fest AeA HB

HARVARD UNIVERSIDY:

LIBRARY

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY.

(3386
pt
Nimeon ber 2.241994 — (lore IB (903

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.

ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES.

EDITED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

VOLUME IV.

PuBLISHED By AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND AGRICULTURE.

,
CALCUTTA :
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA.
1QOO.

JUN 12 14093
PREFACE TO VOLUME IV.

4 ae volume of Jadian Museum Notes on Economic Entomology
has been compiled by the late Mr. Edward Barlow, under the
immediate supervision of the Superintendent of the Museum.

Among other original matter, it contains several systematic
papers, and a large series of miscellaneous notes in which numerous
insect=pests of this country are described, and their habits and the
nature of their ravages indicated ; several reports on the results of
some of the remedial experiments that have been tried on insects
hurtful to Indian agriculture; and eighteen photo-etched plates in
which a large number of insects of economic interest are figured.

The illustrated systematic papers include four by Mr. G. B,
Buckton, F.R.S., on Homoptera, chiefly on Aphide; an important
one on Coccide by Mr. E, E. Green, who is now Government
Entomologist for Ceylon; two on certain destructive Homoptera, by
the late Mr. W. M. Maskell; one on some noxious Tineid Moths, by
Lord Walsingham, F.R.S.; two, by Messrs. Kerremans and Desbro-
ches des Loges, on some destructive Beetles; one, by Herr E.
Brenske, in which a number of new Indian species of the plant-
damaging Cockchafer family are described ; and, finally, a paper by
Mr. D. W. Coquillet, on a parasitic species of Tachinid fly which is
likely to prove useful to planters by destroying certain caterpillars
that ravage tea-bushes. Almost all these papers are based on mate-
rial furnished by the Museum, and to the gentlemen—all of whom
are high authorities in their special subjects—who have contributed
them, the best thanks of all who are concerned for the welfare of
Indian Entomology in its economic aspects are due.

The Miscellaneous Notes on Inspect Pests are in this volume for
the first time systematically arranged under headings relating to the
several industries affected. They include, in regular order, accounts
of insects affecting Tea, the various Crops and Cereals, Fruit-trees,
Timber-trees, and Domestic Animais. A paper on insects which are
beneficial to agriculture by devouring insect-pests is also included
in this series, more in the hope of drawing attention to the important
subject of Natural Remedies than with the intention of handling the
matter critically.

It is with great regret that the editor has here to place on record
the death of Mr. Edward Barlow, which occurred shortly after the
5th fasciculus of this volume had been sent to press.

A. ALCOCK, Major, I.M.S.,
CALCUTTA ; é
. i Superintendent,
The 6th Fune, 1900. Indian Museum.

CONTENTS OF VOL. IV.

Notes on a new Homopterous Insect of the Family Fulgoridz :
by G. B. Buckton, F.R.S. E A 3 0 3 ‘

Catalogue of Coccidz collected in Ceylon : by E. E. Green, F.E.S,
* Remedies for Plant Diseases.” (Reprint) . : 5 ° °
Miscellaneous Notes from the Spa cha Section, ,Indian

Museum : by E. Barlow 6 ° : . 3 A ,
An Exhibit Collection of Economic teers in the Indian Museum :
by E. Barlow 4 ° 5 : 5
A new species of Baprectid Beetle ; by C. Renan: ° A

Note on two New Species of Gall Aphids: by G. B. Buckton, F. R. S. «

A New Species of Homopterous Insect of the oly Pleunodide:
by W. M. Maskell -

Note on the “ Potu” or “ Pipsa”’ Ga tua Bechr: by
Lionel de Niceville, F.E.S., C.M.Z.S., etc. é : 6 :

Notes on Insect Pests from the Entomolegical Section, Indian
Museum : by E. Barlow é 2 : .

‘* Indian forest flies.*’ (Reprint) . 6 ° ° 5
* Coccids preyed upon by Birds.” (Reprint) . 5 ° 5 3

“ The common crow of the United States as an enemy to Insects.”
(Reprint) . : ° ° 5 : ° °

‘¢ On Hawks and Owls as Enemies to Insects.” (Reprint) °
** On the formation of New Colonies by Termes lucifugus.’’ (Reprint)

Description of two new species of Tineina from Bengal: by the
Right Honourable Lord Walsingham, M.A., F.R.S., etc.; ° s
On the possible utilization of the Calcutta Green pre as food for
Birds, etc.: by F. Finn, B.A., F.Z.S.. ° ° °
Description of three New Species of Indian Golenncers of hte pou
Curculionid#: by J. Desbroches des Loges . . °

Some Comparative Trials of Insecticide Pumps in relation to the
Treatment of , Tea-blights ; and Experiments in the eee of

o @ e

Red Spider : by W. J. Fleet , : ° ° ° 5
Notes on Insect Pests from the Paterolog ical age Indian
Museum: by E. Barlow . ° . ‘
-“ Description of three species of indian Aleurodidze ’’ oy W. M.
Maskell. (Reprint) . . ° : : . ° .

“ The Bot-fly of the Indian Elephant.” (Reprint) . ° °
“ Food of Woodpeckers of the United States.” (Reprint) . ° °
Diagnoses Melolonthidarum Novarum ex India Orientali: by

Ernst Brenske . : O 0 9 ° °
Notes on Insect Pests from the Batbmoleseal Seeuan Indian Museum :
by E, Barlow : 3 ; O . 6 5 . C :

“The Horse Bot-flies.”
(Reprint) . . ° ° 5 ° .

List of the Melolonthini contained in the Sen of the oan
Museum : by E. Barlow

Extracts from a report by H. Osborn,

Description of a New Pear-tree Aphie from Ceylon by G. B. Pace
ton, F.R.S., etc., with Introductory Note by E. E. Green, F.E.S.

Notes on two new specs of Aphids from India: by G. B, Buckton,
F.R.S., etc. .

Description of a New Parasitic Tachinid Fly from Ceylon: by
D. W, Cogquillett ..

a e e e e . e

e ° e e e e e ry e

EXPLANATION OF PLATES IN VQL, IV.

PLATE I—

Fic. 1. ASSAMIA DENTATA, n. sp. (1) imago: (2) elytrum with hooks: (3)
lower wing with hooks: (4) head showing (a) antennz ; (6)
clypeus with keels ; and rostrum at (7): (5) Lower end of tibia
and tarsus of hind leg.

PLATE Ii—
Fic. I. Maxues TESTUALIS, Geyer. (a) moth; (4) chrysalis;(c) cater-
pillar.

» @ PeERINA NUDA, Fabr., (a) and (6) moths g and @ ; (c) chry-
salis ; (2) caterpillar.

3» 3 THIACIDAS Postica, Walk., (a) and (6) moths ¢ and Q ; (c)
chrysalis ; (d) caterpillar.

» 4. HyYpsa axtcipHron, Cram., (2) moth; (4) chrysalis; (c) cater.
pillar.

» 5- HYMENIA RECURVALIS, Fabr., (2) moth ; (b) chrysalis.

PLATE IlI—
Fie. 1. usta GRAMINIVORA, ni. sp., (2) moth 4 ; (6) moth @ ; (c)
arva.
s 2. EUMETA CRAMERI, West, (a) moth ¢ ; (8) larval caseof ¢,
»» 3 RHOPALOSIPHUM DIANTHI, Schr., (a) apterous viviparous 2 ; (4)
pupa ; (c) winged viviparous ¢@.
» 4. MILLEPEDE.

PLATE [V—

Fic. 1 PEMPHIGUS NAPUS, n. Sp., (a2) apterous @ or foundress; (4)
pupa; (c) imago or winged @ ; (d) antenna of the apterous
2; (e) rostrum of the apterous 2 ; (f) antenna of the
imago ; (g) tarsi of the imago ; (z) Gall.

3) 2. PEMPHIGUSIMMUNIS, n. sp., (a) pupa; (4) imago or winged
viviparous @ ; (c) antenna of the imago ; (d) Galls.

PLATE V—
Fic. 1. THOSEA RECTA, Hamps., (a) larva and cocoon on tea twig; (4)
and (c) moths ¢ and 2.
(2). Ichneumonid parasite of Thosea xecta (twice enlarged).

» 2. XYLOBORUS FORNICATUS, Ejicheff. (a) larva; (6) pupa; (c) and
(d) imagos ¢ and @ ; (e) affected tea stem.

»» 3 CARTERIA DECORBLLA, Mask., (a) adult females in tests on twig ; (2)
tests of 2nd stage, females and males, on twig; (c) tests of
adult females, enlarged; (d) test of male, enlarged; (e) adult
male ; (f) antenna of male (after Maskell).

3» 4, SYNCLERA MULTILINEALIS, Guen, moth, natural size.

oe cee |

PLATE V—conitd.

Fic, 5. DacryLorius LONGIFILIs, Comstock. Female, enlarged (after
Comstock).

PLATE VI—

Fic. 1. Popontia 14-puNcTATA, Linn., (a) larva ; (6) pupa ; (c) imago,
(Z) earthen pupa cell.

» 2. ASPIDIOTUS FICUS, (Riley) Comstock., (a) scales, on leaves of orange,
natural size ;() scale of female, enlarged; (c) scale of male,
enlarged ; (d) young larva, enlarged; (¢) adult male, enlarged
(after Comstock).

» 3 ARGAS REFLEXUS, Fabr. Upper, under, and side views, enlarged.

PLATE VIT—

Fic. 1. CRYPTOPHLEBIA CARPOPHAGA, Wlsm., n.sp., (2) larva; (8) and
(c) moths ¢ and Q ; (d) pod of Cassia fistula with chrysalis
skins protruding from it.

» 2 EREUNETIS 2? SEMINIVORA, Wlsm.,'n. sp., (a) larva ; (0) chrysalis ;

(c) moth ? ;(d) pod of Cassia occidentalis with a chrysalis skin
protruding from it.

PLATE VIII—

Fic, 1. MyLLocERus MacuLosus, Desbr. de Loges., n. sp., (a) and (6)
weevil, dorsal] and side views (enlarged) ; (¢) weevil, natural size ;
(d) antenna (enlarged).

»5 2 MYLLOGCERUS SETULIFER, Desbr. de Loges, n. sp., (a) and (0)
weevil, dorsal and side views (enlarged) ; (c) weevil natural
size ; (d) antenna, enlarged.

9» 3- LEUCOMIGUS ANTENNALIS, Faust, (a2) and (6) weevil, dorsal and
side views ; (c) antenna (all enlarged).

PLATE IX—

Fic. 1 Strawson’s “ Coronette.”’
. Vermorel’s “ Torpille.”
me Be % <M claire:

4. Strawson’s ** Notus.”

5. +) * Antipest.”
» 6. Chiswick Co.’s Sprayer.

w
7
N

PLATE X—
Coolie using Vermorel’s “ Eclair.”

PLATE XI—

Fic. 1. ACANTHOPSYCHE (BRACHYCYTTARUS) SUBTERALBATA, Hamps., (a)
larva-case; (0) moth ¢.

»» 2, LEPTISPA PYGM&A, Baly, (a) and (6), beetle, dorsal and side views
(enlarged),

» 3 AR#OCERUs FascicuLatTus, Degeer, (a) larva; (6) pupa; (c) and
(d), beetle, dorsal and side views.

» 4, ADORETUS CARDONI, Brenske, (a) and (b), beetle, dorsal and side
views ; (c) antenna (enlarged).

{ vii |

PLATE XII—

Fic, 1. ALEURODES BARODENSIS, Mask., (a) larve, pupe, and eggs on
leaf (enlarged); (b) larva, dorsal view; (c) diagram of larva,
showing arrangement of pores ; (d) margin of larva and pupa ;
(e) vasiform orifice, operculum and lingula.

» 2 ALEURODES EUGENI#, var. AURANTII Mask., (2) pupz on leaf;
(4) pupa-case, showing enclosed insect ; (c) diagram of pupa-
case, showing radiating patches ; (d) one of the radiating patches,
enlarged ; (e) margin of pupa-case; (/) vasiform orifice, oper-
culum and lingula (diagram).

3» 3+ ALEURODES CoTESII, Mask., (2) larvae and pupz on leaf; (d)
larva, dorsal view (enlarged) ; (c) marginal and dorsal pores
of larva ; (d@) pupa-case, dorsal view (enlarged) ; (e) margin of
pupa-case; (/ ) pupa-case, side view; (g) vasiform orifice,
operculum, and lingula (diagram).

Poate XIII—

Fic. 1. HoLOTRICHIA IMITATRIX, Brensk., n. sp., (a2) and (0), beetle, dorsal
and side views (natural size) ; (c) antenna (enlarged).

» 2+ HOLOTRICHIA ANDAMANA, Brensk., n. sp., (a) and (8), beetle, dorsal
and side views (natural size) ; (c) antenna (enlarged).

» 3 SERICA CALCUTTA, Brensk., n. sp., (a) and (4) beetle, dorsal and
side views (natural size) ; (c) antenna (enlarged).

») 4. SERICA ASSAMENSIS, Brensk.,.n. sp., (a) and (0) beetle, dorsal and
side views ; (c) antenna ; (d) hind leg (all enlarged).

PLATE XIV—
Fic. 1. Euproctis tatirascta, Walk., (a) larva; (6) and (c) moths ¢
and 9.

»» 2. THOSEA CERVINA, Moore, (a) and (0) larva, dorsal and side views ;
(c) cocoon ; (d) and (e¢) moths ¢ and 9.

9» 3- LTHOSEA DIVERGENS, Moore, (a) cocoon; (0) and (c) moths ¢
and

» 4. BELippa LoHoR, Moore, (a) cocoon ; (b) and (c) moths ¢ and @.

PLATE XV—

Fic. 1. CREMASTOGASTER ROGENHOFERI, Mayr.,, (a) ant ; (4) nest (quarter
natural size).

» 2 PLUTELLA MacuLaTA, Curt., (a) and (0) larva, dorsal and side
views; (c) chrysalis ; (2) moth ; (e) piece of cauliflower attacked
by larvee.

3» 3+ ERIOCOCCUS PARADOXUS, var. INDICA, Mask., piece of twig covered
with larva scales.

+

Lf PLATE XVi—
Fic. 1. LAcHNUS PYRI, Buck., n. sp., (a) half grown larva; (4) winged

female, March brood ; (c) antenna (d) winged female, June
brood ; (e) Apterous adult, June brood (all enlarged).

[ ix ]

PLATE XVII—

Fic, 1. CHAITOPHORUS MACULATUs, Buck. n. sp., (a) apterous female ;
(d} head; (c) wings ; (d) nectary (e) hind femur (all enlarged).
» 2. RHIZOBIUS JUJUB#, Buck., n. sp., (a) Apterous adult ; (0) young |

insect ; (c) part of the head and antenna ; (d) tarsus with single
claw.

PLATE XVIII—

Fic. 1. ExoRISTA HETERUSIZ, Coquillett., n. sp., (a) fly ; (6) and (c) front
and side views of the face; (d) puparium.

» 2. HETERUSIA cINGALA, Moore, (a) and (0), moths ¢ and @ ; (c) larva
(zd) cocoon.

I
*
——s

“

i

INDEX TO VOLUME IV.

A

Abies smithiana . ° .
» webbiana . . :
Acacia ° : : °
»» arabica - : °

» melanoxylon . .
Acanthacez : : 5

Acanthopsyche subteralbata
(Brachycyttarus)

Acarina . . ° °
Acarus « 5 ° 5
Acredula caudata ° 2

Acridiide ,
Acridium aeruginosum

43, 46, 55, 127,

PAGE
* 19
f 21
x 2
e 45,75
S 2
Rf 6
° 118
e 118
é 30
5 216
5 81

- 43, 86, 87, 93, 215, 216

: 43
43

128, 200, 218, 219

+ melanocorne . .
» peregrinum .
y» Succinctum . :

Adiantum .

Adoretus cardoni .
Aécidium abietinum ~ , :
Aeschnidz . 5 e
Aethriostoma undulata .
Agave 5 2 °
Agriotes mancus ; :
Agrotis biconica . . °

esegetis) s. ° °

me suliusa
Alai . 6
Albizzia . 5
» Sstipulata

e e

Alee 5 A i a

Aleurodes . 5 - :

oo barodensis .

RS citri . c

” cotesii E

» eugeniae ° 6

op ” var aurantii

» fagi . A

5 melicyti ° :

3 piperis - 5

5) proletella . :

” Sp. ° e
Aleurodidz

e 23, 43, 62, 63; 194

e 43
: 7
: 136
: 20
e O04
: 45
° 4
5 02
e 194, 195
42, 194, 195
° 39
5 8, 28
5 134
: 39
5 213
143, 213

° 144
° 145
525 144

e 144
° 145
e 53
: 213
° 53
213

« 143, 213

[poet

Allorhina nitida . -
Aloa lactinea - “
Amarantus mangostanus
Ambrosia . '

” SP. 2 e
Amelanchier canadensis
Ampelopsis 5 .

Amphimallus . °
Amygdalus persice .
Ancistrosoma . a

» farinosum

Ancylonycha ° °
Andraca bipunctata .
» trilochoides .

Andropogon a ars
Anisodactylus . .
Anisonyx . cieat By
tp Ccrinitus
as longipes :

» Ursus . °
Anomala .
Anona squamosa c
Anonzpestis ber galelle
Anoplotermes e

Anoxia 3 e e
» anketeri . 5
» cerealis .
»» Geserti .
» glauca . .
» Ofientalis . :
» pilosa . 5
» testacea e e
» villosa . e
y» zemindar . e

Anthocephalus cadamba
Anthomyia peshawarensis

Anthrenus vorax a
Antidesma bunius ‘
Antigouon . . °
Ants, food for crows

Aonidia corniger 5

Aphelinus thee . 5
Aphendala divaricata .
Aphendala recta . e

]

PaGE

° 165
3 32
° 16
- 161, 166
168

155, 157, 160
: 155
. 205, 273
° 25
* 250, 273
° 250
e 257) 273
. 41
41

° 3
: 88
- 234, 273
. 234
234

. 235
. g2
44

° 44
° 102
. 268, 273
5 268
0 268
3 268
: 268
: 268
° 268
e 268
: 268
268

: 134
e 40,219
° 45
° 6, 10
: 8
« QI, 92
° 5
5 219
. 182, 183
: 56

Aphide - 2 ° - - 43,45 | Arecacatechu . e ° - 126
Aphides . - - : - 154 | Areca-nut beetle . ° ° . 125
Aphis chrysanthemi. . : 136 | Arecatriandra . . ° ° 120
» coffe : = - 2 218 | Argas. a i. = - ‘ 77
»5 dianthi ° ° ° ° 23 xs persicus . : > ° 77
», dubia - ° ° : 24 » reflexus . - 5 46, 76; 77
» floris rapz 5 ° ° 24 | Artocarpus integrifolia “ - 14
» persicze e 5 2 - 23,24 | Arundinaria . . 5 ° - 4,5,6
» persiczecola ° . . 24 | Asactopholis . ° e 255) 273
» rape ° . - ° 24 6 bicolor ° : = 255
» subterranea : : ° 277 | Asopide . e ° . . 43
», vastator . ° 3 > 24 | Aspidiotus . ° ° : ° 35,119
Aphodius . : - . . 85, 88 5 aurantii . a 4
Aphonus . : : 5 : 92 » dictyospermi 119
Apogonia . 5 : « 250, 273 7 i var. arecze . 119
eS Ppcandamand fete taetci 250 ie Heuser. - 44, 69, 70, 78, 113
“ angustata - 2 250 ” flavescens . . ° 187
+ brunnea - ° 5 251 ” nerii ° ° : 4
» _ Carinata ° ° ° 251 » occultus : ° : 4
yy (eribricollis. 6 | pais. ,h 251 yy GHESASES 0 4
» destructor . : 4 251 » thee . : 5 © 42,187
» ferruginea . ! : 251 > trilobitiformis : : 4
» kombirana . : 2 251 Ay Ai 2 z » 81,82
i Paeaiiic : ; ! 252 Assamia dentata . : * . z
» __metasternalis 4 : as2 | ASsterodiaspis . .e . ° 81
sf wages, if Z ; 250 % quercicola : . 81,82
» proxima 4 e E 252 Astycus lateralis . e : ° 184.
5» Ssplendida . ° : 252 » obtusus . : : : 184
» uniformis : . ° 252 » frutilans . . : . 184
as vicina .« Fi : 3 2c2 | Atractomorpha crenulata . « 20,43
55 Villosella . ° ° 253 | Aulacophoraabdominalis. . . 65
Aguitegia vulgaris 5 : : 197 | Autosericacalcutte . . . 176
Arzocerus ° ° . : 126 ” nagana ° ° ° 176
»€acao . ef capt 3 127 | Avena sativa . ° . . 192
5p capillicornis 5 - 127
“9 cassize : ; : 127 B
Bien Cots TU oa aaa Mean RMT Stare ry) i 6 2
Se crs eECOnOIS 0 : 127 | Bamboc coccid . ° : : 216
” fasciculatus ° - 125,126 | Basilianus cantori e 0 : 135
” griseus ° ° ° 127 Bees 5 6 “3 : 2
» japonicus. ° . 127 | Begonia . : ° ° . 9
” pisesEns ° . : 127 | Belippa : “| ° . ° 183
3 peregrinus . ‘ 5 127 » Jaleana, . ‘ e ° 183
3 saltatorius . 5 * 127 » lohor 5 . - ° 183
prs sambucinus Verney . 127 | Bengal rice hispa . - : 42
Aralia nudicaulis 5 : 168 | Benzoin benzoin . e A + 157) 160
Arancaria , 4 F : 0 7 Beta maritima . e ° . 107

xii]

Z PAGE |
Beta vulgaris ° ° ° . 197
Betula cylindrostachys . ° 135
Bhowara . ° ° e » 37, 38
Bhunga ° ° ° e 39
Bibionidz . ° ° e e 92
Blissus leucopterus ° ° ° 94
Bombyces . 0 : ° - 14,15
Bordeaux mixture A 4 11, 130
Botys annuligeralis . C : 63

» multilinealis 0 6 63
Brachycyttarus subteralbata 118
Brachyllus ° - ° « 205, 273

a ulcerosus . 265
Brachymeria euploea C 219
Brachyscelide . A 4 ¥ 58
Brachytrypes achatinus 5 43
Brahmina . C 0 ‘ . 263, 273
A) calva . . 5 263
op cardoni ; ° 264
op comata 2 6 264
a cotesi : c e 264
A flabellata . 264
ip obscura 0 ° . 264
55 shillongensis e : 177
%) siamensis . 2 C 264
59 sikkimensis . 204
si tavoyensis 205
m4 thoracica . 5 . 205
Brassica campestris . ° 197
-: napus 5 197
i oleracea, ° 2395-197
” rapa . e ° ° 197
» raps . - . 6 BB, BS
Brevipalpus . ° 0 e 217
Bringal borer ° ° ° : 43
Bunias kakile . . 0 107
Buprestis . A . . 168
Butea frondosa . 6 135
Cc
Cactus < . : : - 107
Cajanus indicus . ° 2 39
Cakile maritima . : ° 197
Calandra oryze . ° 37) 39, 42, 219
Calceolaria pinnata . . ° 197
Callicarpa lanata e . 4
Callistemme 4 A : . 107
Caledexia lasiocampze ° 219

Calosoma. . ; - 2 88
3 calidum : “ . 86, 165

” orientale . A - 40, 218

rp scrutator . 0 86

cn wilcoxi ; 6 5 86
Calotermes /. ' : . 102
Campanotus escuriens ‘ . 168, 174
rs Pennsylvanicus - Ql
Canna ° : ° 136
» Indica 4 5 : - 25
Capsella bursa-pastoris . : 107
Capsicum fructeocens . . : 33
Capside , . ° 5 e 42
Carabide . C : - 88, 89, 95
Carabus . ° ° 0 ° 88
Carpomyia parctalina 44
Carteria decorella 58
el accayeur. : x . 40
Caryota urens . ° . 9
Cassia fistula. C Jee FO5; FOO
* occidentalis . 105, 106, 107, 217
Castanopsisrufescens . 135
Castor oil borer . ; : : 36
Caterpillar destructive to cress. 23
” i Himalayan fir 19

” ” rape 22
Cecidomyia destructor , 94
Celosterna scabrator var. spinator 45
Celtis occidentalis . 6 160, 174
Ceophlzus pileatus 148, 152, 153, 173
Cephalandraindica . . 36
Cephaleta bunneiventris ° ° 219
4 fusciventris . J 219

pe purpureiventris . 5 219
Cephenomyia ° . . . 146
Cercopide . : 5 ; 5 04
Ceronema banksiz . ° ° 188
“5 Spot ue * ° 188
Ceroplastes ° 5 . : 188
i actiniformis 6 ° Ss

‘ ceriferus . 0 -. 8, 187

- floridensis . ; - 8,188

- vinsonii, F : 188
Certhia familiaris . 0 fs ° 81
Chaitophorus : . ° 277
Hy maculatus 277
Chalcididz G ° ° 219
Chalcis euplea ., ° ° . 219

Ee ectire a

PAGE

Chalcis (Brachymeria) eupleea se 219
Chameraphi sp. - : e : 157
Chartucerus musciformis - ; 219
Chauliognathus . ° ° ‘ 93
Chenopodium . . ; 161, 166
Cheroot borer . - . : 28
Chilo simplex .«~ . . ° 217
Chilocorus circumdatus é 5 218
Chin fly E - : . . 232
Chinch bug e ° ° e 94
Chionaspis acuminata . . 3
» aspidistre « 5 7 38

Ps . var. muscendz 2

9 biclavis . 5 - 2

An braziliensis 5 2

cf elaagni . ° . 3

op eugeniz var. litzz 2

f = >, Varicosa .o A

C1) exercitata . 6 * G.

iy graminis : ‘ ag

3 minuta . ° e 3

“ prunicola . . s 60

a aie aWO0s thesis 60

ap theze . ° « 42, 219

" Vitis ii Gets ° : 3
Chiznius . e . . 85; 86, 88
Chlorita flavescens is € - 42
Chortogonus sp. . . ° c 20
a trachyterus ° 4 43
Chrysobothris . ° ° ‘ 215
” Sp- e ° 215
Chrysomela sp. . ‘ ‘ - 66
Chrysomelide . ° ‘ ° 03
Chrysops dispar . C ° 45
Cicada - ° ° 3 04
Cicendala sexpunctata ‘ . 46, 31g
Cicendelidz ° ° ‘ . 86
Cicer arietinum . : . 39
Cirrhospilus coccivorus ° ° 219
Citrus ° ; A . 7, 107
y» aurantium . 144

» pomela : 5 - 4
Clania : : ° ° 215
rp crameri . 0 A ‘ 41

rp sikkima . 5 J 4 AI

4p variegata ; > A 41
Click beetles , é - 92, 08
Clisiocampa oe ; 98
Clytia : § 4 . 265, 373

Pace

Clytia pilosa . ‘ ° ° 265
Cnethnocampa basifurca se “ 15
oc curvata , ° 15
Cobboldia ; . : s 146
F elephantis . . - Be
Cobcea : ‘ °
Coccide . 3 F 42, 58, é, anes
Coccinellide . - . « 28,93
Cocculus indicus A 3 ‘ 4
Coccus cacti var. ceylonicus + Fone
7 lacca ° ° ° 77
Coelosterna : 6 « « 213
6 scabrata . ° ° BIG:
9 sp. . ° ° 213
Coffee borer - : e 42
Colaptes auratus : 148, 152, 153, 159
», afer . 5 5 174
x » saturatior , 4 174
» chrysoides . ° ‘ 174
Colaspis brunnea 5 03
Coleoptera 28, 57, 2, 88, 93, 05, 154, 159, 218
Copparis aphylla ° : é 65
Copris : . . ° . 89"
5 onthophagus #—. 2 88
Cornus alternifolia ; ; : 155
= asperifolia « ‘155, 157, 160, 168
ij candidissima . : : 166
» florida 155, 157, 860, 166, 172, 174
Corvus americanus : 0 E 85
Corydalus é 5 ‘ c 85
Corymbites cylindriformis . . 92
Cotesia flavipes : : ° 219°
Cotton borer 6 . : ° 36
Crabonidz ° e é ° 92
Crambidz e . . ° 43
Crambus . : . 6 ° oI
Cremastogaster Sp. - e : 10
oF contenta . 5 185
x lineolata . . 174
Fe rogenhoferi . 185
Crickets . A . e ° 93
Criocerus impressa « ° . 321
Crochiphora testulalis P " 13
Crocus : ° . ° 107
Crossocosmia sericaria ‘ e 136
Crotalaria juncea 5 5 . 33
Croton : ° 0 ° ° 7
Cucumber PR esi Mit 36
” beetle e r) ° 65

[ y xiv® 3]

~

PAGE
Cucumio sativa . : : , 33
Cucurbitacee . 5 ° 33
Culex sp. ° ° : 46
Curculionidz ° . 4 89
Custard apple pest : a 4 44
Cutworms ° ° ° 9e
Cynipide 6 ° . 74
Cyphochilus 4 - 4) 255, 273
» candicus : . 255
. proximus : . 256
es pygidialis : 256
. sikkimensis . . 256
5 waterhousi « : 256
Cyphonotus ° ° » 268, 273
D
Dactylopius adonidum A 7,76
ee longifilis : : 7,75
% scrobicularum 5 8
A talini : 7
Dacus ferrugineus 5 37
Dalbergia . ° ° ° 4,9
RS sisso0 - : . : 214
Damalis caricz ° ‘ 16
Dasychira thwaitesi c - 42,219
Dejeania . . ° ° « 250, 273
‘5 alsiosia : 5 ° 250
Demoticusstri gipennis : ° 219
Dermestes vulpinus , ° ° 45
Dhalia poka . . . ° 189
Dianthus . ° . . a 107
é caryophyllus A - 25,107
” prolifer , 0 Q A 107
Diapromropha melanopus_ . 121
op pallens . S ° 184
Diapus impressus ° 44
Diaspidinz. ° ° ° . 60
Diaspis calyptroides var. cacti . 2U1, 212
“a . » Opunticola 212
» circulata . ° teaors 4
» lanata . e : ° 4
Diatrzea saccharalis . 34, 35, 43, 200, 219
Dichelus . 5 ° . © 237, 273
; gonager ° ° . 237
re podagricus .« ° ° 237
* villosus : ° 237
Dictyospermum album ° é 119
Digitalis sonchus , 0 ° 0 197

Pac

Dinoderus sp. - ° : 0 37
pilifrons . 5 4 135
4 -minutus ° C 135
Diospyros virginiana « ° 174
Diphucephala . ° e e 248, 273
%p edwardsi ' 248
Diptera 5 5 - 82, 92, O4, 154, 218
Dodoncea viscosa 6 ° r 6
Dolichos bengalensis . . 5 65
” lablab , e * 13; 33, 39; 43
Donacia flavipes » ° e - 93
Dorcas 2 ° 0 . ° 75
Dorylus . ° : ° « 198
» curtisil . ° 6 ° 198
P fulvus . 5 : C 198
y » var. labiatus . e 216
» Oberthuri ; ° ° 198
», Orientalis Fi e 198
Dorypnora 1o—lineata . ° 03,97
Drymonia denotata ° 15
Dryobates borealis . 4 . 174
st nuttalii 0 ° . 174
rf pubescens . 2 148, 152,153
" scalaris bairdi . c 174
fp villosus » 148,152, 153, 156
Dung beetles ° fe ° . 88
Dykhiw Saw ° : ° ° 30
Dysdercus cingulatus . ; ee S7H43
E
Ectinohoplia ° 0 ° e 238, 273
i nigra . : 6 238
i rufipes ° 5 . 238
5 variolosa . e ° 238
Elzangus latifolia : . ° 3
Elzocarpus A 5 e a 8
Elateridz . ° : - 85, 86, 92, 95
Eleodes ° ° ° ° 0 92
Empelatira . 0 : : « 205, 273
i fairmairei . ° C 265
Encyrtus nietneri 3 6 ‘ 219
5 paradisicus . ° . 219
Enome ampla ° 0 136
Epacromia dorsalis a 43
Epiczrus imbricatus ° ° 90
Epilachna
5 dodecastigma ° F 27
’”) Sp. e e e ° 66
Ereunetis . . 5 ‘ : 107
5 seminivora . ° ° 107

ipexv a)

PAGE
Eriesthis . . - ° - 236,275
5, vestita . ° ° 236
Eriococcus arancariz . . 7)
+ paradoxus . ° 210
is 9 var, indica . 210
Erysimum barbarea . . 197
Eucirrus . ° e - 254, 273
», mellyi . e ° 254
Eugenia jambolana ° 52, 53
Eumenide e e ° 92
Eumeta crameri . . 17
Bs nietneri 2 18
Euphro bia antiquorum > 6
59 neriifolia . 33
Euphoria . ° . 02
in fulgida C ° 86, 92
Euprepocnemis bramina ‘ 190
Euproctis oes . . 185, 186
, abdominalis ° 180, 181
C antica . ° 180
is combinata ° 14
$ latifasci2 ° 180
.; postica : . 180, 181
Euschistul : 5 ° gi
Eutermes Cry, MD e 102
Exorista heterusie . 3 279
F
Ficus hispida . ° ° ant
Fiorinia palme . c °
5» saprosmz ° .
» scrobicularum 5
», secreta ° ° 5
Flies . ° ; C 92
Forest fies . + ° ° 79
5, pests e . 5 O 134
Formica . 5 ’ e; 91
Formicidze P 5 é ol
Fumaria officinalis 5 ‘ 197
Fungi > . ° ‘ 11
Fulgoridz ° : ° 1, 42,94
G
Gertnera kcenigii “ : 5
Galerucide 4 é “ 217
Galium mollugo . “ 5 197
Galleriane ° : - 217

Gall fly attacking teak ea 74

Gangara thyrsis 3 : 44
Gas treatment for scale insects . IP
Gastrophilus elephantis 3 : 146
» equi . 222, 230, 232, 233

» hemorrhoidalis 230, 231, 232, 233

» nasalis aks + 232, 233

ay) PECOIND + +: 231, 232, 233
Gaylussacia sp. 4 re . 160, 166
Gelonium lanceolatum 3 : 2
Geotrypes:” ||.” <« » , Weainach nee £9.
+ splendidus , 2 E 86
Geranium robertianum ° : 197
Ghong C Cores tee 27
Gibbum scotias : 4 3 43
Glycyphana sp. . C e ° 66
Goniaspidius ; a 2 - 237,273
” bidens ° e - 237

” bidentatus . : 5 237

“i tridentatus é os 237

i relhanize . ° e 237

i; variabilts . ° . 237
Gossypium arboreum > . 35
3 herbaceum 5 - 33,43
Grasshoppers e - eats 87
Green fly blight . ° ° 42
Grevillea ° ° . 5 3:
Grewia asiatica e/a tute . 217
» orientalis ° ° 5 4,5
Ground beetles ° ° > 88
» spider . 4 - 86,90
Gryllide - ° ° : : 43
Gryllodes melanocephalus . 4 44
Gryllotalpa . ° ols 85
Guizotia abyssinea ° : . 128:
Gymnogaster indica - - ° 179
H :

Heemorrhoidal botfly . C : 230
Haptonycha e ° ° - 240, 273
- crinita ° C . 240
Haplosonyx elongatus ° 2 30
Helicteres isora ° ° ° 210
Heliothidz . e 3 4 16
Heliothis armigera 34, 43, 94, 94, 131, 122
Sp. . : . 34
Heliotropium peruvianum . . 1907

[vas]

PAGE

Helopeltis theiovora . . . 42
Hemerobide . ; 3 5 9
Hemiptera : “ e ; 154
Hepialidze “ . 4 ° 22
Heptophylla ° js © 253, 273
» picea . 253
Heterocampa nigroscripta 15
Heterocera ; : C : 43
Heteronyx e 0 -249, 273
3 obesus 4 ° 249

5 oblongus 5 . : 249
Heteroptera 6 5 c 42,43, 94
Heterusia cingala . 279
Hieroglyphus furcifer .. 290, 43, 190
Hippobosca ° ° 79, 80
o zgyptiaca . ° » 79, 80

» var. bengalensis. ° 80

3 bactriana . ° 79

i camelina : C 79

a canina . 79

" equina ° e » 79, 80
‘Hispa zenescens . ° ° 26, 42
Histeridz . ° ° 86
Hog plum beetle ° ° ° 68
Holomelia . C ° 20g a7
3 mirabilis « : . 263
Holotrichia : 5 : °257) 273
‘ alcocki : . : 177

;, andamana~ . ° ° 178

90 imitatrix 0 : 178

ps as problematica ° . 178
” scrobipennis ° 178

5 ites singhalensis : ; 179
Homaloplia 3 , C - 247, 273
39 floricola c ° . 247

n limbata ; 5 F 247

5 marginata 0 247

on nigromarginata . . 247

5 ruricola ° ° 0 247

” spirzee e e e 247
Homoptera 25, 35, 42, 43, 44, 45, 58, 60, 93, 94
Hoplia ° ° ° » 92, 238, 273
3 advena ° ° 238

90 argentea C «239, 240

6 bilineata . é 238.

1G czrulea e 0 239

0 concolor 5 ‘ 239

50 farinosa , 5 5 £39

5 formosa 5 pe 239

[

Hoplia graminicola . . 239
Hoplia ochracea : . > 239
» orientalis “6 ° . 240
» Philanthus 0 e ° 240:
» Pilicollis 5 c : 240
» Ppollinosa 5 5 : 240
» pulverulenta . ° ° 230, 240:
» Yetusa . ° . ° 240
» squamosa ° . ° 239
» Viridissima O ; . 240
| 5, Viridula . ‘ ° e 177, 240
Hoplosternus . 60 . 209, 273
» bifurcatus 5 ° 269
5 chinensis ° , 269
3 flabellata . - 269
3 furcicandus ° 270
O6 japonica ° p 270
" leevipennis . 5 270
i shillongensis . 270
Horse bot flies . c ° - 222
Hyacinthus ° . cC = 107
‘5 orientalis . ° . 25
Hyblea puera . . ° ° 214
Hydrocampa albifascialia , ° 17
5 aquitilis . ° 13
Hymenia diffascialis . ° 17
=o) recurvalis s ° e 16,17
Hymenoptera 32, 92, 93, 154, 159, 218
Hypocrita vy. carice . ° . 16
Hyposidra sp.. 2 ° ° 120
Hypsa alciphron . ° 15, 16
» (Damalis) caricz . ° 16

I
Ieerya zegyptiaca 5 5 7, 27, 218
» crocea ° ° ° : 7
» pilosa ; ; et Pale 7
», purchasi .o : 5 28, 218
» tangalla . ° Ti
Idiocerus_ . 9 3 A ° 25
atkinsonii » : 2 25
i clypealis ° : 25
% niveosparsus ° 25
Ilex cassine : 0 174
»» crenata ® 188
Peopacaums ‘ ; : ° 10g
» verticillata . : 5 » 160, 172

xvit |

Ixodide .- . e °
J
Jasminum e ° ° -
Jassidz ° . ° 5
jowari a ° ° °
Julodis znipes_ .- ° °
» atkinsonii A -
Julus . - 5 - 5
Juniperus virginiana. .
K
Kankrol-fruit pests e °
Katra e ° e e
Kerosene oil emulsion .« °

Khati dhaka poka = e
Kujifly . : 4 2

L
Lachnosterna

7 andamana °
atkinsonii 5
= aurosericea
» bidentata °
5 biehli . 2
“5 brevicollis °
r cavifrons °
+ elypealis — 5
= consanguinea
*p cotesi . °
” fervens . °
+ fervida . 5
“ flavosericea .
9 . fusca és 5
= glabriclypeata
“y glabrifrons .
x imitatrix

+ impressa F
* intermedia .
“f iridipennis .
“1 lata é P
” longicarinata ,
"7 nigropunctata
re obscura . 5
” pagana . .
” pilosa ° e
” plagiata . 5

PAGE

2 95
3 7
42, 94, 108
° 39
: 49
= 43, 48
- 93, 168
- 160, 172
° 198
3 32
12, 78, 130
° 18
5 66

85, 87, 88, 96, 165, 168,

187, 257, 273
° 257
° 257
: 258
5 258
° 258
: 25
; 258
° 258
z 258
° 259
° 259
a 259
5 259

98; 99, 259
e 260

260
: 260

186, 187, 261

> 261
261
0 250
259
j 259
5 260
260
260
: 260

Lachnosterna problematica .« 260
7 quercina e 5 259

+ rustica . = 5 268

ss scabrifrons . : 261,

4 scrobiculata . ° 261

s seutellata “ . 261

Ae sericata . < = 202

5 serrata . : = 262

A sikkimensis . 5 262

+ sinze A 4 ° 262

= sinensis . 3 . 262

op standfussi e ° 262

* standingeri 3 0 262

35 stoliczkz : 5 203

ra stridulans : 5 263

5 tenasserima . 5 263
Lachnus . e c 2 5 275
" platanicola . . : 275

1» pyri se ° —« 274, 275

3 viminalis ° ° 275
Lamellicorn beetles . e - 92,95
Lamoria infumatella . ° é 217
Lampides elpis . : . ° 44
Lampyridz P ° ° 6 93
Lapargsticti 5 cS ° 5 &6
Lasioderma testaceum ° ° 28
Lasioserica : e ° « 243, 273
5 brzeti sia = 245

+ calva C ° : 24t

PY pilosella . e : 242
Lecanium . : : - 36, 81, 119
% acutissimum e 52 10

7 antidesme . ° ° 10

iy caudatum . : ° 10

3) a colecc. ° . 8, 218, 249

sp eXpansum e ° ° 9

90 formicarii . ° C 10

5 genevense . ° ° 82

op geometricum ° ° se

aA longulum e ° 8

" mangiferse . 5 : §

” marginatum . ° ° 9

5 nigrum ° : ° 9

6 ophiorrhize . fe 10

5) piperis ° : . 10

_ planum C . 5 9

; » Var. maritimum 9

es tessellatum . é e 9

= viride . : - : 8

fae Sxcvitie |

PAGE

Leda poka . es .
Lepidiota . :

np albase< 5
; bimaculata .
3 crenulata .
” eriffithi 5
” luctuosa :
” punctatipennis
” rugosa
7 rugosipennis.
” stigma :
Lepidoptera a
Lepisia . 5 A
» tupicola
Lepitrix 4 Z
op abbreviata .
A bilateralis .
7 fuscipes 0
_ lineata . 5
» nigripes
” quadrata
99 stigma.

sf thoracica .
Leptispa pygmza 5

,, _ filiformis

Leptocorisa acuta :

Leucania extranea 5
3 loreyi . é
» unipuncta .

Leucaniide .

Leucinodes orbonalis .
Leucomigus antennalis

Leucopholis . °
9p crassa
55 irrorata
- plagiata

pollinosa .
‘3 teteranus .
Lilium ° 5
Limacodide j ‘
Limonius plebejus °

LLiogryllus bimaculatus ~

Liparetrus . “. °

”
”

9)
Litzea

discipennis
hirsutus

xanthotrichus

zeylanica
Lixus concavus .

25,

- 187,

°

PAGE
190
273
255
254
254
254
254
254
255
255

254,

255

91, 93

- 238, 273

. 122,

42, 46,
« I91,

° °

238
235, 273
235
235
236
235
230
235
236
235
123
123
121, 218
192, 219

67

1QI, 192
22,68
35; 43
112

. 2506, 273

256
250
257

Pace

Locust reports ° . - 31

London purple 11, 12, 23, 25, 125, 137

Lucanus O . 5 0 ° 92

i lunifer 5 é 44.

Lycoside . ° é - 86, 90, 95

Lygeide . . - : ° 43

Lymantriide . . : > 14,15
M

Macrops. . : : 5 9°

Magnolia grandiflora . 5 e 161

Mahasena graminivora < 19,45

Mahna 4 6 C ° ° 25

Mallotus philippinensis ° ° 217

Mangifera indica , ° ° ° 7) 44

Mango caterpillar 5 ° 209

» tree borer : 5 ° 133

» weevil . ° 44, 73

Mantide ., : ° ° 94

March flies 5 : 5 Qg2

Margaronide : : ° ° 43

Marietta leopardina . ° : 219

Maruca aquatilis . ° ° 13, 43

5 testulalis : 5 « 13,43

Mashi 5 : 3 - 35

Masi . . ° ° 35

Masicera , 3 : z : 136

0 castanea 3 3 e 219

2 dasychire . ° 219

A subnigra : s e 219

Mava . 2 5 ' 39

May beetles ‘ : - 88, 95

Medicago sativa . 0 . ° 277

Melanerpes carolinus 148, 152, 153, 164, 167

. erythrocephalus 148,152,153,162

on formicivorus bairdi . 174.

9 torquatus . ; 174

” uropygialis 174.

Melanotus fuscus 6 0 ° 135

Melasoma populi 3 ° 45

Melolontha . 6 6 : » 270, 273

” argus 9 . : 270

9 difficilis : 271

i guttigera . 0 O 270

0 hippocastani 271

ef majalis . : 27%

mp manillarum 271

0 melolontha C 271

Melolontha pectoralis .
pennata .

~ rangunensis
3 serrulata
x sulcipennis
+ vulgaris
Melolonthini « .
Membracidz ;
Mentha hirsuta . e
Microlepidoptera

Millipede injurious te crops
Miltogramma 12-punctata
Mimastra cyanura
Misembryanthemum .
Mobar : . °
Monochelus 3 °

a squamulatus
Monomorium pharaonis
Monophlebus zeylanicus
Morkhai° . .

Morus . . .
oA indica . e
=p rubra 5 °

Mosquito blight . :

Mova . - ° :

Munga . : °

Muscide . . °

Musscenda frondosa .
Myllocerus maculosus .
“ny setulifer .
Myosotis scorpioides .
Myriapoda . : .
Myrtus . .
Mytilaspis . ,
or citricola 5

» elongata ;
9 pallida . .
+5 pomorum
N
Narcissus

Nemobius . :
Neocerambyx holosericeus
Nephelium longana .
Neuroptera <
Nicotiana tabacum .
Njiangbyruai

Njianguar

Noctua carice , .

PAGE
271
271

179, 271
271

271

271
217

94

197

19

30

219
217

25, 197
38

237, 273
237

30

6

39

160, 166
214

168

42

39

38

92

107
93

44

21

93s 94
33

30

30

16

f tics

Noctuide . - :
Notarcha multilinealis .
Nyiaugrieg : -
Nyiang Saw Khlich
Nyssa aquatica . .
O

Odina wodier 5 :
Odoiporus .- . 5
Odontria . : 2

striata . ae.

”?
» . zelandica :

Odynerus . . °
Oedalus marmoratus .
Oegus = . .

Oides bipunctata e
Oiketicus crameri .
Olene mendosa . :
Ophiorrhiza pectinata .
Ophthalmoserica :
5 umbrinella
Opuntia eee .
Oracharis saltator .
Orange scale insect .
tree pests °
Orbitelarize : :
Orthezia insignis . te
F nacrea . .
Orthoptera 5 .
Oryctes rhinoceros :
Oryza sativa 5 :

Osbeckia . °
Ostrya virginiana
Otoclinius .

sy gracilipes
Oxya velox . 5 :
Oxycarenus lugubris

P

Pachmephorus . .
Pachycnema ° .
% albispila .
yn alternans
oY crassipes .
” flaviventris
Pachytylus cinerascens

]

Pace
a 68, Go
. 64.
a 30

e 30

- 157, 160, 174

: 135
, 135
» 240, 273
249

e 249
. 92
: 43
: 134
2 121
18

° 219
o M8 ate
+ 242, 273
- 242
Zi
5 168
° 69
° 133
° 95
- 6,26
. 6, 25, 26
+ 29, 30, 04, 154
- . 37; 38, 36
© 33,39
° 4
155

» 241, 273
. 241
30, 43, 216
43, 193

c 189
» 236, 273
F 236
° 230
. 236
. 230
’ 43

Papaver somniferum .
“19 rheas |. o
Papilio erithonius 0 .
Parasa lepida : * e
Paria canella - 5 :
Paridze ° : ° .
Paris green . ° .

Parthenocissus quinquefolia .

160, 168, 172, 174

Parus coeruleus . ‘ .
, a lustris ° C A
Paspalum scrobiculatum é
Passalus c c ; 0
Passer domesticus ° -
Passiflora . ° ° .
Pear tree aphis_
Pemphigus . .
of bursaris °
an edificator . 4
Pe immunis .
* napeus . -
. spirotheca . .
Pennisetum typhcideum .
Pentatomide : . 75, 86,
- Perinabasalis . 6
yy nuda . ° .
Peritrichia « ‘ ° :
fA capicola . '
p nigrita ° .
5 ursus °
Phaleena angustalis . 6
S fascialis a oe
bp nigrella 0 °
bs recurvalis . 5
Phalanbyu . . : ¢
Phanzcus carnifex : 2
Pharyngomyia es . -
Phaseolus aconitifolius .

Phleum : Ae

Pheebe attenuata .

Phromnia marginella °

Phyllotocus . < °
Ap erythropterus .
_ macleayi . .
i preeustus . 6
is rufipennis . 0

Phyllotretanemorum ,
M5 undulata , F

Phylloxera vastratrix . 6

g

PAGE PaGE

. 123 Phymatide . A 6 ; c 94.
. 107. | Phytolacca decandra . > 155, 157, 160
° 44 | Phytonomus punctarus, 0 . 90
» 21,42 Picea .. 5 5 e : ; 157
° 93 | Picoides arcticus . 0 C - 174, 179
. 81 Pr americanus dorsalis 2 174,175
I1, 12,136 | Pieris rape e . : » 93, 100
* 155,157 | Pimela sylvatica . . SS 197
Pinusechinata . ° e 4 168

: 81 , longifolia . : : 184, 215
° 18 | Pipsafly . 6 e 6 ° 54
3 39 | Pistaciaterebrinthus , ‘ , 45
F Q2 Pisum sativum 0 C 0 192
4 82 | Pittosporum undulatum . . 211
Fs 10 Planchonia : C A 216
274 Ff bambuscze ., 0 c 5

; 50 i delicata 5 ° 5
” 5! 5 milaria var, longa . ° 5
5 45 solenphorides ° an 61216
6) 51 . sp. . ° e ° 216
e 50,51 | Plantago lanceolata . . 197
5 so | Platynaspis villosa . d 0 218
* 33,39 | Platypeplum oh Pacer nace : 105
QI, 94, 95 | Plocederus obesus : 2 135
. 14 5 pedestris . 2 ‘ 135
5 14 Plusia brassicze . ‘ & é 93
- 235, 273 | Plutellacruciferarum . 0 c 197
g 235 % maculata . - : + 196, 197
: 235 | Podisus . ‘ ; " I
é 235 | Podontia 14-punctata . ; 5 a
3 17 Peecilocera picta . ' ; zu 43
ty | Beles 9 6 oss Coen
A 17 | Polygonum convolvulus 0 ang : 161
‘ 17 af lapathifolium ; ; 163
‘ 27 y persicaria 5 + 161, 197
E 86 | Polyphylla . ° ° ° - 260, 273
‘ 147 » fullo : 5 ; 260
% 33 56 pulverea , ° 5 269
5 161 Populus nigra ° ° 0 50
= 135 | Pore-kaida . 0 3 5 : 39
: 42 | Fotato aphis . ° . 3 198
. 241, 273 » tuber mite ° C ° 30
: 24, | Potentilla anserina a > 197
5 241 Poti-gaung . 5 6 0 0 68
"3 241 Potu fly ; 0 0 - 40,54
241 | Poutzolzia 0 ° . . 8

4 82 Prionus brevicornis A 3 5 1€6
s 8o | Prunus serotina . - 157, 160, 166, 172
Z 277 » virginiana 157, 160, 164, 166

Pseudococcus adonidum

* mangifere .

Pseudotrematodes
Psiloptera fastuosa e
Psychotria . °
is thwaitesii .
Psylla cistellata °
Psyllide . 5 °
Pteromalus oryzz .
Pterophodide . °
Pterostichus : °
x sayi . °
Puit : . 2
Pulvinaria ° °
i psidii . °

tessellata .
y tomentosa .
Pyralide . 5

Pyronota . ; 2
festiva

Quercus e e

Ranunculus acris
bulbosus ,
hirsutus .
a repens 5
Red scale of Florida

”

Red spider °

Reduviidze C 5

Rhinaspis - 5
schranki 5

Rhizobius jujubz :
Rhizopertha pusilla .
Rhizotrogus é °

Ay zestivus és
* aprilinus

Ft asSimilis

” ater ,
" autumnalis ,

5 beludschistanus
ry bilobus e
9 bimaculatus

” carbonarius

i) frivaldozkyi

PAGE

. 218, 219

- . 7
- 265, 273

° 44

. ° 3, 5
> : 9
: . 44
° ° 44
. : 219
. ° 43
: ° 88
° A 86
° . 30
187

5 : 8
5 : 8
- - 8
° : 217
: 248, 273
e : 248
: . 161, 166
. 5 107
. « 25, 197
. : 107
. : 107
° . 7O
42, 114, 115, 117
° : 94
. - 250, 273
: 250
° « 277, 278
: 45

- 205, 273

‘ 265

e 266

: 266

. 266

. 267

° 266

266

. . 266
: 207

207

Rhizotrogus gracilis.
inanis 5
+ maculicollis
marginatus
5 paganus .
6 rufescens 2

Paca
. 266
. 266
: 266
‘ 267
° 267
. 267
° 267
° 267
- 267
6 267
. 267

235 24 43, 197

155.

5 ruficornis «
- Semirufus .
ie solstitialis
_ tauricus
tenebrioides
Riopalesionne dianthi
Rhus copallina °
* glabra :
x radicans »
5 sp. .
s vernix 5
Rhynchophora
Rhynchophorus ferrugineus
Rice borer : :
» hispa 2 5
»,) Sapper c :
» weevil : :
Ricinus communis 6
Robinia A .
Rodolia fumida ,
», Tosipennis 5
Roji ° . Ey
Rubus ° . °

Ruscusandrogynus ,

Ss
Sabal serrulata . .
Saccharum officinale .
Salgonea morio . °
Salix elegans 5 e
Salo ° ° .
Sambucus :
aa canadensis .
3 pubens .
Saprosoma . ° °
Sapsucker . °

Sawfly attacking Eubase

Scarabidze

Schizodactylus moncitonts

Schizonycha : :
” crenata
" fuscescens .
~ rhizotrogcides

[examinee |

. 166, 174
157, 160, 166
155, 157, 160

4 155
157, 169, 174
. 99
38

30

62

42, 46, 121
° 42
: 33
: 28
. 28, 218
. 28, 218
‘ . 33
157, 160, 166
° 197
. 168
144

. 135
45

. 39
C 166
» 160, 168
160

. 5
: 147
: 32
: 386
° 43
« 253) 273
253

: 253
s 177, 253

Schonherria rangunensis

Scolytidz . c
Scutellista cyanea :
Serica a . :
"1 adnexa 46
alcocki e

»

Shorea robusta

Silpha

andamana .
assamensis ,

(Autoserica) calcutte

» nagana
calcuttze ;
clypeata 0 °
ferruginea . :
festina e .
fumosa * °
gigantea . °

himalayica
immutabilis .

indica f
inornata 5
insularis 4
leticula A
lugubris e

maculosa 3
marginella .
marmorata .

mutabilis °

nagana ;
penangica .
pruninosa .
rufocuprea .
sempiterna ,
severini 4
sikkimensis .
sphzerica ;

tridens 5
truncata 5
umbrina a
§ 5

0 e 5

Silphide . ° 5
Silvanus surinamensis ,

Simulia

Simuliu

Sinapis
”

Sinoxyl

e e e
m indicum 6
alba O C
arvensis . 0
nigra é A
on sp. : e

Siriocauta testulalis .

PAGE

e 179
. 57
219
92, 242, 273
: 242
© 217, 242
5 242
. 176, 242
6 176
° 170
- 176, 243
° 243
. 243
D 243
° 243
° 243
° 243
° 244
0 244
. 244
° 244
: 244
° 244
° 245
° 245
° 245 -
244, 245
. 175
‘ 246
° 245
. 245
0 496
° 246
3 246
c 246
0 246
° 2406
° 247
© 44, 135
e 88
° 86
° 45
U 54, 55
- 46, 54
197
° 107
6 107
° 27
> 13

Pace
Sitodrepa panicea : F ; 45
Sitones A fs 5 ‘ 90
Smilax glauca c C - 160, 174
se MOCUNC tol aes 5 ‘ 174
Solanum melongena , ° ° 33
” tuberosum . ° . 107
Soldier beetles ° . ° 93
” bugs ° . 91, 94, 95
Sonda-kida ° ° : 39
Spergula arvensis ° ° e 197
Sphenarches caffer 0 0 ° 43
Sphenophorus ° ° : 90
Sphenoptera gossypii , ° : 43
Sphyrapicus ruber 5 : ° 174
An varius 147, 148, 152, 153, 169
Spoladea recurvalis . C ° 17
Spondias mangifera ° e 68, 134
Staphylinus e ° ° 88
Stenia testulalis , ° ‘ : 13
Stethaspis . . 5 » 248, 273
+. suturalis . ° e 248
Stilpnotia subtincta , ° ° 14
Strobilanthus sp. ' Q 6 2
Sugarcane borer . ° ° ° 43
a pest e ° ° 199
Sunga ° ° ° ° 40
Symplocos thezefolia . . 0 135
Synclera multilinealis . ° » 63, 64
Syrphide . : ° e 94
Syrphus nietneri A : 218
» Splendens ° : ° 218

ak
Tachina , ° . 0 56
Tachinidz . ° 6 6 94
Talinum . e ° 0 7
Tanymecus confertus , k js 90
; indicus ° 43, 123, 124, 188
Teak borer ° : ° 22
Tectoma grandis ° 9 S 44
Telephorus ° e ° 03
Tenebrionide 0 4 0 92
Termes : .° 102, 174
* lucifugus 0 : 102
4) taprobanes . 36
Terminalia belerica . ° : 27
ie tomentosa . : 44
Termitide . : ° 04

[xxiii |

Tetranthera -
Tetranychus 5 .
5 bioculatus
Tettigide . . :
Tettix - - °
Thala > 5 °
Thalictrum minus -

Theophilla huttoni e
Thiacidas postica

Thomisidz ° =
Thosea 2 °
» cervina . e
> cotesi ° °
» divergens °
5, duplexa .
Ee ckd: . °
Tineide . c .
Tineina -
Tipulide . : °
Tobacco borer . °
Holme. 5 : .
Tortricidz . e 5
Trabula vishnu » °
Tricholepis . .
Bs grandis.
Fs niveopilosa «
” pubera
56 puberina
Trifolium repens °
Trinoxia 0 .
» cyphonotoides
Triodonta . . ‘
iss aquila . 0
Triticum sativum :

Trochilium ommatizforme
Trogosita mauritanica »
Tropzolum tricolor
Trycolyga « 2 °

” bombycis .

Tryxalis turrita . °
Tulipa ° ° .
utes e e

Tussilago . . °

Tylophora asthmatica
Tyroglyphus siro .

° 3
217

. 42, 114

‘5 1

87

- 25

197

66

0 14, 15

: 95

0 182

. 181, 182
. 41

. 182, 183
181

. 41,56

107

« 105, 107
e 92,95
36

° 29, 39
° 105

136

« 257, 273
257

. 257

° 257

° 257

161

2 272; 273

272

» 2475 273
° 247
e 45
° 44
. 45

° 197
; 66

° 66
29, 43, 216
. 197

. 40

. 107
4

216

Udhai valvee ° °
Urappuchchi aie

‘V
Vaccinium sp. . >
Vedalia cardinalis <

» fumida var. roseipennis

Verbascum thapsus .

Verbina . os °
Viburnum prunifolium

Vignacatiang . e

Vinsonia stellifer A

Virachola isocrates .

Vitis = e “

» cordifolia .

w

Walkeriana compacta .
7 eup horbize

3 floriger .

50 poleii °

' senex °

Wasps : . °

Weevils . ° :

Wheat weevil . <

Wire-worms ° 5
x

Xyleborus dispar °
99 fornicatus .
Xylocopa . ° °
Xylotrechus . :
0 quadripes.

Z

Zea mays . : 5
Zebronia salomealis .
Zeuzera coffee . c
Zinckenia recurvalis .
Zizyphus jujube .

[ xxiv]

160, 166

PAGE

39

- 131, 132

155, 161, 172

2

160
28, 218
27, 218

107
174
39°
8
44

NOTICE.

—t—.

The serial /ndian Museum Notes, issued by the Trustees of the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, under the authority of the Government of
India, Revenue and Agricultural Department, is to take the place of
Notes on Economic Entomology, of which two numbers have appeared.
For the views expressed, the authors of the respective notes are alone
responsible.

The parts of the serial are published from time to time as materials
accumulate. Communications are invited ; they should be written on
one side only of the paper and addressed to—

THE EDITOR,
INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES,
Calcutta.

Correspondence connected with Economic Entomology should be
accompanied by specimens ofthe insects to which reference is made.
Caterpillars, grubs, and other soft-bodied insects can be sent in strong
spirit ; chrysalids and cocoons alive, and packed lightly in leaves or
grass; other insects, dried and pinned, or wrapped in soft paper.
Live insects should be sent when there is a reasonable probability
of their surviving the journey. Caterpillars, grubs, and other im-
mature insects can often be only approximately determined ; they
should therefore, where possible, be accompanied by specimens of
the mature insects into which they transform; when this is not pos-
sible, they should still be sent, asthey can always be determined ap-
proximately, and uncertainty must necessarily arise in discussing
insects when actual reference to the specimens cannot be made.

Insects forwarded for determination should, in all cases, be accom-
panied by a detailed report showing precisely in what their economic
importance is believed to consist.

CALCUTTA ;
1st March 1895.

. Hi. vai tts "i me Say “ober.

aOR OW sa Aba Thine
ksadanen ocr Lot 1G, 5
xe Sth Po 295

, A
Pe me his Fh 6

rey far

nae s

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I—

Fic. 1. Assamia dentata, n. sp.

PLATE II—

Fig. 1. Maruca testulalis, Geyer.
> 2. Perina nuda, Fabr.
» 3. Lhiacidas postica, Walk.
» 4- Hypsa alciphron, Cram.
» 5: Hymenia recurvalis, Fabr.

PLATE IlI—
Fic. 1. Mahasena graminivora, n. sp.
» 2 Eumeta crameri, Wesiw.
» 3- Rhopalosiphum dianthi, Schr.
» 4A millepede.

CONTENTS.

———————

NoTEs ON A NEW HOMOPTEROUS INSECT OF THE FAMILY FULGORIDR,

by G. B. Buckton, F.R.S.

CaTALOGUE OF COCCIDH® COLLECTED 1N CeyYLon, by Mr. E. E.

Green . ;

REMEDIES FOR PianT Diseases (Reprint)

MisceLtLanzous Nores FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION; by

Mr. Edward Barlow

6

PAGE.

13

&*

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.
ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES,
| Nov 93 Lea?

Votume IV.—No, 1.

| 3.886 ee

Published by Authority of the Gobernment of Endia,
Department of Bebenue and Agriculture.

CALCUTTA:

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA.

1896.

; | Price Eight Annas.

NOY 25 Ase]
VolodVay oe

NOTICE OF A NEW INDIAN HOMOPTERON.'

By G. B. BUCKTON.
TRIBE TETTIGIDA.

FAMILY FULGORID&, BURM.
Assamia dentata, n. sp.

PLATE I.

Generic character.—Face with three keels, the central keel passing
over the vertex. Antenna second joint globular, ending with a
fine seta and placed below the eyes. Thorax large and corrugated.
Abdomen short and stout, deeply ringed, and ending witha complete
pygofer. Legs long, the hind tibize crowned at the lower ends with
leaf-like spurs. Tarsi three=jointed, last joint furnished with two
claws and bristles. Wings voluminous and prettily clouded with
brown. Costal edges of both elytra and wings, with a row of fine
teeth. Venation of wings peculiar and represented in figures 2 and 3,

Rostrum long and cylindrical, containing three bristles,

A. dentata.—Body shining black, wings brocaded with brown ;
legs, part of the abdominal rings and antennz yellow. Pygofer of
é complex.

Expanse of imago, 14 millemetres.

Attacks the leaves of Palm tree.

Dibrugarh, Assam.

EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS.
- Fic. 1.—The imago which shows the long clypius and also the
form of the pygofer in profile.
FIGS. 2 and 3.—The elytron and lower wing with hooks,
FIG, 4.—Head showing antennz (a), clypius with keels (4), and
rostrum at (7).
FiG, 5.—Lower end of tibia and tarsus of hind leg.

1 [The specimens from which this species is described were forwarded to the
Museum by Rev. C. Dowding, Chaplain of Dibrugarh, Assam, who found them in
considerable numbers on the under-side of the leaves of a kind of palm tree.— Ed. ]

IA

2 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol, IV.

CATALOGUE OF COCCIDA COLLECTED IN
CEYLON.

BY Mr. E. E, GREEN.

[The following list of Coccidze, which contains many undescribed species, is
to be regarded as preliminary toa more exhaustive paper with figures of all the
new species, now in course of preparation by the same author.—£d.j .

1. Chionaspis braziliensis, Sign,—On cultivated ferns, Strodzlan-
thus sp.,and Acacia melanoxylon, occurring, when present, in
enormous numbers, the males usually predominating. A remarkable
exception being in the case of specimens found on the Acacza which
were all females.

Locality Punduloya.

2. C. biclavis, Comst.—Very common on stems of Cinchona
and Tea, sometimes in such numbers as to considerably injure the
plants. Found also occasionally on stems of Grevillea and Coffee;
never on leaves, though the American type is described from
examples found on leaves of fig, Male unknown. The female
shield very inconspicuous, from the fact that it is always covered
with the superficial fibres and loose material of the bark upon which
it rests.

Locality Punduloya.

3. C. aspidistrez, Sign., var. mussendzZ, n. var.—Found on stems
and twigs of Mussenda frondosa. Differs from type chiefly in the
character of the female shield, which is opaque, greyish white, and
covered with the hairs and fibres of the bark instead of being of a
‘clear transparent yellow” as in Signoret’s type. The male puparia
are crowded together in large groups, each individual attached by the
anterior extremity only, the rest of the body elevated.

Locality Punduloya.

4. C. eugentz, Mask., var. varicosa, n. var.~—Found on under surface
of leaves of Gelonuim lanceolatum. Differs from type chiefly in
character of female shield, which is proportionately broader and
marked with ramifying raised creases resembling veins,

Locality Punduloya.

5. C. eugentz, Mask., var. litzez, n. var.—Found on under surface
of leaves of Litzea zeylanica. Differs from type in the female
shield being very thin and semi-transparent. Male with 3 knobbed
digitules on feet.

Locality Punduloya,

No. 1,] Catalogue of Coccide collected in Ceylon. 3

nS ee

6. C. vitds, n. sp.—Found on under surface of leaves of Vitzs,
producing discoloration of the leaf, the punctured parts turning pale
yellow. Very occasionally found on upper surface of leaves of
Elzagnus. Female shield thin, colourless and semi-transparent,
Pygidial lobes small but prominent. Female insect pale yellow
before gestation ; afterwards reddish. Male with 4 knobbed digitules
on feet.

Locality Punduloya.

7. C. graminis, n. sp.—On lemon-grass (Andropogon). Punc-
tured area of leaf turning dark purple. Female shield snowy white;
insect reddish orange. Pellicles of male puparium dark brown.
Adult male with 3 knobbed digitules on feet.

Locality Punduloya.

8. C. minuta, n. sp.—On Tetranthera. <A very small species,
appearing to the naked eye like minute yellowish specks on under
surface of the leaf. Female shield colourless and transparent. Male
puparium also very thin and transparent. Adult female insect very
pale yellow. Male with 3 knobbed digitules on feet.

Locality Punduloya,

g. C. acuminata, n. sp.—Found on both surfaces of leaves of
Ardisia and several unidentified plants. Female shield very long
and narrow with a median ridge, yellowish brown, Insect very pale
yellow, tinged with bright orange in older individuals. Pygidia
lobes very small. Male puparium strongly carinate, the furrows
coloured reddish, giving a general pink tinge to the mass. Feet
with 3 knobbed digitules. Terminal point of antenna with 3
knobbed hairs.

Locality Punduloya.

10. C. elzagni,n. sp.—On Lizvagnus latifolia under surface of
leaves. Female shield thin, whitish, but closely covered with the stellate
hairs of the leaf. Insect bright yellow. Pygidium reddish. Pygidial
lobes large and prominent. Male with 3 knobbed digitules on feet.

Loeality Punduloya.

11. C. exercitata, n.sp.—On both surfaces of leaves of Tea,
Psycaotrza and other plants, in colonies consisting usually of one, or
a very few females and a large number of males ; the white carinated
male puparia being disposed very regularly in parallel lines. Female
shield long and narrow, reddish brown. Insect dull purplish red:
pygidium with single median lobe. Male with 2 knobbed digitules
on feet.

Locality Punduloya.

4 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

12. Aspidiotus nerzz, Bouché.—Common on Tea, Loranthus,
Dalbergia, Palms, etc,

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo.

13. A. auraniz, mask,—On Agave (American aloe) and Cztrus
pomela.

Locality Punduloya.

14. A. osbeckiz, n. sp.—On stems of Osdeckia, not common.
Allied to xer7z, but differs in the opaque brownish shield, and the
marginal hairs of the insect. Mate with black apodema, Feet with
4 knobbed digitules. Terminal joint of antenna with 3 knobbed
hairs,

Locality Punduloya.

15. A. occultus, n. sp—In minute pall: on leaves of Grewza
orientalts. Female pale yellow: no grouped spinnerets. Male with
4 digitules on feet, and 3 knobbed hairs on terminal joint of antenna.

Locality Punduloya,

16. A. trzlobitiformts, n, sp—On leaves of unidentified tree.
Female shield broad and flat, opaque, reddish brown. Insect very
regularly and symmetrically formed; segments strongly marked: a
deep transverse groove behind the cephalic segments. Pygidium
with weil-marked reticulated patch on upper surface.

Locality Punduloya,

17. Diaspis lanata, Morg. and Ckll.—Very common on stems of
geranium, Callicarpa lanata, and Tylophora asthmatica, Very des-
tructive to cultivated geranium, the stems often being completely ©
covered with the white male puparia.

Locality Punduloya.

18. D, circulata, n. sp.—Common on young tea Salant and on
the twigs of older bushes : also on Cinchona and Osbeckza. Female
shield yellowish : pellicles usually dark, with a small whitish central
boss surrounded by several concentric raised circles. Insect yellow.
Male unknown.

Locality Punduloya.

19. Mytilaspis citricola, Packard.—On orange, and leaves of
Cocculus indicus.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy.

20. M. elongata, n. sp.—On leaves of Arundinaria. Female
shield very long and narrow, snowy white. Insect also very long ;
almost linear; pale yellow to orange, Male with 4 fanbhed
digitules on feet, and 6 knobbed hairs on terminal joint of antenna,

Locality Punduloya.

Fy

No. 1.) Catalogue of Coccidz collected in Ceylon. 5

21. M. pallida, n. sp.—On leaves of unidentified shrubs, Allied
to . citricola, Female shield proportionately longer, smoother and
more regular, very pale yellowish or brownish. Insect creamy white :
pygidium pale reddish, Male pale lilac: foot with 3 knobbed
digitules : terminal joint of antenna with 3 knobbed hairs.

Locality Punduloya. :

22. Aonitdia corniger, n. sp.—On upper surface of leaves of
Psychotria and Litzea. A very remarkable form, the first pellicle
bearing a series of 16 long, glassy, colourless horn-shaped processes.
Adult female pale lilac : completely enclosed within second pellicle :
pygidiums without spinnerets: margin produced into tooth-like
processes.

Locality Punduloya.

23. Fiovinta saprosmz, n. sp.—On under surface of leaves of
Saprosma. Female shield almost completely occupied by the second
pellicle, which is pale orange coloured. Male puparia concealed
beneath a mass of loose white filaments. Female insect pale
yellow : minute jointed tubercles on margins of abdominal segments.

Locality Punduloya,

24. /, secreta, n. sp.—In small galls on leaves of Grew7a
ortentalis. Female insect yellow : pygidium long and pointed, with a
prominent double median lobe : no grouped spinnerets.

Locality Punduloya,

25. F. scrobicularum, n. sp.—In glandular pits at base of veins
on leaves of Gerinera kenigit, Female shield very narrow in
front, widened behind: pale yellowish with reddish median area,
Insect pale yellow : pygidium with deep median cleft.

Locality Punduloya.

26. F. palmz, n. sp.— On fronds of Cocoanut palm. Differs from
fF’, saprosmz in smaller size, and in possession of a long stout spine-
like process on rudimentary antenne.

Locality Punduloya.

27. Planchonia bambusz, Boisd.—On stems of Giant Bamboo.
Male unknown.

Locality Punduloya.

28. P. miliaria, Boisd., var. longa, n. var.—On Arundinarta.
Differs from type in proportionately greater size and length. Male
yellow. Terminal joint of antenna with 3 knobbed hairs.

Locality Punduloya.

29. P. delicata,n. sp.—On leaves of Arundinaria. Much tess
convex than P, dambuse : sometimes almost flat. Male reddish ;

5 Indian Museum Notes. ; [Vol. IVe

a

antennz with 6 very long whip-like hairs, and 3 knobbed hairs on
terminal joint.

Locality Punduloya.

30. P. solenophorozdes, n. sp.—On leavesof Nindiiare: a min-
ute species. Hinder part of female test narrowed and elevated.
Insect bright yellow. Male pale yellow; foot with 3 digitules :
antenna with 3 knobbed hairs at apex, .

Locality Punduloya.

31. Walkeriana floriger, Walk.—On stems of Litzea zeylanica.

Locality Punduloya.

32. W.compacta,n. sp.—On stem of unidentified tree. With-
out the silky filaments and tufts of W. flordger. Short, stout, compact,
conical white processes on dorsum.

Locality Kelani valley.

33. W. euphorbtz, n. sp—On branches of Euphorbia antiquo-
yum, Very convex behind ; narrowed and depressed in front. Short
curved conical processes in concentric series.

Locality Hambantota,

34. W. polett, n, sp.—On stems and twigs of Dodoneza viscosa.
Pinkish grey : short, conical, truncate yellowish processes: very con-
vex dorsally : laterally compressed: inner side of femur with stout
spines.

Locality Chilaw.

35. W. senex,n. sp.—On stems and twigs of Dodonza viscosa.
Broader, flatter than W. Polezz: processes very long and curling,
white or brownish.

Locality Chilaw,

36. Orthezta insignis, Doug|.—On numerous ornamental shrubs,
affecting especially Acanthacez. A very destructive species.
Male slaty-grey witha brush of long silky filaments from extrem-
ity of abdomen. This species has been redescribed from Ceylon
specimens by Mr. Buckton under the name of O. nacrea ; but Ican
find no distinguishing points between this and the species from Kew.
in fact our specimens are doubtless the direct descendants from the
Kew insect, as they first appeared in the plant-houses of the Govern-
ment Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.

Locality Kandy.

37. Monophlebus szeylanicus, n. sp.—On trunks of Antrdesma
bunius. Female bright orange-red : ratherlong and narrow. Insects

of second stage occupying small cells in the living tissue of the bark,
Locality Punduloya,

ee

No. 1.] Catalogue of Coccidz collected in Ceylon. z

38, Jcerya zgyptiaca, Dougl.—On leaves of variegated Croton.

Locality Chilaw.

39. I. tangalla, n. sp.—On leaves of unidentified plant. Differs
from egyptiaca in absence of dorsal waxy cushions, and the marginal
processes being very short, stout and truncate.

Locality Tangalla.

40. I. crocea, n. sp.—On leaves of Citrus, Croton and Cocculus,
Body reddish orange: dorsal area covered with bright yellow mealy
secretion, with double marginal series of yellow waxy tufts and
numerous delicate silky filaments.

Locality Punduloya.

41. J. pilosa, n. sp.—On a species of wiry grass growing on sea-
Shore. Body dull crimson: dorsal area completely covered with
white granular powder and short white filaments : skin with blackish
hairs.

Locality Chilaw.

42. Ertococcus arancartz, Mask.--On Avrancaria, occurring
locally in enormous numbers, making infested trees quite unsightly
from the sooty fungus that accompanies the insect.

Localities Newera, Eliya.

43. Coccus cacti, Anct.., var. ceylonicus,n. var.—On Opuntia.
Differs from type in proportions of antennz in different stages,
Male, with a pair of longish knobbed hairs on each of last seven
joints of antenna.

Locality Hambantota.

44. Pseudacoccus mangiferez, n. sp—On Mangifera indica. Fee
male pale yellow, dorsal area covered with white mealy powder,
except on a subtriangular median patch: a marginal series of stout
white fragile processes. Male very pale yellow.

Locality Punduloya.

45. Dactylopius adonidum, Lin.—On nearly every cultivated
plant and in every part of Ceylon.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo, Chilaw, Hambantota.

46. D. longifilis, Comst.—On Fasminum and Adiantum.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy.

47. D. talini, n. sp.—On Talinum, Lilium, Croton. Female
purplish brown, sparsely dusted with white powder: a single pair of
longish stout filaments at abdominal extremity : numerous long, very
delicate, colourless, glassy filaments.

Localities Colombo, Kandy, Chilaw.

8 Indian Museum Notes. {Vol. IV.

48. D. scrobicularum, n. sp.—In glandular pits at base of veins
ofleaves of Elzocarpus. Dark slaty-gtey, sparsely covered with
whitish powder, abdominal segments only with stout white processes,
which protrude from the opening of the cell in which the insect
lives.

Locality Punduloya.

49. Vinsonia stellifer, Westw.—On leaves of Mango, Ficus
antimesma, Cocoanut palm and other shrubs.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo.

50. Ceroplastes floridensis, Comst.—On Tea, Mango anu Citrus.

Locality Punduloya,

51. C. ceriferus, Anders,—On stems of Antigouon and Poutzolzia.
Specimens from the hills less than half size of those from low country.

Localities Punduloya, Chilaw.

52. C. actintformis, n. sp.—On leaves of Cocoanut palm. Very.
convex. Medianarea of test with radiating purple lines.
Localities Punduloya, Kandy.

53. Puluinaria psidii, Mask.—On Guava, Tea, Cinchona and
numerous shrubs and plants. Occurring in enormous numbers and
doing considerable injury to infested plants.

Locality Punduloya.

54. P. tessellata, n. sp.—On leaves of Ophiorrhiya pectinata.
Female scale with tessellated markings; bright green ovisac, fluted.
Locality Punduloya,

55. P. tomentosa, n. sp.—On unidentified tree. Female scale
olivesbrown ; median area rather thickly covered with small balls of
tightly curled woolly filaments, ovisac with deep median longitudinal
furrow.

Locality Punduloya.

56. Lecanium coffez, Walk.—Common on leaves and stems of Tea,
Coffee, various ferns, and numerous other plants.
Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo, etc.

57- £. longulum, Dougl.—On branches and twigs of A/é7zzza and
Grevillea.

Locality Punduloya.

58. Z. viride, Green.—On Coffee, Cinchona and numerous shrubs
and trees, A very injurious species, But though it has killed out
the coffee in whole districts, it has fortunately not seriously attacked
Tea.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo, etc.

if

No. 1.] Catalogue of Coccidz collected in Ceylon. 9

59. L. mangiferz, Green.—On leaves of cultivated mango trees.

Locality Punduloya.

6o. L. nigrum, Nietner.—Rather common on various shrubs and
plants, Croton, Asparagus, Begonia, Cobwa, etc. Though originally
described from coffee, it is now very seldom seen upon this plant.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo, ete.

61. L. tessellatum, Sign. Rather common on leaves of Caryota
wrens. Found also on Cinnamon and some other shrubs.

Localities Punduloya, Colombo.

62. L. planum, n, sp.—On upper surface of leaves of unidentified
tree. Bright castaneous to dark chocolate brown. Flat, broad. Subs
triangular: pointed in front. Antennz 6-jointed. Margin withcon-
tinuous fringe of very delicate overlapping fan-shaped scales.
Dermal cells small and circular on median area, oblong and irregular
towards margin. Male puparium divided into 18 plates. Adult male
without caudal filaments.

Locality Punduloya.

63. L. planum, var. maritimum, n. var.—Found on both surfaces
of leaves of a thorny shrub growing on the sea-shore (within reach of
surf), Differs from typein smaller size and absence of dermal cells.

Scale protected by a secretion that becomes tough and gelatinous
under treatment with potash.

Locality Bentota.

64. L. geometricum, n. sp.—On leaves of unidentified shrub.
Pale castaneous, or fulvous. Flattish, sub-circular, median dorsal area
with concentric series of polygonal depressed spaces, Antenne 6-

jointed. Marginal fringe of overlapping fan-shaped scales. Dermal
cells oblong, irregular.

Locality Punduloya.

65. L. marginatum, n, sp.—On upper surface of leaves of Psy-
chotria thwaztestt, Pale fulvous to castaneous, a sub-marginal zone
almost colourless. Oval, pointed in front. Antenne 6-jointed.
Marginal fringe of overlapping semi-circular scales. No dermal cells.

Male with long caudal filaments ; costal nervure of wing bright car-
mine. 7

Locality Punduloya.

66. L. expansum, n. sp.—On leaves of Litzea and Dalbergia, A
very large flattish species. Longest diameter nearly } inch, Margin

with continuous fringe of fan-shaped scales. Antennze obscurely 6(?)-
jointed. Legs wanting.

Locality Punduloya.

10 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IVe

67. L. antidesmz, n. sp.—A single specimen found on leaf of Anéz=
desma bunius. Very flat, but opaque: reddish brown with a thin
greyish powdery film. Antenne 8-jointed. Margin with simple
stoutish hairs. A distant series of short, fine, white cottony filaments
springing from glandular spots near margin,

Locality Punduloya.

68. L. caudatum, n. sp.—Very abundant on leaves of Passifora,
occasionally on Coffee. Convex oblong, oval ; broadest behind. Colour
varying with age from bright orange to deep chestnut brown; the
paler specimens with.a dark brown longitudinal and several transverse
bands, Three or four very long white thread-like filaments springing
from anal apertare, frequently extending two or three times length
of insects, The hairs from ano-genital ring very conspicuous, stout
and dark coloured ; marginal hairs dilated and toothed, Antenne
7-jointed.

Locality Punduloya,

69. L. acutissimum, n. sp.—On under surface of leaves of Co-
coanut and other palms. Very narrow ; pointed in front and behind
of the shape andsize of a carroway seed. Reddish brown ce black.
Antenne 6-jointed. Single stigmatic spine.

Localities Punduloya, Kandy, Colombo.

70. L. prperis, n. sp.—On leaves of wild pepper, upper surface.
Female broadly oval , flattish, with prominent median longitudinal, and
two transverse ridges, Pale fulvous to pale reddish brown. Antennze
8-jointed, Stigmatic spines in deep clett, four tosix, Male pupa-
rium divided into 18 waxy plates.

