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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. JULY, 1889.

Wrol, I. IN Gace.
eee

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST
AND HIS ASSISTANTS,

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1889.

feo eer ARIMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. JULY; 18°9.
Wools LT. iN oe t.

INSECT LIFE.

(DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
| ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST

AND HIS ASSISTANTS,

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOR,
1889,

BIW? INS
U.S. NATLO ROSY

= H. S. BARBER
COLLECTION

SPHCTIALANOTES' =f2c-2 sc elethio Se Beta Bow Eee a oe eee ic oa Ee ec ermerets
ARSENICAL POISONS FOR THE PLUM AND PEACH CURCULIO..-.-- S. A. Forbes. -
REPORT OF A TRIP TO INVESTIGATE BUFFALO GNATS ....------ C. LL. Marlatt. .
NOTES ON NOISES MADII BY JUUPIDOPTDRA:5-2=.----------s5== Henry Edwards...

A LETTER ON ICERYA PURCHASI

American Insecticides in India.—Sciapteron robinie in Cottonwood in Wash-
ington Territory.—A Fodder Worm in the South.—Col. Pearson’s
Method of fighting Rose Beetles.—Lyctus sp. in Bamboo.—The Texas
Cattle-tick.—The Boll Worm in Texas.—A cosmopolitan Flour Pest.—
Mites on a Neck-tie.—The Potato Beetle in the South.—Swarming of
Urania boisduvalii in South America.—Letter on the proposed ‘‘Ameri-
can Entomologists’ Union.” ,
STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, ETC..-Lord Walsingham..
GENERAL ANOTIES \ 2/5 cnc oro 2 ee meee alae 2 ae ie aoe EE Cee ee eee
Two local Outbreaks of Locusts.—Tent Caterpillar in Arkansas.—The
Thistle Caterpillar in Washington Territory.—The Cecropia Silk-worm
again.—Spraying for the Elm Leaf-beetle.—The Dingy Cutworm.—The
European White Grub.—A Wheat Pest in Cyprus.—The Entomological
Society of Washington.
2

23
oh

Vol. II, No. 1.) INSECT LIFE. ‘[Buly, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

With this number we commence the second volume of INSECT LIFE.
The last number was somewhat delayed by the preparation of the ex-
tensive indices, which, however, we feel will greatly increase the value
of volume I. Largely through the kindness of the authorities of the
Government Printing Office we were able to print the numbers during
the past year more regularly and promptly than we had anticipated,
and we hope to continue this regularity through the coming volume.
As stated in the salutatory to the first volume, however, the force of
the Division of Entomology is so actively engaged during the larger
part of the year with field work and experimentation that some lack of
promptness in publication can not but ensue. The publication of the
bulletin met with even more favor than we had hoped at the start,
and almost no adverse comments have reached oureye. The only criti-
cism which we have noticed was published in the review column of the
Atlantic Monthly, in which slight exception was taken to the idea of
the publication of a magazine by the Government, which by its free

distribution would compete on unfairly advantageous terms with pri-

vate enterprises. We have no comment to make except that the va-
rious branches of the Government are constantly publishing bulletins,
many of which differ but slightly in character from this, so that if the
title-page were only slightly changed, INSEcT LIFE would escape all
criticism of this kind. We trust that the interest of our readers will
continue, and that the tendency which INSEcT LIFE has so far shown,
to increase the correspondence, and therefore the range of benefit of
the Division of Entomology, will also continue.

South African Insects—That indefatigable worker, Miss Kleanor A.
Ormerod, has just brought out privately a little work entitled “‘ Notes
and Descriptions of a Few Injurious Farm and Fruit Insects of South
Africa.” The book is published by Simpkin, Marshall & Co., of Lon-

don, and the price is 2s.6d, The descriptions and identifications of the
1

2
insects are by Mr. Oliver E. Janson, and the species are figured in
nearly all instances. Many items of interest strike us in glancing
through the pages, and while many of the species seem to be vicarious
with our own in the damage which they do, but one (barring scale
insects) seems to be identical with any American injurious species.
This is the Diamond-back Moth (Plutella eruciferarum), which damages
cabbage in the East Province. The Fluted Scale (Icerya purchasi) of
course occupies a considerable space, while the Flat Scale (Lecanium
hesperidum) is also mentioned.

Among the vicarious pests may be mentioned the Orange Fly (Cera-
titis citriperda), which damages oranges in the same way as does the
Morelos Orange Fly (Trypeta ludens—see INSECT LIFE, Angust, 1888,
page 45); the Orange Butterfly (Papilio demoleus), which works upon
the foliage of the Orange in the same way that the Orange Dog (Papilio
cresphontes) works in Fiorida; the Bean Seed-weevil (Bruchus subarma-
tus?), which damages beans just as does the Bean Weevil (Bruchus obso-
letus) in America; a large Cantharid (Mylabris oculata), which injures
beans and peas in a similar manner to the damage done by Meloids in
the West; and the Cetoniid (Rhabdotis semipunctata), which injures figs
and peaches just as does the “ Fig Eater” (Allorhina nitida) in our
Southern States.

Professor Forbes’ Correction.— We are glad to make room in this num-
ber for an article received from Professor Forbes which corrects a state-
ment in the article on the Plum Curculio in the Annual Report of the
Department for 1888. Our information in the Annual was derived from
a newspaper report which we supposed reliable.

A Phase of Buffalo Gnat Injury.—A report by Mr. Marlatt on a trip made
in April, published in the present number, is comparatively interest-
ing as indicating an unexpected result of certain operations by the
Army engineers. We have already published Mr. G. A. Frierson’s
letter concerning this peculiar case (see INSECT LIFE, April, 1889, Vol.
J, page 313), and in the light of Mr. Marlatt’s observations our opinion
there published is confirmed. It is a hard case, and the only remedy
can come through Congress in the shape of an item in the river and
harbor appropriation bill.

Bibliography of American Economic Entomology,—The first part of this
long-delayed work is now being printed, and the second part will prob-
ably be in the printer’s hands by the close of the year, The preparation

3

of this work has been in the hands of Mr. Samuel Henshaw, of Boston,
for the past two years, and the first part, just now being printed, com-
prises the writings of B. D. Walsh and C. V, Riley.

Bulletin on Root-knot Disease in Florida.—This bulletin, mentioned in
our Special Notes in the last number of INSEcT Lirs, has been delayed
for the plates, which the printer could not have executed until after
July 1. We hope soon, however, to have it ready for distribution.

ARSENICAL POISONS FOR THE PLUM AND PEACH CURCULIO.
By S. A. Forbes

The following report of results of my recent experimental work on the
‘common peach curculio is intended to correct and complete a reporter’s
summary of remarks made in August, 1883, at a meeting of the Cen-
tral Illinois Horticultural Society, at Champaign, as republished in the
last Report of the U. S. Entomologist, page 75. The experiments there
alluded to were not generalized by me, but were described as merely
preliminary to a much more elaborate series which I have since carried
through.

The object of these experiments has been to ascertain some details of
the food and feeding habits of the curculio and to test its sensibility to
arsenical poisons when distributed on the trees which the insect fre-
quents. In the case of the peach it was important also to find what
amount of these poisons the leaves might receive without marked injury,

FEEDING EXPERIMENTS.

June 15, 1888, plum ecureulios confined with plum leaves. June 16,
one observed making a deep, sharp, oblong excavation in the midrib;
Similar work on other midribs, petioles, and stems. Beetles also seen
gnawing the surfaces of the leaves, especially the fresher terminal ones.
Leaves removed and green plums substituted. June 19, plums pep-
pered with holes, some containing eggs, others not. July 2, fresh lot of
beetles imprisoned with both leaves and green plums. The next day
both had been eaten, the plums perhaps the more freely.

Several examples taken April 14, 1889, before peach trees were in
bloom, were proven by dissection to have last fed on dead vegetation, as
shown by the absence of chlorophyl and the presence of some of the
fungi of decomposition. Curculios confined April 19, with both dead
and living peach leaves, fed only on the latter, not having touched the
dead leaves at the end of three days. Peach blossoms being placed in
the cage, with fresh leaves also, April 22, both were freely eaten at once,
the blossoms being, however, evidently preferred. Both calyx and

4

corolla were perforated with small round holes, and eaten away from
the edge.

Three specimens taken in southern Illinois were dissected April 23,
and found to contain vegetable tissues, chiefly of leaves (as shown by
the fragments of spiral vessels), without fungi and with more or less
chloryphyl. Vegetable hairs and peculiar pollen grains, not those of
fruit blossoms, were also recognized.

Thinking it possible that the curculio might feed on flowers somewhat
indiscriminately, we put a number under a bell glass with roses in full
bloom. The next day, May 19, the petals were much eaten, and two
days later calyx and peduncles had likewise been attacked. The rose
leaves were net injured. When rose blooms and peach leaves together
were offered the imprisoned beetles, they fed freely on both.

Again, May 23, curculios were confined with both bush honeysuckles
and snowballs in blossom. The next day the honeysuckle blossoms
were eaten, and on the second day those of the snowball also. On the
other hand, beetles shut up with peach leaves and peony flowers ate
the peach at once, as usual, but refused the peony entirely, not having
eaten it at all after ten days.

INSECTICIDE EXPERIMENTS.

My first experiments with insecticides for the curculio alone were
made July 6, 1888. Two lots were placed under glass, with leaves and
green fruit of the plum, the food of one being sprayed with Paris green,
1 pound to 50 gallons of water, and the other not, The first beetle died
in the poisoned lot July 9, and the next day all were dead, the check
lot continuing without loss. July 28 a similar experiment was made
with Paris green, 1 pound to 100 gallons, applied until the leaves began
to drip. The poiscned beetles commenced to die the next day, and five
of the six were dead on the 31st. In the check lot of six, on the other
hand, only one was dead.

An experiment begun with 1 pound to 200 gallons was unavoidably
suspended in two days, before results were reached.

Next, April 19, 1889, a lot of curculios, greatly exhausted by long con.
finement in transit, were divided into five lots--the first, of twenty-four,
a check; the second and third of twelve each, the fourth of nine, and the
fifth of twelve. The food of the second lot was treated with Paris green
mixed with water at the rate of 1 pound to 100 gallons; that of the
third, with a pound to 200 gallons; the fourth, a pound to 300, and the
fifth, a pound to 500 gallons. |

The previous hardships of the check lot caused many of them to die,
most of them having been insensible, in fact, when first released; but
the effeets of the poisons were nevertheless evident, as shown by the
subjoined table:

5

Paris-green experiment No. 1, April 19, 1889.

Check lot. | 11b. to 100 gals. | 1 1b. to 200 gals. | 1 1b. to 300 gals. | 1 1b. to 500 gals.

Died. aes
Number used, | Number used, | Number used, | Number used, | Number used,

24, 12. IPs 9. 12.

A\nim) O22). se cosseesoallosocoooppeemone 3 3 1 2
18) SR SAR OSe SoIae 2 | Brace oe te 2 3
Mike esaqenocesee io 2 3 2 ih
7s se SAGE SSE Oe Seo nooCODDa SoS 2 4 2 3
PD Ppp Soeee 3 1 Daa so hewelniocceistelon 1
PAHS OSO CSE ADE 2 Oh aoe Ses Sea os hee 1 1
OEE sisniaeta inte = Oh lesscdeeinc tone se-| SNeee setae ese 1 1
ofalt <<)... 10 12 | 12 9 12

May 4 this experiment was repeated with a fresher lot of beetles, with
more marked results, curculios commencing to die two days after treat-
ment in all the poisoned lots but one, all of one lot being dead in nine
days, and in ten days all of every poisoned lot but a single beetle. In
the check lot, meanwhile, only one had died.

Paris-green experiment No. 2, Mag 4, 1889.

|
Check lot. | 11b. to 100 gals. | 11b. to 200 gals. | 1 1b. to 300 gals. | 11b. to 500 gals.

| |

Died. _ |
Number used, | Number used, | Number used, | Number used, | Number used,
12. i2: 12" 22. 22.

BPN OR WN
Om RO Doe

Total ......:| 1 12 12 | 22 21

In both the above experiments, as also in the following, peach leaves
were used as food, and these were sprayed but once.

All strengths of the poison mixture here killed the beetles feeding
on it, the difference being seen in the rapidity with which they took
effect. In four days from poisoning the ratios killed were 42 per cent.
in lot two, 33 per cent. in lot three, 27 per cent. in lot four, and 18 per
cent. in lot five.

Finally, May 17, a still more extensive experiment was begun with
London purple, three hundred and forty-seven curculios being divided
into five lots as before, their treatment differing from that of the-fore-
going only in the substitution of London purple for Paris green. The
results were rendered, however, somewhat less satisfactory by the late-
ness of the season, which probably accounts for the number of deaths in
the check. Other parallel observations led to the conclusion that spent

6

adults, doubtless the earliest to emerge, were already beginning to die
spontaneously. The experiment was continued for cight days, when all
the cureulios of the first lot were dead, and nearly all of the other
poisoned lots,a fourth of the check having also perished.

London purple experiment, May 17, 1889.
} ’ y le,

|

Check lot. 1 1b. to 100 gals. 1 1b. to 200 gals. 1 1b. to 300 gals.|1 1b to 5.0 gals.

Died. ite areas y pera
| Number used, | Number used, Number used, |Number used, | Number used,

47. 100. 1uu. 50. | 50.

Mayil0 assc0s- sik | sceeneeeee sate Dee 35 | 37 16 12
Dio ayaoee tacos | OSapuseenacocee 18 19 | 4 | 6
OT aaa ene eae rh 18 10 2 | 4
Oana eas lacaeeomesnor ence 10 | 11 9 | 10
Oo erase econas 5 5 7 7 8
245: Z 4 6 5 3 5
Total esa 10 92 89 41 | 45

EFFECT ON THE FOLIAGE.

Tt is well known to fruit-growers that the leaves of the peach are
much more sensitive to the scorching effect of the arsenical poisons
than those of the apple or plum, and it is important to know just how
strong a mixture of the common arsenical insecticides that tree will
bear under favorable, and also under unfavorable, conditions. My
experiments on this point are incomplete, but they are given here for
what they are worth:

First. Two branches of a peach tree were sprayed May 18 with Lon-
don purple mixtures, a pound to 100 and a pound to 200 gallons, re-
spectively. A week later no noticeable difference could be made out
between the condition of the two branches, the tips of the leaves in
both being somewhat deadened and dry. May 20 identical applica-
tions were made, with no apparent effect on the foliage by May 22.
Heavy rains followed, and ne further observations were made.

June 6 two other branehes were sprayed as before. A heavy rain
followed June 8, and more upon the 9th.
the poison were somewhat apparent on both branches, reddish discol-
orations occurring where the fluid had gathered in drops and also along
the margins of the younger leaves. Further rains occurred on the 16th
and 17th. On the 18th the discolored spots had increased in size,
those on the branch sprayed with the stronger solution being somewhat
larger and more numerous. No leaves had fallen, but those worst
affected were easily detached, and doubtless would have fallen event-
ually. This loosening of the leaves was evidently due, not to damage to
the petiole, but to premature ripening of the leaf,* consequent on the
chemical injury to the blade. June 8 two other branches were sprayed

* Ascertained by studying sections of the petiole,

On the 10th the effects of

7

as before, substituting Paris green for London purple in both mixtures.
Light rain followed the same day, and more on the 9th. On the 10th
a scorching of the leaves was somewhat evident, a little more so where
the stronger mixture was used, while on the 18th the condition of the
foliage was practically the same as on those branches treated with Lon-
don purple—if anything, a little less severely injured. There was also a
barely perceptible difference in favor of the weaker mixture. Suppos-
ing that all the worst injured leaves were rendered practically useless
to the tree, the loss of foliage would probably amount to 4 or 5 per cent.

There can certainly be no further question of the liability of the cur-
culio to poisoning by very moderate amounts of either London purple
or Paris green while feeding on the leaves and fruit of peach or plum;
but much additional experiment is needed to test the possibility of pre-
venting serious injury to these fruits by this means. The pupal hiber-
nation and late appearance of a considerable percentage of the curcu-
lios make it possible that sprayings must be several times repeated, and
perhaps carried further into the season than is consistent with safety ;
and the limit of tolerance of these poisons by the peach under ordina-
rily trying circumstances has not been clearly ascertained. Further,
the observations above reported on the food plants of the curculio make
it likely that, in nature, a smaller proportion of the food of these bee-
tles comes from the peach or plum than has hitherto seemed probable,
and that poisons there applied would kill less certainly. It seems worth
while to make the attempt to attract the adult to flowering plants in
the orchard other than the peach, with the hope of poisoning it there
(especially late in the season) without using these dangerous insecticides
on fruits afterwards to be eaten.

REPORT OF A TRIP TO INVESTIGATE BUFFALO GNATS.

By C. L. MARtatt, Assistant.

WASHINGTON, D. C., April 22, 1889.

Str: In aceordance with your letter of instruction of April 5, 1889, I proceeded to
Frierson’s Mill, La., and studied, as far as the conditions would permit, the relation
of the raft of logs in Bayou Pierre to the injurious abundance of the gnats in that
immediate locality. Examination was also made to determine the feasibility of re-
moving the raft to prevent the further breeding of the gnats thereon.

I wish here to express my thanks to Mr. G. A. Frierson and brothers for their kind
hospitality, and for the efficient aid rendered by them in the investigation of the raft
and bayou.

Respectfully,
C. L. MARLATT.

Brot Cove kun Ey,

U.S. Entomologist, Washington, D. C.

As you had surmised would be the ease, the Buffalo gnats had already
disappeared when I arrived at Frierson’s Mill. A few Turkey Guats

8

were observed about horses and cattle, but it was evidently somewhat
early for this species to be about abundantly.

The severity of the attacks of the Buffalo Gnat the present season
was plainly indicated by the general emaciated condition of the cattle
and mules—the effect also of the repeated application of oils.on the
latter being shown on many of them by the loss of large patches of hair.
The remaius of smudge fires were frequently seen in the vicinity of the
negro houses and through the woods. In addition to these visible indi-
cation of the Simulium attacks was the unvarying testimony to that
effect of the planters and negroes questioned, all of whom ascribed the
abundance of the gnats to the presence of the raft, and manifested no
little anxiety to have the Government take measures to prevent the
yearly recurrence of this pest.

As shown in the letter from Mr. G. A. Frierson, and also by my own
inquiries, the planters have, from their extended experience with the
gnats, learned how to prevent loss of stock, by the use of train oil to
which a small amount of sulphur is commonly added for the work ani-
mals; and smudge fires for cattle, sheep, ete. But the annoyance dur-
ing the six weeks of the spring from the immense swarms of gnats,
practically stopping field work, and also preventing the stock from
feeding, can not be avoided.

As shown later the raft was formed in 1872-73. The gnats were not
especially troublesome, however, previous to the spring of 1885, since
which time they have appeared in increasing numbers every year.
They seem to have extended the present season 5 to 10 miles out from the
bayou, swarming in greater numbers on cleared and particularly on
meadow land.

As indicating the abundance and probable source of the gnats the
present year, the report of several planters living near the raft is here
recorded, viz, that the water in the neighborhood of the logs in the
time of the greatest abundance of the gnats seemed to be in ebullition
from the great numbers of flies constantly popping to the surface.

A heavy rain on the day of my arrival (April 13) prevented an imme-
diate examination of the raft and bayou, and, unfortunately for my
work, the rain continued with increased violence during the night and
part of the day following. The bayou became much swollen, rising, in
fact, nearly up to the high-water mark of the spring (February and
March) floods, and 6 to 8 feet above the level of the few weeks pre-
vious, during which the Buffalo Gnats had been abundant. By this
means much of the raft, and especially that portion likely to bear evi-
dences of the gnats, either as eggs, larvae, or cocoons, was covered with
water; and as the raft consisted of large logs tightly wedged together,
it was impossible to remove them for examination with the means at
hand, except in a few instances. The floating portion of the raft was
not likely to contain cocoons in any quantity, and larvee were not found
on these logs, although they afforded excellent breeding places 1n the

9

numerous whirls of water caused by the rapid current of the stream
impinging against them.

Careful and continued search on April 15 over 2 or 3 miles of the
lower portion of the raft, near Lake Cannisnia, resulted in the finding
of a few isolated cocoons on logs which were partially upright, and thus
projected several feet into the water. Logs so placed, and possible of
removal for examination, were not commonly met with. Nearly all of
the floating logs extended lengthwise on the surface of the water, being
submerged but a few inches, and hence did not afford suitable condi-
tions for the cocoons, and if larve of the buffalo gnat were on the logs
their small size prevented their discovery.

On the day following (April 16) that portion of the raft near Red
Bluff was examined, and here again were found excellent breeding
places for Simulium larve, viz, a swift current striking against the
logs and rubbish of the raft forming innumerable whirls and eddies,
and somewhat better success attended our search here. On submerged
branches, twigs, ete., which projected several feet below the surface of
the water and which were evidently raised with the floating lower por-
tion of the raft, were found large numbers of cocoons (some few of which
contained pup) and larvie. <A few cocoons and larve were also found
attached to water plants growing from the logs. These specimens were
found only where the current set strongly against the raft, this causing
the riffles known to be necessary for the larval and pupal existence of
Simulium species.

The larvee and pup found proved to be largely if not altogether those
of the Turkey Gnat (S. meridionale Riley). Many of the larvee did not
exceed 1™™ in length, were almost hyaline and apparently but recently
hatched (?); others were full grown, and spinning cocoons. These
larvie were found attached to the smaller branches and twigs which
were in nearly every instance already thickly crowded with cocoons.
It is probable from the association of the Turkey Gnat larve with most
of the deserted cocoons that the latter had contained the earlier ap-
pearing gnats of this species. Some few of the cocoons may have been
those of the Buffalo Gnat, as also some of the minuter larvee, but this
could not be satisfactorily determined.

The height of the water prevented any satisfactory examination of
the trees and shrubs growing near the bayou, but wherever possible
branches or vines so situated and extending into the water were drawn
out and examined. No evidence of gnats, however, was found.

Mr. G. A. Frierson has promised to look for cocoons here as soon as
practicable. The reported appearance of the gnats coming to the sur-
face in such places in quantity as well as about the raft would indicate
that the larve had during the spring flood attached their cocoons to
such submerged trees and branches. Examination will also be made
at low water for further evidences of the gnats on the lower and at

10

present inaccessible portion of the raft, which is more likely to bear
cocoons in quantity than the floating material at high water.*

The relation of Bayou Pierre to the Red River is such, as shown in
the report of Captain Bergland contained in the Annual Report of the
Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, Part Ll, 1885, Appendix U, pages
1487-1493, that in times of high water three-fourths of the discharge
of the Red River is through this bayou, and in times of low water but
one-fourth. Before the formation of the raft, this very great augmenta-
tion of the bayou in high water had no ill effect, but now the water,
checked by the raft, floods every spring much of the adjacent low-land,
thus furnishing additional foothold for larvie, and possibly also driving
the adults in larger swarms to the higher land.

During the summer months the water is confined by moderately high
clean banks and is free from drift, except where such material is held
by the raft. This would indicate that the raft is largely responsible
for the abundance of the gnats in that locality.

The smaller streams in the neighborhood dry up in the course of the
summer, and hence could not breed gnats; however, a number of the
principal ones were carefully searched for cocoons or larve without the
discovery of any evidence of them.

The Buffalo Gnat was reported to be quite abundant on the Sabine
River; and it also occurs in less numbers on the Red and Washita
Livers.

The raft in Bayou Pierre originated in the attempt of the United
States Government (in 187273) to close Tone’s Bayou, whieh connects
Bayou Pierre with the Red River, and to confine the water of Red River
to its own channel. <A large raft which was being removed from above
Shreveport was run into Tone’s Bayou and the attempt made to retain
it there by means of a boom. This raft and also a second one formed
later were entirely swept away by floods and earried into Bayou Pierre,
where they are at present lodged. As described by Captain Bergland
(1. c.) the raft “ extends 5.3 miles above and 2.8 miles below Red Bluff
at the meuth of Wallace Lake. The upper portion is fragmentary, of
recent formation and loose structure, occupying in the aggregate one-
fifth of the area of the water surface. That below is nearly continuous
and gradually becomes denser until at its lower end it becomes solid-
ified.” This lower portion of the raft has now become almost entirely
solidified by the massing of the logs and the accumulation of débris,
and trees and shrubs are now growing upon it.

*Mr. Frierson subsequently collected and forwarded to the Department a con-
siderable quantity of material—cocoons, larvx, etc., from this place, concerning
which we quote briefly from his letter of May 3 as follows:

““The water has fallen about 2 feet below its level when the gnats were hatching
out. * * * The current is very swift, *~ * * and I found that every over-
hanging tree, logs sticking out of the water, and the millions of roots on the bank
were literally piastered over with the cocoons for the distance of 2 feet above and
below the water.”

fh

In the estimates made by the Government Engineers for the clearing

of Bayou Pierre, the principal item has been the cleaning out of this

lower raft. The removal of this portion of the raft is not now neces-

sary, however, as the water has made for itself a new channel through
Bennett’s Bayou on the west. This natural change in the course of the
stream, and the slow but constant breaking up of the remaining and
less stable portions of the raft, will make the clearing of Bayou Pierre
at the present time comparatively inexpensive. The raft, even if left
to take its own course, would in time go out of itself, and if the work of
loosening that portion above Red Bluff should be undertaken in time
of high water, the bayou might be freed of logs with little difficulty.
Taking the estimates in the report above cited as a basis, $25,000 would
probably cover the expense of removing such portions of the raft as is
now necessary. The final disposition of the material of the raft would
occasion some difficulty. It could, however, be directed into Lake Can-
nisnia and secured there in still water, beyond the reach of the current
of the Bayou Pierre, which crosses this lake. If this were done the
gnats would not breed on the raft, and in a short time, by the accumu-
lation of sediment and growth of plants, if would become entirely solid-
ified, as is now the case in its lower portion in Bayou Pierre.

The utility of the stream as a water-way and the reclaiming of much
valuable land which would result from such improvement, while having
no direct bearing on the question at issue, may still be mentioned as an
additional reason for removing the obstruction of logs, if this is thought
not to be warranted by the presence of the gnats alone.

NOTES ON NOISES MADE BY LEPIDOPTERA.
By HENRY EDWARDS.

The article by Mr. A. H. Swinton on “ Stridulation in Vanessa an-
tiopa,” published in the last number of “ InsEcr Lirk,” Vol. I, p. 307,
has directed my attention to the subject, and I venture to add a few
notes on this interesting phase of entomological study. It is not alone
among the Vanessas that antiopa has the power of making a sound, for
many years ago in England, when I began to collect butterflies and
moths, I observed that the beautiful Vanessa io, the favorite of every
young entomologist, gave out a slight rasping sound when many speci-
mens were flying together, or when a male was in hot pursuit after the
opposite sex. But the sound was very slight and could only be distin-
guished when “all around was still,” and when there was no conflicting
jnfluence to deaden the insect’s expression of love. The projecting vein
which is shown in Mr. Swinton’s cut is also quite apparent in V. 7%,
and probably isa character of the whole of the genus. Still more remark-

12

able is the noise produced by various species of the Nymphalid genus
Ageronia, to which attention was first called by the late Charles Darwin
in his‘‘ Naturalist’s Voyage Round the World.” This was his famous ex-
pedition in H. M. S. Beagle, which enabled him to contribute so largely
to our knowledge of the fauna of the various countries visited. During
his stay in Brazil he paid considerable attention to entomology, and his
notes upon the singular habit of Ageronia are worth transcribing in
full. He says:

IT was much surprised at the habits of Papilio feronia (Ageronia feronia of later
authors). The butterfly is not uncommon, and generally frequents the orange
groves. Although a high flier, yet it very frequently alights on the trunks of trees.
On these occasions its head is invariably placed downwards, and its wings are ex-
panded in a horizontal plane, instead of being folded vertically, as is commonly the
case. This is the only butterfly which I have ever seen that uses its legs for running.
Not being aware of this fact, the insect, more than once, as I cautiously approached
with my forceps, shufiled on ome side just as the instrument was on the point of clos-
ing, and thus escaped. Buta far more singular fact is the power which this species
possesses of making a noise. Several times when a pair, probably male and female,
were chasing each other in an irregular course, they passed within a few yards of
me, and I distinctly heard a clicking noise, similar to that produced by a toothed
wheel passing under a spring catch. The noise was continued at short intervals,
and could be distinguished at about 20 yards distance. I am certain there is no error
in the observation. (Nat. Voyage, Appleton’s edition, p. 33.)

Asa boy, I had read this interesting note by the great naturalist,
and in the last months of the year 1866 If had, during a stay of four
weeks in Panama, the opportunity of observing for myself this curious
butterfly habit. The species Ager. feronia, A. ferentina, and A. amphi-
nome, and more especially the two former, are particularly common in
the forests around the city of the Isthmus, and it is not possible to
walk amile through them without meeting with many examples. The
sound made by the first-named species is like that of the next, and
somewhat recalls the noise produced by a boy’s imitation of the old
watchman’srattle. It isa decided “ click,” “ click,” very often repeated,
and can be, as Mr. Darwin says, distinctly heard at the distance of
20 yards. Indeed, I should be disposed to extend this to at Jeast 40 or
50 yards on a clear day, and when no wind could carry the sound away.
The noise of A. amphinome is a heavier and more grating sound, and
the two species can be readily distinguished without being seen. The
trees on which they are accustomed to sit are species of Cassia or
Mimosa, and their gray color, closely resembling that of the bark,
renders them rather difficult to be seen when at rest.

J once went into the forest some time after sundown to see if they re-
mained at night upon the trunks of the trees, as moths do in the day-
time, but I could not find a single specimen, although many trees on
which I had noticed them during the day were carefully examined. In
a foot-note to page 33 of Mr. Darwin’s narrative, he quotes Mr. Edw.
Doubleday as having described before the Entomological Society, March

13

3, 1845, “a peculiar structure in the wings of this butterfly which seems
to be the means of its making its noise.” He says:

It is remarkable for having a sort of drum at the base of the forewings, between
the costal nervure and the subcostal, ‘These two nervures, moreover, have a peculiar
screw-like diaphragm or vessel in the interior.

Darwin also alludes to a statement in Langsdorft’s travels (1803~07)
that ‘‘a butterfly called Februa hoffmanseggi makes a noise when flying
away like arattle.” This name probably refers to Ager. ferentina, which
was called Ager. februa by Hiibner.

In addition to this genus, I have observed the power of stridulation
in two other butterflies, viz, ia those of the genus Prepona, also natives of
Tropical America, and in Charaxes sempronius of Australia. The noise
of Prepona is only made as it takes wing from the trunks of the trees,
on which it is also fond of resting, and is not repeated during its flight)
It is therefore most probably in this case used as a defense against
birds or other enemies. The Charavxes as it alights upon a bunch of the
beautiful and sweet-scented flowers of Bursaria spinosa closes its wings
with a grating sound not unlike that of the Prepona, and repeats the same

_asitis disturbed from its resting place. In butterfliesit would appear that

the noises are all caused, as Mr. Swinton suggests, by the rubbing of
one vein of the upper wing against a corresponding vein in the lower
wing, and probably they are all produced by slight modifications of the
same structure, and it would appear that the power of stridulation is
confined to the Nymphalid group, in which, as will be readily seen, a
large development of the veins of the wing, particularly towards their
bases, occurs.

There is very considerable difference in the sounds produced by the
moths, that of one species having been likened by the older authors to
“the voice of anguish, the moaning of a child, the signal of grief.” This
description applies to the well-known European Sphinx (Acherontia)
atropos, familiarly known as the ** Death’s Head Moth,” which gives
out a very singular and plaintive cry, not unlike that (though in a
greater degree) produced by a captive beetle of the Geotrupid or Coprid
group when pressed between the finger and thumb. The noise of the
great atropos has caused it to be regarded with superstitious terror, and
this added to the grotesquely horrid mark of the skull and eye-sockets
upon the thorax has made it in the districts in which it abounds an
object of awe and terror. It is somewhat strange that, in this age of
entomological research, the means by which the sound is produced by
this species is yet unknown, comparative anatomists being considera-
bly at variance in their opinions on the subject. Some observers have
stated that the larva of this insect has also the power of emitting a sort
of squeaking noise.

In our own country, if any one has ever noticed a large swarm of the
pretty little moth, so injurious to our grape-vines (Alypia octomaculata),
about.a bush of flowers, he will have been conscious, if his ears were

14

attuned to the finer harmonies of nature, of a slight breezy sensation
rather than a sound, but one quite appreciable by a clear hearing. If
the moths are driven away, the sound ceases, and there is no doubt but
that it had been produced by the males in paying court to their mates,
and probably by rubbing the antenne at their tips’ across the costal
nervure, which will be seen to be considerably thickened about its
middle, just where the apex of the antenna would reachit. This thick-
ening of the costa is much more apparent in an allied species, Alyp.
lorquinii, than in our common form. With the latter I was enabled
sume few years ago, while walking across the Pablic Garden in Boston,
to notice the peculiarity I have spoken of. The insect was in the great-
est possible abundance upon a small bush of a plant of the Composite
family, the name of which I do not know, not less, I should think, than
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred specimens being about
the single shrub. I distinctly heard the slight humming noise to which
I have alluded, and am quite confident that it did not proceed from
the vibration of the wings.

A more remarkable instance of stridulation, and certainly the most
striking that has come under my notice, I was fortunate enough to
witness during my residence in Australia. I was collecting insects in
the Plenty Ranges, about 20 miles from Melbourne, and in the burning
heat of mid-day had sat down to rest and pin my captures under the
shade of a thick acacia tree. I was astonished and almost startled at
a peculiar sound apparently very near me, which was unlike anything
IT had ever heard, and which I at first thought was the voice of some
unfamiliar bird. I listened intently, looking in the direction of the
noise, but could see nothing. I took up my net and walked up the
opening in the woods, the sound still continuing, and greatly exciting
my curiosity. It was very loud and distinct and not unlike “ whiz,
whiz,” repeated by the mouth with the teeth closed. I had proceeded
about thirty yards when the noise suddenly stopped. I sat down and
waited, thinking that I should again hear it and be able to trace it to its
source. I was not disappointed, for in a few minutes it again appeared,
and this time quite close tome. I looked very carefully and in an opening,
buzzing abont with a swaying lateral motion, were two or three insects,
which at first sight I took to be some species of Hymenoptera. I gave
a sweep with my net and made a capture which was soon safe within
my collecting bottle. My heart beat violently, as I fonnd that I had
taken a lovely black and orange moth, such as I had never before seen.
I was alone, and had no one to whom I could communicate my pleasure,
but I clearly understood Mr. Wallace’s feeling upon his first capture of
Ornithoptera cresus, which he so graphically describes in his “ Malay
Archipelago,” and I felt as if I should have gloried in making those
primeval woods echo with my shouts.

Three more of the beautiful little creatures soon found their way to
my collecting box, and the records of that day’s excitemeut still remain

15

ma Fe oe

with me in a treasured corner of my collection. The whole of my speci-

“mens are males, and it was not until some years after that I became
acquainted with the other sex of this singular moth. It belongs, as

does Alypia, to the family Zygenida, as we at present understand that
very incongruous group, and the generic name is Hecatesia, my species
being H. fenestrata. The structure by which the insect is enabled to
produce the singular and striking soun1 is the thickening of the costal
membrane about the apical third, behind which, and nearer to the
center of the wing, is a rather broad vitreous space extending almost
to the median nerve, this space being transversely ribbed, as are the
bundles of eggs in some species of Orthoptera. The antenne are thick-
ened at the tips into a sort of prolonged club, pointed at the extreme
end, and with the under side of the terminal joints horny and devoid
of cilia. These, striking as they would do in flight at the will of the in-
sect against the transverse muscles of the transparent space, cause the
whizzing and characteristic sound which so attracted me, and which is
doubtless intended as a call of love to the individual of the weaker sex,
who sits enthroned in the branches listening with delight to the noisy
homage of her many lovers.

Another species of this most curious group is found in the southeast-
ern part of the province of Victoria, and was called by the late Adam
White H. thyridion. I took several examples of this in the summer of
1856 at Westernport, the females, differing in this respect to the other
species, being much more common than the opposite sex. In this the
clear space is much smaller than in I. fenestrata, the sound produced
by it being weaker and more closely resembling the buzzing of a bumble-
bee. <A third species of the genus, H. exultans, from Western Australia,
is figured by Boisduval in Trans. Linn. Soc., London, 1877, and a fourth
is described and figured as a native of Mexico by Mr. H. H. Druce, in
the Biol. Centr Amer., but of the habits of this last mentioned nothing
as yet is kuown,

A LETTER ON ICERYA PURCHASI.

The following letter was written June 10, 1889, by Hon. Edwin Wil-
lits, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, to Hon. Ellwood Cooper,
President of the California State Board of Horticulture, in response to
a letter from Mr. Cooper transmitting certain resolutions of the fruit-
growers of California. It is here published as a good summary of the
past work of the Division of Entomology relative to this pest, and as a
Statement of the present condition of affairs:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, /Vashington, D.C.

| Hon. EELWoop Cooper,
| President State Board of Horticulture, San Francisco, Cal.
| T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your le' ter of May 20, transmitting
| © petition of the fruit-growers of California in convention assembled, to the effeet
|

20613—No, 1

9)
ae)

16

that this Department send a qualified agent to Australia to collect and export to this
country the parasites of the Fluted Scale (Icerya purchasi). Your petition is timely,
and I abundantly realize the importance of the action which you suggest. In reply
let me recite briefly the steps which have been taken during the past three years by
this Department in regard to this great pest of the California fruit-growers, in order
to place clearly before you the present condition of affairs.

As a result of numerous petitions from your State, in the spring of 1836.a competent |
agent of the Division of Eutomology was appointed and was located at Los Angeles
with instructions to carry out a certain line of experimentation which was mapped
out for him by the Entomologist, Professor Riley. Later in the season another agent
was sent to the same spot and the results of their combined work were published in
the Annual Report of this Department for 1886, in an extended article by Professor
Riley, which detailed thoroughly the life history of the pest and contained authori-
tative recommendations concerning remedies. Some of the washes recommended in
this report were proven by careful experimentation to be perfectly efficacious and
quite within the means of the most indigent fruit-grower. |

Early in the spring of 1887 Professor Riley visited California in person and investi-
gated the sections of the State in which the Jeerya occurs, and in an address before
your State Board at Riverside summarized his conclusions. Among other points
brought out in this address was the suggestion that it would be very desirable to
introdnce its natural enemies aud parasites from Australia. He expressed his regret
that he would be unable to send one of his agents for the reason that Congress had
limited the field of his investigation to the United States, but said that California,
or even Los Angeles County, could well afford to appropriate the funds for the send-
ing of an expert to Australia to devote some months to the study of the parasites
there and to their artificial introduction into California.

During the summer of 1887 the two agents previously mentioned—Messrs. D. W.
Coquillett and Albert Koebele—were continued in their work upon Jcerya, and the
Division at Washington was engaged in an industrious correspondence with ento-
mologists in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, with a view of ascertaining
facts bearing upon the natural habitat of this species and upon its natural enemies
in these countries. The results of the additional experiments by the agents were
published in the Annual Report of the Department for 1887. Those reached by Mr,
Coquillett concerned chiefly the matter of treating trees with gases, while those
attained by Mr. Koebele related entirely to washes. Meantime it had been found
by correspondence that at least one important parasite existed in Australia, and
strong efforts were made by the Department and also by the California delegation in
Congress to secure a specific appropriation for the purpose of studying and importing
this parasite. These efforts, as you well know, failed, as did also the equally strong
effort on the part of this Department to have the clause in the appropriation bill,
restricting the payment of traveling expenses to expenses within the United States,
removed from the bill. The Department was thus rendered by Congress apparently
powerless in the matter, but, fortunately, by a happy chance, which however will
not occur again, we were able to send an agent after all through the courtesy of the
Department of State. Congress had appropriated a large sum to enable this Govy-
ernment to exhibit at the Melbourne exposition, and the Secretary of State and the
chief of the commission, Mr. McCoppin, of California, were kind enough to set aside
a sufficient sum for this purpose, and Mr. Koebele went to Australia in August and
accomplished the results with which you are already familiar.

During the winter of 1888~89 strong efforts were again made by this Diparewalt ;
to secure the removal of the restricting clause concerning foreign travel with the |
idea that, should Mr. Koebele’s results warrant further importation of parasites, we
would desire to send him or another ageut again during 1889; in fact, to take just the
action which you have petitioned us to undertake. This effort was apparently sue-
cessful, aud, as the Entomologist understood, the appropriation clause passed Con-

17

gress in this modified form. On my assumption of my present office, in discussing
this matter with the acting entomologist, [ was put in possession of these facts, but
was surprised to find, upon examination of the appropriation bill, that, in some way
which I can not at this time explain, the restricting clause had been again inserted
after it had been considered certain that it would be removed. ‘The result is that
the Department now finds itself in the same condition in which it was last year, and
the only hope of Government help in this matter will rest in securing independent
legislation the coming winter. The Department will urge strongly either the passage
of an independent resolution or the addition of a clause to the appropriation bill
which will set aside enough funds for this purpose, and we hope for your earnest co-
operation in this direction.

Your Board should pass further resolutions and place them in the possession of the
Senators and members of Congress from your State, urging such legislation, and in
this way some action may possibly be brought about.

I have entered into this matter at some length in order to place strongly before you
the fact that the Department has in no way been blind to the importance of the sub-
ject and that the interests of California have not suffered at its hands, as well as to
show you definitely the impossibility of taking such action as you suggest at the
present time, and to indicate, moreover, that efforts to obviate this state of affairs have
been by no means wanting.

Meantime, however, I may express myself as strongly of the opinion that it will
not do for California fruit-growers to tamely await Government aid in the way of the
importation of parasites. I have seen myself that the Icerya can be overcome by
persistent toil, and am quite incliued to indorse the sentiments expressed by Pro-
fessor Riley upon page 164 of the December number of INsucr Lire, a copy of which is
sent you by accompanying mail. I would also call your attention to Professor Riley’s
latest article upon this insect, which you will find in the Annual Report for 1888, a
copy of which has doubtless already reached your office.

Yours, respectfully,
EDWIN WILLITS,
Assistant Secretary.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

American Insecticides in India.

A copy of your valuable periodical INsecr Lirs, Vol. I, No. 9, has to-day been sent
tome. On page 293 you remark as follows:

“Tt has for some time seemed to us that the scale insects of the coffee plant which
do so much damage in Ceylon and other parts of India could be successfully treated
with the remedies which we have found in this country so valuable against the scale
insects of the orange, namely, the kerosene soap emulsions, and we hope soon to bring
this before the attention of the British Government.”

You are probably not aware that kerosene emulsion has already been tried on Green
Coffee-scale (Lecanium viride) in South India, and that so far as the experiments
went it was found to besuccessful. Arrangements are being made for further experi-
meuts, and it is confidently hoped that this insecticide, with which Dr. Riley’s name
is so honorably associated in America, will prove of equal service in India. An ac-
count of what has been done in the matter of the introduction of kerosene emulsion
and other American insecticides into India will appear in my forthcoming report,
which has been in type for some months, and which will probably be published before
this reaches you. A copy of the complete report, which deals with the whole investi-
gation of Indian economic entomology, undertaken by the trustees of this museum,
will be forwarded to you as soon as if appears.—[ E. C. Cotes, Indian Museum, Cal-
cutta, India, May 22, 1889,

18

Sciapteron robiniz in Cottonwood in Washington Territory.

By to-day’s mail we send you what appears to be the borer that destroys the Cot-
tonwood and Balm trees of the West. While holding the creature on the blade of a
saw, the pretty winged bug that you will find in the box shed off the dry skin,
which you will also find with it. I took the creature directly from a hole in a Cot-
tonwood tree which had apparently been bored by a borer. Please give us all the
information about it that you can, its habits and the way to kill it, for publication in
our paper.—[ Legh R. Freeman, editor Washington Farmer, North Yakima, Wash. Ty.,
March 10, 18:9.

Repty.—Your letter of the 10th with specimen just received. The insect which
you send is one of the Western Clear-winged Moths and is known as Sciapteron
robinie. It breeds in Locust and White Poplar in Nevada and has been found in
Cottonwood in California, It is a near relative to the common Peach-tree Borer of
the East and belongs to a group of moths the larvee of which all bore into the stems
of treesand plants. Itis probably neither sufficiently abundant nor destructive with
you to occasion a demand for a remedy.—[ May 18, 1859.]

A Fodder Worm in the South.

Mr. W. H. Peel, of this place, has called my attention to a worm which during the
winter for three years has infested the stacks of dry corn blades, here universally
called ‘‘fodder” and the main representative of hay in this country. The grown
worm (I have seen but one) is over an inch long, a uniform brown, without hair,
almost translucent, has full complement of feet for crawling rapidly, something like
the Tortricidie, but does not roll the dry leaves nor make a web till the chrysalid
condition. Very abundant it seems and destructive—a new pest to the farmers of
this region; yet as the fly has been coming out some two weeks I could get only a
few, which are sent in asmall box to-day. They come to light, but with others, and I
refrain from catching them for fear of getting them mixed. According to Mr, Peel
the worms are active for months, webbing up about the lst of March and coming out
the last of the same month, three to four weeks.—[ Lawrence C. Johnson, Waterford,
Miss., May 4, .1839.

Repiy.—Your letter of the 4th instant, inclosing specimens of an insect which at-
tacks the stalks of dry corn, from the place of Mr. W. H. Peel, of Waterford, Miss.,
has been received. The specimens are very interesting, and belong to a species of
Pyralid known as Helia wmula. The larva of this species has previously been found
feeding upon the dry leaves of various plants in the woods, and also upon a number
of fodder plants during the winter. The remedy will depend altogether upon the
particular method in which the fodder corn is stored. Will you kindly request Mr.
Peel to write usa full account of the way in which this insect works, and the manner |
in which he stores his fodder during the winter, and we will then advise him as to
remedies. If he can send other specimens we shall be glad to get them.—[ May 15,
18389. ]

SECOND LETTER.—Your favor of the 15th instant received. Much obliged for yout |
prompt information about Helia emula, I found some dry clover hay once in process
of destruction by a worm similar to this one, but on that occasion failed to get a fly,
and had no one to watch them. I can tell you now all that is known of this speci- |
men in Mississippi. As I wrote before, no one seems ever to have noticed its ravages
until three years ago. The fodder in question consists of the blades stripped from |
standing corn (maize) as the fashion is at the South, and dried in the field in the |
sun. When dry or nearly so it is taken up and tied by a withe of its own leaves into |
bundles of about two pounds’ weight. These when considered cured are carted up |
to points selected and stacked, with the butts within next the stack-pole, the ends |
without. A little of the ends take the weather as in any fodder that is stacked, and |
becomes worthless. This item is mentioned because it is the only part of the bundle |

|
|

19

not attacked by the insect. Externally, therefore, the stack seems perfectly sound ang
safe, when within if may be a mass of fragments and dung. The manner of eating
the blades you may see in the bits put in the box sent you. They eat it pretty much
‘allexcept the central vein; especially at the binds, where most compact, they eat
all, running from that towards the ends. But a moldy or spoiled spot they never
touch. The stack of fodder I saw had been put up about the last of August, 1888,
and as remarked appeared perfectly sound till opened about the Ist of April. Tam
told the larvie were then numerous, but they had already begun to web up. This is
about all I ean tell you; I never saw the egg.—[ Lawrence C. Johnson, Bolivar, Tenn.,
May 19, 1889. ;

Rep.y.—Your letter of the 19th, from Bolivar, Tenn., has just come. Thank you
very much for the additional information relative to the habits of Helia wmula. I
should imagine from what you write that the value of the fodder stacks is so slight
that altogether the most satisfactory remedy will be to burn those which are infested
with this insect. It strikes me that in this way and at siight expense the numbers
of this pest can be greatly reduced.

The worm which you found in dry clover was probably a different thing, and I
have no doubt that it was the common Clover-hay Worm (Asopia costalis), which you
will find figured and described on pages 102 to 107 of Professor Riley’s Sixth Report
on the Insects of Missouri.—[ May 23, 1889.]

Colonel Pearson’s Method of fighting Rose Beetles.

T kill Rose-bugs by smashing them. I know of no insecticide which is also an in-
secticide for the Rose-bug—that is, which will kill the bugs and yet not injure the
plant. Pyrethrum will intoxicate or stupefy them. They will fall from their perch
and after a time recover and fly again. J have been experimenting for the past two
weeks with all the poisons procurable in the drug shops, and withont desired results.
In dealing with Rose-bugs in my vineyards Isend my men along the trellis carly,
from6tol0a.m. They strike the vines with paddles; the bugs fall on the ground, and
then they smash them with the paddles. The vines are trained upon a single wire, and
the ground is made smooth and clean beneath, so that when the bugs fall they are at
our mercy. This job must be done every morning until the bugs leave the vines for
other foods. They are now on my strawberries and roses by myriads. Even if we
could find something medicinal to kill the bugs, it would be of no use during such
an invasion as we have had for the past three years in Vineland. Kill one and four
more come to attend the corpse. They migrate and travel onward like the Army-
worm. They must be fought by killing them as fast as they come. I have by this
constant work for two or three weeks saved most of my vines, and I am now search-
ing for something which will be offensive to them and drive them away from the plants
they infest. Carbolated lime is the best I have found thus far.—[ Alex. W. Pearson,
Vineland, N. J., June 15, 1859.

Lyctus sp. in Bamboo.

I send you by mail to-day three bugs that are eating up a bamboo work-basket
from Japan that I bought in Chinatown, San Francisco, Cal., a year ago last April.
I have given it a thorough heating with flat-irons, which did not kill the pests, and
then I gave the basket as thorough a bath of benzine, and that las not destroyed
them. * * * The basket is being perforated with round holes, under which f find

dittle dust piles. The dust I send with the bugs.—[ Mrs. N. W. C. Holt, Winchester,
_ Mass., June 20, 1889.

Repiy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your ites of June 20. The insect
| found in your bamboo work-basket is not unknown as an enemy to bamboo imported
from China and Japan. It is a species of a gennsof wood-boring beetles called by
entomologists Lyctus. You need not fear the spread of this insect, as they feed on

20

nothing but bamboo. Keep up your benzine treatment and you will kill the insects.
* * *—_T[June 25, 1889. ]

The Texas Cattle-tick. :

Will you please give me the history of the Texas Cattle-tick (Ixodes bovis) or refer
me to the literature on the subject ?. They are a terrible pest here.—[M. Francis, D.
V.M., College Station, Texas, June 17, 1889.

Repiy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th instant, request-
ing information concerning the Texas Cattle-tick (Jxodes bovis). This species was de-
scribed by Professor Riley in a special report of this Department (Report of Commis-
sioner of Agriculture on Diseases of Cattle in the United States, 1871, p. 118, foot-note).
It is a reddish, coriaceous, flattened species, body oblong oval, contracted just behind
the middle, and the whole insect is from one-quarter to one-half an inch in length.
It occurs from the Northern States to Nicaragua, and lives not only on cattle but
even on the rattlesnake, theiguana, and onsmallmammals. It no doubt attaches itself
to almost any animal that brushes against it in going through the grass. The species
is mentioned in a treatise on the external parasites of domestic animals, by A. E.
Verrill, in the report of the Connecticut Board of Agriculture for 1870, page 46. Itis
found in our Northern States, but is, however, most abundant in the Southwest, Mis-
souri to Texas, and has been taken in large numbers by Mr. J. McNeil on horned
cattle on the west coast of Nicaragua.

As to remedies, the kerosene emulsion has been recommended for lice on cattle in
Bulletin 5 of the Iowa Agricultural Experimental Station, May, 1889, page 185.
This would no doubt be the best and most practical remedy for the Cattle-tick also,
and is indorsed by Dr. Cooper Curtice, of the Bureau of Animal Industry of this
Department, who recommends that the emulsion be made with soap according to the
formula originally proposed by this Division. The emulsion should be applied in an
8 per cent. solution with a force pump, using the Riley or Cyclone nozzle and a few
feet of hose. It thus easily penetrates the hair of the animal, and at that strength
can not injure stock.—[June 24, 1889. ]

The Boll Worm in Texas.

T take the liberty to report to you the condition of affairs in regard to the Boll Worm
(Heliothis armigera) and its yearly destruction of cotton, with the view of asking your
opinion and advice for my own and the public benefit. I live in one of the northern
counties, where cotton is the principal crop. We raise what is known as the Moon
cotton, one inch and a quarter staple. This county loses yearly from the ravages of
Boll Worms and moth from $300,000 to $400,000 on cotton alone, the moth, in my
opinion, doing nine-tenths of the damage. The first crop of the caterpillars appeared
in the corn near the 20th of May. On examination the 1st of June four-fifths had left
the corn to transform to pup, but I found caterpillars up to the 10th of June, though
scarce. In order to destroy them the planters generally put lamps in the field in the
month of May, and expect to continue their use until October. The lamps are similar
to those described in the Agricultural Report for 1°80, page 239. The field crop of
corn is now in silk and tassel.

Usually from the Ist to the 10th of August the Boll Worm moth leaves the corn
and adopts the cotton as its home. This brood does immense damage, the moth lay-
ing her eggs in the squares in the blooms and in young bolls from the size of a gar-
den pea to a partridge egg in preference to any other place. She pierces them as it
done by a needle or pin, and in a few days they drop from tbe plant. Some farmers,
not knowing what insect does this, have given them the name of sharpshooters,
and it is yet a mooted question with us. By the time the cotton puts on a new erop
of squares and blooms the moth is ready for it again, and if the weather is moist and
warm it thus keeps on until frost; but should a drought prevail, with hot, drying |

4
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winds, the eges will not hatch, and this pats an end to them for that year, with the
exception of a few scattering ones. Thus a dry and hot July and August is always
a heavy crop year on the heavy, black, waxy prairie lands. Now I wish to know
whether we have adopted the best course for the destruction of the Boll Worm. Is
there any other course that has been successful in destroying them? Any advice or
suggestions that you may choose to give us will be thankfully received. * * *
—[ William Somerville, Bagwell, Red River County, Tex., June 17, 1889.

Repiy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of June 17 in reference to the
damage done by the Boll Worm in your State. I can best answer your question by
sending you a copy of the Fourth Report of the U.S. Entomological Commission,
published in 1885, and which you do not seem to have seen. You will find the Boll
Worm treated on pages 355 to 384. The destruction of the moths by trapping is not
a satisfactory remedy, for experiments have proven with other species that the great
majority of the insects so captured are either males, or females which have already
laid their eggs. The first business of the female moth after issuing seems to be to lay
her eggs, so that very few of them are caught in this way. The result is that other
remedies are of much greater avail. The suggestion regarding the worming of corn
while the first brood of worms is at work is a most excellent one, and the use of the
arsenical poisons as indicated upon page 381 also affords a good remedy. The sugges-
tion upon page 380, that in localities where no corn is grown over a considerable
space it will pay to grow small patches here and there as traps for the early worms,
is also a good one. It will be unnecessary to elaborate further, as the information
is all contained in condensed form in this report.—[ June 22, 1889. ]

A cosmopolitan Flour Pest.

We send you herewith specimens of insects which are breeding in our flour mill.
They seem to breed under basement floors and come up and fly away on warm days.
There seems to bea difference of opinion as to what they are, and as there are no en-
tomologists in this section we would be pleased to have your opinion and whether or
not they will be likely to become a pest. They do noi seem to work in wheat bins,
but rather in flour dust in dark places. They breed all winter and spring and are now
very numerous. We have tried several remedies, but Persian insect powder is the
only thing that killed them.—[ McPherson & Stevens, Sprague, Wash. Ty., May 1s,
1889.

Repity.—Your letter of May 18 with accompanying specimens has been received.
The beetle which occurs in your flour mill is Philetus bifasciatus, a cosmopolitan
species which feeds everywhere in flour and farinaceous products. Inasmuch as you
find that Persian insect powder kills them readily we would advise you to use it very
thoroughly and to hold them in complete subjection, for otherwise they will doubt-
less become quite a pest with you.—[ May 27, 1889. j

Mites on a Neck-tie.

I send you in a tin box a neck-tie covered with Acari which a gentleman sends me
from San Francisco. He says the tie has lain in a drawer aud has been worn at in-
tervals. He first noticed the ‘‘ foreign substance” two weeks ago and thought it sand
until he detected motion in the particles. What mite isit? How can garments be
best treated to get rid of it?—[E. J. Wickson, Berkeley, Cal., May 25, 1539.

Repty.—Yours of the 25th ultimo and mites duly received. We can not distinguish
between the specimens found on the neck-tie and the common Cheese Mite ( Tyroglyphus
siro), and there must have been something very peculiar about those neck-ties or etse
the gentleman who sent the specimens must have been a bachelor and have kept his
crackers and cheese in the same drawer with his clothes. The same mite, as you
know, is found in flour of all kinds and milk. Sulphuris the best remedy. Hither
fumigate with burning sulphur or sprinkle with flowers of sulphur mixed in water,—
[June 1, 1889, ]

22

The Potato Beetle in the South.

The Potato Beetles herewith should have been sent you some weeks ago. They
are from Madison Station, Madison County, Miss., the beetles occurring in several
potato fields at and within a mile of the station, This is the first year I have seen
them in Mississippi. If they have been here at an earlier date you may, perhaps,
know it. Isend them as a note of the spread of the beetle so far south.—[ Dr. D. L.
Phares, Agricultural College, Mississippi, May 11, 1589.

Repity.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 11th instant, with
accompanying specimens of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Doryphora 10-lineata). I
believe that this is the first time they have been noticed so far south in your longi-
tude. I will make a note of this matter for INSEcT Lirr.—[May 18, 1889. ]

Swarming of Urania boisduvalii in South America.

T take the liberty of mailing to you two specimens of butterfly captured at Colon,
Republic of Colombia, March 18 and 25, 1839. When within a few hours of that port
these insects were seen flying from the mainland in a northerly direction across the
bay. This migration coutinued daily from the date of arrival, March 18, for nearly
aweek. When the flight began I could not ascertain. Its duration daily was from
just before sunrise until sunset; it was protracted, however, until late at night on
three evenings near and at full of the moon. The point which attracted my atten-
tion was the vast number of the insects. The air was actually full of them. It
resembled an unremitting shower of forest leaves in autumn. I could learn nothing
of its family history from the residents, but it is doubtless familiar to you. The
excavations in each specimen were beautifully done by the Red Ant (Zormica rufa?)
in spite of the suspension of the tray in which the butterflies were placed from the
ceiling by one string, and the saturation of said string with turpentine and castor
oil.—[Dr. 8. A. Davis, 107 West 47th street, New York City, May 9, 1889.

Rep.y.—Your letter of May 9 transmitting specimens of a “butterfly” captured at
Colon, United States of Colombia, has been received. The insect sent is not a but-
terfly but a moth, and is known as Urania boisduvalii. It bears, however, a striking
resemblance to some of the large swallow-tailed butterflies of the genus Papilio,
Your note concerning the abundance of this insect is very interesting. —[ May 20, 1§89.]

Letter on the proposed “American Entomologists’ Union.”

* » *

Isee in the March (1889) number of INsEcT Lirr you ask for ideas eon-
cerning the proposed Society of Economic Entomologists. I do not think my views
on the subject are worth much, but such as they are, they are as follows: I should
like to see an organization founded, with members in every State in the Union (and
I do not see why not also in Canada and Mexico), with the headquarters at the De-
partment of Agriculture at Washington. Such a society to be called, perhaps, the
“American Entomologists’ Union,” and to appoint a secretary in every State at least,
and in the case of big States, like Texas and California, two or more; these to collect
all the information they can relative to insects, especially from an economic point of
view, and forward each one a report, at stated intervals, to Washington. These re-
ports to be preserved and examined by a committee appointed, and the essence of
them printed in INsect Lire or as a special bulletin. This I think would (1) bring
economic entomologists in touch with one another; (2) enable them to benefit from
one another’s discoveries ; (3) and especially the facts thus collected might be seen
often to have a significance which would be totally lost were they to remain isolated
amoung their discoverers; (4) although apparently adding to the work of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture it would really diminish it, as you would have only the seere-
taries’ reports to deal with, and it would be their duty to receive and collate reports
of others within the boundaries of their own States.—[Theo. D. A. Cockerell, West
Clit, Custer County, Colo., May 12, 1329.

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION GF CHAMBERS’ INDEX,* WITH NOTES 7
AND J\ESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Lorp WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 291 of Vol. I.]

LITHOCOLLETIS Z.

In revising the index to the genus Lithocolletis, one group of six supposed species
has given me more trouble than the others. These are: ulmella Chamb., modesta F.
& B., conglomeratella Z., bicolorella Chamb., quercivorella Chamb., and oblusiloba F.
& B.

The first two are described as mining the upper side of elm leaves. The food-plant
of the third is not known; and the three last are upper-side miners on the leaves of
species of oak.

Zeller, in describing his conglomeratella, mentions two varieties of that species,
differing chiefly in the extension of the white line along the dorsal margin of the
fore-wings, and Chambers uses this character to distinguish his bicolorella from
ulmella, with which he had at first placed it. He further says that bicolorella has tivo
costal streaks, while u/mella has three; but in describing quercivorella, also with three
costal streaks, he says the third streak is a mere spot before the cilia. In short, it is
doubtful whether there are sufficient differences between the six descriptions to jus-
tify the separation of any one of these species from the others on the ground of color
or - markings. The evidence I have to rely upon in forming a conjecture (for if can
scarcely be more than a conjecture) as to their distinctness is as follows:

(1) An authenticated specimen of modesta F. & B. from Bolls collection.

(2) A specimen received from Miss Martfeldt, regarded by her as u/mella Chamb.

(a) A figure of a specimen in the collection of the American Entomological Society
at Philadelphia, probably received from Chambers.

(b) A figure of a second specimen in the collection of the Peabody Academy of Sci-
ences at Salem, Mass., received from Chambers under the above name, and presumably
equal to his type.

(3) A specimen of conglomeratella referred to by Zeller in his description of that
species as the second of the varieties from which his description was taken.

(4) Two specimens, unnamed, received from Miss Murtfeldt, bred from mines on the
upper side of the leaves of white oak. _

(5) An authenticated specimen of obtusilobe F. & B. from Boll’s collection.

It is most improbable that the elm and oak feeders should be the same, althongh
Miss Murtfeldt’s specimen of the supposed ulmella is scarcely distinguishable froia
those bred from oak, and Boll’s specimen of modesta actually bred from elin is still
less so. We may at once admit that there are at least two distinct but very closely
allied species, one on elin, the other on oak, but I think there can be no doubt what-
ever that ulmella and modesta are the same. The name ulmella takes precedence for
the elm-feeder. I fear that some years ago in naming specimens for some of my
Aimerican correspondents I may have been guilty of some confusion as to this species,
having been misled by seeing specimens of bicolorella distributed by Chambers under
the above name. We now come to the far more difficult identification of the oak-
feeding species.

Zeller’s specimen of conglomeratella is labelled ‘‘ Dallas, Tex., Boll.” This differs
from the other specimens here referred to only in its somewhat duller c lor, but it
is not in good condition, aithough the markings are easily visible. It agrees pre-

. Index to the described Tineina of the United States and Canada. V. T. Cham-
bers. Bull. U.S. Geol. and Geog. Surv., IV (1), 1878.

24

cisely with the figure of the specimen in the collection of the American Entomolog.
ical Society, but Chambers admits having mixed his specimens of bicolorella with
ulmella, and this figure probably represents the oak-feeder. Zeller’s descriptions of
the three forms, which he regarded (probably with good reason) as varieties of one
species, are extremely clear and precise. The first is an admirable description of my
specimen of obtusilobe F. & B., and the third is an equaily good one of the speci-
mens received from Miss Murtfeldt. I have no doubt whatever that these are varie-
ties of one species feeding on various oaks. There are no sufficient differences to dis-
tinguish conglomeratella Z. from these, or from bicolorella Chamb., which would cer-
tainly be inclnded under Zeller’s descriptions. I think it will be safe to regard three
of the four names as applying to one and the same variable insect, for which the name
conglomeratella takes precedence. The specimens mentioned as received from Miss
Murtfelat were bred from the upper side of leaves of white oak, but this would cer-
tainly not distinguish them from quercivorella or bicolorella, both upper-side mines,
the one bred from Q. bicolor, the other from Q. obtusiloba. The main differences upon
which Chambers seems to rely in separating these two species are as follows:

Bicolorella. Quercivorella.
Fore wings yellowish saffron, dorsal Fore wings reddish orange, dorsal stripe

stripe extending to cilia. Oblique dor- | extending beyond middle of dorsal mar-

sal streak absent. Two costal streaks, fol- | gin. Oblique dorsal streak present ; three

lowed by small dots. Hind tarsi white. costal streaks, the third a mere spot.
Hind tarsi annulate with black.

In all other respects the two descriptions are approximately the same. The darker
ground-color and spotted hind tarsi of quercivorella may perh ips be relied upon to
distinguish this species from its allies. The synonymy of these species should there-
fore stand thus:

(1) Ulmella Chamb. = modesta TF. & B.

(2) Conglomeratella Z.—=bicolerella Chamb, = obtusiloba F. & B.

(3) Quercivorella Chamb.

Notre.—Chambers, in distributing specimens to his various correspondents, fre-
quently appears to have attached a wrong name tothem. This he admits in more
than one instance in his writings. The utmost caution is required before accepting
a specimen in any collection as a co-type of any one of his species. Dr. Hagen’s notes
of Frey’s examination of spec imens in the Cambridge Museum (Papilio, IV, 151-3)
show that in some cases the professor failed to recognize specimens that he must cer-
tainly have seen before. This may be partially accounted for by the condition of
the specimens, but where Clemens’ species are referred to it must be remembered
that these were determined by Chambers, who had not seen Clemens’ types at Phil-
adelphia and who may have wrongly identified them in some cases.

Lithocolletis tubiferella Clem.

It may be worth while to mention that when I saw Dr. Clemens’ type of this spe-
cies in the collection of the American Entomological Society, Philadelphia, in 1871, I
made a note, ‘Hind wings gone; very unlike a Lithocolletis.” It is perhaps doubtful
whether Chambers was rightly acquainted with the species. The larva supposed by
him to belong to it (Can. Ent., III, 165-6) was proved to be Coleopterous (Can. Ent.,
IV, 123-4), and he does not mention the true larva, so far as I am aware, in any of
his writings. He compares the perfect insect with his bifasciella (unknown to me),
and says of the former that the tuft is white, and it has no costal and no dorsal streaks
behind the fascia, and the apex is not dusted. Chambers described his bifasciella from
a single bred female, and if the subapical markings were not conspicuous it is possible
that Clemens may have omitted to mention them. In Dr. Hagen’s paper (Papilio, IV,
152) mention is made of specimens (one good) of tubiferella Chamb. from Kentucky in

25

the Cambridge Museum, and a comparison of these with the remains of Clemens’
type at Philadelphia would decide the point; but for the present I should not be jus-
tified in attempting to correct their synonymy, and scarcely in suggesting that either
of them may be identical with lebertella F. & B., which must be at least a nearly
allied species.

Lithocolletis basistrigella Clem. —intermedia F. & B.

I have authenticated specimens of basistrigella Clem., compared with the type in
the collection of the American Entomological Society of Philadelphia, and also of
intermedia F. & B., from the Zeller collection, received from Frey, and I am able to
say positively that these two species are the same. I have met with it aiso in Men-
docino and Siskiyou Counties, Cal., Rouge River, in Oregon, and have received it
from Miss Murtfeldt from Missouri.

Lithocolletis rileyella Chamb. = tenuistrigata F. & B.

I received from Miss Murtfeldt, in December, 1878, a Lithocolletis labeled ‘‘Tenti-
form mine ou under side leaf of red oak.” This specimen agrees precisely with Cham-
bers’ description of ZL. rileyella, and is obviously that species. It is undistinguishable
from tenuistrigata F. & B., of which I have specimens and mines.

Lithocolletis quercibella Chamb.= subaureola F. & B.

I was at first disposed to think that quercibella could only be regarded as & syno-
nym of argentifimbriella. Chambers writes that it resembles closely his fuscocostella,
which I have shown to belong to that species; but after a careful study of his de-
scription by the side of a specimen of subaureola F. & B. I find that this is applicable
in all particulars to that species, although the first, quercibella, is described as glisten-
ing snowy-white, with the apical third pale golden, and the other as pale golden-
brown, with white markings. Chambers describes the subcostal streaks as pale
golden. Frey and Boll regard this as corresponding with the ground color of the wing,
and mention the straight, rather broad basal streak as being white, whereas Cham-
bers regards white as the real ground color. With a specimen before one it is easy
to see that the two descriptions are both accurate and precise in every detail.

Lithocolletis clemensella Chamb.

Another species that must be nearly allied to these is clemensella. I am induced
to regard this species as distinct, owing to its feeding on Acer saccharinum, and by
Chambers’ remark that “the hinder marginal line at the base of the dorsal cilia
reaches to, but does not pass around, the apical spot.” I find this peculiarity well
marked in a figure of the species taken from a specimen in Professor Fernald’s
collection, and I know of no allied species in which the same thing occurs. This
insect is omitted from the Index, although it is given in the List of Food-plants of
Tineina (Bull. U. S. G. G. Surv., TV, 109,'1878).

Lithocolletis argentifimbriella Clem.

= Argyromiges quercialbella Fitch.
= Lithocolletis longestriata F. & B.
= Lithocolletis fuscocostella Chamb.

In the Canadian Entomologist (Vol. III, 57) Chambers suggests that argentifimbri-
ella Clem. may be the same species as quercialbella Fitch, but he appears to have
never fully satisfied himself that this was the case owing t» the differences between
the descriptions of the larvee. On page 132 0f the same volume he points out that

26

whereas Fitch describes the larva of quercialbella as being ‘‘flat,” no known flat
larva of this genus makes a tentiform mine, or an oval cocoon, sue as Fitch de-
scribes. The larva of Clemens’ species is cylindrical, and as Fitch’s description is
Mot comparative it is presumable that the word “flat” was not used in the sense in
which Clemens and Chambers use it for larve of this genus, as distinguishing them
from the cylindrical form.

Frey and Boll (Stett. Ent. Zeit., XXXIV, 209) themselves suggest the possibility
that their longestriata may be the same as argentifimbriella Clem., and their deserip-
tion is so clear that, taking into consideration the similar larval habits, I think there
can be no doubt that this is so.

In the Cincinnati Quarterly Journal of Science (IT, 229), Chambers professes an
acquaintance with argentifimbriella Clem. and confirms its identity with longestriata F.
& B. (although he subsequently treats them as separate species in his index), but he
fails to recognize his own fuscocostella, described shortly before that date, as falling
under the same description. Chambers does not mention ever having taken or bred
argentifimbriella, but there is a single specimen from Kentucky in his collection, now
in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., about which Dr. Hagen
writes (Papilio, IV, 151): ‘“‘Argentifimbriella Chb., I, Ky. (very bad condition; perhaps,
? longestriata Frey).” It was probably owing to the condition of his specimen that
Chambers failed to see that his description of fuscocostella corresponded withit. I
have a specimen of the latter species from Dr. Riley, from Washington, D. C., anda
specimen of argentifimbriella compared with Clemens’ type in the collection of the
American Entomological Society at Philadelphia. They are evidently the same.

It is somewhat doubtful whether this insect was first publicly named by Clemens
or Fitch. Fitch’s d seription was publish d in the annual report of the New York
State Agricultural Seciety, issued as Vol. XVIIT of the Transactions of that society,
professedly for the year 1858. The title-page is dated ‘Albany, 18 9.” The letter of
presentation from Mr. B. P. Johnson to the Hon. D. W. C. Littlejohn, headed ‘‘In
assembly, April 7, 1859,” evidently antedates the real publication, foron page 585 is a
letter from his excellency Jos»ph A. Wright, American minister at Berlin, dated
‘Berlin, May 11, 1859.” In my copy is pasted the following letter:

“STATE OF NEW YorK, AGRICULTURAL ROOMs,
“Albany, May 19, 1860.
‘Str: Will your lordship be pleased to accept for your library the eighteenth
volume of the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for the year.
“Tam, most respectfully, your very obedient servant,
““B. BP. JOHNSON,
“ Corresponding Secretary.
“Lord WALSINGHAM,
* President Royal Agricultural Society of England.”

The wording of this letter seems to show that this volume of the Transactions was
not actually distributed until the year 1860, especially as the first three figures of the
date “¢1850” are printed (not written) on the paper. Now, the date of Clemens’ paper
in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, is November,
1859, and if Vol. XI, in which it ap peared, was issued before the agricultural volume,
Clemens’ name must take precedence.

Leaving my American friends who have access to the required information to ecor-
rect me if IT am wrong, I propose in the revised Index to give precedence to argen-
tifimbriella Clem. over quercialbella Fitch.

GENERAL NOTES.
TWO LOCAL OUTBREAKS OF LOCUSTS.

Two locust occurrences worthy of note have come to our notice this
season, one in Utah and another in Louisiana.

Under date of April 29, Mr. James B. Darton, of Nephi City, Utah,
wrote the Secretary of Agriculture that millions of grasshoppers were at
that time hatching out on the borders of the grain fields in the vicinity
of Nephi City. At our request and to save time Mr. Bruner, our
agent at Lincoln, Nebr., took up the correspondence and wrote us
May 17 that he had received from Mr. Darton eight or ten speci-
mens of the locust. These, however, from having been treated like
botanical specimens, and evidently put through a press, could not
be specifically determined. They were the young of Melanoplus, but
might belong to any one of five species. A second lot, which was re-
quested to be forwarded alive in a tin box, was reported on June 5 by
Mr. Bruner, but still left us much in the dark as to the exact species
doing the injury. The first lot seemed to be composed of at ]east three
species, MI. bivittatus, M. spretus, and M. femur-rubrum or M. devastator ;
but the other sending, consisting of a quarter pint of decaying pup,
were nearly all Camnula pellucida, and just what other species were
with them can not be said. In this outbreak several species were evi-
dently united in the work of devastation. For several years back
yarious Causes have been working together to produce the injurious
numbers appearing this year, but no great damage is to be looked for
at the present in this region.

In Louisiana the species which occurred was Melanoplus cinereus, re-
garding which the Hon. T. J. Bird, Commissioner of the State Bureau
of Agriculture, at Baton Rouge, wrote us June 8, mailing specimens.
The damage done was slight and consisted in the leaves of young cotton
plants being eaten. This is a local non-migratory species, all of which,
though liable to multiply to such an extent as to cause some little alarm,
seldom really do auy appreciable damage. Probably the best method
of treatment is by the use of the bran-arsenie mash, concerning which
several paragraphs will be found in the Annual Report of the Depart-
ment for 1885, pages 300 and 301.

TENT CATERPILLAR IN ARKANSAS.

Mr. J. W. Bland, of War Eagle Mills, Benton County, Ark., has sent
us aspecimen of the moth of the American Tent-caterpillar (Clisiocampa
americana, with its eggs, which be found the moth in the act of de-
positing on a peach limb on the 8th of June. We place this on record
as giving an idea of the time of egg-laying of this species in that part
of the country, These eggs were for the second brood, which it is not

28

unlikely may be followed by a third in Arkansas. Our correspondent
writes us that this insect is very destructive to fruit trees in his county.

THE THISTLE CATERPILLAR IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

Mr. E. O. Schwiigerl, of Naomi, Kitsap County, Wash. Ty., sent to us
the middle of June spscimeus of the larvee of the common Thistle
Butterfly (Pyrameis cardui) infesting thistles and nettles there and
which he has not been able to fiud on any other plants. This is a com-
mon butterfly, which is known to feed on the thistle the world over,
and helps much in keeping this noxious plant in check in thistle in-
fested localities. Our correspondent writes us that 90 per cent. of the
thistles around Seattle are infested. The larve attack first the head
or young shoots, eating out the flower buds, and then work down inside
the stems, thus effectually destroying the seed crop. Birds do not eat
these larvie on account of their short, sharp spines.

THE CECROPIA SILK-WORM AGAIN.

In Insect Lire, for November (page 155), was mentioned the great
abundance of the Cecropia near Calaway, Nebr. As we wished to ob-
tain some of these covoons, Miss Brown was written to and at the same
time cautioned not to take any old cocoons, as the abundance which she
referred to might be due to the accumulations of many years. In her
reply she says:

A little boy collected me about half a bushel, but when I assorted them I found
that about half of them were poor. A good many were stung and filled up with
small grubs of some other insect, and others were last year’s cocoons. I suppose you
know that there is not much timber here, excepting where it has been set out and
planted; and it is only on the cultivated box-elders, and then only in certain locali-
ties, that the cecropia silk-worm is found in namerous quantities.

Under date of December 16, 1888, M. Natalis Rondot writes us:

You notice, in No. 5 of INsuct Lire, the remarkable abundance of Cecropia in one
of the counties of the State of Nebraska, Miss Clara E. Brown having asked if the
cocoons had any commercial value. To this question you replied that on the account
of the difficulty in reeling the filament of the cocoon it could hardly be used indus-
trially. This is true; but we may well ask if these cocoons may not be used for
spinning into schappe (spun silk) or for articles of fantaisie. I do not know whether
these cocoons have been studied from this point of view; in France at least no serious
trial has been made of them, though I have had some samples of them combed as a
matter of pure curiosity. The first question to study is that of the quantity of these
cocoons. Miss Brown has, perhaps, personal reasons for complaining of the damage

done by these wild worms; but it is possible that in reality the product in cocoons

would be very light. It would be important to know how many of these cocoons
could be obtained ; for, in order to make a proper test, it would he necessary to have
several pounds. This Cecropia is little known to us, and I find in fact that we even
have no specimens of it. It would be interesting to have some, at least some of the
cocoons, such as are found attached to trees, aud some of the moths. In examining
my notes I find that I saw, some years ago, cocoons and moths of certain species, one
of which was very probably the Platysamia cecropia, while the others were cf one or
two species very similar to it. Were they hybrids of tiie Cecropia? I do not know.
As the Cecropia is abundant in the United States you ought to know whether it is of
@ unique species or whether there are others allied to it,

29

arly in January we were able to send M. RKondot a few live cocoons
of the Cecropia, and in transmitting them gave the following reply to
his questions :

The species which is the most common in the United States is the Atlacus cecropia
of Linné. There are two species in this country very closely allied to it and by some
held to be simple varieties of the Cecropia; they are the Columbia and the Gloveri.
It is possible that it is to one or both of these that you refer as being mentioned in
your notes.

It is hoped, from the live specimens sent M. Rondot, and a similar
quantity sent to M. Quajat, at Padua, that these scientists may raise a
sufficient crop of Cecropia cocoons to satisfy themselves of their value
for the production of schappe. In this connection it may be added that
Mr. i. G. Wilson, of Parsons, Dak. (statistical correspondent of the De-
partment), informs us, under date of December 18, that wild cocoons are
found in large quantities in his neighborhood, and that he wishes to
send specimens of them to the Paris Exhibition. He has been requested
to forward specimens to this Department.—[ Philip Walker. ]

SPRAYING FOR THE ELM LEAF-BEETLE.

Prof. John B. Smith, in Garden and Forest for June 19, gives an ae-
count of his experiments in spraying large elm trees on the Rutgers
College campus. He used a Seneca Falls force-pump, mounted on a
tank holding 40 gallons and provided with a 50-foot hose. The end of
the hose is attached to a 10-foot pole, and by means of a light ladder
20 feet in length the foliage of the largest trees, some of which are over
50 feet in height, can be reached. Professor Smith finds that the ad-
dition of a small quantity of kerosene emulsion to the mixture of Lon-
don purple and water is of use in enabling the spray to penetrate the
pubescence on the under side of the leaves and to spread wherever it
touches instead of collecting in drops and falling. He recommends the
addition of a pint of kerosene emulsion to 20 gallons water containing
one-fifth of a pound of London purple, and states that this amount of
the mixture is sufficient for one of the largest trees.

THE DINGY CUT-WORM (AGROTIS SUBGOTHICA Haw.).

Late in May, 1886, Mr. Henry Nobes, a fruit-grower in the vicinity
of La Fayette, Ind., called our attention to the fact that some insect,
unknown to him, was destroying the ripening fruit in his strawberry
field, large berries being wholly or for the most part devoured. A visit
to the field soon revealed the depredator to be this cut-worm, which
occurred in great numbers under the straw mulch. Worms were not
only caught in the act of eating the berries, but many were found gorged
with the fruit, the red color distinctly showing through the skin of the
culprits. In places where the mulch had been removed they did not
appear to trouble the fruit, except to a very limited extent.—I*. M.
WEBSTER,

30
THE EUROPEAN WHITE GRUB.

We do not know which to wond3r at the most, the industry of the
woman or the numbers in which the White Grub (larva of the Euro-
pean Melolontha vulgaris) must have occurred in the soil, in the state-
ment made by M. Reiset and quoted in “La Nature” for the 18th of
May, where it is stated that in a field of about one hectare (2.471 acres)
a single woman collected 759 pounds (344 kilograms) of these White
Grubs or Cock Chafer larvee in 15 days. The actual! number of grubs
was estimated at 150,000.

A WHEAT PEST IN CYPRUS.

Mr. A. E. Shipley, of Cambridge, England, has just published a pre.
liminary report on the species of Tineina which injures wheat crops in
Cyprus (Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Gardens, Kew,
No. 30, June, 1889, pages 133-135). This insect is C’cophora tempera-
tella, a species which occurs at Beyrout and Libya, and is widely distrib-
uted throughout Palestine. The damage is done by the larva in min-
ing the leaves and stems of the wheat. Many thousands of bushels of
grain are lost through its work. The information which Mr. Shipley
has received has so far been very fragmentary.

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

June 27, 1859.—Mr. G. W. J. Angell, of New York City, was elected a corresponding
member of the society.

Dr. Marx read a note giving the record of the numbers (216,000,000) of May beetles
collected and destroyed in Tuchel, Pomerania. Mr. W. H. Ashmead read a descrip-
tive paper entitled ‘An Anomalous Chalcid,” in which he erected a new genus anil
species (Hoplocrepis albiclavis), for a Chalcid collected by the late Dr. R. S. Turner,
at Fort George, Fla. The paper was discussed by Messrs. Howard and Schwarz.

Mr. L. O. Howard called the attention of the society to some enlarged figures of the
mouth parts of Periplaneta orientalis in Miall and Denny’s work on the Cockroach, in
which no indication is given of a digitus proceeding from near the tip of the lacinia
corresponding to the one occurring in P. americana described by him at a recent meet-
ing of the society. Mr. Howard then briefly reviewed Miss Ormerod’s recent book on
South African Insects, and concluded his contributions by reading Hy. Edwards’s
paper, prepared for INsecr LirE and published in the present number, on Noises
made by Lepidoptera. ‘This very interesting paper called forth a considerable discus-
sion by various members relative to the noises of Lepidoptera and other insects.

Mr. E. A. Schwarz presented a paper entitled Myrmecophilous Insects and a cata-
logue of Myrmecophilous Coleoptera, exhibiting specimens of the Coleoptera treated.
The paper was a very valuable contribution to our knowledge of the insect parasites
aud messmates of ants, aud was discussed by Dr. Marx, Mr. Ashmead, and others,

C. L. MARLATT,
Acting Recording Secretary.

feo OE PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. AUGUST, 1889.
Mrol. "LT. IN oie

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST
AND HIS ASSISTANTS.

(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ]

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1889.

CONTENT Ss

SRE GAME N ODES te a slee, oe eile, e craleaine wele sect cnc este itis <a ee eeGreins sathacisjeecreneeee
AGGREGATE DAMAGE FROM COTTON WORMS IN TEXAS, CROP OF 1887. B. W. Snow.
A NEWLY-IMPORTED ELM INSECT (illustrated) .--....----.------ L. O. Howard.
SoME MICHIGAN NOTES RECORDED ..-------- At OPTS Tyler Townsend.
PRELIMINARY NOTE UPON CHIONOBAS (CENEIS) MACOUNI, Edw. (illus-

PLAOCO! hess ciseee pra se estan seoee Seas bebe, seek Rebs etree James Fletcher -

HEXTRACTS KROM CORRESPONDENCE goscec -cjoejce 1s Joe ee ie = ee eee eer
Pieris rape in California.—Poisonous Spiders.—A Spider-bite Contribu-
tion.—Blackbirds vs. Boll-worms.—Further on American Insecticides
in India.—A new Quince Enemy.—New Food-plant and Enemy of
icerya.—The Red- legged Flea-beetle again.—The Tarnished Plant-bug
on Pear and Apple.— Walshia amorphella and the Loco Weed.
STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, ETC..-.-Lord Walsingham.
(CRON FoIRAU PMO SHOR DA REE poeta Bentean meds AAS eoes Hesse ecec Aseeae ob ead suctsodea
Honors to American Entomology.—A new East Indian Genus of Coccidee.—
Cannibalism with Lady-birds.\—Damage by the-Pear Midge.—Icerya
purchasi not in Florida.—A new State Board of Horticulture.—The
Army Worm in Indiana.—Doings of Agrotis cupidissima.—The Disap-
pearance of Icerya in New Zealand.—A Peculiarity of certain Caddis-
flies. —Caterpillars stopping Trains, —Locusts in Algeria, —The New Cat-
tle-fly or Horn Fly.

II

51
54

Vol. II, No. 2. |

SNSECT LIFE. [August, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

The Grain Louse.—The common Grain Aphis (Siphonophora avene)
has quite outdone itself this season. Appearing in enormous numbers
in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, it re-
mained in the fields much later than usual, and it was not until nearly
time for wheat harvest that its natural enemies had sufficiently in-
creased to destroy it. Toward the end the parasites and predaceous
insects were present in startling numbers and we have been able to
rear Many new ones, as well as to recognize at least two of Fitch’s spe-
cies. The insect enemies which we have so far found comprise eight
species of hymenopterous parasites, one dipterous parasite, three spe-
cies of Syrphid flies, two Chrysopas, and a number of Coccinellids.

The Grain Louse itself is a difficult insect to fight, and it is must fort-
unate that it is usually killed off by its enemies before appreciable
damage is done. Its operations this year have doubtless caused some
shrinkage of the crops, the amount of which can not be estimated at
the present time.

The proposed Economic Entomologists’ Union.—At about the time when
this number of INSECT LIFE is being mailed an earnest discussion as
to the advisability of such an association as we proposed in our Janu-
ary number will be going on at Toronto. Mr. James Fletcher, Domin-
ion Entomologist of Canada and president of the Entomological Club
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, im-
pressed with the great desirability for such an association and encour-
aged by favorable comments from a number of prominent workers, has
issued a call for a preliminary meeting at the Toronto meeting of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science.

We earnestly hope that an organization will be effected, for we feel
sure that it would result in great benefit to the members and to the
country at large.

Statistics of Loss from Insects——As a contribution to the interesting
study of the damage done by insects, computed in dollars and cents,
we publish in this number a careful summary of the damage done by

31

32

Cotton Worms in Texas during 1837, compiled from the first annual
report of the commissioner of agriculture of Texas, by Mr. B. W. Snow,
assistant statistician to this department. This summary had been
promised us by Mr. Dodge, but as he was called away Mr. Snow has
kindly prepared it for our use.

Professor Cook’s Bulletin on the Grain Louse.—Prof. A. J. Cook has
just published, as Bulletin No. 50 of the Michigan Experiment Station,
a short account of the Grain Plant-louse, giving a brief summary of the
known facts concerning this insect. The bulletin is preliminary in its
character and no remedies are suggested.

East Indian Rhynchota.— We have just received from Mr. E. T. Atkin-
son a continuation of his valuable papers upon this subject. The present
installment comprises some nine y pages and includes descriptions of
species numbered 295 to 443.

AGGREGATE DAMAGE FROM COTTON WORMS IN TEXAS, CROP OF
1887.

By B. W. SNow, Assistant Statistician.

The commissioner of agriculture of Texas, in his first annual report,
presents a statement of the aggregate cotton crop of that State for
1887 by counties. In many parts of the State the season was an un-
favorable one for this crop, drought and worms very much reducing the
yield per acre. Anestimate of the damage done by worms is presented
for each county, ranging from nothing in many counties to a loss of 50
per cent. of the crop in others of large production, and an even heavier
loss in some counties where the crop is of little importance and insecti-
cides are not made use of. For the whole State the amount of damage
done averaged about 21 per cent. of the crop.

According to this return the total number of bales gathered was
1,125,499, while had there been total exemption from insect damage the
farmers of Texas, according to this authority, would have gathered a
crop of 1,422,948 bales. This would make the aggregate loss from
worms equal to 297,449 bales. Tie value per bale of the crop which
was made at the place of production averaged slightly over $40. Pre-
suming that an increase of less than half a million bales in the aggre-
gate crop would have made but little difference in price, the actual
money loss to the farmers of Texas in one year from the Cotton Worm
alone was $11,897,960. 5

It is not claimed that these figures are absolutely accurate, but they
are undoubtedly approximately correct, and will give some idea of the
enormous tribute levied upon American agriculture by injurious in-
sects. In that year Texas produced but 21 per cent. of the cotton crop

wo eed

33

of the country, and the Cotton Caterpillar and Boll Worm were active
in all sections of the cotton belt.
been so heavy, but it would swell the aggregate loss in one crop to
startling proportions.

The following statement has been prepared from the data presented
in the report quo‘ed from, and shows by counties the actual crop gath-
ered, with the aggregate product which would have been picked had

there been no loss from worms.

The injury elsewhere may not have

In a number of counties damage from

worms is not mentioned, and it is presumed that no loss occurred.

Loss Product Loss Product
Counties, Bales. | fromin- | without | Counties. Bales. | from in- | without
sects. loss. || sects. loss.
x
Percent.| Bales. | Percent.| Bales.
Anderson.....----- 11, 818 20 1450S) || eLardiniees aa saee 94 333 | 141
Angelina .......-.. NOLO Sree taocas 2629) || Earns eee nies <i <= 2, 78i 23 3, 612
Atascosa .....---.- Bye poe coppaee 348 || Harrison.......--. 15, 556 10 17, 284
PAIS ULI als .= os aisicla is 17, 378 12 19, 748 || Haskell........... 16 29 23
Bandera ...-......- DAS esa se te TEINS ESSE) ep aceam6ee 3, 253 Ly 3, 406
BASSLOP es cine + =< 18, 274 18 16,187 || Henderson........ 8, 778 aly 10, 570
BAVlOLSseseeeeisicsli) Hose | Di lesSecee tee 9 || Hidalgo..--....... 146 89,5 1, 446
BGG mcen 2s soeees ==: UA bl eds See HEA bil) Webi) ee oe eases 13, 188 58 31, 400
Belles eiceercs scien 21, 481 20 26: Sob)! PH OO sais oesste see 1, 082 87 8, 323
[BOR AE a aicteiocrs cis 1, 268 34 1920) Hopkins\.--c2sce. 14, 230 20 17, 788
PTA CO gee eer n= 890 25 DSeES Te | ELOUSLON = at55-8 <5 -1 10, 716 10 11, 907
TOSCO ij sacicsmcsie(so 3, 615 36 AMR E Z| |S e label ous ate Bonne 29, 701 12 33, 751
OWI ee venice te toe 6, 679 25 Or GUGM Dac Keven scicce« 1, 088 5 1,145
IBTAZOLID sap eiscea ns 6, 344 25 8,459 | Jackson ..-...-..- 741 25 988
IEA B aneseeceeere 14, 229 15 LG; 740 SaSPOLe ace i= cele 1, 099 20 1, 874
IBTOWMEe aa cec\oce ae 2, 374 39 3, 892 || Jefferson..-.....-. 87 25 116
iBurlesony ses 0. = 108400 Enc astec 10, 489 || Johnson ..-..--.-.- 11, 489 33 17, 148
BM Cte arate sis ores, « 1, 849 15 AH LTOS||NPONOS!s ¢ 5a fein 366 32 538
Oaldiwellre2 ces. -2- 8, 669 8 95423" || WKarnes,-c- acc ee <5 967 44 1, 727
Galhouniees2 2.322. 2 50 4 || Kaufman -.....-... 21 236s cecccese 21, 236
@allahane 2 i2ses oc: 745 25 Gos rliiendalleeeseeeceee 419 Too 421
Cameron ..-.....--- 390 25 S20 Kerr 122.26 actenitat 256 40 427
Campes castes 5c-% 4, 356 20 Deaa br KNOX skeen s Sek 1 eg es at 1
CWasBitee esos anno TS R546) |e rote nas 13,546" uamarricctec sae 29, 252 38 47,181
Chambers ..--..-.-. 29 25 39 || Lampasas..-...---. 783 20 979
Cherokee!<-.<s/2- 13, 137 10 145597 ||| avec 2.2 -s-- 15, 246 20 19, 058
@mildresssco.sseee Dl eee seiecrs 2 WheG@racecctecc=se o- 8, 126 11 9, 130
(EN poscc Bee eee 533 10 592i leReon stone sates 9, 443 10 10, 492
Coleman...-.-.....; 469 48 902) |miaiberty; 22224600 1, 693 20 2,116
Gollivtieese=se weds 33, 112 17 39, 894 || Limestone .....--. 13, 020 25 17, 360
20, 526 15 24,148 || Live Oak ......--. 33 5 35
2, 315 20 28045 Milanod-tn =e sees Tlic |S seeve ee 76L
4, 894 44 8, 739 || Madison ..-....... 4, 252 8 4, 622
19 45 30) ||) Marion 2-e--22--1- 6, 165 5 6, 489
11, 109 45 205198) |i Mason'-2- 5. cesoce 725 11 815
6, 161 5 6,485 |; Matagorda . ...... 8, 123 26 4, 220
PCa as See 27, 796 || McCulloch . ...-.. 167 25 223
8, 514 24 11, 203 || McLennan .....--. 16, 823 40 28, 038
18, 288 30 18, 983 || McMullen .... -. Ais asseeeee 4
7, 565 25 10, 087 || Medina ..--...--.. | 178 5 187
52 50 OS) | |CMGilams crc cee - aetee | 14,773 23 19, 186
Hastland’..-2-.-<:. 2, 456 32 SHOU ZAMMIT a: kee meee se | 369 63 997
WATS. 2-cse.c cc 13 20 17 || Montague .-...-... | 7, 548 14 8,777
SMUNShee sone fe ea tees 40, 735 19 50, 290 || Montgomery ..-.. Op alo 10 5, 906
AAS 8 5 oes tors win = 5, 375 44 95598) ||' Morris:).-=-..ccs- | BP BASE icse | 3, 702
IV ANIS Weosevs se ass Y's 9, 750 15 11,471 || Nacogdoches..-.... 9, 468 5 9, 966
SUE aps 6 eee eee 38, 296 10 42,551 || Navarro......-<--- UM SO8 eecece sac 11, 730
Fayette .-.--..--... 39, 187 13 40, 445 || Newton ...... .-. 1, 036 13 1,191
PEAR NOD Soe ola .a Sefeeine' 62 1 633 |PNolanpes2e2 scene. 3) ceafatoes 3
Fort Bend......... 10, 139 25 LBFOLOM || ENmecespasc>.c2o- Bo lfote crete 3:
Ih a hh ere 3, 897 21 4,933 || Orange ..--.-----. 142 34 215.
Freestone .-......: 6, 202 34 9,397 || Palo Pinto........ 803 34 1, 217
EOIN OWCE oye cote eS aie sale 215 5 22 Panola nce sees 12, 658 5 18, 324
Galveston ......... Btoillaceacoeace BON ||P aPKeRe son sc css oe 4, 786 31 6, 936
Gillespie .......... 1, £54 25 O30 RL Ole nce sslyacie fais 3, 214 8 3, 493
Goliadessencaceccee 2, 806 32 45 26))||\ REINS see acl aesose 3, 795 20 4, 744
Gonzales - . 10, 382 15 125214 || Red Rivers 2222. =. 22,512 25 30, 016
Graysons + hee. 24, 904 29 35, 076 || Refugio .......... 62 44 UL
GDOCL re en Asc 311 48 598 || Robertson ....... 18, 963 OF en al 25, 284
Gregg so. i.sccse<'- 4, 854 10 5,393 || Rockwall ...-..... 6, 665 | 502". | 13, 330
Grimes, 5. .-e sce 16, 563 12 18, 822 || Runnels .......... 52 | 90 520
Guadalupe.......-. 9, 376 20 TAG PAU Leah) eee 15, 967 | 20 19, 959
Hamilton .......... 1, 940 55 4,311 || Sabine...... sees 2, 917 | 12 3, 315
Hardeman ......... 10 50 20 | San Augustine -.. 4, 156 11 4, 670

34

ee. .00— Te

l | : |
| Loss | Product | Loss Product
Counties. | Bales. | from in- | without | Counties. Bales. | from in- | without

| sects. loss. sects. loss.

| |]

Per cent.| Bales. | | Per cent.| Bales.
San Jacinto...-.-.-- 5, 342 15 6, 285 || Val Verde ....-.--- (| Ares SoBe | 5
San Patricio ..-..-.. 160 50). }} 320 || Van Zandt.....-..- 10, 482 20 | 13, 103
Hither ae aereras 708 | 8 THOMWIN RCLOLIA coasters cera 3, 710 33 5, 537
Shackelford ....--. 10: yal ein aerso 145 31) Wiallker-reacic oocec 6, 726 19 8, 304
Seliy case 2: S26. sel Op es hea 11,415 || Waller............ 7, 823 15 9, 203
Sri iS eee eno 16, 589 | 20 20,736 | Washington ...... 30, 644 13 | 35, 223
Somervell .......-. 498 | 95 9,960 ||} Wharton ... ...-. 8, 875 18:5} 10, 823
Stephens =o). 52 1, 044 | 10 1,160 || Wichita .......-.- 39 55 | 87
PRAT G ee os -s ae 9, 781 26 13,217 || Wilbarger ..--.--. 32 17 : 39
RavlOnees =s-isccess 2u9 5 220 || Williamson ..-....- 11, 391 15 13, 401
Throckmorton... -.| final fester tree ae OM) Walson®. 2.cecscci22 3, 793 | 32 5, 578
IS UTC Se See emsac 5, 844 | 15 6875) Wis@s<os<c-nssecee 5, 495 38 8, 863
Tom Green ....--.-. Dlejed tem eee | PANG) Vi@Wtle es s866 ss585 8, 881 30 12, 687
raise oe ae 18, 664 8 | 20,287 || Young......--.--- 391 | 1685, 469
Within Aemaeeaeeees | 3, 759 2 3,836 | Miscellaneous .-.. OF 150Gb. cetera 27, 150
eRvlenre Giay oo | - 2.788 | 26 4, 356 a5 = $/sc tee
Upshur. ...-...:-.. | 8,212 | 22 10, 528 Total )~ 2-2-2 |1 125 4001 mey ee 1, 422, 948
ivaldey. Sesaecee e. 22 | Fasosee est 22 || |

A NEWLY-IMPORTED ELM INSECT.
By L. O. Howarp.

Our first knowledge of this insect in this country was gained in 1884,
when Mr. Charles Fremd, of Rye, Westchester County, N. Y., wrote
Professor Riley, under date of June 22, as follows:

My elm trees in the nursery are troubled this year with a red-looking mealy bug.
Thousands of them are be-
tween the cracks of the
bark, and are destroying
the vitality of the trees.
Ihave made oue applica-
tion of kerosene emulsion,
but I presume not strong

them again with astrong-
er emulsion.) 9% 0
Professor Riley was
in Europe at the time,
and we_ there‘ore
wrote Mr. Fremd for
specimens, which he
promptly sent, June
30. All of them had
been saturated with
kerosene emulsion,
however, and were
not in fit condition

Fig. 1.—GOssYPARIA ULMI: a, young larva trom above; b, young
larva from side—greatly enlarged (original). for study. It was

plainly to be seen that they were new to the Coccid fauna of the United

States, and our impression then was that they belonged near the genus
Hriococcus.

enough. I will go over-

—

35

The following month Mr. Fremd sent other specimens, all old females,
and offered as a surmise as to the cause of their occurrence on his place
the suggestion that they were very similar to bark-lice which he had
noticed four or five years previously on some Chinese azaleas which he
had procured from a New Jersey nursery, and which ultimately died,
perhaps from the effects of the remedies applied for the Coccids.

This information unfortunately put us on the wrong track, and, sup-
posing that it might be a new Chinese insect, we allowed otiuer more
important matters to intervene.

In June, 1887, this insect was sent to the Department again by Mr.
John G. Jack, who found it at Cambridge, Mass., on the bark of Ulmus

fulva (Slippery Elm). In Professor Riley’s absence we wrote Mr. Jack
the facts which had come to our notice, and that the species was unde-
termined in the collection of the National Museum and the Department
of Agriculture, and advised him to send specimens to Professor Com-
stock, who was studying the group critically. A month later Mr. Jack
wrote that he had followed our advice and that Professor Comstock
reported that the species was undetermined, that it had been in his col-
lection for some time, and that the previous winter he had found that it
occurred abundantly on some elm trees in New York City.

In the summer of 1888 Mr. Jack sent other full-grown specimens,
and the same summer it was found upon several elms in the grounds of
the Department of Agriculture, at Washington, by Mr. W. B. Alwood.
In the fall of 18858 we found it also upon Ulmus americana in two local-
ities in the streets of Washington. Up to this date only old females
had been found, and these presented much the appearance of Hriococcus
azalece Comst.,* except that the white, somewhat ribbed excretion is not
continuous over the back, but is abundant around the sides, curling up
over the back and leaving the central portion brown and bare.

April 29, 1889, Mr. Jack sent to the Department some bits of bark
and small limbs carrying non-impregnated females, male cocoons, and
just-issued males, and, as Professor Riley was again unfortunately ab-
sent, this time as representative of the Department to the Paris Expo-
sition, we undertook some further study of the species from Mr. Jack’s
material, and from that found in Washington had careful drawings
made, and had little difficulty in determining that the insect was iden-
tical with the European Gossyparia ulmi Geoffroy, described by Sig-
noret in the Annales de la Société Entomologique de France for 1875,
page 21, and which occurs commonly upon Ulmus campestris in Europe.
According to Signoret, alni Modier, farinosus De Geer, spurius Modier,
and lanigera Gmélin are synonyms of this species. The specific name of
the first-mentioned synonym would indicate that the species also occurs
upon Alnus, and indeed Signoret states that he has collected it in the
Bois de Boulogne on Alder.

*This was probably the scale which Mr. Fremd noticed upon his Chinese Azaleas
and which he confounded with his Elm Coccids.

36

Signoret describes the newly hatched larva, the adult female before
and after impregnation, and the immature male. Concerning the latter
stage he writes :

We have collected a large number of active male nymphs, but no complete males.
As with the preceding genus [ Nidularia], when one disturbs these insects during
their state of metamorphosis, they are apt torunaway. This is what M. Lichtenstein
has noticed with Dactylopius vitis, which he has pointed out as having an active
nymph; but, according to us, it is to avoid danger, and under natural conditions the
nymphs do not leave the sort of sac which serves them as a cradle [ berceaw].

In this conclusion Signoret has been at fault. The true pupa is not
active, and from the nature of its sheathed limbs can not be active.

The form which Signoret describes and calls the ** nymph” casts off the:

pupa skin while yet in the cocoon and issues with its wings as yet un-
folded and represented simply by pads, as shown in Fig. 3. It remains
in this condition for some time (several days ?), runs freely about, with
great activity, as we have seen, and, according to Mr. Jack’s observations,
even copulates with the female before its wings expand. It was in this
condition that Signoret always found it. Others issue later with ex-
panded wings and of the appearance shown in Fig. 5¢, possessing long
anal filaments. No casting of the skin has been observed between the
two stages, but one may have taken place, and the form with the wing
pads should be considered a pseudimago comparable with the form so-
called in the Ephemerids.

Signoret’s descriptions of the different stages are sufficiently accurate,
and we may simply give a brief résumé of the appearance, adding a
fuller description of the adult male.

The newly hatched larva is of an elongated oval form, narrower be-
hind, of a clear yellow color, each segment with a strong lateral spine
and the front border of the body with six spines. The genito-anal ring
has six hairs, around which is later formed a secretion which renders
them invisible. There is a double row of spines down the middle of the
back; the antenne are six-jointed, the first three joints longest, the
fourth and fifth shortest. (See Fig. 1.)

The adult female before impregnation is of a similar shape, but the
terminal lobes of the abdomen are. more developed. Each segment is
covered with spiny spinnerets secreting wax. The antenne are six
jointed, second and third longest, fourth and fifth shortest. There is
an elongated protuberance each side of the autenne. The legs are short
and slender, with the tibia shorter than the tarsus. The genito-anal
ring has 8 hairs. (See Fig. 5a.)

The full-grown male larva has seven-jointed antenne, joint 7 long-
est, the rest equal. After impregnation the female becomes more round,
fixes herself, the secretion becomes much more abundant on the sides,
making at first lammelle, which afterwards unite into a continuous
cushion. The back becomes smooth and the segmentation is plainly
visible. The dorsum is plane transversely, but curved longitudinally.

Particularly after the birth of the young, the female becomes well

37

separated from the waxy cushion and is easily removed from it (even
jarring will accomplish the removal), leaving the noticeable empty white
cup with its fringed edges. (See Fig. 2.)

Fig. 2.—GOssyPARIA ULMI: a, adult female from below; b, adult female from side; ec, adult female

from above—all greatly enlarged; d, empty waxy cushion; e, females in natural position—enlarged;
J, shrivelled females—natural size (original).

The male presents a puzzle, and neither Mr. Jack’s observations nor
our own have solved it. The active form
with wing pads issued some days before
fully-fledged males were noticed. Speci-
mens under observation in Washington
were observed to copulate in this condi-
tion. The antenne are ten-jointed, the
joints well separated; the wings are repre-
sented by pads of varying length. The
poisers appear rather thick and fleshy,
but lack the terminal hook. The abdo-
men is very stout, suboval, considerably
broader than the thorax, and when seen
from above covers cox, trochanters, and
bases of the femora. Its segments are not
well marked. (See Fig. 3.) pet. As ;

A few days after this form makes its se eae eolaneal (aLaa eae
appearance the cocoons begin to give out
the perfect males, which issue with wings fully expanded. (See Fig.

38

5c.) There really seems to have been a molt between this pseudi-
mago and the perfect male, for in no other way can we account for the
difference in form. The antennz possess the same number of joints (ten)
of about the same relative proportion, although joints 3 and 4 are longer,
but the incisures are rather better marked. The poisers are lighter in
color and less fieshy in appearance, and the curved hook is plainly visi-
ble at tip. The abdomen is rather longer, much more slender, and
tapers gradually from base to tip. Its segments are well incised and
plainly separable from above. It does not cover the hind cox and
trochanters. The tibiz are longer in proportion to their tarsi. The
anal segment gives off two waxy filaments as long as the entire body.
These filaments were not noticed in the pseudimago.

The cocoon itself is rather close though thin, flattened oval, and pure
white, about 2™™ long by 1™™ wide, and is composed of
rather coarse wax fibers. (See Fig. 4.)

According to one season’s observations, therefore,
this peculiar pseudimaginai form issues under perfect-
ly natural conditions several days before the true im-
ago; itis active and copulates. We have not observed
it develop into a true imago. We have seen the true
imago, however, issue from the cocoon, fully fledged,
several days later. Why it ever issues as a pseudi-
mago we do not know. That this is common is shown
by the observations of Signoret, who never saw the
fully-fledged male. We are not certain whether the
copulation of the pseudimago with the female is a per-
feet one or is abortive and prompted by premature in-
stinct, although the intromittent organ of this forin is
apparently complete and unsheathed.

From Mr. Jack’s notes and our own observations at
Washington we are able to give the round of the in-
secc’s life in general terms. The young lice are appar-
ently born viviparously as with the Mealy Bugs, and
pe fos issue from their living mothers in late June and early
male, showing anal July and scatter actively over the tree, the majority of

filaments and edges fi

ea paudrecd them with Ulmus fulva in which the twigs are pube-
(original). scent or bristly, settling temporarily upon the leaves,
mainly upon the upper surface in the angles of the midrib and princi-
pal veins, but also upon the undersurface. With Ulmus racemosa, how-
ever, the twigs being smooth, large numbers settle about the buds and
on the surface of the twig, many others also occurring on the leaves.
With Ulmus montana, which is the species upon which we have princi-
pally studied them, they settle very abundantly upon the under sides
of the leaves along the midrib and preferably just at the forkings of the

veins. We have never found them settled upon the upper surface of the-

leaves, nor, in this stage, upon the twigs.

39

In August the lice desert the leaves and new twigs and return to the
larger branches and trunk where they soon settle themselves in crevices
of the bark. At this time they secrete a great deal of honey-dew which
attracts ants and other insects, and gives off curiously enough a pun-
gent odor which Mr. Jack states is noticeable where large numbers of
the coecids are at work, but which we have not noticed at Washington,
probably on account of the comparative scarcity of the lice.

This settling into the crevices of the trunk and limbs is purely for
hibernation and is not a permanent fixture, as when Mr. Jack took some
branches into the house in December they became quite active, moved
about the limbs and escaped to different parts of the room.

As warm weather comes in the spring they begin moving once more,
the females cast their last skin and the males form their cocoons. The
adult males issue about May 1, and while still in the pseudimago state,
were observed both in Cambridge and at Washington in many cases to
copulate with the females. The fully developed males are seen in abun-
dance a few days later; the great majority of the late ones issuing from
their cocoons with the wings fully expanded and the anal filaments
complete. Indeed the long filaments protrude from the cocoon and by
laying hold of them the insect can be pulled out. It issues neturally
backwards as do the males of other Coccide.

Soon after copulation the females fix themselves permanently and the
males disappear. This occurs the latter part of May. The females at
this time are attached mainly to the trunk and larger limbs. From this
stage (the impregnated female) the secretion of honey dew is more pro-
nounced than from the young females described in an earlier paragraph.
It is given off in minute drops, which, according to Mr. Jack, are plainly
visible while falling in the bright sunlight. The trunk, branches, and
lower leaves are blackened, and many ants, wasps, and flies, as well as
some beetles, are attracted.

The young lice begin to hatch in from three to four weeks after 1m-
pregnation, and thus the life round is completed.

Mr. Jack’s original specimens were found upon Ulmus fulva in the
Arnold Arboretum near Boston, and he afterwards found the species
quite widely distributed in the vicinity of Boston, occurring upon U.
americana and U. racemosa as well as upon the European species, U.
montana and U. campestris. He found it more common on the American
species than upon the European, and more abundantly upon U. fulva
than upon U. americana. Upon the latter species he found that the
Coccids preferably left the coarse bark of the trunk and ascended to
the higher parts of the tree.

in Washington specimens have been found upon the Department
grounds in considerable numbers only upon one of the varieties of the
European Ulmus montana (probably var. rubra), only occasional speci-
mens being found upon U. campestris and the American species grow-
ing side by side with U. montana. U. fiélva, which is so badly infested

40

at Boston, is apparently untouched in Washington. In other parts of
the eity the Coecids have been found in several instances upon the
trunks of the large U. americana, but these trees are too tall to mount
readily to ascertain the numbers on the limbs. On the infested U.
montana at the Department the old females cluster thickly along the
under sides of the lower limbs, and through July the young are scat-
tered over the leaves feeding vigorously and growing rapidly. Were
we considering this question of the varieties attacked from the Wash-

ington trees only we could very plausibly account for the occurrence -

of the species so abundantly upon montana and not on campestris for
the reason that the leaves of campestris are completely skeletonized
every summer by the larve of the imported Elm-leaf Beetle, while the
leaves of montana are only partly eaten, thus giving the young Coccids
abundant opportunity to develop on the latter and none at all on the
former species; but unfortunately the facts from Cambridge obviate
this simple conclusion.

AN.

DearS
Jig GO

}

Fig. 5.—GossyPaRIA ULMI: a, female before impregnation—greatly enlarged; 0, male cocoons in
natural position on limb—natural size; c, perfect male—greatly enlarged (original).

Upon ascertaining definitely during May the identity of the species
with the European Gossyparia ulmi it immediately oceurred to us as a
matter of course that it was quite natural that the insect should be
abundantly found in the two localities of Boston and Washington in

41

the arboretums in which European elms were largely growing; but
there was still their earlier occurrence at Rye, N. Y., to be explained.
We therefore wrote to Mr. Fremd, June 26, to ascertain whether there
were any European elms in his vicinity and whether the insects had
increased, and received promptly the following very satisfactory reply:

I am just in receipt of yours, and will answer at once. At the time I wrote to
you, in 1884, regarding the elm louse, I had several hundred of European elms in the
nursery, and there are also quite a number of large trees, etc., in a number of
lawns about Rye. The louse has disappeared from our trees altogether, how I don’t
snow: "0.

The probable reason for the disappearance of the insects with Mr.
Fremd was his use of the kerosene emulsion in 1884, as he wrote us
under date of June 22, 1884, that he had used a weak emulsion and
was about to try astronger one. This leads us to Mr. Jack’s statement
that whale-oil soap with kerosene was successfully tried against the
old scales on the trunks and larger limbs in the Arnold arboretum, but
those upon the smaller limbs escaped. He did not know the strength
of the solution.

This finding of Gossyparia ulmi upon American elms and upon Euro-
pean elms in this country was quite to be expected, and the only won-
der is that it has not been found and recognized before. The species
of Coccide have already extremely wide ranges, and every season still
further extends them. Of our admitted North American Coccid fauna
twenty-three species are of European origin (one more doubtfully so),
three are from Australiaand New Zealand, while sixty-nine are either truly
North American or their original home is unknown. As several of these
are found only on hot-house plants, they are certainly not North Amer-
ican. Several others are found on both native and imported plants and
there are no data upon which to decide upon their proper faunal posi-
tion. The fact that the Gossyparia prefers American elms at Cambridge
is by no means without precedent in the group, and as another instance
it may be mentioned that the beautiful oak-scale A sterodiaspis quercicola
(Bouché), recognized by Comstock in 1880 upon foreign oaks on the De-
partment of Agriculture grounds, is at the present time to be found al-
most solely upon American oaks in the same grove.

Since the completion of this article Professor Comstock has written
us that he had himself recently decided that this insect is the European
Gossyparia ulmi, and states that last winter he found it abundant upon
elms in Saxony. Healso states that it has been sent him by Mr. Henry
Edwards from New York City, and by Dr. Lintner from Marlborough,
N.Y. Mr. Edwards informs us by letter that his New York specimens
were obtained from English elms of three years’ growth.

42

SOME MICHIGAN NOTES RECORDED.
By TyLerR TOWNSEND.

The few notes here incorporated are selected and rewritten from an
account of injurious insect appearances in the vicinity of Constantine,
St. Joseph County, Mich., prepared by the writer three years ago (1886),
and which it is not now thought advisable to publish in its original
condition. The majority is omitted, only a few points being brought out
which are considered of sufficient interest to be worthy of record.

Passing the Hymenoptera with the remark that the Raspberry Saw-
fly (Selandria rubi) did some yearly injury from 1881 to 1886, we find
in the Lepidoptera a number of species to be noticed. Of the two Cab-
bage Butterflies (Pieris oleracea and rape), it is worthy of note that the
native species was (up to 1886) usually the more abundant, both species,
however, being quite injurious every year. Scudder records P. rape as
reaching this part of Michigan in 1877, on the authority of A. J. Cook
and KE. W. Allis. Thus for ten years at least the native butterfly has
held its own against the foreign one, as it seems to have done for a
shorter period of time in Colorado (see INSECT LIFE, I, p. 382).

The Peach-tree and Currant Borers (dgeria exitiosa and tipuliformis)
are prominent, the first, aided perhaps by the bard winters, having ex-
terminated the peach crop in this neighborhood. For several years up
to 1881 a fine crop of this fruit was realized, and that year there was a
splendid yield. In 1882 the yield was very small, many trees having
died. Since then the trees were especially infested with this borer,
which had previously been gaining steadily in its injuries for several
years, and many trees had died every year, while none yielded fruit,
until in 1886, in this immediate vicinity at least, hardly a live peach
tree was to be found.

The Orange-striped Oak-worm (Anisota senatoria) was very abundant
trom 1879 as far back as 1874, stripping red oaks especially of their
foliage to an alarming extent. It gradually became less injurious each
year until it almost disappeared. With the exception of a few iso-
lated larvie seen in 1836 and some a year or two before, there had been
none noticed for several vears back. Accounts this year (1889) indi-
cate that it has again made its appearance.

The Boll Worm (Heliothis armigera) came under notice only once dur-
ing a period of twelve years. This was in 1881, when the worms were
frequently met within ears of green corn. The Army Worm (Leucania
unipuncta) also appeared here in 1881, being in good force and entirely
destroying many fields of grain, especially oats.

In 18386 the moths of a species of Agrotis (probably subgothica) were
found in great numbers about houses, being especially numerous and

—

43

active every evening during the latter part of May, the whole of June,
and the first part of July, swarming on the upper-story windows of
houses.

In the Diptera several species never known to be injurious occurred
at times in some abundance. <A very sleek-looking, black, pubescent
fly (Laphria canis Will., determined for me by Dr. Williston) appeared
in very large numbers in May, 1886. They covered the grass as well as
raspberry and currant bushes, and were to be seen on almost every-
thing, yet it could not be ascertained that they did any injury. The
species passes its larval state in the ground, probably feeding on the
roots of plants or other vegetable substances, while in the perfect state,
together with other members of its genus, it is rapacious. Some mem-
bers of the family are even predaceous in their larval state, devour-
ing the larve of beetles found in grassy places (Williston). In two
local lists of Diptera, one of Montreal and the other of Philadelphia,
this species is not included, but it was described by Dr. Williston from
two specimens, ¢ and 2, taken in Connecticut, June 25. Three other
Diptera were observed in considerable numbers on currant bushes in
1882, on May 9 and later in the same month. They are Bibio femoratus
Wied., 6 and 2, asmaller undetermined species of Bibio, and Scatophaga
stercoraria Linn. The first of these is given the locality ‘Atlantic
States,” in Osten-Sacken’s list, and in the local lists just mentioned is
recorded from Philadelphia, but not from Montreal; the last species
occurs in both local lists. These three species appeared in more moder-
ate numbers at the time than did Laphria canis in 1886, but were still
quite numerous. They doubtless occur in smaller numbers every year,
but were not noticed as particularly abundant after 1882.

Of the Coleoptera, one of the May beetles, Lachnosterna prunina,
rather rare in collections, though locally abundant as wiil be seen, oc-
curred in good numbers in 1886 on raspberry, blackberry, oak, and apple,
in the evening, and there is good reason to believe that it has been nu-
merous in previous years. It first appeared May 2. On May 22, at 11
o’clock in the evening, 82 specimens were beaten from raspberry bushes
in the course of ahalfhour. It would seem that where there were so many
of the beetles on the leaves they would be apt to cause sonre damage, vet
the leaves had not been eaten. The beetles were abundant only on
bushes in grass or sod, those kept clean of grass and weeds yielding
very few specimens in proportion. In the larval state this species is,
as are its congeners, destructive to the roots of grass. Numbers of the
beetles were found every fine evening buzzing aboutin the grass in va-
rious places and finally flying away, these being no doubt individuals
which had but recently emerged from the pupa state. This is inexplana-
tion of their being found in abundance only on the bushes that were in
grassy places.

In the flemiptera, Brood XXII of the Periodical Cicada may be re-

+4

corded for this locality in 1885. Several other insects in this order
may be noticed. Prominent among them is the Grape-vine Leaf-hop-
per (Erythroneura vitis) which was very abundant in all its stages dur-
ing the first part of September, 1886, on the leaves of the grape. It
caused considerable injury by puncturing, and thus disfiguring the
leaves. The perfect insects that were noticed here did not have the
transverse reddish bands nearly so broad as generally represented
in the figures of them, but very narrow, while all the rest of the insect
is of a pale yellow.

The Grain Plant-louse (Siphonophora avene) occurs some years on
wheat and oats, but has never done particular damage. However, this
year (1889), reports from the vicinity of Constantine, and the local
papers, state that it has appeared in large numbers.

The Maple Scale (Pulvinaria innumerabilis) was very abundant on the
maples in 1884, being conspicuous and causing some alarm. It how-
ever disappeared without particular injury.

A greenish-yellow or grayish plant-bug (Huschistus variolarius) was
found in some numbers in July, 1886, on red raspberries. Quite a
number of the berries were noticed on the bushes, each one having a
specimen of this bug upon it, which from appearances seemed to have
been engaged in the nefarious practice of piercing the berry and suck-
ing its juices. One of these individuals was a nymph. This species
is very common at present, and it would not take much increase to
make it abundant, in which case some of our small fruits might sustain
a slight amount of injury, though nothing probably that would be ap-
preciable.

In the Orthoptera, many species of Acridide are common. The
Red-legged Locust (Caloptenus femur-rubrum) was very abundant in
August and September, 1886, in clover-stubble, meadows and pastures,
and along roadsides everywhere; yet they were not particularly injuri-
ous. Specimens were taken in coitu from September 3 to October 12
on fences along the roads in the country. The first winged specimens
were noticed this year on August 9. The Lesser Locust (Caloptenus
atlanis) occurs occasionally with the preceding. This species was taken
in coitu from September 13 to October 13. Other species occurring with
these are Caloptenus bivittatus and C. differentialis, which are usually
numerous. These two species were taken with C. atlanis, August 9,
early in the morning, on hollyhock seed-cups beginning to turn yellow,
which they had evidently been eating, as holes were found iu their
outer coverings.

PRELIMINARY NOTE UPON CHIONOBAS (GNEIS) MACOUNII, Edw.
By JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA, CAN.

In the Canadian Entomologist (X VII, p. 74, 1885) Mr. W. H. Edwards
describes the male of Chionobas macounii from about a dozen specimens
discovered June 28, 1884, by Prof.
John Macoun, the Canadian Govern-
ment Botanist, at Nepigon on the
Canadian Pacific Railway at the north-
ern extremity of Lake Superior. In
the last week of June, 1885, the same
collector took a male and two females -

‘at a far distant locality, Morley, in the
district of Alberta, N. W. T., lying at
the eastern base of the Rocky Mount-
ains. Up tothe present time these
are the only known stations for this
handsome species, which, in some
respects, is the most remarkable and
distinct species of the whcle genus.
In size and general appearance it ap-
proaches nearest to CO. californica,
but the sexual bar of androconia, such 4,4 ¢ — qeypis macoun: iaikeroa eee
a conspicuous feature in the males of from above; B, trom side, beginning of cut;
Chionobas, is entirely wanting in the C, from side, end of cut—natural size (original).
present species. The average expanse of the wing is, ¢ 55-65™™, 2
65-70"", In the Annual Report of the Entomological Society of On-
tario, 1888, page 85, is an account of an expedition I had the pleasure
of making with Mr. S. H. Scudder to Nepigon in the beginning of July,
1888, for the purpose of getting eggs so as to obtain a knowledge of the
earlier stages. Although local, the species was found to be compara-
tively abundant and about 250 eggs were secured. To reduce as much
as possible the chance of failure in breeding these were distributed to
about twenty different entomologists in various parts of America and
Europe. The eggs hatched in three weeks, and notwithstanding that
the larve ate readily of all grasses and sedges offered them there was
great mortality amongst the growing caterpillars, and the only speci-
mens I know of which were carried safely through the winter were those
sent to Mr. C. E. Holmgren, in Sweden, and three which I had myself
at Ottawa. These hatched July 27, 1888, passed first molt August 17,
grew very little before winter, and hibernated in the second stage.
They were left out-of-doors upon a living plant of Carex pedunculata
and rested exposed upon the leaves, where they finished feeding with-
out any protection and without spinning any silk.

3377—No. 2 2

46

The cold during the first part of the winter was very severe, the mer-
cury frequently dropping to 20° below zero (Fahr.), and this, too, with-
out any snow upon the ground. During February, 1889, however, much
snow fell, and they were covered by 4 feet of snow until the middle of
March. When the spring opened three larve revived, but only one
would feed; this passed its second molt on April 15, the third on June
13, and the fourth on July 6. In Mr. Scudder’s Butterflies of New
England (pp. 1775-1777), appear descriptions of the male, the female,
and the first three stages of the larva. What I take to be the mature
jarva is figured life size above* (eighteen days after fourth molt). The
general colour is grayish-brown, striped with black and pale lines. As
with many other grass-feeders, this caterpillar furnishes a good instance
of protective mimicry. It is extremely sluggish in its habits, generally
feeding very early in the morning, and then resting for several hours,
head downwards, at the base of the tuft of sedge, when the colour,
shape, and longitudinal stripes give an exact resemblance to the dead
leaves and scales always found at the base of these plants. The dis-
tinct dorsal and lateral stripes divide the body into widths equal to
the leaves, and the faint subdorsal and stigmatal lines indicate the
midribs, whilst many small black dots around these lines not a little
resemble the minute parasitic fungi which so often discolour the leaves
of grasses.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

Pieris rape in California.

In Insect LIFE, just received, I notice a note upon Pieris rape. In May, 1883, 1
captured in this place one male of that species (identified by George D. Hulst), since
when I have never seen another specimen, although collecting butterflies every year,
and usually extensively. That sample I have yet in my cabinet,

P. protodice is abundant here, but no great damage is done by it.—[W. G. Wright,
San Bernardino, Cal., July 13, 1829.

Poisonous Spiders.

I send to-day in glass tube a specimen of Latrodectus verecundus, or “poison spi-
der.” It is believed to occasionally bite people, with serious effect. I have myself
known two people (one of them a lady) who were bitten, presumably by this species
of spider, while in privies, and both persons were seriously ill for weeks. I presume
that the interest in this subject is about over; if not, I can interview the doctor who
attended the lady and the gentleman bitten and send you the results of the inquiry.
Personally I know that this spider frequents such places as old buildings and privies,
and it is my custom always to brush out with leafy twig all dark places before run-
ning any risk.—[W. G. Wright, San Bernardino, Cal., July 13, 1889.

* This figure was drawn by Miss Sullivan from photographs and notes brought by
Mr. Fletcher to Washington on a recent visit.—L. O. H.

47

A Spider-bite Contribution.

As my brother receives INSECT LirE, in which I have found very many interest-
ing things, Isee that you are taking up the question of the bite of spiders and that
observations are desired. Here is one which unfortunately does not accord in its re-
sults with those which have already been published on this subject.

In 1858, if I recollect rigbtly, being in Silao de la Victoria, near Guanajuato, they
brought to me a little girl who had been bitten by one of those enormous spiders,
quite common there, and which Mr. Leon Becker has named Metriopelma breyeri. The
oblong tumified border was about 3 lines high, of a livid, violaceous color, filled with
a serosity which I was not able to examine, not wishing to puncture the very thin
epidermis. The center of the tumor was concave, and filled with hard pus. Eight
days after the accident there was a little pain but there were no general symptoms.
Unfortunately I was unable to follow the case, so that the observation remains in-
complete, but I think that they would have brought the child back to me if there had
been any serious consequences. It is impossible for me to recall the treatment which
lemployed. Since that time I have never had occasion to see any one bitten by Me-
triopelma, Theridion, or Scolopendra.—[ Dr. Alfred Dugés, Guanajuato, Mexico, May 28,
1889.

Blackbirds vs. Boll-worms.

On page 351, INsEcT LIFE, after comments on Blackbirds and the Boll-worm, it is
remarked, ‘‘ This is an interesting experience, but was the evidence sufficient,” etc.
To my mind it was, to encourage me that I had a friend in the blackbird, and that
he was destroying boll-worms by the thousand. The facts are these:

My field of corn w. s in full roasting-ear, and the blackbirds were swarming in it.
My hired man came to my library and told me we must get some boys with guns to
shoot blackbirds, or they would ruin our corn. Ue added, ‘‘ The neighbors are all in
their corn-fields shooting to drive away the blackbirds.” I told him to wait until I
had time to see what the blackbirds were doing. On entering the field there were
enough blackbirds in sight to have ruined the field of corn in a short time. I spent
an hour or more in the field of 24 acres, and did not find an ear that showed the birds
were eating the corn. The birds would light on the ears, and spend but a short time
there, and pass to another ear. I noted ear after ear that I had seen a bird on, and
I always waited until the bird had finished his work on it. I found on every such
ear the marks of the boll-worm. They were developed enough to have commenced
eating the grains. There were the evideuces that the worm had been there, and I
saw the blackbirds there, and making passes as if picking out the worms, and after the
bird had left the ear I could find no worm. The birds seemed to be busy hunting and
eating this destructive and disgusting pest. I left the field pleased and grateful to
the blackbirds. I told my hired man he need not waste any time or powder on the
birds. They were welcome to hunt worms, and could take what corn they wanted
to make a variety. Now, this is not sufficient to show that blackbirds are in the
habit of feeding on the boll-worms, I know, but it satisfied me that the birds were
destroying thousands of them for me. The season was dry, the meadows were short,
and the grass dried on the hillsides overlooking my bottom fields. The conditions
were these corn in full roasting-ear, the earth dry, and the weather hot. The corn
at husking time was not injured by birds more than usual, which is so light as to be
almost inappreciabie. I hope I may have opportunity this season to make further
observations, and that the good work of the blackbirds may be established by many
witnesses.—[L. N. Bonham, Columbus, Ohio, June 7, 1889.

