wee a STR IN AEA om Ir }) VE Wy NP Ni Pe } at are > ~~ yr a Wy ey) 4 \ t} \, VTA — ACAI) v7 . Wee Vi \ rN ‘Wy \ \ ? —' q y Re 4 \{ \' \ \ ‘ nf YN \ : 7 : ee ‘ —— oie Ys Ns ¥| ae 7 ff ' ya b NSN Mil } Oy j .& - ~ \ i) ' “ / | A y ty) aS \ 4 = Ue Mt ; So | & H Tibi dh Z : ™ A AY —~ ‘ A 5 » ae / = <4 Vpn , st i —~\! bY loom | Pon a fa CM ” | eee te A al), fi LA _ Any A! ») "4 ° ia, ‘ “ 13°. od f x —— Seek oN / \) oo f We? HW ‘i aa , ise fy op i ; Neon \ \ { { ] ! } . 4 te af ‘ gy _ os \ Na \ \ } u i Wy 2 # SIS a f° fon ‘ ' Wf} / oat REA \ q d y MANGA / / 4 We \ \\ ee , ge | . y VA / > ‘ / zs , \ \ i ra 4 4 AA > t' | % ; : \ hy \ pap Kien e vi pif if / YZ ) 4. % SA EL of; 5 t Gio \ ehh - 4 Ye ¥ iv SW / NN a . , 4 a i . alt Oy, i = % . hs” = ae) | / Hy | a ! b) a 7 1\% , be | sate / ut | ' } q / ees if FY i. Y . i " \ a ' , ah L x. ¥ VPA \¢ od, We, SP fy \ f Le ~ { Wa Jn \ TIN vy ee { MA, || : } j > 4 ‘ f 7 \ he i \ ; y ; Ly i y | a Pibrary of the Museum COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. The gift of Lhe érlemologual | Corticda of Ontonin. 0. 9 70, Cane ss L/L 9h Sopot. 1883, LG 90. Meri /6, /88/, ANNUAL REPORT SNTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR ee 1880. eee LY Printed by Order of the Leaistative Meeabtn: i . Corontes : PRINTED BY GC. BLACKETT ROBINSON, 5 JORDAN STREET. oe , 1881. : ee Say 5 CP pet pci “5 aes Si ue Can oR Gee” Ot eet 4 3 _ a oe awe ww » ANNUAL REPORT INTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, FOR THE YEAR 1880. Printed hy Order of the Legislative Assembly. ? e Toronto : 4 PRINTED BY C. BLACKETT ROBINSON, 5 JORDAN STREET. 4 1881. A. = PAGE PAGE ASA RN cee tanaka iss. sha cs beens Re Ant, worker minors... 2... 04s. 0se ey 3. 77 AIR DAME eS aka ss ney sin bm em 45 Ants, «bis eik'S ee * 6 do Sombie leye abein cere eens "66, 76 TGR SARITA Fos a x hig w wits ae mass wee om iM, 19 ae agricultural My ae a 88 ATGGGEA THOIRHER 62. too baie oe wos cee 10 sf. carpenter... 2s.) onthe ne pale eee 79 Annual Address of President Ent. Soc’y Ont. . 5 es Darvestine «sees =- fio 0 a,c: oe ee 84 i Ent, Club A. A, “how to got rid Gf ..... .)... cee eee 88 A. 5 eee Slash web heat tess seen eee ee 12 66 “TOMES Cio s Sh cee oe eels eee 78 Annual Meeting Ent. Club A. A. A. S....... 12 * 6 6glave-mgking 3... 2.7.3: ¢.4-eo eee 80 os Fink. Soory Ont’... 45-5640 2 Ant-lons: 0 254. dias te Swed ds te eee eae 89 5 -: fiondon Branch .....o:. 2.6.08 11 Aphis granaria. . 2. ..<< ss. s-ceme ne eee ree 46, +5 Montreal Branch ....... 5 a we Apple curculio. ...:.+.5.'ss oe eee eee 49 Anthomyia ROpRTaM ooo. 2 Ge ee eee ee 43 Arrhenodes septentrionis..............-+e0. 55 PORCH 224s. ts dace co eee ae oy ATIAY WOLD. 5,005 0c sce a9 5/n alee aie 67> Anthonomus prunicid@ .........e202.. cees 54 Asparacis ‘beetle....:3 222 Ss. ee see eee 47 ss quadrigibbus 2. oo. snp eet oe 49 Atta barbara....... oe hk comicks ota eee 79 - suiuralis.. 2.cscenc. sees CREE 53 : © erudelis J... 2 .ic = «eighie CCOtEOn WOFTH'T.. - 5 sce. cu cebs oo Rene eee oe Cirompain, 12 euttata ... coe sckeccee bes “gee Ot Cratoparis lanatas :. ...:..0 3500s. ose tee eee 55 gi GeNETOSA .....200. LEN Wee eee . 24 CFiGCOFS BEPATAPI ...< nse... > pace eee 47 ad HEGSiCOlls iio pcicsaee asst se~ke 22k MOEN MOREE Coenen cet. eer si - 5 D. Daddy long logs cps. 0s ee cree be Bee Se eis 4G -| Delieate long-sting. . . .. 00)... cnee cree tie oe 67 Danais archipeys |. a> 25 -:- <% AS. =. YER MER 30 Dermanyssus avium °:...2< is... on sees eee oe 73 a; BWHEMING Of. wpe. sooo e 35 Digger Wasp... .2s..>.25-505"eee coz wees nn Dae VOISICOIGE io.’ ous ab Pee ee bee 10 E. PAGE, | PAGE _ Eciton drepanophora (ADRES PERE S Upp ti 77 Entomology, benefits of, to farmers, etc..... 57 SMRGRICRED 002. occas bs eee veceececcs 88 for beginners tie. Pee 19 MRED Os Se aici ccs wa en ede 88 Hoeerasimbricatus: : 3 sos 66256 Thee seeen 56 Eetatomma ferruginea ..................65 77 Epicauta pennsylvanica...........-ess-.-0e 8 - Election 0 a ES Ses ae 9 MPO OOR GOON Site2c82 cc desb262 ) eee 10 Satis imperialis......................5- 51 Exorista leucanie .......... Be ee ie 62 -y RI tere oc at a Ah a « aia’ s « 52 Hyed elater ..... ot ed PEEP IP pride ojo 45 g 2 F F. Fletcher, James, articles by .......... 19, 36, 57 WOrFMmIGaFOLVACES (56 oc oe chee e ec eee tes 77 DEE REIMODE SS eo coeds cee esses 79 “ Wl Sard segs OEE 77 a6 A ES a a 78 a BHSPROPREY oad Nas se add w.0'e vacate 80, 81, 84 a 0 Aer rer eae es 79 ae sanguinea ...... Saat ae aida, 80, 81, 84 MIT PEGLIGINIOSA «5. 056.200 e es. eee eee 79 G. Gagatophorus schonherri .................. 52 Gibbens Iq te:, Stile DY i osc gioss 5 soe se ose 37 _Gamasus coleoptratorum .................. 73 EXGUEOUBELS HAW-ec os occ s dees te. ese 47, 68 TS 73 Grasshopper parwmsite street eee ee wd 72 Hagen, MES RPRIOIN DY «<0 kw ceca cone ve on 35 RAC AMEAEE PE eee. 2/2’ tne doc, oro, on in Males Rew cio 17 meeniageman, S. S.,-death of................6. Se CMON TR SSS a cic de on sal de sic tm naam oes ee 16 . daltica IO or oe! on a Givi as a x athe 43 Pel GS RIE Lag osras oo waa Soa, Sel eee aed 52 ington, W. H., article by ....... ete Retr 49 “ HRPM" SAU Ge. be & raring ee os 52 Harvest IE Ae So os a uiams ha som cee > 71 Hymenopterous galls, development of ....... 17 See o cine! ha ein wim ee oe 2 tt 71 : i Ee ee eee Pee 1 Inseets rarein Ontario’ . 66 65 Se.0 deena 5. 38 , 4 “ i errr or Ee 67 Insect migrations. < iv. Ps. PAGE. | PAGE I TAG is Lin sais e 3 > wo eA es scl 31 Pieris brassics....... awis's & BERR ee -.. 44 Papiie GFOGpHGNSES . . «os si new hene ons 600s 2U, 2 DED oo nc nis anh ba cake cee 6, 44 TEA) SHUPOURGH, 2... 00 ss 5 edie lente & «ok 10 Pissodes Strobi. . . 002. Jen's ew ne os agi isin hotatele 52 5 MOA SC: oe a ER SP RR 10, 39 Pham @orculio... . ¢. ssavuns eke peck ace eRe 8, 53 Abs, (REED ou wick wet Cee eee nts Oe pees 6 62 OO OME wie s wins sna wie beh nah Ses ies 54 Parasites OF Gurculio «1. o\.gs h 6 se bidin Sika jes oo 54 Plunge pammy .. so ses ose +s ene es eee 48 Passalus cornutus, deformed specimen of .... 9 Polydrosus ‘elegans |. ...). sin. s+ sen eee men ssi Oe POM WEEVIL 5.0 66s nce hae Cees waib’s «0 3 8, 50 Polyrhachis arboricola «|. 2.2. ews soe ee vee 88 Peabody, 5S. H., arinlo by oo. oo. secon. ees 36 Potato stalk weevil ..... A Sacer eco 56 Leg ae ft ee 47, 68 Prionus Hayesii ..... o baels Wb dates ae eee 31 Palgcmun PolyGerater 5 vcs ojos 2 00 si as apis bo’ bie 67 Protocerus colossus..... Sioee ae vias sie ohne Cee Phoxopteris angulifasciana ...........0e0.0. 18 Pyrameis cardui...... ca cee po ne eee ..31, 48 Q. ; Quince curculio ........ paichincskiba suse crete as eee fiw ok Wioestaists ue alee eats opine n'aibie.e wie Eoenecnel eee R. SIR OURET EE oe chs os Fae keene Py Pig 70 Rhina barbicornis’. ..../.. iises sae eee 51 RAO ROPE AT MSORHOD 3 65 oa ws cin emipiein cpm se ie ce Relyase TaRator |. \j0.' vss vss o> ae ee Be os se Secretary-Treasurer .............. 2 Robin, habits of the ...... nnn A Bt 6. ee Méntroal Branch. . oo 2c cs ceca oa ee 4 Rogers, hk. V., articles by... 2025.5 22. sme ppd th SRP HEMUBDOUAL Clos 'c sais. ade vee sews oe eae 52 | S. PRREBOD EH RCSIGL sips cla wis o's w'en widiniayalh a minis = 75 Sigalphus curculionis ............. PN 54 Saunders, W., articles by .......5, 21, 37, 38, 69 Sphenophorus zee ..........- Gece ee cage 56 $s W. 5. arucles hy.....0ss «pens oes my Ad Sphinx quinquemaculata..........c0.eceeee 25 Scudder, Samuel H., article by.............. 12 Spilesomsa Virginie 00S ose eee ce eee 21 NelAnM EA CBTAR *. Oo ss L). sae ee oe wplate sideieis 47 | State Entomologist for New York ........... 37 papwers, (0. 44., arkicle by... 0260556 pedece 12 Strawberry crown borer....... Sor. cna Mee ee 54 T. Tasha dy, .2.....-- os« ae aibia es oat Sts le tage 62 Trombidium holosericeum ................ 71 Pe BOL PROMS. 5 xe x 5 imjotmm lage nisie oii oo oe 11 oF AITILADIS | 2, ss pa ees oe Re tur (i Tetranychus autumnalis.................05 71 cad parasiticnm |. | 6. lene seated: ut ce POIBTIIS So. 55 oid oe Oe Ske eisai 70 Fe BOFICOUM: |. vue osha an «eee 72 Puaxuorip,, article by... . a:checks ot'eas ou 35 Turnip flea-beetle’ .2. 4. .52esre-. cece 43 RHRECHS ADDON... > 5 s-a-osee pe eer ek eee 10, 42 Tyloderma fragarie .........e.0. o's apn esate 54 PE Mei Siok ine Gn 5 ie Ke Wmmepe a aie me en 73 Tyroglyphus entomophagus .........+..-++. 73 PSEA RRION Col i2 Ss sis 5%. ke eee ere eke cee 22 ey longior 2 cd.52 oe de acs a 74 REE CIDER EDE 5 oon o's cho ale bine ee eee eee 46 44 WAS. 22 he Sis sikawie See 74 LI Oe 1 re ree eas) 7 aie 25 Ee mycophagus ....\. o2. dae 73 Trombidignt DRIDIPOSS ... wo.5:sw ck dss wie ete « 71 43 BIPO.Jc5 oct tee eee shailoais apsh’ 74 es STyNATIGM 2s 25.5 Gs/eh Ree faa te U. RIZOPCER VEPOLANE 3555. . 2s occa in cals toe baie We eaten slim oe s » eet ents ern etetiats ote etal oe 73 Ww. BE io ois sinc ome ie Se bee Oa ie 66 Willet, 32 B., arbieleuby...22 57 00> «Sequ-eeiee 36 GRRE. oi5 55

ob bine oe oe 46 Wood ant. .:.23 lecpscpen spe eo. Seer eee 77 EMERG. sot conan neers eae! CM at. 45. | “Woolly bear:...:..... Shick teh. ae hee 21 x. Xenocerus lineatus ........eceeceee cesses ccceees SBe 'ptedein riornare ate eens a's Sighs ole ms ©'n\ 2 siotetal petaleine 52 ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SUC LETY OF ONTARIO, [INCLUDING REPORTS ON SOME OF THE NOXIOUS, BENEFICIAL AND OTHER INSECTS OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. PR PARED FOR THE HONOURABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, | BY THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. | Een). 0 the Honourable the Commissioner of Agriculture : he —On this, the closing period of another year in the history of our Society, I e the honour to present you with our Annual Report. The year has been marked by 1 | unusual freedom from any alarming invasion by insect pests, nevertheless the total ss caused by injurious insects to crops of various sorts has been considerable. In this e eport is embodied illustrated papers by our members on injurious, beneficial and other sects, of such a character as will, we believe, prove instructive to the general public — d increase the interest already felt in the operations of our Society. - Our monthly journal, the Canadian Entomologist, continues to be received with vo ) : both in Europe and America. Its issue has been regular ; and the twelfth volume y nearly completed. During the year our library has been materially increased, and 1y new illustrations of insects obtained with which to embellish our Journal and Report, 1 thus render our work of much greater benefit to the general public than it would a be. The accounts, duly audited, are herewith submitted, also the list of officers for the o year. 1 Thanking you for the kindly interest you have always taken in the operations of | our Society, and the substantial encouragement given, which has enabled us to carry on our work without embarrassment, I have the honour to be, Your obedient servant, Wm. E. SaunDERS, Secretary pro tem. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. The annual meeting of the above Society was held, according to announcement, in the city of Hamilton, on the evening of Tuesday, the 28th of September, in the City Hall. A number of those especially - interested in Entomolog gy from various parts of the Province were present. The Report of the Council was read and adopted ; also that of the Secretary-Treasurer, which showed a satisfactory state of the finances. ANNUAL STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER, 1880. Recerpts. Balance trom LOO yr ee oe Oe ee oe ee Ae ae G52 462 Members’ fees and sale of ENTOMOLOGIST ..........0.00..00eeee 329 94 Merchandise, ‘pins, eork, be... 05s. 2 a ee ee ee 57 Ol Advertisements 5 o< 3 basa «28h 5 6 ee ee ar ee a ee 26 15 MRNteresh os. fens Bee ee ee De thn aie Wigs SuSE ERR ake 2) eee 14 56 Government grant 2...) 9.5.54 Sob eis eee ee beh e 1,000 00 $1,580 28 Disbursements Prnting ENTOMOLOGIST... 00 2222 se ee ope i ey hs 2 $288 00 Mailing C6 OS eo ete giv aloe ci vei eo rr 19 50 Tnsurance . 02. ue et iei ede nn bee doe ee eee 10 63 Rent. yc: . ee a Se ee 90 02 Annual vote to editor and secretary ......0.3.5.. cise eee ee eee 150 00 Sundries; freieht,, ete: 4b.) sass ils $4 fad: ee ees eee 35 27 Postave4): 2 2c ee) eee Feteeiee ae eta an Ree Gi, aed cece BD, £6 Expenses of sending collection to Ottawa ................ 0-00. 12 85 Library 0. i.0)4.cik wed age er. Deas Ge eee eee 13675 Paper for EarromonoGss? i. eae wert tic At Seen See eer 72 20 Report expenses) ...c)i60060 . PeeE cee sb oy: le oa eee 129 75 Epgraving .. . 20s 6va0ss's 31; 26) eerie +1 ae ene er 141 44 Expenses = come ane delegation pope: AA. Bi) i. ah shane oh 61 00 Merchandise-—cork> +: sias.2 deed dae eek pelv eee Poe eee 42 91 Balanee:? i! led o.taucs Jeimel. mir ee pre eeeee O t cee te =~ See 354 80 $1,580 257iee ABRAHAM PUDDICOMBE, ‘ Auditors CHARLES CHAPMAN. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The close of a decade in the history of our Society, as an incorporated institution, _ prompts your Council to a retrospective glance over the work accomplished. Ten years ago we were weak and feeble; our numbers were few, and a small eight-paged journal, published irregularly, sufficed to chronicle all our doings. At that time it was with us a constant struggle for existence as a Society,.when a few generous hearts contributed liberally of their own private means to sustain a work prompted by public need and _ designed for public benefit. Through the energy of our members and the kindly aid of, _ at first the Provincial Agricultural Association and subsequently of the Ontario Gov- _ ernment, we were soon enabled to emerge from this struggle and to feel that we were established on a firmer basis, with a great field for labour open before us. In this department our members have laboured heartily, looking for no reward beyond the _ pleasure which arises from the ‘consciousness of doing a good work. We may point with justifiable pride to the goodly pile of useful literature published _ by our Society during this period. Ten Annual Reports have been presented to the Government, which have been printed and widely disseminated as a part of the Report _ of the Commissioner of Agriculture for the Province of Ontario. These Reports of our Society have been full of matter of great importance to the agriculturist and the fruit- _ grower, since most of the insect enemies to field crops and fruits have been systematically treated of in them, and the remedies best fitted to control or destroy the pests explained. The Reports have been much sought after and have no doubt accomplished much good. The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly organ of our Society, has now nearly completed its twelfth volume, the last ten of which have averaged about 250 pages octavo, nearly all original matter. In these are recorded the observations of our ‘members on all parts ‘of the continent on insect life in its various forms. The life histories of a large number of species have been given in detail, and a vast amount of other material of much value in promoting the interests and advancing the science of Entomology presented. Our journal is held in high esteem abroad as well as at home, and was for some years the only journal devoted exclusively to Entomology on the continent of America. During the past year the Hntomologist has contained many very valuable papers; among those especially worthy of mention are the contributions of Mr. W. H. Edwards on the life histories of the butterflies of North America. We are pleased to learn that he is still pursuing his investigations in this department, and that he will continue to give the readers of the Hntomologist the details of his discoveries. ; Recognizing the important work our Society is doing, and with the object of further aiding our endeavours, the Ontario Government have added during the past year to our enna! grant the sum of $250, which will enable us to illustrate more freely the articles to be published in our reports and in our journal, and to aang on the ordinary operations of our Society without embarrassment. | Besides the publication of the annual reports which are chiefly written for the gen- eral public in a popular style, and the Canadian Entomologist, which is a scientific record of work done by the members of the Society, but which also usually contains a paper itten expressly for beginners in the study of the science, the Society has had prepared and issued to all its members extensive classified lists of the names of all insects in the different orders of which authentic records of their capture within the Dominion could be found The value of these listsis very great. They are of the greatest assistance in pro- vy viding the collector with the proper one, from among the many synonyms which, unluckily, such a large number of our insects possess ; besides this they give the proper sequence of the different genera of which the orders are composed, and are thus exceedingly useful im arranging a collection. Moreover, they act as a record by which collectors know what as been done in the way of collecting by their predecessors, and when a new species is ; Rona it can at once be recorded ; by this means many have been added to our lists. a The branches of our Society ‘at Montreal and London continue to prosper. In Mon- al, Messrs. Bowles, Lyman & Couper, have prepared and read some valuable papers on eir investigations, and in London much good and useful work has been done. 4 ee The Council regret that the office of Secretary-Treasurer was left vacant in the early part of this year, owing to the removal from London of Mr. J. H. Bowman, but since his depar ture, and at the request of the Council, the work has been performed very effici- ently by Mr. W.E. Saunders. We take pleasure in calling attention to the satisfactory condition of our funds, as shown by the statement of the Secretary-Treasurer. Submitted on behalf of the Council. W. E. SAUNDERS, Sec.-Treasurer pro tem. MONTREAL BRANCH OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.OF ONTARIO. SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. At the close of the seventh year of the Society’s existence, your Council beg to present their annual report. The retrospect of the year in Entomological matters, is a pleasant one. Nine meetings have been held, the attendance at which has been good, and the in- tercourse of the members has been both agreeable and iustructive. Besides the eight papers, whose titles are hereafter given, many valuable observations on insect life have been recorded in our minutes, which will be of great assistance to us in the future. Your Council would also notice that during the summer of last year, several enjoy- able collecting excursions were participated in by the members, resulting in the discovery of several species of insects hitherto unknown in this locality. On the whole, it is with great pleasure that your Council report the Society to be satisfactorily progressing in the study of our science. The papers read during the year are as follows: ‘“‘ A description of the male Alypia MacCullochii, Kirby.”—-By Wm. Couper. “‘ Notes on a species of Cossus taken at Montreal.”—By F. B. Caulfield. “The milk plant, its insect parasites, red and black in colour.” —-By Wm. Couper. ‘“‘ How to preserve specimens of insects.”—-By G. J. Bowles. “On luminous insects.”—-By Geo. H. Bowles. *“* Montreal Hymenoptera.” —By Wim. Couper. “* Notes on rearing Lepidoptera.”—-By H. H. Lyman. ‘Some of the insects that frequent the orchard and garden.” —(Rev. F. W. Fyles). Selected by G. J. Bowles. The study of the Hymenoptera of Montreal has been taken up by Mr. Couper, whose capacity and experience render it certain that the task will be well performed, and result in a great increase in our knowledge of that interesting order. Your Council would re- commend the members to follow his example, and, during the coming season, give special attention to other divisions which hitherto we have almost neglected, pone the eevinters Orthoptera, Hemiptera and Neuroptera. The following works have been added to the Society’s library during the year :— x Monograph of the Diptera of North America.” Part 3, 4 plates, by H. Loew. ‘‘ New species of North America Coleoptera.” Part 1, by J. L. Leconte. “The Coleoptera of Kansas and Eastern New Mexico.” 2 plates, J. L. Leconte. ‘“‘ Synopsis of the Melolonthidae of the United States.” J. L. Leconte. “ Catalogue of Coleoptera adjacent to the Boundary Line between the United States _ and Mexico.” 1 plate, J. L. Leconte. a ‘* Revision of the Buprestidae of the United States.” 1 plate, J. L. Leconte. “ Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1879.” ‘“‘ Report of the Fruit Growers’ Association of Montreal, 1879.” The following were presented by the Royal University of Christiana :— ‘“On the Mollusca of the Arctic Regions.” One large volume and two pamphlets. — “ A list of Norwegian Lepidoptera taken in 1876.” The Secretary and Treasurer’s cash statement is submitted herewith, and shows the finances to be in a satisfactory condition. is IISA a ; In conclusion, your Council would express the hope that the members will not relax their efforts during the present season, and that the result of the summer’s campaign will be even more favourable than that of ‘last year. The whole respectfully submitted. | Gro. J. Bowes, President. Gro. H. Bow es, Secretary. Montreal, 17th May, 1880. — The President then delivered his annual address, for hes he received the thanks of _ the members present. ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. GENTLEMEN,—The past season has not been very eventful in Ontario in matters re- lating to insect life. No unusual armies of insect enemies have devastated our crops, and our farmers and fruit-growers, in spite of the few perennial foes, which are always more _ or less troublesome, have realized a bountiful harvest. Early in the season cut worms were very numerous in the neighbourhood of London, more abundant than I ever remember seeing them before. They destroyed innumerable _ cabbage plants and other herbaceous plants and flowers ; among the latter, pansies seemed _ to possess great attraction for them. I saw many fine plants of this flower, of the pre- vious year’s growth, eaten close to the ground, both leaves and stalks, and from about the roots of a single plant found in several instances from thirty to fifty of the nearly full- grown larve. Fortunately their period of activity does not last long, and before the end of June most of them were quietly sleeping in the chrysalis state. The question of insectivorous birds, and their influence on the insect world about us, _ is attracting much attention, and the more the subject is discussed the more evident it be- comes that very little indeed is known in reference to it ; that our ideas as to what should guide us are largely inherited, or otherwise based on sentiment, rather than resting upon _ well ascertained facts. I am ‘well aware that to plead in favour of the birds is a popular course to follow ; but the true student of nature is ever seeking after truth, and whether _ the facts he discovers are in accord with long cherished opinions and popular fancies, or are directly opposed to them, are questions of little moment. The facts, whatever they ‘ poy be, are what we want. Insectivorous birds may be conveniently divided into three classes : First, those which _ take their food entirely on the wing; second, those which feed partly on the wing and partly from trees and shrubs, and on the ground ; and third, those which take no food on the wing, but feed entirely either on the ground or from treesor shrubs. In the first class, _ besides some rare birds which we do not need to mention here, the following are found com- “Inon in most parts of our Province: the swallows, Hirwndinide ; kingbird, Tyrannus Carolinensis ; pewee, Sayornis fuscus, and nighthawk, Chordeiles popetue. The food of _ these birds consists chiefly of flies, a large proportion of which cannot be said to be either “noxious or beneficial; many of them in the earlier stages of their existence live in the _ water, where they devour decaying vegetation, or feast on the lower and simpler forms of animal and vegetable life. The larve of many others are scavengers, devouring decaying _ or putrescent animal and vegetable matter, and hence well deserve to be classed with beneficial insects. In the same class of friendly species will rank a considerable number of others which are parasitic on the bodies of caterpillars, also the rapacious species which 73 sustain themselves by devouring the weaker and less vigorous of their race. A fae rare’ » 6 pS SS SRS SSS SS these, with few exceptions, are harmless. The question, then, to what extent these purely insectivorous birds are beneficial to the farmer or fruit-grower, reasonably admits of much difference of opinion, for while they do devour a few of our tormentors, they probably destroy a much larger number of beneficial insects, the main bulk of their food, however, consisting of harmless species. Doubtless they serve a purpose in maintaining a proper balance among the insect hosts, and between animal and vegetable life, but that their ser- vice in these departments is so all-important as some would urge admits of grave doubt. The birds of the second division, namely, those which take their food partly on the wing and partly from trees and shrubs, or on the ground, are not entirely insectivorous. The remarks just made in reference to the first class will apply also to this, as far as their food is taken on the wing, but on trees or shrubs, or on the ground, they consume insects of entirely different classes, chiefly beetles and the caterpillars of moths and butterflies. The beetles admit of a similar division to that of the flies already noticed ; the larger | number are harmless, a large proportion of the remainder are beneficial, and a few are in- jurious. Most of the caterpillars of moths and butterflies are harmless, feeding in limited numbers on a great diversity of shrubs and trees of little or no economic importance. A few may be said to be beneficial, in consequence of their feeding on troublesome weeds, such as thistles, etc., while a few others are decidedly injurious. Among the common birds in this second class I would mention the yellow warbler or spider bird, Dendroeca esta ; the red start, Setophaga ruticilla; the red-eyed, and yellow-throated vireos, Vireo olwaceus and V. flavifrons; the various species of woodpecker, Picide and the blue bird, Siala sialis. The birds comprised in the third class are only partially insectivorous. Among the common species are the cat-bird, Galeoscoptes Carolinensis ; robin, Turdus migratorius, and brown thrush, Harporhynchus rufus; the sparrows, Prungillide , the cuckoos, Coc- cide , the nuthatch, Srtta Carolinensis ; chickadee, Parus atricapillus ; kinglets, Sylviide ; meadow-lark, Stwrnella magna ; Baltimore oriole, [cterus Laltwmore, and the wren, T’rog- lodytes edon. Besides these there are the blackbirds, Jcterzdew, which in the spring devour more or less insect food, but feed chiefly on grain and seeds during the remainder of the year. Nearly all birds, excepting the rapacious species, feed their young on such soft food as worms, caterpillars, soft-bodied insects and fruit, and, from the time that young birds are hatched until they acquire the power of flight, a very large quantity of insect food is undoubtedly consumed ; but the question of the greatest practical importance to the agriculturist is how far are the birds a help in keeping in check injurious insects. With the object of obtaining light on this point, I have, with the help of my son, W. E. Saunders—who has for some years paid special attention to this matter—examined the contents of the stomachs of a large number of birds, and I must frankly confess that the larger the experience gained in this direction the more I have been convinced that but comparatively little help is got from birds in keeping in subjection injurious insects. When the cut worms were so common with us this spring that any bird with a very little effort might have had its fill of them, the contents of a number of stomachs were ex- amined, especially those of the robin, but not a single specimen