canada, is a merciless devourer of the plum cureulio. Fig. 73 represents the perfect insect, and Fig. 74 the larva. Se RE A much smaller but very peculiar genus of beetles, is called the Bombardier (Brachinus,) from its extraordinary power ‘of discharging from its tail end a very pun- gent fluid, accompanied by a report (re- sembling the sound phut) and some snioke- like vapour; this fluid, which resembles nitric acid in its effects, and makes a stain on the fingers that will last for several days, is uno doubt intended Fig. 75. for its defence against more powerful beetles. Fig. 75 represents one of these beetles (B fuwmans Linn.) ; its head, thorax, and legs are yellowish- red, and its wing-covers dark blue, Like other ground beetles, it may be found under sticks and stones in the spring, and in similar hiding-places on the damp margin of rivers during the hot summer months. There are quite a number of different species of this genus in Canada, but all are yery much alike. It would be almost an endless task to go through the list of species of this family, but we trust that the examples now given will be sufficient to enable our readers to recognize these friendly beetles, and save them from being doomed to a pitiless destruction, that knows no difference between friend and foe. 3. Water Brettss (Dytiscide, Gyrinide kc.) After the carnivorous Ground Beetles, we come, in the ordinary classification of insects toa large group that live almost entirely in or upon the water. Some of them live on the surface of lakes, ponds and pools; others prefer clear running streams ; others, again, the muddy bottoms of half stagnant pools. This group is divided into two principal families, the “diving-beetles” (Dytiscidw). and the “whirligigs” (Gyrinid@). They are all more or less insectivorous, both in their larval and perfect state, and hence beneficial. As their food, however, consists mainly of insects that inhabit the water, and which are either similar in their food and habits to their destroy- ers, or live upon water plants of no particular value, it can hardly be said that they are bene- ficial to the farmer or fruit-grower ; still, as they are not noxious and are certainly useful in their own sphere, we shall go on to describe them, and implore that their lives may be spared. from the destruction so universally dealt out to the poor insects. The Diving-beetles (Dytiscide) are mostly large-sized insects of an oval flattened shape, generally of a dark brown, olive, or blackish colour, and often with a margin and other mark ings of yellowish, Their legs are specially adapted for swimming, being large and _oar-like, and covered with long hairs; the hinder pair are very much flattened, also, so as to give a propelling stroke. When they rise to the surface to take in a fresh supply of air—a silver- like bubble of which may generally be seen attached to their hinder extremities—they appear to come up merely from being specifically lighter than the water; but when they dive or swim through the liquid, which they do with great swiftness, they move by means: of regular and successive strokes of their oar-like legs, When at rest upon the surface they extend these legs at right angles with the body, generally with the head under water and the tip of the abdomen above, enabling them to draw in air to the spiracles beneath the wing-covers. They inhabit stagnant pools in preference to running water, and are very voracious in their habits, attacking and devouring other denizens of the water, even occasionally preying upon very young fish. We have kept a specimen for many weeks in a glass jar of water, and watched its graceful movements and curious habits with much interest; it fed greedily upon house- flies, aphides, ete., with which we supplied it. Their larvee are called ‘water tigers” from their ferocity ; they are long and cylindri- cal, with large flattened heads, armed with scissors-like jaws, by means of which they seize other insects, and, it is said, “‘snip off the tails of the tadpoles! Their body termi- nates in a pair of long tubes through which they inhale the needful supply of air. When about to transform they creep into the earth near by, and make a round cell, inside of which they assume the pupa state, the perfect beetle appearing in two or three weeks, if in summer, but not till the following spring if in the autumn. We have sometimes seen little pools of water in the spring perfectly swarming with these and other larve. \s 69 The whirligigs (Gyrinid@) must be familiar to every one. They are those litttle black beetles that one sees so often in groups on the surface of water, whirling and circling about in every direction with great rapidity. ‘“ When thus occupied their motions are so exceed- ingly quick that the eye is perplexed in following them, and dazzled by the brillianey of their wing-cases, which glitter like bits of polished silver or burnished pearl. On approaching them they instantly take alarm and dive beneath the surface, carrying with them a little bubble of air, which glitters likea drop of quicksilver, and is attached to the posterior por- tion of their bodies. Sometimes they may be taken flying, their large wings enabling them to change their abode without difficulty, when the drying up of their native pool compels them to migrate. This enables us to account for the occasional discovery of these insects in small puddles of newly-fallen rain-water. The structure of the short hind legs, and espe- cially of the curious branched tarsi, must be examined in endeavouring to account for the singular motions of these insects ; the assembling together of which has been regarded by some writers as resulting purely from a strong social influence, and by others as indicating no closer bond than that of animals congregating round theircommon food. Thatthe food of the Gyrinidee consists of smull dead floating insects, I have ascertained ; butI would fur- ther suggest that, being produced on the same spot, as is the case with the swarms of ‘midges, they are influenced in some degree by the common desire of continuing their species. I have often observed that, in their gyrations, they hitagainst one another. In dull and inclement weather they betake themselves to quiet places, under bridges, or beneath the roots of trees growing at the water’s edge. When touched they emit a disagreeable odour, arising from a milky fluid, which is discharged from the pores of different parts of the body. The remark- able structure of the eyes, which, unlike those of most insects, consist of two distinct pairs, one on the upper and the other on the lower surface of the head, must be greatly service- able to the insect in the peculiar situation in which it is generally observed, and whereby it is enabled to see objects beneath it in the water, and above it in the air.’’ (Westwood). They are all of abroad, oval form, generally of polished black colour, with broad oar-like hind tarsi, and long slender fore-feet, used in seizing their prey. They vary in size from about one-fifth to half an inch in length. Besides the Diving-beetles and the Whirligigs, there is yet another great family of aquatic beetles, which belong to a different sub-tribe of this order of insects; its members are termed ‘“‘ Water Lovers,’’ (ydrophilide) from their habits. The members of this family live either in the water, or on the damp margins ahd shores of streams and ponds; they are carnivorous in the larval state, but as beetles they feed upon refuse and decaying vegetable matter, thus uniting the qualities of the two families already noticed, and those of the scavenger beetles, which we purpose bringing before the reader by and by. A considerable number of these ‘‘Water Lovers’ are found io Canada; some of the species attain a very large size, while others are quite minute, and not to be discerned without close observation. As these creatures are not of any very general interest, we may Le them from our notice and pass on to the moreconspicuous and note-worthy Carrion eetles. 4. Buryine anp Carrion Beeties. (Silphide). These curious and interesting creatures belong to the family Si/phidw; they are dis- tinguished by the flattened form of their bodies, their knobbed antenne, their habits, and the black nauseous fluid they discharge when handled. Their grand duty is to remove from the surface of the earth al] dead or putrefying animal matter, which would other- wise become noxious and offensive. They are usually found in or close to carrion of all sorts, though sometimes they devour putrid fungus ; occasionally we have taken them on the wing, and have even found them attracted by light intoour rooms in summer. The Silphide@ ave divided into several genera, the chief of which are Necrophorus, including the Sexton or Burying Beetles, and Si/pha, the Carrion Beetles ; both of these genera are well represented in Canada. The Sexton Beetles (Necrophorus), in spite of their loathsome occupation, are decid- edly handsome insects. Their usual colour is deep shining black, variegated with rich orange-red spots ; beneath they are frequently ornamented with yellowish silken hair like that of a Humble-bee ; their antenne are very remarkable, consisting of a jointed stem terminated by a rose-coloured or orange knob composed of four little cupsor plates piled 70 one above the other. The largest specieswe have is called the American Sexton (N. Americanus, Oliv.) ; itis nearly an inch and a half long, deep black, ornamented above with large orange-red spots on the head, thorax, and wing-covers, and beneath with light yellow hairs on the breast. These insects are wonderfully powerful for their size, their flight is vigorous, and they are able to run with rapidity. We have at least ten species of these grave-digging beetles in Canada, differing from each other in size and ornamentation, but all possessing the same habits and instincts. They are not at all uncommon during the summer months ; no sooner, indeed, is any small dead animal or piece of flesh left in a decomposing state on the surface of the ground, than they assemble in troops to buryit. After a careful exami- nation of the object, as if to take its dimensions, and ascertain how many labourers would be required for the job, several of them commence operations by creeping beneath the careass and digging away the earth with their forelegs ; they continue their labours till they succeed in sinking it several inches, sometimes nearly a foot, beneath the surface ; and at the end of twenty-four hours the object is generally out of sight, unless it be par- ticularly large, or the ground difficult to work in. In this labour the males assist, and as soon as itis accomplished, the females deposit their eggs in the carcass. Many curious and interesting accounts have been published respecting the habits and instincts of these creatures—two interesting narratives of the kind are given in the Canada Farmer for Suly 15th, 1868. page 214. A German Entomologist relates that heconfined four beetles of this genus In a small space, and supplied them with the following quantity of materials : four frogs, three small birds, two fishes, one mole, two grasshoppers, the en- trails of a fish, and two pieces of ox’s liver ; they succeeded in interring the whole in fifty days. Of course this quantity was much more than sufficient for the nourishment of their future progeny, for whose benefit the burying takes place, and it was probably only be- cause these carcasses were placed within their reach that they continued their burying pro- pensities, (Westwood). As a further instance of their powers, we may mention the fol- lowing case, related in the American Entomologist :-— “On one particular occasion, having deposited a full-grown rat upon newly-moved earth ina particular spot,as a trap for these Burying-Beetles, we found that in twelve hour’stime the carcass had been completely buried, all but the tip of the tail, by a single individual of our largest and handsomest species,(V. Americanus, Oliv.) a beetle which is only one inch and a half long. It would puzzle an Irish labourer to bury a full-grown whale inthe same length of time ; yet proportionately this would be a task of precisely the same magnitude.” The Carrion Beetles (Si/pha, ete.,) differ from the foregoing in their more flattened shape, and dulness of colour, as well as in their habits and minor peculiarities of structure. Our largest and commonest species is the Surinam Silpha (S. Surinamensis, Fab.) Tts colour is uniformly black, with a transverse irregular, reddish coloured band or series of spots, near the end of the wing-covers. It is found abundantly in carrion during the sum- mer, and may certainly be considered from its fetid odour and repulsive appearance an ex- ceedingly disgusting, even though highly useful creature. It does not bury its food, like the Sexton Beetle, but may be found swarming in and over exposed carcasses during the summer months, evidently revelling in filth. The handsomest species of this genus is the Shield-bearing Silpha (iS, pelfafa, Catesby,) which is remarkable for the broad, thin ex- pansion of its thorax in the form of an ancient semi-circular shield, of: a creamy-white colour, ornamented in the middle with a device somewhat in the form of a cross. We have occasionally taken it in numbers about the body of a dead fish. The larve of this genus, unlike those of the preceding one, are obliged to seek their own food, which is of the same character as that of their parents, and consequently have strong legs, and a crus- taceous flattened body. ; 5. Scavencer Breries (Sfaphylinide). The preceding group of insects follow the useful occupation of sextons for the smaller animals, or employ themselves in other ways for the removal of carrion. The next tribes of beetles that come within the scope of our present observation, discharge a somewhat similar office in the domain of nature, and busy themselves in the removal of nuisances from the surface of the earth. < 7 To qftote the words of Kirby and Spence (Introduction, Letter ix.),—‘How disgusting to the eye, how offensive to the smell, would be the whole face of nature, were the vast quantity of excrement daily falling to the earth from the various animals which inhabit it, suffered to remain until gradually dissolved by the rain, or decomposed by the elements ! That it does not thus offend us, we are indebted to an inconceivable host of insects which attack it the moment it falls; some immediately begin to devour it,others depositing in it eggs from which are soon hatched larvx that coneur in the same office with tenfold vora- ‘city; and thus every particle of dung, at least of the most offensive kinds, speedily swarms with inhabitants which consume all the liquid and noisome particles, leaving nothing but the undigested remains, that soon dry and are scattered by the winds, while the grass upon which it rested, no longer smothered by an impenetrable mass, springs up with in- creased vigour.” The insects that engage in this work belong to many different tribes, chiefly pertaining to the orders of beetles and flies (Diptera). A large proportion of the former come in natural sequence almost immediately after the Carrion Beetles already de- scribed, and may, therefore, be fitly reviewed here. To give a complete account of all the different families of beetles that belong to the hordes of scavengers, would be a long, and —to the general reader—by no means an interesting proceeding ; we shall, therefore, con- tent ourselves with describing the peculiarities in structure and habits of the common sorts. The first and most numerous family that we come to, includes all those species of beetles, called in England “ Rove-beetles” or “Cock-tails” (Staphylinide). They are readily distinguished from all the other families by their peculiarly long and narrow bodies, flattened form and very short wing-covers, (elytra) which only cover one or two segments of the abdo- men, instead of almost the whole of it, asis the general rule with beetles. These short wing- covers give the insect somewhat the appearance of wearing a boy’s short jacket, instead of a long coat; notwithstanding their brevity, however, they completely conceal and keep out of the way the ample membranous wings, which, when not in use for flight, are beautifully tucked away beneath them. The long uncovered abdomen is capable of being moved in dif- ferent directions, and is employed by the creature in folding and unfolding its wings. When irritated or alarmed it cocks its tail over its back, and assumes a ludicrously threatening aspect: it also possesses the power, probably for defence, of protruding at will two vesicles from the extremity of the abdomen, which emit a very unpleasant, and sometimes indescrib- ably fetid odour. . The chief food of these insects, both in the larval and perfect states, consists of decaying animal and vegetable matters ; in early summer every piece of dung that falls tothe earth speedily swarms with them, and in the autumn they are equally numerous in fungi, agarics, etc. Some species are also carnivorous, feeding upon other insects; in England a large species, commonly called the Devil’s Coach Horse, (Georius olens) devours large numbers of the destructive Ear-wig (Forficula). “On the least approach of danger,” Westwood re- lates, “this insect, like the rest of the group, immediately puts itself into a most ferocious- looking posture of defence, throwing the tail over the head like a scorpion, protruding the anal vesicles, elevating its head and widely opening its long and powerful jaws.” Upwards of four hundred species of this family of beetles are found in North Amer- ica, and of these, one hundred and five species have been taken in Canada. Many more undoubtedly remain to be found and described when collectors pay more attention to the minuter forms of insect life. Eight hundred species have been described as found in England alone. In tropical climates they are very rare ; their places as insect-scavengers being supplied by the excessively abundant ants and termites. 6. Duna BreetrEs (Scarabeide, etc). The members of the family towhich wehavenow come,and to which we have given the title of “Dung-beetles,” for want of a better, have been objects of peculiar interest to man- kind for many thousand years, and will, no doubt, continue;o attract the attention of all observers ofnature as long as the world lasts. Were it not for their extraordinary habits and for the reverence which was accorded to some of them in ancient times, these crea- tures—like the preceding family—would be simply disgusting to us, even though of grevt value in the economy of nature. 72 —————eaeaEe=E=eEeEeaeaeaeaeaeaeEeaeaeaEeaeaeaeaeEeEeaESeaaeeeeeeeee=EeeeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeaeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEEEeEEEEEEeSe——— SESS Every one has, no doubt, heard of the Sacred Beetle of the Egyptians, which was worshipped by them as a god, and reverenced in various ways. It was called. the Scara- beus, and belongs to the tribe we are now considering. ‘“Hor-apollon’”—according to Louis Figuier-—“the learned commentator on Egyptian hieroglypkics, thinks that this people, in adopting the Scarabzeus as a religious symbo!, wished to represent at once an unique birth—a father—the world—a man. The unique birth means that the Scarabeous has no mother. A male wishing to procreate, said the Kgyptians, takes the dung of an ox, works itup into a ball and gives it theshape of the world,rolls it with its hind legs from the east to the west, and places it in the ground, where it remains twenty-eight days. The twenty-ninth day it throws its ball, now open, into the water, and there comes forth a male Scarabeus. This explanation shows also why the Scarabeeus was employed to represent at the same time a father, a man and the world. There were, however, according to the same au- thor, three sorts of Scarabei ; one was in the shape of a cat, and threw out brightly shining rays (probably the Golden Scarabzeus), the others had two horns (Cupris).”’ There is a colossal granite figure of a Scarabzeus brought from Hgypt in the British Museum, and other smaller representations that we have seen appear to have been worn as amulets, suspended from necklaces or bracelets. It is supposed by some that the plague of ‘flies’ inflicted upon this people in the days of Moses consisted of swarms of this beetle,thus rendering the object of their superstitious worship a means of punishment; but we can hardly think that so innocent and harmless a creature, in other respects, would have been chosen by the Almighty for such a purpose ; we do not, however, insist upon any particular view of the subject, as so little is told us in the pages of holy writ. In Canada we have one species (Canthon levis, Drury,) which bears a strong resemblance to the Egyptian Scarabeus in appearance and habits, it is not very common, but is, however, generally distributed throughout the Province of Ontario. There are also several species of an- other genus (Copris), which possess similar habits but differ in their striated wing-covers, and in the extraordinary curved horn with which the head of the malesis armed. A remarkable peculiarity of these insects exists in the structure and situation of the hind legs, which are placed so near the extremity of the body and so far from each other, as to give the insect a most extraordinary appearance whilst walking. This peculiar formation is, however, par- ticularly serviceable to its possessors in rolling the balls of excrementitious matter in which they enclose their eggs. These balls are at first irregular and soft, but by degrees, and by continued rolling, they become rounded and harder; they are propelled by means of the hind legs, and the insects occasionally mount on the top, when they find a diftculty in urging them along; probably in order to destroy the equilibrium. Sometimes these balls are av inch and a half in diameter; and in rolling them along the beetles stand almost upon their heads, with their heads turned away from the balls, These manoeuvres have for their object the burying of the balls in holes, which the insects have previously dug for their reception ; and it is upon the dung thus deposited that the larva feed when hatched (MacLeay). These rhinoceros or unicorn beetles—as they may be termed—frequently fly into huuses through open windows, when attracted by light in the warm summerevenings. They are especially abundant on sandy soils. Another family of Dung-beetles (Geotrupide) performs a similar important part in the economy of nature, by feeding upon and burrowing under newly fallendung. Its species, however, do not make up pellets and roll them along the ground, as those above mentioned, but content themselves with sinking shafts immediately under the mass of excrement, and there hoarding up the supply of food for their young. They are much more common in this country than the preceding. and may vften be observed on a warm summer's evening, when the shadows are growing long, hovering about the droppings of some horse or cow, and _pre- paring to do their part in the removal of a nuisance, and the fertilization of the earth. Yet another family (Aphodiide) must be briefly noticed, before we leave these useful creatures. One species is almost the first beetle to greet us in early spring, as it flies about the manure of the hot-bed, and expands its coral-red wing-covers to the sun. Itis the Aphonius fimetarius, Lion., and is common in England as well as in Canada. Another tiny species (4. ingwinatus, Fab.,) swarms in the spring along the highways, resembling a fly as it hovers in the air, but easily distinguished when captured in the hand, or otherwise arrest- ed in its flight ; both of them feed upon horse-dung. The species of this family are es- pecially numerous in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, and deyote them 73 selves entirely to the consumption and removal of the excrement of the larger herbivorous animals. Need we say that they should, on no account, be destroyed ? 7. Luminous Insgcrs (Lampyride). In the regular order of families of beetles, according to the generally received classifica- tior of Coleoptera, we come to a number of decidedly noxious insects after the Dung-beetles just described ; such for instance as the May-beetles and other leaf-eaters, (Melolonthide), the Buprestis Borers that perforate the wood of a majority of our trees, Fig. 76. (Fig. 76), and the Spring-back Beetles, (Hiateride), parents of the justly dreaded Wire-worms. The first family of common insects that we come to afterthese, are the Fire-flies—luminous insects of the family Lampyride. In tropical countries the fire-flies belong to two very different families of beetles, the Elateride and the ‘:ampyride, but in Canada luminous examples of the former are very rave indeed, though we have myriads of the latter. Our fire-fiies, in the perfect state, are soft flattened beetles, with the head almost entirely concealed under the projecting hood formed by the thorax; they are generally of pale colours, though semetimes black. They are voracious in their habits; feed- ingin the larval state, upon earth-worms and _ soft-bodied insects. The light which they emit proceeds from the extremity of the abdomen, and appears, from its fitfulness, to be un- der the control of the insects. Its origin and composition have long been a matter of doubt. According to Siebold, “ the luminous organs of these insects consistof a mass of spherical cells, filled with a fine granular substance, and surrounded by numerous trachean branches. This substance appears, by daylight, of a yellow, sulphur-like aspect. The light produced from these organs, so remarkably rich in trachez, is undoubtedly the result of a combustion kept up by the air of these vessels. This combustion explains the intermission of the phosphor- escence observed with the brilliant fire-flies, and which coincides, not with the movements of the heart, but with those of inspiration and expiration.’’ All our readers are, no doubt, perfectly familiar with the sparkling intermittent light exhibited by fire flies on damp summer evenings. They appear to take especial delight in moisture, frequenting low marshy grounds and river bottoms in myriads, while they but oc- casionally visit the drier air of high ground. We haye sometimes seen them in tens of thou- sands, nay millions, when driving at night along some sequestered country road bordered by wet, swampy ground, or when taking a nocturnal ramble in search of insects up the valley of the Credit. Brilliant andnumerous though our Canadian fire-flies are, they cannot be com- pared—judging from the accounts of naturalists—with the glories of the tropical species. There, besides species similar to ours, they have the huge lantern flies, said to be two or three inches long, and emitting a most brilliant light and also the large spring-back beetle (Elater Noctilucus) that gives forth a bright glow from spots on the thorax. Southey thus describes the appearance of these creatures in tropical America :— ‘Soon did night display More wonders than it veiled ; innumerous tribes From the wood cover swarm’d and darkness made Their beauties visible ; one while they stream’d A bright blue radiance upon flowers that closed Their gorgeous colours from the eye of day ; Now motionless and dark, eluded search, Self-shrouded ; and anon, starring the sky, Rise like a shower of fire.”’ In England they have but one species of luminous insect, well known under the name of ‘glow-worm.” The females of this insect are long, flat, soft wormlike creatures, quite destitute of wings ; emitting usually a pale steady light frou the extremity of the ab- domen. The males, on the other hand possess complete wings and wing covers, and are but feebly luminous. We have taken them in early summer in the long damp grass beside -hedge-rows in Lancashire, where their tiny light attracted us from some little distance. They did not, however, appear to be at all common. In this country both sexes of the fire-flies are fully winged, and both appear to be equally luminous. The larve also of several species possess the property of emitting light ; bunt of these we have rarely obtained specimens. In 1868 we obtained a remarkable larva 6 74 ——<—<—<—<—<— $< which in all probability belonged to the genus “ Melanactes” of the Elater family. “Its general colour, (as we described at the time in the Canadian Entomologist, vol. 1. page 2) _was a dark drab, the posterior angles of each segment, the softer connecting portion between the seements and the under side of the body being very much paler, and of a somewhat dirty yellow hue ; on each side there is a deeply impressed line in which the spiracles are situated. When seen in the dark, the insect presented a very beautiful appearance, being apparently ringed and dotted with greenish fire. Hach spiracle appeared to be a point of bright greenish light, and the division between each segment a line of the same colour; it looked indeed as is if the whole insect were filled with fire, which shone out wherever it was not concealed by the dark shelly integument. When coiled up on its side it looked like a lovely Ammonite whose strie emitted green light, and withapoiut of green fire in each interspace.” ‘All the insects of the Lampyris family, whether luminous or not, may be classed among our friends, as they do not feed upon our crops or fruits, but upon various worms, snails and insects, One species (Chaulioynathus Pennsylvanicus ), a pretty yellow soft winged beetle, with a black oval spot towards the tip of each wing cover, is especially useful from its com- mendable habit of devouring the larvee of the dreaded Plum Curculio, when in the larval state itself. ‘The perfect insect we have sometimes taken in great numbers upon thistle blos- soms, towards the close of summer. 8. Lapy Brrps (Cocinellide.) From Luminous Insects to Lady-birds isalong leap to take in our description of neu- tral and beneficial insects. The intervening families of beetles, however, are so addicted to the destruction of our property in one form or another, and the exceptions are so few and in- conspicuous, that we must pass them all over, and go on to the consideration of the pretty little creatures—as useful too, as they are pretty—that are generally known by the name of “Lady-birds,” (vulgarly called Lody-bugs). They belongto the family Coccineilidect Coleoptera. ‘ After the Luminous insects (Lampyride) which we just now brought before the reader, there come, according to the generally received classification, a large number of most de- structive insects. Of these we may mention the Ptinidw, the species of which “are found in old houses, in furniture, in rotten palings, stumps of trees, ete., which they and their larva perforate with round holes in every direction, which are filled with a very fine powder formed of gnawed wood and excrementa ; some species feed upon collections of dried plants, skins of insects, ete; whilst others bore into our chairs, tables, and other woodwork, books, ete. ; other species feed upon almost every substance, devouring ginger, rhubarb, cayenne peprer,. ete: and rendering ship-biscuit often unfit for use; others again feed upon Fig. 77. woollen clothes, wheat in eranaries, and other stores,’—a most noxious family ~* certainly. After them come the Scolytid@, the members of which are very destructive to trees and timber; the Cuntharide, (Fig. 77,) useful for blister- ing purposes, as * Spanish flies,’ but very injurious to vegetation; the Curcu- lionide, (Fig. 78,) one or two well-known species of which are enough to con- demn the whole family, e. g, the Plum Curculio and the Pea-weevil ; the Cer- anbycide. or Capricorn Beetles, (Fig. 79,} the larvee of which are wood-borers, and attack trees of every kind; and the Chrysomelid@, beautiful golden insects many of them, but including such noxious creatures as the Three-lined po- elon ae tato beetle, (Fig. 80,) the Turnip-fly or Flea beetle, the Colorado Beetle, the newly impcrted Asparagus Beetle, ete, The “ Lady-birds ” be- long to the last family of all of the orders of beetles. They are so common and so well known to every child thatit is hardly ne- eessary to give any de- scription of them. The accompanying wood-cuts Fig. 78. 1 Colours, . 5 Pale Yellow and Black. will suffice to remind the reader of their appearance. (Figs. 81, 82, 83, 84.) Fig. $2. Fig. 83. Fig. 84. A B o Who is there, indeed, that has not set one on outstretched finger and sung to it in childish glee, “Lady-bird, Lady-bird, fly away home, your bouse is on fire and your children all burned!’’? In France they are much regarded also, and called by children “Bétes & bon Dieu,” “ Vaches de la Vierge,” ete.; and in Hagland they are termed Lady-cows as well as Lady-birds. The general colours of these insects are yellow, red or orange,with black spots ; and black, with red, white, or yellow spots; their shape is hemispherical, and though they vary somewhat in size, an average specimen bears a considerable resemblance in size and figure to an ordi- nary split pea; they have but very short legs and therefore creep but slowly ; their powers of flizht, however, are considerable. When alarmed they fold un their legs under the body and drop to the ground, and if handled they emita yellowish fluid from the joints-of the limbs which has rather a strong and disagreeable smell. In old times this fluid was considered to be an admirable specific for toothache ! We have never,however,possessed suiticient courage to test its qualities in this respect ourselves | As every one knows—or certainly ought to know by this time—the Lady-birds, both in their larval and perfect states, feed upon the obnoxious plant lice (Aphides), and are thus of the utmost service to the gardener, orchardistand hop-erower. Some species also prey very successfully upon the dreaded Colorado beetle, and assist beneficially in reducing the numbers of this new insect plague.* More than thirty species of this family of beetles are known toivhabit Canada. Atten- tion has so frequently been drawn to them in the course of these reports, that we need do no more than say—spare their lives and encourage their propagation by all means ; they are the most useful class of insects that we have. We have now enumerated all the leading varieties of beetles that are in their several modes serviceable to mankind. If any of our readers are now enabled to distinguish between insect friends or foes of this order, we shall feel well repaid for any trouble that these descrip- tions may have cost us. Our limited time and space preclude us trom going on to cther orders in this report; when another year comes round we hope, however,to have something further to say upun the subject. ® Vide Second Annual Report, p. 72. H u i ‘tums 1 Neannts ie Ee ewes et x en) Ms en Oe bribes ade ¥ ak! .. 4 . i Wy a, roess t a Ny ear . \ ‘ ¥ ‘ . A i } i “a f an ° A - . r " it 7 Pa 2. 0 i STS, )e6) Pe oe ae LG | €:\? ANNUAL REPORT cme OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY re CONE AC FOR THE YEAR 1874. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY. BY rn THE REV. C, J. S. BETHUNE, M.A., Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope; President of the Entemological Society of Ontario ; WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Editor of the Entomologist ; EDMUND BAYNES REED, Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. GDoronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO. 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1875. ‘ Ce PST HN cD mA) ) HEEY) ean We OUTAEC me} v asUytuuid et bik nf Diast Me uM - bs ‘ at A j Ye 3 Wein SO MSV OWAY hh aN) VA Nehru is x ; t Y we . p a 7 LS : ee Tag) s > er my I rt Lei i PATA SANA — Ay i thd ted ur Ba | ; ik WES WHARF I) i a “y ea boa) i nips a) Be we ‘ginkt td ii y u a . ‘ : ny ra, ee, ay. Jal i CONTENTS. A. | Fi American Association... ...........:0000600+ 3 | Financial statement...........0..0:s.sesecsioees 2 Annual Address, President’s.................- 2 «« Meeting 2 G Aphis ribesii.............. Bo 59 Apple borer, flat-headed.... 13 | Grape vine Phylloxera...... .......... -.-... 9,54 maple tree \Dlightsc- cates rset acnectye sa st <5 4. Ze Grasshoppers) ro. cece. | Saas sie Sven eS ea MTs 120 18 (Rents seeceet acct socninn: Qurcca hth sous s0/s Ovelt we, ches ott saat ae remen eee 80 00 6c HIXPOnsee TOtmEVODORUL. © 4 interest to only a limited number of our readers, is of great importance to those engage ¥ jp the study of the science of Entomology. We feel that our journal has done and Is st) if doing a good work in this respect ; and it is. pleasing to know that our efforts in this dir eetion are warmly appreciated by scientific men in, the adjoining Republic and in Europe, as, well as in our own country. As mentioned in the Report of the last Annual Meeting, a cordial invitation was ex- tended by the “ American Associatio'a for the Advancement of Science,” at the meeting held in Portland, in 1873, to the mem!yers of our Society to be present at the meeting in 1874, in Hartford. A deputation was ar,pointed by your Council to attend this meeting on behalf of our Society, in reference to which the following report appeared in the September number of the Entomologist :-— 4 now nearly reached the close of its THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. At the recent gathering of this scientifie body in Hartford, Conn., there were brought together an unusual number of Entomologists. This was owing partly, no doubt, to the kind invitation extended by the Association to the American and Canadian Eatomolovical Socie- ties to appoint special meetings of their members to be held at that time and place with the view of having these importaat societies fully represented. In response to this invitation a number of members of the American Entomological Society were present, while our Cana- dian Entomologists were represented by the worthy President of our Society "Rev. ( J. S. Be- thune, M.A., and the Editor of the Hntomologist. Several evenings were occupied by these “brethren of the net” in interesting and profitable discussions on the habits and rete ities of various insects, the time passing so pleasantly that the midnight hours were reached ere separation could be effected. After mature deliberation it was resolved to organize under the name of “The Entomological Club of the A. A. A. 8.,” and the following ae tution was adopted : — fi P {id TITLE. 1. The name of the association shall be “The Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.” OBJECTS, II. The annual re-union of the Entomologists of America, the advancement of entomo- logy, and the consideration of all general questions relating to the science that may from time to time arise. MEMBERSHIP. III. All members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science who are interested in entomology, shall zpse facto be members of the club. OFFICERS, IV. The officers of the club shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary, to be elected annually by vote of the members. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS. V. The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings ; the Secretary shall perform all the usual duties of a recording and corresponding Secretary. MEETINGS. VI. A meeting shall be held in each year at the place of meeting appointed by the American Asociation for the advancement of Science ; it shall commence at 2.30 p.m., on the day before the meeting of the American Association for the advancement of Science, and be continued throughout that evening; further meetings may be held as time will permit during the week following. The following resolutions were also unanimously passed : Resolved, That the members of the Amevican Entomological Society and the Entomological Society of Ontario, together with all other persons interested in entomological science, be cordially invited to attend and take part in the proceedings. Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to publish notices of the meeting in such periodicals devoted to natural history, and especially in those devoted to entomology as are published on the continent ; and further that the members be requested to bring with them at the annual re-unions specimens for exchange and exhibition, and especially types of species that they may have described during the year. Ai a subsequent meeting of the Club, the following officers were elected: President, Dr. John L. Leconte, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Vice President, Samuel H. Scudder, Cambridge, Mass. ; Secretary, Chas. V. Riley, St. Louis, Mo. We feel sure that under such able direction, the Entomological Club of the A. A. A. 8. will prosper, and be the means of'stimulating many to increased effort, and thus greatly advance the interests of our favourite study. As it may interest many to know who were present at these meetings, we furnish the following list: Dr. John L. LeConte, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Dr. J. G. Morris, Baltimore, Md. ; Prof. 8. S. Haldeman, Chickis, Pa. ; Dr. H. A. Hagen, Cambridge, Mass. ; S. H. Scudder, Cambridge, Mass. ; A. R. Grote, Buffalo, N. Y.; Dr. G. M. Levette, Indianapolis, Ind. ; ©. V. Riley, St. Louis, Mo.; O. 8. Westcott, Chicago, Ill.; J. A. Lintner, Albany, N. Y. ; H. F. Bassett, Waterbury, Conn. ; George Dimmock, Springfield, Mass. ; B. Pickman Mann, °‘Cambridge, Mass. ; E. P. Austin, Cambridge, Mass. ; Dr. R. King, Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Chas. © P, Dodge, Washington, D. C.; Mr. Patton, Waterbury, Conn. ; Rey. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., Port’ Hope, Ont. ; W. Saunders, London, Ont. During the meetings of the Association several interesting and valuable papers on Entomological subjects were read by Dr. LeConte and Messrs. Scudder, Riley and Grote. » “Dhe' branches of our Society organized at London, Montreal and Kingston, continue to thrive, and by their frequent meetings and social intercourse stimulate the members resid ent in these cities to greater application in the service of entomology. We trust that such of our members as ean, will aid the editor of the Enromonoaist by sending him from time to time, memoranda of their observations, on the habits and life history of our insects with any other notes they may deem of interest to the lovers of our favourite science. Submitted on behalf of the Council by J. H. MoMrouan, . Secretary-Treasurer. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LONDON BRANCH. The annual meeting of the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held at the residence of Mr. W. Saunders, on the 17th of February. A goodly number of members were present, and the following officers were elected for 1874: President, A. Puddicombe ; Vice-President, H. P. Bock; Secretary-Treasurer, J. G. Geddes; Curator, J. Williams; Auditors, Messrs. C. Chapman and J. Griffiths. A box of Lepidoptera from Miss Carey, of Amherstburg, was shown by Mr. E. B. Reed, containing some interesting specimens taken in that locality; among others there were fine examples of Papilio thoas and Philampelus satellitia, W. Saunders exhibited a box of Coleoptera, embracing a large number of species kindly donated by Theodore L. Mead, Hsq., of New York. Also, several boxes of European insects, presented by Francis Walker, Esq., of the british Museum. The Secretary was instructed to tender to Mr. Walker the sincere thanks of the Society for his continued liberality in this matter—the cabinets of the Society and those of the members also having been repeatedly en- riched with valuable specimens through his kindness. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The first annual meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on May 6th, 1874, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing ear : , W. Couper, President; G. J. Bowles, Vice-President ; F. B. Caulfield, Secretary-Trea- surer ; G. B. Pearson, Curator ; Council—W. Hibbins, sen., C. W. Pearson, P. Knetzing. The reports of the Council and Secretary-Treasurer were read, and, on motion, adopted. The Branch, although young, is in a prosperous condition, the expenses of the past year hay- ing been met, leaving a small balance on hand, and the list of members is gradually inereas- ing. Owing to the lateness of the season but little field work has been done, but some rare captures have been made already. ‘The Branch meets as usual at the residence of the Pre- sident, No. 67, Bonaventure Street, Montreal, P. Q. All business communications to be addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer, F'. B. Caulfield, 254, St. Martin Street, Montreal, P. Q. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. During the summer of 1873 a fortunate circumstance occurred to which this Branch owes its origin. ‘The following gentlemen, viz., Wm. Couper, F. B. Caulfield, Wm. Hibbins, G. W. Pearson and G. B. Pearson, met by chance on the Montreal Mountain, where the sub- ject was discussed, and it was then decided to hold a meeting at the residence of Mr. Caul- field, in order to make further arrangements for its formation. This meeting was held on the 30th of August, when it was resolved to form a branch in connection with the Entomological Society of Ontario, and the Seeretary pro. fem. was instructed to write to the parent society, asking permission to form a Branch Society in this city. This proposition was at once accepted by the parent Society. On the 16th of October the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—Wil- liam Couper, President; M. Kollmar, Vice-President ; F. B. Caulfield, Secretary-Treasurer ; Council—G,. J. Bowles, P. Knetzing and C. W. Pearson; Curator, William Hibbins. By-Laws were framed for the yuidance of the Branch, which were approved by the parent Society. Our monthly meetings have been regularly held and well attended, and your Coun- cil congratulate the Society on benefits derived. During the eight meetings which have been held, independent of the production of original communications on Entomology, there were remarkably good exhibitions of insects, which also tended to give additional information to members. ‘ The first meeting of the Branch in August, 1873, consisted of seven members, and since then five additional members have been elected. The following papers were read during the winter months :— “A Dissertation on Northern Butterflies,” by William Couper ; ‘“ On the Cicindelidz Occurring on the Island of Montreal,” by F. B. Caulfield; ‘On Some of the Benefits De- rived from Insects,” by F. B, Caulfield. The following works have been donated during the year:— “On Some Remarkable Forms of Animal Life from the Great Deeps of the Norwegian Coast,” by G. O. Sars, 1 Vol. ; “On Norwegian Crustaceans,” by G. O. Sars, 2 Vol. ; “ Synopsis of the Acrididee of North America,” by Cyrus Thomas, 1 Vol. Your Council would suggest that the Curator procure store boxes for the preservation of the specimens obtained for the Society during the approaching season. In this way the nucleus of a collection can be formed prior to the purchase of a cabinet, which your Council trusts the Society will be possessed of before next winter. Your Council would also suggest that members carry note-books wherein to record Kn- tomological observations, especially relative to insects injurious to the crops; also, of such species as are considered beneficial in checking the progress of destructive insects. As this is one of the principal objects of the Society, field notes of this nature are always’ valuable, and should form subjects of investigation and discussion at our meetings: Attention should be given to the larval forms of insects, as this is a specialty of Untomology from which much knowledge is yet to be obtained. : Your Council strongly impress on the members to use their influence in promoting a knowledge of the importance of the study of Hntomology, more especially with Agriculturists and horticulturists, in order to enable them to check the ravages of the numerous insects injurious to vegetation. All of which is respectfully submitted. f C. W. PEARSON, Gro. JNo. Bow es. Wm. Couper, Chairman. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SO- CIETY OF ONTARIO, 1874. To the Members of the Entomological Society of Ontario :-— GENTLEMEN,—] beg to offer you again, after the lapse of a year, my hearty congratu ' lations upon the continued prosperity of our Society. As you have already learnt from the Report of our Secretary-Treasurer, we have been fayoured with a slight increase in our list of membership—as large, indeed, as can fairly be expected in a Society which confines itself to the study ofa particular branch of Natural Science, and which cannot therefore attract into its ranks many who are not specially engaged, to some extent at least, in this limited field of investigation. It is especially pleasing to find that our number of branches continues to increase—a highly successful one, with its headquarters in Montreal, having been organized since our last annual meeting. Its first annual report has been already presented to us in the pages of our journal. : The CANADIAN ENTroMOLOGIST, upon whose success the well-being and fair fame of our Society so largely depends, has—I am sure you will agree with me—been more ably sustained than ever before. The thanks of the whole Society are assuredly due to the energetic and talented Editor, Mr. Saunders, who has been, indeed, its mainstay from the issue of its first number till now. It would be well if all our members would aid him, not only by contribu- tions, but also by increasing the circulation, and thereby improving the means of support of the publication. When I applied just now the term “limited” to our field of enquiry, I only did so when considering Entomology as one amongst a large number of sections of the great circle of natural sciences, which includes within its area the study of all things material which come within the range of man’s intellectual powers. If we look, however, at Entomology and its objects alone, we cannot fail to see at once that it is practically without limit—that there is work enough for thousands of investigators for almost innumerable generations to come. And when we couple with Entomology other kindred sciences, such as Botany, Geology and Phy- sical Geography, which are so closely allied that no student can safely overlook them, we begin almost to be overwhelmed with the vast extent of this field of knowledge that we seek to explore. So vast, indeed, is the field that no one now ventures to survey the whole of it, except in a very general way ; each explorer finds himself compelled—if he would do any effec- tive work—to confine his labour to some one or two of its sections or subsections. By this division of labour, all departments of the Science will by degrees be taken up, and much that is now a ‘terra incognita’ will become familiar to the patient explorer. In our own country—within the bounds of this great Dominion—there is need of many more students and explorers. yen in this Province of Ontario, the headquarters of our So- ciety, where more has been done than in any other part of Canada, there is yet room for a great increase to our band of collectors and investigators. How incomplete, for instance, is even yet our list of Diurnal Lepidoptera, and how many pages are still blank in the life history of some of our commonest butterflies? Our able Editor, my excellent friend, Mr. Saunders, has done much to fill up these blank pages, and his work iseverywhere recognized as thorough and authoritative ; but yet there remains much more to be done, that we hope our members will before long accomplish, If we turn to Crepuscular and Nocturnal Lepidoptera, we must feel almost appalled at the extent of our ignorance. For those who have the time and the ability, I can think of no more interesting or attractive field of enquiry—none that will sooner or better repay the pains-taking student, whether he looks for fame or pleasure, whether he sighs for fresh fields to conquer, or desires to set his foot where man has not trodden before. In a department where so much remains to be done, we all, I am sure, offer a most cordial wel-. come to one who has recently cast in his lot among us, and has traversed the broad Atlantic in order to study the Noctuidz of this country. I allude to Mr. George Norman, of St Catharines, late of Forres, in Scotland. bs In another order of insects, the Coleoptera, much, no doubt, has been accomplished. Through the pains-taking labours of a Billings and a Pettit, not to mention other good work- ers, and by the aid of the great authorities in the neighbouring States, Dr. Leconte and Dr. Horn in particular, we have been able to increase our list of Canadian beetles from a few hundreds at the birth of the Society, to more than as many thousands now. But stil) how very much more remains to be done ? What a field of labour there is before both student and collector in the Carabidee, the Staphylinidee, the Curculionidae and other numerous families of beetles! May we not hope that during the coming winter our present scattered stores of knowledge will be utilized and made available for the good of all, by the compilation and publication of a large addition to our old and valuable list of Canadian Coleoptera ? If there remains so much to be done in these two favourite orders, what shall I say of the remainder, that are so generally neglected? It is surely time that some of our members should devote themselves to the working up of such interesting orders as the Neuroptera, the Hymenoptera, the Orthoptera, the Hemiptera, even if no one can be found at present to take up the study of the more difficult Diptera. In all these orders there is the nucleus of a collection in the cabinets of our Society, while no doubt much additional material would be furnished by individuals to any member who will take up in earnest the study of any one of them. It would be a great contribution to our knowledge of Canadian insects if there could be published by the Society carefully pre- pared lists of as many species as possible in each of these orders. Such lists would, of course, be very incomplete at first, but they could easily be so arranged in publication that additions might be made to them at any time, as our stores of knowledge increase. Such, gentlemen, are some of the modes in which, I think, we should endeavour to ex- tend the operations of our Society. If each year, when we assemble together for our annual meeting, we can point to some such work done in the previous twelvemonth, we shall haye good reason to congratulate ourselves upon real permanent progress—upon building up the foundation of an Entomological structure that will prove enduring and substantial in time to come. Thus far I have referred to Entomology as a purely scientific pursuit; there is an- other aspect in which we cannot refrain from regarding it, viz., as a subject of very great economic importance to every inhabitant of our land. This view of Entomology has been especially brought before us of late by the havoc that has been produced in our farms and gardens by hordes of destructive insects. The dreaded Uolorado Potato Beetle (Doryphora decem-lineata) has spread eastward with great rapidity, and has now reached the Atlantic coast in some parts of the United States. I have been informed by friends who reside in various parts of the Union, that while little, if any, diminution in the numbers of the pest is to be observed in the west, it is becoming very destructive where it has attained to its second year of colonization. During the first year of its invasion of a particular locality, no appreciable damage is done by it, but as its armies in- crease in geometrical progression, the potato crops of the following season generally suffer to a terrible extent. It has now covered the whole of the Province of Ontario, and is very des- tructive throughout the western half of it, though we are happy to say that our intelligent farmers and gardeners are effectually using the remedies suggested by our colleagues, Messrs. Saunders and Reed, in their Report to the Legislature a few years ago. In Quebec it is but beginning to be observed ; no doubt it will be found there in myriads next year. Across the border, it has penetrated to the western portion of Vermont, into New Jersey, down to the sea coast in Pennsylvania, and in Maryland ; at Baltimore, Md., it is very abundant, while straggling outposts have been found as far south as Washington. The whole of New York and Ohio have been pretty well covered with the insect, while in Missouri it is as abundant as ever. In Indiana and Michigan there is a local diminution in the numbers of the pest, but no where are there as yet any signs of its cessation. The people of Europe are now beginning —and with good reason—to feel alarmed at the prospect of its crossing the Atlantic. The English and French scientific and agricultural publications are commencing to publish notices of the insect and to talk of restrictive measures, while in Germany, we are told that stringent regulations will probably soon be put in force by the Government to prevent the invasion of the country. Unless some regulations of this kind are put in general force throughout the whole of Western Europe, I believe that—judging from the spread of noxious European in- sects on this side of the Atlantic— the Colorado Beetle will soon become there as familiar an object and as destructive a pest as it is here. While the Colorado Beetle from the Rocky Mountains has been overspreading the whole northern continent eastward, there has been moving southward and westward in a similar manner another insect—the Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rape)—that is almost as injurious as the other. This insect, an European importation, as of course you all know, starting from Quebec some few years ago—there first noticed by our friends Messrs. Couper and Bowles has now spread westward over almost the whole of Ontario. At Port Hope it has been this year by far the most common of all butterflies ; thousands were to be seen throughout the whole season, from early summer to the present time, flitting about along every road, and hundreds hovering over or alighting in every garden. There is hardly a cabbage or ecauli- flower fit to be eaten anywhere in the neighbourhood, while stocks and mignonette have been ruthlessly demolished in all the flower gardens. Its spread westward, however, has hardly been as rapid as its movements to the south. The two maritime provinces of New Bruns wick and Nova Scotia, and all the New England States, have for some time been occupied, and now I am told that this year it is most plentiful as far south as Washington, and that it is by no means rare in Virginia. While referring to the wonderful spread of noxious insects during the past few years, and to their excessive prevalence now, I must not omit to mention the affliction caused to our north-west Province of Manitoba and to many of the western States by the swarms of locusts, or grasshoppers as they are termed (Ca/optenus spretus). The accounts of the suf- ferings caused by this terrible plague are perfectly appalling, and rival anything that we have read of the ravages of the Eastern locusts. Happily for us they do not seem to extend much further to the east than the Missouri River, though, occasionally they penetrate to some of the broad prairies beyond. As a detailed account of this insect will probably be afforded you in the forthcoming Annual Report of our Society, I need not detain you with any further remarks upon it. The only other insect to which I need now call your attention for a moment, is the Grape Vine Phyllowera. I am glad to learn that its ravages in the vineyards to the south of us have been comparatively trifling this yecr, and that in all probability the summer droughts to which we are so liable, will prevent its ever being as formidable a foe as it was at one time apprehended. é To turn from this not very cheerful subject, I may mention, before concluding, that Mr. Saunders and myself duly attended the recent meeting at Hartford, Conn., of the Ame- rican Association for the Advancement of Science. There we had the pleasure of meeting a large number of Entomologists from all parts of the United States, and we had the further gratification also, of being presided over, in general session, by the ablest of American Hnto- mologists, Dr. Leconte, and in the Zoological Section, by another great worker in our department, Mr. 8. H. Scudder. Informal meetings of Entomologists were frequently held, ond finally it was agreed upon to form an Entomological Club of members of the A.A.A.S., who should assemble annually a day before the meeting of the Association in the place that may be from time to time selected for its sessions. In this way we trust that much may be done for the furtherance of our favourite branch of science, and that Entomologists generally, from all parts of the continent, will bring together their types of new species and the surplus of their collections for mutual information and benefit. Without further trespassing upon your time and attention, I beg to thank you, gentlemen, for the kind consideration you haye shown to my colleagues and myself during our term of office, and with hearty wishes for the continued prosperity of our Society, T have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Cuartes J. 8. BETHUNE, President E. S. of 0. Trinity College School, Port Hope, September 22nd, 1874. INTRODUCTORY. ONCE again at the close of another year, a few of the members of the Entomological So- iety of Ontario have undertaken the task of endeavouring to lay before the public, some in- srmation respecting the habits and lives of the insect world, and more especially those mem- ers of it which have a direct or indirect influence upon the growth or well-being of the produce f field or forest. It is a satisfaction to know that these annual reports are read and appreciated, and that 1any of our practical Fruit-Growers and Agriculturists are desirous of obtaining some know- xdge of the transformations of the various and beautiful members of the insect world, of those eautiful atoms of God’s creation, each in its appointed sphere fulfilling the purpose for yhich it was created, drawing forth our wonder, our admiration and our praise ; for “‘ He who rondereth at nothing hath no capabilities of bliss, but he that scrutinizeth trifles hath a store f pleasure to his hand, and happy and wise is the man to whose mind a trifle existeth not.” ‘* He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small, For the dear God that loveth us, He made and loveth all.” ENTOMOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS. By E. B. Resp, Lonpon, Ont. 1. Tae Io Morn (Saturnia Io). 2. Tue Fiat-HeapED APPLE-TREE Borer (Chrysobothris femorata). 3. Tue Locust Tree Borer (Clytus pictus). 1. THe Io Morn Saturnia (Hyperchiria) Io, [Fabr]. Order, LrpipoprERA ; Family, Bompycipz. This lovely moth is well worthy a place in the cabinet of the collector, and from its bril- liant colouring and conspicuous markings is always sure to attract notice and admiration. The moth belongs to a family which has received the name of “ Bompycrs ” from Bombyx the ancient name of the silk worm, As, however, it is in the larval or Caterpillar state that this insect more frequently meets our eye, we will begin by a description of it in that stage. The full grown larva of which, fig. 1 is Fie. 1. an admirable representatiun, is of a most delicate apple or yea-green colour with a broad dusky white stripe at each side bordered with lilac on the lower edge. The body is covered with spreading clusters of green bristles tipped with black. These bristles are exceed- ingly sharp, and when the insect is handled will pro- duce avery irritating sting similar to but much sharper than that of the nettle, and the effect of which causes a reddening of the flesh and the immediate appearance of raised white blotches which last for a considerable time. Fig. No. 2 shews the appearance of these bristles, some of them as b, being stouter and more acute than the others and able to inflict a sharper and more penetrating sting. This stinging property is very curious and is not very easily explained ; Mr. C. VY. Riley writing of a very similar insect, the Saturnia Maia, says, “ that the sting is caused by the prick of the spines. and not by their getting broken in the flesh. From the fact that the spines appear hollow, one would naturally attribute their irritating power to some poisonous Fie fluid which they eject into the puncture. But I have been unable to resolve any apical aperture, nor was Mr. Lintner more successful. y Hence I infer that the irritating property belongs to the substance of which the spines are formed, and this opinion is strengthened by the \ Y e fact that those of a dead larva, or of a cast-off skin which has been in my cabinet for several years, still retain the irritating power, though so @y o brittle that it is not easy to insert them.” Tn the earlier stages the caterpillars are gregarious, feeding together side by side and in going to and returning from their place of shelter, moving in regular files after the manner of the processionary caterpillars of Europe (Cneocampa processionea). This marching habit is so very peculiar that it is well worth describing. Though the insects move without beat of drum they maintain as much regularity in their steps as a file of soldiers, The celebrated naturalist Reaumur, writing of the European Procession Moth says, “I kept some for a little 12 time in my house in the country, I brought an oak branch which was covered with them into my study, where I could much better follow the order and regularity of their march than I could have done in the woods. I was very much amused and pleased at watching them for many days. I hung the branch on which I had brought them against one of my window shutters. When the leaves were dried up, when they had become too hard for the jaws of the caterpillars, they tried to go and seek better food elsewhere. One set himself in motion, a second followed at his tail, a third followed this one, and so one. They began to defile and march up the shutter, but being so near to each other that the head of the second touched the tail of the first. The single file was throughout continuous ; it formed a perfect string of caterpillars of about two feet in length, after which the line was doubled. Then two cater- pillars marched abreast, but as near the one which preceded them, as those who were march- ing in single file were to each other. After a few rows of our processionists who were two abreast, came the rows of three abreast ; after a few of these came those who were four abreast ; then there were those of five, others of six, others of seven and others of eight caterpillars. This troop so well mershalled was led by the first. Did it halt, all the others halted ; did it begin again to march, all the others set themselves in motion and followed it with the greatest precision. That which went on in my study goes on every day in the woods whiere these cater- pillars live. When it is near sunset you may see coming out of any of their nests by the opening which is at its top, which would hardly afford space for two to come-out abreast, one caterpillar, as soon as it has emerged from the nest, it is followed by many others in single file ; when it has got about two feet from the nest, it makes a pause during which those who are still in the nest continue to come out ; they fall into their ranks, the battalion is formed ; at last the leader sets off marching again, and all the others follow him. That which goes on in this nest passes in all the neighbouring nests ; all are evacuated at the same time.” According to ‘‘ Harris,” the caterpillars of the Io Moth do not spin a common web, but when not eating they, creep under a leaf where they cluster side by side. When about half crown the caterpillars disperse, each seeking a location for itself. They moult five times, the larvae devouring their cast off spinous skins. After being in the larval state about eight weeks, they arrive at maturity, and are then about two and a half inches long, and present the ap- pearance of Fig. No. 1. Their food plants are very numerous. They have been found on Black Locust, Indian Corn, Willows, Sassafrass, Wild Cherry, Elm, Hop Vine, Balsam, Balm of Gilead, Dogwood, Choke Cherry, Currant, Cotton and Clover. I this year found two larve on the English Fil- bert, and bred them to maturity on that plant. I have, however, more commonly found them on the Choke Cherry. The larvze when full grown ceases eating, and crawls to the ground, where, amongst the loose leaves and rubbish, it forms a rough outer covering, within which it makes a slight cocoon of tough, gummy, brown silk. In this retreat a transformation is soon effected to the pupal or chrysalis state, from which, having remained therein during the winter and spring months, the moth emerges in the perfect winged condition about the month of June. The moths are remarkable for the difference between the sexes both in size and colour. TS SE The male (Fig. 3), which is much the smallest, is of a deep Indian or maize yel- low colour. On the forewings are two oblique,wavy lines near the hind margin and a zig-zag dark, reddish, central reniform spot or blotch ; this is very marked in all the Cana- dian specimens I have seen, although in the cut, which is drawn by Mr. Riley, probably from a specimen taken in the Western States, the spot is not so distinct. The hind wings are broadly shaded with purple next to the body ; near the hinder margin is a curved purplish band, and within this again is a smaller one of a dark purple or violet colour. In the centre of this last band and the middle of the wing is a large round blue spot, with a whitish centre and a broad border, almost black. It is from these prominent eye-spots that the moth derives its name, in allusion to . line near the base. There is also a large, _ the classical Grecian fable of the beautiful Io who, having incurred the displeasure of the jealous Juno, was placed by her under the watchful vigilance of the hundred-eyed Argus. The under side of the wings is of the same deep yellow—the forewings having the inner margin broadly shaded with purple and shewing the reniform eyed spot very distinctly ; the hinder wings are more uniform in colour, with a transverse purple line, and a very small distinct white spot representing the centre of the large spot on the upper side. The body is also deep yellow—somewhat darker on the thorax. The antennze, as usual in the males of the bombyces, are beautifully pectinated, presenting a double comb-like appearance The male varies slightly in size, from two and a half to two and three-quarter inches in width. Bee The female (Fig. No. 4) is considerably larger, ranging from three to three and a half inches. The specimens vary much in colour, from a dark purplish brown to a warm ochreous red. The fore wings have similar wavy zig-zag lines, the reniform blotch being less distinct than that in the male ; the inner mar- gin is of a deeper colour, and with the head and thorax is thickly coated with a short, ; woooly, pilose covering. The hind wings are marked in a similar manner to those of the male. The undersides of the wings have the same uniform colour, and are marked much like those of the male. The body is ochreous yellow, a little lighter above, and each segment is bordered with a narrow, reddish band. “The moths have a fashion of sitting with their wings closed, and covering the body like a low roof, the front edge of the underwings extending a little beyond that of the upper wings, and curving upwards.” The eggs are deposited on the under side of the leaf, and are described by Mr. Riley as being compressed on both sides and flattened at the apex, the attached end smallest. Their colour is cream white with a small black spot on the apical end and a larger orange one on the sides. A cluster found on Sassafrass by a western lady contained about thirty eggs, The moths are nocturnal, flying only by night. THE Fruat-HEApED APPLE-TREE BorER. Chrysobothris femorata, (Fabr). Order, CoLEoprerA ; Family, BupRESTIDZ Among apple-growers there has been during the past year or two a great complaint of some borer infesting their trees, and investigation has shown that it is to this little beetle that the injuries may be traced. Fig. 5. Although insignificant in size, yet its larva is capable of doing immense mischief in our orchards. The beetle belongs to a family of insects which is especially remarkable for their rich and varied colouring, many having most brilliant tints. The one we are describing, fig. 5, is of a greenish brassy black colour above, the under side having a bright coppery hue. It is about half an inch in length, It is of an oblong oval shape, blunt round head, and tapering towards the tail. It flies by day and is very swift on the wing. It may often be seenduring the summer months running up and down the trunk and limbs of trees or resting itself, basking in the sunshine. The larva, fig. 6., is a pale yellow, footless grub, its anterior end being enormously enlarged, round and flattened. Dr. Fitch worked up the history of this little pest some years ago. According to his account “ the parent beetle deposits its egg on the bark from which a worm hatches and passes through the bark, and during the earlier stages of 14 its life, consumes the soft sap wood immediately under the bark. But when the worm Fig. 6. approaches maturity and has become stronger and more robust, it gnaws into = the more solid heart-wood, forming a flattish and not a cylindrical hole such as is formed by most other borers, the burrow which it excavates being twice as broad as it is high, the height measuring the tenth of an inch or slightly over. Within this hole the larva may be almost always found with its tail curled round completely towards the head, in a manner peculiar to the larvee of beetles belonging to the family Buprestide. It remains in the tree about a year. It isin the latter end of the summer, that the larva penetrates into the hardwood of the tree; its burrow extending upwards from the spot under the bark where it had previously entered. On laying open one “of the burrows Dr. Fitch found it more than an inch in length, and all its lower part filled and blocked up with the fine sawdust like castings of the larva. With regard to remedies, Dr. Fitch advises three ; “ First, coating or impregnating the bark with some sub- tance, repulsive to the insect. Second, destroying the beetle by hand- picking ; and Third, de- stroying the larva by cutting into and extracting it from its burrow.” His advice is so plain and comprehensive than I cannot do better than quote it at length. “ As it is during the month of June and forepart of July that the beetle frequents the trees for the purpose of depositing its eggs in the bark, it is probable that whitewashing the trunk and large limbs, or rubbing them over with soft soap early in June, will secure them from mo- lestation from this enemy. And in districts where this borer is known to infest the apple trees the trees should be repeatedly inspected during this part of the year, and any of these beetles, that are found upon them should be captured and destroyed. It is at mid-day of warm sun- shiny days that the search for them will be most successful, as they are then most active, and shew themselves abroad. The larvee, when young, appear to have the same habit with most other borers, of keeping their burrow clean by throwing their castings out of it through a small orifice in the bark. They can therefore be discovered, probably, by the new, saw- dust like powder, which will be found adhering to the outer surface of the bark. In August or September, whilst the worms are yet young, and before they have penetrated the heart- wood, the trees should be carefully examined for these worms. Whenever, from any particles of the sawdust-like powder appearing externally upon the bark, one of these worms is sus- pected, it will be easy, at least in young trees, where the bark is thin and smooth, to ascer- tain by puncturing it with a stiff pin, whether there is any hollow cavity beneath, and if one is discovered, the bark should be cut away witha knife until the worm is found and destroyed. After it has penetrated the solid wood, it ceases to eject its castings and consequently, we are then left without any clue by which to discover it. Hence the importance of searching for it seasonably.”’ The natural food of this insect is believed to be the white oak, but itis found also on many other trees, such as apple, peach and plum, and, according to Mr. C. V. Riley has most seriously affected the soft maples in the valley of the Mississippi. The beetle when caught contracts all its limbs and feigns death. Tse Locust-TreE Borer. [ Clytus Pictus.—F Asp. ] Order, CoLEopTERA ; Family, CERAMBYCIDA. This active little beetle belongs to the same family as the are Speciosus, of Say, whose attacks on the maple tree I described in my report for 1872. - This is a very common insect, and a most fatal obstacle to the cultivation of the locust tree in Ontario. In 1866, at the meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada, Prof. Croft, of Toronto, drew the attention of the members to the ravages during the past summer, of this beetle, and stated that many of the acacia trees of Toronto and the vicinity, had fallen victims to the larvee. Since that date the writer has watched with interest the steady westward progress of this destructive pest. Indeed, so rapid has been its spread, that there is hardly a locality in Ontario now, where it has not made its appearance, and we may almost give up any attempt to check its ravages, or to successfully procure the cultivation of the locust tree. These beetles are so common now that they will be readily recognized without any engraving. They are from three quarters to half an inch in length. Colour, velvet black. 15 SSS ———EE—E_—E——E—E eee with transverse lemon-yellow bands, of which there are three on the head, four on the thorax and six on the elytra or wing covers, making thirteen in all ; the tips of the elytra are also edged with yellow. The third band on the body is very noticeable, as it forms a very distinct representation of the letter W. The thorax is very globular. The antenne are dark brown. The underside of the body has the outer edges of the segments, bordered with yellow stripes. The legs are rust-red. “Tn the month of September,” writes Dr. Harris, “these beetles gather on the locust trees, where they may be seen glittering in the sunbeams, with their gorgeous livery of black velvet and gold, coursing up and down the trunks in pursuit of their mates, or to drive away their rivals, and stopping every now and then to salute those they meet with a rapid bowing of the shoulders, accompanied by a creaking sound, indicative of recognition or defiance. Having paired, the female, attended by her partner, creeps over the bark, searching the cre- vices with her antennze, and dropping therein her snow-white eggs, in clusters of seven or eight together, and at intervals of five or six minutes, until her whole stock is safely stored, The eggs are soon hatched, and the grubs immediately burrow into the bark, devouring the soft inner substance that suffices for their nourishment till the approach of winter. During winter they remain at rest in a torpid state. In the spring they bore through the sap-wood, more or less deeply into the trunk, the general course of their winding and irregular passages being in an upward direction from the place of their entrance. For a time they cast their chips out of their holes as fast as they are made, but after a while the passage becomes clogged, and the burrow more or less filled with the coarse and fibrous fragments of wood, to get rid of which the grubs are often obliged to open new holes through the bark. The seat of their operations is known by the oozing of the sap, and the dropping of the sawdust from the holes. The bark around the part attacked begins to swell, and in a few years the trunks and limbs will become disfigured and weakened by large porous tumours caused by the efforts of the trees to repair the injuries they have suffered.” The habits of this insect seem to have been known for a long time, for we find a description of them made in 1771, by Dr. J. R. Forster, and Dr. Fitch records that Petivera gave a figure and description of it in his “ Gazo- phylacium,” published in London in 1702. The beetle is, undoubtedly, a native species, it never having been found in any other country. In remarking on their destructive powers, Dr. Fitch states, ‘‘ that one of the prin- cipal thoroughfares leading east from the city of Utica was formerly planted on its south side with locust trees, these had become so large and ornamental as to render this one of the most admired avenues in the suburbs of that city. When some thirty (now 40), years since, these trees were invaded by this insect, to such an extent, that in the course of two or three seasons, they were totally ruined, many of them being killed outright, and the remainder having their limbs and branches so lopped off, that they could never recover from the deformity.” Miche- aux also reported that fifty years ago this insect had become so destructive, that many people in different parts of the States were discouraged from planting the locust. In my own experience, three or four seasons have completely killed the largest trees, and about half that time for many of those of smaller size. The numbers and fecundity of the beetle are very great. I well remember in the early fall of 1873, on passing a small clump of locusts growing in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, Ont., my attention being arrested by the breaking off of a branch of considerahle size from one of these trees, and my curiosity being excited, [ made an examination, and found that the branch had been eaten almost through by the larvae, and on looking up at the trunk of the tree, I counted over fifty beetles running up and down ; that tree was completely killed that season. I had oceasion to pass these trees going up and down to iy office, and I am satisfied I must have killed fully one hundred that year, merely treading on them as I found them on the sidewalk beneath, or in the neighbour- hood of these trees. These beetles may often be found feeding on the pollen of the Golden Rod (Solidago). Dr, Fitch suggests, “as a feasible plan of checking the multiplication and destructiveness of these borers, to plant a small patch of the Golden Rod where locust trees are grown, that the beetles when they issue from the tree may resort to the flowers as is their habit. They can readily be found thereon, and captured and destroyed. It will be a pastime to the children of the household, whose sharp eyes qualify them well for this employment, to search their flowers.” The gathering should be begun as soon as the beetles begin to appear, and should be 16 continued for several successive seasons ; if none of the Golden Rod can be conveniently grown, numbers of the beetles may still be caught while pairing on the trunk of the trees ; if too high to reach, a sharp rap against the tree will cause them to drop to the ground. when with a little activity they can be secured. The grub remains in the tree about a year ; the beetle when handled, makes a peculiar sharp creaking noise. 17 NOTES OF THE PAST SEASON. By W. SAUNDERS. THE Currant Worm (Nematus ventricosus, Kuve). This troublesome pest has been in most localities as abundant as ever during the past summer. Whatever checks nature may have provided to prevent its excessive increase, they seem, as yet, to avail but little, for the larvee continue to swarm in hundreds and thousands on currant and gooseberry bushes throughout the summer, demanding constant vigilance and liberal supplies of hellebore if the foliage is to be preserved. For the benefit of those who may not possess copies of our previons reports we have in- troduced again figures of this insect with such additional notes on this species in its various stages as we have been able to gather during the summer. Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows the eggs as they are laid on the under side of the leaves. These eggs (described from specimens found on the 28th June) are when first laid about ;°3,ths of an inch long, nearly cylindrical, rounded at the ends, white, glossy and semi-trans- parent. Eggs found on the same bushes, the same day, but probably laid some days before, measured ;4/,,ths of an inch in length with a corresponding increase in diameter. From this it is reasonable to infer that the eggs increase in size before hatching, the elastic membrane which forms their covering expanding with the development of the enclosed larva. The eggs, of which we have examined large numbers, we have never found embedded in the substance of the leaf (as some have stated they are) to any perceptible extent ; careful examination under a powerful micros- cope has failed to reveal any abrasion of the surface after the eg has been forcibly removed. Fig. 8 represents the larve nearly full grown, and Fig. 9 the perfect insects, the smaller one being the male, the larger one the female. On the 19th of June, on going into the garden about 7 A.M., we noticed these perfect insects flying about in scores in sunny spots, around and under gooseberry bushes; in about an hour afterwards when visiting the same spot for the purpose of A capturing some, only one here and there could be found, and these had settled on the bushes. A male and female were captured andi enclosed in a gauze bag, which was tied so as to enclose a small branch of a gooseberry bush, with several leaves on it, all quite free from eggs. When examined in the even- ing of the same day, the female was seen laying her eges; the next morning, on opening the bag, it was found that 48 eggs had been deposited during the interval, the female being still very active. On the 18 24th of June, this branch was examined again, when quite a number of the young larvee were found just hatched from the eggs which had then only been laid between four Fig. 9. and five days; many of the eges, however, were found dried up, for which no cause could be dis- covered, On the 30th of June, the larvee of a lace wing fly Chrysopa was observed sucking the juices from the young larvae of NV. ventricosus. This friendly helper was a little more than a quarter of an inch long, and had placed itself in the midst of a colony of the young currant worms and had already consumed several before it was tuken in the act, Fig. 105 represents one of their larve about balf& grown, the fly is shown in Fig. 11. The female lace wing fly lays her egys on long slender stalks, fig. 10 a, placing quite a group of them together ; they are very pretty objects. It is supposed that these long stalks serve the purpose of keeping the unhatched eggs at a safe distance from the young larvee first hatched who would, otherwise, probably eat them up. The perfect insect deposits these eggs quite rapidly. On the 18th of June, when out col- lecting with some friends, one of them captured a lace wing fly and shut it up in a small box. In a few moments after, having occasion to look at it, he found one egg deposited; after walk- ing a few yards with it to show it to us, which could not have occupied him more than three or four minutes, the box was opened again when it was found that three more eges had been deposited, we had no oppor- tunity of watching the fnrther deposition or maturing of these eggs. The lace wing fly larvee are very voracious, and if sufficiently numerous would prove formidable foes to the currant worm. From about the 12th of May to the end of the season, the currant worms were very abundant. ‘The earlier broods seem to confine their operations almost entirely to the gooseberry bushes, but after two or three weeks they attack the currant bushes with equal vigour. On the 16th of June, we noted the fact that the full grown larve in great numbers, others half grown or more and young colonies of the newly hatched larvae were all to be found at that date on the same bushes. About the last of July, many colonies of these newly hatched larvae were found almost entirely destroyed by some undiscovered foe; probably some beneficial insect. Many leaves were found with the rows of empty egg shells on them and with a few holes eaten in them, but with the greater part of their substance uninjured, and with but little or no injury to the leaves surrounding ; here evidently the greater portion of the larvee had been destroyed soon after hatching. On the 10th of July, while emptying out anumber of the perfect flies from a box, search- ing for the empty pupa case of an icheunion fly found dead in the box, two pupee of ventri- cosus were found. They were very pretty objects, about one quarter of an inch long, of a very pale and delicate whitish green colour, becoming yellowish green at each extremity ;: remarkably transparent and delicate looking. The eyes were black and prominent; the feet, antennee and mouth parts all separately cased, with the same glossy transparent covering almost erystal-like. The wing cases were similar in appearance, but of a little deeper green, bent under and reaching to the first abdominal segment. ‘The pupa seems to be incapable of moyement, a slight quivering only of the limbs could be detected under the microscope when pressed on, The feet all terminated in rounded knobs with no visible claws. Tue Currant Measuring Worm Lillopia (Abrazis), ribearia, Frreu. This insect has also been very abundant during the past summer. As early as the third week in May, the young larvae were found quite common on red currant, gooseberry and black currant, and by the first of June many of them had grown to_an inch in length; judg- 19 ing-from the numbers infesting the bushes, they appeared to prefer the black currant to either the red or the gooseberry. By the 15th of the month they were well grown, and up- peared as shown in fig. 12, (after Riley). They are then nearly an inch and a quarter long, of a whitish hy colour with a number of black spots on each ring or / segment ; a wide yellow stripe down the back, and another of the same charecter along each side, the latter somewhat broken. The underside is white with a slight tinge of pink, also spotted with black, and with a wide yellow stripe down the middle. : The length of the chrysalis see fig. 1°, is S about half an inch; it is of a dark reddish brown We colour, paler between the segments, appearing under SSS a magnifying glass roughened with minute pune- z tures and irregularities of surface; the abdominal : segments are dotted with round punctures of vary- SS ing sizes, while the terminal one is armed with two short sharp brown spines. By the 2nd or 3rd of S July, fresh specimens of the moth fig. 13, were on the wing becoming much more abundant about the 6th, when they were observed flying in almost every direction about the bushes. ‘Ihe moth when <\ ~ its wings are expanded measures an inch or more across ; the wings are of a pale yellowish colour with several dusky spots, varying in s ze and form, Fig. 13. and more distinct in some specinjens than in others ; sometimes these spots are so arranged as to form one or two irregular bands across the wings. About the middle of July, some of these active speci- = mens were captured, and one of the females, confined in a box by it- self, laid a large number of eggs, 140 in all, between the 22ud and 23rd of July. These were laid loose in the box excepting 24 of them which were slightly attached to the sides. The egg when Fier 19. \\ NY N : AA SES J DSEEEEE ys SQ} \ s 7 . . . . . . t S viewed through a microscope is a very beautiful object ; its length is nearly ;35ths of an inch, width nearly ;?,ths ; in form it is an elongated oval, rather blunt at each end. Colour dull yellowish grey, sometimes with a bluish tinge with the sur- face honeycombed with recular depressions, the ridges bordering each cell having several bright minute whitish dots, which give the egg a very pretty and brilliant appearance when brought under the strong light of the condenser of the microscope. At the present date, December 1st, these eggs are still unchanged, excepting slightly in colour, owing to the developing larvae showing through the semi-transparent shell in spots, the larvee in all prob- ability will not emerge until early spring. As there is only one brood of this insect with us during the year, it is never likely to prove very troublsonie ; a seasonable application of helle- bore will in any ease keep it within bounds. Tae WHITEMARKED Tussock CATERPILLAR, Orgyia leucostigma. The orgyia caterpillar is always common in our section of Ontario, The clusters of eggs from which the lurve: are produced are quite numerous in winter on our fruit trees especi- ally those of the apple, pear and plum, they are securely fastened to the tree along with a dead leaf or two by threads of silk. Pig. 14. Fig. 14, (after Riley), represents the full- grown caterpillar which, when about to change to achrysulis,selects a leaf on which to undergo this important transformation, and this leaf in such a position that while the chrysalis is firmly attached to it on the one side, if is firmly secured by silken threads to the under side of a branch on the other, thus securing the leaf from falling to the ground in the Au- 20 tumn. In about a fortnight after the change to chrysalis takes place, the moths begin to make their appearance. The male which comes forth from a chrys:lis not more than about half the size ot that which produces the female, (d fig. 16 shows the chrysalis of the male, ¢ Fig. 15. that of the female),is a very pretty winged moth, see fig. 15, (after Riley). Its antennae are beautifully feathered or pectinate, and its wings are dark brown, with a white spot on each front wing near the inner hind angle. | When at rest its outline is heart-shaped, and its long front feet heavily clothed with hairs and scales are thrust forward to their full length. Very different indeed in appearance is his mate ; the female is wingless or fur- nished with but the merest rudiments of wings which no one would observe without the closest inspection, she is represented at fig 16 resting on the cocoon from which she rarely moves more than a few inches. There she waits the attendance of the male after which the process ef egg depositing begins. Dr. Fitch says that the eggs are ex- Fig, 16. truded ina continuous string which is folded and matted together so as to form an irregular mass which is glued to the top of the cocoon ; on removing this mass of eggs from its place of attachment, the surface of the cocoon ap- \ pears covered with fragments of a transpar- t ent gelatinous-looking substance, which has -/§ evidently been applied in a fluid state. The bottom layer of eggs will usually number one hundred or more, and their interstices are well filled with this same gelatinous material, CLRID Wein EST which adheres so strongly to the eggs that when the nest is torn open, they cannot be separated without bringing away portions of this substance firmly attached. Another irregular layer of eggs is placed on this, then a third, and sometimes a fourth before the total number is exhausted, and through the whole of these the gelatinous matte: is so placed as to secure every egg, not by its being imbedded in a solid mass, but surrounded by the material worked into a spongy or frothy state. Over all is a heavy layer of the same, with a nearly smooth greyish white surface, the whole number of eggs being so placed as to present a convex surface to the weather which effectually prevents the lodgment of any water on it. Within this enclosure from 375 to 500 eggs are securely plazed. We have counted the contents of several and 375 is the lowest and 500 the highest number we have found. The eze is nearly globular, flattened at the upper side, not perceptibly hollowed, with a dark point en the centre of the flattened portion surrounded by a dusky halo. Its surface is smooth under a magnifying power of 45 diameters, but when submitted to a higher power, appears lightly punctured with minute dots. Its colour is uniformly white to the unaided vision, but the microscope reveals a ring of dusky yellow surrounding it immediately below the flattened portion. Its diameter is 4, of an inch. A careless observer seeing a dead leaf here and there upon his trees might readily con- ceive that they were blown into the position they occupied by accident, and retained there by threads of spiders’ webs or something of that sort, but a closer examination will furnish food for thought, in the wise arrangements made by the parent moth, in providing for the safety ~ of her future offspring, and at the same time may well excite alarm in the mind of the fruit grower when he perceives promise of the approaching birth of such a horde of hungry caterpil- lars as even one of these egg masses will produce. Early in June these eggs begin to hatch and continue to hatch on different trees for several weeks. During the past season we found the larva about half an inch long on the 3rd of July, and by the 22nd, some specimens were nearly full grown. There must, however, have been earlier larvee than these which escaped notice, for on the 29th of July we found a freshly hatched cluster of young larye belonging to the second brood. The cocoon had been made and the eggs laid between two young green leaves of a pear tree, the following description was taken the day after. Length one eighth of an inch. Head, reddish brown slightly bilobed, dotted with black on the sides. Body above, yellowish green, semi-transparent, dotted and spotted with dark 21 brown. Each segment or ring is provided with a transverse row of tubercles from which arise clusters of long spreading hairs, one pair of tubercles on the sides of the second segment much Jarger than any of the others and with a larger cluster of hairs; in each cluster there is one or more hairs, very long, longer in some instances than the entire body of the larva, there is a dark brown broken stripe along each side. Hairs mixed, brown and whitish. Changes take place in its appearance at each successive moult until finally it presents the appearance given in fiz. 14, and is in adornment one of the most beautiful caterpillars we know of with its vermillion red head and collar, the graceful pencils of long black hairs at each extremity, and the cream coloured brushes or tufts along its back. Nine different parasites have been found infesting this larve. These friendly helpers must do much towards keeeping this destructive creature within reasonable limits. Of 34 cocoons lately taken at random from different trees, only ten were found with eggs attached and quite a large proportion of the remainder were infested with parasites. Hence when collecting these cvcoons in winter uone should be taken or destroyed, but those which have egg masses on them, as all the others will contain either useful parasites or else the empty, harmless male chrysalis. As the female never travels beyond her cocoon, itis clear that this insect can only spread by the wanderings of the caterpillar or the careless introduction of eggs on young trees, no doubt the latter has been the most prolific source of evil. THE APPLE-TREE BLIGHT. This strange disease, affecting the tips of the branches of apple and quince trees, has been very common during the past summer, and has extended over a large portion of the western part of Ontario. The first specimens we received this year were from Mr. James Dougall, of Windsor. He writes, on the 27th of June, as follows—‘ I send you to day, by express, some twigs and shoots of apple and quince trees, affected by what I presume is the twig borer. J have never been able to discover any insects or larve in the shoots, but possibly I may have been late in looking for them. The year before last this pest was very bad down the lake shore, about Ruthven, the orchards were browned with it. Last year it attacked my larger apple trees badly, and in the nursery rowssome Alexander trees, which were five years old, suffered, while the younger ones were not touched ; this year it is worse than last. My quinces have heen badly injured for the past three years.” On the same day we received another package from C. F. Treffry, of Hawtry, Ontario, with the following note—<‘ I herewith enclose for your inspection some small branches from some of my appletrees. In passing through my orchard I was surprised to find three of my finest young trees affected as enclosed. 