Skip to main content

Full text of "Insect life"

See other formats 


For  Reference 


NOT  TO  BE  TAKEN  FROM  THIS  ROOM 


LIBRARY     OF 


1685- IQ56 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISIOX   OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN,  VOL.    I. 


JULY,     ISSS,  to  JUXK,     1SS9. 


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. 

1888-'9. 
25068— No.  12 3 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  1. 

Page. 

Salutatory 3 

The  Corn-pollen  Syrphus-fly  (illustrated) 5 

The  Willow-shoot  Saw-fly  (illustrated) C.  V.Riley..  8 

The  Sugar-cane  Beetle  INJURING  Corn L.  0.  Howard..        11 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 13 

Garden  Web-worm. — A  uew  Enemy  to  the  Date  Palm  in  Florida.— A  Vir- 
ginia Simulium  called  "Cholera  Gnat."— The  Black-polled  Titmouse 
destroying  Canker  Worms.— Kerosene  Emulsion  for  the  Cabbage  Mag- 
got.— AfterEffect  of  the  O  viposition  of  the  Periodical  Cicada.  —More  Tes- 
timony on  the  Buckwheat  Kemedy  for  Cut-worms.— An  Application  for 
Buffalo  Gnat  Bites.— Relative  Merits  of  arsenical  Solutions. — Probably 
a  new  Enemy  to  Pear  from  Oregon. — An  extraordinary  Flight  of  Lach- 
nosterna. — Lime  and  Tobacco  for  Currant-worms. — Some  Notes  from 
Mississippi. 

New  Species  of  Oncocnemis John  B.  Smith..        18 

The  Australian  Parasite  of  Icerya  PURCHASi(illustrated).<S.  TV.  Williston..        21 

The  Privet  Web-worm  (illustrated) 22 

Notes 26 

Chinch  Bug  in  California. — German  Phylloxera  Laws. — Kerosene  Emulsion 
against  Cabbage  Worms. — Swarmingof  Hackberry  Butterflies. — South- 
ward Spread  of  the  Asparagus  Beetle.  —Caterpillars  stopping  Trains. — 
Injury  by  the  Rocky  Mountain  Locust. — The  Periodical  Cicada  in 
1888. — The  Chinch  Bug  in  1888. — Increase  of  Cryptocephahis  venus- 
tus. — The  Hessian  Fly  half  way  around  the  World. — "  Eau  celeste  "  for 
the  Rose  Beetle. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  2. 

The  Yellow-spotted  Willow-slug  (illustrated) L.  O.Howard..        33 

Notes  on  Eum^eus  atala  (illustrated) E.  A.  Schwarz..        37 

Supplementary   Report   on    the   Gas   Treatment    for   Scale-insects 

D.W.Coquillett..         41 

External  Spider  Parasites L.  O.Hoivard..        42 

The  Sweet-potato  Saw-fly  (illustrated) 43 

The  Morelos  Orange  Fruit- worm  (illustrated) C.V.Riley..        45 

Kerosene  Emulsion  as  a  Remedy  for  White  Grubs 48 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 50 

A  new  Tomato  Enemy  in  Georgia. — Precursors  of  Brood  V  of  the  Periodical 
Cicada. — Mites  infesting  an  old  Grain  Elevator. — The  Streaked  Cotton- 
wood Leaf-beetle  in  the  East. — Hibernation  of  Mosquitoes. — Leaf  Hop- 
pers and  the  "  Die-back"  of  the  Orange. — The  Barnacle  Scale  injuring 

III 


IV 

Page. 

Extracts  from  Correspondence— Continued. 

Persimmon. — Euryomia  melanchoUca  vv.  Cotton  Bolls. — A  Peach  Fruit- 
worm  in  Japan.— Hibernation  of  the  Two-spotted  Lady-bird.— Prior  Is- 
suing of  the  Male  Sex  of  Cimbex. — Work  of  the  Bronzy  Cut-worm  in 
Missouri. — The  Bamboo  Siuoxylon.— The  Western  Cricket  in  1887. — 
Dicerca  a  Poplar  Feeder.— An  Enemy  to  Young  Carp. 

Notes 58 

The  Twelve-spotted  Diabrotica  injuring  Fruit  Trees.— Heat  evolved  from 
the  Work  of  a  Bruchus.- Ecouomic  Entomology  in  India. — Buffalo 
Gnats  attacking  Man. — New  European  natural  Enemies  to  the  Aspar- 
agus Beetle.— Concerning  the  Uji  Parasite  of  the  Silk-worm. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  X 

Editorials 63 

Notes  on  the  Rocky  Mountain  Locust Lawreiux  Bruner..         65 

Injury  done  by  Roaches  to  the  Files  in  the  Treasury  at  Washing- 
ton           67 

Further  Notes  on  the  Hop  Plant-louse  (Phorodon  humuli).C.  V.Riley..        70 

Life-History  of  Graptodera  foliacea  Lee ...Mary  E  Murtfeldt..        74 

A  Man-infesting  Bot  (illustrated) Rudolph  Matas,  M.  D..        76 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  with   Notes  and  De- 
scriptions OF  new  Species Lord  TValsingham..        81 

Extracts  from  Correspondence    " 85 

The  Strawberry  Weevil  in  Pennsylvania. — Graptodera  punctipenn is  injuring 
Nursery  Stock. — Lachnosterna  hirticula  injuring  Poplars  and  Oaks. — In- 
sects confounded  with  the  Hessian  Fly  prior  to  the  Revolution. — Injury 
from  non-migratory  Locusts  in  Michigan. — Australian  Letters  on  Icerya. 

Notes 88 

A  destructive  Cricket  in  Louisiana. — A  new  Enemy  to  Honey  Bees. — An  un- 
published Habit  of  Allorhina  nitida. — A  new  Remedy  against  the  Woolly 
Api)le-louse. — Oviposition  of  the  Plum  Gouger.— Recent  Swarmings  of 
Insects. — An  inexpert  Defense.— Insect  Damage  to  the  Corks  of  Wine- 
bottles. — Locusts  in  Algeria. — Enemies  of  Icerya  in  New  Zealand. 

CONFENTS  OF  NO.  4. 

Special  Notes 93 

The  Parsnip  Web-wokm  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley..         94 

Notes  on  a  Simulium  common  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y L.  0.  Howard..        09 

A  Lady  Bird  Parasite  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley..       101 

The  Purslane  Caterpillar  (illustrated) 104 

Further  concerning  external  Spider  Parasites  (illustrated)  L.  0.  Howard      106 

Remarks  on  the  Hessian  Fly (Abstract  of  paper  by  C.  V.Riley)..       107 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 108 

A Stomoxys  Injuring  Stock  in  Oregon.— The  Colorado  Potato-beetle  in  Nova 
Scotia.— 1883  Damage  by  Chinch  Bug  in  Missouri.— A  problematical 
Remedy  against  the  Asparagus  Beetle. — Increased  Ravages  of  Icerya  in 
California.— The  Green-striped  Maple-worm. — Wheat  Saw-flies. — Was 
it  an  Accident  or  a  wily  Milkman  ? — Cranberry  Gall-mites. — Notes  on 
the  Chinch  Bug  in  Minnesota. — Epidemic  Diseases  of  the  Chinch  Bug 
in  Illinois. 
Steps    towards    a   Revision;    of    Chambers'    Index,     etc.    (illustrated) 

Lord  TValsittgham . .       113 


Paje. 

General  Notes 118 

Synonymy  of  the  Mealy  Bug  of  the  Orange. — Entomology  in  Chili. — Larva 
of  the  Clover  Stem-borer  as  a  Gall-maker. — The  Use  of  Osage  Orange 
as  a  Food  for  Silk-worms.— The  Pear  Diplosis  in  England.— The  Orchid 
Isosoma,  and  a  Eemedy  for  its  Injury.— False  Report  of  Phylloxera  in 
Australia.— Apropos  to  Hot^  Water  as  an  Insecticide.— Value  of  dead 
Locusts  as  Manure. — The  Insidious  Flower-bug. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  5. 

Special  Notks 123 

Some    uecent    entomological    Matters    of    international    Concern 

(illustrated) C.  V.Iiileij..       126 

The  Food-habits  of  the  Thkipid.e Herbert  Osborn . .       137 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 142 

Danger  to  human  Beings  from  use  of  Paris  green. — The  Clover  Seed-midge 
in  Ohio. — Formula  for  a  Buffalo  Gnat  Application. — The  acid  Secretion 
of  Notodonta  coHctHwa.- Out-of-door  Hibernation  o{  Lecanium  hemisphwri- 
cum  in  Pennsylvania.— The  Introduction  of  Lestophonm  iceryce.—A 
House  infested  with  Psocidte. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsiitgham..      145 

General  Notes 151 

A  recent  British  entomological  Circular.— Two  Suggestions  to  Students  of 
Entomology.— The  Relation  of  Ants  to  the  Corn  Aphis.— Insects  intro- 
duced intoChili.— Remarkable  Abundanceof  the  Cecropia  Silk-worm. — 
The  Clover-root  Borer.— A  Point  in  Favor  of  the  English  Sparrow.— The 
Rear-horse  domesticated. — A  California  Enemy  to  Walnuts.— Little 
known  Enemies  of  the  Potato  Plant  in  New  York. — Prof.  Forbes'  Inves- 
tigation on  the  Food  of  fresh-water  Fishes.— The  Hosts  of  a  few  larger 
Ichueumonids.— The  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  6. 

Special  Notes 163 

The  Habits  of  Thalessa  and  Tremex  (illustrated) C.   V.  Riley..       168 

Notes  oh  Lachnosterna  fusca  (illustrated) J.  B.Smith..       180 

A  Sandwich  Island  Sugar-cane  Borer  (illustrated) 185 

Extracts  from  Correspondence lyO 

The  "  Red  Bug  "  lujuring  Oranges  again.— Further  Injury  in  the  Treasury 
by  Roaches. — Beetles  supposed  to  have  been  passed  by  a  Patient. — A 
Tineid  on  Carpets  in  Texas.— Leaf-stripping  Ants  in  Arizona.- The  Hes- 
sian Fly  in  England.- Stinging  Caterpillar  of  Lagoa  opercuJaris.—Re- 
buttal  of  Wier's  Statements  regarding  the  Plum  Curculio. 

General  Notes 193 

Grain  Insects  in  Australia.- Further  concerning  the  Locust  War  in  Al- 
geria.— An  important  Contribution  to  Lepidopterology. — The  poison- 
ous Nature  of  the  Meconium  of  Lepidoptera. — The  Peach-twig  Moth 
and  its  Parasite. — Two  abnormal  Honey  Bees. — Reappearance  of  Lack- 
71US  platauicola.— Two  alieu  Pests  of  the  Greenhouse. — The  Food-habits 
of  North  American  Calandridte.- The  natural  Food-plant  of  Graptodera 
foliacea.—A  remarkable  Insect  Enemy  to  Live  Stock.— Further  on  the 
Importation  of  Lestophonus.— The  Entomological  Society  of  Wash- 
ington. 


VI 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  7. 

Page. 

Special  Notes 201 

A  Contribution  to  the  Literature  of  fatal  Spider  Bites  (illustrated)..      204 
Description   of   Leonia   rileyi,    a   new   Meloid   Genus    near   Horxia 

(illustrated) Eugene  Dugh..       211 

On  the  Emasculating  Bot-fly  (illustrated) 214 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 216 

Injurious  lusects  iu  Mississippi  for  1888. — Larva  of  Saturnia  io  on  Saw  Pal- 
metto in  Florida. — Acanthacara  similis  injuring  Pine-apple  in  Florida. — 
Hylesinus  trifolii  in  Ohio. — Wisconsin  Letter  on  Cicada  septendecim.—A 
proposed  Remedy  for  the  Chinch  Bug. — One  of  the  Parasite  Introduc- 
tion Experiments  in  California. — Two  species  of  Anomala  injurious  to 
the  Vine  in  the  South. — Beetles  boring  in  an  Opium  Pipe  from  China. 
— A  Grape-vine  Flea-beetle  in  the  Southwest. — The  "Voice"  of  Vanessa 
antiopa.—A  Swarming  of  the  Milk-weed  Butterfly  in  1886.— A  Phyllox- 
era on  the  Pecan. — Anthrenus  destroying  Whalebone. 

General  Notes 222 

Results  of  Professor  Forbes's  Investigations  on  the  Relation  of  Wheat  Cult- 
ure to  the  Chinch  Bug. — An  old  American  Account  of  the  Buffalo 
Gnat. — Notes  on  Pteromalus  xmparum. — Another  Human  Bot-fly. — 
Geographical  Range  of  the  Chinch  Bug. — Damage  to  Fruit  by  the 
Adult  of  Allorhina. — The  Imbricated  Snout-beetle.— Notes  ou  Acri- 
did;e  iuLos  Angeles,  Cal. — Chlorklea  r/iexminjuringTobacco. — A  curious 
Habit  of  Epilachna  borealis .—Birds  and  the  White  Grub. — Dosing  Trees 
•with  Sulphur  and  other  Substances. — Alum  as  a  Curraut-worm 
Remedy. — An  Australian  Experiment. — The  Entomological  Society  of 
Washington. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  8. 

Special  Notes 231 

The  Red  Bug  or  Cotton  Stainer  (illustrated) 234 

A  Parasite  of  the  supposed  Eggs  of  the  Cotton  Stainer  (illustrated) 

L.  0.  Howard..       241 

Spraying  Devices  (illustrated) C.   V.  Riley..      243 

Early   Occurrence   of    the    Chinch    Bug   in  the   Mississippi  Valley 

S.  A.  Forbes..       249 

Hepialus  argenteomaculatus D.  S.  Eellicott..      250 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 252 

Late  autumnal  Occurrence  of  Mites  in  great  Numbers. — Balaninus  na- 
siciii  in  granulated  Sugar. — On  Thalessa  and  Tremex  :  A  Correction. — 
Sap  Beetles  iu  injured  Figs. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsingham.      254 

General  Notes 258 

Notes  on  Cochineal  Insects. — The  Beet  Carrion-beetle. — An  African  Lady- 
bird introduced  into  New  Zealand. — Successful  Spi'aying  with  Paris 
Green  for  Codling  Moth. — The  Leather  Beetle  Litigation. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  9. 

Special  Notes 261 

Insecticide  Appliances  (illustrated)  C.V.Riley..  263 

Three  new  Parasites  of  Icerya  (illustrated) L.  O.  Howard..  268 

A  Contribution  to  the  History  of  Theophila  MANDARiNA.P/itiip  Walker..  270 
Notes  on  the  Cultivation  of  the  Japanese  Oak-feeding  Silk-worm 

C.  E.  Webster,  M.  D..  273 

Notes  ON  A  Species  OF  Bryobia  infesting  Dwellings F.  M.  Webster..  277 


VII 

Page. 

Cranberry  Leaf-galls Dr.  Fr.  Thomas..      279 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 2':;0 

The  Red-legged  Flea-beetle  injuring  Peach  Orchards. — The  Spider  Bite 
Question  again.— Susceptibility  to  Insect  Poison.— The  Hay  Worm  in 
Kentucky.— A  Rose-bud  Cecidomyia.— Beetles  infesting  Yeast  Cakes.- 
Mites  in  Flaxseed. — Insects  at  electric  Lamps. — Bees  versus  Fruit. — 
Hydrocyanic  Acid  Gas  Treatment  for  Scale  Insects.— New  Enemy  of 
the  Chinch  Bug.— Army  Worm  iu  1888. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  op  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsingham..      287 

General  Notes 291 

Bleaching  Wings  of  Lepidoptera. — Winter  Appearance  of  the  Cecropia 
Moth.— Is  Marriage  a  Failure  ?— Insects  upon  the  Coffee  and  Tea  Plants 
in  Ceylon. — Plants  injured  by  Capsus  qaadrivittatua. — Immunity  of 
Southern  Dakota  from  the  Chinch  Bug.— Burning  the  Stubble  for  Hes- 
sian Flies.— More  abnormal  Honey  Bees.— The  Entomological  Society 
of  Washington. 
w 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  10. 

Special  Notes 297 

Systematic  Relations  of  Platypsyllus,  as  determined  by  the  Larva 

C.  r.  Riley..       300 

Stridulation  in  Vanessa  antiopa A.  H.  Swinton..       307 

Notes  on  the  Tenacity,  Elasticity,  and  Ductility  of  raw  Silk 

Philip  Walker  ..       309 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 312 

Borers  in  a  traveling  Trunk.— An  early  Note  on  the  Periodical  Cicada. — 
More  Evidence  bearing  on  Spider  Bites.— Buffalo  Gnats  on  the  Red 
River.— A  Beetle  living  in  an  Insecticide. — The  new  Flour  Moth  in 
England. — Abundance  of  an  lulus  in  Dakota.— The  Bean  Weevil  in 
California. — Method  of  mounting  Eggs  of  Insects  for  progressive  em- 
bryologic  Study. — Grass  Cut  Worms. — Another  Proposition  in  regard 
to  Chinch  Bug  Remedies. — Two  Chinch  Bug  Appearances  the  past 
Year.— The  Texas  Heel-fly.— Insect  Injuries  in  Ohio  for  1888.— A  Boll 
Worm  Letter. — A  remarkable  Theory. 

General  Notes 322 

Late  important  Publications  relative  to  the  Hessian  Fly. — Fungicides  as 
Insecticides. — Kerosene  soap  Emulsion  as  Fuel. — New  Food  Plant  for 
the  Scurfy  Bark-louse.— Obituary. — Precursors  of  Brood  VIII  of  the 
Periodical  Cicada. — A  Spider-egg  Parasite.- Spraying  Fruit  Trees.— 
White  Grub  in  Strawberry  Beds. — Farmers  and  Stock  Raisers'  Insect 
Society. — A  Bryobia  in  New  Zealand.— The  Box-elder  Bug.— The  Flor- 
ida Wax-Scale  in  California.— Tho  Entomological  Society  of  Wash- 
ington, 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  11. 

Special  Notes 327 

Note  on  the  Genus  Lestophonus ^S*.  W.  Williston,  M.  D..  328 

The  Corn  Worm  or  Boll  Worm  in  California D.  W.  Coquillett..  331 

The  Serimeter Philip  Walker..  333 

Additional  Note  on  the  Megilla  Parasite C.  V.Riley..  338 

Notes  upon  the  Longevity  op  the  early  Stages  of  Eburia  quadrimac- 

ulata,  Say F.M.  Webster..  339 


VllI 

Page. 

Extracts  from  Corrkspondence 340 

Trumpet-creeper  injured  by  Lyga'us  recUvatus. — Tbrips  tritici  injuring  Or- 
ange Blossoms. — White  Ants  in  A.ustr;ilia. — Tlie  Toad  vs.  Cockroaches. 
— White  Grub  Injury  to  Strawberries. — Larva  of  Cicada  aeptendecim. 
— Some  Additions  to  Packard's  Forest-tree  Insects. — A  Ph.vtoptus  on 
Plum. — A  Lac  Insect  on  the  Creosote  Bush. — A  Rhizococcus  on  Grass 
in  Dakota. — Wash  for  Apple-tree  Bark-lice  and  Borers. — Saw-fly  on 
Polygonum  dumetorum. — Oscinis  sp.  on  Chrysanthemum. — Ants  destroy- 
ing young  Maples  in  Nebraska. 

General  Notes  347 

The  Spider  Bite  Question. —  Uropoda  americana  on  Euphoria  inda. — Evap- 
orated Sulphur  for  Ked  Spider  in  Greenhouses. — Double  Flowers 
caused  by  Mites. — Rheumatism  and  Stings  of  Bees.— The  Black  Bird 
and  the  Boll  Worm. — Swarms  of  a  Gnat  in  Iowa. — New  Remedy  for 
Striped  Bugs. — The  European  Ribbon-footed  Corn-fly. — Sparrow  De- 
struction in  Australia. — Hermetia  muccns  infesting  Bee-hives.— The 
Chinch  Bug  this  Year. — Codling  Moth  Destruction  in  Tasmania. — Gas 
Lime  for  the  Onion  Maggot. — Paris  Green  for  the  Garden  Web-worm. 
— Phylloxera  in  Asia  Minor. — Bark  Lice  on  the  Cocoanut, — Important 
Publications  on  Economic  Entomology. — The  Pyrethrum  Industry. — A 
new  Use  for  the  Fluted  Scale. — Codling  Moth  Notes.— Obituary. — The 
Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  12. 

Special  Notes 358 

Notes  on    some  injurious  and  beneficial   Insects  of  Australia   and 

Tasmania F.  M.  Webster..      361 

Two  NEW  Species  of  Scymnus Dr.  David  Sharp..       364 

A  Case  of  Lachnosterna  Damage :i6.5 

Notes  on  Pronuba  and  Yucca  Pollination C.  V.  Riley..      367 

Notes  on  some  Species   of  Insects    which   affect  the  upper  Portion 

of  the  Stems  of  some  Grasses F.  M.  Webster..      372 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 375 

The  Mole  Cricket  as  a  Harbinger  of  Spring. — First  injurious  Appearance 
of  the  Army- worm  in  Florida.— The  Camellia  Scale.— The  Australian 
Lady-bird.— r«/(/Hs  canaliculatus  a  Quince  Enemy. — Application  to 
prevent  Icerya  from  ascending  Trees. — Lasioderma  serricorne  injuring 
Cigarettes.— Injury  by  the  Fall  Web-worm  in  Texas. — Dryocampa  im- 
perialis  on  Elm  and  Linden.— Larvne  of  Tenebrio  molitor  in  a  Woman's 
Stomach.— Another  Note  on  the  retarded  Development  of  Caloptenus 
spretus  Eggs  at  Manhattan,  Kaus. 

Gener.al  Notes 3?30 

Linen  injured  by  Agrotis  LarviTJ.—Impression  of  an  Insect  in  Paper.— The 
Destructive  Leaf-hopper  injuring  Timothy.— The  Sunflower  a  Food 
Plant  of  Rnodobcenus  I'i-punctatus. — Pieris  rapce  and  protodice  in  Colo- 
rado.—Zj</(/r«s  fjibbosus  injuring  Carrots  in  Indiana. — The  Scurfy  Bark 
Louse  upon  the  Currant.— Phylloxera  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.— 
White  Ants  in  Fences.- A  new  Butterfly  Publication.— The  Bot  Fly  of 
the  Ox.— A  Note  on  Museum  Pests.— The  Phylloxera  in  Colorado.— 
The  Rhizococcus  on  Grass.— A  new  Grape  Pest  in  the  Southwest.— An 
Aleurodes  on  Tobacco.— A  Corn  Root- worm  in  South  Carolina.— A  Deer 
Bot-fly.— The  Shield  Method  for  Leaf-hoppers.— Lord  Walsingham's 
Index. — The  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 


INDEX  TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Plate  I 
Fig.  1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 


,    Thalessa  lunator,  face  179. 

Mesograpta  polita,  5. 

Phylloecus  integer,  9. 

Lestophouus  iceryse,  21. 

Maigarodes  quadristigmalis,  24. 

Nematus  ventralis,  34. 

Euqi;bus  atala,  38. 

Scliizocerua  ebenus,  44. 

Eubadizon  scliizoceri,  44. 

Trypeta  ludens,  45. 

Dermatobia  sp.,  79. 

Dermatobia  sp.,80. 

Coccotorus  scutellaris,  89. 

Depressaria  heracliana,  95. 

Megilla  maculata  and  parasite,  101. 

Centistes    americana    (Perilitu.s  america- 
nu8),  103. 

Copidryas  gloveri,  egg,  104. 

C  ipidryas  gloveri,  larva,  104. 

Copidryas  gloveri,  cocoon,  105. 

Cjpidryas  gloveri,  pupa,  105. 

CopiJrya-t  gloveri,  adult,  105. 

Polysphincta  dictyniB  aud  Liaypbia  com- 
munis with  its  parasite,  106. 

A.rotrara  eburnea,  neuration  and  uncus, 
116. 

Lauguria  mozardi,  119. 

Icorjapurchasi,  newly batcbed  ^larva,  127. 

Icerya  purcbasi,  second   stage  cf   larva, 
127. 

Icerya  purcbasi,  second  stage  $  larva,  127. 

Icerya  purcbasi,  tbird  stage  $  larva,  128. 

Icerya  purcbasi,  cf  pupa,  128. 

Icerya  purcbasi,  adult  r^,  128. 

Phorodon  bumuli,  stem-mother,  133. 

Pborodon  bumuli,  first  migrant  from  plum, 
third  generation,  133. 

Phorodon  bumuli,  true  sexual  §  ,  134. 

Pborodon  bumuli,  d",  134. 

Pborodon  humuli,  eggs  and  shriveled  $ 
135. 

Chalcis  flavipes,  162. 

Tbalessa  lanator,  9  ovipositing,  172. 

Rhyssa  persuasoria  ovipositing,  173. 

Tbalessa,  ovipositor  and  egg,  174. 


Fig.  39.  Tremex  columba,  larva,  pupa,  and  adult 
178. 

40.  Lachnosterna  grandis,  anal  characters,  181 

41.  Lachnosterna  fusca,  anal  characters,  182. 

42.  Lachnosterna  dubia,  anal  characters,  183. 

43.  Lachnosterna  arcuata,  anal  charaoiers,  184. 

44.  Sphenopborus  obscurus,  larva,  pupa,  and 

adu)t,  186. 

45.  Sphenopborus  obscurus,  work  in   sugar- 

cane, 189. 

46.  Lactrodectus  mactans,  cT  and? stages,  204. 

47.  Leonia  rileyi,  9  aud  parts,  212. 

48.  Cuterebra  emasculator,  larva,  214. 

49.  Chloridea  rbexia,  228. 

50.  Egg  taken  for  Dj'sdercus  suturellus,  236. 

51.  Dysdercus  suturellus,  stages  1  to  3,  237. 

52.  Dysdercus    sutuTelhis,   fourth    stage     or 

pupa,  and  adult,  237. 
53..Hadronotus  rugosus,  242. 

54.  Riley  or  cyclone  nozzle,  244. 

55.  Universal  spray-tip,  245. 

56.  Universal  spray-tip,  section  of,  246. 

57.  Noel  nozzle,  248. 

58.  Vermorel  nozzle,  263. 

59.  Vermorel  nozzU-,  improved,  264. 

60.  Albraud  mizzle,  265. 

61.  Japy  nozzle,  265. 

62.  Mar.seilles  nozzle,  construction,  266. 

63.  New  Zealand  triplet,  268. 

64.  Thoron  opacus,  269. 

65.  Coccopbagus  californicus,  269. 

66.  Encyrtiis  dubius,  270. 

67.  Platypsyllus    castoris,   full-grown    larva 

from  above,  303. 

68.  Platypsyllus  castoris,  adult,  303. 

69.  Platypsyllus  castoris,  young  larva,  304. 

70.  Platypsyllus    castoris,    full-grown    larva 

from  below,  306. 

71.  Vanessa  antiopa,  diagram  of  fore  wing,308. 

72.  Lestopbouus  iceryas,  wing  venation,  329 

73.  Lestophonus  iceryw,  d"  genitalia,  330. 

74.  Robinet's  sei-imeter,  333. 

75.  Standard  serimeter,  336. 

76.  Quajat's  horizontal  serimeter,  337. 


IX 


PERSOiNAL  AND  AUTHORS'  INDEX. 


A. 

Abbe,  Cleveland,  letter,  312. 
Albert,  J.  H.,  letter,  lOy. 
Alexander,  A.  G.,  letter,  15. 
Allis,  E.  W.,  letter,  282. 
AlwQod,  Wm.  B.,  report,  48. 
Anderson,  F.  E.,  letter,  27. 
Apperson,  Dr.  J.  S.,  letter,  379. 
Askew,  Jas.  F.,  letter,  283. 
Asmus,  E.,  letters,  284. 
Atkinson,  Geo.  F.,  letter,  378. 

B. 

Barlow,  J.  G.,  letters,  109,  342,  345. 
Barrett,  F.N.,  letter,  253. 
Bielby,  C.  F.  A.,  letter,  52. 
Bingham,  R.,  letter,  142. 
Blanchard,  A.  D.,  letter,  313. 
Blythe,  B.  F.,  letter,  346. 
Bowduian,  C.  A.,  letter,  14. 
Bowers,  J.  Luther,  letter,  345. 
Brackett,  G.  C,  letter,  193. 
Braidwood,  Victor,  letter,  379. 
Brakeley,  J.  H.,  letter,  112. 
Brown,  J.  P.,  letter,  222. 
Bruner,  Lawrence,  reports,  65,  89. 
Buck,  A.  E.,  letter,  51. 
Bunsen,  George  C,  letter.  219. 
Burnett,  H.  S.,  letter,  287. 
Butler,  Col.  A.  P.,  letter,  30. 
Butler,  Wm.  C,  letter,  85. 