of this larva was found in any of them. It has been urged that some birds devour the larve of the plum curculio by picking them out of the fallen fruit, but I have failed to find any confirmation of this statement, indeed never found a curculio larva in the stomach of any bird excepting once in that of a robin, who had evidently swallowed it by accident when bolting a whole cherry. As for the robin having any claims upon the sympathies of man for the good he | does, I fear that but a very slight case can be made out in his favour. Of fruit he is a thief of the worst kind, stealing early and late, from the time of strawberries until the last grapes are gathered ; not content to eat entirely the fruit he attacks, but biting a piece out here and there from the finest specimens, and thus destroying a far greater quantity than would suffice to fill him to his utmost capacity. At the time of writing, flocks of the most pertinacious specimens are destroying the best of my grapes, while alongside is a patch of cabbages almost eaten up with the larve of the cabbage butterfly—nice, fat, — smooth grubs, easily swallowed, but no such thing will Mr. Robin look at as long as good fruit can be had. His tastes are so expensive that to gratify them is to deprive the fruit-— grower of a large portion of his profits, hence the sooner the robin ceases to be protected — by legislation the better it will be for all lovers of fruit. — | 7 The insect world is composed of myriads of specimens which from their varied struc- ture and habits admit of being classified into families, each distinct and usually easily re- cognizable to the practiced eye of the Entomologist. A large portion of this innumerable _ host is appointed to prey upon and devour the other por tions, and thus it appears to me, that apart from any consideration of insectivorous birds, the insect world would and _ does, to a large extent, take care of itself, and when an injurious species increases beyond its normal limits, its natural insect enemies, having an unusual amount of material to work on, soon become ‘sufficiently numerous to reduce the number of the injurious insect to its normal proportions again. As an illustration, take the now common cabbage butterfly, Pieris rape. This insect was in some way brought from Europe to Quebee : a few years From Quebec it has since spread over an immense area extending now from Ala- ena to the waters of Lake Superior, eastward to the Atlantic, and “westward many hundreds of miles, and over all this district it has done immense damage to the cabbage crop. Throughout this area insectivorous birds of all sorts prevail ; the butterfly is con- _ spicuous, not very strong in flight, and during the day almost constantly on the wing ; the larva feeds in exposed “situations, is of that smooth character which birds are said to prefer, and although similar in colour to its food plant, is not difficult to detect. Here, then, is an instance where a comparatively feeble insect, particularly vul- _ nerable to attack, has rapidly spread over a large portion of this continent, with little or no opposition from insectivorous birds. Indeed 1 have never yet found or known to be found a single example either of the butterfly or its larva in the stomach of any bird. In its native home in Europe it is seldom so very destructive as here, for the reason that a small four-winged fly, Pteromalus puparuwm, an insignificant look- ing little creature, is a parasite on the larva of this butterfly, and hunts its vic- ‘tims with the greatest assiduity ; alighting on their backs and thrusting its slender ovipositor through the skin of the larva, it deposits a number of eggs there, which hatch into tiny grubs, and those feed upon and eventually destroy the caterpillar. By the con- stant efforts of this little parasite the cabbage butterfly is prevented in Europe from be- oming a very serious pest. Fortunately this little friend has also been introduced here m Europe, although in what manner is not known, and is rapidly spreading, following in the wake of its prey, and where the parasite has fairly established itself, this butterfly, ; ‘with its numerous progeny of green caterpillars, soon dwindles in numbers so materially » as shortly to cease to be so grievous an evil. The butterfly spreads faster than its enemy and is usually several years in advance of it, but we may confidently anticipate that sooner, or later this small fly will do for us what it has done for Europe—keep this ‘ troublesome insect within due limits. Many other similar examples might be given. Further, the help of friendly parasitic insects is so much more efficient because it is in most instances discriminating. As far as is known, the little parasite referred to attacks only the larva of the cabbage butterfly, and in like manner many other parasitic _ Species are restricted in their operations to a single species, while in other instances they are confined to a genus or a group of similar species. This is not so with insectivorous birds ; they in most instances devour alike the useful and the injurious species, and the ‘question may well be raised in many instances whether the good they do is not more than _ counterbalanced by the number of useful insects they devour. Recent observations on _ the family of thrushes, by Mr. 8. A. Forbes, of Illinois, seem to show that their insect 4 food consists largely of beetles belonging to the Carabide, a family every member of which s useful, since they, as far as is known, “feed both in the larval and beetle states exclusively on other insects. The field here open is a wide and inviting one, on which I trust some of you will enter. J have but touched upon it; as the results of more extended observations are z ecorded the Opinions here expressed may need modifying. I desire to do justice to the _ birds. During the month of August last, it was my privilege to visit the Great Manitoulin and, also Sault Ste. Marie and the district adjoining. Although prevented by an acci- de ent from indulging in free locomotion, still I saw much that interested me. On Mani- toulin Island I found many of the species of butterflies common in the more southern portions of Ontario ; a few moths were also captured. On the shore of Elizabeth Bay, vs J o ' - near the western extremity of the island, a full-grown larva of Attacus luna was picked up, and on inquiry I learned that earlier in the season that beautiful moth was quite common in that neighbourhood. In the department of Economic Entomology some items of interest were gleaned. The pea crop throughout this district is an important one, and I made a diligent search in many fields for indications of the presence of the pea bug, Bruchus pisi, but could find no traces of it. Satisfactory evidence was furnished me, in at least two instances, of the sowing of seed brought into the island which was badly infested by this weevil, yet I was assured that neither during the season following nor in subsequent seasons did the crop suffer from this pest. The pea crops growing in these particular localities were also examined by me. Hence it would appear that the climatic or other conditions prevailing in this district are so unfavourable to this destructive pest that it is unable to survive. Should this exemption prove permanent, the cultivation of the pea there will doubtless be rapidly extended, as there will be a large demand at good prices for seed peas from this section, since so many portions of the Province are now so overrun with the pea bug that it is difficult to get seed fit for sowing; and, for the same reason, such seed peas will be readily purchased for planting in the Western States. For many years the district extending from Goderich to Collingwood has, in conse- quence of its exemption from curculio, been extremely favourable for plum culture, and here immense quantities have been grown and shipped to other parts of Canada and the United States, Goderich being for many years an important centre for the production and shipment of this fine fruit ; but within a brief period this foe has invaded Goderich in such force’ that to grow plums successfully there, warfare must now be maintained against this pest similar to that practised in the more southern sections of the Province. This-enemy has now advanced as far as Southampton, and before many years we may reasonably expect that the favoured district at present exempt, from Owen Sound to Collingwood, will be similarly invaded. Thinking that the Manitoulin Island, from its insulated position, might possibly offer in the future a fine field for this department of fruit industry, I examined carefully, whenever opportunity offered, for evidence of the presence of this insect. In the neighbourhood of Manitowaning I found two trees of Lombard, a blue plum, the name of which I could not ascertain, and two wild plums, all fruiting, but could find no traces of the work of the curculio ; but on a farm in about the centre of the island, three miles from Gore Bay, I found on a wild plum tree which was fruiting in the farmer’s garden a number of stung plums, and on opening one of them found the larva of the plum curculio uearly full grown. Since wild plums are found in many parts of the island, it is probable that the curculio will be found in other districts there. I saw several wild plum trees at the Sault Ste. Marie, but had no opportunity of examining the fruit satisfactorily ; from what I saw I was led to believe that there was no curculio in that region. The cultivation of fruit both on the Manitoulin Island and at the Sault is so entirely in its infancy that it is % difficult to form any decided opinion as to the probable future of this department of industry . 3 in those districts. In many sections, forest fires have destroyed a considerable p~oportion of the original woods, leaving many of the larger trees standing scorched and dead. From these much marketable lumber could be got, were it not for the destructive work of the wood-boring beetles ; these troublesome creatures have bored through the trees in every direction, and thus made the timber obtainable from them worthless for market, and useful only in the construction of barns, sheds, etc., on the property of the owners. Both of the large species of long-horned beetles, Monohammus confusor and scutellatus, appear to be abundant, the latter I think most common; some of the small wood-boring beetles belonging to the family Scolytide are also very numerous. The cabbage butterfly, Pieris rape, has within the last two or three years spread over. the whole of the area I visited, and is playing sad havoc with the cabbage crop. In Manitoulin Island I found a specimen or two of the Colorado potato beetle, and made a nee oe further search among growing potatoes, but could find no more. Iwas informed that this — beetle had been seen occasionally for several years past, but that it had not made any headway in any part of the island. Another insect was found attacking the potato vines, although not injuring them very much. I refer to a species of blistering beetle, Hpicauta pennsylvanica, called here the black bug. In some potato patches it was quite abundant, ‘and the leaves were partially devoured, “put nowhere did I see them in sufficient numbers to materially injure the crop. Since the larva of this insect does not feed on the plant, and the insect consumes the potato vine only while in the perfect or beetle state, no serious injury is likely to result from its presence. Its larval habits are such that if abundant one year it is almost sure to be correspondingly scarce the following season. fi ae the garden of Mr. J. C. Phipps, the Indian Agent of the Government at Manito- waning, I was surprised to find that the oyster-shell bark louse, which injures apple trees, © was fiat only abundant on the apple trees, but the stems of both black and red currant bushes were also thickly clad with them to such an extent as to have killed a number of them. I had never before seen this destructive insect attack the currant, but it has been occasionally observed on currant bushes in the United States. For several years past I have had occasion to refer to the depredations of the forest tent caterpillar, Clisiocampa sylvatica, which has devastated our gardens, orchards and forests ; it has now happily almost disappeared, a result brought about, I have no doubt, mainly through the agency of parasitic flies, several species of which have been preying on : em extensively. In some sections of the Province the rose-bug, Macrodactylus subspino- sus, has been abundant and injurious. In East Flamboro’ I am informed that they were very destructive to the sweet cherries, devouring the fruit, and that they also injured the g srape crop by eating the bunches shortly after blossoming. Some grape growers have also suffered considerably from the attacks of the grape vine flea-beetle, which devours the buds just as they are swelling in the spring. - At the late meeting of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in Boston, our “Society was represented by Mr. H. H. Lyman, § Montreal, and the Rev. 0.5.8. Bethune, whose able report of the important proceedings of the Club will be read with interest. It is gratifying to learn that the good work done by the Club has given it such a standing that the Association has seen fit to establish it $ a permanent Sub-section, and the more important papers read will in future be published a the yearly volume of proceedings. _ During the year the New York State Legislature has appointed J. A. Lintner, of pany, N.Y., as State Entomologist. New York was the first State in the Union to look sr the interests of agriculture in this direction and appoint an officer for the special pt urpose of reporting on noxious insects. The many reports of the late Dr. Fitch, exten- ding over a lengthened period, are well known and much valued; his successor, Mr. I Lintner, is a man peculiarly fitted for the position—a most patient and accurate observer, ape Entomologist; with an experience in this department of some thirty years, he rings to the task all the necessary qualifications. Seldom has there been an appointment o tadiciously made, and I feel sure that great good will result from it. _ Since I last addressed you a special Commission has been appointed by the Ontario vernment to inquire into the agricultural resources of the country, and the progress and eition of agriculture therein, and recognizing the important and intimate connection of ntomology with agriculture, the Government has seen fit to appoint your presiding officer s one of the Commissioners. In performing the duties devolving upon me in this position endeavour to give to Entomological matters, bearing on agriculture, that prominence ich their importance demands. 4 e Ww. SAUNDERS. __ The election of officers was then proceeded with, which resulted as follows : _ President.—Wm. Saunders, London. _ Vice- President.—Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., Port Hope. _ Secretary-Treasurer. —E. B. Reed, London. | Itbrarian.—W. E. Saunders, London. ~ Council. —J. A. Moffat, Hamilton: James Fletcher, Ottawa; R. V. Rogers, Kingston ; pebi Montreal; J. M. Denton, London; W. H. Harrington, Ottawa; and Wm. . Montreal. 10 Editor.—Wm. Saunders. ' Editing Committee.—Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, E. B. Reed, J. M. Denton. Auditors.—Chas. Chapman, A Puddicombe. After the routine business was concluded, Mr. Bethune offered some remarks on the moth of the cotton worm, Aletia argillacea. Twelve years ago he found it extremely abundant, late in the season, on ripe plums. He had not taken the insect again until this autumn, when they were found to be quite common in his garden. The opinion which had been advanced by Prof. Riley, of Washington, that the examples of the moth taken in these northern sections had flown northward from their breeding places in the south, he did not concur in, but believed that the insect must feed on some malvaceous plant in our midst, since the specimens he had captured were very perfect, and looked as if they had just escaped from the chrysalis. He reférred to the fact of this insect having been found common in many of the Northern States, as well as in Canada. Mr. Reed stated that he had taken this insect also in London. Mr. Moffatt exhibited a number of interesting insects which had been captured by him at Long Point and at Ridgeway, among others Papilio cresphontes, P. marcellus, P. philenor, Darapsa versicolor and Junonia cenia. Mr. Denton reported the capture of J. cenia and Lnbythea Bachmani at Port Stanley ; also of Thyreus Abbotw at London. Mr. Moffatt stated that this beautiful sphinx, 7. Abbota, had been comparatively common in Hamilton, and that a number of the larve had been reared. Mr. Fletcher reported having captured two specimens of Hrebus odora at Ottawa, one of them so perfect that he thought it was impossible that it could have flown for any distance, and thinks it must have bred in the neighbourhood. Mr. Saunders referred to several other instances of the capture of this rare moth in Canada during the past few years. Mr. Fletcher referred to the fact that during the last year there were published a number of papers on popular Entomology, and he hoped to see them continued, as he believed they were doing good service in making our valuable monthly journal more popu- lar. Several of the members present promised to prepare papers of this character during the coming year. Mr. Young, of Hamilton, asked for information on the best manner of preserving caterpillars, and inquired if any of the members had any experience in blowing them. Mr. Reed stated that he had tried and failed. Mr. Fletcher had the same experience to relate, and had found that the only satisfactory method was to draw and colour them from nature. , Mr. Fletcher thought that most of our collections were deficient in specimens illus- — trating nature ; that while we had spread specimens, we should also have them as at rest, and where possible, the larve, chrysalids and eggs. Mr. Reed asked a question in reference to Anisota rubicunda, which he had found common on maple about London, but very hard to rear; he wished to know the experience of other collectors. Several of the members present stated that they also had found it difficult to rear them. Mr. Young had reared a brood of them from butternut and beech, and found them to prefer beech to any other food. Mr. Bethune had also found them on beech trees. Mr. Fletcher had found a small fly attacking beans this year; the larva had eaten the stem of the bean and bored into the root, and finally produced a small fly somewhat — resembling a house fly. | Mr. Saunders had found several years ago a very similar fly, probably the same species, _ attacking the stems and roots of young cabbage plants. On comparing the fly with the description given in Curtis’ Farm Insects of the root-eating fly, Anthomyia radicum, often so troublesome in Europe, he thought it probable that it was the same species. Mr. Saun- ders also reported the capture of P. cresphontes very early in spring, finding the larva nearly full grown in June, which became a chrysalis, and from which the perfect insect escaped in abouta fortnight. He had also taken the full grown larva late in the fall, which had passed the winter in the chrysalis state, from which facts he drew the inference that this species is double-brooded in Canada. 11 _ Mr. Fletcher reported having found the larva of Ceratomia quadricornis about Ottawa, and finds it a difficult insect to rear. Mr. Young had fed a brood of the larva of Telea polyphemus on black birch, on which _ they seemed to thrive remarkably well. R Mr. Kyle, of Dundas, stated that he had found polyphemus feeding on witch hazel < (Hamamelis virginica), and promethea feeding on ash and lilac. Mr. Moffatt had found promethea also on wild cherry, as well as on ash, sassafras bi and lilac. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LONDON BRANCH. The Annual Meeting of the London Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on Tuesday, the 20th day of January, at eight o’clock in the evening, at the rooms of the Society ; the President, Mr. J. M. Denton, in the chair. . Mr. Saunders reported on behalf of the Committee on Rooms, that new rooms could be secured very advantageously, situated in the Victoria Hall Buildings, and recommended that steps be at once taken to secure them. On motion, the report of the Committee was received and adopted. | The Annual Report of the Secretary-Treasurer was read, showing a small balance to the credit of the branch. The election of officers followed, when the following gentlemen were elected :— President.—J. M. Denton. 4 Vice-President.—A. Puddicombe. ___—*Secretary-Treasurer.—W. E. Saunders. - Curator.—C. Chapman. Council.—Messrs. H. B. Bock, E. B. Reed and W. eck Auditors.—J. H.. Bowman and H. B. Bock. Mr. Saunders reported the donation of two boxes of Micro-lepidoptera for the collection of the Society, by V. T. Chambers, Esq., of Covington, Kentucky ; also two magnificent specimens of Sama glovert, by A. H. Mundt, Esq., 1 Ok F airbury, Illinois. The following additions to the library were also reported: from the Department of the Interior, Washington, “Hayden’s Report on the Survey of Idaho and Wyoming,’ é = “Prof. Riley’s Report on the Silkworm.” W. E. SAuNDERS, Secretary-Treasurer. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The Seventh Annual General Meeting of the Montreal Branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held on Monday, the 17th May, 1880, at the residence of the Vice-President, Mr. H, H. Lyman. me iAn interesting paper was read by Mr. Couper on the milk-weed (Asclepias tuber sa) and some of its insect frequenters. The paper drew attention to the curious fact that the oO ee of the different insects feeding upon this plant were, almost without exception, red and black. | 7 The Secretary-Treasurer read his Annual Report, which showed the finances to be in a most satisfactory condition. __ The election of officers then took place, resulting as follows :— _ President.—G. J. Bowles. Vice-President.—G. B. Pearson. _ -Secretary-Treasurer.—Geo. H. Bowles. _ Curator.—F¥. B. Caulfield. _ Council.—Messrs. H. H. Lyman, Wm. Couper and Robert Jack. bl A short time was pleasantly spent in examining several cases of rare Lepidoptera ponents to Mr. Lyman, after which the meeting adjourned. ¥ Gro. H. Bow tes, ee. ’ Secretary-T reasurer. Tr 12 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. | The annual gathering of the Entomologists of North America, in connection with — the meeting of the A. A. A. §., took place this year at Boston, Mass., and was the most — important that has ever been held, both as regards the largeness of the attendance, the — number and value of the papers read, and also as regards the general interest taken inthe — proceedings. So highly indeed was it esteemed that the Standing Committee of the Asso- — ciation formed the Club into a Sub-section of Section B., (Zoology, Botany, etc.), and will — publish its proceedings in the annual volume of transactions. The first session was held in the lecture-room of the Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History, at two o’clock, p.m., on Tuesday, August 24th, 1880; the President, S. H. Scudder, of Cambridge, Mass., in the chair. There were over sixty persons present during this first meeting, and at least one hundred in all must have attended the various sessions of the Club. Among those present were the following Entomologists of note :— Dr. J. A. Lininer, Dr. John L. LeConte, Dr. John G. Morris, Prof. C. V. Riley, Dr. H. A. Hagen, A. R. Grote, Prof. Packard, S. 8S. Haldeman, B. P. Mann, Prof. C. H. Fernald, Prof. A. J. Cook, Dr. C. S. Minot, Rev. H. C. McCook, E. P. Austin, E. L. Graet, H. F. Bassett, J. D. Putnam, Dr. E. L. Mark, E. Burgess, Dr. Martin, J. G. Henderson, Prof. Morse, Dr. Hoy, O. 8S. Westcott and J. H. Emerton. The Entomological Society of Ontario was represented by the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, of Port Hope, and H. H. Lyman, of Montreal. After the meeting had been called to order, the President, Mr. Scudder, delivered the following address on “ Problems in Entomology :”— ih eee eee ee! ee a = ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. It is the good fortune of your President on this occasion to welcome you to his native heath, where our favourite science has been longer, more uninterruptedly, and, perhaps, more zealously cultivated than anywhere else in the new world. Here, in the last century, Peck studied the cankerworm and the slug-worm of the cherry, and, in late years, _ Rhynchaenus, Stenocorus, and Cossus—all highly destructive insects. Here lived Harris, — who cultivated Entomology in its broadest sense, and whose classic treatise was the first — important Government publication on injurious insects. Here, to-day, we have two Asso- ciations for our work, consisting, it will be confessed, of nearly the same individuals, and © not many of them, but meeting frequently—one in Boston, the other in Cambridge. — Harvard acknowledges the claims of our study in supporting not only an instructor in Entomology at its Agricultural School, but a full professor of the same in the University at large. Harris attributed to Peck his special interest in Entomology, and his first paper, that on the salt-marsh caterpillar, appeared in the Massachusetts Agricultural Repository only four years after Peck’s last, in the same magazine, on cherry and oak insects. How many of us have drawn our first inspirations from Harris? Yet probably not one of our local Entomologists ever saw him. The general direction of Harris’ studies doubtless arose from the predilections of his instructor ; and the unprecedented growth of economic Ento- mology in this country, where it flourishes as nowhere else, must be credited primarily to the influence of Harris’ work. With every temptation which the wealth of new material about him could give, or which a very extensive correspondence with naturalists devoting themselves almost exclusively to systematic work, like Say, would naturally foster, he — wisely followed the bent given his studies by his early training under Peck, and left a — better example and a more generous and enduring influence. a In our own day, the spreading territory of the United States, the penetration of its — wilds, and the intersection of its whole area by routes of travel, the wider distribution and greatly increased numbers of local Entomologists, as well as the demand for our — natural products abroad, have set also before us the same temptation to study only new * E a Re Mgt le a wy LA Spe ta tig aS mR i 13 a forms and to cultivate descriptive work, to the neglect of the choicer, broader fields of an ever-opening science. It is this danger to which I venture briefly to call your attention to-day, not by way of disparaging the former, but rather in the hope that some of our younger members, who have not yet fallen inte the ruts of work, may be induced to turn their attention to some of the more fruitful fields of diligent research. We should not apply the term descriptive work merely to the study of the external features of insects. The great bulk of what passes for comparative anatomy, physiology and embryology, is purely descriptive, and is only to be awarded a higher grade ina scale ‘of studies than that which deals with the external properties, when it requires a better ‘training of the hand and eye to carry it out, and greater patience of investigation. We Ss is once to a higher grade of research wien we deal with comparisons or processes (which, of course, involve comparisons). All good descriptive work, indeed, is also com- parative ; but at the best it is so only in the narrowest sense, for only intimately allied forms are compared. In descriptive work we deal with simple facts ; in comparative work we deal with their collocation. “Facts,” said Agassiz, one day, oF acts are stupid things, until brought into connection with some general Jaw.” It is to this higher plane that concerns itself with general laws that I would urge the young student to bend his steps. The way is hard ; but in this lies one of its charms, for labour is its