RETURN TO LIBRARY OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY WOODS HOLE, MASS. LOANED BY AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY #, emt bent Sony et a EDITED BY WM. SAUNDERS/* LONDON, ONTARIO. LONDON. 9) tes FREE PRESS PRINTING CO., RICHMOND-ST, 1877. et Avi 0 ay 4 hia " ee THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, Published by the Entomological Sogeey og Ontario. a Bes: eae General Editor :—W. SaunvErs, London, Ontario. Mi Pome} ba al) Editing Committee :—Rerv. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M. A., Port Hope; and Messrs. E. BAYNES REED, and J. WiuurAMs, London, Ontario. $ ee os ANNUAL #EES OF MEMBERSHIP : Bor OrdinarcaMEMmDbergs ox... % je svein:- wie resbicres revel eetateuc: eisieletatete aloretere eleere cre detete nlc cee ESE mes = SL OOO For Associate Members in the United States, (U.S. Currency)...................5. Ab sadepboae 2b Por Associate Membersiin Ene land, (.ta:.'. ov cis ocistiew ontvecssisekis baleen © oetosle Sos seeeeee 58. 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PROS J Sig | Wed SSS OEE Sr ae no eae West Farms, N. Y. AUSTIN; E. P. ee ach See hess CAMBRIDGE MIASS: BAILEY, DR. JAMES s Reeore See RU Gis ey A EBAN Vy, Ne Vis (EVANS SOS Be IR Bos Coe Cotes etree 3 errers iis trea e eo NEWPORT ta kave WEAUN VWWiA G BINGE Ne Gail ry Wel sales ects <2 abla si WMEST CHESTER] COs, INE Ve WEENIE. DIR? BUIGEEANAIN,..|. cae. lc veces PERTH, SCOTLAND. NVIEIGICES LONG So Meee irein sh cee ec on ......NEW HAVEN, CONN. MRS IEGOsIT:: -O:-:Seemmreestee actos trsatest acocmale os RACINE, WISCONSIN, WORE EIINGT ON) Ge Bist acs covestaees CHICAGO, ILL. UNIVER VEAINN, CREA Se Bite wats. vere ss ceneas DURFALO, N.Y, ERRATA IN VOLUME IX. The following corrections have been kindly sent us by J. A. Lintner, Albany, N. Y.:— PAGE. LINE. 2) N ® NN CORRECTION. For melana read malana. robiginosaria read rubiginosar ta. “* cinerofrons read cinereofrons. “« Stenopis read Sthenopis. argentimaculata read argenteomaculata. “* Flemiluca read Hemileuca. Pholiosora read Pholisora. ‘* vautals read rantalis. eurydice read eurytris. Place RHOPALOCERA before line 31, p. 116. For WVymphalides B., read Melitea Fabr. dele melinus—a Californian species. For lucillius read lucilius. “Palm. read Dalm. dele tenuis—a repetition. Change SpHINGID& to below HETEROCERA, line 31, page 117. For chamoenerii read chameeneril. ‘* Carpenter read Charpentier. procris read Americana. Peraphora read Perophora. ‘* Hib. read Harris. ‘* Hypurpax read Hyparpax. “ce “ce ce “ Charandra read Charadra. “ Smyrinthus read Smerinthus. Che Canadian Entomologist. VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., JANUARY, 1877. No. 1 HISTORY OF PHYCIODES THAROS, A’ POLYMORPHIC BUTTERFLY. BY W. H. EDWARDS, COALBURGH, W. VA. In the month of July, 1875, I chanced to be in the Catskill Mts., when Mr. Mead discovered the food-plant of ¢iavos, as detailed by him in Vol. vii, ENT., p. 161, this being the common wild Aster, 4. ova- angli@, and I obtained from him a cluster of eggs; also afterwards got others for myself by tying the femaies in bags over the stems of the same plant. The larve hatched, and while in their younger stages I brought them to Coalburgh. On the journey, stopping at several points, I had to give them leaves of such species of Aster as I could find, and they ate any and all readily—even German Asters from the garden. By the 4th of September they had ceased feeding, after having all passed two moults, and slept. Two weeks later, part of them were again active and fed for a day or two, when these gathered in clusters and presently passed their third moult, and became lethargic, each one where it moulted, with the cast skin by its side. I placed all the larvee in the cellar, and so they remained till 7th Feb., when such as were alive (many had died from. mould), were transferred to leaves of an Aster which had been forced in the green-house. The same day some were feeding. They all passed in due time two more moults, making a total of five in some cases. But whether those larvee which moulted twice only in the fall did not pass three moults in the spring I cannot say. Further observations are neces- sary on this habit. The first chrysalis was formed 5th May, and its butterfly emerged on 18th, or after 13 days. | Another emerged on 3oth, after 8 days, this stage being shortened as the weather became warmer. There resulted 8 butterflies, all marcia, 5%, 39, and all of the variety hereinafter designated C, except one 2, which was var. B. The first individuals of the species seen by me, in the field, at Coal- burgh, were 3 marcia, on 18th May. A single 2 was taken 19th, two 74 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. on 23rd, two on 24th, and these were all I saw up to the last date, although I carefully watched for them. Shortly after, both sexes became common. On the 26th I took 7 @, and tied them up in separate bags, on branches of Aster. The next day 6 of the 7 had laid eggs, the clusters varying from about 50 to 225 eggs each. They. were always laid on the leaves, and usually on the under side of them, in rows nearly or quite straight, and touching each other. In the larger clusters the layers were three deep. These gave me hundreds of caterpillars, and each brood was kept separate. The butterflies began to emerge 29th June, the ‘several stages being thus : egg 6 days, larva 22, chrysalis 5. There were four moults and no more, but much irregularity in every larval stage, so that some of the butterflies did not emerge till 15th July. Just after these larvee hatched I went to the Catskills, taking one brood with me, and they reached chrysalis there, and in that stage were mailed back to Coal- burgh. I returned by the time the butterflies from these chrysalids were emerging. There was no perceptible difference in the length of the several periods of this brood and the others which had been left at home, and none of either lot became lethargic. In my absence the larvee had been cared for by a member of my family, charged to note carefully all changes. The butterflies from these eggs of May, with a single exception, were tharos, and this one was marcia § , var. C. This was the second generation of the season, counting the one which proceeded from the hybernating larvee as the first. On 16thof July,at Coalburgh, I again obtained eggs from several females, this time all ¢Zavos, as no other form was flying. The eggs hatched in 4 days, the larval stage was 22, and chrysalis 7; but as before, many larvee lingered. The first butterfly emerged on 18th Aug. All were ¢Aavos, and none of the larve had been lethargic. This was the third generation in succession, and from the second laying of eggs. On rsth Aug., at Coalburgh, I again obtained eggs from a single tharos ?, and took them directly to the Catskills, and they hatched just as I arrived there, zoth. This was the fourth generation of the season from the third laying of eggs. The weather in Virginia had been excessively hot, and so I found it on the journey, but on reaching the mountains it was cool, and the nights decidedly cold. Two days after my arrival the mercury stood at sunrise at 40°. September was a wet and cold month, and I protected these larve in a warm room at night, and much of the time by day, for they will not feed when the temperature is less than THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 8 about 50° Far. The first chrysalis was formed r5th Sept., 26 days from the hatching of the larve, and others at different dates up to the 26th Sept., or 37 days from the egg. Forty per cent. of this brood, or 52 larvee out of 127, became lethargic after second moult. I entered in my journal as follows: “16th Sept., 52 larvee have ceased feeding at second moult.” “26th Sept., fully one-half of the larvae which had ceased feeding at second moult began to feed again, after resting a few days, and have now passed third moult.” After which they became lethargic and so remained. Iwas much puzzled at finding m the summer that the broods then had but four moults, as I satisfied myself by repeated tests,. and that, in each brood, inasmuch as I had noted down three fall moults in some cases, and two in the spring in the larvae of 1875, and written descriptions of them. Moreover Miss Peart had made a drawing of this third fall moult, and it did not correspond with any one of the summer moults, though plainly later than the second, and much smaller than the summer third, besides differing from it in markings. Butin the brood of larvae, whose history I have just recited, the two moults show for themselves, as I have them now before me, and the third agrees with Miss Peart’s figure. The species passes five larval moults in the winter brood, though perhaps but four in some cases, and there are but four in summer. I returned to Coalburgh 15th Oct., and till I reached this place the weather on the way had been cold, with several frosty nights. So that for a period of 30 days, the chrysalids had: at no time been exposed to warmth. The day I arrived, the butterflies began to emerge, and before the end of aweek all that were living had come forth, viz., 9 males, 10 females. Several were dead, from bruises received on the journey. Of these 9 males, 4 were changed to marcia, var. C, 3 were var. D, and 2 were not changed at all. Of the ro females, 7 were changed, 5 of them to var. B, 3 to var. C. The other 2 females were not different from many ¢laros of the summer brood, having large discal patches on under side of hind wings, besides the markings common to the summer brood. Ten of the chrysalids of this brood I mailed from the Catskills to Mr. Lintner, at Albany, N. Y., asking him to keep them in a cool place and watch the result. I have before me from these chrysalids 6 butter- flies, which emerged between 21st Oct. and 2nd Nov., all females, and all of var. B. Of the remaining chrysalids, Mr. Meske, in whose charge they were placed, writes, 27th Dec., that three seem to be still alive, and 4 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. one is dead. In nature I do not believe this species ever hybernates in the chrysalis stage. ‘These butterflies were more completely changed than were those from the chrysalids brought to Coalburgh, as appears by com- parison of the results in the two cases. And 18 of the chrysalids I had placed on ice, 20th Sept., laying them in a tin box directly on the surface of the ice, the temperature of the house being 40° Far. Part were so placed within three hours after the forming of the chrysalis, and before they had hardened; others within six hours, and others within nine hours, and so all remained for seven days, that being the longest summer period of the chrysalis. On remoy- ing them from the ice, they seemed to me dead. ‘They were soft, and when they became hard had a shrivelled surface. I brought them to Coalburgh, and discovered no sign of life till 21st Oct., when the weather suddenly became hot, the mercury rising to 87°, with a south wind. In two days 15 butterflies emerged, every one marcia, not a doubtful form among them in either sex. There were ro males, 5 females; of the former 5 were of var. C, 4 of D, rof B. Of the 5 females, 1 was var. C,4 of B. The other three chrysalids were dead. _All the butterflies of this brood were diminutive, starved by the cold, but those from the ice were sensibly smaller than the others. All the examples of var. B were more intense in the coloring’of the under surface than any I ever saw in nature, and the single male was as deeply colored as the females, and this also I never saw in nature. The examples of the other vars. were extreme, but not so unusual. So much for the Coalburgh broods, and I am able to compare their behavior with those of the same species in the Catskills. . When I went thither in June, arriving on the 18th, I found a few male mavcza, var. D,flying, no females. This was exactly one month later than the first males had been seen at Coalburgh. The first female was now taken 26th June, and on 27th and 28th I took one female each day, all of them marcia, var.C. No more were seen, and no ¢havos, though I was daily in the fields. So that the first female was 38 days later than the first at Coalburgh. These three females I set on Aster, and two forthwith deposited eggs. The females of this species give fertile eggs when but a few hours out of chrysalis, just as I have shown, Ent., Sept., 76, that Avg. myrina may do. The eggs thus obtained I mailed to Coalburgh, and returning soon after, found that they had hatched, 3rd July. The first moult occurred on the oth, the second on 12th, the third on r5th, the fourth on 18th, and or THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. the first chrysalis suspended on 2oth, its butterfly emerging 29th July. So that the periods were, egg 6, larva 17, chrysalis 9 days. Five per cent. of this brood became lethargic after second moult. This, then, was the second generation of the butterfly of the season, from the first laying of eggs. All the emerging butterflies were ¢aros, no marcia, and all were characterized by an intense blackness of the dark portions of the wings, as compared with any Coalburgh examples. Also nearly all the females showed the discal band on fore wings above yellow, instead of fulvous. (This last peculiarity, the change in the band, appeared in some of the females of the ‘Azrd Coal- burgh generation, but no other.) On the under side the reticulated lines were unusually heavy, and the marginal cloud and the brown patches largely extended and deep colored. al This second generation was just one month behind the second at Coalburgh. So far only could I trace the Catskill generation this year ; but, as in 1875, Mr. Mead obtained eggs on the 27th July and following days, the larvae from which all hybernated, that would be the second laying of eggs of the season, and the resulting butterflies the first genera- tion of the following year. So that, in the Catskills, the species is digoneutic, there being two generations annually, the first of which is mavcéa, or the winter form, and the other is the summer form, and a certain proportion of the larvae proceeding from the first hybernate (so far as appears) and all those from the second. At Coalburgh there are four generations, the first of which is marcia and the second and third are ¢/avos, and none of the larvae from these have so far been found to hybernate ; and the fourth, under exceptional circumstances, has produced some ¢havos and more marcia the same season, a large proportion of the larvae also hybernating. But had the larvae of this brood remained at Coalburgh, where the temperature for several weeks after they left the egg remained high, the resulting butterflies would have been ¢haros, and the larvae from their eggs would have hybernated. And here I may say that, in addition to the broods spoken of, I also raised others at Coalburgh out of the line of regular succession, as midway between the second and third generations, for example, and none of these larvae became lethargic, and the resulting butterflies were all tharos. The altitude of the Catskill region in which 1 was is from 1650 to 2000 feet above tide water, and the highest peaks of the range were 6 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. directly near. The altitude of Coalburgh is 600 feet. As appears, the changing of the larvae from New York to Virginia, about 40° latitude, besides the difference of altitude, and the reverse, from Virginia to New York, had no perceptible influence on the resulting butterflies of the several broods, except in case of the last one, where the effect of the change of climate was direct on part of them, both as to the form and the size. The periods of the Catskill brood of June may have been accelerated a trifle by transferance to Virginia, but not more, for the weather in the mountains at that time was warm; and the butterflies retained their peculiarities of color, which, as I have stated, were very marked. So also they retained their habit of lethargy, which, I may say in passing, is a very serviteable habit in a two-brooded species of butter- fly, in a mountain region, and exposed to sharp changes of temperature. If the fate of the species depended on the last larval brood of the year, and especially if the larvae must reach a certain stage of growth before they were fitted to enter upon their hybernation, it might well happen that now and then an early frost, ora tempestuous season, would destroy all the larvae of the district. The species in the Catskills, in such circum- stances, would probably be about as scarce as it now is on Anticosti. On the other hand, the May brood, taken from Virginia to the Catskills, suffered no retardation of their periods, as compared with other larvae of the same generation left at home, nor was there any change of color, nor did any larva become lethargic. It might have been expected that all of the last brood taken to the mountains would have become lethargic, under the severe conditions to which they were exposed, but the greater number resisted change even in this habit. From all which we may conclude that it takes time to naturalize a stranger, and that habits and tendencies, evenin a butterfly, are not to be changed suddenly. The larvee of ¢havos are at no period protected by a web, either one common to the community, as with Phaefon, or one for each individual, after the habit of myltta, according to Mr. Henry Ed- wards, in lit. They are exposed, just as are the larva of mycfeis, and the only shelter either of these species have is what the leaf over them affords. I have left larvae of tharos on the growing food-plant, uncovered by any net, till after first moult, expressly to test the point of a web, as it had been suggested that these larvae might wholly change their natural habit in confinement, something that, so far as I know, larvae never do. The larvae of zycée’s I have seen naturally on their food-plant until after THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. ii third moult, and there was not a thread of a web.* The larvae of ¢haros are sluggish, and a pretty sharp jar is necessary to cause them to drop from the leaf. This they do in a coil, and their bristles effectually protect them from all harm. When about to moult,the larve bred by me ceased feeding, and collected in groups on the covers of the glasses in which I usually kept them, resting for about 36 hours. The body contracted, and as the time for,the moult drew near, the skin became glassy as it separated from the newly formed skin beneath. The spines and bristles of the new skin lie folded down and back, and as the old skin, after splitting behind the head, is shuffled past the successive segments, the spines and pencils of hairs suddenly spring up, and the latter instantly become divergent. Forsome moments the old mask adheres to the new face, but the larva presently proceeds to rub it off with its feet. . When the larva prepares for chrysalis, it spins a button of white silk, and hangs suspended for about 24 hours, its position being nearly circular. As I have shown, ¢aros is polygoneutic in West Virginia, digoneutic in the Catskills, of New York. Ina high latitude, or at a high altitude, we might then expect to find it monogoneutic, and restricted probably to the winter form marcia. And this is precisely what does occur in the island of Anticosti (about lat. 50°) and on the southern coast of Labrador opposite. Mr. Couper, who collected in 1873 on the island, informs me that ¢haros is a rare species there, though he saw it in localities 100 miles apart ; that he saw no examples later than 29th June, from which date “it disappeared”; and adds, “I do not think any of the diurnals on Anticosti or in Labrador produce a second brood.” - When he left, 27th July, ‘‘ the weather was becoming cold and very few butterflies of any sort were to be seen.” Also, “the summer temperature of Southern Labrador and Anticosti are about the same.” Of ¢havos from Anticosti Mr. Couper has sent me 14 males, 8 females. Of these males, all are var. D ; of the females, 1 is var. C, 7 var. D. With these also came 11 males, 2 females from Labrador, all of same variety, D. All these examples are of reduced size, as might be expected from so cool a region. Dr. Weisman states (See Can. Ent., Vol. vii, p. 232), that Dorfmeister was led by his experiments on the effect of cold on the pupae of butter- * T found last summer that szycte¢s larvee will eat asters as readily as Actinomeris sguarrosa, which hitherto I had fed them on, 8 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, flies to believe that temperature exerts the greatest influence during the turning into chrysalis, but nearly as much shortly after that time ; and he considers it very possible that a period may be fixed at which the original tendency might be diverted more strongly. — As related above, the chrysa- lids of ¢taros which were subjected to cold three hours after forming reached the same result as those which were exposed six and nine hours after forming. The period of exposure, 7 days, did not seem to me at the time very long for the purpose in view, especially as in Dr. Weismann’s experiments the exposure had been from 34 days to threemonths. This too at a temperature of 33° Far., while in case of tharos it was but 40°. _Itis true, the greater part of the chrysalids of tharos which did not have an exposure to this artificial temperature also produced the winter form of the butterfly, but on the other hand some were not changed at all, whereas in all the chrysalids subjected to ice the change was complete and extreme. Nevertheless it would have been more satisfactory had chrysalids of the summer brood been experimented with, and if I live to another summer, I will test the matter. Itseems to me very probable that a much shorter exposure to cold immediately after the forming of the chrysalis a day or two, or even a few hours—may be found to divert the direction of the form, in this species. There is a very great range of variation in the winter form. ‘It exhibits at least four well marked types, and there are sub-varieties about each of, and connecting, these. ‘The first, A, has the basal area of under side of hind wings (which area comprises half the wings, and is occupied by the reticulated lines, while beyond is a clear field for a certain space) whitened or silvered, as is also the whole series of sub-marginal crescents, and there is either no marginal cloud, or bu’ ~ eslightest; the extra basal space buff. A sub-var. of this has the basal area whitened, but the rest of the wing clouded, and is between A and B. ‘The second, B, has the whole surface, except a narrow border along costal margin, dark brown, running into blackish, but with a clear white 6r yellow belt formed of the outer reticulated lines, across the disk. Its principal sub-variety has the brown area broken, discovering a yellow ground, the belt remaining white, and is between Bund C. _The third, C, is variegated and gay, the ground being of a deep rich yellow, the marginal cloud extended quite to the belt, and ferruginous in color ; a large patch on the disk and’another on costal margin, both ferruginous ; the reticulated lines of same color and distance, and a lilac flush over the whole hind margin. Sub-varieties of this have the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 9 ground in shades of buff instead of yellow, the cloud and patches brown instead of ferruginous ; sometimes the discal patch large, triangular and occupying a large part of the basal area ; or in the form of an oblong band extending from middle of the wing to the inner margin, and met by a similar band filling the cell. C passes by grades into D. The fourth, D, has the ground color reddish-ochreous, the lines ferruginous, as also the extra discal points; the cloud and both patches pale brown, often a mere wash of color ; on the fore wings the black spots are reduced and very pale, and the margin is pale fulvous and reddish-ochraceous. Of this type are the northern examples mostly ; but in the Catskills and White Mountains, and in West Virginia, the red tint is less decided and the cloud and patches deeper colored. And this variety D gradually shades into the summer form, particularly in the male, so that many examples of: this sex cannot be distinguished from many males of the summer form. There is not much variation in these last, they being generally characterized by a restricted marginal cloud, obsolete discal patch, and very small, if not obsolete, costal patch. But the summer females are of two distinct types, one closely like the male, and consequently also the male of var. D of the winter form; the other quite different from its male, characterized by large brown patches on disk and costa, and a diffuse marginal cloud. ‘This finds its counter- part in the female of var. D, or at any rate agrees most nearly with it, the peculiarities of the winter form being exaggerated in the summer. Of these varieties, A is rare, and has appeared in none of the butterflies bred by me. I have occasionally taken it on the wing at Coalburgh, and in the Catskills. Var. B is common in W. Va., and nearly all the females taken in the spring are of ‘7's type; in the other sex it is rather rare, most of the examples being of var. C. Through the South also as far as Texas, beyond which I have not. followed the species, var. B seems to be the prevailing winter form. It becomes less abundant to the north of Virginia, appearing but occasionally in the Catskills. At Albany, neither Mr. Lintner or Mr. Meske ever met with it. Var. C is common in W. Va., in the male, and somewhat sc in the female. So also in N. Carolina, if I may judge by examples sent me by Mr. Morrison. But I have not seen it from farther South, nor from Texas. It is common in the Catskills, and is occasional even to the extreme northern limit of the species. 10 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Var. D is rare in W. Va., but in the Catskills the male of this is most abundant of all; the female much less so, being replaced by C and B to a great degree. Of 3 males, 3 females, sent me from New Hampshire by Mr. Whitney, and taken at random from his collection, all were of the winter form, var. D, except 1 female of the summer form. From Canada, Labrador and Anticosti, all the examples received were D, with an occa- sional exception of var.C. Of 4 males from Colorado, all were D ; of 2 females, 1 is D, 1 C. From Lake Lahache, Br. Columbia, lat. 54°, and perhaps the most northern limit of the species, I have 1 male D, 1 female C. From New Mexico even, taken high in the mountains, 2 males are decidedly of var. D, and similar to the usual type from Anticosti in markings, the under side also being like that, red-tinted. (To be Continued.) DESCRIPTION OF A NEW BOTIS ALLIED TO FLAVIDALIS. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. I have received from Mr. Frank W. Langdon, of Madisonville, Ohio, a specimen ( ) of a new species of otis, which I name Botts Langdonalis after its discoverer. It is one of the largest and most striking forms yet made known, and belongs to the group of /lavédalis, with which it agrees in the general color of body and wings. ‘The fore wings from base to first transverse line are clouded with fuscous, and stained with ochreous. The two discal marks are present, the orbicular a dot, the reniform a streak. The space between the exterior transverse or elbowed line and the sub- terminal line is much wéder than usual, and this space is filled in with a broad fuscous band crossing the hind wings as well ; the lines are only indicated by the contrast of color. An ocher discal dot on hind wings. Beyond the broad common band the terminal space is narrowly yellow on both wings. | Beneath white, opalescent, with discal dots and the broad shade band repeated. _Palpi white tipped with ferruginous ; body white beneath. Lxpanse 37 mil. Length of body 18 wil. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. it NOTES ON MELOE ANGUSTICOLLIS. BY W. BRODIE, TORONTO, ONT. 7 In the Editor’s “ Notes on Cantharides,” published in the December No. of the ENromMo.LocistT, there are some particulars in reference to Meloe angusticollis which differ somewhat from my own observations on this species, extending over a period of seven years. According to my experience, JZe/oes make their appearance in the perfect state about the end of August or beginning of September, when they feed greedily on Ranunculus acris. Later in the season, when the abdomens of the females are much enlarged, they. pair, and later still—sometimes after the first frost—they deposit their eggs and invariably die that season. The larve emerge from the eggs early the following spring, and I think attach themselves to bees generally on the blossoms of the willow. I presume this because I often find females about to oviposit near to willow bushes, but I have detected the young larve in the flowers of Ca/tha palustris, and suppose they will take to any early flowering plant. In confirmation of these statements I submit the following from my notes on AZe/ve in the vicinity of Toronto, dating from 1870. Although AZe/oe is common here, I have never found them much further to the north, and as I am pretty well acquainted with all parts of the county, I would say they are not found in the central nor in the northern portions of the County of York. This is curious, as in the better wooded sections the storing Hymenoptera are more numerous than about Toronto. 1870-—Aug. 30th. In early morning saw several Ae/ves descending a white oak tree, in St. James’ Cemetery, which tree was afterwards blown down and proved to be a dee tree. This would indicate that JZe/oe pupates in the hive, and when perfect, deserts it during the night. 1871. Meloes first seen Aug. roth. 1872—Aug. 20th. Melves feeding on R. acris. - 1873—-Aug.-Oct. elves very numerous, feeding on &. aeris ; found many females ovipositing in a cold, wet situation, after first fall frost. 1874—Aug. 29th. Found about forty JZe/oes closely huddled in a ball ; they were not fighting, and although both sexes were present, do ip THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. not think they were pairing. None of the females had large abdomens, and when disturhed they all quickly ran away. Sept. rst—ioth. Found.about sixty A/e/ves, of both sexes, many of them pairing; feeding on #. ac77s, on a small miry patch, about one-fourth acre, bounded on the right by a small stream, which they could not cross ; on the left, about 150 yards up a bank, were six hives of neglected bees. This is the same situation where, in 1873, I found females ovipositing after frost. 1875—Aug. Found AZelves in same localities as last season. Captured several females ; fed them on &. acrzs ; they began ovipositing Sept. 2oth. Oct. 2oth, all dead. The eggs were of an orange color, and placed in a hole about 34 inch deep and large enough to receive the abdomen. 1876—Aug. 15th. AZ%eloes first seen. Sept. rst, found about fifty in a ball, as I had found them in 1874. Do not think they were either fighting or pairing ; could not make out what they were doing; when disturbed they soon ran away. ‘This season they were about as numerous as in 1875, in same localities at same dates. From these notes,from my own recollections and from the recollections of my children, I infer that AZe/oes make their appearance about the middle of August, that they pair and oviposit before the winter sets in, and that they never survive the winter; and also that they are very seldom, if ever, found under stones in the neighborhood of Toronto. [We are very glad to get these highly interesting and valuable notes from our esteemed correspondent, and hope to hear from him again before long. As AZeloe angusticollis is rarely found in our neighborhood, most of the statements made in reference to it were given by us as the results of the observations of others.—Eb. C. E. | ° NOTICE. Tortricide.—I\ shall be much obliged for specimens of Zortricide from collectors in all parts of the U. S. and Canada, as I am now working on that group. Credit will be given to all persons supplying me with material. It is desirable that notes should be furnished of food plant or date of capture. All material sent to me will be determined as fast as possible, and on the completion of my work, sets of specimens will be returned named to the contributors. A. R. Grove, Butfalo Society of Natural Sciences. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 13 ON SAMIA GLOVERI AND COLUMBIA. BY DR. H. HAGEN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. The type 2 specimen of Samza Glovert having been presented by Mr. Strecker to the collection in the museum of which I have. charge, I have most carefully compared it with the type 2 specimen of S. columbia. I am bound to state that 7 cannot find any difference except the rosy color of Glover7, and there are no characters which I consider of value to separate the two species. I freely admit that the examination, however carefully made, of only two specimens, both of which are old and in poor condition, is scarcely sufficient to determine this point, but I wish to draw the attention of students who may have a larger amount of material for comparison, to the facts stated, with the hope that the true nelatonsiiy of these insects may be determined. The suggestion that S. G/overd is perhaps produced by the different conditions surrounding it’in the country in which it is found (a salt deformity) is very easily made, but I should object to such a conclusion until we are placed in possession of fuller information regarding the early stages of both species. It would be very interesting and important to know with certainty whether any other Lepidoptera from Utah and Arizona present similar differences in color, among the same or related western and eastern species. TINEINA. BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. ErRRAtTA.—Ante p. 19, tenth line from top, for “‘ Drura” read Denver. Ante p. 136, eighteenth line from bottom, for ‘‘ Philonome Staintonella ” read P. Clemensella. Laverna grisseella Cham. This proves on comparison of specimens to be identical with Z..AZwt- feldtella Cham. 14 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Gelechia glandifuella Zell. Further examination satisfies me that G. se/Za Cham. is the same species. G. gallaesolidaginis Riley. The specimens bred by me in the Rocky Mountains (see C7zv. Quar. Four. Sci., v. 2, p. 289) belong to this species, but as suggested (/oc. cit. ) they are much smaller and the markings are indistinct. Gelechia roseosuffusella Clem. I have received specimens of this species from Mr. J. D. Putnam, which were taken at Springlake Villa, Utah. It is very widely distributed over North America. Glyphipteryx montinella Cham. This species may be distinguished by the fact that the large dorsal streak is behind the first costal streak and opposite to the second, with whitch it is sometimes confluent ; besides, the first costal streak is as large or sometimes even larger than the large dorsal streak. In some speci- mens there is a dorsal white spot on or near the base; the apical half of the fore wings is rather golden brown than golden, as I have described it. The form of the hind wings is like that of G. eguitella, but much broader, while G. exofptatella has these of the same form, and not wider than in eguitel/a, or but little so. Coleophora bistrigella Cham. In the description of this insect I have considered the golden or “ pale sordid ochreous ” as the ground color. It will perhaps be more easily recognized if we consider the white as the ground color, with two wide golden-yellow streaks from the base: the first being the widest and going to the apex, and the second near to the dorsal margin. Gracilaria ( Coriscium) quinguestrigella Cham. A typographical error (I suppose) in the description of this species makes me say: “annulus about the middle of the third joint at its tip” ; the words “and another” should be inserted after “joint.” Possibly (though I do not think so) I have two species before me, though there is some variation in the ornamentation. ‘The first four costal white streaks differ in length in different specimens. (These all point obliquely back- THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, 15 wards, whilst the fifth one, separated a little from the others, points obliquely forwards.) The wing behind the fifth costal streak is a little darker than elsewhere, and some specimens may be said to have a large brownish apical spot. There is a dark brown hinder marginal line at the base of the ciliae, which are tipped with brown at the apex. The line of union of the white of the dorsal margin with the brown color of the wing is irregular, and in some specimens it is marked by distinct brownish spots, and sometimes the white of the dorsal margin contains behind the middle a narrow*brown longitudinal line which passes obliquely down towards the apex. G. alnivorella Cham. I find a specimen of this species among a few species sent to me from Lake Villa, Utah, by Mr. J. D. Putnam. Flelice palidochrella Cham. Though the larva is unknown, I am convinced that it feeds in some way upon Gleditschia triacanthos. In Kentucky it makes its appearance in the imago about the 15th of May, resting on the trunks of Gleditschia trees with the wings horizontal and a little divergent, and the head lowered and abdomen raised. Sometimes the fore wings are so densely dusted towards the apex as to give the appearance (to the inward edge) of a small brown spot lying along the base of the costal ciliae ; the base of the costa is usually brown, and sometimes there is a small creamy patch on the wing before the first costal streak, which is a narrow triangle with the apex at the fold, and is sometimes margined before and around its apex with a creamy or pale ochreous color. The legs and abdomen are dark brown or blackish, annulate with white, and the anal tuft is white. CANADIAN HEMIPTERA WANTED. | At the request of our esteemed correspondent, Dr. White, we gladly find space for the following notice, and trust that during the coming season some of our energetic collectors will devote some attention to this order and aid Dr. White by sending him material.