Locality Punduloya. .

qi. L. ophtorrhize, n. sp.—On leaves and stems of Ophiorrhiza
pectinata. Oblong, pointed in front. Pale fulvous with dark reddish,
reticulated pattern, Stigmatic spines three, the central one very long
andprominent, Antennz 8-jointed. Male puparium composed of
9 glassy plates, a median longitudinal series of prominent points.

Locality Punduloya.

72. L. formicarit, n. sp=—=On stems of Tea and other shrubs,
always sheltered by nests of a small brown ant Wicd sp.).
Highly convex, almost globular; dull brown.

Locality Ponduloya:

i

No, 1.] Remedies for plant diseases. i

REMEDIES FOR PLANT DISEASES.

[The following are some reliable formulz for the treatment of fungi and
insect pests. They have been taken fromthe Report of the Agriculture! Experi-
ment Station of the University of California, and are reprinted here for the
benefit of the many inquirers in this country to whom the original reports are not,
perhaps, accessible. It should be very constantly borne in mind that ‘“ Paris
Green” and “London Purple” contain the pcwerful poison arsenic, and should
therefore be used with the greatest caution, especially in the case of plants any
part of which is used in the preparation of food or drink. The same caution
applies, though with less emphasis, to “ Bordeaux mixture,” which contains an
irritant copper salt.]

FoR POWDERY MILDEWS use SULPHUR, dusting it on the
plants.

FoR FUNGI in general use BORDEAUX MIXTURE, made as
follows: For every 10 gallons take 1 pound of lime and 1 pound of
bluestone. Dissolve these separately in hot water and mix when
cool, adding the rest of the water. Spray onthe plants. Or spray
with AMMONIACAL COPPER CARBONATE SOLUTION, made
as follows: Dissolve 1 ounce of copper carbonate in 6 ounces of
ammonia and add Io gallons of water.

FoR FUNGI and SCALE INSECTS use LIME, SALT AND
SULPHUR MIXTURE, a winter wash composed of lime 8 pounds,
salt 3 pounds, and sulphur 4 pounds, for each 12 gallons of water.
Mix one-fourth of the water, one-fourth of the lime, and all the sul-
phur, and boil for one and a half hours; put the salt with the rest of
the lime and slake with hot water; add to the above and boil half
an hour longer ; add the remainder of the water and apply as a spray,

For SCALE INSECTS use RESIN SOAP as follows: For
100 gallons for summer use take resin 18 pounds, caustic soda
(98°/,) 34 pounds, and fish oil 23 pints; for wizter use, resin 30
pounds, caustic soda 6} pounds, and fish oil 44 pints. The material
is put in a kettle and covered with four or five inches of water.
The lid is put on and the mixture boiled two hours or more, and then
the rest of the water is added, a little at atime. Spray on the plants.
Or use the GAS TREATMENT: Cover the plant with an oiled
tent, and for each 100 cubic feet of contents place ina bowl beneath
the tent 2 ounce of water, 4 ounce of sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol),
and 4 ounce of potassium cyanide (58°/,). Be careful not to inhale
the poisonous gas, not to allow it to escape from the tent for half

12 Indian Museum Notes. © [Vol. IV.

an hour. The leaves may be injured if used during the middle of
the day.

For INSECTS in general ure KEROSINE EMULSION, as
follows: Makea soap solution of half a pound of soap toa gallon of
water. Heat it to boiling and add two gallons of kerosine. Pump
it through the spray pump, with good pressure, for five or ten min-
utes. For use add ten times as much water as you have of emulsion.
Apply as aspray. Sour milk may be used instead of the soap solu-
tion. The emulsion is made more effective by the addition of a very
small amount of arsenic to the soap solution, or of buhach to the
kerosine.

For fruit or leaf-eating INSECTS use PARIS GREEN or LON-.

DON PURPLE as a powder at the rate of 1 to 5 pounds to the acre,
distributed by walking or riding over the field, carrying a pole, at both
ends of which are hung muslin bags containing the poison. Asa
spray use I pound to 200 gallons of water. In spraying these ar-
senites the nozzle should be held at some distance from the plant
and uo more should be applied after the leaves begin to drtp. Do
not use these on crops where the poison would be injurious to
health.

i

No. 1. ] Miscellaneous Notes. 13

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, BY
MR.EDWARD BARLOW.

MARUCA TESTULALIS, Geyer.
Plate Il, Fig. 1, a moth, b chrysalid, c caterpillar.

On the 4th December 1294 specimens of Asiatic bean {Dolichos
labiab) from the Calcutta bazar, bored by caterpillars, were received
in the Indian Museum. Some of the affected pods that were split
open for examination contained young caterpillars, each pod harbour-
ing but one insect. The colour of the caterpillars in this stage was
of a light pinkish-brown with semi-transparent hairless bodies.

On the 8th idem all the larve appeared to be full fed, and
changing their colour into a light pea-green hue, left their respective
pods and began to pupate on the side of the breedig cage, making
for themselves flimsy cocoons of glistening white silk.

The moths, which emerged after eight days’ incubation, proved to
be identical with the species Maruca testulalis, Geyer.

The following is Mr, F. Moore’s description of the above :—

Crochiphora testulalts, (Hiibner) Geyer, Ziitrage Samml. Exot,
Schmett., iv. 12, 315, fig. 629-30 (1832).

Stenia testulalis, Guénee, Delt. et Pyral. p. 247 ; Walker, Catal,
Lep. Het. B. M. xvii, p. 420.

Sirtocauta testulalis, Lederer, Pyral. Wien, Ent. Monat. vii,
p- 424; Meyrick, Trans. Ent, Soc, Lond. 1884, p. 299; Snellen,
Tijd, voor Ent. 1884, p. 39.

Hydrocampa aquatilis, Boisduval, in Guerin-Meneville’s Icon,
Rég. Anim. Ins. pl. go, fig. 9 (1844).

Maruca aquatilis, Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. B. M. xviii, p. 540
(1859).

Fore wing ochreous-brown, clouded with darker brown; a trans-
verse discal black-bordered hyaline-white band extending from
costal vein to lower median, a similar white oblique pyriform spot
within the cell, and a punctiform spot below its middle: hind wing
hyaline-white, with an irregular black-bordered ochreous-brown
marginal band. Cilia brown anteriorly, white posteriorly, with a
slender black inner line. Body ochreous-brown above; palpi
ochreous-brown above, white beneath; legs whitish with brown
bands,

Expanse ;% to 1 inch.

The Indian Museum possesses specimens from Calcutta, Khan-
dala, Kulu, Sibsagar, Dansiri, Ceylon.

a4 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

PERINA NUDA, Farr.
Plate Il, Fig. 2,ab moths &, awd 2 c chrysaiid, d caterpillar.

On the goth August 1894 specimens of a caterpillar found de-
structive to jack tree (Avtocarpus integrifolia, Linn.) in a miniature
garden adjoining the Indian Museum compound, were brought under
notice through one of the Museum insect collectors.

A number of the caterpillars received began to pupate on the
second day of their confinement, perfect insects emerging on the
i7th idem.

The moth which belongs to the group Bombyces (Fam. Lyman-
triidz) appears to be identical with Perina nuda, Fabr.

The following is Mr. G. F. Hampson’s description of the
above :—

Perina nuda, Fabr, Mant. Ins, II, p. 117; Moore, Lep. Ceyl. II,
pl. 114, figs. 1, ra, 6 (larva) ; C. and S. No. 867.

Stilpnotia subtincta, Wik. Cat. IV, p. 843.

Perina basalis, Wik. Cat. IV, p. 966.

Euproctis combinata, Wik. Cat. XXXII, p. 347.

Male.—Head and legs orange; antenne black ; thorax grey and
brown ; abdomen brown, the segments fringed with white; anal
tuft orange. Forewing hyaline, with a patch of brown scales on
inner basal area. Hind wing dark brown, with the apical area
hyaline.

Female.—Pale ochreous; the anal tuft orange; fore wing irro-
rated with brown scales below the cell.

Larva.—Greyish green, with short dorsal tufts of black hair and
long anterior and posterior tufts; lateral tufts of grey and black hair;
a dark sap-green dorsal band broken by a white line on thoracic
somites and with red spots on its edge; 5th to 11th somites with
subdorsal blue tubercles. ;

Pupa.—Greenish ; all the somites, except the two medial, red-
brown below with paired black spots.

ffab,—China and throughout India and Ceylon. L£xg. male 38,
female 50 millim,

THIACIDAS POSTICA, Watk.
Plate Il, Fig. 3,ab moths 8 and 2, c chrysalid, d caterpillar.

On the 28th June 1894 numerous specimens of a hairy caterpillar
were brought in by one of the Museum collectors, with the informa-
tion that he had picked thei off the leaves of a plum tree
(Zizyphus jujuba) in the suburbs of Calcutta while engaged in
collecting insects.

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 15

The caterpillars that were received were put in a breeding cage
and duly supplied with plum leaves up to the 8th of July, when they
began to pupate, forming cocoons constructed partly of hair and
partly of a kind of silk-like brown thread.

On the 18th instant moths commenced to emerge, which, however,
appeared to be unrepresented in the Indian Museum collection,
So specimens were submitted to Mr. F. Moore, who has kindly
examined them and identifies them as belonging to the species
Thiacidas postica, Walk. (group Bombyces, Fam. Lymantriidz),

The following is Mr. G. F. Hampson’s description of the moth:—

Thiacidas postica, Wik. Cat. V, p. 1028; Swinh. P. Z. S, 1885;
pl. 21, figs. 1, 1a, 2; C. and S. No, ro6o.

Drymonia denotata, Wik, Cat. XXXII, p. 414; C. & S. No. 1165.

Heterocampa nigroscripta, W\k. Cat. XXXII, p. 423.

Cuethocampa curvata, Wik. Cat. XXXII, p. 429, C. & S,
No. 1046.

Cnethocampa basifurca, Wik. Cat. XXXII, p. 430; C. & S,
No. 1044.

Head, thorax, and abdomen greyish brown. Fore wing greyish
brown, with obliquely curved subbasal and antemedial black double
lines angled below median nervure; a double postmedial line
excurved round end of cell and bent inwards below the cell with
some streaks from it to outer margin. Hind wing with an indistinct
curved postmedial line; a brown patch at anal angle with a dark
streak on it; some strigz on margin.

ffab.—Throughout India and Burma. £xg., male 38, female 44
millim,

HYPSA ALCIPHRON, Cram.

Plate II, Fig. 4, a moth, b chrysalid, c caterpillar.

On the 28th June 1894 specimens of a Bombycid caterpillar
found defoliating “‘Dumar” tree (#zews hispida, Linn.) were cole
lected by one of the Museum collectors and reared in the Indian
Museum.

The caterpillars, when full fed, rolled themselves into leaves so as
to form a kind of protective covering in which they pupated on the 7th
July. Moths began to emerge onthe 16th idem, which, on comparison
with the Museum collection of moths, proved to be identical] with
Hypsa alciphron, Cram,

16 Lndian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

The following is Mr. Moore’s description of the above :—

Phal. Att. Alciphron, Cram. Pap, Exot. ii, pl. 133, p. E. (1777).

Hypsa Alciphron, Moore, Catal. Lep. Mus. E. I. C. ii, p. 292,

pl. 13, fig. 6, 6a.
Noctua Caricz, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. iii, p. 27 (1793) ; Donovan,
Ins. N. Holl., pl. 39, f. 2.

Hypocrita v. Cavice, Hibner,’ Samml. Exot. Schmett,, i, pl. 191,
fig. I—4 (1806).

Damalis Caricz, Htibner, Verz. bek. Schmett., p. 172.

Hypsa (Damalis) Carice, Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. B. M. il,
P- 454-

Fore wing ochreous greyish-brown, veins ochreous-white ; base
of wing ochreous-yellow, and marked by five small black spots, two
being on the costa and three below them; an ochreous-white spot
at lower end of the cell ; hind wing ochreous-yellow, with a_ black
spot at end of the cell, two discal spots beyond, and a more or less
perfect outer discal series decreasing to anal angle. Body ochreous-
yellow ; a black spot on tegule, and a slight spot at juncture with
base of the wing; a more or less dorsal and lateral row of spots on
abdomen; tip of first and second joints and entire third joint of
palpi black; legs with black bands.

Expanse 2 to 24 inches.

Larva cylindrical; each segment with a few very slender scat-
tered hairs. Black above, brownish beneath ; two longitudinal white
dorsal bands, a small ocellus on each segment, and lateral black
spots; head red; front legs black; middle and hind legs reddish-
brown. Pupa dark reddish-brown.

HYMENIA RECURVALIS, Fasr.
Plate Il, Fig. 5, a moth, b chrysalid.

Specimens of a Pyralid caterpillar said to be destructive to
‘ Choulai sag” (Amarantus mangostanus, Linn.) were brought
under notice through one of the Museum collectors, who found
them in a garden situated in the suburbs of Calcutta,

The finding of this insect is of some interest, as the plant,
which is occasionally cultivated in the plains of Bengal, is eaten as
a ‘* pot herb ’’ by almost all classes of natives in India, but more ex-
tensively among the poor.

The caterpillars pupated on the day of their arrival (the 12th
of June 1894), the chrysalis being formed within an outer covering

i

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 19

L

made of the agglutinated leaves of the plant. On the 2oth instant,
eight days after, three moths made their appearance, which on exam-
ination proved to be identical with Hymenia recurvalis, Fabr.
The following is Moore’s description of the moth :—
“Phalena recurvalis, Fabricius, Syst. Ent., p. 407 (1775); Ent.
Syst. iii, 2, p. 237 (1794).
Zinckenia recurvalts, Zeller, Lep. Micro. Caffr. Kongl. Vet.
Akad. Handl., p. 55 (1853) ; Lederer. Pyral. Wien. Ent. Mon. vii,
Pe 437 (1863) ; Snellen, Tijd. voor Ent. 1872, p. g5; Meyrick,
Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1884, p. 308.
Spoladea recurvalts, Guénee, Delt. et Pyral., p. 225, pl. 8, fig. 5
(1854).
Flymenia recurvalis, Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. B. M. xvii, p. 396
(1859).
Phaiena fascialis, Cramer, Pap. Exot. iv., pl. 398, fig. o (1782).
stoll. 7d. v, pl. 36, fig. 13 (1791).
Phalzna angustalts, Fabricius, Mant. Ins., p. 309 (1787).
Hymenta diffascialis, Hibner, Verz. bek. Schmett., p. 361 (1825-7).
Hydrocampa aibifasctalis, Boisduval, Faun. Ent. Madag. Lep.,
p. 119, pl. 16, fig. 1 (1834).
? Phalzna nigrelia, Linnzus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 13, iii App., p. 225.

‘Dark vinaceous-brown; in some lights olivescent greyish-brown ;
fore wing with a short blackish-bordered white band from the costa
before the apex, below and exterior to which are three small
inwardly-curved superposed spots, which approach adentate trans.
verse white band extending from upper end of the cell to the poste-
rior margin, this band being continued across the hind wing to near
anal angle, Cilia with an interrupted brown inner line, alternated
with white on fore wing, entirely white on hind wing. Bands on ab-
domen white ; collar, front of head, base of palpi, and legs yellowish ;
tip of palpi and bands on fore legs blackish,

“ Expanse 7% to 7% inch.”

The Indian Museum possesses specimens from Karachi, Calcutta,
Andaman Islands, Kulu, Nicobar Islands, Mergui.

EUMETA CRAMERI, Westw.

Plate III, Fig. 2,a moth 8,» larval case of the male with pupal case protruding
Jrom it.

In August 1894 specimens of a Psychid,moth, which provec to

be identical with Zumeta cramert, Westw., were successfully reare-

78 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

in the Indian Museum from caterpillars found attacking an evergreen
plant in Caicutta.

This species has been previously referred to in Indian Museum
Notes, Volume II, No. 6, page 157, as defoliating tea bushesin Assam,
Sikkim and Ceylon.

The following is Mr. Moore’s description of the above :—

Oztketicus Crameriz, Westwood, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1854,
p. 236, pl. 37, fig. 4. 3

Cryptothelea consorta, Walker, Catal. Lep. Het. B. M. iv,
p. 970 (ec Templeton).

Eumeta Nietnerz, Felder, Reise Novara, Lep. iv., pl. 83, fig. 21
(1868-74).

Male greyish-brown; fore wing with the median vein and sub-
costal branches and the sub-median vein black ; interspaces between
lower subcostal and the radials and between the forked upper
medians hoary-white ; the interspace between lower radial and upper
median and below the sub-median being rufous-brown. Body brown,
thorax with a few interspaced long fine black hairs; legs yellow,
femora and tibiz very laxly covered with fine long brown and black
hairs.

Expanse 17, to 1% inch.

Larval case covered with slender twigs of irregular length, which
are disposed longitudinally side by side in a somewhat spiral form.

In June 1894 specimens of a Psychid caterpillar collected in

Psychid caterpillar de- Calcutta by one of the Museum collectors
structive to grass. were brought in the Museum with the
information that the insects were destructive to grass used for
thatching houses.

According to the informations gathered from a ticket attached
to an old specimen of the larval-case of this species, the insect
attacks “ fhalas’’ grass growing on the banks of rivers, from the
flower stems of which a fine string is made, the grass itself being
used for thatching. The local name of the caterpillar is Khati dhaka
poka = worm in sack,

The caterpillars that were bred in the Indian Museum transe
formed into pupz# about the middle of August, moths commenced
to emerge on the 14th of September, and these proved to be new to
the Indian Museum collection. Specimens were therefore sub-
mitted through Mr. F. Moore to Mr. J. F. Hampson, who kindly

-®%

Bi

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 19

identified them as belonging to a new species of M/akasena, which
he is describing as Mahasena graminivora.

The figure which is given in plate III, fig. I, a, b and c, represents
the male moth, aborted female moth, and larva.

The description of this new species has not yet been received
from Mr. Hampson.

In July 1894 the Director of the Imperial Forest School, Dehra
Caterpillar destructive Dun, forwarded specimens to the Indian

to Himalayan spruce fir § Museum, of the larva, chrysalis and perfect
insect of a moth (M/zcrolepidoptera) which has been doing consider-
able damage to the Himalayan spruce fir (Adzes smithiana) in the
Jaunsar forest. The moth appeared to be new to the Indian
Museum collection, so has been sent to Europe for precise identifica-
tion.

A single specimen of an Ichneumonid fly was also forwarded
which may probably be parasitic on the caterpillars of this moth.

The following note has been furnished By Mr. C. G, peers,
Deputy Conservator of Forests :—=

* While in camp at Kanain in April last (1884), I noticed that the last year’s
shoots of small spruce saplings had been injured by something, as they had not
developed at all. On examining several of these injured shoots I found the
empty chrysalides of an insect which proved that the injury had been done by an
insect and not by a fungus. The needles of the shoots were united by a silky
tissue, and the points of such needles as were still on the branch were tied together
by the silky threads above referred to, At Bodyar, in the beginning of June
1894, I noticed that some of the young shocts (this year’s), which were just
developing, were not normally developed, but that after developing in length for
about $ or 1 inch, the whole of the needles were formed into a pointed ovoid

' body, the free ends of the leaves being bound together so asto formacase. On

examination it was found that the needles were bound together with silk threads,
and that in the protective covering thus formed around the developing bud was
the larva of an insect.

“© The protective covering made of the needles, which have already developed,
is on an average 2 inches long, ¢ inch broad at the centre, and has very tapering
ends.

“One specimen of this protective covering is sent. The further development
of the bud is prevented by the covering of needles, which surround it on all sides,
and the larva feeds on the tender partially etiolated leaves, which are developed
inside the covering of full-grown needles.

“ A number of shoots containing larvee were examined on the 7th June. The
average length of 13 larvee was 0°31 inches and the average width o0'05 inches.

“The colour of the larva is pale yellowish-white, the skin is transparent and
the green colour of the young needles, which it has been eating, is very distinctly
visible down the centre of the body of the insect. The larvais slightly hairy and
very irritable when touched. It can give out a thin line of silk from its mouth

20 Indian Museum Notes. [Yol. IV.

and can suspend itself by this when it wishestodo so, It unites the outer and
furthest developed leaves of the young shoot by silk threads in order to form a
protective covering for itself, and the developing bud on which it feeds. The
eges of the insect were not found, but with one exception only one larva was found
in each case. .

“© The buds, as a rule, had grown about 3 inch or 1 inch in length and some-
times more before their further development was stopped by the larva.

“This seems to point to the egg being laid in the bud at the end of a terminal
or side shoot in the rains or autumn; and to the egg (a solitary one) being laid in
the middle of the bud, or at any rate not at the base. Some leaves are developed
before the egg is hatched, and the larva emerges. It should be noticed that the
bud scales, which form the protective covering of the bud, during the. winter are
pushed off as a whole by the developing bud, and thus keep the free ends of the
needles together, and it is only when the young shoot has developed to some extent
from 1 to 3 inches that the bud scales fall off or are pierced by the needles of the
young shoot. This method of development no doubt helps the larva to make his
protective covering.

“ The chrysalides, which were gathered about the second week in June, deve-
loped into moths in the beginning of July. The exact dates cannot be given.

* One larva, which turned into a chrysalis on the night of the 7th-8th June, is
not yet a moth (7th July), so that they probably take a month on an average to
develop from the chrysalis to the moth.

* The chrysalides seem to be very constant in ah: The average of five
‘measured was 0°25 inches. The wing cases, antennz, and eyes of the moth are
clearly visible in the chrysalis.

“The wing cases are about half as long as the whole chrysalis, which is light
yellow when young, but matures to a light brown.

‘‘ The abdominal portion of the chrysalis shows seven segments. Three of these
lie between the wing cases and the remaining four are quite clear of the wing
cases.

‘“* Each segment has tworows of Small prickle-like protuberances on the back of
the chrysalis parallel to the segmental divisions of the body and close to the upper
end (the one nearest the head) of the segment. One of the chrysalides examined

on the 7th June was found to contain the chrysalis of a fly. It was 0°23 inches ~

long and was transparent so that the fly could be seen inside.

“ The fly’was hatched during the night, and is sent in the tube with the larve
and chrysalides.

‘© Afterwards several other protective coverings were found to contain the same
flies. The flies emerge from their chrysalides before the larvz of the moth are
fully developed. The chrysalides of the flies are found attached to the upper end
of the protective covering, while the chrysalides of the moth are attached by a silk
thread to the lower end of the same covering. I could not discover that the flies
interfered withthe development of the larva of the moth. This moth seems common
in the Jaunsar Forest Division, wherever the spruce fir is found, as signs of its pre-
sence were found at Deoban, Bodyar, Konain and Mandate.

“‘ It does not confine its attacks to small trees, but attacks large trees as well as
small poles and saplings, and together with the fungus cidium abietinum
(Barclay) does very serious damage to the spruce.

“ The fungus and moth are commonly found on the same tree, and at Bodyar
I found a young sapling growing in the open, and therefore favourably situated

po OS lee ay ee

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes, 21

as regards the amount of light which is necessary for its normal development, very
seriously injured by the larva of this moth. Nearly all the young shoots were
attacked, including the leader, and nearly all the shoots which were not
attacked by the moth were infested with the fungus above mentioned. The
larva also attacks very readily small saplings of spruce inthe advance growth
and also saplings and poles which are suffering for want of light, and by so doing
materially shortens their lives.

“The moth confines its attentions, so far as was observed, to the spruce only,
and does not attack the Deodar or Silver fir (Abies webbiana) which are usually
associated with it.

“Ina pure spruce forest, more particularly a young one, this moth would
undoubtedly develop into a very serious pest, and might endanger the very
existence of the wood.

“It is at present very common in Jaunsar, and besides affecting the rate of
growth and production of wood of the larger trees, does undoubtedly help to
Shorten the lives of saplings and poles, which are already dominated and sup-
pressed. The direct effect of the larva of the moth on the growth of the tree and
its increase in volume of course depends entirely upon the number of buds
attacked ; where only a few shoots are attacked, the effect is very small and prob-
ably inappreciable,{but where the majority of the buds of a tree are attacked,
the effect on the increase in volume of the tree and its general health and vigour
cannot but be a serious matter.”’

Specimens of a caterpillar, which proved to be the larva of
the Limacodid moth, Parasa lepida, Cram,
were received in the Indian Museum through
Munshi Kasimuddin as very destructive to Ashphal tree (Nephelium
longana, Camb.) in Calcutta.

Parasa lepida, Cram.

According to the information furnished, the caterpillars were
first observed about the middle of July, on the under-side of the
leaves of the tree, but no notice was taken of them, as they were not
numerous. In the latter part of the month, however, the tree became
simply loaded with the insects, and steps were therefore taken to
get rid of them. The method adopted, though somewhat tedious,
proved effectual, namely, removing the caterpillars with tongs and
burning them.

Out of the caterpillars received on the 30th July 1894, one speci-
men was preserved in alcohol, while the others were allowed to
pupate, which they did on the 7th August 1894. The moth emerged
on the 24th idem.

This species is the one referred to and figured in “ Indian
Museum Notes,” Vol. III, No. 4, pp. 12 and 13, as destructive to tea
and other plants.

22 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

In May 1894 specimens of caterpillars and some apparently living
“ Seni poka” destructive chrysalids were forwarded tothe Museum;
to paddy. through the Director of Land Records and
Agriculture, Bengal, from the Officiating Collector, Tippera, with the
information that the caterpillars, which are locally knownas “‘ Sexz
poka,’ were said to be causing much damage to paddy fields by
eating up the ears and the tender leaves of the paddy plants.
The specimens were found to be the larve and pupz of a Noc-
tues moth, probably belonging to one of the Leucaniidz or Heliothi-
dz. The material, however, was insufficient for precise identification.

Some of the chrysalids that were received appeared to be alive
at first sight, but on a careful examination they were found to be
heavily parasitised by a dipterous insect pupz, of which (some empty
and some dead) were discovered in considerable numbers among
the grass packing in the box. No imago form of the fly was, however,
obtained.

Specimens of caterpillar of a boring moth, together with pieces of
teak wood bored by them, have been received
from Mr. F. J. Branthwaite, Prome District,
who wrote in December 1894 :—

Teak borer.

“ When visiting some plantations of teak this morning planted in the Prome
Division in 1892 in company with the Conservator, Pegu Circle, and the Deputy
Conservator of Forests, Tharrawaddy, we noticed that several of the young trees

were attacked by some larvz, two specimens of which are herewith sent.
‘* Specimen No. 1 shows how entry is effected into the young tree. It is made

at about one inch above the ground. Round the entrance was a heap of the ex-

creta of the larvee.

«* Specimen No. 2 shows how the larva bores down the tap root.

* Both when found were alive and of a dirty cream colour with brown heads.

“She plantation where the larvz were found was one planted in lines 12! x 3',
the space intervening between the lines being overgrown with a fairly thick growth
of various grasses.”

[t is quite impossible to identify this insect precisely from the
specimens received, but it may probably be one of the Hepialide, a
group of moths well known to contain numerous wood-boring species.

In April 1894 specimens of a caterpillar causing damage to rape
Caterpillar destructive crops (Brassica rape) near Berhampur,
to rape. Lower Bengal, were forwarded to the Indian
Museum through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Ben-
gal, from the Deputy Collector on special duty, Berhampur. :
The caterpillars proved to be the larve ofa Pyralid moth, the
material being insufficient for precise identification.

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 23

In April 1894 the same officer reported, through the Director,

Caterpillar destructive Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal, the

to cress. appearance of innumerable black larve in a
plot of cress in the Berhampur Jail garden.

The specimens forwarded to the Museum proved to be insufficient
for precise identification, but they appeared to be the larve of a
Pyralid moth. The Deputy Collector reports that the following
remedy was applied successfully, and that every caterpillar was found
dead in the morning after its application :—

“ Four ounces of kerosine oil was thoroughly shaken up with four ounces of
sour-milk and mixed with ten seers of water. The application of this mixture to
the plants was done with an Eclair vaporiser. Evening was chosen for this
application to avoid too quick evaporation of the liquid.”

In April 1894 the same officer, through the Director, Land Records
and Agriculture, Bengal, reported that the
application of London Purple as a remedy
against the caterpillars of the cosmopolitan moth Agrotis suffusa
had proved successful in the case of an attack on seedling cauliflow-
ers in the jail garden at Berhampur in September last. He writes :—

* One ounce of London Purple was mixed with one ounce of unslaked lime and
three pounds of ashes. The three substances were powdered together very fine, put
in a thin calico bag and dusted over the plants, the soil round them having been
previously loosened.”

London Purple.

RHOPALOSIPHUM DIANTHI, Scuranx.

Plate Ill, Fig. 3, a apterous viviparous female, b pupa,c winged viviparous
female.

In April 1894 the Deputy Collector on special duty, Berham-
pur, reported injury to a small extent to rape crops near his dis-
trict by insects. Specimens of the pest were forwarded to the
Indian Museum through the Director, Land Records and Agricul-
ture, Bengal. These were found to consist of specimens of plant-lice
(Aphid), which, however, proved to be new to the Indian Museum
collection. Specimens were subsequently submitted to Mf.
G. B, Buckton, who kindly examined them, and identified them to be
the same as the common pest that injures rape crops in Europe,
namely, Rhopalosiphum dianthé, Schrank.

The following account of the insect is taken from Mr. G. B.
Buckton’s Monograph of the British Aphides, Volume II, page >) —

“ Rhopalosiphum diantht, Schrank.
Aphis dianthi, Schr., Kalt., Walk.

—_persice, Puceron du pecher, Morren.

24 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Aphis rape, also A. floris rape and dubia (?), Curt.
vastator, Smee.

persiczcola, Boisduval,

Rhopalosiphum diantht, Koch.

—~-— persice, Pass,

“ Apterous viviparous female.

Inch. Millimetres.

Size of body . 4 » 0'080 x 0°040 2°02 X LO
Length of antenne . - 0'060 1°52
i cornicles - 0'020 0°50

‘Colour shining green, ochreous-yellow, or brownish-yellow.
Skin finely punctured. Ovate pointed towards the apex. Head
broad. Antenne shorter than body, and placed on rather large
frontal tubercles. Cornicles green, with black tips. Cauda green,
about one-third the length of cornicles. Abdomen convex, and be-
ing transparent, often seen mottled with yellow young embryos.

The colour is, however, exceedingly variable, [In autumn it is
often of an ochreous red, and deeply furrowed or wrinkled.

“ Pupa.

66 Much like the larva. Wing-cases tipped with brown. Points
of antennz brown.

= Winged viviparous female.

Inch. Millimetres,
Expanse of wing . ; su) 107340 7°62
Size of body : 5 ° 0'080 X0'040 2°02 X IOI
Length of antennz , : ° 0080 2°02
AA cornicles . . 0°O17 o'19

“ Head, thorax, and the band on prothorax black. Abdomen shin-
ing reddish yellow, with a broad black dorsal spot, and several dark
lines. Four dark spots on each lateral fold. Legs ochreous, An-
tennz black; as also are the femora, the tibial points, and tarsi. Cor-
nicles brown. §Wiéing-insertions and cubitus yellow. Stigma grey.
Rostrum reaches to the second coxe.

‘‘ Very common throughout the summer up to the end of October.
The imago appears of various colours, such as green, ochreous, and
even black.

‘‘ The larva may be called almost polyphagous. Walker says that
it feeds on at least sixty known plants. Amongst those to which it
is most destructive are the potato, the sweet turnip, and the swede ;

No. 1.] © Miscellaneous Notes. 25

but it also attacks Brassica rape Dianthus caryophyllus, Amygda-
lus persice, Hyacynthus orientalis, Ranunculus bulbosus, Canna
indica, the tulip crocus, fuschia, oleander, tobacco, Mesembrianthe-
mum, and numerous other plants.”

From the Secretary to the Municipal Committee, Amritsar, were

received in April 1894 specimens of insects

ae blossom Hom- said to be causing immense damage to mango
blossoms,

The specimens consisted of three species of Homopterous insects
of the genus /dzocerus, viz., [diocerus niveosparsus, Leth., J. atkin-
sonit, Leth., and /. clypealis, Leth., which have previously been re-
ported as doing considerable damage to mango in Saharanpur and

which are referred to in Volume I, pages 4-5 and 187-188 of
these Votes.

London Purple, which had been previously tried against these in-
sects with great success, was also recommended in thiscase. A
packet of London Purple was accordirgly despatched to the Secre-
tary to the Municipal Committee, Amritsar, which, however, reached
too late for any use, as the insects had all disappeared. The follow-
ing note has been furnished by him :—

“ The bug is known here as‘ Thala,’ and it appears in seasons of excessive
heat, or if rain falls, when the trees are in full blossom. The pest has been
known to appear every fourth or fifth year, but no remedy has yet been tried by
the natives. Gardens in which the mango crop sold last year for Rs. 600 have this
year been sold for one-third and one-fourth the price. Should the bug appear
next year, I will try London Purple and report results.”

Specimens of the rice sapper, Leptocorisa acuta, Thunb., which ~
Leptocorisa ocuta, has previously been referred to in the pages
_ Thunb.] of these Notes, were forwarded in October
1894, through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal,
from the Officiating Commissioner of the Orissa Division, as injuri-
ous to crops in the District of Angul, where it is locally called
“ Mahna.”

In publishing the description and figure of the Ceylon Coccid

iSite oie Orthezia nacrea, Buckton, in No. 3 of the

Bo wen preceding volume of these JVofes, Mr. E. E,

Green, who forwarded the specimens to the

Indian Museum, points out some errors in the description of the in-

sect furnished by Mr. G: B. Buckton, which errors he wishes to be
corrected. |

26 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Mr. Green writes in May 1894 :-—

““T have just received No. 3, Volume III, of your ‘Indian Museum Notes,’
containing a description of the Ceylon Coccid named by Mr. G. B. Buckton
Orthezia nacrea. Owing to the imperfect state of the specimens received by Mr.
Buckton, one or two inaccuracies occur in his description, which it would be as
well to correct.

“ But first I must state my conviction (in which Mr. Maskell of New Zealand
concurs) that the insect in question is really identical with Orthesta insignis,
Dougl. (Ent. Month. Magazine, January 1888). I have specimens of Orthezia,
insignis from England, and I can find no good points of distinction. The mar-
supium or ovisac is rather shorter than in our Ceylon insect, but that is of no
importance specifically. The arrangement of the waxy appendages is identical
in both forms.

“Mr. Buckton, from the examination of dead and dried specimens of the
Ceylon insect, gives the colour of head and thorax as pale warm brown. The
English insect is said by Mr. Douglas to be piceous black. The living insect in
Ceylon is always dull oliveegreen, The most serious discrepancy in Mr.
Buckton’s description is in the proportion of the antennal joints. Mr. Buckton
states, and shows in his figure, thatthe antennal joints gradually decrease in size
to thetip. Inallthe specimens that 1 have examined I have found the terminal
(8th) joint to equal or even exceed the previous three together. Mr. Buckton states
that the Kew (English) insect is much larger than the Ceylon form. Mr. Douglas
gives one mm. equal to 4 hundredths of an inch. My Ceylon specimens show a
length of 5 to 6 hundredths (without ovisac or appendages), so that what
difference there is appears to be in the opposite direction.

“Nor can I find the slightest difference in the arrangement of the thoracic
laminz.

« There is also rather an important error in Mr. Buckton’s account of the
reproduction of the insect. He states that ‘ twenty or thirty black eggs hatch
within the dead body of the parent, and find therein a secure covering until they
are sufficiently grown to migrate over the food plant.’

‘* Asa matter of fact there appears to be a constant passage of eggs and
young insects through the marsupium during the life of the parent. On opening
the ovisac of a living female one finds, next the insect, the newly-deposited eggs,
which are white. During their passage through the marsupium, packed in woolly
secretion, they gradually become darker, first yellow, then crange, then pale green,
and finally dark olive-green when the contained larva is ready toemerge. The
extremity of the ovisac usually contains the young active larve, which soon find
their way through the breach formed by the first comers,

“In apologising to Mr. Buckton for presuming to correct his description, I
must excuse myself on the plea that I have had ample opportunity of examining
the living insect in all its stages, except the male, which I have been unable to

find.”

Specimens of the Rice Hispa (Azspa xnescens, Baly), which
has been referred to on page 37 of Volume I
of these Votes as being very destructive to
young paddy plants, have been forwarded to the Museum in August

Hispa enescens, Baly.

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 27

1894, through the Officiating Director of the Department of Land
Records and Agriculture, Burma, from the Superintendent of Land
Records, Pegu, who reports :—

“ Tt is called ‘ Phalanbyu.’ It makes its appearance shortly after the paddy
has been sown. It attacks the plants both on high and low lands, Theinsect
commences to eat the paddy leaves at the top, working downwards. The yield or
Outturn of fields attacked by it is small. The stalks also are eaten iili they
become matured and hard. The specimens were obtained from Wet-la-kwin,
Pagandaung circle.”

In September 1894 Mr. J. A. Mollison forwarded to the Indian
Museum specimens Of Brinjal leaves attacked
Epilachna dodecastig ma, ;
Muls. by insects from the Poona Farm. He
wrote :—
“ The affected plants were found in the middle of a field, and the
damage done is considerable. The damage is greater than the number

_ of insects now present could account for. ‘There are not many insects now

on the plants. They might have been more numerous at one time. The attack
was not noticed until considerable damage had been done, because confined to
the middle of the field.”

The brinjal leaves proved to be attacked by larve .of a Cocci-
nellid beetle. Out of a number of pupz found on the leaves, only
one imago emerged alive in the rearing cage; the others, which were
found to he heavily parasitised by a minute chalcid fly, died from
the effects of the attack, each pupa harbouring as many as eight
parasites. The beetle appeared to be identical with the species
Epilachna dodecastigma, Muls., as determined in the Indian
Museum collection.

In August 1894 some specimens of a Bostrichid beetle were sent
to the Museum by Mr. A. Smythies, Officiat-
ing Conservator of Forests, Shillong, with
the information that they were found boring into tea-box planks at
Tezpur, where they are locally called ‘“‘ Ghong. ””

The insect proved to be identical with the specimens named
Sinoxylon sp., previously sent to the Museum, as infesting the
wood of Lerminalia belerica.

Sinoxylon sp.

In the latter part of July 1894 numerous specimens of a Cocci-
Vedalia fumida, var. nellid beetle were found feeding upon the
OSL DA EIS NIE Coccids, /cerya zgyptiacum, Dougl., which
had again made their appearance among the ornamental bushes in

28 Indian Museum Notes. {Vol. IV.

the Indian Museum compound. Froma batch of pupz a consider
able number of specimens of the beetle were reared in the Entomo-
logy room, but the insect proving to be new to the Museum collec-
tion, specimens were submitted to Mr. L. O. Howard, United States
Entomologist, who writes—

“ It is interesting to find that this Coccinellid is not distantly related to the
well-known Vedalia cardinalis, Mulsant, which Mr. Albert Keebele of this Depart-
ment brought from Australia some years ago, and which destroyed Jcerya purchast
on our western coast. It is Mulsant’s Rodolia rosepennis, which according to
Crotch’s revision of the Coleopter ous family Coccinellidz, is a colour variety of R
fumida, Muls. Accepting the nomenclature given by Crotch, the name of the in-
sect is therefore Vedalia fumida, var. vosetpennis, Muls. This is the dictum of my
assistant, Mr. E. A. Schwarz, who is a most competent student of the Coleoptera.”

In June 1894 specimens of a caterpillar found destructive to young
Cerambycid larvee de seedlings of Rodinza and Albzzzia were for
eee Sats Wet oe paused by the Director of the Imperial Forest
School, Dehra Dun, from the Divisional Forest Officer, Chenab, with
the information that the caterpillar is said to live about nine inches
below the ground, and cutting through the tap root of both species,
feeds upon the pulpy portion of it.
The specimens proved to be the larvae of a Cerambycid beetle,

the material being insufficient for precise identification.

The following are some further observations which have been
furnished by Mr. J. Cleghorn on the life-
history of the cheroot weevil, Lastoderma
testaceum, Duft. This insect has been referred to in several places
in the pages of these Nodes.

Cheroot borer.

“sth February 1894.—Full-fed grub commenced cell for laying up.

17th = » .Formed into chrysalis.

22nd a rf Commenced changing.

24th 3 “A Completed change into perfect insect.
27th BS Made opening for leaving cell.

28th af Left cell.

4th April 45 Died.

‘In some cases I have had the weevil live for over two months.

‘* The grubs are most erratic in their development ; changes in temperature
will cause them to lay up or hybernate. I have made grubs lay up for eight
days by the application of heat, but this interferes with their progress and devel-
opment, after recovery, for an indefinite period. I can speak for delaying a
full-fed grub turning into a chrysalis for 24 months, the grub feeding and amus:
ing itself as if there was nothing the matter.

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 29

“This is just the reverse of what takes place if grubs are made to hybernate

by the application of cold ; in that case, on recovery they pass quickly through
their remaining stages.

“It can therefore be seen that it would be very difficult to estimate the time
for the grub stage. Under favourable conditions six weeks would be a fair

estimate ; under unfavourable conditions it can take a year or more to develop
into a perfect insect.

“* My observations show that the egg must be allowed to hatch out in from
eight to sixteen days, after which it cannot keep. The perfect insectcan lay up
or hybernate for two months, certainly not more. Thechrysalis stage is like the
egg; this stage cannot be made to go beyond eight days.”

From the Subdivisional Officer, Bettiah, were received in Septem-
Hieroglyphus furcifer, ber 1894 some specimens of a grasshopper
Salise: said to be destructive to sugarcane in his
subdivision.
The insect proved to belong to the species Hteroglyphus furet-
fer, Sauss., which has previously been referred to in the pages of
these Votes as destructive to crops in different parts of India.

In August 1894 specimens of Orthopterous insects were forwarded
Othoptera in Satara tothe Museum by the Survey Commissioner
District. and Director, Land Records and Agriculture,
Bombay, from the Collector of Satara. The insects were reported to
have caused a considerable amount of damage to the young jowari
crops in the Tasgaon taluka of the Satara district, where they are
locally called “ Z'o/.”
The specimens consisted of the following species :— ;
(1) Thirteen specimens of larve of Chrotogonus sp. This
insect has previously been reported in the pages of these
Notes as doing injury to young crops of almost all
kinds.
(2) Six specimens of larve of Zryxalis turrita, Linn., _pre-
viously referred to in the pages of these /Vofes.
(3) Numerous specimens of larvee, probably of Atractomorpha
crenulata, Fabr., also previously reported in the pages
of these Votes.

In July 1894 specimens of insect pests which affect crops in
Insect pests from Khasi the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, together with
and Jaintia Hills. copies of reports from the Subdivisional
Officer, Jowai, and the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Shillong, were

30 Indian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV.

forwarded to the Indian Museum by the Director, Department of
Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.
The specimens comprised the following :—

(1) “U. Njianguar,” reported as attacking paddy :—consisted
of empty cases of Psychid caterpillar. The material
being insufficient for precise identification.

(2) ‘‘Njiaugbyruai,” reported as destroying potato tubers and
the roots of Indian corn:—consisted of specimens of
larvee of a Melolonthinid beetle. The specimens being
insufficient for precise identification.

(3) “ Puit,’ reported-as attacking the tender leaves of the
paddy plant :—proved to be the Acridid (Orthoptera)
Oxya velox, Burm., which has previously been referred
to in these Votes.

(4) “‘Nyiang Saw Khlich,” reported as destructive to potato
leaves :—consisted of undeterminable larve of a beetle.
The specimens received being in too poor a condition
for identification.

(5) ‘‘ Dykhiw Saw,” reported as eee roots of Jobstears,
Khasia matikalai and white jit:—consisted of speci-
mens ofan ant which proved to be the Suse) Re cele
species—Monomorium pharaonis, Linn.

(6) ““U. Nyiaugrieg,’ reported as injurious to young sugar-
cane :—consisted of specimens of the Chrysomelid
beetle—Haplosonyx elongatus, Baly.

In December 1894 specimens of potato seed tuber said to be
: affected by insects were obtained from the
Potato tuber mite. * “Burdwan Farm by Mr. N. N. Banerjee,
Assistant Director, and forwarded to the Indian Museum by the
Director of the Department of Land Records and Agriculture,
Bengal.
The specimens proved on examination to be suffering from the
attack of very minute mites (Acarina) which are unlike any in the
Indian Museum collection.

In May 1894 specimens were forwarded to the Museum through
Millepede, injurious to the Director, Imperial Forest School, Dehra
agricultural crops. Dun, from Mr. H. O. Neill, of insects which

%

i

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 31

were said to be most destructive to vegetable and flower gardens in
the Caber hills. Mr. H. O. Neill writes:—

“¢ One specimen you will find in the bottle to be like pieces of thread, and it
was with the greatest difficulty that they could be picked out of the earth. They
crawl out of the ground at night and devour all the tender shoots and blossoms
of flower and vegetable plants. They are also most destructive to potato crops.
I have observed them attack wheat and garlic as well. This year they have de-
stroyed fields of wheat and garlic on the upper Caber hills.”

The insects consisted of numerous little millepedes of the Julid
family, which, however, proved to be new to the Museum collection.
The millepedes are well known to live on decaying vegetable
matter, and occasionally on decaying animal matter, but, so far as is
known, they have never before been reported to be pests to
agriculture in India. Indeed, the little that is known of them in
relation to agriculture and forestry is favourable, as they are said to
occasionally feed on slugs and snails. In consideration of these facts
further particulars on this interesting subject are desirable. Speci-
mens have been forwarded to Mr. R. I. Pocock for identification.
* The figure which is given in plate III, figure 4, represents the

_millepede four times enlarged.

The following are extracts which have been forwarded to the
Indian Museum by the Government of India,
Department of Revenue and Agriculture, re-
garding the destruction of locusts in 1893-94 :—

Locust reports.

Extract from the Rajputana Politicat Agency Diary for the week ending on the
1st September 1894.

“Forty-one maunds and thirty-two seers of young locusts were destroyed in
the Suratgurh and four hundred maunds in the Mirzawala tahsils from the 2oth
July to the 4th August 1894. Some young locusts were destroyed in the villages
of Sardar Shahr, Bahaderan, Releuh, Hanumangurh, Ralangurh and Nuhar
tahsils.’””

Extract fram the report on the Land Revenue Administration of the Eiaitijak
for 1892-93.

“Locusts were also observed in Isa Khel and Marwat. Occasional swarms
passing from one direction to another were first seen and at last eggs were laid in
May and June. Fortunately the rabi crops had then been cut and the fields had
not yet been ploughed for either the extra rabi or the kharif, otherwise some
damage to crops would have been inevitable. The zamindars had a very bitter
experience in 1890-91, and at once responded to the call of the tahsil officials for
help. The locust destruction scheme established in the past year was put into
operation and the mischievous insects with their eggs were promptly destroyed

_ without causing the least damage to cultivation.”

32 Indian Museum Notes. {Vol. IV,

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS,

[Norg.—The following extracts are taken from letters and reports which have
been forwarded to the Indian Museum since the publication of the Conspectus of
insects affecting crops in India.—Ed.]

The following is taken from a report, dated roth August 1894, by
Mr. J. H. Middleton, Professor of Agricul-
ture, Baroda College, forwarded by the Sur-

vey Commissioner and Director of Land Records and Agriculture, -
Bombay :—

Report from Baroda,

“ Hymenoptera, Sawfly.—The larva of a sawfly attacks cabbage and most of
the other plants of this family. Specimens were sent to the Museum, but without
the zmago they could not be named. I have attempted several times to rear the
insect, but the grubs are very delicate and I have not yet succeeded.

“The larva is greenish black and about 3” long when full grown; it eats
round the edges of the leaf and rapidly destroys seedlings.

“This pest appears in September and passing through successive generations
lasts for six months or more, It is especially bad in cloudy weather.

“* Remedies.—When the larve attack a seed-bed, ashes may be sprinkled on the
seedlings ; but unless the grubs are constantly picked off by hand, ashes will not
save the young plants. Kerosine emulsion has been tried, but with little success in
the case of seedling cabbages, as these plants are so easily destroyed. For half-

grown turnips the emulsion proved to be a protection in one or two instances where
it was tried.”

This insect is referred to in Volume III, No. 5, page 69, of these
Notes.

** Aloa lactinea.—The caterpillar of this moth known as katra to the natives
is the most destructive insect pest on sandy soils round Baroda. The mothisa
pretty white insect, which appears soon after the first purst of the monsoon. It
may be seen fluttering about in the twilight, and attracted by the light it comes
indoors after nightfall,

_ ** The outer wings are white with one margin red, have a stretch of 13”, and a few
black dots scattered over them, one marked dot being near the insertion of the
wing. The inner wings have a spread of about an inch and are white without a
red margin, but the dots are larger and more pronounced than on the outer wings.
‘The body is about 2” long and the back is striped alternately black and red. In
captivity I have found that the moth may lay over 300 eggs.

“« The eggs seem to be laid in the hedges, for the katvas invade a field from its
borders, but they may sometimes be laid on weeds, etc., in a field, for I have seen
very tiny larvze in the soil at a considerable distance from a hedge. They take

about a fortnight to hatch, and three weeks after rainfallthe katvas may ke
expected,

“The young larvz are grey in colour, and for a week are not much in evidences
they seem to live about the hedges and field borders until the regiment is brought

-

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 33

up to strength; they then march out in line, clearing off everything they consider
edible. If the field happensto contain a crop they appreciate, they do their work
systematically, the ranks remain unbroken and there are very few stragglers; if, on
the other hand, the crops they like are scarce, they break up and scatter all over the
field in search of them. When first the larvae begin to do damage they are about
¢ long, reddish-brown in colour, and very active. In three weeks’ time they grow
into sluggish dark-brown (sometimes nearly black on the back) caterpillars 14”
long, }’in diameter. They then disappear into the hedges in which they pupate.

“The pupa is ovate dark-brown, rather more than 2” long and less than 3” in
diameter in the middle. The length of time before the moth emerges varies; in
one case the insects appeared in two months, in another after ten months. The
latter must be the usual time, for I have not seen either moths or larvz in the
cold weather.

“‘ The great majority of the larvee I have kept in captivity have died either just
before or just after the pupa formed, and this heavy mortality seems to be due to
a parasitic fly of which I reared several specimens (these have already been sent to
the Museum). I was in hopes that this parasite was getting the better of the kutra,
for neither last year nor the year before was the attack so bad as it was three
years ago. ‘This year, however, katvas have been worse than I have ever seen
them. The present monsoon has been exceptionally wet, and that of three years
ago was exceptionally dry, so that season does not seem much to affect the cater-
pillars; probably, however, the severity of the attack depends to a great extent on
the character of the previous season,

“The katva defoliates a great many plants, both wild or cultivated; of the
latter the following may be mentioned.

“Gossyprum herbaceum (one variety of cotton, a perennial known as Rojz
related to G. avboreum, the katra does not damage seriously ; the annual varieties
it entirely destroys), Crotalaria juncea, Phaseolus aconitifolius, Dolichos lablab>
Cucumio sativa (and several other Cucurbitacez), Nicotiana tabacum (seedlings),
Capsicum fructeocens (seedings), Solanum melongena (seedlings), Ricinus com-
munis, Oryza sativa and Pennisetum typhoideum (when very young only), Zea
Mays.

' “These caterpillars were first seen near Baroda some dozen years ago and are
said to have come from the country lying to the north-east. Until within the last
twelve or fifteen years they were unknown to Gujarat cultivators. On the black soil
immediately south of Baroda katras are known, but do little or no damage. This
is not On account of lack of suitable food, for the whole country is covered with
annual cotton, which the caterpillars eat, but it seems to be due to the absence of
the hedgerows, which the moths frequent.

“ Remedies.—Seed-beds may be protected by putting a quantity of the leaves
of Euphorbia neriifolia round the borders. These leaves the katras eat and die,
and if the seed-beds are carefully watched and intruders picked off, seedlings will
escape with little damage.

“In the case of field-crops, where the foregoing remedy is impracticable, a
number of katvas may be killed under favourable circumstances (dry weather and
a smooth field with a young crop) by rolling.

“ Mynas destroy great numbers of the caterpillarsyand, as already noted, para-
sites kill many, but when once they establish themselves in a field the crop in most
Cases is doomed. Prevention rather than remedy is required, and the evil might,

34 Indian Museum Notes. - fFVol. IV.

to a great extent, be prevented by the removal of the useless plants which crowd
hedgerows and afford protection to the insect.”

This insect is referred to in Volume III, No. 5, pages 57-58 of
these Notes. f

“ Heliothis sp.—The common cotton boll-worm of Gujarat is a pinkish cater-
pillar about 3” in length; from the caterpillar I reared a small grey moth, which
may be Heliothis armigera. The boll-worm is always worst when there has
been cloudy weather in November, a month or two before cotton ripens. It is one
of the chief causes, but not the only cause, of ‘stain’ in cotton.

* Diatrea saccharalis.—I have reared several specimens of this insect. The
moth differed from the description and plate of ‘Museum Notes, Volume I,’ in
having a plumper body and much narrower inner wings.

“ The sugar-borer has long been known in Gujarat, and when the monsoon
rains are light, often proves a serious pest. Cane is planted in May, and the
ravages of the borer are usually noticed about two months later, and continue
throughout the growing season, although worst when the plants are young in July
and August. The symptoms are withering of the terminal shoot of the cane,
which on being pulled up comes away in the hand. If the shoot is examined,
although the hole pierced by the borer may be seen in it, the borer itself is very
seldom there (in 300 shoots examined I found two borers), but numerous small
grubs, the larvz of black and brown flies, will be found in the decaying matter.
The borer itself soon after entering the stem seems to tunnel down into the solid
cane of the lowest node, and if the cane be cut out below this node, and split open,
one, and occasionally two, may be found. The sugarcane moth in captivity is
very sluggish, and if this is its natural condition, and it does not migrate from or
to distant fields, its ravages should be easily prevented.

“In Gujarat cane is seldom grown oftener than once in six years on the same
soil, and in the district with which I am best acquainted the practice is for the
cultivator never to plant cane sets from his own crop, but to purchase ‘ seed’ in the
neighbouring village. Whole canes stripped of leaves and tops are bought
for seed, so that cane refuse or tops cannot be responsible for the introduction of
the larve. From my own observations I think it most likely that the pest may
be brought through the eggs of the moth sticking to the canes used for planting,
because I have not found larve in large canes, but only in young canes. Late in
the season borers are not found in the large canes, but in the shoots which spring
from the base of the cane.

“In whatever way the pest gets into the field, it seems to reach the second
generation before it makes itself apparent. The larvz of the first generation either
confine their attentions to the underground sets or, which seems to me more likely,
they are few in numbers and their depredations among the young cane shoots pass
unnoticed, For the past two years a careful watch has been kept for the first
appearance of borer in the cane at the College Farm, but neither after planting
nor at the usual time, two months later, did it make its appearance. i

“ Remedies.—If it is the case, as I take it, that this pest does not do serious
damage until the second generation, and that except when cane fields are within a
few hundreds of yards of each other, the cultivator need only fear the moths bred in
his own field, prevention ought not to be very difficult. Efforts should be made
to destroy the larvz of the first generation. They may spend their lives in the
sets where they would pass undetected, but, as 1 have not yet met with the borer

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 35

except in young cane shoots, I think it more likely that the eggs of the moths hatch
when the cane germinates, and that the larvz attack the young shoots, but are so
few as to pass unnoticed. Many young cane shoots die from the attacks of white
ants, and after planting, the ravages of these insects are so severe that a few borers
would pass unnoticed unless carefully looked for. If these were found and de-
stroyed in the end of May, there would be little fear of damage in July and August.

“ Whenever the borer appears, early or late in the season, the affected shoots
should be cut out as near as possible to the parent plant and burned.

** Tt might be practicable to prevent the attacks of both the borer and of white
ants by dressing the cane sets with some insecticide before planting. The difficulty
would be getting an insecticide strong enough to kill and keep off insects, but
which would not injure the delicate roots and shoots of the young cane. Weak
kerosine emulsion or some preparation of carbolic acid would perhaps be the most
suitable insecticides to use. If the Jarvze exist in the sets, the method mentioned
by Miss Ormerod of steeping the sets for 48 hours in water might be tried.

“From the pupa of a borer I have reared a parasite, a brightly coloured insect
like a minute wasp.

“J have not seen Diatvea saccharalis attack Sorghum or Maize.

“* Leucinodes orbonalis.—A specimen of this insect was sent by me to the
Museum.

* L. ovbonalis is a small white moth, with red spots on the wings. The spread
of the wings is about an inch, the length of the body less than half an inch.

‘¢ The tarva is pinkish yellow and when full grown half an inch long. It bores
in the stems and branches of the brinjal in the month of August. It has once been
seen on the College Farm, but the affected shoots were at once cut off the brinjal
plants and destroyed, and the borer did not do much damage. The pupa stage
lasts eleven days.”’

This insect is referred to in Volume IIi, No. 5, page 64, of these
Notes.

** Homoptera.— Specimens of a scale insect attacking sugarcane were sent by
me to the Museum last September.

“ This scale is a most destructive parasite in Gujarat; it may destroy half the
crop and injure the quality of the remainder. It is known as Masz or Mashi by
cultivators, and appears to belong to the genus Aspzdiotus. 4

“The green young insects are seen on the cane in August, and inthe same
month scales appear, and in bad cases cover the back of the leaf until the crop is
harvested in March. The pest is said to be worst in wet seasons, but last year it
was very bad in some places, and the rainfall was not heavy. It is said also that
it does not come through sets and that sets from an affected field of cane may
safely be planted. Cultivators attribute the attack to the weather and some to
heavy manuring with castor cake (a forcing nitrogenous manure). Most culti-
vators advocate the free use of manure to stimulate growth.

“(he insects come in such myriads that it is difficult to think of any remedy.
In the earliest stages spraying with ‘ Resin wash’ might be effected, but even if
the cultivator had a spraying apparatus large enough to deal with a crop of cane
it is doubtful whether the remedy would be practicable.

36 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. iV.

“This scale insect injures the crop (1) by sucking the juices of the plants and
(2) by covering the cane-stalks with a dirty powder, which gets into the juice during
crushing, and destroys the colour of the jaggery.

* A scale insect locally known as koavia from its resemblance to koara (the
seed of Paspalum scrobiculatum) does much damage to Cephalandra indica. The
insect looks like a species of Lecanium. As the crop, which it attacks, is a valuable
vegetable grown on a wooden trellis by market-gardeners, spraying with resin
washes would probably be effective and profitable in this case.”

The insect is referred to in page 53 of Volume III, No. 5) of these
Notes.

“ Termes tapvobanes.—The white-ant is very destructive on the light sandy
soil of Northern Gujarat.

‘“‘It attacks most crops after they are cut and stored, and hay, corn-stacks, etc.,
must be carefully watched. Corn is always threshed soon after it is cut for fear of
white-ants entering the stack.

“ Sugarcane suffers severely from white-ants. They burrow into and destroy
the sets soon after planting, and eat through the junction between the young plant
and the parent set, so that the latter withers off. The remedy always employed is
castor-cake. Cultivators apply the powdered cake to the roots of the cane, two or
three times between May and August. The total quantity given in a season is
usually between 1,500 and 2,000 fb per acre. This large application of castor-
cake is of course chiefly given as a manure, and not to keep off white-ants, but it
serves two purposes very effectively.

“ Miscellaneous.—In addition to the foregoing 1 have seen many insects dam-
aging the crops.

“ The following may be noticed :—
Cotton.—(1) A borer in the stem.
(2) A green caterpillar, 2” long, which twists up and destroys the
leaf when pupating.
- (3) Weevils in the seed, especially when pods have been. injured
by the borer.

Tobacco.—(1) A small cream-coloured caterpillar, }” long, eating holes in
the leaves.
(2) Two large crickets, one green, the other brilliantly coloured,
eating the leaves.
(3) A borer in the apex of the stem.

Castcr-oil.—(1) A borer in the upper stem and branches, the larva of a pretty
white moth with black spots on the wings, and spread of
wings of about one inch.

Cucumbers.— Small terra-cotta coloured beetle-like insects eating leaves. Body

about 2” long.

Rice.—Borer in the alle small white caterpillar, 3” long.”

The following extract is taken from a letter dated August 1894,
Report from Kanara by Mr. E. H. Aitken, Assistant Collector of
SMe: Salt Revenue, Kanara Range, forwarded by

No. 1.] Miscellaneous Notes. 37

the Survey Commissioner and Director, Land Records and Agricul-
ture, Bombay :—

“ Oryctes rhinoceras, Linn.—This beetle is very common in Kanara and does
much mischief to cocoanut trees. It attacks the trees at the growing point and
burrows downwards. In doing this it eats through the folded young fronds, so
that, when they expand, they appear to have been cut in regular patterns. It
would be difficult to find a tree in the district which does not bear this mark of the
ravages of the insect. I have not ascertained whether the beetle enters the tree
for the purpose of laying its eggs, or only to feed on the succulent parts. In the
trees, which I have examined, I have only found beetles, but the natives say that
they sometimes find large white grubs, This beetle is known in the district as
Bhowara, a name commonly applied to any large droning insect.

The insect is referred to in these Motes, Volume III, No. 6,
page 149.

“ Dinoderus sp. (?)—Atleast one species of minute bamboo beetle is a trouble-
some pest in Kanara, seriously injuring bamboo furniture, walking-sticks, etc.,
and utterly destroying fixtures such as trellisework and ceilings made of bamboo-
matting. As far as I have observed, it is only while bamboos are comparatively
fresh that they are liable to attack, and [ believe that complete immunity is secured
by soaking them in salt water for some time ; but bamboos treated in this way are
fit only for building purposes, ”

This insect is referred to in these Notes, Volume II, No. 6,
page 150.

* Calandra oryse, Linn.—The grain weevil is common here as elsewhere.

“A large caterpillar of one of the wood-boring moths does much injury to
» guava trees in Bombay. It inhabits burrows in the principal branches and comes
out at night to feed on the bark, making covered ways of its own excrement bound
together with silk. I have never succeeded in rearing it or getting the moth. It
is not met with so much in Kanara, where the guava is little cultivated.

“ Dacus feryugineus, Fabr.—Ripe mangoes are often unfit to eat in this dis-
trict —especially after the rains set in—owing to the pulp having got black and
rotten in parts close to the seed. On cutting open mangoes in thiscondition, I have
found small, white, legless grubs possessed of a surprising power of springing.
They are evidently dipterous, but I cannot say whether they belong to the species
above named.”

This insect is referred to in these Notes, page 165, Volume II,
No. 6.

** Dysdercus cingulataus, Fabr.—T his is not a cotton-growing district, but the
pods of the silk cotton tree are infested at times with a red bug which I presume
is this species, or are very closely allied. They suck the seeds, but I doubt their
doing any damage tothe fibre.”

33 Indian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV.

This insect is referred toin these Votes, Volume II, No. 6, page
167 :—

**One common insect is not mentioned in the conspectus which sometimes
deserves a place among destructive pests—I mean the carpenter bee, Xylocopa.
It makes its nests, as is well known, in dead wood, and in this district I have
found it attacking the timbers of buildings, which are not regularly inhabited, such
as travellers’ bungalows and temples, in such numbers as to render them unsafe
In the roof of an old bungalow which was recently pulled down, several of the
beams were riddled through and through with holes, # of an inch in diameter ;
and I have been told thatthe roof of a public building in Karwar had to be re-
newed some time ago because the bees had weakened some of the beams so much
that they were not safe. This is, of course, the insect that was employed by
Hanuman to honeycomb the wood-work of the bed of a female demon, so that
when Rama sat upon it, the whole bed fell to pieces and he was saved from being
obliged to fulfila rash vow, It is known here commonly by the same name as
the Palm Beetle—Bhowara.”

The following is taken from a report, dated 21st June 1893, by
Mr. E. Hearn, Acting Deputy Superintend-
ent, Konkan Survey :—

‘2, “ Oryctes rhinoceros, Linn. (Goliath beetle).—This beetle is a common
pest of all cocoanut gardens throughout the Konkan coast. The Bhandari
during his daily visit to tapped trees makes it a special duty to search for this
beetle. If through neglect or mischance the beetle has worked down into a posi-
‘tion whence it cannot be reached by hand, an iron hook is used for extraction.
If the beetle effects a permanent lodgment in the heart of any tree that tree
must die.

* The general name is ‘ Mobar’ or ‘ Munga.

Report from Konkan.

3°39

2. * Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Oliv.—When a tree is attacked there isa
foetid oozing from the outer trunk of the cocoanut palm, which withers and dies.
When cut down and opened out, the larvee are found in masses of white, fleshy,
legless grubs showing few signs of activity. The natives of the villages near
Nerur of the Kudal Petha, Sawantwadi State, informed me that the disease may
be arrested by boring a hole about one inch in diameter through the palm tree at
the seat of the oozing, and thus destroying the grub by introducing ventilation
into that part of the tree. The disease was said to occur in trees planted in
recent silt deposits near rivers.

“ I observed this particular pest in the year 1874-75 and cannot now recall the
name of the insect, which I have not met with since.’’

3.“ Chienaspis Aspidistve.—The insect has been for a number of years ravag-
ing the gardens at Shriwardhan, Janjira State. A scientific report upon the pest,
dated 11th May 1891, was made by Mr. Woodrow of the College cf Science,
The remedial measures suggested therein have not been consistently carried out by
the people, and the disease has a firm root among the gardens.”

No. 1.) Miscellaneous Notes. 39

The following is taken from a letter, dated 17th August 1894, by
Mr. G. M. Woodrow, Lecturer in Botany and
Agriculture, College of Science, Poona, for-
warded by the Survey Commissioner and Director of Land Records
and Agriculture, Bombay :—

Report from Poona.

“ Bhunga.—Applied to several large flying insects; for example, the mango
weevil, the cocoanut beetle (Ovyctes rhinoceros, Linn.), It is also applied to the
gram weevil.

** Mova or Mava.—Applied to Aphides, to scale.

“* Alee or Alait.—Applied to caterpillars varying in length from half an
inch to one inch, generally green, attacking different field crops, as Brassica
oleracea, Cajanus indicus, Cicer avtetinum, cucumber, Dolichos lablab, Vigna
catiang, etc. Thesame name is applied to larve of some insects attacking
stored grain, as bajree (Pennisetum typhoideum), rice (Oryza sativa), etc.

* Sonda-kida, Sonda or Pore-kida.—Applied to the wheat and rice weevil
(Calandra oryze, Linn.).

‘* Tol.— Applied to different species of locusts attacking various crops

“ Udhat Valvee.—Applied to the common white-ant, which is very destruc-
tive to inferior timber and other dried vegetable matter.”’

The following is a report by the Sub-Assistant Superintendent,
Gujarat Revenue Survey, on insect pests fin
his district, forwarded through the Survey
Commissioner and Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay,
in October 1894 :—

Report from Gujarat.

** Morkhai.—Morkhai is a disease which attacks the seedlings of cotton, tur,
and jowari. The seedlings look healthy to all outward appearance, but when
plucked they come off easily. The roots are cut clean off by a grub about an
inch beneath the surface soil. Rows and rows of seedlings are thus destroyed,
necessitating in severe cases a second sowing. In case of jowari the damage
done is not great, as offshoots spring up after the main stem withers away. The
damage done by this grub to crops attacked by it is not great. The grub lives
underground and is not often observed by the cultivators.

** Salo.—In addition to Morkhaz, which attacks jowari seedlings, as described
above, another insect attacks jowari causing a disease called “Salo” in a
similar manner when the plants are half matured. The growing axis is eaten
off by the insect, destroying the main stem. Fresh offshoots spring up imme-
diately afterwards. The fresh offshoots, however, take a ong time to come to
maturity, and the crop is delayed in harvesting beyond the usual period. The
produce and size of the grain are also reduced by about half. This disease
appears but once in eight or ten years, and is not considered to cause a heavy
damage all over the district,

40 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

“ Sunga.—Bajri is similarly attacked by an insect called ‘Sunga.’ The
insect sucks the milk out of the tender corn, thus reducing the yield of grain
both in quality and quantity. ;

“ Tur.—In cloudy weather ‘ Tur ’ is attacked by an insect which decreases the
yield of the crop considerably all over the district. It burrows into the ovary of
the flower, and into the tender pods which are just forming. The flowers so
attacked fall off without producing fruit; the pods after the attack remain empty
and do not fill up.

“ No kinds of remedial measures are known or practised by the cultivators in
case of all the diseases described above. They are all attributed to changes in
weather.”

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1896.

Price rupee one.

NOTICE,

—+—_

The serial /ndian Museum Notes, issued by the Trustees of the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, under the authority of the Government of
India, Revenue and Agricultural Department, is to take the place of
Notes on Economic Entomology, of which two numbers have appeared.
For the views expressed, the authors of the respective notes are alone
responsible.

The parts of the serial are published from time to time as materials
accumulate. Communications are invited ; they should be written on
one side only of the paper, and addressed to—

THE EDITOR,
INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES,
Calcutta.

Correspondence connected with Economic Entomology should be
accompanied by specimens of the insects to which reference is made.
Caterpillars, grubs, and other soft-bodied insects can be sent in strong
spirit ; chrysalids and cocoons alive, and packed lightly in leaves or
grass; other insects, dried and pinned, or wrapped in soft paper.
Live insects should be.sent when there is a reasonable probability
of their surviving the journey. Caterpillars, grubs, and other im-
mature insects can often be only approximately determined; they
should therefore, where possible, be accompanied by specimens of
the mature insects into which they transform; when this is not pos-
sible, they should still be sent, as they can always be determined
approximately, and uncertainty must necessarily arise in discussing
insects when actual reference to the specimens cannot be made.

Insects forwarded for determination should, in all cases, be accom-
panied by a detailed report showing precisely in what their economic
importance is believed to consist.

CALCUTTA:
6th April 1896.

CONTENTS.

Pace,

1. AN EXHIBIT COLLECTION OF ECONOMIC INSECTS IN THE INDIAN
Museum: by Edward Barlow . 5 : : . : » 4

2. Or1GINAL COMMUNICATIONS—
(i) A new species of Buprestid beetle: by C. Kerremans . - 48

(ii) Note on two new species of Gall Aphids ; by G. B. Buckton,
E.R.S. e e e e ° ° e ° e e 50

(iii) A new species of Homopterous insect of the family Aleuro-
didz : by W. M. Maskell ° ° ° ° . ° 52

(iv) Note on the “ Potu” or “ Pipsa,” Simulium indicum, Becher:
by Lionel de Nicéville, F.E.S., C.M.Z.S,, etc. . é - 54

3. NoTES ON INSECT PESTS FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
Inp1AN Museum: by Edward Barlow—

(i) Tea Pests . ° e Foe aes ane : . » 56
(ii) Insects destructive to cereals and crops . ° ° ° >» 62
(iii) Insects infesting fruit-trees . . ° e ° ° - 68
(iv) Forest Pests, etc. : 5 . > . . ° ° 74
(v) Pests of domestic animals . . ° p 5 ° - 76
(vi) Reports of results of remedies, etc., tried during the year “5 72

4. REPRINTS AND MiIscELLANEOUS NoTEs—
(i) Indian “ Forest flies? (Reprint) . i 5 e 6 79
(ii) Coccids preyed upon by birds (Reprint) . ° ° ° GORE
(iii) The common crow of the United States as an enemy to Insects
(Reprint) ° ° e ° ° . . Stee

(iv) On Hawks and Owls as enemiesto Insects . . . - Iot
(v) On the Formation ‘of New Colonies by Termes lucifugus
(Reprint) . 5 : 6 ° ° ° 8 102

EXPLANATION OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE IV—

Fic. 1. PEMPHIGUS NAP HuS, (a) Apterous female, or foundress ; (4) Pupa;
(c) Imago, or winged female; (¢) Antenna of the Apterous
female ; (e) Rostrum of the Apterous female; (f) Antenna
of the imago ; (g) Tarsi of the imago ; (%) Gall.

» 2 PEMPHIGUS IMMUNIS, (2) Pupa; (2) Imago, or winged viviparous
female ; (c) Antenna of the imago ; (#@) Galls.

PLATE V—
Fig. 1, THOSEA RECTA, Hampsn. a, larva and cocoon on tea twig;

b,c,moths ¢@ and @.

s» id. Ichneumonid, parasite of Thosea recta (twice enlarged). *

» 2, XYLOBORUS FORNICATUS, Eichhoff. a, larva; 0, pupa; c, d,imagos
é and @ ;e, affected tea stem.

s» 3- CARTERIA DECORELLA, Mask. a, adult females in tests on twig; 6,
tests of secondestage, females and males, on twig; c, tests of
adult females, enlarged; d, test of male, enlarged; e, adult
male; 7, antenna of male (after Maskell).

4.SYNCLERA MULTILINEALIS, Guen. Moth, natural size.

» 5: DACTYLOPIUS LONGIFILIS, Comstock. Female, enlarged (after

Comstock).

PLATE Wiles

Fic. 1. PopONTIA 14-PUNCTATA, Linn. a, larva; 6, pupa; c, imago;
d, earthen pupa cell.

», 2. ASPIDIOTUS FICUS, (Riley) Comstock. a, scales on leaves of orange,
natural size; 6, scale of female, enlarged; c, scale of male
enlarged; d, young larva, enlarged; e, adult male, enlarged
(after Comstock).

»» 3 ARGAS REFLEXUS, Fabr. Upper, under, and side views, enlar ged.

Vol. IV. ] eS oe [ No. 2.

AN EXHIBIT COLLECTION OF ECONOMIC
INSECTS IN THE INDIAN MUSEUM.

By EDWARD BARLOW.

The collection here noticed has been prepared for exhibition in
the Indian Museum, with a view to illustrate the life histories of
some of the more important “ economic” insects, both injurious and
useful, in the various stages of their development. It refers solely
to Indian species, and is as complete as it has been possible to make
it from the materials, and within the limits of space available, in the
Museum,

The insect pests are arranged not in any natural order, but in
accordance with the plants which they attack: thus the insects that
attack tea and coffee are placed together, then those that attack
cereals, and so on.

Wherever necessary, the actual exhibits have been supplemented
by enlarged illustrative drawings.

The collection is exhibited temporarily in a series of cases run-
ning the whole length of the southern side of the Bird Gallery.

‘The following is a list of the exhibits :—

I.—INSECTS AND MITES THAT ATTACK TEA AND COFFEE PLANTS.

1. Andraca bipunctata, Wlk.=trilochoides, Moore (Bombycid
moth).— Reported as defoliating tea bushes both in Cachar and in
Jorhat,

2. Clania cramert, Westw. (Psychid moth).—Defoliates tea bushes
in Assam, Sikkim, and Ceylon.

3. Clania variegata, Snell=Szkkima, Moore (Psychid moth).—
Attacks tea plants in Sikkim.

4. Zeuzera cofex, Nietn (Cossid moth).—Tunnels into tea and
coffee stems in Cachar and Ceylon.

5. Thosea recta, Hamps. (Limacodid moth).—Reported as attack-
ing tea bushes in Ceylon.

6. Thosea cotest, Swinh. (Limacodid moth).—Defoliates tea
bushes in Darrang.

GA

42 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.
POE ane aes eee Sm mn Rar oe ER a

7. Pavasa lepida, Cram. (Limacodid moth).—Attacks tea and
coffee plants in Ceylon.

8. Dasychira thwattest, Moore (Lymantriid moth),—Defoliates
tea and sal in Assam.

"0: Agrotis segetts, Schiff. (Noctuis moth).—Destructive to comes
plants both in Southern India and in Ceylon.

10. Xyleborus foruicatus, Eichhoff (Scolytid beetle).—Reported
as drilling holes on tea stems in Ceylon. .

11. Xylotrechus quadripes, Chev. (Cerambycid beetle).—The
coffee borer of Southern India.

12. Helopeltis thetovora, Moore (S. Ord. Heterop.; Fam. Capsidz),
—Known as the “ Mosquito blight.” It does a great deal of damage
to tea plants in India.

13. Chlorita flavescens, Fabr. (S. Ord. Homop.; Fam. Jassida).—
Known as “The green fly blight.” It attacks tea plants both in
Sikkim and in Assam.

14. Phromnia marginella, Oliv. (S. Ord. Homop. ; Fam. Fulgori-
dz).—Reported as infesting tea plants in Assam.

15. Aspidiotus thez, Maskell.—-Reported as attacking tea plants.
both in the Kangra Valley and in Ceylon.

16. Chionaspis thez, Maskell (S. Ord. Homop. ; Fam. Coccidz).
-—Reported as attacking tea plants both in the Kangra Valley and in
Ceylon.

17. Tetranychus biocultus, W. Mason (Mite)—Known as the
“ Red spider. ” It does a considerable amount of damage to tea
plants both in India and in Ceylon.

Il.—INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO CEREALS AND OTHER
AGRICULTURAL CROPS.

1. Hispa znescens, Baly. (Chrysomelid beetle)—Known as the
‘‘Bengal Rice Hispa.” It has been reported as very destructive to
paddy crops in India.

2. Calandra orysz, Linn.—The wheat and rice weevil of India.

3. Leptocortsa acuta, Thunb. (Heteroptera; Fam. Coreidz},—
Knownas the “Rice sapper.” It is most destructive to paddy crops
in Bengal, the North-Western Provinces and Assam,

No. 2.] Collection of Economic insects in the Indian Museum. 43

4. Heliothis armigera, Habn.—The caterpillar of this moth
attacks almost all kinds of agricultural crops in all parts of India.

5. Agrotis suffusa, Fabr.—This cosmopolitan moth does a great
deal of damage to almost all kinds of agricultural crops in India.

6. Maruca testulalis, Gayer =aquatilis, Boisd. (Hetcrocera.; Fam.
Margaronidz).— Destructive to beans (Dolichos lablab) in Bengal.

7. Sphenarches caffer, Zeller. (Heterocera.; Fam; Fterophori-
dz).— Destructive to beans (Dolichos lablab) in Nagpur.

8. Leucinodes orbonalis, Guen. (Heterocera. ; Fam. Asopidz).—
The Brinjal (Solanum melongena) borer of Bengal.

g. Diatrea succharalis, Cotes. (Heterocera.; Fam. Crambide)-
=—The sugarcane borer moth.

10. Rhopalosiphum dianthiz, Schrank.; (Homoptera; Fam. Aphi-
dze).— Destructive to rape crops in Bengal.

11. Sphenoptera gossypit, Kerre. (Buprestid beetle).— Tunnels
into cotton (Gosypium herbaceum) plants in Nagpur.

12. Fulodis atkinsontz, Kerre. n. sp. (Buprestid beetle).— Attacks
cotton and melen crops in the district of Dehra Ismail Khar.

13. Oxycarenus, dugubris. Motsch, (Heteroptera. ; Fam. Lygzi-
dz).—Attacks cotton plants in Seringapatam and in Ceylon.

14. Dysdercus cingulatus, Fabr. (Heteroptera. ; Fam. Lygzide).
—Reported as attacking cotton in Seringapatam, bottle gronds in
Cawnpore, and musk-melon and cabbages in Cossipore.

15, Zanymecus indicus, Faust. (Curculionid beetle).—This small
weevil has been reported as attacking opium seedlings in Ghazipur.

16. Gibbum scotias, Fabr. (Ptinid beetle).—Attacks the outer por-
tion of opium cakes in Behar.

17. Grass-hoppers (Fam. Acrididz) destructive to agriculture,
viz., Acridium peregrinum, Oliv. (The locust of North-West India) ;

| Acridium succinctum, Linn., Acridium melanocorne, Serv.; Acridium
zruginosum, Burm.; Osya velox, Burm.; Pachytylus ctnerascens,
| Fabr.; Hieroglyphus furcifer, Sauss.; Chrotogonus trachyterus,
Blanc. ; Epacromia dorsalis, Thunb.; Atractomorpha crenulata,
Fabr.; Oedalus marmoratus, Linn.; Pecilocera picta, Fabr., and

| Tryxalis turrita, Linn.

18. Crickets (Gryllidz) destructive to agriculture. —Schizodac-
tylus monstruosus, Drury. (Mole cricket) ; Brachytrypes achatinus,
A 2

44 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

— - —_~——.

Stoll. ; Léogryllus bimaculatus, Degeer.,and Gryllodes melanocepha-
lus, Serv.

III.—INSECTS INFESTING FRUIT TREES.

1. Chryptorhynchus mangifere, Fabr.—The mango (Mangifera
indica) weevil.

2. Psylla cistellata, Buck., n. sp. (Homoptera. ; Fam. Psyllidz).—
Destructive to mango shoots. |

3. Papilio ertthontus, Cramr. (Papilionid butterfly).—Destructive
to young orange and lemon trees in different parts of India.

4. Aspidiotus ficus, Comstock (Scale insect),—Reported as very
destructive to orange and lime trees in Khandalla.

5. Anonzpesits bengalelle, Rogt. (Phycitid moth).—The custard
apple (Anona squamosa) pest in Bengal.

6. Virachola ¢socrates, Fabr.—The caterpillar of this butterfly
bores into loquat, guava and pomegranate fruits in Bengal.

7. Carpomyita parctalina, Bigot (Muscid fly).—Destructive to
melons in Baluchistan.

8. Lampides elpis, Godart (Lycznid butterfly).—Destructive to
cardamom seeds in Ceylon.

9. Gangara thyrsts, Fabr. (Hesperid butterfly).—Desiructive
to the leaves of the cocoanut palm in Malabar.

IV.—INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TIMBER AND OTHER FOREST TREES.

1. Trochilium ommatizforme, Moore (Sesiid moth).—Reported
as tunneling into the stems of Poplar trees in Baluchistan.

2. Lucanus lunifer, Hope (Lucanid beetle).—Reported as
tunneling into Oak trees in Naini Tal,

3. Psiloptera fastuosa, Fabr. (Buprestid beetle).-Said to attack
Teak trees in Malabar.

4. Diapus impressus, Janson (Scolytid beetle). —Reported as
tunneling into oak stumps in the North-West Himalayas.

5. Neocerambyx holosericeus, Fabr. (Cerambycid beetle).—
Reported as attacking Sal (Shorea robusta) and Saj {(Terminala
tomentosa) in the North-West Provinces, and Teak (7ectoma

grandis) in Kulsi, Assam, also Farash and other trees in Dera Ismail
Khan.

No. 2] Collection of Economtc insects in the Indian Museum. 45

6. Celosterna scabrator, var. spinator, Fabr. (Cerambycid
beetle).—Said to cause considerable injury to babul (Acacia arabica)
plants in Berar.

7. Melasoma populz, Linu. (Chrysomelid beetle).—Destructive
to Salix elegans trees in Deoband.

8. Pemphigus edificator, Buckton (Homoptera.; Fam. Aphidz),—
Forms galls on stems of Pistacia terebinthus trees in Baluchistan.

V.— WARE-HOUSE PESTS.

1. Zrogostta mauritanica, Linn. (Trogositid beetle).—Attacks
_stored wheat in Bengal.

2. Silvanus surinamensis, Linn. (Cucujid beetle).—This is a
common ware-house pest in India. It attacks ship’s biscuits, dried
fruits in Calcutta, and cholum seed in Madras.