1 have watched closely for the insect which must have caused such damage, but without success; neither can I find anything in the Society’s Report for 1873 which will give me any information respecting it.” This same disease affected the trees very much on the grounds of Mr. Charles Arnold, of Paris, and many or-hards in that section of country were similarly injured. In our own location we observed it in one instance only, affecting a few fruit-bearing twigs on a quince tree. About Hamilton, and between that city and Dundas, we saw, in July, many trees which had been badly injured, and, on returning from New York, a few weeks later saw evi- dences of the same trouble in some of the apple orchards in the western portion of that state. Thus it will be seen that this disease has affected many trees in widely distant portions of our country, and probably has extended much further thin we are at present aware of. We shall be glad to hear from our fruit-growing friends in reference to this matter. The adveyt of this disease is shown by a sudden withering of the twigs and extremities of the branches, particularly the fruit bearing portions, and embracing the whole of the new growth. Soon the leaves appear as if scorched, and the wood of the affected portions becomes black. Here the trouble seems to end, and later in the season the tree partially recovers its vizour and throws out new shoots from below the base of the affected portion. The fact of the fruit branches being principally involved tells heavily on the crop for the year, and makes this disease a much more serious matter than it would otherwise be. The effects produced are so similar in appearance to the damage done, in some instances by the twig borers that we do not wonder at the prevailing opinion that the injury is in some way caused by insects. The most careful examination, however, fails to reveal the slightest evidence of insect work, and, like the mysterious pear tree blight, its origin and progress are at present involved in 22 ' obseurity. From the fact of its affecting only the new and tender growth we should inter that some atmospheric agency is probably concerned in the {production and propogation of this disease. At present we have no remedy to suggest. ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. By W. SAvUNDERS, Tae Crcropra Mota (Attacus Cecropia, Linn.) Among the many beautiful and wonderful insects native to this country, there 1s none which excites yearly more wonder and astonishment than the cecropia moth. Its size is enormous, measuring when its wings are spread from five and a half to six and a half inches across, and sometimes even more while its beauty is proportionate to its size. The accom- panying figure 17 (after Riley) is a faithful representation of this magnificent creature. Both front and hind wings are of a rich brown, tle anterior pair greyish, shaded with red, Fig. 17. the posterior more uniformly brown ; near the middle of eacu of the wings there is a nearly kidney shaped white spot shaded more or less with red, and margined with black. A wavy dull red band crosses each. of the wings, edged inside on the front wings more or less faintly with white, while on the hind pair the band is widely and clearly margined with the same color. The outer edges of the wings are of a pale silky brown in which on the anterior pair runs an irregular dull black line, which on the hind wings is replaced by a narrow, double broken band of the same hue. The front wings next to the shoulders are dull red, with a curved white and black band, varying much in distinctness in different specimens, and near their tips, there isan eyelike black spot with a bluish white crescent. The upper side of the 23 body and the legs are dull red, with a wide band behind the head and the hinder edges of the segments of the abdomen white ; the under side of the body is also irregularly marked with white. The under surface of the wings is very much like the upper, but somewhat paler. Cecropia was the ancient name of the City of Athens, and it has been a matter of sur- prise to some that Linnaeus should have given this name to our moth, Dr. Fitch throws light on this subject in the following words, ‘“ The great legislator of this department of human knowledge, as he is expressively styled by Latreille, it has been frequently remarked, was endowed with a genius which, but few of his disciples have inherited, for selecting names for natural objects, which are most appiopriate and happy. The idea which was present in the mind of Linnaeus when he named this spiendid moth, we think is sufficiently evident. The Athenians were the most polished and refined people of antiquity. The moths are the most delicate and elegant of insects; they were the Athenians of their race. Cecrops was the founder. the head of the Athenian people. When the names of men were bestowed upon cities, ships, or other objects regarded as being of the feminine, gender, classical usage changed these names to the feminine form. The moths (/halwna) being feminine, and the name of Cecrops being more euphonious in this form, probably induced Linoxus to change it in the manner he did. Thename thus implies this to be the leader, the head of the most elegant tribe of insects, or in other words the first of all insect kind. What name more appropriate can be invented for this sumptuous moth.” The figure we have given is that of a male which differs from the female in haying a smaller abdomen and larger and more deeply feathered antennze or feelers. During the winter months, when the apple trees are leafless the large cocoons of this moth may be found here and there, firmly bound to tke twigs, they are also frequently found Big. 18: on currant bushes, and occasionally also on lilac, cherry, hazel, plum, blackberry, maple, willow and some other shrubs and trees ; for this insect in its larval stage is a very general feeder. ‘The cocoon, see fir. 18, (after Riley) is about three inches long, pod shaped and of a dirty brown colour, and is entirely constructed of silk, the fibres of which are very much stronger than those of the common silk worm Bombyx mori. The silk has been worked toa limited extent and manufactured into socks and other articles, which have been found very durable; but a drawback to the advancement of this branch of industry lies in the fact that the caterpillars do not bear confinement well, and hence are not easily reared. e The exterior structure of the cocoon is very close and papery- . like, but on cutting through this, we find the interior—surround ing the dark brown chrysalis—made up of loose fibres of strong yellow silk. This snug enclosure effectually protects the insect in its dormant state from the extremes of weather during the long wintry months When the time approaches for the escape of the moth. which is about the beginning of June, the internal dark brown chrysalis is ruptured by the struggles of the occupant, and the newly born moth begins to work its way out of the cocoon. As it is possessed of no cutting instrument of any kind, this would indeed be a hopeless tesk had not the all wise Creator made a special provision for this purpose, and to this end a fluid adapted for softening the fibres is furnished just at this juncture and secreted from about the mouth, On listening to the creature as it works its way through, you hear a scraping, tearing sound, which is made by the insect working with the claws on its fore- feet, tearing away the softened fibres and packing them on each side to make a channel for its escape. The place of exit is the smaller end of the cocoon, which is more loosely made than any other part and through which, after the internal obstacles are overcome, the passage is effected without much further trouble. We have frequently watched their escape. First through the opening is thrust the anterior pair of bushy looking legs, the 24 a sharp claws of which fasten on the outside structure ; then with an effort the head is drawn for- ward, suddenly displaying the beautiful feather-like antennze; next, the thorax, on which is borne the other two pairs of legs, is liberated, and finally, the escape is completed by the withdrawal of the abdomen, through the orifice thus made. Queer looking creatures they are when they first put in an appearance, with their large, fat, juicy bodies, and tiny wings. When the wings are fully expanded they measure from five to six inches or more across, but when fresh from the chrysalis they are but very little larger than the wings of a bumble bee. The first necessity now for the welfare of the individual is to find a suitable location where the ‘wings may be held in a good position for expanding, for without such favourable cireum- stance they would never attain a serviceable size. It is necessary that a position should be secured where the wings may hang down as they are expanding, for which purpose the under side of a twig is often selected ; and here, securely suspended by the claws, the wings undergo in a short time the most marvellous growth it is possible to imagine. The whole process, from the time of the escape of the moth to its full maturity, seldom occupies more than from half - an hour to an hour, and during this time the wings grow from the diminutive size already mentioned to their full measure and capacity. A wing clipped from the insect immediately after its escape, and examined under the microscope, reveals the fact that the thousands and tens of thousands of scales with which the wings are covered, and which afterwards assume such beautiful feather-like forms, are now nearly all threadlike and undeveloped. Impressed with this thought, the mind is fairly astonished at the almost incredible change wrought in so limited a time, for the growth em- braces not only the extension of the surface of the wing, but the enlargement and maturity of every scale or feather on it, the individuals of which are but as dust to the naked eye. What a wonderful and intricate system of circulation and power of nutrition must be possessed to accomplish this marvellous result ! Soon after their exit these moths seek their mates, and after pairing, the female begins to deposits her eggs, a process which ‘occupies some time, for the eggs are not laid in patches or groups, but singly ; and are firmly fastened with a glutinous material to the under side of a leaf ; and as it is seldom there are more than one or two laid on any single tree or bush, a considerable distance must be traversed by the parent in the transaction of this all important business. The number of eggs which these moths lay is astonishing, we have known a single female to deposit within three days as many as 217. The eggs are aout one-tenth of an inch long, nearly round and of a dull creamy white colour, with a reddish spot or streak near the centre, the duration of the egg stage is usually from about a week to ten days. At the expiration of this period the larva eats its way out of the egg, the empty shell of which furnishes the young creature with its first meal. On its first appearance it is black, with little shining black knobs on its body, from which arise hairs of the same colour. Being furnished with a ravenous appetite its growth is very rapid ; and from time to time its exterior coat or skin becomes too tight for its comfort, when it is ruptured and thrown off. At each of these changes or moultings, the caterpillar appears in an altered garb, gradually becoming more like the full grown larva represented by Fig. 19. It is very handsome. Its body is pale Fie. 19. 25 SN ES green, the large warts or tubercles on the top of the third and fourth segments are coral red, the remainder are yellow excepting those on the second and terminal segments, which, in common with the smaller tnbercles along the sides, are blue. During its growth from the diminutive creature as it escapes from the egg to the monstrous-looking full grown specimen, it consumes an immense amount of vegetable food ; and especially as it approaches maturity is this voracious appetite apparent. Where one or two have been placed on a young apple tree, they will often strip it entirely bare before they have done with it, and thus prevent the proper ripening of the wood, entailing damage to the tree, and, sometimes, endangering its life ; hence, during their season, they should be watched for and destroyed. During the winter months, their cocoons may be looked for, and removed in time to check their further spread. The natural increase of this insect being so great, wise provisions have been made to keep it within bounds. Being such a conspicuous object it sometimes forms a dainty meal for the larger birds ; there are also enemies which attack the egg and young larva and besides these there are several parasites which live within the body of the caterpillar and destroy it before reaching maturity. One of the largest of these parasites is the long tailed Ophion (Ophion macrurum, Linn.) Fig. 20 (after Riley). This is a large yellowish brown Ichneumon Fe. 20. fly, and is perhaps one of the commonest parasites affect- ing the cecropia. The female of this fly deposits, ac- cording to Mr. Trouvelot, from eight to ten eggs upon the skin of her victim. These eggs soon hatch into young larvae which eat their way through the skin of the caterpillar, and at once begin to feed upon the fatty parts within, As only one of these parasitic larvae can find food sufficient to mature, the rest either die from hunger or are devoured by the strongest survivor. Mr. Riley, in Am. Ent., Vol. II., says, “ After the Cecropia Worm has formed its cocoon, the parasitic larva which had hitherto fed on the fatty portions of its victim, now attacks the vital parts, and when nothing but the empty skin of the worm is left, spins its own cocoon, which is oblong oval, dark brown inclining to bronze, and spun so closely and compactly, that the inner layers when separated have the appearance of gold beater’s skin. If we cut open one of these cocoons soon after it is completed, we shall find inside a large, fat, legless grub, Fig. 21, which sometimes undergoes its transformations and issues as a fly in the fall, but more generally waits until the following spring. , “The Ichneumon Fly, last mentioned, usually causes q ke a dwarfed appearance of the worm which it infests, and AWWA parasitized cocoons ean generally be distinguished from healthy ones by their smaller size. The larvae of the Ta- china Fly which we now introduce to our readers, as parasitic on the Ceeropia Worm, seem to produce an exactly opposite effect, namely, an undue and unnatural growth of their victim. In the beginning of September, 1866, we received an enormous Cecropia Worm. It mea- sured over four inches, wasa full inch in diameter, and weighed nearly two ounces, butlike many other large specimens which we have sinceseen, it was covered with small oval, opaque, white egg-shells, clusters of four or five occurring on the back of each segment, invariably Fig, 22. deposited in a traverse direction. The skin of the’ worm was black, where the young parasites had hatched and penetrated. The large worm soon died and rotted, and in about twelve days a host of maggots gnawed their way through the putrid skin. These maggots averaged about one-half inch in length, and in form were like those of the common Blow-fly. The head was attenuated and retractile and furnished with two minute curved hooks, and the last segment was squarely cut off, slightly concave and with the usual two spiracles or breathing holes which this class of larvee have at their tails. Their colour was of a translucent yellow, and they went into the ground and 26 as ik remained in the larva state all winter, contracted to pups in the April following, and the flies commenced to issue the last of May.” This fly differs so little from the red tailed Tachina Fly (2xerista militaris, Walsh), see Fig 22, which infests the army worm that Mr. Riley is inclined to regard it as a variety of that species. The Ceeropia chalcis fly (Chalcis Maria Riley). We quote again from Mr, Riley.—“ In May, 1869, we received from Mr. V. T. Chambers, of Covington, Ky., numerous specimens Fig 23, of the beautiful large chalcis fly figured herewith (Fig. 23), which he had taken from the cocoon of the Polyphemus moth, which is quite common and issues as early as the middle of February in that locality. He says, ‘I was satisfied that the cocoon did not contain a living Polyphemus, and therefore opened it. 1t contained so little besides these in- sects and their exuviae as to suggest strongly the old idea that the caterpillar had been metamor- phosed into them (2s in a sense it had), There were 47 of them, of which 23 were females. As all the males and some of the females were dead when Colours Black andsvellows I opened the gocoon, I think it likely that the former never do emerge, and perhaps but few of the latter ; otherwise Polyphemus would soon be exterminated.’ “« We can very well imagine that most of these chalcis flies would die in their efforts to escape from the tough cocoon of the Polyphemus, but it so happens that these same insects have been found by Mrs. Mary Treat, of Vineland, New Jersey, to prey upon the cecropia worm, from the cocoon of which they can much more easily escape. Fig. 24. . “The Divorced Cryptus (Cryptus nuncius,Say,—extrematis, CRESSON), ae another Ichneumon fly, infests the cecropia worm in great numbers, », filling its cocoon so full of their own thin parchment-like cocoons that a {) transverse section (Fig. 24) bears considerable resemblance to a honey- ‘comb, ‘The flies issue in June, and the sexes differ sufficiently to have ; given rise to two species. We have bred seven females and twenty-nine miles from a cocoon of the cecropia moth, all the males agreeing with the species described by Say as nuncius, and all the females agreeing with that described afterwards as ealremutis by Mr, Cresson. Tae Croupep Sutpaur Burrerety (Colias Philodice, Govt). The clouded sulphur is everywhere one of our commonest butterflies, abundant in its Fig 20. season, in fields and roadways, frequently congrega- ting in groups on the borders of streams and springs, where, in hot weather, they seem to enjoy settling on the cool, moist ground. They are still more abund- ant in clover fields as the season advances. The female of this species differs somewhat in its markings from the male, as will be readily seen by reference to the figures, 25 -representing the male, 26 the female. The ground colour of the wings in both sexes is bright yellow marked on the outer edge with a dark brown or blackish border, narrower in the male than it is in the female, while in the / latter it encloses on the anterior wings a broken row of irregular yellow spots, there is also a spot of black placed near the front edge of the fore wings, about halfway between the base and tip, varying in form and distinctness. The hind wings in both sexes are less heavily margined, and near the middle isa dull, pale orange spot. Both wings are dusky towards the base, and the fringes are pink. On the under surface the yellow colour is less 27 bright, while the dark margins are either entirely wanting or else represented by a dusky shade margined occasionally within by a few dull brownish dots. The spot on the forewings is distinct, , but paler and usually centered with a small silvery eye. That on the hind wings is much more distinct than above, being composed of a bright silvery spot in the centre de- fined by a dark brown line which is in turn encircled with duli orange. Immediately above and alittle towards the outer edge is a much smaller spot of the same character ; there is also a reddish dot on the anterior edge, about the middle of the wing. The antennz are pink, with the knobs at their tips of a darker shade; the body is dark above; paler at the sides and underneath. The insect appears first on the wing about the middle of May, becoming more plentiful towards the latter end of the month, but the time of its greate-t abundance is later in the season, after the appearance of the second brood, which is during the latter part of July and throughout August. In the second volume of the ‘ Entomologist,” p. 8, Mr. Bethune re- marks as follows: “On the 3rd of August, a lovely, bright, warm morning, after an exces- sively wet night, I drove about ten miles along country roads ; every few yards there was a patch of mud, the effects of the heavy rain, and at every patch of mud there were from half a dozen to twenty specimens of Colias philodice, at least one, I should think for every yard of distance I travelled. I must then hi ie scen, at a very moderate computation, about ten thousand specimens of this butterfly.” The caterpillar of the Clouded Sulphur feeds on the cultivated pea, on clover, on the Blue Lupin, Lupinus perennis, and no doubt on many other plants belonging to the order Leguminose. The ege, which is a beautiful object, is about one twenty-third of an inch in leneth, tapering at each end, with twelve or fourteen raised longitudinal ribs, with smaller cross lines in the concave spaces between them. Its colour when first deposited is of a pale lemon yellow, which changes in three or four days to a pale red, then gradually to a bright red, and from that to dark brown just before the time of hatching. The duration of the ege stage is about seven days. The young caterpillar just hatched is one-twelfth of an inch long and of a dull yellow- ish brown colour, but when a little older it changes to a dark green. When full grown it is about an inch long, with a dark green head and body, the latter with a yellowish white stripe on each side close to the under surface, with an irregular streak of bright red running through its lower portion. The b dy also has a downy look occasioned by its being thickly clothed with very minute pale hairs. The chrysalis is about seven-tenths of an inch long, attached at its base, and girt across the middle with asilken thread. Its colour is pale green with a yellowish tinge, with a pur- plish red line on each side of the head, darker lines down the middle both in front and behind, and with a yellowish stripe along the sides of the hinder segments. During the heat of summer the chrysalis state usually lasts about ten days. A day or so before the butterfly escapes the chrysalis becomes darker and semi-transparent, the mark- ings on the wings showing plainly through the enclosing membrane. Tae Wairr-LinEp Mornina Spatnx (Deilephila lineata, Fawr.) Fig, 27. Ses E = The white-lined morning sphinx is a tolerably common insect throughout Ontario. It is seen on the wing generally about twilight or later,although it has been met with oceassion- ally in the day time. In its flight it much resembles the humming bird, hovering over flowers into which it inserts its long and slender tongue in search of thenectar there stored, which constitutes its food. In common with many other sphinx moths its structure is robust and its flight rapid and power- Colours Olive, white and rose. —- eee eee ful : hence it is difficult to capture, and even when taken will often flutter with such force as to seriously d amage the covering and structure of its beautiful wings. When its wings are fully spread they measure from three to three-and-a-half inches across, (see Fig. 27, after Riley). The ground colour isa rich greenish olive. On the fore wings there is a pale band about the middle, extending from near the base to the tip, and along the outer margin runs another band nearly equal in width, but darker and less distinct; the veins also are lined with white. The hind wings which are small, are nearly covered by a wide central rosy band, becoming paler as it approaches the body, the hinder edge is fringed with white. On the anterior portion of the body there are six longitudinal stripes or lines, while the hind- er part is alternately spotted with white and black. The entire under surface is much paler and duller in colour than the upper. “The larva,’ Mr. Riley says, “ feeds upon purslane, turnip, buckwheat, water melon, and even apple and grape leaves, upon any of which it may be found in the month of July. It descends into the ground, and within a smooth cavity, changes into a light brown chrysalis, from which the moth emerges during the month of September.” “The most common form of the larva is that given at Fig. 28. Its colour is yellowish green, with a prominent subdorsal row of elliptical spots, each spot consisting of two curved Fig. 28. black lines, enclosing superiorly a bright crimson space. and inferiorly a pale yellow line— the whole row of spots connected by a pale yellow stripe, edged above with black. In some specimens these eyelike spots are disconnected, and the space between the black crescents is of a uniform cream colour. The breathing holes are either surrounded with black or with black edged with yellow. The other form is black, and characterized chiefly by a yellow line along the back, and a series of pale yellow spots and darker yellow dots, as represented Fig. 29. in the illustration Fig. 29, even this dark form is subject to great variation, some specimens entirely lacking the line along the back, and having the spots of different shape.” “This insect has a wide range, as it oceurs in the West Indies, Mexico and Canada, as well as throughout the United States. Feeding asit does, principally on plants of but little value, and being very commonly attacked by the larvae of a Tachina fly, this insect has never become sufficiently common to be classed as injurious.” 29 GRASSHOPPERS OR LOCUSTS. By tHe Rey. C. J. S. Beruune, M.A. Few, probably, of our Canadian fellow-countrymen are aware that the terrible Locust, “ the scourge of nations,” as it has been fitly termed, about whose destructive powers they read such appalling accounts in books of Oriental travel, is one of the insect enemies that some of the denizens of our Dominion have to contend against. And yet itis too true—as the records of the past season in our North-west Province of Manitoba abundantly prove. The locusts (or grasshoppers, as they are incorrectly termed) have laid waste great tracts of fertile country, and have brought ruin and desolation to many an unhappy settler in that far off region. Tt ismuch to be regretted—to quote our remarks made on a former occasion*—that so much confusion exists in the popular use of terms in Natural History, and particularly in entomology, in consequence of which very serious errors become matters of common faith, much mischief is allo yed to go unheeded, and the innocent are oftentimes punished for the guilty. The term “bug,” for instance, is almost universally applied in the neighbouring States, and very generally in this country, to every kind of insect, so that it is no uncommon thing to hear a beautiful butterfly or lovely moth designated by the odious name of “ bug,” whereas the appellation belongs exclusively to those foul-smelling sucking insects of the order Heiniptera, which feed upon the juices of plants, and in some cases upon the blood of other insects, of animals and man, Again, the larva of almost every kind of insect is called “the grab;”’ larvee that burrow into the trunks of trees and timber, “ie borer,” and so on to any extent. The consequence is that what is a remedy for one grub or borer, or so-called “ bug,’’ is indiscriminately made use of for the destruction of every other grub, or borer, or “bug,” unmindful that the old proverb may be read iu this way also—‘‘ What is one insect’s meat is an}ther’s poison,” and that the treatment that will exterminate one injurious insect is some- times perfectly harmless in the case of another. This confusion of terms is particularly unfortunate in the case of the insects that we are now treating of. Every one in this country is perfectly familiar with what is commonly Fig. 30. called a “ grasshopper,” but how very { few are aware that what they term a grasshopper, and see too often to think much about, is really the same kind of insect as the much dreaded, famine- producing Locust, that constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, and that is an object of so much terror wherever it prevails. A trae locust it never- theless is, and it were well, for many reasons, that our people became accus- tomed to call it by its right name. Our common species in this Province, while it does not possess the power of suddenly appearing in vast numbers and emigrating from place to place, occasionally becomes greatly multiplied and proves very destructive. The western locust (or grasshopper), how- ever, differing but very slightly from our species, is, as we shall presently shew, quite as formidable a destroyer as its Oriental congener. * Canada Farmer, 1867, page 87. 30 While the true American Locusts are commonly called “ grasshoppers, and the true grasshoppers are termed crickets, katydids, &c., another element of confusion is mingled with our insect nomenclature by the common practice of giving the name of locust to the cicada, a totally different insect belonging to an entirely different order. The accompany- ing illustration will shew the reader the difference between these three kinds of insects better than any written description. Figure 30 represents different stages in the life of the Cicada or so-called ‘Seventeen year, Locust” (C. Septem-decim Linn). a is the pupa ; ) the empty pupa case after the perfect insect has emerged from it ; ¢, the perfect or winged insect ; d, the per- forations in a twig for the deposition of eggs; e¢, the ege. Figure 32 represents a katydid or true grasshopper *(Cyrtophyllum concavum, SAY); and Figure 31 a true locust or so-called erasshopper (Caloptenus spretus, UHLER). A single glance at these illus- trations will shew the reader, the main differences between the three kinds of insects that we have been referring to. We wish it, there- fore, to be plainly understood that in the account that follows ; we shall use the term “ Locust” in reference to the devastating insect represented in Figure 31, =f fa is so often called a “ grasshopper.” Fig. 31. Fig. 32. History or THE Locust IN AMERICA. From the various works that we have been able to eon- sult we gather that visitations of locusts have occurred on a more or ‘less extensive scale, from time to time, ever since the Central and Western portions of this Northern Conti- nent have been occupied by Europeans. We have no diffi- culty, then, in believing that from time immemorial these destructive insects have played their important part in maintaining the balance of animal and vegetable life in accordance with the erand laws of the Omnipotent Creator. The earliest notice that we have found of a visitation of locusts refers back more than two centuries, to a period much anterior to the discovery of the Mississippi River by La Salle. In Gage’s West Indies the following account is given of one of these visitations in Guatemala in the year 1632 :— ' “The first year of my abiding there it pleased God to send one of the plagues of Egypt to that country, which was of locusts, which I had never seen till then. They were after the manner of our grasshoppers, but somewhat bigger, which did fly about in numbers so thick and infinite that they did truly cover the face of the sun, and hinder the shining forth of the beams of that bright planet. Where they lighted, either upon trees or standing cern, there was nothing expected but ruin, destruction and barrenness ; for the corn they devoured, the fruits of trees they ate and con- sumed, and hung so thick upon the branches that with their weight they tore them from the body. The highways were so covered with them that they sti artled the travelling mules with their fluttering about their heads and feet. My eyes were often struck with their wings as I rode along ; and much ado I had to see my way, what with a montero wherewith I was fain to cover my face, what with the flight of them which were still before my eyes. The farmers towards the South sea-coast cried out, for that their indigo, which was then in grass, was like to be eaten up ; from the Jngenios of sugar the like moan was made, that the young and tender sugar-canes would be destroyed ; but, -above all, grievous was the ery of the husbandmen of the valley where I lived, who feared that their 31 corn would in onenight be swallowed up by that devouring legion. The care of the magistrates was that the towns of Indians should all go out into the fields with trumpets, and what other instruments they had, to make a noise and to affright them from those places which are most considerable and profitable to the commonweath ; and strange it was to see how the loud noise of the Indians and sounding of the trumpets defended some fields from the fear and danger of them. Where they lighted in the mountains and highways, there they left behind them their young ones, which were found creeping upon the ground, ready to threaten such a second year’s plague, if not prevented ; wherefore all the towns were called, with spades, mattocks and shovels, to dig lng trenches and therein to bury all the young ones. ‘I'hus, with muck trouble to the poor Indiens and their great pains (yet after much hurt and loss in many places) was that flying pestilence chased away out of the country to the South Sea, where it was thought to be consumed by the ocean, and to have found a grave in the waters, whilst the young ones found it in the land. Yet they were not all so buried, but that shortly some appeared, which, being not so many in number as before, were with the former diligeuce soon overcome.” About a century later than the date of the above account, the locusts are recorded to have laid waste, on several occasions, all the vegetation of Mexico and Yucatan, and to have produced famine and much consequent suffering among the people. To California, they ap- pear to have been especially partial from the earliest times. The Jesuit Father Michael del Barco, who lived for thirty years in that country as a missionary among the heathen Indians, velates that from the arrival of the Jesuits in 1697 to the year 1722, they were free from any plague of locusts, but that in this year they caused fearful sufferings among the inhabitants. In 1746 and for three years foliowing without intermission, they again invaded the land ; after this they did not appear until 1758 and 1754; ; and finally, before the expulsion of the Jesuits, in 1765 and the two foliowing years. Clavigero, in his History of California, gives a very interesting account of these several invasions, and describes the appearance and natural history of the insect with much minuteness; from his work we make the following extracts :— 4 “ The female, at the latter part of July or early in August, lays a number of fine small eges of a yellowish colour, ina string, united with a glutinous matter, which appears like a cord of fine silk. These are deposited tozether and dropped into a small hole which they make in the ground with a small apparatus attached to their tails. Hach female lays from seventy to eighty egos, and sometimes more. “The birth of these new grasshoppers has no particular time, but is dependent upon the early or late appearance of the rains, but they generally hatch during the latter part of Sep- tember or early in October. . . . . . Their life, from birth to death, lasts ten months, during which they cast their coats twice and change their colours five times. When the wings have become of sufficient strength and the body at its maturity, they then begin to ascend into the air and fly like birds, and commence their ravages in every direction, desolating the fields of every green thing. Their numbers become so extraordinary, that they soon form clouds in the atmosphere, of which the rays of the sun cast a shadow as they fly. They unite in masses of ten to twelve thousand, always following their conductors and flying in a direct line without falling behind, for they consume every g erowing thing before them. To whateyer height their gnides conduct them to obtain a sight ‘of their food they follow, and as soon as growing crops or any verdure is sighted, instantly the swarm will alight and speedily devour and devastate the fields around to that extent, and with that promptitude, that when they ure seen by a new swarm of their fellows, there is mut anything more left to injure or con- sume. “This lamentable insect plague is bad enough in old and cultivated countries, but in the miserable peninsula of California, where they eat up the crops, green trees, fruits, and pastures, they cause great mortality in the domestic animals of the missions, and with the effect of their ravages on the cereals and other garden productions cause great famines and sickness among the “inhabitants and neophytes of the establishments. At one time immense multitudes of these voracious insects died, infecting the air dreadfully with the stench of their corruption and decay.” In Upper California, the Franciscan Missions of the conly part of the present century, have suffered in a very similar manner. About the year 1827 or 1828, they ate up—we are told —nearly all the growing crops, and occasioned a great scarcity of "wholesome food ; again in 32 1834, they ‘destroyed all the crops of the rancheros and missions, with the exception of the wheat.” In 1838, the field crops and gardens were again nearly destroyed. In 1846, there was another serious visitation, which extended over some of what are now termed the Western States, as well as California. In 1855, to pass over lesser visitations, there came one of the most terrible of all the recorded plagues of Locusts in California. As related by Mr. Taylor, of Monterey, (Smithsonian Reporty.1858), between the middle of May and October, 1855, “these insects extended themselves over a space of the earth’s surface, much greater than has ever before heen noted. ‘They covered the entire Territories of Washington and Oregon, and every valley of the State of California, ranging from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada ; the entire Territories of Utah and New Mexico ; the immense grassy prairies lying on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains ; the dry mountajn valleys of the Republic of Mexico, and the countries of Lower California and Central America, and also those portions of Texas which resemble, in physical characteristics, Utah and California. The records prove that the lecusts extended themselves, in one year, over a surface comprised within thirty-eight degrees of latitude, and in the broadest part, eighteen degrees of longitude.” The Sacramento newspapers of that year were filled with details of the plague; most accounts compared the swarms, when in flight, to dense snow-storms ; they consumed everything before them—the foliage of trees, orchards, gardens, vineyards, fields of young grain, of crops and vegetables—everything was eaten up in a particular locality in a single day, leaving the ground a withered, blackened desert. That summer of 1855, was observed to be the hottest and driest that had been known for ten years.” During the next two years, 1856-7, the plague was almost entirely confined to the region lying east of the Rocky Mountains, and extending in places as far es the Missis- sippi River ; throughout the States of Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas, the locusts were es- pecially destructive. Ten years later, in the summer of 1866, another noteworthy visitation took place throughout the same region. A correspondent of a Rock Island, IIl., paper (see Practical Entomologist, vol. ii., page 3), thus describes the plague in Nebraska: ‘“ The last day of August, near the middle of the afternoon, quite a number of grasshoppers were seen alight- ing, and that number rapidly increased till a little before sunset. The next morning they appeared much thicker, but were only so from having crawled more into the open air to sun themselves. About nine o’clock they began to come thicker and faster from a northerly direction, swarming in the air by myriads, and making a roar like suppressed distant thun- der. By looking up to the sun they could be seen as high as the eye could discover an object so small, in appearance like a heavy snow storm. Hach grasshopper very much like a very large flake, save that it passed by instead of falling. The number was beyond imagination, the air was literally full of them and continued so till late in the afternoon, countless millions passed on leaving other countless millions covering the earth and devouring the vegetation.” Another writer from Kansas states that ‘‘ Yesterday, September 10th, the locusts made their appearance here, and are devouring everything green. They almost darken the sun in their flight. I putin 65 acres of wheat in the last week of August, which looked fine, but it has nearly all disappeared ; by to-morrow night there willnot be a spear left. Early sown wheat will be totally destroyed.” From the description given by another writer in Kansas, we may quote the following graphic account :—‘‘ There is something weird and unearthly in their appearance, as in vast hosts they scale walls, housetops and fences, clambering over each other with a creaking, clashing noise. Sometimes they march in even regular lines, like hosts of pigmy cavalry, but generally they rush over the ground in confused swarms. At times they rise high in the air and circle round like gnats in the sunshine. At such times, i think, they are caught by currents of our prevailing westerly winds and are thus distributed over vast tracts of country.” The foregoing extracts will give our readers some little idea of the mode of appearance and the destructive powers of the locusts in the west. We might fill pages, a volume indeed, with similar accounts. The next year 1867, and to some extent also in 1868 the locusts reappeared through- out the same region, and extended further to the eastward as wellas westward. They proved more or less destructive in Western and Central Iowa, and in North Western Mis- souri, as well as almost all over Nebraska, Kansas, Texasand Utah. They have never, so far as we have been able to ascertain, passed to the eastward of the Mississippi River. In 1869 and 1870, the ravages of the locusts seem to have been confined on this side of the Rocky Mountains, to portions of Nebraska, Colorado and Utah. 33 Tue PLaause or Locusts 1n 1874. Let us now turn to the terrible visitation of the present year, from the effects of which so many thousands are now suffering the privations of famine throughout immense tracts of country. Last year (1873) the locusts or grasshoppers were stated to have inflicted considerable damage upon crops of various kinds in some of the Western States, principally Nebraska and Kansas; here and there also in Minnesota, Lowa and Dakota there were comparatively trifling visitations. But in the month of July of this year there began one of the most serious invasions that has ever occurred in the west. In point of numbers and in extent of area affected, the plague was probably; no greater than on some previous occasions, notably that of 1855,that we have referred to above; the great difference, however, is caused by the fact that twenty years ago the country west of the Mississippi River was an almost unin- habited wildengess of prairie, while now it is traversed by a net work of railways, covered with populous towns and villages, and occupied to a very large extent by multitudes of in- dustrious people. Twenty years ago the locusts affected the food supply, perhaps, of the buf- falo, the Indian, and the scattered frontier settlers, but now their ravages cause destitution and misery in tens of thousands of homes. Up to the beginning of July this year, all looked bright and fair for the western farmer. His crops of all kinds were, as a rule, growing luxuriantly ; the prospect of a bountiful har- vest was quite as good as usual. After that date, however, sooner or later in different localities, all these bright prospects were overclouded, in many instances utterly destroyed. The following extracts from various newspapers will abundantly tell the tale. As early as the 19th of July a correspondent of the Prairie Farmer writes from How- ard County, Nebraska: ‘Corn and potatoes were doing well until recently, when the grass- hoppers [locusts] put in an appearance, and the result undoubtedly is, at the present moment, that there is not ten per cent. of these crops and of late oats left in this and the two neigh- bouring counties; and it is very doubtful if the countless millions of Vandals will leave a yestige of any green thing. The result must be almost certain starvation for new-comers, and must retard the development of this beautiful country for many years.” A lady correspondent of the same paper writes a few days later from Butler County, also in Nebraska :—‘ ‘The low-hung clounds haye dropped their garnered fullness down.’ But alas! and alack ! they were not the long-looked-for rain clouds, but grasshoppers. As I told you before, they passed over on the 23rd, only a few alighting ; but a strong south-west wind on the 24th brought back countless millions; and on the 25th their numbers were fearful to contemplate. They would rise in the air when the sun shone hot, but as it grew cooler they came down like the wolf on the fold. They settled like huge swarms of bees on every living thing. Fields of corn that had been untouched before were now stripped of tassel and blade. A field of early corn was being eaten so fast, that the girls went to save a few ears, instead of going to visit a sick schoolmate according to promise. Trees were so loaded with the pests, that those four and five feet high bent down till the tops touched the ground, and in some instances broke off ; for three dreadful hours they dashed against the house like hail. So many came in at doors and windows that every aperture was closed ; but not till they were so thick on the windows, that we were forced to make a business of slaying. The 25th of July will be remembered by the citizens of this and some other counties as the dark day, when desolation and devastation stared us in the face. * Ss * The wheat which was at first thought to be out of harm’s way was cut off about one-fourth by the destroying angels. A statement in our county paper says the average will be about 8 or 9 bushels per acre. After theyerasshoppers stopped their depredations, there were seyeral damp cloudy days, that brousliQout new tassels and silks on the corn, but more than a week of hot, dry weather, with scorthing winds checked its growth, so there will be none, excepting a very few fields that partially eseaped. Turnips have been grown siuce the rain ; and it is to be hoped there will yet be some potatoes ; sweet potatoes were not hurt so badly as the common potato. Broom corn, cane and Hungarian grass were unscathed.” A writer from St. Paul, Minnesota, to the paper above mentioned, says that the locusts “have undoubtedly destroyed five hundred thousand bushels of wheat, and are likely to des- troy another half million of bushels.” Later on in the season the St. Paul Press publishes the following statement in reference to the plague of locusts in Minnesota :—‘“ It is safe to D 34 ———— estimate the tilled area in the ravaged district at 275,000 acres, and of the area in wheat in that district at 200,000 acres. Of this area, probably not less than 150,000 acres have been destroyed. This represents not less than 2,500,000 bushels of wheat devoured in the germ by the grasshoppers, or about one-twelth of the wheat crop of the state. Add to this area 50,000 acres of oats, at 33 bushels per acre, or 1,320,000 bushels in all, or one-twelfth of the oat crop of the state; 20,000 acres of corn, at 32 bushels per acre, 340,000 bushels, or one twelfth of the corn crop of the state, and perhaps 20,000 acres more in rye, buckwheat, barley, potatoes and other crops—and the full extent of the grasshopper hayee cannot be easily estimated.” Our readers may further judge of the extent of the calamity and sufferings consequent upon it, from the following Pastoral Letter, issued by the Bishop of Minnesota, and appointed to be read in all the Churches in his Diocese :—To the Clergy and Congregations of the Diocese of Minnesota : You are aware that seyeral counties of the State have been desolated by locusts. In May I visited Martin county and saw the beginning of their ravages. [I laid the facts before the Governor, The plague hasincreased. Many homes are desolated. They have the right to look to us for relief. They are our own flesh and blood. They are our brothers. They are God’s children. The scourge is an awful one, It may be for our sins. It may be to try our faith in God. It may be to test our humanity. I ask your prayers and your alms. I recommend that an offering shall be taken up on the last Sunday in July, and that a further special contribution of money and provisions shall also be taken at our Annual Haryest Home Festival. Please send your offerings to Hon. Isaac Atwater, Minneapolis, who will send them to the Committee in St. Paul. Praying God to bless you, Your friend and Bishop, H. B. Wuippte. Extract from a Widow's letter in Brown County. “T mortgaged my farm to get seed last Spring. Allis lost. What to do I donot know. It would take a tear out of a stone to hear the people talk. I had a nice piece of barley al- most ready to cut. There is nothing left but the straw, the heads lying thick on the ground. Dear Bishop, I am almost heart-broken, and nearly crazy, to think of the long, cold winter, and nothing to depend on. May God help us. May the Lord look to every orphan and widow, and put it in the hearts of His children to help.” “The widow must not plead in vain.” The Bishop also issued a form of prayer for relief from the plague of locusts, to be used in the Churches throughout his Diocese. From the September “ Report of the Department of Agriculture,” at Washington, we cull the following note from Kansas :—‘‘ The late summer and fall crops have been almost entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. The common jumping grasshopper did much damage through the early part of the season, but about the middle of August clouds of the flying ones made their appearance over the county, devouring and destroying vast quantities of vegetation. Gardens were quickly eaten up, corn-fields were stripped of leaves, and in many cases the corn was entirely eaten off ; fruit trees are left with naked branches, and in many cases the half- ripened fruit is left hanging on the trees, presenting asickening sight of death and destruction. In addition to the actual loss by devastation, the loss caused by discouragement will be ereater. Years of patient waiting, hard work, and self-sacrifice have been destroyed in a few days, with no known remedy for protection—just as the fruits of labour were beginning to be realized, destruction came—and the question with many is, “ Isit of any use to try again ?” Here is a field for the Department of Agriculture. Some method of protection or relief must be had against the destruction of this insect, or an immense tract of magnificent country will never be what it would without this curse. I am one of those who believe all such things may be controlled by some practical method ; it only requires study, enterprise and means to learn how. ‘This county (Doniphan) could well afford to pay $100,000 for a guarantee that no grasshoppers should ever trouble it again. I have learned that vegetation highly culti- vated and growing vigorously is less liable to be destroyed than when on the decline or growing feebly. Thus it is we often see a single tree in an orchard eaten even to the bark, 35 =) ‘ while others of the same variety are not damaged so much ; and upon examination it will be invariably found that those mostly eaten were diseased, or had their vitality in some way impaired. This thing was noticeable when the same kind of insects were here six or seven years ago. fall fruit trees, apple and pear trees suffer the most, while peaches, plums and cherries suffer the least. They eat the leaves cff the apples, and leave most of the apples on, but of the peaches they will eat the fruit and leave the foliage ; but in many instances, when vegetition is not plenty, I understand they clean all as they go, and I have seen instances of this kind. The damage to vineyards in this county is not so great. They do not seem to relish grapes, and are satisfied by eating off the stems and letting the bunches fall to the ground. There will not be enough corn in this county to feed what stock there is in the county as it should be fed,” The same report states that ‘the plague ”—as it justly terms it—is reported in two counties in Wisconsin, seyen in Minnesota, five in Iowa, four in Missouri, thirty in Kansas and seyen in Nebraska, It adds that “the wide-spread destruction which they (the locusts ) have caused in the north-west has not been adequately described. In many places large masses of people will probably suffer during the coming winter for the necessaries of life, their crops having been swept by this remorseless enemy.” The next Monthly Report—that for October—records the prevalence of the plague in two more counties in Minnesota, two more in Lowa, four more in Missouri, four more in Kansas, four more in Nebraska, three in Texas, two in Colorado, and one in California. The fol- lowing ietter from Kansas is recorded “‘ to give some idea of its ravages :’—‘“ The farmers in my county had their land for wheat prepared in good time, and in a better condition than 1 ever saw. On the Sth of September the grasshoppers made their appearance all over the county. Farmers became alarmed and did not sow any wheat. About the18th to the 20th they appeared to go away. farmers commenced sowing and got in about two-thirds of their crop. Onthe 28th and 29th they came the second time, filling the air, reminding one of a snow-storm in December. Some who had sown early had wheat up nice, but you cannot find a spear in any place. Wheat which was sown before the grasshoppers came the first time has been eaten down, until the grain has finally ceased to grow. I am candidly of the opinion that every acre which is sown to-day in this county will have to be sown again. ‘There is no other chance for it, and the great trouble will be that so many of our farmers have sown all their seed and are not able to buy again. And what will they do? Some who have not been two years on their claims are leaving them and going over into Missouri and Arkansas to winter—to find something to live upon.” We might go on to an almost unlimited extent with similar descriptions of the wide- spread devastation caused by these insects, and the consternation they have produced through- out the west. Hyery agricultural newspaper and a large number of city papers have pub- lished throughout the past season similar records of ruin and suffering. To assist their brethren in the afflicted regions, large sums of money have been contributed both by State Governments and by individuals; but it is greatly to be feared that the utmost liberality will hardly saye from ruin, though it may relieve temporarily, many farmers who had recently set- tled on those hitherto attractive plains. Notonly, it should be remembered, have they suffered from a dire plague of locusts, but they have also been the victims of a long-continued drought ; accompanied in some lecalities by a terrible hot wind, resembling the sivacco that blasts southern Europe with the dry heat of the African desert ; to add also ie inseries of calamities, the Chinch-bug* destroyed in many places those crops that the Locu ared. To illustrate the reality and intensity of the sufferings that we have alluded to, we shall give one extract only out ofa large number that might be quoted. The writer of a letter to the Prairie Farmer, dated Kearney, Nebraska, November 16th, thus describes the condition of things in his neighbourhood :—“ Your readers have been pretty fully posted as to the ravages of locusts over this entire region, the devastation extending from Central Minnesota to the southern limit of Kansas, the whole country being almost as ‘utterly destroyed, so far as pro- visions are concerned, as if it had been swept by the scathing flames. I speak more under- standingly of my own neighbourhood, and shall endeavour to state facts that may-be firmly relied upon, and which can be verified if necessary, by the testimony of others in my own * For a description of the Chinch-bug, see the report of the Entomological Society of On- tario, for 1871. - a: 36 vicinity. The wheat crop, what there was of it, considering the dry weather, was good. But fully one-half of the settlers had no wheat at all ; their sole dependence was corn and potatoes. In many instances the very uncertain product of prairie cod. Thus nearly half of our people were dependent solely upon the two above articles, both of which were almost entirely swept away by drought, bugs and locustscombined. Hyvry family nearly, that was able to do so, having friends in Iowa and Missouri, have gone there to winter, some may return, others never will. Many proved upon their claims and have left the country forever. The number of actual homestead settlers is thus reduced fully one-half in my own neighbourhood, and of that one-half, not one family in ten have provisions, fuel or clothing to last them through the winter. Fully two-thirds have not food enough to last until the Ist of December. I find from conversation in Kearney, with settlers both north and south for a distance of thirty to fifty miles, that the same statement holds true over almost the entire region. Thus notwith- standing the cry of some of our papers that “we are not beggars,”’ more than two-thirds of those now on their homesteads must either beg or starve. In less than thirty days there will be starvation and death unless these needs are promptly met. “ There is no corn, no oats, no feed of any kind for stock, except what is shipped in from a distance. There is no fuel except coal, at from $8 to $11 per ton. There is no work, no money. ‘There is no seed corn, and in very many instances, no seeds of any kind for another year’s planting. On the 13th inst., I met two of my neighbours. One has a family of six to provide for, three of them young children. Says he: ‘] have just flour enough to last until Saturday night.’ The other has a family of ten, four of whom are sick, and have been since September. One child, a bright boy of some four years, has lost the entire use of his limbs, and now has to have the care of a helpless babe. This man has flour for ten days, and potatoes that will enable him to get along for a week or two longer. Last winter this family of children were entirely without shoes or stockings, with clothing just sufficient to cover nakedness, and ragged at that. The writer of this article has flour for a week—fifty pounds —and pays for it in breaking one acre of prairie, thus giving three dollars in work for $1.20 worth of flour. He does not state this complainingly, being glad to get work to feed his five babies at any price. I merely give these three cases as a sample. While I give but three, there are many others all around me in fully as deplorable a situation. This want ex- tends over the whole area of country, west, north and south, and the farther the settlement is from the supplies, the greater the wants and privations of the settlers.” THE PLAGuE or Locusts IN MANITOBA. Thus far we have been describing the extent and the terrible results of this year’s plague of Locusts in the Western States of the Union. We have now, unhappily, to record its occurrence in our own new Province of Manitoba, which adjoins the State of Minnesota, so frequently referred to above. From the following record of visitations previous to this year, it will be observed that they were, in almost all cases, simultaneous with those in the neighbouring States, that we have described in the earlier part of this paper. For this record we are indebted to the letter of the Winnipeg Correspondent of the Toronto Globe, which ap- peared in that paper on the 5th of August last :— “Grasshoppers first appeared in Red River towards the end of July, 1818, six years after the commencement of the settlement. They covered the settlement belt, but did not utterly destroy the wheat erop, it being nearly ripe at the time. Barley and other crops were swept away. They deposited their eggs and disappeared, and the following spring the crop of young grasshoppers was immense. These departed before depositing their eggs, but deyoured all vegetation on their route, thus destroying all the crops of 1819. Great num- bers came in during the season of 1819 and deposited their eggs, so that in 1820 the crops were again all destroyed. ‘Thus for three successive years were the crops in this country destroyed by these pests. They then disappeared for thirty six successive years, the next visitation being in 1857, when they visited the Assiniboine settlement, doing but little injury beyond depositing their eggs.. The following season their progeny destroyed all the crops within their reach. In 1864 they again appeared in considerable numbers but did little injury to the wheat crop. The following year the young grasshoppers partially destroyed the crops, leaving many districts entirely untouched. ‘The largest swarm ever known came in August, 1867, but the crops were so far advanced that season that they did but little in- 37 = jury. Their eggs produced such immense swarms the following spring that they destroyed everything that had been sown throughout the settlement, and famine ensued. In 1869 they again visited the country, but too late to do much harm. The season following, however, they destroyed most of the growing crops. In 1872 immense hordes of these winged pests again visited a part of the country about the beginning of August. The country west of Headingly escaped, and generally the wheat was not much injured, but they played sad havoe with the gardens, Nothing was sown the following spring throughout the infested district, but throughout the western settlements a large crop was grown and sayed.” From the same source we have obtained the following particulars respecting the ravages of the Locust in different parts of the Province :— “THe Soura.—From West Lynne (Pembina) northward as far as Seratching River the oats and barley have been entirely destroyed, and the wheat partially. ‘“« PALESTINE.—The latest reports from this settlement confirm the accounts that the settlement is laid waste. : “ManiropA LAKE.—The shores of this lake are strewn three feet in many places with dead grasshoppers, the wind having driven them into the lake, where they were drowned and east ashore. “Tur Boyne SErTLEMENT.—They are very thick here, and have completely destroyed the oats and barley, and about half ruined the wheat. ‘“ PorTAGE LA PRAIRIE.— From Poplar Point to the Portage the fields are swarming with grasshoppers, which haye devoured the crops. Scarcely anything has escaped. “Rav Creex.—In this neighbourhood it is reported that the crops of Kenneth Me- Kenzie, Hugh Grant and others, are being destroyed, and that the former had commenced cutting his oats and barley for fodder rather than let the pests take all. ‘“Rockwoop.—The crops in this settlement have suffered severely. Oats and barley completely destroyed, and wheat badly injured. “ WoopLAND.— Most of the settlers in this neighbourhood are entirely cleaned out, “ CouNTY oF PROVENCHER.—AIll the crops along the Red River, from Pembina to Stink- ing River, have been eaten up, excepting, in some instances, a portion of the wheat and potatoes have escaped. “ WinnipeG.—The gardens in this city, and the oats and barley in the neighbourhood, are being destroyed. During the evenings, at the going down of the sun, they seek the board fences and sides of houses in such numbers that in many cases it is impossible to distinguish the colour of the houses, or the material of which they are built.” As yet we do not know whether the Locust ravages are wont to extend over the great fer- tile region to the north-west of Manitoba—that magnificent agricultural region drained by the Saskatchewan River ; we hope, and we are strongly inclined to think, that the plague, if notice- able at all, is there trifling in character and moderate in extent. Should it be otherwise, should that “fertile belt” be as subject to these visitations as the States to the south of it unhappily are, it must prove a great hindrance to its rapid settlement. If, on the other hand, it possesses an immunity not shared in by the Western States, it will certainly draw from them, before many years are over, and as soon as railway facilities are afforded for transporta- tion of goods and produce, a very large portion of those settlers who are now eaten out of house and home. We fully expect to see the tide of immigration which for a few years past has been setting so strongly towards the plains of Kansas and Nebraska, turned towards our own more highly-favoured, even though more northern regions of Assiniboine and Saskatchewan, DESCRIPTION OF THE INSECT. Let us turn now to a description of the insect respecting whose powers of destruction we have heard so much. As we have already remarked, there is very little difference in appear- ance between our common “grasshopper” and the famine-producing Locust of the West. They both belong to the same genus (Caloptenus) of the family Acrydidze and of the order of Orthopter'a—straight-winged insects. The Acrydida, or Locusts, are distinguished from their kindred, the true grasshoppers, by the following characteristics :—The former have short antennz (or feelers), never exceeding the body -in length ; the latter have very long thread-like antennx. The tarsi, or feet, of the former are three-jointed ; of the latter four- jointed, The female of the former has the tip of the abdomen furnished with four very short 38 bony pieces, two of which curve upwards and two downwards (they may be observed in figures 33 and 34) ; the female of the latter has a long curved, often sword-shaped, ovipositor. The former, again, live upon the ground ; the latter for the most part on grass and trees. All Orthopterous insects—ineluding, of course, those we are now treating of—undergo what is termed an incomplete metamorphosis—th: at is to say, their larvae and pupe resemble all along the perfect insect, except that the wings are not fully developed and the size of the mature insect is not attained, ‘To make our meaning clearer, we may mention that Lepi- dopterous insects (butterflies and moths) undergo a perfect or complete metamorphosis ; as every one knows, the caterpillar, or larva, is totally different from the winged insect, while the chrysalis or pupa is entirely different from either, In food, habits and appearance, the insect undergoes a complete change at each metamorphosis. In the case of Locusts, on the contrary, one can hardly say with certainty when the larval state ends and that of the pupa begins ; or when, again, the pupal condition merges into that of the perfect insect. The genus Caloptenus, to which we are now confined, is represented almost all over the world. In North America eight different species have been described by entomologists, but we are inclined to think that some of these are little more than varieties of others. Three species only are prevalent in large numbers—viz., (. spretus, OC. femur-rubrum, and C. bivit- tatus ; the last mentioned does not oceur ia Cana da, so far as we are aware, and is of small importance economically as compared with the other two. We are thus reduced to the two species that we spoke of at the outset: our common red-legged Locust, or “ grass- hopper” (Caloptenus femu-rubrum Burm.), represented in figure 6 ; and the hateful Locust (C. spretus Uhler), figure a. Fie. 33. The reader will observe BE that there is but a very slight difference in appear- ance between the two spe «cies. The left hand, our ~ common species, only dif- fers, one may say, from its most destructive fellow on the right, by its having shorter wings. It is owing to this difference in length and expanse of wing that the one species is confined to the neighbourhood where it was born, while the other rises aloft into the air, and is literally - “borne upon the wings of the wind” to regions far away from its place of birth. As the Red- legged Locust must be so familiarly known by every one—during most summers, indeed, it is hardly possible to walk a few yards in the open air without startling numbers into flicht and as it is fairly represented in the above figure (}), we may content ourselves with quoting the following brief description by Dr. Harris. The insect is “ erizzled with dirty olive and brown, a black spot extending from the eyes along the sides of the thorax ; an oblique yellow line on each side of the body beneath the wings; a row of dusk brown spots along the middle of the wing covers; and the hindmost shanks and feet blood. red, with black spines. The wings are transparent, with a very pale, greenish-yellow tint, next to the body, and are netted with brown lines. The hindmost thighs ‘have two large spots on the upper side and the extremity black; but are red below, and yellow on the inside. The appendages at the tip of the body in the male are of a long triangular form. Length from three quarters of an inch to an inch; expansion of the wings from 1} to 13 of an inch,” The Hateful Locust (C. Spretus), figure a, can scarcely be distinguished in colour or general appearance from the foregoing species ; the principal difference, as already stated, is in the length of the wings. In this species they are about one-third longer than the body of the insect ; they are quite transparent with slightly dusky nerves, and when seen high up in the air against the sun, have the appearance of large snow-flakes. The eggs are deposited in the ground, in a cocoon-shaped mass, covered with a tough, glutinous secretion, and vary in number from fifty to ahundred. They are laid in the latter part of the summer and remain in their place of deposit until the following spring ; usually they hatch out in March, making their appearance with the earliest vegetation of the locality. There is a good deal of difference of opinion with regard to the head-quarters of this insect ; many writers affirm that all the swarms comes from the eafons of the Roeky Mountains ; others again, and with more reason, we believe, hold that they breed throughout all the mountain valleys and plains of the west, but chiefly in those vast tracts of uninabited country, lying on the slopes of the Rocky 39 Mountains in Arizona and New Mexico; they breed also, there can be no doubt, in the regions that they invade, but owing to differences of climate, these broods do not always mature. They delight most in a very dry, hot atmosphere. Like many other species of Orthoptera, the males produce sounds by means of an appa- ratus that may be “likened to a violin, their legs being the bows, and the projecting veins of their wing-covers the strings. When a locust begins to play, he bends the shank of one hind leg beneath the thigh, where it is lodged in a furrow designed to receive it, and then draws the leg briskly up and down several times against the projecting lateral edge and veins of the wing-cover. He does not play both fiddles together, but alternately, for a little time, first one and then the other, standing meanwhile upon the four anterior legs and the hind leg which is not otherwise employed.” (Harris.) When in flight, the swarm produces a loud pattering sound, which as Dr. Thomas remarks, is probably due to the beating of the air by the wings, as it is not confined to the male sex. If any of our readers are curious upon the subject of insect music, they will find an interesting paper upon “ the Songs of the Grasshop- pers,” by our much esteemed friend, Mr. Scudder, in the American Naturalist (vol. 9, page 113); in it not only is the apparatus described, but the notes are se t to music, and no doub can be sung by any accomplished vocalist ! Before closing this portion of our remarks, we would acknowledge our indebtedness, and call attention, to the admirable ‘ Synopsis of the Acrididz of North America,” by the Rey. Cyrus Thomas, Ph.D., published by the Government of the United States as a portion of Dr. Hayden’s Report on the U. 8. Geological Survey of the Territories. It is magnificently printed in quarto form, and is a complete monograph of the family. We take this opportu- nity of thanking Dr. Hayden for his courtesy in favouring us with a copy. MEANS OF REDUCING THE RAVAGES OF THE LOCUSTS. When a species of insect comes in countless millions suddenly, without any forewarning, upon a locality hundreds of miles away, it may be, from its place of birth, and devours in a single day every green thing upon the surface of the country, it seems almost impossible to suggest any remedy. Something, however, may, we believe, be done, but any measure to be in the least degree efficacious must be adopted universally over a large area of country. Before considering any method of combatting the plague, we must mention one remedy that has been received by the press with some degree of amusement, though gravely propounded by the editors of the American Naturalist. After referring to the destitution in Minnesota and the application from its State authorities to the general government for aid, they put the ques- tion :— “Why should not the grasshopper be eaten! in turn?’ Why not, indeed? For, as they state, ‘the grasshopper, or locust of the East, is universally eaten in portions of Africa and Western Asia, and pronounced a nutritious and palatable article of diet by Arab chiefs as well as Hottentot savages. They are eaten roasted whole, minus the legs, or roasted and powdered. We would recommend that experiments be made as to the best modes of prepar- ing the locust for food. They should be thoroughly cooked to guard against parasitic worms. Not willing to urge the use of grasshoppers as food for others, without first: eating them our- selves, we may say that we have found the grasshopper, first killed by boiling water, and then fried in butter, at least as palatable as many articles of food eaten by civilized people; and to people actually famishing, as is said to be the case in Minnesota, it will be worth their while to avail themselves of a food stuff which millions, perhaps, of people in other lands regard as wholesome,” In corroboration of this use of the locusts, we may add, that Dr. Livingstone speaks highly of the locust as an article of food in Africa, and considers them superior to shrimps. Honey, when it can be obtained, is often eaten with them, and, while improving the flavour, renders them more digestible. We need hardly remind our readers that this was the food of St. John the Baptist in the wilderness. The ancient historian, Herodotus, relates that lo- custs are used for food, being first dried in the sun, than reduced to powder, and drunk in milk. In his well-known work, on South Africa, Cumming states that “ Locusts afford fat- tening and wholesome food to man, birds and all sorts of beasts ; cows, horses, lions, jackals, hycenas, antelopes, elephants, &c., devour them. Our hungry dogs made a fine feast on them. . . . . Weroasted a quantity for ourselvesand our dozs.”” Kirby and Spencet 40 (People’s Edition, page 173,) state that, “as locusts are the greatest destroyers of food, so as some recompense, they furnish a considerable supply of it to numerous nations.” After quoting a number of authorities for this statement, they add that “they are preferred by the Moors to pigeons; and a person may eat a plateful of two or three hundred without feeling any ill effects. They usually boil them in water half-an-hour (having thrown away the head, wings and legs.) then sprinkle them with salt and pepper, fry them, adding a little vinegar.” We trust that the editors of the Naturalist will try this recipe next summer! Among the food products of the North American Indian (Report of Agricultural Department, Washing- ton, 1870,) we find enumerated grasshoppers or locusts, which are eaten by the Diggers of California and the Plains. They roast them in holes in the ground and mix them with pow- dered acorns; sometimes they make of them a soup or mush. Mr. Taylor, however, (Smithsonian Report, 1858,) referring to the same custom, declares that this kind of food is always found to sicken the Indians, and that this result is vouched for by the early settlers and the natives, and also by many travellers and voyagers who have visited California and the Rocky Mountain country, and by the Jesuits of Lower California. From these statements we may infer that the locusts on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, considered to be a distinct species from the (. spretus of the eastern side, are unwholesome, but it remains to be proved that a nutritious article of diet may not be obtained from the latter. Certainly, it is an experiment worth trying ; if successful, we should have a double benefit—the lessening of the numbers of the locusts, and a supply of food wherewith to meet the famine that they have produced. Such a fate for the invaders would be true poetic justice. In the Smithsonian Report for 1858, to which we have already referred, there is an interesting article, translated from the Russian of V. Motschulsky, in which much valuable information is afforded respecting the mode of dealing with locusts in Southern Russia and other neighbouring countries with regard to natural remedies. He states that ‘ whole gene- rations of them succumb to the climatic influence of those countries to which, impelled by hunger, they betake themselves. Winds and storms not unfrequently cast vast swarms of them into Jakes and seas, and other millions perish in crossing rivers. Frogs, lizards and various birds, especially of the starling, blackbird, lark, crow, jackdaw, stork and other spe- Gi s devour them with great avidity. Domestic fowls, as geese, ducks, turkeys and chickens are exceedingly fond of such food.” Among insects several species of ichneumons (Hymenop- tera) destroy them both in the egg and larval states. He concludes that “of the eggs laid by the locusts about one-tenth only succeed in passing through all the transformations of their existence, and with this tenth part alone it comes in contact with the husbandman. But even this is sufficiently great to furnish matter for reflection to every one who knows by experience what an attack of locusts is.” After describing a large number of artificial modes of contending against the locusts, some of which are quite useless, and others more or less successful, he draws up a number of gene- ral conclusions. Those at all applicable to North America we shall quote, with afew remarks upon them. (a) “It is necessary to observe in the autumn, especially after a hot summer, where the locusts have deposited their eggs, and to accustom persons appointed for the purpose to do so.” Much might, we think, be done in this way both by the State authorities in the west, by municipalities and by individuals. (b) “ As soon as the labours of tillage will permit, people should be sent out in the fall to collect the locusts’ eggs, provided with instruments for turning up the ground. _ If the eggs are deposited where ploughs and harrows can pass, these should be made use of. The egg- tubes of the locusts should be poured into sacks, and either measured or weighed, and suitable award paid for the amount collected, so as to stimulate numbers to busy themselve in this useful labour.’”’ Ifa c.rtain price per bushel or hundred-weight were offered for the ege-eases by the various local authorities in the regions affected, not only would the numbers of the locusts be greatly reduced, but remunerative employment would be afforded to those who have been suffering by their ravages. In many places the locusts deposit their eggs where they have just ravaged the fields, consequently the inhabitants will not have far to go in order to find the germs of the next year’s trouble. It would be desirable, too, that well- equipped expeditions of competent persons should be sent out to explore the regions border- ing on the Rocky Mountains, from which the swarms emanate in the first instance. (c) “ All the places where locusts’ eggs are found should be ploughed over, if possible, 41 two or three times very late inthe autumn. Special attention should also be given to bar- spots in the fields,where’not unfrequently great quantities of egg-tubes may remain unobserved.” This plan of deeply ploughing under the eggs of the grasshoppers, or of ploughing them up so as to expose them to all the changes of the weather, has been found very effective in Mani- toba and other places. (d) “ Breeding large quantities of domestic fowls and training them to feed on young locusts, is exceedingly advantageous to the husbandman.” Geese, chickens, turkeys and guinea-fowl are especially mentioned. This plan would be of very slight use as a protection against the migrating swarms of locusts, but it might be of some little value in places where they breed. It is well known that a large brood of turkeys is invaluable to a farmer where the common red-legged locust abounds. (e) If the locusts settle anywhere in a thick mass, large numbers may be destroyed in the evening, when they are quiet, by means of heavy iron or wooden rollers drawn by horses or oxen. This method might be of some slight advantage if generally adopted, but usually, by nightfall, most of the damage is done. A large number of other methods are mentioned, but they are entirely inapplicable to the vast and thinly populated regions of the west. A remedy is much employed, on the other hand, in America which could not be made use of in Russia, viz., fire. It is only during dry and very hot weather that the invasions take place. When a swarm has once alighted and has commenced the work of destruction it is often practicable to set fire to the fields and crops in places and thus kill or drive away the destroyer. In this case the remedy is almost as bad as the disease, but yetit has been adopted in many instances with good results. Noises made by trumpets, guns, cannons, &c., sometimes drive away a small body of locusts, but they are utterly useless when the invasion takes place on a large scale. On the whole,,it seems as if man can do but very little to ward off the attacks of this fearful scourge. Still it is proper that every effort should be made to find out the exact habits of the insect, and the particular localities from which it emanates; it is fitting, too, that no means should be left untried that affords any prospect of lessening the destruction that they occasion. The Arabian fable we cannot but feel, has much truth at the bottom of it ; they represent a locust as saying to Mahomet, ‘“ We are the army of the Great God ; we produce ninety-nine eggs, if the hundred were completed we should consume the whole earth and all that is in it.” While the people of the West are in the hands of Providence to protect them from such mighty armies as these, they can best help themselves by going to the root of the evil—that is to say, by reducing to the utmost extent the numbers of eggs that are laid for future broods. After all the accounts that we have given of these insects, we feel that nothing can equal in sublimity and correctness the description afforded by the Prophet Joel, ii. 2—11, ‘© A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of’ clouds and thick darkness, as the morning spread upon“the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations, A fire de- voureth before them and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble ; as astrong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained ; all faces shall gather blackness, They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks, neither shall one thrust another, they shall walk every one in his path, and when they fall upon the sword they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city, they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses, they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble, the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining, and the Lord sha’l utter His voice before His army, for His camp is very great, for He is strong that executeth His Word, for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it ?” While the foregoing ;aper was passing through the printer’s hands, we cut from the Albany Country Gentleman, the fol'owing official statement of the misery caused by the plague of Locusts in the Western States, which fully corroborates any expressions that we have used above :— “THe WESTERN GRASSHOPPERS.—Commissioner-of-Agriculture Watts has issued a synopsis of information -received concerning the extent of suffering from the grasshopper plague, which we copy, somewhat condensed : “« First.—The area of this visitation comprises a zone 200 to 225 miles wide, extending from the settlements of Southern Dakota, through Nebraska and Kansas, over 500 miles in length, and inclining to south. A few western counties of Iowa aud Minnesota report injuries. The extent of territory visited by these insects in 1874 very considerably exceeds 100,000 square miles. “ Second.—The grasshopper district west of Missouri embraces population of Kansas, Ne- braska and Southern Dakota, amounting to over 500,000 in 1870, with a large increment since. Including counties gast of the Missouri in Iowa and Minnesota more or less affected by the plague, I think it not extravagant to assign 750,000 as the approximate population of these districts, “ Third.—In Kansas, cases of total destitution in 50 counties reported vary from 40 to 2,000 ; reports from counties not in this list show injuries as severe as in any others. The ayerage of such cases 555 in each county. These do not include cases of partial destitution, which, in some counties are quite large, ranging from 26 to 1,000. The cases of total and partial destitution in these 30 counties amount to over 40,000, while in other counties there are, probably, cases unreported sufficient to swell the aggregate to 50,000 .In the more thinly populated counties of Nebraska and Dakota the number of such cases is, of course, smaller. Adding the cases cast of Missouri, I do not think it out of the way to estimate the number of people affected by this pest at 75,000 to 100,000.” 