— Ep. C. E. 16 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. TO NATURALISTS AND OTHERS. As I am at present working at the Hemiptera of the world, I should be very much obliged for specimens from any part. For the benefit of those who may kindly wish to help, I give a few hints on the collection and preservation of this neglected order of insects. Hemiptera (which include the various insects popularly known as Plant-bugs, Tree-hoppers, Cicadas, Fireflies, Aphides, &c.) resemble in general appearance Beetles, but have more membranous upper wings (or wing cases), and are usually of softer consistence, besides having their mouth provided with a rostrum or proboscis, instead of jaws. In size, Hemiptera vary, from an inch or more to less than one line in length. In color they are also variable, some being exceedingly brilliant, others very obscurely colored. They inhabit trees, shrubs and low plants ; some run about on the damp margins of streams and lakes, some inhabit the surface of the water, and others swim in the water or crawl on the mud below. A few live under the dead bark of trees, and are usually flat and dull colored. The best mode of catching those on trees and shrubs is by shaking the branches over an inverted umbrella ; those that are found on or under low plants (grass or other herbage) may be collected by sweeping the herbage with a net (which can easily be made out of a ring—r12-18 inches in diameter—of stout wire, attached to a stick, and having a bag of canvas sewn on to it). They may also be found by searching on flowers and leaves. Those at the margin of the water may be found by searching; those on and in the water by using a net similar to the sweeping one, but with canvas open enough to allow the water, but not the insects, to pass through. Rather - shallow, still water, among weeds or in open places among weeds, are the best situations. Many species fly into houses at night, attracted by the lights. In habits these insects are variable: some move slowly, others tun or fly with celerity, and others (Tree-hoppers, &c.) jump with great activity. As many species closely resemble each other, it is desirable that all specimens met with should be secured. It is also desirable that ssa// species as well as large ones should be collected, as it is among the for- mer that most undescribed forms may be expected., To kill and preserve these insects, all that is necessary is that on capture they are put in a bottle filled with spirits of wine (rum, whiskey, &c., will do). Care must be taken, however, that the bottle is kept filled with fluid, otherwise the specimens will be shaken about and broken. So in transit great care must be taken to guard against the evaporation of the spirit. The bottles, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. CZ if not filled to the top with specimens, should have the empty space filled with crumpled pieces of paper, then filled with spirit, and tightly corked ; all the bottles may then be packed into a larger one, or jar, also filled with alcohol and tightly corked. In return for any specimens (few as well as many) kindly sent to me, I shall be happy (if wished) to return named specimens, or to give in return named British I.epidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, or Flowering Plants ; or in certain cases I shall be glad to buy specimens. Communications may be addressed to Dr. BUCHANAN WHITE, Perth, Scotland. CORRESPONDENCE. DEAR SIR,— In Env. for Noy., Mr. Lyman calls attention to an apparent discre- pancy between a statement made by me as to the appearance of the sexes of butterflies and the facts.as he has observed them. My statement had ‘reference solely to the butterflies emerging from chrysalids of bred larvee. No one has failed to observe in the field that the males of most butterflies are seen from several days to two weeks earlier than the females. I have repeatedly mentioned this myself. See notes on ayax, on aphrodite, and pseudargiolus, in Butt. N. A., vol. 1; also, on cybele, ENT., 6, 124. Never- theless, in breeding I have found that either sex may first appear, or they will alternate irregularly until the whole brood has emerged. See mention of this on page 11, Butt. N. A., where of two broods of ayax the females first emerged. It is so with all Pagzlios, Colias, Graptas, etc., etc., that I have bred inany numbers. Of course when one or two butterflies of a brood only were raised, the result would be of no value. Thus a single diana and a single aphrodite emerged out of a large number of larvze hatched of each. But in other cases I have bred the butterflies by scores and hundreds, and the result was as stated. In case of c/yton, the behavior was different; see Butt. N. A., vol. 2. Why such differences between species of butterflies occur, or why bred examples should behave differ- ently from those in the field, I do not attempt to explain. W. H. Epwarps, Coalburgh, W. Va. 18 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. ON THE HABITS OF AMBLYCHILA CYLINDRIFORMIS, SAY. DEAR SIR,— This beetle, usually considered very rare, is, I am satisfied, much more common than heretofore supposed. I base this opinion on my own observations, and have a good collection to sustain it. Their peculiar habits are evidently the great cause of their rarity, and, once understood, I am positive they will become quite common. Their geographical distribution is, so far as is now known, rather limited ; yet there is now no reason to suppose that they will not eventually be found extending over a large portion of Kansas and Colorado. The following is such as I have learned concerning them : Nocturnal (Crepuscular) rarely being taken until after sunset, and occasionally in the early morning. Found usually along clay banks, where they live-in holes generally made by themselves, where they find that seclusion so congenial to their nature. The state of the weather affects appreciably this insect. When cold and blustery they remain concealed, preferring a warm, balmy air; occasionally a warm, cloudy afternoon will entice them from their retreats, but this is rarely to be expected. Like _ the rest of the Czcindelide, they are predaceous. ‘Theyalso feed on effete matter. In many of their habits they are like 4szda. Harry A. Brous, Manhattan, Kansas. ON CAPTURING CATOCALAS IN THE DAY-TIME. DEAR SIR,— According to-promise, I give you my method of capturing Cafoca/as in day-light. I very seldom take my net with me when hunting them, as they are such lively insects when in the net that they are sure to injure them- selves by rubbing the scales off the thorax, which spoils their appearance. I take with me a long blue beech sapling, a wide-mouthed wine-glass with the bottom broken off, a piece of pasteboard and a small bottle of chloro- form. When on the ground where I usually hunt them, which is a wood of white oak and hickory, I commence by rubbing the blue beech stick quickly up and down the side of the tree. The Cafocalas usually settle low down on the trees, and when disturbed by the noise made by rattling THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 19 Ce ee Ee the stick, they fly off to some other tree near at hand, where they settle with head down and wings closed. I then go quietly up and place the glass over the insect, and with the other hand push the pasteboard under the glass and secure it ; a few drops of the chloroform having been poured on the pasteboard, the moistened part is slipped under the glass, and in a very short time the moth is quiet, when I pin it and put it in my box, and start for more game. In this way I rub every oak and hickory tree that comes in my way. I find that the insects prefer the trees of medium size and that some of the darker-winged varieties are oftener met with on the hickory and red oak; yet from the white oak I have obtained by far the greatest number of species and specimens. The best time in the day for operating is, I think, from 1 to 4 p.m. As the evening advances the moths become more restless and often alight so high up on the trees as to be out of reach. In such cases I have sometimes tied the glass to the pole, and when secured, have drawn them carefully down, rubbing the glass against the bark ; this, however, requires to be done very carefully, or the insect will be injured. Sometimes the insects settle with their wings open and head pointing upwards, when they are much more difficult to approach, and if disturbed, will often fly upwards and settle high on the tree. As to weather, I have succeeded best after a very warm day and night, with the wind southerly ; if the wind is a little strong, so much the better, as the moths will not then fly so far when disturbed. They always sit on the north side of the tree, and when the wind is easterly or northerly very few will be found. __I have tried the Cyanide bottle, but prefer the wine glass and chloroform, as I think that when treated in this way the speci- mens have a fresher look. When the weather is windy, I have often observed the black-winged varieties fall to the ground when disturbed, and hide themselves among the grass. In the manner thus detailed I have captured Catocalas for seven years past with much success. WiLitiaM Murray, 115 Maiden Lane West, Hamilton. LARVA OF TH¥REUS NESSUS. DEAR SIR,—— I am not aware that any description of the larva of Zhyreus (Amphion) nessus has been given, so I send you the following extract from my notes : 20 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Mature larva of Zhyreus nessus Cram.—Two and a half to three inches in length, tapering gently from the fourth segment to the head. Color—- uniform chocolate brown, “thickly dotted over the body, and particularly along the dorsal line, with dark umber, of which color are also the eight lateral or stigmatal stripes. Anal horn on eleventh segment, very short, one-fifth of an inch inlength. Very sluggish in its movements, showing none of the irritability of 7: Adbofzz when touched. When at rest, it stretches itself at full length along the leaf, or leaf stem, of the plant on which it feeds, never raising or retracting the anterior segments. Pupa dark brown ; formed either among rubbish on the surface of the ground, or slightly beneath the surface. Tongue case internal, not visible Feeds on fuchsia. Pupa rith, 12th, 13th July. One imago on 8th August. Two others not yet emerged, and probably will winter in the pupa state. Notwithstanding the presence of the anal horn, and the difference in habit betwixt it and Addotz, I regard nessus asa true Thyreus and recommend its restoration to that genus. Parthenos nubilis Hib.—I propose to substitute for the above generic name, which is also occupied by a genus in Rhopalocera (Hib. Verz. bek. Schmett., p. 38, 1816), the generic name Catocalirrhus, reading thus : Catocalirrhus W. V. A., nubilus Hiib. My reason for changing the name in Heterocera instead of in Rhopalocera (no law preventing it), is on the ground of convenience, the butterflies having a majority of species in this genus. Furthermore, I feel certain that after a little more investigation we shall be able to refer Catocalirrhus to Catocala. W. V. ANDREWS, 36 Boerum Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. BLACK VARIETY OF P. TURNU®. DEAR SIR,— In answer to Mr. W. H. Edwards’ query concerning the northern limits of the black variety of P. turnus 9, I would say that at Omaha, in this State, the dark variety is more frequently met with than the yellow one. Here at West Point, the species is not so common on account of the scarcity of its food-plants ; however, we have both varieties in about equal numbers. The same can be said of this insect as far north as the Niobrara River, where the species seems to become quite scarce. LAWRENCE BRUNER, West Point, Nebraska. AGPNCY PORBIHE SALE AND: EXCHANGE _ OF COLEOPTERA. “et ; 4 ". The uudersigned has established an agency for the above purpose, and will send lists of species, anggereas eh terms, to any one sending a three cent stamp. ° tae: E. P. AUSTIN, ea ee Cambridge, Mass., U. S. THE BUTTERFLIES OF, NORTH AMERICA BY W. H. EDWARDS. H. O: ‘Houghton — & Co. have issued Part 5, Volume 2, of THE BUTTERFLIES OF Nortu AMERICA. , Price $2.50 per part. Apply to iH. OF Hovcuton &..'Ca.; Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., or to Hurp & HovueénrTon, 13, Astor Place, New York. Missing » parts of Volume rt can be had on application to H. O. H. & Co. 4 Budleten of the Buffalo ee: of Natura Sciences. VOLUME III. The Burrato Society or NaruraL SCIENCES is publishing Volume III of its Bulletin, and purposes to distribute the Volume to subscribers in four numbers (or by ‘‘ signatures” as printed.) The subscription to Vol III is four dollars, which must be remitted to the undersigned : LEON F. HARVEY, M. D. 32 South Division St., BurFazo, N. Y. JOHN AKHURST, Taxidermist, No. 19, Prospect Street, Brooklyn, NEW YORK, keeps constantly on hand for sale, Sheet Cork for insect boxes—size, 12 x 34 x 4; $1.25 per dozen sheets. Entomological pins, of Klager and other German makers, $1.25 per 1000 ; also dealer in native and exotic bird skins, birds’ eggs, insects, &e., &e. N. B.—The above prices glo not include the cost of transportation, a ENTOMOLOGY. Monsteux. ALFRED Watty @aerbee et Laureat de la Societe d’Acclimation ‘ 4 -de Paris) wee to. buy live CRA and Pupz of AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. Please state lowest price by the doz. or hundred. Address, — Tira -I10 Clapham Road, London, S. W., Eng. BY A. R. GROTE, A.M. Part_1,f{pp-*28, with photographie plate, notes and descriptions (Bom- byciae and Noctuelitae [Nonfasciatae.| Price $1.00. Part 2, with prefatory note in reply to Edwards and Hagén on Hubner, (Noctuelitae,?[Fasciatae] Deltoides and Noetuo-Phalaenidi.) Price 75 ets. The two parts, completing the work, will be mailed free for $1.50. Address, | . REINECKE & ZESCH, 500 Main St., Buffalo, N.Y. “<'The work will be welcome to every one wishing information on the North American Noctuid fauna.”-—Dr. A. Speyer, St. Ent. Zeit., 200. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. | A popular illustrated Monthly Magazine of Natural History, Svo., 64 pages and Illustrations in each number. Subscription $4.00 a year. Single numbers, 35 cents. fT. O. Houghton "& Co., Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass COLEOPTERA. 700 species of Kansas Coleoptera, mostly from the Plains, including a limited number of ~AMBLYCHILAE CYLINDRI-FORMIS, for exchange. Address,—_ HARRY A. BROUS, Dec., 2 in. Box 291, Manhattan, Riley Co., Kansas. Published Monthly, Price Sixpence. NEWMAN’S ENTOMOLOGIST : AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY. Mailed free to Canada for one year on receipt of Post Office Order for Seven Shillings; to United States, Six Shillings. T. P. NEWMAN, 32 Botolph Lane, London, Eng. Check List of North American Noctuidae, Boe i VOLUM et ots ae zal a ae ste) | - - i 3 gts > : ae Che Canadran Entomologist. VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., MARCH, 1877. Now3 METAMORPHIC CHANGES OF PLATYSAMIA CECROPIA. BY THOMAS G, GENTRY, PHILADELPHIA, PA. In the early part of May, 1876, I secured a newly-developed female moth of the above species to a branch of the common red currant ( Rides rubrum). It was about seven o’clock in the evening of May 6th, to be more precise in regard to time. On the next morning, I visited the spot, and a lusty male was discovered in coition. This condition of things continued until the close of the day, when her amorous partner, lured by the presence of dusky night and midnight revels, gradually loosened his embrace, and hied him away to other scenes. During the night some fifty eggs had been laid, which continued to be deposited at intervals during the succeeding day, until the number had reached about seventy. These eggs were not arranged with any view to order, but were agglutinated in masses to the reposing surfaces, or appeared in small isolated patches. They were beautifully elliptical in contour, and measured one-eighth of an inch in length, and one-twelfth in width. The thickness was about one-half the width. They were yellowish-white in color, and thickly coated with a brown viscid secretion. _ These eggs did not hatch until June 3rd. Another batch was laid by a second female on the night cf May goth, which hatched on the same day as the first. A third lot by another female was deposited on the 22nd of the same month, which hatched on the 6th of June, just three days after the first and second lots. During favorable weather I have known the eggs of cecropia to develop in six days. This being the case, it is evident that the necessary conditions were wanting in the above-cited instances. lone, oa inra lee eete eee ea eoabe ee $1 00 For Associate Members in the United States, (U. S. SOE RETIGV siete, os. 4/sn's.c/ cs 0p pobeoieie mimee clave ime 2s) For Associate Membersaat Fmgland,. «-). S28 ALIS ay). Bn rites « oicleje cle oc ss sivvwigieicletanatleta oie fete 5s. sterling The Fees are payable in advance on the 1st of January in each year, and their payment entitles the members to a copy of all the Society’s publications during the year. 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Agent for Wallace’s Silk Reeler. Che Canadian Entomologist. VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., APRIL, 1877. No. 4 NOTES ON THE EARLY STAGES OF SOME MOTHS. BY L. W. GOODELL, AMHERST, MASS. Mamestra adjuncta Guen. Larva, 1 example—Body smooth, thick and uniform to the r1th seg- ment, from which it tapers abruptly to the end. Cinnamon brown; a large sub-dorsal, velvety, dark brown shade on the 4th, 5th and 11th rings, and on each of the remaining rings, except the three first and last one, is a dorsal curved line, and two small roundish spots of the same color ; two larger, square, dark brown dorsal spots edged with yellowish- white, on the first ring. Head roundish, as wide as the body. . Venter dark brown. Spiracles white, edged with dark brown. Length when full grown, 1.4 inches. Changed to a pupa Aug. 30. Feeds on Prer’s aguilina (common brake). Pupa-—-Length o.7 inch ; subterranean ; black, of the usual form, with a slender forked spine. Imago, June 27. Apatela hamamelis Guen. Larva, g examples—-Body of uniform thickness, with a few short, scattered, whitish hairs on the sides. The color varies from pale yellow to yellowish-red. A row of connected, triangular, dark brown spots on the back, and obscure shades and spots of pale brown on the sides. Venter bluish-green. Head round, flattish in front, as wide and concolor- ous with the body. When not feeding it rests with its head turned to the side of the body. Average length, 1 inch. Feeds on the Chestnut. About the last of August they make cocoons of bits of wood and grains of earth on or near the surface. Pupa—Length o.5 inch, of the usual form and color. Imagines appeared June 3rd to oth. 62 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Eupithecia absynthiata Linn. Larva, 4 examples—Body slightly attenuated posteriorly. Color pale red ; an indistinct, brownish, broken dorsal stripe on the eight middle rings, and a wavy, pale yellow line on each side. Venter and anal pro- legs tinged with bluish. | Head as wide as the prothoracic ring, flattish and concolorous with the body. Length when fully grown, 0.6 inch. Found feeding on the flowers of the Cockscomb ( Ce/osia cristata). Sept. 28th to 30th they made rather brittle cocoons of grains of earth just beneath the surface. Pupa—Length 0.20 to 0.24 inch; obtusely conical ; wing cases and anterior part of the thorax dark greenish; abdomen yellowish-brown. Imagines Nov. 4th to roth. Tetracts lorata Grote. Larva, 1 example—Body attenuated anteriorly; 2nd and rrth rings slightly swollen. Color, when about half grown, light gray, tinged with brownish and variegated with ash; when fully grown, dark brown mixed with light brown and gray. There are about eight pairs of small, pointed, black warts on the back. Head a little wider than the prothoracic ring, not retractile ; brown, with two small black spots, edged below with white in front. Length when full grown, 1.2 inch. Feeds on the Sweet Fern (Comptonia asplenifolia). Sept. 22nd it spun a thin cocoon, mixed with bits of leaves, and was transformed to a pupa on the 25th. Pupa—Length 0.6 inch. Thorax and wing cases pale wood color, densely speckled with brown ; abdomen reddish, speckled with brown ; a row of black spots on each side, and.a small, black dorsal spot on the anterior part of the thorax. Caudal spine flattened and rather short. Imago disclosed Jan. zoth by artificial heat. Ephyra myrtaria Guen. Larva, 23 examples—Body smooth and of uniform width ; reddish brown striated with ochreous ; a large sub-dorsal dark brown shade on each of the six middle rings, and a darker dorsal stripe. Head round and slightly bifid, a little paler than the body and larger than the pro- thoracic segment. Average length when fully grown, 0.7 inch. It is very much attenuated when young and of a brighter color. Feeds on Sweet Fern (Comptonia asplenifolia) and on the Huckleberry ( Gaylussacia ). When about to change to a pupa it fastens its anal prolegs firmly to the THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 63 under side of a horizontal twig, and slings itself by spinning a thread of silk over the middle of its body, which is fastened by two strands at each end. Pupa—Widest and truncated anteriorly, tapering regularly to the tail, and with two ear-like protuberances in front. Color, body very pale flesh color, with the abdomen more or less thickly spotted with black; wing cases paler than the body, with a black streak along the upper margin; a small dorsal black spot on the anterior part of the thorax. A variety of this species, of which I found thirteen examples, is dark brown with black sub-dorsal shades, which are edged below with grayish ; there are also two small black spots on the back of the first ring of the body. ON DEILEPHILA CHAMCNERII AND LINEATA. BY THE EDITOR. Both these members of the Sphinx family are found more or less plentifully in nearly all portions of the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec ; lineata, as far as we have been able to learn, is more abundant in Ontario and chamenerit in Quebec. They are both very handsome moths, and so strong and active when on the wing that it is difficult to capture them without injury. About twilight or a little later their period of activity begins, when they may be seen flitting about with spectre-like rapidity, hovering like the humming bird over flowers, into which their long and slender tongues are inserted in search of the nectar there stored. They are much alike. In both the ground color of the fore wings is of a rich greenish olive, crossed about the middle by a pale buff stripe or bar, extending almost the whole length to the tip, while along the outer margin there 1s another band or stripe nearly equal in width, but of a dull ashy color. ‘The hind wings are small, with a wide rosy band, which covers a large portion of the wing, while above and below, the color is almost black, the hinder margin being fringed with white. In the mark- ings on the bodies they also resemble each other very much. There is a line of white on each side, extending from the head to the base of the thorax, and other less prominent longitudinal lines of white on the thorax. z 7 a ee 64 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The abdomen is of a greenish olive, having a reddish hue on the sides and spotted with white and black. There are differences, however, which would enable the most casual observer to separate them without difficulty. There is a difference in size, lineata (fig. 3) being the largest, measuring when its wings are spread about three and a half inches, while chamanerii (fig. 2) rarely exceeds two and three-quarter inches. Thecentral band on the fore wings in chamenerii is wider and more irregular, but the most striking point of difference between the species is that the veins of the fore wings in Zveata are distinctly margined with white, a character entirely wanting in chamenerit. ‘These differences will be readily appreciated by reference to the figures. The larva of @neafa varies considerably in color. Mr. Riley says : “The most common form is that given at fig. 4, where the body is of a yellowish green, with a prominent sub-dorsal row of elliptical spots, each spot consisting of two curved black lines, enclosing superiorly a bright crimson space and inferiorly a pale yellow line, the whole row of spots being connected by a pale yellow stripe edged above with black. In some specimens these eye-like spots are disconnected, and the space between the black crescents is of a uniform cream color. ‘The breathing holes are either surrounded with black or black edged with yellow. The other form of the caterpillar (see fig. 5) is black, with a yellow line along the back and a series of pale yellow spots and darker yellow dots. This dark form is, however, subject to great variation, some specimens entirely lacking the line along the back.” According to Mr. Riley, it feeds upon purslane, turnip, buckwheat, water melon, and even grape and apple leaves, and is found in the larval condition during the month of July. Mr. Pyle, of Dundas, Ontario, has found it feeding on the common plantain. When full grown it is said to descend into the ground, where within a smooth cavity it changes into a light brown chrysalis, emerging as a moth in September. LARVA OF D. CHAMCNERII. Described from three specimens found feeding on grape, July sth. Length, two and a half inches, onisciform. Head small, rather flat in front, slightly bilobed, and of a dull pinkish brown color, with a black stripe across the front at base. Basal half of THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 65 — THE CANADIAN~-ENTOMOLOGIST. 67 palpi yellow, upper half black. Mandibles black, with a patch of yellow between them and the black stripe. Body above deep olive green, with a brownish tinge and a polished surface. Second segment with a cervical shield similar in color to head, its sides dull greenish, with two yellow dots. There is a pale yellowish dorsal line terminating at the base of the caudal horn ; each segment from 3rd to r2th inclusive has a pale yellow spot on each side the dorsal line, about half way towards the stigmata, those on 3rd segment small and almost crescent-shaped, on 4th larger and nearly round, sth still larger, nearly round, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, roth and rrth about equal in size, nearly oval and larger than those on 5th. On 12th segment the spot is more elongated, and extending upwards, terminates at the base of the caudal horn. ‘There is a wide but indistinct blackish band across the anterior part of each segment, in which the yellow spots are set ; the sides of the body below the spots are thickly sprinkled with minute raised yellow dots. Caudal horn long, curved backwards, red, slightly tipped with black, and with a roughened surface ; terminal segment dull pinkish ; stigmata oval, yellow, shaded around with dull black. Under surface much paler, color dull pale pinkish green, the pink color predominating from 5th to terminal segments inclusive, and with a num- ber of very minute raised yellowish dots placed chiefly along the sides. Feet black ; pro-legs pink, with a patch of black on the outside of each. One specimen spun a light web, binding a portion of the leaf in the manner of pampinatrix, within which it changed to chrysalis on the roth of July, and from this the imago appeared on the 28th of the same month. The other two larvee died before completing their transformations. SIX NEW NOCTU. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. Eustrotia mari@, n. Ss. Fore wings pale carneous brown shaded with dusky ; terminal space more blackish. Median lines fine, black, approximate, angulate. A curved sub-basal shade on internal margin. Reniform narrow, outwardly curved .or 68 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. oblique, white and contrasting, set in a dark suffusion of the disc. Sub- terminal line even, with a costal angulation. A fine dark terminal line at base of concolorous fringes. Hind wings pale, shining with traces of median shades and the fringes slightly carneous ; abdomen concolorous with hind wings. Beneath fore wings dusky, hind wings pale with mesial shade. Fore wings above showing pale costal dots; beneath there are pale costal shades and the costal angulation of the s. t. line is apparently reflected. xfanse 21 mil. Several specimens taken on the Lake Shore, near Buffalo, N. Y., in July, by Miss Mary Walker, after whom the species is named. Thalpochares orba, n. s. A large form resembling mzndu/a in color and cut of wing, but stouter and with longer palpi. Its generic position is not assured. Fore wings dark brown, with the narrow median space almost black. The median lines are even, pale ferruginous brown, contrasting. The outer or t. p. line occupies almost the centre of the wing and is not angulate opposite the cell as is mundula, but obtusely bent. A faint festooned line follows the t. p. line. The irregular subterminal is relieved by a following pale shade. The reniform is a small ringed spot. No traces of the other stig- mata. Fringes concolorous, cut outwardly with pale. There is a delicate violet reflection over the fore wings. Hind wings and abdomen blackish fuscous. Beneath fuscous with discal dots and a common even mesial line relieved outwardly by pale shading. Zxfanse 21 mil. Loc., Demo- polis, Alabama. Spragueia plumbifimbriata, n. s. Among the specimens belonging to this genus collected by Mr. Bel- frage, in Texas, are several under the number “127” which I cannot refer to dama or /eo, although closely allied to these. The fringes in dama are orange colored with a leaden fleck opposite the cell ; of /¢o lead-color except at the internal angle, where they are fulvous. In the new species they are entirely plumbeous. The thorax and fore wings at base and along costal region are very pale yellow, like the palest tint in the other two species. The rest of the wing is taken up by two broad lead-colored | patches or bands, separated by a narrow rusty line at the middle of the wing from the middle to internal margin. The first band stretches nar- rowly to costa without the first transverse line, which is barely indicated THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 69 The discal spot is situate without and above the extremity of the mesial line, which is apparently the lower portion of the transverse posterior. The terminal margin is narrowly fulvous. Hind wings and abdomen pale fuscous, not so dark as in allied species. Beneath paler than in its con- geners. Fxpanse 14 mil. This cannot be the ovagrus of Gueneé, which seems to me to be the same species as /¢o. Fruva, n. g. Although the neuration agrees with Spragueia, the three forms here included differ by the bulging clypeus and the infra-clypeal plate. In Jasciatella this is exaggerated and the surface of the clypeus is flattened or slightly depressed, reminding us of Zarache.- The species are rather longer winged than Sfragueta (agrophila of Gueneé in part) and differ by their plain unspotted fore wings. The three species I would here include are F. fortricina (Zell.), &. fasctatella Grote (which is the generic type) and the following : Fruva obsoleta, n. s. Allied to fortricina rather than to fasciatella, but resembling the latter more in color. The front does not seem to be shallowly depressed. Entirely plain colored. Fore wings fuscous, overlaid with ochrey scales, without markings. Hind wings pale fuscous with whitish fringes. Beneath whitish, glistening ; fore wings with blackish disc and fringes, the latter whitish on secondaries. #xfanse 19 mil. Algonquin, Illinois, June 1; Dr. Nason. The species Zarache angustipennis comes very near Fruva, and may ultimately be removed to the latter genus. Tripudia, n. g. The little species with simple and rather short antennz belonging to this genus are among the frailest of the family. They are dark-colored, beneath shining, and remind one of certain Pyralide. The body parts are small in proportion to the wings; the abdomen not exceeding the secondaries. The wings are wide, outwardly full. Eyes naked, palpi rather long, divaricate, pointed. All the parts are closely scaled. Tongue rather stout. Legs unarmed. (The neuration should be examined, but I have only two specimens and cannot now destroy either,) 70 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The first and larger species is Ziipudia guadrifera, the Erastria quadrifera of Zeller from Mazatlan, Mexico, represented by a single fresh specimen from Texas, received by me from Mr. Meske. This species is totally dark with a velvety patch on median space. On the hind wings both species beneath are distinctly marked, Tripudia flavofasciata, n. s. Very small, with a broad yellow band fillmg up the sub-basal space obliquely on primaries. Base of the wing blackish. | Beyond the yellow band the wing 1s blackish with scattered pale or shining points, the orna- mentation difficult to trace. The subterminal line is indicated very near the margin by pale festoons. Hind wings totally blackish as in guadrt- jera. Beneath the fore wings are blackish, with pale discolorous internal margin as in guadrifera, The hind wings show a discal spot ringed with pale and a pale subterminal line very near the margin. xfanse 7 mil. Demopolis, Alabama, collected by myself in the day time hovering over flowers, in the month of June. In the ornamentation of guadrifera Prof. Zeller sees a resemblance to Plusia. Both species must be added to the “ List of North American Noctuide.” Glaea carnosa. The male of this species has the antenne pectinate. A specimen has been sent me by Mr. Roland Thaxter, taken on Long Island. It will thus fall into a distinct section of the genus. We must also separate from the other species ¢vemuda and pastillicans (perhaps too closely allied to be distinct species) on account of the dorsal thoracic ridge of hair. Accord- ing to a determination by Mr. Morrison, venustula is a synonym of sericea. T am still at a loss, however, to account for the statement that the clavi- form spot is marked in white. None of my specimens in this genus show any trace of the claviform spot. Antaplaga, n. g. Belongs to the series of Noctuid genera related to SeAznia Huibn. The palpi are short ; tongue moderate; antennz simple. J.egs slender; fore tibize with a long and rather large, pointed claw. Vestiture of the body and appendages consisting of flattened scales. Front with a naked pro- tuberance, arising from a narrow rim which is exposed inferiorly ; the — aM ane THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 71 protuberance rises above, absorbing the rim, and its surface is irregularly roughened. ‘The structure differs from /a/a, in which a wedge-shaped protuberance arises from a cup; or from Plagtomimtcus, which has the cup empty. The scaly vestiture and the shape of the wings are dis- tinctive. These latter remind one of Pifona. The costal margin of primaries is long, external margin very oblique, apices produced, internal margin comparatively short. Antaplaga dimidiata, n. s. Head, thorax and basal third of fore wings white. Beyond, the wing is blackish brown, limited obliquely and a little unevenly from the white basal portion by the difference in color. A whitish subterminal shade. A discal mark obscurely indicated on the darker portion of the wing. Hind wings pale fuscous with white fringe ; beneath whitish. Fore wings beneath fuscous. xpanse 30 mil. Hab. Colorado, Prof. Snow. TINEINA FROM TEXAS. (Continued from February No.) BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. BLASTOBASIS. My knowledge of this genus is derived wholly from Prof. Zeller’s paper. It is equal in part at least to Holcocera Clem. (I have to thank Prof. Riley for calling my attention to the fact that in some of my refer- ences to this genus the name is incorrectly given as Hodocera.) B. sciaphilella Zell., as described and figured, differs from AZ. ¢riangu- larella Cham. as to the position, size and form of the triangular spots on the wings. Scéaphile//a has distinct opposite, comparatively small costal and dorsal triangles, while “zangularedla has no dorsal triangle, but a single large costal one, wide upon the costa and crossing the fold, and it also has the apical part of the wing distinctly streaked and clouded with brownish gray. They do not seem to differ otherwise. 2 ks ’ an Cee Ea Ny, ee nan ae Se ae ae ¥ ; r v a 4 ". (2 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. In a former paper I have referred to H. glandulella Riley some other Texas specimens differing slightly from typical bred specimens of g/andut- ella and from Prof. Riley’s description. The form described by Prof. Zeller as B. nubilella is one of these, and is, I think, only a variety of glandulella. Prof. Riley concurs with me in this, and he thinks ¢riangu- larella and sciaphilella are also varieties of it. I am strongly inclined to concur with him. I have made some remarks on this subject in the former paper. Argyresthia austerella Zell. A, undulatela Cham. I have never met with a specimen quite so strongly marked as that figured by Prof. Zeller, but I have elsewhere (ante v. 6, p. 70) remarked on the amount of variation in the intensity of the markings of the species. I have known it many years, and while I write (June 3rd, 1876) it swarms in hundreds around elm trees in this region. It is not improbable that the dark markings are deeper 1n more southern localities. Other species of Argyresthia have the habit of undulating or “ see-sawing,” but none that I have seen practice it to such an extent as this. Prof. Zeller first described it. Aetole bella Cham. Before I saw Prof. Zeller’s description of Heliozella gracilis, 1 thought it not improbable that it would prove to be this species, because of the resemblance in structure of the head and its appendages in the two genera and the fact that both were taken in the same locality, where A. della seems tobe not uncommon. They are, however, quite different creatures. Aetole perhaps approaches /felissines as nearly as it does Hfeliozella. I have, however, no acquaintance with either genus other than through written accounts of them, having never seen a species of either. A. della resembles Chrysoclista Zineclla in ornamentation more than it does any other species known to me. COLEOPHORA. C. bistrigella. With fresher specimens before me, I amend the description of this species. Snowy white, in some lights silvery. The fore wings have two rather pale ochreous-yellow streaks from the base, one of which is above THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Va the fold and goes to the tip, its basal half being margined above by a line of brown scales, and its apical part margined similarly towards the fold. The other streak is just within the dorsal margin, and goes to the dorsal cilie. AZ ex. a little over % inch. LAVERNA. L. enotherwella Cham. This is evidently the species which had been previously described as Phyllocnistis magnatella by Prof. Zeller, “ Béstrage, &c., 1873,” and I confess to feeling some surprise on finding it referred to Phydlocnistis, though after reflection I find the mistake in locating it there not so great as it at first appeared to be. _ Still I think it is more properly placed for the present in Zaverna than in Phyllocnistis. I placed it with some hesitation in Zaverna, and admit that it is not a true Laverna, and I think a new genus will ultimately be erected for it. Indeed, I at first prepared the diagnosis of such a genus, but finally considering the somewhat heterogenous character of the genus Laverna, I ultimately concluded not to separate it from that genus at present. It may be that I attribute too much importance to neuration as affording generic characters ; neverthe- less, I think it probable that in the scarcity of specimens Prof. Zeller did not exemine the neuration of this species, or he would not have referred it to Phyllocnistis, and I feel still more confident that he would not have so done had he known the larva and its habits ; while, on the other hand, I perhaps should not have been surprised to see it referred to PAylocnistes had I not known its neuration, and its larva and larval habits as given by Miss Murtfeldt in CaN. ENv., v. 7, p. 31. Like Prof. Zeller, I was struck by its resemblance in ornamentation to Lyonetia, so that my MSS. specific name, before I knew its larval habits, was Zyonetiella. My reasons for venturing to differ from Prof. Zeller as to its generic affinities are as follows: ist—Considering the minute size of all other known species of PAy/ocnist’s, and their close resemblance in ornament- ation, the much greater size (nearly three times the a/ar ex. and nearly four times the weight) of this species and the difference in ornamentation (which, however, bears some resemblance to that of a Phyllocnistis), 1 should have suspected structural differences as great as those of size. 2nd —The characters drawn from the head and its appendages, while very nearly those of PAylocnistis, do not differ in any important particular from those of some species of Zaverna and of some other genera allied thereto ; 74 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. greater differences, for instance, exist between the palpi of Z. dangiel/a and L. laetiella than are found between the latter and magnatella Zell. 3rd— The neuration of the wings places the species among L/achistide and not in Lyonetide. ‘The neuration of the fore wings is exactly that of Laverna Staintoni, as figured Jus. Briz., v. 3, except that in this species the apical branch of the median vein goes to the apex instead of to the dorsal margin before it. ° As in Zaverna, the submedian is furcate at the base, which is not the case with Phy//ocnistis ; and though, owing to the peculiar orna- mentation of the apex, the fore wings appear to be decidedly caudate, yet when denuded, they are found to be scarcely more so than in Laverna atra as figured Joc. cit. The form of the hind wings is very nearly that of L. epilobiella, figured Joc. cit.; and the neuration is identical with it except that the superior branch of the subcostal goes to the apex instead of to the costal margin just before it, and the cell is indistinctly closed. The fold and the dorsal vein are both distinct. In all these particulars it differs greatly from PAylocnistis and agrees with several well recognized species of Laverna as well as, if not better, than they do with each other. 