3. Anthrenus vorax, Waterh, (Dermestid beetle)—The larva
attacks skins and leather of all kinds in India,

4. Aithriostoma undulata, Mots, (Dermestid beetle).—Destroys
stored wheat (7rzticum sativum) in Delhi.

5. Dermestes vulpinus, Fabr. (Dermestid beetle).— Reported
as destructive to stored silk cocoons in Rajshahi. Destructive to
badly-preserved skins.

6. Rhizopertha pustlla, Fabr. (Ptinid beetle).—A common ware-
house pest. It attacks stored wheat, cholum seed and ship’s biscuits
in India.

VI.—INSECT DESTRUCTIVE TO GRASS,

1. Mahasena graminivora, Hamp. n. sp. (Psychid moth).—De-
structive to grass plants used for covering thatched houses in

Calcutta.

VIIL—INSECT DESTRUCTIVE TO BOOKS.

1. Sttodrepa panicea, Linn. (Ptinid beetle),—The book-worm.

VIII. INSECTS AND MITES THAT ATTACK DOMESTIC ANIMALS,

1. Chrysops dispar, Fabr. (Tabanid fly).—Reported as attack-
ing cattle in Baluchistan.

46 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol IV.

2. Simulium indicum, Bechr. (Simulid fly)—Known as the
Potu fly.” It is said to attack both man and cattle in the North-
West Himalayas.

3. Culex sp.—A very troublesome mosquito in Bengal.
4. Argas reflexus, Fabr. (Tick).—Reported as killing fowls in
Bombay.

IX.—BENEFICIAL INSECTS,

1. Calosoma orientale, Hope. (Carabid beetle).—Reported as
useful in destroying young locusts of the species Acridium peregrt-
num, Oliv.

2. Cicinaela sexpunctata, Fabr. (Tiger beetle).—It has been
reported as very useful in destroying the rice sapper (Leftocorisa
acuta) in Champaran,

3. Anthomyia peshawarensis, Bigot. (Muscid fly),—Parasitic
upon the eggs of the locust (Acridium peregrinum.) Olivr.

4. Carteria lacca, Sign. (Scale insect).——The lac insect of South.
ern Asia, out of which shell-lac and lac-dye of commerce are
obtained.

No. 2.] Original Communications. 47

2. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

The original communications received during the year are
the following :—

(i) Déscription and figures of Fulodis atkinsonz, a Buprestid
beetle, reported as hurtful to cotton and melons in the
Dehra Ismail Khan District ;

(ii) A Preliminary Note on two new species of Gall-Aphid
from the North-West Himalayan region ;

(ili) Description and figures of Aleurodes eugenie, a Coccid«
like bug, reported as destructive to Jambul trees at
Poona ;

(iv) A note on the well-known “Pipsa”’ fly of the lower
slopes of the Himalayas.

48 : Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

1. JULODIS ATKINSONI.

A NEW SPECIES OF (@uprestid) BEETLE.

By C. KERREMANS,

JULoDIS ATKINSONI, nov. sp.— @ Oblonga, convexa, apice subat-
tenuata, supra vtridi obscura, nitida, elytrorum fossults thoracisque
puncits aenco-viridibus ; subtus viridiaenea, segmento abdominis 2°,
3°, 4° que nigro coerulet cinctis, ultimo trregulariter nigro-vermi-
cutato ; pedibus aenets, antennts nigris ;—capite granuloso, Sronte
antice subrugosa, vertice longitudinaliter rugata ;—pronoto con-
vexo, transverso, grosse punctulato, punctorum, intervalles elevatis
et irvegulariter vermiculatis ; utringue in angulis anticis vage
Fossulato, fossulague magna media prescutellata instructo ;—elytris
convexis, utringue quadricostatis, longitudinaliter wmpressis, 1mpres-
Stontbus subguadratis, in sertebus tribus vegularibus instructts,
harum intervallis transversim vermiculatis et grosse punctatis.

i

No. 2.] Original Communications. 49

Subtus subtile rugosa, segmento abdominis 2°, 3°, 4° que posticis,
levibus, ultimo vermiculato ; pedibus grosse et confertim punctatis.
—Long., 37; lat., 14 mm.

Oblong, convex, posteriorly attenuate ; thorax and elytra dull green,
thoracic punctures and fovee cf elytra bronzy ; beneath bronzy, edges
of abdominal segments cyaneous black ;antennz black ; legs bronzy,

Head finely rugose between the eyes, the top finely and longi-
tudinally wrinkled. Pronotum convex, at its base not quite twice as
broad as long, anterior margin slightly sinuate, sides arcuate above
the posterior angles, then straight ; posterior angles, subacute ; base
with alarge median and angular lobe surmounted by a large fovea;
surface rugose, the rugosities punctured and irregularly vermiculated ;
on each side of it at the anterior margin, in the anterior angles, is a
small fovea. Elytra convex, much wider than-the thorax at the
shoulders, nearly twice as long as wide, very largely and rugosely
punctured, each with four raised lines and four rows of fovez, of
sub-quadrangulate form; a fifth row, of small and more numerous
foveze, occurs between the fourth raised line and the lateral margin ;
sides slightly sinuate above the middle, apex rounded, base with
alarge fovea. Beneath finely rugose, pubescent in irregular patches
the last abdominal segment rugosely vermiculated. Legs densely
and rugosely punctured. Length, 18 ; breadth, 7 lines.

Habitat :—District of Dehra Ismail Khan; very destructive to
melon and cotton crops.

I dedicate this very beautiful species, which is to be placed near
F. zeneipes, Saund., to the memory of the late and regretted Mr.
Atkinson.

[The specimens fiom which this species is described, were furnished, in June 1895, by the
Deputy Commissioner, Dehra Ismail Khan, through the Director, Land Records and Agricul-
ture, Punjab, as causing considerable damage to Cotton and Melon crops in the Lieah Tahsi
of Dehra Ismail Khan.—E., B.]

50 Indian Museum Notes. [1Vo, IV.

2, NOTE ON TWO NEW SPECIES OF GALL-APHIDS
FROM THE NORTH-WESTERN
HIMALAYAN REGION.

By G. B. BUCKTON, F.R.S.
WITH ONE PLATE—NOoO., IV.

Pemphigus napeus, vn. sp.

This homopterous insect forms smooth rounded galls on the twigs
of the Poplar tree growing at an elevation of 9,000 feet in the Ree’
of the Yasin river, near the Darkot Pass.

The galls have a shining green surface, slightly veined with
brown, and variegated with yellowish patches.

They are mostly roundish ; but some occur of irregular shapes,
about 1°10 X 0°50 inches in measurement.

When cut open, they show a single chamber tenanted by 20, or
more, insects, some of which are inthe pupal and others in the winged
form. The alate insects are of two sizes, one being about twice
the bigness of the other. A much larger female, which is blind and
apterous, may be also found.

She is the foundress of the colony, and originally produced
the first walls of the gall structure,

An aperture at the side affords an exit for the winged females
when they are matured.

The winged female may be thus described :—Body robust,
Head and thorax, both above and below, shining black. Abdomen
pale, greenish yellow, smooth, and immaculate. Antennz black,
and about the length of the abdomen. First two joints globose,
third joint ringed and about equal to the fourth and fifth taken
together, the sixth ending in a blunt nail, and equal to the fifth.
Eyes large, with the usual superimposed tubercle. Nectaries,
none. Legs black, with rather long tarsi. Upper wings ample,
with rounded tips. Veins, fine and black, with a conspicu-
ous dark stigma. The neuration approaches that of a Schi-
zoneura, inasmuch as the third vein does not meet the cubital.
Notwithstanding this peculiarity, I regard this insect as a Pem-
phigus, and nearly allied to P. spirotheca of Koch, which in Europe
also forms globular galls on the poplar (Populus nigra).

No, 2.] Original Communications. 51

The expanded winged female measures 0°36 xX o*t! inch. The
rostrum is short and equal to the width of the thorax. The
smaller-winged forms, I believe to belong to an earlier brood, as they
did not appear to be males.

Pupa entirely yellow ; size,o°15 inch. Foundress globose, shin-
ing yellow. Antenne very short, black, and obscurely five-jointed.
Rostrum stout and short. Eyes none, legs black. Size or x
~ 0°09 inches.

Pemphigus immunis, na. sp.

This insect forms rather large galls,—1°20 x 1°10 inches, on the
Aspens growing at Bunji on the road to Gilgit. Specimens
gathered at an elevation of 4,600 feet, and preserved in alcohol,
show a hard woody exterior. Sometimes they have a rough surface,
like that of a walnut shell ; whilst others show a quasi imbrication,
as seen in the figure. The interior is thrown into smooth
but deep furrows. The aperture near the apex has _ rough
corrugated edges, or lips, like the excrestences made by P. dur-
sarius of Europe. The galls made by P. zmmunzs are much
larger than those made by P. mapzus, the last described species,
and they differ in several particulars from those made by P.
bursartus.

Winged viviparous female. Head and thorax more or less shiny
piceous brown, not black. Abdomen green, mottled with yel-
low ; head rather narrow. Antennz short, black, five or obscurely
six-jointed, the third joint hardly at all ringed ; the last joint often
dilated at the tip. The wing veining is much like that of P. xap-
gus, but much paler, and the stigma faintly brown. All the upper
side of the thorax brown; but this tint is confined to a saddle
shaped dark spot on the sternal aspect. Eyes rather smail, legs
black.

The whole insect is more slender and more ovate than is seen
in P. napzeus. In the colour of the thorax and abdomen, it also
differs from P. é&urvsarius. These characters, coupled with the
different habitats, and the appearance of the gall structures, justify
a separation from either of these species.

The pup are stout, ovate, greenish yellow, with short wing-cases
and dark legs. They are numerous in the interior of the galls, Size,
0°08 X 004 inch.

| 52 Indian Museum Notes, — [Vol. IV.

3. ALEURODES EUGENI/,
A new species of Bug.

By W, M, MASKELL.

[ The specimens from which this species is described, were forwarded to the
Museum in February last, by Mr. Marshall Woodrow, from Poona, where they are
said tobe doing serious injury to Jambool trees (Eugenia jambolana). The
examples received consisted of only larvz and pupz, which, however, proved quite
sufficient for identification. Mr. Maskell notices that the adult form is likely to
be a small white fly, the wings of which will be more or less floury, and possibly

slightly spotted.—E. B. ]

Larva elliptical, yery slightly convex dorsally, flat beneath: colour
dull white ; length about 1 mm. = Inch. A faint indication of
the enclosed insect may be made out through the waxy covering, but
in this stage it is not conspicuous.

Pupa elliptical, slightly convex dorsally, flat beneath : colour of
waxy test very pale, dull yellow; the enclosed insect is dark brown,
and its outline may be made out beneath the wax; length of test
about 5 inch. Dorsally, the test is very finely striated, the striations
being most distinct near the margin, There is no marginal fringe.
On turning over the test, the rudimentary feet may be clearly seen,

No. 2.] Original Communications. 53

folded inwards, and the antennz much more faintly: and the abdo-
men tapers posteriorly to the usual vase-shaped orifice, normal of the
genus. When examined by transmitted light, there appear three
radiating patches, two from the thorax to the spiracular lateral dee
pression of the test, and one from the abdominal orifice to the poste-
rior, minute cleft in the test ; these patches are narrow and formed of
numerous small irregular cells in a lace-like pattern.

Adult form unknown as yet.

Habitat in India, on Jambool (Zugenza jambolaua), Poona.

A species differing slightly from 4.proletel/a, Linn., and A. melicytts

Maskell. The absence ofa marginal fringe and the three radiat-
ing lace-like patches are distinctive characters.

EXPLANATION of figures: —a, Pupa, ventral view ; 4, lace-work
patch ; and c, abdominal orifice,—all enlarged.

54 Indian Museum Notes. | [Vol. IV.

4. NOTE ON THE “ POTU” OR “ PIPSA ” FLY,
(Stmulium indicum, Becher,)
By LIONEL de NIC#VILLE, F.E.S., C.M.Z.S., &c.

In the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol. LIII, Part 2,
pp. 199, 200, pl. XIV (1884),is a technical description of the female
of Simulium indicum, from Assam, by Dr. Edward Becher, In the
November Proceedings of the same Society, No. X, 1884, pp. 161,
162, is a note by Prof. Dr, Brauer on the habits of the allied species
of Smuiia found in Europe. Lastly, in /ndéan Museum Notes, Vol.
III, n. 5, pp. 39—41 (1894), isa note by Mr. E.C. Cotes on the “ Poti ”
fly, as found in the Himalayas. As, however, Mr. Cotes does not give
references to the previous literature on the subject as regards the
Indian species, nor refer to the remedies against the effects of its
bite recommended by Dr. Brauer; and further, the present writer
has been able to gather some additional information as to its habits
it has been thought well to record this further Note.

The remedies advocated by Dr, Brauer are as follows :—

‘* All plans to diminish the number of these flies [in Europe] have been hitherto
without success, as they cannot be exterminated inthe [running] water [in which
the larvz develop j, or only to a limited degree. Smokeis a protection against
them, and it is produced by putting live coals into heaps of dung, leaves, hay, and
the like. Another protection against their bites is an embrocation of tobacco de-
coction or of kerosine oil. For cattle, an ointment is made in the following way,—
2 lbs. of tobacco leaves are boiled in 20 lbs. of water ; the decoction is evaporated to
the consistency of honey, then to this extract is added 1 lb.of lard and jz. of
kerosine oil. The resulting ointment is rubbed into the skin of the cattle, and has
the effect of keeping the flies off. It has to be applied especially near the opens
ings of the body, on the belly and genitals, and the application must be repeated
every third day.

“ Against the bites of the fly, and their consequences, on the recommendation of
Schénbauer, people apply fomentations of luke-warm milk, warm poultices of lin-
seed and water, fresh linseed oil or fresh butter, which diminish the smarting pains
very much and prevent swelling, ifthey are used early enough. Finally, luke=
warm softening baths are recommended ; also internally, cooling drinks, and in cons
vulsions, opiates.

“ Besides this, washing with diluted Goulard-water, vinegar, and ammonia is re-
commended. Aqua plumbic. grm. 4oo, externally. Or—

Acidi carbolici, grm. 8.
Glei olivarum, grm. 80.
On lint.
“ Moistening the wounds with alcohol, water, and vinegar.”(Proc. A. S. B., 1. c.)

There is very little doubt, I think, that the Assamese, Sikkim and

ARN aeidls halk hs dha ts

if

No, 2.] Note on the“ Potu” or “ Pipsa”’ Fly. 55

Western Himalayan Szmudia belong toone and the same species.
Mr. Vincent A- Mackinnon has been so good as to collect a large num-
ber of the perfect female flies for me, whichare now deposited in the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, and has given me the following notes on
them, based on his experiences of this pest at Mussooree, in the West-
ern Himalayas, It would be advantageous to collect specimens in
Sikkim (so far, I have not succeeded in doing this, but am still endea-
vouring to doso), and send them with the Western Himalayan
examples to Dr. Becher for specific determination.

At Mussooree it is very plentifulin the spring, but small numbers
can be found atallseasons. In the Western Himalayas it occurs at
Mussooree, Chakrata, and thence, northwards, as far as the Niti Val-
ley, near the snows. The Balti people say that it is well known in
their country (Baltistan). It is found both in forests and in open
grass-covered downs, and at all elevation, from 3,000 to 10,000 feet.
Atthe latter elevation, Mr. Mackinnon was once so badly bitten, that
he had to lay up from the effects for two days. The effects of the
bite vary greatly in different people : to some it causes but little ap-
parent inconvenience, a small black spot only being visible where the
insect has bitten; in other people it causes intense irritation, which,
when the itching places are scratched, raise large lumps beneath the
skin ; these may be some days before they disappear. Animals suf-
fer as well as men—a tame deer (Kakhur), which Mr. Mackinnon pos-
sessed, nearly died from the effects of the bites. The fly chiefly at-
tacks the ears, entering the external orificeinlarge numbers. They
also attack the region of the eye orbitsvery largely. When the
Chakrata-Saharanpur road was being constructed, numbers of the
work-people were reported as having died from the effects of the
bites, In the Western Himalayas, the fly is called Potd in Hindu-
stani, Phisniarz in Pehari, and Phzsho in Balti.

56 lndian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

NOTES ON INSECT PESTS FROM THE. ENTOMO-
LOGICAL SECTION, INDIAN MUSEUM.

BY EDWARD BARLOW.

1, TEA PESTS.
1. Thosea recia., Hampsn.

(Sub. ord. Heterocera ; Fam. Limacodidz.)

Plate V, fig. 1—a, larva and cocoon on teatwig ; b,c, moths 4 and
9 ; 1d, Ichneumonid parasite of Thosea recta, twice enlarged.

Aphendala recta, Hampson. Ill, Het., pt. 1X, p. 71, pl. 160,
fig. 3.

On the 6th May 1895, Mr. E. E. Green of Punduloya, Ceylon,
forwarded to the Indian Museum specimens of the moth and cocoon
of the species Thosea recta, Hampsn., also specimens of a Hymen-
opterous insect belonging to the family Ichneumonidz, said to be
parasitic on the caterpillars of the moth, with the information
that the caterpillars had proved a serious pest to tea plants in
Ceylon. He wrote :—‘‘ Mr. W. D. Holland, of Balaugoda, tells me
that it has completely defoliated the trees over several acres of tea
on his estate, and that the ground is quite black with their droppings.
Fortunately a species of Zachina2* preys freely upon them, and
eventually reduces their numbers. Mr. Willisford, of Blackwater.
Estate,sent me specimens,and stated that they had stripped the bushes
of everything but the youngest shoots over a field of 50 acres,”

The following particulars are taken from a note furnished by
Mr, E, E, Green :—

Larva: Colour bright yellowish green with a quadrate saddle-
shaped spot occurring on the middle of the bag; a chain of smaller
red spots on the median line in front, and two or three similar
spots behind. Oval; convex above, a marginal and two dorsal
series of conical spinous tubercles.

Cocoon, compact, oval, dull green, fixed to tea leaves or stem.

* Not a Zachina, but a species of Ichneumonid fly.—&. B.

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomovogical Section. 57

2. Xyleborus fornicatus, Eichhoff.

(Ord. Coleoptera, Fam. Scolytidz.)

Plate V, fig. 2—a, larva ; b, pupa; c,d, imagos § and 9; e,
affected tea stem.

Xyleborus forntcatus, Eichhoff. Berl, Ent. Zeitschr., p. 151 (1868).

On the 28th January 1895, specimens of a small beetle, together
with pieces of tea stems riddled by them, were sent to the Indian
Museum through Mr. E, E. Green, of Ceylon, from Mr. G, Alston,
Superintendent of Tea Estate, Craighead, Nawalapituja.

The insect proved, on examination, to belong to a species of
Scolytid beetle, which has not previously been reported to attack
tea plants in India. Specimens were therefore forwarded to Mr.
W. F. H. Blandford, who very kindly examined them and identified
them as belonging to the species Xyleborus fornicatus, Eichhoff, a
form closely allied to the often destructive species Xyleborus dispar,

of-Europe and North America.
The following is an extract from aletter furnished by Mr. G.

Alston :—

“The pest appears mostly in patches, but has spread very considerably since
I first observed it in any numbers three years ago. There is no evidence of any
previous disease in attacked trees. Most of the trees attacked show no out-
ward sign of the pest, except when almost every branch is attacked, when they
turn rather yellow and stop flushing. Young trees about two years old, before
they are topped, often snap off at the spot where the borers have made holes for
their entrance or exit. Strong vigorous trees in good soil seem to be very little
affected by it, and throw out good red wood even from badly bored stems. On
the other hand, poor plants on ridges or poor soil seem to naturally feel the effect
of it quickly, though in no case have I seen a tree killed by it. Isolated branches
die off, but new branches come out in their place. As a rule, you can only tell
an attacked tree (except in the case of young plants, when the stems snap off) on
pruning it, when the holes in the wood are very apparent. It (the beetle) does
not attack the cut surface after pruning, but makes its entrance through the bark.
In the case of young red wood it very generally goes straight down the pith ;: in
older branches I have often seen the wood riddled as if a charge of snipe-shot
had been fired into it, with only one or two minute holes in the bark for exit or
entrance. And yet inthe caseof vigorous trees, they seem to thrive notwith-
standing. Since 1893 the pest has spread very much, and become more
general, though I cannot say that I see much difference in the fields that were
attacked then.”

The writer, in the foregoing account of the pest, practicall

suggests the remedy—namely,—either not to plant in poor soil, or, if
2A

BOs: Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

the soil is poor, to improve it, and thus to strengthen the plant
against the attack—the great. object of all medical treatment
everywhere.

To prevent the spread of the disease, the affected branches
should be cut off and burnt.

3. Carteria Pecan a, Mask,

(SuB-ORDER Homoprera ; FAM. Coccipa ; Group
BRACHYSCELID 2.)

Plate V, Fig. 3—a, adult females in tests on twig; b, tests of second stage females
and males on twig ; c, tests of adult females enlarged; d, test of male enlarged ;
e, adult male enlarged; {, antenna of male enlarged.

This species is a late addition to he list of Indian insect pests,
It was sent to the Museum during the latter part of February 1895,
by Mr. J. Lancaster, Secretary, Agricultural and Horticultural
Society of India, as attacking tea and forest trees in Northern India.

Mr. W. M. Maskell, who kindly assisted in the identification of
the species, reported that the insect has been hitherto considered
as a strictly Australian form, and it was somewhat of a surprise to
him to find it also occurring in India,

The following is Mr. Maskell’s description of the species, pub-
lished.in Tran. N. Z. Inst., Vol. XXV, p. 249:—

Carterta decorella, sp. nov.—Adult female covered by a waxy
test, which, at first single and separate, becomes later on aggregated
in masses on the twig. The normal form of a test is subcircular
rather convex; the colour is yellowish-brown ; the diameter would
average about 4 in. if separated at full growth. The centre of the
dorsal portion is occupied by a small elongated narrow red or purple
lamina of wax, transversely corrugated, and evidently the
remains of the test of the early second stage: from this tothe margin
radiate a number of narrow ridges and depressions, which give a cor-
rugated appearance to the whole test ; at the posterior extremity of
the small central lamina there is a minute orifice. When detached
from the twig, the underside of the test is seen to be nearly salid,
with a small orifice in the middle, so that the insect is almost entirely
enclosed. The female insect is dark red, of the normal globular
form of the genus, prolonged posteriorly in a short sukcylindrical

i

No. 2.] Notes on tnsect pests from the Entomological Section. 59

“tail.” Antennz and feet absent. The usual large spine is pre-
sent just above the abdominal process, The lac-tubes are, as usual,
situated on the thoracic region: they are prominent, sub-cylindrical,
and bearing groups of excretory glands. The body of the insect is
very inconspicuously segmented, and on each margin of a segment
is a group of very small subcircular spinneret-orifices,

Female of the second stage, covered by a waxy test, which at
first is elliptical and very slightly convex, but later becomes sub-
circular, with a central small elongated and narrow corrugated
lamina, from which depressions radiate to the margin, These depres-
sions are comparatively more conspicuous than in the adult tests
producing a more deeply corrugated appearance. Usually the
median region is reddish or orange-coloured, the marginal corruga-
tions whitish or yellowish ; but the difference between a late second
test and an early adult are not easy to make out. These second-
stage tests average about 54 in, in diameter in the early stage. The
enclosed insect is at first elongated-elliptical, graduaily assuming
a subglobular form, colour red. I have not been able to satisfy my-
self as to the antenne, or feet; but probably both are absent.

I have not observed any larvz after emergence ; but in some adult
specimens examined there were a great number of embryonic larve ; ©
these were red, elliptical, tapering posteriorly, the abdomen ending
in two divergent and conspicuous anal tubercles, each bearing a long
seta and some short hairs, The antenne# and feet were not suffi-
ciently developed for observation.

Male pupa, covered by a test of red or yellowish red wax. The
form of the test is elongated-elliptical, convex above, the median
region moderately rough and frequently simulating the form of the
elliptical segmented enclosed pupa; the margin is corrugated as in
the case of the female. Length of the test about ,4 in. At the pos-
terior extremity there is a flat-hinged plate, on lifting up which the
adult escapes. The enclosed pupa is dark-red.

Adult male dark-red, the wings hyaline with red nervures.
Length of the body about =, in. exclusive of the spike. Antennz of
ten joints, the first two short and tubercular, the next five long and
slender but diminishing somewhat to the seventh ; the eight and ninth
shorter and thicker, the tenth aslong as the fifth, very thick and
sub-elliptical : all the joints bear several hairs. Feet long and slen-
der, but with no special character. The abdominal spike is straight
and rather long, being nearly as long as the abdomen. The ters
minal abdominal tubercles bear each two setz, from which spring
moderately long cottony “tails,”

60 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

For this pest, as also for the pest next mentioned, an emulsion of
soft soap and kerosene oil would probably be efficacious.

4. Chionaspis prunicola, Mask var. thee.
(SUB-ORDER HOMOPTERA, FAM, COCCID~.)

In May last a number of blighted tea leaves were forwarded to
the Indian Museum by Mr. J. Lancaster, Secretary, Agricultural
and Horticultural Society of India. The leaves were found to be
covered with a number of little scale insects. Mr. Lancaster did
not state the locality of the insect, but reported that it comes on or
gets worse in the dry season, and was spreading and causing great
destruction in a tea garden. The pest proved to be new to the
Indian Museum Collection, so specimens were submitted to
Mr. W. M. Maskell for examination. Who wrote—

“ {am sorry that on this occasion I cannot as yet give you a
definite identification of this insect. It very clearly belongs to the
Diaspidinz, but I am a little puzzled by its affinities. It approaches
so very Closely to Chionaspis prunicola, in almost every character,
that Iam in much doubt. The only differences are that the adult
female is more elongated than C. prunzcola, and the puparium of the
male is apparently not carinated. This latter character would,
indeed, zf certain, relegate the insect to the genus Mytzlaspis ; but
I am not quite sure about it, The elongation of the female is less
important. In the anatomical characters of the female pygidium the
two insects are almost, if not quite, identical. Under these circum-
stances, I am obliged to suspend my judgment. .

“ Although Chzon. prunicola was found in the Sandwich Islands
on a Japanese plant, that is by no means any obstacle to its being
also in India : more especially as tea is not, I believe, indigenous in
India, and grows also in Japan. I have frequently avowed a dis-
belief in the theory that a Coccid is necessarily confined to one food
plant. Therefore, there is not the least reason on such grounds why
your insect should not be identical with that from the Sandwich
Islands. Still, there are slight differences, and I will not decide
positively at present,”

Mr. Maskell, however, after a further careful examination of the
specimens, subsequently wrote that he has decided to attach the

species to Chionaspis prunicola, under the name C. prunicola,
Mask, var., thee.

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section, 6%

MISCELLANEOUS TEA PESTS.

5. [inetd caterpillay.—On the 25th of April 1894, from Messrs.
Finlay, Muir & Co., were received some specimens of a caterpillar,
said to be very desicucte to tea plants in the Mookhamcherra A ea
Estate, Sylhet.

The specimens proved to be the larvz of a still unknown (Tineid)
moth, and similar caterpillars were reported in 1891 to have dam-
aged tea bushes in Jorhat.

6. Limacodid caterpillar.—In July 1894, Messrs. Finlay, Muir
& Co. forwarded to the Museum some specimens of a caterpillar, re-
ported to be doing a considerable amount of damage to the tea
bushes at Rungamuttee Garden, in Sylhet.

The examples sent were insufficient for precise identification, but
they were larvz of a Limacodid moth.

7. Psychid caterpillar.—In August 1894, specimens of an insect,
reported to be attacking tea bushes in Assam, were forwarded to the
Museum, through the Manager, Planters’ Stores and Agency Company.

The insects proved to be the larvz of a Psychid moth, the mate-
rial being insufficient for precise identification.

To summarise : four species of moth-caterpillars, one species of
beetle and two species of scale-insects have been reported during
the year as doing extensive damage to growing tea-plants in India.

None of these are mentioned in Mr. Cotes’ “ Insects and Mites
Destructive to Tea, ’’ and must therefore be added to the list there
given.

As regards remedial measures, in the case of the caterpillars,
drawings of the parent moths and of the cocoons were forwarded to
the parties interested, in order that the pest might be searched for,
recognised and destroyed.

In the ships of the Indian Marine, it is, we hee found possible
to keep down even such nocturnal animals, as cockroaches, by setting
boys to catch them, and there seems to be no reason why the same
plan should not be successful in the case of such large tea-pests as
caterpillars, cocoons, etc,

62 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

If,—INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO CEREALS AND CROPS.
1, THE RICE HISPA. ;

Hispa cnescens, Baly.

Specimens of this common rice beetle (Chrysomelid) were re-
ceived in the Indian Museum from the undermentioned officers, as
very destructive to paddy crops during the year 1895.

(2) Through the Superintendent, Government Central Museum,
Madras, from the Collector of Malabar, who wrote in September
1895 :—

“ The insects are said to have caused damage tothe paddy crop in Ponan

Taluk. 1,280 acres of land in to Amsams are reported to have been affected, and
the loss is estimated at 20,000 paras of paddy, worth about Rs. 10,000.”

(4) Through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab,
from the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, in May 1895, who
reported :—

“Tam getting complaints of damage to growing rice by a black insect, bigger
than a bug. I am sending yousome of t hem.......””

2. Agrotis sujffusa, Fab.
INFESTING HOP PLANTS.

In July 1895, specimens of a moth inall its stages of develop-
ment, were forwarded to the Indian Museum by Captain J. L. Kaye,
Settlement Officer, Kashmir, through the Officiating Secretary to the
Government of India, Department of Revenue and Agriculture, with
the information that it had been very destructive to hop plantations
in the Kashmir State, Captain Kaye wrote :—

“ The State hop garden, which for the last two years has been in a flourishing
condition and giving good returns, has this year been devoured and destroyed by
agreen caterpillar, called here the ‘mohru,’ and although we have tried sprinkling
the plants with various solutions of sulphur, tobacco and native drugs, no means
of destroying the insect has been discovered.

‘‘ The‘ mohru’ attacked a corner of the garden last year, and the destruction
of wheat and barley, not to mention certain trees, by this insect, is nothing new.

“If rain falls soon after the caterpillars appear, slight damage only is done. The
insect falls from the hop vines, etc., directly rain commences, and is devoured by
crows and other birds.

“This spring has been an abnormally dry and hot one, and the ‘ mohru’ has con-
sequently done an unusual amount of harm,”

eT ey ae

No, 2.) Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 63

The specimens proved to bea Noctues moth, belonging to the cos-
mopolitan species, Agrotis suffusa, of Fabr., which has previously
been reported in the pages of these Notes, asvery destructive to
almost all kiads of Agricultural plants in India.

[t is interesting to find that, in favourable circumstances, insecti-
vorous birds are capable of exterminating this pest for a season, and
itis hoped that the record of this natural remedy may lead those
interested in insect pests to encourage insectivorous birds, by pro-
tecting them and their young from their natural enemies,

—=

3. Synclera multilinealis, Guen.
COTTON PEST IN BARODA.
Plate V, fig. 4, Moth.

In April 1895, some specimens of a Pyralid moth, said to be ine
juring cotton in Baroda, were forwarded to the Indian Museum by
Mr. T. H. Middleton, of Baroda College.

According to the statement furnished, the larve of the moth in-
jure cotton plants by twisting up the leaves when about to pupate,
glabrous forms of cotton being often entirely defoliated in this way,
Mr. Middleton reported that the moths were reared from a batch of
larvee that pupated between the 23rd and 27th September 1894, the
imagos appearing on the 3rd October.

The moths were identified with Synclera multilinealis of Guen, a
species hitherto unknown as a pest to Mgsiculture. Mr. Moore
describes the species thus :—

Botys multilinealis, Guen., Delt. e¢ Pyral., p. 337,
No. 380, pl. 8, fig. 11 (1854).

Ms = Walker, Cat. Lep. Het. B. M., xviii, p. 661,
(1859). |

i i Leder., Wien. Ent. Monat, vii, p. 375,
pl. 11, fig. 3 (1863).

” ” Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc., Lond., 1867, p. 96 ;

and 1877, p. 619.
Zebronia salomealis, Walk., loc. ect. xvii, ps 476 (1859); and
XXXIv, p. 1348, (1865).
. e Swinhoe, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1885, p. 879.
Botys annulrgeralis, Walker, loc. cit., xxxiv, p. 1424 (1865).

G4 s Indian Museum Notes. — [Vol. IV.

Notarcha multilinealis, Meyrick, Trans. Ent. Soc., London, 1884,
p73 i2:
Synclera multilinealts, Moore, Lep. Ceyl. ili, p. 315 (1886).
Very pale olivaceous-yellow, opalescent in some lights : fore-
wing with some olive-brown basal spots and streaks, a transverse
curved antemedial line, an irregular postmedial denticulated line,
and a submarginal denticulated line ; an oval orbicular and reinform
mark, and a mark below the cell; hindwing with two irregular discal,
and a submarginal denticulated line, a mark at end of the cell, below
which is a short streak, a marginal line and an interciliary line olive-
brown. Thorax with olive-brown spots, abdomen with paler bands,
and a penultimate black spot; palpi and legs whitish ; palpi and fore-
legs with brown bands.
Expanse -;%, to 17, inch.

4. Heliothis armigera, Hibn.

Examples, which proved to be the larve and chrysalids of the
well-known destructive Noctues moth (Heliothis armigera, Hubn.)
have been received in the Indian Museum from the undermentioned
officers, as affecting agricultural crops during the year 1895.

(2) Destructive to gram crops in Dehra Dun, forwarded in
April 1895 by Mr. W. F. Dobbie, who wrote :-—
“‘ We had beautiful gram crops here this ‘ Rabi ;’? but they have been spoilt

by caterpillars. They make a hole inthe pod, eat the gram seeds, and then come
out of the pod leaving it perfect, with the exception of the one hole. ””

(4) Damaging gram plants in Chhindwara District, forwarded by

the Settlement Officer, Chhindwara, who reported in March 1895 :—

“| forward by parcel post the chrysalids of a caterpillar commonly found in
this district on ordinary gram plants. The caterpillar is green and smooth.
bodied. A brown variety is also found. It feeds by day, and its appearance in
numbers is associated with cloudy weather. ”

(c) Reported tocause damage to paddy crops in the Malabar

District : forwarded through the Superinterdent, Government
Museum, Madras, from the Collector of Malabar, in July 1895,

Remedies for this pest were recommended in /ndian Museum
Notes, Vol. 1, pp. 50 and g7, but no reports as to the results of these
recommendations have been received.

te eatin, i Dp Ra el > wig

i

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 65

5. CUCUMBER BEETLE.

Aulacophora abdominalis, Fabr.

In April 1895, the Deputy Collector on special duty, Berhampore,
forwarded, through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture,
Bengal, specimens of an insect said to be injurious to leaves and
fruits of Cucumber vines in Berhampore.

The examples proved to be a Chrysomelid beetle (Aulacophora
abdominalis, Fabr.) which has previously been reported as destructive
to Cucumber and several other plants in India; vide Indian Museum
Notes, Vol. I, No. 2, pp. 92 and 93, pl. IV, figs. 5 a@ and J,

As regards the treatment adopted against this insect, the Deputy
Collector reported,that application with a mixture of 1 part of kerosene
oil, 1 part of sour milk and 100 parts of water, proved an effectual

-- remedy in exterminating the pest,

6. THE LOCUST.
Acridium peregrinum.

On the 24th May 1895, some specimens of the migratory locust
(Acriditum peregrinum, Olvr.) were forwarded to the Indian Museum,
by the Survey Commissioner and Director, Land Records and Agri-
culture, Bombay. According to the information furnished, the flight

_ of locusts was reported to have come onthe 3rd instant from the

Shikarpur Taluka, in the south, and settled on “ Kirir” (Copparis
aphylla) trees in the Thul Taluka of the Upper Sind Frontier, and
after three days’ stay, the swarm seemed to have moved north-
wards to the Khan of Kelat’s Territory. No injury was done to the
crops.

7. MISCELLANEOUS INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE
TO CEREALS AND CROPS.

(1) In April 1895, specimens of several kinds of insects, said tobe
destructive to agricultural crops in Berhampore, were forwarded to
the Indian Museum through the Director, Land Records and Agri-
culture, Bengal, from the Deputy Collector on special duty, Berham-
pore. The specimens comprised as follows :—

(a) Insects destructive to bean leaves (Dolichos bengalensts) con-

sisted of numerous specimens of a young caterpillarof a moth, the
material being insufficient for precise identification.

66 Indian Museum Notcs. | Vol. IV.

The Deputy Collector writes that treatment with a mixture of
1 part of kerosine oil, 1 part of sour milk and 100 parts of water had
the effect of killing the larvae and restoring the vigorous growth of
the plants.

(6) Aphial containing examples of the brinjal stalk and leaf para-
site, consisted of three different kinds of insects, vz7z.. numerous
imagines and larvae of a Coccinellid beetle, Epzlachna, sp ; five
specimens of a Cetonine beetle, Glycyphana, sp.; and a few larve of
an unknown moth. :

The Deputy Collector on special duty reported that dusting the
plants through a calico bag, with a mixture of 1 ounce of London
purple, 1. ounce of quick lime and 3 pounds of cowdung ashes,
powdered together very fine, proved an effective remedy, and the
brinjal plants that were denuded of theirleaves put forth new shoots
afterwards, and produced almost the normal quantity of fruits.

(c) Specimens of a black beetle destructive to chrysalids of the
wild mulberry silk cocoons (7 eophzlla huttenz) consisted of spe-
cimens of a Chrysomelid beetls, Chrysomela, sp.

(d) Insect known as the “Kuji fly,” reported as parasitic on the
mulberry silkworm of commerce, consisted of a single specimen of
a Dipterous insect in too poor a state of preservation for identifica-
tion,

The Deputy Collector reports as follows regarding the insect :—

“ The fifth is the “ Kuji fly ” of Maldah : a Tachinid parasite found only in
May and June in Maldah, ‘They are parasitic to the Mulberry silkworm, in
the same way as the 7rycolyga bombycis, from which they differ both in appear-
ance and in their manner of attacking silkworms. ‘he “* Kuji fly ” is smaller
than the ordinary silkworm fly, and it has an arched back (Kuji, meaning hunch-
backed). They also differ in their behaviour from the ordinary silkworm fly,
as they make a silent and a direct dash at the silkworm trays, instead of buzzing
about in the vicinity of rearing houses,and moving about openly among silk-
worms and depositing eggs upon them, asthe Zrycolyga does. Being also an
annual insect and rather rare, it is difficult to secure a large number of
specimens.”

(2) In August 1895, specimens of moths, said to be causing
serious damage to Joar, Makai, and Lucerne, on the Karachi Sewage
Farm, were forwarded to the Indian Museum from the Superins
tendent, Municipal Gardens, Karachi, through the Reporter on
Economic Products to the Government of India.

The examples proved, on examination, to consist of two species
of moths, which belong to two widely different families, namely,

if

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 67

two specimens of a Noctues moth, Leucanialoreyz,* Dup., and
eleven specimens of a Microlepidopterous moth, belonging to the
family Crambide.

(3) In May 1895, some specimens of cabbage leaf infested by
insects were forwarded by the Sub-divisional Officer, Alipur, Duars,
through the Director of Agriculture, Bengal.

The leaves arrived inthe Museum in such a bad state of pre-
servation that nothing could be made of them; they, however,

appeared to be attacked by caterpillars of some kind. The following

is an extract from a letter ficm the Sub-divisional Officer, Alipur,
Duars :—

‘“‘ Insects have proved very injurious to vegetables such as cauli-flowers, beet-
roots and cabbages. Mr. Basu, Assistant Director of Agriculture, who visited
this sub-division during the year under report, was of opinion that the use of
dung manure favoured the generation of these insects. I send you a few
specimens of the insect, and some vegetable leaves destroyed by them for your

inspection in a separate cover. Mr. Basu says that the use of bone manure will

reduce the number of the insects, very considerably, but there is strong prejudice
amongst the Hindus against the use of this kind of manure. Mr. Sunder, while
Settlement Officer of the Western Duars, tried his best to introduce bone manure,
but the people would not use it.”

(4) In September 1895, specimens, were forwarded to the
Museum, by the Director, Land Records, North-Western Provinces
and Oudh, of a species of Curculionid beetle, which has proved
injurious to Egyptian cottons crops at the Government Experimental
Farm, Cawnpore.

The specimens appeared to be new to the Museum collection, so
have been sent to Mons. Desbrochers des Logus for identification.

(5) Specimens of two kinds of insects destructive to Arhar crop
have been received from the Director, Land Records, Nerth-Western
Provinces and Oudh,in April 1896. They consisted, as follows:—

(a) Numerous larve. and chrysalids of a Microlepidopterous
moth; (b) Specimens of a Noctues caterpillar, the materials being
insufficient for precise identification. |

(6) In May 1894, specimens of insects were forwarded to the
Indian Museum through the Officiating Director, Department of
Land Records and Agriculture, Burma, from the Superintendent of
Land Records, Mandalay, with the information that they were doing

damage to agricultural crops in the Mandalay District.

* This moth has previously been referred to in Jzdian Museum Notes, Vol. 1, —
P. 51, as very destructive to paddy crops in Sambalpur, Central Provinces.—E, B.

68 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

The specimens comprised, as follows :—

(2) ‘‘ Poti-gaung," reported as destructive to sugarcane roots,
consisted of larvz of a Melolonthine beetle (cock-chaffer), the exam-
ples being insufficient for identification.

(4) Caterpillars, reported as injurious to Sessamum plants,
peas and beans, proved to be the larve of an unknown moth.

(7) In March 1895, the same officer forwarded, through the
Director, Department of Land Records and Agriculture, Burma,
specimens of a dark brown caterpillar said to be very common in
the month of January in the alluvial lands of Mandalay district, on
the banks of the Irrawaddy River. They were reported to be very
destructive, by ripping the roots and lower stems of the following
plants,—maize, tobacco, onions, chillies, peas, and beans of kinds,
coriander, brinjal, roselle and cabbages, etc.

The specimens proved to be insufficient for precise identification,
but they appeared to be the larve of a moth probably belonging to
the family Noctuidz or Leucaniidz, which mainly consist of pest to
agriculture. —

IIlL.—INSECTS INFESTING FRUIT TREES.

1. THE HOG-PLUM BEETLE.
Podontia 14.—punctata, Linn.
Plate VI, Fig. 1—a, larva; b, pupa ; c, tmago ; d, earthen pupa cell.

Linn, Syst. Nat. ed. XII, p. 599.—Fab. spec. Jus. 1, p. 117.—
Oliv. Ext. v, p. 539, 44, f. 42.—Baly., Fourn. of Ent. |, 1862,
p. 451.

In the early part of October 1895 specimens of this chrysomelid
beetle in all its stages of development were received in the Indian
Museum through Mr. C. O. Bateman, with the statement that they
were devouring the leaves of a Hog-plum tree (Spondias mangifera)
srowing in the compound of his house in Calcutta,

According to the information gathered, the beetles make their
appearance on the tree, almost every year, about the time when the
tree is in full foliage, in the months of July and August, and dis-
appear in the latter part of October, The injury done is only con-
fined tothe leaves on which they feed, anda tree that has been

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 69

badly attacked may be easily recognised by its denuded appearance,
and the total absence of the leaves.

The larva, in which stage the insect is mostly injurious, is about
three-fourths of an inch in length, and of a dirty yellowish colour.
It is soft and of a flesh-like consistency, about three times as long
as thick, with the body much wrinkled transversely. The head and
the neck is black and shining. Three pairs of legs are placed
anteriorly upon the breast, and are of the same shining black colour
with the head. It usually hides itself by covering its body with its
Own excrement, and in this state, it so exactly resembles like the
dropping of a bird that it is frequently mistaken for such, and thus
it is able to escape detection from its numerous aérial enemies.
This curious habit of covering the body with its own excrement is
no doubt a case of true ‘‘ protective resemblance.’’ The time the
larva takes to change into the pupa state is not known, but it trans-
forms, by descending into the ground in a rough earthen cell, oval in
shape and about the size of a hazel nut.

The beetle is a common and widely distributed species in the
East and equally variable, the spots are as frequently united and
form broad, dentated transverse bands of brown orblack, It measures
a little over one-half of an inch in length, is of an oblong form, and
of a yellowish-brown colour. It feigns death when alarmed or cap-
tured.

The Indian Museum possesses specimens from Calcutta,
Murshidabad, Sikkim, Shillong, and Andaman Island.

2, ORANGE SCALE INSECT.
2. Aspidiotus ficus (Riley), Comstock.

Plate VI, Fig. 2—a, scales on leaves of orange, natural size ; b, scale of
female, enlarged ; c, scale of male, enlarged ; d, young larva, enlarged; e, adult
male, enlarged.

In October 1894, Mr. Marshall Woodrow, Director of Botanical
Survey, College of Science, Poona, forwarded to the Indian Museum
specimens of orange leaves infested by scale insects, with the inform-
ation that they were seriously injuring orange and lime trees at
Kachaldara House, Khandalla.

The orange leaves proved to be attacked by a species of scale
insect (Coccid) not previously reported from India. Specimens were

70 Indian Museum Notes. { Vol. IV.

therefore submitted to Mr. W. M. Maskell, of New Zealand, who has
very kindly examined them and identified them as belonging to the
species Aspidiotus ficus (Riley), Comstock. This identification is
most interesting, as this pest is primarily American, and has not
hitherto been reported from Asia.

The following is the description of the insect as furnished be
Mr, Maskell :—

Puparium of female circular, flattish, dark-reddish brown in
colour: diameter averaging 2 mm. The pellicles are central and
lighter coloured than the rest.

Puparium of male nearly similar in form to that of the eis
but slightly elliptical: not carinated,

Adult female pale yellow or whitish in colour, of the normal peg-
top form of the genus: the abdominal region is small and tapering,
and ends in six distinct lobes, of which the two median are slightly
larger than the rest and the two outer ones slightly the smallest :
between these lobes are some broad scaly hairs with serrated ends.
There are four groups of spinnerets on the pygidium: the two
_ anterior groups have usually eight orifices, and the two posterior
groups usually four each.

Adult male, light orange-yellow: length, about 1 mm. The
thorax bears a brownish transverse band, and the abdomen ends in a
spike (sheath of the penis) which is about as long as the abdomen,

Habitat—in North America (Florida, California) on Orange and
lemon trees: in Australia on the same trees: and it will probably
extend to every country where these are grown.

The Americans call this ‘The red scale of Florida,” and it is
considered to be a dangerous enemy to citrus trees of all kinds. It
is stated by Comstock to have first come from Cuba: but it is by no
means easy to decide upon the original home of any of these pests.

The following extract taken from Mr, H. G. Hubbard’s report
on “Insects affecting Orange”’ is of great interest, as it deals with
the several stages of development of the insect. ;

“ Development of the Insect and formation of the Scale.—The
development of this insect from the egg to the adult state was
followed through five generations. I give, however, only the sub-
stance of a part of the notes taken ona single brood (the second
one observed) as that will be sufficient for our purpose. The
observations were made upon specimens which were colonized on
small orange trees in pots in ny office in Washington. ‘The rate of
the development of the insects was probably slower than would
have been the case in the open air in Florida.

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section 71

“ April 12th, 1880, specimens of orange leaves infested by this
scale were received from Mr. G, W. Holmes, Orlando, Fla. At this
date males were found both in the pupa and adult state. ' The females
also varied in size, and some of them were ovipositing. Eggs were
placed on an orange tree for special study.

“ April 13th, the eggs began to hatch.......The young larve are

quite active, but they settle soon after hatching. Some settled the
same day that they hatched.

“April 14th, it was found that the young lice, although only
twenty-four hours old, had formed scales which completely concealed
them from sight. These scales resembled in appearance the fruiting
organs of certain minute fungi. They were white, circular, convex,
with a slightly depressed ring round the central portion ; their tex-

ture was quite dense, and they were not firmly attached to either

the insects or the leaf, a slight touch being sulficient to remove them
without disturbing the larve, The larve had not changed in
appearance, and were able to move their legs and antenna,

“ April 15th, the lice had not changed perceptibly, The scales
had become higher and more rounded.

“ April 16th, the lice had contracted considerably, being now
nearly circular, at leastas broad as long; in other respects there
was no apparent change. The scales were found to vary somewhat ;
those most advanced having the central portion covered with a loose
mass of curled white threads.

- “April 17th, there was apparent no further change in the larva,
but the mass of threads covering the central part of the scale was
found in some specimens to have greatly increased in size, equalling
in height three or four times the width of the scale. This mass is
cottony in appearance, and in those specimens where it is largest is
more or less in the form of a plate twisted into a close spiral.

“ April roth, not much change was apparent inthe larva, but the
mass of cottony excretion upon some of the scales had increased
enormously ; so that in some cases it extended in acurve from the
scale to a point five times the width of the scale above the leaf and
down to the leaf.

“April 2oth, no important change was observed either in the
larvee or scales. ae

“ April 2ist, it was observed that the larve had become more or
less transparent, and marked with large irregular yellow spots near
the lateral margin of the head and thorax, and with a transverse

_

72 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

—_

row of similar spots across the base of the abdomen; the tip of the
abdomen is very faintly yellow.

“ April 22nd, no important change was noted.

“April 23rd, it was observed that the scales. appeared faintly
reddish in colour with the centre white ; the reddish colour, however,
was due in part to the body of the larva, which is now orange-red,
showing through the scale. It should be noted that in only a part
of the specimens did the cottony mass become enlarged. The
greater part of the scales remained until this date of the form, and
the cottony spirals have now disappeared, probably having been
blown away.

“ April 24th, some of the larve had become deep orange in
colour.

“April 26th, most of the scales had become deep orange in
colour with the central part white; some had at the centre a small
nipple-like protuberance; others still preserved a short tuft of a
cottony excretion. This tuft is either removed by wind or otherwise,
or it becomes compact, melted, as it were, to form the nipple-like
projection referred to above.

“ April 28th, the insects appeared as they did two days ago; the
scales had become very tough, and it was with difficulty that they
could be removed from the insect.

“ April 30th, the insects still remained apparently unchanged.
Some of the scales were only about one-half as large as others, and
still remained perfectly white; these proved to be male scales. All
the scales at this cate had an elevated ring on the disc witha
central nipple.

‘‘ May 3rd, many of the larve began to show that they were
about to molt, the form of the next stage being visible through the
skin of the insect.

“May 5th, nearly all the larve had molted; they were now
orange-yellow, with the end of the body colourless. The last abdomi-
nal segment now presents the excretory pores which are represented
in the drawing of the corresponding segment of the adult female.
The molted skin adheres to the inside of the little scale, and there-
fore cannot be seen from the outside. The scales are now pink, or
rose colored, with the centre white.

‘‘ May 14th, the insects had become a somewhat paler yellow,
with the anal segment slightly darker. Most of the scales were now
dark purple. On removing an insect a very delicate round white
plate was observed adhering to the leaf where the mouth parts were
inserted,

No. 2. ] Notes 0% insect pests from the Entomological Section. 73

“‘May 18th, the male scales were fully grown. At this stage they
were dark reddish-brown in colour, with the centre white, and the
posterior side, which is elongated, grey. At this date some of the
males had transformed to pup#; others were still in the larva
state; these larvae were covered with roundish, more or less
confluent yellow spots, leaving only the margin colourless; the end
of the body was pale orange. The newly-transformed pupe
resembled in markings the larve just described, None of the
females had yet molted the second time; their colour was deep
orange.

“May 21st, nearly all of the males had changed to pupe. It was
observed that the last larval skin is pushed backwards from under the
scale, to the edge of which it frequently adheres.

‘‘ May 24th, none of the male pupz had transformed to the adult
state, BS

“May 2oth, it was found that during the five days previous more
than one-half of the males had issued, and the remainder, though
still under the scales, were in the adult state. It was now forty-
seven days from the time the larve hatched.

“June 2nd, no males could be found; the females were about
one-half grown, and were whitish with irregular yellow spots.

‘June oth, eggs were observed within the body of a female.

“June 17th, it was found that one of the females had deposited
nine eggs, of which six had hatched. This is sixty-six days from the
hatching of the egg, and probably about twenty days after impreg-
nation of the female.

‘‘ The insect of this brood continued to oviposit until July 1st.

‘‘ Number of generations per year.—This insect, living on
orange trees in a room on the north side of a building in
Washington, passed through five generations in less than one years
the average time occupied by a single generation was a little less
than seventy days. It is probable that in the open air in Orange
County, Florida, there are at least six generations each year.

3. THE MANGO WEEVIL.

Cryptorhynchus mangifera, Fabr.

On the 18th June 1895, Surgeon Major K. R. Kirtikar forwarded

T

74 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

to the Indian Museum specimens of mango (Mangifera indica)
fruit affected by an insect from the district of Satara. He wrote:—

«A parcel I am sending to-day to your address contains six mangoes grown in
Wai (Satara District). They all come from one and the same tree. The stone
contains a peculiar insect, probably a weevil. The pulp is never seen to contain
any such insect. The points of interest are :—(1) that although there are several
other mango trees close by, the tree, from which the mangoes I send you are
obtained, is the only one of which the fruit is affected from year to year; (2) that
. Possibly the eggs of the weevil are carried with the pollen to the ovary, and it is
there that the mature insect develops as ovary develops into the drupaceous fruit.
The mango takes about six months to mature into a perfect fruit from the first
appearance of blossom. During this time the insect, it would appear, assumes
its perfect form, living, after it assumes its perfect form, on the substance of the
Cotyledons of the seed.”

The insect proved to be identical with Cvryptorhynchus
mangifera, Fabr., the common mango weevil of Bengal and Sylhet,
Accounts of it may be found in /xdian Museum Notes, Vol. |,
No. 1, pp. 45—46, pl. IV, fig. 1.

1V.--FOREST PESTS, erc.

1 Gall fly (Cynipid).--The Director, Imperial Forest School,
Dehra Dun, forwarded to the Indian Museum in July 1895, specimens
of an insect said to attack teak trees in the Malghat Forest of the
Ellichpur Division. The specimens consisted of dead chrysalids of
a minute Hymenopterous insect belonging to the family Cynzpidz
(Gall flies), the material being insufficient for identification.

The following note has been furnished by the Pandurang Narayan,
Forest Ranger :-—

«Some teak trees were observed to present a knotty appearance just below the
growing node of the leading shoots and branches in compartment No. 3 of the
Chourakund Circle. Tothis attention was drawn by the Conservator of Forests,
Hyderabad Assigned Districts, and observations were ordered tobe made. These
knotty portions when cut transversely showed that in the middle small eggs were
laid for the future insect. These eggs have been found tobe laid in four groups
along tne four-sided stem of the teak, and each group to contain from 12 to 24
eggs.

“These eggs were hatched during the beginning of July and the insect in its
larva stage bored its way out. Some ofthe borings possess the coat cast out by
the insect while undergoing the metamorphosis.”

2 Pentatomid bug.—In December 1895 the same officer sent to

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Sections. 7§

the Indian Museum specimens of an insect said to be destructive to
Babul tree (Acacia arabica) in Jerruck Forest, Sind,

The examples proved to be the immature form of a bug belonging
to the family Pentatomidz, the material being insufficient for precise
identification. The following short note is furnished by the Deputy
Conservator of Forests, Jerruck, Sind :—

‘I am sending you by post a small insect which I removed from between the
bark and wood of a Babul (Acacia arabica) tree yesterday morning. This insect
evidently does a great deal of damage to Babul, judging from its attack on the
particular tree. The bark was discoloured and it was commencing to fall off.

“Lhe larvae of the insect weave a sort of web in the interstices of the bark, and
I presume they subsequently bore into it and gradually make it drop off.”

3 Stag-beetle——In March 1895 a specimen of a large beetle was
received in the Museum from Major G. H. Leathem with the informa-
tion that it was taken at the western end of the Kashmir valley
where it is found in large numbers in dead maples, and the grub of
which is a favourite food of the brown bear.

The specimen proved to be a female of a stag-beetle, probably
belonging to the genus Dorcas; it however appears to be new to the
Museum collection.

It is interesting and suggestive to find the brown-bear thus
appearing as a friend to foresters.

INSECT INFESTING CROTON PLANTS.

Dactylopius longifilis, Comstock.

Plate V, fig. 5 female enlarged.

On the latter part of October 1894 a number of ornamental
crotons in the Museum Quadrangle were found to be badly infested
by a species of scale insect (Coccid). Several of the plants attacked
were showing signs of decay, while a few were already dead.

The “scales” were collected and carefully examined, but they
proved to be new to the Indian Museum collection, and hitherto un-
known in India. Specimens were forwarded to Mr. W. M. Maskell,
who kindly identified the species as the same as Dactylopius longifilts
of Comstock. The following is the description of the insect which
he has furnished :—

Dactylopius longifilis, Comstock, Rep. of Entomologist, United
State Department of Agriculture, 1881, p. 344.

76 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Adult female, light dull-yellow in colour, feet and antennz some-
what darker. Length 4mm.to 5mm, Form elongated, elliptical,
tapering slightly posteriorly, distinctly segmented. Margin bear-
ing at each side about seventeen cottony tassels which are rather long
at the sides and the two last on each side very long, equalling, if not
surpassing, the length of the whole body. Dorsum sparsely covered
with white meal. Antennz of eight joints; the eighth the longest,
then the third, then the second, then the fifth: the fourth, sixth and
seventh the shortest and sub-equal, Torsal digitules slender, with
very small knob, digitules of the claw short and thick. Epidermis
at margins bearing many tubercular spinnerets and some conical
spines, Anal ring with six hairs.

Larva similar in colour to the adult. Antennz of six joints, all
sub-equal except the sixth, which is as long as any three others.

Adult male light olive-brown, length about one mm. Antenne of
ten slender joints. Feet hairy. Anal lobes bearing two long sete
which carry long “ tails” of white cotton,

Habitat.—On many greenhouse and hothouse plants in North
America, principally upon Crotons and Ferns.

It has been found also out-of-doors in Australia and is evidently
a tropical or sub- tropical form.

This species is very closely allied to fhe common European (end
practically cosmopolitan nowadays) ‘‘mealy-bug’ '—Dactyloptus
adonidum (Linn.) Signoret. Indeed, the characters separating
D. adontdum from several others of the genus are only very minute
and not altogether as yet thoroughly worked out.

This coccid is noticed at full length, not because it has hitherto,
so far as is known, done any damage to agriculture, but because it
belongs to a destructive family and may possibly therefore extend

its ravages to useful plants, and because it is new to the Indian
Museum.

V.—PESTS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
TICK INFESTING FOWLS
Argas reflexus, Fabr.
Plate VI, fig. 3.

On the 14th April 1895 numerous living specimens of a tick were
forwarded to the Indian Museum by Mr. H, M., Phipson with the

No. 2.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 77

information that they were infesting fowls to the extent of killing
them, in the neighbourhood of Bombay. The ticks proved to be new
to the Indian Museum collection, so specimens were submitted to
Mr. A. D. Michzl for his examination. Mr. Michel in a letter
dated 6th May 1895 wrote:—‘‘ The ticks which you send are the
common Argas reflexus of Fabricius. I think the Argas perstcus of
Fischer of Waldheim is really the same species; if there be any dis-
tinction, probably your specimens would be considered to be 4.
derstcus, but I do not believe that there is, The species seems to
be distributed practically over all temperate and tropical countries
where the pigeons, fowls, etc., on which it lives, are present. It is
quite possible that it kills the fowls if it be numerous; the bite is
bad, particularly in hot countries ; the Persian specimens were once
supposed to be capable of killing human beings, which is probably
incorrect ; still it is quite possible that the bites inflame seriously in
great heat.”

“The Argas is a difficult thing to get rid of, as it is most tenaci-
ous of life, and it is far from easy to kill it without killing the fowl ;
probably sulphur or carbolic acid would be the best chance. Those
you sent alive were still alive and quite well when I opened them.”

VI.—REPORTS OF RESULTS OF REMEDIES, eEtc., TRIED
DURING THE YEAR.

1. TAR, CHALK, BIRD-LIME USED AGAINST ANTS,

In a letter dated 23rd September 1895, forwarded by the Officiat-
ing Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam, the Manager
of the Rajpur Estate and Trading Company reports the destruction
of lac (Coccus lacca) by ants.

The remedies tried against the ants appear to have given no good
results, were painting aring of tar or tar and oil or chalk or bird
lime round the stems of the trees to prevent them from climbing up
the tar, and tar and oil rotted the bark and killed the trees, while the
other substances did no good.

A heap of fine dry sand round the base of the tree would pro-
bably have been found useful as impeding the progress of the ants.

78 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

2. KEROSINE EMULSION AGAINST SCALE-INSECTS.

In the case of the scale-insect (Aspidiotus ficus) (see pp, 69-73)
which attacked the orange and lime trees at Kachaldara House,
Khandala, in October 1894, Mr. Marshall Woodrow in a subsequent
letter reported that the application of kerosine emulsion as a
remedial measure against the insect had proved effectual in exter-
minating the pest.

This is quite in accord with experience in other parts of the
world.

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 79

REPRINTS AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

INDIAN “FOREST FLIES,”
Hippobosca (4igyptiaca ?,) Macq.

(Reprint of a report published in The Veterinary Record, by Miss Eleanor
A. Ormerod, F. E. S., etc., in August 1895.)

On the 26th ultimo I received from Messrs. R. S. Hart, the
eminent veterinary surgeons of Calcutta, a liberal supply of ‘ Forest
flies” with the mention that they were “common in Bengal and in
other parts of India.” From details given these //7ppobosca were
shown to be very similar in habits to the kind which we have in this
country, also that although they infested dogs, it was to horses that
they were most troublesome. It was noted ‘‘some horses are driven
mad even by the presence of a single fly, and in driving along not
unfrequently start kicking most violently, kicking over the traces
and shafts, and frequently running away with the carriage,” etc.
The locality of the infestation on the horses was noted as the same
as with us, and the specimens sent me were certainly “ Forest flies,”
that is of the genus Mzppobosca, but differed from the Azppobosca
eguina, our too well known species, in being rather larger and also
in the neuration of the wings; also in the back (the thorax ento-
mologically) being very much more marked with small yellowish
patches, and the scu¢ellum (the small portion of the hinder part of
the thorax immediately above the abdomen) having a central pale
yellow marking and two side ones on a dark ground, instead of as
with the eguzua, only one central pale marking.

As the precise identification of these Forest flies was of consider-
able importance in connection with such valuable notes as those of
Messrs. Hart, I forwarded a good supply of specimens to one of the
entomologists at the Museo Czvico at Genoa, where I was aware
that there were trustworthy types of various of the exotic species
of Azppobosca, and he was good enough to compare Messrs, Hart’s
specimens for me.

These, he told me, were certainly ot of Hippobosca equina, nor
of canina, nor of bactriana, nor camelina, but they greatly resem-
bled the Hippobosca Agyptiaca, Macq, of which he was good
enough to give me a type specimen (identified by Professor Rondani
himself) for my own comparison. After the most minute and careful
examination which I have been able to make I cannot find any point
of specific difference between this type specimen and those sent
from Calcutta, They correspond quite precisely in the peculiar
neuration of the wings which differs markedly from that of the

Bo Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IVs

Hippobosca equina, and of which Professor Rondani says in his notes
on the “Muscaria Exotica A/usec Crvicd Fanuensis” (p. 15 of the
separate issue) that by this the Hzppobosca 4igyptiaca, Macq., may
be “ easily distinguished from all its congeners.’ Also there was
absolute similarity in the elaborate markings on the thorax and in
every point in which I was able to make comparison, excepting that
the Indian specimens were of rather a darker shade of colour, and
also (or consequently) the markings on the hinder legs were more
noticeable in those than in 4gyftzaca.

This matter of difference of shade of colour cannot, | think,
however, be at all considered to amount to a distinction in species.
I find varieties of tint in the numerous specimens of our Hzppobosca
eguina lately sent me, and also it is exceedingly likely that soaking,
for some weeks in preservative fluid during transmission, may have
affected the depth of the colour.

But looking at the similarity in other respects, also that the
Indian specimens have the peculiar wing neuration by which Pro-
fessor Rondani states the pyptiaca is distinguishable from “all
others” of the Hippobosca, it appears to me that we may safely
consider this kind so common in Bengal and other parts of India as
the Hippobosca Aegyptiaca, Macq., or if presently we find there is a
permanently darker shade of colouring, perhaps it may be distinc-
tively named by Dipterists as the Hippodosca Zgyptiaca, Macq., var,
Bengalensis, The species was first recorded in Egypt, but since
then has been found in Persia.

To the above it may be of interest to add that in the course of
n:y own continued investigations, I find that the large curved claw
of our Forest fiy has beneath it a saw-like edge with grooves down
the lower part of the side of the claw, so that each groove runs to
the notch between each tooth, the claws when laid side by side thus
forming a most powerful grasping instrument. This is very notice-
able when the claw is got into the right position with a good side
light, and examined as a dry object in natural condition, but in
balsam or glycerine the grooves are—to me at least—invisible,

I trust that the above may be considered of some interest.

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 81

COCCIDS PREYED UPON BY BIRDS.

BY R. NEWSTEAD, F.ES.,

Curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester.
(Reprinted from Phe Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, 2nd series, Vol. V1, 184.

To do justice to this subject, I think it only right that the entire
contents of each stomach, found to contain Coccidz, should be
given ; as it is only by such means that an adequate idea may be
obtained as to whether the birds were able to obtain other, and what
we should consider more nourishing, food. I have pleasure, therefore,
in enclosing the result of my post mortem examinations in winter
and spring of two species of birds (Parus cwruleus and Acredula
caudata) taken from my report to the Cheshire County Council on
“The Amendment of the Wild Birds Protection Act.”

The finding of Cocczde in birds’ stomachs is certainly of very
great interest and economic importance. I am not quite sure, but
believe that hitherto nothing of the kind has been recorded; if so»
the matter should be of some value,

I have records of three species of Cocezde, viz., Aspidiotus,
sonatus, Fd., Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouché, and Asterodiaspis
guercicola, Bouché; and in my MS. notes there is a record of an
immature @ Lecanium, also from the stomach of one of the Paride.

Aspidiotus zonatus may be quite as eagerly sought for as the
Asterodiaspzs, but it is a much rarer species. High Legh is the only
known habitat in Cheshire, and this locality is many miles from
where the blue tit (Parus ceruleus) had no doubt taken the insects,
These birds must have keen eyes to distinguish this species, for it is
well protected both in colour and texture. The central red-brown
speck in the scale is the only indication of its presence, and alto-
gether it may be considered the best protected of any of our British
Coccide.

Mytilaspis pomorum.—Although only four specimens of this
injurious species were found, I am fully convinced that it is readily
devoured by birds, Many times have I seen, with the aid of field-
glasses, the tree-creeper (Certhia familiaris) collecting this species
during winter and spring ; and from what I have seen of the marsh
tit (P. patustrzs) and the blue tit (P. ceruleus), they, too, are fond
of the species. One has only to examine a tree infested with this
“scale” to find, in very many instances, only the white mealy outline
of the insect on the bark, Yo get such a result the scale must be

82 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV°

removed by some agency, andI am pleased to credit it to our
feathered friends, the useful tits and the tree-creeper.

Asterodiaspis quercicola.—| firmly believe this species is eagerly
sought for by various species of tits. Here, in Cheshire, the charac-
teristic little depressions made in the twigs of the oak by this species
are to be found in thousands. Rarely is it that the Coce¢ds are found
in them. This fact, for many years, led me to suspect the birds had
taken them. It was not until 1894 that the matter was placed beyond
doubt. The May record is of the greatest interest, as at that time
there would be a good selection of bird-food. It proves, therefore,
that the species is a selected item in the dietary of two species of
birds.

Lecanium genevense.— This was one of the earliest species which
came under my investigation when first I became a student of the
Coccidz. At that time a large colony of these insects infested a
short thorn hedge, growing hard by a city foot-path leading to this
Museum, where they afforded every opportunity for investigation.
The hatching of the larve, the hibernation of the young , and the
emergence of the ¢ in May, went on without any apparent losses.
But when the females had become fat and plump, and ready to lay
their eggs, then it was that they began rapidly to disappear, until
very few remained. At first I could not account for the loss, but one
day a small flock of sparrows (Passer domesticus) were busily
engaged in the hedge-row, and as I saw them subsequently in the
same place I attributed the disappearance of the Cocctds to these
omnivorous birds. A fost mortem examination would have settled
the matter, but the birds could neither be trapped nor shot in such
a public thoroughfare.

Summary of contents of nine stomachs of blue tit and long-tailed
tit examined :— Aspidiotus zonatus, many, in February; Asterodt-
aspis quercicola, numerous, in February and May; A/ytzlaspes
pomorum, a few, in February ; larve of Diptera, many ; small moths
and larve, many ; Coleoptera, various, chiefly weevils; Cynzps, many ;
and bud-scales. These occurred in different proportions in the
various stomachs.

It is of interest also to know that many specimens of Phyllotreta
“dulata and P. nemorum were found in four stomachs of the tree-
creeper.

2

No. 2.] © Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes, 83

THE COMMON CROW OF THE UNITED STATES AS AN
ENEMY TO INSECTS.

ee of a report by W. B. Barrows and E. A. Schwarz, published in Bulle-

tin No. 6, United States, Department of Agriculture, Division of Ornithology and
Mammalogy, 1895. ]

The matter of the Crow’s utility as an insect destroyer is one of
prime importance; in fact, it is the crucial test of the bird’s value-
The material available for the decision of this question consists of
the insect contents of gog stomachs, taken at various places and
times, the great majority during the warmer half of the year.

Most of the older ornithologists recognized the fact that Crows ate
insects in considerable numbers, but ignored the fact that many
insects are beneficial ; and moreover they took no pains to determine
what proportion of the Crow’s diet consists of insects. Even at the
present time these points are very generally overlooked, and to the
best of our knowledge there is nowhere a record of the carefully
identified contents of a dozen Crow stomachs taken in summer. A
few naturalists have put on record the results of more or less
thorough examinations, but in too many cases we find only such
general statements as ‘contents consisted of seeds, berries, and in-
sects’ or possibly of ‘grain, carrion, and beetles,’ without any attempt
to determine the kind or amount of each.

Fight hundred and one out of 909 stomachs examined contained
insect remains in quantities varying from the merest trace to 100
percent. The following table shows the number of Crows’ stomachs
collected during each month, the numbers which contained insect
remains, and the average percentage of such remains for the whole
number of stomachs in each month :—

Table showing average percentages of insect material contained in
909 Crow stomachs, arranged by months.

u enta
MonrTH. Number Numbe Percentage

be containing of insect

examined. insects. contents.

pana y 5 aia Mies : : : 53 21 252

ebruary - 5 - ° ° to

March F f ; : ; a 16 2 3
April . 3 é é “ A 42 36 49°2
May . : : ; : 6 : 364 357 47°1
June e e e e e 1 65 157 4 oO
July ") e e e ® a ° 45 42 26 5
August : : ; 24 24 356
September , E ‘ ; cao b 44 go 24°6
October , 5 i at lin : 40 42 160°7
November . 3 : é 18 17 25°8
December , 0 i ‘ ‘ : 59 39 47

84 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

It appears from this table that the average quantity of insect
material in these gcg stomachs was almost 24 per cent. A moment’s
examination of the table shows, however, that the number of stomachs
examined in different months is very unequal, and also that the per-
centage varies widely according to season. The average percentage
represents the proportion of insects to the whole stomach contents,
but from 7 to 10 per cent. of the stomach contents is sand or gravel.
Throwing out this mineral element, it appears that on the average,
26°17 per cent. of the Crow’s food for the year is made up of insects.
Inthe same way it is found that even in January, whenthe smallest
proportion is eaten, insects form almost 3 per cent (2°71) of the food,
while the maximum is reached in April with almost 53 per cent.
(52°75). In May, insects constitute about 49 per cent. (48°97) of the
food, and in June about 413 per cent.

During the months of May and June 529 stomachs were collected,
insects formed 46°7 per cent. of all food in these stomachs. Since
these two months cover the larger part of the time when Crows are
rearing young, this large proportion of insect food perhaps is not
surprising, especially as 396 stomachs were those of young Crows
taken from the nest. The insect food in the stomachs of these nest-
lings averaged 49°6 per cent., while the average amount in the
stomachs of 120 adult Crows taken during May and June was only
36°4 per cent. This shows conclusively that young Crows while in
the nest eat more insects than the adults, the difference in this case
amounting to more than 13 per cent. of the entire fcod; or to put the
matter in another form, nestling Crows eat at least one-third more
insects than the adults. It is of great importance, however, that the
character of this insect food be carefully determined, so that we may
know positively whether its consumption is or is not of benefit to the
agriculturist. Fortunately, this has been done. After the prelimi-
nary examination of the contents of each stomach and the determi-
nation of the percentages of the several kinds of food contained the
insect material was reterred to Professor C, V. Riley, then Chief of
the Division of Entomology, under whose direction it was thoroughly
studied by Mr. E, A. Schwarz. The following reports contain the
results of this examination :—

Report on the tnsect food of the crow. By E. A. Schwarz, Assistant,
Division of Entomology.
The examination of the contents of about 600 stomachs of Crows!

1 The insect contents of 801 Crow stomachs were submitted to Professor Riley for
examination, but in several cases where many stomachs were collected on the same day and
at the same place, under precisely similar circumstances, it was not thought necessary that all
should be examined critically. In such cases half or more were thoroughly examined and the
results tabulated, while the remainder were passed over with a simple inspection.—W. B. B.

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 85

submitted by Dr, C. Hart Merriam to the Division of Entomology,
was intrusted to me by Dr. C. V. Riley, then United States Entomo-
logist. Owing to the large bulk represented by the majority of the
stomach contents, and more especially to the comminuted condition
of the insect remains, the work of examining and determining was
much more tedious and progressed much slower than was anticipated.
In the often-times difficult determination of minute fragments
I have been greatly assisted by the other members of the Division of
Entomology, and more especially by Messrs. William H. Ashmead
and Theo, Pergande.

A detailed list of the contents of each stomach has been prepared,
enumerating systematically the various species of insects found and
giving the number of specimens, This list forms the basis of the
following generalizations regarding the food habits of Corvus ameri-
canus so far as the insects are concerned :—

1. The insect food of Crows is almost exclusively composed of
terrestrial species, z.e., such as are found on the surface of the
2round, or hide during the day time at the base of plants or under
the various objects lying on the surface, or such as live in the dung
of domestic animals, in decaying vegetable and animal matter, or
underground.

There is not the slightest indication that Crows catch any insects
while on the wing, and the almost complete absence of the numerous
arboreal insects of all orders, z.e., such insects as are to be found on
or which live on the trunks, limbs, or leaves of trees and shrubs, indi-
cates that the birds when setting or resting on trees do not pick up
insects,

The almost constant presence of coprophagous insects in the
stomachs indicates that Crows preferably frequent dry pasture lands,
dry meadows, or-very open woods, where cattle or horses are graz-
ing. In many instances the presence of certain species of Chlenius,
water beetles, or an occasional aquatic Hemipter or a Gryllotalpa,
or Corydalus, etc., shows that the birds frequent the margins of ponds
or streams, while in a number of other instances the presence of the
larvee of Lachnosterna, Elateride, etc., proves that the Crows have
followed the plough of the farmer. Many of the terrestrial insects
eaten by Crows abound during the warmer season in cultivated fields
more especially in corn and clover fields, and have no doubt been
picked up by the birds in such localities.

2. The insect food of the Crow consists only of large or medium-
ized insects ; small species are only rarely, if ever, picked up. The
smallest insects found are certain species of Aphodius. Ants form

86 Indian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV.

a marked exception to this rule, as small, or very small, species are
frequently found in many stomachs.

3. The Crow appears to prefer insects with a hard covering to the
more soft-bodied ones. Thus the number of the hard imagos of
Carabide, Elateride, Scarabzidez, Curculionidae, and Acridiide
enormously exceeds that of the Coleopterous, Lepidopterous, and
Dipterous larve found in the stomachs, and no soft-bodied imagos
(a few Diptera excepted) seem to be eaten, In many instances,
however, this peculiarity may be explained by the fact that the
Jarve, as a rule, live in more hidden situations and are more diffi-
cult to find than the imagos. But Crows derive a great deal of their
food from the insects living in dung heaps and dead animals where
Dipterous and other larve abound ; still these are but rarely met with
in the stomachs. A marked exception to this rule is the frequent
occurrence of spiders, and more especially species of the family
Lycoside, or ground spiders.

4. It would seem that Crows have a predilection for insects pos-
sessing a pungent or otherwise strong taste or odour. This is exem-
plified by the prevalence of Carabide (among them the often recurring
genus Ch/znius possessing a peculiar odour), coprophiious or necro-
phagous Coleoptera (Silphide, Histeride and Scarabzide Laparos-
ticti), ants, and more especially by the almost constant occurrence
of certain species of the Heteropterous family, Pentatomidz.

5. Finally, as a peculiarity of very little importance, may be men-
tioned the fact that insects of a bright, and more specially golden,
colour are apparently very attractive to Crows and are eagerly picked
up by them. Thus Calosoma calidum, with its bright golden elytral
spots, is met with ina large number of stomachs from various loca-
lities.1 Very often only little elytral fragments of this species are
found which would seem to indicate that the birds even pick up the
elytra of dead beetles. Another striking illustration is furnished by
the frequent occurrence of Euphoria fulgida, with its peculiar
golden-green colour. Other examples are the Cicindelide, Pferssti-
chus sayt, Geotrypes splendidus, Phaneus carnifex, and others.

If we now proceed to a consideration of the insects eaten by the
Crow it is at once evident that a mere list of them, comprising as it
does several hundred species, is only bewildering and misleading.
If all the numerous species which occur only once or at best in a

1 No traces of our common and bright-colored Calosoma scrutator and C. wilcoxi have
been found in the storrachs, but this is easily explained from the habits of these species which
live in the woods and are more or less arboreal, whereas C, calidwm is strictly terrestrial
and frequents pastures and fields.

No. 2.] © Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 87

small number of stomachs and in limited numbers are eliminated, and
only those species are taken into consideration which occur in a
large number of stomachs, and most of which are represented by a
very large number of specimens; finally, if we divide the latter
Class of insects into several convenient groups, each defined by
similarity in food habits, we arrive at a certain number of clearly
established and characteristic features in the food habits of the
American Crow. The writer confidently asserts that, while an exa-
mination of several hundred additional stomachs would no doubt
greatly increase the list of insects eaten by Crows, it would not alter,
in the least, nor materially add to, the characteristic features now
arrived at,

It is possible that in the extreme Southern States, as well as in
the Far West, some other features in the food of the Crow would
appear besides those enumerated below; for only a single stomach
from Florida and one from Oregon were among those submitted for!
examination. There were also only a few stomachs from Kansas
' and Nebraska. Since all the other stomachs were collected at
various places in the region extending from Virginia to Maine, and
west to Iowa and Wisconsin, we should expect that the difference in
the faunal regions would produce a corresponding difference in the
food supply of the Crow. But these differences are of slight im-
portance, and with a single exception the main features of the food
of this bird remain wonderfully uniform throughout this whole
region.

The following groups of insects represeating the principal food
supply of the Crow are arranged according to their relative im-
portance, but this sequence might undergo some changes if
an equal number of stomachs from all parts of the country were
available for examination. Of the stomachs submitted, those from
Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland greatly outnum-
ber those from all other localities combined :—

1. Grasshoppers (Acridiidz).—During the months of May and
June, z.e., during the May beetle (Lachnosterna) season, grass-
hoppers, mostly of the genus Ye¢ézx, occur in the vast majority of
stomachs, but with few exceptions in moderate numbers only. With
the disappearance of the May beetles (towards the end of June)
specimens of the typical locusts (grasshoppers—Melanoplus and
allied genera) increase in number, until in the month of August, and

1 Since this was written 21 additional stomachs from Kansas have been examined by
Mr. Schwarz, but without essentially modifying his conclusions.—W. B. B.

88 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

throughout the fall they constitute by far the greatest part of the
insect food, often occurriag in astonishing numbers, and often forming
the only insect food. Grasshoppers are also largely picked up in
winter, evidently on warm days and when there is no snow on the
ground, :

2. Dung-beetles.—Under this heading the following Coleoptera
are comprised: Species of Sz/pha and Aister, the Scarabzid,
genera Copris onthophagus, Aphodius, and allied genera,
Certain species of Staphylinus are also included here, which,
although insectivorus, confine their operations to the droppings
of domestic animals. Dung-inhabiting dipterous larve or their
pupz were, however, met with in only a few stomachs, and the
same may ke said of the larve of dung-beetles. A larger or
smaller number of these dung-beetles, and more especially of
the scarabeid genera just mentioned, or at least single speci-
mens thereof, occur in most of the stomachs from all localities
and throughout the whole year, and in many instances com-
prise the greater bulk of the insect food.

3. Ground-beetles (Carabidz),—These occur likewise in the vast
majority of stomachs from all localities and throughout the year,
and the list of the species thus found is a very extended one. The
genera most frequently present are: Calosoma, Carabus, Chlenius,
Pterostichus, Harpalus, and Anisodactylus. It will be noted, how-
ever, that none of the species are ever represented by any consider-
able number of specimens in a single stomach. Thus the bulk
represented by the Carabidz is much inferior to that of the grass-
hoppers and May beetles, and probably also smaller than that of the
dung-beetles. Carabidous larve were found only in two or three
isolated instances.

4. May beetles (Lachnosterna).—During a short period of the
year, commencing, in the latitude of Washington, D.C., at the end
of April, and in Maine and Michigan about a fortnight later, and
extending towards the end of June, these beetles furnish, as regards
bulk, number of specimens, and frequency of occurrence, the prin-
cipal insect food of the Crow. In fact, there are only a few stomachs
during this season that do not contain traces of Lachnosternas,
while frequently large numbers of specimens are found in a single
stomach, and this eften to the exclusion of other insect food. This
habit prevails througnout the whole region,! and would occupy the

1 Even the single stomach from Kansas, collected in May (No. 15249), contains nothing
except a number of Lachnosternas.

fi

No. 2.] | Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 89

foremost rank in this enumeration, but for the fact that it is restricted
to two months of the year.

The fact that the Lachnosterna season coincides with the breed-
ing period of the Crow deserves to be emphasized, and the prin-
cipal, but by no means exclusive, insect food of the nestlings may
thus be said to consist of these Lachnosternas,

Lachnosternas are above ground only at night, when they feed
on the foliage of trees and shrubs ; they hide during the day under
ground, In determining the economic status of the Crow as an
insectivorous bird it would seem to be of some importance to ascer-
tain how and where the birds find these beetles. It may be that
only those are eaten which during their nocturnal flight had been
half eaten by bats and other nocturnal enemies of Lachnosterna or
which had been otherwise disabled; or it may be that only those
specimens are eaten which have fallen into lakes or streams during
the night and which are then washed ashore in a drowned or half-
drowned condition ; finally, it may be that the Crows are able to
discover and to dig out the beetles during the day from their sub-
terranean ‘retreats. No direct observations on these points seem
to have been made, but I have no hesitation in accepting the latter
alternative, for the reason that it is an undeniable fact that the
Crows find an enormous number of other insects that hide during the
day under sticks, clods of earth, and other objects (é.g., many of
the Carabidz), or in the ground at the base of plants (eg., the
Curculionide presently to be mentioned). Many of the coprophagous
insects, and more especially the genera Copris and Geotrypes, are
evidently dug out from their holes beneath cattle and horse dungs.
This, of course, does not entirely exclude the other alternatives, and
in fact, the often recurring presence of small ants in the stomachs
seems to indicate that the Crows also pick up dead or wounded Lach -
nosternas which are frequently covered with ants.