Further on American Insecticides in India.

I have to thank you for No. 9 of your valuable publication, INsEcT LIFE, contain-
ing my remarks upon insect pests and your foot-note to thesame. With reference to
my note about the Lecanium found upon Mango trees, I have since heard from Mr.

48

Douglas, who originally identified it as L. acuminatum of Signoret, that upon closer
examination he considers it to be a distinct species. At his request I have accord-
ingly described it as a new species 1a the April (No. 299) Entomologists’ Monthly
Magazine under the name of Lecanium mangifere. Mr. Douglas appends a note to
this article in which he mentions that the specimens received from Demerara should
also be referred to this species.

From small experiments with kerosene soap emulsions I feel sure that your pro-
poséd remedy would successfully exterminate the scale-bug so destructive to our
coffee plants. But there are many serious difficulties in the way of its application on
a sufficiently large scale. Some of these difficulties I note below for your considera-
tion. The large size of plantations, varying from 200 to 1,000 acres, which, at the
average rate of 1,500 trees per acre, gives from 30,000 to 1,500,000 individual trees to
be treated on a single plantation. These plantations are situated on steep hill-sides,
intersected only by narrow and rough foot-paths; consequently the liquid and appa-
ratus would have to be transported entirely by hand labor. Unless this treatment
were simultaneously undertaken by every planter, the infection would be continually
re-imported. And even if united action could be made compulsory it would still be
impossible to disinfect the indigenous trees and plants which at present act as reser-
voirs of the pest. I fear that the expenditure necessary to meet all these difficulties
would be quite prohibitive. But if you still consider otherwise, and would kindly
give me an ideaof the probable cost of apparatus (or refer me to a manufacturer of the
special nozzles and force-pumps used tn this work), I would estimate the cost of the
treatment and lay the plan before our Planters’ Association.—[E. Ernest Green, Eton,
Punduloya, Ceylon, June 1, 1889.

Repity.—* * * The fact that the crop is grown upon hill-sides and that the
field is only intersected by narrow foot-paths would render one of the knapsack pumps
the only one which could be used for this purpose. European manufacturers have
placed upon the market a number of desirable knapsack pumps, some of them hold-
ing several gallons, and all of them fitted with some modification of the Riley nozzle,
which insures a fine spray and an economical distribution of the liquid. Knowing so
little about the value of the crop and the amount of damage which the scale insects
really cause, I can not pass judgment upon the advisability of the introduction of this
remedy extensively, but I should surely say that it would pay to import one of the
Vermorel pumps complete and make some careful experiments by its use with a good
emulsion. * * * [July 3, 1889.]

A new Quince Enemy.

Tinclose herewith a match-box containing Quince leaves infested with insects.
The Quince tree is in a garden among pears, peaches, plums, pomegranates, figs, grapes,
apples, etc. This is the second year that the Quince has been infested, and to such
an extent as to check its growth and render it un.ruitful, but I can discern the in-
sects on no other tree. I should be glad to know the name of the pest and how to
destroy it.—[W. Jennings, Thomasville, Ga., June 24, 1889.

Rep_Ly.—Your letter of June 24 and the accompanying specimens of the insects
found upon the leaves of your Quince tree have been received. The insect is one which
has nodistinctivecommonname. It feeds upon a variety of plants and is usually called,
when found upon any particular one, by the name of the plant; as, when found upon
hawthorn, it is called the ‘‘ Hawthorn Tingis,” when found upon butternut it is called
the ‘‘ Butternut Tingis.” Its scientific name is Corythuca arcuata. It has not previ-
ously been recorded upon quince so far as I know, and this habit will enable it to do
considerable damage when occurring in great numbers. If you will spray your trees
with a dilute emulsion of kerosene and soap you will be able to destroy the msects
which are now present, and if you will burn the rubbish under the tree in the fall
instead of making a mulch around the base you will probably lessen the appearance
mext season. * * *—[June 28, 1889.]

49

New Food-plant and Enemy of Icerya.

* * * For the first time I have found the Icerya infesting a Conifer—the Cedar
of Lebanon (Cedrus libani). The tree is growing in a yard in this city, and is infested
with large numbers of the Icerya in allstages. In Professor Riley’s report for 1886 no
mention is made of this insect having been found infesting any Conifer in California,
although Mr. Maskell records having found it on pines, firs, and cypress in New
Zealand.

I have also to record a new insect enemy of the Icerya. Mr. J. W. Wolfskill and
Mr. Alexander Craw, of this city, both of whom are close observers of the habits of
insects, inform me that they saw a long, slender, pale brownish beetle—the Telephorus
consors of Le Conte—feeding upon the eggs of the Icerya, having first torn open the
cottony covering of the eggs. Ihave bred this beetle from a larva found under a
stone near the margin of a small stream of water, but have not been able as yet to
ascertain what the larva feeds upon. I confined one of them in a box with a cut-
worm, the larva of Teniocampa rufula Grote, but the Telephorid larva did not attack
it, and finally died. Isit possible that this beetle has learned to feed upon the eggs
of the Icerya from having seen the larve of the Australian Lady-bird do so?—[D.
W. Coquillett, Los Angeles, Cal., May 29, 1889.

The Red-legged Fliea-beetle Again.

In regard to the Red-legged Flea-beetle, of which we wrote you last spring, stating
that they were doing considerable wamage (a reply having been received from you),
will say from one year’s experience that they are not so damaging as was at first sup-
posed. The beetle does not migrate, as was first supposed, but remains on or near the
ground that has been recently cleared of timber. We used a solution of Paris green
on our infested trees last spring, and later in the season, finding that they did not
disturb the trees of any account outside of their original haunts, we did nothing
further, but waited for later developments. Early in the season the trees presented a
dead appearance, but later they threw out a number of side branches, and by cutting
out this spring the main branches, which are dead, and otherwise trimming the
trees, they look about as well as ever, but have been thrown back one year and will
be later in bearing in consequence. These same insects are noticeable where they
were found last year, but not in such large numbers. They are damaging trees now,
but principally on ground just cleared up.—[Stover and Stover, Edgemont, Md.,
April 23, 1889.

The Tarnished Plant-bug on Pear and Apple.

I inclose you in package and send by to-day’s mail sample of pear-tree foliage in-
jured by what I take to be the Tarnished Plant-bug, also samples of bug. These in-
sects have been working on the pear and apple trees ever since foliage started, and
over more than half of this (McPherson) county have destroyed from one-fourth to
one-third of the pear bloom and a smaller proportion of the apple. They appear to
do the most damage to the tender terminal buds toward the top of the tree. The
bugs are in larger quantities the present season, and, while I have observed them
almost every year, this is the first time they have created such marked damage. IfI
am wrong in the determination of the insects let me know.—[W. Knaus, McPherson,
Kans., April 20, 1889.

REpLy.—I beg toacknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, together
with specimens of an insect which is damaging the foliage of pears and apples in
your vicinity. This insect is, as you suppose, the Tarnished Plant-bug, which, as you
may know, has been ascertained to be synonymous with the European Lygus praten-
sis Linn., the names lineolaris and oblinitus falling before the old Linnean title. You

50

are of course familiar with the habits of this bug as published in Riley’s Second
Missouri Report, pages 113 and 114, and in Forbes’ report as State entomologist of
Illinois for 1883, and in Professor Riley’s report as Entomologist to this Department
for 1884, pages 312 to 315. Kerosene emulsion will be the most effective remedy
against it. * * * —[April 24, 1889.}

Walshia amorphelia and the Loco Weed.

By to-day’s mail I send you a small tin box containing a piece of the Loco Weed
or Crazy Plant. You will observe that there are worms or grubs in the roots and
stems. From observations made by myself and a fellow stock-grower we are led to
believe it possible that the worms, eaten by stock, produce the craziness and some-
times death, instead of the plant, as is generally supposed. Upon opening animals we
alwaysfind many worms. An insect laysthe egg upon the plant, and the worm, when
hatched, descends into the root. The insect is longish and bronze winged. We desire
information as to whether our theory be a plausible one or no. If we are right in
our conclusions, we hope to find some remedy. Anything you may be able to suggest
or knowledge you may be pleased to impart will be very gratifying to us.—[ Thomas
J. Quillian, Birmingham, Huerfano County, Colo., April 9, 1589.

RepLy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 9th instant, together
with the box containing a piece of the Loco Weed, supposed to be infested by grubs
in the roots and stems. On arrival at Washington the work done by the grubs was
evident, but not a specimen of the grub itself was to be found. However, we have
received what is probably the same thing on several occasions from your State, and
the sender has always been under the same impression, that the worms were the cause
ot the peculiar effect upon live stock. The maggots are harmless larve of a little
moth known as Walshia amorphella, which occurs also in other allied plants, boring
into the roots and stems. It has long since been decided that the peculiar effect of
Loco Weed upon stock is due to some peculiar virtue of the plant itself, which I
believe can not be ascertained by chemical analysis. Post-mortem examinations of
diseased cattle and chemical examinations of the plant itself have been made by Dr.
L. E. Sayer, dean of the department of pharmacy of the Kansas State University,
from whom you might be able to ascertain something of value regarding treatment.
In an article published in 1887 in the Drug Record concerning a post-mortem, he shows
that the disease was one of the mucous and serous membranes, and recommends the
following treatment:

Sellers Wall knnitthee eee Sade Gopoon dosecmos seencoceeses prs. cx.
Corrosiversublimale: = sae = sae ae ene Sool aia aralaialeaeia gr. j. to gr. jss.
IDT@U NO) Ae caeS 6oee Sede Sos sae cconad SSsces ces gecseacase 2].

IV COLING feats ea ase ae Saas nae eae ieee ete aa eel q. 8.

‘““Mix. Make a thin paste and giveatablespoonful. The belladonna and mercury
may be increased according to the severity of the symptoms. Opium, combined with
belladonna, might be advantageous at the beginning of the disease. Mild and non-
irritating articles of food only should be given, such as oil-cake, ete.”—[ April 19,
1889. ]

51

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX,* WITH
NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Lorp WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 26 of Vol. II.)
Lithocolletis fragilella F. & B.

The introduction of the name trifasciella Hw. into the North American lists rests
first on the authority of Frey and Boll, who regarded specimens bred by them from
Lonicera sempervirens as a form of this species. This was subsequently confirmed by
Chambers, who, however, confused the species with his marieella bred from a nearly
allied plant—Symphoricarpa. I subsequently pointed out that mariwella was quite
distinct from trifasciella, but confirmed the occurrence of trifasciella in America on
the authority of a specimen, received from Dr. Riley, bred ‘* from leaves of honey-
suckle.” Iam now ina position to makefurther corrections. Frey and Boll in their last
paper (Stett. Ent. Zeit., XX XIX, 270-271), described fragilella from larvie feeding on
leaves of Lonicera albida, and specimens.of this are now before me, together with a
leaf mined by the larvie. Notwithstanding the remarks of these authors that this
species is not nearly allied to any European form, I find it is so close to trifasciella
Hw. as to be almost undistinguishable from it. It differs from that species precisely
in the same peculiarity as Frey and Boll pointed out to distinguish their supposed
variety from the European form, viz, in the different markings towards the apex of
the wing including one extra small, white, costal streak. I have little doubt that this
species is the one originally regarded by them as a variety of trifasciella. On again
referring to the specimen received from Dr. Riley I find it to be the same as fragilella
F. & B.; the close affinity of this species with trifasciella may be sufficient excuse
for my previous error, as at that time I was unacquainted with Frey & Boll’s species.
Under these circumstances trifasciella must be erased from the American lists. The
most noticeable characters by which fragilella may be distinguished from it are, first,
the presence of an extra small, whitish, costal streak, beyond the interrupted third
fascia, and secondly the absence of a subcostal shade of dark fuscous scaling, which
in trifasciella commences at the base of the wing and reaches to the first fascia. In
fragilella this fascia is densely dark-margined on the inner-side but in no one of the
five specimens now before me does the dark dusting reach to the base of the wing.

Lithocolletis consimilella F. & B. and affinis F. & B.

Frey and Boll described Consimilella in 1873, bred from mixed mines, and in 1876
afinis from a red-fruited Lonicera. I have authentic specimens of both these from
Boll’s collection ; consimilella from Zeller’s cabinet, and affinis from Monsr. Ragonot,
named by Boll, and although there is a slight difference in their size, they are
scarcely distinguishable from each other. In affinis, the smaller of the two species,
the frontal tuft is of a darker and more reddish-saffron, and the whole costal portion
of the third fascia is decidedly more triangular and more conspicuous than in consi-
milella, in which it is confined to a very narrow line, scarcely wider than the black
marginal dusting which precedes it. Moreover, at the base of the cilia, below the
apex, there is no trace in affinis of the dusting of dark scales which is to be seen in
consimilella, and the whole insect is also distinguished by a somewhat brighter and
more glistening appearance, both of the ground-color and also of the silvery mark-
ings. The larva of consimilella being at present unknown, I hope to promote its dis-
covery by pointing out these distinguishing differences.

* Index to the described Tineina of the United States and Canada. V. T. Cham-
bers. Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geog. Surv., IV (1), 1878.

52

Lithoccolletis lucetiella Clem.
== wenigmatella F. & B.

I find in Zeller’s collection a specimen of enigmatella F. & B., received from Boll,
which agrees with a specimen compared with Clemens’ type of lucetiella in the col-
lection of the Entomological Society at Philadelphia. Iam therefore able to say that
these two names are synonyms for one species, so distinct in appearance from any
other known Lithocolletis that confusion is rendered impossible.

Lithocolletis celtifoliella Chamb.

= nonfasciella Chamb.
= celtisella Chamb..
= pusillifoliella F. & B.

From actual date of publication nonfasciella would take precedence, but both the
name and the description being founded on peculiarities which only exist in worn
specimens, it falls under Strickland’s Rule XI: ‘‘A name whose meaning is glaringly
false may be changed.” Chambers himself (Bull. U.S. G. G. Surv., IV., 155) says of
nonfasciella, ‘‘This must be dropped from the list; there is no such species. It was
described from varieties and old specimens of L. celtisella Chamb.” The name non-
fasciella must consequently be treated as asynonym. Chambers’s description of celti-
foliella differs from that of celtisella especially in having a third fascia, but this ap-
pears to be very near the apex of the wing, and frequently somewhat obliterated by
the dark dusting. Since Chambers has admitted that he was somewhat confused in
the first instance by the apparently different habits of the larve, I think we may con-
clude that his two species, celtifoliella and celtisella, come fairly within the range of
varieties noticed by Frey and Boll. In the Stett. Ent. Zeit., XX XIX, 274-5, Frey and
Boll admit that their pusillifoliella is the same as celtisella Chamb., although in the
notes by Professor Frey, published by Dr. Hagan (Papilio IV, 152) we find “ celtisella
Chb. 15 Ky. (new to me).” They confirm Chambers’ observations as to the peculiarity
of the larva mining both sides of the leaf, and remark upon the extreme variability of
the perfect insect, some specimens of which might easily be regarded as belonging to
a distinct form.

In the absence of further proof to the contrary I should regard celtisella Chamb.
aud pusillifoliella F. & B. as synonyms of celtifoliella Chamb.

Lithocolletis morrisella Fitch.
= teranella Z.

Fitch, in describing his Argyromiges morrisella, remarks that it differs from 4.
pseudacaciella Fitch (= robiniella Clem.), in that ‘‘ the inner half of the fore wings is
black, slightly tinged posteriorly with golden yellow, and interrupted at equal dis-
tances by three white spots or short bands narrowing towards their inner ends, and
between each of these is a less distinct white spot or cloud. Forward of the anterior
white spot the color is more pure and coal-black, forming an oblong square spot oc-
cupying the inner half of the base of the wing, which spot is bordered along its inner
side by a slender white stripe placed upon the middle of the wing at its base, its hind
end uniting with the inner end of the anterior white spot.”

Now. with the exception of the intermediate white spots or clouds, which are not
recognizable in Zeller’s figure, the differences described are precisely those which sep-

" arate texanella Z. from robiniella Clem. The dark dorsal margin is particularly notice-
able in Zeller’s figure and specimens (his type is now before me), and the slightest
abrasion of scales between the white dorsal streaks produces the effect of an indis-
tinct intermediate cloud. Iam unable to resist the conclusion that Dr. Fitch had be-
fore him the three closely allied species which have since been found to feed respect-

53

ively upon Robinia, Amorpha, and Amphicarpea, and are best known under the names
of robiniella Clem., amorphwella Chamb., and teranella Z, There can be no doubt as
to the precedence in nomenclature as between morrisella and texanella, if my theory
is correct, the name morrisella having been published many years before Zeller’s
paper.

Lithocolletis uhlerella, Fitch.
= amorpheella, Chamb.
= amorphe, F. & B.

Fitch’s description of Argyromiges uhlerella, although brief, applies with sufficient
precision to the Amorpha-mining Lithocolletis, described by Chambers as amorphwella,
and by Frey and Boll as amorphe. Fitch states that ‘it resembles pseudacaciella

= robiniella Clem.), but it is throughout of paler colors, its forewings being golden-
grey” (rather than “ uniform brilliant golden”) and ‘the black dut on the tip of the
wings is replaced by a short black stripe thrice as long as wide.” | This precisely de-
scribes the differences that separate amorpheella from robiniella, and we may at once
give precedence to Fitch’s name whlerella for this species.

Lithocolletis ostensackenella, Fitch.
= ornatella, Chamb.

Another species of which the description is clear and absolutely unmistakable is
Argyromiges ostensackenella, Fitch. Specimens of ornatella, Chamb., are now before
me, and I can see no reason to doubt that this was the species from which Dr. Fitch
wrote his description, although I have not had an opportunity of seeing his type.

Lithocolletis gemmea, F. & B.

When describing this species Frey and Boll were doubtful whether it were distinct
from Parectopa robiniella Clem., not having properly recognized the latter species at
that time, and Chambers asserts positively (Cin. Qr. Jr. Se. I, 209-10) that LZ. gemmea
F. & B. = Parectopa robiniella Clem. Iam at a loss to understand how he could have
made such a mistake. I have a specimen of the insect from the Zeller collection col-
jected by Boll which agrees precisely with the description of gemmea and is so labeled.
It would be utterly impossible to apply toit the description of Parectopa robiniella,
which does not possess a transverse fascia and is of a totally different color. I ob-
serve that Chambers subsequently discovered his mistake and recanted (Can. Ent. XI,
of 144-5).

L. gemmea is a true Lithocolletis and apparently a good and distinct species.

Lithocolletis ostryzfoliella, Clem.
= mirifica, F. & B.

Chambers suggests (Cin. Qr. Jr. Sce., I, 202) that mirifica may be the same as ostry-
efoliella. Iam inclined to agree with him.
Lithocolletis tritzeniella, Chamb.
= consimilella, F. & B.

On the same page Chambers expresses his opinion that Frey and Boll have rede-
scribed triteniella under the name consimilella. Ihave a figure of a specimen of tri-
teniella, named by Chambers himself, and presented by him to the Peabody Academy
of Sciences, Salem, Mass., and an authenticated specimen of consimilella from the
Zeller collection. There is, I think, no doubt that these two names apply to the
sale species.

Lithocolletis guttifinitella, Clem.

Chambers (Can. Ent., III, 111) describes esculisella as a variety of guttifinitella, but
notices that the larva differs decidedly from that of the type. It seems impossible to

54 .

believe that the same species mines leaves of Rhus toxicodendron, one of the Anacar-
dacew, and also those of Asculus glabra belonging to the Sapindacee. He then pro-
ceeds to describe another species, coryliella, also very nearly allied to guttifinitella but
feeding on Corylus americana, and his variety ostrywella mining Ostrya virginica is said
to bear the same relationship to coryliella as esculisella bears to guttifinitella, Itis
more possible to conceive that this is only a variety, since the two food plants belong
to the same family. He gives a table showing the differences between the larve of
these four species, or varieties, which he finds to be constant and striking. It would
seem perhaps to be a somewhat arbitrary proceeding to raise to specific value an in-
sect described as an undistinguishable variety. I shall content myself with drawing
special attention to these two descriptions of supposed varieties in the hope that at
some future time those who have the opportunity of breeding the species will clear
up the doubts that certainly exist in my mind about them.

Lithocolletis atomariella, Z.

Zeller placed atomariella in his cabinet between pastorella Z. and populifoliella Tr.,
and the differences, although slight, are sufficient to separate it from both.

Lithocolletis salicifoliella Chamb.

This species is also very closely allied to, but distinct from, pasiorella Z. and popu-
lifoliclla Tr. It isin all probability identical with the larva described under the
same name by Clemens.

Lithocolletis ambrosiella Chamb.

A group of species allied to this typical form has been described by Chambers and
Frey and Boll. These include ignota F. & B., heleanthivorella Chamb., bostonica F. &
B., elephantopodella F. & B., amwna F. & B., actinomeridis F. & B., and nobilissima F.
& B. (the latter can only be treated as an MS. name, no detailed description having
been published), all feeding upon various Composite. The name ambrosiwella was
corrected to ambrosiella by F. & B. (Stett. Ent. Zeit., XX XIX, 267). L. ignota F. &
B. seems to be the same as heleanthivorella Chamb., as suggested by Chambers—ignoia
takes precedence.

I have not sufficient material at hand to determine whether the other species
should, or should not, be retained as distinct. For the purpose of the revised index
and until more evidence is forthcoming to identify them, they must certainly be re-

spected.
(To be continued.)

GENERAL NOTES.

HONORS TO AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGY.

Professor Riley, chief of this Divisiou, has just been elected an hon-
orary fellow of the Entomological Society of London. Dr. Riley is the
third American who has received this honor, the others being Dr. H.
A. Hagen of Cambridge, who was elected in 1863, and Dr. A. 8. Pack-
ard, elected in 1884. The Transactions for 1888 show that there are
only ten living honorary fellows.

Professor Riley has also been created chevalier of the Legion of
Honor by the French Government. This action had no reference to

55

his official connection with the Exposition, but was taken on account
of his researches in applied Entomology, particularly with reference to
their value to French agriculture. This latter honor has been offered
to Professor Riley before, but he has previously declined it on the sup-
position that an officer of this Government is not allowed to accept
such decorations. His acceptance at the present time is conditional,
of course, on the permission of this Government.—lL. O. H.

A NEW EAST INDIAN GENUS OF COCCID.

Mr. EH. T. Atkinsen, of Calcutta, has just published, in the Journal
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (VOL. lviii, Part ii, No. 1, 1889),
descriptions and figures of anew genus of Bark-lice found at Mung-
pha, in Sikkim, on Quercus incarna, Castania india, and C. tribuloides.
The insect resembles Pulvinaria except that its larve have distinct
anal tubercles. It is a Hemicoccid resembling the Lecanids in general
“appearance. The secretion is abundant and close during the larval
state. In the second stage it becomes more waxy so as to approach, in
appearance, the genus Orthesia, and the mass of wax on the leaves is
more like detached or attached plates than threads.

CANNIBALISM WITH LADY-BIRDS.

Mr. J. W. Slater, in Science Gossip for July, 1889, states that he has
seen the larve of Coccinella dispar attack the pupe of its own species
and destroy them. He has witnessed such instances of cannibalism not
merely in a glass box in which he had placed some larvee and pupe,
but-on a row of currant bushes where Aphids were swarming. He fears
that the Coccinellids are deliberate and habitual cannibals, and that
this practice seriously interferes with the multiplication of the species
and limits their usefulness as plant-louse destroyers. He has never
observed the adults engaged in this reprehensible habit.

DAMAGE BY THE PEAR MIDGE.

Rey. E. N. Bloomfield, of Hastings, England, reports in the July
number of the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine that considerable dam-
age was done to Pears this spring in his vicinity by this insect (Diplosis
pyrivora, Riley).

ICERYA PURCHASI NOT IN FLORIDA.

The several recent scares concerning the supposed appearance of the
Fluted Scale of California in Florida appear, upon the best information
which we have been able to secure, to have been founded upon errors
in determination. In two instances the common Mealy Bug (Dactylo-
ptus citri) was the insect mistaken for Icerya, and in one case the insect
causing the scare was the Florida Wax-scale (Ceroplastes floridensis).

56

A NEW STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE.

The legislative assembly of the State of Oregon passed last February
an act to create a State board of horticulture and to appropriate money
therefor. The board has been appointed and consists of one commis-
sioner from each of five districts and one from the State at large. It
has published two bulletins in circular form—No. 1, dated April 10, and
No. 2, dated June 1—which deal with entomological matters. We no-
tice from these circulars that the arsenical mixtures must be used in
greater dilution than in the East. This point had already been brought
out by California experiments. The Oregon people have found that one
pound of London purple to 150 gallons of water will burn the foliage of

apple.
THE ARMY WORM IN INDIANA. ;

The Army Worm has appeared this spring in several localities in the
State of Indiana, and an account recently received, the latter part of
June, from Mr. A. E. Mogle, of Kewanna, indicated that so much damage
was being done in Fulton and other counties that our Mr. Webster was
directed to visit the spot. He reached Kewanna July 3 and found
that the worms had entirely disappeared. He visited the principal
field infested, which was a 25-acre rye field, and found the crop a tota]
loss. The field was on boggy land and was growing very rank, and there
seemed no doubt but that this was where the insect originated. No at-
tempt was made to save this field, but all energy was spent to prevent
the worm from migrating to others by ditching and flooding the ditches.
Cattle were also driven back and forth to trample upon the worms.
Very few healthy pup were found, but many Tachinid puparia.

DOINGS OF AGROTIS CUPIDISSIMA.

In the early spring of this year and just as the buds upon grape-vines
had expanded there appeared numerous examples of half grown larve
of what afterwards yielded the Noctua (Agrotis) cupidissima Grote.
These larve were in immensenumbers, causing the loss of the first vint-
age in some vines, while in others the vines were kept alive only by
the breaking forth of latent buds. This condition of things occurred
over wide-spread areas in different parts of the State as far apart as
Napa Valley and Tulare.

Visitations of this kind of caterpillar had not been observed before
and it was chronicled as a new pest of the grape-vine. I visited the
afflicted district of Napa County and found some few larvee of Plusia
californica and also some Mamestra-like larvze likewise feeding upon the
vines. I received many letters and consignments of worms; the per-
sons sending always asked for remedies. As Agrotis, Plusia, and
Mamestra larv do not ordinarily select the grape-vine as food, I con-
cluded there must be an unusual cause. I think the cause to be this:
The rain fall of this season was much prolonged; the weeds grew rank,

57

feeding and harboring an unusual number of Noctuid larvee, and when
plowing became practicable the worms were already of large size; the
plowing destroyed their food plants so that the larvee had no choice but
to fall upon the grape-vines or perish, but they proved themselves equal
to the change of pabulum.

The remedy under like conditions should be earlier plowing, but if
cultivation is retarded by late rains then plowing should be deferred
still later to allow the broods of caterpillars to pupate.—J. J. Rivers.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ICERYA IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr. R. Allan Wight, who seems to have kept track of the Icerya in
New Zealand better than any one else, in a recent letter gives the fol-
lowing interesting facts concerning the disappearance of this pest,
apropos to a recently published statement of Mr. Maskell’s to the effect
that Icerya was present in Grafton Road Valley six years ago:

The Icery, were not only in miliions in Grafton Road Valley, as he describes six
years ago, but such was the case fourteen months ago. Yes, and also at Takapuna,
Ponsonby, New Market, Waikomiti, Wairoa South, and several other places, where Mr,
Maskell never saw them atall. These beetles have sprung up suddenly, and the work
they have done is positively incredible. In March, 1858, I passed through Auckland
to go to Whangarei, in the north, to advise people on the Icerya question (it had
broken out there), and I found the pest white on everything in and around the city
and for 20 miles in several districts. In February, 1889, I was againin Auckland and
lo, it was gone! I found some, of course, but only ‘“‘here and there a one.” Did I
not do well, then, to advise Mr. Koebele to go to Napier, where there was still a re-
treating host of theenemy ? Yes; and, believe me, if you can only succeed in keeping
these beetles from your birds they will clear the Icerya as the sun melts the snow
from the mountain. Last March I visited the Wairoa South, where I saw the last of
Icerya hanging to the Acacia undulata twigs, with ova sacs torn and empty, and I
saw thousands upon thousands of the little C. Nova Zealandia in imago pupa and
larva form, but mostly in the two first stages. My daughter, who lives there and
whe inherits her father’s love of nature, undertook to watch them for me, and she
now reports that the Coleoptera are all gone out of sight, and no more Icery are
as yet to be seen.

A PECULIARITY OF CERTAIN CADDIS-FLIES.

Mr. K. Flach, in the Wiener Entomologische Zeitung for June 25, men-
tions the fact that among the species of the genera Aderces, Asta-
topteryx and especially Neuglenes, specimens occur provided with wings
and large black eyes, while others are found in which these organs are
rudimentary or entirely wanting. Several explanations of this peculiar-
ity have been advanced. Gillmeister and Erichson considered the forms
as distinct species. Matthews considered those provided with eyes as
females and the blind ones as males. Reitter insisted that, in conform-
_ ity with all known analogous cases, the blind ones are the females and
those with eyes the males. Flach’s investigations have, however,
proven without a doubt the rather surprising fact that sexes occur in
both forms indicating the existence of alternating generations, the blind
form being stationary while those provided with eyes and wings are

58

migratory. He found Neuglenes apterus at different times in decaying
poplars, without being able to explain how it was possible for them
to get to such situations on account of their feebleness and awkwardness
and the dryness of the air. The distribution of the species, however,
over the whole of Europe points with certainty to a greater agility than
the blind and wingless form could possibly have. In the same way
Flach had not been able to explain the wide distribution in the East of
the blind Pteliolum oedipus until the mystery was solved by the discov-
ery of a female with well-developed eyes and wings among seventy
specimens of the degraded form from the Caucasus. He concludes that
as forms with eyes as arule appear to be much scarcer than the blind
ones it would be a very interesting investigation to endeavor to decide
to what particular conditions of their mode of life the change is due
(light or dryness), or, have such changes taken place at cyclic intervals?

CATERPILLARS STOPPING TRAINS.

Under this caption we printed in No. 1, Vol. I, page 30, an occurrence
in South Carolina, which turned out on investigation to be a great ex-
aggeration.

On June 29 of the present year we received a letter from Mr. Stark
Webster, of Mattawamkeag, Me., inclosing a clipping from the Upper
River News of May 28, detailing a very similar circumstance. Mr. Web-
ster also stated that in the Northern Penobscot region the same worm de-
foliated most of the orchards and all of the poplars, leaving them as bare
as in mid-winter. Healso noted that many of the cocoons spun in the
latter part of June contained a large white maggot. A subsequent let-
ter, dated July 6, was accompanied by specimens in which it was seen
that the insect they contained was the Tent Caterpillar of the Forest
(Clisiocampa sylvatica), aud Mr. Webster wrote further that they seemed
to prefer Poplar, and also fed upon Oak and Cherry, and after all these
are stripped they attack the Elm, Gray Birch, Willow, Rock Maple, and
some other trees.

In the first volume of the American Entomoiogist, page 210, the oc-
currence of this Same species upon a railroad track in great numbers
was recorded.

The newspaper clipping which Mr. Webster sent is here reprinted
with its head-lines, although for the sake of brevity we do not use the
same display.

The grand march of the caterpillars.—They blockade a train on the Canadian Pa-

cific.—Freight locomotives and railroad men powerless.—Mosquitoes join in the
raid and do bloody work.—Additional motive power and sand effect their release.

The first freight train run in connection with the Bangor and Piscataquis over the
Canadian Pacific met with a novel and what at one time threatened to be a serious
as well as a laughable mishap Sunday. Our managing editor was in it. At a point
a few miles from Sebois, on the Canadian road, the Messrs. Pierce Brothers, of Milo,
had collected 1,500 ship knees, and Superintendent Van Zile sent down a big engine
and eleven flats to draw them up to Brownville crossing.

They were loaded, and the return trip of 15 miles was begun, which occupied ten

59

hours. When the train had proceeded a few miles, and when it was on ashort grade, it
was brought to a standstill by an army of small, gray caterpillars, greasing the track
and driving-wheels to such an extent as to almost entirely suspend friction between
the rails and the driving-wheels. In some places they were half an inch thick, and
the army stretched out 11 miles.

The night previous, as the time-keeper, who had about 20 miles to cover, was work-
ing homeward on his jigger, or railroad velocipede, he encountered the advance
guard, and for half a mile pushed his machine along the rail by hand

Section men undertook to sweep them off with alder bushes, but the slight touch of
the twigs would crush them and lubricate the rails, and the mass formed like dough
upon the driving-wheels.

The train in going down passed throug? these and others, but the big collection
came during the forenoon and while the knees were being loaded. Of course, sand
was used, but it did not avail much, and Superintendent Van Zile was wired, and he
ordered out another locomotive from Sebois.

On her arrival there began a series of charges at that grade, which now had been
liberally sprinkled with sand, but the animal life was so thick that various attempts
were unsuccessful, and it was not until late at night and the sun had gone down that
the creeping things desisted in their march.

With these there had come clouds of mosquitoes, and they very materially aided
the other insects by pitching most vigorously into the men, seemingly drawing
blood from all nationalities alike, and the sight of a sweating, swearing railroad
laborer, frantically brandishing alder bonghs over his head with one hand, while
with the other he scraped caterpillars, was laughable in the extreme.

The matter has at once engaged the attention of Superintendent Van Zile, who is
trying to find out from the encyclopedia how long the march of these Maine hosts
continues, and it is quite likely that the road alongside this section will be ditched
and flooded with running water. Nothing like it was ever known hereabouts be-
fore, but then sunlight was never before let into the wilds of Maine as the Cana-
dian road has let it in, and there may be unknown difficulties to come consequent
upon it.

LOCUSTS IN ALGERIA.

The French Government has lately been seriously occupied with the
question of Locust ravages in Algeria, while the Algerians have been
doing the best they know how to defend themselves against the plague.
That they are yet unfamiliar with some of our American methods is
shown by the following abstract of a communication from Constantine,
Algeria, dated June 14, to the Paris Petit Journal of June 19.

The Algerians levied a tax of 4,000,000 francs to carry on the war
against these Locusts, but unfortunately this subsidy was only avail-
able at the time when the Locusts, having passed their last stage of de-
velopment, die after laying their eggs and stocking the country for an-
other year.

* The Algerians had offered pay for the collecting of Locust eggs. The
price given was small (75 centimes per decaliter), but the 14,000,000 de-
caliters which were collected and destroyed were but a fraction of what
remained.

The hatching of the remaining eggs, being retarded by violent rains,
did not take place before the end of April last. As soon as the first
batching occurred vigorous measures of defense were taken by beating
the ground with branches of trees in leaf.

60

When the Locusts have hatched in such large quantities thatthe force
of men at hand is not sufficient to destroy them immediately after hatch-
ing, this beating is no longer employed. The Melhafa must then be
used. This consists of a cloth 5 by 2 meters, which is set on end per-
pendicularly upon the ground, and folded at an obtuse angle; the Lo-
custs are then driven into this cloth, which is then folded over them,
when they are crushed, thrown into pits, and covered with quick-lime.

A last means of defense, the Cypriote machine (of which we have no
‘description) is employed when the two former methods fail. Locusts
which escape from this machine have been flying in such compact masses
as to obscure the sunlight, generally flying before the wind.

All able-bodied men of any nationality, from the ages of 18 to 55,
have been pressed into service. Even the army of Algeria, including
the troops in Alger and Oran, were sent to the hatching points. The
Algerians submit to this requisition willingly and without complaint.—
ery, BR.

THE NEW CATTLE-FLY OR HORN FLY.

Many notes have appeared in the papers during the last summer and
the present summer concerning a new pest which is worrying cattle in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and northern Vir-
ginia. It is a small fly half the size of a house fly, which settles in
great numbers around the base of the horns and on other portions of
the body where it can not be reached by either the tail or the head of
the animal. It sucks a moderate amount of blood, reduces the condi-
tion of the cattle, and lessens the yield of milk by from one-third to
one-half. It has been named by Dr. Williston Heematobia cornicola.
We are investigating its Virginia and Maryland occurrences, and have
succeeded in tracing its life history. We find that the fly lays its eggs,
usually at night, in freshly dropped cow dung, and that for the devel-
opment from the egg through the maggot stage to the perfect fly a
space of only twelve days is necessary. This rapidity of reproduction
accounts for the wonderful numbers in which these flies appear, and it
follows with reasonable certainty that thoroughly liming the dung in
places where the cattle preferably stand at night will kill off many
larvee and greatly lessen the numbers of the flies.

On large stock farms little else can be done, but applications may be |
made to milch cows and valuable animals which will keep the flies |
away. The applications may be (1) fish-oil and pine tar with a little |
sulphur added; (2) tobacco dust, when the skin is not broken; (3) tal- |
low and a small amount of carbolic acid. The latter application will |
also have a healing effect where sores have formed.

We expect to publish a full and illustrated account of this insect at —
the close of the season.

con
ww

ee DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. SEPTEMBER, 1889.
re) eee INGGaiee

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST
AND HIS ASSISTANTS.

(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. J

WASEBING TON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1889.

CONTENTS:

SPE CUMEMIN ODES) sacs sstie cio se ioe Dio See oon S ele elek Sale wie /atoleim eaSeiciae lucia ieieiesicte are eietetere
DERMESTES VULPINUS IN GOAT-SKINS (illustrated) -........ Frank M. Jones-.
MIKE APANKSH RACH EH RUITSWORM .c.ces coccee .ccices sceceeles ceoula-eeeereer
A REPORT ON THE LESSER MIGRATORY LOCUST.....-.---..--- C. LL. Martati--
THE IMPORTED AUSTRALIAN LADY-BIRD (illustrated)....-... D. W. Coquillett..
BP XVHACTSEHROM CORRESPONDENCE). oc coc coc cco ae ee aie siclee see sce neers ee

Enemies of Diabrotica.—The New Zealand Latrodectus.—Chinch-bug Rem-
edies.—Cut- worms.—An Army-worm from Indiana.
STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, ETC....Lord Walsing‘am. .-
CENMORAT: NOUES 522-3500. owls ksatsere sa cnep nga aecshece ame teeee ls ea es See
The amended California horticultural Law.—New Codling Moth and Peach
Borer Enemies.—Some Pacific Coast Habits of the Codling Moth.—The
Effect of arsenical Lasecticides upon the Houey Bee.—Nematode Injury
to Cane-fields in Java.—The Importation of Ocneria dispar.—Another
Leaf-hopper Remedy.—A Cabbage Maggot Experiment.—How often
has this been noticed ?—Does the Wheat-stem Maggot, Meromyza amer-
icana, discriminate between different Varieties of Wheat ?—The Asso-
ciation of Official Economic Entomologists.—The Entomological Club
of the A. A. A. S.—Dynastes tityus in Indiana.—The Field Cricket de-
stroying Strawberries.—The Plum Curculio Scare in California.—
Lachnus longistigma on the Linden in Washington.

Il

|
|

|

|

Vol. II, No. 3.] JONES OMe 3 Gia Be {[September, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

Insect Pests in East India—We have just received through the kind-
ness of Mr. E. C. Cotes, of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, a very inter-
esting paper, entitled ‘‘ Notes on Indian Insect Pests,” which forms No.
L of Vol. Lof the “ Indian Museum Notes,” published by the trustees of
the museum and by the authority of the revenue and agricultural
department of the Government of India. This publication is to take
the place of ‘“* Notes on Economic Entomology,” of which two numbers
have appeared. The present number is divided into three parts; the
first part contains ‘“‘ Notes on Rhynchota,” by Mr. E. T. Atkinson, and
includes short articles upon the Rice Sapper (Leptocorisa acuta), an
insect which considerably injures the autumn rice by settling upon it
when it is milky and sucking out the juice, leaving the husk dry; as
many as 6 to 10 of the insects have been seen upon a Single ear; the
Chora-poka (probably Carbula biguttata), an insect which appears in
vast numbers when the sesamum crop is gathered and stacked on the
threshing floor and eats out the kernel of the seed, leaving only the
husk; the Green Bug (Nezara viridula), which occurs upon potato
halms; also several species of Capside, Jasside, Aphide, and Coccide.
A new species of Cerataphis and a new species of Pemphigus are men-
tioned as feeding upon Cinchona. The second part is by Mr. L. de
Nicéville, and treats of a Butterfly injurious to Rice and the Ceylon
cardamom pest. The butterfly is Saustus gremius, and the larve feed
upon the leaves of rice. The cardamom pest is Lamphides elpis, the
larva of which bores circular holes into the capsules and destroys the
contents. The damage done by this latter pest is sometimes as great
as 80 to 90 per cent. to young plantations. Between from 5 to 10 per
cent. of the fruit capsules are perforated.

In the third part Mr. BE. C. Cotes gives us further notes on the
Wheat and Rice Weevil, on the Sugar-cane Borer-moth (Chilo saccha-
ralis), the Sorghum borer (species not determined), a caterpillar in-
jurioug to tea, cut-worms, a moth injuring a cultivated timber tree
known as Cedrela toona, Clothes moths, Hispa enescens injuring rice, a

61

62

species of Tomicus which bores in the Makai tree (Shorea assamica), a
bamboo borer, the Leather Beetle (Dermestes vulpinus), which is men-
. tioned as damaging silk-worm cocoons, further notes on insecticides,
short notes on miscellaneous insect pests, and extracts from corre-
spondence.

Among the short notes on miscellaneous insects we may mention
as of especial interest the damage done by Heliothis armigera to the
poppy crop in Patna and Arrah, the occurrence of a bag worm upon
tea bushes, the damage done to the castor-oil plant by the larva of a
noctuid moth known as Achwa melicerte, the damage done to jute
crops by caterpillars, the Spilarctia suffusa, the injury by Tinea lucidella
to the horns of hollow horned ruminants, damage to the leaf covering
of opium balls by Lasioderma testaceum, a species which also injures
manilla and Indian cheroots. Many other insect notes of considerable
interest occur and many of them are accompanied by both their Indian
names and particulars of the plants which they infest. The paper is
illustrated by four very good plates reproduced by a photo-etching
process.

The Lesser Migratory Locust.—Since the destructive year 1883, this in-
sect has not done much damage in the interesting region of southern
New Hampshire, which we wrote up at some length in the Annual Re-
port of this Department for that year, but the present season has
brought another outbreak, and in July we sent Mr. Marlatt, of this
Division, into the field to look into the condition of affairs, to advise
with the farmers concerning remedies, and to collect facts relating to
the years intervening between the present date and 1883. We publish
in this number his report of his short investigation, and this account
will bring the history of locust damage in that locality down to the
present time.

New Injury by the Leather Beetle—Mr. I’. M. Jones, of Wilmington,
has called our attention to the damage done by this insect in many of
the large establishments of that city to goat-skins used in the prepara-
tion of morocco leather. Mr. Jones has prepared a short article at our
request, which we publish in this number.

——__—

The Official Association of Economic Entomologists.—We print under
the head of general notes the constitution of this new organization, to-
gether with the lists of officers and charter members. The next meet-
ing will soon be held, and we would urge all economic entomologists
to read the constitution carefully, and, if they feel themselves in sym-
pathy with the Association, to send their credentials and names to the
secretary, Prof. J. B. Smith, at New Brunswick, N. J. That this asso-

63

ciation will have a successful future and that it will accomplish the
results anticipated can hardly be doubted. The greatest enthusiasm
was exhibited at the meeting, and every letter received carried with it
the expression of warm approval.

DERMESTES VULPINUS IN GOAT-.SKINS.

By Frank M. Jones, Wilmington, Del.

Fic. 7.—Dermestes vulpinus: a, egg; b, ¢, larva, lateral and dorsal view; h, pupa, ventral view;
k, beetle—enlarged; d, dorsal view of one of the middle joints of larva denuded to show spines and
tubercles; i, ventral view of tip of abdomen in ¢ beetle; e, head of larva; /, left maxilla of same, with
palpus; g, labium of same, with palpi—enlarged. (After Riley.)

Mr. James Fletcher, in his address before the Entomological Society
of Ontario, in October last, divided injurious insects into three classes—
first, second, and third class pests—‘ according to the amount of injury
they are answerable for”; and the insect under consideration, the
leather beetle, Dermestes vulpinus, belongs to the second of these classes ;
for, while it is always to be found, throughout the summer months, in
the baled goat-skins stored in the ware-rooms of the importers and
morocco manufacturers in various parts of the country, it is only ocea-
sionally that it occurs in sufficient numbers to do any great amount of
injury. The larve are usually most abundant upon the hair side of the
skins, but an examination of skins which have been damaged by them
proves that they often commence their attack on the flesh side. When
they occur in large numbers, and when no attempt is made to check
their ravages, the skins are quickly eaten into holes, rendering them
almost worthless. The pupa is not inclosed in any cocoon, but lies
loosely in the hair or in a fold inthe skin; and it is a common sight to
see larve of various ages, pup, and the perfect insects inhabiting the
same skin.

Skins which are naturally of a greasy nature, such as the Kassan
(from Russia) and the Angora skins, appear to be most liable to attack;
and heavily-salted skins, such as the Mochas (Arabian), are compara-

64

tively free from the pest; but even the poison-cured skins are not en-
tirely exempt. Tampico (Mexi-
can) skins are sometimes very
badly damaged by this insect,
which must now be very widely
distributed; for whether the
skins come from Russia or Cape
Town, Turkey or Mexico, Arabia
or South America, the same
species of insects is found in
them all.

It is said that fifteen or twenty
years ago this insect was much
more injurious than now; but
this is probably due to the fact
that, the demand being much
greater, the skins are used up
much faster, and the insects do
not have time to multiply to any
great extent. The only method
employed to destroy them is to
beat or shake each skin sepa-
rately and crush the insects which
fall to the floor; but where there
are thousands of skins this is a
tedious process, and is probably
only a temporary check, as many
insects are undoubtedly left in
the skins. Placing the bales in
a close compartment and killing
the insects by means of vapor
of bisulphide of carbon, or by
Fic. 8.—Goat-skin aceed by leather-beetle— burning sulphur, has been pro-

nat. size. (Original.) posed; but the practical value
of these methods has not been tested.

eae

THE JAPANESE PEACH FRUIT-WORM.

In the August (1888) number of Insect Life we published some cor-
respondence between the Rev. W. J. Holland, who was then serving as
naturalist to the U.S. Eclipse expedition, and the United States minis-
ter to Japan and the Commissioner of Agriculture, relative to the rav-
ages of a worm which damages the peach crop of Japan. Those who
read this correspondence will recollect that we suggested through Com-
missioner Colman that the matter be referred to Prof. C. Sasaki, of the
Agricultural and Dendrological College at Tokio, and that Professor

65

Sasaki be directed to make a full report concerning this insect. It
seems that this suggestion was adopted, and that Professor Sasaki was
instructed by Count Okuma, the Japanese minister for foreign affairs,
to prepare the report, which he did with his customary care. The re-
port was submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture through the United
States minister to Japan and the Secretary of State during July. Mean-
time we sent to Professor Sasaki for specimens of the insect, which have
not yet arrived, but upon their receipt we shall reproduce some of his
figures and give the insect a definite name, and shall publish his some-
what elaborate account in full, Meantime, however, the matter is of
so much interest to the fruit-growers of the Pacific coast that we sub-
mit a short abstract.

The moth, according to Professor Sasaki (and judging from his fig-
ures he is correct) is aspecies of Carpocapsa very closely allied to our
Codling Moth, and hence it is called by Professor Sasaki ‘‘a new Cod-
ling Moth injurious to the Peach.” The peach crop is very large in
Japan, and during some seasons more than 90 per cent. of the fruit is
injured by this insect. Not infrequently more than one larva are
found in asingle peach. No means have been heretofore suggested for
the protection of the crop. Professor Sasaki’s studies were begun in
April 1, 1888, and concluded in May, 1889. The moth appears twice
in the year, viz, in June and in August, although certain individuals
of the first brood are delayed until July and others of the second brood
until September. They hide in the day-time and at twilight fly about
the trees. The eggs are deposited singly on the apex of the fruit or
along the suture passing from the apex toward the base. Usually one
or two, but sometimes more, eggs are deposited in a single fruit. The
eggs are spherical in form, measuring one-half millimeter in diameter.
They are yellow in color. They hatch in a few days, and the larva
molts four times. Upon first hatching it crawls actively about in
search of a suitable spot at which to enter the fruit; it then gnaws its
way in, turns its head towards the opening and closes it with silk, some-
times pushing its excrement outside. It then burrows to the stone and
makes a large excavation around it. Occasionally a larva will leave
one peach and enter another.

The fruit is continuously infested from June until September, those
containing larve ripening early and dropping off. Infested fruit may
be recognized in the following ways:

(1) It becomes soft and may be crushed by a len pressure on ac-
count of the central excavation.

(2) It has usually a small cluster of yellowish-brown excrement on its
surface.

(3) It bears irregular patches of a greyish-yellow or reddish-blue color.

The larva attains its full growth in from three to four weeks after
hatching; it then leaves the fruit and falls to the ground, if the fruit
has not already fallen.

The larva enters the ground to a depth of 1 or 2 inches, where it

66

makes an oval cocoon of light gray silk. The cocoon is very strong
and elastic. The larva of the first brood remains within this cocoon
about a week and then changes to pupa, while the larva of the second
brood remains within the cocoon in the larval state through the winter
and changes to pupa in the mouth of May.

Professor Sasaki makes but one suggestion as to remedies, and that is
to gather the fallen fruit every day and to dispose of it in such a way
as to destroy the larva. We have already written him that he will un-
questionably find a good remedy in the application of arsenical poisons
for the first brood.

A REPORT ON THE LESSER MIGRATORY LOCUST.

By C. L. MARuLatT, dssistant.

The following account of the recurrence in injurious numbers of the
Lesser Locust (Melanopus atlanis) the present season in the Merrimae
Valley near Franklin, N. H., may be considered as supplementary to
the extended article in the report of the United States Entomologist for
1883, in which a full record of the earlier occurrence of this species in
northern New England (1743-1883) is given; its life-history and habits,
natural enemies, and means against it.

As stated in the article cited, Professor Riley visited the infested
region in person in 1882 and 1883, and with the aid of some of his assist-
ants introduced and explained to the farmers some of the machines
for collecting and destroying the locusts successfully used against the
closely allied but more destructive Rocky Mountain species.

The value of these appliances was immediately recognized by the in
telligent farmers of the Merrimac Valley. and numbers of them were
constructed after the pattern of the one described on p. 176 of the re-
port for 1883 and figured Pl. vu, 1; and with the incentive of a bounty
of $1 per bushel, granted by the State, they were used with such effect
against the locusts in the two years following (1884 and 1885) that no
serious injury has, previous to the present season, been occasioned by
them since 1880.

To illustrate the success which attended their use, the statement of
Mr. George B. Mathews may be given, viz, that no less than 500 bush-
els were caught at the Webster place in 1884, a much less number in
1885, since which time they have occurred in but small numbers.

A letter to the entomologist from Mr. E. A. Fellows, July 3, 1889,
quoted below, again called attention to a serious outbreak of locusts in
the Merrimac Valley, near Franklin, N. H., and but a few miles above
the region unusually infested in 1882 and 1883, and seemed to warrant
the investigation recorded in this article.

67

To the ENTOMOLOGIST :

Dear Sirk: My farm this season is infested with grasshoppers, the hay, oat, and
rye, and part of vegetable crop. being nearly a complete failure. I find on many of
the grasshoppers a small parasite or egg of a deep orange-red color, clinging to dif-
ferent parts of the locust’s body, being mostly on and under the wings. What I
would like to know is, whether this parasite is likely to check the increase of the
locusts another season, as it don’t pay for me to plant crops to be devoured by these
ravenous locusts. I have caught some sixty bushels from one piece of oats, contain-
ing 34 acres, but am satisfied I can never exterminate them that way. They were
quite bad last season, but not to be compared to this.

Respectfully,

K. A. FELLOWS.

FRANKLIN, N. H., July 3, 1889.

Mr. Fellows’s communication is interesting not only because it records
the abundance of the Locust Mite (Trombidium), previously tound here
in but limited numbers, but as still further emphasizing the peculiar
local habit of Atlanis in this region, noted in the report already cited.

Mr. Fellows’s farm, which was visited July 11, is situated in an “ in-
tervale” or small valley of about 300 acres, shut in by high hills, and
thus separated from similar intervales above and below.

In these small intervales the locusts find a permanent home, only occa-
sionally assuming the migratory tendency; and under favorable circum
stances, especially if left unchecked, they after a year or two become
suddenly numerous enough to do great injury, while at the same time
in the similar valleys above and below their numbers may be signifi-
cant only of future increase.

This state of things is well illustrated on the Fellows farm the present
year. These locusts, always present in small numbers, had last year
become quite abundant, and as no measures were taken against them,
they this spring appeared in destructive hordes. The grasses suffered
most. Timothy, red-top, chess, and clover were reduced to mere innu-
tritive stalks; both blades and the heads of the oats were eaten; all
garden vegetables were attacked. Squashes, melons, and corn were
only eaten when very young. The tassel of the latter, however, is also
eaten by the locusts.

At the time of examination the locusts were generally winged, and
while still quite thick in the oats had scattered somewhat over adjoin-
ing meadow-land, and were especially abundant near the river, which
had perhaps, by forming a barrier to their half-migratory movements
going on at this time, caused them to collect there. A small percentage
(5 to 10) were in coitu; but none were found ovipositing, although in
the dissection of a large number of females one or two were found with
empty ovaries, indicating that oviposition had elready begun.

Examination of the ground, and, as observed by Mr. Fellows, the first
appearance of the young locusts in the spring agree in indicating that
the eggs are deposited more particularly in certain sandy knolls in the
interval, and perhaps to a certain extent on the lower portion of the
bordering hill-sides.

If this be the case, the destruction of the eggs by harrowing or plow-

68

ing in the fall, or of the young locusts in the spring either by plowing
them under or by the use of trapping or kerosene machines, should be
comparatively easy.

The parasite mentioned by Mr. Fellows, the young of the locust mite
(Trombidium locustarum Riley), was very common, but on the authority
of Mr. Fellows was becoming rapidly less abundant. He stated that
during the active operations with the hopper-doser the “catch” was
markedly colored by them, and that he had observed this spring on his
land unusual numbers of a red spider-like mite, which, from his descrip-
tion, was undoubtedly the adult of the locust mite.

A considerable variation in the percentage of infested locusts in dif-
ferent parts of the intervale was noted, and this holds also for the
parasites mentioned below.

On the oat-field, fully 95 per cent. of the locusts bere from one to fifty
mites, while of those near the river less than 50 per cent. were infested,
a fact easily explained perhaps by the greater activity of the non-
infested locusts.

Large numbers of dead locusts, mostly hollowed out and reduced to
mere shells, were observed over the infested tract on the ground or
clinging to grass or oat stems. Some of the fresher specimens con-
tained Dipterous larve (Tachina and Sarcophoga), and examinations of
living locusts taken from the oat field showed that about 5 per cent.
were thus parasitized, each parasitized locust containing from one to
four maggots.

A slightly larger percentage proved to be infested with hair worms
(Mermis). The abundance of these parasitic enemies the present year
would indicate a very considerable reduction in the next year’s crop of
locusts; but this should not form an excuse for neglecting any direct
measures that can be employed against the eggs this fall, or early work
against the young should they appear in numbers next spring.

Mr. Fellows’s operations against the locusts, which were confined to
the use of the collecting pan mentioned above after the locusts had
become mostly winged and the damage largely accomplished, while
unsatisfactory to himself would have doubtless been much more effect-
ive if undertaken earlier, or if measures had been taken against the
early stages.

In all seventy-two bushels were caught and buried in a trench during
a period of about two weeks in the latter part of June and the first of
July. Of these, sixty bushels were taken from the three and a half acres
ot oats into which the locusts migrated from adjacent fields during this
time.

In place of the kerosene and water or kerosene emulsion ordinarily
used in these pans, Mr. Fellows employed a strong soap-suds, which
assisted in retaining the locusts in the pans.

Locusts were reported to be moderately abundant above Franklin, at
Hill, and also below, near North Boscawen, at the Webster place. On
the farm of Mr.Wright, near Hill, they had practically destroyed several

69

acres of grass and were at the time of examination working in the oats.
Mr. Wright stated that the locust had not been previously very abun-
dant there since 1884 and 1885, when a number of bushels had been
caught.

A number of farms in the neighborhood of the Webster place were
also examined, and the farms of Mr. Gordon Burleigh and Mr. Benjamin
Hancock were found to be somewhat thickly stocked with locusts, and
the grass had been considerably injured.

Mr. Geo. B. Mathews, of the same place, a very intelligent farmer,
assured me that the locusts could be easily controlled, and that he was
not troubled at all except as they drifted onto his land from the farms
adjoining. He had used the ‘“‘hopperdoser” with good success in 1884
and 1885, and since then, by carefully noticing the breeding ground of
the locusts and plowing the young under in the spring, he had succeeded
in reducing their numbers to a minimum, with very little loss to himself.
He was of the opinion that an officer empowered to compel the plowing of
the infested fields at the proper time, with perhaps a compensation to
the farmer for the crop turned under, would be the only practical solu-
tion of the locust trouble.

While investigating the locusts about Franklin, reports came to me
of the serious depredations of this pest on the Connecticut River, near
Bellows Falls, Vt., and at the direction of the Secretary of Agri-
culture this locality was visited and the following data collected.

The occurrence of the locusts here is especially noteworthy because
it illustrates most pointedly the local habits of Atlanis already de-
scribed.

In answer to inquiries made af various points from Hanover to Bel-
lows Falls, I was informed by various parties aud particularly by
Professor Whicher, Director of the New Hampshire Experiment Sta-
tion, at Hanover, that the locusts were not known to be abundant
elsewhere on the river.

The infested area proved to be an intervale of about 500 acres extent,
similar to those of the Merrimac Valley, and contained the farms of
Mr. Marvin W. Davis, member of the State Board of Agriculture, and
of Mr. R. H. Blair. Both of these gentlemen were seen, and to the
former, on whose farm the locusts were especially abundant, I am in-
debted in part for the following facts :

The locusts were first noticed in this valley some fifteen years since,
when they ruined the tobacco crop by eating the leaves of the young
plants full of holes. Their attacks at that time and afterwards were so
severe that the growth of this crop was abandoned. The locusts have
increased from year to year, and the present has witnessed them more
abundantly than ever before; the fences and roads being reported as
black with them as they moved from the hatching-grounds to other

fields.
Grasses and oats, young corn and garden vegetables, even the onions,

were eaten.

70

The statements of these farmers, confirmed by my own observations,
show that the eggs are deposited, in great part,in a sandy-clay knoll
thinly clothed with grass and of but few acres area, from which the
locusts migrate to all parts of the valley.

No effort has been made here to control the locusts except an inef-
fectual attempt to use a large flock of turkies for this purpose, but it
would seem, in view of the limited area in which eggs are placed, to be
a comparatively easy matter to keep them in subjection by the use of
the measures already given. jl

The Locust Mite, Dipterous larvie, and Hair-worms were found to
infest the locust here in somewhat less numbers than at Franklin.

THE IMPORTED: AUSTRALIAN LADY-BIRD.

Vedolia cardinalis.
By D. W. CoquiL_etTt, Los Angeles, Cal.

In his annual report for the year 1888, published in the report of
this Department for that year, Professor Riley has given an account of
‘The Importation of Parasites and Predaceous Insects from Australia,”
containing an account of the importation by the Department of certain
kinds of insects which naturally prey upon the Fluted or Cottony-
cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi, Maskell). At the time of writing the
above report only a few specimens of the black and red Lady-bird had
been received, so that very little could be said in regard to its habits
and early stages. As I have now carefully worked them out, I give
herewith a brief account of them, in accordance with directions from
the Division of Entomology.

EARLY STAGES.

Eaa.—Elongate-ovate, or rarely elongate. ellipsoidal, its width never
more than one-half its length; very rough, or scabrous; deep orange-
red; length, one-half millimeter.

LARVA (first stage).—Dark orange-red ; first segment with two small
black warts placed subdorsally, and with two long whitish bristles on
each side; segments two to eleven each, with three dark-brown warts
each side—those on segments two and three situated in the subdorsal,
supra-‘stigmatal, and stigmatal regions, while those on the remaining
segments are situated in the dorsal, supra-stigmatal, and stigmatal re-
gions; each of those in the stigmatal region bears two long whitish
bristles, while each of the others bears a single shorter whitish bristle,
those on the eleventh segment the longest; head about five-sixths as
wide as the first segment and slightly darker, its sides blackish; six
thoracic legs orange-red, the tibiz darker; last segment furnished with
a retractile proleg.

oon es —EEE

71

Second stage—Same as in the first, with these exceptions: Head about
three-fifths as wide as the first segment; this segment bears two addi-
tional bristles near each corner, and two others in front of the middle;
second and third segments each with an additional but much smaller
wart in front of those in the stigmatal region, each bearing a single
short bristle; bristles, except those in the stigmatal region, black, the
warts in this region reddish, and larger than the others.

Third stage.—Same as in the second, except that the head is propor-
tionately narrower, being only about one-half as wide as the first seg-
ment.

Fourth stage.—Same as in the third, except that the warts in the sub-
dorsal and supra-stigmatal region on either side of the third, and usu-
ally of the second segment, are connected by a black spot, and the body
finally becomes covered over with a light gray powder; length when
fully grown, about 6 millimeters (Tig. 9).

Fic. 9.—Vedolia cardinalis: a, Full-grown larva; b, pupa, dorsal view, enclosed in last larval skin;
c, pupa, naked, ventral view—all enlarged. (Original.)

Pupa.—Partially inclosed in the old larval skin, which is of a whitish
color, marked with black dots, which indicate the position of the warts
on the larva as described above; this skin is rent from near the front
edge of the first segment to the middle of the eighth ; the exposed part
is mottled light and brownish red, the first segment marked with two
dorsal black dots, or the entire dorsum of this segment, and also that of
the second and third segments, black; abdomen with a polished-black
interrupted dorsal line; length, 4 millimeters (Fig. 9).

The following table exhibits the length of time passed by these Lady-
birds in their different stages :

Egg First Second Third
hatched. molt. molt. molt.

| Beetle

| issued.

|
Egg laid. | | Pupated.

Apr. 20 | Apr. 26| May 3 | May
Apr. 23 | Apr. 29| May 3 | May May 15 May 19 | May 26
Apr. 27| May 3 | May May 11 | May 19| May 26

5 (2) May 14] May 21

7

5
May 6) May 11/ May 14/| May 19; May 29/ June 5

13

9

17

May 11} May May 17) May 23) May 31
May May 12 | May 20/ May 26
May | May 22 | May 31] June 5
| May 10} May 17 | May 25
| May 11 |
May 12 | May 19} May 26

Api. 25| May 4

Dec. 5 Dec. 18

72

Averages: Egg, six days. Larva, nearly twenty-two days (7. é., first
stage, five and a half days; second stage, two and three-fifths days;
third stage, five and one-sixth days; fourth stage, seven and five-ninths
days). Pupa, seven and three-fourths days. Egg to beetle, a little over
thirty-five days.

Three of the beetles which issued from the pupa May 4 were kept in
a breeding cage in a sunny window of my office and supplied with an
abundance of food; one of them died on the 20th of May, another on
the 26th, and the third died on the 5th of June. It is probable, there-
fore, that in the open air in summer the beetles live about four weeks
after issuing from the pupa, so that their existence from the time the
egg is laid until the adult which originated from it dies a natural death
covers a period of about two months. During the colder portion of the
year, however, this period is doubtless extended considerably beyond
this limit, as will be seen by reference to the above table; for instance,
the larva that pupated December 5 was changed to a beetle thirteen
days later, whereas the one that pupated May 31 produced the beetle
five days later.

HABITS AND NATURAL HISTORY.

The eggs are usually thrust beneath the Iceryas, but are sometimes
attached to the cottony egg-masses; they are placed on one of their
sides, sometimes singly but usually in pairs or in groups of three or
more. In hatching, the egg-shell is rent nearly the entire length along
its upper side, and after the young larva has issued the shell becomes
of a whitish color, and retains nearly its original form. The recently
laid egg is more slender and of a deeper red color than the egg of the
Icerya.

The young larve usually burrow into the egg-masses from below and
feed upon the eggs; later they attack the Iceryas of all sizes, usually
making the attack on the under side of the abdomen. The young larva
is easily distinguished from the young Iceryas by lacking the long black
antennz so conspicuous in the latter. When about to cast its skin the
larva attaches the posterior end of its body to some object, and at the
proper moment breaks away the whole anterior end of the old skin and
crawls out of the opening thus made.

When about to pupate the larva attaches the posterior end of its body
to the bark or leaf of the tree and suspends itself head downward. It
remains in this position about three days, when the skin along its back
splits open, exposing a portion of the pupa to view. When the beetle
is fully formed the old pupa-skin partially breaks away, showing the
beetle to be of a pale reddish color. It remains in this situation about
two days longer, when the beetle issues clad in its normal colors of black
and red, as shown in the figure (Fig. 10). Coition occurs shortly after-
ward. In fact I have frequently seen the males standing by and wait-

13

ing for the females to issue, even going so far as to tear away the old
pupa-skin and uniting with the female while she is still soft and help-
less. Egg laying begins the next day, and is con-
tinued during nearly the entire life of the beetle.
One that I kept in a breeding-cage and supplied
with an abundance of food, deposited 42 eggs in
eight days. The total number deposited by one fe-
male will probably average from 150 to 200 eggs

The adult beetles as well as the larve also feed
upon the Iceryas, but with this difference, that the i cae ee
attack is usually made from above instead of from _ naiis, adult; enlarged.
below. (After Riley).

I have never seen these Lady-birds in any of their stages feeding
upon any other insect than the Icerya. On one occasion I confined six
Lady-bird larve in a breeding-cage containing black scales (Lecaniwm
olee Bernard), some of which were quite soft, but after the lapse of
seven days none of these scales had been attacked, whereas three of
the Lady-bird larve had been devoured by their comrades. At the
same date I placed an equal number of these larve in another cage
containing specimens of an undetermined species of Lecaniuwm found on
a peach-tree, several of the scales being still soft, but at the end of
seven days none of them had been attacked, while four of the Lady-
bird larvee had fallen a prey to their rapacious brothers. I also tested
these larve with a species of plant-louse found on orange-trees, but
they did not attack them, It seems very evident, therefore, that the
Iceryas are the natural food of these Lady-birds, and they feed upon
these in all their stages, even attacking the winged males.

I have never seen any of our native insects attacking these Lady-
birds, although Col. J. R. Dobbins informs me that on one occasion he
saw a lace-winged fly larva (Chrysopa sp.?) in such a position that he
thought it might have been engaged in feeding upon a Lady-bird larva.
The ants do not molest them.

IMPORTATION AND SPREAD.

The first consignment of these Lady-birds reached me on the 30th of
November, and numbered twenty-eight specimens; the second consign-
ment of forty-four specimens arrived December 29; and the third con-
signment of fifty-seven specimens reached me January 24, making one
hundred and twenty-nine specimens in all. These, as received, were
placed under a tent on an Icerya-infested orange-tree, kindly placed at
my disposal by Mr. J. W. Wolfskill, of this city. Here they were al-
lowed to breed unmolested, and early in April it was found that nearly
all of the Iceryas on the inclosed tree had been destroyed by these
voracious Lady-birds. Accordingly, on the 12th of April, one side of
the tent was removed, and the Lady-birds were permitted to spread to

74

the adjoining trees. At this date I began sending out colonies to va-
rious parts of the State, and in this work have been greatly aided by
Mr. Wolfskill and his foreman, Mr. Alexander Craw, both of whom
were well acquainted with the condition of the orchards in this part of
the State. By the 12th of June we had thus sent out 10,555 of these
Lady-birds, distributing them to two hundred and eight different or-
chardists; and in nearly every instance the colonizing of these Lady-
birds on Icerya-infested trees in the open air proved successful. The
orange and other trees—about seventy-five in number—and also the
shrubs and plants growing in Mr. Wolfskill’s yard, have been -practi-
cally cleared of Iceryas by these Lady-birds, and the latter have of
their own accord spread to the adjoining trees to a distance of fully
three-fourths of a mile from the original tree.

’ Besides the three consignments of these Lady-birds referred to above
I also received two later consignments. The first of these reached me
February 21, and numbered thirty-five specimens; these I colonized on
an Icerya-infested orange-tree in the large orange grove belonging to
Colonel J. R. Dobbins, of San Gabriel. The last consignment of three
hundred and fifty specimens arrived March 20; one-third of these I
left with Colonel Dobbins, while the remainder I colonized on orange-
trees in the extensive grove owned by Messrs. A. B. and A. Scott Chap-
man, in the San Gabriel Valley. All of these colonies have thrived
exceedingly well. During a recent visit to each of these groves I found
the Lady-birds on trees fully one-eighth of a mile from those on which
the original colonies were placed, having thus distributed themselves
of their own accord. The trees I colonized them on in the grove
of Colonel Dobbins were quite large and were very thickly infested
with the Iceryas, but at the time of my recent visit scarcely a living
Icerya could be found on these and on séveral of the adjacent trees,
while the dead and dry bodies of the Iceryas still clinging to the trees
by their beaks, indicated how thickly the trees had been infested with
these pests, and how thoroughly the industrious Lady-birds had done
their work.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

Enemies of Diabrotica.

With this I mail you a spider which I found with a Diabrotica soror in his jaws.
Will you please send me the name of this spider, as also of the family to which it
belongs? If new, would it not be well to describe it, or to have Dr. Marx do so if he
will?

It may interest you to know that I have bred a Tachina fly from D. soror, but its
wings never expanded, so it is not fit forstudy. I have just captured a large number
of these beetles, and will try to breed perfect specimens of this fly.—[D. W. Coquil-
lett, Los Angeles, Cal., June 19, 1889.

REpLy.—The spider which you found eating Diabrotica is Xysticus gulosus Keyser-
ling. It belongs to the family Thomiside. Your note concerning the breeding of the
Tachinid from the Diabrotica is very interesting.—[July 3, 1889.]

15

The New Zealand Latrodectus.

I take great interest in reading the periodical bulletin on ‘‘ INSECT LIFE.” In Vol.I,
No.7, January, 1889, I read an account of the spider called L. mactans, the description
of which tallies with a spider I used frequently to see in New Zealand, North Island.
TI see that in your bulletin it is described as black with vermilion spot on abdomen.
During my stay in the above country I saw many of these spiders, some black with
a red triangular spot on back and some black with a yellow spot on back of same
shape. Whether these are of the same species I am unable to say, but they frequented
the same places, mostly banks of rivers, and were especially numerous on the banks
of the Wanganui River. The Maoris told me that their bite was not fatal, but very
painful. I knew of a case where a Maori was carrying wood from the river to his
‘““whare”, situated on the banks. He got bitten by one of these spotted spiders that
was concealed in the wood—was bitten in the hand—and during the night the arm
was paralyzed to the shoulder. Whisky applied externally and internally effected
acure. It is said that the pain is felt for weeks after, with perhaps a month or so
of no pain between. I have mentioned these facts because I did not see in your bul-
letin any account of a yellow spotted L. mactans.—[C. Herberte Riley, Gabriella, Fla.,
April 27, 1889.

Chinch Bug Remedies.

In complying with your request, I will state that as early in the spring as the
warmth of the season will permit the Chinch Bugs come out of their winter quarters
and resort to their natural place of ravages, the wheat fields. They first gather in
groups and burrow into the soil among the roots of the wheat, clearing the soil from
around them and leaving a top crust. There they cohabit, and from the Ist to the
15th of May deposit their eggs by thousands on the roots of the wheat. They have
previously cleaned the soil from the roots for that purpose. As soon as the sun shines
hot enough to warm the ground sufficiently, the eggs hatch and the young bugs begin
to suck at the roots of the wheat. As they grow and beconie older they crawl up to
the top of the soil and up the stalks of wheat, and still suck as long as there is any
life or sap in the stalks, when they begin to travel to other parts of the field for a
new supply. All go in the same direction. The old bugs injure the wheat only by
clearing the soil from the roots. As soon as they get through depositing their eggs
they die. To evade their ravages I leave my wheat ground with as smooth a surface
as possible in the fall. Then in the spring, as soon as winter is over, I put a heavy
roller on my wheat ground, pack the soil firmly to the roots of the wheat, and thereby
prevent the old bugs from burrowing about them. — Besides, this gives the wheat an
early, vigorous growth, and thus the bug is overcome, so far as its ravages in the
wheat field are concerned. I sometimes roll my ground the second time, say, about
the 15th of April or the Ist of May, or later. It depends upon how the bugs are pro-
gressing, which can be told by drawing the wheat and examining the roots for eggs.
I never fail to make good wheat. Besides, the crop of bugs is so diminished that
they never injure my other grain crops or grasses to any serious extent. My neigh-
bors failed to make wheat in 1888, while I harvested a heavy crop. I knew one man
who gave his crop of wheat (15 acres) to one hundred sheep in the month of April
and turned them off the Ist of May. His wheat came out and made good grain, while
ail around him failed on account of the Chinch Bugs. The sheep packed the soil to
the roots, and thus overcame the bugs. I hope that others will try the experiment,
as [ have done, and be convinced that the ravages of the bugs can be overcome.—[J.
R. Adams, Goodland Mo. June 29, 1889. -

Cut-worms.

The Cut-worms are very bad in this section. Iam putting out quite a patch of
sweet potato plants. I sprout largely for sale and for my own use, and also raise

4996---No, 3——2

76

cabbage, tomato, pepper, and other plants. I find that the Cut-worms are working
on most all of them. Ihave been making green clover traps and collecting them
under the bunches of clover, then burning them under these and in the ground
beneath. I have found as many as 64 worms under one bunch that we had placed
between the ridges of sweet potatoes. I first soaked the green clover in Paris green,
but I think I did not get it strong enough, as I found only a few dead ones under the
traps. Pie-plant or rhubarb leaves are also good. They may be put under the half
of a large drain tile split in two, and the south end stopped up with dirt so as to keep
the leaves from drying out. The worms may then be hunted every day under the
leaves and killed. Cabbage and turnip leaves are also good. Can you give me any
other information on this subject? I have concluded now to try soaking the plants
in a solution or tea made of red pepper just at setting them in the ground. I make
it by boiling the pepper in soft water and then letting it get cold, when the plants
may be dipped into it. In my next experiment I will try common kerosene (coal-oil)
with soft water well agitated, and set the plants out immediately after dipping them
in it.—[A. L. Thompson, Homer, Ill., May 20, 1889.

Repty.— * * * The remedy which you have applied, viz, the poisoned clover,
was first suggested in 1882 by Professor Riley, and was first experimented with so far as
we know by Dr. A. Gmler, of Wilmington Island, near Savannah, Ga., who found it
exceedingly successful, and who was enabled to almost entirely rid his land of Cut-
worms. In our opinion you will find it a muck better means of fighting the worms
than either of the other remedies which you mention, and we would advise the great-
est care in the trial of a kerosene remedy, lest the plants should be killed. It will
be well in fact to emulsify the kerosene with soap and water and then dilute it con-
siderably before dipping the young plants init. Even then success can not be relied
upon. * * * —T[May 23, 1889.]

An Army-Worm Note from Indiana.

I recently had my first experience with the Army-Worms, which were discovered
June 17 in a piece of rye growing on reclaimed swamp land commonly called ‘‘ muck.”
We confined them to the rye, which they soon cleaned up. The piece contained about
nine acres, and at one time, or when the worms were nearly developed, and about one
and one-half inches long, as much as five acres were literally covered with them. An
open ditch on one side, filled with swift-running water and ditching and pitting on
another, turned them into a wood pasture of blue-grass, where I called in about 150
hogs, old and young, that quickly devoured those already in and all that came after.
But I also began plowing under the rye stalks and stubble by encircling the whole
piece, and they could not well travel across plowed land, so those confined within the
circle became lank and lean soon after, but on about June 25 they disappeared some-
what suddenly, but how Idonot know. Now,I would like to have some information
as to the nature of the Army-Worm and the facts as to their origin in such immense
quantities. If they had been propagating year by year along the fences and by-places
adjacent to this field, which had been previously for four successive seasons cultivated
in potatoes, no injury came from them and none were noticed about the field. The pre-
vious seasons were very dry and last winter was mild, with little freezing and scarcely
any rain, and just suited the insect fraternity. Or might the fly have come in vast
numbers during the very warm days of April from a southern region and deposited
their eggs in the rank growth of rye growing in a loose porous soil that was laden with
vapor like matter that may have been attractive to the fly? Scores of acres in rye in
this vicinity, growing on the same kind of soils, were destroyed in the same manner,
although the farms and fields were not contiguous to each other. No other crop was
attacked or injured. A good deal of theory and speculation has been discussed by
the Granger brethren hereabouts as to their origin, nature, disappearance, and re-
appearance. I have no complete works on entomology and can get no clear idea of
their history. Chambers’s Encyclopedia, which I have, says but little and nothing

a NTS

tt

definite, though it says ‘‘ they (the worms) go into the molting stage and re-appear
again the same season, or produce two crops in the same season similar to the cotton-
seed boll-worm of the South, which produces three crops in one season.” A definite
answer as to their origin and history will be thankfully received by myself and others.
—[I. M. Miller, Upland, Ind., July 16, 1889.

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES
AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Lorp WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 54 of Vol. II.]

Lithocolletis alnifoliella Hb.

Chamb. Bull. U. 8. G. G. Surv., IV, 121 (1878).
Pack. U. S. Dept. Intr., Ent. Com. Bull. VII, 140 (1881).

This species was not included in the Index by Chambers, but in the List of Food-
plants of Tineina (which was quoted by Packard in his List of Insects {njurious to
Forest and Shade Trees) it is referred to as making a tentiform mine on the under
side of the leaves of alder. For the present, at least, there is no evidence to justify
its inclusion in the North American fauna.

Lithocolletis quercipulchella.

Chamb. Bull. U. S. G. G. Surv., IV, 120 (1878).
Pack. U. S. Dept. Intr., Ent. Com. Bull. VII, 53 (1881).

Packard is again only quoting from Chambers’ List of Food-plants, where this
species is referred to as feeding on the under side of oak-leaves. Chambers was ac-
quainted with the larva of quercibella, which has a similar habit, but he omits this
insect from his list of larve. In the Index he makes no reference to quercipulchella.
There is, I think, no doubt that quercipulchella is a mauuscript name for the species
which he described as quercibella.

Lithocolletis lysimachieella.

Chamb. Cin. Qr. Jr. Se. II, 100 (1875): Bull. U.S. G. G. Surv. IV, 116, 154. (1878).
This name was given to a larva mining Lysimachia lannelata, but until the perfect
insect has been reared I can not feel justified in including it as a species in the re-
vised Index.
The practice of publishing names for insects which are known only in the larval
state is much to be deprecated. The following facts speak for themselves and will
explain why these references will not be given in the revised Index.

Coleoptera.

Gn. ? sp.? mining Quercus alba. Chamb. Can. Ent. IV, 123-4 (1872).
= Lithocolletis tubiferella. Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 165-6 (1871): IV, 123-4 (1872).
Gn.? sp.? mining Quercus ilicifolia? Chamb. Can. Ent. LV, 124 (1872).
= Lithocolletis sp.? Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 166 (1871): IV, 124 (1872).
Gu.? sp.? mining leaves of ‘‘ Willow Oaks.” Chamb. Can. Ent. (1872): IV, 124 (1872).
= Lithocolletis sp.? Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 166 (1871): IV, 124 (1872).
Brachys eruginosa Say. Mining Fagus ferruginea. Chamb. Can. Ent. IV, 124 (1872).
= Lithocolletis sp.? Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 166 (1871): IV, 124 (1872).

78

Gn.? sp.? mining Acer saccharinum. Chamb. Can. Ent. IV, 124 (1872).
= Lithocolletis sp.? Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 166 (1871): IV, 124 (1872).
Metonius levigatus Say. Mining Desmodium. Chamb. Can. Ent. IV, 124 (1872).
= Leucanthiza? sp. Chamb. Can. Ent. III, 166 (1871): [V, 124 (1872).

Lithocolletis chambersella.
= quinquenotelia Chamb.

Chambers describes a species of this genus as quinquenotella, this name being
preoccupied by a European species. I would suggest the name of chambersella to re-
place it.

Lithocolletis umbellularie sp. n.

Antenne, white, evenly dotted with brown along their upper sides, the five brown
spots towards the apex being larger and more widely separated than the others.

Palpi, shining white.

Head, face shining white, frontal tuft yellowish in the middle, saffron-brown at the
sides.

Thorax, golden sattron, whitish behind.

Fore wings, golden saffron, somewhat shining, a short white patch at the base of the
dorsal margin reaches to the fold and is exteriorly dark margined; the dark mar-
gin, of a somewhat similar white spot on the costal portion of the wing, also
reaches to the opposite side of the fold a little beyond it; at one-fourth of the
wing-length is a waved white fascia running nearly straight from the dorsal mar-
gin to the fold and bulging outwards beneath the costa; this is distinctly dark-
margined externally throughout and briefly so internally ; immediately adjoining
the costal margin at half the wing-length is a broad, very oblique white costal
streak dark-margined on both sides and freely dusted with blackish scales around
the apex ; the black dusting is continued along the outer side of an opposite less
oblique dorsal streak, the apex of which reaches as far as the edge of the costal
streak ; above it, at three-fourths the wing-length, is a white costal spot slightly
margined with blackish atoms, and opposite to this is another white dorsal streak,
very oblique, externally margined at the apex with dusky atoms, which are con-
tinued so as to form a large patch of black dusting at the apex of the wing, on
the upper side of which patch lies a sickle-shaped white costal streak, concave
towards the costal margin; cilia pale saffron, with a brown line running through
the middle and reaching around the apex nearly to the anal angle, where they
become paler, inclining to grayish.

Hind wings and cilia, pale grayish.

Abdomen, dark gray above, grayish-white beneath; anal tuft, yellowish.

Hind tibie, white, with two broadish black bars across. their upper sides and a small
black terminal spot.

1 Of VRS tase

Type, & 2 Mus. Wism.

Mendocino County, Cal., found and bred in the month of June, 1871. Three speci-
mens, from large diffused blister-like mines on the upper side of leaves of Umbel-
lularia californica Nuttal; the pupa being inclosed in a semi-transparent flat oval
silken web within the mine, like that of cincinnatiella Chamb., to which species it is
somewhat allied. Its nearest ally in America is probably macrocarpella F. and B.,
but it differs in the possession of a dark-margined costa-basal spot and in the com-
paratively straight first fascia.

These characters also serve to separate it from cincinnatiella Chamb. I think it is
open to question whether cincinnatiella may not be a form of macrocurpella. The only
differences I can detect in comparing authenticated specimens of each species are
the somewhat larger size of macrocarpella and the less shining appearance of the
ground-color of the wing; moreover, the white streaks appear to be duller and per-

19

haps somewhat more oblique, their dark bordering being more marked towards the
costal margin than in cincinnatiella. At the same time the differences are very slight,
and tkose who have an opportunity of collecting larve of the oak-feeding species
would do well to study the subject.

Lithocolletis gaultheriella sp. n.

Antenne, closely annulated with white and brown, the brown annulations somewhat
wider apart towards the apex.

Palpi, silvery white, with a small spot on the outer side.

Head, face silvery white; frontal tuft saffron mixed with white.

Thorax, golden-saftron, posteriorly whitish.

Fore-wings, golden-saffron, shading to golden-brown, no basal streak, three costal
and three dorsal snow-white spots, the first two pairs internally dark-margined ;
the first costal spot is situated at about one-third the length of the wing, its in-
ternal dark margin passing around its apex; the corresponding dorsal spot
commences nearer the base of the wing and sometimes reaches obliquely to, or
near, the point of the costal spot ; the second costal spot at half the wing-length
is somewhat oblique, square ended, and as in the case of the first is placed some-
what beyond its smaller corresponding dorsal spot, which is pointed and has
some dark fuscous scales running outwardly from its apex and merging in the
darkened lower margin of the costal spot above it “the third costal spot at one-
fourth from the apex is somewhat triangular and lies also farther from the base
athan the corresponding smaller spot on the dorsal margin; before the anal angle,
between these spots, lies a cloud of fuscous scaling serving to throw up and
make more conspicuous these white markings on the golden-brown ground-
color of the wing; inclosing the apex of the wing is a narrow, outwardly con-
cave white streak, not reaching through the cilia on the apical but only on the
costal margin; beyond it are a few darkened scales and sometimes one or two
whitish ones with them; cilia pale, golden-saffron, tending to golden; gray about
the anal angle. The only conspicuous markings on the under side are two pale
spots in the costal fringes, corresponding with the last two markings on the
upper side.

Hind-wings, grayish, with golden-gray cilia.

Abdomen, gray, anal tuft slightly paler.

Hind-tarsi, grayish-white, with one or two darker bands above.

Exp. al., 10-11™™.,

Type $2 Mus. Wism.

A single ¢ bred from mines on the upper side of Gaultheria shallon, found at Rouge
River, Oregon, in May, and bred June, 1872. Three others taken in Mendocino County
in May and June, and a single specimen also taken near Crescent City, Del Norte
County, Cal. It is one of the largest species of Lithocolletis.

Lithocolletis ledella sp. n.

Antenne, whitish, faintly barred above with brown.

Palpi, white.

Head, face white, frontal tuft saffron, mixed with whitish.

Thorax, golden-saffron with afew white scales.

Fore-wings, golden-saffron with a white medio-basal streak, somewhat expanding out-
wards on the fold and reaching to one-third the length of the wing above it,
this is dark-margined on its upper edge; beyond it are four costal and four dor-
sal silvery-white streaks; the first dorsal commences beneath the point of the
basal streak and extends obliquely outwards to the middle of the wing, it is
dark-margined internally and around its apex; the costal streak above it is short,
rather square, and also internally dark-margined; the second costal streak,

80

scarcely longer than the first, is a little oblique and also inwardly dark-mar-
gined; beyond this are two more narrow costal streaks, the first curved out-
wards and dark-margined internally, the second pointing inwards from above the
apex, with a few black scales at the extremity; the second dorsal streak is trian-
gular, dark-margined internally and around the apex, commencing somewhat
further from the base than the second costal streak, its point lies between the
second and third; the two last of the four dorsal streaks are very slender and
pointing inwards, with a few black scales at their ends; where they reach the
points of the costal streaks above them a black elongate spot lies at the apex,
separated from the dark apical line which lies at the base of the golden-gray
apical cilia.

Hind-wings and cilia, gray, with a faint golden sheen.

Abdomen, gray, anal tuft paler.

Hind-tarsi, whitish-gray, unspotted.

Exp. al. 9-10™™,

Type $ 9 Mus. Wism.

Six specimens, bred from somewhat folded mines, occupying the whole upper side
of leaves of Ledum glandulosum, found in June in Mendocino County, Cal., and
bred the same month. I met with this species also on the wing at the same time and
place. It appears to be nearly allied to salicicolella Sircom, among the European
species.

Lithocolletis alnicolella, sp. n.

Antenne, whitish, very faintly spotted above.

Palpi, white.

Head, face white, frontal tuft grayish saffron.

Thorax, pale grayish saffron touched with white at the sides.

Fore-wings, pale grayish saffron with three dorsal and four costal silvery-white streaks,
all dark-margined on their inner sides and at their points; a somewhat broad but
very indistinct white medio-basal streak extends above the fold to one-third the
wing-length, and a shorter streak of the same color follows the dorsal margin
from the base to half the length of the one above it; the first dorsal streak is
broad, outwardly oblique, and reaching nearly to the smaller triangular costal
streak above it; in some specimens it actually attains to it, forming an angulated
fascia; the point of the second dorsal, also somewhat triangalar, is directed a
little beyond the point of the second costal streak above it; these are both nearly
perpendicular; the third dorsal very small; arising opposite the space between
the third and fourth costal streaks, it reaches to the apex of the former; the end
of the wing is inclosed by a dark semicircular line at the base of the cilia, within
which is an elongate blackish spot; the cilia are grayish, with a faint saffron tinge.

Hind-wings and cilia, also pale grayish.

Abdomen, gray above, anal tuft scarcely paler.

Posterwr tibiw, whitish, unspotted.

Exp. al. 6™™,

Type, 3 Q Mus. Wism.

Two specimens were bred from larve found mining the upper sides of leaves of
Alnus incana on Mount Shasta, Siskiyou County, Cal., in August, 1871, in which
month the perfect insects emerged. Three other specimens were met with on the
wing, also in the neighborhood of Mount Shasta. Judging from Chambers’ descrip-
tion, his alnivorella must be exceedingly close to this species. There are certain dis-
tinct differences in the position and extent of the dorsal streaks, but my chief reason
for regarding it as distinct is that Chambers describes the larva of alnivorella as feed-
ing on the under side of the leaf, whereas my species feeds on the upper side of
another species of alder. I am not aware of any instance of an alder-feeding Litho-
colletis feeding on both sides of the leaves.

sl

Lithocolletis incanella sp. n.

Antenne, whitish, faintly spotted above.

Palpi, shining white.

Head, face shining white, frontai tuft white, with a few saffron scales at the sides.

Thorax, bright reddish-saffron, with a thin whitish line running around its anterior
margin and communicating with the basal streak on the fore-wing.

Fore-wings, bright brownish-saftron with a long slender medio-basal white streak with-
out dark margins, four costal and three dorsal streaks of the same color, some-
times with a slight metallic sheen; the first costal streak is a little before the
middle of the wing, oblique and pointed, with a scarcely perceptible dark dusting
along its inner margin; the first dorsal streak commences a little nearer to the
base; it is dark-margined internally, and is somewhat wider than and reaches a
little bevond the costal streak beyond it; the second costal streak is small and
points slightly outwards; the third is nearly perpendicular; the fourth points
slightly inwards from a little before the apex; these three are all dark-margined
on their inner edge ; opposite to these are the second and third dorsal streaks;
the second is triangular, wider at the base and dark margined internally, its black
dusting communicating with a patch of similar blackish scales at its apex extend-
ing to the second costal streak above it; the third dorsal streak is short, point-
ing inwards and dark margined on both sides, its outer margin being continuous
with a dark line at the base of the cilia which encircles the tip of the wing reach-
ing to the exterior costal streak; within this line, but separate from it, is an
elongate apical spot of somewhat disconnected blackish scales, the cilia pale
greyish.

Hind-wings and cilia, pale grayish.

Abdomen, dark gray above, anal tuft somewhat paler.

Hind tarsi, white, tipped with grayish, and two grayish-saffron spots above.

Exp. at., 92™,

Type, 8 2 Mus. Wism.

The larva feeds in mines on the under side of Alnus incana towards the end of June
in Colusia County, Cal., the perfect insects emerged in July, 1871. Seven specimens
were bred, and the species was also met with on the wing at Burney Creek (near Pit
River), Shasta County, Cal.

GENERAL NOTES.

THE AMENDED CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURAL LAW.

We take from the Los Angeles Evening Express, of July 12, the fol-
lowing amendments to the old act to protect and promote the horticult-
ural interests of the State. The act embodying these amendments was
approved March 20. Entomological legislation is so unnsual in this
country that these rulings will be read with interest :

Sec. 1. Section 1 of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

“Sec. 1. Whenever a petition is presented to the board of supervisors of any county,
and signed by twenty-five or more persons who are resident freeholders and possesss-
ors of an orchard, or both, stating that certain or all orchards or nurseries, or trees
of any variety, are infested with scale insects of any kind, injurious to fruit, fruit
trees, and vines, codlin moth, or other insects that are destructive to trees, and pray-
ing that a commission be appointed by them whose duty it shall be to supervise their
destruction as herein provided, the board of supervisors shall, within twenty days
thereafter, select three commissioners for the county, to be known as a county board

82

of horticultural commissioners. The board of supervisors may fill any vacancy that
may occur in said commission by death, resignation, or otherwise, and appoint one
commissioner each year, one month or thereabouts previous to the expiration of the
term of office of any member of said commission. The said commission shall serve for
a term of three years from the date of their appointment, except the commissioners
first appointed, one of whom shall serve for one year, and one of whom shall serve
for two years, and one of whom shall serve for three years from the date of appoint-
ment. The commissioners first appointed shall themselves decide, by lot or other-
wise, who shall serve for one year, who shall serve for two years, and who shall serve
for three years, aud shall notify the board of supervisors of the result of their choice.”

Sec. 2. Section two of suid act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

“Src. 2. It shall be the duty of the county board of horticnltural commissioners
in each county, whenever it shall deem it necessary, to cause an inspection to be
made of any orchard or nursery or trees or any fruit-packing house, store-room, sales-
room, or any other place in their jurisdiction, and if found infested with scale-bug,
codlin moth, or other insect pests injurious to fruit, trees and vines, they shall notify
the owner or owners, or person or persons in charge or possession of the said trees or
place, as aforesaid, that the same are infested with said insects, or any of them, or
their eggs or larva, and they shall require such person or persons to disinfect or de-
struy the same within a certain time to be specified. If within such specified time
such disinfection or destruction has not been accomplished, the said person or per-
sons shall be required to make application of such treatment for the purpose of de-
stroying them as said commissioners may prescribe. Said notices may be served
upon the person or persons owning or having charge or possession of such infested
trees, or places, or articles, as aforesaid, by any commissioner, or by any person
deputed by the said commissioners for that purpose, or they may be served in the
same manner as a summons in a civil action. If the owner or owners, or the person
or persons, in charge or possession of any orchard, or nursery, or trees, or places, or
articles infested with said insects, or any of them, or their larva or eggs, after having
been notified as above to destroy the same, or make application of treatment, as
directed, shall fail, neglect, or refuse so to do, he or they shall be deemed guilty of
maintaining a public nuisance, and any such orchards, nurseries, trees, or places, or
articles thus infested, shall be adjudged and the same is hereby declared a public
nuisance, and may be proceeded against as such. If found guilty, the court shall
direct the aforesaid county board of horticultural commissioners to abate the nuisance.
The expenses thus incurred may be a lien upon the real property of the defendant.”

Sec. 3. Section three of said act is amended so as to read as follows:

“See. 3. Said county boards of horticultural commissioners shall have power to
divide the county into districts, and to appoint a local inspector for each of said dis- .
tricts. The state board of horticulture, or the quarantine ofticer of said board, shall.
issue Commissions as quarantine guardians to the members of said county boards of
horticultural commissioners and to the local inspectors thereof. The said quarantine
guardians, local inspectors, or members of said county boards of horticultural com-
missioners shall have full authority to enter into any orchard, nursery, or place or
places where trees or plants are kept and offered for sale or otherwise, or any house,
store-room, sales-room, depot, or any other such place in their jurisdiction, to inspect
the same or any part thereof.”

Sec. 4. Section four of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

“Src. 4. Jt shall be the duty of said county board of horticultural commissioners
to keep a record of their official doings, and to make a report to the State board of
horticulture, on or before the first day of October of each year, of the condition of
the fruit interests in their several districts, what is being done to eradicate the in-
sect pests and diseases, also as to carrying out of all laws relative to the greatest
good of the fruit interest. Said board shall publish said reports in bulletin form, or
may incorporate so much of the same in their annual reports as may be of general
interest.” ;

83

Src. 5. Section five of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

Src. 5. Each member of the county board of horticultural commissioners, and
each local inspector, shall be paid for each day actually engaged in the performance
of his duties under this act, payable out of the county treasury of his county, such
compensation as shall be determined by resolution of the board of supervisors of the
county, before entering into the discharge of his or their duties.”

Src. 6. oa six of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

“Sec. 6. Said county boards of horticultural commissioners shall have power te
remove any local inspector who shall fail to perform the duties of his office.”

Sec. 7. Section seven of said act is hereby repealed.

SEc. 8. Section eight of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows, and to
be known as section seven of said act, viz:

“Sec. 7. If any member of the county board of horticultural commissioners shall
fail to perform their duties of his office, as required by this act, he may be removed
from office by the board of supervisors, and the vacancy thus formed shall be filled

by appointment by the board of supervisors.”
Sec. 9. Section 9 of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows, and to be

known as section 8 of said act, viz:

“Src. 8. It shall be the duty of the county board of horticultural commissioners
to keep a record of their official doings and to make a monthly report to the board of
supervisors, and the board of supervisors may withhold warrant for salary of said
members and inspectors thereof until such time as said report is made.”

Src. 10. A new section is hereby added to said act, to be known as section 9, and

to read as follows, viz:
“Sec. 9. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are

hereby repealed.”
Src. 11. This act shall take effect and to be in force from and after its passage.

NEW CODLING MOTH AND PEACH-BORER ENEMIES.

Prof. E. A. Popenoe, in the Jndustrialist for June 6, mentions an in-
teresting new parasite of the Codling Moth, which he determines as a
new species of the genus Bethylus. Of this parasite 5 larve were
found in a group feeding externally upon the dorsum of one of the
abdominal segments of an Apple-worm taken from the interior of an
apple. The larve spun yellow cocoons after arriving at full growth,
and in fact their habit seems to be quite similar to that of Chalcids of
the genus Euplectrus.

He also describes the manner in which the larve of T'rogosita obscura
devour the pup of the Codling Moth under tree bands.

He also states that he bred a large number of specimens of a honey-
yellow Braconid from larve and pup of the Peach-tree Borer. We
are surprised to notice that he states that he has not been able to find
in any of the entomological reports reference to any parasites of this
insect, and we may call attention to the statement upon page 255 of
the Annual Report of this Department for 1879, that Professor Com-
stock during that year bred 4 parasites—2 Chalcids, 1 Microgaster, and
1 Braconid. Professor Riley has reared from the Ageria Pheeogenes
ater Cress. and Bracon nigrifectus Riley MS.

Professor Popenoe’s article is illustrated by figures of the Bethylus ’
and Trogosita, which have been admirably drawn by Mr. C. L. Marlatt.

84

SOME PACIFIC COAST HABITS OF THE CODLING MOTH.

We have recently learned of certain interesting observations which
seem to indicate that the Codling Moth differs slightly in habit in Cal-
ifornia from its customs in the East. Mr. Koebele, writing us under
date of July 24, states that, at the end of May of the present season,
when the apples were about 1 inch in diameter, he noticed the moths
appearing innumbers. Soon after sunset they began to swarm around
the trees, chiefly near the top, and kept it up until dark. He noticed
small bats feeding upon them abundantly. This, he thinks, is the time
of oviposition. He noticed, however, that the eggs were chiefly laid
on the upper side of the fruit, and with pears often upon the stem.
Few of the larve, according to his observations, entered the fruit at the
spot where the egg was deposited, but beginning a slight hole at this
point, they left it after becoming slightly larger and entered the fruit
at the lower end. These observations were made in the Santa Cruz
Mountains.

Similarly, Mr. B. D. Wier, in his Codling-Moth Notes, published in
the Pacific Rural Press of June 8, from which we have previously quoted,
states that, according to his observations, the egg is, as a rule, laid
elsewhere than in the calyx.

THE EFFECT OF ARSENICAL INSECTICIDES UPON THE HONEY BEE.

The prevailing opinion seems to favor the theory, that if arsenical
mixtures are sprayed or dusted upon fruit trees while the latter are in
bloom the bees which frequent them will be destroyed. With this
idea in view fruit-growers have very properly been cautioned not to
use these mixtures during the blooming season, and in fact this has
been urged as an argument against the use of these substances as
insecticides.

The writer, while in Louisiana, was told by planters that dusting
Paris Green upon the cotton plants killed the bees which frequented
the blossoms thereon for the purpose of securing the nectar which was
contained in them.

There appears, however, to be some good negative evidence bearing
upon the problem, which it will be well to consider before forming a
decided opinion in this really important matter.

Mr. Edwin Yenowine, a fruit-grower near New Albany, Ind., is a very
strong advocate of the use of arsenical mixtures, as against both Cod-
ling Moth and Plum Curculio, and is also, to a limited extent, engaged
in apiculture.

Some time ago, while spending a day with Mr. Yenowine, he reminded
me that several years ago he had written me as to the probable eftects
_on bees of the use, during the blooming season, of these arsenical mixt-
ures, and had received a very cautionary reply. It appears that in-
stead of following my advice he sprayed all sorts of fruits freely, both

85

in and out of the blooming season, and instead of destroying his bees
they have increased from 8 to 17 strong, healthy colonies, and have
furnished honey of which he and his family have partaken freely. This
conversation with Mr. Yenowine took place on the 23d of June, so that
the increase shown was practically that of an unfavorable season.—F.
M. WEBSTER.

NEMATODE INJURY TO CANE-FIELDS IN JAVA.

In connection with the forthcoming Bulletin 20 of this Division, on
Nematode Worms injurious to the roots of plants in Florida, may be
given a short notice of an article by Dr. F. Soltwedei on Nematodes
working in the roots of sugar-cane in Java, taken from the Agricultural
and Horticultural Review of August 1, 1887, which was inclosed by
Vice and Deputy Consul Horatio G. Wood, of the United States consu-
late at Batavia, with his report to the Department of State, and reprinted
with the same in the reports of consuls of this Government for May of
the present year. In the remarks on the sugar-cane disease in Java,
which form the subject of the report referred to and bear date of March
13, 1889, Consul Wood states that a congress composed of planters, ex-
porters, and persons interested in the sugar production of Java, has
just closed its session at Samarang. The object of this congress was
mainly to discuss the cause and cure of the Nematode attacks on the
cane-roots, there called the ‘‘sereh” disease, which is now spreading
most rapidly and disastrously through the cane-fields of western and
central Java, having been first discovered on the island only three years
ago in plantations near Cheribon, a sea-port town on the north coast 125

miles to the eastward from Batavia. The report further states that the

congress has subscribed a fund of $90,000 for the purpose of engaging
a bacteriologist from Europe to visit the island, investigate the disease,
and propose its remedy. The Nematodes reduce not only the quantity
of the sugar crop but its quality as well, and the subject is therefore of
the utmost importance in cane-growing regions.

Dr. Soltwedei, in his article, mentions having discovered in the cane
roots the following genera, which all belong to the family Anguillulide :

| Dorylaimus, only once; several species of Tylenchus, of which the one

found almost always attendant upon the “ sereh” disease, seems to be

| new, and is named by him 7. sacchari; and one species of Heterodera,

H. javanica, which also seems when it occurs to cause the “sereh” dis-
ease, but has so far been discovered in only a few plants. Tylenchus

_ sacchari has been found there also in the roots of sorghum, while several
_ forms of Tylenchus have besides been discovered in the roots of rice
' and maize, though it can not at present be said with certainty that

T. sacchari is among these. Some few observations are made on the

| latter, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, it feeds only in the young

|
|

|

and juicy rootlets which sprout directly from the stalk, these be-
coming its breeding places. A description is given of the male and

86

female, with the size of the same and of the egg, and remarks on the
various organs, including those of generation and the spermatic fluid.
The parasite can not be introduced except in earth from infested regions,
and it appears that a great deal of moisture is required to complete its
development. Dr. Soltwedei’s article is merely preliminary and does
not suggest any remedies.—T. T.

THE IMPORTATION OF OCNERIA DISPAR.

We are greatly interested to learn from the New England Farmer of
July 13 that the larve of this well-known European insect, which is a |
rather large bombycid moth, have made their appearance in the town
of Medford, Mass., feeding upon “everything from garden vegetables ©
to oak leaves.” The identification seems to have been made by Mrs. |
Fernald, and consequently can not be questioned.

In the latter part of July we received from Mrs. N. W. C. Holt, of —
Winchester, Mass., some young caterpillars on Mulberry and Apple ©
which we take to be the larve of this insect. The importation at this |
late date of such a conspicuous species is of great interest. |

ANOTHER LEAE-HOPPER REMEDY.

Mr. George West, of Stockton, Cal., according to the Vineyardist of |
July 15, has given the plan of feeding off his grape leaves by sheep, as |
a remedy for the grape-leaf hopper, a full test. Last fall, after the crop |
had all been gathered, he turned 3,000 head of sheep into his 600-acre |
vineyard, and in a short time they had eaten every vestige of foliage |
off the vines, leaving them completely bare. This year there has been |
no sign of the hopper.

A CABBAGE-MAGGOT EXPERIMENT.

An experiment with lime and liquid manure for the Cabbage Maggot,
made upon a large scale by Mr. D. M. Dunning, of Cayuga County, N. |
Y., has resulted in the perfect success of the liquid manure and a partial
success of the gas-lime.

HOW OFTEN HAS THIS BEEN NOTICED?

In a half-grown Cecropia larva, found August 7 upon Birch in the |
grounds of the Department of Agriculture, the left-hand tubercle on |
the back of the first abdominal segment is entirely wanting. There is. |
not the slightest trace of it. The right-hand tubercle is as large as_
usual, and in every other respect the specimen is normal. |

OBITUARY.

We are pained to learn of the death of Dr. Anton Ausserer, which |
occurred July 20 at Graz, Germany. Dr. Ausserer was a prominent
worker in arachnology, and, in addition to a number of shorter papers, |

87

produced the only authoritative monograph of the exceptionally diffi-
eult family Territelariz.

DOES THE WHEAT-STEM MAGGOT, MEROMYZA AMERICANA, DISCRIM-
INATE BETWEEN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF WHEAT?

In the literature of this species nothing seems to have been recorded
relative to its preference for certain varieties of wheats or indicating
that any such discrimination has been witnessed.

During the five years that I have been located at the Purdue Experi-
ment Station the small experiment plats, comprising from 40 to 50
different varieties of wheats, have shown but little difference in the
extent of injury, which has in all cases been rather slight.

In larger fields there seems to be a difference in the severity of the
attack of the spring brood of larvee, which has this year been extremely
well marked, especially between Velvet Chaff and Michigan Amber.
Two fields sown the same day in September, 1888, on the same kind of
soil, and in fact every perceivable element being equal except variety
of seed, one of which was Velvet Chaff and the other Michigan Amber,
suffered very differently ; the former, on the 14th of June, having fully
four infested straws to one in the latter. In a long, narrow plat, ex-
tending some distance between the two fields and being composed of
both of these varieties mixed in about equal proportions, the ratio of
injury to each was about the same as in the larger fields. The differ-
ence between the attack in the two varieties was sufficiently marked to
attract the attention of Prof. W. C. Latta, agriculturist of the sta-
tion, who is neither an entomologist nor familiar with the insect itself.

It is with a view of learning if this partiality is general, and also if
it has been observed to extend to other varieties, that the question is
here propounded and the observations given.—I’. M. WEBSTER.

THE ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS.

In pursuance of the call issued by Mr. James Fletcher, president of
the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, a meéting of those interested in the formation of such
an association as that described in the title to this note was held Au-
gust 29 and 30, at Toronto, Canada.

The following constitution was first adopted:

This association shall be known as the Association of Official Economic Entomolo-
gists.

Its objects shall be: (1) To discuss new discoveries, to exchange experiences, and
to carefully consider the best methods of work; (2) to give opportunity to individ-
ual workers of announcing proposed investigations, so as to bring out suggestions
and prevent unnecessary duplication of work; (3) to suggest, when possible, certain
lines of investigation upon subjects of general interest; (4) to promote the study
and advance the science of entomology.

The membership shall be confined to workers in economic entomology. All econ-
omic entomologists employed by the general or State Governments or by the State

88

Experimental Stations or by any agricultural or horticultural association, and all
teachers of economic entomology in educational institutions may become members of
the association by transmitting proper credentials to the secretary, and by author-
izing him to sign their names to this constitution. Other persons engaged in practi-
cal work in economic entomology may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the mem-
bers present at a regular meeting and shall be termed associate members. Members
residing outside of the United States or Canada shall be designated foreign members.
Associate and foreign members shall not be entitled to hold office or to vote.

The officers shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents and a secretary, to be
elected annually, who shall perform the duties customarily incumbent upon their
respective offices. The president shall not hold office for two consecutive terms.

The annual meeting shall be held at such place and time as may be decided upon
by the association at the previous annual meeting. Special meetings may be called
by a majority of the officers, or shall be called on the written request of not less than
five members. Eight members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi-
ness.

The mode of publication of the proceedings of the association shall be decided upon
by open vote at each annual meeting.

All proposed alterations or amendments to this constitution shall be referred to a
select committee of three at any regular meeting, and, after a report from such com-
mittee, may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present: Provided, That
a written notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to every voting member
of the association at least one month prior to date of action.

The adoption of the constitution was followed by an election of offi-
cers, which resulted as follows: President, Dr. C. V. Riley, U. 8. Ento-
mologist; first vice-president, Prof. S. A. Forbes, State Entomologist of
Illinois; second vice-president, Prof. A. J. Cook, Professor of Entomol-
ogy in the Michigan Agricultural College; secretary, Prof. J. B. Smith,
Entomologist to the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

The charter members are as follows: C. V. Riley, of Washington; 8S.
A. Forbes, of Illinois; A. J. Cook, of Michigan; J. B. Smith, of New
Jersey; J. A. Lintner, of New York; J. H. Comstock, of New York; F.
L. Harvey, of Maine; M. L. Beckwith, of Delaware; C. M. Weed, of
Ohio; F. M. Webster, of Indiana; J. P. Campbell, of Georgia; James
Fletcher, of Canada; C. J. S. Bethune, of Canada; E. Baynes Reed, of
Canada; William Saunders, of Canada; E. J. Wickson, of California ;
C. W. Woodworth, of Arkansas; H. Garman, of Kentucky; O. Lug-
ger, of Minnesota; C. P. Gillette, of Iowa; H. Osborn, of Iowa; L.
Bruner, of Nebraska; L. O. Howard, of Washington, and one or two
others, whose names we are not able to announce at the present time.

The association adjourned August 30 to meet the coming winter at
the time and place of meeting of the Association of Experiment Sta-
tions, presumably at Washington, the coming November.

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION, FOR
THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

This organization met at Toronto, Canada, August 28 to September
3. Among the members in attendance were Mr. James Fletcher, Prof.
A. J. Cook, Prof. J. B. Smith, Prof. H. Garman, Mr. E. Baynes Reed,

89

Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Mr. William Saunders, Dr. P. R. Hoy, Mr. C.
M. Weed, Mr. L. O. Howard, Mr. J. Alston Moffat, Mr. H. H. Lyman,
Rev. W. A. Burman, Prof. C. W. Hargitt, Mr. E. P. Thompson.

The address of the president, Mr. James Fletcher, dealt principally
with the injurious insects of the year, and was of extreme interest. It
was also warmly discussed. Other papers were read by Professors
Cook and Smith and by Messrs. Weed, Lyman, Fletcher, and Howard.
Papers were also read which had been received from Prof. C. H. Fern-
ald, Mr. W. H. Edwards, and Dr. F. W. Goding.

The officers elected for the next meeting are: Prof. A. J. Cook, pres-
ident; Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, vice-president; Prof. F. M. Webster,
secretary.

DYNASTES TITYUS IN INDIANA.

Although a southern species, this insect is known to occur in the
southern portions of some of the Northern States. Say recorded its
occurrence, in an old cherry tree, near Philadelphia, lat. 39° 57’ N.,
and this is looked upon as its probable northern limit, from whence it
can be traced westward through Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, but
only in localities considerably further southward.

In December, 1886, Prof. A. H. Graham, superintendent of the public
schools of Columbus, Ind., lat. 39° 13’ N., showed me a specimen which
had been found on the top of one of the school buildings, by workmen
engaged in repairing the roof. Pennsylvania excepted, this seems to
be the northernmost locality where the species has been found. Fruit-
growers accuse the larvee of destroying the roots of the grape.—F. M.
WEBSTER.

THE FIELD CRICKET DESTROYING STRAWBERRIES.

Although this insect has not, so far as I am aware, been recorded as
destructive to the fruit of the Strawberry, nevertheless it has long been
accused of such depredations by strawberry growers. Several years
ago a gentleman of Mississippi, whose name I have mislaid, complained
of serious injury to his berries by these insects, stating that they first
ute the seeds and then the pulp. More recently similar accusations
have come from the fruit-growers of southern Indiana; but in none of
these cases have the crickets been actually observed feeding on the

| berry.

|
|
|
|

|

|

While this might indicate that other insects were, perhaps, equally
implicated, it is also true that this cricket is a shy fellow, and in order
to observe him in the act of feeding one must use the utmost caution.
Only once have I been able to detect them in the act of destroying the
fruit as accused. This was on June 3, 1886, when I captured an indi-
vidual which had made such progress in devouring a ripening berry as
to leave no doubt regarding the capabilities of his race in that direction.
—F. M. WEBSTER.

90
THE PLUM CURCULIO SCARE IN CALIFORNIA.

Recent advices from one of our California agents, Mr. D. W. Coquil-
lett, show that the published statements in the California newspapers
of late date to the effect that the Plum Curculio has made its appear-
ance in Los Angeles County, are entirely unfounded. Fuller’s Rose
Beetle (Aramigus fulleri) has been mistaken for Conotrachelus nenuphar.
The Rose Beetle has been found to be very destructive in that vicinity
to the leaves of Evergreen Oaks, Camelias, Paims (Washingtonia filli-
fera), Canna indica, and several other plants.

LACHNUS LONGISTIGMA ON THE LINDEN IN WASHINGTON.

The Linden Tree-louse, Lachnus longistigma Monell, described in
Thomas’ Third Report on the Insects of Illinois, pp. 119 and 120, and
which bears a close resemblance to L. platanicola Riley, has so tar been
recorded on the Linden in only one locality, Monell having observed it a
few miles west of St. Louis, as he states in his description of the insect.
This instance is noted by Packard in the Seventh Bulletin of the U.S.
Entomological Commission (p. 127), where it constitutes the sole men-
tion of the occurrence of this Lachnus.

As a record for the Eastern United States, it may be mentioned that
the species is abundant this year (1889) in Washington on trees of the
European Linden, a number of which have been found infested in the
northwest part of the city. The first tree was examined on August 18,
when the insects were in abundance on the underside of the lower
limbs, and some winged specimens were found amongst them, while
the pavement beneath was stained with their exudations and held the
honey-dew in little puddles; the same being observed under infested
trees noticed later. :

This species differs from L. platanicola in being larger, with the wings

more dusky and the stigma black. It is also interesting to note that |

some experiments carried on by Mr. Pergande, of this Division, in trans-

ferring specimens of JL. platanicola to Linden and ZL. longistigma to |

Sycamore, resulted in both cases in the failure of the colonies.—T. T.

°

eo eer ART MENT OF AGRICULTURE.
| DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
PERIODICAL BULLETIN. OCTOBER, 1889.

iwiolk E1. | pee, No. a
INSECT LIFE. _

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST
AND HIS ASSISTANTS,

[PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. }

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1889,

CON is Ne:

Fage.
SPECIAL, NOTES). ---- tans. Fone om ke, Se ene IR ee ae ES cia ee aatenee = ol
Te HORN Gy (illustrated) 325) 6.2 eu aen eee cen eects os ae Bees ses)
Some Insect Pests OF THE HOUSEHOLD—BED-BUGS AND ReEpD ANTs (illus-
{ATLL 6 ele ea a eras ed ar MER a I gt ga CO. VaRileyze 104
IDENTITY OF SCHIZONEURA PANICOLA Thos. AND S. CORNI Iab..-..--. H. Osborn... 103
NOTES ON THE BREEDING AND OTHER HABITS OF SOME SPECIES OF CURCULI-
ONID, ESPECIALLY OF THE GENUS TYLODERMA.........--.--F. M. Webster... 109
HXIRACTS! FROM (CORRESPONDENCE; \..22-a<6-5202 25 = coesPasse eee ae eee eee 112

The Spread of the Australian Lady-bird.— Wasps in India.—Injurious Insects
in New Mexico.—The Corn-feeding Syrphus-fly.—Larvee of Cephenomyia
in a Man’s Head.

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, ETC.-..Lord Walsingham.. 116
GENERA. NODES (22 ai= oct see, as Se ook os nod Biwwidees2cee cooes eee eee eee 121
The Cabbage Plutella in New Zealand.—Cannibalism with Coccinella.—

Rhode Island popular Names for Corydalus cornutus.—Southern Spread of
the Colorado Potato-beetle.—The Gas Process for Scale-insects.—A sad
Blunder in No. 2.—Arsenicals and the Honey Bee.—First annual Meeting
of the Association of Official Economic Entomologists.—Entomological So-

ciety of Washington.

II

Vol. al, No.4.) — ENS ECT LTE B.. [ October, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

Greeting.—The writer is pleased to greet more directly again the read-
ers of {NSECT LIFE, after an absence of five months, the most enjoy-
able portions of which have been the ocean voyages going and coming.
Paris is proverbially beautiful, and we met many delightful people
there, among them not a few entomologists; but America never looked
more fair nor Washington more attractive to our eyes than upon our
return, and, while it would be incorrect to say that we are more ready
for work (which has not been intermitted, but was simply transferred
to other scenes) we cheerfully relieve Mr. Howard from the Divisional
harness and give him an opportunity for well-merited rest and vaca-
tion. In doing so we desire to publicly thank him, as also the rest of
the Divisional force, for the manner in which his and their several
duties have been discharged.—C. V. R.

Lestophonus or Cryptochetum—Professor Mik’s Opinion.—In the August
number of the Wiener Hntomologische Zeitung Prof. Josef Mik, in com-
menting upon Dr. Williston’s “Note on the Genus Lestophonus” in the
May number of INSECT LIFE (Vol. I, p. 328), confirms Dr. Williston’s
placing of this form in the Ochthiphiline, and states that, in his opinion,
there can hardly be any doubt regarding the identity of Lestophonus
with Rondani’s Cryptochetum. The figures of the wing, he states, agree
perfectly, and so do the descriptions. He says that Rondani in his ex-
pression “Areola basali antica incompleta” does not refer to the ante-
rior but to the posterior basal cell, as can be seen from the third part
of the Prodromus (Fig. VIL of the plate) of this author.

Entomology in Ohio.—We received September 13th the Annual Report
of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station for 1888, which contains
upon pages 122 to 176 the Report of the Entomologist, Mr. C. M. Weed.

91

92

The principal articles are upon experiments in preventing the injuries
of the Plum Curculio; a practical preventive of Rose Bug injuries to
grapes and peaches; on some insects affecting Currants and Goose-
berries; notes on some Raspberry Insects ; on the autumn life-history
of certain little-known Plant-lice; notes on various insects affecting
garden crops ; heat as a remedy for Bean and Pea Weevils; the Chinch
Bug in Ohio; on two Potato Insects (Hpicwrus imbricatus and Doryphora
10-lineata); on injuries of the Striped Grape-vine Beetle, and a list of
the articles published by the entomologist during the year. The report
is carefully prepared and well printed, the most valuable contribution
to the knowledge being the account of the experiments with arsenicals
against the Curculio, showing, as they do, the utility of the arsenicals
for this purpose, and confirming the conclusions which we expressed in
our last annual report. Many of the articles have been published else-
where in advance.

Rosin Wash for Red Scale.—In accordance with instructions from the
vision, Mr. Coquillett has been making experiments with this wash
against the red scale (Aspidiotus aurantii), and after twenty different
tests made with various preparations, from the 17th of July to the 8th
of August, the one which gave the best results was found to be com-
posed of rosin, 20 pounds, caustic soda (70 per cent. strength), 6 pounds,
fish oil, 3 pounds, and water to make 100 gallons. .In preparing this
wash the necessary materials were placed in a boiler and covered with
water and then boiled until dissolved and stirred occasionally during
the boiling. After dissolving, the preparation was boiled briskly for |
about an hour, a small quantity of cold water being added whenever |
there was danger of boiling over. The boiler was then filled up with
cold water, which mixed perfectly when added slowly and frequently
stirred. It was then transferred to a strong tank and diluted with |
water to 100 gallons. Neither the leaves nor the fruit were injured, while |
a large proportion of the scales were destroyed. Those which escaped |
were either on the fruit or the underside of the leaves. The cost of |
the wash is 80 cents for 100 gallons or four-fifths of a cent per gallon.
An orange tree 16 feet tall by 14 feet in diameter was given 14 gallons. |
This, however, seems to us to be an unnecessarily large amount, but
upon this basis the cost of spraying per tree is 11.2 cents.

Meeting of Association of Economic Entomologists.—A notice from the
secretary is published on page 123,

93

THE HORN FLY.

(Hematobia serrata Robineau-Desvoidy.)

Marx dee

Fic. 11.—Ha@MATOBIA SERRATA: a, egg; b, larva; ¢c, puparium; d, adult in biting position—all en-
larged. (Original.)

Our knowledge of this pest is now sufficiently far advanced to enable

us to present a preliminary article giving the main facts ascertained.

A more complete article will, however, be published in our annual report
for the year.

FIRS1 - APPEARANCE—SPREAD—INVESTIGATION.

Our attention was first called to this pest in September, 1887, when
Mr. I. W. Nicholson, of Camden, N. J., wrote us under date of September
22, as follows:

Herewith I send some specimens of flies which appear to have made their first ap-
pearance about the middle of August. They are very annoying to cattle, but rarely
settle upon the horses or mules. They gather in patches or clusters particularly upon
the legs, and are very active. I should like to know if they are common in other
parts of the United States. They appear to be very numerous in all the counties near
Philadelphia, yet I have seen no person who has observed them before this season.

Later letters the same season from Mr. Nicholson mentioned the com-
mon habit of clustering upon the horns, and the fact that after a severe
frost in the middle of October the fly disappeared.

May 15, 1838, the same gentleman wrote us that the flies had promptly
made their appearance May 10, or a little before, in great numbers. A
few days later we heard of the same insect in Harford County, Md.,

94

through Mr. George R. Stephenson, who reported its occurrence in that
locality the previous summer.

By the summer of 1889 the pest had extended in numbers much far-
ther to the southward, and the Department was early informed of its
occurrence in Harford and Howard Counties, Md., and Prince William,
Fauquier, Stafford, Culpeper, Louisa, Augusta, Buckingham, and Bed-
ford Counties, Va. The alarm became so great that we were anxious
to learn all that was possible about the species, and arranged to have
it investigated. Considerable time has therefore been devoted to the
study of the habits and life history of the insect. This was done mainly
by Mr. Howard, who made a number of short trips to The Plains, War-
renton, and Calverton during June and July. Later in the season Mr.
Marlatt assisted in the work, which had been greatiy facilitated by
Mr. G. M. Bastable, Mr. David Whittaker, Mr. M. M. Green, and Mr.
William Johnson, and particularly by Col. Robert Beverly. To the
courtesies of these gentlemen we would acknowledge our indebtedness.
August 20 Mr. Howard found the flies practically in Washington—in
Georgetown—and the next day Mr. Marlatt found them in Rosslyn, at
the Virginia end of the Aqueduct Bridge, so that further trips for ma-
terial were not necessary.

One!
aoe eameat
nnat Wore) 99°99 Dna
Te] 80n?, ay

Fic. 12.—H ©®MATOBIA SERRATA: @. side view of head of larva; b, ventral view of head of
larva, showing antennzx and thoracic stigmata; c, dorsal view of anal end of larva, showing
anal stigmata; d, anal plate of puparium; e, ventral view of anal end of larva, showing
anal plate—still more enlarged. (Original.)

The result of the summer’s observations by these two gentlemen is
that the life history of the insect has been accurately made out from
the egg to the fly through several consecutive generations, and that
substances can be recommended which, from their experience, will
keep the flies away for from five to six days, while from the life history

95

a suggestion as to preventives is made, which, under certain cireum-
stances, will prove undoubtedly of great benefit.

IS IT A NATIVE OR AN IMPORTED PEST?

Since this insect was first brought to our notice we have felt that it
was an imported pest. Its first appearance in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia and its gradual spread southward have favored this idea.
Dr. Williston, to whom we sent specimens for name, wrote us that he
thought it an introduced species, and very close to Hematobia serrata
of Robineau-Desvoidy, differing only in color of legs and antenne. He
has since, however, described it as a new species (see Hntomologica
Americana, Vol. V, No. 9, September, 1889, pp. 180-181), under the name
Hematobia cornicola, giving H. serrata as a questionable synonym.
His published remarks on this point are:

I can not resist the belief that the species is an introduced one, and suspect that it
may be identical with H. serrata K.-Desv., occurring in France. Aside, however,
from the discrepancies that his description shows in the color of the legs, an identifi-
cation of this author’s species is usually, at least, only a guess. Macquart’s very
brief description is better; but the palpi are distinctly enlarged, and he says they
are not. Nothing but a comparison of the specimens will settle the question.

Meantime Dr. Lintner had sent specimens to Baron Osten-Sacken at
Berlin, who determined them, as Dr. Lintner informs us in a letter
dated September 16, as the European serrata, placing it in the closely
allied genus or subgenus Lyperosia of Rondani. We are quite inclined
to accept Baron Osten-Sacken’s dictum in this matter and so also we feel
assured will Dr. Williston, and we hence conclude that our species is
the European serrata, whether it be ultimately placed in Hamatobia or
Lyperosia both of which genera were split off from Stomoxys and are
considered by Schiner as subgenera of this last. At present we shall
follow Dr. Williston in placing it in Hematobia.

We know little of the European geographical distribution of H. ser-
rata. Robineau-Desvoidy described it from France and Schiner gives
its location as south France, while Macquart gives it as inhabiting the
south of France, and records it specifically from Bordeaux. The tact that
in this country it has spread with much greater rapidity towards the
south than towards the north would seem to indicate that it is a south
European species.

The habits of Hematobiain Europe are given by Railliet* as follows:

The Hematobias are very small flies which live in the fields and seldom penetrate
into the stables. As their name indicates, they are at least as blood-thirsty as Sto-
moxys. They attack the animals in the pastures, particularly cattle, and they often
collect in great numbers upon a single individual, with their wings expanded, work-
ing in through the hairs to pierce the skin. H. stimulans.Meig, and H. ferox R.-D.
are the principal species of our region.—[France. ]

The exact time and place of the introduction, it is impossible to ascer-
tain. Upon its first importation in small numbers it was probably for

* Eléments de Zoologie Médicale et Agricole.

96

some time unnoticed, and its first noticeable appearance may not have
been at the point of importation. :

All imported cattle from Europe pass through the quarantine sta-
tions of this Department at either Littleton, Mass., Garfield, N. J., or
Patapsco, Md., and an examination of the records developes one or two
points of interest. Since 1884 only ten head of cattle have been im-
ported into the country direct from France. All of these have passed
through the New Jersey station, but their ultimate destinations have
in no cases been within the regions now infested with the fly. The
other importations have been from points like Antwerp, London, Am-
sterdam, Hamburg, Glasgow, Liverpool, Southampton, Hull, Kotter-
dam, and Bristol. The year 1886, immediately preceding the appear-
ance of the fly, was marked by quite an extensive importation of Hol-
steins from Amsterdam and Rotterdam and London, through the Gar-
field station, mainly for parties in New York City. Over three hundred
were imported, and an interesting point to investigate will, therefore,
be the occurrence or non-occurrence of this-fly in Holland.

POPULAR NAMES AND POPULAR ERRORS.

The popular name which is here adonted—the “ Horn Fly”—has the
sanction of popular use. It is sufficiently distinctive and we therefore
recommend its adoption. The name of “ Texas Fly” and “ Buffalo Fly”
and * Buffalo Gnat” are also in use in some sections and indicate an
impression that the insect came from the West. Dr. Lintner uses the
term ‘*Cow-horn Fly.” Objections may be urged to all of these.

The most prominent of the popular errors is the belief that the fly
damages the horn, eats into its substance, causes it to rot, and even
lays eggs in it which hatch into maggots and may penetrate to the
brain. ‘There is no foundation for these beliefs. As we shall show
later, the flies congregate on the bases of the horns only to rest where
they are not liable to be disturbed. While they are there they are
always found in the characteristic resting position, as shown in Fig.
14, and described later. Where they have been clustering thickly on
the horns, the latter become “ fly-specked” and appear at a little dis-
tance as though they might be damaged, and it is doubtless this fact
which has given rise to the erroneous opinions cited.

LIFE HISTORY.