Campbell,  Wm.,  letter,  340. 

Carson,  S.  W.,  letter,  238. 

Cay  wood,  A.  J.,  letters,  343,  344. 

Clegg,  E.  P.,  letter,  379. 

Cockerell,  T.  D.  A.,  letters,  58, 199. 

Cogan,  Wm.  J.,  letter,  49. 

Colonna,  B.  A.,  letter,  190, 

Coquillett,  D.  W.,  articles,  41,  227,  331 ;  letters,  110, 

156,  286. 
Cornelius,  Rev.  Elias,  article,  224. 
Corson,  Dr.  E.  R.,  letter,  280. 
Crawford,  Frazer  S.,  letter,  267. 


Dansby,  J.  V.,  letters,  375. 
Denham,  C.  S.,  letter,  143. 
Dick,  J.  M.,  letter,  205. 


Dickinson,  Albert,  letter,  285. 
Dobbins,  J.  R.,  letter,  377. 
Dodge,  G.M.,  letter,  348. 
Duges,  Dr.  Eugene,  article,  211. 
Duncan,  A.  L.,  letter,  190. 
Duun,  J.  F.,  letter,  30. 
Dusnzeau,  J.,  letter,  120. 
Dyar,H.G.,  letter,  285 


Elliott,  Samuel  Lowell,  obituary,  324. 
EUzey,  Dr.  M.  G.,  letter,  221. 
Emens,  W.  S.,  letter,  272. 
Enock,  Fred.,  letter,  192. 


Firor,  V.  M.,  letter,  17. 

Fogg,  L.  E.,  letter,  341. 

Forbes,  S.  A.,  letters,  113, 313  ;  abstracts,  158,  222. 

Ford,  H.  C,  letter,  316. 

Frierson,  G.  A.,  letter,  313. 

Fuller,  A.  S.,  letter,  86. 

G. 

Gilliam,  Jas.  T.,  letter,  14. 
Gittings,  J.  S.,  letter.  111. 
Goslin,  A.,letter,  16. 
Green,  E.  Ernest,  article,  292. 
Gulley,F.  A.,  letter,  320. 


Hadeu,  A.,  letter,  217. 
Hall,  A.  E.,  letter,  345. 
Hall,  W.  B.,  letters,  218,  319. 
Halliday,  Robert,  letter,  376. 
Hampton,  David,  letter,  191. 
Harrington,  W.  H.,  letter,  253. 
Hartman,  Carl  H.,  letter,  87. 
Henderson,  J.  T.,  letter,  55. 
Higley,  W.  K.,  letter,  284. 
Hill,  E.  A.,  letter,  316. 
Holland.  W.  J.,  letter,  55. 
Holstein,  G.  Wolf,  letter,  318. 
Horlbeck,  H.  B.,  letter,  192. 
Howard,  L.  O.,  articles,  11,  31,  33,  42 
241,  268. 

J. 

Johnson,  J.  R.,  letter,  85. 
Jones,  J.  Matthew,  letter,  109. 
Jones,  W.  L.,  letter,  58. 


XII 


Keuley,  J.  K.,letter,  30. 

Kennedy,  J.  D.,  letter,  271. 

Kent,  G.  H.,  letters,  17,  216. 

Keyserling,  Count  Eugene,  obituary,  357. 

Klee,  W.  G.,  letters,  144,  220. 

Koebele,  Albert,  letter,  165. 

Krieg,  L.  J.,  letter,  85. 


Lachniund,  Paul,  letter,  318. 
Laudreth.D.,  letter,  96. 
Linton,  S.  H.,  letter,  17. 
Lipp,H.W.,  letter,  104. 
Lockwood,  Sam'l,  letters,  57,  220. 
Longuemare,  Emiie,  letter,  287. 
Lucas,  F.  A.,  article,  384. 
Lugger,  Otto,  letter,  113. 

M. 

Manning,  W.  H.,  article,  293. 
Marlatt,  C.  L.,  report,  365. 
Marsh,  John,  letter,  218. 
Marsh,  W.  A.,  letter,  54. 
.Matas,  Dr.  Rudolph,  article,  76. 
May,  R  C,  letter,  340. 
McNeill,  Jerome,  letter,  50. 
Meech,  W.  W.,  letters,  341,  377. 
Meehan,  Thomas,  letter,  346. 
Meehau,  T.  B.,  letter,  51. 
Merriam,  Dr.  C.  Hart,  letter,  215. 
Muusun,  T.  v.,  letter,  220. 
Murtfeldt,  Mary  E.,  article,  74. 
Myers,  J.  F.,  letter,  318. 

N. 

Newlon,  W.  S.,  letter,  15. 
Nigels,  Rev.  "W.  F.,  letter,  239. 
Nixon,  Jacob,  letter,  13. 
North,  George,  letter,  340. 

O. 

O'Donuell,  Anthony,  letter,  86. 
Oemler,  Dr.  A.,  letter,  50. 
Ormerod,  Eleanor  A.,  letter,  315. 
Osborn,  Herbert,  article.s,  137, 226. 


Parsons,  F.  W.,  letter,  380. 
Pearee,  Jona,  letter,  15. 
Phillips,  Miss  E.  J.,  letter,  143. 

R. 

Ranson,  Robert,  letter,  217. 
Rathvon,  S.  S.,  letter,  144. 
Richardson,  J.  C,  letter,  253. 


Riley,  C.  V.,  articles,  3,  8,  45,  70,  87,  94, 101, 107, 121, 
126, 168, 243,  263,  300,  338. 
and  L.  O.  Howard,  articles,  all  having  no  signa- 
ture afBxed. 
Rondot,  Natalia,  letter,  120. 
Russel,  Howland,  letter,  51. 
Ryan,  W.W.,  letter,  112. 


Schmitt,  G.  A.,  letter,  110. 
Schwarz,  E.  A.,  articles,  37,  187. 
Scribner,  D.  M.,  letter,  317. 
Shatfer,  Dr.  J.  M.,  letter,  191. 
Shaq),  Dr.  David,  article,  364. 
Shelby,  W.  T.,  letters,  249. 
Skipwith,  P.  H.,  letter,  143. 
Smith,  J.  B.,  articles,  18, 180,  202. 
Spring,  J.  A.,  letter,  344. 
Starkweather,  Geo.B.,  letter,  216. 
Stokes,  A.  C,  letter,  144. 
Stone,  Archibald  letter,  320. 
Stover,  J.  M..  letter,  280. 
Swinton,  A.  H.,  article,  307. 


Thomas,  A.D.,  letter,  57. 
Thomas,  Dr.  Franz,  article,  279. 
Thompson,  Hon.  Hvigh  S.,  letters,  67,191. 
Tolman,  Adams,  letter,  343. 
Townsend,  A.  L.,  letter,  57. 
Townsend,  Tyler,  articles,  C8, 197. 
Tryon,  H.G.,  letter,  285. 
Turner,  D..  letter,  191. 


W. 


Wade,  Jos.M.,  letters,  52,56. 

Walker,  Philip,  articles,  119,  270,  309,  333. 

Wallace,  R.  S.,  letter,  16. 

Walsingham,  Lord,  articles,  81, 113, 145,  254,  287. 

Webb,  E.  A.,  letter,  317. 

Webster,  B.  T.,  letter,  375. 

Webster,  Dr.  C.  E.,  article,  273. 

Webster,  F.M.,  articles,  119,152,157,  193,225,277, 

339;  letters.  29,  314. 
Werckl6,  Oh.,  letter,  221. 
Wight,  R.  Allan,  letters,  292,  348. 
Williston,  Dr.  S.W.,  articles,  21,  258,328. 
Wingar,  J.  J.,  letter,  220. 
Winston,  Mary  E.,  letter,  221. 
Wisner,  Augusta  B.,  letters,  252. 

T. 

Toumans,  E.  B.,  letter,  19J. 
Young,  H.  W.,  letter.  111. 
Young,  W.  S.,  letter,  315. 

Z. 

Zimmer,  Messrs.,  letter,  15. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Acanihacara  similis  injuring  pineapple.  217. 
Acarlna  infesting  grain,  51. 
Acarus  gallinaj  in  Chili,  155. 

scabiei  in  Chili,  155. 
Acherontia  atropos,  voice  of,  221. 
A.chreioptera,  301. 
Acrididw  collected  by  Bruner,  66. 
Acridium,  87. 

migi atorium  in  Chili  (?),  155. 

tesselatum  in  Chili,  155. 

vagum  in  California,  227. 
Acrodactyla,  external  spider  parasite,  43, 171. 
Acrolophiis  arizouellus   n.  sp.  Wlsm., 
195. 

bombycina,  position  and  synonymy,  195. 

cervinus  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  position,  195. 

niortipennellus,  position,  195. 

pliioiifrontelliis,  positio   ,  195. 

simulatus,  position,  195. 

texanellus,  position,  195. 
.a^geria  acerni  checked  by  birds,  251. 

oucnrbitae  in  Mississippi,  17. 
MgoGera.,  106. 
Agalena,  habits,  162. 
Agrilus  bilineatus  on  white  oalf,  343. 
Agromyzinse,  Lestophonus  placed  in,  329. 
Agrotis  consureata  injuring  tei  plant,  293. 

diffusa  injuring  tea  plant,  293. 

exclamationis  injuring  linen. 

ypsilon  in  Miss.,  17,217. 
Alaptus  iceryffi  u.  sp.  Riley,  parasite  of  Icerya, 

130. 
Albrand  nozzle,  265. 
Aletia,  mounting  wings  of,  151. 

xyliua  ia  Miss.,  17,  216. 

parasite  of,  161. 
Aleurodes  s  •.  on  tobacco  plant  in  Greece. 
Allomiraus,  food  habits,  198. 
Allorhina  nitida,  kerosene  emulsion  for,  48. 

destroying  quince  fungus,  88. 

damaging  ripe  peaches,  226. 
Alum  for  currant  worm,  229. 
Amaurobius  audax,  bite,  282. 

ferox,  bite,  282. 
Amaurorhinus,  food  habits,  198. 
American  Blight  in  Australia,  362. 
Amia,  insect  diet  of,  159. 

Anaphora  agrotipennella,  position  and  synonymy, 
195. 

macrogaster  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  position,  195. 

morrisoni  n.  s;).Wlsm.,  position,  195. 

popeanella,  position,  195. 


Anaphora  propinqua  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  position,  195. 
scardina,  position  and  synonymy,  195. 
tenuis,  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  position,  195. 
Anarsia  lineatella  and  parasite,  196, 
Anax  Junius  attacking  fish,  58. 
Ancistrona,  302. 
Angoumois  Grain-moth  confounded  with  Hessian 

Fly,  86. 
Anguillula,  Bulletin  20,  360. 
Anisota  rubicuuda  in  Kansas,  111. 
Anisotomid*,  resemblance  to  Platypsyllus,  305. 
Anomala  flavipennis  among  coru  beetles,  12. 
marginata  injuring  the  vine,  220. 
miuuta  injuring  the  vine,  220. 
Anthaxia  viridicornis  eating  elm,  343. 
Antheriapernyi  distinguished  from  yama-mai,  276. 
yaraamai,  article  by  Dr.  C.  E.  Webstei',  273. 
Anothosia,  position  of,  82. 

Anthomyia  brassira-,  kerosene  emulsion  for,  15. 
Anthonomus  musculus  in  Pennsylvania,  85. 

prunicida,  oviposition  of,  89. 
Antbrenus  not  found  in  Chili,  154. 
varius  injuring  whalebone,  222. 
Ants,  bisulphide  of  carbon  for,  124. 
destroying  young  mnples,  346. 
Apanteles  glomeratus,  synonymy,  326. 
Apathus  elatus,  validity  of  the  species,  295. 
Apatura  celtis  swarming  in  Arkansas,  29. 
Aphauiptera,  300,  301. 
Aphides,  preparation  of  for  mounting,  152. 

in  Yucca  flowers,  368. 
Aphis  brassicse  iu  Miss.,  217. 
grauarius  injuring  oats,  319. 
maidis  injuring  sorghum  in  Australia,  362. 
mali,  oviposition,  73. 
pruni,  oviposition,  71,  73. 
Aphodius  granarins  passed  by  boy  (?),  191. 
Aphredoderus,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Apis  mellifica  in  pollination  of  Yucca,  369,  372. 
Apple  Blight  in  Chili,  153. 

in  Australia,  362. 
Apple-tree  Bark-louse  and  borers,  wash  for,  345. 
Aptinothrips  rufa  on  grasses  and  Compositie,  140, 

141. 
Aragnomus  griseus  on  pear,  16. 
Arctia  virgo,  mounting  eggs  of,  316. 
Arcyptera,  collected  by  L.  Bruner,  66. 
Argas  reflexus  in  Chili,  155. 
Argiope  riparia,  parasite  of,  324. 
Army  Worm  in  Dakota,  66. 
iu  New  York,  287, 
in  Canada,  356. 

in  Florida,  first  injurious  appearance,  375. 
XIII 


XIV 


Army  Worm,  au,  in  Australia,  364. 
Arotrura  n.  gen.  AVlsm.,  described,  116. 

L'burnea  n.  sp.  Wlsin.  descr.,  117. 
Ar.'^enical  solutions,  comparative  merits,  16. 
Arsenic,  experiments  by  C  P.  Gillette,  124. 
Artipus  floridanus  injuring  limes,  357. 
Asopia  costalis  in  hay,  283. 

farinalis  in  wine-bottle  corks,  92. 
Asparagus  Beetle,  southward  spread,  29. 

enemies,  61. 

tobacco  stems  for,  110. 
Aspidiotus  sp.  injuring  tea  plant,  293. 

aurantii,  resin  and  soda  for,  230. 
hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  286. 
in  Klee's  book,  299. 

lauri  on  olive  in  Chili,  1.54. 

nerii  in  Chili,  154. 

perniciosus,  299. 

rosEe  in  Chili,  154. 
Aspila  virescens,  synonymy,  229. 
Atienius  gracilis  in  U.  S.  aud  Chili,  119. 
Attacus  cecropia,  winter  appearance,  292. 
Attidie,  the  Peckhams'  work  on,  167. 
Atypus,  habits,  162. 
Aulacizes  n.  sp.  (?)  on  orange,  52. 
Australia  and  Tasmania,  injurious  and  beneficial 

in.sects  of,  article  by  F.  M.  Webster,  361. 
Australian  Butterflies,  OlliflTa  work  on,  383. 

Lady-bird  vs.  Lestophonus,  377. 


■  Baccha,  5. 

Bag  Worm,  London  purple  for,  193. 
Balaninus  uasicus  in  granulated  sugar,  253. 
Bamboo  Sinoxylon  in  bamboo  box,  57. 
Barnacle  Scale  on  persimmon,  54. 
Bean  "Weevil  in  California,  316. 

in  Canada,  356. 
Beaver,  American,  Platypsyllus  on,  300. 
Bed-bug  in  Chili,  154. 
Bees  versus  fruit,  285. 
Bees'  stings  and  rheumatism,  350. 
Beet  Carrion-beetle  injuring  mangolds,  259. 
Beosus  (n.  sp.  ?),  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Bidessus  aftinis  in  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Bisulphide  of  carbon  for  ants,  124. 
Black  Bass,  insect  diet,  159, 160. 
Black  Bird  vs.  Boll  "Worm,  351. 
Black  Fly,  Turkey  Gnat  a  congener,  14. 
Bl.ick-polled  Titmouse  vs.  Canker  Worms,  15. 
Black-warrior  Sun-flsh,  insect  diet,  159. 
Blapstinus  brevicollis,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Blastobasis  iceryjeella,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Blatta  germanica  in  Chili,  154, 155. 
Blood-sucking  Cone-nose,  bite,  347. 
Boll  Worm  in  Miss.,  17,  217. 

in  Texas,  320. 

in  California,  article  by  D.  W.  Coquillett,  331. 

Black  Bird  vs.  351. 
Bombus  borealis,  habits,  295. 

fervidus,  habits,  295. 
Bombyx  mori,  crossing  with  wild  species,  120. 

silk  compared  with  A.  yama-mai,  276. 
Bone  Beetle  in  Chili,  154. 

Bot,  Man-infesting,  article  by  Dr.  Kudolph  Matas, 
76. 


Box-elder  Bug  in  Utah  and  Nebraska,  325. 

Brachyopa,  5. 

Brachypalpns,  5. 

British  entomological  circular,  151. 

Museum,  Maigarodes  in,  25. 
Bronzy  Cut- worm  in  Mo.,  57. 

in  Dakota,  317. 
Brook  Silver-sides,  insect  diet,  159, 160. 
Brown  Thrush  destroying  WhKe  Grubs,  229 
Bruchus  fabje  in  Calif.,  316. 

obsoletus,  in  Calif.,  316. 

scutellaris,  heat  evolved  by  work,  59. 
in  U.S. and  Chili,  119. 
Bryobiasp.  in  dwellings,  article  by  F.  M.   Web- 
ster, 277. 

in  New  Zealand  on  apple,  325. 

pallida  infesting  meadows,  277. 

pratensis  infesting  meadows,  277. 

speciosa  in  Australia,  363. 
Buckwheat  remedy  for  Cut  Worms,  15. 
Buffalo  Fish,  insect  diet,  159, 160. 

gnat,  14. 

application  for  bites,  15, 143,  313. 
attacking  man,  60. 
earliest  American  account,  224. 
Buhach,  sale  of,  168. 

Buprestis  ultramarina  on  Pitch  Pine,  343. 
Burbot,  insect  diet,  159. 
Bulalis,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  113. 

albilineata  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  116. 

a.bipennella,  113. 

aterrimella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  115. 

basilaris,  Wlsm.'s.,  revision,  114. 

brevistriga,  Wlsm.'a  revision,  114. 

dorsipallidella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  114. 

flabella,  113. 

flavifrontella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  114. 

immacnlatella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  114. 

impositella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  113. 

matutella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  113. 

ochristriata  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  115. 

perspicillella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  114. 

pilosella,  114. 

planipennella,  113. 

schkichiella,  116. 

suffusa  n.  sp.  Wlsm..  descr.,  114. 

trivinctella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  114. 


Cabbage  maggot,  kerosene  emulsion  for,  15. 

Plant-louse  in  Miss.,  217 

Plusia  in  Miss.,  17. 

Worm,  kerosene  emulsion  for,  27. 
in  Ohio,  319. 
Cacoecia  fervidaua  at  electric  amps,  285. 
Cactophagtts  validus,  food  habits,  199. 

under  Opvtutia  leaves,  231. 
Cajlotes,  bite,  282. 
Calandra,  food  habits,  198. 

granaria  in  Chili,  154. 

oryziB  in  India,  60. 
inChiH,  154. 
in  Australia,  364. 
California  Quail  in  Chili,  153. 
Calocoris  chenopodii,  Asparagus  Beetle  enemy,  61. 


XV 


Caloptenua  bivittatns  in  Mich.,  63,  87. 
femnr-rubnim  in  Mich.,  63,  87. 
spretus  in  Northwest,  30,  65. 

retarded  development  of  eggs,  380. 
Camellia  Scale,  injury,  376. 
Camnula  atrox  in  Colo.,  58. 

pellucida  in  Colo.,  58. 
Canis  ingie,  origin  in  Chili,  153. 

latrans,  origin  of  C.  ingae  from,  153. 
occidentalis,  origin  of  C.  ingse  from,  153. 
Canker  Worm  destroyed  by  Parus  atricapillus,  15. 
Capsus  qnadrivittatus,  plant.s  injured  by,  293. 
"Caracurt."  bite,  347. 
Carp,  Anax  Junius  an  enemy  of,  58. 
Carpocapsa  pomonella,  parasite  of,  161. 
Carpophilus  marginatus  in  figs,  253. 

mutilatus  in  figs,  253. 
Carteria  lacca,  stick  lac  from,  345. 

larreae  on  Creosote  Bash  in  Ari-zona,  345. 
mesicana  on  Mimosa  in  Mexico,  345. 
Case  Worms  eaten  by  fish,  161. 
Casnonia  pennsylvanica  enemy  of  Chinch  Bug, 

286. 
Castor  canadensis,  Platypsyllus  on,  300. 
Caterpillars  stopping  trains,  30. 
Catfish,  insect  diet,  159, 160. 
Caulophilus,  food  habits,  198. 
Cave  fauna  of  North  America. 
Cecidomyia  sp.  injuring  rose  buds,  284. 
destructor  in  New  Zealand,  32. 
article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  131. 
attacked  bv  Thrips,  138. 
danger  of  importing  to  Australia,  193. 
late  papers  on,  322. 
leguminicola  attacked  by  Thiips,  139. 

in  Ohio,  142. 
nigra,  synonymy,  120. 
pyricola,  synonymy,  120. 
salicis-(Bnigma,  Thrips  on  gall  of,  138. 
tritici,  Thrips  an  enemy  of,  138. 
tubicola,  PhlcBothrips  an  enemy  of,  138. 
Cecropia  Moth  in  Nebr.,  155. 

winter  appearance,  292. 
Centistes  americana  bred  from  Lady  Birds,  103. 

name  adopted  by  Weed  and  Hart,  338. 
Centrinus  picumnus  on  Bottle  Grass,  374. 
Cephenomyia  sp.  infesting  deer  in  Calif.,  386. 
Cephides,  10. 
('ephus  pygmanis  in  wheat  stalks,  10. 

little  danger  of  importing  to  Australia,  193. 
Ceramica  picta  in  Colo.,  382. 
Ceratitis  capitata  injuring  Oranges  in  Madeira,  47. 

citriperda  injuring  Oranges  in  Madeira,  47. 
Cerostoma  alpella,  compared,  287. 
cervella,  compared,  287. 
radiatella,  "VVlsm.'s  revision,  287. 
subsylvella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  287. 
sylvella,  compared,  287. 
Ceria,  5. 
Ceroplastes  cirripediformis  on  Persimmon,  54. 

floridensis  in  Calif.,  326. 
Ch;ienobryttus,  insect  diet,  159,  160. 
Cbalcidida",  South  America,  357. 
Chambers'  Index,  revision  of,  by  Lord  Walsing- 

ham,  81,113,145,254,287. 
Chauliognathus  americanus,  enemy  of  Aletia,  216. 


ChauliognathuspennsylvanicusinTuccaflowera, 

370. 
Cheimatobia  brumata  in  England.  151. 
Ch-^rry  Slug  in  Ohio,  319. 
Chestnut  "Weevil  in  granulated  suga- ,  253. 
Cheyletus  eruditus  infesting  grain,  51. 

in  flax  seed,  285. 
Chilo  (near  oryziieellus),  parasite  of,  161. 

saccharalis  in  sugar-cane  in  Hawaiian  Is.,  183. 
Chilocorus  bivnlnerus,  effect  of  hydrocyanic  acid 

gas,  286. 
Chilosia,  5. 

Chiraerocephala  pacifi  ca  in  Calif.,  228. 
Chinch  Bug  in  Calif.,  26. 

checked  by  rains,  31. 

epidemic  diseases,  93, 113. 

damage  in  Mo.,  109. 

remedies,  124,  218,  317. 

and  wheat  culture,  222. 

geographical  range  south,  226. 

early  occurrence  in  Miss.  Valley,  249. 

two  appearances  in  1888,  318. 

Casnonia  pennsylvanica  enemy  of,  286. 

possibility  of  appearance  in  Dakota,  294. 

in  Arkansas,  354. 
Chionaspis  furfurus  on  currant,  324. 
Chipmunk  infested  with  Cuterebra,  215. 
Chiron omus  eaten  by  fish,  159. 

nigricans  swarming  in  Iowa,  351. 
Chirothrips  antennata  in  timothy,  139, 141. 
Chloridaa  rhexia  injuring  tobacco,  228. 
Chlorops  sp.  confounded  with  Hessian  Fly,  86. 

in  timothy  stalk, 

in  wheat  straw  in  Tasmania, 

taeniopus,  little  danger  of  importation  to  Au.s- 
tralia,  193. 
in  Sweden,  351. 
Cholera  Gnat  in  Va.,  14. 
Clirysochlamys,  5. 
Chrysopa  sp. ,  leery  a  enemy,  130, 165. 

effect  of  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  an,  286. 
Chrysotoxum,  S. 
Chub  Minnow,  insect  diet,  159. 
Cicada  septendecim.  Brood  "V,  31,  50,  218. 
Brood  VIII,  298,  324. 
larva,  342. 

tredecim,  Brood  X,  31. 
Cicadula  exitiosa  in  timothy,  381. 
Cigarettes  injured  by  Lasioderma  serricornc,  378. 
Cimbex  ameiicana,  8. 

prior  issuing  of  male  sex,  57. 
Ciniflonidie,  characters,  200. 
Cleodora,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  81,  82,  84. 

canicostella  n.  sp.  "Wlsm.,  descr.,  82. 

modesta  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  82. 

pallidella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  81. 

pallidistrigella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  81, 

sabulella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  83. 

<triatella,  Wlsm.  's  revision,  82. 

tophella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  83. 
Clisiocampa  americana,  parasite  of,  161. 

nuestria  in  England,  151. 
Clover  Cat-worm  in  Canada,  356. 

Root-borer  in  Canada  and  L.  Is.,  156. 

in  Ohio,  319. 
Seed-midge  in  Ohio,  142. 


XVI 


Clover  Stem-borer  as  gall-maker,  119. 
Coccida-,  melting  wax  belore  mounting,  152. 
Coccinella  abdominalis,  effect  of  hydrocyanic  gas, 
286. 

bi punctata,  hibernation  In  Mass.,  56. 

9-punctata  parasitized,  102. 

5-punctata  parasitized,  103. 

7-puuctata  parasitized,  103. 
Coccinellidse  in  Yucca  tlowers,  368. 
Coccinellid,  Australian,  importation  of,  297. 
Coccophagus  n.  sp.,  Icerya  parasite,  130. 

californicus  n.sp.,  Howard,  descr.,  269. 
Coccotorus  scutellaris,  oviposition,  89. 
<Joccus  adonidum  in  Chili.  154. 

cacti  eaten  by  predaceous  caterpiller,  258. 

citri,  synonymy,  118. 

hesperidum  in  Chili,  154. 
Cochineal  Insect  eaten  by  predaceous  caterpillar, 

258. 
Cockroaches,  toad  vs.,  341. 
Codling  Moth,  Cook's  treatment,  123. 

Paris  green,  260. 

in  Saunder's  Ins.  Inj.  Fruits,  327. 

destruction  in  Australia,  354. 

notes,  356. 

in  Australia  and  Tasmania,  361. 
C(Elnstoma,64. 
Colastus  niger  in  figs,  253. 

truncatus  in  figs,  253. 
Coleophora  cinerelhi,  parasite  of,  161. 
("oleoptera  of  N.  A.,  Leconte  and  Horn,  ?8l. 
Coloothrips  trifasciata  on  weeds,  140. 

injuring  wheat,  141. 
Colorado  Potato-beetle  in  Nova  Scotia,  109. 

in  Ohio,  319. 
Conorhinus  sanguisuga,  bite,  347. 
Conotelus  obscurus,  Thrips  attacking,  139. 
CoDozoa  wallula  in  Calif.,  228. 
Convergent  Lady-bird  parasitized,  101. 
"  Coontie  "  worm  in  Florida.  39. 
Copidosoma  gtlechiic,  resemblance  to  C.  variega- 
tum  n.  sp.,  197. 

truncatellum  parasitic  on  Depressaria,  98. 

variegatum  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr  ,  197. 
Copidryas  gloveri,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  184. 
Corethra  eaten  by  fish,  159. 
Corisa  eaten  by  fish,  160. 
Corizus  hyalinus,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Corn  Aphis,  relation  of  ants  to,  152. 
Corn-feeding  Syrphus  fly,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  5. 
Corn  Moth  in  England,  314,  355. 

Root- worm  in  S.  C,  386. 
Corrodentia,  relation  of  Platypsyllus  to,  302. 
Corylophida',  resemblance  to  Platypsyllus,  305. 
Corylophus,  resemblance  of  mandibles  to  Platyp- 
syllus, 304. 
Corynetes  riificoUis  in  Chili,  154. 

violaceus  in  Chili,  154. 
Cosmopepla  carnifex  injuring  potato,  157. 
Cosmopteryx  chalybffiella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,    descr., 
289. 

clemensella,  synonymy,  289. 

delicatella  u.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  290. 

gemmiferella,  synonymy,  289. 

nitens  n.  sp.  "Wlsm.,  descr.,  289. 

pulcherrimella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  289. 