Larvz of Lachnosterna (white grubs) were, contrary to expecta-
tion, met with in a comparatively small number of stomachs (about
20 in all, including a few where determination is doubtful), all of
which were collected in the District of Columbia and adjacent parts
of Maryland during the months of April and May. Ifa larger num-
ber of stomachs from other localities could have been examined, it is
possible that white grubs would play a more important réle in the
food habits of the Crow. The absence of Lachnosterna larve in alj
stomachs collected during the fall ploughing season is easily ex-
plained by the great abundance of grosshoppers at this season.
The few Scarabzeid larvze found in stomachs collected in the fall
all belong to coprophagous species. )

go Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

5. Ground spider (Lycosidz),—The only soft-bodied insects that
occur ina very large number of stomachs from all localities and
throughout the warmer seasons are various species of Lycosid
spiders, which are so commonly met with on the ground in pastures
and near water. The larger female specimens, carrying their egg
sacs, appear more especially to form an attractive morsel to the
Crows. The spiders are often represented in considerable numbers
in the stomachs, occasionally forming the greater bulk of the insect
food. Spiders of other families were but rarely met with in the
stomachs, and never in large numbers,

6. Weevils (Rhynchophora).—Two species of weevils, Epiczrus
imbricatus and Phytonomus punctatus both often referred to in
Economic Entomology, occur abundantly in a large number of
stomachs. They would play a very prominent réle in the food
supply of the Crow, but for the fact that this habit is locally restricted
on account of the distribution of the two species. Epicerus tmbri=
catus does not extend into the Northern and North-Western States,
and the clover weevil (Phytonomus punctatus) is a comparatively
recent importation from Europe, occurring from New York to Virginia
and gradually spreading into the North-Western States.' Both species
are terrestrial during the day and hide in the ground at the base of
plants. Other weevils possessing similar habits are not infrequently
found in the stomachs, more especially various species of Spheno-
phorus (bill bugs of economic importance), and in less numbers
Tanymecus confertus, species of Sitones, Macrops, etc. Various
other non-terrestrial weevils occur only occasionally, the most abund-
ant among them being Lixus concavus.

7. Cutworms (larve of Noctuidz).—Considering the enormous
number of cutworms that occur, especially in the spring and the
earlier part of summer, in pastures, dry meadows, and open fields,
and considering further that cutworms hide during the day at the
base of plants, under leaves, sticks, clods of soil, etc., in short, in
just such places as are preferably investigated by Crows in search of
food, it is remarkable that they do not constitute the largest portion
of the insect food. Even if we include all other Lepidopterous
larve and pupz found in the stomachs, this food does not by any
means rank among the most prominent features. The only explana-
zion of this fact that occurs to me has been mentioned before, vzé.s
that the Crows greatly prefer insects with hard bodies. Still, the
bulk represented by the Lepidopterous food is by no means an

1 It was never noted in Michigan prior to 1892, and it is interesting to find that there is a
specimen in one of the stomachs (No, 15884) from that State, collected on May 8th, 1892,

No.2.) Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. OI

inconsiderable one, and the largest part is made up of Noctuid larve,
er cutworms, These occur in many stomachs, usually singly or in
very small numbers, rarely forming the bulk of the food in any one
stomach and never the entire food. Noctuid pupz were found only
in isolated cases. Larvee of the Pyralid, genus Crambus, which live
in silken tubes at the base of grasses, clover, etc., belong to the
family next best represented in number of specimens, and occur in
large numbers in a few stomachs. Bombycid larve, and especially
Bombycid cocoons, come next, represented usually by single speci-
mens. The rest of the Lepidopterous families are represented only
by isclated specimens. Single imagos of Lepidoptera were found
in only a few instances, and most of these are evidently specimens
which had not yet issued from the chrysalis.

8. Soldier bugs (Pentatomidz).—Although by no means repre-
senting a considerable portion of the insect food, the constantly
recurring presence of various species of soldier bugs constitutes a
characteristic feature in the food habits of the Crow. There are
many species representing various families of true bugs (Heterop-
tera) that occur commonly on or near the ground, but, with the
exception of these soldier bugs, only a few isolated specimens of a
few species were found in all the stomachs. It seems probable that
the strong odour or taste of these soldier bugs is the reason why
they are so eagerly sought by Crows. The condition in which the
specimens are found in the stomachs is also peculiar; for while the
Crows generally have the habit of crushing and breaking into frag-
ments all the hard insects they éat, these soldier bugs are almost
always broken up in extremely minute particles which in the well
filled stomachs are often liable to be overlooked. Owing to the
condition the exact determination of the species, as well as the
determination of the number of specimens, is impossible in most
cases.—The soldier bugs thus found belong to Podisus, Euschistul,
and allied genera.

g. Ants (Formicide).—As in the case of the soldier bugs, ants
form only a small proportion of the bulk of the insect food, but
their frequent occurrence in the stomachs suggests the explanation
that they are relished by the Crows on account of their peculiar acid
taste. Quite a number of species of various genera are represented,
the largest species, Campanotus pennsylvanicus and various species
of Formica, being most frequent. The presence of very small
species of ants is, in many instances, probably due to accident, as
has been mentioned on page 85,

The following enumeration of insects, arranged according to

92 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

orders, comprises those which occurred only in a moderately large
number of stomachs and usually only as single specimens, or only

in a few stomachs in large numbers. Some of the insects of this

class have already been mentioned.

Click beetles (Elateridz).—A tolerably large number of species
were found, but none of them represented by any considerable
number of specimens. The most abundant of these species are
Limonius plebejus, Corymbites cylindriformts, Agriotes mancus
Elaterid larve (wire-worms) were found only in a few isolated
instances.

Lamellicorn beetles: (Lucanid beetles (Lucanus, Passalus) oc-
cur occasionally, while various species of the Scarabzeid genera,
Serica, Hoplia, Anomala, Aphonus, Euphoria, and others, form
in the aggregate a not inconspicuous portion of the insect food.
The prevalence of Euphoria fulgida, or at least of little fragments
thereof, in quite a number of stomachs has been already alluded to.

Tenebrionidz.—Some specimens of the genus L£ieodes, found in
the few stomachs from Nebraska and Kansas, lead to the supposition
that if a larger number of stomachs from that region could be
examined, specimens of this and allied genera would be found well
represented. These beetles so characteristic to the fauna of the
arid region of the West, fulfill most of the requirements of insect
food preferred by the Crows; they are terrestrial, large, hard, and
possess a strong, offensive odour.

Ants, Bees and Wasps ( Hymenoptera). —Besides Formicids only
a very moderate number of species and specimens were found, most
of them belonging to the fossorial families, Crabonidze and Eumenidze
(genus Odynerus). Quite a number of Polzstes also occur in various
stomachs. :

Fites (Diptera).—The whole order is comparatively poorly repre-
sented, and only the following families deserve mention :—

Crane flies ( Tipulide).—These are much less frequently found
than one would expect from their great abundance on meadow land.
Still, eggs, larvee, and much more rarely pupz and imagos occurred
in a moderate number of stomachs. Ina few instances eggs were
found without any trace of the imago,

March fires ( Bibionidz).—Larve of this family were found only
in a few stomachs, but in very large numbers. They live gregariously
under decaying vegetable substances.

Muscidz,—The very small number of the various larve and
puparia, all presumably belonging to Coprophagous or Necrophagous
species, found in the stomachs, is in striking contrast with their

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 93

enormous abundance in the excrement of horses, cattle, etc., or in
dead animals, Imagos of these Diptera were found only in excep-
tional instances.

Crickets (Gryllida).—Excepting the Acridiide, the whole order
of Orthoptera is very poorly represented; the only other repre-
sentatives which occur in a moderate number of stomachs are ground
crickets of the genera Gryllus and Nemodius.

The orders hitherto omitted, viz., the Homoptera and Neuroptera
(in the old sense), are so poorly represented as to deserve no special
mention. The same may be said of the order Myriapoda, of which
a few specimens of a Fulus were found.

In order to complete this picture of the food habits of the Crow,
it is important to mention briefly those families, or even single
species, of insects which are of economic importance, being either
injurious or beneficial, but which were not found in the stomachs
examined. Only such insects are mentioned here as occur on or
near the ground and of which one might expect that the Crows, at
least occasionally, would pick up specimens. Some of the orders
or families unrepresented or but poorly represented, have been
mentioned before, and are not here repeated.

Among the Coleoptera the absence of the useful ladybirds (Cocci-
nellidz ) deserves special mention (only in a single elytron of one
species has been found). Still more striking is the absence of the
large family of leaf beetles ( Chrysomelida) including the notorious
Colorado potato beetle (Doryphora 10—lineata). In fact, only
four species of Chrysomelide were found in all the stomachs (two
elytra of Parza canella, one elytron of Colaspis brunnea, and a few
specimens of the aquatic Donacia flavipes). Chrysomelid larve
are entirely absent. Finally, the soldier beetles of the genera
Chauliognathus and Telephorus in the family Lampyride are not
represented, and only two larvze of a Telephorus were found in a
single stomach.

In the Hymenoptera no injurious (Phytophagic) families are
represented, but on the other hand, the immense host of beneficial
(parasitic) species is also almost entirely absent, only a few isolated
specimens having been found. The Crow is not one of the des-
troyers of the honey-bee, for only a single bee occurred in all
stomachs,

In the Lepidoptera, which practically do not contain any beneficial
species, the absence of all cabbage worms laryve of ( Pieris rapa,
Plusta brassicz, etc.), excepting a solitary specimen, deserves

94 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

mention ; also the absence of the various Sphingid larve, and their
pupz, which infest potatoes, sweet potatoes and tobacco. The corn
worm (larva of Heliothts armigera) is here especially mentioned be-
cause it is said that the Crows pull out and injure the ears of corn
only for the purpose of getting at the corn worms. This species has
not been recognized, but it is possible that a few specimens are
among the unidentifiable Noctuid larve.

In the Diptera the most injurious species is the Hessian fly (Cec#-
domyta destructor), but the small size of the larve and pupa, as
well as their mode of occurrence, make it improbable that the Crows
ever feed upon this insect, and no trace of them were found in the
stomachs. The beneficial Diptera, v7z., larve of Syrphide, and the
family Tachinide are absent.

The complete, or almost complete, absence of the injurious
Heteroptera forms a very striking feature. In all the stomachs
examined only a single specimen of the notorious chinch bug (Blissus
leucopterus) was found, and unless we assume that this insect is too
small, no explanation is offered why the Crow does not feed exten-
sively upon the chinch bug, which possesses a strong odour and is
more or less terrestrial in its habits. Excepting the Soldier bugs
(Pentatomide), the insectivorus species of Heteroptera are hardly
represented, the Phymatide are entirely absent (no doubt on account

of their non-terrestrial mode of life), and of the Reduviide only a
few specimens of a terrestrial species were found.

In the Homoptera the stomachs submitted for examination offered
no opportunity for ascertaining whether or not the Crow feeds exten-
sively upon the periodical Cicada, but from the fact that in a small
number of stomachs pupe and imagos of another species of Cicada
were found, as well as from previous records and observations, there
can be no doubt that this insect is not refused. The more or less
injurious leaf hoppers (families Jassida, Cercopidz, Fulgoridz,
Membracidz), many species of which are frequently found, on or
at least near the ground, are not represented in the stomachs
(excepting a single larva of a Fulgorid).

The only beneficial (insectivorous) family among the Orthoptera,
vig., the Mantidz, is represented in our Fauna by only a few species,
and none have been found in the stomachs.

No specimens of white ants (Termitidz), the only injurious
family of the old order Neuroptera, occurred in the stomachs, while
of the eminently beneficial families, only a single specimen of a
mosquito hawk ( Aéschnidz) and a single specimen of a lacewing
fly ( Hemerobidz ) were found.

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 05

All the families of spiders are insectivorous, but cnly a few are
really useful to man, ¢.g., the Thomisidz and the orb-weavers
(Orbitelariz). These are almost entirely absent, and the only family
which is well represented ( Lycosidz ) has no economic importance.

No ticks ( Ixodidz ) were found in the stomachs,

The insectivorous myriapods are not represented, being probably
protected by their mode of life.

It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that among the princi.
pal insect food of the Crow there are only two classes of eminently
beneficial insects, o7z., the ground beetles (Carabidz), and the soldier
bugs (predaceous Pentatomidz). The ground spider (Lycosidz)
and the ants are, in the opinion of the writer, to be classed among
the neutral or innoxious insects, which class also includes the dung
insects, many of the Lamellicorn beetles, and a great many of the
other insects found in smaller numbers in the stomachs, All the rest
belong to the injurious insects, notably the grasshoppers, May
beetles (including some allied genera), the click beetles (Elateridz),
the weevils (Rynchophorous Coleoptera), the cutworms (in fact all
Lepidoptera ) and the crane flies ( Tipulidz).

It is evident that the percentage of the three groups of insects
forming the chief insect food of the Crow cannot be determined,
from the number of species, nor from the bulk represented by the
aggregate of each species, but must be determined by the number
of specimens. It is difficult to give exact figures on this last point
for two reasons, viz.—

(1.) While it is easy to determine the number of specimens of a
given species where there are but few in the stomach, it is often
impossible to do so where the number is great, and the specimens
are in the decomposed condition in which insects are usually found
when in such numbers. In most instances the number could only
be approximated by the number of heads or mandibles, as the remain-
der of the body has been essentially destroyed by digestion.

(2.) A large proportion of the stomachs submitted are those of
nestlings, and it follows that the mere fragment of any given insect
is counted in such a case as a specimen, while it is probable that a
single specimen may have been given in fragments or portions by
the parent to several of the nestlings, so that combined they repre
sent but one single individual. Nevertheless the difficulties do not,
in my judgment, invalidate the general conclusions arrived at,
which are, that the sum total of specimens of those insects which
are emphatically injurious to agriculture vastly outnumbers these

66 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

which may be considered beneficial, and that it also surpasses the
number of beneficial and innoxious species combined.

The facts on the whole overwhelmingly speak in favour of the
Crow, and taken alone would be at variance with the prevalent
opinion hitherto held, and yet held, regarding the economic status
of the Crow as an insectivorous bird.

How far these general conclusions may be modified by the
indirect nature of the food examined, z.e., by the habit of the Crow
of feeding upon toads and frogs and even small birds and other
insectivorous animals, I am in no position to determine, It is pro-
bable, however, that only a small proportion of the insect food of
the Crow is derived in this indirect manner, and that in so far the
conclusions as to its economic status are not to be modified.

A complete list of the insects contained in each one of the six
hundred or more stomachs critically examined would not only make
the present bulletin too bulky, but the constant repetition of names
would only mislead and bewilder the reader, if indeed any enthusiast
would care to read it all. It is better, therefore, to omit the detailed
statement of the insect remains found in each stomach and give only
the general results.

Testimony from correspondents respecting the insect food
of the Crow.

During the past ten years the Division of Ornithology has
received statements from more than a thousand observers respecting
the food habits of the Crow. So far as the insect food is concerned,
most of these statements are of little value, because from the nature
of the case it was impossible to tell what species of insects were
eaten. Aside from such sweeping and groundless assertions as
‘¢ Crows eat no insects at all’’ and ‘“Crows eat insects of all kinds”’
Scores of statements were received which were obviously incorrect,
although evidently made with perfect sincerity. On the other hand,
it is of interest to note how fully many of the more explicit statements
are confirmed by the examination of stomachs, For example, the
habit of catching grasshoppers was observed and reported by many
correspondents, and the same is true of the May beetle or June
beetle (Zachnosterna) and its larva, the white grub. The Crow’s
habit cf following the plow was noticed more than a hundred years
ago, and the principal error made by many of our correspondents
lies in the assumption that the bird devours indiscriminately all the
different insects thus exposed. Among the most common mistakes

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 97

may be mentioned the case of the Colorado potato beetle (Dory-
phera ro-lineata), upon which the Crow was reported to feed by
many observers. The fact that not a single trace of this beetle was
found in any of the gog stomachs, 500 of which were collected at
times and places favouring its capture, must be taken as proof
positive that the Crow rarely, if ever, touches the pest. The further
fact that only four species (each represented by one or two indivi-
duals) belonging to the same family as the potato beetle (Chryso-
melidz) were found in the stomachs shows clearly that insects of
this kind are thoroughly disliked by the Crow.

Following are a few examples of the voluminous testimony
received from correspondents :—

California, Sanz Bernardino.—F, Stephens: The Crow is in
the habit of following the plow, picking up cutworms, white
grubs, larve, etc., sometimes in large quantities (1885).

Canada, Ontario, London,—W. E. Saunders: Last summer
(1885) I watched a flock of probably 2,000 Crows catching grass-
hoppers.

Connecticut, East Hartford.—Willard E. Treat: Worms and
grasshoppers are destroyed by Crows; they eat large quantities of
grasshoppers and the large white grub usually found in cornfields,
especially in August 1885.

South Woodstock.—Mrs. G, L. F. Stoddard : The Crow has been
observed to feed upon cutworms and grubs that live just beneath the
surface, and are more readily exposed by the pulling up of the corn,
which the cutworms and grubs would destroy (1886).

Indiana, Brookville —A. W. Butler: The Crow feeds on the
seventeen-year cicada (1885).

Medora.—Charles Eshorn, Jr. I have noticed them every season
walking over a meadow just after the hay has been cut, catching
grasshoppers, but I have never noticed them hunting insects in a
meadow after the grass was 2 or 3 inches high, and of course from
that time until it is cut is the time that insects damage it most
(1892). =
Nebraska.—J. D. Kuster: Crows have fed extensively on locusts
this year (1885).

Iowa, Wapello, D. C. Beaman: It will feed on ail kind of grubs
and worms which are thrown out by the plow (1886).

Louisiana, Addseville—W. W. Edwards: I have not observed
them eating any insects except the larve and grubs, on which they
feed extensively in the spring on fresh-plowed ground. I am not

_ able to say what larvae they feed on (1886),

98 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Bayou Goula-—-W. C. Percy: It has been observed to eat
locusts, but I have never been able to find any other insect in its —
stomach except grubs, etc. (1885).

Maine, North Livermore.—George H. Berry: The Crow eats
grasshoppers, potato bugs, and Clistocampa larve (1886).

Massachusetts, A mherst.—Hubert L. Clark: I believe that the
Crow is largely insectivorous. It frequents marshes and open fields
in search of food in large flocks, where it destroys large quantities
of grubs, particularly those of the common June bug (Lachnosterna
fusca), grasshoppers, and locusts. It also destroys cutworms (1885).

Eust Templeton.—Charles E. Ingalls: I have seen the Crow eat
grasshoppers and have also seen it feed on a large white grub
taken from the ground in old fields (1885).

Michigan, MHudson.—A. H. Boies: I have often observed it
seeking for grubs and other larve in the spring, and know that it is
a great destroyer of such when other forage is scarce (1885).

Lickleys Corners.—A. H. Carver: I have known them to follow
the plow in the spring and pick up cutworms and the large white
grub (1886).

Thornville.—John S. Caulkins: The following statement rela-
tive to Crows eating cutworms was given me by a friend, William
B, Sutton, of Lapeer. He said he had plowed and dragged a piece
of old sod and noticed that a flock of Crows were frequenting it.
Sharing to some extent the hostility the farmers generally feel
toward the Crows on account of the damage they do to corn, he
concealed himself with his loaded shot-gun in a corner of the fence,
close to where the Crows worked, thinking to shoot a few and hang
them up as a terror to the rest. When the Crows came he distinctly
saw them turn over the sods, shake them to pieces, and eat the
cutworms that fell out, He came away without shooting, and since
then has been the professed friend of the Crow (1886).

Nebraska, London.—George A. Coleman: In May and June we
find him following the plow, seeking earthworms, insects, and mice,
His favourite food is the larve of the June bug (Lachnosterna
fusca), which he finds in great abundance (1888).

New Hampshire, Wedster.—Charles F. Goodhue: At this season
Crows are of some benefit to the farmer, as they feed mostly on
grasshoppers. To-day (August 22, 1885) a flock of nearly 100
were observed in a pasture badly infested with grasshoppers, upon
which they were evidently feeding.

if

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 99

New Jersey, Merchantville-—Edward Burrough: The Crow
ought not to be condemned for it is one of our best insectivorous birds.
It eats the June bug and the larve of any insect plowed up in the
spring, such as white grubs and cutworms (18 86).

New York, Alfred Center.—F.S. Place: Crows destroy insects.
Several specimens taken by me last spring (1886) had their
stomachs filled with insects, mostly Coleoptera.

Boonville.-—Morris M, Green: Near Boonville I have seen the
Crow feeding on grasshoppers during the summer months. Some
fields seemed to be fairly black with the birds pursuing the grass.
hoppers in every direction. One day noticing a flock of Crows
frequenting a particular field, I visited the place and found that the
roots of the grass had been completely eaten away, so that the sod
or turf could be rolled up like a rug or carpet. A farmer living in
the vicinity told me that the Crows visited the place every day to
feed upon the grubs that destroyed the turf. The grubs or larve
were about three-fourths of an inch in length; body whitish, with
some dull plumbeous underneath ; head blackish, I think these are
the kind so often found in corn hills and which do much damage to
the corn. If so, this speaks a good word for the Crow (1887).

Waverly.—S. J. Wolcott : Crows in the spring time feed largely
on cutworms, both on sod lands and after the same have been
plowed. I have known them to work on cutworms in my tobacco
field. After setting, when the worms are cutting the young plants,
the Crows are there every morning, and no doubt destroy great
numbers of them. They have been reported to eat potato bugs to
some extent, but | am not prepared to verify the statement, 1892.

North Carolina, Pzttsboro.—E. T. Adney: It eats a great many
insects, particularly grasshoppers (1885).

Ohio, Wakeman,—W. B. Hall: Crows are decidedly insectivo-
rous if domestication does not alter their habits. At different

times I have kept Crows which were taken from the rest when

nearly full fledged. They became very tame, so that I had a chance
to watch their actions and manner of feeding. I find that they are
not particular in their diet as to whether the insect is injurious or
beneficial, They feed greedily on the different species of cutworm
(Agrotis) and on the white grub (larva of Lachnosterna fusca).
When ‘plowing they will follow in the furrow and pick up every grub

or beetle in sight, and when their appetites are satisfied, they fill

their beaks with insects and hide them under sticks, leaves or stones.
Ihave often taken the pains to look up their hiding-places and
count the insects thus hidden, and I have been astonished at their

100 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

numbers, They kill predaceous beetles, but do not often eat them,
I think, on account of the peculiar odour most of them emit. For the
sake of experiment, I have taken the Crows to a board or stone
which, on being removed, exposed many black beetles (mostly
Galerita). They would pounce ona beetle, give it a pinch through
the head or thorax, drop it, and seize another with such rapidity that
but few, if any, escaped. I could not on any condition tempt their
appetites with Colorado beetles, squash bugs, cucumber bugs, or any
of the soldier bugs or lady birds (Coccinella). I had a male Crow
that would eat the cabbage caterpillar (Pzerés rapz) with evident
relish, while his mate disdained such plebian diet. They would
kill the sow bugs (Oxzscus) and species of Myriapoda, but would not
eat them.

Wauseon.—Thomas Mikesell: It feeds on cutworms, May
beetles, white grubs, chinch bugs, and eggs of grasshoppers.
These form its principal food (1885). ;

Waverly.—H. W. Overman: It isa lover of grasshoppers and
destroys great numbers of them, especially in the fall (1885),

Oregon, Dilley.—George S. Johns: It feeds extensively on grass-
hoppers and crickets (1885).

Pennsylvania, East Brook.—T. Scott Fisher: I watched a pair of
Crows follow me day after day last spring (1886) while plowing sod,
and have seen one Crow pick up 25 to 40 white grubs, cutworms,
and wireworms at one time, and then fly to the woods for an hour
or so, then back again,

Philadelphia.—]. Percy Moore; When the seventeen year
Cicada appeared this summer (1885) the Crow fed extensively on both
its pupz and imagos. The young were fed, to some extent, on the
pupz (May 30, 1885). As they had not at this time appeared
above the ground, I suppose the Crows obtained them in plowed
fields. On June 17, I noticed them feeding on the adults. I have
seen Crows feeding in plowed fields before the grain was planted
(March to, 1885), and I think they were feeding on the larve of
the June bug or other beetles which live on the ground. I have
also seen them eat large ants which live on trees and burrow into the
wood (July 1) and other species of insects which I was not able to
identify from a distance.

Vermount, A ydeville.—A, 1. Johnson: Crows catch countless
numbers of crickets and grasshoppers after the hay is cut. They
can be seen almost any time of day on the meadows catching grass
hoppers. I observed one pair of old Crows this summer, when I was
haying, that were feeding their young almost entirely on grass-

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 10!

hoppers; the old Crows would alight on the mown land within 8 or
10 rods of me, and after catching a hopper or two would fly to their
young that were on a fence and there feed them, Of all our birds,
the Crow, I think, is the most extensive feeder on grasshoppers
(1885).

West Pawlet.—Frank H. Braymer: It has been observed to
feed to a certain extent on the cankerworm, cutworm, various kinds
of grasshoppers, and small beetles. Probably the benefit derived
from the destruction of insects is considerable (1885).

Virginia, Bivdsnest.—C. R. Moore: Crows follow the plow in
the spring and eat many cutworms, and probably other insects, but
I only know positively of cutworms (1886).

Drewrys Bluff—A. R. Bellwood: During at least ten months of
the year in this part of the country large numbers congregate on the
pasture fields, meadows, and plowed land, and remain for hours
searching for larve and insects (1891).

Fork Uniton.—J. B. Underhill: As to the insect diet of the

adult I cannot testify, having never examined the gizzards, The
gizzards of two young which were taken from the nest were filled
to overflowing with grasshoppers, and each contained one or two
kernels of corn (1886).
_ Lich kun.—J. G. Paxton: The Crow has been destroyed by
poisoning until it is now nearly exterminated, and there is a notice-
able increase of insects of every kind. It eats insects more or less,
except the Colorado potato beetle (1885).

Wisconsin, Clinton.—C. N. Crotensburg: I have never known
the Crow to refuse any insect except bees, of which it is exceedingly
shy.

ON HAWKS AND OWLS AS ENEMIES TO INSECTS.

_ The Report of the Ornithologist, Dr. Hart Merriam of the
United States, Department of Agriculture, for the year 1887, contains
a most interesting and suggestive statistical account, by Dr. A. K.,
Fisher, of the Food of Owls and Hawks.

The stomachs of 1,072 of these birds were examined, and of 963
stomachs that contained food, 528, or nearly 55 per cent., contained
mice, and 255, or nearly 27 per cent., contained insects, chiefly grass-
hoppers, locusts, and beetles.

It frequently happened that from fifty to seventy of these insects
would be taken from a single stomach.

102 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. 1¥.

Certain species such as the swallow-tailed Kite, Pigeon hawk, and
Burrowing Owl were found to feed almost exclusively on insects
(locusts and grasshoppers). Others, such as the marsh hawk, red-
shouldered hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Sparrow hawk, Barn Owl and
Screech Owl were found to feed very extensively on these insects.

These data are quite sufficient to show that Owls and the smaller
Hawks, besides destroying mice, can be of great service in keeping
down certain very destructive insects, and are quite sufficient to
encourage the opinion that these birds should be specially protected
for this purpose.

It may also be added that many of the stomachs examined con-
tained reptiles, and some of them snakes, including adders.

ON THE FORMATION OF NEW COLONIES BY

Termes lucifugus.

(Reprint of a translation of report by Pérez published in the Annuals and Maga-
sine of Natural History, 6th Series, Vol. 15, No. 87, 1895, p. 283. The original

article appeared in Comptes Rendus, tome CXIX, No. 19 (Nov. 5, 1894), pp. 804— ~
806.)

Although the biology of the European and exotic Termites
has engaged the attention of numerous Zoologists, some of whom are
of the highest rank, the origin of the societies of these insects still
remains enveloped in complete obscurity. Neither de Quatrefages
nor Lespés has observed the swarms of sexual individuals which
at certain periods escape from the galleries, and to which
has been attributed the mission of founding new colonies. Fritz
Miller even goes so far as expressly to deny that they perform such
a function. He writes as follows :—“ As to the males and females of
Calotermes, | will not absolutely refuse to admit that they possess
the capability of continuing to exist by themselves and of commenc-
ing a new settlement. In the case of all species of Termes,
Eutermes, and Anoplotermes, however, with whose mode of life I am
to some extent acquainted, a wiaged pair would undertake the
foundation of a new colony with precisely the same success as a
pair of new-born children deposited upon a desert island.”

(‘ Fenatsche Zettschrift, Bd. VII, 1873, p. 458, note 1).

In spite of so absolute a denial on the part of the eminent Zoo-
logist just quoted, it is, Ithink, evident that a social species, devoid
of the faculty of disseminating itself at a distance, would be doomed

No. 2.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 103

to fatal and early disappearance. Dissemination must and does exist
in the Termites.

When a nest has furnished a swarm of winged males and females,
there are always to be found in the proximity of the colony, or even
about the orifice of exit, a few stray individuals which have lost their
wings. They go, asarule, in pairs, the one following the other
very closely. The leader is invariably a female, while her follower
isa male, When these couples are captured, they speedily perish,
unless they are kept under natural conditions, which apparently has
never been done.

My own method of proceeding is as follows:—In a large jar
containing a certain quantity of earth is placed a block of old dead
wood, it matters little whether of oak, fir, or elm. More earth is
then added, so as to surround the lower part of the wood to a height
of several centimetres. One or more pairs of Termites, which are
then placed upon the wood, quickly creep between it and the earth,
and take up their abode in some depression, either underneath or
upon the sides of the buried portion of the wood. A few drops of
water added from time to time, so as to restore the moisture which
is lost by evaporation, are sufficient to keep everything in its proper
condition. The jar should remain open, to avoid mould. The
insects, moreover, never make the slightest attempt to escape,

Under these conditions the Termites live very well. At the end
of from two to three weeks it may be seen that they have selected a
domicile between the earth and the wood, and that they have also
been feeding. Their abdomens, which were formerly flat, are now
slightly convex. They are very lively and extremely active. The
narrow space wherein they are living, closed on every side, contains
a little fine woody powder, coming from the wood the surface of
which has been attacked. Later on they have attacked it more
directly at some point or other, and have commenced to excavate in
it the commencement of a gallery.

Some pairs obtained on April 29th, in the present year, were alive
and in perfect health on July 4th. They had manifestly increased in
size, and in their swollen and distended abdomens the interseg-
mental membranes appeared as fine white borders separating the
black disks of the segments. The bulkier abdomens of certain speci-
mens Clearly distinguished them as females.

On August 30th the Termites were still thoroughly alive, but
somewhat difficult to discover, since they have penetrated deeper
into the wood, and were lodged in a globular chamber, to which
access was given by a narrow orifice in connection with the

104 Indian Museum Notes. Vol, IV.

surrounding earth. The white abdominal rings were broader, and
the black disks were entirely separated one from another.

On October 15th I found in one of my jars six sexual Termites
.assembled in the same cavity, which a slight splitting of the wood
had revealed. With them were two young workers, which had very
recently emerged, since they were of very small size, especially one
of them, whose transparent body showed no ingested matter in the
alimentary canal. At one point of the wall was attached a large egg.
As for the adults, they were still in perfect condition, but were less
active than formerly, and obstinately shunned the light. The females,
however, appeared scarcely more distended than in the month of
August, and their abdomens were still far from the monstrous pro-
portions observed in the case of the normal queens of the old nests,
This difference is easily explained by the as yet moderate develop-
ment of the ovaries, which, at the outset of their functional activity,
are capable of furnishing only a very limited number of eggs.

Be this as it may, it is already proved by this experiment that
the winged Termites issuing from the swarms are perfectly capable
of living without the assistance of workers of their own species, and
that their pairs develop into king and queen, the founders of a new
colony. Thus is to be explained the fact that the winged individuals
are always sexually immature, and have never been seen zx coild@:
they do not arrive at sexual maturity until after a somewhat lengthy
interval, the duration of which my observations enable me to fix at
five or six months.

G, I, C. Es O.—=No. 06 R, & A.—1-4°07 —W. B. G,

is
Syke,

¥
Mesto
TES

la0th

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.

ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES.

Votume IV.—No, 3.

Published by ‘Mathes of the decent ot Endia,
Pepartment of Revenue and Agriculiure,

CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA.

1899.

Price Rupee One and Annas Eight.

NOTICE.

—

The serial /ndian Museum notes, issued by the Trustees of the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, under the authority of the Government of
India, Revenue and Agricultural Department, is to take the place of
Notes on Economic Entomology, of which two numbers have appeared.
For the views expressed, the authors of the respective notes are alone
responsible.

The parts of the serial are published from time to time as mate-
rials accumulate. Communications are invited; they should be
written on one side only of the paper and addressed to—

THE EDITOR,
INDIAN MUSEUM NOTEs,
Calcutta.

Correspondence connected with Economic Entomology should be
accompanied by specimens of the insects to which reference is made.
Caterpillars, grubs, and other soft-bodied insects can be sent in
strong spirit; chrysalids and cocoons alive, and packed lightly in
leanes or grass; other insects, dried and pinned, or wrapped in soft
paper. Live insects should be sent when there is a reasonable
probability of their surviving the journey. Caterpillars, grubs, and
other immature insects can often be only approximately determined ;
they should therefore, where possible, be accompanied by specimens
of the mature insects into which they transform ; when this is not
possible, they should still be sent, as they can always be determined
approximately, and uncertainty must necessarily arise in dicussing
insects when actual reference to the specimens cannot be made.

Insects forwarded for determination should, in all cases, be
accompanied by a detailed report showing precisely in what their
economic importance is believed to consist.

CALCUTTA ;
21st October 1897.

-

, ie he, < me

© 7;

ef

CONTENTS.

—_4+_—

. PaGeE.
1 Or1GInAL CoMMUNICATIONS—
(i) Description of. two new species of Tineina from Bengal: by the
Right Honorable Lord Walsingham, M. A., F.R.S., etc. . 105

(ii) On the possible utilization of the Calcutta Green Bug as food
for Birds, etc.: by F. Finn, B. A., F. Z.S. é 5 . 108

(iii) Description of three new species of Indian Coleoptera of the
family Curculionidz : by Mons, J. Desbrochers des Loges . 111

(iv) Some comparative trials of Insecticide pumps in relation to the
treatment of Tea blights; and experiments in the treatment
of red spider: by W. J. Fleet . ° : F 5 6 LL

2. NOTES ON INSECT PESTS FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
Inpian Museum; By E. BARLOw—

(i) Tea Pests . ° 5 ° 5 . 6 : ° - 118

(ii) Insects destructive to cereals and crops . : : 6 UBL
(iii) Insects destructive to fruit-trees . ° . . 2 3. 13
(iv) Forest Pests ; ° . ° ° e ° : 5 Heh

(v) Determination of miscellaneous insect pests . e ° © 135

(vi) Reports of results of remedies, etc., tried during the years
1895—96 e ° e ° @ ° e ° ® 136

3, REPRINTS AND MISCELLANEQUS NOTES=

(i) Description of three species of Indian Aleurodide: by
W. M. Maskell (reprint) ° ° ° . ° - 143

(1) The Bot-fly of the Indian Elephant (reprint) . ° ° e 146
(iii) Food of wood-peckers of the United States . : ; 5 aly)

EXPLANATION OF [LLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE VII—

Fic 1. CRYPTOPHLEBIA CARPOPHAGA, Wlsm. n. sp., a, larva; 4 and e¢;
moths ¢ & 2 ; d, pod of Cassia fistula with chrysalis skins
protruding from it.

» 2. EREUNETIS? SEMINIVORA, Wlsm. n. sp., a, larva; 6, chrysalis; c¢,
moth 2 ; d, pod of Cassia occidentalzs with a chrysalis skin
protruding from it.

PLATE VIII—

Fic. 1. MyLLocERUS MACULoSsUS, Desbr. de Loges, n. sp., a-and 6,
weevil dorsal and side views (enlarged); c, weevil natural size ;
d, antenna (enlarged).

3, 2 MYLLOCERUS SETULIFER, Desbr. de Loges, n. sp., a and 3, weevil
dorsal and side views (enlarged); c, weevil natural size; d,
antenna (enlarged).

» 3. LEUCOMIGUS ANTENNALIS, Faust, a and 8, weevil, dorsal and
side views; c, antenna, (all enlarged),

PLATE IX—

Fic. 1. Strawson’s “ Coronette. ”
» 2. Vermorel’s “ Torpille. ”

2 «=6-3 » Riclair, 7
» 4. Strawson’s “ Notus. ”
a OF ” “ Antipest. ””

» 6. Chiswick Co.’s Sprayer,
PLATE X—Coolie using Vermorel’s “ Eclair.”

PLATE XI—
Fig, 1. ACANTHOPSYCHE (BRACHYCYTTARUS) SUBTERALBATA, Hamps.,
a, larva-case; 6, moths.
» 2. Leptispa pygmza, Baly, a & 5b, beetle, dorsal and side views
. (enlarged).
» 3. ARHOCERUS FASCICULATUS, Degeer, a, larva; 0, pupa;c and d,
beetle, dorsal and side views,
» 4. ADORETUS CARDONI, Brensk., aand 8, beetle, dorsal and side
views ; c, antenna (enlarged),

PLATE XlI—

Fic, 1. ALEURODES BARODENSIS, Mask., a, larve, pupz,and eggs
on leaf (enlarged) ; 0, larva, dorsal view ; c, diagram of larva,
showing arrangement of pores ; d, margin of larva and pupa;
e, vasiform orifice, operculum, and lingula.

», 2. ALEURODES EUGENI#, var. aurantii, Mask., a, pupz on
leaf ; b, pupa-case, showing enclosed insect; c, diagram of
pupa-case, showing radiating patches ; d, one of the radiating
patches, enlarged ; e, margin of pupa-case ; f, vasiform orifice,
operculum, and lingula (diagram).

»» 3. ALEURODES COTESII, Mask., a, larvze and pupz on _ leaf;
b, larva, dorsal view, enlarged ; c, margin and dorsal pores of
larva ; d, pupascase, dorsal view, enlarged ; e, margin o f
pupa-case; /, pupa-case, side view; g, vasiform orifice
operculum, and lingula (diagram).

Vol. IV. J [No. 8.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

1.—DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF TINEINA
FROM BENGAL. BY THE RIGHT HON. LORD Wat-

SINGHAM, M. A., F.R.S., ETC.
PLATE No. VII.
TINEINA.

TORTRICIDA.
OLETHREUTINA.,
CRYPTOPHLEBIA, Wlsm., gen. n.

1. Type Cryptophlebia carpophaga,* W\sm.

Antenne § moderately stout, simple, about half the length of
the forewings. Palpi short, stout, projecting scarcely half their
length beyond the head, apical joint shcrt, depressed; second joint
thickly clothed above and below with closely packed scales, giving
a somewhat triangular appearance. Head thickly clothed above,
Thorax stout. Forewings about twice as long as broad, costa
scarcely convex, termen oblique, tornus rounded, dorsum some-
what abruptly angulated near the base, MNeuration 12 veins, 2
from a little beyond middle of cell; 3, 4, and 5 closely approximate
at the lower angle of cell; 7 and 8 separate enclosing the apex,
Hindwings (8) about as broad as the forewings, triangular, apex
depressed, abdominal margin shortened, very hairy, with a pouch-
like fold along vein 2 containing a thick tuft of scales on the upper
side, accompanied by some strongly curved scales on the under-
side along the margin. Veuration 8 veins, vein 2 concealed in
the tuft of scales, 3 and 4 connate (or very closely approximate),
5 closely approaching 6 at the outer margin, 6 and 7 normal, but
somewhat bent downwards at their origin, 8 free. Abdomen dense-
ly hairy above. Legs: all the tibia thickly tufted, first tarsal joints

of the hindlegs also tufted.
This genus comes into the same group as Platypeplum, Wism.

(=Platypeplus, W\sm, laps, cal.)

® The examples from which this species is described, were reared in the Indian Museum

from pods of both Cassia fistula, Linn., in Calcutta (1894), and C. occidentalis, Linn., from

Hooghly (1895). The specimens of pods were brought to the Museum by one of the
Museum Collectors, E. B.

106 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

Cryptophlebia carpophaga, W\sm., sp. n.

Antennz pale tawny. Palpz tawny, paler on their inner
sides, shaded with fuscous externally. Head tawny, shaded with
reddish fuscous above. Thorax blackish, tegule tawny tipped
with tawny fuscous. forewings tawny, with a blackish patch
extending over the whole space beneath the fold from the base to
the tornus, a slight admixture of bone-grey scales towards the latter
and with a small triangular ill-defined patch at its outer end (the
base resting on the dorsum), in the tornal region the tawny scaling
blends into bone-white: along the costa are alternate broad and
narrow oblique vinous streaks, and the apex is cut off by an out-
wardly curved, but not well-defined band of fuscous and purplish
scales extending from below the outer third of the costa to a point
somewhat below the middle of the termen; a small bone-white spot
is situated at the end of the cell, preceded and followed by a few
blackish and purplish scales; cilia dark purplish on the upper two-
thirds of the margin, bone-whitish below, with a purplish parting
streak running through them at the tornus. Exp. al. 18mm. 917 mm

Hindwings brownish fuscous; cilia greyish with an iridescent
tinge, a narrow pale parting line running along their base.
Abdomen greyish with a slight ochreous tinge, a black tuft above
the anal segments which are distinctly vinous beneath. Aiudlegs
bone-grey with the tufts on the tibiz strongly iridescent dark
purplish on the upper sides,

Type @ 2 Mus. Wlsm.

Hab, INDIA, Calcutta (1894) ; Hooghly (1895). Larvain pods of
Cassia fistula (1894) and of C. occidentalis, L. (1895). Moths
emerged 4th January 1895.

The structure of the @ is conspicuously different in the abaerise
of the tufts on the hind legs, which are, however, somewhat hairy,
and the smooth abdomen and perfectly normal neuration of the
hindwings which show but little sign of the pouch-like fold in the
neighbourhood of the abdominal margin.

The forewings are reddish—tawny, the space beneath the fold
and about the tornus sprinkled with bone-white, a small inconspi-
cuous patch of the reddish ground-colour extending to the dorsum
across the middle of the fold, and a conspicuous clearly defined
rich reddishstawny spot immediately before the tornus, far more
conspicuous than in the g, the vinous streaks along the costa are
‘scarcely noticeable, being absorbed into the more similar general

No. 3,] Original Communications, ete. 107

A

colouring of the forewings. There will probably be found to be
some variation in the ground-colour of these in both sexes.

TINEINA.
TINEID&.

Ereunetis, Meyr.
2, Ereunetis ? seminivora,* W\sm., sp. n.

Antenne (3) somewhat stout; whitish ochreous. Palpz some-
what thickly clothed above and beneath so as to appear triangular ;
dark chocolate-brown : apical joint very short, depressed, ochreous.
Head whitish ochreous above, face dark chocolate-brown. Thorax
whitish ochreous above, tegulze and a narrow band across the front
dark chocolate-brown. Forewings narrow, elongate, acuminate, some-
what widened at the middle ; dark chocolate-brown, rather shining ;
a narrow whitish ochreous dorsal line from base to apex reverting
a little around the apex at the base of the dark brown costal cilia,.
the upper edge of this line is somewhat irregular and throws up
a small dentate excrescence at two-thirds from the base; terminal
and dorsal cilia pale ochreous. Zp. al. 16mm. Aindwings
narrower than the forewings, acuminate, the base of the costa
ciliate, the dorsum evenly rounded; bronzy purplish, cilia very
pale ochreous. Addomen brownish ochreous, [/Hindlegs missing.]

Type @ Mus. Wlsm,

Hab. INDIA.—Hooghly. Larva in pods of Cassza occidentalis
Linn. (1895), moths emerged 2nd January 1895.

This appears to approach Meyrick’s Australian genus Ereunetts,
but until I have a series of specimens before me, including males,
I am unable to make a satisfactory structural examination. I have
described it for the convenience of the authorities of the Calcutta
Museum, as I understand they desire to refer to it in connection
with some economic report. Further specimens would be accept-

able.

% This species is described from specimens reared in the Museum in January 1895, from
pods of Cassia occidentalis, Linn., collected injHooghly by the Entomological Artist, Indian

Museum, E, B.

108 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Oe

ii, ON THE POSSIBLE UTILIZATION OF THE “ GREEN BUG”
OF CALCUTTA AS FOOD FOR BIRDS, ETC.

By F, Finn, B.A., F.Z.S., Deputy see gas of the
pero Museum.

Residents in Calcutta must frequently have been struck by the
often inconvenient abundance of a small Homopterous insect of the
Jassid family in the early part of the “cold weather.” These
“ oreen bugs,” about the size of a very full-fed mosquito, fly in
swarms round lamps, and are found often in large quantities, dead
beneath these in the morning.

It struck me some time ago that these insects, so easily obtain-
able in bulk, could very well be utilized as food for various cage-
birds needing constantly or occasionally an insect diet, now supplied
by fanciers in the form of the so-called “ ant’s eggs” (in reality
ant’s cocoons) of the trade.

Having procured in 1895 (I think) a small quantity I let them
dry, and offered them as food to various more or less insectivorous
birds at the Zoological Gardens here, and found that they were
taken very well. Last year Mr. Barlow, of the Museum staff,
kindly had a larger quantity collected for me, with which I again
experimented both with birds of my own and with those at the
Zoological Gardens, and again with encouraging results.

I also forwarded samples of a pound each to two well-known
English amateurs of cage-birds, Dr. A. G, Butler of the British
Museum, and Mr. Reginald Phillips; and also to the Superin-
tendent of the London Zoological Gardens and to Spratt’s Patent
Company.

From the two latter I have received as yet no reply, but some
time ago I received very courteous answers from the two amateurs
above named.

Dr. Butler says :—“I have tested the insects as food for birds and
find that they are eaten greedily, both dry and mixed with soft
food, not only by insectivorous birds, but also by such almost strict-
ly granivorous birds as canaries.

We have for years past had an European representative of
the Fasstde sold in the bird-market as food under the name. of

‘dried flies!’ It is a much larger species than yours, being
equal in size to our British ‘Frog hoppers’ and is doubtless
Eurcpean. The Indian species, howaver, evidently attracts birds

by its bright green colouring, whereas the so-called ‘dried flies’
are whity-brown like ant’s cocoons,

\

No. 3.] Original Communications, etc. 709

eee

If the Indian insect could be imported in such quantities and
at such a rate that it could be sold in the market at from ts. to
Is. 6a. a pound, it would bea great boon to aviculturists; for at
some seasons ant’s cocoons are almost unprocurable whilst they
are often dear. (I am now paying Is. 9d. per pound for them.)

The Indian insect has one great advantage over ant’s cocoons in
that there is little rubbish intermingled with the mass; it is all
edible.”

The reply sent by Mr, Phillips is not quite so favourable in
character. He says:—“ At present I have but few insectivorous
birds, and these mostly of a large size, the smallest being a
Nightingale,

The ant’s cocoons I have always given to the birds mixed with
other insectivorous food ; since the receipt of your dried insect,
l have substituted the latter for the ant’s cocoons, and occasionally
supplied it more plentifully to the Nightingale. All my insecti-
vorous birds were in perfect health at the commencement of the
change, and remain so now, so there is not anything to be proved
on that score.

The Nightingale at first ate your dried insect rather freely, but
seemed to tire of it after a while, and the quantity supplied to him
had to be considerably reduced ; now he gets on with it very well.

Personally, before I used the food regularly for my birds jn
lieu of ant’s cocoons, I should require to know something more
about it:—What insect is it? How has it keen prepared ? On what
food did it feed or what are its habits, to give it the present
green colour? , . .« +» A few kinds of dried flies have been
brought into the English market from time to time ; some have been
condemned, some ignored, only one or two taken up, but by so few
aviculturists that it can hardly pay to import them; soI fear your
chances of success are not encouraging.

Ant’s cocoons are the fashion ; some of the samples imported gre
very bad; and the good are offered at an exorbitant price; there
may therefore perhaps be an opening here—if you can show
that your insects are as good as ant’s cocoons, and if you can
persuade the obstinate Britisher to make any change in what it has
been his custom to do.”

Taken into conjunction with the silence of the Zoological Gardens
and Messrs. Spratt, this does not seem very encouraging,

My own experiments, however, convinced me that the “screen
bug” is a really good article for feeding birds, By its use, an
insectivorous bird causes no more trouble than seed-eater, if one

110 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

gives the insects dry, as I did. Wild birds eat them, so the food is
a perfectly natural one. The insects could be collected, during their
short period of abundance each year, in any quantity with the very
smallest amount of labour. A coarse open umbrella suspended
under a lamp would catch quantities; and they will dry readily
indoors, if spread thinly and turned over frequently.

I cannot believe that the “ ant’s eggs” can be obtained and ren-
dered marketable with as little expenditure of labour as this ; and
therefore, in spite of the cost of carriage from India to Europe, I
have no doubt that the Indian bird-food could be offered at a cheaper
rate than the European, to which it is moreover superior in purity,
as remarked by Dr. Butler. In fact, if collected as I suggest,
there need be no rubbish in it at all.

Were the utility of this product to be limited to the feeding of
cage birds, the sale might be too small to justify any attempt to make
it a commercial article, though many who do not keep insectivorous
birds would be very glad of insect food for those seed-eaters, which,
like many finches, need such nourishment for rearing their young.
It might even, I should think, be used for rearing canaries,

But it is in the rearing of young game-birds, and very possibly
trout also, that the “ green bug” would, I believe, be found most
valuable. It would be a most excellent and natural food for pheasant
chicks, and I see no reason why trout fry should not take it as
readily as gold-fish do the dried ‘ants’ eggs’’,

Dried locusts have been suggested by Dr. Giinther * as food for
cage and game-birds, but these would be far more troublesome to
prepare, and I am inclined to think that for small species and young
birds, for which artificial food is most difficult to provide, the “ green
bugs’ would be better. At any rate they are worth a careful trial. ~

See Dr. Giinther’s very interesting notes in Mr. E. C. Cotes’ paper on this subject [The
Agricultural Ledger No, 2, 1893 (Entomological Series, No. 1) ], from which it appears that
there is a large opening for dried insects of some sort as food for birds.

No. 3.] Description of three spectes of Indian Coleoptera, etc. 111

lll— DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES OF INDIAN
COLEOPTERA OF THE FAMILY CURCULIONIDA.

By Mons. J. DESBROCHERS DES LOGES.
PLATE No. VIII.

1. Myllocerus macutosus, 'n, sp.

MYLLOCERUS MACULOSUS. Long. 8-9 mill.—Odlongus, viridz-
glauco-cvruleo pallide squamosus, vix distincte setulosus, antennts
tibtts tarsisque piceis. Caput subplanum, fronte sulcata, ocults
majoribus, oblongis, paulo prominults. Rostrum breviter subqua-
ratum, sulcatum profunde triangulariter apice emarginatum,
apice albo-setosum, Antennz longiores, scapo modice curvato,
funiculi articulis a2-primis longitudine sub equalibus, tllo vix
breviore, 3-7 oblongis, sublinearibus, clava fusiformt. Prothorax
brevis, bast valde constrictus, angulis posticis divaricatis, acutis,
latertbus ad tertiam anticam partim impressis, bast btsitnuatus
lobo medio reflexe, parce punctatus et albosetulosus. Elytra
thorace bast valde latiora, humeris rotundatim elevatis, in 4 paulo
in @ magis postice ampliata, minus dense punciato-striata, in-
terstitis plants, nigro tnordinatim parce maculata. Pedes sat
elongatt, femoribus acutedentatis, tarsorum articults a-primis valde
elongatis, 3° dilatato-lobato. Subtus punctis nigris setigeris

SParsus.
2, Myllocerus setulifer,* n. sp.

MYLLOCERUS SETULIFER. Long. 4-4 mill.—Od/ongus, modice
elongatus, niger, viridt-luteo sguamosus, antennis pedtbusgue testa-
ceis albo tenuissime setulosus. Caput convexum, oculis latiortbus
sub-oblongts, non prominentibus. Rostrum brevissimum, impressum,
longitudinaliter sulcatum, apice denudatum triangulariter eCmar gt-
natum. Antenne gractles, modice elongatz, scapo valde arcuato,
thoracis marginem anticam superante, funicult articulis 2-primds
valde elongatis illo longiore, sequentibus breviortbus ultimis latitudine

1 Destructive to Egyptian cotton at the Government Experimental Farm, Cawnpore.
The specimens were furnished by the Director, Land Records, North-West Provinces and
Oudh, in September 1895. (See page 67 of Vol.1V.,;No 2 of Indian Museum NEES)

2 Specimens of this minute weevil were received inthe Indian Museum in April 1896

from J. S. Gamble, Esq., Director of the Imperial Forest School, Dehra Dun, as found
devouring rose-flowers in the Forest School Garder.—E. B.

112 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol, IV.

non longioribus, clava angusta, fustformt. Prothorax brevts-
stmus, basi et apice subtruncatus, antice et postice constrictus,
medto anguste dilatatus, margine antico valde impresso, punctis
denudatis nigris. Elytra thorace basi valde lattora, quadruplo
longiora, humeris elevatis, lateribus sub-parallelis strits tenutbus,
punctates tuterstitats planis, setis orevibus reclinatis seriatts.
Pedes sat gvaciles, femortbus clavaits infuscatis spinula minuta
intus armatis, tibtis yvectis, tarsis articulo 1° 3g=z7uentibus
longitudine subzequale, 3° lobato. Subtusnigro punctatus.

Hab.—Dehra Dun, North-West Provinces.

3. Leucomigus antennalis, | Faust.

LEUCOMIGUS ANTENNALI-, Faust i. 1. Long. 13-1 mill.—O36-
longo-ovatus, mntger, cinereo-pubescens. Caput latum, oculis
depressis. Rostrum validum subrectum, tricarinatum, carina
media antice abbreviata, bast biramosa. Antenne obscure-
ferruginee, articulis a-primts obconticis, illo breviore, ceteris
subguadratim transversis, clava elliptica vix inflata. Protnorax
subtransversus & latere postice subparallus, post medium antice
attenuatus, seu constrictus, latertbus vittaluta stnuata albidaa
ornatis, angulis posticis subrectis, grosse sparsim punctatus
ac rugatus, ante apicem vage tmpressus medio obsolete carinatus,
bast bisinuatus, medio wix lobatus. Elytra basi obtuse subangu-
atim emarginata, a latere modice arcuata, postece vix distincte
callosa, apice obtusa, stris profundis tnequaliter punctata,
tuterstitits elevatis, valde inzqualibus, brunneo obsolete sinuatim
bifasctatis, postertus macula majore guttisque niveis ornata-
Pedes tomentost, tibizs intus ctliatis, tarszs elongatis, subtus
spongiosis, articulis 2-primis sublineartbus, tlle longtore, ungui-
culart longo, ciliato. Abdomen segmentibus 3-5 a latere pro-
Jundtssime foveatis.

Hab.—Palamcottah, Tinnevelly District.

1 Examples of this insect were| forwarded to the Museum in November 1895, through the
Manager, ‘‘ Indian Agriculturist,” Calcutta, from the Assistant Collector, Tinnevelly District,
a doing damage to young cotton and gram Shoots.

J

No. 3.] Some comparative Trials of Insecticide Pumps, etc. 113

—

1V---SOME COMPARATIVE TRIALS OF INSECTICIDE PUMPS!
IN RELATION TO THE TREATMENT OF TEA BLIGHT1S,
AND EXPERIMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF RED
NSPIER.»
By W. J. FLEET, F.H.A,S.

PLATES—Nos, [X and X.

The following notes were derived from observation of the practi-
cal use of insecticide sprayers on various descriptions and forms of
tea-bushes on an extensive garden, and at more than one season of
the year. The machines were all of the knapsack form, and sup-
ported on the back by means of straps. Having been brought into
working order they were placed in the hands of coolies, whose work,
however, was under constant supervision. The pumps were utilised
in the application of various descriptions of insecticides and fungi-
cides, the active principle in some being in solution and in others in
a state of suspension.

Powder Diffusers :—

I, Strawson’s ‘‘ Coronette. ’’?
2. Vermorel’s “ Torpille. ”

Liquid Sprayers :—

3. Vermorels “ Eclair. ”8

4. Strawson’s “ Notus,’’?

5: 5 “Improved Antipest. ’’?
6. Chiswick Co,’s Sprayer.*

1. STRAWSON’S “ Covonette.”—A_ well-constructed diffuser for
sulphur and powdered preparations. The bellows are placed at base
of the machine ina protected position and are worked bya side
lever. The powder meets with tiie blast from the bellows after pass-
ing from the body of the knapsack through a fine grating on which
oscillates a brush. The density of the spray can be regulated by a
feed-slide.

2. VERMOREL’S “ Torpille.’—This is very similar in principle to
the preceding and did equally good work, The bellows are placed

1 Most of the pumps in use were supplied by the Trustees of the Indian Museum for the
purpose of experiment.

2 Obtainable from Messrs. Strawson & Co., 77, Queen Victoria Street, London, F.C.
3 Sold by Messrs. Charles Clark & Co., 20, Great Saint Helen’s, Londen, E.C.

4 Can be procured through their Caleutta Agents.—The Planters’ Stores and Agency
Company, Limited, 3 Mission Row, Calcutta,

14 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

on the top of the knapsack, Three moving rods act instead of a
brush to feed the material to the grating,

3. VERMOREL'S ‘‘ Eclazr.’’—-This sprayer did excellent work,
working throughout all experiments without choking or any hitch.
Power is applied by means ofa side lever. The spray is fine, of
considerable force, and can be directed as desired by means of a
moveable nozzle.

4. STRAWSON’S “ Notus .”—This sprayer, of a useful size, is
specially suited to insecticides containing matter in suspension, as
owing to the presence of two moving blades or stirrers the liquid is
kept in a continual state of agitation. A series of nozzle caps
permit of regulating the fineness of the spray.

5. STRAWSON’S “Improved Axutipest.”—A well-constructed and
finished sprayer. Possesses the advantage that all working parts are
exterior to the knapsack containing the insecticide. A side lever
works an air-pump, Two tubes connecting the nozzle to the machine,
carry the one the insecticide, the other the compressed air. The
air acting on the liquid at the point of junction at the nozzle mouth,
produces a spray of varying form. The latteris regulated by two
stop-cocks, one controlling the flow of liquid, the other the supply of
air. The sprayer, owing to the want of means for agitation, is only
suited to insecticides in a state of solution.

6. CHISWICK Co.’s Sprayer—Gives a large and powerful spray,
and can be used for insecticides both in states of solution and sus-
pension. Worked by a top lever and handle on the thrust and pull
principle, This was found to be much more fatiguing when in
continuous use than machines fitted with side levers in which the
weight of the arm is utilised in the stroke,

EXPERIMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF RED SPIDER (Tetranychus
bioculatus).

The experiments now to be described were commenced on the
2oth April, This apparently late date of the application of the
insecticides was due totwocauses. First, Red spider this year came
into evidence on the gardens later than usual; secondly, the object
of the experiments was not to prove the value of sulphur, or pre-
parations containing sulphur, in the treatment of Red spider (this
being now a generally acknowledged fact, and taken advantage of
by a yearly increasing number of gardens), but to make a compara-
give trial of several insecticides that have been recommended or
suggested. For this reason it was necessary to delay application

No. 3.) Some Comparative Trials of Insecticide Pumps, etc. 115

until a considerable area of garden was attacked, to allow of the
selection of a series of plots of an even character.

An extent of old tea, heavily pruned some six years previously,
was selected for the uniformity of the attack.

In addition to the marking out of the plots, numerous individual
bushes in each plot were numbered and memoranda made of the
condition of each. The garden immediately surrounding the plots
was sprayed with soft soap and sulphur to prevent, as far as possible,
the spread of Red Spider from the surrounding area to that of the
plots.

Insecticide No.1. Sulphur.
trawson’s ‘‘ Tea Velos.”
Soft Soap and Sulphur.
Kerosene Emulsion.
Chiswick Compound.
Strawson’s “M”’ Insecticide.
° ” °C. 3.” ”

The special preparations in the above list were applied according
to the directions supplied by the makers. These latter being also
the manufacturers of sprayers, their machines were made use of, as
far as possible, in the application of each insecticide.

Nos. 1 and 2. ‘Tea Velos”’ is a fine powder and both it and the
sulphur were applied by means of diffusers in the early morning
when the dew was on the foliage and so admitted of the adherence
of the dressing.

SSE Soom

No. 3—-was prepared as follows :—

* Sulphur . : 5 : : 5 “lbs:
* Soft Soap - A - . : Bape Le
Water - : : : 5 : . 3 gals.

The sulphur and soft soap were gradually added to each other
in a metal bowl, being worked the while by a strong iron spoon,
until they were rubbed down to an even paste. This was then mixed
with boiling water till the soap had dissolved. For application,
dilute with 10 times the quantity of water, having first stirred the
compound to cause the necessary suspension of the sulphur in the
liquid.

No. 4—was made according to a standard formula :—

Kerosene . é 4 6 : ea calae
Soft soap . : ° : . : e I quart,
Water 5 - ° ° ° ° . I gal,
Sulphur . . : . ° ° : g. S.

* The sulphur was procured direct from Italy ; the soft soap obtained from the North-West
Soap Company, Calcutta.

116 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

=<

Dissolve the soft soap in boiling water and add to the kerosene.
Then by working a small force pump in the mixture it can be
readily churned into an emulsion. Any one possessing the Chis-
wick sprayer may unscrew the pump from the knapsack and use it for
this purpose.

The emulsion, which is complete by five minutes use of the pump,
is milk-like in appearance and thickens on cooling and standing.
It may be kept some days without fear of deterioration. For use it
is diluted with 9 to 25 parts water, and in these experiments 15 parts
was the quantity chosen. The sulphur was added in the proportion
of 1 oz. to a gallon.

No. 5.—The makers give some latitude in the final dilution. The
proportion used was one to ten of water.

Nos. 6 and 7.—These were diluted according to the accompany-
ing instructions of the makers.

Dry weather favoured the application of the insecticides and ne
rain fell till 6th May.

The plots were examined on tIst May and reported on as
follows :—

Plot No.1. No live spider to be found. i
»

About 90% fea: a few weak and struggling.

Slightly superior to No. 3.

Similar to No. 3.

Inferior to Nos. 3 and 5.

Similar to No. 6, excepting bushes that were
rather liberally sprayed.

e

Su) Gat 2 SOS

Examined 5th May. Norain since last examination, Plots all
much the same, but No, 4 seems to have fallen behind Nos, 3 and 5.

Examined roth May, Heavy rain has fallen since last date.

Plots Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. Practically free from spider.
3 5, 6. Less so.
Plot No. 7, Spider numerous.

Examined 15th May :—

Plots Nos, 1, 2.—Excellent.
» 3) 4) §-— All good.
Plot No. 6.—Defective.
” 7.—Red Spider fairly noticeable.

No. 3.] Some Comparative Trials of Insecticide Pumps etc. 117

Examined 15th June :—=
Plots Nos. 1, 2.—Practically no Red Spider, only one or two
A; ‘leaves found by careful searching.
Piot No. 3.—Nearly as good. :
Piots Nos. 4, 5.—Bushes here and there showing little spider.
Pilot No. 6.—Not so good as the two previous.
7.—Still more Red Spider visible.

yy)

The plots and surrounding four rows easily distinguished at a
glance from rest of garden.

Examined 15th July. Heavy rain has brought on vigorous flushing
and the plots and surrounding garden are uniform in appearance.

It was intended to redress all the plots at the expiration of three
weeks’ time, but a continuance of showery days made this impractic.
able.

An interesting point brought forward in the foregoing experi-
ments, is the success attending the application of such an inexpen-
sive insecticide as dry sulphur. All preparing and mixing of ingredi-
ents is done away with, a great saving of labour is effected as water
carriers are not required, and the sprayers are much less apt to choke
and get out of order than those containing a liquid.

Some extent of garden was dressed by women shaking bags of
sulphur over the bushes. The bags were formed from squares of
dammer.* A large area can in this manner be rapidly got over, but
very much more sulphur is required than when using the sprayers

Sulphuring to be effective should be done in the early morning
when the dew is on the leaves. The sulphur then forms a thin
coating over the surface of the leaf. This result is not so well secured
after rain, as the latter tends to collect in drops on the smooth
surface of the leaf, causing an unequal adhesion and distribution of
the sulphur.

With regard to liquid preparations of insecticides, allowing the
drawbacks previously mentioned, they possess the advantage of being
applicable throughout the day.

» Obtainable from the Elgin Mills Company, Cawnpore.

118 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

NOTES ON INSECT PESTS FROM THE EN-
TOMOLOGICAL SECTION, INDIAN MUSEUM.

BY E. BARLOW, ASSISTANT IN CHARGE OF ENTOMOLOGY.

1, TEA PESTS.

1. Acanthopsyche (Brachycyttarus) subteralbata.
(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Psychidz.)

Plate XI, fig. 1, a, larva-case ,b, moth &.

Hampson. Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Moths, vol. 1, page
295, No. 627. Ill, Het. IX, ined., pl. 159, fig. 23, pl. 176, fig. 12 (larva-case).

In September 1896, Mr, J. Lancaster, Secretary to the Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Society of India, forwarded to the Indian
Museum specimens of bag-worms (Psychidz) from the Chittagong
district, where they were said to be defoliating tea and other plants.
The following note which appeared inthe /udian Agriculturist
proves without doubt the destructive nature of the insect :—

‘The troubled planter of Chittagong has set the members of the Agricultural
and Horticultural Society of India and those interested in natural history, both
from a scientific and practical point of view, a task in the way of investigation
and observation. He has recently forwarded some specimens of leaf-worms which
the reports are working great havoc among the tea-gardens in that district just
now. From observation of the insect’s movements it appears that it begins by
attacking the most tender leaves and shoots and gradually eating up all the leaves
upon the tree. Not only is this insect possessed of a voracious appetite, but there
is much method in its system of securing a food supply. Having demolished all
the choice leaves on one tree it goes on to the next. These insects commenced by
attacking an avenue of Poinciana trees, and they have now spread to palms and

fruit trees.”

The examples which consisted of larva-cases and imagos proved
to be new to the Museum Collection, specimens were therefore for-
warded to Sir G. F. Hampson, who very obligingly identified the
insect as belonging to the species Acanthopsyche (Brachycyttarus)
subteralbata, Hamps., a species previously recorded from Ceylon.
He describes the insect thus :—

Male: Mead, thorax and abdomen dark brown, wings dark
brown, the underside of the hind wing shining bluish white,

Larva-case covered by comminuted leaves and suspended by a
silken thread,

Exp. 15 Millim.

Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 119

2. Aspidiotus dictyospermi, Morgan.
var. arecee, Newstead.

(Sub-order Homoptera, Fam. Coccidz.)

In January 1896, specimens of a scale-insect affecting tea plants
were received in the Indian Museum from Dr. G. Watt, Reporter
on Economic Products to the Government of India, with the
information that they were sent to him as samples of Lecanium on
tea. On examination of the scales, they, however, proved without
doubt to belong to the genus Aspidiotus, but unlike any of the same
genus in the Indian Museum collection. To ascertain the correct
specific identity of the insect, specimens were submitted to Mr. W.
M. Maskel who kindly determined them as belonging to the species
Aspidiotus dictyospermt, Morgan, var. arece, Newstead, both the
type and the variety being originally described from Demerara.

The following is the description of the type by A. C. F. Morgan
published in the Entomologist’s monthly Magazine, Vol. XXV
P- 352:

Aspidiotus dictyospermi— @ scale greyish-white, with exuviz
in the centre, depressed, of an elongate oval shape, aboutr:2 mm.
longest diameter. The centre of the larval skin is of a dark
orange colour, whilst the exuviz are of a light yellow.

g@ insect has three pairs of lobes. The median pair is the
largest, notched on the outer lateral margin; the second lobe is
similar to the first in shape, but smaller, and the third lobe is still,
smaller, with the outer lateral margin serrated. Two simple plates
between the median lobes, two between the first and second lobes
and three between the second and third. The third is followed by
two long plates, serrated on the outer lateral margin. Anterior to
the last plate the margin is serrate up to the commencement of the
next visible segment. The lateral margins of the first and second
lobes are thickened at the base. Four small spines situated as
usual. Four groups of ventral glands, the anterior group consisting
of three or four, and the posterior of two glands, The anus is situated
just above the base of the median lobes. There is a considerable
similarity between this species and A. ficus, but the plates are
different, and the scale is completely different, the one oval
greyish-white and flat, the other almost black, convex and circular,

Found on Dictyospermum album from Demerara.

Mr. Newstead describes the variety thus :—

A. dictyospermt, Morgan, var. arecz, Newstead:—Scale of the
@ circular, exuviz central, or nearly so; the first exuvizx in the form

120 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. {V.

of a ‘‘nipple-like prominence ’’ (Comstock), covered with white wax
in fresh specimens, but red-brown or golden red-brown in denuded
specimens ; nipple surrounded by a circular depression ; following
this is a strong circular ridge, which, in many specimens, is covered
with the same white material as the nipple; these are situated on 4
distinct circular prominence, or boss, with nearly perpendicular
sides ; below this the scale becomes very flat and wide, and i is of a
rich orange-brown, varying to ochreous-brown.

Diameter 1—14 mm.

Scale of the ¢ of the same colour, and has the same structure

at apex as the @.
Found on leaves of Areca triandra from Demerara.

Undetermined Pests.

G) Moths.— Hyposidra sp—In November 1896 Mr. W. J. Fleed
forwarded to the Indian Museum a single specimen of a Geometrid
moth said to be attacking tea bushes both inthe Borghat and in
the new Salonah gardens in Assam,

The moth appeared to be new to the Museum collection,
but it was identified as belonging to the genus Myfoszdra. Further
specimens of the moth are required to enable the insect to be
specifically determined. Mr. Fleet, who reared the moth from
caterpillars, collected by him from the tea gardens, has furnished the

following notes :—

“ 15th Fune 1896.—Caterpillars feeding on leaves of tea plants in Borghat
and New Salonah Gardens, Geometrid: dark or chocolate brown, with seven
white dotted transverse lines, one being at head, another at caudal extremity.

Three placed in breeding cage.

19th Fune.—Two added ; one pale brown, length 34, inch, increasing.

agth Fune.—Two of the pag tes have parasitic grubs coming out ; some
have formed cocoons,

26th Fune.—One of the caterpillars died, some ten grubs spinning themselves
cocoons. Cocoons in clusters on under-side of leaf; white and woolly, length
about -/, inch.

27th Fune.~Second caterpillar host died ; cocoons complete; removed to

box.
29th Fune.—Third caterpillar died. Flies! in box, came out.

ist Fuly.—Fourth caterpillar died. Fifth caterpillar changed into chrysalis
in soil, and the moth emerged 13th idem.

1 Examples of the parasitic fly have been sent to the Museum by Mr. Fleet, It is a minute
liymenopterous insect of the fa aily Chalcididse, and new to the Museum collection.

7

oa

No. 8.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 128

(4) Tineid caterpillar.—From the Officiating Reporter on Eco-
nomic Products to the Government of India were received in
September 1896 specimens of insects said to be attacking tea
leaves in Burma. No particulars accompanied the specimens
which consisted of some larvz of an unknown moth belonging to the
family Tineide.

(5) Beetles —In September 1895 specimens of insects said to
be more or less directly injurious to tea plants in Assam were
forwarded to the Museum through Mr. D. Hooper, Officiating
Reporter on Economic Products to the Government of India.

No special report accompanied the insects which comprised the
following :—

(2) A Chrysomelid beetle of the species Diapromorpha mela-
nopus, Lacord,

This insect has been previously recorded in the pages of these
Notes as attacking tea plants in Sibsagar, Assam. It is commonly
known among the tea planters as the “ orange”’ beetle,

(4) A Chrysomelid beetle probably belonging to the species

Criocerus impressa, Fabr.
(c) A Chrysomelid beetle identified with Ozdes bipunctata, Fabr.

II.—INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO CEREALS AND CROPS.

1. Leptocorisa acuta, Thunb.
The Rice Sapper,
Reports and specimens of this common rice bug were received
in the Indian Museum from the undermentioned officers as being
very destructive to paddy crops both in the Bengal and Madras

Presidency during the year 1895-96.
A full account of the pest may be found in /ndian Museum
Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1 to 4.

(2) Through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal,
from the Manager, Court of Wards, Backergunge, who wrote
on 3rd December, 1895 :==

“ ] have the honour to forward some ** Mewa”’ insects which are doing damage
to the paddy crops in some parts of the Dakhin Shabazpur Purgana.”

(2) From the Deputy Director of Land Records and Agriculture,

Madras, who reported on 25th February 1896 :—
“ IT have the honour to advise you of the despatch to-day of a small box
containing insects which, I am informed, do a good deal of damage to paddy in

122 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV

Malabar. My informant states that the local name is Chazhi, and that last year
they did an immense amount of damage to the paddy here in places, very much
more as far as I can make out than has ever been known before.’’

(ce) Through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal,
from the Collector, Cuttack Collectorate, who wrote :—

“T have the honour to forward herewith some specimens of insects which are
destroying the Zaghw rice to a certain extent in this district.

Enquiry is being made as to how far the ravages committed by these insects
extend, and what is the best means of getting rid of them. I have directed the
Sub-Deputy Collector in charge of the enquiry to endeavour to get ryots try
the experiment of smoking the fields by burning weeds, etc., to windward.”

(2) Through the Superintendent, Government Museum, Madras,

with a report from the Collector of Ganjam, dated 8th Novem-
ber 1896 :—

“ That in the paddy fields of some villages in Goomsur division, winged

insects of a peculiar sort have appeared, and that they are sucking up the
milk out of the paddy ears.

Similar insects were not, it is reported, even before seen in Goomsur.”

(e) The Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal, from
the Sub-Divisional Officer, Bhola, who wrote :—

* The general character of the insects herewith sent is that they thrust their
long lips into the paddy, and suck the milk in its immature state after its ears
shoot out. . . + The present insects are very expert in flying, and they
will fly away in flock at once at the approach of man, The invasion of insects is
reported to be greater on the Iazumaddi side, They invade the crop both on
the high and low land.”

2. Lepiispa pygmea, Baly.
(Ord, Coleoptera, Fam. Chrysomelida, Sub-fam. Hispinze.)
Plate No. XJ, fig. 2, a and b, beetle, dorsal ana side views.

In December 1896 specimens of an insect causing damage to
paddy stalks in the Malabar district were forwarded to the Museum
through the Superintendent, Government Museum, Madras, from the
Special Assistant Collector, Malabar, who wrote :—

“ That a good deal of harm is being done to the existing paddy crop by a
peculiar kind of flies of which [forward some specimens in a bottle.

These flies sit in numbers on the stalks of growing paddy and when they do so,
the stalks begin to wither and gradually decay. Complaint is heard on all sides
of this pest, and ifany remedy against its attack can be suggested, it will be of

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section, 123

ee

great use to the cultivators, who will take measures to destroy it, and guard against
its attack infuture. The cultivators do not know what kind of flies these are, and
know nothing about their habits and propensities.”

The insect proved to be the same as Lepiispa pygmexa, Baly, a

' minute Chrysomelid beetle which has previously been recorded in a

short article in the pages of these notes as attacking sugarcane in
Poona.

The following is the description of the insect taken from
the Catalogue of Ceylon Hespidz by Joseph S, Baly, M. E.S., etc.

Leptispa pygmea, L. elongata, angustata, cylindrica, lete
viridi-zenea, subtus aienes thorace subquadrato minus crebre punctato,
lateribus antice rotundatis ; ely tris punctato-striatis, ad apicem sub-
sulcatis ; antennarum articulo basali compresso, apice truncato,
extrorsum dilatato.

Long. 2 lin.

LZ, narrow, elongate, cylindrical, deep metallic green. Head
slightly flattened above, covered with irregular punctures; basal
joint of antennz compressed and dilated externally at its apex
truncate. Thorax subquadrate; sides straight and parallel, rounded
near their apex, narrowly margined, anterior margin indistinctly
produced, rounded; above convex, coarsely punctured, puncturing
rather less deeply impressed and less crowded, especially towards
the sides, than in ZL, filiformzs. Scutellum black, impunctate.
Elytra scarcely broader than the thorax; sides parallel; apex less
acutely rounded, dehiscent at the suture; above convex, deeply
punctate-striate, striae towards the apex of the elytra subsulcate.
Beneath entirely black.

3. Tanymecus tnidicus, Faust.

(Ord, Coleoptera, Fam. Curculionide.)

Injurious to poppy, wheat, etc.

This insect was first brought to our notice in December 1891
when it was reported from Ghazipur as doing injury to the seedlings
of the Poppy (Papaver somniferum) plant. Notes on the pest were
published at the time in /udian Museum Notes, Volume III, No, 1,
pages 12 and 118.

124 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Deen EE

In November 1895 the Director of Land Records and Agriculture,
North-West Provinces
and Oudh, forwarded
to the Indian Museum
specimens of this insect,
with the information
that they were attack-
ing wheat and gram
crops, etc., in his prov-
inces. About the same
time specimens, which
proved to be of the same
species, were also sent
to the Museum through
Mr, J. Lancaster, Secre-
tary to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India, as causing
great damage to ruzbdz crops, mangels and sweeds in Behar.

The following report has been furnished by the Director of Land
Records, North-West Provinces and Oudh :—

“ The insect known throughout the eastern districts as “‘ godela” and identified
on reference to the Superintendent, Indian Museum, as belonging to the family
Curculionidz, genus Tanymecus, species indicus, has this year attracted special
attention by extensive attacks on the newly-germinating spring crops, more parti-
_ cularly wheat, peas, and gram, and sometimes but less frequently barley. It has
long been known well by poppy cultivators, its attacks in ordinary years being
directed almost exclusively to newly germinated poppy plants. To these it has
this year been specially fatal, having made no less than three sowings necessary, in
many villages. The attacks of the “ gadela ” on young crops cease as soon as
the temperature falls to a certain degree, and the cultivators believe that its special
activity this year is due tothe unusual continuance of a high temperature into

the month of November. In connection with this point the normal temperature
during each week in November at Allahabad is compared below with the actual

j NOVEMBER 185.
Temperature.

| ist week. 2nd week. | 3rd week, | 4th week,
Actual : LaCS OEY Saag 74°2 71's 66°3
Normal - - “ - x 24 716 69°2 67°4 65'0

temperature this year. Its widespread ravages have this year attracted the atten-
tion of cultivators of casts and tracts by whom and in which poppy is not grown,
and a crop of new names have therefore been bestowed on it. It is known as
‘* Shaikh Chillis,” “ Sher Bahadur,” “ Bahadura,” “ Bajpai” and possibly by other

ee

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section, 125

names recently invented. The name “Shaikh Chilli’ appears to have taken a
firm hold in Sultanpur and “ Bahadura ” in parts of Fyzabad and Azamgarh.

. The insect, a small grey weevil, makes its home amongst the loose clods and
soil of newly-sown fields. It is reported that it is attracted by the smell of Kaitha
and Bel fruit and collects in large numbers near fragments of such fruit when
strewn over a field. It is then collected and destroyed by the cultivators. Irriga-
tion has this year been largely resorted to to destroy it often at so early a stage
on the growth of the crop that the young seedlings, especially of peas, have been
hurt. Itissaid never to appear again in irrigated Jand or after the cold weather
has fully set in. The young poppy is now springing up freely in fields on which
earlier sowings were destroyed.

The damage done by this insect to poppy is so constant and extensive that the
discovery of a suitable insecticide for it would be a most valuableone. The insecti-
cide should probably be applied to the soil before the germination of the young
plants, as after germination they would be likely to be destroyed by the application
of an arsenical preparation or kerosene emulsion. Kerosene as procurable every-
where would be a suitable insecticide to experiment on. Cultivators of the valu-
able poppy plant would no doubt be glad to devote a considerable amount of
labour and to incur some small expenditure in kerosene and soap to secure their
sowings against damage, but the purchase of expensive apparatus is not possible
for them. If the Superintendent of the Indian Museum could suggest some
simple way of applying a kerosene emulsion or arsenical preparation to the
soil or even to the young plants, measures will be taken next sowing season to
experiment with them. Expensive measures are useless to the cultivators, and
the Department of Agriculture is itself not in a position to incur any large
expenditure.”

As regards preventative and remedial measures against this de-
structive insect the suggestions made were (:) deep ploughing of the
field in the summer to destroy or expcse pup# that lie near the
surface ; (2) searching for the pupz and destroying them; (3) at-
tracting the perfect insects to fires of dry wood or of refuse material
from the fields, since insects are known to be readily attracted by
light ; (4) sowing only seeds selected from plants that have resisted

the attack.

Two force pumps and a small supply of *‘ London purple ” were
also despatched to the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, North-
West Provinces and Oudh, for experimental use against the pest.

4. Aracocerus fasciculatus, Degeer
(Ord, Coleop. Fam, Anthribide,)

et

The areca-nut Beetle.

Plate No. X1, fig. 3, a, larva;b, pupa; c and d, beetle, dorsal
and side views,

126 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol IV.

In January 1895, specimens of Betel-nut (Areca catechu) were
received in the Indian Museum from Babu G, C. Chuckerbutty, Ento-
mological Artist of the Museum, with the information that they had —
been seriously damaged by insects on being stored in the house, and
consequently they were unfit for human consumption. The Areca
nut, according to McCullock’s Dictionary of Commerce and Com-
mercial Navigation, is one of the indispensible ingredients which
enter into the preparation of the faz or betel-leaf, which is chewed
so universally by natives of all classes, and is therefore of great
commercial value throughout India. .

On making a superficial examination of the affected nuts they
were found to be badly drilled on all sides by minute holes and some-
what discoloured in appearance. Splitting open into halves some of the
nuts, beetles, in different stages of development, were found inside,
which proved to belong to the family Anthribide. As the Museum
collection of this group of insects is very incomplete, the identifica-
tion of the pest could not be locally made. Examples were, however,
submitted to Mons, A. Fauvel of France, who very willingly
examined the insect and determined it as belonging to Arzocerus
fasciculatus, Degeer, a cosmopolitan species, probably originating
in India, which has previously been reported as attacking coffee
berries, ginger, Chinese figs, etc.

The following is a description of the species, by T. Vernon
Wollaston, M.A.,F.L.S., published in the Ann, and Mag. of Natural
History, Vol. V, p. 18, 1870.