4th—The larval habits, as described by Miss Murtfeldt, Can. ENv., 7, p- 31, are those of several species of Laverna, but of no known species of Phyllocnistis, aud the larva, while not closely resembling any Laverna larva known to me, is still more unlike that of PAy//ocnistzs, in fact, totally distinct from it, having sixteen feet. For these reasons I think its affinities are with Zaverna and not with PAylocnistis. The specific name magnatella Zell. has priority over wzotherwella. Magnatella is very appropriate if the species belongs in PAylocnistis, but not if it is a Laverna. I have never seen ZL. eloisella Clem., but I suspect that it will be found congeneric with this species. I find that in the description of the species I have inadvertently omitted to mention the large tuft of raised scales margined behind with brown, and the short, longitudinal, black line behind it, situated within the margin at the base of the dorsal cilize, between the ‘“ two streaks which diverge from the small tuft within the dorsal margin before the cilia.” See v. 7, p. 31. L. unicristatella Chamb. previously described by Zeller as LZ. definit- ella. ’ THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 19 DESCRIPTION OF A NEW LIMACODES. BY LEON F. HARVEY, M. D., BUFFALO, N. Y. Limacodes latomta, 7. S. This species is similarly sized with y-2zversa, or perhaps a little larger. It is less brightly colored. The fore wings are dusky ochre with two blackish lines ; the first crossing the wing a little obliquely at the middle ; the second before the apex from costa to external margin. ‘The lines do not meet at costa as in its ally. The space between the lines is dscolorous, being somewhat grayish. Hind wings more yellowish, concolorous. Be- neath immaculate, like hind wings above. Thorax like fore wings. Antenne simple. Several specimens taken by Belfrage in Bosque Co., Texas; No. 572, May. NOTES ON SOME SPECIES OF MELOE OCCURRING IN TEMPERATE NORTH-EASTERN AMERICA. BY F. B. CAULEEILD, MONTREAL, P. Q. The life history of MJe/oe, as given by the Editor in the December No. of this journal, agreeing very closely with that of JZ. angusticollis Say, as far as my knowledge of its habits will permit me to judge, it occurred to me on reading Mr. Brodie’s very interesting notes in the January No., that unless we have in this country a double brooded JAZe/ove, some one must be referring another species to Say’s azgusticollis. We have in temperate North-eastern America several species of Ae/oe closely resembling each other in general appearance, two of which are widely distributed, sometimes, probably often, occuring in the same localities, but I think at different seasons; the first, MZ. angusticollis Say, appearing early in May and disappearing before or about the middle of June; the other, JZ americanus Leach, appearing in the latter end of July or beginning of August, and lasting until after the early frosts. Having compared specimens of what I believed to be angusticollis with Say’s description, I felt satisfied that I had that species, but I took americanus Leach to be rugipennis Lec., from having compared it with 76 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. specimens of americanus labeled rugipennis, in the collection of the Mon- treal Natural History Society, and from records of the capture of 7wg7pennis in other localities at dates corresponding with the time of appearance of americanus here. However, as our Meloes resemble each other very closely, and as the description of raugépennis did not seem to suit the specimens labeled as that species, I did not feel justified in trusting to my own judgment in the matter, and sent a specimen of each species to Dr. LeConte, with the request that he would determine them for me. Having examined them, Dr. LeConte informed me that my determination of angusticollis was correct, and with his consent, I give the following corrected synonymy, which he very kindly sent to me : “1, M. ANGUSTICOLLIS Say = rugipennis Lec. —-Punctures of head and prothorax coarse and deep. This has been considered by some author, as = VIOLACEOUS Marsham. of Europe, but I have not compared them ; one specimen in my collection was thus labeled. “2, M. AMERICANUS Leach—angusticollis Lec. Punctures very fine and prothorax still narrower.” As Say’s description of angusticollis is very good,| give it for the benefit of those who may not have access to the work in which it is given, viz., Hour. Acad. Nat. Sci; -Phil.,/3, 280: “ Meloe angusticollis. Thorax narrower than the head, elytra and ab- domen violaceous. Inhabits Pennsylvania. Body dark violaceous, punctured; head with profound punctures; an impressed, longitudinal, abbreviated, acute frontal line, and a transverse, elevated, obtuse one connecting the bases of the antenne. Thorax slender, narrower than the head, profoundly punctured, widest rather before the middle,and narrowed at tip and base ; base emarginate and slightly margined. Elytra rugulose dark bluish-violaceous. Feet slightly hairy; spines of the tibia and nails ferruginous. Abdomen slightly rugulose, dark greenish or violaceous ; tergum, each side black, opaque.” M. americanus Leach is a smoother and more delicate looking insect than angusticollis, and the blue is inclined to shade into green in certain lights, especially on the head and thorax; the punctures are so fine as to be almost invisible to the naked eye (in angustécollis the coarseness of the punctures give it a slightly roughened appearance). The acute, impressed frontal line, so characteristic of angusticollis, is wanting in americanus, and altogether it is a softer and more oily-looking insect. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Wi M. angusticollis Say, makes its appearance here in the beginning of May, very soon after the snow has melted. I first observed it in 1872 ; I cannot now give the exact date, but it was early in May. I found three specimens on Montreal Mountain, one male and two females. Referring to my notes, I find the following dates for them in 1874: May 2nd, one specimen, Hochalaga, Montreal; May 13th, one specimen, Montreal Mountain ; May 2oth, eight specimens, Hochalaga, Montreal. I did not observe them in 1875. On June roth, 1876, the Montreal Natural History Society held their annual field day at St. Hillair, between twenty and thirty miles south of Montreal, and I was given a specimen of Mele taken there on that day ; unfortunately I did not preserve it, and cannot now be certain what species it was, but at the time I did not think it different from those I found in May, and as it was a female with the abdomen very large, I think it probable that it was the same. I did not study their habits closely, as my spare time was chiefly devoted to Lepidoptera, but I only noticed them on warm, sunny days ; I did not find any under stones, but I think it not unlikely that they may seek shelter under stones during wet or cold weather, as I have sometimes found to be the case with Cicindela sexguttata. . Mr. J. M. Jones, of Halifax, N. S., in a communication dated June 4th, 1871, CAN. ENT., vol. 3, p. 37, says: ‘‘ Meloe angusticollis very abundant on Halifax common about the middle of May, now totally disappeared.” Mr. A. S. Ritchie, in his “ List of Coleoptera taken on the Island of Montreal,” records JZ. angusticollis Say, date of appearance not given: Coleoptera determined by Dr. Horn. This, I think, would be JZ. amere- canus Leach. In the same list Mr. Ritchie records AZ. rugipennis Lec. This, I think, would be JAZ. angusticollts Say. Mr. J. Pettit, in his “‘ List of Coleoptera taken at Grimsby, Ont.,” Can- ENT., vol. 2, p. 132, records WZ. angusticollis Say. This is probably JZ americanus Leach. Mr. Wm. Couper, in his “ List of Coleoptera taken at Quebec and other parts of Lower Canada,” published at Quebec in 1864, records M. angusticollis Say as ‘common on potato-vines,” no date given. As most of Mr. Courer’s Coleoptera were named by Dr. LeConte, this also is probably AL, americanus Leach. I have no record of the capture of AZ americanus Leach, myself, but 78 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. if I remember rightly, I took a AZe/ve rather late in the season, on Mon- treal Mountain, last summer, I thought at the time it was a soft, rich looking specimen, but I did not take a note of it. On reading Mr. Brodie’s paper, I examined my specimens of J7Ze/oe carefully, and found a specimen of JZ. americanus Leach in a box of duplicate Coleoptera taken on the Island of Montreal, but at the time I did not know what it was. Having compared it with specimens labeled rugzfennis, in the Montreal Natural History Society’s collection, I found it to be the same; this spect- men I afterwards sent to Dr. LeConte, who gave me the correct determination. Mr. P. Kuetzing has kindly given me a pair of this species, taken by him in the latter end of July of last season (1876), in this neighborhood. This is the earlest record of the appearance of americanus known to me, but as Mr. Kuetzing only found the pair, and as the abdomen of the female is quite small, we may, I think, reasonably infer that they had just emerged, and were the pioneers of the August brood. Mr. G. B. Pearson informs me that he has seen a species of Jeloe common here during the latter part of summer, and noticed them late in October ; doubtless the same species. Mr. H. H. Lyman kindly lent me three specimens of JAZe/oe for examination. One is JZ. angusticollis Say ; the others are M4. americanus Leach. Mr. Lyman informs me that the specimens of americanus were taken at Portland, Me., in August, 1873, but cannot tell when or where the other was taken. He says, however, that if it is amgusticollis, it was probably taken at Montreal, as he never went down to Portland before the middle of July. In a “List of Coleoptera found in the vicinity of Montreal,” by W. S. M. D’Urban, Canadian Naturalist, vol. 4, p. 307, he records rugzpennis Lec. as common. Mr. D’Urban states that nearly all the species were determined by Dr, LeConte. In a “ List of Coleoptera collected in the Valley of the River Rouge and neighboring Townships,’ by W. S. M. D’Urban, Geological Survey of Canada, report of progress for 1858, p. 226, he records AZ. rugipennis Lec., Hamilton’s Farm, 31st August, and Grenville, 14th October. In a List of Coleoptera collected on the south-east side of the St. Lawrence, from Quebec to Gaspé, and in the Counties of Rimouski, Gaspé and Bonaventure, by Mr. Robert Bell, jr., same report, p. 247, he records — THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. ae M. rugipennis Lec. “between Metis and the mouth of the Matapedia.” The date is not given, but as he records Colas philodice “ between Metis and Lake Matapedia, August 17th,” and as he did not arrive at Great Metis until August 14th, it must have been taken in that month or later, M. D’Urban, who drew up this list, states that Mr. Bell’s Coleoptera were determined by Dr. LeConte. I frankly confess that the records of Messrs. D’Urban and Bell puzzle me, for if the dates given by these gentlemen are correct, and if the specimens taken by them were determined by Dr. LeConte as rugépennis Lec., which is avgustecollis Say, then that species must, I think, be double brooded. I believe, however, that if Dr. LeConte had seen specimens taken at those dates, he would have determined them as JZ. angusticollis Say, which would prove them to have been americanus Leach, when the dates would correspond with its time of appearance here, at Portland, and I believe, elsewhere. I am strengthened in this belief by the fact that specimens of americanus in the collection of the Montreal Natural History Society are labeled vugzpennis, a mistake that Dr. LeConte would never bave made. I think Mr. Brodie’s notes also point to the conclusion that americanus is the species found in autumn; this gentleman could give us important evidence in this matter by carefully comparing his specimens with Say’s description, and letting us know which species they belong to. I do not think that any of our Meloes are double brooded, but if Mr. Brodie’s specimens are the true angusticollis of Say, it would seem as if such must be the case, as it seems improbable that a species would be taken in some places in spring, and in others in autumn, if it was not double brooded. Dr. Packard, speaking of the larvae of Mele found by him in spring. says: ‘‘It is undoubtedly the young of our common JZ. angusticollis Say.” If we substitute the name americanus Leach for angusticollis Say, this statement will, I think, be perfectly correct, unless the larvee observed by Dr. Packard belong to one of our other species (I only know angusticollis and americanus). M. angusticollis probably oviposits during the end of May and beginning of June, and by the end of June and during July we might, I think, expect to find the larva. These are, however, points that require careful investigation, as nothing short of rearing the perfect insect will enable us to identify the larva. SO THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. I will during the coming season, as far as my time will permit, endeavor to ascertain the dates of appearance, duration, &c., of these species in this locality, and I trust that Entomologists in other parts will do the same, so that the life history of our North American species may be worked up. IMPORTANT NOTICE. In consequence of the pressure of other engagements, our Secretary- Treasurer, Mr. J. H. McMechan, has found it necessary to resign his office. . Until further notice, our correspondents will please address a// communications to the Editor. BOOK NOTICES. Packard's Half Hours with Insects, Boston, published by Estes & Lauriat, 1877, 12 mo., pp. 384, illustrated, $2.50, which was originally issued in twelve numbers, has lately been published in book form. We desire to correct some typographical and other errors of importance. Page 187, in explanation of Fig. 187, for Bucculating read Bucculatrix ; page 289, line 23, for Desippus read Archippus, and in line 25, for Archip- pus read Disippus ; page 305, line 13, for sumac read cottonwood, and on page 306, in explanation of Fig. 236, for sumac gall read vagabond gall. We cheerfully commend this useful work to our readers. Report upon the Orthoptera collected by the Wheeler Expedition, by Samuel H. Scudder ; 8vo., 17 p. In this paper the author gives much valuable information in relation to the Orthoptera occurring on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains; 17 new species are described, and definitions of 8 new genera given. Report of the Hayden Expedition, from the Department of the Interior, containing Brief Synopsis of North American Ear-wigs, with an appendix of the fossil species ; $vo., 12 p. List of Orthoptera collected by Dr. A. S. Packard in Colorado, &c., during 1875; 8vo., 7 p. Notice of a small collection of Butterflies made by . 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Also Cork, Pins d&e. Eggs of the ‘differ ent varieties of Silk Worms, to order. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera for sale or exchange. Agent for Wallace’s Silk Reeler. Vw Che Canadian Entomologist. VOL: EX. LONDON, ONT., MAY, 1877. No. 5 THE UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. The enormous losses occurring yearly to agriculture in America from destructive insects are gradually awakening public attention in this direc- tion, and also to the necessity of careful observations on the habits of these pests, with a view to their destruction or limitation. We were much gratified to learn that the late Congress of the United States, recognizing the importance of this subject, made a liberal appropriation to provide for the appointment of a commission of practical Entomologists to investigate and study the habits and life history of these insect pests, and thoroughly test such measures as have been or may be suggested with the view of lessening their ravages, the investigations to be carried on for several consecutive years. The Government has been _ particularly fortunate in securing the services of three eminently practical Entomolo- gists to undertake this work, Prof. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, Dr. A. S. Packard, of Salem, Mass., and Prof: C. Thomas. State Ento- mologist of Illinois; Prof. Riley has been designated chief, Dr Packard secretary, and Prof. Thomas disbursing agent. While the destructive Rocky Mountain Locust, Caloptenus spretus, will specially engage the attention of the Commission during this year, careful observations will at the same time be made on other destructive pests. We desire to call particular attention to Dr. Packard’s request in this present issue for speci- mens in all stages of the Hessian Fly, Joint Worm and Wheat Midge, and trust that all our members will endeavor to aid the Commission in their labors in every possible way. The headquarters of the Commission will be at St. Louis, Mo. ; there will also be an office, with a clerk to attend to certain routine business, at the rooms of the Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, at Washington, D. C., Dr. F. V. Hayden in charge. 82 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The locust area assigned to each Commissioner the present year is as follows :— 1. Prof. Riley takes for his field the region east of the mountains and south of the goth parallel, the west half of Iowa, and, conjointly with Dr. Packard, British America west of the 94th meridian, where the prin- cipal source of the devastating swarms will probably be found. 2. Dr. Packard will take for his field West Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and the Pacific Coast. 3. Prof. Thomas takes all the region east of the mountains not enumerated, including Nebraska, Minnesota, etc. The publications will consist of circulars, bulletins, memoirs, and the annual report of doings and results of the work of the Commission. To Prof. Riley are assigned more particularly the following divisions of the subject: Biology, or Natural History ; Insect Enemies and Para- sites ; Remedies and Devices for Destruction. To Dr. Packard: Anatomy and Embryology. To Dr. Packard and Prof. Thomas, conjointly : Meteorological Bear- ings and Migrations. To Prof. Thomas: Geographical Distribution, Enemies not Entomo- logical, Agricultural Bearings of the Subject. The Commission expects to secure co-operation with the United States Signal Bureau in affording meteorological data in connection with a study of the migrations of the locust; also, hopes to secure the aid of the Canadian Government in co-operating with it in its investigations in British America. It is the determination of the Commission to confine its operations more particularly to the practical bearings of the subject, with a view to ascertain all possible remedies against these destructive insects. All else will be made subservient to the great object for which the appropriation was made, to wit :— 1. ‘The best means of fighting the plague as it occurs in the States to which it migrates, but in which it is not indigenous. 2. The thorough investigation into its habits in its native home, with a view of preventing, if possible, its migrations therefrom. The following are the topics on which data are requested from observers in all parts in reference to the destructive locust :— Seok ee ee eee ain > wi é saan , = * THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 83 t. Date, and time of day of the arrival of swarms. ta. Direction and force of the wind at the time. 1. Temperature and character of the weather at the time (clear or cloudy). 1c. Direction of the flight, density, height and extent of the swarms. 2. Date and time of day of the departure of swarms. 2a. Direction and force of the wind at the time. 26. Temperature and character of the weather at the time. 2c. Direction of the flight, density and extent of the swarms. 3. Date when the first eggs, if any, were deposited the present year. 4. Date when the eggs were most numerously hatching the present year. 5. Date when the eggs were most numerously hatching in previous years. 6. Proportion of eggs that failed to hatch the present year, and pro- bable causes of such failure. 7. Nature of the soil and situations in which the eggs were most largely deposited. 8. Nature of the soil and situations in which the young were most numerously hatched. g. Date at which the first insect acquired full wings. to. Date when the winged insects first began to migrate. rr. Estimate the injury done in your County and State. 12. Crops which suffered most. 13. Crops most easily protected. 14. Crops which suffered least. 15. The prevailing direction in which the young insects travelled, and any other facts in relation to the marching of the young. 16. ‘The means employed in your section for the destruction of the . unfledged insects, or to protect crops from their ravages, and how far these have proved satisfactory. 17. The means employed in your section for the destruction of the winged insects, or to protect crops from their ravages, and how far these have proved satisfactory. 84 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 18. Descriptions, and if possible, figures of such mechanical con- trivances as have proved useful in your locality for the destruction of either the young or the winged insects. 19. If your section was not visited in 1876, please state this fact. 20. If visited any previous year, please give the dates. 21. To what extent have birds, domestic fowls, and other animals, domestic or wild, been useful in destroying these insects ? As the successful prosecution of this work is as deeply important to the western portions of our Dominion (where immense damage is often inflicted by this destructive foe) as to any part of the United States, it is hoped that our Government will render all possible aid to the work of this Commission, either by instructions to parties engaged in surveys and other Government work in the western regions, to make the necessary obser- vations, or otherwise by appointing suitable co-operating agencies to aid in the work. ; NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW MOTHS. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sctences. Every student knows how much depends on the careful handling and perfect condition of specimens of moths for the cabinet. Especially in the Woctue, where the scale tufts on the body are used for generic char- acters, is it necessary to have well preserved material in order to give a definite determination. In this respect the collections of Prof. Lintner, Mr. Hill, Dr. Bailey and (though last by no means least) Mr. Otto Von Meske are to be very highly praised. The students of Albany have shown themselves excellent collectors, and it is a great pleasure to examine their specimens. I do not say that Mr. Von Meske’s collection is the best in the country in this respect, but I do say that it is the best I have yet seen. Sugaring for (Vocfwe in April and May has been found very remunerative in the vicinity of Albany. Beautiful specimens of Zz¢hophanc pexata, fagina, Bethunet, dispostta, tepida and Thaxteri have been taken in he re 7 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. S5 this way. Dr. Bailey has captured in this manner Scopelosoma devia, Graefiana, and tristigmata ; also Morrisonia vomerina and evicta. Species of the genus Homoptera have also occurred not unfrequently ; among these I may mention wmz/ineata, a species easily recognized by its strongly dentate pale brown wings, the exterior line deep brown on primaries, blackish on secondaries. It is to be hoped that this method of capturing moths will be more extensively used ; it will infallibly reveal unexpected varieties in every neighborhood. ° Dasychira Lintneri, 1. s. g. Dark gray, shaded with ochrey at the base of primaries, on the median space and along subterminal line. Basal line dark, narrow, dentate on costa, slightly outwardly projected below median vein. Extra basal space wide. Interior line very distinct, perpendicular, black, toothed on subcostal vein, thence inwardly excavate to median vein at the point of origin of vein 2, thence again excavate to vein 1, diffuse on the mar- gin. Exterior line faint, with whitish included shade. Subterminal line irregular. Fringes blackish, white externally and interrupted with white. Hind wings gray with a mesial shade line followed by whitish and shaded with blackish on external margin at anal angle, where the commencement of a second outer line is indicated ; fringe as on fore wings. Body stone gray ; antennz with lengthy pectinations. Beneath the wings are paler ; hind wings whitish with a sinuate blackish mesial common line. Body paler beneath. Expanse 40 mil. Centre, N. Y., in May, several speci- mens in the collections of the State Museum, Mr. Hill and Dr. Bailey. Ltuchaetes Spraguet Grote. The female of this fine species is contained in Mr. Von Meske’s collection from Texas. The stripes on costa and internal margin are paler than in the male. Euclea incisa Harvey. The female is in Mr. Meske’s collection from Texas. The hind wings are paler, more yellowish than in faeui/ata, there is no red stain at the angulation of the green space near internal margin on primaries; the - angulation is not so deep end the terminal brown space is narrower. I regard the two as different species. Both forms are in the collection of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences and of Mr. Von Meske. al or _— S6 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Lithophane Barleyi, n. s. g ¢. Greenish gray and resembling at first sight guerquera from its color, but with the usual markings of the genus distinct, and with narrower wings. Fore wings rather dark greenish gray. Basal dash black, sur- mounted by the usual pale shade. T. a. line double. Orbicular con- colorous. Reniform large, rounded, with a remarkably bright red stain and shaded with blackish. Median shade blackish, diffuse between the spots ‘T. p. line double, denticulate, a little more outwardly exserted than in guerquera,opposite the cell. Subterminal line more or less evident by its fuscous preceding shade. ‘Terminal line black, sub-continuous. Hind wings fuscous with dark fringes. Beneath fuscous with a ruddy hue, a common line and discal spots. Expanse 36 mil. ‘Two specimens taken near Albany in September, by Mr. Geo. J. Bailey, for whom the species is named. One male also from Canada. This species differs from gwerguera by the narrower wings, with the costal angulation more pronounced, the more grayish color, the scalloped terminal line, less deeply waved subterminal, and the distinct median lines ; the secondaries and their fringes are not reddish above. Apatela ( Acronycta) falcula, n. s. ®. Allied to ¢rzfona and grisea. ‘The external margin is sinuate, not straight, sweeping inwardly below the apices and bulging opposite the median nervules. Fore wings dark purple gray, very like “7fona. A black basal dash lined above with pale, furcate. Internal margin at base with a patch of light brown scales. Ordinary spots concolorous, faintly outlined, orbicular larger than in ¢/7foxa. Median shade obsolete ; median space very wide. ‘T. a. line evident above the basal dash (which slightly exceeds the line) and here blackish ; beneath the dash obsolete. ‘T. p. line shaped as in ¢77/ona, but without the discal incision, blackish, sub-dentate, edged outwardly with brown, inwardly with whitish. Black dash on sub- median fold not extending within the line. Hind wings whitish at base, outwardly vaguely and largely blackish. Fore wings beneath fuscous ; hind wings whitish with a faint discal spot and external sinuate macular band. ‘Thorax like fore wings, edged on the sides and behind with light brown. Body beneath whitish ; abdomen above light gray. Expanse 35 mil. Illinois, Mr. Thos. E. Bean. This form differs from its allies in the shape of the external ‘margin of Pee he / ‘ — ' THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 87 primaries, the bright brown edging to the thorax, and in the details of the ornamentation throughout. Mamestra Beant, n. s. qf. Allied to purpurissate in color, but not quite’ so large, about the size of grandis. Body tufts improminent. Eyes hairy. Antenne witha white dot at base, simple, ciliate ; in Aurpurtssata they are serrate and bristled. Purple gray brown, darker than jurpurissata, median space tinged with reddish. Ornamentation not distinct. Ordinary lines double, lunulate or waved; t. a. line with its outer line more distinct and blackish. Claviform small, black-edged. Orbicular large, paler than the wing. Reniform rather narrow, with an internal shaded ring, stained with ochrey red. T. p. line not much indented below the median vein. Sub- terminal line continuous, nearly even, with a notch on the interspace between veins 3 and 4, indicating the usual W-mark. Apices with a whitish shade. Fringes concolorous. Hind wings dark fuscous with whitish fringe. Beneath paler, fuscous, with the costal and terminal spaces powdered with gray, reddish or purplish. Double exterior common shade lines and faint discal dots. Expanse 45 mil. I name this fine species for its discoverer, who has collected some rare moths with the present species at Galena, Illinois. Mr. Bean has taken there Calymnia calami Harvey, previously only known from Texas ; also Lithophane semtusta, Scopelosoma tristigmata, devia and Pettitt. Gortyna rigida Grote. & 2. Ihave alluded to this species in the Proceedings of the Ent. Soc. of Phil., 4, 324, as being allied to cataphracta, and differing chiefly in the straight transverse posterior line, much as purpurifascia differs from rutila. It is paler yellow than cataphracta, with less purple and dark shades. The stigmata are concolorous. The base of primaries is pale ; there is a faint terminal purplish washing in the male. My female speci- men does not show but very faint traces of it. The moth is a little slighter than its ally, and can be quickly known by the rigid purple t. p. line not bent opposite the disc as it is in cataphracta. ff Penn.; @ Iilinois (Mr. Bean). The following species is the first Eastern representative of the genus Ochria, which contains the European favago and the Californian sauzalite. 88 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. —- Ochria Buffaloensis, 1. s. @. The clypeus has a frontal horn, else the insect looks like Gortyna rutila and allies. ‘The primaries are brownish red with the extra-basal and subterminal spaces washed with purple. T. a. line geminate, waved, with rather a deep sinus on vein 1, its inner line purple, its outer dark brown red. Orbicular spherical, yellow white. The accessory spots are totally wanting ; this last superficial character will separate the moth from any N. Am. species of Gordyna allied to rutila, known to me or described by Gueneé. Reniform moderate, yellowish, interlaced with a double brown curved line. 'T. p: line double, nearly straight, not exserted opposite the cell, but prolonged on costa as in purpurifascia ; its outer line is dark purplish, more diffuse. S. t. line dark, distinct, irregularly dentate. Ex- ternal margin even, bulging opposite median nervules. Veins obscurely purplish. Hind wings pale red, with a mesial straight dark line. Beneath light purple red, with a distinct common line ; on hind wings a narrow lunule. Body beneath concolorous with wings ; thorax above darker, more purplish. Expanse 40 mil. Miss Mary Walker, Buffalo. Potlia pallifera, n. s. @. This species resembles Herrich-Schaeffer’s figures of f/atinea. Fore wings whitish gray with the median space washed with olivaceous beyond the olive median shade line. Claviform olivaceous, very large, finely lined with black. Reniform and orbicular gray, shaded with olive, the former white narrowly margined with black. Median lines geminate, of the usual shape. Beyond thet. p. line the wing is whitish gray, cut by the olivaceous shaded s. t. line. Fringes obscure with an interrupted dark line. Hind wings fuscous, paler at base with a sinuate mesial line and a pale subterminal shade. Beneath dirty whitish with double lines and discal marks. | Body beneath and abdomen obscure whitish or dusty gray ; thorax more purely gray. Expanse 42 mil. [linois, Mr. Bean. I cannot identify this with any of Mr. Morrison’s descriptions under this genus. It has the fascies of European species of the group. It recalls the Californian Dian. insolens, but the eyes are naked. Homoptera Woodit, n. s. }. This species is more strigate than any other known tome. Collar brown with a black mesial line, tipped with gray. Wings dentate, covered with dark strigae. Base of primaries blackish, defined by a broad velvety + * THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 89 black bent interior line. Orbicular wanting. Median space pale anteriorly, blackish posteriorly, where this last color includes the narrow pale reniform with its distinct central black streak, and extends beyond the line narrowly and over costal region to apices. __T, p. line fine, black, even, undulate, bent inwards opposite the cell in the centre of its superior exserted portion. Subterminal line defined by the margin of the blackish mesial shading, excavate opposite the cell and more widely so inferiorly. Terminal space pale like the anterior half of median, showing the strigae _ very plainly. Hind wings pale fuscous, covered with dark strigae, with a more or less determinate mesial line, beyond which the wing is paler, Beneath pale fuscous, strigose ; the discal mark indicated on primaries, as also a common mesial line. Expanse 38-40 mil. Several specimens taken at Centre, N. Y., by Dr. J. S. Bailey, and his assistant, Mr. W. C. Wood, of Wayne Co., N. Y., for whom the species is named. The Albany collectors are studying this difficult genus, and Mr. Hill has called my attention to the fact that edwsa and /unata are possibly sexes of one species. I am indebted to Mr. Bean for an Illinois specimen of Homoptera penna Morrison. Entropia homuraria G. & R., Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., i, 80. Dr. Packard gives this as a synonym of dwaria, but erroneously. A comparison of our description shows that it applies to a form with “ the angles of the external margins of the wings more determinate” than hypochraria. Now duarva has the external margins rounded. L£. homur- aria is more intensely colored than its allies ; beneath it is ‘“‘ intense deep orange, the common line followed externally by a bright purplish shade.” The species is well described and cannot be mistaken for duvaria. It is very near to hypfochraria; the median lines are angulated as in that species. The discal sinus of the exterior line on the wings above seems to be shallower in fomuraria, of which I have seen no female specimens as yet. Lozogramma lactispargaria. Cidaria lactispargaria Walk., Can. & Geol., 6, 41. Tephrosia disconventa Walk., C. B..M., 21, 404. Lozogramma adisconventa Pack., 243, pl. 9, fig. 56. Albany (Lintner) ; Quebec (Belanger). These different names refer to the same species. ‘The wings are scal- loped, not entire, and [ accept Dr. Packard’s generic determination with hesitation. 90 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Tornos infumataria, n. s. @. Larger and stouter than vobigznosaria, with the wings more elongate. Entirely smoky blackish. Fore wings with two: sub parallel, oblique, irregular, black median lines, the exterior partly lined on the outside with whitish, but very faintly so. Hind wings with an indistinct _ mesial line, which is seen to be scalloped in the best marked specimens ; beneath without markings. This concolorous species differs from its ally by the course of the waved median lines on primaries. Expanse 30 mil. June 3, 5 ; Texas (Belfrage, No. 604). Aspilates pervaria var. tnterminaria Grote. fg §. Both sexes of this form, which is smaller than the type and differs at once by the absence of the lines on primaries, have been collected by Mr. Belfrage in Texas (male, June 5, No. 602 ; female, May 22, No. 653). It is paler than the type and looks like a different species. LIST OF BOMBYCIDA OCCURRING ON THE ISLAND. OF MON TREAT, ~P: . i s ’ THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 91 Platarctia parthenos Harris. Very rare ; at light, 26th June, C. W. P. Euprepia americana Harris. Not uncommon ; end of July, August. Arctia virgo Harris. Rare. Arctia Saundersii Grote. Not common; July and August. ** nais Hiibn. Very rare. virguncula Kirby. Very rare; June, C. W. P. Pyrrharctia isabella Abbott & Smith. Exceedingly common; June, July. Phragmatobia rubricosa Harris. Rare ; July, 1876; May reth, 1877. Leucarctia acrea Drury. Commen ; June, July, August. Spilosoma virginica Fabr. Very common ; June, July, August. Hyphantria textor Harris. Common; June, July. Euchaetes egle Drury. Very rare; bred from larva found on Burdock. Caw BP: collaris Fitch. Not uncommon. June and beginning of July. Oregonensis Streck. Rare; June. Halesidota tessellaris Smith. Not common; July, frequents blossoms of A sclepias cornuti at twilight. caryae Harris. Common; June. maculata Harris. Rare; June. ee ee ee ee “ce Dasychirine. Orgyia nova Fitch. Not common ; end of July, August. “« leucostigma Harris. Very common; July and August. Parorgyia parallela G. & R. Very rare; Mr. Kuetzing. Cochlidiine. Euclea querceti Pack. Rare; Mr. Lyman. Limacodes y-inversa Pack.? Rare; Mr. Kuetzing. Ptilodontine. Datana ministra Drury. Not uncommon; July. “ AngusuG. & R. Rare; July, Mr. Hibbins. Notodonta stragula Grote. Rare; Mr. Hibbins. Lophodonta ferruginea Pack. Rare; C. W. P. Pheosia rimosa Pack. Rare; taken by Mr. Lyman. Nerice bidentata Walk. Rare; Mr. Kuetzing. Edema albifrons Smith. Not uncommon ; June. CEdemasia concinna Smith. Larvae, August ; rare. Coelodasys unicornis Smith. Not common ; July. of cinerofrons Pack. Rare; Mr. Kuetzing. 