THE Eac.—Place, Method, and Time of Oviposition.—Mr. Howard’s
first impression upon entering the field, that the eggs would be found
to be laid in freshly dropped dung, proved to be correct. He brought
to Washington with him from Calverton dung dropped on the night of
July 28 and exposed in the field during the 29th, and from this dung
the first adult flies, five in number, issued August 7, only ten days from
the laying of the eggs. This settled the point of place of oviposition
and breeding. It seemed probable that this was the only substance in
which the species breeds, as indeed it is the only likely substance which

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97

exists in sufficient quantity through the pastures to harbor the multi-
tudes of flies which are constantly issuing through the summer. How-
ever, many living females were captured and placed in breeding cages
with horse-dung and decaying animal and vegetable material of differ-
ent kinds, each isolated, and it resulted that a few oviposited in the
horse-dung and four flies were reared from this substance. There is
no evidence, however, that in a state of nature the flies will lay their
eggs in anything but cow-dung.

The time and manner of oviposition were puzzling at first. After
hours of close watching of fresh dung in pastures close to grazing cattle
not a single Hzmatobia was seen to visit the dung, much less to lay an
egg. This close observation was made at all times of the day from
dawn till dusk without result, while breeding-cage experiments were all
the time proving that-nearly all fresh droppings contained many eggs.
With some hesitation, therefore, the inference was made that the eggs
were presumably laid at night, as stated in the note upon p. 60 of the
August number of INSECT LIFE.

The question was, however, considered by no means settled, and on
the discovery of the fly at Rosslyn Mr. Marlatt was directed to make
especial observations upon this point. The first result was that careful
examination of dung dropped in the early morning (prior to 7 a. m.)
showed very few eggs, not more than eight or ten toa single dropping,
while that dropped between 4 p. m. and later in the night contained still
fewer. Ona dung dropped between 10 and 11.30 a. m. in the hot sun-
shine, however, examination, a few minutes after, showed a large num-
ber of eggs—estimated at three hundred and fifty. Other very fresh
droppings were examined and the eggs were found to range from none
at all to over three hundred. One animal was then fortunately ob-
served, from close quarters, in the actof passing her dung. As the
operation commenced, forty or fifty of the flies moved from the flank to
the back of the thigh near the “ milk mirror,” and at the close of the
operation they were seen to dart instantly to the dung and to move
quickly over its surface, stopping but an instant to deposit an egg.
The-abdomen and ovipositor were fuliy extended and the wings were
held in a resting position. Most of them had left the dung at the expi-
ration of thirty seconds, while a few still remained at the expiration of
aminute. Every individual had returned to the cow, however, in little
more than aminute. This explains the previous non-success in observ-
ing the act of oviposition, for the Virginia cattle on the large stock-
farms are comparatively wild, and although the dung was examined as
speediiy as possible after dropping, the flies had already left.

The results, therefore, indicate that the eggs are deposited during
daylight, chiefly during the warmer time of the day, between 9 and 4,
and mainly between 9 in the morning and noon. They are laid singly,
and never in clusters, and usually on their sides on the surface of the
wet dung; seldom inserted in cracks.

98

Description —Length, 1.25™™ to 1.37™™; width, 0.34™™ to0.41™™, Shape, irregular
oval, nearly straight along one side, convex along the other. General color, light
reddish brown, lighter after hatching. General surface covered with a hexagonal,
epithelial-like sculpture, each cell from .027™™ to .033™™ in length by about half
the width. In the unhatched egg, eveu in those just deposited, a long, rather nar-
row, ribbon-like strip is noticed along the entire length of the flattened side, rather
spatuloid in shape. In hatching this strip splits off, remaining attached at one end,

and the larva emerges from the resulting slit.

LARVA.—After the eggs hatch the larve descend into the dung, re-
maining, however, rather near the surface.

Newly-hatched Larva.—Length, 2.45"™, and greatest width, 0.48™™. Color, pure
white. Joints of segments rather plainly marked, venter with slightly elevated ridges
at ends of abdominal segments, the ridges with delicate sparse rugosities. Resembles
in main full-grown larva.

Full-grown Larva.—Length, 7™™; greatest width, 2*to 2.5™™, Color, dirty white.
Antenne 3-jointed, last joint pointed. Head with a lamellar or ridged structure
shown in figure; divided by cleft at tip; skin behind lamellar structure coarsely
granulated, while that of thoracic and abdominal joints is nearly smooth. Thoracic
stigmata pedunculate with six pedunculate orifices. Ridges on venter of abdominal
joints not strong, fainter than in young larva. Anal stigmata large, slightly pro-
truding, very dark brown, nearly round, flattened on proximal borders, slightly longer
than broad, 0.14™™ in Jength, with one central round opening, and a series of very
delicate marginal tufts of cilia, four tufts for each spiracle, each issuing from a cleft,
but none on the proximal edge. Anal segment below with a dark yellow chitinous
plate showing six irregular paired tubercles; the surface of the skin surrounding the
plate rather coarsely granulated.

PUPARIUM.—When ready to transform the larvie evidently descend
from the dung into the ground below from a half to three-quarters of an
inch. Actual observations were made on larve in dung in breeding-
cages where the soil was fine sand, affording ready entrance to the lar-
ve. Where the dung has been dropped upon hard ground the proba-
bilities are that they will not enter so deeply, and may indeed transform
upon the surface of the ground at the bottom of the dung.

Description.—The puparium is from 4™™ to 4.5™™ jin length, by 2™™ to 2.5™™ in
width, regularly ellipsoidal, the head rather more pointed ; dark brown in color. The
segments are plainly separated. The anal stigmata are darker in color than the rest
of the skin; are slightly protruded and preserve the same shape as in the larva. The
central opening is still visible, as are the slight indentations of the border. The ven-

tral plate, noticed at the base of the anal segment of the larva is still noticeable as a
series of tubercular elevations.

DURATION OF THE PREPARATORY STAGES AND CONSEQUENT NvUM-
BER OF ANNUAL GENERATIONS.—The first flies reared at the Depart-
ment issued August 7 from eggs deposited July 28. These were five or
six in number. August 8 four more issued from the same lot. August
12 six flies issued, reared from eggs laid July 31; August 13 two more,
and August 14 two more from the same lot. Delayed specimens issued
from this lot August 20 and 23. August 26 seven flies were reared from
two or three days’ old dung, collected August 17. These observations
show the bulk of the flies during late July and August to issue from ten
to fifteen days from the laying of theeggs. In all cases the eggs hatched

in less than twenty-four hours. Experiments a little later gave the

99

>»

following periods:

Aug. 21.

Aug. 23.
. (9 a.m.) Eggs have hatched.
. Larvee one-fourth inch long.
. Apparently full grown.

. Puparia found.

Sept.

1p

Eggs deposited in confinement placed at 7 p. m. on cow dung free from
eggs of other flies.

: ae e one-fourth grown.
. Larvee one-half inch long.
. Larvee leaving manure and entering sand to pupate.
Sept. 5.

Three flies issued.

Eggs placed with isolated dung at 1.30 p.m.

Two flies issued.

. Four flies issued.

. Eggs deposited 10.25 a m.

Eggs were hatched when examined at 9 a. m.

. Larvie half grown.

. Larve entering sand.

. Five puparia taken trom sand.

. Ail in puparia.

. Three adults.

3. Twenty adults. tan found at 9 a. m.
ds

Twenty-six adults. )
Twenty adults, issued between 12 and 4 p. m.

From these records it will be seen that from ten to seventeen days,
say two weeks, is about the average time from the laying of the egg to
the appearance of the flies, and with four active breeding months, from
May 15 to September 15, there will be eight generations. The flies will
undoubtedly breed later than September 15, but we may allow this time
to make up for the time occupied in the development of the eggs in the
abdomen of the female. With seven or eight annual generations the
numbers of the flies are not surprising.

Fic. 18.—H#MATOBIA SERRATA: a, head of female, front view; b, eh of male, front view ; c, head

from side—all enlarged. (Original.)

THE ADULT—Its Habits.—The flies were observed in the greatest
abundance during July. They make their first noticeable appearance

100

in Virginia early in May, and, from hearsay evidence, remain until “late
in the fall” or until “right cold weather.” At the date of the present
writing, September 28, they are still as abundant as ever around Wash-
ington. The characteristic habit of clustering about the base of the
horn seems to exist only when the flies are quite abundant. When they
average only a hundred or so to a single animal, comparatively few will
be found on the horns. Moreover, as a general thing the horn-cluster-
ing habit seems to be more
predominant earlier in the
season than later, although
the flies may seem to be
nearly aS numerous. The
clustering upon the horns,
although it has excited con-
siderable alarm, is not pro-
ductive of theslightest harm
= totheanimal. Careful study
of the insects in the field
show that they assume two
characteristic positions, one
while feeding and the other
whileresting. Itis the rest-
ing position in which they
are always found when upon
‘6 . the horns. In this position
Fic. 14.—H #MATOBIA SERRATA: Adult in resting posi- the wings are held nearly flat
tion—enlarged. (Original.) “
down the back, overlapping
at base and diverging only moderately at tip (see Fig. 14). The beak
is held in a nearly horizontal position and the legs are not widely spread.
In the active sucking position, however, the wings are slightly elevated
and are held out from the body, not at right angles, but approaching
it, approximately an angle of 60 degrees from the abdomen. ‘The legs
are spread cut widely, and the beak, inserted beneath the skin of the
animal, is held in nearly a perpendicular position, approaching that in
Fig. 13c. The fly, before inserting its beak, has worked its way through
the hairs close to the skin. While feeding, however, the hairs which
can be seen over its body do not seem to interfere with its speedy flight
when alarmed, for at a fling of the tail or an impatient turn of the head
the flies rise instantly in a cloud for a foot or two, returning again as
quickly and resuming their former positions.

The horns are not the only resting places, for with the horns black
for 2 inches above their base we have seen the flies towards nightfall
settle in vast numbers upon the back between the head and fore
shoulders, where they can be reached by neither tail nor head. When
feeding they are found over the back and flanks and on the legs. Dur-
ing arain-storm they flock beneath the belly. When the animal is

101

+

lying down a favorite place of attack seems to be under the thigh and
back belly, around the bag. With certain animals the dewlap seems to
be badly attacked while with others this portion of the body is about
exempt. Certain cattle again will be covered with flies and will lose
condition rapidly, while others are but slightly troubled.

Fic. 15.—Cow-horn showing band of resting flies—reduced. (Original.)

On the horns the flies settle thickly near the base, often forming a
complete band for a distance of 2 inches or more, (See Fig. 15.) They
seem to prefer the concave side to the convex side of the curve of the
horn, probably for the reason that the cow can not scrape them off so
readily, and one cow was noticed in which they reached nearly to the
tip of the horn on the concave side of the curve only.

Description.—For a description of the adult we may adopt that sent
us by Dr. Williston, which was drawn up from Virginia specimens
which we had sent to him, and which is substantially identical with
that published by him recently in Entomologica Americana (loc. cit.).

Male.—Length 3.5to4™™, Sides of the front gently concave, its least width about
equal to one-fourth of the distance from the foremost ocellus to the base of the antenne ;
in the middle a narrow, dark brown stripe; a single row of slender bristles on each
side. Antenne brownish red; second joint slightly tumid; third joint a little longer
than broad, with its inferior angle rectangular; arista swollen at the base (which
is black), the pectination long. The narrow sides of the front, and the still narrower
facial and genial orbits silvery gray, with a slightly yellowish cast; facial foviwe
and cheeks blackish, the latter clothed with yellowish hair. Palpi black, the inner
surface and immediate base more yellowish ; gently spatulate in shape, nearly as long
as the proboscis, and extending two-thirds of their length beyond the oral margin.
Mesonotum snb-shining black in ground-color, but mostly concealed beneath a brown-
ish dust, which, on the pleurs, is more grayish. Abdomen with similar dust; in the
middle with a more brownish sub-interrupted stripe, and narrow darker posterior
margins to the segment. Femora black, or very deep brown, first two pairs of tibiw
and tarsi brownish yellow or luteous, the hind tibie and tarsi blackish brown; hind
tibix on the posterior surface with a noticeable, erect, subapical bristle; hind tarsi
about as long as their tibiw, the first three joints widened from their base to tip, so

102

as to form a distinct serration on their inner, acute angles, each of which terminates
in a long hair. Wings with a light blackish tinge (due to microscopic pubescence),
the immediate base yellowish, the first posterior cell rather symmetrically narrowed
to terminate broadly at the extreme tip of the wing.

Female.—Front straight on the sides, its width about equal to one-half of the dis-
tance from the foremost ocellus to the base of the antennz ; the median deep brown
stripe about as wide as the prainose sides. Palpi yellow, with the margins and tip
blackish. Legs more yellowish; hind tarsi regular; pulvilli and claws small.

AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

*

The amount of damage done by the fly has been exaggerated by some
and underestimated by others. .We have heard many rumors of the
death of animals from its attacks, but have been unable to substan-
tiate a single case. We believe that the flies alone will never cause the
death of an animal. They reduce the condition of stock to a considera-
ble extent, and in the case of milch cows the yield of milk is reduced
from one-fourth to one-half. It is our opinion that their bites seldom
even produce sores by themselves, although we have seen a number of
cases where large sores had been made by the cattle rubbing themselves
against trees and fences in an endeavor to allay the irritation caused
by the bites; or, in spots where they could not rub, by licking constantly
with the tongue, as about the bag and on the inside of the hind thighs.
A sore once started in this way will increase with the continued irrita-
tion by the flies and will be difficult to heal. Those who underesti-
mate the damage believe that the fles do not suck blood, but such per-
sons have doubtless watched the flies only upon the horns or elsewhere
in their resting position when the beak is not inserted, or have caught
them and crushed them when their bodies contained little blood. In
reality the flies suck a considerable amount of blood, however, and it is
their only nourishment; if captured and crushed at the right time the
most skeptical individual will be convinced.

REMEDIES.

Preventive Applications.—Almost any greasy substance will keep the
flies away for several days. A number of experiments were tried in the
field, with the result that train-oil alone, and train-oil with a little sul-
phur or carbolic acid added, will keep the flies away for from five to six
days, while with a small proportion of carbolic acid it will have a heal-
ing effect upon sores which may have formed. ‘Train-oil should not
cost more than from 50 to 75 cents per gallon, and a gallon will anoint
a number of animals. Common axle grease, costing 10 cents per box,
will answer nearly as well, and this substance has been extensively and
successfully used by Mr. William Johnson, a large stock dealer at War-
renton, Va. Tallow has also been used to good advantage. The prac-
tice of smearing the horns with pine or coal-tar simply repels them
from these parts. Train-oil or fish-oil seems to be more lasting in its
effects than any other of the substances used.

- 103

Applications to destroy the Fly.—A great deal has been said during
the summer concerning the merits of a proprietary substance, consist-
ing mainly of tobacco dust and creosote, known as “ X. O. Dust,” and
manufactured by a Baltimore firm, as an application to cattle, and it
has received ap indorsement from Prof. J. B. Smith, Entomologist to
the New Jersey Experiment Station. We are convinced that this sub-
stance has considerable merit as an insecticide, and know from experi-
ence that it will kill many of the flies when it touches them, although
they die slowly, and a few may recover. The substance costs 25 cents
per pound, and is not lasting in its effects. Whereit is dusted through
the hair the flies on alighting will not remain long enough to bite, but
two days later, according to our experience, they are again present in
as great numbers as before. A spray of kerosene emulsion directed
upon a cow would kill the flies quite as surely, and would be cheaper,
but we do not advise an attempt to reduce the numbers of the pest by
actually killing the flies.

How to destroy the early Stages.—Throwing a spadeful of lime upon a
cow dung will destroy the larve which are living in it, and as in almost
every pasture there are some one or two spots where the cattle prefer-
ably congregate during the heat of the day, the dung which contains
most of the larve will consequently be more or less together and éasy
to treat at once. If the evil should increase, therefore, it will well pay
a stock raiser to start a load of lime through his field occasionally, par-
ticularly in May or June, as every larva killed then represents the
death of very many flies during August. We feel certain that this
course will be found in many cases practical and of great avail and will
often be an advantage to the pasture besides.

OTHER FLIES REARED FROM COW DUNG.

Our observations on the life-history of the Horn-fly have been greatly
hindered and rendered difficult by the fact that fresh cow dung is the
nidus for a number of species of Diptera, some of about the same size
and general appearance. We have in fact, chiefly this summer, reared
no less than twenty distinct species of flies from horse and cow dung,
mainly from the latter, and six species of parasitic insects. We shall
give these some consideration in our final article in the annual report,
but can not elaborate here. The plan finally adopted to secure the
isolation of the Heematobias was to remove the eggs from the surface
of the dung and place them with dung which was absolutely fresh and
collected practically as it fell from the cow. Even in this way very
great care was necessary to prevent the occurrence of other species.

104

SOME INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.*
BED-BUGS AND RED ANTS.t
By C. V. RILEY.

There is a peculiar propriety in considering these two household
pests in the same article, for it is a fact not generally known, and not,
I believe, previously published, that the character of the red ant is not
-wholly bad. It has oneredeeming trait, and that is that it will (although
perhaps under exceptional conditions) destroy bed-bugs. Has any one
ever known a house overrun with red ants in which bed-bugs were
common at the same time? I think not. One of my assistants, Mr.
Pergande, had an opportunity at Meridian, Miss., during the war, of
seeing an old building used as a barracks and filled with bed-bugs, in-
vaded by countless numbers of red ants. Several ants would attack a
single full-grown bed-bug, pull off its legs and carry away the help-
less body. They penetrated the closest cracks of the rough beds and
dragged out old and young bugs and eggs. There is, then, some slight
consolation in having the ants about one’s house, but with care and
cleanliness, especially at the North, there is no excuse for the occurrence
of either pest.

THE BED BUG.

(Acanthia lectularia L.)

T have occasionally met with a favored individual who had never
seen a bed-bug; in fact a well-informed entomologist recently sent me
a specimen for name, indicating his non-familiarity with the species!
But such fortunate people are rare, and there are very few housekeep-
ers who have not, by accident perhaps, or through slovenly servants,
made the intimate acquaintance of the ubiquitous pest delineated here-
with.

The bed-bug (Acanthia lectularia) has found its way wherever man
has pushed, and is too well known to need description. Its odor and
the effects of its bites are as universally known, and the word *bed-
buggy” has entered our literature as descriptive of a particular class
of odors. The original home of the pest is probably Southeastern
Europe and the Asiatie and Afrigan countries around the eastern end
of the Mediterranean. It was introduced into England at least as
early as 1503, and doubtless reached America soon aiter extensive set-
tlement. Certain English writers have endeavored to father the pest

* On account of the inquiries that are continually made of the Entomologist for
remedies for our commoner household pests, we have decided to reprint, with slight
change or addition, certain articlesrecently contributed to Good Housekeeping (Spring-
field, Mass.),

tFrom Good Housekeeping, May 25, 1889,

105

on America, but there is strong evidence that it was known to Aris-
tophanes, Dioscorides, Pliny, and Aristotle.

The adult bug (Fig. 160) is well adapted, from
its flattened shape, to entering narrow crevices
in the joints of bedsteads or cracks in walls,
or in other convenient places of concealment,
and in such places the females
lay their eggs. These eggs
are white, of an oval form,
slightly narrowed at one end,
and are terminated by a cap
which breaks off when the
young escape. The young
bugs are whitish, and at firts Fie. ee LECTULARIA: a, young; b, adult—en-
nearly transparent. The head Gey een eee
is comparatively broader than in the old bug, and the antenn are
stouter. They molt several times before attaining full growth, and

“among the specimens in my possession I can distinguish about four
distinct stages. The bug figured at 16 a has probably molted once, and
the differences in the head, thorax, and antenne, from the full-grown
bug, will be readily seen. The disagreeable smell, characteristic of
these insects, arises from certain minute odoriferous glands which in
the young bug open on the back of the thorax, and in the adults on the
lower side of the body. -

The number of annual generations depends on conditions of food and
warmth. With plenty of food and an even temperature they will mul-
tiply with great rapidity, while under contrary conditions reproduction
may be greatly retarded. Adult bugs have been known to remain alive
for more than a year without a single meal. It is this fasting capacity,
together with its form so well adapted for hiding, which renders it so
difficult to thoroughly disinfect an infested house.

Here again benzine must be our strongest weapon. , Finely sprayed
with a hand atomizer it will penetrate the minutest cracks, and is sure
death to the insect in all its stages, including the eggs» It is a certain
remedy, and used thoroughly will destroy ever¥ bug in a house. Kero-
sene is almost as good and is a little more lasting in its effects. Many
preventives have been advised, but none are permanent. One of the
best formulas for a substance with which to paint the cracks in a bed-
stead or the wall is one ounce corrosive sublimate, half pint alcohol,

and one-fourth pint spirits of turpentine.

It will be a work of supererogation to advise the experienced house-
keeper to pay particular attention to the belongings of new servants,
and even to the baggage of refined and cleanly guests who come from

| the South or West and have stopped on the way at hotels. Indeed, I

feel that little of a practical nature can be written of this insect that
experienced housekeepers will not know already. It may not be out of
7069—No, 4——2

106 —

place, however, before passing to the red ant to say that the bed-bug
has been found in the woods under the bark of trees, and that therefore
in country houses in certain localities the occasional presence of the
bugs is not necessarily a mark of uncleanliness.

It may be well also to state that there exist other allied bugs which
possess much the same odor
and whose bite is even more
severe than that of the true
Bed-bug. The Blood-sucking
Cone-nose (Conorhinus san-
guisuga, Fig. 17) is one of
these. It is found ocecasion-

a. b. ally in beds as far noith as

Fic. 17.—Conoruinus SANGUISUGA : a, mature bug; b, New Jersey and Illinois, but

De age ee does not habitually breed in
such locations. Its bite is very painful and it will absorb a considerable

amount of blood. We show the adult bug and the nearly full-grown

larva at 17. The colors are black and red.

THE LITTLE RED ANT,
(Monomorium pharaonis L.)

The “red ant,” as this insect is almost universally called, is another
of the household pests which we seem to owe to the older civilization of
Europe, and, like other domestic pests, it has become almost cosmopol-
itan. It has been generally considered of North American origin, and
as one of the few American species which has become wide-spread in
Europe. It is often confounded in the literature of the subject with

Myrmica molesta Say, whichis, however, asynonym. In the larger cities ©

of Europe it is as much of_a pest to-day as it is in this country. It
probably received the scientific name of ‘‘ Pharaoh’s ant” on account
of a defective knowledge of Scripture on the part of its describer, who
doubtless imagined that ants formed one of the plagues of Egypt in the
time of Pharaoh, whereas the only entomological plagues mentioned
were lice, flies, and locusts.
Ordinarily in households this insect is not a nuisance from the actual
loss which it causes by consuming food products, but from its inordinate
faculty of getting into things. It is attracted by almost everything in
the house, from sugar to shoe polish, and from bath sponges to dead
cockroaches. It seems to breed with enormous fecundity, and the in-
cidental killing off of a thousand or so has little effect upon the apparent
number. A house badly infested with these creatures is almost unin-
habitable. They form their nests in almost any secluded spot, between
_ the walls or under the floors or behind the base-boards, or among the
trash in some old box or trunk, or in the lawn or garden walk just out-
side the door. In each of these nests several females will be found,

each laying her hundreds of eggs and attended by a retinue of workers

107

caring for the larvie and starting out from dawn till dawn on foraging
expeditions in long single files like Indians on the war-path.

lic, 18.—MONOMORIUM PHARAONIS: a, female; b, worker enlarged. (After Riley.)

I have shown at figure 18 the female and worker greatly enlarged,
and there is nothing in their structure to which I need call especial at-
tention. Nor need I speak further of the habits of the species, and the
matter of remedies is soon disposed of. Our first recommendation is to
find the point from which they all come. They may have built the
nest in some accessible spot, in which case a little keresene will end a
large part if not all of the trouble. If the nest is in the wall or under
the floor and taking up a board will not bring it within reach, find the
nearest accessible point and devote your energies to killing the ants oft
as they appear. Where the nests are outside nothing is easier than to
find them and to destry the inhabitants with kerosene or bisulphide of
carbon. The nests are almost always in the immediate vicinity of the
house. The ants are peculiarly susceptible to the action of pyrethrum
in any form, be it Persian or Dalmatian powder or buhach, and a free
and persistent use of this powder will accomplish much.

A great number of remedies have been proposed in the household
columns of various journals, but nearly all depend upon the use of a
mixture of some sort for trapping the ants, and at the best are slow and
tedious means of warfare. The best of these with which I have had
any experience consists in placing smal] bits of sponge moistened with
sweetened water in the spots where the ants most do congregate, col-
lecting the sponges once a day or so, soaking them in hot water and
then replacing them. Small bits of bread and poisoned molasses or
small vessels of lard in which a few drops of oxalic acid have been put
have also been recommended, as well as the free use of borax, so often
advised for roaches. The people of the Southern States suffer more
from these pests than we do at the North, and a Floridian of experience
(Mr. C. G. Cone, of Crescent City) recommends a mixture of borax and
sugar, well mixed with boiling water, and left here and there on bits of
broken crockery. If any one tries this I should be glad to learn the re-
sult,

108

A much larger black or brownish ant (Camponotus herculeanus var.
pennsylwanicus) often builds its nests in door-yards so close to the houses
that it becomes a great nuisance, overrunning the rooms, and even get-
ting into the clothes, so as to be a personal discomfort. A case was
brought to my notice two years ago in Washington, where a fine old
homestead was on the point of being sold on account of the annoyance
caused by these ants. An investigation showed one enormous nest sev-
eral feet in diameter in the back yard, and several colonies here and
there in other parts of the premises. The large colony was completely
destroyed by the use of bisulphide of carbon. A teaspoonful was poured
down each of a number of openings, and a damp blanket was thrown
over them for afew minutes. Then, the blanket being removed, the
bisulphide was exploded at the mouth of each hole by means of a light
at the end of a pole. The slight explosions drove the poisonous fumes
down through the underground tunnels, killing off the ants in enormous
numbers. The mains ource of the trouble being thus destroyed, the nui-
sance was greatly lessened, and all talk of selling the old place has
ceased. ,

IDENTITY OF SCHIZONEURA PANICOLA Thos. AND S. CORNI Fab.
By HERBERT OSBORN.

Hitherto the species of Schizoneura infesting grass roots and dog-
wood leaves, respectively, have been considered strictly distinct species,
and, so far as I can learn, no suspicion has been expressed that they
bore any relationship to each other.

My observations the present season establish, I think, beyond ques-
tion the identity of the species, and that the insects migrate by a
winged viviparous brood during the first frosty weather of autumn from
the roots of grasses to the leaves of Dogwood, where they establish
colonies in great numbers.

Mr. Clarence M. Weed has described the autumn viviparous form and
the sexual generation and eggs produced on Cornus leaves by what is
evidently the same species, though he refers it to cornicola Walsh. It
is reasonably certain, therefore, that eggs deposited on Cornus twigs
by the sexual autumn form hatch in spring, produeing broods which in
early summer give rise to a winged brood making the return migration
to roots of grasses.

The full record of observations and evidence establishing this con-
nection can best be presented with observations on the further habits
of the species and when certain other points are determined, but the
connection of the two species seems a point of sufficient interest to
merit the immediate attention of entomologists.

It may be stated here, however, that winged individuals of S. pani-

109

cola bred from grass agree very perfectly with individuals of 8. cornt
found on Dogwood establishing colonies directly after the time of mi-
gration. Previous to the migration, Dogwood has been free from
aphides, as evidenced by condition of leaves and absence of moulted
skins or other indication, and finally winged panicola reared from grass
roots and transferred to Cornus leaves, establish colonies agreeing en-
tirely with those of corni on the same plant. My specimens agree per-
fectly with the description of Fabricius (Ent. Syst., tv, 214), but this
description is so brief and general that it might not be sufficient for de-
termination. Mr. Oestlund, however (Aphididé of Minn., p. 28), states
that specimens collected in Minnesota agree in all respects with the de-
scription and figure by Buckton, and, as my specimens agree perfectly
with Mr. Oestlund’s description, I adopt his reference to the European
corn: Walsh’s fungicola (Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil., 1, 304) is apparently a
fresh corni that he found resting on fungus; and as he describes corni-

‘cola as like fungicola, except abdomen black, I am inclined to think he

had simply older or contracted specimens for the deseription of the lat-
ter. Passerini’s Schizoneura venusta (Gli Afidi, p. 38), infesting roots
of grasses in Europe, is evidently the equivalent of panicola Thos. in the
United States, and I find by turning to Passerini’s original description
that he mentions its similarity to cornit Fab., without, however, suggest-
ing any relation between them. He says:

Valde similis, Schizoneure corni, que autem diversa dorso omnino nigro in apteris,
et abdominis basi et apice tantum albido in alatis.

All discrepancies in the descriptions (which are very slight) seem to
me to be accountable on the ground of difference in appearance of the
recently issued and more mature individuals, along with a considerable
variation in extent of the black patch on the disk of the abdomen and
the number of sensoria on the third joint of the antennz.

NOTES ON THE BREEDING AND OTHER HABITS OF SOME SPECIES
‘OF CURCULIONIDA, ESPECIALLY OF THE GENUS TYLODERMA.

By F. M. WEBSTER.

Speaking from an economic point of view, public interest in the spe-
cies of the genus Tyloderma is at present centered in fragaria Riley,*
from the fact that its larvee burrow into and destroy the thick bulbous
root of the strawberry.

The life-history of the insect, from the time the immature larva is
found in the plant, has been quite fully studied; but its history up to

“I received this species from Mr. C. N. Ainslie, of Rochester, Minn., in 1880, who
stated that it was of rare occurrence,

110

this period, including the time, place, and method of oviposition, re-
mains a complete blank, so far as published observations are concerned.

About the 20th of November, 1888, I captured a number of adult
beetles in an old strawberry field in southern Indiana. Taking them
home with me and placing them on plants transplanted to a warm room
where the temperature was from 65° to 70° Fahr., they immediately be-
gan pairing. <A few days later one of the females was observed to eat
a hole through one of the bud scales, which at this time enveloped the
crown of the plant (all leaves and leaf-stalks having been previously
removed), and afterwards reverse her position and push the tip of her
abdomen into the hole, dropping, as I supposed, her egg down among
the young unfolding leaves. Leaving home on the 6th of December, I
did not return again until the last of the following March, during which
time both plants and beetles perished.

On the 4th of April I received from Mr. J. C. Beard, of New Albany,
Ind., a fresh supply of beetles, composed of both sexes, and from the
same field from which I had taken my previous supply. These were
not placed on growing plants, but in a glass jar and fed each day with
fresh leaves. The sexes were pairing when received, but I secured no
eggs until the 7th, when a single egg was found on the bottom of the
jar. No more eggs were found until the 17th,when two additional ones
were found, also on the bottom of the jar.

The Egg.—The egg is 0.9™™ in length, and 0.6™™ in breadth, with the
ends, each, equally obtusely rounded; color very light yellow, often
covered with a whitish, glutinous substance.

I now had over a dozen females in the jar, and, notwithstanding they
were pairing with the males constantly, there appeared to be no incli-
nation towards ovipositing. Wishing to learn (1st) whether or not this
was due to a lack of favorable conditions, and (2d) if there was any par-
ticular part of the plant more favorable than another, I planted three
strawberry plants in as many flower-pots, placing the first so deep in
the soil that only the leaf stalks were exposed, the second in such a way
that it was exposed to the base of the leaf stalks, and the third so as to
leave nearly all of the bulbous root exposed above ground. A single
female was taken from the jar and placed on the first plant, and cov-
ered with a glass, All leaves had been cut away, leaving two leaf
stalks each about one and one-half inches in height. After being placed
in the jar the female remained perfectly quiet for a few minutes and
then began an inspection of the stems. An excavation was made in
one of them about an inch above the soil, but was abandoned without
being used as anidus. The second stalk was then taken under consid-
eration and critically examined, after which, with head downward, she
began excavating a cavity about one-fourth of an inch above ground,
and, after finishing it, she reversed her position and deposited her egg
at the mouth of the cavity. The labor of oviposition over, she again
‘turned about, and, after carefully pushing the egg in place, began col-

it
leeting the down from the stem, pulling it off with her jaws and tuck-
ing in, over and about the egg, effectually filling the cavity, the whole
operation occupying about one hour and a half.

The second female conducted herself in much the same manner, ex-
cept that she constructed her egg cell just at the surface of the soil,
which was also exactly at the base of the leaf stalk, and, to my aston-
ishment, after placing her egg, filled the cell with mud, and besides
drawing the damp earth up about the plant in such a manner as to con-
ceal the spot entirely. The time occupied was about as with the first,

The third began her labor as promptly as either of the others, but
punctured the bulbous root about half an inch from the surface of the
soil and about the same distance below the base of the leaves, and filled
the cavity, after ovipositing, with the loose material on the outside of
the root. Time nearly the same as in the others.

The foregoing seemed to indicate to me that the females were with-
holding their eggs on account of their environment, and as a rule they
continued to do this until they died, after the Ist of May. There also
appeared to me to be a partiality for ovipositing in the plants some-
where near the surface of the earth, which would ordinarily, and in the
fields, be near or just below the juncture of the leaf stems with the root.
Dissection of females revealed but few eggs in the ovaries, and these
about as large as previously indicated. I, of course, know nothing of
the movements of these beetles before they came into my hands, but,
judging from my own observations, should not expect them to deposit
above a dozen eggs each, and that, under favorable conditions, these
eggs might be deposited during March and April or withheld until May,
if necessary.

All of the eggs which were deposited in the plants, under my obser-
vation, were sacrificed in the attempt to determine the egg period.
Two eggs were, however, deposited by other females, about the 3d of
May, on the inside of glass tubes, in which they were confined. I
watched the development of the larve in these eggs, it being a very
easy matter to do so through the glass, and that portion of the shell
which adhered to the walls of the tube. The larve did not reach ma-
turity until nearly the middle of June, and ate through the shell, where
the latter was attached to the tube, od the 18th of same month. It
must be borne in mind that these eggs were in an unnatural environ-
ment, and the results are to be taken for just what they are worth.

The species foveolatus Say oviposits in the stems of the Evening Prim-
rose, inothera biennis L., in June. The method of oviposition is very
much the same as in the preceding, the mother beetle covering the
cavity, after depositing the egg therein, by raking the epidermis of the
stem together, and fixing it in and over the hole, where it dries and
forms a sort of scab, remaining until after the wound has wholly or in
part healed. The eggs are rather larger than those of fragaria, but
shaped and colored much the same. The insect, in all its stages except

112

the egg, may be found in the stems of this plant during the month of
August, the more advanced stages nearest to the ground. The main
stem in the one selected and the work of the beetle may be readily de-
tected by their scarred and pitted appearance. Except from being
larger, the larve of this species do not differ materially in general ap-

pearance from the preceding. The punctures which are so apparent

in the adult beetle are also to be observed in the pupz.

Of the breeding habits of variegatus Horn, I know nothing, and only”

refer to the species here in order to record its occurrence in an ant-hill
in the month of December.

I have observed wreus Say about plants of Evening Primrose, but
have not observed them ovipositing. Moreover, have observed them
of various sizes and in great numbers in localities where there were no
plants of the Primrose.

Ryssematus lineaticollis Say breeds in the seed pods of Asclepias in-
carnata, the larva feeding upon the seeds and transforming to the adult
in the late autumn. The larva is white, robust, and much wrinkled,
with sparsely-placed, short bristles distributed over the body; the head
is much smaller than first segment, yellow, with mouth parts darker.
Length when extended 6™™. In the vicinity of La Fayette, Ind., the
larvee are preyed upon by a species of Bracon, the larve of which leave
the body of their host and spin small brown cocoons within the seed
pod, several parasites inhabiting a single larva of Ahyssematus.

June 18, 1889.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

The Spread of the Australian Lady-bird.

The Vedolia has multiplied in numbers and spread so rapidly that every one of my
thirty-two hundred orchard trees is literally swarming with them. All of my orna-
mental trees, shrubs, and vines which were infested with white scale, are practically
cleansed by this wonderful parasite. About one month since I made a public state-
ment that my orchard would be free from *‘ Icerya by November 1,” but the work has
gone on with such amazing speed and thoroughness, that I am to-day contident that
the pest will have been exterminated from my trees by the middle of August. People
are coming here daily, and by placing infested branches upon the ground beneath my
trees for two hours, can secure colonies of thousands of the Vedolia, which are there
in countless numbers sucking food. Over fifty thousand have been taken away to
other orchards during the present week, and there are millions still remaining, and
I have distributed a total of sixty-three thousand since June 1. I have a list of one
hundred and thirty names of persons who have taken the colonies, and as they have
been placed in orchards extending from South Pasadena to Azusa, over a belt of
country ten miles long and six or seven in width, I feel positive from my own ex-
perience, that the entire valley will be practically free from Icerya before the advent
of the new year. You will be as much pleased to read this as I am to write it.—{J.
R. Dobbins, San Gabriel, Cal., July 2, 1889.

dents

113

Wasps in India.

A tin trunk belonging to Mrs. Sidney Preston, wife of a gentleman in Her Majesty’s
civil service, was packed with wearing apparel, etc., in Hoti Murdan, and brought
to Jhelum, Punjab, India, in March, 1889. It was left in a veranda for two months
and opened in May. It contained, to the surprise of the owner, four large nests of
wasps, the ordinary Vespa of the district. A small hole was at last discovered near

‘the hinge, affording a possible clue to the entrance of the parent or parents. One of
the nests was so large as entirely to fill up a baby’s hood. After getting rid of the
paper-like nests and the living wasps, which were numerous, the remainder of the
clothing in the box was found to be covered with dead wasps in quantities; in fact,
with several hundred of them. The contents of the box had been carefully cam-
phored and peppered when packed. —[A. O’D. Taylor, Newport, R. I.

Injurious Insects in New Mexico.

I have forwarded to you by same mail this day a square tin box containing inclosed
two small boxes. The larger square: box contuins a number of specimens of the bean
or frijole bug, also two small pup of the same insect, and further, a single specimen
of a bug said by the sender to prey on his grape-vines. Having no means of killing
the insects I forward them as I received them, most of them alive. In the small
round box you will find a few specimens of another bug resembling the first some-
what in its markings and general shape, but larger and evidently a different insect.
These are all dead, and were collected by myself personally on a plant of the Convol-
vulus or Ipoma family, near Bernalillo, in the Rio Grande Valley. Not having a
Gray’s Manual I am unable to give the plant its name in botany. It is named by the
Mexicans, calabaza (gourd) on account of its enormous root, which is supposed to re-
semble a large, warty species of native gourd. Its flowers, of a pale purple color,
resemble very large morning-glories. The plant, which is found in all New Mexico,
but especially in the sandy wastes which border the valley proper of the Rio Grande
River, is an upright bush with long, narrow leaves. The stems and leaves die out
every year, but the root is perennial, and must live many years, for it becomes very
hard and woody. The seeds resemble those of the morning-glory, but are much
larger. I have described this plant so particularly because the larger of the two
species of bugs, which is of a paler color and with fewer and less marked black dots
(the one in the small round box), is found in large quantities on the plant; and the
Mexicans have an idea, whether correct or not (of this lam no judge because I am
not an entomologist), that the frijole chinch (the smaller bug in the square box),
which is the destructive bug that preys on the beans, originates from the other.

The convolvulus bug appears early in the spring; I gathered it ov the plants my-
selfin May. The Bean bug appears in July. Although I felt satisfied that the two
insects are different, and that a bug that preys on the Convolvulus family could not
equally prey on beans, I thought this matter of sufficient interest, and brought a
handful of convolvulus bugs, which I put in the midst of a small patch of beans
growing in the garden, but within ten minutes they had all left, and for two weeks
I looked carefully through the beans, but neversaw a bug of any kind on them. The

Bean bug commits great depredations on bean fields, often destroying them entirely.
The only means the Mexicans have found tosomewhat prevent its ravages is to plant
their beans late, about the middle of July, the bug appearing to swarm in smaller
numbers later in the season. The chief season of the Mexican bean bug seems to be
from the middle of July to the first of September. The Phaseolus grown by the Mex-
icans belongs to the same family as our string beans; the pod can be eaten as a string
bean, and the bean is of a yellowish brownish color, of ordinary size, somewhat flat-
ish. When cooked and prepared in the Mexican way it is the best bean I have ever
eaten, far superior and better flavored than our so-calied navy bean, and it would be

114

a real acquisition to the American Dill ef fare. The Mexicans eat their beans three
times a day—at every meal the year round, if they have them, In afew days I will

endeavor to go myself to the place from which these bean bugs (I think you ought to—

call them Mexican bean bugs if not already named) were sent to me, some 20 miles
from Las Vegas, to examine them myself on the vines, and willthen send you another
lot and describe what I see.—[J. F. Wielandy, Springer, N. Mex., July 23, 1589.

Repty.—I have your letters of the 22d, 23d, and 24th of July, and also all of the
specimens which you mention. I am very much obliged to you for your full informa-
tion and for the specimens which you send, The insect which you call the New
Mexico bean bug is Lpilachna corrupta, one of the few plant-feeding lady-birds. A
congeneric species feeds upon the leaves of squash in the more northern States, and
is mentioned by Professor Riley in his fourth’ Missouri report. The larger beetle
found upon Convolvulus is one of the leaf beetles known as Chelimorpha cribraria,
Your long account in your letter of the 23d is very interesting, and unless you send
me something to supersede it after your visit in person to examine the insects in the
field, I shall publish it in Insect Lire. Among your specimens we also found the
common rose bug of the Northern States (Macrodactylus subspinosus). The applica-
tion of an arsenical poison carly in the season should be an effective remedy against
the bean bug. Your locality isa very interesting one, and I trust you will keep your
eyes open for injurious insects for us.—[July 31, 1889. ]

SECOND LETTER.—In order to investigate the Mexican bean bug more fully (there
being no beans in this immediate neighborhood) I went last Sunday to Watrous,
some 50 miles south of this place, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroad,
where I examined them on the farm of Mr. William Kroenig, who is, with me, one of
the very few persons who take a1 interest in such matters in New Mexico. The re-
sult is that I am enabled tosend you to-day the insect in the egg stage, the larva
stage, and the imago stage. Ths pupa I am not able to procure, for reasons appar-
ent enough. In conversing with Mr. Kroenig I find the following facts: That he has
known the insect since he has been in this region, which is about forty years; that it
was then just as bad as now; that it is found chiefly on beans cuitivated in old
fields, and on land newly cultivated is comparatively scarce, or even unknown, for the
first few years; that frequently it destroys the entire crop ; that the only way to keep
down its ravages to some extent is to plant the beans during the interval between
the first: appearance of the bugs and their second appearance in the fall. The ques-
tion with me is now tofind out if they have more than one brood, and if so, how many.
During my visit I examined a new field of beans in which there were no insects.
From that we went to a corn field in which there were beans planted among the
corn. We there found chiefly larvee, and only 4 bugs. The bugs had apparently laid
their eggs and died. The larvze were nearly all of the same size. I also found 3
bunches of eggs, which, together with the larve, I put in the little vial with a
mixture ofale »>land water. The parent bug appeared about the 15th of July for
the first time in this locality, possibly a few days sooner. On the 28th, they, as well
as the eggs, were nearly all gone, I finding, as stated, only 4 bugs and 3 bunches of
eges. Ifound among them two varieties of lady-bugs, which seemed engaged in
preying upon the eggs and small larve, and of which I inclose a couple of speci-
mens. I donot know whether the larger, paler colored of the two insects which I
take to belong to the lady-bug family is really one; I never saw it before. You will
know. The 4 Mexican bean bugs and the lady-bugs are together in one box, and
the larye in the bottle together with the eggs. Iam positive that another appear-
ance of the full-grown bug occurs in September and October, because I saw some of
them at that time last year myself. You have no doubt received some of the bugs I
have sent you last week inclosed in letters; one being a bug found on a species of
Ipomiea or Convolvulus; the other being the notorious Mexican bean bug, which is
the brown bug of the Coleoptera order—sixteen spotted. I will continue my obsery-
ations on this insect. I send you a few bean leaves to show you the manner in which

1 5

its depredations are committed. You will notice that it does not eat the leaf, but only
the parenchyma on both sides. It also eats the flowers and the very-small young
pods.

LT also send you another box with a bug of the Hemiptera order, which I found in a
garden at Las Vegas, preying upon young cabbage plants, which it sucks, causing
the leaves to dry and the young plants td wilt and die entirely, in the same manner
as the squash bug preys upon Cucurbite. This very pretty harlequin-colored He-
mipteron appears frequently in immense numbers, living on various plants of the
genus Brassica, such as cabbage, mustard, turnip, etc., and sometimes appears in
immense numbers, destroying everything and causing very great havoc. It is also
said to have existed in this region from time ‘‘immemorial.” I am told that it has
originated on a native plant of the Brassica family, which has purple or bluish flow-
ers, but I have never seen the plant and do not know how the insect propagates it-
sulf. I also send you a third, grayish insect, which abounds in immense quantities on
the farm of Mr. Kroenig. It is omnivorous, at least apparently. It does especially
great damage on young appletrees. I inclose two apple leaves to show how it works,
eating the parenchyma, some young trees being entirely denuded in appearance, al-
though none of them die from the effect. They are not entirely killed, only greatly
retarded in growth. Ihave seen this bug on apple trees, pear trees, plum trees, apri-
cots, grape vines, on a native wild species of willow, even on beans, but it dees not
appear to touch the peach. It abounds in millions, very much like the May bug
(hanneton) of Europe. I know nothing about its mode of multiplication. * * *
[J. F. Wielandy, Springer, N. Mex., July 30, 1889.

SECOND REPLY.—Thank you very much for your long and interesting letter of the
30th ultimo, concerning the New Mexican Bean Bug. I shall be glad to publish this
letter nearly in ful]. The two Lady-birds which you found feeding upon the eggs are
Hippodamia convergens and Coccinella transversoguttata. The bug which you found

upon cabbage is the common Harlequin Cabbage-bug (Murgantia histrionica). The
beetle which you found upon young apple trees is congeneric with our Rose Bug of
the North. It is Macrodactylus wniformis. The beans which you inclose have been
handed to the head of the Seed Division with the request that they be planted.—[ Au-
gust 5, 1889.]
The Corn-feeding Syrphus-fly.

A few days ago, while passing through a corn-field, I noticed that most of the
lower leaves of the plants were brown, yellow, and dried up. My first idea was that
this was due to the Chinch Bug. Of course I set to work at once to investigate, and
found only a solitary bug here and there, not sufficiently numerous todo any damage.
On carefully stripping down the leaves that were partially discolored I found, snugly
feeding between the base of the leaf and the stem, many liveiy but delicate-looking
larvee, sometimes five or six at the base of one leaf. The larvze seem to be all of one
species, but of various sizes, or ages, and here and there in the same places where the

_larvee were feeding I found pup of different ages, some black and some only re-
cently changed. The stems under the enfolding base of the leaf, where the larvie
feed, are bathed in or covered with the juice of the plant, and the effect produced is

_ exactly the same as that produced by the Chinch Bug. To-day I mailed you a can-
ister, in which I hope you will find plenty of larve and pup of different ages, if they
are not dried up before they reach you. You will also, perhaps, find a few small in-
sects that I found in the same places with the larvie. No corn can successfully con-
tend with this pest. At this time, although there has been an unusual amount of
rain this summer, the leaves of the corn are ‘‘sere and brown” half way up the
stalk.—[J. G. Barlow, Cadet, Mo., August 9, 1889.

RepiLy.—Your letter of the 9th instant with specimens has been received. The in-
sect in corn is a very interesting thing, and yon will find it figured and described un-

der the caption of the Corn-feeding Syrphus-fly (Mesograpta polita) in No. 1, Vol. I, of
Insect Lire. Your letter is therefore of considerable interest, and will go on record
among our notes.—[ August 14, 1889. ]

116

Larve of Cephenomyia in a Man’s Head.

I was called to see a case to-day, who had just come from Swarthout Cation, 30
miles from here, the messenger stating that his father had Screw Worms in his nose and
wanted me to get them out. I found the patient at the home of his son, in bed. His
name is KE. P. Fowler; age, 61; occupation, a carpenter; native of New York ; raised
in Ohio. I found him breathing hard, accelerated pulse and temperature, a bloody
mucus issuing from the nose, the passages nearly closed from dried blood and mucus,
nose swollen and pain between the eyes, as well as reddened looking in the mouth,
with the back parts of a Jeaden color and covered with mucus. I procured warm
water, carbolized it, and took forceps and small plugs of cotton and removed the dried
secretions as far as I could. I then came on to the maggots and removed 40 of them
with the forceps from the nose. I used a powder-blower and blew into each nostril
in different directions an impalpable powder of calomel, after which several maggots
came away of themselves. Isend youasample offive of them in this mail. Mr. Wright,
my neighbor, being an entomologist, I gave him a number of the maggots. He re-
ports them feeding on a bony piece of raw beef, they having refused cooked beef. I
hope to gain some information of the fly, whether it is identical with the Sheep Grub,
Green Bottle fly, or isitan individual species. The patient has had nasal catarrh
for many years, and it is probable the secretions formed a suitable field for the deposit
and development of the maggot.—[ Wesley Thompson, M. D., San Bernardino, Cal.,
August 7, 1889.

ReEPLY.—Your very interesting letter of August 7 has just come to hand, and the
specimens also arrived in good condition. The larvae which you send do not belong
tothe species which is ordinarily known as the Screw Worm, but to a different group.
Tiistead of being Muscids they are Gistrids, and although it is impossible to determine
the precise species from the larvee, the genus is Cephenomyia. The larve of those
species of this genus of which we know the larvie, are found in the nasal passages
of deer, and within the last two months we have received from Mrs. Bush, of San José,
larvee taken from the deer which may be the same species as the one which you send.
The occurrence of this larvie in the head of your patient was of course more or less
accidental, although not without precedent. I hope that Mr. Wright will succeed in
rearing the fly, although the larve are evidently not more than half grown, and suc-
cess seems doubtful.—[August 15, 1889. ]

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES
AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES,

By Lorp WaALsINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 81 of Vol. I1.]
Lithocolletis nemoris sp. n.

Antenne, white, spotted above with fawn brown.

Palpi, white.

Head, face white, frontal tuft whitish, much mixed with saffron-brown, especially at
the sides.

Thorax, saftron.

Fore-wings, rather shining saffron with snow-white markings consisting of two trans-
verse fascia, slightly oblique, and angulated beneath the costal margin, beyond
which are one dorsal and two costal streaks; there is no basal streak; the first
fascia at one-fourth the wing-length is but slightly angulated, margined with
scattered blackish scales, widely on its outer and very indistinctly on its inner
side; the second fascia at the middle of the wing is rather more strongly angu-

|

17

lated than the first ; this is also slenderly dark-margined internally and more
widely so externally, the black dusting on its outer side being produced back-
wards at the angle in the direction of the first costal streak; this is at the com-
mencement of the costal cilia, rather further from the base than the first dorsal
streak, which is oblique, its point terminating below the point of the first costal
streak ; from the points of these two streaks a cloud of black scales proceeds out-
wards along the middle of the wing, forming a dark patch below and beyond the
second costal streak which is situated just before the apex; the cilia are saffron,
shading to pale grayish-saffron beyond their faintly darker median line.

Hind wings and cilia, pale grayish, with a very faint saffron tinge.

Abdomen, pale gray, anal tuft saffron- yellow.

Hind tarsi, white with two grayish-fuscous bars above.

Hip al. See

Type $ 2 Mus. Wism.

The puckered mines of this species were found in some abundance in June, 1871,
in Mendocino County, California, on the upper sides of leaves of Vaccinium ovata, the
mine occupying the whole surface of each leaf and causing the margins to approach
vach other. I took the species also on the wing at the same time and place. This
species belong to the same group as cincinnatiella Chamb.

Lithocolletis oregonensis sp. n.

Antenne, closely annulate with white and brown.

Palpi, whitish, dusted with gray externally.

Haustellum, yellow.

Head, face grayish, frontal tuft grayish-fuscous.

Thorax, golden-saffron.

Fore wings, golden-safiron, with four rather shining white fascize and a semi-circular
white apical streak inclosing a black apical spot and reaching through the cilia
on the costal and dorsal margins; the first fascia is situated within one-fourth
the wing-length, the dorsal portion of it commencing nearer to the base than the
costal portion and proceeding obliquely outward to a little above the fold, the
shorter costal portion only being conspicuously dark margined internally; the
second fascia, just before the middle, is distinctly curved, almost angulated out-
wards, and has a conspicuous margin of black scales on its inner side; the third
fascia, commencing before the costal cilia, is less curved than the second, but
its black inner margin interrupts it in the middle by a short line of black scales;
the fourth fascia, at the apical fifth of the wing, is also internally black-margined,
but the black sealivg is almost interrupted, becoming very slender at the middle of
the wings; the apical spot is black, encircled by white as already described ; the
cilia are grayish, tinged with fuscous about the anal angle, and with a short
golden-saffron dash from the black apical spot; there is no line along their base.

Hind wings and cilia, pale grayish.

Abdomen, gray.

Hind tarsi, whitish, thickly spotted with fuscous above.

Bape ald,

Type 9 Mus. Wism.

Two specimens taken on the wing near Fort The Dalles, on the Columbia River, in

northern Oregon, in April, 1872.

A beautiful and distinct species, somewhat allied to the European scabiosella. I
have unfortunately no knowledge of its food-plant.

Lithocolletis insignis sp. n.

Antenne, yellowish, unspotted.

Palpi, white.

Head, face white, frontal tuft white with a few saffron scales,
Thorax, white,

118

Fore-wings, pale saffron, with a rather golden tinge; a broad white basal streak on
the upper half of the wing, running parallel to the costal margin for one-third
the wing-length, thence deflexed and confluent with the middle of the upper

edge of the first very broad white dorsal streak. The basal streak is sometimes —

extended at the base across the fold reaching to the dorsal margin, thus leaving
between itself and the first dorsal streak a small curved, oblique saffron streak;
sometimes it is not thus projected across the fold, but upon the dorsal margin be-
neath it is found a separate short dorso-basal white dash. Above and slightly
beyond the point at which the broad basal streak is deflexed there is a very ob-
lique costal streak, somewhat triangular, with its apex reaching nearly to the
apex of the much larger first dorsal streak below it ; beyond this the second streak,
situated just beyond the middle of the costal margin, is of about the same size, also
triangular, a little less oblique, and corresponding with a wider and more con-
spicuous white dorsal patch opposite to it. The third and fourth costal streaks,
of which the former points slightly outwards. The latter is perpendicular,
reaching nearly (or in some specimens quite) to a white patch on the dorsal mar-
gin before the apex, which seems to consist of two confluent white dorsal streaks.
At the extreme apex is a minute black apical spot, surrounded by a semi-circular
dark line at the base of the apical cilia, which are tinged with golden saffron at
the extreme apex. Beneath the apex the cilia are white, blending into saffron-
gray about and before the anal angle; all the white markings are distinctly
dark-margined on all sides. The white streaks on the fore wings of this species
are so large and conspicuous as in some cases to almost obliterate the pale saffron
ground-color, and different specimens vary much in the proportionate space oc-
cupied by one and the other.

Hind wings and cilia, pale gray.

Abdomen and anal tuft, grayish-white.

Hind tarsi, whitish, spotted above with gray.

Exp. al, 9am,

Type & 2 Mus. Wism.

I met with this very beautiful and distinct species in June, 1871, in Lake and Men-
docino Counties, California, and again on Mount Shasta, Siskiyou County, in August
of the same year. It isevidently a scarce species, as I met with asingle specimen only
on each of the four different occasions. Iam unable to give any information as to
its larval habits. It seems to belong to the same group as filchella and the European
species roboris, but differs very greatly in the form of its markings,

In addition to the known American species of this genus, I have received two more,
which are undescribed, from Dr. Riley, one feeding on Grindelia robusta, the other on
Betula. I prefer to leave their description to my distinguished friend, who has prob-
ably a better series of specimens to refer to than I have.

I am indebted to the late Professor Bolander, of San Francisco, and to Mr. W. Car-

ruthers, of the British Museum, for the identification of some of the plants mentioned
in this paper.

The following is a list of plants, with the species of Lithocolletis, which feed upon
them, so far as they are known to me. I have published this in the hope that it may
facilitate the collection of further information concerning the life-histories of the very
numerous species belonging to this interesting genus,

North American species of Lithocolletis.

119

Food plants.

Larvie.

Inferior.

Superior.
Tiliacee :
SEU AG AMOLICAM B= 2 = 25/5 :ciscacse'c om a\eers ans Tiliella: Chamb.......-...--=.
Anacardiacee :
bps wexicodendrum) =-.<. <<<. .<.26-<-- Guttifinitella Clem.......-.-.
Toxicodendri F. d B....---.
Sapindacee :
Misculuselaibra -.5. 2. .--.2.5 52. cc. s-~ Guttifinitella ------.-. 2...
. Var. Asculella Ohamb...--.
Aceracee:
PA ETEN RU NSUEIIEIN: = elatele «1c s:aic\0'</<[eisisajcie Aceriella Clem........--2---

Leguminose :
Desmodium viridiflorum...........---
Phaseolus pauciflorus
Amorpha fruticosa. --... E
Robinia pseudacacia.............---..

ODM MaSCOSH-taccans--s-seccaee sels
Robinia Nispiaacs Soo 2s. o5 jeceee ance ae

ROD Mey Re oo ramet isne ae ne ieisiawte sista

Amphicarpaze monoica
Rosacece:

Cerasus)seroting.2.: 2.2.2.2... sian

Prunus americana

Crataegus tomentosa

Pyrus coronaria

LEASES) TON Ss SO ee ee ee

Cydonia vulgaris

KEV GQONI US| APOULC Bo 2 5. sm0/ajcias =r <ixicie. cle ers
Hamamelidce :

Hamamelis Vireinied.2.-<-acccscee ccs
Caprifoliacee :

GONG ELAM LGA er =e cis ae acc cme elcetee

Lonicera sempervirens...... soudgosoGe
Symphoricarpus vulgaris .....--...--.

Symphoricarpus sp. ? -.
Composite :

Solidago patula...---. be ote i lersisrse re micjate

Grinteliagrobustas csi. sac sce .02

Ambrosia trifida <-.--.5.... <

Helianthus eisanteus= 2 222-<<..25 <i -

Elephantopus carolinianus
Actinomeris squarrosa......-..:.....-.

Werbesina virginica... -2-.-- 225-2...
Ericacee :

Gaultheria/shallon:<-2sc2--.-.02-5---

Ledum glandulosum...--.............
Vacciniacce :

Wide CIN TU MUO VALU sais sats ctciactee a atee a
[Primulacece :

Lysimachia lanceolata ............-..-
Laurinice :

Umbellularia californica ..............
Ulnacee :

Dimus americana. oo.\s- Soc se ewe nn se

Wilms ae sa Seer eco ue eee

Gelizsroccidéntalisy: =< .28:s. Ces see cee
Juglandacee :

Juglans nigra

DMP1ANS) CINCLOR =a). 28-5 coe e kore ess

Carwaiallbaizcsna-: eas see Se nies sXe lee:

Caryar olivaeformis. <5. ects coe

Cupuliferee :
Quercus alba

VODINIEl a: Clem mecmnecac wes
Robiniella Clem. ....-......-
Ostensackenella Fitch
Robiniella Clem. ........22..
Gemmea Ff. & B ..---....--.

Gaultheriella Wlsm-.......-.
Medellar Wisin > cma. s-- osc

NemMonisi Wai = ve = = =< se esate

Ulmella Chamb
Ulmella Chamb

Celtifoliella Chamb...-..---

Caryefoliella Clem
Caryiefoliella Clem....-.---
Caryetoliella Clem.....-.----
| Caryefoliella Clem
Eppelsheimii F. &. B

Bifasciella Chamb..-.....---
Cincinnatiella Chamb...----
Hamadryadella Clem
Tubiferella Clem

* This species has not yet been bred.

Lucetrella Clem.

Clemensella Chamb.
Lucidicostella Clem.

Desmodiella Olem.
Desmodiella Clem.
Uhle.ella Pitch.
Ostensackenella Fitch.
Robiniella Clem.
Robiniella Clem.
Ostensackenella Fitch.
Robiniella Clem.

(? Superior and inferior. )
Morrisella Fitch.

Pomifoliella Z.
Pomifoliella Z.
Fomifoliella Z.
Pomifoliella Z.
Pomifoliella Z.
Pomifoliella Z.
Pomifoliella Z.

Affinis I’. & B.

Fragilella Ff. é& B.
Fragilella F. d B.
Fragilella F. & B.
Mariella Chamb.
Symphoricarpella Chamb.
Affinis #. é& B.

Solidaginis F. & B.

Ambrosiella Chamb.
Ambrosiella Chamb.
Ignota F. & B.
Elephantopodella F. & B.
Elephantopodella F. & B.
Amoena Ff. & B.

(? Superior and inferior.)
Elephantopodella F. & B.

Lysimachiella* Chamb.]

‘

Argentinotella Clem.
Argentinotella Clem.
Occitanica F. dé B.
Celtifoliella Chamb.

Caryalvella Chamb.
(2 Superior and inferior.)

Briferella Clem.
Albanotella Ohamb.
Argentifimbriella Clem,
Basistrigella Clem,

120 -

North American species of Lithocolletis—Continued.

Food plants.

Larve.

Alniella (Z:) -FUG:B..25.. 2-2
Australisella Chamb.....--.
BostonicacHy dé Bs ccecscco=-
Chambersella Wlsim ....-.---
Insienia’ Witenes ce scce =e ee
Obsoletac® @ Beis. 52 sccecs
Oregonensis Wlsm ....------
Sexnotella Chamb .-.-..-.-.----

Superior. Inferior.
Cupulifere—Continued.
Quercus bicolor .......------------=-: Conglomeratella Z...--.---. Argentifimbriella Clem.
Basistrigella Clem.
Quercus castanea...... .-.22.-------- =| ececn scenes nnn ee ene ann ce anae Argentifimbriella Clem.
Basistrigella Clem.
Fitchella Clem.
Hagenii I’. dé B.
Quercus macrocarpa.........--------- Hamadryadella Clem ..-..-- Quercibella Chamb.
‘ Macrocarpella F. &. B..-.---
QUOCUS. NOTA so-so oie seco oie | see ot oe eee ee etn eng JEriferella Clem.
Quercus obtusiloba..--....-..---:---- Cincinnatiella Chamb ...--. Rileyella Chamb.
Conglomeratella Z....-.-.--. ;
Hamadryadella Clem. .....-
Lebertella F. d B........--
Quercivorella Chamb ..-.-.--
Quercus prinoides ...--..-.--- aSnoe ob dieosoSboacrosseecc esse sasrsoce Basistrigella Clem.
Qirercus mp TinUs sae eee ts es se as eh oie ee eae eee eet eee Fitchella Clem.
Hagenii F. &_B.
(CRE ERASE Agee ec sora5 nOrBBO nt GEso| bossa secs obosrinpoacoctiassacs Minutélla Fé B.
Rilevella Chamb.
OTERCUS INC LOLID ese ee) ape cee eee Bethuniella Chamb ....-.--. Briferella Clem.
Unitasciella Chamb-......--- Basistrigella Clem.
Obstrictella Clem.
Quercusisy yes: =o schiescescateee ees Castanella Chamb .......--.| Diaphanella F. & B.
Castanea americana. ..-......------.-- Castanella Chamb ..... .--- |
Caryliella Chamb.....-..--.|
LEE Na RIN We Open Bonen oc Jann SAB ane | lEoooOs Reap o Se se eenousssasces | Faginella Z.
Corylus americana.............--.---- Coryliella Chamb ...--.-..--.
Ostryasvirrinicalsc..<ic.<. ses sass =5 aes Coryliells, var. ostryella | Obscuricostella Clem.
Chamb.
Triteniella Chamb.......--- Ostryefoliella Clem.
Carpinus americana ..........-....--- Coryliella Chamb-........---
Betulacee :
PAULUS IO CANAL. 22 cc tamacieiscasm Se oes Alnicolella Wlsm .....-.----| Incanella Wism.
NURS he PUI Wecnas copacease cee eens, sare ate soo sSces sone Soca ccese Auronitens F. é B.
ANTS SD FS 2% e aie iow sale Hisar sees ae Jae Alnivorella Chamb....--.--.
TRG RET Oo Mee An eoeaonp sacnoe Saace ase Sp. ? (superior and inferior) .
Salicacece:
SHU gr ly Re aaa eeaaoncoUCOdare Gnc caean| SasocobeseanbooacenocbhsoSs0pOne Salicifoliella Chamb.
Salixe babylontea@en.-24. ooace sescss aeons cece sents eee aeemene ee eeeeeee Salicifoliella Chamb.
Salix donpitoliais-sss oceectne Se eeaagl Geet ceer et eee eeie == Sener Salicifoliella Chamb.
Salix: ay? sene aes Sete en ase eiame| Seema ee se nics ee esi aaeeeeaeee Atomariella Z.
Scudderella F. & B.
Populus grandidentata ...-...-....... Atomariella Z.
Populus tremuloides. << - ------ s.-cecce Atomeriella Z.
Populiella Chamb.

Salicifoliella Chamb.
(?Alnus.)

(To be continued.)

121

GENERAL NOTES,
THE CABBAGE PLUTELLA IN NEW ZEALAND.

In the last number of INSECT LIFE we mentioned the occurrence of
this cabbage pest in South Africa and referred to our previous state-
ment (Annual Report for 1883) concerning its occurrence in Australia.
We have now to record the fact that it seems to be well known as a
cabbage pest in New Zealand. The New Zealand Farmer for August,
1889, states that information is recorded by more than one of its readers
concerning this insect and quotes at. length from the New Zealand
Country Journal for May, 1887, an article concerning its habits and
damage. The article is illustrated by a reproduction of Curtis’s well
known figure, and treats of the pest under the English name of “ The
Diamond Back Turnip Moth.” The Country Journal wehave not had the
pleasure of seeing before, and we may mention the fact that the turnip
crops of 1886-87, in the vicinity of Canterbury, suffered to a very serious
extent from the ravages of the larve of this insect, while the moths
might be seen in countless thousands during March and April. So
great were the ravages during 1887 that in some instances the turnip
crop was reduced to 25 per cent. of its normal condition. This is a
serious thing, because in New Zealand of late years the culture of the
turnip is increasing enormously, and the author of the article states
that without it it would be difficult to profitably carry on the work of
bringing into cultivation large areas of new land,and the fertility of
areas already under cultivation could not beso well maintained. With-
out the turnip, moreover, the trade in frozen mutton could not be
carried on to such an extent as it promises by the aid of this crop.
Many cruciferous plants would also suffer. According to Mr. Fereday,
the insect has been known in New Zealand for years past.

CANNIBALISM WITH COCCINELLA.

Apropos of the note from Science Gossip in the August issue of IN-
SECT LIFE, concerning the cannibalism of Coccinella dispar, I desire to
record some observations made in southern Illinois four or five years .
ago, Showing an even more reprehensible habit of some members of this
group than the eating of the pup. I was studying apple insects for
Professor Forbes at the time, in early spring, and some species of Coc-
cinellidze were very abundant in the orchards of Mr. Parker Earle, at
Anna, Ill. Many of them were ovipositing, and the clusters of bright
yellow eggs were not uncommon upon the trunk and larger limbs. One
species in particular, Coccinella 9-notata, I believe, though as I have not
my notes with me, I am not certain, was laying eggs abundantly and
was also eating them with avidity. I caught adult beetles in the act a
number of times, and afterwards proved by observations on specimens ,

7069—No. 4——3

~

122

in confinement that they are not at all averse to eating eggs presumably
of their own species.—[Clarence M. Weed. ]

RHODE ISLAND POPULAR NAMES FOR CORYDALUS CORNUTUS.

Weare indebted to Prof. W. W. Bailey, of Brown University, Provi-
dence, R. I., for the following list of names used in Rhode Island for
Corydalus cornutus or Hellgramite Fly : Dobsons, Crawlers, Amly, Con-
niption Bugs, Clipper, Water Grampus, Goggle Goy, Bogart, Crock,
Hell Devils, Flip Flaps, Alligators, Ho Jack (locally in Scituate, R. L.),
Snake Doctor, Dragon, and Hell Diver.

SOUTHERN SPREAD OF THE COLORADO POTATO-BEETLE.

Apropos to the note on page 22, current volume of INSECT LIFE, allow

-mne to state that there are good reasons for the belief that Doryphora

10-lineata occurred at Jackson, Miss., in April, 1888. While at Vicks-
burg, late in April, last year, I was told of their appearance on po-
tatoes, in the vicinity of Jackson, and took pains to question my in-
former as to their looks, and his replies left no doubt as to the identity
of the species.—[F. M. Webster, La Fayette, Ind., July 25, 1889. ]

THE GAS PROCESS FOR SCALE INSECTS.

While at Orange I learned of four persons who had used the gas pro-
cess for ridding their trees of the red scale, and they much preferred it
to spraying. Dr. W. B. Wall, the county treasurer of Orange County,
told me that it cost him about one and a half times to fumigate what it
would to spray the trees with a wash costing one cent a gallon, and that
one fumigation accomplished as much good as three sprayings, besides
leaving the treein a better condition. Theres still considerable injury
to the leaves of trees fumigated in very hot weather, but I hope to over-
come this by using a tent constructed from a different material than
those heretofore used, as there is reason for believing that it is the rays
of light rather than of heat that decompose the gas.—[D. W. Coquil-
lett, Los Angeles, Cal., July 22, 1889.]

A SAD BLUNDER IN NO. 2.

Unfortunately I allowed a very careless error to appear in print in
No. 2 in the item entitled “A Peculiarity of Certain Caddis Flies.” The
title should read instead of ‘‘ Caddis Flies,” “ Trichopterygid Beetles.”
In reading the German article in the Entomologische Zeitung the word
“ Trichopterygier” impressed me as referring to the Trichoptera and I
allowed the item to go to press before discovering the blunder. Pro-
fessor Riley was absent and about to leave France, so that copy of the
item was not sent him, as the mistake would otherwise never have oc-
curred.—[L. O. H.]

123
ARSENICALS AND THE HONEY BEE.

In the last number of INSECT LIFE, pp. 84-85, in his note on the effect
of arsenical insecticides upon the honey bee, Mr. Webster desires to state
that it was during a period of two years that Mr. Yenowine sprayed all
his fruits freely, so that the increase in his bee colonies was practically
that of one unfavorable season, the season of 1888.

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL ECONOMIC
ENTOMOLOGISTS. ;

The Association of Official Economie Entomologists will hold its first
annual meeting in the city of Washington, D. C., on November 12,
1889, at 11 o’clock a. m., in the Entomological rooms of the U.S. Na-
tional Museum.

According to the resolution of the Association at the Toronto meeting,
the annual meeting was to be held on the date and at the place where
the Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations
should next meet. The date and place for the latter meeting having
been fixed, the above notice is hereby given to all members of the As-
sociation of Economic Entomologists. All titles of communications to
be read should be sent to the secretary as soon as possible, and those
desiring enrollment as members will also please communicate with the

secretary.
JOHN B. SMITH,

Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

September 5, 1889.—The society opened with an informal discussion, in the course of
which Mr. Schwarz’s list of Myrmecophilous insects, read before the last meeting,
was increased by the addition of two spiders belonging to the genera Synemosyna and
Synageles by Dr. Marx, and a beetle (Microrhopala melsheimeri) by Mr. Ulke.

Mr. Schwarz read a note on the spread of Sitones hispidulus, a European clover in-
sect, which has probably been recently imported. Its sudden appearance in great
numbers in Washington and the likelihood of its becoming a dangerous enemy to
clover in this country were discussed. Additional observations on this insect were
made by Messrs. Ulke and Linell.

In a note on a new food plant of Pieris rapa, Mr. Schwarz stated that he had found
the eggs, larve, and pups on Cakile americana in July at Cape May, N. J., and Vir-
ginia Beach, Va. He questioned whether this plant, which grows abundantly all
along the Atlantic coast, has not been instrumental in the spread of the Cabbage but-
terfly from north to south.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited an exceptionally large specimen of Lymexylon sericorne,
calling attention to a remarkable secondary sexual character, viz, the flabellate
maxillary palpi. These beetles have been found near Washington in and about de-
caying wood of the red oak.

C. L. MARLATT,
Acting Recording Secretary.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
| DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. NOVEMBER, 1889.

Reo LT. INEORa a.

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST:
AND HIS ASSISTANTS,

[PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ]

| WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
| 1889.

CON TEN ES

SPRINT) ICHOWinS soca coouceS Sob benecSE es enoees Cease Gadaas Hob sd0 eodaasds séaeed
Somk INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD (illustrated) .....--.-.--- CV: Riley
THE CARNIVOROUS HABITS OF TREE CRICKETS...-.--..--. Mary E. Murtfeldt..
LIFE-HISTORY OF ONE OF THE CORN BILL-BUGS (illustrated), F. M. Webster .. -
JU Noe Zo er Gxiby IKONIN 80). 36 bee oeo noes Gnoo sede eemSoocens R. Allan Wight..
ATCATERPILLAR DAMAGING (DHE CORK-TREE) 92222 sssee css oselae == emo eter
ANODHDR STRAWBERRY (SAW =H Ve oases -Piaisie 2 eeeee=! Frederick W. Mally..
Paciric Coast WORK OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.. .--- W. A. Henry...
CICINDELA LIMBATA Say (illustrated)... .---.-.--..-4 S350 Lawrence Bruner...
EXTRACTS FROM. CORRESPONDENCE asiese eo -eara-aeese na os) oe eee

Injury by Xyleborus dispar in England.—Insect Pests in Colorado in 1889,—
Spraying for Black Scale in California.—The Australian Lady-bird in
New Zealand.—A Museum Pest attacking Horn Spoons.—Some Notes
from England.—A Note on the Lady-bird Parasite.—Nezara puncturing
Bean Buds.—Beetles in a Pin Cushion.—Texan Digger Wasp.—Abund-

ance of Datana angusit.
STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, ETC. (illustrated). -Lord
Walsingnamiccd oo 4 ccco- soos eee Boos oe eee Gece eee eee a ons 2) eee
GENERAL NOTES i 0 tes - ohare see soso ee aero sree ncaa see e ise eee
The Bot-fly of the Ox or Ox Warble. anne Marinaapea Tspeuet Outhresia —
The Weeping Tree Mystery.—An early Occurrence of the Periodical
Cicada.—Laphria canis Will.: A Correction.—Entomological Society of

Washington.
II

150
156

Vol. If, No. 5.] INSECT LIFE. (November, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

Work of the Division on the Pacific Coast.—During the past summer
Prof. W. A. Henry, director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment

- Station, was sent by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Pacific coast to

report upon certain matters connected with agricultural research in that
part of the country, and, incidentally, to look into the work of the agents

_of the Department and to ascertain the popular feeling regarding the

character and importance of their work. Professor Henry has just sub-
mitted his report to Secretary Rusk, and that portion relating to the
work of the Entomological Division has been referred tous. Theseveral
paragraphs reproduced therefrom in another part of this issue will have
interest as the testimony of a man of established reputation as an orig-

inal investigator in practical agriculture.

Food Habits of Snowy Tree-crickets.—We publish in this number an
article by Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, in which she gives the results of
some detailed observations which we desired her to make, showing that
these insects, particularly Gcanthus latipennis, Riley, are insectivorous
through all of their stages, and that when deprived of animal food they
invariably perish rather than partake of vegetable food. These ex-
periments will undoubtedly interest all entomologists. We have already
stated (see Fifth Report on Insects of Missouri, p. 120), that during
their early life the young crickets subsist principally upon plant-lice,
eggs of other insects, and even upon each other; but that as they grow
larger they are often content with a vegetable diet. This statement,
however, was made in reference to the common niveus. We may, perhaps,
infer from Miss Murtfeldt’s observations that M. latipennis is more
strictly carnivorous than niveus, or possibly that the strictly carnivo-
rous habits were exceptional for this season. Full as her observations
are, they require verification by others, and in different seasons, to
enable us to lay down the law that the broad-winged species is always

an animal feeder.
125

126

The Chinch Bug Entomopthora.—In a number of the agricultural jour-
nals during the past summer, items have appeared referring to the
experiments being conducted by Prof. F. H. Snow, of the Kansas State
University, in the intentional dissemination of this disease. We notice
in the October 2d issue of the Lawrence (Kan.) Daily Journal a long .
account of the success of the experiments, in which letters to Pro-
fessor Snow are quoted at length and which thus bear the impress of
his sanction. It is stated in this article that Professor Snow obtained
some bugs killed by the Entomopthora, and mixed them with live bugs
which were soon attacked and died. Repeating this experiment until
he had a sufficient number of dead bugs on hand he distributed them
in small batches to various farmers, agricultural experiment stations,
naturalists, and others—in all, to about fifty persons. Each lot was ac-
companied with directions to collect ten to twenty times the number of
healthy bugs and mix them with the diseased bugs for thirty-six or
forty-eight hours, and then turn them loose in the field and watch closely
for the result. The letters published are mainly from agriculturists
and are favorable. In other words, all the published answers state that
the disease seemed to have been communicated.

Ever since Prof. O. Lugger published his apparently favorable re-
sults in the same direction, something more than a year ago, we have
watched the accounts of subsequent attempts, and endeavored to ascer-
tain whether any thoroughly scientific evidence of the spread of the
disease has been established. The matter is of sufficient importance
to require the most careful weighing of the evidence, as the apparent
evidence is so easily misconstrued, and the danger of unjustified state-
ment and assertion is so great. In this particular article we notice
that no dates are given to the letters, and that the correspondents in
no way show that the supposed healthy bugs were examined critically,
the evidence of life being assumed to mean healthfulness. The chief
difficulty is that at the time when the disease is prevalent in one local-
ity the same climatic and zymotic conditions are liable to—and in fact
usually do—prevail through a wide extent of country, and that the dis-
ease, if it has not already appeared, may be about to appear over the
whole area. This at once establishes the necessity of the most careful
observations by means of check experiments. If the diseased bugs are
simply placed among apparently healthy bugs and the latter subse-
quently become diseased, the proof of direct transmittal by contagion |
is but negative. If, however, healthy bugs are isolated from the im- |
ported diseased bugs and remain healthy, then a probability is estab- |
lished in favor of the contagion by contamination. The disease is —
always most prevalent in cool, wet weather, from midsummer on, when |
large numbers of the older bugs are naturally dying from other causes,
and are probably more liable to fall victims to any scourge of this kind. |

The subject is of extreme interest, and while there are reasons which |
~ would make us doubtful of any tangible and practical results following |

127

the attempted artificial spread and propagation of the disease, and
which make us accept with caution the more sanguine views of men
like Professors Lugger and Snow, yet there is sufficient promise of such
results to justify the fullest and most careful experimentation. This
will doubtless be had in the next year or so by the co-operation of the
entomologists connected with the different experiment stations. The
full life history of the particular Entomopthora is of extreme impor-
tance in this connection.

SOME INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.

By C. V. RILEY.

[Continued from page 108. ]

Fic. 19.—ANTHRENUS SCROPHULARLE: @ larva, dorsal view; b, do., ventral view; ¢c, pupa; d, adult—
all enlarged (after Riley).

THE CARPET BEETLE, OR SO-CALLED *‘BUFFALO MOTH.”*
(Anthrenus scrophularie L.)

This destructive insect, the despair of the good housekeeper, has been
known in the eastern United States since 1874, when newspaper articles

began to appear complaining of its ravages. In 1876, it was first

brought to the attention of entomologists by Prof. J. A. Lintner, of
Albany, who found it at Schenectady, N. Y. Between 1874 and 1877,
it had been found at various points in New Jersey, at Schenectady,
Albany, Syracuse, and Buffalo, N. Y., and Boston and Cambridge, Mass.
Within this range of cities it has since flourished and done great dam-
age, but has not greatly extended. Itis found, however, in all the New
England States, and as far west as Illinois, and as far south as Wash-
jngton, though not a troublesome pest at this last named point.

Like a number of other important insect pests it is a European spe-
cies, but, although occurring commonly abroad, it is not known as a ¢ar-

* Reprinted substantially from Good Housekeeping, April 13, 1889.

128

pet pest, for the obvious reason that carpets are rare in most European
countries. Rugs, which are frequently taken up and shaken, do not
offer a cemfortable dwelling-place for this insect, which is of a secreting
and retiring disposition. Itseems probable that the pest was imported
- almost simultaneously by carpet-dealers in New York and Boston, and
thence shipped in goods to inland cities. Dr. H. A. Hagen, in 1875, for
instance, was able to trace three-fourths of the infested carpets brought
to his notice to a particular line of goods sold at asingle establishment
in Boston. At the preseat day this insect is the greatest household
pest in our northeastern States. It ruins carpets and all stored woolen
goods, while furs do not escape its attacks. Let us then briefly consider
its life history and summarize the best remedies to be used against it.

The accompanying figures (Fig. 19 a to d), which I prepared some
twelve years since, illustrate three of the stages of the insect (all except
the egg),and the natural sizes are indicated by the hair lines at the side.

The larva, which is the stage in which the insect is most familiar to
the housekeeper, is shown at a from above, and b from below. This is
the active feeding state in which it does the damage. The full-grown
larva is rather longer than the beetle and is brown in color, clothed
with stiff brown hairs, which are longer around the sides than on the
back, and still longer at the extremities. Both at sides and extremities
they form tufts, the hinder end being furnished with three tufts ot long
hair, and the head with a dense bunch of shorter hair.

The quiescent state between the larva and the beetle is called the
pupa, and is shown atc. It needs no furthur description, but it should
be stated that the pupa is seldom seen, being formed within the last
partly split skin of the larva.

The perfect beetle, d, is three-sixteenths of an inch long, nearly as
broad, and broadly elliptical in outline. It draws in its legs and feigns
death when disturbed. The figure will enable the housekeeper to rec-
ognize it when we explain that its colors are white, black, and scarlet.
The black and white are indicated in the figure, while the red is con-
fined to a stripe down the middle of the back, widening into projections
at three intervals, and meeting the irregular white bands.

The beetles begin to appear in the Fall and continue to issue through
the winter and spring. They soon pair and the females deposit their
eggs, probably upon the carpet itself and not in floor-cracks, as is some-
times supposed. The eggs, with favorable temperature, soon hatch, and
the larvee grow apace, molting some six or more times. Under ordi-
nary circumstances there is probably but one annual generation, al-
though there may be more; but, as I have shown by experiment with
related species, the larvee are able to remain for a long time without
food, in which case the growth is very slow and the number of molts |
great. When full grown the larva seeks to hide itself in a crack in
the floor or some other convenient shelter and transforms to pupa
within the larval skin. After a time the larval skin cracks along |

129

the back, showing the pupa, which later splits open and the beetle
emerges.

The beetles fly to the windows during the day-time and may often be
caught upon the panes. They are also to be captured outdoors upon
the flowers of composite and scrophulariaceous plants, but probably do
not voluntarily leave the house until their eggs have been deposited.

As already indicated in the mention of the fact that this insect is not
noted as a pest in Europe, the use of rugs instead of carpets is highly
to be recommended in localities where it abounds. Rugs are more often
shaken out and the pest is thus discouraged.

Where carpets are used, however, and only taken up once a year at
‘“house-cleaning,” the conditions are very favorable for the insect’s in-
crease, particularly where the house-cleaning is hurriedly and carelessly
done. When a house has once become infested nothing but the most
energetic measures will completely rid it of the pest, and in complete
riddance is the only hope, as in a year a very few individuals will so
increase as to do great damage. At house-cleaning time, then, as many
rooms should be bared at once as possible, and the housekeeper should
go carefully over the rooms, removing all dust, and with a hand-atomi-
zer charged with benzine should puff the liquid into all the floor-cracks
and under the base-boards until every crevice has been reached. The
carpets themselves, after thorough beating, should be lightly sprayed
with the same substance, which will quickly evaporate, leaving no odor
after a short time. The inflammability of benzine should be remem-
bered, however, and no light should be brought near it. This done,
before relaying the carpets, it will be well to pour into ‘the cracks
a moderately thick mixture of plaster of Paris and water, which soon
sets and fills them with a solid substance into which the insects will
not enter. Then lay around the borders of the room a width of tarred
roofing-paper and afterward relay the carpets. This thorough treat-
ment should answer in the very worst cases, and in a house so cleaned
the insect will probably not regain a foot-hold during the ensuing year.
Cloth-covered furniture which may have also become infested should be
steamed or also treated with benzine, and chests or drawers in which
infested clothing has been stored should be thoroughly sprayed.

Another method of treatment, and one which I have frequently ree-
ommended, was indicated by me in a former communication to Good
Housekeeping in rendering my decision in the competition for best rem-
edies for household pests. It can be used to advantage whenever the
work of the larva is noticed or suspected. It consists in laying a damp
cloth (an old towel or a folded sheet will do) smoothly over the sus-
pected part of the carpet, and ironing it with a hot iron. The steam
thus generated will pass through the carpet and kill all the insects im-
mediately beneath. If not too laborious, an entire room could be treated
to advantage in this way.

Camphor, pepper, tobacco, turpentine, carbolic acid, tallow, pyreth-

130

rum powder, and many other substances have been recommended from
time to time, but all must be considered as inferior to the plans here
just outlined.

It has been said that the best housekeepers are the most uncomfort-
able people in the world, always on the lookout for dirt or indications
of insect pests; but if the somewhat elaborate treatment I have given
is gone through with once a year, the good housekeeper may then sit
down and placidiy fold her hands for all the trouble Anthrenus scrophu-
larie will give her.

THE CARNIVOROUS HABITS OF TREE CRICKETS.
By Mary E. MURTFELDT.

From observations and experiments on the Snowy Tree Crickets
(Heanthus niveus De Geer and . latipennis Riley) during the past two
summers I incline strongly to the opinion that they should be classed
with the beneficial rather than with the injurious species. They are
accused of cutting into and sipping the juices of various fruits, of sever-
ing the berries from grape clusters, and even of cutting the latter from
the vines. In the process of oviposition also they are charged with the
destruction of grape and raspberry canes and the twigs of various fruit
trees by their punctures and by crowding the pith with their eggs.
The latter charge is irrefutable; but when we consider the amount of
wood that it is necessary to remove from vines and trees annually, the
few twigs punctured by these insects should not be allowed to ccunt
against then. As to their injuries to growing fruit, I have never been
able to verify any observations of the kind. During the present season
I colonized a considerable number—mostly G2. latipennis—on a portion
of a grape vine and watched them at all hours of the day, without ever
detecting them in the nefarious work of snipping off either berries or
bunches. Nor was there any circumstantial evidence of their having
done anything of the kind at night. Furthermore all my observations
upon them in the rearing cage prove that at no stage of their existence
can they subsist on vegetable food, either fruit or foliage. When de-

prived of other insects for their sustenance, they invariably perished.

Early in June of last year I had acolony of Q. niveus hatch from
apple twigs that had also been badly punctured by Ceresa bubalus. At
hatching each tiny cricket left at the aperture of the bark through
which it emerged the filmy pellicle in which it had been inclosed in the
egg. There were about a dozen in all, and I kept them under constant
observation on my writing-desk. During the day they remained almost
motionless in one position, if possible concealed from light and sight on
the under side or in the folds of a leaf. They were, from the first, sup-
plied with various berries and tender leaves, but evidently never touched
them for food. On the morning of the fourth day two or three were

|

131 :

dead, and showed signs of having been nibbled by their hungry brothers.
Some leaves of plum infested with a delicate species of yellow aphis
were then put into the jar, but attracted no immediate attention. As
twilight deepened, however, the crickets awakened to greater activity.
By holding the jar against the light of the window or bringing it sud-
denly into the lamp-light, the little nocturnal hunters might be seen
hurrying, with a furtive, darting movement over the leaves and stems,
the head bent down, the antenne stretched forward, and every sense
apparently on the alert. Then the aphides provided for their food
would be caught up one after another with eagerness and devoured
with violent action of the mouthparts, the antenne meanwhile playing
up and down in evident expression of satisfaction. Unless I had pro-
vided very liberally not an aphis would be found in the jar the next
morning, and the sluggish crickets would have every appearance of
plethora. Later on in their lives, by reducing them to the point of
starvation, I repeatedly made them feed in the daytime, so that I might
the more distinctly observe the process, which is certainly very inter-
esting.

The growth of the insects is rather slow. Three larval moults take
place at intervals of about two weeks. In the case of those reared in
the jar the habit of devouring the exuvie was not very strictly adhered
to, although in some instances it was partially eaten. Probably owing
to the abundance of legitimate food there was no cannibalism, after the
first few days, among my pets, and while they did pot seem to seek
each other’s society they hunted over the same leaves and twigs with-
out injuring each other, though it was amusing to observe the alacrity
with which both would retreat if two chanced to come in contact.

Wings were not acquired until late in August, and at this time I
again attempted to change their diet to fruit, grapes, plums, etc., an
experiment that resulted in the death of all but three of my specimens.
Those which remained fed for about two weeks longer upon oak Tingis,
Aphis populi, and on a brownish aphis which infested the new shoots of
grape, but neither of the two males essayed any musical performances,
nor would the single female that reached its perfect state puncture any
of the twigs that were furnished her, and all three died long before
those out of doors had ceased to sing.

During the present summer my attention was again attracted to these
insects by finding them so constantly and numerously on oaks infested
with Phylloxera rileyi. Every leaf dotted by the aphis would have its
tree cricket in addition to various smaller foes. The species most com-
monly seen was @. latipennis, distinguished to casual observation by its
somewhat larger size and by the brilliant orange red or red and yellow
dorsal stripe of the pup. The size and the broader wings sufficiently
characterize the mature insect. A close examination reveals many less
obvious distinctions between the two.

I found that one specimen of @eanthus would clear the Phylloxera

. 132

from a large oak leaf in the course of a single night when confined
to one leaf. On one occasion one of the crickets ate two saw-flies
which had emerged in the jar; I am not positive that it killed them,
but it certainly devoured all the softer parts of the body. I have also
had them feed upon various kinds of small leaf-hoppers and tingids,
and am convinced that they are thoroughly and constantly carnivorous
and therefore a valuable ally in reducing the numbers of our smaller
insects.

LIFE HISTORY OF ONE OF THE CORN BILL-BUGS.
(Sphenophorus ochreus Lec.).

By F. M. WEBSTER.

Although its method of attack is somewhat unlike, this insect is
closely allied to the species figured in Vol. I, p. 186, of INSEcT LIFE,
and there described as destroying sugar-cane in the Sandwich Islands.

While by no means rare, and diffused over the country from Canada
to Arizona, the species under discussion has but recently come to the
front as a destructive insect, the first published
notice of its depredations appearing in the
monthly report of the Lllinois State Board of
Agriculture for June, 1888. It was there accused
of puncturing the stems of young corn, and feed-
ing on the tender folded leaves in the center of
the plant, near the surface of the
ground, its depredations being con-
fined to fields planted on newly-
drained swamp lands, which had
previously been grown up with
rushes (Scirpus) and reeds (Phrag-
nites), its supposed food plants.

There is the best of evidence that
this pest has for several years been
working serious injury to the corn
FG, 20.—Sphenophorus ochreus: a, larva; b,adult_ erop planted on recently-drained

cnlarecploneuie swamp lands in Indiana, hundreds
of acres being thus destroyed. Until quite recently, however, I have
not been able to work up the matter thoroughly enough to get an in-
sight into the life history of the depredator, and though there are yet
a few minor points lacking, still I am able to give its probable habits
during the entire year.

The insect passes the winter in the adult stage, coming forth from its
hiding places in spring, and feeding upon the tender portion of the stems

133

of reeds and rushes, and later on the same parts of the young corn
plants, if the field has been planted to that grain. Late in May and
early in June the female burrows down into the earth and deposits her
eggs in or about the bulbous roots of Scirpus,
the roots of this plant consisting of bulbs con-
nected by smaller slender roots. The larve
burrow in these bulbs, which are many of
them the size of an ordinary hen’s egg and
very hard, and transform to the adult beetle
therein, appearing on the rushes, reeds, or
corn in August and September, and feeding
after the manner of their ancestors. The
large size of the larve and the diminutive
size of the corn at the period of oviposition,
renders it very unlikely that this species will
ever breed in the roots of corn, and, indeed,
no trouble has been experienced after the
natural flora of the land has been eradi-
cated.
At the commencement of my investigation,
and after learning the habits of the larve, it
Fic. 21.—Work of Sphenophorus looked as though breaking the ground in
ochreus in roots of Scirpus—nat. June Or July and throwing roots and larve
prone opeinal): up to the scorching rays of a midsummer sun
might destroy the pest. But having reared adults from the egg in bulbs
kept in dry earth from the middle of June until the 25th of August, it
would seem that little can be accomplished in that direction, and the
only plan which now promises success, is to destroy all trace of their
native food plants long enough before planting to corn to starve the
adults, or compel them to seek other uncultivated localities. A field
of 75 acres, in the vicinity of La Fayette, which was nearly a total loss
this season, is being fall-plowed, and the result will be seen another
year.

The egg I have not been able to identify with certainty, except as
- dissected from the ovaries of the female, but it is in all probability quite
large, elongate, and white.

The larva is white with brown head, the latter small, the body be-
coming very robust posteriorly, so much so that it appears to be fully
two-thirds as broad as long, and very much wrinkled. Feet wanting.

The adult is black beneath but varying in color above from pale
ochreous to plumbeous and cinereous. The size varies from less than
one-half to nearly three-fourths of an inch in length.

In some instances I find that the work of these snout beetles has
been confused by unentomological farmers with that of a cut-worm
which eats into the young corn a short distance above the roots and
then works upwards in the stem, after the manner of Gortyna nitela,

134

above ground. This last depredates on corn in newly-broken lands,
both of native and timothy sod; but I have failed to- find them in blue-
grass sod. The worm is the larva of Hadena stipata Morr, a species
not previously known to injure corn. Their method of work is such
that an attacked plant never recovers, and one worm may destroy a whole
hill of corn, going from one plant to another without coming to the sur-
face. Larvee continued to work up to the Ist of July, and the moths
appeared about the 25th of that month. Serious damage has been re-
ported in various parts of the State, specimens accompanying the com-
plaints. I found them the most abundant in low, recently-drained, and
newly-broken lands.

THE NEW ZEALAND KATIPO.
By R. ALLAN WiGuT, Auckland, New Zealand.

The Maori name of this spider is ‘* Katipo,” the proper name, Latro-
dectus scelio and it belongs to the family Theridiide. All old colonists,
natives, and scientific men in New Zealand are agreed that it is danger-
ously poisonous. The poisonis ofan extraordinarily virulent nature, and
fatal cases are not wanting. The habitat of this spider is strictly con-
fined to the sea-shore. There are no other poisonous spiders known in
New Zealand. Mr. A. T. Urquhart, who is a very old colonist, and our
best arachnologist, says that there are species of Agalenidz and Tegen-
aria, Which inhabit gardens and old houses, but they have no resem-
blance to the Katipo. The only way to account for Mr. Taylor’s state-
ment that there are two species of Katipo is by supposing he must have
taken the male and female for distinct species, and that by the term
“red spider” he must have meant “ spider with a red spot.”

As for the mistake Dr. Wright makes in saying that there is an in-
land species that inhabits gardens and spins a “slight web,” it is easily
accounted for. Before Dr. Wright came to New Zealand the natives
were more industrious (7. e., they had more slaves), and they used to con-
vey many canoe loads of sea-shells and sand far inland to form beds for
the Kumera, or sweet potato. When I first saw these beds in deserted
gardens, I was told the sea had left them there, but geological reasons
did not bear the idea out, and I soon found the natives had transported
them for the Kuwmera beds. My further doubts, as to whether the mol-
lusk had been brought in them, for manure, were settled by the pres-
ence of the Katipo, which was proof of the shells having been dry and
brought from above high-water mark. In ‘these days before the Pheas-
ant and some other birds were imported, the coast was full of the spiders,
the natives used to burn the grass before sleeping on it, and when they
removed the shells, large numbers of spiders were transported with
them. This accounts for the majority of cases of persons bitten by Kati-
poes being native women and old women, because the work of the Kumera
beds generally falls to them. And moreover the most fatal cases are in

: 135

summer, because at that season the old women are constantly engaged
picking off the larve of the Bind-weed Hawk-moth (Sphine convolvuli).
Removed from the shore the Katipo seems even more venomous than in
its native habitat, and the Maories will burn down a house and all that
is in it where a person has been bitten, if they do not find the spider,
sooner than let it escape, because they think that upon this depends the
recovery of the sufferer. -As for the ‘thin web,” the spiders on the
beach weave the same web, and even those packed by me for Washing-
ton had done so before the box as fastened down and they were ecapt-
ured on the sea-shore. :

The poison is generally treated as a narcotic, with stimu.ants, but it
seems peculiar that no one ever seems to press a ring over the fresh-
made wound to keep the poison from spreading. To give some idea of
the effects and nature of the poison, I will condense a few cases out of
a great many kindly sent to me, for some of the best of which I have
to thank Mr. Urquhart, and, to save repetition, I may as well say that
I select only those upon reliable evidence, and where the sufferer was
in good health and condition at the time. also “here the Katipo was
recognized.

Mr. King, of Waimate: Bitten in the leg; violent pain; considerable
swelling and inflammation; treatment, hot vinegar; lasted three hours;
imputes cure to having been driven into great and sudden excitement
from other causes.

The Rev. Mr. Mathews: Bitten on the shoulder; great pain; punct-
ured wound; slight swelling; inflamed 3 inches around: had to walk
sharply for 20 miles; dull, heavy pain for three days.

Archdeacon Clarke and party: Bitten by a brood of very young Kati-
poes; great irritation for some hours.

Captain Burleigh: Twice bitten, arm and shoulder: great irritation
and rash on neck and head for some hours.

Dr. Shortland, one of our oldest and most esteemed settlers. gives
cases as far back as 1842, from which I select.

Particularly powerful, healthy young man, bitten on the leg, brought
in dying condition; wound like that of a large flea; intense pains all
over the body for twelve hours, then violent pains in the soles of the feet ;
in violent perspiration all the time; all the body covered with a rash
like the measles; skin all came off; ammonia injected into the wound ;
large dose of brandy; duration of illness not given.

Another case: Wound “like the bite of a sand-fly,” intense cold and
Shivering for three days; great difficulty in keeping up the pulse; vio-
lent ‘pins and needles” all over the body; profuse perspiration ;
swelling not great; violent pains lasted a week; weak and depressed
for ‘a long time after.”

Case of a Maori woman bitten on oie thigh whilst tending AKumera
beds: No better means being at hand sweet oil used and recovered in
three days; at first seemed to be dying.

: 136 :

Dr. Shortland adds that he has often placed Katipoes on his hand, of
both sexes and all ages, and never was bitten, from which he infers
that they do not bite unless hurt. There is a case given by Dr. Trim-
nell, on the authority of the resident magistrate of Nelson (Mr. Bishop),
of the death of a child. The fact is beyond doubt, but the particulars
are not given.

The Rev. Mr. Meek gives a very circumstantial accou’ of his son’s
case, and, as it is a curious one, I may here state that the reverend
gentleman’s word is beyond doubt. Dr. Mohbeer was also in attend-
ance. It must be severely condensed. Bite on shoulder, ‘‘excruciating”
pain; pain found its way down to the groins, then up the spine and
into arms and chest; moaned with pain day and night; patient very
strong and healthy young man. “I never saw any one in such agony
in all my life”; veins very much swelled; wound punctured, ammonia
injected, turnip poultice applied; ‘‘ when removed, quantity of black
matter exuded; when legs rubbed, quantity of inky-black fluid emitted ;”
severe pains lasted three or four days; depression not over after a
month; treated with frequent doses of brandy.

Mr. Meek adds that fatal cases are frequent amongst the natives in
his district. Besides these I have many other similar cases, and
amongst those that have not been published otherwise are one of a girl
and one of an old man suffering severely, much in the same way; am-
monia and spirits were used and recovery took place in about a week.
One case of a boy is recorded who did not recover for many months, and
never perfectly. Several there are of women bitten in the legs and abdo-
men, seized with cold and shivering and suffering great pains generally
for three or four days, and then taking a month to recover, and there is
one of a woman which proved fatal, and another of another woman who,
brought in apparently dying, was taken with the usual symptoms of nar-
cotic poisoning, but who recovered, although treated with nothing but
doses of laudanum. I must say, however, that from my knowledge of
natives, some of the primary symptoms are not improbably caused by
intense fear, as they have a terrible dread of the Katipo; but this ob-
servation would not apply to the white man.

A CATERPILLAR DAMAGING THE CORK-TREE.

We learn in a roundabout way (through the Consular Report of the
Province of Victoria) that the cork-tree in the Province of Cataluna,
District of Gerona, Spain, has recently been suffering from the attacks
of an undetermined larva, which in a few days strips a tree of its leaves,
giving it the appearance of having been burnt. The caterpillar first
made its appearance in the woods of Llagostera in 1886, and has rapidly
increased in numbers. It is described as being of the size of the silix
worm, of a dark gray color, and covered with down, and to produce
‘“small white butterflies.”

137

ANOTHER STRAWBERRY SAW-FLY.*

Monostegia ignota (Nor.).t

By F. W. Ma.t_ey, Champaign, IIIs.

Fic, 22.—MONOSTEGIA IGNOTA: @, egg; b, blisters containing eggs; c, blisters from which larvee have
issued: d,d, young larve; f, full grown larva; g, cocoon containing larva (natural size); h, shows g
enlarged ; i, adult female ; 77, ventral and lateral view of abdomen of female; k, saw; J, labium and
labial palpi; m, maxille and maxillary palpi; », mandibles; 0, ventral view of embryo after segmen-
tation ; p, embryo, lateral vi-w, ventral surface outermost: g, embryo, lateral view, ventral surface
curving inward; 7, embryo, lateral view, ventral surface doubled upon itself, and showing beginnings ~
of alimentary canal; s, embryo, showing alimentary canal completed, eyespots, muscles of mouth-
parts, &c. (Drawn by the author.)

The adults of this species are black four-winged saw flies (Tenthredin-
ide), about .28 inch long. By displacing the wings, characteristic
‘dull whitish spots are seen on the back of the abdomen. However, the

*This article is a brief extract, giving the more important results of the study of the
above-named species, and included in a Thesis prepared for the degree of Master of
Science at the Iowa Agricultural College, Ames, Iowa.

t Selandria ignota (Nor.). Trans Am. Ent. Soc., I, page 257.

Monostegia ignota (Nor.). Cresson’s Synopsis N. Am. Hymen., page 162.

138

casual observer who depends on this character alone is liable to be mis-
led, as there is another species of saw-fly Harpiphorus maculatus (Nor. ){
closely resembling it, and having similar markings on the back of the
abdomen. The most certain method of distinguishing the two species _
is to note the number of submarginal cells in the fore wings, IM. ignota
having four, and H. maculatus only three.

The larve of M. ignota have infested the strawberry beds on the col-
lege grounds for several years, feeding on the leaves, and would, if
numerous enough, threaten the crop. This has not been the case here,
but reports from other parts of the State say that ‘‘the worms are sim-
ply ruining our plants.” Drawings of this species in all its stages are
given in Fig. 22

Adult saw-flies of this new strawberry pest were found depositing
egos from the Ist to 25th of April. the period of greatest deposi-
tion being from the 10th to 20th. Adult females were captured, con-
fined, and eggs obtained that have furnished larve which have been
carried through all the larval stages and their habits studied in con-
nection with observations in the field. The eggs are deposited singly
on the under side of the leaf, just beneath the epidermis. In no case
were the eggs found deposited in the petiole of the leaf as is said to be
the habit in H. maculatus, but frequently alongside or in the angle be-
tween two veins; seldom more than three or four eggs are found de-
posited in a single leaflet.

When ‘first deposited the eggs (Fig. 22a) are pure white, tapering
towards both ends, one side slightly concave, the other quite convex;
are .475™" wide by .875™" long. The point of deposition can hardly
be seen at first, but the swelling of the eggs, due to the developing
embryo, causes Lent colored blisters of 0.5-.75 by .75-1™™ in size. Dur-
ing embryonic development the transverse diameter of the egg is doubled
or trebled, lengthens about one diameter but does not thicken much.
In Fig. 22 are shown a few of the more important changes taking place
during the embryonic growth of the larve. Its embryology has been
traced in detail, but only a suggestive outline can here be given.

First. Segmentation of the yolk and partial differentiation of the
anterior and posterior embryo lobes. Fig. 220.

Second. Division of the anterior lobes and the differentiation of the
ventral surface which at this stage occupies the outer circumference.

Third. The folding of the embryo upon its ventral surface and the
differentiation of the two lower anterior lobes. Fig. 22

Fourth. Beginnings of the alimentary canal; anteriorly, the cesopha-
gus; posteriorly, the rectum and colon. Fig. 22

Fifth. Continued development, forming the remainder of the aliment-
ary canal; appearance of the eye-spots and muscles of the head and
mouth parts. Fig. 22s

t Emphytus maculatus (Nor.). Bost. Proc., VIII, 1861, pages 157, 158. Trars. Am.
Ent. Soc., I, page 232.
Harpiphorus maculatus (Nor.). Cresson’s Synopsis N. Am. Hymen., page 160.

139

Sixth. Division of the outer wall into distinct segments and hatching
of the embryo.

When ready to issue the young larve eat a small hole through the
inclosing epidermis and emerge. At first they are slender 22-footed
slugs; bodies white, translucent, much wrinkled; granular; 2—2.5"™™
long; upper part of the head cream colored; claws of the pectoral legs.
eyes, labrum, mandibles, brown; remaining mouth parts, whitish brown,
ring around the eyes biack. The young worms begin their ravages at
once, eating small holes through the leaves. After feeding six or seven
days they pass through the first molt, are about one-half larger, the
dorsal and lateral surfaces yellowish green, ventral surface pale. At
each of the three succeeding molts, all of which occur within the next
eight or ten days, the color is of a deeper green. The larve when full
grown are between .55 and .65 inch long. Head and mouth parts, claws,
and first joints of the pectoral legs are of a more distinct brown; body
a beautiful deep green, much wrinkled, with one dorsal and two lateral
obscure blackish stripes. Anterior segments but slightly larger than
the posterior ones.

By the 1st of May the worms begin maturing and entering the earth,
and by about the 1st of June all have entered the ground. Entering
the earth to the depth of an inch or so, a frail earthen cocoon is formed,
on the inside of which there is a thin silken lining. Larve in cocoons
formed May 1 have shrunk to one-half of their original length, but up
to date (August 22) have not pupated. The shrunken larve still retain
their green color, but the stripes are more distinct, due no doubt to the
fact that they have been crowded into about one-half their original
length.

As yet no second brood has been obtained. However, if the larve
should pupate and issue any time in August or forepart of September
there would yet be time enough for oviposition, hatching of eggs, and
maturing of larve before frost woula interfere. This que tion will soon
be determ’ned, and, indeed, will prove to be an interesting one, since
there has been much confusion and controversy as to the number of
broods of the old pest, H. maculatus. It seems barely possible that the
two species have infested the same beds and have been confused with
each other in some of the observations made. It is hoped that, with
our present knowledge of the species, a further study of them in their
respective localities will determine questionable points. In this local-
ity there is slight evidence that both species are present. The evidence
is very slight, however, in that no adults of H. maculatus were capt-
ured, and but one immature larva in one hundred alcoholic spec mens
bears the unmistakable markings on the head which characterize the
larve of that species. (See Fig. 23 for comparison of the heads of the
larve of M. ignota and H. maculatus.)

Numerous specimens of the adults of M. ignota were examined, neuration
of the wings especially noted, and no variation found. Some slight varia-

9250—No, 5——-2

140

tion in the size of adults and depth of coloring of the legs was discovered.
It was also found that the description of Monostegia obscurata Cress. ap-
plied very closely, and accordingly specimens of adults were sent to
Mr. E. T. Cresson, Philadelphia, Pa., for comparison and determination.
His reply was that ‘‘ your specimens seem to agree with Selandria ignota
Nor. As to 8. obscurata, I think on an examination of more abundant
material it will prove to be the same as ignota.” Also, “I would not
like to say that your Selandria is a new species without an examination
of a larger series of ignota than we have in our collection.” Hence the
best that can be done at present is to say that the species is Monostegia
ignota (Nor.).

Fic. 23.—a, head of larva of Monostegia ignota (Nor.); t and c, front and side view of head of Harpi-
phorus maculatus. (Drawn by the author.)

As to the geographical distribution of this species, little can be said
just now. Among the specimens from which Norton described M. ignota
was one from Illinois, and M. obscurata was described by Cresson from
material collected in Colorado.

The period of greatest abundance of the worms is from about the 25th
of April to 5th of May, though they begin appearing about the middle
of April. Hence most of the worms have batched before the vines are
well in bloom, feed, mature, and again disappear by the last of May,
before much fruit has ripened. It will therefore be perfectly safe to apply
any of the arsenical poisons, with great efficiency, as early as April 20
to 25, and with comparative safety about the Ist of May.

_ Of the insect enemies preying upon the worms, Coriscus ferus was
found to be very beneficial indeed. No parasites have as yet been
reared.

In conelusion, I could not honorably fail to give due credit to and
acknowledge the needed guidance and instruction of my kind and
worthy instructor, Prof. Herbert Osborn, without whose suggestions
and friendly criticisms of the work while in progress it must have been
less accurate and complete. To Prof. F. M. Webster for ‘genuine H.
maculatus larve,” and to Mr. E. T. Cresson for determination of speci-
mens sent him, I wish to tender my sincere thanks.

141

PACIFIC COAST WORK OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY .*
By Prof. W. A. HENRY, Madison, Wis.

Several days were spent in company with Mr Coquillett, of Los An-
geles, in visiting fruit farms at various points in that vicinity and not-
jng the destructive effects of the white scale and red scale, and the ef-
forts in progress to check their ravages. At Orange, in Orange County,
the destruction of citrus trees by the red scale has been great, and
only afew more years would suffice to leave that section without any such
trees if remedies to check the destruction had not been put in operation
the present season. The Santa Anna vine disease has destroyed most
of the grape-vines, and every orange orchard shows ina greater or less
degree the attacks from the red scale. Every stage from thriftness to
death itself was noted. In some orchards only the yellow-spotted char-
acter of the leaves showed the presence of the scale just beginning its,
fatal work; in others the ends of the branches were leafless and dead,
the interior portions of the top yet carrying leaves, though little or no
fruit. Still other orchards had but the stumps of the orange trees left,
all of the limbs to the size of one’s arm having been killed by the scale
and removed with the saw. From these stumps green shoots showed
signs of life, and if care was given promised to renew the value of the
orchard. The careless treatment of the land showed as plainly as the
trees themselves the discouragement of the people.

Usually an orange orchard in southern California receives the best
of care, and the carefully-tilled soil lying loose without a weed in sight
and as level as a floor delights the lover of thrift and good tillage. In
many orchards weeds cover the ground and form thickets 5 or 6 feet
high, so dense that a man can hardly get through them. The dead and
dying orange trees among these weeds stand like monuments marking
the deadly march of the insidious, insignificant, but wonderfully fatal
scale. In company with Mr. Hamilton we visited the orchard in which
Mr. Coquillett was conducting spraying experiments with resin-soap
solutions. I will refer to these experiments again later on. We also
visited many other groves in all stages of thrift and decay, from those
bearing heavy crops to those with nothing but the stumps standing. It
was very apparent that those who had fought this scale the most vig-
orously, even though very imperfectly heretofore, are coming out the
best in the end, and that those who early gave up and neglected their
orchards will suffer far the most heavily. One orchard near the Cali-
fornia Central Railroad station, at Orange, of 850 seedling trees, showed
the ends of the branches already dead, and there were scales enough on
the leaves to so reduce the vitality of the trees the present season that

*Extracted from a report submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (see the special

| notes in this number, p. 125). a

142

by next spring most of the trees would have to be cut back to mere
stumps. A few weeks before our visit the owner plucked up courage
and sprayed the trees with the resin-soap compound ina very thorough
and systematic manner, the whole operation costing for the 850 trees
$200. We spent an hour in observing the effects of the wash, and es-
timated that more than 95 per cent. of the scale had been destroyed,
while not one leaf in ten thousand had been injured in the least by the
wash. Mr. Hamilton informed us that resin was now being brought to
Orange by the car-load for the purpose of making the resin soap. For
the first time people are really taking heart, and were going at their
orchards in dead earnest to make them profitable once more. The plow
had been set to work to reduce the weeds and bring back the old-time
thrift in many cases, though some orchards were yet as desolate as ever.
Before speaking further in regard to remedies for the red scale, the de-
struction of the cottony-cushion scale should be noted.

In studying this insect we first visited the place of Mr. William Niles,
in Los Angeles, where the “lady-bug” (Vedalia cardinalis) was being
propagated by the county insect commission for dissemination among
the orange groves infested with the cottony cushion or white scale. We
found five orange trees standing about 18 feet high inclosed by walls of
cheap muslin supported by a light frame-work of wood. The orange
trees inside this canvas covering had originally been covered with the
white scale, but the Vedalia which had been placed on these trees were
rapidly consuming the last of the pests. Entering one of these canvas
houses we found the Vedalia, both larve and adults, busy consuming
the scale; here and there on the canvas were the beetles endeavoring to
escape to other trees. These insectaries were in charge of Mr. Kirche-

val, one of the county insect commissioners, who kept a record of the -

distribution of the beetle. It was indeed a most interesting sight tosee
the people come, singly and in groupes, with pill-boxes, spool-cotton
boxes, or some sort of receptacle in which to place the Vedalias. On ap-
plication they were allowed within the insectaries and each was per-
mitted to help himself to the beetles, which were placed in the boxes
and carried away to be placed on trees and vines infested by the
white scale at their homes. Mr. Kircheval kept a record of the parties
and the number of beetles carried off. The number coming for the Ve-
dalia was surprisingly large—scores in a day—and each secured at least
a few of the helpful beetles. That the supply should hold out under
such a drain was a great surprise, and speaks better than words the ra-
pidity with which the Vedalia multiplies when there are scale insects
enough to nurture the young.

We visited other points: Lamanda Park, Santa Anita, Sierra Madre
Villa, Pasadena, etc. At the time of our visit to Sierra Madre Villa,
August 23, the white scale had already disappeared before the Vedalia.
At Santa Anita, the ranch of Mr. E. J. Baldwin, we examined a 350-
acre orange orchard, in which the white scale had started a most de-

143

structive course. Mr. Baldwin began an equally vigorous defense,
going personally into the orchard and superintending the work of fight-
ing the white scale. There was every sign, however, that the scale was
going to be the victor. Some of the trees were almost ruined by the
severity of the application made. Happily, before the pest had gone
far in its work, the Vedalia was heard from, and Mr. Baldwin secured
a number, which were placed in the hands of one man specially detailed
to look after its welfare. This individual spent six weeks in colonizing
the Vedalia in various parts of the orchard. After that time a careful
examination showed the superintendent that the work of colonizing was
so complete that further effort in that line was unprofitable. It was
predicted at the time of our visit that a few weeks more would leave the
orchard entirely free from the white scale. At Chapman’s we found
the citrus orchard, formerly so famous, entering the death stages from
the white scale, which was now fortunately being so effectually checked.
At Pasadena, on the grounds of Prof. Ezra Carr, we found that some of
the shrubbery had been seriously injured by the white scale, but thanks
to the Vedalia, not a single pest was alive at the time of our visit. Mrs.
Jennie Carr pronounced the Vedalia “a miracle in entomology.”

A word in relation to the grand work of the Department in the intro-
duction of this one predaceous insect. Without doubt it is the best
stroke ever made by the Agricultural Department at Washington.
Doubtless other efforts have been productive of greater good, but they
were of such character that the people could not clearly see and appre-
ciate the benefits, so that the Department did not receive the credit it
deserved. Here is the finest illustration possible of the value of the
Department to give people aid in time of distress. And the distress
was very great indeed ; of all scale pests the white scale seems the most
difficult to cope with, and had no remedy been found it would probably
have destroyed the citrus industry of the State, for its spreading to
every grove would probably be only a matter of time. It was the De-
partment of Agriculture at Washington which introduced the Wash-
ington navel orange into south California, and the Department has now
given an effective remedy for the worst scale insect. The people will
not soon forget these beneficial acts.

At Sierra Madre Villa, in the orchard of W. D. Cogswell, a chalcid
fly was found to be parasitic on what is there called the red scale. In
company with the county insect commissioners and Mr. Coquillett we
visited this orchard. It is quite evident that the so-called red scale of
this orchard has been greatly checked and may yet be entirely destroyed
by the chalcid. At E. J. Baldwin’s the commission also found the same
scale being destroyed by tlie same parasite. In this case each parasite
destroys but a single insect, and the commissioners were very solicitous
and also skeptical as to its ability to rapidly destroy the red scale.
Furthermore, they questioned whether the chalcid would destroy the
true red scale, as they did not believe that the scale on the orchards

144

mentioned was identical with that about Orange. The Vedalia has
brought the people a simple, rapid, and effective remedy for the white
scale, and the commission was very solicitous lest the people should

give up the use of washes for the red scale and wait for the spread —

of the chalcid parasite. If the parasite should multiply but slowly,
which seems probable, the red scale would be enabled to spread and do
great harm before overtaken. It is of the highest importance, at this
time, that a constant fight against this scale should be made, and there
should be no halting, even if imperfect means of holding the pest in
check are only at hand.

I carefully examined the experiments conducted by Mr. Coquillett
with resin washes, and consider that he has used excellent judgment
in the manner in which he has conducted them. I think he plans his
spraying experiments carefully and with good judgment, and carries
them through with thoroughness to the end.

It seems to me of the highest importance that experiments with
washes be prosecuted, and that the great advance of the last year be
followed up vigorously. With the resin washes for the red scale, and
the Vedalia for the white scale, the citrus industry will again move
forward and people have the confidence in it of former days.

CICINDELA LIMBATA Say.

By LAWRENCE BRUNER.

Recently, while walking over the sand-hills lying to the south of the

; Dismal River in Thomas County, Nebr., I found
a few specimens of Say’s Cicindela limbata. This
very interesting beetle is, so far as lam at present
aware, confined to the sand-hill region of central
and northern Nebraska. In this region it is also
restricted in its distribution to certain peculiar
localities.

The species was first observed by me on the
afternoon of the 11th of July, at about 6 o’clock
p. m., while walking through a Jarge “ blow-out,”
two sides of which were almost perpendicular,
while the others were sloping and composed en-
tirely of loose white sand. Three of the beetles
were taken, two of them in coittu.

The next day until 2 p. m. was spent in looking
for more of them. In all two dozen specimens
: were taken—every one of them in ‘“blow-outs”
Fic. 24. —Crcispera um- of a similar type to that in which the first were
bata—enlarged. Original.) — seen, i, e., with one or more nearly perpendicular
sides and in which little or no vegetation occurred.

Preys’

145

In habits this tiger beetle resembles Cicindela lecontei so _ar as the
run and flight are concerned. It is not so active an insect as some
others of the sandy-soil frequenters, nor does it run or fly as quickly
as they, no doubt depending more or less upon its color for protection.
But little variation is noticeable in the markings of the different indi-
viduals; in fact, the few specimens taken tend to show a much more
pertinent adherence to a typical pattern in this respect than is usually
the case with the species of the genus. O-lepida, C. formosa, C. venusta,
and C. punctulata were also taken in similar places. Of these latter
the C. lepida alone was restricted to the bare white sands of blow-outs

of considerable size, while the other three were also to be encountered

away from these locations indiscriminately among the sand-hills.

The larval burrows of limbata are evidently placed in the somewhat
solid upright banks upon the sides of the larger ‘‘ blow-outs.” Of these
burrows none were seen that could be definitely said to belong to this
beetle, although some search wasamade for them. Evidently the season
was too early for them. My reason for thinking that the larve are to be
found here is that the parent beeties are most frequently seen about
these banks when in coitu ; and also because the material composing
the walls of these ‘“‘ blow-outs” is too fragile and loose at every other
point save here for sustaining the burrows.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

Injury by Xyleborus dispar in England.

The beetle which is considered one of the rarest of the British Coleoptera, the Xy-
leborus dispar Fabr. (formerly known as Bostrichus or Apate) has appeared in such
great numbers in plum wood in the fruit grounds at Toddington, near Cheltenham, as
to be doing very serious injury. I found on anatomizing the injured small branches
that one of the yalleries which the horde of beetles (packed as closely as they can be)
forms or enlarges passes about two-thirds round in the wood more or less deeply be-
neath the bark, whilst another of the tunnels, likewise occupied with its closely-packed
procession of beetles, was in possession of about 2 inches of pith, so that the rapid
destructoin of the tree was fully accounted for. The attack appears, as far as I see,
to disappear usually very rapidly; but I am a‘lvising burning to make sure. This
disappearance I conjecture may arise from excessive rarity of the male of this spe-
cies; amongst about 60 females which I extracted from the tunnels I found only
one male. * * * —T[Eleanor A. Ormerod, Torrington House, St. Albans, England,
August 22, 1889.

Insect Pests in Colorado in 1889.

Here is a short summary of the insect pests in Colorado for 1889, so far as they
have come under my notice:

There has been considerable immunity from the attacks of insects in Colorado this .
year, so far as I can learn. Neither Hurycreon nor Caloptenus have molested in this
section, at any rate. Warble-flies (Hypoderma bovis DeG ) have been complained of

146

in some parts, and Chrysops and Culex have been troublesome as usual in Wet Mount-
ain Valley. Mr. H. G. Smith, jr., has sent Anthomyia brassice from Denver, with a
note that it injured turnips; and earlier in the year the same crop at Denver was re-
ported to suéfer from the attacks of Phyllotreta pusilla Horn, specimens of which were
sent. In Wet Mountain Valley P. pusilla is common, but seems to confine itself to
wild plants. Aphis brassicw has been complained of in some parts as injuring cab-
bages. Carpocapsa pomonella is apparently well established and destructive in south-
ern Colorado, to judge from apples in the market, though it is not so injurious here
as it has been in other parts of America.

Of Orthoptera, Mr. W. P. Lowe has sent Diapheromera from Pueblo County, but it
seems to be rare. The sparrow-hawk does excellent service in keeping down Ortho-
ptera. One shot on the Sangre de Cristo Range had its stomach full of what appeared
to be Camnula pellucida var. obiona, and one from Pueblo County had remains of Ana-
brus in its stomach.

Musca domestica ranks as a first-class nuisance in Wet Mountain Valley, swarming
in houses and getting into everything. A blow-fly (Lucilia) is a great pest in the
earlier part of the year.

Heliothis armigera is abundant in Custer County, but apparently harmless.

Agrotis saucia is also common.

A box of crackers from Denver was found badly infested with small larve, almost
certainly of a species of Ephestia.—[Theo. D. A. Cockerell, Westcliffe, Custer County,
Colo., October 2, 1889.

Spraying for Black Scale in California.

* * * Since I wrote you last I have taken up the study of scale insects—not
very scientifically, but in an extremely practical and disagreeable way—that is, ex-
perimenting with a solution for their destruction and the disinfecting of orchards on
contract. I have already sprayed and contracted to spray over half the orchards in
the country, and people have actually begun to consider me an authority on ‘‘ bugs.”
* * * Tonly took up the subject with the view of clearing our own orchard, and
T did it. ~There is a little satisfaction in clearing black scales off an orchard so black
and covered with scales that yon can scarcely see wood or leaves, and the fruit so
smutty it has to be scrubbed before you can market it—and that is the condition of
some of the orchards close to the sea. I have a good machine, one I built myself (I
could not buy one large enough), but am not satisfied with it. I believe a small
petroleum engine might be made to do the pumping cheaper and better than a man.
It is a powerful force-pump, mounted on a sheet-iron tank, on a wagon, and has four
sprays on the ends of 8-foot rods; so it takes six men to keep it going. * * *—[Har-
vey C. Stiles, Helix, San Diego County, Cal., September 26, 1889.

The Australian Ladybird in New Zealand.

I have been searching closely in places where Icerya were and where they were de-
voured-by swarms of these beetles, and I can not find a trace of them in any stage.
The specimens I brought here with me refused every scale insect I could find and
every aphide, and they all died of starvation except those I turned loose, and these I
can not find now. At first I thought they would eat C. cacti, but they merely tasted
it. It is very likely these beetles came over from Australia in the ovisacs, as we im-
port a good many trees from thence; and, if so, it would account for two things:
First (as but few would come in that way), for their being so long in gaining head
against their prey, and, second, for their existence in districts only, many districts
having imported independently of the others. But what is occupying me just now
is not being able to find what else they feed upon, znd Mr. Koebele now repeats what
he told me in Auekland, that he found them feeding upon Icerya and nothing else.
I think you will find that Icerya will not be easily eradicated altogether, and will

147

occasionally break out again in places, and if these beetles, whose extraordinary ra-
pacity can not long be supported by Icerya, can eat nothing else, they must die out,
and then the pest will again gain head. I would, therefore, take great care of your
Lestophonus, which, although slow, is sure, and has done untold good in Australia,
besides having the advantage of living upon other hosts. These, together with your
own native parasites, may yet be of great service to you, and quite able to keep Icerya
jn check after the beetle has reduced it to a minimum.—[ R. Allan Wight, Te Komata,
Paeroa, Auckland, New Zealand.

A Museum Pest attacking Horn Spoons.

I mail you to-day an insect which is destroying our horn scoops, spoons, combs,
etc., in the drug store. I also inclosea piece of horn scoop upon which the insect has
been feeding. Will you be so kind as to inform me what the insect is, by what means
to get rid of it, etc.? * * * —[J. P. Brashears, Fort Worth, Tex., October 3, 1889. ,

Repty.— * * * The insect in question is Anthrenus varius, one of the common
museum pests. This insect feeds upon almost any dry animal substance, museums
being especially subject to its attacks. It has also been reported as feeding on whale-
bone. Bisulphide of carbon will destroy it in all stages, and if your goods are in a
comparatively tight show-case or box, this substance can be used easily and with
good results. The odor of camphor or naphthaline will probably prevent their at-
tacking non-infested material, and these substances are, especially the latter, con-
stantly being employed in museums for this purpose.—[ October 9, 1889. ]

Some Notes from England.

C. destructor has certainly spread over a more extended area this year, so far as can
be judged by reports, and I only note those (except from qualified observers) that are
accompanied by corroborative specimens. But, withal, the injury does not seem (ex-
cepting in the case of one field) to be of importance.

Specimens of what I think may prove to be attack of Diplosis equestris Wagner,
have been sent me, but the very peculiar ‘‘saddle-like” growths consequent on the
larval injuries were on barley stems not wheat, so until we make some advance or
rear the imago I can not feel sure that we have the true “ Sattlemarke.”

The Pulvinaria ribesie Signoret, is a newly observed trouble to Ribes in this coun-
try so far as identification goes, but appears to have been here in one, possibly two
localities for afew years. * * *—[Eleanor A. Ormerod, St. Albans, England, Sep-

tember, 1889.
A Note on the Lady-bird Parasite.

To-day while re-reading some of the articles which appeared in “Insect Life” (Vol.
I), I was interested in the one on page 101 et seq., entitled ‘‘A Lady-hird Parasite,”
as it called to mind a similar observation made by me in 1885. During a part of that
year I assisted Professor Forbes, and transmitted to him in my report in substance
the following: ‘‘ May 29: Attached to the underside of a clover leaf was observed a
small cocoon, possibly one-fourth of an inch long. Upon this cocoon a Lady-bird
(Megilla maculata De G.) was found apparently watching the cocoon. The beetle
remained in the same position until death came to her relief a day or two after the
imago appeared, which occurred June 5.” As this was the same beetle observed
by you, and as your illustration represents the appearance exactly as observed by
me I presume that the observations were parallel, though I did not carefully study
the parasite, having only a very poor microscope.—[F. W. Goding, Rutland, II11.,

October 10, 1889.
Nezara puncturing Bean Buds.

Yours received relating to the insect described as Nezara hilaris. I have closely
observed the habits of it since, and think I can not be mistaken when I say that this
particular insect has abandoned its predatory habits and taken to a vegetable diet.