‘“ARASOCERUS FASCICULATUS, — A. drevzter ovalts, crassus, brun-
neo-piceus, pube brevi squamzformi demissa cinerea griseaque vestitus
necnon in elytris plus minus obsoletissime (sc, in interstitis alter-
nis) longitudinaliter tessellatus ; capite prothoraceque (subter pube)
opacts, densissime et rugose punctatts, zllo in medio tenutter carinu-
lato oculis maximis prominentibus, hoc subconico, postice lato bisz-
nuato, costa transversa in marginem basalem coéunte necnon utringue
marginem lateralem (usque ad medium lateris ductum) effciente,
angults posticis subrectis ; elytris apice truncato-rotundatis, (sudter
pube) subopacis, densissime et rugose granulatis ac leviter cre-
nulato-striatis; antennis pedibusque elongatis et (precipue tllis)
gracilibus, tllis rujo-testaceis clava obscuriore, his rujo-ferruginets,
tarsorum art° rmo. longissimo.”’
Long. corp. lin, 2-24.

Two examples of an Areocerus, which were taken at St. Helena
by Mr, Melliss, I feel almost confident are referable to the A. fascicu-
latus (which is usually known in collections as the coffez of Fabri-

2 =

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 127

cius), though I have thought it desirable to give a careful diagnosis
of them, in the event, perhaps, of their being identified hereafter
with some cognate form. The insect, however, is evidently a vari-
able one; and there are individuals in the British Museum, bearing
the label ‘‘coffez”, which seem in no way to differ from the pair
now before me; whilst the fact that the species (the larva of which
appears to subsist within various seeds and berries which are used
as articles of food) has become naturalized, through the medium of
commerce, in most of the warmer countries of the civilized world
would go far to render it probable that the St. Helena one is the
true fasciculatus, and has been established in the island (as else-
where) by indirect human agency,
The synonyms of the species as given in Dr, Gemminger et B
de Harold, Catalogus Coleopterorum, are as follows :—
Arzocerus fasciculatus, Degeer. Ins. V, 1775. p. 276, t. 16, f. 2
Wollast Anu. nat. Hrzst., V., 1870,
p. 18.—Lucas, Aun. Fr., 1861.
Pp. 399-
cacao Fabr. Syst. Ent., ps 64.—Oliv Ent. IV, 80, p. 15
t. 2. f. 21, a-b.
capillicornis, Say. Fourn. Ac. Phil., V, 2, 1827, p.
240.
moestus, Lec. Ann. Lyc.l, p, 172.
cassiz, Winthem., De7. Cat. 3 ed., p. 259.
coffez, Fabr. Syst., £2. Il, p. 411.—Gyll. Schh.
Gen. Cure, |, p. 175.—Labr. et Imh.
Gen. Cure. 1., nr. 55.
crassicornis, Fabr. Ent. Grol suppl. p. 159; Sysé¢
El. Il, p. 399.
griseus, Steph, Jil. Brit., IV, p. 211, t. 21, f. 2. (forte)
japonicus, Thunb. Nov, Act. Ups. VII, p. 122.
peregrinus, Herbst. Kaf. VII, p. 168, t. 106. f. 9.
saltatorius, Falderm. 2” Jztt.
var, sambucinus, Boisd. Voy. Astrol. II, p. 299 (forte)
—MacLeay. De7. cat. 3 ed., p. 259.

99 99

5. Acridium peregrinum, Oliv.
“ Locust,”
The following reports regarding the appearance of locusts, have
been received in the Indian Museum during the year 1896 :—
(2) Through the Survey Commissioner and Director of Land

123 Indian Museum Netes. [¥ol. IV.

Records and Agriculture, Bombay, from the Assistant Collector,
Karachi, who wrote, dated 7th July 1896 :—

«To forward specimens of locusts that passed over Tatta on the morning
ofthe 5th July 1896, and went into the Kohistan on the following day. The
Mukhtyarkar of ‘latta states that they have laid eggs in the Kohistan, but as the
cultivation has not yet begun, no damage has been caused by their visit there.
They have, however, damaged the Charkhicropsin Dehs Kotri, Ghulam Hussein,
Chato Chand and Bao Purandas.

‘The Mukhtyarkar is taking measures to have the eggs destroyed. ”

The specimens that accompanied the report proved to be the
“TLocust’’ Acridium peregrinum, Oliv.

(2) Forwarded through the Survey Commissioner and Director,
Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay, from the ‘Political Agent,
Mahikantha, dated 31st October 1896 :—

«A specimen of locusts which were seen passing here yesterday at about 5-30
p.m. The flight passed continuously for about an hour from a westerly direction
and went away towards Chhala (Baroda) in the East where it is said to have
halted for the night, ”

Specimens received were identified with A. peregrinum, Oliv.
(c) From the Resident, Western Rajputana States, who wrote
in November 1896 :—

“ To advise the despatch by parcel post of a tin containing some samples of
locusts which have recently visited certain parts of the Jaisalmir State.”
Specimens received in the Museum were identified as above.

(d) From the Collector of Bankura, dated 16th November 1896 :—

«“ A swarm of locusts appeared in out-post Indpur of the Khotra Thana of
this district on the 21st October last, and left towards Thana Ouda on that
day. They visited several villages and wherever they alighted, devoured the
rabi crops then on the ground, ws., pulses, Surguja (Gutzotia abyssinea),
etc. The extent of injury done to these crops by these insects in the jurisdiction
of Thana Khotra is estimated at 2 annas in the villages where they alighted.

(2) The insects then alighted in certain villages of Thana Ouda and made
attacks on the rabi crops. The extent of injury done to the crops in the affected
villages in Ouda is estimated at 8 annas.

(3) They then left the district after visiting out-post Simlapal on their way, but
did not injure any crops there. Their appearance in no other part of the district
was heard of.

(4) As there was no important rabi crop then on the ground and as the insects
left the “ Amondhan ” and sugarcane untouched, the loss caused by the invasion
was comparatively trifling.

(5) No specimens of the insect could be sent to the Trustees of the Indian
Museum as the Police did not send any nor could I obtain any specimen as the
appearance of the insects was brought to my notice after their departure from this
district.

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 129

Extracts from the weekly season reports of the Bombay Presi-
dency,which contain information on the appearance of locusts during
the months of June to December 1896.

The season reports have been forwarded to the Museum through
the Under-Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Bombay,

Week ending 23rd Fune 1896.—Shikarpur,—locusts appeared in Kakar and
Nashirabad, but caused no serious damage. Hyderabad,—locusts appeared in
Moro, but caused no damage,

Week ending 30th June 1896.—Karachi,—locusts in the talukas of Karachi,
Manjhand, and Sehwan; no damage caused by them. Shikarpur,—locusts passed
over Mehar taluka causing no damage.

Week ending 7th Fuly.— Karachi,—locusts in taluka Kotri, causing no
damage. Hyderabad,—locusts in the district, causing no damage. Thar and
Parkar,—locusts having caused slight damage at Sanghar, are moving south-
wards.

Week ending rath Fuly.—Karachi,—locusts in Katri taluka, causing some
damage to cultivation. Hyderabad,—locusts in Guni causing no damage.

Week ending 21st Fuly.— Karachi,—locusts in Deh Kohistan in Tatta taluka
causing no damage. Thar and Parkar,—locusts appeared in Umarkot, Khipra
and Chachra talukas causing no damage.

Week ending 28th Fuly.—Karachi,—locusts in taluka Mirpur Batora, causing
no damage. Shikarpur,—locusts in four talukas, causing slight damage in one
taluka. Upper Sind Frontier,—locusts passed over Thal on 23rd, causing slight
damage.

Week ending 4th August.—Karachi,—locusts in talukas Mirpur and Sakro,
damaging grass and bajri crops. Shikarpur,—locusts in six talukas causing no
damage. Hyderabad,—locusts appeared in four talukas, causing damage in two
dehs of Naushahro taluka. Thar and Parkar,—locusts in desert.

Week ending 11th August.—Karachi,--locusts in talukas Mirpur, Sakro,
Manjhand, and Kohistan, damaging grass and bajricrops. Shikarpur,—locusts
appeared in eight talukas, damaging crops in part of one taluka only. Hydera-
bad,—locusts appeared in Shahdadpur and Hala talukas, causing no damage.

Week ending 18th August. Karachi,—locusts in Manjhand, Kohistan, Tatta
and Sakro talukas. Thar and Parkar,—locusts throughout desert talukas, caus-
ing slight damage in the tapa of Umarkot; they are breeding in desert; steps
taken to destroy them.

Week ending 25th August.—Karachi,—locusts in Karachi, Kohistan, Tatta
and Sakro Talukas, Shikarpur,—large flight of young locusts passed over Ubauro
and Mirpur, causing nodamage. Hlyderabad,—locusts appeared in three talukas,
causing no damage. Thar and Parkar, early millet in ear but slightly damaged
by locusts in Cesert portion of Umarkot and Khipra.

Week ending 1st September.—Karachi,—locusts in Kotri, Kohistan, Karachi
and Tatta talukas. Hyderabad,—locusts in four talukas, causing slight damage
intwo. Tharand Parkar,—locusts in six talukas, causing slight damage in three
(indigo in Sanghar and tilseed in Khipro slightly damaged by insects),

Week ending Sth September.—Karachi,—locusts in Manjhand and Kotri
talukas, damaging crops. Shikarpur,—locusts in Ubauro taluka, Hyderabad,—
lecusts in six talukas, causing slight damage in five,

130 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Week ending 15th Septembey.—Karachi,—crops slightly damaged by insects
in Ghorabari, Ketibandar, Shahbandar, and Jati talukas. Locustsin Kotri and
Kohistan talukas. Hyderabad,—locusts have caused slight] damage in two talukas.
Thar and Parkar,—locusts in six talukas, causing slight damage,

Week ending 22nd September.—Karachi,—locusts in Kotri, Kohistan, and
Manjhand talukas. Hyderabad,—locusts have caused slight damage in Hydera-
bad taluka.

Week ending joth September.—Karachi,—locusts in Kotri and Kohistan
talukas. Hyderabad,—locusts in Hyderabad taluka, causing slight damage.
Thar and Parkar,—locusts still in four desert talukas.

Week ending 6th Octobey.—Karachi,—locusts have caused damage to crops
in Sahro, Kohistan, Kotri, and Manjhand talukas, Thar and Parkar,—locu sts
in four talukas. o

Week ending 13th Octobey.—Karachi,—crops damaged by locusts in Kotri and
Kohistan talukas. Shikarpur,—locusts passed over Shikarpur taluka in an
easterly direction without doing damage. Thar and Parkar,—locusts have caused
slight damage in Khipra taluka.

Week ending 20th Octobey.—Karachi,—crops damaged by locusts in Sakro.
Shikarpur,—locusts passed through five talukas, causing slight damage in two.
Hyderabad,—locusts in five talukas, causing slight damage. Upper Sind
Frontier,—locusts in four talukas, causing slight damage. Thar and Parkar,—
locusts in three desert talukas, causing serious damage to saben trees, til and
mung in Nagar Taluka,

Week ending 27th Octobey.—Karachi,—crops damaged by locusts in Sakro,
Shikarpur,— large flights of locusts settled in four talukas, causing slight damage.
H yderabad,—locusts in Sakrand taluka damaging crops.

Week ending 3rd November.—Karachi,—crops damaged by locusts in Mans
jhand and Kohistan. Shikarpur,—flights of locusts visited seven talukas, causing
slight damage in five. Hyderabad,—locusts in three talukas, causing slight
damage. Baroda,—locusts have appeared in parts of Sidhpur taluka and have
damaged standing crops.

Week ending roth November.—Karachi,—crops damaged by locustsin Tatta,
Kohistan, Karachi, Joti,and Shahbandar. , Hyderabad,—locustsin Guni Taluka
causing slight damage. Thar and Parkar,—locusts in two talukas causing slight
damage. Ahmedabad,—standing crops damaged by locusts in a few villages of
the Dhandhuka taluka. Kaira,—locusts have injured the cereal crops in some
of the villages of Mehmadabad and Borsad talukas.

Week ending 17th November.—Karachi,—locusts appeared in seven talukas.
Shikarpur,—locusts in four talukas, causing slight damage inone taluka. Ah-
medabad,—locusts in certain villages of Dhandhuka taluka.

Week ending 24th November.—Karachi,—sprouting seeds damaged by locust,
in Dadu, Sakro, and Shahbandar talukas. Hyderabad,—cultivation damaged by
locusts in the talukas.

Week ending rst December.—Karachi,—locusts appeared in six talukas.
Shikarpur,—locusts appeared in Kambar taluka, but caused no damage. Hy-
derabad,—cultivation damaged by locusts in one taluka.

Week ending 8th December.—Karachi,— locusts appeared in six talukas, but
did no damage. Shikarpur,—locusts appeared in four talukas and caused slight

7

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 131

damage in two. Upper Sind Frontier,—locusts appeared in Thul and Kashmor
talukas, causing slight damage.

Week ending 15th December.—Karachi,—kharif crops slightly damaged by
locusts in Sehwan, Kohistan, and Sakro talukas, Shikarpur,—locusts appeared
in one taluka but caused no damage.

Week ending 29th Decembey.—Upper Sind Frontier,—mustard crops damaged
by locusts in Thal taluka.

6. OTHER UNDETERMINED INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO
PADDY.

a. Noctues caterpillar.—Specimens of a caterpillar said to be
injurious to paddy crops were received in the Museum from Mr. F.C,
Parsons, Special Settlement Officer, Malabar and South Canara, who
wrote on the 29th March 1896 :—

“I only know of it as a pest in the cultivation of rice in backwater swamps
which takes place in Malabar in the hot weather (February to May). A plot of
swamp is surrounded by a bund, the water is baled from the interior, the rice is
transplanted, and when the seedlings have been in the ground about a month,
this pest appears, often covering several acres in the course of a week, and eats
away the young blades of the rice plant. The pest does not appear until the
surface soil is getting a little dry from the action of the sun, but the drought is
very shallow, for the water all round the outside of the bund is higher generally by
four or five feet than the surface of the cultivated area inside the bund,

On cutting the bund and letting in water the grub disappears at once and may
not be seen again, but of course this means that the ryot has to bale the water out
again and his seedlings are damaged. The same result follows a shower of rain
which, however, but rarely falls at this time of the year. Sometimes the grubs
are swept up with a broom and so prevented from destroying the whole crop.”

The specimens owing to their being immature could not be
precisely identified, but they appeared to be not unlike the larve of
the Noctus moth Helothis armigera, Hubn, which is a well-known
pest to agriculture.

b. Microlepidopterous larva-—Specimens of an insect injurious
to paddy plants in the vicinity of Poonamalli, were received on the
1oth January 1896, from the Board of Revenue, Madras, through the
Superintendent, Government Central Museum, Madras.

The insects were found to be the larve of a Microlepidopterous
moth, which cannot precisely be determined without the examination
of the imago.

The following isa report on the pest furnished by the Agricul-
tural Inspector :—

“Local name.—The insect whose attack on paddy crop was the object of
inspection, is a worm locally known as “ Urappuchchi.”

132 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. l¥.

Extent of damage done.—The existence of this pest was known to the Deputy
Tahsildar, Revenue Inspector, and the ryots generally. The former, however
owing to the very limited sphere of the attack, did not consider it necessary to be
shown in the season reports. The pest is not one peculiar to this year, but seems
to have been in existence for several years. As may be evident from the descrip-
tion of its characteristics to be said further on, the insect appears to be peculiar to
the wet crop of paddy. The attack is found on crops transplanted, and not those
Sown, on tender and not mature crops. The reason why the attack is not extended
to crops of paddy sown and those mature may be that in the former case, the crop
is comparatively dry, and coming up earlier, becomes over-matured for the insect
to do any harm, and in the latter case, the plants become too hairy and hard for
the insect. lt was therefore not an unusual thing to see side by side fields in
which some were attacked and some not. The usual time of appaarance is the
months of November and December. At the time of my visit, any visible sign of
attack was confined to a few stray fields of those that were transplanted fate in
the season, As I was informed, there were, however, evident signs that some
time back the attack was much wider-spread, and since the|late rains the affected
crops have mostly recovered. The damage done is usually only temporary, as
the attack itself is only temporary, and during the succeeding period the effect of
damage is greatly minimised, and under favourable circumstances, as when there
is plenty of rainfall, the damage done is only inappreciable. The ryots attribute
the appearance of the pest to deficient rainfall in October.

Description and characteristics of the insect.—‘* Urappuchchi,” as locally
known, is a small sized green larva, about 2 of an inch long....... The crop subject
to its attack, presents a grey andashy appearance. The worm is not easily made
out, for it lives in a tubular coat with which it provides itself. The coat is about
3 of an inch long, made up of a doubled piece of paddy leaf, in which both ends
are cut clean. The doubled leaf is connected together at the sides by means of a
gummy excretory matter and a hole is bored at the point of doubling, where its
head is always to be found, thus forming a tube, in which the worm lives. The
worm, while ascending, juts out its head and gets up holding the plant with its
front pair of feet. It is usually to be found in the lower portion of the plant above
water, where it securely connects the coat with the plant by gummy matter. When
in any way disturbed, it shrinks itself well into the coat and at other times thrusts
out its head to feed on the fine juicy shoots springing up. If by chance the coat is
detached and with it the worm is thrown on the water, the coat serves as a float to
enable the worm from sinking down and for laying hold of any plant or leaf it
may come across. To give motion to the float, the larva protrudes its heads and
a portion of its body into the water, and gives afew jerks rightwise and leftwise
by which the float is moved about, and when its headside comes in contact with
a plant or a leaf dipping in water, it ascends as stated before. This instructive
provision shows that the pest is a peculiar one to paddy, for I removed some of
the larve from their coats and dropped them in water when they were not able to
help themselves and all their jerks did not serve to keep them afloat or to lay hold
of a plant.

The process of feeding does not consist in nipping off the leaves which would
necessitate frequent change of position and result in considerable damage to the
crop, but, as appeared to me, feeding on the sap of fineleaves springing up con-
fined ordinarily to one locality, with the resu't that the top leaves appear deprived
of green coiour and soon dry up and wither...,...

i

No. 3.] oles on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 133

Measures of relief adopted.—The measure of relief usually adopted is to stop
the irrigation of the crop for a few days, sothat by partially drying up the crop
a check is given to the free feeding of the worms, and the crop is said to have some
relief. Some ryots appear to flood the field with irrigation water and drain it off
now and then. Some years before there was a practice of sticking the twigs of a
tree known as Uvamande here and there in the field affected, and the bitter taste
of the leaves had some good effect against the pest. But the ryots say that
neither the twigs are available nor the remedy anywhere adopted..,.....””

IIIL—INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO FRUIT TREES.

1. Mango tree borer.—On 25th June 1896 Mr, S. Srinivasalu
Naidu, Extra-Assistant Conservator of Forests, Amraoti District,
forwarded to the Indian Museum, specimens of an insect said to be
doing a good deal of damage to young mango trees in his district.
The insect proved to be the immature form of a Cerambycid
beetle, which cannot be precisely identified without the examination
of the imago.

The following extract is taken from the report accompanying the
specimens:—

“ The specimens, I regret, are not very good, but while I am trying to secure
better ones, I thought it best to send up what I could get without loss of time. I
examined the affected trees last month, and found the injury to have been done
in two ways :—(1) The stem of the plant commencing from the base is attacked
by the grub, which devours the living bark and to a certain extent some wood
to the form of a spiral or in large irregular patches. These patches in the case
of almost all the trees attacked practically girdle the trees and at once seal their
doom. The grub reduces the bark and wood, it devours to a felt-like mass that
exactly fills the groove made by the removal of bark, ete., by the grub, and serves
to hide its destructive action from view....... (2) Small tunnels varying with the
size of the beetle found inside them are to be seen on the stem and branches.
The tunnel extends well inside and takes up the substance of the stem or
branch either in the form of rings bearing a thin column of wood in the centre or
in numerous longitudinal tunnels, in both of which cases the portion above dies
and can be broken at the diseased part with hardly any pressure. Excepting
the hole, which is the entrance of the tunnel and which generally is too small to
attract attention, there are no outward signs for suggesting causes for damage.

‘The trees attacked are about 10 years in age and vary in girth from 8” to 14”
and in height average about g feet. The attack was first noticed in January last,
and the specimens of insects were collected at the end of last month.”

(2) Orange tree pests.—Specimens in alcohol, of the following
insects, said to be doing great damage to orange trees in the

134 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

———s

Moulmein District, have been received from the Reporter on
Economic Products to the Government of India, in December
1896 :—

Bottle No. 1 contained two caterpillars of a Geometrid moth, and
one larva of a Noctues moth. These are reported as attacking the
leaves of the orange tree.

Bottle No. 2 consisted of fourteen specimens of a Microlepidop-
terous larva in different stages of development. Reported as destroy-
ing the bark and the wood of the orange tree.

Bottle No. 3 contained three larve of a Cerambycid beetle, and
One specimen of a Lucanid beetle of the genus @gus, These are
reported to attack both the bark and the wood of the orange tree.

IV.—FOREST PESTS.

Beetles, etc—A rough report dated 2oth July 18096, together
with ‘some specimens of forest-insects, have been received in the
Indian Museum from Mr. E. Stebbing, Officiating Conservator of
Forests in charge Tista Division, Darjeeling District,

With one exception, these insects have not been previously
reported as affecting forest trees in India, and it is therefore desir-
able that further particulars should be obtained regarding them for
record in the pages of these /Vo¢es.

The following are the insects mentioned in the report :—

No. 1.—Consists of pupe cases of a Curculionid beetle, which
cannot be further identified without the examination of the Imago.
Mr. Stebbing writes “that on stripping off the bark from some
felled Kadam (Axthocephalus cadamba) trees the rough cocoons were
disclosed situated between the bark and the wood, a small portion
of the latter being in many cases gnawed away (presumably by the
larva) -to form a slight cavity over which a rough collection of
chips of wood and fibre had been put together by the larva to form
a cocoon, F

The pupz-cases were found on the 14th April 1896 in Tista
Valley. Elevation about 1,100 feet.”

No. 2.—Specimens of an insect found riddling the wood of Siris
(Albizzta stipulata) tree,—consist of undeveloped imagos of a Cur-
culionid beetle in a poor state of preservation for precise identifi-
cation.

No. 3.—Specimen of a calcareous egg-like case found in a newly
fallen Amara (Spondias mangifera) tree, proves to be a pupa-case

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 135

of the Cerambycid beetle, Plocederus obesus Gahen (=P.pedestrts,
Cotes). This insect has previously been reported as tunnelling into
s4l (Shorea robusta), jangham (Odina wodier), and into dhah (Butea
frondosa).

No. 4:—Specimens of a Lucanid beetle taken from felled trees,
namely Sauer (Betula cylindrostachys), Musré Kattis (Castanopsis
rufescens), and Kharani (Symplocos theefolia) in the Loolagaon
forest. These appear to belong to the species Gasilianus cantort,
Hope.

No. 5.—Specimens of a large black cockroach found associating
with the Lucanid beetle (mentioned above). These appear to
be the immature forms of Sa/gonea morio, Burn.?.

No. 6.—Specimen of a hornet found in the centre of a decaying
stump of Musré Katts (Castanopsts rufescens) in Loolagaon forest.
This insect is unrepresented in the Museum Collection, but it belongs
to the genus Vespa.

No. 7.—Consists of an insect taken from a decaying Sauer tree
in the Loolagaon forest. This is a beetle of the family Scarabaeide,
sub-family Dynastini. It is new to the Museum collection.

No. 8.—Consists of a Cerambycid beetle which is unrepresented
in the Museum collection. It was found tunnelling into the Sauer,
tree in the above-mentioned forest.

No. 9.—Consists of a Curculionid beetle belonging to the genus
Odoiporus. This insect was found dead in its burrow in a Lepcha-
phal (Phoebe attenuata) tree in the Loolagaon forest.

No. 10.—Consists of a Buprestid beetle probably belonging
to the species Melanotus fuscus, Fabr. No information has been
received as to the injury done by this insect, beyond the report that
it was found excessively numerous in the forest.

Vo, 11.—Specimen of a Curculionid beetle of the genus Odoz-
porus. It was found on the Preng bamboo,

V.—DETERMINATION OF SOME INSECT PESTS.
REFERRING TO PREVIOUS YEARS.

1. The bamboo insects, (beetles of the family Bostrichidz)
referred to Zudtan Museum Notes, Volume I, No. 1, page 43, have
been determined by Mons. P. Lesnez as belonging to the species
Dinoderus pilifrons, Lesne. and Dinoderus minutus, Fabr,

136 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

2. Scar abaeid beetle(sub-fam. Rutelini) injurious to rose-treesand
Cannas in Calcutta, identified by Herr Ernst Brenske as belonging
to Adoretus cardoni (see pl. XI, fig. 4), a species which he has
described in the Annales de la Societé Entomologique de Belgique,
Tome XXXII, 1893. The specimens were sent to the Museum by
Surgeon-Major G. Ranking of Calcutta,

3. Dipterous parasite bred from the larve of the moth Zrabula
vishnu, destructive to castor oil-seed tree in Calcutta. This was
kindly identified by Mr. F. M. vander Wulf as being the male
of Crossocosmta sertcaria, Rondani, the same species which is
parasitical on silk-worms and other moths (see J/udian Museum
Notes, Volume III, No. 5, page 8). He reports that it seems to be
a very common species in Japan, British India, Java, etc., as it is
found in nearly every collection of Diptera from the oriental regions.

4. Dipterous parasite bred from the larva of Enome ampla,
Walk., destructive to Peepul tree in Calcutta. Specimens sent
to Mr. F.. M. vander Wulf were in too bad a condition to be
recognized with any certainty. He, however, reports that the insect
seems to be a species of the genus Masicera.

5. Aphids infesting the leaves of Crysanthemum plant in
' Calcutta, identified by Mr. G. B, Buckton as belonging to the species

Aphis crysanthemz, Koch,

Vi. Oars OF RESULTS OF REMEDIES, etc., TRIED DURING
THE YEAR 1895-90.

(1) PARIS GREEN, BORDEAUX MIXTURE, AND KEROSENE
EMULSION, etc.

In a letter dated 27th May 1895 the late Lieut.-Colonel G. Gaisford,
Political Agent, Quetta, reported:—“I am experimenting with
Paris green and Bordeaux mixture combined. So far I do not
see any good has resulted. This is the more strange as we have had
no rain, and the poisons are certainly still om both leaves and
branches. I will let you know if any results likely to be of general
benefit, accrue.

The kerosene emulsion | find a great success. I used it ona
bellow sprayer, for the Aphis on my rose-buds, for young twigs on
fruit trees, which are affected. I use an old fruit can full of the
emulsion. A man just dips each twig in (and the Aphis are only

No. 3.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 1 37
an eneeeeeCene yf MONO ie oe eis nt Aare hee Le el. |

found on the young tender leaves), He goes round witha light
bamboo-legged table, about 4 feet high, and with the aid of this he
can reach most of the affected twigs,

Last winter I washed or rather scrubbed all my fruit trees with a
mixture consisting of 1lb. soap dissolved in 8 quarts of water, by
boiling, to which, when removed from the fire, was added 1 quart
of crude carbolic acid.

This undoubtedly had a most excellent effect. The trees look
clean, and fresh, and healthy, and all eggs, larvee, etc., etc., were got
rid of,

We are much troubled, too, with bark-lice, which tap most of the
trees. To such an extent is this sometimes done that the ground
below the tree looks as if it had been varnished. This pest, however,
is easily kept down in a garden as | think I once before told you.
They are always on the under-side of the branch, and so easily seen.
A cooly goes round and examines each tree, with a tin of kerosene
emulsion and a rag in his hand. When he sees the lice he rubs
them to death with his fingers. He then washes the place with the
wet rag, and any insect that may have escaped his fingers is killed
with the emulsion,

I keep the emulsion in use right through the summer, and_ I used
to wash out my fowl house and to cleanse any dirty thing there may
be.

I have a force pump, and a plentiful supply of London purple.

We ought to grow as good fruit as any in California, in these
elevated valleys, The peaches I raise from imported trees could not
well be beaten, and all other fruits might well be grown.”

2. LOCUSTS AND ARSENIC (?).
Experience in Experiments.

The Inanda Division Agricultural Association (Victoria County,
Natal) at their last meeting authorised the Locust Committee to draw
up a report on the present aspect of the locust pest, recommending
such remedial measures as the experience of the division during the
past two years has shown to be most effective. The Committee
met on the 21st instant, and after a careful consideration of the
evidence before them, submit the following for general information. -

The Committee have information that in certain localities, princi-
pally along the immediate coast belts, there has been a large deposit

(1) Reprint of a Report by Mr. Leonard Acutt, President of the Inanda Division Agricultural
Association, Victoria County, Natal.

138 3 Indian Museum Notes. [Voi. I¥.
a _ = ay,

of eggs, but that, taking the division generally, the Committee are
assured that the deposit is considerably less than it was last year,
and that of the eggs which have been laid, a much larger percentage
will be destroyed by maggots, ants, etc., than was the case last year.

All measures taken for the destruction of locusts in past seasons
were only partially successful, with the exception of the plan of
poisoning with arsenic, and this met with the most absolute and
unqualified success. Although every publicity was given at the time
to the success of the use of arsenic, very little seems to be known
generally of this important fact, and the principal object of the Asso-
ciation in authorising a report is to give as full information as
possible as to the effectiveness, cheapness, and safety of dealing with
the young locusts by poison.

The evidence before the Committee was so conclusive that they
consider it to be established beyond doubt that the “ hoppers,”
however numerous, can be destroyed in a few days by the judicious
use of arsenic. Crops, therefore, need not suffer for months from
the ravages of the “ hoppers,’ and should the winged locusts from
other districts swoop down later in the season, the crops will be
vigorous, and so be ina better condition to withstand any attacks.
Again, arsenic is effective in destroying flying locusts, but not to the
same extent as with the “hoppers”, for the reason that the ‘‘ flyers”
come suddenly, feed, and are gone before the poison can be put
down ; still it should be kept ready for use, and put down upon any
appearance of a locust flight.

The following testimony will be of interest. One man says :—
“Last season on 400 acres I spent over £300 in driving. the
winged locusts to prevent, if possible, their depositing their eggs, in
destroying eggs, and in digging trenches, and driving the young
locusts, all with only partial success. Towards the end of the season
I tried arsenic, and cleared my fields in a few days. ‘This year I have
let them feed, let them deposit their eggs, and let them hatch, secure
in the knowledge that by the use of arsenic I can kill all that hatch
on my land, and prevent any which may come from adjoining lands
from ever getting beyond my boundary: clearings or firebreaks.”?

Mr. Wilkinson, of Ottawa Estate (who was the first to use arsenic
with any success, and to whom the thanks of the Colony are due)
saysi—‘I had all hands killing locusts, and did very little good and,
from the.time I began to use arsenic, an average of six men per diem
at a cost of 7s., with a few shillings for chemicals for the season,

cleared my place (700 acres) in ro days, and kept it clear from inroads
of locusts from adjoining lands,”

No. 8.] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 139

The mode of application is as follows :—Take 11b arsenic, 116
caustic soda. Take four gallons of water, bring to boiling point,
add the caustic soda; when dissolved, add the arsenic, stir well and
boil for a few minutes, care being taken not to inhale the fumes.
Keep this mixture under lock and key. Take as required half a
gallon of this mixture and add four gallons of hot or cold water and
1016 of brown sugar. Dip bagass, grass, or mealie stalks in this
liquor and place along roads, in cane-fields, or anywhere about grass
or low-growing crops, or splash with a whitewash brush on to any-
thing which the locusts may be observed to have a taste for. Locusts
will come from a hundred yards or more, attracted by the smell of
the sugar ; they eat and die, and are eaten by other locusts, and, if
they are taking the poison freely, in three or four days’ time will be
seen covering the ground with their dead bodies, or will be found
where they have crept under grass or other cover to die. Some
people recommend a much stranger solution than the above, which
is that used by Mr. G. Wilkinson and is the weakest in use, and of
course if it is found to be equally effective with the stronger solutions
it is safer to use.

With regard to the safety with which this poison may be used,

-if the liquor is kept under lock and key, and the due precautions’ are

taken not to leave the sweetened liquor where any human being can
get at it, but to take it direct to the fields, it will be seen that, once
applied as directed, there is no chance of any human person being
poisoned and the small amount of poison in a piece of grass, bagass,
or mealie stalk is not enough to injure stock of any kind; even fowls
have been known to feed on the arsenic-destroyed locusts without
hurt. Should any information with regard to the use of arsenic be
required, any enquiries addressed to the Secretary of the Inanda
Division Agricultural Association, Verulam,-will receive attention.

The Committee, in conclusion, would record their appreciation
of the public service rendered by Mr. Arnold Cooper by his scientific
researches-into the diseases which are undoubtedly attacking the
locusts in this Colony, and they look with interest for his promised
paper on the results of his further investigations.

(3) STORAGE OF CEREALS INTO PITS, etc., AS A
PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST WEEVIL.

The following report of experiments regarding the storage of
cereals into pits, etc.,as a preventive measure against weevil, has

140 Indian Museum Notes [Vol. Iv.
ee ee a re 5p

been received in the Museum, in August 1896, from the Commissary-
General of the Punjab Command. The results of these experiments,
however, show more or less the failure of the methods adopted for _
protecting grain, etc., from weevil :—

PesHawaR District.—Result of storage in pits——The pit was built in the
following manner. A depth of 5 to6 feet was dug out and with the earth so
excavated a kutcha mud wall of the same height built up so as to give a total depth
of about 12 feet.

Two feet of charcoal was placed at the bottom ofthe pit and the sides lined
with a wall of bhoosa about 2 feet thick, 2,000 maunds barley were stored in
April 1894. On opening the pit in October 1894 the barley was found to be in
very good preservation, but next tothe walls of the pit to a breadth of about 4
inches, the barley had become damped, probably through damp communicated

through bhoosa from the surrounding soil. There was a good deal of heat, but no
sign of weevil.

Results of storage in Towers.—The tower was built on the same principle as
the loose bhoosa towers, viz., circular earthen enclosure roofed over with mud,
but with charcoal at the bottom, bhoosa at the sides and matting at top,

Barley was stored in this tower in April 1894. On opening the tower in October
1894, it was found to be in perfect preservation. No sign of weevils, no damping,
no deterioration in any way, but there was a good deal of heat which was due to
the moisture natural to the grain itself.

A further experiment was made during the rainy season (winter months). The
tower was opened on 2nd March 1895, the grain was perfectly dry at the top and
sides ; a small proportion appeared to have been eaten, but the presence of weevils
was confined to the top only, the grain in the middle and at the bottom was free,

RawaLPinp1 District.—Result of storage in a pit.—The pit made was of the
following dimensions :—Depth 12 feet, diameter 20 feet, at bottom, 3 inches char-
coal was well beaten down, over which 20 inches white bhoosa was placed and
covered with chatai matting. At the sides there was chatai matting next to the
grain, then 2 feet bhoosa between the chatat and the walls, well trodden down.
The top was first covered with chataz, then a layer of coarse churrie, over that
about 3 feet dry earth, and finally three times plastering. :

It was filled with 2,000 maunds wheat onthe 19th February 1894, and on
being opened on the 13th February 1895 white ants were found to have penetrated
through the earth at top, and the grain for about 6 inches from top surface was
found caked from damp and honey-combed in places with earth carried in by white
ants, and also contained a species of small weevils. Eighteen inches below the top
surface of grain, the temperature was 74°, and from the centre to bottom of pit it was
gi° to 95°.

Damp had penetrated on one side of the pit from 6 inches to 13 inches and con-
tinued right down to the bottom and slightly for about 2 feet down in one place
on another side.

The wheat had a musty smell, but this diminished as the men got further down
and the grain at the botton was found to be the best preserved.

Result of storage with Napthaline——An experiment was made with one
pound of wheat with Napthaline placed in it.

i

No. 3,] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 14%

The result is a failure, the Napthaline did not prove to be a safeguard against
the attack of weevils.

Result of storage in thegs——Thegs are made of gunny in the shape of a
cylinder like the rum vats but of equal circumference in both ends.

In the thegs put up at Rawalpindi weevils germinated in large numbers.

LaHoreE District.—Result of storage in pits——At Ferozepore a pit was
constructed in which gram was stored on 31st December 1894. It was opened
about the end of March 1895, and the gram was found to bein a good state of
preservation, except a small quantity at the sides, which had become mouldy,
apparently through rain getting in.

At Mian Mir, 1,810 maunds gram was placed into a pit 6 feet below ground
level and 6 feet above; 1 foot bhoosa laid at bottom and at top and round sides;
top, sides and bottom were tarred inside.

The pit was filled with gram on 29th and 30th June 1894 and opened on toth
April 1895. On opening, noxious smell and considerable heat was perceived.
One foot to 13 foot of gram at top was weevil eaten ; at sides to 3 inches at bottom,
sides and bottom to 6 inches the gram was mildewed ; otherwise the gram was
sound with no marks of eggs, etc., in it,

Result of storage in a Kaloti.—* Kaloti” is a small circular hard sun-baked
mud tower about 8 feet high, constructed gradually in circular layers of 2 feet each,
13 inches thick, with 6 inches bhoosa at bottom.

It was filled with 63 maunds gram on 27th and 2oth August 1894 and opened
on 25th April 1895. On opening, no smell or heat was perceptible, and the gram
was to all intents and purposes practically sound and even better than that in the
pit. Dryage or less found on weighing out 2 maunds 38 seers or 7°3 per cent. per
annum. The kalctis hold a very small quantity of grain.

Note.—No report of loss by weevils has been recorded.

Result of storage in thegs.—One thousand maunds gram, 2nd sort, were stored
in 4 thegs at Mooltan, but the experiment resulted in a loss to the State.

SirHinD District.—Result of storage in a pit.—Two thousand maunds new
wheat taken direct from the fields was placed in a pit which was made by enclosing
one end of the verandah of a godown. The pit was filled in on 30th May 1895 and
opened on 31st May s896. The loss due to damages by weevil amounted to 11°13
per cent.perannum. The wheat stored in this pit was of the “ Kutha” (hard)
kind.

Result of storage in a wooden vat.—A wooden vat in which rum used to be
stored, was utilized for storing wheat, 407 ; maunds wheat was put into it onthe 2nd
July 1895. The pit was opened after 253 days and the wheat was found to be very
much weevil eaten. The wheat stored in the vat was of the “ Pissia ”” (soft) kind.

Result of ssovage in a masonry theg.—The masonry theg was made by
building up one corner,of a godown and 20 maunds wheat was put into it on the
21st July 1893 in the following manner:—A thick layer of bhoosa at the bottom
and sides, then a layer of wheat, next a layer of bhoosa, and then the 2nd layer of
wheat, and so on. On top there was a layer of bhoosa.

It was opened on the 4th May 1894 with the following result :—

Good wheat 6 C A 6 5 3 1,295: ths.
Weevil-eaten wheat . 5 6 6 A 1507 5
Less a 6 3 e a . 145 55

142 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

With reference to the above, a trial might be made of storing
some samples of wheat in a pit lined throughout, and finally covered
over with a layer of eam leaves, and floored with a layer of quick-
lime, The quick-lime should, of course, not come into actual con-

tact with the grain.
To give this experiment a fair trial it should be undertaken with

properly dried grain and in dry weather.

No. 3.] Reprints and Misceilaneous Notes. 143

REPRINTS AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

I. DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE SPECIES OF INDIAN
ALEURODID Ai.*

By W. M. MASKELL.
PLatTe No, XI,

[Notr.—The first and second insects described here have been previously
referred to in Indian Museum Notes, Vol. I11., No. 5, p.53- The third has been
found to infest rose trees in Quetta ; specimens were forwarded tothe Museum by
the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Quetta, Baluchistan, in July 1893:—E. B.]

(1) Alewrodes barodensis, Maskell,

Eggs orange-coloured, rather large, oval, pedunculated ; length
about 715 in. The eggs and empty shells are found in large
numbers on the leaf.

Larva dark-brown, becoming later almost black; elongated
elliptical; slightly convex; abdominal segments fairly distinct,
length about #; in. Margin minutely crenulated and bearing a
short white waxy fringe, which is frequently very fragmentary or
absent. Dorsum bearing, within the margin, a row of about
thirty-two small simple circular pores ; within these is a transverse
row of four on the anterior thoracic region, another transverse row
of four on the anterior abdominal region, a lengitudinal row of four
on each side of the abdomen, and one on each side of the vasi-
form orifice. Vasiform orifice subconical, the posterior extremity
slightly produced ; operculum short, rounded, subconical; lingula
cylindrical at the base, afterwards widened, finally tapering, not
quite reaching the edge of the orifice.

Pupa-case very dark-brown or glossy-black, very elongated,
elliptical, with sides nearly straight, the width only about one.
third of the length. Dorsum sometimes slightly convex, sometimes
flat, sometimes slightly concave; abdominal segments indistinct.
Vasiform orifice apparently as in the larva, but difficult to make out
on account of the very dark colour of the case. Margin crenulated,
and bearing a very elegant, long, snowy-white fringe of slender
waxy cylindrical tubes. There is frequently some white powdery
meal on the dorsum, which probably bears pores as in the larva,

* Reprinted from the Transactions cf the New Zealand Institute, 1895.

144 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

but it is most difficult to detect them. The ventral surface is
flat, brown; the rudimentary organs are not distinct, owing to the

dark colour.
Adult form unknown.

Hab.—In India, on Saccharum officinale. My specimens were
sent by Mr. Cotes, late of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, from Baroda.
He informed me they were rather damaging to the sugar-cane in
those parts,

The very elongated form is distinctive, besides the black colour.

(2) Aleurodes eugenica, Maskell. var., aurantizé,

Larva very pale-yellow, sometimes almost white; form roundly
elliptical, flattish; length about 4, in. Dorsum striated, but the stria-
tions are very faint, except near the margin. Margin not at all
thickened, finely fluted and crenulated, bearing no hairs or fringe.
There are three small marginal depressions and three dorsal patches,
as in the pupa.

Pupa-case very pale-yellow, roundly elliptical or sub-circular,
flattish and thin; length about ,; inch, reaching sometimes as much as
4, in. The enclosed pupa is only faintly discernible dorsally, rather
darker than the case, the abdominal segments moderately distinct ; on
turning over the case the rudimentary organs are less confused than
in A. eugeniz. Dorsum of the case very finely marked with radiating
strize, which are a little more conspicuous near the margin. Margin
not thickened, almost entire, divided by deep narrow channels into
segments narrower than those of A. eugentz. There are three
marginal depressions, two opposite the rostrum and one at the
abdominal extremity, and three radiating patches terminating at
these depressions; the patches end (as in the type) in crenulated
circular orifices, but are composed of great numbers of very minute
circular pores or dots, which do not form a lace-work pattern. Vasi-
form orifice subtrapezoidal or subelliptical, broader than long, oper-
culum nearly fitting the orifice; lingula very short, cylindrical with
a dilated end, sometimes obsolete.

Adult form unknown.

Hab.—In India, on Cttrus aurantium. Mr, Cotes, late of the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, sent me some orange-leaves from North-
West Himalayas thickly covered with this insect.

I attach this asa variety to A. eugenix on account of the simi-
larity in several respects, notably in the dorsal radiating patches,
though it differs in some others, It has none of the marginal or
dorsal characters of A. ¢ztrz, Riley and Howard.

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 145

(3) Alewrodes cotesii, Maskell.

Larva yellow, the median region darker than the margin; form
elliptical ; length about ;4, inch. In the earliest state only very faint
indications of the insect itself appear, and the whole is very thin and
flat ; later on the enclosed future pupa begins to be visible, and the
ventral surface becomes more convex; the eyes also appear. The
larval integument becomes too small for the growing insect, and splits
longitudinally ; and in the early pupal state it may be seen attached
along the dorsal edges of the pupa-case. Margins somewhat
thickened, the adjacent tubes forming minute crenulations, and within
it the dorsum bears numbers of very small circular pores; from these
and from the marginal tubes is produced a quantity of white waxy
matter, seme of which covers the dorsum in scattered patches, and
the rest spreads out round the larvain a very long fringe of delicate
threads, frequently much longer than the insect itself. This waxy
matter is very brittle, and, as arule, the whole surface of a leaf is
powdered over with the fragments, making the leaf look as if
mildewed.

Pupa-case, in the earliest state, scarcely distinguishable from the
late larva; afterwards, as the insect grows, it becomes much thicker,
The form remains elliptical; the length reaches about j!,inch. The
dorsal disk is slightly convex, flattened towards the margin; it is
larger than the ventral disk, and slightly overlaps the sides, which
are vertical, The hollow thus formed is covered by a ring of thin
white wax, and there is alsoa plate of wax beneath the ventral
suzface ; portions of this ring and of the plate are frequently seer
amongst the long threads of the larva. The pupal margin is crenu-.
lated but bears no fringe, and the dorsum has no pores or wax. The
outline of the enclosed pupa may be made out indistinctly on the
dorsum, and the rudimentary organs ventrally on turning over the
case. . Vasiform orifice subconical, with regularly convex sides, the
anterior edge concave, operculum sub-elliptical ; lingula very short, not
extending beyond the operculum,

Adult form unknown.

Hab—In India, on Rosa. My specimens were sent by Mr, Cotes,
late of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. They came from Quetta |
Baluchistan. Ihave named the species after him.

The overlapping of the sides by the dorsal disk of A. cutesz? 7s
found also in a New Zealand species, A. fagz, Maskell, 1889; but that
insect has no fringe, and the margin bears twenty-four hairs,

146 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

I]. THE BQT-FLY OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT.

_ Ata meeting of the Mathematical and Natural Science Section
of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of Vienna held on 2nd July
1896, acommunication was made by Professor Friedr. Brauer to the
effect that, in conjunction with Herr Anton Handlirsch and with the
courteous co-operation of Herr Alois Kraus, Inspector of the Imperial
Menagerie at Schénbrunn, he had succeeded in breeding out the
cestrid of the Indian elephant (Cobdoldia elephantis, Cob.), which
was hitherto known only in the larval state. Since it is the inten-
tion of Professor Brauer to furnish fuller details later in a special
memoir, he contents himself with giving the following short diagnosis
of the genus and species in the perfect condition :—

Genus COBBOLDIA, Brauer.

Head vesicular, with strongly projecting front. Antenne ex-
tremely prominent, owing to the large hatchet-shaped third joint
with fine and bare arista. Beneath the antennz a very broad and
deep heart-shaped antennary pit, without a septum, extending to the
oral margin; therefore the facial ridge very short between the facial
angles (“Vibrissenecken”), Oral cavity deep, the rudiment of the
proboscis fairly well developed, as in Cephenomyza, with large
claviform palpi. Face and cheeks shining, bearing tubercles
(“schwielig”). Ocelli present, eyes bare. Thoracic suture complete.
Wings large. Apical transverse vein present, posterior transverse
vein nearer to the angle of the third vein than to the small transverse
vein; angle of the third vein V-shaped, without projecting stump ;
first posterior cellopen. Alula of moderate size, squame very large.
Clavi and pulvilli moderately large. Legs slender, short ; first tarsal
joint as long as all the others put together. Abdomen elongate,
oval, in the “talk with forceps-shaped hypopygium tucked under it;
in the female the ovipositor straight, telescopic, chitinous, dnaded
into four segments (when protruded half as long as the body).
Ventral plates triangular, separated from the Beir ones by a broad
membrane. Fifth plate cleft in the male. Macrocheta absent. Hypo-

pleurze with a row of hairs.
Spec. Cobboldia elephantis, Cob.
Gastrophilus elephantis, Cob. olim (from the larva), Trans. Linn,

Soc., 1881.
Cobboldia elephantts, Brauer (from the larva), Wien, ent. Z

1887.

ft

No. 3.] Reprints and dfiscellaneous Notes. 147

Black, short and thickly clothed with hair; head and antenne

reddish yellow; proboscis and palpi black. Wings dark, blackish

blue, metallic; basal cells, alule, and squamz snow-white. Halteres
and legs black, On the head and on the margins of the abdominal
segments silvery white reflexions. In general appearance resembling
a Pharyngomyta. Female with the front broader and the ovipositor
black ; otherwise precisely like the male.

Length of body 12-24 millim.

Length of wing 10-11 millim.

The larvee leave the host in the early hours of the morning,
pupate in from one to two days, and the imago appears sixteen days
after the exit of the larve.

Copulation takes place immediately.—Sztzungsb, kais. Akad. der
Wiss. Wien, Jahrg 1896, No, XVII, pages 180-182.

Ill. FOOD OF WOODPECKERS OF THE UNITED STATES.

(Reprint of a report by F.E.L. Beal, Esq., published in Bulletin
No. 7, United States, Department of Agriculture, Division of
Ornithology and Mammalogy, 1895.)

GENERAL REMARKS.—With the possible exception of the crow,

‘no birds are subject to more adverse criticism than woodpeckers,

Usually no attempt is made to discriminate between the numerous
species, and little account is taken of the good they do in destroying
injurious insects, The name ‘Sap-sucker’ has been applied to two
or three of the smaller kinds, in the belief that they subsist to a great
extent upon the juices of trees, obtained from the small holes they
make in the bark. There can be little doubt that one species, the
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (Sphyrapizcus varius), does live to a con-
siderable extent upon this sap. Observation does not show that
other species have the same habit, but it is a difficult point to
decide by dissection, as fluid contents disappear quickly from the
stomach.

Many observers have testified to the good work these birds do in
destroying insects, while others have spoken of harm done to fruit
or grain. Both are correct within certain limits.

Field observation on the food habits of birds is attended with
so many difficulties as to render ita very unreliable source from
which to draw general conclusions. The most conscientious and
careful persen is often deceived, not only as tothe quantity ofa

148 Indian Museum Notes. . [Voi. IV.

= —

particular kind of food eaten by a bird, but as to the fact that it is
eaten at all. The further difficulty of keeping a number of birds,
or even a single one, under constant observation makes an estimate
of relative proportions of different kinds of food impossible. When
much mischief is done the fact is apparent, but there is no way to
find out how much good is done during the same time, For these
reasons it often happens that reports on food habits, based on obser-
vations of wild birds, not only conflict with each other but also dis-
agree with the results obtained from stomach examinations. This
last method must be taken as the court of final appeal, and it is evi-
dent that a collection of stomachs covering every month in the year,
and as nearly as may be all points of the bird’s range, becomes more
and more trustworthy as it increases in size; in other words, the
more stomachs examined the nearer correct will be the result as to
the bird’s annual diet.

The present paper is merely a preliminary report, based on the
examination of 679 stomachs of Woodpeckers, and representing only
seven species—all from the Eastern United States. These species
are the Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), the Hairy Wood-
pecker (D. vzllosus), the Flicker or Golden-winged Woodpecker
(Colaptes auratus), the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes ery-
throcephalus), the Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus),
the Yellow-bellied Weodpecker (Sphyrapicus vartus), and the great
Pileated Wocdpecker (Ceophleus pileatus). Examination of their
stomachs shows that the percentage of animal food (consisting
almost entirely of insects) is greatest in the Downy, and grades down
through the Hairy, Flicker, Pileated, Red-head, and Yellow-bellied
to the Red-bellied, which takes the smallest quantity of insects,
Professor Samuel Aughey stated that all of these species, except the
Pileated (which was not present), fed upon locusts or grasshoppers
during the devastating incursions of these insects in Nebraska, The
vegetable matter, of course, Stands in inverse order. The greatest
quantity of mineral matter (sand) is taken by the Flicker, somewhat
less by the Red-head, very little by the Downy and Hairy, and none
at all by the Yellow-bellied and Pileated.

The stomachs of all of the seven species except the Red-head and
the Red-bellied contained the substance designated as ‘ cambium’ in
the accompanying list of vegetable food. This is the layer of
mucilaginous material lying just|inside of,the bark of trees, and from
which both bark and wood are formed. It is supposed by many to
be the main object sought by woodpeckers. Except in the case of
a single species the stomach examination does not bear out this

No. 8.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 146

view, since cambium, if present at all, was in such small quantities
as to be of no practical importance. The Yellow-bellied Wood-
pecker, however, is evidently fond of this substance, for in the
stomachs examined it formed 23 per cent. of the whole food of the
year. It was found in 37 stomachs, most of which were taken in
April and October. Of 18 stomachs collected in April, 16 contained
cambium, and one of the remaining contained no vegetable food whate
ever. Moreover, as the true cambium is a soft and easily digested
substance, it is probable that what is usually found in the stomachs
is only the outer and harder part, which therefore represents a much

_ larger quantity. The extent of the injury done by destroying cam-

if

bium must depend on the quantity taken from individual trees. It
is well known that woodpeckers sometimes do serious harm by
removing the outer bark from large areas on the trunks of fruit trees.
The rings of punctures often seen around the trunks of apple trees
are certainly the work of the Sapsucker, though sometimes attributed
to the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. But the bird is not suffi-
ciently numerous in most parts of the country todo much damage.
It is a difficult task to summarize the results of the investigations
herein detailed, more especially if an attempt is made to decide as
to the comparative merits or demerits of each particular species.
The stomach examinations do not always corroborate the*testimony
received from observers, and many no doubt will be inclined to
think they have seen more harm done by some members of this
family of birds than is shown by the data here published. If birds
are seen feeding repeatedly on a certain kind of food the inference
is that they are particularly fond of it, but the truth may be that
they are eating it because they can find nothing they like better,
and that a collection of their stomachs from many localities would
show only a small percentage of this particular food.

In reviewing the results of these investigations and comparing one
species with another, without losing sight of the fact that comparative
good is not necessarily positive good, it appears that of seven species
considered, the Downy Woodpecker is the most beneficial. This is
due in part to the great number of insects it eats, and in part to the
nature of its vegetable food, which is of little value to man. Three-
fourths of its food consists of insects, and few of these are useful
kinds. Of grain it eats practically none. The greatest sin we can
lay at its door is the dissemination of poison ivy.

The Hairy Woodpecker probably ranks next to the Downy in
point of usefulness. It eats fewer ants, but a relatively larger per-
centage of beetles and caterpillars. Its grain-eating record is trifling:

150 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. ¥.

two stomachs taken in September and October contained corn.
For fruit, it seeks the forests and swamps where it finds wild cherries,
grapes, and the berries of dogwood and Virginia creeper. It eats
_ fewer seeds of the poison ivy and poison sumac than the Downy.

The Flicker eats. a smaller percentage of insects than either the
Downy or the Hairy Woodpecker, but if eating ants is to be considered
a virtue, as we have endeavoured to show, then surely this bird must
be exalted, for three-fourths of all the insects it eats, comprising
nearly half of its whole food, are ants. It is accused of eating corn ;
how little its stomach yields is shown on another page. Fruit con-
stitutes about one-fourth of its whole fare, but the bird depends on
nature and not on man to furnish the supply.

Judged by the results of the stomach examinations of the Downy
and Hairy Woodpecker and Flicker it would be hard to find three
other species of one common birds with fewer harmful qualities.
Not one of the trio shows a questionable trait, and they should be
protected and encouraged in every possible way. Fortunately, only
one, the Flicker, is liable to destruction, and for this bird each farmer
and land-owner should pass a protective law of its own.

The Redhead makes the best showing of the seven species in
the kinds of insects eaten. It consumes fewer ants and more
beetles than any of the others, in this’ respect standing at the head,
and it has a pronounced taste for beetles of very large size. Un-—
fortunately, however, its fondness for predaceous beetles must be
reckoned against it. It alsoleads in the consumption of grasshop-
pers; these and beetles together forming 36 per cent. of its whole
food. The stomachs yielded enough corn to show that it has a taste for
that grain, though not enough to indicate that any material damage
is done. It eats largely of wild fruit, and also partakes rather freely
of cultivated varieties, showing some preference for the large ones,
such as apples, In certain localities, particularly in winter, it feeds
extensively on beechnuts. No charge can be brought against it on
the score of injuring trees by pecking.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is more of a vegetarian than any
of the others. In certain localities in Florida it does some damage
to oranges, but the habit is not general. On the other hand, it eats
quantities of ants and beetles.

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker seems to show only one ques-
tionable trait, that of a fondness for the sap and inner bark of trees.
Both field observations and the contents of the stomachs prove this
charge against it, but it is not probable that forest trees are exten-
sively injured, or that they ever will be, for aside from the fact that

T

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes 15k

_ the bark of many trees would be unpalatable, an immense number

of birds would be required to do serious damage. But with fruit
trees the case is different. Their number is limited, and there are
no superfluous ones as in the forest. In localities where the bird is
abundant considerable harm may be done to apple trees, which
appear to be pleasing to its taste.

The Pileated Woodpecker is more exclusively a forest bird than
any of the others, and its food consists of such elements as the woods
afford, particularly the larveze of wood-boring beetlesand wild fruits,
The species is emphatically a conservator of the forests,

In describing the stomach contents of the different woodpeckers
a quantity of material is classed under the term “rubbish.’”’? The
great bulk of this stuff is rotten wood and bark, picked up in digging
or insects in decayed timber, and apparently swallowed accidentally

-with the food. If thesix woodpeckers which had eaten rotten wood

are compared with respect to the quantity of this material contained
in the stomachs, it is found that the Hairy Woodpecker stands at the
head with 8 per cent., the Downy next with 5, the Flicker with 3, the
Red-head and Yellow-bellied with 1 per cent. each, and the Pileated
with only a trace, From this it appears that the Hairy Woodpecker
is preeminently a woodpecker, while the Red-head and Yeliow-bellied
do much less of this kind of work. The difference in habit is obvious
to the most casual observer. The Red-head is ordinarily seen upon
a fence post or telegraph pole hunting for insects that alight on these
exposed surfaces, and watching for others that fly near enough to
be captured in mid-air. Unlike other wood-peckers, he is seldom
seen digging at a rotten branch except in spring, when he prepares
a home for the family he intends to rear. The Yellow-bellied, as
will be shown presently, does much wood (or bark) pecking, but of
another kind.

The following tables show the food percentages of the stomachs
examined :—

Indian Museum Notes.

152

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No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 153

Relative proportions of larval and adult beetles (Coleoptera)
in stomachs of seven species of woodpeckers,

A on
S fd ie @ | PERCENTAGE | PkRCENTAGR
g a) So OF WHOLE OF STOMACH
8 ga] fa NUMBER, CONTENTs.
wn i=) a oO 3)
NAME OF SPECIES, og o8 s
Gee (nee eae
pa A Peas Weta pores || bea al coe 5
Downy Woodpecker (Dryo-
bates pubescens) : -| 140 50 60 38 43 II 13
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryo-
bates villosus) . ° il BB 27 46 Bye 56 6 18
Flicker (Colaptes auratus) .| 230 67 18 25 8 8 2
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythroce-
phalus) . . : -| Ior 83 O06 82 ie 31 eee
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus) .| 22 6 4 27 18 7 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius) Su OIE 15 I 19 I 5 | Trace.
Pileated Woodpecker Ce
phleus pileatus) . 23 4 12 17 52 2 I

i

DOWNY WOODPECKER.
(Dryobates pubescens.)

This little woodpecker is the smallest, not only of the seven species
under consideration, but of all those inhabiting the United States.
He is also one of the most familiar, being no stranger to the shade
trees about houses and parks, while his fondness for orchards is well
known. He isso quiet and unobtrusive that the first notice one
has of his presence may be a gentle tapping or scratching on the
limb of a tree within two orthree yards of one’s head, where our
diminutive friend has discovered a decayed spot inhabited by wood-
boring larve or a colony of ants.

One hundred and forty stomachs of the Downy Woodpecker have
been examined. They werecollected during every month in the year
and in 21 States, the District of Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick,
A few of the western sub-species (Dryobates pubescens gairduert),
from British Columbia, have been included. The stomachs contained

154 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

74 percent. of insects, 25 percent. of vegetable matter, and
per cent. of mineral matter or sand. The insects belong to the
following orders: Ants (Hymenoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), bugs -
(Hemiptera), flies (Dzpétera), caterpillars (Lep¢doptera), and
grasshoppers (Orthopftera). Spiders and myriapods were also
present, While all of these were eaten to some extent, they
appear in widely different proportions. The ants constitute
almost one-third of all the animal food, or about 23 per cent.
of the whole, indicating a very decided taste for this rather acid
and highly flavoured article of diet. Beetles stand a little higher
in order of importance, amounting to about one-third of the entire
insect food, or somewhat more than 24 per cent, of all, Many
of these belong to the family of May beetles, a few were the
predaceous ground beetles, but by far the greatest number were
wood-boring larvz, a fact showing that this little bird while securing
his dinner is doing good work for the forest. One-fifth of the animal-
food, or 16 per cent.of the total, consists of caterpillars, many of
which apparently are wood-boring species ; others are kinds that live
on stems and foliage. Among insects the most interesting are the
bugs (Hemzptera), which are represented in the stomachs by several
species, notably by plant-lice (Afhides), which in several instances
were found in considerable quantities, amounting to 4 percent. of the
whole food. From the minute size and very perishable nature of
these insects, it is evident that they must disappear from the
stomach in a very short time, and it is fair to infer that many
more were eaten than shown by the foodremains. Spiders, includ-
ing harvestmen or daddy longlegs, were eaten freely, and
amounted to nearly one-tenth of the whole. A few bits of snail shell
were found in one stomach. ;
Eleven Downy Woodpeckers from Kansas collected in winter
(December), deserve special notice, Eight of them had eaten the
eggs of grasshoppers to an average extent of Io per cent. of all their
food. This, besides being in itself a good work, emphasizes the fact
that this bird resorts to the ground for food in case of necessity.
Professor Samuel Aughey examined four stomachs of the Downy
Woodpecker in Nebraska, all of which contained grasshoppers.
The late Dr. Townend Glover, Entomologist of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, states that the stomach of a Downy Wood-
pecker shot in February “was filled with black ants,” He states
farther, ‘! On one occasion a Downy Woodpecker was observed
by myseif making a number of smail rough-cdged perfora-
tions in the bark of a young ash tree, and upon examining the tree

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 155
NDE At gute ay Ay a!) Is. we PA) Cou De Nea Ae SA

when the bird had flown it was found that wherever the bark had

been injured the young larve of a wood-eating beetle had been

snugly coiled underneath and had been destroyed by the bird.” !
In the matter of vegetable diet, the taste of the Downy Wood-

pecker is varied, prompting him to eat a little of a good many things
rather than a large quantity of any one.

The following is a list of the vegetable substances that were
identified :—
GRAIN— Misc ELLANEOUS—

Indeterminable. Poison ivy seeds (Rhus vadicans).
| Poison sumac seeds (Rhus vernix).

FRuitT—
Dogwood berries (Cornus fi2rida), ae Sumize: seeds: 9 (ius
C. alternifolia) and (C. j° SA5 Js
oe ee) RGasner? Mullein seeds ( Verbascum thap-
Virginia creeper berries ( Partheno- Su)
Esse 2 Ee Beese. Hornbeam seeds (Ostrya virgi-
n1aNQ) «

June or service berries (Amelan-

eiison anraetiocsis). Nut, unidentified.

Flower petals and buds.

Strawberries (Fragaria). Guile

Pokeberries (Phytolacca decandra). (Caraiiines

Apples. Seeds, unidentified.
Unidentified. Rubbish.

Material believed to be fragments of grain was found in two
stomachs, but the quantity. was so small that it may be dismissed
without further comment. Fruit is by far the largest item of
vegetable diet, forming one-tenth of the whole food. Strawberry
seeds were found in only one stomach, apple pulp was supposed to be
identified in two, and the other varieties mentioned in the table were
distributed in about the same proportion ; so that no great economic
interest can attach to this part of the birds’ diet. The seeds and
other things included under the head ‘ Miscellaneous”’ constitute
about one-twelfth of the total food. Seeds of poison ivy were found
in twenty stomachs and poison sumac in one. These plants, far
from being harmful to the birds, seem to form a very agreeable
article of diet, and are eaten by many species. Unfortunately these
seeds are protected by a hard, horny covering which successfully
resists the action of the stomach, so that they pass through the
alimentary canal uninjured. It is probable that we owe to birds,
more than any other agency, the presence of these noxious plants
beside fences, copses, and hedge rows, The remaining vegetable
food, about 5 per cent. was classed as rubbish, and will be discussed
in connection with some of the other woodpeckers.

—.

1 United States Agiicuitural Report for 1865-1866, pp. 37 and 38.

z Commonly called Ampelopsis. See (List of Pteridophyta and Spermatophyta)
prepared by a committee of the Botanical Club of the A, A. A. S., 1893-94, which has been
followed in all questions of botanical nomenclatuie.

156 - Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.
fee ciel oe |

No beechnuts were found in any of the stomachs examined, but
‘Dr. Merriam informs me that in Northern New York they feed
extensively on this nut, particularly in fall, winter and early spring.
On April 5th, 1878, Dr. Merriam “ shot four Downy Woodpeckers
all of whose gizzards were full of beechnuts and contained nothing
else. The birds were often seen on moss-covered logs, and even
on the ground, searching for the nuts exposed by the melting snow.”
Dr. Merriam states also that he has seen this woodpecker in the fall
eat the red berries of the mountain ash,

HAIRY WOODPECKER.
(Dryobates villosus.)

This woodpecker is As common as the Downy in most parts of
the United States, and to the ordinary eye can only be distinguished
by its greater size, its colour and markings being almost exactly
the same. The Hairy is a noisier bird, however, often making his
presence known by loud calls and obtrusive behaviour and by rapid
flights from tree to tree. Like the Downy, he has been accused
of depredations on fruit, but the stomachs examined (do not show
that cultivated varieties form any considerable part of his fare.
Beside the general resemblance between the two birds there is
also a remarkable similarity in their food habits, as shown by the
stomach contents; the greatest difference being that the Hairy
eats a smaller percentage of insects than the Downy. Eighty-two
stomachs have been examined, collected during every month in the
year, except February; and coming from nineteen States, the Dis-
trict of Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, though
most were fromthe Northern United States. The proportion of
different kinds of food is as follows :—Animal 68 per cent. ; vegetable
31 per cent. ; mineral 1 percent. The insect material was made up
of ants, beetles, caterpillars, bugs, and grasshoppers. Spiders and
myriapods also were present. An inspection of the percentages
shows that ants are not so highly prized by the Hairy as by the
Downy, since they constitute only about 17 per cent. of the whole
food, or one-fourth of the insect portion. Beetles, both larval and
adult, stand relatively higher than in the case of the Downy, compris-
ing 24 per cent. of all food, or more than one-third of the insect
matter. Caterpillars were eaten in greater quantities, both actually
and relatively, amounting to 21 per cent. of the whole food, or more

No. 3. ] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 157

than one-third of all the insect material. Spiders are well repre-
sented, and aggregate nearly 6 per cent. of the entire food. Among
the miscellaneous insects were a few aphids or plant lice. Grass-
hoppers were found in only 1 stomach, but Professor Aughey found
them in 4 out of 6 stomachs examined by him in Nebraska.

Mr. F. M. Webster states that he has seen a Hairy Woodpecker
successfully peck a hole through the parchmentelike covering of
the cocoon of a Cecropia moth, devouring the contents. On examin-
ing more than 20 cocoons in grove of boxelders he found only 2
uninjured.

The Hairy Woodpecker selects a somewhat larger variety of
vegetable food than the Downy, though of the same genera,
character. The following list of fruits and seeds found in the
stomachs does nct indicate that the bird visits orchards and gardens
for fruit so much as swamps. and thickets, where wild grapes,
woodbine, and dogwood abound.

Dogwored berries (Cornus florida
and C. asperifolia).

Virginia creeper berries (Partheno
cissus quinquefolia).

June or. service berries (Amelan-
chier canadensis).

Spice berries (Benxgoin benzoin).

Sourgum berries (Vyssa aquatica).

Wila black cherries (Prunus sevo-

_ dina).

Choke cherries, (Pranus virgini-
ana).

Wild grapes (Vitzs cordzfolza).

GrRaIN— Fruit—contd.
Corn. Black-berries — or rasp-berries
“ (f£ubus).
Fruir— Pokeberries, (Phytolacca decandra).

Unidentified.

MISCELLANEOUS —

Poison ivy seeds ( Rhus vadicans).
Poison sumac seeds (Rhus verntx).
Harmless sumac seeds (Rhus
glabra).
Barngrass
sp. 2).
Hazelnuts.
Seeds, unidentified.
Cambium.
Spruce foliage (Picea).
Rubbish.

seeds (Chamerapht

The only grain discovered was corn, which was found in two
stomachs. In one case it was green corn in the milk, but this is
hardly sufficient to prove the habit of eating corn. Fruit aggregates
a little more than 11 per cent. of the food of the species, and is
fairly distributed among all the items in the above list. Since
blackberries are the only kind of cultivated fruit found in the
stomachs, and since they grow wild inabundance, it is evident that
the Hairy Woodpecker does not at present cause any great damage
by his fruit-eating habits. The substances in the miscellaneous list
form about 11 per cent. of the whole food, and are practically
of the same character as in the case of the Downy. Poison

158 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

ivy seeds were eaten by seven birds, and poison sumac by only one,
so that not so many seeds of these undesirable shrubs are distri-
buted by the Hairy as by the Downy. The weed seeds in the
stomachs were few in number, but in lowa both the Hairy and the
Downy Woodgeckers feed largely on weed seeds in winter, sto-
machs taken then containing little else. Rubbish amounts to about
one-twelfth of all their food, which is the largest percentage shown
by any species.

Dr. Merriam informs me that in Northern New York the Hairy
Woodpecker, like the other woodpeckers of the Adirondack region,
feeds largely on beech-nuts. In late fall, winter, and early spring
following good yields of beech-nuts, the nuts form the principal food
of the woodpeckers,

FLICKER.
(Colaptes auratus.)

This bird, one of the largest and best known of our woodpeckers,
is more migratory than either the Hairy or Downy, in winter being
scarce or absent from its breeding range in the Northern States,
when it is very abundant in summer and early fall. The Yellow-
shafted Flicker is distributed throughout the United States, east of
the Rocky Mountains. in the West it is replaced by the Red-shafted
Flicker, which may be considered the same so far as food habits are
concerned. Under one or the other of its various titles of Flicker,
Golden-winged Woodpecker, High-holder, Yellow-hammer, Pigeon
Woodpecker, and Hairy-wicket, it is known to every farmer and
schoolboy and, unfortunately to certain so-called sportsmen also, for
this is the one woodpecker that is often seen in city markets. In
most places it is a much shyer bird than either of the preced-
ing, and while it frequents the farm and approaches buildings freely,
it keeps more in the tops of the trees and does not allow so near
an approach of its greatest enemy, man, This is particularly true
in the north-eastern part of the country, where large bags of Pigeon
Woodpeckers are annually made among the wild cherry trees in
which the birds feed. The Flickers soon learn whom they have
to fear, and such knowledge seems to be hereditary. They are very
prolific, rearing from six to ten young at a brood, and so keep
reasonably abundant in most parts of the country. The Flicker is
the most terrestrial of all the woodpeckers, in spite of his high-perch-

No. 8.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 159

ing and high-nesting proclivities, and may often be seen walking
about in the grass like a meadow lark.

In the investigation of its food habits 230 stomachs were
examined, taken in every month of the year, although January and
February have but 1 each. They were collected in 22 States, the
District of Columbia, and the North-West Territory, and are fairly
well distributed over the region east of the Rocky Mountains. They
contained 56 per cent, of animal matter, 39 per cent. of vegetable,
and 5 percent. of mineral. It will be seen that the quantity of
animal or insect material is less than in either of the preceding
species, and the mineral matter somewhat greater. The following
orders of insects were represented: Ants (Hymenoptera), beetles
(Celeoptera), bugs (Hemzptera), grasshoppers and crickets (Or-
thoptera), caterpillars (Lepidoptera), Mayflies (Ephemerida) and
white-ants (/soptera). Spiders and myriapods also were present.
An inspection of this insect matter shows the rather remarkable
fact that more than three-fourths of it, or 43 per cent. of the whole
food, consists of ants. If the mineral matter is thrown out as not
being properly food, we find that more than 45 per cent. of the
Flicker’s food for the year consists of ants, Among the stomachs
examined several contained nothing but arts. In two of these the
actual number of ants present in each stomach exceeded 3,000.
These were mostly small species that live in burrows in the earth,
so that it is evident that when Flickers are seen upon the ground
they are usually in search of ants, although the other insects found
in the stomachs account in part for this ground feeding habit. Pro-
fessor Samuel Aughey examined eight stomachs of Flickers in Dixon
Country, Nebr., in June 1865. All of them contained grasshoppers,
and the number in each stomach varied from 15 to 48.

As a large part of the food of the seven woodpeckers studied
consists of ants, the question may be asked whether the birds are
doing good or harm by destroying them, There are so many different
species of these insects, and they have such widely different habits,
that it is difficult to make any assertion that will apply to all, but it
is safe to say that many kinds are decidedly harmful, because they
attend, protect and help to spread plant, root and bark lice of
various species. These lice are among the worst enemies of plant
life, and everything which tends to prevent their destruction is
prejudicial to the interests of agriculture. Other species of ants
destroy timber by burrowing in it; still others, in warmer climates
do much harm to fruit trees by cutting off the leaves and under-
mining the ground. Many species infest houses and buildings

160 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

Appreantly, then, birds do no harm in destroying ants, but on the
contrary probably do much good by keeping within bounds these
insect pests, whose greater abundance would be a serious injury
to man. The Flicker takes the lead in this work, eating ants
to the extent of nearly half of his whole food.

Next in importance to ants are beetles, which form about Io
per cent. of all the food, less than half the quantity eaten by the
Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. Among these were May beetles
and their allies, a few snapping beetles, but the greater number
were Carabids or predaceous ground beetles. Most of these were in
the adult form, but some larve of tiger beetles were identified.
As these last live in burrows in the sand, and as Carabids live upon
the ground, their presence in the stomachs again points to the
terrestrial habits of the bird. The same is true of the grasshoppers
and crickets. None of the other insects mentioned were eaten to
any great extent, the whole aggregating only about 3 per cent. Two
stomachs contained each a single bed bug. Where they were obtained
it is as difficult to surmise as it is to understand what motive could
prompt the bird to swailow such an insect. Five stomachs contained
each a few bits of a snail shell.

In the matter of vegetable diet the Flicker has the most extensive
list of any of the 7 woodpeckers, and many of the articles of food can
only be obtained on the ground or among low bushes, Following
is alist of all the vegetable substances identified in the Flicker’s

stomachs :—

GRAIN— FRuit—contd,
Corn. Elderberries (Sambucus caza-
Bocnhent densis and S. pubens).
Mulberries (4/orus).
FruiT—

Wild grapes (Vitis cordifolia).

Dogwood berries (Cornus florida
8 ft Wild black cherries (Prunus

and C. asperifolia).

Apia s sevotina).
Virginia creeper berries (Partheno- ) 3 Sel
: ; : Choke cherries (Prunus virgini=
cissus quinguefolia). ana)

Hack berries (Celtis eccidentalis).

Black alder berries (lex verti-
cillata).

Sourgum berries ( Vyssa aquatica).

Cat or greenbrier berries (Smilax
glauca).

Blue berries (Vaccinium, sp.).

Huckleberries (Gaylussacia, sp.)-

Pokeberries (Phytolacca decandra).

June or service berries (Ame-
lanchier canadensis),

Spiceberries (Benzoin bensoin).

Cultivated cherries.
Black berries (Rubus).
Unidentified.

Miscellaneous—

Poison ivy seeds (Rhus vadicans).

Poison sumac seeds (Rhus verntx).

Harmless sumac seeds (Rhus copal-
ling and R. glabra).

Waxberries or bayberries (Afyrica
cevifera).

Juniper berries (Funitperus vsrgi-
niana).

7

Ne. 3, Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 161

Miscellaneous — contd, Ragweed (Ambrosia).
Knotweed or smartweed (Polygonum Magnolia seed (Maguolia grandi-
convolovulus, P. persicarta, P. lapa- flora),
thifolium). Acorns (Quercus).
Clover seed (Trifolium repens). Seed unidentified.
Grass seed (Phleum). Cambium.
Pigweed seed (Chenopodium). Rubbish.

_ Mullein seed (Verbascum thapsus),

Of the two kinds of grain in the above list, corn was identified in
5 stomachs, buckwheat in 1. One of the stomachs containing corn
was taken in March and the bird had made a full meal of it, probably
because he could get nothing else. Three of the others were col-
lected in September, and the corn was evidently “in the milk.’ The
fifth was taken in October, and is of a somewhat doubtful nature.

The Department of Agriculture has received a number of reports
that implicate woodpeckers in damage done to crops. The only one
of any consequence is from Dr. E. S.C. Foster, of Russell County,
Kans., who states that the Red-headed and Golden-winged Wood-
peckers damage corn in the roasting ear by tearing open the husks,
He does not say for what purpose the husks are torn open, though
some observers have declared that the object is to obtain the grub
which sometimes infests the ear. The testimony furnished by the
stomachs does not indicate that the Golden-wing has much to do
with corn stealing, for it appears that out of 98 stomachs taken in
September and October, the season of harvest, only 4 contained corn
at all, and these in quantities ranging from 4 to 30 per cent. of the
stomach contents. The buck-wheat was eaten in September. The
Flicker has a rich and varied list of fruit, embracing at least 20
different kinds, nearly all of which are wild.

The two items of grain and fruit together constitute about 25
per cent. of the whole food, the grain, however, being of little conse-
quence. With all this fruit-eating the Flicker trespassed upon man
preserves for cherries only, and these were found in only 1 stomach.
Several observers, however, have testified that some damage is done.
T. J. Parrish, of Cooke County, Tex., states that the Yellow-hammers
and small woodpeckers feed on peaches, plums, grapes, and cherries.

Miscellaneous vegetable substances aggregate a little more than
19 per cent. of the whole food of this bird, and like the fruit list,
consist of a variety of elements. Poison ivy seeds were found in 20
stomachs, poison sumac in 5, and bayberries in 14. All these seeds
are coated with a white substance resembling wax, and while the
quantity is small compared with the size of the seeds, it is probably
rich in nutritive properties, for the seeds are a favorite article of

162 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

winter diet with many birds. A number of weed seeds were found,
and if eaten in considerable quantities would be a great argument in
the bird’s favour, but unfortunately they occurred in only one or two
stomachs each, and so may be considered as merely picked up
experimentally in default of something better. It is possible that a
series of stomachs taken in the winter months might show a larger
percentage, as has been observed in the case of other species cf
birds, including at least 2 woodpeckers, The mineral element of the
stomach contents is larger in the Flicker than any of the others,
forming 5 per cent, of the whole, and consisting principally of fine
sand. It was noticed that the greatest quantity was present in
stomachs containing ants, showing that the sand was picked up
accidentally in gathering the ants from their hillocks,

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus.)

The handsome Red-head inhabits suitable localities throughout
the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, but is only casual
in New England. He is a familiar bird on telegraph poles and fence
posts, and seems to prefer these rather unpicturesque Objects to
other apparently more fruitful hunting grounds. He feeds largely on
insects found upon these bare surfaces, but the vegetable matter in
his stomach shows that he forages in other pastures also.

Fifty years ago Giraud stated that on Long Island the Red-headed
Woodpecker arrives early in April, and during the spring ‘‘ subsists
chiefly on insects. In the summer it frequents the fruit trees, ripe
cherries and pears seeming to be a favorite repast. In the fall it
feeds on berries and acorns, the latter at this season forming a large
portion of its food.”?

In its fondness for mast it resembles its relative, the California.
Woodpecker, whose habit of storing acorns is one of its most con-
spicuous traits. In the northern parts of its range, where the oak is
replaced by the beech, the Red-head makes the beech-nut its principal
food. Dr. C, Hart Merriam has given much testimony under this head.*
He states that in Northern New York, where it is one of the com-
monest woodpeckers, it subsists almost exclusively on beech-nuts
during the fall and winter, even picking the green nuts before they
are ripe and while the trees are still covered with leaves. He has
shown that these woodpeckers invariably remain throughout the
winter after good nut yields and migrate whenever the nut crop fails,

1 Birds of Long Island, by J. P. Giraud, Jr. 1844, page 180.

2 Birds of Connecticut, 1877, page 66; Bull-Nuttall Ornith. Club, Volume III, 1878,
age 124; Mammals of the Adirondacks, 1884, page 226.

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes, 163

He says : “ Gray squirrels, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and beech-nuts

-were numerous during the winters of 1871-72, 1873-74, 1875-76,

1877-78, 1879-80, 1881-82, 1883-84, while during the alternate years
the squirrels and nuts were scarce and the woodpeckers altogether
absent ;” and adds that in Lewis Country, New York, “a good squirrel
year is synonymous with a good year for elanerpes, and vice versA.”’
In early spring, following nut years, when the melting snow un-
covers the ground, they feed on the beech-nuts that were buried
curing winter. On April 5, 1878, at Locust Grove, New York, he
shot six whose gizzards contained beech-nuts and nothing else.

In an interesting article in the Auk}, Mr. O. P. Hay says that in
Central Indiana during a good beech-nut year, from the time the nuts
began to ripen, the Red-heads were almost constantly on the wing,
passing from the beeches to some place of deposit. They hid the
nuts in almost every conceivable situation. Many were placed in
cavities in partly decayed trees, and the felling of an old beech was
certain to provide a feast for the children. Large handfuls were
taken from a single knot hole. They were often found under a patch
of raised bark, and single nuts were driven into cracks in the bark.
Others were thrust into cracks in gate-posts; and a favorite place
of deposit was behind long slivers on fence-posts. In a few cases
grains of corn were mixed with beech-nuts. Nuts were often driven
into cracks in the ends of railroad ties; and the birds were often
seen on the roofs of houses pounding nuts into the crevices between
the shingles. In several instances the space formed by a board
springing away from a fence was nearly filled with nuts, and after-
wards pieces of bark and wood were brought and driven over the nuts
as if to hide them from poachers.

In summer Dr. Merriam has seen the Red-heads “ make frequent
sallies into the air after passing insects, which were almost invariably
secured.” He has also seen them catch grasshoppers on the ground
in a pasture.

Dr, A. R. Fisher saw several Red-headed Wood-peckers feeding
on grasshoppers in the streets at Miles City, Mont., in the latter part
of July 1893. Several of the birds were seen capturing these insects
near the hotel throughout the greater part of the forenoon. From a
regular perch on top of atelegraph pole or cottonwood they de-
scended on their prey, sometimes eating them on the ground, but
more Often returned to their former post to devour them. The fol-
lewing interesting observation was made by Dr. G. S. Agersborg, of
Vermillion, S, Dak? :—

Last spring in opening a good many birds of this species with the object of
ascertaining their principai food, I found in their stomachs nothing but young

1 Auk. Volume IV, 1887, pages 194, 195. ;
2 Bull-Nuttall Ornith. Club, Volume III, 1887, page 97.

164 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.
sss a Tame N TT MALES MND aS ta an TD a TDRSS ee

grasshoppers. One of them, which had its head-quarters near my house, was
observed making frequent visits to an old oak post, and on examining it I found a
large crack where the woodpecker had inserted about 100 grasshoppers of all sizes
(for future use, as later observation proved), which were put in without killing them,
but they were so firmly wedged in the crack that they in vain tried to get free. I
told this to a couple of farmers, and found that they had also seen the same thing,
and showed me posts which were used for the same purpose. Later in the season
the woodpecker whose station was near my house, commenced to use his stores
and to-day (February 10), there are only a few shrivelled-up grasshoppers left.