43, ON SOME INJURIOUS INSECTS. By W. Saunpers, Lonpon, ONTARIO, Tue Copiina Mors (Carpocapsa pomonella, Linn). THE PEAR TREE SLUG (Selandria cerasi, Puck). THe Copitine Morn (Carpocapsa pomonella, LINN). This is, indeed, one of the most troublesome insects with which we haye to contend, and one of the most difficult to deal with, and, although of foreign introduction, has spread over the greater part of our country entailing a yearly loss on our apple crop which it would be difficult to over estimate. We shall briefly givethe various features in its life history with a cut illustrating the insect as it appears in its various stages, and then detail such measures as have been suggested with a view to its destruction. Fig. 85. Fig. 35 represents a section of an apple which has been occupied by a codling worm—d shews the point of entrance of the young worm, the place of exit of the matured larva being shown at the left hand side of the figure ; ¢, the full-grown worm : h, its head and first segment magnified ; 7, the cocoon; d, the pupa re- moved from the cocoon; f, the moth with wings closed ; g, the same with wings expanded. Soon after it leaves the fruit in the fall, the larva selects some secluded of nook or cranny, un- der loose bark of tree or other convenient hiding place, and there spins its tough papery-looking cocoon, and within this secure retreat it remains in the lar- val condition until early in spring, when, a few weeks before the final change takes place,it enters the chrysalis state. It seems strange that this tiny creature should be endowed with such a power of varying the length of its larval existence, that at this season the larva should remain so long unchanged, while, in the case of the earlier summer brood, the change to chrysalis takes place almost immediately after the spinning of the cocoon. About the time of the opening of the apple blossoms this insect bursts its prison house and appears as a winged moth. See Fig. 35, g. The moth deposits her eggs singly, and usually in the calyx or eye, just as the young apple is forming. In about a week the larva is hatched, and at once the tiny worm begins to eat its way through the apple to the core. Its castings are commonly pushed out through the hole by which it has entered, which is from time to time enlarged for the purpose ; these usually adhere to the apple, so that, before the worm is full grown, infested fruit may generally be detected by the mass of reddish-brown exuvix protruding from the eye. Sometimes, as the larva approaches maturity, it eats a passage through the apple at the side, and out of this Opening its castings are thrust, and here the mature worm escapes when full grown, The occupied apple generally falls prematurely to the ground, sometimes with the worm in it, but 44 more commonly after the worm has escaped. The larvze which leave the apples while still on the trees, either crawl down the branches to the trunk of the tree, or otherwise let them- selyes down by a fine silken thread, which they spin at will, to the ground ; in either case, the greater portion of them take refuge under the rough loose bark on the trunk of the tree, and there spin their cocoons. The second brocd of moths appear from about the twentieth to the last of July. We have taken them on the wing at night as early as the nineteenth, but specimens confined in breeding boxes, have not, as a rule, made their appearance until about the end of the month. In the winged state they seldom live more than a few days, and in this brief space they pair, and the female deposits her eggs for the second brood of larvee, and, for this purpose, wisely shows a preference for the later app!es. The codling moth also attacks the pear, in some localities, most disastrously for the crop; the fruit, however, seldom falls to the ground until some time after the worm has left. Dr. Wm. Le Baron, State Entomologist, of Illinois, has devoted much time and atten- tion to the study of the history and habits of this insect, and has published in his last annual report an excellent paper on this subject. Mr. Riley, of St. Louis, has also made observations and experiments on this same insect, which corroborate those of Dr. le Baron, these are re- ferred to in the fifth and sixth annual reports on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State of Missouri; from both these sources we shall glean and make free use of such facts as we think will interest our readers. The number of eggs each moth is capable of laying will, probably, average not less than fifty, but these are not all matured at once, but may be found, by careful dissection of the body of the moth, in various stages of development. Hence they must be deposited succes- sively, the period probably extending over a week or more. REMEDIES. This is an all important matter in which, in this instance, man must rely chiefly on his own efforts, for although, doubtless, a large number of the worms and chrysalids are annually destroyed by birds, and another limited portion by parasitic insects, still from the advantage- ous shelter afforded them by the apple, and the fact of their movements after leaving it being mostly in the night time, the codling worm enjoys much immunity from natural foes. Dr. Le Baron divides this practical portion of the subject, as far as man’s work is con- cerned, into four. heads, and here we cannot do better than quote from his excellent paper :-— : “1st. Destroying the insects in their winter quarters. “2nd. Picking the wormy apples from the trees. “ 3rd. Gathering the wormy apples from the ground, or letting swine and sheep have the range of the orchard. “4th. Hntrapping the worms in bands and other contrivances,” Ist. Destroying the insects in their winter quarters.—When we consider that each fe- male moth is capable of laying fifty eggs or more, and that every worm of the first brood ruins an apple, we can see the importance of destroying these insects before they leave their winter quarters. We have already mentioned that in the state of nature, these worms pass the winter in cocoons, concealed under the bark, or in the crevices of apple trees. The sum- mer brood of worms, which remain but two weeks in the pupa state, sometimes content them- selves with a very slight protection, but it is the nature of the insect to seek deep conceal- ment, and the instinct of the second brood, which is to survive the winter, leads them to search for the deepest protection they can find. We, therefore, rarely find them under shal- low and loose scales of bark, but very often in deep cracks and crevices, partially embedding themselves in the substance of the wood or bark. Any superficial scraping of the trees, or whitewashing, or other outward applications would not, therefore, be likely to reach many of them ; and inasmuch as they may be hidden upon any part of the trunk or large branches, any attempt to discover them with the intention of digeing them out would, evidently, be im- practicable ; but at the point where we become powerless the woodpeckers come to our aid. In their search for just such hidden worms as these, those busy foragers unite business with pleasure, and all through the wintry day the sharp rattle of their beaks may often be heard in the orchard, as with ear intent and sharpened beak, and appetite not less sharp, they pursue their hidden prey with unerring and fatal precision, 45 “A more efficacious way of destroying these worms as far as our own instrumentality is concerned, is to search for them about the barrels and bins in which fall and winter apples have been kept. I have heard of instances where the sideboards of the bins have been taken away from time to time, as the apples were removed and thrown one upon another, in which these boards became so fastened together by the webs of the worms between them, that a number of boards could be raised by taking hold of the upper one only. There can be no doubt that the destruction of the codling-worm at this stage of its existence, would be very effective, and that it has been by far too much neglected.” Our esteemed President, Rev. C.J. S. Bethune in his remarks on this subject in our report for 1870, says “a very favourite locality for these worms is the space between the hoops and staves of the barrels. We have found hundreds in such positions especially in the winter of 1868-9. Where this occurs it is by all means worth while to scald the barrels thoroughly outside as well as inside, as soon as they are emptied or even to burn them. When boxes or bins are made use of for storing the fruit, the worms are sure to find some crevices to suit them, which should be searched for, and treated as in the case of the barrels.” 2nd. Picking the wormy apples from the trees.—We have stated above that the young worms, soon after they have entered the apple, begin to throw out their castings through the hole which they made in entering. As this hole must be originally almost microscopically minute, it is evident that they must enlarge the opening for this purpose. We further stated that a portion of the castings adhere to the rough and shrivelled calyx, forming a rust coloured mass, which is easily seen from the ground below. Some horticulturists have ayailed themselves of this circumstance for the purpose of removing the wormy apples from the trees before the worms have escaped. The plan is to beat off the wormy apples, or else pick them off by means of a wire hook attached to the end of a pole. These two methods can be ver usefully combined by first jarring or beating off those apples which readily fall, and then going over the trees a second time with the pole and hook. The apples thus removed should of course be fed to swine, or otherwise treated so as to destroy the worms within. Too much value cannot be attached to these simple expedients, which in the case of a few choice trees, or even a small orchard, might almost be made to supercede the necessity of any other treat ment.”’ “3rd. Gathering the wormy wind-fall apples from the ground, or letting swine or sheep have the range of the orchard.—This plan has been generally recommended as of very great importance, Its efficacy will depend, of course, upon the proportion of worms which fall to the ground in the apples, as compared with those which leave the apples whilst hanging upon the tree. Those which crawl down the branches spin up before reaching the ground, and those which let themselves down by a thread, would, for the most part, be detected only by birds or by domestic fowls, and as there is reason to believe that they usually perform this act in the night, even these must fail to capture them.” * With regard to those wind-falls which contain worms, it is necessary to gather them frequently, that is every day or every second day at farthest. The apples do not usually fall until the worms are nearly matured, and they leaye them in the course of afew days. If you examine indiscriminately a large number of wind-fall apples lying under the trees, you will be surprised to find how few worms they contain, they evidently having left the fruit before it fell, or soon after.” “ But the most important question in this connection is, what proportion of the worms leave the apples before they full from the tree? I have endeavoured to arrive at an approxi- mate estimate upon the subject by putting two or more bands upon the same tree, upon the presumption that the worms descending from above will spin up in the upper band, and those crawling up from the ground in the lower. The following tables numbered for the purpose of reference give the results of these experiments. The wind-fall apples were left in every case as they fell upon the ground. “On the tenth of July, 1871, I put bands as follows, upon four trees, the ground under- neath being bare, or free from grass or rubbish of any kind. One band was put about a foot from the ground, another about two feet higher on the trunk, and others on two or three of the larger branches, eight or ten feet from the ground, They were examined July 28th, eighteen days after they were put on.” No. 1. Whole number of worms in all stages......,sssecsessesessetes seceeees 220 oe OOS =$=S$S$=$M0$0—0—0°0°.—0000aaoaoaawhax&auauuwmsw8”"”"000093 INumberjof ‘empty pupa cases. .s 0c. cuerareicrgeseoneess-ys=surees seus em INDEMIDGE OL PUpse tt cecstesersench eae tecitaanadones Licey daioretats ss Aerie tla Number of enclosed but unchanged larvee...........s.cscseeeseees sisi OD —- 220 Number of all stages in lowest bands............00. ssecseessesevenenee D4 Number of all stages in upper trunk bands.................see0ee00 ~ 83 Number of all stages in bands om limbs............000. -cessereerensees 43 No. 2. (Same trees examined August 11th, two weeks later.) Number of pupa cases....... pds HOUR IRIS Pages OF 28. OR OMG MNambertor pupoee en. sete eee lene: cera nesseteeemeneensee eas Ae acc . 24 Number of larve...... Bee LO EE hadnt AG SARA Coot ea ED — 65 Of these there were in lowest bands 21, middle or upper trunk 13, and on limbs 31. No. 3. (Same trees August 25th, two weeks from last.) Number) off pupaxcasess. 2% sjecis-ni- Soa0 ae peceniey eepile rae 4 Number of larva; unchanged)....: jo). eseures-snohe «ages lotbianae eels 4 41 — 46 Distributed as follows, in lowest bands 24, middle or upper trunk 15, in, bands on limbs 7. No. 4. (Same trees September 9th, fifteen days later. Found larvze only.) Number intlowest: bands). 02). 20h, PO, OAL Oe IT ee 33 Number in) middle bands. 620.. 002. 3e Ee ES, 1S, Deer 9 Number in bands on limbs...........csseee. seceveveserees AUTO ARP Oe 9 — 81 No. 5. (Same trees September 23rd, two weeks later. Larvee only.) Number in lowest bands............ ....05- SERRA fe sie varie saearmenaere 28 NUM DersInemMO dle bands.se7s.eececeneteee dere tematic cock cece 22 INUMber In PaAnUs ONGLMDAT «. \ecce sateen cea seca es eted «identiocn eRe aime 4 — 54 “On the fourth of July, 1872. I selected a smooth thrifty apple-tree, six inches in diameter, growing upon grass land, and well filled with apples, bearing many marks of being wormy, but remarkably tenacious, and consequently but few lying upon the ground. Put two bands upon the trunk, one a foot and a half above the other. “ Examined Jaly 23rd, a moderate number of apples having in the meantime fallen upon the ground. Whole number in the lower band ................ccseeeceecetesesveeence 150 Whole number in the upper band ...........sece, ssh suuh cdbesnnkelses 110 47 “The bands in this experiment were made of carpet six inches wide, and long enough to go twice around the tree, making a very abundant covert for the worms. As might have been anticipated, in this case the greater part of the worms in the upper band were found in its upper half, indicating that the worms had reached it by descending from above ; and on the other hand, the greater part of the worms in the lower band were in its lower half, show- ing that they had come up from the ground. We say the greater part, but not all, implying that some worms in each case had passed over one band and gone on to the next.” The above tables furnish data for many interesting and practical deductions. “ First, as respects the question now under consideration, namely, what proportion of the worms leave the apples before they fall from the tree ; if we add together all the worms found in the highest and the lowest bands respectively, and divide those in the middle or upper trunk bands equally between the other two, we shall have 436 in the lower bands, and 290 in the upper, implying at first view that much the larger number came up from the ground. But there are several circumstances in these experiments which must be taken into account. and which will somewhat modify this conclusion. First, many of the limbs have no bands upon them, and the worms from these may be presumed to have found covert chiefly in the upper bands on the trunk. Second, two of the trees experimented upon were large rough trees, and a part of the worms undoubtedly spun up under the scales of bark on the limbs above the bands, And thirdly, we do not know what proportion of the worms may haye let themselves down to the ground by threads, and thus found shelter under the lowest bands. Taking these cireumstances into account, we shall perhaps arrive at au approximation sufficient- ly accurate for practical purposes, if we divide the whole number of worms equally between the upper and lower bands, from which we infer that about half the worms crawl down the tree, and the other half reach the ground either in the apples or by threads. We must infer from this as far as one series of experiments enables us to judge, that the gathering of wind- fall apples, either by ourselves or by the aid cf domestic animals, enables us to destroy less than half of the codling worms. “The animals used for this purpose are hogs and sheep, the latter are more cleanly, and equally effeetive, but they are liable to damage young trees by gnawing the bark.” 4th. Entrapping the worms under bands,&c.—Our own experience in aseries of experiments, very similar to those above detailed, was much the same, excepting in the number of lary captured, which from five trees did not, at any one time, exceed 47, the distribution in the upper and lower bandages being nearly in the same proportion as that given by Dr. Le Baron. This method of entrapping the worms under bands is without doubt the most effective remedy yet de- vised, andif it were generally and persistently followed would effect a large yearly saving in the crop of this valuable fruit. Itis of great importance that united effort should be made in this case, as the evil is an increasing one, and the yearly loss now entailed something enor- mous. With us we have known the full-grown larva to be found under bandages as early as the 4th of July, hence we think that their application should not be delayed later than the 1st. Indeed it would be wise to apply them a few days earlier than this. By referring to the first and second captures in Dr. Le Baron’s first experiment, it will be observed that quite a num- ber of empty pupa cases were found, 54 in all, showing that sufficient time had elapsed before examination to allow of the larve passing through the stage of chrysalis, and escaping as a per- fect insect to continue its work of destruction. To prevent escapes of this sort we should recommend that the bandages be examined every ten days until the latter end of August. After this, worms of the second brood only will be found, and since these remain in the laryal state until the following spring, the bands subsequently might be examined at leisure. As to the material to be used for bandaging we have found old sacking, (which ean often be obtained at trifling cost), to answer a very good purpose, cut into strips from six to eight inches wide, and long enough to go two or three times around the tree, and tied in the middle with a piece of stout twine. Strips of old carpet or cloth where they can be obtained, would, of course, prove equally good. In the excellent report of the Michigan Pomological Society, for 1873, we find that much interest is being excited throughout that State in reference to the codling moth, and many practical discussions are reported on the best means of fighting it, all however, agreeing in recommending the use of bandages. One apple grower recommends a bandage of common brown paper tied around the tree with a string ; another while reeommend- ing the paper thinks the string too much trouble, and advises the use of a tack to fasten the end of the bandage with. One advantage claimed for this material for bandaging is that birds 48 eS ae readily find the hiding places of the larva, pierce through the thin covering and capture the worms, thus employing the efficient aid of our feathered friends in this useful work. One gentleman is reported to take no trouble to remove his paper bandages, merely securing them to the tree and allowing the birds to do the capturing, replacing the paper only when it is torn to shreds. Another prefers to use bands of cloth four inches wide, fastening the end with a tack, he usually finds all the worms by simply turning the edges of the cloth up and down without taking off the band. Still another thinks all strings and tacks a bother, and fastens the bandage quite securely by merely tucking the end under. With reference to the economy of paper bandages, Mr. Riley in his fifth annual report, thus writes, ‘common straw paper 18 x 30 can be bought for 60 cents per bundle. Each bundle contains 240 sheets, and each sheet folded lengthwise thrice upon itself, will give us eight layers between two and three inches wide, and be of sufficient length to encircle most ordinary trees. It is easily drawn around the tree and fastened with a tack, and so cheap that when the time comes to destroy the worms, the bandages containing them may be detached, piled in a heap and burned, and new ones attached in their place. If eight bandages are used = each tree during the season the cost will be just two cents per tree.” ig. 36. Fig. 87. = Wier’s shingle trap, (see Figs. 36 and 37, 36, the trap closed, 37, the same opened), () has also been recommended, it is made f/f). usually of three pieces of old shingle about * a foot long, and from four to six inches wide, fastened together and then nailed or screwed to the tree. In arranging the pieces the narrower ones should be placed next to the tree ; it is also recommended to put a few bits of straw between the i shingles so as to keep them slightly apart, 4 experience, however, teaches that this g trap is not so efficient or convenient as either of the bandages already referred to. Brizr SUMMARY. While all other available means tending to the lessening of the numbers of the codling moth worms should be unhesitatingly employed, the chief reliance should be placed on the bandages, use strips of cloth, old carpet or sacking where these can be had, but if these materials are not readily procurable use paper or cotton. Bandages should be from four to eight inches wide and either fastened with a string or with a tack at the end, and will be all the better if long enough to go twice around the tree ; they should be fastened about half way up the trunk of the tree some time during the latter part of June, and be examined eyery ten days from the first of July until the last of August and at least once after the crop is secured. Care must be taken in unwinding the bandages to prevent the worms from escaping by drop- ping to the ground, which they readily do when their cocoons are thus torn asunder, A common clothes wringer, to pass the bandages through, is one of the readiest and surest methods of destroying the worms; and in this way the bandages can be rapidly handled and re-applied. Be careful to scrape the rough bark off old trees so that the worms may not find suitable hiding places either in descending or ascending the trunk until they reach the band- age ; attend to these instructions regularly and thoroughly, and try and induce all your neigh- bours to follow your example and rest assured that good results will attend united effort. PARASITES RECENTLY DISCOVERED, 4% To Mr. Riley, of St. “Louis, belongs the honour of being the first to discover true para- sites affecting the codling moth worm, descriptions of which are given in his Fifth Annual Report (873). ‘“ Both of them are Ichneumon flies and the first may be called 49 “THe Rina-Leaaep Primera (Pimpla annulipes, BR). Fig. 38. “ This is ablack fly, varying considerably in size, the female sometimes measuring but 4, at others fully $ inch exclusive of ovipositor ; the male somewhat smaller. The genus Pimpla was briefly characterized in my last report, p. 43, where it was shown that this same species attacks the walnut care bearer ( Acrobasis juglandis, LEB). I annex a lateral ottline of a female Pimpla, Fig. 38, the male has a more slender abdomen which is unarmed. “PIMPLA ANNULIPES is black: the abdomen rough punctured above, with the borders of the joints polished and 1A inclined to brown. The tegule are white, and the legs are *\ reddish, with the exception of the middle and hind tibia, Ss ) which are dusky—especially the hind pair—and have a broad ‘white annulus, sometimes indistinct on the middle pair. The posterior tarsi are dusky, especially at tip. The palpi are pale yellow. Cresson says it may be distinguished from the other species of the genus, by the seutellum being black, the tegule white, aud the antericr cox yellowish red. “This fly eats its way through the chrysalis and the cocoon of the Codling Moth, with- out haying previously made any cocoon of its own. It was quite abundant last summer as from one lot of Carpocapsa cocoons, I obtained 21 parasites—all of them females but one. It is a widely distributed and common species. The second parasite may be called the “DELIcATE Lona-stine (Macrocentrus delicatus, CRES). “Tt has recently been described by Mr. E. T. Cresson (Zrans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv., p. 178), and is a somewhat variable species, occurring throughout the Hastern, Middle and Western, States, and in Mexico. I subjoin a description drawn up from my bred specimens. Fie. 89. “Male. Length 0°25; expanse 0°45 ; inch. Slender, colour pale, polished, honey yellow ; uniformly and sparsely pubescent ; tinged with brown superiorly, the basal joint of abdomen and a medio-dorsal line on the other joints being quite brown. //ead, with the eyes (except at dise), and a spot between ocelli, brown-black ; palpi long and almost white ; antenng one-fourth longer than the whole body, about 48 joints, ex- clusive of bulbus, curled at tip, the ends of basal joints and the whole of joints dusky. horas, with the sutures well defined, and two small triangular black spots behind front tegule, the metathorax strongly trilobed ; legs very long, pale honey yellow, with tips of tibiae and tarsi faintly dusky ; wings yellowish, hyaline and iridescent, with the veins luteous, and the stigma pale honey yellow. “Female. Rather larger and with the abdomen somewhat paler, otherwise similarly marked. Ovipositor yellow, } longer than body, the sheaths quite pilose, and inclining to fus- scou. Described from 2 females and 1 male. “Tt is a graceful fly with very long an- tenn and legs, and the female with a long ovipositor Fig. 39, ‘(the hair lines at the side of the figure show the natural size of the fly).” The colour is pale honey yellow inclining to brown above. The unfortunate apple-worm is probably pierced while yet in the fruit, as it always succumbs soon after forming its cocoon, E 50 and before changing to chrysalis ; while in the case of Pimpla, it is probably attacked either while leaying the fruit or after having spun its cocoon. The larva of the Delicate Long-sting forms, for itself, within the cocoon of its victim, a sufficiently tough, thin, oblong-oval, shiny, brown cocoon from which the perfect fly issues by cutting open a lid at one end. “ As both these parasites transform within the Carpocapsa cocoon, it is next to impossible and quite impracticable, to separate friend from foe in removing and destroying the contents of the bandages. But where itis desired to disseminate the parasites they may be bred by enclos- ing large numbers of Campocapsa cocoons in some tight vessel.” On the 13th of August, 1873, we took a number of chrysalides of the Codling Moth under a bandage on an apple tree and among them there was one which was infested by Icheu- mons. The chrysalis when emptied was found to contain six of the parasitic larvae of which the following description was taken. Length a little over one-tenth of an inch, body tapering almost to a point towards the head. Colour, dull, yellowish white with a tinge of yellow along the dorsal region, very transparent the internal organs showing plainly through. On each segment is a transverse row of short whitish spines, terminal segment encircled with stouter whitish spines. No proper feet or prolegs, but in moving, the mouth-parts attach first with a sucker-like disk and the hinder portions of the body are drewn gradually forward, different portions of the under surface bring furnished with small fleshy prominences which are attached and in turn withdrawn from the surface on which the larva is moving; the principal points of attachment, however, seem to be the first and terminal segments, under the latter when viewed sideways, there appears a fleshy projection much larger than any of those on the other segments, and this projection expands into a flattened disk which holds the larva firmly to the place of attachment. We did not succeed in rearing these larve ; after the chrysalis which contained them was broken open they, one after another died in spite of all our efforts towards their preserva- tion. Whether this would have proved distinct from the species last described by Mr. Riley, and thus made a third true parasite on this pest we are unable at present to determine. THE PEAR TREE Siva. Selandria Cerasi. Peck. In the year 1790 Prof. Peck wrote a pamphlet entitled “‘ Natural History of the Slug Worm,” which was;printed in Boston the same year by order of the Massachusetts Agricul- tural Society, and which obtained the Society’s premium of fifty dollars and a gold medal. This, as far as we have been able to learn, was the first published record relating to the ravages of this insect in America. Forty-two years later (in 1841) Dr. Harris published his valuable treatise “On some of the insects injurious to vegetation in Massachusetts,’ in which when treating of this insect he gives the substance of Prof. Peck’s remarks in a condensed form, por- tions of which material we shall avail ourselves of without further acknowledgement. ‘Although seventy-five years have passed since Prof. Peck’s memoir was written, but very little has been added during the interval to our common stock of knowledge in reference to this pest. In the meantime, however, it has spread oyer the whole country, damaging more or less seriously the foliage of our pear, cherry, quince and plum trees every year. These insects pass the winter in the chrysulis state, the parent flies, the progenitors of the mischievous brood of slugs, appearing on the wing from about the third week in May until Fig 40. the middle of June. ‘The fly (See Fig. 40) “ is of a glossy black colour, ex- cepting the first two pairs of legs, which are dirty yellow or clay coloured with blackish thighs, and the hind legs which are dull black with clay coloured knees. The wings are somewhat convex and rumpled or uneven on the up- per side like the wings of the saw flies generally. They are transparent, re- flecting the colours of the rainbow, and have a smoky tinge forming a cloud or broad band across the middle of the first pair ; the veins are brownish. The body of the female measures more than one-fifth of an inch in length, that of the male is smaller.” arly in June these flies may be found resting in the early morning, or in the cool of the evening, on the upper or under side of the leaves of pear, cherry or plum trees, some seasons they are very plentiful, while at other times but few are met with. When jarring our plum trees for curculios at this season we usually find some on the sheets after jarring, they fall to the ground very 51 —<————S much like the curculio does, and remain for a short time motionless ; their structure, how- ever, is not such as will permit of their disguising themselves as thoroughly as the “little turk” does, and hence they are easily detected. During the past season these flies were very _numerous during the early part of June, and their progeny was destructive in a correspond- ing degree later in the summer. After pairing the female places her eggs singly within little semicircular incisions through the skin of the leaf, which is frequently followed by some discolouration at the point of inser- tion. Harris says that the eggs are generally placed on the lower side of the leayes, whereas in our experience we have found them quite as often on the upper side. According to the same author the flies all finish this business of egg depositing and disappear within the space of three weeks. “ The flies have net the timidity of many other inscets, and are not easily dis- turbed while laying their eggs. On the fourteenth day afterwards the eggs begin to hatch, and the young slug worms (see those on leaf in Fig. 41) continue to come forth from the fifth of June to the 20th of July, according as the flies have appeared early or late in the spring.” Fig. 41. “At first the slugs are white; but a slimy = % matter soon oozes out of their skin, and covers .{/%\ their backs with an olive-coloured sticky coat. They Me have twenty very short legs, or a pair under each segment of the body excepting the fourth and the last. When fully grown (See a Fig. 41) they are ——_ = about nine-twentieths of an inch in length. The head which is of a dark chestnut colour is small,and is entirely concealed under the fore part of the body. They are largest before, and taper behind, and in form somewhat resemble minute tadpoles. They have the faculty of swelling out the fore part of the body, and generally rest with the tail a little turned up. These disgusting slugs live mostly on the upper side of the leaves of the pear and cherry trees, and eat away the substance thereof, leaving only the veins and the skin beneath untouched. Sometimes twenty or thirty of them may be seen on a single leaf ; and in the year 1797 they were so abundant in some parts of Massachusetts that small trees were covered with them, and the foliage entirely destroyed, and even the air by passing through the trees, became charged with a very disagreeable and sickening odour, given out by these slimy creatures. The trees attacked by them are forced to throw out new leaves, during the heat of the summer, at the ends of the twigs and branches, and this unseasonable foliage which should not have appeared until the next spring, exhausts the vigour of the trees, and cuts off the prospect of fruit.” “ The slug worms come to their growth in twenty-six days, during which period they cast their skins five times. Frequently as soon as the skin is shed, they are seen feeding upon it ; but they never touch the last coat which remains stretched out upon the leaf. After this is cast off, they no longer retain their slimy appearance and olive colour, but have a clean yellow skin, entirely free from vicidity. They change also in form and become proportion- ally longer, and their head and the marks between the rings are plainly to be seen. In a few hours after this change they leave the trees, and, having crept or fallen to the ground, they burrow to the depth of from one inch to three or four inches, according to the nature of the soil. Py moving their body the earth around them becomes pressed equally on all sides, and an oblong, oval cavity is thus formed, and is afterwards lined with a sticky glossy substance, to which the grains of earth closely adhere. Within these little earthen cells or cocoons the change to chrysalids takes place, and in sixteen days after the descent of the slug worms, finish their transformations, break open their cells, and crawl to the surface of the ground, where they appear in the fly form. These flies usually come forth between the middle of July and the 1st of August, and lay their eggs for a second brood of slug-worms. The latter come to their growth and go into the ground in September and October, and remain there till the fol- lowing spring, when they are changed to flies and Jeave their winter quarters. It seems that all of them, however, do not finish their transformation at this time; some are found to re- main unchanged in the ground till the following year ; so that ifall the slugs of the first hatch in any one year should happen to be destroyed, enough from a former brood would still re- main in the earth to continue the species.”’ “The disgusting appearance and smell of these slug-worms do not protect them from the attacks of various enemies. Mice and other burrowing animals destroy many of them in their cocoons, and it is probable that birds also prey upon them when on the trees both in the « 52 slug and winged state. Professor Peck has described a minute ichneumon fly, stated by Mr. Westwood to be a species of Encyrtus, that stings the eggs of the slug fly, and deposits in each one a single egg of her own. From this in due time a little maggot is hatched, which lives in the shell of the slug-fly’s egg, devours the contents, and afterwards is changed to a chrysalis, and then to a fly like its parents. Professor Peck found that great numbers of the eges of the slug-fiy, especially of the second hatch, were rendered abortive by this atom of ex- istence. Sand, ashes, lime-and hellebore have been recommended as remedies for this pest but the last mentioned is by far the most reliable. In 1870 we tried some experiments with these rem- edies, and reported in the CANADIAN Enromo toaisr for September of that year, as follows :— > THe PrarR TREE SLUG. This disgusting little larva, the progeny of a little blackish sawfly, has been very abun- dant during the past season and has been the subject of some notes and experiments. In the first place we noted that there were two broods in the season. The parents of the first brood, which pass the winter in the chrysalis state, appear on the wing about the second or third week in May, depositing eggs from which the slugs are hatched, becoming full grown from the middle to the end of June, then entering the chrysalis state underground ; the second brood of the flies make their appearance late in July. This year we noticed them at work depositing egos on the 21st, the young slugs were abundant and about a quarter of an inch long on the eighth of August. and by the sixth of September many of them were full-grown. With us they were much more destructive to cherry trees than to pear, consuming the upper surface of the leaves, soon giving the trees a scorched and sickly aspect, and in many cases the foliage fell off, leaving the trees almost bare. As soon as the slugs were observed at work in Spring, they weretreated to a plentiful supply of dry sand, thrown up into the higher branches with a shovel, and shaken oyer the lower ones through a sieve, which stuck thickly to their slimy skins, completely covering them up. Thinking we must have mastered them by so free a use of this long trusted remedy, we took no further heed of them for some days, when to our surprise, they were found as numerous as ever. The next step was to test this sand remedy accurately to see what virtue there was in it. Several small branches of pear trees were selected and marked, on which there were six slugs, and these were well powdered over—entirely covered with dry sand ; on examining them the next morning it was found that they had shed the sand-coyered skin and crawled out free and slimy again. The sand was applied a second and third time on the same insects with similar resalts; and now being convinced that this remedy was of little value, they were treated to a dos of hellebore and water, which soon finished them. Ashes were now tried on another lot, the same way as the sand had been, with very similar results. It was also intended to try fresh air slacked-lime, which we believe would be effectual, but having none on hand just then, the experiment was postponed, and the opportunity of testing it lost for the season. We must not omit mention of an experiment with hellebore. On the 13th of August, at eight a.m., a branch ofa cherry tree was plucked, on which tkere were sixty-four slugs ; the branch had only nine leaves, so that it may be readily imagined that they were thickly inhabited. A dose of hellebore and water was showered on them about the usual strength, an ounce to the pailful, when they soon manifested symptoms of uneasiness, twisting and jerking about in a eurious manner; many died during the day, and only six poor, sickly-looking specimens remained alive the following morning, and these soon after died, During the past season these slug worms have been unusually abundant on our pear trees, in many cases destroying the foliage so thoroughly that they looked asif they had been seorched by a fire, every leaf in some instances dropping from the trees, so that for a time they were bare as in mid-winter. Nearly a thousand trees in the young pear orchards of the writer suffered severely, During the latter part of June and the early days of July we had ne opportunity of inspecting these trees, and when we visited them on the 7th of July they were so much injured that we thought they could not be much worse, and as the slugs were then full-grown and fast disappearing and the application of a remedy to so many trees a matter of much labour nothing was attempted to remedy the evil then. It was observed that some trees were remarkably exempt from the attacks of these slugs Clapp’s favourite deserves to be especially mentioned on this account, its thick glossy leaves 53 seemed to be uninviting, and when all around were seared, and browned, and withered trees of this variety wherever found were covered with a foliage rendered doubtly attractive and beautiful by the waste and dismal appearance of those about them. The following notes were taken at the time in reference to the relative damage inflicted on the different varieties of pear trees in those portions of the orchards most injured. Beurre Giffard most of the trees slightly, a few badly damaged. Ananas d’Ete, but slightly injured. Beurre d’Amanlis, same as Beurre Giffard. Beurre Goubault, entirely stripped. Brandywine, some stripped, others but little affected in the same row. Doyenne d’Ete, badly injured. Bartlett suffered very much, nearly all the trees being stripped. Edmunds injured badly, but not so much as Bartlett. Souvenir de Congress, nearly stripped. Kirtland, Dwarfs, not much affected. Standards, badly injured. Leech’s Kingsessing, scarcely touched. Osbands Summer, badly damaged, not a leaf left on many of the trees. Rostiezer, some very badly injured, others not so much. Dearborns Seedling, nearly stripped. Tyson, badly affected. Ott’s Seedling, not much injured. Marechale de la Cour, nearly free. Beurre de Montgeron, Frederica Bremer, Abbott and Fleur de Niege, scarcely touched. Beurre Diel, some few trees very much in jured, others not so badly. Gansel’s Bergamot, stripped. Buffum and Beurre Superfin, scarcely injured. Sheldon, injured, but not badly. Beurre de Waterloo, scarcely touched. Beurre Amande, singularly free. Beurre St. Nicholas, Oswego Beurre and Golden Beurre, not much injured. Beurre de Paimpool, nearly stripped. It was intended to go over all the other varieties in a similar manner, but opportunity did not offer. In the course of another fortnight new leaves began to push out vigorously on the defoliated trees and within a month or six weeks all was green again, In the meantime these mischief makers were preparing for a second descent, and we in turn were preparing to receive them ; on the 29th of July, when going through the orchards in the afternoon, the new brood of flies were found in the greatest abundance, resting on the young leaves, or on those portions of green which still remained on the leaves partially eaten by the last brood, they were congregated, however, more especially on those trees where green leaves were most abundant. On disturbing them they would fall to the ground with the antennx bent under their bodies, and the head bent forward. On half a dozen trees we caught about 60 specimens, and might have taken hundreds, they were so thickly spread that in many instances there were two and three ona single leaf. By the last week in August, the second brood of slugs were hatched ; some very tiny creatures, others by this time half grown. Now, those trees which had previously escaped were all more or less covered, and would no doubt soon have been stripped, nad not some measures been at once taken to destroy them. A raised platform was rigged up in a one horse cart in which was placed a barrel of water in which a pound of powdered hellebore had been mixed, and from the elevated stand this mixture was showered lightly on the trees from the rose of a watering pot. It was astonishing how quickly the trees were cleaned scarcely one could be found on a tree the morning after the application had been made, and ten pounds of hellebore with five or six days work of man and horse served to go over the whole ground, the work being com- pleted in much less time than we had supposed it could. 54 THE GRAPE VINE PHYLLOXERA. (Phylloxera vastutriz, PLANCHON.) CoMPILED BY THE Rey. C. J. S. Beruune, M.A. With the exception of the Colorado Potato Beetle, and the Locust of the Western States, of which we have given an account in another article, there is probably no insect that attracts more general attention at the present time than the destructive Grape-Vine Phylloxera (P. vastatrix, Planchon). To us in Canada it is but little known, but as its ravages may spread over our own vineyards at any time, and as it must be an object of interest to all vinegrowers, we think it proper to present to the readers of this Report an account of the insect and such other parti- culars as we are enabled to gather together. The fact of the rare occurrence of the insect in this country, and the consequent difficulties in the way of its study, is a sufficient reason, we trust, why we should offer a compilation from the writings of others, rather than attempt any original remarks of our own. Our quotations, unless otherwise specified, will be taken from the admirable paper on the Phylloxera, by our valued friend, Professor C. V. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, contained in his last Report (Stati Annual Report on the Insects of Missouri, 1874, pages 30-87.) The estimation in which Mr. Riley’s work in this respect is held in the great vine-growing countries of Europe, may be judged from the fact that, in the month of February last, he was presented with a very handsome gold medal by the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce of France, “ in appreciation of his discoveries in Economic Entomology, and especially of his services rendered to French grape culture.” Though one form of the insect, the gall-inhabiting type, was noticed by Dr. Fitch, State Entomologist of New York, as long ago as 1856, very little attention was paid to it for some years. At length the serious disease of the grape-vine began to attract attention in France, and to cause so much alarm, that the authorities offered a prize of 20,000 franes for an effec- tual and practicable remedy. The disease was at first termed powrridie, or rotting —the roots becoming swollen and bloated, and finally wasting away. There were no end of surmises and theories as to cause, until Professor J. H. Planchon, of Montpellier, in July, 1868, announced that it was due to the puncture of a minute insect belonging to the plart-louse family (Aphi- didw), and bearing aclose resemblance to our gall-louse.” The following January, Professor Westwood, of Oxford, England, announced that he considered both the gall and root-inhabit- ing types to b> different forms of the same insect. Shortly after a French writer gave it as his opinion that the European insect was identical with the American species long before de- seribed by Dr. Fitch. “This opinion,” says Mr. Riley, “ gave an additional interest to this insect, and I succeeded, in 1870, in establishing the identity of the French gall-insect with ours. During the same year I also established the identity of the gall and root-inhabiting types, by showing that in the fall of the year the last brood of gall-lice betake themselves to the roots and hibernate thereon. In 1871, I visited France and studied their insect in the field; and in the fall of that year, after making more extended observations here, I was able to give absolute proof of the identity of the two insects, and to make other discoveries, which not only interested our friends abroad, but were of vital importance to our own grape- growers, especially in the Mississippi Valley. Ihave given every reason to believe that the failure in the European vine, (Vitis vinifera), when planted here, the partial failure of many hybrids with the European vinifera, and the deterioration and death of many of the more tender-rooted native varieties, are mainly owing to the injurious work of this insidious little root-louse. It 55 \ had been at its destructive work for years, producing injury the true cause of which was never suspected until the publication of the article in my fourth Report. I also showed that some of our native varieties enjoyed relative immunity from the insects’ attacks, and urged their use for stocks, as a means of re-establishing the blighted vineyards of Southern France.” “ The disease continued to spread in Europe, and became so calamitous in the last- named country that the French Academy of Sciences appointed a standing Phylloxera Com- mittee. It is also attracting some attention in Portugal, Austria and Germany, and even in England, where it affects hot-house grapes.” Narvurat History or THE INSECT. The genus Phylloxera is characterized by having three-jointed antenne, the third or terminal being much the longest, and by carrying its wings overlapping, flat on the back in- stead of roof-fashion, It belongs to the sub-order of whole-winged bugs (Homoptera), and forms a connecting link between two of its great families, the Plant-lice(Aphidide) on the one hand, and the Bark-lice (Coccidw) on the other. It is generally considered, however, to pertain to the former family, though some naturalists, with the not uncommon love of intro- ducing new names and minute classifications, have desired to found a new family for this special insect. Not the least interesting feature in the economy of the Phylloxera is the different phases or forms under which it presents itself. Among these forms are two constant types which have led many to suppose that we have to do with two species. The one type, which for convenience Mr. Riley terms ga/lecola, lives in galls on the leaves; the other which he calls radicicola, lives on swellings of the roots. They may be tabulated thus :— Typel. Gallecola (see Figure 43, f, g, h), Type 2. Radicicola. A, Degraded or wingless form (see Figure 44, ¢, f, g.) B, Perfect or winged form (see Figure 45, g, h.) “Type GALLEHCOLA OR GALL-INHABITING.—The gall or excrescence produced by this inseet is simply a fleshy swelling of the under side of the leaf, more or less wrinkled and hairy, with a corresponding depression of the upper side, the margin of the cup being fuzzy, and drawn together so as to form a fimbriated mouth. It is usually cup-shaped, but some- times greatly elongated or purse-shaped. Soon after the first vine-leaves that put out in the spring have fully expanded, a few Fig. 42. scattering galls may be found, mostly on the lower leaves, nearest the ground. These ver- nal galls are usually large, (of the size of an ordi- nary pea), and tne normal green is often blushed with rose where exposed to the light of the sun. On carefully opening one o° them (Fig. 43, d) we shall find the mother-louse diligently at work surrounding herself with pale-yellow eggs of an ? elongate oval form, scarcely .01 inch long, and not quite half as thick (Fig. 43, ¢). She is about .04 inch long, generally spherical in shape, of a dull orange colour, and looks not unlike an immature seed of the common purslane. At times, by the elongation of the abdomen, the shape assumes, more or less perfectly, the pyri- form. Her members are all dusky, and so short compared to her swollen body, that she appears very clumsy, and undoubtedly would be out- Under side of Leaf covered with Galls. side of her gall, which she never has occasion to quit, and which serves her alike as dwelling-house and coffin. More carefully examined, her skin is seen to be shagreened or minutely granulated and furnished with rows of minute hairs, The eggs begin to hatch when six or eight days old into active re ay hg #3 56 little oval, hexapod beings, which differ from their mother in their bright yellow colour and more perfect legs and antenne, the tarsi being furnished with long, pliant hairs, terminating in a more or less distinct globule. In hatching, the eggs split longitudinally from the anterior end, and the young louse whose pale yellow is in strong contrast with the more dusky colour of the ege-shell, escapes in the course of two minutes. Issuing from the mouth of the gall, these young lice scatter over the vine, most of them finding their way to the tender terminal leaves, where they settle in the downy bed which the tomentose nature of these leaves affords, and commence pumping up and appropriat- ing the sap. The tongue-sheath is blunt and heavy, but the tongue proper—consisting of three brown, elastic and wiry filaments, which, united, make so fine a thread as scarcely to be visible with the strongest microscope—is sharp, and easily run under the parenchyma of the Fig. 43. leaf. Its puncture causes a curious change - in the tissues of the leaf, the growth being so stimulated that the under side bulges and thickens, while the down on the upper side increases in a circle around the louse, and finally hides and covers it as it recedes more and more within the deepening cavity. Sometimes the lice are so crowded that two occupy the samé gall. If, from the prema- ture death of the louse, or other cause, the gall becomes abortive before being com- pleted, then the circle of thickened down or fuzz enlarges with the expansion of the leaf, and remains (Fig. 43, ¢) to tell the tale of the futile effort. Otherwise, in a few days the gall is formed, and the inheld louse, which, while eating its way into TyPE GALL&COLA :—a, b, newly-hatched larva, ventral and dorsal house and home, was also growing apace, view 5 tHE ih woton of all ellie of tend: % begins a parthenogenetic maternity by the na ;j, her two jointed tarsus. Natural sizes indicated at sides. depc sition of the fertile eggs, as her imme- diate parent had done before. She increases in bulk with pregnancy, and one egg follows another in quick succession, until the gall is crowded. The mother dies and shrivels, and the young, as they hatch, issue and found new galls. This process continues during the summer until the fifth or sixth generation. Every egg brings forth a fertile female, which soon be- comes wonderfully prolific. The number of eges found in asingle gall averages about 200 ; yet it will sometimes reach as many as 500, and, if Dr. Shimer’s observations can be relied on, it may even reach 5,000. I have never found any such number myself; but, even supposing there are but five generations during the year, and taking the lowest of the above figures, the immense prolificacy of the species becomes manifest. As summer advances they frequently completely cover the leaves with their galls, and settle on the tendrils, leaf-stalks and tender branches, where they also form knots and rounded exerescences (Fig. 43, e) much resembling those on the roots. In such a case, the vine loses its leayes prematurely, usually, however, the natural enemies of the louse seriously reduce its numbers by the time the vine ceases its erowth in the fall, and the few remaining lice, finding no more succulent and suitable leaves, seek the roots. Thus by the end of September, the galls are mostly deserted, and those which are left are almost always infested with mildew, and eventually turn brown and deeay. On the roots the young lice attach themselves singly or in little groups and thus hibernate. The male louse has never been seen, nor does the female ever acquire wings. Indeed, too much stress cannot be laid on the fact that Gallecola occurs only as an agamic and apterous female form. It is but a transient summer state, not at all essential to the perpetuation of the species, and does, compared with the other type, but trifling damage. It has been found occasionally by Mr. Riley on all species of the grape-vine (vinifera, riparia, estivalis and Labrusca) cultivated in the Hastern and Middle States, and on the wild cordifolia ; but it flourishes only on the river-bank grape (riparia), and more especially on the Clinton and Taylor, with their close allies. Thus while legions of the root-inhabiting type (radicicola) are overrunning and devasting the vineyards of France, this one is almost unknown there except on such American varieties as it infests with us.”’ “Type RADIOIOOLA OR RooT-INHABITING.— We have seen that, in all probability, gallecola exists only in the apterous, shagreened, non-tubercled, fecund female from. Hadici- cola, however, presents itself in two principal forms. The newly-hatched larve of this type are undistinguishable, in all essential characters, from those hatched in the galls, but in due time they shed the smooth larval skin, and acquire raised warts or tubercles ; which at once distinguish them from gallw- cola. In the development from this point the two forms are separable with sufficient ease: one (A) of a more dingy greenish yellow, with more swollen fore-body, and more tapering abdomen ; the other (B) of a brighter yellow, with the lateral outline more perfectly oval, and with the abdomen more truncated at tip.” * “The first or mother form (Fig. 44, f, 7,) is the analogue of gallecola, as it never ac- Type Rapicicona.—a, roots of Clinton vine, showing relation quires wines, and 18 occupied, from ado- SB pee eg cae en Ls Cae oleae gta same ¥ e, th q forms of more mature tee 3 h, pear ataene of are 5 which are less numerous and somewhat larger i, tubercle : j, transverse folds at borders of joints ; k, simple eyes. than those found in the galls, T have counted in the spring as many as two hundred and sixty-five eges in a cluster, and all evidently from one mother, who was yet very plump and still occupied in laying. As a rule, however, they are less numerous. With pregnancy this form becomes quite tumid and more or less pyri- form, and is content to remain with scarcely any motion in the more secluded parts of the roots, such as the creases, sutures and depressions, which the knots afford. The skin is dis- tinctly shagreened (Fig. 44, h,) as in gallecola. The warts, though usually quite visible with a good lens, are at other times more or less obsolete, especially on the abdomen. The eyes, which were quite perfect in the Iarva, become more simple with each moult, until they consist, as in gallacola, of but triple eyelets (Fig. 44, /,) and, in the general structure, this form becomes more degraded with maturity, wherein it shows the affinity of the species to the Coccidw, the females of which, as they mature, generally lose all trace of the members they possessed when born.” «The second or more oval form(Fig. 44, ¢,) is destined to become winged. Its tubercles when once acquired, are always conspicuous ; it is more active than the other, and its eyes inerease rather than diminish in complexity with age. From the time it is one-third grown the little dusky wing-pads may be discovered, though less conspicuously than in the pupa state, which is soon after assumed. The pupze (Fig- 45, e, f,) are still more active, and after feeding a short time, they make their way to the light of day, crawl over the ground and over the vines, and finally shed their last skin and assume the winged state. In their last moult the tubercled skin splits on the back, and is soon worked off, the body in the winged insect having neither tubercles nor granulations.” «The winged insects are most abundant in August and September, but may be found as early as the first of July, and until the vines cease growing in the fall. The majority of them are females, with the abdomen large and more or less elongate. From two to five eggs may invariably be found in the abdomen of these, and are easily seen when the insect is held up to the light, or mounted in balsam or glycerine.”’ *¢ As fall advances the winged individuals become more and more scarce, and as winter sets in only eggs, newly-hatched larve, and a few apterous egg-bearing mothers, are seen. These last die and disappear during the winter, which is mostly passed in the larva state, with here and there afeweggs. The larve thus hibernating (Fig. 44, }) become dingy, with the body and limbs more shagreened and the claws less perfect than when first hatched ; and, of thousands examined, all bear the same appearance, and all are furnished with strong * “Tt is not to be understood, in making these distinctions, that these differences of form are so constant that they can always be relied on ; for the form of the body varies, so that_the wingless mother may present the more perfect oval of that destined to become winged.” 58 suckers. As soon as the ground thaws and the sap starts in the spring, these young lice work off their winter coat, and, growing apace, commence to deposit eggs. All, without ex- ’ ception, become mothers, and assume the degraded form (A) already described. Fie. 45. idiidbives—s ATT ee) rh Typr RapicicoLa :—a, shows a healthy root ; 6, one on which the lice are working, re- presenting the knots and swellings caused by their punctures ; c, a root that has been deserted by them, und where the rootlets have commenced to decay ; d, d, d, show how the lice are found on the larger roots ; ¢, female pupa, dorsal view ; f, same, ventral view ; g, winged female, dorsal view ; , same, ventral view ; 7, magnified antenna of winged insect ; 7, side view of the wingless female, laying eggs on roots ; k, shows how the punctures of the lice cause the larger roots to rot. “ At this season of the year, with the exuberant juices of the plant, the swellings on the roots are large and succulent, and the lice plump to repletion. One generation of the mother form (A) follows another—fertility increasing with the increasing heat aud luxuriance of summer—until at last the third or fourth has been reached before the winged form (8) makes its appearance in the latter part of June or early in July. Such are the main fea- tures which the development of the insect presents, to one who has studied it in the field as well as in the closet. “Since I proved, in 1870 (adds Mr. Riley), the absolute identity of these two types by showing that the gall-lice become root-lice, the fact has been repeatedly substantiated by dif- ferent observers. Yet, strange to say, no one has heretofore succeeded in making gall-lice of the young hatched on the roots, though I formerly supposed that Signoret had done so. It is, therefore, with much satisfaction that I record the fact of having succeeded this winter in ob- taining galls on a young Clinton vine from young radicicola, and of thus establishing beyond 59 peradventure, the specific interrelation and identity of the two types. I make this announce- ment with all the more pleasure, that for three years past, both on vines growing out-doors and in pots in-doors, I had in vain attempted to obtain the same result.” PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. “THE MORE MANIFEST AND EXTERNAL EFrEc?s OF THE PHYLLOXERA DISEASE. —-The result which follows the puncture of the root-louse is an abnormal swelling, different in form, according to the particular part and texture of the root. These swellings, which are .generally commenced at the tips of the rootlets, where there is excess of plasmatie and albu- minous matter, eventually rot, and the lice forsake them and betake themselves to fresh ones —the living tissue being necessary to the existence of this as of all plant-lice. The decay affects the parts adjacent to the swellings, and on the more fibrous roots cuts off the supply of sap to all partsbeyond. As these last decompose, the lice congregate on the larger ones, until at last the root system literally wastes away.” “ During the first year of attack there are scarcely any outward manifestations of disease, though the fibrous roots, if examined, will be found covered with nodosities, particularly in the latter part of the growing season. The disease is then in its incipient stage. The second year all these fibrous roots vanish, and the lice not only prevent the formation of new ones, but, as just stated, settle on tke larger roots, which they injure by causing hypertrophy of the parts punctured, which also eventually become disorganized and rot. At this stage the out- ward symptoms of the disease first become manifest, in a sickly, yellowish appearance of the leaf and a reduced growth of cane. As the roots continue to decay, these symptoms become more acute, until by about the third year the vine dies. Such is the course of the malady on vines of the species vinifera, when circumstances are favcurable to the increase of the pest. When the vine is about dying, it is generally impossible to discover the cause of the death, the lice which had been so numerous the first and second years of invasion, having left for fresh pasturage.”” Mope or SpreapING.—The gall-lice can only spread by travelling, when newly-hatched from one vine to another ; and, if this slow mode of progression were the only one which the species is capable of, the disease would be comparatively harmless. The root-lice, however not only travel under-ground along the interlocking roots of adjacent vines, but crawl actively over the surface of the ground, or wing their way from vine to vine and from vineyard to vineyard. Doubts have been repeatedly expressed by European writers as to the power of such a delicate and frail-winged fly to traverse the air to any great distance. On the 27th of September, 1873, the weather being quite warm and summer-like, with much moisture in the atmosphere, Mr. Riley witnessed the insect’s power of flight. Some two hundred winged individuals, that he had confined, became very restless and active, vigorously vibrating their wings and beating about their glass cages. Upon opening the cages, the lice began to dart away and were out of sight in a twinkle. They have been caught in spider-webs in Europe, and captured by Mr. Riley on sheets of paper prepared with bird-lime and suspended in an infested vineyard ; it is clear, then, that they can sustain flight for a considerable time under favourable conditions, and with the assistance of the wind, they may be wafted to great dis- tances. These winged femalesare much more numerous in the fall of the year than has been supposed by Entomologists. Wherever they settle, the few eggs which each carries are suffi- cient to perpetuate the species, which, in the fullest sense, may be called contagious. “ SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DIFFERENT VINES TO THE DIsEAsE.—As a means of coping with the Phylloxera disease, a knowledge of the relative susceptibility of different varieties to the attacks and injuries of the insect is of paramount importance. As is so frequently the case with injurious insects, and as we haye a notable instance ia the common Currant Aphis (Aphis Ribesii ), which badly affects the leaves of some of the Currants, but never touenes the Gooseberry which belongs to the same genus.. The Phylloxera shows a preference for and thrives best on certain species, and even discriminates between varieties ; or, what amounts to the same thing, practically, some varieties resist its attacks and enjoy a relative immunity from its injuries. It would be useless, and certainly unnecessary here, to attempt to ascer- tain the reason why certain vines thus enjoy exemption while others so readily succumb ; but in a broad way it may be stated that there is a relation between the susceptibility of the vine and the character of its roots—the slow-growing, more tender-wooded and consequently more tender-rooted varieties succumbing most readily ; the more vigorous powers resisting best.” 60 From Mr. Riley’s synopsis of experiments and observations we gather the following state- ment respecting the different varieties of grape:— | ; Evuropran VINE (Vitis vinifera)—Rarely subject to leaf-gall, but it generally succumbs to the attacks of root-lice after a few years. River-BAnK VINE (/’, ripwria)—The Cornucopia, Alvey and Othello suffer very little or not at all from Leaf-galls, but to a considerable extent from Koot-lice. The Clinton and Taylor are very subject to the Leaf-galls, but from the great vitality of their roots they do not succumb to the attacks of the Root-lice. The Golden Clinton and Louisiana do not suf- fer much from either. The Marion a good deal affected by the former, but little by the lat- ter. The Delaware suffers considerably from both. Summer Grape (/. estivalis)—The Cunningham, Norton’s Virginia, and Rutlander suffer not at all from the Leaf-gall, and very little from the Root-lice. ‘The Herbemont and Cynthiana suffer slightly from both. Nortuern Fox Grape (Labrusca)—The Challenge, Dracut Amber, Israella, Martha, Northern Muscadine and Wilder, are not subject to the Leaf-gall, and only slightly to the root-lice. The Diana, Goethe, Hartford, Isabella, Ives, Maxatawney, North Carolina, Re- becca and Salem are also free from the Leaf-gall, but have the Root-lice more abundant and suffer more from its attacks. The Catawba and Iona do not suffer from the Leaf-gall, but are most subject to the Root-lice The Concord has the Leaf-galls but rarely, and does not suffer much from the Root-lice ; the Creveling also is usually free trom the former, but suf- fers much more from the latter. SoutHERN Fox Grapr.—tThis species is entirely free from the Phylloxera in any form. The above enumeration is founded principally upon Mr. Riley’s observations in the cen- tral portion of Missouri ; he has also examined many of the varieties in Kansas, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. The Arnold’s hybrids, which he has examined, all suffer, he states, but some of them more than others. MeANS oF CoPpING WITH THE DiIseASE.—Grafting the more susceptible varieties on the roots of those that have a greater power of resistance, would prohably counteract the disease to a great extent. This plan is now being tried on a large scale, but it will be neces- sary to wait a year or two before any positive conclusions can be obtained. “Tn planting a new vineyard the greatest care should be taken not to introduce Phyl- loxera on the young plants, and a bath of weak lye or strong soap suds before planting will, perhaps, prove the best safeguard. Remembering that the lice are spreading over the ground from July till fall, and principally in the months of August and September, a thorough sprinkling of the surface with lime. ashes, sulphur, salt or other substance destruc- tive to insect life, will, no doubt, have a beneficial effect in reducing their numbers and pre- venting their spread. The insect has been found to thrive less and to be, therefore, less injurious in a sandy soil ; while mixture of soot with the soil has had a beneficial effect in destroying the pest. It is, therefore, recommended for the more susceptible varieties, and that they be planted in trenches first prepared with a mixture of sand and soot. An addition of lime will also prove beneficial. There is every reason to believe that vines are rendered less susceptible to the disease by a system of pruning and training that will produce long canes and give them as nearly as possible their natural growth. Naturat Enemies.—There are a number of predaceous insects which serve to keep the leaf-lice in check ; but as the injury is mostly done underground it will suffice to enu- merate the principal of these in this connection. The most efficient is a black species of Fringe-wing or Thrips with white wings (Thrips Plyllowerw). They are found in several differ- ent kinds of Phylloxera galls, and do more than any other species to keep the leaf inhabit- ing species within bounds.” The next most efficient aids in the destruction of the leaf-lice are the lace-winged flies (Chrysopa) ; the lady birds (Coccinella); certain Syrphus fly larve ; a few true bugs and other insects. The enemies known to attack the Phylloxera underground are, naturally enough, fewer innumber. In one instance, Mr. Riley relates, I have found a Scymnus larva at the work six inches below the surface, and there is a Syrphus fly, whose larva lives under-ground and feeds both on the apple-tree root-louse and on this grape root-louse. Wonderful indeed is the instinct which teaches this blind larva to penetrate the soil in search of its.prey ; for the egg must necessarily be laid at the surface. But though the underground enemies of its own class are few, I have discovered a mite which preys extensively upon this root-inhabiting type, and which renders efficient aid in keeping it in check in this country. This mite (Z'yro glyphus phyllorere, Planchon & Riley, Fig. 46,) belongs to the same genus as the cheese and meal mites, and the species which infests preserved insects, and is such a pest in cabinets, At is the rule with mites, it is born with but six legs, but acquires eight after the first or second Fie. 46. moults. It varies considerably in form, with age, and in studying it with a view of distinguishing it specifically from other described species, I have noticed all the different tarsal characters shown as d, f, gand h, (Fig. 46), and on which distinct genera have been founded. Mites pre- sent themselves in such different forms that the adolescent stages of the same species have been made to represent distinct families by authors who never studied the development of these beings. The species under consideration, when young, mostly contents itself with the , inuonnt Mtg, dora 2 vera view of Fensly altered sweets of the roots which rot from the ventral tubercles of male. punctures of Phylloxera, while when older it preys by preference on the lice themselves.” «“ Dirgor Remepies.- The leaf-lice, which do not play such an important part in the disease as was at first supposed, may be controlled with sufficient ease by a little care in de- stroying the first galls which appear, and in pruning and destroying the terminal growth of infested vines later in the season. The root-lice are not so easily reached, As the effort will be according to the exigency, we may very naturally look to France for a direct remedy, if ever one be discovered. But of all the innumerable plans, patented or non-patented, that have been proposed, of all the many substances that have been experimented with under the stimulus of a large national reward, no remedy has yet been discovered which gives entire satisfaction, or is applicable to all conditions of soil. Nor is it likely that such a remedy eyer will be discovered. “While, therefore, not very satisfactory results have followed the use of pure insecti- cides, ‘the application of fertilizers intended to invigorate the vine, and at the same time in- jure the lice, has been more productive of good. Especially has this been the case with fer- tilizers rich in potassic salts and nitrogenous compounds, such as urine. Sulphuret of potas- sium dissolved in liquid-manure ; alkaline-sulphates, with copperas and rape seed ; potassic salts, with guano ; soot and cinders are, among other applications, most favourably mentioned. Mr. Riley closes his very able Essay with the following remarks:—“ We have in the history of the Grape Phylloxera, the singular spectacle of an indigenous American insect being studied, and its workings understood in a foreign land, before its presence in its most injurious form was even suspected in its native home. The Franco-Prussian war, with all its fearful consequences to France, has passed away ; the five milliards of francs (one thous- and million dollars) have been paid as indemnity to her victors, in so short a time that the civilized world looked on in wonder and astonishment. Yet this little Phylloxera, sent over doubtless in small numbers, by some American nurseryman, a few years since, continues its devastating work, and costs that unfortunate country millions of francs annually. The last German soldier has been removed —at terrible cost it is true—from French soil, but the Phylloxera army remains; and if another five milliard francs could extirpate the last indi- vidual of this liliputian insect host from her soil, “la belle France” would be cheaply rid of the enemy. Had the world, twenty years ago, possessed the knowledge we at present have of this insect and of its dangerous power, a few francs might have originally stayed its invasion ef that great vine-growing and wine-making country. Needs there any more forcible illustra- tion of the importance of economic entomology !” In confirmation of this statement, we read in the monthly report of the Department of Agriculture (Washington, August and September, 1874), that “the Prefect of the Depart- ment of the Rhone, in France, has published a decree direeting the mayor of each Commune within his jurisdiction, upon the indication of the presence of the Phylloxera, to proceed at 62 onee to determine the limits of each local district infected by the insect. Every vine affected and all the roots within five meters are to be dug up and burned. This decisive measure has not escaped sharp criticism. To save the vine lands of the Rhone from destruction by this pest, it is now proposed to secure winter irrigation by a grand canal connected with that river. M. Dumont, Ingénieur en chef des chaussés, has developed, before a governmental commission, a scheme for the construction of such a canal, within four years, at a cost of 102,000,000 francs. This, it is supposed, will rescue from destruction over 60,000 acres of vine lands, yielding products worth 200,000,000 francs per annum and taxes amounting to 20,000,000 francs.” ay Ry z i oe “dae cam By 50 Aa a By rN to a) BLY, LNSEOTR EREPORT > 25 OF THE ENTONOLOGICAL SOcIETYE ha + PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, OF THE FOR THE YEAR 1874. Printed by order of the Legislative Assembly, @oronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1875. Tian aecat pez ee oe A tGl ay | ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO,/ FOR THE YEAR 1874. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY. BY THE REN. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M.A., Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope ; President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; WILLIAM SAUNDERS, Editor of the Entomologist ; EDMUND BAYNES REED, Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. Doronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO. 86 & 88 KING STREET WEST. 1875. \ 4) sin ne CONTENTS A. Ee American Association... .........:000- ++ 3 | Financial statement...............c000seeeeees Z Annual Address, President’s...............655 2 | RRM RLGOUINE sa, .c-ncesengerereresca’seusee 2 | G. Aphis TibGSil......0......-2-sestecereeesesteeen snes 59 | Apple borer, Hat nepdedsweeiiecdve 43) or Locusts. . 29 ME reMedseR, 40 creaseainespcssocseaes 45-7 PR CEACUM CUCROPUA sy.0tcoscsecenctescases= + = seayee 22 H | : B. Hy perchimanion «2-ce-csuietudecesesery atone oe Bethune, Rey. C. J. S., articles by...6, 29, 54 I. SOI D YXUMORIpectssus.cersrccaseersacveccre-boe-- 23 | : Injurious insects, on some..............---- 43 C. Introductory... .... cccccscsescseceeereascnnerneves 10 Cabbage Butterfly... cece 8 Tetouthe ; Caloptenus MIPTBEa PUM: « Yan ox a sedens lc 38 K of femur rubrum.. OO : fe Wpratasivc «.ivenn aieces veer 8, 30, 38 P Canadian Entomologist, the............... 2 3, 6 | Ratydid, the............0ccesceceseanse cnnaseeecers 30 | Carpocapsa pomonella..............06-60..0 43 i Cecropia Car AVE arcana temas her esaesci vers. 26 Locust, description of the insect. ee, Ghalcs a PAS re ee ie cre a history of, in America..........-.-..- 30 ee Ree fOr e Wbisatoltloiie.cevseccaes ss vopp ee eseamen intr 38 oe fomorata...crs-seerssssesees 7 | ** means of reducing the ravages of 39 eee ego |. Pate oh Boni a 8S Clouded Pe peers Beate Rs 5375 0 26 « yed-legged . Sas nee 38 Clytus pictus... : Re 14 | « Se as 30 ¥ speciosus .. ssuseudadperieciersosvarsee 14!) + Bae year. Va ea eg oh RR AS OM parasite A CRE 14 eter ft ee. ,:.. 26, Toc ton Branch, Aanual Moctng of......0 16 GON PCUR ON OLOS sain iensse ce esveea dee tanenlnss P| amc aig anual Mee ing Ofecnee 5 a arora fe 26 Long-tailed ophion Rah e a hies BRE te 25 CTSA ATINesccuccss cxsxvevurene sc opetnyussennseoecaseriesmancc cd 80 00 (TO pergae,, @lesLSGyrrit) Mose se (aaa poseoddereeeerioeabeecneo cacsaccssace ccoeco a) OCG CEM ESAIBTICOMOHHE TIMP AU Ry co! vaca sewae sense Seecine ceacnssecee eeeensen anv cap Acton BOF “1760 16 We certify the above as a correct statement of accounts for the year ending September 23, 1874, as shown by Treasurer’s books and with vouchers for the same. J. H. GRIFFITHS, : CHAs. ae ee REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. It is gratifying, at the expiration of this the fourth year of the existence of our Society, to be able to report its continued well- being and progress, and to know that its efforts are be- ing more and more recognized as an aid to those agricultural interests which constitute the chief source of the wealth of our Province. The Lntomologist is still regularly published, and has now nearly reached the close of its sixth volume. By its regular issue there has been placed before our members much useful and practical information relating to many of the commoner insect pests, with instructions as to the use of the besf remedies to check their ravages. Besides this it has formed, and still forms, a valuable medium for the publication of such scientific matter in relation to the life history of our insects, which, while of immediate interest to only a limited number of our readers, is of great importance to those engaged in the study of the science of Entomology We feel that our journal has done and is still doing a good work in this respect ; and it is pleasing to know that our efforts in this direction are warmly appreciated by scientific men in the adjoining Republic and in Europe, as well as in our own country. As mentioned in the Report of the last Annual Meeting, a cordial invitation was ex- tended by the “‘ American Association for the Advancement of Science,” at the meeting held in Portland, in 1873, to the members of our Society to be present at the meeting in 1874, in Hartford. A deputation was appointed by your Council to attend this meeting on behalf of our Society, in reference to which the following report appeared in the September number of the Entomologist :— THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. At the recent gathering of this scientific body in Hartford, Conn., there were brought together an unusual number of Entomologists. This was owing partly, no doubt, to the kind invitation extended by the Association to the American and Canadian Entomological Socie- ties to appoint special meetings of their members to be held at that time and place, with the view of having these importaat Societies fully represented. In response to this invitation, a number of members of the American Entomological Society were present, while our Cana- dian Entomologists were represented by the worthy President of our Society, Rey. O. J. S. Be- thune, M.A., and the Editor of the Hntomologist. Several evenings were occupied by these “brethren of the net” in interesting and profitable discussions on the habits and peculiar- ities of various insects, the time passing so pleasantly that the midnight hours were reached ere separation could be effected. After mature deliberation it was resolved to organize under the name of “ The Entomological Club of the A. A. A. S.,” and the following consti- tution was adopted : — TITLE. 1. The name of the association shall be “ The Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.” OBJECTS, If. The annual re-union of the Entomologists of America, the advancement of entomo- logy, and the consideration of all general questions relating to the science that may from time to time arise. MEMBERSHIP. Iii. All members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science who are interested in entomology, shall ipse facto be members of the club. OFFICERS, IV. ‘The officers of the club shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary, to be elected annually by vote of the members. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS. VY. ‘The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings ; the Secretary shall perform all the usual duties of a recording and corresponding Secretary. MEETINGS. Vi. A meeting shall be held in each year at the place of meeting appointed by the American Asociation for the advancement of Science ; it shall commence at 2.30 p.m., on the day before the meeting of the American Association for the advancement of Science, and be continued throughout that evening; further meetings may be held as time will permit during the week following. The following resolutions were also unanimously passed : Resolved, That the members of the American Entomological Society and the Entomological Society of Ontario, together with all other persons interested in entomological science, be cordially invited to attend and take part in the proceedings. Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to publish notices of the meeting in such periodicals devoted to natural history, and especially in those devoted to entomology as are published on the continent ; and further that the members be requested to bring with them at the annual re-unions specimens for exchange and exhibition, and especially types of species that they may have described during the year. At a subsequent meeting of the Clubgthe following officers were elected: President, Dr. John L. Leconte, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Vice President, Samuel H. Scudder, Cambridge, Mass. ; Secretary, Chas. V. Riley, St. Louis, Mo. We feel sure that under such able direction, the Hutomological Club of the A. A. A. S. will prosper, and be the means of stimulating many to increased effort, and thus greatly advance the interests of our favourite study. As it may interest many to know who were present at these meetings, we furnish the following list: Dr. John L. LeConte, Philadelphia, Pa. ; Dr. J. G. Morris, Baltimore, Md. ; Prof. 8. S. Haldeman, Chickis, Pa. ; Dr. H. A. Hagen, ‘Cambridge, Mass. ; S. H. Scudder, Cambridge, Mass. ; A. R. Grote, Buffalo, N.Y.; Dr. G. M. Levette, Indianapolis, Ind. ; C. V. Riley, St. Louis, Mo.; O. 8. Westcott, Chicago, Til; J. A. Lintner, Albany, N. ae : H. F. Bassett, Waterbury, Conn. ; George Dimmock, Springfield, Mass. ; B. Pickman Mann, Cambridge, Mass. ; E. P. Austin, Cambridge, Mass. ; Dr. R. King, Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Chas. P. Dodge, Washington, D. C.; Mr. Patton, Waterbury, Conn. ; Rey. C. J. 8. Bethune, M.A., Port Hope, Ont. ; W. Saunders, London, Ont. During the meetings of the Association several interesting ‘and valuable papers on Entomological subjects were read by Dr. LeConte and Messrs. Scudder, Riley and Grote. The branches of our Society organized at London, Montreal and Kingston, continue to thrive, and by their frequent meetings and social intercourse stimulate the members resid ent in these cities to greater application in the service of entomology. We trust that such of our members as can, will aid the editor of the EnromoLoaisr by sending him from time to time, memoranda of their observations, on the habits and life history of our insects with any other ‘notes they may deem of interest to the lovers of our favourite science. ‘ t Subniitted on behalf of the Council by ' ) J. H. MoMrcwan, Seeretary-Treasurer. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LONDON BRANCH. The annual meeting of the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held at the residence of Mr. W. Saunders, on the 17th of February. A goodly number of members were present, and the following officers were elected for 1874: President, A. Puddicombe ; Vice-President, H. P. Bock; Secretary-Treasurer, J. G. Geddes; Curator, J. Williams; Auditors. Messrs. C. Chapman and .J. Griffiths. A box of Lepidoptera from Miss Carey, of Amherstburg, was shown by Mr. E. B. Reed, containing some interesting specimens taken in that locality; among others there were fine examples of Papilio thoas and Philampelus satellitia. W. Saunders exhibited a box of Coleoptera, embracing a large number of species kindly donated by Theodore L. Mead, Esq., of New York. Also, several boxes of European insects, presented by Francis Walker, Esq., of the British Museum. The Secretary was instructed to tender to Mr. Walker the sincere thanks of the Society for his continued liberality in this matter—the cabinets of the Society and those of the members also having been repeatedly en- riched with valuable specimens through his kindness. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The first annual meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on May 6th, 1874, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : W. Couper, President; G. J. Bowles, Vice-President ; F. B. Caulfield, Secretary-Trea- surer ; G, B. Pearson, Curator ; Council—W. Hibbins, sen., C. W. Pearson, P. Knetzing. The reports of the Council and Secretary-Treasurer were read, and, on motion, adopted. The Branch, although young, is in a prosperous condition, the expenses of the past year hay- ing been met, leaving a small balance on hand, and the list of members is gradually inereas- ing. Owing to the lateness of the season but little field work has been done, but some rare captures have heen made already. The Branch meets as usual at the residence of the Pre- sident, No. 67, Bonaventure Street, Montreal, P.Q. All business communications to be addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer, F. B. Caulfield, 254, St. Martin Street, Montreal, P. Q. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH ; OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. During the summer of 1873 a fortunate circumstance occurred to which this Branch owes its origin. The following gentlemen, viz., Wm. Couper, F. B. Caulfield, Wm. Hibbins, C. W. Pearson and G. B. Pearson, met by chance on the Montreal Mountain, where the sub- ject was discussed, and it was then decided to hold a meeting at the residence of Mr, Caul- field, in order to make further arrangements for its formation. ‘This meeting was held on the 30th of August, when it was resolved to form a branch in connection with the Entomological Society of Ontario, and the Secretary pro. tem. was instructed to write to the parent society, asking permission to form a Branch Society in this city. This proposition was at once accepted by the parent Society. On the 16th of October the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—Wil- liam Couper, President; M. Kollmar, Vice-President ; F. B. Caulfield, Secretary-Treasurer ; Council—G. J. Bowles, P. Knetzing and C. W. Pearson; Curator, William Hibbins. By-Laws were framed for the guidance of the Branch, which were approved by the parent Society. Our monthly meetings have been regularly held and well attended, and your Coun- cil congratulate the Society on benefits derived. During the eight meetings which have been held, independent of the production of original communications on Entomology, there were remarkably good exhibitions of insects, which also tended to give additional information to members. The first meeting of the Branch in August, 1873, consisted of seven members, and since then five additional members have been elected. The following papers were read during the winter months :— ‘“‘A Dissertation on Northern Butterflies,’ by William Couper ; “ On the Cicindelidz Occurring on the Island of Montreal,” by F. B. Caulfield; ‘On Some of the Benefits De- rived from Insects,” by F. B, Caulfield. The following works have been donated during the year:— “On Some Remarkable Forms of Animal Life from the Great Deeps of the Norwegian Coast,” by G. O. Sars, 1 Vol. ; “On Norwegian Crustaceans,” by G. O. Sars, 2 Vol. ; “ Synopsis of the Acrididee of North America,” by Cyrus Thomas, 1 Vol. Your Council would suggest that the Curator procure store boxes for the preservation of the specimens obtained for the Society during the approaching season. In this way the nucleus of a collection can be formed prior to the purchase of a cabinet, which your Council trusts the Society will be possessed of before next winter. Your Council would also suggest that members carry note-books wherein to record En- tomological observations, especially relative to insects injurious to the crops; also, of such species as are considered beneficial in checking the progress of destructive insects. As this is one of the principal objects of the Society, field notes of this nature are always valuable, and should form subjects of investigation and discussion at our meetings, Attention should be given to the larval forms of insects, as this is a specialty of Kmtomology from which much knowledge is yet to be obtained. Your Council strongly impress on the members to use their influence in promoting a knowledge of the importance of the study of Entomology, more especially with Agriculturists and horticulturists, in order to enable them to check the ravages of the numerous insects injurious to vegetation. All of which is respectfully submitted. C. W. PEARSON, Gxo. JNo. Bow.Es. Wm. Couper, Chairman. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SO- CIETY OF ONTARIO, 1874. To the Members of the Entomological Society of Ontario :— GENTLEMEN,—I beg to offer you again, after the lapse of a year, my hearty congratu lations upon the continued prosperity of our Society. As you have already learnt from the Report of our Secretary-Treasurer, we have been favoured with a slight increase in our list of membership—as large, indeed, as can fairly be expected in a Society which confines itself to the study of a particular branch of Natural Science, and which cannot therefore attract into its ranks many who are not specially engaged, to some extent at least, in this limited field of investigation. It is especially pleasing to find that our number of branches continues to increase—a highly successful one, with its headquarters in Montreal, having been organized since our last annual meeting. Its first annual report has been already presented to us in the pages of our journal. ‘ The CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, upon whose success the well-being and fair fame of our Society so largely depends, has—I am sure you will agree with me—been more ably sustained than ever before. The thanks of the whole Society are assuredly due to the energetic and talented Editor, Mr. Saunders, who has been, indeed, its mainstay from the issue of its first number till now. It would be well if all our members would aid him, not only by contribu- tions, but also by increasing the circulation, and thereby improving the means of support of the publication. When I applied just now the term “limited” to our field of enquiry, I only did so when considering Entomology as one amongst a large number of sections of the great circle of natural sciences, which includes within its area the study of all things material which come within the range of man’s intellectual powers. - If we look, however, at Entomology and its objects alone, we cannot fail to see at once that it is practically without limit—that there is work enough for thousands of investigators for almost innumerable generations to come. And when we couple with Entomology other kindred sciences, such as Botany, Geology and Phy- sical Geography, which are so closely allied that no student can safely overlook them, we begin almost to be overwhelmed with the vast extent of this field of knowledge that we seek to explore. So vast, indeed, is the field that no one now ventures to survey the whole of it, except in a very general way ; each explorer finds himself compelled—if he would do any effec- tive work—to confine his labour to some one or two of its sections or subsections. By this djvision of labour, all departments of the Science will by degrees be taken up, and much that is now a ‘terra incognita’ will become familiar to the patient explorer. In our own country—within the bounds of this great Dominion—there is need of many more students and explorers. Hyen in this Province of Ontario, the headquarters of our So- ciety, where more has been done than in any other part of Canada, there is yet room for a great increase to our band of collectors and inyestigators. How incomplete, for instance, is even yet our list of Diurnal Lepidoptera, and how many pagesare still blank in the life history of some of our commonest butterflies? Our able Editor, my excellent friend, Mr. Saunders, has done much to fill up these blank pages, and his work iseverywhere recognized as thorough and authoritative ; but yet there remains much more to be done, that we hope our members will before long accomplish. If we turn to Crepuscular and Nocturnal Lepidoptera, we must feel almost appalled at the extent of our ignorance. For those who have the time and the ability, I can think of no more interesting or attractive field of enquiry—none that will sooner or better repay the pains-taking student, whether he looks for fame or pleasure, whether he sighs for fresh fields to conquer, or desires to set his foot where man has not trodden before. In a department where so much remains to be done, we all, [ am sure, offer a most cordial wel-. come to one who has recently cast in his lot among us, and has traversed the broad Atlantic in order to study the Noctuidee of this country. I allude to Mr. George Norman, of St Catharines, late of Forres, in Scotland. In another order of insects, the Coleoptera, much, no doubt, has been accomplished. Through the pains-taking labours of a Billings and a Pettit, not to mention other good work- ers, and by the aid of the great authorities in the neighbouring States, Dr. Leconte and Dr. Horn in particular, we have been able to increase our list of Canadian beetles from a few hundreds at the birth of the Society, to more than as many thousands now. But stil) how very much more remains to be done ? What a field of labour there is before both student and collector in the Carabidae, the Staphylinidee, the Curculionide and other numerous families of beetles! May we not hope that during the coming winter our present scattered stores of knowledge will be utilized and made available for the good of all, by the compilation and publication of a large addition to our old and valuable list of Canadian Coleoptera ? If there remains so much to be done in these two favourite orders, what shall I say of the remainder, that are so generally neglected? It is surely time that some of our members should devote themselves to the working up of such interesting orders as the Neuroptera, the Hymenoptera, the Orthoptera, the Hemiptera, even if no one can be found at present to take up the study of the more difficult Diptera. In all these orders there is the nucleus of a collection in the cabinets of our Society, while no doubt much additional material would be furnished by individuals to any member who will take up in earnest the study of any one of them. It would be a great contribution to our knowledge of Canadian insects if there could be published by the Society carefully pre- pared lists of as many species as possible in each of these orders. Such lists would, of course, be very incomplete at first, but they could easily be so arranged in publication that additions might be made to them at any time, as our stores of knowledge increase. 8 Such, gentlemen, are some of the modes in which, I think, we should endeayour to ex- tend the operations of our Society. If each year, when we assemble together for our annual — meeting, we can point to some such work done in the previous twelvemonth, we shall have good reason to congratulate ourselves upon real permanent progress—upon building up the foundation of an Entomological structure that will prove enduring and substantial in time to come. ; Thus far I have referred to Entomology as a purely scientific pursuit; there is an- other aspect in which we cannot refrain from regarding it, viz., as a subject of very great economic importance to every inhabitant of our land. ‘This view of Entomology has been especially brought before us of late by the hayoc that has been produced in our farms and gardens by hordes of destructive insects. The dreaded Colorado Potato Beetle (Doryphora decem-lineata) has spread eastward with great rapidity, and has now reached the Atlantic coast in some partsof the United States. T[ have been informed by friends who reside in various parts of the Union, that while little, if any, diminution in the numbers of the pest is to be observed in the west, it is becoming yery destructive where it has attained to its second year of colonization. During the first year of its invasion of a particular locality, no appreciable damage is done by it, but as its armies in- crease in geometrical progression, the potato crops of the following season generally suffer to a terrible extent. It has now covered the whole of the Prevince of Ontario, and is very des- tructive throughout the western half of it, though we are happy to say that our intelligent farmers and gardeners are effectually using the remedies suggested by our colleagues, Messrs. Saunders and Reed, in their Report to the Legislature a few years ago. In Quebec it is but beginning to be observed ; no doubt it will be found there in myriads next year. Across the border, it has penetrated to the western portion of Vermont, into New Jersey, down to the sea coast in Pennsylvania, and in Maryland ; at Baltimore, Md., it is very abundant, while straggling outposts have been found as far south as Washington. The whole of New York and Ohio have been pretty well covered with the insect, while in Missouri it is as abundant as ever. In Indiana and Michigan there is a local diminution in the numbers of the pest, but no where are there as yet any signs of its cessation. The people of Europe are now beginning —and with good reason—to feel alarmed at the prospect of its crossing the Atlantic. The English and French scientific and agricultural publications are commencing to publish notices of the insect and to talk of restrictive measures, while in Germany, we are told that stringent regulations will probably soon be put in force by the Government to prevent the invasion of the country. Unless some regulations of this kind are put in general force throughout the whole of Western Europe, I believe that—judging from the spread of noxious European in- sects on this side of the Atlantic— the Colorado Beetle will soon become there as familiar an object and as destructive a pest as it is here. While the Colorado Beetle from the Rocky Mountains has been overspreading the whole northern continent eastward, there has been moying southward and westward in a similar manner another insect—the Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rape)—that is almost as injurious as the other. This insect, an European importation, as of course you all know, starting from Quebec some few years aco—there first noticed by our friends Messrs. Couper and Bowles has now spread westward over almost the whole of Ontario. At Port Hope it has been this year by far the most common of all butterflies ; thousands were to be seen throughout the whole season, from early summer to the present time, flitting about along every road, and hundreds hovering over or alighting in every garden. here is hardly a cabbage or cauli- flower fit to be eaten anywhere in the neighbourhood, while stocks and mignonette have been ruthlessly demolished in all the flower gardens. Its spread westward, however, has hardly been as rapid as its’ movements to the south. ‘The two maritime provinces of New Bruns wick and Nova Scotia, and all the New England States, have for some time been occupied, and now I am told that this year it is most plentiful as far south as Washington, and that it is by no means rare in Virginia. While referring to the wonderful spread of noxious insects during the past few years, and to their excessive prevalence now, I must not omit to mention the affliction caused to our north-west Province of Manitoba and to many of the western States by the swarms of locusts, or grasshoppers as they are termed (Culoptenus spretus). The accounts of the sut- ferings caused by this terrible plague are perfectly appalling, and rival anything that we have read of the ravages of the Hastern locusts. Happily for us they do not seem to extend * i much further to the east than the Missouri River, though, occasionally they penetrate to- some of the broad prairies beyond. As a detailed account of this insect will probably be afforded you in the forthcoming Annual Report of our Society, I need not detain you with any further remarks upon it. The only other insect to which I need now call your attention for a moment, is the Grape Vine Phyllowera. I am glad to learn that its ravages in the vineyards to the south of us have been comparatively trifling this yezr, and that in all probability the summer droughts to which we are so liable, will prevent its ever being as formidable a foe as ‘it was at one time apprehended. Yo turn from this not very cheerful subject, I may mention, before concluding, that Mr. Saunders and myself duly attended the recent meeting at Hartford, Conn., of the Ame- rican Association for the Advancement of Science. There we had the pleasure of meeting a large number of Entomologists from all parts of the United States, and we had the further gratification also, of being presided over, in general session, by the ablest of American Ento- mologists, Dr. Leconte, and in the Zoological Section, by another great worker in our department, Mr, 8. H. Scudder. Informal meetings of Entomologists were frequently held, and finally it was agreed upon to form an Entomological Club of members of the A.A.A.S., who should assemble annually a day before the meeting of the Association in the place that may be from time to time selected for its sessions, In this way we trust that much may be done for the furtherance of our favourite branch of science, and that Entomologists generally, from all parts of the continent, will bring together their types of new species and the surplus of their collections for mutual information and benefit. Without further trespassing upon your time and attention, I beg to thank you, gentlemen, for the kind consideration you have shown to my colleagues and myself during our term of office, and with hearty wishes for the continued prosperity of our Society, I have the honour to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Cuarues J. S. BETHUNE, President E. 8. of O. Trinity College School, Port Hope, September 22nd, 1874. INTRODUCTORY. ONCE again at the close of another year, a few of the members of the Entomological So- ciety of Ontario have undertaken the task of endeavouring to lay before the public, some in. formation respecting the habits and lives of the insect world, and more especially those mem. bers of it which have a direct or indirect influence upon the growth or well-being of the produce of field or forest. It is a satisfaction to know that these annual reports are read and appreciated, and that many of our practical Fruit-Growers and Agriculturists are desirous of obtaining some know ledge of the transformations of the various and beautiful members of the insect world, of those beautiful atoms of God’s creation, each in its appointed sphere fulfilling the purpose for which it was created, drawing forth our wonder, our admiration and our praise ; for ““ He wh« wondereth at nothing hath no capabilities of bliss, but he that scrutinizeth trifles hath a store of pleasure to his hand, and happy and wise is the man to whose mind a trifle existeth not.” ‘* He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small, For the dear God that loveth us, He made and loveth all.” Pf ll ——— ENTOMOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS. By E. B. Reep, Lonpon, ONT. 1. Tue Io Morn (Saturnia Jo). 2. Tux Fuat-HEADED APPLE-TREE BoRER (Chrysobothris femorata). 3. Tur Locust TREE Borer (Clytus pictus). 1. Tue Io Morn Saturnia (Hyperchiria) Io. [Fab]. Order, LeprpopTerA ; Family, BomBycIDz&. This lovely moth is well worthy a place in the cabinet of the collector, and from its bril- liant colouring.and conspicuous markings is always sure to attract notice and admiration. The moth belongs to a family which has received the name of “ Bompyces ” from Bombyx the ancient name of the silk worm. As, however, it is in the larval or Caterpillar state that this insect more frequently meets our eye, we will begin by a description of it in that stage. The full grown larva of which, fig. 1 is Fie. 1. an admirable representation, is of a most delicate apple or pea-green colour with a broad dusky white stripe at each side bordered with lilac on the lower edge. The body is covered with spreading clusters of green bristles tipped with black. These bristles are exceed- ingly sharp, and when the insect is handled will pro- duce avery irritating sting similar to but much sharper than that of the nettle, and the effect of which causes a reddening of the flesh and the immediate appearance of raed white blotches which last for a considerable time. Fig. No. 2 shews the appearance of these bristles, some of them as 0, being stouter and more acute than the others and able to inflict a sharper and more penetrating sting. This stinging property is very curious and is not very easily explained ; Mr. C. V. Riley writing of’ a very similar insect, the Saturnia Maia, says, “ that the sting is caused by the prick of the spines. and not by their getting broken in the flesh. From the fact that the spines appear hollow, one would naturally attribute their irritating power to some poisonous Fia fluid which they eject into the puncture. But I have been unable to resolve any apical aperture, nor was Mr. Lintner more successful. Hence I infer that the irritating property belongs to the substance of which the spines are formed, and this opinion is strengthened by the fact that those of a dead larva, or of a cast-off skin which has been in my cabinet for several years, still retain the irritating power, though so brittle that it is not easy to insert, them.” In the earlier stages the caterpillars are gregarious, feeding together side by side and in going to and returning from their place of shelter, moving in regular files after the manner of the processionary caterpillars of Hurope (Cneocampa processionea). This marching habit is so very peculiar that it is well worth describing. Though the insects move without beat of drum they maintain as much regularity in their steps as a file of soldiers. The celebrated naturalist Reaumur, writing of the European Procession Moth says, “I kept some for a little 12 time in my house in the country, I brought an oak branch which was covered with them into my study, where I could much better follow the order and regularity of their march thar 1 could have done in the woods, I was very much amused and pleased at watching them for mony days. I hung the branch on which | had brought them against one of my window shutters. When the leaves were dried up, when they had become too hard for the jaws of the caterpillars, they tried to go and seek better food elsewhere. One set himself in motion, a second followed at his tail, a third followed this one. and so one. They began to defile anc murch up the shutter, but being so near to each other that the head of the second touched the tail of the first. The single file was throughout continuous ; it formed a perfect string of caterpillars of about two feet in length, after which the line was doubled. Then two cater - pillars marched abreast, but as near the one which preceded them, as those who were march- ing in single file were to each other. After a few rows of our processionists who were twc abreast, came the rows of three abreast ; after a few of these came those who were four abreast ; then there were those of five, others of six, others of seven and others of eight caterpillars, This troop so well mershalled was led by the first. Did it halt, all the others halted ; did it begin again to march, all the others set themselves in motion and followed it with the greatest precision. That which went on in my study goes on every day in the woods where these cater. } pillars live. When it is near sunset you may see coming out of any of their nests by the Opening which is at its top, which would hardly afford space for two to come out abreast, one caterpillar, as soon as it has emerged from the nest, it is followed by many others in single file ; when it has got about two feet from the nest, it makes a pause during which those who are still in the nest continue to come out; they fall into their ranks, the battalion is formed 4 at last the leader sets off marching again, and all the others follow him. That which goes on in this nest passes in all the neighbouring nests ; all are evacuated at the same time.” According to “ Harris,” the caterpillars of the Io Moth do not spin a common web, but when not eating they creep under a leaf where they cluster side by side. When about half grown the caterpillars disperse, each seeking a location for itself, They moult five times, the larvae devouring their cast off spinous skins. After being in the larval state about eight weeks, they arrive at maturity, and are then about two and a half inches long, and present the ap- pearance of Fie. No, 1. Their food plants are very numerous. They have been found on Black Locust, Indian Corn, Willows, Sassafrass, Wild Cherry, Elm, Hop Vine, Balsam, Balm of Gilead, Dogwood, Choke Cherry, Currant, Cotton and Clover. I this year found two larve on the English Fil- bert, and bred them to maturity on that plant. I have, however, more commonly found them on the Choke Cherry. The larvae when full grown ceases eating, and crawls to the grbund, where, amongst the loose leaves and rubbish, it forms a rough outer covering, within which it makes a slicht coecon of tough, gummy, brown silk. In this retreat a transformation is soon _ effected to the pupal or chrysalis state, from which, having remained therein during the winter aad spring months, the moth emerges in the perfect winged condition about the month of June. The moths are remarkable for the difference between the sexesboth in size and colour, gS. The male (Fig. 3), which is much the smallest, is of a deep Indian or maize yel- low colour. j On the forewings are two oblique, wavy lines near the hind margin and a zig-zag line near the base. There is also a large, dark, reddish, central reniform spot or blotch ; this is very marked in all the Cana- dian specimens I have seen, although in the cut, which is drawn by Mr. Riley, probably 13 : q classical Grecian fable of the beautiful Io who, having incurred the displeasure of the ealous Juno, was placed by her under the watchful vigilance of the hundred-eyed Argus. __ The under side of the wings is of the same deep yellow—the forewings having the inner ‘aaa broadly shaded with purple and shewing the reniform eyed spot very distinctly ; the” hinder wings are more uniform in colour, with a transverse purple line, and a very small distinct white spot representing the centre of the large spot on the upper side. The body is also deep yellow—somewhat darker on the thorax. The antenne, as usual in the males of the bombyces, are beautifully pectinated, presenting a double comblike appearance The male varies slightly in size, from two and a half to two and three-quarter inches in width, Rene The female (Fig. No. 4) is considerably larger, ranging from three to three and a half inches. The specimens vary much in colour, from a dark purplish brown to a warm ochreous red. The fore wings have similar wavy zig-zae lines, the reniform blotch being less distinet than that in the male ; the inner mar- gin is of a deeper colour, and with the head and thorax is thickly coated with a short, woooly, pilose covering. The hind wings are marked in a similar manner to those of the male. The undersides of the Wings haye the same uniform colour, and are marked much like those of the male, The body is ochreous yellow, a little lighter above, and each segment is bordered with a narrow, reddish band. «The moths have a fashion of sitting with their wings closed, and covering the body like a low roof, the front edge of the underwings extending a little beyond that of the upper wings. and curving upwards.” The eggs are deposited on the under side of the leaf, and are described by Mr. Riley as being compressed on both sides and flattened at the apex, the attached end smallest. Their colour is cream white with a small black spot on the apical end and a larger orange one on the sides. A cluster found on Sassafrass by a western lady contained about thirty eges. The moths are nocturnal, flying only by night. ’ Tur Frat-HEApED AppLe-TREE Borer. Chrysobothris femorata, (Fabr). Order, CoLeopTera ; Family, Buprestip& Among apple-growers there has been during the past year or two a great complaint of some borer infesting their trees, and investigation has shown that it is to this little beetle that the injuries may be traced. Big. 6 Although insignificant in size, yet its larva is capable of doing immense mischief in our orchards. The beetle belongs to a family of insects which is especially remarkable for their rich and varied colouring, many haying most brilliant tints. The one we are describing, fig. 5, is of a greenish brassy black colour aboye, the under side having a bright coppery hue. It is about balf an inch in length It is of an oblong oval shape, blunt-round head, and tapering towards the tail, It flies by day and is very swift on the wing. It may often be seen during the summer months running up and down the trunk and limbs of trees or resting itself, basking in the sunshine. The larva, fig. 6., is a pale yellow, footless grub, its anterior end being enormously enlarged, round and flattened. Dr. Fitch worked up the history of this little pest some years ago. According to his account “ the parent beetle deposits its egg on the bark from which a worm hatches and passes through the bark, and during the earlier stages of 14 its life, consumes the soft sap wood immediately under the bark. But when the worm Fig. 6. approaches maturity and has become stronger and more robust, it gnaws into the more solid heart-wood, forming a flattish and not a cylindrical hole such as is formed by most other borers, the burrow which it excayates being twice % as broad as it is high, the height measuring the tenth of an inch or slightly over. Within this hole the larva may be almost always found with its tail curled round completely towards the head, in a manner peculiar to the larvee of beetles belonging to the family Buprestide. It remains in the tree about a year. It is in the latter end of the summer, that the larva penetrates into the hardwood of the tree; its burrow extending upwards from the spot under the bark where it had previously entered. On laying open one of the burrows Dr. Fitch found it more than an inch in length, and all its lower part filled and blocked up with the fine sawdust like castings of the larva. With regard to remedies, Dr. Fitch advises three : “ First, coating or impregnating the bark with some sub- tance, repulsive to the insect. Second, destroying the beetle by hand-picking ; and Third, de- stroying the larva by cutting into and extracting it from its burrow.” His advice is so plain and comprehensive than I cannot do better than quote it at length. “ Ag it is during the month of June and forepart of July that the beetle frequents the trees for the purpose of depositing its eggs in the bark, it is probable that whitewashing the trunk and large limbs, or rubbing them over with soft soap early in June, will secure them from mo- lestation from this enemy. And in districts where this borer is known to infest the apple trees the trees should be repeatedly inspected during this part of the year, and any of these beetles, that are found upon them should be captured and destroyed. It is at mid-day of warm sun- shiny days that the search for them will be most successful, as they are then most active, and shew themselves abroad. The larvae, when young, appear to haye the same habit with most other borers, of keeping their burrow clean by throwing their castings out of it through a small orifice in the bark. They ¢an therefore be discovered, probably, by the new, saw- dust like powder, which will be found adhering to the outer surface of the bark. In August or September, whilst the worms are yet young, and before they have penetrated the heart- wood, the trees should be carefully examined for these worms. Whenever, from any particles of the sawdust-like powder appearing externally upon the bark, one of these worms is sus- pected, it will be easy, at least in young trees, where the bark is thin and smooth, to ascer- tain by puncturing it with a stiff pin, whether there is any hollow cavity beneath, and if ‘one is discovered, the bark should be cut away witha knife until the worm is found and destroyed. After it has penetrated the solid wood, it ceases to eject its castings and consequently, we are _ then left without any clue by which to discover it. Hence the importance of searching for it seasonably.” The natural food of this insect is believed to be the white oak, but itis found also on many other trees, such as apple, peach and plum, and, according to Mr. C. V. Riley has most seriously affected the soft maples in the valley of the Mississippi. The beetle when caught contracts all its limbs and feigns death. TBE Locust-TrreE Borer. [ Clytus Pictus.—F ar. | Order, CotEorTERA ; Family, CeraMBYCIDa. This active little beetle belongs to the same family as the Clyius Speciosus, of Say, whose attacks on the maple tree I described in my report for 1872. This is a very common insect, and a most fatal obstacle to the cultivation of the locust tree in Ontario. In 1866, at the meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada, Prof. Croft, of Toronto, drew the attention of the members to the ravages during the past summer, of this beetle, and stated that many of the acacia trees of Toronto and the vicinity, had fallen victims to the larvee. Since that date the writer has watched with interest the steady westward progress of this destructive pest. Indeed, so rapid has been its spread, that there is hardly a locality in Ontario now, where it has not made its appearance, and we may almost give up any attempt to check its ravages, or to successfully procure the cultivation of the locust tree. These beetles are so common now that they will be readily recognized without any engraving. They are from three quarters to half an inch in length. Colour, velvet black, 15 with transverse lemon-yellow bands, of which there are three on the head, four on the thorax and six on the elytra or wing covers, making thirteen in all ; the tips of the elytra are also edged with yellow. The third band on the body is very noticeable, as it forms a very distinct representation of the letter W. The thorax is very globular. The antennz are dark brown. The underside of the body has the outer edges of the segments, bordered with yellow stripes. The legs are rust-red. » : “Tn the month of September,’ writes Dr. Harris, “these beetles gather on the locust trees, where they may be seen glittering in the sunbeams, with their gorgeous livery of black velvet and gold, coursing up and down the trunks in pursuit of their mates, or to drive away their rivals, and stopping every now and then to salute those they meet with a rapid bowing of the shoulders, accompanied by a creaking sound, indicative of recognition or defiance. Having paired, the female, attended by her partner, creeps over the bark, searching the cre- vices with her antennz, and dropping therein her snow-white eggs, in clusters of seven or eight together, and at intervals of five or six minutes, until her whole stock is safely stored, The eggs are soon hatched, and the grubs immediately burrow into the bark, devouring the soft inner substance that suffices for their nourishment till the approach of winter. During winter they remain at rest in a torpid state. In the spring they bore through the sap-wood, more or less deeply into the trunk, the general course of their winding and irregular passages being in an upward direction from the place of their entrance. or a time they cast their chips out of their holes as fast as they are made, but after a while the passage becomes clogged, and the burrow more or less filled with the coarse and fibrous fragments of wood, to get rid of which the grubs are often obliged to open new holes through the bark. The seat of their operations is known by the oozing of the sap, and the dropping of the sawdust from the holes, The bark around the part attacked begins to swell, and in a few years the trunks and limbs will become disfigured and weakened by largé porous tumours caused by the efforts of the trees to repair the injuries they have suffered.” The habits of this insect seem to have been known for a long time, for we find a description of them made-in 1771, by Dr. J. R. Forster, and Dr. Fitch records that Petivera gave a figure and description of it in his ‘‘ Gazo- pbylacium,” published in London in 1702. The beetle is, undoubtedly, a native species, it never having been found in any other country. In remarking on their destructive powers, Dr. Fitch states, ‘‘ that one of the prin- cipal thoroughfares leading east from the city of Utica was formerly planted on its south side with locust trees, these had become so large and ornamental as to render this one of the most admired avenues in the suburbs of that city. When some thirty (now 40), years since, these trees were invaded by this insect, to such an extent, that in the course of two or three seasons, they were totally ruined, many of them being killed outright, and the remainder having their limbs and branches so lopped off, that they could never recover from the deformity.” Miche- aux also reported that fifty years ago this insect had become so destructive, that many people in different parts of the States were discouraged from planting the locust. In my own experience, three or four seasons have completely killed the largest trees, and about half that time for many of those of smaller size. The numbers and fecundity of the beetle are very great. I well remember in the early fall of 1873, on passing a small clump of locusts growing in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, Ont., my attention being arrested by the breaking off of a branch of considerable size from one of these trees, and my curiosity being excited, I made an examination, and found that the branch had been eaten almost through by the larvee, and on looking up at the trunk of the tree, I counted over fifty beetles running up and down ; that tree was completely killed that season. I had oceasion to pass these trees going up and down to my office, and I am satisfied I must have killed fully one hundred that year, merely treading on them as I found them on the sidewalk beneath, or in the neighbour- hood of these trees. These beetles may often be found feeding on the pollen of the Golden Rod (Solidago). Dr. Fitch suggests, “as a feasible plan of checking the multiplication and destructiveness of these borers, to plant a small patch of the Golden Rod where locust trees are grown, that the beetles when they issue from the tree may resort to the flowers as is their habit. They can readily be found thereon, and captured and destroyed. It will be a pastime to the children of the household, whose sharp eyes qualify them well for this employment, to search their flowers.” ; The gathering should be begun as soon as the beetles begin to appear, and should be 16 continued for several successive seasons ; if none of the Golden Rod can be conveniently grown. numbers of the beetles may still be caught while pairing on the trunk of the trees ;if too high to reach, a sharp rap against the tree will cause them to drop to the ground. when with a little activity they can be secured. The grub remains in the tree about a year ; the beetle when handled, makes a peculiar sharp creaking noise. 17 NOTES OF THE PAST SHASON, By W. SaunDERs. Toe Currant Worm (Nematus ventricosus, Kiva). This: troublesome pest has been in most localities as abundant as ever during the past summer. Whatever checks nature may have provided to prevent its excessive increase, they seem, as yet, to avail but little, for the larvee continue to swarm in hundreds and thousands on currant and gooseberry bushes throughout the summer, demanding constant vigilance and liberal supplies of hellebore if the foliage is to be preserved. For the benetit of those who may not possess copies of our previons reports we have in- troduced again figures of this insect with such additional notes on this species in its various stages as we have been able to gather during the summer. Fis. 7. Fig. 7 shows the eggs as they are laid on the under side of the leaves. These eggs (deseribed from specimens found on the 28th June) are when first laid about ;8},ths of an inch long. nearly cylindrical, rounded at the ends, white, glossy and semi-trans- parent. Eggs found on the same bushes, the same day, but probably laid some days before, measured ;4},,ths of an inch in length with a corresponding increase in diameter. From this it is reasonable to infer that the eggs increase in size befire hatching, the elastic membrane which forms their covering expand'ng with the development of the enclosed lurve. The eggs, of which we have examined large numbers, we have never found embedded in the substance of the leaf (as some have stated they are) to any ;crceptible extent ; careful examination under a powerful micros- cope has failed to reveal any abrasion of the surface after the ego Has heen forcibly removed. Fig. 8 represents the larvee nearly full grown, and Wig. 9 the perfect insects, the smaller one being the male, the larger one the female. On the 19th of June, on going into the garden about 7 A.M., we noticed these perfect insects flying about in scores in sunny spots, around snd under zooseberry bushes; in about an hour afterwards when visiting the same spot for the purpose of capturing some, only one here and there could be found, and these had settled on the bushes. A male and female were captured ani enclosed in a gauze bag, which was tied so as to enclose a small branch of a gooseberry bush, with several leaves on it, all quite free from eggs. When examined in ‘he even- ing of the same day, the female was seen laying ber eges; the next morning, on opening the bag, it was found that 48 eggs had been deposited during the interval, the female being still very active. On the 18 24th of June, this branch was examined again, when quite a number of the young laryee were found just hatched from the eggs which had ihen only been laid between four Fic. 9. and five days; many of the eggs, however, were found dried up, for which no cause could be dis- covered, On the 30th of June, the larvee of a lace wing fly Chrysopa was observed sucking the juices from the young larvee of NV. ventricosus. This friendly helper was a little more than a qnarter of an inch long, and had placed itself in the midst of a colony of the young currant worms and had already consumed several before it was taken in the act, Fig. 10) represents one of their lary about half- grown, the fly isshown in Fig. 11. The female lace wing fly lays her eggs on long slender stalks, fig. 10 a, placing quite a group of them together ; they are very pretty objects. It is supposed that these long stalks serve the purpose of keeping the unhatched eggs at a safe distance from the young larvee first hatched who would, otherwise, probably eat them up. The perfect insect deposits these egos quite rapidly. On the 18th of June, when out col- lecting with some friends, one of them captured a lace wing fly and shut it up in a small box. In a few moments after, having occasion to look at it, he found one egg deposited; after walk- ing a few yards with it to show it to us, which could not have occupied him more than three or four minutes, the box was opened again when it was found that three more eggs had been deposited, we had no oppor- tunity of watching the fnrther deposition or maturing of these eggs. The lace wing fly larvee are very voracious, and if sufficiently numerous would prove formidable foes to the currant worm. From about the 12th of May to the end of the season, the currant worms were very abundant. (The earlier broods seem to confine their operations almost entirely to the gooseberry bushes, but after two or three weeks they attack the currant bushes with equal vigour. On the 16th of June, we noted the fact that the full grown larve in great numbers, others half grown or more and young colonies of the newly hatched larva were all to be found at that date on the same bushes. About the last of July, many colonies of these newly hatched larvze were found almost entirely destroyed by some undiscovered foe; probably some beneficial insect. Many leaves were found with the rows of empty egg shells on them and with a few holes eaten in them, but with the greater part of their substance uninjured, and with but little or no injury to the leaves surrounding ; here evidently the greater portion of the larva had been destroyed soon after hatching. On the 10th of July, while emptying out a number of the perfect flies from a box, search- ing for the empty pupa case of an icheunion fly found dead in the box, two pupa of ventri- cosus were found. They were very pretty objects, about one quarter of aninch long, of a very pale and delicate whitish green colour, becoming yellowish green at each extremity ; remarkably transparent and delicate looking. The eyes were black and prominent ; the feet, antennz and mouth parts all separately cased, with the same glossy transparent covering almost erystal-like. The wing cases were similar in appearance, but of a little deeper green, bent under and reaching to the first abdominal segment. The pupa seems to be incapable of movement, a slight quivering only of the limbs could be detected under the microseope when pressed on. he feet all terminated in rounded knobs with no visible claws. Tue Currant Measurina Worm Ellopia (Abrazis), ribearia, Fircu. This insect has also been very abundant during the past summer. As early as the third week in May, the young larves were found quite common on red currant, gooseberry and black currant, and by the first of June many of them had grown to, an inch in length; judg- iS ing from the numbers infesting the bushes, they appeared to prefer the black currant to either the red or the gooseberry. By the 15th of the month they were well grown, and ap- peared as shown in fig. 12, (after Riley). They are then nearly an inch anda quarter long, of a whitish colour with a number of black spots on each ring or seement ; a wide yellow stripe down the back, and another of the same character along each side, the latter somewhat broken. The underside is white with a slight tinge of pink, also spotted with black, and with a wide yellow stripe down the middle. : The length of the chrysalis see fig. I, is SS about half an inch; it is of a dark reddish brown <= colour, paler between the segments, appearing under ya magnifying glass roughened with minute punc- ~.tures and irregularities of surface ; the abdominal segments are dotted with round punctures of vary- Wy, “6k ing sizes, while the terminal one is armed with two iy < short sharp brown spines. By the 2nd or 3rd of mM AK July, fresh specimens of the moth fig. 13, were on the wing becoming much more abundant about the 6th, when they were observed flying in almost every direction about the bushes. ‘The moth when its wings are expanded measures an inch or more across ; the wings are of a pale yellowish colour ; : with several dusky spots, varying in size and form, and more distinct in some specimens than in others ; sometimes these spots are so arranged as to form one or two irregular bands across the wings. About the middle of July, some of these active speci- 3 mens were captured, and one of the females, confined in a box by it- self, laid a large number of eggs, 140 in all, between the 22ud and 23rd of July. These were laid loose in the box excepting 24 of them which were slightly attached to the sides, The egg when viewed through a microscope is a very beautiful object ; its length is nearly ;¢,ths of an inch, width nearly ,2,ths ; in form it is an elongated oval, rather blunt at each end. Colour dull yellowish grey, sometimes with a bluish tinge with the sur- face honeycombed with regular depressions, the ridges bordering each cell having several bright minute whitish dots, which give the egg a very pretty and brilliant appearance when brought under the strong light of the condenser of the microscope. At the present date, December Ist, these eggs are still unchanged, excepting slightly in colour, owing to the developing larvae showing through the semi-transparent shell in spots, the larva in all prob- ability will not emerge until early spring. As there is only one brood of this insect with us during the year, it is never likely to prove very troublsome ; a seasonable application of helle- bore will in any case keep it within bounds, Fie. 12. b eSaritS fesfesieseae a Bi THe WaitrMarKED Tussock CATERPILLAR, Orgyia leucostigma. The orgyia caterpillar is always common in our section of Ontario, The clusters of eges from which the larvae are produced are quite numerous in winter on our fruit trees especi- ally those of the apple, pear and plum, they are securely fastened to the tree along with a dead leaf or two by threads of silk. Pig. 14. Fig. 14, (after Riley), represents the full- grown caterpillar which, when about to change to achrysalis,selects a leaf on which to undergo this important transformation, and this leaf in such a position that while the chrysalis is firmly attached to it on the one side, i is firmly secured by silken threads to the under side of a branch on the other, thus securing the leaf from falling to the ground in the Au- 20 ‘ tumn. In about a fortnight after the change to chrysalis takes place, the moths begin to make their appearance. The male which comes forth from a chrys lis not more than about half the size ot that which produces the female, (d fig. 16 shows the chrysalis of the male, ¢ Fig. 1b. that of the female),is a very pretty winged moth, see fig. 15, (after Riley). I's antennae are beautifully feathered or pectinate, and its wings are dark | brown, with a white spot on each front wing near the inner hind angle. | | When at rest its outline is heart-shaped, and its long front feet heavily clothed with hairs and seales are thrust forward to their full length. Very different indeed in appearance is his mate; the female is wingless or fur- nished with but the merest rudiments of wings which no one would observe without the closest inspection, she is represented at fig 16 resting on the cocoon from which she rarely moves more than a few Fees There she waits the attendance of the male after which the process of ege depositing begins. Dr. Fitch says that the eggs are ex- Fig, 16, truded in a continuous string wich is folded and matted together so as to form an irregular mass which is glued to the top of the cocoon ; on removing this mass of eges from its place of attachment, the surface of the cocoon ap- ING pears covered with fragments of a transpar- Se ent gelatinous-looking substance, which has aR evidently been applied in a fluid state. The AN bottom layer of eggs w Il usually number one hundred or more, and their interstices are 6 well filled with this same gelatinous material, ColonraWellow and Bleek which adheres so strongly to the eggs that when the nest is torn open, they cannot be separated without bringing away portions of this substance firmly attached. Avother irregular layer of egys is placed on this, then a third, and sometimes a fourth before the total number is exhausted, and through the whole of these the gelatinous matte is so placed as to secure every egg, not by its being imbedded in a slid mass, but surrounded by the material worked into a spongy or frvthy state. Over all is a heavy layer of the same, with a nearly smooth greyish white surface, the whole number of eggs being so placed as to present a convex surface to the weather which effectually prevents the lodyment of any water on it. , Within this enclosure from 375 to 500 eggs are securely plated. We have counted the contents of several and 375 is the lowest and 5(0 the highest number we have found. The ege isnearly globular, flattened at the upper side, not perceptibly hollowed, with a dark peint on the centre of the flattened portion surrounded by a dusky halo. Its surface is smooth under a magnifying power of 45 diameters, but when subumitted to a higher power, appears lightly punctured with minute dots. Its colour is uniformly white to the unaided vision, but the microscope reveals a ring of dusky yellow surrounding it immediately below the flattened portion. Its diameter is 1. of an inch. A careless observer seeing a dead Jeaf here and there upon his trees might readily con- ceive that they were blown into the position they occupied by accident. and retained there by threads of spiders’ webs or something of that sort, but a closer examination will furnish fo d for thought, in the wise arrangements made by the parent moth, in providing for the safety of her future offspring, and at the same time muy well excite alarm in the mind of the fruit grower when he perceives promise of the approaching birth of sucha horde of hungry caterpil- lars as even one of these egg masses will produce. Early in June these eggs begin to hatch and continue to hatch on different trees for several weeks. During the past season we found the larvae about half an inch long on the 3rd of July, and by the 22nd, some specimens were nearly full srown. There must, however, have been earlier larvae than these which escaped notice, for on the 29th of July we found a freshly hatched cluster of young larvee belonging to the second brood. The cocoon had been made and the eggs laid between two young green leaves of a pear tree, ihe following description was taken the day after. Length one eighth of an inch. Head, reddish brown slightly bilobed, dotted with black on the sides. Body above, yellowish green, semi-transparent, dotted and spotted with dark pti 21 brown. Each segment or ring is provided with a transverse row of tubereles from which arise clusters of long spreading hairs, one pair of tubercles on the sides of the second sezment much larger than any of the others and with a larger cluster of hairs ; in each cluster there is one or more hairs, very long, longer in some instances than the entire body of the larva, there is a dark brown broken stripe along each side, Hairs mixed, brown and whitish. Changes take place in its appearance at each successive moult until finally it presents the appearance given in fig. 14, and is in adornment one of the most beautiful caterpillars we know of with its vermillion red head and collar, the graceful pencils of long black hairs at each extremity, and the cream coloured brushes or tufts along its back. Nine different parasites have bven found infesting this larve. These friendly helpers must do much towards keeeping this destructive creature within reasonable limits. Of 34 cocoons lately taken at random from different trees, only ten were found with eges attached and quite a large proportion of the remainder were infested with parasites. Hence when collecting these evcoons in winter none should be taken or destroyed, but those which have ege masses on them, as all the others will contain either useful parasites or else the empty, harmless male chrysalis. As the female never travels beyond her cocoon, it is clear that this insect can only spread by the wanderings of the caterpillar or the careless introduction of eggs on young trees, no doubt the latter has been the most prolific source of evil. THE APPLE-TREE BLIGHT. This strange disease, affecting the tips of the branches of apple and quince trees, has been very common during the past summer, and has extended over a large portion of the western part of Ontario. ‘The first specimens we received this year were from Mr. James Dougall, of Windsor. He writes, on the 27th of June, as follows—‘‘ I send you to day, by express, some twigs and shvots of apple and quince trees, affected by what I presume is the twig borer. I have never been able to discover any insects or larve in the shoots, but possibly I may have been late in looking for them. The year before last this pest was very bad down the lake shore, about Ruthven, the orchards were browned with it. Last year it attacked my larger apple trees badly, and in the nursery rowssome Alexander trees, which were five years old suffered, while the younger ones were not touched ; this year it is worse than last. My quinees have heen badly injured for the past three years.” On the same day we reecived another package from C. I. Treffry, of Hawtry, Ontario, with the following note—* I herewith enclose for your inspection some small branches from some of my appletrees. In passing through my orchard I was surprised to find three of my finest young trees affected as enclosed. 1 have watched closely for the insect which must have caused such damage, but without success; neither can I find anything in the Society's Report for 1873 which will give me any information respecting it.” This same disease affected the trees very much on the grounds of \ir. Charles Arnold, of Paris, and many or hards in that section of country were similarly injured. In our own location we observed it in one instance only, affecting a few fruit-bearing twigs on a quince tree. About Hamilton, and between that city and Dundas, we saw, in July, many trees which had been badly injured, and, on returning from New York, a few weeks later saw evi- dences of the same trouble in some of the apple orchards in the western portion of that state. Thus it will be seen that this disease has affected many trees in widely distant portions of our country, and probably has extended much further thin we are at present aware of. We shall be glad to hear from our fruit-growing friends in reference to this matter. The advent of this disease is shown by a sudden withering of the twigs and extremities of the branches, particularly the fruit bearing portions, and embracing the whole of the new growth. Soon the leaves appear as if scorched, and the wood of the affected portions becomes black. Here the trouble seems to end, and later in the season the tree partially recovers its vigour and throws out new shoots from below the base of the affected portion. The fact of the fruit branches being principally involved tells heavily on the erop for the year, and makes this disease a much more serious matter than it would otherwise be. The effeets produced are so similar in appearance to the damage done, in some instances by the twig borers that we do not wonder at the prevailing opinion that the injury is in some way caused by insects. The most careful examination, however, fails to reveal the slightest evidence of insect work, and, like the mysterious pear tree: blight, its origin and progress are at present involved in 22 obscurity. From the fact of its affecting only the new and tender growth we sheuld inter that some atmospheric agency is probably concerned in the production and propogation of this disease. At present we have no remedy to suggest. ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. By W. SAUNDERS, Toe Crcropia Motu (Altacus Cecropia, Linn.) Among the many beautiful and wonderful insects native to this country, there 1s mone which excites yearly more wonder and astonishment than the cecropia moth. Its size is enormous, measuring when its wings are spread from five and a half to six and a half inches across, and sometimes even more while its beauty is proportionate to its size. The accom- panying figure 17 (after Riley) is a faithful representation of this magnificent creature. Both front and hind wings are of a rich brown, the anterior pair greyish, shaded,with‘red, Fie. 17. the posterior more uniformly brown ; near the middle of each of the wings there is a nearly kidney shaped white spot shaded more or less with red, and margined with black. A wavy dull red band crosses each of the wings, edged inside on the front wings more or less faintly with white, while on the hind pair the band is widely and clearly margined with the same eolor. The outer edges of the wings are of a pale silky brown in which on the anterior pair runs an irregular dull black line, which on the hind wings is replaced by a narrow, double broken band of the same hue. The front wings next to the shoulders are dull red, with a eurved white and black band, varying much in distinctness in different specimens, and near their tips, there isan eyelike black spot with a bluish white crescent. The upper side of the 23 body and the legs are dull red, with a wide band behind the head and the hinder edges of the segments of the abdomen white ; the under side of the body is also irregularly marked with white. The under surface of the wings is very much like the upper, but somewhat paler. Cecropia was the ancient name of the City of Athens, and it has been a matter of sur- prise to some that Linnaeus should have given this name to our moth, Dr. Fitch throws light on this subject in the following words, “‘ The great legislator of this department of human knowledge, as he is expressively styled by Latreille, it has been frequently remarked, was endowed with a genius which, but few of his disciples have inherited, for selecting names for natural objects, which are most appropriate and happy. The idea which was present in the mind of Linnaeus when he named this splendid moth, we think is sufficiently evident. The Athenians were the most polished and refined people of antiquity. The moths are the most delicate and elegant of insects; they were the Athenians of their race. Cecrops was the founder, the head of the Athenian people. When the names of men were bestowed upon cities, ships, or other objects regarded as being of the feminine, gender, classical usage changed these names to the.feminine form. The moths (Phalena) being feminine, and the name of Cecrops being more euphonious in this form, probably induced Linozus to change it in the manner he did. The name thus implies this to be the leader, the head of the most elegant tribe of insects, or in other words the first of all insect kind. What name more appropriate can be invented for this sumptuous moth.” The figure we have given is that of a male which differs from the female in having a smaller abdomen and larger and more deeply feathered antenne or feelers. During the winter months, when the apple trees are leafless the large cocoons of this moth may be found here and there, firmly bound to the twigs, they are also frequently found Fig. 18. on currant bushes, and occasionally also on lilac, cherry, hazel, plum, blackberry, maple, willow and some other shrubs and trees ; for this insect in ite larval stage is a very general feeder. The cocoon, see fig. 18, (after Riley) is about three inches long, pod shaped and of a dirty brown colour, and is entirely constructed of silk, the fibres of which are very much stronger than those’of the common silk worm Bombyx mori. The silk has been worked toa limited extent and manufactured into socks and other articles, which have been found very durable; but a drawback to the advancement of this branch of industry lies in the fact that the . caterpillars do not bear confinement well, and hence are not easily . reared. The exterior structure of the cocoon is very close and papery- like, but on eutting through this, we find the interior —surround ing the dark brown chrysalis—made up of loose fibres of strong yellow silk. This snug enclosure effectually protects the inseet in its dormant state from the extremes of weather during the long wintry months. When the time approaches for the escape of the SE, moth, which is about the beginning of June, the internal dark #8 brown chrysalis is ruptured by the struggles of the oceupant, and ) the newly born moth begins to work its way out of the cocoon. As it is possessed of no cutting instrument of any kind, this would indeed be a hopeless task had not the all-wise Creator made a special provision for this purpose, and to this end a fluid adapted for softening the fibres is furnished just at this juncture and secreted from about the mouth. On listening to the creature as it works its way through, you hear a scraping, tearing sound, which is made by the insect working with the claws on its fore- feet, tearing away the softened fibres and packing them on each side to make a channel for its escape. The place of exit is the smaller end of the cocoon, which is more loosely made than any other part and through which, after the internal obstacles are overcome, the passage is effected without much further trouble. We have frequently watched their escape. First through the opening is thrust the anterior pair of bushy looking legs, the 24 sharp claws of which fasten on the outside structure ; then with an effort the head is drawn for- ward, suddenly displaying the beautiful featherlike antennae; next, the thorax, on which is b rne the other two pairs of legs, is liberated, and finally, the escape is completed by the withdrawal of the abdomen, through the orifice thus made. Queer looking creatures they are when they first put in an appearance, with their large, fat, juicy bodies, and tiny wings. When the wings are fully expanded they measure from five to six inches or more across, but when fresh from the chrysalis they are but very little larger than the wings of a bumble bee. The first necessity now for the welfare of the individual is to find a suitable location where the wings may be held in a good position for expanding, for without such favourable cireum- stance they would never attain a serviceable size. It is necessary that a position should be secured where the wings may hang down as they are expanding, for which purpose the under side of a twig is often selected ; and here, securely suspended by the claws, the wings undergo in a short time the most marvellous growth it is possible to imagine. The whole process, from the time of the escape of the moth to its full maturity, seldom occupies more than from half an hour to an hour, and during this time the wings grow from the diminutive size. already mentioned to their full measure and capacity. A wing clipped from the insect immediately after its escape, and examined under the microscope, reveuls the fact that the thousands and tens of thc usands of scales with which the wings are coyered, and which afterwards assume such beautiful feather-like forms, are now nearly all threadlike and undeveloped. Impressed with this thought, the mind is fairly astonished at the almost incredible change wrought in so limited a time, for the growth em- braces not only the extension of the surtace of the wing, but the enlargement and maturity of every scale or feather on it, the individuals of which are but as dust to the naked eye. What a wonderful and intricate system of circulation and power of nutrition must’ be possessed to accomplish this marvellous result ! Soon after their exit these moths seek their mates, and after pairing, the female begins to deposits her eggs, a process which occupies some time, for the eggs are not laid in patches or groups, but singly ; and are firmly fastened with a glutinous material to the under side of a leaf ; and as it is seldom there are more than one or two laid on any single tree or bush, a considerable distance must be traversed by the parent in the transaction of tnis all important business. The number of eges which these moths lay is astonishing, we have known a single female to deposit within three days as many as 217. The eggs are aout one-tenth of an inch long, nearly round and of a dull creamy white colour, with a reddish spot or streak near the centre, the duration of the egg stage is usually from about a week to ten days. At the expiration of this period the larva eats its way out of the egg, the empty shell of which furnishes the young creature with its first meal. On its first appearance it is black, with little shining black knobs on its body, from which arise hairs of the same colour. Being furnished with a ravenous appetite its growth is very rapid ; and from time to time its exterior coat or skin becomes too tight for its comfort, when it is ruptured and thrown off. At each of these changes or moultings, the caterpillar appears in an altered garb, gradually becoming more like the full grown larva represented by Fig. 19. It is very handsome. Its body is pale * Fie. 19. ee green, the large warts or tubercles on the top of the third and fourth segments are coral red, the remainder are yellow excepting those on the second and terminal segments, which, in common with the smaller tnbercles along the sides, are blue. During its growth from the diminutive creature as it escapes from the ee¢ to the monstrous-looking full grown specimen, it consumes an immense amount of vegetable food ; and especially as it approuches maturity is this voracious appetite apparent. Where one or two have been placed on a young apple tree, they will often strip it entirely bare before they have done with it, and thus prevent the proper ripening of the wood entailing damage to the tree, and, sometimes, endangering its life ; hence, during their season, they should be watched for and destroyed. During the winter months, their cocoons may be looked for, and removed in time to check their further spread. The natural increase of this insect being so great, wise provisions have been made to keep it within bounds. Being such a conspicuous object it sometimes forms a dainty meal for the larger birds ; there are also enemies which attack the egg and young larvee and besides these there are several parasites which live within the body of the caterpillar and destroy it before reaching maturity. One cf the largest of these parasites is the long tailed Ophion (Ophion macrurum, Linn.) Fig, 20 (after Riley). This is a large yellowish brown Ichneumon Fe. 20. fly, and is perhaps one of the commonest parasites uffect- ing the cecropia. The female of this fly deposits, ac- cording to Mr. Trouvelot, from eight to ten eggs upon the skin of her victim. These eggs soon hatch into young larvee which eat their way through the skin of the caterpillar, and at once begin to feed upon the fatty parts within. As only one of these parasitic larvae ean find food sufficient to mature, the rest either die from hunger or are deyoured by the strongest survivor. Mr. Riley, in Am. Ent., Vol. IL., says, “ After the Cecropia Worm has formed its cocoon, the parasitic larva which had hitherto fed on the fatty portions of its victim, now attacks the vital parts, and when nothing but the empty skin of the worm is left spins its own eocoon, which is oblong oval, dark brown inclining to bronze, and spun so closely and compactly, that the inner Jayers when separated have the appearance of gold beater’s skin. If we eut open one of these cocoons soon after it is completed, we shall find inside a large, fat, legless grub, Fig. 21, which sometimes undergoes its transformations and issues as a fly in the fall, but more generally waits until the t L 4 following spring. t Po “The Ichneumon Fly, last mentioned, usually cau-es W AA if, A a dwarfed appearance of the worm which it infests, and aren ra parasitized cocoons can generally be distinguished from "7 healthy ones by their smaller size, The larvee of the Ta- china Fly which we now introduce to our readers, as parasitic on the Cecropia Worm, seem to _ produce an exactly opposite effect, namely, an undue and unnatural growth of their victim. In the beginning of September, 1866, we received an enormous Cecropia Worm. It mea- sured over four inches, wasa full inch in diameter, and weighed nearly two ounces, butlike many other large specimens which we have sinceseen, it was covered with small oval, opaque, white eggshells, clusters of four or five occurring on the back of each segment. invariably Fig. 22. deposited in a traverse direction. The skin of the’ worm was black, where the young parasites had hatched and penetrated. The large worm soon died and rotted, and in about twelve days a host of maggots gnawed their way through the putrid skin. These maggots averaged about one-half inch in length, and in form were like those of the common Blow-fly. The head was attenuated and retractile and furnished with two minute curved hooks, and the last segment was squarely cut off, slightly concave and with the usual two spiracles or breathing holes which this class cf larve have at their tails. Their colour was of a translucent yellow, and they went into the ground and 26 remained in the larva state all winter, contracted to pup in the April following, and the flies commenced to issue the last of May.” This fly differs so little from the red tailed Tachina Fly (£xorista militaris, Walsh), see Fig. 22, which infests the army worm that Mr. Riley is inclined to regard it as a variety of that species. The Cecropia chaleis fly (Chalcis Maria Riley). We quote again from Mr. Riley.—‘ In May, 1869, we received from Mr. V. T. Chambers, of Covington, Ky., numerous specimens of the beautiful large chaleis fly figured herewith & “ (Fig. 23), which he had taken from the cocoon of the Polyphemus moth, which is quite common and issues as early as the middle of February in that locality. He says, ‘J was satisfied that the cocoon did not contain a living Polyphemus, and therefore opened it. It contained so little besides these in- sects and their exuviae as to suggest strongly the old idea that the caterpillar had been metamor- phosed into them (2s in a sense it had). There were 47 of them, of which 23 were females. As all the males and some of the females were dead when QolouiBincriacdevellows I opened the cocoon, I think it likely that the former never do emerge, and perhaps but few of the latter ; otherwise Polyphemus would soon be exterminated.’ “We can very well imagine that most of these chalcis flies would die in their efforts to escape from the tough cocoon of the Polyphemus, but it so happens that these same insects have been found by Mrs. Mary Treat, of Vineland, New Jersey, to prey upon the cecropia worm, from the cocoon of which they can much more easily escape. Fig. 24 “The Divorced Cryptus (Cryptus nuncius, SAY,—ezxtrematis, CRESSON), jw) another Ichneumon fly, infests the cecropia worm in great numbers, filling its cocoon so full of their own thin parchment-like cocoons that a transverse section (Fig. 24) bears considerable resemblance to a honey- comb. ‘The flies issue in June, and the sexes differ sufficiently to have given rise to two species. We haye bred seven females and twenty-nine males from a cocoon of the cecropia moth, all the males agreeing with the species described by Say as nwncius, and all the females agreeing with that described afterwards as extrematis by Mr, Cresson. Tue CLroupep Sutpuur Burrerriy (Colias Philodice, Govt). The clouded sulphur is everywhere one of our commonest butterflies, abundant in its Fig 26. season, in fields and roadwavs, frequently congrega- ting in groups on the borders of streams and springs, where, in hot weather, they seem to enjoy settling on the cool, moist ground. They are still more abund- ant in clover fields as the season advances. The female of this species differs somewhat in its markings from the male, as will be readily seen by reference to the figures, 25 representing the male, 26 the female. The ground colour of the wings in ‘both sexes is bright yellow marked on the outer edge with a dark brown or blackish border, narrower in the male than it is in the female, while in the F latter it encloses on the anterior wings a broken row of irregular yellow spots, there is also a spot of black placed near the front edge of the fore wings, about halfway between the base and tip, varying in form and distinctness. The hind wings in both sexes are less heavily margined, and near the middle isa dull, pale orange spot. Both wings are dusky towards the base, and the fringes are pink. Colours Yellow and Black: On the under surface the yellow colour is less 27 bright, while the dark margins are either entirely wanting or else represented by a dusky shade margined oceasional!y within by a few dull brownish dots. The spot on the forewings is distinct, but paler and usually centered with a small silvery eye. That on the hind wings is much more distinct than above, being composed of a bright silvery spot in the centre de- fined by a dark brown line which is in turn encircled with duli orange. Immediately above and alittle towards the outer edge is a much smaller spot of the same character ; there is also a reddish dot on the anterior edge, about the middle of the wing. The antennw are pink, with the knobs at their tips of a darker shade; the body is dark above; paler at the sides and underneath. The insect appears first on the wing about the middle of May, becoming more plentiful towards the latter end of the month, but the time of its greatest abundance is later in the season, after the appearance of the second brood, which is during the latter part of July and throughout August. In the second volume of the ‘“ Entomologist,” p. 8, Mr. Bethune re- marks as follows: “On the 3rd of August, a lovely, bright, warm morning, after an exccs- sively wet night, I drove about ten miles along country roads ; every few yards there was a patch of mud, the effects of the heavy rain, and at every patch of mud there were from half a dozen to twenty specimens of Colias philodice, at least one, I should think for every yard of distance J travelled. I must then have scen, at a yery moderate computation, about ten thousand specimens of this butterfly.” The caterpillar of the Clouded Sulphur feeds on the cultivated pea, on clover, on the Blue Lupin, Zupinus perennis, and no doubt on many other plants belonging to the order Leguminose. The egg, which is a beautiful object, is about one twenty-third of an inch in length, tapering at each end, with twelve or fourteen raised longitudinal ribs, with smaller cross lines in the concave spaces between them. Its colour when first deposited is of a pale lemon yellow, which changes in three or four days to a pale red, then gradually to a bright red, and from that to dark brown just before the time of hatching. The duration of the ege stage is about seven days. The young caterpillar just hatched is one-twelfth of an inch long and of a dull yellow- ish brown colour, but when a little older it changes to a dark green. When full grown it is about an inch long, with a dark green head and body, the,latter with a yellowish white stripe on each side close to the under surface, with an irregular streak of bright red running through its lower portion. The body also has a downy look occasioned by its being thickly clothed with very minute pale hairs. The chrysalis is about seven-tenths of an inch long, attached at its base, and girt across the middle with asilken thread. Its colour is pale green with a yellowish tinge, with a pur- plish red line on each side of the head, darker lines down the middle both in front and behind, and with a yellowish stripe along the sides of the hinder segments. During the heat of summer the chrysalis state usually lasts about ten days. A day or so before the butterfly escapes the chrysalis becomes darker and semi-transparent, the mark- ings on the wings showing plainly through the enclosing membrane. THe Wairr-LinED Mornina Spuinx (Deilephila lineata, Fasr.) Fig. 27. Bcd : a The white-lined morning sphinx is a tolerably common insect throughout Ontario. It is seen on the wing generally about twilight or later,although it has been met with occassion- ally in the day time. In its flight it much resembles the humming bird, hovering over flowers into which it inserts its long and slender tongue in search of thenectar there stored, which constitutes its food. In common with many other sphinx moths its structure is robust and its flight rapid and power- Colours Olive, white and rose. ful: hence it is difficult to capture, and even when taken will often flutter with such forve as to seriously damage the covering and structure of its beautiful wings. When its wings are fully spread they measure from three to three-and-a-half inches across, (see Fig, 27, after Riley). The ground colour isa rich greenish olive. On the fore wings there is a pale band about the middle, extending from near the base to the tip,and along the outer margin runs another band nearly equal in width, but darker and less distinct ; the veins also are lined with white. The hind wings which are small, are nearly coyered by a wide central rosy band, becoming paler as it approaches the body, the hinder edge is fringed with white. On the anterior portion of the body there are six longitudinal stripes or lines, while the hind- er part is alternately spotted with white and black. The entire under surface is much paler and duller in colour than the upper. ; TOA “The larva,” Mr, Riley says, “ feeds upon purslane, turnip, buckwheat, water melon, and even apple and grape leaves, upon any of which it may be found in the month of July. It descends into the ground, and within a smooth cavity, changes into a light brown chrysalis, from which the moth emerges during the month of September.” “The most common form of the larva is that given at Fig. 28. Its colour is yellowish green, with a prominent subdorsal row of elliptical spots, each spot consisting of two curved Fig. 28. black lines, enclosing superiorly a bright crimson space, and inferiorly a pale yellow line— the whole row of spots connected by a pale yellow stripe, edged above with black. In some specimens these eyelike spots are disconnected, and the space between the black crescents is of a uniform cream colour. The breathing holes are either surrounded with black or with black edged with yellow. The other form is black, and characterized chiefly by a yellow line along the back, and a series of pale yellow spots and darker yellow dots, as represented Fig. 29. in the illustration Fig, 29, even this dark form is subject to great variation, some specimens entirely lacking the line along the back, and having the spots of different shape.” “ This inseet has a wide range, as it occurs in the West Indies, Mexico and Canada, as well as throughout the United States. Feeding asit does, principally on plants of but little value, and being very commonly attacked by the larvae of a Tachina fly, this insect has never become sufficiently common to be classed as injurious.” GRASSHOPPERS OR LOCUSTS. By tHe Rev. C. J. S. Beruune, M.A. Few, probably, of our Canadian fellow-countrymen are aware that the terrible Locust, “the scourge of nations,” as it has been fitly termed, about whose destructive powers they read such appalling accounts in books of Oriental travel, is one of the insect enemies that some of the denizens of our Dominion have to contend against. And yet itis too true—as the records of the past season in our North-west Province of Manitoba abundantly prove. The locusts (or grasshoppers, as they are incorrectly termed) have laid waste great tracts of fertile country, and have brought ruin and desolation to many an unhappy settler in that far off region. ; It is much to be regretted—to quote our remarks made on a former occasion*—that so much confusion exists in the popular use of terms in Natural History, and particularly in entomology, in consequence of which very serious errors become matters of common faith, much mischief is allo ved to go unheeded, and the innocent are oftentimes punished for the guilty. The term “bug,’’ for instance, is almost universally applied in the neighbouring States, and very generally in this country, to every kind of insect, so that it is no uncommon thing to hear a beautiful butterfly or lovely moth designated by the odious name of “bug,” whereas the «appellation belongs exclusively to those foul-smelling sucking insects of the order Hemiptera, which feed upon the juices of plants, and in some cases upon the blood of other insects, of animals and man. Aguin, the larva of almost every kind of insect is called “the grib;” larvae that burrow into the trunks of trees and timber, “ ¢ie borer,” and so on to any extent. The consequence is that what is a remedy for one grub or borer, or so-called “ bug,’” is indiscriminately made use of for the destruction of every other grub, or borer, or “ bug “ unmindful that the old proverb may be read iu this way also—‘ What is one insect’s meat is an }ther’s poison,” and that the treatment that will exterminate one injurious insect is some- times perfectly harmless in the case of another. This confusion of terms is particularly unfortunate in the case of the insects that we are now treating of, Every one in this country is perfectly familiar with what is commonly Fig. 30. called a “ grasshopper,” but how very few are aware that what they term a grasshopper, and see too often to think much about, is really the same kind of insect as the much dreaded, famine- producing Locust, that constituted one of the plagues of Keypt, and that is an object of so much terror wherever it prevails. A trae locust it never- theless is, and it were well, for many reasons, that our people became accus- tomed to call it by its right name. Our common species in this Province, while it does not possess the power of suddenly appearing in vast numbers and emigrating from place to place, occasionally becomes greatly multiplied and proves very destructive. The western locust (or grasshopper), how- ever, differing but very slightly from our species, is, as we shall presently shew, quite as formidable a destroyer as its Oriental congener. * Canada Farmer, 1867, page 87. 30 While the true American Locusts are commonly called * grasshoppers, and the true grasshoppers are termed crickets, katydids, &., another element of confusion is mingled with our insect nomenclature by the common practice of giving the name of locust to the cicada, a totally different insect belonging to an entirely different order. The accompany- ing illustration will shew the reader the difference between these three kinds of insects better than any written description. Figure: ‘30 represents different stages in the life of the Cicada or so-called ‘‘Seventeen year Locust” (C. Septem-decim Linn). a is the pupa ; ) the empty pupa case after the perfect insect has emerged from it ; ¢, the perfect or winged insect; d, the per- forations in a twig for the deposition ‘of egos; @, the ege. Figure 32 represents ‘a katydid or true grasshopper (Cyrtophyllum concavum, Say); and Figure 31 a true locust or so-called grasshopper (Caloptenus spretus, UHLER). A single glance at these illus- trations will shew the reader, the main differences between the three kinds of insects that we have been referring to. We wish it, there- fore, to be plainly understood that in the account that follows : we shall use the term “ Locust” in reference to the devastating y insect represented in Figure 31, which is so often called a “ grasshopper.” Fig. 32. History or THE LocusT IN AMERICA. : . From the various works that we have been able to con- sult we gather that visitations of locusts have occurred on a more or less extensive scale, from time to time, ever since the Central and Western portions of this Northern Conti- nent have been occupied by Europeans. We have no diffi- culty, then, in believing that from time immemorial these destructive insects have played their important part in maintaining the balance of animal and vegetable life in accordance with the grand laws of the Omnipotent Creator. The earliest notice that we have found of a visitation of locusts refers back more than two centuries, to a period much anterior to the discovery of the Mississippi River by La Salle. In Gage’s West Indies the following account is given of one of these visitations in Guatemala in the year 1632 :— “ The first year of my abiding there it pleased God to send one of the plagues of Egypt to that country, which was of locusts, which I had never seen till then. They were after the manner of our grasshoppers, but somewhat bigger, which did fly about in numbers so thick and infinite that they did truly cover the face of the sun, and hinder the shining forth of the beams of that bright planet. Where they lighted, either upon trees or standing corn, there was nothing expected but ruin, destruction and barrenness ; for the corn they devoured, the fruits of trees they ate and con- sumed, and bung so thick upon the branches that with their weight they tore them from the body. The highways were so covered with them that they startled the travelling mules with their fluttering about their heads and feet. My eyes were often struck with their wings as I rode along ; and much ado I had to see my way, what with a montero wherewith I was fain to cover my face, what with the flight of them which were still before my eyes. The farmers towards the South sea-coast cried out, for that their indigo, which was then in grass, was like to be eaten up; from the Jngenios of sugar the like moan was made, that the young and tender sugar-canes would be destroyed ; but, above all, grievous was the cry of the husbandmen of the valley where J lived, who feared that their 31 corn would in onenight be swallowed up by that devouring legion. The care of the magistrates was that the towns of Indians should all go out into the ficlds with trumpets, and what other instruments they had, to make a noise and to affright them from those places which are most considerable and profitable to the commonweath ; and strange it was to see how the loud noise of the Indians and sounding of the trumpets defended some fields from the fear and danger of them. Where they lighted in the mountains and highways, there they left behind them their young ones, which were found creeping upon the ground, ready to threaten such a second year’s plague, if not prevented ; wherefore all the towns were called, with spades, mattocks and shovels, to dig long trenches and therein to bury all the young ones. Thus, with muck trouble to the poor Indians and their great pains (yet after much hurt and loss in many places) was that flying pestilence chased away out of the country to the South Sea, where it was thought to be consumed by the ocean, and to have found a grave in the waters, whilst the young ones found it in the land. Yet they were not all so buried, but that shortly some appeared, which, being not so many in number as before, were with the former diligence soon overcome.” About a century later than the date of the above account, the locusts are recorded to have laid waste, on several occasions, all the vegetation of Mexico and Yucatan, and to have produced famine and much consequent suffering among the people. ‘To California, they ap; pear to have been especially partial from the earliest times. The Jesuit Mather Michael del Barco, who lived for thirty years in that country as a missionary among the heathen Indians, relates that from the arrival of the Jesuits in 1697 to the year 1722, they were free from any plague of locusts, but that in this year they caused fearful sufferings among the inhabitants. In 1746 and for three years following without intermission, they again invaded the land ; after this they did not appear until 1753 and 1754 ; and finally, before the expulsion of the Jesuits, in 1765 and the two foliowing years. Clavigero, in his History of California, gives a yery interesting account of these several invasions, and describes the appearance and natural history of the insect with much minuteness; from his work we make the following extracts :— “ The female, at the latter part of July or early in August, lays a number of fine small eggs of a yellowish colour, ina string, united with a glutinous matter, which appears like a cord of fine silk. These are deposited together and dropped into a small hole which they make in the ground with a small apparatus attached to their tails. Hach female lays from seventy to eighty eggs, and sometimes more. “The birth of these new grasshoppers has no particular time, but is dependent upon the early or late appearance of the rains, but they generally hatch during the latter part of Sep- tember or early in October. . . . . . heir life, from birth to death, lasts ten months, during which they cast their coats twice and change their colours five times. When the wings have become of sufficient strength and the body at its maturity, they then begin to ascend into the air and fly like birds, and commence their ravages in every direction, desolating the fields of every green thing. Their numbers become so extraordinary, that they soon form clouds in the atmosphere, of which the rays of the sun cast a shadow as they fly. They unite in masses of ten to twelve thousand, always following their conductors and flying in a direct line without falling behind, for they consume every growing thing before them. To whatever height their guides conduct them to obtain a sight of their food they follow, and as soon as growing crops or any verdure is sighted, instantly the swarm will alight and speedily devour and devastate the fields around to that extent, and with that promptitude, that when they are seen by a new swarm of their fellows, there is not anything more left to injure or con- sume. “This lamentable insect plague is bad enough in old and cultivated countries, but in the miserable peninsula of California, where they eat up the crops, green trees, fruits, and pastures, they cause great mortality in the domestic animals of the missions, and with the effect of their ravages on the cereals and other garden productions cause great famines and sickness among the inhabitants and neophytes of the establishments. At one time immense multitudes of these voracious insects died, infecting the air dreadfully with the stench of their corruption and deeay.”’ In Upper California, the Franciscan Missions of the early part of the present century, have suffered in a very similar manner. About the year 1827 or 1828, they ate up—we are told —nearly all the growing crops, and occasioned a great scarcity of wholesome food ; again in 32 1834, they “destroyed all the crops of the rancheros and missions, with thé exception of the wheat.” In 1°38, the field crops und gardens were again nearly destroyed. In 1846, there was another serious visitation, which extended over some of what are now termed the Western States, as well as California. In 1855, to pass over lesser visitations, there came one of the most terrible of all the recorded plagues of Locusts in California. As related by Mr. Taylor, of Monterey, (Smithsonian Report, 1858), between the middle of May and October, 1855, “these insects extended themselves over a space of the earth’s surface, much greater than has ever before heen noted. They covered the entire Territories of Washington and Oregon, and every valley of the State of California, ranging from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada ; the entire Territories of Utah and New Mexico ; the immense grassy prairies lying on the eastern slopesof the Rocky Mountains ; the dry mountain valleys of the Republic of Mexico, and the countries of Lower California and Central America, and also those portions of Texas which resemble, in physical characteristics, Utab and California. The records prove that the locusts extended themselves, in one year, over a surface comprised within thirty-eight degrees of latitude, and in the broadest part, eighteen degrees of longitude.” The Sacramento newspapers of that year were filled with details of the plague; most accounts compared the swarms, when in flight, to dense snow-storms ; they consumed everything before them—the foliage of trees, orchards, gardens, vineyards, fields of young grain, of crops and vegetables—everything was eaten up in a particular locality in a single day, leaving the ground a withered, blackened desert. That summer of 1855, was observed to be the hottest and driest that had been known for ten years.” During the next two years, 1856-7, the plague was almost entirely confined to the region lying east of the Rocky Mountains, and extending in places as far as the Missis- sippi River ; throughout the States of Minuesota, Nebraska and Kansas, the locusts were es- pecially destructive, Ten years later, in the summer of !866, another noteworthy visitation took place throughout the same region, A correspondent of a Rock Island, [Il., paper (see Practical Entomologist, vol. ii., page 3), thus describes the plague in Nebraska: ‘“‘ The last day of August, near the middle of the afternoon, quite a number of grasshoppers were seen alight- ing, and that number rapidly increased till a little before sunset. The next morning they appeared much thicker, but were only so from having crawled more into the open air to sun tlemselyes. Aboutnine o’clock they began to come thicker and faster from a northerly directi n, swarming in the air by myriads, and making a roar like suppressed distant thun- der. By looking up to the'sun they could be seen as high as the eye could discover an object so small, in appearance like a heavy snow storm. Each grasshopper very much like a very large flake, save that it passed by instead of falling. The number was beyond imagination, the air was literally full of them and continued so till late in the afternoon, countless millions passed on leaving other countless millions covering the earth and devouring the vegetation.” Another writer from Kansas states that ‘“ Yesterday, September 10th, the locusts made their “appearance here, and ure devouring everything green, They almost darken the sun in their flizht. I putin 65 acres of wheat in the last week of August, which looked fine, but it has nearly all disappeared ; by to-morrow night there willnot be a spear left. Early sown wheat will be totally destroyed.” From the description given by another writer in Kansas, we may quote the following graphic account :—‘ There is something weird and unearthly in their appearance, us in vast hosts they scale walls, housetops and fences, clambering over each other with a creaking, clashing noise. Sometimes they march in even regular lines, like hosts of pigzmy cavalry, but generally they rash over the ground in confused swarms. At times they rise high in the air and cirele round like gnats in the sunshine. At such times, I think, they are caught hy currents of our prevailing westerly winds and are thus distributed over vast tracts of country.” he foregoing extracts will give our readers some little idea of the mode of appearance and the destructive powers of the locusts in the west. We might fill pages, a volume indeed, with similar accounts. The next year 1867, and to some extent also in 1868 the locusts reappeared through- out the sawe region, and extended further to the eastward as wellas westward. They proved more or less destruetive in Western and Central Iowa, and in North Western Mis- souri, as well as almost all over Nebraska, Kangas, Texas and Utah. They have never, so far as we have been able to ascertain, passed to the eastward of the Mississippi River. Tau 1869 and 1870, the ravages of the locusts seem to have been confined on this side of the Rocky Mountains, to portions of Nebraska, Colorado and Utah. 33 —I>IIlIIIl—>>—>>~_L__——_—_—S=—————— Tae PLAaus or Locusts 1n 1874. Let us now turn to the terrible visitation of the present year, from the effects of which so many thousands are now suffering the privations of famine throughout immense tracts of country. Last year (1873) the locusts or grasshoppers were stated to have infticted considerable damage upon crops of various kinds in some of the Western States, principally Nebraska and Kansas; here and there also in Minnesota, Iowa and Dakota there were comparatively trifling visitations. But in the month of July of this year there began one of the most serious invasions that has ever occurred in the west. In point of numbers and in extent of area affected, the plague was probably; no greater than on some previous occasions, notably that of 1855 that we have referred to above; the great difference, however, is caused by the fact that twenty years ago the country west of the Mississippi River was an almost unin- habited wilderness of prairie, while now it is traversed by a net work of railways, covered with populous towns and villages, and occupied to a very large extent by multitudes of in- dustrious people. Twenty years ago the locusts affected the food supply, perhaps, of the buf- falo, the Indian, and the scattered frontier settlers, but now their ravages cause destitution and misery in tens of thousands of homes. Up to the beginning of July this year, all looked bright and fair for the western farmer. His crops of all kinds were, as a rule, growing luxuriantly ; the prospect of a bountiful har- vest was quite as good as usual. After that date, however, sooner or later in different localities, all these bright prospects were overelouded, in many instances utterly destroyed. The following extracts from various newspapers will abundantly tell the tale. As early as the 19th of July a correspondent of the Prairie Farmer writes from How- ard County, Nebraska: “Corn and potatoes were doing well until recently, when the grass- hoppers [locusts] put in an appearance, and the result undoubtedly is, at the present moment, that there is not ten per cent. of these crops and of late oats left in this and the two neigh- bourirg counties ; and it is very doubtful if the countless millions of Vandals will leave a vestige of any green thing. The result must be almost certain starvation for new-comers, and must retard the development of this beautiful country for many years.” A lady correspondent of the same paper writes a few days later from Butler County, also in Nebraska :— ‘The low-hung clounds have dropped their garnered fullness down.’ But alas! and alack! they were not the long-looked-for rain clouds, but grasshoppers. As I told you before, they passed over on the 23rd, only a few alighting ; but a strong south-west wind on the 24th brought back countless millions; and on the 25th their numbers were fearful to contemplate. They would rise in the air when the sun shone hot, but as it grew cooler they came down like the wolf on the fold. They settled like huge swarms of bees on every living thing. Fields of corn that had been untouched before were now stripped of tassel and blade. A field of early corn was being eaten so fast, that the girls went to save a few ears, instead of going to visit a sick schoolmate according to promise. Trees were so loaded with the pests, that those four and five feet high bent down till the tops touched the ground, and in some instances broke off ; for three dreadful hours they dashed against the house like hail. So many came in at doors and windows that every aperture was closed ; but not till they were so thick on the windows, that we were forced to make a business of slaying. The 25th of July will be remembered by the citizens of this and some other counties as the dark day, when desolation and devastation stared us in the face. * * * The wheat which was at first thought to be out of harm’s way was cut off about one-fourth by the destroying angels. A statement in our county paper says the average will be about 8 or 9 bushels per acre. After the grasshoppers stopped their depredations, there were several damp cloudy days, that brought out new tassels and silks on the corn, but more than a week of hot, dry weather, with scorching winds checked its growth, so there will be none, excepting a very few fields that partially escaped. Turnips have been grown since the rain ; and it is to be hoped there will yet be some potatoes ; sweet potatoes were not hurt so badly as the common potato. Broom corn, cane and Hungarian grass were unscathed.” A writer from St. Paul, Minnesota, to the paper above mentioned, says that the locusts “have undoubtedly destroyed five hundred thousand bushels of wheat, and are likely to des- troy another half million of bushels.” Later on in the season the St. Paul Press publishes the following statement in reference to the plague of locusts in Minnesota:—‘“ It is safe to D 34 ———s estimate the tilled area in the ravaged district at 275,000 acres, and of the area in wheat in that district at 200,000 acres. Of this area, probably not less than 150,000 acres have been destroyed. This represents not less than 2,500,000 bushels of wheat devoured in the germ by the grasshoppers, or about one-twelth of the wheat crop of the state. Add to this area 50,000 acres of oats, at 33 bushels per acre, or 1,320,000 bushels in all, or one-twelfth of the oat crop of the state; 20,000 acres of corn, at 32 bushels per acre, 340,000 bushels, or one twelfth of the corn crop of the state, and perhaps 20,000 acres more in rye, buckwheat, barley, potatoes and other crops—and the full extent of the grasshopper hayoe cannot be easily estimated.” Our readers may further judge of the extent of the calamity and sufferings consequent upon it, from the following Pastoral Letter, issued by the Bishop of Minnesota, and appointed to be read in all the Churches in his Diocese :—To the Clergy and Congregations of the Diocese of Minnesota ; You are aware that several counties of the State have been desolated by locusts. In May I visited Martin county and saw the beginning of their ravages. [ laid the facts before the Governor. The plague hasincreased. Many homes are desolated. They have the right to look to us for relief. They are our own flesh and blood. They are our brothers. They are God’s children. The scourge is an awful one. It may be for ovr sins. It may be to try our faith in God. It may be to test our humanity, I ask your prayers and your alms, I recommend that an offering shall be taken up on the last Sunday in July, and that a further special contribution of money and provisions shall also be taken at our Annual Harvest Home Festival. Please send your offerings to Hon. Isaac Atwater, Minneapolis, who will send them to the Committee in St. Paul. Praying God to bless you, Your friend and Bishop, H. B. Waurppte. Extract from a Widows letter in Brown County.” “JT mortgaged my farm to get seed last Spring. Allis lost. What to do I do not know. It would take a tear out of a stone to hear the people talk. I had a nice piece of barley al- most ready to cut. There is nothing left but the straw, the heads lying thick on the ground. Dear Bishop, I am almost heart-broken, and nearly crazy, to think of the long, cold winter, and nothing to depend on. May God help us. May the Lord look to every orphan and widow, and put it in the hearts of His children to help.” «The widow must not plead in vain.” The Bishop also issued a form of prayer for relief from the plague of locusts, to be used in the Churches throughout his Diocese. From the September “ Report of the Department of Agriculture,” at Washington, we cull the following note from Kansas :—-.‘‘ The late summer and fall crops have been almost entirely destroyed by grasshoppers. The common jumping grasshopper did much damage through the early part of the season, but about the middle of August clouds of the flying ones made their appearance over the county, devouring and destroying vast quantities of vegetation. Gardens were quickly eaten up, corn-fields were stripped of leaves, and in many cases the corn was entirely eaten off ; fruit trees are left with naked branches, and in many cases the half- ripened fruit is left hanging on the trees, presenting a sickening sight of death and destruction. In addition to the actual loss by devastation, the loss caused by discouragement will be ereater. Years of patient waiting, hard work, and self-sacrifice have been destroyed in a few days, with no known remedy for protection —just as the fruits of labour were beginning to be realized, destruction came—and the question with many is, “ Isit of any use to try again 7?” Here is a field for the Department of Agriculture. Some method of protection or relief must be had against the destruction of this insect, or an immense tract of magnificent country will never be what it would without this curse. L am one of those who believe all such things may be controlled by some practical method ; it only requires study, enterprise and means to learn how. This county (Doniphan) could well afford to pay $100,000 for a guarantee that no grasshoppers should ever trouble it again. I have learned that vegetation highly culti- vated and growing vigorously is less liable to be destroyed than when on the decline or growing feebly. Thus it is we often see a single tree in an orchard eaten even to the bark, 35 while others of the same variety are not damaged so much ; and upon examination it will be invariably found that those mostly eaten were diseased, or had their vitality in some way impaired. This thing was noticeable when the same kind cf insects were here six or seven years ago. fall fruit trees, apple and pear trees suffer the most, while peaches, plums and cherries suffer the least. They eat the leaves off the apples, and leave most of the apples on, but of the peaches they will eat the fruit and leave the foliage ; but in many instances, when yegetation is not plenty, I understand they clean all as they go, and I have seen instances of this kind. The damage to vineyards in this county is not so great. They do not seem to relish grapes, and are satisfied by eating off the stems and letting the bunches fall to the ground. There will not be enough corn in this county to feed what stock there is in the county as it should be fed.” ’ The same report states that “the plague ”—as it justly terms it—is reported in two counties in Wisconsin, seven in Minnesota, five in Iowa, four in Missouri, thirty in Kansas and seven in Nebraska. It adds that “the wide-spread destruction which they (the locusts) haye caused in the north-west has not been adequately described. In many places large masses of people will probably suffer during the coming winter for the necessaries of life, their crops having been swept by this remorseless enemy.” The next Monthly Report—that for Uctober—records the prevalence of the plague in two more counties in Minnesota, two more in Iowa, four more in Missouri, four more in Kansas, four more in Nebraska, three in Texas, two in Colorado, and one in California. The fol- lowing letter from Kansas is recorded “ to give some idea of its ravages :”—‘ The farmers in "unty had their land for wheat prepared in good time, and in a better condition than L é ‘saw. On the 6th of September the grasshoppers made their appearance all over the c4 “ty. Farmers became alarmed and did not sow any wheat. About the18th to the 20th ey appeared to go away. Farmers commenced sowing and got in about two-thirds of their crop. On the 28th and 29th they came the second time, filling the air, reminding one of a snow-storm in December. Some who had sown early had wheat up nice, but you cannot find a spear in any place. Wheat which was sown before the grasshoppers came the first time has been eaten down, until the grain has finally ceased to grow. I am candidly of the opinion that every acre which is sown to-day in this county will have to be sown again. There is no other chance for it, and the great trouble will be that so many of our farmers have sown all their seed and are not able to buy again. And what will they do? Some who have not been two years on their claims are leaying them and going over into Missouri and Arkansas to winter—to find something to live upon.” We might go on to an almost unlimited extent with similar descriptions of the wide- spread devastation caused by these insects, and the consternation they have produced through- out the west. very agricultural newspaper and a large number of city papers have pub- lished throughout the past season similar records of ruin and suffering. To assist their brethren in the afflicted regions, large sums of money have been contributed both by State Governments and by individuals; but it is greatly to be feared that the utmost liberality will hardly save from ruin, though it may relieve temporarily, many farmers who had recently set- tled on those hitherto attractive plains. Not only, it should be remembered, have they suffered from a dire plague of locusts, but they have also been the victims of a long-continued drought ; accompanied in some localities by a terrible hot wind, resembling the sivocco that blastssouthern Hurope with the dry heat of the African desert ; to add also to their series of calamities, the Chinch-bug* destroyed in many places those crops that the Locusts spared. To illustrate the reality and intensity of the sufferings that we have alluded to, we shall give one extract only out ofa large number that might be quoted. The writer of a letter to the Prairie Farmer, dated Kearney, Nebraska, November 16th, thus describes the condition of things in his neighbourhood :—“ Your readers have been pretty fully posted as to the ravages of locusts over this entire region, the devastation extending from Central Minnesota to the southern limit of Kansas, the whole country being almost as utterly destroyed, so far as pro- visions are concerned, as if it had been swept by the scathing flames. I speak more under- standingly of my own neighbourhood, and shall endeavour to state facts that may be firmly relied upon, and which can be verified if necessary, by the testimony of others in my own * For a description of the Chinch-bug, see the report of the Entomological Society of On- tario, for 1871. 36 ee ee’ vicinity. The wheat crop, what there was of it, considering the dry weather, was good. But fully one-half of the settlers had no wheat at all ; their sole dependence was corn and potatoes. In many instances the very uncertain product of prairie sod. Thus nearly half of our people were dependent solely upon the two above articles, both of which were almost entirely swept away by drought,#bugs and locustscombined. very family nearly, that was able to do so, having friends in Iowa and Missouri, have gone there to winter, some may return, others never will. Many proved upon their claims and have left the country forever. The number of actual homestead settlers is thus reduced fully one-half in my own neighbourhood, and of that one-half, not one family in ten have provisions, fuel or clothing to last them through the winter. Fully two-thirds have not food enough to last until the Ist of December. [I find from conversation in Kearney, with settlers both north and south for a distance of thirty to fifty miles, that the same statement holds true over almost the entire region. Thus nofwith- standing the cry of some of our papers that “we are not beggars,” more than two-thirds of those now on their homesteads must either beg or starve. In less than thirty days there will be starvation and death unless these needs are promptly met. “There is no corn, no oats, no feed of any kind for stock, except what is shipped in from a distance. There is no fuel except coal, at from $8°to $11 per ton. There is no work, no money. ‘There is no seed corn, and in very many instances, no seeds of any kind for another year’s planting. On the 13th inst., I met two of my neighbours. One has a family of six to provide for, three of them young children. Says he: ‘1 have just flour enough to last until Saturday night.’ The other has a family of ten, four of whom are sick, and have been since September. One child, a bright boy of some four years, has lost the entire use of his limbs, and now has to have the care of a helpless babe. This man has flour for ten days, and potatoes that will enable him to get along for a week or two longer. Last winter this family of children were entirely without shoes or stockings, with clothing just sufficient to cover nakedness, and ragged at that. The writer of this article has flour for a week—fifty pounds and pays for it in breaking one aere of prairie, thus giving three dollars in work for $1.20 worth of flour. He does not state this complainingly, being glad to get work to feed his five babies at any price. I merely give these three cases as a sample. While I give but three, there are many others all around me in fully as deplorable a situation. This want ex- tends over the whole area of country, west, north and south, and the farther the settlement is from the supplies, the greater the wants and privations of the settlers.” THE PLAGUE oF Locusts IN MANITOBA. Thus far we have been describing the extent and the terrible results of this year’s plague of Locusts in the Western States of the Union. We have now, unhappily, to record its occurrence in our own new Province of Manitoba, which adjoins the State of Minnesota, so frequently referred to above. From the following record of visitations previous to this year, it will be observed that they were, in almost all cases, simultaneous with those in the neighbouring States, that we have described in the earlier part of this paper. For this record we are indebted to the letter of the Winnipeg Correspondent of the Toronto Globe, which ap- peared in that paper on the 5th of August last :— “Grasshoppers first appeared in Red River towards the end of July, 1818, six years after the commencement of the settlement. They covered the settlement belt, but did not utterly destroy the wheat crop, it being nearly ripe at the time. Barley and other crops were swept away. They deposited their eggs and disappeared, and the following spring the crop of young grasshoppers was immense. These departed before depositing their eggs, but deyoured all vegetation on their route, thus destroying all the crops of 1819. Great num- bers came in during the season of 1819 and deposited their eggs, so that in 1820 the crops were again all destroyed. Thus for three successive years were the crops in this country destroyed by these pests. They then disappeared for thirty six successive years, the next visitation being in 1857, when they visited the Assiniboine settlement, doing but little injury — beyond depositing their eggs. The following season their progeny destroyed all«the crops — within their reach, In 1864 they again appeared in considerable numbers but did little injury to the wheat crop. The following year the young grasshoppers partially destroyed the — crops, leaving many districts entirely untouched. The largest swarm ever known came ~ in August, 1867, but the crops were so far advanced that season that they did but little in-— Bit copia aed 7, 37 . jury. Their eggs produced such immense swarms the following spring that they destroyed everything that had been sown throughout the settlement, and famine ensued. In 1869 they again visited the country, but too late to do much harm. The season following, however, they destroyed most of the growing crops. In 1872 immense hordes of these winged pests again visited a part of the country about the beginning of Augusf The country west of Headingly escaped, and generally the wheat was not much injured, but they played sad havoc with the gardens. Nothing was sown the following spring throughout the infested district, but throughout the western settlements a large crop was grown and saved.” - From the same source we have obtained the following particulars respecting the ravages of the Locust in different parts of the Province :— “THe Soura.—From West Lynne (Pembina) northward as far as Scratching River the oats and barley have been entirely destroyed, and the wheat partially. “ PaLESTINE.—The latest reports from this settlement confirm the accounts that the , settlement is laid waste. “ManrropA LAKe.—The shores of this lake are strewn three feet in many places with dead grasshoppers, the wind haying driven them into the lake, where they were drowned and cast ashore. “Tue Boyne SETTLEMENT.—They are yery thick here, and have completely destroyed the oats and barley, and about half ruined the wheat. “ PorTAGE LA PRAIRIE.—From Poplar Point to the Portage the fields are swarming with grasshoppers, which have devoured the crops, Scarcely anything has escaped. “Rar Creexk.—In this neighbourhood it is reported that the erops of Kenneth Me- Kenzie, Hugh Grant and others, are being destroyed, and that the former had commenced cutting his oats and barley for fodder rather than let the pests take all. “ Rockwoop.—The crops in this settlement have suffered severely. Oats and barley completely destroyed, and wheat badly injured. “ WoopLANnD.—Most of the settlers in this neighbourhood are entirely cleaned out. “ CounTy oF PROVENCHER.—All the crops along the Red River, from Pembina to Stink- ing River, have been eaten up, excepting, in some instances, a portion of the wheat and potatoes have escaped. “ WinnrprG.—The gardens in this city, and the oats and barley in the neighbourhood, are being destroyed. During the evenings, at the going down of the sun, they seek the board fences and sides of houses in such numbers that in many cases it is impossible to distinguish the colour of the houses, or the material of which they are built.” As yet we do not know whether the Locust ravages are wont to extend over the great fer- tile region to the north-west of Manitoba—that magnificent agricultural region drained by the Saskatchewan River ; we hope, and we are strongly inclined to think, that the plague, if notice- able at all, is there trifling in character and moderate in extent. Should it be otherwise, should that “fertile belt” be as subject to these visitations as the States to the south of it unhappily are, it must prove a great hindrance to its rapid settlement. If, on the other hand, it possesses an immunity not shared in by the Western States, it will certainly draw from them, before many years are over, and as soon as railway facilities are afforded for transporta- tion of goods and produce, a very large portion of those settlers who are now eaten out of house and home. We fully expect to see the tide of immigration which for a few years past has been setting so strongly towards the plains of Kansas and Nebraska, turned towards our own mage highly-favoured, even though more northern regions of Assiniboine and Saskatchewan, DerscRIPTION OF THE INSECT. Let us turn now to a description of the insect respecting whose powers of destruction we haye heard so much. As we have already remarked, there is very little difference in appear- ance between our common “grasshopper” and the famine-producing Locust of the West. They both belong to the same genus (Caloptenus) of the family Acrydidz and of the order of Orthoptera—straight-winged insects. The Acrydide, or Locusts, are distinguished from their kindred, the true grasshoppers, by the following characteristics :—The former have short antenne (or feelers), never exceeding the body in length ; the latter have very long thread-like antennx. The tarsi, or feet, of the former are three-jointed ; of the latter four- jointed. The female of the former has the tip of the abdomen furnished with four very short ! 38 bony pieces, two of which curve upwards and two downwards (they may be observed in figures 33 and 34) ; the female of the latter has a long curved, often sword-shaped, ovipositor. The former, again, live upon the ground ; the latter for the most part on grass and trees. All Orthopterous insects—including, of course, those we are now treating of—undergo what is termed an incomplete metamorphosis—that is to say, their larvae and pups resemble all along the perfect insect, except that the wings are not fully developed and the size of the mature insect is not attained. To make our meaning clearer, we may mention that Lepi- dopterous insects (butterflies and moths) undergo a perfect or complete metamorphosis ; as every one knows, the caterpillar, or larva, is totally different from the winged insect, while the chrysalis or pupa is entirely different from either. In food, habits and appearance, the insect undergoes a complete change at each metamorphosis. In the case of Locusts, on the contrary, one can hardly say with certainty when the larval state ends and that of the pupa begins ; or when, again, the pupal condition merges into that of the perfect insect. The genus Caloptenus, to which we are now confined, is represented almost all over the world. In North America eight different species have been described by entomologists, but we are inclined to think that some of these are little more than varieties of others. Three species only are prevalent in large numbers—viz., ©. spretus, C. femurrubrum, and C. binit- jatus ; the last mentioned does not occur in Canada, so far as we are aware, and is of small importance economically as compared with the other two. We are thus reduced to the two. species that we spoke of at the outset: our common red-legged Locust, or ‘ grass- hopper” (Caloptenus femur-rubrwm Burm.), represented in figure 6 ; and the hateful Locust (C. spretus Uhler), figure a. BiG: 88, The reader will observe ee that there is but a very slight difference in appear- ance between the two spe-£ cies. The left hand, our * common species, only dif- fers, one may say, from its most destructive fellow on the right, by its having shorter wings. It is owing to this difference in length and expanse of wing that the one species is confined to the neighbourhood where it was born, while the other rises aloft into the air, and is literally “borne upon the wings of the wind” to regions far away from its place of birth, As the Red-legged Locust must be so familiarly known by every one—during most summers, indeed, it is hardly possible to walk a few yards in the open air without startling numbers into flight—and as it is fairly represented in the above figure ()), we may content ourselves with quoting the following brief description hy Dr. Harris. The insect is ‘‘ grizzled with dirty olive and brown, a black spot extending from the eyes along the sides of the thorax ; an oblique yellow line on each side of the body beneath the wings; a row of dusky, brown spots along the middle of the wing covers; and the hindmost shanks and feet blood- red, with black spines. The wings are transparent, with a very pale, greenish-yellow tint, next to the body, and are netted with brown lines. The hindmost thighs have two large spots on the upper side, and the extremity black ; but are red below, and yellow on the inside. The appendages at the tip of the body in the male are of a long triangular form. Length from three quarters of an inch to an inch; expansion of the wings from 1} to 1? of an inch.” The Hateful Locust (C. Spretus), figure a, can scarcely be distinguished in coleur or general appearance from the foregoing species ; the principal difference, as already stated, is in the length of the wings. In this species they are about one-third longer than the body of the insect ; they are quite transparent with slightly dusky nerves, and when seen high up in the air against the sun, have the appearance of large snow-flakes. The eggs are deposited in the ground, in a cocoon-shaped mass, covered with a tough, glutinous secretion, and vary in number from fifty to ahundred. They are laid in the latter part of the summer and remain in their place of deposit until the following spring ; usually they hatch out in March, making their appearance with the earliest vegetation of the locality. There is a good deal of difference of opinion with regard to the head-quarters of this insect ; many writers affirm that all the swarms comes from the canons of the Rocky Mountains ; others again, and with more reason, we believe, hold that they breed throughout all the mountain valleys and plains of the west, but chiefly in those vast tracts of uninabited country, lying on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Arizona and New Mexico; they breed also, there can be no doubt, in the regions that they invade, but owing to differences of climate, these broods do not always mature. They delight most in a very dry, hot atmosphere. Like many other species of Orthoptera, the males produce sounds by means of an appa- ratus that may be “likened to a violin, their legs being the bows, and the projecting veins of their wing-covers the strings. When a locust begins to play, he bends the shank of one hind leg beneath the thigh, where it is lodged in a furrow designed to receive it, and then draws the leg briskly up and down several times against the projecting lateral edge and veins of the wing-cover. He does not play both fiddles together, but alternately, for a little time, _ first one and then the other, standing meanwhile upon the four anterior legs and the hind leg which is not otherwise employed.” (Harris.) When in flight, the swarm produces a loud pattering sound, which as Dr. Thomas remarks, is probably due to the beating of the air by the wings, as it is not confined to the male sex. If any of our readers are curious upon the subject of insect music, they will find an interesting paper upon ‘“ the Songs of the Grasshop- pers,” by oyr much esteemed friend, Mr. Scudder, in the American Naturalist (vol. 9, page 113); in it not only is the apparatus described, but the notes are se t to music, and no doub ean be sung by any accomplished vocalist !" Before closing this portion of our remarks, we would acknowledge our indebtedness, and call attention, to the admirable “ Synopsis of the Acrididee of North America,’ by the Rey. Cyrus Thomas, Ph.D., published by the Government of the United States as a portion of Dr. Hayden's Report on the U. S. Geological Survey of the Territories. It is magnificently printed in quarto form, and is a complete monograph of the family. We take this opportu- nity of thanking Dr. Hayden for his courtesy in favouring us with a copy. MEANS OF REDUCING THE RAVAGES OF THE LOCUSTS. When a species of insect comes in countless millions suddenly, without any forewarning, upon a locality hundreds of miles away, it may be, from its place of birth, and devours in a single day every green thing upon the surface of the country, it seems almost impossible to suggest any remedy. Something, however, may, we believe, be done, but avy measure to be in the least degree efficacious must be adopted universally over a large area of country. Before considering any method of combatting the plague, we must mention one remedy that has been received by the press with some degree of amusement, though gravely propounded by the editors of the American Naturalist. After referring to the destitution in Minnesota and the application from its State authorities to the general government for aid, they put the ques- tion :— “Why should not the grasshopper be eaten in turn?’ Why not, indeed? For, as they state, ‘the grasshopper, or locust of the East, is universally eaten in portions of Africa and Western Asia, and pronounced « nutritious and palatable article of diet by Arab chiefs as well as Hottentot savages. They are eaten roasted whole, minus the legs, or roasted and powdered. We would recommend that experiments be made as to the best modes of prepar- ing the locust for food. They should be thoroughly cooked to guard against parasitic worms. Not willing to urge the use of grasshoppers as food for others, without first eating them our- selves, we may say that we have found the grasshopper, first killed by boiling water, and then fried in butter, at least as palatable as many articles of food eaten by civilized people; and to people actually famishing, as is said to be the case in Minnesota, it will be worth their while to ayail themselves of a food stuff which millions, perhaps, of people in other lands regard as wholesome.” In corroboration of this use of the locusts, we may add, that Dr. Livingstone speaks highly of the locust as an article of food in Africa, and considers them superior to shrimps. Honey, when it can be obtained, is often eaten with them, and, while improving the flavour, renders them more digestible. We need hardly remind our readers that this was the food of St. John the Baptist in the wilderness. The ancient historian, Herodotus, relates that lo- custs are used for food, being first dried in the sun, than reduced to powder, and drunk in milk. In his well-known work, on South Africa, Cumming states that ‘“ Locusts afford fat- tening and wholesome food to man, birds and all sorts of beasts ; cows, horses, lions, jackals, hycenas, antelopes, elephants, &e., devour them. Our hungry dogs made a fine feast on them. . . . . Weroasted a quantity for ourselves and our dozs.”’ Kirby and Spencet 40 (People’s Edition, page 173,) state that, “as locusts are the greatest destroyers of food, so as some recompense, they furnish a considerable supply of it to numerous nations.” After quoting a number of authorities for this statement, they add that ‘they are preferred by the Moors to pigeons; and a person may eat a plateful of two or three hundred without feeling any ill effects. They usually boil them in water halfan-hour (having thrown away the head, wings and legs.) then sprinkle them with salt and pepper, fry them, adding a little vinegar.” We trust that the editors of the Naturalist will try this recipe next summer! Among the food products of the North American Indian (Report of Agricultural Department, Washing- ton, 1870,) we find enumerated grasshoppers or locusts, which are eaten by the Diggers of California and the Plains. They roast them in holes in the ground and mix them with pow- dered acorns ; sometimes they make of them a soup or mush. Mr. Taylor, however, (Smithsonian Report, 1858,) referring to the same custom, declares that this kind of food is always found to sicken the Indians, and that this result is vouched for by the early settlers and the natives, and also by many travellers and voyagers who have visited California and the Rocky Mountain country, and by the Jesuits of Lower California. From these statements we may ,infer that the locusts on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, considered to be a distinct species from the C. sprefus of the eastern side, are unwholesome, but it remains to be proved that a nutritious article of diet may not be obtained from the latter. Certainly, it is an experiment worth trying; if successful, we should have a double benefit—the lessening of the numbers of the locusts, and a supply of food wherewith to meet the famine that they have produced. Such a fate for the invaders would be true poetic justice. In the Smithsonian Report for 1858, to which we have already referred, there is an interesting article, translated from the Russian of V. Motschulsky, in which much valuable information is afforded respecting the mode of dealing with locusts in Southern Russia and other neighbouring countries with regard to natural remedies. He states that ‘“ whole gene- rations of them succumb to the climatic influence of those countries to which, impelled by hunger, they betake themselves. Winds and storms not unfrequently cast vast swarms of them into lakes and seas, and other millions perish in crossing rivers. Frogs, lizards and various birds, especially of the starling, blackbird, lark, crow, jackdaw, stork and other spe- @i s devour them with great avidity. Domestic fowls, as geese, ducks, turkeys and chickens are exceedingly fond of such food.” Among insects several species of ichneumons (Hymenop- tera) destroy them both in the egg and larval states. He concludes that “ of the eggs laid by the locusts about one-tenth only succeed in passing through all the transformations of their existence, and with this tenth part alone it comes in contact with the husbandman. But even this is sufficiently great to furnish matter for reflection to every one who knows by experience what an attack of locusts is.” After describing a large number of artificial modes of contending against the locusts, some of which are quite useless, and others more or less successful, he draws up a number of gene- ral conclusions. Those at all applicable to North America we shall quote, with afew remarks upon them. (a) “It is necessary to observe in the autumn, especially after a hot summer, where the locusts have deposited their eggs, and to accustom persons appointed for the purpose to do so.” Much might, we think, be done in this way both by the State authorities in the west, by municipalities and by individuals. (b) “ As soon as the labours of tillage will permit, people should be sent out in the fall to collect the locusts’ eggs, provided with instruments for turning up the ground. _ If the eggs are deposited where ploughs and harrows can pass, these should be made use of. The egg- tubes of the locusts should be poured into sacks, and either measured or weighed, and a suitable award paid for the amount collected, so as to stimulate numbers to busy themselves in this useful labour.”’ 1f a c.rtain price per bushel or hundred-weight were offered for the ego-eases by the various local authorities in the regions affected, not only would the numbers of the locusts be greatly reduced, but remunerative employment would be afforded to those who have been suffering by their ravages. In many places the locusts deposit their eggs where they have just ravaged the fields, consequently the inhabitants will not have far to go in order to find the germs of the next year’s trouble. It would be desirable, too, that well- equipped expeditions of competent persons should be sent out to explore the regions border- ing on the Rocky Mountains, from which the swarms emanate in the first instance. (c) “ All the places where locusts’ eggs are found should be ploughed over, if possible, — —_” 41 two or three times very late inthe autumn. Special attention should also be given to bar- spots in the fields, where not unfrequently great quantities of egg-tubes may remain unobserved.” This plan of deeply ploughing under the eggs of the grasshoppers, or of ploughing them up so as to expose them to all the changes of the weather, has been found very effective in Mani- toba and other places. (d) “ Breeding large quantities of domestic fowls and training them to feed on young locusts, is exceedingly advantageous to the husbandman.” Geese, chickens, turkeys and guinea-fowl are especially mentioned. This plan would be of very slight use as a protection against the migrating swarms of locusts, but it might be of some little value in places where they breed. It is well known that a large brood of turkeys is invaluable to a farmer where the common red-legged locust abounds, (e) If the locusts settle anywhere in a thick mass, large numbers may be destroyed in the evening, when they are quiet, by means of heavy iron or wooden rollers drawn by horses or oxen. This method might be of some slight advantage if generally adopted, but usually, by nightfall, most of the damage is done. A large number of other methods are mentioned, but they are entirely inapplicable to the yast and thinly populated regions of the west. A vemedy is much employed, on the other hand, in America which could not be made use of in Russia, viz., fire. It is only during dry and very hot weather that the invasions take place. When a swarm has oncealighted and has commenced the work of destruction it is often practicable to set fire to the fields and crops in places and thus kill or drive away the destroyer. In this case the remedy is almost as bad as the disease, but yetit has been adopted in many instances with good results. Noises made by trumpets, guns, cannons, &c., sometimes drive away a small body of locusts, but they are utterly useless when the inyasion takes place on a large scale. On the whole, it seems as if man can do but yery little to ward off the attacks of this fearful scourge. Still it is proper that every effort should be made to find out the exact habits of the insect, and the particular localities from which it emanates; it is fitting, too, that no means should be left untried that affords any prospect of lessening the destruction that they occasion. The Arabian fable we cannot but feel, has much truth at the bottom of it ; they represent a locust as saying to Mahomet, “‘ We are the army of the Great God; we produce ninety-nine eges, if the hundred were completed we should consume the whole earth and all that is in it.” While the people of the West are in the hands of Providence to protect them from such mighty armies as these, they can best help themselves by going to the root of the evil—that is to say, by reducing to the utmost extent the numbers of eggs that are laid for future broods. After all the accounts that we have given of these insects, we feel that nothing can equal _ in sublimity and correctness the description afforded by the Prophet Joel, ii. 2—11. “ A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of’ clouds and thick darkness, as the morning spread upon7the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire de- voureth before them and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness ; yea, and nothing shall escape them. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that deyoureth the stubble ; as astrong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained ; all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks, neither shall one thrust another, they shall walk every one in his path, and when they fall upon the sword they shall not be wounded. They shal] run to and fro in the city, they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses, they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble, the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining, and the Lord shall utter His voice before His army, for His camp is very great, for He is strong that executeth His Word, for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it ?” While the foregoing pa er was passing through the printer’s hands, we cut from the Albany Country Gentleman, the folloving official statement of the misery caused by the plague of Locusts in the Western States, which fully corroborates any expressions that we have used above :— “Tue Western GRAssHOPPERS.—Commissioner-of-Agriculture Watts has issued a synopsis of information received concerning the extent of suffering from the grasshopper plague, which we copy, somewhat condensed : “« Fiyst_—The area of this visitation comprises a zone 200 to 225 miles wide, extending from the settlements of Southern Dakota, through Nebraska and Kansas, over 500 miles in length, and inclining to south. A few western counties of Iowa aud Minnesota report injuries. The extent of territory visited by these insects in 1874 very considerably exceeds 100,000 square miles. “ Second.—The grasshopper district west of Missouri embraces population of Kansas, Ne- braska and Southern Dakota, amounting to over 500,000 in 1870, with a large increment since. Including counties east of the Missouri in Iowa and Minnesota more or less affected by the plague, I think it not extravagant to assign 750,000 as the approximate population of these districts. “ Third.—In Kansas, cases of total destitution in 50 counties reported vary from 40 to 2,000 ; reports from counties not in this list show injuries as severe as in any others, The average of such cases 555 in each county. These do not include cases of partial destitution, which, in some counties are quite large, ranging from 26 to 1,000. The cases of total and partial destitution in these 30 counties amount to over 40,000, while in other counties there are, probably, cases unreported sufficient to swell the aggregate to 50,000 .In the more thinly populated counties of Nebraska and Dakota the number of such cases is, of course, smaller. Adding the cases east of Missouri, I do not think it out of the way to estimate the number of people affected by this pest at 75,000 to 100,000.” 43 ON SOME INJURIOUS INSECTS. By W. Saunpers, Lonpon, ONTARIO. THE CopLING MorH (Carpocapsa pomonella, Linn). THE PEAR TREE SLUG (Selandria cerasi, PECK). THE Copiine Mora (Carpocapsa pomonellu, Linn). This is, indeed, one of the most troublesome insects with which we have to contend, and one of the most difficult to deal with, and, although of foreign introduction, has spread over the greater part of our country entailing a yearly loss on our apple crop which it would be difficult to over estimate. We shall briefly give the various features in its life history with a cut illustrating the insect as it appears in its various stages, and then detail such measures as haye been suggested with a view to its destruction. Migs Sb. Fig. 35 represents a section of an apple which has been occupied by a codling worm—d shews the point of entrance of the young worm, the place of exit of the matured larva being shown at the left hand side of the figure ; ¢, the full-grown worm : h, its head and first segment magnified ; 7, the cocoon; d, the pupa re- moved from the cocoon; f, the moth with wings closed ; g, the same with wings expanded. Soon after it leaves the fruit in the fall, the larva selects some secluded of nook or cranny, un- der loose bark of tree or other convenient hiding place, and there spinsits tough papery-looking cocoon, and within this secure retreat it remains in the lar- val condition until early in spring, when, a few weeks before the final change takes place, it enters the chrysalis state. It seems strange that this tiny creature should be endowed with such a power of varying the length of its larval existence, that at this season the larva should remain so long unchanged, while, in the case of the earlier summer brood, the change to chrysalis takes place almost immediately after the spinning of the cocoon. About the time of the opening of the apple blossoms this insect bursts its prison house and appears as a winged moth, See Fig. 35, g. The moth deposits her eggs singly, and usually in the calyx or eye, just as the young apple is forming. In about a week the larva is hatched, and at once the tiny worm begins to eat its way through the apple to the core. Its castings are commonly pushed out through the hole by which it has entered, which is from time to time enlarged for the purpose ; these usually adhere to the apple, so that, before the worm is full grown, infested fruit may generally be detected by the mass of reddish-brown exuvie protruding from the eye. Sometimes, as the larva approaches maturity, it eats a passage through the apple at the side, and out of this opening its castings are thrust, and here the mature worm escapes when full grown. The occupied apple generally falls prematurely to the ground, sometimes with the worm in it, but 44, more commonly after the worm has escaped. The larvee which leave the apples while still on the trees, either crawl down the branches to the trunk of the tree, or otherwise let them- selyes down by a fine silken thread, which they spin at will, to the ground ; in either case, the greater portion of them take refuge under the rough loose bark on the trunk of the tree, and there spin their cocoons. The second brood of moths appear from about the twentieth to the last of July. We have taken them on the wing at night as early as the nineteenth, but specimens confined in breeding boxes, have not, as a rule, made their appearance until about the end of the month. In the winged state they seldom live more than a few days, and in this brief space they pair, and the female deposits her eggs for the second brood of larvee, and, for this purpose, wisely shows a preference for the later apples. The codling moth also attacks the pear, in some localities, most disastrously for the crop; the fruit, however, seldom falls to the ground until some time after the worm has left. Dr. Wm. Le Baron, State Entomologist, of Illinois, has devoted much time and atten- tion to the study of the history and habits of this insect, and has published in his last annual report an excellent paper on this subject. Mr. Riley, of St. Louis, has also made observations and experiments on this same insect, which corroborate those of Dr. Le Baron, these are re- ferred to in the fifth and sixth annual reports on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State of Missouri; from both these sources we shall glean and make free use of such facts as we think will interest our readers. The number of eggs each moth is capable of laying will, probably, average not less than fifty, but these are not all matured at once, but may be found, by careful dissection of the body of the moth, in various stages of development. Hence they must be deposited succes- sively, the period probably extending over a week or more. REMEDIES. This is an all important matter in which, in this instance, man must rely chiefly on his own efforts, for although, doubtless, a large number of the worms and chrysalids are annually destroyed by birds, and another limited portion by parasitic insects, still from the advantage- ous shelter afforded them by the apple, and the fact of their movements after leaving it being mostly in the night time, the codling worm enjoys much immunity from natural foes. Dr. Le Baron divides this practical portion of the subject, as far as man’s work is con- cerned, into four heads, and here we cannot do better than quote from his excellent paper :— “1st. Destroying the insects in their winter quarters. “2nd. Picking the wormy apples from the trees. “3rd. Gathering the wormy apples from the ground, or letting swine and sheep have the range of the orchard. “4th. Entrapping the worms in bands and other contrivances.” Ist. Destroying the insects in their winter quarters—When we consider that each fe- male moth is capable of laying fifty eges or more, and that every worm of the first brood ruins an apple, we can see the importance of destroying these insects before they leave their winter quarters. We have already mentioned that in the state of nature, these worms pass the winter in cocoons, concealed under the bark, or in the crevices of apple trees. The sum- mer brood of worms, which remain but two weeks in the pupa state, sometimes content them- selves with a very slight protection, but it is the nature of the insect to seek deep conceal- ment, and the instinct of the second brood, which is to survive the winter, leads them to search for the deepest protection they can find. We, therefore, rarely find them under shal- low and loose scales of bark, but very often in deep cracks and crevices, partially embedding themselves in the substance of the wood or bark. Any superficial scraping of the trees, or whitewashing, or other outward applications would not, therefore, be likely to reach many of them ; and inasmuch as they may be hidden upon any part of the trunk or large branches,’ any attempt to discover them with the intention of digging them out would, evidently, be im- practicable; but at the point where we become powerless the woodpeckers come to our aid, In their search for just such hidden worms as these, those busy foragers unite business with pleasure, and all through the wintry day the sharp rattle of their beaks may often be heard in the orchard, as with ear intent and sharpened beak, and appetite not less sharp, they pursue their hidden prey with unerring and fatal precision, 45 ‘A more efficacious way of destroying these worms as far as our own instrumentality is concerned, is to search for them about the barrels and bins in which fall and winter apples have been kept. I have heard of instances where the sideboards of the bins have been taken away from time to time, as the apples were removed and thrown one upon another, in which these boards became so fastened together by the webs of the worms between them, that a number of boards could be raised by taking hold of the-upper one only. ‘There can be no doubt that the destruction of the codling-worm at this stage of its existence, would be very effective, and that it has been by far too much neglected.” Our esteemed President, Rey. C. J. 8. Bethune in his remarks on this subject in our report for 1870, says “a very favourite locality for these worms is the space between the hoops and staves of the barrels. We have found hundreds in such positions especially in the winter of 1868-9. Where this occurs it is by all means worth while to scald the barrels thoroughly outside as well as inside, as soon as they are emptied or even to burn them. When boxes or bins are made use of for storing the fruit, the worms are sure to find some crevices to suit them, which should be searched for, and treated as in the case of the barrels.” 2nd. Picking the wormy apples from the trees—We have stated above that the young worms, soon after they have entered the apple, begin to throw out their castings through the hole which they made in entering, As this hole must be originally almost microscopically minute, it is evident that they must enlarge the opening for this purpose. We further stated that a portion of the castings adhere to the rough and shrivelled calyx, forming a rust coloured mass, which is easily seen from the ground below. Some horticulturists have availed themselves of this circumstance for the purpose of removing the wormy apples from the trees before the worms have escaped. The plan is to beat off the wormy apples, or else pick them off by means of a wire hook attached to the end of’ a pole. These two methods can be very usefully combined by first jarring or beating off those apples which readily fall, and then going over the trees a second time with the pole and hook. The apples thus removed should of course be fed to swine, or otherwise treated so as to destroy the worms within. Too much value cannot be attached to these simple expedients, which in the case of a few choice trees, or eyen a small orchard, might almost be made to supercede the necessity of any other treat- ment.” “ 3rd.. Gathering the wormy wind-fall apples from the ground, or letting swine or sheep have the range of the orchard.—This plan has been generally recommended as of very great importance. Its efficacy will depend, of course, upon the proportion of worms which fall to the ground in the apples, as compared with those which leave the apples whilst hanging upon the tree. Those which crawl down the branches spin up before reaching the ground, and those which let themselves down by a thread, would, for the most part, be detected only by birds or by domestic fowls, and as there is reason to believe that they usually perform this act in the night, even these must fail to capture them.” “ With regard to those wind-falls which contain worms, it is necessary to gather them frequently, that is every day or every second day at farthest. |The apples do not usually fall until the worms are nearly matured, and they leave them in the course of afew days. If you examine indiscriminately a large number of wind-fall apples lying under the trees, you will be surprised to find how few worms they contain, they evidently having left the fruit before it fell, or soon after.” “But the most important question in this connection is, what proportion of the worms leave the apples before they full from the tree? I have endeavoured to arrive at an approxi- mate estimate upon the subject by putting two or more bands upon the same tree, upon the presumption that the worms descending from above will spin up in the upper band, and those crawling up from the ground in the lower. The following tables numbered for the purpose of reference give the results of these experiments. The wind-fall apples were left in every case as they fell upon the ground. «On the tenth of July, 1871, I put bands as follows, upon four trees, the ground under- neath being bare, or free from grass or rubbish of any kind. One band was put about a foot from the ground, another about two feet higher on the trunk, and others on two or three of the larger branches, eight or ten feet from the ground, They were examined July 28th, eighteen days after they were put on,”’ No. 1. Whole number of worms in all stages.....csscseccesserssseeessceceeeee 20 46 2 SS ESS, Number oft: emptiy pupajcases:. 20. .osiuss-sueticcmcewses pes sea seareaven 2 Number: of pupse tess .-renses fopaccainaipcss atl a meres manret te emaoti 127 Number of enclosed. but unchanged Jarve.. Weldare Ge Hates ilvaite oriole oo OD —- 220 Number of all stages in lowest bands............0. sssscee-eeeeseoeree 94 Number of all stages in upper trunk bands................:e000ee es 83 Number of all stages in bands on limbs...........6..0. s-eeseeeereeenee 43 No. 2. (Same trees examined August 11th, two weeks later.) Number) ofypupatcases:) vw. Typr RapDIcICcOLA :—a, shows a healthy root ; 6, one on which the lice are working, re- presenting the knots and swellings caused by their punctures ; c, a root that has been deserted by them, and where the rootlets have commenced to decay ; d, d, d, show how the lice are found on the larger roots ; e, female pupa, dorsal view ; f, same, ventral view ; g, winged female, dorsal view ; A, same, ventral view ; i, magnified antenna of winged insect ; j, side view of the wingless female, laying eggs on roots ; k, shows how the punctures of the lice cause the larger roots to rot. “ At this season of the year, with the exuberant juices of the plant, the swellings on the roots are large and succulent, and the lice plump to repletion. One generation of the mother form (A) follows another—fertility increasing with the increasing heat aud luxuriance of summer—until at last the third or fourth has been reached before the winged form (8) makes its appearance in the latter part of June or early in July. Such are the main fea- tures which the development of the insect presents, to one who has studied it in the field as well as in the closet. “Since I proved, in 1870 (adds Mr. Riley), the absolute identity of these two types by showing that the gall-lice become root-lice, the fact has been repeatedly substantiated by dif- ferentobservers. Yet, strange to say, no one has heretofore succeeded in making gall-lice of the young hatched on the roots, though I formerly supposed that Signoret had done so. It is, therefore, with much satisfaction that I record the fact of having succeeded this winter in ob- taining galls on a young Clinton vine from young radicicola, and of thus establishing beyond 59 peradventure, the specific interrelation and identity of the two types. I make this announce- ment with all the more pleasure, that for three years past, both on vines growing out-doors and in pots in-doors, I had in vain attempted to obtain the same result.” PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS. “THE MORE MANIFEST AND EXTERNAL ErrEeors oF THE PHYLLOXERA DISEASE. —The result which follows the puncture of the root-louse is an abnormal swelling, different in form, according to the particular part and texture of the root. These swellings, which are generally commenced at the tips of the rootlets, where there is excess-of plasmatie and albu- minous matter, eventually rot, and the lice forsake them and betake themselves to fresh ones —the living tissue being necessary to the existence of this as of all plant-lice. The decay affects the parts adjacent to the swellings, and on the more fibrous roots cuts off the supply of sap to all partsbeyond. As these last decompose, the lice congregate on the larger ones, until at last the root system literally wastes away.” “ During the first year of attack there are scarcely any outward manifestations of disease, though the fibrous roots, if examined, will be found covered with nodosities, particularly in the latter part of the growing season. The disease is then in its incipient stage. The second year all these fibrous roots vanish, and the lice not only prevent the formation of new ones, but, as just stated, settle on the larger roots, which they injure by causing hypertrophy of the parts punctured, which also eventually become disorganized and rot. At this stage the out- ward symptoms of the disease first become manifest, in a sickly, yellowish appearance of the leaf and a reduced growth of cane. As the roots continue to decay, these symptoms become more acute, until by about the third year the vine dies. Such is the edurse of the malady on vines of the species vinifera, when circumstances are favourable to the increase of the pest. When the vine is about dying, it is generally impossible to discover the cause of the death, the lice which had been so numerous the first and second years of invasion, having left for fresh pasturage.”’ Mone or SprEapinc.—The gall-lice can only spread by travelling, when newly-hatched from one vine to another ; and, if this slow mode of progression were the only one which the species is capable of, the disease would be comparatively harmless. The root-lice, however not only travel under-ground along the interlocking roots of adjacent vines, but crawl actively over the surface of the ground, or wing their way from vine to vine and from vineyard to vineyard. Doubts have been repeatedly expressed by Huropean writers as to the power of such a delicate and frail-winged fly to traverse the air to any great distance. On the 27th of September, 1873, the weather being quite warm and summer-like, with much moisture in the atmosphere, Mr. Riley witnessed the insect’s power of flight. Some two hundred winged individuals, that he had confined, became very restless and active, vigorously vibrating their wings and beating about their glass cages. Upon opening the cages, the lice began to dart away and were out of sight in a twinkle. They have been caught in spider-webs in Europe, and captured by Mr. Riley on sheets of paper prepared with bird-lime and suspended in an infested vineyard ; it is clear, then, that they can sustain flight for a considerable time under favourable conditions, and with the assistance of the wind, they may be wafted to great dis- tances. These winged femalesare much more numerous in the fall of the year than has been supposed by Entomologists. Wherever they settle, the few eggs which each carries are suffi- cient to perpetuate the species, which, in the fullest sense, may be called contagious. “ SUSCEPTIBILITY OF DIFFERENT VINES TO THE DisEASE.—As a means of coping with the Phylloxera disease, a knowledge of the relative susceptibility of different varieties to the attacks and injuries of the insect is of paramount importance. As is so frequently the case with injurious insects, and as we haye a notable instance in the common Currant Aphis (Aphis Ribesii ), which badly affects the leaves of some of the Currants, but never touches the Gooseberry which belongs to the same genus. The Phylloxera shows a preference for and thrives best on certain species, and even discriminates between varieties ; or, what amounts to the same thing, practically, some varieties resist its attacks and enjoy a relative immunity from its injuries. It would be useless, and certainly unnecessary here, to attempt to ascer- tain the reason why certain vines thus enjoy exemption while others so readily succumb ; but in a broad way it may be stated that there is a relation between the susceptibility of the vine and the character of its roots—the slow-growing, more tender-wooded and consequently more Cal . a 5 . iC tender-rooted varieties succumbing most readily ; the more vigorous powers resisting best.” 60 From Mr. Riley’s synopsis of experiments and observations we gather the following state- ment respecting the different varieties of grape :— Europran VINE (Vitis vinifera)—Rarely subject to leaf-gall, but it generally succumbs to the attacks of root-lice after a few years. River-BAnk VINE (V. riparia)—The Cornucopia, Alvey and Othello suffer very little or not at all from Leaf galls, but to a considerable extent from Root-lice. The Clinton and Taylor are very subject to the Leaf-galls, but from the great vitality of their roots they do not succumb to the attacks of the Root-lice. The Golden Clinton and Louisiana do not suf- fer much from either. -The Marion a good deal affected by the former, but little by the lat- ter. The Delaware suffers considerably from both. _SumuEr Grape (V. estivalis)—The Cunningham, Norton’s Virginia, and Rutlander suffer not at all from the Leaf-gall, and very little from the Root-lice. The Herbemont and Cynthiana suffer slightly from both. Nortuern Fox Grapz (Labrusca)—The Challenge, Dracut Amber, Israella, Martha, Northern Museadine and Wilder, are not subject to the Leaf-gall, and only slightly to the root-lice. The Diana, Goethe, Hartford, Isabella, Ives, Maxatawney, North Carolina, Re- becca and Salem are also free from the Leaf-gall, but have the Root-lice more abundant and suffer more from its attacks. The Catawba and Iona do not suffer from the Leaf-gall, but are most subject to the Root-lice The Concord has the Leaf-gulls but rarely, and does not suffer much from the Root-lice ; the Creveling also is usually free trom the former, but suf- fers much more from the latter. SourHeRN Fox Grape.—This species is entirely free from the Phylloxera in any form, ; The above enumeration is founded principally upon Mr. Riley’s observations in the cen- tral portion of Missouri ; he has also examined many of the varieties in Kansas, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. The Arnold's hybrids, which he has examined, all suffer, he states, but some of them more than others. Means or Copina witH THE DisEasE.—Grafting the more susceptible varieties on the roots of those that have a greater power of resistance, would prohably counteract the disease to a great extent. This plan is now being tried on a large scale, but it will be neces- sary to wait a year or two before any positive conclusions can be obtained. “Tn planting a new vineyard the greatest care should be taken not to introduce Phyl- loxera on the young plants, and a bath of weak lye or strong soap suds before planting will, perhaps, prove the best safeguard. Remembering that the lice are spreading over the ground from July till fall, and principally in the months of August and September, a thorough sprinkling of the surface with lime. ashes, sulphur, salt or other substance destruc- tive to insect life, will, no doubt, have a beneficial effect in reducing their numbers and pre- venting their spread. The insect has been found to thrive less and to be, therefore, less injurious in a sandy soil ; while mixture of soot with the soil has had a beneficial effect in destroying the pest. It is, therefore, recommended for the more susceptible varieties, and that they be planted in trenches first prepared with a mixture of sand and soot. An addition of lime will also prove beneficial. There is every reason to believe that vines are rendered less susceptible to the disease by a system of pruning and training that will produce long canes and give them as nearly as possible their natural growth. Natura Evemrus.—There are a number of predaceous insects which serve to keep the leaf-lice in check ; but as the injury is mostly done underground it will suffice to enu- merate the principal of these in this connection. The most efficient is a black species of Fringe-wing or Thrips with white wings (Thrips Plylloverw). They are found in several differ- ent kinds of Phylloxera galls, and do more than any other species to keep the leaf inhabit- ing species within bounds.”’ The next most efficient aids in the destruction of the leaf-lice are the lace-winged flies (Chrysopa) ; the lady birds (Coccinella); certain Syrphus fly larvee ; a few true bugs and other insects. The enemies known to attack the Phylloxera underground are, naturally enough, fewer in number. In one instance, Mr. Riley relates, I have found a Scymnus larva at the work six inches below the surface, and there is a Syrphus fly, whose larva lives under-ground and feeds both on the apple-tree root-louse and on this grape root-louse. Wonde rful indeed 61 is the instinct which teaches this blind larva to penetrate the soil in search of its prey ; for the egg must necessarily be laid at the surface. But though the underground enemies of its own class are few, I have discovered a mite which preys extensively upon this root-inhabiting type, and which renders efficient aid in keeping it in check in this country. This mite (Z'yro glyphus phylloxere, Planchon & Riley, Fig. 46,) belongs to the same genus as the cheese and meal mites, and the species which infests preserved insects, and is such a pest in cabinets. At is the rule with mites, it is born with but six legs, but acquires eight after the first or second Fie. 46. , moults. It varies considerably in form, with age, and in studying it with a view of distinguishing it specifically from other described species, I have noticed all the different tarsal characters shown as d, f, g and h, (Fig. 46), and on which distinct genera have been founded. Mites pre- sent themselves in such different forms that the adolescent stages of the same species have been made to represent distinct families by authors who never studied the development of these beings. The species under consideration, when young, mostly contents itself with the ,imuzonmns Mire a, dorsal? vente! wow of femal altered. sweets of the roots which rot from the ventral tubercles of male. punctures of Phylloxera, while when older it preys by preference on the lice themselves.” « Drreor Remepres.- The leaf-lice, which do not play such an important part in the disease as was at first supposed, may be controlled with sufficient ease by a little care in de- stroying the first galls which appear, aud in pruning and destroying the terminal growth of infested vines later in the season. ‘The root-lice are not so easily reached. As the effort will be according to the exigency, we may very naturally look to France for a direct remedy, if ever one be discovered. But of all the innumerable plans, patented or non-patented, that have been proposed, of all the many substances that have been experimented with under the stimulus of a large national reward, no remedy has yet been discovered which gives entire satisfaction, or is applicable to all conditions of soil. Nor is it likely that such a remedy ever will be discovered. “While, therefore, not very satisfactory results have followed the use of pure insecti- cides, the application of fertilizers intended to invigorate the vine, and at the same time in- jure the lice, has been more productive of good. Especially has this been the case with fer- tilizers rich in potassic salts and nitrogenous compounds, such as urine. Sulphuret of potas- sium dissolved in liquid-manure ; alkaline-sulphates, with copperas and rape seed ; potassic salts, with guano ; soot and cinders are, among other applications, most favourably mentioned. Mr, Riley closes his very able Essay with the following remarks:—‘ We have in the history of the Grape Phylloxera, the singular spectacle of an indigenous American insect being studied, and its workings understood in a foreign land, before its presence in its most injurious form was even suspected in its native home. The Franco-Prussian war, with all its fearful consequences to France, has passed away ; the five milliards of franes (one thous- and million dollars) have been paid as indemnity te her victors, in so short a time that the civilized world looked on in wonder and astonishment. Yet this little Phylloxera, sent over doubtless in small numbers, by some American nurseryman, a few years since, continues its devastating work, and costs that unfortunate country millions of franes annually. The last German soldier has been removed —at terrible cost it is truae—from French soil, but the Phylloxera army remains; and if another five milliard francs could extirpate the last indi- vidual of this liliputian insect host from her soil, “la belle France’’ would be cheaply rid of the enemy. Had the world, twenty years ago, possessed the knowledge we at present have of this insect and of its dangerous power, a few francs might have originally stayed its invasion of that great vine-growing and wine-making country. Needs there any more forcible illustra- tion of the importance of economic entomology !” In confirmation of this statement, we read in the monthly report of the Department of Agriculture (Washington, August and September, 1874), that “the Prefect of the Depart- ment of the Rhone, in France, has published a decree directing the mayor of each Commune within his jurisdiction, upon the indication of the presence of the Phylloxera, to proceed at once to determine the lin its of each local district infected by the insect. Every vine affected and all the roots within tive meters are to be dug up and burned. This decisive measure has not escaped sharp criticism. To save the vine lands of the Rhone from destruction by this pest, it is now proposed to secure winter irrigation by a grand canal connected with that river. M. Dumont, Jngéniewr en chef des chaussés, has developed, before a governmental commission, a scheme for the construction of such a canal, within four years, at a cost of 102,000,000 francs. This, it is supposed, will rescue from destruction over 60,000 acres of vine lands, yielding products worth 200,000,000 francs per annum and taxes amounting to 20,000,000 franes.” ) 4 ANNUAL REPORT Se Sse <7) _ > tN OF THE ~ ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ON TA RAO, FOR THE YEAR 1875. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL, AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY, BY WILLIAM SAUN DERS, President of the Entomological Society of Ontario; Editor of the Canadian Entomologist ; PV. OP J. 8: BETHUNE, M.A., Head Master of T; rinity College School, Port Hope ; Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontario , AND R. V. .ROGERS, Barrister, ce., Kingston, Ontario. Lrinted by Order of the Legislative Assembly, Ines Coronto: oe PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 25 WELLINGTON (STRbT? 1997 1876. \ gh BASSA ~SHonal Muse St aol —o A PAGE TAGS: UO PSA be manor eceocceoecaoonotio gbeoCOseo 43 American Silkworm: c..cssceoosssscassevesse ees 39 Anisopteryx pometaria... ... ...cccseceeeeerees 26 a WET ETO: sconosqeddocuncechtr cacode 25 FAMUVTBU A GATERW i vodepiniaalssccetcscss;cowess sss 5 Annual Meeting... ........... 0.0.2.0. aes) te Anthomyia ceparum........ css... cco Apple ree WBHGNGiecccccnevsssscecce+seacceevess 34 Arinig: W OPDA.csce. seifciistciatstcnsccsrcsescassets tf B IB ItCh Us PIAls ose s ose css sisiswescaeasiscss seeseeenees 7 Cc Osbbape: Bittertivces.cccsceiciscooceteossectores 7 QIRIGHUONUB, SPLOUUNtecc/..'scscvenccecisccsscaeoe’ 0 G@alosoma caliduml..). 2. -.. .scc.cecercesceesese 20 ee SCritatOr......- 2. seseeeewereeree 28 Cambridge Entomological Club, Meeting ANT. Go) pnt 202 pace SUCHE EDCOD EERE CUABOCUOO 5 CRGRGrAWORMEM ON cea sect 1s enormous. The caterpillar is dreaded by cooks in every country where it prevails ; it is not con- tent with riddling the outside leaves, but prefers to secrete itself in the heart, so that every cabbage has to be torn apart and carefully examined before being cooked ; and even after it has been dished up, one needs a watchful eye to avoid an undesirable admixture of animal with vegetable food. REMEDIES. 7 One method suggested is to search for the eggs at the proper season and destroy them ; anotlier, to employ children with nets to catch the butterflies, and as these latter are rather slow and heavy flyers, this is not a difficult task ; while a third method re- commended is to lay boards between the rows of cabbages, supporting them two or three inches above the ground, with the view of luring the worms to select such places in which to pass the chrysalis stage of their existence, and so secure their destruction. Objections can be readily found to all these methods, but they are the best which man’s experience has yet enabled him to devise. The use of poisons such as Paris Green and Hellebore is not admissible in this case on account of the difficulty of freeing the plant from such sub- stances before cooking. Nature has, however, provided a remedy ; a small parasitic fly (Pteromalus puparun) attacks the chrysalis of this species in Eurgpe, and, strange to say, has in some unknown manner also found its way to this country. This is a little four-winged fly about one- eighth of an inch long, with a yellowish body. The female flies about in search of the chrysalids, which she punctures with her ovipusitor, inserting a number of eggs in each ; in a short time these hatch into tiny grubs, which consume the substance of the clirysalis ; as many as forty or fifty of these have been found in a single case. This little friend is now quite common in the State of New York, as well as in the eastern parts of Canada. It is probable that gardeners will suffer much from the depredations of the caterpillar for several years, until the parasite reaches us, and has multiplied to a sufficient extent to keep the depredator within moderate bounds. In the meantime it may be expected to ex- tend its march westward and northward through our own country, and over the fertile plains of the neighbouring States away out to the far west. Tue PrEar TREE SLUG (Selandria cerasi). In our Report last year we referred to this insect at some length, and detailed to some extent its ravages inour own neighbourhood. The havoc this disgusting little slug made among the pear trees was terrible, consuming the leaves so thoroughly that the trees looked as if they had been scorched by fire—in many instances every leaf dropped from the trees, leaving them fora time as bare as in midwinter ; fully a thousand trees in the young pear orchard of the writer suffered severely. Following on the heels of this de- structive pest we experienced a winter of unusual severity, when, as might be expected, a large number of these trees, thus weakened, perished from the cold. The extreme winter, however, was not an unmitigated evil. The low temperature which killed the en- 33 feebled trees operated disastrously also on the chrysalids of these slugs, and the result has been that where there were hundreds of thousands last year, during this summer scarcely any could be found—so few have been their numbers that no effort has been ne- cessary tosubdue them. Fig. 12 represents the parent of this sometimes troublesome Fig 12. pest, a small, black, four-winged fly, and fig. 13 the larva, or slug, in vari- ous stages of its growth. For the benefit of those who may not have the | Report of last year to refer to, we would say that to shower the infested leaves from the rose of a watering-pot with powdered hellebore and water, in the proportion of one pound to a barrel of water, is so effectual that it Fi leaves nothing further to be desired. This insect also was mentioned in our last Report as having been extremely abundantand very destructive ; this summer, on the contrary, it has been unusually scarce. In past seasons constant watchfulness was required to prevent the currant and gooseberry bushes from being eaten bare. In 1875 little or no effort has been needed to keep it within bounds. This insect \ Shee. ioe eR \\ also passes the winter in the ground in the py x S the same causes which proved so fatal to the pear ==. B NP co ~ tree slug. To avoid misapprehension, we in- troduce again the figure of the larva (see fig. 14). Very different is our experience with the other currant worm, known as the measuring worm, (Abrawis ribearia), shown at fig. 15. This creature passes the winter in the egg state, and hence did not seem to suffer at all, tlie eggs of insevts being capable usually of enduring the most severe cold without injuring their vitality. Thislarvahas been very abun- dant and destructive, probably more so in Western Ontario than ever before; they are not so easily destroyed by hellebore as the other species is. If used in the liquid state it should be made about double strength ; probably the better plan in this case is to first sprinkle the bushes with water, and then dust the powdered hellebore lightly on, the operator taking proper care to avoid the inhalation of the dust. THE Porato BEETLE (Doryphora decemlineata). This insect (see fig. 16) continues its progress eastward and southward. During D 34 the past season it reached as far as Ottawa, and in some of the New England States has approached the sea shore. It is quite possi- ble that before long it may cross the Atlantic se- creted among the merchandise car- ried thither by vessels. During “ 4 SA FP the summer they “<1 d (2 will survivemany weeks without a particle of food, and could easily endure the abstinence which a voyage across the Atlantic would entail. Already many of the European Governments have taken measures of precaution against their introduction,and we sincerely hope that these measures may be successful. Throughout Ontario this insect has not proved so great a scourge as was anticipated, and notwithstanding the immense numbers in which they have appeared, they have scarcely influenced the price of that valuable esculent, the potato, not even in the worst affected districts. We can only attribute this result to the persistent application by our farmers of that valuable remedy, Paris green. Notwithstanding the outeries which some have made against its use, general experience has decided immensely in its favour, and it is almost universally used. During the past summer a series of interesting experiments have been carried on by the chemist of the Department of Agriculture in Washington, with the view of ascertaining how far the soil could be impregnated with Paris green without operating disastrously on vegetable growth. The results of these experiments have shown that any reasonable amount of Paris green required for the destruction of the potato beetle may be used without influencing the soil to the detriment of plant life to any perceptible extent. It is nevertheless true that in many cases larger quantities of this poisonous substance have been used than there was need for, and some cases of irritation, arising from careless- ly inhaling the dust of the powder while applying it, have been reported to us. The use of the Paris green with water is becoming much more general, and is highly approved of by those who have used it in that manner. Ifthe Paris green be of good quality, from one to two teaspoonfuls will be sufficient for a pailful of water. This mixture is occasion- ally agitated so as to keep the powder suspended in the liquid, and applied with a whisk or small broom, which is first dipped in the liquid and then shaken over the vines. At first sight this seems a laborious process, but most of those who haveetried concur in the opinion that it involves no more labour than is required for an application of the powder ; that it takes much less Paris green to the acre, and has the additional advantage that it can_be applied at any time during the day and in all weathers. THE APPLE TREE BLIGHT. & This mysterious disease, which was first referred to in our Jast Report, if not on the increase throughout our Province, is in some districts manifesting an intensity which at first was not expected. This has been especially the case with the trees in the orchards and nursery of Mr. James Dougall, of Windsor. These were visited by the writer on the 10th of August last, in company with some friends, including Thos. Meehan, Editor of the Gardener's Monthly, Philadelphia, and Professors Beal and Cook, of the Agricultural Col- lege of Lansing, Michigan. We found that, in addition to the ordinary form of this tree-blight affecting the twigs 35 of the current year’s growth only, that there was a blight causing the entire destruction of some of the large limbs of several of the trees. Many of the twigs on these. limbs had been blighted the previous year or years, and it is possible that this more serious blight of the limbs is but an extension and further development of the twig blight. On examining the base of the blighted twigs and fruit spurs it was found that where these were killed to the point of junction with the wood that the discolouration arising from the disease ex- tended into the wood of the branch,which seems to point to the probability of the correct- ness of the suggestion just made. On the other hand, seeing that its character is some- what distinctive, it may be inferred that it is an entirely different form, resulting from the presence and development of a different species of fungus ; so obscure are the distinguish- ing features which separate these lower forms of vegetable life, that it would require much close study to determine this point. The twig blight had affected many of the older trees in Mr. Dougall’s orchards so much as to give them a decidedly withered and browned aspect, pervading the entire cir cumference, and distributed with much apparent regularity over their many branches. It had also injured to a very great extent the young apple trees in his nursery rows: in these the injury appeared to begin in the tips of the upper branches, and from thence spread downwards, extending in many instances half way down the trunk of the tree. Evidences of the extension of the blight were to be seen sometimes in the discolouration of the outer bark, in patches below apparently uninjured portions. In some of these small trees the twigs were blighted down the trunk to near its base, while the trunk remained apparently sound. The odour of the affected twigs, when broken, was very similar to that given off from pear blight. Many of the young trees in the nursery rows had been smitten by the disease early in the summer, and Mr. Dougall had pruned many of these, cutting away the whole of the diseased portion down to the healthy growth, but in most instances the blight attacked the remaining portions, and extending downwards involved more or less of the trunk to its base, indicating probably that the fungoid germs had extended in the sap through the adjoining tissues, without producing as yet any external appearance by which their presence might be recognised. 36 ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. By W. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONTARIO. In accordance with the plan pursued in our Reports for several years past, we present our readers with a chapter on some of our common insects ; and although in this instance we include some which are more or less injurious, still we think they claim attention more from the frequency of their occurrence than from the amount of injury they do. They also in some instances excite ‘curiosity, and elicit admiration on account of their great beauty, or in consequence of their peculiarities. THE BEAUTIFUL DEIOPEIA (Deiopeia bella). * This lovely moth, represented in fig. 17 (after Riley), may well claim a place among Wig. 17. the most elegant and beautiful of the Lepidoptera. Al- though rare in some parts of our Province, they are quite common in other localities. We have found them common in the neighbourhood of Port Stanley, on the shores of Lake Erie, and they are usually common and sometimes abun- dant about Grimsby, Ont. We have also seen them in insect collections from various parts of Canada. Ybis moth measures when its wings are expanded about one and a half inches. Its fore wings vary in colour from lemon yellow to orange, and are crossed by six white bands, each containing a row of black dots. The hind wings vary in colour from pink to scarlet red, with an irregular border of black behind. The fringes of the wings are white. The under surface of both pairs of wings is of a deep red colour, with the front edge of the fore wings yellowish ; the white bands on the upper surface of the fore wings are not reproduced, but the black dots are more prominent, and being more or less confluent, appear as broken bands. The hind wings are marked nearly as above. The head is white, spotted with black ; the shoulder covers white, with some yellow at the base, and two black dots on each ; the thorax and abdomen whitish, the former with six black dots, the latter banded with black beneath. Drasteria Erichtea (CRAM.) 8 we have this insect in the perfect state well represented. Although it is ig. 18. one of our commmonest moths, a day-flier, abundant al- most everywhere, yet we have never heard of its having had a common name bestowed upon it. We are not going to christen it, for we are no admirer of common names where they can be avoided, and we think they can in this instance. Drasteria erichtea is not harsh and un- pronounceable, as is the case with many, especially of our more recent names, as well as some that have been resur- rected, and those who do not care to burden their memories with both names, may drop the latter, and will still be understood if they speak of the moth as “the common Dras- teria.” 