Cosmopteryx   quadrilineella,   Wlsm.'s   revision, 
290,  291. 

unicolorella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  291. 
Cossomus,  food  habits,  198. 
Cossus  alni,  description  of,  251. 

robiniiP,  growth,  250. 
Cottidaj,  insect  diet  of  159. 
Cotton  Stainer  injuring  oranges,  190. 

article  by  R.  and  H.,  234. 

parasite  of  supposed   eggs,  article  by  L.  O. 
Howard,  241. 
Cottonwood  Leaf-beetle  in  the  East,  51. 
Cotton  Worm  in  Mississippi,  17,  216. 
Crambid  injuring  grass  in  Australia,  363. 
Cranberry  Fungus-gall,  112,  261. 

article  by  Dr.  Fr.  Thomas,  279. 
Crepidodera  cucumeris  injuring  potato,  157, 167. 
Cricket,  Destructive,  in  Louisiana,  87. 
Crioceris  asparagi,  southward  spread,  29. 

enemies,  61. 
Crioprora,  5. 

Croppies,  insect  diet  of,  159,  160. 
Croton  Bug  in  Treasury,  68,  191. 
Cryptocephahis  venustus,  diveigent  habits,  32. 
Cryptochoetum,   relationship  with  Lestophouus, 
330. 

grandicornis,  Rondani's  description,  331. 
Cryptus  flagitator  parasite  of  Depressaria,  98. 

profligator  parasite  of  Depressaria,  98. 
Cucumber  Flea-beetle  on  potato,  157. 
Culex  ciliatus  hibernating  in  Mass.,  52. 
Currant  Worm,  lime  and  tobacco  for,  17. 

alum  for,  229. 

in  Ohio,  319. 
Cuterebra  emasculator,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  214. 

scutellaris,  habits  unknown,  215. 
Cut- worms,  buckwheat  remedy,  15. 

injuring  grass,  317. 
Cyllene  robinia;  injuring  roses,  198. 
Cyrtoneura  stabulans,  Aletia  enemy,  216. 


Dacnusa  senilis,  Hessian  fly  parasite,  132. 
Dactylopius  infested  by  Lestophonus,  165. 

destructor,  synonymy,  118 
Dactylota,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  83. 

kinkerella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  84. 

snellenella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  84. 
Dakruma  destroying  Eriococcus  in  Australia, 

coccidivora  destroying  Coccus  cacti  in  Texas, 
258. 
Darters,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Datana  parasitized  by  T.  lunator,  176. 

integerriraa,  parasite  of,  177. 

ministra,  arsenic  solution  not  affecting,  125. 
parasites  of,  161, 177,  200. 
Day  Flies  eaten  by  fish,  160. 
Deer  Bot-fly  from  Calif., 

Deilephila  lineata  with  Copidryas  gloveri,  104. 
Dendroctonus  simples  on  tamarack,  162. 
Depressaria  albipunctella,  compared,  254,  255. 

cinereocostella,  Wlsm.'s  revision,  255. 

ciniflonella  beaten  from  fir,  256. 

clausella,  synonymy,  255. 

culeitella,  ally  of,  257. 


XVII 


fernaldella  u.  sp.  "Wlsm.,  descr.,  256. 

gracilis  n.  sp.  Wlsiu.,  descr.,  257.  • 

grotella,  syuonyniy,  95. 

lierncleana,  syuouymy,  94. 

lieraclei,  syn.,  94. 

heracliana,  article  by  C.  V.  Kiley,  94. 

hilarella,  syn.,  256. 

hypericella  allied  to  fernaldella,  256. 

irupurella,  allies,  257. 

lythrella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  257. 

ontariella,  syn.,  94,  96,  97. 

parilella   var.    novo-mundi,   Wlam.'s    revis., 
256. 

pastinacella,  syn.,  94. 

piilvipeunella,  syn.,  25.3. 

purpurea,  allies,  257. 

solidaginis  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  255. 

togata  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  254. 

umbellarum,  syn.,  94. 
Dermatobia  infesting  man,  article  by  Dr.  Rudolph 
Matas,  76. 

noxialis  in  Miss.,  226. 
Dermestes  lardarius  in  Nat.  Museum.,  384. 

maculatus,  D.  lardarius  vs.,  384. 

vulpinus,  litigation  relative  to,  260. 
Destructive  Cricket  in  Louisiana,  87. 

Leaf-hojjper  on  timothy,  381. 
Diabrotica  12  punctata  injuring  fruit  trees,  58. 

larvsB  in  corn  roots  in  S.  C,  386. 

trivittata,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  286. 
Dicerca  boring  in  poplar,  58. 

divaricata,  figured  in  3rd  Kept.  U.  S.  E.  C, 
58. 

prolongata  in  poplar,  58. 
Dichelonycha  fuscula, 
Dictyna,  improbable  author  of  bite,  282. 

volupis  parasitized,  107. 
"Die  back  "  of  orange  and  leaf-hoppers,  52. 
Diloba  ca;ruleocephala  in  England,  151. 
Dineutes  not  eaten  by  fish,  160. 
Dinocamptus  considered  a  subsection  of  Perili- 

tus,338. 
Dinoderus    floridanum,  allied   species  in    opium 

pipe,  220. 
Diphucephala  splendens  in  Tasmania. 
Diplosis  pyrivora,  synonymy,  121. 

tritiei,  importation  to  Australia,  193. 
Diplotaxis  sp.  on  fruit  trees,  59. 
Diptera  of  Chili,  119. 

Dipteron,  possible  parasite  of  Icerya  in  N.  Z.,  297. 
Dog-fish,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Dolomedes,  habitat,  162. 
Dorosoma,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Doryphora,  10-lineata  in  Nova  Scotia,109 

in  Ohio,  319. 
Dragon  Fly  larvae  attacking  young  fish,  58. 

eaten  by  fish,  160, 
Drosophila  quinaria  bred  from  Coccus  cacti,  259. 
Drosophilina-,  21,  329. 

Dryocampa  imperialis  on  Elm  and  Linden,  379. 
Dryophthorus,  food  habits,  198. 
Dryotribus,  food  habits,  198. 
Dysdercus  suturelhw  injuring  oranges,  190. 

article  by  R.  and  H.,  234. 

parasite  of  supposed  eggs,  242. 
Dysderidse,  structure,  200. 

25068— No.  12 4 


E. 


Earwig  injuring  fruit  in  Tasmania,  361. 

Eau  celeste  for  Rose  Beetle,  32. 

Eburia  quadriniaculata,  longevity  of  early 

article  by  F.  M.  Webster,  339. 
Echinodermata,  83. 

Eciobia  germanica  in  Treasury,  68, 191. 
Eel  worms,  Bulletin  on  Anguillula,  360. 
Eggs  of  insects,  mounting  for  progressive  study, 

316. 
Elachistus  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Elasmus  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Elassoptes,  food  habits,  198. 
Elm  Leaf-beetle  not  in  Eastern  cities  in  1886, 125. 
Emasculating  Bot-fly,  article  by  R.  and  H.,214. 
Emphytus  maculatus  injuring  strawberry,  319. 

testaceus  on  Polygonum,  346. 
Encopfolopbus  sordidus  in  Calif,  228. 
Encyrtus  dubius  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,  270. 

truncatellus,  parasite  on  Depressaria,  98. 
Endrosis  lacteella  in  wine-bottio  corks,  92. 
English  Sparrow,  not  eating  Willow  Slug,  37. 

destroying  Woolly  Aphis,  156. 

destruction  of  in  Australia,  352. 
Entedou  n.  sp.,  Icerya  parasite,  130. 
Entomological  Society  of  Washington,  abridged 

minutes,  162,  200,  230,  295,  326,  357, 
Entomologiske  Meddelelser,  notice,  167. 
Entomologists'  Union,  a  proposed  national,.262,359. 
Entomology,  economic,  in  India,  60. 

reviews  of  papers  on,  355. 

in  Chili,  118. 

two  suggestions  to  students  of,  151. 

Holland  collection,  202. 

reviews  of  recent  publications,  203. 

in  Australia,  358. 
EpeiridsB  of  N.  A.,  Keyserling's  vrork  on,  357. 
EphemeridsB  eaten  by  flsh,  160. 
Ephestia  interpunctella  in  TJ.  S.,  315. 

kuhniella  in  England,  315, 35,". 
Epicserus  imbricatus  on  fruit  trees,  59. 
Epipaschias  described  by  Hulst,  93. 
Erigone  parasitized,  106. 
Eriococcus  eucalypti  in  Australia,  297. 
Eriopis  connexa  in  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Eristalis,  5. 

Ermine  moth  in  England,  151. 
Erythroneura  vitis  in  Ohio,  319. 
Etheostoma,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Eubadizon  schizoctri  n.  sp.  R.  andH.,  44. 
Eucalyptus  Scale  in  Australia  and  Tasmania,  363. 
Eulepiste  cressoni,  position,  195. 

maculifer  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  position,  195. 
Eumajus  atala,  article  by  E.  A.  Schwarz,  37. 
Eupalus  sp.  in  grain  elevator,  51. 
Eupelmus  karschii,  Hessian  Fly  parasite,  132. 
Euphoria  inda  infested  withmites,  349. 

melancholica  on  cotton  bolls,  55. 
Euplectrus  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Euplexoptera,  Earwigs  placed  in,  by  Westwood, 

301. 
Eurhopalas  variegatus  in  Chili,  154. 
Eurycreon  rantalis  in  Kansas,  13. 
Euryscapus  saltator,  Hessian  fly  parasite,  132, 
Euschistus  tristigmus,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  286. 


XVIII 


Euscirihopterus  poeyi,  106. 
Euthoctha  galeator  on  orange,  54. 

eggs  of  Red  Bug  compared  with,  23G. 

injuring  plum,  366. 
Euthyrhynchus  floridaiius  piercing  Honey  Bees, 

88. 
Exochilum  mistaken  for  Thalessa,  177. 
Esochomus  pilatei,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  286. 


Fall  "Web-worm,  eastern  cities  free  from,  in  1888, 
125. 
in  Texas. 
Fathead,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Felderia  filicornis  n.  sp.  and  gen.  Wlsm.,  position, 

195. 
Fidonia  atomaria,  larvae  killed  by  Vanessa  meco- 
nium, 196. 
Figure-of-eight  Moth  in  England,  151. 
Filistatidae,  characters,  200. 
Fiorinia  caraellise,  injury,  377. 

pellucida  on  cocoanut  palm.  355. 
Fishes,  fresh-water,  focd  habits,  158. 
Flea  in  Chili,  154. 

Flea-beetle,  Wavy-striped,  in  Miss.,  217. 
Florida  "Wax-scale  introduced  into  Calif.,  325. 
Fluted  Scale,  54,  356. 

importation  of  parasites,  64. 
Fly-weevil,  old  account,  108. 
Foriicula  sp.  injuring  fruits  in  Tasmania,  361. 
Foificulidse,  classification,  301. 
Formica  fusca,  relation  to  Corn  Aphis,  152. 

schaufussii,  relation  to  Corn  Aphis,  152. 
Fumigation  process,  164. 
Fungicides  as  insecticides,  323. 

G. 

Galeruca  xanthomelajna,  not  at  electric  lamps, 

285. 
Gamasus  sp.  infesting  grain,  51. 
Gar,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Garden  Web-worm  in  Kansas,  13. 

Paris  green  for,  354. 
Gas  lime  for  Onion  Maggot,  354. 

treatment  for  scale  insects,  article  bv  D.  "W. 
Coquillett,41. 
Gastroidea  formosa  on  grape  in  Arizona,  385. 
Gelechia,  81,257. 

cerealella  prior  to  Revolution,  108. 
injury  in  Australia,  364. 

gallae-asterella,  parasite  of,  161. 

galte-solidaginis,  parasite  of,  161. 

monstratella,  synonymy,  113. 
Gelechinie,  83. 
German  Phylloxera  laws,  27. 
Gizzard  Shad,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Glassy  Cut-worm  in  Miss.,  17. 

in  Dakota,  317. 
Glypta  sp.  bred  from  Margarodes  quadristigmalis 
26. 

rufiscutellaris,  26. 
Goes  tigrinus  on  oak,  343. 
Gold  Finches  destroying  Icerya  in  N.  Z.,  92 
Gonatopus  forming  sac  on  Pvhynchota,  200. 
Goniosus  n.  sp.,  Icerya  parasite,  130. 


Gononotus,  food  habits,  198. 

Gracilaria,  81. 

Grain  Louse  in  Ohio,  319. 

Moth  in  Australia,  364. 
Grape-vine  Flea-beetle,  74. 

Leaf-hopper  in  Ohio,  319. 
Grapholitha  olivaceana,  parasite  of,  161. 
Graphophone,  wax  for  cylinders,  93. 
Graptodera  chalybea,  74,  75,  221. 

foliacea,  life  history,  article  by  Mary  E.  Murt- 
feldt,  74. 
food  plant,  199. 
ignita  in  Arizona,  221. 
punctipennis,  synonymy,  75. 
injury,  85. 
Grasses,  insects  affecting  upper  stems,  article  by 

F.  M.  "Webster,  372. 
Grasshoppers  and  Crickets,  remarkable  theory, 

320. 
Grass  Pickerel,  insect  diet  of,  160. 

Worm,  375. 
Gray  Squirrel  attacked  by  Cuterebra,  215. 
Greasy  Cut-worm  in  Miss.,  17,  217. 
"  Green  Bug ' '  in  Tasmania,  301. 
Green  Soldier-bug  on  orange,  53,  54. 
Greeu-striped  Maple-worm  in  Kansas,  UI. 
Gryllus  injury  in  Louisiana,  87. 
Gyrinidffi,  larva-  (not  adults)  eaten  by  fish,  160. 

resemblance  in  antennae  to  Platypsyllus,  305. 
Gyrinus  parens  in  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 

H. 

Hackberry  Butterfly  swarming,  28. 
Hadena  devastatrix  in  Miss.,  17. 

in  Dakota,  317. 
Hadronotus  leptocorisEe  from  eggs  of  Leptocorisa, 
242. 
rugosus  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,242. 
Haemylis  daucella,  synonymy,  94 

pastinacella,  syn.,  94. 
Hairy  "Woodpecker  eating  larvas  of  Depressaria, 

98. 
Haltica  rufipes  injuring  peach,  280. 
Ham  Beetle  in  Chili,  154. 
Harmonia  pini,  lar\-al  period,  250. 
Harpalus  pennsylvanicus  at  electric  lamps,  285. 
Hawk  Moth,  European,  22. 
Hay  "Worm  in  Kentucky,  283. 
Heliothis  armigera  in  Miss.,  17,  217. 

in  Calif.,  article  by  D.  "W.  Co- 
quillett,  331. 
Heliothrips  adonidum  in  greenhouses,  141. 
draciBUic  in  hot-houses,  139, 141. 
hasmorrhoidalis  on  apple,  139, 141. 
Hellebore,  powdered,  beetle  living  in,  314,  360. 
Hepialus  argtnteomaculatus,  article  by  Dr.  D.  S> 

Kellicott:  250. 
Hermetiamucens  in  bee-hives,  353. 
Hessian  Fly  in  N.  Z.,32. 

insects  confounded  with  prior  to  1776,  86. 

ai  tides  by  C.  V.  Riley,  107, 131. 

attacked  by  Thrips,  138. 

in  England,  192. 

danger  of  importing  to  Au.stralia,  193.. 

burning  stubble  for,  294. 

late  publications  on,  322. 


XIX 


Heterocampa  marthesia,  parasite  of,  Iftl. 
Heteropelma  mistaken  for  Thalessa,  177. 
(lataniB  n.sp.  Riley,  descr..  177. 
parasite  on  Datana,  200. 
in  Canada, i;53. 
flavicoi'nis,  resemblances,  177, 178. 
longipes,  differences,  178. 
Hexagenia  eaten  by  fish,  160. 
Hickory  Shad,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Himatiuni,  food  habits,  198. 
Hippobosca  equina  not  in  Chili,  155. 
Hippoboscidffi,  aberrant  forms  in,  300. 
Hippodamia  ambigua,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
convergens,  i)arasites  of,  101. 
maculata,  parasite  of,  339. 
Hog  Caterpillar  in  Ohio,  319. 
Homalotylus  obscurus,  parasite  of  Hippodamia, 

101. 
Honey  Bees,  new  enemy  to,  88. 
abnormal,  197,  295. 
poison  of,  282. 
in  Yucca  flowers,  368. 
Hopliamenus  dimidiatus,  parasite  of  Depressaria, 

Hop  Plant-louse,  articles  by  C.  V.  Riley,  70, 133. 
Hornia  mexicana,  syn.,  213. 

minutipennis,  compared  with  Leonia,  213. 
Hot  water  as  an  insecticide,  122. 
House  Ant  in  Fla  ,  40. 
Hy hernia  aurantiaria  in  England,  151. 

defoliaria  in  England,  151. 
Hyhopsis,  insect  diet  of,  101. 
Hydrocyanic  acid  gas  for  scale  insects,  286. 
Hydrophilidw,  larva)  eaten  bj-  flsh,  160. 

relations  with  Platypsylhis,  301. 
Hydropsy che  with  Simulium,  99, 100. 
Hylesinns  trifolii  in  Ohio,  218. 
Hyloelopus  griseus  n.  sp.  and  gen.  "Wlsm.,  posi- 
tion, 195. 
Hymenoptera,  European,  catalogue  of,  168. 

hairy  eyes  of,  295. 
Hyperchiria  io  on  Saw  Palmetto,  217. 
Hypochilus,  structure,  200. 

second  species,  295. 
Hypoderma  bovis,  an  ally  of  Texas  Heel-fly,  319. 

in  England,  355. 

linearis,  in  Texas,  319. 
Hyponomeuta  padella  in  England,  151. 

texanella,  syn.,  149. 

I. 

Icerya  purchasi,  54,  87,  201,  299,  327,  356. 

parasites  of,  and  their  importation  from 

Australia,  21,  64,  220,  231,  232,262,268, 

297. 
bird  enemies  in  N.  Z.,  92. 
increased  injury  in  Calif.,  110. 
article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  126. 
recent  work  against  in  Calif.,  163. 
Coccinellid  enemy  in  S.  Africa,  260. 
Australian  Lady -bird  as  enemy,  377. 
application  to  prevent  ascending  trees, 

378. 
sacchari,  genus  based  upon,  127. 

distinct  from  I.  purchasi,  129. 
Ichneumonid  larra  on  .spider  from  Ceylon,  42. 


Ichneumon  ruflventris,  hosts  of,  161. 

Imbricated  Snout-beetle,  vegetables  attacked,  227. 

on  fruit  trees,  366. 
Incurvaria  acerifoliella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  147 

ienescens  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  147. 

humilis  n.  sp.  "Wlsm.,  descr.,  146. 

labradoriella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  147. 

mediostriatella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  147. 

politella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  146. 

punctiferella  n.  sp.  Wlsm..  descr.,  145. 

solenobiella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  146. 
Indian  Museum  at  Calcutta,  60. 
Insecticide  appliances,  articles  by  C.  V.  Riley, 

243,  263. 
Insects  injurious  to    fruits,  Saunders,  2nd.  ed., 

327. 
Insect  Society,  Farmers  and  Stockraisers',  325. 
Insidious  Flower-bug  on  chrysanthemums,  122. 

preying  on  Thripidw,  140. 
International  concern,  entomological  matters  of, 

article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  126. 
Isodromus  icerya;,  Icerya  parasite,  130. 
Isosoma,  danger  of  importing  to  Australia,  193. 

orchidearum  in  Europe,  121. 
Italian  Thrips  attacking  Hessian  Fly,  138. 
Itch  Mite  in  Chili,  155. 
lulus  virgatus,  an  abundance  of  in  Dakota,  315. 


Janus,  10. 

Japanese  Oak-feeding  Silk-worm,  article  by  Dr.  C. 

E.  Webster,  273. 
Japanese  Peach-worm,  damage  by,  55. 
Japy  nozzle,  265. 
Jigger  in  Chili,  154. 
Joint-worms,  danger  of  importing  to  Australia, 

193. 


K. 


"  Katipo,"  or  Jfew  Zealand  Latrodectus,  bite,  209, 

348. 
Kerosene  emulsion  for  cabbage  maggot,  15. 
worms,  27. 
white  grubs,  48. 
correction    regarding   recipe, 
202. 
soap  emulsion  as  fuel,  323. 
Killifishes,  insect  diet  of,  159. 


Laccophilus  americanus  in  the  U.  S.  and  Chili, 
119. 
proximus  in  the  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Lachnosterna  larviB  and  kerosene  emulsion,  48. 
case  of  damage,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  365. 
arcuatan.  sp.  Smith,  descr.,  181,  183. 

on  fruit  trees,  366. 
dnbian  sp.  Smith,  descr.,  181,183. 

on  fruit  trees,  360. 
fraterna  on  fruit  trees,  366. 
fusca,  12, 180. 

on  fruit  trees,  59,  366. 
injuring  strawberry,  342. 
grandisn.  sp.  Smith,  descr.,  181. 


XX 


Lachnosterna  hirticula  on  Poplar  and  Oak,  85. 
on  fruit  trees,  3C6. 

tristis,  extraordinary  twilight  flight,  17. 
on  fruit  trees,  366. 
Lacbnus  platanicola  in  Washington,  197. 
Lac  insect  on  creosote  bush,  344. 
Lackey  Moth  in  England  151. 
Lactista  gibbosa  in  Calif.,  228. 
Lady-bird,  African,  introduced  into  N.  Z.,  259. 
Lady-bird  parasite,  articles  by  C.  V.  Riley,  101, 

338. 
Liemophljeus  pusiUus  in  yeast  cakes,  284. 
Lagoa  opercularis,  stinging  larva,  192. 
Languria  mozardi  a.s  a  gall  maker,  119. 
Laphygma  frugiperda,  375. 
Largus  succinctus,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 

hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286. 
Lasioderma  serricormj  in  smoking  tobacco,  3.57. 

injuring  cigarettes,  378. 
Lasioptera  vitis,  galls  attacked  by  Thrips,  138. 
Lasius  flavua,  relation  to  Corn  Aphis,  152. 
Laterigrades  of  America,  Keyserling's  work,  357. 
Lathrobium  dimidiatum  in  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Latrodectus,  "Katipo  "  of  N.  Z.,  200. 

bites,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  204. 

mactans,  bite,  205,  281,  282. 

malmigniatus,  bite,  20f-. 
Leaf-eatiug  Ant  of  Texas  stripping  trees,  192. 
Leaf-hoppers  and  "Die-back,"  52. 
Leaf-legged  Bug.s  on  orange,  53,  54. 
Leaf-roller  on  ash,  parasite  of,  161. 

on  locust,  parasite  of,  161. 

on  strawberry,  parasite  of,  161. 
Leather  Beetle,  litigation  concerning,  260. 
Lecauiiim  acuminatum  on  mango,  293. 

coflfeaj  on  tea-plant,  293. 

hemisphanicum  hibernating  in  Penn.,  144. 

hesperidum,  299. 

persiciB  on  Japanese  quince,  144. 

phyllococcus,  syn.,  118. 

viride  on  coffee  plant,  293. 
Lecithocera  flavistrigella,  syn.,  147. 
Leis  conformis  destroying  Schizoneura,  362. 
Leonia  rileyi,  n.  sp.  and  gen.,  descr.,  article  by 

Eug.  Dng6s,  211 
Lepidoptera  of  Chili,  119. 

Australia,  299. 
bleaching  wings  of,  291. 
Lepomis,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Leptinidee,  relation  with  Platypsyllus,  301. 
Leptinillus,  remarks  o'l,  200,  301. 

validus  on  beaver,  306. 
Leptinus,  remarks,  200,  301. 
.     testaceus  on  mice,  306. 
Leptocorisa  tipuloides  on  orange,  242. 
Leptocoris  trivittata,  325. 
Leskia,  synonymy,  62. 

aurea  in  Europe,  62. 

bicolor  in  Europe,  62. 

sericaria,  silk-worm  parasite,  62. 
Lestophonus  icerysv  n.  sp.  and  gen.,  descr.,  articles 
by  Dr.  S.  W.  Williston,  21,  328. 

importation  of  living  specimens  from  Austra- 
lia, 64,  144, 164, 199,  297. 

discovery  due  to  Mr.  Crawford,  1G6. 

parasite  of,  232. 


Lestophonus,  development  to  California,  327. 

supposed  by  Mr.  Skuse  to  be  two  species,  328, 
359. 

efficiency  compared  with  Australian  Lady- 
bird, 37''. 
Leucania,  mounting  wings  for  venation,  151. 

harveyi  at  electric  lamps,  285. 

unipuncta  in  Dakota,  C6. 
at  electric  lainps,  285. 
first  injurious  appearance  in  Florida,  375. 
Leucopis,  relation  with  Lestophonus,  329. 

parasitizing  Coccidfe,  258. 

Ehi?ococcns  in  N.  S.,  385. 

bellula  n.  sp.  Williston,  descr.,  258. 
Libellulida;,  58. 
Lice  in  Chili,  154. 
Ligyrus  gibbosus  injuring  carrots, 

rugiceps,  article  by  L.  O.  Howard,  11. 
in  Miss.,  217. 

niginasus  in  Miss.,  12. 
Lime  and  tobacco  for  Currant  Worm,  17. 
Limothrips  gramineaj  aflFecting  cereals,  141. 

poaphagus  destroying  grass,  140, 141. 

tritici  affecting  clover,  140. 
Limulodes,  relation   with  Platypsyllus,  305. 
Limuhis,  position,  300. 
Lina  scripta  in  the  East,  51, 
Linyphia  communis,  external  parasites  of,  106, 107. 

marginata,  external  parasites  of,  106. 
Liotheidie,  relation  with  Platypsyllus,  302 
Lithobius  impressed  in  rice  paper,  381. 
Lithocolleti.s,  81. 
Locust,  Rocky  Mountain,  in  Northwest,  63. 

non-migratory,  in  Mich.,  63,  86. 

in  Algeria,  92, 194. 

value  of  as  manure,  122. 

migratory  in  Australia,  364. 
Locust-borer  on  roses,  198.  ^ 

London  purple  for  Elm-leaf  beetle,  126. 
Plum  Curculio,  193. 
LucUia  macellaria,  oviposits  in  law  places,  319. 
Lycaena  comyntas  swarming  in  Kansas,  326. 

pseudargiolus  in  Holland  collection,  202. 
Lycosa  nidifex,  habits,  162. 

tarantula  apuliie,  bite,  209. 
Lyctoris  sp.,  Icerya  enemy.  130. 
LygSBus  reclivatus  on  trumpet  creeper,  340. 


M. 


Macrancylus,  food  habits,  198. 

Macrodacij  lus  subspinosus  swarming  in  N.  T.,  91. 

habits  compared  with  Diphucephala,  361. 
Mallophaga,  aberrant  forms  in,  300. 

resemblance  to  Platypsj'llus,  305. 
Mallota,  5. 

''  Malmigniatte  "  (European  Latrodectus), bite, 206. 
Mamestra  trifolii  in  Canada,  356. 
Man-infesting  Bot,  article  by  Dr.  Rudolph  Matas, 

76. 
Mantis  Carolina  domesticated,  156. 

called  "horse-killer,"  199. 

as  enemy  of  Aletia,  216. 
Mantispa,  obtaining  larva;,  162. 
Margarodes  quadristigmalis,  article  by  R.  and  H., 


Marseilles  nozzle,  266. 

Masicera,  Tachina  armlgera  n.  sp.  referable  to,  332 

May  Beetles,  twilight  flight  in  Indiana,  17. 

injuring  strawberry,  342. 

on  fruit  trees,  366. 
Mealy  Bug  of  Orange,  syn.,  118. 

on  Guava,  235. 
Meconium  of  Lepidoptera,  poisonous  nature  of, 

196. 
Megathymus,  connecting  butterflies  and  moths, 

306. 
Megilla  maculata,  parasites  of,  articles  by  C.  V. 
Riley,  101,  338. 

intr.S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Melancholy  Euphoria  on  cotton  bolls,  55. 
Melanoplus  in  Black  Hills,  66. 

affinis  in  Calif,  227. 

cyanipes  in  Calif,  227. 

devastator  in  Calif,  227. 
Melophagus  oviiius  in  Chili,  155. 
Merisus  intermedins,  Hessian  Fly  parasite,  132. 
Meromyza  sp.,  confounded  with  Hessian  Fly  prior 
to  1776,  86. 

americana  and  grass  injury,  374. 
Mesites,  food  habits,  198. 
Mesograpta  polita,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  5. 
Mesops  taken  in  Dakota,  66. 
MetapodiuR  femoratus,  Aletia  enemy,  216. 

eggs  of  Red  Bug  compared  with,  236. 
Mexican  Orange-worm,  article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  45. 
Microctonus,  Perilitusterminatusformerly  in,  338, 

terminatus  parasitic  on  Coccinellidse,  102, 103. 
Microdon,  5. 
Microgaster  sp.,  bred  from  Depressaria,  98. 

lacteipennis,  98. 

pieridis,  syn.,  326. 
Milk,  beetles  found  in,  112. 
Milk-weed  Butterfly  swarming,  221. 
Millers'  Thumb,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Missouri  Reports,  Riley's,  notice  of  copies  wanted, 

168. 
Mites  infesting  grain  elevator,  51. 

case  of  late  autumnal  abundance,  252. 

in  flaxseed,  285. 

causing  double  flowers,  349. 
Mole  Cricket  as  a  harbinger  of  .spring,  375. 
Monomorium  pharaonis  in  Fla.,  40. 
Monophkebus  crawfordi,  Lestophonns  a  parasite, 

of,  21,  64, 165,  297,  328,  329,  330. 
Morelos  Orange-worm,  article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  45. 
Mosillus,  21. 
Mosquito,  hibernation  of,  52. 