92 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Coelodasys biguttatus Pack. Rare; Mr. Kuetzing. Heterocampa manteo Walk. Not common ; June. Cerura cinerea Walk. Rare; June, C. W. P. Undetermined. Not common ; June. Platypterygine. Platypteryx arcuata Walk. Rare. gE lacertinaria Linn Rare. Attacinee. Telea polyphemus Linn. Very common, June, July. Actias luna Linn. Not common ; June. Callosamia promethea Drury. Rare; June. Samia cecropia Linn. Common ; June. “ columbia Smith. Very rare; one specimen from cocoon found on maple, emerged in-doors May rsth, 1874; C. W. P. Ceratocampine. Hyperchiria io Fabr. Not common; June. Dryocampine. Dryocampa rubicunda Fabr. Very rare; Mr. Lyman. Lacheiine. Gastropacha americana Harris. Very rare; June roth, C. W. P. Tolype velleda Stoll. Not common ; September. “¢-Jaricis Fitch. Very rare; Mr. Bowles. Clisiocampa americana Harris. Very common ; July. aS sylvatica Harris. Extremely abundant; July. Hepialine. Xyleutes robinae Harris. Not common; June. Stenopis argentimaculata Harris. Very rare; July, F. B.C. é-> thule Strecker. Viery, tare, HUB ae; REMARKS ON THE SYNONYMY OF NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. BY E. P. AUSTIN, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. Tachinus fumipennis Say (Tachyporus) is not synonymous with 7. axillaris Ex., as supposed by Erichson, but differs from that species in several important particulars, as follows : In 7: axillaris the upper surface is extremely finely punctured, while ; THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 93 in fumipennis the elytra particularly have the punctuation much more distinct ; but the sexual characters will enable the two species to be more readily separated. In 7: axillaris the males have the fourth abdominal ventral segment triangularly impressed ; the fifth is broadly impressed, with the apex deeply emarginate. In my specimen there is also a slight impression on the tip of the third segment, which is not mentioned in the description of Erichson. The sixth segment is terminated by two long, somewhat curved spines. The males of 7. fwmipennis have the third and fourth segments not impressed ; the fifth is broadly impressed, with the apex only slightly emarginate and the terminal spines of the last segment are less prominent. The female of fwmzpennis differs from that of axz/aris as described by Erichson (I have seen no females of the latter species) by having the two external laciniz of the last segment of the abdomen longer and more slender than the intermediate ones. Tachinus colonus Sachse, from the Southern States, differs by the description from either of the above species, and will probably prove to be distinct. Besides the above, there is at least one, probably two, species as yet undescribed, agreeing in general appearance with these, and which would be confounded with them on a superficial examination. As the description of Say will apply to all of these species, it is some- what doubtful which is the one really intended by him ; in fact, it is quite possible that he has confounded two or more species under the name of fumipennis, but the species which I have characterized under that name is apparently the most abundant in Pennsylvania, whence Say’s specimens came. The description of Say reads ‘“‘ body minutely punctured,” a phrase which is not used in the description of several allied species pub- lished at the same time, from which it is probable that the species intended by him was more coarsely punctured than the others, which also points to this species rather than either of the others mentioned above. Languria tnornata Rand., gracilis Newm. ‘This species has been unfortunate in names; originally described by Latreille as Z. “ décolor Fabr.,” the name was changed by LeConte to Latret/iz, and by Crotch to gracilis Newm., and énornata Rand. placed as a variety ; but it appears that the description of Randall has priority over that of Newman, and the species should therefore bear the name zzornvata Rand. Hispa collaris Say, Jour. Ac. Phil., ii., 433, is without doubt the 94 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. species described as Odontota Walshii Crotch, Pr. Ac. Phil., 1873, 81,and the species should therefore be called Odontota collaris (Say). L[matidium 17-punctatum Say, ¢. c. 435, is not a synonym of Chely- morpha cribraria Fabr.,as stated by LeConte, Say’s Writings, il, 207, but is the species subsequently described by Crotch, 2 ¢ 77, as Ch. Lewizsiz, which will therefore have to be considered a synonym. Graptodera plicipennis Mannh. = Haltica bimarginata Say ; the de- scription of Say has priority. Leptura sphaericollis Say, Jour. Ac. Phil., v., 280 = rujicollis Say, Z. ¢. iii, 421. Dr. LeConte has already noted, New Series Am. Col., pt. iL, 222, that the species are identical, but not that szico//is has priority. ee ON SPECIES OF MELIPOTIS. BY LEON F. HARVEY, M. D., BUFFALO, N. Y. I propose to designate by the varietal name versadz/zs, that form of jucunda in which the primaries are nearly unicolorously fuscous gray without the white shading on the median space, and without the con- trasting black and white of the usual and typical form. Specimens of this are in the collection of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, collected by Mr. Grote in-Alabama, Where the t. p. line is at all discernible, it is seen to make the same sharp indentation below the median vein as in the type. The species described by me from Texas under the name agvofz- pennis may be distinguished by the t. p. line not running in so far at this point and making an obtuse instead of a pointed angle on vein 2. Melipotis sinhalis, n. s. 2. Belongs to the group of jucunda, but is larger, with the fore wings more pointed. Whitish gray; fore wings crossed by interrupted lines. T. p. line well toward the outer edge, partially obliterate and forming a distinct black sinuate streak from vein 3 (where it approximates to the margin) to vein 1 inwardly. A terminal waved line. Discal mark obliterate,‘faintly yellowish. Hind wings pure glistening white, with a deep black border discontinued below vein 2. tuedlnis, Fant: Eudamus, Swainson. Eudamus bathyllus, S. & Abb. S lycidas, S. & Abb. ss tityrus, Fab. HETEROCERA, B. Hemaris, Palm. Hemaris tenuis, Grote. Haemorrhagia, Gr. & R. TEA Haemorrhagia gracilis, Gr. & R. 118 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Haemorrhagia uniformis, Gr. & R. RS thysbe, Fab. te tenuis. a Buffaloensis. Amphion, Fiib. Amphion nessus, Cram. SPHINGID&. Thyreus Abbot, Swain. Deilephila chamoenerii, Harris. id lineata, Fab. Darapsa choerilus, Cram. <))rmyron, ram: Sphinx drupiferarum, Sm. & Abb. “¢ Kalmiae, Sm. & Abb. “« gordius, Hiib. “« luscitiosa, Clem. Ellema Harrisii, Clem. SATURNINA, H. S. Luchronia, Packard. Euchronia maia, Drury. Lyperchiria, Fliib. Hyperchiria io, Fab. Anisota, Hib. Anisota senatoria, Smith. “stigma, Hub. ARCTIIDA, Stephens. Spilosoma, Stephens. Spilosoma isabella, Smith. ‘ virginica, Fab. latipennis, Stretch. ce LEuchactes, Harris. Euchaetes oregonensis, Stretch. ES collaris, Fitch. THYRIDIDES, H. Sch. Thyris, Ochsh. Thyris lugubris, B. Aegeria. Aegeria pictipes. Gr. & R. ZYGAENIDES, Latr. Ctenucha, Kirby. Ctenucha virginica, Carpenter. Scepsis, Walker. Scepsis fulvicollis, Hiib. Lycomorpha, Harris. Lycomorpha pholus, Drury. Flarrissina, Packard. Harrissina procris, Harris. COcHLEOpPODA, B. Cyrtosia, Packard. .Cyrtosia albipuncta, Packard. Limacodes, Latr. Limacodes scapha, Harris. Lagoa, Harris. Lagoa crispata, Packard. PSYCHID&, B. Peraphora, Harris. Peraphora Melsheimerii, Hiib. PLATYPTERYCID#, Stephens. Dryopteris, Grote. Dryopteris, rosea, Grote. Drepane, Schrank. Drepana arcuata, Walk. NOTODONTID&, Stephens. fypurpax, Hiib. Hypurpax aurora, Sm. & Abb. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 119 The following Lepidoptera are extremely local in their distribution, and are found at Center, but not, I believe, elsewhere in New York. Lyc. Scudderi. Mel. Harrisii. Hes. metea. Thyris lugubris. “« vialis. Euch. oregonensis. “delaware. Neonympha canthus. *« hianna. Haem. gracilis, Thecla augustus. CORRESPONDENCE. NOTES ON THE FOOD PLANT OF HEMILEUCA MAIA, Last season I reared a brood of this rare species from eggs sent me by my worthy friend, Wm. Provis, of Detroit. The locality where he found the eggs is in Oakland County, Mich., known as the 5,000 acre tract, and so low and marshy that it is covered with water part of the year. In his interesting letter, giving a description of the place, he says: “‘ The timber is mostly swamp oak and willow, and the land so low and wet I found great difficulty in getting about.” Mr. P. was too late to find any of the larvae, they having finished their growth and entered the ground, but the imagines were very plentiful, flying about in a very lazy manner, and occasionally dropping down in such a way as to induce one to think they had been injured.. Many of the females were depositing their eggs—not, as my friend had expected, on the oak—but on a species of wild aster found in abundance in the locality. The oak and aster are, botanically speaking, widely separated, and yet the female, whose instinct ought to teach her what course to pursue for the welfare of her offspring, is found depositing her eggs on the latter as well as the former, which goes to show that the food plants of this species have a far wider range than had been previously supposed. To convince me he was correct, Mr. Provis sent me a stem of the aster with a cluster of eggs in the form of a ring glued to it. pes ROBERT BUNKER. Camp at: “azake-Forest,” ‘rie Co, N¥., June 3, 187 7- Entomology can be pursued with great success when camping out. Here, on the borders of Lake Erie, our camp is pitched on the top of a 120 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. sandy ridge, which is covered with hemlock, beech and chestnut trees, and was formerly, no doubt, a reef when the lake was more extended. An outer sand ridge, parallel with ours, runs along the beach and up the lake, while between the two a small creek finds its way into the larger waters. Last night, at “ sugar,” about the camp, I took specimens of Habrosyne scripta, Acron.noctivaga, Charandra deridens, Pyrrhia expiimens, Zale horrida and Homoptera duplicata, I think Zale may be distinguished by its brown, discolorous and exaggerated thoracic tufts. I was much pleased to see many Sfhznges come to the bait. I took Thyreus Abbvotit, Lltibia versicolor, Everyx choerilus and Sphinx Kalmia. The flight of versicolor is more like that of Kalmi@ than choerilus ; the-latter sits close to the bait, the tongue being apparently shorter than in versicolor. The specimen of the latter which I captured (I saw a second) is fresh, and in looking at it one is reminded of the saying of Marcus Aurelius: “That which is beautiful is beautiful in itself; the praise of man adds nothing to its quality.” The Sphinges came to the bait till 9 : 30 o’clock—it being very dark and cloudy ; Ka/mie was the earliest to appear. The species of Lithophane and Scopelosoma are now apparently over. Aeliophila Flarveyt and phragmitidicola are common at sugar, as well as Hadena finitima, and Lustrotia apicosa and carneola. A. R. GROTE. Coalburgh, W. Va., 15th May, 1877. In my recent Catalogue I named a genus of Hesperia on behalf of Mr. Butler, and called it Zzztnerta. It so happens that Mr. Butler had given this name to one of the genera of the Sphingidz in his late “ Revision ” of that family, a fact which I only discovered a few weeks ago, and after the Catalogue was published. Mr. Butler proposes the name Systasea for the genus of Hesperidze spoken of, which therefore should stand Sys¢asea Butl. W. H. Epwarps. EFFECT OF HOT WEATHER UPON THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE SPHINXES. The 28th of last July I found feeding on the Virginia Creeper two larvae of the Satellite Sphinx (Phi/ampelus satellitia). One was nearly full grown, and at the end of three days stopped feeding and entered the ground. August 1st passed through its transformations, and came out the 10th of September. It proved to be a very fine female of large size, with colors unusually bright. The above would seem to show that this species in a warm climate would become double brooded. RoBERT BuNKER, Rochester, N. Y. COLEOPTERA, The undersigned, having published a complete LIST OF NUMBERS, copied from Crotch’s Check List of Coleoptera, (Genus and Families separated by light and heavy lines), offer them for sale. Price, 5 Full Setts for 25 Cents. Address— REINECKE &,ZESCH, 500 Main-St., Burrato, N. Y. AGENCY FOR- BHE SALE “WAND: EXCHANGE OF COLEOPTERA. The uudersigned has established an agency for the above purpose, and will send lists of species, and circular with terms, to any one sending a three cent stamp. EP. AVSTING 3 in. “ Cambridge, Mass., U.S. A. ISTE BOPLTERPLIES- OF (NORTH AMERICA BY W. H. EDWARDS. H. O. Houghton & Co. have issued Part 5, Volume 2, of Tue Burrerriies oF NortH America. Price $2.50 per part. Apply to H. O. Houcuron & Co., Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., or to HurD & HoucGuron, 13, Astor Place, New York. Missing parts of Volume 1 can be had on application to H. O. H. & Co. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Naturac Sciences. VOLUME III. The BurraLo Society oF NATURAL SCIENCES is publishing Volume III of its Bulletin, and purposes to distribute the Volume to subscribers in four numbers (or by “signatures” as printed.) ~The subscription to Vol III is four dollars, which must be remitted to the undersigned : LEON F. 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In an article published in the ENromotocisr for May, 1873, I gave the results of my observations upon the genus Cyztfs, so far as they related to the agamous reproduction of certain species. I showed that at least two two-gendered species, C. g. operator O. S. and a species nearly related to, if not identical with, C. g. datatus Bassett, were followed in the next generation by a brood composed entirely of females. I had reared thousands of C. g. datatus of both generations, not for one, but for a series of years, and always with the same results. The early summer brood from leaf galls was always made up of both sexes in nearly equal numbers. The brood from the late summer galls came out in the spring (from twig galls), just as the leaves began to appear, and were all females. ; In the case of C. g. operator there could be really no room for doubt, as this very peculiar species was repeated, except in size, in the females I took in the act of ovipositing. If there could be any doubt, it was certainly dispelled when Prof. C. V. Riley reared from the acorn cup galls produced by C. g. oferator, gall flies exactly like those I had found ovipositing in the buds of the shrub oak. I advanced the idea in that article that when the true history of the one-gendered species should be known, they would be found to alternate with a generation of males and females. Further proof of this than I now offer will hardly be called for. 129 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Dr. Gustav Mayr, of Vienna, in a letter just received, states that Dr. Adler, of Schleswig, has this year published an “ epoch-marking” paper upon the subject of agamous reproduction among the Cynipidee.* Dr. Adler finds that what have been described as fourteen distinct species of Cynipidze—-belonging to six distinct genera—are really but seven species. Four species of Weuroterows are found to be the agamous forms of as many species of Spathegaster. Two species of Aphzlothrix are the agamous forms of two species of Andricus, and a species of Dryophanta is the agamous form of a Trigonaspis. Dr. Mayr himself was at work upon this problem, but had not suc- ceeded, as his efforts to grow oak trees in his garden had failed. He had not given up the attempt, but had ordered more trees to plant this spring. Neither Dr. Mayr nor Dr. Adler seem to have seen my article. I communicated the substance of it in a letter to Prof. Albert Muller, then in London. This was read before the London Entomological Society at the meeting of April 7th, 1873, but I notice that English Entomologists continue to talk about Hartig’s experiments, and agamous reproduction through an infinity of generations, and of a hypothetical male gall fly that must appear now and then, always just in time to save the race from extinction. Dr. Adler’s paper will no doubt receive the attention it justly deserves and it is to be hoped that the success that has followed his experiments may lead others to aid in developing the history of this singular family of insects. It is not safe to assume that the history of one species will be the history of all, but the idea that these insects are perpetuated through many generations by unimpregnated females must be abandoned. * Since the above was written I have received a copy of Dr. Adler’s paper; also a letter in which he kindly consents to the publication of all or a part of the paper. I propose shortly to prepare for publication in the ENTOMOLOGIST a summary of his remarkable discoveries. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 183 TINEINA. BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. GRACILARIA. G. (Corisceum) albanotella Cham. The nearest known ally of this species is the European C. Brongniard- ellum, not C. calicella St., as I suggested before I knew Brongniardellum. Albanotella makes a large, somewhat tentiform mine, on the under stirface of oak leaves (Q. odtusiloba and Q. alba); the mine is at first long, winding and WVefticu/i-form, ending in the large tentiform blotch. The larva, before leaving the mine, becomes pinkish red. In the breeding cage it pupates in a cocoonet which it spins on the surface of the leaves. Ihave never met with the pupa elsewhere, nor have I ever, although I have seen hundreds of the mines, found one on the upper surface of the leaf. Yet in Colorado I found a precisely similar larva in precisely similar mines, always on the upper surface of the leaves, and the cocoonet of the pupa was always found on the leaves near it. The larva of alba- notella is abundant in the latter part of May and the first half of June, and I have never seen it at any other time, though from the abundance of the imago in perfect condition in May, I infer there must be a fall brood of the larva. The description should be corrected to state that the ciliz of the fore wings are whitish with the tips at the apex fuscous, and witha wide yellowish hinder marginal line, which sends off two ciliary lines or hooks through the dorso-apical ciliae. The eyes are bright red. G. fasciella Cham. Acsyle fascia, Cham.,-€: O-: J. S.,-V¥. 25.p- 97: In indicating the new genus Aesy/e for this species, I committed a mistake very similar to that of Dr. Clemens in establishing his genus Parectopa for P. robiniella, &c., which also belong in Gracilaria. G. fasciella finds its nearest ally in the European omissella, but the fasciae are oblique and angulated in the latter, and are not in fasced/a, in which they are perpendicular to the margins ; fascéella has four white fascia separating the five grayish ochreous ones, the last of which covers the apex, which is 124. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. white in omiéssella. The position of fasciella in repose is that of a Gracilaria, but it has not the slender, graceful appearance of such species as superbifrontella, Packardella, etc., and the shorter, more robust palpi and antennae and somewhat different neuration indicate affinities with Lithocolletis. ‘The second joint of the palpi, though not tufted, is some- what thickened beneath with scales. G. (Corisceum) quinguenotella, n. sp. Very different from C. guinguestrigella Cham. ; nearer to C. albanotella, but, notwithstanding the small though distinct tuft on the second joint of the palpi, which places it in Cordsceum, it finds its nearest congener both structurally and in ornamentation in the preceding species, G. fasczella. Pure snowy white ; outer surface of the second joint of the palpi grayish brown ; eyes bright red ; antennae whitish, annulate with fuscous ; thorax with two small brownish specks just before the apex. The marks on the fore wings are grayish fuscous tinged with ochreous, and are placed as follows : there is a basal costal spot extending about one-fifth of the wing length, sometimes followed by a small spot about the basal third of the costa; there is a somewhat oblique streak extending to the fold, and which sometimes sends a branch from about the middle of the wing to the costa, thus enclosing a small white costal spot ; then follows a fascia, wide on the costa, where it sometimes encloses a small white spot ; at about the end of the cell this fascia curves obliquely back to the anal angle ; it is followed before the apex by another somewhat oblique fascia, and there is still another on the apex ; sometimes, however, the apex is yellowish with a small apical brownish spot, followed by a curved hinder marginal line ; the fascia next before the apex is continuous in the dorsal ciliae with a faint dark hinder marginal line, and the fascia a¢ the apex is continuous ‘with another similar line ; or both of these lines may be considered as a single interrupted line. Where I have indicated above that the marking is sometimes present, it is sometimes present in one wing and absent in the other of the same specimen. Abdomen fuscous, with the hinder half of each segment on the ventral surface white and anal tuft yellow. Legs and tarsi annulate with brown and white. AZ. ex. 4 lines. Kentucky, June roth to 15th. G. 12-lineella Cham. This specific name may be misleading, and, indeed, I can not say that il I am certain that there are just twelve white or black marginal markings on the fore wings; these color marks are so narrow, some of them so short and sometimes so faint, that it is well nigh impossible to describe the species with anything like accuracy. The most distinct and salient mark is the oblique dark gray or gray brown streak on each side of each segment of the whitish or pale gray ventral surface of the abdomen. Indeed, owing to the indistinct and confused character of the markings on the fore wings, I have sometimes doubted whether I have not two very closely related species before me. I think, however, there is but one, but any, even the least denudation—such, even, as is almost inevitable in pinning and setting a specimen, even where the denudation is so little that it requires comparison with other specimens to detect it—alters the character of the markings so that a description could scarcely be prepared from one specimen by which another could be recognized. ‘The original description was prepared several years ago from three specimens, and I have never seen another until this year (May, 1877), when I have taken two others. — bo Or THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The wings are very narrow, but the general color and the style of ornamentation are much nearer to those of many species of Ovnzx than to any species of Gracilaria known to me. It is, however, a true Gracilaria, belonging to the same section (as I think) with our salicifoliella and the European Ka@asiel/a. In perfectly fresh specimens three or four distinct white dorsal streaks are found before the middle of the wing length, one of which is much larger and more curved than the others, and is placed a little before the middle, and there is another and very similar one about the anal angle. There are some five or six tolerably distinct blackish costal streaks, most of them in the apical half of the wing, and very close to each other; they are the dark margins of as many white streaks, which, however, are, some of them (sometimes all of them save one or twc), very indistinct. One of these white costal streaks in the apical part of the wing meets at an acute angle the distinct curved white dorsal streak of the anal angle above mentioned, and just behind it an oblique, narrow, much curved white fascia crosses the wing to the anal angle, where it is continuous with the whitish or pale gray hinder marginal line, which crosses the middle portion of the dark gray ciliz (or the ciliz may be described as pale gray, with two wide dark gray hinder marginal lines, one at their base, the other at their tips). But the least denudation removes portions of these white and blackish markings, so that they pre- 126 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. sent a very different appearance. Perhaps as good a description as could be given would be to say that it is gray mottled more or less distinctly with white and dark gray marginal streaks on the fore wings, the apex of which is dark gray or gray brown. G. purpuriella Chamb. This is the nearest known American representative of the European G. stigmatella. It differs from that species as described and figured in Nat. Hist. Tin., v. 8, by having the head and palpi brownish red with a purplish gloss, rather than “ reddish gray,” and the antennze purplish brown with very faint white annulations, rather than “ pale yellowish with brown annulations.” The anterior wings might, perhaps, be called reddish brown, but are very strongly suffused with rich purple; the triangle is white instead of yellowish white, and its margins are not darker than other parts of the wing. As in s¢¢gmated/a, the triangle is sometimes produced beyond the fold. The ciliz in stgmatella are described as “rufous, towards the anal angle gray.” In fw/puriella they do not differ frorn the general color otherwise than that they have less of the purple hue. The statement in the original description that there is a wide white band across the middle of the posterior femora must have been made under an im- pression produced by a reflection of the light, or by slight denudation, though the statement that the tip is white is correct, and the base is also white. In stgmatella the posterior tibie are “ pale reddish gray” ; in purpuriella they are sordid whitish (or white suffused with pale reddish brown) ; instead of “‘ pale grayish fuscous,” as in my original description, the posterior tarsi may perhaps be better described as dark brownish gray, and the other tarsi are of the same hue, whilst in ségmate//a all the tarsi are described as “ whitish faintly spotted with pale gray.” My specimens range from a little over six to full seven lines a/. ex. ; stigmatel/a is seven lines. It makes the most perfect “cone” of all the species known to me, frequently using up the entire leaf. I have never found it on any willow except S. Zongzfolia. The small spots in the triangle vary in num- ber and size. The most striking difference on comparing a specimen _ of purpuriella with the figure of stigmate//a, is in the ciliz of the fore wings, which in stigmate/da are much paler, more yellowish, while in purpuriela they are so dark as to make it somewhat difficult to detect the three hinder marginal lines. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 127 G. erigeronella. G. plantaginisella Cham. In one of the vols. of the Zoo. Rec. the Recorder has expressed some surprise at my having changed the name of a species first described by me because I had discovered its food plant. Nevertheless, the practice is so general, and, in my opinion, it is in every way so convenient and proper, to give to the Z7zeina specific names derived from the food plants of the larve, that I can not but think it best to adhere to it rather than to an arbitrary rule of priority, especially where the name first given has probably never been used except by the person who bestowed it, and where the change is made by that person, and the first name is not only ‘inappropriate, but misleading, as it would be in this instance. It is not necessary to explain how I was led into the error of supposing that this species feeds on Plantago instead of Erigeron. There is a Gracilaria larva which, when very young, makes a small mine in the upper surface of the leaves of the Hop hornbeam ( Os¢rya Virginica), but I have never been able to have its subsequent history. Like some other larve of this genus, when very young, it shows some resemblance to the flat group of larvae of the genus Zithocolletis. NOTES ON LARV—FONDNESS FOR WATER—HINTS TO BEGINNERS. BY C. G. SIEWERS, NEWPORT, KY. Last spring, while collecting beetles under the bark of decayed logs, I met with numbers of the larve of Arctia rsabella (hairs brown in the middle, black at each end of larva,) about to spin up. Not knowing their hybernating habits, they had always baffled me, and under the impression that they would require another season to mature, bad been turned loose. I collected some twenty, put them into a box with cotton and paper scrap, and they at once spun up, all but four. These wandered up and down for a week, having some want, and wasting away. It 128 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. struck me they might want water. Wetting a sable, I proffered a drink. They all drank greedily, grasping the brush with their fore-legs, and even following it around. I watered them two or three days, but tired of this and threw them out. The same day they were found spinning up on the fence. This spring I collected another lot, and gave them some curved bark to spin in. About one half refused to spin. I soused them with water. Two remained contumacious, but another wetting brought — them to terms. The black larva of the Great Leopard Moth, Zcpantherio, hybernates also, spins up about the first of June, and emerges about the 15th with us. Feeds on Poke-berry plant, and will eat cabbage. I failed to winter some twenty this season. Either they dry up in the house, or mould in the cellar. They should be wintered out-doors, in a box without bottom placed on the ground ‘and half filled with leaves and brush, exposed to the weather, but having proper drainage. They come out of the leaves in the spring distended by moisture. Whether they feed before spinning is uncertain. I collect them in the fall at the foot of willow trees, when digging up the pupa of Smyrinthus geminatus. It is generally claimed that moist leaves will induce scouring in the Bombix mort, but out-door larve get abundance of rain and dew, and may require it. In confinement they fail to get their full growth. Their food should be sprinkled daily. The great difficulty of keeping the food fresh deters many from rearing larve. -To such I would say, try tin boxes or glass jars. Clean daily and keep moist. ‘Two or three drops of water are sufficient. I have had a lot of empty fruit cans capped, and have kept food fresh in them for ten days. When the nearest food plant is three miles distant this is some object. I find that they do not require light, and but little air. When they cease feeding, remove to spinning or ground boxes. ‘The ground must be kept moist, or the larva will be unable to remove the skin around the thorax, and strangle. If they find t too dry they will come out and try to escape. Many wander about for a day or two before burying themselves. Covering the ground with sod often expedites matters. When ten days have passed they may be sifted out to give place for others, and laid out in another ground box on top, as it is preferable to have them in sight, on account of vermin. Never pull larvae from their food, especially when moulting in changing food. Clip the old food off around them, and they will change themselves. Placing some hungry Apatura clytons three inches from fresh food, they struck a bee line for it. oft al ee Se THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 129 Raising larvae is by far the most instructive feature of Entomology, and very interesting. Entirely too little attention is paid to it. We want the whole life. How utterly ignorant we are, for instance, about the larvee of Catocala? L.et all faulty females be confined, and they may lay im- pregnated eggs ; try the young on willow, walnut or oak leaves. The female is known by the heavy body tapering to a point; the male ter- minates in a pair of claspers. Some species are readily determined by their antennz, the males being more broadly pectinated than the females. The larvee of wood-boring beetles can be raised in tin or glass on wet saw-dust (not pine); any mixed hardwood or poplar will do. I have kept them so six and eight months, changing the saw-dust once a month. But they are very tiresome, as one may have to keep them a year or two. ON A NEW-SPECIES OF COSSUS. BY J. A. LINTNER, N. Y. STATE MUSEUM NAT. HIST., ALBANY. Five years ago, I discovered at Center, in the trunks of poplar trees (Populus tremuloides) several pupal cases of a Cossus, which, by their differing from the other cases known to me, of C. Robini and C. querci- perda, \ had reason to believe was an undescribed species. This year, on the 14th of June, on examining some infested trees, several pupal cases were discovered projecting half-way from the trunks, and an imago, which had apparently just emerged, and was resting on the stump of a broken limb. ‘The colors of the moth so exactly simulated the surface on which it rested that it was with difficulty observed, even when looking directly at it. The moth, in all probability, is an undescribed species, for, from the description given by Walker of a Cossws found at Hudson’s Bay, and named by him C. fopz/z, it must differ from that species. In recognition of the very large number of rare Lepidoptera which the Center locality has yielded and still continues to give to persistent exploration, I propose for it the name of Cossus Centerensis. ¢ 130 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. The female, in its appearance, approaches nearer C. guwerciperda than any other of our species. ‘The collar and thorax are black, edged with ‘ grey scales. ‘The abdomen is black above, interspersed with grey scales toward its tip, and more thickly beneath. ‘The primaries are black over rather more than their inner half, with some grey scales a little within the centre of the wing; the centre portion of the wing beyond the reniform is greyish. The wing is traversed by broken, black, transverse lines, of which twenty or more can be counted on the costal margin ; three or four of those on the outer portion are more continuous and conspicuous than the others. The fringe is marked with black scales opposite the veins. The secondaries are nearly transparent, darker along their inner margin, showing some faint reticulations, which are more conspicuous beneath. The male strongly resembles the female, instead of presenting the marked contrasting differences found in C. vobinie@ and C. querciperda. Its wings are only a little more projected apically than in the other sex. Expanse of wings of the pair in my collection, ~ 2 inches; 2 2.5 inches. Length of body, 2 .g5 inch.; ¢ 1.20 inch. Subsequently to the capture of the above, several additional examples have been taken in the same locality. On the 18th June four specimens were collected by Mr. Meske. NOTICE OF MR. BUTLER’S REVISION OF THE SPHINGID-. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sctences. The object of this notice is to call the attention of American Ento- mologists to a most excellent and.complete “ Revision of the Family Sphingide,” by Arthur G. Butler, of the British Museum, which has appeared in the ‘Transactions of the Zoological Society, London, in quarto form. A proper arrangement of the Sphingide of the world is a work requiring both extensive material and great experience and tact, of which THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 131 Mr. Butler has shown himself to be equally possessed. It is not my intention at this time to discuss minor points (such as Mr. Butler’s citation of Philampelus satellitia Harris to Linné’s species of that name instead of to pandorus, where it belongs), or the larger questions as to the num- ber of groups, Mr. Butler separating the Ambulicine from the Chero- camping, while Grote and Robinson in 1865 left them united. The arrangement, indeed, is virtually that of our synonymical catalogue of 1865; the genus Acherontia, not represented in America and left out of consideration by ourselves, is made into a separate sub-family Acherontiine by Mr. Butler. I wish merely to note here the changes which I am at present willing to admit in the arrangement proposed in the “ Check List of North American Sphinges” published by myself in 1875. flaemorrhagia G. & R. I do not admit that Buffaloensis and untformis are identical. The former is smaller sized and there is a slight toothing or unevenness of the inner margin of the terminal band of the primaries. The discal cell is reduced and the transverse scale line tends to be absorbed by the scales clothing the median vein. Nor do I admit that Kirby’s vwficauds is the same as wiiformis , | have shown that Kirby’s description boldly contra- dicts it. ‘There is some warrant for believing that Kirby intended d7ffinis or a species of Hemaris, as I have shown, Can. Ent., 6, 170. Mr. Butler’s ruficaudis is probably uniformis. ‘The Albany collectors take both Auffaloenses and unztformis (Mr. Lintner has reared Buffaloensts), and we may look for further careful and consequently decisive information from them in regard to these points. Although Mr. Butler speaks adversely, and perhaps a little vexatiously, on p. 518, as to the validity of the genus, on p. 521 he says of Haemorrhagia: ‘This may, perhaps, be a genus, the species being more densely scaled than in Hemaris, and having consequently a somewhat different aspect ; on the whoie, however, I prefer to regard it for the present as a section.” ‘The reason, if I remember rightly, that we were not certain of the generic position of radians was that we did not know the species, nor have I seen it since 1865. Callenyo Grote. This term should be employed, I think, for carinafa as distinguished by Mr. Butler from Aleuron (chloroptera, etc.). e £32 THE GANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Lveryx Boisd. Having in 1865 restricted Walker’s term Darafsa to rhodocera, I should not again have used it for this genus. I abandoned my restitution of Hiibner’s term O/ws for this genus because the term is preoccupied in ornithology. Boisduval’s term must stand for the species, which are apparently four in number, syriacus from Asia, and cherilus, myron and pholus (W. J.) from America. LElibia Walk. To this genus Mr. Butler refers Chaerocampa versicolor of Harris. Smerinthine. The genera proposed by myself are for the most part adopted. I am not now prepared to accept the extension of Calasymbolus. The follow- ing change seems to be proper: Triptogon Brem. To this genus should be referred the Swmerinthus modesta of Harris. [Since writing the above, Mr. Butler has kindly replied to my note to him conveying the substance of the foregoing remarks as to C. astylus. I feel authorized to take S. geminatus as a new generic or sub-generic type under the name Lwusmerinthus, differing from oced/atus of Europe and ophthalmicus of California in the shorter subcostal nervules of fore wings, the angulated external margin, while the median vein runs close to the subcostal for one-third its length ; while the median branches are shorter, the wing may be seen to be markedly distinct in form. In the hind wings the apices are more rounded and the outline differs by the indentation before anal angle. ‘The antennae are comparatively shorter. I am indebted to Mr. Butler for sketches and notes defining this group, in which I would include cer?s¢?, coecus and Kindermanni.