own reward. It is by patient plodding that the goal is reached ; every step costs and counts; the ever-broadening field of knowledge exhilarates the spirit and intensi- fies the ambition ; there is no such thing as satiety—-study of this sort never palls. It is hardly necessary to point out that so-called systematic work never reaches this higher grade unless it is monographic; unless it deals in a broad way with the relationship bind general affinities of insects. It is not my purpose to call attention here to the needs of science in this department, as they are too patent to escape observation ; but if one desires a model upon which to construct such work, one need not look further than the s evision of the Rhynchophora,” by Drs. LeConte and Horn. Rather than linger here, we prefer to pass directly to some of the obscurer fields of study. __ When we compare the number of insect Embryologists in America with that of their European colleagues, the result is somewhat disheartening and discreditable ; although perhaps the comparison would not be quite so disproportionate were some of our students to publish their notes. But take all that has been done upon both sides of the water, and ¥ yhat a meagre showing it makes. Of how many families of Coleoptera alone have we the embryonic history of a single species? Of two of the four families of butterflies, the fertile eggs of which are perfectly easy to obtain, nothing is known. In short, one may ree dily choose numbers of typical groups whose embryonic history would be a great acquisition to science. Here is a.broad field. From the special range of my own studies let me recommend to any one eager for this work to choose the eggs of our common copper butterfly, which she will lay to “order on sorrel, and the earlier stages of which can be obtained from the parent at two or three different times of the year ; or the eggs of any of our common skippers, which deposit on grass, and which are equally easy to obtain, though only once a year. Or, if we turn to Orthoptera, the eggs of our common Occanthus, neealed all winter in raspberry twigs, are more transparent and more easily obtained than of any other cricket ; and our knowledge of the embryology of any of the Gryllidae ery fragmentary, and of this particular tribe, nz/. Better still, perhaps, would be the choice of our common walking-stick, as it belongs to a bizarre and isolated type, now known o be of very ancient ancestry, and of whose embryonic history nothing has been published. T have, indeed, a few incomplete notes upon this insect, but they relate wholly to a late de iod of development, and were made before the time of the microtome, when work over su ch coarse-shelled eggs was very difficult and unsatisfactory. The eggs may be readily ocured, the insect being abundant in scrub-oak fields ; the mother drops the eggs loosely nthe ground, and from imprisoned specimens I have procured scores in a single season. ‘one who will glance over the history of what has been done in insect embryology will e able to select a hundred examples as important and as easy to obtain as those already 1amed, ,and by concentrating his work upon them will do better service than in an aimless lection of what may come to his hand. DOSE a 14 In following the post-embryonal history of insects there is work for all: While allied forms have in general a very similar development, there are so many which are unexpec- tedly found to ‘differ from one another, that every addition to our knowledge of the life histories of insects is a gain, and they are to be praised who give their close. attention to this matter. Here isa . field any Entomologist, even the most unskilled, may cultivate to — his advantage and with the assurance that every new history he works out is a distinct addition to the science. The importance of an accumulation of facts in this field can hardly be over-estimated, and those whose opportunities for field work are good, should especially take this suggestion to heart. Nor, by any means, is the work confined to the mere collection of facts. How to account for this extraordinary diversity of life and habits” among insects, and what its meaning may be, is one of the problems of the evolutionist. There are also here some especially curious inquiries, to which Sir John Lubbock and others have recently called attention, and to which, in this country, Mr. Riley has contri- buted by his history of Lpicauta and other Meloide.. I refer to the questions connected with so-called hypermetamorphosis in insects. In these cases there are changes of form during the larval period greater than exist between larva and pupa, or even between larva and imago, in some insects. There are also slighter changes than these which very many larvee undergo ; indeed, it may safely be asserted that the “newly-hatched and the mature larve of all external feeders differ from each other in some important features. The differences are really great (when compared to the differences between genera of the same family at a similar time of life) in all lepidopterous larve, as well as in all Orthoptera which have come under my notice. No attempt to co-ordinate these differences, or to study their meanings, or to show the nature of their evident relationship to hypermeta- morphosis has ever been attempted. Not less inviting is the boundless region of investigation into the habits of insects and their relation to their environment. The impulse given to these studies by the rise of Darwinism, and the sudden and curious importance they have assumed in later investi- gations into the origin and kinship of insects, need only to be mentioned to be acknow- ledged at once by all of you. The variation in coloration and form exhibited by the same insect at different seasons or in different stations, ‘‘sports,” the phenomena of dimorphism, and that world of differences between the sexes, bearing no direct relation to sexuality ; mimicry also, phosphorescence and its relations to life,the odours of insects, the relation of anthophilous insects to the colours and fructification of flowers, the modes of communication between members of communities, the range and action of the senses,* language, commen- salism—these are simply a few topics selected quite at random from hundreds which might be suggested, in each of which new observations and comparative studies are urgently demanded. The fundamental principles of the morphology of insects were laid down by Savigny in some memorable memoirs more than sixty years ago; the contributions of no single author since that time have added so much to our knowledge, notwithstanding the aid which embryology has been able to bring. Nevertheless there remain many unsolved — problems in insect morphology which by their nature are little likely to receive help from this source. Let me mention three: The first concerns the structure of the organs of flight. The very nomenclature of the veins shows the disgraceful condition of our philosophy of these parts; the same termi- — SNe wee oe ae ee nology is not employed in any two of the larger sub-orders of insects; names without number have been proposed, rarely, however, by any author with a view to their applica- — bility to any group outside that which formed his special study; and a tabular view which should illustrate them all would be.a curious sight. A careful study of the main and subordinate veins, their relations to each other, to the different regions of the wing, to the — supporting parts of the thorax and to the alar muscles, should be carried through the entire order of insects; by no means, either, neglecting their development in time, and possibly deriving some assistance in working our homologies by the study of their hypodermic — development. * Notice Meyer’s beautiful studies on the perception of sound by the mosquito. 15 Ss ‘The second concerns the mouth parts. The general homologies of these organs were “clearly and accurately enough stated by Savigny, though one may perhaps have a right to consider the last word not yet said when one recalls Saussure’s recent claim to have found in Hemimerus a second labium. What I refer to, however, is another point: it relates to eppendages of the maxille and the labium. Considering the labium as a soldered pair of secondary maxille we have at the most, on either pair of maxille, three appendages upon ‘either side. These appendages, as you know, are very variously developed in different sub-orders of insects, or even in the same sub- order ; and it has at least not been shown, and I question if it can be done, that the parts bearing similar names in different sub-orders are always homologous organs. Here is a study as broad and perhaps as difficult as the last. The third is the morphological significance of monstrosities, especially of such as are termed monstrosities by excess. The literature of the subject is very scattered, and the ‘material much more extensive than many of you may think. At present this subject is, so to speak, only one of the curiosities of Entomology, but we may be coufident that it will one day show important relations to the story of life. After all the labours of Herold, Treviranus, Lyonet, Dufour, and dozens of other such industrious and illustrious workers, is there anything important remaining to be done in the gross anatomy of insects? some of you would perhaps ask. Let the recent work of some of our own number answer, which has shown in the Hemiptera and Lepidoptera the existence of a curious pumping arrangement by which nutritious fluids _are forced into the stomach. It is certainly strange that after all that has been said as to the mode in which a butterfly feeds, that no one should have dissected a specimen with i ficient care to have seen the pharyngeal sac which Mr. Burgess will soon show us, No! the field is still an open one, as the annual reviews clearly show. The curious Sita of Floegel’s studies of the brain, the oddly-constructed sense-organs found by Peabo and Meyer (earlier noticed briefly by Leydig) in the antenne of Diptera, the important anatomical distinctions discovered by Forel in different groups of ants, the a ange modification of the tip of the spiral tongue in Ophideres, which Darwin, Briten- ach and Kiinckel have discussed, and, above all, the extensive inv estigations of the nervous system in insects generally, which Brandt has recently undertaken, the exquisite memoir of Grenacher on the structure of the compound eye, and the keen researches of Graber in various departments of insect anatomy, show, by what has been accomplished, ho ow peany harvests are still unreaped. The microtome, too, has put a new instrument of precision into the hands of the investigator in this field. a We might in the same way point « out some of the special needs in the study of the. finer anatomy or histology of insects, but the pressure of other duties borbids a further pursuit of the subject. Enough surely has been suggested, even in this hasty sketch, to show that we cannot yet rest upon our oars, but must push forward undaunted into still unknown waters. If these few words shall arouse in any one a higher ambition, leading to better work, their aim will have been accomplished. we _ On motion of the Secretary, B. P. Mann, the minutes of the last meeting of the Club were adopted as printed in the Canadian Etomologist. A ‘The President read portions of a letter from Mr. Wm. Saunders, of London, Ont., explaining his absence owing to a severe accident, and expressed the great regret felt by al! present that Mr. Saunders was not with them, and that his absence was occasioned by 30 unfortunate a cause. _ The election of officers then took place (by ballot) with the following result :— _ President.—Dr. John G. Morris, of Baltimore, M aryland. _ ~Vice-President.—C. V. Riley, of Washington, D.C. _ Secretary.—B. P. Mann, of Cambridge, Mass. _ Mr. A. R. Grote, of Buffalo, N.Y., delivered an able and interesting lecture on ertain generic characteristics of the Voctuide, which, it is to be hoped, he will prepare for 7 16 publication. At the close of his remarks he expressed his anxiety that describers of Noctuids should refer particularly to those parts on which generic characters are based. Prof. A. J. Cook, of the State Agricultural College, Lansing, Mich., gave an account of recent investigations in Apiculture. Among many interesting facts he stated that if the wings of the virgin queen be clipped, or the entrance to the hive be so contracted that she cannot fly forth, or, again, if she be reared where there are no drones, she will not be sterile, but from her eggs only drones will be produced ; that the fate of the drones in a hive depends on the prosperity of the colony—with a rapid increase of bees and honey they are safe, but if there is a period of adversity in these respects, unless caused by the loss or sterility of the queen, they are speedily destroyed by the workers ; that worker bees are imperfectly developed females; that bees possess and employ the sense of smell, and that they have a good knowledge of locality. In answer toa question from Dr. Morris respecting the alleged robbery of fruit by bees, whether they will not perforate ripe fruits if starved for a time, Prof. Cook replied that he had not tried starvation, but he had placed punctured grapes before bees and found that they would sip the juice with zest, but when he replaced the fruit with sound specimens they did not attempt to touch them. Mr. Scudder then exhibited some illustrations of rare fossil insects, prepared for | publication in Dr. Hayden’s report, and a large volume of :lithographed plates, coloured drawings, etc., of Diurnal Lepidoptera in all their stages, which he had had made to illustrate his proposed great work on the Butterflies of North America. Mr. J. D. Putnam, of the Davenport Academy, presented some notes on the North American Galeodes (Solpugide), and exhibited specimens in illustratiop. The Rev. H. C. McCook, of Philadelphia, gave a most interesting lecture on the life history of the honey ants of the Garden of the Gods, Colorado, and illustrated it with specimens of the insects and a great number of very large water-colour drawings. He described fully the chambers excavated by the ants, the insects themselves in all their forms, their nocturnal habits, and their feeding upon the saccharine juice exuded from the galls of the scrub-oak. He stated that the workers are undeveloped females, and that the honey-bearers are a changed form of the worker major with a greatly enlarged crop, in which they store the honey. Mr. McCook has not yet committed his observations to writing, but, we understand, that he will eventually publish them in the proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. It is impossible to give here even a synopsis of the vast amount of information that he afforded upon this interesting subject. Prof. Riley remarked, in connection with this subject, that many galls secrete saccha- rine matter, and that sometimes the gall-insects themselves are entrapped in it; that the ants probably get their honey also from the species of C'occus that frequents the scrub-oaks of Colorado ; and that almost all species of ants are able to expand their abdomens when necessary. Dr. Haldeman observed that the reason why hills were constructed by some ants and not by others was probably because some might have the proper materials conveniently at hand and others not. He urged Entomologists to domesticate ants in order to study their habits, most of which are as yet very imperfectly known. Mr. Bassett stated that’ very many species of galls are infested by ants; that he has observed a gall on scrub-oak swarming with ants, and with C'etonia Jnda and other honey- loving insects. Dr. John L. LeConte, of Philadelphia, Pa., read a paper on a collection of Coleoptera obtained from a few hickory twigs. Some hickory trees on a friend’s estate, near Phila- delphia, were observed to be diseased, and therefore cut down. Some of the twigs were sent to him, and from them he obtained no less than twenty-two species of Coleoptera. He expressed a strong hope that some competent Entomologist should prepare a list of the insects that infest forest trees, and that it should be appended to the report about to be issued by the U. S. Commission on Forestry. Dr. Morris stated that he also had obtained a considerable Bae of species of beetles 4 from twigs. Mr. Haldeman said that the hickory was more infested with insects than any other tree. ~ 7a 17 es _ Dr. LeConte next read a paper on the so-called “Lightning Bugs” (Lampyride). Mr. Austin remarked that when a fire-fly is at rest there is a faint ray of light visible, proceeding from the edge of the segments of the abdomen ; when the insect is emitting the flashes of light it moves these segments, and so reveals more of the light. i Mr. Martin stated that he had observed a fire- fly in a spider’s web, and that it emitted _ very rapid flashes of light at first, but that they gradually diminished in brilliance till at length they died out. On motion, the meeting then adjourned till 80 ‘clock, p.m. Tuesday Evening Session. ’ At 8 o’clock, the Entomological Club met at the Hotel Vendome, Dr. J. G. Morris in the chair. Mr. H. F. Bassett, of Waterbury, Conn., gave an account of the “Structure and Development of certain Hymenopterous Galls.” He exhibited specimens of galls produced on plants and trees, and spoke of the alternation of two forms belonging to one species. The seminator deposits its eggs in the young acorn, and from the sting or puncture the grows, having the appearance of another acorn. This falls to the ground in September, and remains twenty-one months, at the end of which time the gall-tlies are produced, which are all females. These females lay their eggs in the buds of the trees in the spring, and from these galls are formed, out of which are "developed flies of both sexes. All galls may e divided into two classes Ki irst, those formed in autumn, which do not develop till the next or a succeeding year, the imagoes or perfect insects hatched from them being always females ; and secondly, those formed in the spring, the progeny of which are of both sexes. He considered that the woolly substance that covers these galls is an excessive development of the pubescence of the leaf, and thought that the growth of the galls is produced by the action of the poison that is infused by the parent insect when making the sting or puncture, because he often could find in a gall no trace of any larva. __ Prof. Riley expressed his opinion that galls are formed both by the poison injected with the egg, and by the irritant action of the larva. He spoke also of the sweet exuda- tion on galls, and remarked that honey-dew is in some cases the natural exudation of the plant, independent of the action of insects upon it. Prof. C. H. Fernald, of Orono, Me., exhibited three volumes recently published by Lord Walsingham, on “North American Micro-Lepidoptera, Tortricide,” illustrated with soloured plates, and forming part of the British Museum Catalogues for 1879; also, by the Same author, a volume on the ‘‘ New and little-known Species of North American Tineide,” and another on ‘The Pterophoride of California and Oregon.” He then proceeded to read a paper on the Classification of Tortricidae, illustrating his remarks by some wings prepared for the microscope. These slides, which beautifully exhibited the venation of the wings, rere mounted with glycerine boiled gently over the lamp; the wings were bleached by Dimmock’s process. Dr. H. A. Hagen, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., read ‘paper on the importation of the Hessian fly. The generally accepted theory, from which a insect derives its common name, is that the insect was brought from Europe to merica, about a century ago, in the straw used for bedding by “the Hessian troops employed by the British Government in the war of the Revolution. This theory Dr. dagen rejects, and in a sketch of the history of the movement of these troops, he showed hat the lapse of time during their transportation was considerably greater than that of he term of the normal development of the fly from the egg. He stated that there was ome evidence of the existence of the fly in America before the arrival of the Hessian v0 ops, and that it was unknown in Central Europe till recently ; there was, however, Some evidence that it may have appeared in certain places on the Mediterranean coast at in earlier period. He even thought it possible that the fly might have been imported » America into the Mediterranean region of Europe by American trading vessels. is conclusions, as stated in a long and very interesting paper, in which he quoted many erman and British official records, may be summed up briefly as follows: 1. It is impos- 2 £8735 e sible that the fly could have been imported by Hessian Troops, as proved by the historical 3 records. 2. The fly must have been in America long before the arrival of the Hessian — troops. 3. The fly was not known in Germany before 1857, and is probably an indigenous American insect. , Prof. Riley stated that he had so often noticed a retardation of development in insects, — that he should not be surprised if this had been the case with the Hessian fly, when ; imported. Again, that the ‘“flax-seed state” of this insect lasts so long that it might have crossed the Atlantic during that phase of its existence, Dr. Hagen replied that Dr. Asa Fitch had already proved the impossibility of this. Prof. Riley accepted the theory that the fly is indigenous to America, and Dr. Hagen ~ stated that he believed that it is indigenous to both Europe and America. The meeting then adjourned. t Wednesday Afternoon Session. The Club met for an hour, at 5 o’clock, p.m., in one of the rooms of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a large and commodious building, which was almost entirely given up to the work of the Association. The short time at the disposal of the Club was occupied by the continuation of the Rev. H. C. McCooks lecture on the Honey-ants of the Garden of the Gods, Colorado; the first portion of which he delivered on the previous afternoon. At its conclusion, some — remarks were made by Prof. Cook and others, on birds versus insects. Thursday was devoted by the the Association to a visit to Cambridge. Many of the Entomologists took the opportunity of visiting the rooms of the Cambridge Entomological — Club, where they were received by Mr. B. P. Mann, the Secretary. Friday Afternoon Session. The Club met in their room in the Institute of Technology at 4 o’clock p.m., Mr. A. R. Grote, Vice-president, in the chair. Dr. LeConte moved that, owing to a resolution passed at the general session of the Association that morning, the Entomological Club do now organize as a permanent Sub- section of the Association. He proceeded to congratulate the Club on the honour thus conferred upon it. It was due to the importance of the subject and the large attendance of Entomologists, no less than to the number of interesting papers offered for their discussion. The resolution was unanimously adopted, and the Club at once organized as a Sub-section with the officers elected on the first day of meeting. Mr. E. Burgess, of Boston, gave an account of the structure of the mouth organs of Butterflies, describing especially and illustrating with diagrams on the black-board, the proboscis, etc., of the Archippus. Remarks were made upon the paper by Dr. Hagen and Messrs. Mann, Cook and Riley. Dr. Hagen read a paper on the anatomy of Prodoxus decipiens,in which he confirmed Mr. Riley’s statements. Prof. Fernald read a paper on Phoxopteris angulifasciana, a small tortrix feeding upon clover. Mr. O. 8. Wescott, of Racine, Wis., gave by request an account of a moth trap for collecting insects by light, which he had employed with much success. Dr. Hoy and Mr. — Mann also described insect traps that they had found useful. . Mr. Westcott gave an account of the mode of building its web by a geometrical spider, and stated that the insect when forming the concentric lines across the rays measured the distance from the next parallel line by means of its second right fore-leg before attaching the thread to the ray. . Prof. Cook, in answer to a question, stated that he had found a mixture of honey and beer equally efficacious with the ordinary mixture for sugaring. 3 Mr. Grote remarked that he had found the Colorado potato -beetle feeding upon a large cultivated variety of Datura, and feared that it would probably soon prove a serious enemy to the tobacco plant, another member of the family Solanacec. 19 Prof. Riley stated that he had found the Colorado beetle in South Carolina. The meeting adjourned at 6 o’clock. Monday, August 30th. _ The Sub-section of Entomology met at the Institute this morning, Dr. J. G. Morris inthe chair. For the first time the titles of the papers to be read, with the names of the _ officers, were published in the Association programme for the day. Prof. Fernald gave a brief description of his method of preparing and mounting the wings of Micro-leprdoptera. Mr. B. P. Mann gave an account of the contributions of the Cambridge Entomologi- eal Club and the progress of Entomology. Prof. C. V. Riley described the life-habits of several bee-flies (Bombyliide), and made some remarks on tree-crickets and on the early stages of Blepharocera. q Dr. Hagen exhibited a specimen of Passalus cornutus, which was entirely destitute of any trace of elytra, but possessed wings and all other parts quite perfect. He stated that it was impossible that the elytra had been artificially removed and that he considered _this to be a very rare natural deformity. Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, in the absence of Dr. Hoy, who was to have read the next "paper on the occurrence of "Aletia argillacea in Wisconsin, stated that he had learned in conversation with Dr. Hoy that this moth had occurred in immense numbers on ripe _ melons near Racine, Wis., and that he had himself in the autumn of 1865, taken a great quantity of the moths feeding on fallen plums and apples, but that ordinarily the moth was not at all common in Ontario, Prof. Riley considered that the Aletta flew to the north when superabundant in its natural home in the cotton growing regions of the south ; that it fed there on some mal- _vaceous plant, lived a year, but not probably longer, and then was no longer to be found in northern localities until another emigration took place when it again became numerous. He did not think that it could —— live for more than a few generations in the Nothern States or Canada. _ Mr. Mann was of opinion that it must live for years in the north, finding some Beebe food plant, though like very many other insects it was frequently scarce and then suddenly appeared in great numbers. Dr. Lintner stated that he had found the moth at an altitude of 1800 feet on the Adirondack Mountains, and that Dr. Hoy had informed him that he had taken the larva in June at Racine. _ Dr. E. L. Mark described some points in the anatomy of the Coccide. _ The list of papers having been exhausted, the Section now adjourned to meet next iy ear in Cincinnati, Ohio. \ eo POPULAR PAPERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS. By James Fletcher, Ottawa, Ont. Beitomology seems to be gradually throwing off the veil of contempt under which it s been so long hidden. The Botanist has always to a certain extent been deemed a phi Biopher from the important part plants play in Pharmacy ; the Geologist and Miner- losis, too, from the possibility of their discovering precious metals have been treated by 2 outside unscientific world as sages worthy of some respect. Entomologists, however, ave not thus been honoured by the masses. The question would be asked—What tangible results can come from collecting flies and bugs and sticking pins through them ? 