3T -_—oOoOoO—CO—COe eee The female moth, when its wiugs are spread, will measure about one and a half inches; the male about a quarter of an inch less. The fore wings are grayish brown, with bands and dots of dark brown ; one band crosses the wing about an eighth of an inch from the base, and a second—which sometimes does not extend entirely across—is placed midway between the first and the outer margin. There is a dull patch of brown near the front edge of the wing, between the first and second bands, and two or three prominent black dots similarly situated between the second band and the apex ; the outer edge is also widely margined with brown. The inner portion of the hind wings is similar in colour to the front pair ; the outer half is crossed by two darker bands irregular in outline, the space between them being occupied by a paler hue, as also is the space between the outside band and the hind mar- gin, which latter is narrowly bordered with the darker shade. The markings on both wings vary much in intensity, being sometimes almost black, in other instances very faint. The under surfaces of both wings are much paler, with the markings of the upper surface partially but indistinctly produced. Drasteria erichtea appears among our earliest insects in spring, having passed the win- ter in the chrysalis state ; it is also found up to quite a late period in the autumn. It fre- quents fields and meadows, and open grassy spots along the sides of our railroad tracks. Its flight is sudden, and after a short but rapid course, it as suddenly alights. The caterpillar feeds on clover, and when full grown measures one and a quarter inches in length or more. It has a medium sized head, rather flat in front, with darker longitudinal lines, The body above is reddish brown, with many longitudinal lines and stripes of a darker shade. ‘There is a double whitish line down the back, with a stripe of the darker shade of brown on each side, and lower down, close to the spiracles, is another stripe of the same dark hue, while between these two are faint longitudinal lines. The spaces between the segments, from fifth to eighth inclusive, are nearly black above, a feature only seen, however, when the body is coiled up ; the larva readily assumes this attitude when disturbed. The under surface is a little darker than the upper, with many longitudinal lines of a still deeper shade, and a central stripe of blackish green from the sixth to the ninth segments. The feet and prolegs are greenish and semi-transparent, with faint lines and darker dots. This larva has but three pairs of prolegs, and hence it alternately arches and extends its body in progression. The specimens from which the above description was taken were full grown by the third week in September, when they became chrysalids, and remained in that condition until early the following spring. THE BeautiruL Woop Nympx (Ludryas grata). This moth (see fig. 19) is truly a beautiful creature. Its fore wings are creamy white, with a glossy surface, with a wide brownish purple stripe along the anterior edge, reach- Fig. 19. ing from the base to a little beyond the middle of the wing. On the outer margin is a broad band of the same hue, widening posteriorly, with a wavy white line run- ning through it, composed of minute pearly dots or scales. It is bordered internally with dull deep green. The brownish purple band is continued along the hinder edge, but it is much narrower here, and terminates a little be- fore it reaches the base. There are also two brown spots, one round, the other reniform, near the middle of the wing, often so suffused with pearly white scales as to Colours, creamy white and brownish oN fen purple, be indistinct above, but clear and striking on the under side. The hind wings are reddish yellow, with a broad brownish purple band along the outer margin, extending nearly to the outer angle, and powdered here and there with few whitish pearly scales ; there is also a faint dot on the middle of the wing, which is re- produced more prominently on the under side. The under surface of both wings is red- 38 dish yellow. The head is black, and there is a wide black stripe down the back, merging into a series of spots of the same, which extend nearly the whole remaining length of body. The sides of the body are reddish yellow, with a row of blackish dots close to the under surface. The fore legs are beautifully tufted with white, the shoulder covers also are white, and so is the under surface of the body. When this moth is at rest—that is, during the day time—its wings are closed like a roof over its back, and its tufted fore legs are stretched out. The insect passes the winter in the chrysalis state, emerging as a moth from the middle of June to the middle of July. The earliest recorded date we have of the appear- ance of the moth is June 25th. It is usually common during the last week in June and the first in July, when it may often be found in the day time fast asleep on the leaves of the grape vine. Soon after the moths appear they begin to deposit their eggs. These are among the prettiest and most beautiful of insect eggs ; at ¢, fig. 20 (after Riley), we havea view of the upper surface, and at f a side view of this charming Fig. 20. object. It is round and very flat ; its colour is yel- lowish or greenish yellow, with an enclosed ring of black placed a little beyond the middle, and some- times nearer to the outer margin. In the centre of the egg is a large, nearly round dot, and at a little distance from this a circle of smaller dots, from which arise a series of from 24 to 27 raised striae, diverging equally as they approach the outer edge, and crossed by many gracefully curving lines which interlace also the spaces between. When mature, the young caterpillar escapes from the upper part of the egg, lifting the centre and rupturing the portion placed over the black ring. In some cases we have observed the eggshell to be eaten by the newly hatched larva ; in others it remains almost untouched. The young larve have a strange habit of twisting their hinder segments and throwing them forward, resting on the anterior segments in a curious manner. At this age they eat small holes all over the vine leaves in different parts ; they are often solitary, but sometimes two or three may be found on a single leaf. When mature, the full grown larva appears as at a, fig 20; it is then nearly one and a-half inches long, tapering towards the head, thickening towards the posterior extremity. The head is of an orange colour, with a few round black dots and pale brownish hairs. The body above is pale bluish, crossed by bands of orange and many lines of black. Each segment, excepting the terminal one, is crossed by an orange band, all of which are nearly uniform in width, excepting that on the 12th segment, which is much wider. These are all more or less dotted with round black dots, from each one of which arises a single short brown hair. There are also crossing each segment six black lines, placed nearly at equal distances along each side, but with a wider space in the middle, where the orange band occurs. The twelfth segment is much raised, and the terminal one suddenly sloped. The under side is very like the upper, and also marked with orange and black ; feet and prolegs orange, spotted with black. The larve feed on Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia) as well as on the grape- vine, and Mr. Bowles, of Montreal, has found them feeding on the hop. When full grown, they descend to seek some secure retreat in which to pass the chrysalis, or inactive stage of their existence. They are fond of boring into old pieces of wood, and in the chambers thus formed they find secure lodgment; they will also bore into corn cobs. When rearing them we have supplied pieces of cork for this purpose, and have had as many as twenty-one chrysalids enclosed within two small bungs about 1} inches in diameter, and one inch thick. The excavation is but little larger than the chrysalis which is to rest in it; it is not lined with silk, but is made moderately smooth, and is furnished with a cap or cover composed of minute fragments of cork, formed into a sort of membrane by means of a glutinous secretion mixcd with threads of silk. When nicely finished, the surface of this cover is slightly glossy, the glossiness extending a little beyond the actual orifice, indicating that the glutinous matter has been of a thin consis- tence and has spread a little during its application. When the lid is lifted the head of the chrysalis is usually found quite close to it. 39 The chrysalis is about seven-tenths of an inch long, of a nearly uniform dark brown colour, and roughened with small blackish points or granulations. This insect is subject to the attacks of a parasite, a two- winged fly—a Tachina—probably the species known as the red-tailed Tachina fly, Hzorista leucania (see fig. 21, after Riley). It is not much unlike the common house fly in ap- pearance, is about a quarter of au inch long, with a white face, ; large reddish eyes, a dark hairy body with four, more or less, distinct lines down the thorax, and patches of a greyish shade along the sides of the abdo- men. ‘The parent fly deposits her eggs on the back of the caterpillar, usually a short dis- tance behind the head, where they are cemented firmly by means of a peculiar secretion with which the insect is furnished. Three or four of these eggs are usually placed upon a single caterpillar, where, after a few days, they hatch, when the tiny worms eat their way through the skin into the interior of the body, where they feed upon the fatty mat- ters, instinctively avoiding the vital organs. When the caterpillar is about full grown it dies, and from its body emerge these three or four full-grown whitish grubs, which soon after their exit change to chrysalids. These are nearly one-fifth of an inch long, oval, smooth and of a dark brown colour, from which in due time the perfect flies escape. THE CYLINDRICAL ORTHOSOMA (Orthosoma cylindricum, FABR.) This formidable-looking, long-horned beetle, fig. 22, is very common in most por- tions of Ontario during the month of July. It flies at wight with a rapid and noisy flight, entering the open windows of lighted rooms during the evenings, often to the great alarm of nervous inmates. This beetle measures an inch and a quarter, or even more in length, and is about one-third of an inch in width. Its body is long and narrow, and of a light brown colour, which assumes a darker shade on the head and antenne. The thorax is furnished with three sharp teeth on each side, and each wing case has three slightly raised ribs or lines. The larva of this insect inhabits decaying pine wood, espe- Fig. 22. cially pine stumps, and is supposed to be several years in completing its growth ; it closely resembles the larva of its near relative, Prionus laticollis, shown in fig. 23 (after Riley). This latter, however, differs somewhat in its habits and appetite, seeming to prefer boring into and feeding on living roots, such as those of the Lombardy Poplar, Balm of Gilead, Apple, Pear, and especially roots of the Grape-vine ; in the latter case frequently causing the sudden death of the vines attacked. THE AMERICAN SILKWorM (T'elea polyphemus). In our Report last year we gave our readers a sketch of the life history of our regal cecropia moth ; the magnificent moth to which we now propose to refer is a fitting sequel Lat TEN to that. It is, we think, one of the handsomest creatures in existence, with an expanse of wing of from five to six inches. In fig. 24 we have a representation of the male moth; fig. 25 shows that of the female. Fig. 25. The moth is usually of a rich buff or ochre yellow colour ; sometimes inclining to pale grey or cream colour ; at others assuming a deeper, almost brown, colour. Towards the base of the wings they are crossed by an irregular pale white band, margined with red ; towards the outer margin is a stripe of pale purplish white, bordered within by one of rich deep brown. Near the middle of each wing is a transparent eye like spot, with a slender line across the middle ; those on the front wings are largest, nearly round, mar- gined with yellow, which is edged outside with black. On the hinder wings the spots are more eye-like in shape, are margined with yellow, with a line of black margined with blue above, and the whole set in a large oval patch of deep rich brownish black, the widest portion of the patch being above the eye spot, where also it is sprinkled with bluish 41 =———— $$$ $$$ = atoms. The front edge of the fore wings is grey. The antenne in both sexes are pectinate or toothed, those of the male (which are very beautiful) being much more deeply toothed _ than in the female—a character by which the sexes may be readily distinguished. This lovely creature flies only at night, and when on the wing is of such a size that it is often mistaken in the dusk for a bat. When at rest, the wings are held elevated above the body, like those of a butterfly ; but, if disturbed, they are spread out flat, both pairs being shown. Early in June the moths first make their appearance, and they may be found throughout that month. In a few days they pair, after which the female deposits her eggs, usually on the under side of the leaves of the oak, maple or hazel; they are gene- rally placed singly, but occasionally two or three may be found on the same leaf. The egg is about one-tenth of an inch in diameter, convex above and below, with the convex portions whitish and the nearly cylindrical sides brown. Mr. L. Trouvelot, of Boston, who has reared great numbers of these insects for the purpose of experimenting on the silk obtained from their cocoons, gives the result of his valuable observations in the first volume of the American Naturalist. He says that one hundred of the eggs, on the day they are laid, will weigh eight grains ; that one hundred and ten of the empty shells weigh only one grain, and that six thousand of the newly hatched worms will weigh about one ounce. They are not long, however, in increasing their weight ; in ten days they weigh ten times their weight at birth ; in twenty days, sixty times; thirty days, 620 times ; forty days, 1,800 times; and in fifty-six days, 4,140 times their original weight, having consumed in this period about one hundred and twenty oak leaves, weigh- ing three-quarters of a pound. Fig. 26. The larva when fully grown appears as repre- sented in fig. 26; it then measures over three inches in length, with a very thick body. Mr. Trouve- lot thus describes its ap- pearance: “The head is of a light chestnut brown colour; the body of a handsome transparent light yellowish green, with seven oblique lines of a pale yellowish colour on each side of the body ; the segments are each adorned with six tubercles, giving rise to a few hairs, which are tinted sometimes with orange, with a silvery spot on the middle ; there are six rows of protuberances, two on the back and two on each side, and the oblique lines run between the two rows of lateral tubercles, uniting the lower one to the upper one by a yellowish line. The under side of the body is longitudinaily striped with a faint yellowish band; the spiracles are of a pale orange colour, and the feet are brown. The posterior part is bordered by a purplish brown angular line similar to the letter V.” Having reached maturity the larva begins to search about with a restless air among the branches for a suitable place in which to construct its cocoon. ‘The selection being made, ‘it now,” says Mr. Tronvelot, “feels with its head in all directions to discover any leaves to which to attach the fibres that are to give form to the cocoon. If it finds the place suitable, it begins to wind a layer of silk around a twig, then a fibre is attached to a leaf near by, and by many times doubling this fibre and making it shorter every time, the leaf is made to approach thetwig at the distance necessary to build the cocoon; two or three leaves are disposed like this one, and then fibres are spread between them in all directions, and soon the ovoid form of the cocoon distinctly appears. This seems to be the most difficult feat for the worm to accomplish, as after this the work is simply me- chanical, the cocoon being made of regular layers of silk united by a gummy substance. The silk is distributed in zigzag lines of about one-eighth of an inch long. When the co- 42 coon is made, the worm will have moved his head to and fro, in order to distribute the silk about two hundred and fifty-four thousand times.” , “ After about half a day’s work, the cocoon is so far completed that the worm can hardly be distinguished through the fine texture of the wall; then a gummy resinous sub- stance, sometimes of a light brown colour, is spread over all the inside of the cocoon. The larva con- tinues to work for four or five days, hardly taking a few minutes of rest, and finally another coating is spun in the interior, when the cocoon is all finished and completely air-tight.” The finished cocoon is shown in fig. 27. During this process of spinning, the larva, as might be expected, diminishes in size, which is due mainly to the enormous quantity of silk it has produced. Within two or three days after the com- pletion of the cocoon, the worm sheds its larva skin and enters upon the chrysalis stage of its existence. The chrysalis (see fig. 28) is of a dark chestnut brown colour, its hind segment being armed with a small brush-like cluster of hooks. Through the anterior segments the antenne, and —on a diminutive scale—the wings of the future moth may be clearly seen. In this condition the insect passes the winter, emerging as a moth in the following June. This insect, especially in the larval state, is subject to the attack of many foes. It has been estimated that ninety per cent. and upwards of the larva fall a prey to insectivorous birds ; the thrushes, catbirds and orioles are said to be especially active in this depart- ment. They also have their insect enemies. Besides the ordinary run of spiders, bugs, wasps, &c., they have a special and most dangerous foe in a species of Ichneumon fly, known as Ophion macrurum (fig. 29). This active crea- ture may often be seen in summer flying about, search- ing among the leaves of shrubs and trees for her law- ful prey ; having found the object of her search, she » watches her opportunity to place quickly upon the skin of her victim a small oval white egg. This pro- cess is repeated until some eight or ten eggs are placed, each one securely fastened by a small quantity of a glutinous substance attached to it for this purpose by the Ichneumon. In a few days these eggs hatch, when the tiny worms pierce through the skin of the caterpillar, and commence to feed on the fatty por- tions within. The caterpillar continues to grow, and usually lives long enough to make its cocoon, when it dies ; and in the following summer, in place of the moth there issues its enemy, the Ichneumon parasite. 43 ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. By R. V. Rogers, Ktyaston, Ont. Tue Luna Mors (Actias luna, LINN.) If any of the insect host is a proof of high art in nature, and of the beauty of the Creator’s thoughts, it is most assuredly the fair creature whose name is mentioned above. Allied to families whose members are among the greatest of the insect world, and haying cousins and connections surpassing in size and beauty all others of their kingdom in this Dominion, still this moth is as pre-eminent above its fellows as is its namesake—the fair empress of the sky—above the lesser lights that rule the night. So conspicuous is the Luna in her royal robes that she has a right to feel slighted at being thus long almost unnoticed in the pages of the ENTOMOLOGIST, and now it is hard upon her to be described among ‘“‘ Some of our Common Insects ;” but blue blood always tells, and queenly grace and beauty will ever distinguish the Luna from among the pro- fanum vulgus of the Articulata. And now for a biographical sketch of this beauty from the cradle to the grave, and beyond that, after it assumes the resurrection attire, to that day when, its work accom- plished, it lays itself down that its body may mingle again with its parent dust. The eggs, which are more than one hundred in number, are of a dayk brown or choco- late colour, smooth and .005 of an inch in length; the sides are flattened and of a lighter shade. In a fortnight the little larvee begin to appear, making their escape into the outer world by eating an oval opening in the end of the shell. Now one can see that the inner surface of the egg is perfectly white. The little wriggling caterpillars, when they first emerge, are about .02 of an inch in length, and exhibit a black head, greenish on top and yellowish in front; a body black, adorned with two yellow spots on each segment, and decorated with numerous yellow hairs; the under part of the body and feet are of a light yellow. Some crawl about with the empty shell on their tails, others carry it as an umbrella over their heads, but the majority seem to discard it at once, as their human superiors do a friend from whom nothing more is to be expected. Some that I attempted to bring up by the hand, without the assistance of that most careful of mothers, Dame Nature, had in a week grown over a third of an inch in length, and showed the warts crowned with little hairs on each segment. In ten days they began to change their skin, haying eaten so much that their first clothes had become too tight for them. Now they showed a head and body of light green, with yellow knobs on each segment: the hairy appendages were not so numerous or distinct as before, and a few of those on the front segments were dark. Ina fortnight from its birth the largest one was nearly half an inch long, and when they had been in the land of the living for a month they were nearly an inch in length. When fully grown the head of the caterpillar is nearly elliptical in shape, and of a pearl colour; the rest is of a delicate pale and very clear bluish-green colour. A very pale yellow stripe extends along each side of the body, from the first to the tenth segment, just below the Jine of the spiracles ; and the back is crossed, between the rings, by narrow transverse lines of the same colour. After the manner of its kith and kin, each segment is adorned with small pearly warts—tinged with purple—five or six in number, each furnished with a few little hairs. At the end of the tail are three brown spots, edged above with yellow. When at rest, this magnificent caterpillar (which, by the way, is very similar to that of its congener, Telew polyphemus, save that the latter is destitute of the lateral yellow stripe, and the bands between the segments, the tail being bordered by a brown V-shaped mark) is nearly as thick as a man’s thumb; its rings being bunched and body shortened, the length is only about two inches, but when it sets out on its travels, it stretches itself 44 to about three inches. In the CanapIAN ENTOMOLOGIST (vol. vi., p. 86) Mr. Gentry describes an interesting va..ety in which the general colour is a dull reddish brown; the lateral and transverse stripes of yellow have vanished, the abdominal spots shine conspic- uously, but without the yellow edging ; the pearl-coloured warts with their purple edge have, however, assumed a richer hue, and blaze like a coronet of rubies. When the larva has passed its allotted days in eating the leaves of the hickory,beech, oak or walnut, and is thinking seriously of preparing its silken shroud and the casket in which it is to lie until its resurrection morn, it casts about and draws together two or three leaves of a tree, and within this hollow spins an oval and very close and strong cocoon of whitish silk. It is about 1? inches in length, of a chestnut brown on the outside ; very thin, and frequently rough on the surface ; covered with warts and excrescences, but seldom showing the print of leaves. Harris says that the cocoons are formed on the trees, and that they fall to earth with the leaves shaken off by autumnal gales; but other observers assert that the larva crawls to the ground just before its change, and there prepares for its future transformations. In this state, too, the Luna greatly resembles the Polyphemus, and many a collector having—after careful searching—got together a fair supply of what he deems Luna chry- salids, is greatly chagrined by finding dusky, one-eyed giant Polyphemi issue from the silken tombs, instead of a bright throng of empresses of the night in their delicate bridal attire. The Polyphemus cocoons are, however, white or dirty white ; rather smaller than the Lunas, with rounded ends ; sometimes angular, because of leaves moulded unevenly into the surface, and generally coated with a white powder. About the month of June the Lunas awake from their long and death-like sleep, burst asunder their cerements—having first loosened the compact threads by ejecting a liquid—and issue forth in all their glory, no more to be mistaken for the sober one-eyed Cyclopeans, but resplendent in gay attire. The wings, which expand from 4? to 5} inches, are of a delicate light green colour, and the hinder ones are each prolonged into a tail of an inch?and a half or more in length—longer, indeed,than those of the day-flying Papilios. Along the front edge of the fore wings is a broad purple-brown stripe, extending also across the thorax, and sending backwards a little branch to a glittering, eye-like spot near the middle of the wing. These eyes (of which there is one on each of the wings) are transparent in the centre, and encircled by rings of white, yellow, blue and black. The hinder borders are more or less edged with purple brown. All the nervures are very dis- tinct and pale brown. Near the body the wings are densely covered with hairs. The under sides are similar to the upper, except that an indistinct undulating line runs along the margin of both wings. As for the body that bears these lovely appendages, the thorax is white, sometimes yellowish or greenish, crossed by the purple-brown stripe that traverses the whole length of the upper edge of the front wings; the abdomen is of the same colour as the thorax, and covered with white hairs like wool. The head is white and small, and adorned with wide, flat and strongly pectinated antenne of a brownish tinge. The legs are purple- brown. Such is Luna in her various transformations to outward appearance ; notwithstand- ing her size and loveliness, her habits and peculiar instincts are not very noteworthy. The gift of superior beauty, as among the highest of animals so in the insect world, is not frequently accompanied by remarkable intelligence or superior sense ; and the most gaudy butterfly or moth is a fool in comparison with the dingy-coloured bee. The caterpillars of butterflies and moths have some various instincts—chiefly in the direction of silk spinning and sepulchre building—but the perfect insects only live “ to increase and multiply their race, and embellish nature. Their existence in the perfect state is usually very brief ; it is one of the prettiest of honeymoons, and often love subdues and destroys every other passion. The gourmandizing caterpillar is never troubled by the ardent flame which con- sumes even the thought of sipping the nectar of the flowers that rival in beauty the wings of the perfect representation of elegance and love. The early insect lives and eats, and the perfect form lives and dies.” 45 THE WESTERN LOCUSTS. BY THE REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE. In our last Annual Report (1874) we devoted a considerable portion of our space to an account of the Locusts (or grasshoppers as they are improperly termed), which were so : ~ destructive that year throughout large tracts of country in Man- itoba and the neighbouring re- gions of British America, and in many of the States between the Rocky Mountains and the » Mississippi River. We now pro- pose to supplement that account by information that we have gleaned from various sources, and that, we trust, will prove interesting to the reader. During the present year (1875) it is cheering to find that the extent of the plague has been very much diminished, and that many portions of the West are rapidly recover- ing from the devastation and suffering of the previous year. In the Province of Mani- toba, where very serious havoc has been committed by the insect, there are this year many localities where the injury is but trifling. To quote a correspondent of the Toronto Globe (October 30, 1875)—“ No better wheat and potatoes can anywhere be found than were lately harvested at Portage La Prairie and along the Red River between Fort Garry and Pembina, and in the neighbourhood of St. John. All this is spring-sown, in rich, well- drained land. Efforts in the infested regions, made by settlers and their families during the few hours in which the locust rested, such as building fires, surrounding the field or garden with a ditch into which the insects fall and drown, beating them with bushes, &e., have been successful in saving large parts of the crops.” On the other hand, he states : “Many of the farmers this year let their fields go waste rather than plant for the locusts to eat, as they had done for two years. In the gardens of Government House and of the Penitentiary, in the old field at Kildonan, and along the banks of both rivers, we saw the effects of the ravages. The garden of Deer Lodge was destroyed in a few hours.” With regard to the future he adds: “It is generally hoped that but little of this plague will be felt for some years in Manitoba. The grounds for such confidence are the histori- cal facts as to its periodicity, the great numbers of the parasites found on the specimens examined, and the fact that the locusts flew off without depositing their eggs. In lands where nature has dealt with less lavish hand the farmer might well hesitate to embark his means and labour in tillage ; but the great returns which the marvellously rich, deep soil of this Province will yearly produce, will doubtless allow an ample margin for periodical losses from this plague, and these losses too may be anticipated, and to a great extent met and lessened, by united skilful effort when the lands become settled, as no doubt they soon will be, with industrious farmers using all modern means of agriculture.” Another writer in the same newspaper (Mr. J. M. Machar—Daily Globe, Dec. 18, 1875) gives the following information respecting Manitoba :—‘“ Between the Assiniboine and the southern shore of Lake Manitoba there lies a district of about ten miles sqnare, chiefly settled and farmed by emigrants from Ontario. These farmers have harvested, in spite of the grasshoppers, a two-thirds crop, which is better than an average crop in Ontario. Instead of sowing nothing, as did many of their neighbours in the parishes of Baie St. Paul and Francois Xavier, or watching the grasshoppers deyour what they had sown, as did most of the others, these brave men sowed in hope, and when the enemy appeared, turned out and fought him. I saw a forty-acre field of splendid wheat at Port- 46 SSS eee \ age Creek, which had been saved by spreading a swathe of straw across the middle of the field ; then the whole family armed themselves with boughs, and forming line drove the grasshoppers before them into the straw. When evening came a match was applied, and in five minutes nothing was left of the invaders but their horny coverings, which, at the time of my visit in August, still littered the ground in millions.” THE LOCUSTS IN THE WESTERN STATES. Throughout the Western States that lie beyond the Mississippi River, where last year fully one hundred thousand people were estimated to have been seriously affected by the plague of locusts—many being reduced to poverty and starvation—this year the actual suffering has been comparatively slight. From the official reports of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, we gather that the dreaded locust “seems to be perishing from the assaults of parasites; its demonstrations of destructive power were far less formidable than last year.” In the early part of the season very serious apprehensions were felt as to the safety of the crops in many localities, but as the summer advanced it was found that though much injury was inflicted in particular places, there was no such wide-spread havoc as in the preceding year. In the “Monthly Report” for May and June, for instance, it is stated that “‘ The destructive locust, Caloptenus spretus, has recommenced its depredations west of the line of the Missouri, and in some counties to the east of that river. It was reported that they were hatching in immense numbers in five of the counties of Minnesota. In some cases they were burned in great numbers in piles of straw. In Missouri they were very des- tructive in the north-western part of Vernon County ; in Platte they swept all the grain and grass crops ; they were also a terrible scourge in five other counties. (All of these suffered severely last year—they lie along the western boundary of the State.) In Kansas they had eaten all the stacked tame-grass hay and all the old meadows, twenty-five per cent. of the wheat, and most of the growing corn-plants ; in Marshall County they des- troyed wheat, oats and gardens; Leavenworth records the most terrible visitation yet known—the popular dismay is indescribable. Similar reports come from seventeen other counties. In some villages the streets are covered with these insects. Fruit-trees have in many cases failed to bear, from the fact that they were last year deprived of all their foliage and young-wood growth by these pests. From some counties come bitter complaints of the falsehoods of newspaper writers and others, palliating or denying the real extent of the disasters. These false representations are made in the interest of speculative pro- perty-holders, who fear a depreciation of their investments. In a few counties the injuries have as yet been small, but all such places are yet liable to destructive visitation. The cotton-plant was especially relished by these insects. In Nebraska they had destroyed twenty per cent. of the small grain, and were still at work. In Colorado they were nume- rous and destructive in three counties.” In the Prairie Farmer of the 29th of May it is stated that “the reports from the grasshopper regions of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska are somewhat conflicting, yet on the whole a little more cheerful from many localities than they were last week. From Sedalia, Missouri, comes an account of three deaths from starvation. Ata meeting held at Jefferson City, it was stated that suffering in many parts of the State was imminent, and it was resolved that the Governor should appoint commissioners in every county of the State to solicit relief, and that collections for the sufferers should be taken up in all the churches on the Fast Day, June 3rd.” This ‘ Fast Day’ was appointed by proclamation of the Governor of the State of Missouri, as a day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God for deliverance from the plague of locusts, and was, on the whole, very religiously observed throughout the State. The same paper quoted above relates further that the ravages still continue in the neighbourhood of St. Joseph. ‘‘ The feeling regarding them varies with localities ; some are despondent, while others think the damage will be light. The people of Nebraska generally are reported to be very hopeful ; they believe that the entire corn crop at least will be saved. They have developed in patches, but are doing less harm than was an- ticipated.” 47 In the next issue of the Prairie Farmer (June 5th) a further account is given of the locust ravages, as follows :— “ Though in many localities the locusts have begun to try their wings, they do not yet seem ready for a prolonged or general flight. They seem to fly short distances in all directions, though we hear little of encroachments on new ground to the eastward. A few days more will settle the question as to direction and probable damage. All we know now is that in Missouri there is already considerable suffering among the people. A meeting was held at Independence on the 31st. From all portions of the county there came sad accounts of suffering. A relief committee was appointed. From Lexington we hear that the locusts are still at work, with no immediate prospect of leaving. A com- mittee for relief purposes has been appointed. At Fort Scott, Kansas, the pests are re- ported as on the wing for the north-west. At Olathe they are moving northward. We have few particulars from Nebraska, but from what we do hear, conclude that there is little cause for alarm. The same may be said of Minnesota. In Nebraska, however, there is developing disease among the people, resulting from the privations of the past few months. Scurvy prevails to a considerable extent.” The July “ Monthly Report of the Department of Agriculture” at Washington gives a record of the plague of locusts, from which we gather the following :— « They appeared in several counties of Minnesota. Blue earth offered a bounty for their destruction. About 20,000 bushels were collected and destroyed at a cost of $32,000, without perceptibly diminishing their numbers.” They were very destructive in three other counties, but were comparatively innocuous in the rest from which reports had come. In Iowa, Montgomery County had a very destructive visitation in the western part, the great- est injury being to the corn crop. They are also noted in eight other counties. In Mis- souri they did serious damage in several of the counties mentioned in the preceding month’s report. “They swept away all the crops in Clay County ; in Carroll they chewed tobacco.” In Texas they were injurious to the cotton-plant. In Kansas they inflicted a very serious amount of damage ; in three counties, three-fourths of the crops were de- stroyed ; they were “ very bad” in fourteen more counties ; while tighter visitations were reported from six others. In Nebraska they are reported as more or less injurious in thirteen counties. After this the various records show a brighter state of things, the numerous ravages already referred to proving, in many instances, much less serious than was at first ap pre- hended. A correspondent of the Prairie Farmer, writing from Johnson County, Nebraska, on the 29th of July, states that “the grasshoppers hatched and commenced eating the wheat on April 28th, and stayed with us until June 13th. They commenced flying when the wind was north-west, and continued to fly up to the 27th of June—some days partly in clouds that could be seen when three miles off, but they did not light much in our county. As to wheat, there may be one-third of a crop of inferior quality, but potatoes and grass never looked better. If nothing happens to the corn, it will be the largest crop raised in the county.” Another correspondent from the same State, writing a fortnight later, says: “We have splendid prospects for crops of all kinds planted since the grass- hoppers left. Most of our small grain has been harvested, threshed and marketed by the grasshoppers, and so far we have not received any returns ; but we have the best prairie grass | ever saw. If the frost holds off as late as usual, we shall have a large quantity of corn and buckwheat.” The ‘Monthly Report” from Washington, for August and Sep tember, mentions locust ravages in a few counties of the States of Minnesota, Iowa, Mis- souri, Kansas and Nebraska, but notices a great decrease in the reported devastations. “The pest,” it states, “is evidently declining very fast, and the earnest hopes of a cessa- tion of their ravages expressed by our correspondents appear to have a solid foundation in facts.” The very perceptible reduction in the extent of the plague is attributed to the immense development of parasites upon the bodies of the locusts. The reports for the three remaining months of the year all show that “ the plague was stayed” before it caused the utter ruin that was so widespread during the previous year. To give a few instances out of many :—A writer from Minnesota says, ‘‘ I cannot report in comparison with last year, as we then produced nothing of any account, owing to destruction by grasshoppers. This year all kinds of crops raised here are generally good. The end of the season finds the farmers in better condition than for three or four years.” Another from Clay County, 48 Missouri, writes : “ Since the destruction by the grasshoppers, crops of all kinds have grown beyond precedent as to quantity and quality. Food for stock is abundant, and pastures abound with rye instead of blue-grass.” A third, from Kansas, the State that has suffered most of all from the locusts, states that ‘the failure of wheat, oats, timothy, clover, flax, &c., by ravages of the grasshopper, caused the planting of an extraordinary breadth of corn, potatoes, beans, buckwheat and vines of all kinds, Then the finest sea- son for the growth of these crops has brought our farmers bountiful harvests of them.” Others from different parts of the same State write : “ Last year we had almost nothing ; this year we have great abundance.” ‘All our crops were destroyed last year, while this year they are all good.” “Last season we had nothing worth noting ; this season our crops are large beyond any precedent.” From Nebraska, it is reported that ‘“ neither corn nor potatoes were raised last year ; the whole crops were destroyed by grasshoppers ; this season we have the best crops ever raised.” From the foregoing Reports it is evident that the locust visitation of this year, though very alarming in the earlier portion of the season, has proved to be of only moderate im- portance. No doubt there have been here and there, in the infested region, individual cases of extreme suffering, but the general population have escaped without any serious hardship. Where the invading horde of locusts makes but one attack, there is no doubt that it can be repelled and got rid of by vigorous efforts, especially if the population is suf- ficiently dense to admit of concerted action over a considerable area; but, on the whole, it is apparent that natural causes alone have operated in the reduction of the great army, and that no human measures have had any appreciable effect in averting a repetition of the frightful sufferings of the ever memorable “ Locust Year,” 1874. MEANS OF REDUCING THE RAVAGES OF THE Locusts. In our Report of last year we gave an account of various methods that may be em ployed in the reduction of the ravages of the locusts ; since its publication much has been said and written in different quarters upon the same subject, as, from the vast amount of devastation caused by the insect, it had become a matter of supreme importance to the people of the whole continent, whether personally affected or not. Naturally, therefore, the subject came up for discussion at the meeting of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science, held at Detroit in August last. Papers were there read by Dr. LeConte, of Philadelphia, retiring President of the Association, the most eminent of American Entomologists, and Professor Riley, the State Entomologist of Missouri, who has made the locusts a subject of personal study since their appearance in his State. As Dr. LeConte’s paper has already been quoted by Mr. Saunders in the earlier portion of this Report, we need only desire the reader to refer to it there. From Professor Riley’s paper, which was of considerable length, we make the follow- ing quotations, which the reader will observe set forth for the most part similar modes of prevention to those briefly suggested by us in our last Report (pages 40 and 41) :— “The means to be employed against the ravages of the locust in the more fertile country subject to its periodical visitations, but in which it is not indigenous, may be classed under five heads:—1. Natural agencies. 2. Artificial means of destroying the «wes. 3. Means of destroying the unfledged young. 4. Remedies against the mature or winged insects. 5. Prevention. “1. Natural Agencies.—These are, 1st., climatic conditions which induce disease and prevent the insect’s continued multiplication in much of the country it invades. 2nd. Natural enemies, consisting of birds, reptiles and mammals which devour, or in other ways destroy it, and of predaceous and parasitic species of its own class. The agencies in the first and last categories are beyond man’s control, and will do their appointed work unin- fluenced by his action ; but the others are more within his control. Almost all birds in- habiting the western plains feed upon the locust and its eggs, and the prairie chicken and quail are untiring in this good work. The States subject to locust ravages shculd pass more stringent laws for the better protection of these game birds, with which the markets of tle East are annually glutted. Many of the harmless reptiles—toads, snakes and lizards —should be spared from the ruthless war which most persons, ignorant of their habits, wage against them. 49 SS ee * “9. Artificial means of destroying the ggs.—The fact that man can accomplish most in his warfare against locusts by destroying the eggs, has long been recognised by Euro- pean and Asiatic Governments liable to suffer from the insects. The eggs are laid in masses, just beneath the surface of the ground, seldom to a greater depth than an inch ; and high, dry ground is preferred for the purpose. Very often the ground is so com- pletely filled with these egg-masses, that not a spoonful of the soil can be turned up with- out exposing them, and a harrowing, or shallow ploughing, will cause the surface to look quite whitish as the masses break up and bleach from exposure to the atmosphere. Great numbers will be destroyed by such harrowing or ploughing, as they are not only thereby more exposed to the attacks of natural enemies, but they lose vitality through the bleach- ing and desiccating influence of the dew, and rain and sun. If deeply turned under by the plough, many of them will rot, and the young that chance to hatch will come forth too late the next year to do much harm—providing the same ground be not re-turned so as to bring the eggs to the surface in the spring. Excess of moisture for a few days is fatal to the eggs, and they may very easily be destroyed where irrigation is practicable. Where stock can be confined and fed on soil filled with such eggs, many of these will be destroyed by the trampling. All these means are obviously insufficient, however, for the reason that the eggs are too often placed where none of them can be employed. In such cases they should he collected and destroyed by the inhabitants, and the State should offer some in- ducement in the way of bounty for such collection and destruction. Every bushel of eggs destroyed is equivalent to a hundred acres of corn saved, and when we consider the amount of destitution caused in some of the Western States by the locust invasion of 1874, and that in many sections the ground was known to be filled with eggs—that, in other words, the earth was sown with the seeds of future destruction—it is surprising that the Legislatures of those States did not make some effort to avert future injury by offering a liberal price per bushel for the eggs. A few thousand dollars taken out of the State treasury for this purpose would be well spent, and be distributed among the very people most in need of assistance. “3. Destruction of the Unfledged Young.—As I have stated in the articles already alluded to, heayy rolling, where the surface of the soil is sufficiently firm, destroys the larger portion of them, but is most advantageously employed when the insects are most sluggish. They drive almost as readily as sheep, and may be burned in large quantities by being driven into windrows or piles of burning hay or straw. But the experience of the present year convinces me that by far the most effectual way for man to protect his crops and do battle to these young locust armies—especially where, as in West Missouri, this spring, there was no hay or straw to burn—is by ditching. A ditch two feet wide and two feet deep, with perpendicular sides, offers an effectual barrier to the young insects. They tumble into it and accumulate, and die at the bottom in large quantities. In a few days the stench becomes great, and necessitates the covering up of the mass. In order to keep the main ditch open, therefore, it is best to dig pits or deeper side ditches at short intervals, into which the hoppers will accu- mulate, and may be buried. We hear much talk about the powerlessness of man before this mighty locust plague; but I am quite confident that here we have a remedy that is at once thorough and effectual, whereby the people of some of the States, at least, may avert in future such evil as that which befel them this spring. There have been a number of partial at- tempts at ditching by simply turning a couple of furrows with the plough. Even these will often divert the encroaching insects from their course; but they can never be relied on, and you may rest assured that whenever you hear a man declare that ditching is no protection, he refers to such sloyenly half-made ditches. No instance has come to my knowledge where a ditch, such as I first described, has failed to effectually keep off the insects. Made around a field about hatching time, no hoppers will get into that field till they acquire wings, and by that time the principal danger is over, and the insects are fast disappearing. If any should hatch within the inglosure, they are easily driven into the ditches dug in different parts of the field. * There are various other ways of catching and destroying the young locusts, as driving them into converging barriers by means of ropes dragged on the ground, with a person at each end, and then crushing them with shovels or burning them by means of torches made of rags and dipped in coal oil and attached to sticks ; catching them with nets, Xc. ; but nothing 10 50 a ° equals ditching. As for protecting plants by the application of powders and liquids, I have come to the conclusion that it is out of the question. “Tf the eggs are duly destroyed, there will be no trouble from the young locusts ; but where these once abound, pecuniary inducement to collect and kill them should be offered by the State. It is one of the best means of giving aid and employment to the sufferers, who cannot pursue their ordinary avyocations till the plague measurably leaves or is banished. “Tn this connection I would also urge the employment of military force, a large amount of which, in times of peace, could be ordered into the field at short notice, “To many, the idea of employing soldiers to assist the agriculturist in battling with this pest may seem amusing and farcical enough, but though the men might not find glory in the fight, the war—unlike most other wars—could only be fraught with good consequences to mankind, In Algeria, the custom prevails of sending the soldiers against these insects. While recently in the south of France, I found, to my great satisfaction, that at Arles, Bouche du Rhone, where the unfledged locusts (Caloptenus Italicus, a species closely allied to the Rocky Mountain locust) were doing great harm, the soldiers had been sent in force to battle with them, and were then and there waging a vigorous war against the tiny foes. A few regiments, armed with no more deadly weapon than the common spade, sent out to the suffer- ing parts of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska last spring, might, in a few weeks, have entirely routed this pygmean army, and |materially assisted the farmer in his ditching operations. ‘CA few other suggestions, and I will dismiss this part of the subject. Hogs and poultry of every description delight to feed on the young hoppers, and will flourish where these abound ~ when nothing else does. It will be well, in the event of a future invasion, for the people in the invaded districts to provide themselves with as large a quantity as possible of this kind of stock. Where no general and systematic efforts were made to destroy either the eggs or the young locusts, and it is found that, as spring opens, these young hatch out in threatening numbers, the intelligent farmer will delay the planting of everything that he cannot protect by ditching, until the very last moment, or till toward the end of June—using his team and time solely in the preparation of his land. In this way he will not only saye his seed and the labour of planting, and, perhaps, replanting, but he will materially assist in weakening the devouring armies. Men planted this spring and worked with a will and energy born of necessity, only to see their crops finally taken, their seed gone, and their teams and them- selves worn out. The locusts finally devoured every green thing, until, finding nothing more, they began to fall upon each other and to perish. This critical period in their history would have been brought about much earlier if they had not had the cultivated crops to feed upon ; and if by concert of action this system of non-planting could at first have been adopted over large areas, the insects would have been much sooner starved out and obliged to congregate in the pastures, prairies and timber. Moreover, the time required for early planting and _culti- vating, if devoted to destroying the insects after the bulk of them hatch out toward the end of April, would virtually annihilate them. “4. Destruction of Winged Insects—Man is comparatively powerless before the vast swarms that wing their way from their native breeding places, and this part of the sub- ject may be passed over in this connection. “5. Prevention.—What I have so far said is, perhaps, of more interest to the farmer than to the members of this association ; but in dealing with the fifth mode of counteract- ing the injuries of the Rocky Mountain locust, I appeal more especially to your wisdom and judgment. Prevention, in dealing with insect ravages, is always better than cure. ‘A little fire is quickly trodden out, which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench.’ The proper way to deal with this insect is to attack it in its native breeding places. “In my seventh Report I have shown that the insect is not autochthonous in much of the more fertile country it devastates, and that it never extends east of the 17th meridian. I have also given reasons for believing that the swarms from which we most suffer originate in the Rocky Mountain regions of Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and British America. Our efforts should be directed to its restriction within its natural limits. “In conclusion, the most important results are likely to flow from a thorough study of the Rocky Mountain locust in its native haunts and breeding places. By learning just when and how to strike the insect, so as to prevent its undue multiplication there—whether by some more extensive system of irrigation, based on improved knowledge of the topo- graphy wd water supply of the country, or by other means of destroying the eggs—we may hope to prevent the fertile States to the east from future calamity. This knowledge can never be acquired by any single individual. The subject is of national importance, and should receive the consideration of the National Government. It is not merely the question of saving to the nation, in future, such vast sums of money as this insect has filched from the producers of some of the Western States (amounting during the past three years to many millions of dollars) ; it is a question affecting the welfare of the whole commonwealth on the other side of the Mississippi, and the ultimate settlement of a vast tract of country extending from the base of the Rocky Mountains eastward, to which set- tlement the ravages of the locust in question offer the most serious obstacle.” We have quoted somewhat fully from Prof. Riley’s paper, as almost every word of it is just as applicable to the Dominion of Canada and the Province of Manitoba as to the United States and the State of Missouri. As a result of the papers of Messrs. LeConte and Riley, the standing Committee of the American Association authorized the circulation, for the signatures of members, of a memorial to the Congress of the United States ; we understand that it was signed by many most influential and distinguished members. : The text of the memorial wlll be found in the mtroductory portion of this report. Should the Congress of the United States accede to the prayer of this memorial, as we trust they will, it is earnestly to be hoped that the Legislature of the Dominion will appointa similar Commission, to co-operate with that of our neighbours in all matters that concern vast areas of the continent, and not merely particular localities. In the case of the locust, it is evident that an exploration of the British American portion of the Rocky Mountains lying between the 49th and 51st parallels of latitude, if not somewhat further to the north as well, is urgently needed with a view to the discovery of the native haunts of the insect, or at any rate to the settlement of the question whether it breeds within the limits of our country or not. Much indeed might be done by the addition of a competent entomologist to the staff of the various surveying parties that are from time to time sent out for the settlement of boundaries, and the surveying of railway routes. Should it be discovered that the locusts do deposit their eggs and come to maturity year after year in any special locality on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, then it would be a wise expenditure of public money to send a properly equipped party to the haunt of the enemy, and strive by every means to accomplish his extermination. The expenses of such a force would be a thousand times repaid by the saving of the erops and fruits of the farmers of Manitoba, and by the removal of what is felt by many to be a serious drawback to the settlement of the Province. Should our neighbours, however, south of the 49th parallel, not unite in the endeavour to keep the enemy in control, any labour on our part would be of little ayail. Just as a farmer cannot hope to exterminate the thistles from his fields, if those about him allow the weed to scatter its seeds with every wind that blows; so we cannot hope to free our own territory from recurring plagues of locusts, if the Govern- ment of the United States do not join with us in the work. In any case, however, it will be wise to lose no time in discovering, by careful exploration, whether the insect is in- digenous to British America or not. The settlement of this point will be one great step towards the accomplishment of an efficient protection against future invasions. Since the above was written we learn that a Bill has been introduced into the Senate of the United States by the Hon. Mr. Ingalls, for the Protection of Agriculture, and that it has been received and referred to a Committee. In the introduction of the Bill especial reference was made to thedepredations of locusts, chinch-bugs, army-worms, cotton-worms, the Hessian fly, &e. It was stated that the farmers of the United States are estimated to have suffered a loss last year of $200,000,000 by these insects, and that $40,000,000 would hardly cover the loss by locusts alone ; it was further declared that in seven counties of Minnesota $80,000 were expended in destroying 60,00 bushels of locusts. The Bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to appoint, upon the nomination of the National Academy of Sciences, a Commission, to consist of three eminent entomolo- gists, to serve five years, at a salary of $5,000 per annum each, and to be allowed travel- ling expenses, &c. They are to devote themselves to the investigation of insects most injurious to the great staples, especially the Rocky Mountain locust, the army-worm, chinch-bug, Hessian fly and cotton-worm. The results of their labours are to be reported to Congress at least once a year. 52 It is evident that the memorial of the American Association. referred to above, has already produced an effect upon the Legislature of the United States. We have little doubt that the Bill, with perhaps some slight modifications, will be passed by Congress ; and we have equally little doubt that, if the work is entrusted to the right men, we shall soon observe some very important results, that will speedily repay the nation many times over for any expenditure that may be incurred. We trust now that the matter will be brought before the consideration of the Legislature of the Dominion, in order that there may be the fullest co-operation with the work on the other side of. the line. Locusts AS AN ARTICLE OF Foon. The use of locusts as an article of food was referred to in our last Report, where, after mentioning various instances in which different species of the insect have been made use of in this way in many parts of the world, we stated that “it remains to be’ proved that a nutritious article of food may not be obtained from the Rocky Mountain locust (Caloptenus spretus); certainly it isan experiment worth trying ; if successful we should have a double benefit—the lessening of the numbers of the locusts and the supply of food wherewith to meet the famine that they have produced.” We are glad to find that our friend, Professor Riley, who has had excellent opportunities for the purpose, has’ made the experiment with decided success. From his paper on the subject, read before the American Association, we make the fellowing extracts :— “Whenever the occasion presented, I partook of locusts prepared in different ways, and one day I ate of no other kind of food, and must have consumed, in one form and another, the substance of several thousand half-grown locusts. Commencing the experi- ments with some misgivings, and fully expecting to have to overcome disagreeable flavour, I was soon most agreeably surprised to find that the insects were quite palatable, in what- ever way prepared. ‘The flavour of the raw locust is most strong and disagreeable ; but that of the cooked insects is agreeable, and sufficiently mild to be easily neutralized by anything with which they may be mixed, and to admit of easy disguise, according to taste or fancy. But the great point I would make in their favour is, that they need no elaborate preparation or seasoning. They require no disguise, and herein lies their value in ex- ceptional emergencies; for when people are driven to the point of starvation by these ravenous pests, it follows that all other food is either very scarce or unattainable. A broth, made by boiling the unfledged Calopteni for two hours in the proper quantity of water, and seasoned with nothing in the world but pepper and salt, is quite palatable, and can scarcely be distinguished from beef broth, though it has a slight flavour peculiar to it and not easily described. The addition of a little butter improves it, and the fla- vour can, of course, be modified with mint, sage aud other spices, ad libitum. Fried or roasted in nothing but their own oil, with the addition of a little salt, they are by no means unpleasant eating, and haye quite a nutty flavour. In fact it is a flavour, like most peculiar and not unpleasant flavours, that one can soon learn to get fond of. Pre- pared in this manner, ground and compressed, they would doubtless keep for a long time. Yet their consumption in large quantities in this form would not, I think, prove as wholesome as when made into soup or broth ; for I found the chitinous covering and the corneous parts, especially the spines on the tibiz, dry and chippy, and somewhat irritat- ing to the throat. This objection would not apply with the same force to the mature individuals, especially of larger species, where the heads, legs and wings are carefully separated before cooking ; and, in fact, some of the mature insects prepared in this way, then boiled and afterward stewed with a few vegetables and a little butter, pepper, salt and vinegar, made an excellent fricassee. “Lest it be presumed that these opinions result from an unnatural palate, or from mere individual taste, let me add that I took pains to get the opinions of many other per- sons. Indeed, I shall not soon forget the experience of my first culinary effort in this line—so fraught with fear and’so forcibly illustrating the power of example in overcom- ing prejudice. This attempt was made at an hotel. At first it was impossible to get any assistance from the followers of the ars coguinaria. They could not have more flatly re- fused to touch, taste or handle, had it been a question of cooking vipers. Nor love nor money could induce them to do either, and in this respect the folks of the kitchen were all 53 alike, without distinction of colour. There was no other resource than to turn cook myself and operations once commenced, the interest and aid of a brother naturalist and two intelli- gent ladies were soon enlisted. It was most amusing to note how, as the rather savoury and pleasant odour went up from the cooking dishes, the expression of horror and disgust gradually vanished from the faces of the curious lookers-on, and how, at last, the head cook—a stout and jolly negress—took part in the operations ; how, when the different dishes were neatly served upon the table and were freely partaken of with evident relish and many expressions of surprise and satisfaction by the ladies and gentlemen interested, this same cook was actually induced to try them and soon grew eloquent in their favour ; how, finally, a prominent banker, as also one of the editors of the town, joined in the meal. The soup sooh vanished and banished silly prejudice ; then cakes with batter enough to hold the locusts together disappeared and were pronounced good ; then baked locusts with or without condiments ; and when the meal was completed with dessert of baked locusts and honey & Ja John the Baptist, the opinion was unanimous that that dis- tinguished prophet no longer deserved our sympathy, and that he had not fared badly on his diet in the wilderness. Prof. H. H. Straight, of the Warrensburg (Mo.) Normal School, who made some experiments for me in this line, wrote : ‘ We boiled them rather slowly for three or four hours, season’ ‘he fluid with a little butter, salt and pepper and it made an excellent soup, actually ; wow like to have it even in prosperous times. Mrs. Johonnot, who is sick, and Proj. Johonn ; pronounced it excellent.’ “T sent a bushel of the scalded insects to Mr. Jno. Bonnet, one of the oldest and best known caterers of St. Louis. Master of the mysteries of the cuisine, he made a soup which was really delicious and was so pronounced by dozens of prominent St. Louisans who tried it. Shaw, in his Travels in Barbary (Oxford, England, 1738), in which two pages are devoted to a description of \the ravages of locusts, mentions that they are sprinkled with salt and fried, when they taste like craw-fish ; and Mr. Bonnet declared that this locust soup reminded him of nothing so much as crawfish bisque, which is so highly esteemed by connoisseurs. He also hewlarea that he would gladly have it on his bill of fare every day if he could get the insects. His method of preparation was to boil on a brisk fire, having previously seasoned them with salt, pepper and grated nutmeg, the whole being occasionally stirred. When cooked they are pounded in a mortar with bread fried brown, or a puree of rice. They are then replaced in the saucepan and thickened to a broth by placing on a warm part of the stove, but not allowed ‘to boil. For use, the broth is passed through a strainer and a few croutons are added. I have had a small box of fried ones with me for the past two months, and they have been tasted by numerous persons, including the members of the London Entomological Society and of the Sovieté Entomologique de France. Without exception they have been pronounced far better than was expected, and those tried in their own oil with a litéle salt are yet good and fresh ; others fried in butter have become slightly rancid—a fault of the butter.” Mr. Riley concludes his interesting account by saying, “I can safely assert from my own personal experience, that our Rocky Mountain locust is more palatable when cooked than many animals which we habitually use on our tables. I mention the species more particularly, because the flavour will doubtless differ according to the species, or even according to the nature of the vegetation the insects were nourished on. I have made no chemical analysis of this locust food, but that it is highly nourishing may be gath- ered from the fact that all animals fed upon the insects thrive when they are abundant ; and the further fact that our locust-eating Indians, and all other locust-eating people, grow fat upon them. “ Locusts vy “| hardly come into general use for food except where they are annually abundant, and o western farmers who occasionally suffer from them will not easily be brought toa due preciation of them for this purpose. Prejudiced against them; fight- ing to overcome tl xn, killing them in large quantities, until the stench from their decom- posing bodies becomes at times most offensive—they find little that is attractive in the pests. For these reasons, as long as other food is attainable, the locust will be apt to be rejected by most persons. Yet the fact remains that they do make very good food. When freshly caught in large quantities, the mangled mass presents a not very appetizing appear- ance, and emits a strong, and not over-pleasing odour ; but rinsed and scalded, they turn a brownish red, look much more inviting, and give no disagreeable smell. x 54 “The experiments here recorded have given rise to many sensational newspaper par- agraphs, and I consider the matter of sufficient importance to record the actual facts, which are here given for the first time. “ Like or dislike of many kinds of food are very much matters of individual taste, or national custom. Every nation has some special and favorite dish, which the people of other nations will scarcely touch, while the very animal that is highly esteemed in one part of a country is not unfrequently rejected as poisonous ‘in another section. We use many things to-day that were considered worthless or even poisonous by our forefathers. Prejudice wields a most powerful influence in all our actions. It is said that the Irish, during the famine of 1857, would rather starve than eat our corn bread; and if what I have written shall in the future induce some of our western people to profit by the hint, and avoid suffering from hunger or actual starvation, I shall not have written in vain.” Like the mysterious individual who first tasted oysters, and introduced them to the favourable consideration of the world, we certainly think that Prof. Riley deserves the thanks of the community for his courage in making the experiment of eating locusts, and the zeal with which he carried it out. No donbt our north-western friends, in the Province of Manitoba, especially those of Frens,..»seent, who are usually more skilled in the arts of cookery than their Anglo-Sax: , or Irish neighbours, will ere long look upon Prof. Riley as a public benefactor—onc who has introduced a new and estimable addition to the luxuries of the table. 2-0) | Si ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO/Y FOR THE YEAR 18/6. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly, Toronto : PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 25 WELLINGTON-ST-WEST om sontan |, 1877. ‘ “A, 154 bs : i ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR 1876. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL, AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY, BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS, President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; Editor of the Canadian Entomologist , REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M. A. Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope ; Vice-President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; AND JOSEPH WILLIAMS, London, Ontario. REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR 1876. To the Honourable the Commissioner of Agriculture : Sir,—I have the honour to submit, herewith, for your consideration, the Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, for the year 1876, including a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures during the year, all of which have been duly audited. The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly organ of our Society, continues to be regu- larly issued about the 15th of each month, and has, during the past year, contained a great many papers of much practical value. It has now nearly reached the close of its eighth volume, and throughout its issue it has been almost entirely filled with original matter: hence it has become such a depository of the results of entomological observa- tion, that no student of American entomology can dispense with it. Yearly it is growing in favour in European and American scientific circles, and continues also to carry on a good work in our midst by the diffusion from month to month of much valuable informa- tion in reference to insect life about us. The Annual Meeting of the Society was held this year in the City of Hamilton, dur- ing the time of the exhibition of the Agricultural and Arts Association, in accordance with the provisions of the Statute, when the various reports were read and approved, and the officers for 1877 duly elected. I have also the pleasure of submitting a Report on some of the noxious, beneficial, and other insects of the Province which have been prepared on behalf of the Society by Mr. Wm. Saunders, Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, M.A., and Mr. J. Williams. The pages of this Report will be found illustrated with many excellent cuts, a num- ber of which are entirely new; we have also a plate of a very excellent character, illustrating some of the insects treated of : a new feature in our Reports, and one which we believe will add greatly to their interest. I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, ay J. H. McMEcHay, Secretary-Treasurer Entomological Society of Ontario. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. The sixth annual meeting of the above Society was held in the Court House in the City of Hamilton, on the 20th day of September, when the various reports of the officers were read and adopted, followed by the delivery of the President’s annual address, a copy of which was requested for publication. The election of officers for the ensuing year then took place,with the following results :— President.—W. Saunders, London. Vice-President.—Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, M.A., Port Hope. Secretary-Treasurer.—J. H. MeMechan, London. Council.—Wm. Couper, Montreal; R. V. Rogers, Kingston ; E. B. Reed, and J. M. Denton, London ; J. Pettit, Grimsby. Editor of Entomologist—W. Saunders, London. Editing Committce.—Rey. C. J. 8. Bethune, M.A., Port Hope ; E. B. Reed, London ; and G. J. Bowles, Montreal. Library Committee.— Messrs. Saunders, Reed, Denton, and McMechan, London. Committee on Centennial Exhibition—W. Saunders, Rey. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., and J. H. McMechan. Auditors.—J. Williams and Chas. Chapman, London. FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER. Receipts. To Balance froma 8 iiiceeeneieincccecacchchceveceareeic tics Llc de ban REO. «“ Qash refunded from Centennial account............0....0006 Fyaderb as 50 00 “ Government Grant for Centennial exhibit....... ...cccececeeeee ee eeeeee 500 00 Annual grant, 1876.......+e0sse0 : i 750 00 6© Mem bers eekai:taeec ren es be cse.cesaspeiwois nsjes sidnunbadep ob os dy seen eeeaee 237 70 “ Sales of corks, pins, &¢., to MeEMbELS. ...4. 1 ssc eveeeensecrsene sean eee . 107 32 $1877 35 Disbursements. By Canadian Entomologist, printing and paper.................. seer eeeees $391 71 Mw Eingravings!/; D/.Jaee aed cscs bic vable chee @ 2's simu @usehRbeeeye 83 63 “« Expenses of Annual Report ....0...00.......... neabldcasisiLvesaceesetaneny 84 00 SLR DTATY;... Ssteedeccga ae Senreinaissaslistanstcics sceeswacescee spc a engeeeaterenet 42 47 “ Editor’s salary........ REAM essa 5 ae phe Ee Mi lentes Tae ; 100 00 “ Secretary-Treasurer’s salary....... ..0..ce. 000... eansesetieieintecearsa MDONOO “ Travelling expenses officers’ attending meetings................... 86 25 “ Expenses, sundry small...... 9 CoP ci. ong ouoRGEe oO RBO BUH eBHEctocc aeliee Aan 38 72 moment of tals |. . Mammen esc. tteeersesseesvesceere.., 80 00 “ Cork, Pins, &c...... Pep aaur esr eclonsadelscinns.ssinaiaas\\2 vnedat'os scneseeeonend coe 163 46 *“. Collection California Pakeourera sc. oe 1 Bs ah) ally “ Centennial Exhibition expenses....................., ssesecscesseesese 541 39 “ Balance cash on TT oo BURR ns ea 1S 185 60 $1877 35 We certify that the above is a correct statement of accounts for the year ending, September, 1877, as shown by the Treasurer's Books, with vouchers for disbursements, Cuas. CHAPMAN, J. WILLtAMs, \ auditors REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. It is our pleasing duty, at this the sixth anniversary of our Society, to draw attention to the inereasing importance of its work, and the growing interest manifested by many in its welfare. The importance of the study of insects is yearly becoming more felt, so much so that it is being introduced in common with other departments of natural history in some of our best schools, The preparation of the collection of Canadian insects by our Society for the Centennial Exhibition has been a great success. When we ventured the opinion in our last report that this collection would prove an interesting feature in the Canadian Department, and would be in every way worthy of our Society, we scarcely looked for the magnificent display;which has since been brought together ; a collection of our insects far surpassing anything ever before seen. This collection will, it is hoped, be preserved as far as possible in its present condition, as a collection of reference for the use of our members. In this way it will be of great service to many who have hitherto found great difficulties in the way of procur- ing the correct names of insects on which they had recorded observations, or which they had collected for their cabinets. The meetings of the Entomological Glub of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science were held at Buffalo, beginning on the 22nd day of August. Our Society was represented by three of its prominent and active members : our President, conclusions were reached in reference to entomological nomenclature, and a series of rules presented and partially adopted which we hope will greatly tend to the permanency of the names of our insects. Many interesting features of insect life were brought under the notice of the members, and geveral important papers read. A full report of these meet- ings will be found elsewhere. The eighth volume of our monthly magazine is nearly completed, and fully sustains the reputation it has hitherto acquired as a valuable medium for the publication of original observations on insects. In such a journal as ours the great bulk of the matter must necessarily be scientific, and cannot be void of technicalities ; yet we are pleased to record the efforts which have been made to present our readers who are not deeply versed in the science of Entomology with such matter as will interest and instruct them. Our branches in London, Montreal, and Kingston, are still carrying on the good work in their respective spheres ; we hope that the coming year will witness a large acces- sion to the number of their members. Submitted, on behalf of the Council, by J. H. McMecHan, Secretary-Treasurer. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LONDON BRANCH. The annual meeting of the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on the 18th day of January, 1876, at the Society’s rooms. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and approved, and the usual routine business transacted, the following gentlemen were elected as officers for the year 1876 :— President, G. Geddes ; Vice-President, H. B. Bock ; Secretary-Treasurer, J. M. Denton ; Curator, Chas. Chapman; Auditors, J. H. MceMechan and J. H. Griffiths. The annual report of the Secretary-Treasurer, which had been duly audited, was then read, conveying the pleasing intelligence that there was a balance to the credit of the Branch, after all the current expenses of the year had been defrayed. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LONDON BRANCH. The Council of the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario feel gratified at the continued interest manifested in Entomological matters by our members. This interest and zeal was especially apparent during the earlier months in the year, when the collection of the Parent Society was being prepared for exhibition at Philadelphia. Then meetings were frequently held, and labours in connection with this undertaking assiduously followed day after day, and we believe that to the efforts of the members of the London branch may be attributed a large measure of the success which has attended the preparation of this collection ; the pledge given last year that our members would do their utmost has certainly been fully redeemed. Following the completion and shipment of this collection, Centennial engagements and the approach of the collecting season inter- fered for a time with the regularity of our meetings. ie Some interesting additions have been made to the collections of our members during the summer by captures at sugar, and otherwise, further establishing the favourable posi- tion of London and its surroundings as a collecting ground. We hope that with the in- creased facilities for naming insects which will be afforded by the return of the Society’s collection from Philadelphia, that many will be attracted to our ranks, and thus the in- terests of Entomology be still further subserved. On behalf of the Council, Joun M. DENTON, Secretary-Treasurer. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The third annual meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on the 2nd of May, 1876, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing year :—President, G. J. Bowles ; Vice-President, F. B. Caulfield ; Secretary- 5 ET TE Treasurer, Geo. B. Pearson; Curator, C. W. Pearson; Council—W. Couper, H. H. Lyman, and Robert Jack. The reports of the Council and Secretary-Treasurer were read and adopted. All business communications to be addressed to G. B. Pearson, 83 Cathcart Street, Montreal, P.Q. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. Your Council, in presenting their third Annual Report, would congratulate the Society on the solid progress made during the year. Although the membership has not increased, much good work has been accomplished, and great interest taken by the mem- bers in the study of our science. The monthly meetings have been well kept up during the year, and many interesting insects, both native and foreign, brought before the mem- bers. Your Council would remark, that as the result of your labours, the Lepidoptera of the district have been well worked up, and some progress made with the Coleoptera and Orthoptera. The other orders, however, have been comparatively neglected. Your Council would recommend the members to collect all the orders, so that the work of the Society may be better developed and material gathered for future study. The following papers have been read during the year :— “On the extraordinary flight of Danais Archippus,” by Geo. B. Pearson. “The excursion of the Montreal Branch on Dominion Day,” by Geo. B. Pearson. “List of Voctwide taken at sugar, at Chateauguay Basin, on Ist July, 1875,” by F. B. Caulfield. “ Description of a new species of Dryocampa,” by G. J. Bowles. “ Notes on Biston Ursaria—Walker,” by G. J. Bowles. “List of Lepidoptera, collected at the Godbout River,” by W. Couper. “Notes on sugaring for Voetwide,” by F. B Caulfield. “ Notes on the remarkable variations of Colias Philodice,” by Geo. B. Pearson. ‘Description of the larve: and chrysalis of Grapta interrogationis,” by H. H. Lyman. “Notes on some species of Orthoptera occuring on the Island of Montreal,” by F. B. Caulfield. “ A proposal to compile the Montreal Catalogue,” by G. J Bowles. “On Seudder’s historical sketch of the generic names proposed for Butterflies,” by W. Couper. “On Platysamia Columbia,” by F. B. Caulfield. “List of the Diurnal Lepidoptera of Portland,” by H. H. Lyman. - “List of the Bombycide, occurring at Montreal,” by F. B. Caulfield. “Our work,” by C. W. Pearson. “List of Noctwid@ occurring at Montreal,” by F. B. Caulfield. “On the Snow Fly found in April, at Riviére du Loup en bas,” by W. Couper. Your Council have great pleasure in thanking our worthy President for a valuable check-list which he has compiled, for cataloguing the insects of all the orders occurring on the Island of Montreal. This is a work that was very desirable. On the kind invitation of Robert Jack, Esq., the members proceeded to Chateauguay Basin on the Istof uly last year, and spent a very pleasant and profitable day in collecting in that neighbourhood, and in enjoying the generous hospitality of Mr. Jack and his family. The following books have been donated to our library during the year :— Vol. I. “Memoirs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,” donated by S. H. Scudder, Esq. “ Revision of the hitherto known species of Chionobas in North America,” donated by S. H. Scudder, Esq. “ Notes on some New England Orthoptera ;” “ The Two Principal Groups of Urbi- cole (Hesperide) ;” “ Notes on the Species of Glaucopsyche from East North America ;” “Entomological Notes,” Nos. 1, 3, and 4; “ An Historical Sketch of the Generic Names Proposed for Butterflies ;” “Recherches sur les Mceurs des Fourmis Indigenes,” by P. Huber; “De partibus quibus insecta spiritus ducunt,” by Christianus Loewe, all of which were generously donated by 8. H. Scudder, Esq., of Cambridge, U.S. “ Entomo- logical Contributions,” Nos, 1, 2, and 3, also kindly donated’ by J. A. Lintner, Esq., of Albany, New York, and vols. 1, 2; and 3, “Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.” “Notes on the North American Lepidoptera contained in the British Museum ;” “ List of the North American Platyptirices, Attaci, etc., etc., with Notes ;” ‘ List of the North American Noctuidee,” two numbers, all of which were generously given by Aug. R. Grote, Esq., Buffalo, New York. All of which is respectfully subinitted. WILLIAM CouPER, Gro. JNO. BowLEs, Chairman. President. G. B. PEARSON, Seerctary- Treasurer. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. To the Members of the Entomological Society of Ontario -— GENTLEMEN,—In accordance with time-honoured usage, it devolves upon your retiring President at the close of another year of the existence of our Society to offer you a few remarks bearing upon the objects and interests of our body, or of Entomology in general. And first, gentlemen, I desire to congratulate you on the continued prosperity of our Society and the increasing interest felt and manifested in the furtherance of the chief objects we as an organization have in view, viz., the diffusion of practical information in reference to the life history and habits of our insects, so that we may be able to distin- guish our friends from our foes, and thus be placed in a position to apply intelligently such remedial measures for the check of insect ravages as experience may suggest to be most practical and effective. During the past year circumstances have arisen which have brought our Society more prominently before our people than ever before, notably the fact of the accumulation of that grand collection of Canadian insects which we have prepared and forwarded to the Centennial Exhibition in Philapelphia. My esteemed predecessor, in his annual address last year in Toronto, referred to this proposed work, and expressed himself as confidently anticipating the active co-operation of our members in all sections of our country. The result has more than realized our fondest hopes ; our members entered most heartily into the work, bringing together a collection of Canadian insects far surpassing anything ever before seen. The carrying out of the details of this work was entrusted last year to a special committee, consisting of Messrs. Bethune, Saunders and McMechan, and upon consultation it was resolved to accumulate all the material for this collection at the Society’s headquarters in London, and there make such selections from the insects sent as might seem desirable. All our members in London who hat collections, freely placed them entirely at the disposal of the committee, while many of those resident in other localities throughout the country expressed their readiness to contribute anything or everything in their power to fill up blanks in the desired series of specimens. As is usual in such cases, the bulk of the work of arranging, classifying and labelling specimens fell upon a few individuals. It affords me much pleasure to have the oppor- tunity of naming especially one who has laboured most assiduously and has contributed more than any other person towards the success of this enterprise ; I allude to my esteemed friend, Mr. Johnson Pettit, of Grimsby, who arranged the entire collection of Coleoptera and freely contributed from his own stores—the accumulation of years—a large propor- tion of the specimens. The extreme neatness and care manifested by him in the mount- ing and arrangement of the insects has been the admiration of all, and some idea of the accuracy of his determinations may be arrived at when I say that such authorities as Dr. Horn and Dr. LeConte, of Philadelphia, after a critical scrutiny of the whole series of Col- eoptera, filling some twenty-seven cases in all, could only detect two or three errors, and these among the smallest and least conspicuous specimens ; such results reflect great credit on the labours of our esteemed coadjutor. In the arrangement of the other departments, your President was ably aided by several gentlemen, notably Messrs. E. B. Reed, J. M. Denton and G. Geddes, of London ; indeed, all our London members were ever ready to render all the assistance in their power. The expenses necessarily attendant on this work have been considerable. The making and lining of suitable cases in which to display the insects, the printing of labels, &., and the numberless outlays entailed by the transmission of specimens to and fro from all parts of the country, as well as many other incidentals which it is needless to enumerate here, combined, have involved a large outlay. This has been chiefly met by a special grant of five hundred dollars from the Government of Ontario, the remainder being drawn from the Society’s resources. To make the collection as perfect as possible, as far as accurate naming is concerned, the doubtful specimens in the orders most largely represented were submitted to the ex- amination and correction of specialists. The entire collection of Lepidoptera was carefully gone oyer by Prof. A. R. Grote, of Buffalo, who generously placed his services at the dis- posal of the Society for this purpose, and twice visited London in order to complete the work. Dr. Horn also kindly rendered all possible aid in the determination of such Col- eoptera as were sumbitted to him, and to Dr. A.S. Packard we are indebted for naming some of the Geometride. The collection arrived safely and in good condition in Philadelphia, where it at once attracted much attention. The whole display consisted of eighty-six glass cases, forty- five of which were filled with Lepidoptera, twenty-seven with Coleoptera, and the remain- ing fourteen occupied by the other orders, the whole arranged in a double row on a suitable stand seventy-siz feet in length, in the Canadian Department in Agricultural Hall. There were no other collections on exhibition in Philadelphia which would compare favourably with that sent by our Society. There was a very good one in the United States Government Building, from the Department of Agriculture in Washington, arranged by Prof. Townend Glover ; this, however, consisted chiefly of Lepidoptera. There was a small collection shown in the Canadian Department, adjoining that of our Society, consisting of four or five cases, containing Canadian insects, representing the various orders ; they came, I believe, from Montreal, but I did not succeed in finding the name of the party to whom they belonged. Through the neglect or carelessness of our Canadian Commission, neither this collection nor that of our own Society wre mentioned in the official catalogue, do not appear to have been entered as belonging to any depart- ment of the exhibition, and hence were not examined at all by the Centennial judges. Had it been otherwise, we should no doubt have been honoured with awards which, in the case of our Society, if we may judge from the laudatory comments of those best able to form an opinion, were well deserved. Tn the Kansas State Building there was a collection from the State Board of Agri- culture, arranged by Prof. Snow, consisting of thirty cases : sixteen of Lepidoptera (seven of butterflies and nine of moths), five of Coleoptera, two Neuroptera, two Orthoptera, three Hymenoptera, one Diptera, and one Hemiptera. These were very well set up, classified, and nearly all named, and were very creditable to Prof. Snow and the Board by whom they were sent. There was, nevertheless, one drawback to viewing them with any satisfaction : the dust was allowed to accumulate on the glasses to such an extent as to obscure the objects contained. There was a collection from Brazil, shown in the Brazilian Department in the Main Building. This, we were told, was the work and property of a private gentleman residing in Rio Janeiro ; it was arranged in thirty-five cases, thirty-one of which were Coleoptera and four Lepidoptera. This collection was very much mixed ; there was no attempt made to name the insects, except to the extent of partially indicating the family names. Neither was there much effort towards a correct classification ; they seemed to be partly arranged with regard to their natural relationship and partly with the view of display. Among the butterflies and moths there were some superb specimens whose brilliance at- tracted much attention. There were also some very beautiful and interesting things among the Coleoptera. The Curculionide were very brilliant and numerous in species, with forms greatly varied ; the Cerambycide were also remarkable, handsome, and largely represented, some of them of great size. We noticed one enormous Prionus fully six inches long ; the Cetonias were also very beautiful. Some of the Buprestidee were wonderfully brilliant with metallic shadings, and the Chrysomelidee very numerous, and some of them very charming, the Cassidex being largely represented. Among the Scarabeide there were some enormous specimens, among others, species of Copris with remarkable horns, and some brilliant species of Onthophagus; there were also a number of very handsome Eaters. One of the rarities in this collection was a fine example of Hypocephalus armatus, an ex- tremely rare insect about two inches in length, and of which it is said there are only two or three known specimens in collections. The more brilliant Brazillian insects, especially the Coleoptera, are largely employed by the inhabitants of that country in the ornamenta- tion of jewellery and other fancy articles, often associated in the latter case with the feathers of their brilliant plumaged birds. In the Department of Queensland there was a large case, filled chiefly with Lepidop- tera in a fine state of preservation, embracing many very beautiful and strange-looking things ; almost the only familiar objects among them were specimens of Danais archippus. In this instance, also, none of the specimens were named, which detracted greatly from the interest which would otherwise have attached to them. We learned that this collec- tion had been sold for $150 to Mrs. Brigham, of New York, a lady who, we believe, takes a deep interest in Entomology, and who has a very large and handsome collection of Lepidoptera. ; The Orange Free State of South Africa exhibited two cases of insects, among which there was a curious admixture of millipedes, scorpions and spiders, arranged in a semi-or- namental manner. One case contained chiefly Coleoptera, with a few Hymenoptera, Hemiptera and Orthoptera. Among the Coleoptera there were some curious and beautiful forms, especially among the Cetonide and Cerambycide ; also some handsome Scara- beans, Chrysomelans and Cureulios. The second case was filled mainly with butterflies, among which there were a few very handsome ones. That cosmopolitan species, “ the painted lady,” Cynthia cardui, was represented by several specimens ; there was also a Sphina closely resembling the death’s-head moth of Europe, and a Utesthesia very like our bella. Besides these there were a number of very curious and handsome moths, with a few Orthoptera and Neuroptera. No attempt was made in the way of naming anything in this collection, nor any effort at classification. An American gentleman, whose name I did not learn, had a very curious exhibit of insects in Agricultural Hall, of a purely ornamental character, in three cases. One wasa circular arrangement, and was built up chiefly with butterflies and moths ; the other two represented public buildings and were constructed of beetles; the specimens were im- mensely numerous and well preserved ; the whole arrangement indicating great ingenuity and perseverance on the part of the collector. India had a very fine exhibit of silks, raw and manufactured, with the insects and cocoons from which they were obtained. The Tusseh silk-worm moth, Anthere paphia, is very handsome, not unlike our polyphemus ; the cocoon is egg-shaped, and yields a very strong-looking silk. The Bombyx Huttonii, or wild silk-worm moth, is also very pretty ; in form it resembles B. mori, but its wings are beautifully marked and tipped with brown. It was very gratifying to observe the prominence given to the study of Natural History in the Educational Departments of many of the nations thus represented at the Centennial. Nearly all of them had small collections illustrating the course of teaching in this branch of study, and in nearly every instance Entomology occupied a prominent position. In the model schools of Sweden and Belgium this was very noticeable ; also in the Russian exhibit, where there were cases of insects of all orders, including in many in- stances the blown larvz very neatly set up. Inthe same department inthe Japan exhibit there were similar cases fairly classified, illustrating the various orders. The Chinese make use of insects, too, but with them they are used as medicines ; among their materia medica collections we observed dried caterpillars, the empty pupa cases of a species of Cicada, and other similar substances, all extolled as possessing rare medicinal virtues. The bringing together of such an immense number of agricultural productions as are now on exhibition in Philadelphia, including almost every variety of grain, peas, beans and other useful productions on the face of the globe, affords a favourable opportunity for the introduction of any insect pests which may infest these articles in the country of their growth ; these, if introduced and acclimatized, may attack similar or related products in this country, unless precautions are taken against their dissemination, and thus we may have new foes to fight which may be very difficult to contend with. The American Cen- tennial Commission, who do not seem to have overlooked anything, have, with wise fore- sight, appointed a special Commission of eminent Entomologists to report on the insects introduced along with the products exhibited. This report will be looked forward to with much interest by agriculturists as well as Entomologists. The Agricultural Building in which our insects were shown, was well supplied with skylights, which admitted a flood of light on everything below. Exposure to this brilliant light for so many months has had a damaging effect on the colours of some of our Lepid- optera, the moths being much more faded than the butterflies ; this fading is especially noticeable in insects having any red colours on their wings, such as the Catocalas and Arctians ; many of these, however, can be replaced without much difficulty. Suitable arrangements have been made for the careful packing and re-shipping of the insects at the close of the Exhibition, when they will be forwarded to the Society’s rooms in London, Ont. Here it is proposed to keep the collection as far as possible un- disturbed, where it will serve a good purpose as a collection of reference for collectors to name their specimens from. Mr. Pettit has kindly consented to allow all that he has contributed to remain in the Society’s rooms, and all the London members will follow his example. Mr. Wm. Couper, of Montreal, has generously donated all he has sent to the Society, and I doubt not that most of our other friends in Montreal and elsewhere, who have contributed to the collection, will allow such of their insects as are not represented in our cabinets in London, to remain at least for a time, when no doubt most of them could be replaced. The advantages which will result to our Society from the possession of a collection so well worked up and so correctly named, can scarcely be overestimated, affording as it will, conveniences to collectors for naming specimens such as we have never had before. If for no other reason, we shall, in the possession of these advantages, always have cause to remember with pleasure the hundredth anniversary of American indepen- dence. The continuance of the organ of our Society, the Canadian Entomologist, has also contributed greatly to the maintenance of the interest felt in our Society. During the past year important matters have been discussed in its pages, and a mass of new facts, throwing light on the habits and life history of many of our insects, placed before our readers. Much space has also been given to the important department of descriptive Entomology. Indeed, I scarcely think we should be deemed presumptuous in saying that our little journal is an important bond which does much to bind together the brotherhood of Entomologists throughout America. The recent action of American Entomologists on the subject of Entomological nomen- clature claims more than a passing notice. At the meetings of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held last month in Buffalo, N.Y., this important subject was discussed and conclusions reached in reference to it which, I hope, will greatly tend to the stability of our nomenclature, the great end and aim which all parties claim to have in view. Amidst the conflicting opinions held by leading Entomologists on this subject, it was scarcely to be expected that entire unani- mity could be secured ; but it was most gratifying to notice the conciliatory spirit mani- fested by all, and the desire apparently as far as possible to meet each other’s views. A series of resolutions touching on important points was presented by the Committee named last year to report on this subject, and on some of these they were unanimous, while on others there was a divided opinion. Those rules which were unanimously adopted will, it is understood, be strictly carried out by all who were present, while those on which there was expressed a divided opinion will, in the meantime, be left to be acted on or not, as the individual choice may dictate. Although this does not leave the subject in as satisfactory a state as entire unanimity would have done, still it was felt that by the action taken very much had been done towards settling some of the disturbing elements 10 which interfere with the fixity of nomenclature. A report of these important meetings will be found in the Entomologist ; we commend them to the careful perusal of our readers. Our own Society was well represented in this gathering by the presence of the Rey. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., E. Baynes Reed, and your President. I shall not attempt, gentlemen, to trespass longer on your time and patience. Thank- ing you for your kind partiality in electing me to fill so important an office among you, I have the honour to be, very sincerely yours, Wm. SAUNDERS. London, September, 1876. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. Your committee take much pleasure in reporting the great success which has attend- ed the enterprise of which they have had charge, a success indeed greater than the most sanguine had anticipated. On entering upon our labours the magnitudé of the under- taking was such, that we felt some misgivings. To get together such a collection as would do credit to our Society and to the Province we have the honour to represent, in so short a time as that allotted to us was felt to be no mean task, but having resolved to do our best, work was begun without delay. On mature deliberation it was thought best to bring together in London, all the insects that could be procured from the collections of all our members in Canada, and there making the Society’s rooms our head-quarters, to assort and arrange them as experi- ence might suggest. Our first attention was given to the preparation of suitable cases in which to place our specimens, which should be as near as possible dust-proof and pest-proof It was finally determined to adopt the form of case used in the Zoological Museum, at Cambridge, Mass., with some slight modifications ; and having been furnished through the kindness of Professor Hagen, with a sample case asa pattern, we had but little further difficulty in this matter. To secure the specimens against injury during the transportation to so great a distance, we thought it necessary that the bottoms of the cases should be lined with cork of extra thickness, so that when the pins on which the specimens were mounted were thrust into it they should be held firmly in place. We accordingly ordered from a cork factory in Manchester, England, a sufficient supply for this purpose, of double the ordinary thickness, and when the drawers were lined with this cork, and the pins firmly inserted, it was almost impossible with any ordinary amount of jarring or shaking to displace them. The work to be done on the Coleoptera was very laborious. This was kindly under- taken by Mr. Johnson Pettit, of Grimsby, and to his labours and kind contributions of material, we are indebted for much of the success of our enterprise. The writer under- took the work needed on the Lepidoptera; Mr. E. B. Reed devoted his attention to the Hemiptera and Diptera; Mr. Geddes, to the Hymenoptera; and Mr. J. M. Denton, to Orthoptera. By this division the labour was lightened, and the work progressed rapidly. The following collections in London were placed entirely at our disposal, viz :—Those of Messrs. W. Saunders, E. B. Reed, J. M. Denton, G. Geddes, H. B. Bock, W. E. Saunders, and J. Williams. Large stores of valuable specimens were forwarded by Mr. Pettit. Messrs. William Murray, and J. Moffatt, of Hamilton, sent some very handsome Lepi- doptera, and Mr. H. Cowdry, of Toronto, contributed to the Coleoptera. Our members in Montreal were also very prompt and liberal in responding to our appeal. Mr. Wm. Couper donated a large number of specimens, while a great many additional were loaned by Messrs. F. B. Caulfield, C. W. and G. B. Pearson, H. H. Lyman, P. Keutzing, G. J. Bowles, W. Hibbins, J. T. Whiteaves, indeed without their help we should have been entirely without representatives of many species restricted to the eastern portions of our Dominion. Added to all these were the specimens already contained in our Society’s cabinets in London. In due time the collection was completed and ready for shipment. It consisted of eighty-six cases, twenty-seven of which were filled with Coleoptera, forty-five with Lepi- 11 doptera, three Hymenoptera, five Neuroptera, two Hemiptera, three Diptera, and one Orthoptera, and when spread out they presented a very fine appearance. To ensure cor- rectness in naming, all doubtful specimens were as far as possible submitted to specialists. Our best thanks are due to Mr. A. R. Grote, of Buffalo, N. Y., who twice visited London for the purpose of examining and naming our Lepidoptera. To Dr. A. 8. Packard, of Salem, Mass., we are indebted for naming some of our Geometers, and to Dr. Geo. H. Horn, of Philadelphia, for his abundant labours in naming our Coleoptera. The cases were packed with cotton in suitable Cabinets and these enclosed in strong outer cases with elastic packing between the two and with these precautions the collection reached its destination in safety. Arrangements were made for the careful unpacking of the specimens on arrival, and their proper classification when displayed. Similar provis- ions have also been made for their re-packing and return. Our insects are displayed in the Canadian department in Agricultural Hall, on a suitable stand built for the purpose, seventy-six feet in length. The many encomiums bestowed on our collection by those best able to judge of its merits will warrant us in stating that our Society may justly take to itself the credit of having brought together by far the finest collection of Canadian in- sects ever seen. We trust that this magnificent collection will, on its return, be preserved as far as possible in its present state as a collection of reference for the convenience of our members who may desire to name their specimens and as an enduring memento of the in- terest taken by our Society in the great Centennial Exhibition. On behalf of the Committee, Wm. SAUNDERS, Chairman. From among the many favourable notices of our collection which appeared in the American papers,we clip the following from The Daily Graphic, New York, Sept. 26,1876 :— Av THE CENTENNIAL.—The Exhibit of the Entomological Society of Ontario, Canada.— Every lover of nature, every admirer of beauty in form or colour who visits the Centen- nial Exposition can scarcely avoid being charmed with the display of Canadian insects, exhibited by the enterprising Entomological Society of the Province of Ontario. The collection is in the Canadian department in Agricultural Hall. It is arranged in eighty- six glazed cases laid ina double row upon a table over seventy-five feet in length. Forty- five of these cases are filled with butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) ; twenty-seven with beetles (Coleoptera) ; and the remaining fourteen with insects of all other orders—viz. : Bees, wasps, hornets, and other stinging and piercing insects, cicadas and bugs (properly so-called), dragon flies, lace-winged flies, &c., grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, &c., the small two-winged flies, and many others. Many of the specimens are so large and so gorgeous- ly coloured that they have the appearance of natives of scme of the tropics rather than of the more northern Canada—a country which many are apt to imagine is a land of ice and snow. ‘This display, combined with that of the Canadian Fruit-Growers’ Association near by, ought to do much to instruct the general public in regard to the vast resources and the excellent climate of the great Dominion. The collection must not, however, be regarded merely as a display of curious or beau- tiful objects ; it possesses a very high scientific value as well. The practised student of entomology will there find thousands of species of insects, all correctly named both as regards genus and species, and all scientifically arranged according to the best system of classification. Although the critic may find fault with the particular system of nomen- clature that has been adopted in some special families, he must confess that there is given an excellent illustration of the progress of scientific zoology in Canada, and of the energy and skill of the members of the Canadian Entomological Society in particular. ‘This society was first organized in 1863, and had few members and exceedingly limited re- sources. or five years it continued to make good progress in a quiet way, the labours of its members being chiefly confined to the collection and determination of species and the publication of lists of Canadian insects. A great deal of good work was thus done, and the way was paved for other work of a more practical though not a more useful and scientific character. In August, 1868, the society issued the first number of the Canadian Entomologist, a small monthly publication, containing original papers on the classification, 12 description, habits, and general history of insects. This serial has been received with much favour by the leading entomologists of America, most of whom have from time to time contributed to its pages. It has now reached the middle of its eighth volume, and has increased to three times its original dimensions ; it has also improved very mnch in style and typographical appearance, as well as in the excellence of its illustrations. The editor of the first five volumes was the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, of Port Hope, who was succeeded by Mr. Wm. Saunders, of London, the present conductor of the journal. It is noteworthy, as an evidence of the persistent enterprise of the Canadians, that this is the only serial publication on insects in North America that has continued to exist for more than a few years; it has succeeded in outliving several contemporaries started about the same time. In 1870 the society first began to receive a small pecuniary grant from the public funds of the Province of Ontario, in return for which it annually presents to the Legislature an illustrated report on insects, useful to agriculture, horticulture, and aboriculture. Five of these reports have thus far been issued, and have been widely dis- tributed amongst the farmers, gardeners, and others of the Province, The information and instruction thus afforded have done much to educate the people of the country and to save their crops and fruits from the pestilent ravages of destructive insects. The present officers of the society are as follows: President, William Saunders, London ; Vice-President, Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, Port Hope; Secretary and Treasurer, J. H. McMechan, London; Council—Wm. Couper, Montreal ; R. V. Rogers, Kingston ; J. Pettit, Grimsby ; J. M. Denton and E. B. Reed, London. The headquarters of the society with its hbrary and cabinets, are at London. It has also flourishing branches in Montreal - and Kingston. MEETINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCT- ATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. In accordance with previous announcement, the members of the Entomological Club met on Tuesday, the 22nd of August, at 2.30 p.m., in the rooms of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, Dr, LeConte in the chair. The following members were present :—Dr. John L. LeConte, Philadelphia, President ; S. H. Scudder, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vice-President; CV. Riley, St. Louis, Mo., Secretary ; J. A. Lintner, Albany, N.Y. ; Dr. H. Hagen, Cambridge, Massachusetts ; Dr. John G. Morris, Baltimore, Md. ; B. P. Mann, Cambridge, Mass. ; W. Saunders, London, Ont.; Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope, Ont. ; E. B. Reed, London, Ont. ; A. R. Grote, M. M. Maycock, Dr. L. F. Harvey, Henry 8. Sprague, O. Reinecke, W. W. Stewart, of Buffalo, and others. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. After calling the meeting to order, the President read the following address :— Tn resuming the chair, which by your kind partiality I occupied at the last meeting of the club, permit me, after thanking you for the honour you have done me in thus call- ing me a second time to this position, to congratulate you on the evidence of increased interest felt in the branch of Zoology to which we give our attention. This increased interest is shown not only by the larger attendance at-the present meeting of Entomologists from distant residences, but by the increase of correspondence between those who collect and study insects. I have received during the year several applications from new correspondents for advice and assistance in the study of Coleopetra ; and my colleague, Dr. Horn, informs me that the same is the case with himself. Unfor- tunately I have been obliged to reply to some of the applicants with a temporary nega- tive, as my time has been almost wholly taken up with efforts to complete my memoir on Rhynchophora, now in the course of publication by the American Philosophical Society. This memoir would have been finished some weeks ago, but the exceptional inclemency of the summer heat rendered all work with lenses difficult and uncertain. I think that I may promise that the MSS. will be complete in a few weeks. Meanwhile I am glad to 13 say that the arrangement of my cabinet specimens is so far perfected that Dr. Horn or I will be willing to name any sets of Rhyncophora of the United States or Dominion of Canada, which are sent us, provided that the return of the specimens sent is not required. Thesubject has been such an extremely troublesome one, and there are still so many uniques in our cabinets, that they need filling up in order to give them that value for future refer- ence which I hope they will possess, and it will also be desirable for the proper recognition of the new genera and species, many of which are very abundant, that specimens should be distributed to foreigners, who have studied this difficult group of objects. The excellent volume of Dr. A. S. Packard, jr., “‘ Monograph of the Geometrid Moths of the United States,” forming Vol. X of the United States Geological Survey of the Territories, requires special mention among the contributions to Entomology since our last meeting. We owe the existence of this volume to Dr. F. V. Hayden, Geologist-in-Chief of the Survey, and I hope that a continued appreciation by the National Legislature of the importance of the work done and published by the survey, will ensure us many future volumes of similar merit. The ordinary routine work of the description of new genera and species, is going on in the various orders of insects with about the usual degree of rapidity. But from every one comes the same complaint: Too many new forms to be described ! The observations on economic applications of Entomology for the protection of agri- culture are also advancing in a most commendable mannner, considering that the public and their servants in office still fail to recognise the magnitude of the interests involved. References to the memoirs contained in the volumes of reports, and to isolated papers in agricultural and other journals, will be found in Psyche, a periodical, which, though small, is indispensable to every one occupied in the study of the insects of North America. I would gladly stop here, but a truthful instinct, a sense of duty to science, and my obligation to you alike forbid silence. I have to speak of a subject of a disagreeable nature. It is concerning the efforts made by you and other members of the Association at the last meeting at Detroit, to procure the appointment of a Commission for the protection of agriculture against noxious insects ; this Commission to be composed of properly informed men of science, and chosen under such circumstances as would prevent the influence of political bias, or personal favouritism. If I do not fatigue your memory too much, you will recollect the memorials that were so extensively signed in relation to this subject, copies of which memorials are again before you. These memorials were exten- sively circulated at the West, and were signed by many of the most influential bodies for the promotion and protection of agriculture in that region. During the winter these memorials were sent to Congress, in the expectation that some proper legislation would follow. One of the Senators, in fact, introduced a bill which seems to have been very carefully considered, and indeed bears upon its face some evidence of scientific guidance. This bill provided for the appointment of three Commissioners for five years, the Com- missioners to be nominated by the Council of the National Academy of Science to the Secretary of the Interior. This bill, having been referred to the Committee on Agricul- ture, was returned, completely orchidized, in such form as to provide for one Commis- sioner, to be appointed by the Department of Agriculture, the very enemy and incubus from which the western agriculturists specially desired to be relieved. The bill in this form passed the Senate, several of the members taking occasion in the discussion which preceded the passage to talk to the demonstration of their own igno- rance of the subject. However, this discussion has been already so severely commented upon in several of the newspapers of the Mississippi Valley, that it is quite unnecessary for me to add anything farther, except the hope that the Legislature which choose the successors of those Senators will have men of better education and higher intelligence offered to them as candidates for the position. I regret to have been obliged to introduce this unpleasant subject, about which I feel a warmth and severity, unsuited to the position in which you have placed me, I must therefore close by begging you, in your respective localities, to continue aiding me in my 14 endeavour to cause the Government authorities to give proper attention to this most im- portant subject. The minutes of the last meeting held in Detroit were read by the Secretary, C. V. Riley, and approved. The consideration of reports of committees was postponed, owing to the non-arrival of some of the members, My. Riley made some remarks upon the variation in the venation of the wings of Anisopteryx pometaria (or A. autumnata), and exhibited mounted preparations of wings of this insect differing greatly from the figures in Dr. Packard’s new work. Mr. Grote considered the variation of neuration in the Geometrids as of no great value asa specific distinction, Mr. Riley said that he had scarcely ever raised a large number of forms from the egg without finding that in the imago state there appeared to be more than one so-called species. Whenever he used large quantities of material he found this result. He thought, therefore, that writers when describing species should always state the number of speci- mens they had before them. ' Dr. Hagen then read a valuable paper ‘“ On Genera,” at the conclusion of which he was warmly applauded. On motion of Mr. Grote, the Report of the Committee on Nomenclature was then taken up, when Mr. Riley read a majority report of the committee. Mr. Scudder did not approve of the course taken in reference to the rules on nomen- clature which had been presented, and thought that members of the committee had ex- ceeded their instructions, and desired that the resolution passed at the last meeting, appointing the committee and defining its duties, be read. He thought that the opinions of leading naturalists on this subject should have been gathered and compared. The resolution giving instructions to the committee was read as follows: “That the Club appoint a committee of five to prepare and present to the Club at its next annual meeting a compendium of the views of the leading Entomologists of the country upon points which, in their judgment, require elucidation, and also to present a series of reso- lutions touching such points, in order that intelligent discussion may be had upon them and some general agreement, if possible, arrived at.” Mr. Riley urged as reasons why a majority report had been presented, the difficulty of getting the members of the committee together, and the urgent necessity that some action should be taken in the matter without further delay. Mr. Saunders supported these views, and urged that the opinions of many of the leading Entomologists on the subject of nomenclature had been given in the pages of the Canadian Entomologis. « .ring the past year, while others had expressed their views by letter to members of the co: mittee ; and seeing that there had been no opportunity for the committee to meet together » a whole, he thought it desirable that these resolutions, which had been endorsed by a maj» ‘y, should be presented as a guide to the discussions which might take place on the subject. Mr. Scudder did not think this a proper time or place for the introduction of such rules; he fully agreed, however, that it was very desirable to establish stability in nomenclature. Mr. Mann regarded Mr. Scudder’s remarks as a motion to set aside these rules, and as such was prepared to support it. ‘ Dr. Hagen, in a few words, gave a sketch of the history of nomenclature, showing how tidal waves of new names had been poured from time to time on the Entomological world with the greatest zeal on the part of those who had introduced them ; that in many instances these changes were unnecessary, and produced confusion instead of establishing order. He thought it highly necessary that some understanding should be arrived at among Entomologists which would lead to greater stability in nomenclature. Mr. E. B. Reed spoke for those who had comparatively little time to devote to Ento- mology, aud thought that they were a class who should be considered, and that while it was, perhaps, no great task for those who devoted their whole time to Entomological studies to master the great number of new generic and specific names from time to time introduced, it was imposing a burden on their less fortunate brethren which was grievous 15 to be borne—which was, in fact, more than they could bear, and tended to discourage many and deter others from entering on the study of Entomology. He urged that it was from among the ranks of these beginners that some of the future leaders of Entomologi- cal science would be drawn, and it was well to consider what effect these discouraging circumstances would have on the present and future progress of the study. After some further discussion, the resolutions were referred back to the Committee to report on to-morrow. Meanwhile, they were ordered to be printed for the members, so that discussion could be had upon them. EVENING SESSION. At 7.30 the meeting was again called to order, the President in the chair. Mr. Riley offered some remarks on a parasite, a mite which attacked the Colorado Potato Beetle. This insect (of which mounted specimens for microscopic examination were submitted) is furnished with a strange and extraordinary development of what he supposed were the maxilla, by which it was able to attach itself to the Doryphora, and at the same time extract nourishment as well. He thought it was an organ somewhat similar in character to the extensile maxille of the larvae of Dragon Flies. Mr. Scudder thought that since they appeared to him to be jointed, they must be a palpus of some sort. Dr. LeConte, after further examination, was of opinion that they were not jointed. Mr. Scndder then read an interesting paper on ‘“ Mimicry in Butterflies explained by Natural Selection,’ quoting largely from a recent contribution by Fritz Muller on this subject, in which he gives the results of observations made by him on butterflies in Southern Brazil. This paper will appear in Psyche, the organ of the Cambridge Entomo- logical Club. Mr. Riley gave the result of some observations on the eggs of Corydalis cornutus, from which it would appear that the mass of eggs hitherto regarded as belonging to this species are probably those of a Belostoma. He had found in one day, thirty or forty patches of eggs, which he believed to be those of Corydalis cornutus, on the leaves of trees whose branches overhung the water. These flat patches were very strangely arranged, and con- tained an immense number of eggs, often numbering between three and four thousand in a patch. The eggs are at first translucent, but become darker as they approach maturity, when the young larve break through the eggs beneath. Dr. Morris doubted whether these really were the eggs of the C. cornutus, and ques- tioned whether the larva was aquatic at all. Dr. Hagen thought that there was something strange in reference to these insects. Mr. Riley had kindly sent him a large number of eggs, but when hatched he had failed in every attempt to keep the young larva alive. Since they are furnished with both branchia and stigmata, he thought they must be regarded as water insects. Mr. Lintner had found the larve under stones, but when they énter the chrysalis state they make their way into the water, and in this condition they are often captured in large numbers and used as fish bait. Mr. Riley said that the larvee in Missouri are frequently found in water, and he had no doubt but that the eggs he had referred to were those of Corydalis cornutus. Mr. Scudder stated that Mr. Sanborn had frequently taken large numbers of the larve in the water in the neighbourhood of Cambridge. Mr. Saunders had never found them in the water, but had frequently captured them buried in moist sand or under stones along the banks of rivers. Mr. Riley next exhibited to the Club some silken masses containing eggs of Hydro- philus triangularis, which were very remarkable and interesting. Mr. Saunders offered some remarks on a mass of pup and escaping insects of Calop- teron reticulatnm, which he found one morning early in summer at the roots of some long grass. The mass was fully as large as a‘hen’s egg, and must have contained some hun- dreds of individuals. A large number of the freshly escaped insects were captured, with a view to ascertain whether there was much variation in the markings, and whether the 16 form terminalis, which is said to be a variety of reticulatum, could be found among them. He saw none approaching this latter form—all were well-marked specimens of re- ticulatum. Dr. LeConte mentioned the curious fact that in some species of Calopteron the larval skin was not shed when it pupated, but that the larva skin and pupa skin both remained in situ until the perfect insect escaped. Dr. Morris then made some interesting remarks on the mouth parts of the wood- eckers. ‘ Mr. Riley exhibited specimens of blown larvee very nicely set up; he thinks, how- ever, that in this condition they are scarcely of value for scientific study, and for this pur- pose prefers the specimens preserved in alcohol. Mr. Scudder differed from Mr. Riley, and thinks that the advantages are in favour of the blown specimens, and much prefers to study larvee in this way. Dr. Hagen agreed with Mr. Scudder that blown larvee were advantageous for study. Dr. Morris asked if any of the gentlemen present who were in the habit of raising larvee, had made any observations in reference to the length of time the development of the perfect insect may be retarded. He stated that three or four years since he had placed a number of cocoons of S. cynthia on a shelf in his house, and that after lying there all that time some of them had this year produced the perfect insect. Dr. Hagen referred to an instance related by Kirby & Spence where a beetle, Bupres- lis splendida, was ascertained to have existed in the wood of a pine table more than twen- ty years (7th edition, p, 121). Mr. Saunders mentioned the fact that the perfect insect of Weanthus niveus frequently came to sugar at night, when they were readily captured. He thought that where they were very numerous this method of trapping them might be employed with advantage. Mr. Lintner observed that he had take 16 species of Catocala at sugar this season, and that a friend of his who has been sugaring industriously has found the Catocalas to be most abundant about midnight., On the 24th another meeting of the Club was held at 2 p. m., the President in the Chair. The Committee on Nomenclature, consisting of Dr. LeConte, 8S. H. Seudder, A. R. Grote, C. V. Riley and W. Saunders, reported a set of rules, on some of which they were unanimous, while on others there was a divided opinion. They had given all the attention to the subject possible within the limited time at their disposal, but had not found time to consider the explanations offered in the majority report presented, and suggested that these be referred back to the Committee, with power to print such explanations as may be agreed on with the rules. The following are the rules submitted :— 1. The binominal system, as originated by Linneus, is the only one to be recognised. The use of a third word, however, connected with the second by a hyphen, as is common and desirable in the case of gall insects, ¢.g. Cynips quercus-palustris, is not to be consid- ered as an infraction of this rule. (Unanimous.) . 2. Where a specific name has been generally adopted during a period of twenty years, such name shall not be changed for one of prior date. (Divided opinion.) 3. The name placed after a genus should be that of the author who established the genus in the sense in which it is actually used, but the name of the author who first pro- posed the term should be cited in brackets. (Unanimous.) 4. No generic or specific name should be acknowledged which has not been printed in a published work. (Unanimous.) 5. A generic name, when once established, should never be cancelled in any subse- quent subdivision of the group, but retained in a restricted sense for one of the constitu- ent portions of the original genus. (Unanimous.) 6. In constructing family names they should end in id@. (Divided opinion.) 17 7. The tribe should occupy an intermediate place between the sub-family and genus. (Unanimous.) 8. The authority for the species and not for the generic combination should follow the name of an insect. (Divided opinion.) 9. The proposition of a genus by simple designation of a type is to be greatly depre- cated. All new names should be accompanied by ample definitions that will permit no doubt as to the species intended or as to the characters of the genus proposed. (Unanimous. ) 10. No description should be made from a figure. (Unanimous. ) 11. The number of individuals upon which either a specific or generic diagnosis is based should always be stated. (Unanimous.) After a lengthy discussion, on motion of Mr. E. B. Reed, the following resolution was unanimously passed : That the report of the committee be adopted, and that any rules on which this com- mittee have expressed a divided opinion haye a marginal note attached thereto, reciting such fact. Tt was also resolved that all the explanations, &c., offered in the majority report be referred back to the committee with power to print such explanations as may be agreed on, with the rules. Moved by Rev. C.J. 8. Bethune, seconded by S. H. Scudder—That no alteration or addition to the rules now adopted be made, unless such alteration or addition be pro- posed at one annual meeting of the Club, and be adopted at a subsequent annual meeting. Carried unanimously. The election of offcers for the ensuing year then took place, resulting as follows :— President, Dr. LeConte ; Vice-President, 8. H. Scudder ; Secretary, C. V. Riley. Mr. Scudder brought to the notice of the members a pattern insect box, which he believed to be pest-proof. These boxes are exceedingly well made (manufacturers, Han- cock & Greeley, Cambridgeport, Mass.), are about 19 x 15 in., and are sold at $2.70 each, without cork. Mr. Saunders suggested the desirability of the Club appointing a permanent com- mittee to whom disputed points in reference to Entomological matters might be referred. On motion of Mr. Mann, seconded by Mr. Saunders, it was resolved that the Permanent Committee of the Club shall consist of the President, as chairman, and four other members to be named by him. Mr. Lintner presented to the meeting a very complete and extensive list of insects taken at sugar by him during the present season. These were arranged in a tabular form in a very neat and methodical manner, showing at a glance the insects taken each even- ing, and whether they were abundant or scarce. On motion of Mr. Riley, Dr. Larkin was requested to bring before the Club some facts in reference to a mite said to be parasitic on the human subject, when he read a very amusing letter from an afflicted patient in reference to this matter. The Club then adjourned. ON GENERA. By Dr. H. Hacen, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Read before the Entomological Club of the A. A. A.S., at Buffalo, N. Y.) There will hardly bea naturalist who has not spent considerable time to study the ques- tions:—What is a genus,and what are generic characters? Indeed, work is nearly impossible without having taken a position with regard to these questions. A full record of the literature, even the most condensed one, would be here out of place, but I have been in- duced by a recent and most surprising discovery bearing upon this question to make this communication. I have been speaking here only about natural genera. The considera- tion of the genus as an artificial division differs fundamentally, and to avoid mistake we 2 18 should not call artificial divisions by this name. The characters of artificial genera depend solely upon the taste of the worker and the convenience of separating into groups animals and plants. All species are considered to belong to the same natural genus which agree in structural characters, external and internal, or anatomical ones in the different stages, in transformation, in the manner of living. These definitions of a genus are accepted as well by naturalists who are strong Darwinians as those who oppose the develop- ment theory. Inaprize essay of the Jena University, D. P. Mayer, a pupil of Prof. Haeckel, in a paper on the “‘ Ontogeny and Phylogeny of Insects,” enlarges this definition in so far as he asks for a conformity in the embryological characters. I believe no one will object that this definition is a good and exhaustive one ; but if we attempt to use it in a special case we become bewildered by the astonishing amount of characters unknown to us, and the impossibility to make them out for our work. At present we know hardly well enough the external character of the imago. Of other characters our knowledge is merely fragmentary and often a tabula rasa. We may say that a century of hard work will not fill these gaps in our knowledge. It is obvious that we cannot wait till this enormous amount of work is done. And it is certain that naturalists will not and can not stop creating new genera. Genera created with such a limited amount of knowledge will depend upon the ex- perience and taste of the worker. Many of such genera will have to be modified or dropped by a farther advancing knowledge, The most important question (what are generic characters?) is still unanswered. The large literature and the difference of opinion emitted by prominent authorities seem to prove that a sufficient affirmative answer is impossible till our knowledge is fur- ther advanced. But here, as in other abstract questions, we can proceed in a negative manner by exclusion. Genera consist of a number of related species. If we knew the character of the species, the specific character, we can by exclusion come nearer the character of the genus. Species differ by structural character, and as the species form the lowest degree of the classification, we can be sure that species must differ at least by minutest points of structure. I think there is no objection of consequence possible. I know very well that differ- ences in minuter points of structure have been considered as generic characters. But naturalists beginning with the construction and definition of the higher degrees of class, order, family, &c., used up all characters at hand, till, coming to genera, nothing was left but minute differences of structure; the simple consequence of using specific characters for generic ones was that nearly every species was considered to be a genus. I said before that species must differ at least by minuter points of structure. The discovery which I mentioned before proves that structural characters of species are more important, and can by a different manner of living be changed in such a way as to repre- sent forms which were formerly believed to belong to different genera. Branchipus and Artemia, belonging to the Phyllopod Crustacea, are represented by several species here and in Europe. The two genera are nearly related one to the other, and differ principally in the following points; Artemia has eight post-abdominal segments, the last one very long. Branchipus has nine post-abdominal segments, the last two of equal size. Arteméa has three articulated claspers in the male ; Branchipus two articulated claspers. Artemia is often propagated by Parthenogenesis, Branchipus never. Nobody will deny that those characters of structure go very far beyond minuter points of structure, and are marked well enough to justify the separation sixty years ago by Dr. Leach. Now it is proved that not only the species of Artemia known up to-day from Europe, Asia and Africa, but even some species of Branchipus belong to one and the same genus and species. In the American fauna five species of Artemia and three of Branchipus aré described ; of course they will have to be studied again in a similar manner as the European ones. The two European species of Artemia are remarkably different. Artemia salina has a strongly bifid tail surrounded by 15 to 20 bristles and narrow gills; Ariemia mulhauseni has a rounded tail without bristles and very large gills. This latter species lives in pools of a very concentrated salt water of 25° Beaumé ; the other species in common salt water of about 8°. In 1871, adam which surrounded a salt pool containing Artemia mulhauseni, broke down by accident, and the sea water washed in at the same time ; Ar- 19 . SS ———————————————— temia salina, which abounds in the sea water, appeared in large numbers in the pool. The dam was immediately repaired, and in the space of three years the amount of the salt in the pool arrived gradually at the same concentration as before. A Russian naturalist, Mr. Schmaukevitch, living near the spot and studying carefully Artemia, was astonished to find the species somewhat changed in every following genera- raised at home in open glass dishes Artemia salina, and by successive additions of salt to the water, he was able to transform the species into Artemia mulhauseni. To make the counter proof, he diluted the water gradually and the species returned to the form of Artemia salina. But by continued dilution of the water he was more surprised to find that in the third generation the long abdominal segment began to be separated into two segments, and finally to be changed as in a Branchipus. He found later in salt pools of only four to five degrees (living together) Artemia salina and Branchipus spinosa, and in water with a lower degree of salt two other related species, Branchipus ferox and media. Mr. Schmaukevitch has made similar experiments with similar results on Daphnia, Cyclops, and Canthocamptus, which he has not yet published. There can be no doubt about the facts under such conclusive proof, and Prof. V. Siebold is now engaged in rais- ing the American species from Salt Lake for, similar experiments. These facts oblige us to consider all these different forms as belonging to one and the same species, since it is possible to change at will one form into another by altering the conditions of living. As long as this is possible they cannot be considered as differentiating or Darwinian species. We have now the proof that specific characters exist which do not depend on minuter points of structure. Therefore, we are taught that we must considerably enlarge the characters of species and those of the genus. What has been thus provenin Crustacea will certainly be observed also with other Articu- lates. Since insects do not possess a post-abdomen, there cannot occur the same differences as in the case cited, but analogous ones will not be wanting. It is obvious that so-called “salt insects ” are the first ones which will need new and careful study. Those known areColeoptera, Diptera, Hemipteraand Orthoptera, and the species are often nearly related to other ones which do not live in salt regions. Further, it is evident that similar changes will be the result of different conditions of life. So-called “local varieties” are certainly nothing else, and a vast field of observation and study is opened by the re- markable discoveries of Mr. Schmaukevitch. I believe that we are now justified when we exclude from generic characters all the following ones : 1. Every character based on the number of parts, when the number ceases to be a small one ; the more so when it varies in related species. If a number is larger than about a dozen, we can never rely upon the constancy of the number in antennal joints and anal appendages. In spines, bristles, spurs, a much smaller number is constant ; transversal veins of the wings belong to the same category. 2. The external coating of the body, consisting in hairs, scales and other appendages, is not a generic character. The hairs, tufts, brushes, spines, spurs, are often only sexual and: can not be considered generic characters ; also, hairy eyes, since we find this character changing in the most related species and probably in the same species in Diptera. 3. The presence or want of the ocelli or eyes is not a generic character. 4. The veins of thewings give only to a certain degree generic characters, viz: the principal branches, but certainly not after the bifurcation. aving arriving so far by exclusion, it is important to state what is left for generic characters, So far as I am advanced in the study of generic characters, I think the following should be used : I. The form and relation of the three principal parts of the body. 2. The organs providing nutrition (mouth parts). 3. The organs making possible the working of the mouth parts, i. ¢., the organs of locomotion. The anatomical characters may be of prominent help. At present our knowledge as 20 to their details is too limited to admit our using them to a profitable extent. We begin to be better acquainted with the previous stages, and this acquaintance will bring these characters into more prominence. I doubt embryological characters to be of generic value. But very little is certainly known about them, and nothing known is ready for our use. The parts serving for propagation have probably a higher value than generic characters. Characters for genera should be of a co-ordinate value. I think it is obvious that a genus should never be accepted if its characters are not satisfactorily given, and that genera based on the mere specification of a type should never be accepted. INSECTS INTRODUCED BY THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. During the progress of the Centennial Exhibition, it was observed that many of the cereals and seeds exhibited were infested with insects, some samples being almost de- stroyed by these pests. At the suggestion of the Centennial Commission, a com- mittee of scientific gentlemen was appointed to investigate this matter and report as early as practicable on the character of the insects thus introduued. This committee was also charged with the further work of reporting on any new plants or weeds which might be similarly brought into the country. A report on the plants could not be prepared until next year, but as the subject of injurious insects was a highly important one, it was deemed wise to report on that as soon as possible, hence all the information obtainable on the subject up to the time of the close of the Exhibition was submitted in the following report, read by Dr. LeConte, chairman of the committee, at a meeting of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, held early in November :— REPORT ON INSECTS INTRODUCED BY MEANS OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. On behalf of the Committee appointed by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phi- ladelphia, at the meeting held October 10th, 1876, “to investigate and report upon the introduction of new species of insects and plants through the medium of foreign ex- hibits at the Centennial Exhibition,” I have the honour to present the following report, with the desire that it may be forwarded to the proper authorities of the Centennial Com- mission, at whose instance the Committee was appointed. The Committee is composed of the following members of the Academy :— Dr. Joseph Leidy, Dr. George H. Horn, Mr. Thomas Meehan, Dr. J. Gibbons Hunt, and Dr. John L. Le Conte, Chairman. : It was apparent that while the labours of the botanists of the Committee could not properly commence until next spring, when careful observation will recognise any new introductions of plants, the entomological investigations should be made as speedily as possible. Accordingly, Dr. Horn and myself, availing ourselves of the admission cards which had, with great liberality, been sent to the members of the Committee, went fre- quently to the exhibits in the Main Building and Agricultural Hall, and made col- lections in all the agricultural products from foreign countries, which were found to be infected. Most of the species which we obtained have been already distributed over the globe by the ordinary channels of trade, and nothing is to be apprehended from the addition of a few hundred thousand specimens, to the incalculable millions of individuals of the same kind, that we have now domiciled amongst us. I am happy to add that the species found, which have not been previously observed in the United States, will be innocuous ; they are dependant for their support upon plants me ae grow here, and which would be of no commercial value to us if they were eultivated. 21 . I may therefore announce, with moderate certainty, that no evil result will occur to our agricultural interests from any introduction of foreign insects by means of the Cen- tennial exhibits. Before concluding this report, by a list of the insects collected in the buildings, it is our duty to notice some remarkable differences between the exhibits from different countries, indicating the care with which the specimens had been prepared, and the means taken to prevent depredations by insects. All those exhibits which had been moist when packed, or had become moist or mouldy on the voyage or during the Exhibition, abounded in Bruchus, Calandra, and Tineide ; while those which were protected against moisture were unattacked. It stands to reason, in fact, that insects dependent on a circulating fluid for their vitality, and having, during their early stages as larve, a very soft and moist body, cannot obtain in properly dried grains the requisite amount of moisture for their sustenance, and the egg, if previously deposited, will remain, like an ungerminating seed, for a favourable moment to develop, or if hatched, the larva will die at an early stage. It was, therefore, with great pleasure that we recognised the appreciation of this al- most self-evident proposition by the Department of Agriculture of Portugal. The exhi- bits in bottles were entirely free from all mould and infection, and in each bottle was a small quantity of caustic lime,* wrapped in paper, which, by its hygrometric power, had kept the specimens perfectly dry. We do not intend to have it inferred, from what is above stated, that all the other exhibits were in a condition inferior to that of Portugal; on the contrary, many of them, as well as many from our own States, were in most admirable order ; but, so far as we could learn, this good condition had been produced by great personal care, and the re- moval from time to time of the infected parts; not by the use of a preventive agent. While investigating the occurrence of a small species of Tjneide in the Italian exhi- bit of Leghorn straw, I learned that some importations of straw goods, by Messrs. Albi- nola & Bailey, of New York, had been attacked by insects. I immediately wrote to those gentlemen, who, with great courtesy, sent me two collections of the insects, infest- ing a recent importation which had become mouldy from being packed in a moist condi- tion. The names of the species contained in this set are appended; they are all either carnivorous or fungivorous, and can therefore do no harm; some of them have not been before observed in the United States, or their habits have not been noted. What is more important, however, is that none of the straw goods were attacked by moths either on this or previous occasions. It is therefore to be inferred that the moth in the Italian exhibit was the grain-moth of the seed of the grass which produced the straw used in the manufacture of the Italian goods. What confirms this inference is that the moths occurred in but one case, in which were exhibited several bunches of the straw with the heads of grain still remaining. Prof. C. V. Riley, in the Proceedings of the Academy of Science of St. Louis, Oct. 2, 1876, has given a list of the species which he collected at the Centennial Exhibition, with very useful and suggestive remarks. We have obtained specimens of all the species mentioned by him except one, Crambide Lepidopteron, from the Egyptian exhibit, for which we sought without success. At an earlier period in the season, and with smaller attendance of visitors, the number of species in our list would perhaps have been larger, but no additional advantage would have been obtained therefrom. The species, with the few exceptions noted, are either innocuous or previously introduced. J. L. LEConteE, Chairman, +E0. H. Horn, JosepH LEIpy. * The nature of the powder was suspected by the Committee, but the determination was made through the analysis of Mr. Edward Goldsmith. 22 List of Species Collected in the Centennial Buildings in Foreign Exhibits. COLEOPTERA. SILVANUS SURINAMENSIS. Argentine Confederation and Brazil, in various materials. L&MOPHL@US FERRUGINEUS. In beans, Brazil. These two species lived upon the debris of Bruchus, and were ac- companied by a species of Psocus. Brucuus picturatus, Pahreus. Argentine Confederation ; in seeds of two leguminous plants, one of which produces a screw bean, resembling Strombocarpus of Arizona. BRucHUS, sp. Allied to B. prosopis, of Arizona and New Mexico. Argentine Confederation ; also in the screw bean. These two Bruchi are depredated upon by three small species of Ich- neumonide. BRucHUS, sp. Of larger size and more uniform colour. Argentine Confederation, in the seeds of another leguminous plant, allied to Prosopis. Brucuts, sp. Of larger size and more mottled colour; in the seeds of three other leguminous plants of the Argentine Confederation. BRUCHUS SCUTELLARIS. Venezuela, in beans. BRUCHUS OBSOLETUS. In beans from various countries of both continents. Brucuus PISI. In peas ; Spain and Portugal. BrvucHUS, sp. A small broad species, with traverse prothorax ; male rather uniformly clothed with grey-brown pubescence ; antenna as long as the body ; female black, with a grayish-brown broad dorsal stripe on the prothorax, and a small transverse white band on each elytron, extending from the side margin nearly to the suture, a little in front of the middle; thighs not toothed. Leugth -09 inch. Brazil, in a bluish-gray variety of bean. I cannot identify this species among those described in Schénherr’s work ; it is of the same form, and belongs to the same division as B. pisi, but is much smaller, and quite different in other characters. It is the only one of the species here mentioned which is capable of being introduced ; and I have, therefore, given such a description as will enable it to be recognised. The antenne are only feebly serrate. This species is mentioned by Mr. Riley as B. granarius, but it does not agree with the figure of Olivier. RHIZOPERTHA PUSILLA. Victoria, Australia ; in wheat. This insect has been previously introduced into the ‘United States in Persian wheat, distributed by the Patent office. (Vide Lec. Class, Col. N. Am. p. 208.) CALANDRA ORYZ2. This destructive insect abounded in exhibits of corn (maize), wheat, and rice from every part of the globe. J also observed it in arrow-root from Brazil. 23 ARAOCERUS COFFE. Eating the thin shell of cacao-nuts from Brazil, but apparently not attacking the in- terior of the nut. Previously introduced both in the Atlantic and Pacific States. LEPIDOPTERA. The ordinary and well-known 7'ineidw, which affect wheat and corn (maize) (Butalis cerealella, Ephestia Zee), abounded in exhibits from various countries. There was a smaller form which is mentioned above, as coming from the grass seeds of the Leghorn straw. Specimens have been identified by Professor C. V. Riley as the common grain moth, B. cerealella. HYMENOPTERA. Besides the three Zchnewmonida parasitic on the Bruchi in the Argentine Confedera- tion exhibit, I observed a small species of Pteromalus parasitic on the Tinea, Bruchus obso- letus, or Calandra oryze which infested a small bag of Brazilian wheat. List of the Species Found in Mouldy Specimens of Straw Goods from Italy. These species were collected by Messrs. Albinola & Bailey, in New York. _ They are either carnivorous or fungivorous ; those of the latter kind live upon the mould, which, as determined by Dr. J. G. Hunt, is a species of Aspergillus, previously known in this country. LATHRIDIUS FILIFORMIS. LATHRIDIUS STRIATUS. CORTICARIA, sp. (Not identified.) HOLOPARAMECUS SINGULARIS. Has not been previously observed in the United States. SILVANUS SURINAMENSIS. SILVANUS ADVENA. LA&MOPHLEUS FERRUGINEUS. MURMIDIUS OVALIS. Habits not previously observed in the United States, though its occurrence was known. TRIBOLIUM FERRUGINEUM. ON BLISTERING BEETLES. BY W. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONTARIO. Probably there are few of our readers who are not practically acquainted with the powerful blistering qualities of the imported Cantharides, or as the insect is more com- | monly, although incorrectly designated, the Spanish Fly. It belongs to the order of Coleoptera (Beetles), and hence should be known as the Spanish Beetle. The use of this insect, in the practice of medicine, dates from a very early period, and it is one of the few remedies, the usefulness of which, within certain limits, neither time nor fashion has been able to set aside. That species of Cantharides known as the Spanish Beetle is not the only one in use. In China and India, allied insects, very different in colour, but similar in properties, have long been used for like purposes ; and these Asiatic insects are now found in our drug markets, and having proved equally efficient with the well-known European variety, are gradually growing in favour. It is not so well or so generally known that we have in America, and even in Canada, several species of Cantharides, as well as some other closely allied blistering insects, which might at any time be used as substitutes for the Spanish Beetle (Cantharis vesicatoria). One of our commonest species is that known as “the Striped Blister Beetle ” (Zpi- cauta vittata), see fig 7 in plate, which is very destructive in some seasons to the potato vines, and also attacks the leaves of beets, devouring them most voraciously. At times, these insects are found in such numbers, that they are very injurious to the crops they infest. In some of the Western States, this species has occasionally committed havoc on the potato vines as great and as terrible as that of the now well-known Colorado Potato Beetle. The circumstances attending their propagation and growth, as we shall hereafter show, are, however, of such an exceptional character, that a year of abundance is almost sure to be followed in the same locality by one of unusual scarcity. The Ash Grey Blister Beetle (Zpicauta cinerea), is another species very common in many parts of Canada. We have been informed that in the Great Manitoulin Island, this species, as well as the preceding one, is usually found in considerable abundance. The body is of an ash grey colour, occasioned by its being thickly clothed with short ash- coloured hairs or down, which, when handled, comes off like the bloom of a plum, and leaves the insect black. This variety attacks not only the potato leaves, but also English or Windsor Beans, and according to Mr. Riley, the foliage of the apple tree sometimes suffers from its depredations. The Black Blister Beetle (Zpicauta atrata) is also common with us; it is usually found during the month of August, on the leaves and blossoms of the common Golden Rod (Solidago). When approached or disturbed, they quickly quit their hold on the plant and drop to the ground. These northern species are smaller in size than the European insect, a feature which would add to the cost of collecting them. Another bar to their successful introduction has been found in their colour. By a strange misconception, the presence of the brilliant green particles in the wing-cases, in the powdered Cantharides, has been associated with their activity, and any sample of powder or of prepared blistering-plaster where these brilliant particles are wanting, would, by many, be at once condemned. The Chinese Beetle (Mylabris cichorii), recently introduced, has done much to remove the latter objection ; yet, notwithstanding, it has been shown that the Chinese insect is fly as powerful in its action as that from Europe, the relative market value of the insects belonging to these two species indicates that popular prejudice still favours the use of the Spanish Beetle. one > . Meloe angusticollis Say. Cysteodemus armatus Lec. Mylabris cichorii Linn, Macrobasis albida Say. 5. Macrobasis atrivittata Lec, 6. as “ segmentata Say. 7. Epicauta vittata Fab. 8. “ «cinerea Forst. 18. Tegrodera erosa Lec. 9. Cantharis vesicatoria Linn. 10. “ “ vyulnerata Lec. 1, “ “ nuttalli Say. 12. Pyrota mylabrina Chey. | 25 , In the western and southern portions of our continent we have species which are large as well as abundant, and which, there is every reason to believe, possess all the activ- ity needed, most of them probably would be found in every respect as valuable as the imported beetles. Some of the species about to be referred to have not yet been record- ed as occurring within the limits of the Dominion of Canada, but when the insect fauna of the rich plains of the west shall have been carefully collected, doubtless some of these or others equally large and useful, will be found on our own side of the line ; in the meantime, we give the localities where they are at present known to occur. Through the kindness of Dr. George H. Horn, of Philadelphia, whose extensive con- tributions to our knowledge of American Coleoptera have made his name familiar both in Europe and America, we have been supplied with much information in reference to the species here treated of ; an acknowledgment is also due to Prof. C. V. Riley, State Ento- mologist of Missouri, for some valuable notes on the habits of these insects. We have had a lithographic plate prepared by Messrs. Sinclair & Sons, of Philadelphia, under the kind supervision of Dr. Horn, in which each of the species referred to is figured of the natural size, excepting 7 and 8, which are somewhat enlarged. This plate is remarkably well ex- ecuted, and is probably one of the best plates of Coleoptera ever published ; besides the American species, it contains figures of JM. cichorii and C. vesicatoria. We shall first enumerate the species, giving brief descriptions, as plain and void of technicalities as possible. 1. Meloe angusticollis—Say.—This insect (see fig. 1 on plate) is of a dark bluish viola- ceous colour, with the head, thorax and wing-cases thickly punctured with minute dots or impressions. The thorax is slender, narrower than the head ; feet slightly hairy, with the spines of the legs reddish. Found in the Eastern States and in many parts of Canada. 2. Cysteodemus armatus—Lec.—Entire body bluish black ; thorax with a strong lateral spine on each side; wing-cases very convex, and much larger than the abdomen, which they cover, and with very coarse elevated reticulations on their surface. This insect varies greatly in size ; the figure represents a medium sized specimen. Extremely abundant in Arizona and the desert regions of California wherever the ereasewood, Larrea Mexicana, grows. This insect is not as good a vesicant as some othérs ; the proportion of hard tissue in its structure is large as compared with the softer and more active portion, too large, perhaps, to admit of its being of much value. 3. Mylabris cichorii—Linn.—All parts of thisinsect are black, excepting the wing- covers, which are of an obscure yellow, with three transverse, black, irregular, undulating bands, the one at the apex broadest. ‘The first band is sometimes interrupted, and occa- sionally reduced to three or four spots. Found in abundance in the southern portions of China, and also throughout India, on the flowers of the wild chicory and other composite plants. It is also said to occur in southern Europe, extending from Italy through Greece and Egypt to China. 4. Macrobasis albida—Say.—All parts of body black, densely covered with minute greenish or yellowish-white hairs, The thorax is slightly longer than wide, the wing-covers broader than the thorax, becoming wider behind,.and are densely punctured. Abundant in Texas, New Mexico and on the plains. 5. Macrobasis atrivittata—Lec.—Also black ; form more elongated than albida ; head thickly clothed with fine black hairs, with a small white space in front of the eyes ; thorax with grayish hairs, with a large black space in the middle ; the wing-covers have black hairs, and their apex and sides are margined with gray ; there is also a moderately broad grayish stripe extending from the humerus to near the apex. ‘ Found in Texas, and is probably quite abundant, but we have not been able to obtain definite information on this point. 6. Macrobasis segmentata—Say.—This insect is black also, with the segments of the body beneath margined with whitish. The thorax is nearly as broad as long, and its posterior edges are grayish. Wing-covers finely punctured and sparsely covered with short black hairs, Oceurs with J. albida, and is also abundant. , 7. Epicauta vittata—Fab.—The head of this species is of a light reddish colour, with darker spots ; antenne black ; thorax black, with three yellow lines ; wing-covers black, 26 margined with yellow, and with a yellow stripe down the middle. Abdomen and legs black, covered with grayish hairs. Is found throughout the United States and Canada, but more abundant northward and westward of the Carolinas, extending to near the base of the Rocky Mountains. In the south it is replaced by /emmiscata, a species closely resembling vitiata, but differs in having another white stripe. This species has been tested, and has been found fully equal to vesicatoria as a vesicant. 8. Epicauta cinerea—Forster.—Black, closely punctured, and clothed with grayish hairs ; beneath clothing dense, upper surface variable. Head sparingly hairy. Thorax densely punctured, sometimes entirely covered with gray hairs, often with a large triangu- lar central space black, divided by a grayish line along the middle. Wing-cases finely punctured, and either entirely grayish or margined with grayish all around. Occurs all over the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, and in many parts of Canada. In the Southern States it becomes larger, with the wing cases entirely gray ; fully equal in strength to vesicatoria. 9. Cantharis vesicatoria—Linn.—Colour, above and below, a beautiful shining golden green ; head, thorax and wing-covers closely punctured ; antenne black. . Found most abundant in Spain, Italy and the south of France ; also found in all the temperate parts of Europe, and in the west of Asia. 10. Cantharis vulnerata—Lec.—Body black ; head orange yellow, sometimes with a broad black stripe down the middle ; wing-cases black. Extremely abundant throughout the entire Pacific region west of the Sierra Nevadas. Dr. Horn has seen bushels of this insect in some localities literally strewing the ground ; also very common on a species of. Baccharis ; he has experimented with them and found them powerfully vesicant, and producing strangury very readily when taken internally in the form of tincture. 11. Cantharis Nuttalli—Say.—Head deep greenish or golden green ; antennz black ; thorax golden green with a polished surface, and a few small scattered punctures. Wing- cases golden purple, striped with green. Body beneath green, polished ; thighs pur- plish, feet black, This large and beautiful insect is extremely abundant in Kansas and Colorado, ; F 12. Pyrota mylabrina—Chey.—Entire body and legs dull ochre yellow. Thorax with two, sometimes four black spots ; wing-covers with three transverse black bands, divided in the middle by the suture, the anterior one being sometimes further divided into four spots ; knees and feet black. Found from Kansas to Mexico, and is abundant throughout the whole region. 13. Tergrodera erosa—Lec.—Body and legs black ; head and thorax reddish, the former with a deep groove ; wing-covers bright yellow, their surface roughened with coarse reticulations, with a median and apical black band, which in some specimens are wanting. Abundant in Southern California and peninsula of Lower California, on a low herbaceous plant with a blue flower. In all these species the female is more valuable than the male, especially when well distended with eggs, owing to the relatively larger proportion of the soft parts. Eggs have the’same power as the other soft parts; the blood Dr. Horn believes to be more active than any other portion. Having referred in detail to the perfect insects, it is now proposed to sketch their history, as far as known, through the earlier stages of their existence. The life history of Me/oe, which has been well worked up in Europe, may be taken as a type of all the species mentioned, since all the facts accumulated on this subject point to a similarity in the character of the transformations and habits, which in the vesicating insects are very remarkable. In the 20th volume of the “ Linnean Transactions,” there is a,.memoir on the natural history of Meloe, from which many of the following facts are derived. The Meloe beetles, when fresh from their pupa cases in spring, are feeble, moveslowly, and have their bodies small and contracted, but after feeding a few days these enlarge greatly, the abdomen of the female expanding to twice its original size, owing to the enor- mous quantity of ova within its body in process of development. The abdomen will then measure an inch or more in length, and appears to be dragged along with difficulty. They are fond of basking in the hot sunshine, and are said to be most active during the early and middle parts of the day. When confined in boxes for the purpose of observing their habits, it is necessary to expose them much to the sun, and supply them with an abun- dance of food ; they are then quite at home, and their proceedings may be easily watched. They drink freely of water, and require their food to be well wetted. In a few days after leaving their winter quarters they pair. The eggs are deposited in the earth. A small excavation is made by the female, sometimes as much as two inches in depth, into which, when finished, she projects her body, with the head just perceptible at the entrance. After remaining in this position ovipositing for about two hours, the body is withdrawn, and the earth raked with her feet into the hole until it is entirely closed. These burrows are commonly made among the roots of grass in‘a dry soil and a sunny spot ; often on the margins of a dry footpath. The female always deposits two, and sometimes three or four separate layings of eggs, at intervals of from two to three weeks. The first is always the most abundant, amounting usually to three or four thousand. After each deposit the abdomen seems to be almost entirely emptied ; the insect then feeds voraciously, and fresh ova are soon developed. The eggs when first deposited are about one-twentieth of an inch in length, slightly conical, obtuse at both ends, and of a bright orange colour. They are placedin such a way that they may be parallel to each other, and adhere together at their sides, with one end directed to the entrance of the burrow. The duration of the egg stage is greatly in- fluenced by temperature, averaging from four to five weeks. From the egg there escapes a little active, agile creature, somewhat Fia. 1. resembling a pediculus in habits ; in fact, the larva of one of the European species was described by so eminent an Entomologist at Kirby, in 1802, as Pediculus melitte, This young larva, a magnified illustration of which is given in Fig. 1,* is of a bright yellow colour, and of an elongated form, with fourteen segments. The three segments which constitute the trunk are strong and powerful, for the attachment of the legs, which are furnished with‘sharp-pointed claws, especially adapted for clinging securely to any object. The anal segment on its under surface is developed into a pair of short prolegs. It moves with great celerity with its six true legs; it can also make use of its anal prolegs, and thus climb a nearly smooth and ver- tical surface. The young larvee of most insects, if food is not supplied to them within a day or so of the time of their escaping from the egg, will die of starvation ; but these young creatures will live from two to three weeks without food and maintain their activity, a wonderful adaptation to the circumstances in which they are placed. ‘When hatched, they crawl to the surface and run up the stems of various plants, and often lodge themselves in the fowers and there await the visits of bees and other insects who alight to collect pollen or honey. They watch their opportunity, and attach themselves with great readiness to any of these insects who may come within their reach. It is astonishing with what celerity they fasten themselves to their victim the instant any part of its body is accessible, and with what tenacity they adhere to it, seizing it by the leg, wing, or hairs of the body, and crawling up and adhering aroung the insertion of its legs between the head and thorax or the thorax and abdomen, exciting the greatest possible | uneasiness in the winged insect, who vainly endeavours to detach them from its body. Some observers are of opinion that the parasite draws nourishment from the bee on which it fastens, but the main object of this instinctive attachment seems to be to get access to the cells in which the young and food are stored. Once here, the young larva of Meloe is said to attack the larva of the bee or other hymenopterous insect whose nest is thus invaded, and being furnished with strong mandibles, they thrust them into the soft parts of their victims, and prey on their substance through the wounded integuments, while the young bee is nourished with the stored pollen and honey. In this state, having no longer any use for their active limbs, they are gradually reduced to mere tubercles, and after a change of skin, the once active and sprightly creature assumes the form of a * The small outline alongside shows this larva of the natural size. 28 thick, fleshy maggot. In this form it continues to feed on the young bees or the bee bread and honey stored for their use, and after passing through some remarkable changes while in the larval condition, first changing to asemi-pupa, then to another form of larva, it subsequently assumes the true pupa state, in which condition it remains in its snug retreat until the following spring, when it bursts its bonds and appears as a beetle. The young Melve larve often attach themselves to the hairs of insects which construct no cells and do not store up food for their young ; and in such cases, which must be very numerous, they necessarily perish. In the light of this fact we can appreciate the import- ance of the great fecundity of the females. The larva of Cantharis vesicatoria is almost identical in form with that of Meloe, but soon after escaping from the egg it changes from a yellow to a darker hne, and finally to a deep black. The history of our American species is as yet very fragmentary. Dr. Packard has observed the larva of Meloe angusticollis, and found it to differ but little from its European congeners. In a recent number of the Canadian Entomologist, Mr. W. Brodie, of Toronto, gives some highly interesting observations on this species, extending over a series of years. He says :— “ According to my experience, Meloes make their appearance in the perfect state about the end of August or beginning of September, when they feed greedily on Ranun- culus acris. Later in the season, when the abdomens of the females are much enlarged, they pair, and later still—sometimes after the first frost—they deposit their eggs and in- variably die that season. “The larvee emerge from the eggs early the following spring, and I think attach themselves to bees generally on¢he blossoms of the willow. I presume this because I often find females about to oviposit near to willow bushes, but I have detected the young larve in the flowers of Caltha palustris, and suppose they will take to any early flowering plant. “Tn confirmation of these statements I submit the following from my notes on Meloe in the vicinity of Toronto, dating from 1870. “Although Meloe is common here, I have never found them much further to the north, and as I am pretty well acquainted with all parts of the county, I would say they are not found in the central nor in the northern portions of the County of York. This is curious, as in the better wooded sections the storing Hymenoptera are more numer- ous than about Toronto, “1870—Aug. 30th. In early morning saw several Melos descending a white oak tree, in St. James’ Cemetery, which tree was afterwards blown down and proved to be a bee tree. This would indicate that Meloe pupates in the hive, and when perfect, deserts it during the night. “1871. Meloes first seen Aug. 10th, “1872—Aug. 20th. Meloes feeding on R. acris. “1873—Aug.—Oct. Meloes very numerous, feeding on RF. acris ; found many females ovipositing in a cold, wet situation, after first fall frost. “1874—Ang. 29th. Found about forty Meloes closely huddled in a ball ; they were not fighting, and although both sexes were present, do not think they were pairing. None of the females had large abdomens, and when disturbed they all quickly ran away. “Sept. Ist—10th. Found about sixty Meloes, of both sexes, many of them pairing ; feeding on 2. acris, on a small miry patch, about one-fourth acre, bounded on the right by a small stream which they could not cross ; on the left, about 150 yards up a bank, were six hives of neglected bees. This is the same situation where, in 1873, I found females ovipositing after frost. “1875—Aug. Found Meloes in same localities as last. season. Captured several fe- males ; fed them on R. acris, they began ovipositing Sept. 20th. Oct. 20th, all dead. The eggs were of an orange colour, and placed in a hole about 3 inch deep, and large enough to receive the abdomen. ““1876—Aug. 15th. Meloes first seen. Sept. Ist, found about fifty in a ball as I had found them in 1874. Do not think they were either fighting or pairing ; cculd not make out what they were doing ; when disturbed they soon ran away. This season they were about as numerous as in 1875, in same localities at same dates. “ From these notes, from my own recollections and from the recollections of my chil- dren, I infer that Mcdoes make tieir appearance about the middle of August, that they pair and oviposit before the winter sets in, and that they never survive the winter ; and that they are very seldom, if ever, found under stones in the neighbourhood of Toronto.” Prof. Riley has made some observations on Hpicauta vittata. He describes the eggs of vittata as follows: Length, 0-08 inch, five times as long as wide, elliptical and so uni- form in diameter that it is difficult to say which is the anterior end, though there is a slight difference. Egg sometimes very slightly curved. Colour, very pale whitish yel- low, smooth and shining. The young larva is yellowish-brown, borders of head and thorax and of joints some- what more dusky than general surface ; tip of jaws and eyes dark brown. Legs and yenter paler ; venter not corneus except at sides and across segments eleven and twelve. About ten stiff hairs visible superiorly on the posterior border on the middle segments, with a cone-like prominence at the base of each, and six minor bristles in front of them. There are also rows of fainter ventral bristles. The curious history of these insects throws some light on the fact that while in some localities they are enormously abundant one season, they will be very scarce another. I[t is to be expected that there would be an alternation between the abundance of certain species of hymenopterous insects and cantharides. When the insects they prey on are abundant the blistering beetles multiply amazingly, and during this immense multiplica- tion exhaust the stock of material on which they feed to such an extent that a year of great abundance in any given locality can scarcely fail to be followed by a season of cor- responding scarcity. In other, and sometimes adjacent localities, where the same causes have not operated to a like extent, the insects may be common enough. The great abun- dance of the sociable and solitary; bees in the great plains of the West will pro- bably always afford food sufficient to admit of the maturing of large broods of can- tharides. Tur Destructive Locust or THE WEST. By Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, M. A. In our last two Reports—those for 1874 and 1875 —we devoted a considerable portion of our space to the consider- ation of the history, ravages, etc., of the destructive Locust of the West. As a supplement to the accounts that we then laid before the reader, we now beg to draw his atten- tion to the following excellent summary of the migrations of this most noxious insect, and the suggestions that are made for the alleviation of the plague. The article is taken from the current number of the American Naturalist, and is from the pen of Prof. A. 8. Packard, Jr.—one of the ablest American Entomologists of the day. ; “The following remarks toncerning the probable causes of the migrations of the western locust are extracted from a forthcoming report on this and other injurious insects in Prof. F. V. Hayden’s Annual Report of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories for 1875. The facts and theories were in part suggested by ob- servations made by myself in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, in 1875, while attached for a few weeks to the Survey, and in part by the reports of Prof. C. V. Riley, State Ento- mologist of Missouri, and by the statements of Prof. Cyrus Thomas, State Entomologist of Illinois, and Hon. W. N. Byers of Denver, and others. } “Tn dealing with this fearfully destructive insect, which has attracted so much notice from the public, and in seeking for remedies against its devastations, it is of prime im- portance to have a thorough knowledge of its breeding places, the frequency and extent of its migrations, and to seek for the connection between the direction of the winds and other meteorological phenomena, and the flights of the locust. Caloptenus femur-rubrum. 30, “The locust is quite or nearly as destructive in Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe, as in this country, but the laws of their migrations and their connection with meteorolog- ical phenomena have never been studied in those regions, and it remains for the United States, with its Weather Signal Bureau, to institute in connection with the scientific sur- — veys of the West investigations regarding the nature of the evil, and the best means to overcome it. 2 «In endeavouring to trace the connection between the migrations of the locusts and the course of the winds at different months, the writer has been led into some theoretical considerations which seem to be supported by the facts presented in the unpublished re- port, and which may be confirmed or disproved by future investigations. “ History of the Migrations of the Locust.—The following table, compiled from the reports of A. S. Taylor, the late Mr. B. D. Walsh, Prof. C. V. Riley, Prof. C. Thomas, Mr. G. M. Dawson, and the obsérvations of Mr. W. N. Byers, will show the years when the locust was excessively abundant and destritctive in the different territories and states, and also serve to roughly indicate the frequency and extent of the migrations of the de- structive locust of the West. The dates which are starred are years when the progeny of the locusts of the preceding year abounded, and when in most cases there were no fresh in- cursions from the westward. The species referred to under the head: of California, Wash- ington and Oregon may be some other than Caloptenus spretus. 1 ‘ I Minne- Nebraska, Indian 5 Manitoba, |S0t@ and Mire nae ee Utah, | Colo- | Kansas, and | Terri- | Califor- Washington a "| Westernly vcota, | T ‘ 1 * | rado. Western tory and| nia. and Towa. poset ane. | Missouri. Texas. Oregon. 1818 1818 | 1827 or 1828 1819 1819 1834 or 1835 1820 1820 or 1821 | 1838 | s% 1845 | 1845 1846? | 1852 1852 1849 1852 1855 18557] 1855? 1855 1855? 1855 | 1855 1855 1855 ae 1856* Pa 1856* 1856* 57 5 1864 1864 1864 1864 1865* 1866 1866 1867 1867 1867 1867 1867 1867 1868* 1868* 1868 1868* 1869 1869* 1872 1873 1873 1873 1873? 1873 ! 1873 1874 1874 1874 1874 1874 1874 1874 South ? 1875 1875 1875 1875* 1875* 1875 Cal. 1876 1876 1876 1876 1876 | 1876 a ed “This table and the data on which it is based are necessarily very imperfect, owing to the vast extent of the territory over which the locusts swarmed, and the fact that the greater portion is uninhabited, while the inhabited portions have been settled only within comparatively few years. “The Theory of Migrations.—(1) The immediate cause of the migration of the locust from its original breeding places is the wnusual abundance of the species during certain years. It has been found in some cases that the exceptional years when the locust migrates are periods of unusual heat and dryness, conditions unusually favourable to the excessive increase of insect life. As may be seen in the accounts of the eastern locust, the grass army worm, the grain aphis, the chinch bug, and other less destructive insects, when the early part of the season, the spring and early weeks of the summer, are warm and dry, without sudden changes of temperature, insects abound and enormously exceed their ordinary numbers. When two such seasons occur, one after the other, the conditions become still more favourable for the undue development of insect life. Now it is well known that in the Eastern States the summers of 1860 and 1874, preceding the appear- 31 ance of the army worm and grain aphis, were unusually warm and dry, and favourable not only for the hatching of the egys laid the year previous, but for the growth and deye- lopment of the larve or young. Look now at the conditions for the development of - locust life on the hot and dry plains, chiefly of Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. We have no meteorological records from these regions at hand, but it is more than prob- able that the years preceding the migrations of the locusts were exceptionally warm and dry, when the soil was parched with long-sustained droughts, as we know that the cor- -responding species east of the Mississippi River abounds during dry summers following dry and warm springs. = “ Given, then, the exceptional years of drought and heat and the great extent of ter- ritory, and we have as the result vast numbers of young hatched out. The year previous having, perhaps, been warm and dry, the locusts would abound, and more eggs than usual would be laid. These would, with remarkably few exceptions, hatch, and the young soon consume the buffalo grass and other herbage, and move about from one region to another, following often a determinate course in search of food. In this way large broods may migrate a long distance, from perhaps twenty to fifty miles. In about six or seven weeks they acquire wings. Experience shows that the western locust, as soon as it is fledged, rises up high in the air, sometimes a thousand feet or much higher. They have been seen to settle at night on the ground, eat during this time, and towards noon the next day fill the air again with their glistening wings. As more and more become fledged, the vast swarm exhausts the supply of food, and when the hosts are finally marshalled, new swarms joining perhaps the original one, the whole swarm, possibly hundred of miles in extent, begins to fly off, borne by the preyailing westerly and north-westerly winds, in a general easterly and south easterly course. “ (2.) The secondary cause of the migration is the desire for food, and possibly the reproduc- tive instinct. The fact that in their migrations the locusts often seem to select cultivated tracts, rapidly cross the treeless, barren plains, and linger and die on the prairies and western edge of the fertile valleys of the Missouri and Mississippi, indicate that the impell- ing force is due primarily to the want of food, and that the guiding force is the direction of the prevailing winds, for they have no leaders, and we do not believe in the existence of a “ migratory instinct” in the locust any more than in the grass army worm, or the cotton army worm, which it is sufficiently evident migrate from field to field, simply in search of more abundant food. Meanwhile the reproductive system of the locusts is maturing, the eggs ripening, and the uneasiness of the locusts during the course of their travels may be unconsciously stimulated by the sexual instincts and the desire to discover suitable places for egg-laying—a long and tedious operation. “Tt has been sufficiently shown that a swarm of locusts observed by Professor Robin- son near the entrance to Boulder Canon, Colorado, travelled a distance of about six hun- dred miles to Eastern Kansas and Missouri. Though the swarm was first observed at some distance north of Denver, Colorado, it was then on its way from the north, and may have come from some part of Wyoming two or three hundred miles north-westward or northward. Though the winds may vary, and counter-currents exist, and storm gusts from due north, such as often sweep over the plains, and local southerly breezes may retard their flight, the course is either eastward or south-easterly. We know enough of the winds in the Western States and Territories to lay down the law that the general direction of the winds in July and August, along the eastern slope of the Rocky Moun- tains and on the plains, is from the west and north-west, and accords with the eastward course of the locust swarms. The relations between the average direction of the winds and the migrations of the locust have, however, never been sufficiently studied, either, so far as we are aware, in Europe or in this country. And yet, if we would intelligently study the causes of the excessive increase and migrations of the locust, we must examine the meteorological features of the country, ascertain the periods of drought and undue rainfall, the average direction of the wind for the different months, in order to learn how far they correspond with the phenomena of insect life. That there are meteorolo- gical cycles, dry and hot seasons recurring at irregular intervals, while the general ave- rage may remain nearly the same century after century, is supported, though it may be vaguely, by observed meteorological facts. - 32 — “The question then arises: Can meteorologists predict the coming of seasons of undue heat and drought? and consequently can we predict insect years? that is, the migrations of — locusts and the undue increase of the chinch bug and the army and cotton worm? TI believe that we shall, after the lapse of years, be able to foretell with a good degree of cer- tainty locust invasions, and be able to provide against the losses thus incurred. “On the frontier of the Western States, in Colorado, or in the Territories of Wyoming, Montana, and Utah, where the losses from the ravages of the locust cannot easily be made up by importations from contiguous territories, it seems the most practi- cable mode to provide in years of plenty against years of want. We should imitate on a grand scale the usage of the ancient Egyptians under Pharaoh, who laid up in time of unusual harvests stores of grain for times of famine. It is said that this has been done on a small scale by the Mormons. — If this were done in the far West, in seasons imme- diately preceding insect years, which had been predicted by entomologists in conjunction with the meteorologists. we should be saved the distress, destitution, and even loss of life from starvation, which have resulted from ignorance of the laws regulating the appear- ance of destructive insects, especially the western locust. “ The Return Migration.