Hawk,  larvfe  enemies  of  fish,  58. 
Moths  swarming,  90. 

white,  in  Yucca  flowers,  370. 
Mottled  Umber  in  England,  151. 
Mud  Minnows,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Musca  domestica,  remarks  on,  162. 

hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286. 
Museum  pests,  note  on,  384. 
Mydea  sp.,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286. 
Mygale  avicularia,  bite,  208. 
Myiolepta,  5. 

Mymarid*,  authorship  of  family,  357. 
Myobia  pumila.  Asparagus  Beetle  parasite,  61. 
Mytilaspis  buxi  on  cocoanut  palm,  355. 


Mytilaspis  pandani  on  cocoanut  palm,  355. 
pomorum  in  Australia,  359. 


N. 


Iffematus  veutralis,  article  by  L.  O.  Howard,  33. 

ventricosus,  lime  and  tobacco  for,  17. 
in  Ohio,  319. 
Neoclytus  erythrocephalns  on  pine,  343. 

muricatulus  on  pine,  343. 
Neolophus  furcatus,  n.  sp.  and  gen.jWlsm.,  posi- 
tion, 195. 
Nephelodes  violans  in  Mo.,  57. 

injuring  grass  in  Dakota,  317. 
New  England  Butterflies,  by  Scudder,  65. 
New  Zealand  Cuckoo  destroying  Icerya,  92. 

triplet  nozzle,  266. 
NitidulidiB  in  figs,  253. 

Noctuid  larva,  predaceous,  imported  from  Austra- 
lia, 297. 
Noel  nuzzle,  248. 

Notodonta  concinna,  acid  secretion  of,  143. 
Notropis,  insect  diet  of,  159. 


OchthiphilinsB,  relation  with  Lestophonus,  239. 
CEcanthus  niveus  injuring  raspberry,  319. 
fficodoma  ferens  stripping  trees,  192. 
(Ecophora  coloradella,  n.  sp.,  Wlsm.,  descr.,  148. 

dimidiella,  n.  sp.,  Wlsm.,  descr.,  148. 

pseudospretella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  149. 

thoracella,  n.  sp.,  "Wlsm.,  descr.,  147. 
CEdipoda,  87. 

cinerascens  in  Chili,  155. 

venusta  in  Calif.,  228. 
CEdocara  strangulata  in  Calif.,  228. 
(Enophila  v.-flavum  in  wine-bottle  corks,  91. 
ffistrus  bovis  in  Chili,  155. 

equi  not  in  Chili,  155. 

ovis  in  Chili,  155. 
Oncideres  cingulatus  in  Miss.,  217. 
Oncocnemis,  newspecie-s,  articleby  J. B.Smith,  18. 

augustus,  19,  20. 

fasciatus,  n.  sp..  Smith,  descr.,  18. 

iricolor,  n.  sp.,  Smith,  descr.,  19. 

levis,  20. 

simplex,  n.  sp..  Smith,  descr.,  20. 

tenuifascia,  n.  sp..  Smith,  descr.,  18. 

terminalis,  n.  sp..  Smith,  descr.,  19. 
Onion  Maggot,  gas  lime  for,  354. 
Oniscus  murarius  in  wine-bottle  corks,  92. 
Onthophagirs  hecate  passed  by  a  boy,  191. 

pennsylvanicus  passed  by  a  boy,  191. 
Opatrnm  intermedium  injuring  tobacco,  167. 
Ophion  an  external  parasite,  171. 

luteus  in  Chili,  155. 

macrurum,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286 

vulnerator,  parasite  of  Depressaria,  98. 
Orange  Aphis,  resin  and  soda  for,  230. 
Orange-scale,  Round,  resin  and  soda  for,  230. 
Orchid  Isosoma,  remedy,  121. 
Orgyia  leucostigma,  parasit;  of,  161. 
Oriental  Cockroach,  70. 

insects,  catalogues  of,  328. 
Ortholophus  variabilis,  n.  gen.  Wlsm.,  position, 


XXII 


Orthoneura,  5. 

Ortyx  califoiuica  in  Chili,  153. 

Oscinida;,  Lestopliouus  doubtfully  placed  in,  21, 

328. 
Oscini8  sp.  on  Chrjsanthemum,  346. 
Ox  Bot-fly,  damage  investigated,  383. 
Ox  Warble-fly,  Texas  Heel  fly  allied  to,  319. 
Oxyopes  viridans,  Aletia  enemy,  216. 
Oyster-shell  Bark-louse  in  Australia.  359. 


Packard's   Forest-tree  Insects,  additions  of  Col- 

eopt.,  343. 
Paleacrita  vernata  destroyed  by  Parus  atricapil- 

liis,  15. 
Pale-brindled  Beauty  iu  England,  151. 
Palmetto  Weevil  iu  date  palm,  14. 
Paniscus  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Papilio  ajax,  parasites  of,  161. 
asterias,  parasites  of,  161. 
marcellus,  parasites  of,  161. 
troilus,  parasite  of,  161. 
turnus,  parasite  of,  161. 
Paragus,  5. 

Parasia,  hind  wing  figured  by  Stainton,  82. 
Paris  green,  danger  of  use,  142. 
for  garden  Web-WDrra,  354. 
Paroquets  destroying  Icerya  in  N.  Z.,  92. 
Parsnip  Web- worm,  article  by  C.  V.  Kiley,  94. 
Parus  atricapillus  vs.  Canker  Worms,  15. 
Peach  Fruit- worm  in  Jajjan,  55. 
Peach-twig  Moth  and  its  parasite,  196. 
Pear  Diplosis  in  England,  120. 
Pedinus  femoralis  injuring  tobacco,  167. 
Perch,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Perilitus  amerioanus,  n.  sp.  Riley,  descr.,  338. 
fah;iger,  338. 
mellinus,  338. 

terminatus  reared  from  Coccinella,  103,  338. 
Perimegatoma  cylindricum  var.  angulare,  Icerya 

enemy,  130. 
Periodical  Cicada,  after-effect  of  oviposition,  15. 
broods  V  and  X,  .31. 
brood  VIIT,  298,  324,  388. 
early  note  on,  313. 
Periplaneta  americana  in  Treasury,  68,  70, 191. 
Peritrechus  luniger,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Petrobia  lapidum  massing  in  Europe,  278. 
Pezotettix  iu  Black  Hills,  66. 
Phacellura  hyalinitalis,  parasite  of,  161. 
Phalffina  heraclei,  syu.,  94. 
Phalffina-Tortrix  heracleana,  syn.,  94. 
Phalanchium,  not  poisonous,  347. 
Phenacobius,  insect  diet  of,  158, 159. 
Phigalia  pilosaria  in  En'jland,  151. 
Philampelus  vitis  in  Ohio,  319. 
PhlcBophagus,  food  habits,  198. 
Phlceothrips  sp.  on  mullein,  141. 

armata  on  Anthemis  and  Chrysanthemum, 
140 
on  Composite  and  grasses,  141. 
cpryse  in  hickory  galls.  138, 141. 
Phylloxera  frumentaria  in  ears  of  com,  139, 141. 
mali  on  grape  leaves,  140. 

injuring  young  apples,  141. 


Phylloxera  nigra  in  clover  heads,  141. 
Pholcus,  bite,  282. 

Phonograph,  wax  fur  cylinders,  93. 
j   Phora  sp.,  Icerya  enemy  in  Mexico,  130. 
Phorodon  humuli,  articles  by  C.  V.  Riley,  70, 133, 

reahaleb,  does  not  migrate  to  hop,  74. 
Photinus   collustrans,   hitherto  unknown    ?    of, 

162. 
Phryganeida?  eaten  by  fish,  161. 

placed  in  Trichoptera  by  Westwood,  301. 
Phycita  nebulo,  parasites  of,  161. 
Phycitidre  described  by  Hulst,  93. 
Phygadeuon  jiiTofligator  bred   from  Depressaria 

98. 
Phylloeciis  integer,  article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  8. 
Phyllotreta  vittata  in  Miss.,  217. 
Phylloxera  vastatrix,  German  laws  on,  27. 

legal  bearing  of  lemedies  for,  91. 
false  report  of  in  Australia,  121. 
Thrips  infesting  galls  of,  142. 
not  in  Chili,  153. 
in  Asia  Minor,  354. 
in  Australia,  363. 
at  Capo  of  GoodHope,  383. 
in  Colorado,  385. 
carya'caulis,  species  closely  allied  on  Pecan, 

222. 
caryffifoliae,  Thrips  iu  galls  of,  137. 
Phytoptus,    cranberry   leaf-galls    not    made  by, 
112,279. 
on  plum,  343. 

causing  double  flowers,  349. 
pruni-crumeni  on  plum,  344. 
pyri  in  Australia,  363. 
Pickerel,  Little,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Picus  villosus  eating  Depressaria,  98. 
Pieris  oleracea  in  Colo.,  382. 
protodice  in  Miss.,  17,  217. 

parasite  attacking  larva  of,  225. 
in  Colo.,  382. 
rapa",  kerosene  emulsion  for,  28. 
parasite  of,  225. 
in  Ohio,  319. 
in  Colo.,  382. 
Piesma  cinerea,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Piezostethus  sp.,  Icerya  enemy,  130. 
Pike,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Pimephales,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Pimpla  annulipes,  hosts  of,  161. 
atrata  destroying  Tremex,  168. 
conquisitor,  hosts  of,  161. 
heraclei.  parasite  of  Depressaria,  98, 
inquisitor,  hosts  of,  161,  324. 
lunator  destroying  Tremex,  168. 
notauda,  hosts  of,  161. 
Pipiza,  5. 

Pirate  Perch,  insect  diet  of,  15P,  160. 
Pissodes  aflinis,  on  habits,  162. 
Platychirus,  5. 
Platygaster  hieraalis,  from  Hessian  Fly,  323. 

minutus,  Hessian  Fly  jjarasite.  132. 
Platypsylla,  no  reason  for  change  iu  ending,  301. 
Platypsyllida",  new  family  by  Leconte,  301. 
Platypsyllines,  on  M6gnin'sdescription,  301. 
Platypsyllus,  relation  with  Leptinus  and  Lepti- 
Eillna.  200. 


XXIII 


Platypsyllus,    systematic  relations  of,  as  deter- 
miued  by  the  larva,  article  by  C.  V.  Kiley,  300. 
castoiinu3,  characterization,  301. 
castori.s,  300. 
Plcurota,  relationships,  82. 
Plum  Aphis  distinguished  fioni  Hop  Aphis,  71. 
Curculio,  Cook's  treatment,  123. 

rebuttal  of  Wier's  statements,  193. 
Gouger,  ovipositiou,  89. 
Plusia  brassicas  in  Miss.,  17. 
in  Colo.,  382. 
gamma  about  Moscow,  94. 
in  Chili,  154, 155. 
Plutella  cruciferarum,  differs  from  P.  ochrella, 
287. 
omissa  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  2j8. 
Pluteloptera  ochrella,  syn.,  287. 
Pocota,  5. 

Polistes  bellicosa,  Aletia  enemy,  216. 
Polysphincta,  an  external  spider  parasite,  42,  43, 
171. 
albipea  from  Lepidopterous  cocoon,  43. 
carbonarius  from  saw-fly,  43. 
dictynaj  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,  107. 
Potato  Beetle  in  Kova  Scotia,  109. 

in  Ohio,  319. 
Prionidus  cristatus,  enemy  of  Nematus  ventralis, 
37. 
enemy  to  Honey  Bees,  88. 
Pristomerus  vulnerator,  parasite  of  Depressaria, 

93. 
Privet  Web-worm,  article  by  K.  and  H.,  22. 
Proconia  undata  on  orange,  53,  54. 
Protacantbus  milberti,  Aletia  enemy,  216. 
Pronuba  and  Yucca  pollination,  article  by  C.  V. 
Kiley,  367. 
maculata  pollinizes  T.  whipplei,  372. 
paradoxa  pollinizes  T.  brevifolia,  372. 
ProteopteryK  emarginata,  allied  species  on  wal- 
nut, 157. 
Proteoteras  iesculana,  parasite  of,  161. 
Psecadia  discostrigella,  Wlsm.'s  revis  ,  149. 
fuscipedella  n.  sp.  "Wlsm,  descr. ,  150. 
marmorea  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  149. 
subcierulea,  ayn  ,  149. 
zelleriella,  Wlsm.'s  revis.,  149. 
Pseudauaphora  arcanella  n.  gen.  Wlsm.,  position, 

195. 
Psocida-,  house  infested  with,  144. 
Psocus,  145. 

Psyllobora  tajdata,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286. 
Pterolonche  lineatan.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  288, 
Pteromalus  puparum,  notes,  225. 
Ptbia  picta  injuring  tomato,  357. 
Pulicidw,  aberrant  forms  in,  300. 

placed  in  Aphaniptera  by  Westwood,  301. 
r  Purslane  Caterpillar,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  104. 
Pyralidie,  to  be  monographed,  93 
Pyralis  umbellarum,  syn.,  94. 
Pyrameis  cardui,  parasite  of,  161. 

huntera,  parasite  of,  161. 
Pyrethi  um  product  in  1888.  356. 

K. 
Eear-horse  domesticated,  156. 
Red  Bug  injuring  oranges,  190,  234. 


Red-hurse,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Red-legged  P'lea-beetle  in  jjeach  orchards,  280. 
Red  scale,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  for,  286. 
Red  spider  in  England,  72. 
in  Chili,  155. 
in  Ceylon,  293. 
evaporated  sulphur  for,  349. 
Red  Squirrel  infested  with  Cuterebra,  215. 
Rhingia,  5. 

Rhipiphorus  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Rhizococcus  on  grass  in  Dakota,  345. 

in  Nova  Scotia,  385. 
Rhizophagusbipustulatusin  wine  bottle  corks,  91. 
Rhodobaenus  13-punctatu3,  food  habits,  198. 
Rhopalosiphum  sp.  injuring  carrots  in  Tasmania, 
362. 
maidis,  relations  of  ants  to,  152. 
Rhynchophorus,  food  habits,  199. 
cruentatus  in  date  palm,  14. 
palmarum  in  sugar-cane,  186. 
Rhyncolus,  food  habits.  198. 
Rhyssa,  habits,  169,  170. 
cuvvipes,  host  of,  109. 
lunator,  ho.st  of,  176. 
persuasoria,  host  of,  169. 

old  figures  of,  17?.. 
differs  from  Thalessa,  179. 
Ribbon-footed   Corn-tly  of  Europe,  danger  of  im 
porting  to  Australia,  193. 
in  Sweden,  351. 
Rice  Weevil  in  India,  60. 

m  Australia,  364. 
Riley  or  Cyclone  nozzle,  243,  267. 
River  Carp,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Robin  destroying  White  Grub,  229. 
Rock  Bass,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160, 161. 
Rocky  Mountain  Locust  in  ISTorth  .vest,  30,  65. 
Rodolia  iceryre,  Africau  Tcerya  enemy,  130. 
Root-knot  disease,  bulletin  on,  360. 
Rose  Beetle,  eau  celeste  for,  32. 
swarming  of,  91. 
slug  in  Ohio,  319. 


Salutatory,  3. 

Sap  Beetles  in  flgs,  253. 

Saperda  Candida  on  elm,  343. 

lateralis  ou  hickory,  343. 
Sarcopsylla  peuelrans  in  Chili,  154. 
Saw-fly  of  the  Sweet  Potato,  article  by  R.  and  H., 

43. 
Scale  Insects,  gas  treatment  for,  41,  286. 
Schizocerus  ebenus,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  43. 
Schizoneura  lanigera  in  Chili,  153. 

in  Australia,  362. 
Sciurus  carolinensis  leucotis  infested  with  Cute- 
rebra, 215. 

hudsonias  infested  with  Cuterebra,  215. 
Scurfy  Bark-louse  on  currants,  324,  383. 
Scymnus,  two  new  species,  article  by  Dr.  D.  Sharp, 
364. 

amabilis,  Mexican  Icerya  enemy,  130. 

circularis  n.  sp.  Sharp,  descr.,  365. 

restitutor  n.  sp.  Sharp,  descr.,  364. 
Australian  Eriococcus  enemy,  363. 
Scyphophorus,  food  habits,  199. 


XXIV 


Selandria  rosas  in  Ohio,  319. 

Seraiotellus  nigripes,  Hessiau  Fly  parasite,  132. 

Semotiliis,   iusect  diit  of,  159. 

Serimeter,  article,  by  Pliilip  Wallier,  333. 

Slieep  Gad-fly  iu  Chili,  155. 

SLeepshead,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 

Sheep  Tick  in  Chili,  155. 

Shiner,  insect  diet  of,  159. 

Shovel  Fish,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 

Sialis  in  pools  with  Simuliura,  99. 

Silk,  tenacity,  elasticity,  and  ductility,  article  by 

Philip  Walker,  309. 
Silk-worra,  TTji  parasite  of,  62. 
Silpha  opaca  injuring  mangolds,  259. 
Silphidffi,  resemblance  to  Platypsylliis,  305. 
Silvanus  surinamensis  in  yeast  cakes,  284. 
Simuliiim,  Ithaca,  article  by  L.  O.  Howard,  99.  . 

meridionals  and  chicken  cholera,  14. 
Professor  Riley's  work  on,  99. 

pecuarnm.  Professor  Riley's  work  on,  99. 

venustum  at  Washington,  99. 
Sinoxylon  from  bamboo  box,  57. 

basilare,  abnormal  specimen,  162. 

tesanum  near  Washington,  162. 
Sirex,  habits,  169. 

gigas,  time  for  growth,  179. 

spectrum,  parasite  of,  169. 
Sitaris  muralis,  resemblance  to  Leonia,  213. 
Sitodrepa  panicea  in  Chili,  154. 
Sitophilus  granarius    confounded  with  Hessian 
Fly,  108. 

oryziB  confounded  with  Hessian  Fly,  108. 
Snowy  Tree-cricket  in  Ohio,  319. 
Soldier  Beetle  in  Yucca  flowers,  370. 
Southern  Cabbage-butterfly  in  Miss.,  17,  217. 

in  Colo  , 
Sphserophoria,  larva  carnivorous,  5,  6. 
Sphenophorus,  food  habits,  199. 

liratus,  comparison  of  larva,  168. 

obscurus,  article  by  R.  andH.,  185. 

robustus,  comparison,  188. 

sacchari  in  sugar-cane,  185. 
Sphinctus,  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Sphinx  ligustri,  22. 
Spiders,  bites,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  204,  347. 

letter  by  Dr.  E.  R.  Corson,  280. 
A.D.  Blanchard,  313. 
R.  Allan  Wight,  348. 

parasites  of,  article  by  L,  0.  Howard,  42,  292, 
324. 

effect  of  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  on,  286. 
Spilomyia,  5. 

Spotted  Lady-bird,  parasite  of,  101,339. 
Squash  Borer  in  Miss  ,  17. 
Staphj-linidae,  resemblance  to  Platypsyllus.  305. 
Steadota  borealis,  external  parasite  of,  43. 
Stenoscelis,  food  habits,  198, 
Stickleback,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Stictocephala  festina  on  tomato,  50. 
Stirapleura  decussata  in  Calif.,  228. 
Stomoxys,  habits,  162. 

calcitrans  in  Oregon,  109. 
in  Chili,  155. 
Strawberry  Emphytus  in  Ohio,  319. 

Weevil  in  Pennsylvania,  85. 


Streaked  Cottonwood  Leaf-beetle  in  the  East,  51. 
Strepsiptera,  Stylopiihi'  placed  in,  301. 
Striped  Bass,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Striped  Bugs,  new  remedy,  351. 
Stylopida',  aberrant  forms  in,  300. 

placed  in  Strepsipter.i.  301. 
Sucker,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Suctoria,  Platypsyllus   placed    in,   by    Ritsema, 

300. 
Sugar-cane  Beetle  injuring  corn,  article  by  L.  0.. 
Howard,  11. 

in  Miss.,  217. 
Sulphur  as  insecticide,  229,  349. 
Sunflsh,  insect  diet  of,  159,  ICO. 
Swarming  of  insects,  28,  90,  326. 
Sweet  potato  Saw-fly,  article  by  R.  and  H.,  43. 
Sycamore  Tree-louse  in  Washington,  197. 
Syritta,  5. 

Syrphidse,  larval  habits,  5. 
Syrphus,  larvoe  carnivorous,  5,  6. 


Tachina  aletiai  bred  from  Boll  Worms,  331. 
anonyma  bred  from  Boll  Worms,  331. 
armigeran.  sp.  CoqulUett,  described,  332. 
Tachinid,  undetermined,  reared  from  Schizocerus, 

44. 
Tamias  striatus  lysteri  infested  with  Cuterebra 

215. 
Tarantula,  bite,  209, 

Tarnished  Plant-bug  on  chrysanthemum,  198. 
Tegenaria,  bite,  282. 
Telemona,  200. 
Tenebrio  molitor  in  Chili,  154. 

larvEe  of  iu  a  woman's  stomach,  379. 
Tenebrioides    mauritanica    living   in   hellebore, 

314,  360. 
Tent  Caterpillar  in  Miss.,  217. 
Tepper  collection  of  Lepidopt.,  262. 
Teras  oxjcoccana,  parasite  of,  161. 
Termes  fatalis  injuring  tea  plant,  293. 
flavipes  in  Miss.,  17. 

injuring  oranges,  341. 
Tetracha  caroliniin  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Tetracnenius,  remarks,  295. 
Tetranychus,  Thrips  destroying,  142. 

abundance  of  nearly  allied  species  in  Mich., 

252. 
injuring  tea  plant,  293. 
telarius  in  England,  72. 

attached  by  Thrips,  139, 141. 
in  Chili,  155. 

evaporated  sulphur  for,  349. 
Tetrastichus  rileyi,  Hessian  Fly  parasite,  132. 
Texas  Heel-fly,  injury  to  cattle,  318. 
Thalessa,  article  by  C.  V.  Riley,  168,  200,  253. 
atrata,  habits,  168, 169, 177. 
lunator,  habits,  168, 169, 171. 
Thalpochares  cocciphaga,   larva  predaceous  on 

scales,  297. 
Thelyphonns  giganteus,  popularly  sujiposed  to 

sting,  199. 
Theophila  mandarina,  article  by  Philip  Walker, 
270. 


XXV 


Theraphosidiie,  study  of,  200. 
TheridiidiB  of  America,  Keyserling's  work,  357. 
Therklium,  bite,  282, 

Thoron  opacus  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,  268. 
Thrincns  califoinicus  in  Calif.,  228. 
Thripidse,  food  habits,  article  by  Herbert  Osborn, 
137. 

placed  in  Thysanoptera  by  Westwood,  301. 
Thrips  ap.  injuring  olive,  Ul. 

on  leaves  of  hop,  141. 
Thrips  cerealium  injuring  wheat,  138, 141. 

minutissimus  infesting  potato,  141. 

ochraceus  injuring  melons,  141. 

phylloxeras,  quoted  from  Riley,  139. 

secalina  on  cereals,  139. 

striatus  on  onion  plants,  141. 

tabaci,  injury  to  tobacco,  167. 

tritici  injuring  cereals,  apple  blossoms,  straw- 
berry, 141. 
orange  blossoms,  340. 

vitifolisB  on  leaf-galls  of  vine,  139. 
Thoron  n.  sp.,  Icerya  jiarasite,  130. 

opacus  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,  268. 
Thyreodon,  177. 
Thyreus  abbottii  in  Ohio,  319. 
Tliyridopteryx     ephemeraeformis,     parasite    of, 

161. 
Thysanoptera,  Thripidaj  placed  in,  301. 
Tinea,  81. 

apiella,  94. 

biseliella  in  Chili,  154 

cloacella  in  wine-bottle  corks,  92. 

crinella  in  CLili,  154. 

granella,  not  in  Chili,  154. 

umbellella,  94. 

zeae  in  America,  315. 
Tineid  injuring  carpets  in  Texas,  191. 
Tineina,  revision  of  Chambers's  Index,  by  Lord 

Walsingham,  81, 113, 145,  254,  287. 
Toad  vs.  cockroaches,  341. 

Tobacco,  smoking,  infested  by  Lasioderma,  357. 
Toothed  Herring,  insect  diet  of,  159,  160. 
Top-minnows,  insect  diet  of,  159, 160. 
Tortricidae  injuring  tea  plant,  293 
Tortrix  fractivittana  swarming,  90, 

quercifoliana,  parasite  of,  161. 
Trachoma  horridella,  288. 

senex  n.  sp   Wlsm.,  descr.,  288. 
Trains  stopped  by  caterpillars,  30. 
Treasury,  injury  to  files  of  by  roaches,  67. 
Tremex  columba,  9, 168, 170, 171, 179,  200,  253. 
Trichogramma  destroying  eggs  of  Nematus,  37. 
Trichoptera,  Phryganeidae  placed  in,  301. 
Trigonogeniussp.,  an  herbarium  pest  in  Calif., 

162. 
Trimerotropis  in  "  Bad  Lands,"  66. 

vinculata  in  Calif.,  228. 
Triphleps  insidiosus  injuring  chrysanthemums, 
122. 

preying  on  Thripidae,  140. 
Trochosa,  not  poisonous,  347. 
Tiogosita  mauritanica  in  milk,  112. 
Trogus  exesorius,  hosts  of,  161. 

obsidianator,  host  of,  161. 
Tropistemus  glaber  in  U.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 


Tropisteruus  lateralis  in  TJ.  S.  and  Chili,  119. 
Trunk,  borers  in,  while  traveling,  312. 
Trypeta  ludens,  article  by  C.  V.  Eiley,  45. 
Tryphon  an  external  parasite,  171. 
Twelve-spotted  Diabrotica  on  fruit  trees,  58, ; 
Twig  Girdler  in  Miss.,  217. 
Two-spotted  Lady  bird,  hibernation,  50. 
Typhiii  an  extenal  pai-asite,  171. 
Tyroglyphus  louginr  in  grain  elevator,  51. 
siroin  flax-seed,  285. 


Ujimyia,  note  on,  62. 

TJji  parasite  of  silk-worm,  62. 

Urocerus,  9. 

Uropodaamericana  on  Euphoria  inda,  349. 


Valgus  canaliculatus  on  quince,  377. 
Vanessa  antiopa,  "  voice  "  of,  221. 

stridulation,  article  by  A.  H.  Swinton, 
307. 

milberti,  parasite  of,  161. 

prorsa,  poisonoiis  meconium  of,  196. 
Vermorel  nozzle,  263. 

Virginia  Simulium  and  chicken  cholera,  14. 
Viticulture,  new  Australian  journal  of,  328. 
Volucella,  5. 


W. 


"Wall-eyed  Pike,  insect  diet  of,  159. 
Warble-fly  injuring  hides  in  England,  355. 
Water  Bug  in  Treasury,  68, 191. 
Water-skippers  not  eaten  by  fish,  160. 
Weevil,  damage  to  wheat  and  rice  in  India,  00. 
Western  Cricket  in  Colorado,  57. 
Whalebone  injured  by  Antlirenns,  222. 
Wheat  Midge,  Thrips  preying  on,  138. 

danger  of  importing  to  Australia,  193. 
in  Canada,  356. 
Saw-flies,  damage.  111. 

little  danger  of  importing  to  Australia,  193. 
Stem-maggot  in  Canada,  356. 
Wheel  Bug,  Nematus  enemy,  37. 