Mr. Charles Aldrich, of Webster City, lowa, states that he saw a
Red-headed Woodpecker catching grasshoppers on the prairie half a
mile from timber. In Nebraska grasshoppers were found in four out
of six stomachs examined by Prof. Samuel Aughey.

Besides depredations upon fruit and grain, this woodpecker has
been accused of destroying the eggs of other birds and even of
killing the young; and from Florida comes a report that it enters
poultry houses and sucks the eggs of domestic fowls. Mr. Charles
Aldrich, of Webster City, Iowa, says that a Red-headed Wood-
pecker was seen to kill a duckling with a single blow on the head,
and then to peck out and eat the brains.’ In view of such testimony
remains of eggs and young birds were carefully looked for in the
stomachs examined, but pieces of egg-shell were found in only one
stomach of the Flicker and two of the Red-head.

A very unusual trait has been recorded by Dr. Howard Jones, of
Circleville, Ohio. Dr. Jones says he has seen the Red-headed Wood-
pecker steal the eggs of eave swallows, and in cases where the necks
of the nests were so long that the eggs were out of reach, the wood-
pecker made a hole in the walls of the nest and so obtained the
contents. In a colony of swallows containing “dozens ”’ of nests, not
a single brood of young was raised. One of the woodpeckers also
began to prey upon hen’s eggs, and was finally captured in the act
of robbing the nest of a sitting hen.’

No traces of young birds or of any other vertebrates were dis-
covered in the stomachs of any of the seven species under cones
ation, except bones of a small frog which were found in the stomach
of a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) from Florida.

The Red-head has been accused of doing considerable damage to
fruit and grain, and both charges are fairly well sustained, In
Northern New York, Dr. Merriam has seen it peck into apples on the
tree, and has several times seen it feed on choke cherries (Prunus
virginiana).

Mr. August Jahn, of Poke County, Ark., writes that it has
damaged his corn to the amount of $10 or $15, and Dr. J. R. Mathers,

1 Am, Nat. Velume V}, No. 5, May 1877, page 308,
2 Ornith. and Oologist, Volume VIII, No. 7, 1883, page 50.

it

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 165

of Upshur County, W. Va., says that the same species feeds on
cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and that its
depredations are sometimes serious, According to Mr. Witmer
Stone, of Germantown, Pa., Red-headed Woodpeckers have been
observed to strip a blackberry patch of all of its fruit. Mr. W. B.
McDaniel, of Decatur County, Ga., also reports that the Sap-sucker
and Redhead eat grapes and cherries, the loss being sometimes con-
siderable. These examples show the nature of the evidence contribu-
ted by eye-witnesses, the accuracy of whose observations there is no
reason to doubt. That the stomach examinations do not reveal more
damaging points against the species is not surprising, for a person
seeing a bird eating his choice fruit, or in some other way inflicting
damage, is more impressed by it than by the sight of a hundred of
the same species quietly pursuing their ordinary vocations. Thus an
occasional act is taken as a characteristic habit.

One hundred and one stomachs of the Redhead were examined
from specimens collected throughout the year, although the bird is
not generally abundant in the Northern States during the winter
months. The specimens were taken in 20 States, the District of
Columbia and Canada, and are fairly well distributed over the whole
region east of the Rocky Mountains. The contents of the stomachs
consisted of animal matter, 50 per cent.; vegetable matter, 47 per cent. ;
mineral matter, 3 per cent. The animal and vegetable elements are
nearly balanced, and the mineral element is larger than in any except
the Flicker, The insects consist of ants, wasps, beetles, bugs, grass-
hoppers, crickets, moths, and caterpillars. Spiders and myriapods
also were found. Ants amounted to about 11 per cent. of the whole
food, which is the smallest showing of any of the seven species under
consideration, and is in harmony with the habits of the bird, which
collects its food upon exposed surfaces where ants do not often occur.
Beetle remains formed nearly one-third of all food, the highest record
of any one of the seven woodpeckers. The families represented were
those of the common May beetle (Lachnosterna) which was found in
several stomachs, the predaceous ground beetles, tiger beetles,
weevils, and a few others. Among the May beetle family is a rather
Jarge, brilliant green beetle, known to entomologists as Allorhina
nitida, but commonly called by the less dignified name of ‘June bug.’
It is very common during the early summer in the Middle and South-
ern States but less so atthe North. This insect was found in 11
stomachs, and 5 individuals were identified in a single stomach, which
would seem an enormous meal for a bird of this size. Another large
beetle eaten by this woodpecker is the fire-ground beetle (Calosoma

166 Indian Museum Notes. — [Vol. IV.

~\

calidum), a predaceous beetle of large size and vile odor. Passalus
cornutus, one of the staghorns,a large insect, was also found, as
well as a pair of mandibles belonging to Prionus érevicornus, one of
the largest beetles in the United States. A preference for large
beetles is one of the pronounced characteristics of this woodpecker.
Weevils were tound in 15 stomachs, and in several cases as many as
10 were present, Remains of Carabid beetles were found in 44
stomachs to an average amount of 24 percent. of the contents of
those that contained them, or 10 percent of all. The fact that 43 per
cent, of all the birds taken had eaten these beetles, some of them to
the extent of 16 individuals, shows a decided fondness for these
insects, and taken with the fact that 5 stomachs contained Cicindelids
or tiger beetles forms a rather strong indictment against the bird.

Grasshoppers and crickets formed 6 per cent. of the whole food, a
larger percentage than in any of the other seven species. The agegre-
gate for all other insects is 4 per cent, and the most important kinds
are wasps and their allies. As this bird has often been seen capturing
insects on the wing,! it is probable that the wasps were taken in that
Way.

The vegetable food of the Redhead presents considerable variety,
and shows some points of difference -from that of the other wood-
peckers. The tollowing, is the list of substances identified:

GRAIN :— FRuIT—co ntinued.
pe Corn: Apples.
FRUIT :-— Pears.
Dogwood berries (Cornus candidissima Unidentified.
and C. florida). Miscellaneous :
Huckleberries (Gaylussacia). Sumac seeds (Rhus copallina
Strawberries (Fvagaria). and R. glabra).
Blackberries or raspberries (Rubus). Ragweed seeds (Ambrosia).
Mulberries (Zorus). Pigweed seeds (Chenopodium).
Elderberries (Sambucus). Acorns (Quercus).
Wild black cherries (Pruzus serotina). Seeds unidentified.
Choke cherries (Prunus virginiana). Galls.
Cultivated cherries. Flower anthers,
Wild grapes (Vitzs cordzfolza). Rubbfsh,

Corn was found in 17 stomachs, collected from May to September
inclusive, and amounted to more than 7 per cent. of all the food.
While it seems to be eaten in any condition, that taken in the late
summer was in the milk, and evidently picked from standing ears,
This being the largest percentage of grain shown by any of the seven
species corroborates some of the testimony received, and indicates

1See Merriam, Bull, Nuttall Ornith. Club, Volume III, July 1878, page 126; also Forest
and Stream, Volume IX, January 17, 1878, page 451.

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 167

that the Redhead, if sufficiently abundant, might do considerable
damage to the growing crop particularly if other food was not at
hand, While the fruit list is not so Jong as in the case of the Flicker,
it includes more kinds that are, or may be, cultivated; and the
quantity found in the stomachs, a little more than 33 per cent, of
all the food, is greater than in anyof the others. Strawberries
were found in 1 stomach, blackberries or raspberries in 15, cultivated
cherriesin 2, apples in 4, and pearsin 6. Fruit pulp was found in 33
stomachs, and itis almost certain that a large part of this was obtained
from some of the larger cultivated varieties. Seeds were found in
but few stomachs, and only a small number in each.

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
(Melanerpes carolinus.)

‘The Rea-bellied Woodpecker is amore southern species than any
of the others treated in this bulletin. It is not known to breed nortn
of the Carolinian fauna, and is abundant in Florida and the Gulf
States. Curiously enough it sometimes migrates north 0 its breed-
ing range to spend the winter.

Only 22 stomachs of this species have been ened by the divi-
sion. These were collected in nine States, ranging from Florida to
Michigan and from Maryland to Kansas, and in every month, except
April, June, and July. An examination of their stomachs shows
animal matter (insects) 26 per cent. and vegetable matter 74 per
cent. Asmall quantity of gravel was found in seven stomachs, but was
not reckoned as food. Ants were found in 14 stomachs, and
amounted to 11 percent. of the whole food. Adult beetles stand
next in importance, aggregating 7 per cent. of all food, while larval
beetles only reach 3 per cent. Caterpillars had been taken by only
two birds, but they had eaten so many that they amounted to 4 per
cent. of the whole food. The remaining animal food is made up of
small quantities of bugs (Hemiptera), crickets (Orthoptera), and
spiders, with a few bones of a small tree frog, found in one stomach
taken in Florida.

Dr. B, H. Warren states that the stomachs of three Red-bellied
Woodpeckers captured in winter in Chester and Delaware counties,
Pa., contained black beetles, larvae, fragments of acorns, and a few cane
of ila grapes. The stomachs of eight adults fon the St. John’s
River, Florida, contained red seeds of two species of palmetto, but no

168 Lndian Museum Notes, [Vol. IV.

insects. Two additional stomachs from the same locality contained
palmetto, berries, fragments of crickets (Nemobius and Oracharzs
saltator), apalmetto ant (Camponotus escurtens) and numerous joints
of a myriapod, probably ¥ulus.'

Dr. Townend Glover found in the stomach of a Red-bellied Wood-
pecker killed in December “ pieces of acorns, seeds, and gravel, but
no insects. Another, shot in December, contained wing-cases of
Buprestts, and a species of wasp or Polistes, acorns, seeds, and no
bark. A third, shot in May, was filled with seeds, pieces of bark
and insects, among which was an entire Lachnosterna, or May
bug.’’?

The vegetable food of the Red-bellied Woodpecker contained in
the 22 stomachs examined by the division consisted of the following

seeds and fruits :—

GRaINsS—
Corn, Fruit—continued.
FrvuiT— Saw palmetto (Sabal serrulata).
Mulberries (Yorus rubra). Holly (Jlex opaca).
Wild grapes (Vitis cordifolia). Wild sarsaparilla (Avalia nudi-
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quin- caults).
quefolta). Bayberries (Myvica cerifera).
Elderberries (Sambucus canadensis). Pine (Pinus echinata).
Rough-leaved cornel (Cornus aspert- Poison ivy (Rhus radicans).
folia). Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.).

Corn was found in only two stomachs. The other items were well
distributed, and none of them appear to be specially preferred, unless
it may be the poison ivy, which was found in six stomachs, and
amounted to nearly 12 per cent. of the whole food. Although eight of
the 22 birds were collected in Florida, no trace of the pulp of oranges
was discovered, but that oranges are eaten by them is shown by the
following interesting notes.:—

Dr. B. H, Warren states that in Florida the Red-bellied Wood-
pecker is commonly known as ‘ Orange Sap-sucker’ and ‘ Orange
borer.’ Dr. Warren collected 26 of these woodpeckers in an orange
grove near Volusia and found that 11 of them contained orange
pulp. Three contained nothing else; the others had eaten also
insects and berries.

Corroborating Dr. Warren’s account, Mr. William Brewster
states that at Enterprise, Fla.. in February 1889, he saw a Red-
bellied Woodpecker eating the pulp of a sweet orange. Mr, Brewster
states that the woodpecker attacked the orange on the ground, peck-
ing at it in a slow and deliberate way for several minutes. On
examining the orange it was found to be decayed on one side. ‘‘In
the sound portion were three holes, each nearly as large as a silver

1 Birds of Pennsylvania, 2nd. ed., 1800, pp. 1745 175.
* U.S. Agricultural Report for 1865, 1860, p, 38.

No, 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 169

dollar, with narrow strips of peel between them. The pulp had
been eaten out quite to the middle of the fruit. Small pieces of rind
were thickly strewn about the spot.” Upon searching closely he
discovered several other oranges that had been attacked in a similar
manner. All were partially decayed and were lying on the ground.
He was unable to find any on the trees which showed any marks of
the woodpecker’s bill.

Mr. Benjamin Mortimer, writing of the same bird at Sanford, Fla.,
says:

During February and March 1889 while gathering fruit or pruning orange
trees, I frequently found oranges that had been riddled by this woodpecker, and
repeatedly saw the bird at work. I never observed it feeding upon fallen oranges.
It helped itself freely to sound fruit that still hung on the trees, and in some
instances I have found ten or twelve oranges on one tree that had been tapped
by it. Where an orange accidentally rested on a branch in such a way as to
make the flower end accessible from above or from a horizontal direction, the
woodpecker chose that spot, as through it he could reach into all the sections of the
fruit, and when this was the case there was but one hole inthe orange. But
usually there were many holes around it. It appeared that after having once com-
menced on an orange the wood-pecker returned to the same one repeatedly until
he had completely consumed the pulp, and then he usually attacked another very
near to it. Thus I have found certain clusters in which every orange had been
bored, while all the others on the tree were untouched. An old orange grower
told me that the “ Sap-suckers,” as he called them, never touch any but very ripe
oranges, and are troublesome only to such growers as reserved their crops for the
late market. He also said that it is only within a very few years that they have
shown a taste for the fruit ;and I myself observed that, although Red-bellies were
very common in the neighbourhood, only an individual, or perhaps a pair, visited

any one grove.?

YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER OR SAPSUCKER.
(Sphyrapicus varius.)

This species is probably the most migratory of all our wood-
peckers, breeding only in the most northerly parts of the United
States, and in some of the mountains farther south. In the fall it
ranges southward, spending the winter in most of the Eastern
States. It is less generally distributed than some of the other wood-
peckers, being quite unknown in some sections and very abundant
in others. For instance, Dr. C. Hart Merriam states that in the
Adirondack region during migration it outnumbers all other species
of the family together, and throughout the summer is second in num-
bers only to the Hairy Woodpecker; and at Mount Chocorua, New

1 The Auk, Vel. vi, 1889, pp. 337—338-
2 The Auk, Vol. vii, 1890, p. 340-

170 Indian Museum Notes. [Vo]. IV.

Hampshire, Mr. Frank Bolles found it the most abundant species. In
Minnesota also it is very common. On the other hand, near my
home in Massachusetts only two or three were observed each year ;
and during a residence of eight years in Iowa it was noted only three
or four times.

It is to this species that the term ‘ Sap-sucker’”’ is most often and
most justly applied, for it drills holes in the bark of certain trees
and drinks the sap. It feeds also on cambium, insects, and wild
fruits and berries.

In writing of the habits of these woodpeckers in en New
York in 1878, Dr. Merriam states :—

They really do considerable mischief by drilling holes in the bark of apple,
thorn-apple, and mountain ash trees in sucha way as to form girdles of punctures,
sometimes 2 feet or more in breadth (up and down) about the trunks and branches.
The holes, which are sometimes merely single punctures, and sometimes squarish
spaces (multiple punctures) nearly half an inch across, are placed so near together
that not unfrequently they cover more of the tree than the remaining bark. Hence,
more than half of the bark is sometimes removed from the girdled portions, and
the balance often dries up and comes off. Therefore it is not surprising that trees
which have been extensively girdled generally die, and mountain ash are much
more prone to dosothan either apple or thorn-apple trees, due, very likely, to
their more slender stems. The motive which induces this species to operate thus
upon young and healthy trees is, I think, but partly understood. It is unques-
tionably true that they feed, to a certain extent, both upon the inner bark and
the fresh sap from these trees, but that the procurement of these two elements of
sustenance, gratifyirg as they doubtless are, is their chief aim in making the
punctures I am inclined to dispute. As the sap exudes from the newly-made
punctures, thousands of flies, yellow jackets, and other insects congregate about
the place, till the hum of their wings suggests a swarm of bees. If, now, the tree
be watched, the woodpecker will soon be seen to return and alight over the part
of the girdle which he has most recently punctured. Here he remains, with motion-
less body, and feasts upon the choicest species from the host of insects within easy
reach. In making each girdle they work around the trunk, and from below up-
wards, butt hey may begin a new girdle below an old one. They make but few
holes each day, and after completing two or three remain over the spot for some
little time, and as the clear fresh sap exudes and trickles down the bark, they place
their bill against the dependent drop and suck it in with evident relish—a habit
which has doubtless given rise to the more appropriate than elegant term Sap-
sucker, by which they are commonly known in some parts of the country. I have
several times watched this performance at a distance of less than 1o feet, and all
the details of the process were distinctly seen, the bird looking at me, meanwhile,
‘out of the corner of his eye.” When his thirst is satisfied he silently disappears,
and_.as silently returns again, after a few hours, to feast upon the insects that have
been attracted to the spot by the escaping sap. This bird, then, by a few strokes
of its bill, is enabled to secure both food (animal and vegetable) and drink in
abundance for an entire day; and a single tree, favorably situated, may suffice
for a whole season.!

)

2 Bull. Nuttall Ornith. Club, Vol. 1V, Jany. 1879, pp. 3—5.

if

No. 3.] _ Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 17

The late Frank Bolles has published some interesting detailed
observations respecting the food habits of the Sap-sucker. His con-
clusions are :—

That the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is in the habit for successive years of
drilling the canoe birch, red maple, red oak, white ash, and probably other trees,
for the purpose of taking from them the elaborated sap, and in some cases parts
of the cambium layer ; that the bird consumes the sap in large quantities for its own
sake and not for insect matter which such sap may chance occasionally to centain ;
that the sap attracts many insects of various species, a few of which form a consider-
able part of the food of this bird, but whose capture does not occupy its time to
anything like the extent to which sap-drinking occupiesit; * * * * thatthe
forest trees attacked by them generally die, possibly in the second or third year
of use ;that the total damage done by them is too insignificant to justify their
persecution in well-wooded regions.?

Mr. Bolles shot eight Sap-suckers in July and;August 1890. Their
stomachs “were well filled with insects.” Some of these were
examined by Mr. Samuel H, Scudder, who states :—

The insects in the different stomachs are in all cases almost exclusively com=
posed of the harder chitinous parts of ants. In a cursory examination | find little
else, though one or two beetles are represented, and No. 4 must have swallowed
an entire wasp of the largest size, his heads and wings attesting thereto.”

In a subsequent article Mr. Bolles gives the result of an attempt
to keep several young Sap-suckers alive on a diet of dilute maple
sirup. Unfortunately for the experiment, the birds obtained and
greedily devoured numerous insects attracted to the cage by the
sirup. How many of the insects were eaten was not known, but all
of the birds died within four months. Examination of their bodies
showed fatty degeneration of the liver—a condition said to be usual
in cases of starvation. Mr. Bolles states :—

The most probable cause of this enlargement of the liver, which seems to have
been the reason for the death of the three Sap-suckers, was an undue proportion of
sugar in their diet. Ina wild state they would have eaten insects every day and
kept their stomachs well filled with the chitinous parts of acid insects. Under

restraint they secured fewer and fewer insects, until, during the last few weeks
of their lives, they had practically no solid food of any kind.

Mr. Bolles has thus proved by experiment that concentrated sap
(saturated with sugar) is not sufficient to sustain life, even with the
addition of a small percentage of insects. The logical inference is
that sap, while liked by the birds and consumed in large quantities
holds a subordinate place as an article of food.

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is represented in the collection
by eighty-one stomachs, distributed rather irregularly through the
year. None were taken in February, March, or November, and only

1 The Auk, Vol. VIII, July, 1801, p. 270.

2 The Auk, Vol. VIII, July, 1891, p. 269.
3 The Auk, Vol, IX, April, 1892, p, 119.

172 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

a few in January, June, and December ; the great bulk were collected
in April, August, September, and October. They were obtained from
fifteen States, the District of Columbia, and Nova Scotia, All were
from the Northern States, except a few from North Carolina, Virginia
and the District of Columbia, Unlike any of the preceding species
the vegetable element of the food here exactly equals the animal
part. The insect matter was made up of ants, wasps, beeties, flies,
bugs, grasshoppers, crickets, and Mayflies. Some spiders also were
present. Of the whole food, 36 per cent. consisted of ants, a higher
percentage than in any other woodpecker except the Flicker.
Beetles amounted to 5 per cent. and do not appear to be a favourite
food. Flies (Dzftera) in various forms were eaten in larger numbers
than by any of the others. Among them were several long-legged
crane flies (Zzpulzds). Spiders were eaten to a small extent only,
and most of these were phalangers or ‘‘ daddy-longlegs,’” which, taken
with the crane flies, would indicate a slight preference for long-
legged prey. Bugs, wasps, caterpillars, crickets, and mayflies
collectively amount to about 6 per cent., no one of them reaching any
very important figure. Professor Samuel Aughey examined five
stomachs of the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker in Nebraska, all of which
contained grasshoppers, The number in each stomach varied from
15 to 33. \

Mr. William Brewster states that at Umbagog Lake, Maine,
“ After the young have hatched, the habits of this Yellow-bellied
Woodpecker change. From an humble delver after worms and
larvz, it rises to the proud independence of a fly-catcher, taking its
prey on wing as unerringly as the best marksman of them all. From
its perch on the spire of some tall stub it makes a succession of
rapid sorties after its abundant victims, and then flies off to its nest
with bill and mouth crammed full of insects, principally large
Diptera.” }

The vegetable food of the Sapsucker is varied, The following
fruits and berries were found in the stomachs :-—

FRuiT— { MISCELLANEOUS :—
Dogwood berries (Cornus florida). Poison ivy seeds (Rhus radicans).
Black alder berries (Jlex verticillata). Mullein seeds (Verbascum
Virginia creeper berries (Parthe nocissus| thapsus).
guinquefolia). Juniper berries (Funtperus
Wild black cherries (Prunus serotina). viriginiana).
Black berries or raspberries (Rubus). Buds.
Unidentified. Seeds unidentified,
Cambium.
Rubbish.

Bl. Nuttall Ornith. Club., Vol, 1,1876,No.3, page 60,

if

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 173
ie ne ee ee AIC ee

The quantity of fruit found in the stomachs formed 26 per cent.
of the entire food, but the only kinds identified that might possibly
be cultivated were blackberries and raspberries, and these were in
only two stomachs. Unidentifiable fruit pulp was found in 12
stomachs. Miscellaneous seeds to the amount of 5 per cent. complete
the list of substances eaten by this species, Poison ivy seeds were
found in only one stomach, and most of the other things were dis-
tributed in about the same proportion.

Dr, Merriam informs me that in the fall in northern New York
the Sap-suckers feed on ripening beechnuts, the small branches
bending low with the weight of the birds while picking the tender
nuts.

GREAT PILEATED WOODPECKER.

(Ceophlzus pileatus.)

Excepting the Ivory Bill this is the largest woodpecker in the
United States, where it inhabits most of the heavily-wooded districts,
It is shy and retiring, seldom appearing outside of the forests, and
difficult to approach even in its favourite haunts, Its large size,
loud voice, and habit of hammering upon dead trees render it con-
spicuous. Its strength is marvellous, and one unacquainted with it
can scarcely credit a bird with such power of destruction as is some-
times shown by a stump or dead trunk on which it has operated for
ants or boring larve.

Only 23 stomachs of the Pileated Woodpecker have been
obtained; all taken in the months of October, November, December, ©
and January, and collected from six states, the Districts of Columbia
and Canada (including New Brunswick). Fifty-one per cent. of the
contents of these stomachs consisted of animal matter or insects;
49 per cent. of vegetable matter. The insects were principally ants
and beetles, with a few of some other orders. The ants were mostly
of the larger species that live in decaying wood, A large proportion
of the beetles were in the larval form, and all were of the wood-
boring species. There were also a few caterpillars, also wood-
borers, a few plant lice, several cockroaches, of the species that live
under the bark of dead trees, a few white ants, and a few flies, with
one spider.

The gizzard of a Pileated Woodpecker, shot by Dr. Merriam in

the Adirondacks, April 25, 1882, contained hundreds of large ants

174 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

SS ee

and no other food. Six stomachs, collected by Dr. B. H. Warren
on the St. Johns River in Florida, contained numerous palmetto
ants (Campanotus escuriens), and remains of other ants, several
larve of a Prionid beetle (Orthosoma brunnez), numerous builder
ants (Cremastogaster lineolata), one larva of Xylotrechus, and one
pupa of the white ant (Zermes). The insects were determined
under Professor C. V. Riley.?

Seeds and berries of the following plants were found in the
stomachs examined by the division :-—

Sourgum (Nyssa aquatica). Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus
Flowering dogwood (Cornus fiorida). guinquefolia).

Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium). Greenbrier (Smilax votundifolca
Cassena (/lex cassine). and S. glauca).

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). Sumac (Rhus copallina).
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). Poison sumac (Rhus vernix).

Wild grapes (Vitis cordifolia). Poison ivy (Rhus rvadicans).

In addition to the seven species of woodpeckers whose food has
been already discussed, fifty-seven stomachs have been examined,
belonging to twelve species and sub-species, mostly from the
southern and western parts of the United States and British
Columbia, as follows:

Stomachs.
Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Dryobates nutialzz) ° ° ° ae
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis) . : - = 32

Baird’s Woodpecker (Dryobates scalavis.bairdi) . ° ° o 3
Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysozdes) A 5 = - : a
-Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer) C : : > <a UE
North-Western Flicker (Colaptes cafer saturatior) . - - ae
California Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus batrdt) 5 ek AE
Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes torquatus) - ° Sw
Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygtalis) . ° : 4 te
Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) I
Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (Picozdes arcticus) . ° a )7
Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides americanus an

ahi.
With such a small number of stomachs it is hardly worth while
to discuss the food of each species. The Three-toed Wood peckers
(Picoides), however, deserve passing notice, since their food contains
a larger percentage of wood-boring larve than any other wood pecker
examined, As the food of the two species is practically the same, they
may be considered together. The contents of the ten stomachs con-
sist of animal matter, 83 per cent. ; vegetable matter, 17 percent. It
is a question whether this should not all be considered as animal, for
the vegetable portion consisted almost entirely of rotten wood and
similar rubbish, probably taken accidentally, and is not in any proper

1 Birds of Pennsylvania, 2nd, ed., 1890, p. 177.

No. 3.] Reprints and Miscellaneous Notes. 175

sense food, the exception being in one case where a little cambium
bad been eaten by one individual of the Arctic Three-toed Wood-
pecker (Picotdes arcticus) and a few skins of some small fruit by one
Alpine Three-toed Wood-pecker (P. americanus dorsalis). The
animal food consisted of 63 per cent. of wood-boring Coleopterous
larve (beetles), 11 per cent. of Lepidopterous larve (caterpillars),
probably also wood-borers, and g per cent, of adult beetles, ants, and
other Hymenopterous insects.

G. I. C. EE O.—No. 564 R, & A.—7-2-09=100,—C, Vv. P.

tos

t
A

9, &

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.

, ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES.
13,896

2

Votume IV.—No. 4.

Bublished bp Prec of the PRigeee! of Endia,
Bepariment of Revenue and Agriculture.

CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF COVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA,

1899.

Price Rupeé gné;

NOTICE.

—-—.

The serial Zndian Museum Notes, issued by the Trustees of the
Indian Museum, Calcutta, under the authority of the Government of
India, Revenue and Agricultural Department, is to take the place of
Notes on Economic Entomology, of which two numbers have appeared.
For the views expressed, the authors of the respective notes are alone
_ responsible. *

The parts of the serial are published from time to time as materials
accumulate. Communications are invited ; they should be written on
one side only of the paper and addressed to-=

THE EDITOR, |
INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES,
Calcutta.

Correspondence connected with Economic Entomology should be
accompanied by specimens of the insects to which reference is made.
Caterpillars, grubs, and other soft-bodied insects can be sent in strong .
spirit ; chrysalids and cocoons alive, and packed lightly in leaves or -
grass.; other insects, dried and pinned, or wrapped in soft paper,
Live insects should be sent when there is a reasonable probability
of their surviving the journey. Caterpillars, grubs and other. im-
mature insects can often be only approximately determined; they
should therefore, where possible, be accompanied by specimens of
the mature insects into which they transform; when this is not pos-
sible, they should still be-sent, as they can always be determined ap-
proximately, and uncertainty must necessarily arise in discussing
insects when. actual reference to the specimens cannot be made,

Insects forwarded fur determination should, in all cases, be accom-
panied by a detailed report showing precisely in what their economic
importance is believed to consist.

CALCUTTA;
18th guly 18968.

4

fam
c>

FEB 8 19

CONTENTS.

~ 1. OricinaL ComMMUNICATION—

(i) Diagnoses Melolonthidarum novarum ex India Orientali: by

Herr Ernst Brenske 5 3 2

_ 2, NoTES ON INSECT-PESTS FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION, INDIAN

Museum: By E. BaRLow, Assistant in charge of Entomology :—

(i) Tea Pests . ° : . oe °

Gi) Insects destructive to cereals and crops ; (1), Wheat and Paddy
pests, etc.; (2) Cotton pests; (3) Poppy pests; (4) Indigo

pests 5 (5) Insects infesting vegetable plants ; (6) Sugar-cane

pest; (7) Locusts . ; 4
(iii) Insects infesting fruit trees : - -
(iv) Forest pests ie ° ° . .
(v) Determination of some insect-pests, etc.

(vi) Some beneficial insects in India 2

(vii) Reports of results of remedies, etc., tried during the year 1897+

3. REPRINT—

(i) The Horse Bot-flies. Extracts from a Report by H. Osborn.
Reprinted from Bull. No.5, United States Department of

Agriculture, Division of Entomology, 1896

PAaGE

176

180

188

209

210
216
217

220

222

EXPLANATION OF ILLUSTRATIONS. |

PLATE XIII—

1G. 1. HOLOTRICHIA IMITATRIX, Brensk.-n, sp., @ and 8, beetle dorsal —
and side views (natural size) ; c, antenna (enlarged). - 4

» 2 HOLorricHts aNDAMANA, Brensk. n. sp., a and 4, beetle dorsal and
side views (natural size) ; c, antenna (enlarged}. - .

» 3. SERICA CALCUTTS, Brensk. n. sp., a and 8, beetle dorsal and side _
views ; ¢, antenna (enlarged). :

» 4- SERICA ASSAMENSIS, Brensk. n.sp.,aand 4, beetle dorsal and side
views ; c, antenna ; d, hind leg (all enlarged),

PLATE XIV— 7 | :

Fie. 1, EDPROCTIS LATIFAScIA, Walk., a, larva; 6 and c, moths ¢ and. @.

y» 2. THOSEA CERVINA, Mcore, a ahd 4, larva dorsal and side views

c, cocoon ;d and e, moths ¢ and &. .

» 3 THOSEA DIVERGENS, Moore, a cocoon; 6 andc, moths g:and 2.

» 4. BELEPPA LouOR, Moore, a, cocoon; 6 and c, moths ¢ ard @.

PLATE XV—

Fic. 1. CREMASTOGASTER ROGENHOFERI, Mayr., a, ant; 6, nest (quarter
natural size).

» 2g: PLUTELLA MacuLata, Curt., a and 4, larva dorsal and side views ;
c, chrysalis; d, moth ; e, piece of cauliflower attacked by larve.
y» 3. ERIOCOCCUS PARADOXUS, var, indica, Mask., piece of twig covered

with larva scales. ~*~ . >

it

Vol. IV. J [No, 4.
1. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATION.

DIAGTNOSES MELOLONHIDARUM NOVARUM ex INDIA

ORIENTALI: BY ERNST BRENSKE,

1. Serica (Autoserica) Calcutte n. sp.

Plate XIII, fg. 3.

Long, 8, Lat. 5 mill, ¢. Calcutta.
Serice carinifronti similis, sed interstitiis elytrorum magis
convexioribus ; Femoribus posterioribus usque ad apicem dilatatis,
Tibiis posticis valde dilatatis. Antennis decem articulatis, flabello
trifoliato stipiti paulo breviore.

2. Serica (Autoserica) nagana nx. sp.

Long, 10, Lat. 5°5 mill. ¢@. Naga Hills.
Elongato-ovata, nitida, brunnea; Antennis decem articulatis,
flabello trifoliato, stipiti longitudine. Clypeo antice angustato, densis-
sime leviter ruguloso punctato, fronte subtilissime punctata, leviter
carinata; thorace lateribus antice leviter rotundato, subtiliter punctato,
angulis posticis rectis ; elytrorum interstitiis parum convexis.

3. Serica assamensis n. sp.

Plate XIll, fig. 4.
Long, 6-6°8, Lat. 4-4°3 mill. ¢ 9. Duars, Assam.
Flava, capite thoraceque flavo-rubris, opalinea. Clypeo leviter
tridentato, lato minus angustato, subtiliter punctato, brevissime
spinoso, linea media longitudinaliter leviter carinata. Thorace lato,

transverso, lateribus antice paulo rotundato postice recto, angulis
posticis obtusis. Elytris seriatim striatis, interstitiis parum convexis.

177 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Femoribus tibiisque posticis minus dilatatis. Antennis decem
articulatis articulis 2-7 brevissimis, flabello trifoliato in utroque sexu
brevissimo, maris vix longiore.

[This beetle is destructive to tea plants in Duars, Assam, ]

4. Hoplia viridula x. sp.

Long. 4°5-5'5, Lat. 2, 5-3 mill. Khasi Hills.
H. viridissime similis. Supra viridi, subtus aurantiacio vel argentio
squamulosa ; nigra, pedibus fuscis subtiliter squamosis, Thorace basi
gibboso, clytris planis, Pygidio plano apice leviter impresso ; tibiis
anticis tridentatis ; unguibus anticis apice fissis, posticis simplicibus.

5. Schizonycha rhizotrogoides n. sp.

Long. 13, Lat. 6 mill. ¢. Senafe (Abyssinia),
Lurida ; antennis movem articulatis, tibiis anticis tridentatis,
unguiculis apice fissis. Clypeo rotundato, sutura fovliter, vertice subti-
liter carinato ; thorace laxe punctato, cz/zato, scutello ciliato ; elytris

subtilissime setosis. Pygidis glabro disperse ciliato, pectore villoso
Clava trifoliata, stipite longitudine.

6. Brahmina shillongensis n. sp.

Long. 14, Lat. 6 mill, ?. Shillong,
Br. cardoni similis, sed major, clypeo profunde emarginato,
densius punctato. Thorace lateribus minus rotundato, angulis
anticis valde porrectis, elytris magis ruguloso punctatis, Pygidio
acuto-rotundato, convexo ; subtus opaco ; pectore haud piloso.

7. Hototrichia Alcocki ». sp.
Long. 22, Lat. 12 mill. 9. India Orient.

Opaca, parum nitida, pruinosa. Clypeo parum sinuato ; profunde
et grosse punctato, fronte foveolato punctato, pilis sat elongatis ;
thorace brevissimo, margine posteriore valde calloso, lateribus
crinulatis, disco disperse punctato, linea impunctata media vix
distincta; elytris ad apicem parum latioribus, angulo suturali acuto ;
Pygidio, parvo, plano, laxe punctato, apice piloso, Antennis decem
articulatis, clava brevissima; tibiis anticis tridentatis. Holotrichiz
cavilronti affinis et subsimilis sed fronte haud impressa,

No, 4. ] Orivinal Communication, 178

8. Holotrichia imiiairéx n. sp.
Plate XIII, fig. 1.

Long. 20, Lat, 10 mill. 9. Sikkim.
Nitida, flavo-brunnea, capite thoraceque obscurioribus, subtus
abdomine parce pectore dense flavo pilosio. Clypeo antice profunde
sinuato, fronte fortiter carinata, dense punctato. Thorace parum
transverso, antice angustato, angulis anticis acutis, lateribus glabris
postice rotundatis, angulis posticis sat rotundatis, disco densissime
punctato ruguloso. Elytris dense punctatis, haud costatis. Pygidio
ruguloso punctato, Antennis zovem articulatis.

Brahminz phytaloidi colose et statura similis, sed tarsis medio
dentatis, fronte carinata.

9. Holotrichia scrobipennis nu. sp.

Long. 23, Lat. 12 mill. ¢. India or.
Opaca, parum nitida. MHolotrichie scrobiculate valde affinis et
similis, capite latiore, clypeo antice parum dimidiato fronte dense,
rugoso punctato, thorace densissime ruguloso punctato haud piloso.
Pygidio fere rotundato. ;

10. Holotrichia preblematica n. sp.

Long. 16, Lat. 8 mill. ¢@ ¢. Srinagar.
H. singhalensis similiter, opaca, subtus dense pruinosa; antennis
decem articulatis; a genere Brahmina differt przsentim unguibus
medio dente armatis. Clypeo medio valde emarginato, fronte den-
sissime ruguloso-punctato. Thorace lateribus magis, angulatim dila-
tato, densissime subtiliterque ruguloso punctato, elytris leviter
costatis, haud dense punctatis. Pygidio rotundato acute punctato.

Ad Sectionem Hol. eurystome.

i1. Holotrichia andamana nx. sp.

Plate XI\ii, fig. 2.
Long. 17, Lat. 9°5 mill, ¢ ¢@. Andaman Island (W. Davidson),

H. eurystomz similis, supra glabra subtus pruinosa; lata, fere
plana; clypeo breviter sed distincte emarginato, hic et fronte dense

i

179 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

rugulosa punctatis; thorace transverso, densissime, subtiliterque
ruguloso punctato, lateribus modice rotundatis, angulis posticis
obtusis; elytris dense rugoso-punctatis, vix costatis, pectore medio
breviter piloso, Pygidio densissime ruguloso punctato,

12. Hotlotrichia singhalensis n. sp.

Long. 17, Lat. 8°5 mill. ¢, Ceylon.

Preecedenti similis, minus plana longior, et supra parum irides-
cens, Clypes breviter inciso, fronte densissime ruguloso-punctato,
thorace parum transverso, dense ruguloso-punctato, angulis posticis,

obtusis; pectore glabro. Pygidio punctato Ad Sectionem H.
eurystome Burm. z

13, Melolontha (Schonherria) rangunensis n. sp.

Long. 20'5, Lat. 10 mill, Rangoon. Unicam g in Indian Museum.
Picea, compressa, subparallela; antennarum clava septem-foliata
prima abreviata ; capite, thorace elytrisque rugoso, punctatis, disperse
setoso-squamulosis, pygidio lato densius flavo setoso, abdomine
lateribus haud maculatis, Tibiis anticis tridentatis, unguibus basi
dentatis. Mesosterno subtiliter producto, noduloso.

14. Gymnogaster indica n. sp.

Long. 20, Lat. to mill. g@. N. Khasi hills, Unicum in Indian
Museum.
Habitus Polyphyllidarum ; antennis decem articulatis flabello guin-
quefoliato elongato-curvato, articulo secundo tertioque brevibus,
quarto paulo, quinto magis transverso; tibiis anticis tridentatis,
abdomine glabro, pectore hirsuto. Clypeo parvo antice angustato,
sutura elevata, fronte carinata; thorace lateribus antice angustato
angulis posticis late rotundatis ; disco densissime punctato. Elytris
minus densius, fortiter punctatis, haud costatis. Pygidio parvo
rugulose,

Haec distinctissima species a genere typico Gymnogaster paulo
differt ; tibiis anticis tridentatis.

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 180

NOTES ON INSECT-PESTS FROM THE ENTOMC-
LOGICAL SECTION, INDIAN MUSEUM :

By E. BARLOw, Assistant in charge of Entomology.

1. TEA PESTS.
1. Huproctis latifascia, Walker.

(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Lymantriidz.)

Plate X\V, fig. 1,—a, larva; b, and c, moths 8 & ¢.

Euproctis lacttfascta, Wik. Cat. 1V, p. 831; C. and S. No. 945
Hamp. Faun.B. Ind. Bur. and Ceyl. moths.1.p, 472.

No. 1056.
é antica, WIk. Cat. 1V, p. 835; C. and S. No. 933:
» postica, Wik. Cat. XXXII, p. 348 ; C. and S. No. 950.

abdominalis, Moore, P. Z. S. 1888, p. 398; Butt. 223.
Het. Vil, pl. 123; figs. 4, 5.

33

In March 1897, from Messrs. Andrew Yule & Co., were received
some living specimens of a caterpillar which had been doing a great
deal of damage to tea plants in the Darjeeling district. The
caterpillars were said to be in millions and to be quite stripping the
bushes of their old leaves.

The caterpillars forwarded were evidently full-grown specimens, as
immediately on their arrival in the Museum, when transferred to a
rearing cage, they began to transform themselves into chrysalids.
The moths which emerged after about twelve days, were identified
as belonging tothe species Euproctis latifascia of Walker, who
describes the female as follows :—

White. Antennz with testaceous branches. Abdomen brown,
white at the base, luteous at the tip. Length of the body 6 lines ; of

“the wings 20 lines,

Hab.—Nepaul.
According to Sir G. F, Hampson, the species is identical with

Walker’s Euproctis antica and £&. postica, and Moore’s &.
abdominalis, which have been described thus :—

Euproctis antica, Wik, g and ¢. White. head, palpi, fore part

/of the thorax and fore legs luteous in the male, testaceous in the

' female.

it

181 Indian Museum Notes. (Vol. iV.

Female.—Abdomen and fore wings with a very slight testaceous
tinge, Length of the body 5-7$ lines; of the wings 12-18 lines.
Hab.—Nepaul, Hong Kong, India,

Euproctis postica, Wik. 8. White. Palpi porrect, smooth, hardly
extending beyond the head; third joint conical, not more than one-
fourth of the length of the second. Antenne very broadly pecti-
nated. Abdomen brown above; apical tuft, small, white. Legs pubes-
cent; hind tibiz with four long slender spurs. Wings rather short.
Fore-wings rounded at the tipes; exterior border convex, very
slightly oblique. Length of the body 63 lines; of the wings 14
lines.

Hab.—Hindostan.

Euproctis abdominalts, Moore, § and ?. Cream-white ; abdo-
men blackish ; ae tuft ochreous ; legs white.

Expanse, 6 Iq5, 2 1435 inch,
Hab. yea:

Allied to Z. postica. Wings comparatively longer and narrower.

2. Thosea cervina, “Moore.

(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Limacodidz.)

Plate XIV, fg. 2—a and b, larva dorsal and side views ; c, cocoon
dande, moths 6 & 2.

Thosea cervina, Moore An. Mag. Nat. His. XX. 1877, p. 348; id. Lep. Ceyl.
II, pl, 129, figs. 2, 2a (larva}; C. and S. No. 1275
Hamp. Fauna B. Ind. Ceyl. and Burm. Moths, Vol. 1
p- 379, No. 832.
~ duplexa, Moore, Lep. Ceyl. II, p. 130, pl. 131, fig. 3 93 C. and S.
No, 1276.

In July 18941 were received from Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co.
specimens of live cocoons, the caterpillars of which were reported to
have done a good deal of damage to tea plants on the Rungamuttee
garden in Jalpaiguri.

From the cocoons, two moths, a male and female, were success-
fully reared in the Museum; these, however, proved to be unrepre-
sented in the Museum Collection, but they were so far identified as

1 The account of this pest should have appeared in the preceding number of
Indian Museum Notes, but owing to the delay in ascertaining the identity of the species
it was withheld. —Kd.

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 182

belonging to the genus Thosea. For more precise determination, the
fernale moth was sent to Sir G, F. Hampson of the British Museum
who very kindly identified it as Yhosea cervina, Moore. His
description of the moth is given below :—

Male.—Head, thorax, and abdomen red-brown, Fore-wing silky
gray-brown, with a dark speck at endof cell, and a slightly
incurved line from costa just before apex to near outer angle
which is red-brown with a pale outer edge. Hind wing and under-
side dull brown. Antennz with basal joint pale; a conspicuous
white spot at end of fore tibia.

Female.—With the sub-marginal line of fore wing erect; the
basal joint of antennz dark ; no white spot on tibia.

Larva green, with a yellow-bordered dorsal irregular band,
linear and purplish anteriorly, dilated at middle and cleft behind,
purple streaked, and with the angles at middle red ; anterior and
posterior subdorsal spinous tubercles ; lateral and sub-lateral series
of longer tubercles.

Hab.—Sikkim ; Ceylon. Exp. 3 38, 244 millim.

The remedial measures suggested were that children -might

_ be employed to remove and destroy the caterpillars. If this were

carefully done, and if also the cocoons were searched for, in and
on the ground near the affected trees, and were destroyed, it
would (if not of any immediate benefit) at any rate be likely to
prevent or to alleviate a reoccurrence of the pest in a future

year

3, Thosea divergens, Moore.

Plate XIV, fig. 3a, cocoon ;bandc, moths 6 & @.

Thosea divergens, Moore, Lep. Atk. p. 75; pl. 3, fig. 23: C. and S. No. 1325 ;

Hamp. Faun. B. Ind. Bur. Ceyl. Moths. I, p. 380, No. 835-

Aphendala divaricata, Moore, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1884, p.3763 C.and S,
No. 12096.

This insect is another addition to the Indian Tea pests, of the
genus [hosea.

In March 1897, specimens of a living cocoon were sent to tie
Museum by Mr, J. W. Fleet, with a note, that they were taken from
the Bishnauth Tea Gardens, Darrang, Assam, where they had been
doing damage to tea bushes.

183 Indian Museum Naetes. [Vol. IV.

From the cocoons, several moths emerged in the latter end of the
month, They appeared to be newto the Museum collection and were
forwarded to Sir G. F. Hampson who determined them as belong-
ing to the species Thosea divergens, Moore,=Aphendala divaricata,
Moore.

As the Museum Library does not possess Mr. Moore’s descrip-
tion of Z. divergens, it is not printed here, the description of
A, divaricata, however, is quoted below.

Aphendala divaricata, ?. Upper-side pale purplish, brownish-
ochreous, Forewing with a slender dark ochreous-brown band curv-
ing upward from posterior margin at one-third from the base to
one-third before the apex, and from which a straight erect similar

band extends from its costal end to the posterior angle. Body dark
ochreous-brown, Expanse 1 inch,

Hab.—Silcuri, Cachar.

4, Belippa lohor, Moore,

(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Limacodide.)
Piate XIV, fig. 4-—a, cocoon ;b and c, moths 8 & @.

Belippa lohor, Moore, Lep. £. 1. Co., p. 430, pl. xitia, fig. 3; Hamp. Faun.
Brit. Ind. Bur. Ceyl. Moths. |, p. 400, No. 897.

In March 1897, Mr. W. J. Fleet forwarded to the Museum several
living specimens of a cocoon, with the statement that he had collected
them from the Salonah Tea Estate, Assam, About the same time
similar (live) cocoons were also sent to the Museum through Dr. G,
Watt, Reporter on Economic Products to the Government of India,
as infesting tea plants inthe Doom Dooma Tea Gardens, Dibrugarh
Assam,

The samples of cocoons were separately confined in a breeding
cage, from which, after a lapse of a week, moths began to emerge,
These on examination proved to belong tothe genus Lelippa; the
species being new to the Museum collection.

On submitting specimens of the moth to Sir G. F, Hampson for
identification, he pronounced it to be identical with Bedippa lohor,
Moore, the female being almost indistinguishable from that of
Belippa laleana, Moore, and hitherto unknown to entomologists,

Mr. Moore describes the male, as deep ferruginous; fore-wino
with patches on the disc, and a small patch at the apex, black hinds

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 184

—

wing with a triangular hyaline space from exterior margin; the
anterior and abdominal margins fuliginous-brown; thorax with two
black spots in front, and one on each side; base of abdomen black.
Expanse 1g inch.

Hab.—Cachar, Java,

5. Astycus lateralis, Fabr.
(Order Coleoptera, Fam. Curculionide.)
Astycus lateralis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 1, 2, p, 454;—Gylh.Schh. Gen. Cur. II
p. 92;—Bohem. Schh. Gen. Cure. V1, 1, p. 240.

i obtusus, Sturm. Cat. 1826, p. 172.
a rutilans, Oliv. Ent. V. 83, p. 333, t. 25, f. 367.

Through Dr. G. Watt, Reporter on Economic Products to the
Government of India, were received in the Museum in July 1897,
specimens of a weevil said to be attacking tea plants in Assam.
The original sender wrote concerning them that ‘they came during
one night in thousands and simply stripped the bushes they were on.”
Fortunately they are easy to catch.

The specimens proved to be the same as Asticus lateralis, Fabr.
which has previously been recorded as attacking various plants in
different parts of India.

In 1889, Mr. Beck submitted specimens of this insect for examina-
tion, and reported, that they attacked the leaves of the “Some”
plant in the Raj Gardens, Darbhunga. In Vol. Il, /ndéan Museum
Notes, page 151, it is referred to as “asmall greenish weevil reported
in the beetle stage as defoliating mulberry (M/orws) bushes in Rangoon.
Also thought to be the species which has been reported by
Mr. Thompson as tunnelling into the timber of Chir (Penus longifolia)
in the North-Western Provinces; in this case the injury is no doubt
done by the larvz of the insect.”

6, Diapromorpha melanopus, Lacord,

(Order Coleoptera, Fam. Chrysomelidz.)
Diapromorpha melanopus, Lacord. Mon. p. 238; Deg. Cat. 3, ed., p. 442.
AS pallens, Oliv. Ent. VI. 96, p. 863, t. 2, f. 27.

In July 1897, specimens of a beetle which proved to be >
Diapromorpha melanopus, Lacord, were sent to the Museum by

185 Indian Museum Notes. [Yol. IV.

Messrs. Williamson, Magor & Co. who reported that it had been
doing damage among the tea bushes on one of their Assam Estates
in the Jorehaut district. ¥

This insect (known as the “ Orange” beetle) is commonly found
in tea gardens in Assam, where it no doubt does a good amount of
injury by eating up the tender stems of tea-shoots.

Specimens accompanied by complaints of damage done by it are
annually sent to the Museum, but no action, it appears, has hitherto
been taken to ascertain the ite: history of the pest.

Some previous accounts of it may be foundin J/udian Museum

Notes, Vol. I, page 106, and Vol. II, No. 4, p. 7.

7, Cremastogaster rogenhofert, Mayr.

(THE RED AND BLACK ANT OF THE TEA BUSHES.)
Plate XV, fig. 1, a. ant; 4, nest.

In his report on the “Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant of
Assam, 1898,’ Dr. G. Watt, Reporter on Economic Products to the
Government of India, makes mention, in page 257, of a red and
black ant which he had observed infesting tea bushes in Assam.

His elaborate account of the habiis, etc., of the insect is very
interesting, but his identification of the species with Cremastogaster
contenta, Mayr., is incorrect. Dr. Watt was good enough to present
specimens to the Entomological Section of the Indian Museum, these
are undoubtedly identical with authentically named specimens of
Cremastogaster rogenhofert, Mayr., in the Museum collection.

To make quite certain, a few examples of the insect were des-
patched to Dr. Forel, of Zurich, who confirmed the identifica-
tion as ‘ SALSA SES rogenhoferi, Mayr., one of the commonest

species of India.’’

8. Euproctis caterpitlar?—On the 1gth March 1897, from
Dr. G. Watt, Reporter on Economic Products to the Government
of India, were received specimens of a caterpillar reported as doing

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 186

a deal of damage to the tea bushes in Darjeeling. The following
is an extract which he forwarded regarding the pest :—

© A new sort of this blight has developed. <A blackish-brown hairy species,
they attack the old leaves and strip the trees. This pest does all its ravages at
night and hides itself under clods and stones during theday. I have boys on catching
some thousands daily. They appear on the dry ridges and are not found in any
damp hollows. They have stripped some 50 or 60 acres on an adjoining garden
and are now attacking the bark. On lower portions of Lebong and M. S. they
have now appeared and are doing considerable harm. Iam sending you a bottle-
full in spirit. I fancy they will disappear with rain, but of this there is no sign.”

The specimens appeared to be the larve of a Lymentriid moth
probably of the genus Euroctzs, ard not unlike the tea caterpillars
sent in by Messrs. Andrew Yule & Co. frota the Darjeeling
district. (See p, 180),

9. Psychid caterpillar.—in July 1897, specimens of a bag-worm
said to be doing great injury to tea plants in the Golaghat district,
Assam, were forwarded to the Museum through the Secretary,
Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India.

The specimens proved to be the larve of a Psychid moth
probably belonging to a species hitherto undescribed. We have
only a few examples of the larva-case of this insect in our collection,

-but unfortunately we possess no moths, ard Sir G. F, Hampson

does not mention this species in his catalogue of moths of British
India, Ceylon and Burma,

The most curious thing noticeable in this interesting group of
moths is their larva-cases or protective coverings, which are usually
composed of a silk lining with twigs, grass, and bits of leaves or
vegetable matter attached on the outside,and are so constructed
as to resemble little bundles of dried sticks, leaves, etc. In this
insect, however, the larva-case is smooth and is covered with a coate-
ing of very finely divided vegetable matter and exactly resembles
a thorn,

10. Coleopterous larve.—\n July 1897, Mr. D. Hooper, Curator of
Economic Museum, sent to the Indian Museum specimens of grubs
reported as tea pests for identification. He wrote:—

«6 A correspondent in Nazira Division, Sibsagar, has sent me the accompanying
bottle of white grub (Lachnosterna impressa) asatea pest. Most of the smaller

187 Indian Museum Notes. [Voi. lV.

forms seem stages of the larve of that beetle, but I cannot think the very large
ones can be the same species. I shall be much obliged for your opinion and, if
possible, determination. I have found the very large one all over Assam imbedded

in hard mud-houses of which I send a sample. It is particularly common in hard

clay soils and does much damage to rice. These | at first mistook for queen white-
ant houses until 1 dug them out for myself and found them invariably occupied
by identically similar larvz to the large ones herewith supplied. They are no

doubt a species of Lachnosterna, but are they L£. zmpressa P

“T shall be very glad of any suggestions, more especially whether the very large
larve have been known to injure the tea in the event of their being pronounced
distinct from the smaller form.”

The specimens proved to belong to two different species of
insects, namely :—The large grubs are the lacve of a Melolonthine
beetle probably belonging to the genus Lepzdiota, and the smaller
ones are apparently the immature forms of Lachnosterna im-

pressa.

11. Coccids.—Four bottles containing specimens of scale insects
reported as infesting tea plants in the Darjeeling district, were
received in the Museum through the Reporter on Economic Products
to the Government of India. The following particulars regarding
the insects are taken from his forwarding letter, dated 28th May
1897:—

«No. 1 seems somewhat like Asfidiotus flavescens and is said to be the most
dangerous of the series. It attacks the young twig of young tea, the scale-
insects inserting themselves below the bark and thus raising and distorting it,
in older twigs the life seems sucked out of the plant through this rupturing of the
bark and the withdrawal of the sap. The young insects are alive and seen

escaping.”
“No. 2 is said to be a twig with long white blotches.”
“ No. 3, atwig with large wax insects.”
* No. 4, similar insect of smaller size and ‘vith orange-coloured central portion.”

The specimens proved to belong to four different kinds of
Coccids, namely :—No. 1 consisted of badly preserved specimens of
larve apparently of Aspzdiotus thee, Mask ; No. 2 consisted of
examples of an unknown Coccid not represented in the Museum
collection; No. 3 consisted of a few larva-scales probably belonging
to the species Ceroplastes ceriferus ; and No. 4 contained specimens
of a Coccid hitherto not reported as occurring in India.

Specimens Nos. 2 and 4 were forwarded to Mr. W. M. Maskell
for identification, and his report on them is given below :—

“The two parcels of tea leaves with Coccids. One of these in-

Sects is evidently a Pu/vinarza, but only the white cylindrical cot-

i

No. 4.] Motes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section, 188

tony sacs remain: the insects themselves (as usual in the genus)
have fallen off : therefore I cannot identify the species.

“The other (No. 4), of which you sent three specimens and a
small coloured drawing, is a Ceroplastes. The specimens are not
sufficient for clearness. They seem to me to be, nearly certainly,
either C. vinsonit, Sign. ( Mauritius), or C. floridensis, Cowst.,
which Green reports on tea in Ceylon. Very probably both these
are the same species: but your insects are not in the full-grown stage
or at least I think not. Every character corresponds to C. vinsonzz,
but also nearly all to floridenszs. If you could let me have undoubtedly
adult specimens and larve,I should be more positive. However
the thing seems to be one or other of the two species named.”

12. Ceronema sp. [Coccid]—In May 1897, the same officer for-
warded tothe Museum specimens of tea leaves attacked by scale-
insects. Noreport accompanied the specimens and no locality was
mentioned in the forwarding note.

The insects appeared to be new to the Museum collection and
were forwarded to Mr. W. M. Maskell who very kindly identified
them as belonging to the genus Cevonema. He wrote, ‘‘this is a
peculiar and abnormal form which I have had a few months ago
from Japan, on //ex crenata and an unnamed plant. I am very much
inclined to attach it to my genus Ceronema of 1894: the main
difference from the single species Ceres. banksiz being that the
curling white processes in your imsect spring from the median
region and curl outwards, while in C. danksig they are marginal
and curl inwards. ButI have not yet made up my mind, at least
on some minor points.”

Il.—INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO CEREALS AND CROPS.
1, WHEAT AND PADDY PESTS, ETC.
1. Tanymecus indicus, Faust.
(Ord. Coleoptera, Fam. Curculionide)
Wheat pest.

In December 1897, specimens of a Curculionid beetle, which —
proved tobe TYanymecus indicus Faust, were forwarded to the

18g Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. FV.

Museum through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture, Panjab,
from the Settlement Officer, Jhelum district, as doing great damage
to wheat in a small area in the north of Tahsil Chakwal.

This insect has been previously referred to in the pages of these
Notes as doing a great deal of injury to agricultural crops in several
parts of India, It has been reported (a) as attacking the seedlings
of the poppy plants in Gazipur; (4) attacking wheat and gram
crops in the North-Western Provinces; and (c) attacking vadz crops
in Behar.

The following report has been furnished by the Settlement
Officer :—

“Herewith specimens of an insect which has done great damageto the
sprouting wheat in a small area in the north of Tahsil Chakwal; I have seen some
of the fields damaged which have been sown and re-sown twice or thrice with the
same result: the insect feeds on the part of the young plants above the surface
of the ground, in the day-time it burrows into the soil (here light and friable}, and
the zamindars say, attacks the roots of the plants also. The pestis quite new to
every one in these parts, and I should be glad to know if you can obtain the in-
formation, what the insect is, and what can be done to destroy it, should it appear
on large numbers.”

a. Chrysomelid beetle —In August 1897, a single specimen of
a beetle was received in the Indian Museum from the Sub-Divisional
Officer, Barasut, with a report that it had damaged the aus paddy
crop at Kizipore in the Barasut Division.

The insect is a Chrysomelid beetle, of the genus Pachmephorus ?
and is new to the Museum Collection. It is locally called
‘‘Majra.” Further specimens are required to enable the insect:
to be precisely determined.

b. Noctues moth.<—In September 1897, some specimens of an
immature larvee of a Noctues moth were received in the Indian
Museum, through the Director, Land Records and Agriculture,
Bengal, from the Commissioner of the Orissa Division, Cuttack, as in-
juring the paddy crop in the Bhudrack sub-division, where the insect
is called ‘ Dhali-poka,”’

The specimens forwarded are insufficient for precise identifi-

cation.

i

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 190:

c. Micro-lepidopterous moth.—In September 1897, specimens of
an insect destructive to paddy plant were received in the Indian
Museum from the Sub-Divisional Officer, Magura, who wrote :—

“‘ These insects appeared in June and July last and damaged the plants of
Aus and Aman paddy in this sub-division, but disappeared as soon as heavy rains
set in. They have re-appeated in certain tracts in this sub-division with the cessa-
tion of rains.

“ The insects are called by the cultivaters,‘ Modhupoka’ from a sort of gum
or juice attached to their bedies, which tastes sweet.

“ They made the leaves of the paddy plants first to be twisted and then to turn
eray, and look asif sun-burnt. The plants lose their green colour inaday or
two. They have damaged the plants where there is no water inthe khet or even
where there are two to three yards water. I have not been able tosee the stages
of their development.”

The specimens appeared to be the caterpillars of a micro-lepidop-
terous moth, which cannot be identified without the examination of
the imago into which they transform.

d. Grasshoppers attaching paddy crop.—I\n October 1897, speci-
mens of Acridide were forwarded to the Museum by the Superin-
tendent, Government Museum, Madras, as the locusts which had
appeared in the Head-quarters Deputy Collector’s Division of the
Ganjam district where they are reported to have attacked the paddy
crop.

The specimens proved to belong to two distinct species of grass-
hoppers, namely, Hieroglyphus furcifer, Sauss., and Euprepocne-
mis bramina, Sauss. Both the insects have previously been referred
to in the pages of these WVof¢es as occasioning damage to crops in
several parts of India.

e. Noctues caterpillars destructive to rice crops=In December
1897, some caterpillars known locally as “ Ledapok,”’ were forwarded
to the Museum, through the Director, Land Records and Agricul-
ture, Bengal, from the Collector of Chittagong, with the information
that they had been doing much damage tothe rice crops in the
Satkania Thana,

191 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

The insects are apparently the larvze of the Noctues moth,
Heliothis armigera, Hubn., which has previously been reported as
destructive to crops in all parts of India, and in many other parts
of the world.

Accounts of it may be found in /udian Museum Notes, Vol. I,
pp. 97 and 109, pl. VI, fig. 4; and Vol. Il, pp. 24, 27 and 160.

f. Leucania unipuncta, Haw.
(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Noctuidz.)

JOWARI PEST,

Leucania unipuncta, Haw., Lep. Brit., p. 174 (1803).
ee extvanea, Guen, Noct. i, p. 77, No. 104; C. and S. No. 1674.

Specimens of a moth, reared from caterpillars which are said to
have done an enormous amount of damage to jowari crops in the
district of Poona, have been received in the Indian Museum from the
Assistant Superintendent of the Poona Farm in September 1897.

The following is an extract from the report furnished by
Mr. J. Mollison, Deputy Director of Agriculture :-—

“ The caterpillars when they are inlarge numbers and when hard pressed for
food, take to almost any crop: They apparently prefer jowari and strip the leaves

ier. se

i

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 192

of all green tissues, except the midribs. They are not cut worms. They feed at
night, crawl up the stems and are found in colonies, 5 to 20 in a lot, lightly covered
with soil in the driest parts of the soil surface during theday. The insects are found
usually at first in one portion or along one side of a field, but they sweep across
it in about two days stripping every plant.

“¢ Thechrysalides are red-brown in colour, the covering being tough. They are
further protected by a cetnented coating of earth which has no distinct outer surface,
the inner surface being cemented as described inthe form of the chrysalis. The
chrysalides are found quite close to the surface of the field about 3 inch or so under
the surface. I think that if this position is much disturbed, the moths will not be
able toemerge. I have, therefore, taken the precaution of ploughing the affected
fields expeditiously. In this way the chrysalides are turned down about 4 inches
below the surface. The moth, I believe, emerges fromthe chrysalis in about 8
days, but we have been unable to rear the caterpillars in confinement. We have
got moths from perfectly formed chrysalides collected in the field. The
caterpillars are found chiefly in fields which have been manured with farm yard
manure this season.

«I have been particularly struck this year with the unusually large numbers of
moths and butterflies, and unquestionably cultivated plants are affected with insecte
pests to a greater extent than usual.”

The insect proved to bea Noctues moth belonging to the species
Leucania unipuncta, Haw.=extranea, Guen. It is referred to in the
pages of these Votes as attacking paddy crops in Bengal, oat
(Avena sativa) plants in Sibpur, and pea (Pisum sativum) in

Patna.

Sir G. F. Hampson describes the species as pale brick-red or
very pale brown and irrorated with dark specks and blotches. Fore
wing with slight traces of the orbicular and reniform stigmata; a
minute white speck at lower angle of cell with a black speck inside
it; fairly prominent postmedial and marginal series of black specks
the former curved ; and indistinct oblique dark apical streak. Hind
wing pale suffused with fuscous, in the red specimens less suffused
towards base. Underside of hind-wing sometimes with faint cell-

spot and postmedial series of specks.
Hab.—Universally distributed. Exp. 44-50 millim.

As regards remedial measures, Mr. Mollison writes :—

“ The only practical means of preventing damage is to reap at once the
affected portion. Scarify the surface of the ground to expose the caterpillars a
hand rake does well for the purpose; hand pick and drown the caierpiliars in a
tub half filled with water. If this method is adopted, crow and other birds in
large numbers are soon attracted to the field, and are extremely industrious in dis-
posing of the caterpillars. If the crops when cut from an affected field is left in
swathe, the caterpillars will be found on the following cay under the swathe, and
not covered with soil, so that by moving a yard or twoof swathe ata time, tie
caterpillars can very readily be collected.”

193 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vel, IV.

2. COTTON PESTS,

a. Oxycarenus lugubris, Motsch.
The Egyptian Cotton bug.

Specimens of this insect have been received in the Indian
Museum in May 1897, through the Director, Land Records and Agri-
culture, Panjab, from the Superintendent of the Experimental Farm,
Nagpur, who wrote :—

“‘ These insects are doing great damage to the green bolls. They bore small
holes when the boll is green and consequently it never comes to perfection. The
plants are in such a thriving condition that one will admire to look at them. As
for Cairo cotton plant growing, I have been thoroughly successful, but these insects
are doing such a damage that if they continue to live for a month more, I we
not get a single perfect boll.”

This insect has previously been reported from several parts of
India in connection with cotton, vzde Indian Museum Notes, Vol. Il,
pp. 32-35, and Vol. III, No. 5, p. 56. The description of it may be
found in a paper on Indian Rhynchota by the late Mr. E. T, Atkinson
in the pages of these Notes ({udian Museum Notes, Vol, |,
p. 188).

b. Noctues caterpillar destructive to cotton.—In August 1897,
specimens of a caterpillar said to attack cotton crop in the Poona
Farm were received in the Museum from the Assistant Superinten-
dent, Poona Farm, Kirkee.

The specimens proved to be the larva of a Noctues moth, which
cannot be precisely identified without the examination of the imago
into which they develope.

3. Popey PESTS.

a. Noctues moths.—Specivens of insects reported to be attack-
ing poppy plants in Azamgarh have been received in the Indian
Museum through the Director 2.f Land Records and Agriculture,
North-West Provinces and Cudh, from the Sub-Deputy Opium
Agent, Azamgarh,

No. 4. ] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 194

The following is an extract from the report (dated 26th March
1897) :—

“ T am forwarding to you two samples of the caterpillars which destroy poppy.
In the bottle labled A, are specimens of those which only appear towards the
middle or close of the season. The specimens obtained of this sort, I found on
the under-part of the leaf, and these were evidently hatched on it from ova depos-
ited thereon and the attack on the leaf commenced on the spot, on the under
side where they first came into existence. I found by keeping them as boys
keep silkworms at home that they grew rapidly and also changed colour as

they grew. The specimens sent are not full grown. I believe they would have

grown another quarter of an inch and have been stouter in proportion. The
growth of these caterpillars is so rapid that in fifteen days they become full grown.
Since I collected them they have matured and are passing into the chrysalis stage.

“T send you Specimens of these in a match box together with a portion of the
cells formed by them.

**The specimens in the bottle B, are the sort which live under ground and
attack the young plant in its earlier stage, and frequently denude whole fields,
the natives call them ‘ Kator’ or “ Kumwah. ”

The insects received are as follows :—
(1) Specimens marked A consist of some larve of a Noctues

-moth, the material being insufficient for precise identification.

(2) Specimens marked B prove to be caterpillars not unlike the
larvee of the Noctues moth Agrotis suffusa, Hubn., which has
previously been recorded as attacking young opium plants and other
agricultural crops in India, See Indian Museum Notes, Vol. ],
PP. 33, 95, 103, 108, and 206.

(3) Specimens in a match box consisted of a few chrysalids
belonging to two different species of Noctues moths.

4. INDIGO PESTS.

a. Agrotis segetis, Schiff.,and A. biconica, Koll.

Some Lepidopterous larve (alive) were received in March 1897
from Messrs. Finlay, Muir. & Co., as attacking indigo plants in one
of their indigo estates. The caterpillars were reared in the Indian
Museum, and by the end of March there emerged moths belonging
to two distinct species of Noctuidz. One of these is Agrotzs segetis,
Schiff. (three specimens), and the other species being Agrotzs
bicontca, Koll. (one specimen).

The insect A. segefzs is well known both in Europe and in India,
as avery destructive pest to agriculture, and according to Curtis,

195 Indian Museum Notes, f Vol. IV.

aaa

‘Farm Insects of Europe,” it feeds ona great variety of plants,

especially those of turnip and corn. In India, however, it has
hitherto only been reported to attack coffee plants.

Sir G. F. Hampson in his Fauna of British India moths ii,
describes the species as whitish brown, pale brown or fuscous ; palpi
darker at sides; collar with dark line; abdomen whitish. Fore-
wing with double waved sub-basal ante- and postmedial lines; an
obscure waved sub-marginal line and marginal series of specks ; the
orbicular and reniform with dark centres and edges; the claviform
small and black; all these markings being much obscured in
the dark specimens. Hind-wings iridescent white with dark margi-
nal line, and in some specimens with dark suffusion on the margin.

Hab.—Europe; and throughout India and Ceylon. Exp. 42-48
millim. .

The second species Agrotis biconzca, Koll., reared from the batch
of Indigo caterpillars has not previously been reported to attack crops
in India, but as it is a species very closely allied to A. segetzs, there
is every probability of its becoming at any time a troublesome pest.
In its description it differs from segezcs in having the sub-basal ante-
and postmedial lines of the forewing almost or quite obsolete; the
submarginal line strongly dentate, with dark streaks on it; the
orbicular elongate, with a dark streak from it to the reniform; the
claviform very elongate and filled in with black.

Hab.—S. Africa; N.-W, Himalayas ; Panjab ; Sikkim ; throughout
the Bombay and Madras Presidencies; Ceylon. Exp. 38 millim.

b. Noctues caterpillar.—The following is a letter, dated 6th April
1897, from Mr. H. Thorp, of Luchmipur Indigo Factory advising the
despatch of specimens of caterpillars destructive to indigo :—

“Tam sending you by this post a small bottle containing specimens, pre-
served in spirit, of the caterpillars that are now doing great damage to Indigo.
There seem to be at least three distinct varieties of them. ‘The most destructive
of all, is, [ think, the smallest in size: the littledark coloured one. Asa preli-
minary symptom there appears a little cobweb on the young indigo plant which
binds the topmost shoots together, and on the leaves appear minute black specks,
whether the excrement or eggs of the caterpillars [cannot say. On opening the
egg web I have mentioned a tiny caterpillar is found. They spread with amazing
rapidity. One evening a field or ‘chukla’ as itis called, of many acres in extent
may be fresh and healthy-looking?and next morning the whole of it will be blighted.
The effect of this is more or less fatal to the plant according to circumstances.
In strong lands, and if the plant attacked is fairly advanced though the leaves
may be entirely withered and eaten up, the stem will shoot again, and, provided that
the plant is not again attacked, will survive with only a small percentage of loss.
But in a year like the present one with the moisture deficient to start with and on
light lands, (which is the genera! character of indigo lands) the attack is generally

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 196

es eee

fatal to the plant. East winds seem to be favourable and west winds unfavour-
able to caterpillars. When the wind blows persistently from the East for days
caterpillars will appear almost to a certainty. They generally appear when the
plant is young, say a fortnight to a month old. I have known them, however,
attack plant in all stages of its growth and at all seasons of the year. The cater-
pillar, however, which appears on the matured plant during the manufacturing
season, is, according to my experience, the green variety invariably. Though these
do not kill the plant, they strip it of its leaves and render it practically unfit for
manufacture. I have some live specimens of caterpillars, and as soon as I can send
you their chrysalids I will do so, and also specimens of the resulting insect.”

The specimens received appeared to be the larve of a Noctues
moth, the material being insufficient for any identification.
Mr. Thorp subsequently forwarded a living chrysalis, which, how-
ever, arrived in the Museum in a dried state and dead that nothing
could be made of it,

5. INSECTS INFESTING VEGETABLE PLANTS,

a. Pluteltla maculata, Curt.

(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Tineidz.)

Cauliflower Moth.

Plate XV, fig. 2—a, and b, darva dorsal and side views ; c, chrysalts ;
d moth; e, prece of cauliflower attacked by larve.

Caterpillars of this Tineid moth have been received in the Indian
Museum through the Entomological Artist Babu G, C. Chuckerburtty
:n the latter end of February, withastatement that they were found
attacking a cauliflower which had been purchased locally in the
market.

The caterpillars are of very small size like most of the family of
Tineidze to which they belong, measuring little above one-half inch
in length, very slender and more or less cylindrical, but gradually
tapering both towards the head and the tail. They are of an olive-
green colour of a transparency that permits the pulsation of the
“heart? and the internal organs to be seen through the skin.

The caterpillar spins a small oblong cocoon of very fine white
silk in which pupation takes place, the moth emerging after four or
It is a tiny little insect of a grayish-brown colour

five days.
measuring no more than +5 Ofan inch in length across the two

fore-wings.

107 Indian Museum Notes. [ Vol. IV.

e

Seven specimens were reared in the Museum, and Sir G. F.
Hampson has been kind enough to determine the species as
“Plutella maculata, Curt. = cruciferarum,”

b, Rhopalesephum dianthi, Schrank.
Infesting brinjal plant.

In the latter part of December 1896, Babu Probod Chunder De
forwarded to the Museum specimens of brinjal leaves attacked by
insects, and reported that he was frequently being troubled with
these pests who were carrying depredations in his kitchen garden in
-the vicinity of Calcutta.

On examining the samples of brinjal leaves they were found to be
badly infested with Aphids of the well-known species Rhopalosephum
diantht, Schrank.

This insect appears to be a common pest in Europe where it is
no doubt an indigene.. It has been reported by different authors as
attacking numerous plants, and according to Mr, F, Walker’s
account it feeds on the following :—Thalictrum minus, Ranunculus
bulbosus, R. hirsutus, R. repens, R. acris, Aguttegia vulgaris,
Papaver rhzeas, Fumarta officinalis, Nasturtium officinale,
Cochlearia armoracza, Alliaria officinalis, Erysimum barbarea,
Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Cakile marttima Brassica oleracea, B,
rapa, B. campestris, B. napus, Sinapis arvensis, S, alba, S,
nigra, Raphanus sativus, R. raphanistrum, Dianthus, Euphorbia
peplus, _ Crepis tectorum, Potentilla anserina, Pyrethrum
inodorum, Myosotis scorpioides, Inula dysenterica, Digitalis
Sonchus, Leontodon taraxacum, plantago lanceolata, Mentha
hirsuta, Heliotropium peruvianum, Beta vulgaris, B. maritima,
Caiceolaria pinnata, Callistemma, Tussilago, Geranium rober-
tianum, Spergula arvensts, Bunias kakile, Galium mollugo,
Crocus, Dianthus caryophyllus, D. prolifer, Tulipa, Fuchsia
coccinea, Ff. globosa, F. micrantha, Narcissus, Mesembryan-
themum, Hyacinthus, Verbina, Tropxolum tricolor, Solanum
tuberosum, Polygonum persicaria, Pimelea sylvatica,
Citrus, Ruscus androgynus, and Cactus.

In India this insect was first noticed in 1894 as injurious to rape
crop in the district of Berhampur, see /udian Museum Notes, Vol.
LY, Noss ip-123-

Now that the occurrence of this destructive pest has twice been
recorded in India within such a short space of time as two years,

Myrtus,

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 198

and on two different kinds of plants, there is every reason to
Suppose that it will soon extend its ravages on other agricultural
crops.

As regards remedial! measures, spraying the affected plants with
a solution of kerosine emulsion would be the simplest means to get
rid of the pest.

c. Potato Aphis.—In January 1897, Dr. G. Watt, Reporter on
Economic Products to the Government of India, furnished specimens
to the Indian Museum of an Aphis said to be infesting potato plants
in the vicinity of Calcutta. He reported that the stem of the plant
gets withered near the ground, the very part on which the Aphis
occurs, and that all the affected parts of the crop consisted of plants
reared from cut seed potatoes ; where whole potatoes were employed
the disease had not appeared.

Aphids are well known to be agricultural pests, but the few dried
specimens that were sent for examination are insufficient for precise
identification, "

Some specimens of a red ant were also forwarded as occurring
along with the Aphis. These have been kindly identified by
Dr. Forel as belonging to the species Dorylus ortzntalis, Westw.=
curttsiz, Shuch.==oberthuri and fuscus of Emery.

With regard to the habits of this species he writes :—

“ All Dorylus species feed on animal food (insect under the ground ), never
plants. This ant is certainly not obnoxious to potatoes, but was hunting after
worms and other insects in the same way as Dorylus fulvus worker hunts in

Algeria.”

d. Kankrol fruit pests—In September 1897, the Scientific
Secretary to the Indian Gardening Association, Calcutta, forwarded to
the Indian Museum specimens of insects found boring into “‘ Kankrol”’
fruits which he had bought in one of the Calcutta markets.

The specimens consisted of two different kinds of insects, namely,
small larve of a Tineid moth, and some Dipterous grubs of an
unknown species,

199 Indian Uuseum Notes. [Vol. IV.

The following report has been furnished by the Scientific

Secretary :—

‘On Sunday, the 15th August last, 1 bought some specimens of the fruit
‘Kankrol,’ what attracted mein buying them were the warty growths on the
epicarp of the fruits. I subsequently found holes on the epicarp. The fruits were
placed within a stoppered phial and allowed to remain in this condition for a
week. After the expiration of the week I had to remove one finding it very rotten,
and while removing it I marked two larve come out of it. They were of brownish
colour and possessed the power of leaping, which feat they accomplished by bring-
ing the both ends of the body together. They leapt over spaces of 13 feet. These
specimens, however, were unfortunately lost. I dissected the remaining fruits and
succeeded in securing one good specimen which is exhibited in the phial XXX 20,
with the portion of the fruit where it was found.

“ Pushing the enquiry further and examining several specimens of the fruit
from time to time, I have fortunately succeeded in securing some full-fed larve,
some immature ones and three eggs, all of which will be found in the phial

“‘ Now a word about the disease itself. These fruits, as far as I can conclude
from the existing data, were possibly diseased after the maturation of the ovary.
In any case they were not diseased during the maturation of the ovary in which
case the larvee would have bored their way from inside outwards; while in the
present instance, the structure of the holes show that the insects laid their eggs
on the epicarp, and the larvz after coming out of the eggs ruptured the hypo-
dernal vessels and found theig way tothe endocarp; next, the placental regions
were attacked. In this stage decomposition set in. The putrefaction is in part
caused by some fungal element the conidia of which may be seen on the fruit.

“The fruit itself has some economic importance. It is largely used by the
poorer classes who deem it a delicacy. The local markets supply them in large
quantity from which it can be inferred that the fruits at least are in moderate

demand.”

6, Sugar-cane pest.—In October 1897, samples of sugar-
cane said to be affected by insects were forwarded to the Museum by
the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Cocanada, who re-

ported :—

“ Although season favourable sugar-canes are dying largely from previously
unknown cause. Dissection shows caterpillar and earwig in heart of canes.
Can you send expert to advise.”

«« This message speaks for itself, and contains, I regret to say, all the informa-
ion I am able to give on the subject.

* About three weeks ago I first learned that the canes in the Godavary Delta
were ‘withering’ in a manner never before seen by the cultivators, and for which
they could furnish no explanation. These cultivators are entirely natives, and
the crop had, up till then, been reported to be thriving well. Within the last

No. 4.] Motes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 200

few days the reports of damage have become accentuated, and have been
confirmed by European observation. I have had some of the canes dissected
with the result mentioned in my telegram. The earwig is smallerand thinner
than an Engiish earwig. The caterpillar is about 13 inch in length, of a pale
semi-transparent whitish grey colour, having thin longitudinal stripes of very
pale brown, along which at intervals are largish spots of much darker brown.

“T fear that the cropinthe delta has already suffered severely, and shall
be glad if you can assist the ryots in staying the progress of the ravage. Inthe
uplands, where the canes are irrigated from wells, the scourge does not seem
to have made its appearance.”

On examining the samples of cane, none of the caterpillars men-
tioned in the report were discovered in them, but only a few earwigs
which are not thought to be the real cause of the disease.

It is well known that the sugar-cane in this country is subject to
the attack ofa borer moth Diatrga sacharalis, Fabr., the cater-
piliar of which tunnels into and destroys the cane. Accounts of the
insect may be found in /udian Museum Notes, Vol. 1, pp. 22-27.

7. THz MicraTory Locust oF Nortu-West Inpza.
Acridium peregrinum, Oliv.

During the year 1897 the flights of the migratory locust
(Acridium peregrinum, Olivr,) of North-Western India, appear to
have been very prevalent and the injury done by them to crops, etc.,
very extensive both in India and the Baluchistan Agency, and also
in the Persian Gulf. In Baluchistan alone the damage done to
cultivation by this insect is estimated at R60,000 or 70,000 to

State revenue. On the 12th June they were reported to

be in such swarms that the train from Quetta to Chaman was

201 . Indian Museum Notes. . [Vol. IV.

delayed 2} hours on their account ; while in Toba almost all the
barley crops were destroyed, and the owners in despair of saving
their crops let their cattle, goats and sheep louse into their fields
as they preferred to see their crops eaten by them rather than
by locusts.

Now that the judicious use of arsenic as a means of destroying |
locusts has been proved beyond doubt by actual experiments in the
Victoria County, Natal (see /xdian Museum Notes, Vol. IV, No. 3;
pp. 137—139) tv be a remedy of very great value, and assuredly
superior to any other measures hitherto adopted as_ regard
effectiveness and cheapness, it is to ee hoped that this method
may be tried in India.

The following are the reports that have been forwarded to the
Museum regarding the flights :— .

(2) From the Baluchistan Agency —

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 3st
May 1897 :—

‘¢ Dense swarms of young crawling locustshave come to Chaman from the
Registan. About 400 men of the 29th Bombay Infantry, Railway gangs and
other people are engaged with great vigour, in destroying them.

“ Lieutenant Webb Ware also reports that Nushkiis swarming with these
young locusts, and similar reports have been received from parts of Pishin.”

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 8th June
1897:—

« Zhob.—Locusts have made their appearance in large numbers in the Lower
Zhob sub-division. Numbers of young locusts have been hatched and great ap-
prehensions are felt for the kharzf crops.

“ Chaman,— Young crawling locusts have also appeared in dense swarms in
Chaman and destroyed the garden crops and vegetables in spite of the efforts
made by the men of the Infantry regiment, the railway gangs, Levies and
Police, to keep them out.”

Extract from the Diary of the Baluchistan Agency for the week ending 30th

June 1897 :—

“ Locusts are said to have greatly decreased in Chaman, but reports from Toba
state that myriads of young locusts are all over the country and have done very
great damage to the crops. They are reported to be in such swarms that the
train from Quetta to Chaman was delayed 2} hours on this account on the
12th.”