148

I send herewith another batch, t hinking you will be able to tell by dissecting that
he is filled with the juices of the bean; you can distinctly smell the bean odor. In
addition you will discover a sucker, which he keeps closed against his under body.
In his operation of feeding he lowers it with an apparent joint like the elbow; this is
straightened asit is inserted into either the base of the bean flower or into the tender
pods. While working on the young buds or flowers he goes from one to another, not
satisfying himself until he has exhausted a good many; he seems very greedy.
~ * *_ [George G. Curtiss, Brooks, Stafford County, Va., September 30, 1889.
Repty.—* * * The insect in question is a common plant bug, probably Nezara
hilaris. ‘The species can not be certainly determined in the absence of adult speci-
mens. This insect is ordinarily predaceous and feeds on other insects, but it is also
known to feed on the juices of plants. It has been found puncturing the pods of the
Trumpet Creeper in a manner very similar to your description of its work on bean
pods. It may, therefore, be a question whether the damage it thus causes to plants
is not greater than the benefit derived from its feeding on and destroying the larvae
‘of other insects. An application of kerosene emulsion will probably be effective
against it.—[ October 1, 1889.]

Beetles in a Pin-cushion.

I send you by mail a sample of the bugs found in the pin-cushion at Phenix. The
facts were as stated in the paper which you read. The bug is one of the smallest,
but the only one which I could get.—[D. O. King, M. D., Pontiac, R. I., July 8,
1889, to H. R. Storer, M. D., Newport, R. I.

“Tn the Phenix House a guest was entertained the other night who in the morning
averred that the room he occupied was haunted. ‘This he told the host, who made a
cursory answer. But the guest went on to explain how the haunts and bogies plagued
him. He said they were scratching their hands over everything around the dressing-
case, and kept him awake the greater part of the night. The host and hostess went
to investigate. Sure enough, there was the scratching, sharp noise, without ceasing.
It seemed to come from a large toilet cushion on the dressing-case, but there was not
a break or crack in its satin covering. So certainly did the noise proceed from the
interior of the cushion that it was ripped open, and from its inner covering of cotton
cloth the filling was shaken. . It was filled with coarse shorts, such as used in stables
for feed, and from this tumbled and rolled dozens of black bugs, known as ‘ snapping
bugs’ of an inch long. These were what had made the scratching noises as they
crawled about against the lining of the cushion. The cushion had been made about
four years ago, and as it had never been opened the insects must have germinated in
the grain.”—[ Providence Journal, July 3, 1889.

The inclosed history, with specimens (living), may interest you. I was suf-
ficiently amused by the newspaper jotting to request my friend, Dr. King, of War-
wick, who lives in the locality indicated, to look the matter up. He seemed to
think, with the people in question, that the case was one of prolonged gestation and
artificial delivery, while I am inclined to think that there must have been some mi-
nute opening in the cushion which escaped notice.—[H. R. Storer, president Newport
Natural History Society, Newport, R. I., July 12, 1889.

Rep.Ly.—The specimen which you send is the adult beetle of the common meal-
worm (Tenebrio molitor). The story as given in the newspaper clipping is not un-
reasonable and the shorts used as filling for the pin-cushion may have contained the
eggs of the beetle when the cushion was originally made. The larve developed Jin
the shorts and transformed to beetles, and there is no reason why several generations
might not have lived in the cushion, providing there was sufficient food.—[July 19,
1889. ]

Texan Digger Wasp.

I send you to-day box with specimens by mail. One of them is a large insect of, I
presume, the Hornet species which I received in a damaged condition._[J. F. Wie-
landy, Springer, N. Mex., September 26, 1889.

att ees

149

REPLY.— * * * The specimens last sent are the large Texan Digger Wasp or
Hornet (Pepsis formosa), one of the largest and most showy of the fossorial or sand
wasps. It is commonly known as the Tarantula-killer and is reported to attack that
enormous spider, Mygale hentzii, stinging it and inserting an egg in its body, after
which the spider is introduced into a hole or nest in the sand some 5 inches deep.
The wasps emerge in June and are common until Fall. It isa southwestern species
but occurs as far north and east as central Kansas atleast. There is a full illustrated
account of it in Vol. I of the old American Entomologist. * * *.—[October 2, 1889. ]

Abundance of Datana angusii.

I wish to call the attentior of the Department to a new and very destructive spe-
cies of caterpillar—at least new to us. As nearly as I can ascertain, this caterpillar
made its appearance here about three years ago, but perhaps longer. It prefers for
its abode hickory and walnut shade trees in pasture fields, meadows, and grain fields ;
and I believe also apple trees. When they have once taken possession of a tree they
never quit it so long as the semblance of a green leaf remains upon that tree. They
leave not a skeleton leaf, as does the well-known orchard caterpillar. The petiole and
a portion of the axis or midvein is all that remains to show that a leaf once existed
there, whether simple or compound. I have been observing this pest with a view to
ascertain some of its characteristics and habits, and experimenting as to the most
effective means for itsdestruction. It is distinct from the web caterpillar, in that it is
large and more voracious. It does not spin a web, nor does it draw the leaves together,
but devours them bodily, net, veins, and all, except as above stated, the petiole and
the heavier portion of the axis.

General Appearance.—In color it is dark purpie, with four well marked white lines
on each side; the lowest being the heaviest, and the second from below being light-
est, while the two uppermost lines are of about uniform size, and about half as wide
as the lowest. Its head is black, and armed with powerful mandibles. It is partially
covered with thin rows of white hair.

Size when full grown.—When full grown it is probably 6 centimeters in length and
6 millimeters in diameter. Its body is now a little darker and its hair a little longer
and whiter than in the young of 2 centimeters length.

Habits observed in feeding and Manner of Repose.—These caterpillars travel up the
tree from the ground, single file, each one leaving a thread behind it, which every
other carefully follows doing likewise until all camp upon the same leaf until it is
literally covered, and which they do not leave until there remains only a melancholy
ruin, not having the semblance of a leaf, when they turn and follow back the thread
to a point a foot or often several feet above the ground, where they pile upon each
otber like bees for repose, to the number of many thousands, and the bulk of a pint
or more. They hold fast by the middle, turning the two extremities out. Several
such bunches are often seen upon the body of the same tree. Just beneath the limb
as it leaves the trunk of the tree is a favorite resting place of these very peculiar or-
ganisms. When the leaves of one branch are devoured (and they usually select the
lowest branches first), one of them strikes out in a new direction, laying his thread,
which all the rest follow till they arrive in pastures new upon another branch; anid
so they go from branch to branch till not the semblance of a green leaf remains upon
the tree. They have now completed their work—verified the teaching of Malthus.
They retire to their camps for repose, where they perish for lack of more leaves to
devour. Here their remains are bound together by an almost imperceptible fiber or

_ thread, and are not dislodged by the peltings of hail or by winter storms. The crops

of several years past are distinctly seen upon the trunks of the trees they have
stripped of their foliage and of their glory.
These caterpillars are rapidly increasing in numbers. In an adjoining county an

entire orchard is reported as destitute of leaves as in midwinter. I have seen no ac-

count of this new pest; probably it has not been reported. I have never seen this -

150

caterpillar elsewhere, and not here till this year. It travels from one tree to another ;
some trees in the same field may escape for several years, but they will reach every
tree in time.

Means applied for its Destruction.—Coal oil is promptly fatal to this pest. A few
drops poured onto some of these colonies is speedily fatal, especially if ignited. But
this is a very slow means of destruction and dangerous to the life of the tree. I will
try carbolic acid as less injurious to the tree.—[A. D. Binkard, Peru, Miami County,
Ind., July 23, 1889. ]

Repty.— * * * The insect is one of the rarer of the forest caterpillars, and it
consequently has been given no common name. Its scientific designation is Datana
angusii. The caterpillar has long been known to us, and has been reared to the imago.
It is a rather large, brown moth inconspicuously marked. The facts which you give
concerring its extraordinary abundance with you are very interesting, and unless
you have objections we shall be glad to publish a note on the subject. From your
account these caterpillars will be very easy to kill by spraying with an arsenical
mixture.—[August 12, 1889.]

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES
AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Lorp WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 120 of Vol. II.)
CRYPTOLECHI4 Z. AND ITS ALLIES.

The following tabulation may enable students more easily to assort and recognize
the species belonging to the genera noticed in this paper. It must be taken to apply
especially to the North American forms as it is obvious that in dealing with a more
extended geographical series many other divisions and subdivisions would be re-
quired.

A. Veins 7 and 8 of the fore-wings from a common stem; 6 and 7 of the hind-wings
separate and parallel.
1. Veins 2 and 3 of the fore-wings adjacent at origin, =Cryptolechia Z.
2. Veins 2 and 3 of the fore-wings remote at origin.=Machimia Clem.
B. Veins7 and 8 of the fore-wings separate ; 6 and7 of the hind-wings from a common
stem.
1. Veins 2 and 3 of the fore-wings separate, —Stenoma Z., and Menesta Clem.
2. Veins 2and 3 of the fore-wings from a point or from a common stem; 4 very
close, =Ide Chamb.

CRYPTOLECHIA Z.
= Psilocorsis, Clem.

=Hagno, Chamb.

iy
j
!
|
|
|

Chambers (Bull. U.S. G. G. Surv., IV, 84) rightly places his genus Hagno (equivalent |

to Psilocorsis, Clem.) ia a section of the genus Cryptolechia. It is indeed similar in
neuration, palpi, and antenne to Cryptolechia straminella, a South African species de-
scribed by Zeller (Handl. Kong. Svensk. Ak., 1852, 107), as the type of the genus then

created. Zeller subsequently (Hor. Soc. Eut. Ross., XIII, 259) removed straminella to |

Machimia, adopting Clemens’ genus for a large section of the then extended genus
Cryptolechia, but straminella differs from Machimia tentoriferella Clem. in the proxim-
ity of veins 2 and 3 of the fore-wings, as in the case of Psilocorsis, which was distinctly
pointed out by Clemens (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc., Phil., XII, 212). Thus if we retain the
name Cryptolechia for the original type straminella, and those species which corres-

151

pond to it, Psilocorsis must be dropped as a synonym and Machimia be retained for
entoriferella Clem., and others in which vein 2 of the fore-wings is remote from vein 3.

Cryptolechia quercicella Clem.

Psilocorsis quercicella Clem.
<=Depressaria cryptolechiella Chamb.
=Cryptolechia cressonella Chamb.
—=Hagno faginella Chamb.
=Psilocorsis dubitatella Z.

Chaibers himself (Bull. U. S. G. G. Sury., IV, 86) recognized the probability that
the first four of these forms would turn out to be varieties of one species, although a
specimen of his C. cressonella was sent for comparison with Clemens’ type, at Phila-
delphia, with the following result: ‘‘ Mr. Cresson informs me that it is not Psilocorsis
quercicella Clem., which differs by having a rather broad, distinct, dusky border on
the apical margin of the anterior wings, otherwise they look very similar.” A good,
fresh specimen has the dusky border plain and visible, a worn specimen scarcely
shows it, but so far as I have seen, variation alone is sufficient to account for Mr.
Cresson’s opinion. ;

Specimens received from Miss Murtfeldt (presumably the same as those referred to
by Chambers, (1. ¢.,p. 84), as having been bred by Miss Murtfeldt and Professor Riley,
in Missouri from Ambrosia, and compared with the Texan specimen sent to Mr.
Cresson), are now before me and are undoubtedly Clemens’ species quercicella, cor-
responding with my specimen compared with his type in the collection of the Amer-
ican Entomological Society at Philadelphia. Chambers (1. c., 85-86) thinks a speci-
men identified by Zeller as quercicella Clem. must be his cressonella. Zeller’s specimen
labelled “quercicella” is in my cabinet, but it is not rightly identified; it isa dark
form, not separable from reflexella Clem.

I have seen the type of Psilocorsis dubitatella Z. (Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross., x11, 262-3,
1887) in Dr. Staudinger’s collection. It isa pale variety of the true quercicella Clem.,
with a slight transverse shade beyond the middle and the double dark line on the
apical margin and cilia.

Cryptolechia obsoletella Z. of which I have the type, is very like a small reflexella,
but shows no indication of the transverse darker striz on the fore wings. I should
regard it as distinct for the present. It is darker than ferruginosa Z.(of which I have
also the type), having none of the ochreous tint of that species, but the discal and
marginal dots are very similar, although somewhat more pronounced. Further in-
vestigation is required to clean up the life-history of these species. If one of them
feeds on Ambrosia it seems improbable that this can be the species bred by Clemens
from oak. Possibly the species I have from Miss Murtfeldt may not be the one re-
ferred to by Chambers.

Cryptolechia reflexella Clem.

Psilocorsis reflecella Clem. = Cryptolechia quercicella Z.

Zeller’s collection contains a female of this species labeled Psilocorsis quercicella
Clem., and it is evident that this is the specimen referred to by him (Ver. Z.-b. Ges.
Wien., Xxi11, 242) when in describing obsoletella he remarks, “ Viel kleiner als quer-
cicella.” The species varies a good deal in size and in the distinctness of the distal
and marginal spots. Apart from the color of the fore wings, which is distinctly darker
and therefore less contrasted with the superficial speckled markings, the longer palpi,
the darker color of the hind wings, and its lacking the distinct double blackish line
in the cilia of the fore wings appear to be the chief distinguishing characters by
which to separate it from quercicella Clem.

A specimen from Dr. Riley bred from Birch (Betula sp. ?) is only to be distinguished
from reflexella by its smaller size and shorter palpi, wherein it approaches dark varie-
ties of quercicella. I shall not venture to describe it as distinct.

152

Should an extended series of bred specimens of any of these darker forms estab-
lish a reliable means of distinguishing them, it is yet possible that one of Chambers’
names may be hereafter revived for this more probable variety.

Cryptolechia concolorella Beut.

Mr. Beutenmiiller has lately published (Ent. Am., Iv, 30), a description under this
name. He is probably right in referring it to this genus, but as he gives no descrip-
tion of the neuration, or of the form of the wings, nor any details of structure it is
impossible to place it correctly.

STENOMA SCHLAEGERI Z., AND ITS ALLIES FROM THE UNITED STATES.

Cryptolechia schlaegeri was first described by Zeller in 1854, in the ninth volume of
the Linnea Entomologica, pages 372-3, and figured on Plate 3, Fig. 18 of the same
volume. The description was taken from specimens of both sexes from New York in
his own collection ; the hind wings are described as gray with whitish cilia. In the
tenth volume of the same publication, pages 158-9, he supplements his description
of the species, and compares it with the Mexican Cryptolechia frontalis there described.
Here he remarks that the hind wings of the female are usually whitish. He goes on
to describe a variety of the same species from Georgia, ‘‘ var. b. f parva, alis ant.
breviusculis,” in the King’s Museum, at Berlin, of which he writes that the hind
wings are lighter gray than in the male of var. a, but darker than in the female of
that variety. A careful examination of about twenty specimens (including Zeller’s
type) from various localities in the United States proves that at least two Gistinct
forms exist. These two forms are easily separable by the shape of the uncus in the
males, and usually by the color of the hind wings; the commonest form having pale
hind wings, especially in the 9 —schlaegert of Zeller—has the uncus simple, scarcely
enlarged towards its apex and ending in an obtuse point (Fig. 25a). The other hav-
ing dark cinereous hind wings in the ¢, has the uncus dilated and distinctly notched
or furcate at the apex (Fig. 25)). The form of the lateral claspers is approximately

the same in both.

The small variety (var. b. of Zeller’s supplementary no-
tice) from Georgia and Texas has the hind wings and simple
uneus of the true schlaegeri and is apparently undistin-

b guishable from it, except in size, since the markings on

BAe ae A ee eA the anterior wings are subject to some variation in position
SCHLAEGERI: a. Uncus of the ®d intensity of coloring in specimens of all sizes. The
commonform. b. Uneusofthe shorter ciliation of the antenne, noticed by Zeller, is
less common form. Enlarged scarcely more than proportionate to the reduced size of
forieinal)- each individual.

C. frontalis is described as having the hind wings gray, but broader than in
schlaegeri. So far, so good. It is noticeable that in the supposed form of schlaegeri,
described in Zeller’s supplementary paper (Lin. Ent. x, pages 158-9) with paler hind
wings (and simple uncus) there is considerable variation in the shape and position of
vein 2 of the fore wings, both in the large variety (Zeller’s var. a) and in the small form
(var. b of Zeller). In some specimens vein 2 arises from the same point as vein 3 and
proceeds with a slight bend to the margin above the anal angle. In others if arises
either from the same point as vein 3, or extremely close to it, and is abruptly bent
backwards in the first instance before taking its ordinary direction. In others again
this vein arises quite separate from vein 38, being more or less bent in its outward
course; in one specimen before me, which is undistinguishable from Zeller’s var. },
these veins are separated at their origin by even a greater distance than that which
separates veins 3 and 4, but this appears to be exceptional.

153

Stenoma leucillana Z.

Specimens in my collection, taken by Belfrage in Texas, agree very closely with
Walker’s type of the Nova Scotian algidella, but comparing it with aseriesof what I
take to be leucillana Z., it can only be regarded as a dark variety of the female of that
species. I think it extremely doubtful whether lewcillana Z. is really distinct from the
well-known schlaegeri, which varies sufficiently in size and color to connect it with
this somewhat smaller and paler form. Indeed if I have rightly determined Zeller’s
leucillana it would be imposible to draw the line between them ia a lengthening series.
Until an opportunity may occur for examining the type specimen in the Berlin Mu-
seum, I prefer to err on the side of caution rather than to treat the name as a syn-
onym. All my specimens of this smaller form have the uncus simple as in the true
schlaegert.

Stenoma algidella W1k.

For the present I shall adopt the same course with regard to Cryptolechia algidella
WI1k., which is probably also only a small form of schlaegeri, although occurring so far
northward as Nova Scotia. Should the acquisition of further material enable me to
express a more decided opinion the alteration can be made in the final revision of the
index.

Stenoma furcata sp. n.

Antenne in the g brownish, finely ciliated on both sides; in the 9 the color is much
paler.

Head and palpi white.

Thorax slightly tinged with brownish-gray on the upper and central parts, without
a patch of dark scales behind it.

Fore wings elongate, narrow, produced, but somewhat depressed and rounded at the
apex ; the costa very slightly arched at the base, scarcely convex beyond it 3 api-
cal margin oblique ; dorsal margin straight, almost parallel with the-costal, but
slightly diverging to the anal angle, which is ill-defined ; white, with a slight
tinge of brownish-gray, commencing near the base of the dorsal margin and ex-
tending to the anal angle below the discal cell, and very faintly in a narrow line
along the base of the cilia in the apical margin ; cilia white, tinged with grayish
towards the anal angle and along their tips. In the 9 there is a faint indication
of pale, grayish clouds and spots at the end of the cell, and of a pale grayish
transverse line between this and the apical margin on the lower balf of the wing,
and in the abdominal angle are some raised scales, as in schlaegeri (these would
probably be found also in better specimens of the ¢); there are also a few di-
vided black scales in the middle of the cilia; under side strongly clouded with
brownish-gray ; the costal and apical margins narrowly paler.

Hind-wings very broad, evenly rounded, but somewhat produced at the apex; dark
cinereous in the ¢; pale grayish-ochreous in the 2; cilia whitish ; under side cin-
ereous.

Abdomen cinereous; uncus abruptly bent over from the base, distinctly divided into
two short forks at the apex ; lateral claspers produced into two angular points,
of which the lower one is smaller and sharper than the upper.

Legs whitish, unspotted.

Exp. al.: g 27, 9 30mm,

Habitat, Arizona. (Two males and two females collected by the late H. K. Morrison.)

Type, & 2, Mus. Wism.

This species differs from Stenoma schlaegeri Z. in its narrower and ore elongate
fore wings, which in the specimens before me have little or no indication of the gray
clouds and blotches prevalent in that species, and very noticeably in the form of the
-uncus; also in the absence of the dark patch of scales at the back of the thorax. I
have a single specimen, collected by myself in California in 1871, which might be re-
garded as an intermediate link between this species and Stenoma schlaegeri. It has

154

the uncus distinctly dilated and notched at the apex, a faint thoracic spot, and a few
raised scales at the abdominal angle of the fore wings; there are no spots in the cilia,
but a narrow gray line runs along the middle; the hind wings are nearly as dark as
those of furcata, and the fore wings are somewhat more clouded with gray.

It will probably be found, when more material comes to hand, that the form of the
uncus is a more reliable character for separating this species from schlaegeri than any
distinction in the intensity of markings, which will probably be found to vary as in

that species.
Stenoma crambitella sp. n.

Antenne ciliated in the ¢; shining ochreous beyond the basal joints, which are white

Palpi white, slightly shaded with pale brownish-ochreous externally on the second.
joint, except at the apex.

Head white; face smooth, shining yellowish-gray.

Thorax white, with a faint ochreous tinge.

Fore wings elongate, narrow at the base, very slightly convex at about the basal third
of the costa, straight beyond; apex rather pointed; apical margin straight, ob-
lique, rounded at the anal angle; dorsal margin straight, white, rather shining,
with a suffusion of faint ochreous scales (only visible under a lens) along the
veins and neryules; on the extreme costal margin at the base are a few grayish-
fuscous scales, and a single dot of the same color lies at the end of the discal cell
in the middle of the wing; cilia white.

Hind wings grayish-white, with a faint ochreous tinge; cilia white.

Abdomen agreeing in color with the hind wings; uncus simple, blunt, bent over,
not notched at the apex (being much shorter than in schlaegeri or any of its allies
with which I am acquainted); lateral claspers upturned, rounded at the apex,
with a triangular excrescence on the lower edge near the base.

Legs whitish ; posterior tarsi tinged with grayish-ochreous.

Exp. al, : 22mm,

Habitat, Arizona (received from the late H. K. Morrison).

Type, $9, Mus. Wism.

Stenoma humilis Z.

=Cryptolechia humilis Z.

=Cryptolechia nubeculosa Z.

=Harpalyce canusella Chamb.

Zeller, in describing Cryptolechia nubeculosa (Ver. Z-b. Ges. Wien., XXIII, 245-6
P|. III, 12), does not refer to his previous description of hwmilis (Lin. Ent. X, 156-8, P1.
I,6). A comparison of the figures would perhaps not lead to the conclusion that they
were identical, but with five or six specimens undoubtedly nubeculosa before me, I am
strongly inclined to the opinion that his older description of the species in the Berlin
Museum had escaped his memory. The range of variation in the species is not great,
but quite sufficient to account for the slight differences of markings detailed in the
descriptions and figures.

MENESTA Clem.

= Hyale, Chamb.

The genus Menesta of Clemens is undoubtedly allied to Cryptolechia Z.; its neural
and structural characters are the same as those of Stenoma, and notwithstanding its
diminutive size and more abruptly rounded fore wings, it is doubtful whether in any
tabulation of these genera it can be rightly separated from it. For the preseut it
may be well to retain the genus as represented by a single species.

> Menesta tortriciformella Clem.
=Gelechia liturella W1k.
=Hyale coryliella Chamb.
This species has been redescribed by Walker (Cat. Sp. Ins. B. M., XXIX,591) under
the name of Galechia liturella, as already pointed out by me (P, Z. 8. 1881, 319). Hyale

155

coryliella Champ. (Cin. Qr. Jr. Se., II, 242), which Chambers, in the Index (Bull. U.
-S. G.G. Sury., IV, 150), refers with a ‘‘?” to Menesta tortriciformella, is without doubt
another name for this species, and consequently the genus Hyale sinks as a synonym
of Menesta.
IDE.

The genus Ide is distinguished by having veins 7 and 8 of the fore wings separate,
2 and 3 from a point, or from a short common stem, and 4 very close to the base of 2
and 3; in the h:nd wings 6 and 7 arise from a common stem.

Ide lithosina Z.
Cryptolechia lithosina Z.
=Harpalyce tortricella Chamb.

I have several specimens of lithosina Z.; some from Texas (Belfrage), others from
Florida (Morrison), and one from Boll’s collection. They vary in the ground-color of
the fore-wings from bone white, as described by Zeller, to yellowish or straw-color,
as described by Chambers, and in the presence or absence of one, or sometimes two,
brownish dots at the end of the discal cell. In one specimen these are quite conspic-
uous. A careful examination of the genital appendages shows that these forms are
not specifically distinct; the uncus is single, with a long narrow stem beyond the
dilated base; overarched and spatulate at the apex, the end of the spatulate being
notched; the lateral claspers are scarcely more than half the length of the uncus;
also somewhat narrowed at the base, their ends dilated and notched posteriorly, the
upper lobe being rounded at the apex, the lower slightly longer than the upper, and
acutely triangular.

Ide osseella sp.n.

Antenne, pale bone-color.

Head and palpi, pale bone-color, the latter somewhat darker on the second joint.

Thorax, bone-gray, slightly darker than the head.

Fore-wings, shining, unicolorous bone-color, with scarcely paler cilia, along the base
of which is a very slender almost undistinguishable grayish liue; at the end of
the disk is a reduplicated bone-gray spot, the larger portion of it being above the
smaller, with which it is sometimes confluent. Under side, very pale bone-gray.
Neuration: The veins are all separate, except 2 and 3 which in one specimen are
from a common point, in the other from a short stem.

Hind-wings, pale, shining bone-gray, with scarcely lighter cilia. Under side,very pale
bone-gray.

Abdomen, pale shining bone-gray.

Legs, pale bone-gray, the posterior tarsal joints with the slightest tinge of ochreous.

Exp. al., 24m™™,

Habitat, California. . (Two females from the Zeller collection. )

Type, 2, Mus. Wism.

This species is apparently allied to lithosina Z., but it is of larger size.

Ide vestalis Z.
Cryptolechia vestalis Z.
=Harpalyce albella Chamb.

Zeller in describing vestalis (Ver. Z.-b. Ges. Wien, XXIII, 247), says that it is closely
allied to albella, but as Chambers’ Harpalyce albella was not then published, it is
obvious that his reference must have been to a species described by himself, un-
der this name, received from Surinam.

(To be continued. )
9250—No, 5——3

156

GENERAL NOTES.

THE BOT-FLY OF THE OX, OR OX WARBLE.

In InsEcT LIFE, Vol. I, p. 383, we noticed the investigation recently
undertaken by the Farmers’ Review, of Chicago, of the damage to the
cattle interests of this country resulting from the attacks of the Bot-fly
of the Ox.

We have had considerable correspondence with the editor, as also
with Miss Ormerod, on this subject; and as preliminary to a statement
of our own views in the next number, we give here a summary of the
articles mentioned and of the results reached in the several lines of in-
vestigation followed out.

The objects which the Farmers’ Review hoped to attain are given in
the issue of that journal of July 17, 1889, as follows:

(1) To impress upon the farmers of the country the seriousness of the loss they are
annually suffering as a result of the work of the ‘‘ grubs” in the backs of their (a)
beef stock and (b) dairy cows.

(2) To arouse them to a recognition of the good policy and actual necessity of fight-
ing (a) the Ox Warble-fly and (b) the grubs produced in cattle from eggs deposited
by the fly.

(3) To show them plainly that the fly and its noxious product may be successfully
fought and eventually reduced to perhaps uninjurious numbers.

(4) To interest all concerned and secure their help in (a) disseminating through-
out the country facts going to show how serious is the damage done by these grubs
in cattle, and (8) finding a demonstrating medium for the prevention and cure of the
trouble.

(5) To instigate a national investigation of the matter by the Department of Agri-
culture.

In the introductory articles the life-history of the fly has been out-
lined, quoting for this purpose the short account in Packard’s Guide to
the Study of Insects, and the more important articles on the subject from
the various reports of Miss Ormerod, of England, where the attacks of
this fly have attracted greater attention than elsewhere, and where much
attention has been paid to the means against it.

A host of letters from farmers and stockmen were published, which,
so far as they related to the habits and natural history of the fly, were,
as arule, pretty badly mixed, and added little if anything to that al-
ready known. Reports were also received from professors of agriculture,
entomologists, and veterinarians, which give, as did also those of farm-
ers and stock-raisers, valuable data concerning its abundance in various
States, the loss in value to hides, effect on quantity and quality of beef
and milk, and also the effect of the attacks on the animals themselves.

157

From the reports received the approximate percentage of grubby cat-
tle and the average loss on grubby hides for the principal stock-raising
States of the Mississippi Valley have been estimated as follows (August
7, 1889):

Illinois. —Seventy-three per cent. of the cattle marketed in the grubby season are
infested with grubs. The average loss on a grubby hide is one-third.

Towa.—Seventy-one per cent. of the cattle in the majority of counties are grubby
in the season specified. Loss on grubby hides one-third.

Indiana.—Forty-eight per cent. of the cattle grubby. Loss on hides one-third.

Wisconsin.—Thirty-three per cent. of cattle grubby. Loss on hides one-third.

Ohio.—Fifty-six per cent. of cattle grubby. Loss on hides one-third.

Missouri.—Fifty-seven per cent. of cattle grubby. Loss on hides one-third.

Kansas.—Sixty per cent. of cattle grubby. Loss on hides one third.

Kentucky.—Fifty-seven per cent. of cattle grubby. Loss on hides one-third.

In Minnesota and Dakota grubs are practically unknown among cattle.

In Nebraska they are not very bad where found; twelve counties report an average
of 40 per cent. The rest heard from are free of the pest. Grubby hides are ‘‘ docked”
one-third of their value.

In Michigan 61 per cent. of the cattle are infested with grubs in the southern and
middle counties. Inthe northern counties they are unknown or very scarce. Grubby
hides sell for one-third less than sound ones.

The amount of this loss can be better appreciated perhaps by repro-

ducing in condensed form the approximate estimate of the loss on the
hides of cattle received at the Union Stock- Yards of Chicago during the
grubby season, which includes the months from January to June. Using
the reports by States above given as a basis it is estimated that 50 per
cent. of the cattle received are grubby. The average value of a hide is
put at $3.90; and while from the report referred to one-third value is
the usual deduction for grubby hides in this estimate, but $1 is deducted,
or less than one-third. The number of cattle received in 1889 for the six
months indicated was 1,335,026, giving a loss on the 50 percent, of grubby
animals of $667,513. When to this is added the loss from depreciated
value and lessened quantity of the beef, the amount for each infested
animal is put at $5, indicating a total loss on these animals from the
attack of the fly of $3,337,565.
- Without considering the lessened quantity, the inferiority of the beef
of animals infested by the grub is strikingly shown in an article on the
subject in which the testimony of retail butchers and buyers of meat
in Chicago and other cities is given. It is shown that the buyers of
the highest class of meat, who supply hotels and restaurants, will not
on any account purchase carcasses showing traces of Warble attack.
Such beef has to be sold, therefore, at a price below that obtainable
for good beef, free from grub damage, and the lessened value per animal
was put at from $2 to $5.

The appearance known as Licked-Beef, which, resulting from the pres-
ence of the grub, may be described as a moist or running surface of a
greenish-yellow color, is certainly unwholesome in look, if not in fact.
The description of such meat as given in the Farmers’ Review, quoting

158

again largely from Miss Ormerod, is almost sufficient to turn one against
beef altogether.

“The Effect of the Warbles in the Dairy ” is the title of an interesting
article by T. D. Curtis, in which the loss in the quantity of the flow of
milk,as well as its deterioration in quality, resulting from the annoy-
ance of the animals by the flies while the latter are depositing eggs
and later by the grubs, is very conclusively shown, and he estimates the
shrinkage at 10 per cent. and the loss in quality at the same rate, mak-
ing a total of 20 per cent.

There is finally a discussion of remedies, including those employed in
England and in this country, and the expression of a wish that the Di-
vision of Entomology of the U.S. Department of Agriculture should take
up the investigation, with a view of clearing up such points as may yet
be obscure both as to the life history of the insect and the means against
it. We shall take up these points more fully in our future remarks.

SS

Fic. 26.—Portion of inside of tanned warbled hide (after Ormerod.)

We have recently received from Miss Ormerod a leaflet of eight pages,
dated September, 1889, entitled ‘Notes on ‘Licked-Beef’ and ‘Jelly’
and Injury to Hides from Attacks of Ox Warble-fly, or Bot-fly,” Hypo-
derma bovis, DeGeer, supplemented by correspondence, in which is de-
scribed very fully the condition of the beef resulting from grub attack,
commonly known as “ licked-beef” or “jelly ” from the supposition gen-
erally held that the loosening of the hide and the discoloration and in-
flammation of the subcutaneous flesh about the grubby places, and also
the frothy or jelly-like appearance of the flesh, results in part from the
licking by the animal of such places. Letters from butchers are quoted,
giving further details of the exact nature of the injury and the amount
of depreciation in value of the beef.

159

The loss is shown to fall largely on the cattle-owners by waste of food
not formed into beef or milk, and also, but to a less extent, on butchers
‘in the deficiency of receipt per pound on the carcass and on the hide.
We reproduce a single instance given by Miss Ormerod to indicate the
extent of the loss so resulting. A heifer which turned out a much
lighter weight than was expected proved to be badly warbled. ‘The
loss on the hide at 1d. per pound would be about 5s. ($1.25) ; the loss on
the beef, the animal being sold by the stone, fell on the owner. This
was estimated at least six stone less than it should have been, and de-
ficiency in weight on hide and beef was put at 50s. to 60s. ($12 to $15).

Fic. 27.—Piece of warbled hide; warbles about half size (after Ormerod).

The mischief done to the hides in the decreased value of the tanned
product is also discussed by Miss Ormerod, and figures are given, which
we reproduce, showing a portion of the under side of a warbled hide,
warbles about half size, and a portion of inside of tanned warbled hide.

The aggregate loss in England from warble attacks as estimated by
‘different practical men is put at from £2,000,000 to £7,000,000 sterling,

at least, per annum, or perhaps as much as £1 per head of horned
cattle. .
THE MINNESOTA LOCUST OUTBREAK.

The report of Prof. O. Lugger, Entomologist of the Minnesota A gri-
cultural Experiment Station, on the Rocky Mountain locusts, in Otter
Tail County, Minnesota, in 1889,* is of especial interest.

As we have long ago shown in our Reports on the Insects of Mis-
souri, and in the Reports of the U. S. Entomological Commission, plow-

* Bulletin No. 8, University of Minnesota, Agricultural Experiment Station, pp.
17-36.

160

ing in winter-time or early spring is the most effectual means of pre-
venting grasshopper injury the coming summer; but this recommen-
dation has rarely been carried out on aco- Soir scale. In the grass-
hopper-infested section of Minnesota, however, Professor Lugger has
shown the present year what can be accomplished by timely and ener-
getic co operation.

In the fall of 1888 it was ascertained that in the infesied region of
Otter Tail County enough eggs had been deposited by late swarms of
locusts to seriously endanger the crop of 1889. It was found that the
eggs were preferably laid in stubble-fields abandoned by their owners,
and also in certain spots in the timothy fields and pasture lands. In
winter-time the governor and State legislature were appealed to, money
was promptly appropriated and rendered available immediately, and
competent persons appointed to superintend operations, which were ex-
ecuted in early spring with energy and circumspection. At first the
larger of the abandoned stubble-fields in the immediate vicinity of cul-
tivated fields were plowed, and then the worst infested places in the
timothy fields and pastures. The whole area thus plowed in this sin-
gle county, at the expense of the State, embraced no less than 6,361
acres. The farmers in the mean time plowed the fields intended for the
use of corn, and largely assisted the State authorities in plowing at
their own expense the smaller fields which were ascertained to contain
a dangerous number of eggs.

The success of this operation was complete. Nota single grasshopper
egg hatched on the plowed fields wherever the plowing was done care-
fully and to a sufficient depth. When, in the month of May, the grass-
hoppers hatched on the timothy fields, the farmers, knowing that there
was now no danger of an invasion of grasshoppers from the neglected
or abandoned fields in their vicinity, willingly set to work to assist the
authorities in the warfare against the young locusts. A large number
of “‘ hopper dozers” (coal-oil pans*), previously prepared, were at hand,
and were operated on a large scale. Burning stubble wherever practi-
cable, and, in one instance, a judicious use of London purple, was also
resorted to.

‘About the middie of June,” says Professor Lugger, ‘it became quite
plain that the crops were saved, and that most of the locusts had been
killed.”

This gratifying result was obtained at a comparatively trifling ex-
pense. and we congratulate Professor Lugger on the success of his
efforts in this direction.

THE WEEPING-TREE MYSTERY.

Prof. Herbert Osborn has called our attention to an article in the
Dallas (Texas) Morning News of October 9, in which a very well written

* First feeeaned and De abeded: in Riley’ s ‘The Locust Plague in the United
States.”

161

and humorous account is given of the solution by the reporter of
that paper of the mystery of the so-called “‘ weeping trees,” reports
of which from Grayson County and other parts of Texas are said
to have “set the State agog with various explanations of the phe-
nomenon, ranging from the superstitious credence of the super-
naturally inclined to the positive denial and derisive laugh of the con-
stitutionally skeptical.” The brave reporter, however, upon the
discovery of one of these remarkable trees in Dallas, laying aside all
superstition, climbed courageously up the trunk and discovered that
the tears were shed by a multitude of small insects ‘“‘of dark green
color with gold under the wings, which adhered to the bark and secam-
pered about when disturbed, and flew away when pressed too closely.”
Prof. G. W. Curtis, of the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College,
secured specimens and sent them to Professor Osborn, who recognized
them as the common little leaf-hopper, Proconia (Oncometopia) undata,
which we have referred to in previous writings and on pages 53 and 54 of
vol. 1 of INSECT LIFE as occurring upon the Orange in Florida and upon
cotton-plants in other Southern States, and which we have there stated
is remarkable for the distance to which it ejects drops of honey-dew.

We frequently met with this species in the cotton-fields in the sum-
mer of 1879, and noted the extraordinary abundance of the secretion.
Professor Curtis in his letter to Professor Osborn stated that in Dallas
they made the tree present a decided appearance of weeping quite pro-
fusely, the drops being small but coming quite thick and fast. Each
insect would eject a drop at intervals of two seconds during a period of
several minutes, and would then stop for a little while.

AN EARLY OCCURRENCE OF THE- PERIODICAL CICADA.

Dr. J. C. Ridpath, the historian, has very kindly sent me the follow-
ing extract from one of the many valuable works contained in his private
library. The writer had the State of Virginia under consideration
when the excerpt was written, and therefore it is quite probable that
the third prodigy was an occurrence of what is now known as Brood
VIII of Cicada septendecim.—F. M. WEBSTER.

{Stedman’s Library of American Literature, Volume I, pages 462, 463. Excerpt from the writings of
T. M., supposed to have been Thomas Matthews, son of Samuel Matthews, governor of Virginia.
Written in 1705. ]

About the year 1675 appeared three prodigies in that country, which, from the
attending disasters, were looked upon as ominous presages.

The one was a large comet every evening for a week or more at southwest, thirty-
five degrees high, streaming like a horse-tail westwards until it reached almost the
horizon, and setting towards the northwest.

Another was flights of pigeons, in breadth nigh a quarter of the mid-hemisphere, and
of their length was no visible end; whose weights break down the limbs of large
trees whereon these rested at nights, of which the fowlers shot abundance and eat
them; this sight put the old planters under the more portentous apprehensions, be-
cause the like was seen, as they said, in the year 1640, when the Indians committed the
last massacre, but not after until that present year, 1675.

162

The third strange appearance was swarms of flies avout aninch long and big as the top of
a man’s little finger, rising owt of spigot holes in the earth, which cat the new-sprouted leaves
from the tops of the trees without other harm, and in a month left us.

LAPHRIA CANIS Will.: A CORRECTION.

On page 45 of the present volume of INSECT LIFE the statement is ~
made that Laphria canis Will. was very abundant in Michigan in May,
1886. The writer has since felt that this statement admitted of doubt,
as the habits of the fly there described are unquestionably those of
Bibio albipennis, which was, in all probability, the species under obser.
vation. The specimen of Laphria canis which I sent to Dr. Williston
for determination was taken some months afterward from among alco-
holic specimens of flies, and believed at the time to be one of the indi-
viduals that had been so numerous in the spring, but in this I fear that
I was deceived. Laphria canis should, of course, be recorded for Michi-
gan, on the authority of one specimen of uncertain date of capture, de-
terminedby Dr. Williston.—T. TOWNSEND.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

October 3, 1889.—Fifty-fifth regular meeting. Prof. James Fletcher, Entomologist
to the Dominion of Canada, was elected a corresponding member of the society.

Dr. Fox made some remarks on ‘‘ Malformations in Spiders,” exhibiting two speci-
mens ( Lpeira sclopetaria g , and Dictyna sp. 9 ), in which one or more of the eyes were ab-
sent. He also exhibited a table showing the relative position of the eyes as normally
found in different families of spiders. The subject was further discussed by Dr. Marx.

Mr. Schwarz then read a communication from Dr. G. H. Horn on the food-habits
of a rare Cerambycid beetle (Canopeus palmeri), which lives in its early stages in the
stems of Opuntia bernardina. These food-habits are the more remarkable from the
fact that all the other known species of this group (Acanthocinini) live beneath the |
bark of dying or dead trees. Mr. Schwarz also read a note on the peculiar flight of |
a specimen of the flying locust, Dissosleira carolina, while observed to be pursued by |
an English sparrow, its flight, in cscaping the bird’s attacks, veering directly up or |
down, but never to one side; and presented for record an observation on Chalybion |
ceruleum, a blue wasp, which in catching the spiders that form its prey, pretends to
be caught in their webs and easily captures them when they appear. These papers |
were discussed by Dr. Marx and Mr. Ashmead.

Mr. Townsend read a paper on sone interesting flies from Virginia, noticing and |
exhibiting specimens of: Holcocephala abdominalis, to Say’s description of which he
made some additions; four species of Trichopoda (T. radiata Loew, T.? hirtipes F., T.? |
ciliata F., and T. sp.), two of which have not been recorded for this locality; and |
Palloptera superba Loew, with some notes on its habits. |

Dr. Marx read by title a revision of Hentz’s Spiders of North America. The meet- |
ing then adjourned.

Wo. H. Fox, M. D.,
Recording Secretary.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. DECEMBER, 1889.
Brol:. LT, INio:. 6.

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,
AND EDITED BY THE ENTOMOLOGIST
AND HIS ASSISTANTS,

[PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. }

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1889.

CON TEN 2s.

SO ROUNG IN ONCE S aioe AS Sa aaa Senced Seed pas mae Bro souencanisDoSEsUOOCOD caoce<
THE SO-CALLED MEDITERRANEAN |‘LOUR-MOTH (illustrated) -.....---..----.-
enn OXON ARB (last r aed) ese ste ak vote a leet note tole a Palla leet tetera
ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC. EINTOMOLOGISTS 2.22225). 5 22-0 secce+ Joe eo
OFFICE AND LABORATORY ORGANIZATION ..---..----..---- Pat aS, Ay Horves==
DXTRACTS HROM- CORRESPONDENCE -2 2p eececlast amine anise ae ee eee
The Mediterranean Flour-moth.—Spider Bites : Two Ceylonese Cases.—Scent
in Dung-beetles.—Beetles from Stomach of a Chuck-wills-widow.—A
Harvest-mite destroying the Eggs of the Potato-beetle.—Supposed Injury
to Grass from Gastrophysa polygoni.—Damage to dead Trunks of Pine by
Rhagtum lineatum.—Some Vedalia Letters.—On Hamatobia serrata.
GENERAT NOTES. 320.52. one) os caine Sotse cine aes ares teint alee oye reale Shae ee repre eer
Oviposition of Tragidion fulvipenne.—Insects injuring the Tea-plant in Cey-
lon.—A New Way of using Carbon Bisulphide.—Range of Pyralis farinalis.
—Kind Words from abroad.—On some Gall-making Insects in New Zea-

192

land.—Vertebrate Enemies of the White Grub.—New Method of destroying _

Scale-insects.—Dr. Franz Low.—Eugéne Maillot.—Entomological Society
of Washington.
II

Vol. IL, No. 6.]

INSECT LIFE. _ [Decemper, 1889.

SPECIAL NOTES.

The Official Association of Economic Entomologists.—_ We devote consid-
erable space in this number to the official minutes of the first annual
meeting of this association, which was held November 12, 13, and 14
in this city, as announced in Vol. II, No.4. The meeting was very suc-
cessful, both in point of attendance and in the character of the discus-
sions and the papers read, and it was especially gratifying to have so
many who were not in attendance apply for active and associate mem-
bership. The general sentiment, as expressed in discussing such ques-
tions as that of co-operation, seemed to be that the association should
retain the broader character originally designed, which would include
in its membership others engaged or interested in economic entomol-
ogy who are not necessarily connected officially with agricultural col-
leges or experiment stations, though it is very evident that the more
active members will consist of those officially employed in one way or
another. In view of the simultaneous meeting in the same museum
building of the Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment
Stations, the question of how the entomological organization could best
co-operate with the other was one of the most interesting, and one
which it seemed at first difficult to solve. The fact that the Associa-
tion of Colleges and Experiment Stations decided to organize commit-
tees in different specialties—one being in entomology—to a certain ex-
tent limited the co-operation, and at the same time facilitated it, since
said committee, working with a similar committee from the entomolog-
ical association, will be able to perfect plans of co-operation and help
to carry them out. ‘

Studies in Embryology.—We have just received from the author a valu-
able contribution to our knowledge of the embryology of insects in a
paper by William M. Wheeler, curator of the public museum, Milwau-
kee, Wis., entitled “ The Embryology of Blatta germanica and Doryphora
decemlineata,” reprinted from the Journal of Morphology, Vol. Il, No. 2,
September, 1889.

163

164

After describing his method of work and the manner in which the
eggs and other material were prepared for study, the author discusses
the formation of the eggs in the ovaries; oviposition and the subse-
quent development of the embryo, including a discussion of the forma-
tion of germ layers and embryonic envelopes, together with a descrip-
tion of the external change in the embryo of Blatta and the subsequent
stages in the evolution of the embryo in Doryphora.

Yhe author concludes with a list of the authorities referred to in the
course of his work. The article covers 92 pages and is illustrated with
16 text figures and 7 large lithographic plates.

Willow and Poplar Insects.—In Bulletin No.9 of the Agricultural Ex-
periment Station of the University of Minnesota, the first portion of
which contains a consideration of Russian willows and poplars, we find
some sixteen pages by Prof. O. Lugger, treating of insects affecting
poplars and willows. He describes at some little length, with figures,
Cimbex americana, Nematus ventralis, Lina scripta, L. tremulae, L, lap-
ponica, Saperda calcarata, S. concolor, Vanessa antiopa, Hyphantria cunea,
Acronycta lepusculina, Platysamia cecropia, and Telea polyphemus. The
articles are brief and popular, and contain for the most part restatements
of well-known facts; but the author mentions that Cimbex americana is
attacked by a Tachinid fly in Minnesota. The work of the Poplar
Girdler (Saperda concolor) is for the first time illustrated, and a number of
different species of parasitic Ichneumonide are reported to have been
bred from it. Acronycta populi, Riley, is made a synonym of A. lepus-
culina, Guenée, following Grote; but this is an error, the latter species,
known to us, being different in both larva and imago, and occurring on
the Pacific coast.

Another Importation from Europe.—Proft. J. H. Comstock, in Bulletin No.
11 of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Cornell University, has
given in detail an account of the life-history of the well-known Euro-
pean Corn Saw-fly (Cephus pygmaeus), which, curiously enough, he finds
very abundantly in wheat on the university farm. This insect has not
previously been recorded in this country. Professor Comstock finds
that the adults emerge early in May, oviposit about the middle of the
month, and that in a very short time the larve work through nearly
the entire length of the straw, descending early in July to the root.
Here, after cutting the straw nearly through an inch above the ground,
they spin silken cocoons and remain dormant until early the following
spring, when they complete their transformations.

He finds that their presence in the stalk reduces the abundance of the
grain little, if any, and that the principal damage is the lodging of the
grain. He has found the species in wheat alone. He has seen para-

165

sites in two cases, but has not been able to secure good specimens. He
thinks that the insect is not confined to the vicinity of Ithaca, but that
it will be found elsewhere. Experiments made to ascertain the amount
of damage by weighing the grain from the infested and the non-infested
heads showed in every case a decided superior weight in favor of the
heads of the infested stalks. The explanation offered—undoubtedly the
correct one—is that oviposition takes place early and that only the
largest stalks are chosen.

Professor Smith’s Bulletin on the Horn Fly.—In bulletin No. 62 of the New
Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Prof. J. B. Smith summarizes
his observations on the Horn Fly (Hematobia serrata). We notice from
the date that the bulletin was submitted just about the time our article
on this insect in No. 4 of INsEcT LIFE appeared, and, as a result, neither
our observations nor our conclusions are referred to. Professor Smith
has also succeeded in tracing the life history. He secured eggs in con-
finement August 6, from which the imagos issued August 20 and 22.
The bulk of the bulletin is taken up with extracts from extensive cor-
respondence, and some fifteen pages more with descriptions of the dif-
ferent states and with anatomical details accompanied by figures. He
suggests the use of plaster instead of lime for the manure heap on
chemical grounds and for the preservation of the fertilizing qualities of
the manure. He further suggests that, by sending a boy through the
pasture with a shovel and with instructions to thoroughly spread all cow
droppings so that they may rapidly dry out, the larve and eggs will be
destroyed—a suggestion of value only in dry and sunny weather. He
erroneously supposes that the eggs are largely laid at night, while our
latest observations prove plainly that this is not the case, and this vi-
tiates the discussion of remedies as applied to the manure pit or the in-
terior of the stable wherever cattle are pastured during the day.

Entomology at the Paris ExpositionThe record of the fact that two
grand prizes for the United States were awarded at the Paris Exposition
(one to the Department of Agriculture and one to the Entomologist) in
class 76, which comprises useful and injurious insects, will not be out of
place in these pages. Only one other grand prize was awarded in this
class, and that was to Japan. This exceptional recognition of our ex-
hibit at Paris is, gela va sans dire, gratifying, but not more so than the
fact that the agricultural exhibit, included in fifteen classes, received
seven grand prizes, forty gold, sixty-eight silver, and fifty-four bronze
medals, and thirty-nine honorable mentions. This is a relatively larger
percentage of medals, than was awarded to the United States in the
other seventy-one classes, and a very much larger percentage of awards
in the agricultural groups, as compared with those obtained by the
United States, either at the Paris Exposition of 1867 or of 1878.

166

THE SO-CALLED MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH.

( Ephestia kiihniella Zeller.)

*

Fic. 28.—Ephestia kiihniella: a, larva; b, pupa; ¢, adult—enlarged; d, head and thoracic joints of
larva; ¢, abdominal joints of same—still more enlarged; f, moth from side, resting; g, front wing,
showing more important markings; h, venation of fore-wing; i, venation of hind-wing—somewhat
enlarged (a, b, c, and e, original; d, f, g, h, and zi, after Snellen).

This insect, which during the last few years has been doing so much
damage in mills in England, Belgium, and Germany, has during the
past summer appeared in destructive numbers on this continent. Dur-
ing August the attention of Mr. James Fletcher, Dominion entomologist
of Canada, was called to a serious outbreak of this pest in a Canadian
city,* which has recently been written up by Dr. P. H. Bryce, secretary
of the provincial board of health in Ontario, and issued in pamphlet
form in Bulletin No. 1 of this organization. We publish in thisnumber,
under the head of *“ Extracts from Correspondence” a letter from Mr.
Fletcher referring to this outbreak, which has suggested the desirabil-
ity of bringing together in condensed form a summary of the known
facts concerning this pest, and a few points suggested by our notes and
collections. <

It will be remembered that in INSEcT LIFE for March (Vol. I, p. 315)
we published a long letter from Miss Ormerod, in which she described
the damage done by this pest in England, and that in our reply (loc.
cit.) we stated that the species does not occur in the United States. In
the hurry of getting ready to leave for Paris we allowed this statement
to be made, notwithstanding the fact that we had had in the National
Museum collection for some time specimens of a moth indistinguishable
from this species from A. W. Latimer, of Eufaula, Ala. On referring to
our notes we find also that we had seen specimens from North Carolina
in the collection of M. Ragonot in Paris. These facts undoubtedly
prove the occurrence of the insect in North America for at least some
years back. Up to the present time the species seems to have been

* We omit the precise locality by request.

167

rare here, for every case of serious damage to grain by Lepidopterous
larve which has been carefully investigated has shown that the author
of the damage was either the Angoumois Moth (Gelechia cerealella), the
Grain Moth (Tinea granella) or Ephestea interpunctella (=zew Fitch), a
congeneric insect which was treated by Dr. Fitch under the common
name of the “ Indian-meal Moth.”

As will be seen by the following digest of recent European writings ~
en the subject, the insect is supposed to be of American origin, but ad-
mitting that it has been known for a few years in America, and that
during the summer of 1889 it made a destructive appearance in Canada,
the point as to its origin still remains obscure. It has, in fact, really
been known longer in Europe than in America, and the first speci-
mens from which Professor Zeller described the species were reared in
Germany. Itseems to be simply another instance of the extreme readi-
ness with which Europeans attribute all new pests to this country.

That the insect is with us now, however, in destructive numbers, and
that it is a pest of no small magnitude, cannot be doubted. The condition
of affairs in Canada, as stated by Mr. Fletcher in his letter, is by no
means exaggerated. Mr. Howard was in Canada the latter part of
August, and accompanied Mr. Fletcher on a tour of inspection to the
worst infested establishment, and the entire building was completely
overrun by these creatures. Hardly acrack or a nail hole was to be found

Fic. 29.—Ephestia kiihniella: a, cocoon from below, showing pupa through the thin silk attaching the
cocoon to a beam; b, same, from above—enlarged (original).

without the cocoons (Fig. 29), and every bit of flour or grain remaining
was spun together by their webs. The moths were still flying about in
numbers, although great efforts had already been made to destroy them.
The government of Ontario made strenuous efforts to stamp out the
pest, as can be seen from the bulletin already mentioned. The ma-
chinery was taken down and steamed, the walls were scraped down,

168

and the elevator spouts and loose wooden work, together with pipes,
bags, and quantities of stock were burned up; belts, cups, and cloth
bags were boiled and the whole place was subjected to sulphur fumes.
Every inch of space about the machinery was subjected to the flame of
a kerosene torch. For a long time before this energetic treatment was
commenced (for the pest was noticed as early as March) the moths were
flying freely about the building and hundreds must have escaped
through the open windows to enter other mills and feed-stores, and by
depositing their eggs commenced the ruin of other millers and dealers.

The insect in question appears to have been first brought to the at-
tention of an entomologist in 1877, when the moths and larve were
sent to Prof. P. C. Zeller from a flour mill in Halle a.S. Professor
Zeller described the species in the Stettiner Entomoiogische Zeitung for
1879, pp. 466-471, naming it after the gentleman who sent him the first
specimen, Kiihn, and stated that in the mill in which they appeared
American wheat is much used. The flour is spun up by the larve into
a kind of felt, and in this felt they dwell in silken tubes. The moth ap-
pears in the greatest numbers in May and June, and a second genera-
tion appears in August. Professor Zeller had never seen it before in
any collection of European or exotic insects, but did not hesitate to
state that it came, in all probability, from North America; why, nobody
knows. P.C.T. Snellen, in the Tijdschrift voor Entomologie for 1881,
pp. XX to XXII of the proceedings, has mentioned Zeller’s paper.

In 1883, Professor Zeller wrote to us, under date of February 20, as
follows:

I send herewith Ephestia kiihnielia in order to ascertain positively whether it is really
of North American origin. This predaceous domestic insect, the natural history of
which is described in the Stettiner Zeitung, appears to have died out here at Griin-
HO eta ncce .

Preudhomme de Borre, in the Comptes Rendus de la Société Entomolo-
gique de Belgique, July 5, 1884, gave an account of the injury done hy
this insect in a noodle factory in Belgium, where the insect was sup-
posed to have been introduced with American corn. Various plans for
disinfecting the mill proved useless, the only effective remedy being a
thorough cleaning.

Dr. F. Karsch in the Entomologische Nachrichten for May, 1884, under
the caption ‘* Ephestia kiihniella, Zeller, Hine Nord Amerikanische Phy-
cide am Rhein,” records the appearance of this moth at several places
along the Lower Rhine. The specimens bred by him have fore-wings
of a glossy lead gray, whereas in the typical specimens raised by Zeller
the ground color is pure yellow or nearly brownish. He refers them
unquestionably, however, toone species. He had looked in vain through
American literature for an account of this moth. Fitch’s Tinea zee is
the only one that approaches it, but his description does not agree with
kiihniella. Dr. Karsch, nevertheless, thought zee might prove to be a
variety of kiihniella. In the same month (May, 1884) M. Maurice Girard,
(Bulletin des Séances de la Socicté Entomologique de France, pp. UX XIII,

169

. LXXIV) read a note on the ravages of this moth which had appeared in

enormous numbers in a flour mill at Lodelinsarte, Belgium. He added
a short description of the moth and larva. M. E. Ragonot stated in the
discussion of this note of M. Girard that the insect had been first noticed
in Europe in 1879 by Zeller, and was supposed to have been imported
with American flour. Ragonot himself had specimens coming from
North Carolina, Mexico, and Chili.

In an editorial note in the Entomologische Nachrichten for 1885, pp.
46,47, mention is made of reports of the appearance of this insect in
mills near Bremworde. The insect multiplies with incredible rapidity.
The application of bisulphide of carbon and the burning of sulphur were
useless. All that could be done was to stop the mill and thoroughly
clean out the pipes and screens. It is positively asserted in this note
that in this locality it had been ascertained that the insect was intro-
duced with American wheat. In another editorial note in the same
periodical for the same year (pp. 239, 240) a review is given of a com-
munication by Prof. H. Landois to the Braunschweiger Tageblatt, in which
it is stated that this pest is by far the most annoying and dangerous
of all the insects affecting wheat or flour. Moving and airing the wheat
is said to have no effect against this species, which is fond of a draft.
Countless numbers of webs were found in a pipe through which the
flour was lifted by air pressure. For many days they were forced to
shut down in order to clean the pipes and screens. The larve prefer-
ably gnawed the fine miller’s gauze. An anatomical examination
showed the number of eggs in a single female to be 678.

Prof. P. C. T. Snellen in the Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, Vol. 28, 1885,
pp. 237-251, gives quite an extended article on this insect, which is illus-
trated with Plate 8, in all the different stages and in colors. The figures
were drawn by Prof. Dr. J. Van Leeuwen, jr. The author states that
the main object of his article is to introduce the illustration, as it is
made up chiefly of asummary of Zeller’s article already referred to. He
makes some remarks on the color of the larve in correction of Zeller,
gives ashort account of the mode of pupation, and a careful description
of the pupa. The bulk of the article, however, is taken up with a com-
parison of kiihniella with other European species of Ephestia.

There follow now five articles published in English periodicals, two
by W. Thompson, one by J. W. Tutt, one by Charles G. Barrett, and
one by Sidney Klein. Mr. Thompson, on pages 66 and 139 of The En-
tomologist, Vol. 20, 1887, records the breeding, during November and
December, of specimens of this inseet found feeding on rice-cones. Mr.
Tutt, on page 212 (loc. cit.), records the breeding of larvze found feeding
on flour in a cargo at the London docks, giving a short account of the
feeding habits. Mr. Barrett, on pp. 255-256 of The Entomologist’s
Monthly Magazine, Vol. 23, April, 1887, summarizes Zeller’s observations,
and refers to Mr. Thompson’s experience. Mr. Klein’s article is pub-
lished in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1887,

170

monthly proceedings, pp. LIL to LIV. His observations were made
from May to September, 1887, on an immense colony of larvey which
had over-run some large warehouses in the east end of London, Fumi-
gating with sulphur and hot-liming the floors, ceilings, and walls for
several days did not prevent their spread. The flour was mingled
with silk threads so as to be useless. The eggs appeared to be laid on
top of the sacks, and hatched within a few days. The larve burrowed
through the sacking, spinning long galleries through the flour, gener-
ally not penetrating to a greater depth than three inches. When full
srown they leave the flour, crawl to the floor and up the wall, and spin
their compact cocoons at the angle of the wall with the roof. They are
difficult to keep in breeding cages on account of this migratory habit
when full grown, and because they escape through the smallest orifices.

Chickens were introduced into the warehouse and gorged themselves

with the larve. A small ichneumon fly destroyed the pest by September.

The principal English article, however, is by Miss Ormerod. In her
twelfth report, for 1889, she reviews the previous accounts of the pest in
England and refers to a new case in the north of England, where they
made their appearance in 1888. The larvee entered the spouts and ma-
chinery, destroying the silks, and stopped the flow of flour through the
spouts by their webs. Remedies were tried as follows: The mill was
stopped for a week, the machinery was thoroughly cleaned, hot steam
was run into the machines and all through the mill. The walls and
floors were whitewashed with freshly slacked lime and paraffine (the
English term for what we call kerosene in this country), and all moths
that were seen were captured and killed. This hervic treatment failed
to destroy the pest. It was supposed that this north of England case
was due to the importation of eggs and young larve in returned empty
sacks from London. Miss Ormerod thinks that the insect came to
England from Europe or the East rather than from America, although
the sole reason which she gives for this supposition is the fact that the
name of the moth does not occur in Grote’s check list of the moths of
North America in 1882.

Dr. Bryce’s bulletin, elsewhere referred to, and quoted by Mr.
Fietcher, we will not mention in detail. It is prepared with care, but
the figures could not well be poorer or more characterless.

Our own studies of kiihniella have beeu made upon material brought
us by Professor Panton, of the Guelph Agricultural College, last sum-
mer; Others in the National Museum collection, which contains the
rubbed specimen from Eufala, Ala., five from Europe from M. Ragonot,
and others received from Zeller in 1883.

Ephestia interpunctella we have bred upon a number of occasions. We
first raised it upon wheat at St. Louis, in October, 1870. Larve have
been sent to us from a meal-sack at Boylston, Mass.; we have reared
it from corn from Guatemala; larvee and moths were received from a
firm of manufacturing chemists from Detroit, Mich., who had found

Ta

them crawling about over sacks containing roots of dandelion—moths,
in fact, being found in the bags; we found numerous larve infesting
wheat in the Atlanta Exposition building in 1884; large numbers of
larvze were also found in a jar containing Chickasaw plums at the
same exposition; larvee were received from Ripley, Miss., on two occa:
sions in 1885, some of which were said to have been found feeding on
sugar in barrels; one specimen was bred from dry Opuntia from Texas;
larve were received from Detroit, found among old books; larve
of all sizes were found infesting Pecan nuts in St. Louis, in September,
18/2; moths were bred by Dr. A. W. Hofmeister in Iowa from Cinna-
mon bark; moths were bred from English walnuts in St. Louis in 1876, »
and the species in all states was found
abundantly in a wheat warehouse in Alex-
andria, Va., in 1883. Moreover, in 1873, at
St. Louis, one of these moths was bred
from old woolen stuff in company with
Tineola biselliella, but there is some doubt
connected with this case.

We have figured the states of interpunc-
tella (Fig. 30) in comparison with those of
kiithniella (Fig. 28), in order that both may
be readily recognized. The early stateS jy. 30.—xphestia interpunctella: a,
are quite similar in appearance, but the larva; 6, pupa; ¢, adult—enlarged;
larve may be distinguished by the follow- ani eae een aes
ing characters:

The Jarvee of kiihniella are more slender and of a more uniform dian-
eter than those of the other species. The abdominal legs are longer,
cylindrical, with a circular fringe of hooklets at the crown. In inter-
punctella the legs are short, conical, with the fringe of hooklets at the
crown oval. All piliferous warts in kiihniella, most of which are rather
minute, are still rather prominent, readily observed, and of a black or
brown color. Those most conspicuous are the lateral ones, in front of
the first spiracle; the subdorsal one, each side of the meso-thorax,
almost completely encircled by a narrow black ring interrupted only at
its upper margin (Fig. 28d). In interpunctella all the warts, while pres-
ent, are concolorous with the rest of the body, and can be distin-
guished only with great difficulty. The surface of the body of kithniella
is almost perfectly smooth, while that of interpunctella is somewhat
granulate.

172

THE OX WARBLE.

(Hypoderma bovis De Geer.)

With each of the recent, and withal valuable, articles in the Farmers’
Review* relating to the above-named insect, appeared the running head-
line, ‘The First Investigation of the Subject in this Country, ” and this
rather boastful announcement was coupled with certain reflections on
the study of this insect by entomologists of this country, which were
scarcely justified and added nothing to the otherwise excellent results
obtained. While it is true that no careful estimate of the amount of
damage occasioned by the fly in this country had been previously
made, and the data relating to this phase of the subject is the most val-
uable outcome of the work of the journal referred to, it is also equally
true that the life-history and habits of the fly, and the means against it
which the Farmers’ Review recommends to its readers as of most value,
have been frequently given in various agricultural and scientific jour-
nals of this country.

Indeed, the chief characteristics and habits of this common cattle pest,
which occurs all over the civilized world, have been known, together
with some of the means now recognized as of the most avail against it,
from the earliest times. Oneof the best accounts appeared nearly one
hundred years ago in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London,
1796, Vol. III, page, 289 in a paper read by Mr. Bracy Clark, entitled
“Observations on the Genus Wstrus,” in which the habits and means
against the Ox Bot were detailed practically as they are known to-day.
Vallisnieri, Réaumur, Geoffroy, De Geer prior to Clark, and Fallen,
Joly, Brauer and Schiner subsequently, have each published careful
observations.

This insect has not attracted so much attention in the United States
as in England, especially since Miss Ormerod began to investigate and
publish upon the subject. Nor is its work so important with us as it is
in England, on account of the relatively higher price of cattle and hides
there. Yet in our scrap books we have a considerable number of arti-
cles clipped from American journals during the past twenty years, and
in January, 1877, we published in the Scientific American an article on
Bots which was quite widely quoted, and which, while dealing with bots
in general, gave briefly the habits, ravages, and means against H. bovis.

We may here reproduce that article as far as it refers to the insect
under discussion, and add such further details as may be necessary to
a full understanding of the subject:

* * * Almost all cloven-footed animals, and many other herbivorous species, are

infested with bots. These are legless grubs which fall into three categories: (1) Gas-
tric, or those which areswallowed by the animal infested, and which live in the stomach
ina “bath of chyle.” (2) Cephalic, or those which crawl up the nostrilsand inhabit
the frontal sinuses. (3) Cutaneous, or those which dwell in tumors just beneath

*See INsecT LiFE, Vol. II, No. 5 (Nov., 1889) pp. 156-158.

173

the skin. They are all the larve or early states of two-winged flies (Diptera) belong-
ing to the family Gstridw, characterized by having the mouth parts entirely obsolete,
and popularly called gad-tlies or bot-flies. * * * In the third kind, the parent
lays the egg on those parts of the body which can not well be reached by the mouth
of the animal attacked, and the young grub, which soon hatches, burrows in the
flesh, and subsists upon pus and the diseased matter which results from the wound
inflicted, and the irritation is constantly kept up. The well-known wormal or ox
bot (Hypoderma bovis), sc common along the backs of our cattle, and especially of
yearlings and two-year-olds, and dreaded as much by the tanner as by the animal in-
fested, is typical of this kind. Residing ina fixed spot, we no longer find in this
species the strong hooks at the head, and the spines around the body are sparse and
very minute, while the parts of the mouth are soft and fleshy.

- All bot-larve breathe principally through two spiracles placed at the blunt and
squarely-docked end of the body, and in the ox bot these are very large, and com-
pletely fill up the hole to the tumor in which the animal dwells. When ready to
transform, it backs out of its residence, drops, and burrows into the ground, and
there, like the other species, contracts and undergoes its final change tothe fly. The.
eggs of this ox bot are elliptic-ovoid, slightly compressed, and have at the base a
five-ribbed cap on a stout stalk with which to strongly attach them to the skin of the
animal. (See Fig, 33a.)

The perfect insect (see Fig. 31) is something over one-half inch in
length, black, banded with yellow, as in-
dicated in the figure, and is not unlike
a bee in appearance. The flies issue
during the entire summer, but are par-

ticularly abundant during the months
of Julyand August. Theindividual life
of each fly is, however, comparatively
brief, not exceeding a month. The time
between the deposition of the egg and
its hatching has not been definitely
observed, but, from what is known of 7
other species of the family, will be Fic. 31.—Hypoderma bovis—enlarged
found to last but a few days. Dur- ee eis
ing the fall and winter months the young larvee develop very slowly ;
but in spring and early summer growth is much more rapid and the
characteristic hard swellings with central opening, now large and prom-
inent, exuding a yellowish matter, may easily be discovered. Fig. 335
represents the full-grown larva, together with the fig-
ures of the anal breathing pores, all enlarged. (The
lines at the side of the larva, puparium, and egg indi-
cate their natural size.)
am On escaping from the back of the animal the larva,
Fie. 2.—Hypoderma which in the earlier stages is yellowish white, is of a
bovis; head of female
fly from thefront—en- gray color, which rapidly darkens until in the con-
larged (after Brauer). tracted puparium the color becomes very dark brown,
almost black. The pupa state lasts about thirty days, the time depend-
ing somewhat upon the weather, and the perfect insect escapes by forcing
open a peculiar subtriangular lid at the anterior extremity of the pupa-

174

rium, a figure of which showing the lid detached we ror from
Clark’s earliest paper (see Fig. 34). )

The facts in the life-history above given are for the most part well
understood, and there has been little difference of opinion among au-
thorities except as relating to the exact manner of the deposition of
the egg. Those who believe that the eggs are thrust into or beneath the
skin express a belief admittedly not based upon observation, and con-
trary to all analogy. That there should be differences of opinion upon
a question where observation is so difficult is, perhaps, not to be won-
dered at. It is extremely difficult to follow the movements of the
parent fly on an animal rendered restless or frantic by her presence or
her attacks, and it is further quite difficult to discover a single egg con-
cealed by the hair of the animal’s back. The manner of placing the egg
given by us in the article quoted above is based on experience with war-
bled cattle in [linois from 1860~63, when we were interested directly in
stock raising, had charge of some three hundred head of cattle, and had
frequent opportunity to examine and study the grubs im situ and the
habits of the perfect insect.

Fic. 33.—Aypoderma bovis ah egg; Db, ikea ioe ventral view; ¢c, puparium, ventral view; d,
newly hatched larva, side view; e, anal stigmata of larva—all enlarged (after Brauer).

It is a long time ago and we made no definite notes at the time, but we
believe that we can trust our recollection. Analogy, unity of habit in the
family, and structure all confirm it and are against the belief in insertion.

A careful study of the structure of the egg (Fig. 33 a), which we have
seen in this and in a very closely allied species,
the so-called Heel-fly (Hypoderma lineata), as
well as the descriptions and figures by other
authors, show that the grooved and slightly
A eiesied enlargement of the end which is
attached is admirably adapted for being

ean ket Selly acon ti strongly fastened to the skin and to the base
puparium, from side; b, same, Of the hairs, and all observations that have
from below, showing exit hole been recorded point to the fact that the young

of aitult; ce, cap which splits off 5 5
larva works its way directly from the egg under

to allow the adult to issue—nat-
ural size (after Clark). the skin, as is the case with other parasitic

175

Diptera. The structure of the ovipositor clearly excludes the possi-
bility of puncture, for, though horny, it has a blunt trifid tip, and is
beset at the end with certain minute hairs, and structure of this char-
acter is a very safe guide to habit. Figure 35 is drawn so as to show
the telescopic and extensile nature of this organ.

The excitement, amounting often to frenzy, which has been noticed
in cattle when the bot-flies are ovipositing, and which has probably led
to the idea of stinging, results from the instinctive dread of the fly
rather than from any real pain, though no doubt the secretion which so
firmly fastens the eggs is accompanied by an irritating sensation. This
will account for most of the supposed cases of stinging, including the
case of the man-infesting bots. (Vide INSECT LiFk, Vol. 1, pp. 76 and
226.) In the case of the horse Bot-fly or the sheep Bot-fly, where it is
well known that the eggs are not inserted, the animals exhibit a similar
dread and nervousness. The fact that the egg has been observed partly ©
extruded from the tly about to oviposit also bears on this point.

Mr. Bracy Clark, in “ An Appendix or Supplement to a Treatise on
the @stri and Cuterebree of Various Animals”* (Transactions Linnean
Society, London, 1843, Vol. X1x, pp. 81-94), which treatise was but an
elaboration of the paper already mentioned by us, after describing the
peculiar noise of the parent fly which is apparently so frightful to cat-
tle, says:

We may also further observe that there can not be any very painful affliction, as
the fly has really no instrument fitted for such a purpose, the feminine ovipositor be-
ing a mere tube, made of flexible materials, piece inserted in piece, exactly asin the
common telescope. However, it is possible on reaching the skin or cuticle of the
beast, which is always highly sensitive in these hairy animals, that it might produce
a degree of uneasy tickling, which, added to the noise, and perhaps an instinctive

fear, always impressed upon them, is altogether sufficient for the extraordinary alarm
we see.

F. Brauer, in his Monographie der CMstriden
(1863), while stating that the manner of placing
the egg is still obscure, does not think that the
egg is inserted into the hide. He has found also
what he supposed to be the newly hatched larva
in the first layers of the skin near the exterior
surface.

Miss Ormerod was at first strongly inclined to
believe that the eggs are deposited below the
skin, but in her latest pamphlet on the subject
she says that the egg is probably deposited on
the surface, and that the newly hatched maggot
makes its way through the skin by means of the Fic. 35.—_Hypoderma bovis,
sharp, cutting hooks clothing its body surface, ovipositor of female: @,

: - from side; b, tip, from be-
In support of this she Says: low—enlarged (original).

*An essay on the Bots of horses and other animals, London, 1815.

176

That the jagged-sided channel (not smooth-sided as it would be if pierced by an
egg-laying tube) leads ina slanting or straight or curved direction from a little open-
ingat the bottom; * * * also I have found the tunnel partly cut down from the
outside, and I have found a small, soft body in it.

The injury occasioned by the presence of these grubs to hides and
the diminished quantity and inferior quality of the beef and dairy prod-
ucts were perhaps sufficiently indicated in our notes on this subject in
the last number of INSECT LIFE.

The value of the application of various oils both to prevent the ovi-
position of the fly, and especially to destroy the larve, has been long
known; and, aside from the discovery that certain substances are more
effective than others, little has been added to our knowledge of reme-
dies of late years. Clark, in the articles already cited, fully indicates
the good of such applications, and states that Pliny, who was acquainted
with these flies, ‘‘ has recommended for protecting animals from their
attucks to annoint them with fats and oils.”

In our article, which we have already quoted at length, the use of
kerosene was particularly recommended to destroy the larve, as well
as to deter the fly from ovipositing. In the discussion of remedies by
Miss Ormerod, in her various reports, a number of strong-smelling oils
are recommended, with which to smear the animals’ backs to protect
them from the fly. Of these, train-oil or fish-oil—the same that has
proved of advantage against the Buffalo Gnat in the South and recently
against the Horn Flyin Virginiaand Maryland—has been especially rec-
ommended. A similar application is the simplest and easiest method
of destroying the warbles, which it does by closing the breathing pores
on the posterior end of the body. The destruction of the larve in this
way may be effected by one or two applications in autumn, and is the
most satisfactory method of controlling this pest. The appearance of
the flies during the entire summer renders operations against these dif-
ficult and expensive. .

Additional means of protection against the flies are: the use of kero-
sene emulsion, rancid butter or tar-oil mixed with sulphur, or dry sul-
phur alone; against the grubs, any of the oily preparations mentioned
above, and in addition, the placing of a small quantity of mercurial
ointment on the hole in the skin, or of spirits of tar, or carbolie acid ;
finally, piercing the grub with some sharp instrument or removing it
by pressure. *

This condensed account of what is known of the habits of this Bot
Fly is given partly in compliance with an earnest request from Mr.
Alexander, of the Farmers’ Review, that we take up the question, and
partly with a view of showing how little there is to be done by the
Department of Agriculture except by extending the inquiry in sta-
tistical lines somewhat similar to those followed by him. Even admit-
ting that some more careful observations might be made bearing on
the actual mode of oviposition and duration of the egg state, these are
points of biologic interest rather than of economic importance.

iL CEE

The point, therefore, to be considered is whether the question of
fuller statistical information as to damage done is sufficient to justify
national investigation. This can best be answered by stock-raisers
and breeders themselves, and where they themselves have not sought
or urged such an investigation we should hardly feel justified in spend-
ing time and means therefor, considering the large amount of work on
hand for which there is pressing demand.

Being thoroughly familiar with the stock interests of the country, we
know how difficult it is to get farmers to care for their stock so far as
this warble is concerned, and we are satisfied that where self-interest
does not dictate better attention, we can do little more than point out
the means of avoiding injury and the desirability of so doing.

ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS.

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.

NOVEMBER 12, 1889.

The second meeting of the Association of Official Economic Entomologists was
opened by a session held at 11 o’clock in the rooms of the Department of Insects at
the U. S. National Museum, the president, C. V. Riley, occupying the chair. The
following members were present: C. V. Riley, Washington; 8. A. Forbes, Illinois;
A. J. Cook, Michigan; J. A. Lintner, New York; Lawrence Bruner, Nebraska; Will-
iam Saunders, Ottawa; J. P. Campbell, Georgia; C. P. Gillette, lowa; R. Thaxter,
Connecticut; H. Garman, Kentucky; W. B. Alwood, Virginia; Otto Lugger, Min-
nesota; M. H. Beckwith, Delaware; W. H. Ashmead, E. A. Schwarz, Th. Pergande,
M. L. Linell, C. L. Marlatt, Tyler Townsen!, and L. O. Howard, Washington.

In the absence of the secretary, Mr. J. B. Smith, Mr. L. O. Howard was nominated
and elected secretary pro tem. '

The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and, with a single exception, ap-
proved. Mr. Howard, as a member of the committee on by-laws, read the report of
his committee. The report was accepted, and the by-laws read by paragraphs,
amended, and adopted, as follows, with the exception of section 2, of Article III, which
was laid upon the table for future action:

BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE I.—Of Members.

SEcTION 1. The classes of members are defined in the constitution, as are their
rights to vote or hold office. Members of all kinds have equal privileges as to presenta-
tion of papers and in the scientific discussions at the regular meetings, and may, by per-
mission of the presiding officer, speak on business questions before the association.

SECTION 2. All members have equal rights to the published proceedings of the asso-
ciation and to any publications controlled by or distributed by the association, save
that should any publications of economic interest be distributed by the association,
the distribution lists furnished by the active members are first to be regarded.

11540—No. 5——2

178

ARTICLE II.—Of Officers and their Duties.

SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the president, in addition to the ordinary duties
of a presiding officer, to prepare and deliver an annual address, to be delivered at the
annual meeting over which he presides.

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the secretary to provide the necessary stationery
and such books as he may be directed to provide, the expenses for which shall be met
by an assessment of not less than 25 cents on the members in attendance at the meet-
ings. The sum so collected shall be used by the secretary to re-imburse himself for
advances made and to meet the ordinary expenses of the association. An account
shall be rendered at each annual meeting, and if needed, an additional assessment
shall be imposed.

Src. 3. All officers shall be elected by ballot after open nomination, and this by-law
shall not be suspended except by unanimous consent of the voting members present.

AnrTICLE III.—Of Meetings.

SECTION 1. Notice of the time and place of meetings shall be published in all the
American entomological periodicals and in INSECT LIFE.

Src. 2. Special meetings shall be called as provided for in the constitution, and
notice of such meetings shall be given by the secretary by mailing to each voting
member a formal specification of the time and place of meeting at least two weeks
before the date fixed in the notice. The notice shall state the reason for such meet-
ing, and shall specify the business to be transacted,and no other business shall be
transacted.

Src. 3. The order of business at regular meetings shall be, at the first session:

(1) Calling the meeting to order by the president.
(2) The annual address by the president.
(3) Reports of officers.
(4) Reports of committees.
(5) Proposal and election of members.
(6) Written business communications.
(7) Verbal business communications.
(8) New business.
(9) Programme of papers and discussions.
(10) Adjournment. ;

On the following sessions:

(1) Reading and action on the minutes of previous meetings.
(2) Unfinished business.

(3) Proposal and election of members.

(4) New business.

(5) Programme of papers and discussions.

(6) Adjournment.

At the last session of the meeting the order of business shall be as at other sessions

except that after order 5 will come:
(6) Election of officers for the next meeting.
(7) Fixing time and place of next meeting.
(8) Reading and action on rough minutes of the entire session.
: (9) Final adjournment.

ARTICLE IV.—Amendments to By-laws,

SECTION 1. Changes in these by-laws may be made at any regular meeting in the
same manner and on the same notice as prescribed in the constitution for amend-
ments to that instrument.

The association then adjourned until 1.30 p. m.

EA

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The meeting was called io order at 1.50. The following names were added to the
list of active members: C. L. Marlatt and Tyler Townsend, of Washington, D. W.
Coquillett, California; E. A. Popenoe, Kansas; J. M. Stedman, New York; C. H. Fer-
nald, Massachusetts. The application of A. 8. Packard of Rhode Island was referred
to a committee consisting of the president and the secretary, with power to act after
itshall have been ascertained whether Dr. Packard at present teaches economic en-
tomology.

The following were elected associate members of the association: F. W. Goding,
Illinois; T. D. A. Cockerell, Colorado; George D. Hulst, New York.

Arthur E. Shipley of Cambridge, England, was elected a foreign member.

The secretary was instructed in the case of the applications of F. H. Chittenden, of
New York, C. L. Eakin, of West Virginia, and George F. Whittemore, of Massachusetts,
to inform the applicants that according to the present information of the association
they are not entitled to associate membership.

Upon the nomination of Mr. Cook, Mr. F. H. Hillman, of Nevada, and upon the
nomination of Mr. Forbes, Mr. John Marten, of Illinois, were placed on the rolls as
active members. Upon motion, a committee of three upon programme was provided
for, the president appointing Messrs. Howard, Cook, and Lugger.

The secretary, on behalf of the Entomological Society of Washington, invited the
visiting entomologists to attend a meeting Tuesday evening at the residence of Dr.
William H. Fox, 1826 Jefferson Place. .

Mr. H. Garman read two papers entitled: (1) ‘‘ Notes on a Corn Root-worm in
Kentucky ;” (2) ‘‘ The Bordeaux Mixture asan Insecticide.” The writer had discov-
ered that the Corn Root-worm of Kentucky is not Diabrotica longicornis, but D. 12-
punctata. He has studied its life history at some length and has discovered that it is

| double brooded in Kentucky, and surmises that it hibernates as an adult. It affects
moist lands much more severely than dry lands, and the previous crop seems to have
little relation with the amount of damage, which is contrary to the state of affairs in
Illinois with D. longicornis. Its work is like that of the allied species, and many fields
were found to be severely injured. He described briefly the different stages of the
' two species and suggested remedies.
In his second communication he described the effect which treating potatoes with
' the Bordeaux mixture had upon the Flea Beetle and upon the Margined Blister-beetle.
His experiments showed that potatoes treated with it were damaged much less by
both species than were portions of the crop which were untreated.

In discussing these papers Mr. Riley stated that the transformations of D. 12-punctata
and its corn-root feeding habits had been known to him for some years, the species
being included among the divisional notes at the Department. Mr. Forbes had ex-
perienced the same thing in Illinois and stated that in small fields the yield had been
reduced 20 per cent. He also had found only one brood in Illinois. He stated the
curious fact that occasionally larvee were found of a red color, in which micro-
scopic examination revealed a Bacillus, which he had succeeded in cultivating and is

| now growing in culture tubes. The culture medium is stained red, and this is due to
a diffusion of color and not to penetration of the Bacillus. Mr. Riley stated that
the adults of Diabrotica unquestionably hibernate. Mr. Pergande stated that he had
| found D. 12-punctata in the neighborhood of Mount Vernon some years since, feeding
| very abundantly upon the roots of corn.

| Mr. Lintner, in discussing Mr. Garman’s second paper, called attention to the dis-
tinction between ‘‘insecticide” and ‘‘ preventive measures,” and hardly thought that
| Mr. Garman could call the Bordeaux mixture an insecticide in the case he had men-
| tioned.

| Mr. Garman stated that he considered Mr. Lintner’s point well taken, and that
he was really not certain that the insecticide effect of the mixture was as great as its
| preventive effect. He had proved, however, upon a small scale in confinement that

180

it had an undoubted insecticide effect upon the Colorado Potato-beetle. Mr. Riley
stated that recently in France he had seen the Bordeaux mixture used upon a large
scale, and that its effect could be distinguished at a distance, as it gave the vines a
bluish or glaucous appearance. He stated also that it had been found in France that
many insects are destroyed by this mixture. He stated that the discovery of the use
of the Bordeaux mixture was an excellent illustration of accidental discovery, since,
long before the appearance in France of the Peronaspora viticola, vine-growers in the
neighborhood of Bordeaux had used the mixture on the outer rows to deter thieves,
and when the disease appeared it was found that the vines thus treated were not
affected. He stated that were he a vine-grower he should certainly mix some other
insecticide with the mixture, in order to more surely accomplish two results at once.

The meeting then adjourned until 11 o’clock Wednesday morning.

NOVEMBER 13, 1889.

The association met at 11 a: m., President Riley in the chair. The minutes of the
previous day were read and approved.

By a special motion it was resolved to omit all personal titles in the minutes.

Under the head of ‘‘new business” it was moved and carried, in obedience to a
suggestion that such action was desired, that the association co-operate with the
Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations in so far as to meet
with them at 4 o'clock and to report progress.

S. A. Forbes then read a paper entitled ‘‘ Office and Laboratory Organization.”
Premising that every laboratory should start with a well-considered and elastic
scheme, he described at some length the circumstances of his own work, and hisown
plan of organization.* In discussing this paper Mr. Riley dwelt upon the subject of
simplicity in methods and described the system which he had introduced into the
Division of Entomology and the Department of Insects of the National Museum. He
believed that, in the case of rapidly accumulating material sent in from all parts of
the country, to keep such a record of all accessions and a system of cross-references as
described by Mr. Forbes would involve an amount of clerical work hardly justified by
the results, and described his methods, particularly in regard to the revording of
biologic material.

Parallel with Mr. Forbes’ paper, he discussed methods of keeping and cataloguing |

letters, newspaper clippings, and books.

The topic was then announced for discussion, ‘* Where shall we publish descrip- |
tions of new species and results of non-economic observations?” Mr. Lugger stated |

that at his station he found it impossible to publish anything in the bulletins which

was not of self-evident practical importance, and that he was accumulating a great |

deal of valuable information which thus could not see light.

Mr. Bruner stated that a different condition existed at his station, and that he was
obliged to publish such observations and even descriptions of new species, but to in-
sert them as foot-notes.

Mr. Riley read a letter from Mr. C. H. Fernald, of Amherst, objecting strongly to

the publication of descriptions of new species in bulletins. Mr. Gillette stated that |
he was obliged to publish descriptions of new species in the bulletins of his station, |

his director insisting that the results of all the original work done at the station

should first see light in its bulletins. Mr. Cook expressed agreement with Mr. Fer- |

nald’s letter and offered the following resolution :

“* Resolved, That it is the opinion of this association that the bulletins of the Exper- |

iment Stations and Agricultural Colleges should not contain descriptions of new spe-
cies.”

The resolution was unanimously adopted.

Mr. Forbes moved that the secretary represent the association at the 2 o’clock meet-

* This paper appears in full in this number, p- 185.

181

ing of the Experiment Station section and convey the resolution of this association
to meet with them at 4. Carried. The association then adjourned until 2.30.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The meeting was called to order at 2.50.

Mr. Cook offered the following resolution :

“* Resolved, That a committee be appointed to act in connection with the Associa-
tion of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations.”

After some Giscussion the resolution was adopted.

Mr. Howard moved that a committee of three, with the president as chairman,
should be appointed to report to the section of Experiment Stations at 4, and also to
attend the discussion of amendments to the constitution of the general association in
order to explain the status of the Association of Official Kconomic Entomologists.

The topic, ‘‘ How far shall we recommend patent insecticides and machinery,” was
announced for discussion. Messrs. Cook, Lugger, Bruner, Forbes, Riley, and Lintner’
discussed this topic at some length, the joint opinion being embodied in the follow-
ing resolution, which was offered by Mr. Cook and adopted by the association:

“ Resolved, That in our opinion we, as officers of the Experiment Stations, should be
slow to recommend even by mention any patent insecticide until by analysis and test
we find it worthy of recommendation.”

The general opinion seemed to be that in case a patent insecticide proved to be
thoroughly efficacious and sufficiently cheap there should be no hesitation in recom-
mending it.

Mr. Gillette read a paper entitled ‘‘Spraying Points,” in which he gave certain
conclusions which he seemed to have reached by recent experiment. He stated that
white arsenic freshly mixed with cold water did less damage to foliage than Paris
green, while London purple brought about greater damage than Paris green. Ar-
senic, however, prepared by boiling, produced a more injurious effect than either of the
other substances, which would indicate that it is the arsenic in solution that is to be
feared.

Mr. Marlatt called attention to the fact that the different sides of the same tree,
according to sun exposure, and difference in the ages of trees, tend to produce different
results from spraying. The matter was discussed at some length by Messrs. Riley,
Lintner, Cook, and Gillette.

Mr. Gillette read a paper entitled ‘‘ Codling Moth Experiments,” in which he gave
the results reached at the Iowa Experiment Station the past season by using a dry ap-
plication of Paris green in plaster, in the proportion of 1 of the poison to 1U0 of the
_ plaster; an application of carbolized plaster prepared by thoroughly mixing 1 pint
of the crude acid in 100 pounds of plaster, and an application of London purple in
water in the proportion of 1 pound of the poison to 128 gallons of water. By esti-
mating the protection in the usual manner it was found that the Paris green and
plaster application saved 94 per cent., the carbolized plaster 34 per cent., and the
London purple 68 per cent. of the fruit that would have been wormy in the absence or
any treatment.

Mr. Gillette then called attention to the fact that nothing like correct results could
be expected by figuring out the protection in the ordinary manner except in northern
latitudes where the insect is single brooded. The results obtained would be too small.
In order to get accurate results the two broods must be kept separate, otherwise the
results will be greatly vitiated by the great number of eggs that will be laid upon
the sprayed trees by moths flying in from the checks and also by the smaller number
of eggs that will be laid on the checks because of the great number of larve of the
first brood @estroyed upon the treated trees in their vicinity.*

*This paper will appear in Bulletin No. 7 of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment
Station.

182

As the time for adjournment had arrived, the discussion of this paper was post-

poned until the next session.
The association adjourned to meet at 9 o’clock, November 14

NOVEMBER 14, 1889.

The meeting was calied to order at 10 o’clock by Vice-President Cook. The min-
utes were read and approved.

The secretary read a letter from D. 8. Kellicott, who stated that at present he con-
sidered himself not eligible to membership.

Under the head of ‘‘ programme” the chair announced that the discussion of Mr.
Gillette’s paper of the previous day was in order.

Mr. Forbes expressed himself as of the opinion that, from our present knowledge of
the use of the arsenites as insecticides, they can be recommended for use on the peach.
In spraying for codlin moth he had not found that any special benefits resulted from
spraying for the second brood. ‘

Mr. Cook had found that injury resulted to the peach from the use of white arsenic
stirred in cold water.

Mr. Riley, regarding the apparent revulsion of feeling concerning London purple,
stated that in his opinion we must be very slow in reversing judgments, carefully
formed, of years of experience, and that both London purple and Paris green varied
in quality ; that their effects varied on different plants, and even in different kinds
of weather.

Mr. Bruner presented some notes on Diabrotica longicornis, which he had found very
abundantly in the city of Lincoln, Nebr., as late as the middle of October. The
species is to a certain extent nocturnal in habit, as he had collected 250 at one elec-
tric light. The adults feed upon the foliage of radishes and turnips, and have been
found about the roots of the wild sun-flowér. He has not found it breeding at the
roots of corn, but knows that it does so occur in his State. He thinks that it must
have some other larval food plant.

In discussing this paper Mr. Forbes stated that he had failed to find this insect
breeding upon anything else than corn, although extensive search had been made by
himself and his assistants for other larval food plants. He admits that there is a
strong possibility that it has other food plants, and Mr. D. 8S. Harris thinks that he
has found it upon Pursiane. Mr. Forbes considers the species as normally inhabiting
the far West and spoke of its extraordinary increase in I]linoisin late years. Twenty
years ago Walsh mentioned the finding uf three specimens in Illinois as worthy of re-
mark.

Mr. Lugger had found three pupe of D. 12-punctata at the roots of Rudbeckia in a
field which had been grown in corn the previous year.

Mr. Garman stated that Mr. D. 8. Harris thought that he had also found it upon
the roots of Lambs-quarter.

Mr. Riley stated that years ago in Missouri it was very rare, and may be considered
as belonging to the class of insects which have changed their habits of late years.

Mr. Bruner had never seen a specimen in Nebraska until within the last two or
three years.

The topic of ‘‘Co-operation” was then taken up for discussion.

Mr. Lugger suggested that the distribution of beneficial insects was a subject which
might enter into a co-operative scheme.

Mr. Forbes stated that he had formulated no distinct plan of co-operation, but that
jn his opinion there was no objection to duplication of work, but that there were,
rather, arguments in favor of it.

The question resolved itself into two heads: How can State workers help each
other, and how can the General Government help State workers ?

On the latter point he stated that in his opinion the assistance will be compara-
tively of a technical character in the way of determination of specimens and ref-

183

erences to literature. As this side of the work is more likely to be overlooked, he
would be glad to see a resolution passed commending the technical side of the Govy-
ernment work inentomology to Congress.

Referring to Mr. Lugger’s suggestion, he further suggested that the distribution of
diseased insects afforded an opportunity for co-operation.

Mr. Riley stated that he felt strongly that an opportunity for co-operation existed
in special lines. He thought that a standing committee on co-operation might be
appointed to plan definite experiments on mooted questions and to send out author-
itative suggestions to station entomologists and to members of the association. He
suggested uniform standards and uniform and better correlated results. In regard to
the gathering of statistical information, he instanced the case of Hypoderma bovis,
stating that the work of the Department at Washington could be greatly facilitated
by the assistance of different entomologists in their respective localities. The case
of the spread of a new pest affords another field, as accurate information of the rate
and extent of the spread could be more easily gained by co-operative work.

Mr. Forbes spoke of the concert of observations and report in regard to outbreaks
over a wide area, but considered that all arrangements should be flexible and that
the work of a formal committee might be cumbersome andslow. He thought that the
work might be accomplished by mere suggestion, by letters either from individual
workers to one another or from the Department at Washington to the members of the
association.

Mr. Lintner thought that it would be desirable and that the members of the asso-
ciation had aright to ask that the Division of Entomology should formulate a plan of
co-operation and that the Division itself should also have the right to call foraid onthe
members of the association. He instanced the Rose Bug as a case where co-operation
would be advisable. He had learned from a correspondent in Virginia that the Rose
Bugs of a given neighborhood came from aswamp, and he urged that all members of
the association in localities Where this insect is abundant should endeavor to find
whether its breeding places were restricted to sandy or swampy localities.

Mr. Alwood rather dissented from the proposition that the co-operation should be
left to correspondence. He thought that the particular charging of a committee with
the planning of work would be more effective.

Mr. W. O. Atwater, by invitation, addressed the association and said that the plan
adopted by the horticulturists seems to him a very good one, and thought that it
would be advantageous to extend the scheme of co-operation beyond the experiment
stations and to interest all practical workers in the subject. He dwelt at length upon
the necessity of a high scientific ideal.

Mr. Lintner offered a resolution which, after amendment, was adopted in the fol-
lowing form:

“ Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the president, of which he
shall be chairman, and which shall consider and report to the next annual meeting
upon a method or methods to secure co-operation among the members of the associa-
tion. Itis also authorized to represent the association in conference with any com-
mittee on entomology which may be appointed by the Association of Agricultural
Colleges and Experiment Stations.”

The topic of ‘‘ amendments to the constitution” was then brought before the asso-
ciation for discussion.

Mr. Forbes moved that the paragraph relative to meetings be amended to read as
follows:

“The annual meeting shall be held at such place and time as may be decided upon
by the association at the previous annual meeting, and special weetings may be
called by a majority of the officers. Eight members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business. ”

Mr. Lintner proposed that the opening paragraph of the constitution be amended
so as to read as follows:

184

“‘This association shall be known as the Association of Economie Entomologists.”

It was moved and carried that section 2 of Article III be taken from the table,
and upon motion it was adopted in the following form :

‘Special meetings shall be called as provided for in the constitution, and notice of
such meetings shall be given by the secretary by mailing to each voting member a
formal specification of the time and place of meeting at least two weeks before the
day fixed in the notice. The notice shall state the reason for such meeting and shall
specify the business to be transacted, and no other business shall be transacted at the
special meeting. ”

The meeting then adjourned to 4 p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The association reconvened at 4 o’clock ; President Riley in the chair.

Thescommittee appointed to report to the Association of Agricultural Colleges and
Experiment Statious reported that they had taken no action, as no opportunity had
been allowed.

The following resolution was proposed by Mr. Cook and unanimously adopted:

“The Association of Official Economic Entomologists desire to express their hearty
appreciation of the generous support afforded the Entomological Division of the
Department of Agriculture, as is shown by the publication of bulletins, reports, and
InsEcT LiFe, no less than the aid which we receive individually through this Divis-
ion of the Department. We also recognize the great opportunity of the Division to
publish monographs, and especially to advance the technical part of entomology.
Therefore we wish to express to the Secretary of Agriculture our great desire that all
possible aid be given this Division, that such publications may be increased and such
valuable work further extended.”

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Alwood and adopted by the associa-
tion:

‘* Resolved, That the committee on co-operation appointed by the Association of
Economic Entomologists express a desire to co-operate with the committee on ento-
mology of the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Sta-
tions.”

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that the association hold its next annual
meeting at the same time and place at which the Association of Agricultural Colleges
and Experiment Stations next meets.

The president appointed as his colleagues upon the committee to submit a plan of
co-oper ation, 8. A. Forbes, J. H. Comstock, A. J. Cook, and J. A. Lintner.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that it is the sense of this meeting that the
officers elected at the preliminary meeting should hold office until the second annual
meeting.

It was moved and carried that the Department of Agriculture be requested to pub-
lish the proceedings of the present meeting in INSEcT LIFE.

On motion of Mr. Lintner a vote of thanks was given to the acting secretary.

The association then adjourned.

L. O. HOWARD,
Secretary pro tempore.

185

OFFICE AND LABORATORY ORGANIZATION.*

By S. A. ForBEs, Champaign, Ill.

With the sudden establishment of a large number of new offices and
laboratories of investigation in a field hitherto very slightly occupied,
the subject of special office organization and equipment becomes highly
important and interesting, and will become more soas the work of each
station inereases in scope, difficulty, and complexity. Although I have
never been a station worker, in an experience of fifteen years in the
gradual development of a natural history institution, in which I began
ignorant and alone and which now commonly employs six to eight
assistants, I have learned, among other things, the very great impor-
tance of having from the first a well-considered and elastic scheme of
organization, under which the work may grow freely from year to year
without outgrowing any of the more or less costly equipment of its earlier
periods. While an investigator works alone, or with mechanical aids at
most, he needs little else, perhaps, but helps to memory; but as soon as
he finds himself able and obliged to call in the aid of more or less skilled
assistants, the results of whose labors he must be able to command and
collate rapidly at will, he finds an elaborate system indispensable. A
future of this description I hope we may all at least look forward to;
and it is on this ground that I have thought it profitable to describe my
own system—tested now by several years’ use in a field somewhat more
trying, probably, than the average station worker will need to occupy.

The institution to which I refer combines under one management a
natural-history survey of Lllinois, the work of the official entomologist
of that State, and the instruction work of the department of zodlogy
and entomology in the State University; and the object of its organiza-
tion is such a co-ordination of the collections (both determined and un-
determined, technical and economic), the collection records, the notes
of observations and experiments (whether my own or those of my assist-
ants), the correspondence of the office, and the literature accessible to
us, that each and all of these may be readily drawn upon and made
completely available for the treatment of any subject whatever which
comes within our field.

The essentials are the collections (classified and unclassified), the
records, the notes and correspondence, and the library; and the organ-
ization consists in an arrangement and orderly analysis of each of these,
with a complete system of cross-references from one to another. The
collections are, as usual, the reference collections (determined, labeled,
and precisely arranged in the zodlogical order) and the miscellaneous,
duplicate, and undetermined material, including the economic series;
_ the records are the accessions catalogue and the species catalogue,
with card index to each; the notes are on slips, in labeled boxes, classi-

* Read before the second meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists,
November 13, 1889.

186

fied in zodlogical order; the correspondence is alphabetically arranged
by half years; and the library is arranged in order of subjects and
catalogued on cards, article by article, under authors’ names, this card
catalogue having subordinate subject indexes.

The reference collection in entomology is in excellently made double
boxes, usually four specimens representing each species, one bearing a
species label, which shows, beneath, the date and locality of the speci-
men and the name of the person responsible for the determination.
The other three specimens have date and locality only, with sometimes
a species number, where it is possible that specimens of different but
similar species may get mixed by inadvertence in returning specimens
to the boxes.

The miscelianeous, duplicate, and undetermined specimens are also in
labeled boxes (if dry), all classified, at least to families, each winter,
and all bearing a number corresponding to an entry in the accessions
catalogue. If the species has been determined, the specimen will also
bear a species catalogue number. The alcoholic economic and miscel-
laneous material is in vials and bottles, closely stored in racks, each
vial bearing at least an accessions catalogue number, this series being
arranged in numerical order.

The accessions catalogue contains an entry for each time and place
at which collections have been made, showing date, place, collector’s
name, and the general character of the collection, as nearly as it can
be conveniently deseribed without determination. This catalogue has
also a broad column for cross references to the species catalogue.
These accessions catalogue numbers must be placed on every package
of specimens received, and, as packages are broken up and the contents
mounted, on each specimen, except where these are put into the refer-
ence collection, wben the data indicated are written out on a label, as
above described. All note slips referring to these collections must also
make a cross reference to this accessions catalogue; that is, must bear
the proper accessions catalogue number. In brief, every specimen,
every note, and every entry in the species catalogue must show a refer-
ence to the accessions catalogue, and every entry in the latter must
finally refer to the species catalogue by as many numbers as there were
species iu the collection represented by it. These latter references ena-
ble one to learn in a moment what any given collection consisted of.

Material intended for the breeding cages is likewise entered and
numbered on the accessions catalogue, and this number is placed at the
head of the breeding-cage record, kept on slips like the other notes.
Whatever specimens are bred are similarly entered, references being
made by number to these entries in the body of the notes.

The species catalogue is simply a numbered list of specific. names,
with references against each entry to all the accessions catalogue num-
bers representing collections in which the species was found. These
references enable one to determine for each species all the dates and

187

localities of its collection. This catalogue is indexed on cards, alpha-
betically arranged, each name on a card being followed by numbers
corresponding to the various entries of that number on the species cata-
logue. We also keep up an accessions catalogue index made on a simi- ~
lar plan, intended to give us access to the miscellaneous and unclassified
material in our collections.

The result of this arrangement is that no matter at what point one
takes up a topic, whether he has before him a specimen, a note slip, an
accessions catalogue entry representing date and locality of collection,
or a species catalogue name, he can rapidly bring together from the
other sources all the material, information illustrating it.

Our notes are all made on single slips of uniform size, suitable for
either ink or pencil entries, and each has at the head the accessions
catalogue number of the collection to which it refers, followed com-
monly, for convenience, with a brief general remark sufficing to show
the nature of the object mentioned. These notes, as already explained,
are in paper boxes, labeled on the edge with the name of the family or
other group to which the notes contained apply, and arranged in system-
atic order, the scheme being a perfectly elastic one, requiring only the
insertion of now and then a few new boxes, as the notes under any head
become so numerous as to make subdivision necessary. In these boxes
are also placed slips bearing brief abstracts of letters which contain im-
portant scientific information, with references to the places of these let-
ters in the file.

The library has as the basis of its organization the authors’ card
catalogue already mentioned, with subject indexes, also on cards, the
degree of analysis varying according to the needs of our work. The
entries under each author’s name being numbered, the references in the
subject index are to the author’s name and the number of his article.

If I were now to begin anew work, I would at once begin an accessions
catalogue of collections, and an authors’ catalogue to my library, and
would keep my notes on slips, with references to the accessions catalogue
entries. The other features of the scheme of organization I have out-
lined above could then be added as they were needed and as they
could be provided for.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
The Mediterranean Flour-moth.

* * * Tknow of no better means of obtaining information upon economic ento-
mology than through the pages of your most valuable publication. Ishall be obliged
if you will insert the following notice of the appearance in Canada of the Mediterra-
nean Flour-moth, Ephestia kiihniella, with the double purpose of putting those con-
cerned upon their guard against this troublesome and extremely injurious insect,
and at the same time eliciting from your correspondents as much information as pos-
sible as to its occurrence in America. Fora year or two it has been giving trouble
in some of the large mills and feed-stores in England, and Miss Ormerod has published

188

a valuable notice and warning to English millers in her last report. During the past
summer it has been brought to my notice as a most serious pest in one of our Cana-
dian cities. The outbreak was so serious that our provincial government of Ontario
took the matter in hand, and through Dr. P. H. Bryce, the secretary of the provin-
cial board of health, have just issued a bulletin upon its operations, appearance in
the different stages, and the means which have been adopted to eradicate it before it
spreads further. This bulletin, which is written in a manner which will be under-
stood by every one, is most timely, and will, I believe, be attended with very bene-
ficial results.

The milling interests of America are, however, so enormous that it becomes impor-
tant to make known its appearance here as soon as possible, so that prompt action
may be taken immediately a new occurrence takes place.

The following extracts from Dr. Bryce’s bulletin will show the gravity of the case,
The first is condensed from the account given by the firm in whose mill the insects
were observed.

‘The first appearance of the Flour-moth we remember seeing was during the month
of March, 1889. The moth was seen flying about in the basement of the mill, but
little attention was paid to it. In April there was an appearance of a few moths on
the different floors of the mill, even at the top. Inthe month of May we were troubled
with a few worms in some of our goods, and in June more of them appeared. In
July they increased rapidly. About the middle of July we shut down for a day orso;
took the clothing from our bolting reels and cleaned it and washed the inside thor-
oughly with soft lye soap and lime. We didthe same with the elevators. When we
started up again every corner and part of the mill had been thoroughly cleaned, as

we supposed, and we commenced to work again; but after about four days we found

our bolting reels, elevators, etc., worse than before. They were literally swarming
with webs, moths, and worms, even inside the dark chambers of thereels. We shut
down again and made a more thorough cleaning by washing, etc. While this was
going on we found there was no use to try and clear ourselves of the pest, as the mill
walls, ceilings, cracks, crevices, and every machine was completely infested with
moths, cocoons, and caterpillars, and there was no use going on.”

Eventually the firm bad to vacate their premises and build a new mill.

Dr. Bryce continues upon page 11 of the Bulletin, after detailing its habits, as fol-
lows:

“From the foregoing it will be apparent that the moth may not only be transported
from one place to another in any one of its various stages, but that search for its
presence in any one or all of these must be made where its presence is suspected. It
will at once be seen how great are not only the dangers of its transmissioa from one
mill to another and one locality to another, but also how many are the difficulties
attaching to its detection, while as yet only a few individuals may have been intro-
duced into a warehouse or mill. With what-rapidity the Ephestia kiihniella develops
under favorable conditions, nothing will better illustrate than the correspondence of
a sufferer therefrom already published. When it is stated that a large warehouse,
some 25 feet wide, 75 feet long, and fourstories high, became literally alive with moths
in the short course of six mouths, while thousands upon thousands of the cocoons
were found adherent to the walls, joists, posts, ceilings, and in every nail-hole, cracks
in floors, partitions, machinery, and furniture throughout the whole building; while
in sample boxes of cardboard, in small and large bags, in flour stored anywhere
throughout the building, it was abundantly present, it will be understood what millers
have to expect to encounter if they neglect the most vigorous measures to destroy the
first moths which at any future time may appear on their premises. To illustrate
further the difficulty of overcoming the pest, once introduced, it may be stated that
several men have been at work in the building from which our correspondent has
removed his machinery, for overa fortnight in burning all woodwork, as flooring,
fixtures, etc., sweeping down walls and destroying the rubbish, the walls thereafter

'
'

189

having to be washed down and the floors scrubbed with disinfectants; while during
the process many pounds ofsulphur have been burned in order that the fumes may aid
in the work of destruction.”—[ James Fletcher, Ottawa, Canada, October 31, 1889.

Spider Bites—-Two Ceylonese Cases.

Since reading your several notices of spider bites in America, two cases have come
under my own observation. In both cases the patients (Tamil coolies) were bitten
on the hand by the large, hairy spider, Mygale fasciata, while working in the field.
Both patients complained of recurring spasms followed by soreness and muscular
pains extending through the leg, arm, and neck on the affected side. The local medical
officer applied, in one case, fuming nitric acid to the puncture, and in the second case
injected permanganate of potassium. This second treatment seems to have been the
most successful, the painful symptoms abating in a much shorter period.—[E. Ernest
Green, Eton, Punduloya, Ceylon, October 5, 1889.

Scent in Dung-beetles.

I have just returned from gathering a load of moss (Sphagnum) out of a swamp
miles in extent, where I saw a most remarkable illustration of the power of smell in
insects, The day was mild and still, and there in the midst of the swamp the excre-
ment of my horse attracted a large number of the small dark scavenger beetle, about
the size of a horse-fly, socommon in cleared lands at this season of the year. They all
came from the direction of the higher land. Ihave long been of the opinion that
the power of scent was stronger in insects than in any otber department of animated
ereation. * * * —[W. W. Meech, Vineland, N. J., October 18, 1889.

Beetles from Stomach of a “ Chuck-wills-widow.”

Isend by mail some ‘‘ bugs” taken from the stomach of a Chuck-wills-wilow. Please
state name, and whether injurious to agriculture.—[G. H. Ragsdale, Gainesville,
Cook County, Tex., May 12, 1886.

RepLty.— * *.* Ibeg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of recent date, ac-
companied by insects taken from the stomach of the Chuck-wills-widow (Antrostomus
carolinensis). This bird has a curious habit of bolting these large beetles whole
while on the wing. ‘There are two species in your sending. One is Ligyrus gibbosus,
a species the larva of which feeds upon the root of sunflower, and which has been
recorded as doing considerable damage in Nebraska, where the sunflower is grown
as a crop; the other is Lachnosterna rugosa, a southern representative of the com-
mon May beetle of the north. The larva of this insect is a white grub and doubt-
less feeds on the roots of grass and similar vegetation.—[May 18, 1886. ]

#. Harvest-mite Destroying the Eggs of the Potato-beetle.

I send you inclosed in small box a specimen of an insect found by me feeding upon
the eggs of the Colorado Potato beetle. I have been troubled every year a great deal
by the ravages of the slugs, but this summer there are none upon my vines, though
the usual number of old beetles are seen depositing theireggs. Thisinsect may be as
common as the house-fly, but he is new to me, and has won my gratitude. Perhaps
you may be interested in him, but if not no harm will be done in placing him before
your notice.—[Charles C. Bryant, Silver Lake P. O., Kingston, Mass., June 18, 1886.

Repty.— * * * The insect which you found feeding on the eggs of the
Colorado Potato-beetle is a Harvest-mite of the genus Trombidium. It appears, so far
as I can ascertain, to be a new species, and consequently we should be very glad to
receive further specimens. Is it at all common with you? I think that no record
has been published of the work of any Harvest-mite upon the eggs of the Potato-
beetle, and in consequence your letter possesses considerable interest. * * * —
{June 22, 1886. ]

190

Supposed Injury to Grass from Gastrophysa polygoni.

Please to inform me as to the inclosed insects. A few days ago they made their
appearance in great numbers in the court house yard, and are destroying the grass
very rapidly.—[N. R. Smithson, Winchester, Ill., June 2, 1887.

Repty.— * * * This beetle is known as Gastrophysa polygoni. It is a perfectly
harmless species, injuring no crop and feeding solely upon the weeds of the genus
Polygonum (knot-weed, jot-weed, goose-grass, door-weed, smart-weed, etc.) which
grow among the grass in lawns. * * * I know of no recorded instance of such a
habit, and your observation therefore becomes interesting if true. Will you there-
fore please advise me whether you are not mistaken, and whether the insect does not
feed upon some one of the weeds mentioned among the grass, rather than upon the
grass itself ?—{June 7, 1887.]

Damage to dead Trunks of Pine by Rhagium lineatum.

Isend you by mail to-day specimens of the Pine-tree Borer; as requested in your
letter, which bids fair to exterminate our pine trees. If you have any remedy to ad-
vise, would be glad to hear from you.—[E. R. Memminger, Flat Rock, N. C.,Septem-

_ ber 8, 1888.

REPLY.— * ” The insects sent are Rhagium lineatum. This species does not
kill the pine trees, but simply bores beneath the bark and into the decaying wood of
trees that have been killed by some other cause, or dead portions of live trees. It
also attacks spruce and fir logs, stumps, and dead standing trees. In case it should
become destructive to logs which have been cut for timber, it can be destroyed by
stripping off the bark and portions of the sap-wood infested.—[September 13, 1888. ]

*

Some Vedalia Letters.*

* * * The Vedalias that you brought to my place about the 20th of last March,
and which we colonized on four large orange trees that were covered with Fluted
Scale, have spread in all directions, although to begin with they followed the direction
of the wind most readily. From those four trees they have multiplied so rapidly that
in my orchard of 3,000 trees it is seldom that we can now find a Fluted Seale. I find
a few of them on some weeds in spots, but I can also find the beetles there. The
trees have put on a new growth and look altogether different; even the black fungus
on the old leaves has loosened its hold and begins to fall to the ground. Besides
having cleaned my orchard, they spread also to the orchard of my cousin and to my
father’s orchard ; the latter was also re-enforced by colonies from Mr. J. W. Wolf-
skill and from Col. J. R. Dobbins. As my father has some 10,000, trees, and most all
were more or less infested, the Vedalias had a grand feast ahead of them, and they
have done their work most wonderfully. What I have said of my orchard applies to
my father’s also, and really to all our neighbors. When the Vedalias first began to
multiply we took colonies of fifty or more in the pupa state and placed them in
different portions of the orchard, and even had we not done so the Vedalia unaided
would itself have reached there in almost the same time.

On the Chapman place the Vedalias have cleaned the Fluted Scales off of the 150
acres of land. They have taken more than an oppressive burden off of the orange
grower’s hands, and I for one very much thank the Division of Entomology for the
Vedalia cardinalis, the insect that has worked a miracle.—[ A. Scott Chapman, San
Gabriel, Cal., October 18, 1889.

* * * The Vedalia had practically freed my orchard of Iceryas on the 31st of
July. It was on that date that I was obliged to post a notice at the entrance to my
place, saying that I had no more Vedalias for distribution. The scale and lady-bird

*These were addressed to Mr. Coquillett, at Los Angeles.

3s, |

had fought out the battle, and while the carcasses of the yanquished were every-
where present to tell of the slaughter, the victors had disappeared almost entirely
from the field. I have 35 acres in orchard—some 3,200 treesin all. I never colonized
any Vedalias in my grove, excepting the two consignments which you brought to me
yourself—one box on February 22 and two boxes March 20. I noticed the first increase
from the lot No. 1 on the 15th of April, and from lot No. 2 on the 24th of the same
month. On the 25th of April I found larvze upon several adjacent trees. These
facts are from memoranda made at the time. I have a list of the names of fruit
growers, 226 in number, to whom I personally distributed over 120,000 Vedalias in
colonies of various sizes between May 3land July31. * * * —{J.R. Dobbins, San
Gabriel, Cal., October 22, 1889.

Tam glad to report that the lady-birds you sent me are doing good work and in-
creasing in this neighborhood, and as soon as all are supplied I will establish some
on the mountain where the brush is full of them, also a small patch near the Ocean,
and hope the Cottony Cushion-scale will soon be a scarce article in this section.—
[Joseph Sexton, Goleta, Cal., August 12, 1889.

On Hematobia serrata.

I have just received INsEcT LIFE, No. 4, Vol. II, for which please accept my most
sincere thanks.

On page 95 I find a passage which calls, on my part, for the following statement:

On receiving the specimens of Hematobia serrata from Dr. Lintner in September,
1888, I at once suspected that they might be specifically identical with some Euro-
pean Stomoxid, and I communicated them for identification to my friend, Mr. Kow-
arz. He answered as follows:

‘Ich habe mir alle Miihe gegeben, aber ich vermag in dieser Fliege nichts anderes
als Hematobia serrata R. D. (Lyperosia Rud.) zu erkennen. Sie unterscheidet sich
von den europiiern nicht im Geringsten.”’

Translation: ‘‘I have taken great pains with this fly and can not recognize in it
anything but the H. serrata R. D. (Lyperosia Rnd.). It does not in the least differ
from the European specimens.”

It is important, in such a case, to have it distinctly stated that the identification is
based upon an actual comparison of specimens by the best authority. Mr. Ferdinand
Kowarz, in Franzensbad, Bohemia, I consider as the entomologist who, at present,
possesses the most extensive knowledge and experience of European Diptera, espe-
cially so far as the discrimination of species is concerned. I take, therefore, his de-
cision as trustworthy and final, and I regret that Dr. Lintner did not mention Mr,
Kowarz’s name in the first publication which he made upon receiving my answer (in
the Country Gentleman, Albany, N. Y., November 29, 1888).

My own knowledge of European Diptera is very insufficient, and in all doubtful
cases I apply either to Mr. Kowarz or to Professor Mik, or, for Cecidomyiz, to Dr.
Franz Léw (the two latter in Vienna).

You will do me a favor by the publication of this letter in one of your next num-
bers.—[C. R. Osten Sacken, Heidelberg, November 20, 1889.

192

GENERAL NOTES.

OVIPOSITION OF TRAGIDION FULVIPENNE.

A desirable addition to our knowledge of the life-history of Tragidion
Sulvipenne is made by Prof. E. A. Popenoe, in a paper entitled ‘“* Note
on the oviposition of a Woodborer,” read at the Wichita meeting of the
Kansas Academy of Science, and published in the Manhattan Industri-
alist for November 2, 1889. The Cerambycide, as Professor Popenoe
points out, ordinarily oviposit in cracks of bark or in fissures made by
the parent insect, and hence the striking variation in this habit in the
case of the above-named beetle is the more interesting.

Female beetles only were observed about a wood-pile on warm days
about the end of September, and after considerable search they were
seen ovipositing on sticks, probably on the chestnut oak. The habit of
the insect in this particular is described as follows:

When detected in oviposition, the females were standing on the smooth bark, trans-
versely to the stick, their bodies close to the surface, their antenne bent under at
the tips, which were touching the bark, and the broad tip of the abdomen closely
appressed to the surface over which the insect stood. The close contact of the mo-
tionless tip of the abdomen to the bark prevented my noting the exact mode of placing
the egg, and presently, becoming somewhat impatient, I lifted a beetle from position,
and, to my surprise, instead of an opening in the bark as I had anticipated, I saw a
tubercle simulating so closely in appearance and color the corky outgrowths common
on the bark of the chestnut oak that I was at first inclined to believe it one of these,
and to question the purpose of the female in maintaining so long the position de-
scribed. On an examination of this tubercle, however, I found it to be hollow, and
within it, lying on the bark, with nw puncture or abrasion in the latter to be seen,
was an oblong egg of a translucent, dull white surface, smooth and without mark-
ings, so far as I could see with a pocket triplet of good definition. This egg was suf-
ficient in size nearly to fill the hollow tubercle, or egg-case, as I may now eall it.
The ege-case is rather regular, ellipticle, strongly convex, measuring about one-six-
teenth of an inch in length. Under the microscope, the case appears on the surface
to be made up of scales of the thin external layer of the oak bark, intermingled with
glistening particles, as of dried mucus.

INSECTS INJURING THE TEA-PLANT IN CEYLON.

We have recently received from Mr. E. Ernest Green of Eton, Pun-
duloya, Ceylon, a series of nine short articles on the ‘Insect Pests of
the Tea-plant” published in the Ceylon Independent, July 3 to October
3. The papers are illustrated by engravings made by a native from
drawings by Mr. Green and, while naturally not of a high state of art,
are plain and characteristic. The pests treated are as follows:

THE FAGGOT Worm (Humeta carmerii).—This insect is one of the Bag-
worms, and its popular name is derived from the fact that its case re-
sembles a bundle of minute faggots. The life history is very similar to
that of our common Bag-worm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis). Mr.

193

Green quotes a quaint native legend concerning these insects, to the
effect that in a previous life they existed in the human form, when
amongst other crimes they made a regular trade of stealing fire-wood ;
at their death their souls were sent into the bodies of insects and con-
demned to perpetually carry about with them a faggot of wood. This
species is also found on the coffee plant.

THE BORER (Zeuzera coffee).—This insect which has been so fre-
quently treated as acoffee enemy and so known to planters as the “‘ Red
Borer” is by no means uncommon as a borer of the tea-plant. It belongs
to the Cossine.

THE TEA BARK-LOUSE (Aspidiotus thew).—This is one of the most
serious enemies of the plant and is very noticeable at the time of
pruning.

THE YELLOW BARK-LOUSE (Aspidiotus flavescens).—This is a smaller
species than A. thee, but is much more readily recognized on account
of its yellow color contrasting with the bark, while A. thee is of the
same color as the bark.

THE TRANSPARENT-SCALED BARK-LOUSE (Aspidiotus transparens.)—
This species has been noticed only in small numbers and prefers the
leaf to the bark. The scales are small, round, and colorless, and the
insects can be plainly seen beneath them.

THE LOBSTER CATERPILLAR (Stauropus alternus).—This is a large
leaf-feeding species, and when five oceur upon a single plant the leaves
become completely devoured. It is a close ally to the Lobster Cater-
pillar of Europe, S fagi.

THE RED TEA-MITE OR RED SPIDER (Tetranychus biaculatus).—This
mitesproduces a copper sunburnt appearance of the leaves and it will
be remembered as having previously been described by Mr. Wood-
Mason as affecting the tea-plant in Assam. Mr. Green thinks it identi-
cal with the species described by Mr. Nietner as the ‘ Red Spider of the
coftee tree (Acarus Coffew).”

THE FIVE-LEGGED TEA-MITE (Typhlodromus carinatus).—This spe-
cies, Mr. Green says, is closely related to the Rust-mite of the orange
(T. oleivorus Ashm.) which feeds on both sides of the leaf, while the
Red Spider is confined to the upper surface. He advised one part of
kerosene emulsion to eighty parts of water, or one part of Phenile to
two hundred and forty parts of water.

THe YELLOW TEA-MITE (Acarus translucens).—This mite produces
the condition called “sulky” and feeds upon the buds. The living in-
sects can be found only upon the bud and the underside of the two fol-
lowing leaves, and as each fresh bud opens the colony moves higher up,
deserting the lower leaves, but these remain injured and always re-
tain the marks of the insects. Excepting the Tea Bark-louse Mr. Green
considers this to be the most serious pest to the plant. He thinks that
the systematic destruction of all tea prunings while still green would
prove an immense check to this pest and others.

11540—No. 5 3

194
A NEW WAY OF USING CARBON BISULPHIDE.

We have not yet seen any notice in this country of the point brought
out by the president of the Lyons Viticultural Society in a recent ad-
dress to the effect that vaseline is not only an excellent solvent of bisul-
phide of carbon, but that it also produces the power of penetrating the
soils and of woody tissues in a most remarkable manner. Bisulphide
after having been taken up by vaseline liberates itself progressively
and then vaporizes. The action of the vapor is thus prolonged through
many days. The strength of these vapors is far less than if the bisul-
phide be used alone, but the effect is of much greater duration. In
warm climates, where if the bisulphide were used alone the vaporization
would be exceedingly rapid, its use with vaseline will be of great benefit,
although adding somewhat to the expense.

RANGE OF PYRALIS FARINALIS.

As is the case with other insects of similar habits, this common Meal-
worm Moth is very widespread. The British Museum Catalogue in
1858 records it from England, Germany, the whole of Europe, Madeira,
United States, Nova Scotia, South Africa, Cape of Good Hope, and
Australia. We mention it at this time for the reason that Mr. J. G. O.
Tepper in his papers on **Common Native Insects,” published in the
Garden and Field of Adelaide, South Australia, states that this moth
is very commonly met with in out-houses, kitchens, and even on trees
in the field. He says:

Whether it is native or introduced is hard to say, as the writer already met it
about April, 1854, as commonly as now in the country.

It seems to us that it is without much question an European species
imported into Australia and the rest of the globe, as it was noticed by
the older Geoffroy and by Linneus.

KIND WORDS FROM ABROAD.

Mr. A. M. Pearson, chemist to the Department of Agriculture of
Victoria, in a lecture on ‘Science and Farming,” published in Bulletin
No. 3, Department of Agriculture at Melbourne, makes use of the fol-
lowing expression:

Science has also lent its aid in the direction of overcoming plant diseases and insect

pests, and I think it must be acknowledged that the Americans, more especially the
Department of Agriculture at Washington, have taken the lead in this direction.

ON SOME GALL-MAKING INSECTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Under the above caption Mr. W. M. Maskell has published a short
paper in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute for 1888, in which
he describes certain galls upon Olearia furfuracea, a native shrub,
known by the settlers as ‘‘Ake-ake,”and by the Maories as “Ake-piro.”
Mr. Maskell has reared from the galls a dipterous insect and a hymen-

195

opteran. In referring to the latter insect, which be calls Hurytoma
olearie, he states that while it seems likely that this insect is a gall-
producer, it may be only a messmate of a Cecidomyia, as its larvee and
pupe are found mixed indiscriminately with those of the Cecidomyia,
although in separate cells. He inclines to the belief that the Ceci-
domyia produces the galls and that the Eurytoma makes use of them
as a residence. In considering this question he refers to the Joint
Worm as Hurytoma hordei, and states that it is not certain that it is
phytophagots, but that it may be only parasitic upon the larva of Ceci-
domyia. In this remark Mr. Maskell is behind the times, as there is no
longer any question of the phytophagous nature of this species, but his
greatest mistake occurs in the identification of the insect which he con-
siders a Eurytomid. As his figures show, it is not an Eurytoma, and
does not even belong to the family Chalcidide. Specimens which he
has kindly sent us show that it is a Proctotrupid of the subfamily Pla-
tygasterine, and belonging to the genus Monocrita. This identification
of the insect renders it quite certain that it is a parasite.

VERTEBRATE ENEMIES OF THE WHITE GRUB.

Prof. C. W. Hargitt, of Miami University, in an article on the White
Grub, contributed to the Oxford (Ohio) News of April 6 last, gives from
his personal observations some interesting notes upon the subject of this
note. He finds that the crow is among the most active and constant
enemies of this insect.

His presence in flocks, promenading pastures and meadows, is almost wholly due to
his taste for this pest, as has been abundantly proved by an examination made upon
the stomach an: crop.

The robin and the blackbird he states to be hardly less active as de-
vourers of the grub.

He also cites the sparrow-hawk, king-bird, jay, and the golden wood-
pecker as of less importance.

Among mammals he cites the mole and the skunk, while dissections
of frogs showed several grubs and many adult beetles. In asingle frog
stomach six full-grown May-beetles were found.

NEW METHOD OF DESTROYING SCALE-INSECTS.

We understand that a patent has been issued to Mr. Edwin P. Fowler,
of National City, Cal., for a process of dislodging and destroying scale-
insects by means of a sand blast. We have been acquainted with the
fact that this application was before the Patent Office for some time, but
have been unable to publish anything concerning it pending its con-
sideration. The plan is an ingenious one, but whether it will pay or
not is a matter for future experiment. A fan-blower or other apparatus
capable of creating an artificial current of air is employed; the current
is directed against the tree, and in its transit from the fan is charged
with sand. The force of the current is carefully gauged and the sand
may be heated.

196

DR. FRANZ LOW.

It is with profound regret that we have just received from his brother
the sad news of the death of Dr. Franz Low, which took place at Vienna,
Austria, November 22, after a long and painful illness. With him en-
tomological science loses a conscientious worker, whose labors have
ereatly added to the common stock of knowledge, and his premature
death (he died in his sixty-first year) will everywhere be felt as a
calamity.

His first entomological paper was published in 1857, and treats of
the larvie of the Coleopterous genus Nebria, but he soon became more
interested in the life-history of gall-producing insects, especially Diptera,
Homoptera, and Acarine. Of his numerous papers on this subject,
published mostly in the Proceedings of the Zool. botan. Society of
Vienna, every one marks an addition to our knowledge. This is es-
pecially true of the classification and life-history of the Psyllide, and
he became the recognized leading authority on this intricate group of
insects. Notwithstanding the works by Flor and Thomson, tbe clas-
sification of Psyllidw had remained practically where Forster left it in
1848, and Léw’s paper, ‘“ Zur Systematik der Psylloden,” published in
1879, marks the first genuine progress since that time. Some years
previously he had pointed out the great importance of the study of the
earlier stages of Psyllide to a thorough understanding of this family,
and his numerous contributions to this subject show how indefatigable
he was in tracing and describing them.