3 ad in vain the amount of damage done by insects year by year might be estimated and a poi mted out. Tlis state of affairs, though, I believe, is now at an end. The claims of the Science on all agriculturists and horticulturists are daily becoming more apparent. The q fig itution of the United States Entomological Commission, and the success that has bed - a ae . ~ 20 oe attended that organization from the happy choice of such men as Messrs. C. V. Riley and A. 8. Packard as directors, has perhaps done more than anything else to open people’s eyes to the fact that after all there is something in Entomology. In Canada, too, much good work has been done. In 1868 two Entomological magazines were started, our own important organ, the CANADIAN EnTomMoLoGist—in August, for Ontario; and Ze Natur- alist Canadien, edited by the Abbe Provancher, in December, for Quebec ; to these is chiefly due the progress the science has made in Canada. The editors of the CANADIAN EntomoLocist—Revy. C. J. 8. Bethune (1868-1873), and since that time our present esteemed editor—have always by their many charming and descriptive papers evinced a desire to make the study of Entomology as fascinating and easy as possible for beginners, while at the same time they have paid full respect to their scientific readers. Le Naturalist Canadien is published in the French language. It was commenced in December, 1868, from which time the Abbé Provancher has fought bravely, and almost single-handed, against all obstacles, striving by its means to create among the French Canadians a love for the natural sciences, particularly Entomology. I am very sorry to see by the December number, that on account of the grant which the Editor received from the Government having been discontinued, his valuable work may possibly be stopped : this would be a great pity, and every Entomologist ought to give a hand in helping him out of his difficulty. The magazine has been of great value to the farmers of Lower Canada, who in its pages have always received courteous answers on any subjects in the many © branches of natural history affecting agriculture. In the eleven volumes of the EnTomoLocisT now published, or in the Annual Reports of the Society, descriptions of nearly all the common Canadian insects, and illustrations of many of them, will be found. JI would particularly call attention to a paper in the Annual Report of 1872 by Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, entitled “ Beneficial Insects.” This gives an outline sketch in a concise manner of the different divisions into which insects are divided and the distinguishing points of each. With the above mentioned volumes and Dr. Packard’s Guide to the study of insects, a very complete knowledge of the rudiments of entomology can be obtained ; the rest can only be learned by observation and experience in the field. Undoubtedly the first and most important step of all is to commence a collection. Study can only be carried on satisfactorily from the actual specimens, which should be examined alive whenever possible, and full notes taken of any striking peculiarities observed; when preparing specimens for the cabinet, the one idea which has to be born in mind, and upon which the whole value and beauty of the collection depends, is that they may appear natural, anda knowledge of how to effect this can only be attained by observing living specimens. THE CALOSOMAS OR CATERPILLAR-HUNTERS. These insects belong to the family called Carabide, which is a large and difficult family to study, or even to define and limit exactly. ‘The insects belonging to it are re- markable for their graceful forms, and at the same time for their cruel and predacious habits, both in the larval and perfect states. It is this last trait which makes them such useful auxiliaries to the horticulturist. The better known of the two represented here is called Calosoma calidum, Fabr., (fig. 1) or “The Glowing Beautiful-bodied Caterpillar- — hunter.” As an exception to the general rule, its English name is more formidable than the Latin ; but so important a personage is its bearer that I will not deprive him of a single letter of his title, and indeed am almost tempted to add to it the words ‘‘ most useful.” It well merits its appellation, Calosoma (Kalos—heautiful,and Soma—a body). Fig. 1 gives a life size representation of it. The colour of the polished ” elytra or wing-covers is a deep blue-black, and the six rows of dots © with which they are adorned are of a fiery burnished red, for which reason it has been called by the specific name of calidwm. Thelegsin — Fig 1. “ our figure are two thick and clumsy, but it must be well known to 21 _< everyone. It may generally be found in early summer, in damp pastures, either hidden - under stones or running in the grass in search of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects. Jaeger, who first called the members of this genus caterpillar-hunters, says “they may be _ found every morning and evening upon the branches of trees, looking out for caterpillars and devouring them.” ‘They do not, however, restrict themselves to caterpillars, for they will attack and devour a perfect June-bug when fresh from the pupa state and soft, with _ apparently the same relish as their special dainty, a fat cut-worm. In the larval state they are equally rapacious; they. lurk in holes in the ground or under sticks and stones in the daytime, and only leave their retreats as night draws on to go in search of prey. Every spring I have several of these useful and luckily common beetles brought to me by _ kind friends who have found them in their gardens. To the inquiry “ Is this of any use - to yout” I have always the answer ready, which somewhat surprises them: “ No, but it is of particular use to you ; take it carefully back and put it in your garden again ; it is the best friend you have there, for it feeds entirely upon your enemies, the wire-worms, - eut-worms and white-worms.” Iam sure that through the agency of this beetle alone I have been able to gain more respect for the science of Entomology among horticulturists than from all the rest put together. Much resembling this beetle in shape, but of a very much more striking appearance, is its near relative, Cal- osoma scrutator, Fabr., the ‘ beautiful-bodied searcher,” fig. 2. The colour of its wing-covers is bright metallic green, garnished with longitudinal lines and sparcely punctured ; round the margin runs an effective line of coppery-red. The head, thorax and legs are almost black ; the margin of the thorax having a greenish tinge. The under side is of a deep burnished blue-green hue. Its habits are the same as those of C. calidum, but it is a . Fig. 2. much rarer insect. JI have never seen a live specimen ; but they are occasionally found in Ontario, and dead specimens are said to be frequently washed up on the outer shore of Toronto Island after a southerly gale. Tur Common Wootty Brar (Sprlosoma virginica ). By W. Saunders, London, Ont. _ The caterpillars known under the common name of “woolly bears” belong to the family of Arctians, and most of the species in the moth state are very pretty objects. The _ . ~ commonest of all the species is Sptlosomavir- ginica, a pure white moth which appears on the wing in May, when it deposits its clusters of round yellow eggs on the under side of the leaves of many plants. Ina few days these hatch into minute hairy caterpillars, which for atime feed in company,and devour at first the under side of the leaf only, so that it assumes a scorched and withered aspect. In a short time, however, they part company, each one choosing his own course, and blessed with good digestive powers, they eat freely of all parts of the leaf. The full grown caterpillar (fig. 3, a) is nearly two inches long, thickly clothed 22 with hair usually of a yellowish colour, but not always so, for some are light brown and < ead ~ a OS te PASS ah if others a darker brown. The head and feet are usually yellow, and the hairs arise in ~ little tufts from small yellow tubercles arranged nearly in rows across the body. In the spaces between the segments there are darker lines, sometimes brown or dark brown, and occasionally nearly black ; there is a dark line along each side, and the under surface is also of a dark shade. When full grown the caterpillar seeks some sheltered nook in which to change to a | chrysalis, attached to the under side of a board, under the bark of a tree or in some crevice in a fence, wherever it is dry and secluded. Having fixed on a suitable locality, the larva proceeds to divest its body of the covering of hairs, and with these woven to- gether with silken threads, it constructs the slight cocoon which is to shelter the chrysalis, _ and here in a short time the change takes place. From the chrysalis (6, fig.:3), which is of the usual brown colour, in a week or two the perfect moth appears, soon to deposit fresh patches of eggs, from which in a few days the second brood of larve are hatched, which attain maturity and enter the chrysalis state before winter comes, and remain in this quiescent condition until the following spring. The moth (fig. 3, c) measures when its wings are expanded from one inch and a half to two inches. The figure represents a female; the males are somewhat smaller. Both sexes have the wings snowy white with a few black dots which vary much in number in different specimens ; in some there are two on each front wing and three on each hind wing, as in the figure, while in others the spots are almost wanting, and there is every gradation between these extremes. On the under side the spots are more distinct than on the upper, and sometimes the white surface is slightly tinged with yellow. The an- tenn are white above, dark brown below, the head and thorax white. The abdomen is orange coloured, sometimes streaked across with white, and has three rows of black spots, one above and one on each side; the under side of the abdomen is white, sometimes tinged with orange. This species is attacked by several parasites, which destroy immense numbers every year ; were it not for this we should soon be overrun with them. TicgER BEETLES. By k. V. Rogers, Jr., Kingston, Ont. There are probably over ninety thousand different species of Beetles in the world, and first and foremost of this mighty legion stand the Cicindelide. Well, therefore, might they demand our attention from their high position in the Coleopterous world alone, but they have many other claims on our consideration. They are cosmopolitan—no pent- up Ithaca contracts their powers ; they are beautiful ; they are fierce; they are blood- thirsty ; they are useful; and the family name is an old one—known to scientists and men of letters in the days when Jupiter and Juno were king and queen of heaven, to the inhabitants of old Rome. The family is divided into several branches ; in Canada we have only the represen- tatives of one branch, but it is the original one, the Cicindelas. In the United States there are a couple of other branches as well, which reside principally far to the west. There is much ina name. The patronymics Smith, Barber, Wright, tell the origin of the family at once ; so Cicindela informs us that those that are so called are ‘bright and shining ones,” while the English cognomen of tiger beetle lets all Anglo Saxons know that it is a creature that lives by preying on the blood of others. Brilliant, beauti- * ful and elegant in shape are these beetles, and they appear to revel in the merry, merry — sunshine ; on every bright summer day they are to be found running and flying about sunny banks, sandy places, and wherever the god of day beats down his life-giving rays; most of them avoid vegetation, as it would check their rapid progress ; some species, how- 23 “ever iiiger i in grassy spots among scattered trees. They are among the most predaceous of the Coleoptera ; “they act like the tigers among mammalia, the hawks among birds, _ the crocodiles among reptiles, or the sharks among fishes.” ‘In some of them activity, as well as brilliancy of colouring, is carried to the greatest perfection. In the tropics some few genera are found which alight only on the leaves of trees, but further north they are all terrestrial. The species are more numerous in the temperate and sub-tropical regions, and gradually disappear from view as we journey towards the north pole, until in the _ latitude of Manitoba (as we are told) but two or three are to be found. Let us take our instrumenta belli and go in quest of some of the dozen species we have in Canada (in North America there are about one hundred). Let us hurry before _ yonder cloud obscures the sun, for then—like chickens in an eclipse—they will retire to their homes. Here is a likely spot, and there are some specimens of our commonest species (C’. vulgaris). Go for that one! He sees us as quickly as as we spy hiw, and is off, flying rapidly for a few yards and then coming suddenly to the ground with his head towards the enemy. Again and again we start him; at length he tires of the chase and takes a longer flight than usual; we know his little plan, and hurry back to where we first saw him in time to see him alight all unsuspectingly, and we easily take him captive in our toils. Letus examine him. He savagely moves his mandibles and tries to pinch, but his bite is inoffensive and not very painful. Some of them give forth a rather strong scent. This one isa little over an inch long, but barely a quarter of one broad ; his head is very large, for he has brains ; his jaws are very strong, for he has an appetite, and long and curved—a couple of scimitars, in fact, by which he cuts and carves the quivering carcasses of his prey. His eleven-jointed antenne are graceful, long and slender. ‘Tis true that his back is of rather a dull purple colour, but beneath he is resplendent in a beau- tiful bright brassy green. Each wing cover is adorned with three whitish irregular stripes. His legs are long and slender, just the things on which to hunt the active insects which he feeds upon. Michelet speaks of the beauty of one of the next of kin of the captive in our fingers thus glowingly: ‘The rich and living aliment of the unfortunate insect victim apparently communicates to the Cicindela its glowing colours. Its entire body is embellished with hem ; on the wings a changeful besprinkling of peacock’s eyes ; on the fore parts numer- _ meanders, diversely and softly shaded, are trailed over a dark ground. Abdomen and legs are glazed with such rich hues that no enamel can sustain a comparison with them ; the eye can scarcely endure their vivacity. The singular thing is, that besides these enamels you find the dead tones of flowers and the butterfly’s wing. To all these various elements add some singularities, which you would suppose to be the work of human art, in the Fig. 4. Fig.) 6. flental styles, Persian and Turkish, or as in the Indian shawl, where the colours, slightly neg have found an admirable basis, time having gradually lent a grave tone to their sweet harmony.” a ; A When we have let go our common Cicindela, Cicindela vulgaris (fig. 4), let us look at ors of his—not sisters—but of his cousins and his aunts. _ The purple tiger beetle (C. purpurea Riv.) is figured as No. 5. It is nearly the aa @ size as vulgaris, and is often to be found in its company. Its general colour is a 24 beautiful metallic purple ; sometimes, however, it assumes a greenish garb. On either wing cover there is a bent reddish line extended from the outer almost to the inner margin, a dot lower down and another at the extreme tip of the inner margin. It rather delights Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9. in chilly weather, and often appears before the snow is well gone. Mr. Bethune says (Rep. Ent. Soc., 1873) that he has caught it in numbers in April, ‘and on one occasion as early as the 17th March, before the snow was gone. The six-spotted tiger beetle (C. sex-guttata, Fabr.), fig. 6, is a most beautiful insect of a most brilliant metallic green, flecked with three small white spots on each wing cover ; Packard calls these markings “ golden dots.” The hairy-necked tiger beetle (C’. hirticollis, Say), fig. 7, is a common species closely resembling, though smaller than, C. vulgaris; it is distinguishable by having whitish hairs on its neck. C. generosa, Dej., (fig. 8), is more strongly marked than the species already mentioned, and is considerably larger. C. 12-guttata, Dej., is smaller than vulgaris, brownish, and decorated with twelve smaller reddish spots. C. punctulata, Fab., is about the size of C. 12-quttata, and has a row of smaller dots along the inner margin of the wing covers, and a couple of irregular lines on each wing cover. The tiger beetle may well be called a beneficial insect, and is a valuable and should be a valued friend of man, although some of the species living at the sea-shore feed upon small shrimps, to the loss of humanity. Although it does not, like that brilliant murder- ess, the Dragon-fly (to quote again the gushing Michelet) clear the atmosphere of the gnats and flies that torment mankind, still with its crossed daggers, which serve it for jaws, it accomplishes a swift and almost incredible havoc among the smaller insects. We should take care of it and respect it. It is an efficacious auxiliary to the agriculturist. The farmer by killing tiger beetles becomes the friend of those insect hosts that fatten on his labours—the preserver and protector of those little enemies which devour his substance. The ferocity of these insects is remarkable. They quickly tear off the wings and legs of their victim, and suck out the contents of its abdomen. Often, when they are disturbed in this agreeable occupation, not wishing to leave it, they fly ek with their prey ; but they cannot carry a heavy burden to any great distance. They are true children of earth. The eggs are laid in the earth, and in the earth the grubs are hatched, and in the earth they spend their days, and in the earth they pre- — pare their shrouds, and enwrapped therein sleep their pupa sleep through the long winter, and with the returning warmth of spring crawl out of their earthy chambers to run and sport on earth, seldom using their new found wings to fly away from their beloved mother. The grubs are curious creatures—hideous hunchbacks (fig. 9), but possessed of brain and stomach. They live in the same localities as their parents, the anxious mother having wisely deposited her eggs where food will be most easily attainable by the larve. Let us examine a grub. LeConte says we can easily procure one in spring by placing a fine straw ¢ ~ - % ’ i sy e “4 14 aS a oe ee 25 __ down one of their holes, for the grub will push it out, and rising above ground in his efforts may be captured. Here is a hole, and down goes a straw. Master Cicindela does not like vegetables, and so seeks to reject it with his broad head ; when he shows himself we quickly seize him. A perfect Daniel Quilp we find him, with head enormous, flat, metallic colour, armed with long curved jaws. The legs are six in number, and on the back, half way ‘between the legs and tail, ‘‘are two curious tubercles, each terminating in @ pair of recurved hooks.” The head and first division of the body are horny, the rest of the creature is soft. “‘ The larva has all the desire for slaughter evinced by its parents, but its delicate skin, long body and short legs, not only prevent it from chasing prey, but from ~ attempting a strugg gle with an insect of any size; nevertheless this imperfectly armed creature manages to obtain its food without exposing itself tomuch risk. With its short, thick, spiny legs it loosens the earth, and then using its flat head as a shovel, and turning itself into a Z, hoists up the clay and upsets it around the mouth of its intended hole. With head and legs, perseverance and time, it sinks a shaft as large in diameter as a lead pencil, and about afoot in depth. (Dr. Duncan says that in England C. campestris runs a hori- zontal gallery as well.) The loose earth around the opening gives way on the approach of any insect and precipitates it into the jaws of the Cicindela, which then descends into its cavern and there at its leisure devours its food.” The insect crawls in its tunnel with ease, and if it wishes to remain set fast it sticks the back of its body against the sides and rests safely with the aid of its hooks. In this position it can poke its head out of the ground, thus closing the entrance of its fant and awaiting until some ant or other insect passes over. The top of the larva’s head forms the floor of the cavity, and when an insect touches it the larva descends at once and with great precipitation, and thus the victim falls into the hole. When fully grown the larva, closes up the mouth of its abode, _ and in quiet and solitude undergoes its metamorphosis, lying dormant during the winter months. THE Tomato Worm (Sphinx quingue-maculata, Haworth.) By the Rev. C. J. 8S, Bethune, Port Hope, Ont. Almost everyone, I imagine, has had at sometime or other his wonder and curiosity excited by the strange-looking pupa of the tomato worm, asit is familiarly termed. It is frequently discovered when dig gging potatoes in the autumn, or disturbing the soil where tomatoes have been grown. ‘This singular object, which is very correctly represented in the figure, is about two and a half inches long and half an inch in diameter, of a chestnut _ brown colour, and round in shape, tapering towards both ends ; from one end, which is the head of the specimen, there proceeds a long curved proboscis like the handle of a jug ; the other end is divided into broad rings, and terminates in a point. To one who had mever seen anything of the kind before, this object must at first prove a great puzzle ; but __ a little careful examination will remove some of the mystery. It must be alive, for the _ tail end moves ; but it cannot walk or crawl, and is quite helpless. If we examine it _ more closely, we find that the rings that move when the creature is touched are very like the rings of a large caterpillar, while at the other end we can trace the eyes, antenne, and _ -eyen the short wings of a moth, but all enclosed in a hard brown shell. These things show us that it is an insect in its helpless pupa state ; the long jug-handle is the case _ which contains its tongue for sucking out the nectar from flowers. » If we keep it in some _ damp earth till the next year, there will emerge from it a large handsome moth, of an M4 _ ashen-grey colour, relieved by five bright orange-yellow spots on each side of its body ; ; its _ wings expand fully five inches in length, and its body is about the same length as the pupa or chrysalis ; its tongue is of immense length, about double that of the body—when at rest it is coiled up like a watch-spring beneath the head of the insect. The name of _ the creature is the five-spotted sphinx [Sphinx (Macrosila) quinque-maculata, Haworth]. ¢ The larva or caterpillar of this insect, when fully grown, is larger than it is shown in * - the figure, being as thick as a man’s little finger, and over three “inches in length. It _ feeds on the leaves of both the tomato and potato plants. It varies so much in colour 26 that people often suppose that a number of different species of “worms” are attacking their plants. It is frequently of a bright green marked with white, and having along each side a series of seven oblique greenish-yellow stripes ; again it may be found with its general colour dark green, dark brown, blackish green, and other shades, even to deep black. On the last segment of the body there is a curved horn or tail. The accompanying wood- cut (fig. 10) affords so satisfactory a representation of the three stages of the insect that it is unnecessary to enter into a minute detailed description. The larva is found feeding during July and August. It often so closely resembles the foliage on which it reposes, the bands on its sides mimicking the ribs of the leaves, . © . > ee a. °£xx“@%.-f4 3 ss 27 that it cannot always be detected ; its presence, however, may usually be traced by the _ singularly marked cylindrical pellets of excrement on the ground, and the stripped leaf- ; stalks of the plant. . When fully grown the larva descends into the earth, and there makes a chamber for itself in which to change to its pupa state. Fortunately the insect is nota _ very common one, its numbers being kept in check by a small ichneumon-fly ; otherwise _ from its size and voracity it would prove most destructive. Very rarely are more than a few specimens seen in a tomato or potato patch. In the summer of 1878, however, as I recorded in the Canap1AN EnvTomoLogist (vol. x., p. 218), it was so abundant that a market-gardener who lives near me gathered four bushels of the caterpillars off an acre and a quarter of tomatoes in one day! That year some of the insects attained to the moth or imago state in October, but generally the pupa remains quiescent in the ground till the following season, and the moth appears in June or July. I have now in my possession a living chrysalis of this insect that belonged to the abundant brood of 1878. It was given to me by Mr. David Smart, of Port Hope, who found it, witha large number of others, in his garden. He kept the chrysalids in a box of earth in his cellar all last year ; no doubt the coolness prevented the development of the imago. He and I are now both watching with much interest for the appearance of the moths from our specimens, as two years in the pupa state is by no means a common occurrence. That the pupz are still alive is shown by the readiness with which they move the segments of the abdomen when handled or disturbed.* Notwithstanding the extraordinary abundance of the larve in 1878, there were but few to be seen last year in this neighbourhood. An account of the “‘tomato worm” will hardly be complete without some reference to the supposed poisonous character of the larva. Some ten years ago, when in charge of the Entomological department of the Canada Farmer, I took the trouble to trace up some of the stories then very common in the newspapers about cases of poisoning and death from the effects of the bite or sting or venomous spittle of this insect! The result of my inquiries in many instances proved to be exceedingly amusing. In every case I found that no one could give any information whatever as to even the name of the person who was supposed to have died from the effects of this insect, nor could I obtain a single authentic instance of injury from it. This was, of course, what was to be expected, as the caterpillar is physically incapable of injuring anyone with its bite—much less with its tail or horn, or imaginary sting. In all probability these stories have originated in the fact that persons have been severely affected by getting some of the juices of the tomato plant into an open cut or sore, and then ignorantly have attributed their trouble to the venom of the ugly but innocent caterpillar. PF { Mieratory Insects. 7 By G. J. Bowles, Montreal, P.Q. a Pa) ¢ The migratory instinct, common to so many species of birds, and even of mammalia, _ isalso exhibited by many species of insects. In the case of birds and animals it has t mostly to do with variations of climate, or the necessity of suitably providing for the rais- ing of their young ; in the case of insects the causes of migrations are not so evident, and observation is required in order to decide the point, if, indeed, it can be decided at all. The a subject is still in obscurity, though the efforts of American Entomologists have thrown a _ little light upon it with regard to some species. And it is of great interest, not only to _ Entomologists, but also to tillers of the soil, as some of the insects which exhibit this migratory instinct are among the most injurious to the crops of the farmer and fruit grower. THE Locust. Chief among the migratory insects stands the locust, considered asa group. Oneach of the continents, both of the old and new worlds, some species of the locust tribe have from time to time been notorious for this habit, not only on account of the countless _ numbers in which they have appeared, but also on account of the terrible destru2tion they é aM that ri “ae Moth emerged from the pupa referred to on the 27th of May, after being nearly two years in “NG state. 