—By simultaneous observations for a number of years over the region liable to be visited by migratory hordes of locusts, added to the knowledge we already possess, it will not only be possible to predict the course of certain swarms from their breeding-places, and their probable destination, so that when a swarm starts from Montana or Wyoming, its arrival in Colorado a week or a fortnight later may with some certainty be predicted, and again, its arrival in Kansas and adjoining States be announced with a certain amount of precision, as has already been done by Dr. Riley, but we shall be able to foretell the course taken in the return flight of their progeny in the succeeding year. I will confess that, previous to my visit to Kansas and Colorado, in 1875, I was sceptical as to Dr. Riley’s opinion that there was a general movement in a north-west course of the young of the previous year, broods from Missouri and adjoining regions north-west- ward. The facts and resulting theory have already been stated in full by Dr. Riley and others. It remains to determine the causes of this return migration, this completion of the ‘ migration-cycle,’ as Professor Dawson terms it. It is evident that in this case the desire for food is not the cause, for food is many times more abundant in the Mississippi Valley than on the plains whither they return. The solution of the problem, I think, must be sought in the direction of the prevailing winds during the middle of June, the time they become winged. It may be fonnd after a series of careful meteorological obser- vations, that the prevailing winds at this early season are southerly and south-easterly. It has been shown by meteorologists, as I learn from Prof. C. Abbe, that during May and June the winds blow inwards towards the heart of the continent from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. On application to Gen. A. J. Myer, Chief of the Signal Ser- vice of the United States Army, for the meteorological data necessary to confirm this hy- pothesis, I promptly received a full summary of data observed by the officers of the Wea- ther Signal Bureau for periods of from two to five (usually the latter) years between 1871 to 1876, which show that the prevailing winds in June, in Davenport, Dodge City and Keokuk, Iowa ; St. Patil and Breckenridge, Minnesota; Yankton and Fort Sully, Dakota ; Omaha, Leavenworth, and Fort Gibson, Indian Territory—all within the locust area—are from the south-east and south. This fact may be sufficient to account for the prevailing course of the return migrations of the locust from the eastern limits of the locust area. “ Let us therefore grant this setting-in of southerly and easterly winds, which may last until the locusts are winged. When they rise on the wing into the air they are known to move in a general north-west direction. It is highly probable that they are borne along by these generally south-easterly winds, and pass over on to the plains. The cause is seen, then, to be entirely independent of subsistence ; possibly the reproductive instinct causes them to become uneasy, restless, to assemble high in the air, and seek the dry, hot, elevated plateau of the north-west. Should this be so the cause of the mi- grations is probably purely mechanical. Abundant testimony is at hand to show that they are wholly at the mercy of the prevailing winds, and that, as a rule, the course of their migrations is quite dependent on the direction of the winds, while the course of the winds depend more or less on the season of the year. We may expect that future - 33 research over sufficient territory will show that the June migrations, from the eastern limits of the locust area, will be towards the north-west, and the July, August, and early Septembar migrations, from the Rocky Mountain plateau, will be in a general east- erly and south-easterly direction. “Tt is not only of great scientific interest, but of high practical importance, to collect all facts bearing on the return migrations, in order to know where the locusts go in their return migrations the second year, as we only know that they do fly » certain distance northwestward. We want to ascertain the extreme western limits of ‘this return migra- tion. We also want to learn whether they return to their original breeding-places on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, or whether the westerly winds, if they are westerly, drive them back and scatter them, so that they do not breed extensively. “Tt will be seen by the reader that all grounds for a reliable working theory of locust migrations are based on the work of our Signal Bureau and local observers, and that the observations of the meteorologists and entomologists must go hand in hand. The government has provided a well-organized corps of meteorological observers, and we submit that a number of competent entomologists should take the field, under government auspices. Not only should the border States, especially Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Min- nesota, and Iowa, employ competent entomologists, following the liberal policy of Missouri, which for eight years has had a state entomologist, whose reports have proved of incalcu- lable practical value, as well as of great scientific interest, but the habits of the locust need first of all to be thoroughly studied in the Territories, particularly those of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and in the State of Colorado. A commission of entomologists should be appointed to’ make a thorough detailed study for several successive seasons of the habits of the locusts in the Territories mentioned. It would seem that the recommendations made at the recent meeting of Western Governors at Omaha, that an appropriation be made by Congress, and a commission be attached to the existing United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, is the most feasible and economical method of securing the speediest and best results. Let us fora moment look at the losses sustained in the United States from the attacks of insects. The annual agricultural products of this country by the last census amounted in value to $2,500,000,000. Of this amount we in all probability annually lose over $200,000,000 from the attacks of injurious insects alone. Dr. Riley avers that the losses during 1874 in Missouri from locusts—and it will be remembered that only the western third was invaded—exceeded $15,000,000. This would make the losses in other parts of the West at least twice as much more, or $45,000,000 in all. The estimated money loss occasioned by the chinch bug in Illinois in 1864 was over $73,000,000, in Missouri, in 1874, it is estimated by Dr. Riley to have been $19,000,000. The annual losses from the chinch bug are greater, Mr. Riley says, than from any other insect. The _ average annual loss to the cotton crop from the attacks of the cotton army worm alone is estimated at $50,000,000. Adding to these the losses sustained by the attacks of about a thousand other species of insects which affect our cereals, forage and field crops, fruit trees and shrubs, garden vegetables, shade and ornamental trees, as well as our hard and pine forests, and stored fruits, and it will not be thought an exaggeration to put our annual losses at $200,000,000. Ifthe people of this country would only look at this annual depletion, this absolute waste, which drags her backward in the race with the countries of the Old World, they might see the necessity of taking effectual preventive measures in restraining the ravages of insects. With care and forethought based on the observance of facts by scientific men, we believe that from $50,000,000 to $100,000,000, or from one quarter to one half of this annual waste, could be saved to the country. And the practical, most efficient way is for the States to co-operate with the general Govern- ment in the appointment of salaried entomologists, and of a United States commission of entomologists, who should combine the results of the State officials, and issue weekly, or, if necessary, daily bulletins, perhaps in combination with the Weather Signal Bureau, as to the conditions of the insect world, forewarning farmers and gardeners from week to week as to what enemies should be guarded against and what preventive and remedial measures should be used. “The Weather Signal Bureau, first suggested and urged by the late I. A. Lapham, 3) 34 or was not instituted without ridicule and opposition, but it has saved millions to our com- merce and agriculture. The maintenance of an entomological commission and the ap- pointment of State entomologists would involve comparatively little expense. Already, owing to the full information regarding the invasion of Missouri by the locust in 1874, contained in the reports of Prof. C. V. Riley, the people of that State will be well prepared from the direful experience of the past, to deal more intelligently and efficiently with the locust for the future. 35 ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS. BY W. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONTARIO. THE Luna Motu (Actias luna, LINN). In our Report last year, there was an interesting article on this beautiful insect, by Mr. R. V. Rogers, of Kingston, Ontario. At the time that appeared, we were unable to supply an illustration of the moth, but lately we have succeeded in obtaining a very beau- tiful one, drawn and engraved expressly for our pages. Fig. 3. This moth (Fig. 3) measures when its wings are spread from 43 to 54 inches. The wings are of a delicate green colour, thickly covered with pale hairs as they approach the body. There is a purplish brown stripe along the front margin of the fore wings. which stretches also across the thorax, while a small branch of the same is extended to the eye spot near the middle of the wjng. The eye spots are transparent in the middle and margined with rings of white, yellow, blue and black. The hinder edges of the wings are blordered with purplish brown. The head is white while the beautifully pectinated antenns are of a brownish tinge. The thorax and abdomen-are whitish or greenish white, thickly clothed with a woolly down, the former crossed by the purplish brown stripe already mentioned. The legs are purplish brown. This lovely creature is not at all common in the neighbourhood of London ; indeed it can scarcely be called common anywhere in Ontario, although it is very widely and generally distributed. Seldom a season passes without some being captured in our midst, and occasionally we have had them fly in at the windows at night, attracted apparently by the light. 36 y ‘ The larva, which is of a bluish green colour, feeds on Hickory, Walnut, Butternut, and sometimes on Beech and Oak, and closely resemvles that of polyphemus, from which it may be distinguished by its having a pale yellow lateral stripe, bands of the same between the segments, and a brown V-shaped mark on the terminal segment. For fuller details, we refer our readers to Mr. Rogers’ excellent paper. DEILEPHILA CHAMG@NERII AND LINEATA. Both these members of the Sphinx family are found more or less plentifully in nearly all portions of the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec ; Jineata, as far as we have been able to learn, is more abundant in Ontario and chamenerit in Quebec. They are both very handsome moths, and so strong and active when on the wing that it is difficult to capture them without injury. About twilight or a little later their period of activity begins, when they may beseen flitting about with spectre-like rapidity, hovering like the hum- ming bird over flowers, into which their long and slender tongues are inserted in search of the nectar there stored. They are much alike. In both the ground colour of the fore wings is of a rich green- Fig 4. ish olive, crossed about the middle by a pale buff stripe or bar, extending almost the whole length to the tip, while along the outer margin there is another band or stripe nearly equal in width, but of a dull ashy colour. The hind wings are small, with a wide rosy band, which covers a large portion of the wing, while above and below, the colour is almost black, the hinder margin being fringed with white. In the markings on the bodies they also resemble each other very much. ‘There is a line of white on each side, extending from the head to the base of the thorax, j and other less prominent long- itudinal lines of white on the thorax. The abdomen is of a greenish olive, having a reddish hue on the sides and spotted with white and black. There are differences, how- ever, which would enable the most casual observer to separ- ate them without difficulty. There is a difference in size, lineata (Fig.5) being the largest, measuring when its wings are spread about three and a half inches, while chamenerii (Fig. 4) rarely exceeds two and three-quarter inches. The central band on the fore wings in chamenerti is wider and more irregular, but the most striking point of difference between the species is that the veins of the fore wings in /ineata are distinctly margined with white, a character entirely wanting in chamenerii. These differences will be readily appreciated by reference to the figures. In our Report for 1874, we gave a short description of D. lineata, known also as “the white lined morning sphinx ;” but since some of our readers may not have access to that report, we have reproduced some of the figures then used. The beautiful figure of D. Chamenerti has been drawn and engraved expressly for this report. 37 Bye. C- Theeaterpillars of lineata vary much: in appear- ance. In Fig. 6 we have a represen- tation of the most common form, while another form is shown in Fig. 7. They are said to feed upon _ purslane, turnip, buek- wheat, water- melon, also on grape and apple leaves. Mr. Pile, of Dundas, Ont., has found them feeding on the common plantain, They are found in the larval condition during the month of July, and when full grown they are said to descend into the ground, where they change into light brown chrysalids, and ap- pear as moths in September. The following description of the larva of D. chamewnerii was made from three examples found feeding on grave leaves on the 5th of July :— Length, two and a half inches, tapering towards each end; head small, rather flat in front, slightly bilobed, and of a dull pinkish colour, with a black stripe across the front at the base ; basal half of palpi yellow, upper half black; mandibles black, with a patch of yellow between them and the black stripe. Body above deep olive green, with a brownish tinge and a polished surface. Second segment with a cervical shield similar in colour to head, its sides dull greenish, with two yellow dots. There is a pale yellowish dorsal line terminating at the base of the caudal horn ; each segment from 3rd to 12th, inclusive, has a pale yellow spot on each side of the dorsal line, about half way towards the stigmata, those on 3rd segment small and almost crescent-shaped, on the 4th larger and nearly round, 5th still larger, nearly round, 6th, 7th, 8.h, 9th, 10th and 11th about equal in size, nearly oval and larger than those on 5th. On 12th segment the spot is more elongated, and extending upwards, terminates at the base of the caudal horn. There is a wide but indistinct blackish band across the anterior part of each segment, in which the yellow spots are set ; the sides of the body below the spots are thickly sprinkled with minute raised yellow dots. Caudal horn long, curved backwards, red, slightly tipped with black, and with a roughened surface ; terminal seg- ment dull pinkish ; stigmata oval, yellow, shaded around with dull black. Under surface much paler, colour dull pale pinkish green, the pink colour predomi- nating from 5th to terminal segments inclusive, and with a number of very minute raised yellowish dots placed chiefly along the sides. Feet black; pro-legs pink, with a patch of black on the outside of each. One specimen spun a light web, binding a portion of the leaf in the manner of pampinatrix, within which it changed to chrysalis on the 10th of July, and from this the imago appeared on the 28th of the same month. The other two larve died before completing their transformations. THE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio asterias). This is one of our commonest butterflies, and is found in nearly all parts of Canada and the United States. It is a very handsome species, with the wings of a black or deep blackish brown colour, with yellow and blue markings. Across the wings there are two bands of yellow spots ; those composing the inner one in the male are large and distinct, while in the female they are smaller and sometimes almost obsolete. In Fig. 10, also 38 engraved expressly for this report, we have an excellent representation of the female. The spots forming the outer band are smaller and near the margin. Besides these, the fore wings have one or two spots towards the upper margin and the hind wings, which are tailed, have a series of seven blue spots or patch- es, and near their hinder angle an eye-like spot of an orange colour, with a black centre. The under surface of both wings is paler, with the spots arranged nearly as above, excepting that those on the hind wings are tinted with orange. The body is black, with longitudinal rows of yellow spots. The wings, when spread, measure from three and a- half to four inches across. The caterpillars, when fresh from the egg, do not measure more than a tenth of an inch in length, are black with a broad white band across the middle, and another on the hinder segments, while the body is studded with small black projecting points. After the first skin is cast the white band is restricted to the sixth and seventh segments, and around the base of the black projecting points are spots of an orange colour, while low down on the sides is a row of white spots ; there are also two of the same colour on the top of the first segment, and a larger one on the hinder segment. With each moult these caterpillars alter in colour and appearance, and before they are half grown the pro- jecting points, white band, and spots entirely disappear, the skin becomes smooth and of a delicate green colour, rather paler at the sides and whitish below, and each ring is crossed by a band composed of alternate black and yellow spots. When irritated they push forth, from a slit in the first segment of the body, a pair of soft, orange-coloured horns, united at their base, and shaped somewhat like the letter Y ; from these, when extended, a disagreeable odour is given off, which serves to defend the caterpillars from the attack of their enemies. They feed on parsley, rue, carrot, parsnip, carraway, and several other plants, both wild and cultivated. When full grown the caterpillar measures an inch and a half in length, it then leaves off eating, and seeks a sheltered spot in which to pass the chrysalis state. Here it first spins a little web of silk against the surface of the spot se lected, to which its hind feet are firmly secured, it then spins a loop or girth of silken threads to furnish a support to the body, after which it casts its caterpillar skin and appears as a chrysalis. In this state it continues from ten to fifteen days in summer, the time varying with the temperature, when the butterfly escapes. 39 NOTES OF THE YEAR. BY WM. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONT. a Tue Army Worm (Heliophila unipuncta). This troublesome insect has appeared in several sections of our Province during the past year, and although it has not occurred in such hordes as in times past, yet its numbers were sufficiently great during the latter part of the season to excite apprehen- sion of the probability of a more severe invasion during the coming summer. Towards the end of the warm weather the moths were very abundant, and could be captured by hundreds by preparing a bait of molasses and beer, and painting it on fence boards or trees early in the evening. The moth, when its wings are spread, measures nearly an inch and three- quarters. It is of a yellowish drab colour, approaching russet, witha small white dot on the forewings near the middle, and a dusky oblique stripe near the tip, and a few blackish dots oyer their surface. The hind wings are darker, with a silky lustre, and almost semi- transparent. The fore part of the body is similar in colour to the fore-wings, the hinder part a little darker than the hind wings. The worm when full grown, measures about an inch and a half in length, is of a dark grey colour, with yellowish and dusky longitudinal stripes. They sometimes appear in immense swarms, devouring whole fields of grain and other grasses during their progress. THE GOOSEBERRY FRUIT Worm (Pempelia grossularia). This troublesome pest is increasing rapidly from year to year, and committing great havoc among the gooseberries. We have had many complaints from fruitgrowers during the past season of their destructiveness, with inquiries as to the best methods of counteracting their ravages- One of our correspondents, Mr. B. Gott, of Arkona, has so well explained the workings of this insect, that we think it best in this connection to quote his own words. He says ‘for some time past we have suffered from the depreda- tions of a worm upon our gooseberries, and not having observed anything in type treat- ing upon this particular insect, I thought it advisable to acquaint you with the facts of the casé. While the gooseberry is yet young and tender, say about the size of a pea, a small worm appears and eats its way into the heart of the berry and becomes of a green- _ ish colour. After living there for some time and scooping clean the contents of that berry, it will attack the next nearest berry and secure itself effectually against accident or danger by a sort of net or web-work thrown around and over those berries, at the same time growing in length and strength and prospering everyway as satisfactorily as insect could desire. About the time that gooseberries are nearly ripe, say during the latter part of July, it has attained its full dimensions as a devouring larva, and is about one inch or one and a quarter in length with six claw-like feet towards the head. By this time it has enclosed some ten or twelve berries in its capacious web to satisfy its voracious and in- creasing demands, scooping all out thoroughly. “The worms work by thousands on our plantations of a few hundred bushes and de- stroy from one-half to.two-thirds of the entire crop of berries. Now as this fruit is of considerable value and importance, this insect depredation is felt to be something more than a benefit. It amounts to more than thinning ; it is an actual loss to the grower, and 40) = the trouble is an ever increasing and rapidly growing one. What can be done to coun- teract the workings of this enemy to gooseberry culture ?” This worm is the progeny of a small grey moth (see Fig. 9), which lays its eggs upon the gooseberries as soon as they begin to form. The moth, when its wings are expanded, measures nearly an inch across. Its fore wings are pale grey with dark streaks and bands. There is a transverse diffuse band a short distance from the base of the wing, enclosing an irregular whitish line which terminates before reaching the front edge of the wing. Near the outer edge is another transverse band enclosing a whitish zig-zag line. There is also a row of blackish dots within the outer margin ; the veins and their branches are white. The hind wings are paler and dusky. The head, antennz, body and legs are all pale grey, more silvery underneath than above. This insect passes the winter in the chrysalis state, enclosed in a brown papery-look- ing cocoon (see Fig. 9), hid amongst leaves or other rubbish on the surface of the ground, and escapes from the chrysalis, and appears as a moth during the latter part of April. Shortly after they seek their mates, and the females are ready to deposit their eggs as soon as the fruit is sufficiently advancea in growth, these are probably attached singly to the fruit, where in a few days they hatch, producing worms, which burrow in the frnit as our correspondent has described. When full grown, the worms lower themselves to the ground by silken threads which they spin at will, and there construct their little silken cocoons amongst the dried leaves and rubbish, and remain in this inactive state until the following spring ; hence there is only one brood during the year. The infested fruit soon indicates the presence of this larva, by becoming discoloured and withered. We have found them attacking currants also, both white and red, and occasionally infesting the black currant. The most satisfactory remedy we know of, is hand-picking. The evidences of their presence are not difficult to detect. Any berries found colouring prematurely, should be examined, and as the larve slip out and fall to the ground very quickly care must be taken that they do not escape in this manner. We have tried dusting the bushes with fresh air-slacked lime late in April, with good results, the moths seeming to avoid almost entirely bushes so dusted. We would also suggest keeping the ground under the bushes clean, so as to afford them no hiding-places, also the use of some ashes or lime strewed under the bushes. It is said that, if chickens are allowed the run of the gooseberry patch after the fruit has been picked, they will greatly lessen their numbers by devouring the chrysalids. The mode of life adopted by this insect prevents the successful use of any poison applied to the bushes as may be readily done when the larva feed on the leaves of the bush they infest. THE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rape). While we regret to have to record the onward march of the Cabbage Butterfly which has now spread over the whole of western Ontario, destroying yearly tens of thousands of cabbages, we are at the same pleased to be able to state that its natural enemy the little ichneumon parasite, Pteromalus puparum, described in our previous reports, is closely following in its wake-—out of a large number of chrysalids of the butterfly found about London, a considerable proportion have been found upon examination to be infested with these parasites. This friendly insect is a tiny four-winged fly, about one-eighth of an inch long, with a golden coloured body and greenish head. The female spends her time in searching for the chrysalids of the butterfly, into which she drills little holes and therein deposits her eggs ; these hatch into tiny maggots, which prey upon the substance of the chrysalis and finally devour it. 41 BENEFICIAL AND INJURIOUS INSECTS. (Chiefly of the Order Hymenoptera.) BY JOSEPH WILLIAMS, LONDON, ONT. The Common Bee (Apis mellifica.) The Bee-moth or Wax-worm (Gallerea cereana) Fabr. The Bee-killer (Trupanea apivora) Fitch. . The Ring-legged Pimpla (/%mpla annulipes) Br. The Pigeon Tremex (Ziemex columba) Linn. The Sigalphus Cireulio Parasite (Sigalphus curculionis) Fiteh. . The Porizon Curculio Parasite (Porizon conotracheli) Riley. Ye 92 bo mI ot To the student of insect life, and even to the most ordinary observer, there is no class of insects more interesting and wonderful than the Hymenoptera (membranous winged insects), as our readers will no doubt admit when we say that to this order belong the Bees, Humble Bees, Wasps, Ants, Gall Flies, and many other less familiar forms. Naturalists, as well as poets and thinkers of all ages, have been led to admire them for their wonderful powers of architecture, their economic foresight, their marvellous instincts, and their admirable social organizations, all of which prove a very high order of intelli- gence. ‘Two living entomologists—Dana and Packard—place them at the head of their lists in their systems of classification, considering therm the most perfect insects. Dana says of them, ‘‘ They exhibit the normal size of the insect type, which is between eight and twelve lines in length, and two anda half or three in breadth.” Packard ascribes to them “instincts and a kind of reason differing, perhaps, only in degree from that of man. The metamorphoses of the Hymenoptera are complete, that is, in their development they pass through the four stages of a typical insect, viz. : the egg, the larva, the pupa or chrysalis, and the imago or perfect insect. They have small but powerful membranous wings well ?adapted for long sustained flights. : We propose to compile such information, from scattered authors, as may be at once interesting and instructive ; and will commence with the common Honey Bee. Tue Honty Bee (Apis mellifica). This valuable little insect has been known from the times of the ancients, and at present it is cultivated over the entire civilized world, and in many uncivilized and thinly peopled countries is found wild; it was introduced into America during the seventeenth century. In a complete hive of bees there are three very distinct kinds of individuals—the female, mother, or queen bee,—the neuters or working bees whigh are incompletely de- veloped females—and the males or drones. A still further subdivision may be made : “ There have been observed amongst_ bees two sorts of females or queens, a large one and a small. Needham first observed the latter: and their existence, P. Huber tells us, has been confirmed by several observations of his father. They are bred in cells nearly as large as those of the common queens, from which they differ only in size. Though they have ovaries, they have never been observed to lay eggs. Reamur observes that some queens are much larger than others ; but he at- tributes this difference of their size to the state of the eggs in their body. There are two descriptions of males—one not bigger than the workers, supposed to be produced from a male egg laid in a worker’s cell. The common males are much larger and will counter- poise two workers. The workers are divided into the wax workers and the nurse bees ; the latter are smaller than the former ; their stomach is not capable of such distension ; and their office is to build the combs and cells after the foundation has been laid by the wax workers, to collect honey, and to feed the larve. The nurse bees, however, do secrete wax, but in very small quantities.” (Kirby and Spence’s Entomology.) 42 The working bees are the crowd, the masses, the living force ; they greatly outnumber other individuals. The worker is smaller than either the queen or drone; it has three pairs of legs as have the others, but the hindermost pair of the worker’s legs is developed in a peculiar manner to enable it to perform the duties belonging to it ; the leg is much enlarged near its farther end, and resembles a long triangle in outline ; a set of sharp points or many strong spines, which are regularly distributed, form a kind of rake toward the extremity, and this implement enables the bee to seize the waxy plates that are be- tween its abdominal segments. The first joint of the tarsus or foot succeeds the leg and attains a great size, when compared with that of the other members of the structure. Being articulated with or jointed to the leg by its internal angle, the free external portion forms, with the leg, a true pair of pincers ; moreover two small spines render the arrange- ment all the more perfect. This joint is square in outline, and is perfectly smooth on the outside, whilst it is furnished on the inside with many transverse sets of stiff hairs of equal size. The limb acts capitally as a trowel and as a brush. The fertile female or queen, which never works, has the traces of this arrangement, and the males also ; but neither of them has the pinching and brushing structures: these are restricted to the workers. The worker or neuter possesses a pair of movable mandibles or jaws which close the mouth on the side ; its trunk or proboscis consists of four horny like scales which enclose a tongue about the size of a hair, which when magnified appears to be formed of successive rings. One pair of these sheathing scales is provided with a fringe of hairs, in- tended, no doubt, to brush off and secure the honey which is found in the cups of flowers, and a more efficient and beautiful instrument we could not conceive of. This tongue is not used for sucking as in the case of butterflies, but for lapping ; when not in use it is folded in a small compass. The antennz are twelve jointed and terminate in a knob; they probably serve as a means of communication, and as delicate organs of touch. The abdomen consists of six joints or rings, and under the scaly coverings of the four middle ones are situated the receptacle for the wax. Neither the queens nor the drones have any provision for the collection of pollen or the secretion of wax, as their duties are of another kind. The abdomen of the worker is terminated by a straight sting ; the drone has none ; that of the queen is curved. The wings of the worker and those of the drone, cover the abdomen entirely, whilst those of the queen cover only one- half. Other characteristics and the relations of these creatures to each other will be best shown by an examination of their social life, and their division of labour, which are among the strongest arguments for ascribing powers of reason to these insects. A colony of bees consists, besides the young brood, cf one queen, several hundreds of males or drones, and many thousand workers or neuters. In the summer time, a bee hive is truly a busy place: all is bustle without confusion : each insect has its appointed work to do, and all are diligent. At the door stand the watchful sentinels ready to challenge rash intruders, while passing‘in and out are hundreds of busy workers, some carrying their sweet burdens to the common store-house, whilst others are setting off in search of new supplies. Here we see a worker engaged in a con- test with a venturesome stranger, and there are others performing the last sad offices for a dead companion. Their industry is remarkable and has become proverbial, as can testify many a lagging urchin who has been referred to the bee to find incitement to industry. ‘* How doth the little busy bee, Improve each shining hour,” &e. When a colony takes possession of a hive, be it an artificial one or a natural cavity, the first operation is to stop up all the openings, except one, which is to form the door. The substance used in this process is called propolis, and is an odorous gum resin taken from the buds of the poplar, pine, fir, and beech trees. It is said that bees sometimes use this propolis for embalming the dead bodies of enemies which cannot be removed fromt he hive, and which are in this way prevented from decomposing. If so, the Egyptians lose a trifle of their ‘celebrity in this regard. After the hive is properly prepared, the next step is to lay the foundation for the cells which are to form the comb. The material necessary, is wax. Wax was formerly supposed to be derived from the pollen of flowers ~ 43 alone, but it has been proved that bees fed solely on pollen do not secrete wax, but do when saccharine matter is supplied. A detachment of workers is sent to the fields to collect supplies and soon return loaded. One now attaches itself to the roof, allowing its body to hang down ; another fastens its front legs to the hinder ones of the first ; and this operation is repeated until a large cluster is formed, suspended from the top of the hive. The bees remain in this position about twenty-four hours, during which time the food they have collected is altered by some process into wax, and appears under the joints of the abdomen. One now separates itself from the mass, and forcing its way to the roof, clears a space of about an inch in diameter, in which it can move freely : it then suspends itself, and, seizing one of the laminw of wax with a pincer formed by two joints of the hind leg, withdraws it from beneath the abdominal ring, and carries it to its mouth. Here it masticates it, mixing it with the frothy saliva; during the operation the tongue assumes many forms: now it is flattened like a spatula; then like a trowel ; at other times it resembles a pencil terminating in a point. The saliva mixed with the wax gives it a whiteness and opacity which it had not before, and another object of the admixture is doubtless to give it that ductility and tenacity which it possesses in its perfect state The bee next applies the ribands of wax which result to the vault of the hive, disposing them with its mandibles in the direction which it wishes them to take : it continues these manceuvres until it has employed all the laminz of wax it has elaborated. At length it leaves its work, and is lost in the crowd of its companions. Another succeeds and resumes the employment ; then a third ; all follow the same plan of placing their little - masses, and if any by chance gives them a contrary direction, another coming re- moves them to their proper place. The wax-makers having thus laid the foundation of a comb, are succeeded by the nurse bees, which are alone competent to model and perfect the work. The former are the labourers who convey the stone and mortar ; the latter the masons who work them up into the form which the intended structure requires. One of the nurse bees with its mandibles moulds in the wall a cavity which is to form the base of one of the cells. When it has worked some minutes it departs, and another takes its place, deepening the cavity, heightening its lateral margins by heaping up the wax to the right and left, by means of its teeth and fore feet. More than twenty bees successively employ themselves in this work. At a certain time other bees begin on the yet untouched and opposite side of the mass, and commencing the bottom of fwo cells, are in turn relieved by others. The wax-makers bring fresh supplies from time to time for the use of the nurse bees. After having worked the bottom of the cells of the first row into their proper forms, they polish them, while others begin the outline of a new series. The cells or prisons are next constructed, and engrafted on the borders of the cavities, and the length of the tubes is so perfectly proportioned, that there is no observable inequality among them. It is to be remarked that although the general form of the cells is hex- agonal, the first begun are pentagonal. ‘“ When one has well examined,” says Reamur, “the true shape of each cell, when one has studied their arrangement, geometry seems to have guided the design for the whole work. One finds that all the advantages which could have been desired are here combined. The bees seem to have had to solve a prob- lem containing conditions which would have made the solution appear difficult to many geometricians. The problem may be thus enunciated : given a quantity of matter, say of wax, it is required to form cells which shall be equal and similar to each other, of a deter- mined capacity, but as large as possible in proportion to the quantity of matter employed, and the cells to be so placed that they may occupy the least possible space in the hive. To satisfy this last condition, the cells should touch each other in such a way that no an- gular spaces remain between them.” That the bees have fully solved the above problem is evident, and the judgment they use renders it impossible for us to view them as mere organized machines, whose instinct is their spring of action : we are forced to concede to them intelligence—(Figuieur). The two rows of cells placed back to back form the comb, and the combs are so ar- ranged that the bees have just space to pass between them. The size of the cell varies, but the majority of them are small, some are slightly larger, and a few are of consider- able size, and those usually at the ends of the combs. The smallest are for the larve of the workers, the next will be filled by those of the male,-and the largest cells will contain queens or fertile females. 44 As soon as the cells are finished the queen or fertile female runs over the surface of the combs and lays an egg in each cavity, and she is attended by a host of workers who take care that only one egg is dropped into each cell. Should two fall in, one is pulled out and destroyed. When the laying is finished the work of the queen {s at an’end, and she does not concern herself in any way about the larve. The eggs are not long in being hatched. From the moment when the larva comes out of the egg until that of its metamorphosis into a pupa, it keeps in its cell, motionless as an Indian idol. The work- ing bees visit it from time to time. In from three to five days the larve are developed ; they have absorbed all their pap, and have no need from that time of any nourishment, for they are now about to change to pup. The nurses now pay them a last attention, they wall them up in their cells, closing the openings with a waxen covering. In thirty- six hours they have spun for themselves a silken cocoon in which they undergo their transformation. The perfect.insect is ready in seven or eight days to appear in broad daylight ; it breaks through the thin transparent covering in which it is swathed; then with its mandibles it pierces the door of its prison and issues forth. It soon becomes strong, and if it is a worker it is not long in getting to work and mixing with its com- panions in labour. Queens require sixteen days from the laying of the egg before they are ready to emerge from their cells ; workers require twenty ; and drones require twenty- four. The rearing and birth of the queen differs from that of others. In proportion as their larva inerease in size do the workers enlarge the cells which contain them, and then again gradually diminish their size as the moment of their last change approaches. A special and peculiar food is given to the larve that are to form the queens, it is heavier and sweeter than that given to the other larve. The food and the situation appear to be the causes which decide the nature of the forthcoming insect, as when the hive becomes in any way queenless the workers choose a larva which, in ordinary circumstances, would be- come a worker, and by alterations in its dwelling and by supplying it with royal food ulti- mately produces a perfect female or queen. As soon as they have quited their cradles, the young queens are ready for flight ; but the workers and males are less strongly organized, they require a rest of about a day before taking part in the sports and labours of the older ones. When hatching has begun, each day adds some hundreds of young bees to the popu- lation of the hive, which soon becomes too small , and then occur those remarkable emi- grations called swarms. When this remedy becomes necessary, the inhabitants become excited, drop their work, and the agitation becomes general; the queen runs from place to place, but does not receive her customary homage ; the workers are no longer attentive to the young brood ; the hum increases in intensity, and as if panic striken the bees rush from the hive, led or accompanied by a queen. The swarm flies about and soon settles on a suitable branch, forming a dense mass of living animals supporting eack other by the claws of their feet. Sometimes it happens that two queens go out with the same swarm ; and the result is that the swarm at first divides into two bodies, one under each leader but they usually unite again, and when the whole are housed the question of so- vereignty is settled by the stronger queen destroying the weaker. Until this great question is decided, the bees do not settle to their usual labour. Two queens in the same hive is some- thing that cannot be endured, and there are many accounts of the singular duels which decide such matters. When the colony is thoroughly organized, and the members are beginning to accum- ulate provisions, a most singular tragedy takes place. The drones or males are no longer wanted, and they must be got rid of. The massacre is performed by the workers, who seize the drones, pull them by their legs, wings, or antennz, and finally kill them with their stings. The pitiless executioners do not spare even the larve and pupe of the males, The slaughter goes on for several days or until all the males are killed, they not being able to defend themselves as they have no stings. In two cases the drones are not destroyed—when the queen lays only male eggs, and when the hive is without a queen. But we have said little as yet about the most familiar product of the bee—we mean honey. Let us accompany them on their excursions into the fields. On these occasions the prin- cipal object of the bees is to furnish themselves with three different materials: the nectar of flowers from which they elaborate honey and wax; the pollen, or fertilizing dust from the anthers of the flowers, of which they make what is called the bee bread, serving as food both to old and young; and the resinous substance called propolis, which we have described in speaking of the preparation of the hive in the first place. The nectar is a fluid secreted by the flowers, and is extracted by the bees by means of their long tongues they do not take.up this fluid by suction but by a lapping motion ; the juice is then con- veyed into the first stomach or honey bag, which is small when empty, but when filled becomes swelled to a considerable size. In the honey-bag the fluid is changed into honey, and from this bag the bee ejects it into one of the cells on her return to the hive. Honey is never found in the second stomach, which is reserved for the bee-bread. In collecting honey, bees do not confine themselves solely to flowers ; they will sometimes very greedily absorb the sweet juices of fruits, they are also fond of sugar ; though the great mass of the food of bees is collected from flowers, they do not wholly confine themselves to a vegetable diet ; for, besides the honeyed secretion of the aphides, the possession of which they will sometimes dispute with the ants, upon particular occasions they will eat the eges of the queen ; they are also very fond of the fluid that oozes from the cells of the pups, and will suck eagerly all that is fluid in their own abdomens after they are wounded by their rivals. Although bees in some instances appear to know and do avoid many flowers yielding poisonous honey, yet they have been known to collect poisonous honey inlarge quantities. In the autumn and winter of the year 1790, an extensive mortality was produced amongst those who had partaken of the honey collected in the neighbour- hood of Philadelphia. The attention of the American Government was excited by the general distress, a minute inquiry into the cause of the mortality ensued, and it was satisfactorily ascertained that the honey had been chiefly extracted from the flowers of Kalmia latifolia—known by the common names of Mountain Laurel or Calico Bush—a plant possessing strong narcotic properties. History informs us that honey found at Trebizond, on the Black Sea, threatened fatal effects to such of the Greek army, as par- took of it, in the celebrated retreat after the death of the younger Cyrus ; those soldiers who ate it in small quantities appeared asif intoxicated, while such as partook of it freely appeared as if mad or about to die, numbers lying on the ground as if after a defeat. Pliny observes that this honey was collected from a species of Rhododendron. ’ When the stomach of the bee is filled with nectar, it next, by means of the feathered hairs with which its body is covered, pilfers from the flowers the fertilizing dust of the anthers—the pollen, which is equally necessary with the honey to the society, and may be named the ambrosia of the hive, since from it the bee-bread is made. Sometimes the bee is so discoloured with this powder as to look like a different insect, becoming white, yellow or orange, according to the flowers in which it has been busy. Reamur was urged to visit the hives of a gentleman who, on this account, thought his bees were different from the common kind. He suspected, and examination proved, that the circumstance just mentioned occasioned the mistaken idea. When the body of the bee is covered with farina, with the brushes of its legs, especially its hind ones, it wipes it off; not as we do with our dusty clothes ; to dissipate and disperse it in the air, but to collect every particle of it, and then to knead it and form it into two little masses, which she places, one in each, in the baskets formed by hairs on her hind legs. Reamur seems to think that bees fly indiscrimately from one species of flower to another, but the testimony of many other naturalists is, that they collect only from the same species on each trip, as they have been observed to pass over numerous others in search of flowers similar to that with which they began. It seems not improbable that the reason why the bee visits the same species of plant during one excursion may be this : her instinct teaches her that the grains of pollen which enter into the same mass should be homogeneous, in order perhaps for their more effectual cohesion ; and thus Providence also secures two important ends—the impregnation of those flowers that require such aid, by the bees passing from one to another ; and the avoiding of the production of hybird plants, from the application of the pollen of one kind of plant to the stigma of another. When a bee has completed her lading she returns to the hive to dispose of it. The honey is disgorged into the pots or cells destined to receive it, being discharged from the honey-bag by its alternate contraction and dilation. A cell will contain the contents of many honey-bags. Bees, when they bring home the honey do not always disgorge it ; they sometimes give it to such of their companions as have been at work within the hive. Some of the cells are filled with honey for daily use, and some with what is intended as a re- 46 ‘ serve, and stored up against bad weather or a bad season ; these are covered with waxen lids. The pollen is employed as circumstances direct. When the bee laden with it arrives at the hive, she sometimes stops at the entrance, and very leisurely detaches it by piece- meal, devours one or both the pellets on her legs, chewing them with her jaws, and passing them then down the little orifice before noticed. Sometimes she enters the hive, and by a peculiar noise produced by beating her wings she attracts to her three or four of her companions who relieve her of the supply and devour it. Very much more might be said about bees, especially in regard to such points as their love, anger and hate, their foresight, and the numerous expressed theories as to their possession of more than mere sensation as their guide. Such topics, although very inter- esting, are of a nature too speculative for the present, but those desirous of pursuing the subject in that direction can obtain abundance of literature. We will conclude by describ- ing, in the next two articles, two insect enemies of the bee, although they are not mem- bers of the Hymenopterous order. It is well known among cultivators that bees-hives are subject to the attacks of large hawkmoths, and even mice are known to enter a hive. Bees are also afflicted by parasites. But by far the worst enemy the bee-keeper has to contend with is— Tur BEeE-MorH OR Wax Wor. (Gallerea cereana) Fasr. (Lepidoptera, Tineide). The following is from Riley’s First Annual Report for Missouri :— Fig. 10. “This insect is so well known to bee-men generally, that it scarcely needs a deserip- tion. Itis well illustrated above (Fig. 10) in all its shapes, a showing the full-grown worm, b the cocoon which it spins, ¢ the chrysalis to which it a changes, d the female with wings expanded, and ¢ the male moth viewed from the side with the wings closed. It suffices to say, that the colour of the mothis dusky gray, the fore wings which are scol- loped at the end, being more or less sprinkled and dotted with purple brown. The female is generally a good deal larger than the male, though there is not so much difference be- tween the sexes as some writers have supposed. The worms which produce these moths are of an ash-gray colour above, and yellowish white beneath. “The Rey. L. L. Longstroth, in his excellent work on the Honey Bee, which every bee-keeper should possess, has given such a complete account of theBee-moth, that it is only necessary for me to mention a few of the most important facts with regard to it, my object being principally to show that there can be no such thing asa moth proof hive ; that wire gauze contrivances are of no avail, and that the man who pretends to sell a moth proof hive, may usually be set down as a know-nothing or as a swindler. “The Bee-moth was first introduced into this country from Europe about the com- mencement of the present century, and it was in all probability imported with the com- mon bee-hive. There are two broods of the moth each year, the first brood appearing in May or June, and the second, which is the most numerous, in August. During the day- time these moths remain quietly ensconced in some angle of the hive, but as night approaches they become active, and the female uses her best endeavours to get into the hive, her object being to deposit her eggs in as favourable a place as possible. Wire gauze contrivances are of no account to keep her out, as she frequently commences flying before all the bees have ceased their work. But even if she were entirely prevented from entering the hive, she could yet deposit her eggs on the outside, or by means of her ex- tensile ovipositor {thrust them in between the slightest joint or crack, and the young worms hatching from them would readily make their way into the hive. The moment the worm is hatched, it commences spinning asilken tube for its protection, and this tube is enlarged as it increases in size. This worm cuts its channels right through the comb, eee 47 feeding on the wax, and destroying the young bees on its way. When full-grown it creeps into a corner of the hive or under some ledge at the bottom, and forms a tough white cocoon of silk intermingled with its own black excrement as in figure}. In due time the moth emerges from this cocoon. “ A worm-infested hive may generally be known by the discouraged aspect which the bees present, and by the bottom board being covered with pieces of bee-bread mixed with the black gunpowder-like excrement of the worm. It must not be forgotten, how- ever, that in the spring of the year, pieces of bee-bread at the bottom of the hive, when not mixed with the black excrement, is not necessarily a sign of the presence of the worm, but, on the contrary, may indicate industry and thrift. If a hive is very badly infested with the worm, it is better to drive out the bees and secure what honey and wax there may be left than to preserve it as a moth-breeder to infest the apiary. If put into a new hive, the bees may do something, and if they do not there is no loss, as they would have perished finally from the ravages of the worm. “Tt should invariably be borne in mind that a strong stock of bees is ever capable of resisting, to a great extent, the attacks of the worm ; while a starved or queenless swarm is quite indifferent to its attacks. In a common box-hive, a good way to entrap the worms after they are once in a hive is to raise the front upon two small wooden blocks, and to put a piece of woollen rag between the bottom board and the back of the hive. The worms find a cozy place under the rag, in which they form their cocoons, and may there be found and killed from time to time. Much can be done in the way of preven- tion, by killing every morning the moths which may be found on the outside of the hives. At this time of the day they allow themselves to be crushed, with very good grace, and if two or three are killed each morning, they would form an important item at the end of the year, especially when we recollect that each female is capable of furnishing a hive with at least 300 eggs. In conclusion, I give it as my conviction that immunity from the ravages of the bee-worm can only be guaranteed where a thorough control is had of both hive and bees: hence the great importance of the movable frame hive.” THE BEE-KILLER (T'rupanea apivora), Frrcu (Diptera, Asilide). Fig. 11. The following is also from Riley’s First Annual Report :— “Tn the last chapter of his ninth Report, Dr. Fitch de- scribes a fly by the name of of the ‘ Nebraska Bee-killer,’ which he received from Mr. R. O. Thompson, of Nursery _ Hill, Otoe County, Nebraska, and which the latter named > gentleman had found preying upon the bee in North Ne- braska in the summer of 1864. Mr. Thompson has since removed from Nebraska to North Missouri, and in conversa- tion with him he informed me that he had met with this bee- killer each year since 1864, and that it seemed to be increas- i ing. At a later day, in a communication to the Rural eg World, of Sept. 12th, 1868, he states that it made its appear- ance in such numbers in North Missouri last summer that it, to a great extent, prevented the bees from swarming. I present above, at Fig. 11, a life-size portrait of this voracious insect, its general colour being yellowish-brewn or yellowish-gray. This figure will enable its ready recognition, and those who wish a very full and detailed description of it will find it in the report of Dr. Fitch, above referred to. It belongs to the Asius family of two-winged flies, which have been very aptly termed the hawks of the insect world. Last July I found these flies quite common in Mr. Shaw’s beautiful gardens in St. Louis, and I watched them by the hour, and found, to my amazement, that though other insects were flying all around, as well as other species of bees, yet they never seized any other species but the common honey-bee. They capture the bee on the wing, pouncing on it with lightning-like rapidity, and grasping it securely with the fore legs, they alight upon some plant, or even upon the ground, and rapidly suck out the inside of the bee, with the stout and powerful proboscis which is shown in the figure, leaving the empty shell when they get through. Mr. Thompson says that beneath some favourable perch that is near the apiary, hundreds of these bee-shells may be found accumulated in a single day, while he 45 has watched and found that a single fly on one of those perches destroyed no less than 141 bees in that period of time. «“ The habits of these flies are little known, and until they are better understood no feasible way of protecting the bees from their attacks can be given. Those which are known to haunt the apiary should be captured, and this can best be done by means of a net. It is almost impossible to catch them while on the wing, though as soon as they have settled with their prey they are caught with comparative ease. It will pay thus to catch them, for they are, doubtless, the cause of much of the non-swarming which we hear of.” In addition to the Bee-moth and the Bee-killer, there are several small insects which are parasitic on the Honey Bee, but which, although very numerous in Europe, are not very familar in America, We give here a few notes from Packard’s work entitled “Our Common Insects.” In Europe, one of the most formidable foes of the hive bee is the Phora, a small fly about a line and a-half in length: it is found in the summer and autumn flying slowly about flowers and windows, and in the vicinity of bee hives. When impelled by instinct to provide for the continuance of its species, the Phora enters the bee-hive and gains ad- mission to a cell, when it bores with its ovipositor through the skin of the bee larva, lay- ing its long oval egg in a horizontal position just under the skin. The embryo of the Phora is already well developed, so that in three hours after the egg is inserted in the body of its unsuspecting ‘aes helpless host, the embryo is nearly ready to hatch. In about two hours more it actually breaks off the larger end of the egg-shell and at once begins to eat the fatty tissues of its victim, its posterior half still remaining in the shell. In an hour more it leaves the egg entirely, and buries itself completely in the fatty portion of the young bee. The maggot moults three times. In twelve hours after the last moult it turns around with its head towards the posterior end of the body of its host, and in another twelve hours, having become full-fed, it bores through the skin of the young, eats its way through the brood-covering of the cell, and falls to the bottom of the hive, where it changes to a pupa in the dust and dirt. Twelve days after the fly appears. The young bee, emaciated and enfeebled by the attacks of its ravenous parasite, dies, and its decaying body fills the bottom of the cell with a slimy, foul-smelling mass, called “foul-brood.” This gives rise to a miasma which poisons the neighbouring brood, until the contagion (for the disease is analogous to typhus, jail, or ship fever) spreads through the whole hive, unless promptly checked by removing the cause and thoroughly cleansing the hive. Foul-brood sometimes attacks an American hive, and, though the cause may not yet be known, yet from hints given above, we hope to have the history of our species of Phora cleared up, should our disease be found te be sometimes due to the attacks of such a parasite fly. Another foe is the Bee-louse of Europe, Brawla ceca, a singular wingless spiker-like fly, allied to the wingless sheep-tick, the wingless bat-tick, and the winged horse-fly. The head is very large, without eyes or ocelli (simple eyes), while the ovate hind-body consists of five segments, and is covered with stiff hairs. It is one-half to two-thirds of a line long. This spider fly is “ pupiparous,” that is, the young, of which only a very few are pro- duced, is not born until it has assumed the pupa state, or is just about to do so. The larva is oval, eleven-jointed, and white in colour. The very day it is hatched, it sheds its skin, and changes into an oval puparium of a dark brown colour. Its habits resemble those of a flea. Indeed, should we compress its body strongly, it would bear a striking resemblance to that insect. It is evidently a connecting link between the flea and the two-winged flies. Like the former, it lives on the body of its host, and obtains its food by plunging its stout beak into the bee and sucking the blood. It has not been noticed in this country, but is liable to be imported on the bodies of Italian bees. Generally one or two of the Braulas may be detected on the body of the bee: sometimes the poor bees are loaded down by as many as a hundred of these hungry blood-suckers. Assmuss re- commends rubbing them off with a feather, as the bee goes in and out of the door of its hive. Among beetles, the Trichodes apiarius has long been known in Europe to attack the young bees. In its perfect or beetle state, it is found on flowers, like our Z’richodes Nuttallii, which is commonly found on Spirzeas in August, and which may yet prove ; 49 to enter our bee hives. The larva devours the brood, but with the modern hive its ravages may readily be detected. The Oil-beetle, Meloé angusticollis is a large dark-blue insect found crawling in the grass in the vicinity of Andrena, Holictus, and other wild bees in May, and again in August and September. (Our readers will find this Meloé fully described in another part of this Report, by Mr. Saunders.) Fabre has also, in a lively and well-written account, given a history of the Sitaris, a European beetle, somewhat resembling Meloé. He says that Sitaris lays its eggs near the entrance of bees’ nests, and at the very moment the bee lays her egg in the honey cell, the flattened, ovate Sitaris larva drops from the body of the bee upon which it has been living, and feasts upon the contents of the freshly laidegg. After eating this deli- cate morsel, it devours the honey in the cells of the bee, and changes into a white, cylin- drical, nearly footless grub ; and after it is full-fed, and has assumed a supposed “ pupa ” state, the skin, without bursting, incloses a kind of hard “pupa” skin, which is very similar in outline to the former larva, within whose skin is found a whitish larva which directly changes into the true pupa. In a succeeding state, this pupa in the ordinary way changes into a beetle which belongs to the same group of Coleoptera as Meloé. The history of Siylops, a beetle allied to Meloé, is no less strange than that of Meloé, and is in some respects still more interesting. On June 18th, I captured an Andrena vicina which had been “Stylopized.” On looking at my capture, I saw a pale reddish brown triangular mark on the bee’s abdomen: this was the flattened head and thorax of a female Stylops. On carefully drawing out the whole body, which is very ex- tensible, soft and baggy, and examining it under a high power of the microscope, we saw multitudes, at least several hundreds, of very minute larve, like particles of dust to the naked eye, issuing in every direction from the body of the parent now torn open in many places, though most of them made their exit through an opening on the under side of the head thorax. The Stylops, being hatched while still in the body of the parent, is there- fore viviparous. She, probably, never lays eggs. It appears that the larve are hatched during the middle or last of June from eggs fertilized in April. The larvae then crawl out on the body of the bee, on which they are transported to its nest, where they enter, according to Peck’s observations, the body of the larva, on whose fatty parts they feed. Previous to changing to a pupa, the larva lies with its head turned towards that of its host, but before assuming the perfect state (which they do in the late summer or autumn), it must reverse its position. The female protrudes the front part of her body between the segments of the abdomen of her host. This change, Newport thinks, takes place after the bee-host has undergone its metamorphoses, though the bee does not leave her earthen cell until the following.spring. Though the male Stylops deserts his host, his wingless partner is imprisoned during her whole life within her host, and dies immediately after giving birth to her numerous (for Newport thinks she produces over two thousand) offspring. As in the higher animals, bees are afflicted with parasitic worms which induce disease and sometimes death. The well known hair-worm, Gordius, is an insect parasite ; the adult form is about the size of a slender knitting needle, and is seen in moist soil and in pools ; it lays, according to Dr. Leidy, “millions of eggs connected together in long cords.” The microscopical, tadpole-shaped young, penetrate into the bodies of insects frequenting damp localities ; fairly ensconced within the body of their unsuspect- ing host, they luxuriate on its fatty tissues, and pass through their metamorphoses into the adult form, when they desert their living house and take to the water to lay their eggs. In Europe, Siebold has described Gordius subbi/urcus, which infests the drones of the honey-bee, and also other insects. Professor Siebold has also described Mermis albicans, which is a similar kind of worm, from two to five inches long, and of a whitish colour; this worm is also found, strangely enough, only in the drones, though it is the workers which frequent watery places to appease their thirst. THe RING-LEGGED PrmpLa (Pimpla annulipes) Br. In a previous Report (1874) occur descriptions and illustrations of two insects which are parasitic on the larve of the Codling-moth, which descriptions were from the fifth 50 Annual Report of Mr. Charles V. Riley ; these two insects are the Ring-legged Pimpla, which will be described in this article, and the Delicate Long-sting will follow. “The Ring-legged Pimpla is a black fly, varying considerably in size, the female sometimes measuring but }, others fully 4 inch, exclusive of ovipositor, the male some- what smaller. The genus Pimpla was briefly characterized in my last report, p. 43, where it was shown that this same species attacks the Walnut Case-bearer (Acrobasis jug- landis, Le B. I annex a lateral outline of a female Pimpla, Fig. 12). The male has a more slender abdomen, which is unarmed. “‘Pimpla annulipes is black, the abdomen rough punc- tured above, with the borders of the joints polished and inclined to brown. The tegule are white, and the legs are reddish, with the exception of the middle and hind tibize which are dusky, especially the hind pair, and have a broad white annulus, sometimes indistinct on the middle pair, the posterior tarsi are dusky, especially the tip, the palpi are pale yellow. Cresson says it may be distinguished from the other species of this genus, by the scutellum being black, the tegule white, and the anterior coxee yellowish red. “This fly eats its way through the chrysalis and cocoon of the Codling-moth, with- out having previously made any cocoon of its own. It was quite abundant last summer, as from one lot of one hundred and sixty-two Carpocapsas, I obtained twenty-one para- sites, all of them females but one. It is a widely distributed and common species.” The second parasite may be ealled the DELICATE LONG-STING (Macrocentrus delicatus) CRESS. “Tt has recently been described by Mr. E. T. Cresson (Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. iv., p. 178), and is a somewhat variable species, occurring throughout the eastern, middle, and western States, and in Mexico. I subjoin a description drawn up from my bred-specimens, Fig. 13. Male. Length 0:25; expanse 0:45, inch slender, colour pale, polished, honey yellow ; uniformly and sparsely pubescent; tinged with brown superiorly, the basal joint of the abdomen and a medio-dorsal line on the other joints being quite black. Head, with the eyes (except at disc), and a spot between ocelli, brown-black; palpi long and almost white ; antennz one fourth-longer than the whole body, about 48 joints, exclusive of bulbus, curled at tip, the ends of basal joints and the whole of joints dusky. Thorax, with the sutures well defined, and two small | triangular black spots behind front tegule, a the metathorax strongly trilobed ; legs very long, pale honey yellow, with tips of tibie and tarsi faintly dusky ; wings yellowish, hyaline and iridescent, with the veins luteous and the stigma pale honey yellow. “Female, rather larger and with abdomen somewhat paler, otherwise similarly marked. Ovipositor yellow, 2 longer than body,-the sheaths quite pilose, and inclining to fuscous, described from two females and one male. “Tt is a graceful fly with very long an- tenn and legs, and the female with a long ovipositor, (Fig. 13) the hair lines at the side’ of the ‘figure show the natural size of the A A || Tt Leal 7 Oe tA ee EE — 51 fly. The colour is pale honey yellow inclining to brown above. The unfortunate apple worm is probably pierced while yet in the fruit, as it always succumbs soon after forming its cocoon, and before changing to chrysalis; while in the case of Pimpla, it is probably attacked either while leaving the fruit or after having spun its cocoon. The larva of the Delicate Long-sting forms for itself, within the cocoon of its victim, a sufficiently tough, thin, oblong-oval, shiny, brown cocoon, from which the perfect fly issues by cutting open a lid at one end. “As both these parasites transform within the cocoon of the Carpocapsa, it is next to impossible and quite impracticable to separate friend and foe in removing and destroy- ing the contents of the bandages ; but where it is desired to disseminate the parasites they ay be bred by enclosing large numbers of the Carpocapsa cocoons in some tight vessel.” On the 13th of August, 1873, Mr. Saunders took a number of chrysalides of the Codling-moth under a bandage on an apple tree, and among them there was one which was infested by ichneumons. The chrysalis, when emptied, was found to contain six of the parasitic larve, of which the following description ‘was taken :—length, a little over one-tenth of an inch; body, tapering almost to a point towards the head; colour, dull, yellowish white, with a tinge of yellow along the dorsal region, very transparent, the in- ternal organs showing plainly through. On each segment is a transverse row of short, whitish spines; terminal segment encircled with stouter whitish spines ; no proper feet or prolegs, but in moving the mouth parts attach first with a sucker-like disc, and the hinder parts of the body are drawn gradually forward, different portions of the under sur- face being furnished with small fleshy prominences, which are attached, and in turn with- drawn from the surface on which the larva is moving: the principal points of attachment, however, seem to be the first and terminal segments ; under the latter, when viewed side- ways, there appears a fleshy projection much larger than any of those on the other seg- ments, and this projection expands into a flattened disc, which holds the larva firmly to the place of attachment. Mr. Saunders did not succeed in rearing these larve : after the chrysalis which con- tained them was broken open, they, one after another, died, in spite of all efforts for their preservation. Whether this would have proved distinct from the species last described by Mr. Riley, and thus make a third parasite on this pest (the Codling-moth), we are at present unable to determine. Tuer PickoN TREMEX (Zremex colwmba), LINN. This insect has been found injurious to the pear, button-wood, and elm-trees. The following is from Harris's “ Injurious Insects ” :—— “The body of the female is cylindrical, about as thick as a common lead-pencil, and an inch and a half or more in length, exclusive of the borer, which is an inch long and projects three-eighths of an inch beyond the body. The latter rounds upwards like the - stern of a boat, and is armed with a point or short horn. The head and thorax are rust- coloured, varied with black. The abdomen, or hinder and longest part of the body, is black, with seven ochre-yellow bands across the back, all of them but the first two inter- rupted in the middle. The horned tail, and a round spot before it, impressed as if with a seal, are ochre-yellow. The antenne are rather short and blunt, rust coloured, with a broad black ring in the middle. The wings expand two inches and a quarter, or more ; they are smoky-brown and semi-transparent. The legs are ochre-yellow, with blackish thighs. The borer, awl, or needle, is as thick as a bristle, spear-pointed at the end, and of a black colour ; itis concealed, when not in use, between two narrow rust-coloured side- pieces, forming 2 kind of scabbard to it. “This insect is figured and described in the second volume of the late Mr. Say’s ‘Entomology.’ The male does not appear to have been described by any author; and, although agreeing in some respects with the two other species represented by Mr. Say, is evidently distinct from both of them. He is extremely unlike the female in colour, form and size, and is not furnished with the remarkable borer of the other sex. He is rust- coloured, variegated with black. His antennae are rust-yellow or blackish. His wings 52 are smoky, but clearer than those of the female. His hind body is somewhat flattened, rather widest behind, and ends-with a conical horn. His hind legs are flattened, much wider than those of the female, and of a blackish colour ; the other legs are rust-coloured, and more or less shaded with black. The length of his body varies from three-quarters of an inch to one inch and a quarter, and his wings expand from one inch and a quarter to two inches or more. “ An old elm tree in this vicinity (Cambridge, Mass.) used to be a favourite place of resort for the Z’remex colwmba, or Pigeon Tremex, and around it great numbers of the in- sects were often collected, during the months of July and August and the early part of September. Six or more females might frequently be seen at once upon it, employed in boring the trunk and laying their eggs, while swarms of males hovered around them. For fifteen years or more, some large buttonwood trees in Cambridge have been visited by them in the same way. The female, when about to lay her eggs, draws her borer out of its sheath, till it stands perpendicularly under the middle of the body, when she plunges it, by repeated wriggling motions through the bark into the wood. When the hole is made deep enough she«then drops an egg therein, conducting it to the place by means of the the two furrowed pieces of the sheath. The borer often pierces the bark and wood to the depth of half an inch or more, and is sometimes driven in so tightly that the insect cannot draw it out again, but remains fastened to the tree until she dies. The eggs are oblong oval, pointed at each end, and rather Jess than one twentieth of an inch in length. The larva, or grub, is yellowish white, of a cylindrical shape, rounded be- hind, with a conical horny point on the upper part of the hinder extremity, and it grows to the length of about an inch and a half. It is often destroyed by the maggots of two kinds of Ichneumon flies (Pimpla atrata and Pimpla lunator, Fabr.) These flies may frequently be seen thrusting their slender borer, measuring from three to four inches in length, into the trunks of trees inhabited by the grubs of the tremex, and by other wood- eating insects ; and like the female tremex, they sometimes become fastened to the trees and die without being able to withdraw their borers.” In the Canadian Entomologist, November 1868, Vincent Clementi reports the capture in North Douro, Ontario, of several specimens of the Pigeon Termex; they were taken from an oak tree, which had been cut for cordwood, and were all found to be females. THE SIGALPHUS CURCULIO PARASITE (Sigalphus curculionis) FrrcH. To those whose plum trees have been repeatedly ravaged by the Plum curculio and whose efforts have only been slightly successful in preventing the wholesale destruction of fruit, it will not be uninteresting to know that there are two known parasites of the eurculio of which the following descriptions and illustrations are taken from Riley’s Report, of 1870, for the State of Missouri. ‘“‘TIn 1860, in his address on the cureulio delivered at the annual meeting of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, Dr. Fitch gave an account, accompanied with a figure, of a small Ichneumon-fly which he named Sigalphus curculionis, and which he believed-was parasitic on the curculio. Before that time no parasite had been known to attack this pesti- lent little weevil, and even tothe present time (1870), it is currently believed that no such parasite exists ; for unfortunately the evidence given by Dr. Fitch was not sufficient to satisfy some of our most eminent entomologists. These parasites were in fact received by him from Mr. D. W. Beadle, of St. Catharlnes, C. W., who had bred them from black- knot, from which he bred at the same time a certain number of cureulios; but as other worms besides those of the curculio are likewise found in black-knot, we had no absolute proof that this fly was parasitic on the insect in question ; consequently we find that Mr. Walsh, in his report as acting State Entomologist of Illinois rather ridicules the idea of its being a curculio parasite and endeavours to show that it is parasitic instead on the larva of his plum-moth (Semasia prunivora). But I have this year not only proved that poor Walsh was himself wrong in this particular inference, but that he was equally wrong in supposing his little plum-moth, so called, to be confined to plums ; for I have bred it from galls (Quercus frondosa, Bassett), from haws, from crab-apples and abundantly from apples. 53 “To be brief, Dr. Fitch’s Sigalphus is a true parasite on the plum curculio and I have bred hundreds of the flies from curculio larve. The first bred specimens gave me much pleasure, for as soon as I saw they belonged to the same genus as Dr. Fitch’s fly, I felt as- sured that another disputed question was settled, but to make assurance doubly sure, I re- peatedly half filled large jars with pure earth, finely sifted so that no living animal re- mained in it. Into these jars I placed curculio larvee from day to day as they issued from peaches that were thrown into another vessel, and in due time the parasitic flies began to issue from the ground along with the perfect curculios. Nay, more than this, I soon learned to distinguish such curculio larvee as were parasitised, and after they had worried themselves under the ground—seldom more than half an inch—I would uncover them, and on several occasions had the satisfaction of watching the gnawing worm within reduce Fig. 14. its victim until finally nothing was left of him. As as S, soon as the curculio larva is destroyed by the parasite, }) the latter (Fig. 14 a) encloses itself in a tough little \j yellowish cocoon of silk (Fig. 14 0.) then gradually H assumes the pupa state (Fig. 14c.) and at the end of about the same length of time that the curculio require to undergo ifs transformations and issue as 3B e a beetle, this, its deadly foe, gnaws a hole through its cocoon and issues to the light of day asa black four winged fly (Fig. 15 a, male ; ), female). In the vicinity of St. Louis, this fly was so common the past season that after very careful estimates, I am satisfied three- fourths of all the more early developed curculio larvee were destroyed by it. On the 17th and 18th of April, in that locality a severe frost killed the peach buds on all but a few of the young and mos vigorous trees of Hale’s Early and Crawford, so that instead of a large and abundant crop of peaches to depredate on, the little Turk had to concentrate his attacks on the few peaches that were left ;and no one expected any fruit would be saved. Yet, the work of this little parasite was so effectual that, where- ever fruit set, a fair crop was gathered even by those who made no effort at all to protect their trees. «“ While visiting Dr. Fitch last August, at his house in Salem, N. Y., I compared my bred specimens with his species, and found them identically the same ; but a full deserip- tion will be found below, and it is not necessary at present to dwell upon its characters. “ As Mr. Walsh bred this same parasite from the larva of his little plum-moth, it doubtless attacks other soft-bodied insects, and does not confine itself to the plum curculio. This is the more likely as it would scarcely pass the winter in the fly state. The female, with that wonderful instinct which is exhibited in such a surpassing degree in the insect world, knows as well as we, great lords of creation, what the little crescent mark upon the peach or plum indicates ; and can doubtless tell with more surety, though she has never received a lesson from her parents, whether or not a curculio larva is drilling its way through the fruit. When she has once ascertained the presence of such a larva by the aid of her antenns, which she deftly applies to different parts of the fruit, and which doubt- less possess some occult and delicate sense of perception, which, with our comparatively dull senses, we are unable to comprehend—then she pierces the fruit, and with unerring precision deposits a single egg in her victim by means of her ovipositor. « Now there is, as I shall shew in the description, a variety (rufus) of this parasite, with the ovipositor nearly one-fifth of an inch in length ; but in the normal form the ovi- positor is only twelve-hundreths of an inch long, and the curculio larva must be reached soon after it hatches, or while yet very young. Consequently we find that the earliest eurculio larve or those which hatch while the fruit is yet small, are the most subject to be parasitised, and while from lary obtained early in the season, I bred more parasites 54 than curculios, this order of things was reversed a little later in the year. Some per- sons will no doubt wonder how such a large fly can be developed from a cureulio larva which is stung while so young ; but we do not know how long the parasite egg remains unhatched, and it must be remembered that it is a rule, wisely ordained and long known to exist in insect life, that the parasitic larva does not at first kill outright, but subsists without retarding growth, upon tke fatty portions of its victim, until its own growth is attained. Thus the first worm derives its nourishment from the juicy fruit and grows on regardless of the parasite which is consuming its adipose substance until the latter is sufficiently developed, and the appointed time arrives for it to destroy its prey by attacking those parts more vital. “This parasite, which I will now proceed to describe, belongs to the second sub- family (Braconides) of the Ichneumon flies (Ichnewmonide), and the venation of its wings, and the three-jointed abdomen, place it in the genus Sigalphus. Westwood (Synopsis, p- 63), gives three cubital panes or areolets in the front wings as characteristic of the, genus ; but Brulé (p. 510) and, as Mr. Cresson informs me, Westmael in his Braconides de Belgique, give only two, which is the number in our insect. “ Sigalphus curculionis, Fitch—Imago (Fig. 15a, male ; 6, female). Head, black, sub- polished and sparsely covered on the face with short whitish hairs ; ocelli touching each other ; labrum and jaws brown; palpi pale yellow; antennz (Fig. 15 c) twenty-seven- jointed, filiform, reaching when turned back, to middle joint of abdomen or beyond, the bulbous and small second joint rufus and glabrous, the rest black or dark brown, though 3-10 in many specimens are more or less tinged with rufous; 3-14 very gradually dimin- ishing in size ; 14-27 sub-equal. Thorax, black, polished, the metathorax distinctly and broadly punctate, and the rest more or less punctate or rugose, with the sides sparsely pubescent. Abdomen, pitchy-black, flattened, the dorsum convex, the venter concave, and the sides narrow-edged and slightly carinated ; the three joints distinctly separated and of about equal length ; the first joint having two dorsal longitudinal earinze down the middle ; all densely marked with very fine longitudinally impressed lines, and sparsely pubescent (Dr. Fitch in his description published in the Country Gentleman, under date of September, 1859, states that these lines leave ‘a smooth stripe along the middle of its second segment, and a large smooth space on the base of the third ;’ which is true of a few specimens, but not of the majority in which the impressed lines generally cover the whole abdomen). Ovipositor longer than abdomen, but when stretched in a line with it, projecting backwards about the same length beyond ; rufous, with the sheaths black. Legs, pale rufous, with the upper part of hind tibiz and tarsi, and sometimes the hind femora, dusky. Wings, sub-hyaline and iridescent, the veins pale rufous, and the stigma black. Length, female .15-.16 inch, expanse, .30; male differs only in his somewhat smaller size, and in lacking the ovipositor. In many specimens the mesothorax and the eyes are more or less distinctly rufous. “Described from 50 females, and 10 males, bred June 23rd—July 29th, 1870 ; from larve of Conotrachelus nenuphar, and 2 females obtained from Dr. Fitch.” “ Larva (Fig. 14a), white, with translucent yellowish mottlings. Papa (Fig. 14 ¢, female), .17th inch long, whitish, members all distinct, the antennz: touching hind tarsi, the ovipositor curved round behind, reaching and touching with its tip the third abdom- inal joint, which afterwards forms the apical joint of imago ; five ventral joints which in the imago become much absorbed and hidden, being strongly developed. Cocoon (Fig. 14 b), composed of one layer of closely woven yellowish silk.” “Variety Rufus.—Head, thorax and most of the first abdominal joints entirely rufous, with the middle and hind tibize dusky, and the ovipositor three times as long as abdomen, and projecting more than twice the length of the same beyond its tip. Des- cribed from three females bred promiscuously with the others. This variety is slightly larger, and differs so remarkably from the normal form that, were it not for the absolute _ correspondence in all the sculpturing of the thorax and body, and in the venation of the wings, it might be considered distinct. The greater length of the ovipositor 1s very char- acteristic, and accompanies the other variation in all three of the specimens.” oe 55 THE PoRIZON CURCULIO PARASITE (Porizon conotracheli). This parasite of the plum curculio is also described in Mr. Riley’s Report for 1870, from which the following account is taken :— “The present insect, instead of issuing the same summer as a fly, remains in its somewhat tougher and more yellowish cocoon all through the fall and winter, and does not issue in the winged state until the following spring. This parasite was first discovered by Dr. Trimble, who sent me the cocoon, from which I subsequently bred the perfect fly. It belongs to the first sub-family (Ichnewmonides) of the Ichneumon-flies, and apparently to the genus Porizon, of which it forms anew species. It is only necessary here to state that it differs from the previous species in its reddish-brown abdomen, as well as in form, which may be seen by referring to the figures (a, female ; 6, male ; c, antenna). poke Porizon conotracheli, N. Sp.—Head : pitchy black, opaque, the ocelli triangularly placed, and close to- gether. Eyes: oval, polished and black. Face: covered with a silvery white pubescence ; labrum rufous, with yellowish hairs ; mandibles and palpi, pale yellowish brown ; antennz inserted in depres- sions betweer the eyes, reaching to metathorax when turned back, filiform, 24-jointed ; black with basal joints 6-1 becoming more and more rufous, the bul- bus always distinctly rufous; bulbus rather longer and twice as thick as joint 3; joint 2 about one- third as long. Thorax : pitchy-black, opaque, the sides slightly pubescent with whitish hairs, the mesothorax rounded and bulging anteriorly, the scutellum slightly excavated and sharply defined by a carina each side ; metathorax with the elevated lines well de- fined, and running parallel and close together from scutellum to about one-fourth of their length, then suddenly diverging, and each forking about the middle. Abdomen: glab- rous, polished, very slender at base, gradually broader and much compressed from the sides at the apex, which is truncated; peduncle uniform in diameter, and as long as joints 2 and 3 together ; joints 2-5 sub-equal in length ; colour rufous, with the peduncle wholly, dorsum of joint 2, a lateral shade of joint 3, and more or less of the two apical joints superiorly, especially at their anterior edges, black ; venter more yellowish ; ovipositor about as long as abdomen, porrect when in use, curved upwards when at rest, rufous, with the sheaths longer, and black. Legs, including trochanters and coxe, uniformly pale yellowish-brown, with the tips of tarsi dusky. Wings subhyaline and iridescent, with veins and stigma dark brown, the stigma quite large, and the two discoidal cells sub-equal, and, as usual in this genus, joining end to end, but with the upper veins, which separate them from the radial cell, slightly elbowed, instead of being straight, thus giving the radial cell a quadrangular rather than a triangular appearance. Male differs from female only in his somewhat smaller size and unarmed abdomen. Expanse female 0-32 inch, length of body, exclusive of ovipositor, 0-22 ; expanse male 0-28, length 0.18. Described from 3, two females one male, bred May 26th-27th, 1870, from cocoons received from Dr. I. P. Trimble, of New Jersey, and 1 female subsequently received from the same gentleman—all obtained from larve of Conotrachelus nenuphar. vee ‘Tt Hoh Path at y Tl: ; TEP) Wha AUTUMN!) hi an meet ihe Date Ai HN UT ol at iaariani| 6 TOON MOT ony: erie CHE Sap Mall Hil cele fal ib Tid Th cig Ey UR PU { pil! 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A D PAGE PAGE Acting Taviay coin -n'oie~ a mn 2 ap rane een maa 3 35 | Deilephila chameenerii ................ 36 Address of President of Entomological Bs liviesta say oe ie ee ee 36 Olalrof the A:A-A‘S) oo. oj soadaws 12 | Delicate long-sting ...........20021-000-. 50 AnGrenagivieioa.. S.J «-- 19 | Gooseberry Fruit Worm................ 39 ss PEMA S cera tts te aie emia hepa =a, = Calopteron reticulatum ................ 15 Lathridius filiformis -....+-+-<+.+.---- 23 Cantharis vesicatoriz 24 oe SEMIASUB RS Sohn thes cues ies 2 « 23 “ 6 28 Vee DOWN ose Sea deale Sone 16 Centennial Exhibit at Philadelphia. . 6, 10, 11 Locust, The destructive................ 29 “ Exhibition, Insects introduced NOR Silo ets Butt radon ukah odo so 35 DY, os teases es ee ee 20 Corydalis cornutus, Eggs of ............ 15 M. Cynthia, cardui. ¢ <7. 2025 -> 40) Picconttrensex 7.7.35 ' "ic lbs wie eee Chee tete 51 DITO PlAvaAMNUIPeET!.! slime ee. (eel antes sees 49 Honzonconotracheli Missa. les ante etnar 55 Fos ourculio;parasiversne. «sees ie mimer 55 President’s annual address ............. 6 Pyrota mylabrina :. sc. esi. ae ae eee 26 R. Report of Committee on Centennial Exhi- bition Hee aek sek eet eee 10 PAGE Report of Counce sess. .-\ serine biteieiee ce ie London Branch...... a se Montreal Branch..... fs Secretary-Treasurer.......... Rhizopertha pusilla..................-- Ring-legged Pimpla..................-. S. Saturnia cynthia ..........< Soares oe Saunders, Wm., Articles by . Sigalphus cureulionis ..... $6 curculio parasit¢ . Silvanus advena .......4.. ‘¢ surinamensis. .”.. - SHALIS © ...osnsseh eee Maee Sty LOPS... «redmtenenepae Vg CA se F T. Tergrodera erosa .........-. Tremex columba.......... Trichodes apiarius ........ “3 nuttalle ier Tribolium ferrugineum..... Trupanea apivora.........-. Ww. Williams, Joseph, Article by ee a ee, "4g Se Oe ANNUAL REPORT ~ FENPOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY ONTARIO, FOR DHE YEAR 1.877. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY, BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS 5 President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; Editor of Canadian Entomologist. REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M, Oe Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope. B. GOP Arkona, Ontario, AND JOSEPH WILLIAMS, London, Ontario. Printed by Order of the Legislative Assembly. Coronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 25 WELLINGTON ST. VES 5 : 1877. ; Oe Gah oy ee eat JUL Z i lalallala DaliaDail Re nl Vo) “onal Muse ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, HOR DHE YEAR 1877. INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PREPARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY, BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS, President of the Entomological Society of Ontario ; Editor of Canadian Entomologist. REV. C. J. 8S. BETHUNE, M, A,, Head Master of Trinity College School, Port Hope. B. GOTT Arkona, Ontario, AND JOSEPH WILLIAMS, London, Ontario. PLrinted by Order of the Legislative Assembly, Toronto: PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO., 25 WELLINGTON ST. WEST. 1877. Nee | PRAT OY PAG in Ok ma is “ . > Re ot rs ah by i ‘1b Ay ¥ | OST ay TAU Era yee ae La 3) ’ 7 ar of , 7 ‘ . ’ - ~ ah (itneset {x Sui iY th Aiba hey tt VACVERI ART We Oe ATA. P : i Ne INDEX. A. PAGE Amgeria tipuliformis.............60:.005- 42 Agrion’ sauciunl.£ wy. 5o-:chref eee latest 55 Agrotis’ deyastator ./: .!.t)..'4< ary oy ODO “ Travelling expenses to Annual Meeting ................:0.:seeeeeeee ee eee 6 00 “ Sundry small expenses............... ...-- ~asieGe sts Preproeen, Rap) Vy ‘“« Postage, express and duties ... ........ eee Rega atl Fas tgast on 46 82 SCL DERE tac ce, 20s Pepe mPa Te RMR Mesa mpEiyva: oslo Seine Sop etcigs SERA ia soe va ae Alig OME « Engravings...... ....-+. JepnC- COO CORON MDT ERPE EC CLO Tg aces 20 04 ‘“ Merchandise, pins and cork... .. Bere hs oh Ohad eiers een on tac nene ae POOL) SCPIMINUTEND EN eee Ree REG ye satts a, sh wis s aanaseraetona hun Menu), Tpnibabe COD THEI A p= ecocoth EOP ack: Gaocnee SOUS IB SEO Ea eno . Se053 100 00 Key Secra anya MrongumcInAl an Viet tt cts calcu sa |