Dr. Liw will also be remembered as the author of several valuable
papers on Myiasis, and as one of the collaborators on the Zoologischer
Jahresbericht from 1883 to 1885. Personally we shall greatly miss him
as one of our most valued European correspondents, always ready to
assist with suggestions and criticisms given in the most amiable and
unpretentious way. He took a keen interest in American entomology ;
and it was a delightful (if often difficult) task to answer the many
knotty questions he plied us with in his letters regarding all sorts of
insects, especially those treated of or described by the older authors.

EUGENE MAILLOT.

We also deeply regret to learn of the death of another valued friend
and correspondent, Maillot, director of the silk station at Montpellier.
Maillot was aman of great scientific ability, and was, at the same time,
an eminently practical man. He was studying the different races of
silk-worms from all parts of the world at the time of his death, and had
contributed in a large measure to the general adoption in France of
the microscopic selection of silk-worm eggs as a preventive against
pébrine. He was a student of Pasteur’s, and a comparatively young
man. His work entitled “‘ Legons sur le ver a soie du Murier,” from a
theoretical and practical point of view, is one of the best treatises upon
sericulture which has been written up to the present time.

197

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

The fifty-sixth regular meeting of the Entomological Society of Washington, D.C.,
held November 12, 1889.

Mr. F. M. Webster and Dr. John Hamilton were elected corresponding members of
the society.

Mr. Howard exhibited a specimen of Xylonomus rileyi Ashm., taken on the Wash-
ington Monument.

Mr. Lugger read some notes on ‘‘ The migration of the Archippus butterfly,” and
gave an interesting study of their spring and fall movements. He also noted a
similar nigration of Vanessa cardui. Dr. R. Thaxter stated in discussion that he had
found Archippus wintering along the Gulf of Mexico in immense numbers.

Mr. Howard read a paper on ‘‘A few additions and corrections to Scudder’s Nomen-
clator Zoologicus.”

Mr. Marlatt gave some ‘‘ Notes on the abundance of oak-feeding lepidopterous
larvae this fall,” and named twelve species of macrolepidopterous larvae taken in
the course of about an hour.

Mr. Schwarz read a paper entitled ‘‘ Caprification,” and gave a thorough résumé
under the following heads:

(1) The flower and fruits of the Capri fig and the wild species of Ficus.

(2) Enumeration of the fig insects and difficulties of study.

(3) Life history of true fig-insect (Blastophaga) and fertilization of wild species of
Ficus and the Capri fig; and

(4) The true fig tree and the process of caprification.

Mr. Townsend read a paper on ‘‘ The fall occurrence of Bibio and Dilophus,” in
the discussion of which it was conceded that the autumnal occurrence was simply
due to an acceleration of development, as they hibernate in a nearly developed state.

Wo. H. Fox, M. D.,
Recording Secretary.

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) eer

eo, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
PERIODICAL BULLETIN. (Double number. } January and February, 1890.

MWiols EI; Nos. 7 and 8.

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,

EDITED BY

CG. V. RILEY, Entomologist,
AND

L. O. HOWARD, First Assistant,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIVISIONAL FORCE.

{PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ]

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.

CONTENTS.

SPECIAL NOTES ses =.--<1-2 = BSA GOOOE oS Soon BH GEEmaonsacoauSaduodéng Gbou.scod ees
THE Use oF HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE RED

Sol. LIDN sen cee eaon nbc pocWaneps aaara sade Sgaobses Bdoossdeo aac D.W.Coquillett.
har GAR VA OF ELLY PODER MAW BONIS ei ceteseleicie aie elena a= ete rai Cooper Curtice

Te IMPORTED GiPsy, More (illustrated)))>.ss-ces asc ce ssce = cei eps een
SoME INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD, CONTINUED—THE TRUE CLOTHES

MoTHSs (illustrated) ...-....------------------++----+---------- C. V. Riley.
IRRIGATION AND INJURIOUS) INSHCTS tase smite etm eater ee L. O. Howard.
NOTE ON THE OVIPOSITION AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF XIPHIDIUM

Tk POND UU) hpasecs sacs aede coon casosreos oases cecd coon Sadses Wm. M. Wheeler.
THE SIX-SPOTTED MITE OF THE ORANGE (illustrated) ..--.....---. C. V. Riley.
HARPIPHORUS MACULATUS ....-.---.-------- ---+------- W. Hague Harrington.
ADULTS OF THE AMERICAN CIMBEX INJURING THE WILLOW AND COTTON-

WOOD IN NEBRASKA (illustrated) .........--....------.---. F. M. Webster.
OBSERVATIONS ON MONOMORIUM PHARAONIS ...-------------- 1. A. Bellevoye.
THE DIPTEROUS PARASITE OF DIABROTICA SOROR (illustrated) D.W. Coquillett.
SPILOSOMA FULIGINOSA (illustrated) .--...----.----------+------- Otto Lugger.
A GRUB SUPPOSED TO HAVE TRAVELED IN THE HUMAN Bopy (illustrated) ....-
DHE POOGAWOODI SAW REN Gillustrated) jecee empress ee seeeeeeat eee
PLATYPSYLLUS—EGG AND ULTIMATE LARVA (illustrated) .-...-.-.-- C. V. Riley.

SoME NEW PARASITES OF THE GRAIN PLANT-LOUSE (illustrated) -.L.O. Howard.
AN AUSTRALIAN HYMENOPTEROUS PARASITE OF THE FLUTED SCALE (illus-
HEI) Soe Soo Stes Sobeaodegacd suse Kcades ssoonaacocde aosseodacs C. V. Riley.
EXTRACTS EROM) CORRESPONDENCE eee oeeeins cise sates sales cae eee ee eee
The Orchid Isosoma in America—A Flaxseed Mite--Abundance of Ageria
acerni—Hessian Fly in California—An Ivy Scale-insect—Ant Hills and
Slugs—A curious Case of insect Litigation—Two interesting Parasites—
Work of White Ants—Importation of Orange Pests from Florida to Cali-
fornia—On some Dung Flies—Spider Bites.
(CHANING MRONNICh oo Sue comseacesece Sabo act co Basan Hoces eeoubocaeade cons cass
Thsects affecting Salsify—An Egyptian Mens bee =a Case of excessive Para-
sitism—Some hitherto unrecorded Enemies of Raspberries and Black-
berries—Nebraska Insects—A Podurid which destroys the Red Rust of
Wheat—Insecticide Litigation—North European Dragon Flies—A Cor-
rection—A Parasite of the Mediterranean Flour-moth—Effects of the open
Winter—Honey Bees and Arsenicals used as Sprays—Entomological So-
ciety of Washington.

II

255

Voi. tl, Nos.7 and 8.] [INSECT LIFE. [Jan. and Feb., 1890.

SPECIAL NOTES.

A descriptive Catalogue of the Phalangiinee in Illinois.—We have just re-
ceived from Mr. C. M. Weed a paper with the above title published
as a bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History (Decem-
ber, 1889), and also a partial bibliography of the same group as repre-
sented in North America. Tie descriptive catalogue includes the con-
sideration of three genera and ten species, two of the species being
new. Liobonum dorsatum, L. (2) formosum and Oliogophus pictus are fig-
ured. The bibliography includes five titles and fifty-eight references
to descriptions of species. We are glad to see this neglected group
worked up so satisfactorily.

Entomological News.—The Entomological Section of the Academy of
Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia and the American Entomological
Society announce the publication of a new journal to be devoted to
notes and news, queries and answers, exchanges and doings of socie-
ties. It is edited by Mr. E. M. Aaron, assisted by an advisory com-
mittee consisting of Dr. G. H. Horn, Mr. E. T. Cresson, Dr. Henry Skin-
ner, and Mr. Ph. P. Calvert. Thesubscription price is $1 a year, and ten
numbers will be published, one for each month, with the exception of
July and August. It began publication January 1, 1890. The main
object of the journal, as stated in its circular of announcement, will be
to keep entomologists acquainted with what is being published in serials
at home and abroad, and it will also give news items concerning ex-
plorations and collectors. The journal will meet a present want and
will be welcomed by American collectors. Backed by the American
Entomological Society its success would seem to be assured.

Dr. Lintner’s latest Report.—Dr, Lintner’s fifth report on the injurious

and other insects of the State of New York has been received. It is

extracted from the forty-second report of the New York State Museum of
199

200

Natural History. It comprises nearly two hundred and fifty pages of
very interesting matter and is illustrated by fifty text figures. The mat-
ter is prepared with Dr. Lintner’s usual great care and contains valuable

summaries of our information upon a large number of injurious insects. _

The consideration of each species is prefaced by a synonymical and
bibliographical table which is of great value to the working entomolo-.
gist. The principal articles are upon Remedies and Preventives, the
Larch Saw-fly (Nematus erichsonii), the Cow Horn-fly, the Elm Leaf-
beetle, and the Grain Plant-louse. Short accounts are given of other

species, and under the head of “ Insect Attacks” and “ Miscellaneous |

Observations ” many interesting notes are collocated. A small section
of the report is devoted to Acarina and Myriapoda in which several in-

jurious and beneficial mites are mentioned. In an appendix a Hist of |

the principal publications of the Entomologist during 1888 is given.

We can commend Dr. Lintner’s writings for the care with which quoted |
information is credited, and wish we could say the same regarding his |

illustrations, which are often used with no such regard for authority or
source,

The Little Red Ant.—We publish in this number a free translation of
an interesting article by M. A. Bellevoye on this insect. It will be in-
teresting in connection with our article (Vol. II, No. 3)on the occurrence
of this insect in America. Mr. Bellevoye’s suggested inference that
inasmuch as he was unable to observe that the ants carried any food
to their nests this might be considered a result of domestication, as

they always find something to feed upon in our houses, will hardly |
hold for this side of the water, as in our experience these ants are often |
seen carrying particles of food into cracks in walls and floors which |

probably lead to their nests.

Technical Entomology in Ohio.—The Ohio Agricultural Experiment Sta- |
tion has started an innovation in the line of a series of technical bulle- |
tins. The director explains in an obscure foot-note that the series is |

intended to embody the technical results of the work of the station, out

that it is not expected that they will be of direct service to farmers in |

general. It is hoped, rather, that they may be found useful by work-
ers in other stations, and thus indirectly serve the cause of agricult-
ure. It comprises three articles by the entomologist, Mr. C. M. Weed,
entitled (1) ‘‘Preparatory stages of the 20-spotted Lady-bird,” (2)
“Studies in Pond Life,” and (3) “A Partial Bibliography of Insects

affecting Clover.” Of these articles, the one upon “Studies in Pond |
Life” is naturally of the greatest interest and value, and a number of |

new points are brought out. The “ Larger Typha-borer” (Arzama ob-
liquata G. and R.) is figured in larva, pupa, and imago, and he records
a number of dates of transformation, and describes the larva and pupa.

201

“The Toothed-horned Fish-fly ” (Chauliodes rostricornis Ramb.) is fig-
ured in the larva, pupa, and adult, and notes upon its life-history are
given, adding, however, little to the observations recorded by Walsh
in the second volume of the proceedings of the Entomological Society
of Philadelphia. The Sagittaria Curculio (Listronotus latiusculus Boh.)
is also figured in the larva, pupa, and adult, and its breeding habits,
and the leaf and stalk and seed heads of the common arrow-leaf are de-
scribed. The Lesser Water-bug (Zaitha fluminea Say) is stated to feed
“mainly upon the early stages of Dragon Flies. It also uses as food
univalve snails and May-fly larve. Notonecta undulata is recorded as
feeding upon May-fly.larve and upon a species of Boatman (Corisa
alternata Say). Donacia subtilis Kunze feeds upon a number of aquatic
plants and pollinizes Nuphar advena. His observations indicate that
the 13-spotted Lady-bird (Hippodamia 13-punctata) has aquatic tend-
encies, as he has commonly found it upon the leaves of aquatic plants.
This accords with our own experience, and Mulsant mentions the same
thing of this species in France. The stages of Benacus griseus and
Belostoma americanum are described and those of the former species
are figured. Altogether this is one of the best and most interesting
(entomologically) of the experiment station bulletins so far issued.

Ultimate Larva of Platypsyllus.—We copy in the present issue from
Entomologica Americana for February the description of an interesting
larval form of this curious and anomalous beaver parasite, and would
again call attention to the wonderful superficial resemblance to certain
Mallophaga of the genera Nirmus and Trichodectes. In some species
of the latter genus the mandibles are bidentate, as in this larva, while
the caputal characters, the loss of the anal cerci, and the general form of
body so depart from the earlier larva that the resuablance to the Mal-
lophaga is still more striking. But none of the lice have the mouth-
parts, otherwise, as in this larva, nor the single jointed tarsus.—C. V. R.

Oviposition of Hypoderma bovis.—The interesting facts narrated in this
number by Dr. Cooper Curtice bring unexpected confirmation of what
we stated in the last issue as to the eggs of this Ox Wormal being fast-
ened externally, and would seem to indicate that, exceptionally at least,
if not normally, the newly-hatched larva is taken in through the mouth
and can live internally during the first stage. Whether these young
larve in the cesophageal walls and under the pleura eventually perish
or succeed in working beneath the skin is as yet to be ascertained, but
we see nothing improbable in the latter course. These young larve
are doubtless taken from one animal to another through the habit
which cattle have of licking each other, and it is possible that in older
cattle in which the hide is thick this mode of entrance of Hypoderma
is more common than in younger animals. We have examined Dr.

202

Curtice’s material and can corroborate the correctness of the determi-
nation. In this connection we also draw attention to the interesting
communication of Dr. Elizabeth R. Kane (p. 238) relating to the travel-
ing propensities of the young Hypoderma jarva.

THE USE OF HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF |

THE RED SCALE.
By D. W. CoquiLLeTT, Los Angeles, Cal.

In my reports to Professor Riley for the years 1887 and 1888, nub-
lished in the annual reports of this Department for these years (pages
123 to 142, and 123 to 126 respectively), I gave an extended account of
the useof hydrocyanic acid gas for the destruction of scale-insects (family
Coccide); and I am not aware that anything has been published upon
this subject since the appearance of the above-mentioned report for the
year 1888. On page 126 of this report I gave an account of treating

several orange and lemon trees with this gas, and the latest report —

given of the condition of these trees was under date of August 15, 1888 ;

under date of February 17, 1889, the owner of the trees, Mr. I. L. Col- |

lins, wrote me as follows in regard to them:

Dear SiR: I received yours of the 15th inst. asking about the condition of the |

Jemon and orange trees treated with the gas. These trees are in a much better con-
dition than those around them, as they have a full foliage while the others are nearly
bare; what fruit they have on is comparatively clean, there being but few red scales
on them. They already show that the coming season they will bear quite heavily,
but now they have enough red scales on them to ruin them in a year. We expected

that the scales would come on them again from the other trees, these not having been |
treated with the gas; I did not think the tops worth saving, so did not treat them —

with the gas. I witl cut off the tops, as almost everybody else is doing, and will wash
the stumps with a solution composed of 30 pounds of resin, 7 pounds of caustic soda
or potash, and one gallon of fish oil to 100 gallons of water. The trees treated with
the gas remained perfectly clean for over a month; then we found scales on the out-
side branches, having apparently been carried there by the horses in cultivating.

In accordance with a written request from several of the orange
growers of Orange, | went down to that place in the latter part of Sep-
tember of the present year, and conducted a series of experiments with
hydrocyanic acid gas for destroying the Red Scale, with the view of try-
ing to discover some simpler and less expensive method for producing

and manipulating this gas than the one heretofore in use. The lemon |

trees experimented upon and also the fumigating outfit used in making
these tests were kindly placed at my disposal by their owner, Mr. A.
D. Bishop; and the latter gentleman, in conjunction with Mr. A. H.
Alward, also aided mein moving the outfit from tree to tree when mak-
ing the tests. Among the different methods tried was one that gave
very satisfactory results,and which, both in regard to expense and
labor, is a great improvement upon any heretofore tried. It consists

203

in using one part by weight of dry or undissolved potassium cyanide,
with one part sulphuric acid and two parts of water. The generator is
made of lead and is somewhat in the form of a common water-pail.
After the tent is placed over the tree the necessary quantity of the dry
cyanide is placed in the generator, the proper quantity of cold water
added, and the generator placed under the tent near the trunk of the
tree; the acid is then added to the materials in the generator, a barley
sack thrown over the top of the latter, after which the operator with-
draws and a quantity of earth is thrown upon the lower edge of the
tent where it rests upon the ground to prevent the escape of the gas.
After the expiration of fifteen minutes the tent is removed and placed
uponanothertree. I tested this method on several lemon trees and found
that when the proper quantity of material had been used neither the
foliage nor fruit on the trees were injured, while neither myself nor sev-
eral other persons were able to find a living red scale upon the trees
treated in this way.

The following table, based upon several of the tests referred to above,
will aid in determining the proper quantity of each ingredient to use in
treating orange and lemon trees:

Height | Diameter | Cyanide Sulphuric
of tree. of tree. | of potash. Water. acid.
i}
Feet. Feet. Ounces. | Fluid ozs.| Fluid ozs.
10 8 24 44 24
12 10 44 434
12 14 83 173 8
14 10 5k 11 5+
14 12 Th 15 Th
16 14 12 24 12
18 | 14 15 30 15

It will be noticed that the proportions are 1 ounce by weight of the
cyanide to 1 fluid ounce of the acid, and 2 fluid ounces of water; or in
the proportion of cyanide one, acid one, water two. This being borne
in mind, it will be very easy to ascertain how much acid and water to
use when once the proper quantity of the cyanide required for treating
any given tree has been ascertained.

In making the tests referred to above, I used commercial sulphuric
acid and a medium grade of potassium cyanide, manufactured by
Powers and Weightman, of Philadelphia, Pa. It is the same grade of
cyanide as that which Mr. O. H. Leefeld purchased at the rate of 44
cents a pound, freightage included, as described in my report for 1888,
page 125.

By comparing the table given above with the one given on page 125
of my report for the year 1888, it will be noticed that but little more
than one-third the quantity of each ingredient is required for a tree of
@ given size by this new method, as compared with that required by the
old one. In the third column of the table given in the previous report,
each fluid ounce of the cyanide solution contains half an ounce by

204

weight of the dry cyanide. At this rate, by the old process, a tree 14
feet high by 12 feet in diameter required 21} ounces by weight of the
dry cyanide, whereas by the new process it will require only 74 ounces.
At the present prices of the cyanide and acid, the cost of the materials
necessary to treat an orange tree of the size given above, by this new
method will amount to about 26 cents, as compared with 76 cents, the
price when the old process is used.

Not only is the new process much cheaper than the old, but it is also
attended with much less labor. By using the cyanide dry we are saved
the trouble of first dissolving it; the dry cyanide is also easier to trans-
port and safer to handle than the solution is, and if the vessel contain-
ing it should be accidentally overturned on the ground, the dry ecya-
nide will not be lost, as it certainly would if dissolved. By thus using
the cyanide dry it is not necessary to first pass the gas through sul-
phurie acid in order to render it harmless to the trees, thereby saving
a great deal of labor, and admitting of the use of a much simpler and
less expensive generator. By placing the latter beneath the tent there
is less liability of the gas escaping while being generated and intro-
duced into the tent from without, thereby also insuring the operator
greater immunity from inhaling the gas. I also found that by thus
placing the generator under the tent the blower heretofore used for
distributing the gas inside of the tent could be done away with, thereby
still further reducing the original cost of a fumigating outfit, besides
doing away with the labor necessary in operating the blower. The
time during which it is necessary to confine the tree in the gas has also
been reduced one-half as compared with that heretofore allowed for
destroying the Fluted Scale (Icerya purchasi Maskell), thereby rendering
it possible to treat twice the number of trees in a given time that could
be treated in the same time by the old process. I found by experiment
that about five minutes were consumed each time in generating the gas.

The treatment with hydrocyanic acid gas is the only method known
to me whereby the scale-insects located upon the fruit can be destroyed
by a single operation. My own experience, and that of every other per-
son with whom I have conversed upon this subject and who has had
any considerable experience in the matter, indicates that no liquid prep-
aration at present known will by a single application prove fatal to
more than 90 per cent. of the number of red scales located upon the
fruit, and when it is remembered that the supervisors of many counties
in this State have passed laws making it a misdemeanor to sell or ex-’
pose for sale fruit infested with scale-insects, the value of the gas
treatment to our fruit-growers is made apparent.

The following is an account of the experiments I made with hydro-
cyani¢c acid gas as referred to above. The trees operated on were all of
them lemon trees containing fruit, and were in a comparatively healthy
condition, although very thickly infested with the Red Scale. Before
making these tests, I had the experimental tent painted black, and am

205

strongly of the opinion that when a tent of this color is used the foliage
of the trees will be injured less when by inadvertence an overdose of
the materials has been used than would be the case if a light-colored
tent were to be used; the light rays, more than the rays of heat, serve
to decompose the gas, and on this account any medium that will inter-
cept the rays of light will, in a great measure, prevent the decomposing
of the gas. In all cases where a blower was used for distributing the
gas inside of the tent, the gas entered the blower direct from the gen-
erator and was forced into the lower part of the tent through a tin pipe,
and the pipe which conducted the air and gas from the tent to the blower
also entered the lower part of the tent and then turned upward, termi-
nating near the top of the tent. By this means the gas and air in the
upper part of the tent were drawn out and after passing through the
blower again entered the lower part of the tent. This was for the pur-
pose of more thoroughly circulating the gas inside of the tent; but, as
will be seen by the later experiments this arrangement was found to be
entirely unnecessary when the generator was placed under the tent.
In nearly all of the later experiments too large a quantity of the ma-
terials was used, resulting in more or less injury to the tree or fruit,
the injury being always the most severe on the topmost portion of the
tree. The cyanide solution used ina few of these experiments con-
sisted of 5 pounds of cyanide disselved in 1 gallon of water, each fluid
ounce of the solution containing an ounce by weight of the cyanide.
The diluted sulphuric acid was composed of two fluid parts of the acid
and three of water, and was allowed to become cold before being used.

(205) Took 10 fluid ounces of the cyanide solution and added in
three minutes 12 fluid ounces of the diluted acid. 12.30 to 12.45 p. m.,
September 23, sun shining, light breeze. Scarcely turned the blower
at all. Tree 12 feet high by 10 in diameter. When the tent was re-
moved about half a dozen leaves on the new growth had perceptibly
wilted. October 19, about three dozen leaves were dead; found eight
live red scales, equally distributed on the leaves and fruit.

(206) Took 4 fluid ounces of the cyanide soiution, and added in a
minute and a half 24 fluid ounces of pure sulphuric acid; turned the
blower three minutes after adding the acid. 1.10 to 1.25 p. m., Sep-
tember 23, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 7 feet tall by 6 in diameter.
When the tent was removed several of the leaves had wilted. Octo-
ber 19, about three dozen leaves and a large portion of the twigs on
which they grew were dead; found only one live red scale, which was
located upon a leaf.

(207) Took 6 ounces by weight of the dry cyanide and added in four
minutes 12 fluid ounces pure sulphuric acid; turned the blower five
minutes. 3.10 to 3.30 p. m., September 23, sun shining, light breeze.
Tree 10 feet tall by 7 in diameter. October 19 ,leaves and fruit unin-
jured ; found four live red scales, all of them located upon the leaves.

(208) Took 7 ounces dry cyanide and added in four minutes 16 fluid

206

ounces of the diluted acid; turned the blower five minutes. 3.55 to
4.15 p. m., September 23, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 9-feet tall by
8 in diameter. Two small pieces of cyanide remained in the generator
unacted upon when the tent was removed from the tree. October 19,
five dozen leaves and many of the young lemons were either dead or
were more or less injured; found no live red scales.

(209) Took 7 ounces dry cyanide, set generator under the tent and
added at once 14 fluid ounces pure sulphuric acid, placing a board over,
but slightly above, the generator. 4.40 to 5 p. m., September 23, sun
shining, light breeze. Tree 9 feet high by the same in diameter. Octo-
ber 19, no leaves or fruit were injured; found four live red scales, lo-
cated mostly on the Jeaves.

(210) Took 2 ounces dry cyanide and 2} fiuid ounces of water, added
in a few seconds 24 ounces pure aun pnarce acid. Turned the blower
five minutes. 1 to 1.20 p. m., September 25, sun shining, light wind.
Tree 8 feet high by 5in diameter. October 19, about one-fourteenth of
the leaves were killed; found no live red scales.

(211) Took 4 ounces dry cyanide and 44 fluid ounces of water, added
in a few seconds 44 fluid ounces of pure sulphuric acid. 4.10 to 4.30 p.
m., September 25, sun shining, light breeze. Turned the blower five
minutes. Tree ten feet high by 9 in diameter. October 19, leaves and
fruit uninjured; found no live red scales.

(212) Took 5 ounces dry cyanide and 10 ounces of water, added in a
few seconds 5 ounces of pure sulphuric acid. Turned the blower five
minutes. 5.10 to 5.30 p. m., September 25, sun shining, light breeze.
Tree 11 feet high by 9 in diameter. October 19, leaves and fruit unin-
jured; found no live red scales.

(213) Took 7 ounces dry cyanide and 14 ounces water, added at once
74 fluid ounces pure sulphuric acid. Turned the blower five minutes.
9.30 to 9.50 a. m., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 12 feet
high by 10 in diameter. <A piece of loose cotton batting a quarter of an
inch in thickness was placed over the opening in the generator, through
which the gas passed on its way from the generator to the tent. Octo-
ber 19, one-eighteenth of the leaves were killed and several of the green
lemons were injured; found no live red scales.

(214) Took 54 ounces dry cyanide and 22 fluid ounces of water, added
at once 5? fluid ounces of sulphuric acid. Turned the blower tive minutes.
10.30 to 10.50 a. m., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 10
feet high by 9in diameter. Placed some cotton batting over the open-
ing in the generator as described in the preceding experiment. Octo-
ber 19, one-eighth of: the leaves were killed and several of the green
lemons were injured; found no live red scales. (Two cats were confined
in @ barley-sack and placed on the ground beneath the tent before
the latter was charged with the gas, and when the tent was removed
from the tree both of them were dead.)

(215) Took 5 ounces dry cyanide and 10 ounces of water, added at

207

once 54 fluid ounces of sulphuric acid. Turned the blower five minutes,
11.25 to 11.40 a. m., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 10
feet high by 9 in diameter. Placed a piece of cotton batting over the
opening in the generator as before. October 19, one-fifth of the leaves
were killed; found no live red scales. Before being operated on this
tree was in a very unhealthy condition.

(216) Took 34 ounces dry tyanide and 8 ounces of water, added at
once 4 ounces of pure sulphuric acid. Turned the blower five minutes.
1.50 to 2.05 p. m., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 11 feet
high by 8in diameter. Placed cotton batting over the opening in the
generator as before. October 19, about eight dozen leaves were killed ;
found three live red scales. :

(217) Took 5 ounces dry cyanide and 10 ounces of water, placed the
generator under the tent and added at once 54 ounces pure sulphuric
acid and placed a barley sack over the generator. 2.35 to 2.50 p. m.,
September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 12 feet high by 10 in
diameter. October 19, leaves and fruit uninjured; found no live red
Scales.

(218) Took 6 ounces dry cyanide and 12 ounces water, placed the gen-
erator under the tent and added at once 6$ ounces of pure sulphuric
acid, after which a barley sack was placed over the generator. 3.25 to
3.40 p. n., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 12 feet high
by 10 in diameter. October 19, a few leaves at the top of the tree were
killed; found no living red scales.

(219) Took 7 ounces dry cyanide and 14 ounces of water, placed the
generator under the tent and added at once 74 ounces of pure sulphuric
acid, after which a barley sack was placed over the generator. 4.10 to
4,30 p. m., September 26, sun shining, light breeze. Tree 11 feet high
by the same in diameter. October 19, a few leaves at the very top of
the tree were killed and some of the green lemons were injured ; found
no live red scales.

THE LARVZ OF HYPODERMA BOVIS, DE GEER.
_ By COOPER CURTICE, Veterinarian.

In the course of investigations of the Bureau of Animal Industry
made during December, 1889, and January, 1890, I have been collecting
the larve of Hypoderma bovis from cattle. I found larvee of the first
stage* (1) in the esophageal walls, (2) one specimen under the pleura
near the eleventh rib, (3) in the subcutaneous tissue of the back, and
(4) in subeutaneous tumors which opened by an orifice upon the exter-
nal skin. Larve of the second and third stages have been discovered

*By first stage I mean the earliest stage found. They were from 10-15™™ long and
1.5™™ thick, and were similar to the first stage of Hypoderma diana, as figured by
Brauer (Mon. d. @striden).—C. C.

208

only in tumors. Molts of the first stage were found in the tumors with
the second and were the means of connecting the three stages. Larve
of the first stage were more abundant in the earlier part of the collection ;
in the latter part but few could be found, and later stages were more
abundant. Hinrichsen, 1888 (Archiv. f. wiss. u. prak. Thierheilkunde,
Bad. XIV, p. 219), found the first stages of a larva he hesitatingly re-
ferred to H. bovis in the spinal canals of ten out of twenty-five head of
cattle examined. The presence of these larve of the first stages in the
cesophagus, back, subcutaneous tissue and tumors, suggests that the life
history ofa certain portion of the larve, if not all, has been overlooked.
It is possible that the eggs or young larve are licked by the cattle from
the backs; that the larve make their way into the cesophageal walls,
and from thence, during the proper season, through the back in the
neighborhood of the eleventh rib, to the skin.

Further observations of this parasite will be made throughout the
year in order to definitely establish the life history of the youngest
stage, which hitherto seems to have been neglected. Illustrations of
the various stages of the parasites and the injuries they produce will
accompany the detailed report of the investigations which will sae
in the publications of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

THE IMPORTED GIPSY MOTH.
(Ocneria dispar L.)

Fic. 36.—Ocneria dispar, female—natural size (after Ratzeburg).

This conspicuous insect, although not recorded in any of our check-
lists of North American Lepidoptera, has undoubtedly been present in
a restricted locality in Massachusetts for about twenty years. It was
imported by Mr. L. Trouvelot in the course of his experiments with
Silk-worms recorded in the early volumes of the American Naturalist,
and certain of the moths escaping, he announced the fact publicly,
and we mentioned it in the second volume of the American Entomolo-
gist, p. 111 (1870), and in our second report on the insects of Missouri,
p- 10. It is, indeed, a curious fact that during these twenty years the
insect has not become a pest until last season, and still more curious

209

that the moth does not seem to have found its way into the collections
and is not mentioned in the check-lists. Last summer, however, it
attracted considerable attention, and specimens were sent from Medford
to the agricultural experiment station at Amherst, where Mrs. C. H.
Fernald, in the absence of her husband, recognized the species. Several
newspaper articles were published during the season, notably those in
The New England Farmer, for July 13, and The Boston Transcript of
October 31 and November 14.

Professor Fernald on his return from Europe undertook a thorough
investigation of the matter, and in a special bulletin of the experiment
station of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, published by the as-
sistance of the secretary of the Board of Agriculture, and received by
us November 29, has published an eight-page account of the species,
with illustrations of the larva and pupa taken from Ratzeburg, and both —
sexes of the moth drawn from nature.
Professor Fernald gives popular de-
scriptions of the different states, and
as a remedy recommends spraying all
trees in the infested region with Paris
green (1 pound to 150 gallons of water)
soon after the hatching of the eggs in
the spring, for two or three years under
competent direction, and predicts the
entire destructiun of the pest if this course is followed. In Europe it
is generally held in check by its natural enemies, but occasionally it
becomes very destructive. In 1817 the cork-
oaks of southern France suffered severely, and
in 1878 the plane trees of the public promen-
ades in Lyons were nearly ruined. Last sum-
mer Professor Fernald saw the moth in im-
mense numbers on the trees of the Zodlogical
Garden in Berlin, where the caterpillar had
done great injury, and the opinion was ex-
pressed to him by prominent entomologists in
Europe that if the species should get a foot-
hold in this country it would become a far
greater pest than the Colorado Potato-beetle
on account of its prolificness, and the great
number of its food-plants. The European food-
plants are, among others, Apple, Pear, Plum,
Cherry, Quince, Apricot, Lime, Pomegranate,
Linden, Elm, Birch, Beech, Oak, Poplar, Wil-
low, Hornbeam, Ash, Hazel, Larch, Fir, Azalia, 5. 3. ooneria dispar. lav:

. 38. ria dispar, larva—
Myrtle, Rose, and Cabbage. It is found in natural size (after Ratzeburg).
nearly all parts of Europe, and in southern and western Asia, extend-
ing as far as to Japan.

F1G. 37.—Ocneria dispar, male—natural size
(after Kirby).

210

Prof. W. P. Brooks found it abundant at Sapporo in Japan in 1883,
where it fed upon strawberry in addition to other plants. In Massa-
chusetts it is reported as feeding upon the leaves of Apple, Cherry,
Quince, Elm, Linden, Maple, Balm of Gilead, Birch, Oak, Willow, Wis-
taria, Norway Spruce, and Corn. Professor Fernald states that in this
country it occurs only in Medford, Mass.,
where it occupies an area in the form of
an ellipse about 15 miles long by one-
half mile wide. We have just learned,
however, from Mr. Lewis E. Hood, of
Somerville, that it was observed in that
town last summer. The instance men-
tioned in INsEcT LIFE, Vol. II, p. 86,
of its occurrence at Winchester is still
uncertain, aS only partly grown larve
were sent by our correspondent, Mrs.
Holt.

Regarding its natural enemies, Pro-
fessor Fernald states that none have
been noticed in this country, but that
eleven species of Ichneumonide and
seven species of Tachina flies have been
noticed in Europe. This statement is
evidently taken from Ratzeburg, who
Ee nai pupa—natural mentions this precise number of eleven

Hymenopterous parasites (not all Ich-
neumonide, by the way). By means, however, of a manuscript cata-
logue of the relations of parasitic Hymenoptera, which Mr. Howard has
in preparation, we are able to more than double this list, and as a mat-
ter of general interest we publish the following :

1. Pimpla flavicans Rtz., Rtz. W.S.

2. Pimpla instigator Grav., G. et L. 409, Rtz. W. S.

3. Pezomachus hortensis Gr., (hyper) Brischke A. W. T. 128.
4

5

. Limneria difformis Gr., Kirch., 94.
. Hemiteles fulvipes Gr., Kirch. 66, Brdg. Ent. XVI, 106, Brischke, A. W. T., Rtz.
W.S.
6. Campoplex conicus Rtz., Kirch 90, Rtz. W.S.
7. Campoplex difformis Gr., Rtz. W. S. = Limneria.
8. Mesochorus pectoralis Rtz., Rtz. W, 8.
9. Mesochorus gracilis, Brischke A. W. T. 128.
10. Mesochorus splendidulus Gr., Brischke A. W. T. 128.
11. Apanteles glomeratus L., G. et L., 413.
12. Apanteles fulvipes Hal. “essa Wid. 128:
13. Apanteles melanoscelus Rtz., Kirch. 121, Rtz. W. S. = Apanteles difficilis Nees.
14. Apanteles solitarius Rtz., iron! 122, Rtz. W. S., Brischke A. W. T. 128.
15. Microgaster calceatus Hal., Marsh. M. B. B. 246.
16. Microgaster (?) tenebrosus Wesm., Brischke A. W. T. 128.
17. Microgaster tibialis Nees., Brischke A. W. T. 128.
18. Microgaster (?) liparidis Ratz., Ratz. W.S., Kirch, 121.

211

19. Microgaster pubescens Rtz., Kirch. 121, Rtz. W. S. = calceatus Hal.

20. Eurytoma abrotant Panz., Rtz. W.S., Kirch. 155, Brischke, A. W.T. 128.
21. Pteromalus halidayanus Rtz., (hyper) Brischke, A. W. T..130.

22. Pteromalus pint Hartig, (hyper) Brischke, A. W. T. 128.

23. Pteromalus bouchéanus Rtz., (hyper) Brischke, A. W. T. 128, G. et L. 428.
24. Lupelmus bifasciatus Giraud, G. et L. 420. On eggs.

Among the twenty-four species above mentioned there will undoubt-
edly be a few synonyms, and from the known generic habits there are
unquestionably a number of secondary parasites. Brischke has called
special attention to the fact that Nos. 17, 21, 22, and 23 are hyper-para-
sites, and to these we may unquestionably add 13, and in all probability,
14, 15, and 16, as Mesochorus has often been reared from Microgaster co-
coons, and as we are not familiar with any cases of primary parasitism
in this genus. There is also some little doubt about the species of Cam-
poplex, so that only fourteen undoubted primary parasites are left. The
majority of these insects are not confined to Ocneria dispar, and some
of them are well-known and widely-spread beneficial insects. The Ap-
anteles glomeratus, for instance, is a well-known European parasite of
the common Cabbage Worm, and occurs quite abundantly in this coun-
try. It is almost incredible that the caterpillar should have no Ameri-
can parasite, and we imagine that careful study will show that some of
our American species of the Microgasterine, at least, will be found to
infest it, while predatory insects, of course, are not so strictly confined
as to the character of their prey.

In conclusion we may state that if Professor Fernald’s recommenda-
tions are carried out at all strictly we have little fear of the spread of
this pest, and agree with him that it can be entirely killed out with the
expenditure of a little time and money.

SOME INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
By C. V. RILEY.

[Continued from page 130. ]
THE TRUE CLOTHES-MOTHS.*

‘‘ And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment, that is moth-eaten.”—Job,
Xili, 28.

The true clothes-moths are the housekeepers’ dreads, in parts of the
country where the Buffalo-bug is not known, and they flourish, though
with diminished prominence, through comparison with the Buffalo-moth,
in all sections. They are cosmopolitan insects, having been carried in
clothes to all parts of the world, and no one of them is indigenous in
the United States, so far as we know. The greatest confusion existed

*Reprinted substantially from Good Housekeeping, April 27, 1889.

212

until within recent years as to the proper nomenclature of the species
noted for their damage in this country, and as a striking example I may
state that Dr. Packard, in his well-known Guide to the Study of Insects,
under the head of ‘The Common Clothes-moth,” describes the larva,
case, and pupa of one species, the moth of a second, and gives it
the name ofa third. Some years ago I sent a number of specimens to
Lord Walsingham of Merton Hall, England, a world-famous authority
upon these small insects, and cleared up, with his assistance, the con-
fusion then existing. About the same time Prof. C. H. Fernald, then
of Orono, Me., now of Amherst, Mass., also performed the same task
with Lord Walsingham’s assistance.

From these investigations we learn that there are three distinct
species of clothes-moths common in this country, all of which are of
European origin. They are somewhat similar in the larva and pupa
states and all lay minute pale yellowish ovoid eggs or nits on the stuffs
which they attack and injure; but they differ somewhat in the moth

Fic. 40.—Tinea pellionella—enlarged—a, adult; b, larva; c, larva in case (after Riley).

or imago state.’ The statements of habits which are here given are
for temperate regions; in more southern regions and in houses kept
uninterruptedly warm by furnace or steam heat there is danger of con-
tinued injury during winter, and an increased number of generations,
where ordinarily in more northern regions there is cessation of injury
during the cold season.

The common case-making species is properly called Tinea pellionella
Linn. The species which makes a gallery of the substance on which it
is at work should be known as Tinea tapetzella Linn, while the third
species, which does not make a case, but in transforming constructs a
cocoon by webbing together bits of the substance upon which it feeds |
should be called Tineola biselliella Hummel. |

Perhaps the commonest of these in more northern regions is the case- |
bearing species (7. pellionella), shown at Fig. 40. Its habits may thus |
briefly be stated : The small light-brown moths, distinguished, as shown |
at Fig. 40a, by the darker spots at intervals on the wings, begin to appear |
in May and are occasionally seen flitting about as late as August. They |
pair and the female then searches for suitable places for the deposition |

213

of her eggs, working her way into dark corners and deep into the folds
of garments, apparently choosing by instinct the least conspicuous
places. From these eggs hatch the white, soft-bodied larvie (see Fig.
40b), each of which begins immediately to make a case for itself from the
fragments of the cloth upon which it feeds. The case is in the shape
of a hollow roll or cylinder and the interior is lined with silk (see Fig.
40c). As they grow they enlarge these cases by adding material to either
end and by inserting gores down the sides which they slit open for the
purpose. The larva reaches its full growth toward winter and then,
crawling into some yet more protected spot, remains there torpid
through the winter within its case, which is at this time thickened and
fastened at either end with silk. I have known these larve in autumn
to leave the carpet upon which they had fed, drag their heavy cases up
a 15-foot wall and fasten them in the angle of the cornice of the ceiling.
The transformation to pupatakes
place within the case the follow: ’ y
ing spring and the moths soon ; AW ;
afterward issue. Such is the life \ ans Sess las <p
round of the first species. It \oY> ss ‘eae
feeds in all woolen cloths and SS a

also in hair cloth, furs, and feath-
ers. Curiously enough a little
parasite sometimes enters the
house and lays its eggs in the
destructive larve. The accom- 2
panying drawing (Fig. 41) was we. 41.—Hyperacmus tinee—eularged (after Riley).
made from specimens received

from Michigan. It may be known as Hyperacmus tinee.

The next species— Tineola biselliella—makes no case, but when ready
to transform constructs a cocoon mainly from fragments of the material
upon which it has been feeding, It
spins a certain amountof silk, how-
ever, wherever it goes. It is the
most common species at Washing-
ton, and, so far as my experience
goes, in the Southern States. Itis
generally fond of the same sub-
stances upon which the former
feeds, and is quite as voracious.
; LEE A curious instance was brought to
Fig. 42.—Tincola biseliiella: a, adult; b, larva; My attention in 1884, in which a
e, cocoon and empty pupa-skin—enlarged (after Jarge stock of feather dusters was
cell completely ruined by this species,
while I have often had fine camel’s-hair brushes ruined by it when they
have been left lying loose in drawers. Its life round is much the same
as that of the species just described, but it is commonly believed that

15035—Nos. 7 and 8——2

aa
ms

214

there is more than one generation annually in southern latitudes. The
parent moth (Fig. 42a) is of a delicate straw-color and has no black
spots. The larva is shown at Fig. 42b and the cocoon at Fig. 42c. The
latter is often found with the empty pupa-skin Broa from its ex-
tremity.

The moth of Tinea tapetzella—the last species—-is readily distinguished
from the others by the fact that the front wings are black from the base
to the middle, and white beyond. The white portion is often clouded
with dark gray. The habits of this species are much the same as in
the others except that the larva forms for itself a silken gallery mixed
with fragments of cloth and thus destroys much more material than it
needs for food. It remains hidden within some part of the gallery and
retreats to another portion when alarmed. It transforms to pupa with-
out other covering than the gallery affords. This is probably the
species mentioned by Pliny and re-
ferred to in Holy Writ. The moth
is Shown at Fig. 43.

And now as to the question of
remedies: During the latter part
of May or early in June a vigorous
campaign should be entered upon.
All carpets, clothes, cloth-covered
furniture, furs, and rugs should be
thoroughly shaken and aired, and, if possible, exposed to the sunlight
as long as practicable. If the house is badly infested or if any partic-
ular article is supposed to be badly infested, a free use of benzine, in
the manner mentioned in my last article, will be advisable. All floor
cracks and dark closets should be sprayed with this substance. Too
much pains can not be taken to destroy every moth and every egg and
every newly-hatched larva, for immunity for the rest of the year de-
pends largely—almost entirely—upon the thoroughness with which the
work of extermination is carried on at this time. The benzine spray —
will kill the insect in every stage, and it is one of the few substances
which will destroy the egg. I would, however, repeat the caution as to
its inflammability. No light should be brought into a room in which it
has been used until after a thor ough airing and until the odor is almost
dissipated.

The proper packing away of furs and winter clothing through the
summer is a serious matter. A great deal of unnecessary expenditure
in the way of cedar chests and cedar wardrobes and various compounds
in the way of powders has been urged by writers on these pests. But
experience fully proves that after a thorough treatment in May or June,
garments may be safely put away for the rest of the season with no |
other protection than wrapping them closely in stout paper, to preclude |
infection through some belated female. My assistant, Mr. L. O. How-
ard, tells me of an excellent plan which he has adopted. He buys for a

Fic. 43.—-Tinea tapetzella—eniarged (after Riley).

}
|

}

i
j

215

small sum from his tailor a number of pasteboard boxes in which they
deliver suits, and his wife carefully folds and packs away all clothing,
gumming a strip of wrapping paper around the edge of the cover so as
to leave no crack. These boxes will last for a life-time with careful use.
Others use for the same purpose ordinary paper flour sacks or linen
pillow-cases, which answer well. The success of these means depends
entirely on the thoroughness of the preliminary work. Camphor, to-
baeco, napthaline, and other strong odorants are only partial repellants
and without the precaution urged are of little avail.

Cloth-covered furniture which is in constant use will not be harmed,
and the same may be said of cloth-lined carriages. Where such furni-
ture is stored away or kept unused in a dark room or where the car-
riages are left in a dark coach-house through the summer, at least two
sprayings with benzine, say once in June and once about August 1, will
be advisable. Another plan which will act as a protection in such cases
is to sponge the cloth linings and covers both sides where possible,
with a dilute solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol made just strong
enough not to leave a white mark on a black feather.

IRRIGATION AND INJURIOUS INSECTS.*

The question of the proposed reclamation of the arid lands of the
West by irrigation is of great importance from the entomological stand-
point, mainly in view of its influence upon the destructive appearances
of the Rocky Mountain Locust or Western Grasshopper, which at irregu-
lar intervals has greatly damaged the agriculture of certain of our
Western States and Territories. The last important invasion of this
pest occurred during the years 1875 and 1876, and the devastation

| which it occasioned at that time is so fresh in the minds of all as to re-

quire no elaboration of the importance of the subject. The reports of
the U. S. Entomological Commission, an organization founded in March,
1877, and composed of Professors C. V. Riley, A. S. Packard, and

_ Cyrus Thomas, consider the question of the influence of irrigation of a

large extent of the arid territory upon the increase of this pest, and
from the first report of this Commission, published during the year 1878,
and the second report, published in 1880, can be drawn a complete sum-
“mary of the writings on this subject and the views in full of the Com-

* Reply written by Mr. Howard during Prof. Riley’s absence in Europe, in answer
to a circular letter from the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture to the heads of certain
of the scientific divisions of the Department, asking for the bearings of the proposed

| Government irrigation of western lands upon the problems comprehended by the work
_of their respective divisions, for the use of the Senate Committee on Irrigation, of
_ which Senator Stewart is chairman.

216

mission. Copies of those reports would accompany this statement but —
they have been long out of print. They may be found, however, in the
library of the Geological Survey.

One of the most important results arrived at is the conclusion that
an extensive system of irrigation upon a scale of greater magnitude
than any which ean be undertaken by a pioneer population will be not
only necessary to the carrying on of agricultural operations within the
belt of territory mapped out as the permanent breeding grounds of the
jocust, but with the prime result that such an introduction of diversified
agriculture into these regions will abolish the conditions necessary to
a permanent reproduction of the species, and will consequently reduce
the danger of the appearance of destructive migratory Swarms to a min-
imum. The one fact that, according to the careful statistics gathered
by the Commission, the loss from this pest during the years 1874to1877_
amounted to upwards of two hundred million dollars, is a mighty argu-
ment for the expenditure of the sums which it is proposed to devote to
the purpose which Senator Stewart’s committee is now investigating.
The words which the Commission have devoted to the discussion of this
point are best quoted, and I give in the following pages extracts from
the first and second reports above referred to.

It is evident, therefore, that the final and complete solution of the locust problem
depends to a certain extent upon the possibility of modifying, to some degree at least,
the aridity of the great plains of the Northwest, which undoubtedly form the native
breeding grounds of these insects.

By most persons this will be considered equivalent to saying that the locust problem
will never be solved. It would scarcely be proper for us here to enter into a discus-
sion of the question of the possibility of modifying the condition of the dry area, but
we can not refrain from placing upon record our protest against any such conclusion
as this. That man, with a mind that can bring art, science, and mechanics to the
perfection now visible on every hand, must be forever unable to convert the desert
into fertile fields or to redeem the waste places of earth, we can not believe unless we
are shown that the moisture which once supplied these areas has forever taken its
departure from our globe.

To what extent these dry areas of the west can be supplied with water and rea-
dered fertile must be determined by those who are proficient in this particular branch
of science ; but that large sections can be redeemed by proper efforts, if made on a
scale of sufficient magnitude, we have no doubt.

By utilizing all the water that flows down from the mountains for the purposes of
irrigation; by collecting in reservoirs the winter supply and distributing it in the
growing season, a very large section of these plains might be brought under cultiva-
tion, and extensive forests growu where now the surface is naked and barren. Every
field brought into cultivation, every grove planted, is just so far a step toward the
ultimate solution of the locust problem; and the nearer these can be brought to their
native home the more effectual will they be in rooting them ont. If extensive
efforts in this direction were made in British America, north of Montana, also in
eastern Montana, western Dakota, and the regions around the Black Hills, it would
not only be of immense benefit in supplying new agricultural fields for emigrants
from the locust problem; it would also be a most effectual method of settling the
Indian question in this region. Just what can be done in the way of redeeming
these areas we can not say, but when their settlement dependsupon it, and the wel- |

217

fare of a much larger area south and west also depends upon it, certainly the oe
tion is worthy of consideration by our national authorities.

The day is not far distant when our National Government will be compelled to meet
this important question and to test the ability of man to accomplish the work.

The progress of settlement westward must necessarily be slow when it, as is now
beginning to be the case, impinges upon the sterile area; it can only push onward
when the front line is backed by a dense population and farms studded with groves.
It is possible that if there were no other impediments to overcome than this sterility,
formidable as it is, the gradual filling up of the border area with an active population
would modify the conditions sufficiently, at least, to allow the pushing into and re-
demption of a belt of considerable breadth. But when to this difficulty is added the
devouring locust the hope of success is greatly diminished. * * *

In the permanent region, which embraces the Rocky Mountain plateau and the
bordering plains from the middle of Colorado northward, the rain-fall is insufficient
for agricultural purposes, and hence irrigation has to be resorted to; in the tempo-
rary region this is unnecessary. The plains and plateaus of the permanent region are
to alarge extent distinguished by the presence of Artemisia, Chenopodiaceous plants,
and what is usually termed ‘‘bunch-egrass;” in short by all the characteristics of a
drier climate. One other peculiarity which has not been overlooked appears to
mark roughly the southern boundary of the permanent home of the Rocky Mountain
locust, and that is the isothermal curve or line of the 50° of mean annual tempera-
ture, which also corresponds very nearly with the isothermal curve or line of sum-
mer temperature of 70°. But this applies only to that portion of the region which
extends upon the plains east of the mountains.

If any practical means of exterminating the locusts in this permanent region could
be devised the whole locust problem could be solved, and nothing farther would be
necessary; but when we take into consideration the vast extent of this area, and the
fact that a very large portion of it can not be-brought under cultivation without
a material change in the climatic conditions, there appears but little hope that such
a means of actual extermination will ever be devised, however much we may hope to
check the injurious increase of the pest by the means recommended in the conclud-
ing chapter of this report. Our discussion of the future prospects of this region in
reference to agriculture may as well, therefore, be on this basis.

*» *« * A careful investigation of this subject for several years and repeated visits
in person to this region have served to convince us that, with the advantages afforded
the system of irrigation necessarily adopted, there is no reason why the agricultural
area lying along the east flank of the range should suffer any more from these pests
than portions of the temporary regions.

* * * co * * *

This agricultural belt, extending from Colorado into British America, is partly
along the margin of and partly in the very heart of the permanent breeding grounds
where the swarms that invade the temporary region originate. It follows, then, as
a natural consequence, that just so far as the numbers are lessened by the operations
in this section, just so far will the agriculturists of the temporary region be benefited,
and, as we will hereafter see, like operations in the latter region will benefit those in
the permanent region. We are fully aware of the fact that the part of this vast re-
gion which can be irrigated and cultivated is small in comparison with the whole
area which forms the native home of the species; but, fortunately, in one respect this
cultivated belt occupies, in part at least, the point of departure of the swarms which
invade the temporary region. This fact, therefore, renders it more important that it
be occupied by an agricultural population.

Although we have admitted that we are unable to present any plan of exterminat-
ing the locusts that holds out sufficient promise of success to justify the General
Government in undertaking it, it does not necessarily follow that there is no plan of
modifying the evil which the Government would be justified in undertaking. On

218

the contrary, if the views we have advanced be correct, they suggest a means by
which the General Government might greatly aid in bringing about the desired re-
sult; and fortunately the result would be beneficial even should we be mistaken
in the opinions advanced.

As will be seen by what has been stated, the great desideratum is to settle the cul-
tivated belt alluded to as rapidly as possible with an agricultural population. Wher-
ever valuable and permanent mines are discovered in the neighboring mountains,
the arable areas in the vicinity will be taken up and cultivated to an extent at least
sufficient to supply the demand for agricultural products, as in parts of Colorado.
But there are large sections where no such influence will be brought to bear, and
this is the case along that portion of the belt where the agricultural population is
most needed for the purpose mentioned.

An examination of Map*No. 1, in our first report, -will show that a comparatively
limited belt in central Montana, extending from the Big Horn Mountains northwest
to the British line, a little west of Cypress Hill, forms the turning point of the locust
movements. Without now repeating the data, which may be found in that report,
we may summarize it by saying that from this region a large portion of the swarms
come which visit Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas; from this area also pro-
ceed a large portion of the s varms that move southwest into Idaho and Utah; this
appears to be the point to which most of the returning swarms from the temporary
region direct their flight.

That there are other areas in the permanent region which appear to be special
breeding grounds, as points of departure, is certainly true, but none to such an extent
as this, and none affecting an agricultural area bearing any comparison with the area
affected by the locust swarms originating in this belt.

Even should it be shown by subsequent investigations that as a rule the swarms
falling on the temporary regions come from intermediate points, as central and south-
ern Dakota and northwestern Nebraska, the facts already ascertained warrant us in
asserting that, as a very general rule, they originate in the belt mentioned.

It is evident, therefore, that if any method can be devised by which an agricult-
ural (not pastoral) population can be thrown into this belt it will form one of the best
possible means of modifying the evil. If they can be effectually distributed in this
area the result will be of immense value to the agricultural interests of Dakota, Min-
nesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, in fact of the entire temporary region. We do
not pretend that it will wholly relieve this area from locust i invasions, but it will very

materially lessen their extent and injury.

In order to carry on agricultural operations to any great extent in this belt, an
extensive system of irrigation will be absolutely necessary. Jt will have to be ona
scale of greater magnitude than any that will be undertaken by a pioneer popula-
tion. We doubt the propriety of the General Government undertaking such a work
directly, if it is possible to acco plish it in any other way. This, we think, may
possibly be done by giving the land for this purpose. We are fully aware of the op-
position at present to the Government’s donating any more of the public land, but
the circumstances of this case bring it out of the general rule. If donating the en-
tire body of public land in the belt described would suffice to settle it with an agri-
cultural population, not only would the very purpose for which it is held be accom-
plished, but, if our views are correct, the result would be of immense benefit to the
border States.

We therefore suggest the following as probably the most feasible plan of accom-
plishing the desiredend: Let the United States donate a belt of 50 or 60 miles in
width, running from the Black Hills west-northwest, so as to strike the Yellowstone
River a short distance above the mouth of the Big Horn River; from thence north-
northwest by way of Fort Shaw, or the mouth of Sun River, in the direction of Fort
Hamilton, in British America—this to be granted on condition that the company to
which said land is granted shall, within a given time, construct a railroad from the

]

219

Black Hills along the line designated to the international boundary ; shall undertake
and carry out to an extent to be designated a system of irrigation, and shall equip
and keep in operation said road for a certain number of years.

Whether such grant will be sufficient inducement for any competent company to
undertake the work specified is probably the chief difficulty in the way of success-
fully carrying out this plan. On this point we do not feel qualified to express an
opinion. That such a road starting from the Black Hills, if once built, would soon
be connected southward and eastward with other roads can not be doubted. That it
would be the best possible means of bringing an agricultural population into this
belt can not be doubted. It would also be an important factor in settling the trouble-
some Indian problem in this section of the West.

If the plan should be adopted it might be well to colonize, if possible, with Rus-
sian peasants who are accustomed to fighting locusts.

The advantage to be derived from this plan consists chiefly in the fact that it is
possible to destroy the young to a very large extent by the use of the proper means.
If this is done in the very heart of their breeding grounds it greatly lessens the num-
bers that will migrate. Not only does it prevent the number destroyed from migrat-
ing, but of each one killed, so to speak, an entire family brood of the next or migrat-
ing generation is destroyed. In other words, the destruction of thousands there
would be as effectual as destroying millions of the migrating swarms. The means of
destroying the young, as before stated, can be made more effectual in the sections
where irrigation is carried on than where it is not.

As shown in our first report, the destruction of the young locusts bred in the tempo-
rary region from the invading hordes not only gives immediate relief, but also tends
to postpune future invasions by so lessening the numbers in the returning swarms
that a longer time is required for development. With an agricultural population in
the area designated the work of destruction would then be carried on at each end
of their migratory route.

Here we may also remark that the present idea of making that section of our coun-
try a peculiarly pastoral area, while doubtless profitable to the present and for two or
three generations to come, will in the end entail hardships upon those to follow. It
can no longer be doubted that while the destruction of forests was the chief agency,
yet the pastoral habit of the people of western Asia and other oriental countries, once
so fertile but now barren, was one important factor in producing the present dry and
barren condition of those countries. No country in the interior of a continent, unless
supplied with numerous lakes or numerous and permanent rivers, cam remain per-
manently fertile and productive if given up largely to pasturage of sheep, goats, and
cattle, without cultivation. The rapid destruction of mountain forests, and pastur-
ing their slopes and bordering plains, will most certainly have a tendency to render
that portion of our country more dry and barren.

Unless, therefore, our Government adopts some policy by which an agricultural
population can be thrown into that area, the day will most assured]y come when it
will be as barren and desolate as the plains of Arabia. The development of the lo-
custs is but an incident of the change from a former condition of abundant moisture
to the present dry one. But this branch of the subject we propose to omit at present.

It will be seen, therefore, by the foregoing that we think it is possible to modify to
a very large extent the operations of the locusts so far as these relate to the area
along the east flank of the mountains, and that the General Government may, with-
out any very great expense, very greatly assist in the work.

* * * * * * *

This certainly shows a very moderate climate for this northern latitude. Wheat,

| oats, rye, and barley grow well, and Indian corn is also raised without difficulty and

produces good crops. Such fruits as apples, plums, cherries, currants, raspberries,
and gooseberries may be grown and matured here, the climate presenting no serious
obstacle.

220

The amount of land that can be brought under cultivation depends wholly upon
the amount of water that can be obtained for irrigation. If the plan for making res-
ervoirs for preserving the winter supply should ever be adopted, the breadth of the
agricultural belt would be very largely increased, and this would be doubly benefi-
cial in assisting to destroy the locusts and tending to increase the moisture in the at- _
mosphere by forming a larger evaporating surface. The growth of trees and shrub-/
bery around these reservoirs would also be beneficial in the same direction.

But experience in the settling of these mountain regions and Western Territories
shows that no such extensive works will, or in fact can be, undertaken by a pioneer
agricultural population. Some efficient aid of some kind must be given if such a
scheme is ever carried into effect, and ff the land itself will do this, the Government

will act wisely in giving it for this purpose.
* * * * * * *

As shown by our first report the region around Salt Lake is subject to repeated
locust invasion from the north, apparently the resulting broods of the swarms that
originate in that portion of Montana of which we have been speaking, and which,
pouring over the mountain-pass at the head of Jefferson River, move down Snake River
Valley.

If the scheme we have suggested should be carried out and should prove beneficial
in reference to the eastern area, it would have, to some extent at least, a like effect.
as to this section. If it is possible to establish and maintain an agricultural popula-
tion in the Upper Snake River Valley, this would have a strong tendency to modify
the evil. But the present barren aspect of this region would seem to forbid any hopes
of ever accomplishing this desired end. Still there appears to be one possible means

of bringing this about, at least to alimited extent. The demand of trade will doubt-.

less complete the railroad already started in that direction, which is one step towards
the desired end, but something more is required in this case.

Snake River affords a large body of water which if properly utilized would irrigate .

a large breadth of land, and notwithstanding the barren appearance of the soil, it is
really fertile when irrigated. It is possible, with a moderate expense, to throw dams
across this stream at certain favorable spots, and by this means to spread the water

over the adjoining plains. A work of this kind would, of course, have to be done by _

the General Government. The feasibility of this project could easily be ascertained
by an ofiicer of the Engineer Corps of the Army; and as this is on the line of the
chief inter-montane thoroughfare, and also of the locust invasions of this region, the
subject is certainly worthy of the attention of the Government.

As will be seen by what we have presented on this subject, the philosophy of our
plan for modifying the evil is to place an agricultural population in the very home
of the species, which from necessity would be compelled to wage a constant warfare
against them.

By stirring the soil their nests would be disturbed; by fighting the young their
numbers would be diminished; and as irrigation would be necessary, the effect of
dry seasons on the crops would not be felt as in the temporary region. The possi-
bility of inundating to a considerable extent their egg deposits by the winter supply
of water would tend to diminish their numbers. The fact that their breeding-
grounds are chiefly in the limited agricultural areas is also another argument in favor
of the plan.

That large areas would be left where locusts breed and pour down on the nearest
cultivated areas, as in western Colorado, is certainly true, but this does not lessen
the value of the plan proposed, nor is it a reason why it should not be put into
operation.

The effect of irrigation upon the Rocky Mountain Locust dwarfs into:
comparative insignificance anything which may be said concerning its.
influence on other destructive species, yet there are many forms which
depend for their existence and multiplication upon a dry climate, and

|

221

i
which a thorough system of irrigation would render comparatively
harmless.

This has been recognized by the prominent writers upon economic
entomology, and I may quote the words of my chief, Professor Riley, as
follows:

I have repeatedly laid stress in my writings on the importance of irrigation in com-
batting several of our worst insect enemies, and, aside from its benefits in this direc-
tion, every recurrence of a droughty year convinces me of its guarding against failure
of crops from excessive drought. Iam glad to know that many farmers, and espe-
cially small-fruit growers in the vicinity of New York, are preparing in one way or
another for irrigation whenever it becomes necessary, and I was pleased to hear Dr.
Hexamer, at the late meeting of the American Pomological Society, urge a general
system of irrigation as the most profitable investment the cultivator can make in a
climate subject to such periods of drought as ours is known to be.

Perhaps the most striking example among this class of insects is the
Chinch Bug—a species which damages certain cereal crops to the extent
of upwards of five millions of dollars in years of abundance. This insect
is directly influenced by moisture and seldom occurs in numbers in the
more eastern States except after two or more successive seasons of
drought. After a year of excessive multiplication these insects will
often be found to have hibernated in immense numbers, and itis a well-
known fact that heavy rain-falls the succeeding spring will destroy them
almost completely. ‘This being the case an artificial system of irrigation
will enable the agriculturalists to hold this insect completely in check,
and such a system as it is proposed to introduce in the West will render
the grain-growers of the reclaimed regions independent of the damage
which may be done by this insect and will enable them to compete on
most advantageous terms with the grain-growers of the more eastern lo-
calities, whose crops are occasionally subject to almost total loss by this
insectenemy. Imay again quote from Professor Riley:

Irrigation where it can be applied—and it can be in much of the territory in the
vicinity of the Rocky Mountains, where the insect commits sad havoe, as with a little
effort in many regions in the heart of the Mississippi Valley—is the only real availa-
ble practicable remedy after the bugs have commenced multiplying in thespring. I
wish to lay particular stress upon this matter of irrigation, believing, as I do, that it
is an effectual remedy against this pest, and that by overflowing a grain field for a
couple of days, or by saturating the ground after as many more in the month of May,
we may effectually prevent its subsequent injuries.—(Seventh Report Insects of Mis-
souri. )

We may mention aiso the case of the Grape-vine Phylloxera and
may again quote from Professor Riley:

Submersion, where practicable, and where it is total and sufficiently prolonged, is
a perfect remedy. This is what even the closest student might expect, as he finds
that excessive moisture is very disastrous to the lice. M. Louis Faucon, of Graveson
(Bouches-du-Rh6éne), France, has abundantly proved its efficacy, and has by means
of it totally annihilated the insect in his vineyard, which was suffering from it four
years ago. From his experience we may draw the following conclusions:

(1) The best season to submerge is in autumn (September and October), when the
lice are yet active and the vines have ceased growing. Submergence for 25 to 30
days at this season will generally rout the lice.

222 :

(2) A submergence of 40 to 50 days in winter is required, and even where the water
is allowed to remain during the whole season the vineyard does not suffer. I should
consider this very doubtful.

(3) A vineyard should never be inundated for a longer period than two days in
summer or during growth; and, though these brief inundations at that season affect
only the few lice near the surface and are by no means essential, they are neverthe-
less important auxiliaries to the more thorough fall or winter submersion, as they
destroy the few lice which are always invading a vineyard in infested districts.
These summer inundations will be necessary only after the winged insects begin to
appear, and three or four, each lacting less than two days, made between the middle
of July and the fall of the leaf, will effect the end desired.

(4) An embankment should be made around the vineyard in order that the water
may evaporate and permeate the earth, but not run off and carry away any nutritive
properties of the soil.

The varied success which has attended the different attempts to rout the enemy by
inundation is owing to the lack of thoroughness inmany of them. The ground must
be thoroughly soaked for a sufficient length of time. Temporary irrigation does
not accomplish the end, for the reason that it does not reach all the lice, and does
not break up the numerous air bubbles which form in the soil and prevent the drown-
ing of many of the insects. (Sixth Report Insects of Missonri.)

Too much in fact can not be said of the advantages of a system of
irrigation in fighting many insect pests.

A good instance occurred in our experience in the spring of 1879,
when the Army Worm appeared in great force upon a large grass plan-
tation near Portsmouth, Va. The plantation was divided into sections
by irrigating ditches, and it was only necessary to turn on the water to
isolate a badly infested section and to devote it to rolling, fire, or some
other means of destruction, preventing ready spread to other sections.
In the same way rice planters have a ready means of fighting insect
pests at hand.

Other insects might be particularized, but the general statement that
from the stand-point of the economic entomologist irrigationin general
is a great help in fighting insect pests, and from the marked illustration of
the great good accomplished by the reclamation of the arid regions in
connection with the damage done by the Rocky Mountain locust it will
probably be considered that further elaboration is unnecessary.

Respectfully submitted, May 13, 1889.

NOTE ON THE OVIPOSITION AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF
XIPHIDIUM ENSIFERUM, Scup.

By WILLIAM M. WHEELER, Milwaukee, Wis.

Though the Orthoptera have received more attention from students
of insect embryology than any other natural order of Hexapoda, there
still remain several families which, owing to the difficulty of procuring
sufficient material, have not been studied. We possess monographs,
more or less complete, on members of the Gryllid, Acridiid, and Blat-

223

tid groups, but besides a few observations on an European Mantis we
have no observations on members of the families Locustide, Mantide,
and Phasmide. The differences in the details of embryonic development
observed in the Orthoptera hitherto investigated are so great that all
students of the subject must look forward with considerable interest to
any results accruing from the study of representatives of these four
families. In my search for insects’ eggs of a convenient size, procura-
ble in abundance, and representing families heretofore unstudied, I
happened on one of the Locustide, the eggs of which meet the require-
ments. The species to which I allude is XYiphidium ensiferum, Scud., a
very common insect about the meadows and marshlands of Wisconsin
and the adjacent states.

Unlike other species of the family whose oviposition has been de-
scribed, Xiphidium ensiferum does not oviposit on or in twigs, but be-
tween the scales of a Cecidomyid gall, very common on the willows which
grow in the damp situations haunted by the Locustid. Mr. L. O. How-
ard, who kindly examined a specimen of the scaly turnip-shaped gall
for me, pronounces it to be very probably produced by Cecidomyia salicis-
gnaphaloides, Walsh. On September 8 I observed a female in the act
of oviposition. She was perched with her head turned toward the apex
of the gall, which contained besides the large white Cecidomyid larva
in the center of its base, a number of the smaller orange-red larve ot
an inquiline Cecidomyid between the scale-like leaves. Slowly and

- sedately she thrust her sword-shaped ovipositor down between the

leaves and, after depositing an egg, as slowly withdrew the organ in
order to recommence the same operation after taking a few steps to
one side of where she had been at work. She soon observed me and
slipped away without completing her task.

The subopaque, cream-colored egg is elongate oval, 4 to 4.5™™
long and 1™™ broad through its middle. One of the poles is somewhat
more attenuate than the other and there is a faint curvature in the
polar axis which causes one side of the egg to be somewhat more con-
vex than the other. The yolk, very similar in constitution to that of
other Orthoptera, is pale yellow. It is inclosed by a delicate vitelline
meubrane and a thicker, opaque and somewhat leathery chorion which

_ suddenly becomes transparent when immersed in alcohol. The eggs

are deposited with their long axes parallel to the long axis of the gall
and their attenuate poles upward. They are completely concealed by
the leaves, the edges of which close over and very efficiently protect
them. The number of eggs found in a gall varies considerably. Some-
times but two or three will be found, more frequently from fifty to one
hundred ; in one small gall I counted’ one hundred and seventy and I
have opened a few galls which contained more. From these facts IL

- eonclude that one female frequently deposits her quantum of eggs in
_ several galls, possibly having some means of selecting the best cradles

for her offspring and perhaps trying several till she finds one perfectly

224

adapted to her purposes. Frequently as many as ten eggs will be found
under a single scale. When this is the case, the eggs adhere to one
another somewhat and are often irregularly placed, as if two or three
insects had in succession oviposited in the same place.

Whereas the Blattide show the greatest fixity in habits of oviposition
of any of the Orthopteran families, the Locustide exhibit the greatest
variety. Some species like the American Anabrus simplex and the Eu-
ropean Locuste oviposit in the ground like the Acridide. Others,
like mauy species of Yiphidiwm and Orchelimum, oviposit in the pith of
easily penetrated twigs. According to Professor Riley Phaneroptera
curvicauda lays its eggs “singly in the edges of leaves, between the
upper and lower cuticles.” Other species, approaching Xtphidium ensi-
ferum like Conocephalus ensiger, lay their eggs between the root-leaves
and stems of various plants. The European Meconema varium, accord-
ing to Taschenberg, oviposits under bark scales and occasionally in the
galls of the Hymenopteron Teras terminalis. Still other forms to which
our common Katydid (Microcentrum retinervis) belongs, lay their flat-
tened, dark colored eggs in regular rows on twigs, after previously
roughening the surface of the bark with their jaws.

The structure of the ovipostor in Xiphidium ensiferum would seem to
indicate that, like other members of the genus, this species has been
in the habit of puncturing the tissues of plants till within compara-
tively recent times, when it found oviposition in the galls more advan-
tageous. So recent may be the acquisition of this habit that more ex-
tended investigation may perhaps show a tendency in some females to
puncture twigs, or oviposit, like Conocephalus, between the root-leaves
and stems of plants.

The Orthoptera present many interesting questions in connection
with their habits of oviposition. Most of the species, excepting the
aberrant Phasmide, oviposit in clusters, the eggs of which are arranged
in more or less regular rows. This habit is most strenuously adhered
to by the Blattide, though many species of Acridiide, Gryllide, Locust-
ide, and Mantide are almost equally careful to deposit their eggs in
symmetrical series.

During oviposition the two ovaries discharge their eggs alternately
in rhythmical sequence, the insect moving a short distance directly for-
ward after the extrusion of each egg or pair of eggs. For what pur-
pose this habit should have been preserved with such tenacity through
the long ages during which the Orthoptera have continued to people
our earth I am unable to conjecture, unless it be supposed that the
primitive species oviposited in portable capsules like those still made
by the Blattide. The method of arranging eggs in two even and alter-
nating series practiced by members of this family is of advantage to
the insects, in that it renders the package more compact and more easily
carried, just as a box may be made to contain a given number of cigars
or similarly shaped objects more easily when they are packed in regular

225

rows than when they are thrown in promiscuously. The Mantide,
which deposit their eggs in cocoons that are no longer carried, may be
supposed to represent an intermediate stage as far as the habits of ovi-
position are concerned between the Blattide and those numerous forms
which either deposit their eggs in exposed situations like Microcentrum,

or bury them in the earth or the tissues of plants like the Acridiide
and Gryllide.

The eggs of Xiphidium ensiferum Bees to develop immediately af-
ter their deposition. During the warm days that intervene before the
cold of autumn sets in the embryo is formed on the middle of the flat side
of the yolk. The head of the embryo points downward towards the
insertion of the leaves between which it is placed; consequently the
pointed and upward directed pole is the caudal end. The young em-
bryo remains dormant during the winter but continues its development
during the warm days of spring. The first larvee were seen to emerge
from the galls on the 17th of May.

I will not here enter into the details of development, many of which
I have not yet observed to my own satisfaction. Suffice it to say that
the Locustid’s ontogeny is strikingly like that of the Gryllid, Gicanthus
niveus as described by Dr. Howard Ayers. The embryo, as noted above,
is developed on the flat ventral face of the egg with its head directed
downward. During its growth it gradually moves down the yolk till
its head reaches the pole, then it turns and passes up the convex (for-
merly dorsal) surface of the yolk till its head reaches the pointed (for-
merly caudal) pole; the body of the embryo meanwhile increases in
size and envelops the entire yolk by a very interesting process, the
details of which I have not, as yet, been able clearly to elucidate. Con-
sidering the position in which the egg is deposited, 7. e., with its
cephalic pole directed downwards, a revolution like the one described
is necessary to bring the embryo’s head to the opposite pole, so that
in hatching the larva may have no difficulty in crawling out between
the scales of the gall.

THE SIX-SPOTTED MITE OF THE ORANGE.
( Tetranychus 6-maculatus, n. sp.)
Bye Cavin KLEE Ye

This mite has done much damage to the orange in Florida since 1886,
and we have prepared a preliminary article for the Annual Report of
this Department for 1889. As it is deemed wise to exclude purely de-
scriptive matter from the Annual, we give here the diagnosis of the
species under the the name of Tetranychus 6 maculatus on account of
the quite constant markings of its back. In color it is very similar to
T. rosearum Boisd., T. tiliarum Mull. and T. vitis Boisd.

226

Tetranychus 6-maculatus n. sp.—Length of the full-grown specimens 0.3™™, Gen-
eral color, pale greenish-yellow, marked ou the abdomen with six or less small dusky
spots. General shape oval, somewhat broadest in front of the eyes ; laterally slightly
constricted just opposite the eyes and at about
the middle of the body, at which latter constric-
tion the body is divided by a more or less dis-
tinct suture into two parts. There is often, also
a distinct, though small tail-like projection at the
end of the body. Anterior projection of cepha-
lothorax rather short,somewhat conical, its apex
rounded. Terminal joint of legs longest. Eyes,
twoeach side, the anterior one of each pair being
blood-red, this pigment extending some distance
into the body, giving the appeararfce of two red
eyes on each sice; the posterior eyes are colorless
and transparent. The spots of the abdomen are
arranged in two subdorsal rows, of three spots
to each row; they are rounded and quite con-
stant, especially in the smaller and more numer-
ous specimens, though somewhat variable in the
larger or full-grown mites.

In the mature specimens the anterior spots,
which are arranged close to the dividing suture,
are often composed of a collection of eight to
twelve, larger or smaller, more or less circular,
Pic. 44—Tetranychus 6-maculatus: a,rfom quite deep black spots, while in-others all the

above—enlarged; b, tarsus; c, rostrum * R ¢ .

anil palpus—still more enlarged; d, tip spots are single, and with one or the other of the

of palpus—still more enlarged(original), median pair wanting. In the smallest speci-
mens these spots are either wanting or only the

anterior or posterior pairs are present, the last pair in this case being generally largest.
and very distinct. The distribution of the hairs of the body is as follows: Two short,
slender hairs medially at anterior margin, directed forward, crossing each other near
their tips; each side of these, also close to the margin, at about equal distances from
each other and the lateral margin is a pair of transparent, circular pores, resembling
those which usually give rise to a bristle. In front of the eyes and removed slightly
toward the middle is, on each side, a row of rather long and stout bristles, the an-
terior pair being directed outward and slightly toward the head, and projecting
beyond the lateral margin ; the median pair are directed forward and cross each other
near their tips. The third pair are longest, situated a little in front of the eyes and
directed backward. Besides these stout bristles there is another smaller and slender
hair not far from the lateral margin behind the eyes, and another at the margin in
front of the eyes. The abdomen is provided on each side with a subdorsal row of
three very long bristles, a more slender lateral row, four long dorsal bristles surround-
ing the end, and four ventral terminal bristles, of which the median pair is smallest.

The eggs are 0,11™™ in diameter, globular, either colorless and transparent or very
pale greenish-yelluw, and are loosely attached to the web.

227

HARPIPHORUS MACULATUS Norton.
By W. HaGuE HARRINGTON, Ottawa, Canada.

The spotted saw-fly, whose larvie feed upon the strawberry plant, is
widely distributed, and probably well known to all collectors of
Hymenoptera, as well as to growers of the delicious fruit which suffers
from its ravages. There are, however, one or two points in connection
with the species to which attention may be called. Last winter I dis-
cussed with Mr. Fletcher the fact that a large proportion of the speci-
mens, which apparently belong to this species, would by the venation of
the wings be placed in the genus Monostegia, instead of in Harpiphorus,
and that they agreed closely with the description of M. obscurata Cresson.

During the past summer I collected as many specimens of this saw-
fly as was possible, in order to further study the species, and to see if
there existed sufficient reasons for separating these saw-flies into two
species, or on the other hand for including with H. maculatus a few
specimens which I had previously considered to represent M. ignota
Norton.

The question has now been made additionally interesting to me by
the publication in the November, 1889, number of INSECT LIFE (pp. 137-
140) of Mr. F. W. Malley’s observations on M. ignota as a strawberry pest.
The author, after mentioning the similar maculation of the abdomen,
states that—

The most certain method of distinguishing the species is to note the number of
submarginal cells in the forewings, MW. ignota having four, and H. maculatus only
three.

I found that saw-flies were apparently very scarce last season, but
the Strawberry Saw-fly was one of the few species that were moderately
abundant. My captures were as follows:

Specimens having three submarginal Specimens having four submarginal
cells: - cells :
Date. Males. Females. Date. Males. | Females.
MayiQle-eeees aaa: 1 a4 ss oa eee mee ee | Loto SON:
Ne Sega) n= See S| 1 Guise ese | 1 9
12 eRe ap eoe 1 | sem TAG yScraeis co einte| rail Se sie mee | 2
1B onc cese Deezaes nae TA Ae aeace amen 1 | i
Daa ea. 3 | 3 Dy a eee ae | 1 | 3
2h ath eer Sa ve) 1 June 2..... elles | 1
UNG 22s teiacie sere | eect oi | 3 ——
26 Sescee tess e|seeane | 1 Motalye seies2 | 4 22
otal esc = 6 | 10

This shows the two forms to occur during the same period and in com-
paratively the same abundance, and the babits of the adults were ap-
parently in all respects similar. With those previously in my collection
I have now before me 80 specimens, which appear to belong undoubt-

228

edly to the same species. Of these, 16 males and 24 females have three
submarginals, and 8 males and 29 females have four. A connecting
link between the two equal groups is formed by the remaining three
specimens, which are females, and in each of which the left wing has
four and the right wing three submarginals. Rudiments of the absent—

or additional—cross-nervure may also be detected in a few of the other

specimens.

As might be expected in a series of this length, there is a certain de-
gree of variation in size, coloring, shape of antenne, etc., but none
apparently to warrant a separation into two species, or even varieties.
I have, however, two males and one female, collected May 27, which have
the abdomen perfectly immaculate, the legs paler and the antennz
shorter, and which appear to be distinct, and to belong to Monostegia.
The antenne in these specimens more resemble those of Monophadnus,
having the second joint as long as the third and fourth united, and the
apex blunt; whereas the antenne in H. maculatus (especially in the male)
are longer and more tapering, and have the third, fourth, and fifth
joints more or less subequal.

Mr. Malley in his excellent plate figures the antenne of his straw-
berry pest as of the Monostegia form, and also indicates differences in
the larvee, and possibly the species bred by him may really be a Mon-
ostegia and distinet from the specimens with four submarginals which
I have taken and consider to be H. maculatus. The ornamentation of
the abdomen, however, seems so characteristic that one would hardly
expect to find insects thus marked feeding upon the same plant and
yet belonging to different genera.

ADULTS OF THE AMERICAN CIMBEX INJURING THE WILLOW
AND COTTONWOOD IN NEBRASKA.

By F. M. WEBSTER, Lafayette, Ind.

Under date of June 11, 1889, Hon. R. M. Pritchard, an old-time friend —

of the writer in Illinois, but now residing near Pender, Thurston
County, Nebr., sent me specimens of both sexes of this species, accom-
panied by two letters, reading substantially as follows:

A few days since I was out in my grove of ash, willow, cottonwood, and box-elder,
and was not a little startled by finding myself surrounded by what I first thought by
their buzzing noise to be great numbers of the large, black hornets; but as the in-
sects were not inclined to attack me, like the hornets of my boyhood days, I began
to examine them and watch their movements. There were thousands or them, appar-
ently in the act of mating, but for the most part flying high in the tops of the largest

trees, being divided into groups which in their movements seemed to alternately ap- |
proach and retreat from a central point among the tree-tops, making a noise like a |
lot of hornets, but moving much slower and more clumsily than hornets. I found a —

small number settled on the leaves and limbs of the ash and willows, where they

seemed to be feeding on the sap. To-day I have been watching them more carefully, |

229

and find that they cut a rough gash almost completely around the limb, seeming to
kill the outer bark as far as they cut. This work is done with the jaws. They seem
very lively during the middle of the day, and at that time are mostly on the wing,
but as the air grows cooler they fasten to the twigs and begin to eat, seemingly being
very clumsy and stupid, starting up quickly when approached, but not flying unless
forced to do so, and then only a distance of a few feet, often falling to the ground.

d

ra
x
J

Fic. 45.—Oimbex americana: a, willow leaves showing egg-blisters from above and below; b, twig
showing girdlings; c, egg; d, newly-hatched larva; e, e, full-grown larve; f, cocoon; g, cocoon
cut open, with pupa; h, pupa, side view; 7, female fly; j, her saw detached, side view; k, tip of saw—
ec, d, j, k, enlarged, the rest natural size. (After Riley.)

To-day I captured a male and female in the act of pairing, and send them to you
for the purpose of learning what they are. I first thought of sending them to Mr.
Bruner, an entomologist of high standing residing at West Point, in this State, but
decided to send to you on account of ‘auld lang syne.” As you knowI have been
planting trees all my life, or at least during the last fifty years of it, and Inever saw
such an insect before. I fear they will damage my grove, but perhaps not. Time
will tell.

15035—Nos. 7 and 8——3

230

To my inquiry regarding the varieties of trees attacked, Mr. Pritchard
kindly replied under date of July 6:

In only a very few instances do I find that the saw-flies attacked other trees besides
the willows. On three or four tender cottonwoods I find they worked as if by mis-
take. The willows seem to recover and the gash cut by the insects heals over, but the
cottonwood breaks off.

The only instance where this cutting habit of the adult saw-flies had
been observed, so far as I can learn, is recorded in the Report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture for 1884, pp. 334-6, Plate V, Fig. 1. In
this case the depredation occurred on the grounds of Admiral Ammen,
in the vicmity of Washington, D. C., only the willows suffering, but so
great was the injury that the trees were described as looking as if a
fire had run over them, or as if they had suffered from a severe frost.

The twigs of willow accompanying Mr. Pritchard’s last communication
resembled in every respect those figured in the report above referred.
to, although it would appear that in his case the injury resulting from the
attack of the saw-flies was much less than in the case of Admiral
Ammen.*

This cutting of the bark of the trees could have had nothing to do with
the oviposition of the insect, as the eggs are deposited in slits cut in
the leaves by the females. It seems quite possible that they gnaw the
bark for the purpose of feeding upon the sap, as intimated by Mr.
Pritchard, yet this does not appear to be fully proven. In other words,
it would as yet be too much to say that in cutting the incisions the
insect has no object in view other than that of obtaining food.

OBSERVATIONS ON MONOMORIUM PHARAONIS Latr.t

By M. A. BELLEVOYE, Reims.

Almost all the old habitations of Reims are infested with a little red-
dish ant, the Monomorium pharaonis Latr. These little insects visit
without ceremony our tables; they haunt the side-boards and cup-
boards which contain eatables; the sugar-box, preserves, and meats
are attacked by these small guests which do not ask leave to settle
in your house. Their havoc, indeed, does not appear very important,
notwithstanding their great numbers; but it is always disagreeable
to find animate beings in one’s eatables. It is, therefore, necessary
to take vigorous measures in this regard; to kill them or use phenic or
insecticide powders which drive them away from the places where they
abound. The majority of people know only the neuters of this species.

* We have since shown, INSEcT LIFE, Vol I, p. 8, that the larger share of the dam-
age at Admiral Ammen’s was done by Phyllecus integer and not by the Cimbex.

t Translated and condensed from Annales de la Société Entomologique de France,
sixth series, Vol. VIII, 1888, fourth trimestre, Bulletin, pp. elxxvii-elxxxi.

231

I have just said that the ravages of these ants seem to me very un-
important, and I will show afterwards in what they consist. However,
I have read in various authors, among others in the encyclopedia com-
piled by Dr. Chenu, this note:

The domestic ant of Schenk, a very small species which has of late made great

devastation in England, in the houses of parts of London and Brighton, where it has
settled and lays waste everything within its reach.

In the remarkable work of Mr. Edm. André, the Species of Hymen-

optera of Europe and Algeria, the Monomorium pharaonis is indicated

as being a native of Algeria, Palestine, and the tropical and sub-trop-
ical regions of the whole world. The following is there given, together
with a description of the three kinds or sexes.

This cosmopolitan species, which lives oftenest in houses in the walls or cracks,
has acclimated itself in many large cities, such as Paris, Lyons, London, Copenhagen,
Hamburg, etc. It causes often great damage by boring holes in furniture to establish
its galleries, and by infesting eatables.

Last year on quitting Metz, where I was born and which I did not
wish to leave, I came to Reims, and in the apartments which I occupied
on Talleyrand street I found in a cupboard, with a quantity of neuters
of Monomorium, a half dozen females, of which two had wings, and
three males. Happy in discovering the two sexes, which I did not
possess, I resolved to search for other specimens, and, if possible, to

find the nest itself.

During the winter I saw a few neuters crawling through the dining-

room, but nothing revealed to me the presence of any nest, and, until

midsummer, although the neuters became more numerous, not a single

sexual individual came under my observation. Where, then, was the
nest to be found? The sideboards iu the dining-room and a new cup-

' board were particularly frequented by neuter ants, allured by the victuals
_ which were customarily shut up there; but after having several times

explored all the corners of these places it became evident that the nest
was not to be found there. Ants crawled in numbers upon the floor,
where they profited by the falling crumbs from the table; they were
going besides in large numbers towards a side of the room where the
floor was loosely joined; it was in these clefts of the floor that they
disappeared, only to return again to take their food. My neighbor has
his pastry oven on that side, and he knows this little ant very well,

, with its dainty taste for sweetmeats as well as meat. To destroy them
, he places on the ground, from time to time, ham bones, and the next
day he finds them covered with ants, which he destroys by throwing

the whole into the fire.
The neighborhood of a pastry shop affords me the advantage of being
visited by Blatta (Kakerlak orientalis), also Blatta germanica, that I

_ kill without mercy ; for when I used to allow one to stay on the floor

the ants would immediately attack it, and, one hour after, I would see it

covered with a hundred ants feeding on the juices contained in its body,
which they left whole on the floor.

232 ‘

In the month of August, when flies are numerous in the apartments,
I used every day to kill three scores of them which I deposited on a
piece of paper in a corner and my boarders would not fail to attend the
feast. A big spider was given to them and they liked it so much that
by the next day the abdomen had all disappeared; the solid parts, the
thorax and feet, remained entire. Sugared fruits and chocolate receive
their attention also, but they do not damage them particularly, these
substances being too hard for their mandibles. Fallen crumbs answer
their purpose better. They do not seem to meet in numbers to carry
the least piece of anything away to their nest; they seem to be sure
they will always find something to feed on in our houses. Undoubtedly
they disgorge to their larve the fluid part of the substances they have
eaten. No one realizes how little such small animals want.

Up to September 15 I had not perceived either males or females. I
then decided to use a more succulent bait, and tried ox liver; I placed
a few bits of 5 or 6 centimeters in diameter on a paper, and three or
four times a day I shook the paper in a benzine box ; thousands of neu-
ters dropped, and at last some males and females. After eight days of
search I had taken 20 females, only one of which was winged, and 8 males.
From the 16tb of September to the 9th of October I captured 131 females,
of which two were winged, and 60 males (about 6 females and 3 males
per day); from the 10th to the 15th of October I captured 269 females
and 90 males (about 54 females and 18 males per day); then the number
decreased, and from the 15th to the 25th of October I caught only 159
females, 3 of which were winged, and 74 males (about 16 females and
7 males per day). In all, from the 15th of September to the 25th of
October I had therefore captured 577 females, only 14 of which were
winged, and 239 males.

In order to know approximately the number of neuters I had taken I
counted 1,000 of them, of which the weight was 0.058 gram; 1 gram
would therefore contain about 17,000, and asI had gathered 20.56 grams
it gives a total of 349,500 neuters secured in six weeks (about 9,000 per
day), and this figure is rather below the reality, for I have killed or
thrown into the fire a great many of them that were not weighed.

However large these figures may seem, the supply was not exhausted,
and every day I saw just as many neuters; the number of the sexual
individuals only diminished. I then lifted the wash-board and two
boards of the inlaid floor, hoping to find there larve and nymphs in their
cocoons, but I was disappointed, for clefts in the wall showed me that
the progeny of my ants were undoubtedly in the thick wall or in my
neighbor’s house.

I said at first that the injury by these small beings was almost inap-
preciable; only the abdomen of a spider had been destroyed, as also
the abdomen of a few flies slightly eaten. The bits of raw liver I used
as baits did not look damaged after a few days’ service, though they
were every day covered with ants which fed probably only on blood at

|

233

first. The pieces which I left to dry up, and which attracted them as
well as the fresh liver, were at last furrowed with channels more or less
deep. One of these pieces, which served for a score of days, was com-
pletely dug through into the center and only the exterior parts remained,
which were hardened and bored with holes. In that condition ants were
crowding ail over them always in as large numbers as at first. How
many thousands of ants worked at that piece to reduce it to that condi-
tion? Two or three thousand ants working day and night. When L
had shaken the piece to gather all the workers, these were replaced an
hour after by others; at 11 o’clock at night I found as many as at 7
o’clock in the morning, which proves that the work of the neuters does
not stop. The result of these observations, few as they are, seems to
determine the time of hatching out of the sexes, which seems to be at the
end of September and during the whole month of October. This hatch-
ing takes place, of course, successively like the coupling, contrary to
what occurs in most species in our country, whose coupling takes place
in the air,and of which each female becomes the founder of a new formi-
cary, while the males, becoming useless, die after having wandered aim-
lessly for a few days. Here, on the contrary, coupling takes place sub-
terraneously, and it appears that the male and female continue to live
in the same formicary, which increases indefinitely so long as nothing
of an unforeseen character happens to destroy it.

Females lose their wings, of course, immediately after coupling, the
superior ones first, for I found several which yet possessed their infe-
rior wings. Their walk is slow, while males, preserving all their wings,
run very quickly without my having seen any showing signs of flying
away. It may possibly be different in Africa under the influence of a
warmer sun than we have in our temperate climate.*

mm

THE DIPTEROUS PARASITE OF DIABROTICA SOROR.

By D. W. CoquiLuETt, Los Angeles.

Up to the present time but few instances have been recorded of
Coleopterous insects being subject to the attacks of Dipterous parasites.
In his first report as State Entomologist of Missouri, Professor Riley
records having bred the Tachinid, ELvorista (Lydella) doryphore Riley,
from the larve of the Colorado Potato-beetle (Doryphora 10-lineata
Say), and in the fifth volume of the American Naturalist Dr. Henry
Shimer gives an account of the Dexid, Melanosphora diabrotice Shimer,

*Mr. Bellevoye continued to gather these ants during the whole month of Novem-
ber. The neuters were alittle less numerous; there was a complete absence of males,
but the females were always present, and he captured 203 of them from the first of
November to the 6th of December, only there were none with wings, which seems to
indicate that there was not another brood of males and females.

234

which preys on the Striped Squash-beetle (Diabroticavittata Fabr.).
In the Annales de la Societé Entomologique de France for the month of
June, 1888, Mr. M. H. Lucas gives an account of the parasitism of the
Tachinid, Myobia pumila Macq., on the Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris
asparagt Linn.), and on page 408 of his well-known Guide to the Study of
Insects Dr. Packard quotes the French entomologist, Dufour, as author-
ity for the statement that the Tachinids, Cassidomyia and Hyalomyia,
prey respectively on the Tortoise-beetle, Cassida, and on the Curculionid
Brachyderes.

The above are the only published references upon this subject that I
have been able to find among the limited literature at my command,

On the 17th of June, 1888,
Tobtained several Dipterous
pup from the abdomen of a
dead Calosoma perigrinator
Guér., and three flies issued
from these pupe on the 25th
of the same month; they be-
long to the genus Masicera of
Macquart, but the species is
still undetermined.

On the 21st of June, 1889,
Isaw a Dipterous larva issue
from the abdomen of an adult
Diabrotica soror Lec.; it soon

* afterward pupated, the fly
\\3\ 4 issuing on the Sth of the fol-
i * lowing month. Since this
) mt, time I have succeeded in ob-
Ny) taining quite a number of the
é of pup of this parasite, the flies
Fic. 46.—Oelatoria crawii: a, adult fly; b, head of same ie = z
from front; c, abdominal appendage from side; d, ab- from which issued at varlous
dominal appendage from behind ; é, wing showing vena- times during the month of
tion—all enlarged (original). anne
August. The larva in issu-
ing usually breaks away the larger portion of the beetle’s abdomen, and
pupates wherever it chances to find a resting place—in a depression of
a leaf, in the axil, or on the ground, making no attempt at concealing
itself. Among a large series of beetles examined fully one-third con-
tained larve of this parasite, eaclt infested beetle containing only a
single larva.

This parasite is very interesting, not only on account of the fact that
it aids the horticulturist in lessening the attacks of the destructive
Diabroticas, but also on account of the peculiar structure of the male
abdomen, the second segment of which has a large flattened process on
the underside—a peculiarity which does not exist in any other Dipteron
known to me, nor can I find any reference to it in any work upon this

Mara det. |

235

subject to which I have access. I submitted a sketch of it, together
with an extensive description of both sexes, to Dr. S. W. Williston, our
best authority upon this group of insects, and he writes me that he
never saw such a process in any species that he has examined, nor can
he find any published reference to it; he further states that the other
characters of this species agree quite well with those of the genus
Baumhauria, a single species of which has heretofore veen described,
having been bred from a Bombycid belonging to the genus Arctia.
Our species, however, differs very decidedly from the above genus by
characters other than the abdominal process, and therefore I do not
think we run any great risk in erecting a new genus for its reception,
a description of which I append herewith :

CELATORIA, n. gen.— Head large, broad as thorax, much broader than high; front
in male only slightly wider, in female one-fourth wider than transverse diameter of
eye—in both sexes with a single row of bristles each side of frontal stripe extending
nearly to insertion of arista, and with two forwardly directed bristles on the crown
outside of each of these rows; face much retreating below, bristles bordering median
fovez strong, extending nearly to the lowest in frontal row; vibrissal bristle strong;
epistoma but slightly projecting ; cheeks small, bristly ; palpi well-developed, thick-
ening toward its tip; proboscis soft, wholly retractile, furnished with a large labella ;
antenne reaching nearly to oral margin, third joint at least four times as long as the
second, rather slender and nearly of an equal width, the upper edge nearly straight;
arista sub-basal, very short pubescent, distinctly two-jointed, second joint greatly
attenuated on its apical half. Hyes bare. Thorax nearly as long asthe abdomen, fur-
nished with stout bristles. Scutellwm with three pairs of marginal bristles and a shorter
pair of dorsal ones. Abdomen oval, thinly depressed pilose, and with several pairs of
dorsal bristles besides the usual lateral and anal ones; five abdominal segments, the
first nearly as long as the second, the fifth in the male small, in the female concealed
in the fourth; venter in the female normal, in the male furnished with a large, lon-
gitudinally compressed process on underside of second segment, apex of this process
studded with numerous small tubercles; a large cavity in posterior end of venter, in-
closing the fifth segment and contracted anteriorly into a narrow groove which ex-
tends to the second segment. Legs furnished with bristles; posterior tibiw not cili-
ated. Wings of the usual Muscid type, first posterior cell terminating close to tip of
wing, closed in the margin; curvature of the fourth vein in middle of last section of
that vein, rounded, and destitute of an appendage; great cross-vein slightly nearer
to this curvature than to the small cross-vein, nearly perpendicular; a stout bristle
at junction of second and third veins.

Type, Celatoria crawiit n. sp., which may be further characterized as
follows :

Mle. Frontal vitta blackish-brown, sides of front white, tinged with yellow; face
white; palpi reddish-yellow ; antennze black. Thorax grayish-black, destitute of
stripes, the bristles not disposed in rows. Scutelium grayish- place Abdomen
black, mottled with gray, destitute of reddish spots; fifth segment scarcely one-
fourth as long as the fourth; a posterior dorsal pair of bristleson the first and second-
segments, and a posterior transverse row of bristles on the third, fourth, and fifth seg-
ments, besides several along the sides of the abdomen; venter concolorous with the
dorsum. Legs black, claws and pulvilli much shorter than last tarsal joint. Wings
hyaline. Alule white. Halteres yellow.

Female. Same as the male except that there is a median pair of bristles on the
second, third, and fourth segments. Length 44 to 54™™.

«

236

Described from three males and two females, bred from adults of Di-
abrotica soror Lec., at Los Angeles, Cal.

PupaRIuM.—Dark brown, cylindrical, the ends rounded; quite thickly covered
with black spines of varying lengths, some of the longer ones converging and adher-
ing to each other, forming clusters of from 8 to 14 spines; length 43™™,

I have dedicated this interesting species to my friend, Mr. Alexan-
der Craw, who first discovered the existence of this parasite and to
whom I am indebted for several specimens of the pupa.

SPILOSOMA FULIGINOSA Linn.
By O. LuGGER, St. Anthony Park, Minn.

Quite a number of insects are common to northern Europe, Asia, and
America. The above insect must be added to these circumpolar spe-
cies, as it occurs rather abundantly near the experiment station at St.
Anthony Park, Minn. Nor is it a recent importation, as I have found
it here in some old collections made about twenty years ago.

This moth is interesting in many re-
spects. Although I hunted for its larva
quite frequently during the summer of
1888 and 1889, I never succeeded in
finding it. But late in the autumn, and
at a time when thesidewalks arecovered
every morning with a thick iayer of
frost, these larve are rather abundant.
They leave their hiding places and crawl
over the sidewalks; at this time they
are frequently themselves inerusted
with crystals of ice. Some few days
Fic. 47.—Spilosoma Suliginosa ; a, larva; ago, with the thermometer ranging from

b, cocoon ; c, moth—slightly enlarged
(original). 5° to 3° below zero, I found several of
them crawling slowly through the snow.
When the sidewalks, made of boards, become warmed up by the rays of
the sun, the caterpillars craw] away to the shady and cooler part. The
caterpillar has the usual Arctiid shape, is intensely black, and densely
covered with hairs, which are pale yellowish near the anterior and pos-
terior ends, but of a dingy pale brown in the central region. The head
is polished black.

As I have at present no larve, I can not give acloser description, but
the illustration will give a good idea of their general appearance. The
larvee are most common wherever the sidewalks are laid in close prox-
imity to clover, yet they are also met with in the vicinity of wild grasses
and plants. As soon as such a larva is taken in doors and put into a
breeding cage, it will crawl for a few days and soon commence to form

237

a cocoon. This is of a regular oval shape, made of fine threads of dirty
white silk, intermixed with a few hairs trom the body of the caterpillar.
In the course of about ten days the pupal stage is assumed. The pupa
is intensely black, highly polished, with rather sparse punctuations.
The sutures are reddish brown. If kept in a cool room, the moths
commence to issne early in April of the following season, though in a
warm room some issued as early as the 3d of February.

The moth, Fig. 47c, has rusty black upper wings; the scales are not
very close, so that the venation is plainly visible. The under wings are
of a similar color, but much lighter, and possess a brick-red, ill-defined
space at posterior margin. Both upper and lower wings, with the ex-
ception of their anterior margins, are fringed with pale red. Head,
thorax, legs, and first two joints of abdomen are rusty brown. The ab-
domen is blackish, densely covered with rather coarse brick-red hairs ;
a dorsal and two lateral stripes are blackish. The femora of front legs.
are bright red. The whole underside of wings is pale reddish brown.
Antenne white, with blackish tips.

This rather handsome moth is very peculiar in its motions. It does
not rest like other Arctiids in a more or less perpendicular position
upon stems of plants, but prefers some dead leaves, under which it
hides. If such a leaf is removed, the moth will rapidly run away to
hide again, this time perhaps under a loose lump of soil.

The following extract from my notes illustrates the remarkable vital-
ity of this insect :

December 3, 1889. Found to-day in a little depression of the soil a clear cake of
ice, and imbedded in it the larva of the above species. By means of a hot iron I sep-
arated a cube of ice with the inclosed larva, and took it to my office. The caterpillar
was entirely and solidly inclosed by the ice; no air-spaces could be detected among
the hair. How long the caterpillar had been inclosed [could not say. Left the cube
of ice in front of my window, where the temperature sunk for two days to 11° below
zero. Later the weather moderated, and during the day a little ice would melt near
the caterpillar, but never exposing it to the air. After being inclosed for fourteen
days, I carefully melted the ice and removed the caterpillar to a piece of blotting
paper. In less than thirty minutes the larva was crawling about, not injured in the
least. Yet, to escape further experimentation, it has shown good sense and spun up,
and transformed into a pupa, healthy to all appearances.

238

A GRUB SUPPOSED TO HAVE TRAVELED IN THE HUMAN BODY.

During June last we received a communication from Dr. Elizabeth
R. Kane, of Kane, McKean County, Pa., from which the following is
an extract:

Numbers 3 and 7 of Vol. 1 of INsEcT LIFE con-
tain papers on Larve infesting Man and the
Squirrel. A case occurring in the practice of Dr.
Silvanus D. Freeman, of Smethport, McKean
County, Pa, may not be without interest, as touch-
ing points alluded to in both papers.

On the 22d of February, 1889, Dr. F. visited a
child residing in the country. He had been sent
for some days previously, but being unable to go
himself had sent his assistant, who reported a
threatening of erysipelas. As the child was still
suffering, the parents sent again for Dr. Freeman.
He found the ear and the tissues around it much
swollen, and the swelling plainly erysipelatous.
Yet there was no sign of constitutional disturb-
ance, the tongue was clean, breath sweet, and
temperature normal. The child, a boy three or
four years old, was lively enough to play during
the day, but in sufficient pain not to sleep at
Fic. 48.—Hypoderma larva taken from yjght. The mother remarked that’ the cause of

pore wventral surtace oularged: , suffering was a ‘‘pollywog” working under the

anterior end; ec, anal end—still more E 5 é :
enlarged (original). skin, but no particular attention was paid to the
observation.

On February 28, the doctor again visited the child. The swelling under and
behind the ear was gone, but a red line of inflammation went up to the under eyelid
and then down thecheek. The mother stated that the eye had been closed for twenty-
four hours by the swelling, which had traveled about 2 inches since the doctor’s first
visit, and seemed now about to ‘‘ point” in the cheek. Placing his finger on the in-
side, the doctor detected a foreign body in the swelling, which he Janced, and squeezed
slightly. A living grub emerged, a little less than half an inch long while living, a
little over that when it died «a few hours after. Dr. Freeman questioned the
child’s mother closely and learned that she had first noticed what she called the
“pollywog” five mouths before. It was then under the skin near the sternal end
of the right clavicle, andin the five months had traveled (appearing as a tiny lump
followed by a red line of inflammation) up and down the chest in front, down one arm
as far as the elbow, and over one side of the back, never crossing the median line.
Sometimes it had ‘‘pointed” and they thought it would come out, but its course had
continued on again. Until within a few weeks it had given the child little annoy-
ance, but latterly its nights had been very restless. The mother thought that the
“pollywog” traveled at night because she had never detected its movements, and
because the child seemed more easy in the day-time. Its increasing suffering was
probably caused by the increase of growth of the grub. Taken out February 28, when
was the egg deposited? Its movements had been noticed five months before.

A careful examination was made of it under the microscope, and a description
written out and sent to an entomologist, who advised the doctor to apply to the De-
partment for Vol. 1 of Insect Lire. He found that Dr. Rudolph Matas had figured
in No.3 of that volume a grub found under the skin of certain laborers on the Cen-
tral American works, who had been stung while bathing, and appeared to be infested

239

with boils. These contained larvie. Dr. Matas pictured a differently shaped grub
from that found by Dr. Freeman, in that the Central American one has a iarge head
and diminishes rapidly towards the caudal end.

In describing Dr. Freeman’s grub, he mentions twelve rows of curved black bristles
pointing backwards, which he called ciliated epithelia. At the caudal end the three
first rings had several pads of these bristles. Dr. Freeman supposed that the maggot
propelled itself by their aid. Dr. Matas depicts the same sort of bristles and considers
their use to be to keep the grub stationary. He also speaks of the necessity of the
maggot’s obtaining air. Dr. Freeman’s lived five months without it.

Dr. Freeman supposes his grub to be the larva of a gad-fly, as the sting of these
insects is very annoying to both horses and human beings in McKean County. It
closely resewbled, except in being narrower in proportion to the length, the grub
figured on page 214 of Vol. 1 of INsecT LIFE as the Emasculating Bot-fly.

I do not suppose that there is anything unusual in finding larve living in human
flesh, but is not the traveling about unusual?

We immediately wrote Dr. Kane, expressing incredulity regarding
the traveling of the grub from the elbow to the eye in the space of five
months, and urged strongly that she endeavor to secure the specimen.
She wrote to Dr. Freeman, who with great promptness forwarded the
specimen in alcohol with the following note:

Tam not only willing but anxious the grub be sent to Washington for determination.

The evidence of both father and mother, after describing the ‘‘ pollywog” appear-
ance iff its track should be very strong evidence of its being migratory, but putting
their statements all aside, I have positive knowledge of its movements, having first
seen its track over the scapula, then up the neck to base of ear which was enormously
swollen, from there to the outer corner of eye, which was entirely closed, then to
middle of cheek where it was plainly felt, and the opening made and expelled. There
is no chance for mistake in this case.

We have carefully examined the specimen with the result that it
seems without doubt to be a species of Hypoderma and closely resem-
bles Brauer’s figure of the early stage of H. diana, which infests deer in
Europe, as also the same stage of the common H. bovis.

We have shown this larva at figure 48, a representing the entire
larva, b showing the head, and ¢ the anal end of the body. We place
the matter on record for what it is worth. The extensive traveling re-
ported we might be inclined to doubt, were it not for the confirmatory
evidence in the case of H. bovis, published in this issue by Dr. Cur-
tice.

THE DOGWOOD SAW-FLY.

Harpiphorus varianus Norton.

In a recent number of the Garden and Forest October 30, 1889, Vol.

2, p. 520), Mr. J. G. Jack presents an interesting article, illustrated by

drawings by Mr. C. E. Faxon, under the title ‘‘ A Destructive Cornel

| Saw-fly (Harpiphorus varianus Norton),” the larve of which for two
_or three years past have been quite destructive to the foliage of various
- Dogwoods in the Arnold Arboretum.

240

We have accumulated in the note-books of the Division a number of
references to this insect, having first collected the larve on Cornus
paniculata in Missouri in the fall of 1875. Since that time we have col-
lected and received through our correspondents larve from various
localities, and have succeeded on several occasions in rearing the adult
insects. We had purposed to publish the natural history of this insect
as soon as opportunity offered, but such publication is now rendered
unnecessary in view of the excellent account of its habits and descrip-
tion of its several stages given
by Mr. Jack. We will, however,
in connection with a brief synop-
sis of Mr. Jack’s paper, put on re-
cord our notes relating to the
range, date of appearance, and
habits of this insect.

As stated above, the larve were
collected in Missouri in the fall
of 1875 on Cornus paniculata.
These specimens soon entered
soil and were found unchanged,
excepting being much contracted,
on March 23 of the spring follow-
ing. No adults were obtained.
September 27, 1877, larve were
found on Cornus sp. at Kirk wood,
Mo., and these entered soil Octo-
ber 5, but again the adults failed
to appear. October 2, 1884, a
number of larve of this insect
Fic. 49.—Harpiphorus varianus: a, larve before were received from Mr. M. 8.

last molt; b, larva after last molt; c, larve in Crane, of Caldwell, IN: J., who.
eee in decaying wood—natural size (after seems to have first discovered the
peculiar hibernating habits of the

larvee, and who writes of them as follows:

4

see

sie

ts

ee

I send you with this a box of saw-fly larve found feeding on Cornus paniculata..
When about to change to a chrysalis the larve bore into decayed wood to transform.
There are two broods in a season, and the last one remains in the wood until spring.
For several years they have been very abundant, but this season they were much
scarcer.

October 3 a number of the larve received from Mr. Crane bored into:
rotten wood placed in the breeding-case with them for that purpose.
Flies issued from May 27 to June 5 of the year following. Another lot
of larvee was received from Mr. Crane September 2, 1885, concerning
which he again writes:

Isend you herewith a box of saw-fly larve found feeding on panicled dogwood
(C. paniculata), a few of which I forwarded to you last year, and have not been able

a

24]

to secure any more until a few days ago. Previous to last year they were very
abundant, eating the fotiage all off of many bushes. Forseveral years I have tried to
rear them in a glass jar and succeeded in bringing out one fly by putting a piece of
partly decayed wood in the jar, which the larve entered to change.

An examination of the larve April 8, 1886, showed that they had
not then changed to pupe; the adults appeared from May 28 to
June 8.

September 12, 1888, a number of saw-fly larvee were received from
J. G. Barlow, Cadet, Mo., which in every respect were like those pre-
viously obtained from Mr. Crane. They were, however, found feeding
on the leaves of a wild grapevine, and also on Polygonum dumetorum.
With us, however, they refused to feed on these plants, but wandered
incessantly about in the breeding cage. Flies were obtained August 4
and 9, 1889.

Mr. Charles ©. Beach of Hartford, Conn., wrote us in June last de-
scribing the habits of a peculiar spotted saw-fly larva found by him
burrowing into decayed wood on which he supposed they subsisted.
He had in the previous year sent specimens to Dr. A. 8S. Packard, who
was unable to identify them, and who wanted additional material. In
the absence of Dr. Packard in Europe, however, he communicated with
ns, and in compliance with our request forwarded us specimens of the
larve and adults collected the present year, concerning which he
writes under date of August 7, 1889, as follows:

I mailed you yesterday a package containing a number of the live larve of the
saw-fly of which I wrote you last June; also a small bottle with two of the mature
flies. Since the receipt of your letter of June 22 I have searched faithfully for
more of the adults, but only succeeded in netting the two which I have sent you in
alcohol. The colors have remained practically unchanged. In the box containing
the larve you will see that most of the specimens are covered with a sort of white

loom, if their journey has not caused it to be rubbed off. This at times, or rather in
some instances, is very abundant and continues through all the molts until after the
last change, which takes place prior to pupating, when they appear of a black and
yellow color and naked. I placed one such in the box with the others. At this stage
they are exceedingly restless, ceasing to eat and being found at times a long distance
from their focd-plant. It is impossible to keep them in a bottle covered simply with
gauze as they bite through it, but placed in a bottle with a few bits of dead wood,
they make no attempt to escape, but proceed immediately to bore. I have some at
present boring, having reached their last molt. When they are well settled in their
winter habitat I will mail you some if you desire them.

The imago is a very pretty and active little creature, readily eluding the net, fight-
ing and biting with vigor when captured. I do not know whether the two specimens
I inclosed are of one sex or not.

The larve of this saw-fly are reported by Mr. C. L. Marlatt to occur
not uncommonly at Manhattan, Kans., on Cornus sp.

Mr. Jack was at first unable to rear the adults, but in the spring of
1889, having accidentally found the larve burrowing in decaying wood
picked up near Cornus bushes, he succeeded about the first of June in
obtaining the perfect insects, the larve having pupated within the bur-

242 2

rows but a short time previous. The life history as given by Mr. Jack.

is as follows:

On June 10 the first eggs were discovered and within a few days they were quite
abundant. The eggs are pale green, oblong, and about four one-hundredths of an
inch in length. They are deposited singly within the tissue of the leaf on the upper
side. From one or two dozen to three or four hundred eggs may be deposited within
a single leaf without any very definite order, although most of them are usually dis-
posed in lines parallel with the midrib, or with the principal veins. Eachegg makes
a little swelling, noticeable on both the upper and the under sides of the leaf, and,
with a little practice, egg-bearing leaves may be readily detected.

On hatching, the larve emerge on the under side of the leaf. They ave then about
six one-hundredths of an inch long and pale green in color, with yellowish head and
black eyes. When at rest they keep close together, coiled up on the under side of
the leaves; and they appear to feed only in the cooler parts of the day, in cloudy
weather, or perhaps at night. Of the first leaves attacked, they eat only the more
tender parts, and the leaves are left somewhat skeletonized ; but as the larve get
older they devour every part of the leaf down to the midrib. After the first molt,
when they are about twelve one-hundredths of an inch long, the larve secrete a pe-
culiar, very white efflorescence, by which the back and sides become covered. This
is constant after each molt until the last.

This efflorescence is removed by the slightest touch, and when brushed off the color
of the body is a pale greenish white. The head after the first molt is black, and
the legs and under sides of the body yellow. At full growth the average length of
the larva is about an inch. Some are smaller than others, however, and this possi-
bly indicates the difference of sexes.

When the Jarva has cast its skin for the last time a complete and surprising change
has taken piace. All trace of white is gone, and the body is greenish yellow on the
back and yellow beneath and along the sides below the spiracles. On each segment
along the back are two large and two small black spots, and upon the sides, close
above the spiracles, is a row of nearly square, black spots, one for each segment, but
so placed as to lap over from one segment to the next. The terminal plate above the
ventral segment is black. The legs and prolegs are yellow, the former having a
reddish spot on the outer side near the base. The tips of the claws are black. The
great change produced by the last molt has led some observers to suppose that there
are two distinct species.

Full growth is attained by most of the larve early in August, but some may not
reach maturity until much later, and this season a few were noticed to pass the last
molt about September 20. The season last year was not so advanced, and, in some
places, large numbers of larvie were found in September. The larve eat very little
after the last molt, and very soon they leave the plant and wander away in search
of suitable places in which to hibernate. Stray pieces of decaying wood, fence posts
and rails, dead branches and the corky bark of old trees are selected. In the Arbor-
etum, many were found even boring into the soft pith of dead stems of elder bushes.
Sometimes two or more occupy one burrow. It is quite possible that some larve go
into the ground to hibernate, but none have been discovered there.

Figures of the larvee, showing characteristic position on leaves, and
also the nature of their hibernating burrows in decaying wood, are re-
produced from Mr. Faxon’s figures.

We had identified adults as H. (Hmphytus) testaceus, and after again
carefully examining our specimens it seems probable that the species
just named and H. varianus are identical. Those obtained from the
larve received from Mr. Crane form a very good connecting series be-

243°

tween the two species. Those bred from the larve sent by Mr. Barlow,
together with the adults received from Mr. Beach, agree more closely
with H. varianus. The variation even in the structural characters of
the species is shown in that one female specimen in our collection has

in the right anterior wing four perfect submarginal cells and in the left

but three, the normal number, and in another female both anterior
wings have four submarginal cells; the other specimens are normal.
When it is remembered that the number of submarginal cells is used
to separate a group of genera, including Harpiphorus, Emphytus, and
Dolerus, the confusion likely to result from such variation may be bet-
ter understood.

The male, of which we have but a single specimen, is much smaller
than the smallest female, and the sides of its flattened abdomen are

nearly parallel, differing markedly in this respect from the much broader

and pointed abdomen of the other sex. In size as well as color there
is a wide variation in our specimens, the length ranging from 10™™ to
15™™, In color the flies are honey-yellow and reddish, with the thorax
and head more or less marked with black; the former in typical speci-
mens being almost entirely black. The four terminal joints of the an-
tenn, the labrum, tegul, scutel, feet, and portions of the legs, white.
The two basal joints and more or less of the third joint of the antennze

are reddish. The apical portion of the third joint in all of our speci-

mens and the fourth and fifth joints are brownish black. The basal half

_of the wings is clear; the outer portion, smoky.

This insect has been recorded from Connecticut, New York, Virginia,
Illinois, Massachusetts, and Canada; and HE. testaceus, which is prob-
ably the same insect, from Pennsylvania and Virginia. To these lo-

calities we have added New Jersey, Missouri, and Kansas. In Cresson’s

1

Catalogue of Described Hymenoptera it is accredited to the United
States and Canada.

Of insect enemies, Mr. Jack mentions a number of Hemiptera ob-
served by him to feed on the larva, and he also observed, but failed to
secure, a minute fly which was apparently ovipositing upon its eggs.

Certain species of Cornus (C. florida and C. mas) were found by Mr.
Jack not to be attacked by this insect, but the foliage of C. sericea, C.
alba, O. stolonifera, C. paniculata, C. sanguinea, C. asperifolia, and one or
two others were greedily devoured. Polygonum and Wild Grape may
be doubtfully added to the list of its food-plants. Our failure to get
the larve received from Mr. Barlow to feed on these plants makes ad-
ditional observations on this point desirable.

244

PLATYPSYLLUS—EGG AND ULTIMATE LARVA.*
By C. V. RILEY.

The egg and the pupa of Platypsyllus are yet unknown. I have for
some time endeavored to obtain them, and specimens recently received
as such gave hope, from the finder’s account, that the lacune in the
life-history of the genus might at last be filled. But examination dis-
pelled the hope; yet not without adding something to our knowledge
of the development of this curious beaver parasite. The only reference
to the egg is that contained in Dr. Horn’s article in the “ Transactions
of the American Entomological Society” (Vol. XV, p. 25), where it is
stated that the eggs were observed, and that ‘they are minute objects,
not fastened to the hair, as is the case with lice, but plastered firmly to

the skin among the thickest hair.” This, failing in description, might |

apply to the egg of any other minute creature, and I have, in fact, some

reason for concluding that the objects referred to in the observation |

were not the eggs of Platypsyllus, but those of quite a different insect.
The eggs, as observed in the oviduct of the female Platypsyllus, are
sufficiently uncharacteristic, except as to their flattened form; they

are 0.4™™ long and 0.2" in broadest diameter, non-sculptured, white, |
D ? b] b]

broadly ovoid, but much flattened on two sides. The structure indi-
cates that they may either be thrust under the scales of the skin or
fastened thereto.

What was sent as the pupa, proves to be a most interesting larval
stage and in keeping with the Mallophagous appearance of the beetle.
This larval stage might at first sight be characterized as a Mallophagan
by even the most careful zodlogist. The larva, as hitherto described
and figured, even in the largest specimens, whether from Dr. Horn’s ma-
terial or my own, has always seemed to me inexplicably small as com-
pared with the imago, and if the form which I now describe is (and
I can believe it nothing else) the final larval form of Platypsyllus, then
the larve hitherto described had not yet gone through their final molt.
A glance at the accompanying figures suffices to show the remarkable
superficial resemblance to the lice in question, and only when the struct-
ure, especially of the leg and mouth-parts is studied, does its Platypsyllus
nature appear. The description will also show how greatly it is modi-
fied from the earlier larval stages already described. One is justified
from the facilities for grasping which it possesses, as from the posi-
tion of the head, in inferring this stage quiescent, and in this respect,
as well as in the marked deviation from the previous stage, it recalls
the pseudo-pupa, or coarctate larva of the Meloids, and of some other
parasitic forms. I have but a single specimen and have not been able

to clearly make out the spiracles. One can but conjecture as to whether —
the pupa proper is formed, either partially or wholly, within the skin |

* Reprinted from Hntomologica Americana, February, 1890, p. 27.

245

of this broadened larva, or whether the skin is completely exuviated in
the transformation.

I hope that those who have opportunity to capture beavers will en-
deavor to obtain the much-desired pupa, and I shall be most glad to
communicate with or to receive specimens from any one having such
opportunity.

Fig. 50.—Platypsyllus castoris, ultimate larva: a, dorsal; b, ventral view; c, head from beneath; d,
tarsus; e. tarsal claw (after Riley).

PLATYPSYLLUS CASTORIS.— Ultimate Larva—Length about 2.4™™;
greatest diameter about 1.2™™. Nirmiform, flattened, narrowest at tho-
racic joints and broadest at middle of abdomen. Color grayish white,
with brownish, chitinous markings. Head pale brown, peculiar, project-
ing from joint 1, subtriangular, flattened, occiput without structure, face
and vertex completely ventral; the mandibles resting on the proster-
num, rather stout and 2.toothed; clypeus very large, triangular ; an-
tenn very smaul, 3-jointed, inserted in front of the lateral angles of the
clypens, the basal joint rather large, circular, flattened disc-like, the
second joint minute, as long as broad; the terminal joint much longer,
slender, cylindrical, and bearing a stout bristle at tip; labrum transpar-
ent and membranous; palpi apparently 4 jointed (not distinctly made
out) the terminal joint cylindrical, about one-half longer than wide and
truncated at tip; just outside the antenne are two black ocelli and
several piliferous raised points. Legs rather short, stout, drawn in over
the sternum; the tarsi spinose, long, 1-jointed, bearing but a single,
long, quite straight claw, with two long, movable spines at base ; tibice
with but a few spines near tip. Dorsally, the prothorax is twice as
long as the other joints, which are subequal in width, and the trans-
verse brown markings include the prothorax, except a narrow posterior
band, a narrow posterior border across each of the joints (obsolescing
on 10, 11 and 12); a median subrhomboidal spot and a subdorsal nar-
rower, somewhat paler spot near the anterior margin of each of joints
2-11. The posterior half of each joint is also beset with numerous pale
brown granulations (obsolete on 11 and 12), but without a trace of hair.
Ventrally, the thoracic joints are much lengthened, the femora show

15035—Nos. 7 and 8 4

246

a transverse shade and the abdominal joints a dusky transverse band,
shorter and more conspicuous anally. Patches of long, stout bristles
oceur on the dusky parts of joints 4, 5, 6, 7 more particularly, and of
shorter bristles on the sternum.*

SOME NEW PARASITES OF THE GRAIN PLANT-LOUSE.
By L. O. Howarp.

Among the numerous parasites of the Grain Plant-louse reared the
past summer and referred to in INSECT LIFE, Vol. II, page 31, are the
three following new species. As they belong to groups which I have
studied I present the following descriptions at Professor Riley’s desire:

There has been considerable doubt concerning the true habits of the
species of Pachyneuron. It has, beyond question, been bred from
Syrphid larve in the Division of Entomology and by Mr. Hubbard, in
Florida. Professor Cook considered a species reared by him as a Bark-
louse parasite, but with the evidence before us at that time I surmised
that it might have come from unnoticed Syrphid larve. In the same
way I was first inclined to discredit Mr. Ashmead’s reported rearing of
this genus from Aphidids, but Mr. Ashmead tells me that he is quite
positive that it does actually feed in plant-lice and the facts concerned
in the rearing of the present species seem to indorse his opinion. Our
first specimens were reared July 12, 1889, from grain-lice sent from
Goshen, Ind., by Mr. Webster and we subsequently reared a rather
large series (20 specimens mounted) from lice from different localities
in the same State. While it was not observed to actually issue from
the lice there seems little chance that Syrphids could have been present
in the small mass in such numbers to have harbored such large quanti-
ties of the parasites.

A. Srame, ace

The genus Megaspilus has been
Naa rarely reared in this country. A
nat eas % yi, =... Species has been reared from

the Hop Plant-louse in the
ZL Sst ~ Division of Entomology and a
eo” of faa {S “rather large series from the
] Y eet \ +. Grain-louse. I am not familiar

with any references to its habits

; iy ; in Europe. The subfamily to

f \ which it belongs contains other

Fic. 51.—Pachyneuron micans, female—enlarged genera of plant-louse parasites,
(original). viz., Ceraphron and Lygocerus.

PACHYNEURON MICANS, 0. sp.

Female.—Length, 1.28™™; expanse, 2.1™™; greatest width of forewing, 0.46™™,
Antenne short ; funicle as long as width of head; first funicle joint succeeding ring-
joints as broad as long, not compressed ; succeeding joints increasing gradually in

*Since this was written, I have ascertained that the spiracles are extremely minute
and placed laterally on the posterior border of the joints. The two spots on penulti-
mate joint bordered by short spines correspond to the bases of the cerci.

247

width, not in length, to club, which is oval, compressed, nearly as long as preceding
three joints together; entire funicle with short, appressed hairs. Faceand head very
delicately shagreened; mesonotum finely punctate; mesoscutum very short and reg-
ularly convex, not pointed; metascutum rather strongly punctate near middle,
smoother at sides, central cavina rounded; abdomen flat, subcampanulate, or oval,
nearly as broad as thorax. General color metallic bluish, greenish, or bronzy black;
antenne and all coxe metallic; all femora metallic on the outside, tipped with duli
yellow; tibizw honey yellow; tarsi somewhat darker, last joint brown.

Male.—Differs as follows: Antenne longer than in female; pile of funicle longer,
more erect, and dirty white instead of silvery white. Abdomen much narrower than
thorax, campanulate in shape. The femoral bands are brown instead of metallic, and
the hind tibiz have each a light brown central band.

Described from many male and female specimens reared from Sipho-
nophora avene from Lafayette and Goshen, Ind.

MEGASPILUS NIGER, 0. sp.
Female.—Length, 1.6™™; expanse,
3.33™™ ; greatest width of fore-wing,
0.62™™, Scape of antennze very
long, somewhat swollen beyond mid-
dle ; funicle long, curved, all joints
increasing gradually in width from
pedicel to club; joint 1 of funicle
somewhat longer than pedicel, joint
3 shorter, joints 4 to 8 increasing in
length very slightly. Head and
mesonotum very faintly shagreened,
but still glistening ; lower portion of 4
mesopleura and all of abdomen per-
fectly smooth. Abdomen subovoid
in shape, acutely pointed at tip. Radial vein only slightly curved, extending a little
more than half way from stigma to tip of wing. General color jet black; all tro-
chanters, femora and wing veins dark brown; all tibiw and tarsi lighter brown.

Described from five female specimens reared from Siphonophora avene
from Selkirk, Mich., and Lafayette, Ind., July, 1889.

ENCYRTUS WEBSTERI, 0. sp.

Female.—Length, 0.93™™; expanse of wings, 2.1™™; greatest width of forewing,
6.35™™, Antenne short, inserted considerably below the middle of the face; scape
cylindrical, not widened below,
reaching to vertex; pedicel conical,
longer than first funicle joint; all
funicle joints as wide as_ long,
the sixth somewhat compressed
laterally ; club a little longer than
last two funicle joints, oval, com-
pressed laterally. Front as broad
as one of the eyes, finely shagreened,
with sparse, large punctures; ocelli
at the angles of a right angle
triangle; occipital angle sharp, me-
sonotum shining, with extremely fine
striation ; mesoscutellum finely sha-
greened. Marginal vein wanting;
stigmal somewhat longer than post-
marginal; wings hyaline; cilia short. Color: Scape of antenna, all of head, mesoseu-
tum, abdomen and hind thighs, metallic blue-green; funicle of antennz brown ; mes-

MA,
ly
Y

yp"
\

Fic. 52.—Megaspilus niger, fomale—enlarged (original).

Fic. 53.—Eneyrtus Websteri, male—enlarged (original)-

.

248

oscutellum bronzy; front and middle femora nearly black with very slight metallic’
lustre ; trochanters and femero-tibial joints yellow; tips of all tibia yellow ; all tarsi
yellow; mesopleura brilliant metallic blue; metapleura shining metallic green.