| Sphingine. Lsognathus Feld. Mr. Butler omits to note that I adopted this genus for 7zmosa and congratulans, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc., 185. I am not now in possession of any of my material of the species of Délophonota. I think that Mr. Butler has been rash in his conclusions, in view of the fact that he had no material from Cuba before him. Boisduval adopts my identification of THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Fae oenotrus, and, on the whole, I am decidedly of opinion that Mr. Butler has again brought confusion into the difficult group by his synonymy, which is at variance with that given by Dr. Boisduval and myself. Protoparce Burm. As having priority over Macrosi/a Walk., Mr. Butler refers our species to this genus of Burmeister’s. Boisduval claims the term J/acresila for tetrio, but for this species Pseudosphinx has priority. LIST OF CANADIAN DIPTERA. BY WM. COUPER, MONTREAL, P. Q. The following list of Canadian Diptera has been compiled from British Museum catalogues for 1848 and’49. The greater number of the species were described by the late Francis Walker. Those from Hudson’s Bay were collected by Geo. Barnston, Esq., of Montreal, when residing at St. Martin’s Falls, Albany River. The material from Nova Scotia was presented by Lieut. Redman to the British Museum. I have not included the speciés collected by Mr. Doubleday in the United States, nor those recorded as coming from North America. A few species from Newfound- land and New York Factory are also omitted. Fam. I. TIPULARLE. Chironomus nigritibia, Hudson’s B. (13 = as 6“ es albistria Sec. L. Culiciformes. Sots s crassicollis unicolor, Nova Scotia. lasiomerus, Huds’n’s B. Culex stimulans, Nova Scotia. impatiens, Hudson’s Bay. “« punctor . * festivus . “« impiger ge zs laSiopus ns “ implacabilis Fi ce attenuatus as ** provocans, Nova Scotia. ie Jed flavicingula “ Chironomus bimacula, Hudson’s B. fimbriatus - “ sé confinis a “ trictiomerus ‘“ ~ 154 Chironomus brunneus, Hudson’s B. FA pellucidas 3 Tanypus decedens s Ceratopogon transiens i a parvus . obscurus a Asthenia americana + Lasioptera parva rf Cecidomyia spongivora * Psychoda degenera cs Pedicia albivitta, Nova Scotia. S—Scoutermna, Limnobia simulans, Hudson’s Bay. os badia, Nova Scotia. cana, Hudson’s Bay. Tipula triplex, Nova Scotia. “ce <" ~ duplex cS ‘* Dorealis cs “¢ ~maculipennis ‘ “" frigida ca “ dorsimacula “ “¢ alterna if Ptychoptera metallica, Hudson’s B. Hesperinus brevifrons tS Bittacomorpha clavipes, N. S. Anisomera longicornes, Hudson's B. Chionea aspera = Trichocera bimacula, Nova Scotia. Asindulum tennipes, Hudson’s Bay. Diomonus nebulosus 6 Sciophila rufilatera i Leja unicolor es “ varia e ““ trifaciata sd Mycetophila bifasciata 33 “ propinqua, NovaScotia ‘f contigua cs ce lata z THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Mycetophila parva, Hudson’s Bay. 2 plebeja fs Re obscura cs + despecta g Sciara exigua oe cS robusta x oe albraital et “ _ perpusilla + “polit, i ‘* — abbreviata of Simulium decorum es ‘¢ invenustum oh Scatopse nitens ‘ s* - obscura wy “pusilla Arthria analis sé Penthetria aira . Dilophus serraticollis ce “ce fulvicoxa Bibio humeralis, Nova Scotia. scita oe vestita fumipennis, Hudson’s Bay. “cc “ee striatipes ‘““ gracilis, Nova Scotia. Fam. II. XYLOPHAGI. Beris quadridentata, Hudson’s Bay. “cc Xylophagus fasciata Fam. III. TABANII. Tabanus calens, Nova Scotia. a Tarandi, Hudson’s Bay. flavipes, Nova Scotia. .: attinis, Hudson’s Bay. zonalis re melanocerus ‘“‘ THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 135 Tabanus vicinus, Hudson's Bay. ee inscitus frontalis, Nova Scotia. intermedius, Hudson's B. Ce = imitans ¢ gracilis, Nova Scotia. ct marginalis : S simulans és Chrysops vittatus 4 oe furcatus, Hudson’s Bay. P moereus, Nova Scotia. carbonarius, Nova Scotia. Fam. IV. LEPTIDES. Rhagio intermedius, Hudson’s Bay. “ce mystacea, Nova Scotia. Leptis proxima < pe Senex. es = squadrata., “ -* “ — fumipennis “2 Atherix variegata, Hudson’s Bay. Fam. V. XYLOTOM. Thereua vicina, Nova Scotia. sepulchralis, Hudson's B. Thereua conspicua, Nova Scotia. ot senex iG SuBp-ORDER—PROBOSCIDES. Fam. VII. BOMBYLIARII. Anthrax oedipus, Nova Scotia. “ fascipennis “s s analis as ae vestita o oe fulviana ee bastardi cS Wteralis i Bombylius pygmaeus, Hudson’s B. ewes major re Dasypogan sexfasciata, Nova Scotia. a argenteus re hy falto 5s = lutatius ef Laphria AXatus, Hudson's Bay. : posticata, Nova Scotia. ‘ thoracica se i sericea es S sacrator 4 Asilus lecythus a ao apiealis 4 A NEW PLUSIA ALLIED TO HOCHENWARTHI. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. M. C. R. v. Osten Sacken has been kind enough to send me a few Noctuidae collected by himself in Colorado and the West. Among them 136 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. is a new Plusia, allied to a/ticola and the yellow-winged European species, which I dedicate to its discoverer under the name of Plusia Sackenii. It is larger than its allies, and to: be at once distinguished by the transverse posterior line being inwardly bent opposite the cell. Fore wings dark gray, with the median space below the median vein rich brown, reminding us of amp/a. Interior line golden, arcuate, interrupted on cell, inaugurated on costa by an interior golden patch. Cell shaded with light pinkish gray. Reniform moderate, upright, apparently open to costa, with fine golden annulet, preceded by a dusky costal shade. Metallic mark smaller than in allied forms, and open or v-shaped outwardly. Beyond it an elongate pale golden spot separate. These metallic marks are set in a richer brown. ‘Transverse posterior line geminate, concave, slightly trembled superiorly, below median vein (or rather vein 3) with a fine golden interior line and edged by reddish brown on median space, while there is a spot of same color outside the line at its rounded termination near internal angle. Subterminal line indicated by difference in shade color, dentate. Hind wings light yellow above and below, with a moderate black marginal band. Costa beneath somewhat brownish, and a small discal dot is apparent; above the base is dusky and there is a faint and narrow lunule. This species was taken at Idaho Springs, Colorado, on Aug. 15th ; the specimen bears the number “ 2.” It differs strongly by the ornamentation of the primaries from any known species of the yellow-winged group. The internal margin of primaries is more sinuate and the habitus is rather that of ampla and allied forms with dusky secondaries. The new species expands 34 mil. I avail myself of this opportunity to correct two errors in certain of my previous communications. On page 89 of this volume I should have given Prof. Lintner and not Mr. Hill the credit for the observation on edusa and lunata. We owe very much to the patient investigations of Prof. Lintner with regard to our moths, and J need no excuse to praise his carefulness nor the superb condition of the Albany collections under his charge. On page 106 a correction must be made: for vawtalis, read rantalts. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 137 BOOK NOTICES. Economic Entomology, by Andrew Murray, F. L. S., London, Eng- land. Aptera, 8vo., pp. 433, profusely illustrated with wood-cuts. This useful volume is the first of a séries of hand-books which are intended to serve as guides to the different departments of the collection of Economic Entomology in process of formation at the Bethnal Green branch of the South Kensington Museum, and also as practical treatises for the use of the public generally. In order the better to serve its primary purpose of guide to the collection, the contents of the several cases are described in this volume in the order in which they present _ themselves to the visitor, containing in some instances other specimens than insects. The work opens witha short chapter on Crustaceans likely to be mistaken for insects ; for example, species of Oxzscus, Porcellio and Armadillo. Next in order are the Myriapods—Julidz and Scolopen- dridae ; then Scorpions and their allies ; Spiders, Mites, Lice, Thysanura (Spring-tails) and Lepismidae. Three new genera and thirteen new species are described in this volume. The descriptions are briefly and plainly written, and the habits and life history of the species are delineated in a pleasing and popular man- ner. The work is well printed in good, clear type, and most of the illustrations are excellent. Already we have found it very useful, giving in a condensed forma vast amount of information not otherwise readily obtainable. We heartily commend this work to our readers, and trust that the talented author may be spared to complete the series proposed, which will appear in the following order: 2nd vol., Bugs; 3rd, Locusts, Grasshoppers, Cockroaches and Earwigs ; 4th, Two-winged Flies; 5th, Bees, Wasps, &c. ; 6th, the Dragon Flies and May Flies ; 7th, Butterflies and Moths, and lastly, the Beetles. Ninth Annual Report of the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the State of Missotri. By Chas. V. Riley, State Entomologist, March, 1877; 8vo., pp. 129, with 33 illustrations. We welcome the ninth of this series of valuable reports with much pleasure. The following are the subjects treated of in the order in which they appear : The Gooseberry Span Worm ; the Imported Currant Worm ; the Native Currant Worm; the Strawberry Worm; Abbott’s White Pine 138 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Worm ; LeConte’s Pine Worm; the Colorado Potato Beetle ; the Army Worm ; the Wheat-head Army Worm ; the Rocky Mountain Locust ; the Hellgrammite Fly, and the Yucca Borer. The bulk of the report, sixty- seven pages in all, is occupied with details in reference to that terrible scourge of the West, the Rocky Mountain Locust, Ca/optenus spretus, the other and less important subjects being much more briefly treated of. These reports contain an immense fund of valuable information, and have done much to popularize Entomology in America. Harpalus caliginosus from Nature, by Franklin C. Hill; two plates. We are indebted to Mr. Franklin C. Hill, of Printeton College, N. J., for copies of these excellent plates, recently published. They are beautifully finished and conveniently mounted on cards, 5 x 8, with all the organs and divisions both of the under and upper surface, distinctly named They will prove a valuable help. to beginners, and indeed to all who are not already familiar with the names of the different portions of the body of Coleopterous insects. - CORRESPONDENCE. AN INSTANCE OF RETARDED DEVELOPMENT. On the 24th of September, 1875, I took a great many large cater- pillars of a reddish buff color, with a dark dorsal stripe, feeding on willow. They soon went down to the soil and spun themselves up in hard brown cocoons, when I put them away for the winter. In the spring of 1876 I brought them to the heat, and after waiting some time and nothing appearing, I opened one of them and found the caterpillar alive and as fresh in color as when it first spun up. _In this condition they continued until the fall, when I again put them away for the winter. In the spring of 1877 I again examined them, and found them fresh and with signs of life, but as the season advanced I opened some and found them dead, and the remainder having assumed a shrivelled look, I laid them aside as hopeless. On the 17th of June my attention was attracted by a scratching noise, which I found came from these cocoons, which were now reduced THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 139 in number to six. On lifting, I found one of them rattling and shaking with great vigor ; I returned it to the box and waited three days, when nothing appearing, I broke it open and a fully developed fly walked out ina very feeble condition. Its length was 1 inch, expanse 134 inches. Head, thorax and legs black, antennz and feet yellow ; abdomen brown ; a yellow spot between thorax and abdomen ; wings light smoky brown. J. A. Morrat. Hamilton, June 26th, 1877. MELITAEA PHAETON. I have caught this summer over fifty specimens of Aelitaca phaeton ; they have been extremely common here. I saw a gentleman recently from Ottawa who told me that he could have caught them by the hundred in that neighborhood, they were so very abundant. Gro. W. PEARSON, JR., Montreal. HOW TO DESTROY CABINET PESTS. There is nothing more annoying to the experienced, or more dis- couraging to the young collector, than to have his specimens destroyed by mites, by the Amthrenus, or by the larva of Dermestes. Against the ravages of these enemies there is no security. Paste and paper fail to exclude them ; camphor is only a partial protector, and the only safeguard of our cabinets is constant vigilance, and the instant destruction of the offenders when observed. For this purpose many methods have been suggested—saturation with turpentine, immersion in alcohol or benzine, exposure to a heat of 210 degrees in a drying closet or oven, &c.; but most of these ways are apt to injure, or even destroy the specimens, while the last is often ineffective. Having, however, found a certain and rapid method of dealing with these intruders, I desire, through your pages, to make it known to my brother naturalists. Some two years ago, I had a magnificent female Platysamza (Saturnia ) cecropia, measuring 67% inches across the wings when set out, which came out of a chrysalis in my breeding box. I succeeded in killing and stretching it without damage, and when dry, transferred it to my interim box, which hung against the wall. In about a fortnight I was annoyed to 140 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. see its antenne cut off, the head and thorax denuded of most of their down, and some large holes made in the abdomen. After some con- sideration, I placed a gallipot, containing about 25 grains of cyanide of potassa roughly bruised, with a very little water, in the bottom of the case. I then introduced six drops of sulphuric acid, and let down the glass. In less than a minute I had the satisfaction of seeing a fine, stout Dermestes larva writhing in the death agony on the bottom of the box. Since that time I have tried the same several times, and always with the same success. It is equally applicable to the extermination of moths, &c., in stuffed birds and quadrupeds, as no animate being can inhale this gas and live. James T. BELL, Belleville, Ont. {[Nore.—Great caution would be necessary in using this remedy, not to inhale any of the highly poisonous gas which by the use of the ingredients named would be rapidly generated.—Ep. C. E. | In October, 1875, I found AMeloe angusticollis Say in large numbers in our potato fields, but could not find any feeding on the vines. About 25 or more found their way into our gardens, and almost completely devoured a few plants of Anemone japonica (Ranunculacee). We have a large collection of annual and perennial plants, but the J/e/oes could find nothing to suit their tastes but these Anemones. We had no Ranunculus acris on our grounds. Yours respectfully, Cuas. D. ZIMMERMAN, Buffalo, N. Y. LIMENITIS PROSERPINA. Limenitis proserpina has been taken in this locality now and again, but rarely more than one in a season, and always in connection with arthemis. J. A. Morrat, Hamilton, Ont. CAPTURES AT SUGAR. I have taken at sugar at Morristown, N. J., 2dbia versicolor, Everyx choerilus and FE. myron. Gro. W. Peck, New York. AGROTIS FENNICA WANTED. I very much want four or six good specimens of Agvotis fennica. I believe the insect, though certainly not common, is by no means a rarity in some localities in Canada, but I am at a loss to whom to address myself. W. T. Dosrer, Hull, England. COERROPTER The undersigned, having published a complete LIST OF NUMB ERS, copied from Crotch’s Check List of Coleoptera, (Genus and Families separated by light and heavy lines), offer them for sale. Price, 5 Full Setts for 25 Cents. Address— REINECKE & ZESCH, 500 Main-St., BugFALo, N. Y. AGENCY FOR THE SALE AND EXCHANGE OF COLEOPTERA. The uudersigned has established an agency for the above purpose, and will send lists of species, and circular with ‘terms, to any one sending a three cent stamp. Hb VAUD SLING 3 in. Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A. Ree ERPLIES OF NORLH “AMERICA BY W. H. EDWARDS. PesO)s Houghton +— A 5 ae = > Oe ib at amity aie tS ise Lea THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, a Published by the Entomological Society of Ontario. General Editor :—W. SaunpErs, London, Ontario. Editing Committee :—Rev. C. J. S. Beruunn, M. A., Port Hope; and Messrs. E. BAyNES REED, and J. WintiAms, London, Ontario. ANNUAL #EES OF MEMBERSHIP: Wor-Ordinary, Mam bers 2 o55 ciel sisi Soe ee ARE LR eas sate ane cee TO ee ee $1 00 For Associate Members in the United States, (U.S. Currency)...........2..22--0005-04.002 00. 1225 For-Associate Membersin“Enplatid) suc arcuate feces or te ec eae ae 5s. sterling The Fees are payable in advance on the 1st of January in each year, and their payment entitles the members to a copy of all the Society’s publications during the year, Remittances and other business communications should be addressed to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society, J. H. McMecuay, Ese., London, Ontario. All exchanges, and articles for insertion, etc., to the General Editor. “ CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, Vols. 1 to 8—Price $1 per Volume. Single numbers furnished when required—10 cents each ; $1 per dozen. Correspondence is invited respecting the habits, localities, occurrence, &e., of Insects, as this Journal is intended to be a medium for the recording of observations made in all parts of the country. ADVERTISING RATES: 10 Lines to One Inch. 3 SUPPLIES FOR SALE.° Cork.—Usual thickness, 18 cts. (gold) per square foot ; double, 30 cts. (gold) per square foot. List or CANADIAN CoLEOPTERA.—Price 15 cents each, embracing 55 families, 432 genera, and 1231 species. (For labelling cabinets.) Printed Numbers, in sheets, 1 to 2000, for labelling cabinets. Price 10 cents each set. 3 ENTOMOLOGICAT Fins.—From Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive, 60 cents per paper of 500, or, where not less than 5,000 are ordered, $1 per thousand. Sizes smaller than No. 1, 75 cents per paper. These prices are exclusive of cost of transportation, and orders will please state whether the package is to be sent by mail or express. - HARDWICKE’S SCIENCE GOSSIP. A Monthly Medium of Interchanfe and Gossip for Students and Lovers of Nature. iidited by F. E. Taylor, F.L.S., ee. This Journal will be mailed direct to any address in the U. S. or Canada, on receipt of the annual subscription—7s. English Currency, or $1.90 U. S. Currency. HARDWICKE & BOGUE, 192 Piccadilly, London, Eng. WH. VY. ANDREWS | Vie carat &c, No. 36 Boerum Place, Brooklyn, New York. Agent for Kirby’s Synonymic Catalogue of Diurnal Lepidoptera. Purchasing Agent for Books and Apparatus in connection with Natural History, Also Cork, _Pins «ec. Eggs of the different varieties of Silk Worms, to order. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera for sale or exchange, Agent for Wallace’s Silk Reeler. Che Canadian Entomologist. VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., AUGUST, 1877. No. 8 ON THE PREPARATORY STAGES OF SATYRUS NEPHELE. BY W. H. EDWARDS, COALBURGH, W. VA. I have tried for several years past to raise larvee of Satyrus nephele to maturity, but met with no success till thislast spring. It is very easy to obtain the eggs by confining the female with a tuft of grass. I tied a gauze bag on such a tuft set in a flower pot, while in the Catskills, and 21st August, 1876, obtained perhaps fifty eggs. Some were laid on the blades and stems of the grass, but many were dropped loose on the ground. The eggs hatched about the 21st of September, and the young larve without feeding entered upon their hybernation. I brought them to Coalburgh and transferred them to grass set in a pot. They were not so sound asleep but that they were able to attach themselves to the stems. The plant was placed in as cool a room as I could give it, and allowed to die, the larvae remaining on the dried stems. On 2gth Jan’y I found that about one-third of the larvee were still alive,and I placed them on fresh grass in the green- house. These were feeding tst February, as I could see by the bits cut from the edges of the leaves. The color of the newly hatched larve was carnation, marked by horizontal carmine lines, but very soon after beginning to feed they turned to pale green, and the stripes changed from red to a green darker than the ground. The appearance of the larva at this first stage is very singular, owing to the long curved bristles which arm the back and sides, giving a general resemblance to a fish bone. The rst moult was passed 26th Feb’y and next following days. The 2nd on 21st March ; the 3rd, 3rd April ; the 4th, 18th April; the first chrysalis formed 16th May, and the butterfly emerged 30th May. The stages were unusually long, but I find that characteristic of all species of Satyride that I have bred. And the larvee are sluggish, moving very little and 142 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. slowly. In their general appearance after the first stage—in shape ot body and head, and the form of the second segment—and in their habits, the larvae of some of the species resemble the larvae of Hesperide closely, and there is a marked likeness between some of the Satyrid and FHesperid chrysalids. The coloration in all the stages after hybernation in nephele is that of the grass the larva feeds on, or very nearly, and the larvae, although so slow in their motions, fall from the stems at the least alarm ; so that they are sufficiently protected in their natural state against most enemies. The resemblance between the larvae of wephele and sosybius is very close indeed. So between the chrysalids, while gemma, usually grouped with sosydzus, has quite a different caterpillar and chrysalis. Lurytris is vouch like nephele, except in color. I will soen give full descriptions of all these species in their early stages. EGG OF NEPHELE—Conoidal, somewhat flattened at base, trun- cated at top, the sides rounded ; about 18 vertical ridges, with rounded excavations between, spring from the lower part of the side and run to the edge of the top ; this last is rounded, and covered with shallow cells, irregularly hexagonal around the outside, and in the middle long and narrow about an oval central cell. Duration of this stage 28 days. YOUNG LARVA—Length one-tenth inch ; the anterior segments thickest ; on each side are three rows of long white bristles, one row being at the edge of dorsum, one on middle of the side, and one over the feet ; these spring from very prominent papillae, and the effect is to make the larva seem many sided; the dorsal rows have one bristle on each of segments 2, 3, 4, buttwo on each of the others to last, and these are all curved back ; the second row has one to each segment and all are curved forward except on two last segments ; the lower row has two to each, and all are curved back ; color of body carnation ; there is a medio-dorsal crimson line, and three such lines close together on the side ; head large, one-half broader than 2, broader than high, sub-globose; color light yellow-brown, specked with brown, and sparsely pilose ; on some examples there are cloudy brown patches over the upper part of the face. Larvae hybernate at this stage. AFTER FIRST MOULT—-Length iv% inch. ; cylindrical, thickest anteriorly ; the last segment terminating in two round, tapering and sharp appendages or tails, which are green, red at tips ; these are not divergent from a common base, but each starts from the extreme side, and the interval between their bases is square ; color pale green, crossed longi- vg e THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 1438 tudinally by dark green stripes, one rather broad, medio-dorsal, and three close together on side ; each segment creased several times, and on the ridges thus caused are white papillae, each sending out a_ blunt white hair; head nearly as before, a little broader than 2, somewhat broader in proportion to the height, light green, with white papillae in vertical rows, each with white hair. Duration of this, stage 23 days, AFTER SECOND MOULT—Length 70% inch.; very much as before ; whole surface one shade of yellow-green, except a dark dorsal stripe and a yellow ridge over the feet ; head nearly as before. Duration of this stage 14 days. AFTER THIRD MOULT—Length xc inch. Nearly as at last stage; the head sub-globose, higher and narrower than before, well rounded at top, and broadest below ; color of head emerald green, and covered as before with conical papillae. Duration of this stage 14 days. AFTER FOURTH MOULT—Lensgth 1% inch. ; greatest breadth too Ich. This stage continued 28 days before chrysalis. MATURE LARVA —Length 1.20 inch. ; greatest breadth zvs inch, Cylindrical, thickest in middle segments, the back well rounded, and sloping equally to either extremity; ending in two sharp, conical ' tails, each placed at the extreme sides of the last segment; color dull yellow-green, the sides a shade darker than dorsum; a medio- dorsal dark green vascular stripe, and over the feet a yellow stripe or line ; tails reddish ; each segment creased about six times, and on the ridges so caused are many fine white papille, each sending out a fine white hair, rendering the whole surface pubescent ; head sub-globose, a little larger than 2, frontally somewhat flattened, rounded at top, broader across the ocelli ; color emerald green, the surface covered with slightly paler conical papillz, pubescent. CHRYSALIS—Length so inch. ; greatest breadth x inch. ; cylin- drical, the abdomen evenly tapering ; the wing cases a little raised at the margins ; headcase short, roundly excavated at sides, and rounded at top ; mesonotum slightly prominent, and followed by a small depression ; roundly carinated, the sides nearly flat, or very little rounded ; whole surface one shade of yellow green, covered with minute white granu- lations ; along the inner margins of wing cases a cream white line, another along keel of mesonotum, and one across top of head case. Duration of this stage 14 days. 144 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. LIST OF ACRIDIDA! FOUND IN NEBRASKA, BY LAWRENCE BRUNER, Opomala carinata, Thos. . aptera, Scudd. < brachyptera, Scudd. gs bivittata, Serv. Kf neo-mexicana, Thos. punctipennis, Serv. (?) varipes, Serv. ; at Omaha two years ago. Chrysochraon viridis, ‘Thos. re punctulatum, Thos. * conspersum, Thos. Stenobothrus admirabilis, Uhler. ss brunneus, Thos. i aequalis, Scudd. s propinquans, Scudd. ce curtipennis, Scudd. . gracilis, Scudd. es maculipennis, Scudd. Gomphocerus clavatus, Thos. s simplex, Scudd. y euterpe, G. M. Dodge. Stetheophyma gracilis, ‘Thos. Tragocephala viridifasciata, Harris. infuscata, Harris. Tomonotus sulphurea, Sauss. 2H xanthopterus, Thos. ss carinatus, Thos. ef tenebrosa, Thos. (Edipoda carolina, Sery. ** nebrascensis, Bruner. “¢ discoidea, Serv. eucerata, Ubler. «< phoenicoptera, Germ. WEST POINT, NEBRASKA, (£dipoda (?) venusta, Stahl. . sordida, Burm. neglecta, Thos. corallipes, Haldiman. aequalis, Uhler. collaris, Scudd. trifasciata, Walker. cincta, Thos. verruculata, Scudd. kiowa, Thos. x . picta, Scudd. Brachypeplus magnus, Girard. Stauronotus elliotti, Thos. Boopedon nubilum, Thos. ee flavofasciatum, Thos. Pezotettix picta, Thos. se nebrascensis, Thos. unicolor, Thos. 2 Scudderi, Uhler. borealis, Scudder. re alba, G. M. Dodge, n. sp. es junius re * a autumnalis “ Ss “ speciosa, Scudd. gracilis, Bruner, n. sp. occidentalis, ‘ Ommatolampis viridis, Thos. Caloptenus bivittata, Uhler. - differentialis, Thos. fasciatus, Scudd. spretus, Uhler. femur-rubrum, griseus, Thos. ce Burm. a. ** THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 145 Caloptenus (?) bilituratus, Walk. Acridium alutaceum, Harr. si lurida, G. M. Dodge. ‘* emarginatum. si minor, Scudd. Tropidacris dux, Scudd. Bs punctulatus, Uhler. ‘Tettix ornata, Scudd. a occidentalis, Thos. *¢ granulata, Scudd. re regalis, Dodge, n. sp. * cucullata, Scudd. a volucri, (?). “ triangularis, Scudd. $ angustipennis, (?). Tettigidea lateralis, Scudd. Acridium americanum, Scudd. is polymorpha, Scudd. « ambiguum, Thos. Batrachidea cristata, Scudd. And in addition I have 3 species of Pezotettix, not yet determined. 2 . Caloptenus ‘ eg 2 G: Cidipoda _ “ oh And 3 others of different genera not yet determined, making a total of 95 species for Nebraska thus far. TINEINA. BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. BATRACHEDRA. B. striolata ? Zell. (Asychna ? pulvella Cham.) In “ The Bulletin of the Geo. Survey,” v. 3, p. 134, I have referred to two species or varieties of Batrachedra found by me in Colorado. Some of these specimens found at Colorado Springs I referred doubtfully to the European species 2. preangusta. Others found higher up the mountains I named B. Clemensella, stating, however, the doubt whether the two forms were really distinct. After the greater portion of that paper was in the hands of the publisher, I received from Mr. Stainton two specimens of sreangusta, by which I was enabled to recognise my B&. Clemensella as a variety simply of that species, and to increase my doubts whether the supposed species were really distinct ; for while Clemensella 146 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. differed slightly from the true Jr@angusta in being a little larger and darker, with a slightly different arrangement of the colors, my supposed preangusta differed still more from it in the opposite direction, being smaller, with less of the dark colors and also in a slightly different arrangement of them. The European specimens were between my sup- posed preangusta and my Clemense/la from Colorado, but nearer to the latter. I have no hesitation in referring my C/emensedla to the true pre- angusta, and I feel very strongly inclined to refer my supposed preangusta also to that species, notwithstanding that two out of six specimens of it agree closely with Zeller’s description of 2. séviolata, described by him from Texas. I have not been able to recognise any of my specimens in Dr. Clemens’ description of B. salicipomonella, though those that agree most nearly with the European /veangusta agree also best with Dr. Clemens’ description of salicipomonella. In his edition of the Clemens papers, Mr. Stainton, who had seen both salicipfomonella and the European preangusta, says nothing about the question as to whether the forms are distinct, and ‘gives Dr. Clemens’ account of sa/icépomonella without com- ment. Nevertheless, from correspondence with him, I 7zzfer (perhaps unwarrantably) that he is not altogether convinced that they are distinct species. In Vol. 8 of the CanaDIAN EnTomo.oacist, p. 171, I have described under the name of Asychna? pulvella (with the statement that it was not by any means a true Asychna) a species which was taken on willow trees in Kentucky, and which approaches nearly B. striolata Zell. and the form from Colorado which I first referred, as above stated, to Ar@angusta. In these specimens the fore wings are sordid or yellowish white, dusted with fuscous, with a brown streak on the fold, another on the disc and a white spot at the end of the cell ; another specimen taken in Kentucky since then has the streak on the fold and a brown spot at the end of the cell— none on the disc. My Kentucky specimens measure from 4% to 5 lines alar ex.; those from Colorado that I referred to preangusta (=. striolata Zell.) measured 5 lines; Mr. Stainton gives 5% lines as the alar ex. Of salicipomonella, and 7 as that of the true preangusta. Zeller gives — as ~ that of s¢réodata; and the specimens from Colorado which I named Clemensella, but now refer to pre@angusta, measured a little over 7 lines. I doubt greatly whether all are not referable to a single species, preangusta, or at most to only two, which are best represented by pr@angusta and striolata. Pas ae THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 147 I was led into the error of refering the Kentucky specimens to Asychna? by getting hold of the wrong figures of the neuration—com- bining the neuration of Bedellia somulentella with the external characters of Batrachedra. PERIMEDE. P. erransella Cham. In perfectly fresh specimens each of the four small tufts of raised scales on the fore wings is seen to be margined behind with white ; there is a minute blackish spot at the extreme tip margined before with white, a minute white costal spot containing raised scales at the beginning of the ciliz, and a row of minute white specks of raised scales around the base of the ciliz. On the under side these spots are seen reversed, that is, the scales around the base of the ciliae are whitish, and the specks dark brown ; there is also a minute brown spot at the apex of the hind wings on the under surface. The tarsi are brown, prettily annulate with white. The account given at p. 51, v. 6, of the neuration is slightly incorrect ; there is (at least in some specimens) one more subcostal branch than is there stated, in the fore wings. The neuration of both wings is thus almost exactly that of Zaverna Staintoni, as figured [ns. Brit., v. 3. The wings are, however, a little more elongate and are narrower. It is closely allied to Laverna, but the palpi are nearly as slender as those of the figure .of Anybia langiella (Ins. Brit., v. 3), though much shorter—rather like those of Chrysoclista liniella (loc. cit.) ts position in repose is singular for an insect so near to Laverna; the face is applied to the surface on which it rests, and the abdomen and wings elevated as it rests on the two anterior pairs of legs, with the third pair drawn up alongside the abdomen under the wings—more like an Argyresthia than a Laverna. Ravacres or Wuire Ants.—The Commissioner of Agriculture recently received from the Consul General at Monrovia, Liberia, a box of twelve books, principally United States public documents, that had been badly damaged by white ants, in several cases more than a third of the book having been destroyed entirely. The damage was done in the space of a few months while the Consul was absent. It is-stated in the letter accompanying, that to preserve books and papers from the ravages of this insect, they must be kept free from dust and well exposed to the air.— veld and Forest. 148 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. INSECTS OF THE NORTHERN PARTS OF BRITISH AMERICA. COMPILED BY REV. ©. J. S. BETHUNE, M.A: from Kirby's Fauna Boreali-Americana : Lnsecta. (Continued from Vol. vii., p. 159.) [254.] V.—-HYMENOPTERA. |257.| FAMILY SIRICIDZ. 356. StREX juveNcus Zéun.—Length of body, mucro included, 11 lines ; expansion of wings 20 lines. One specimen taken in Lat. 65°. Body black-blue, glossy, punctured very thickly on the head and trunk, in which from each puncture proceeds a black hair. Head between globose and triangular, very hairy with a naked spot behind the eyes ; cheek terminating in a tooth or point as in the other species of the genus ; vertex blue-green ; antenne black, shorter than the thorax ; palpi piceous ; trunk subglobose, with the central part of the thorax and the part between the four anterior legs tinted with green; legs rufous with the coxe and trochanters black ; wings hyaline with piceous nervures ; abdomen naked, terminated by a subtriangular acuminated mucro or horn; ovipositor piceous. In this specimen the ovipositor is longer and goes further beyond the anal horn than in the European ones, and the horn itself is more dilated at the base. [258.] FAMILY FENIDA, 357. FQ@NuS JACULATOR Zzuu.—Two specimens taken in Lat. 65°. The American specimens differ from those of Europe, which also vary, in having the red segments of the abdomen marked with a large black basilar dorsal spot, the former having mostly only a darker cloud. Panzer’s figure, however, comes very near the American. [It is doubtful that the European species occurs in America ; they are probably distinct. | THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. . 149 FAMILY ICHNEUMONID-A. 358. ICHNEUMON FERRUGATOR Avrby.—Length of body 7 lines. Taken in the Expedition, but no locality stated. [259.] Abdomen black, rather glossy, very thickly punctured with minute and often confluent punctures. Head transverse, triangular, not quite sO wide as the middle of the trunk ; anterior margin of the face rounded ; palpi reddish ; eyes long, subelliptical ; antennz shorter than the trunk, spirally convoluted ; trunk oblong, subcompressed ; scutellum subtriangular, rounded at the apex ; metathorax armed on each side with a short tooth, with several elevated longitudinal and oblique lines ; legs with decumbent whitish hairs, anterior tibiz obscurely, and all the tarsi, rufous ; wings embrowned with a rufous tint, nervures darker ; abdomen lineari-lanceolate, rufo-ferruginous, with the first joint, which is dilated at the apex, black ; footstalk channelled longitudinally on each side. FAMILY CRYPTID. 359. CRyprus vipuatTorius /abr.—Length of body, with ovipositor, Yy lines; do, without ovipositor, 2% lines. One specimen taken in A. 1s ; , I OA Lat. 54°. Body black. Head subtriangular, transverse, very minutely and thickly punctured ; palpi pale rufous; face plane with two elevations in the middle ; eyes large, oval ; antenne shorter than the trunk, rather slender, involute, black with a white band in the middle; orbit of the eyes behind with a very indistinct white line ; trunk oblong, cubical, gib- bous, very thickly and confluently punctured except on the back ; tegule white ; metathorax armed with two minute teeth on each side, one in the middle and the other at the base, forming the terminal angle, marked out into three areas by elevated lines ; legs red with coxz, trochanters, and posterior tarsi black ; wings subtestaceous with the larger nervures black ; abdomen, excluding the ovipositor, scarcely so long as the trunk ; first segment impunctured, glossy, dilated at the apex, which is subquad- rangular ; footstalk flat ; second and third segments very large, with their gloss obscured by infinitely minute punctures ; ovipositor shorter than the abdomen ; borer red. 150 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. [ 260. | GENUS CRYPTOCENTRUM. Head between transverse and globose ; face quadrangular, with the anterior margin crenate ; palpi long, filiform ; antennee slender, first joint thick; second minute ; third longer than the rest ; trunk ovate-oblong, subcompressed ; neck moderately long ; scutellum trapezoidal ; legs slender, posterior pair elongated; upper wings-apical areolets three ; middle four, viz., 2, 2, without a cellule; basilar three ; under wings- areolets seven, viz., 4, 3; abdomen sessile, smooth, subcompressed, in the female clubbed at the apex ; four first segments longer than the rest, the first curved, rather wider at the apex ; the three next are wider than long, the last is minute and triangular ; at the extremity the tail is cleft for the passage of the ovipositor ; this cleft is formed by the turning up of the sides of the last ventral segment ; ovipositor very short; the four last ventral segments, at least in the dead insect, project so as to form an elevated ridge in which the ovipositor is concealed. 360. CRYPTOCENTRUM LINEOLATUM A7zrvdy.—Plate vi., fig. 1—Length of body 6 lines. A single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. Body very black, somewhat glossy, sprinkled with whitish decumbent hairs. Head subtransverse, hollowed out behind to receive the neck ; face with a streak on each side the eyes ; feelers and scape of the antennze on the outside white ; antennze slender, black, externally obscurely testa- ceous, with a white annulet below the middle ; trunk compressed ; margin of the collar on each side, tegulae, and two transverse elevated streaks on the scutellum, white ; four anterior legs with the coxae and trochanters, tip of the thigh and under side of the tibiae, white ; the thighs, except the tip, testaceous ; upper side of the tibiae and tarsi, and long posterior legs, black ; wings hyaline with black nervures ; abdomen sessile, with the last segments dilated for the reception of the ovipositor ; the apical margin of all the segments but the two first is interruptedly white ; but in those segments the interruption is not perfect. [261.]| FAMILY BRACONIDA. 361. BRACON CROCATOR Azréy.—Length of body without ovipositor 3 lines. A single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. Body very black, glossy. Head subglobose, with the segment of a circle taken out behind ; eyes between oval and round ; antennae as long P . THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 151 as the trunk ; trunk oblong, widest between the wings ; scutellum rather large, rounded at the apex ; metathorax obsoletely transversely wrinkled, sloping towards the abdomen; posterior legs rather robust ; wings embrowned, middle areolets four, viz., 3 and 1, all quadrangular ; stigma very large; abdomen lanceolate-ovate, as long as the trunk, saffron coloured, paler towards the apex ; the three first segments are emarginate, and marked with two longitudinal faint furrows, the first pair being curvi- linear ; ovipositor longer than the body, borer red. FAMILY FORMICID. [262.] 362. Formica SEMIPUNCTATA &7rby.