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 8th July
1 897 :—

** Zhob.— Locusts still infest almost every part of the district, and; at places in
the Hindubagh and Fort Sandeman tahsils, have done a considerable amount of
damage to vegetables and trees. It will probably be necessary to suspend or
remit some of the revenue demand in parts of Pishin and Toba_owing to the
damage done.”

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 202

“* Chaman.—Locusts have destroyed almost all the barley crops in Toba, The
owners have, therefore, let their cattle, goats and sheep loose into tkeir fields as.
they prefer to do this, rather than see the locusts eat up the crops.”

: Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 16th July
1897 :—

“Reports from Toba show that locusts have destroyed nearly all the barley
crops and have done considerable damage to fruit trees and to the autumn
harvest. They have, moreover, eaten up all the green and dry grass both in
the valley and on the mountain tops. There is likely in consequence to be serious
distress among the Achakzais. The Revenue Commissioner has been asked
to report on the subject.”

Extract from the Diary of the Baluchistan Agency for the week ending
24th July 1897:—

“ Zhob, for week ending 16th.—Enormous flights of locusts have been seen in
Ghosa and near Murgha, but they have as yet done no damage except to trees
and grass, Itis feared that if they do not leave before the khavif crops are
above ground, they will do much harm.

« At Mekhtar where the crops are more advanced, one sowing of China nung
has been almost completely cleared off by them and the people have sown the
lands again.

“Reports from the Upper Zhob sub-division show that locusts are still very
numerous in many parts and. that great damage has been done by them in the
western circle of Bori and in the hill villages near Hindubagh.”

Extract from the Diary of the Baluchistan Agency for the week ending
8th September 1897 :-—

* Thal Chotialt.—Ziarat and the adjacent country has been again visited by
an enormous flight of locusts.

“ They are still there and considerable damage has been done.” -

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 24th
September 1897 —

* Zhob, for the week ending the 16th Septembev.—The Assistant Political Agent,
Upper Zhob, reports that the crops of only 9 of the Mirzai and Shadozai Karezes-
near Killa Saifulla, have escaped severe damage from locusts, the rest have been
considerably damaged and in some cases completely destroyed.

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 24th October
1897 :—

* Southern Baluchistan, for the week ending the 16th October 1897—During
the week, daily reports have been received from Las Bela stating that great damage
has been done to the crops by locusts,and it is feared that serious loss of
revenue will be the result.”

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending 31st Octoe
ber 18097 :—

“Southern Baluchistan, for the week ending 24th October.—The damage
done to cultivation by locusts is estimated at R60,000 or R70,000 to State
revenue.

203 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. lv.

“ Thal Chotialt, for the week ending 24th October 1897.—The Tahsildar,
Barkhan, reports that a flight of locusts appeared in the Barkhan tahsil and
did much damage to the kharzf crop.’”

The Extra Commissioner, Sibi, reports that a swarm of locusts also visited the
Sibi tahsil and ate up a portion of the crop.

Extract from the Baluchistan Agency Diary for the week ending the 30th No-
vember 1897 :—

“ Southern Baluchistan, for the week ending 16th November.—The
Wazir’s inspection of the cultivation shows that the major portion ‘of the crops
have been destroyed by locusts, a fact which is telling on the people as they are
contemplating leaving their homes and seeking employment elsewhere. Damage
by locusts is being daily reported from all parts of the State.”

(4) From the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire—

Extract from the Diary of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire,
fer the week ending 12th June 1897 :—

* Shivas, June 5th.—Locusts have destroyed all the harvests at Kafrak and-
Marvdasht, and have now flown to the places round Shiraz, where they are des-
troying the summer crops.”

Extract from the Diary of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf for the
week ending 26th June 1897 :—

“ Shiraz, 12th ¥une.— Large numbers of locusts have swarmed about Shiraz
and after destroying the wheat and barley crops are now devouring the vegetables
sown in the suburbs.”

(c) Through the Survey Commissionerand Director, Land Record
and Agriculture, Bombay—

(1) From the Collector of Karachi (7th June 1897)—

“To forward herewith a bottle containing specimens of locusts, preserved in
country liquor. These locusts formed part of a large flight that arrived at Jarruck
on the 5th instant. On the 4th and 5th also locusts came, but the main bod
appears to have come on the 5th instant. They came from the North-West ae
went off nearly due North.

“ The Mukhtyarkar of Tatta has not as yet reported whether damage has been
czused by them elsewhere, but at Jerruck rice seedlings have suffered.”

(2) From the Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier
fagth July 1897) :

“To inform you of the appearance on the roth instant, of locusts in the
Shahdadpur taluka of thisdistrict. A large swarm is reported to have come from
Garhi Khyra in the Jacobabad taluka and Kelat Territory to the North-
West. It is reported that they have slightly damaged the young crops in nine
tapas of the taluka. These locusts were seen going to Kamhar taluka in the
Shikarpur district on the next day. A certain number of them, however, appeared
again on the 22nd instant and went back to the Kamhar taluka.

“ The specimens sent by the Mukhtyarkar, enclosed in a bottle, are herewith
forwarded.” ¥

it

No. 4.1 Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 204

(3) From the Political Agent, Mahikantha (gth August 1897)—

“ T have forwarded to you by parcel post a specimen of locusts which were
seen passing through the Godhawada thana limits on the 29th and goth ultimo.
The swarms came from North-West and passed towards Hadol and Idar in the
South-East laying eggs in some places.

* The flight of the insects was further seen passing through the Idar and the
Sobarkantha limits on the 1st instant. They did not settle but passed towards
the East from the Sobarkantha.

“© The damage done to the crops in Idar and Gadhawada was slight,”

(4) From the Political Agent, Mahikantha (zoth October 1897) —

“On the 18th instant at about 4 p.m. a flight of locusts was seen in the
limits of Sadra coming from Oran under Prantij in the North, they halted for
night covering over an area of about one mile. In the morning from 6 a.m.
they commenced to eat the jowari crop that was standing in the fields
till 11 a.m. when they swarmed away inthe southern direction towards Jakhora,
a village under Baroda.

«* During their stay in the limits of Sadra the damage done by them to the
jowari crop is estimated at about 25 maunds, z.¢., R50.

“ As required in Government Resolution No. 14, dated the 3rd January 1890,
Revenue Department, a specimen of the insect has been forwarded to the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bombay.”

(5) From the Mamlatdar of Olphad (19th November 1897)—

“ To report that this taluka is infected by a swarm of locusts. Some of the
villages have been visited by them, but no considerable damage has been done, I
am engaged at Ophad in plague work . ~- . «and have since deputed a
Karkun and Havaldars to destroy them. Villagers try their utmost to clear off
the villages of them. - « « The villages visited areas below :—

«© Mandroi, Bolav, Anita, Masma, Sefetawad, Sultanpur, Karamla, Isanpu

and Umrachi.”

(6) From the Collector of Nasik (4th November 1897)—

“« . . . .to forward in a separate parcel a few specimens of locust
preserved in country liquor received from the Mamlatdar of taluka Sinnar.
The Mamlatdar has reported that great swarms of them visited Sinnar itself
last evening (27th October) and have been there till this morning.

« They have eaten up some bajri crop (a few specimen ears are sent in the
parcel referred to’, but no great damage has yet been done as the locusts are
reported to be paralyzed by the cold at Sinnar. They are reported to have coe

22

from the East. . .« . e e

(7) From the Collector of Broach (6th November 1897),—

“*, . . . onthe 19th of October flights of locusts were seen coming from
the direction of Rajpipla Hills to the east of Breach taluka. They passed over
several villages of the taluka and settled for a short time on trees of the West of

205 Indian Museum Netes, | fVol. IV.

Broach, but did no damage to crops. They then went straight on to the westward
and entered the Wagra taluka on 20th and 21st October where they caused only
some slight damage to crops in the following villages.

“ Rahiad.—-Til crops damaged to the extent of R25, No injury to cotton
and jowari crops.

“© Suva.—Slight damage to cotton leaves which, it is reported, will reappear:
No damage was done to other crops. If, however, the cotton plants of which the
jeaves have been eaten up die, the damage would amount to about R75.

“ Folwa.—Til and cotton damaged to a slight extent.

“ Kaliad.—No damage is reported.

“On 21st they appeared at Dehej and other villages around it, namely,
Lekhigam, Luvera Ambheta, Jageshwar, and then went over several other
villages. She crops that were damaged are:—Bawata, Kodra, Kharif Jowari,
Tur, Til and Cotton crops. Bhavta has suffered the most. Bhavta, Kharif
Jowar and Til crops which fortunately were sold in a small area are expected
to yield no outturn, but the outturn of Tur and Cotton crops is affected toa small
extent only. Damage to cotton crop is reported also in about 20 other villages
but details have not yet been received. In the villages which the Mamledar,
personally visited, namely, Jambusar, Magnad, Tugrelpur, Khajampur,
Wavli, Dostpur and Khanpur Deh, he found that the damage done tothe
above mentioned crops waS comparatively small, but that in Kajampur,
Dostpur, and Khanpur Deh especially the cotton crops, which covered an area,
of 20, 200, and 300 acres, respectively, have been seriously damaged. Cotton
plants which had been sown early and so were well grown have not been
damaged so as to render impossible the putting forth of new leaves, but
the late crops which were not full grown have been damaged past all hopes.
This strengthens the presumption that the locusts were not old enough to
devour harder substance.

** News has just reached me that vast swarms of locusts were again seen
‘yesterday in the neighbourhood of Palej, so that I regret to say that our outlook
which was exceedingly favourable is now clouded over.”

(d@) Through the Under-Secretary to Government, Revenue

Department, Bombay— |
(1) From the Political Agent, Mahikantha (26th August 1897)—

“ . . » to state for the information of Government that from a report
received from the Gadhwada Thandar it appears that swarms of locusts appeared
in the villages of Khaski, Rampura and Fudeda under Valasna taluka on the
ard, 4th, 5th, and 6th instant and flew away causing damage to the extent of about
R1,o00o. They had laid eggs in some places but there is no possibility of their

being hatched, as they are destroyed by heavy rains falling there subsequently.

(2) From the Political Superintendent, Palanpur (8th September
1897)— ;

“,.. + . toreport for the information of Government that a slight rise in
the price of grain has lately taken place in these districts owing to the apprehension
thatlocusts will damage the crops which are now standing. Great swarms of

locusts visited these districts in the latter part of July flying from West to East

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 206
ea Re ee eG INTE es a aa PT
They deposited eggs from which the young locusts which areso much dreaded
have been hatched.

“The Thanadar of Santalpur has lately reported locusts passing from Marwar
towards the Ran of Cutch and leaving eggs in his district.”

(3) From the Collector of Kaira (11th January 1898)—

- to submit the following report about the appearance of

foeusiae in ie district in October and November last.

“ On the 28th October a flight of locusts passed from North-Bast to South-
West of the Borsad taluka going in the direction of Cambay. Another flight
also passed on the 1st November from North-East to South-West of that
taluka. They caused slight damage to the crops of Tur and other pulses.

“On the zoth October a flight appeared from the Modasa side and passed
_ through several villages of the Kapadvanj taluka, and rested for the night in
the villages of Dhudadra, Nes and Bhadrasar, causing damageto the extent
of R200, R400, and R1,G90, respectively, to the crops of Math, Chola and late Bajri.
In the afternoon ef the following day (31st October) they left and were seen
at about 5 p.m. at Nariad passing on their way through Umreth. They alighted
on trees in Nariad, Piplata, Gutal and Keriam, but did little or nodamage to
crops. Next morning (1st November) they left in the direction of the Matar
taluka, but do not seem to have appeared there.

“ On the 2nd November a flight appeared at Saudesar in the Anand taluka,
and after going to the South resappeared on the 3rd, and alighting in Saudesar
and Velasan, did damage to the extent of Ri,o0o and R200.

“On the 5th November, another flight passed through the Kapadvan taluka,
but it did not alight.

‘¢ The total amount of damage caused to crops is estimated at R2,200.”

(4) From the Collector of Ahmednagar (3oth October 1897)—

“ z - . toinform you that the Mamlatdar-of Kopergaon reports
under ae the arth instant, that a flight of locusts arrived at Kopergaon that
morning at 11 a.M. from the South-East and West. The trees on the Kopergaon
Signapur roads were covered with them and they eventually alighted on the Bajr
crops and did some damage. On being driven off, they next alighted in the
fields of the villages of Dharangaon and Murshatpur. Here too they were
similarly treated and the Mamlatdar understands they have gone into the Sinar
taluk of the Nasik district.”

(5) From the Deputy Commissioner of Mandla district (11th
December 1897) through the Commissioner of Settlements and Agri-
culture, Central Provinces—

« A flight of locusts entered this district at Patwari Circle No. 10 onthe
16th October 1897, coming from the Girection of Birgi inthe Jubbulpur district.
It passed through Kirhe, Piparia, Salaya, Maneri, Moldongri (in Circle No. 10),
Cheolia, Dongaria, Maldha, Bhartipur, Sangwon, Pindrai and Sohajpuri (in

207 Indian Museum Notes. — [Vol. IV.

Circle No. 11), and then entered the Seoni district at the Kedarpur pargana
It appeared again on the 20th October in Circle No. 24 and passed through the
marginally noted villages causing varying
Saledanda, Pondi, Thonda, Surajpur of damage in its flight. It then ‘passed over
Circle No. 245 Babeha, Jujhari, Bacheragondi, the hills on the boundary between the two
Bakori, Umaria, Kosumdongri of Circle < i 4
No, 22; Tikrakhespaui, Kanadongri, Kheri tahsils and bore southward, returning into
Man Ooo Hens Sie the Mandla tahsil in Patwari Circle No. 71
foe reece ateranr Thong BS dra, and caused some damage inthe villages of
Kanhari, Guara, Kewa, etc., of Circle No. 50

‘ inthe Dindori tahsil. It then travelled
over .the jungles to the South of Bajag and was next met with in Khamor
Khudru, Sohajno, Chakmi, Gopalpur and Majh gaon in the very South of the
Dindori tahsil. On about the 26th October the flight passed away over the hills
in the direction of Amarkantak.,

“ The principal damage was caused to the Kcdon Kutki, and Sarson crops
but the Juar crop wasalso damaged to some extent as the heads were in flower
atthe time. The area damaged in any single village does not exceed 50 acres
except in the five villages of Kirhupiparia, Karhopiparia ryotwari in Circle No. 10,
Thonda and Pondi in Circle No, 24, and Khondra Khudra in Circle No. 60, all in
the Mandla tahsil.

“With regard to these five villages the necessary enquiries under Revenue
Book Circular 1-9 (Vol. II), are being made. .

“A second flight appeared on 23rd November 1897 from the direction of
Seoni. It passed through Circle Nos. 15 and 16 of the Mandla tahsil, and entered
the Dindori tahsil near Peparin and Mewas and then passed northward into
the Jubbulpur district. This flight caused very little damage, except in some
places, to the wheat seedlings.

“A third flight is reported to have appeared at Dindori on the 28th of
November and to have gone southward towards Bajag, but it does not appear to
have caused serious damage at any place in its course.”

(6) Through the Officiating Commissioner of Settlement and
Agriculture, Central Provinces, Nagpur, from the Deputy Commis-
sioner, Hoshangabad— .

“ The first flight of locusts crossed the North-East corner of the Sohagpur
tahsil on the 9th October and did comparatively little damage, the village most
affected was Ajera, where 60 acres of tilli, kutki, urad and mung were slightly
injured.

* On the 23rd, 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st further flights entered
this tahsil from Bhopal, some portion of them spending the night in different
villages. All these flights appear to have come from alarge flight in the Bhopal
State across the Narbada, a flight which was still in evidence as late as the
15th December.

“In most cases yery little damage was done during the day time, the locusts
only staying a short time and moving on then to other fields.

“In the villages where the locusts rested at night the damage is more
serious. Their numbers were so great that branches of trees were broken by
their weight, and the only reason why the crops did not suffer more than they
did was, that much of the jawari was too young to be seriously damaged. Any

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 208

head which was ripe and attacked by locusts presents the appearance of having
passed through the threshing floor,’ and hardly a grain hasjbeen left’; luckily one
of the largest swarms missed the cultivated fields and rested for the night in the
jungle near Sukhakheri where the damage to the trees was of little moment.

*‘In the Hoshangabad tahsil the flights of locusts appeared later thaa in
Sohagpur, and on examination of the dates and places shows, that the swarm
was moving East to West. The principal swarms were on the 31st October and
the 1st and 2nd November.

“« The damage done in the day time here also was comparatively small, but two
villages suffered severely from the locusts on the night of the 31st October, viz.,
Jhalsar and Satwasa, . . . . . . Taradonda Sankhera, Itarsi, Goar
and Sona Saoni also suffered considerably.

«* The Seoni tahsil appears to have escaped almost entirely, the only village
affected was Chapragrahan in which the damage was trifling and the people
did not even complain about it when I visited it yesterday, though they made
every imaginable excuse to show how difficult it was to pay rent this year.

“ In the Harda tahsil also the damage done was comparatively small and no
proposals for suspension of revenue are required.

«“ Omitting all villages where the crops have turned out more than Ro-8-o0 in
all fields, I submit a statement showing the area affected in each village, the total
anna value of the produce and the estimate of the crop inthe field which has
suffered most :—

panies tee UL ee

Anna esti»

Anna

: rea
Tahsil. Name of village. ae yee of nee oe
produce.
worst field.
2 3A eee

Acres, Acres, Ride ps
hagpur. Malkajra ° 348'71 277822 © 7 0
Sovage Tae : 5 ee ao T,519'68 Oo 4 0
Purena . »| 367°23 2,712°76 On 7,0
Semkhera e .| 248°00 1,654 00 G*3<4-8-0

Khera . : o| 193°24 1,489°92
Gadroli . ° 6 || Sule) 2,381°16 On. 70
Budhni - : . | 352°10 2,414°35 o I oO
Swula Khd. . «| 157°88 gIg‘ol o I Oo
Kanthi = «| 345°51 25452'°85 OTs 0
Mathni » A .| 248°42 2,480°72 0 4 0
Dhandya : . | 221°04 1,735'60 Oia ©
Mundyakhera a || SWS} 3,372 OQ Ge
Ranigohan. - | 339°60 3,531 o 4 0
Mohwakhera . ensscdo ey) o 4 0
Hoshangabad . Jolsar . ° .| 403°18 1,285 o Lt Oo
Satwasa Mahal No. 1 | 322°07 2,360 0 6 0
Tararonda -| 99°46 307 On 45.0
Sankhera , .| 58°16 232 o 4 0
Itarsi - 5 »| 59°98 423°54 oF vo

|

SS naa.

209 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol]. IV.

nn nnn ee EEE

III.—INSECTS {NFESTING FRUIT TREES.

1, Psychid caterpillars destructive to vines.—Samples of grapes
tn with some leaves of the same were forwarded to the Indian
Museum in January 1897 by Mr. N. R. Lester, Superintendent,
Empress Botanical Gardens, Poona, as suffering from what appeared
to him to be fungus growths on the fruits and leaves.

On examining the vines they were found to be attacked by
minute caterpillars of an unknown Psychid moth the like of which
had not hitherto been recorded as destructive to grapes in India,
From the caterpillars that had arrived in the Museum alive some
moths were reared, but owing to their very minute size and the
difficulty in obtaining good specimens the identity of the species
could not be decided.

To be quite certain that the vines were not also simelea aera
attacked by fungus, the samples were submitted to Dr. D. Prain,
of the Royal Botanic Garden, Sibpur, for examination, who wrote
upon the subject: “I have carefully examined the specimens of
vines sent with your note of 22nd instant, and, so far as I can make

out, there is no fungoid disease present. The pathological effects
seem to be the result of some insect blight, . . . ... ”

2, Mango caterpillar —The Superintendent, Empress Gardens,
Poona, reported in August 1897 the appearance of a number of
caterpillars with stinging bristles, which were destroying mango
leaves in his gardens.

The specimens forwarded by him, though they arrived in the
Museum alive, soon died aaron from the effects of the long

journey. They proved to be the caterpillars: of a moth belonging to
the family Limacodide.

3. Cerambycid larve destructive to apple tree.—Some
Coleopterous larvee said to be tunnelling into the stems of an apple
tree in Muktesar, were forwarded in the Indian Museum by
Mr. M, K. Bamber, Superintendent, Government Nursery, Muktesar,
in January 1897.

The insects proved to be the immature forms-of a Cerambycid
beetle, which cannot be further identified without the examination

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 210

of the imago, Mr. Bamber reports that he is using kerosine oil to
kill the pest, by pouring small quantities into the holes in the stems.

Pouring kerosine oil into the burrows would no doubt prove an
effectual means of destroying the insects, provided it does not also
injure the tree on which it is used.

IV.—FOREST PESTS.

1. Eriococcus paradoxus, Mask., var. indica.
(Sub-ord. Homoptera, Fam. Coccidz.)

Plate XV, jig. 3-

From Mr. J. S. Gamble, Director of the Imperial Forest School,
Dehra Dun, were received in January 1896 specimens of a Coccid
found on stems of Melicteres tsora at Mohand in the district of
Saharanpur.

The specimens appeared to be new to the Museum collection.
Mr. W. M. Maskell who kindly examined the insect, wrote: “This
is Eviococcus paradoxus, Mask., a variety which I shall name znxdica,
differing from the type in the very slightly larger size and in the
more numerous and large figure of 8spinnerets. The type is from
South Australia and is described by me in the Trans. of Roy. Soc,
S. Australia, 1887-88,”

The following is Mr. Maskell’s description of the type :—

Eriococcus paradoxus.—Sac of adult female dark reddish brown,
circular, convex, aggregated in masses on the bark, and so thickly
covering it sometimes as probably to smother the plant; diameter
about ¢ inch.

The aggregated mass is so thick that on cutting a vertical
section it appears like a honeycomb of cells each containing an
insect. At the summit of the convex sac is a very minute orifice
(not apparent in every instance). This orifice is probably intended
to give access to the male insect, specimens of which may some-
times be found inside the cellular sacs with the females. The
sac is so Closely fitted that it has quite the appearance of being waxy
instead of cottony, but a little pressure with the point of a pencil
makes an impression in it as if it were leathery; and on boiling in
potash it becomes dissolved, which is not the case with any waxy
Coccid test, as far as | know. The spinnerets and threads described
below are also evidences that the sac is really felted, though very
closely.

The sac of the male is reddish-yellow, narrow, elongated, convex
above and flat beneath; after its last metamorphosis the male
escapes by an orifice at one end,

211 Indian Museum Notes. - [Vol. Iv,

Adult female somewhat peg-top-shaped, the cephalic region large
and smooth, the abdomen small, segmented and tapering to the
two anal tubercles, which are prominent, and bear each a long seta.
Colour dark reddish-brown; length, exclusive of the tubercles,
about 3, inch. On maceration and boiling in potash the anatomical
details can be made out. On the cephalic region, there are four
bands of very small, circular spinneret orifices; these bands
correspond with the position of the four stigmata of the body. On
the abdominal segments there are rows of double, or figure-of-eight,
spinnerets; many of these also are scattered over the cephalic
region. From these double spinnerets spring long white curling
threads, which form the felted sac. The rostrum is conical, and the
mentum is bi-articulate. The antenne are atrophied and very
short ; the number of joints cannot be clearly made out, owing to
compression, which confuses them; but the normal number in the
genus is six, and probably this is the case here also. The tip bears
a few strong short hairs. The feet are entirely absent.

The second stage of the insect has not been observed.

The larva, just after leaving the egg, is of the normal shape of
the genus—elongated, flattish, tapering slightly posteriorly ; exhibit-
ing the anal tubercles. Colour reddish; length about one-fortieth
of aninch. Antenne of six sub-equal joints, all slightly dilated
at the end except the last, which is irregular and pointed, and bears
some hairs; all the joints appear to be numerously ringed, Feet
normal. On the body there are four longitudinal rows of figure of
eight spinnerets. The anal tubercles bear long sete.

Adult male red ; somewhat short and squat ; the thorax broad, and-
the abdominal segments compressed. Length of the body, about
one-fortieth of an inch. The last segment of the abdomen bears on
each side three longish sete. Antenne of ten joints, the first very
short, the rest sub-equal, elliptical, except the second, which is
dilated at the tip; all the joints bear hairs. Feet slenden: upper
digitules long and slender, lower pair short; fine hairs. Abdominal
spike conical pointed.

fab.—On Pittosporum undulatum, South Australia.

Diaspis calyptroides, Costa, var. cacté, Comstk.
Coccid on Prickly Pear.
In March 1896, specimens of Prickly Pear infested by Coccids
were forwarded to the Museum from Southern India through

Petia rss ee

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 212

Dr. G, Watt, C. I. E,, Reporter on Economic Products to the
Government of India.

The insect proved to be new to the Museum collection, but it
was identified as belonging to the genus Déaspis. It was kindly
examined by the late Mr. W. M. Maskell who considered it a Diaspis

_ Calyptroides, Costa, var. cactz, Comstock. He wrote :—

‘“‘ The species is found on Cactaceze in many countries. Thetype
is described by Signoret, Ann. de La Soc. Entom. de France, March
1868, p. 434: and the variety by Comstock, 2nd Report, Department
of Entomology, Cornell University, 1883, p. ot.

‘“ Comstock considered his insect as a distinct species: but
the difference from the type is but slight, and I incline to look upon
it as only a variety. Costa’s original description (Faun. Nap., 1827,
p- 6) is most incomplete, and chiefly concerns the male scale : but
Signoret gives full details. |

‘‘ This insect is almost always, where it oCcurs, very numerous
on the plant (as in those you sent) : and must therefore be usually
injurious.

‘¢ There is another variety opunticola, Newstead, on Opuntia
in Demerara (Ent. Mo, Mag., 1893, p. 1888), which has more pro-
minent terminal lobes than your insect. I fancy all the varieties
arise from climate or from a slightly different species of Cactus. ”

3. Coccid on Prickly Peay.—Mr. E, Thurston, Superintendent,
Government Museum, Madras, forwarded specimens of a scale-
insect infesting Prickly Pear in the Kurnool and Anantapur dis-

tricts.
The specimens were found to be unrepresented in the Museum

collection, so were submitted to Mr. W. M, Maskell for examina;

tion.
Mr. Maskell kindly furnished the following report regarding the

insect: ‘The insect sent to me....as infesting Prickly Pear in
Kurnool and Anantapur is clearly a form which Mr. E. E, Green is
proposing to name Coceus cactt, var. ceylonicus, a variety of the
Cochineal insect. It is identical with specimens sent to me some
time ago by Mr, Green.”

I presume that a full description of this form will appear in
Mr. Green’s book on the Coccidz of Ceylon now in the press, Pend-
ing its publication I cannot well give you a detailed note for Indian
Museum Notes. It is possible that Mr. Green may see fit to change

213 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. V.

the name; and! am inclined rather to look on the insect as perhaps
more than a mere variety. But you may be sure at least that you
specimens are identical with those from Ceylon.

4. Aleurodes sp. on betel-nut palm.—In May 1896, Dr. G. Watt,
while on deputation to enquire into the cause of the disease affecting
betel-nut palms in Backerganj, found a small black scale-insect
with a white waxy border fairly abundant on diseased trees.

The leaves forwarded by him to the Indian Museum were found
to be thickly beset with scale-insects which appeared to belong to
the sub-family Aleurodidz; the specimens being new to the Museum
collection.

In order to obtain the precise identification of the pest, specimens
were submitted to Mrz W. M. Maskell who kindly examined them
and furnished a note upon the subject. Mr. Maskell found that the
leaves were covered with a species of Aleurodes, larve, and pupe,
which appear to be intermediate between A. barodensis and A.
piperis of his paper of 1895. They havethe strong black hairs of
A. piperis with a thick white waxy fringe rather more solid than
that of A. darodensis, They seem to be nearest to 4. piperds, but
differ from it sufficiently for him to consider them distinct.

5. Celosterna sp.— Specimens of a longicorn beetle were received
in December 1897 from Mr. B. O. Coventry, Assistant Conservator
of Forests, Lahore, with the information that they were causing much
damage to the Mulberry trees in the Shahdera Plantation.

, The insect appeared to be a Celosterna and not unlike the
species C. scabrata, Fabr., which does a good deal of damage to
sil trees in Oudh.

Mr. Coventry has furnished the following note regarding the
insect :—

“ The presence of the larvze of this beetle is easily recognised by the red rusty
colour on the stems of the mulberry trees, due to the sap trickling down from the
holes made by the larvze in coming to the surface. The burrow usually commences
high up the stem and often from a branch. . From this point the larva burrows
down the stem, in the heart-wood, making a tunnel which gradually increases
in diameter,—at intervals it comes to the surface making a hole from which wood
dust is thrown out and the sap trickles down staining the stem a rusty red colour.

if

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 214

“The perfect beetle appears at end of July and beginning of August, and can
be found at the end of the burrows at this time of the year.

“ The larval stage evidently extends over several years, for larvz of all sizes are
found at the same time of the year.

“The forest in which this beetle occurs very extensively is a mixture of Shisham
(Dalbergia sissoo) and Mulberry (Morus indica). It is worked onthe coppice
with Standards system. The standards being all Shisham.

“ The beetle dees not attack Shisham. With exception of these standards the
forest is worked for fuel with a rotation of 15 years.
“The damage is therefore not so very serious as far as this forest is concerned.”

6. Hybleea puera, Cram.
(Sub-ord. Heterocera, Fam. Noctuidz.)

Teak pest.

From Mr. C. C, Hatt, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Puri
district, have been received in August 1897 specimens of a moth
said to be causing much damage to teak trees in the forest of
Khurda.

The specimens were identified with Ayblza puera, Cram., a
common teak tree pest of India. It has previously been recorded
in the pages of these JVo¢es as attacking teak trees in Lower
Burma, Dehra Dun, North-West Provinces and in the Kulsi planta-
tion in Assam, etc,

The following is the description of the species as given by Sir
G. F. Hampson in Faun. Brit. Ind. Moths., ll, p. 371.

Head and thorax greyish red-brown ; abdomen black-brown with
orange segmental bands. Fore wing greyish red-brown, irrorated with
a few dark specks. Hind wing black-brown, with curved orange band
with scarlet edges from upper angle of cell to near anal angle; a
band on the margin from vein z to anal angle, Underside of fore
wing black, with orange fascia in cell and far beyond it ; the costa
and apex pale brownish with dark specks ; the inner margin yellow.
Hind wing pale brownish with dark specks ; orange towards anal
angle with two large black spots. ¢

Larva with afew short hairs ; dark purplesgrey above, olive-
green below, with dorsal and lateral white lines ; a subdorsal series
of minute white dots and rings, a series of black dots on _ lateral
line ; head and tst somite black.

215 Indian Museum Notes. _ [Vol. IV.

Hab.—W. Indies; S. Africa; throughout India, Burma and
Ceylon ; Java; New Guinea ; Cape York. Exp. 32-40 millim.

7. Psychid caterpillar injurious to Chir.—Babu Sadanand Gai-
rola, of the Forest Department, Chakrata, North-West Provinces, for-
warded to the Indian Museum in June 1897 specimens of an insect
said to attack Chir (Pznus longzfolia) in the Jaunsar Forest division.

The specimens consisted of larva-cases of a Psychid moth probably
belonging to the genus Clauza. Babu Sadanand Gairola wrote :—

‘‘] saw any number of them lying about or stickingto the stalks of grass.

But by March the cases were observed to be generally empty, the insects having
apparently transformed. . .. .

**Jt will be observed that the cases externally are made of pieces of the bark of
Chir. But they were not seen attached to those trees and the specimens sent were
indeed found attached to the stalks of grass.”’

8. Poplar and Wrllow tree pest—[Chrysobothris sp.|—From
Lieutenant C, O. Tanner have been received, through the Director,
Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal, in July 1808, speci-
mens of an insect with the information that they have done great
damage to forest trees in Chaman, Baluchistan, The insect is said to

‘attack chiefly soft wood trees, namely, the white Poplars and Willows,
and it rarely touches hard wood trees such as Mulberry, Almond and
Apricot, etc,, but those soft wood trees that get a plentiful supply of
water seem to suffer less than others,

The specimens proved to be the larve of a Buprestid beetle
probably belonging to the genus Chrysobothris.

The following is an extract from Lieutenant C. O. Tanner’s letter
dated roth August 1897 :—

“ This pest attacks all soft-wood trees (such as Poplars and Willows) and eats
away the wood fibre from the weather side principally. So far as I can ascertain,
it works upwards from the roots, as several young trees, which have died ine
year, do not appear to be affected above that point. In some cases it eats through
the tree at half its height when the first strong wind breaks off the upper half. ”

—

9. Grasshoppers destructive to Chil and Bamboo.—In September
1897, specimens of grasshoppers belonging to the family Acrididz
were forwarded to the Museum, through the Director of Imperial
Forest School, Dera Dhun, from the Deputy Conservator
of Forests, Kangra Division, as the locusts which had

No. 4.] Votes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 216

been inflicting considerable damage to the young sowings of chil
and bamboos, in the Kangra Division.

The insects belong to two distinct species of Acrédidz, namely,
Tryxalis turrita, Linn., and Oxya velox, Burm. They have been
previously recorded in the pages of these Notes as the species
amongst other Acridide in connection with the damage done to
crop by so-called locusts in Ganjam both in the year 1890 and 1801.

10. Bamboo Coccid,—Planchonia sp—Some blighted bamboo
leaves were received in June 1898 from Mr. D. Hooper, Curator of
Economic Museum, who wrote :—=

“ While exploring in North Bengal I was shown a clump of bamboos that
were dying. I examined these and could find no fungus on them, but a minute
insect was seen on the leaves, Asthis may be the cause of death, I senda
tube to you in order to seeif the insect can be recognised and, if possible, said
whether or not it could be the cause of the destruction.”

The insects proved to be a Coccid, and new to the Museum
collection, Mr. W. M. Maskell to whom specimens were submitted
for examination, replied :—

“Your insect on bamboo in Northern Bengal is clearly a Plan-
chonta : and is probably P. solenophorotdes, Green, MS. But I must
wait for Mr. Green’s published description before I can definitely
give you the species.

‘“T think you may be sure of the gezera at least of the insect. ”

V.—DETERMINATION OF SOME INSECT PESTS REFERRING ‘TO
PREVIOUS YEARS, Etc.

1. Specimens of a red-ant sent to the Indian Museum by Mr, A. E,
Lourie, of the Forest Department, as infesting a house in Coorg,
These have been determined by Dr. Forel as belonging to the species
Dorylus fulvus, Westw. vat., /abiatus, Shuck.

2. In the case of a mite found infesting flour in one of the Calcutta
Bazars, Mr. A. Michael wrote :—

“ This appears to be our common cheese mite, Zyvoglyphus sivro,
which is quite as abundant in flour as in cheese, the specimens which
you send are rather smaller than the English specimens, but I do .
not rely much on size, and moreover, contrary to what might be exe
pected, where a species of Acarus is common to both temperate and

217 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

tropical countries, as is frequently the case, I have usually found the
tropical specimens the smaller. I cannot find any structural differ-

ence. ”’

3. Mite (Tetranychus) injurious to palm tree in Calcutta, iden-
tified by Mr. A. Michael as belonging to the genus Brevipalpus ?

4. Moths reared in the Indian Museum from caterpillars found
tunnelling into the pods of Cassza occzdenta lis, Linn., in Hoogly, have
been determined by Sir G, F. Hampson as belonging to the species
Lamorta infumatella, Hamps., Fam. Pyvalidz, Sub-fam, Galleriane.

5. Chrysomelid beetle (Sub-fam. Galerucide ) injurious to
Grewia astatica in the Dun Forest, identified by Mr. Martin Jacoby
as belonging to Wimastra cyanura, Hope. The specimens were
received in the Indian Museum from Mr. C.J, Rogers, Instructor,
Dehra Dun Forest School, through the Director of the Imperial Forest
School, Dehra Dun.

6. Scarabzid beetle (Sub-fam. Melolonthini ) said to be destruc-
tive to the young and tender leaves of Mallotus philippinenszs in the
Dun Forest has been determined by Herr &rnst Brenske as a new
species Service Alcockz, Brensk. The specimens were received in
the Museum, through the Director, Forest School, Dehra Dun, from
Mr. C. J. Rogers, Instructor, Dehra Dun Forest School.

7. Pyralid moth injurious to juar, makai, etc., in Karachi, identi-
fied by Sir G. F. Hampson as the same as Chilo simplex, Butlr,

VI—SOME BENEFICIAL INSECTS IN INDIA,

The following letter from the Superintendent of the Indian
Museum, to the Honorary Secretary to the Trustees, covers a valuable
report from Mr. E, Barlow, the Assistant in charge of Entomology, on
this subject: —

With reference to your endorsement No. +s, dated 27th Sep-
tember 1897, forwarding a letter No. aa dated 18th September
1897, from the Officiating Under-Secretary to the Government of
India, together with copies of correspondence from the Government

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 218

of Madras, Nos. 634 and 635, dated 27th July 1897, relating to the
very promising subject of utilizing Lady-birds and other natural
enemies of the insect pests of the country, 1 have the honor to

submit the following report by Mr, E. Barlow, the Assistant in charge
of Entomology :—

“In India there is already known a good number of indigenous insectivorous
insects belonging to the three orders of Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (two-winged
flies), and Hymenoptera ( Ichneumon flies, etc.), which have proved to be more
or less beneficial to agriculture by keeping down insect pests,

*“I.—SOME BEETLES KNOWN TO BE DESTRUCTIVE TO PESTS.
“(a) Among the Lady-birds I may mention—

(i) Chilocorus ciycumdatus Schonh., which is said to prey upon the brown
bug (Zecantum coffee) of coffee plants in Ceylon.

“ (ii) Scymnus votundatus, Motsch., which is parasitic upon the white bug
(Pseudecoccus adonidum ) of coffee bushes in Ceylon.

“ (il) Platynaspis villosa, Mulsant, attacks the scale-insect ( Jcerya egyptia-
cum ) in Calcutta.

“ (iv) Vedalia fumida, var. roseipennis, Muls., said to prey upon the Coccid
Icerya egyptiacum in Calcutta.

The last named was submitted to Mr. L. O. Howard, United States Entomolo-
gist, for identification, who wrote regarding it (see Indian Museum WNotes, Vol.
IV, No. 1, p. 28). ‘ It is interesting to find that this Coccinellid is not distantly
related to the well-known Vedalia cardinalis, Mulsant, which Mr. Albert Kcebele
of this department, brought from Australia some years ago, and which destroyed
Icerya purchast on our Western coast. It is Mulsant’s Rodolia roseipennis, which
according to Crotch’s revision of the Coleopterous family Coccinellide, is a colour
variety of R. fumida, Muls. Accepting the nomenclature given by Crotch, the
name of the insect is therefore Vedalia fumida, var. rosetpennis, Muls.’ It may be
mentioned that the Vedalza cardinalis here referred to is an Australian species of
Lady-bird which on introduction into America is said to have at once cleared thou-
sands of orange trees of destructive scale-insects of the species Jcerya purchasz.

(6) Among beetles other than Lady-birds are—

“(v) A Tiger beetle of the species Czczudela sexpunctata, Fabr., which de-
vours the rice-sapper ( Leptocorisa acuta) in Chumparun.

(vi) A Carabid beetle Calosoma orientale, Hope, which destroys the young
locusts of the species Acridium peregrinum, Oliver.

“ I]..-SOME DIPTERA (TWO-WINGED FLIES) KNOWN TO BE DESTRUC.
TIVE TO INSECT-PESTS.

“ (vii-vili) Syrphus nietneri, Schinr., and S. splendens, Dolesch., the larvze of
these two flies are said to prey on the coffee Aphis (Aphis coffee) in Ceylon.

219 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

(ix) Anthomyia peshawarensis, Bigot, parasitic upon the eggs of the locusts
(Acridium peregrinum) in India.

(x) Masicera subnigra, Wulp., parasitic upon the larve of the moth Olene
mendosa, Hubn., which attack tea plants in Darjeeling.

« (xi) Masicera castanea, Wulp., said to prey upon caterpillars of the moth
Leucania extranea, Guen., which attack the young paddy plants in Bengal.

“ (xii) Masicerva dasychire, Wulp., parasitic upon caterpillars of the moth
Dasychiva thwaitesii which does much damage to tea plant and sal tree in
Assam.

“ (xili-xiv) Demoticus strigipennis, Wulp., and Calodexia lasiocampe, Wulp.
The larve of these two flies are parasitic upon a hairy Lasiocampid caterpillar
destructive to rice in the Central Provinces.

“(xv) Miltogramma 12-punctata, Wulp., which preys upon the locust
(Acridium peregrinum) in India.

Iil.—SOME HYMENOPTERA (FAMILY CHALCIDIDAZ) KNOWN TO BE
DESTRUCTIVE TO INSECT-PESTS.

“ (xvi) Chalcis (Brachymeria) euplea, Westw., preys upon the Dooars tea
and sal caterpillar (Dasychira thwaitesiz).

“ (xvii) Cotesia flavipes, Cameron, parasitic upon the Sorghum-borer (Diatvea
saccharalts).
Ban (xviii) Aphelinus thee, Cameron, a minute fly-like insect that attacks the tea -
scale bug (Chionaspis thee, Mask),

“ (xix-xxvi) Civrhospilus coccivorus, Motsch., Encyrtus nietnerit, Motsch.
E. paradisicus, Motsch., Scutellista cyanea, Motsch., Marietta leopardina,
Nietner, Cephaleta purpureiventris, Motsch., C. bunnetventris, Motsch., and
C. fusciventris, Motsch., are said to be parasitic upon the Brown bug (Lecanium
coffee) of coffee plant in Ceylon.

“ (xxvii) Chartocerus musciformis, Motsch., said to attack the white bug

(Pseudococcus adonidum) of coffee plant in Ceylon.
“ (xxviii) Pteromalus oryze, Cameron, a minute coppery green-coloured

Ichneumon-fly believed to be parasitic upon the wheat and rice weevil (Calandra
ovryz@) in India.”

The above are some of the indigenous species of insect-parasites
of insect-pests that have come to light without any special inquiry,
and no doubt systematic research (which certainly ought at some
day to be undertaken), would reveal many more. In the face of
Mr. Barlow’s report it can hardly be hoped that the introduction of
a single foreign species of Lady-bird—even if that species be able
to hold its own against the native species—will have any very
marked effect.

No. 4.] Notes on Insect pests from the Entomological Section. 220

VII—REPORTS OF RESULTS OF REMEDIES, erc., TRIED DURING
THE YEAR 1897.

1. UTILIZING FIREARMS AS A MEANS OF DRIVING AWAY LOCUSTS.

The following is a report (dated 16th November 1897), received
from Mr. R. P. Lambert, District Superintendent of Police, Panch
Mahals, through the Survey Commissioner and Director, Land
Records and Agriculture, Bombay, giving an instance of a very
simple and successful method, adopted by the Police in Panch
Mahals, in order to frighten away locusts from the fields. The

apparently complete success of a means so handy ought to be more
widely known :—

«« About t0-15 A.M. on Friday, the 5th instant, after my return to Bungalow
from duty with the Inspector General of Police in the town, information was
given to me that enormous flights of locusts were devastating the country round
about Godhra. I immediately rode to the fields where the locusts were settling.

_ 2, A Bora came upto me in a half frantic state and beg ged that the Armed
Police with their guns and blank ammunition, might be employed to get rid of
these pests. The idea appeared to me both novel and sensible, and I at once
galloped to the Bungalow (where the Inspector General of Police was staying
during his visit in Godhra) and asked Mr. Kennedy to allow me to use the
Government blank ammunition for the purpose, suggested by the Bora.
Mr. Kennedy most kindly and readily gave the required permission and asowar
was at once sent to the head-quarters ordering every available man to be present
at the scene of action.

**3, It speaks greatly to the credit of the head-quarter Chief Constable that
from 60 to 70 Armed Policemen each supplied with 10 rounds of blank ammunie
tion, joined me within 15 minutes after the alarm bugle had gone, I also
collected all my servants and orderlies, who together with 40 or 50 ryots made
up a total of 150 personsin all. Ithenhada long line formed extending some-
times to 3 Or 4 hundred yards, and where locusts were seen to be most thick,
there our mimic skirmishing line wastaken. I also sent into the town for aid,
but was not disappointed when it did not arrive, as it is perhaps too much to
expect that either the Ghauchis or Boras would assist Government officers
in protecting other people’s property.

“4, Mr. Wallington arrived a few minutes after the commencement of our
organized attack on the locusts, and shortly after his arrival sowars also appeared
on the scene who greatly assisted me in keeping the long and unwieldy skir-
mishing line in hand.

“cs, Insome fields locusts could be seen covering every inch of ground
waiting until their more lucky brethren had had their fill. Our skirmishing line
must, however, have disturbed many thousands of expectant and hungry locusts
who, as they rose in tne ais, received volleys and blank ammunition to hasten
their ascension. Far away to the East could be seen heavy clouds cf smoke
rising skywards through which enormous flights of locusts happily and uncon-
cernedly winged their way. To the West masses of disappointed locusts

221 Indian Museum Notes. _ [Vol, IV,

—$——_——

could be seen swiftly winding their way toa less noisy and sulphurous districts,
The combined police and ryot attack on the intruders lasted until 1-30 P.M., and
certainly in my opinion saved the surrounding country from much damage for
which the Bora who suggested the idea, should receive every credit.

“6. My object in submitting this report is toshow, that gun-powder appears
to be more efficacious than any other suggestion or scheme that I have ever
heard mooted for the prevention of locusts settling on crops, as after the com-
mencement of the firing, the creatures flew up toa very great height and hovered
for some time over head apparently dismayed by the extraordinary reception they
had received.”

2, EASY METHOD OF COMPOUNDING ARSENICAL SOLUTION FOR THE
DESTRUCTION OF LOCUSTS.

The following is an extract taken from a note by Mr, D. ‘Hooper
Curator, Economic Section, Indian Museum, on the preparation of an
arsenical solution for the destruction of locusts :—

““ Arsenic is very insoluble in water, and an alkali, such as soda or potash, is
always required to dissolve it freely.

“ Lime is unsuitable as a solvent, as it is not very soluble in water itself and it
forms unstable compounds with arsenic.

‘© The ashes of wood and of plants are commonly met with in or near all native
dwellings and a liquor made from the ashes would form a convenient solvent for

the poison.

‘* From experiments made with ashes taken from a fire-place where wood was
used as fuel, I find that one part of white arsenic is rendered soluble by
boiling it with the liquid obtained from ten parts of the ash. One pound of the ashes
is mixed with water and strained and washed with more water until the solution
amounts to four gallons. The liquid is tnen heated in a vessel and the arsenic
added and the heating continued until no residue is left. The solution when

cold is preserved for use.”

No. 4.] Reprints 222

3. REPRINTS.
1. THE HORSE BOT-FLIES.!
Gastrophitus equi, Fabr.

Bots in horses have been a familiar form of parasite to farmers,
stockmen, and veterinarians for we know not how long. Whether
they were familiar to the ancients has been a matter of discussion
among learned men, but the mention in ancient writings of the
(Estrus and its habits is now generally considered as referable to
some of the flies capable of piercing, such as the gad-flies or horse
flies and not the bots. The occurrence of two or three similar
species affecting the horse has led to some confusion in their names.
Thus the Gstrus egut of Linneus appears to correspond with the
CGstrus vituld of Fabricius, while the latter author includes in
Estrus equi the Gstrus nasalis, Estrus hemorrhoidalis, and
Gstrus veterinus of Linnzus, Without going into a discussion of
this synonymy here, it will be seen that all of these forms were
apparently familiar to scientific writers more than a century ago, as
well as the more striking features of their life-history. Thus the
statement made by Linneus (Turton’s translation, p. 582) reads as
follows : ‘‘ Deposits eggs on the hairs of horses, and always on those
parts which are most liable to be licked by the tongue ; these, either
in the egg or larval state, are conveyed by the tongue into the
stomach, and passing through the intestines with the food are dis-
charged with the dung.” These larve are commonly known by the
name of bots. In 1815 Mr. Bracy Clark published his essay on bots
of horses and other animals presenting the results of thorough
investigation upon these interesting parasites, and subsequent in-
vestigation has but confirmed in large part the conclusions reached
by him.

Nature and extent of injury.—Dilferent writers have placed
very different estimates upon the injury due to bots, and as great
diversity, or perhaps greater, exists in the opinions of practical men
and veterinarians, some holding that the presence of the bot in the
horse’s stomach does not interfere with its normal activities, while
others look upon them as extremely dangerous and sometimes refer
almost any serious disturbance of the digestive organs, or death from
unknown cause, to bots.

1 Extracts from a report by Herbert Osborn, published in Bulletin No. 5, United
States, Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, 1896.

223 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

The injury to the horse from the larve may take four forms. (1)
The attachment to the walls of the stomach causes an irritation
which may interfere with the normal action of the glands or reduce
the extent of glandular surface ; (2) the bots abstract some nutri-
ment from the walls of the stomach, or by absorption, from the con-
tents of the stomach itself; (3) by collecting, particularly in the
region of the pylorus, they serve as an obstruction to the free
passage of food from the stomach to intestines; (4) in passage through
intestines they may attach themselves at times to walls or in rectum
and cause great irritation. Some consider this as the source of
most of the serious symptoms from presence of bots. In any of
these methods the extent of injury depends in large degree upon
the number of bots present, a few probably causing no appreciable
damage, while large numbers (sufficient as we have seen them, to
completely cover large patches of the stomach walls) must cause
serious disturbance and loss of nutritionand would seem a sufficient
cause to produce fatal results. From the nature of the case no
definite statistics can be given for the losses incurred. It is
probably safe to say that nine-tenths of all colts and horses that
are pastured during summer, and a smaller proportion of Criving an
work horses, become infested with bots each year. Aside from the
injuries inflicted by the larve, we must consider the excitement
produced by the flies when depositing the eggs as a source of loss
and this in many cases is by no means insignificant.

Life-history and habits.—Adults of this species are about three-
fourths of an inch in length, the wings are transparent with dark
spots, those near the centre forming an irregular, transverse band,
The bodyis very hairy, the head brown with whitish front, thorax
brown, abdomen brown, with three rows of blackish spots, which are
subject to considerable variations. In the females the segments are
often almost entirely brown with simply a marginal series of yellowish
spots, while in males the abdomen may be almost entirely yellow or
very light brown, with brown or dark spots very distinct. The males
are rarely seen, for while it is one of the most common occurrences
to witness the female around the horses depositing their eggs, the
males evidently hold aloof. They are readily distinguished by the
form of the abdomen, which lacks the two tubular segments at the
end, and is provided onthe under-side of the last segment with a
pair of dark brown or black hooks, or clasping organs. Otherwise
except the colour of the abdomen, already mentioned, they resemble
very closely the females, The eggs are light yellow in colour and will
be found attached to the hairs of the shoulders, forelegs, under-side
of body, and sometimes even the mane and other parts of the body,

Wo. 4.] Reprints. 224

most commonly, however, on the forelegs and shoulders. The
method of deposition has been frequently observed, The female
hovers near the horse ina position which appears to be nearly
vertical, since the body is bent downward, and the extended
abdomen is thrust forward under the body to its full extent. The
fly then darts toward the horse, the eggis glued to the hair in an
instant and the fly retreats a yard or two to hover till another egg is
ready to be deposited. The operation is repeated at very ‘short
intervals, so that hundreds of eggs may be deposited upon a horse
ina comparatively short time. The eggs are held by a sticky fluid,
which quickly dries and thus glues them firmly to the hairs. They
are about one-sixteenth of an inch in length, and taper a little
toward each end, though the attached end is the smaller. The outer
end is provided with a little cap (operculum), which is set quite
obliquely to the axis of the egg, though some authors represent it as
cutting the egg square of at the end. This cap or operculun
breaks or is pushed off when the grub hatches. Bracy Clark wrote
that the eggs do not hatch until twenty-five to thirty days old, while
Joly found them to hatch in four or five days. Verrill says :—

“ The eggs contain more or less perfectly developed larvze when laid; and when
they are mature or have been a few days attached tothe hair they burst open
and allow the young to escape almost instantaneously, when moistened. Thus
when the horse licks itself or its companions, the moisture hatches the eggs and
the young larvze are transferred to the mouth by the tongue or lips, and thence
to the stomach, where they fasten themselves to the lining membrane by their
two hooks.”
| Evidently some such condition is essential to the hatching of the
eggs, as we have removed hairs containing eggs from the horse and
keeping them, where not subject to moisture they failed entirely to
hatch, and even after a year’s time do not appear greatly shrivelled.
Doubtless they must hatch in a comparative short time or lose their
vitality, for moisture does not effect a hatching in those long kept
away from the horse. The empty egg shells may cling to the horse
for some time after the hatching of the larve and give it the
appearance of being coated with eggs. Examination, however,
will readily disclose the absence of the operculum in the hatched

eggs.

In order to determine more certainly as to the exact condition
of hatching and the time involved, I undertook in 1893 some obser-
vations which were reported in Bulletin No. 32 of the Division of
Entomology (pp. 46-49). Eggs collected from a horse while flies
were depositing, and therefore probably not long laid, were opened

225 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

at different times by rubbing them witha moistened finger, simu-
lating as nearly as possible the action of the tongue in licking the
body. While the larvee appeared to be fully formed during the
first three or four days after deposition, the eggs hatched with
difficulty and the larve seem quite inactive, and all larve that were
freed in this manner up to the tenth day were hatched with difficulty,
though the larve at the end of this time were becoming fairly
active.

Four weeks after hatching the eggs opened with the slightest
touch of a wet finger, and the larve adhering to the finger were
very active, though in some cases they were inactive and apparently
dead. About five weeks after collecting the eggs nearly all gave
only inactive or dead larve, though opened with ease on being
touched with the finger, and in forty days after collecting no living
larvee could be found in the remaining eggs, except one which had
succeeded in pushing off the cap of the egg and partially emerging.

In view of these results, I conclude :—

(1) That the eggs of the horse bot-fly do not hatch, except by the assistance
of the horse’s tongue.

(2) That hatching does not ordinarily occur within ten or twelve days and
possibly longer, or if during this period, only on very continuous and active
licking by the horse.

(3) That the hatching of the larvee takes place most readily during the third
to fifth week after deposition.

(4) That the majority of the larvee lose their vitality after thirty-five to forty
days.

(5) That larvee may retain their vitality and show great activity upon
hatching as late as thirty-nine days after the eggs were deposited.

(6) That it is possible, though not normal, for eggs to hatch without moisture
or friction.

(7) That in view of these results, the scraping off of the eggs, or their removal
of destruction by means of washes will be effective even if not used oftener than
once in two weeks during the period of egg deposition, and, probably, that a
single removal of the eggs after the period of egg deposition has passed,will prevent
the great majority of bots from gaining access to the stomach, or at least so large
a proportion that little injury is likely to occur.

Wishing to know still more definitely the period of most ready
hatching, and the effect of different washes for treatment, I suggested
to a veterinary student, Mr, Harry Shanks, a careful series of
observations, which were carried through during the summer of 1894,

From this study, which was made under my direction, and so
that I had frequent opportunity to note progress, a number of points
were gained, which are worth adding to the above record, Three
hundred eggs were collected from a horse which had been Previously

No. 4.] Reprints. 226

freed from eggs, so that the exact date of deposition was assured.
The eggs were tested every day.

On the day of collection (first day) the eggs appeared immature.
One day later eight eggs opened by picking the operculum off
showed three larve with slight movement, and five immovable.
On the third day a half hour of friction failed to hatch eggs,
but the larve when freed by picking off the operculum showed
two, slight movement ; one, no movement, and one sufficient move-
ment to get out of the opened shell.

On the fourth day the larvz in eleven eggs were all active, but
had to be freed by picking off the operculum; the same was true up
to the seventh day, the only difference being noted in greater
maturity and size of larve.

On the ninth day, or when the larve were eight days from
deposition, one larva was freed by seventeen minutes of rubbing
with wet finger, another in twenty-two minutes; on the tenth day
two others, one in fourteen and the other in eight minutes; and on
the eleventh day several were hatched, the time varying from two to
five minutes of subjection to the saliva and friction. On the twelfth
day it required but one ortwo minutes, and on the thirteenth eggs
would hatch in fifteen to thirty seconds. On the fourteenth day a
number of eggs were tried, about one-third of which hatched almost
immediately upon being touched with the moist finger, the others in
from five to eight seconds. On the fifteenth day all eggs seemed
fully mature, and probably nine-tenths would have hatched at once
upon being touched by a horse’s tongue in the ordinary motion of
licking. From the sixteenth day to the twenty-second the eggs
would open with a touch of the finger, but the larva would not ad-
here except with moisture. On the twenty-third day the first dead
larva was noted, and a day later four out of eleven eggs opened had
dead larve. On the twenty-fourth day all of the eggs not previously
Opened were examined with a lens, and only one showed the cap re-
moved, the larva being partly out, but dead. The hatching of but
one egg out of three hundred seems to me to establish pretty fully
my former opinion, that the eggs require moisture or friction for
the release of the young.

On the twenty-fifth day, out of ten eggs three contained dead larvae,
five could move slightly, and two were quite active. On the twenty-
sixth day caps were removed from thirty-five eggs, twenty-seven
larvee being dead, seven were capable of slight movement, and one
was active enough to escape from the shell.

227 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. 1¥.

On the twenty-seventh day out of forty-three eggs opened only
one larva was alive, and on the twenty-eighth day only one out of
sixty-five, and on the twenty-ninth day all the remaining eggs, one
hundred and three, showed only dead larve,

The results of this study, it will be seen, confirm in the main. the
conclusion of the former observations, the principal difference lying
in the fact that all the larve were dead at a somewhat earlier period.
Of course it could not be said that of the eggs opened in the earlier
days none would have survived longer than four weeks, but consider-
ing the number used and that one-third of them were kept the full
four weeks, and two-thirds nearly that long before being opened, the
presumption is strong that that is the full normal period of survival.

It is safe, I think, to sum up the matter by saying that the eggs
normally require friction and moisture to permit of their hatching and
transfer to the horse’s mouth, that hatching occurs with difficulty

before the tenth day, and most readily after the fourteenth day, and

that they lose vitality at a period varying between the twenty-eighth
and fortieth days, the bulk not surviving more than four weeks.
This gives a solid foundation upon which to base recommendations
as to the time when eggs must be destroyed.

The newly hatched larva is a slender, worm-like creature, so
transparent that the internal organs are plainly visible. It grows
rapidly at first, its food consisting probably of the mucous secretions
of ithe, mouth “and cesophagus. *. 97. |.) ..)= 1% AS soon) asm
‘reaches the stomach it fixes itself to the walls by the hooks next
the mouth and soon undergoes considerable change in its form and
appearance. The body becomes more conical, but instead of the head
end being widest this becomes more slender, while the tail end
broadens. The spiracles at first exposed in two flap-like projections
from the last segment are drawn more within the body and are pros
tected by the development of a horny plate. The spines on the
segments following the head become more pronounced. When full
grown the larva is three-fourths of an inch to one inch in length

» » « « . . At this time they occur in large clusters upon
the walls of the stomach, generally more especially numerous at
the pyloric portion, where they serve to retain the contents of the
stomach. From the fact that the food of the horse does not become
‘completely reduced to fluid, this obstruction may be considerably
greater than if only fluid matter had to pass the pylorus. This
growth has occupied from late in the fall, through the winter, till
late in the spring, and when fully developed the bots loosen their

No. 4.) Reprints. 228

hold and are carried through the intestines and, escaping with the
excrement, burrow into the ground to passthe pupastage. This
lasts for several weeks, thirty to fourty days, according to some
authors, when the fly, which has been already described, issues and
is ready to proceed with the business of providing for another
generation of bots.

The larva of this species has been found in the stomach of the
dog, though it cannot be considered a normal habitat for it, and it
is very doubtful whether the young larve could survive in the
stomach of a carnivorous animal, Railliet (Comptes Bendus des séances
de la Société de Biologie, 1894) cites records by Colin and others of
such occurrences, and details experiments which show the possibility
of the survival of nearly mature larve that are swallowed with
fragments of the stomach walls attaching to the stomach of the
dog and remaining alive and healthy fifteen days after the ingestion.

Prevention.—In dealing with bots in horses, by far the most
important point is to prevent the introduction of the larvae, and
while we have no opportunity, as in the case of the ox bot-fly, to
completely exterminate the pest, it is certain that proper attention to
preventive measures would in a few years greatly reduce the
numbers of the insects and procure comparative freedom. The
better care usually accorded horses makes it possible to deal with
it in some respects more easily than the species infesting cattle.
The most vulnerable point of attack lies in the conspicuous position
of the eggs. No horseman probably can overlook these objects
when occurring on the horse he is caring for, and colts in pasture
sometimes become so covered with them as to give a decided change
in colour to the parts most affected. It is evident that removing
or destroying these eggs previous to hatching is all that is necessary
to prevent “bots’’ in the horse. With horses kept in stables or
used daily there is little trouble ; the flles have less opportunity to
deposit eggs upon them, and the ordinary grooming of the animal
serves to remove some of the eggs, or being constantly under observa-
tion the eggs attract the attention of the personin charge and
he removes them, if not to prevent bots at least to avoid the unsightly
or ill-kept appearance they give the animal. With colts or horses
in pasture, however, the case is very different. Not knowing the
curry-comb or card through the whole summer, and perhaps hardly
seen from one week’s end to the other, the eggs deposited on
them by hundreds have every possible chance to transmit larva
to the alimentary canal where they commence their growth. During

220 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

July, August, and September, oras late as eggs appear on the horses,
those kept in pastures should be examined once every two or three
weeks and the eggs destroyed or removed. This can be accom-
plished in several ways. By using washes of dilute carbolic acid,
about one part carbolic acid to thirty parts water or, rubbing the
affected parts over lightly with kerosene, by clipping the hair or
by shaving the eggs off with a sharp knife or razor. Our own
experience leads us to prefer the last. With a very sharp knife or
razor (adull one will glide over the eggs) the affected parts can
be very quickly run over without removing much, if any, of the hair.
This method leaves no doubt as to whether or not the eggs have
been touched, as in washes, and subsequent examinations are not
complicated bya lot of dead eggs orshells. Perform once every
two weeks, and there can be very few of the larvze which gain
entrance to the stomach. Will it pay may naturally be asked by
the man who has, say, from twenty-five toa hundred colts in the
pasture. Possibly not, if but a single season is considered, but the loss
of a single horse, or the poor condition of a number, resulting from
bots, or the fretting of the whole number in pasture, would more than
equal all the cost of removing the eggs from the entire lot. But when
the presence on the farm of the pest year after year is considered with
all its attendant evils, we believe most emphatically that it will
pay:

Quite frequently the flies will be observed at work depositing
eggs on the legs or body of a horse at work or in carriage. If not
eereed at once, the nervous stamping, biting, or often greater
excitement of the horse will apprise the driver of their presence.
Although the flies are pretty wary and dart away when approached,
a few ee onde? watching will enable one, by striking them down to
the ground with hand or hat, to capture and kill the fly and thus
stop the deposition of eggS and annoyance to the horse.
Whether the larve of this species can mature except upon gaining
access to earth seems not to have been determined, and for all
the time the horses are in the field or on the road they have ready
access to earth. But as some other forms can pupate successfully
in the dung heap, it would seem worth while to subject the drop-
pings of horses known to contain bots to some process that would
destroy them and thus prevent maturity of the fly.

Remedies for bots.—The prescription of drugs for the removal of bots
from the stomach when their presence is known or suspected belongs
rather to the veterinarian than to the entomologist, but it may not be out
of place here to call attention to afew of them. It is of course not

No. 4.] Reprints. 230

an easy matter to determine during the life of the horse whether any
particular disturbance of the digestive organs or lack of nutrition is
due to the presence of bots or to some other agency producing
similar symptoms, and even a competent veterinarian may be
puzzled, in diagnosis. If occasional bots are noticed in the excre-
ments of the animal together with poor condition, their presence in
numbers may be inferred, It must be remembered that the bots are
capable of withstanding almost any substance that the walls of the
stomach can endure, and the safest plan, if intending to dose for
them is to employ a veterinarian, Turpentine is perhaps most
generally given, but must be used with care.

THE HAEMORRHOIDAL BOT-FLY.
Gastrophilus hemorrhoidalis, Linn.

While it is common to speak of the horse bot-fly, it should not
be inferred that there is but one kind parasitic upon the horse.
Take the world over, there are at least six well-defined species
occurring on the horse, ass, or mule, and any of these are liable to
be introduced into this country with imported animals. The abovee
named species is probably next to eguz, the most generally distri-
buted in this country. With the other allied species it was well
known in Europe during the last century and received mention or
more elaborate description from Linnzus, DeGeer, Fabricius, and
other leading writers on entomology.

Extent of injury.—The losses to be referred to this species are
similar to those of the other species, but from the accounts of vari-
ous authors and what we have heard from persons who were plainly
describing the actions of this particular form, it is evident that the
excitement and consequent loss due to the attacks of the adult fly
are much worse with this species than the common one. This is
described by Clark as follows :—=

At the sight of this flv the horse appears much agitated, and moves his head
backward and forward in the air to balk its touch and prevent its darting on
the lips; but the fly, waiting for a favourable opportunity, continues to repeat
the operation from time to time ; till at length, finding this mode of defence insuffi-
cient, the enraged animal endeavours to avoid it by galloping away to a distant
part of the field, if it still continues to follow and tease him, his last resource is in
the water where the (Estrus is never observed to follow him. At other times this
(Estrus gets between the forelegs of the horse whilst he is grazing, and thus
makes its attack on the lower lip. The titillation occasions the horse to stamp
violently with his forefoot against the ground, and often strikes with his foot, as

231 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

if aiming a blow atthe fly. They also sometimes hide themselves in the grass,
and as thehorse stoops to graze, they dart on the mouth or lips and are always
observed to poise themselves during a few seconds in the air, while the egg is
preparing on the point of the abdomen.

Life-history and habits Having discussed pretty fully the
habits of the common species, it will be unnecessary to go into
details that are similar in other species, but simply call attention to
distinguishing characters and such differences in habit as may be of
economic importance.

Professor A. E, Verrill (Report on External and Internal Para-
sites of Man and Domestic Animals, p. 29) gives the following con-
densed statement of its life-history and habits :—

The Gastvophilus hemorrhoidalts or red-tailed botefly, is a small species
easily distinguished by the bright orange-red tip of the abdumen. The thorax
above is olive gray and hairy with a black band behind and suture. The base
of the abdomen is whitish and the middle blackish, in strange contrast with the
orange-red of theend. The larve have the same habits and are found in the
same situations with those of the common bot-fly, which they much resemble,
except that they are whiter and smaller, their length not exceeding one-half or
five-eighths of an inch. They change to pupz within two days after leaving
the horse, and the pupz are deep red. They remain in the pupa state about
two months, and the flies appear from the last of June till the cool weather of
autumn. In depositirg the eggs the female differs in habit from the common
bot-fly, for she selects the lips and nose of the horse as the most suitable place
for this purpose. The eggs are darker coloured (come authors say black) then
those of the common bot-fly, and contain a nearly developed embryo, so that
they very soon hatch, and the young larve are transferred tothe mouth by the
tongue, and thence get into the stomach.

Remedies.—On account of ‘the shorter time between deposition
of eggs and hatching of larvee, itis evident that the removal of eggs
as for that species would be less successful. For horses in use, imme-
diate attention when they give signs of the presence of the fly, the
capture of the insect and the removal of eggs already attached would
be but the natural method suggested by a knowledge of the insect,
For horses in pasture, if exhibiting signs of molestation by this insect,
the same attention would be advisable whenever the nature of the
case will permit. It would be worth while to try the application of
some oil or tar to the hairs of the lips as a prevention to the fasten.

ing of the eggs to them.

3. Gastrophilus pecorum, Fabr.

We are not aware that this species has been encountered in
the United States, and, if so, it is evidently rather rare, The follow-

No. 4.] Reprints. 232

ing paragraph from Professor Verrill’s report would seem to indicate
-an acquaintance with specimens collected in this country :—

The Gastrophilus pecorum is densely covered with yellow hairs, with a band
of black hairs on the thorax behind the suture in the male. The female is yellows
ish brown, the abdomen black, with yellowish hairs at its base, as well as on
tre thorax. The wings are grayish or light brownish, clouded with yellowish
brown. The larvez are similar to those of the more common G. equi, and have
similar habits. The flies appear at the same time.

Ostan Sacken’s List of American Diptera records it only from
Jamaica on the authority of Walker.

APeOWSE BOM EDDY SOR: “@rIN BE Ye?
(Gastrophilus nasalis, Linn.) -

As already stated, this species has been more or less confused
with eguz in scientific writings, and doubtless still more so in general
observation,

It was described as Gstrus nasalis by Linnzeus (Fauna Suec )
and it was also given the name of veterznus by Clark, It was included
by Fabricius with hemorrhotdalis under Gistrus egut. The descrip-
tion in Systema Nature (Turton’s translation) is as follows :—

Wings immaculate, body ferrugincus, sides of the thorax and base of the
abdomen with white hairs. Deposits its eggs on horses and cattle, the larve
probably pass through the stomach like the former one.

Less than CGéstrus equi Insertion of the wingsand base of the abdomen
covered with whitish hairs; second segment of the abdomen with two hairy
tubercles. Beneath and legs rusty brown. Female with sometimes a blackish
abdomen.

Of this species Verrill writes (Ext, and Int, Parasites, p. 28): —

The Gastrophilus nasalis is a smaller species, densely hairy, with the
thorax yellowish red or rust - coloured. Theabdomen is either whitish at base
with the middle black and the apex yellowish brown and hairy; or the base is
whitish and all the rest brown ; or the middle is black, with the base ard apex
whitish, with grayish hairs. The wings are unspotted. The larve are much
like those of the preceding (hzemorrhoidalis), except that they are smaller, and
also live in the stomach of horses. They change to pupz beneath the manure
and the flies appear from June to September. It also infests the ass and mule
and some authors say that it lives even in cattle.

Zuru! ascribes this parasite to horses, asses, mules and goats, and
says the eggs, 1 mm. long, are laid on the lips and margin of nostrils,
He describes the full-grown larva as 13 to 14 mm. long, deep yellow

1 Die tierischen Parasiten, p, 100,

233 Indian Museum Notes. Reprints. [Vol. IV. No. 4]

or yellow brown, thicker behind than before, and the segments 2 to
g above and 2 to 10 below with a single row of yellowish, brown-
tipped spines.

The pupa he Hoseaned as dark-brown or black, the segments
with only a single series of horny spines, its length of life in this
stage from thirty to forty-two days.

Professor Garman! in a recent paper on the subject gives a

record of the occurrence of this species in Kentucky.
From this record it would appear that the species is somewhat

common and troublesome in that region, and as the species has -

been recorded from many places in this country, it may be looked
upon as having quite a general distribution.

The most essential point in habit of this species is the fact that
the eggs are laid on the lips or nostrils, within easy reach of the
tongue, and as it is quite probable that they hatch more promptly
than those of eguz, it is more difficult to adopt measures of
prevention. Measures must consist in preventing as far as possible
the deposition of eggs, for which purpose the application of a
little tar and fish oil to the hairs of the under-lip may be of
service, and where eggs are suspected, the use of a wash of car-
bolic acid to the lips and margin of nostrils.

According to Garman, the eggs are white, and are attached
to the hairs of the lip and throat by the greater part of one side.
‘The species occurs in Europe and has been observed in New
England, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, Utah, and probably
elsewhere in this country.

Professor Garman gives the following key by which the different
species of bot-flies may be distinguished :—

1. (6) Discoidal cell closed by cross vein.

2. (3) Wings marked with brown . 5 ° « G, equi.

3. (2) Wings not marked with brown.

4. (5) Anterior basal cell nearly or quite equal to the

discoidal cell in length ° - G. nasalis.
5. (4) Anterior basal cell markedly Shorter thet the

discoidal cell ° C ° . « .e G, hzemorrhoidalis.
6. (1) Discoidal cell open e ° ° ° - G. pecorum,

eee TS SS SS SS

1 The Bot-flies of the Horse, Seventh An, Rep. Ky, Ag. Exp. Sta., p. xxvii.

G. 1. C. P.O No. 269 Re & A.—12-8-99,—1,000.—H. R.

byes
* ona

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.

rcp

~ ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES.
3.396.

VoLumE IV.—No. 5.

Hublished by Authority of the Government of Endia,
Department of Mebenue and Agriculture.

CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA,
i 1899.

Stice Rupee One.

6

FEB § 1900

CONTENTS.

Panwa
PAGE.
1. List OF THE MELOLONTHINI CONTAINED IN THE COLLECTION
OF THE INDIAN Museum: by Edward Barlow, Assistant in

charge of Entomology ° : 5 : : ° ° 234

2. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW PRAR-TREZ APHIS FROM CEYLON: by
G. B. Buckton, F.R.S., etc., with introductory note by E. E.
Green, F.E.S. e e e e e oe ® e e e 274

3. NoTES ON TWO NEW SPECIES OF APHIDS FROM INpDIA: by G. B.
Buckton, F.R.S., etc. e e e ry ° e e e 277

4. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW PARASITIC TACHINID FLY FROM CEYLON 8

by D. W. Coquillett e e e ° e r) ° e 279

EXPLANATION OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE XVI—

Fic. 1. Lacunus pyri, Buck. n. sp. a, half-grown larva; 8, winged
female, March brood ; ¢c, antenna ; ¢, winged female, June brood ;
ee Apterous adult, June brood (all enlarged).

PLATE XVII—

Fic. 1. CHAITOPHORUS MacuLaTuS, Buck. n. sp. a, Apterous female ;
b, head ; c, wings; d, nectary ; e, hind femur (all enlarged).

» 2 RHIZOBIUS JUJUB®, Buck. n.sp. a, Apterous adult ; 6, young
insect ; ¢, part of the head and antenna; d, Tarsus with single claw.

PLATE XVIII—

Fic. 1. EXORISTA HETERUSI&, Coquillett n. sp. a, fly ; b and c, front and
side views of the face ; d, puparium.

», 2: HereRusia c1nGata, Moore. a and 8, moths @ and @ ;¢, larva;

a, cocoon.

Vol. IV.] | [ No. 3,

LIST OF THE MELOLONTHINI CONTAINED IN
THE COLLECTION OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM.

By EDWARD BARLOW,
Assistant in charge of Entomology.

The following list comprises all the named Melolonthini in
the collection of the Indian Museum. The collection is not a com-
plete one, and many known species of the Indian Region are want-
ing: still it is worthy of attention as it contains numerous type

specimens, of which a good number are unique.

The total number of species included in the list amounts to 213

of which 140 are Indian, while 73 are exotic.

The synonymy and references have been worked out as far as is
practicable from the literature contained in the Indian Museum
Library, but the compiler’s thanks are particularly due to Herr Ernst
Brenske for his unremitting kindness and assistance in identifying

almost all the species referred to.

Genus; ANISONYX, Latreille.

1. Anisonyx longipes, Linn.

Antsonyx longipes, Linn., Syst. Nat. 1., 2, p. 555.—-Gem, Har. Cag.
Coleop. IV, p. 1100,

crinitus, Fabr., Mant. Ins. 1., p. 24.—Blanch. Cuv. Regn. Anim.
ALU bs 4A ye 12.—Burm. Hlandb. IV, 1, 42.
Reg. No.3, Cape of. Good ei lope) Herr E. Brensk
26th March epee

27

235 Indian Museum Notes. — [Vol. IV.

z. Anisonyx ursus, Fabr.
Anisonyx ursus, Fabr., Syst. Ent, App. p. 184.~ Burm. Handb. IV, 1, p.
41.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1100.

Reg. No. “*, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E, Brenske,
26th March 1892.

Genus: PERITRICHIA, Burm.

3. Peritrichia capicola, Fabr.
Perttrichia capicola, Fabr., Syst. £1. Il, p, 179-—Burn. Handb. IV, 1, p.
48.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1100.
Reg. No-%, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

13

4. Peritrichia nigrita, Blanch.
Perttrichia nigrita, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 60.—Gem. Har. Caz.
Coleop. IV, p. 1101.
. ursus, Oliv., Enz. I, 5, p. 58, 4. 8, f. 88.
Reg. No, =; Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

13

Genus ; LEPITRIX, Serville.

5- Lepitrix bilateralis, Thunb.

Lepttrix bilateralis, Thunb., Mém. Ac. Petr. 1818, VI, p. 446.—Burm.
flandb. IV, 1, p. 39.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop.
IV, p. 1101.

» abbreviata, Guer., Jc. Régn. Anim. Ins. ¢. 25, bis. f. 7.
Reg. No. “4, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

6. Lepitrix lineata, Fabr.

Lepitrix lineata, Fabr., Syst. Ent. App. p. 820.—Oliv. Ent. I, 6, p. 66. 2.
7, f, 63.—Burm. Handéb. IV, 1, p. 38.—Gem. Har. Cat
Coleop. IV, p. 1101.
», guadrata, DeGeer. Mém. Ins. VII, p. 645, ¢. 48, 7. 10.
» thoractca, Thunb., Mém. Ac. Peir., 1818, VI, p. 444.

No. 5.] Melolonthint contained in colln.of Indian Museum. 236

Reg. No. #8, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske,
26th March 1892,

7, Lepitrix stigma, DeGeer.

Lepitrix stigma, DeGeer., Mém. Ins. VII, p. 645, 4. 84, 7 9.—Bohem,
ins. Caffr. II, p. 142.—-Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop IV,

p. I101.
» fuscipes, Thunb., Mém. Ac. Peir., 1818, VI, p. 445.
nigripes, Fabr., Spec. Ins. 1, p. 49.—Oliv. Lint. I, 6, p. 67, 7.9, 7.
85.—Burm. Handb. IV, 1, p. 38.
Reg. No. %, Cape of Good Hope,’ Herr E. Brenske,
26th March 1892.

”

Genus: ERIESTHIS, Burm.

8. Eriesthis vestita, Burm.
Eriesthis vestita, Burm., Handd. IV, 1, p. 51.--Gem. Har. Car. Coleop.
IV, p. 1102.
Reg. No. ue, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske,
26th March 1892.

Genus; PACHYCNEMA, Serville.

9. Pachycnema alternans, Burm.
Pachycnema alternans, Burm., Handb, IV, 1, p. 61.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop.
IV, p. 1102.
flaviventris, Sturm., Cat., 1843, p. 128.
Reg. No. #° , Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske,
26th March 1892.

29

10. Pachycnema crassipes, Fabr.

P. a crassipes, Fabr., Syst. Ent. App., p. 818,—Burm. Handb. IV, 1,
Gol yenen P .60.—Lacord. A7Z/. 3, 7, 29, 7. 1.—Gem. Har. Car.

Coleop. IV, p. 1102.
albispila, Sturm,, Cat., 1843, p. 128.
Reg. No. = , Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

??

237 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

Genus: DICHELUS, Serville.

11. Dichelus gonager, Fabr.

Dichelus gonager, Fabr., Spec. Ins. 1, p. 45 —Olivr. Ent. I, 5, p. 74, 2. 6, fF.
68.—Burm, Hands. IV, 15 -p. 97. ae Har. Cal,
Coleop. IV, p. 1105.

Reg. No. 45? Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

Roe

12. Dichelus podagricus, Fabr.

Dichelus podagricus, Fabr., Spec. Ins-1, p.-44.—Oliv. Ent, 1, 5, p. 73, ?.
Bae 51.—Burm. Handb. IV, 1, p. 91.—Gem. Har.
Cal. Coleop. IV, p. 1105.

Reg. No. #2, Cape of Good Hope, en i Brenske,
26th March 1892.

13. Dichelus villosus, Burm.
Dichelus villosus, Burm., Handb. IV, 1, p. 109.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleop.
IV, p. 1106.
Reg. No. 4, Cape of Gand Hope, ‘Herr E. Brenske,

13

26th March 1892.

Genus: MONOCHELUS, Serville.

14. Monochelus squamulatus, Casteln.

Monochelus sqgquamulatus, Casteln., Hist. nat. 11, p. 145.—Dej. Cat, 3 ed.
p.t Sa iGaT, Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1108,

Reg. No. =, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske.

Genus: GONIASPIDIUS, Burm.
15. Goniaspidius variabilis, Burm.
Gontaspidius variabilis, Burm., Handd. IV, 1, p. 128.—Gem. Har. Cat.
- Coleop. IV, p. 1109. ;

9» bidens, Ecklon,, Cat. ur. 377...
bidentatus, Ecklon,, Cas. nr. 378,
” relhania, Ecklon., Cat. nr. 376, .
45 tridentatus, Dej. Cai., 3,ed., p. 184, @.

Reg. No. *°, Cape of Good Hope, Herr E, Brenske
26th March 1892.

No. 5.) Melolonthini contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 238

~- -

Genus: LEPISIA, Serville.
16. Lepisia rupicola, Fabr.

Lepista rupicola, Fabr., Syst. Ent. App., p. 818—Guér Je. regn, anim, Ins., ¢,
- 25,/.5.—Burm. Handb, IV, 1. p. 167.—Gem, Har,
Cat. Coleop. IV. p. 1111.

Reg. No. ue Cape of Good Hope, Herr E. Brenske
26th March 1892.

Genus: ECTINOHOPLIA, Redten.

17. Ectinohoplia nigra, Brsk.
Lictinohoplia nigra, Brensk. n. sp, Ws.
Reg. No. , N, Khasi Hills, Colonel G, Austin.

13

18 Ectinohoplia rufipes, Brsk.

Lictinohoplia rufipes, Brensk. n. sp. Ws.
Reg, No, ow India, Herr E. Brenske.

19. Ectinohoplia variolosa, Waterh.

Ectinohoplia variolosa, Waterh, Trans. Ent. Soc., London, 1875, Pp. 9y
Nonf., Berl., Ent, Zetts.,, XXXVII, 1892, p. 254,

Reg. No: 0 locality unknown, probably from India:

Genus: HOPLIA, Illiger.

20. Hoplia advena, Brsk.
Hloplia advena, Brensk., Mém, Soc. Ent. Belg., 11, 1894, p. 35.

745

Reg. No. <=, Shillong, Colonel G. Austin.

13?
One unregistered spec., India.

21. Hoplia bilineata, Fab:.

Hoplia bilineata, Fabr., Syst. £1, Vl; p. 178.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV,
p. 1112.

Reg. No. =. Algeria, Mons. T. Bouvier, 30th
December 1884.
» Nos: ae ditto ditto.

239 indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

22. Hoplia coerulea, Drury.

Hoplia coerulea, Drury, Ill. Exot. Ins. 1773, 1], p. 59, t. 32, f. 4.—Muls.
Col. Lamell, p. 514.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleop. 1V.
p. 1112,
», argentea, Fourcroy, Ent Par. I, p. 8.
», farinosa, Fabr., Syst. Eut., p. 38.—Guer. Je. Regn, anim. ¢. 25.
formosa, Latreille, Gen. Crust. II, p. 116.
sguamosa, Oliv., Hut. 1, 5, p. 66, 7. 2, 7.14, ac.
Reg, Nos. _ Europe, Herr E. Brenske, 26th

March 1892.