28 have caused. As far back as the time of Moses their ravages are mentioned, for one of the plagues brought upon Egypt just before the departure of the children of Israel was the plague of locusts. In Asia, Africa and Europe their invasions have been recorded in history, both ancient and modern. ‘To show the magnitude of the effects consequent on their migrations, I give a few instances, as taken by Dr. Packard from different historical sources. The first account, after Joel in the Bible, whose descriptions apply to Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Asia Minor, is the statement of Orosius that in the year of the world 3800 certain regions of North Africa were visited by monstrous swarms; the wind blew them into the sea, and the bodies washed ashore ‘“‘ stank more than the corpses of a hun- dred thousand men.” Another locust plague, resulting in a famine and contagious dis- orders, according to St. Augustine, occurred in the kingdom of Masinissa, and caused the death of about 800,000 persons. Pliny states that the locusts visited Italy, flying from Africa. In Europe locust invasions have been recorded since 1333, when they appeared inGermany. Mouffit states that in 1478 the country about Venice was invaded, and 30,000 people died of famine. In France swarms appeared at the close of the Middle Ages. In 1747 there was a great invasion of Southern and Middle Europe. Before and after this date vast swarms were observed in Asiaand Africa. In Russia, whose southern plains form the home of the locust, vast numbers have often appeared and done great damage. In China records exist of the appearance of these insects in devastating numbers 173 times during a period of 1,924 years. The three great causes of famine in China are placed as flood, drought and locusts. The new world has also its migratory locusts, equally destructive with those of the old. The Rocky Mountain locust, of which we all have heard so much, is not the only species. Central and South America have also their peculiar locust. Their ravages have been noted by the old Spanish chroniclers of Mexico and the adjacent countries from the time of the first conquest. In 1632 parts of Mexico were overrun with them, and in 1738 and ’39 there was an invasion by them of the coasts of Oaxaca, after which a famine eceurred in Yucatan. In 1855 and ’56 Honduras and Guatemala were invaded, and a famine and pestilence of fever followed. And in 1835 Chili and the eastern part of South America were infested with vast swarins of locusts. es ee ee The Rocky Mountain locust (Caloptenus spretus) having been a subject of observa- — tion by the most eminent Entomologists of the United States, we know more about its habits and economy than about those of any other species. The terrible devastations it has committed in the Western States have led to this result. When an insect destroys the crops in one year to the estimated value of $45,000,000, it is about time to study its history and habits. Mr. Riley has published a most interesting book on the subject, and from this I have culled a few of the most striking items. Its home is on the elevated plateau of the Rocky Mountains, whence it migrates in favourable seasons to the west and south for hundreds of miles, laying waste the crops wherever it alights and doing terrible damage. It breeds in the regions to which it migrates, and the next generations migrate again north and west towards the ‘‘metropolis” of the species, and gradually die out on the way, while those that remain in the place of their birth also die out, so that the species becomes extinct in these localities in a few years. The observations made, so far, give no special reasons for these migrations, unless it be the unusual abundance of the species and the consequent scarcity of food in its native regions. One or two favourable seasons cause the insect to increase to an immense ex- tent, and when they find the supply of food failing them, they mount into the air in count- less millions, and, favoured by a westerly or north-westerly wind, sail off towards the set- tlements in search of “fresh fields and pastures new.” Such is the principal reason given by Packard, though he says possibly the reproductive instinct may also be concerned. And he does not think that these movements can be the result of a real migratory instinct, because their migrations (as well as those of the locusts of the old world) are periodical, long intervals sometimes existing between them, so that the development of a migratory | instinct would be impossible. If once partially implanted, the long succession of non- migratory years would effectually break up the germs of such an instinct. Another curious fact in connection with these locusts is, that the generation born in the region to which the species has migrated the previous year, shows a tendency to return 29 _ north and west towards the primal habitat. This has been proved by repeated obser- _ vation. One reason for this is found to be the prevalence of favourable winds at that par- ticular season in the regions where these locusts are produced ; for locusts, and indeed, all migratory insects, are dependent to some extent upon the winds for assistance and direction in their migrations. This is true for locusts all over the worla ; they are brought _ by the wind and taken away by the wind. A striking instance of this fact is given in _ the account of the great Egyptian plague of locusts in the Book of Exodus. . So with our American migratory locust. The general direction of the winds on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and on the plains is, during July and August, _ west or northwest. These are the months during which the locusts come down from their mountain home to invade the cultivated plains of the border States. And when the generation of which these are the parents attain the winged state, in the following June, it has been found that the prevailing winds are from the south and southeast, and thus are favourable to the flight of the locusts ina northerly or westerly direction. As regards their powers of flight, it has been proved by experiment that the locust, when it has a favourable wind (and it rarely flies at any other time), does not fly faster _ than the wind, but merely uses its wings to sustain itself in the air, and allows the breeze to waft it along. An observer proved this by ascending to the top of the State Univer- sity of Nebraska when a swarm of locusts was passing, and letting loose among the flying grasshoppers small bunches of cotton. He found that the cotton sailed along quite as fast as the grasshoppers did. Their numbers are inconceivably great. A British officer who saw a swarm in Syria estimated their number at 180,000,000,000,000. The clouds of them seen in the west _ have often exceeded 50 miles in length by 20 in breadth, with a depth of from a quarter _ of a mile to a mile; 1,500,000 bushels of their dead bodies were estimated to be lying on the shores of Salt Lake, in Utah, after a visitatiou of their hordes. And their eggs are found in the ground in numbers of from 100 to 15,000 to the square foot, in localities favourable to their deposition. Such are some of the reliable statistics gathered regard- ‘ing the Rocky Mountain locust. : _ A curious and fortunate fact with regard to the locust is that it does not become ac- climated in the regions to which it migrates. The hordes from the north, fresh from the invigorating air of the mountains, are much stronger and more vigorous than their pro- geny born the succeeding year in the plains of Missouri and the other Western States. Professor Aughey, of the State University of Nebraska, tested their muscular strength by attaching their hind legs to a delicate spring balance and obser ving the degree of strength they exerted. He invariably found that the locusts from the mountains were stronger than those born in the plains. He also found that the mountain insects could live with- out food for several days longer than the others. Their eggs are also injured by the moister climate, so that it is estimated that fully one-half become addled and never hatch. These circumstances tend to so reduce their numbers in the new habitat that in a few years the species dies out. = This locust is a near relation of our common Canadian locust (Caloptenus femur-rubrum ), fig. 11. The latter has often been injurious to the crops, particularly of grass ~ and hay, but has little tendency to migrate. It has a vast } range, from Labrador to the Pacific coast, including the Fig. 11. Western States and Mississippi Valley as far south as 35°. Leaving the locusts, we will pass to the more pleasing duty of noticing some migra- tory insects which are comparatively harmless, and are far more beautiful than any of the _Orthoptera. _ Many of the butterflies are inclined to migrations, particularly the whites and yel- ws ( Pieris, Colias and Callidryas). These genera, with a few exceptions, are not very plen- i ul in temperate regions, but have their home in warm climates. So from equatorial and South America, and from the southern parts of Europe have come reports of vast migra- tions of these butterflies. Bates, in his “ Naturalist on the River Amazon,” gives an in- eresting account of the uninterrupted procession of butterflies belonging to the genus as which he saw passing from morning to night in a southerly direction across the 30 Amazon. In these cases migrations may perhaps be connected with the question of food, or of the continuance of the species. A butterfly which is well known in Canada, and which has a very wide range, is noted for its migratory habits; it is the Danais archippus (fig. 12). Hardly a season passes but we read of its migrations. Newspapers in the Southwestern States, and the weather signal officers, were constantly reporting the passage over Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Texas of swarms of this butterfly during the months of September and October last. Even in Canada they are sometimes seen in great numbers on their way either north or south. I myself have seen the shore of Lake Ontario, near Brighton, strewn with hun- dreds of their dead bodies, cast up by the waves, and which no doubt had formed part of a swarm which from weakness or some other cause had perished while flying across the lake. Mr. Riley gives an interesting account of the causes which may lead to the migra- tions of this butterfly in his third report. He says :—“ It would be difficult to give any satisfactory reason for this assembling together of such swarms of butterflies. As I have abundantly proved by examination of specimens, the individuals composing the swarms of our Archippus butterfly comprise both sexes ; if anything the females prevail. The flights almost always occur in the autumn, when the milk-weeds (Asclepias ), upon which the larva of this butterfly feeds, have perished. The instinct to propagate is, therefore, atthe time in abeyance. The butterflies, unable to supply themselves with sweets from flowers, are either attracted in quantities to trees that are covered with honey-secreting plants, or bark lice; or else they must migrate southward, where flowers are still blooming. The Archippus butterfly hibernates within hollow trees and other sheltered situations. Southerly timber regions offer most favourable conditions for such hiberna- tion. Under the most favourable conditions a large majority perish. A small portion of the females survive the winter. Such hibernating individuals, upon waking from their winter torpor, make at once for the prairie, where the milk-weeds most abound. Faded, and often tattered, they may be seen flying swiftly over such prairies. *T have no doubt but that they travel thus for many hundred miles, keeping prin- cipally to the north, and ere they perish, supplying the milk-weeds here and there with eggs. A fresh brood is produced in less than a month, and these extend still farther north, until we find the species late in the growing season as far up as the Saskatchewan country, where it can scarcely successfully hibernate, and from whence the butterflies in- stinctively migrate southward. We can thus understand how there are two, three or more broods in southerly regions, and only one towards British America. “The exceptional flights noticed in the spring, and which, so far as recorded, take — place quite early and in the same southerly direction, find a similar explanation. They may be looked ‘upon as continuations of the autumn flights. Hibernating in the temperate belt, they are awakened and aroused upon the advent of spring, to find the milk-weeds not yet started, and they instinctively pass to more southern regions. There is a south- a : 3] as _ ward migration late in the growing season in congregated masses, and a northward disper- sion early in the season through isolated individuals.” a Tt will thus be seen that Mr. Riley looks upon the migration of D. archippus as _ something analogous to the southern movement of the birds on the approach of winter, the object in both being the preservation of the species; in the case of the insect to obtain _ a suitable place for hibernation, as well as a continued supply of food until the time of _ hibernation arrives ; in the case of the bird to secure food when it would be difficult or - _ impossible to get it in a northern climate. The instinct of the butterfly might therefore be looked upon as a true migratory instinct, in contradistinction to that of the locust, which is of a lower order. There is another butterfly which displays this, instinct to a large extent. I refer to the well-known Pyramets cardui, or painted lady. It is a cosmopolitan butterfly, being - found in all parts of the world—a result, no doubt, of its migratory habits, conjoined to a faculty of acclimatization. Though I have never actually seen a migration of this insect, I have had no doubt for years past that one did take place in the vicinity of Quebec, I think in 1865 or 66. I had been looking out for the insect for several years, but never saw a single specimen till one summer, when it suddenly became the most common butter- fly in the neighbourhood. They could be seen by dozens everywhere. Next year it was not to be found, nor did it return during my stay in Quebec, up to 1872. T have an idea that others of the genus Pyrameis, as well as the species of the allied genera, Grapta and Vanessa, have these migratory habits to some extent. The same _ phenomenon, that of scarcity, then extreme abundance for one season, and then disappear- _ ance, took place with regard to Vanessa j-album. They were so abundant one summer that I even saw them drinking spruce beer from the old applewomen’s kegs on the Upper Town Market, Quebec, while next season the only specimen I found wasa poor dilapidated individual which I took snugly tucked away under the coping of a fence, where it had evidently passed the winter. , As I said before, the fact of Pyrameis cardui being found in all the four quarters of _ the globe is no doubt due to its migrating propensity. A further proof of this is found in the well-known fact that our archippus, originally confined to America (though ranging from Canada to Bolivia), has lately spread over some of the islands of the Pacific to Queensland and New Guinea, and over the Azores to Europe, such extension of habitat necessarily indicating great power of long-sustained flight. Since the Milk-weeds are not _ plants of commercial value, it is highly improbable that the species has been carried in any A of its preparatory states in ships. The fact remains, however, that it has been found as a new inhabitant of those countries. Its powers of flight will "uardly be doubted by any one who has attempted to catch it on the wing. Buta stronger proof was the exhibition of _ aD. archippus some years ago, by Mr. Pearson, of Montreal, which had been captured _-on board a ship on the Atlantic, hundreds of miles from land. On some LONG-HORNED BEETLEs. CLYTUs. By R. V. Rogers, Jr., Kingston, Ont. f Among the Coleopterous hosts there is a family called Long-horns, or Capricorns, in “bed ulgar parlance ; or Cerambycide, when we are talking learnedly. They derive these names from the fact that they possess very long antenne (sometimes longer than their _ bodies), which are generally recurved like the horns of a wild goat (the Latin Caper). wey hey form a very large family ; ; already 4,000 of them are known and recognized by the r scientific world. They comprise some of the largest, most showy, as well as most des- 1 ructive, of the beetles; one of African origin—Prionus Hayesit by name—is five inches long and one broad, with antennz of seven ines and legs of four. The Long-horns are WwW world-wide, and their abundance is in proportion to the richness of vegetation of different countries, so that South America, India, Ceylon and the Moluccas contain a great number ~ most beautiful and the largest capricorns. 32 They have earned the name of Borers because they are, in fact, “animated gimlets,” and spend their lives while in the larval state in perforating and feeding upon trees ; some live and carry on their operations in the trunks, others in the branches; some devour the wood, others the pith ; some are found only in shrubs, some in the stems of herbaceous plants, others confine their attentions to the roots. Some are to be found only on one species of plants, others have a wider range. Some bore straight holes, others branch off at divers angles, others make tracks as various as those of an engraver, while some are regular screws. The Germans, lovers of music, as they are, call these beetles “ Fiddlers,” because they give forth, especiaily when annoyed or taken in the hand, a squeaking or rasping noise produced by rubbing the joints of the thorax and abdomen together. Some of the family are not only musical-boxes, but scent bottles as well, and emit a fragrant odour not unlike that of otto of roses. The members of this family, as a rule, are very handsome, and readily attract notice by their elegant forms and resplendent attire, that is, when of full age ; when young—in the creeping age—they are ugly in the extreme. Harris tells us that the various members. of the family resemble each other in the following respects: the antenne are long and tapering. The body is oblong, approaching to a cylindrical form, a little flattened above, and tapering somewhat behind. ‘The head is short and armed with powerful jaws. The thorax is either square, barrel-shaped or, narrowed before, and is not so wide behind as the wing-covers. The legs are long; the thighs thickened in the middle; the feet four-jointed, not formed for rapid motion, but for standing securely, being broad and cushioned beneath, with the third joint deeply notched. Most of these beetles remain upon the trees and shrubs during the day time, but fly abroad at night. Some of them, however, fly by day, and may be found on flowers, feeding on the pollen and blossoms. . The pride of our Canadian forests, the maple tree, suffers much from the attacks of Clyius speciosus (fig. 18), the largest of our native members of ‘the family. This beautiful beetle is easily recognized ; it is about in inch in length, and the third of one in breadth. The head is yellow with antenne and eyes of reddish black. In shape the body is somewhat cylindrical, a little flattened above and tapering behind. The thorax is black with two yellow transverse spots on each side. The wing covers for more than half their length are black, for the rest they are yellow ; they are gaily ornamented with bands and spots arranged as follows: A yellow spot on each shoulder, a broad yellow curved band or arch, of which the yellow scutel forms the keystone, on the base of the wing Fig. 13. covers ; behind this a zig-zag yellow band forming the letter W ; across the middle another yellow band arching backwaras, and on the yellow tip a curved band and a spot of a black colour ; the legs are yellow. . The under side of the abdomen is reddish yellow, variegated with brown. The female has the advantage of her mate in size, but her antenne are somewhat shorter. She po- ssesses a pointed tube at the end of the abdomen, through which the eggs are passed from her body into the cracks and crevices of the bark. The tube can be contracted or exten- ded at the will of the fair owner and to suit the emergency of the case. The parent lays her eggs on the bark of the maple in July or August. As soon as the grubs are hatched they burrow into the bark, and there find protection during the cold of winter. When the warm days again return the larve begin again their labours, penetrating deeper and deeper into the heart of the tree, sometimes tunnelling as muchas three inches into the solid wood, they make long and winding galleries up and down the trunks. A carpenter is known by his chips, so their presence is readily detected by the little heaps of sawdust that they throw out of their work-shops. If in time a stiff wire is inserted into their holes they can be easily put an end to by impaling. They are long, whitish, fleshy, deeply marked by transverse cuts ; their legs, although sixteen in number, ~ are merely rudimentary promises of legs, and for ornament, not use ; they are of no avail for the purpose of locomotion. Not by means of their eight pairs of legs, but by alter-— : . Te di sees ee ee ee nately contracting and extending the segments of their bodies, do these worm-like creatures — force their way along, and in order to assist their progress each segment is furnished with fleshy tubercles capable of protrusion, and which being pressed against the sides of their 33 retreats, enable them to thrust forward by degrees the other segments (Ent Rep., 1872, 36). t ® The head is the box of tools with which they saw and cut their way through the _ wood ; their work “is done slowly but effectively, and their gnawing teeth, though slow in action, are as resistless as the mordant tooth of time.” About midsummer these busy little carpenters who have never seen the light of day, unless by accident, strike—not for higher wages but for a higher stage of existence ; ; they labour no more, but in the innermost recesses of their living homes fold themselves up snugly for their pupa sleep. At first the nymph is soft and whitish, but gradually it hardens and darkens till at last it lies enwrapped in a filmy veil, beneath which all the _ external parts of the future beetle are visible. The wings and the legs are folded calmy _ on the breast, while the long antennz are turned back against the sides of the body and then tucked up between the legs. When at length it has become matured, it breaks its _ slumbers, forces its way through the bark, and comes out of its dark and narrow retreat to see _ the world and enjoy for the first time the glorious light of day and the pleasures of legs _ and wings, and love and passion, and to propagate its race. Clytus poctus Drury, or the Painted Clytus, is another of our common species. Its form is very similar to that of C. speciosus, and it varies from six-tenths to three-fourths of an inch in Jength. Harris thus describes it: It is velvet black, and ornamented with transverse yellow bands, of which there are three on the head, four on the thorax, and six on the wing-covers, the tips of which are also edged with yellow. The first and second bands, on each wing-cover are nearly straight ; the third band forms a V, or united with _ the opposite one, a W, as in specvosus; the fourth is also angled, and runs upwards on the _ inner margin of the wing-cover towards the scutel ; the fifth is broken or interrupted by a longitudinal elevated line, and the sixth is arched and consists of three little spots. The antenne are dark brown, and the legs are rust-red. Clytus Robie, Forster. According to Walsh, the male of this species differs from _ @. pictus in having much longer and stouter antenne, and in having its body tapered _ behind to a blunt point, while the female is not distinguishable at all. This insect does . injury to the locust and acacia trees, and appears in the perfect state in September. - Harris confounds this with Clytus pictus; in fact, it was long considered by Entomologists _ to be identical with it. It has sometimes been known as Clytus flecuosus, Fab. During comparatively late years Robinie has been extending its sphere of operations, _ For a long time it was known only in New York. Some thirty years ago it appeared in _ Chicago, and in 1863 it was seen two hundred miles further west. In 1855 it was first "observed in Montreal ; in 1862 it was very destructive to the locust trees around Toronto; _ In 1873 Mr. E. B. Reed saw it in enormous numbers in London, Ont. Now it seems to be quite at home in all parts of Ontario. Harris, speaking evidently of this, though under the name of C. pictus, says: ‘‘In the month of September 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 crevices with her antenne, and dropping therein her snow-white eggs, in clusters of seven or eight together, till 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 until the approach of winter, during which they remain at rest in a torpid state. In the spring they bore through the soft wood, more or less deeply into the trunk, the general course of their winding and irregular _ passages being in an upward direction from their place of entrance. Fora “time they cast _ their chips out of their holes as fast as they are made, but after a while the passage becomes _ logged, 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 = i seat of their operations is known by the oozing of the sap and the dropping of the saw- dust from the holes. The bark arotind the part attacked begins to swell, and in a few ; years the trunks and limbs will become disfigured and weakened by large porous tumours, ~ ee 34 caused by the efforts of the trees to repair the injuries they have suffered. . . . The grubs attain their full size by the 20th of July, soon become pupe, and are changed into beetles and leave the trees early in September. Thus the existence of the species is limited to one year.” Space will not permit me to speak of the other members of this interesting and beau- tiful family—nobilis, luscus, campestris, undulatus, longipes, etc., each one of which is well worthy of a full description and biography. — Some Notes ON COLEOPTERA FOR BEGINNERS. By C. G. Siewers, Newport, Ky. In answer to a query in the March Entomologist as to the rearing of larvee of wood- boring beetles, I would say that it is very difficult to do after they have been removed from their burrows. Try damp sawdust of the same wood. The better plan where in- fested timber is found, is to saw into short lengths, pack in tight box and cover with a wet cloth. Many kinds cannot bore in dry wood. Many Buprestide perish from in- ability to perforate the bark of dead trees which has sprung loose from the wood and be- come hardened by the sun. They then fall an easy prey to ants, roaches and caribs. Where wild grape vines abound, cut them off at the ground in May or June, and let them hang ; in early spring saw them into short lengths and box them, and some rare beetles may be taken. Grubs under stones put away in the same ground in tin or glass, kept moist ; found under logs, use the log debris, and add some sawdust. Finding two very large grubs with black heads under a log late in the fall, I put them away in a tin can with log refuse and sawdust, and found a male ash beetle and a dead pupa in July. This beetle, Xyloryctes satyrus (Fab.), is taken under the roots of ash trees, and falls a victim to its curiosity, for if you begin to dig for them they will come out to see what is going on. I took fifteen from one tree in that way. April and May are generally devoted to search- ing in logs and dead trees for beetles, when many nymphs can be collected, which can generally be hatched out in a week or two. Juneand July are the great beating months. I have discarded the beating net for the inverted umbrella, and so will any one who has tried both, as beating the low limbs of trees around the edges of wood will yield tenfold the quantity and variety that bush and weed beating will. Woods protected from cattle and hogs, and full of vines and bushes, are best. Little is got by beating in the interior of woods. Insect life swarms along the edges. Examine the trunks of trees, and where flat stones abound scoop out cavities under them, where Cychrus and various caribs may be trapped; Cychrus are snail-feeders, and some bait traps with snails strung on strings through the shell. The beans of the honey