—-Length of body 734 lines. Several taken in Journey from New York to Cumberland-house. Body black, glossy. Head something wider than the trunk, sub- triangular ; antennz piceous with the scape black ; wings cast in all the specimens ; scale vertical between the trunk and abdomen, sloping to a thin edge upwards, where it is very slightly emarginate ; abdomen oblong, subcylindrical, minutely punctured with the punctures piliforous ; hairs decumbent with those of the margin of the segments and the anus, longer ; margin of both abdominal and ventral segments membranous, membrane reddish ; base of the three intermediate segments not punctured. 363. Formica Fusca Linn. —Le ngth of body 1% line. One speci- men taken in Lat. 65°. [263.] §.—Body black, but not intensely, glossy, subcinereous from down. Head triangular, large, much wider than the trunk ; antenne with the scape, the three following joints, and the terminal one, rufous ; the other joints are darker ; trunk oblong, compressed, anteriorly elevated and wider ; the prothorax with the scutellum forming a rhomboid ; scutellum large, trapezoidal, subrufous; scale subtriangular, subemarginate ; legs rufous ; thighs embrowned ; abdomen subglobose, more hairy than the rest of the body, especially towards the anus. ° FAMILY VESPID. 364. VESPA VULGARIS Zinu.—Length of body 6% lines. A single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. BF fe te A oes 152 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. [264.] 9.—Body black, variegated with yellow. Head and trunk thickly clothed with long woolly down of a grayish colour ; face with three yellow spots placed in a transverse line behind the antennae, the two iateral ones subtriangular, the intermediate one subquadrangular, with a reddish cloud on its disk; the nose below the antennae is yellow, inclining to red round the margin ; it has also three black dots placed in a triangle in the disk, the two lower ones being very minute ; the vertex of the nose is also black ; the mandibles are yellow with black tips; on the outside the orbit of the eyes is reddish-yellow; the trunk is black underneath ; above the posterior upper margin of the collar, the tegulae which cover the base of the wings, and a triangular spot underneath them, are yellow ; on the metathorax and scutellum are six yellow spots placed in a double series, the upper and lower pairs being subtriangular, and the intermediate pair crescent-shaped ; the thighs are black at the base, but their apex, and the rest of the leg, and a small triangular spot on the inner side of the four posterior trochanters, are yellow ; the wings are yellowish red with red nervures ; the abdomen, except at the base, is less hairy than the rest of the body ; it is yellow with all the segments black at the base ; though the blackness in the terminal ones is chiefly concealed by the antecedent segments ; in all in the middle it projects into a triangle; the four intermediate ones have also each a round-headed small black spot, the connection of which with the blackness of the base is interrupted in the second segment ; on the under side of the abdomen the base of the segments is black, and the intermediate ones have each a pair of rather crescent-shaped black spots not connected with the black- ness of the base. [Kirby states that the specimen above described differs somewhat from the European wasps of this species, but he considers it to be merely a variety of the latter. Later authors state that both V. vulgaris and V. germanica, European species, are found on this side of the Atlantic. | 365. VESPA BOREALIS Avrby.—-Length of body 7} lines. A single specimen taken with the last. ° [265.] Body black, downy, especially the head and trunk?with gray hairs. Nose trapezoidal, yellow with a black floriform discoidal spot ; anterior margin with three sinuses taken out ; vertex with a trapezoidal yellow spot just above the base of the antennze ; antenne black, luteous THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 153 underneath ; external orbit of the eyes and mandibles yellow ; lateral margin of the collar, a triangular small spot under each wing, two narrow transverse and internally acute spots on the scutellum, and two similar ones below them on the metathorax, all white; tegule white with a brownish spot in the disk ; legs yellow ; thighs black at the base ; wings testaceous ; abdomen heart-shaped, with the bases of the segments where uncovered, and two dots on gach except the first, black ; the middle part of the black basal bands projects into a triangular tooth ; the under side is nearly similar, but the projections form a longitudinal stripe. 366. VESPA MARGINATA A77by.—Plate vi., fig. 2.—Length of body 7% lines. Taken in the route from New York, and again in Lat. 65°. ° .—Body black, punctured, downy from a mixture of black and gray hairs. Mandibles- white with a black margin; palpi reddish ; nose white with a flask-shaped longitudinal black spot in the disk ; just above the antennae is a bilobed white spot, between which and the eye is a white line, and another external one above it ; antennae short, not much exceeding the head, black with the scape white underneath ; in one of the specimens there is a reddish spot underneath on the four or five last joints, which is not discernible in the others ; the external margin of the collar, before each wing, and a small triangular spot on each side of the scutellum, are white; wings embrowned with darker nervures, but the costal nervure and tegulae are ferruginous ; legs testaceous, black at the base ; abdomen with the apex of the dorsal and ventral segments white ; anal segment black with a pair of white spots ; the white margin of the dorsal segments receives an intermediate triangular point, and on each side of it a rounded lobe from the black base. [266.]|. 367. VESPA MACULATA Zénm.—Length of body ro lines. A single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. [As this insect, commonly known as the “ White-faced Hornet,” is so abundant in Canada, and has been so often described, it is unnecessary to quote Kirby’s description. | FAMILY PROSOPID#. 368. PROSOPIS ELLIPTICA Kirby.—Length of body 3 lines. ‘Three specimens taken in Lat. 65°. bis 154 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. [267.| Body very black, slightly downy, minutely punctured. Apex of the nose white, whiteness lobed ; inner orbit of the eyes below the antennae white ; vertex channelled below the eyelets ; antennae scarcely longer than the head ; the projecting lobes of the collar terminate in a white tubercle ; base-covers piceous ; wings hyaline with dark nervures ; metathorax longitudinally wrinkled ; posterior tibiae annulated at the base with white; abdomen more glossy than the rest of the body, almost naked, and scarcely punctured ; it is narrower and more elliptical than in any other known species of the genus. [This species and another, P. afinzs Smith, are found in Canada. | FAMILY ANDRENID&. 369. Haticrus RuBICUNDUS Stephens.—-Length of body 5 lines. Four specimens taken, locality not stated. .—Body black, downy. Head suborbicular, down grayish ; space between the eyes broad ; down on the thorax thicker, ferruginous ; base- covers rufo-piceous ; wings subhyaline ; nervures and stigma testaceous ; post-costal nervure black ; legs thickly set with yellow hairs which shine like gold ; tarsi testaceous; abdomen elliptical, downy with decumbent hairs ; margin of the segments fringed with white hairs, the two first sub- interruptedly ; the ventral segments are similarly fringed, but the hairs are shorter. 370. HALICTUS CRASSICORNIS K7zrby. single specimen taken in Lat. 54°. ; [268.] 2.—This little insect is so extremely like Havictus Levis, that at first I regarded it merely as a variety of that species, but upon a closer inspection they appear to me distinct. In /. crassicornis the antennae are proportionally more robust, but the principal difference lies in the sculpture of the thorax. In /% Zevis that part is zv7sébdy punctured with scattered punctures, but in the insect I am describing, under a common lens, the punctures are scarcely discernible, but under a higher power, besides a slight channel drawn longitudinally, innumerable very minute punctures appear. In the former also the stigma of the upper wings is piceous, while in the latter it is testaceous. In other respects they are perfectly similar. Length of body 3 lines. A 371. ANDRENA ImpuNCcTA Avrby.—Length of body 5% lines. A THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 155 single specimen taken in the Journey from New York to Cumberland- house. | ? .—Body black, clothed with rather long whitish hairs, especially the face below the antennae ; hairs of the thorax rufescent ; wings subhyaline a little darker at the tip ; nervures testaceous, post-costal black ; brush of the posterior tibia white ; abdomen impunctured with the hairs of its anterior half white ; the other hairs above and below black. 372. ANDRENA VARIANS /oss.—-Length of body 5% iines. Three specimens taken, locality not stated. [269.| 9 .—Very like the species just described, but the head is clothed with black hair ; that of the thorax and base of the abdomen is tawny-red ; the brush of the posterior tibia is changeable, as the site varies, from black to white; the hairs of the under side of the body and of the last abdominal segment above are black, except those on the posterior thighs forming the flocculus, which are whitish, as are those of the anterior part of the abdomen. FAMILY NOMADID. 373. Nomapa AMERICANA A77by.-—Plate vi., fig. 3.—Length of body 4% lines. A single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. Body dark-ferruginous. Thorax with a longitudinal mesal black line, less distinct on the metathorax ; breast with a black spot on each side ; wings, as in the rest of the genus, embrowned with a white spot near the tip ; thighs black at the base on the under side; first segment of the abdomen black at the base, and, with the second and third, brown at the apex. This is the only American Vomada 1 ever saw, and Fabricius describes none from that country. It comes near Womada ruficornis and striata, but it has only a single biack stripe on the thorax. [Dr. Packard states that these Cuckoo-bees, the /Vomada, are very numerous in America. | [270.] FAMILY CHELOSTOMIDAE. 374. CHELOSTOMA ALBIFRONS Kerby. single specimen taken in Lat. 65°. Length of body 4% lines. A 156 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. g .—Body black, thickly punctured. Mouth bearded with white ; mandibles carinated above, armed with two strong terminal teeth ; nose square, flat, clothed with decumbent silver pile ; antenne filiform ; scape black ; the other joints are rufo-picequs underneath ; trunk very hirsute with white or subcinereous hairs ; wings a little embrowned, with black veins and base-covers ; legs hairy ; abdomen subcylindrical, hirsute with black hairs, incurved with the apex of the four intermediate segments fringed with white hairs ; anal joint with a concavity above, obtuse ; last ventral segment forcipate, rufo-piceous NEW SPECIES OF “LEPIDOPTERA. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. Scopelosoma tristigmata, Nn. Ss. This form, or species, belongs to the series of Walkeri and vinulenta, of the former of which I was at first disposed to consider it a variety. It is distinguished by the presence of all three of the ordinary spots. Rusty ochre ; t. a. line single, even, blackish with the small rusty outlined clavi- form attached. Orbicular rusty-ringed, with pale centre, small. Reniform pale ochre, rusty-ringed, well sized, of the ordinary shape, with a black inferior stain. Median shade a little waved, joining the reniform above and issuing from it inferiorly. T. p. line much as in Wadkert, with the three black streaks on the median nervules unusually distinct. S. t. line margined before with a fuscous shade, pale, irregular ; terminal space contrasting, fuscous, with the veins black-marked. Fringes ochreous. Hind wings blackish fuscous, with ochrey fringe. Head and thorax rusty ochre ; antennz paler at base ; abdomen fuscous, rusty ochre at sides and tip and beneath. Wings ochreous beneath, with common shade band, flexed on hind wings, which show a discal mark. Expanse 35 mil. New- tonville, Mass., No. 8, April 23, Mr. Roland Thaxter. Tarache abdominalis, n. s. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 157 This species is parallel with cfzica and may be distinguished by the ~ blackish abdomen, ringed with white. It varies in the color of primaries and thcrax. In some specimens the fore wings are white from the base to exterior line with two dark costal patches as in the type africa. The exterior line is heavier and more metallic than in apvica. The subterminal line is notably less inwardly projected than in africa below the median nervules. Again, the fore wings are more or less blackish at base, leaving two white costal blotches as in dzf/aga. Beneath the two forms are to be quickly distinguished. In aédominalis the wings are yellowish, the hind wings with a terminal blackish band, two discal longitudinal rays from the base and a transverse fascia broadly marked on costa in the best marked specimens ; the rays and transverse fascia become more or less obsolete. Above the hind wings are black or blackish, sometimes pale yellowish on disc, always darker than in aprica. Thorax and head blackish ; tegulz more or less white on the sides. Expanse 25 mil. Hab. Texas (Belfrage No. 596) ; also collected by Heiligbrodt, in Mr. Meske’s collection. The colors of the dark outer portion of the fore wings are brighter than in aprica, the band before t. p. line more olivaceous, the subterminal line more tinged with brown. I have to thank Mr. v. Meske for drawing my attention to this form, which from the description cannot be odatra of Mr. Morrison. Geometra rectaria, n. Ss. ft. This species is smaller than ¢rzdarza, of a rather more dull green and with one-half narrower white lines. Costa of primaries whitish, much marbled with fuscous. Inner white line of primaries perfectly strazght. Outer line extending across hind wings in same position as in 77idaria. Minute black discal points on both wings. Fringes concolorous, not paler as in é7¢daria. Head white ; palpi brown at tips. Legs white with black dots at extremities of second and third joints. Beneath secondaries a little paler than primaries, on which alone the minute black discal points are legible. The common exterior line is indistinctly shown. Tegulae and collar green; dorsum of thorax discolorous. Expanse 25 mil. Hab. Texas (Belfrage, No. 323). This species differs from Mr. Walker’s descriptions of forms unidentified by Dr. Packard more broadly than from zvzdaria. The wings and body are proportioned as in zvédaria. From the description I should not refer 158 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Geometra mimicata Walk. to this genus. _ G. vectaria may be included by Dr. Packard among his Texan material of 7idaria, but I do not think it is the same ; the green fringes seem shorter, the narrow lines, the inner one on primaries perfectly straight and the more brown and inconspicuous costal edging are as strong as specific characters seem to be in this group. The dot on hind wings beneath is obsolete ; there are no white markings on the veins. ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. The annual meeting of this Club will be held at Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, the 28th of August, at 3 p.m. The regular meetings of the Association will commence on the following day. The pleasures con- nected with the annual re-union of Entomologists during the meetings of the Club will, we doubt not, attract to Nashville many of the ‘brethren of the net.” The citizens of Nashville are offering private hospitality to all the members of the Association who will accept it, and have also made arrangements for hotel accommodations and railway tickets at reduced rates. We hope to hear of a large attendance. CLISIOCAMPA SYLVATICA —= THE FOREST ‘TENT CATERPILLAR. BY THE EDITOR. The larvee of this moth (see fig. 6) have been enormously abundant this season in the vicinity of London, Ontario. Vast swarms numbering millions upon millions consumed the foliage of fruit and forest trees during THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 159 the latter part of May and the early weeks of June. By the 5th of the latter month they had become about two-thirds grown, when the daily consumption of foliage was so immense that their presence attracted general attention and the most vigorous onslaughts were made on them from all sides. But notwithstanding they were slain every day by Fig. 6. millions, their numbers seemed scarcely to diminish. In many places the forests by the middle of June were so completely denuded that they afforded but little more shade than in mid-winter, trees of all kinds suffering severely. They attacked the oak, ash, basswood, maple, thorn, cherry, beech and hickory, as well as almost all sorts of fruit and ornamental trees, and during June their activity in travelling from place to place was so incessant that the most constant vigilance was required to save favorite trees from destruction. Their habit of congregating in large masses on the trunks of the trees they fed on in the mornings rendered their partial destruction comparatively easy ; had it not been for this scarcely a leaf would have been left on any of the trees named in the whole neighborhood. When the larve began to change to chrysalids they sewed up the remaining fragments of the few leaves still unconsumed on the trees into all kinds of curious shapes, each enclosure frequently protecting two or three cocoons. These cases hanging pendant with the weight of their contents, and with the paler under surfaces of the leaves displayed, looked in many instances as if a crop of some strange fruit was maturing. On gathering a number of the chrysalids, a very large proportion of them were found infested with parasites, chiefly dipterous, with occasional examples of the hymenopterous order. Early in July the evenings were enlivened by large numbers of the moths which flew vigorously about in lighted rooms, thumping against everything in their erratic and apparently aimless flight. Ina few days their egg masses were to be seen in considerable numbers on the branches of fruit and forest trees, where they will remain, unless otherwise destroyed, until the period of their hatching next spring. 160 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. MISCELLANEOUS. PaPILIo THOAS.—On the 1st and 2nd of August, I had the pleasure of capturing in a field near Amherstburg, Ontario, eleven specimens of Papilio thoas, most of them in good condition, besides a number of other species of butterflies. The specimens of ¢#oas were all taken on the flowers of thistles.—J. M. Denton, London. CISTHENE SUBJECTA. —Early in July the writer captured two specimens of this elegant little moth, generally very rare here, on the blossoms of Milkweed (Asclepias cornuti). Their legs had been caught in the sticky substance which exudes from the sides of the flowers, and thus they were held firmly.—Ep. C. E. MELITAEA PHAETON.—For two or three years past I have searched in vain throughout this locality for JZ phaeton, but this season I have taken all that I wanted ; indeed, they were so abundant that at one time I might have taken a hundred in a few hours had I wished to do so. I have taken also a specimen of AZyrmeleon obsoletus Say, and one of Psycomorpha epimenis Drury, both rare in this neighborhood.—J. ELwyn Bates, South Abington, Mass. AMBLICHYLA CYLINDRIFORMIS.—We are indebted to our friend, Mr. S. W. Williston, of New Haven, Conn., for a very fine specimen of this hitherto rare insect, which reached us by mail from Kansas in excellent condition. On opening the small tin box in which it had been confined, it seemed as healthy and vigorous as possible, moving briskly around in its endeavors to escape. It is a very handsome creature, and will prove a most acceptable addition to our cabinet.—Ep. C. E. Foop PLANT OF S. CECROPIA.—We have taken the larvee of cecropia this year feeding on the European Alder; they were nearly full grown, and the amount of foliage consumed on the young trees left little doubt that the eggs had been laid and the larve matured entirely on these trees.—Eb. C. E. I have taken at sugar this season Sphinx Kalmie and myron. Is it not unusual to see Catocalas about in day time? Recently I took C. subnata feeding on the edge of a swill barrel at mid-day—the barrel standing in the shade, however.—W. L. DEVEREAUx, Clyde, N. Y- AMBLYCHILA CYLINDRIFORMIS FOR-SALE OR EXCHANGE. Also in exchange for Entomological Works, GF; -COOPER, Topeka; Kansas, .U;'S. COLEOPTERA. 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GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. (Read before the Am. Asso. Adv. Sci., August 30, 1877.) In the months of June and July the Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) and and the White Pine ( Pinus strobus) show by the exuding pitch that they are suffering from the attacks of an insect. The wounds occur on the main stem below the insertion of the branch. On cutting into the bark the injury is found to be caused by a small larva, which, when full grown, measures 16 to 18 millimetres. The head is shining chestnut brown with black mandibles. The body is livid or blackish green, naked, with series of black dots, each dot giving rise to a single, rather stout, bristle. The prothoracic shield is blackish. The larva has three pair of thoracic or true jointed feet, and four abdominal or false feet, besides anal claspers. This larva, eating on the inner side of the bark, and making furrows in the wood, causes the bleeding which, when the depletion is excessive or continuous, and especially in the case of yonng trees, has proved fatal. In July the worm spins a whitish, thin, papery cocoon in the mass of exuding pitch, which seems to act as a protection to both the larva and the chrysalis. The chrysalis contained in the cocoon is cylindrical, smooth, narrow, blackish-brown, about 16 millimeters in length. The head is pointed, there beg a pronounced clypeal protuberance ; the segments are unarmed ; the anal plate is provided with a row of four spines, and two others, more slender, on either side of the mesial line, below the first. It gives the moth in ten to fourteen days. The perfect 162 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. insect expands on an average 30 millimeters. An examination of the veins of the wing shows that vein 7 of the primaries is wanting, while vein ris simple. On the hind wing the cell is closed or very nearly so. It belongs thus to the Phycide, a sub-family of the Pyratide. The male antennz are bent. a little at the base, the joints inconspicuous; the maxillary palpi in the same sex are not brush-like, and the hind wings are 8 and not 7-veined. We may refer the moth, then, to the genus Wephop- teryx. Veins 3, 4 and 5 spring nearly together from the outer extremity of cell of the hind wings (though 5 seems to be nearly independent while running close to 4) ; vein 2 is not far removed from 3. On the primaries veins 4 and 5 spring from a common stalk, so that we must refer the moth to the sub-genus Déoryctria of Zeller. In color the moth is_ blackish gray, shaded with reddish on the basal and terminal fields of the fore wings. ‘There are patches or lines of va/sed scales on the basal field and on the anterior and darker portion of the medium space. The median lines are prominent, consisting of double black lines enclosing pale bands. The inner line at basal third is perpendicular, W-shaped or dentate. The outer line at apical fourth is once more strongly indented below costa. The black component lines do not seem to be more distinct on one side than on the other of the pale included bands or spaces. The median field is biackish, becoming pale towards the outer line ; it shows a pale, sometimes whitish cellular spot, surmounted with raised scales. It can be seen that these raised scales (easily lost in setting the insect) accompany the median lines as well as forming the discal mark and the linear patch on the basal field. The terminal edge of the wing is again pale or ruddy before the terminal black line. The fringes are blackish. The hind wings are pale yellowish white, shaded with fuscous on costal region and more or less terminally before the blackish terminal black line ; the fringes are dusky. Beneath the fore wings are blackish, marked with pale on costa; hind wings as on upper surface. Body blackish gray, with often a reddish cast on thorax above and on the vertex. The eyes are naked, the labial palpi long, ascending, with moderate terminal joint. Tongue rather long. The gray abdomen is annulated with dirty white, the legs are pale dotted. The species differs from the European abietella by the raised scale tufts on the wings,and Prof. P. C. Zeller, who has kindly compared examples for me, declares it to be quite distinct from any European species. ‘The pupa seems to differ from that of abzetella by the clypeal prominence, which appears entirely absent in the European THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 163 species, judging from Ratzburg’s excellent figures. The larva is found to attack also various imported conifers ; for this reason I supposed it might be an imported parasite. It has been noticed on the Scotch, Austrian and Russian Pine, and it will be found, I fear, a grave enemy to the cultivation of this genus of plants. Since the insect is not noticed yet in any scientific publication, I pro- pose to name it Wephopteryx (Dioryctria) Zimmermani, after Charles D. Zimmerman, of Buffalo, who has made many excellent observations on our noxious insects, and to whom I am greatly indebted for help in getting the present facts with felation to the species. He has kindly spent much time in climbing large trees and cutting out pupz and larvee and rearing the perfect insect. The larva of adietella is described by Ratzburg as living in the cones chiefly of various species of Pius. Nevertheless, he speaks of one instance in which it is found under similar circumstances to those which are usual with Zmmermant,which latter I have not yet noticed attacking the fruit. The European species is said to winter in pupa state. In the vicinity of Buffalo our species seems to be single brooded. I have not yet ascertained the winter state. Ratzburg recommends cutting off infested branches, but especially on small trees. I find the larva of Zzm- mermani usualiy infesting the maz stem at the insertion of the branches.’ From the fact that the pitch of the trees offer a protection, I do not think that any washes would reach the insect. The knife, then, seems the only remedy. Our species has a natural enemy in a small hymenopterous parasite with which I have found certain of the chrysalids to be filled. ON THE HABITS OF AMBLYCHILA CYLINDRIFORMIS. BY S. W, WILLISTON, NEW HAVEN, CONN. The great interest in which this beetle has been held by Entomolo- gists for so long has rendered an accurate account of its habits very desirable; but for a very long period—over twenty years—it has singularly eluded more experienced observers. In the Proceedings of the ee eT ee ae ee ‘ A Tn 164 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Kansas Academy of Science for 1876, a slight account was published by Mr. H. A. Brous, but from the very small number taken by him, his article was necessarily imperfect. I have taken more than five hundred living specimens from the plains of Western Kansas during the past two. years, and have watched their habits closely. Without being aware of Dr. LeConte’s suggestion as to their nocturnal habits, one would readily arrive at that conclusion from the large numbers of their remains con- stantly met with scattered about, or in the excrement of nocturnal birds. With the first living specimen their peculiar habitat was readily under- stood. They may be met with in great abundance on gently sloping banks of firm loam, but partially covered with vegetation ; they will not live in banks at all sandy. They never burrow, but enter any convenient hole at the approach of the sun, to come out again and wander in search of food at sunset. In cloudy days they will remain out, but with the first sunlight they disappear into their retreats, not to return until evening. The first one taken this year was on a pleasant evening in May, the 21st ; but, though hunted for assiduously, no more were taken till near the middle of June. In a week or two later they were found in the greatest abundance. The rnales, at first numerous, invariably soon begin to decrease in number, -and are more abundant early in the evening. By the middle of September the females also have become rare. The eggs are deposited near the surface of the ground, in groups. of from one to two dozen. The young larve immediately burrow down- wards, but come to the surface at dark to lie in wait for food, which consists mostly of ants and small insects. The holes are extended to surprising depths. In some instances I have traced them for nearly three feet. The mature larve are over two inches long, with very strong man- dibles and maxilla. They may be found most readily either in May or August. Singularly unlike the imago, they are very shy and easily alarmed. The adult beetle might very appropriately be called stupid. Their power of sight is extremely feeble. Wandering aimlessly about in search of food, they are first apprised of their prey by their antennz, when by a short, sudden spring they fasten their relentless mandibles into their victim. Their food consists in large part of the smaller apterous Tenebrionide, such as the Eveodes or Aside that are found on the plains in such abund- ance, especially during the time and in the places so peculiar to the "8 a ae ees ss meh Te tie sn THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 165 Amblychila. Such Orthoptera as they are able to seize, they eat with the greatest avidity, but it is very rarely that they are able to catch any but the slow moving walking-sticks_ They also devour a great many ants. They never feed on effete or decayed matter. A dozen or more, when confined in a small space, will rarely injure one another, but are readily kept captivé, eating any fresh animal food and even thriving on fresh meat. Their appetite is by no means small ! They never heed an observer or collector till touched. The males in the great majority of cases are larger than the females and may be readily distinguished by the sharp-pointed trochanters of the hind cox. DESCRIPTION OF 'FHE PREPARATORY STAGES OF PHYCIODES, HARRISIT, SCUDDER. BY W. H. EDWARDS, COALBURGH, W. VA. I received, 25th June, from Mr. C. P. Whitney, New Milford, N. H.,a cluster of about 50 eggs of this species, laid on the under side of a leaf of Diplopappus umbellatus, date of deposition not stated. The larve hatched 28th June. The food plant not being obtainable by me, I gave them leaves of Chelone glabra, on which phaefon feeds, but so long as the least bit of the dry leaf of Dzflopappus on which fhey hatched remained, the larvee declined the C%e/one, and then after starving many hours they attacked it vigorously. But, meantime, for want of proper food, several died. They manifested alarm just as do the larve of nycteds and phaeton, by a jerking motion of the body from side to side, the last segments being fixed to the leaf, and all the larve jerking together. This is contrary to the habit of tharos so far as observed, nor have I seen it in other species. On 2nd July the first moult was passed, and the larvae now utterly refused Che/one, although gnawing the edges of a bit of white paper in their hunger. I gave them Aster and on this they fed readily to the last, eating any species indifferently. On 7th July they were passing second moult, and on r2th and 13th, the third moult. Shortly after this . 166 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. they stopped feeding and gathered in a cluster on the cover of the glass in which they were kept, and became lethargic. ‘heir behavior throughout was like the larvee of mycfe/s, though they are cleaner in feeding than that species, which keeps itself in a mire on the leaf. No web at any stage was spun for protection or other purpose, and they are hybernating now on a slight mat of silk made upon the cover of the glass. Earlier this year, May 24th, I received from Mr. Whitney about a dozen larvee of this species, found by him soon after awaking from their hybernation. These were of all stages from just after second moult to the fifth, or the mature larva, and one made chrysalis 26th May. From this the butterfly emerged 4th June. Evidently these larvee hybernate after both second and third moult, as do those of phaeton and nycteis and tharos, though all which I now have in hybernation (16 in number) have passed the third. Inall stages the larvae resemble ciosely those of phaeton, changing from ochraceous, lighter or darker, to deep fulvous, and striped with black. So the spines and their branches are those of phaefon, and differ much, from zycfezs, as the coloration of the body differs. The egg also is nearer phacton than, zycte’s, but the sides are more sloping and less ‘rounded, and the ribs spring from the base instead of the middle of the side. The chrysalis is shaped like that of ¢Zavos, and colored like that of phacton. There is much variation in the coloration in individuals. One of the larvae was nearly black at maturity, the fulvous being represented merely by a few dots and small spots. The butterfly from this larva is very melanic on both sides, in as strong contrast to the rest of the brood as was the larva. The species is single brooded, like phacton, while nycteis is double brooded in W. Va., and ¢havos many brooded. EGG—In shape a frustum of a cone, flattened at base, the top a little depressed, the sides but little rounded, ribbed, the ribs standing well apart, 15 or 16 in number, and starting from the base, increasing in elevation above the surface as they approach the middle, then decreasing to the summit; color lemon yellow. YOUNG LARVA—Length ré0 inch. ; cylindrical, the segments well rounded ; color yellow-green, semi-translucent ; somewhat pilose ; head obovoid, bilobed, the vertices rounded; larger than second segment ; color dark brown. AFTER FIRST MOULT—Length x0 inch.; thicker in middle segments ; armed with seven rows of short black spines, thick at base, THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 167 tapering, and thickly set with short black bristles ; there is also a row of small, similar branching spines over the feet ; color yellow brown, the second segment quite dark, and on this is a collar of minute branching spines; there is also a dark medio-dorsal line; head obovoid, rather flattened frontally, the vertices rounded ; color black brown, with many black hairs. AFTER SECOND MOULT—Length sss inch. ; shape and spines as before ; color ochre-yellow, with five transverse black lines on the seg- ments, and a dark medio-dorsal line ; head as before, black. AFTER THIRD MOULT—Length i; inch. ; spines and bristles larger in proportion ; color deeper ochre, striped as before. AFTER FOURTH MOULT ochraceous ; the transverse lines distinct, and edged unevenly, one before each row of spines and two after; at base of body, on feet, an ochrey ridge ; the spines short and stout, with very divergent bristles ; head as before, the surface finely tuberculated, black. AFTER FIFTH MOULT—Length :%% inch., increasingto rv, and in one example to one inch at maturity. MATURE LARVA—Cylindrical, of nearly even diameter throughout ; color deep red fulvous, crossed by black stripes, one before and two after each transverse row of spines, and with a medio-dorsal black longitudinal stripe ; the last two segments nearly all black, and on g to ri the fulvous bands are macular; the spines on each segment also stand on a broad black band ; spines in seven principal rows, one dorsal, three lateral on either side, long, tapering, black, each thickly set with long divergent black hairs, and each rising from a broad, round, shining black, or blue black base ; over the feet a similar row of small spines; the second seg- ment with a collar of small branching spines ; feet and prolegs black ; head obovoid, flattened frontally, cleft, the vertices rather pointed than rounded, black, granulated, and with many short black hairs. CHRYSALIS—Length iv inch. ; cylindrical ; head case compressed transversely, nearly square at top, bevelled at the sides ; mesonotum rounded, not prominent, followed by a slight depression ; abdomen stout, with several rows of small sub-conic tubercles, two of which are extended to upper side of mesonotum; color pure white, marked and spotted throughout with black, or brown black, and orange, and showing much variation in individuals ; the last segments black ; a broad band of black Length icv inch.; color red, or orange : 168 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. on the ventral side reaches from the head case to lower end of wing cases, and the abdomen has orange bands between the segments ; on the wing case a curved black band crosses longitudinally,.and in this the nervules of the wing are orange; there is also a row of black dots or small spots about the hind margin ; the tubercles orange, and nearly ali have a black crescent on the anterior side ; on the posterior side of the abdominal segments are also small black spots. ‘The coloration varies much, and some examples are almost deprived of the black markings, while retaining the orange. | NOTES ON CATOCALA:. BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. Catocala junctura Walk. Dr. Bailey has taken near Albany a little larger form than wszjuga, with rather paler primaries and much the same markings. ‘The hind wings are a little more pinkish, without the dusky basal hairs of wzzjuga. The band is a little narrower than in wz/uga and terminates much before the internal margin. It tallies with my recollection of Walker’s type of aumctura in the British Museum, and I am disposed to think that jwaetura is now rediscovered. Catocala Anna Grote. Mr. Thos. E. Bean has taken this species in Illinois. It varies slightly in the terminal band being sometimes entirely broken before anal angle. Catocala Fredericé Grote. This species, described by me from types in the Royal Museum at Berlin, taken by Friedrichs in Southern Texas, has now been rediscovered by Belfrage in Bosque Co. Mr. Belfrage sends me a specimen under the number “672,” taken on pine, which agrees perfectly with the original description and with a water-color drawing made from the Berlin speci- THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. | 169 mens by Tieffenbach, and sent me by the late Prof. Hopffer. The species is a little smaller than ¢/ecfa (= magdalena Strecker) and may be easily recognised by its pale greenish-gray, mossy primaries, with the lines dusky and rather diffuse. The hind wings are light yellow with the median band straight, terminating before the margin with a short, rather abrupt curve. The terminal band is abbreviate, narrow, scailoped on its outer edge over the median nervules. There is a small black spot on the margin before anal angle. The species is- very distinct and can be mistaken for no other. Catocala abbreviatella Grote. I have this species from Illinois, taken by Mr. Bean. The t. a. line is straight, outwardly oblique to below median vein, when it becomes obsolete. It is not black shaded as in Whztneyz, which I have from the same locality. The three species, nuptialis (= myrrha Strecker), abbre- viatella and Wahitneyi, form a series of allied forms, but can be sufficiently and readily distinguished. Catocala gracilis Edw. The form described by Mr. Edwards has the primaries light gray, the lines broken and the internal