Honey-bee  enemy,  88. 
Whip-tail  Scorpion,  not  poisonous,  199 
White  Ants  in  Miss.,  17. 

not  observed  in  Treasury,  69. 
in  Australia,  340. 
in  fences  in  South  Carolina,  383. 
Bass,  insect  diet  of,  160. 
Grubs,  kerosene  emulsion  for,  48. 
destroyed  by  birds,  229. 
in  strawberry  beds,  325. 
in  Australia,  364. 
Wild-plum  Weevil,  oviposition,  89. 
Willow-shoot  Saw-fly,  article  by  C.  V.  Eiley,  8. 
Willow-slug,    Tellow-spotted,  article   by  L.    O. 

Howard,  33. 
Wine-bottle  corks  attacked  by  insects,  91. 
Winter  Moth  in  England,  151. 
Wollastonia,  food  habits,  198. 


XXVI 


Wood  Louse  in  Miss.,  17. 

iDJuring  wine-bottle  corks,  92. 
Woolly  Aphis  destroyed  by  English  Sparrow,  156. 

Apple-louse,  new  remedy,  89. 


Xiphidria  camelus,  parasite  of,  169. 
Xylota,  5. 


Yeast  cakes  infested  by  beetles,  284, 
Tellow-spotted  Saw-fly,  article  by  L.  0  Howard, 

33. 
Tuccaborous,  fooiV  habits,  199. 

Z. 

Zeuzera  coflFeis  injuring  tea  plant,  293. 


PLANT  INDEX. 


Acacia,  free  from  Tcerya  at  Toovroomba,  87. 

afl'ected  by  Icerya,  129. 

latifolia,  Icerya  originally  imported  on,  127. 
Acei' japonicum  injured  by  Capsus,  293. 

rubrum  infested  with  Anisota,  111. 
Acliillea  sp.  injured  by  Capsus,  293. 
Alder,  Speckled  or  Hoary,  bored  by  Hepialu.s,  250. 
Alnus  incaua,  boretl  by  Hepialus,  250. 
Ambrosia,  food  plant  of  Rbodobienus,  198. 
Amorpha  canescens,  Cecropia  cocoons  on,  155. 
Antbemia  tinctoria,  Pblwotbrips  afl'ecting,  140. 
Apple,  effect  of  arsenic,  125. 

Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324. 

Wax  scale  infesting,  326. 

injured  by  Diphucephala  in  Tasmania,  361. 
Apiicot,  Diabrotica  on,  59. 
Aralia  spinosa,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Atriplex,  larva  of  Opatrum  on,  167. 


Banana,  Sphenopborus  under  bark  of,  186. 
Barley  damaged  by  Chlorops,  351. 
Bean  injured  by  Bruchus  in  Calif.,  316. 
Bellis  perennis,  effect  of  mites  on,  350. 
Biscutella,  double  flowers  caused  by  mites,  350. 
Bitter  Clover,  Boll-worm  on,  331. 
Black  Cherry,  Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324. 
Black-knot  on  plum,  344. 
Blue  Gi'ass,  Army- worm  on,  376. 

injured  in  stems  by  insects,  372. 
Boletus  edulis,  Chilosia  larvae  living  in,  5. 
Bottle  Grass  injured  by  insects,  372. 
Box  Elder,  effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 

Tremex  in,  171. 
Bracted  Bindweed,  Thrips  in  flowers,  139. 
Brassica  nigra,  mites  causing  double  flowers,  350. 
Butler  Weed  not  injured  by  Army-worm,  376. 


C. 


Cabbage,  Pieris  rapse  on,  in  Ohio,  319. 
injured  by  Boll-worm,  331. 
Army  Worm,  376. 
Calystegia  sepium,  Thrips  in  flowers  of,  139. 
Camellia  injured  by  scale,  376. 
Campanula  persicaefolia,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Capsclla   bursa-pastoris,    mites   causing   double 

flowers,  3.50. 
Cardium,  Chilosia  larvfe  living  in  stems,  5. 


Catleya  injured  by  Isosoma,  121. 
Carrots  injured  by  Ligyrus,  382. 

Ehopalosiphum  sp.,  362. 
Celtis  occidentalis,  Tremex  iu,  179. 
Centranthus,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Cereus  viridiflorus,  Cactophagus  found  iu,  231. 
ChLiry  injured  by  slug  in  Ohio,  319. 
slightly  by  Diabrotica,  59 
by  Lachnosterna,  366. 
by  Diphucephala,  361. 
Chestnut  eaten  by  Antheria,  273. 
Choke-cherry,  Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324. 
Chrysanthemum,  Tarnished  Plant-bug  on,  198. 
frutescens,  Oscinis  ap.  on,  346. 
leucanthemura,  Phloeothrips  on,  140. 
Citrus,  Icerya  infesting,  87. 
Cladosporium  following  attacks  of  Dactylopius, 

118. 
Clover  injured  by  Root-borer,  319. 
Cochlearia  officinalis,  mites  and  double  flowers, 

350. 
Cocoa-nut,  Bark-lice  on,  355. 
Coffee  plant,  insects  afl'ecting,  292. 
Commelynacea;,  mites  and  double  flowers,  349. 
Conch  Grass  injured  by  insects,  374. 
Convolvulus  injured  by  Opatrum,  167. 
'  Coontie"  in  Florida,  39. 
Corn  injured  by  Mesograpta,  6. 
Boll-worm,  331. 
Army  Worm,  376. 
Ccrylus,  Phytoptus  infesting,  350. 
Cotton,  injury  to  bolls  by  Euphoria,  55. 
Bed  Bug  injuring,  234. 
injured  by  Boll- worm,  320. 
Cow  Parsnip,  food  plant  of  Depressaria,  98  . 

Peas  infested  by  Bruchus,  59. 
Crab  Apple,  Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324. 
Cranberry,  leaf-galls  an,  caused  by  fungus,  article 

by  Dr.  Fr.  Thomas,  279. 
Creosote  Bush,  Lac  insect  on,  344. 
Cniciferse,  mites  and  double  flowers,  349,  350. 
encumber  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  370. 
Cucnrbita  perennis,  food  plant  of  Graptodera,  199. 
Cudrania  triloba  for  Silk-worms,  120. 
Currant  injured  by  Nematus,  319. 
Scurfy  Baik-louse  on,  324. 
Shrub.  Icerya  infesting,  87. 
Cvcadacete,  38. 
Cydonia  japonica,  Lecanium  on,  144. 

D.' 
Dahlia  injured  by  Ligyrus,  383. 
Date  Palm  attacked  by  Ehynchophorus,  14. 


XXVIII 


Dancus  carota,  subject  to  attack  of  Dcpressaria, 

97,  98. 
Deutziii  crenata  injured  by  Capsus,  293. 
Dewberry  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376. 
Dolichos  sp.  infested  by  Brucbus,  59. 
Dracaena,  injury  by  Heliothrips,  139. 

E. 

Echinocystis  infested  witb  Lecanium,  144. 
Egg  Plant  injured  by  insects,  357. 

Aimy  Worm,  376. 
Elms,  effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 

Saperda  and  Antbaxia  eating  leaves,  343. 

Dryocampa  imperialis  on,  379. 
Entomopbtbora  attacking  Cbincb  Bugs,  113. 
Eruca,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Eucalyptus,  injury  by  scale,  363. 
Eupatorium,  Ceroplastcs  on,  55. 
European  Mountain-ash,  Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324 


Eagus  cunninghanii,  Scymnus  on,  in  New  Zealand. 
Fedia,  mites  and  donble  flowers,  350. 
Eig,  sap-beetles  in  fruit,  253. 
Flax,  mites  in  seed,  285. 


G. 


Galium  boreale,  Capsus  on.  293. 
Gall-berry,  food  plant  of  Wax  Scale,  326. 
Geranium,  Garden,  Boll  Worm  on,  331. 

Lemon,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Gnapbalium  purpureum,   not  injured  by  Army 

Worm,  376. 
Gossypium,  Red  Bug  injuring,  235. 
Grape,  effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 

injured  by  Leaf-bopper  and  Tbyreus,  319. 
Boll  Worm,  331. 
by  Gastroidea  formosa,  385, 
Grass  injured  by  Cut-worms,  317. 
Khizococcus,  345,  385. 
a  Crambid  in  Au.stralia,  363. 
insects   affecting    stems,   article  by  F.  M. 
Webster. 
Ground  Cherry,  food  plant  of  Chloridea,  228. 
Guava,  Bed  Bug  on,  235. 


Hawthorn,  Graptodera  on,  74. 

Hazel,  Phytoptus  in  buds,  350. 

Helianthus  sp.,  Boll  Worm  on,  331. 

Heliotrope,  Capsus  on,  293. 

Heracleum  sibiricum ,  food  plant  of  Depressaria,  98. 

spbondylium,  food  plants  of  Depressaria,  98. 
Hibiscus  fulgidus.  Red  Bug  on,  234. 

syriacus,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Hickory,  Saperda  lateralis  on,  343. 
Holcus  lanatus,  pupal  case  of  Hessian  Fly  on,  323. 
Honey  Lociist,  effect  of  arsenic,  125. 
Hop,  Pborodon  attack,  70. 

Hydrangea  paniculata  grandiflora,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Hypericum  perforatum,  Capsus  on,  293. 


Ilex  glabra,  food  plant  of  Wax  Scale,  326. 
Italian  Poplar,  Phylloecus  on,  8. 


Japanese  Privet  affected  by  Margarodes,  22. 

Quince,  Lecanium  on,  144. 
Juglaus  californica,  Tortricid  enemy  of,  156. 


Lactuca  canadensis,  Languria  bred  from,  119. 
Larixamericana  attacked  by  Dendroctonus,  162. 
Larrea  mexicana,  Lac  insect  on,  344. 
Lemon  affected  by  Icerya,  129. 
Lepidium,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Leptomeria  acida,  Icerya  on,  87. 
Lettuce  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376. 
Ligustrum  japonicura,  Margarodes  on,  22. 

vulgare,  Margarodes  on,  22. 
Lime,  Icerya  on,  129. 

injured  by  Artipus,  357. 
Linaria  cymbalaria,  mites  causing  petiolate  flow- 
ers, 350. 
Linden,  Dryocampa  imperialis  on,  379. 
Lunaria  rediviva,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Lysimacbii  clethroides,  Capsus  on,  293. 

quadrifolia,  Synebytrium  on,  279. 
Lythrum  alatum,  Depressaria  on,  257. 


Madura  aurantiaca,  22,  120. 
Malcolmia,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Malva  borealis,  Boll  Worm  on,  331. 
Maples  damaged  by  ants,  346. 
Matricaria,  Chilosia  larvse  living  in  stems,  5. 
Meliola  following  attack  of  Dactylopius,  118. 
Melon  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376. 
Mexican  Clover  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376 
Mimosa,  Lac  insect  on  in  Mexico,  345. 
Mublenbergia  mexicana,  a  larva  attacking,  374. 
Musa,  Sphenophorus  found  under  bark,  186. 
Myagrum,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Myrtus  luma,  Aspidiotus  on  in  Cbili,  154. 
ugni,  Aspidiotus  on  in  Chili,  154. 


Negundo  aceroides,  Tremex  on,  171. 
Nettle,  Icerya  on,  129. 


Oak,  White.  Agrilus  and  Goes  on,  343. 
Oats,  injured  by  Aphis  in  Ohio,  319. 

Army  Worm  in  Florida,  375,  376. 
Olive,  Aspidiotus  on  in  Chili,  154. 
Onion  not  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376. 
Opuntia,  Cactophagus  under  dead  leaves,  199. 
Orange,  Mexican  Fruit- worm  affecting,  article  by 
C.  V.  Riley,  45. 

Icerya  on,  129. 

Red  Bug  injuring,  234. 

Wax-scale  infesting,  326. 

blossoms  injured  by  Thrips,  340. 

injured  by  Anguillula,  360. 
Osage  Orange,  22,  119. 


P. 


Palmetto,  RLyncbophorns  in,  199. 
Panic  Grass  injured  by  insects,  372. 


XXIX 


Panicum  cru3-galli  injured  by  insects,  372. 
Pastiuaca  satiya  infested  with  Depressaria,  96,  98. 
Patiinea,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Pea  injured  by  Army  Worm,  376. 
Peach,  attacked  in  Japan  by  a  fruit-worm,  55. 
■  injured  by  Ilaliica,  280. 

Anguillula,  360. 
Pear,  probable  new  enemy  of,  16. 

as  food  of  Antheria,  273. 

Scurfy  Bark-louse  on,  324. 

"Wax-scale  infesting,  326. 

Boll  Worm  on,  331. 

injured  by  Diphucephala  in  Tasmania,  361. 

Phytoptus  pyri  affecting,  3G3. 
Pecan,  Phylloxera  sp.  injuring,  221. 
Persimmon,  Barnacle  Scale  on,  54. 
Philadelphus  corouarius  aureus,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Phleuui  pratense,  Hessian  Fly  infesting,  323. 

injured  by  insects,  372. 
Phlox  paniculata,  not  injured  by  Capsus,  293. 

sutl'ruticosa,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Phyllosticta  ligustri  on  Privet,  22. 
Physalis  viscosa,  food  plant  of  Chloridea,  228. 
Pine,  Neoclytus  on,  3-13. 
Pine-apple,  Acanthacara  injuring,  217. 
Pitch  I'ine,  Bupreslis  on,  343. 
Plane-tree,  Western,  Lacbnu.s  on,  197. 
Platanus,  Thrips  on  leaves,  139. 
Plowrightia  morbosa  on  Plum,  344. 
Plum,  Diabrotica  on,  59. 

Phorodon  on,  71. 

effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 

Phytoptus  on,  343. 

Lachnosterua  on,  366. 

defoliated  by  Diphucephala  in  Tasmania,  361. 
Poa  pratensis  injured  by  insects,  372. 

serotina  injured  by  insects,  374. 
Poisonous  Nightshade,  Ked  Bug  on,  235. 
Polemonium  reptaus,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Polygonum  dumetorum,  Emphytus  on,  345. 
Pomegranate,  Icerya  on,  129. 
Poplar,  Dicerca  attacking.  58. 

effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 
Populus  nigra,  Phylloecus  on,  8. 

tremuloides,  Dicerca  attacking,  58. 
Portulaca  grandiflora,   possibility  of   Copidryas 
attacking,  103. 

obracea,  Copidryas  on,  104. 
Potato,  little  known  enemies,  157. 

injured  by  Doryphora,  319. 
Ligyrus,  383. 
Privet,  Margarodes  on,  22. 
Prunus,  Phorodon  on,  71. 
Purslane  infested  with  Copidryas,  104. 
Pussley  infested  with  Copidryas,  105. 
Pyrus  aria  as  food  of  Antheria,  273. 

terminalis  as  food  of  Antheria,  273. 


Quick  Grass,  Hessian  Fly  infesting,  323. 
Quince,  fungus  on,  eaten  by  Allorhina,  88. 

affected  by  Icerya,  129. 

eaten  by  Antheria,  273. 

Wax  Scale  infesting,  326. 

Valgus  canaliculatus  an  enemy  of,  377. 


E. 


Radish,  Army  Worm  on,  376. 
Ranunculus  acris,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Raspberry,  Diabrotica  iijuring,  59. 

effect  of  arsenic  on,  125. 

injured  by  Snowy  Tree-cricket,  319. 
Rice,  injury  by  weevil  in  India,  CO. 
Richardsonia  scabra  not  injured  by  Army  Worm, 

376. 
Robinia  pseudacacia,  Cossus  in,  250. 
Roestilia  aurantiaca  on  quince  eaten   by  Allor- 
hina, 88. 
Rose  affected  by  Icerya,  129. 

injured  by  Locust  Borer,  198. 

buds  injured  by  a  Cecidomyia,  284. 

injured  by  Slug,  319. 

Mallow,  Red  Bug  on,  234. 
Rye  damaged  by  Chlorops  in  Sweden,  351. 


Saw  Palmetto,  larva  of  Hyperchiria  on,  217. 
Scrophularia,  Chilosia  larvse  in  stems,  5. 
Scrophtilarinew,  mites  and  double  flowers,  349. 
Sotaria  glauca  injured  by  insects,  372. 
Sboe-string  Bush,  Cecropia  cocoons  on,  155. 
Siberian  Parsnip,  food  plant  of  Depressaria,  98. 
Sisymbrium  sophia,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Solanum  nigrum.  Red  Bug  on,  235. 

seiglinge,  Chloridea  on,  228. 
Solidago,  Locust  P.orer  on,  198. 

Depressaria  on,  255. 
Sonchus,  Chilusia  larva  in  stems,  5. 
Sorghum  injured  by  Aphis  in  Australia,  362. 
Spanish  Cocklebui',  Red  Bug  on,  235. 
Strawberry  injured  by  Anthonomus,  85. 
Emphytus,  319. 
White  Grub,  325,  341. 

not  injured  by  Aimy  Worm,  376. 

slightly  injured  by  Diphucephala,  361. 
Sugar-cane,  Icerya  first  noticed  on,  87. 

Borer  in  Sandwich  Lslands,  185. 
Sunflower,  Wild,  Boll  Worm  on,  331. 

injured  by  Ligyrus,  383. 

food  plant  of  Rhodobanus,  382. 
Sweet  Gum,  Cotton  Worm  hibernating  in  leaves, 

17. 
Sycamore  infested  with  Lachnus,  197. 
Synchytrium  aureum  causing  leaf-galls,  279. 

vaccinii  causing  crauberry  leaf-galls,  279. 


Tanacetum  vulgare,  Capsus  on,  293. 
Tea  Plant,  insects  affecting  in  Ceylon,  292. 
Thistle,  stems  infested  with  Rhodobsenus,  198. 
Timothy,  Hessian  Fly  infesting,  323. 
injured  by  Leaf-hopper,  381. 
insects,  372. 
Tobacco,  injured  by  insects  in  Bessarabia,  167. 

Aleurodes  in  Greece,  386. 
Tomato,  Stictocephala  attacking,  50. 
injured  by  W.  Indian  Bug,  357. 
Army  Worm,  376. 
Tree  Yucca  pollinized  by  Pronuba,  372. 
Triticum  caninum  injured  by  insects,  374. 


XXX 


Triticum  repens,  Hessian  Fly  infestinjr,  323. 

injur.  (1  by  iusects,  37-t. 
Trumpet  Creeper  iujured  by  Lygacus,  310. 


Ureua  lobata,  Eed  Bug  on,  235. 
TJrticacea,  120. 


Valeriana,  mites  and  double  flower.s,  350. 
officinalis,  Capsus  on,  293. 
tripteris,  mites  aud  double  flower.s,  349. 
Valerianacea:',  mites  and  double  flowers,  349,  350. 
Valerianella,  mites  and  double  flowers,  350. 
Velvet  grass,  ITessian  Fly  pupa  case  on,  323. 
Virginia  Creeper,  Hog  Caterpillar  and  Thyreus 
on,  319. 

W. 

"Walnut  affected  by  leery  a.  129. 

enemy  in  Calif.,  156. 
"Wattle,"  Diphucephala,    originally  on,  in  Tas- 
mania, 361. 
Wheat,  weevil  injuring  in  India,  GO. 


Wheat  injured  by  larva  of  Opitrum,  167. 

Army  Wortu,  376. 
Wild  Carrot,  eateu  by  Depressaria,  97,  98. 

Morning-glory,  Thrip.sin  flowers,  140. 

Parsnip,  Depressaria  infesting,  94,  96,  98. 
Willow,  injured  by  Phylluecus,  8. 


Xanthiura  strumarium,  stems  infested  with  Kho- 
dobEenus,  198. 


Yucca,   infested  with  Tuccaborus    and  Scypho- 

phorus,  199. 
pollination  by  Pronuba,  article  by  C.  V.Eiley, 

367. 
aloifolia,  artificial  pollination  of,  368. 
angustifolia,  artificial  pollination  of,  369. 
brevifolia,  pollinized  by  Pronuba,  372. 
filamentosa,  artificial  pollination  of  368. 
whipplei  pollinized  by  Pronuba,  372. 


Z. 


Zamia  integrifolia,  larvffi  of  Eumaeus  on,  38, 


ERBATA. 


Page  5,  line  9  from  top,  and  page  6,  line  6  from  top,  read  Sphcerophoria  for  Sphcero- 
phoria. 

Page  8,  line  7  from  top,  read  aunu?i  for  annulse. 

Page  18,  line  22  from  bottom,  read  1.1  inch  —27.5mm  for  1.1  incli  27.5'"™. 

Page  20,  line  24  from  top,  read  O.  simplex  for  O  simplex. 

Page  22,  liue  1  from  bottom,  read  all  for  al. 

Page  27,  line  19  from  top,  read  ana  for  ans. 

Page  38,  line  10  from  bottom,  read  Cycadacefe  for  Cycadacea. 

Page  40,  lines  7  and  8  trom  bottom,  read  "  extends  so  far  north  as  the  Caloosa- 
hatchie  River.     As  this  region  is  entomologically  still  terra  incognita,  I  can,  etc." 

Page  43,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  "  were  obtained  "  for  "  issued." 

Page  44,  line  1  trom  top  and  3  from  bottom,  read  schizoceratls  for  schizoceri. 

Page  51,  line  21  from  top,  read  eruditus  for  eruditua. 

Page  56,  line  14  from  top,  read  W.  J.  Holland  for  W.  G.  Hall. 

Page  56,  liue  16  from  top,  read  Holland  for  Hall. 

Page  81,  line  20  from  bottom,  read  paUidella  Chamb.  for  pallidella  Chamb. 

Page  8J,  line  11  from  top,  read  resemble  for  resembles. 

Page  82,  line  1,3  from  bottom,  read  "  cilia  with  a"  for  "  cilia  a  with." 

Page  93  (facing)  last  line,  read  Insidious  for  lusidwous. 

Page  106,  liue  5  from  top,  vend  poeyi  for  freyi. 

Page  110,  line  10  from  top,  read  method  for  mothod. 

Page  116,  line  7  from  bottom,  read  aporpov  for  aporpov  and  ovpa  for  ovph. 

Page  116,  insert  "a"  above  upper  figure;  aud  add  to  explauatiou  of  figure,  "c,  uncus." 

Page  137,  line  12  from  bottom,  add  after  '■  Philadelphia,"  (Vol.  I,  p.  310.) 

Page  137,  line  11  from  bottom,  read  Thrips  for  Thrip. 

Page  140,  liue  13  from  bottom,  read  Triplileps  for  Thriphleps. 

Page  141,  line  24  from  top,  read  ochraceus  for  ochraceous. 

Page  141,  line  21  from  bottom,  read  gramvus  for  graminece. 

Page  146,  line  6  from  top,  read  Hind-wings  for  Head- wings. 

Page  1.53,  line  9,  from  bottom,  read  1886  for  1866. 

Page  155,  liue  11  from  top,  read  Hippohosca  for  Hipponhoca. 

Page  162,  liue  4  from  top,  read  sixteeuth  for  fifteenth. 

Page  162,  bottom  liue,  read /arij^es  iov  flaripes. 

Page  172,  line  8  from  top,  read  Mr.  Gade  for  Mr.  Harrington. 

Page  187,  line  7  from  top,  add  comma  after  curved. 

Page  187,  line  25  from  bottom,  read  punctate  for  unctate. 

Page  187,  line  14  from  bottom,  omit  "  sub-opaque  "  after  "  Elytra." 

Page  192,  line  8  from  top,  read /ervews  for/e?'ejis. 

Page  195,  line  17  from  top,  read  "  Anaphoriute  "  for  "  Anophoriuae." 

Page  198,  liue  6  from  bottom,  read  Cossonus  for  Cossomus. 

Page  200,  line  11  from  top,  read  1888  for  1886. 

Page  201,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  ichthyologists  for  icthyologists. 

Page  208,  line  5  from  top,  read  Apteres  for  Apt^res. 


XXXII 

Page  214,  line  3  from  top,  read  Th  ird  New  York  Report  for  Fourth  New  York  Re- 
port. 

Page  220,  liue  9  from  bottom,  read  Sinoxylou  for  Dinoderus  ;  aud  S.  floridanum  for 
D.  floridanum. 

Page  224,  line  4  from  top,  read  "  996  "  for  "3,296  [sic!]." 

Page  228,  liue  11  from  top,  read  season  for  sea-sou. 

Page  228,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  sieglinge  for  seiglinge. 

Page  233,  line  8  from  bottom,  read  Coleoj^terons  for  Coleoterous. 

Page  233,  liue  6  from  bottom,  read  Carpophihis  dimidiatus  for  Carpophihis  mutUatus. 

Pages  245,247,  aud  248  read  Noel  for  Noel  wherever  the  name  occurs. 

Page  254,  liue  20  from  bottom,  read  "  cinereous  speckled,  with  fuscous"  instead  of 
"  cinerous  speckled,  with  fuseous." 

Page  261,  lines  11  aud  12  from  bottom  read  "a  separate  heading  "  for  "the  head  of 
General  Notes." 

Page  27'>,  line  8  from  bottom,  read  .025  "'™  for  ,02|^  """. 

Page  278,  line  7  from  bottom,  read  Duges  for  Dug6s. 

Page  285,  line  7  from  top,  read  Tyroglt/phus  for  Tryoglyplius. 

Page  292,  line  5  from  bottom,  and  page  293,  liue  2  from  top,  read  Nietner  for  Neitner. 

Page  295,  transfer  heading  at  top  of  page  to  after  liue  3. 

Page  301,  liue  10  from  bottom,  read  a«d  for  ad. 

Page  301,  liue  9  from  bottom,  omit  the  figures  "  114-116." 

Page  301,  liue  11  from  top,  read  Trichoptera  for  Thrichoptera. 

Page  302,  line  13  from  top,  read  147  for  143. 

Page  302,  liue  9  from  top,  read  )  for  (. 

Page  302,  liue  22  from  top,  read  Wiener  for  Weiner. 

Page  303,  line  2  of  explanation  to  Fig.  67,  read  "  dorsa?  view"  for  "  dorsa  Iview." 

Page  305,  line  9  from  bottom,  read  Staphyliuidse  for  Staphylinda^. 

Page  314,  liue  2  from  bottom,  aud  page  315,  liue  1  from  top,  read  Kiihn  for  Kuhn. 

Page  315,  liue  3  from  top,  read  kdhniella  for  kithniella. 

Page  319,  liue  23  from  bottom,  read  Harr.  for  Haw. 

Page  322,  liue  21  from  top,  read  Griisern  for  Gra'sern. 

Page  325,  line  1  from  bottom,  omit  comma  after  "  Commissioners." 

Page  345,  line  9  from  top,  read  larrece  for  larreoe. 

Page  355,  line  10  from  bottom,  read  kUhniella  for  kuhniella. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  JULY,    1888. 


Vol.    I.  ISTo.   1, 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF'  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT   PBINTINGr   OFFICE. 
1888. 


CONTENTS. 


ruga 
Salutatory 3 

The  Corn-pollen  Syrphus-fly  (illustrated) 5 

The  Willow-shoot  Saw-fly  (illnstrated) C.  V.  Riley..  8 

The  Sugar-cane  Beetle  injuring  corn L.  O.  Hoivard. .        11 

Extracts  from  correspondence 13 

Garden  Web-worra.— A  new  enemy  to  the  Date  Palm  iu  Florida.— A  Vir- 
ginia Simulium  called  "  Cholera  Gnat." — The  Black-polled  Titmouse 
destroying  Canker  Worms.— Kerosene  emulsion  for  the  Cabbage  Mag- 
got.— After  effect  of  the  oviposition  of  the  Periodical  Cicada. — More  tes- 
timonj"^  on  the  buckwheat  remedy  for  Cut-worms. — An  application  for 
Buffalo  Gnat  bites. — Relative  merits- of  arsenical  solutions. — Probably 
a  new  enemy  to  Pear  from  Oregon. — An  extraordinary  flight  of  Lach- 
nosterna. — Lime  and  tobacco  for  Currant-worms. — Some  notes  from 

Mississippi 

New  species  of  Oncocnemis John  B.  Smith..        18 

The  Australian  parasite  of  Icerya  purchasi  (illustrated).. 5.  TV.  Williston..        21 

The  Privet  Web-worm  (illustrated) 22 

Notes 26 

Chinch  Bug  iu  California. — German  Phylloxera  laws. — Kerosene  emulsion 
against  Cabbage  W^orms. — S  warming  of  Hackberry  Butter  flies. — South- 
ward spread  of  the  Asparagus  Beetle. — Caterpillars  stopping  trains. — 
lujury  by  the  Kocky  Mountain  Locust. — The  Periodical  Cicada  in 
J  888. — The  Chinch  Bug  in  1888. — Increase  of  Cryjitocephalus  venus- 
tus.— The  Hessian  Fly  half  way  around  the  world.— "Eau  celeste"  for 
the  Rose  Beetle. 