locust yield Spermophagus Robinie ; the fun- gus puff-ball, Lycoperdina ferruginea; all kinds of fungus swarm with beetles, also Staph- ilinide. Pselaphide are taken on the under side of stones, but mostly by sifting around decayed stumps on toa white cloth. Beat wild plum trees and haws when_in blossom. Where beetles are found, by carefully replacing stones and bark more may be taken, as their scent remains. I was glad to take a single specimen of that rare and handsome longicorn, Dryobius sexfasciatus, in one season, but in the summer of 1878 I found five under one piece of bark of beech ; so last season, when I found a small colony under bark on a dead maple, I tied the bark on again, and took seventeen more at different visits. Various beetles are also found on fruit and flowers. In closing, I would advise beginners to put small insects on paper slips or wedges, and not pin them with a No. 2 pin, as it cannot be inserted in cork without plyers, and is very liable to buckle. No. 3 enters cork readily, is not too large for paper slips, and about right for larger specimens. Further, do not use Spaulding’s glue ; it will turn your wedges brown, as it contains a discolouring acid. Make your own liquid glue—better at one-fourth the cost. Dissolve light coloured glue or isinglass in the usual way: then, while hot, stir in alcohol, or a light coloured, strained vinegar, till it is thin enough, and decant into a bottle. It can then be thinned ‘ with a little water, or by warming. i 2 asad i part i A New ENemy oF THE Biack Spruce, Axpies NiGRA. By Dr. H. A. Hagen, Cambridge, Mass. An enemy of Abies nigra sent to me by Mr. C. 8. Sargent, from the Arboretum of Harvard University, induced me to compare the literature about the enemies of this tree. © To my surprise, all that is published consists of two very excellent papers by Mr. Ch. H. Peck, Albany. One, ‘The Black Spruce,” read before the Albany Institute, May 4, 1875, 8v., pp. 21 ; the other in the New York State Museum’s Report of the Botanist, No. 30. I do not remember to have seen these papers recorded in entomological serials. There are noted two vegetable parasites, Arceuthobium pusillum and Peridermium decolo- rans. Of insects are recorded a plant-louse near Adelges coccineus,ana some Hemipterous gall imsect ; also, two beetles, Hylurgus rufipennis and Apate rufipennis. The twigs sent to me contained numerous pale spots, the consequence of some dead leaves, three or more, one near the other. The examination of those leaves showed on every one at the base, sidewards, a small round hole. The interior of the leaf was hol- low, in some cases only the lower half, where the enemy had not yet finished the work. I discovered directly a small caterpillar, belonging to Tineide and probably to the Argy- _ resthians, as the destructive enemy. The biological collection contains no enemy of the black spruce, and no similar destruction of pines, except a somewhat related twig of Pinus Canadensis, quoted also as probably done by an Argyresthian larva. In Mr. Chambers’ valuable list no Tineid living on spruce is recorded. The European literature contains only one fact similar to the American. It is re- corded that Cedestis farinatella hollows the leaves of pines. But until now no American species of Cedestisis known. Probably the moth will be raised and the mystery solved; at all events, I desire to draw the attention of entomologists to this enemy. Perhaps it may be more common than is supposed, Prof. Peck stating as a fact that the spruce trees in some parts were said to be dying at an unusual rate, as if affected by some fatal disease. To judge by analogies, the attack made by Hylurgus and Apate is only a consequence of the previous attacks by other enemies. NotTEes OF THE SWARMING OF DANAIS ARCHIPPUS AND OTHER BUTTERFLIES. While spending the winter of 1875-76 in Apalachicola, Florida, I found one of these archippus swarms in a pine grove not far from the town. The trees were literally fes- 3 tooned with buttterflies within an area of about XS an acre, and they were clustered so thickly that foNNS= Zj}\ the trees seemed to be covered with dead leaves ; Oe Gy% fig. 14 will enable the reader to form some idea 7a A ‘ of their appearance thus grouped. Upon shak- A ma /> | ing some of the trees a cloud of butterflies flew ras ~ Vis. K off, and the flapping of their wings was distinctly f\ Ax audible. They hung in rows (often double) on Ais aN . the lower dead branches, and in bunches on the WE needles. I find by my note book that visiting } aN the flock towards evening, it was receiving ad- ) ditions every moment. I caught a’ net full off Ve) lis a bunch of dead needles, and walking away to PD some distance and letting them go, all but three returned to the flock. The question asto where they came from seems a very interesting one. I See Fig. 14. was told by Dr. A. W. Chapman that there was hardly milkweed enough in all Florida to produce one of these flocks, which doubtless do not confine themselves to Apalachicola. During my visit I found two more flocks 36 not far from the first, but neither of these was as large. I should mention that I often observed examples among them in covt. I have seen archippus flocking at the Isles of Shoals, N.H., towards evening, in very much the same manner, having flown nine miles from the mainland. I have also seen clusters of Vanessa J-album on tree trunks at dusk in New Hampshire, which seemed to present a parallel to the archippus flocks, though of course on a very small scale. R. THaxter, Newtonville, Mass. The assembling of D. archippus is perhaps not so frequently noticed as their passing over localities in flocks. Several years ago I saw them congregating in a bit of woods in the neighbourhood of the city which I was visiting at the time. At least every other day they were hanging in a listless kind of manner to the underside of branches in immense numbers, with their wings closed, and not noticeable unles disturbed, very few being on the wing. Their favourite resting place seemed to be dead pine twigs, which would be drooping with their weight, and in more:than one instance I saw one too many light and ~ the twig snap, and send a dozen or more into the air to seek for another perch. In going to and from the woods I have seen several of them at once coming from different direc- tions, high in the air, sailing along in their own easy and graceful way, all converging to the one spot. I did not see them depart. J went one day and could not find one in the woods ; and as there were thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of them, it would have been a fine sight to see them go. The following year they were remarkably scarce, and it was three years before they were even moderately plentiful. J. Auston Morrat, Hamilton, Ont. A very remarkable gathering of Danais archippus came under my observation, at Racine, Wisconsin, in the first week of September, 1868. The insect appeared in great numbers, and gathered in several swarms about trees in the vicinity. The day was cloudy, but without rain. Shortly after noon the swarms seemed to gather, and settled upon a tree in my garden, a well-formed black oak about 15 inches in diameter at the trunk, and perhaps 40 feet high. The swarm covered the southern aspect of this tree so abundantly that the green of the leaves was quite obscured by the brown of the wings of the butter- flies. A few sailed back and forth through the air as if seeking a place to alight, when the ~ wings of those sitting, opening and shutting as if by asingle impulse, caused the prevailing colour to shift from the dark hue of the upper surface to the lighter colour of the lower surface. They remained until after nightfall, but were gone when we looked for them in the morning. No attempt was made to capture or count them, but the swarms must have contained some thousands. S. H. PEasopy, Champaign, Ills. During the first week in July I found Melitea pheton in considerable quantities in a small clearing in Dow’s swamp, about one mile south of this city. The swamp is densely wooded with tamarack and a thick undergrowth of Myrica gale, Salices, Alnus incana,etc., besides many herbaceous plants, and among them (but not at all plentiful) Chelone glabra. Upon inquiry, I find that this clearing was the exact locality where the late Mr. B. Billings found this butterfly in 1870. - J. FLETCHER, Ottawa. Prof. J. E. Willet, of Macon, Georgia, writes under date of 19th January, 1880: —“T saw Callidryas eubule passing here in great numbers during Sept., Oct. and Nov., 1878, from N.-W. to 8.-E. About noon, when they were most abundant, there would be half a dozen visible all the time, crossing a 15-acre square of the city.. They pursued an undeviating course, flying over and not around houses and other obstructions. They flew near the ground, and stopped occasionally to sip at conspicuous flowers. A ger-nium ee ee ~ | 37 with scarlet flowers, and set in the open yard, attracted most that flew nearit. Papers in southern Georgia noticed the great numbers passing at different points ; and a friend in southern Alabama sent me specimens of the same, saying that they were subjects of speculation there. About March, 1879, there was a similar migration from §8.-E. to N.-_ W., but in diminished numbers. I saw the fall migrations again Oct. and Nov., 1879, but in smaller numbers thanin 1878. This lovely insect is produced from a rather handsome though peculiar looking cater- pillar (fig. 17) about two inches long when fully grown, of a black colour with a purplish sf 40 hue. Immediately behind the head there are two long movable fleshy horns and a q number of shorter horns, and orange coloured tubercles on the remaining segments. The eggs are laid by the butter fly, on “different species of Aristolochia, chiefly on 1 the Dutch- man’s pipe (Aristolochia sipho) and the viginia snake root (Ar istolochia serpentaria). The larve feed in company and when plentiful will sometimes entirely consume the foliage of the plants on which they feed. Fig. 18 represents the chrysalis of this insect, which is fastened at the hinder extremity to a mass of silken threads and has a band of the same material extending entirely around the chrysalis, beyond the middle. In the August number of the Canadian - Naturalist and Geologist, for 1858, an account is given by the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, of the ap- pearance of a very unusual number of these butterflies, in West Flamboro’. The writer says, ‘these butterflies appeared in countless numbers about the lilac trees, as long as they continued in blossom, and then suddenly disappeared. They lasted from the 7th to the 18th of June, but very few appearing after that date.” He alsosays, “I have caught but two in Toronto, though they were numerous there also. Fig. 18. No such good luck has befallen any entomologist in Ontario since that time. Within these twenty-two years several specimens have been taken about Toronto, and two or three some fifteen years ago at Woodstock. There are no records of the capture of this butterfly here for many years past, but this season a specimen was caught by Mr. J. A. Moffat, at Ridgeway, Ontario. Junonia Lavinia (Cenia). The first recorded occurrence of this butterfly in Ontario, is found in the November number of the Canadian Journal, for 1861, where an account is given by me of the capture of three specimens, at Port Stanley, two by Mr. Wm. Edwards and one by my- self. During the same season it was found in the townships of Ellis and Logan, about ten miles north of Stratford. For very many years past I have not heard of a single specimen being taken in Ontario, until this season, when it was captured by Mr. Moffat, at Ridgeway, and by Mr. Denton at Port Stanley. It is a very pretty insect. The general colour of the upper surface is brown. On the fore wings there is a broad whitish band, extending nearly across the wing and enclos- ing near the hinder angle a large black eye-like spot, with a central bluish dot and encircled by a yellowish brown ring. In some specimens a second and very small spot is situated near the tip outside the band. There are also two smaller, short, red bands bordered between the white band and the base of the wing. On the hinder wings there are two conspicuous eye-like spots, the under one much smaller than the upper, and both encircled by a yellowish ring, bordered with black. Between — these eye-spots and the hind margin ‘is placed a band of red, margined externally by one or more dark lines. 2A, The under side is paler than the upper, with the markings less distinct. The caterpillar is said by Boisduval to feed on Linaria canadensis. It is black and — ? spinous with two lateral white lines, the upper of which is marked with a row of reddish spots. ‘ 41 PapiLio CRESPHONTES. In our report for 1878, reference was made to this handsome swallow-tail butterfly, and a figure given of it, but as this report may not be available to many of our readers, _ we shall reproduce it here (see fig. 19). Since 1878 it has become more common, and has yy Vig, 19, be een reared from the larva by collectors in Hamilton, as well as by myself. They have be en found chiefly on prickly ash (Xanthoxylum fraxineum), and on Dictamnus fraxi:ella. This year I found the caterpillars, nearly full grown, in June, which shortly entered the ysalis state, and produced the butterflies in about a fortnight afterwards. I have also tal ‘en the full-grown larvee late in the fall, which passed the winter in the chrysalis state, from which facts the inference may be fairly drawn that this butterfly is double-brooded in 7iita 10. The wings of this stately insect are black, streaked and spotted with yellow, as shown * figure. The caterpillar is a very singular looking creature; it is brown, with large, / gt 7. wv a 42 irregular patches of white; the chrysalis is brown, marked with blackish points. For a : more minute description the reader is referred to the report for 1878. | ~ THE Axssot SpuHinx (Thyreus Abbotii). This pretty sphinx moth has been captured in London, during the present season, by Mr. J. M. Denton; it has also been taken in Hamilton, by Mr. Moffat and Mr. David Little, and is reported as having been common there. The caterpillar (see fig. 20) feeds on x Fig. 20. the grape vine, and also on the Virginia creeper (Ampelopsis quinquefolia). In place of the horn at the tail which caterpillars of this family usually have, there is, in this instance, a polished knob or tubercle. The colour of the larva varies from a dirty yellowish to a reddish brown, marked transversely with fine black lines, and lengthwise with patches of a dark brown shade. There is also a dark line along each side. The under surface is paler, with a reddish tinge along the middle. The moth (fig. 20) is of a dull pale brown colour, the fore wings variegated with brown of a much darker shade ; the hind wings are yellow, with a broad blackish border. Both wings are notched on the margin. . NOXIOUS INSECTS IN ENGLAND. By the Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune, WA., Port Hope, Ont. ~ By the kindess of the writer, Miss E. A. Ormerod, F.M.S., I have recently received her ‘‘ Notes of Observations of Injurious Insects” for the years 1877, 1878 and 1879. These reports contain so much of interest and value that I have thought it desirable to give ~ to our readers some extracts from them that bear upon our own insect enemies, and at the same time draw attention to the valuable work that is being quietly done in England by a | band of volunteer workers who, apparently, receive no recognition or encouragement from the Government or the general public. The plan pursued has been to send out a circular in the spring of the year, to a large number of observers scattered over Great Britain, and to recommend to them a list of insects for observation during the season. The replies sent in in the autumn are carefully collated by Miss Ormerod, and the systematized results published during the winter in an octavo pamphlet, illustrated with excellent wood cuts. It is pleasing to observe a steady growth in these reports ; that for.1877 contains 19 pages and 12 cuts ; that for 1878, 27 pages and 20 cuts; and the last, 44 pages and 27 cuts— ' : ' 43 2 SS EE yme of the latter are, of course, reproductions of those that appeared in the earlier issues. phe insects treated of are those which are injurious to field and garden crops, to timber ees and fruit. } i: The first insect treated of in the reports for 1877-78 is one that is very familiar to s here :— THE Turnip FLEA-BEETLE or ‘fly’ (Haltica nemorum). Figure 21 represents this insect magnified. During both years it seems to have caused much damage in many localities. ‘* At Kneb- worth an example is given of the value of surrounding weeds to the farm insects a asa means of support till the crops are ready for attack, in the appearance of the Fig. 21. turnip-fly first on charlock (mustard) in fields where turnips had grown the pre- ious year, and then causing great injury to the kohl-rabi and turnips ”—an argument for lean farming. The following is a curious “remedy” :—‘‘The plan followed is to drive a urge flock of sheep on the attacked field early in the morning, whilst the dew is still on the eaf, and, with the help of a dog, to keep them in constant motion, and well up in a body, 0 as to tread over all the field in turn. Treated in this way no injury is done to the crop ; it if much ground has to be gone over, it should be taken on different days, as it would jure the sheep to keep them long without food, or to harass them by the continued riving early in the morning. In this case the extent of ground was 37 acres, and from ur hundred to five hundred sheep were put on. The fly at the end of June was so strong 3 o threaten clearing the crop, and it hadalmost been decided to plough it up; but this eatment, which embodies disturbing and killing many of the insects by the treading, and ch also makes the leaves distasteful for oviposition, both by rubbing of the sheep and e coat of dust scattered in dry weather, saved the plants and was followed by a good 3 p.” Another and simpler remedy for use on a small scale is “ sprinkling the young i arnips with road dust, which preserved them entirely from injury.” An observer states wat “where the weather was highly favourable during the sowing season of May and e for a quick and healthy growth, the plants were thus run past the stage at which * ey attacks them, and less injury was inflicted than had been observed for many sars. He draws attention to anything that promotes healthy, rapid growth, till the jung plant is well into the rough leaf, being the best preventive of the fly, and that, uld the remedy be applied, probably heavy waterings in the evening in dry weather ight be of service, and notes, in the shape of special applications, caustic lime, soot, and uano, which have ‘each their ‘advocates, applied in the morning when the dew is still on 1¢ plant, or gas-water applied in the evening, and also benefit from the use of a small lantity of salt.” a Another observer notices that where the fly was particularly destructive the previous a ar there charlock (mustard) was prevalent. ‘This weed is common throughout the untry, more or less plentiful according to agricultural care, some fields being compara- vely free, showing where one farm ends and ‘another begins.” [These remarks might be ade of several parts of Ontario, especially of the counties of Northumberland and Dur- wd He draws attention to the benefit of eradicating the food-plant of the fly during / years when the land is unoccupied by turnips, and thus preventing, or in some degree ecking, its annual multiplication. | Biro all the observations there is noticed ‘‘ the advantage of a rapid, vigorous growth resisting the attack of the fly, whether brought about naturally by plentiful rain, or - peally by manure containing the superphosphates or other chemical constituents re- ed, and a word may be added as to the physical effects of rain and dew on the insect. S single drop is enough to clog the legs temporarily, and put an end to its leaping powers the time being.” 2. THE Onion Fry (Anthomyia ceparum) m insect shat has found its way across the Atlantic and shown itself very destructive times in the Eastern States and elsewhere on this continent ; the following extracts 44 may therefore be of use as well as interest. (In figure 22, we have this insect represented in both the larval and perfect forms.) ‘ The eggs of the fly were first observed on the 21st of May, laid where the leaves divide, the larvee hatching after a few days, and feed- ing on the seed-blade till they reached the root, then striking into the bulb, if formed, otherwise into the root, and soon destroying the plant. The soil was mostly light, and in high cultivation, and pulverized gas-lime : scattered amongst the onions was found to Fig. 22. ; act well in keeping off the insects. Watering the onions with the liquid from pig-sties run into a tank specially arranged for the purpose, was found to answer still better Several who adopted this plan secured good crops, whilst in the cases where it had not been followed the crops were for the most part destroyed.” Another observer mentions — that “he finds deep cultivation in autumn, with a good manuring and sowing in drills on a firm, well-trodden surface in spring, to be the surest means of securing a good crop fre from attacks of the maggot.” Miss Ormerod mentions that she ‘‘ tried sowing two kinds o of onions in rows along a bed of which half had been prepared in the usual way with — farm-yard manure, and half deeply trenched with no manureadded. Both kinds of onions — on the manured ground did fairly and were uninjnred, but on the unmanured gronnd the — plants made no way, and were attacked by the maggot.” ’ A ¥ sere > I Dax | ee ie i. + ae. a Oy A. 3. CABBAGE BuTTERFLIES (Pieris brassice and rape). It is somewhat singular to notice that so little is said in the three Reports about our sy - Fig. 23,555 . Fig. 24. P very familiar pest, Pieris rape (see figures 23 and 24), which has come to us from the | ‘‘old country,” while much attention is paid to its congener, P. brassice, a larger white butterfly which seems to be very destructive. In 1877 it was noticed that ‘the amount of appearance of cabbage butterflies varied much with the amount of shelter provided for the previous stage of pupation.” Where cabbages were chiefly grown in fields few were found, but large numbers were observed to infest sheltered gardens. “A search under dry eaves, rough boardings or palings, and in the sheltered nooks which abound in — garden ground, but are comparatively absent in open field cultivation, will at tinal bring scores and hundreds of pupz to light, and serve to diminish the pest appreciably.” In 1879, at Dalkeith, P. brassice appeared in rather formidable numbers after the | fine weather set in. The consequence was a severe attack of the caterpillar, especially in cottage gardens surrounded by weedy hedges and other harbours for insects, where the common cabbages, savoys, etc., were completely riddled by the vermin, and rendered totally — unfit for human food. The best remedy is hand-picking the caterpillars, but this is tedious. A sprinkling of fine salt is very serviceable, carefully applied by turning up every leaf so_ that a small portion of the salt shall touch every grub. An application of finely-powdered lime in a caustic state, or even caustic soot, will get rid of the grubs, but both are objec- tionable with regard to the after use of the vegetables. P. rape was “moderately plentiful” last year in some localities, but apparently it was nowhere so numerous as it is with us over thousands of square miles. : a 45 4, Wire-Worms, oR CLICK-BEETLEs ( Elateride ). Figure 25 represents one of our commonest elaters, the eyed elater, Alaus oculatus. Several species are noticed as attacking various crops, especially barley. Among the remedies employed we may quote :—‘‘ A solution of carbonate of soda, in the proportion of about two ounces to sixteen quarts of water, applied three or more times from the beginning of May to the beginning of June is found a good way to clear the ground.” An observer notes ‘‘ wire-worms in consider- able numbers attacking barley sown after dead fallow. He drilled Lawes’ turnip manure with the bulk of the field, and on this the barley grew rapidly away from the wire-worm ; whilst on two pieces, each seven feet wide, left across the field without the manure, more than half the plants were destroyed. This difference is noted as Wer having been observed on previous occasions, Stirring the land well is Fig. 25. considered the best remedy with root crops. Amongst corn (wheat) _ crops Going with a heavy roller, or if possible, on the lighter soils with a clod- crusher, s the usual remedy. In one case the object is to solidify the surface and so stop the wire-worms working ; in the other (the root and green crops) to stimulate growth in the young plants, besides disturbing the larve.” _. In the last Report it is stated that the wire-worms did “ much damage on some light- land farms, and the young barley after fallow, and where the land was in bad condition ; but where the barley succeeded a good crop of roots, fed on the land by sheep, or where there was plenty of manure in the soil, the plants grew too vigorously to receive much injury. On heavy clay land the soil was so close that the wire-worm could hardly exist.” 5. THe Wueat Mince (Cecidomyia tritici). _ Our dreaded pest is the same insect as that here referred to as prevalent in England. See figure 26. In 1877 it was reported as unusually ‘abun- dant in Hertfordshire and unusually absent in Essex. Itis noteworthy that ‘‘in the latter county the chaff is used for cattle, whilst the custom prevailed in some parts of the west of England of throwing the chaff in heaps to decay, thus providing the maggot with good shelter during the winter to develop in the following June, and so infest the neighbourhood.” In 1878 it was again unusually abundant at the same place in Hertfordshire “in all the early wheat, many ears having from 10 to 15 kernels quite destroyed, besides others being deformed ; the later crops were not so much affected.’ The same year it was also abundant in parts of Devon- shire. A writer relates that the wheat in his experimental : field “stood up well at the time of cutting, but that just Mig. 26. before blooming, portions were covered by small flies which deposited their eggs in the ear, and these developed into small orange-coloured maggots, wh ich fed on the young grain. The unmanured crop came into ear some days later’ than the manured crops, and escaped injury from the fly, whereas the plot manured every year wi th fourteen tons of farm-yard dung suffered severely, and yielded only about two-thirds s much grain as in 1868, when the weight of straw was about the same as this year. It is, “ of course,” he adds, “very difficult Ps estimate the damage done toa crop by the ravages Pan insect, but that in the permanent wheat field undoubtedly suffered considerably fron jat cause. The yield of grain was not only much less than would be expected from the bulk of straw and its upright condition at the time of cutting, but also much less than would be judged from the amount of produce and proportion of grain to straw in the neighbouring field.” 46 In 1879 the same observer in Hertfordshire mentions that the midge “ was abundant in all the earlier wheat fields, and did much damage, but little to the later crop; wheat ears did not make their appearance till about June 29th instead of June 12th, which may account for the date of the attack.” Another observer, in the county of Norfolk, states that “a little patch of wheat, a quarter of an acre, sown in the autumn, suffered much _ from the wheat-midge ; whilst another quarter of an acre close alongside, which, owing to _ wet and frost, was not sown till spring, was not injured by it.” A third observer notices — that ‘‘on June 27th the wheat-midge was especially abundant, whilst there were as yet no wheat ears in which it could lay its eggs, and that no damage took place from the ravages of the larve.” The foregoing observations completely justify the remedies that I sug- gested for this pest in my account of the wheat-midge in the Report for 1871. 