margin more or less shaded with blackish. The species recalls the concluding aca group in the colors, bluish gray primaries and bright hind wings, and I have put it last in the series on this account. Iam not certain now what Mr. Edwards’ semz/s is. In Mrs. Bridgham’s collection is (or rather, was) a specimen labelled szmztis by Mr. Edwards, which belonged to what I consider as a_ variety of gracilis, having the primaries mixed bluish gray, rather dark and somewhat hoary. The lines are distinct, or usually so, and the basal dash of gracilts is wanting. This last seems the only important character, but it is present in var. basalis of Aabilis and wanting in the type. This dark form (which seems also a little shorter winged) has been taken with the type by myself near Buffalo, and by Dr. Bailey near Albany. I have seen it also from Pennsylvania. In the collection of the Ent. Soc. of Phil. there is a specimen labelled szmzfs, which in my ‘“ Revision” I have referred to as belonging to this variety of graci/is. But Mr. Edwards’ description will not agree in this that he says : ‘‘ beyond is a ferruginous band followed by a gray line which is dilated on the costa so as to make a triangular apical spot.” This and the size will not correspond, and it is probable that Mr. Pee eg ee RAN es: SON EL er ON eae aS Pee ay ee 170 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Edwards has described some one other of our yellow-winged smaller species, and has afterwards mistaken his species, or mixed up different forms at the same time. This mixed dark blue-gray form, with distinct black lines and without the small basal streak of gvaciéis, 1 propose to designate by the name sordida ; it varies as gracilis does in the suffusion of the primaries along internal margin with black in some specimens. Both the description and the type of Mr. Edwards’ parvu/a correspond to that form of w/nw/a which has this dark suffusion on primaries. — C. minuta is allied, though a smaller form, to /ratercula ; both forms have the dentate white subterminal line usually obvious. From an examination of Kansas specimens, no doubt remains on my mind that atarah 1s founded on more generally obscure specimens of fratercuda. An example of fratercula in the collection of Dr. Bailey has the primaries suffused with black over the median space. NOTES ON -THE LARVA: AND: PUPA’ OF EUCHAETES COLLARIS. BY G. H. VAN WAGENEN, WESTCHESTER CO., N. Y. I have, for three seasons, raised Euchaetes collaris from the larva, it being very abundant in this locality, and present the following notes as the result of my observations : The larvee feed on the Afocynum androsaemifolium, or Spreading Dogs- bane. ‘They will in confinement feed on Asclepias, but I have never, after careful search, found but one of the larvz on it in the field. They feed at night, leaving their food-plant and hiding themselves during the day. About dusk they will be found crawling up the stems of the Afocynum. Unlike eg¢e, which feeds in companies, these are solitary feeders, and I have never found more than two on the same plant ; generally there is but one. ‘The color of the hairs in the early stages of the larva is almost white, but changes to slate color when ready to go into the chrysalis. The early broods go into the chrysalis state about the end of July, and the imago appears in ten days or two weeks. ‘The later broods remain in THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 171 the chrysalis during the winter, and emerge in the following June. They spin a slight cocoon between the leaves or on the ground. They are very easily raised, and require little feeding, eating much less than eg/. The moth appears here from the middle of June to about the middle of July, and again the latter part of August. I am indebted to Dr. Lintner, of the State Museum at Albany, to whom I mailed specimens of the larve and pupz, for the following scientific description. The Dr. states that these specimens were not in the best condition for the purpose, ‘ having lost many of their hairs from rolling,” but on comparing his description with larvee fresh from the plant, it seems to me perfectly correct. LARV# OF EUCHAETES COLLARIS. Sub-cylindrical, tapering moderately at the extremities. Head nearly as large as the first segment, pale luteous with black ocelli; body pale bluish white, semi-transparent ; the pro-leg bearing segments with twelve rows of tubercles, from which radiate pearl-gray branching hairs varying from sparsely sub-spinose to thickly branched, which dorsally are about the length of the diameter of the body, except on the last three segments, where are some twice as long ; the lateral hairs are shorter, but perhaps from attrition ; the longer hairs tend to unite at their tips in pencils of a slaty hue. The tubercles, in their location on the segments referred to, alternate between their anterior fourth and posterior third ; the sub-dorsal ones are oval, the lateral ones elliptical, the latero-stigmatal sub-rotund, as are also the much smaller stigmatal ones ; the form of those of the two inferior rows is not evident. ‘The stigmata are small, narrowly elliptical, white, annulated with black. ‘The legs are unicolorous with the body, the terminal pair quite projected backward. Length of the larva at rest, .87 inch ; in motion, 1.12 inch. Diameter at broadest part, .16 inch. The cocoons are slight, consisting almost wholly of the hairs of the larva, closely investing the pupa, their length from one-half to five-eighths of an inch, with a diameter of about one-fourth of an inch. The pupe are black, closely punctated, ovoid, the terminal segments blunt and unarmed, the thoracic portion projected over the wing-bases in a sub-quadrate form. 172 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. — PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE: Room 56, Maxwell House, Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 31, 1877. Mr. Grote was called to the chair and congratulated the meeting that there were found members from the South interested in the science of Entomology, and regretted the absence of the President of the Club and other officers. A letter was read from President LeConte as follows : Philadelphia, Aug. 24th, 1877. Secretary of the Entom. Club Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Nashville, Tenn.: Dear Sir,—I beg that you will express to the Entomological Club of the Association my great regret that I am not able to attend the meeting at Nashville. It was my intention to be present, but I find now at'the last moment that it will be extremely inconvenient for me to leave this city. I greatly wished to take part in the discussion on nomenclature, but I have already expressed myself so strongly as against such changes as are produced by the rehabilitation of forgotten or disused names, that I think my opinions are fully understood by my colleagues Very truly yours, Joun L. LEConNrE. The Secretary’s report of last year’s meeting was received and adopted. The chair drew the attention of the Club to the report of Capt. Dall on the subject of Zoological Nomenclature made at this meeting, and deprecated any separate action on the part of the Club. The following resolutions were then passed : Resolved—That since the Association has under consideration the subject of Nomenclature, the present Committee of the Club on that subject, consisting of LeConte, Riley, Saunders, Scudder and Grote, be continued to report at next meeting. Resolved—That a request be made on the part of the Club to the Standing Committee of the Association, that copies of Capt. Dall’s report on Zoological Nomenclature be printed and distributed to all active members of the Club before the issuance of the Nashville volume, so that the matter’may be duly considered before the next meeting of the Club. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Lis The meeting then entered into an election for officers for the next meeting, with the following result : President: James A. Lintner, of Albany, N. Y. Vice-President : Wm. Saunders, of London, Ontario. Secretary : B. Pickman Mann, of Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Grote exhibited specimens in all stages of the new Pine Moth, Nephopteryx Zimmermanit. We referred to Mr. Meehan’s remarks after the reading of the paper before the Association on Thursday last, that this was probably the insect so destructive to the Scotch Pine about Phila- delphia. Prof. Nicholson stated that he thought from Mr. Grote’s description and specimens that this insect was the one noticed as attacking the Scotch Pine near Knoxville. The trees had been imported from the north. Mr. Grote alluded to the migratory habits of the Cotton Worm, and stated that in his original paper (Hartford meeting) he had shown that the moth hybernated, but died before it could find cotton on which it could oviposit the ensuing year. Where the moth state was not reached the chrysalis perished in cold winters over the cotton belt. The broods were irregular, occurring in the same locality some years as early as June, some years as late as September. Prof. Stubbs stated that in the main Mr. Grote’s theory of a progres- sion from south to north was, he was satisfied, correct. At the same time he called attention to occasions where the moth appeared in small areas, and thought it possible that in some cases the insect might succeed in holding over. Mr. Grote stated that he thought that in localities where the circum- stances were favorable, Southern Florida and along the coast of Georgia, that this might occur. He had in his original paper alluded to this, and he thought it more likely that the irregular patches on the cotton belt were partial colonizations from the southward or from the sea coast of Florida and Georgia. ‘The first brood was more irregular in distribution. He further said that Prof. Tutwiler, of Ala., had told him that the obser- vations made in his locality were to the effect that a south wind brought the worm ; in the present year the prevailing winds were from the north and they had been free from the worm in Northern Alabama. Mr. Grote concluded by urging the creation of a scientific commission to look into 174 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. the facts of the case. It was one that was the most important to the agricultural interests of the South. Prof. Nicholson stated that he had observed a few specimens of the Colorado Beetle near Knoxville ; the seed had been brought from the north. Judge Bell stated that this year he had seen the Potato Beetle at Exeter, New Hampshire. Mr. Grote exhibited some rare Coleoptera collected at Buffalo, N. Y., by Mr. Ottomar Reinecke. Adjourned. (Signed) A. G. WETHERBY, Sec’y pro. tem. NOTES ON SOME SPECIES OF HOMOPTERA. BY THOS. E. BEAN, GALENA, ILLINOIS. The suggestion of Mr. Hill (quoted on p. 89) that Homopteras “ edusa and /unata are possibly sexes of one species,” has reminded me of my own doubts regarding not only edwsa and Zunata, but also Saundersit, and caused me to make a careful examination of my material. My entire stock numbers 83 local specimens, arranged after authentic types in three series, consisting of 42 “ /unata,” 24 “ Saunderstt,” and 17 “ edusa.” The specimens separated as Zvzata show no white lines or areas on upper side of wings. The Saundersii have two large ovate or crescent areas on outer edge of primaries, and one similar but still larger crescent on outer edge of secondaries ; these areas are partly outlined with white or greenish-white, especially on the inner side. There are also white or greenish-white ill- defined bands across fore wings at region of anterior transverse line. The eduse are like the last in appearance in all respects, except that the six marginal lunates are filled out with white, or pearl, or greenish- white. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST V5 After repeated observation and comparison of these 83 specimens, I feel no particular hesitation in declaring that the 42 /wnafe are all females, the 24 Saundersit and the 17 edus@ all males Examination of the three series above mentioned appears to make evident the following results : First—That the specimens do eas7/y distribute into said three sets. Second—That in general appearance the Saunders? and edusa series would be almost or quite indistinguishable but for the fullness of white on margin spaces of latter form, which constitutes so conspicuous a distinction. Third—From the other two series that of /vzafa not only differs in lacking the white decoration, but is also different in the tone, the hue and depth of the diffused shades of color on the wings ; so that /unafa differs from the other two markedly more than those differ from each other. Fourth—Aside from mere color and shading, the definite markings are alike in the three series. Upon the basis of the characteristic lines alone, tone not taken into account, it would be safe to say that if there are two or more species within the limits of the entire set of specimens, then the same two or more species can also be found in cach of the three series as above arranged ; that is, there is as much essenééal variation in either series as between any two series, or very nearly as much. Fifth—By superior robustness of body, and especially greater fullness of abdomen at post-median region, as also in regard to antenne, the specimens in /uvata series differ strikingly from those of the Saunderstt and edusa series. From these characters, with the difference of tone and absence of white clouding, I conclude that there zs a valid distinction of the lunata set from the other two. This distinction of /zata from the others must be either of species or of sex. As the Saundersit and edusa series differ unimportantly, by presence of a little white or much white, a distinction which alone is not valid either for a difference of species or sex, and as ¢hese seem to be males ; as, furthermore, the /wsate do validly differ from the others for species or else for sex, and ¢hese seem to be females ; and as, finally, the three sets are alike in the definite lines important as criteria of specific difference—I therefore conclude Saundersit and edusa two male forms, and /wata the female form of one and the same species. _ ine pa yee ee om Ee oe A Eg ist A eee Sere ee ees Be ee ee a > ae : 1% eS — > rhe ky ep Rear ath “ 176 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. DETAILS OF COMPARISON. Among the lunate there is only moderate variation, consisting chiefly in less or greater development of the brown suffusion and the blue-black shades ; in about seven specimens the dark shading is largely obsolete and replaced by light brown in an area on f. w. from t. a. line tot. p. line and beyond, extending partly to outer margin, but not reaching costa. There -is an appreciable though slight variation as to curves and dentations of ( fOueliiuatss The Saundersti present moderate variation as to amount of the white decoration, and in several specimens this is almost replaced by greenish white. There is some variation in tone of coloring, in degrees from medium brown to dark, somewhat purplish brown. One or two show on f. w. a somewhat yellowish light-brown area between t. a. and t. p. lines, not reaching costa. A little variation in t. p. line. The edus@ vary slightly as to fullness of the white ovals or crescents on margins. Also as to color of same ; some have crescents entirely white, others have them greenish but outlined with clear white. On f. w. of two examples area from t. a. to t. p. line is colored nearly uniform yellow-brown, the dark shades almost obsolete. Regarding variation in tone of coloring, the comment on Saundersti applies equally to this set. EDUSA AND SAUNDERSII COMPARED. Closely alike in size; if any difference, the latter average slightly larger. Coloration, except as to degree of white, furnishes no means of separation. In Saundersii the marginal crescents are merely sketched or outlined with white, pearl, or greenish-gray ; in edwsa the crescents are filled out with an amplitude of white, &c., some specimens showing greenish-white crescents outlined with clearer white. Saunders? looks like an unfinished edusa. - In observing the white decoration, at first the division of the two sets seems complete, but closer search discovers one edusa from whose mar- ginal crescents the white is about half obsolete, and among the Saundersit are two whose crescents are so largely powdered with white that the step between these two and the cited. edwsa is no wider than the interval THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. ‘Te between these two and the other Saundersiz. Still, aside from these three, the specimens in either set are greatly uniform among themselves and the contrast is great between the two sets as fo this feature of decoration with white. I am unable to find other severance than by this white decoration ; indeed, the two series are in other respects such counterparts that if the sex characters permitted, I should conclude edusa the male and Saundersii the female. But very evidently such is not the case, for both series seem to contain males only. LUNATA COMPARED WITH THE OTHERS. Individuals more robust in body than those of the two other series, but as to expanse of wings abcut the same average. Of the 42 specimens almost all have the general appearance of females. Of only one or two would there seem any doubt, and even these do not look like males, but their appearance is less conclusive as to their sex. In the other sets the reverse seems the case ; all but two or three decidedly appear to be males, and the exceptions do not look like females, but merely. have less definite characters. In color ¢unata contrasts with the others by a more sombre style of decoratioff. On under side the markings of the three series agree as to essentials, the difference being in shading, &c. Hdusa and Saundersii are alike, with a moderate range of individual variation. waza has on an average more distinct markings, varying to partial obsoleteness of the strong lines. The three forms occur coincidently, the season of chief abundance, as indicated by the dates of my specimens, being from mid-July to about roth August. 25th, a ; 26th, 22)--70th) An 21st 20: 1. C. Clintonii—2nd, 1; roth, 2; 19th, 2; 24st, 1: 2, ~ -polygama——7th, a; ith 1 ; 16th,2 5 17th, 28th, 36 other DISt 2) 220d sir saOth. st. 35 0, Uae, pretiosa 3rd, 3% 4th, 45..5th, 15 oth, ay; roth ways rent mer reth; 2); aqgth, a4) 16th, 7... r7thy 1s lasthy 3s otis 2Oth, XS* 2etd. eMac th, Ae 4. “ gracilis—end, 3; 3rd, $3: 4th, 23 5th, 13\; arthj 49.) rethy as 13th, 35; 14th, 30; 16th, 40. Abundant from 17th to 31st. 5. | var. Similis—13th, 5 ; 14th,12;, roth, 28; 18th, 135" roth are 2oth, 30; 21st, 52. Abundant from 23rd to 31st. 6. ala—7th, 1 ; oth, 1f 10th, 330 0Lth, vs tath, a eobber ange 1+ 28th, 6: Lothis 20th. 65 2mst.7 7 een oto 28th, 93s 20th, 2 5 1237S; .2: 7 (i wnidea—y7th, 1 neth,2¢. 07th, 1; 18th, 2; roth, 1. s2othaae 2USt, a i 2'cth~2: Ss. *\epione—oth, 1 ; roth; 2; 20th,.% 5, 21st, 0 -e2sthy 2 potas “« Jbriseis—az1th, 2 ;\12th,.25) rath, 4G 14th. 4s erOth, ee cotn are roth, 4; 20th, 15; 25st, 21 5 231d, 13. y25th, 4 agora 21st, 5- 10. “ -antinympha—xz 1th, 1); rath, 2 >. 13th, 4 5" 14th, 16) ower 18th, 4°; /notha1s\5 = 20th; te erst, 33,0 230d, 27 yeecnens 50 2othy 4a eon, (O32: ir. °“ concumbens—r4th, 1 ; 20th, 5; 21st, 6;:23rd,.2; 26th,y ; 28th, 1; 30th, 57. 2, “ ultronia——1rth, 74 Yeth, 1 14th, .; 16th,en +. 1eth, 5s ote Both; 2 3 21st, 55 c23nds. 35. 25th) 5) sot. (Os mses r3..,‘ praeclara—teth, £; agthha; 14th, 1; 28th a5 roth oe ezoth: T.: 21st, 1. oath ee Sth, 12 20th mG. iA) “crataepi—r 2th, 1 5 “rather sei 7th, 0 5 20st 2: h5.. ) \; velicta—12, 2; ry7thy as a8th,3 ; oth, a eetn nor Zick o4e 16. 7. 18. 19. 20. 27. 22. 2. 24. 2G. 26. A 28. 29. 20. ai. me: 33- 34- 35- 36. QE OD on “ec ce THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 217 . androphila—16th, 1 ; 18th, 4; 19th, 6 ;. 20th, 6; 21st, 20; 23rd, OQ 25th, > 26th, 24 ;. 30th,~35 5 31st; 45. grynea—17th, 1; 18th, 3; roth, 4; 20th, 1; 21st, 1; 25th, 2; 28th, 6; 31st, 2. minuta—18th, 2; 21st, 1. var. parvula—troth, ft. Meskei—18th, 2; 2oth, fr. coccinata—18th, 1; 2oth, 1; 21st, 1; 28th, 1. parta—r1gth, 1; 2oth, 1; 28th, 1; 30th, 1; 31st, 2. tristis—z2oth, 1. insolabilis—zoth, 1. fratercula—2oth, 1 ; 23rd, 2; 25th, 2; 28th, 3; 30th, 1; 3¥siae var. “ (suffused)—2oth, 1; 23rd, 1. palaeogama—zoth, 1. var. phalanga—zoth, 1. cerogama—25th, 1; 28th, 1; 3oth, 3. residua—25th, 1; 28th, 2; 30th, 2. platrix—z28th, 1. retecta—3oth, I. habilis—3oth, 2. Var.— 31St, I. faustina—3Ist, I. cara—3Ist, I. AUGUST. . concumbens—rst, 3. Abundant from 3rd to 31st. androphila—A bundant throughout the month. antinympha Ae < oe ilia——rst-1 >= 7thea: roth, 5. habilis—1st, 1; 3rd, 2; 4th, 1; 7th, 6; 8th, 8 ; roth,6; 13th, 8; 18th, 2; 20th, 11; 22nd, 4; 24th, 3; 27th, 5; 29th, 3.5? -SrSts. Os ulfronia——rst, ©; 3rd, Dp; 6th, 1; 7th, 1;-roth, 1: polygama—tst 1; 3rd, 2; 2oth, 1. residua—tst, 2; 3rd, 2; 4th, 2; 7th, 2; roth,6; 13th,1; 2oth, 2; 24they a. piatrix—3rd,1; 7th, 1; 18th, 3. 218 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. ro. ~C; relicta—-3rd, 2 ;- 4th) -r; 6th; 8; 7th, «35 Sthj7: roth) 42; rath, 28 ;\ 28th, t¥; \aoth;, 17; ‘22nd, 20%, 24th, 43. 27th: 30; 29th, 37; 31st, 34. ta) © briseis—9rd, 156th, 1-; 7th,'3:; ‘Sth, 1; 10th, 4% oath, menor, Bo 22nd: 34 31st; 2: 12. ‘* cerogama—3rd, 2; 4th, 3; 7th, 6; 8th,1; roth,14. Abundant from 13th to 31st. 13: °° cara=-ard, vj 4th, a 5°i7th, 2 58th, 25 yroth; 7; agth, a e7tly BE e2oth, 83 \/20th,.1. 14. “ amatrix var. nurus— 4th, 1; 6th, 1; 22nd, i. iss | unijuga—oth, 15. 7th, 0 5 noth urs aand) or-omst ens: 16. ‘“ epione-—6th, 1; roth, 1. 17. “ praeclara—6th, 8; roth, 6; 22nd, 3; 2oth, rt. 18. ‘* palaeogama—v7th, 1; 13th, 1; 29th, 2. 19. ** var. phalanga—7th, 2; 27th, 2. 20, “ retecfa—roth, 25 13th) a 3. 1Sth,-2 ;s29thi, 4s “20ths7 east. s- 21. ‘ amatrix—r18th, 1. 22. ‘* desperata—18th, 3; 2oth, 4. 23. “ obscura—zoth, 1. 24. subnata—zoth, I. CORRESPONDENCE. WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE FORCEPS IN FORFICULA ? DEAR SIR,— In looking at the authorities upon this subject, I find that Westwood says ‘‘ they are weapons of offence and defence,” but he gives no proofs. De Geer tells us ‘‘ quand quelqu’ autre insect approche du Perceoreille, il tache de le pincer avec cet instrument en courbant le ventra en haut ou vers le cOté, mais sans produire beacoup d’effet.” That I can readily believe. Serville says “cette pince lui sert d’ arme defensive, guozqgue peu redoutable/” ‘That is also true—feu redoutable—tres peu! The con- sistence of the forceps renders them by no means a formidable weapon. But De Geer also says, ‘‘ Le male s’ approche 4 reculons de la femelle dont eee THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 219 il tate le ventre avec sa pince pour rencontrer l’endroit par ou il doit s'unir 3 elle, &c.” This is a more reasonable use of the instrument, but not the only nor most important one. Last summer I had a good opportunity of observing the habits of this insect, for every night numbers of them came into my study window in the country, and lighted very conveniently upon the table at which I was writing. Each one of them, before he took flight, for they were active, would bend his body back and “ft up the short elytra with his forceps before the wings would expand, and this they did invariably. They would do this a dozen times in as many minutes, and not one of them ever took flight without performing this manouvre. The forceps were not used to fold the semicircular wings, but only to elevate the wing covers before flying. I have examined a number of writers upon Fovjicuda, but not one of them mentions this remarkable fact, which I observed for many con- ® cutive nights, and I have no doubt of the truth of it. This, then, I believe is the real and perhaps only function of the instrument. Jno. G. Morris, Baltimore. EREBUS ZENOBIA. Dear Sir,— On the night of the 6th of September, 1877, George C. Thomas took near Racine, Wis., a fine male Erebus zenobia Cram. On the night of the 15th of September I captured, in similar condition, a female of the same species. So far as I can learn, there is but one other instance of this species being taken in North America. H. Strecker says that one speci- men was taken at or near Davenport, Iowa, several years since. The taking of this West Indian species at Racine is but adding another to the numerous instances where Southern forms visit us. I have repeatedly called attention to this peculiarity of the Racine fauna. Southern forms go much further north than they do east of the great lakes ; especially is this true of birds and insects. I send a photograph of the ¢. Expands 5 inch; @ 7 inch. P. A. Hoy, M. D., Racine, Wisconsin. [We are greatly indebted to Dr. Hoy for the photograph of this rare and very interesting insect.—-Ep. C. E. | 220 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. FOOD PLANTS OF H. MAIA. DEAR Sir, I am reminded by Robert Bunker’s remarks on the food plant of Hemileuca maia (p. 119 of current volume of Can. Ent.) that in 1874, in a circular issued from the Department of Public Instruction of the State of Illinois, I wrote the following : “Our savants in Entomological lore give Oak, Willow and Spiraea as usual food plants for the larvae of Hemzleuca mata, but here, on or near these spacious marshes [along Calumet River, south of Chicago] these plants are scarcely abundant enough to warrant so numerous an atray of the perfect insect. The unavoidable inference, therefore, is that either some other food plant is specially abundant in the locality, or else some other feature of the neighborhood which, perhaps, has hitherto escaped the attention of Entomologists, constitutes to them a strong attraction.” The tract of country alluded to is just such a swampy locality as Mr. Bunker speaks of in his communication. No doubt the list of food plants for these larvae is yet far from complete. O. S. WestcoTT, Racine, Wis. DeEaR SiIR,— From among numerous fine captures during this last season I mention the following as being of especial interest to many collectors, as they were taken in the Township of Roselle, New Jersey : Sept. 1st—Catocala marmorata, relicta and unijuga. The former was resting upon a white oak. The following Sphingide in larval form are secured; the first is of exceeding great rarity : Smerinthus astylus and myops ; Cressonia juglandis; Darapsa versicolor. Gro. W. PEck, 226 Pearl St., New York. Dear SIR, I would suggest that the “seeming growth” observed by Mr. Aaron on the eye of P. philenor is nothing but the pollen of the flowers visited | for honey by the butterfly. In this way Darwinists believe that cross- fertilization is effected in many plants, and they show also that such cross-fertilization is beneficial to plants. A. R. Grote, Buffalo, N. Y. AMBLYCHILA CYLINDRIFORMIS FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE. Also in exchange for Entomological Works, G. P. COOPER, Topeka, Kansas, U.S. COLEOPTERA. The undersigned, having published a complete LIST OF NUMBERS, copied from Crotch’s Check List of Coleoptera, (Genus and Families separated by light and heavy lines), offer them for sale. Price, 5 Full Setts for 25 Cents. Address— REINECKE & ZESCH, 500 Main-St., BurFaALo, N. Y. THE BUTTERFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA BY W. H. EDWARDS. H. O. Houghton & Co. have issued Part 5, Volume 2, of Tue ButrerFLies OF NorTH AMERICA. Price $2.50 per part. Apply to H. O. Houcutron & Co., Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., or to Hurp & HoucurTon, 13, Astor Place, New York. Missing parts of Volume 1 can be had on application to H. O. H. & Co. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Naturai Sciences. VOLUME III. The BurraLo Society oF NaTuRAL SCIENCES is publishing Volume III of its Bulletin, and purposes to distribute the Volume to subscribers in four numbers (or by “signatures” as printed.) The subscription to Vol III is four dollars, which must be remitted to the undersigned : LEON F. HARVEY, M. D. 32 South Division St., BuFFALo, N. Y. JOHN AKHURST, Taxidermist, No. 19, Prospect Street, Brooklyn, NEW YORK, keeps constantly on hand for sale, Sheet Cork for insect boxes—size, 12 x 34 x 4; $1.25 per dozen sheets. Entomological pins, of Klager and other German makers, $1.25 per 1000 ; also dealer in native and exotic bird skins, birds’ eggs, insects, &c., &c, N. B.—The above prices deo not include the cost of transportation. Check List of North American Noctuidae, BY A. R. GROTE, A.M, Part 1, pp. 28, with photographic plate, notes and descriptions (Bozm- byciae and Noctuelitae [Nonfasciatae.] Price $1.00. Part 2, with prefatory note in reply to Edwards and Hagen on ‘ Hanten (Noctuelitae, |Fasciatae] Deltoides and Noctuo-Phalaenidi.) Price 75 cts. The two parts, completing the work, will be mailed free for $1.50. Address, - REINECKE &:> ZESCH, 500 Main’ St., Buffalo, N. 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Lepidoptera and Coleoptera for sale or exchange. Agent for Wallace’s Silk Reeler. ee eo | L Trouvelot _ Che Canadian Entomologist. VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., DECEMBER, 1877. No. 12 A FEW COMMON WOOD-BORING BEETLES. BY THE REV. C. J. S. BETHUNE, M. A., PORT HOPE, ONT. Our Canadian wood-boring beetles, with the exception of a few some- what minute species, belong to the two great families of Buprestide and Cerambycide. ‘These include an immense number of different genera - and species ; in Crotch’s List of the Coleoptera of North America (north of Mexico) there are enumerated the names of no less than 169 species of the former family and 552 of the latter; about one-third of these are found in this country. It is evident, then, that to give a bare list of all our Canadian species of wood-borers would occupy no little space, while a detailed description of them, if one were competent for the task, would fill many numbers of this journal. We propose, therefore, on the present occasion to merely give a brief account of the eight species depicted on the accompanying plate. These we have selected on account of their frequent occurrence in almost all parts of the ‘country, and the consequent familiarity of their appearance even to non-Entomologists. Our readers will, we are sure, be pleased with the beauty of the figures, which have been admirably drawn upon stone by Mr. L. Trouvelot, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Taking the species in the order in which they are numbered on the plate, we come first to ~ I. Monohammus scutellatus Say—A Pine Borer.—This beetle, which derives its specific name from its conspicuously white scutellum, is of a shining black colour on both the upper and under surfaces, thickly punc- tured with irregular impressions ; on the wing-cases there are, as shown in the figure, a number of scattered whitish spots of various shapes and sizes ; these, on close inspection, are found to be composed of dense 222 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. short white hairs, which often become rubbed off and disappear; the thorax is armed on each side with a thick triangular spine ; the antenne are many-jointed, and about the same length as the body in the male, while in the female they are about twice that proportion. The size of the beetle varies from less than half an inch in the male to over three-quarters _ of an inch (exclusive of the antennz) in the female. The larva is a large thick white grub, destitute of legs, divided into a number of well-marked segments ; the head armed with a strong pair of jaws. The larva infests the Pine, after the timber has been cut or newly fallen, and often causes serious injury to it by boring large oval-shaped holes which extend for long distances through the interior of the log. The perfect insects appear in June, and are sometimes very abundant ; we have occasionally found them swarming in great numbers on fallen pine trees. . The insect is com- -mon throughout Canada and the neighbouring States. 2. Clytus speciosus Say (genus Glycobius Lec.)—The Maple Borer.— The colours of this remarkably handsome insect are deep velvety black and bright yellow. The figure represents its shape and markings so accurately that further description is unnecessary ; the size depicted, how- ever, is decidedly above the average. This wasp-like beetle is not very abundant, but may occasionally be found on Maple trees, which its larve infest both when growing in the forest and also when cut into cord-wood. The eggs are laid by the parent beetle on the trunk of the Sugar-maple during the middle of summer ; when hatched the grubs penetrate through the bark and make long winding borings through the solid wood. Occa- sionally they are very destructive to young Maple trees, but on the whole they are not sufficiently numerous to be objects of dread. 3. Orthosoma cylindricum Fab.—A Pine Borer.—This large beetle is the commonest and best known of our wood-borers ; its habit of flying through open windows into lighted rooms during the warm evenings of July, usually to the great alarm of the inmates, has caused its appearance to be very familiar to every one. It is one of our largest beetles, measur- ing oftentimes as much as an inch and a half in length by over a third of an inch in breadth. Its general colour is a chestnut brown, approaching black on the head and antenne. The thorax is armed with three’sharp spines on each side; each wing-case has three slightly elevated ridges running lengthwise for nearly the whole length; the eyes, which are ts Re eee eB ey ee ee ioe pa THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 223 situated behind the antennz, are enormously large and very conspicuous. The larva is a large fat white grub, with powerful jaws of a darker colour ; it feeds upon the wood of the Pine, and from its size often injures the timber very materially. ee ae ye: 4. Clytus robinte Forst.—The Locust tree Borer. (The synonymy of this insect has been rather perplexing ; it is now included in the genus Cyllene Newm. ; for a long time we were accustomed to call it C/ytus fiexuosus Fab., but the specific name given above has the priority. It was also long considered to be identical with C. gzctus Drury, that bores into the Hickory, but the late Mr. Walsh proved satisfactorily that the two species are distinct.)—The general colour of this insect is deep black with light yellow stripes ; on the head and thorax these stripes form narrow transverse bands, but on the wing-covers there is first of all a narrow yel- low anterior edging (not shown in the figure), then a slightly flexuous stripe (not straight as in the figure) ; this is followed by a narrow zig-zag band forming a letter W across the wings, and three irregularly wavy and SEEN AS ee eT eee eee! ee Te ean ee ee a+, _— broken stripes ; there is also a yellow dot at the tip, and broader stripes 5 on the sides of the abdomen of the same colour. The antennz are long : and many-jointed, and of a dark brown colour ; the legs are long and of a tawny hue. The larva is a whitish coloured grub, about an inch long and ; the thickness of an ordinary goose-quill, and is furnished with six very minute legs. When young it appears to bore chiefly into the sap-wood, but afterwards strikes off into the solid wood of the tree, perforating it in : every direction. Its presence is early indicated by the little heaps of saw- ; dust.extruded from the holes, and accumulated about the base of the tree. The history of this insect is rather a curious one. For a little over a hundred years it has been known to inhabit the State of New York, its appearance and habits being recorded by some English Entomologists of the last century. About thirty years ago it was found as far west as Chicago, whence it spread throughout the State of Illinois, but it was not till 1863 that it reached Rock Island, about 200 miles further west, where —Mr. Walsh relates—it suddenly appeared in great swarms and utterly destroyed all the Locust trees. The first record we have found of its) appearance in Canada is by Mr. Couper, who states (Can. Fournal, 1855, p- 377) that he observed some Locust trees attacked by this insect in Montreal in September, 1855. In 1862 it began to be very destructive to the Locusts in Toronto, and for several years was excessively abundant ee 224 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. there. In 1873 Mr. Reed relates its appearance in enormous numbers at London, Ont. ; now it appears to be generally distributed throughout this province, and occasionally becomes very injurious to these ornamental trees. The perfect insect, in the localities it frequents, may usually be found in September on the flowers of the Golden-rod (Solidago ), of which it eats the pollen, as well as upon the trunks of the trees it infests. 5. Chrysobothris femorata Fab.—An Apple tree Borer.—This insect belongs to the family Buprestide, while all the others on our plate pertain to the Cerambycidz ; the difference in shape and structure, and especially in the length of the antennz, is very noticeable in the figures. The beetle, which may be found basking on the tree-trunks in the hot sunshine in the end of June or during July, is very lively when danger threatens and will take wing instantly if an attempt is made to catch it. Its black- ish colour above so much resembles the bark of the tree that it readily escapes the notice of an ordinary observer ; but beneath it is of a beauti- fully burnished dark copper colour, looking as if it were made of metal ; beneath the wing-covers it is bluish. While the figure gives the shape of the insect very correctly, it much exaggerates its size, which seldom exceeds three-eighths of an inch; the light spots on the wing-cover are also erroneous in being very much too conspicuous. ‘The larva is a long flattened grub, with an enormously large flat head in proportion to the rest of its body. When first hatched from the egg it eats the soft sap- wood of the Apple tree, but afterwards it bores into the harder interior. As it especially attacks young trees, it is often terribly destructive to newly-planted orchards. 6. Saperda candida Fab.—An Apple tree Borer.—This insect, which rivals the foregoing species in the injuries it inflicts upon Apple trees, is a - pale-brown beetle with two chalky-white longitudinal stripes running from the head to the apex of the wing-covers ; its under side, legs and face are also chalky-white, and its antennz a little darker; its length is about three-quarters of an inch. ‘The larva is of a pale yellow or whitish “colour, with a brownish polished head and black jaws ; it is.destitute of legs, but like other larvee of the same family, it is enabled to move in its burrows by the contraction and expansion of its well-defined segments ; when fully grown it is about an inch long. It may readily be distinguished from the preceding species by its cylindrical and more symmetrical shape. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 225 Thus far this most injurious insect has only been found in certain portions of this country, being very abundant in the Niagara district, and in the neighbourhood of Montreal and Quebec, but happily rare, or entirely absent, from almost all other parts. 7. Monohammus confusor Kirby.—A Pine tree Borer.