2 


Vol.  I,  No.  I.]  INSECT    LIFE.  [July,  1§88. 


SALUTATORY. 


Ever  since  our  connection  with  the  Division  of  Entomology  avc  have 
greatly  felt  the  need  of  some  speedy  and  regular  means  of  publication  in 
which  might  be  printed  short  articles,  notes,  reports  of  the  i)rogress  of 
investigations,  and  brief  papers  on  entomological  subjects  which  are 
cither  too  limited  in  scope  or  too  disconnected  to  be  used  in  tbe  annual 
reports  or  in  the  special  bulletins  of  the  Division.  A  vast  amount  of 
interesting  matter,  especially  in  correspondence,  has  hitherto  been 
buried  in  the  archives  of  the  Division  which  bas  had  no  medium  of  di- 
rect communication  with  tbe  public,  especially  that  portion  which  in- 
cludes tbe  student  of  entomology  and  the  actual  workers  in  economic 
entomology.  Some  of  these  miscellaneous  notes  bave  been  published 
occasionally  under  the  heads  of  "Notes  of  the  Year"  and  "Extracts 
from  Correspondence  "  in  several  of  the  special  bulletins  of  the  Division 
(viz:  Kos.  2,  4,  and  12)  and  in  tbe  annual  reports  for  1879  and  1884. 
But  there  is  much  matter  of  general  interest  tbatis  necessarily  omitted 
from  any  such  publications  appearing  only  at  irregular  intervals.  A 
periodical  bulletin  in  which  matter  of  timely  interest  can  be  given  to 
the  public  without  delay,  and  especially  to  the  agricultural  journals  for 
still  wider  distribution,  bas  become  the  more  necessary  now  that  active 
experiment  stations  have  been  established  under  the  Hatch  bill  in  most 
of  the  States. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  explain  to  the  public  the  difficulties  which  have 
heretofore  been  thrown  in  the  way  of  publishing  from  the  Division  such 
a  periodical  bulletin  as  is  here  proposed.  We  have  in  past  annual  re- 
ports intimated  tbe  great  need  of  something  of  the  sort  and  believe  that 
Comnn'ssioner  Colman  has  instituted  no  reform  during  his  administra- 
tion that  will  be  productive  of  more  general  good  or  will  give  more  gen- 
eral satisfaction,  so  far  as  the  interests  of  economic  entomology  are  con. 
cerned. 

We  hope  to  make  the  periodical  interesting  and  useful  to  all  in  any 
way  concerned  in  entomology,  and,  without  further  comments  or  prom- 

3 


ises,  we  cordially  invite  such  to  co-operate  with  us  in  our  endeavors. 
Witli  the  aid  of  those  associated  with  us  in  Government  work,  partic- 
ularly of  Messrs.  L.  O.  Howard,  E.  A.  Schwarz,  and  John  B.  Smith,  we 
feel  justified  in  expressing  this  hope  and  send  to  all,  who  may  receive  it, 
this  first  number,  greeting.  ,  .   .  .       .        ^-     i 

During  a  large  part  of  the  year  the  force  of  the  Division  is  actively 
eno-ao-ed  in  experimental  work  and  original  research,  which  fact  will  pre- 
clude the  issuing  of  this  bulletin  as  regularly  as  an  ordinary  monthly ; 
but  it  will  be  our  endeavor  to  issue  it  on  an  average  once  a  mouth,  and 
to  complete  a  volume  with  each  year. 

C.  Y.  ElLEY, 

^Entomologist. 


TNSEOT  LIFE. 


THE  CORN-FEELING  SYRPHUS-FLY. 

{Mesof/rapta  polita  Say.) 
[Order  Diptkra;  family  Syrphid.i:.] 

In  Lis  summary  of  the  larval  babits  of  tbe  family  Syrpbitbp,*  Br, 
Williston  makes  tbe  following  general  statement : 

"Tbe  principal  genera  in  wbicb  tbe  larval  babits  are  known  are  tbe 
following : 

'■'Bacclia,  Sijrphuft,  Spliwrophoria,  Pipiza,  Faragus.  Tjarviv  apbicl- 
opbagous. 

^'■Mallota,  SpilomyMj  Xylota,  Brackypalpus,  Pocota,  Myiolepta,  Chryso- 
toxuni,  etc,  LarvaMn  decaying  wood  or  trees;  some  oftbem  {Mallota) 
long,  'rat-tailed.' 

'■'CMlosia.  Larva)  living  in  stems  o(  Gardliim,  Sonchiis,  Sc'rojyhularia, 
Matricaria,  and  in  fangi  {Boletus  eduUs,  etc.). 

'•'■Platycliirus,  Bhinyia,  Erisfalis,  Syritta,  Orthonenra.  Larvie  in  de- 
caying vegetable  matter,  mannre,  or  in  soft  nind  impregnated  witb  de- 
caying vegetable  matter. 

^'•Brachyopa,  Xylota,  (^hrysochkmiys,  Ceria.  Larvre  found  living  in 
flowing  sap  of  trees. 

'•'■  Crioprora.  Bred  by  Osten-Sackeu,  from  larvre  found  under  oak 
bark. 

'■'■Microdon.    Larva?  common  in  auts'  nests.     *  *  * 

"  Volucella.  Larv;p,  are  parasitic  upon  Humble  Bees,  living  in  tbeir 
nests." 


^i^iiimu(m'^'^'^^^.t^^ff^'^^ 


Fig.  1.— Mesookai'ia  I'OLITA.    a,  larva;  6,  pupa;  c,  adult— all  enlarged  (original.) 


*  Synopsis  of  tbe  N.  A.  Syriihidiu  (Hull.  :J1,  U.  S.  National  Mnseum),  Washingtou, 
188G,  pp.  270-27:;^. 

5 


It  will  be  seen  from  this  resume  of  the  knowu  larval  habits  that  the 
habits  of  the  species  which  we  are  about  to  treat  are  quite  abnormal 
iu  its  family  so  far  as  known.  Moreover,  in  its  tribe,  Syrphini,  it  is 
still  more  anomalous  for  the  reason  that  the  only  two  genera  of  this 
tribe  of  which  the  larval  habits  seem  to  be  known,  viz,  Si/rphufi  and 
Spliderophoria,  are  carnivorous,  feeding  upon  Plant-lice. 

Mesograpta  jioUta,  then,  as  a  plant-feeding  species  is  worthy  of  record 
as  of  more  or  less  abnormal  habit,  as  well  as  on  account  of  its  possible 
effect  upon  the  jn^oductive  qualities  of  corn. 

In  August,  18S5,  Mr.  E,  C.  Taggart,  of  Griggstown,  Somerset  County, 
N.  J.,  sent  to  the  Department  some  pieces  of  fodder  corn  taken  from 
a  field  on  his  place,  and  which  were  covered  with  small  yellowish 
maggots.  His  corn  had  not  appeared  to  suiter  from  their  presence 
and  he  was  at  a  loss  to  know  to  what  to  attribute  their  presence.  A 
microscopic  examination  of  the  living  larvaj  showed  at  once  that  the 
alimentary  canal  of  each  was  full  of  partly-crushed  pollen  grains,  and 
upon  placing  the  fresh  nmle  blossoms  of  corn  in  the  breeding  jar  the 
larvai  clustered  upon  them  and  were  observed  feeding  upon  the  pollen 
grains. 

Subsequent  corresj)Oudence  with  jNIr.  Taggart  showed  that  the  mag- 
gots were  noticed  during  that  season  for  the  first  time,  and  when  first 
observed  (the  third  week  in  August)  appeared  to  be  confined  to  a  single 
patch  of  fodder  corn,  occurring  so  abundantly  as  to  cover  the  leaves 
and  congregating  most  in  the  axils,  where  the  upper  leaves  join  the 
stalk.  This  patch  of  corn  was  cut  August  22,  and  thirteen  days  later 
when  it  was  partially  cured,  the  worms  were  observed  still  living  and 
increased  somewhat  in  size.  A  patch  of  fodder  corn,  distant  about 
one  hundred  rods  from  that  on  which  they  were  first  observed,  was 
])lanted  later,  and  did  not  blossom  until  the  first  week  in  September, 
The  worms  were  then  found  to  appear  on  this  patch  also,  and  again  the 
"  stalks  became  literally  covered  by  them."  Strange  to  say  they  oc- 
curred only  in  these  two  patches  on  Mr.  Taggart's  place ;  other  fields 
examined  by  him  were  entirely  free  from  the  worms. 

From  specimens  received  from  Mr.  Taggart  August  31  the  adult  fiies 
were  bred  September  7  to  15,  thelarvie  having  become  coarctate  a  day 
or  so  after  arrival.  These  flies  were  determined  by  Dr.  Williston  as 
Say's  Mesograpta  poUta,  a  species  which  has  a  wide  range  throughout 
the  United  States  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  which  is  also  found  in 
Cuba.  It  is  about  8"""  long,  and  has  a  wing  expansion  of  14'"'",  and  is 
yellowish  in  color,  marked  with  brown. 

The  damage  which  will  be  done  by  this  insect  in  this  way  is  not  likely 
to  be  great.  Should  they  increase  enormously  and  spread  to  other  va- 
rieties of  cultivated  coru  they  may  reduce  the  j'ield  considerably  by 
preventing  the  fertilization  of  the  female  flowers  and  the  "  make"  of  the 
ears. 


That  tbis  species  is  not  couflued  to  polleu  for  its  larval  food,  but  that 
it  feeds  also  upou  the  leaves,  and  appareiitl}'  exclusively  upon  the  leaves 
in  Florida,  was  discovered  nearly  a  year  later  by  one  of  our  agents,  Mr. 
Ashmead,  who  describes  his  observations  as  follows : 

"  On  May  the  30th  many  of  the  puparia  were  found  attached  to  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves  of  corn  and,  near  the  base  of  the  leafstalk, 
in  Col.  L.  W.  Spratt's  garden  near  Jacksonville.  During  that  night 
and  days  subsequently,  flies  hatched  out  in  my  breeding  boxes,  and  also 
some  parasites. 

"On  June  1,  after  a  thorough  search,  I  found  the  larva^  in  quanti- 
ties, some  feeding  on  the  corn  at  the  base  of  the  corn  leaf  stalk,  others 
in  soft  discolored  places  in  the  stalk. 

"  Cutting  into  these  discolored  soft  places  then  and  days  afterwards, 
with  my  knife,  I  discovered  and  obtained  the  larvfe,  some  fully  grown, 
others  not  half  grown,  and  watched  them  feed.  They  would  elongate  the 
front  segments  as  is  usual  with  Syrphid  larva>  feeding  on  Plant-lice,  pro- 
trude and  puncture  the  saccharine  cells  of  the  corn,  and  suck  up  the  ex- 
uding juice;  the  operation  could  be  plainly  seen  through  the  translucent 
body  walls  of  the  larv;e. 

"Parts  of  the  stalk  with  these  larvai  were  taken  home  and  placed  in 
tin  cans,  to  keep  the  stalk  moist  and  prevent  it  from  drying  up ;  as 
the  maggots  matured  they  came  forth,  attached  themselves  to  the  stalk 
or  to  the  sides  of  the  tin  can,  and  transformed  to  puparia,  from  which 
flies  were  afterwards  obtained. 

"The  whole  transformation  from  egg  to  fly  is  completed  within  a 
comparatively  short  period  of  less  than  three  weeks.  The  egg  hatches 
in  from  three  to  four  days ;  the  larva  matures  in  from  eight  to  ten  days, 
and  the  fly  appears  in  from  eight  to  thirteen  days. 

''^  Its  injuries. — While  the  larvae  must  undoubtedly  aflect  maturing 
corn,  yet  the  injury  they  do  can  not  be  great;  no  appreciable  injury 
was  observed,  and  unless  they  increase  and  become  much  more  abun- 
dant than  they  are  at  present  no  serious  damage  may  be  apprehended 
from  their  attacks  by  the  grower." 

On  the  receipt  of  this  information  from  Mr.  Ashmead,  we  wrote  him 
of  the  New  Jersey  observations  and  directed  him  to  verify  his  obser- 
vations most  carefully,  noticing  particularly  whether  the  larva)  did  not 
feed  upon  the  pollen  instead  of,  or  as  well  as,  the  leaf  and  stalk.  On  re- 
ceipt of  these  instructions  he  states  that  he  went  carefully  over  every 
field  of  corn,  examining  the  tassels  for  larvae,  but  could  nor  find  a  single 
individual  feeding  upon  pollen.  The  flies  were  found  upon  the  plants 
in  abundance  and  were  observed  to  feed  upon  the  pollen. 

Mr.  Ashmead  reared  from  the  pupai  of  this  insect  three  distinct  para- 
ites,  which  will  be  described  in  a  future  number. 

The  descriptions  of  the  Syrplius  fly  which  immediately  follow  will 
sufficiently  enable  its  recognition  in  all  stages.  The  early  stages  have 
never  before  been  described. 


MESOGiiAPTA  Poi>iTA,  Say. 

jijgg^ The  egg,  aceorcliug  to  Mr.  Asbmead,  is  pure  white,  elougate-oval,  with  loil^ 

gitiuliual  aud  intersecting  cross-liue?  or  grooves,  not  apparent  to  the  naked  eye.  It 
measures  nearly  1"""  in  length. 

Xttz-ra.— Average  length  about  7™™.  Slender,  subcylindrical,  tapering  anteriorly, 
its  posterior  end  slightly  flattened.  The  whole  body  is  divided  by  apparently  36  an- 
nul:e,  and  its  surface  is  closely  granulated.  Mandibles  black.  The  last  segment 
bears  the  two  short,  stout,  polished,  dark-yellow  spiracular  tubes,  each  with  3  spiracles 
at  the  tip.  Color  pale  yellowish,  or  more  or  less  of  the  color  of  the  pollen,  witli  2 
medio-dorsal,  slender,  somewhat  wavy  purple  lines,  which  start  conjointly  on  the  iirst 
segment,  diverging  but  slightly  posteriorly,  aud  terminating  on  the  anterior  portion 
of  the  penultimate  segment,  which  latter  is  marked  in  addition  with  4  somewhat  red- 
dish and  squarish  spots,  arranged  in  transverse  square. 

/"H^^ari/nu.— Length  5'"'"  to  7""".  Clavate  subcylindrical,  slightly  curved,  its  an- 
terior end  thickest  and  rounded.  The  posterior  end  has  a  median  carina  and  rather 
sharp  lateral  edges  aud  more  or  less  flattened  ventral  side.  The  last  segment  bears 
the  two  spiracular  tubes  with  black  spiracles,  the  upper  one  of  which  is  smallest  and 
round,  whilst  the  two  other  larger  ones,  which  are  placed  close  above  each  other,  are 
transv^ersely  oval. 

Color  greenish  or  brownish  yellow,  marked  often  with  a  more  or  less  distinct 
dusky  median,  an  interrupted  subdorsal,  and  a  lateral  line.  The  median  line  Is  gen- 
erally present  only  along  the  posterior  carina. 

/Hm(/o.— Average  expanse  14'""\  average  length  8""".  Eyes  brown.  Face  of  male 
entirely  yellow ;  of  female,  with  a  broad,  somewhat  dusky  stripe  above  antenna'. 
Face  of  both  sexes  in  a  certain  light  beautifully  pearlaceous.  The  upper  posterior 
margin  of  the  head  yellow,  with  yellow  hairs.  Cheeks  whitish,  with  silvery  hairs. 
Autenn;e  more  or  less  dark  orange,  with  their  upper  edge  in  the  female  somewhat 
dusky;  bristle  black.  Thorax  dusky,  often  with  a  brownish  tinge  aud  grayish  me- 
dian line.  Scutellum  aud  halt  eree,  bright  yellow.  Metathorax,  black.  Sternum, 
blackish,  with  pearlaceous  reflectious.  Legs  and  a  largo  lateral  spot  below  wings 
yellow.  Abdomen  banded  with  yellow  aud  black,  and  with  a  pair  of  large,  some- 
what oval  yellow  spots  on  segments  3  and  4.  Wings  clear,  iridescent,  without  spots 
or  other  markings. 


THE  WILLOW-SHOOT  SAW-FLY. 

{Phyllceciis  integer  l!^orton.) 

By  C.  V.  EiLEY. 

[Order  IIvmexoptera:   Family  Urocerid.e.] 

NATURAL   HISTORY. 

For  several  years  past  this  species  has  been  known  to  damage  the 
young  shoots  of  the  different  species  of  Willow  and  occasionally  also 
those  o£  Pop  id  us  nir/ra,  or  Italian  Poplar,  on  the  Agricultural  Grounds 
at  Washington,  but  as  the  damage  done  was  of  no  serious  consequence 
it  attracted  only  casual  attention.  Lately,  however,  its  ravages  have 
become  of  a  serious  nature  with  those  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  wil- 
lows for  market  purposes,  aud  particularly  on  the  plantation  of  Admi- 
ral Aramen,  at  Ammeudale  Md, ;  but  the  author  of  the  mishief  escaped 
notice  and  its  work  was  attributed  to  Cimhcx  amcricana  till  in  June, 
18S0,  steps  were  taken  to  investigate  the  habits  of  Ciinbex  americana 


and  if  possible  to  detect  the  real  author.  Till  tUeu  the  mischief  had 
been  attributed  to  this  species,*  but,  uotwithstaudiugthat  the  field  was 
literally  swarmiug  with  this  large  saw-fly,  not  oue  was  seen  to  puncture 
any  of  the  willows.  All  the  willows  except  very  few  along  the  edge  of 
the  field,  which  appeared  to  have  been  very  recently  iiyured,  appeared 
to  be  in  healthy  condition.  The  affected  shoots,  the  tips  of  which  were 
hanging  down,  had  become  brown  and  almost  dry  from  the  fierce  heat  of 
the  day,  and  showed,  when  closely  examined,  unmistakable  evidence  of 
the  work  of  this  Phi/Ucecus,  whose  life-habits,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr. 
Pergande,  we  have  been  able  to  trace. 


Pig.  2.— Phyllcecus  integek.  a,  ^gg;  h,  larva,  dorsal  view;  c,  same,  side  view;  d,  e,  two  views 
of  burrow;  /,  twig,  showing  damage ;  g,  adult ;  all  enlarged  except  /;  h,  antenna,  still  more  enlarged 
(original). 


Admiral  Ammen  stated  that  the  year  before  almost  the  whole  field 
looked  like  these  shoots,  appearing  as  if  it  had  suffered  from  a  severe 
frost  or  as  if  a  fire  had  ran  over  it,  and  that  bj^  antnmn  large  numbers 
of  the  shoots  had  been  killed  close  to  the  ground. 

As  the  larva  of  this  insect,  which  resembles  very  much  that  of 
JJrocerns  or  Tremex,  is  a  true  borer,  the  female  inserts  her  eggs  in  the 
stems  of  willows  or  nearly  related  plants  and  by  a  wonderful  instinct 
girdles  the  twig  after  she  has  consigned  her  egg,  to  prevent  it  from 
growing  any  further,  and  in  order  to  protect  the  egg  from  being  crushed. 
The  eggs  are  inserted  ii:  an  oblique  direction  into  the  pith  of  the  stem, 
from  2  to  G  inches  below  the  tip,  and  the  girdle  is  made  about  1  inch 
above  it. 

The  puncturing  of  the  tip  is  evidently  done  with  the  ovipositor,  as  the 
punctures  can  be  traced  into  the  pith.  The  tips  soon  become  dry  and 
"  See  Report  Eutomologist,  Anu.  Kept.  Dept.  Agr.,  1881,  p.  :i34. 


10 

brown  aud  gradually  drop  oft;  so  that  by  the  end  of  the  year  very  few  re- 
main in  position.  How  long  the  eggs  remain  unhatched  has  not  yet  been 
observetl;  it  is  probably  not  more  than  about  a  week.  The  earliest  date 
observed  of  the  appearance  of  the  flies  from  shoots  which  had  remained 
out-doors  all  winter  was  April  10,  while  others  continued  to  issue  until 
the  early  part  of  June.  The  young  larvie  api)ear  to  grow  very  slowly, 
and  gradually  bore  their  way  down  through  the  prth  often  to  a  distance 
of  often  more  than  2  feet,  completely  filling  the  channel  behind  them  as 
they  progress  with  their  frass.  At  thecommencement  of  November  most 
of  the  lava'  are  full  grown,  and  proceed  to  fill  closely  with  frass  the 
lower  end  of  the  burrow  for  about  one  quarter  or  one-half  inch.  They 
then  eat  a  passage  through  the  side  of  the  shoot  and  about  one-quarter 
inch  <ibove  the  prosjjective  cocoon,  without,  however,  cutting  through 
the  bark.  After  this  the  delicate,  transparent,  cylindrical  cocoon  is 
spun,  in  which  the  larva  remains  through  the  whole  winter.  About  the 
1st  of  March  it  changes  to  pupa,  in  which  state  it  remains  for  about 
a  month  and  a  half. 

This  is  so  far  the  only  species  among  the  Cephidcs  found  in  Anierica 
of  which  the  history  is  known,  although  in  Europe  several  species 
belonging  to  different  genera  have  been  found  to  infest  stems,  branches, 
or  leaf-buds  of  different  plants,  and  one  species  {Cephns  pygnixm)  is 
quite  injurious  to  growing  wheat,  boriag  in  the  stalks  in  a  simdar 
manner. 

REMEDIES. 

A  very  simple  remedy  consists  in  pruning  the  tips  of  the  shoots  as 
soon  as  they  commence  to  wilt.  The  tips  should  be  cut  off  about  2  or 
3  inches  below  the  point  where  the  punctures  girdle  the  stem.  The  sev- 
ered tips  may  be  allowed  to  remain  on  the  ground,  as  the  eggs  or  larva3 
will  uot  develop  in  them,  and  whatever  parasites  the  species  may  have 
will  then  probably  mature. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

Phyll(ecus  integer,  Nortofl. 

There  are  some  differences  between  the  specimens  reared  here  and 
Norton's  description  of  integer,  but  we  feel  disinclined  to  give  them 
specific  weight.  According  to  Cresson's  catalogue  this  species  is  placed 
in  the  genus  Cepliufi,  but  from  the  few  characters  given  in  his  synopsis 
we  are  not  able  to  place  it  in  this  genus,  and  it  is  excluded  from  the 
only  alternate,  Janus,  by  characters  given  by  Norton.  We  are  there- 
fore obliged  to  retain  it  in  Fhylloccus. 

Egg. — Leugth  almost  1""",  white,  ]iolisbed,  elongate,  oval,  and  slightly  curved. 
Stouter  at  one  eud  and  more  pointed  at  the  other. 

Larva. — Average  length  when  full  grown  about  10'"'".  Diameter  almost  3'"'".  Color 
yellowish.  Head  i)olished,  indistinctly  reticulated,  with  four  shallow  fovea'  on  the 
clypeus  and  a  deeper  one  each  side.  Labrum  large,  conical,  its  tip  rounded.  Anteu- 
lue  6-joiuted,  extremely  suiall,  the  3  basal  joints  much  the  stoutest;  rather  close  to 
the  very  small  eyes.  Mandibles  large,  broad,  with  3  brown  teeth.  Thorax  much 
swoll.Mi,  especially  its  two  posterior  segments.    Legs  rudimentary,  having  a  stout 


11 

conical  basal  piece,  and  a  minute  cylindrical,  nipple-like  apex.  Cremaster  brown, 
somewhat  flattened,  its  base  conical,  yellow,  and  beset  with  brown  teeth  ;  its  tip 
obliqnely  truncate,  with  a  central  puncture.  The  surface  of  the  abdomen  is  covered 
with  very  minute  shari)  points,  and  its  lateral  margin  is  iirominent,  broad,  and  flat, 
and  resembles  on  each  segment  a  flat  scale.  The  position  of  the  larva  in  its  burrow 
is  in  the  shape  of  an  S. 

Cocoox.— Length  10-13""".  Colorless  and  transparent.  Cylindrical,  rounded  at 
both  ends,  filling  completely  the  diameter  of  the  channel,  and  situated  near  its  base. 

IsiAGO.— Male,  female.— General  color  black  and  highly  polished.  Head  large,  with 
sparse  and  very  fine  punctures  on  vertex.  Clypeus  sparsely  pilose.  Eyes  brown.  Man- 
dibles white,  with  the  three  teeth,  of  which  the  median  one  is  much  the  smallest, 
brown.  Palpi  pale  yellowish,  the  two  last  joints  somewhat  brownish.  Prothorax 
highly  polished,  rarely  with  any  punctures,  its  posterior  margin,  tcguhv,  base  of  wings, 
a  spot  each  side  on  mcsothorax,  posterior  to  base  of  wings,  tip  of  scutellum,  and  a  small 
median  spot  on  the  metathorax  yellowish  white.  Mesothorax  closely  punctured ; 
punctures  on  scutellum  son\ewhat  coarser  and  not  so  dense;  its  disk  and  lower  por- 
tion of  the  sides  often  without  punctures.  Sternum  profusely  punctured  and  covered 
with  short  grayish  hair.  Legs  rufous,  base  of  anterior  and  median  coxic  and  last 
joint  of  their  tarsi,  apical  two-thirds  of  xiosterior  tibiie  and  their  tarsi  black.  Base 
of  jiosterior  tibi;u  yellowish.     Claws  bifid,  reddish,  with  black  tips. 

Abdomen  black,  with  either  one,  two,  or  three  of  the  basal  segments  rufous  in  the 
female;  the  abdomen  of  the  male  is  entirely  black  dorsally;  ventrally,  however,  seg- 
ments 1  to  4  are  more  or  less  reddish.  Wings  perfectly  clear,  iridescent,  and  without 
any  spots.  Stigma  and  veins  black.  Costa  yellowish-brown,  darkest  near  stigma. 
The  basal  transverse  nerve  of  the  first  marginal  cell  is  always  abbreviated  near  the 
stigma. 


THE  SUGAR-CANE  BEETLE  INJURING  CORN. 

{Ligijriis  ruglccps  Lee.) 
By  L.  O.  Howard. 

This  insect  has  been  known  as  a  sugar-cane  pest  in  Louisiana  for 
many  years,  gnawing  into  the  stubble  in  early  spring  and  feeding  from 
the  middle  of  March  until  May  and  June.  The  writer's  observations 
upon  this  habit  of  the  beetle,  made  in  Louisiana  during  the  spring  of 
1881,  were  published  in  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Department  for  1880, 
pages  236-240  and  in  Special  Report  No.  35.  In  1880  much  loss  was  oc- 
casioned by  its  work  on  the  rich  sugar  plantations  along  the  Bayou  Teche. 
During  this  year  Professor  Riley  received  specimens  from  Daniel  Thomp- 
son, of  Pattersonville,  Saint  Mary's  Parish,  and  published  a  short  ac- 
count in  the  American  Entomologist  for  May  of  that  year  (Vol.  Ill,  p. 
130.)  He  had  previously  received  specimens  from  a  correspondent  at 
Baton  Rouge,  who  reported  the  beetle  as  injurious  to  young  corn  and 
grasses. 

In  June,  1885,  Professor  Riley  received  specimens  of  this  insect  from 
Mr.  H.  M.  Houston,  of  Monroe,  Union  County,  N.  0.,  who  stated  that 
it  was  new  to  himself  and  neighbors,  and  that  it  worked  just  under  the 
surface  of  the  ground,  cutting  into  young  corn  with  five  or  six  leaves, 
working  in  as  far  as  the  heart,  and  killing  the  center  blades  without 


12 

killing  the  side  blades  or  without  cutting'  the  plant  down.  He  gave  no 
particulars  as  to  the  amount  of  damage.  (This  instance  is  recorded  in 
Bulletin  No.  12,  Division  of  Entomology,  i^.  33). 

In  May,  1886,  the  same  insect  was  received  from  a  new  locality.  Mr. 
G.  W.  Smith-Yaniz,  of  Canton,  Miss.,  writing  to  the  Division  under  date 
of  May  27,  says :  '^  I  herewith  mail  you  specimens  of  a  bug  that  is  very 
destructiv^e  to  growing  corn,  especially  in  wet  laud.  The  section  of 
corn  plant  sent  with  bug  within  it,  where  he  was  at  work  when  taken, 
shows  how  complete  is  the  work  of  destruction.  I  first  noticed  this 
pest  last  season  (1885),  though  of  course  it  may  have  been  here  before. 
There  is  general  complaint  of  damage  from  it  this  year.  It  continues 
its  ravages  through  the  growing  season,  causing  stalks  to  fall  even 
when  in  ear."  June  27  he  again  wrote :  "  I  have  delayed  writing, 
awaiting  further  developments.  The  gravid  females  are  at  this  time 
very  numerous.  1  find  a  few  eggs  here  and  there  singly  through  the 
earth,  near  to  roots  of  the  corn  where  the  beetles  are  at  work.  These 
eggs  are  similar  to  those  within  the  beetle.  They  hatch  out  a  white 
grub  with  a  horny,  red  head.  I  have  not  yet  succeeded  in  getting  any 
eggs  from  beetles  in  confinement,  neither  as  yet  have  any  eggs  dissected 
from  the  beetles  hatched.  There  is  no  abatement  of  the  work  of  de- 
struction, successive  plantings  only  furnishing  a  fresh  supply  of  favor- 
ite food  to  the  insect.  This  is  the  worst. insect  enemy  to  the  corn  plant 
we  have  yet  had  on  heavy,  wet  land.  *  *  *  We  have  had  an  ex- 
cessively wet  June,  SJ  inches  of  rain-fall  to  the  present  time  during  the 
present  month,  and  still  raining  every  day.  I  cannot  say  whether  this 
is  favorable  or  unfavorable  to  the  beetle." 