6. THE Wueat Apuis (Aphis Granaria) in 1879 attacked with extreme severity a field of 110 acres of wheat in Cheshire. (In figure 27 we have a representation of an aphis . \ closely resembling the wheat aphis, highly magni- fied.) The observer mentions the aphides as first appearing in the early part of August and shortly afterwards they were not as observable ; but about September 8th they were again noticeable in as great or greater numbers than before. The ears they had previously attacked had become perfectly white, as if blasted, and at the time of writing, September 16th, every green head in the field ap- peared full of them. It was estimated that what ' ought to have given four to five good quarters of wheat (about 30 to 40 bushels) would not yield more than ten to twelve bushels per acre, and that of very inferior quality.” During the — same year the aphis swarmed, in Yorkshire, both on wheat and barley, doing much injury. ¢| Fig. 27. 7. THE CraNne-Firy or Dappy Lone-LtEecs (Zipula oleracea, etc. ) is oftentimes a very destructive insect in England ; several species are known in thiscoun- try to commit much damage to grasses and crops. In 1878, near Dumfries, the larve of © the crane-fly caused the worst insect attack of the season in the district. Hundreds of acres of corn (wheat) are mentioned as being completely destroyed. In 1879, at those spots in the same neighbourhood where it was so destructive in the previous year, it was | scarcely noticeable, whilst in others in the same locality it was present to a most injuri-. ous extent. ‘‘ According to report the worms had been counted at the rate of 12, and — even up to 24, per square foot ; and this insect is considered as without doubt the worst _ pest of the district.” In Northumberland, Cheshire, Lancashire, and other localities, this — 3 insect was reported to be very injurious. The following account records an instance of a remarkabiy bad attack occurring in a fair-sized garden in the beginning of April, 1876. _ “The lawn was completely bared, and the larve were in such numbers that there was no _ difficulty in collecting them in barrowfuls; 57 larve were counted at one daisy root. — Handpicking was useless, and a quantity of ducks were turned in, the soil being stirred into shallow furrows from time to time to allow them to reach their prey. Eventually — the ravages ceased almost as suddenly as they had begun, but not until every piece of grass in the garden was bared, as if it had been cut with a turfing iron and left to die on the spot. Grass seeds were sown in the late spring, and their growth encouraged ~ by a judicious use of nitrate of soda and dissolved bone manure. ‘This soon restored the turf, and the tépula has hardly been noticeable since.” ‘Looking at the partiality of tipule larve for damp ground, and that of the perfect crane-flies for rough neglected herb- age, and their dislike to saline presence, it seems as if something might easily be done by draining, removal of lurking places, and dressing with chemical manures, at least to dimin- — ish this trouble, and the fondness of birds for the grubs shows a direct mode of destruc- i \ = 47 4 * = ¢ tion, whether by general encouragement of insectivora in the fields, or the more limited _ application available in the garden.” L® ) 8. THe Prar-TreE Struc Worm (Selandria cerasi) LY isfa very familiar insect in Canada, (fig. 28); though I cannot say that our species is identical with ‘that found in England, Hriocampa adumbrata, it is at any rate very 4 Fig. 28. _ similar to it, both in appearance and habits. In 1878 this insect did much damage in the _ district round Dalkeith. ‘‘ The easily applied remedies of a dusting of caustic lime, or a _ heavy syringing of the tree with strong soapsuds, are generally very effective in getting rid of this pest.” A full account of this insect is given by Mr. Saunders in our Report for :1874. x 9. THE GOOSEBERRY OR CuRRANT Saw-FLy (WVematus ribesii ), our well-known pest (fig. 29), is recorded as being very prevalent, both in 1878 and 1879. In this country we are able to keep it in check by the use of powdered white 7 hellebore, and I have never heard of any ill effects being produced by the employment of this poison. A writer, however, relates that on one occasion ‘I dusted my bushes with white powdered hellebore, and ten days after (being dry weather from the time they were dusted) a tart was prepared of berries from these bushes. After partaking of the tart we all got seriously ill, but recovered, and next day we were all right. Since that period I never again made use of hellebore for destroy- ing caterpillars on berry bushes. The remedy I have used ever since instead of hellebore, with equal success, is flour of sulphur. It is easily applied by dusting it over the bushes with a pepperbox while they are under the morning dew ; or, if during dry weather, the bushes ought to be watered and then dusted. It is only necessary to dust the lower part of the bushes if taken in time. The use of sulphur is perfectly safe, and berries may be used at any time after its applica- Figure 29. tion.” 10. Toe Asparagus BEETLE (Crioceris asparagi) is an insect that has come over from England, and become very destructive on Long Island and in other parts of the State of New York. In fig. 30, this insect is shown in in its various stages. It is quite common, apparently, throughout England. The following remedies are set forth : —‘* The mixture consists of half a pound of soft-soap, quarter of a pound of flour of sulphur, and about the same quantity of soot, well mixed together in a pail of warm water. In this the infested shoots were dipped ; and on inspection the next day it was found to have cleared the larve. The plants 48 were syringed afterwards with warm water (merely to clear off the dirt left by the dipping), — and soon resumed a healthy appearance, and were thus saved from an unusually severe attack ; the Crioceris, when brought under treatment, being present on almost all the plants and stems, and noticeable by thousands in the larval stage, as well as in the egg.” Another writer states: “I stopped what was becoming a destructive attack by syringing the plants with warm water, just bearable to the hand ; this sent off the larve, or loosened them so as to fall to ashake ; and throwing soot liberally through the damp shoots to the __ ground destroyed the fallen grubs. This treatment, repeated once or twice in the course of the season, completely saved the plants, and the soot gave a luxuriant and healthy growth.” 11. LIysect MIGRATIONS. The following account of an extraordinary migration of insects is so interesting that I need make no excuse for transcribing it here: ‘‘The swarm appears to have been composed, at most of the successive points noted, of the moth Plusia gamma, and of the painted lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui. It appears to have started from the north-west of Africa, and travelled in a north-east direction, was observed at Algiers about April 15th to 20th, 1879 ; it reached Valencia, and was spread over Spain, and also present in the Balearic Isles from April 26th to May 3rd, and crossed the Eastern Pyrenees on May 26th and 27th. It next appeared in the south-east of France, Switzerland and Northern Italy ; and on the morning of June 5th, thousands of living specimens were found on the snow at the Hospice of St. Gothard. It was then distributed over Germany — and Austria at dates of appearance noted as being from June 7th to 16th. Anothercolumn ~ crossed the Mediterranean to Sicily, and spread northwards over Italy in June. The more westerly end of the migratory swarm reached Strasburg from June 3rd to 9th ; Paris and its environs were apparently not reached till June 15th. The appearance on the south coast of England was noticed on June 10th ; and the moths were subsequently observable throughout the three kingdoms. Plusia gamma was unusually abundant near Norwich on June 12th and 13th; and it was alse noticed:on the 13th in Essex. Subsequently it occurred in enormous quantities at many localities, the numbers, however, diminishing (as far as appears from the observations sent in) as the points of observation became more northerly.’ At Exeter, an observer states that he never saw anything to be compared with its numbers ; towards the end of September the larve literally swarmed on every garden plant, defoliating the plants, as well as riddling the leaves. Another, writ- ing from Chichester, mentions that serious injury was caused by the larve of Plusia gamma to the field peas, whole fields being stripped of their leaves, and the growth of the pods t consequently checked. On August 5th great numbers of the larve were collected; two | days later they spun up, the moths developing on the 14th, the pupal state thus lasting only a week or ten days. The moth was also noticed as unusually abundant in Bucking- hamshire, Hampshire, Kent and in various other counties. ‘Before the appearance of the moth and caterpillar—it is noted—the sugar-beet crops in Saxony were in excellent — condition, and would in ordinary circumstances have yielded a harvest of from nine to ten tons per acre ; the actual yield where the caterpillars had been was only three tons.” A great many other insects are, of course, referred to in these interesting Reports, but _ the foregoing have been selected for notice here, inasmuch as they are more or less familiar _ to us on this side of the Atlantic. It would be an immense help to the effective study of ql practical entomology, and consequently of great value to the agriculturists and fruit grow- ers of this country, if some similar plan could be carried out here. There would ~ require to be one or more willing and competent observers in each county of the Province, — who should note down particulars respecting a certain number of noxious insects, and send in their reports to some central office at the close of the season, making mention ~ especially of any unusual depredations that might have occurred in their neighbourhood. — By some such system as this we should get a large quantity of information that could — easily be digested and put in proper shape for annual publication. 49 RHYNCHOPHORA—WEEVILS. W. Hague Harringtor, Ottawa. The weevils are beetles belonging to that division of the Coleoptera known as Tetra- mera in the classification of early authors, and so distinguished because the beetles in- cluded in it have apparently only three-jointed tarsi or feet ; the penultimate joint being so small and so closely connected to the preceding one as to be invisible without a mag- nifying glass. The greater number of these beeties can be readily separated from those of other families by their snouts or beaks, which in many species are so elongated and attenuated as to give their bearers somewhat of the appearance of lilliputian six-legged elephants. (See figure 31, which represents the apple curculio, Anthonomus quadrigibbus.) This well marked feature in their structure has gained for them their common name of “snout-beetles,” and their scientific appellation of Rhynchophora, derived from the Greek, and signifying ‘“‘ beak-bearing.” If we carefully examine one of these insects we will see that the head is : lengthened into a proboscis, at the end of which are situated the mouth-parts, Fig. 31. __ so reduced in size as to be almost invisible to the naked eye. On the sides of the rostrum (to use the scientific name for this proboscis) are set the antennz, usually slender and long; sharply geniculated or elbowed in many species, and commonly knobbed. They can be folded back so closely against the base of the snout, which is often grooved to contain them, as to be quite hidden. The beetles have hard, rounded bodies ; some love the sunshine, others lie hidden all day and when night falls creep forth from their hiding places to continue their depredations, or fly about in search of new fields. The legs are often short and not well fitted for rapid progress, or _ for digging. Many have ample wings to carry them about, but in some species these use- ful appendages are wanting, or are so short as to be useless as organs of flight. So far as known to me all the snout-beetles are vegetable feeders, and the great majority of them may be styled “ obnoxious insects”; many being veritable pests to agri- culturists and arboriculturists. They attack trees and plants of every kind and in every part ; roots, stems, bark, twigs, pith, leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds are all subject to the depredations of these long-headed foes, which, though minute, exist in such countless numbers as to make the total loss inflicted by them severely felt. Weevils when young are short, fleshy, whitish grubs, without legs, and effecting what slight progress they require by the aid of their hunched segments, by the shape of which they may be easily known from the maggots of flies. Their heads are scaly or horny, and furnished with sharp mandibles to nibble the hard substances in which so many of them dwell, and in which they thus construct cells or short burrows. In these cells the majority of species pass also the pupa state, emerging only as fully developed beetles to spend a brief existence in the outer world. It is in the grub state that the weevil commits its depredations, for then it is invariably concealed in that part of the plant on - which it subsists, secure despite its utter helplessness, and finding its proper nutriment in _ the walls of its prison. Trees are stunted and warped by having their young shoots de- voured ; fruit and nuts are caused to drop prematurely and decay 3 rice, corn, wheat and ~ other cereals become mere empty husks, while peas, beans, and a great variety of seeds are destroyed by enemies so tiny that the hollowed shells form the house in which the full grown larva transforms to a perfect insect. Our own weevils are inconspicuous both in size and colouring ; in fact nearly all of them are small and dull looking beetles. In tropical countries, however, snout-beetles are found of very formidable dimensions, and some are most brilliantly marked and painted ; of these I will mention a few examples presently: The Rhynchophora are divided into two families, the Bruchide and the Curculionide (which unwieldy family has recently been subdivided into several smaller ones, but the 4 50 purposes of this paper will be equally as well served by adhering to the former classification). The great bulk of the weevils are included in the latter family, only some three hundred species of Bruchide being known, about fifty of which inhabit America north of Mexico. They derive their name on account of their nibbling or “ biting” pro- pensities. Their depredations are chiefly confined to the various members of the Leguminose—pod-bearing plants —and are marked among peas, beans and many seeds which among foreign nations and tribes are important articles of food or export. Figure 32 represents the well-known pea weevil ( Bruchus pisi), both larva and beetle, magnified and of natural size, and figure 33 the American bean weevil (Bruchus fabee). Fig. 32. They are small active beetles, short and stout, of which the too-familiar pea-weevil is a good example, and are recognized by the manner in which the head is folded against the Fig. 33. breast. The eleven-jointed antenne are short and inserted close to the eyes. Some foreign species attain considerable size, one Australian fruit-eating species being consider- ably ‘larger than our biggest weevil. | Jt seems almost superfluous to give any account of our pea-weevil (Bruchus pist) after the able account of it by Mr. Saunders in the Annual Report for 1879, but as it is typical in structure and habits of this family I shall devote a few lines to it. Appar- ently a native of North America, it long since reached the southern portions of Europe, — and is mentioned as having been so numerous in some districts of France in 1780 as to © have seriously affected the health of the peasants who had partaken freely of the worm- infested peas. Mr. Curtis, in his admirable treatise on Farm Insects, written twenty | years ago, expresses the hope that the climate of Great Britain will not suit the economy __ of this pest, and states that he has frequently found the beetles in imported peas. The beetle is nearly oval in shape; from.two to two and one-half lines in length 2 q and dull in colour, being black when divested of the dense covering of short hairs with which it is clothed. These hairs are rusty brown above and gray beneath, while the elytra (wing-covers) are marked by several white dots. The weevils pair in early sum- mer when the pea-tields are in bloom, and as soon as the young pods are developed the ; 4 female deposits her eggs thereon. A few days later the larve are hatched and eat their way into the nearest pea, in which they live usually until the next spring, when, having undergone all their changes, they come forth ready to attack the new crop. A "method recently g given by a correspondent of the American Entomologist to destroy the weevils in seed-peas “s to immerse the latter for a few minutes before planting in a mixture of kero- a sene and water, which is said to effectually destroy the insects without injury to the peas. — The following paragraph which appeared in a recent issue of the Daily Globe, contains a valuuble suggestion as to the treatment of seed peas :— “ An entomological occurrence in THe GLOBE office suggests an easy method of anni- — hilating the pea weevil—an insect whose ravages are rapidly driving the farmers of some 7 parts of Ontario to abandon pea culture in despair. A note in this column, a few weeks — ago, about a new pea pest (not the weevil) brought half a dozen consignments of ‘buggy — ES Vitra LAS ae : 51 peas’ with requests that the senders be informed whether their’s was the new pest or the old one. The boxes containing the peas—which were all infested with the com- mon weevil Bruchus pisi—were placed in a room which is somewhat over-supplied with steam pipes, and in which the temperature occasionally rises above 90 degrees. After a day or two in this room the regular transformation of the beetles from the pupa to the perfect state took place. On opening the boxes, they were found alive with weevils which had abandoned the holes in the peas, and were looking around for young pea pods in which to lay their eggs. In this lies the lesson. It is a pretty well settled fact in entomology that the function of egg-laying is not a voluntary one on the part of the female insect. Given the requisite temperature, and the process of egg-laying must go on whether the eggs be fertilized or not, or whether there be a proper place on which to lay them or not. It follows, almost toa certainty, that the pea weevil can be annihilated in a very simple manner. In the natural state the eggs of the weevil are laid on the outside of the young pea pods. The larva hatch out and burrow through the pods into the peas, one larva to each pea. Once there, they feed till they have attained their full growth, when they go into the pupa or chrysalis state. In the latter state they remain all the fall and winter. In the spring the weevilly peas are sown with the insect still in the pupa state. It remains underground till the soil has become warm, and then it changes to the perfect state, comes forth, and proceeds to perpetuate the species as before. Now, it appears from what happened to our consignments of pea bugs that the insects can be easily inveigled out of their holes during the winter when there are no green pea-pods for them to lay upon. Once out of the pupa state, it cannot go back again. If, then, farmers will during the winter place their seed peas in a warm room for a few days, the weevils may be brought out of their holes and killed, or left to die.” Bruchide from their habits are insects very liable to be ¢arried from one country to another in the seeds used alike for food by man and weevil, and if the climate and food found in their new quarters be at all favourable, they quickly make themselves at home therein. Asan example of the way in which such insects are imported it may be men- tioned, that eight species were collected among foreign exhibits at the Centennial Exhi- bition. The second division of the weevils is an enormous one, containing many hundred genera and many thousand species—the number of the latter named and described being 10,000: or more—while the list is being lengthened continually by the discovery of new ones, of which there must remain a great number, for a large proportion of the species are so small and inconspicuous as easily to escape early collectors in countries where many larger and more brilliant coleoptera can be easily obtained. According toa recent ‘‘ Check list of the Coleoptera of America north of Mexico,” there are over eight hundred species, of which nearly half have been added within the last ‘seven years. In Great Britain, where numerous collectors have thoroughly worked the ground, about five hundred species are known, and undoubtedly, when our own country has been more exhaustively searched, the Canadian list now numbering but little over one hundred forms, will be enormously swollen. I have obtained in the vicinity of this city over fifty kinds, some of which occur in large numbers. Our snout-beetles are all small, many very minute; the largest is scarcely an inch long, while many are but one-twentieth of an inch. If then we consider the damage in- flicted in this country, we can form some idea of the ravages that are wrought in more tropical countries where the weevils attain to a great size ; compared to these our largest species are as sparrows to turkeys. In Java is found an enormous black weevil, called Protocerus colossus, which measures three inches in length and is stout in proportion. With its immense front legs and strong, knobbed snout, it is a formidable looking beetle, and must do great harm to the trees on which it feeds. An allied Brazilian species is called Rhina barbicornis from its long hairy snout, which gives it a very fierce look. Some foreign weevils are as remarkable for their varied and brilliant colouring as for their size. The most commonly known is perhaps _ the diamond beetle of Brazil (Lntimus imperialis) often used as a breast pin or similar ornament. It is a black insect,closely lined with rows of glittering geeen dots, and pre- ' sents in its perfect state a magnificent appearance. A near relative of this beetle is Z, ( 52 splendidus, clad in black bossed armour adorned with gold and green. A third species of — these Brazilian gems—Rhigus schuppelliiwears a coat of green mail studded with golden — knobs. Many other strangely formed or ornamented weevils are found in the south, of — which but two examples can be given. The first is a large black beetle found in New Holland named Gagatophorus Schonherr. ‘Thereis scarcely any portion of the upper sur- face of this insect, which is quite smooth, those parts which are not knobbed being grooved. ~ The upper part of the head has a wide and rather deep groove. The thorax is rounded — and covered with knobs, which are comparatively scanty on the disc, but become very — numerous and crowded on the sides. These projections are without any apparent order, but those of the elytra are arranged in three distinct rows. The elytra are very large and are turned over the sides rather abruptly. On the edge, where they are folded, is a row of nine knobs, so long and pointed that they may well be called spikes. Next comes arow of seven knobs, and next to the suture is a third row of four knobs, these last being placed rather irregularly (Wood’s “Insects Abroad”). Xenocerus lineatus might well be mistaken for a longicorn beetle, so extraordinarily long are the antenne of the male. The beetle is of a chocolate brown colour, marked with white lines, and is hardly an inch long, while its antenne are more than two inches in length and very delicate. Among our native weevils are two species belonging to the Attelabide. They are small beetles found upon the leaves of oak, etc., and are said to make a sort of little nest, in which to lay their eggs, by cutting and rolling up a portion of the leaf of some tree. The largest weevil I know to be found in Canada is the one named Lthycerus nova- boracensis. It is a stout-bodied beetle, from two to three-fourths of an inch in length; the largest ones (females) being one-fourth of an inch across the wing-covers. The snout is broad and the rather short club-tipped antenne are inserted near the jaws. The thorax is short, about as wide as‘long, and marked by three longitudinal white lines. The elytra are wide and ample, being turned down well at the sides, and they are marked by parallel white lines, interrupted by slightly raised black spots. The colour of the beetle is black, but a scanty clothing of short white hairs gives it a grayish appearance. I have often found it during June upon beech trees, and the sexes copulate at this time. It is men- tioned by Fitch as eating the buds and gnawing the twigs of apple trees in May and June. Hylobius pales is one of the destructive weevils found upon our pine trees, and is very common throughout the lumbering districts. In Ottawa during the early summer they appear in great numbers, crawling on the sidewalks and on buildings and fences. Its length is about three-eighths of an inch, and its colour a deep brown, approaching almost to black. The rounded thorax is closely punctured, and the elytra have rows of impressed dots as if stitched, and also slight irregular markings made by white hairs, which in many specimens are rubbed off. The long snout is stout and strong,as are the legs, with which the beetle can cling tightly to its captor’s finger, as it has a habit of doing, pressing at the same time with its snout, of which the mandibles are too small to pierce the skin. During — May and June the beetle lays its eggs in holes bored in the bark of pine trees, and the grubs burrow between the wood and bark, loosening the latter and thus causing decay. I have found this beetle, early in May, with its snout buried in the base of the tube of the — _ Mayflower (Zpigea repens) in the same manner as bees perforate flowers to gather honey and pollen. H. siupidus is a larger and heavier beetle, nearly half an inch long. The scutelis | yellow, and there are scattered patches of hair of the same colour upon the body and wing-covers, It is much less numerous than the former species. Pissodes strobi (fig. 35), the white-pine weevil, is smaller than the above described species, but is even more destructive in its habits. One of the most important uses to which our noble pines are adapted is for the construction of ships’ masts and spars, for which purpose it is absolutely necessary that they be straight and faultless. Now, this weevil delights to select the leading or , topmost shoot of the thrifty young pines, as the object of its attack. It bores ® holes in the bark, at irregular intervals, the whole length of the shoot ; in each of these it lays an egg, and as soon as the larva is hatched, it eats downward oD) toward the centre of the twig,and burrows in the pith. In the cell thus formed it undergoes the necessary transformations,and emerges the following spring as the perfect beetle. For a month or two after the eggs are deposited, the growth of the shoot is unaffected, but as the grubs increase in size, and reach the centre, it begins to wilt and ~ shortly dies and withers. One of the lateral or side shoots, curves upward frequently, and takes the place of the destroyed leader, but a crook is thus caused which greatly lessens the value of the tree. The only way to prevent their ravages, is by cutting off _ all the dead shoots, while the insects are still in them, and burning them. When these beetles are very numerous they also attack the side shoots. There are other species of this genus, very similar in appearance to P. strobi, which are found assisting it in its ravages, and which are sometimes abundant. , Another weevil found upon pines, from the middle of May to the middle of June is _ Polydrosus elegans, which, as its name denotes,is a very graceful and beautiful beetle. It differs from the preceding species in shape, its body being narrow and more cylindrical, while the head is not prolonged into a slender snout, but is lengthened only slightly, and flattened, the mouth being wide, and having inserted near its sides the antenne. The colour varies from a silvery gray to a creamy buff, and I have several specimens, usually males, of a most delicate glistening green. Their colouring is caused, not as in preceding i species, by a covering of short hairs, but by a coating of minute iridescent scales, resem- 4 bling in shape grains of rice. When denuded of these fragile scales, which are easily rubbed off, the beetle is jet black. The numbers of the genus Anthonomus are, as indicated by the name, “flower-dwellers,” and are found upon trees or plants when in blossom, and as the fruit is setting. Several _ species occur in Canada, one of which, A. quadrigibbus (see fig 31), isa small, rough, ~ robust beetle of a reddish brown, with a slender beak almost as long as its body. It is : often abundant upon the hawthorn, and when disturbed folds its legs, tucks carefully away its antenne, and looking for all the world like a withered bud, drops to the ground. This habit of simulating death and of taking on the appearance of a dried bud, seed, or bit of moss or dirt, is common to many weevils. The little beetle in question is sometimes _ called the apple weevil, because it punctures that fruit at times, with from one to twenty holes. An allied species, A. swtwralis, the cranberry weevil, is a minute reddish weevil, _ which in the United States attacks the cranberry vines, and,as it is found in Canada, may _ probably do so here also, although I have seen no record of its operations. The female is said to bore a hole in a bud, hod after depositing an egg therein, cut it off,so that it falls upon the ground and decays, while the grub growsand transforms within it. Conotrachelus nenuphar, the plum weevil, is too well known (especially after the full account of it by Mr. Gott,in last year’s Report), to require more than a brief mention here. In fig. 36 we have this insect shown in its several stages of larva, chrysalis and beetle. : From its extended ravages, and the crescent-shaped mark which it makes when depositing its egg in the young plum, it has been, not inappropriately, named the “little Turk.” The grub, when hatched, eats towards the germ of the fruit, which then dies and falls prematurely to the earth, where it is kept moist while the worm attains its full growth. When arrived at maturity, the grub leaves its wasted larder, to pupate in the earth, from which it emerges the following spring, as a small, rough, dark, mottled beetle. Jarring the trees once or twice daily, during the season when the beetles are depositing their eggs (that is when the plums have reached the size of peas), and thus causing Fig. 36. them to fall down upon sheets spread beneath the trees, is ‘apparently the best method of exterminating this pest, which is spreading rapidly through- out the country, and destroying great quantities of fruit. Various other plans are however advocated, for the best of which I will refer you to Mr. Gott’s report. : The plum weevil when abundant also attacks other fruit ; including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, nectarines and quinces in its list of dainties. It causes some to fall ‘prematurely, and mutilates and scars many others, so as to render them unfit for market. 