—This fine beetle, which is especially remarkable for the extraordinary length of its antenne, is, in our Pine regions, one of the most common and destructive of our insect enemies. Its general colour is an ashen grey, mottled with variable darker spots ; the scutellum is white ; there are also patches of whitish colour on the head, thorax and abdomen. ‘These variations of colour, being due to a covering of very fine short hairs, which oftentimes are rubbed off, are not to be depended upon in the determination of the species. Asin JZ. scutellatus (fig. 1), each side of the thorax is armed with a short thick spine. The length of the insect varies from three- quarters of an inch to an inch and a half—the average size being over an inch; the antennz of the males vary in length from one and a half to three iaches ; those of the female are somewhat shorter. The larva is a large, white, somewhat cylindrical grub, destitute of feet. During the summer the female lays her eggs in crevices of the bark of the white and red pine, selecting for the most part timber that has been scorched by fire, or felled by the wind or the lumberman’s axe ; the larva when hatched soon eats its way into the wood, and before this period of its existence is closed it often burrows immense galleries through and through the solid interior. As it lives a long time in the larval state, the perfect insect is frequently only developed after the timber has been built into a house, and then suddenly emerges from its concealment to the great consternation of the inhabitants of the dwelling. The larva, when burrowing in the wood, makes a loud noise like the boring of an auger, which on a still night may be heard for a considerable distance. The species is very gen- erally distributed throughout Canada and the Northern States ; in the pine-growing regions it is often excessively abundant. The late Mr. E. Billings relates that he once sawa pine tree near Lake Clear, in the county of Renfrew, on which he calculated that there were at least three hundred individuals of this species, while numbers more were flying about in all directions. As the insect attacks the cut timber when left over summer in the woods, it is a very serious injury to the operations of the lumber- men of this country. sa a Be Eee a Nee EN eee an oie 226 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. &. Oberea tripunctata Fab.—The Raspberry Borer.—-We now come to the last insect on our plate ; the figure is a good deal exaggerated in size, the length of the beetle being under half an inch, and its width one- tenth of aninch. Its colour is deep black, with the exception of the thorax above and the front part of the breast beneath, which are rusty yellow ; on the thorax there are three small elevated black dots arranged in a triangle (not two only, as in the figure), whence is derived the specific name of the insect. The antenne are nearly, if not quite, as long as the body. The beetles are usually found in July and the beginning of August ; they attack all the varieties of raspberry, and come into gardens from the fields and clearings, where we have often taken specimens and observed their work. The mode of attack is peculiar: the first appearance of injury is usually manifested by the withering and drooping of the ends of the young shoots. On inspection, it is found that at the base of the affected part there are two rows of punctures, half an inch apart, running completely round the canes, and so girdling them that the supply of sap is stopped and the tops necessarily soon wither and break off. The parent insect begins by cutting with its jaws a series of small punctures side by side around the cane, six or seven inches from the top. As soon as the first row is completed, it turns round, and facing the other way, cuts a second row measuring the length of its own body. These two girdles being completed, it makes a small hole a little way above the lower girdle and deposits in it its small yellow egg. The whole operation occupies an hour or more. From this egg there hatches out in a few days a small yel- low footless grub, which proceeds to burrow downwards, eating the pith of the cane and eventually causing its destruction. In order not to occupy too much space, we have forborne to make any mention of remedies which have been applied with more or less suc- cess to combat the ravages of these destroyers. Should any of our readers desire information upon this point, we beg to refer them to the Entomo- logical Society’s forthcoming Report to the Legislature, which will include many particulars regarding these insects which we have not given above. AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SocIETY—NOTICE OF REMOVAL.—The American Entomological Society has removed to the south-west corner of Nineteenth and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., where all correspond- ence, &c., should be addressed. Chas. A. Blake is Corresponding Sec’y. ve fad 5 Olea iis el” 7 a THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 227 A NEW GENUS OF TORTRICIDZ:.* BY A. R. GROTE, Director of the Museum, Buffalo Soctety Natural Sciences. In the early’ spring, from the middle to the end of April, Prof. Lintner and Mr. Hill have taken near Albany a rather small and incon- | spicuously colored moth, remarkable for its diurnal activity. At first sight I did not recognize it as belonging to the Tortricidz, but on examination it shows the family characters and seems to be allied to the European genus Cheimatophila. But it is not vein 4, but vein 5 that is wanting on the hind wings, and the other characters sufficiently separate our species. Exentera, n. g. Sub-median vein of secondaries hairy above at base. Ocelli. Eyes naked. Antenne of the male brush-like, of the female simple. Fore wings narrow, long, with parallel costal and internal margins ; apices not produced ; external margin short and even; 12-veined, all the veins separate ; vein 1 furcate at base; 2 from median at two-thirds from the base ; vein 7 joins the external margin below apex ; ro is thrown off nearly mid-way between 9 and 11. Hind wings 7-veined, 5 wanting ; 6 and 7 from one point ; 3 and 4 near together at base; 2 at three-fourths from the base of wing. Fringes moderate ; ovipositor slightly exserted. Palpi bushy, third article moderate. Front hairy, thorax smooth, legs untufted. Lxentera apriliana, n. s. & ¢. Concolorous, dark olivaceous fuscous, a little mottled, immacu- late ; hind wings smoky fuscous, sub-pellucid, paler beneath. Under the glass the fore wings and thorax are seen to be covered with whitish-tipped fuscous scales. Length of 2 primary 11 mil.; length of 2 body 9 mil. * Prof. C. H. Fernald, Orono, Maine, is now engaged in the study of our N. Am. Tortrices, and I have relinquished to him my accumulated material for the purpose. I hope my friends will supply him with the necessary material to enable him to give us a full and much needed paper on the group. 228 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. SEXES OF HOMOPTERA LUNATA. BY THOS. E, BEAN, GALENA, ILLINOIS. For the purpose of further testing conclusions stated on p. 174 regard- ing Homopteras lunata, edusa and Saundersii, 1 have secured all observed at my sugar since the former writing. There are 38 “ Zunata,’ 23 ‘‘ Saunderst?” and 18 “edusa.” Having " opportunity to examine these while fresh, I observed the anatomy of the sex Organs in each specimen as captured. The result verified the view previously advanced—the /unate were all females, the Saundersii and edus@ ail males. In regard to the wing-markings, the comment already printed applies equally to this lot of specimens ; in addition I may say that there appears to be somewhat greater variation of t. p. line among the females (/unate) than in the two series of males (eduse and Saundersii ). A large proportion of these specimens—nearly one-half—were taken in September ; of those obtained in previous years a majority were cap- tured earlier in the season. It will be noticed the numerical proportion between the sexes, and also between the two male forms ‘‘ Saundersiz” and “ edusa,” already printed, is pretty well sustained in the present lot. The proportion of about 4 “ Saundersii” to 3 “eduse” is perhaps a tolerable approximation to their relative abundance here, as it was during the past summer my aim to secure all observed. A note from Mr. Grote advised examination of the frenulum. I have applied this test to each of the 162 specimens, with result confirming the conclusion already reached. This structure is uniformly simple in “edusa” and “ Saundersit,’ and compound in “ dunata.” NaTuRALIsts’ Drrectory.—A new edition of this convenient publi- cation is promised about May next. Besides containing as complete 4 list of the names of Naturalists as it is possible to obtain, it is to embrace a list of all the scientific societies in North America, their location, officers and active members. Any communications relating to this Directory should be addressed to S. E. Cassino, Salem, Mass. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 229 DESCRIPTION OF PREPARATORY STAGES OF NEONYMPHA SOSYBIUS. BY W. Hy EDWARDS, COALBURGH, W. VA. Egg laid July 16th, on grass, the female being confined in a bag over a tuft of grass set in a flower pot. Shape nearly that of a semi-ovoid, the base being flattened and the sides at base rounded, the surface under a low power smooth, but under a higher seen to be covered with shallow thimble-like depressions ; color greenish-white. Hatched July zoth. Young larva Length .og inch. Shape cylindrical, but marked by five or six longitudinal tuberculated ridges; each tubercle sending out a clubbed white hair, some of which are curved forward, others back ; color white ; head much larger than second segment, rounded, bilobed, rather broader than long, the vertices without processes, pilose, shining black. Duration of this stage 6 days. After 1st moult—Length .2 inch. Shape cylindrical, thickest in the middle, tapering evenly either way, so that 2nd segment is of about same breadth as 12th; tail forked ; color light green; covered with fine white tubercles, arranged in longitudinal rows, not quite regularly, each tubercle sending out a white hair ; the space between the two dorsal rows is rather broader than between the rows elsewhere, presenting a clear green medio- dorsal stripe ; and at extreme edge of dorsum is also a green stripe, but narrower ; legs, pro-legs and under side green ; head considerably broader than 2, rounded, a little depressed at top, angular at the sides below ; color green, darker than body, much covered with fine white, pubescent tubercles ; ocelli and mandibles brown. ‘To next moult 7 days. After 2nd moult—Length .36 in. Shape as before, and similarly marked, the tubercles of unequal size ; the largest arranged in the longi- tudinal rows, but many small ones placed on the ridges caused by the creasing of the several segments ; color blue-green ; head no broader than 2, yellow-green, shaped and marked as before. To next moult 6 days. After 3rd moult—Length .42 inch. Stout, thickest in the middle, rounding somewhat dorsally; color pale green; on either side of the 230 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. darker medio-dorsal stripe the row of white tubercles forms quite a broad stripe, another one at edge of dorsum, and another at base, over feet ; the head emerald green, shaped as before. ‘To next moult 5 days. After 4th moult—Length .56 inch. Without another moult this stage -continued till maturity. Mature Larva—Léngth .76 inch. Cylindrical, obese, thickest in the middle, rounded dorsally, and sloping slightly to 11, then rapidly to last segment, which ends in forked, divergent tails ; color emerald green, much covered with fine yellow tubercles placed on the ridges caused by the creasing of the segments, and with larger tubercles disposed in longi- tudinal rows ; each tubercle giving out a fine and short white hair; at base of body the stripe is more heavily tuberculated than on dorsum ; on either side of a clear, dark green, medio-dorsal stripe is a tuberculated stripe,and another at edge of dorsum ; under side, legs and pro-legs, nearly same green as above; head rounded, broader than high, bilobed, and but little depreseed at the suture, somewhat flattened frontally, broader than 2, equal to 3 ; covered with yellow, conical, fine points, arranged in close vertical rows, and at same time in transverse rows also ; the ocelli black, mandibles brown. The larva suspended in form of figure 6. Duration of this stage 7 days. Chrysalis—Length .4 inch ; greatest breadth .1 inch. Cylindrical, the abdomen stouter than anterior portion ; mesonotum rounded, carinated ; the head case truncated, scarcely projecting beyond the mesonotum, slightly arched at top, narrow, beveled at corners ; the wing cases flaring a little on dorsal side, the neuration of wings seen distinctly ; color green, on the abdomen yellow-green ; on either side of dorsum on abdomen is a smali ridge, and on either side of this are three black dots, placed in pairs between the mesonotum and extremity ; on either side below wing cases a brown stripe ; the keel of mesonotum brown, and the wing cases are crocked along the principal nervures, and on the margin is a black dot at the end of each nervule. Duration of this stage 13 days. This species is very common in this part of West Virginia, and is found over the Southern and Southwestern States and in Mexico. Here it is two brooded. It flies in company with gemma and eurytrts, keeping within the edge of the forest, or if in the open country, is always near timber. The egg is shaped very much like that of ewsytris, but still more : THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. yay i: like the eggs of certain Pafilios, turnus for instance, but is netted on surface. like the former and unlike the latter. It is quite different from the egg of wephele, and the egg of gemma is globular. The young larva is very different from that of wephele, but as it passes its several stages the larva grows surprisingly like the corresponding stages of mep/ele both in shape and color, while at every stage it is very unlike gemma in these respects. It is less like ewsytris in shape than wephele. On the other hand, the chrysalis is very like that of ewrytris, wholly unlike that of gemma, and pretty near that of wefhele. In these preparatory stages its affinities are with ewrytr7s in egg and chrysalis, with wephe/e in larva, and as unlike gemma in larva and chrysalis as if the latter were an Afatura. INSECTS FEEDING ON GLEDITSCHIA. BY V. T. CHAMBERS, COVINGTON, KY. Felice pallidochrella Cham., and Agnippe biscolorella Cham. My observations on both of these species scarcely permit me to doubt that their larve feed in some way on the Honey Locust ( Gleditschia tricanthos ), though neither of them has been bred from the larva. I have, however, met with a larva from which I have not succeeded in breeding the imago, and which I believe to be the larva of one of these species. It is a Ge/echia-like larva, about half an inch long, with sixteen feet, and feeds inside the seed-pods of the G/editschia, on the honey-like substance found in them, and not, so far as I have observed, on the seed. Its head is very pale ferruginous, the other segments being of a pale apple green, with very indistinct darker spots. Ihave met with it in September and October, but have never found it in the old pods in the spring, where- fore I think it probable that it leaves the pods to pupate. It is most probably the larva of Hf. pallidochrella. This species will be considered —and is—a Gelechia in the wide sense—the sense in which it is a con- venient receptacle for every species that cannot be better disposed of. Zan THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. And as I had previously described a very different species as G. pallid- ochrella, 1 suggest for this species the specific name of gleditschieedla. While upon the subject of species feeding on Géeditschia, I wish to call the attention of Coleopterists to two species of Buprestidae which feed upon this tree. I have never bred either, and have met with each only once, one of them in the larval, the other in the pupal condition. The larva, which resembles that of a Brachys more closely than it does that of any other genus known to me, feeds inside the thorns, and is about 1¥% lines long. It is depressed and narrows rapidly from the third seg- ment back to the tenth, the remaining segments being again dilated. The other species feeds zz the seed. The only specimen that I have met with was a dead pupa found in a seed in May. The entire contents of the seed had been consumed, and the pupa fitted the pericarp so accurately that it looked as if the contents had been metamorphosed into the pupa—as in a sense they had—while the pericarp itself was intact. In breaking open the seed the pupa was somewhat crushed, and it may prove not to be that of a species of Buprestide, but I think it belongs to that family. The pupa having so nearly the shape and size of the bean or seed of the Gleditschia is about three lines long by two wide, and depressed. There is no danger of mistaking the larva of Zaverna gled- itschizella Cham. for that of either of these species. In this connection I wish also to refer again to the very singular larva mentioned in the Can. EN?., v. 8, p. 137, and to add to the account there given of it that the maxille are enormously developed and are used as aids to progression—not exactly as legs, perhaps,—but they are applied to the surface as if the insect was feeling its way with them. Their eyes are reduced to the merest points—indeed I am not sure that these points are eyes—and enclosed in the darkness of the thorn it has more use for “feelers” than for eyes. Laverna gleditschieella, however, which likewise feeds in the thorns, has the eyes well developed. ‘The other larva tumbles about helplessly on a plain surface, being unable to walk on it. It requires a tubular place or cavity like the inside of the thorn, where by arching its body the dorsal tubercles can be brought to bear on one surface, while its ventral legs bear on the opposite one, and then it progresses easily enough. Using what is called the live-box or animalcule cage by micro- scopists, placing the larva between the glass and its brass setting, it courses around actively, using its dorsal tubercles as legs. I have never succeeded in rearing it, and do not know to what order it should be referred. yy eoaate THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 233 Laverna gleditschigella Cham. is much subject to the attacks of hymen- opterous parasites inits larval condition. Yet it is difficult to understand how this is possible under the conditions of its larval life. The first traces of the larva are always found zx the pith of the stem or branch of the tree, about an inch from the base of the thorn. I have never been able to understand how the larva gets to the pith without leaving some trace of its path from the outside of the stem. The egg must be deposited on the outside of the stem, because the ovipositor of the @ is too soft to be able to penetrate the bark and wood to the pith. It would seem that the eggs of the little chalcid parasites must be deposited on the microscopic larva of the moth as soon as it emerges from the egg, and before it has eaten its way into the branch, because it is impossible to understand how it can be done afterwards, as these little parasites are themselves so small that two of them placed end to end would not extend from the outer sur- face of the bark of the twig to the central pith, and their ovipositors are very short and not exserted. By some means, however, they do manage to reach the larva, and frequently in place of the lepidopterous larva one finds only its shrivelled integument and a dozen or more minute chalcid pupz, looking as if they were plaited together so as to form a chain as long as the larva of the moth. Sometimes, too, one finds the imagines which have not been able to effect their egress, however they may have effected their ingress to the thorn. There are two other species of Chal- cididz sometimes found in a similar predicament, dead in the prison in which they were hatched. One of these in the imago state is about two lines long. I do not know whether these feed on the larva of the Laverna or on one of the other larve above mentioned. The Laverna larva eats its way to the base of the nearest thorn, usually about an inch distant, then up through its pith a short distance, frequently turning off into the nearest branch. It eats through nearly to the outer surface, leaving only the thin cuticle of the thorn, reaching this point in May, the egg having been deposited on the twig about July or August of the previous year. Here it enters the pupa state, and in ten days or two weeks the imago makes its appearance, the empty pupa skin being left projecting from the little circular hole where it has burst through the cuticle of the thorn. The imago is almost unicolorous, but it ranges from deep glossy brown very faintly bronzed, to a bright bronze or almost golden brown. Dr. Schweinfurth mentions ( Heart of Africa, v. 1, ~. 98) and figures the thorns of an African Acacia which have a large swelling at the base 934 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. produced by some insect, with the little orifice from which it had emerged very much like that made by Laverna sgleditschieel/a in the thorns of the Honey Locust. ‘The Laverna, however,‘ produces no swelling of the thorn. Ona journey previous to that detailed in the Heart of Africa, Dr. S. had planted in Cairo seeds of an Acacia which he had gathered in equatorial Africa. On his later journey these seeds had produced trees which bore thorns in which were the same swellings and the hole by which the insect had emerged, and the Dr. suggests the query whether the insect had survived in the seed! ! or ‘“‘how did it contrive to get to its tree in Cairo?” ‘The idea is novel enough that the insect was carried in the seed which survived its ravages, and in spite of them produced a tree, while the insect having been planted in the seed, managed to make its way through all the stages of the growth of the tree for so many years,and finally emerged from its thorn. As Dr. S. states that “it also occurred in several other situations” beside that at which he planted seed, a more reasonable theory is that the insect was there before he planted the seed. He does not inform us what sort of an insect it was. He mentions also a musical sound produced by the wind blowing into the holes in the thorns from which the insects had emerged. | No sound, however, is pro- duced by this cause in the thorns of the Gleditschia. I have been informed that thorns of various species of Acacia (in a large sense) in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are perforated by insect borings similar to those of Laverna gleditschieella in the Honey Locust, but I have not been able to procure specimens of the insect architect. Prof. Sumichrast mentions similar borings in Acacias in Mexico (referred to in a volume of the American Naturalist—I write from recollection and cannot refer to the volume or page). These, however, like those of which Mr. Belt gives such an entertaining account in “ The Naturalist in Nicaragua,” were tenanted by ants, and according to Mr. Belt, the exca- vations in the Nicaragua Acacias were made by the ants, which in return for the home and shelter afforded by the thorns, furnished a standing army for the tree, protecting it from depredations by other animals. Two species of ants—a M/yrmica very near JZ. molesta Say, and a Formica (F. dislocata ? Say) also inhabit the thorns of G/editschia triacanthos ; but I have not been able to learn that they render any sort of service to the tree, and certainly they do not excavate their own dwellings, but only appropriate dead thorns that have already been excavated by the larva referred to in the preceding pages—just as they might take advantage THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 235 of any other crevice or opening which promised the requisite shelter. The colonies of the Formica are much more numerous than those of the Myrmica, and the species varies so in color—from those in which the workers are of a dull dead black to those in which the thorax is of a honey yellow—that I at first thought there were three species. I became con- vinced, however, that there is but the one species. Each formicarium contained one 2 and a number of larvee, while the number of workers in some was less than a dozen ; in others it rose to more than a hundred. ON THE GENERA NOLA AND ARGYROPHYES. BY A. R. GROTE, Divector of the Museum, Buffalo Society Natural Sciences. I have received from Canada (London, Mr. Saunders) a new and easily recognizable species of (Vola, larger than ovi//a, and in describing it, I have again gone over the characters of Arzyrophyes, which I find to be allied to (Vo/a, and not to belong to the Geometridae. I have corrected my former observations on A7gyrophyes, which I find to have been largely erroneous. . LVola sexmaculata, n. Ss. g ¢. Fore wings with the apices produced, gray, like ovz//a in color, crossed by three oblique dentate and very fine black lines. Costa at base marked with brown. Immediately beyond, at basal third, is a second brown mark, widening inferiorly on the cell. A third and larger, sub- quadrate, at the middle of the wing. ‘These two last spots are seen to be very finely edged with white on the outside. Hind wings gray with white fringes and discal dot. Beneath sub-irrorate, fore wings gray, hind wings white with discal dot. xfanse 19 mil. Two specimens; in the male the antennz are broken off; from what remains they do not appear to have been pectinate. ‘ 236 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. Argyrophyes Grote (Bull. B. S. N. S., 1, Plate v.) The enlarged figures of the neuration (3, 2) I have given are incorrect and may mislead. I have made a fresh preparation of the wings accord- ing to Mr. Dimmock’s method. ‘The primaries are like Zeller’s figure of Nola confusalis (fig. 43, @) except that the base of 6 is opposite 5 from the cross vein, as I have figured it. My diagnosis is correct except that for “g from upper and outer angle of the cell to costa” it should read “just before the upper, etc.,” and here my figure and description, which agree, are both wrong. Also 7 touches the costa just before the apex, not at apex. The hind wings differ from Zeller’s fig. 6, and agiee with mine in that vein 4 is joined at right angles by a true vein to vein 3, and is nearer 3 than 6, as I have drawn it. My vein 4 is probably vein 5 of Heineman (1, 273). ‘There is also one accessory internal vein on hind wings. I have referred the single species to the Geometride, but it should be evidently placed near Roese/ia among the Lithosians. The neuration is so very variable among the European species that it might not be held generically distinct, but vein 5 is not thrown off from the middle of the cross-vein as given by Heineman for oese/ia, but is nearer 3 (4 wanting) than it is 6, and joined by a true transverse vein to the submedian, which is thus 3-branched, not as Zeller figures confusatis, 2-branched with 5 inde- pendent from the middle of the cell without a true connection with the submedian vein itself. 1 cannot now account for my errors in drawing the enlarged figures of Arvgyrophyes, except that the wings, which are very frail, were insufficiently cieared of scales, preventing me from getting an accurate view of the venation. The diagnosis given by me (I. c. 175) should be amended to read as follows : Areyrophyes, n. §. Ocelli wanting. | Maxillee short, concealed by the prominently long, very thickly scaled palpi, which exceed the front, their third article directed forwards. Wings full; primaries large with evenly arcuate costa, straight external, and consequently long internal margin ; ro-veined ; cell long, incompletely closed ; 2 to 5 at decreasing intervals ; 5 from the cross-vein near 4; 6 from the cross-vein near 4 and opposite 5; between 5 and 6 the cell is incompletely closed by an angulated fold; 7 to costa just behind apex; $ out of 7 to costa; 9 just before the upper and outer angle of the cell to costa; 1o and 11 wanting. Hind wings rounded, 7-veined ; cell incompletely closed ; two internal veins counted as one ; THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST: . ee median 3-branched; vein 4 wanting; 5 joined to median at right angles from a true vein, the commencement of the cross-vein ; 6 and 7 together from a point beyond the closure of the cell ; 8 out of 7 near the base. { antenne simple, scaled, ciliate beneath. Argyrophyes cilicoides is chalk white ; the basal half of primaries white ; on the outer half of the wing the terminal portion of the median space is shaded with smoky, enclosing a raised blotch of black metallic scales at the extremity of cell. A waved smoky subterminal line dividing the white terminal field and very near the margin. Beneath the primaries are smoky except along internal margin at base. Hind wings white with a smoky shading within the fringes ; beneath with a faint dot. Body white. Expanse16m.m. New Jersey. I find that my two specimens were males. Very near to clicoides is Nola nigrofasciata of Zeller, Taf. 2, fig. 1, but it is impossible that it is the same. The color of the band is “ brown ” and it occupies the middle of the wing, and is well defined in Zeller’s figure. In cclicoides there is no middle band or median space, but the smoky shading is limited to the outer part of the median space without the usual place for the median shade line. The narrow exterior line is evenly arcuate to submedian fold. The white terminal fields are narrower than in n7grofasciata. But I have a species received from Mr. Goodell, Amherst, Mass., the specimen numbered 602, which closely agrees with Zeller’s figure and description except that it is a little larger (19 mil.). The median band is not quite separated at its submedian constriction, but this is an ordinary varietal character. Else it agrees perfectly. There is the dot on median vein at base and costal shade (entirely wanting in c/cotdes), and the faint mark before the inception of the subterminal line. No doubt can remain on my mind that I have Zeller’s species before me. Now this species has been evidently re-described by Mr. Morrison, Boston Proc., 154, 1874, as Eustrotia obaurata/ But the palpi are the palpi of MVo/a and not of Eustrotia. They are rather the palpi of Argyrophyes, being longer than in Vo/a and with a more pronounced upward curve. The vestiture is wholly scaley and not like that of Zwstrotia. And the ocelli are wanting. All doubt fades when we come to examine the neuration. /¢ agrees pre- cisely with Argyrophyes, and just in those points, accordingly, where cilicoides Aiffers from centonalis. The median vein of secondaries is 3-branched, vein 4 wanting, vein 5 joined at right angles by a true vein 238 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. and nearer 3 than 6; vein 8 is thrown off near the base of the wing. A second species of the genus Argyrophyes will then be: - Argyrophyes nigrofasciata Zeller, Beitr., 1, 8, Tab. 11, fig. 1 (Vola), 1872. Eustrotia obaurata Morr., Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H., 154, 1874. My specimen is a female. Zeller describes and figures the male, which seems to differ unimportantly. ; We have here two white species which seem to differ from all known species of the group in the squarer primaries, longer palpi, more rounded secondaries, and in the details of the venation. The ornamentation is remarkable for the metallic scales accompanying the discal spots. In a forthcoming paper I hope to be able to give corrected drawings of the venation of Azeyrophyes. In describing obaurata Mr. Morrison does not mention the black dot at base of primaries, and he calls the median space “ blackish gray” ; Zeller calls it “brown.” In the specimen before me it seems to have an olive cast ; 1t would be described as ‘‘ obscure olive-brown.” ‘The scat- tered metallic scales are very obvious. In Mr. Morrison’s description I find no mention of the ante-marginal shade line. But the rest of the description is accurate, and I recognized this species from it in Mr. von Meske’s collection at Albany. ENTOMOLOGICAL PINS SEIZED FOR DUTIES. For some years past our Society has kept a small stock of Entomo- logical pins, not for the purpose of gain, but for the convenience of our members, many of whom, in the United States as well as in Canada, have obtained their supplies from us in small packages transmitted through the mail. Recently the custom house officer at Detroit seized several packages of these pins, and demanded for their release charges amounting to more than their value. ‘This action, it appears, was prompted by a special cir- cular from the Treasury Department at Washington to the collectors, requiring increased vigilance in regard to packages transmitted by mail— to prevent loss of revenue to the Department. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 259 <~ On being informed of the seizures, we wrote to. the Secretary of the Treasury, explaining the objects of our Society in this matter, referring to past usage and also to the fact that these pins were only used for scientific purposes. In reply the Secretary holds that Entomological pins must take their place alongside of other pins and pay a duty of 35 per cent., and that the transmission of such packages by mail is contrary to law. At the same time he kindly instructed the collector at Detroit to waive the usual charges on seized goods and deliver the pins in his possession on payment of duties only. We shall hence in future be prevented from supplying our members in the U. S. with pins by. parcel post. On enquiring from the collector as to whether small quantities of pins might be sent by letter postage, we received in reply a copy of the circular sent from the Treasury Department. As this circular speaks only of packages, we presume that pins in small quantities enclosed in letters, covered by the usual letter postage, will not be interfered with. Sheet cork, which is liable to a duty of 30 per cent., will also, we understand, be subject to seizure, but since the packages we send seldom exceed fifty cents in value, we do not know whether they would be regarded as of sufficient importance to warrant the trouble of the corre- spondence attending such seizures. On this point we have applied for information, but have failed to obtain it. Any packages of this sort sent in future will be at the risk of the parties ordering them. Either pins or cork can be safely sent in any quantities by express, subject to the duties mentioned. CORRESPONDENCE. CATOCALA MARMORATA. Catocala marmorata may now safely be put down as one of the regu- larly settled species of this locality. An intimate friend and fellow hunter, in company with myself, took five examples this season, which, with four I took last year, makes nine in all, whichis a pretty good showing for a single locality of an insect which, though seemingly diffused over a large territory, is nevertheless one of the rarest of the genus it so royally represents. Mr. Charles Dury, who took one last year, reports another 240 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. this year at Cincinnatti; and Mr. Geo. W. Peck took one this season in New Jersey. This makes twelve in all that have been taken in the United States, besides the original one in the Collection of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, that I am aware of. If others have taken it in other localities, I hope they will report. Some who have not seen the examples taken here and elsewhere, have hesitated to believe that they were the true marmorata of Edwards, but a glance at them is enough to convince any one of their identity. I have not seen the original type, but our examples tally exactly with the published description. It is a large, showy and uniformly defined species, entirely distinct, and cannot well be mistaken for or confounded with any other species. James AnGus, West Farms, N. Y. SPHINGID AT SUGAR. I have taken the following Sphingidz at sugar at Center, this season : Sphinx choerilus. Sphinx myron. eee) Kalmus: ; ‘¢ sordida. «<._ gordius: cinerea: ye hylaus: * .. Hagtisu: “<_ | Abbott. ~ limeata: « drupiferarum. “¢ ~ luscitiosa. James S. Bairzy, M. D., Albany, N. Y. DONATION TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.—We tender our sincere thanks to our esteemed correspondent, Mr. V. 'T. Chambers, of Covington, Ky., for a collection of named Micro-Ledidoptera kindly presented to our Society. This collection, which reached us in very fair order, consists of 66 species, and is a most welcome and valuable addition to the Society’s cabinet. The Locust Plague in the United States, by C. V. Riley, M. A., Ph. D. This is an octavo volume of 236 pages, with 45 illustrations, including several maps; published by Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago. It is hand- somely got up and contains much valuable information on this important subject ; it is, in fact, a digest or reproduction in a compact form of the material contained in the author’s several valuable reports on this insect to the Legislature of the State of Missouri. Price, in paper, $1 ; cloth, $1.25. Sent by mail by the publishers, prepaid, on receipt of price. INDEX TO VOLUME IX. ena Aaron, EuGENE M, Article by, 200. Acidalia junctaria, 27. Actias luna, 33. Acrididz, List of, Found in Nebraska, 144. Acronycta dissecta, 27. sf Walkeri, n. s., 98. Adela bella, 207 «* pbiviella, 206. Schlaegeri, 207. Aesyle fasciella, 123. Aetole bella, 72. Agnippe biscolorella, 23r. Agrotis clandestina, 28. “* herilis, 28. «© -messoria, 29. trabalis, 2. s., 198. Amblychila cylindriformis, 16. Res ms Habits of, 18, 163. Amblyscirtes zysa, 72. s., 191. American Entomological Society, 226, Andrena impuncta, 154. ‘*) varians, 155. Anprews, W. V., Articles by, 19, 98, 100, 79 Ancus, JAMES, Article by, 239. Anisota, a new Texan, rio. “ Heilighrodti, x. s., t10. Annual Address of President, 183. Antaplaga, 1. g., 79. < dimidiata, n. s., 71. Antispila ampelopsiella, 195. “* hydrangzella, 195. Apatela falcula, 2. s., 86. «« hamamelis, Larva of, 61. Aphidz, a new Genus of, 102. Arctia isabella, Larvaof, 127. Argynnis atlanta, 34. ps bellona, 34. cybele, 34. diana, 200. myrina, 34. Argyresthia austerella, 72. =f undulatella, 72. Argyrophyes, n. £., 236. es cilicoides, 237. nigrofasciata, 238. Aspilates pervaria var. interminaria, go. Asopia devialis, 27. Asychna? pulvella, 145. Audela acronyctoides, 27. Austin, E. P., Article by, 92. B “ ce “ec “e “ce “c BarLey, James S., Articles by, 115, 215, 240. Baptria albovittata, 28. Bassett, H. F., Article by, rar. Bates, J. E., Article by, 160. Batrachedra striolata, r45. Bean, Tuos. E., Articles by, 174, 201. Begoe costulatella, 24. Bett, James H., Articles by, 59, 139. Beruune, Rev. C. J. S., Articles by, 148, 221. Birds, Life Histories of, 37. Blastobasis, 71. fe sciphilella, 71. Bleptina caradrinalis, 29. Bombycidz, List of Occurring at Montreal, go. Book Notices, 36, 80, 137. Botis, Description of a new, to. “ allectalis, 2. s., 107. atropurpuralis, 1. S., 104. catenulalts, 2. s., 105. coloradensis, 103. Slavidissimalis, n. s., 105. fracturalis, 105. Harveyana, 2. $., 104. “ illabilis, 28. “ Langdonalis, 2. s., 10. nasonialis, ro. onythesalis, 104. penunbralis, 2. s., 106. Socialis, 2. $., 107. tatalis, 2. s., 106. vibicalis, 103. Bracon crocator, 150. Bropie, W., Article by, rr. Brous, Harry A., Article by, 18. BruNER, LAWRENCE, Articles by, 20, 144. 3UNKER, ROBERT, Articles by, 119, 120, 210. Butterflies Collected in Colorado and Utah, 80. 33 Effects of cold in changing form of,203. Hybernating, notes on, 4o. New spccies of, 189. On Martha’s Vineyard, 178. Sexes of, 17, “ce “e “ce “ee ““ “e “<< “< “e “ec se ‘3 Cabinet pests, how to destroy, 139. Californian Hepiali, 214. Callenyo, 131. Calocampa nupera, 29. Caloptenus azgustipennis, n. s., 111. e plumbumni, nN. S., 112. VOLUCTIS, He Sey LI2- Captures at Lake Forest, N. Y., r19. ix at Sugar, r4o. Caradrina dilunata, 2. s., 199. Carpocapsa pomonella, 188. ’ Catocala abbreviatella, 169. “* _agrippina, 178. anna, 168. *““ ~ Frederici, 168. “gracilis, 169. junctura, 168. marmorata, 178, 239. residua, var., 194. subnata, r60. subviridis, 1. S., 193. e “ec “