July  9  he  sent  a  shipment  of  eggs  and  larva>,  though  most  of  the  for- 
mer were  destroyed  by  mold.  He  stated  that  a  few  days  of  hot  sun- 
shine, though  with  occasional  showers,  had  made  it  hard  to  find  the 
beetles.  In  a  quite  extensive  search  he  found  only  one  beetle,  and  that 
was  a  dead  one.  There  was  evidence,  however,  that  the  beetles  had  been 
at  work  the  previous  night.  July  19  he  wrote  that  although  up  to  July 
9  he  had  had  little  difficulty  in  finding  eggs,  young  larv;e,  and  perfect 
beetles,  yet  after  a  week  of  dry  weather  they  had  entirely  disappeared, 
and  he  could  only  find  an  occasional  large  white  grub  (larva  of  Lachnos- 
ternafmca).  lie  still,  however,  continued  to  find  fresh  work  of  the 
beetle,  evidently  done  at  night,  and  judged  that  they  sought  shelter 
from  the  sun  elsewhere  during  the  day.  Once  or  twice,  however,  he 
took  a  lantern  into  the  field  at  night,  but  the  beetle  was  not  attracted, 
and  moreover  it  never  found  its  way  to  the  lights  in  the  neighboring 
houses. 

Mr.  Smith- Vaniz  also  sent  us  at  various  times  the  allied  beetles,  Li- 
gyrus  ruginasns  Lee,  and  Anomala  flavipennis  Burm,,  found  among  the 
Corn-beetles,  but  not  identified  in  any  way  with  their  work. 

Although  the  greatest  care  was  taken  with  the  eggs  and  young  larvir 
received  in  July,  we  were  able  to  do  nothing  with  them,  and  they  died 
lie  fore  fall. 


13 

Diiriug  1887  we  beard  uothiug  of  this  insect,  possibly  also  from  the 
fact  that  the  larv;e  may  require  two  years  for  development.  During 
the  winter,  in  response  to  inquiries  concerning  the  facts  for  1887,  Mr. 
-Smith- Vaniz  wrote  that  he  failed  to  rear  to  maturity  any  larvce  in  1886 ; 
that  they  perished  when  apparently  half  grown.  He  intended  to  pursue 
the  subject  in  1887,  but,  though  there  were  a  few  beetles  to  be  found  early 
in  the  season,  they  disappeared  so  unexpectedly  soon  that  he  secured 
none  for  propagation.  In  1880  they  were  to  be  found  around  the  corn- 
roots  throughout  the  growing  season,  and  mature  beetles  were  found  as 
late  as  December  1. 

Thus  this  subject,  in  spite  of  its  interest  and  importance,  remains 
comparatively  unsettled,  because  the  important  point  as  to  where  and 
how  the  insect  hibernates  is  still  unknown.  This  article  will  set  forth 
the  rather  curious  fact  of  the  great  damage  which  may  be  done  to  corn 
by  this  species,  and  presents  strong  additional  proof  on  the  hitherto 
unsettled  point  of  the  place  where  the  eggs  are  deposited.  There  can 
be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  the  eggs  and  young  larvte  collected  at  the 
roots  by  Mr.  Smith-Vaniz  belong  to  this  species ;  but  the  length  of 
larval  life  and  the  manner  of  hibernation  must  be  left  to  another  favor- 
able opportunity  to  decide. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  testimony  above  quoted,  on  the  attraction 
of  light  to  the  beetle,  is  diametrically  opposed  to  the  statements  by 
Professor  Comstock  on  page  239  of  his  report  for  1879,  in  discussing  the 
injuries  of  this  species  to  sugar-cane,  and,  if  true,  invalidates  his  con- 
sequent recommendation  of  the  use  of  trap  lanterns  in  the  field.  The 
writer,  however,  was  informed  at  Franklin,  La.,  in  March,  1881,  that 
the  beetles  were  attracted  in  such  numbers  to  the  light  in  the  windows 
of  a  small  grocery  as  to  be  the  subject  of  general  comment.  It  is  to  be 
doubted,  however,  whether  the  beetles  can  be  attracted  by  light  when 
actually  engaged  in  feeding,  or  until  after  oviposition  has  taken  place. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

(In  i>Eepariiig  Uieso  extracts  from  correspondence,  which  we  hope  to  make  a  prominent  feature  of 
tliiK  publication,  we  do  not  pretend  to  give  the  answer  of  the  Entomologist  in  full  and  verbatim,  but 
simply  a  digest  of  the  important  points.] 

THE  GAKDEN  WEB-woKM  {Eurycreon  rantalis)  ke-aiteaus. 

Tlio  Web- worm  {Euriicrcon  rantalis)  has  made  its  appearance  in  this  section  again; 
the  moths  first  appeared  in  <ijreat  numbers  some  three  weeks  ago  and  are  present  now 
in  great  numbers;  the  caterpillars  are  feeding  on  the  pigweed,  sweet-potatoes,  cab- 
bage ;  I  have  not  noticed  them  on  the  corn  yet.  Has  there  been  any  insecticide  tried 
that  bas  been  successful  ?  I  will  try  jiyrethrum,  sulphur,  etc.,  to-morrow  on  my  cab- 
bage.— [Jacob  Nixon,  Kellogg,  Cowley  County,  Kans.,  June  14,  1888. 

Eeply. — Yours  of  the  14th  with  information  as  to  damage  by  the  Garden  Web- 
worm  just  received.  I  have  had  no  occasion  to  publish  anything  concerning  this  in- 
sect since  the  publication  of  the  annual  report  for  1885,  a  co)ty  of  which  was  sent 


14 

you  at  the  time.  You  will  remember  that  ia  that  report  I  concladed  that  the  only 
remedy  likely  to  give  satisfactiou  was  sprayiug  with  either  Loudou  purple  or  Paris 
greeu.  I  would  advise  you  to  give  either  of  these  poisons  a  thorough  trial,  and 
anticipate  success.— [June  18,  1888.] 

AN   EXEMY  TO  THE   DATE   PALM   IN   FLORIDA. 

I  inclose  two  bulbs  of  date  palms  that  show  the  work  of  some  small  animal  or  in- 
sect that  eats  the  bulbs  and  destroys  the  plants.  We  have  a  large  nursery  of  date 
palms  and  they  are  being  destroyed  by  the  hundreds.  The  aninuxl  makes  a  hole  about 
the  size  of  your  little  finger,  but  persistent  digging  did  not  find  him.  Do  you  know 
what  it  is? — [C.  A.  Bowdman,  San  Carlos  Hotel,  Saint  James,  Florida,  February  3, 
1888. 

Eeply. —  *  *  *  The  holes  of  which  you  complain  have  probably  been  made  by 
the  Palmetto  Weevil  {Rhtjnchophorus  crmntatiis).  This  is  the  largest  of  our  native 
species  of  snout-beetles,  and  is  very  common  in  all  of  the  Southern  States  in  which 
the  palmetto  grows  wild.  The  beetle  is  sometimes  nearly  an  inch  in  length,  aiul  its 
usual  color  is  adull  black,  butfrequently  specimens  are  found  which  arebrightred  or 
red  with  black  spots.  Although  usually  confined  to  the  palmetto  the  beetles  attack 
all  kinds  of  small  palms.  There  is  no  remedy  known  except  catching  th6  beetles  and 
killing  them.  They  can  be  caught  in  large  numbers  "by  cutting  off  a  palmetto  plant 
say  1  foot  from  the  ground,  when  they  will  congregate  in  large  numbers  upon  the 
stump  and  can  be  picked  off  from  time  to  time.  The  gruh  or  larva  of  this  species  is 
eaten  as  a  delicacy  in  South  America. — [February  7, 1888.] 

A  VIRGINIA   SIMULIUM   CALLED    "  CHOLERA  GNAT." 

Inclosed  herewith  please  find  specimens  of  the  ''Cholera  Gnat,"  which  I  trust  will 
reach  you  in  good  time  and  condition. 

The  Cholera  Gnat  is  the  local  name  for  these  insects,  because  they  are  supposed  to 
produce  or  cause  the  chicken  cholera.  There  is  no  doubt  about  their  causing  the 
death  of  thousands  of  chickens  and  turkeys  in  this  section  yearly.  I  moved  to  this 
lilace  in  January  last  and  was  told  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  raise  chickens  or 
turkeys  as  the  cholera  would  kill  them  all;  notwithstanding  which  I  bought  both 
chickens  and  turkeys,  determined  to  fight  the  cholera  should  it  appear.  Saw  nothing 
of  it  uutil  about  the  1st  of  April,  when  my  attention  was  attracted  first  by  the  turkeys 
shaking  and  rubbing  their  heads,  and  upon  examination  fonnd  the  gnats  upon  the 
wattles  sucking  vigorously.  The  gobblers  and  roosters  are  the  first  to  succumb,  as 
their  wattles  and  comb  are  larger,  exposing  a  larger  surface  for  the  gnats  to  work 
upon.  The  fowl  grows  weak  and  feverish ;  the  discharge  from  the  bowels  becomes 
frequent  and  watery,  resembling  sulphur  and  water,  and  in  a  few  days  the  fowl  dies 
of  "chicken  cholera." 

I  send  you  this  specimen  of  these  gnats  hoping  you  can  give  me  some  information 
regarding  them,  and  can  suggest  a  remedy.  If  I  can  free  my  chickens  from  these 
gnats  I  am  satisfied  there  would  be  no  cholera. — [James  T.  Gilliam,  Mossingford, 
Charlotte  County,  Va.,  April  12,  1888. 

Keply.  *  *  *  The  insect  in  question,  and  which  you  call  the  "  Cholera  Gnat," 
seems  to  be  identical  with  the  insect  which  is  known  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  as  the 
Turkey  Gnat,  and  which  I  described  scientifically  for  the  first  time  in  my  report  for 
188()  as  SimuUum  meridioiiale.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the  celebrated  Buffalo  Gnat  of 
the  Southwest  and  the  equally  well-known  Black  Fly  of  the  North  Woods.  I  will 
send  you  with  this  a  copy  of  the  report  in  which  this  species  is  described,  which  con- 
tains a  summary  of  what  is  known  about  these  insects,  and  you  will  find, I  fear,  that 
on  the  whole  it  is  rather  unsatisfactorj^,  especially  as  regards  remedies.  I  should  like 
to  hear  from  you  as  to  whether  the  gnats  appear  during  the  greater  part  of  the  sum- 
mer or  if  they  are  confined  to  a  particular  season.  If  the  latter  is  the  case,  what  ia 
the  duration  of  this  period  ?  You  will  notice  from  the  report  that  the  early  stages  of 
these  gnats  are  all  passed  in  running  waier,  and  the  illustrations  will  probably  enable 


15 

you  to  rocoguize  these  early  stages  in  swift-riinniug  streams  in  your  neigliborhood. 
If  the  period  during  which  the  flies  appear  should  be  short,  and  if  you  are  able  to 
keep  the  fowls  in  a  dark  house  during  this  period,  you  will  probably  find  it  advanta- 
geous to  do  so.  The  best  applications  to  be  made  are  indicated  in  the  report,  and  will 
probably  prove  to  be  fish  oil  or  something  similar.  Persian,  insect  powder  pulled  upon 
the  fowls  will  kill  all  of  the  gnats  which  happen  to  bo  on  it  at  the  time,  but  will 
probably  not  act  as  a  preventive.     *     *     *. — [April  16,  1888.  ] 


THE   BLACK-POLLED  TITMOUSE    DESTROYING   CANKER   WORMS. 

PaleacrUa  vernata,  or  Spring  Canker-worm,  seems  to  be  troubling  our  orchards  here 
abouts  for  the  first  time.  I  notice  the  birds  and  chickens  are  destroying  a  host  o 
them.  If  London  purple  does  not  kill  both,  all  will  be  well.  One  little  bird,  the  black- 
polled  chickadee  or  titmouse  (Partis  atricaptllu,s),  is  hungry  for  them.— [W.  S.  Newlo  " 
Oswego,  Kans.,  April  23,  1888. 

KEROSENE     EMULSION   Ax\D   THE   CABBAGE   MAGGOT. 

Your  kerosene  emulsion  has  done  wonders  on  Anthonujialrassicw.  We  have  used 
on  our  cabbage,  that  was  badly  infested  with  cabbage  fly,  and  now,  upon  examinatio 
they  are  entirely  gone  and  the  plants  not  hurt  the  least,  but  your  formula  is  t< 
strong ;  9  gallons  of  water  to  1  of  kerosene  has  killed  all  the  plants  we  put  it  oi 
after  that  we  mixed  it  12  gallons  of  water  to  1  gallon  of  emulsion,  and  this  has  doi 
no  harm  to  the  plants,  but  hasdestroyed  all  the  worms.— [Zimmer  Bros.,  Mobile,  Ala. 

O 
AFTER  EFFECT   OF   THE   OVIPOSITION   OF   THE  PERIODICAL  CICADA. 

*  *  *  Five  or  six  years  ago  the  so-called  13-year  locusts  did  great  damage  to 
our  orchards.  I  send  a  cut  from  a  twig  which  shows  their  work.  The  wounds  an"  on 
the  underside  of  every  branch  less  than  an  inch  in  diameter.  Trees  in  such  plight 
can  not  give  crisp  and  juicy  fruit.  The  apples  are  small,  wilted,  and  tough,  and  let 
go  their  hold  on  the  tree  with  a  slight  breeze.  My  row  of  Eome  Beauties  fruited 
heavily  the  past  two  years.  At  harvesting  time  not  more  than  a  dozen  remained  on 
the  trees.     It  was  the  same  with  other  varieties. 

As  far  as  ray  observation  extends  other  orchards  are  like  mine  gpatly  damaged  by 
the  locusts. 

This  is  not  a  flattering  statement,  but  I  thought  it  right  to  give  facts,  and  hope  to 
be  able  to  give  a  more  favorable  account  in  future. — [A.  G.  Alexander,  Queen  City, 
Mo.,  February  13,  1888. 

[See  fig.  3,  plate  V,  Eept.  Ent.,  Ann.  Kept.  Dept.  Agr.  1885,  for  illustration  of  ap- 
pearance of  scars  from  puncture  of  Pei'iodical  Cicada  after  second  year.  ] 

MORE   TESTIMONY   ON   THE   BUCKWHEAT  REMEDY  FOR  CUT-WORMS. 

Have  you  ever  noticed  the  eifect  of  plowing  under  a  crop  of  buckwheat  to  keep  cut- 
worms off  the  land  ?  It  has  been  our  experience  the  last  fifteen  years  that  wherever 
we  turn  under  a  crop'of  buckwheat  we  will  not  have  any  cut-worms  on  it ;  but  this 
year  has  been  the  most  remarkable  of  all.  The  seed  we  got  from  the  North  was  of  a 
very  poor  quality,  hardly  coming  up  at  all.  So  we  sowed  the  remaining  seed,  about 
two  bushels,  on  a  piece  of  about  one-half  acre.  This  gave  us  a  good  stand.  Now 
everywhere  cut-worms  are  plenty,  except  on  the  little  piece  where  the  buckwheat  has 
been  turned  under.  We  always  have  been  free  from  cut-worms  on  land  we  have 
I)lowed  buckwheat  under,  while  our  neighbors  have  sometimes  their  whole  crop 
ruined  by  them.— [Zimmer  Bros.,  Mobile,  Ala.,  February  6,  1888. 

AN  APPLICATION  FOR  BUFFALO   GNAT  BITES. 

In  looking  over  your  report  for  1886  I  do  not  see  a  preventive  for  buffalo  gnats  that 
I  used  successfully  during  the  war.  In  the  absence  of  fish  oil,  which  had  been  used 
previously,  I  used  tallow,  with  sufficient  pine  tar  to  make  it  stick  the  hair  together, 
but  not  enough  to  take  the  hair  off,  as  I  was  told  it  would.  Lost  none  of  about  W 
mules  and  horses. — [Joua  Pearce,  Gwiney's,  Va. 


i 


I 


16 

COMPARATIVE   MERITS   OF   THl^   ARSENICAL   SOLUTIONS. 

We  are  vitally  interested  in  the  best  methods  of  fighting  the  Codling  Moth.  We 
expect  a  big  crop  of  apples  next  year,  and  we  are  investigating  the  spraying  -with 
the  arsenical  solutions.  I  don't  see  why,  from  a  chemical  standpoint,  the  reason  for 
nsiiig  Paris  green  or  Loudon  purple,  as  both  are  hard  to  make  a  perfect  solution,  and 
it  must  be  the  arsenic  which  does  the  good.  Why  not  use  the  common  white  arsenic  ? 
It  is  easily  dissolved,  and  with  concentrated  lye  will  make  a  perfect  aud  stable  solu- 
tion, and  is  cheap.  From  all  that  I  can  learn  from  California  and  the  East  a  weak 
solution,  used  frequently,  is  better  thau  a  strong  solution,  as  the  stronger  solutions 
burn  the  foliage.  I  will  try  one-half  pound  arsenic,  1  pound  concentrated  lye,  to  400 
gallons  water,  and  will  spray  the  latter  part  of  May,  June,  and  July.  *  *  *. — [A. 
'^osliu,  Oregon,  Mo.,  December  26,  1887.     Addressed  to  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes. 

^EPLY. — Your  letter  of  the  26th  of  December,  addressed  to  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes,  has 
t  been  referred  by  him  to  this  office  for  reply.  White  arsenic  has  been  used  against 
Codling  Moth  by  several  experimentors,  with  a  fair  measure  of  success.  J.  N. 
xon,  of  Oscaloosa,  Iowa,  was  the  first  to  use  it  for  this  purpose,  aud  he  was  en- 
istically  in  favor  of  it.  In  his  essay  on  orchards  and  insects  published  in  the 
actions  of  the  Iowa  State  Horticultural  Society  for  the  year  1882,  he  advises  a 
ich  stronger  solution  than  the  one  which  you  propose  to  try.  Less  than  1  pound  of 
3cuic  to  150  gallons  of  water,  he  states,  will  burn  the  foliage,  aud  ho  himself  was 
accustomed  to  use  1  pound  to  200  gallons  of  water.  He  first  dissolved  the  arsenic  by 
boiling  in  a  smaller  quantity  of  water,  afterwards  diluting  to  the  required  strength. 
'The  tests  of  later  experimenters  give  the  preference  to  London  purple  and  Paris  green, 
:for  the  reason  that  they  seem  to  take  less  effect  upon  the  foliage  than  the  arsenic 
!'aloue.  In  other  words,  when  the  solution  of  white  arsenic  is  strong  enough  to  kill 
'the  insects  in  one  or  two  ai^plications  it  is  very  likely  to  burn  the  foliage.  This  is  not 
an  absolute  statement,  but  a  comparative  one.  Cook,  of  Michigan,  prefers  London 
purple ;  Forbes,  of  Illinois,  and  Wicksou  and  Klee,  of  California,  give  the  preference 
to  Paris  green.  I  myself  am  incliued  to  the  opinion  that  London  purple,  on  the 
grounds  of  effectiveness  and  cheapness,  as  well  as  from  the  fact  that  trees  which  have 
been  treated  can  be  readily  distinguished  by  color,  is  perhaps  the  best  substance 
which  can  be  used;  although  its  advantages  over  Paris  green  are  slight.  It  should 
never  be  used  in  a  solution  stronger  thau  1  pound  to  100  gallons,  and  it  should  be  ap- 
plied as  soon  as  the  blossoms  fall. 

II",  however,  you  are  still  inclined  to  experiment  with  the  arsenic  and  concentrated 
lye,  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  learn  your  results,  and  such  an  experiment  as  you  propose 
Avill  certainly  bo  instructive. — [February  16,  1888.] 

PROBABLY  A  NEW  ENEMY  TO  PEAR  FROM  OREGON. 

Inclosed  find  affected  pears  and  leaves,  also  au  insect  which  I  detected  eating  the 
foliage  of  my  young  pear  trees.  I  saw  none  on  the  bearing  trees,  but  as  nearly  all  the 
fruit  isaffected  on  them  (three  trees  left  of  an  old  orchard)  the  inference  would  be  that 
they  had  left  the  fruit  to  attack  the  foliage  on  the  young  trees  just  set  out.  I  have 
just  set  out  an  orchard  of  150  acres,  and  want  to  head  oft'  all  destructive  insects. 
What  is  this  insect  and  what  the  remedy? — [R.  S.  Wallace,  Salem,  Oregon,  May  12, 
1888. 

Reply. — I  have  read  your  letter  of  May  12,  aud  examined  the  accompanying  speci- 
mens with  considerable  interest,  for  the  reason  that  this  insect  has  never  been  known 
heibre  to  do  such  damage  as  you  describe.  It  has  no  common  name,  but  is  a  snout- 
beetle,  known  as  Aragnomus  f/riseus.  May  I  iufjuire  whether  you  are  absolutely  cer- 
tain that  this  is  the  insect  which  did  the  damage,  aud  whether  you  are  sure  that  it 
injured  the  fruit  ?  Nothing  is  known  of  its  breeding  habits,  and  the  only  thing  that 
we  can  do  is  to  recommend  a  remedy  for  the  adult  insect.  To  this  end  I  would  advise 
you  to  spray  your  young  trees  with  a  solution  of  Paris  green  or  London  purple  in  the 
proportion  of  1  pound  of  the  poison  to  100  gallons  of  water  *  *  *  .—[May  22, 
1888. 


17 

Ax\    KXTKAOKDINAKY   TVVILIGJIT   FLIGHT   OK    LACHXOSTIiKNA. 

•  *  *  luclosed  picaso  find  specimens  of  bugs  which  passed  over  from  uorth  (o 
south  iu  wouderfnl  swarms  or  droves  the  evouiug  of  the  7th,  about  one  to  every  la 
iuches  square,  as  low  as  5  feet  from  the  ground  to  12  to  15  feet  high.  When  I  first 
heard  them  I  thought  it  was  a  swarm  of  bees,  but  soon  saw  my  mistake.  When  I  first 
heaid  and  saw  them  the  sun  was  just  hid  from  sight,  and  they  continued  to  fly  until 
quite  dark.  As  far  as  I  have  heard  the  swarm  or  drove  was  1|  miles  wide.  Where 
they  came  from  or  whither  they  went  I  do  not  know,  but  it  was  new  to  me,  both 
insect  and  their  great  number.  I  send  them  to  you  to  know  if  they  are  common  and 
their  origin.— [S.  H.  Linton,  Burrows,  lad..  May  9,  1887. 

Reply.  *  *  *  The  beetle  proves  to  be  Zac/)Hos<erna  <ns^ts,  a  near  relative  to  the 
common  May  beetle,  which,  as  you  doubtless  know,  is  the  parent  of  the  White  Grub. 
This  particular  species  is  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  genus  and  is  not  at  all  uncommon. 
It  is  frequently  turned  up  in  plowing,  as  it  hibernates  iu  the  beetle  state  under  ground. 
The  larva  is  much  like  the  White  Grub,  through  smaller,  and  probably  feeds  upon 
the  roots  of  various  plants  in  the  soil.  The  swarming  which  you  describe  is  very  in- 
teresting. These  beetles  often  occur  in  great  numbers,  but  so  far  as  I  am  aware  they 
have  not  been  observed  to  fly  iu  such  swarms  before  dark.  They  probably  bred  iu 
the  near  neighborhood  of  the  locality  where  they  were  observed,  and  as  they  feed  on 
leaves  of  different  trees  soon  after  dark,  they  were  probably  in  search  of  proper  food. — 
[February  1.5,  1888.] 

LIME  AND   TOBACCO  FOR   CURB  ANT   WOR.M. 

Results  of  experiments  are  requested  by  the  very  inception  of  your  Department.  I 
will  relate  a  success.  Last  summer  I  went  out  into  the  garden  one  morning  and 
found  the  currant  -worm  {Nematus  ventricosus)  had  attacked  one  side  of  a  currant  bush 
and  one  side  of  a  gooseberry  bush.  I  sprinkled  the  parts  of  both  on  which  the  worms 
were  at  work,  and  then  dusted  on  a  compound  of  2  parts  of  unslacked  lime  and  one 
part  of  tobacco  dust,  from  a  cigar  factory,  which  killed  every  worm  and  stopped  the 
injury.     One  a^pplication  was  sufficient.— [V.  M.  Firor,  Charlestown,  W.  Va. 

SOME  NOTES  FROM  MISSISSIPPI. 

I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  report  on  insects  most  injurious  to  field  and  garden 
crops  for  the  past  year,  1887. 

(1)  The  Cottonworm  (Aletia  xylina)  appeared  iu  some  portions  of  our  county  iu 
July,  in  othersinAugust,  and  in  my  own  vicinity  about  the  middle  of  September.  The 
damage  done  by  them  averages  from  10  to  40  per  cent,  of  the  entire  crop.  I  have  found 
one  of  the  worms  closely  wrapped  up  in  dead  Sweet  Gum  leaves  in  the  fence  corners 
of  my  field  as  late  as  January  the  8th,  1888,  but  iu  a  very  stupid  condition.  (2)  Boll- 
worm  {Heliothis  armigera)  did  but  very  little  damage  here  on  corn  as  well  as  cotton. 

(3)  White  Ants  or  "Wood  Lice"  (Ternifs  jlavipes  K.).  Have  found  these  insects  de- 
stroying a  good  many  cotton-stalks  during  the  past  summer,  attacking  the  stalk  just 
below  the  soil,  eating  out  the  interior,  which  would  kill  the  plant  at  every  instance. 

(4)  Southern  Cabbage -butterfly  (Pieris  protodioe  B.).  The  cabbage  crop  was  seriously 
damaged  by  the  worm  of  this  fly.  (5)  Cabbage  Plusia  (P/ws/a  brassicae  II.).  This 
worm  likewise  did  a  great  deal  of  damage  in  the  gardens  of  this  community.  (6)  The 
Greasy  Cut-worm  (Af/rotis  ypsilon,  Rott.).  This  worm  has  been  more  ])lentiful  this 
past  season  and  destroyed  the  stand  of  cabbage  plants  as  fast  as  transplanted.  (7) 
Glassy  Cut-worm  {Hadena  demslatrix  B.).  Found  several  specimens  of  this  variety  in 
my  garden  cutting  down  cabbage,  beet,  and  radish  plants.  (8)  Squash  Borer  {Mgeria, 
C!tcJ<rZ*i/rte  Harris).  This  insect  lias  been  a  formidable  enemy  to  squash,  pumpkin, 
cashaw,  and  cucumbei",  killing  them  iu  many  instances  in  field  and  garden. — [  G.  II. 
Kent,  Roxie,  Miss.,  January  28,  1888. 

24737— No.  1 2 


18 

NEW  SPECIES  OF  ONCOCNEMIS. 

I5y  John  B.  Smith. 