54 Plums are not largely grown in this vicinity, but at several places in the woods ; where trees are growing wild (in abandoned clearings, etc.), I have found this beetle, and — in such places it is left ‘to increase unmolested, and is ‘secured against extermination. The plum weevil has been accused of causing the disease on trees, known as “ black knot,” but although the grubs are sometimes found in these excresen- ces, they are not the cause of the injury, but only an accidental result of it, the beetle having been deceived into depositing its eggs in the swelling part when green and soft. Farther south, where the beetle is double-brooded, it has been said to deposit its eggs in the bark of young pear limbs, the grubs which winter therein accounting for the spring brood. The plum-g gouger, Anthonomus prunicidae (fig. 37), i isalso destructive to plums. There are other species of this genus found in Canada, but none are so notorious. Tyloderma fragarve is a small weevil that (across the line if not in this country) attacks the strawberry, and is known as the “strawberry-crown borer,” because it destroys the embryo fruit stalks and leaves in the crown of the plant. (See fig. 38, where the larva and beetle are both shown.) An insect with such a disposition may readily become a serious enemy to small-fruit growers. Mononychus vulpeculus is a robust beetle slightly larger than the pea weevil, but differing from it in shape. The body is about as wide as long and very thick; the thorax is much nar- rower, while the head is small and the snout long Fig. 38. and fine. The beetle is black above, and of a rusty yellow beneath. The grub lives in the pods of the common flag, or iris, eating through two or three seeds (which it leaves mere rings) and forming a cell in which it undergoes its changes. They are often very plentiful and scarcely a pod escapes, but, of course, the greater part of the seeds in the pod are uninjured. On the first of August last, in passing through a field of these plants, I noticed that some pods had an appearance of some internal disease, and on investigation found the source of trouble to be a small white grub, evidently a curculio larva. Aware that a weevil did infest these plants, and not having hitherto bred any specimens, I carried away a pocketful ef pods for the purpose of so doing. These were placed in a small box, and not looked at again until the 19th of September, when on emptying the box I found nine specimens of J. vulpeculus. There were also two small moths and six ichneumon flies, four of the latter being females and two males. On open- ing the pods I obtained nineteen more weevils and four ichneumons, as well as two larvee of the moth. Hardly a pod was without a tenant, while in some dwelt two or three. A day or two later I visited the patch where I obtained the pods, and found that with few exceptions the pods had burst and scattered their contents, but a few remained, and either showed holes through which insects had escaped or still contained weevils or caterpillars. The beetles probably spend the winter underground or concealed in the dead plants. As shown by the figures above given, fully. enenbe -five ue cent. of the insects were destroyed by the ichneumons. In the same NY way the plum weevil hasbeen greatly check- ed in some places by an ichneumon fly called Sigalphus curculionis (fig. 39), which is very similar in size and appearance to. the ichneumon just mentioned as parasitic on the iris-weevil. A weevil remarkable for its long slen- der rostrum or snout is found upon hazel- bushes in May, and more abundantly in June, about the middle of which month the beetles are frequently seen paired. It is — EES = by au ae MS AP ey 4 A EC RY op pyle Or Or galled Balaninus nascicus, the specific name being conferred on account of its snout or “nose,” which, though no thicker than a bristle, is nearly as long as the body, and carries a pair of long and very delicate antenne. The beetle is a third of an inch long, with an oval body covered with short yellow hairs. The grub lives in the hazel-nut, but leaves it when full grown to transform in the ground. In 1879 the nut crop was large and these beetles were very abundant, but last summer there were but few nuts and I only observed one weevil. This beetle, according to Fitch, also feeds on hickory nuts, and B. rectus, distinguished by the beak being shorter and straighter, attacks acorns. This genus, I may add, derives its name—Salaninus—from a Greek word signifying acorn. Remarkable as our nut weevil is for its long, slender nose, it is far surpassed by an African beetle which has a bristle-like snout fully three times as long as its body, the latter being half an inch in length. Cratoparis lunatus is not an injurious weevil, for, unlike the majority of its kind, it forsakes sweet flowers and succulent fruits to feast upon dry fungus, such as grows upon old beech trees. It is about a third of an inch long and of a mottled colour, exactly resembling when disturbed a bit of fungus or moss. 7 The members of the small group Brenthide are easily distinguished from other weevils by their remarkably long bodies, snouts not bent downwards or curved, but stretched straight out in front, and unelbowed antenne. The only Canadian species is Arrhenodes Septentrionis (Hbst.), the larva of which lives in hardwood trees (most frequently oak), not only in dead trees but in living ones. The female is said to bore a hole in the bark with her long snout, and shove into the puncture an egg. The cylindrical, whitish grub bores a round hole through the bark and into the solid wood of the tree. It is a slender worm, an inch or over in length, and little more than one-tenth in diameter ; changing in its burrow to a yellowish white pupa. The beetle has a cylindrical body attached to which is an egg-shaped thorax, rounded off where it is joined to the body, and tapering gradually to the head, which is prolonged _ ina straight snout, hardly as long as the thorax. The snout of the female is very slender, and the jaws at the tip are so small as to be barely visible to the naked eye; that of the male is much heavier, and the jaws are strong and curved. The antenne of the female are inserted at the base of the rostrum near the eyes, while those of the other sex are set mid- way between the eyes and mouth. The general colour of this beetle is a rich brown ; it is very smooth and glossy, with the exception of the wing-covers, which are striated, punc- tured and marked with irregular, broken, yellow lines. These beetles may be taken in June among oak trees, or more readily in lumber yards among newly sawn oak lumber. I have also taken several which were attracted with other species of weevils to a bright light placed to allure moths. They vary wonderfully in size, the males (an unusual thing with insects) being largest. Ordinary specimens are from four-eighths to five-eighths of an inch long and about one-eighth in diameter, but Fitch mentions one as being only two- eighths long, and I have an enormous male, a giant of his race, measuring over seven- eighths. It is proportionately stout ; the rostrum is very broad and strong, and the jaws ~ large and powerful. It was found last summer in a cleft of a newly fallen butternut tree. The Calandride embrace many highly destructive insects. In the West Indies is found an enormous weevil which injures palm trees and sugar-canes. Its gigantic white grubs are calied by the negroes “ gru-gru,” and by them, as well as by many white people, _ are considered a very great delicacy, although those not accustomed to such unusual dainties would consider them a very distasteful kind of grub. Our northern species are small but still capable of doing immense damage by their united efforts, and the grain weevils have a world-wide notorizty on account of their ravages. ‘Three species of the latter are common in the States, viz :—Calandra oryze, C. granaria, and C. remote-punctata ; the two last are also found in Canada. C. oryze— the rice weevil—is supposed to have spread westward from the East Indies with the grain from which it derives its name. Unfortunately, however, it does not confine itself to Tice, and at the Philadelphia Exhibition was found to abound in rice, maize, and wheat _ from all parts of the world. With the aid ofits relative the granary weevil (C. granaria)—see fig. 34—it destroys _ vast quantities of stored grain. Curtis says that no insects in England do more mischief to 56 stored grain than these two weevils introduced from abroad. In warm countries, such as those of southern Europe, there are many broods during the year, and the loss caused is corres- pondingly great. The beetles penetrate some distance into the heap of grain ; the female lays her eggs singly in the grains, and in a few months there remains nothing but a heap of empty husks, tenanted by grubs and beetles. At an entomological meeting in Eng- land, April 1870, it was stated that 74 tons of Spanish wheat when sifted yielded over half a ton of weevils, and 145 tons of American grain gave one and three-quarter tons. Fortunately these beetles do not thrive without heat, and cannot carry on their depreda- tions in the cold of our winter, hence grain can be stored here for many months without loss. The Apionide are a group of small pear-shaped weevils the minute larve of which infest different seeds. Besides these we might mention as destructive the quince curculio (figure 40), Cono- trachelus crategi, which is injurious to quinces; the imbricated snout beetle, Epicerus Fig. 40. Fig. 41. umbricatus (figure 41), which injures apple and cherry trees by gnawing the twigs and fruit ; the corn sphenophorus, Sphenophorus zee (figure 42), which damages the corn crop Fig. 42. and the potato-stalk weevil, Baridwus trenotatus (figure 43), which injures the potato. This paper has already reached such a length as to exclude further descriptions of our weevils, species of which will from time to time be found coming into notoriety through attacks on our trees or plants. Even those now only to be met with feeding on wild plants may some day transfer their affections to a cultivated one, as has frequently been the case hitherto. Occasionally aiso new species may be brought into the country with imported seeds and plants. The American Entomologist recently warned importers of fruit plants from England to be on their guard against introducing a weevil, which has of late years been very destructive to raspberry bushes, as it would, doubtless, flourish here, there being several closely allied species already in this vountry. The name of this possible visitor and dreaded foe is Otiorhynchus picipes, and in its native land it attacks a great variety of plants and trees, such as peas, beans, turnips, elms, lime trees, etc. The principal damage appears to be done by the full-grown weevils, which are wingless and night feeders, hiding during the day in crevices or under bark, stones, etc. They are ‘‘sometimes a dreadful pest in gardens, committing sad ravages on vines in hot-houses and on wall fruit, during the night. They likewise injure raspberry plants in spring by eating through the flowering stems and leaves, and they nibble off the bark and eat out the buds of apple and pear trees.” The larve live in the roots of flowers and other plants, and are very destructive to them. -__- The ravages of weevils cannot be stayed by the same measures which avail in the case of the potato beetle and other leaf-feeding larve. Their grubs cannot be reached by Paris _ green and similar poisons ; their destruction can only be accomplished by that of the sub- _ stance in which they feed concealed. Failing then to reach the grubs, it remains to attack the beetles themselves, and this is often difficult of accomplishment, on account of their secluded habits and the trouble of finding them. They are also exceedingly tough subjects to kill ; their hard bodies are capable of resisting much hard usage, and, to a great ex- tent, the action of such substances asare all-powerful in the destruction of insects endowed with less vitality. I have frequently kept plum weevils for hours, sometimes for a couple of days, in a cyanide bottle, which would kill most insects in a few minutes, and although stupefied, they would, in a short time after liberation, be as lively as ever. They are indifferent to ‘the most powerful and offensive odours, and decoctions of tobacco, soap and lime, that easily repel most insects, are apparently but little hurtful to them. To show the tenacity of life in snout beetles, an English entomologist mentions a curculio (of genus Cleonus) which, after resisting the action of laurel leaves, which are used in collecting-bottles as poison, was twice immersed in benzine, the second time for a whole night, and finally had to be killed with hot water. Another instance is where some _ weevils lived in and devoured coriander seed, among which were pieces of caustic stone. One simple way to prevent the ravages of weevils is to see that all seeds are thoroughly freed from them before planting, and likewise in setting out plants or trees to observe the same precautions. Yet, sooner or later, they will find their way from adjacent fields, or _ even distant counties, and then resort must be had to warlike measures. Some species, _ such as the plum weevil, may be jarred orshaken upon sheets, or frames covered with cot- ton ; others may be taken (some by day, some by night) with sweeping or beating nets. The best way to kill the captured ones is to put them in boiling water. Fruits or nuts, which have fallen to the ground, should be carefully collected and _ destroyed before the larve therein have left them and entered the earth, and all substances under which the beetles might hide should be removed. : Twigs and canes infested should be cut off and burned in the autumn, or in spring before the beetles have emerged. . Powdered pyrethrum will be found very effectual in destroying weevils among such seeds as peas and beans, if dusted over them, and if well sprinkled among heaps of grain is said to thoroughly kill off the grain weevils. But little assistance is received from birds toward exterminating weevils. Many species are concealed all day in crevices, under stones, etc., or even beneath the surface of the ground, and only come forth when the birds have ended their labours. Others so closely simulate bits of moss or dirt, or the colour of the bark or other part of the plant on which they rest, as to be safe even from the sharp eyes of our feathered friends. Nearly all are so timid that when alarmed or disturbed they fold up their antenne and legs and drop to the ground, where they are almostinvisible. The stray weevils occasion- ly captured by birds are not very satisfying morsels, being chiefly hard, horny shell, while the grubs, which are soft and fat, are generally secure in their cells or burrows. ON THE CHIEF BENEFITS DERIVED BY FARMERS AND HORTICUL ; TURISTS FROM A KNOWLEDGE OF ENTOMOLOGY. By James Fletcher, Ottawa, Ont. _ “Well! what’s the use of all your bug-catching and long names to me?” is a question hich in this essentially utilitarian age the entomologist has too often to answer farmers. and horticulturists even here in fair Canada, where the unparalleled climate presents most. Pigs 58 favourable conditions not only for the successful cultivation of roots) cereals, fruit and — the other varied forms of produce which constitute the wealth of the agricultural classes, but also for those gigantic armies which from time to time levy such undue tribute upon — their hard-earned savings, and where consequently it might be imagined they had been taught a practical answer by bitter experience. But no! such is not the case, and these “minims of creations ” individually so puny and weak, but which, united, form such irre- sistible forces, are to-day very little more studied by the people most concerned than they were fifty years ago. The answer to the question is simply this, “To enable you to know your friends from your foes.” I shall endeavour to show that everything which is gen- erally designated by that expressive word ‘“‘ bug” is not an enemy which must be executed at once without a trial. It cannot but be a matter of considerable surprise to any per- son who turns his attention to the study of Entomology to find to what an extent, com- paratively speaking, that branch of Natural Science is neglected by scientific men, for - notwithstanding the large sums of money devoted yearly by wise governments towards its encouragement, and the untiring efforts made by individual students to present it to the masses in a popular form it must be acknowledged that as yet it is not studied nearly as much as it deserves. Little attention was paid to Natural History previous to the commencement of the last century, although the writings of some of the leading philosophers of antiquity show that it was considered of sufficient importance to receive special study. Aristotle and Pliny the elder, wrote of insects largely, although, it is true, somewhat erroneously at times. They too often fell into that trap which is still set in the path of modern investi- gators, namely, allowing their imaginations to carry them away from the truth to build up a previously conceived theory. There are not many of whom it can be said as of Dr. Leidy, “‘the most distinguished naturalist of America,” as follows:—“Jn the performance of his scientific work he has confined himself to the duty of accurately describing what he has seen. He very rarely draws inferences from his accumulated facts, and his innate truthfulness is such as to deter him from theorizing.”* The first book published in England upon insects alone is said to have been Movffet’s “Theatrum Insectorum,” which appeared in the reign of Charles I, after having passed through the hands of five learned doctors, all of whom did something towards its com- pletion, and after having taken about 100 years to finish. It was owing to the efforts of Ray and Linné, ably assisted by the their contemporaries Reaumer and DeGeer, that Entomology was raised to its proper place among the sciences. Since their time many ~ learned men have fought hard to keep it there, until now “‘the laugh at Entomology is nearly spent, and known professors of the science may meet in open conclave to exchange observations without fear of becoming subjects for a commission de lunatico imquirendo, and may now, net in hand, chase their game without themselves beng made game of.”7 — This, however, was not the case in the last century, for we are told in Kirby and Spence’s * Introduction to Entomology” that an attempt was made to set aside the will of a rational woman (Lady Glanville) on the ground of insanity, which was evinced, it was claimed, by her fondness for collecting insects. Foremost of all the great powers in the prosecution of scientific research is undoubt- — edly the Government of the United States. No expense or trouble is deemed tco much, but whatever advantage energy and perseverance can gain for the general good they secure. Their official publications upon scientific matters are simply magnificent, and the generosity with which they distribute them to institutions and societies, where they © can be freely consulted,are as proverbial as the politeness of the gentlemen entrusted with ~ the investigations which are thus recorded. No one ever need be at a loss for informa- tion upon any ordinary scientific point, for on writing to the Department in Washington which considers that matter, he will receive an answer by the return mail. a By means of the generous assistance of our own Government, our Entomological — Society of Ontario is able to put in the hands of all the agriculturists of the Province — * Popular Science Monthly, vol. xvii., p. 691. + Episodes of Insect Life. 59 - information with which, at any rate it is hoped, they can fight most of the insect+ pests _ from which we occasionally suffer, and also at the same time learn to discriminate which among the countless hordes of the insect world may be ranked as allies. The naturalist founds his studies upon the theory that nothing in nature is useless, and everything that is, must have some special function to perform or it would not exist; it is in tracing up these special adaptations to certain ends that he finds the charm which ‘enables him to carry on the laborious investigations which are oftentimes necessary. As every one knows, vegetable and animal life are the two re-agents which Nature employs to keep up the balance of creation, the one feeding upon or deriving its nutri- ment from the other. Now, these two agents are to a certain extent acted upon and kept in check by their own component parts. Whenever, owing to particularly favourable circumstances, too many seeds of any one species of plant spring up in the same place, they do not all mature, for if they did, all would be sickly from want of light and air, and the species would gradually degenerate. Consequently, it is provided that the weaker should be kept down and choked to death to make room for their more robust com- panions. This is similarly the case in the animal world, as for instance with insects. When, from special circumstances, any one species is abnormally multiplied, it is sure to be attacked and kept in check by some other kind, which itself may be a prey to another species. Plants through all their stages from the seed to the decaying leaf, are the ori- ginal source of support to some form of animal life ; wherever vegetable life is profuse, there insects abound. The green plant attracts innumerable small insects ; these in their turn attract larger carnivorous species, which are again preyed upon by birds and reptiles, and the larger carnivorous animals follow. The flesh feeders, thus depending one upon the other for subsistence, have a primary dependence upon vegetable life ; therefore, wherever there is the greatest variety of vegetable life there will necessarily be the greatest variety of animals, whether quadrupeds, birds, reptiles ‘or insects. It is estimated that insects comprise no less than four-fifths of the whole animal kingdom. While there are about 55,000 known species of animals, excluding insects, the number of these amounts to upwards of 200,000. It is therefore perfectly manifest that they must perform some very important mission in the economy of nature. “It would _ be easy,” writes the Rev. J. G. Wood in “ Insects Abroad,” “ to ‘show how the very crea- _ tures which are most detested by man, and do him the most direct damage, are indeed, _ though indirectly, among his best benefactors. Apart from direct benefit. or injury to man, the whole of the insect tribes are working towards one purpose, namely, the gradual development of the earth and its resources. The greater number are perpetually de- stroying that which is effete, in order to make way for something better ; while others, whose business seems chiefly to be the killing and eating of their fellow-insects, act as a _ check to their inordinate increase, and so guard against the danger of their exceeding _ their proper mission.” I will borrow from the same author two more similes demonstrative of the fact that _ even amongst those insects which we consider most noxious we have some good friends. What more annoying creature can the mind conceive than the common mosquito! Truly is Beelzebub (‘‘ King of the Flies”) rightly named if these are types of his subjects. tt must be remembered, however, that devouring human beings is not the norma! occupation _ of mosquitoes ; but the former are intruders into their domains, and consequently must _ bear the consequences. Their real object is a beneficent one. In the deep dark forests _of the tropics the air would be perfectly stagnant, and an enormous development of _noisome fevers would be the consequence, if it were not for the motion caused by the wings of these minute creatures which breed there in myriads, and that of various birds and predacious insects which they attract there to feed upon them. In the larval state, _ too, they live in water, and feed upon the particles of decayed matter which are too small to be noticed by the larger aquatic animals. Were it not for the presence of these in- : ‘se s, which swarm in vast armies in all stagnant water in warm climates, thus purifying it as well as the atmosphere, such localities would be uninhabitable by any animals higher % than reptiles. Again, strange as it may appear at first sight, if it were not for the existence of the many borers and wood-eating insects we could have none of those 60 lovely forests which give so much beauty to our landscapes, and are the source of so much wealth to the country. Let us imagine that all these insects have been destroyed at one fell swoop, and note the consequence. = Pe wy. ras