”

3

23. Hoplia concolor, Shp.

Hoplia concolor, Sharp, Journ., Asia. Soc., Beng., XLVII, 1878, p. 171.—
Scient. Resw., 2nd, Vark Mis. Coleop. 1879, p. 47.—
Nonfr., Berl. Ent. Zeits., XXXVI, 1892, p. 254.

Reg. No. +, Kogyar, Dr. F. Stoliczka (Yarkand Expd.)

I

24. Hoplia farinosa, Linn.

Hioplia farinosa, Linn., Syst. Nat. 1, 2, p.555.—Oliv. Zz. 1, 5, p.
65.7.2, f. 14.—Erichs. Wat. Jus. I, p. 710.—

Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1112.
argentea, Poda., Mus. Gre@c., p. 20.—Herbst. Kap. III, p. 122,

z #, 25, f.6.—Muls, Col. Lamell, p.511.
-o squamosa, Fabr., Syst, Ei. Il, p. 177.——Burm. Handd. IV, 1,
p. 187.
Reg. Nos. eet, Europe, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March
1892.
a pA ditto ditto.

13

25. Hoplia graminicola, Fabr.

Hoplia graminicola, Fabr., Syst. £1. Vl, ~.179.—Ratzeb. Forstins. I,
p. 83; #. 3, f.16.—Erichs. (Vaz. Zns. IT,

d- 713.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,
p. 1113,

argentea, Marsh., Ent Brit. I, p. 45.

ochracea, Sturn., Cat., 1843, p. 127.

» pulverulenta, Herbst., KaGf Ill, p. 124, ¢. 25, 7. 7,—Fabr., Sys?.
il. Il, p. 181.

Reg. No. Europe, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March
1892.

”

No. 5,] Melolonthini contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 240

26. Hoplia philanthus, Sulz.

Hoplia philanthus, Sulz., Abgek. Gesch. Ins., p. 18.—Herbst. Fiissl.
Arch. IV, p. 17.—Erichs. Wat. Ins. III,
p. 707.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,

fay, Weisel
» argentea, Oliv. Ent. I, 5, p. 67, #, 3, f. 22, a.-d.—Fabr.
Ent. Syst. Ul, p. 174.—Burm, Handbd. IV,

I, p. 184.
» pulverulenta, Mlig., Mag. Il, p. 229.—Muls. Col. Lamell, p. 506.

Reg. Nos. #5, Europe, HerrE. Brenske, 26th March

I
1892.
ier ee? ditto ditto.

27. Hoplia pollinosa, Krynick.
Hoplia pollinosa, Krynick., Bull. Mose. V, 1832, p. 127.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1114.
», pilicoll’s, Erichs., Nat, Ins. IN, p. 711.—Burm. Hand. IV,
2, p. 485.
Four specimens, Reg. Nos. 4’, Caucasus,
Prof. K, L. Bramson, 2oth March 1884.

28. Hoplia retusa, Klug.

Hloplia retusa, Klug., Abhandl. Berl. Ac., 1832, p. 170, 4. 3, fi 9.—
Burm. Handb. IV, 1, p. 199.—Gem.
Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1114.

», ortentalis, Dej., Cat. 3, ed., p. 185.

Reg. No. a, Madagascar, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March
1892.

29. Hoplia viridissima, Brsk.

Hoplia viridissima, Brensk. Mém. Soc. Ext, Belg, WU, p. 34.—
Ann. Soc. Ent., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 151.

Reg. No. ne Kurseong, Herr E. Brenske.

30. Hoplia viridula, Brsk.

Hoplia viridula, Brensk. Ind. Mus. Notes, IV, No. IV, p. 177.
Reg. Nos. *, and ZS Types, from Khasi Hills, speci-
mens lent to Herr E. Brenske.

24t Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV:

Genus: OTOCLINIUS; Brenske.
31. Otoclinius gracilipes, Brsk.
Otoclinins gracilipes, Brensk. Berl. Ent. Zetts. XLI, 1896, p. 320.,

Reg. No. 2%," Type 6, Baluchistan, Dr. F. P.
Maynard, 1896.

Genus: PHYLLOTOCUS, Fischer.
32. Phyllotocus erythropterus, Blanch.

Phyllotocus erythropterus, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850,- p.97.—Gem.
Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1116.

Four unregistered specs., Adelaide, C. Wilson, Esq.

33. Phyllotocus macleayi, Fischer.

| Phyllotocus macleay?, Fischer, Mdém, Mose. VI, 1823, p. 255, % 22,
jf. 2 a-e.—Burm. Handb, IV, 2, p. 183.
—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1116.

3 preustus, Boisd., Voy. Astrol. Col., p. 210.—MacLeay, De/.
Cal., 3 ed., p. 181.

Reg. No. 7°37, Europe, Herr E. Brenske.
Two nnrenistered specs., Adelaide, C. Wilson, Esq.
34. Phyllotocus rufipennis, Boisd.

Phyllotocus rufipennis, Boisd., Voy. Astrol. Col., 6. 210.—Burm, Handb,
IV, 2, p. 184.—Dej. Cal., 3 ¢d.,,p. 192.

Reg. No. 7, Australia, Herr E. Brenske.

Genus : LASIOSERICA, Brensk.

35: Lasioserica breeti, Brsk.

Lastoserica bret’, Brensk. Ann. Soc. Ent., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 155.
Reg. No. #5, Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., September 1896.

36. Lasioserica Calva, Brsk.

Lastoserica calva, Brensk. Ann. Soc, Ent., Belg:, XL, 1896, p. 155.
Reg. No. act Sikkim, A. V. Knyvett, Esq., 1891.

No. 5.) MWelolonthint contained in colin. of Indian Museum. 242

37. Lasioserica pilosella, Brsk.

Lasioserica ptlosella, Brensk. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., XL, 1895, p. 155.
Reg. No. %*, Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., 1896.

Genus: OPHTHALMOSERICA, Brenske n. gen.

38. Ophthalmoserica unbrinella, Brsk.

Ophihalmoserica unbrinella, Brensk. n, sp. Ms.
Nine specs., Reg. Nos. 23538 and 742933 from Sikkim,
_A. V. Knyvett, Esq., 1891. 3

Genus : SERICA, MacLeay.

39. Serica adnexa, Brsk,

Serica adnexa, Brensk.n. sp. M/s.
Reg. Nos. 4°—®, Khasi Hills, Major G. Austin.
Aas 180, Naga Hills, ditto.

40. Serica alcocki, Brsk.

Serica alcocki, Brensk. n. sp. Ms. Ind. Mus. Notes,Vol. IV, 4. p. 217.

Reg. Nos. SHE? Co-types, Dehra Dun, Director, Forest
School, Dehra Dun.

Defoliates the leaves of Mallofus phiii th
Dehra Dun Forests. Bp ees in e

41. Serica andamana, Brsk.

Serica andamana, Brensk . n. sp, Ms.
Reg. No, 4° a , Type, Andaman Is., unknown.

» Nos. i=, ditto ditto.

42. Serica assamensis, Brsk.
Serica assamensis, Brensk. Ind. Mus. Votes aN Olan VemrAnny pork 705067.

MO 4
Reg. No, “=, Type, Duars, Assam, Dr. G. Watt.
» Nos. Hes Co-types, ditto ditto.

Destructive to tea plants in Assam.

243 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.
a
43. Serica calcuttee, Brsk,
Serica calcutie, Brensk,, Ind. Mus. Notes. IV, 4, p. 176, pl. XII, Ff. ey
Reg, No.3, Type, Calcutta, Surgn-Col. G. S. Ranking.
cea = Co-type, ditto ditto.
at ras a Calcutta, Museum Collector.

44. Serica clypeata, Brsk.
Serica clypeata, Brensk. n. sp, Ms.
Reg. No. 39, Darjeeling, C. H. Dreyer, Esq., 18th July
1885.
“ Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 26th May
1886.

39 3)

45. Serica ferruginea, Redtenb,

Serica TEE Redtenb., Hiigel (es 1848, IV, 2, p.525.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1118
Reg. No. aa Maldah, W. H, Irvine, Esq., 26th June

1885:
» No. a , Gilgit, Dr. G. M. Giles.

One unrepistered spec., Khasi Hills, Colonel G. Austin.
Ditto Ceylon, unknown.

46. Serica festina, Brsk.

Serica Te Brensk. n. sp. Ms.
Reg. No. = , Co-type, Maldah, W. H. Irvine, Esq.

47. Serica fumosa, Brsk.

Serica fumosa, Brensk. n. sp. Js.
Reg. Nos, “* and 2", Types, Dehra Dun, Director,

Forest School, Benes Dun.
48. Serica gigantea, Brsk.
Serica gigantea, Brensk. n. sp. M/s.
Reg. No. &, Khasi Hills, Colonel G. Austin.
49. Serica himalyica, Brsk.

Serica himalayica, Brensk. Ann, Soc. Ent., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 152.
Reg. Nos. ae, Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., 1896.

No. 5.) Melolonthini contatned in colln. of tndian Museum. 244
50. Serica immutabilis, Schénh.

Serica immutabilis, Schonh., Syn, Ins. I, 3, p. 181.—Burm. Hands, IV, 2
p- 165.—Gem. Har. Cat, Coleop. IV, p. 1119,

» mutabilis, Oliv., Ln. I, 5, p. 51, 4. 3, fi 24.
Reg. No. 4, Dunsiri, unknown.
Two unregistered specs., locality unknown.

51. Serica indica, Blanch.

Serica indica, Blanch,, Cat. Coll. Ent,, 1850, p.77.—Gem, Har. Cat, Coleop.
IV, p. 1119.

2895 9
Reg. No. —> , Srinagar, unknown.
Two unregistered specs. locality unknown,

52. Serica inornata, Brsk.
Serica inornata, Brensk. n. sp. Ms.

Reg. No. ms » Java, Captain Downes, 22nd September
1884.

53. Serica insularis, Brsk.
Serica insular's, Brensk. n. sp. Js.

Reg. No. “ , Type, Andaman Is., unknown.
One unregistered spec., _ ditto, ditto.

54. Serica leticula, Shp.

Serica leticula, Sharp, Four. Asta, Soc. Beng., XLVII, 1878, p.172 —
Scient. Res., Second York., Mis. Colep, 1879, p. 47.—
Nonfr. Berl. Ant. Zetts., XXXVII, 1892, p. 257.

2147

Reg. No. => , Type, Murree, Dr. F. Stoliczka, 1874.

55. Serica lugubris, Brsk.

Serica Jugubris, Brensk. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., XL, 1896, p. 152.
Reg. Nos. “ and 4, Ranchi, W.H. Irvine, Esq.,
1890.
» No. a Calcutta, Museum Collector, 1896.

mp ee Murshidabad, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 1888.

245 . Indian Museum Notes, (Vol. IV

_ 56. Serica maculosa, Brisk.

Serica maculosa, Brensk. n. sp. Ms. ;
va «746 6 7465 7465
. Reg.. Nos. = 6; 42d, “7d and “22, Naga
Hills, Colonel G. Austin.
» No. &°, N.-E. Frontier, Colonel G. Austin .
One unregistered spec. locality unknown.

57. Serica marginella, Hope.
Serica eg ta Hope, Gray. Zool. Misc., 1831, p. 24.—Blanch. Ca?. Coll.
_£nt., 1O5PP 78.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1119.

Reg. No. — STB °, Andaman Island, unknown.
One unregistered spec., S.-E, Frontier, Colonel G. Austin.

58. Serica marmorata, Blanch.
Serica marmorata, Blanch., Cal. Coll. Ent., 18-0, p- 77.—Gem. Har, Cai.
Coleop. a p- 1119.
Reg. No. “=, Sibsagar, S. E. Peal, Esq.

a

59. Serica mutabilis, Fabr.

Serica mutabilis, Fabr., Syst. Ent.,p. 39.-—Burm. Handb. IV, 2, p. 169.—
Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1119.
Reg. No. “ N.-E. Frontier, Colonel G. Austin.
One nibtemmered spec., ditto. ditto.

60, Serica penangica, Brsk.
Serica penangica, Brensk. n. sp. Js.

Reg. No, 22 , Co-type, pipet Captain Downes.

61. Serica pruinosa, Burm.

Serica pruinosa, Burm., Handb., 1V,2, p. 16%-—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop.
IV, b- 1120.—Cotes, Jed. Mus. Notes, III, 3; ps tgs
UNIS, 7a Ss

Reg. No. ree Devikulam (6,000 feet ), A. W. Turner,
Esq., 29th June 1892.
» Nos. ¥°82. Trevandrum, Lieutenant H. S. Ferguson
2nd June 1892.
Two unregistered specs., Harmutti, unknown.

This species is said to attack coffee plants in the
Madras Presidency.

‘

a eEeEEEeEeEee

No. 5,] AMelolonthini contained in colin. of Indian Museum. 246

62. Serica rufocuprea., Blanch.

Serica rufocuprea, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent,, 1850, p. 77.—Gem. Har, Car.
Coleop. IV, p. 1220.

Reg. No. Fe Shillong, Colonel G. fone
63. Serica sempiterna, Brisk. |

Serica sempilerna, Brensk. n. sp. Zs.
Reg. Nos. 7° and 3 Khasi Hills, Colonel G, Austin.
64. Serica severini, Brsk.
Serica severini, Brensk. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg, XL, 1896, p. 153.

6072 - 6077 6080 7428
Reg. Nos. ——, 73’, q» and “z, Bangalore, J. Came-

ron, Esq:, 18go.

65. Serica sikkimensis, Brsk.

Serica sikkimensts, Brensk. n. sp. Ms.

Reg. No. = Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 28th
December 1888.
5 5640

» . 9.5», Darjeeling, C. H. Dreyer, Esq.

66. Serica spheerica, Burm.

Serica spherica, Burm. Handb. 1V, 2, : ; 172,—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop.
IV, p. 1120. :

‘Reg. No.- oom , Tavoy, Museum Collector,

67. Serica tridens, Brsk.
Serica tridens, Brensk. n. sp. Ms.
Reg. Nos. 2%,“ and Naga Hills, Colonel G.

13 13
Austin.
68. Serica truncata, Brsk.

Serica truncata, Brensk, n. sp. Js.
Reg. No. a, Sikkim, E, T,Atkinson, Esq,

: so Bo}
. Nos. ~=— Calcutta, Museum Collector,
Ree 5693 5604 Q
» » ag? ag and =>, Mungpbu. E. T. Atkinson,

Esq.

247 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

ee

69. Serica umbrina, Blanch.

Serica umbrina, Blanch., Cat. Coll. #nt., 1850, p. 77,—Gem. Har. Cav.
Coleop. IV, p. 1121.

Reg. No. oat Khasi Hills, Colonel G. Austin.

Genus: HOMALOPLIA, Stephens,

70. Homaloplia limbata. Krynick.

Homaloplia limbata, Krynick., Bull., Mosc. V, 1832, p, 126.—Megerie.
Sturm. Cat., 1843, p. 126.—Gem. Har. Cat, Coleop.
IV, p. 1123.

805

Reg. No. =» S. Russia, K. L. Bramson, Esq., 24th
December 1885.

806

pi ei arE. ditto ditto.
71. Homaloplia ruricola, Fabr.
Homaloplia ruricola, Fabr., Syst, Ent,, p, 38.—Ratzeb., Forstins, 1, p. 80.

7.3, f. 13.—Burm. Handbd, IV, 2, p. 154.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop, IV, p. 1123.

a floricola, Laichart, Verz, Ins. Tyrol. 1, p. 41.
“s marginata, Fuessl., Verz. p. 3.—Fourer., Ent. Par. 1, p. 9.
5 nigromarginala, Herbst., Arch., p. 155, ¢. 43, f. 7.

Reg. No. rst Europe, Herr E. Brenske.

13?

72. Homaloplia spirzeee, Gebler.

Homaloplia spirea, Gebler, Bull, Mose, 1847, IV, p. 465.—Gem, Har,. Cun
Coleop. IV, p. 1123.

Reg. No. “288, Sahibgunge, C. A, Wilson, Esq.

Genus: TRIODONTA, Mulsant.

73. Triodonta aquila, Casteln.

Triodonta aquila, Casteln, Hist. nat., 1840, 11, p. 148.—Muls, Col, Fre
Lamell, p, 468.—Jacq., Duv. Gen. Col. Ill, %. 139
f. 63.—Dej, Cat, 3 ed., p. 183.—Gem. Har. Caz
Coleop. IV, p. 1123.
Reg. No. 2°, Europe., Herr E. Brenske,

13 ’

No. 5.] Welolonthini contained in colln, of Indian Museum. 248

Genus: DIPHUCEPHALA, Serville.

74. Diphucephala edwardsi, Waterh.
Diphucephala edwardsi, Waterh., Mon., p. 220.—Burm. Hand. lV, 2,
p- 121.—Gem, Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1128.
One unreg. specimen, Adelaide, S. Australia, C. Wilson,
Esq.

Genus: STETHASPIS, Hope.

75. Stethaspis suturalis, Fabr.

Stethaspis suturalis, Fabr., Syst, Lat, p. 34.—White, Voy. Ereb. Terr, Zool,
Ins., p. 11,¢.2, f, 7.—Burm. Handb. IV, 2,
p. 222.

Reg. No. 7, N. Zealand, Captain T, Brown, 1st
August 1884.

Genus: PYRONOTA, Boisduval.
76, Pyronota festiva, Fabr.

Pyronota festiva, Fabr., Syst. Ent., p. 36.—Oliv., Ent. 1, 5, p. 47, 7.5, f- 48
a-b,— Burm. Handb. IV, 2, p. 219.—Gem. Har.

Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1130.

Three specs., Reg. Nos. 2°" , N. Zealand, Captain T.
Brown, 1st August 1884.

Genus: LIPARETRUS, Guérin.

77. Liparetrus discipennis, Guer.

Liparetrus discipennis, Guer., Voy. Coguille, 1830, Col., p. 90, ¢. 3, 7. 10.—
Burm. ; Handd. IV, 2, p.195.—Durville De. Caz.,
3 ed., p. 181.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleop. IV,

p. 1131.
One unregistered spec., Adelaide, C. Wilson, Esq.

78. Liparetrus hirsutus, Burm,

Liparetrus hirsutus, Burm., Handb. IV, 2, p. 197.—Gem. Har. Ca/. Coleop.
INS for BUA Ts

One unregistered spec., Adelaide, C. Wilson, Esq.

249 ladian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

79. Liparetrus xanthotrichus, Blanch.

Liparetrus xanthotrichus, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 103 .—Gem.
Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1132.

Two unregistered specs., Adelaide, C. Wilson, Esq.

Genus: HAPLONYCHA, Blanch.

80. Haplonycha crinita, Burm.

Hapionycha crinita, Burm., Handb. IV, 2, p. 229.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleop,
IV, p. 1133.
One unregistered spec., Adelaide, S. Australia,
C. Wilson, Esq.

Genus: HETERONYX, Gutrin.

81. Heteronyx obesus, Burm,

Heteronyx obesus, Burm. Handb, IV, 2, p, 236.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,
p. 1134.

One unregistered spec. from Adelaide, S. Australia, C.

Wilson, Esq.

e

82. Heteronyx oOblongus, Blanch.

LLeteronyx oblongus, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p.110.—Gem. Har, Cay.

Coleop. IV, p. 1134.

74 :
Reg. No. —*, Australia, unknown.

Genus: ODONTRIA, White.

83. Odontria striata, White.

COdontria striata, White, Voy. Ereb. Terr. Ins., p. 10, ¢. 2, f. 5.—Blanch, Voy.

Pole. Sud. Zool., 1V, p, 125, 2. 8, 7. 5—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. 1V Dp 1136,

Reg. No, ae , New Zealand, Captain T. Brown,

84. Odontria zelandica, Whit.

Odontria gelandica, White, Voy. Lreb. Terr. Ins., p. to.—Lacord.,, Gen, Aii.,
7. 30, f. 3.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1136.

Reg. No, * N, Zealand, Captain T. Brown.

No. 5.) Melolonthini contained in colin. of Indian Museum.

Genus : RHINASPIS, Perty.

85. Rhinaspis schranki, Perty.

Khinaspis schrankt, Perty., Del. anim., p. 47, 2,10, f.1.—Gem. Har. Cay,
Coleop, IV, p. 1150.

Reg. No. ao Brasilia, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March
1892.

Genus: DEJEANIA, Blanch,
86. Dejeania alsiosia, Blanch.

Dejeania alsiosia, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 96.—Lacord., Geu. AZ/,
t. 30, f. 5.—Gem. Har. Cat, Coleop, IV, p. 1154.

Reg. No. a“ Tavoy., Museum Collector, 27th Febru-
ary 1885.

Genus: ANCISTROSOMA, Curtis.
87. Ancistrosoma farinosum, Sallé.

Ancistrosoma farinosum, Sallé, Ann. Fr., 1849, p. 300, 4.8. f. 3, a-d.—
Blanch., Cat. Coll. Eni,, 1850, p. 124.—Burm.
Handb.1V, 2, p, 104.—Gem. Har, Cat. Coleop.
IV, p. 1155.

Reg. No. ue Columbia, Herr E. Brenske, 2.th March
1892.

Genus: APOGONIA, Kirby.

88, Apogonia andamana, Brsk.

Apogonia andamana, Brensk. n. sp. M/s.

Reg. Nos. - and ~~ Andaman Island.

One unregistered spec., ditto.

89. Apogonia angustata, Brsk.

A pogonia angusiata, Brensk. n. sp. Ms.
6438

Reg. No. 4; , Berhampur, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 1890. _

251 Indian Museum Notes [Vol. IV.

90. Apogonia brunnea, Hope.

A pogonia brunnea, Hope, Gray. Zool. Misc., 1831, p. 23.—Blanch. Caz. Coll.

Lnt., 1850, p, 228.—Gem. Her. Cat. Coleop. IV.
p- 1156.—Waterh. Crist. Ent. II, 1877, p. 227.—
Ritz. Zijds. voor, Ent., XXXIV, p. xcii.

Reg. No. =e Calcutta, Museum Collector, 1889.

91. Apogonia Carinata, Brsk.
Apogonia carinata, Brensk. n. sp. M/s.

Reg. Nos. “ase and = Berhampur, E, T. Atkinson,

Esq.
ee. a and = Murshidabad, ditto.

92, Apogonia cribricollis, Burm.

Apogonia cribricollis, Burm., Handb. lV, 2, p.256.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop.
IV, p. 1156.

Reg. Nos. ae and ae Sibsagar, S. E. Peal, Esq.

93. Apogonia destructor, Bos.

Apogonia destructor, Bos., Tijdskr. v. Ent., KXXIII, 1890, p£. 336, 7 14,
7. 16.—Nonfr., Berl. Ent. Zetts., XXXVI, 1892,
p. 271.—Rits., Zijd. v. Ent., XXXIV, p. xciv.

Reg. Nos. = and =, East Java, Mons. C. Ritsema.
3rd July 1890.

This species has been reported as attacking sugar-cane
in Java.

94. Apogonia ferruginea, Fabr.

Apogonia ferruginea, Fabr., Spec. Ins., 1, p. 41.—Oliv., Lnt., I, 5, p. 44,4 7,
— Deeine f.82.—Burm, Handd. IV, 2, p. 258.—Gem, Har.
Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1156.

Reg. No. * Maldah, W. H. Irvine, Esq., 1885.

” ” e Ranchi, ditto,
Two unregistered specs., Calcutta, E. T, Atkinson, Esq.

95. Apogonia kombirana, Brsk.

Apogonia hombirana, Brensk. Ann, Soc. Ento., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 155.

Reg. No. * Konkir, Bengal, Herr E. Brenske.

No. 5.) MJelolonthind contained in colin. of Indian Museum. 252

66. Apogonia lzvicollis, Lansb.

Apogonia levicollis, Lansb., C. R. Soc. Ent., Belg., 1879, p. cxlix.—Berl.
Ent, Zeits, XXXVII, 1892, p. 271.

Reg. Nos. “° and ‘8 Java, Mons, C. Ritsema, 3rd
July 1890.

97. Apogonia metasternailis, Rits.
A pogonta metasternalts, Rits., Motes Leyden Mus., XVII, p. 207.

Reg. No. uae Pegu, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 8th May
1889.

98. Apogonia moesta, Burm.

Apogonia mesia, Burm., Handb. IV, 2, p. 257.-—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,
p. 1156.

Reg. Nos. ot? and =e Berhampur, E. T. Atkinson,
Esq.

99. Apogonia proxima, Waterh.

Apogonia proxima, Waterh., Czstul. Ent., I, p. 223.—Nonfr., Berl, Ent.
Zetts., XXXVII, 1892, p. 272.

8133 8136 8139 8137 4995 4996 4997
Reps NOStn aes malin aa and) 2 Andaman

Island, unknown.
3601 3692
mG) eae and ——, Andaman Island, Revd. Warne-
fords.

100. Apogonia splendida, Bohem.

Apogonia splendida, Bohem., Res. Eugen., 1858, p. 55.—Gem. tar. Caf.
Coleop. IV, p. 1156.

Reg. Nos. #% and 4, Sikkim, E.T. Atkinson, Esq.,
28th August 1888.

101. Apogonia uniformis, Blanch.

Apogonia uniformis, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Eni., 1850, p. 229.—Lacord., Gen.
Ill, p. 277, not. r—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. lV.
p. 1156.

Reg. Nos. a c® and = Ranchi, W. H. Irvine, Esq.
roth September 1889.

» » 4, Bangalore, J. Cameron, Esq., 18th

December 1889.
2058

» No. =, Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 28th
August 1888.

253 ; Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV,
i ee eee
102. Apogonia vicina, Burm.
Ahogonia vICINa, Burm., Handé. IV, 2; Pp: 256.—Dej. Can 3 ed., p- 179:
pogo Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop., IV, p. 1156.

Reg. No. “=, Maldah, W. H. Irvine, Esq.
317

» 9» or, Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 30th July
1888.

103. Apogonia villosella, Blanch.

Apogonia villosella, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 229.—Lacord. Gen.
Ill, p. 277, not. 1.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,
p- 1156.
Reg. No. =, Calcutta, E. T. Atkinson, Esq.

13

Genus: HEPTOPHYLLA, Motsch,

104. Heptophylla picea, Motsch.

Heptophylla picea, Motsch., E7ud. Ent, 1857, p. 33.—Gem. Har. Cav.
Coleop. IV, p. 1158.

Reg. No. oe Formosa, Surgn.-General R. Hungerford,

1?

17th March 1882.
. ditto ditto.

” 2)

Genus: SCHIZONYCHA, Blanch.

105. Schizonycha crenata, Gyllen.
Schizonycha crenata, Gyllenh., Schonh, Syn. Ins. I, 3, App., 2. 78.—Burm.

Handb. IV, 2, p. 268.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop.

IV, p. 1159.
Reg. No, 22 | Siberia, Dr. Dohrn, gth January 1882.

I

106. Schizonycha fuscescens, Blanch.
Schizonycha fuscescens, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Zni., 1850, p. 150.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. IV., p. 1159.

One unregistered spec., Trevandrum.
Ditto ditto, India.

107. Schizonycha rhizotrogoides, Brsk.

Schizonycha rhizolrogoides, Brensk. n. sp., dnd. Mus, Notes, lV, 4, p. 177.

One unregistered spec., Senife (7,000 feet)
Abysenia, lent to Herr E. Brenske.

a. en ie ee er ae ~~

if

No.5.] Melolonthini contarned iin colln. of Indian Museum, 254

Genus: EUCIRRUS, Melly.

108. Eucirrus mellyi, Melly.

Lucirrus mellyi, Melly, Mag. Zool., 1832. Cl. IX,¢. 47.—Burm. Handd. IV.
2, p, 293.— Gem, Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1163.

One unregistered spec. from Ceylon.

Genus: LEPIDIOTA, Hope.

109. Lepidiota bimaculata, Saund,

Lepidiota bimaculata, Saund, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1, 1839, p.176,7, 16, f. 2.—
Burm, Handb.1V, 2, p. 294.—Gem. Har. Caz.
Coleop, IV, p. 1163.

” gripitht, Hope, Trans. Ent. Soc. Il, 1841, p. 62.
Reg. NO. = , Ladak, E. I. Co’s Museum, 27th Septem-
ber 1894.
8567 Sikkim, ditto ditto.

2018 , Assam, A. J. Mein, Esq., 1884.
4
4004 , Shillong, Shillong Museum, 1892.

13

35» —/85 , Cherra, Abyssinian Collection, 27th

; October 1884.
One unregistered spec., Naga Hills, Captain Butler.
Ditto ditto, Khyokphow, Mr. Davidson.
Two ditto specs. Sikkim, unknown.

110. Lepidiota crenulata, Burm.

Lepidiota crenulata, Burm., Handb. IV, 2, p. 297.—Gem. Har. Cat, Col. IV,
p. 1163.
Reg. No- =" , South India, unknown,

111, Lepidiota luctuosa, Blanch.

Lepidiota luciuosa, Blanch., Cat, Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 157.—Gem. Har. Caz.
Coleop. IV, p. 1103.

One unregistered spec. from Kallig.

112. Lepidiota punctatipennis, Blanch.

Lepidiota punciatipennis, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent,, 1850, p. 157.—Gem, Har.
Cai. Coleop. IV, p. 1163.

One unregistered spec. from Sikkim.

Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

255

113. Lepidiota rugosa, Shp.

Lepidiota rugosa, Sharp, Coleop. Hefie, XV, p. 72.—Nonfr, Berl. Ent. Zeits,
XXXVI, 1892, p. 275.
One unregistered spec. Jahore, J. Meldrum, Esq.

114. Lepidiota rugosipennis, Blanch,

Lepidiota rugosipennis, Blanch., Cat. Coll, Ent., 1850, p. 157.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. \V, p. 1163.

Two unregistered specs, from Kallig.

115. Lepidiota stigma, Fabr.

Lepidiota stigma, Fabr., Syst. Ei. U1, p. 160. 1.-Burm. Handb. IV, 2. p.
295,.—Gem. Har. Cat, Coleop. IV, p. 1163.
:- alba, Fabr., Syst, £1, II, p. 160. 2.
Reg, No, *23 , Perak, unknown.
Two unregistered specs. g and @ locality unknown.

Genus: ASACTOPHOLIS, Brenske.

116. Asactopholis bicolor, Shp.

Asactopholis bicolor, Sharp, Coleop. Hefie. XV, p. 78.

7588 872 5
Reg. Nos. —— , Te and = Tavoy, Museum Collector,

. 1884.
No. — ,Pegu, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., 12th!Decem-

ber 1888.

Genus: CY PHOCHILUS, Waterhouse.

117. Cyphochilus candidus, Olivr.
Cyphochilus candidus, Olivr., Ent. 1.5, p. 15, 2. 8, f. 98.—Burm, Hands. IV,
2, p. 301.—Gem. Har. Cav. Coleop. IV. p. 1164.
Reg. No. = , Sibsagar, Assam, S. E. Peal, Esq., 21st

June 1882, ts
» Nos. “3=** and ue , Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq.,

12th December 1888.

Ace? anid <= Shillong, Shillong Museum, 1892.

9 rE 13
One unregistered spec., Mungphu, E. T. Atkinson,

sq.
Ditto ditto Naga Hills, Captain Butler.

No.5.] Melolonthint contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 256

118. Cyphochilus proximus, shp.
Cyphochilus proximus, Sharp, Coleop, Keft, XV, p, 81,.—Nonfr, Berl. Ent,
Zeit, XXXVII, 1892, p, 275.
Reg, No, = » Tavoy, Museum Collector.

119. Cyphochilus pygidialis, Nonfr.
Cyphochilus prgidialis, Nonfr,, Berl. Ent, Zetts, XX XVIII, 1893, p. 332.

ot

Reg, Nos, ae and

8002
Wins

Shillong, Museum Collector,
November 1889.

a - 13-7 and 7 Shillong, Shillong Museum,
One unregistered spec. Shillong, ditto,

i20. Cyphochilus sikkimensis, Brsk.
Cyphachiius stkkimensis, Brensk. n. sp. Ads.
or Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., September 1896.

Reg. Nos.

121. Cyphochilus waterhousi, Brsk.
Cyphochilus waterhoust, Brensk. n. sp. Ms.

Reg. No. — , Trichinopoly, Father Honoré, znd
March 1885,

Genus: LEUCOPHOLIS, Blanchard.

122. Leucopholis crassa, Brsk.
Leucopholis crassa, Brensk, Berl. Ent. Zetts, XXXVII, 1892, p. 58.
Reg. No. =“, Shillong, E. T. Atkinson, Esgq.,

oth August 18809.
One unregistered spec., Assam, Asia. Soc. Bengal,
1864.
Ditto ditto, Darjeeling, unknown,
Ditto ditto, locality unknown.

123. Leucopholis irrorata, Chevr.
Leucopholis irrorata, Chevrol., Rev. Zool., 1841, p. 222.—Gem. Har. Caz,
Coleop. IV, p. 1164.
rs pollinosa, Burm., Handé. IV, 2, p. 304.—Dej. Caz, 3 ed., p. 177,
Reg. No. ee , Philippine Is., Herr E. Brenske,
Ber ade 2 ; ditto, Est. Ind. Co.’s Museum.

257 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. lV.

124. Leucopholis plagiata, Blanch.
Leucopholis plagiuta, Bianch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 158.—Gem. Har.
Cat, Coleop. IV, p. 1164,
Reg. No. = ; Penang, Dr. Cantor.
Three specs., Reg. Nos. = , = and = , Perak,
unknown.

125. Leucopholis tetaranus, Brsk.

Leucopholis tetaranus, Brensk., var. Ann. Soc, Ent., Belg., XL, 1896, p. Doge
Reg. No. = » Deccan, Colonel Sykes.

Genus: TRICHOLEPIS, Blanchard.

126. Tricholepis grandis, Castel.

Tricholepis EFELES, Castel., Hist. nat. II, 1840, p. 133.—Gem. Har. Caz.
Coleop. IV, p. 1165.
pubera, Burm., Handbd. IV, 2, p. 307.~Dej. Caz, 3 ed., p. 177.
puberina, Blanch., Cat, Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 138.
Reg. No. ue , Perak, unknown, gth June 1884.

9)

127. Tricholepis niveopilosa, Blanch.
| Tricholepis niveopilosa, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 156.— Burm. Handb.
IV, 2, p. 307.~ Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV, p. 1165.

Reg. No. $2, Madagascar, Herr E. Brenske, 26th

March 1892.

Genus: LACHNOSTERNA, Hope.
(Ancylonycha, Blanch.—Holotrichia, Hope.)

128. Lachnosterna andamana, Brsk.

Lachnosterna andamana, Brensk, Ind. Mus. Notes, 1V No. 4, p. 178.
490°, Type, And. Is,, lent to Herr Brenske.

Reg, No. => >
129. Lachnosterna atkinsoni, Brsk.
Lachnosterna atkinsoni, Brensk, Berl, Ent. Zeits. XX XVII, 1892, p. QI.
Reg. No. 42 g, Type (unique), S. India, Father
Honoré, 11th July 1885.

No. 5.) A/elolonthini contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 258

130. Lachnosterna aurosericea, Brsk.
Lachnosterna aurosericea, Brensk, Berl, Ent. Zeils. XXXVII, p. 172.—Ann,

Soc. Ent, Belg., XL, 1896, p, 160,
Reg. No, “2 9,

13

Type, Tenasserim,
Collector. .

Museum

131. Lachnosterna bidentata, Burm.

Lachnosterna bidentata, Burm., Handb. lV, 2, p. 316.—Gem. Har. Caz.
Coleop. IV, p. 1166.

One unregistered spec., Jahore, J. Meldrum, Esq

132, Lachnosterna biehli;, Brsk.
Lachnosterna biehli, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits., 1892, XXXVII, p. 170.—Ann.
Soc. Ent., Belg., 1896, XL, pe 151.
Reg. No. sa , Type, Darjeeling, Captain Pemberton.
53

» oo» ditto
7371
13

ditto.
, Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., 1896.

133. Lachnosterna brevicollis, Burm
Lachnosterna brevicollis, Burm. Handb. IV, 2, p. 314.—Gem. Har. Caz,
Coleop. IV, p. 1170.

Reg. No. ae , N.-W. Himalayas, Captain Pemberton.

134. Lachnosterna cCavifrons, Brsk
Lachnosterna cavifrons, Brensk., var. Berl. Ent, Zeizs., XXXVII, p. 167
One unregistered spec. from India.

135. Lachnosterna clypealis, Brsk

Lachnosterna clypealis, Brensk, Ann, Soc. Ent., Belg, XL, 1896, p. 159.
Reg. No. oo Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq.

One unregistered spec., Sikkim.

136. Lachnosterna consanguinea, Blanch.
Lachnosterna consanguinea, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 139.—Gem
Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1166.
Reg. No. “”, Amoy (China), Dr. Hungerford, roth
April 1881.
5461

a ditto ditto.

259 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. lV.

137- Lachnosterna cotesi, Brsk.

Lachnosterna cotest, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892, p, 185, and
XLI, 1896, p. 348.
Reg. No. =“, Type, Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq.,
Izth December 1888.

PW a , Kurseiong, E. Barlow, Esq.,
1896,

138. Lachnosterna flavosericea, Brsk.
Lachnosterna flavosericea, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zetts. XLI, 1896,
p. 348.
Reg, No’, Type, Sikkim, E. Barlow, Esq., 1896.

13

139. Lachnosterna fusca, Froh.

Lachnosterna fusca, Frohlich., Maturf., 26, p. 99.>-Lec. Journ. Ales
: Phil., 1856, p. 244.—Candeze. Mém., Liege., XVI,
1861, p. 347, 2. 2, f. 3.—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop.

VEPs nO
~ fervens, Gyllenh., Schénh., Syn. Ins., 1, 3, App., p. 74.
A fervida, Oliv., Ent, 1,5, p. 24, 7. 9,7. 109.
Be guercina, Knoch., Beitr. I, p. 74, ¢ 1, f. 27.—Burm.

Flandb., IV, 2, p. 319,
Reg. No. “2, America, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March,

13?

1892.

140. Lachnosterna lata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna lata, Brensk. Berl. Ent, Zeits, XXXVII, p. 163.
Reg. No. , Tavoy, Museum Collector, 1885.
» 9 =, ditto ditto.
141. Lachnosterna longicarinata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna longicarinafa, Brensk. Berl. Ent. Zetts, XXXVIL
Poekous

One unregistered spec. from Kallig.

142. Lachnosterna nigropunctata, Brsk.
Lachnosterna nigropunctata, Brensk. n. sp. Ws.

Reg. No. 4, Type (unique), from Assam

No. 5.] Welolonthint contatned tn colln. of Indian Museum. 260

143. Lachnosterna obscura, Brsk.

Lachnositerna obscura, Brensk, Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVI, 1892, p. 162.
One unregistered spec. from Assam,

144. Lachnosterna pagana, Burm.

Lachnosterna pagana, Burm. Handd. IV, 2, p. 312.—Gem. Har. Cay,
Coleop. 1V, p. 1169.

T 7439 7449 :
Two specs., Reg, Nos. ae and a India.

145. Lachnosterna pilosa, Brsk.
Lachnosterna pilosa, Brensk, Berl, Ent. Zeits. XLI, 1896, p. 350.

Ree. No: 1, Type, Upper Tenasserim, J. Wood-
Mason, Esq.
One unregistered spec., ¢ ditto ditto.

146. Lachnosterna plagiata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna plagiata, Brensk, Berl. Hunt. Zeits. XXXVII p. 185.
Reg. No. “©, Type from India.

I

147. Lachnosterna problematica, Brsk.

Lachnosterna problematica, Brensk, Ind. Mus. Notes, 1V,4, p. 178.
One Type spec. from Srinagar lent to Herr E. Brenske.

148. Lachnosterna glabriclypeata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna glabriclypeata, Brensk, Berl. Ent, Zetis. XX XVII, 1892, p. 161.
One unregistered spec. from India.

149. Lachnosterna glabrifrons, Brsk.
Lach nosterna glabrifrons, Brensk, Berl. Ent. Zetts. XXXVI, 1892, p. 190.
Reg. No 747°. Type, Khasi Hills, unknown.
150. Lachnosterna imitatrix, Brsk.
Lachnosterna imitairix, Brensk. n. sp., Ind. Mus. Noies, Vol. IV, No. 4, p. 178.
Reg. No. =~, Co-type, Sikkim, C. Dreyer, Esq.

261 Lnudtan Museum Notes. [Vol. fv.
SSeS a a

151. Lachnosterna impressa, Burm.

Lachnosterna impressa, Burm., Handd. IV, 2, p. 314.—Gem. Har. Car.
Coleop. IV, p. 1168, — Cotes’ Lnd. Mus. Notes,
I, p.59; Toa insects, p. 5.
Reg. No. oe , Sikkim, Messrs. Devenport & Co.,
3rd October 1891.

ae

ior , Sikkim, D. King, Esq., 14th February
1883.
” ” Wie ’ ditto : ditto.

7
This species attacks tea plants in Sikkim.

152. Lachnosterna intermedia, Brsk.

Lachnosterna intermedia, Brensk, Mem. Soc. Ent., Belg., ll, 1894, pO
Two unregistered specs. from India.

153. Lachnosterna iridipennis, Brsk.

Lachnosterna tridipennis, Brensk, Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892, p. 177.
Reg. No. mie , Type, Sibsagar, Assam, S. E, Peal,
Esq.
, Calcutta, Museum Collector.

One anrercued spec. Khasi Hills, Colonel
G. Austin.

we

154. Lachnosterna rustica, Burm.

Lachnosterna rustica, Burm., Hand, IV, 2, p. 313.—Gem. Har. Caf.
Coleop. IV, p. 1169, -

One unregistered spec. from Bangalore.

155. Lachnosterna scabrifrons, Brsk.

Lachnosterna scabrifrons, Brensk. Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892, p. 164,
Reg. No. 44, Type, Ceylon, unknown.

156, Lachnosterna scrobiculata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna scrobiculata, Brensk, Berl. Ent. Zetts, XXXVII, 1892, p. 174.
Reg, No. ue , Type? , Sikkim, unknown.

157. Lachnosterna scutellata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna scutellata, Brensk. n. sp. M/s.
One unregistered spec. from India,

No. 5.] Melolonthini contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 262

158. Lachnosterna sericata, Brsk.

Lachnosterna sericata, Brensk. Berl. Ent. Zetts, XXXVI, 1892, p. 168,
Reg. No. +, Type 9, Khasi Hills, Colonel G, Austin.

3 d

159. Lachnosterna serrata, Fabr.

Lachnosterna serrata, ¥abr., Spec. Ins, 1, p. 35.—Oliv, Ent. 1,5, p. 11,
4.1, f. 5.—Burm. Handd. IV, 2, p. 310.—Gem,
Har. Car. Coleop. IV, p. 1170.

Reg. No. 4”, Berhampur, E, T. Atkinson, Esq.,
12th December 1888.

” ” 78 9 Sikkim, ditto ditto.
» » 3, Maldah, W H. Irvine, Esq. 31st
July 1885.

160. Lachnosterna sikkimensis, Brsk.

Lachnosterna stkkimensis, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zetts. XXXVII, 1892, fp. 169.
Reg. No. aes , Type ?, Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq._
25th July 1887.

161. Lachnosterna sinensis, Hope.

Lachnosterna sinensis, Hope, Trans. Eut. Soc. IV, 1845, p. 8.—Burm.
HHandb. IV, 2, p. 316.—Gem. Har. Cas. Coleop,
IW 5 Bo Ti 7O
sine, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 139.
Reg. No. a China, Herr E. Brenske, 26th
March 1892.

8 . h 0
” ” =) ditto ditto.

162. Lachnosterna standfussi, Brsk.
Lachnosterna standfusst, Brensk., Berl. Eni. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892, p. 182.

Reg. No. ~ Tavoy, Museum Collector, 25th
June 1885. |

163. Lachnosterna staudingeri, Brsk.

Lachnosterna standingert, Brensk., var. Berl. Lnt. Zetls. XXXVUL, 1892
p- 166.

Reg. No. 730°, Calcutta, Museum Collector, 1896.

» » “8, Shillong, Mr. Giles,

263 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

164. Lachnosterna stoliczkee Shp.

Lachnosterna stoliceke, Sharp, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. XLVII, 1878,
p. 172.— Sctent. Res. Sec. Fark, Miss. Coleop., 1879,
p.49. Nonfr. Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892,

p- 278.
Reg. No.’ Type, Murree, Dr. F. Stoliczka, 1874.
9 ” Type, ditto ditto.

165. Lachnosterna stridulans, Sp.

Lachnosterna stridulans, Sharp, Journ. As. Soc, Beng. XLVII, 1878, p. 172
—Seient. Res. Sec. Fark. Mis. Coleop., 1879, p.
48.—Nonfr. Berl. Lnt. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892,
jos Fife
Reg. No. 2, Type, Murree, Dr. F. Stoliczka,

Io”

1874.

165. Lachnosterna tenasserima, Brsk.

Lashnosterna tenasserima, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XLI, 1896, p. 349.
6

Reg. No. . Typed, Upper Tenasserim, J.

Io *

Wood-Mason, 2nd March 1889.

;
g
Pe
¥
P

Genus: HOLOME LIA, Brenske.

167. Holomelia mirabilis, Brsk.
Holomelia mirabilis, Brensk., Ent, Nachr. XVII, 1891, p. 314.
Rez. No. “’; Type, Jahore, Jas. Meldrum, Esq.

ae
13

Genus: BRAHMINA, Blanch.

168, Brahmina calva, Blanch.

Brahmina calva, Blanch., Cat. Coll. £nt., 1850. p. 140.—Burm. Handé. IV,
2; p. 365, wofa.—Gem. Har. Car, Coleop. IV, p. 1173.

Reg. No, *+” Murree, Dr. F. Stoliczka (Yarkand Expdn.)

ay yMatss ss, N.-W. Himalayas, East. Ind. Co.’s Museum.
” ” “a7, ditto ditto.
” ” ee ditto ditto.

3

ah aso ditto ditto.

KO. 5.] Melolonthini contained in colln, of Indian Museum. 264

169. Brahmina cardoni, Brsk.

Brahmina cardoni, Brensk., Berl. Lut, Zeiis, XXXVI, p. 108
ee No. “*', Kurseong, Herr E. Brenske.

aie

oy ty SUD E, Barlow, Esq.

170. Brahmina comata, Blanch.

Brahmina comata, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p, 140.—Burm. Hand). IV,
2, p. 364.—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1173.

One unregistered spec., Calcutta, Museum Collector.

171, Brahmina cotesi, Brsk.
Brahmina cotesi, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 1892, p. 100.

Reg. No. 2°, Type ¢, Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson,
12th Deeaninen 1888.

» » HS Type ©, ditto ditto.
» Nos. ae, 3, ditto ditto.
» » 2, “and 22%, ditto ditto.
sp. INO eS, 2 ae E. Barlow, Esq.

172. Brahmina flabellata, Brsk.

Brahmina flabellata, Brensk., Berl. Ent, Zeits. XXXVI, 1892, p. 104.
Reg. No. a Type 6, Sikkim, unknown.

173. Brahmina obscura, Brsk.
Brahmina obscura, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, 18025 P. 195.
Reg. No, “** Type ¢, Khasi Bitis, unknown.

13)

174, Brahmina siamensis, Brsk.

Brahmina siamensis, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zetts. NAXVII, p. 103.
Reg. No. 7476 Assam, Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 1864.
13

ivs. Brahmina sikkimensis, Brsk.

Brahmina sikkimensis, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVIL p. 113.
Reg. No. ue, Type &, Sikkim, unknown.

265 Indian Museum Notes, [VoI. IV.
=a TT i a SS Ao EEE
176. Brahmina tavoyensis, Brsk.
Brahmina favoyensis, Brensk., Berl. Ent. Zeits. XXXVII, p. 104.
Reg. No. 73, Type 2 (unique), Amiah, East of Tavoy,

5

Museum Collector.

177. Brahmina thoracica, Brsk.

Brahmina thoracica, Brensk., Berl. Ent Zeits. XXXVII, p. 109.
Reg. No. =, Type ¢, Khasi Hills, Colonel G. Austin.

yr 2 ype eeditto ditto.
One unregd. spec. ditto ditto.

Genus: BRACHYLLUS, Brenske.

178. Brachyllus ulcerosus, Brsk.

Brachyllus uleerosus, Brensk. Ann, Soc. Ent., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 162.
Reg. No. 3", Sikkim, E. T. Atkinson, Esq., rath

December 1888.

Genus: EMPELATIRA, Brenske. n. gen.

179. Empelatira fairmairei, Brsk.

Empelatira fairmaire, Brensk. n. sp. AZ.
Reg. No. a Type (unique), Jahore, Museum Collector.

Genus : CLYTIA, Brenske n. gen.

180. Clytia pilosa, Brsk.

Clytia pilosa, Brensk. n. Sp. Ms.
Reg. No South India, Father Honoré, 1885.

9, 8 ditto ditto.
Genus: RHIZOTROQGUS, Latreille,
(Amphimallus, Muls.—Pseudotrematodes, Jacq. Duv.)

181. Rhizotrogus eestivus, Oliv.

Rhisotrogus estivus, Oliv., Lnt. I, 5, p. 17,4. 2, f. 11.—Burm. Handb, IV,
2, p. 379.—Gem, Hav. Cas. Coleop. 1V, p. 1173.

sap eep sip as A ee

206

No. 5.] Melolonthind contained tn colln. of Indian Museum.

Rhizotrogus bimaculatus, Herbst., KG ILI, p, 80,4. 23, 7, 10.
gracilis, Frohl., Mazur, f. 26, p. 96,
Brahm. Jus. Kol., 1, p. 85,
maculicollis, Zubkoff, Bull. Mose. VI, 1833, p. 322.—Falderm.

” mantis,
bh)
Dej. Cat., 3 ed:, p. 178.
Reg. No. “, Germany, Herr E. Brenske, 26th March

1892.

182, Rhizotrogus assimilis, Herbst.
Rhizotrogus assimilis, Herbst, Kdaf. III, p. 83, 7 23, f. 12,.—Burm.
Hiandb. IV, 2, p. 393-—Gem. Har. Cat. Coleop. IV,
p- 1174.
aprilinus, Duft., Faun. Austr. I, p. 100.—Heeger, Sv.
Zungsd. Vien. Ac. XIV, 1854, p. 35+
=, Germany, Herr E. Brenske.

Reg. No.
mh ditto ditto.

be)

99 99

183..Rhizotrogus ater, Gebl.

Rhisotrogus ater, Gebl., Bull. Mose., 1847, IV, p. 463.—Gem. Har. Cas.
Coleop., IV, p. 1174.
Four specs., Reg. Nos. 7, =, and °, Germany,

Herr E. Brenske.

184. Rhizotrogus beludschistanus, Brsk.

Rhisotrogus beludschistanus, Brensk,, Berl. Ent. Zeits. XLI, 1896, p. 318.
Reg. No, ae Type, Baluchistan, Dr. F. P. Maynard.
ditto.

7373 ditto ditto
”? oe) 13? "
Nos ae Co-types, ditto ditto,

185. Rhizotrogus bilobus, Shp.
ourn, Asta. Soc. Beng. XLVII, 1878, p. 173.—

ond Vark. Mis. Coleop., 1879, p. 49.—

Rhizotrogus bilobus, Sharp, /
Scien. Res., : Sait
Nonfr. Berl. Ent. Zetls, XXXVI, 1292, p. 281.
aS Type, Yangihissar, Dr, F Stoliczka,

Reg. No.
Seven specs., Reg:
T 2153754
Nos. Sore , ;
ais6_ 2159 aust_. 4 Co-types, ditto ditto.
1o ? Tm | no :
2165 2166
d TO

267 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

EE

186. Rhizotrogus frivaldszkyi, Ménétr.

Rhizotrogus frivaldszkyi, Ménétr., Bull. Ac. Petr. 1., 1836, p. 1505 Mém. Ac,
Peir, V, 1833, p. 24—Jacq. Duv. Gem. Col., III,
16, 7, 79-—Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop, IV, p. 1175.

ws carbonarius, Blanch., Cat. Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 148.—Burm.
Handb. \V, 2, p. 366.—Dej. Caz., 3 ed., p. 178.

» denebrtotdes, Frivaldszk, A’magyar tudds. Lars. 1835, p. 259e
elo ae ip

Reg. No. +**, Asia Minor, Herr E. Brenske, 26th

>

March 1892,

187. Rhizotrogus rufescens, Latr.

Rhizotrogus rufescens, Latr,, Hist, Crust. et Ins., 1802, X, p. 180.—Burm.
Flandb. IV, 2,p, 394.~ Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop. IV,
Pils.
“ ' semtrufus, Gyllenh, Schénhk. Syn. Ins. 1, 3, App» p- 91.

Reg. No. “2, Germany, Herr E, Brenske, 26th

be ee

March 1892.

188. Rhizotrogus ruficornis, Fabr.

Riizotrogus ruficornis, Fabr., Syst. Fnl., p. 33.—Ratzeb. Forst. Ins 1, p. 79>
?. 3, f.6.—Burm, Handb, IV, 2, p. 391.—Germ.
De. Cat., 3, ed., p. 178.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleoze
IVE 78%
ae marotnatus, Herbst., Liissl. Arch., IV, p. 14, 7. 19, 7, 22.-—Muls.
Col. Lamell., p. 454.

Pe paganus, Oliv., Ent. I, 5, p. 82, 2. 10, Ff. 116.
. Reg. No. 7°3? Gallia, Herr E. Brenske.

a?

189. Rhizotrogus solstitialis, Linn.

Khizotrogus solstitialis, Linn., Faun. Suec., p, 137.—Ratzeb. Forst. Ins.
p. 78, t.3,f: 5-—Burm, Handd. IV, 2, p. 385.—
Gem. Har, Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1178.
is aulumnalis, Fourer., Lut. Par. 1, p. 6.—Frisch. Beschr. Ins.
IX, p. 30, 4. 15, f. 1-5.

Reg. Nos. a »Germany, Herr E, Brenske, 26th
March 1892.

190. Rhizotrogus tauricus, Blanch.

Rhizotropus tauricus, Bianch., Cat, Coll. Ent, 1850, p. 146.—Burm, Handd.
IV, 2, p.379.—steven.' De; Cat, 3 ed, pi 175s
—Gem. Har, Cas. Coleop. IV, p. 1178.

=06 . A
Three specs,, Reg, Nos,’ , Crimea, unknown,

No. 5.) Atelolonthint contained in colln, of Indian Museum. 268

Genus: ANOXIA, Casteln.
(Cy phonotus, Fischr.)

gt. AnNOxia Orientalis, Kryn.

Anoxia orientalis, Krynick, Bull. Mose. 1V, 1832, p. 123.—Casteln. 7st.
nat. Wi, p, 132.—Burm. Hundb. JV, 2, p. 398.—
Ziegler Dej. Cat., 3 ed., p. 176.—Gem. Har. Cas
Coleop. IVGap: 1180.
Reg. No. <2, Syria, Herr E, Brenske, 26th March
1892.

192. Anoxia pilosa, Fabr.
Anoxia pilosa, Fabr., Syst. £1, I, p. 162.—Burm, Handb. IV, 2, p. 401.—
Gem. Har, Cav. ‘Coleop. INE. 1 oO.
» desert’, Lepech., Zaged. 1, p. 313, 7. 19, f. 17 (forte).
Reg. Nos. = ae and ee , Europe, Herr E.
Brenske, 26th March 1892.

193, Anoxia testacea, Pallas.

Anoxia testacea, Pallas, Jc. Ins. Ross. I, p. 19, ¢. B, fF. A. 22.—Burm.
Hand. IV, 2, p. 402. —Jaca. Duv. Gen. Col. III, 7. 15,
jf: 72.—Gem, Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1180.
anketert, Herbst., Kaf. Ill, p. 43, 2. 22, f.4.—Fisch. Lnt. Russ. I,
p- 212, t. Poe ek
Reg. No. -2=., Baluchistan, Dr. F. Maynard, 1896.

e

>

194. Anoxia villosa, Fabr.
Anoxia villosa, Fabr., Spec. Ins. App» p 496.—Oliv. Ent. I, 5, p. 13, 4.1,
yf. 4, a-c.—Burm. Hands. lV, 2, p. 400.—Gem. Har.
Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1180.
cerealis, Scopol., Del. Ins. insubr. 1, p. 49, 2. 21, jie 1B.
» glauca, Linn., Syst. Nat. Ed. Gmel.I, 4, p. 1583.
» ptlosa, Muls., Col. Lamell., p. 25.
Reg. Nos. 2, 7, “&4 and —3, Europe, Herr

aan? 13” 13

E. Brenske,.

bed

195. Anoxia Zemindar, Shp.
Anoxta zemindar, Sharp, Coleop. Heft, XV, p. 85.—Nonir, Berl. Ent,, Zetts.
XXXVII, 1892, pf. fs.
Reg? ‘No. a Bangalore, unknown,

Bushire, W. D. Cumming, Esq., oe
October 1897.

2» 9 = ag P

Indian Museum ‘Notes. (Vol. IV.

269

Genus: POLYPHYLLA, Harris.

196. Polyphylla fullo, Linn.

Poly phylia fullo, Linn., Faun, Suec., p. 137.— Herbst. Kaf, Wiyps 365/2e8
f. 1-2.,—Erichs Wat, Jns., Il, p, 660.—-De Haan.

Mem, Met. Colt, (p55 Sto 2s (a5; 530 /a ene
fc 4.—Gem, Har. Cat. Coleop. IV, p. 1181..
Reg. Nos. and %, Germany, Herr B. Winde, 5th ~
December 1885.
ditto ditto.

ks No. ©2; Europe,

-78
Nos, #22", Germany, Herr F. Brenske.

—————e

99 13

197. Polyphylla pulverea, Ballion.

Polyphyila pulverea, Ballion, Bull, Soc. Ent, Mosc. 1870, p. 342.—Nonfr.
Berl, Ent. Zeits. XX XVII, 1892, p. 285.

Reg. No. os Baluchistan, Dr. F. P. Maynard.

Genus: Hoplosternus, Guérin.

198. Hoplosternus bifurcatus, Brsk.

Foplosiernus bifurcatus, Brensk., Soc. Lint, Belg., 1896, p. 164.
, Reg. No. — N.-E. Frontier, unknown.

199. Hoplosternus chinensis, Guér.

Hoplosternus chinensis, Guér., Voy. Favor., p. 63, 7. 232, 7, 3.—Burm. Handd,
IV, 2, p. 40.—Hope, Zrans. Ent. Soc. IV, 1895,

p. 13.—Gen. Har. Car. Coleop. IV, p, 1182.
Reg. No. oe China, Dr. Cantor, East-Ind. Co.’s
Museum, 22nd September 18384.
Two unregistered specs. from unknown locality.

200. Hoplosternus flabellata, Shp.

Hoplosternus flabellata, Sharp, Hefte. Coleop. XV, p. 86.—Nonfr. Ber. Ent.
Zeils. XXXVII, 1892, p. 285.~Brensk. Ann. Soe.

Lint., Belg., XL, 1896, p. 164.

Reg. No. ~ ¢ Darjeeling, C. H. Dreyer, Esq., 2nd

March 1885,

if

No. 5.) Melolonthini contained in colln, of Indian Museum. 270

201. Hoplosternus furcicandus, Ancey.

Hoplosternus furcicandus, Ancey, Le Natural, 1881, p. 412.—Nonfr. Ber.
Lint. Zeits. XXXVI, 1892, p. 286.—Brensk. Ane.

Soc. Ent, Belg., XL, 1896, p. 163,
Reg. No. a Darjeeling, unknown.

727 9N. India, ditto.

29 ” 13?

>, Bunu, Gilgit (5,ooofeet), Dr. G. M.

3? 99 6?
Giles, Gilgit Expedition.
One unregistered spec. @ Sikkim, K. Skalsky, Esq.

202. Hoplosternus japonica, Harold.
Tloplosternus japonica, Harold, Ath. AMiss, ver. Bremen. IV, p. 291.—Nonfr.
Berl, Ent. Zetts, XXXVII, 1892, p. 285.
Reg. No, ==, Formosa, Surgn.-General R. Hungerford,

16th March 1882.
One unregistered spec. from Japan.

203. Hoplosternus leevipennis, Blanch.
Hoplosternus loevipennis, Blanch., Cat, Coll, Ent., 1850, , 158, Gem, Har.
Cat, Coleop. IV, p. 1182.
One unregistered spec., China?

204. Hoplosternus shillongensis, Brsk.

Hoplosternus shillongensis, Brensk. n. sp, Adss.

Reg, -No, %", Shillong, Shillong Museum.

Genus: MELOLONTHA, Fabr.

205. Melolontha argus, Burm.
Melolontha argus, Burm., Hand. IV, 2, p. 419. Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop.
IV, p. 1182,
Reg. No. , India, unknown.
One unregistered spec., Jahore, J. Meldrum, Esq.

2c6. Melolontha guttigera., Shp.

Melolontha guitigera, Sharp, Coleop. Heft. XV (Munchen), p. 87.
Reg. No. “*, Jalpaiguri, G. Shillingford, Esq., 1885.

3224, Kurseong, E. Barlow, Esq., zoth October

) ” 12

1889,

271 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

207. Melolontha hippocastani, Fabr.

Melolontha hippocastani, Fabr., Syst. El. Tl, p. 162,—Ratzeb. Forstins. I,

p. 76. ¢. 3,7. 3.—Erichs, Wat, dns., II, p. 673.—
Gem. Har. Caz. Coleop., 1V, p. 1182.
iss pectoralis, Megerle, Bemerk, zw. Iilig., 1812, p. 21.

Reg. Nos. “2, Europe, Herr E. Brenske, 26th
March 1892.

208. Melolontha pennata, Shp.

Melolontha pennata, Sharp, Coleop. Heft. (Munchen), p. 88.
One unregistered spec., Sikkim.

209. Melolontha rangunensis, Brsk.

Melolontha rangunensis, Brensk. n, sp., Ind. Mus. Notes, IV, 4, p. 179.

Reg. No. ae, Type (unique), Rangoon, spec. lent

to Herr E. Brenske.

210. Melolontha serrulata, Gyll.
Metolontha serrulaia, Gy\lenh., Schonk. Syn. Ins. 1, 3, App., p. 73.—Burm.

Hands. IV, 2, p. 418.—Gem. Har, Cat. Coleop. IV,
p. 1183.

3 difficilis, Dej., Caz. 3 ed., joy alah
»» manillarum, Blanch., Caz., Coll. Ent., 1850, p. 160.
Reg. No. 4%

;? Amoy, China, Dr. Hungerford, 19th April
1881,

211. Melolontha sulcipennis, Casteln.

Melolontha sulcipennis, Casteln., Hist. Nar, Il, p. 131.—Burm. Hands. TV a2
b- 418.—Eschsch. Dej. Caz., 3 ed., p. 176.
Reg. Nos. “2 and 3,

Philippine Is., East-Ind. Co.,
Museum,

212. Melolontha vulgaris, Fabr.

Melolontha vulgaris, Fabr., Syst. Ent, p. 32.—Ratzeb. Forstins. Tp. 635
?, 3, f. 1-2.—Erichs, Wars, Zns, III, p. 671; larva, 1. c.,
p. 669.—Gem. Har. Car. Coleop. IV, p. 1183,
2 majalis, Moll., nat. Brief. I, p. 170. .
BH melolontha, Linne., Faun. Suec., p. 136,—DeGeer, Mem, IV
ps 273) 2. 10,f. 14.” }
Reg. Nos, a and *#, France, Mons. F. Bouvier,
30th December 1884.
” ” ace and a8

13 737» Europe, Herr E, Brenske,
26th March 1892.

No. 5.) Alelolonthini contained in colln. of Indian Museum. 272

Genus; TRIN OXIA, Brenske.

213. Trinoxia cyphonotoides, Brsk.
Trinoxia cyphonotoides, Brensk., Mem. Soc. Ent., Belg., I, 1894, p. 81.

2640

Reg. No. —, $, N.-E. Frontier, unknown.

273 Indian Museum Notes. “— [Vol. Iv.

LIST OF GENERA.

Amphimallus, Muls, Lachnosterna, Hope.
Ancistrosoma, Curtis, Lasioserica, Brensk,
Ancylonycha, Blanch, Lepidiota, Hope,
Lepisia, Serville,

Anisonyx, Latreille,
Lepitrix, Serville,

Anoxia, Casteln,

Apogonia, Kirby. Leucopholis, Blanch.
Asactopholis, Brensk. Liparetrus, Guerin,

Brachyllus, Brensk. Melolontha, Fabr,

Brahmina, Blanch, Monochelus, Serville,

Clytia, Brensk. Odontria, White.

Cyphochilus, Waterh, Ophthalmoserica, Brensk. n. g.
Cy phonotus, Fischr. Otoclinius, Brensk.

Dejeania, Blanch, Pachycnema, Serville.
Dichelus, Serville. Peritrichia, Burm.
Diphucephala, Serville. Phyllotocus, Fischer.

Polyphylla, Harris.
Pseudotrematodes, Jacq. Duv.

Ectinohoplia, Redten.
_ Pyronota, Boisduval.

Empelatira, Brensk. n. g.

Eriesthis, Burm. |

Eucirrus, Melly. | Rhinaspis, Perty. .
Rhizotrogus, Latreille,

Goniaspidius, Burm.

Haplonycha, Blanch. Schizonycha, Blanch.
Heptophylla, Motsch. Serica, Mac Leay.
Heteronyx, Guerin. Stethaspis, Hope.
Holomelia, Brensk.

NEL BEOS, Hope. Tricholepis, Blanch.
Homaloplia, Stephens. Trinoxia, Brensk.
Hoplia, Illiger, Triodonta, Mulsant.

Hoplosternus, Guerin.

OO i,

if

No. 5.] Description of a new Pear-tree Aphis from Ceylon. 274

THE PEAR-TREE APHIS,

Lachnus pyri, Buckton.

By G. B. BUCKTON, F.R.S., ETc. ; WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY
E. E. GREEN, F.E.S., Honorary Consulting

Entomologist to the Government of Ceylon.

Plate No. XV1. .

In March of the present year (1898) I was requested to examine and
report upon specimens of a blight that was said to be attacking cultivated
Pear-trees in the Muvara Eliya district of Ceylon. I was subsequently able
to observe the insect zz si##. It proved to bea large species of Aphis
Occurring in large groups upon the stems and branches of the trees,— always,
apparently, upon the ripe wood. Where possible, the insects were massed
upon the lower or sheltered side; but they were present in such large numbers
that they frequently covered the whole surface of the stem. They secreted
an abundant supply of ‘honey-dew’ ; so much, that it collected into large
drops which ran down the stems and covered the adjacent leaves, attracting
numerous flies and other insects. I did not, however, notice any ants in
attendance upon this species. Nor were there any larve of Syrphus flies
preying upon them at the time. In places where the pest had taken complete
possession, they seemed to have cut off the supply of sap, with the result
that the ends of such branches presented a very sickly appearance, and in
some cases died back.

Female insects in all stages were present, though the winged adults were
comparatively scarce. No males could be found. Noeggs were observed
though the young larvee were very abundant. It is therefore probable that
the insect is viviparous.

If left unchecked this pest is likely to considerably weaken the trees.
But, being confined to the stems and branches, it can be very easily destroyed
by the use of any insecticide, such as one of the soapy emulsions, applied
with a large brush. Plain soap and water, applied very hot, is almost equally
effective, and would not injure the tree unless applied to the more tender
shoots. The pest may also be kept in check by crushing them with the
hand—or a piece of coarse sacking—on the first appearance of the colonies.

275 Indian Museum Notes. (Vol. IV.

In general appearance this insect approaches Lachnus platanicola, Riley,

a species that affects plane trees in North America. But as the pattern of _

spots on the body differs to some extent, I sent specimens to Mr. G. B. Buck-
ton, for determination. It proves to be a new species of Lachnus. From
the material submitted, Mr. Buckton has kindly prepared the appended
description. .

. Lachnus pyri n. sp.

Some interest attaches to this hitherto unobserved insect, inasmuch as it
forms another exception to the usual observation, that the Lachninz mostly
infest the conifer of a country. Its habit is to encrust the smaller branches
of the cultivated pear-trees at Muvara Eliya, Ceylon, much in the same
manner as the species Lachnus viminalis encrusts the bark of the willows of
Europe.

In Ceylon it appears to leave the foliage unattacked, but nevertheless
causes them to wither from exhaustion or probably by their occurrence in
thousands altering the character of the sap.

Apterous Larva (fig, 2).

Somewhat oval, constricted below the thorax, abdomen globose: vertex,
rather pointed, eyes large, antenna with two small vasal joints, followed by
two longer and obscurely jointed articulations. The terminal joints are as in
the genus Lachuus.

The whole body is rugose and furrowed, brown, with dark spots, showing
also distinct stomata. ‘There is a slight swelling or protuberance on the dor-
sum. Nectaries large and tuberculose, from which a secretion is poured,
much appreciated by ants and flies. Tail rounded, hirsute, as also are the
legs. These are stout, particularly the hind part. Rostrum long and reach-
ing nearly to the caseda.

General colour umber brown, more or less covered by a slaty-coloured
mealy coat. Femora ferruginous red. Tarsi black. Size = 35 x 2°5 mille-
metres.

Winged female (fig. b),

Much larger than the above, with much the same colour, however, on the
upper-side. ‘The under-side rather downy, and of a rusty red. Head small,
thorax and stirnum black. Antenne fine and short.

No. 5.] Description of a new Pear-tree Aphis from Ceylon. 276

———__..

Wings smoky with cubital vein twice forked. Stigma lengthened. Ab-
domen obscurely dotted with black.

This insect gives a fine crimson stain to Canada balsum and other resins:
Size of body 4'0 millemetres. Expanse 125 millemetres.

Note-—The above descriptions and measurements were made from exam-
ples that had become partly shrivelled in alcohol. I find that dimensions of
the living insect are slightly greater. The body, in both the apterous and
winged female adult, measures from 4°50 to 5;0 mm. The expanded wings
in a well developed example, cover nearly 16:0 mm.

Examples of the winged females collected in June (fig. d) seem to be
more brightly coloured than those of the March brood.
The bases of both wings are thickly clouded with black: there is a small

yellow patch at the base of the costa on the fore-wing; and the elongate
stigma is almost jet black.

Mr. Buckton does not appear to have described the apterous adult. It
differs from the larva chiefly in size, the length of the body being about
4950mm. The abdomen is swollen and smoothly rounded, showing no seg-
mental divisions ; though the position and number of the segments is plainly
indicated by the series of large round black spots (fig. e). The cornicles
are abruptly truncate, with a not very prominent median papilla. Antenne
with six joints; the first and second shortest; the third very long; the fourth
to sixth sub-equal, together scarcely exceeding the third.

fig. a. Half-grown larva drawings from shrivelled specimens
» 8. Winged female, March brood by Mr. G: B. Buckton.
» ¢ antenna, :
» 4d. Winged female, June brood \ drawn from living specimens by
» € Apterous adult, ,, a Mr. E. Ernest Green.

(fig. e is drawn to a larger scale than fg. d).

277 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

NOTES:ON TWO NEW. SPECIES OF AREIDS-
BY Go B- BU CRON aurts- cic:
1, Chattophorus maculatus’ n. sp.
Plate No. XVII (jig. 1).

Head and pronotum honey-yellow; front broad between the eyes and
bristly, eyes large and red. Body pink or yellowish, tuberculose, and
furnished with capitate hairs. Nectaries short and hardly visible, tail blunt.
The upper-side garnished with numerous brown spots disposed in vertical rows
down the dorsum. Antennz about the length of the body. Legs honey-
yellow, hind and front femora rather dilated. The sides of the thorax in some
specimens are swollen.

The wings are short, rounded at the tips, and veined as in Chatsophorus.

The stigma is large and punctured, nervures slightly clouded at their termi-
nations.

Size of apterous female 2°0 millemetres.

Infests Medicago sativa in Jodhpur, India.

z. A NEW ROOT-FEEDING APHIS.
Ehizobius jujube x. sp.
Plate No. XVII (fig. 2).

Burmeister formed the genus Rhizobius to include certain aphides having
subterranean habits, and amongst other characteristics seemed to be apterous
in all their metamorphoses. Since his day Lechtenstein and others have
conclusively shown that many insects of this family have both <erial and
under-ground habits as illustrated by Aphis subterranea and the destructive
Phylloxera vas/atrix of Europe and America,

1 Specimens were forwarded to the Indian Museurn in March 1897 by the Superintendent
of Forests, Marwar, as destructive to lucerne grass (Medicago sativa) in Jodhpur, E. B.

No. 5.] Note on two new spectes of Aphids from India. 278

———L

But the life-history of these Rhizobiingo is still obscure, and for a time it
will be well to retain the genus, as Kaltenbach has done. I now describe
an Aphis feeding in plenty on the roots of Zigyphus jujub@ in the
neighbourhood of Kaladhughi, India. They were collected some two or
three years ago by Mr. Octavius Greig.

Rhizobius jujube n. sp.—Long, oval, hirsute, and of a rich brown
colour; the smaller individuals being paler. Antennz very short, with

five joints, the terminal joint being somewhat clavate and ending with two
sete.

Eyes close to the insertion of the antenne, very small and not faceted.
Nectaries absent. Legs stout and short, tarsi with one claw only. Rostrum
reaching to the second coxe.

The young are much smaller and are much more aphis-like in general
form.

The companies were attended by ants, but for what purpose it is not clear,
since the Aphides do not possess nectaries to pour out “honey dew.”

Size 16 x 7 millemetres.

279 Indian Museum Notes. [Vol. IV.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW PARASITIC TACHINID
Fu: FROM CEYLON.
BY D. W. COQUILLETT.
COMMUNICATED BY E. E. GREEN, F.Es.
Plate No. XVUI (fig. 1).

EHxorista heterusice,' Coquillett, new species.

3 ¢ black, the apical two-thirds of the palpi and a spot on sides of the
second and third abdominal segments, yellowish. Front in the male two-
fifths, in the female three-fifths, as wide as either eye, the sides gray polli-
nose, orbital bristles present in the female, wanting in the male, frontal
bristles descending to base of third antennal joint, face whitish pollinose,
vibrissze on a level with the front edge of the oral margin, four or five bristles
above each, cheeks one-seventh as broad as the eye-height; antenne nearly
_as long as the face, the third joint two and one-half times as long as the
second, arista thickened on the basal third, its- penultimate joint scarcely
longer than broad, palpi greatly thickened apically. Thorax gray pollinose,
marked with four black vitte; four postsutural and three sternopleural
macrochetz, but the lowest of the latter sometimes very small; scutellum
bearing four marginal pairs, of which the hindmost pair is cruciate and
directed obliquely backward. Abdomen subshining, broadly whitish pollinose
on the bases of the last three segments, except a black dorsa] vitta, macro-
chetze of the first three segments only marginal. Hind tibiz outwardly
ciliate, middle tibize each bearing a single macrocheeta on the front-side near
the middle, front pulvilli of male as long as the last tarsal joint. Wings
hyaline, slightly gray at the base, third vein bearing two or three brisiles
at its base, bend of fourth vein destitute of an appendage; calypteres whitish.
Length 6 to 9 mm. One male and three females. Pussellawa. Ceylon,
Bred from He/erusta cingala,? Moore, by Mr. E. E. Green, F.E.S., Honorary
Government Entomologist, Ceylon.

1 This lachinid fly is said to have done good service in checking the ravages of the tea
pest Heterusia cingala, Moore, in Ceylon. Specimens received trom the Pussellawa district,
were found to be so thoroughly infested by it that from over one hundred of the caterpillars not

more than half a dozen moths were reared by Mr.Green. In some cases as Many as ten pupz

of the fly were found in the dead cccoons.

2 The caterpillar of this moth periodically occurs in very large numbers, and sometimes
completely defoliates the tea bushes over a large acreage in Ceylon (for an illustration of the
pest, See Plate XVIII, fig. 2.)

G 1. C. P. O.—No., 291 R. & A—13-10-99.—D. R.—1,000

a
———-

PLATE I

G.C. Chuckraburtty, del.

ASSAMIA DENTATA, N. Sp.

Photo-etchins from the original drawings—Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, July 1895.

} PLATE II.
rae 7 7 ee 7

4
G. C. Chuckraburtty, del.
1. MARUCA TESTULALIS, GEYER. 3. THIACIDAS POSTICA, WALK.
2. PERINA NUDA, FABR. 4. HYPSA ALCIPHRON, CRAM.
f 5. HYMENIA RECURVALIS. FABR.

Photo-etching from the original drawings —Surve y of India Offices, Caleutta, July 1895.

PLATE III.

| Noshibee hs ssdbstaly, bee
} aK Ee;
sh PRIMI SF [a
s
ef ..
fii
1:
G. C. Chuckraburtty, del.
1. MAHASENA GRAMINIVORA, N. Sp. 3. RHOPALOSIPHUM DIANTHI, SCHR.
2. KUMETA CRAMERI, WESTW. 4. MILLEPEDE.

Photoe-ctching from the original drawings —Survey of India Offices, Caleutta, July 1895.

‘ 5
aa Eee 8

eee
= ’ . "
: : : ae
,, y iy ae
E « : : I . ,
Sore) ao 3 : :
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s *.: . 3
a SB ’ , 7
1 : :
. % A :
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ie 2
© LS. :
+ a) :
t : ;
’ = .

PLATE. IV.

Photo-etching -Survey of India Offices Calcutta, November 1896.

G.C.Chuckraburtty, del.

1. PEMPHIGUS NAPAUS W. Sp. 2. PEMPHIGUS IMMUNIS N. Sp.

PLATE V.
nT, pire cal |

G.C. Chuckraburtty, del Photo-etching - Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, November 1896

1, THOSHA RECTA,HAMPS 3. CARTERIA DECORELLA, MASK.
Ip, ICHNEUMONID PARASITE OF THOSEARECTA. 4.5YNCLERA MULTILINEALIS.GUEN.
2, XYLOBORUS FORNICATUS, EICHHOF 5, DACTYLOPIUS LONGIFILIS,COMSTOCK.

a

a
= a

°
5
= a
4

*

___PLATE VI.

\ : L eee
G.C.Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching- Survey of India Offices,Caleutta, November 1896.

1. PODONTIA 14-PUNCTATA, LINN. 2. ASPIDIOTUS FICUS, (RILEY) COMSTOCK.
3. ARGAS REFLEXUS, FABR.

i
|
|
|
i

G. C. Cluckraburtty, del. Photo-etching, Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, May, 1898.

1. CRYPTOPHLEBIA CARPOPHAGA, WLSM,W. Sp.
2. KREUNETIS? SEMINIVORA, WLSM, WN. Sp:

PLATE VI.

G. C. Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching, Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, May, 1898.

lL. MYLLOCERUS MACULOSUS, De. d. Log. N. Sp
a2.; MYLLOCKERUS SETULIFER, De.d.Log N. Sp.
3. LEUCOMIGUS ANTENNALIS. FAUST.

PLATE TX.

WA

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nM if} if
H) |
}
Hi
HM
ii)
i
i
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!

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G.C. Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching, Survey of India Offices, Caleutta, May; 1898.

1, STRAWSON'S ‘CORONETTE” 4. STRAWSON'S "NOTUS”
4. VERMORELS TORPILLE” Sete enne 0) oe Dae AIN CTE ry:
3 De CLAIR: 6. CHISWICK COS SPRAYER.

“Pp Anmgenpnyy 9 9

(2

‘MIV'IOG, STHUONYMAA ONISN AITOOD

PLATE xX

Bt
BG y ) a
2) vie

EPP
Jk
re

=

“iy

2

ip)
“
%

“geRT Sept EnnaTR9 ‘seotgo erpuy jo Keaung ‘Sumpye-cjomg

PLATE XI

G. C. Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching, Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, May, 1898.

ACANTHOPSYCHE (BRACHYCYTTARUS) SUBTERALBATA, HMPS.
LEPTISPA PYGMAEA, BALY.

ARABOCERUS FASCICULATUS, DEGEER:
ADORETUS CARDONI, BRENSKE

OD

PLATE Xi

aj

SOS SSS SiS

coo

SFesgo0d

io)

ofl Co

Sos

S

he

lo

a)

G.C. Chuckraburtty, del.

Photo-etching, Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, May, 1898.

1. ALEURODES BARODENSIS MASKELL,

VAR, AURANTIL,

ELL,

. KUGENTAE MASKELL
COTESIL MASK

ED eee

2
i

webb HSS ts badctalt

PLATE XI.

G.C Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching Survey of India Offices.Calcutta, March 1839.
1 HOLOTRICHIA IMITATRIX, BRSK N. Sp. 3 SERICA (CAM CUMEAK BIN SIKe NE SS\oy
2. HOLOTRICHIA ANDAMANA, BRSK.N. Sp. 4. SERICA ASSAMENSIS, BRSK. N. Sp.

PLATE XIV.

G.C.Chuckraburtty, del.

1 HUPROCTIS LATIFASCIA, WALK. 3. THOSEA DIVERGENS, MOORE.
a4 THOSEA CERVINA, MOORE. 4 BELIPPA LOHOR, MOORE.

_ PLATE XV,

G.C.Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etchin? “Survey of India Offices,Calcutta, January 1809.

lL CREMASTOGASTER ROGENHOFERI, MAYR.
2. PLUTELLA MACULATA,CURT.
3. ERIOCOCCUS PARADOXUS, VAR. INDICA,MASK.

PLATE XV

G.C.Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etching Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, February 189°

LACHNUS PYRI BUCKTON, N. Sp.

a

PLATE XVI.

G6. Chuckraburtty, del.

|
Photo-etching - Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, Mebruary 1899.

1. CHAITOPHORUS MACULATUS BUCKTON. W. Sp.
2. RHIZOBIUS JUJUBAE. BUCKTON. W Sp.

PLATE XVII.

G.C.Chuckraburtty, del. Photo-etchingé— Survey of India Offices, Calcutta, February 1893.

1. EXORISTA HETERUSIAE COQUILLETT M. Sp.
f a. HETERUSIA CINGALA MOORE.

ee.

Be

HB
i

-

JUN 4 1903, / aie aie

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES.
| sae Po

ISSUED BY THE TRUSTEES.

EDITED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

aoc ume IV.—No. 6.

CONTAINING THE TITLE PAGE, TABLE OF CONTENTS,
AND INDEX TO THE VOLUME,

Published by Authority of the Government of Endia,
Bepariment of Rebenve and Agriculture.

CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA.
1900,

Siice Foue Annas.

.

Indian Museum Publications relating to Economic Entomology

issued by the Government of India in the Department of Revenue 2 =

and Agriculture. :

# a.

II Indian Museum Notes, Vol. 1, 1889 to 1891 ; Bp Wee |
23 » » » IL, 1891 and1893 «=. 7 12
93 39 ) ps 1893 to 1896 e «33.20

29 33 ) 937% IV, 1896 to 1900 * - 5 4

The above publications can be had on application to the Superin«
tendent, Government Printing, India, Calcutta.

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