Male.—Length, 0.8"™, expanse of wings, 1.9™™, greatest width of forewings, 0.35™™ ;
differs from female in its more somber color, the general effect being brown rather
than metallic although the mesonotum and head are somewhat lustrous; the anten-
ne are cylindrical, the segments well separated subcylindrical and furnished with
short, finely distributed hair. The general color of the legs is darker; the bands at
the joints being narrow and darker; hind tarsi dusky, middle and front tarsi yellow
except last joint.

Described from one male and one female reared from Siphonophora
avene by F. M. Webster, at Lafayette, Ind.

This species comes rather close to Encyrtus clavellatus Dalman reared
in Europe from Cecidomyid galls on willow, but is specifically distinct.

AN AUSTRALIAN HYMENOPTEROUS PARASITE OF THE FLUTED
SCALE.

By: Ca N.C RILEN.

We have just received from Mr. F. S. Crawford, of Adelaide, the
first Hymenopterous parasite of [eerya yet found in Australia. It is

Fic. 54.—Ophelosia crawfordi, enlarged (original.

a very interesting form belonging to a new genus, and as it will doubt-
less become an important factor in the life-chances of Icerya, and it will
be convenient to refer to it definitely by name, we take this occasion to
characterize it. Its nearest relative is Dilophogaster californica How-
ard, which breeds rapidly in California and is a noted enemy of the
Black Seale (Lecanium olew). So valuable a species is this last that
Professor Comstock found that on some trees 75 per cent of the scales
were destroyed by it, while in no case was the scale found without its
attendant destroyer. Moreover, Mr. Coquillett writes us that in 1889,

249

at Orange, Cal., fully 80 per cent. of the black scales were killed by
this parasite.

From these facts it seems probable that the discovery of the new
insect will prove important and we have initiated efforts to secure liv-
ing specimens from Australia. The few facts which Mr. Crawford gives
concerning it we quote from his letter of November 24, 1889:

“‘T received some three months ago some Icerya from a place some 50 miles South
of Adelaide, the owner of the orchard not having seen anything of the kind before
and wanting to know what they were. These I placed as usual in a bottle loosely
stoppered with with cotton wool. With the Icerya was a Chrysopa larva, which for
some weeks was feeding on the eggs. One day on examining it I discovered several
hymenopters (Proctotrupidz?), the female yellowish brown, the male almost black.
On examination [ found that many might have escaped through the cotton stopping
being insecure, but I suppose that I have bred about thirty since. It is strange that
this is the only instance of a Hymenopterous parasite of the Icerya yet discovered in
South Australia. Isend you a few of these under separate cover. I presume the
small black insect is the male. * * *

Since the following description was drawn up we have received a re-
port* by Mr. Henry Tryon, assistant curator of the Queensland Museum
at Brisbane, in which he describes, without name, a Chalcidid parasite
of Icerya which he says is very common about Brisbane, and which he
believes is responsible for the rarity of Icerya in that vicinity. <A care-
ful perusal of his description leads us to believe that he had our insect.
before him; but as he has proposed no name ours willhold. It is very
encouraging to learn that the species is so abundant.

OPHELOSIA, n. g.

Closely resembles in habitus Dilophogaster Howard (See Ann. Rept. Dept. Agr., 1880,
p. 368, where it is described as Tomocera, subsequently changed to Dilophogaster on
account of the preoccupation of Tomocera in Thysanura), with which it agrees in many
characters, but from which it is sharply defined. The antennal peculiarities are
identical in the two forms, viz: The simple, clavate, 10-jointed female antenne, and
the compressed, serrate, hairy, 9-jointed male form. The wings in Ophelosia differ
markedly, as follows: The sub-marginal vein is not curved downward; the marginal
is more than twice as long as stigmal; just below the bend of the sub-marginal
in the female is a broad patch of very stout bristles arising from the wing surface.
The petiole of the abdomen is nearly as long as the width of the metascutum; the
fimbrix of the callus are very dense, but short. The tufts of hair at base of abdomen
are sparse. The hind tibiz are furnished at tip with a long, slender, slightly-curved
spine, nearly as long as first tarsal joint, while in Dilophogaster it is entirely unarmed.

O. CRAWFORDI, 0. sp.

Female.—Length, 2™™; expanse,4™™. Generalcolor honey-yellow, somewhat darker
dorsally than ventrally. Head: face and vertex strongly transverse-rugose; ocelli
concolorous; eyes darker; antennze with club more dusky and with joints 2-6 of
flagellum paler than the rest. Thorax: pronotum and mesonotum plainly sha-
greened, with sparse, appressed concolorous pile; mesoscutellum faintly striate; lateral
parts of mesoscutum strongly rugose, the centre faintly so; the four mesoscutellar
piliferous tubercles as also the hairs, black, a small spot behind each tegula and the
lateral parts of the mesoscutum black or blackish; fimbria of metascutum white;

*This report will be reviewed at length in the next number of INsecT LIFE.

250

wings with a narrow curved transverse dusky band reaching from the bend of the
submarginal vein to hind border of wing including the patch of wing bristles; also
with alarge nearly circular dusky shade below stigma and reaching nearly across
wing; legs uniformly honey-yellow with the cox sometimes brownish above. Ab-
domen with basal joint dark brown, and more or less brown at sides and near tip.

Male.—Slightly smaller; sculpture identical throughout. Pile very inconspicu-
ous, dark. General color black, shining; all legs honey-yellow ; the upper sides of
the hind femora and tibe somewhat darkened; hind coxe black; front and middle
cox honey-yellow at tip; antennae with the scape honey-yellow, and the funicle
brownish ; wings perfectly hyaline.

Described from four female and two male specimens reared by F. 8.
Orawford, at Adelaide, from specimens of Icerya purchast received from
S. Australia, 50 miles south of Adelaide.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

The Orchid Isosoma in America.

A friend of mine, by occupation a florist, has applied to me for information concern-
ing an insect pest affecting the genus of orchids known as Cattleya, more especially
C. trianw, eldorado, and gigas. Said insect belongs to a group I have studied but
very little, and as the matter is of general interest I appeal to you.

During the resting season of these plants the pseudo-bulb will sometimes be ob-
served to suddenly start into activity, increasing rapidly in size and becoming swol-
len spherically. On examination this enlargement is found to contain a cavity in
which are several (3 to 8) insects. Those which I have had an opportunity of study-
ing were in the last stages of development; I inclose examples in the light-colored
pupa stage, the dark-colored stage preparatory to transformation, and the adult.
They make their escape by gnawing a hole from the cavity sufficiently large to allow
their egress. The size of the cavity is dependent on the number and state of devel-
opment of its inhabitants. The larve have been described to me as ‘‘ little white
grubs.” All the adults that I have seen have had clear wings, but my friend states
that is unusual; he has generally found them with dark wings, apparently identi-
cal. (I expected to find a Cynips, but is not this a Chalcid?) He thinks the pest is
imported with the plants (which mostly come from New Granada), and finds com-
fortable quarters and a field for activity in greenhouses; he has found them in plants
recently imported, together with unmistakable signs of their former presence.

Their depredations are followed by disastrous results. Of course no flowers are to
be expected from the bulb attacked, and this abnormal growth taking place during
the resting season so saps the vitality of the plant that it behaves as if it were at-
tacked by slow consumption, the leaves lose their vigor and consistence, wither, fade,
and gradually die in from one to two years after being seriously attacked.

Any information you can give me concerning this pest, its name, life history, habits,
remedies, etc., will be very gratefully received. Will send you sketches of its work
if desired.—[ Albert P. Morse, South Natick, Mass. ;

RepLy.—Your letter of November 29, together with specimens of the Chalcidid
reared from the pseudo-bulb of Cattleya, has been received. These specimens form a
very desirable addition to the collection of the National Museum, for the reason that
we already possessed the swellings from which they issue, and which were given us a
few years since in France. lrof. J. O. Westwood, in the Transactions of the Ento-
mological Society of London for 1882, figures and describes what is probably the same
Species under the name of Isosoma orchidearum. The specimens which you send us

251

differ slightly from those described by Westwood in the coloration of the legs, but
this is too unimportant a character to base a new species upon. Prof. Westwood
mentions the same insect in The Gardener’s Chronicle, November 27, 1869, p. 230. I
send you by same mail a copy of No. 4 of Vol. 1 of INst cr Lirs, on p. 121 of which
you will find a note of our observations on this subject.

If you have plenty of material the most careful observations will be desirable, and
if you can send us specimens of the work it will facilitate matters. We shall gladly
publish any detailed account of your observations which you may care to write.—
[December 3, 1889. ]

A Plaxseed Mite.

I send you something by to-day’s mail that greatly puzzles me. My tather, who
has just returned from Kansas, brought with h m the bottle which I inclose, contain-
ing specimensf a mite, or what appears so to me, which is found in amazing quanti-
ties in a warehouse in Paola, Kans., among flaxseed, of which about four thousand
bushels was in store there. Crawling masses of these mites several inches deep could
be seen on some of the floors and the owner feared they would destroy the entire
stock. I have opene! a number of the seeds without finding any of the mites on the
inside unless the seed happens to be somewhat crushed. I conjecture that the ware-
house may be somewhat damp, and that these creatures are feeding on the débris of
broken seeds, bits of hulls, stem-, «tc., which are in a state of partial decay. There
was an almost unendurable stench in the compartments where the mites most abound-
ed. Whatdo you think of the matter? The owner of the infested seed is Mr. Z.
Hayes, of Paola, Kans.—[ Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo., December 10, 1889.

REPLY.—Yours of the 10th instant with specimens came safely tohand. The mite
which is found in such amazing numbers in flaxseed in Kansas is a species of Tyrogly-
phus differing from any familiar to me; it is quite different from 7. longior, the com-
mon flour and cheese mite. You are probably right in considering that the creat-
ures were feeding upon the débris of the broken seeds, and that they were attracted
by the state of partial decay.—[ December 13, 1889. ]

Adundance of Aigeria acerni.

Your kind favor of November 26, stating that my name had been added to the mail-
ing list duly received with the first four numbers of Vol. 2 of Insect Life. I find them
very interesting and instructive, and would ask you to accept my heartfelt thanks
for them.

By tar the most destructive pest in this city is #geria acerni. Nine-tenths of De-
troit’s shade trees are (soft) maple, and the damage done by the borer above named
is very considerable. Have seen in June as many as fifteen pupa cases protruding
from a single tree.

The inner bark is eaten. often nearly around the trunk, and as the tree grows it
leaves either a large hole in the tree or a constriction nearly around it. Dozens of
trees thus gouged and girdled are blown down with every high wind.

Trees from two to six inches in diameter seem to suffer the most from their rav-
ages. Have tried several times to remedy the trees infested by painting the holes or
rough places in May or June, thinking the moth would not deposit her eggs on
painted trees, but the next year noticed pupa-cases protruding through holes in the
paint by scores.

Any advice you may care to give me will be gratefully received.—[ Charles A. Wiley,
Detroit, Mich., December 2, 1889. |

REPLY.—Yourt letter of the 2d instant is just received. We are obliged to you for
the note concerning the abundance of Ageria acerni in your city. You will find a
full account of this insect with illustrations in my sixth Report on the Insects of Mis-
souri (1874), pages 107 to 110. In my experience these worms are invariably found
in such trees as have been injured either by the work of the flat-headed borer, by the

252

rubbing of the tree against a post or board, or in some other way. Where the bark
has been kept smooth they do not seem to trouble it. The moth evidently prefers to
lay her eggs in cracked or roughened parts. Any application, therefore, which will-
tend to keep the bark smooth will be of value.—[ December 5, 1889. ]

Hessian Fly in California.

This insect has been reported as being very abundant during spring (1889) in the
central part of the State, destroying most of the wheat around Mt. Eden. Personally
it was observed in the Santa Cruz Mountains on May 26. At this time they were
found in all stages from young larve to pup and empty cases (puparia) within
barley. Some of these collected the beginning of June produced flies until beginning
of July; others collected beginning of July did not hatch up to date, October 30. A
few parasites (Semiotellus destructor) were also bred; they had issued up to Septem-
ber. Flies are marked 443; parasites 443°; and a few Isosoma that Mad been bred
from some straw 443°. One small fly was also found in jar; this is marked 443». Dur-
ing September, 1387, a few puparia, evidently of this fly, were found near Alameda
on two species of grass, one of these Elymus americanus and the second a species of
' Agrostis. Also during the last summer specimens and traces of such were found in
the Santa Cruz Mountains upon several species of grass. This is without doubt the
Hessian Fly. On October 1, 1889, I found larve still remaining within puparia col-
lected in July.—[ Albert Koebele, Alameda, Cal., October 30, 1889.

An Ivy Scale-insect.

I have an ivy vine which is badly diseased. Inclosed please find sample of leaves.
The ivy is some 30 feet long and runs along the inside of my store. Had one of about
the same length destroyed some 2 years ago by the same pest. Kindly inform me
what to do to get rid of these pests.—[ George Teuchert, Lake View, II], Dec. 2, 1889.

RepLy.—Your letter of the 2d instant, inclosing leaves of ivy infested by scale
insect, has been received. The insect in question is the common Aspidiotus nerii, a
cosmopolitan species which infests a great variety of plants, and is by no means
confined to the ivy, although occurring commonly upon it. As a remedy I would
advise you to spray with a dilute soap emulsion made according to the usual formula,
[December 4, 1889. ]

Ant Hills and Slugs.

I have resorted to many expedients to get rid of the ant hills that disfigure my lawn
and sometimes seriously injure plants and shrubs, and have finally succeeded in con-
quering them. I first hive them—break up the nest pretty thoroughly and if it is
near the roots of a plant draw as much of the débris as possible a little way from it
and turn over it a large plant jar. The ants will promptly appropriate the jar, re-
move their larve to it, and fill it with pellets of earth. I then drench this with kero-
sene emulsion reduced to a strength of 2 10 3 per cent., which will kill every ant
thoroughly drenched with it. It is more destructive to them than pure kerosene,
which does not adhere to them. In this way I have thoroughly conquered the ants.

The rose slug and the currant worm I keep completely under by use of hellebore, a
tablespoonful to a gallon of water, and forcing it violently among the foliage with a
hydropult. Commencing in the spring before I can find a slug or a worm, and repeat-
ing the drenching once a week for three or four weeks, I can destroy them completely
before they do any damage. On one hundred roses I was able this spring to find
only two slugs, while the foliage of some common sorts I did not spray was com-
pletely destroyed.—[M. C. Read, Hudson, Ohio, September 5, 1889.

A curious Case of insect Litigation.

I recently learned of a case where the good work accomplished by the Vedalia cardina-
lis had been grossly ignored. It appears that acertain adventurer inoculated anumber
of Icerya-infested orange trees, with the understanding that if by this means he sue-

|
}

253

ceeded in destroying all of the Iceryas on these trees he was to receive a certain re-
muneration for his trouble. A few days after the trees had been inoculated, one of
the county inspectors of fruit pests placed a number of the Vedalias in these trees
without apprising the experimentor of this fact; at the appointed time the trees
were carefully examined and not a living Icerya could be found onthem. The experi-
mentor claimed that it was through his inoculating the trees that the Iceryas had
been destroyed; the owner of the trees, however, thought that the credit belonged
to the Vedalias, and therefore refused to remunerate the quack for his work. There-
upon the latter gentleman brought suit against the owner of the trees and won it,
the jury deciding that the fatality among the Iceryas was produced through the in-
oculation which the infested trees had received, notwithstanding the testimony of
the inspector to the contrary, and the fact that the empty pupa cases of the Vedalia.
were still on the trees! This happened several months ago, at a time when the
workings of the Vedalia were not so well known as at the present time.—[D. W. Co-
quillett, Los Angeles, Cal., December 12, 1889.

Two interesting Parasites.

I send some bottles containing larve in alcohol, and a few more slides with speci-
mens for the microscope. Among the latter is an interesting parasite on Aspidiotus
uve, which seems to be doing good work in keeping this pernicious scale-insect in
check. More than a dozen of these little flies have emerged from the scales on a bit
of cane not 5 inches long. In one of the bottles is a section of a Plusia larva
found on Chrysanthemum from which thousands of the minute flies inclosed with it
issued. I never saw a more extreme case of parasitism. After spinning up the poor
worm lost all semblance to itself. A myriad of the parent flies must have attacked
it at once.—[Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo., November 23, 1889.

REPLY.—Your parasite on Aspidiotus uve is a new species of the genus Centrodora,.
and the Plusia larva had evidently been attacked by Copidosoma truncatellum, which
you will find mentioned as a parasite of Plusia brassice in my annual report for 1883,
p. 121, Plate XI, fig. 6.

Work of White Ants.

I mail you a box to-day containing insects that have done remarkably good work.
They bored through paper, then through a full bolt of Conestoga ticking into wood
about one-fourth to three-eighths inch deep. The marks in wood were exactly the-
same as in the ticking Isend you a sample of. When alive and killed with naptha.
(benzine) they drop a brownish fluid from the anus, which I suppose turns into dirt, as
it shows on the ticking, lumps being attached to it where eaten, this extending
through the whole bolt. The ticking was lying on a shelf (a place not very dark
during the day) for about one month. Please let me know their name and habits.—

, [Eugene R. Fischer, 2707 Winnebago street, St. Louis, Mo., December 21, 1889,

RepLy.—The insect which has done this damage is the commonest of our so-called
White Ants, and is known as Termes flavipes. This species bores in the woodwork

| of old buildings, and often does considerable damage. It is a difficult insect to fight,

and about the only thing which you can do is to inject steam or hot water or kero-
sene wherever an opening seems to lead into their burrows in timbers.—[ December
27, 1889. ]

Importation of Orange Pests from Florida to California.

I am inspector of the Pomona fruit district. There will be a great many orange and
_ lemon trees shipped from Florida this season. I would like to have you inform me.
of the places that are infested with Red Scale (Aspidiotus ficus) or other scales that

_ would be dangerous in this climate, so that I can be on the lookout. Last winter I
_ found Red Scale on trees that came from Orlando, Fla. I treated them with hydro-

254

cyanic acid gas and, I believe, killed all of them. Mr. H. G. Hubbard in his report of
1885 speaks of the Red Scale being in Orlando and San Mateo, Fla., but I presume
they have spread to other places.—[C. C. Warren, Pomona, Cal., December 10, 1889.

Rep.y.—Yours of the 10th instant has just come to hand. I can give you little or
no information regarding injurious scale insects of other States which would be likely
to be dangerous in California beyond what you will find in Hubbard’s Report on In-
sects Affecting the Orange (1885) and the report on Scale Insects in the Annual Re-
port of this Department for 1880. You are doubtless aware of the fact that the so-
called Red Scale of Florida differs from the Red Seale of California.—[December 18,
1889, ]

On some Dung Flies.

I send by the same mail that will take this for identification two apparently dif-
ferent species of flies. Thosein the smaller bottle, black in color and smaller in size,
I have noticed for a month past in great numbers in my poultry house in the barrel
which receives the daily droppings. A paper is folded tightiy over the barrel on
which the cover is placed. On removing these the under side of the paper is often
quite black with the minute insects. Mingled with these a few house flies of varying
size are also seen, suggesting to me the thought that the minute ones are the early
stage of the common house fly. Then comes the idea that most (is it all?) insects
having the three stages make all their growth in the larva state and on reaching
the imago state are at first of their full size. This is true, may I ask, of the house
fly? If this one I send is a species by itself, please give me its name and direct me
to its natural history. The other flies, of larger size, lighter color, and with reddish
head, I have not noticed till this morning. The pans in which the hen’s food is eaten
are placed at night in the shed at an open window having a small mosquito screen
and the blinds are always shut. On going to the pans this morning these flies arose
from them in swarms. There must have been hundreds of them, though not one has
been noticed before this year. These, however, arenot new tous. We have always
noticed them upon fruits, especially when injured, and about cider-mills. Please
give itsname. I should have said in writing of the others that on the paper where
I saw so many of the small, black flies I also noticed crawling about among them
other minute creatures of nearly the same size but wingless. Were they in any way
related to them? Or can you tell what they probably are without specimens sent.—
[S. D. Hunt, South Franklin, Mass., August 31, 1839.

RepLy.—The two flies sent are undoubtedly two different species: The black one _

can not be recognized without a careful examination and study of the specimens, but
it is one of the Drosophilide and may belong to the genus Stegana. It is very distinct
from the house fly, and does not belong to the same family, .The other larger fly of
lighter color is Drosophila ampelophila Loew, called by Professor Comstock the ‘ Vine-
loving Pomace-fly ” An account of its natural history is given by Professor Comstock

in the Annual Report of this Department for the years 1881-2, pp. 198-201.—[Septem- |

ber 4, 1889. ]
Spider Bites.

“ * * In the fall of 1847, in southwestern Pennsylvania, I was called to treat a case

of spider bite. Isaw the young man two or three hours after he was bitten. The
puncture was plainly seen on the wrist. The hand and arm were much swollen and
the axillary glands swollen and painful. Knowing tincture of lobelia to be a speci-
fic in poisoning by poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron),1 had his arm enveloped with
cloths saturated with the tincture, and gave enough internally to thoroughly empty
his stomach. In twelve hours he was well, but the swelling lasted two or three days,
That it was a spider bite I never knew, and always doubted. But in the coat-sleeve
he had been putting on was a flat circular nest such as spiders often spin in the fall
in garments hung in dark places. Those who believe in spider bites ought to show
the fangs or other organs with which they can bite, and alsothe poison-secreting glands

255

and the poison sacs or cells, Till these are shown or till a spider isseen to bite a per-

son, people will be incredulous.—[Dr. Wm. P. T. Coal, Meadows, IIl., September 3,
1889. :

SECOND LETTER.—This morning my sister thought she was bitten by a spider
under the sleeve near the wrist and almost immediately in two or three places be-
tween that and the shoulder. She crushed the insect with her hand, and on remoy-
jng the clothes found the fragments which I send inclosed. If you can identify it I
would like to know what it is. The bites or stings caused a slight pain and swell-

ing that were gone in a few hours.—[Dr. Wm. P. T. Coal, Meadows, IIl., January 1,
1890.

RepLy.—Your letter of January 1 and the accompany fragments of aspider which
is supposed to have bitten your sister have been received. The case is an interest-
ing one and it is extremely unfortunate that the fragments will not enable a defi-
nite determination of the species, as the evidence is strong that the bite was made by
this creature. Dr. Marx, our authority on spiders, states that the fragments show
that the spider belonged to the family Drasside, and perhaps to the genus Pythonissa,
the species of which live under stones but may also be found in outhouses. I am
very much obliged to you for sending this specimen, and hope that if a similar case
ever comes under your observation you will communicate it.—[ January 7, 1890. ]

GENERAL NOTES.

INSECTS AFFECTING SALSIFY.

Owing, possibly, to the fact that this vegetable is grown only in our
gardens, and to a very limited extent, its insect enemies seem to have
been but little studied. Mr. John Martin (10th Rep. St. Ent. Ill, p. 139),
gives it as one of the food plants of the larve of Prodenia lineatella; but
Mr. Martin seems to have provided it as food for the caterpillars while
they were in confinement, they not seeking it from motives of choice;
but this is the only species we have noticed on record as depredating
upon it.

August 16 of the present year (1889), we found the foliage of these
plants being eaten by larvee, which, as they al) fed from within leaves
whose edges they had drawn together to form a hollow tube, appeared
to belong to the same species. In some of these tubes small chrysalids

were also found.

A quantity of infested leaves were gathered and placed in a breeding

cage, in which there appeared on August 24 adults of a species of
Peedisca, followed in a few days by other moths belonging to this species,
Dichelia sulfureana and Lophoderus triferana. A number of larve
were attacked by parasites, and on September 1 considerable num-
bers of a species of Limneria appeared.

While searching for the larve of the preceding a caterpillar of Spi-

losoma virginica was observed leisurely devouring the foliage of this

plant, and, also, adults and pupe of Lygus pratensis were noted in
_ abundance among the tender leaves, some of them extracting the juices
therefrom.

256

October 16, plants in this same garden were found to be infested with
Aphides, and the topof one of the most thickly populated was removed
and placed with living plants in a breeding cage. With the change to

a@ warmer environment, the insects became more active, and instead of |

of a single species, as at first supposed, there were found to be four, |
three Aphides, viz, Siphonophora near erigeronensis, Aphis near planta- |
ginis, at the time being studied on carrot and Portulaca, Myzus maha- |
leb, and a minute Thrips, their relative abundance being in the orderin |
which they are here given. All three species of plant lice, and the |
Thrips, developed on the Salsify and remained upon it for several weeks, |

showing that their occurrence on plants in the garden was not acci-
dental.—[F. M. Webster, December 12, 1889.

AN EGYPTIAN MEALY BUG.

We are indebted to our esteemed correspondent Mr. D. Morris, of the |
Royal Kew Gardens, for a copy of a letter from Mr. R. W. Blunfield of |

Alexandria, Egypt. During the past four years the gardens in Alex-

andria have been infested by a Coccus which destroys all of the trees |

andis causing the greatest alarm. It first appeared four years ago when
Mr. Blunfield noticed it in quantities on the underside of the leaves of the
Banyan tree, but it soon spread with extraordinary rapidity and some

of the most beautiful gardens of the city full of tropical trees and shrubs ©

have been also destroyed. <A breeze sends the cottony pest down in
showers in all directions. It seems to attack almost any plant, but the
leavesof Ficus ruginosa and one or two other kinds of fig seem too tough
for it and it will not touch them. He states that itseems almost im-
possible tor a few horticulturists to try to eradicate this pest while their
indifferent neighbors are harboring hot-beds of them, and there will have
to be some strong measures taken by law to put it down.

Mr. Blunfield sent specimens which were referred to Mr. J. W. Doug-
las, one of the most prominent British students of Coccide, who upon
cursory examination decided that it was a species of Dactylopius. At
the time of this writing Mr. Douglas has not had time to examine it
with sutficient care to determine the species. We have written advis-
ing the use of one of the resin washes which have proved so effectual
against Icerya in California, and have ‘mentioned particularly the one
given on page 92 of the current volume of INSECT LIFE.

A CASE OF EXCESSIVE PARASITISM.

The frequency with which the Black Walnut is defoliated by the larvee
of Dutana ministra has often been a source of regret to admirers of that
beautiful and majestic tree. Every autumn, throughout the Western
States, September finds many trees as devoid of foliage as in mid winter,

the fruit hanging to the naked twigs with the very air of disconsolation. —

Trees in the forest do not appear to suffer, the caterpillars seeming to

257

prefer isolated individuals or small groups, which are usually planted
for ornamentation.

Such a tree stands by the side of the walk midway between my home
and the Indiana experiment station, being separated from all others of
its kind by nearly a quarter of a mile. During the years 1884 and 1885
this tree was regularly defoliated in August. In 1886, during the usual
season, the caterpillars made their appearance and began their work,
reaching very near their full growth, when there was a sudden cessation
of attack, and the depredators disappeared from the tree with aston-
ishing rapidity, leaving the foliage less than half eaten. This was a _
change of affairs without a precedent.

An examination of the ground about and beneath the tree at once
gave a clueto the mystery, revealing a state of affairs as intecesting
as unexpected. Everywhere among the short grass and weeds were
caterpillars, some of them dead, others dying, while still others were
quite active, but all well-nigh covered with eggs of a species of
Tachina Fly. The flies were present in myriads, some of them wing:
ing their way about, a few inches above the surface of the ground,
and others perched on grass, weeds, ete., all evidently watching for
caterpillars, while the latter were as evidently hiding from their per-
secutors, for no sooner would one of them leave its seclusion than per-
haps half a dozen flies would give chase, and begin fastening their eggs
to various parts of the body, the victim writhing, twisting, and rolling
itself about in the dust, in frantic efforts to escape. Even after gaining
a place of security, under some leaf or plant, often some portion of the
body would be left exposed, and the already half dead caterpillar would
be again driven forth from its hiding, like a gored ox. Four caterpil-
lars, fair examples of the whole lot, were forwarded to the Department
at Washington, and to their bodies eggs were attached as follows: No.
1, 213; No. 2, 115; No. 3,131; No. 4, 228. From five others, collected
at the same time, we afterwards reared fifty-three adult flies.

During the years 1887 and 1888, not a caterpillar was observed on
this tree, though others in the neighborhood were infested, but the
present year (1889) they returned again in full force. It would be in-
teresting to know if similar attacks by an allied Tachinid upon the Army
Worm were as lasting in effect.—[ IF. M. Webster, November 28, 1889.

‘SOME HITHERTO UNRECORDED ENEMIES OF RASPBERRIES AND
| BLACKBERRIES. ©

Solenopsis fugax Latr.—These minute ants were observed in great
abundance during July, 1886, burrowing into the ripe fruit of the
-blackberry. The food habits of the species must be exceedingly varied,
as we have found them excavating and dragging away the substance
of recently planted seed-corn, infesting dead crickets, burrowing into
the fatty parts of cured hams, and in attendance upon a species of

1

258

Dactylopius infesting the roots of red clover, Trifolium pratense L. We
have also found them burrowing in ripe apples.

Limonius auripilis Say.—We have observed the adult feeding upon
ripe raspberries during July.

Carpophilus brachypterus Say.—These beetles are sometimes quite
numerous in the fruitof the raspberry, especially if it be .a little over-
ripe. Their small size, and the habit of secreting themselves in the cav-
ity of the berry abeut the receptacle, renders their presence difficult to
detect.

Iulus impressus Say.—About the middle of July of the present year
(1888) alady of Lafayette purchased from her grocer a quantity of black
raspberries for preserving. The case consisted of 16 quart-boxes, such as
are usually employed for holding fruit. On looking the berries over,
preparatory to cooking, she began to find these worms intermingled
among and devouring the fruit. By the time a small portion of the
supply had been inspected, upwards of fifty worms had been found, and
the fruit was disposed of ina way rather more summary than that of
preserving. Samples of both fruit and worms submitted to me left no
doubt as to either the species of Zulus engaged, or its appetite for this
kind of fruit. Whether the worms infested the fruit in the field, or
whether the case was left on the ground and they made their way into
the boxes, I was not able to learn, but the latter appears more probable.

Cosmopepla carnifec Fab.—This was reported to me from Livingston
County, New York, as injuring the foliage of the black raspberry. See
InsEcT LIFE, vol. 1, p. 157.—[F. M. Webster, November 30, 1889.

NEBRASKA INSECTS.

We have just received from Prof. Lawrence Bruner his report to the
Nebraska State Board of Agriculture for 1888. He considers a number
of injurious species, including the Chinch Bug, the Corn Worm, the Box-
elder Plant-louse, the Green-striped Maple-worm, the Willow Cimbex,
the Apple-tree Flea-beetle, the Apple Twig-borer, the Corn Root-worm,
the Army Worm, Cut Worms, the Box-elder Bug, the Imbricated Snout-
beetle, the Sculptured Corn Sphenophorus, Tree Crickets, a new enemy
to the Colorado Potato-beetle, Ox Warbles, Plum Curculio, Codling
Moth, Strawberry Worms. The report is mainly compiled, but con-
tains some account of the author’s personal observations in Nebraska
of the species mentioned. Among these we may note that the Army
Worm is here recorded in injurious numbers for the first time in Ne-
braska. The damage by the Imbricated Snout-beetle to young corn is

also of interest, while the illustrated article on the Box-elder Plant-

louse is new. Under the article upon the Plum Curculio he mentions
finding a species of Coccotorus, which he proposes to name hirsutus, feed-
ing upon the Sand Cherry, in Cuming County. This we have since
learned is the true Coccotorus scutellaris of Leconte (see note in INSECT

259

LIFE, Vol. I, p. 89) which, by the way, was originally found upon this
same plant. Careful comparison of specimens,moreover, shows that the
common Plum Gouger (Anthonomus prunicida Walsh) is unquestion-
ably a good species, as such go, and not a synonym of scutellaris as has
been supposed of late years. We illustrate both species at Figs. 55
and 56. .

&

Fie. 55.—Ooccotorus scutellaris— Fic. 56.—Ooccotorus prunicida ; a, plum-stone showing

enlarged (original). exit-hole of larva; b, adult; c, side view of head of
adult—enlarged (original).

A PODURID WHICH DESTROYS THE RED RUST OF WHEAT.

In studying the insect enemies of our cereals during theJast five years
we have repeatedly come in contact with a small, robust species of Smyn-
thurus—species undetermined—both in the field and in breeding cages.

From the fact that we have several times reared the species in cages
containing only growing grain and insects preying thereon, and were not
able to detect them destroying either one of these, we have been per-
plexed to understand from what source these little Neuropters obtained
their subsistence. During the present year, however, we have twice
found individuals feeding upon the Uredo spores of the common wheat-
rust, Puccinia rubigovera, in both instances on wheat growing in the field
and at a time when the rust was first making its appearance on the
leaves.

While these observations clear away some of the obscurity surround-

ing the food habits of these insects, their economic importance is as un-

certain as before. We are free to suppose that all rust spores eaten by

_these insects are destroyed, and to this extent they are benefactors.
_ But their bodies being covered with short bristles, and being such gor-
, Mandizers in their method of feeding, with every repast they manage

_toget greatnumbers of spores caught among the bristles on their bodies,
, and these spores, it is fair to suppose, are carried away and probably

i Mecome detached one time and another, more or less of them being left

on plants not previously affected by rust. Early in the fall, when rust

260

is only commencing to appear on the young wheat, these Smynthurus
might destroy many spores, but we have observed them enough to leave
no doubt that they may transfer spores from one plant to another in the
manner indicated.—[F. M. Webster, November 30, 1889.

INSECTICIDE LITIGATION.

We notice in The San Francisco Morning Call of November 22 a state-
ment to the effect that a suit has been commenced in the superior court,
by John S. Finch, owner of a ranch at Hayward’s, Alameda County,
against the Ongerth Grafting Compound Company, to recover $16,500
for losses sustained by reason of the application of the defendant’s liquid
compound to 106 fruit trees in order to destroy vermin and fungoid
growths, whereby the trees were injured and killed. The compound
cost Mr. Finch $10. Without any knowledge of the merits of this par-
ticular case we would state that we are glad to see the matter brought
co trial in order that the responsibilities of the proprietors of patent
insecticides may be legally defined.

NORTH EUROPEAN DRAGON FLIES.

We have just received from Dr. Filip Trybom a short paper, entitled
“¢ Trollslindor (Odonater) Insamlade under Svenska Expeditionen till
Jenisei 1876,” in which he describes eight species of Dragon Flies col-
lected mainly in North Sweden, and some as far north as 69° 25’, Four
of the species are new.
A CORRECTION.

Professor Forbes calls our attention to the fact that paragraph 6, on
page 182, of the December number of INSECT LIFE, should read as fol-
lows:

Mr. Forbes expressed himself as of the opinion that, from our present knowledge
of the use of the arsenites as insecticides, they can not be recommended for use on
the peach,

A PARASITE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR-MOTH.

On page 170 of the last number of INSECT LIFE in our article upon
this destructive grain pest we mentioned the fact that a small Ichneumon
Fly destroyed this insect in the warehouses in the east end of London
in the summer of 1887. At the time of writing this article we wrote to
Mr. J. B. Bridgman, of Norwich, England, to ascertain whether he knew
of this parasite, and have just received a reply in which he states that
although he was not familiar with this instance he has since received
specimens of Chremylus rubiginosus reared from Ephestia kiihniella.

EFFECTS OF THE OPEN WINTER.

Two interesting effects of the mild weather which we have been having
have been brought to our attention recently. December 20 Mr. G. A.
Frierson, of Frierson’s Mill, La., sent us specimens of the Turkey Gnat

Oe ee
EE Eee eee ee SSS S}=m_

261

Simulium meridionale), which had issued and were flying around at that
date. January 4 he sent us other specimens of the Buffalo Gnat (S.
pecuarum). January 6 Mr. P. P. Turner, of this city, brought us a living
imago of the Fall Web-worm (Hyphantria cunea), which had recently
issued from the cocoon. If this premature issuing of the latter species
is at all general and we have subsequent severe weather the shade trees
of Washington will not, in all probability, suffer the coming summer
from Web-worms at least.

HONEY BEES AND ARSENICALS USED AS SPRAYS.

Mr. H. O. Kruschke, of Juneau County, Wisconsin, in the American
Garden for January, 1890, p. 57, warns prospective sprayers that the
first man caught applying arsenic to trees in full bloom will be prose-
cuted—reasoning that the spraying of such trees will result in the stor-
age by the bees of poisoned honey, the consumption of which will be
dangerous. In Vol. II, p. 84, of INSEcT LIFE, the effect of arsenical
insecticides on the honey-bee is briefly discussed, and a well-authenti-
cated case is given which seems to show that such spraying is not at-
tended with ill results either to the bees or the honey. The prevailing
belief is, however, the other way, and cases are on record where serious
destruction of bees has resulted from spraying. In the case of the
Apple, particularly, the application should not be made until the bloom
has begun to fall, when no injury will be likely to result. It was be-
cause of the possibility of danger that in the beginning we were very
slow to recommend the wholesale spraying of orchards with the arseni-
cal mixtures, but experience has shown here, as in other cases, judicious
and cautious use is attended only with benefit, and that the possible
harm is reduced to such a minimum as to almost justify its being left
out of consideration. :

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

December 5, 1889. (Fifty-seventh regular meeting.)—The corresponding secretary
reported additions to the library.

Professor Riley presented a communication on the ovipositors of Diptera in which
he reviewed the general subject of piercing ovipositors in the different orders of in-
sects, stating thatin the order Dipterathey were very rare, and calling attention to the
fact that in Trypeta and some allied forms the ovipositor is capable of piercing, and
that in Trypeta pomonella and in T. lugens he had found them to be readily capable of
piercing the skins of apples and oranges respectively.

Professor Riley also presented a note upon the genus Lestophonus, showing that
careful studies which he bad made indicated that Mr. Skuse, of Australia, is correct
in considering L. monophlebi and L. iceryw as distinct species, and not identical as
supposed by Dr. Williston.

Professor Riley further presented a note on dipterous insects passed from the rectum
of man, reviewing the older instances, and mentioned particularly the sending of
Eristalis dimidiatus in the larva state by Dr. J. W. Compton, of Evansville, Ind., who
stated that they were passed from the bowels of a young woman. He also mentioned

15035—Nos. 7 and 8 5 \

262

the recent sending of larve of Eristalis tenax by Dr. J. A. Lintner, to whom they had
been sent as having been found under similar circumstances,

Mr. Ashmead read a paper on the Chalcid genus Halidea, in which he announced
the finding in this country for the first time of a species of this genus, which super-
licially resembles Eupelmus, but is distinguished by the dilated posterior tibize and
tarsi. The American specimen was captured by Mr. Schwarz at Harper’s Ferry, and
the species is named by Mr. Ashmead Halidea schwarzii.

Mr. Howard read a paper on the Hymenopterous parasites of Ocneria dispar, which
is incorporated in the article on the Gipsy Moth in this number of INsEcT LIFE.

Mr. Townsend presented a communication entitled ‘‘ Further note on Dissosteira
carolina,” referring to hisprevious article in the Canadian Entomologist for September,
1884, on the peculiar aérial performances of this locust, and giving the results of ob-
servations during 1885 and 1886

Seo oet ART MENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

PERIODICAL BULLETIN. MARCH, 1890.

veoh 1. No. 9.

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE.

EDITED BY

Caves RleEnys, Entomologist,
AND

L. O. HOWARD, First Assistant,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIVISIONAL FORCE.

{PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ]

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.

CON TE Nes.

SPECTATUNOTES|.... ce emer Soe Hea ATS HARE iseaidoOos
SOME INSECT PESTS OF THE HoUSEHOLD—COCKROACHES (illustrated )
C. V.Riley..

Two SPIDER-EGG PARASITES (illustrated). ........-.---..----- L. O. Howard..
ON THE PARASITIC CASTRATION OF TYPHLOCYBA BY THE LARVA OF A HYMEN-
OPTERAND THAT OF A DIPTER s- csceeee Sse eoeee ee eee M.A. Giard..
AVPOISONOUS/ SPIDER IN MADAGASCAR: 2. sian cececied sone eleise eisai aee eee nee
EXTRACTS FROM: CORRESPONDENCE... oe-a=- ce sccleooerne-cieeee eerie eee eee

Injury to Grass from Gastroidea polygoni—Resin Wash against Mealy
Bug and Woolly Aphis—Dryocampa rubicunda—Combined Spraying for
Bark-lice and Codling Moth—Greenhouse Pests—Euphoria damaging
green Corn—The Indian-meal Moth in Kansas—A Cocoanut Pest to be
guarded against—Food of the Scydmzenide—Abundance of Bryobia
pratensis—Larval Habits of Xyleborus dispar—Insects from Iowa—A
Grasshopper Letter from Utah—Another Insect impressed in Paper—
The ‘‘ Katy-did” Call—Notes of the Season from Mississippi.

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES AND DESCRIP-
TIONSIOW NEW, SPECIES ene sen eee. seas eeeeree eee Lord Walsingham...
WENERAD NOTES (sc J--- Joc -s se tanlecesedasmehiods Soatee dee eee eee

The Wheat Saw-fly—Tasmanian Lady Birds and the American Blight—
Flies on Apple Twigs in New Zealand—Nomenclature of Blister Beetles—
Plant Importation into Italy—Traps for the Winter Moth useless—A
new Elm Insect—Soot as a Remedy for Woolly Apple-louse—Metamor-
phoses of Fleas—The Entomological Society of Washington.

II

284
286

Vol. II, No. 9.] INSECT LIFE: [March, 1890.

SPECIAL NOTES.

Professor Atkinson’s Bulletin on Nematode Root-galls.—We have recently
received Bulletin No. 9, new series (Science Contributions, Vol. 1, No. 1),
of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. It consists of “A
preliminary Report on the Life-history and Metamorphoses of a Root-gall
Nematode, Heterodera radicicola (Graef) Miill., and the injuries produced
by it on the roots of various plants.” It will be seen that the article
deals with the subject of Bulletin No. 20 of this Division, prepared by
Dr. Neal. Owing to the fact, stated in the preface to Bulletin No. 20,
that Dr. Neal had not access to the literature of the subject, the inves-
tigation conducted by him aimed at the discovery of practical remedies
rather than scientific accuracy.

The article of Professor Atkinson supplements Dr. Neal’s work by
giving a careful and accurate account of the life-history and habits of
these worms; and as the author is evidently thoroughly familiar with
the European writings on Nematodes, little is left to be desired in this
direction.

The species is referred with little doubt to Heterodera radicicola Miill.,
which occurs commonly in central Europe in connection with a scarcely
distinct species H. schachtti Schm. The genus Heterodera is shown to
be world-wide in distribution. In addition to the species mentioned,
one is found in Java in roots of sugar-cane;* in Brazil in roots of the
coffee-tree, and one is also recorded from Scotland—all of which are

_.searcely distinguishable from H. radicicola. The structure and _ histo-

logical characteristics of diseased roots of various plants are discussed.
The disease of potatoes known as the “ potato-scab,” the early stages
of which are very like the Nematode galls on the potato tubers, the

“elub-foot” of cabbage, and the functional tubercles on the roots of
| Leguminosez, which have been shown to be of use to the plants in the
_ acquisition of nitrogen, are carefully distinguished from the quite sim-
ilar root-galls on these plants resulting from Nematode attack.

* See note on page 85 of the present volume.
263

264

No experiments were made looking to checking the injuries of this
Nematode, and the various recommendations made are in general those
already given by Dr. Neal. They consist in the use of various alkaline
fertilizers, clean culture, and sterilization of the soil by a system of ro-
tation which introduces crops not subject to their attacks. A German
method is given of trapping the worms with catch plants (“ Fangen-
pflanzen”), which are dug up and destroyed after becoming infested and
before the worms have escaped.

In the vicinity of Auburn, Ala., some 36 species of plants were found
to be affected with Nematode root-galls. A list of the works consulted,
36 in number, is given, most of which are European. The text is ad-
mirably supplemented with six plates showing affected roots, entire and
in section, and the Nematode in its various stages.

Economic Entomology in India.—We are glad to see that the high stand-
ard inaugurated in No. 1 of the *“* Notes on Indian Entomology,” edito-
rially noticed in these pages a short time ago, is maintained in No. 2,
which has just been published by the trustees of the Indian Museum,
Calcutta.

Mr. E. C. Cotes contributes a translation of an unpublished paper by
the late Dr. E. Becker on Trycolypa bombycis, a new Tachinid fly, para-
sitic on Indian silk-worms (Bombyx fortunatus and Attacus ricini), and
figures larva, puparium, and imago.

He follows with original notes on two girdling beetles, Celosterna
scabrata and Neocerambyx holosericeus. The former (allied to Oncideres
cingulatus Say) affect Sal saplings; while Plocederus pedestris is found
boring in Sal and Jungham, and its larva forms a calcareous egg-like
case in which to pupate. A chrysomelid beetle, Aulacophora abdomi-
nalis G. and H., is destructive to Cucurbitacee—similar to some of our
Diabroticas which also attack the Squash family.

Papilio erithonius Cramer produces a caterpillar in appearance like
our orange dog, Papilio cresphontes, and like it is destructive to the
Orange. He says:

In sending them Mr. Gollan notices that the insect does much damage to young
budded oranges, not a plant of which could be raised if boys were not kept to pick
off the caterpillars.

A cut-worm, Agrotis suffusa (2), often does considerable injury to the
young opium poppy, while our well-known Boll Worm, Heliothis armigera,
is an established pest of the plant. Mr. Cotes says it was described by
Mr. John Scott, in his opium report, as Mamestra papaverorum.

A brief note is given on Cecidomyia oryze, a fly allied to our “ Hes-
sian-fly,” likely to become a serious pest to the rice plant.

Article XI treats of Insecticides, and extracts from some experiments
with London purple, made by Mr. Gallan, superintendent of the Gov-

265

ernment Botanical Gardens, are given. It proved unsuccessful with a
beetle on cucumbers, but a complete success in destroying a leaf-hopper,
Idiocerus sp., on mango trees and a caterpillar on young orange trees.
We are pleased to see that the kerosene emulsion, which we have so
strongly recommended for the purpose, has been tried on the coffee scale,
Lecanium viride, and proved eminently successful. Mr. Cotes says:

From Mr. R. H. Morris’s experiments, carried out last year in the Nilgiris, there
seemed every probability that kerosene emulsion could be effectively employed
against the pest, and information has now been received of its having been success-
fully used in Ceylon over a sufficiently large area to test its practical applicability.

Several pages are then devoted to the life histories of scale insects
found on coffee, Lecanium viride, L. coffee, and L. nigrum.

The publication terminates with a few notes on Rhynchota by Mr. E.
T. Atkinson.

Mr. Tryon’s Report on the Insect and Fungus Pests of Queensland._ We
have just received from the Under Secretary for Agricuiture of Queens-
land, Australia, a valuable addition to the knowledge of economic ento-
mology and botany of that region in a “ Report on Insect and Fungus
Pests, No. 1 (1889) by Henry Tryon, Assistant Curator of the Queens-
land Museum.” The work is a pamphlet of 238 pages, and is illustrated
with 4 plates showing spraying apparatus. It is to be regretted that
no illustrations are given of the pests treated of, and also that the work
lacks a good index. It is carefully written, however, and the matter is
excellently classified and arranged so that it will be a practical hand-
book of the subjects embraced, for orchardists and fruit-growers as well
as working entomologists.

The author first treats the subject in a general way—discussing the
relation of soil, state of cultivation and drainage to the increase of in-
sect and fungus pests ; the introduction and dissemination of pests, and
the necessity of discriminating between friends and foes among insects,
together with the protection of insectivorous birds, of which a list is
given in an appendix.

A classified list of the fruits and cultivated plants of the Toowoomba
district follows with a statement in connection with each plant of the
principal insects and fungi infesting it. Hach plant is afterward taken
up in order and its various pests discussed at more length.

Two appendices are added, one relating to insecticide apparatus in
which the Riley Nozzle together with certain compound forms is described
and figured, and the other being the list of birds already referred to.
The author displays a thorough familiarity with the writings of Ameri-
can and European entomologists, and in the discussion of many of the
cosmopolitan insect pests, or those that are rapidly becoming so, he has
quoted largely from the sources named. The similarity of the insect
pests of the Toowoomba district with those of America and Europe
enables him frequently to use the writings relating to the closely allied

266

species of older countries. Much of the matter is, however, new, and
indicates considerable original investigation on the part of the author.

In this connection we will call attention to the very full account of the
Fruit-fly, Tephritis sp., an insect closely allied and of similar habits to
our Trypeta pomonella, but much more injurious and apparently the most
serious fruit pest of the district. It infests not only the Apple and allied
fruits but also the various stone and citrus fruits.

In connection with the excellent account of the Cottony Cushion-
seale, a recognizable description without name is given of a hymenop-
terous parasite. This is the first published reference to a hymenopter-
ous parasite of Icerya in Australia, and we have no difficulty in con-
necting the description with a species recently sent us by Mr. Crawford
and which we described in the last number of INSECT LIFE as Ophelosia
crawfordi.

These and other interesting features of the work which might be
pointed out will give it a value to all engaged in entomological work.

SOME INSECT PESTS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
Ch Wee RIG:

[Continued from page 215.]

IV.—COCKROACHES. *

Fic. 57.—The Croton Bug or German Cockroach (Phyllodromia germanica): a, first stage; b, second
' stage; c, third stage; d, fourth stage; e, adult; f, adult female with egg-case; g, egg-case—en-
larged; h, adult with wings spread—all natural size except g. (After Riley. )

The cockroaches which commonly annoy the American housekeeper

comprise three species, one only of which is indigenous, and this the
least harmful of the three. It is the “roach” or ‘“ black-beetle ” of New
England, and is known to science as Periplanetaamericana. It measures
from an inch and a quarter to an inch and three-quarters inlength. Its
thorax is yellowish with brown mottlings and its antennz are excep-
tionally long, reaching considerably beyond the tips of the closed wings,

* Reprinted substantially from Good Housekeeping, June 8, 1889.

267

which themselves are long and powerful and, when closed, reach beyond
the tip of the abdomen. The species flies freely in the open air, but
when it has once become comfortably domiciled in a kitchen or other
favorable location it shows little disposition to use the wings, and,
whenever suprised in its nocturnal foraging by sudden light of gas or
candle, is content to scramble away on foot—frightened itself, yet too
often frightening the overtimid and nervous.

The other two species have been introduced into this country from
Europe, and indeed have been carried all over the world in ships, in
which they particularly thrive, rendering even large vessels on long
tropical journeys almost uninhabitable to fastidious persons. This is
particularly true of thelarger of the two, whichis commonly called ‘‘the
Oriental cockroach” (Periplaneta orientalis). This species is nearly
black in color, and is not so large as the American roach, seldom reach-
ing an inchin length. Its wings are also much shorter, not quite reach-
ing to the tip of the abdomen. Its uniform, very dark mahogany color,
is unmottled with yellow and its antenne are relatively shorter than
in the former species. It flies well, but not so strongly as americana,
It swarms in enormous numbers in the holds of vessels, in basement
kitchens, and in all dirty, damp places the world over, and is the most
noisome and thoroughly disagreeble of all our household pests. A
visit at nightfall to a badly infested room is by no means a pleasant
experience, even to those not troubled with delicate nerves.

The third species is popularly known all over the country as the
“Croton bug,” although more properly it might be called the ‘‘ German
cockroach,” for its scientific name is Phyllodromia germanica. It is also
a European species and derives its common name from the fact that
its first appearance in force in this country was synchronous with the
completion of the Croton system of water-works in New York City. It
had in all probability been brought over many years before, but had
remained comparatively unnoticed until the extension of the water-
works, with their numerous pipes in all residences and places of busi-
ness, encouraged rapid spread and multiplication; for this species is
more fond of water than the other two mentioned, and is often carried
by pressure through water-pipes without injury.

The Croton bug is the most prominent cockroach in America to-day,
and really does the most damage. It is enormously fecund, and its
small size enables it to hide and breed in cracks into which the Orien-
tal or American roaches could hardly push their front feet. When full-
grown it never exceeds five-eighths of an inch from the front of the
head to the tip of the closed wings, and it is much lighter in color than

either of the others. Its color varies considerably, but it is usually of a

very light brown with two darker longitudinal stripes on the thorax.
It is this species which I have chosen to figure in detail on account of

_ its greater abundance and powers of destruction and from the fact that

it occurs very numerously in northern localities where the other species

268

are seldom seen. Its transformations as shown in the figure will, how-
ever, represent in some degree those of the other species. All are closely
related and probably pass through the same number of molts, the differ-
ent stages repeating each other with comparative accuracy in the differ-
ent species. At Fig. 57 thestages are shown lettered progressively from
atoh. It will be noticed that none of these insects are winged until they
cast their skin for the last time and the descriptive remarks which have
preceded refer only to the full-grown insects. In point of color, how-
ever, they are moderately uniform, except that the newly hatched
roaches are very pale—the Croton bug is nearly white—while all are of
the same pale hue just after they have cast a skin.

The length of life of none of these species is accurately known, but as
with other insects mentioned in this series of articles itdoubtless depends
largely on food-supply and temperature. They are all nearly omnivor-
ous, but have at the same time preferences in diet. They seem on the
whole to prefer animal matter to vegetable, but will eat after all kinds
of cooks—good, bad, or indifferent. Almost everything which goes on
the table is relished by them.

In the latitude of Washington and further south the Croton bug eats
everything which contains paste, and, consequently, wall-paper, photo-
graphs, and especially certain kinds ofcloth book-bindings suffer severely
from their attacks. In a recent number of INSECT LIFE (Vol. I, p. 67)
will be found an account of severe injury done to certain of the impor-
tant files in the Treasury Department in Washington, the bindings of
many important public documents being disfigured and destroyed. In
the office of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey they have
become an intolerable nuisance by eating off the surface and particu-
larly the blue and red paint from drawings of important maps.

But I need not elaborate further upon the damage which they do.
How to kill them and prevent this damage is the question.

Without condemning other useful measures or remedies like borax,
I would repeat here what I have already urged in these columns, viz,
that in the free and persistent use of California Buhach, or some other
fresh and reliable brand of Pyrethrum or Persian Insect Powder, we
have the most satisfactory means of dealing with this and the other
roaches mentioned.

Just before nightfall go into the infested rooms and puff it into all
crevices, under base-boards, into the drawers and cracks of old furni-
ture—in fact wherever there is a crack—and in the morning the floor
will be covered with dead and dying or demoralized and paralyzed
roaches, which may easily be swept up or otherwise collected and burned.
With cleanliness and persistency in these methods the pest may be
substantially driven out of a house, and should never be allowed to
get full possession by immigrants from without.

For no other insect have so many quack remedies been urged and
are SO Many newspaper remedies published. Many of them have their

“
—

269

good points, but the majority are worthless. In fact, rather than put
faith in half of those which have been published it were better to rely
on the recipe which T. A. Janvier gives in his charming article on
‘Mexican Superstitions and Folk-lore,” published in a recent number
of Scribner's Magazine (March, 1889, Vol. V, No. 3, p. 350), as current
among the Mexicans:

To get rid of cockroaches—Catch three and put them in a bottle, and so carry
them to where two roads cross. Here hold the bottle upside down, and as they fall

out repeat aloud three credos. Then all the cockroaches in the house from which
these three came will go away!

TWO SPIDER-EGG PARASITES.

By L. O. Howarp.

etl

Fic. 58.—Acoloides saitidis Howard; female, showing wing veins—greatly enlarged; male antenne
and thorax from side—still more enlarged (original).

Following up the notes published from time to time in these pages on
the subject of the hymenopterous parasites of spiders, I present below
a description of two interesting new Proctotrupids of the subfamily
Scelionine, the first of which was reared by Mr. L. Bruner at Lincoln,
Nebr., from the eggs of the Araneid Saitis pulex. The eggs of this
spider are a little more than a millimeter in circumference, and each
egg harbors but one parasite, which issues by splitting the egg open
rather than by gnawing a regular hole.

ACOLOIDES* n. g. (Scelionine).

Female antenne with very large non-jointed club, and 4-jointed funicle. Male
antenne 12-jointed, submoniliform ; club small, separable into three joints. Mandi-
bles 3-dentate. Eyes hairy. Lateral ocelli situated on the eye margin. Mesoseutum

as = ——

* Acolus + etdos.

270

without parapsidal sutures ; mesoscutellum distinctly separated. Wings present.

Submarginal vein reaching nearly to costa; marginal and postmarginal both exceed- |

ingly short; stigmal long, slender. Abdomen short, oval; first and second joints
short, abdomen broadening rapidly from first joint; third joint very large; fourth
and fifth visible.

It agrees with the points mentioned in the very insufficient characterization of
Foerster’s genus 4colus, except that it is winged. Foerster, however, knew only the
female, and only mentions the fact that the antennal club is not jointed, and that
the scutellum is developed, while the wings are absent or rudimentary. ;

Acoloides saitidis, n. sp.

Female.—Length, 1.4™"; expanse, 3.6™™; greatest width of fore-wing, 0.46™™. An-
tenn short; pedicel long, nearly one-half the length of scape; joint 1 of funicle
one-half as long as pedicel; joints 2, 3, and 4 very short; club very large, oval, and
one-third longer than four preceding joints together, but not quite as long as these
joints and pedicel together ; no articulations can be distinguished, but it is homologi-
cally composed of six joints. Eyes hairy; lateral ocelli touching the eye margin.
Hoad, face, and mesonotum densely and finely punctate; parapsidal furrows not
present; first and second abdominal segments with fine, close, longitudinal striz,
wanting at smooth posterior border; the very large third segment and short fourth
densely and finely punctate, and clothed irregularly with short, whitish pile, which
is also present, although sparser, upon the mesonotum, and is quite thick on the ver-
tex; mesopleura finely punctate below; metapleura smooth. The marginal vein is
very short and not quite coincident with costa; the post marginal is extremely
short; the stigmal is long and slender and terminated by asmall rounded knob.
General color, deep black; all legs and antennze honey yellow; all cox black,
lighter at tips; scape brownish and pedicel darker than club.

Male.—Differs from female only in antenne which are plainly 12-jointed; joint 1
of funicle as long as pedicel, joints 2 to 7 subequal in length and width, and eachas
broad as long and well separated; club oval, nearly as long as three preceding joints
together. Antennz uniformly honey yellow.

Described from 9 male, and 1 female specimens.

Genus BUS.

Minute wingless Scelionine, without differentiated scutellum and with non-jointed
antennal club.
Beeus americanus n. sp.

Female.—Length 0.65™™, Length of antennal
club .185™™, or in other words the entire body is
only three and one-half times as long as the an-
tennal club. Width of antennal club .082™™,
General color dark honey-yellow; scape and fun-
icle of antennz brownish, club lighter, dark at
tip; vertex and face light honey-yellow; dorsum
of thorax and abdomen dark honey-yellow, almost
approaching mahogany ; legs throughout concolor-

i

f ous with head; middle and hind tibize a little

, / / { darker near base. Surface of abdomen smooth,
\ >A/

\ ( shiny; mesonotum very faintly punctate. Thorax

\ } and abdomen with extremely fine, sparse, whitish

} "| pile; tip of abdomen with a short and contracted

Fic. 59.—Beus americanus. Female— fringe of white pile. Antennal club very large,

greatly enlarged (original). longer than rest of funicle and pedicel together ;

funicle joints very narrow and short, subequal,
pedicel wider and as long as entire funicle except club.

271

This rather uncharacteristic description is drawn up from three poorly
mounted and mutilated female specimens given me ten years ago by Dr.
Marx, who I think received them from Col.. Nicolas Pike, of Brooklyn,
N.Y. They are labeled “ Parasites in spider eggs in orange cocoon,
collected 1871.” After an examination of the eggs, Dr. Marx tells me
that nothing can be said with certainty regarding the host except that
it belonged to the family EHpeiride.

No species of Beus has yet been described in this country, although
Mr. Pergande and myself have collected two or three undescribed
species which are deposited in the National Museum collection. But
one species is known in Europe—B. seminulum Haliday, but as I know
of no recognizable description of it the present species is given a new
name.

ON THE PARASITIC CASTRATION OF TYPHLOCYBA BY THE LARVA
OF A HYMENOPTER (Aphelopus melaleucus DALM.), AND THAT OF
A DIPTER (Ateleneura spuria MEIG.).

By M. A. GIARD.*

The larve of the Hymenopterous and Dipterous parasites of Ty-
phlocyba, which I have described in a former communication,} belong :
the first to Aphelopus melaleucus Dalman, the second to Ateleneura
spuria Meig. (A. velutina Macq.; Chalarus spurius Schiner).

I have bred in captivity these two insects which have, as also their
hosts, Typhlocyba, two yearly generations. The first infests the nymphs
during the latter half of June, hatching about July 1; the other in-
fests, the second generation of Typhlocyba, transforming in the nymphs
towards the end of September or in October, and probably passing the
winter in that state to yield the perfect insect the following spring.

If one compares these observations with the facts formerly described
by Perris (parasitism of Dryinus pedestris Dalm. on Athysanus mariti-
mus Perris) and by J. Mik (parasitism of Gonatopus pilosus Thoms. on
Deltocephalus xanthoneurus Fieb.), it becomes very probable that Proc-
totrupids of the family Dryinide are generally parasites of Homopters
of the family Jasside.

And again, in comparing the results of our investigations with the
old ideas of Boheman on the infesting of various leaf-hoppers by Dip-
terous larve, in particular, of Cicadula virescens Fall. (Thamnotettix
sulphurella Zett.) by the larvaof Pipunculus fuscipes Fall., it becomes
equally probable that the Dipters of the family Pipunculide are in gen-
eral parasites of Homopters of the family Jasside.

*Translated from Comptes rendus, Nov. 4, 1889 (Vol. cix, No. 19, pp. 708-710).
+See Comptes rendus, July 8, 1889.

272

We have been able to procure in abundance and study more com-
pletely than has heretofore been done the parasites (Dipterous and
Hymenopterous) of Typhlocyba, up to the present considered as very
rare and captured here and there accidentally.

We have been drawn also to occupy ourselves with some very curi-
ous effects of parasitic castration produced by these parasites on their
hosts.

Typhlocyba sp., with yellowish or whitish elytra, form a small group of
species living often side by side on the same trees and presenting among
themselves a mimicry so perfect that it is almost impossible to dis-
tinguish them even by a very careful examination of the external
characters. To James Edwards. of Norwich, Eng., belongs the credit
of having recently attracted the attention of entomologists to the very
marked distinctive characters which one can draw from the form of the
genital armature of the male to separate these diverse species.

Aided by the work of that acute investigator we have discovered

that the Typhlocyba of the chestnut, described in our first note under |

the name of T. rose L., belongs in reality to two distinct species, viz,
T. hippocastani J. Edw. and T. douglasi J. Edw., which are equally com-
mon on the trees of the Luxembourg.

These two species may be parasitized by Aphelopus and by A teleneura.
But Aphelopus infests especially T. hippocastani and much less often 7’.
douglasi. Ateleneura is found, on the contrary, almost always in 7.
douglasi and very rarely in T. hippocastani.

The females of 7. hippocastani and T. douglasi are very difficult to
distinguish. However, with T. douglasi, the ovipositor is more robust
and presents only one curvature, while that of 7. hippocastani is more
slender and is doubly curved in the form of a cimeter. With individ-
uals of both species parasitized by Aphelopus, the ovipositor is generally
considerably reduced and incapable of puncturing. Atelenewra seems to
have much less influence on the development of that organ.

The genital armature of themale presentssome very salient distinctive
characters. With T. douglasi, the penis is simple and the lateral pieces
have the form of legs. The parasitic castration, whether by Aphelopus
or by Ateleneura, induces but very slight modifications.

With T. hippocastani, the lateral pieces are slender, simple ares, but
the penis presents a very complex structure, being terminated by a
very curious eight-branched fork.

With males parasitized by Ateleneura, and especially with those in-
fested by Aphelopus, the penis suffers considerable reduction, having
but six, four, or even but three branches. The specific characters are
thus profoundly changed, and certain of these modified forms would be
confounded on superficial examination with 7. roseew L. or T. lethierryt
J. Edw.

Modifications not less great are observed in some singular organs of

which the existence in the case of the males of Typhlocyba has not yet

273

been noted, so far asI know, and of which the function is altogether
enigmatic. They proceed from two invaginations of the exoderm of
the ventral side of the first abdominal segment and extend like fingers
of a glove to the tip of the fourth segment and sometimes even a little
beyond. These organs seem to me homologous to the similar sound
organs of male grasshoppers.

With the males of T. douglasi and T. hippocastani infested either with
Ateleneura or Aphelopus, the ventral invaginations are much reduced,
they do not reach in general the second segment of the abdomen and
often exist only as two small gussets on the first segment.

Aphelopus melaleucus appears to be rather common; I have found it
at Wimereux and in the woods of Meudon infesting 7. hippocastani and
TL. ulmi L., which live frequently together on the Elms in company
with T. opaca J. Edw.

In these localities the sac which incloses the larva instead of being
yellow, as with the individuals coming from the Luxembourg Garden,
is, ordinarily, black. This color is evidently protective to the numer-
. ous individuals living on 7. ulmi, of which the abdomen is black; and
it is possible that it is due to heredity: in the case of the others. Per-
haps, also, Aphelopus presents varieties with the various species of
Typhlocyba, which it infests. It is known, in fact, that Walker has
described fifteen different forms of that Hymenopter, and by certain
characters the specimens which he has figured differ a little from those
which we have-studied. Thus it has been impossible for me to find the
least trace of the disk cells of the superior wing which, it is true,
Walker has represented as very rudimentary. I can affirm further that
the palpi possess five joints only, instead of six, which Walker has
attributed to them.

It is possible, also, that under the name of Ateleneura spuria two allied
species of Ateleneura have been confused. The rearing of larve col-
lected with various Homopters will make the solution of this question
easy.

A POISONOUS SPIDER IN MADAGASCAR.

Rev. Paul Camboué, missionary of the Society of Jesus at Tanana-
rive, Madagascar, has recently sent us two papers by himself, the one
published in Les Missions Catholiques, April 2, 1886, and the other in
the Bulletin Mensuel dela Soc. Nat. d’ Acclimatation on the subject of the
beneficial and noxious spiders of Madagascar. What interests us most
in these papers is the portion concerning the Menavody, a species of
Latrodectus, a genus which in Madagascar as well as everywhere else
is reputed to be very dangerous and to give even fatal bites. He quotes

274

Dr. Vinson in “ de Flacourt’s History of the Great Island of Madagas-
car” concerning the danger of the bite of this spider, and adds his per-
sonal experience, which we may freely translate as follows:

I was very desirous of falling in with this terrible spider when, on February 27,
1885, one of our little day scholars of the College of Tamatave brought me a specimen
which he had found, so he told me, undera barrel. The child, never doubting the
effect attributed to the bite of the spider, had taken it simply in his hand, carried it
home and put it in a bottle and had not been injured in the least. I noticed that in
this specimen one of the points on the upper surface of the abdomen was red. Hay-
ing by mistake thrown the spider into alcohol I quickly drew it out again and hap-
pily it was still living. Next day it changed its skin and after the molt the spots on
the upper side of the abdomen were four in number. The first and third white and
the second and fourth red. It died soon after the molt.

The 23d of April following the same scholar brought me two more living females
of the Menavody. I put them into a jar and was able to continue my observations.
On the 24th one of the spiders laid her eggs in a little spherical mass, protected by
the white or slightly brownish spheroid cocoon, about a centimeter in diameter, and
suspended by a slight web of whitish silk. I had noticed that in this individual the
series of spots on the middle of the abdomen did not exist, but were replaced by four
depressions, placed in the form of a trapezium, and of the same color as the abdo-
men. The spider in repose remained below the web in the cocoon. Two little grass-
hoppers and the other spider were captured in its web and became its prey. It did
not devour the substance of its victims, but left their outer skin intact. On the 27th
a large living beetle was given to the Menavody; it was three times as big as the
spider and vigorously defended itself. The Menavody displayed all of its means of
offense. As it spun its thread it gave out a whitish viscous liquid, which did, it
seemed, not a little to belp it capture its prey. The beetle died only after a consid-
erable time. On the 29th the spider laid its eggs for the second time. Its cocoon
was like the former one. It rested between the two cocoons.

On the 4th of May another cocoon was produced. It then died, and on the 9th I
found it at the bottom of the jar.

On the 27th of the same month of May, 1885, on lifting the bark of a large tree, I
found several cocoons of the Menavody. The eggs from one of these cocoons hatched
on June 12. On leaving the eggs the young are of a pale reddish color and the legs
are brown. Fifteen days afterwards, on the approach of the first molt, this reddish
tint grows darker, particularly on the abdomen. After the first molt, which takes
place July 1, the*spiders’ bodies and the abdomen appear brownish. About the 20th
of July a second molt took place. The young spiders killed each other, and there
soon remained but two specimens in the jar, the male and the female. Wise dispo-
sition of the providence of the Creator and the Ruler of the Universe who thus pre-
vents these venomous insects from multiplying without measure!

August 3, third molt. The red color of tbe triangular spot becomes more accent-
uated. The band upon the abdomen is of a slightly reddish white, the six lateral
dots are white, those upon the middle of the back are four in number, three reddish
white and the fourth white. The cephalothorax, abdomen, and legs have become of
a darker color.

Upon the 7th I noticed that the male has become the prey of the female, who has
killed him and enveloped him with her web. I continued my observations upon the
latter.

August 15, fourth molt; 27, fifth molt. August 31, for the first time, I observed that
she cleaned her nest and removed all the bodies of the prey.

September 15, sixth molt ; September 26 two of the red spots in the middle of the
abdomen, 3 and 4, disappeared.

October 11 she died.

275

I agree with an ancient writer on the subject of venom of this species : *

‘‘Have spiders venom? Yes, they possessit, but its action is relative to the anima)
attacked. A fly pierced by a larger spider perishes in a few moments; other insects
die more slowly, acording to their size; but a man bitten by a spider, even a large
one around Paris, would not be hurt perhaps any more than by the bite of a gnat.
In southern climates, however, where these creatures are larger, their wounds can be
more serious. They appear to bring about local inflammations which, if the subject
is healthy, have no serious consequences, but if the person is predisposed to the action
of poison, if he neglects to take care of himself, the heat of the climate will bring
mote or less grave results, which in certain cases can bring about death.”

In this way, upon the shores of Madagascar where the temperature is warm the bite
ot the Menavody is reported as more serious than in the interior of the island where the
climate is cooler. In no place, however, does it seem to have more dangerous effects
than that of other venomous insects, such as the Scolopendra. This opinion is con-
firmed by information which I have collected from several competent natives. It is
related that the Marechal de Saxe was obliged to stop at a tavern where they had
only one unoccupied bed, in which all of the travelers who had dared to sleep had died
without the cause having ever been ascertained. The Marechal, notwithstanding,
took possession of the fatal bed and made his servants sit at the side. Then at the
end of some moments they were astonished and frightened to see their master grow
pale and appear as if about to die, without seeing anything. In trying to revive him
they saw upon his breast a large black spider which was sucking his blood, and
which caused the death of the Marechal.

It is, if I do not deceive myself, with our Vancoho and Menavody as with the black
spider of the Marechal de Saxe—the terrible effects of its bite exist only in legendary

lore.
* * * ” » * *

Since the publication of these notes [M. Camboué writes us], I have heard from
the east shore of the island that it is not the bite of the spider, but contact with the
crushed body, which produces the inoculation of venom bringing about the gravest
symptoms with man and even with the Zebu. I hope later to be able to control the
difficulty by inoculations upon different animals, such as poultry, rabbits, and sheep,

and I will not fail to inform you of the result of my observations. Even now I be-
lieve that my conclusions in my notes are correct and that Latrodectus has without
doubt a venom, but a venom whose noxious effect upon man varies with the crowd of
circumstances (climate, temperament, etc).

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

Injury to Grass from Gastroidea polygoni.

In your reply to inquiry of N. R. Smithson, Winchester, Ill., on page 190, vol. 2,
' INsECT LIFE, you state that this species injures no crop and feeds solely on weeds of
the genus Polygonum. While this is true as a rule, there are exceptions. I have ob-
| served both larve and adults feeding on what seemed to be a species of dock, the
specific name of which I do not know, but can ascertain in the future by further
_ observation.
On June 22, 1886, two of the beetles were observed feeding upon heads of timo-
thy, apparently eating both the involucre and incipient seeds. While the species
| may not be injurious, it will certainly bear watching.—[F. M. Webster, Lafayette,
| Ind., January 17, 1890.

* Achille Percheron.

276

Resin Wash against Mealy Bug and Woolly Aphis.

My reason for not answering sooner your letter of January 2 (which was accom-
panied by report, and duly received) was occasioned through a desire on my part to
thoroughly test and report correctly to you the results and effects of my experiments
with resin wash upon the foliage of greenhouse plants. J have sprayed several del-
icate greenhouse plants with it, some of which had a considerable share of the mealy
bug on. I have sprayed with from 1 to 12 and 16 per cent. and have seen no bad ef-
fects or any injury done to the foliage or plants from its use, while all the mealy bugs
were entirely killed.

As to last year’s experiments with it on Woolly Aphis and Plum Aphis, I can only
say that it killed both, and I consider it a success when properly made and mixed and
thoroughly applied with a fine spray.

There is one point to be observed: It should be applied early in the season, that
is, as s00n as the Woolly Aphis makes its appearance and before the leaves begin to
turn yellow, which is caused by the Aphis destroying or checking the vital power
that goes to nourish and sustain the leaves and causes them to drop, and which many
people believe to be the cause of the wash.—[E. K. McLennan, Berkeley, Cal., Feb-
ruary 13, 1888, to Mr. Koebele. rf

Dryocampa rubicunda.

Isend with this some ‘‘ worms” that are like the locusts of Egypt and ‘fill the
houses.” There were a good many last year, but this year they are innumerable.
This is the second crop this season, and there was a white miller this spring in great
numbers which I suspect to be the ‘‘ mother of them all.” The worms seem to eat
nothing but the maples. I have hunted through such reports as I have but can not
find out about it. I would like to know what it is and what we can do about
it.—[Mrs. Mary T. McCluney, 214 East Sixth street, Sedalia, Mo., September 10,
1888.

RepLy.—The worms belong to the species Dryocampa (Anisota) rubicunda, which is
popularly known as the Green-striped Maple-worm. These worms at times are very
destructive to the Soft and Silvery Maples. The perfect insect varies somewhat in
coloration according to locality. In the west it is nearly all a pale yellow color,
with a very faint tinge of rose. The eastern individuals have the rose color quite
intense on the front wings and generally a rosy band across the hind wings. In Mis-
souri there are two broods of the insect in a year. In regard to remedies, there is no
practical way of destroying them. The worms hold to the tree tenaciously and are
not easily jarred down; and before entering the ground they scatter to great distances,
so that they could not be found and destroyed while in the chrysalis state. How-
ever, this insect is seldom so exceedingly abundant two yearsin succession. The only
directions that can be given to counteract its injuries are to keep close watch for the
moths and eggs during the latter part of May, when large numbers of these may be
destroyed, and to entrap the worms when they are about to leave the trees by dig-
ging a trench around the individual tree or around a grove of trees so affected.
This trench should be at least a foot deep, with the outer walls slanting under, in
which great numbers of the worms will collect and may easily be killed.—[Septem-
ber 19, 1888. ]

Combined Spraying for Bark-lice and Codling Moth.

Having this day sprayed the apple-orchard of Rev. J. S, Fisher, of this place, with
an emulsion according to your formula in letter to him of April 16th, I write you
to report. ¢

I woulé say that using one-half common soap, 2 gallons kerosene, and 23 gallons
water, I sprayed about 60 trees, and30 more were sprayed with the same proportion,

277

but using sealed kerosene, such as he had in his can and at his wish to save time, into
which was put 12 gallons diluted emulsion and one-fourth pound London purple, think-
ing to destroy eggs and larve of codling moth at same time. The season has been so
very late here that apples are only well formed, and I even saw some blossoms on
late varieties. We had no apple blossoms for ‘‘ memorial decorations.” Having no
microscope at hand I could not tell whether it was just the day to destroy the bark-
lice, for the scales seemed to be still fast adhering to twigs. I have other years
seen the young lice like yellow dots crawling ont on the new wood, but did not see
any yesterday.—[J. W. Van Deman, Benzonia, Mich., June 20, 1888.

Greenhouse Pests.

I send you some worms, and one pupa of same (I think), which feed on almost any
soft-wooded greenhouse plants; also some flea beetles which feed on Fuschias. I
do not think they feed on anything else ; atleast they donot with us. Bothare very
destructive, and so far nothing but hand-picking will destroy them, Can you tell
me what they are and suggest any remedy for them ?—[E.S, Miller, Wading River,
Long Island, September 12, 1888.

Rep.ty.—The larvez sent are those of Botis harveyana. This is a pyralid which has
long been known to feed upon various greenhouse plants. The flea-beetles are Grap-
todera exapta. In case these insects are not very abundant, hand-picking will of
course be the best remedy. If they should become very numerous an application of
an arsenical solution may be made to the plants.—[September 14, 1888. }

Euphoria damaging green Corn.

I send you by to-day’s mail three beetles that were found in an ear of sweet corn
under the husks, eating the kernels of corn; there were four in the ear, but one got
away. They had eaten the ear most all up. I would like to know to what family
they belong, and whether they are an old or new enemy to the corn crop.—[Eugene
O. Wheelock, Brooklyn, Wis., September 10, 1888.

REpPLy.—The beetles belong toa common species, Huphoriainda. This species has
long been known to attack injured fruit, and is often found congregating in numbers
upon injured parts of trees feeding upon the sap, They have not been known to
attack sound fruit to our knowledge. It is quite probable that the ear of corn in
which you found them had been injured previously by birds or some other agency.
We shall be very glad to have youinvestigate the matter and see whether they attack
the corn before it has been injured; if so this will prove a new habit. These beetles
belong to the same family as the June Beetle and the Rose Chafers. —[September 14,
1888. }

The Indian-meal Moth in Kansas.

I inclose herewith specimens of worms infesting our mill, which, in view of reports
_ in milling journals, have given us some uneasiness. We have not noticed any moth
likely to be the parent. The white worm seems to spin for itself a cocoon and pass
from that intosome otherstage. Some of the cocoons have remaining in them a brown
shell and we find among the cocoons a brown worm also, some of which are inclosed.
We think the pest—whatever it is—came to us ina can of corn purchased in the
county east of us (Clark), and as yet is confined to the wareroom containing the
corn. The white worm seeks hiding places in folds of sacks and crevices of walls,
and there makes its cocoon. The first notice of them was a continuous web spread
all over the heap of shelled corn with no worms in this web, but bunches of grains
webbed together containing cocoons, and on further search we found them as above
mentioned. Please tell me what they are, and if liable to become a serious pest, give
remedy if you can.—[J. P. Craig, Memphis, Mo., December 18, 1889.

RrEpLy.—Your letter of December 18 with specimens came safely. The insect
which is infesting your mill is a rather serious pest and is known ordinarily as the

17932—No. 9 —2

278

Indian-meal moth (Ephestia interpunctella). This is the adult of the white worm
which spins the cocoon. The brown worm is the larva of a small beetle known as
Attagenus megatoma and feeds ordinarily upon dead animal matter. It is probably
beneficial in your mill rather than injurious. A larva very closely allied to the one
which is troubling you has recently appeared in Canada anid is the subject of an arti-
cle in the last number of INsEcT Lis, the periodical bulletin of this Division, a copy
of which I send you by accompanying mail. Your insect is referred to on pages 170
and 171. If the insect appears to be confined to your ware room I would advise ener-
getic treatment to rid your establishment of it. The infested corn should be burnt
and the entire room should be thoroughly sprayed with benzine or gasoline, the great-
est care being taken to avoid fire, as both of these substances are inflammable and the
vapor is explosive. Any further details concerning this matter we shall be glad to
receive.—[ January 9, 1890. ]

A Cocoanut Pest to be guarded against.

Small shipments of cocoanuts leaving this port almost continually for the United
States, and the possibility existing that some of these cocoanuts are used as seeds, I
have, with much interest, watched the scientific observations made at Havana,
Baracoa, and here, with the object of discovering the origin of the mysterious disease
which is killing many cocoanut palms and at one time almost threatened to annihi-
late all the plantations producing cocoanuts for market and export. Opinions of
scientists have differed as regards the cause and nature of the disease, Professor Ra-
mos, of Havana, ascribing it to a fungus growth on the base of the leaves, which
growth penetrates into the crown of the tree, withering and killing it. This theory
was proved to be incorrect, and it is now definitely ascertained that the destroyer of
the cocoanut tree is an insect of diminutive size, barely visible to the naked eye, the
Coccus ( Diaspis) vandalicus Galvez. Professor Gundlach, of Havana, at present here,
recommends that all cocoanuts as soon as received in the United States be dipped
into boiling water and that the bags they are shipped in be destroyed.—[Otto E.
Reimer, Consul, United States Consulate, Santiago de Cuba, December 6, 1889, to Hon.
Wu. F. Wharton, Assistant Secretary of State, and referred to this Division.

Food of the Scydmzenide.

Is it commonly known what the food of the Coleopterous family Scydmenid
consists of ? Both Packard in his ‘‘Guide,” and LeBaron im his Fourth Il]. Report,
are silent on this subject. A few weeks ago I found quite a series of specimens of a
Scydmenus near brevicornis, and eight or ten of them had each a brown mite in its
jaws. I found these specimens clinging to the underside of stones lying on the
ground near the edge of a small body of water, the ground being verydamp. This
would indicate that these insects are predaceous, at least in the adult stage.—[D. W.
Coquillett, Los Angeles, Cal., January 1, 1890.

Abundance of Bryobia pratensis.

By to-day’s mail I send you a vial containing some small insects which I wish to
know how to destroy. I first noticed them three years ago last fall, when they were
found on windows on the east and south sides of the house. They remained all win-
ter and until May, I think. After that time no signs of them were seen. We thought
they had gone for good, but in the fall they came again and remained all winter as
before. They are here to-day. They come in at the doors and windows and get on
the furniture. I have tried almost everything to drive them away, viz: Carbolic
acid, corrosive sublimate dissolved in benzine, insect powder, tobacco, salt, gasoline
coal-oil, onion juice. Oilor grease will kill them if it gets on them, but nothing
will keep them away that I have tried. They are hatching now. In the vial you

279

will find some of full size, and also some small ones. I wish to know what they are,
where they came from, and what they live on. I may add that in the spring the grass
is nearly covered with them close to the house. Are they an insect that will disap-
pear bye and bye and stay away? Is there anything that will drive them away ?
We live in atown of some four thousand inhabitants. I saw one of these insects
on a house in town this winter, The first part of May last I sa\? one on a house 35
miles from here.—[ L. H. Ellis, Wiimington, Ohio, December 28, 1889.

ReptLy.—Your letter of the 28th ult., addressed to the Smithsonian Institution, has
been referred to this Division for reply. The creature which you send is a mite known
as Bryobia pratensis. It feeds through the summer upon clover and grass and in some
places has acquired the habit of migrating to houses in the fall. A number of cases
similar to yours have come to our attention within the last two or three years. I
know of nothing that will prevent them from entering houses, but after they are in
I should say that they could be readily killed with any oily substance. Probably the
best thing you can do is to spray the room which is infested with benzine from an
atomizer, taking great care with this substance on account of its extreme inflammabil-
ity. This substance is recommended not only from its insecticide qualities, but on
account of the fact that it will evaporate readily and a thorough airing will destroy
the odor. It may be well also in the fall, just before the mites begin to appear in the
house, to spray the margins of the windows and doors with kerosene, or the grass in
the immediate neighborhood of the house may be sprayed.—[January 21, 1890. ]

Larval Habits of Xyleborus dispar.

During last autumn the Xyleborus dispar appeared very injuriously at Toddington,
but since then, to my great regret, I find it has been ravaging unchecked at two or
three other localities for a few years—but my present point is the (conjectural) food
of the larve.

So far as I see I quite agree with Schmidberger that the larve feed in the large
mother galleries, because in all the specimens I have dissected there are no side gal-
leries, also because I find what I conjecture to be the larva of the X. dispar present,
and because I find beetles fairly cramming up all the passages, some of these not yet
fully colored.

But with regard to food, Schmidberger, in his long account given from minute suc-
cessive daily examinations, notes that he considers that the larve feed on a white
material prepared by the mother beetle; other observers have considered that the
larve of one or more species very nearly allied to the X. dispar feed on a mold or
fungus that grows in the tunnel.

Now, in my own specimens, I found a white growth which greatly resembled My-
celium of fungus in some of the dispar tunnels, and on procuring skilled examination
(for I am not a fungoloist), to be made both by microscopic and test examination, it
appears likely we shall find that the white material is partly Mycelium and partly
white animal matter, thus reconciling the varying observations. At present our ob-
servations are quite incomplete for want of specimens, but I have written for some,
and then we are going into the subject thoroughly. But meanwhile I thought that
the observation, though unfinished, and not proved as yet, might be of some interest,
or that what you know of the history in this point of our dispar, under your synonym
of pyri (Peck) might throw some light on the habits of our very destructive pest.—
[Eleanor A. Ormerod, St. Albans, England, January 6, 1890.

REepLyY.—In regard to the paragraph in your letter of the 6th instant, referring to
Xyleborus dispar, there is no longer any doubt that in a certain class of Scolytides, to
which X. dispar belongs, there are no larval galleries, and that, therefore, the food of
the larve necessarily differs from that of those species whose larve excavate galleries
of theirown. Besides X. pyri, which is doubtless a synonym, we have quite a num-
ber of allied species in North America, some of them still undescribed, which agree
in mode of living, but the real food-habits of the larve have not yet been investi-

280

gated here. In 1844 Th. Hartig had already stated that the ‘‘Ambrosia” of Schmid-
berger is nothing but a fungus which he called Monila candida, and that this fungus
constitutes exclusively the food of the Xyleborus larva. Eichhoff, on the contrary,
believes that the exuding sap, and not the fungus, is the food of the larva. If you
can prove that the ‘‘Ambrosia” consists of Myceliam and animal matter, Schmid-
berger’s explanation would be partially confirmed. Can you not send us authentic
specimens of dispar in both sexes ?—[ January 25, 1890.]

Since the above was written Miss Ormerod has kindly sent us British specimens of
Xyleborus dispar, both males and females, and after a careful comparison with North
American specimens of X. pyri, the males of which we possess through the kindness of
Mr. Fletcher, we can only confirm the opinion expressed by other entomologists that
the two are specifically identical. In other words, Peck’s ‘‘ Pear Scolytus,” described
in 1817, is an imported species, which was brought into this country (probably first
to Massachusetts) early in the present or late in the past century. Until quite re-
cently only the female beetle was known in this country,* but Dr. Lintner and Mr.
Fletcher finally succeeded in finding the male, which in shape of body and other im-
portant characters strikingly differs from the female.

In Europe this beetle is known as one of the few really polyphagous Scolytids, since
it not only attacks all sorts of deciduous forest trees, but also most of the cultivated
fruit trees and even Conifers (see Eichhoff, Europ. Borkask., p. 269). In North
America it has hitherto been observed only in various fruit trees (apple, apricot,
plum, pear, according to Harris), but it doubtless also infests forest trees, for little
attention is paid by our Coleopterists to the life habits of Scolytids, and there is dif-
‘ficulty in finding in situ those species which feed within the trunk.

It may now be considered a settled fact that in this and other Scolytids which
enter the solid wood of trees, the galleries with all their ramifications are the work
of the female parent-beetle, which deposits her eggs irregularly in these galleries.
The larve are not lignivorous, but their food consists of the peculiar substance already
alluded to above.

Insects from Iowa.

I send you in the same mail with this a few insects which I can not determine from
the collections here. If you can, through the columns of INSECT LIFE, give me their
names and any further information concerning them, I shall be greatly obliged.

Nos. 1 and 2 were reared in considerable numbers from the plum curculio, Conotra-
chelus nenuphar, No. 1 being farmore common. I have no specimens of Sigalphuscur-
culionis Riley, but these seem to differ from the description of that species in the num-
ber of the joints of the antenne and in the position of the ocelli, at least.

No. 3 is a parasite upon the plum gouger, Anthonomus scutellatus. In every case
where the work of this parasite has been noticed the larval gouger had prepared its
place of exit from the plum pit. Otherwise the parasite could probably never escape.
The specimen that I send was cut from a plum where it had eaten its way to the skin.

No. 4 were reared in large numbers early in the spring from the cocoons of Orgyia
leucostigma.

No. 4° are secondary parasites reared from No. 4.

- No. 5 were reared from the galls of Rhodites radicum.

No. 6. This parasite was quite common here this summer on Meromyza americana.

No. 7. Several of these flies have appeared in my breeding cages where cut- worms
were being reared.

No. 8. This Tachina fly has been reared this summer from cut-worms and from the
stalk-borer, Gortina nitela.

“It is certainly strange that Dr. Harris, who cut quite a number of the beetles from
their galleries, never found a male specimen; at least he does not refer to any differ-
ences between the specimens found by him.

281

No. 9. July 5th a cornstalk was noticed to have a number of maggots burrowing
down its center. The stalk was.brought into the laboratory and twelve of these
Dipterons reared from it.

No. 10. A Tineid moth that I have obtained in large numbers from breeding cages.
containing cut-worms. Can it be that the larve of this insect are parasitic upon the
cut-worms, or do they live on clover with which the worms are fed ?

No. 11. Gall and moth. A small bush of Amorpha fruticesa was noticed early in
the spring to have one of these galls at the tip of nearly every twig. These galls.
were brought into the laboratory and the moths began to issue May 22.

No. 12. Three of these Z{gerians were reared from a cluster of woody galls on a
small limb of Quercus rubra. The galls were of last summer’s growth and were gath-
ered early in the spring. Aside from the moths nothing but a number of guest gall-
flies, Inquiline, were reared.

No. 13. Dipterons reared from maggots that were mining the leaves of the common
“pig-weed,” Chenopodium album.

Nos. 14 and 15. Reared abundantly from plum twigs that were covered with
Aphides.—[C. P. Gillette, Ames, lowa, August 2%, 1889.

REPLY.—List of species referred to in Mr. Gillette’s letter of August 28, 1889:

land 2. Sigalphus curculionis Fitch. 9. Chetopsis enea Wied.

3. Sigalphus canadensis Prov. — 10. Gelechia sp.

4. Pimpla inquisitor Say. 11. Walshia amorphella Clem. and its
4a. Pteromalid, probably undescribed. gall on Amorpha fruticosa.

5. Orthopelma occidentalis Ashm. 12. Aigeria nicotiana H. Edw.

6. Calinius meromyze Forbes. 13. Anthomyia near calopteni.

7. Anthrax scrobiculata (?) Loew. 14. Scymnus cervicalis Muls.

8. Tachina sp. 15. Leucopis n. sp. (?).

There is an immense amount of descriptive work yet to be done in the Pteroma-
lide and the Tachinide, so that it is impossible at present to identify the majority
of the species in these families. It is not at all probable that the little Gelechia, No.
10, is parasitic on the cut- worms, and Mr. Gillette’s later surmise is doubtless the cor-
rect one.

A Grasshopper Letter from Utah.

I thought a few lines from the Farmers’ and Gardeners’ Club, of Nephi City, might
be interesting to you. The farmers of this place have suffered considerable loss this
year by the ravages of the grasshoppers, which came in untold millions and ate every
green thing before them. The whole force of the people had to turn out and do their
very best to destroy them. The best mode that we found was to dig trenches about
3 feet deep and 2 feet wide, drive the hoppers in, put some straw on them, and then
burn them up. It was supposed by this method that we destroyed not less than ten
to twelve bushels each day for four or five days. After that there were enough left
to do considerable damage to the remaining crops. Some of our farmers did not get
as much seed as they put in the ground; some got about half acrop. Then came the
very hot weather. The water in our irrigating ditches was not more than one-half
as much as we have had in years past, the cause being very little snow in the mount-
ains. Our main dependence, therefore, for crops, agriculture, and horticulture suf-
fered greatly, excepting in some few cases. I have not seen the like in the last
twenty-seven years, and I am sorry to say that the farmers have come out this sea-
son at the little end of the horn. I sent a specimen of the ‘‘ hoppers” to Prof. Law-
rence Bruner, of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, at Lincoln. He
wrote me that they were of the kind that would stay by us; as they were not the
migratory kind we would have to fight them to death. I think that the farmers must
have been somewhat neglectful to give them such a start. The trench that I spoke
of extended about two miles and a half, so you can judge of the labor that it took

282

to accomplish the work. The apple crop was very light in this part; most of the
fruit dropped to the ground before half matured, on the average about one-quarter
of acrop. Peaches and plums, however, were in abundance and of the best quality.
I never saw finer in these valleys. * * * —[{James B. Darton, Nephi City, Utah,
November 5, 1889.

Another Insect impressed in Paper.

I have received to-day an interesting pressed specimen of a Neuropterous insect
with no other statement in reference to it than that it comes from you. Will you
please give me some facts in reference to the specimen and how it came to be so com-
pletely pressed? The explanation of this particular example can not be the same as
that given upon page 381 of Vol. I, Insect Lire, of a species of Lithobius that was sent
from the Giles Lithographic and Liberty Printing Company, for that was evidently
caught up in the surface substance of the paper while it was being manufactured-—
([C. V. Riley, December 16, 1889, to Mr. N. O. Wilhelm, 25 Clinton Place, N. Y.

Repty.—Your letter of December 16 is at hand. The specimen of a Neuropterous
insect in a heavy manila paper is an interesting exhibition of the power of the
paper machine in incorporating with the paper pulp, into the paper itself, the body,
legs, and all except the parchment-like wings of an insect. The wings are quite
free from the paper except at the point of union with its owner in life and are yet
pressed tv the common level. You see all parts of the insect can readily be seen. I
think it was curiosity that led to this creature’s untimely death. It was evidently
facing the crushing rollers, for you see behind the long, tapering discolored band,
evidently from the juices of its body. Not only this, but meeting its death through
being curious and the numerous empty egg-shells in the surface of the paper persuade
me it was a female.—[N. O. Wilhelm, 25 Clinton Place, New York City, December
20, 1889.

The ‘Katy-did” Call.

By careful observation of several years I have established the fact that the call of
‘“‘Katydid” is made by the tree cricket. I have captured a number of specimens,
and had witnesses who watched them. While making the sound the wings are held
upright at right angles to the body, and the sound is made by moving the edges of
the wings laterally. * * *—[LeRoy T. Weeks, Osborne, Kans., November 23, 1889,
to Smithsonian Institution.

I have observed for several years that the common call of ‘‘Katydid” is made by
the tree cricket, and that the so-called Katydid makes a continuous *‘Z” sound.

I have called the attention of many people to the fact. I have caught specimens
and kept them in my room. I have reported to Prof. F. H. Snow, K.S. U., and shall
report to-day to Harvard, Yale, and Smithsonian Institution——* * *—[LeRoy T.
Weeks, Osborne, Kans., November 23, 1889, to Dr. C. Hart Merriam.

Rep.Ly.—Your letters of the 23d ultimo, addressed to the Smithsonian Institution
and to the Ornithologist of the Department of Agriculture have both been referred to
me for reply as to the portion referring to tree crickets. You have made a not un-
natural mistake in considering that you have found that the insect which makes the
Katydid cry is the tree cricket. You probably have not heard the true Katydid. The
insect to which you refer which makes the sound not unlike that of the Katydid is
(Ecanthus latipennis Riley. The notes of the Katydids have been carefully studied by
several entomologists, and you will find in my sixth Report on the Insects of Missouri,
pages 150 to 169, a full account of my own observations, while I have treated of tree
crickets in the fifth report of the same series, page 120, and in the general index to
the same in Bulletin 6 of the U.S. Entomological Commission, page 163.—[ December
4, 1889. ]

283

Notes of the Season from Mississippi.

The cotton worm (Aletia argillacea, Hiibn.): This worm made his first appearance
on bottom land of large plantations in the latter part of July, but its injury was
greatly diminished by the use of Paris green. It never appeared on upland farms
till August, and in some localities not until, September. The percentage of loss ay-
erages from 15 to 30 per cent. The late June planting tends to swell the percentage
of injury, which was caused by severe drought during the latter part of April and
all of May.

The boll or corn worm (Heliothis armigera, Hiibn.): This worm did but slight dam-
age to the cotton crop in this locality, but has been quite numerous on young corn
plants, eating holes in the blades, during June.

The eorn-plant louse (Aphis maidis): eed during the summer in large groups
on corn and sorghum plants.

The corn-root worm (Diabrotica 12-punctata): The larva of the above injured the
stand of corn very seriously during April and May.

The cabbage plusia (Plusia brassica, Riley): Very numerous and destructive in gar-
dens in this locality.

The cabbage pionea ( Pionea rimosalis, Guenée): This garden pest has been very dam-
aging to the entire cabbage family, generally feeding on the tender leaves surround-
ing the heart.

The cabbage-plant louse (Aphis brassicw, Linn): Found on a good many plants of
the cabbage family in vast groups.

White ants or wood-lice ( Termes fiavipes, K.): Have noticed these insects destroy-
ing collard-stalks and turnip-roots by gradually eating out the interior.

Proconia undata: Captured several specimens feeding on cabbage during June.

The bean cut-worm ( Telesilla cinereola, Guenée): Feeding on bean-pods, doing con-
siderable damage to the bean crop.

The squash-vine borer (Melittia ceto, Westw.): Quite numerous, boring the vines
of cucumbers, squashes, and cashaws.

The squash bug (4nasa tristis, De Geer): One of the most injurious insects known .
in this locality to most all cucurbitaceous vines, especially squash and pumpkins.

The squash borer (Endioptis nitidalis, Cramer): Have noticed this worm boring
holes into squashes, cucumbers, melons, and cashaws, feeding on the fleshy pulp,
which generally causes rot and decay.

The granulated cut-worm (Larva of Agrotis annexa, Treitshke) : This larva has been
very destructive to most all garden vegetables, also very damaging to young cot-
ton plants.

The shagreened cut-worm (Larva of Agrotis malepida, Guen.): Have captured this
larva feeding upon cabbage plants and likewise on young cotton plants.

The May-Beetle (Lachnosterna hirticula): This beetle has been quite numerous and
damaging to the foliage of several forest trees during the past summer.

The tomato worm (Sphinx carolina, Linn): Very common on tomato plants, also
found them this season on tobacco and pepper plants.—[G. H. Kent, Roxie, Miss.

284

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES
AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By Lorp WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from p. 155. ]

Adela flamensella Chamb.

=lactimaculella Wism.

This species was originally described from a very bad specimen with antenne and
palpi broken off and therefore presumably with the wing more or less worn.

Imperfect specimens of lactimaculella, female, in my own collection agree with the
description in having no markings, except a minute whitish spot at the beginning of
the costal cilia. The saffron head of the female is also characteristic. Good speci-
mens of the male (which has a black head), show three distinct spots, two costal and
one intermediate and dorsal.

Adela simpliciella Wlsm.

A unicolorous species allied to rufimitrella Scop. and violella Tr. It can not be con-
fused with any North American species, being much smaller than bella Chamb.
A very small form apparently undistinguishable from this species occurs in Texas.

Adela punctiferella sp. n.

Antenne, 2, 13™™ long, whitish tinged with fuscous towards the base.

Palpi, roughly clothed, hoary; the naked apical joint slightly tinged with purple
above.

. Head ané face, roughly clothed, hoary.

Thorax, greenish bronze.

Fore-wings, greenish-bronze, with a small indistinct whitish spot at the end of the cell,
a little above the middle of the wing; cilia shading from greenish-bronze to
greyish at their tips.

Hind-wings, deep violet, with greenish-brown margins; cilia as in the fore-wings.

Underside of both pairs of wings, violet, sprinkled outwardly with greenish-bronzy
scales.

Abdomen, fuscous, hoary beneath.

Exp. al., 10™™,

Hab., Los Angeles, Cal.

Type, 2, Mus. Wism.

Iam indebted to Dr. Riley for the specimen from which this small but distinct.
species is described.
Adela bellella Wk.

= degeerella Emmons (nec L.).

Walker describes this species as closely allied to degeerella L. and I mentioned (P-
Z. S., 1880, 78) that it differed from that species ‘‘only in the richer coloring and
in the darker purple hind wings. The longitudinal stripes before and beyond the
central band, as well as the margins of the band itself, are very distinct and of a.
brilliant shot purple-blue, whereas these and the central band itself are paler in the
European species.”

Specimens received from Japan are apparently undistinguishable from this species.
as represented by Walker's type in the British Museum, but without a careful study
of the numerous degfees of variation in the many allied Asiatic forms, of which I
have a large number of specimens, it would be unsafe to attempt to define its geo-
graphical range.

285

Adela singulella Wlsm.

This species differs from sulzella Schiff. in its smaller size, narrower fascia, and im
having the antennex of the female similar to those of the male instead of being thick-
ened to the middle. It has a single narrow fascia on a plain bronzy ground.

Adela septentrionella Wlsm.

This species belongs to the group of which the heads of the male are black and of
the female yellowish. It has much the appearance of trigrapha Z., in the male sex
only, but is smaller, and possesses no third transverse fascia, this being indicated
only by a costal spot; moreover the eyes of the male are set much wider apart than
in trigrapha, and in this respect approaches the genus Nemotois Hb. It may be de-
sirable to recognize this genus as occurring in North America, but I prefer to leave.
this point until the publication of a finally revised index.

Adela purpurea WI1k.
=biviella Z.

This very distinct species with its broad post-median white fascia on a bronzy
ground, followed by a less conspicuous ante-apical transverse streak, appears to
occur only in the northernmost parts of the United States, Itis abundantly distinct
from all other species.

Adela ridingsella Clem.

= Dicte corruscifasciella Chamb.
= Adela schlageri Z.

This species is quite distinct from all European forms, from which the group of
black scales and metallic spots at the anal angle at once separate it. It has much
the coloration of a Glyphipteryx.

Adela bella Chamb.
= chalybeis Z.

= iochroa Z.

The original description of bella Chamb. refers to a ‘‘ dull brown purple, violaceous,
or golden,” species (not green) with indistinct dark-margined fascize near the apex.
The antenne of the female are described as having the basal half dark purple, but it
is not recorded that they are thickened at the base with long scales. This agreesin the
main with Zeller’s description of chalybeis, of which the antenne are four times the
length of the body. Zeller’s type of iochroa in Dr. Staudinger’s collection agrees with
specimens in my own collection which are not green, but purplish, and have antennz
of the length described. I can find no difference between this and the description of
chalybeis sufficient to separate them. In my own collection are specimens of a Dril-
liant green Adela, from Louisiana, with thickened antennez in the female and with in-
distinct transverse lines (scarcely fasciz), such as described by Chambers in his sec-
ond notice of bella (Can. Ent., IX, 207,and XI, 125), where I think he may have had
this undescribed species before him and not bella. It seems to require a detailed de-
scription and a name.

Adela eruginosella sp. n.

Antenne, male, with the basal third tinged with purplish-fuscous, the apical two-
thirds white, length 22™™, the basal joint enlarged; female, 10-11™™ in length,
with the basal half thickly clothed with deep purple scales.

Palpi, ferruginous, much mottled with fuscous.

Head, male and female, covered with long ferruginous scales ; face purplish-fuscous.

Fore-wings, shining metallic green, deep purplish towards the apex, with a golden
tinge along the base of the greenish-purple cilia; on the purple apical portion of
the wing are some ill-defined transverse streaks of metallic green, correspond-
ing with the main color of the wing, not dark-margined nor strictly fasciaform.

286

Hind-wings, deep greenish-purple; cilia tipped with purple, but slightly tinged with
golden along their base, especially about their apex.

Thorax and abdomen, dull greenish-fuscous.

Posterior legs, fuscous; tarsal joints with four white spots on the upper side.

Exp. al., 15™™.

Hab., Louisiana (Morrison).

Types, $2, Mus. Wlsm.

This species differs from Adela bella Chamb. and its synonyms in the decidedly
green color of the fore-wings, in the absence of golden scales on the apical surface,
and in the absencé of transverse fasciaform markings on the apical third of the wing,
also in the longer antenne, of which a larger portion towards the base is tinged with
purple,

(To be continued.)

GENERAL NOTES.

THE WHEAT SAW-FLY.

Mr. W. Hague Harrington, in the February, 1890, number of the
Canadian Entomologist, records the collecting of Cephus pygmeus,
known in England as the “Corn Saw-fly,” by sweeping ina meadow, |
presumably near Ottawa, and also in a collection received from Mr. Van
Duzee, collected near Buffalo, N. Y.,
on the 9th and Lith of June, 1888.
Mr. Harrington’s specimens were |
taken in 1887.

In this note Mr. Harrington does
not refer to Professor Comstock’s
rearing of this insect from wheat
stalks in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1888~89,
which we have noted in a recent |
number of INSECT LIFE. Thefigure |
which we give here is taken from
Curtis, and was originally made to |
show the similarity with the method _
of work and appearance of Phylloecus
integer, which bores in the young
shoots of willow, and which we _
treated in No. 1 of Vol. I of INSECT
LIFE. A comparison of this figure
Fic. 60. Cephus pygmeeus: a, outline of larva— with the one there given will show the

nat. size; b, larva enlarged; c, larva in wheat resemblance, and the republication

Sa a: aes mame of this figure of Cephus will perhaps

assist other collectors in recognizing
it. The insect figured at f is the commonest European parasite—
Pachymerus calcitrator.

287

TASMANIAN LADYBIRDS AND THE “ AMERICAN BLIGHT.”

In reviewing my notes on Australian and Tasmanian insects, pub-
lished in Vol. I, No. 12, of INsEcT LIFE, Mr. Fraser S. Crawford, in The
Garden and Field for September, takes exceptions to my statement that
the same coccinellid which is so efficient in destroying Schizoneura lani-
gera about Adelaide, South Australia, was found destroying Rhopalosi-
phum on carrot in Tasmania.

When Mr. Koebele and myself parted company in Melbourne, he to
go to New Zealand and I to Tasmania, and later to South Australia to
secure a supply of the Schizoneura-eating coccinellid, I received no
description or specimen of the object of my journey to Adelaide, Mr.
Koebele stating that Mr. Crawford and myself would have no difficulty
in recognizing it.

Of the fruitless search at Heathpool, both Mr. Crawford and my-
self have written. After rejoining Mr. Koebele at Auckland, New Zea-
land, on our homeward voyage, and while comparing notes on steamer, I
understood Mr. Koebele to say that my Tasmanian species, specimens of
which I gave him, was the same as the one I sought to secure at Heath-
pool. On returning home and preparing the notes for INSEcT LIFE, re-
lying on my understanding of Mr. Koebele’s statement, I wrote as I did,
and not knowing the name of the species, left it blank in the manu-
script, and it was supplied in the office of the Division at Washington.

On receipt of the September number of Garden and Field I took
pains to have my specimens again determined by the same authority
and the species was again pronounced Leis conformis Mulsant. The
second lady beetle, mentioned as feeding on Rhopalosiphum, infesting
earrot in Mr. Keen’s garden in Kingston, Tasmania, is Coccinella re-
panda Thunberg. Now, Kingston is a small hamlet, surrounded almost
entirely by woods and hills, and Mr. Keen’s garden is on the outskirts
of the village and contains fruits of different kinds, including apples as
well as vegetables.

On thinking the matter over again, I remember that the C. repanda
were much more numerous on the infested carrot tops than L. confor-
mis, yet there were a few of the latter present. Leis conformis was also
very abundant about young bushes of some species of Eucalyptus, in-
fested by Hriococcus eucalypti Cr. and, after reading Mr. Crawford’s notice,
I have no doubt but that they were feeding upon this coccid and some
of them had strayed away to Mr. Keen’s garden. In reply to Mr. Craw-
ford’s objection to the use of the term “little,” as applied to Leis confor-
mis, I would state that my specimens are from 5™™ to 6™™ in length. It
would not be at all surprising that they were much larger than this in
South Australia.

In Tasmania a large number of the pupz were observed to have
been parasitized, and I succeeded in rearing a number of minute Hy-
menopters from them, but on submitting these to Mr. Howard they
were found to be secondary parasites.—|[F. M. Webster.

288
FLIES ON APPLE TWIGS IN NEW ZEALAND.

The New Zealand Farmer for December, 1889, and January, 1890, has
contained two articles entitled “Flies on Apple Twigs,” which are
rather interesting. In the first article an account is given of the occur-
rence of certain rather large hump-backed flies found sticking upon ap-
ple twigs which had apparently ‘‘ died black” and were covered with a
fungus growth. In the second article, however, the fly is determined
by Professor Kirk as Henops brunneus, and au article is quoted from Mr.
Maskell, which states that the black fungus look on the twigs is in
reality a mass of eggs laid by the flies. Mr. Maskell saved the eggs
until the larva had hatched, but he was unable to keep them alive. He
states that the larve of none of the Acrocerida, to which this fly be-
longs, are known, and he is unable to state what these larve would
have been in the state of nature.

The notes are of considerable interest, especially if the determination
should be correct, for upon louking the matter up we find that all of the
flies of this family of which the habits are known are parasitic upon
spiders. Acrocera sanguinea and A. trigramma have been reared by C.
Koch from the orange-yellow cocoons of Tegenaria agilis. Henops mar-
ginatus or Ogcodes pallipes was reared by Menge from Clubiona putris,
the larva living in the abdomen of the spider. Astomella lindenii was
reared by Erber, from the abdomen of Cteniza ariana. The probabil-
ties are that the discrepancy between the two accounts arises from the
wrong determination of the New Zealand insect. The figures are too
poor to enable a determination.

NOMENCLATURE OF BLISTER BEETLES.

Atthe meeting of the French Entomological Society held on November
13, 1889 (Bull. des Seances, pp. Coxt—-ccx111), Dr. H. Beauregard pro-
posed some changes in the nomenclature of certain species of Meloide,
on account of duplicated names. The following apply to our North
American fauna:

Nemognatha bicolor Walk. is changed to N. walkeri. This change is
superfluous as Walker’s species has long been known to be a synonym
of N. apicalis Lec. D

Cantharis lugubris Ulke is changed to C. ulkei because the specific
name conflicts with Hpicauta lugubris Klug. This change would seem to
be unnecessary so long as the genera Hpicauta and Cantharis can be
kept apart. :

To Tetraonyx 4-maculatus Fabr. belong assynonyms T. cruciatus Cast.,
described from 8S. Domingo, and T. cubensis Chevr., described from
Cuba.—|E. A. Schwarz.

289

PLANT IMPORTATION INTO ITALY.

We have previously referred in the Bulletins of this Division to the
antiphylloxera laws passed at the convention of Berne, and have printed
the regulations covering the importation of plants from America into
countries represented in the treaty. But as this was some time‘ago we
take occasion to print a letter received by the Italian Minister at Wash-
ington from the Italian Department of State, which has reached the
Secretary of Agriculture through the Italian Legation in Washington
and the Honorable Secretary of State:

Rome, December 4, 1889.

Mr. MINISTER: It has happened that certain Royal consular officers in countries
which, like the United States of America, do not belong to the International Anti-
phylloxeric Union, have issued certificates attesting the freedom from phylloxera of
plants sent to Italy, or merely the immunity of the countries from which the plants
are sent. Now it is well to observe that no plants can be imported from countries
that have not adhered to the Antiphylloxeric Convention held at Berne, unless
by special previous authorization from the Royal Ministry of Agriculture and Com-
merce.

Such authorization, in case it is granted, is always dependent upon the presentation
of the same documents that are required for plants that are sent from one to another
signatory State of the Swiss Convention, and this is because it is expressly provided
that States which did not sign that convention can not be treated more favorably
than those which did sign it or have subsequently adhered to it.

At the request of the Royal Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, I inform you of
the foregoing, requesting you to give due notice thereof, and to cause such notice to
be given to all whom it may concern in the United States, in order that plants sent
from that country to Italy may not be refused admission on the Italian frontier.

I will add that, in addition to the aforesaid authorization, the certificate that must
accompany shipments of plants must be issued by the local authorities and contain
the following declarations:

(1) That the plants shipped are trom earth that is at least twenty meters distant
from any vine, or that it is separated from any vine by some other obstacle that is
deemed sufficient to prevent the extension of the roots of such vine. ;

(2) That such earth does not contain any vine.

(3) That no vines have been deposited there.

DAMIANI,
Assistant Secretary of State.
The RoyaL LEGATION OF ITALY,
Washington.

TRAPS FOR THE WINTER MOTH USELESS.

Mr. R. McLachlan, in a recent number of the Gardener’s Chronicle
(Vol. 7, p. 23), calls attention to the fact that the traps which aim at the
destruction of the males of the Winter Moth (Cheimatobia brumata) will
fail of good results, since enough will always escape to fertilize the wingless
females, and that it is the latter, rather than the males, that should be
guarded against. In this connection is noted the *‘ parthenogenesis ”
or ‘“‘agamogenesis ” of certain of the wingless female moths, which, of
course, would render futile the destruction of the males alone.

290

A NEW ELM INSECT.

In Gardeu and Forest for January 15, 1890, p. 30, Prof. J. B. Smith
calls attention to a new elm insect (Zeuzera pyrina Fabr.) evidently im-
ported from Europe, the moths of which for some time past have oc-
curred in increasing numbers every year in the city of Newark, N. J.,
particularly about electric lights in the neighborhood of elm trees. Ex-
amination failed to show any of the larve in the tranks or roots of the
elm trees. Recently, however, numbers of the larvee were found in the
small twigs of a felled tree and the pupe in burrows in the larger
branches. The terminal twigs of many of the trees at Newark are re-
ported to be dying as a result, it is supposed, of the attacks of this in-
sect. Recognizable figures of the moths and larve are reproduced
from drawings by Mr. John Angelmann. The adult insect is a large
white moth with blue-black spots, known to English collectors as the
leopard moth.

SOOT AS A REMEDY FOR WOOLY APPLE-LOUSE.

The New Zealand Farmer for December, 1889, p. 524, refers to the use
of coal soot to destroy the root form of the ‘* American blight” (Sehizo-
neura lanigera). The soot is buried 6 or 7 inches below the sur-
tace of the affected tree and is said to give very satisfactory results.
The use of soot is in the same line as the old remedy of wood ashes
which will be found to be equally satisfactory. The alleged efficacy of
the soot against all other insect pests of the apple is as is pointed out
more than doubtful.

METAMORPHOSES OF FLEAS.

Mr. W. J. Simmons read before the Microscopical Society of Caleutta,
March 5, 1888, an interesting paper on ‘‘ The Metamorphoses of the Dog-
flea,” which bas since appeared in the American Monthly Microscopical
Journal, vol. 9, pp. 227-230. He presents some novel phases of flea
life, well calculated to excite one’s interest in these quite generally
anathematized insects. It is stated that there are twenty-five different
species of fleas; the dog, cat, fowl, marten, rat, squirrel, hedgehog, mole,
pigeon and bat each having its own species, while it is a curious fact
that there are also vegetarian species, two of which are mentioned.
One of these latter lives in brushwood, while the other is a lover of
mushrooms. Besides these, the flea which attacks man has not been
mentioned, to which must be added the jigger of tropical America, this
being also a true flea. Mr.Simmons makes a considerable point of the
order of length of the tarsal joints in the classification of fleas.

Following his notes on the transformations of the dog-flea we find:
Eggs were deposited early in the morning of October 17, 1886. These
were put ina glass and covered with a pane of the same material. On
the morning of October 19, about fifty hours after deposition, most of
the nits had hatched out, but a few took twenty-four hours or so longer.

291

The majority, therefore, required only a little more than two days as
their period of incubation. The larvae were white, eyeless, cylindrical,
active grubs; their bodies, exclusive of the head, with thirteen segments.
These segments are beset with long hairs, the terminal segment ending
in two curved spines, which probably aid the larva in locomotion. They
were supplied with no food except blood-pellets (the supposed excreta
of the adult flea) that had been left with the nits, ete., on a cloth by a
sleeping dog. They were suspected, however, of cannibalism, as their

_ numbers thinned with no other apparent cause. On October 25, the

seventh day after leaving the egg-cases, the surviving individuals were
found curling up and otherwise acting as though about to pupate.
Upon noticing this they were supplied with a fragment of “ puttoo,”
into which, though eyeless, the larve quickly swarmed, and there spun
little white silken cocoons. November 2, most of them quitted their
cocoons as perfect active fleas. They were, therefore, in the eggs for
something over two days, as larve for six days, and pup for eight
days, attaining their adult state on the seventeenth day after the depo-
sition of the eggs. This is a much shorter period than given by older
writers— Westwood, followed by Packard—who affirm that fleas are
larve for twelve and pup for eleven to sixteen days. However, this
may in part be due to the warmer climate of India, where the observa-
tions just detailed were made.

THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

January 9, 1890.—The annual meeting of the Society was held and the following
officers were elected for the ensuing year:

President, George Marx; Vice-Presidents, C. V. Riley and L. O. Howard; Record-
ing Secretary, C. L. Marlatt ; Corresponding Secretary, Tyler Townsend; Treasurer,
B. P. Mann; Executive Committee, E. A. Schwarz, Otto Heidemann, W. H. Fox.

Mr. W. H. Wenzel, of Philadelphia, was elected a corresponding member.

The retiring president, Mr. E. A. Schwarz, then delivered an address upon “North
American entomological publications,” after which remarks were made upon the
address by Messrs. Howard, Riley and Smith.

Mr. Riley expressed the opinion that the recognition of scientific matter, whether
descriptive or otherwise, in weekly or monthly periodicals would always depend upon
the character of the author of the work and of the periodical; that synonymy shouid
not be affected by the publication of descriptions in newspapers or periodicals which
did not have a natural history character, or which did not maintain a regular natural
history department.

Mr. J. B. Smith was of the opinion that publications to be recognized in literature
should be in accessible journals, or in other words, in works which were put on sale,
so that copies could be obtained without favor.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Schwarz for his address.

B. PICKMAN MANN,
Acting Recording Secretary.

February 6, 1890.—Mr. Schwarz presented a list of the blind or nearly eyeless Coleo-
ptera, hitherto found in the United States, exhibiting in that connection a very full
collection of the blind species. The list of the cave-inhabiting species is the same as

292

published by Dr. Packard; but in that of the non-cavernicolous species, several ad-
ditions are made and their geographical distribution given. Asa preface Mr. Schwarz
made some general remarks on blind insects and more especially on their mode of
living.

In the remarks on this paper by Messrs. Riley, Howard, and Schwarz, eyeless in-
sects of various orders were discussed, together with the presence or absence of eyes
in the different stages of particular insects.

Mr. Riley made some remarks on the larva of Platypsyllus. The discrepancy in
‘size between the larva hitherto described and the mature insect had led him to sus-
pect that the last larval stage as well as the pupa remained to be discovered.

A specimen recently received by him and described and figured (Entomologica -

Americana for February 1890, pp. 27-30) as the ‘‘ Ultimate Larva,” is in general ap-
pearance strikingly Mallophagous and a few points may be mentioned as not suffi-
ciently emphasized in the published description. The arrangement of setous hairs
on the verter recalled that in the adult, while the raised dorsal points, though un-
armed, foreshadowed somewhat the setous points on the dorsal abdominal joints of
the adult. Remnants of the anal cerci of the earlier larval stages are noticeable in
the two slight swellings on penultimate joint, each surrounded by a series of short
spinous hairs. The spiracles are small and lateral, but may be detected with diffi-
culty at the inner angle in the notch between the abdominal joints. The protho-
racic spiracle has not been detected.

He had. in the paper already alluded to, raised a parenthetical question as to this
being the final form of the Platypsyllus larva, but the position and character of the
mouth parts, and particularly the single-jointed tarsi exclude it from the Mallophaga,
while its general characteristics, though departing in so many respects from the
earlier larva, have caused him to refer it to Platypsyllus. The principal feature
that would shake one’s faith in this reference is the presence of ocelli, since none oc-
-cur in the earlier larva nor in the imago, and while such a feature is abnormal under
the circumstances, it is no more so than many of the other features of Platypsyllus.

In the discussion, Mr. Schwarz held that if not the ultimate larva of Platypsyllus,
it is certainly Coleopterous and can not be referred to the Mallophaga.

In the Coleoptera, the Staphylinid genus Amblyopinus is known to be parasitic o1
terrestrial rodents, two species having been found in the fur of mice and rats in
South America and Tasmania. We might reasonably expect to find this genus in
North America under similar circumstances, but a glance at Prof. Riley’s larva shows
that it cannot possibly belong to Amblyopinus nor to any other genus of Staphylinide.

Dr. Marx discussed a new family of spiders, the species of which are found abund-
antly in the spring. These spiders come near the family Dictynidw, and belong to the
genera Neophanes and Prodalia. Dr. Marx mentioned also anew remarkable spider,
peculiar among other things in having but two spinnerets—a feature which occurs
in but three other known genera. These genera differ from all other spiders, and are
only related to each other in the number of spinnerets.

Considerable discussion followed relating to the advisability of erecting new fami-
lies for odd species. The conclusion reached was that generally it would be better to
give such species sub-family importance in the nearest related existing family.

Mr. Linell gave some personal observations showing that Megapenthes limbalis Hbst.
and M. granulosus Melsh. were the same species. He had found these two beetles in
coitu, and as only males of limbalis and females of granulosus had been previously
known, the identity of the two species was fully shown. WM. limbalis being first
described, holds.

C. L. MaruatTt,
Recording Secretary.

ies VOEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

EEA LODICAL BULLETIN. APRIL, 1890.

weol. IT. INjos sk:

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,

EDITED BY

CVE REN. EMtonlologist,
AND

L. O. HOWARD, First Assistant,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIVISIONAL FORCE.

[PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. ]

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

Ls SiO.

ClO ONDE Nees

Page.
SPE GUAT NOTES trtsc coitaa Saw: os cranes eae Sais oie nue elo ee eee an eens ene ee 293
THE ROSE CHAFER—MACRODACTYLUS SUBSPINOSUS (illustrated)...C. V. Riley.. 295
A NEW GENUS AND TWO NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LAMELLICORNS....----.

Be a a taels icles eae ae tee scons a See caine ce meee eee Dr. David Sharp... 302
AN INTERESTING TINEID—MENESTA MELANELLA (illustrated) Mary FE. Murtfeldt.. 393
PXSPERIMENTS WET THE) PEUM CURGULION sceeeise-ceees eee eee FF. M. Webster... 305
THE PHYLLOXERA PROBLEM ABROAD AS IT APPEARS TO-DAY ...-.-..------.------ 310
THmswos ANGELES COUNTY HORTICULTURAL COMMISSION --.. sass sce- see eeee 312
EXTRACTS MROM: CORRESPONDENCE 2 seme sess coece aoe ce eeere eee eee 314

The Pine Lachnus as a Honey- piace onoor Knot on Apple—A Fuchsis
Aleurodes—Tbe Skein Centipede and Sugar Louse—A Guava Scale—The
Tile-horn Borer—The Boll Worm—Feather Felting by Dermestids—Ex-
treme Ravages of Cut-worms—Migrations of Plants as affecting those of
Insects—Hymenopterous Parasite of Icerya in Australia—Proconia undata
injuring the Vine.

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES AND DESCRIP-
TIONS OF NEW) SPECIES (illustrated)=2-—.=------- ssa eee ae Lord Walsingham. .
GENERAL NOUES 222%. 22 2/s5-Snis seccae cule oes vege access saem aetna meee poe

A Rhizococeus on Grass in Indiana—Further Note on the Egyptian Mealy
Bug—Indian Rhynchota—Two Parasites of the Garden Web-worm—An
Aphis attacking Carrots—More Insects injuring the Tea Plant in Ceylon—
New Insect Legislation—A Test Case under the Horticultural Law— Locusts
in India—New injurious Insects in Colorado—Obituary—Entomological
Society of Washington.

II

322
326

Vol. II, No. 10.] INSECT LIFE. [April, 1890.

SPECIAL NOTES.
On the compound Eyes of Arthropods.—Studies from the Biological
Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, Vol. [V, No. 6, contains a pa-

per “On the Morphology of the Compound Eyes of Arthropods” by

Mr. Sho Watase, which is of interest owing to its bearing on the origin
of the compound eyes of insects.

The principal subject of the paper is the eye of Limulus, but types of
the three great groups of Arthropods—Insects, Crustacea, and Arach-
nids—were studied, and the results are included in the generalizations
at the close of the paper.

The primitive type of the ommatidium, or visual unit, is traced into
a Simple open ectodermic pit from which he believes the compound eyes
of Arthropods to have developed by a vegetative repetition of similar
structures, not unlike what is supposed to have taken place in the for-
mation of certain compound organs in other animals, such as the kidney

in vertebrates, or the respiratory organs in Lamellibranchs.

Taking the number of facets as given by Lubbock, the compound eye
of the house-fly (Musca) would represent about 4,000 invaginations of
the skin, and of the dragon-fly (schna) about 20,000, while an ocellus
would represent a single pit.

In an appendix the compound eye of the star-fish is briefly considered
and is found to be morphologically strikingly similar to that of an Ar-
thrcpod. Six lithographic plates accompany the paper and admirably
illustrate the author’s studies.

More Ohio Notes.—‘‘A Season’s Work among the Enemies of the Hor-
ticulturist,” is the title of a paper by Clarence M. Weed, read December

11, 1889, before the Ohio State Horticultural Society and recently issued
in pamphlet form by the author. It treats of both insect and fungus
pests and urges the advantage of combining insecticide and fungicide

preparations for the simultaneous treatment of both pests whenever

possible. The entomological portion of the paper comprises matter for

|

the most part previously published in the bulletins of the Ohio Experi-
293

294

ment Station and includes brief accounts of the Striped Cucumber-

beetle, the Cherry Tree-slug, a new Strawberry-root Plant-louse (Aphis |

Sorbesi), described in the August-December, 1889, No. of Psyche, and of
the “ Rhubarb Snout-beetle ” (Lixus concavus), whose habits are stated
(and also in Bulletin Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Vol. II,
No. 1, second series, No. 8, p. 153), to be for the first time recorded.

In 1872 we studied the habits and reared from the larva found in the
stems of Chenopodium hybridum, the western representative of this
species, Lixvus macer, while Mr. Webster bred it later from the stems of
Helianthus. We briefly recorded these habits and the gall-making
habit of Livus parcus from California at the December, 1885, meeting
of the Washington Entomological Society (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., I,
No. 2, 1888, p. 33). That LZ. concavus injures rhubarb in other parts of
the country as it does in Ohio and Michigan, was recorded many years
ago by Glover, and has been independently observed by Mr. J. G. Bar-

[SE

low and Mr. Wm. B. Alwood. We hope soon to bring our notes on |

the subject together.

Aquatic Insects of the Mississippi Bottoms.— We have recently received —
from Prof. S. A. Forbes, Director of the Illinois State Laboratory of |

Natural History, a paper by H. Garman, entitled “‘A Preliminary Re-
port on the Animals of the Waters of the Mississippi Bottoms, near
Quincy, Illinois.”

The report is based on studies and collections made in the summer
of 1888, by the State Laboratory of Natural. History, the work being
aided and facilitated by the Illinois Fish Commission.

After a general description of the peculiar character of the streams |
and lakes in the locality covered by the investigation, there follows a —

discussion of the genera and species of the animal life studied, includ-
ing both the higher forms—mammals, birds, fishes, etc.—and the inver-
tebrates. Among the latter, the Insecta are chiefly considered, and this
portion of the work will be of most interest to readers of INSECT LIFE.

The aquatic insects are studied particularly in their relation to fish
culture, and those species which are especially important in this con-
nection are chiefly dwelt upon.

Considerable additions are made to our knowledge of food habits in

certain cases, and references are given to the published descriptions and |
accounts of many of the species. Data of importance to the practical _

ichthyologist are thus brought together.

Insects belonging to the following orders are considered: Diptera,
Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera, Ephemeridz, Plecop-
tera and Odonata. A single Arachnid is given as occurring near or in
the water (Tetragnatha grallator Hentz.), and a pale water mite (Arre-
nurus sp.), was frequently taken on the lakes and is believed to be a river
species.

295

Life-histories of some Kansas Moths.—Transactions of the Kansas Acad-
emy of Science, Vol. XI, 1887-88, which we have recently received, con-
tains a paper by Mr. C. L. Marlatt, entitled ‘‘ Notes on the early stages
of three Moths.” The species discussed are Nerica bidentata Walker,
Anisota stigma Fabr., and Callimorpha suffusa Smith. The life-histories
of these moths are quite fully given, together with illustrations of the
several stages of each. The species first mentioned breeds on the Elm,
the second, as is well known, on the Oak, and the last on Ash.

International Meetings to consider Viticulture and Fungus Diseases.—An
International Exposition of apparatus and products for the treatment
against mildew, was held at Rome, from the 23d to the 27th of March,
1890, under the auspices of the Italian Ginophile Club. At the same
time an International Viticultural Reunion was held, at which various
subjects relating to fungus diseases of the vine, investigations on and
remedies for the same, were discussed.

THE ROSE CHAFER.

(Macrodactylus subspinosus, Fabr.)

By C. V. RILEY.

Fic. 61.—Macrodactylus subspinosus: a, female; b, anterior part of male to show the prosternal
metacoxal process; c, pygidium of male; d, abdomen of male; e, tip of hind tibia of female; /, ditto
of male; g, front tibia of male—all enlarged (original).

PAST HISTORY.

Few insects are more often referred to in our horticultural literature
than this. The accounts have almost invariably referred to the rav-
ages of the mature beetle, and few persons are familiar with the species

296

in its larval state. In fact, a full life-history with a description of the ©

larva is yet needed, and as we reared it to the imago and made a study of
it in the field in 1882 and 1883, and as the beetle attracted more than
usual attention the past year we have deemed it advisable at this time
to publish the following account.

A native North American insect, there is every reason to believe that
this Rose chafer, or Rose bug, as it is more generally called, has in-
creased in number with the progress of horticulture, for the perfect
beetle evidently shows a preference for the blossoms and sweeter and
more tender fruit of our cultivated plants as compared with those of
wild plants. Another reason may be found in the increased area of
pasture and meadow lands which form the natural breeding grounds of
the species. The first published account of this insect seems to be that
given by Dr. Harris in his “ Minutes toward a history of some Ameri-
can species of Melolonthe particularly injurious to vegetation” (Mass.
Agric. Report and Journal, X, 1827, pp. 1-12), reported in N. E. Farmer,
1827 (vol. 6, p. 18, ff). In this account Dr. Harris says that at the

time the bugs were first noticed they were confined to the roses, but —
within forty years they had prodigiously increased in number and had |

become very injurious to various plants. From this it would appear
that as far back as the last century the insect was known as injurious.

Fic. 62.—Macrodactylus subspinosus: a, full-grown larva from the side; b, head of larva from the
front; c, left mandible of larva from beneath; d, left maxilla of larva from above; e, last ventral seg-
mentof larva; f, pupa from beneath; g, tip of last dorsal abdominal segment of pupa; h, last segment
of pupa from the side—all enlarged (original).

NATURAL HISTORY.

According to Harris the female beetle lays her eggs to the number of
about thirty, about the middle of July, at a depth of from 1 to 2 inches
beneath the surface of the ground. He does not state the favorite
place for oviposition, but in our experience the larv are especially
abundant in low, open meadow land or in cultivated fields, particularly

where the soil is light and sandy. Harris states that the eggs hatch |

in about twenty days, and, while the period will vary with the tempera-

297

ture, the larva is found fully grown during the autumn months. With
the approach of cold weather it works deeper into the ground, but in
the spring will frequently be found near the surface or under stones
and other similar objects, where it forms a sort of cell in which to pu-
pate. In confinement the pupa state has lasted from two to four weeks.
The perfect beetle issues in the New England States about the second
week of June, while in the latitude of Washington it is seen about two
weeks earlier. It appears suddenly in great numbers, as has often
been observed and commented upon, but this is in conformity with the
habits of other Lamellicorn beetles, e. g., our common May-beetles (Lach-
nosterna), and this habit is still more marked in certain species of
Hoplia and Serica. It remains active a little over a month, and then
soon disappears. The species produces, therefore, but one annual gen-
eration, the time of the appearing of the beetle in greatest abundance,
being coincident with the flowering of the grape-vine.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The species is recorded by Dr. Horn (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 1876) as
occurring from Virginia to Colorado and northward. It is thus not
represented in the extreme South and West ot the Rocky Mountains.
Northward it extends into Maine, and Canada, and Minnesota. It is
certainly absent, or at least very scarce in western Kansas, though com-
mon and destructive in the eastern and more wooded portions of the
State.

Professor Osborn finds the beetle not particularly destructive in
Iowa, and our experience shows that as a rule it is less destructive in
the Mississippi Valley than in the East. There are, however, numerous
specimens marked “'Texas ” in the collection of the late Mr. Belfrage.
Even in the Eastern States the insect is, in certain more or less re-
stricted areas, rare or absent for reasons which are more or less obscure,
but which find readiest explanation in the fact that certain moist and
open areas or bottom lands, especially of a sandy character, are the
preferred breeding places. Thus Dr. Fitch (2d Rep., p. 247) states that
in the vicinity of his residence in New York State he took only
occasionally a specimen during twenty-five years, and Dr. Lintner men-
tions (Ist New York Rep., pp. 230, 231) a similar case of local exemp-
tion. Harris states that M. subspinosus, although common in the vicin-
ity of Boston, is, or was a few years ago, unknown in the northern and
western parts of Massachusetts, in New Hampshire, and in Maine.
Since the species is now common in parts of New Hampshire and very
generally over the whole of the State of Massachusetts, it would appear
that the species has of late years extended its range.

In the Gulf States it is replaced by a closely allied species, M. angus-
tatus Beauv., which has not yet proved to be injurious and is in all
probability less abundant. <A third species, M. wniformis Horn, occurs

298

in the extreme southwest of the country and of this we received in July,
1889, specimens from Judge J. F. Wielandy, of Springer, N. Mex., with
the statement that they were injuring apples.

FOOD PLANTS AND RAVAGES.

The food of the larva consists of the roots of grasses and probably

also of other low plants. Whether it also feeds on the rootlets of trees
and shrubs has not been definitely ascertained, although the larve have
been found quite numerously around the bases of oak trees near Wash-
ington, both by Mr. Koebele and Mr.Schwarz. We found them quite
numerous in the sandy low lands of the Merrimac Valley, New Hamp-
shire, on cultivated ground, where they must have fed on the roots of
various weeds or on those of meadow grass and cultivated rye and
maize. It is probable, however, that they occur yet more numerously in
unplowed pasture and meadow land than in cultivated fields.

One peculiarity in the food habits of the larva still remains to be
mentioned here, viz, that referred to in our report as U.S. Entomologist
for the year 1883 (p. 174): While searching for locust eggs in the in-
fested fields at Boscawen, N. H., we repeatedly found the larva of this
Macrodactylus feeding on the egg-pods of Caloptenus atlanis. This is
certainly a remarkable and exceptional food habit in a plant-feeding
larva, but it is paralleled in the common White grub (larva of Lachnos-
terna fusca) which we have shown in the first report of the U.S. Entomo-
logical Commission (p. 305) to have a similar habit. The habit is doubt-
less developed only when the locust eggs are thickly laid in the ground.

The beetle has a partiality for flowers, but also feeds upon leaves
of various trees and bushes and attacks certain fruits. It has a
predilection for the flowers of roses, wild as well as cultivated,* and,
in the experience of many observers, prefers white roses to red ones.
Another favorite food is the blossom of the grape-vine, with a decided
preference for that of the Clinton. This last fact was first pointed
out by Walsh in his first report on the Insects of Illinois (p. 24), and
has been confirmed by many other observers and by our own observa-
tions. Dr. Lintner, in his first New York Entomological Report (p.
229), contradicts this experience, which only goes to show how the
habits of the same species will differ in different sections of the coun-
try. Flowers of raspberries and blackberries do not escape its rav-
ages. Mr. EK. H. Miller states in the American Agriculturist (see
Amer. Nat., v. 17, 1883, p. 1291), that the flowers of Deutzia scabra
are even preferred by the beetle to the grape-vine. The blossoms of
the various species of Spirwa are often crowded with the beetles
and the same may be said of the blossoms of Sumach, the common
Ox-eye Daisy, Magnolia glauca, Mock Orange, and some other plants.
This list could be greatly extended, but we close it with the state-

* The Cinnamon rose, Rosa cinnamonica, is said to enjoy immunity.

299

ment that the beetles also devour the blossoms of Pyrethrum cinerarie-
folium.

The foliage of most, if not all, of our cultivated fruit trees and
especially Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry, and Plum at times suffer
greatly, the two last-named trees being apparently more attractive
than the others. The foliage of cultivated grape-vines is almost as
eagerly devoured as the blossoms, and the leaves of Oak, Alder, and
other forest trees also serve as food. Of low-growing plants the beetles
cut the leaves of strawberries, rhubarb, and of nearly all garden veg-
etables, as also of sweet potato, corn, wheat, grass, and many wild
plants.

Not satisfied with this amount of damage, the beetles attack the fruit
of peaches, cherries, apples, and grapes when just forming. 3

Among ornamental plants (he Rose is the greatest sufferer. Har-
ris states that the beetle was first noticed on the Rose (hence its popular
name), and that it afterward acquired the habit of feeding on grape-
vines and fruit trees.

In 1887 a statement went through the daily press and agricultural
journals (apparently originating in the Philadelphia Press from a com-
munication by E. Williams) that the beetle was poisonous. It is said
that a lady who smashed some in her hands had these badly swollen
up, and further, that chickens fed with the beetles all died. There is,
however, nothing to justify the assumption that the beetle is really poi-
sonous, and if the above reports be true, the affliction was no doubt due
to mechanical irritation caused vy the long and sharp claws and the
spines of the beetle.

NATURAL CHECKS.

As with other insects, there are fluctuations in the numerical abun-
dance of the Rose Chafer; but so far as we yet know they seem to be
caused by meteorological conditions, for the species has few natural
checks, and no true parasites ; while but few enemies of its own Class
have been observed. Harris says (Treatise, etc., p. 39):

Our insect-eating birds undoubtedly devour many of these insects. Rose bugs are
also eaten greedily by domesticated fowls; and when they become exhausted and fall
to the ground, or when they are about to lay their eggs, they are destroyed by moles,
insects, and other animals, which lie in wait to seize them. Dr. Green informs me
that a species of Dragon-fly, or devil’s needle, devours them.

Toads have been observed to swallow the beetles (see Mirror and
' Farmer, v. 35, July 26, 1883), and it may be inferred that the larve are
eaten by various ground beetles. While at Boscawen, N. H., in the
fall of 1882, we found in the ground in company with the Macrodacty-
lus larvee a number of an undetermined Elaterid larva. Upon placing
both kinds in a tin box filled with earth it was found upon our return
to Washington that the Elaterid larve had killed and devoured most

300

of those of the Macrodactylus. Since many Elaterid larve are either
entirely or essentially carnivorous, that observed at Boscawen may
thus prove to be one of the natural enemies of the Macrodactylus.

REMEDIES.

It has been assumed by most writers that we can not successfully at-
tack the Rose Chafer in any of its earlier states. To search for the eggs
in the ground would be impracticable. It does not, however, follow be-
cause of the poor success that has generally resulted trom attempts to
destroy similar larvee that they can not be successfully destroyed. In the
case of the common European Cock-chafer (larva of Melolontha vulgaris
and hippocastani) and of our own White Grub (Lachnosterna fusca) the
methods adopted have consisted in plowing and hand-picking. The ex.
periments made, however, on a similar larva with the kerosene-soap
emulsion, as narrated in INSECT LIFE (Vol. I, p. 48) clearly show that we
have in this insecticide a means of successfully destroying the bulk of
the larvee of the Rose Bug wherever they are known to be sufficiently
abundant to justify such treatment. A thorough investigation should
be made in the direction of ascertaining the preferred breeding grounds
of the species, and it were rash to say here that we have no effectual
mode of preventing the insect, nothwithstanding the disfavor in which
this mode of warfare has been held in the past.

It is evident, however, that for the present we should concentrate
our efforts on the destruction of the beetles especially when they first
issue from the ground and congregate in the garden on our roses, grape-
vines, and fruit trees. <A brief statement of the various methods that
may be employed for this purpose may prove advantageous. Hand-
picking and killing the beetles either by crushing them or throwing
them into hot water, or water having a scum of kerosene upon it, has
proved useful and satisfactory in a limited way, as also the shaking
and knocking down of the beetles into pans or upon sheets saturated
or smeared with coal oil. These measures are best carried out and
most satisfactorily in the early morning hours and toward evening, as
the beetles are then more sluggish and not so quick to take wing as they
are during the heat of the day. White roses, Spirzas, or Deutzias,
planted on a place, will attract great numbers of the beetles, and
thus not only facilitate the destruction of these last, but act as a kind
of protection to other plants.

As to other topical applications intended to destroy the beetles,
whether directly or by poison taken with the food, the experience with
the arsenites is that they are of little avail, and the experience with
other materials, like hellebore and pyrethrum, has been so conflicting,
that we can not consider either of them reliable or satisfactory. Pyre-
thrum would seem to have given on the whole the most satisfactory re-
sults, and the following experience of Mr. E. S. Carman, editor of the
Rural New Yorker, would certainly show that it may be used advanta-

301

geously. It is given in substance from the Rural New Yorker of July
7, 1888:

The rose-bugs appeared suddenly on the Rural Grounds in such swarms that their
appearance was hardly known until they had half destroyed the grape blossoms. On
the morning of the 20th (June, presumably) two hours were spent in spraying rose-
bushes, grape-vines, and a Magnolia macrophylla about 12 feet bigh, with Buhach
water. The bugs were devouring this latter by hundreds. In fifteen minutes after
spraying, thousands of the bugs were found wriggling upon the ground while the tree
was virtually cleared of them. Twenty or more of those on the grass were placed
in a tomato-can and covered with a gauze so as to confine them without excluding
air. These soon became paralyzed, and in the evening were apparently dead. Those
on the grass crawled about in an aimless way. Towards evening some were found
apparently dead. The others had disappeared. Here and there a bug was found on the
leaves of the tree. The grape-vines and rose-bushes were also nearly free of the pest
during the rest of the day. The next day thousands of rose-bugs were again upon
the roses and grape-vines, though few could be seen on the magnolia. All were again
sprayed with the same effect as that above recorded, and further spraying has not
since been deemed necessary.

Col. A. W. Pearson, of New Jersey, states that the ‘“‘ eau celeste”
(solution of sulphate of copper with ammonia) is not only-the best remedy
for mildew, but also at the same time an effective poison to the Macro-
dactylus.

The trouble with all these remedies is that the beetles during their
brief season continue to issue from the ground and to congregate upon
their favored plants in such numbers, under favorable circumstances,
that however fatal an application may be it has to be continued, and
the most persistent may justly become discouraged in a fight with these
beetles when they are abnormally abundant and swarm to the extent
we have known them.

As early as 1829 Dr. R. Green, as quoted by Harris, urged as a pre-
ventive measure the covering of the grape-vines with millinet, but,
however valuable such a method may be for choice vines in limited
numbers, it would evidently be too costly for large vineyards or for
larger fruit-trees.

Another protective measure (first suggested in the Rural New Yorker
May 19, 1883) is to dust the plants with air-slaked lime or gypsum,
and Prot. C. M. Weed has suggested as an improvement upon it (7th
Ann. Rept. Ohio Agr. Exp. St., 1888, p. 151) a liberal spraying of
lime water, from one-half to one peck of lime to a barrel of water. . Mr.
EH. A. Dunbar, of Ashtabula, Ohio, who tried this ‘* whitewashing” of
his grape-vines and peach trees, reports most satisfactory results.

Many other means that have been tried against this pest are not
worthy of serious consideration. Such are the spraying of decoctions
of various plants with a view of rendering the leaves unpalatable;
methods of hastening the blossoming of grape-vines or other plants by
artificial means. These and others that have been urged, even where
effective, are hardly likely to be generally employed; and in this case,
as with many other insects, success will only follow diligence in the

302

combined application of the insecticides that have been found effect-
ive, and the persistent shaking on to sheets or stretchers saturated with
coal-oil.

ANEW GENUS AND TWO NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LAMELLI-
CORNS.

By Dr. Davip SHarp, Wilmington, England.

The Lamellicorn sent to me by Professor Riley for determination
proves to belong to a genus hitherto undefined and is described below,
together with another allied species from Adelaide.

Anodontonyx, nov. gen.

Inter genera Haplonycham et Heteronycem locandum. Labium planum. Palpi
labiales articulo ultimo dilatato, conico, subtus convexiusculo. Maxillae quinque-
dentate, palpis simplicibus, articulo ultimo quam penultimo duplo longiore. La-
brum sat crassum, angulis parum prominulis. Antenne brevissime, 8-articulate,
clava perbrevi, tri-articulata. Tarsi elongati, unguiculis simplicibus.

The species of this genus will be readily distinguished by the dilatated
joint of the labial taken in conjunction with the simple claws of the feet
and the remarkably small club of the antenne. The maxille looked at
externally appear to be only three-toothed, but there are two other
nearly equally large teeth concealed behind the external teeth.

Although allied in many respects to Scitala, I think it would increase
the confusion prevalent in collections if Anodontonyx were merged in
that genus. Scitala has a longer club to the antenne, the male feet
not elongated, and in most of the species of the genus the labial palpi
have a slender terminal joint; the base of the thorax is sinuate on each
side and the hind angles are well marked.

Anodontonyx is probably numerous in species in Australia, as I have
five or six others belonging to it in my collection, for none of which cap
I find names. They are all small and quite unattractive insects, and
are apparently of retiring habits, as the specimens obtained are very
few in number.

Anodontony=x vigilans, n. sp.

Pallide ferrugineus, crebre punctatus; corpore subtus fere nudo, ad latera parce
setoso; elytris inter punctaturam lineis elongatis parum conspicuis. Long., 9-10™™.

Head closely and coarsely punctured, clypeal suture very distinct,
margin of clypeus strongly reflexed. Thorax short, moderately,
coarsely, and closely punctured; hind angles rounded. Scutellum
sparingly punctured. Elytra rather sparingly punctured, each with
four longitudinal linear smooth spaces extending nearly the whole
length, and with a broader space near the suture which, however, 1s not
free from punctures. Pygidium rather coarsely punctate. Prosternum
behind the coxze armed with a prominent acute lamina. Upper spur
of hind tibia elongate, as long as the basal joint of the tarsus.

Australia; Koebele.

303

No sexual differences are to be seen among the six specimens brought
to America by Mr. Koebele, and they are probably all females.

Anodontony=x harti, n. sp.

Oblongus, ferrugineus, vel piceus, convexus, crebre fortiter punctatus; pectore
utrinque parum hirsuto; elytris ad latera longuis setosis, inter punctaturam lineis
elongatis conspicuis. Long., 12-13™™,

Mas: tarsis omnibus elongatis.

This is not very different in color and punctuation from A. vigilans,
but is distinguished by some important structural characters. The form
is more oblong and elongate. The clypeus is rounded in front, and its
margin is very strongly elevated. The sides and hind angles of the
thorax are much rounded. The pygidium is somewhat obsoletely punct-
ured at the base, smooth towards the apex. There is only a single
carina on the prosternum behind the cox. The male has the hind
tarsi 54 millimeters long, whereas in the female they are only 33. In
this latter sex the anterior tibiz are remarkably broad, the three teeth
on it also very broad.

This interesting insect was discovered by the late Mr. Hart during
his stay at Adelaide in 1886. Although at that locality only for a
short time, and when he was in very weak health, he formed a most
interesting collection of Coleoptera. The specimens of A. harti de-
scribed above were given to me by his friend, Mr. W. R. Jeffrey, of
Ashford, Kent.

AN INTERESTING TINEID.

(Menesta melanella n. sp.)

By Mary E. MurtFEtLpt, Kirkwood, Mo.

Fic. 63.—Menesta melanella: a, larval mine; b, pupa case, with larval mine cut out (original).

The Tineid genus Menesta, to which Professor Riley has kindly re-
ferred this species for me, was erected by Dr. Clemens for the reception
of a particularly aberrant Gelechiid, which he described from a single

304

captured specimen and named Menesta tortricella. The only other spe-
cies of this genus of which there is any record is a captured unique,
obtained by Lord Walsingham from Texas, and described in his lord-
ship’s notes on North American Tineida@, in the Proceedings of the Lon-
dou Zoological Society for 1881. This is a small species with dull
shaded red fore wings, each of which is ornamented with a minute dis-
coidal ocellus. The hind wings are dark gray.* In all his collecting,
personally and by his assistants, Mr. V. T. Chambers, whose studies of
American Tineidz were so extensive, seems never to have met with a
species that he could satisfactorily relegate to this genus.

The larval habits of neither of the described species have been ob-
served, but perhaps those of the one which I now propose to character-
ize may indicate some of their peculiarities.

Menesta melanella n. sp.

Head and thorax above dusky black, face smooth, scales shining- white with golden
and iridescent reflections; labial palpi rather short, slender, diverging, slightly
curved, second joint scarcely thickened, smooth, tapering to the juncture with the
very slender sharply pointed apical joint, inner side white, outer ocherous, dusky at
base, maxillary palpi very small, tongue broad, white at base; antenne brownish-
black, with purplish and steely reflections, rough scaled under the lens, but scarcely
ciliate, about two-thirds the length of the wings.

Fore wings shining bluish or brownish black, somewhat iridescent, with acute,
milk-white, triangular patch on costa midway between base and apex, extending
nearly half across the wing, a few white scales near the base; cilia on outer margin
pure white, on inner angle dingy black.

Hind wings very dark brown, with rather broad white marginal streak on costal
edge, extending from near the base beyond the middle and a patch of white in the
cilia near the outer angle, also a few white hairs near the inner angle. Under sur-
face of both fore and hind wings fuscous with leaden reflections, the white costal
triangle nearly as well defined beneath as above.

Abdomen above, iridescent, shining black. Thorax beneath and broad ventral
abdominal band, white with metallic luster. Front legs white, middle pair white,
on femora and tibix, wit': tarsi, dusky, indistinctly annulate with white; hind legs
dusky and leaden gray, with broad band of white encircling tibiz; terminal joint.
whitish at base, shading to dark gray at tip; upper spurs long, white; lower spurs
ocberous. All the white on the under surface has, in certain lights, deep golden and
opalescent tints, with a somewhat more stable ocherous shade at the joints. All the
legs are coarsely scaled and hairy. The alar expanse is from 10 to 12™™,

This species is pretty and characteristic in its perfect form and inter-
esting in its larval habits and transformations. The larva appears late
in summer, on the post oaks (Q. obtusiloba) and requires nearly a month
to attain maturity. It is at first a miner, but later—probably after first
molt—feeds externally on the under surface of the leaf, skeletonizing a
large space on one side of the midrib, protecting itself above under a
web which is dense in the center and becomes gra:tually attenuate to-
wards the edges, from under which the frass is ejected. When dis-

“ [ have since noticed that Lord Walsingham has removed this species from Menesta
and placed it in the Tricotaphe section of Gelechia. He also states that it isa synonym
of Chambers’ Gelechia refusella.—M. E. M.

305

turbed the larva retreats swiftly to the more densely woven part of its
cover.

Length of full grown larva from 7 to 8™™, diameter 1.5™", nearly
equal throughout, form depressed, sutures deep, especially laterally ;
surface smooth; color dingy translucent white, with a broad, smooth
pale purple dorsal band extending from the second to the tenth segment.
Head small, about one-half the diameter of the first thoracic segment,
opaque, yellowish white. Piliferous spots minute, impressed, hairs
microscopic. Legs and proiegs yellowish white, almost transparent.

In preparing for its transformations, the larva thickens its tent of
white silk, which is externally somewhat disguised by a skillful inter-
mingling of powdery particles of the cuticle of the leaf. It lines the
under side also with a mat of silk and then proceeds to cut out a broad
oval section around the densest part of the web, about one-half inch in
length. This is joined at the edges and forms an Aspidisca-like case,
which is dragged to some distance from the injured portion of the leaf
and firmly attached to the under surface by a broad band of silk from
one-eighth to one-fifth of an inch long appearing like a handle to the
slightly curled case (Fig. 63b). Within this case the larva changes toa
somewhat flattened, pale brown pupa, in which state it hibernates.

The imagines usually appear in April, often at long intervals. Of
the three specimens bred, one emerged on the 14th of March, one on
the 14th of April, and the third on the 24th of the same month. I also
captured a single damaged specimen some years ago during the month
of May. It is not in this locality at least an abundant species.

EXPERIMENTS WITH THE PLUM CURCULIO.

By F. M. WEBSTER.

These experiments were originally intended as a continuation of those
made during 1888 and published in the annual report of the Department
for that year, pp. 78, 79. On account of a lack of material, especially
of the domestic varieties of plums, the result of previous experiments
did not reflect as conclusively upon contested points as desired ; and as
it would hardly be proper, at the present time, to summarize results
based on one set of experiments made during one season, aud another
the next, under more or less varying conditions, the series this year
are also intended to repeat and elaborate some of those made on the
wild varieties last season.

The source whence the material was secured is given in the rec-
ords of each experiment, aud I will only add that the larger portion
of the first was taken by myself, beneath the trees from which it had
fallen, the point being to change the conditions under which it was
found only so far as necessary to a change from one locality to another.

21715—No. 10 2

306

The methods employed in carrying on the experiments were the same
as last year, except that, in view of the results already obtained, the
earth in which the insects had developed was not treated with water,
but examined carefully on the dates given, and a record kept of the
number of adult beetles found. For vivaria, 8-inch drain tiles, the
same as last year, were used.

Experiment No. 1.—June 13, 1889, one hundred and fifty Wild Goose Plums, from
Aper’s orchard, La Fayette, containing one hundred and eighty-five egg punctures,
were placed in vivaria.

Result of examination on September 4: Thirty-eight adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 2.—June 13, fifty Mariana Plums, from Experiment Station orchard,
containing eighty-six egg punctures, were placed in vivaria.

Result of examination on September 4: Fourteen adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 3.—June 18, fourteen Kansas Sand Plums, from E. Yenowine, Ed-
wardsville, Ind., containing fourteen egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 3: Four adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 4.—June 18, six Nectarines, from E. Yenowine, Edwardsville, Ind.,
containing seven egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 3: Nothing.

Experiment No. 5.—June 18, twenty-four Chickasaw Plums, from E, Yenowine, Ed-
wardsville, Ind., containing twenty-four egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 3: Five adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 6.—June 19, two hundred and twenty-five Coe’s Golden Drop Plums,
from J. G. Kingsbury, Irvington, Ind., containing six hundred and eleven egg punct-
ures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 2: One hundred and nineteen adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 7.—June 19, three hundred and sixty-eight Wild Goose Plums, from
orchard of Albertson and Hobbs, Bridgeport, Ind., containing seven hundred egg
punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: One hundred and eighty-one adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 8.—June 19, one hundred and sixty-seven Nectarvines, from orchard
of Albertson and Hobbs, Bridgeport, Ind., containing five hundred and thirty-three
punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination August 28: Fifty-three adults. All living.

Experiment No. 9.—June 20, one hundred and twenty-eight large Damson Plums,
from Greencastle, Ind., containing one hundred and thirty-nine egg punctures, placed
in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Fifty-three adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 10.—June 20, one hundred and sixty-eight Robinson Plums, from
Greencastle, Ind., containing two hundred and twenty-three egg punctures, placed in
vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Thirty-five adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 11.—June 20, one hundred and sixty-eight Mariana Plums, from
Greencastle, Ind., containing two hundred and nineteen egg punctures, placed in vi-
varia.

Result of examination September 3: Fifty-three adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 12.—June 20, three hundred and thirteen Lombard Plums, from
Greencastle, Ind., containing four hundred and sixty-two egg punctures, placed in
vivaria.

Result of examination September 3: Sixty-five adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 13.—June 20, ninety-five Yellow Egg Plums, from Greencastle, Ind..,
containing one hundred and three egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Nineteen adults. Dead.*

*Six larve from this lot were destroyed.

307

Experiment No. 14.—June 24, one hundred and seventy-six Wild Plums, from woods
in Knox County, Ind., containing two hundred and twenty egg punctures, placed in
vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Thirty-five adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 15.—June 24, fifty-nine Lombard Plums, from Knox County, Ind.,
containing seventy-nine egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Fifty-one adults. Mostly dead.

Experiment No. 16.—June 24, one hundred and ninety-one Blue Damsom Plums,
from Knox County, Ind., containing two hundred and twenty-six egg punctures,
placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Seventy-six adults. Few alive.

Experiment No. 17.*—Jvune 25, fifty-three Apples, from Princeton, Ind., containing
sixty-two egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 6: Five adults. Living.

Experiment No. 18.*—June 25, fifty-four Apples, from same tree as No. 17, contain-
ing sixty egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 6: Nothing.

Experiment No. 19.*—June 25, twenty-nine Apples, from same orchard as No. 17,
containing thirty-six egg punctures, but from another tree, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 6: Three adults. All living.

Experiment No. 20.—June 26, forty-seven Nectarines, from same tree as Experiment
No. 4, and containing forty-eight egg punctures, placed in vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Six adults. Living.

Experiment No. 21.—June 26, ninety Blue Damson Plums, from E. Yenowine,
Edwardsville, Ind., containing one hundred and twenty-five egg punctures, placed in
vivaria.

Result of examination September 4: Ten adults. Dead.

Experiment No. 22.—July 12, twenty large Damson Plums, from isolated tree in
garden of Hon. E. H. Scott, La Porte, Ind., containing sixty-five egg punctures,
placed in vivaria.t

Result of examination August 13, 14, 16: Twenty adults. All living.

Summary of experiments.

+ 4s : No. of No. of Adults | Ratio per| Ratio per

Varieties of fruits. | specimens. | punctures. | reared. | specimen. wince!
Large Damson 148 204 73 2. 02 2.79
Blue Damson ... 281 351 86 3. 26 4.08
Yellow Egg 95 103 19 5. 00 5.42
Lombard ...- 272 541 116 2. 34 4.1.6
Coe’s Golden 225 611 119 1.98 Sas
Nectarines ... 220 588 59 3. 72 9. 96
BYVAL GOSBae oe istseiais- wine ateicinierere linia Se 518 885 219 2.36 4.04
DS. ee Se one o eee eoepneacopeoDsaee 218 305 67 Be2d 4.55
ISANSAB SANG cece eels cicts issn cin cteacmaieisi=s > 14 14 4 3. 50 3. 50
CiMiCkIsSiWwaees ce chee ce asocise cise ss ensieine 24 24 5 4. 80 4. 80
VAG be Se tee See See ee es Bee 176 220 35 5. 02 6. 27
ODUDS OM ams 2 8 oye mele a snine scion ciel teie/aiess 168 223 35 4. 80 6. 36
AU UGE - sons Qopssas bande aosaSabesc leone 136 158 8 17. 00 19. 62

As will be observed, the greatest mortality to eggs and larve between
the time of oviposition and the hatching of the adult occurred in the
Wild and Robinson varieties of plums. Also that the apples used this

*A number of plum trees were growing in the immediate vicinity, but I could not
get enough fallen plums for experiment.

+The top was so covered with a cone-shaped screen that the adults could be observed
as soon as they emerged from the ground.

308

year were collected on the same day as the latest used last year, and
from which nothing was reared. Those used the present year were from
a more southern locality, where the season was correspondingly earlier,
but the earliest to fall last year were used on experiments of June 20,
leaving only the later fallen for the experiment of a few days later,
and which gave no adults. Therefore, it would appear that the later
punctures either contained fewer eggs, or else a larger portion of the
jarvee perished before reaching maturity. If this be true, the variety of
plum whose blooming season covers the greatest period of time will
best withstand the work of the curculio; the earliest appearing fruit
forming a sort of protection for the later.

So far as my experiments have gone the rule seems to hold good
among both apples and plums. All of the apples used in both last sea-
son’s experiments and this were grown among plum trees also fruiting,
thereby demonstrating the fact that the planting of plum trees in the
apple orchard will not protect the latter and vice versa.

From the driftof evidence gained from experiments of both last year
and this, it would appear that if anything is to be gained by using
another fruit to draw off the curculio and protect the plum, the point
is almost as likely to be attained through the Nectarine as the apple.
Indeed, this year the apples on the tree from which the fruit for last
year’s experiment was obtained suffered as bad or worse than the plums
on trees growing interjacent. For position of this tree see Diagram.

The apple tree bloomed profusely, and produced a good crop of young
apples, but by July 24 there was scarcely a dozen left on the tree, and
the condition of these is illustrated by a figure,* drawn from specimens
picked on this date, and bearing not only crescent marks in abundance,
but also punctures, indicating that the adult beetles had recently been
feeding on the pulp.

There seems to be little doubt but that the food punctures were made,
in part at least, by the newly emerged adults. I sawanadult punctur-
ing a plum at Greencastle, Ind., on June 22, and Mr. W. O. Fritz, fore-
man of the experiment farm, on July 23, brought me an adult curculio
found that forenoon engaged in the same mischief, and adults were
observed in experiment No. 1, July 29, which might have been and
doubtless were present some days earlier, as the experiment had not
been examined. It seems rather more than probable that the latest
appearing individuals of the old brood of beetles may ovcur simultan-
eously with the advance individaals of the new brood, both feeding
upon the fruit of the plum, apple, ete.

Occasional notices appear in the agricultural papers to the effect
that the female curculio will not oviposit in fruit overhanging water.
While this seems very doubtful, to say the least, an experiment was
made in order to test the matter, but while clearing up the fog in one
quarter, the results appear to have still further increased the obscurity
in another.

* This figure will be published in the next number of INsEcT LIFE.

309

A shallow pan, constructed large enough to cover the ground under
one-half of a plum tree, of the Mariana variety, was placed in position
on April 24, and kept continually filled with water until August 10.
Now, not only were females observed in the act of ovipositing in plums
hanging directly over the pan, but the latter contained from time to
time quite large numbers of punctured fruit; nevertheless, the only
plums on the tree reaching maturity were among those hanging directly
over the water.

c c G d d d c c d c c c
c d c c c c c c c c c c
b b c (0) Cc c c c c c ce c

= ——| ———.- 3
j c c c Cc c c c i i i i |
f d g c g g c J c i i ©
f b d f f f f c ify f if f

b a a b a a h a a a b b
a a e e e e e e e e 6 a
ste
a a a a a a a a pee a a
|
a a a a a a a a a a a a
a a a a a a a a a a a a
a a a a a a a a a a a a

Explanation.—a=Blackman Plum; b=Wild Plum; c=Wild Goose Plum; d=Boggs’
Plum; e=Crab Apple; f=Late Cherry; g=May Cherry; o=Seedling Apple;
h=Moore’s Arctic Plum; i=Quince; j=Pear.

A single experiment was made to determine the duration of life, and
the probability of the female ovipositing, after having partaken of
poison. Twelve females taken from the plum tree on May 17, where
they were evidently ovipositing, were kept for 24 hours without food,
some eggs having in the meantime been deposited in the box where
they were confined. At 5 p.m. they were removed and placed separ-

310

ately in receptacles containing a leaf of the plum, thickly dusted with
London purple. At 8 p.m., 3 hours later, nearly all seemed to be
affected, but were removed and placed separately in clean quarters,
and each provided with afresh plum. At 11 a. m. next day many
were dead, the remainder surviving but a few hours longer, but in no
case were eggs deposited in the fruit.—[October 1, 1889.]

THE PHYLLOXERA PROBLEM ABROAD AS IT APPEARS TO-DAY.

The report of the Superior Phylloxera Commission has just been
published and gives the latest account of Phylloxera matters in France
and other foreign countries. Neither law nor effort has prevented the
spread of the insect in eleven arrondissements in which it made its ap-
pearance for the first time the past year, viz: Castellane, Mende, Riom,
Joigny, Troyes, Nogent-sur-Seine, Bar-sur-Aube, Vesoul, Gray, Bonne-
ville, and St. Calais. About 240,000 acres have undergone defensive
measures, submersion being employed in 72,000, bisulphide of carbon
in 145,000, and sulpho-carbonate of potassium in 23,000.

Muci good has resulted from the establishment of societies for de-
fense, notably in Haute-Loire. Moreover, it is the small proprietor who
derives the largest benefit from the law enacted August 2, 1879. Of
twenty-one thousand three hundred and ninety-four proprietors com-
posing a syndicate, each attended to about 43 acres.

The departments in which vine cultivation is extensive, such as Her-
ault, Gard, and Gironde, contain fewer syndicates for the reason that
their Phylloxera work is practically at an end. Each year has shown
an increasing acreage of reconstituted vineyards, mostly by means of
American stocks, which prove more and more satisfactory and which
justify the commission in prophesying the near approach of the time
when vine-culture will be as widespread as it was before the era of the
Phylloxera. The following approximate tabular statement will be in-
teresting in this connection :

||
; | :
| American | Fl American
Years. | vines | Pen Years. vines Beret
covered. : | covered. ‘
| Acres. | Acres.
SS sc cjies ciaciclatcis tc jae)natwis.scieate sl 22, 000 | Ts USSG 5 See arc stem oe tere lete errata 276, 900 37
1882) ccciceaecm ia minte acta w eiaa wiele.e 42, 700 | 22 5|| WB8To=4 arco se creostetenceeene 413, 700 | 38
Ties See one ene ae | 70, 000 28. ||| 4888: 22ecce sce eereee eee 536, 900 | 43
WERE saccade caciseeewa elo meielade | 131, 909 | 34::)|| 18892222258 52 sa seeecomenetee 719, 500 | 44
iE ain eae SR | 188,200] 34 |

If the march of recovery continue at this ratio, in four years vine-
planted land in France will reach the unprecedented amount of 6,500,-
000 acres. Hérault presents 380,000 acres of renewed vineyards; Aude,

dll

68,000; Gard, 60,000; Gironde, 47,000; the western Pyrenees, 75,000;
and Var, 47,000.

The efforts to produce by hybridization Phylloxera-proof varieties
have so far not proved successful or popular, as most growers still depend
on grafting onthe American stock. Another noticeable fact is that the
Government does not hesitate in its liberal policy of doing all in its
power to aid the afflicted vine-grower, and the law of December 1, 1887,
by which the land-tax on newly planted or restored vineyards is re-
mitted for four years, is still in force.

Five years ago the Phylloxera first became known in Algeria, and
since then it has been kept pretty well in check by the vigorous meas-
ures prescribed by the resolution adopted March 21, 1883. The cost has
been great, but the results have fully justified the outlay. The vine
there covers nearly 250,000 acres, and the vintage of 1889 shows approxi-
mately 66,000,000 gallons of wine.

A glance at the viticulture of other vine-growing countries shows
that the industry is rapidly developing, especially in Chili, Uruguay,
the Argentine Republic, and Australia. The Tunisian vineyards pre-
sent remarkable developement.

Spain and Italy are yet suffering severely from Phylloxera. In the
former the small proprietors are reduced to the necessity of abandoning
the cultivation of their fields or selling them at much depreciated
prices. The emigration from Malaga to Brazil and the Argentine Re-
public between April and August, 1889, amounted to eleven thousand
persons, and may be taken as an index of the situation.

In [taly about 400,000 acres are affected, and the Government has
been forced to forego its first system of defense and resort to American
stocks.

Hungary suffers sorely. About one-third of its plantations are at-
tacked and about one-eighth destroyed.

Austria suffers in almost like proportion.

In Switzerland the progress of the Phylloxera has been slow, and in
Germany and Russia, owing to the measures taken for its suppression,
it makes no progress.

Portugal seems to be in the worst plight of all, for each year the
number of invaded districts increases, chiefly in the north, where there
are 250,000 acres of infested vines and 90,000 acres of dead ones. The
Douro region aggregates 80,000 dead vines out of a possible 125,000.

Nowhere has the combat been carried on more energetically than in
France, originally the most sorely stricken country, and nowhere has
so much success been achieved against Phylloxera attack.

312

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY HORTICULTURAL COMMISSION.

The following copy of the last report of the board of horticultural
commissioners of Los Angeles County, Cal,, is taken from the Los An-
geles Evening Express of March 5, and will not be devoid of interest
to our readers. The account of the correspondence between the Secre-
tary and this office is very fair. with the important exception that we in-
sisted upon the necessity of first thoroughly knowing our ground before
taking extensive steps for the importation of enemies of the scale insects
mentioned. By this we mean ascertaining carefully the range of each
species and the probabilities as to its original home.

We respectfully tender herewith the monthly report for February of the county
horticultural commission.

The policy adopted by this commission of continued and earnest research for a par-
asite that will destroy the red and San José scales, or any other pests that are inju-
rious to fruit trees, has been pursued during the past month.

Our secretary was instructed to communicate with United States Entomologist, C.
V. Riley, at Washington, requesting him to ask Congress for an appropriation that.
would enable the Department of Agriculture to seek the world over for parasites that
prey onthe insect pests that are now threatening the wefare of our great fruit in-
dustry. In reply, Professor Riley advises us “that he will not be able to do much
with Congress in the way we suggest, but that he hopes and expects that the United
States Department of Agriculture will have power to act without such a petition
after June next.” Professor Riley still further advises us ‘‘ that the red scale of Cal-
ifornia ( Aspidiotus aurantii) has been believed to be of Australian origin, but that it
is about as abundant there as it is in California. He says that it does occur in other
parts of the world, and much inquiry will have to be made before we can feel sure of its
native home; that it has some parasitic enemies in California, and though it doubtless
has others in Australia, we know so far only of a fungus and a small beetle that at-
tack it there.” Professor Riley also says ‘‘that the San José scale ( Aspidiotus per-
niciosus) is not as yet known to be an imported species, but that all these scales are
amenable to careful treatment by the sprays which we have lately recommended, or
by the improved gas treatment.”

Notwithstanding the valuable opinion of Professor Riley ,this commission feels that
in making inquiry for a parasite for the red scale in other countries search should also
be made for an enemy for the San José scale insect. This pest, if not speedily de-
stroyed, will utterly ruin the deciduous fruit interests of this coast. It not only
checks the growth of the tree, but it covers the tree literally entirely, and the fruit
nearly as much so, and if left unchecked, the tree is killed in three years’ time.

There is absolutely no parasite at work on the San José scale insect. We find this
dangerous pest invading every deciduous fruit district in the county, and have noti-
fied owners of such infested orchards to disinfect, giving them the necessary mode of
procedure. Unless the San José insect is thoroughly stamped out the deciduous fruit
interests of the county will in a few years have dwindled to naught.

In our January report to you we mentioned having been compelled, after exhaust-
ing the necessary preliminaries, to place in the hands of the District Attorney for
prosecution the case of F. O. Cass of Vernondale. We were led to take this step, not
only from our sense of duty to the State law prescribing it, but as a determination of
our duty and obligation to the fruit growers of Los Angeles County, wherein we
sought to stamp out a dangerous insect pest, the Santa Ana red scale, just obtaining
a foot-hold in this county.

The case came up before Justice Rankin and a jury of six, February 14, in San An-

313

tonio Township, and was decided against the State on the 17th. The evideuce of the
defense was simply a line of individual theories, in fact farcical, when compared with
the important results of years of study by scientific entomologists and the long and
tried experience of the most thorough and intelligent horticulturists of our own
county.

It is not and has not been the policy of this commission to enforce indiscriminate
spraying without regard to the existence of parisitic insects, but in the case of Mr.
Cass it was evident to us that unless prompt measures were taken the Santa Ana red
scale would effect a lodgment in this district that would eventuate in its spreading
to every citrus fruit orchard in Los Angeles County in another twelve months.

The result of our efforts, when it is considered as the consequence oi public opinion,
is certainly a sad commentary on Los Angeles Courty as a citrus or deciduous fruit
growing district. This commission endeavors to squelch the most dreaded of all red
scale insects in its incipiency, an insect that has no effective parasite, but are pre-
vented from doing so by a jury influenced by the public opinion of Vernon district.

In connection with this deplorable result we hand you herewith a careful compila-
tion of statistics, showing the number of citrus trees now under cultivation in the
county. It does not include trees situated in acreage cut up into ‘‘ town lots,” or
that have been abandoned or are not worthy of future care.

Age ten Age tive | Age five
Description. yearsand | yearsto | years and
over. ten. | under.
MMM HerOlOLranee tleGS) <<< scm se 0 os =o secss le seesle onaes sueete sameer 289, 677 119, 530 187, 500
MRMUSINO fm OMONMECOS ss hase Sacec> ros He aieecwele ce eisissiciaieeeae ceeaee 18, 055 29, 345 10, 350
Min beret lime GreGsy-nee cose cee once tee noe ce cc eaceeceweosenes 4,575 435 150.
Number of citron and pomalo trees .-.-.........-.-----+----e--- 15 L5i|bSctenmeesice

In addition to this there are 395,000 budded orange and lemon trees in nursery
form that will be planted the coming season. This does not include seed-bed plants.

Thus there will be 1,054,647 citrus fruit trees, the comparative income from which
can be easily computed, that will be threatened with ruin by an insect pest that the
commission have been opposed in their endeavors to check.

In our previous reports we have called your attention to the quarantine of other
counties against our nursery stock and fruit. The wide publicity given this late ob-
struction to the law, made to protect and promote the horticultural interests of the
State, will still further enact against the county.

We are pleased, however, to report that in some portions of the county producers
are alive to the value of our fruit industries, and realize the necessity of vigilant
protection. In connection therewith we hand you a communication from the Po-
mona Board of Trade, inclosing resolutions adopted by that body.

Our instructions to inspectors have been to inforce the law in all cases in reference
to infected fruit exposed for sale, and since receipt of Pomona Board of Trade reso-
lution we have renewed said instructions.

It will be apparent to you that if the trees under cultivation and to be set out this
season are to return an income to our producers, and if Los Angeles County is to re-
tain its well-earned reputation as a citrus-fruit growing county; and still further, if
the thousands of acres in this county so well adapted for fruit-growing are to be set-
tled up and cultivated by fruit-growers, it will be necessary to redcuble all previous
efforts in a warfare against insect pests.

We regret to report that during the past month a new insect pest, that is, new to
this county, has found a lodgment here. We refer to the ‘‘ Purple scale” that has
been introduced on the large number of orange trees now being brought into the

State from Florida. Effective means are, however, being used by us in stamping it

314

out, and we are pleased to be able to report that we have been willingly supported
in our efforts by all dealers handling the stock.

The State board of horticulture, the State fruit-growers’ convention, and the con-
vention of county horticultural commissioners, all meet in Los Angeles March
10 to 15. These bodies will be made up from the leading horticulturists of the
State, men of high intelligence and long experience in horticultural pursuits. From
their deliberations and determinations we hope for grand results in furthering the
fruit industries of our county aud in protecting it after such promotion.

We have employed the same number of inspectors this month as during the last.
They have inspected 857 acres, containing 49,759 trees, and have served thirty-two
notices on owners of infected orchards.

Respectfully,
A. F. KERCHEVAL, President.
F, EpwarpD GRay, Secretary.
County Horticultural Commissioners

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

The Pine Lachnus asa Honey-maker.

I send by this mail a box with pine tags, live Aphids, and honey-dew. I put in asec-
tion of limb, cut sometime ago, where the insects had sucked the bark dry.

Cutting a limb with the Aphids on, and the leaves covered with honey, I found
the next day that they had gone to the cut, where they were fifty deep trying to get
at the exuding turpentine. I wish you would send a man, a good chemist and mi-
eroscopist, to look into this matter. This honey can be seen on the laurel leaves
where there are no Aphids. My son, while hunting last week and looking under the
pines, noticed that the rays of the sun made visible a fine spray falling from them.
Another man told me yesterday he had seen the same. I can show proof that the
honey is not a visible exudation from the aphis. I can get you a small vial of this
honey gathered drop by drop frem the pine leaves. My neighbor has secured 8 small
vials full.

We often have honey-dew in summer, sometimes covering the hickory, gum, oak,
chestnut, and poplar leaves, but this is the first winter shower of manna we have ob-
served here. It commenced December 20, and ran every day to the 30th; then Jan-
uary 1 to 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 23, 26, 27, 29(?), 30 (?), 31; February 1, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16,
17, 18.

My eighteen years’ observations have proved to me that the atmosphere is nat-
ure’s storehouse for honey; my proof and facts I don’t think can be overcome.
There is so much of this honey on the pines now that my seventy-three colonies of
bees can’t gather it from them. I estimate 100 pounds of honey on every acre of
pines. In the morning it is there like dew in drops as large as peas, but before night
it evaporates to thick, ropy honey.—[ W. M. Evans, Amherst, Va., February 18, 1890,
through the Smithsonian Institution.

Repty.—The invlosed letter from Mr. W. M. Evans, of Amherst, Va., referring to
accession No. 678, is very interesting, and examination of the specimens shows that
the plant-louse secreting the honey-dew in such quantities upon the pines is one of
the species of the genus Lachnus of which several species are known upon coniferous
trees. The specimens are dry and can not be determined specifically The facts
which Mr. Evans gives us show that the honey-dew is more abundant than I have
ever known it before in the Eastern United States, and his letter is well worthy of
publication. I shall therefore take the liberty of publishing it in a near number of
InsEctT LIFE, a copy of which will be sent to him.—[ February 21, 1890.]

315

Root Knot on Apple Trees.

A copy of Bulletin No. 20, Division of Entomology, on the root-knot disease, which
was sent to my former address at Glencoe, Nebr., has just reached me. I have been
interested in the perusal of Dr. Neal’s notes from having had some experience with
root-knot myself.

In the spring of the present year I bought several hundred two-year-old trees of
willow twig and Ben Davis apple from a local nursery. In planting I found theroots
of many were very knotty ; those worst affected having few fibrous roots. Not one
in ten of some four hundred put out any leaves from the tops, but most of them sent
out sprouts from the side of the trunk at or near the ground, which shoots made a
weak growth. I hadrequested the proprietors of the nursery to give me trees of their
own raising and supposed they had done as they agreed to do, but some of their em-
ployés afterward told me that my trees must have come from Kansas, as they “ got
all those knotty-rooted trees from that State.”

Dr. Neal does not mention apple among the plants affected by Anguillula, and for
this reason, and also because he thinks his evidence conclusive that the disease does
not exist 150 miles from the coast, I have thought it worth while to bring this mat-
ter to your notice. Many of the trees died during the drought of July and August.
About seventy-five trees of Ben Davis and Maiden Blush, brought from same nursery
same spring, but a few days later, and which had good fibrous roots showing no knots,
have grown and done as well as usual in a dry season.—[G. M. Dodge, Louisiana,
Pike County, Mo., November 11, 1889.

Rep.y.—Your letter of the 11th instant has been received and referred to the En-
tomologist, who reports that he is obliged to you for your notes on Anguillula, and
that he himself has for some time been aware of the fact that many other plants were
damaged by these creatures in addition to those mentioned by Dr. Neal; also that
the work is by no means confined to the vicinity of the sea-coast. The knots on
Apple, however, may have been due to some other cause.—[ November 20, 1889. ]

A Fuchsia Aleurodes.

The fuchsias in my bay window are infested with scale-like cocoons, on the under
side of the leaves, from which emerges a tiny white fly. Please tell me something
about it. Isend specimens of cocoons and flies in a wax cell mounted on a slide.
It is so arranged that you can remove the cover glass if you find it necessary. The
flies are alive. What are the peculiar objects like crystals? They polarize prettily,
not unlike horn or keratose. Besides the mount, I send leaves infested.—[ Samuel
Lockwood, Freehold, N. J., January 15, 1890. ]

RepiLy.—The little insects which you find on fuchsia leaves belong to a species of
the genus Aleurodes. I have had this form for some time, but it is yet undescribed.
The family Alewrodide, as you know, holds a position between the Aphididw and the
Coccidz, and has not been studied in this country.—[January 18, 1890. ]

The Skein Centipede and Silver Fish.

There are two creatures that have the freedom of this town, about which I have
heard a great deal of nonsense talked, and now wait for some sensible information.
Whether they are insects or not, I do not know; I wait for you to tell me, but cer-
tainly they must often stroll into the suburbs of yourprovince. Ineverknew any one
who could givea popular name to the first creature, which, for the sake of distinction,
I call in the house a centipede, which it is not. The first I ever saw was five inches
long, at least. I thought it was a skein of brown silk in a tangle, and picked it up
from the carpet with thumb and finger. I have never seen another as large, but the
wet weather brings them into the bath-room in two sorts, one as I have described it,
brown and tangled, the other of the same general shape, but with distinct antennie
at one end, and something similar at the other, black andsmoky in color. If you kill

316
either there is no body left, only a ghost, which has no anatomy. I hope you appre-
ciate my scientific knowledge.

The other goes popularly by the name of “ silver fish.” It also is a creature of the
damp. The colored people declare it is the husband of the moth. I killed one in May
that looked formidable for it was more than two inches long. When I returned this
autumn a bit of flannel that had been carelessly left out was riddled with moths, and
as I took it up to throw it in the fire a very large ‘silver fish” slipped out to meet a
speedy doom. Such is the origin of the myth, I suppose. Now, can you refer me to
any Government bulletin which will give me the biography of these unwelcome vis-
itors,or any book? If not, will you give me some of the facts yourself and introduce

me to the husbands and wives, if they do not have a family likeness.—[Caroline H.
Dall, No. 1603 O Street, Washington, D. C., November 12, 1889.

RepLy.—Your letter of the 12th inst. was duly received, and while it would have
been desirable to have received specimens of the ‘‘creatures” to which you refer,
your interesting description of them leaves little doubt as to their identity. The one
which you call a centipede—and it is one—has no definite common name other than
“‘Thousand-legs,” or the more inaccurate ‘‘ear-wig,” but is known to science as Cermatia
forceps. The two sorts observed by you were only different phases of the same ani-
mal, the tangle being either a dead specimen or the exuvium (for, like all Arthropods,
it molts). Little is known of the habits or life-history of this widely distributed pest,
which of late years, particularly, has frequently occasioned annoyance in houses.
It is undoubtedly carnivorous in habit, however, probably feeding on other house-
hold pests, which its quick movements enable it to capture. There is current belief,
well founded, I think, that it feeds on young roaches. Its bite, while reputed poison-
ous, is not dangerously so; and I have personally never known of injury so resulting
and much doubt if there is foundation for the belief. It may, however, be considered
as a friend, but its singular appearance and rapid movement are hardly calculated to
inspire confidence.

The ‘silver fish” of your letter is without doubt the well-known pest of books
and clothing (Lepisma saccharina), and is entirely distinct from the clothes moths. It
feeds particularly on starched clothes and the binding of books, which it eats for the
starch, and sometimes injures silks and other fabrics. Pyrethrum will prove effective,
also, against this last insect. I am sorry to say that there are no publications of the
Department relating to these pests for distribution. The first is fully described by
Dr. Lintner in his fourth report on the insects of New York, and the second is briefly
described in Packard’s ‘‘ Guide to the Study of Insects,” p. 623.—[ November 13, 1889. }

A Guava Scale.

I send you a branch of guava tree, the first and only one that I have ever seen in-
fested with any kind of an insect enemy. I suppose this to have come from a large
rubber tree near by. The rubber tree is often covered with this black dust and same
kind of a scale. Will you please tell me the name of this creature, and whether it
will be likely to spread to other guava trees; and if so, how can we best dispose of
it.—[E. Gale, Lake Worth, Dade County, Fla., November 13, 1889. ]

REPLY.—The specimens which you send from guava are common Florida wax-scales
(Ceroplastes floridensis). You will find this insect figured and described in Hubbard’s
Insects affecting the Orange. It commonly affects the gall-berry, but is also found
upon quince, apple, and pear, and occasionally upon orange. It can be destroyed
by the ordinary kerosene soap emulsion, which, however, should preferably be ap-
plied when the insects are young.—[ November 20, 1889. ]

The Tile-horn Borer.

Last year I sent you specimens of borers which were destroying an ash tree in my
yard, and worms also found in a large oak in the same yard. The ash tree died. By
this mail I send you another specimen of borer, found in the heart of a large oak

317

which died last fall, the sap timber of which looks like a coarse sponge. I send the
oak chip in which the destroyer was found. I very much fear that the fly or moth is
depredating upon other oaks in the yard. How can we distinguish it, and is there
no protection against it ?—[Carrington Mason, Memphis, Tenn., October, 22, 1889. ]

REPLY.—The larva is that of one of the large Tile-horn beetles (gerus Prionus).
The particular species is probably P. /aticollis. For an illustrated account consult
Riley’s second report on the insects of Missouri, p. 78.—[October, 1889. ]

The Boll Worm.

As you are chief of the entomological division of the Department of Agriculture, I
take the liberty of writing you in regard to a pest that is fast destroying the prosperity
of the cotton farmer of this section of our State and reducing us to penury, and will ul-
timately, if help does not come, force us to abandon cotton culture. That pestis the
“boll worm.” Much discussion has been had in our local press—many things have
been advised and tried—but their ravages were greater the past season than ever be-
fore, and I feel convinced that something else will have to be done than we have
hitherto adopted. Paris green, London purple, burning of lamps to catch the miller,
are among the best of the remedies resorted to, but all have proved comparative fail-
ures.

Iam not an entomologist, but necessity has forced me to give some attention to
this matter, and this attention has been followed by the conviction that our most cer-
tain method of relief will be found in the line of fostering and caring for those nat-
ural enemies, parasites and otherwise, which we know by observation do exist here,
or which observation teaches by parallel lines of investigation, may exist elsewhere
and can be introduced here. Could you give us any help; and, if so, will you? I
have read carefully reports made by yourself to the Jepartment in 1881 or 1882, and
thank you and the Department therefor, but we need something more.

We need, I think, bulletins scattered broadcast throughout this part of Texas
(east Texas) containing the information in your reports, and such other practi-
cal suggestions as may occur to you or others who are familiar with the life-history
of this pest and those parasites, its natural enemies, to be found here; and besides
this, a more thorough search for something that will prove of more utility than any-
thing hitherto suggested.—[H. L. Tate, M. D., Lindale, Smith County, Tex., Janu-
ary 12, 1890.

Repity.—Your letter of January 12 relative to the boll-worm has been received.
I have sent you to-day a copy of the Fourth Report of the U. 8. Entomological Com-
mission, in which you will find the subject treated from the latest stand-point. If you
have read nothing from me upon the subject since 1881-’82, you will find this matter
interesting. There is little to be hoped for in the direction which you particularly
mention, viz, the assistance of parasites. As it happens, the boll-worm is singularly
free from the attacks of parasitic insects, and up to the present time only one or two
have been recorded. These, moreover, are very rare and do not seem to breed in any
abundance. The best hope is in spraying with Paris green and in worming the
neighboring corn-fields, as indicated in the report which I send you. If it seems
necessary, we may give some further attention to the matter the coming season.—
{January 17, 1890.]

Feather Felting by Dermestids.

I have in my possession a beautiful curiosity, and, as far as I can learn, the only one
in existence. I take the liberty of addressing you in regard to it, as you are author-
ity on entomology, and this will probably come under that head.

It is an ordinary feather-pillow tick, which was made of common bed-ticking and
filled with the domestic duck feathers about three years ago and the pillow has been iu

general use about the house since that time. Of late the lady concluded to remove

318

some of the feathers, as the pillow appeared too hard. Upon opening the tick the feath-
ers seemed to be ground up almost into a powder and unfit for further use; there-
fore they were emptied and the tick turned inside out, and instead of the goods being
as when made, it was entirely covered with a fine growth of down as evenly and
thickly as the fur on a mole-skiu, which it very much resembles; itis firmly attached,
the down breaking rather than pull off. Nota piece of the feather is attached to it
but as smooth as a piece of velvet, even the seams are covered by the growth. Not
an insect can be found in the feathers, but the grinding process was supposed to be
done by some insect. The lady made several pillows at the same time and of the
same feathers, but when these pillows were opened nothing was found but feathers
as when made. This was found about a month ago and the ladies through the
country have opened many pillows, some as muchas fifty years old, but no such thing
can be found. To look at it one would think it the hide of some animal, and would
never imagine it to be a pillow-tick except by closeinspection. I inclose some of the
feathers, which will give you an idea of the color and a description from the local pa-
per which may help to give you an idea of its appearance. Many theories as to its
formation are offered, but nothing satisfactory, and the community would like your
opinion. * * * —[J. D. Davis, Clarksville, Mo., January 19, 1890.

ReEpPLy.—Yours of the 19th inst., together with the specimens of feathers, duly re-
ceived. A careful examination of these fragments shows no trace of an insect or of
insect remains. The specimens which you bave are very interesting, although I have
seen the same thing before and several notes have been placed upon record regard-
ing precisely similar cases. In the American Naturalist for December, 1882, I men-
tioned one of these cases and gave an explanation which is as follows:

Pillows in which this felting of the ticking occurs have been infested by one of the
Dermestid beetles (in all of the cases with which 1 am familiar it has been Attagenus
megatoma) whose work has resulted in the comminution of the feathers, and the felt-
ing results from the subsequent mechanical action. The small feather particles are
barbed, as you are aware, and, whenever caught in a cotton fabric by their bases, be-
come anchored in such a way that every movement of the pillow anchors them still
further. The frequent shaking which pillows receive results ultimately in the for-
mation of this plush-like surface. A similar bit of ticking was exhibited at the
Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, April 5, 1883, and elicited the information
that one of the members had some years previously examined a similar material
known to have been formed from the fragments of gull feathers and that a cloak had
been made from it which wore well. * * *—[January 23, 1890.]

Extreme Ravages of Cut-Worms.

As our part of the country has been ravaged this year by the Cut-worm, which I
believe is the same one that destroyed the oniou crop of Orange County, N. Y., in
report for 1835, p. 270, I would like very much to know if you have any subsequent.
information in regard to the habits of the moth or worm; if so, I would be very grate-
fnl for report containing it. Corn has been the crop that has suffered here, and as
some fields are totally destroyed, the damage in these parts will amount to many
dollars. I will give my case as a sample. I have four pieces of 28, 6, and 5 acres.
The first three pieces were planted with Lister, beginning May 10. First planting
was a total loss. Replanted all on the 28-acre piece. All destroyed the second time
except 3 acres with about one-fourth stand left. Second piece was a total loss, and
was sowed with one-half bushel to acre for fodder; at present writing it shows very
little corn, as Cut-worms take it not quite as fast asit comesup. Third piece gave less
than one-fourth of a stand. Fourth piece was plowed, having been prokén last year,
and is about one-third stand with Cut-worms still working. I tried cutting, growing
rye, and Paris greening to poison them, but the bait was not succulent enough. I
think I could have killed a good many if I had used suitable bait. Have found seven

319

worms eating at one stalk of corn under the ground. Last year I also suffered with
Cut-worms. Planted 1& acres, replanted 16, and then sowed corn on 3 of it. The
sowed corn was al] right; balance produced one-fourth stand. If they increase next
year over this year, corn planting wil] be useless.—[Chas. A. Hewitt, Neligh, Nebr.,
July 4, 1888.

REPLY.—In addition to late fall plowing the best remedy which you can use is.
the poisoned bait with which you are already familiar. The only difficulty is to se-
cure green and succulent vegetation for poisoning; ani, of course, being upon the
ground, you can more readily decide what will be best and most convenient to use.—
[July 10, 1888. ]

ANOTHER LETTER.—In looking over the reports of 1884, just received, I notice an
article upon Cut-worms, which is of importance to us away up here in northwestern
Minnesota, and I desire to ask your advice on how to proceed in my war upon them.
Iam on the southeast shore of Otter Tail Lake near Otter Tail City: my land is asandy
loam, was timber land in 1850, but now nearly clear of timber by reason of the en-
croachments of prairie fires. Consequently the soil is a warm productive soil, quick
to warm up in the spring, and a good harbor for all sorts of insects.

I have for two years past failed to raise onions, beets, and carrots, and beans too,
as well as nearly an acre of sweet corn, on soil only under cultivation three years.
Onions, beets, carrots, and beans were sown with a ‘‘ Planet, Jr.,” garden drill; they
were cut oft as fast as they came to the surface, just below the surface, by very small
young Cut-worms. Neither salt nor ashes would stop their work; the crop was an
entire loss. Now, what can Ido? As I sow two or three acres I can not apply the
remedies laid down in the 1884 report, pp. 299-300, as it would lose too much in time
and labor. ButI do want to raise onions, beets, and carrots as well as beans and
sweet corn.—[ Washington Muzzy, Balmoral, Otter Tail County, Mivn., March 4, 1837.

REPLY.— While late plowing of the fields infested by cut-worms may have a good
effect in lessening the numbers the ensuing season, a much better plan will be the
adoption of the poisoned ball system recommended in the article to which you refer.
This method will not require the expenditure of much time or labor. It simply in-
volves the necessity of a pretty genera] distribution of poisoned spring grass over
the plowed fields a few days before the sowing of your onions, beets, carrots, or
beans. There will doubtless be plenty of young grass and weeds up at the proper
time, and such should be cut and sprinkled with Paris green solution and little
patches placed at intervals about the field. This is absolutely the best remedy
known. It works admirably in the South, where there is so much early vegetation,
and we shall be glad to learn your opinion of its practicability in Minnesota, or of
the success of any experiment you may try with it.—[ March 9, 1887. ]

Migrations of Plants as affecting those of Insects.

When the writer first came to this part of Kansas, eighteen years ago, two plants
which are now very abundant were unknown in this county of Geary, then called
Davis. One of these is the Solanum rostratum. The region for two or three years
suffered from the ravages of the Colorado Potato-beetle, but now, though the beetle
is sufficiently abundant every year, the potatoes rarely are damaged. The cause
seems to be that Solanum rostratum, sometimes called Buffalo Nettle, or Buffalo
Thistle, is the native food-plant of this beetle, and where it is scarce Solanum tube-
rosum is accepted as a substitute. The plant belongs to regions farther west, and
by some means the beetle traveled in abundance eastward, reaching the other
side of the Atlantic years ago, where the plant is still unknown. It is said that the
prickly a ae of this plant came on the tails of Texas and other cattle from the
Southwest, and it is certain that counties remote from the cattle-trails and the
through lines of railway were the last to have the plant. The flower is bright yellow,
and the whole plant not unhandsome, but its prickles make it a very undesirable

320

weed. Two years ago the writer took particular pains to eradicate it in and around
his garden patch, killing every young plant of S. rostratum as it came up. The
result was a serious attack on the potatoes, which were only saved by twice going
over all the plants and collecting and destroying the beetles. That the plant did not
migrate easterly at a greater speed—I don’t think it has crossed the Mississippi yet—
is to be wondered at, as in the region of the one hundred and second meridian, on the
wide prairies, it has the tumble-weed habit. The whole plant is subglobose and when
ripe snaps off close to the ground and goes bowling along before the wind at a great
rate. The winds there, however, are more north and south than from the west, so
that probably has delayed the progress of the plant in longitude. The plant is
abundant in waste places in towns and by roadsides in all eastern Kansas now, and
we rarely hear of the Colorado Beetle damaging potatoes.

Another plant which is traveling eastward is the Mexican Poppy, Prickly poppy,
or, as some have called it, California Poppy. It is the Argemone mexicana. Many
years ago, sixteen or seventeen, the writer first saw it in the region of the one hun-
dredth meridian, and he noticed it more easterly every year since. Several years ago
an illustration in Harper’s Magazine toan article entitled ‘‘ Ladies’ Day at the Ranche,”
showed it as being a prominent flower in Ellsworth County. It is very abundant in
waste lots of Junction City now, and the last season it was seen as far east as Wamego,
about the ninety-seventh meridian. It may be further east, but the writer has not
seen it. It is avery handsome plant, with a very large white flower, manifestly the
variety albiflora. It may be that the migration of these plants has elsewhere been
recorded, and that it may bave proceeded further than is here set down, but it seems
that the record is worth preserving if not previously made.—[ Robert Hay, Junction
City, Kans., February, 1890.

Hymenopterous Parasite of Icerya in Australia.

I have done a little as follows: First, Ihave bred four hymenopters, which I take to
be the parasite which Koebelediscovered. All I know about them is I found them alive
in a bottle containing some Icerya, and from which some Lestophoni had emerged.
‘The hymenopters had not emerged from any Lestophoni outside the Icerya, but that
one would not expect, still I have no proof that they were not parasitic on the Icerya;
but I presume they are Koebele’s parasite. I found two out of the four.

Second, I received some three months ago some Icerya from a place some 50 miles
south of Adelaide, the owner of the orange orchard not having seen anything of the
kind before and wanting to know what they were. These I placed as usual in a bottle
loosely stoppered with cotton wool. With the Icerya was a Chrysopa larva, which
for some weeks was busy feeding on the eggs. One day on examining it I discovered
several Hymenopters (Proctotrupide?). The female, yeilowish-brown (?); male,
almost black (?). On examination I found that many might have escaped through
the cotton stopping being insecure, but I suppose I have had about thirty since. It
is strange that this is the only instance of an hymenopterous parasite of Icerya yet
discovered in South Australia. I send you a few of these under separate cover. I
presume the small black insect is the male, because I observed them chase the larger
brown flies, and then leap on their backs, but so far in front that it would be impos-
sible for any sexual connection to take place (at least in my opinion), and then would
commence a rapid movement of the antenne, as if they were having a bout of fisty-
cuffs. I observed this three or four times, but in no case did I observe any act of
coition—as the bottle was not very well suited for observation with a coddington
lens, it may be that Iam mistaken, but suchis my impression. This strange proceed-
ing would last afew seconds. Was it a kindof preliminary investigation on the part
of the male to discover whether the female had been already impregnated ?

I likewise send you some cayenne pepper in which you will find some small beetles
which breed in that very hot condiment. A sole diet of cayenne pepper must make
them peculiarly hot tempered if beetle life in any way resembles human existence.

ae

321

Do you know of any such habit in the States ?—[Frazer S. Crawford, Adelaide,
South Australia, November 24, 1889.

Repty.— * ~ * Inreference to the specimens which you sent, No. 1 is Euryischia
lestophoni Riley MS. No. 2 interests me intensely as it is the first primary Hymenop-
terous parasite on Icerya from Australia. I propose to characterize it and name it
Ophelosia crawfordi,* if you have no objection. It is somewhat near Dilophogaster,
which is a parasite on some allied Coccids, but will have to forma distinct genus. I
shall be very glad to get some additional specimens of this for the Museum collection,
but particularly should be obliged to you if you could succeed in sending over a box of
living specimens with a few IJcerya for them to breed on. Better still, if you could
get a good supply of Jcerya from the tree or neighborhood where these were found,
the chances would be very good of some of them coming out on the journey, or even
after they arrived in California. I should like to have somesent to Mr. Koebele at
Alameda, and also some to Mr. Coquillett at Los Angeles.

The beetle in red pepper is the well-known cosmopolitan Sitodrepa panicea.—[Jan-
uary 10, 1890. ]

Proconia undata Injuring the Vine.

Inclosed please find envelope containing two specimens of an insect; it is of aver-
age size and first made its appearance about ten or fifteen days ago. Its mode of
operation is to stick its sucker or bill into the young shoot of the vines and commence
to pump. The water of the vine passes immediately through the bug, which can
plainly be seen with the eye by holding your hand under it. When it is at work, your
hand in about one minute will be covered with water, just about like the morning
dew. Its bill is placed near where its head joins its body. It is very destructive to
the vine; the leaves it does not attack, only vines, stems of the leaves, and the stems
of the bunches of grapes. Inclosed please find cutting from the vines. The leaves of
the vine were also eaten, but by some other insect, as I have failed to find this bug
eating the leaves. If there is any remedy for the destruction of them please let me
know at once.—[A. B. Daily, San Marcos, Tex., May 10, 1886.

RepLy.—The insect which yon send is one of the common leaf-hoppers of the vine
and is known as Proconia undata. You describe its work very well, and if it appears
in sufficient numbers to threaten your vines seriously, it will be well for you to spray
them in the heat of the day with an emulsion of kerosene and soap, according to the
usual formula. The leaves on being examined showed the appearance of a fungus
(Phyllosticta labrusee), which produces the rust colored ‘spots. If this fungus ap-
pears extensively you will find a remedy in dusting the vines with sulphur and lime.—
[May 17, 1836. ]

* Since described on p. 249 of the current volume.

21715—No. 10——3

322

STEPS TOWARDS A REVISION OF CHAMBERS’ INDEX, WITH NOTES
AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

By LorpD WALSINGHAM.
[ Continued from page 286 of Vol. II.]

COPTOTRICHE gen. nov.
Korte = to cut; Opé =a hair.
Tischeria complanoides F. & B. = latipennella Chamb.

Antenne, g, ciliated, a minute projecting hair pencil from the basal joint beneath

Labial palpi, dependent, scarcely longer than the head.

Haustellum, rather long.

Head, clothed with an erect tuft above; face smooth.

Fore-wings, lanceolate, pointed, clothed with long cilia commencing abruptly at the
outer end of a distinct cuticular fold which extends from near the base of the
costal margin to three-fourths of the wing-length on the underside, and is of
nearly even width throughout; beneath the fold two-thirds of the wing-surface
is thickly clothed with long hair-like scales arising most conspicuously from the
submedian vein. Neuration, 9 veins, apical vein forked, the branches ending on
opposite sides of the apex ; the remaining veins simple.

Hind-wings, lanceolate, as wide as the fore-wings, the costal margin suddenly de-
pressed at the outer fourth, ending in a sharp point almost in a line with the
dorsal margin; the first half of the costal margin is clothed with very long cilia,
and the cilia on the dorsal margin are alse very long, but at the depression above
the apex these are abruptly shortened, giving an excised appearance as if
caused by an injury.

Abdomen, anal tuft moderate; terminal segment ending in a pair of well-developed
lateral claspers, uncus apparent.

Fic. 64.—Coptotriche complanoides : a,b, neuration of front and hind wings of male; c, genital seg-
ments of male—enlarged (Walsingham del).

This genus differs from Tischeria in its much wider hind-wings, somewhat abruptly
pointed downwards at the apex, in the long tufts of hair-like scales on the under-
side of the fore-wings, and in the conspicuous costal fringe along the basal two-thirds
of the hind-wings and in the excised appearance of the costal cilia above the apex.

Coptotriche complanoides F. and B.

Tischeria complanoides F, and B. (zellerella F. and B.)
n. syn.=Tischeria latipennella Chamb.
(?=Tischeria zelleriella Clem.)

Clemens described zelleriella [Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil., 1859, 326. (Stn. Tin. N. Am.,
81) ] as having bluish-gray hind-wings, the fore-wings yellowish running to reddish
saffron towards the tip. He mentions also a supposed female entirely reddish-ferru-
ginous.

aldo.

323

Frey and Boll [Stett. Ent. Zeit., XXXIV, 220-1 (1873) ] described their specimens
of zellerella as having the wing-tip of the same color as the base.

Zeller [Ver. Z.-b. Ges. Wien, XXV, 147 (1875) ] refers to a specimen sent him by
Frey under this name and expresses a doubt whether it is truly Clemens’ species ; he

also draws attention, for the first time, to the peculiarity of hind-wings which is also

the distinguishing character of latipennella Chainb.

It is remarkable that neither Frey nor Clemens should have observed this.

The specimen referred to by Zeller is now before me and considering the degree to
which the outer portion of the wing is shaded with darker scales it is possible that it
may be rightly identified by Frey.

A series of six specimens, all males, received from Miss Murtteldt and from Mon-
sieur Ragonot (from Boll’s collection) show the peculiarity of the hind-wings in a
marked degree, sufficiently I think to constitute a separate genus. The difficult ques-
tion, however, is to decide which of the numerous oak-feeding species described from
North America is the female of this form. One specimen regarded by Miss Murtfeldt
as badiella Chamb., although slightly smaller and lacking the peculiar outline of the
hind-wings of the male, appears to me to agree in all necessary particulars; it also
differs from badiella in the absence of a dorsal spot, agreeing in this respect with
castanella Chamb. Chambers’ remark that castanella is larger than zelleriella further
proves that hisidea of that species was not the same as that of Frey and Boll, whose
specimen isa large one. It would be rash to presume that castanella is merely a
synonym of zelleriella—this and other allied species require further study. It is,
however, quite certain that the zellerella of Frey and Boll (for which they suggest
the name of complanoides if distinct) and of Zeller’s writings is equal to latipennella
Chamb., and it is probable that one of the other species, if described from females
only, willturn out tobe thesame. Frey and Boll refer to the female, but as they over-
looked the peculiar form of the male, little, if any, assistance can be derived from
their brief notice. Chambers did not mention that he had both sexes of castanella.

I shall be greatful to any one who will examine Clemens’ type ¢ of zelleriella and
let me know whether the hind-wings have an excised appearance, caused by the short-
ening of the cilia above the apex (see Fig. 640). Until I can assure myself on this

point zelleriella Clem. must be retained in the index as a distinct species, and Frey

aaa

and Boll’s determination, which was questioned by Zeller, must be regarded as er-
roneous.
C. complanoides has been received from Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.

TISCHERIA Z.
Tischeria clemensella Chamb.

= zelleriella Chamb. [Cin. Qr. Jr. Sce., II, 109-110 (1877) ].

I am quite unable to identify this species from the material in my possession. It
may be possibly the true zelleriella Clem. as suggested by Chambers [Bull. U.S. G.G.
Surv., IV, 98-9 (1878)], in which case Frey and Boll’s identification of that species
must be incorrect. No reference is given to this name in the Index, but a specimen
exists in Cambrige Museum (Mass.), received from Chambers [Hgn. (Frey) Pap., IV,
153 (1834) ].

Tischeria castanella Chamb.

Iam unacquainted with this species except from the description.

Tischeria citrinipennella Clem.

n. syn.—badiella Chamb.

This is a lemon-yellow species. The distinguishing mark noticed by Stainton
[Tin, N. Am., 82 (1872) ]—a patch of dark scales at the anal angle—-was not men-
tioned in the original description, but exists in a specimen in my own collection com-

324

pared with the type in 1871. This is characteristic also of badiella Unamb., indeed so
far as I am aware it occurs only in this species and in the darker tinctoriella Chamb.
I am unable to trace the patch near the base of the hind-wings mentioned by Clem- |
ens. Chambers suggests that his badiella may be Clemens’ zelleriella, but hisdescrip- __
tion agrees in all important points with my example of citrinipennella, and Thave no |
hesitation in regarding his name as a synonym.

Tischeria quercitella Clem.

n. syn.—quercivorella Chamb. |
Chambers in discussing the distinctions between his quercivorella and quercitella |
Clem. [Bull. U. S. G. G. Surv., IV, 97 (1878)] regards Frey and Boll’s identification
of the latter as erroneous. I have a specimensent by them to Zeller and am certainly |
disposed to agree with Zeller that it is rightly identified. Despite the minor points
relied on by Chambers for its separation, I think the strong fuscous patch at the
base of the fore- wings on the under side, and on the base of the hind-wings on the
upper side, showing through to the under side, but not actually on that surface as
suggested by Chambers, are sufficiently noticeable characters to justify the con-
clusion that they are the same. I possess also a pair of this species taken at Wash-
ington, D. C., April 29, 1871.

Tischeria sulphurea F. and B.

I have specimens of what I can only suppose to be this species received from North
Carolina collected by the late H. K. Morrison. I also took it at Washington, D.C. |
on the 29th of April, 1871, and I am unable to separate from it specimens obtained on
Mt. Shasta, Siskiyou County, Cal., in August of the same year—which would prove
that there are two broods.

Tischeria fuscomarginella Chamb.

I have received this species from Miss Murtfeldt from Kirkwood, St. Louis, Mo.,
and from Monsieur Ragonot from Dallas, Tex., from Boll’s collection.

Tischeria concolor Z.

I have specimens of this species collected at Kirkwood, St. Louis, Mo., by Miss
Murtfeldt, and have received others from Monsieur Ragonot, taken by Boll, at Dallas,
Tex.

Tischeria bicolor F. & B.

This species is only known to me from the description.

Tischeria tinctoriella Chamb.

Miss Murtfeldt has kindly sent me specimens of this insect collected at Kirkwood,
St. Louis, Mo.

Tischeria helianthi F. & B.

I am indebted to Monsieur Ragonot for four specimens, labelled ‘‘ Texas, Boll,
Tisch. von Helianth, m.”

Tischeria solidaginifoliella Clem.

I have a single specimen of this species, which was also sent me by Monsieur Ra-
gonot, who received it from Boll from Texas.

325

Tischeria pruinosella Chamb.

A single specimen of this insect is in my collection. It was received from Belfrage
from Texas.

Tischeria pulvella Chamb.—Tischeria longe-ciliata F. & B.

These species are only known to me from the descriptions.

Tischeria heliopsiella Chamb.

Tischeria heliopsisella Chamb.
n. syn.—T. nolckenii F. & B.

This species is recorded by Chambers as bred from leaves of Heliopsis levis and
Ambrosia trifida in Kentucky [Cin. Qr. Jr. Se., II, 113-4 (1675)]. I met with it also on
Mount Shasta, Siskiyou County, Cal., in August, 1871, at an elevation of about
6,000 feet, mining the leaves ofa species of Ambrosia ; the mine occupying the whole
width of the narrow leaflet. The specimens were bred in the same month. Its gen-
eral aspect is that of a Bucculatrix. Two specimens received from Monsieur Ragonot,
collected by Boll in Texas, labeled ‘“‘ Tischeria nolckenii F. & B.,” agreeing in all re-
spects with the description by Frey & Boll [Stett. Ent. Zeit., XX XVII, 220 (1876) ]
have been compared with Chambers’ description of heliopsisella, and also with a spec-
imen, kindly lent me by Miss Murtfeldt, which she received from Chambers, bearing
the label ‘“‘ Tischeria heliopsisella Chamb. Ky.” I have no hesitation in regarding
nolckenii F. & B. as a synonym of heliopsisella Chamb.

Tischeria ambrosiella Chamb.

I have four specimens of this species bred from Ambrosia trifida by Miss Murtfeldt,
at Kirkwood, St. Louis, Mo. Chambers also records it as bred from Ambresia arte-
misiefolia on Miss Murtfeldt’s authority (Cin. Qr. Jr. Sc., II, 113 (1875)]. It is appar-,
ently a good species and distinct from heliopsiella.

Tischeria ceanothi sp. n.

Antenne, pale grayvish-brown, strongly ciliated in the g.

Palpi, pale grayish-brown.

Head, roughly clothed with pale grayish-brown scales tending to whitish in front;
face whitish.

Fore-wings, grayish-brown, with a faint purplish tinge, in some specimens somewhat
paler along the dorsal margin below the fold, a faint indication of a small darker
spot about the anal angle; cilia pale grayish-brown. Under side rather shining
grayish, slightly darker than the hind-wings.

Hind-wings, pale grayish; cilia scarcely lighter.

Abdomen, the same color as the hind-wings, anal tuft inclining to ochreous.

Legs, luteous; anterior pair darkened with fuscous and having the tarsal joints
obscurely spotted.

Hep Gls, Os

Habitat, California.

Type, $2, Mus. Wism.

The larva mines the upper side of the leaves of Ceanothus divaricatus Nutt., making
at first a narrow mine which gradually increases in width, but is apparently never
wider than about one-fifth of the leaf; several mines are to be found in a single leaf.
I have one before me which contains five. The larva changes to a pupa within the
mine. There is no indication whatever of its presence on the under side of the leaf.
I met with it at the head of the Noyo, Mendocino County, Cal., on the 8th-11th

326

of June, 1871, in considerable abundance, the whole shrub being covered with mined
leaves. lalso took it on the wing in Mendocino County, 27th May, 1871. Ihave
received the same species from Dr. Riley, collected at Placer Connty, Cal., in
October, thus showing that the insect is on the wing at three separate times, viz.,
May, July, and October—possibly three distinct broods.

Tischeria malifoliella Clem.

Two specimens in the Zeller collection, received under this name from Boll from
Texas, agree with my specimen compared with Clemens’ type in the collection of the
American Entomological Society, Philadelphia, in 1871.

Tischeria cenea F. & B.

There is a single specimen of this species in the Zeller collection received from Boll
from Texas.

Tischeria roseticola F. & B.

I have specimens of this insect from the Zeller collection, and from Monsieur
Ragonot received from Texas from Boll, and am indebted to Dr. Riley for a third ex-
ample bred from rose.

BEDELLIA Sin.

Bedellia somnulentella Z.

This species, already recorded from North America by Clemens on Stainton’s author-
ity [Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil., I, 147-9 (1862)—Stn. Tin. N. Am., 169-91], is very widely
distributed, occurring in Australia and New Zealand as well asin Europe. I have
received it from Belfrage from Texas, and have myself met with it on McLeod Creek,
Siskiyou County, Cal., at the end of July, 1871.

(To be continued. )

GENERAL NOTES.

A RHIZOCOCCUS ON GRASS IN INDIANA.

January 22, of the present year, Director Stockbridge, of the Indiana
Experiment Station, placed in my hands a number of egg sacs, seeming
to be identical with those mentioned in INSECT LIFE, Vol. I, p. 345,
from Dakota, and loc. cit., p. 385, from Nova Scotia. These were given
Director Stockbridge by Mr. James Powers, of Lexington, Scott County,
Ind., and were attached to blades of dead grass, the dried remains of the
female being in most cases still attached to the anterior end of the sac.
A week later the sacs were placed on growing plants of timothy and
blue-grass, and on February 17 the leaves of these grasses, and also the
surface of the soil in the pot containing them, were alive with minute,
active, yellowish coccids, having much the color and appearance of

327

young Thripide, except that they were more robust. The larger portion
of these young seemed to forsake the grass and wandered away, while
those that remained died in spite of every attempt to rear them.

In a letter to Dr. Stockbridge, written February 18, Mr. Powers gives
the following interesting facts: The coccids occurred in spots, com-
prising the lower portions of about 5 acres of alow meadow, com-
posed of timothy and red top. The meadow was of three years’ stand-
ing, having been preceded by a crop of wheat. Up to about February
1, the sacs had been observed in great abundance, but a visit to the
field on the 17th revealed the fact that all had disappeared—hatched,
Mr. Powers supposed. Other meadows in the neighborhood did not
appear to be affected.

I have never observed this in Indiana myself, the only coccid found
by me being quite different, and affecting blue-grass, where it is not
uncommon in August. These occur about the base of the leaves near
the surface of the ground; at least this is the only place I have found
them. They seem to belong to the genus Westwoodia, and I have ob-
served what appears to be the same thing also on blue-grass in Illinois,
and understand that Mr. Pergande has also found it on the same plant
about Washington.—[F. M. Webster, March 10, 1890.

FURTHER NOTE ON THE EGYPTIAN MEALY BUG,

On page 256 of the current volume we published a note upon this in-
sect, based upon information kindly sent us by Mr. D. Morris, of the
Royal Kew Gardens, England. We notice by the March number of
the Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine that Mr. Douglas has found it nec-
essary to erect a new genus for this insect, and that he calls it Crossoto-
soma cegyptiacum.

INDIAN RHYNCHOTA.

Mr. E. T, Atkinson, of Calcutta, has favored us with the second part
of his Catalogue of the Insecta of India, which comprises a bibliographic
and synonymical list of the family Capside. We have seldom seen a
work of this kind which displays such thorough and painstaking work.
It is much more extensive than we had anticipated, covering one hun-
dred and eighty odd royal octavo pages of brevier type. There isa full
bibliographic list, an index to genera and an index to species.

TWO PARASITES OF THE GARDEN WEB-WORM.

In our article upon Hurycreon rantalis, commonly known as the
“Garden Web-worm” in our annual report for 1885, the only parasite
mentioned was a Tachina fly, reared by Professor Popenoe, at Manhat-
tan, Kans. In 1888 this insect was again abundant in parts of Colo-
rado, Arkansas, and Texas, and we reared an Ichnenmonid in early

328

July from pupe received from Mr. W. F. Avera, editor of the Ouachita
Herald, of Camden, Ark., who had noticed the larve damaging cot-
ton. This parasite has been de-
scribed by Mr. Ashmead on p. 437
of the Proceedings of the U.S. Na-
tional Museum, Vol. XII, 1889, as
Limneria eurycreontis, and we pre-
sent herewith a figure of the fe-
male sex. The eggs are laid in
the larve and those specimens
which we reared issued from the
pupe. Many Limnerias, it will
be remembered, issue from the
larvee of their hosts before the
latter have transformed.

We also reared about the same
time, from the same lot of web-
worm pup, specimens of a Bra-
Fic. 64.—Limneria eurycreontis—female with abdo- conid parasite, which we have de-

men and ovipositor shown detached at left; male termined as Mr. Cresson’s Agathis
abdomen at right—enlarged (original).
exoratus.

= A é
i
iF
ca

AN APHIS ATTACKING CARROTS.

In his report as State entomologist of New York, for the year 1886,
p. 123, Prof. J. A. Lintner records the reported appearance of Aphides
on carrots and parsnips, at Oakley Park, Mass., in sufficient numbers
to seriously injure the crop. As no further particulars or specimens
were furnished the professor, and as this is the only case on record
where the carrot in this country has been attacked by Aphides, we are
left totally in the dark as to what particular species was engaged in the
depredations.

Buckton* states that Siphocoryne pastinace (Linn.) was found abun-
dantly on carrot, at Haslemere, in July, and Curtist says that in 1847
a field in Gilford, Surrey, was about one-tenth destroyed by an attack
of Aphis dauci (Fab.), and another species of Aphis occurs in October
about the roots. Miss Ormerod ¢ tells us that a serious attack occurred
at Newton Farm, near Glasgow, in 1879, and also states that carrots
are attacked by several kinds of Aphides, among them Aphis papaveris
Fab., which infests the leaves, and A. carrote, which affects the flower
stems, and also the below-ground portions of the plant. M. Lichten-
stein § names in his list seven other species which infest the carrot, three
of them attacking the parsnip also. |

* British Aphides, Vol. II, p. 24.

t Farm Insects, p. 403.

t Rep. Obs. Inj. Ins., 1882 (Sixth Report), p. 18.
§ Lintner, Rep. St. Ent., N. Y., 1886, p. 123.

=

329

In January, 1889, we observed the seed heads of carrots in a garden
near Hobart, Tasmania, thickly populated by aspecies of Khopalosiphum.*

On October 3, 1888, I found several carrots in a field near La Fayette,
Ind., infested with an Aphis which Dr. Riley found to closely resemble
A. plantaginis, and also a species which occurs in the vicinity of Wash-
ington, D. C., on the roots of Portulaca. At this time those observed
by me were clustered on the bases of the leaf stalks and also on the
jibrous rootlets. A few days later, what appeared to be the same species
was found on the roots of Portulaca oleracea, and specimens from both
this and the carrot were placed in a breeding cage, where both plants
were accessible. So far, I had only observed wingless individuals, and
these seemed to be all females; at least I saw no males. Soon after the
28th of October the females in the breeding cage began to deposit eggs
on both carrot and Portulaca. This was continued up to the 5th of
November, when I was called away for several weeks, and on my re-
turn, November 26, all had disappeared.

The eggs were light-colored immediately after deposition, but soon
became shining black, like those of Aphis mali, but were rather smaller.
As I left home soon after for an absence of several months, no oppor-
tunity was offered to watch the development of the eggs.

On August 15, 1889, the same species was found, both on the rootlets
of carrot several inches below ground and also on the roots of Portulaca
oleracea. On the 23d of the same month apterous individuals were ob-
served on the roots of the latter plant, and among them a winged fe-
male.

October 16, examples, differently colored, but seemingly belonging to
this species, were found on salsity. Although the attempt was made
to rear them on this plant, the result proved a failure, and neither eggs
nor winged individuals of either sex were obtained. So far I have ob-
served no serious injury to carrots or salsify by reason of the attacks
of these insects.—[F. M. Webster, February 15, 1890.

MORE INSECTS INJURING THE TEA-PLANT IN CEYLON.

Mr. E. Ernest Green, of Eton, Punduloya, Ceylon, has sent us the
continuation of the articles which he is publishing in the Ceylon Inde-
pendent upon the above subject. The first nine installments are re-
viewed upon pages 192-193 of No. 6 of the current volume of INSECT
LiFE. The additional insects treated are as follows:

The Tea Aphis (Aphis sp.): This insect is a much darker species than
the one which occurs upon coffee, and frequently damages seedling
plants in the nurseries and the young shoots first thrown out after prun-
ing. The remedies recommended are kerosene emulsion, 1 part to 80
parts of water; phenyle, 1 part to 240 parts of water. The natural
enemies mentioned are: Syrphid flies, Chrysopus, Lady-birds, a wasp
of the genus Rhopalum, and an Aphidiid parasite.

* INSECT LIFE, Vol. I, p. 362.

330

The Dipterous Leaf-miner (Oscinis sp.): This insect is so common that
it is difficult to find a single tea bush upon which are not a great many
leaves marked with the remains of its larva. An internal parasite is
mentioned, and it is stated that this miner causes no appreciable
damage.

The Black Grub or Cut-Worm (Agrotis suffusa): The full-grown larva
of this insect shears off a number of young plants at each meal.

The Tineid Leaf-miner (Gracillaria sp.): This insect affects the
younger leaves only, and has no opportunity of troubling where the
bushes are regularly picked.

The Blue striped Nettle-grub (Parasa lepida) : This is one of the sting-
ing caterpillars, of which we have a number in this country, and it occurs
in considerable numbers on the tea plantations, often completely defo-
liating the trees. The larva is of a brilliant yellow-green color with a
rich lilae stripe along the middle of the back and a bright blue stripe on
each side. The poisonous spines are pale green and are arranged in
tufts along the body. The moth is chocolate brown, with a bright green
band obliquing across the fore wings; the hind wings are butt, tinged
with chocolate at the margins.

NEW INSECT LEGISLATION.

As exhibiting the lively legislative interest taken in California in re-
gard to insect pests, and as supplementary to the Amended California
Horticultural Laws published on pages 81 to 83 of the present volume,
we give below a copy of Ordinance No. 26 of San Bernardino County,
Cal., which was passed last November.

SECTION 1. No person or persons, either as owner, agent, servant or employé, shall
keep, sell, expose for sale or otherwise distribute within the limits of San Bernardino,
County, California, any fruits, plants, flowers or vegetables infected with live scale or
other insects, or their eggs, larve or pupe, detrimental or injurious to fruit-trees or
plant-life, or the products thereof, and if any fruits, plants, flowers, or vegetables
should, on examination, be found to be infected with scale or other insects, or their
egos, larvee or pups, the said fruits, plants, flowers or vegetables shall be disinfected
or destroyed under the direction of the county board of horticultural commissioners.

Sec. 2. No person or persons, whether as owner, agent, servant or employé, shall
bring, or cause to be brought into the county of San Bernardino, any trees, vines,
shrubs, scions, cuttings, grafts, plants, flowers, or vegetables from any district,
county, or State declared by the county board of horticultural commissioners of
said San Bernardino County to be infested with scale or other insects, detrimental
or iujurious to trees, vines, fruits or plant-life or the products thereof.

Sec. 3. No person or persons, as owner, agent, oremployé, shall bring, or cause to
be brought, into San Bernardino County, California, any trees, vines, shrubs, scions,
cuttings, grafts, fruits, plants, flowers, or vegetables, from any district, county or
State, not declared to be iufested, as provided in section two of this ordinance, with-
out giving notice of their arrival toa member of the county board of horticultural commis-
sioners or the local inspector of the district into which they are brought ; or plant, sell, give
away or otherwise distribute them, or cause the same to be done, wntil they shall first
have been inspected, and, if necessary, disinfected to the satisfaction of the county
board of horticultural commissioners of said San Bernardino County.

seis aiid

331

[The board respectfully point out to the ladies of the county that the danger of
bringing the scale on bouquets and small packages of potted plants, cuttings, etc.,
from infested districts is as great as from larger packages of trees, shrubs, etc., and
ask a hearty compliance on their part with the above. ]

Src. 4. Every owner, or owners, or person or persons, in charge or possession of
any orchard, nursery, or other premises in San Bernardino County, on which are
growing any trees, vines, shrubs, plants, vegetables, or flowers infected with red or
cottony cushion scale, or the eggs, larve or pupe thereof, shall, when required by the
county board of horticultural commissioners, as in their discretion may seem neces-
sary, cut back and disinfect said infested trees, vines, shrubs, plants, vegetables, or
flowers to the satisfaction of said board, or dig out and destroy the same as said
board may direct.

[From observation and experience so far gained, the board are convinced that the
most successful and cheapest method of treatment of the above-mentioned scale is by
cutting back and defoliating the tree so that it may be thoroughly scrubbed in every
part, subsequently spraying it and the surrounding trees, |

Sec. 5. Any person or persons who shall ship or bring, or cause to be shipped or
brought into San Bernardino County, any trees, vines, scions, cuttings, grafts, shrubs,
plants, vegetables or flowers, shall have placed upon or securely attached to each box,
package, or separate parcel of such trees, vines, scions, cuttings, grafts, shrubs, plants,
vegetables, or flowers, a distinct mark or label, showing the name of the owner or
shipper, and the locality where produced.

[The attention of purchasers and nurserymen is particularly called to this section,
and a strict compliance with its provisions will greatly facilitate the work of the
board in determining infested districts. ]

Sec. 6. The county board of horticultural commissioners shall from time to time,
as in their discretion may seem necessary by publication in a newspaper of general
circulation published in the county, publish a list of the districts, counties, or States
which they declare to be infested for the purpose of this ordinance.

[The board will, as soon as they can obtain the necessary information, publish a
list of the districts which they declare to be infested. In the meantime they would
urge all persons to refrain from purchasing any trees, etc., from Los Angeles or Or-
ange Counties. ]

Src. 7. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance is punishable
by imprisonment in the county jail not less than ten days, and not more than one
hundred days, or by a fine not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred
dollars, or both. Ajudgment that the defendant pay a fine may also direct that he be
imprisoned until the fine be satisfied, specifying the extent of imprisonment, which
must not exceed one day for every dollar of the fine.

Sec. &. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force on and after the first day
of November, 1889.

A TEST CASE UNDER THE HORTICULTURAL LAW.

Some time during January the Los Angeles county horticultural
commission secured the arrest of a fruit-grower who refused to destroy
the scale insects upon his trees; and we learn from Mr. Coquillett that
the trial has recently taken place, and that it resulted in the acquittal
of the individual after the jury had been out but five minutes. The
culprit pleaded many extenuating circumstances, and the sympathy of
his neighbors was evidently on his side. The prevailing sentiment of
the fruit-growers of Los Angeles County is that they are abundantly
able to take care of their own trees, and they are strenuously opposed
to any dictation as to when they should spray and what they should
spray with.

332
LOCUSTS IN INDIA.

The occurrence in 1889 of swarms of locusts in Northwest India is
taken advantage of by Mr. E. C. Cotes, of the Indian Museum, of Cal-
cutta, to elucidate several doubtful points in the history of these de-
structive insects for a complete report which is being prepared under
the direction of the trustees of the Indian Museum. To this end a cir-
cular, copies of which we have just received, has been distributed in the
regions likely to be overrun, giving, in brief, accounts of the more de-
structive of the recent locust invasions.

There is some doubt as to the species of locust which invades India,
and it is to settle this point and also to determine the distribution and
the limits of the permanent breeding grounds that the circulars have
been sent out. The locust generally referred to in India is Acridium
peregrinum, Supposed to be the locust of the Bible, but it seems proba-
ble that a second species is responsible for the invasion of Madras in
1878 and Decean in 1882~’83, while the first-named species extends its
ravages rather into the dry plains of the Punjab and Rajputana.

The circular gives the life-history and habits of the locusts, together
with short accounts of the remedies that have been employed against
them. The latter chiefly consist in the destruction of the eggs by
plowing, and of the newly hatched locusts by driving them into
ditches, where they are covered with earth. The screen system success-
fully employed against the locusts in Cyprus and Algeria is also de-
scribed. The winged locusts have been destroyed by driving them into
lines of burning straw. We shall look for the full report with consid-
erable interest.

NEW INJURIOUS INSECTS IN COLORADO.

The list of injurious insects of Colorado has recently been augmented
by the discovery of three beetles, at Denver, by Mr. H. G. Smith, jr.,
viz, Bruchus obsoletus, var. fabe Riley, Lachnosterna fusca, and Tenebrio
obscurus. Specimens of all of these have been seen by me. The two
latter species have been verified by Dr. Horn.—[T. D. A. Cockerell,
West Cliffe, Colo., March 3, 1890.

OBITUARY.

The Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine announces the death, in its
February number, of Prof. Heinrich Frey, of Zurich, from apoplexy,
on the 17th of January, 1890. The death of Monsieur Lucien Buquet,
who was treasurer of the Entomological Society of France for forty-five
years (1842 to 1887), is also announced as having occurred the middle
of December, 1889. He wasappointed honorary treasurer of the French
Society on his retirement, in 1887, and published many notes on Coleop-
tera in the “Annales.” :

333

AN ICERYA IN FLORIDA.

Passed Assistant Paymaster H. R. Smith, U.S. N., now stationed at
Key West, Fla., sent to this Department on the 24th of March a bark-
louse infesting the Rose. April 12th he sent further specimens, includ-
ing a complete plant and all stages of the insect, except the male. We
have recognized in this insect what seems to be a new species of the
genus Icerya, but which resembles more closely Icerya sacchari—the
sugar-cane pest of Mauritius—than J. purchasi, the citrus pest of Cali-
fornia. The young lice are indistinguishable from I. purchasi, but the
adult females lack the fluted ovisac ard the glassy filaments. They
are covered with white meal-like wax, and when this is removed they
show the contrasting colors of black and red. The black is upon the
dorsum of the thorax, and the red is upon the entire ventral surface
and the dorsum of the abdomen. The younger stages are entirely red.
The antenne in the different stages are almost indistinguishable from
those of I. purchasi; the mentum and rostrum are present, and the
genito-anal ring lacks bristles. The second stage of the larva pos-
sesses not only the six long anal bristles, but has a row of very long
bristles on the lateral border of the abdomen. While it is somewhat
unsafe to generically refer a Monophlcebid without the male, we hope
soon to get this, and will then endeavor to fully characterize and illus-
trate the species in a near number of INSECT LIFE. Meanwhile, we
would propose for it the MS. name Icerya rose.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

March 6, 1890.—Mr. Schwarz exhibited and remarked upon the following species of
Coleoptera, which are new to the fauna of North America: Lathridius (Coninomus)
nodifer Westwood; Actinopteryx fucicola Allibert, Arrhipis lanieri Guérin, and Pro-
batius umbratilis Duval. He also showed specimens of Temnochila hubbardi Léveillé,
and Teretriosoma horniit Lewis, recently described in European journals, from the
semi-tropical region of Florida. He finally drew attention to Dr. Horn’s recent re-
vision of the North American species of Ochthebius, and spoke of the geographical dis-
tribution of these aquatic beetles.

Mr. Marlatt presented a note on a dipterous larva infesting the seeds of Xanthium.
He had found these larve at Manhattan, Kans., and, during the past winter, in the
District. Drawings were exhibited illustrating the larva and the nature of its work.

He also presented a short note on the food-habits of Psiloptera drummondi.

These notes were discussed by Messrs. Schwarz, Townsend, and Howard.

Mr. Townsend read a paper entitled ‘‘Notes on Acridiide in Michigan,” which re-
lated more particularly to dates of appearance and habits.

C. L. MaRatrtT,
Recording Secretary.

oF he

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oe. DEEAKT MENT OF AGRICULTURE

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.

| PERICDICAL BULLETIN. (Double number.) May and June, 1890.
mene ol. IT. INos“Lvamnder 2s

INSECT LIFE.

DEVOTED TO THE ECONOMY AND LIFE-HABITS OF INSECTS,
ESPECIALLY IN THEIR RELATIONS TO AGRICULTURE,

EDITED BY

(Ss No JRUIEIZ NG, 1Eyaliwonaakolkexe piSig,
AND

L. O. HOWARD, First Assistant,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIVISIONAL FORCE.

{PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. J

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

FS 3:0;

eee

CON TEN is:

SPECLAIA NOTES jasmine 2n5,s cle vcicie setvysinecles Wie soles selcims ceislee egree eae nee see terete
THE INSECT COLLECTION OF A LARGE MUSEUM (illustrated) ...-.. C. V. Riley...
INORESIONSUANGURIAG secs yeaa cearisiieee Sepicp ess sepsis) eee F. H. Chittenden..

SOME OF THE BRED PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA IN THE NATIONAL COLLECTION—
IWAN Ve RA COND AN +: coc mcce cece boc cee snot Recess he cee ae aoe eee eee

ANTHRAX PARASITIC ON CUT-WORMS (illustrated) ......--....---- 1a Sere
MOUNTAIN SWARMING OF VANESSA CALIFORNICA......---.---- C. L. Hopkins...
NOTES ON A SPECIES OF NECROPHAGOUS DIPTERA ......-.----- F. M., Webster ..
ADDITIONAL NOTE ON SPIDER EGG-P..RASITES......--...------ L. O. Howard..

PREPARATORY STAGES OF SYNTOMEIDA EPILAIS AND SCEPSIS EDWARDSII
noosa hcadbs 4aab06 ponoosseGsue 6550 Bon ooe Coe SSS BsodSeoo% Harvison G. Dyar..
ener Rie WEAR GALLAMLY vot oc: See cats cieisnaqeoiscke <= 2 ore aL eee
AN EXPERIMENT WITH COCCINELLID IN THE CONSERVATORY.. F. M. Webster..
A NortH AMERICAN AXIMA AND ITS HaBITs (illustrated) ...... L. O. Howard..
LH XURACTS HROM aC ORRESPONDENC Were cce a= etc ae see a eee ee eee
The Scale Question in Florida—A Palm leaf Scale in Trinidad—The Cigar-
ette Beetle—A curious Case—Beneficial Beetles infested with Mites—
Flea Beetle Injury to Strawberries—Lecanium hesperidum—F lies in an
exhumed Corpse—The May Beetle and the White Grub—Parorgyia on
Cranberry in Wisconsin—Helomyza sp. found in Mayfield Cave, In-
diana—A Cave Crustacean in a Well—Potato Stalk-borer in Corn and
Rag-weed—The Melon Worm—Cut Worms and Carnations—ihe Plant-
feeding Lady-bird and the Potato Stalk-beetle—Intrusion of the Elm
Leaf-beetle in Houses—Re Lestophonus.
(GVO NRA on INTQNU ORI SR Ska eesc cae Gono SACO NCOs con endo nS Dobe cher cbaS GHcane oSdaee
Boiling Water for Peach Borer—The Family Phylloxeride—The newly
imported Rose Saw-fly—Testimonal to Mr. Koebele —A Paradox—aA rare
Sphingid—A new Apple Pest—American Vines in France and the Phyl-
loxera—A new Australian Vine Pest—Trouble in California—Lepidopter-
ological Notes—The Puncturing of Apples by the Plum Curculio—The
Vedaliain New Zealand: Recent Increase of Icerya—The Phylloxera in
New Zealand—Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Wash-
ington—An Acknowledgment—The genital Armature in male Hy-
menoptera—The man-infesting Bot—The Eggs of Atherix—A Mono-

graph of the Evaniide—Colonel Pearson on the Rose Chafer—The Co-

lumbus Horticultural Society—Mr. Buckton’s Monograph of the British
Cicadz and Tettigiide—Early Stages of the Odonata—Indian Museum
Notes No. 3—The Chinch Bug Disease—Study of the Bird Lice—The
tropical Sugar-cane Borer in Louisiana—Importation of Hessian Fly
Parasites—Entomological Society of Washington.

II

378

a os

Vol. II, Nos. 11.and12.] INSECT LIFE. [May and June, 1890.

SPECIAL NOTES.

Bibliography of American Economic Entomology.*—We are pleased to be
able to announce that Parts I, II, and III of the Bibliography of the
more important contributions to Americar Economic Entomology, by
Samuel Henshaw, were published April 7, and are now ready for dis-
tribution. The larger share of the edition has been published under
four covers, as follows: (1) Part I, the more important writings of Ben-
jamin Dann Walsh, a pamphlet of 49 pages and 385 titles; (2) Part II,
the more important writings of B. D. Walsh and C. V. Riley, comprising
46 pages and 478 titles; (3) Part ILI, the more important writings of
Charles Valentine Riley, covering 276 pages and including 1,555 titles ;
and (4) an index to the first three paris, covering 83 pages and includ-
ing, besides the general index, systematic indices of the new names
proposed by both writers. The remainder of the edition has been pub-
lished in one volume, cloth bound. We take this occasion to state that
although Professor Riley has been greatly interested in the plan and
has actively promoted the preparation of the general Bibliography, he
is not at all responsible for the present publication, which was decided
upon and the proof read during his absence in Paris last summer.

Subsequent parts of the bibliography will include the references to the
economic writings of other American entomologists, and its completion is
now only a matter of a very few months. Mr. Henshaw has been en-
gaged upon this task for several years and his work has been well and
carefully done. We hope that working entomologists will find this
volume of assistance in lightening their labors in necessary biblio-
graphical research, and we know from our own experience that the
completion of the entire work will result in a great saving of time to
investigators.—L. O. H.

* Bibliography of the more important contributions to American Economic En-
tomology. Prepared, by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, by Samuel Hen-
shaw. Parts I, U1, and III. The more important writings of Benjamin Dann Walsh

and Charles Valentine Riley. Washington: 1890.

335

336

Bulletin No. 21, Division of Entomology.*—Underthis serial number Mr.
Koebele’s report on his trip to Australia and New Zealand to investigate
the natural enemies of Icerya purchasi has recently been published.
The bulletin is a narrative account and is plain and circumstantial.
It is devoted almost entirely to the subject of his quest, but incident-
ally mentions some of the insect pests to Australian agriculture.
Among these are Otiorhynchus cribricollis, a common south European
Snont-beetle which has been imported into Australia, and is injurious
to the Olive; Aspidiotus rossi Crawford, a Bark-louse injuring a variety
of shrubs, including the olive tree; the Woolly Apple-louse (Schizoneura
lanigera) probably introduced from this country ; Chortologa australis,
Sauss. MS., a destructive migratory locust which in South Australia
takes the place of our Melanoplus spretus; the Black Seale (Lecanium
olew), probably introduced direct from Europe on the Olive; several
scale-insects of the subfamily Monophlebine, injurious to the Euealyp-
tus; Mictis profuna Fab. and a new species of Aspongopus—two Heter-
opterous insects injurious to the Orange—and threespecies of Melolonthid
beetles injurious in the larvai state to wheatcrops. These are: Scitala
nigrolineata Boisd., S. pruinosa Dalm., and Anodontonyx vigilans Sharp,
the latter described in the last number of INSECT LIFE, page 302. The
beeties were determined for us by Dr. David Sharp, of England, and
the migratory grasshopper by M. Henri de Saussure, of Geneva. We
have illustrated the report with 16 figures, 11 of which are new.

Recent important Entomological Reports.—Mr. Fletcher’s report as ento-
mologist of the experimental farms of Canada for 1889 reached us
April 14¢ from Canada. He has some 30 pages of interesting matter
illustrated with a dozencuts. The principal articles concern the Hes-
sian Fly, the Grain Aphis, the ‘* Wheat Stem-maggot” (better known as
the American Meromyza), Cut- Worms, Mediterranean Flour-moth, Gran-
ary Weevils, Spraying with Arsenites, Fuller’s Rose-beetle, and a euri-
ous account of insects injuring a wooden water pipe. The principal points
brought out are the facts that the Meromyza breeds freely in several
kinds of grasses, the suggestion that an early sown strip of wheat
or barley may be used as a trap for the same insect, and an indorse-
ment of the poison trap remedy for Cut-Worms.

Prof. J. B. Smith has favored us with his bulletin on the insects in-
juriously affecting Cranberries in New Jersey.t He gives full illustra-

*U. S. Department of Agriculture. Division of Entomology. Bulletin No 21.
(Revised Edition.) Report of a Trip to Australia made under direction of the Ento-
mologist to investigate the Natural Enemies of the Fluted Seale, by Albert Koebele.
(Published by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture.) Washington: 1890.

+ Experimental Farms. Reports of the Director, Chemist, Entomologist and Bot-
anist, Horticulturist, Poultry Manager, and Superintendents Experimental Farms,
for 1889. Ottawa. 1890.

{ Special Bulletin New Jersey Agricultural College Experiment Station, K, Febru
ary 28, 1890.

337

tions and accounts of the Black-headed Cranberry-worm (Rhophobota
vacciniana), the Cranberry Fruit-worm (Acrobasis vaccinii), the Tip Worm
(Cecidomyia vaccinit), the Cranberry Seale (Aspidiotus sp.), Grasshoppers
and Locusts and Cranberry Leaf-hoppers. The principal pests are the
two first mentioned, and for the first he recommends reflowing, kero-
sene, and Paris green. For thesecond he advises an application of Paris
green or London purple after all the blossoms are off, or nearly all of
them, and the berries are generally set. He follows Professor Fernald
in considering Teras oxycoccana Pack. as distinet from 7. vacciniana,
though our own conclusions as to the synonymy were based on a speci-
men of the former determined by Dr. Packard.

Miss Ormerod’s report for 1889* reached us during April. The lead-
ing article of the report is a consideration of the disease known as
clover sickness, produced mainly by an Anguillulid—Tylenchus devasta-
trix. Several measures of prevention and remedy are pointed out, viz,
rotation of crops, a dressing of gas lime, avoidance of the use of dung
from infested clover or oats, the application of sulphates and deep plow-
ing. The Clover-root Cecidomyia is mentioned and some consideration
is given to Millipedes, Clover and Pea Weevils, the Hessian Fly, two
species of Oscinidee, the Wheat Bulb-fly (Hylemia coarctata), the Cur.
rant Gall mite, the White Currant-scale (Pulvinaria ribesie), the Medi-
terranean Flour-moth, the Wheat Fly, and certain orchard insects and
a few species injurious to Pine, Plum, and Turnip, together with some
further notes on Ox Warbles, repeating her statements regarding
“licked beet” and ‘ jelly,” reviewed in No. 5 of the current volume of
INSECT LiFE and adding further statistics from correspondents. There
is an appendix upon Xyleborus dispar in which the use of trap wood is
recommended and Eichofi’s work on Bark-beetles is quoted at length,
particularly with reference to the food of the larve, a subject which we
touched upon on pages 279-280, No. 9 of this volume.

We have just received from Professor Forbes his fourth and fifth re-
ports as State Entomologist of [llinois.t These reports although greatly
delayed are none the less welcome. On account of the delay Professor
Forbes has been obliged to withdraw several articles already prepared
upon subjects which more recent observations will enable him to treat
better hereafter.

The fourth report includes articles upon arsenical poisons for the
Codling Moth, in which the conclusion is reached that 70 per cent. of the

* Report of Observations on Injurious Insects and Common Farm Pests during the
year 1889, with methods of prevention and remedy. 13th Report, by Eleanor A.
Ormerod. London, 1890. Price 18d.

+ Fifteenth Report State Entomologist on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of
the State of Illinois. Fourth Report 8. A. Forbes; for the years 1885 and 1886. Spring-
field, 1789.

Sixteenth Report State Entomologist on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the
State of Illinois. Fifth Report S. A Forbes; for the years 1887 and 1888. Springfield,
1890.

338

crop can be saved by spraying; asecond contribution to the kuowledge
of the life history of the Hessian fly, indicating that the development
of a third brood of larve may sometimes detract from the effect of late
sowing; the life history of the “Wheat Bulb-worm ” (the American
Meromyza) showing three broods in Illinois; Mr. Weed’s article upon
an outbreak of injurious locusts in Illinois (the same paper as read be-
fore the Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science in 1888) and
an article by the same author upon some common insects affecting the
foliage of young Apple trees in the nursery and the orchard. There is
an appendix by Professor Forbes on the present condition and prospects
of the Chinch Bug in Llinois which was summarized on page 222 of Vol.
of INsecT Lire. The only illustrated article is that by Mr. Weed
upon Apple insects.

The fifth report is more extensive, covering 104 pages and includes

three chief articles, viz: Studies on the Chinch Bug, II, the Corn Bill-

bugs, and Noteson Cut Worms. The report is illustrated by six beauti-
fulheliotype plates, two and one-half devoted to Bill Bugs, and the others
to Cut Worms, the Wheat Thrips, and the Burrowing Web- worm (Pseuda-
naphora arcanella). Professor Forbes gives an excellent account of
former observations upon the species of Sphenophorus, ordinarily known
as Bill Bugs. As an appendix to the report, an extensive analytic
economic bibliography of the Chinch Bug from 1875 to 1888 is given,
covering one hundred and twenty-two pages. It seems to be as full
and complete as great pains can make it.

Mr. Whitehead’s third annual report* has also just been published.
It includes a consideration of some thirty topics, several of which are also
considered in Miss Ormerod’s report. The articles are all short, nearly
all are illustrated, and though containing little that is original, the re-
port, as a whole, is well adapted to the use of British farmers and
gardeners.

Work at the Cornell Station.—Professor Comstock, in Bulletin 15 of
the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station, December, 1889, entitled
‘‘Sundry investigations made during the year,” gives an account of
the Apple-tree Tent-caterpillar (Clisiocampa americana). Though this
is a well-known insect, yet, on account of its great increase of late years
as a pest, a brief restatement of its habits is not at all out of place.

In the second annual report of the Station, for the year 1889, Pro-
fessor Comstock presents an outline of his work as entomologist for
the year. The Wheat Saw-fly (Cephus pygmeus) has been studied and
the ‘clematis disease” has been determined to be due to Heterodera
radicicola, the same Nematode worm, of the family Anguillulide, which

*Third Annual Report on Insects and Fungi injurious to the Crops of the Farm, the
Orchard, and the Garden, by Charles Whitehead, esq., F. L. §., F. G. S., 1889, London.
1890. Printed for Her Majesty’s stationery office by Eyre & Spottiswood, printers to
the Queen’s most excellent Majesty. 4

339

is the subject of Professor Atkinson’s Bulletin No. 9 of the Alabama
Agricultural Experiment Station, recently noticed in these pages.

A series of field experiments is proposed by Professor Comstock the
present year to determine the best method of combating it. Work
has also been prosecuted on wire-worms; a hop-yard has been estab-
lished for the study of the Hop Aphis; and much attention has been
given to a species of Aleurodes (A. vaporiorum) which infests in its
early stage the under side of the leaves of various plants and has not
before been mentioned as occurring in this country, although it is a
well-known European pest.

Ohio Station Investigations.—Article XIX in Bulletin 7, volume II

. (Second Series, No. 14) of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station,

entitled ‘‘ Notes on Experiments with Remedies for certain Diseases,”
by Clarence M. Weed, is interesting as treating of the matter of com-
bining insecticides and fungicides, or applying at the same time a remedy
to destroy fungus diseases as weil as insects. Mr. Weed states that the
practicable application of such a combination originated in the division of
entomology and botany of the Ohio Station. The case is well set forth
in the article, by an extract from a recent paper by Mr. Weed in Agri-
cultural Science (date not given). It is proposed that by combining the
copper sulphate solution for blight and the Paris green or London purple
solution for the Colorado Potato-beetle, a solution can be made that at the
same application will kill botb, and lessen the expenditure of time and
labor. Inthe same way a vineyard may be protected from black rot
and various leaf-eating beetles by combining such applications as are
used for each. A note on the efficacy of ‘‘ eau celeste” for mildew and
the Rose Beetle was published in INSEcY LIFE for July, 1888 (Vol. I, p.
32), and we may add that combined applications for insects and fungi
have long been made in France.

A résumé of the principal injurious insects noticed by the Ohio
Agricultural Experiment Station during the year 1889 is given in the
Highth Annual Report, published in Bulletin 8, Volume II, second
series, of the Station. Two insects that gained prominence during the
year are the Grain Plant-louse and the White Grub. An original
figure of the wingless form of the former is given, and its great abun-
dance in June and sudden decrease from the attacks of Lady-birds and
Hymenopterous parasites are noticed.

A new remedy is claimed for the Clover-seed Midge (Cecidomyia
leguminicola), which consists in mowing the field about the middle of
May when the heads are just forming. The new crop of blossoms fol-
lowing matures between the two broods of the midge, thereby escaping.
This is but a variation of a remedy originally proposed by Professor
Comstock in the Annual Report of this Department for 1879, page 195,
and reproposed by Mr. James Fletcher in 1887.

340

Four clover insects additional to Mr. Weed’s recent list are given.
These are two butterflies (Cyaniris pseudargiolus and Epargyreus tityrus)
and two plant-lice (Aphis trifolii and Callipterus trifolii). Successful
spraying with arsenites has been carried on against the Plum Curculio
and the Codling Moth.

Original figures are given of a Sphinx larva covered with Apanteles
cocoons, the green Apple Leaf-hopper (Hmpoasca albopicta), the Rose
Leaf-hopper (Typhlocyba rose) and Belostoma americanum.

A method is set forth for covering cucumber vines with a gauze-cov-
ered frame to protect them from the Striped Beetle (Diabrotica vittata).
The Bean Weevil (Bruchus obsoletus), Pear or Cherry-tree Slug, Im-
ported Cabbage-worm (Pieris rape), aud Strawberry Root-louse (Aphis
forbesi) are also treated.

Professor Westwood’s Revision of the Mantide.—The veteran entomol-
ogist, Professor Westwood, has just issued a monumental work on the
curious insects of this Orthopterous family, which is entitled “ Revisio
Insectorum Familiz# Mantidarum, Speciebus novis aut minus cognitis
descriptis et delineatis.” It consists of a synonymical and bibliograph-
ical list of the species of the family, full descriptions of one hundred
and eight new or little known species, a bibliography of the family, and
an alphabetical index of the genera, species, and synonyms. There are
fourteen magnificent quarto lithographic plates drawn by the author,
comprising figures of one hundred and twenty-seven different forms.
Professor Westwood’s record has seldom, if ever, been approached
among entomological workers. Since 1827 he has constantly been pub-
lishing valuable contributions to our science, and now at the age of
eighty-four to bring out a work of this character is an event probably
beyond precedent.

Of the five hundred and thirty-two species catalogued for the whole
world but twelve are found in America north of Mexico. These are the
following:

Gonatista grisea Fabr. Thesprotia baculina Bates MS. Stagmomantis carolina Johan-

Oligonyx uhleri Stal. ? Sphendale infuscata Sauss. son.
Oligonyx scudderi Sauss. ? Phasmomantis grandis Sauss. Stagmomantis dimidiata Burm.
Oligonyxgraminis Scudd. Mantis wheeleri Wheeler. Stagmomantis ? minor Scudd.

Pseudovates mexicana Sauss.

Another new entomological Journal. We have just received the first
number of Volume I of the ‘‘Entomological Record and Journal of Vari-
ation,” edited by J. W. Tutt, F. E.S., and published by W. H. Allen &
Co., of London. This first number relates exclusively to Lepidoptera,
but in the prospectus we notice no mention of an intentional restriction
to this order. The magazine will be devoted to the wants of English
entomologists and restricted to their own fauna and such parts of for-

341

eign entomology as they need in the understanding of the British spe-
cies. The subject of variation will occupy a leading position.

The principal article in the first number is upon the genus “Acronycta
and its Allies,” by Dr. T. A. Chapman, and is followed by a general
consideration of ‘‘ Melanism and Melanochroism in British Lepidoptera,”
by Mr. Tutt, who agrees with Mr. Cockerell in considering that melan-
jsm depends largely upon humidity for its occurrence. ‘‘ Notes on Col-
lecting” bring out several interesting points, and the editor contributes
some good “ Practical Hints ” regarding the breeding of rare species.

A necrophagous Dipteron.—In the present number we publish an article
by Mr. Webster upon certain flies found infesting a human corpse in
Indiana, and under ‘ Extracts from Correspondence” some correspond-
ence upon the general subject as well as upon this particular instance,
which will supplement his communication. We had hoped to introduce
figures of the species sent by Mr. Webster (Conicera sp.), but must
defer them for a near number of INSECT LIFE.

Florida Orange Scales in California.—The fruit-growers of California are
just at present very much disturbed over the importation of fruit trees
from Florida which are infested with several scale-insects which have
not before been prevalent in the former State. Among these are the
Long Seale (Mytilaspis gloverii), the Purple Scale (M/. citricola), and the
Chaff Scale (Parlatoria pergandii). The May number of the Rural Cal-
ifornian is largely occupied with discussions of the probable damage
which will be done by these pests and the necessity for a rigid quaran-
tine. We have received a number of letters also from California asking
our opinion and have replied that while there seems reason to believe,
and we are inclined to believe, from the evidence at hand, that the scales
above mentioned will not flourish in certain parts of southern California
like Riverside where the heat and dryness are great, yet it will be un-
wise to depend too much on the limited experience of the past. We
have therefore reiterated our conviction as to the necessity of using
every precaution to prevent their introduction.

One pertinent editorial paragraph in the journal referred to strikes
us as worthy of quotation:

There seems to be a feeling awakened that the times of political entomologists are
over, and that in the future men who are versed in the science of entomology are
only to be appointed to positions requiring some knowledge of that study.

California has taken hold of the subject of insect pests with consider-
able energy; but, as was to be expected from the number of official posi-
tions created, “political entomologists” have been called into existence

042

and the State has suffered from them. Much has been donein the way
of county regulations and State laws governing inspection, quarantin-
ing, and disinfection, and in many instances these regulations have
accomplished a great deal of good. We anticipated this scare about
Florida scales and placed ourselves upon record some time ago as to
the necessity of the establishment of a quarantine in Florida against
infested plants from California and vice versa.

THE INSECT COLLECTION OF A LARGE MUSEUM.*
Biya Crain TPs.

THE TYPE OR SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION.

The ideal cabinet collection of a National Museum should represent,
as eompletely as possible, the insect fauna of the country, properly
classified and determined. It can, necessarily, have little interest for
the public at large and should be consecrated to the use of the special-
ist and to the advancement of the science of entomology. For this
purpose it should be most carefully guarded and conserved in the
best-made drawers and cases and secured alike from light and the too
coustant landling of the mere curious. It should constitute a study
collection to which workers are drawn for unpublished facts and for
comparisons and determinations. It should be so well conserved and
provided for as to induce describers of new species to add to it their
types or authentic duplicates thereof. It will be many years ere
such an ideal collection can be gotten together, and none now living
may witness it, but the material now on hand forms a good foundation
for it.

THE EXHIBIT COLLECTION.

The exhibit collection should be something entirely independent and
apart from the other, and, on account of the rapid deterioration of insect
specimens constantly on exhibition and necessarily much exposed to
light, should consist, as far as possible, of duplicates only, or of such
commoner species as can be easily replaced. Intended for the instruc-
tion and edification of the lay visitor to the Museum, it should illustrate
in the boldest possible way the salient characters of the class, the
larger classificatory divisions and the structures on which they are based,
and the wonderful metamorphoses and economies of the commoner
and easily recognized species, particularly in their relations to man either
directly or indirectly through injury or benefit.

“Extracted, with slight changes, from the Annual Report of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution for 1886, Part IT, Report of the National Museum, pp. 182-186, Washington,
1890.

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The value of such an exhibit collection depends very much on con-
spicuity, and this can best be obtained by the liberal use of diagrams
and enlarged drawings, as the majority of the most interesting species

and those which most concern man are almost microscopic in size.

Such an exhibit collection will miss its mark and object whenever it ex-
ceeds these limits, and by too much detail seeks to interest and instruct
the specialist or in other ways trenches on the function of the study
collection. As the Museum, in this department, will, in accordance
with statute (Revised Statutes, sec. 5586), receive a great deal of its best
material through the Department of Agriculture, one of the chief aims
of this national collection should be to reciprocate, not only by preserv-
ing all systematic material and thus aiding said Department of Agri-
culture in necessary determinations, but by giving particular attention

‘to the biological side of the collection. This I have endeavored to do,

and the collections illustrating the biology of North American insects
are the largest in the world.

DRAWERS AND CASES.

The character of the drawers and cabinets employed in such a national
collection is important; for upon it the future preservation of specimens
very greatly depends. Knowing it to be Professor Goode’s desire to
adapt, as far as possible, the drawers used in all departments to the
unit size which he has adopted for the Museum, some effort was made
in this direction; but the adaptation, while possible for the exhibit col-
lection, was found impracticable, or at least very undesirable, for the
study collection. Hence, after carefully studying, in person, the differ-
ent forms and patterns used for entomological collections both in this
country and Europe, whether by private individuals or public institu-
tions, I have adopted a drawer and cabinet essentially after the pat-
tern of those used in the British (South Kensington) Museum, but best
adapted in size to our own requirements or conception. The drawers
are square, with an outside measurement of 18 inches and an outside
depth of 3inches. The sides and back have a thickness of three-eighths
of an inch, while the front is five-eighths of an inch thick. The pieces
are firmly dove-tailed together, the front being clean and the dove-
tailing blind. The bottom is of three-ply cross-grained veneer, run into
a groove at the sides, leaving a clear inside depth of 2,1; inches to the
frame of the cover. The bottoms are lined in all but forty of the drawers
with first quality cork one-fourth of an inch thick. At a distance of
one-fourth of an inch from the sides and back and three-eighths of an
inch from the front there is an inside box of one-eighth inch whitewood
closely fitted, and held in place by blocks between it and the outer box.
There is thus between the inner and outer box a clear space all round,
in which insecticides or disinfectants can be placed to keep out Museum
pests, and making it impossible for such to get into the inner box con-
taining the specimens without first passing through this poison chamber.

344

The entire inside is lined with white paper, or, in the case of the un-
corked boxes, painted with zine-white. Thefrontis furnished witha plain
knob. The cover is of glass, set into a frame three-fourths of an inch
wide, three-eighths of an inch thick, with a one-fourth-inch tongue
fitting closely into the space between the inner lining and outer box,
which here serves as a groove. This arrangement furnishes a perfectly
tight drawer of convenient size, and not unwieldly for handling when
studying the collection.

The material of which these drawers are made is California redwood,
except the cover frame, which is mahogany. The cabinets containing
these drawers are 36 inches high, 40 inches wide, 21 inches deep (all
outside measurements), and are closed by two paneled doors. Each
cabinet contains twenty drawers in two rows of ten each, and the
drawers slide, by means of a groove on either side, onto hard-wood
tongues, and are designed to be interchangeable. * * *

The bulk of the collection is still contained in small folding boxes
which are admirably suited for containing a working collection, espe-
cially of those orders comprising smaller insects like Coleoptera, Hy-
menoptera, etc. These folding boxes have the great advantage of
being readily re-arranged upon shelves and of being very easily used
in study. :

The folding boxes finally adopted are of white pine, shellacked and
varnished, the bottom and top double, and cross-grained to prevent
warping. They are 135 by 84 inches outside measurement, the top and
bottom projecting slightly at the front and sides. The inside measure-
ment is 113 by 7. The sides, back, and front are five-sixteenths of an
inch thick, with a machine joint, which is neat and very secure. The
boxes are 23 inches in outside depth, unequally divided, the lower por-
tion 14 inches outside depth, lined inside with a thin whitewood strip,
projecting three fourths of an inch above the rim of the outside box.
Over this projecting lining the lid closes as tightly as practicable and
is kept from springing by hooks and eyes. The bottom is cork-lined and
covered with a fine white glazed paper.

All the boxes are furnished with neat brass label holders into which
a card containing a list of the contents can readily be placed and re-
moved at pleasure. This general form of box has long been used by
us and by other collectors, and the chief demerit which I have en-
deavored to overcome by the above details, is the tendency to warp
and crack in the trying steam heat of our Government buildings.

ARRANGEMENT OF BIOLOGIC MATERIAL.

The biologic material is, very much of it, alcoholic; for though many
of the immature states of insects may be preserved by dry processes, yet
the bulk must needs be kept in liquid. Where the material is in duphi-
cate it is well, when it is not too heavy or cumbersome, to place such
biologic material with the systematic collection; yet experience has

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345

taught that it is wiser to make a separate biologic collection, and this
it is proposed to do. This collection will, in fact, be a feature of the
Museum collection in the future. Hence it was very desirable to adopt
some method of securing the vials in such a manner that they can easily
be moved from one place to another, and fastened in the ordinary
boxes and drawers employed for pinned insects. The vials in use to
preserve such specimens as must be left in alcohol or other liquids are
straight glass tubes of varying diameters and lengths with round bot-
tom and smooth, even mouth. The stopples in use are of rubber, which,
when tightly put into the vial, the air being nearly all expelled, keep
the contents of the vial intact and safe for years.

Various forms of bottles are used in museums for the preservation of
minute alcoholic material. I have tried the flattened and the square and
have studied various other forms of these vials; but I am satisfied that
those just described, which are in use by Dr. Hagen in the Cambridge
Museum, are, all things considered, the most convenient and econom-
ical. A more difficult problem to solve was a convenient and satisfac-
tory method of holding these vials and of fastening them into drawers
or cases held at all angles, from perpendicular to horizontal. Most alco-
holic collections are simply kept standing, either in tubes with broad
bases or in tubes held in wooden or other receptacles ; but for a biologic
collection of insects something that could be used in connection with
the pinned specimens and that could easily be removed, as above
set forth, was desirable. After trying many different contrivances t
finally prepared a block, with Mr. Hawley’s assistance, which answers
every purpose of simplicity, neatness, security, and convenience. It is,
so far as I know, unique, and will be of advantage for the same purpose
to other museums. Hence I have concluded in this report to give a
brief description of it. It has been in use now for the past three years,
and has been of great help and satisfaction in the arrangement and pres-
ervation of the alcoholic specimens.

The blocks are oblong, one-fourth of an inch thick, the ends (ce ¢, fig.

_ 66) beveled, the sides either beveled or straight, the latter preferable

They vary in length and breadth, according to the different sizes of
the vials, and are painted white. Upon the upper side of these blocks
are fastened two curved clamps of music wire (b b’, forming about two-
thirds of a complete circle. The fastening to the block is simple and
secure. A bit of the wire of proper length is first doubled and then,
by a special contrivance, the two ends are bent around a mandrel so as
to form an insertion pointor loop. A brad-aw] is used to make a slot in
the block into which this loop is forced (e, fig. 66, 5), a drop of warm
water being first put into the slot to soften the wood, which swells and
closes so firmly around the wire that considerable force is required to
pull itout. Four pointed wire nails (d d d da), set into the bottom so as
to project about one-fourth inch, serve to hold the block to the cork

i bottom of the case or drawer in which it is to be placed. The method

346

represent the block from all sides.

The advantages of this system are the ease and security with which
the block can be placed into or removed from a box; the ease with which
a vial can be slipped into or removed from the wire clamps; the security
with which it is held, and the fact that practically no part of the con-
tents of the vial is obscured by the holder—the whole being visible from
above. |

The beveled ends of the block may be used for labeling, or pieces of |
clean card-board cut so as to project somewhat on all sides may be used
for this purpose and will be held secure by the pins between the block
and the cork of the drawers.

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of use is Simple and readily seen from the accompanying figures, which |

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Fic. 66.—Vial-holder; 1, block, with vial beveled on allsides; 2, do. beveled only on ends; 3, block,
end view; 5, do. section; 4, 6, do. side views; a, block; b. spring wire clamps; c, beveled ends of
block; d, pointed wire nails; e, point of insertion of clamp (lettering on all figures corresponds.)
After Riley.

NOTES ON LANGURIA.

By F. H. CHITTENDEN.

While on a collecting trip during June of last year I observed a speci-
men of that handsome little Erotylid beetle, Languria mozardi Latr. ona
Composite plant, the daisy flea-bane— Hrigeron ramosus Walt. (strigosus
Muhl.)—the stem of which it was engaged in gnawing, having already
cut with its mandibles a fair-sized hole preparatory to the deposition of |
its eggs.

In the account of the habits of this species published by Prof. J. H.
Comstock in the Aunual Report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

347

for 1879 (p. 199) it is stated that ‘the adult beetles begin to issue in
August and on continually, making their exits until late in October.
There is probably only one brood in a season, and the insect hibernates
in the beetle state. An examination of many stalks (clover) during the
winter failed to show the insect in any stage of growth.”

When reading this account I remembered having seen during the
preceding summer a female Languria mozardi ovipositing in a common
species of ragweed (1mbrosia trifida), A visitiu the following Novem-
ber to the locality where this observation was made resulted in the dis-
covery of facts that throw new lighton the habits of these beetles. Inthe
ragweed stems were found some halfdozen specimens of larve,which, with
the aid of the description and figure given in the article above referred
to, | was enabled to identify as belonging to some species of the genus.
Of these larvie all but one agreed with the published description and
were afterward found to be L. mozardi. One specimen, however, was
larger than the others and differed in other respects from the descrip-
tion. This specimen transformed and proved to be ZL. gracilis Newm.
The larve did not appear to be feeding on the fresh white pith, but
rather in thedead and discolored pith. They have a habit of frequently
doubling up, assuming a shape that may be represented by an interro-

gation point: +. Possibly by thus doubling up they are enabled to

crawl up and down in the nearly hollow stems in which they live. Part
of the larve were kept till April of the ensuing year, proving that they
hibernate in this as well as in the adult state.

Can it be said of these beetles as of Cerambycide and allied families
that they are single-brooded or double-brooded? As is the case with
many other Clavicorns they breed the year round and there does not
appear to be a well-defined or limited number of broods.

I have frequently observed these species in June and July on the
stems of acommon nettle (Urtica dioica), L. mozardi occurring in greater
abundance, often in copula or busied in gnawing holes in the stems.

To recapitulate, L. mozardi is known to breed in the stems of clover,
and specimens of larve indistinguishable from that of LZ. mozardi as
described (J. ¢.) are mentioned by Prof. F. M. Webster (Rept. U.S.
Dept. Agr., 1886, p. 674) as infesting the stems of timothy. Both
species breed in Ambrosia, and their occurrence under the circumstances
above recorded on Urtica is safficient evidence that both breed in the
stems of this plant as well. The probable oviposition of mozardi in
EHrigeron ramosus points to this as a likely food-plant, and the occur-
rence of the same species on the common ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum),
a near relative of Hrigeron, would lead to the belief that another Com-
posite plant might be included in the list.

The habits of the two species are very similar, if not identical, and
further investigation may show that they breed in the stems of a still
greater variety of plants. My observations tend to show that they
favor the Composite.

348

SOME OF THE BRED PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA IN THE NA.
TIONAL COLLECTION.

It is our intention, as fast as the material in the National Museum
collection can be re-arranged, to record in a series of lists in consecutive
numbers of INSECT LIFE the hosts, dates, and localities of those species
of Parasitic Hymenoptera which have been reared. New species are
indicated in MS names where preliminary descriptions, which we hope to
revise and publish, have been drawn up.

The advantages of such lists to working entomologists are too obvious
to require elaboration.

Family BRACONIDZ.

Subfamily Braconine.
Parasites. Hosts.
Braconpsimplox @Less ssa. scree sere = ee Cerambycid (urbred) under bark of Oak.
Washington, D. C.
Collected also at St. Louis, Mo., and in

Texas.

Bra con acTINeASHIM er secs. cms — = <6) ee Agrilus fulgens Lec. under bark of maple.
Lafayette, Ind., April 21 to May 4, 1887.

Bracon pectinator? Say-....---.--.....--. Saperda vestita Say, on Elm? Washington,
DRC:

Bracon arizonensis Ashm.........---.----Andricus coxii Bass. Fort Grant, Ariz.,
March 28 to April 6, 1882.

Bracon solidaginis Riley MS ...-...-..-..Gelechia gallwsolidaginis Riley. St. Louis,
Mo., August, 1867.

Bracon atriceps Riley MS.....---..--.----Laverna sp.? on Epilobium angustifolium.
Cadet, Mo., September 3, 1886.

Bracon cecidomyize Ashm =2:--225-- -.5--—- Cecidomyiid gall on Mimulus glutinosus.
Alameda, Cal., Jan. 9, 1886.

Bracon nigripictus Riley MS .........--.. Sannina exitiosa Say. Washington, D. C.,

May 10 and June 4, 1879.
Dolba hyleus Drury. St. Louis, Mo., Octo-
ber, 1870.

BracOMiSPy tee ae= ee ees ee anes ee. - hlatynota, flavedanas Clem nonm Glover.
Washington, D. C., September 3, 1879.
Bracon diastatz# Ashm -.-.-......-..----.- Diastata N. sp. mining leaves of corn,

Jacksonville, Fla., June 28, 1886.
Received also from La Fayette, Ind.

Bracon gastroidez Ashm................. Gastroidea cyanea Mels. Columbus, Ohio,
June 7, 1886.
Bracon phycidis Riley MS ..-.-.-. Hosisitceek Phycis indiginella Zell. Oxford, Ind., July
9, 1886.
BLACOMspPISSOMISPASHIMyse eee eas sa) ea Pissodes strobi Peck. on pine. Wellesley,
Mass., August 19, 1886.
BTACON Ws) SP:s foes A nas Seieieercicicisisieleitetetaees Ageria exitiosa Say. Kirkwood, Mo., No-

vember, 1872.

349

Parasites. Hosts.

Bracon xanthostigma Cr...-------------- Botis penitalis on Lotus. St. Louis, Mo.,
September 15, 1875.
Tortricid gall on Goatweed. Woodburn,
Ill., August 6, 1872.
Gelechia beneficentella Murtf. from bolls of
Solanum carolinense. Washington, D.C.,
June 30 to July 4, 1886.
Gelechia cercidos Murtf. Kirkwood, Mo.
Collected also in Texas.
Bracon mM Sp. ..-7-.-2----2- ----.-=---=-=--. Lrypeta gibba Wow. gall on Ambrosia:
La Fayette, Ind., May 3, 1889.

ebracon cracilaric Ashm ..-.-..---...-..- Gracilaria desmodiella Chamb. Kirkwood,

Mo., July 12, 1s6.

Bracon bueculatricis Ashm......-....---- Bucculatrix n. sp. onoak. Kirkwood, Mo.,
June 10, 1786.

Bracon xanthonotus Ashm -...--..--..--. Phalenid pupa on Orange. San Diego,
Cal., December 18-20, 1876.

IBraAcCOM Ne Spss-2-=— 4 = =. 52-4 be--- 2-5. Clistocampa consiricia, Str. Sacramento;
Cal., June 16 and 17, 1882.

BPACOURIMAISD)- ese: se eisai Siw Siaiece crate cies Proteoteras esculana Riley. Kirkwood, Mo.

Bracon californicus Riley MS.....-.-.-.--- Cecidomytid gall on SBaccharis pilularis.
Alameda, Cal., February 19, 1886.

MraconiCookieAShimn) s..<)\5-on256 see.ce sees Leaf-miner on Basswood. Lansing, Mich.

Bracon notaticeps Ashm .......--.-.----. Tineid leaf-skeletonizer on Oak. Washing-
ton, D. C., September 30, 1880.

Braconm velechi= AShM -o-- 2. -2se -2--1e00- Gelechia sp.? on Oak. Washington, D.C.,

nngene

October 5 and 6, 1880.
Gelechia cinerella Murtf. Kirkwood, Mo.,

1881.

Bracou 0. sp...--------------------------Gelechia roseosuffusella Clem. St. Louis,
Mo., May, 1372.

Bracon analcidis Ashm........-..--...--- Analeis fragarie Riley. St. Louis, Mo.,
September, 1870.

Bracon vernoniecola Ashm .....-.--.-.-- Dipteron in seeds of Vernonia. Kirkwood,
Mo., September 14, 1881.

Bracon vernoniz Ashm ...______-----...--- Pintwanie sentana Glem! and Endemis botrana

Schiff. in seed capsules of Vernonia nove-
boracensis. Washington, D. C., May 15-
18, 1885, and St. Louis. Mo., April 2z.

BTACONMs |UMCT EAS Wing e 2 = se tee See tes .---Coleophora? on Juncus balticus. St. Louis,
Mo., September 18, 1876.

Braconey une! cOlavASHNw ao see see eeeey- = sor Coleophora cispiticella Walsingh. on Juncus
balticus. St. Louis, Mo., September 11,
1876.

Bracon trifolii Ashm .....-...2-04-.---.-- Coleophorasp. ? on white clover. Washing-
ton, D. C., June 30, 1879.

Bracon tortricicola Ashm ..-.-.....------ Tortricid in seeds of Ambrosia trifida. Kirk-
wood, Mo., April 23, 1885.

Bracon GUUlae AShM 2. 25. see ee lee eeeal Galls of Euura on Salix californica. Donor
P. O., Placer Co., Cal., January, 23, 1886.

Bracon juglandis Ashm .............----- Tineid? larva in walnuts. Los Angeies,
Cal.

Bracon pomifolielle Ashm .........-.---- Bucculatrix pomifoliella. St. Louis, Mo.

95852—Nos.

350

Parasites. Hosts.
IBEACOMPUSSPisee= as == ee see ee Rhyssematus lineaticolis Say on Asclepias
corymbosa. La Fayette, Ind., March 29,
1889.
IERAOO Te). saeeeeenonhs -ce ect coSede sec Smicronyx tychioides on Cuscuta arvensis.

Washington, D. C., July 24, 1879.

Subfamily Exothecine.

Bathystomus n.sp......---.-------------- Tortricid leaf-roller on Oak. Los Angeles,
Cal.
Rhysipolis orchesiz Ashm ..-.....---..--- Orchesia castanea Melsh. in woody fungus.
Grand Ledge, Mich., July 24, 1881.

Rhysipolis phoxopteridis Riley MS...-...- Phoxopteris nubeculana Clem. on Apple.
Kirkwood, Mo., May 5, 1824.

Subfamily Spathiine.

Spathius abdominalis Riley MS. .--..----- Phleosinus dentatus Say on Cedar. Salina,
Kans., May 23, 1885.

Spathius sequoie Ashm-......----..---.-- Coleopterous larva on Red Wood. Alameda,
Cal.

Subfamily Hecaboline.

Cenophanes prodoxi Riley ....-.--- ----.Prodocus decipiens Riley onYucca. St.Louis,
Mo.

Cwnophanes hemiptychi Riley MS. .-.----- Hemiptychus punctatus Lec., in Grape.
Elizabeth, N. J., 1880.

Cxnophanes koebelei Riley MS ...-..--... Prodoxus cnescens Riley on Yucca. Los

Angeles, Cal., June 5 to 9, 1886.

Prodoxus n. sp. on Yueca whipplei. Los
Angeles, Cal., January 6 to February 10,
1887,

Pionuba n. sp. on Yucca. Los Angeles,
Cal., September 15, 1886.

Prodoxcus marginatus Riley on Yueca whip-
plei. Los Angeles, Cal., May 22, 1886.

(Zeno Mhanes M-pSP ease) esse cies. rele Laverna n. sp. gali-moth on Trichostomum

dichotoma. Georgiana, Fla., July 11, 1832.

Gelechia galleastrella Kellicott on Aster as-
teroides. Bladensburgh, Md., July 5, 1883.

Subfamily Doryctine.

Doryetes mellipes Ashm....-- Ee arate sere Borer in rotten Cherry-wood. Kirkwood,
Mo., April 27, 18é8.

Subfamily Rhyssaline.

Rhbyssalus atriceps Ashi. ...........-----Cacecia rosaceana Harr.on Apple. Wash-
ington, D. C., July 1, 1882, and August
15, 1886.

Rhyssalus loxotaeniz# Ashm.............. Loxotaenia clemensiana Fernald on wheat.

La Fayette, Ind., June 3, 1885.

i teat i

Ea eT ok

th ie hat eae a2 ein’ ee

351

Parasites. Hosts.

PMV SSAlUS Msp seen ae see au cee ee ESS Sarrothripa rewayana Dup. on willow.
Washington, D. C., July 22, 1886.

Rhyssalus selandrize Ashm ..---. eres Eriocampa cerasi? Peck. Washington, D.
C., July 5, 1879.

Ryhssalus antispile Ashm-........--...... Antispila ampelopsiella Cham. on Grape.
Kirkwood, Mo.

Rhyssalus trilineatus Ashm......-.....--- Coleophora caruefoliella Chamb. on Hick-
ory. Washington, D. C., May 5, 1883.

Rlyssalus Oscinidis A hm -.......22-..-2. Oscinis sp.? ou Plantago major. Washing-
ton, D. C., July 6 to 9, 1888.

Rhyssalus californicus Ashm ....... eee Gall of Holeaspis chrysolepsis Ashm. on Q.
chrysolepis. Colfax, Cal., December 19,
1885.

Rhyssalus gallicola Asam ........-...---- Gall of Amphibolips trizonata Ashm. on Oak.

Fort Grant, Ariz., June 21 and 23, 1882.
Gall of Compsodryoxenus brunneus Ashm. on
Oak. Fort Grant, Ariz., April 27, 1882.
Gall of Callirhytes vacciniifolii? Ashm. on
Oak. Fort Grant, Ariz., April 21, 1882.
Colastes microrhopale Riley MS. .....-.-- Microrhopala vittata Fab. on different spe-
cies of Solidago. Washington, D. C.,
June 21, 1884.

O (COE EEE Cesta orl es Mae ae eo Gossyparia ulmi Geoffr. Rye, N. Y., June
23, 1884.
Oncophanes melleus Ashm ............-..Microlepidopterous? larva on Oak. Kirk-

wood, Mo., August 24, 1884.

Subfamily Rhogadine.

Heterogamus fumipennis Cr ...-...--.-.-- Sphing drupiferarum? Abb. on Apple. St.
Louis, Mo., May 10, 1868.
Smerinthus juglandis. Abb. St. Louis, Mo.,
July 15, 1873.

Heterogamus texanus (Cr ......-.-.--.---- Ceratomia amyntor Hb.? on Elm. Lansing,
Mich., June 18, 18:7.
Rhosas terminalisi@r 22-22 222.028. os. .Leucania unipuncta Haw. St. Louis, Mo.,

June 12, 1876.

Pedisca n. sp. gall moth on Solidago lan-
ceolata. Washington. D.C.

Nephelodes violans Guen.

UNO OAS HIS pitas eras Aaa eeeine ness Scopelosoma sidus? Guen. Washington, D.
C., June 17, 1584.
maopas leetus Cresa’.2552-). 22. oceesccle >< Acronycta dactylina Grt. on Alder, Ottawa,

Can., August 1888.
Apparently same species found at West
Cliff, Colo., collected also in Texas.

sennogas harrisince: Ashi -22 22225. 225. 2.25 Procris (Harrisina) americana Harr. Jack-

sonville, Fla., October 9, 1879, and Kirk-
wood, Mo., October 18, 1881.

Rhogas geometrx Ashm ........ ......... Geometrid larva. St. Louis, Mo.
Rhogas burrus Cress ....-.-....---..----- Acronycta hasta Guen. on Wild Cherry.

St. Louis, Mo., July 16, 1872.
Acronycta lobelie Guen. onOak. St. Louis,
Mo., February 1, 1874.

By
Parasites. Hosts.

Rhosgas Tiley Cress .25- ser oseel-e eh Acronycta oblinita S.-A. on Willow. St.
Louis, Mo., April, 1868, and La Fayette,
Ind.
Nephelodesviolans Guen. Ames, Iowa, June
11, 1887.
Rhogas platypterygis Ashm .....--.-..-.- Platypteryx arcuata Walk. on Alnus serru-
lata. Washington, D. C., October 23,
1883.
Rhogas nolaphane Ashi. .....-...--...-- Nolophana malana Grt. St. Louis, Mo.,
November 3, 1870.
Rhogas simillimus Ashm -.-...2 2.3.6 2<-. Geometrid on Pine. Holderness, N. H.,
September 8, 1883.
Rhogas desmiz Ashm ...... suet ge -.deae Desmia maculalis? Westw. Cadet, Mo.,
June 17, 1886.
Rhogas canadensis Cr...-..-.------...---. Clostera inclusa Hb. Washington, D. C.,
September 12, 1882.
hooasicerure AsShm > 92. ce. see acne ose Cerurasp.? on Willow. Napa County, Cali-
fornia, August, 1887.
Bhooas melleusiCr.-<-..2-2 sce. osm eens Aplodes subrifrontaria Pack. on Eupato-
rium. St. Louis, Mo., 1871.
Eucrostis zelleraria Pack, on Chrysanthe-
mum. St. Louis, Mo., October, 1871.
Aplodes rubivora Riley on Ageratum. St.
Louis, Mo., April 10, 1881.
Clostera americana Harr. St. Louis, Mo.
Rhogas intermedius Cr... .. ...-- cescse- Acronycta dactylina Gr. on Alnus incana.
Holderness, N. H., September 27 to Octo-
ber 5, 1883.
Acronycta oblinita 8.-A. Oxford, Ind., Au-
gust 2, 18384. Washington, D. C., Sep-
tember 1, 180.
Acronycta sp. ? on Alder. New York, Sep-
tember 25, 1883.
Acronycta hastulifera A. and S. on Alder.
Washington, D. C., June 21, 1883.
Acronycta americana Harr, on Maple. Kirk-
wood, Mo., October 7, 1877, and Lincoln,
Nebr., November 4, 1889.

Subfamily Chelonine.

Phanerotoma tibialis Hald ............... Grapholitha caryana Fitch. Hickory-nuts.
Kirkwood, Mo., April 5, 1873.
Spheropyx bicolor Cr.-.--...---.---.----Arctiid? Washington, D. C., July 8, 1878.
@helonusiridescens\Cr.- 2-5-2256). - Phycid on Aphyllon tuberosum. San Diego,
Cal., June 27, 1887.
Chelonus laverne Ashm..--:.......--...- Laverna eloisella Clem. Kirkwood, Mo.,
1881.
Laverna sp. on Epilobium angustifolium,
Cadet, Mo., September 3, 1886.
Chelonus pallidus Ashm.......---.----.-- Gelechia absconditella Walk. on Polygonum.
; Washington, D. C., May 2, 1884.
Chelonus: fissus Proy, [22-5 2\-<o-e ===. << Lepid. gall on Ceanothus cureatus. Colton,
Cal., June 18, 1887.

353

Parasites. Hosts.
Chelonus parvusiSay <sccsc seeececoccnnne Cecidomyia s.-strobiloides Walsh. Pahreah,
Utah.
Chelonus manus Prov. 5. ..<-.---<. -- 5-25 Nematus gall on Willow. Los Angeles,
Cal.

Subfamily Sigalphine.

Sigalphus curculionis Fitch ..--..-..---.. Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst. St. Louis,
Mo., June 15 to July 21, 1870.
Borer instalk of Ambrosia. St. Louis, Mo.,

May 4, 1873.

Sigalpbus copturi Riley MS ...--....--... Copturus longulus Lec. Washington, D. C.
June 2, 1883.

Sigalphus nigripes Riley MS...-....-.--.-. Andricus coxii Bass. Fort Grant, Ariz.,
July 27, 1883.

Schizoprymnus texanus Cr ........ ------ Trypeta solidaginis Fitch on S. canadensis.

Washington, D. C., May 26, 1880.
Trypeta gall on Solidago. Utah? 1881.

(To be continued.)

ANTHRAX PARASITIC ON CUT-WORMS.

Four perfect bee-flies (family Bombyliide) which correspond with the
description of Anthrax hypomelas Macq., have been sent us by our Indi-
ana agent, Mr. F. M. Webster, and were bred by him last summer from
the pup of a cut-worm which proved to be that of Agrotis herilis.
Prof. C. P. Gillette, of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, has
also shown us one of three specimens of Anthrax (scrobiculata Loew)
bred by him the past summer from cut-worm larve, the species undeter-
mined. More recently Mr. Coquillett sent us a note for publication,
covering a similar experience, from which we may quote the following:

Mr. Edwin C. Van Dyke, of this city, who is an enthusiastic young collector of in-
sects, informs me that on one occasion he placed a Lepidopterous chrysalis in a box
by itself, and that when next examined this box contained a Dipterous pupx; the
Lepidopterous curysalis was found to be entirely empty, and in one end of it was a
large opening out of which the Dipterous larva had evidently issued and afterward
pupated. In due time this pupa produced the perfect fly, and this, together with
its cast-off pupa-skin and the chrysalis-skin of its host, was kindly presented to me
by Mr. Van Dyke. The chrysalis which it infested closely resembled that of Taenio-
campa rufula Grote, a Noctuid which is rather common in this locality. The fly
proves to be a specimen of Anthrax molitor Lew, one of the commonest Bombyliids
found in this State and scarcely distinguishable from the common Anthrax flava of
Europe. The pupa very closely resembles that of Aphwbantus mus O. S., figured at 5,
5a and 5b, Plate XVI, of the Second Report of the U. §.Entomological Commission.

, On either side of the last segment are three short teeth, and on the ander side of the
head are five black tubercles, the anterior one being the largest, and the remaining
four being disposed in two transverse pairs, those comprising the last pair being con-
tiguous at their bases.

054

Though these are extremely interesting occurrences, and show that
some species of Anthrax may prove of benefit in destroying cut-worms,
they are not without precedent, as the group to which the species belongs

is, according to Osten Sacken, known to prey normally on the pup of |

Lepidoptera, especially Noctuze. In number of species this group is
about equally represented in Europe and this country, and we find that
this Lepidopterous parasitism, in regard to which both Osten Sacken
and Schiner make only a generalized statement, was recorded by Zet-
terstedt as early as 1842. Meigen in 1820 stated that nothing was
known of the early stages of Anthrax; Westwood in 1840, in his Intro.
duction, mentions only its Hymenopterous parasitism ; but Zetterstedt
in the Diptera Scandinavie, writing in 1842, states that the eggs of the
first section of the genus, which embraces the species with hyaline
wings and the tomentum not entirely black (A. flava Meig., A. circum-
data Meig., and A. cingulata Meig.), are deposited in the larvee of Lepi-
doptera. Walker in 1851 makes the same statement in the Insecta Bri-
tannica, that some of the species are parasitic in Lepidopterous larve.
In the second report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, p. 266, we
have referred to Schiner’s statement (as quoted by Osten Sacken) that
the larve of the very nearly allied genus Argyrameba were parasitic in
Lepidopterous pup, which fact has also been referred to by late Ger-
man writers (Hntomologische Nachrichten, 1885, p. 306). Osten Sacken
refers particularly to this parasitism of Anthrax in the Biologia Cen-
trali-Americana, published in 1886, where he states that a certain group
of the genus is especially parasitic upon the Noctuz. Glover in his
MS. Notes on the Diptera, and also in Agricultural Report for 1866,
states that “ an Anthrax has been bred from the chrysalis of a moth.”

Fic. 67.—Anthrax hypomelas: a, larva from side; b, pupal skin protruding from cut-worm chrysa-
lis; c, pupa; d, imago—all enlarged (original).

355

MOUNTAIN SWARMING OF VANESSA CALIFORNICA.

By C. L. HopPpkKINs.

During an ascent of Mount Shasta, made in August, 1889, a most
interesting occurrence was noted in the flight of countless myriads of
butterflies (Vanessa californica) at an altitude far above snow-line.

In our early morning climb of August 29, of the above year, we had
left our horses at half past 4 o’clock, at what is known as * Horse
Camp,” at very near snow-line, where there were many small snow fields
close about us. Our progress was very slow and tedious, being all of
the time over loose, sliding fragmentary rocks, or the almost smooth,
hard-frozen surface of the icy snow, and which latter did-not soften tll
long after the sun had swung high enough to shine full upon it. Some
little time after day-light, but long before we could see the sun, as he
was hidden from us by the high crest of a sharp ridge on the southwest
aspect of the mountain (our ascent being made from Sissons, west of
the mountain), a few signs of insect lite were seen in the shape of “ snow-
fleas,” two or three large-winged grasshoppers, and, occasionally at
first, a butterfly. Thelast two were stiffened by the cold as if they were
there from theday previous. The latter insect increased much in num-
bers as we ascended, and were many of tnem found in among and under
the loose stones as well as a few upon them.

At perhaps half past 9 we came to a point upon which the sun had
long been shining, and here they were flying in the air, the flight being
in a southeasterly direction. From here they seemed to increase very
rapidly in numbers up the remainder of the ascent to well toward the
summit. The latter was reached at 11.20 a. m.; the temperature was
noted at 42° Fah. in the open air. We remained here abouta half hour,
then passed down by way of the Hot Sulphur Springs, and then out on
the southerly face of the mountain. We again encountered our beauti-
ful friends at not farther than six or eight hundred feet below the ex-
treme peak, and now in countless numbers, filling the air with their
flashing wings, and all passing in the same direction as observed dur.
jng the ascent—towards the southeast. This strange sight continued
until we seemed to pass below them, at an altitude of between 11,000
and 12,000 feet. The fact of its being a continuous flight of these in-

_ Sects across the mountain in one direction during the warm part of the
day—a period of nearly tive hours—is beyond question. That it was in
progress one or more days previous to that upon which I| observed it is
an easy deduction from the fact of the numbers of the insects found
among the rocks and stones while yet stiffened by the cold of the night
air. How much longer it may have continued I had no means of
knowing.

356

Where they could have come from, in such vast numbers, and what
brought them to such a high altitude, is of course a matter of pure
speculation. .

I had no means of preserving specimens of these insects except to
place them between the leaves of a note-book; in this way some were
kept for identification. A gentleman whom I meta few days later pro-
nounced the species to be Vanessa milberti, but after presentation of
the account of the flight, with the specimens, before the Biological Soci-
ety of Washington it was determined for me by Mr. Howard as Vanessa
californica. .

MARCH 1, 1890.

NOTES ON A SPECIES OF NECROPHAGOUS DIPTERA.
By F. M. WEBSTER.

The extent to which the mortal part of man is preyed upon by worms
and insects, after being consigned to its final resting place, has, no doubt,
been greatly exaggerated in the popular mind. Cases of such are
doubtless exceptional, the exceptions being by no means common.

The gentleman to whom I am indebted for the specimens and facts
upon which this notice is based tells me that within the last five years,
wid among seven cases of disinterment, this is the only instance which
has come under his notice. Of these, four of the bodies had been buried
nearly two years or over, and three had been buried about four months.
As these disinterments were all made in connection with legal investi-
gations of matters usually of a criminal nature, everything about the
graves or on or about the bodies was carefully noted, and, therefore,
had anything of the kind occurred in any of the other six cases it would
most certainly have not escaped observation.

On February 1 of the present year, Dr. W. H. Peters, physician
and analytical chemist, of La Fayette, Ind., placed in my hands, for in-
vestigation, a small quantity of light-colored sediment, intermixed in
which were quite a number of small flies, later determined by Professor
Riley as belonging in or near the genus Conicera, numerous pupe and a
single larva, the sediment having been placed temporarily in a vial of
water. These insects, in the various stages of development, Dr. Peters
stated had been obtained by himself from a corpse which he had exam-
ined only two days before.

The body was that of a male, German-American, age sixty-two years,
height about 5 feet 9 inches and weight about 165 pounds. The death
had been a violent one, and had taken place on January 31, 1888, the
body being interred on February 2, two days later. The temperature,
according to authentic records, during the time intervening between
death and burial ranged from 28° to 379 Fah. The coffin was of wood
and of the best modern manufacture, beiug practically air-tight when

357

closed and the top fastened down, and encased in a box of pine. The
grave was of ordinary depth, the soil in which the box and inclosed
coffin rested being the upper strata of blue clay—proverbial for its.
compactness.

The body was exhumed on January 29, 1890, the pine-box being little
decayed and the coffin apparently in perfect condition, but on removing
the cover of the latter, the body, though exhibiting little indication of
putrefaction, presented a very mutilated appearance with every indica-
tion that the missing portions had been attacked and destroyed by some
clement other than natural decay.

The front walls of the abdomen and thorax were gone, except small
portions of the ribs and sternum, which were so friable as to be easily
broken in the fingers, the ribs being readily severed by a pair of ordi-
nary surgeon’s scissors. The thoracic organs were gone, but the back
wall of the thorax was only slightly imperfect. The front wall of
stomach gone, back wall perfect, as also was the left kidney and spleen,
lying beneath, and also portions of the intestines. The liver was un-
attacked but converted into adipocere, while the right kidney was de-
stroyed. The back wall of abdomen was perfectly preserved ; no trace
of decomposition being visible. The flesh from the face had entirely
disappeared. All of the tissues affected appeared to have been con-
verted into grumous, viscid matter, of small bulk.

A considerable number of the flies were observed by thedoctor mov-
ing about over the corpse, and living larvz were noticed in the flesh,
while the whole exposed surface of the body was quite thickly covered
with pupe, giving it the appearance of grains of wheat having been
strewn over it. Analysis of that portion of the abdominal contents
which would have included the contents of the stomach revealed
arsenic in small quantities, as did also the liver.

That the larve of these flies might subsist upon the flesh of bodies
killed by arsenic is by no means surprising, as they are, doubtless, very
tenacious of life; yet it will be observed that the best preserved por-
tions of the body and organs were those which would be the most
likely to come in contact with the poison contained in the stomach.
This, however, must not be taken as proof that the larve could not
have subsisted upon slightly poisoned flesh, but the following state-
ment found in Woodman and Tidy’s ‘ Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,”
p. 303, copied from ‘“ Lancet,” August 23, 1856, p. 231, requires con-
siderable verification before it can be accepted :

A curious case is recorded, where about one hundred and fifty pheasants were
poisoned from eating the maggots generated in some animals destroyed by a strych
nia vermin-killer,

These flies, both sexes of which were secured, were entirely new to
me, not having before observed anything like them, and while the pres-
ence of arsenic in the stomach did not render the presence of these
ghoulish feasters more surprising, still, I was and am yet unable to

358

account for their occurrence in the coffin, as observed by Dr. Peters.
That adults or larve could have made their way to the body through
box and coffin, after burial, seems incredible; while that, with the tem-
perature but little above the freezing point, flies should have been at-
tracted to the corpse, while the latter was awaiting interment, and
either deposited the r eggs upon it, before burial, or have been con-
veyed within the coffin to the grave and there began reproduction, ap-
pears at first thought almost equally impossible. The fact that the man
had died suddenly, in the midst of good health, would rather imply the
early appearance and rapid progress of decomposition and, thereby
lead to the inference that the odors arising from the body would become
more generally diffused throughout the house where this body was
being kept, and thus attract any flies which might be present in or
about the building. On the other hand the condition of the remains
on disinterment, together with the well-known preservative effects of ar-
senic, point directly the other way, and to this feature we must also add
the absence of the odors contingent to the sick-room, whatever their
influence might be in attracting the flies. Furthermore, the room in
which the body reposed was not heated, but the temperature kept as
nearly as possible co-equal with that existing outside, viz, 28° to 37°
Fah., the single door communicating with other parts of the house
being kept closed as continuously as cireamstances would permit. The
building is of brick, and in the case of this particular room three of the
four walls are outside walls.

These details are given thus minutely because if these flies inhabit
our dwellings during the winter months, future studies should demon-
strate the fact. Besides, Dr. Riley suggests to me that as Conicera
atra is said by Schiner to breed in decayed radishes in Europe, the
present species might have thus originated and been at the time inhab-
iting the cellar of this house and drawn therefrom by the odors of the
corpse. In this case, 1 am assured that the cellar contained no vegeta-
bles except potatoes, which were not decaying, and that the cellar itself
was in a cleanly and dry condition, and no portion of it was beneath
the room containing the remains, but under an ajoining apartment, and
that all of the floors were without holes or cracks. Also, that com-
munication with this cellar was by a stairway leading from a small
room, adjoining the one opening into the apartment containing the
body, the door of this cellar-way being kept closed except on occasion
of the by no frequent visits to the cellar itself. However, while these
facts appear to considerably obscure the theory suggested by Professor
Riley, I confess my inability to replace it with a more plausible one,
and therefore present it as a substitute until some one can, in the future,
throw additional light upon the problem.

MARCH 15, 1890.

oe areal Seana

359

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON SPIDER-EGG PARASITES.
By L. O. Howarp.

Db US AMERICANUS. — The publication of my description of this species
on page 270 of the last number of INSECT LIFE, has given me the pleas-
ure of a card from Mr. J. H. Emerton, who informed me that I would find
this species among some material sent to the Department by him some
months ago, and search: has revealed that he is correct. A number of
feinale' specimens have been found in a vial labeled in Mr. Emerton’s
handwriting, “‘ Parasites on spider’s eggs in orange cocoon, collected
LSTA”

In reference to this same species, Mr. W. Hague Harrington has
written to Professor Riley as follows:

With reference to the description and excellent figure of Baus americanus in the last
number (p. 270) of INSEcT LIFE, may I mention that Provancher has described a spe-
cies of this genus (Additions et Corrections a la I'aune Hymenopterologique de la
Province de Quebec, p. 209, 25 June, 1887) as a Chalcid, under the name Trichasius
clavatus. After characterizing the new genus formed to receive it, he gives the fol-
lowing (translated) brief description: ‘‘ Length, .05 inch. Of a uniform reddish
brown with the legs yellow. The antennal club black. Thorax densely punctured,
metathorax rugose. Legs pale yellow, the last joint of the tarsus brown, Abdomen
browner, polished but not metallic. Ottawa. Harrington.” Evidently Mr. Howard,
has not recognized from its position and description the insect described by Provan-
cher. He would hardly look for a Beus among the Chalcidide. The type, which is
in my possession, seems to differ from B. americanus in being darker and in having
the legs pale. I have not verified the measurement, which would make it about
twice the size. *

lam greatly obliged to Mr. Harrington, for this note and comparison
of Abbé Provancher’s description with specimens collected near Wash-
ington by Mr. Pergande shows that they are identical. Provancher’s
species should be known in future as Beeus clavatus (Prov.).

ACOLOIDES SAITIDIS.—Mr. F. M. Webster has just sent in twelve
specimens of the female of this species which he bred from a spider egg-
sac found under the bark of a log at Oxford, Ind., in October, 1884.
This indicates that the species is quite wide-spread, as the specimens
from which the species was named were reared by Mr. Bruner in Ne-
braska.

360

PREPARATORY STAGES OF SYNTOMEIDA EPILAIS Walker AND
SCEPSIS EDWARDSII Grote.

By HARRISON G. Dyar, Buffalo, N. Y.
SYNTOMEIDA EPILAIS Walk.

Egg.—Hemispherical, the base flat, minutely punctured. Color, shiny pale yel-
low. Diameter 1™™. Laid in a mass, nearly touching on the under side of the
leaf.

First larval stage.—Head brownish, paler down central suture and triangular plate ;
eyes black; mouth dark brown. Width of head, .56™™. Body pale yellowish white
with black spots, arranged much as the warts of the Arctiinz, each bearing one or
more black hairs. Cervical spot brownish, and this as well as the anal plate has a
row of small black spots. Feet, all blackish. Length, 2™™. As the stage proceeds,
the body becomes pale orange yellow.

Second larval stage.—Head pale yellowish brown, eyes and mouth dark. Width,
8mm, Body, yellowish ; spots black, as in mature larva, bearing thin tufts of black
hairs, those at the extremities being the longest. Feet, black. Length about 4™™,

Third larval stage.—Head reddish orange; mouth dark. Width 1.1™™, Body red-
dish orange with black spots bearing pencils of hair as in the last stage, but the hair
is only .4™™ long. Length of larva about 8™™,

Fourth larval stage.—Head orange red; mouth dark. Width 1.5™™ body as in last
stage, but the subdorsal and other black marks, not bearing hairs, are absent. Length
15™m,

Fifth larval stage.—Mature larva. Head round, orange red, paler above the mouth.
Palpi whitish; eyes and jaws dark brown; a fewhairs. Widthor head2™™, Body,
orange red with round, elevated, shiny black spots as follows: (1) in subdorsal space,
anteriorly on joints 5 to 12 inclusive; (2) subdorsal row ; (3) superstigmatal row ;
(4) stigmatal row of small spots each posterior to a spiracle; (5) and (6) are subven-
tral rows, the lower consisting of large long spots above the base of each leg, while
joints 2, 3, and 4 have only one subventral row. Cervical spot and anal plate have a
row of small black spots. The subdorsal and stigmatal rows on joints 3 and 4, the
superstigmatal on joints 5 to 11, and the subdorsal on joints 12 and 13 bear each a
long (10™™) pencil of fine black hair. The others have a thin tuft of short hair.
Black marks occur in the subdorsal space joining over the dorsum on the middle seg-
ments, situated posteriorly. Another row of spots in stigmatal space also posteriorly,
and a fainter row in the subventral space, the latter in some examples nearly forming
aband. Thoracic feet black, abdominal, black outwardly. Spiracles small and black.
Length of larva about 30™™. Diameter of body 4™™.

Cocoon.—Composed of silk and the larval hairs and constructed in some inclosed
place. It is thin and weak.

Pupa.—Depressed behind the thorax; very slightly flat below; abdominal seg-
ments without motion and cremaster absent. Color dark orange with black streaks,
as follows: A spot on the head ; two on the collar; two irregular angulated lines on
the thorax; lines on cases of anterior legs and antennz cases; two large and three
or four small streaks on the wing-cases ; abdominal segments have a transverse band
on each of irregular width, some of them, especially at the anterior and posterior
segments, interrupted. Length, 17™™. Width, 5.5™™,

Food-plant.—Oleander, Nerium odorum. Larve from Dade County, Fla., on the
ocean side of Lake Worth.

361
SCEPSIS EDWARDSII Grote.

Egg.—Probably hemispherical, the base flat; smooth. Diameter, .7™". The color
could not be ascertained, as the egg had hatched and the shell had been nearly de-
voured by the little larva.

First larval stage.—Head shiny pale straw color, the eyes brown. Width, .4™™.
Body, semitransparent whitish; warts arranged as in the mature larva, small and
blackish, with scanty, but rather long black and white hairs. Length, 2.5™™,

Second larval stage.—Head shiny light yellow. Width,.5™™, Body whitish, dorsal
band purplish obsolete anteriorly, in some examples interrupted by orange spots
posteriorly. Warts whitish, some of those on the dorsum black. Hair still rather
gcanty. Length of larva, 4™™,

Third larval stage.—Head shiny pale yellow, eyes black, mouth whitish. Width,
.7™m, The body varies somewhat in its markings, but the design is as follows: Body
whitish, a broad dark wine-red dorsal stripe, interrupted by orange spots on joints
4 and 12, the two upper rows of warts on joints 3, 5, 8, 11, and 13 black, the rest
whitish ; a white subdorsal line. The hairs are long, white, and black. Length of
larva, 5™™,

Fourth larval stage—Head pale yellow, the triangular plate and mouth white;
eyes black; width, .9™™. Body pale yellowish white with a white subdorsal line.
Joints 3,5, 8, 11,and 13 are black in the subdorsal space as are the warts. The other
segments are tinged with orange, especially joints 4 and 12.

Fifth larval stage.-—Head yellowish orange, triangular plate, mouth, and palpi
white, the former bordered above by a deep black shade, more or less extensive. Eyes
black; width of head, 1.2™™, Body as before; length, 10™™,

Sixth larval stage.—Head as in the mature larva; width, 1.6™™. Body very pale
yellow, with a narrow interrupted white st’gmatal, rather broad yellowish white sub-
dorsal, and broad black dorsal band, the latter dilated on joints 3, 5, 8, 11, and 13 to
inclose and cover the two upper rows of warts, nearly interrupted on joints 4 and 12
by a large orange patch, and on joints 6,7, 9, and 10 bisecting a fainter orange patch.
Hair white, but largely black from the black warts. Length of larva, about 14™™,
The pencils of brown hair found on the mature larva on joint 5 are present in some
examples, though small.

Seventh larval stage.—As in the previous stage, but the pencils on joint 5 are more
prominent and the transverse band on joint 4, found in the mature larva, is present,
being yellowish tinged with orange. Widthof head, 2.2™™. Lengthof larva, 20™™,

Highth larval stage-—Mature larva. Head, brownish red; triangular plate, mouth
and palpi white, the former bordered above by a broad black band. Jaws and eyes
black. Width of head, 3™™. Cervical spot, blackish, bisected. The warts are
arranged as follows: On joint 2, which is much contracted, are two small warts at the
spiracle ; on joints 5 to 12 is a row of warts in the subdorsal space, situated ante-
riorly ; a subdorsal row; a superstigmatal row; a substigmatal row; two subven-
tral rows on joints 5 to 12, the upper small; only one row on joints3 and 4. Joint
13 has the upper warts reduced in number and has a row of small ones on the anal
plate. Body dirty whitish, a blackish shade on the dorsum, with subdorsal, and
traces of stigmatal, yellowish white band; above the former, on joints 5 to 10 and
on 12, isa faint orange patch, the brightest being on joint 12. Posteriorly on joint
4, across the subdorsal space, isa pinkish white band with a dark border anteriorly,
and on joint 5, from the warts in the subdorsal space (first row) grow two little pen-
cils of brownish red-plumed hairs. Sometimes similar but much smaller pencils appear
from the subdorsal warts (second row) of joint 12. The warts all bear yellowish,
bristly hairs, some of which overhang the head. Legs concolorous with the body,
the claspers of the abdominal tipped with brown. Length of larva, 30™™.

Cocoon.—Spun on any flat surface without covering. It is made of silk and the
Jarval hairs which are laid more roughly at the point at which the imago will emerge.
The whole of the under side is fastened to the supporting surface.

362

Pupa.—Cylindrical, flattened a little in front, the dorsum very slightly depressed
behind the thorax. Abdominalsegments without motion. Body punctured and wing
cases creased, but slightly. Cremaster covered by a bundie of short hooks and sur-
rounded by similar hooks on the last segment, which also extend up the dorsum in
little transverse rows. Color, red brown. Length, 14™™,

Throughout the larva is subject to considerable variation. The duration of each
stage was three days, except the last two, which were longer. Pupa, 14 days.

Food-plant.—The rubber tree, Ficus pedunculata. Larva from Dade County, Fla.

THE TULIP TREE LEAF GALL-FLY.
Diplosis liriodendri O. 8S.

In the Garden & Forest for December 18, 1889, Mr. J. G. Jack again
publishes a good account of an insect with which we have long been
familiar and about which we have had notes for a long time in the note-
books of the Division which have not seen the light of print.

One of the earliest objects of entomological interest which met our
eye when we first canie to Washington was a tulip tree, the leaves of
which were badly infested by this species and which stood under the
window of the Division of Entomology. Attempts were made by Prof.
Comstock to rear the adult early in the summer of 1879, but he did not
succeed until with a later brood the same season. In October, 1879, how-
ever, several adults representing both sexes were reared, and descrip-
tions of these, as well as of the early stages, have since remained un-
published in the notes of the Division.

Mr. Jack, as appears from his article, has recently reared the same
insect around Boston, and is the first to record the appearance of the
adult. Osten Sacken, in 1862, described the gall and the larva, but did
not rear the fly. The appearance of the galls is well described by the
latter author in the following words :

Brown spots with a yellow or greenish aureole on the leaves of the Tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera). These spots, about two-tenths or three-tenths of an inch
in diameter, indicate the presence inside of the leaf of a leaf- mining larva of Cecido-
LTA: Wega aes

The effect of the blotches at Boston is described by Mr. Jack and
corresponds well with the results of the work of the insect as seen at
Washington :

Many people who have always counted upon their Tulip trees as belonging to one
of the few species free from serious insect attacks, have, by midsummer, been dis-
gusted to find the leaves filled with large, brown, and yellow blotches. In some in-
stances the foliage, by the end of August, has become so brown and twisted from the
effect of numerous spots in every leaf that it has had the appearance of having been
scorched by fire, and many of the leaves having thus become dead and dry fall to the
ground.

Each of these spots before maturity contains a sin gle orange colored
maggot which issues, when full-grown, through a slit at the edge of the
under side of the blotch and falls to the ground to transform.

363

Mr. Jack finds three or more annual generations at Boston, the final
larve dropping to the ground in September and hibernating as pupe.

Our notes indicate that there are also three broods at Wasbhin gton and,
although we have reared the adults in October, we surmise that the spe-
cies normally hibernates in the larva or pupa state underground.

The figure of the adult accompanying Mr. Jack’s article is faulty in
regard to the third vein of the wing and in the absence of the cross vein.
The female anteunz are also 14-jointed instead of “ apparently 13-
jointed.” His implied criticism of Loew, however, to the effect that the
male antenne are 14 jointed instead of 26-jointed, is probably correct,
as in the antenne of every male Diplosis, with which we are familiar,
the true division is at every other bulb instead of at every bulb.

The remedy of late fall or early spring plowing and rolling suggested
by Mr. Jack will probably greatly reduce the numbers of the pest.

AN EXPERIMENT WITH COCCINELLIDA IN THE CONSERVATORY.
By F. M. WEBSTER.

The extent to which the various species of Aphidide and Coccide en-
ter into the food of this family of beetles has led to the suggestion that
they might be utilized in keeping some of our greenhouse pests in sub-
jection, at least during the winter season. As nothing definite ap-
peared to have been done in this direction, some experiments were be-
gun during the fall of 1889, with a view of learning whether or not the
colonization of these beetles, in conservatories, could be made of practi-
cal benefit to the florist, and, perhaps, to the market gardener also.

The prospect of realizing any very enthusiastic expectations was -
somewhat dampened at the start from the fact that the terms “ Scale,”
“Mealy bug,” and “Green fly” are far from being specific terms, and
might each apply to an indefinite number of species, while considerable
evidence has accumulated in this and other countries, going to show
that the several species of Coccincllide are not indiscriminate feeders,
but confine their attention each to some particular species, or, at most,
include but a small number on their * bill of fare.” Therefore, the re-
sults obtained by experimentation with one species might not hold good
with another, and, indeed, it might be that, in case one species of beetle
proved effective as against its particular favorite among the Aphids,
several species might be required to work out beneficial results. From
this it will be readily observed that the experiment is one which can
not be carried out in a single year, or in a single locality, for the reason
that the species of Coccinellide are not equally distributed or yearly
equally abundant.

Partly because of its great abundance, and partly because it had been
observed feeding upon several species of Aphides, among them one in-

364

festing the rose, Coccinella 9-notata Hbst., was more particularly selected
for the purpose of carrying out one portion of the experiment, other
species being included in smaller numbers only.

The experiment began July 26, by transferring fifty adults of C. 9-
notata from the fields to the conservatory. September 24 there were
added to these sixty-two, and two days later fifty-six others. These last
included also a very few Megilla maculata, Hippodamia convergens and H.
13 punctata. October 1, thirty-four more were placed as the others had
been, these being nearly all 9-notata, aud were mating atthetime. On
October 15. many young larve were observed running about over the
potted plants, but despite these the Aphides increased so rapidly that
it became necessary to fumigate with tobacco smoke to protect the
plants, and a very light fumigation was applied. Although the smoke
did not appear to affect the larvee, they continued to decrease in num-
bers, though only a very few seemed to reach maturity, a single adult,
H. convergens, being the only evidence that any of the larve had de-
veloped. At present writing, March 15, of the two hundred and two
individuals placed in the conservatory, there remains not a trace, either
of themselves or of their progeny, while “green fly” has abounded, as
usual.

For the other portion of this colonizing experiment Chilocorus bivul-
nerus Muls. was selected. A couple of white spruce trees Abies alba,
on the campus of Purdue University, became thickly infested by Myti-
daspis pinifolie* which, as is usual in such cases, attracted myriads of
the Ladybeetle.

On October 22, several hundred of these beetles were transferred from
the spruce to another compartment of the same conservatory, devoted
exclusively totropical and subtropical plants, ferns, etc., upon which were
large numbers of Coccide. For a few weeks after being liberated an
occasional beetle would be observed, while dead ones gradually became
more numerous until no living beetles could be found. Outside, how-
ever, they were present about the spruces in great numbers on warm
sunny days, and continued to remain up to date of writing. Nota liv-
ing individual has been observed in the conservatory for three months,
yet the “Scale” and “ Mealy bug” have in nowise diminished in num-
bers. This compartment has not been fumigated, nor has anything
been applied to the plants which could in any way affect the Lady-
beetles, and therefore both features of the experiment must be set down
as yielding information decidedly adverse to the colonization of either
of these species of Coccinellidz in our conservatories.

*T may perhaps be pardoned for stepping aside from the tenor of this notice in
order to record the fact of this scale being attacked by the Insidious Plant-bug,
Triphleps insidiosus, and which I several times detected with its beak thrust into the
body of the female Mytilaspis.

365

A NORTH AMERICAN AXIMA AND ITS HABITS.

By L. O. Howarp.

In the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for 1862
(p. 373) Mr. Walker described an anomalous genus of Chalcididz under
the name of Avima, from specimens collected by Mr. Bates, at St.
Paul, Brazil, the sole species receiving the name Awima spinifrons.
Walker recognized in this genus affinities with the Chalcidine, Eury-
tominz, and Kucharine, and also with certain exotic genera which
connect the Pteromalinz with the Cleonymine.

Fic. 68.—Axima zabriskiei—Female, from above—enlarged (original).

In July, 1884, Cameron, in the Biologia Centrali-Americana, erected
upon this genus the subfamily Axviminew and added the Central Ameri-
can genus Hontalia. He recognized its relationships with the Chal-
cidinz and Eurytomine. Hontalia, however, differs from Awvima in its

_ thickened and toothed hind femora and in the strongly exserted ovi-

positor, and Cameron has made a slip in giving as a subfamily charac-
ter ‘‘ posterior femora thickened, minutely toothed,” which, however
well it applies to Hontalia, is not applicable to Axima.

Mr. Ashmead, in the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of
Washington, Vol. I, p. 219, mentions the occurrence of a form closely
allied to Avima among some South American Chaleidid collected
principally along the Amazon by Mr. Herbert Smith, and which, as a
transition form, convinced him that Avima really belongs to the Hury-
tomine.

I had previously reached a nearly similar conclusion from examina-

tion of the true species of Awima, described in this paper, and also from
two transition forms in the collection of the National Museum, the one

25852—Nos. 11 and 12 3

366

collected by Branner & Koebele, at Benito, province of Pernambuco, |
Brazil, in February, 1883, the other occurring in the Belfrage collection |

from Texas. One of the principal reasons for arriving at this conclusion
is the distinctively Eurytoma-like antennz of the male, as shown in
figure 69. Walker did not know the male of his species. Without an
examination of the types of Hontalia, however, it will be premature te
condemn the subfamily Avimine.

Fic. 69.—Axima zabriskiet.—Femals, side view—enlarged (original).

To the Rev. J. L. Zabriskie, formerly of Nyack, N. Y, (now of Flat-
bush, L. I.), is due the credit for first ascertaining the habits of this
anomalous group of Chalcidids, although the genus had been found in
North America before he reared it, as I recognized in 1887 specimens
in the collection of the Cambridge Museum. These were labelled, ap-
parently in the handwriting of Mr. H. G. Hubbard, who left Cambridge
in 1874, ‘* Larvee found in burrows of small blue bee, FreshPond, Mass.”
I also find in my notes on some of the Chalcids in the Cornell Uni-
versity collection, which I made in 1887, the following entry:

Axima sp. and Ichneumon sp. ex. Ceratina dupla? Larva of Axima has six or more
strong dorsal tubercles and head of pupa is strongly tuberculate.

Mr. Zabriskie on three occasions reared quite a large series of the
species about to be described from nests of Ceratina dupla, and there
can be but slight doubt that Axima is a primary parasite of this little
bee and probably of allied species. Mr. Zabriskie first reared it in July,
1878, from nests of the Ceratina, in stems of cultivated Black Raspberry,
at New Baltimore, Green County, N. Y., and again in April, 1883, and
April, 1884, from nests of the same bee, in stems of Sumach (Rhus typhina),
at Nyack, N. Y. He reared in all twenty-five females and ten males. I
briefly mentioned this fact on page 540 of Volume II of the Standard
Natural History, but it has not elsewhere been recorded. Eleven speci-
mens were sent by Mr. Zabriskie to Professor Riley, and from them the
accompanying figures and descriptions have been made.

Axima zabriskiei n. sp.

Female.—Length6™™. Expanse,7™™. Head and thorax coarsely and densely punc-
tate and with faint whitish pile; lateral ocelli just behind ridge extending from one
frontal lateral projection to the other; median ocellus just anterior to this ridge,
making the ocellar triangle very obtuse and in two different planes; metanotum

rugose, with a few irregular longitudinal carine ; pronotum with a faint median
tubercle. Petiole of abdomen as long as metanotum, very finely shagreened and

367

irregularly and faintly carinate. Abdomen smooth, shiny, with patches of fine pubes-

_cence; arounded patch on sides of fourth segment, and fifth and sixth segments al-
most entirely covered. Fimbria of the metanotal callus quite long and white, and a
row of rather long soft white hairs on outer margin of hind cox. General color black,
with rather indefinite ferruginous markings; all over the thorax the black is so in-
definitely blended with ferruginous as to make it impossible to define color areas; the
ferruginous is more marked, however, on the sides of the pronotum and mesoscutum ;
antennz black, scape reddish at base; all cox black and punctate ; all trochanters
dark honey yellow; all femora and tibix black in middle, dark honey yellow at tips;
all tarsi honey yellow; abdomen ferruginous at base below. Wings narrow, short,
reaching when closed only to middle of fifth abdominal segment, perfectly hyaline,
veins very dark brown.

Fic. 70.—Aazima zabriskiet.—Male, side view—enlarged (original. )

Male.—Differs only in the antenn:e and in the shape of the abdomen, as shown in
the figure. The frontal projections and the median projection of the pronotum are
sharper and more pronounced than in the female.

Described from four female and three male specimens from Rev. J.
L. Zabriskie, Nyack, N. Y., reared from nests of Ceratina dupla.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
The Scale Question in Florida.

Some time ago a gentleman from Riverside went to Florida for the purpose of ex-
amining the orange groves and nurseries in that State to ascertain their condition in
regard to being infested with scale insects, and a short time ago he informed me that
there was scarcely a single orange grove in Florida over two years old that is not
infested with .Zytilaspis citricola. He further stated that many of the orange groves
there were as badly injured by this scale as any orange grove in California has been
injured by Aspidiotus aurantii. He also stated that next to MW. citricola, Mytilaspis
gloverii is the next most common species, and next to this is Ceroplastes floridensis.
Yesterday a nurseryman,who is engaged in growing orange trees in Florida and ship-
ping them into this State, called upon me, and informed me that in Florida Mytilaspis
citricola is harmless; that he has never known it to injure orange trees, during his ten
years residence in that State, and that it can not live in Southern California even if
imported here. I would like very much to learn from you to what extent M. citricola
injures orange trees in Florida. It is the commonest species that I receive for iden-
tification on trees coming from Florida, and our citrus growers are very anxious to
learn to what extent itis injurious. I would also be glad tolearn to what extent the
Six-spotted Mite, which you recently described as the Tetranychus 6-maculatus, injures

; 368

orange trees in Florida. I found it on leaves of orange trees said to have been im-
ported from Florida, but have never found it on trees growing here. It may interest
you to know that the Vedalias have survived the winter, unprotected, out of doors.
There are at least two places in this city where they are found at the present time.
Occasionally a few Iceryas are found, but usually in very small numbers, and as the
Vedalias have proved to be able to take care of themselves during the winter season,
it is very probable that they will remain with us so long as any Iceryas are to be
found.—[D. W. Coquillett, Los Angeles, Cal., April 8, 1890.

RepLy.—Yours of the 8th has come to hand. You have been misinformed as to the
state of affairs in Florida. Some sections of that State are naturally more badly
damaged by the species of Mytilaspis than others, and the Florida Wax-scale is, in
my experience, not an especially injurious insect to citrus fruits. The relative im-
portance of the Florida scale-insects is well set forth by Hubbard, and you can learn
his opinion by consulting his work. My own experience, in a broad way, from personal
observation, may be summarized thus: The three most injurious species in Florida are:
M. citricola, M. gloverii, and Parlatoria pergandei. None of these insects are as inju-
rious in Florida as either Icerya or the California Red-scale, or the San José Scale.
They are more widely spread throughout the State and do not concentrate so inju-
riously in given localities. The Florida scales are also more amenable to treatment
than the three species mentioned in California. At one time there was considerable
alarm from the attacks of citricola, and a great many groves have been seriously
damaged by it, but the most progressive growers at the present time do not fear it.
Men who are ignorant of or fail to apply the best remedies still suffer. What truth
is there in the rumor that citricola has become established in California? I send you
inclosed some galleys from my forthcoming report for 1889, which will give you the
latest information as to the damage done by the 6-spotted mite. Iam very glad to
learn that Vedalia so well survived the winter out of doors.—[April 16, 1890. ]

A Palm-leaf Scale in Trinidad.

LT inclose a piece of palm-leaf of Prilohardia fibifera, which is very badly infested by
a scale insect of the genus Mytilaspis, so far asI am able to make out. The palms
were obtained from the botanic gardens in Trinidad, and this insect is only to be
found on the species mentioned, while the remainder were absolutely free of them,
though they suffered from other pests.

Can you give me any information about the Mytilaspis? Unfortunately I have not
been able to investigate the life-history of the insect, as the palms are growing in a
garden which I can visit only now and then.—[A. Ernst, Caracas, Venezuela, South
America, March 9, 1890.

REePLy.—The remarkable Coccid which you send me with your favor of the 9th in-
stant, has only lately been described and figured as a new genus and species, /schnas-
pis filiformis, by J.W. Douglas, in the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, vol. XXIV, 1887,
p-21. Douglas found it in the conservatories of the Royal Botanic Society, of Lon-
don, on the leaves of various palms (Strychnos myriatica) and other plants. Within
the last year or so I find this species under the same conditions in the greenhouses
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture at Washington, where it does much damage.—
[March 22, 1890. ]

The Cigarette Beetle.

My friend, Professor Gill, told me at the Cosmos Club that he had spoken to you
about some “‘ troyka” cigarettes that I got at the club, the paper of which had been
pierced by a beetle. He told me you said it was the ‘“‘ Death-watch,” and gave a
latin name, which I did not completely catch, as several people were talking at the
same time. To-dayI found the inclosed beetle among some of the cigarettes as I was
breaking them up. Professor Gill has some of the punctured cigarettes that I gave
him; the rest have been destroyed. I inclose the beetle in a vial, and a piece of the

}

369

punctured cigarette paper with it, and I herewith send the same to you, as the animal
may have some interest for your investigation. I do not want it again.—[A. A.
Hoehling, M. D., U. S. Naval Hospital, Washington, D. C., April 11, 1890.

ReEpLy.—I have your favor of the 11th instant and the accompanying specimen of a
beetle which you found in cigarettes. This is Lasioderma serricorne Fabricius, popu-
larly known as ‘‘ tobacco beetle,” one of the cosmopolitan insects, and known to
infest not only dried tobacco leaves but also all sorts of drugs and spices. It is not
identical with the so-called ‘‘death-watch” (Anobium pertinax), but belongs to the
same family. Its life-history has often been treated of by various authors but pre-
sents no features of especial interest. It is referred to in INsEcT LiFrs, I, No. 12, pp.
378-9.—[April 14, 1890. ]

A Curious Case.

I send you by mail, in a little wooden pen box, marked with my initials, a small
black insect for identification. This bug was found in a clothing store here, and had
died after cutting through a pair of heavy woolen pantaloons, making eight holes
about the size of a buck-shot. It does not seem to be like the moth which usually
cuts woolens.—[Thos. C. Harris, curator State museum, Raleigh, N. C., March 27,
1890.

RepLy.—The specimen which accompanies your letter is a wood-boring beetle
(Buprestis striata), and it is probable that it issued from some of the wood-work
within the store, and in endeavoring to make its escape cut through the clothing.
The emergence of wood-boring beetles from furniture, which in some cases has been
used for years, has been frequently reported. The larvze in these instances were in
the wood before it was used 1n manufacturing the articles of furniture.—[March 31,
18J0.]

Beneficial Beetles infested with Mites.

By to-day’s mail I send you a beetle which, with others, has been in a neighbor’s
cold fraime, all of which he says have been covered with the minute ones. Are the
small ones the same species, or are they parasites? If parasites, they are fully able
to take care of the large ones; he did not say whether the large ones were destruc-
tive to his plants. The sleet of last week killed most of the Aphides that were
hibernating on the rose bushes, some of which were literally covered from the ground
to the very top. They did immense damage in this county (Camden, N. J.) to melons
and cucumbers, as wellas attacking currants and cherry and apple trees.—|I. W.
Nicholson, Camden, N. J., March 13, 1890.

REPLY.—Yours of the 13th, with specimens, duly received. The beetle is one of
the ground beetles of predatory habits known as Harpalus faunus, and the small
creatures upon its back belong to a species of parasitic mite known as Uropoda
americana. ‘This same species is a common parasite of the Colorado Potato-Beetle,
and was first figured and described by me in ninth Report on the Insects of Missouri,
page 41.—[March 14, 1890. ]}

Flea Beetle Injury to Strawberries.

I send you by same mail box containing specimens of small beetles which appeared
here yesterday. The first I heard of them was in the western part of the county, on
Tuesday. They appeared on my strawberries in thousands. You can judge of their
numbers when I tell you that all sent were taken by holding the box under one leaf
and shutting the cover down on it, and I expect you will find at least twenty-five or
thirty in the box, and they are numerous all over the patch. All the berry fields in
this neighborhood are infested. I have seen them also on weeds of different species

- and on peach trees. I have tried tobacco dust, wood ashes, and lime dusted over the

plants, but these remedies only drive them off for a, short time. Will you please in-

370

form me if you know the beetle, and if so, how destructive it is and how long it stays.
It feeds on the leaves from the upper side, eating off all the green part of the leaf and
leaving only the skeleton. The beetles are of a very bright shiny dark-green color,
and fly about in clouds when disturbed, I am afraid they will destroy all the straw-
berries, and then I fear for our melons and beans. Please let me hear your opinion
of the insect, and if you need more specimens or any further information as to its
ravages, I shall be only too glad to give you the results of any thing I can learn of
its habits. No one who has seen it here has ever seen it before.—[W. E. Hudson,
P. O. box 58, Orlando, Fla., March 27, 1890.

RepLy.—The beetle you send is Haltica ignita liger. We would recommend dust-
ing with air-slaked lime. It is difficult to treat on plants like the strawberry, on
account of risk to fruit from the ordinary insecticides.—{ March, 1890. ]

Lecanium hesperidum.

In one of your letters, dated May 19, 1887, you incidentally mention that ‘‘it has
been discovered recently that the male of L. hesperidum is often associated with the
female scale, an undeveloped, wingless creature.” As the Lecanium viride of the
coffee is considered to be very closely allied to the former species, I have thought
that the males may perhaps be found in the same situation. It would assist me
greatly in my search if you could give me any further description of the recently dis-
covered male of L. hesperidum. Does the male insect differ much in appearance from
the female? Whatare their relative sizes? Does the male undergo any pupalstage,
as in the other species of Lecanium? Is it active, and provided with a mouth?
This pest is still in activity in legion, although it appears to be slightly decreasing
in intensity.

I must thank you again for your extremely interesting periodical INsEcT LIFE, which
continues to be full of useful information upon all subjects connected with economic
entomology.—[E. Ernest Green, Eton, Punduloya, Ceylon, India, February 15, 1890.

RepLy.—Your favor of February 15 came duly to hand. The male of Lecaniwm
hesperidum was discovered by Monsieur R. Moniez, who published a description thereof
and an account of its development in the Comptes Rendus des Séances de V Academie
Frangaise, February 14, 1887, page 449. Various longer and shorter abstracts of this
article have been published in several periodicals, e. g. in the Entomologist’s Monthly
Magazine, Volume XXIV, 1887, pages 25 to 27, which is probably accessible to you;
but I am not aware that any independent investigations on the subject have been
made or published subsequent to Moniez’s original discovery. The fully developed
male is excessively small, with no trace of eyes or wings, but provided with antennex,
legs, and witha short and broad penis. M. Moniez observed three stages of the male:
In the first, the body has no appendages whatever, and no visible segmentation; in
the second, which represents the pupa stage, the body has a distinct segmentation
and contains fully developed spermatozoids and testicles; the third stage is that de-
scribed above. In no stage has the male been found outside of the body of the parent,
and copulation must, therefore, take place within the body of the parent female. I
have had no opportunity so far to confirm Mr. Moniez’s statements by personal obser-
vation, but in past years I have bred the winged males of several of our species of
Lecanium.—[ March 24, 1890. ]

Flies in an exhumed Corpse.

I mail you to-day a species of Diptera in its various stages of development. This
matter is of peculiar interest, as the material was taken from the corpse of a man who
died two years ago (in midwinter of 1888), and was buried after the usual manner.
A few days ago the body was exhumed, the coffin opened, and the front part of the
chest and abdomen were found to have been completely eaten away, the mass of flesh
and slime being alive with these flies and their larve. The material was given me

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371 fe

after standing in water for a couple of days, aud therefore is in poor condition. When
exhumed, both coffin and case containing it werein perfect condition, and the soil was
a stiff blue clay. I can not myself account for the presence of these flies, except that
the adults were hibernating in the coffin when used, or else the larve were in the
stomach of the person when death took place. I have never met these flies before.
Please let me know what you make out of them, and your idea of the manner of their
first securing admission to the corpse.—[F. M. Webster, La Fayette, Ind., February 1,
1890.

Repty.—Your letters of February 1 and 4 have come to hand, together with the
specimens. The fly bred from a corpse belongs in or near the genus Conicera of the
Phoridx, although no species of this genus has before been mentioned in this country.
The species which you have sent, however, has hairy eyes, while the European
species are described as having naked eyes. Little is known of the habits in Europe,
although Schiner says that C. atra breeds in rotten radishes. The experience which
you relate is a most interesting matter and perhaps its publication may bring out
further experience.

A number of cases of insects found on or breeding in corpses are on record in Europe.
P. Mégnin, in “‘ La faune des tombeaux ” (Comptes rendus de l’Ac. des Sciences, v.
105, No. 20, Nov. 14, 1887, pp. 348-351) gives asummary of what is known, from which
it appears that on exhumed corpses from two to three years old the following insects
have been observed : Diptera, Calliphora vomitoria, Cyrtoneura stabulans, Phora ( Trin-
eura) aterrima, Anthomyia sp.; Coleoptera, Rhizophagus parallelocollis ; Thysanuride,
Achorutes armatus, Templetonia nitida ; Myriapods, Julus sp.

The two first named Diptera cease to work after the lapse of two years, and since
they have occurred only on such corpses as have been buried in summer, it is evident
that the eggs must have been deposited before burial.

The Anthomyia, Phora, and Rhizophagus are found, on the contrary, on corpses buried
whether in summer or winter. Corpses buried two years have been found covered
with myriads of the pupe of the Trineura aterrima, and the larve of Rhizophagus have
also been found in large numbers. The eggs of both insects are deposited on the
ground, and Mégnin concludes that these larve work their way into the coffins
through nearly seven feet of ground (2 meters). It is finally stated that the Phora
prefers lean corpses, whereas the Rhizophagus has been found only on fat corpses.
In your case it would seem the more probable supposition that the eggs were depos--
ited before burial.—[February 10, 1890. ] ;

SECOND LETTER—Glad to hear about the corpse-infesting flies. From the fact that
this matter is likely to figure in a supposed murder case, I shall have to ask you to
publish nothing for the present. A few additional facts I will, however, give you
now, and shall probably get nearer to the bottom later, when I will furnish you with
a note for publication.

The person in life weighed about 165 pounds; height, 5 feet 9 inches; age, sixty-
two; male. Death accompanied with congestion of lungs, indicating pneumonia,
pains in abdomen, and frothing at mouth. Died January 21, 1888. Coffin practi-
eally air-tight, constructed of whitewood, and inclosed in ordinary pine case. Under-
taker stated at time that he had embalmed body, but now states that it was not em-
balmed. Substances used in embalming, arsenic and corrosive sublimate.

Body exhumed January 29, 1890. Case and coffin in perfect state of preservation ;
the latter appearing to be air and water tight. Face, abdominal thorax, front walls
of abdomen portions of all abdominal organs, and the less solid part of ribs eaten
away. Posterior portion of stomach and body not eaten. Analysis of stomach shows
14 grains arsenic. Larve, pups, and adults alive at time of exhumation.

With the criminal and legal features of the case I have nothing to do, but how
could these larve live in a body containing either arsenic or corrosive sublimate ?

_ (The chemist is searching now for the latter and I shall know results in a day or so.)

If the man was not poisoned could the larvee have killed him? It did not at first seem

372

possible that the fly couldbreed in a body poisoned either before or after death with ar-
senic, butin ‘‘ Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,” Woodman and Tidy, page 303,is an
extract from ‘‘ Lancet,” August 23, 1854, page 231, in which the statement is made that
‘‘one hundred and fifty pheasants were poisoned from eating the maggots generated
in some animals destroyed by a strychnia vermin-killer.” Ido not know whether to
believe this ovr not. If we havea fly here in Indiana which can kill a man in mid win-
ter and half devour him within two years, poison and all, it will be worth knowing.

A physician in the city made the analysis and gave me the flies, and has promised
me that if it is necessary to exhume the corpse, I shall have the opportunity to inspect
it. If you wish more material, or think of any points which can be cleared up in
regard to the insect, please write me, and if the chance is offered I will get them.

Please, however, before printing anything on the subject, let me get all the facts
possible in the case, when I will put them in shape and send you. Can you figure
the different stages with the material you have ?—[ F. M. Webster, La Fayette, Ind.,
February 12, 13890.

RepLy.—Your letter of the 12th has come to hand, and this further information
makes the case of the corpse flies even more interesting. In the first place I do not
think there is any possibility that the flies or their larve killed the man, and the case
which you mention from the Lancet is rather improbable. I do not at all doubt that
the flies could flourish in the body of the man had he been poisoned by taking a dose
of arsenic, but it is less probable that they could live in the body if it had been thor-
oughly embalmed by injecting the usual arsenic and corrosive sublimate mixtures,
Even the latter, however, is not so improbable as it would at first appear, for many
of these Dipterous larve are very tenacious of life and very little affected by poison.
I should by no means say that the fact that they lived-in the body and bred in such
great numbers is proof positive that the body had not been embalmed. Ptinid larvee
have been known to feed in the corks of bottles containing corrosive sublimate.

I find on examining the specimens here that they were kept in water too long to be
in good condition for figuring. If you have other better flies send them on, and if
you have an opportunity to secure fresh ones, let me have a set placed directly in
alcohol. I will, however, have as good a figure as possible made from those which
we have here.—[February 15, 1890.]

The May Beetle and the White Grub.

Have you given any attention to the period of abundance of the May Beetle, Lach-
nosterna fusca, and have you thought it worthy to forecast the year of swarming and
attack on their favorite trees for food, as the walnut, hickory, butternut, and ash,
invariably stripping off all the June foliage of that year? You are familiar with the
life history, indeed your observations are the only ones made by an American ento-
mologist on the common American form of dor-beetle, in reference to its transforma-
tions to full development, and I presume you have published the year of great swarm-
ing at various times.

I have noted for many years their stages of growth and length of larval and imago
life, and by taking the three-year period easily predict their years of swarming, which
were for the last decade 1883, 1886, 1889, and will come again in 1892. I have fol-
lowed this series of broods backward and find it agrees with the swarming in Ala-
bama in 1880, and that in Massachusetts in 1865; also that recorded in eastern New
York in 1850. Certainly there is a small number of beetles on the wing every year,
and there must be, therefore, two other series of broods, occupying the two interven-
ing years.

I know that the entomologists of Europe predict the year of abundant swarming
for their common dor-beetle (a triennial period also, I believe) which led to much
preparation for destroying them ; but, unfortunately for the reputation of those wise
bug-men, something about the weather, fungous diseases, or parasites interrupted,

373
so as to cut off the brood in those districts, and thus the prophesied swarming never
came. Has there ever been a break, in any section, respecting their abundance in the
swarming year in this country ?

There is considerable usefulness in the record of abundance of the May Beetle for
the farmer. He can reckon that those fields in sod in the spring of the swarming
year will be the depository for many eggs, the grubs from which will do but little
injury that year, but would do much damage to corn or potatoes if planted on the sod
ground the following year, but not so much damage the next year, because the grub
becomes full-fed and grown to pupa stage by midsummer. The insect really experi-
ences the warmth of four summer suns. The first June, an egg; the second June, a
small growing grub; the third June, a nearly full-grown grub; the fourth June, a
winged beetle.

I believe the earliest account of this beetle, in respect to a correct exposé of its life
history through all the stages and length of time noted, was made in 1852 by David
L. Bernard, Clintondale, Ulster County, N. Y., and may be found in Patent Office
Report for 1852 (1853), page 219. It is remarkable that he seems not to have known
any common or Latin name for the insect. He simply says the grub is the larva ofa
beetle, and then describes the growth.

It is a matter of constant observation everywhere that skunks feed upon the grubs
to the extent of extracting every grub lying anywhere near the surface of the ground,
and thus aiding the agriculturists in securing larger and better crops. If they were
not trapped off so closely they would rescue the crops from many thousands of dollars
damage. Moles feed on them, and I am led to believe the raccoon feeds on grubs in
small extent and I presume the hedgehog may have that predilection, but I know of
no other American mammal in farming districts so disposed, although some others
may be led to acquire melolonthivorous habits; at least, I have found that one class
of domesticated animals can be led to acquire a taste for the white grub and very
soon exhibit a decided fondness for this grub, literal and pure.

Linne, my little son, without any detinite design exactly, began coaxing his dog,
a half terrier and spaniel, to eat the grubs. He was quickly successful, and since
then this dog and a St. Charles spaniel from-an adjoining farm, taking up the habit,
both follow the plow all day to eat every freshly exposed grub, and often they scent
them underneath the surface and dig them out.

To be sure, if the grubs are very plenty Tony and Ned get a surfeit in an hour, but
usually they are in the field nearly the whole time the plowman is there, and they
feast on the grubs with as much gusto as at the first, some two yearsago. Thus
they render a better service than the crows or ravens in those long-ago dreamy
rural scenes where troupes of these birds are represented following the plowman to
pick up every grub, and indeed some wire-worms, but also crowd in angle-worms
and all the beneficial ground beetles and their larve.

From trials made with several kinds of domesticated dogs it appears to be easy to
induce any variety of this class of quadrupeds to form this habit of eating to a pur-
pose. Iam not so sure but wild canines, like the fox, wolf, and coyote, eat grubs
and other insects when hard pressed by hunger. The members of the Ursine order
are abundantly on record as feeders of the honey, as well as the young grubs, of
bees, and the bees too. And bears are known to be fond of the white grubs they
dig out from rotten logs, as well as the May Beetle grub they find underneath the
logs, besides eating locusts and other insects.—[ W. L. Devereaux, Clyde, N. Y., Feb-
ruary 8, 1890.

RepLy.—We have established little of a reliably definite nature relative to the life
term of the larve of this insect, although a large series of notes has accumulated in
the endeavor to establish the definite facts. These notes seem to show that at Wash-
ington the ordinary length of larval life is three years and that there are no definite
broods; that beetles appear and oviposit every summer and that larva of all ages
can be found in the ground at any given time. We are not prepared to say that these

374

are hard and fast rules for even this one locality, and we should certainly expect a
variation with climate. The Melolontha vulgaris is said to remain three years in the
larval stage ir. South Europe, and four years in North Europe.—[ February, 1890. ]

Parorgyia on Cranberry in Wisconsin.

I wish to call your attention again to some insects sent by my brother to you last
summer, They were a lot of caterpillars. One species especially had done great
damage on a neighboring cranberry marsh. The caterpillar was of a mouse-gray
color, 14 inches long, provided with feelers or horns. On his back there was a tuft
of fur or hair, resembling the hump onacamel. You called it a species of Parorgyia.
I also sent specimens to Professor Henry, at the Madison (Wis.) Agricultural Experi-
ment Station. In his absence Mr. E. S. Goff replied. He called the insect that I
speak of Arctia, and said that it is an enemy of the cranberry. In the interest of the
Wisconsin Cranberry Growers’ Association I respectfully ask for a little more light,
if you can shed any from the above description or your personal experience. How
do they pass the winter? And when does the moth deposit the eggs that furnish the
brood which does the damage in July? The vine and fruit worm moths we success-
fully catch at night by means of lamps set in tin pans containing water, and a little
kerosene oilon top. It kills them as soon as they strike the water in the pan. Now,
is the moth of the former-described caterpillar of nocturnal flight? If so, they can
be caught the same as the fruit moth. I will be thankful for any information that
will enable me (not being an entomologist) to study their habits and mode of breed-
ing. I have succeeded in raising a moth from the caterpillar. I wanted it to exhibit
to the association last January or I would have sent it to you; perhaps then you
. could have readily given me the information I now seek.—[H. O. Kruschke, Deuster,
Juneau County, Wis., February 24, 1890.

REPLY.—The moth sent by your brother last summer has been reared and proves,
as I surmised, to be a species of Parorgyia, but the precise species can not be deter-
mined at this moment. An allied species lays its eggs late in July and the larve
attain full growth by fall, hibernate in a web, transform to pup in the spring and
issue as moths in early summer. The larve received from your brother, however,
were nearly full-grown August 1, and the solitary moth which we bred issued August
21. This would seem to indicate either two broods or the hibernation of the partly-
grown larve, moths of which emerge in August. Most of the larve which he sent
were parasitized. The moths are night-flyers and would probably be captured by the
same traps which you use for the vine and fruit worm moths. It is doubtful, how-
ever, whether this capturing of the moths will do much good, as careful examination
of specimens so captured shows that the vast majority are males, or females which have
laid their eggs. The best remedy will be to apply Paris green or London purple, as
I suggested in my letter to your brother August 3, last.—[February 27, 1890. ]

Helomyza sp. found in Mayfield Cave, Ind.

To-day I send you by mail a number of flies taken in Mayfield Cave on December
28, 1885. They were found under stones on the bottom of the cave, and sticking to
the sides of the cave in sheltered places. They were not very torpid, as when I lifted
up the stones they would generally commence to move. In the above cave they are
abundant. I expect they may be found in other caves around here in equal numbers,
although I have not hunted for them. You may keep them or else turn them oyer to
the Smithsonian.—[C. H. Bollman, Bloomington, Ind.

RepLy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and specimens and to state
that the flies which you found in Mayfield Cave belong to two different species, both
apparently belonging to the genus Helomyza. Neither of the species is contained in
the collection of the National Museum, and they may be both possibly new, although
this is only probable.

375

A Cave Crustacean in a Well.

A friend of mine has a splendid well of water with a force pump in it. The water
is always cool and has been clear until now. Lately it throws forth plenty of the in-
closed specimens. Are they not Phylopods, or the Ear-wig, or is this the Lithobius,

the crawling fellow we find in our house once in a while? Tell me all about it and

how to clear the well.—[J. M. Shaffer, Keokuk, Iowa.’

Rrpiy.—I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 19th instant, with speci-
men of an animal found in a well. Thisis the little crustacean described by Packard
as Cecidotea stygia and which has been found in Mammoth and other caves, in the
little pools of clear cold water which abound in such iocations. You will find a
very good figure of this species, with an account of its habits, in the third volume
of the American Entomologist, pages 35-36 (February, 1880).

Potato Stalk-borer in Corn and Rag-weed.

Mr. O.J. Voorhees brings me this morning samples of growing corn nearly a foot
high which are being destroyed by larva unknown to me. I understand that the
cornfields are largely infested. Will you please describe fully? Have you knowledge
of a remedy? If so state it fully that it may be published for the common good.—
[J. M. Shaffer, Keokuk, Iowa.

REpLY.—The worm which you send and which infests corn in your vicinity is the
larva of a common Stalk-borer (Gortyna nitela Guen). This insect is a very gen-
eral feeder and ravages not only corn but other cereals and also potatoes, toma-
toes and a number of flowering plants which are commonly grown in gardens. By
way of compensation it is particularly partial to the stem of the Cockle Bur ( Xanthium
strumarium). On account of its diversity of food plant, and on account of its feed-
ing on the interior of the stalk, it is a most difficult insect to fight. The only remedy
which has ever been proposed, and the only one which will resultin any practical
results, consists in cutting the larve out of the stalks which are observed to wilt from
its attacks. This of course would be a most tedious operation in large quantities, but
it is the only way to lessen the number of worms. The laborof boys could be readily
utilized in this work. It has been previously recorded as damaging corn, but I think
never to the extent which you describe.

ANOTHER LETTER.—As you request, I to-day send you a box containing a larva of the
corn-stalk borer, marked No. 1, and three larve of what appears to be the same, which
I found in rag-weed stalks, marked No. 2. In the corn they are rare at this season, but
are rather common in the rag-weed. On the 29th ultimo I noticed one stalk where the
borer had eaten out and left. In large corn they enter the stalk a few inches above
the ground, and eat across nearly to the opposite side, and then upward. The first
time I ever saw the borer was in 1882, in a piece of ground that had been pastured
more than twenty years, and never plowed until that spring. There were quite a
good many of them. The next year I had corn on the same ground and there were a
few again. These were all near the edge of the field. This year I have corn on the
same piece again, and they were all over it. One day about the 1st of June, I killed
about fifty worms, and many more at other times. In 1884 [ found a few in rag-weed
along the edge of this same field, when it was in oats. This spring I found a few in
another field over a quarter of a mile from the other infested ground. Others in the
neighborhood are not troubled with them to any great extent. The most of their
work is done when the corn is from 2 to 10 inches high, and before it begins to joint.
Then the heart is eaten out just above the root, leaving the outside of the stalk green.
The infested stalks may be known by the central blades being dead. This is the best
time to destroy them. They are then from 4 inch to 1 inch long, and are easily killed
by pulling the infested stalks up and crushing them.—-[Thomas Wikessell, Wauseon,
Ohio.

376

Repiy.—The Corn-stalk Borer (No. 1) and the Rag Weed Borer (No. 2) are both
larvie of Gortyna nitela as I supposed from your letter of the 27th ult. Achatodes zee
is quite a different thing. The Gortyna is a very common insect and is found on a
great many plants in addition to the two which you have mentioned. It first came
into prominence as a potato stalk-borer and was described as such by Professor Riley
in one of his early Missouri reports, and also in his little book on Potato Pests. It is
also found ina number of other cultivated plants and large-stemmed annnal weeds.
No other remedy has been suggested than cutting them out of the stalks which they
infest, by hand, and this of course would be impossible in a field of corn. As they
seem to infest the Rag-weed on your place in considerable quantities, numbers can
doubtless be killed by cutting and burning the weeds at this time, or while the ma
jority of thelarve are still within the stalks.

The Melon Worm.

It has come under my observation that the late crop of canteloupes in this section
is generally very much injured by a bug or insect which bores a hole in the fruit
when about half grown or just ripening, rendering it entirely unfit for use, while
early crops are rarely if ever affected by this borer. The canteloupe crop will
be much later than usual this year on account of continued excessive rains this
spring, and want of warm weather to make the vines grow, and in anticipation
of the trouble referred to, I would be very glad to have you give me aremedy if you
know of any to avoid it.—[J. H. von Hasseln, Anderson, 8. C.

REPLY.—The insect of which you speak is in all probability the Melon Worm of the
South (Phakellura hyalinatalis). This insect is treated in the annual report of this
Department for 1879, pages 218 to 220. The only remedy so far known is to watch
for the first brood of the worms, which will probably be found feeding upon the
leaves and stems before the young melons have begun to form. They should be killed
by hand or by the application of Paris green and flour. At this late date when the
second brood of the worms are boring into the melons there is no remedy.

Crt-worms and Carnations.

I send you by this mail some larve which I find near the surface of the ground
around the roots of our carnations. There is something that eats a hole in the sides
of the buds of our carnations and destroys the whole of the flower. Our gardener
says that he believes this is the grub that does it, and that it goes up the stem in the
night and feeds on the buds, and hides in the soil during the day. As we have not
seen it around here very long I send it to you for a name.—[ Thomas B. Meehan, Ger-
mantown, Philadelphia, Pa.

REpLY.—The insect which you send is the Variegated Cut-worm (larva of Agrotis
saucia) audit is altogether likely that it is responsible for the damage to carnations
which you describe. You will find this larva treated in the annual report of this
Department for 1884, pages 297 and 298. The subject of ‘‘ Remedies for Cut-worms”
will be found on pages 298 to 300.

The Plant-feeding Lady-bird and the Potato Stalk-beetle.

I take the liberty of forwarding to your address by mail to-day specimens of a bug
(also egg-clusters) which proves to be very destructive to the bean crop in Colorado.
It seems to be closely related to the potato-bug. Thehairy slug defoliates bean vines
in the same way that D. decemlineata defoliates potato-vines. I have recommended
the Paris green remedy also for this pest. Will you favor us by giving name and his-
tory of the insect? Can you suggest a better remedy than Paris green?

Can anything be done to prevent the ravages of Baridius trinotatus, which threat-
ens the destruction of the potato fields in some sections of Pennsylvania ?—[Tuisco
Greiner, Little Silver, N. J.

377

REpLy.—This insect belongs to the only genus of the Coccinellidx or ‘* Lady-birds”
which is plant-feeding in its habits. It is Zpilachna corrupta. I can suggest no better
remedy than Paris green.

Baridius trinotatus is an insect which can only be fought by pulling up and burning
the infested stalks. It is a tedious remedy but a sure one. As the insect transforms
within the stalk this remedy is efficacious at almost any time.

Intrusion of the Elm Leaf-beetle in Houses.

I now take the liberty to intrude upon your time with a few words concerning the
habits of this (the Elm-leaf) beetle, with which you may not be so unfortunately
acquainted asIam. It was in 1883, in the fall house-cleaning, that my attention
was called to these creatures, then unknown to me, massing themselves in close packs
behind pictures. in 1884 I noticed the trees for the first time being stripped, and
that fal] more bugs came in, and in the spring of 1885 they appeared in great quan-
tities about the windows, but soon left the house for the trees, as we suppose. Dur-
ing the summer of 1885 the Elm trees were wretchedly stripped, and last August, as
early asthe 6th, these beetles came to the house inswarms.. The house was thoroughly
netted, but nets were of no use. They only disappeared during real winter weather
to re-appear this spring, in April and May, in quantities. The old-fashioned garret is

_ full of them; killing off day by day with powder makes no difference except for that

day. The shingled roof is full; the window boxes where the cords play are full; the
windows are daily covered, especially on the upper part, with quantities. They eat
no flannels or woolens of any kind, never bite nor molest the body except liking to
sleep in one’s bed; they fill drawers, boxes, books, etc., and show no disposition to go
out to the trees, and what they subsist on is a puzzle. Please excuse this great lib-
erty; the truth is, that with every effort to bear the plague philosophically, the
natural dislike of the housekeeper to be worsted in a battle with any even the most
aristocratic insect prevails in my case, and I thought it just possible you might be
able to tell me.of some one thing that would give me the victory I desire, at the sacri-
fice of my hospitable instincts.—[H. 8S. Onderdonk, Great Neck, Long Island, N. Y.

ReEepLy.—The account which you giveof the great numbers in which the K1m Leaf-
beetle infests your house is very interesting, but I am sorry to say that I can ofter
you no encouragement in regard to any remetly beyond what you will find published
in Bulletin 6 of this Division (which we have already sent you), and beyond the free
use of Persian insect powder in your house.

Re Lestophonus.

Yours of the 2\st instant, inclosing duplicates of the articles on the Lestophonus and
its parasites, is just received. The facts are so clearly and correctly stated in these
articles for INSECT Lire that I am unable to suggest any change or alteration.

In regard to the manner in which I treated Koebele’s second sending of Australian
parasites I will say that Mr. Koebele advised me to subject the contents of each box
to chloroform, then open each box and destroy all of the Chalcids and transfer the
Lestophoni to the tent. However, I was unwilling to expose the Lestophoni to such
arisk of life, so I had constructed two sacks of a muslin so thin that I could easily dis-
tinguish from the outside the Chalcids from the Lestophoni as they rested on the in-
side of the sack; the sacks were about 3 feet high by a foot and a half in diameter,
and were sufficiently close in texture to prevent the escape of either the Lestophoni or
the Chalcids. In these two sacks I emptied the contents of the boxes of parasites,
tied up the tops of the sacks, then destroyed the Chalcids by pinching them between
the thumb and finger, without opening the sacks, after which the sacks were opened
andthe Lestophoni liberated into the same tent in which I placed the first consign-
ment of these flies.

The Chalcids are easily distinguished from the Lestophoni as they sit on the inside
of the sacks, not only by their more slender form, but especially by their habit of

378

always holding their wings lying flatly upon the back when not in use, instead of
holding them partly expanded, as the Lestophoni do. The latter when disturbed
usually fly upward, and are thus easily liberated from the sacks, while the Chalcids
when disturbed simply leap a short distance and again alight lower down upon the
inside of the sack. I have examined these sacks every few days and carefully de-
stroyed the Chalcids and then liberated the Lestophori. These two muslin sacks I
kept inside the tent. The contents of some of the tin boxes which were in worse
condition I putin a paper bag, pinned it shut and kept it in my room; nothing but
Chalcids have appeared in this bag, andall of these have been carefully destroyed.
Altogether there have issued from this second sending up to date twenty-four Lesto-
phoni and one hundred and sixty-one Chalcids.—[D. W. Coquillett, Los Angeles,
Cal., January 27, 1889.

GENERAL NOTES.

BOILING WATER FOR PEACH BORER.

Mr. John B. Haas, in the Pacific Rural Press for March 22, gives
the result of a very conclusive experience in Missouri some years ago.
He removed the soil around his infested trees fora depth of 3 or 4
inches, making a trench from 3 to 6 inches in width, and poured a buck-
etful of water, boiling hot, all around the trunk of the tree, allowing it
to remain in the trench. He states that it killed all of the borers pres-
ent and that his trees, which had been covered at the base with gummy
exudation and had been in very bad condition, rapidly improved and
bore fine crops.

THE FAMILY PHYLLOXERID&.

Dr. L. Dreyfus, in the ‘ Zoologischer Anzieger,” No. 316, 1889, has
published a little statement to the effect that his new family which he
had erected in his work entitled ““Uber Phylloxerinen,” Wiesbaden, 1889,
should be given the “ide” termination instead of the “ine.” He
therefore gives as the four families of the suborder Phytophthires: (1)
Coccide; (2) Phyloxeride: (3) Aphid; (4) Psyllide.

THE NEWLY IMPORTED ROSE SAW-FLY.

Mr. J. G. Jack refers in Garden and Forest of March 26, 1890, to the
introduction of the European Hmphytus cinctus into this country. He
has found it feeding upon the roses in the Arnold arboretum at Cam-
bridge in the summer of 1887 and succeeded in rearing the adult in the
autum. of 1888. This species is from two to three times as large as a
common Rose Saw-fly, has a white band around the body of the female,
and is more active. The eggs are deposited singly on the under side
of the leaf and there are two or three annual generations.

TESTIMONIAL TO MR. KOEBELE.

Hon. Ellwood Cooper, the president of the State Board of Horticul-
ture of California, has suggestedsthe raising of funds for the purpose of

379

presenting Mr. Koebele with a testimonial in recognition of his services
in importing the insect enemies of the Fluted Scale, and we learn from
the Rural Californian of April that the sum of $232.50 was raised dur-
ing the recent convention at Los Angeles. The subsidiary statement
which is being quite generally made and which has caused his friends
no little anxiety, viz, that Mr. Koebele’s health was ruined by his trip
to Australia has, we are happy to state, no foundation whatever. Mr.
Koebele writes that his health is perfect, and that he is good for three
such trips, and itis due him to announce that the statement above-
referred to and which has placed him in a false light, was started by
secretary of the the State board of horticulture, upon his own confes-
sion, “for effect”!

A PARADOX.

It may seem very much like a contradiction in terms to speak of a
white black scale, yet this is what we have recently received from Mr.
Coquillett. In the midst of a normally colored colony of the Black
Scale (Lecanium ole) on oleander he found a full-grown individual of
a uniform perfectly white color. Mr. Coquillett considered this color
to have been due to the fact that the specimen had recently molted,
but so far as we know the Lecanii have no distinctive molts. It is
probably an instance of albinism, and the first one of the kind which
has ever come to our notice among the Coccide.

A RARE SPHINGID.

We have just received for the National Museum collection from Mr.
W.G. Henry, of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, a specimen of
the female of the rare Pseudosphinz tetrio. Mr. Henry gives us an inter-
esting account of its capture, which we may quote:

The insect referred to was captured atsea, on January 19, while the Blake was at
anchor on a current station in the Gulf of Mexico, about 160 miles south of the Mis-
sissippi River mouth, and about half way between the Louisiana coast and the Cam-
peche Banks (Yucatan coast), I noticed the insect (I presume it was the same) sitting
on the boom. under the awning, and tried to catch it, but it flew away as lightly and
easily as a bird and took a straight westerly course across the sea until it was out of
sight, and I saw it no more that day. The next day (January 20), I was sitting on
deck and saw the insect (presumably the same) come in a straight course from
westerly across the sea and alight on board, and, after repeated efforts, it was capt-
ured. The Blake had been at sea (out of sight of land) for six days, having left the
Mississippi on January 13, and the insect was so shy and hard to approach that I
think it could not have been on board the ship all that time without being disturbed
and seen. Fora week previous to its capture there had been no high wind from any
direction which could have blown the insect off to sea, and it is therefore natural to
suppose that its flight across the sea was entirely voluntary. Isent the insect to you
from New Orleans on January 24.

On February 1 (I think) we again left the Mississippi and ran across the Gulf of
Mexico to the Campeche Banks, and began to re-occupy the current stations, at in-
tervals of 60 miles, on a line across the Gulf from Campeche Banks to mouth of
Mississippi. On February 9 we arrived at and anchored on the same station where

380

the insect sent you was captured, and strange to state, while anchored there another
of the same kind of insect came on board. It could be approached near enough to see
that it was the same kind of insect, but it eluded every effort to capture it, and
finally flew away across the sea. Noother insect of that or any other kind had been
seen anywhere in the Gulf, and it was rather strange that the only two seen should
have been at the same spot, in the center of the Gulf of Mexico, and at an interval of

twenty days.
A NEW APPLE PEST.

At arecent meeting of the agricultural bureau of this colony the
secretary reported that he had noticed that many of the apples, in a
shipment of ten thousand cases from California to Sydney, were per-
forated and tunnelled as though they had been attacked by the larve
of the Codlin Moth. He had forwarded some of these to Mr. Frazer S.
Crawford, as the matter was urgent, and the following report had been
sent on by him to the commissioner of crown lands:

I have received from the secretary of the central agricultural bureau an apple
stated to be one of a large importation from California, and which was supposed to
be attacked by the codlin moth. On examination I found a number of small chan-
nels running through it in various directions, of an average diameter of about one-
twentieth of an inch, in some places filled up with fine excreta. From these I ex-
tracted seven footless grubs, the largest about one-tenth of an inch long by rather
more than half that in width. They are white, or else of a pale rose color, and have
a white head, They are evidently the grub of a beetle; but of what species I am
unable to say, as nomentionof such an insect attacking the apple is made in any Eng-
lish or American work that I have got. I believe it to be a new pest to California,
or only one that has only appeared there within the last year ortwo. If introduced
here, I consider it likely to be as destructive as the codlin moth, and one equally as
difficult toeradicate I therefore respectfully suggest that every endeavor should be
made to trace this shipment of apples, and if possible that all found in the colony
should be destroyed, and, furthermore, I wish to point out the advisableness of the
other colonies being communicated with in order that the damage of the shipment
may be pointed out.

MELBOURNE.

(Melbourne correspondence Mark Lane Express, February 17, 1890.)

AMERICAN VINES IN FRANCE AND THE PHYLLOXERA.

The gratifying showing of the rapid increase in the acreage of recon-
stituted vineyards in France, mostly by the use of American stocks,
given in the last number of INSECT LIFE in the article entitled ‘“‘ The
Phylloxera Problem Abroad, etc.,” hardly leads one to expect the ad-
verse report on the use of American vines given in the Wine Trade Re-
view of February 15, 1890, and quoted in the Cape Colony Agricultural
Journal of February 20.

The quotation is as follows:

An important movement is taking place in the department of Seine-et-Marne, in
regard to the introduction of American cépages into the vineyards. Many people in
France and other countries have been inclined to regard the grafting of French vines
on American as one of the most certain methods of arresting the progress of the phyl-

loxera; but it is clear that a different opinion is held in the Champagne country.
The prefect of the Marne department last month directed that an inquiry should be
b

381

opened on the subject, and a few days later the Syndicat du Commerce des Vins de
Champagne de Reims drew up an important document, in which its views as to Ameri-
can plants were fully stated. In the opinion of the Syndicat the introduction of these
plants would be infallibly followed by the phylloxera, since they are the conductors
aud propagators par excellence of the pest, and though they may be able to support
themselves against it, they rapidly spread it around them. Considering that a great
danger is threatened to the vineyards, the Syndicat makes an energetic protest against
the employment of the American plants, and copies of the document have been sent
to the mayors of the seventy-nine communes of the Marne department, as well as to
the prefect. The views of the Syndicat on such a question as this will doubtless re-
ceive the weight they deserve, and then goa long way to indicate the probable result
of the inquiry.
A NEW AUSTRALIAN VINE PEST.

We have recently received from the author, through the State De-
partment, advance proof of an article by Charles O. Montrose, editor
Victoria Farmers’ Gazette, relating to a new vine pest which is reported
to be seriously ravaging the vineyards, orchards, and gardens of New
South Wales.

In this article Mr. F. A. A. Skuse is recorded as stating that the in-
sect in question is a species of plant bug, probably undescribed, be-
longing to the family Capside, and from the description given, it must
be closely allied to our Tarnished Plant-bug.

They are said to attack particularly the fruit-stems of the Grape,
Plum, Apple, ete., causing the fruit to dry up instead of ripening. They
seem to prefer Plum leaves, and are reported to leave the grape and
other plants untouched in the neighborhood of plum trees. They are,
however, practically omnivorous, causing great injury to all the common
fruits, cereals, and vegetables.

Mr. Montrose has promised to forward specimens, on the receipt of
which we may refer to the subject again.

TROUBLE IN CALIFORNIA.

In a recent account of the meeting of the Los Angeles County orange-
growers we notice that the board of supervisors has received a petition
signed by sixty-seven parties asking for the removal of the board of
horticultural commissioners on the ground that spraying is injurious
to the trees, and that parasites have been discovered which are effec-
tively cleaning off the White, Red, Black, and San José scales. They
claim that spraying kills off the parasites and leaves the scales to “ pur-
sue their chosen avocation.”

We consider this action short-sighted and unjustified. Proper spray-
ing will not injure the tres, and no effective new parasites of the Red,
Black, or San José scales have been discovered. The parasite of the
Black seale, discovered by Professor Comstock in 1880 (Dilophogaster
californica Howard), was at that date considered by him a very effective
enemy of this scale, and it is safe to say that, after ten years of unin-
terrupted work of the parasite, this scale insect is as abundant in Cali-
fornia as ever.

25852—Nos. 11 and 12——4

382

LEPIDOPTEROLOGICAL NOTES.

Protoparce celeus Hb. (Tomato worm).—Well known as destructive
to the foliage of both potato and tomato, but was last autumn observed
eating into the fruit of the tomato, six individual tomatoes in one in-
stance being destroyed on a single vine where growing foliage was
abundant, but this was scarcely eaten. The trouble was first attributed
to fowls and later to sparrows, but both were proven innocent by the
worms being surprised in the act.

Daremma catalpe Bd. (Catalpa Sphinx).—Besides being exceedingly
abundant, and the larve very destructive to young Catalpa trees in
southern Indiana, I have found the larve also defoliating trees in the
forests of Arkansas in May. Mr. John B. Smith, in his recent mono-
graph of the Sphingide,* does not include territory west of the Missis-
sippi River as within the distribution of this species.

Spilosoma virginica Fabr. (Yellow Woolly-bear).-—The caterpillar was
observed eating holes in ripe muskmelons at La Fayette, Ind., Octo-
ber 15. In one instance an excavation had been made in an otherwise
perfect melon, over an inch in diameter, and fully half as deep.

Mamestra legitima Grt.—Adult moth reared during spring of 1889
from larva found feeding within seed pod of Asclepias incarnata near
La Fayette, Ind., early in November, 1888. The larva appeared to sub-
sist upon the seeds, the pod being attached unopened to the erect plant.

Prodenia lineatella Harv.—N early full grown larvie observed at La
Fayette, Ind., October 29, 1888.

Scoliopteryx libatrix L.—Adult moths reared at La Fayette, Ind.,

September 24. Parasite, Ophion purgatum Say, emerged from pup of

this species October 29.

Aletia xylina Say (Cotton worm).—Adults captured in a large field of
red clover near La Fayette, Ind., from about August 20 to October 15,
1889.

Phycis indiginella Zeller (Leaf crumpler).—From a large number of
larval cases, collected late in February and placed in warm quarters,
there emerged on March 7 two species of parasites, Hemiteles variegatus
Ashm. and an undescribed species (No. 1092a) of Apanteles.

Plutella cruciferarum Zeller (Cabbage Plutella).—This pest of the
cabbage appeared in some of the market gardens about La Fayette,
Ind., during May, 1889, and did serious injury. The moths emerged
in great abundance late in May, and about the 10th of June there ap-
peared great numbers of parasites—Phcogenes discus Cress.

Wilsonia brevivittella Clem.—Adults of this species were reared from
seed pods of Evening Primrose, @nothera biennis L. The larve depre-
date upon the seed pods much as those of Pronuba yuccasella Riley do
in the seed pods of the Yucca. The larve were first observed early in
September. The exact date of appearance of moths was not noted, but
it must have taken place very late in September, or during October.

*Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., Vol. XV, p. 205.

383

Callosamia promethea Drury.—The larvee of this species was very
abundant during the season of 1889, and the cocoons were to be found
on wild cherry and sassafras in great numbers. Examination of these
cocoons in March, 1890, developed the fact that fully two-thirds of them
had been parasitized by Gphion macrurum Linn.

Agrotis herilis Grote (Western Striped Cut-worm).—In company with
other cut-worms, this species is supposed to descend into the earth in
the fall for the purpose of hibernating. The winter of 1889~90, how-
ever, proved an exception, and the larve, usually about one-fourth to
one-third grown, were observed on warm, sunny days during the entire
winter feeding above ground upon young wheat in the field, and also
upon grass in meadows and other grass lands.

Hadena stipata Morr.—On page 134, Volume II, INsEor LIFB, this
Species was incidentally mentioned as destroying young corn on newly
broken grass lands. Since that notice was written reports of serious
depredations have come to me from Clinton, Miami, Madison, and John-
son Counties, Ind., all indicating that this is the most destructive of
all our cut-worms in the localities where it occurs; some fields being
totally ruined, and that, too, after it is too late in the season for replant-
ing. Both low and high lands, timothy and clover sod, seem alike
attacked, even though the ground may have borne but one previous
crop of grass or clover.

Lithophana antennata Watk.—Possibly on account of the extreme
mild winter just passed these moths made their appearance very early
in the season, several being captured at La Fayette, Ind., on the even-
ing of February 24, 1890.—[F’. M. Webster, March 29, 1890.]

THE PUNCTURING OF APPLES BY THE PLUM CURCULIO.

In a foot-note to Mr. Webster’s article upon “Experiments with Plum
Curculio,” published on page 308 of the last number, we promised to
publish in a future number the figure illustrating the condition of

Fic. 71.—Plum Curculio punctures in young apples—natural size (original).

young apples found by Mr. Webster July 24, at La Fayette, Ind., and
which illustrated a severe attack of the adult of the Plum Curculio,

384

The tree from which these apples were picked blossomed profusely and |

produced a good crop of young apples, but by July 24 all but two dozen
had fallen to the condition of this. The figure is drawn from specimens
picked on that date and sent in by Mr. Webster, and very well illus-
trates the work of the Plum Curculio, as we have often witnessed it as
much as twenty years ago.

THE VEDALIA IN NEW ZEALAND.—RECENT INCREASE OF ICERYA.

* * * Going back to Vedalia. All parts of New Zealand have
been importing plants from Australia for very many years, particularly
Citrus and Acacia. Auckland was the first visited by Icerya, which was
discovered on an imported plant (Acacia undulata), but I am not pre-
pared to say the individual plant was imported. It is rather singular
that in some districts it appeared first on Australian acacias (plants it
seems even more partial to than Citrus, although it is not so rapidly
fatal to them), plants grown from seed being the first attacked in districts.
Auckland was also the first district cleared by Vedalia, and then Taka-
puna, Wairoa, South Waikomiti, etc., where the Citrus and other plants
were derived from Auckland. Auckland was cleared so rapidly that no
one knew how, till it was over, and it would have also remained a mys-
tery with the other places had I not heard of it and gone there to find
the cause. Napier and Nelson are the other two infested parts, and
they import direct from Australia and separately.

At Napier they received the beetle later than Auckland, but at Nel-
son they have missed it, and up to the present time the Icerya is going
on unchecked. J urged them to procure the beetle from Napier while it
was yet time, and Mr. Maskell got them the Lestophonus flies (which
have done no good). Hamilton sent them the beetles, but Mr. Maskell
wrote to me a few posts ago to say that it was doing no good and did
not seem te increase. The fact is I feel sure he has sent them the wrong
insect. It is deplorable to see people making such mistakes and no
properly qualified person to set them right. There is one thing I must
beg to draw your attention to, and that is, that in my late tour round
the North I find (as might be expected) Icerya returning everywhere and
not a trace of Vedalia; in many places, and around Auckland in partic-
lar, it is increasing fast and bids fair to become as bad as ever. This
should warn you to take vare of Vedalia and conserve a few colonies;
the reasonis very obvious. * * * —[R. Allan Wight, Paeroa, Auck-
land, New Zeaiand, March 15, 1890.

THE PHYLLOXERA IN NEW ZEALAND.

* * * Tam ashamed to say that our Government has positively
refused to permit me to land any vines from the United States under
any circumstances, for fear of importing Phylloxera vastatrix, of which a

385

fine specimen now stands before me in a bottle. I have just come
home from a tour round the North, and I have seen it in two vineyards
in our principal grape-growing country. I am disgusted.. One man
dug up the vines and burned them as soon as be was aware of it. The
other refused unless his neighbors would pay him £10. What can I
do for such a people as this? Maskell is advising the Government to
compel all vine owners in infected districts to burn their vines, whether
they are infected or not (the insect could do no more). I am advising
them to severely punish people who refuse to burn infected vines, when
it has once been pointed out to them, and to either compel or encour-
age others to shift on to proof roots. * * *—/R. Allan Wight,
Paeroa, Auckland, New Zealand, March 15, 1890.

‘PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

Number 4 of Volume J of the Proceedings of the Entomological Soci-
ety of Washington has just been published. This number is furnished
with an index to the whole volume which it completes. It contains
- about 100 pages and includes, among the shorter notes, papers by Mr.
Schwarz, on the Coleoptera common to North America and other coun-
tries; notes on the comparative vitality of insects in cold water; stray
notes on injurious insects in tropical Florida; notes on the Tobacco
Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne); notes on Cicada septendecim in 1889 ;
food plants and food habits of some North American Coleoptera; Myr-
mecophilous Coleoptera found in temperate North America, and sud-
den spread of a new enemy to clover (Sitones hispidulus); by Mr. How-
ard, note on the hairy eyes of some Hymenoptera; note on the mouth-
parts of the American Cockroach ; authorship of the Family Mymaride,
and a few additions and corrections to Scudder’s Nomenclator Zodélogi-
cus; by Mr. F. V. Coville, notes on Bumble-bees; by Judge L. C.
Johnson, the Jigger Flea in Florida; by Mr. Marlatt, swarming of
Lycena comyntas ; an ingenious method of collecting Bombus and
Apathus, and abundance of Oak-feeding Lepidopterous larvze in the
fall ef 1889; by Baron Osten Sacken, correction to the monographs of
the Diptera of North America, Vol. I, 1862; by Mr. Ashmead, some
remarks on South American Chalcids; an anomalous Chalcid (Hoplo-
crepis n. g., albiclavus n. sp.), and remarks on the Chaleid genus Hali-
dea ; by Mr. Townsend, notes on some interesting flies from the vicin-
ity of Washington, D. C.; on the fall occurrence of Bibio and Dilophus,
and a further note on Dissosteira (Gidipoda) carolina; by Professor
Lugger, on the migrations of the Milkweed Butterfly. In addition to
these are many shorter notes by Professor Riley, Dr. Marx, Dr. Fox,
Mr. Mann, and others.

The first volume, being now complete, may be obtained from the cor-
responding secretary of the society, Mr. Tyler Townsend, Department
of Agriculture, Washington, for $3.

386
AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

In the March number of INSECT LIFE (p. 290), is a notice of my paper
in Garden and Forest, on Zeuzera pyrina, which makes it necessary to
credit the observations to those who gave them to me for use. The
figures used were drawn by Mr. C. P. MacChesney, of Arlington, N. J.,
and were simply put into shape for engraving by me. Mr. Angelman
found the larva, and the facts used all came to me from these gentlemen.
Mr. MacChesney published his own observations in Ent. Amer., VI, No.
2, and this paper must be credited as the scientific presentation of the
matter rather than my popular account to which accident alone gave a
date not intended and an apparent priority which it does not de-
serve.—[John B. Smith, Rutgers College.

THE GENITAL ARMATURE IN MALE HYMENOPTERA.

General Radoszkowski, at the meeting of the French Entomological
Society, of September 11, 1889 (see Bulletin Entomologique, p. clxxii),
presented a communication on the subject of the use of the male genital
armature in Hymenoptera for the separation of species. Following in
the line of the investigations of Dufour, Sichel, Fred. Smith, and E.
Saunders, and adopting in the main the nomenclature of Dufour, and
has found that these parts are of great value in the distinction of spe-
cies, as they have proven to be with other orders. He has applied this
method of diagnosis to more than 40 genera and 500 species. He has
expressed himself as of the opinion that of all characters known among
the Hymenoptera the form of the genitalia is the surest and most stable
for generic and specific characters as well as for varieties. The forms
examined seem to belong mainly to the Anthophila, Mutillide, and Chrys-
tdide.

THE MAN-INFESTING BOT.

At the 27th of March, 1889, meeting of the French Entomological
Society Mr. Emile Gounelle exhibited a larva taken from a man who
came from Brazil, and stated that similar cases were not rare, particu-
larly around St. Paul. Mr. Laboulbéne added that he had also ob-
served a similar larva taken from a Brazilian woman recently arrived
in Paris. It was taken from a painful tumorand recognized as a species
of Dermatobia. It was placed in a breeding cage, but died before
transformation.

THE EGGS OF ATHERIX.

Mr. J. E. Ives, in the March number of Entomological News (p. 39),
describes a mass of eggs taken from the under surface of a tree over-
hanging a small stream, which was determined by Dr. Williston as those
of the Leptid genus Atheriz. The same thing has recently been figured
and described in England, and certain egg-parasites are also figured.
Some thirteen years ago we collected a large number of these eggs upon

387

the piling of Lake Minnetonka, near Minneapolis, and they have formed
an interesting part of the Dipterological collection of the National Mu-
seum, while more recently we received a bit of piling from the shores
of Lake Ontario which were covered with these eggs from which larvee
hatched which we were able to determine as belonging to this genus by
comparison with the figures in Dr. Brauer’s Monograph of Dipterous
larvee. Our correspondent stated that the wharf piles for hundreds of
feet were covered with these eggs.

A MONOGRAPH OF THE EVANIID&®.

An important monograph of the family Evaniid has been completed
by August Schletterer and published in three parts in the Annalen des K.
K. Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums, Volume lV. Parts I and II bear the
date 1889 and part III 1890. The species of the entire world are de-
scribed by means of analytic tables and lengthy descriptions, and the
synonomy is most carefully considered. The monograph is illustrated
with-6 lithographic plates of morphologicaldetails. He places only the
three genera Hvania Fab. (Brachygaster Stephens, Hyptia Shuckarda),
Gasteruption Latr. (Fenus Walk., and other authors), and Aulacus
Jur. (Aulacostethus Philippi and Pammegischia Prov.) in the family
Evaniide. The work as a whole is one of the most thorough and com-
plete monographs which we have seen.

COLONEL PEARSON ON THE ROSE CHAFHSR.

In the article on the Rose Chafer, on page 295 of the last number, we
neglected to make mention of an excellent article on this insect by
Col. A. W. Pearson in the January 22 number of Garden and Forest,
in which he states that subsequent experiment with Bordeaux mixture
showed that it was not the specific which he formerly considered it to
be. Last summer he made a solution of 1 ounce of good Pyrethrum to
2 gallons of water, first wetting the powder toa paste before mixing
with all the water. On spraying the vines with this mixture the bugs
became paralyzed and fell to the ground. Then he had men pass along
both sides of the trellis and jar the vines and kill the bugs with paddles.
Insect powder in this strength he finds does not kill them, but only
temporarily stupefies them, and they will eventually recover and fly
away. Meanwhile they will be quitc easily destroyed for some time.
As the testimony of a practical man this is of value.

THE COLUMBUS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

We have been favored with No. 1, Volume V, of this Society, which
contains some interesting entomological matter. The principal article
is by Prof. D. S. Kellicott on ‘Our Injurious AXgerians.” He gives a
short account of thirteen species and illustrates upon a well executed
plate the Peach Tree-borer, the Pear Tree-borer, the Imported Currant-
borer, the Maple Tree-borer, and the Plum Tree-borer.

388

MR. BUCKTON’S MONOGRAPH OF THE BRITISH CICADA AND TETTI- |
GIID_as.*

The mere announcement that Mr. G. B. Buckton was about to mon. |
ograph the British species of the difficult group of insects above men- |
tioned, was a sufficient indication that the work would be well and |
carefully done, and the two parts which we have before us fully justify —
our anticipations. The work resembles in character his well-known |
monograph of the British Aphidide, although not published as was the
former work by the Ray Society. The plates are drawn and litho-
graphed by Mr. Buckton himself, and while a little rough in appearance
admirably illustrate the characteristics of the different species. The
parts contain 32 pages and 10 plates each, all of the plates being colored
except two supplementary ones which indicate details of structure.

EARLY STAGES OF THE ODONATA.t

After many years Mr. Cabot has given us the third part of his mono-
graph, which takes up twenty-three species of Cordulina with a number
of forms in the genera Pantala and Tramea. The six lithographic
plates are beautifully reproduced from drawings by the author.

INDIAN MUSEUM NOTES No. 3.

The third number of these insect publications has just reached us
through the courtesy of Mr. K. C. Cotes. This number is devoted to
a description of the ‘ Silk-worms in India,” and a surprising number
of species actually reared for commercial purposes are treated. Aside
from the Mulberry Silk-worm (Sericaria mori), the pamphlet considers
Bombyx fortunatus, the Desi or Chota Polo ; Bombyx cresi, the Nistry or
Madrassi; Bombyx arracanensis, the Nya Paw; Bombyx sinensis, the
Sina, Cheena, or Chota Pat; Antherwa mylitta, the Tusser; Attacus
ricini, the Hri; Antherwa assama, the Muga. Four lithographic plates
accompany the treatment of the species.

THE CHINCH BUG DISEASE.

Prof. F. H. Snow, in No. 1 of Volume XII of the Transactions of the
Kansas Academy of Sciences (1889), pages 34 to 37, gives the result of
his experiments for the artificial dissemination of a contagious disease
among the Chinch Bugs. Thereis little further in this article than that
summarized from the Lawrence (Kans.) Daily Journal on page 126 of
the current volume. Werepeat our caution as to the too ready accept-
ance of results of this character.

* Monograph of the British Cicad# and Tettigiide, illustrated by more than 400
colored drawings by George Bowdler Buckton, F. R. 8. London, Macmillan & Co.,
and New York, 1390. 8parts. Price, 8s. per part.

+The Immature State of the Odonata. Part III. Subfamily Cordulina. By Louis
Cabot, with 6 plates. Memoirs of the Museu of memes Zodlogy, Vol. XVII,
No, 1, Cambridge, February, 1890.

389

STUDY OF THE BIRD LICE.

Mr. Vernon L. Kellogg, in No. 1, Volume XII of the Transactions of
- the Kansas Academy of Sciences (1889), pages 46 to 48, announces that
he has noted and described twenty-four species of Mallophaga repre-
_ senting ten genera taken from Kansas birds. Among these are two new
genera. He publishes a figure of Tetrophthalmus showing the respira-
tory system and gives a table of the genera. He has not named his
new species, but has given them numbers. We see from this notice, that
Mr. Kellogg has gone at this work in the right way, and we hope he will
continue his studies.

THE TROPICAL SUGAR-CANE BORER IN LOUISIANA.

Never before have complaints of the tropical cane-borer been so pro-
nounced over so extensive a territory as the present season. It is to
be feared that, should the winter prove an open one, they may do very
- serious damage to the nextcrop. In 1857 they were so abundant along
the lower coast as to have about destroyed the crops on one or two
plantations. They again appeared in the same locality, and in As-
sumption and St. Mary, in large numbers, in 1880, after the open winter
of 1879. They attack sorghum and corn in the same manner as cane,
and are known near the coast throughout the Gulf States. The moth
is of a light, grayish brown color, with about 14-inch spread of wings.
This lays its eggs upon the leaves of the cane, near the axils, the young
borers hatching in a few days. The borer penetrates the stalk at once,
usually just above a node, working up ward through the soft pith. The
full grown borer is about 1 inch long, slender, cylindrical, and cream
white in color, with yellow head and black mouth. Several broods are
hatched in the course of a season. It is believed to hibernate almost
exclusively in the larva or worm state. Those which find shelter in the
stubbles, discarded tops and seed cane, alone escape destruction during
the harvest of the crop. Fortunately, few are found to burrow near the
extreme butt of the cane. If cut at the surface of the earth very limited
nutnbers will, therefore, be preserved in the ratoons. A speedy burn-
ing of the tops, after removal of the crop from the ground, will destroy
those which would be carried over to the next season by these. An
immediate plowing under of all tops seems the next best alternative,
but undesirable. They certainly should not be allowed to remain on
the surface of the ground until warm spring weather.

Borers present in seed cane are not so easily dealt with. It is prob-
able that from canes planted in the autumn and rolled the moth is un-
able to escape. The same is true in less measure of seed put down in
windrow, if as heavily dirted as is compatible with the canes’ safety.
This should be dropped and re-covered as soon after removal from
windrow in the spring as possible. Mats, both flat and round, are es-
pecially to be avoided for affected canes. It will be safest in all cases
to put down as seed such canes as are least attacked. No abandoned
torage sorghum should be allowed to go over the winter and corn

25852—Nos. 11 and 12——5

390

stalks should also be plowed under, or be otherwise destroyed before
winter is past. To neglect these precautions may be ruinous. There
are, perhaps, more borers now in your field than you suspect.—[W. J.
Thompson in The Louisiana Planter, Nov. 2, 1889, Vol. 3, p. 274.—The
insect is probably Chilo saccharalis.

IMPORTATION OF HESSIAN FLY PARASITES.

With the assistance of Mr. Fred Enock, of London, England, we
hope to import during the summer some living specimens of Semiotel-
lus nigripes, a Russian parasite of the Hessian fly, in order to endeavor
to acclimatize it in this country. Mr. Enock is rearing it extensively
and hopes to be able to send us a good supply.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON.

April 3, 1890.—Mr. B. E. Fernow was elected an active member of the society.

Mr. Fox read a paper on a small group of spiders forming the subgenus Ceratinella
of the genus Erigone. The subgenus includes about seventeen species distinguished
by the presence of a shield on the abdomen. All the specimens were cullected east
of the Alleghanies by Messrs. Marx and Fox, and were found fully developed at all
seasons of the year. The paper was illustrated with drawings and a collection of the
spiders was shown. Discussion followed by Messrs. Marx and Fox.

Mr. Schwarz read a paper entitled ‘‘ Labeling Specimens,” in which he described
the systems of labeling employed in the case of entomological collections, dealing
particularly with the systematic collection of the specialist. The various labels em-
ployed were described and examples of some of them wereshown. The paper called
forth considerable discussion which was participated in by Messrs. Riley, Mann,
Schwarz, Marx, and Fox.

May 1, 1890.—The committee having in charge the preparation for publication of
a list of the insect fauna of the District of Columbia made a partial report, which was
discussed at length.

The name of Mr. Townsend was added to the subcommittee on Diptera, and that
of Mr. Marlatt to the subcommittee on Hymenoptera.

A revision of the subcommittees will be made at the next meeting.

Mr. Townsend read a list of eighty-seven species of Heteroptera collected by him in
southern Michigan, with some brief notes and dates of occurrence. One species,
Corimelena nitiduloides Wolff, was taken in a nest of Formica schaufussi Mayr.

Mr. Townsend also presented a paper on ‘‘Some insects affecting certain forest
trees,” mostly from Michigan, recording upwards of a hundred Coleoptera and a few
of other orders, affecting either the foliage or the sound or decaying trunks of oak,
hickory, elm, beech, linden, butternut, iron-wood (Carpinus), willow, hazel, etc.

These papers were discussed by Messrs. Schwarz and Riley.

Mr. Dodge read a paper on Artificial Silk, describing the Count de Chardonnet’s
method, as exhibited at the late Paris Exposition, of making from cellulose asubstance
closely resembling silk. A detailed account of the process of manufacture was given,
illustrated with a figure of the device for producing the thread, and a sample of the
silk was exhibited.

Discussion followed by Messrs Philip Walker, Riley, Amory Austin, and others.

Mr. Marx presented some “ Arachnological notes” in which ho discussed the com-
parative anatomy of the spinning glands of spiders. The relation of these to the ex-
ternal spinning organs or spinnerets and the importance of both in classification were
explained. Careful drawings of the parts discussed were shown.

C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Secretary.

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