Ill  coiitiiiuatioii  of  tiio  work  ou  tlie  Monograpli  ol  the  Noctuidae  by 
Professor  Riley  and  myself,  tbe  followiug  new  species  are  found  to  occur 
ill  the  genus  Oncocnemis  : 

O.   FASCIATUS,  sp.  nOV. 

Head,  thorax,  and  primaries  dull  fuscous  gray.  Primaries  witli  basal  Hue  single, 
distinct,  black.  Basal  space  to  t.  a.  line  paler,  more  ashen  gray.  T.  a.  line  rather 
broad,  single,  black,  outwardly  oblique,  making  two  large  and  not  very  prominent 
outward  curves.  T.  p.  line  single,  marked  at  cosfca,  making  a  strong  outward  curve 
over  reniform,  then  strongly  incurved,  interrupted  by  the  white  transverse  baud, 
again  distinct  below  the  reniform,  and  with  a  slight  inward  curve  to  inner  margin. 
Claviform  wanting.  Orbicular  rather  small,  round,  narrowly  outlined  in  black, 
somewhat  paler  than  ground  color.  Keniform  large,  not  very  well  defined,  white, 
with  a  narrow  fuscous  crescent.  Between  reniform  and  t.  p.  lino  the  ground  color 
obtains  and  gives  a  deceptive  appearance  of  the  reniform  in  the  broad  white  band. 
A  narrow  shade  band  crosses  the  outer  iiart  of  the  median  space,  distinct  and  black- 
ish on  costa,  less  marked  below.  A  broad,  white,  transverse  shade,  over  and  includ- 
ing the  reniform,  leaving  a  fuscous  patch  beyond  that  spot,  inwardly  limited  by  the 
t.  p.  line,  and  almost'exteuding  to  the  s.  t.  line.  S.  t.  line  marked  only  by  a  series  of  sag- 
ittate black  dashes,  shading  off  into  the  white  band.  Terminal  space  of  ground  color. 
A  narrow,  terminal,  dark  line.  Fringes  concolorous,  fuscous,  narrowly  cut  with  darker 
brown.  A  whitish  line  at  base.  Secondaries  dull  smoky  brown  at  base,  outwardly 
limited  by  a  black  transverse  band.  Beyond  this  a  broad  white  central  band,  the 
outer  margin  again  broadly  black.  Fringes  white,  basally  fuscous.  Beneath,  both 
X)airs  of  wings  fuscous  gray  at  base,  outwardly  limited  by  a  black  band ;  this  is  fol- 
lowed by  a  broad  white  band,  the  margins  again  broadly  black.  Head  and  thorax 
concolorous  with  basal  space  of  primaries,  abdomen  a  trifle  paler. 

Expands  1.1  inch  27.5°"". 

Habitat,  Nevada  County,  California.     (Sept.) 

A  single  $  in  the  Coll.  U.  S.  N.  Mus.  (from  Dept.  Agric,  Koebele,  collector). 

The  species  is  strongly  marked  and  unlike  any  heretofore  described. 
The  common  white  transverse  baud  is  characteristic  and  renders  the 
species  easily  recognizable.  Its  general  appearance  seems  to  refer  it 
most  nearly  to  the  yellow  uiiderwinged  group. 

0.  TENUIFASCIASp.  nOV. 

Head,  thorax,  and  primaries  dull  fuscous  brown,  the  ordinary  maculation  of  prima- 
ries distinct,  though  not  prominent,  blackish.  Basal  lino  present,  black,  with  a  nar- 
row, following  pale  line.  T.  a.  line  distinct,  oblique  sinuate,  black,  preceded  by  an 
equally  distinct  pale  line.  Practically  the  line  is  geminate,  the  inner  portion  re- 
duced to  a  few  dark  scales  defining  the  intermediate  pale  shade.  T.  p.  line  distinct, 
geminate,  inner  line  black,  distinct,  outer  lino  puuctiform,  the  intervening  space 
white,  the  white  line  becoming  broader  toward  the  inner  margin.  As  a  whole,  the 
line  curves  outwardly  over  the  reniform,  and  nearly  straight  below  vein  2.  Clavi- 
form distinct,  black  margined,  concolorous.  Orbicular  small,  rouud,  black  ringed, 
with  au  inner  white  annulus.  Between  the  ordinary  spots  the  cell  is  blackish,  and 
from  this  point  the  narrow  median  shade  runs  parallel  with  and  close  to  T.  p.  line  to 
the  hind  margin.  Reniform  rather  small,  uanow,  normal  in  shape,  not  very  dis- 
tinctly outlined,  first  black  margined,  then  with  a  paler  annulus,  the  center  of  ground 
color  of  wing.     S.  t.  line  irregularly,  but  not  strongly  dentate,  narrow,  whitish,  in- 


19 

teriupted,  preceded  by  a  series  of  suuiU  black  spots.  A  few  wliite  scales  iu  S.  t..  space 
opposite  cell,  and  a  rather  large  indefiuite  pale  spot  tilHnu;  the  space  uear  hind  margin, 
a  row  of  black  terminal  lunules.  Fringes  dusky,  cut  with  darker  fuscous  and  with  a 
fuscous  lino  at  base.  Secondaries  smoky  at  base,  limited  by  a  sinuate  black  band, 
then  a  narrow  white  band,  followed  by  the  broad,  black  outer  margin.  Fringes  white. 
Beneath,  both  pairs  of  wings  smoky  at  base,  with  a  common  black  median  baud,  fol- 
lowed hy  a  broader  white  band,  the  outer  margin  brondly  black. 

Expands  .88  inches — 22""". 

Ilahitat  Colorado. 

A  single  female  in  Mr.  Temper's  collection.  The  species  is  an  easily 
recognized  one.  Its  small  size  and  the  banded  secondaries  are  uunsual. 
The  primaries  are  somewhat  broader  and  shorter  than  usual,  and  the 
bod^^  somewhat  less  robust.     The  eyes  are  not  very  distinctly  lashed. 

Despite  its  somewhat  abnormal  appearance  I  believe  the  species  cor- 
rectly referred  here. 

O.  IRICOLOR  Sp.  UOV. 

Head,  thorax,  and  primaries  somewhat  pale  luteous,  the  primaries  more  or  less  pow- 
dered with  bluish-black  atoms  which  have  an  iridescent  metallic  glitter.  Basal  lide 
present,  black,  followed  by  a  narrow  pale  line.  T.  a.  line  geminate,  outer  line  black, 
inner  line  more  or  less  punctiform,  the  included  space  pale.  As  a  whole,  the  line  is 
somewhat  irregular,  very  slightly  curved  outwardly.  At  the  inner  margin  the  line 
is  preceded  by  a  largo  patch  of  metallic  dark  scales,  which  in  one  specimen  crosses 
the  entire  wing  au'd  in  the  other  is  limited  to  the  inferior  third.  Claviform  small, 
pale,  not  defined.  Orbicular  rather  small,  round,  a  little  irregular,  pale  ringed,  cen- 
ter coucolorons.  Reniform  moderate,  upright,  somewhat  constricted  medially,  pale 
ringed.  A  somewhat  fuscous  median  shade  darkens  the  cell  between  the  ordinary 
spots,  and  continues  as  a  narrower  dark  shade,  parallel  with  and  close  to  the  t.  ji. 
line.  T.  p.  line  narrow,  black,  crenulate,  interrupted,  widely  curved  over  the  cell, 
and  then  with  a  regular  inward  curve  to  the  hind  margin.  The  narrow  black  line  is  fol- 
lowed by  a  broader,  more  even  pale  line,  from  which  point  the  s.  t.  space  darkens 
and  becomes  metallic  black  to  the  irregular,  pale,  and  somewhat  interrupted  s.  t.  line. 
A  row  of  terminal,  dusky  lunules,  inwardly  margined  by  pale  scales.  Fringes  uini- 
sually  long  and  pure  white.  Secondaries  faintly  yellowish,  glistening,  with  a  broad, 
black  border  and  a  distinct  discal  luuule.  Fringes  also  pure  white.  Beneath  the 
wings  are  very  pale  whitish  yellow,  with  broad,  blackish  outer  margins,  the  discal 
spot  of  scoudaries  more  distinct.  Head  with  a  few  reddish  scales  between  the  an- 
tennae.    Abdomen  like  wings  beneath.     Expands  1.25  inches  =: 31-32"""'. 

Habitat,  Colorado. 

Three  specimens,  all  females,  1  Coll.  U.  S.  National  Museum  (Smith 
Coll.),  the  others  Coll.  F.  Tepper. 

This  is  perhaps  the  most  beautiful  species  of  the  genus,  the  metallic 
dark  scales  and  the  very  long  white  fringes  offering  distinctive  charac- 
ters. The  specimens  differ  considerably  in  the  amount  of  metallic  irro- 
ration;  one  so  covered  as  to  darken  the  entire  specimen,  another  spec- 
imen with  the  dark  markings  oidy  metallic.  The  species  is  most  nearly 
allied  to  augiistus,  Harvey. 

O".    TERMIXALIS  Sp.  UOV. 

Head,  thorax,  and  primaries  dull  fusco-luteous,  primaries  with  a  broad,  blackish 
terminal  shade.  Basal  line  of  primaries  taiutly  indicated  by  a  few  black  scales.  T. 
a.  line  geminate,  marked  on  costa  by  distinct  black  spots,  then  becoming  very  faint, 
traceable  principally  by  the  paler  inclosed  space,  and  again  becoming  distinct  below 


20 

the  iuternal  veiu,  feebly  dentate  iu  its  course,  a  blackish  blotch  preoeding  the  line 
on  internal  margin.  Orbicular  small,  round,  pale  ringed,  center  concolorous.  Ren- 
iforni  moderate  iu  size,  normal  iu  shape,  pale  ringed,  with  a  dusky  lunule  inwardlj^, 
else  coucolorous.  Between  these  spots  the  median  shade  is  marked  by  a  black  costal 
spot,  thence  continued  as  a  narrow  sinuate,  faint  dusky  lino  to  the  hind  margin.  T. 
p.  line  geminate,  distinctly  marked  on  costa,  thence  interrupted,  punctiform,  marked 
by  black  or  brown  venular  dots,  outwardly  curved  over  cell.  S.  t.  line  narrow,  pale, 
interrupted,  irregularly  dentate.  From  the  internal  margiu  beyond  the  t.  p.  line  an 
oblique,  blackish  terminal  shade  extends  to  the  apes,  somewhat  narrowing  above 
the  middle.  Through  this  dark  shade  the  s.  t.  line  is  picked  out  by  pale  scales.  A 
row  of  black  terminal  luuules,  preceded  by  pale  defining  scales.  Fringes  very  long, 
with  a  central  darker  line,  beyond  which  they  are  cut  with  blackish.  Secondaries 
glistening  white,  somewhat  smokj'^  basally,  and  with  a  very  broad,  black  outer 
margin.  Fringes  white.  Beneath  wiugs  whitish,  with  a  broad,  black  terminal  mar- 
giu. Primaries  with  a  whitish  terminal  line.  Fringes  white,  on  primaries  narrowly 
cut  with  brown,  becoming  black  at  tip.  Head  with  a  brown  frontal  line  and  a  brown 
interantennal  tnft.  Collar  black  tipped,  and  behind  it  the  thorax  is  powdered  with 
black  scales  ;  abdomen  very  pale  luteous. 

Expands  1.25  inches — 31'"'". 

Eahitat,  Colorado. 

A  single  feuiale  in  Mr.  Tapper's  collection.  A  very  distinct  species. 
The  collar  is  evidently  prodnced  medially,  and  there  is  a  distinct  basal 
tnft.    The  dark  terminal  space  is  characjteristic. 

O  SIMPLEX,  sp.  uov. 

Head,  thorax,  and  primaries  powdery  fuscous,  the  macnlatiou  distinct.  Basal  line 
distinctly  traceable,  geminate.  T.  a.  line  upright  or  slightly  incurved,  strongly  den- 
tate, geminate,  the  outer  line  black,  the  iuner  line  fuscous  brown,  included  space 
somewhat  paler.  A  narrow  black  line  from  base  to  t.  a.  line.  T.  p.  line  faintly  gemi- 
nate, inner  line  only  distinct,  black,  slightly  lunate,  exserted  over  reniform,  and  some- 
what incurved  below.  Claviform  very  long,  almost  crossing  median  space,  black 
margined,  with  a  pale  inner  line  and  a  concolorous  center.  Orbicular  longitudinally 
oval,  paler  ringed,  concolorous.  Reniform  moderate  in  size,  pale  ringed,  with  narrow 
black  margin,  the  center  somewhat  paler.  A  faiutly  marked  shade  between  the  or- 
dinary spots,  less  marked  below  median  vein.  S.  t.  line  pale,  interrupted,  irregularly 
sinuate  and  dentate,  preceded  by  a  series  of  long  sagittate  interspaceal  black  dashes. 
A  row  of  black  terminal  luuules.  S.  t.  space  pale  at  t.  p.  line,  rapidly  darkening  to 
the  8.  t.  line.  The  veins  are  paler  through  the  darker  parts  of  the  wing,  and  black 
marked  beyond.  Secondaries  white,  semi-transparent,  with  distinct  black  outer 
border.  Fringes  white.  Beneath  whitish,  with  smoky-black  outer  border.  Head 
with  an  interantennal  blackish  line  followed  by  a  pale  line,  Collar  with  a  black  line 
inferiorly,  black  tipped,  and  a  whitish  lino  below  the  black  tip.  Thorax  also  sjirinkled 
with  black  scales. 

Expands  1.46  inches — 36""^'. 

Habitat,  Ashley  Valley,  Utah. 

A  single,  somewhat  rnbbed  specimen,  withont  fringes  to  primaries,  in 
Mr.  Edwards'  collection. 

This  species  is  cbsely  allied  to  Jevis,  and  intermediate  between  that 
and  (lugustKS.  From  the  former  it  differs  at  once  by  the  longitndiually 
ovate  orbicnlar.  The  ground  color  is  not  ochreous,  and  there  are  numer- 
ous minor  differences.  The  chief  and  very  strongly  marked  difference 
between  the  two  is  in  the  structure  of  the  male  genitalia,  differences 
which  need  not  be  pointed  out  here  at  in-eseut. 


21 


AN  AUSTRALIAN   PARASITE  01  I.CERYA  PURCHASI. 

By  S.  W.  WiLLiSTOX. 

[The  following  descriptions  of  a  new  genus  and  a  new  species  of 
Oscinidie  were  drawn  np  at  our  request  by  Dr.  Williston  from  speci- 
mens received  from  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  of  Adelaide,  South  Australia, 
who  reared  them  from  adult  females  oi  Icerya  purclmsl  Maskell  and  from 
Monopldoel)us  cratr/orill  Maskell  in  that  colony.  Tlie  species  has  been 
artificially  introduced  into  (California  and  we  shall  soon  have  occasion 
to  write  about  it  at  greater  length.] 


Fir..  3.  Lestophonus  iceuy.t;.    a,  antenna  enlarged  (original.) 

Lestophonus,*  gen.  nov. 

Frout  broad,  plane,  with  scarcely  distiugnisliaLle  liairs  in  npper  part.  Auteunae 
large,  the  first  two  joints  short,  the  third  two  or  three. times  as  long  as  broad,  reach- 
ing qnite  to  the  oral  margin ;  arista  wanting.  Face  flattened  or  gently  concave ; 
thorax  without  bristles;  scutellum  large,  about  half  as  long  as  the  thorax,  convex. 
Abdomen  short  ovate,  rather  broad,  composed  of  five  segments,  thinly  and  briefly 
hairy.  Legs  rather  short  and  strong;  middle  tibiie  with  a  minute  or  indistinct  spar 
at  the  top  ;  all  the  tibite  without  erect  bristles  on  the  outer  side  before  the  tip.  Wings 
short  and  broad;  auxiliary  vein  wholly  wanting  ;  first  longitudinal  vein  terminating 
at  the  basal  third,  the  costal  vein  at  the  tip  of  the  third  longitudinal  vein ;  second 
and  third  longitudinal  veins  nearly  parallel,  the  fourth  vein  gently  divergent;  pen- 
ultimate section  of  the  fourth  vein  a  litlc  shorter  than  the  ultimate  section  of  the  fifth  ; 
second  basal  cell  and  thediscal  cell  united  ;  anal  cell  distinct,  but  small. 

Notwithstanding  the  presence  of  the  anal  cell  the  present  species  must,  I  believe, 
be  located  with  the  Oscinin(e.  The  absence  of  distinct  bristles  on  the  front,  or,  indeed, 
elsewhere  on  the  body,  will  prevent  its  location  with  the  DrosopluUnw.  In  all  the  four 
specimens  that  I  have  examined  the  arista  seems  entirely  wanting  ;  I  can  not  attrib- 
ute its  absence  to  injury.  This  remarkable  character,  together  with  the  absence  of 
the  anterior  basal  cross-vein,  and  auxiliary  vein,  and  the  very  large  third  antennal 
joint  will,  I  believe,  render  the  genus  easily  recognizable.  I  can  find  the  description 
of  no  genus  that  will  apply,  and  I  have  but  little  or  no  hesitancy  in  describing  it  as 
new.     Mosillus,  from  Europe  and  Africa,  seems  to  be  its  nearest  relative. 

Lestophonus  icery^,  sp.  nov. 

9,  Length  Ll""'\  Face,  frout,  dorsum  of  thorax,  and  scutellum  deep  blue,  mod- 
erately shining.     Antenntc  black,  oblong,  with  rounded  end.     Abdomen  punctulate, 

*yj?/(5r//? — a  plunderer,     ^uvsvi — a  killer. 


22 

deep  sliining  green,  iu  some  specimens  more  or  less  blue.     Legs  dark  brown,  or  black- 
ish brown  ;  front  tarsi  more  lutescent  or  brownisb  yellow.     Wings  grayish  hyaline, 
the  veins  dark  brown. 
Three  specimens,  from  Professor  Eiley. 


THE  PRIVET  WEB-WORM. 

{Margarodcs  qnadristigmalis  Gn.) 

[Order  Lepidoptera  :  Family  PviiALiDiE.J 

THE  PRIVET. 

The  Privet  {Ligustrum  vuJgare  L.)  is  a  very  comiuon  liedge  plant  iu  Eii- 
rope,  of  geueral  distribution  and  uative  iu  Central  and  Southern  Europe. 
It  and  the  closely  allied  Japanese  species  {Ligustrum  japonicum)  were 
introduced  into  this  country  iu  the  beginning  of  the  present  century, 
and  both  have  become  thoroughly  naturalized  in  some  of  the  older 
States.  Practically  the  sole  use  of  the  Privet  in  America  is  as  a  hedge- 
plant,  for  which  purpose  it  is  preferred  in  many  locali'ies  to  the  ubiquit- 
ous Osage  Orange  {Madura  aurantiaca),  chiefly  on  account  of  the 
absence  of  spines  and  also  because  it  thrives  well  in  much  more 
northern  climates.  In  Europe,  however,  its  close-grained,  hard  wood  is 
used  for  turning  and  shoe  pegs,  its  twigs  for  tanning  and  as  a  substitute 
for  osier,  and  its  berries  for  red,  black,  or  blue  colors  in  certain  dying 
processes,  while  formerly  its  astringent  leaves  were  used  iu  medicine. 
A  well  cultivated  and  carefully  trimmed  privet  hedge,  with  its  bright 
green  foliage,  is  a  most  beautiful  sight;  if  inclosing  an  orchard,  and 
not  kept  too  low,  it  forms  an  excellent  shelter  for  many  insectivorous 
birds,  which  love  to  build  their  nests  in  such  protecting  places.  Grown 
singly  or  in  small  groups  it  attains  quite  a  large  size,  and  bears  bunches 
of  dark  purple  berries. 

It  suffers  in  America  from  a  sudden  blight,  probably  the  result  of  the 
attack  of  the  fungus  Phyllostlcta  ligustri  Saccardo,  and  certain  leaf-eat- 
ing caterpillars  occasionally  feed  upon  its  foliage.  But  the  plant  has 
always  been  considered  almost  insect  proof  in  this  country,  although  iu 
Europe  twenty  or  more  insects  feed  ujDon  its  leaves,  the  great  majority 
of  which  are  lepidopterous,  including  one  of  the  finest  of  the  European 
Hawk  Moths,  the  Sphinx  ligustri. 

The  following  statements  have  been  prepared  from  notes  made  princi- 
pally by  Mr.  Howard  and  Mr.  O.  Lugger : 

APPEARANCE   OF   THE   WEB -WORM, 

The  new  web-worm  was  first  noticed  upon  the  plants  iu  some  exten- 
sive hedges  grown  in  the  gardens  connected  with  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  at  Washington,  June  20,  1886,  and  later  it  was  found  iu 
other  parts  of  the  city.  jSToue  of  the  gardeners  had  ever  seen  it  before, 
and  naturally  were  somewhat  anxious  about  the  matter.  The  hedges 
affected  by  these  worms,  presented  a  most  miserable  sight,  almost  al 


23 

tbe  leaves  of  the  upper  half  of  the  young  shoots,  from  two  to  six  inches 
in  length,  were  destroyed,  and  only  fragments  of  leaves  or  portions  of 
their  midribs  had  been  left  untouched  here  and  there.  The  caterpillars, 
which  had  done  all  this  mischief,  were  found  hidden  in  delicate,  white, 
silken  webs,  cither  between  the  npper  leaves  when  still  quite  small,  or 
lower  down  on  the  older  leaves  when  about  fully  grown.  These  webs, 
in  which  the  caterpillars  hide  themselves,  become  in  course  of  time 
partly  tilled  with  their  black  excrement,  looking  like  gun-powder,  and 
add  still  more  to  the  disfiguration  of  the  plants.  The  caterpillars,  when 
disturbed,  show  great  activity,  and  wriggle  excitedly  out  of  their  webs; 
iu  foiling  they  suspend  themselves  by  a  long,  silkeu  thread.  ]f  the  dis- 
turbance ceases,  they  gradually  work  their  way  back  to  their  homes. 

Collectors  of  Lepidoptera  had  seen  this  moth  but  twice  before  in  Wash- 
ington. One  specimen  had  been  captured  many  years  ago ;  it  was  found 
flying  around  the  gas-light.  The  second  specimen  was  found,  in  1882, 
on  the  Yirginia  side  of  the  Potomac. 

NUMBER   OF  BROODS. 

The  greatest  damage  was  done  by  the  first  brood,  or  at  least  the  ef- 
fects of  the  injury  were  more  apparent.  The  second  brood,  living  upon 
the  same  shoots,  already  so  much  disfigured,  were  hardly  perceived, 
since  they  added  but  very  little  to  the  general  effect.  No  caterpillars 
were  observed  out  doors  during  the  month  of  August ;  they  were  to  some 
extent  kept  in  check  by  i^arasites.  The  electric  light  has  also  been  of 
immense  value  in  destroying  this  pest.  Thousands  of  the  moths  were 
attracted  to  it  and  never  found  their  way  bacR  to  the  plants  to  deposit 
their  eggs  for  other  broods.  But  in  captivity  the  result  was  verj^  dif- 
ferent, and  indicated  beyond  any  doubt  the  possibility  of  a  very  great 
danger  to  these  i)rivet  hedges,  if  the  insect  should  once  have  full  sway 
to  breed  unmolested.  ISot  less  than  four  broods  of  moths  were  raised 
in  the  course  of  the  summer,  the  last  brood  laying  eggs,  which,  i)er- 
haps,  not  being  fertilized,  did  not  hatch.  Moths  of  the  different  broods 
appeared  July  2,  August  5,  September  C,  and  October  11. 

LIFE  HISTORY. 

The  Egg. — The  scale-like  eggs  are  very  soft,  light-green,  sculptured, 
and  measure  O.C^™  in  length  and  0.4  iu  width.  They  are  usually 
fastened  to  the  leaf  near  its  mid-rib,  either  upon  the  upi:)er  or  the  lower 
surface.  Being  so  very  small,  and  of  a  similar  color  to  that  of  the  leaf, 
they  are  very  difficult  to  detect.  And  this  is  still  more  the  case  in 
breeding-cages,  where  the  restless  moths  scatter  their  very  loosely  at 
tached,  silvery-white  scales  so  profusely  over  the  somewhat  adhesive 
surface  of  the  leaf,  that  it  soon  becomes  densely  covered  with  tliem, 
thus  adding  to  the  difficulty  of  finding  the  eggs.  From  three  males  and 
two  females  imprisoned  65  eggs  were  obtained,  yet  no  doubt  more  had 
been  deposited  but  not  found.  These  eggs  in  the  course  of  a  few  days 
darkened  somewhat  and  plainly  showed  the  embryo.  They  hatched  on 
the  fifth  day  after  being  deposited. 


24 

The  Larva. — In  color  the  caterpillar  of  this  Pyralid  varies  greatly,  but 
it  is  usually  of  a  lighter  or  darker  green ;  the  darkest  specimens  are 
almost  bluish-green,  the  palest  yellowish-green.  In  the  great  majority 
of  cases  the  piliferous  warts  are  black  and  i)olislied,  but  in  others,  and 
chiefly  in  the  smaller  ones,  they  are  of  the  same  color  as  the  body.  In 
fact,  hardly  any  two  caterpillars,  coming  from  the  same  moth,  are  exactly 
alike.  The  arrangement  of  these  warts  is  best  observed  in  the  darker 
specimens,  where  two  rows  of  them,  each  consisting  of  two  warts,  form 
an  almost  exact  square  upon  each  abdominal  segmen  t.  The  warts  below 
and  above  the  spiracles  are  longitudinally  oval  and  rather  far  removed 
from  the  dorsal  rows.  The  cervical  plate  is  either  black  with  greenish 
or  green  with  blackish  markings.  The  yellowish-green  head  is  distin- 
guished by  two  ill-defined,  oblique  and  dusky  stripes,  which  diverge 
posteriorly.  The  very  small  spiracles  are  dull  yellow.  In  a  number  of 
very  dark  green  specimens  the  head  is  more  yellow  than  green  and  not 
marked  with  any  black.  Quite  a  number  of  these  caterpillars  are  almost 
olive-green,  suffused  more  or  less  with  cherry-red.  The  recently  hatched 
caterpillars  are  white,  with  a  pale  yellow  head.  These  highly  polished 
caterpillars  reach  a  length  of  20'"'"  when  they  cease  to  feed  and  prepare 
to  pupate.    The  duration  of  their  larval  existence  is  about  three  weeks. 


Fig.  4.  Margarodes  quadristigmalis.  a,  larva,  siuc  view;  &,  same,  dorsal  view;  c,  cocoon;  d, 
raoth — all  slightly  enlarged;  e,  two  segments  of  larva  from  side  showing  arrangement  of  spots;  /,  anal 
segment  of  pnpa  from  below— still  more  enlarged  (original). 

Piipa  and  Cocoon. — The  slender,  bright  amber-colored  pupa  is  lo"""' 
long,  and  is  well  protected  by  a  double  cocoon,  which  is,  however,  so 
thin  and  transparent  that  the  pupa  can  clearly  be  discerned  inside  of  it. 
The  white  and  delicate  outer  cocoon,  usually  fastened  securely  between 
leaves  or  to  the  rubbish  under  the  hedge,  is  somewhat  oval,  though 
frequently  very  irregular  in  shape  ;  it  is  frequently  a  little  denser  near 
the  anterior  end.  The  inner  and  still  thinner  cocoon  surrounds  the  pupa 
quite  closely,  and  is  connected  with  the  outer  one  by  a  number  of  irreg- 
ular threads.     As  the  moth  matures  inside  the  pupa  the  former  bright 


25 

color  gives  place  to  a  dark  brown,  and  soon  after,  or  in  about  eight 
days  after  commencing  to  spin  the  cocoon,  tlie  winged  insect  appears. 

The  Moth. — The  species  of  Margarodes  are  quite  niimerons,  and  all  are 
confined  to  warmer  regions.  From  a  list  of  specimens  in  the  collection 
of  the  British  Museum,  published  in  1859,  it  is  seen  that  39  species  had 
been  described  up  to  that  year.  One  species  is  found  in  Southern 
Europe,  one  in  IS^orth  America,  three  in  the  West  Indies,  ten  in  South 
America,  seven  in  Africa,  eleven  in  Southern  Asia,  five  in  Australia, 
and  one  in  the  Sandwich  Islands.  The  European  species  is  very  similar 
to  the  one  under  consideration,  and  has  been  confounded  with  it  by  Du- 
ponchel.  Margarodes  quadristigmaUs  Gn.,  described  vaguely  as  occur- 
ring in  North  America,  is  found  also  in  the  island  of  St.  Domingo. 

All  the  species  of  this  genus  are  characterized  by  white  or  greenish 
hyaline  wings  with  more  or  less  opaque  margins.  The  males  possess  a 
hidden  tuft  of  long  hairs  at  the  tip  of  the  abdomen,  which  they  can 
spread  out  like  a  fan  if  excited. 

The  expanded  wings  of  the  Privet  Moth  measure  30'"'"  and  its  body 
is  ]I2"""  long.  The  general  color  of  the  moth  is  iridescent  white,  with 
very  transparent  wings,  that  possess  opaque  white  veins.  The  anterior 
borders  of  the  upper  wings  are  light  brown,  and  this  color  extends 
over  the  margin  of  the  thorax,  forming  thus  a  continuous  brown  edge. 
Three  darker  brown,  almost  black,  spots  are  situated  just  below  it,  and 
join  the  posterior  edge  of  this  brown  border;  the  fourth  discal  spot  is 
of  the  same  brown  color.  The  outside  edge  of  the  upper  wings  shows 
a  very  narrow  brown  line,  ornamented  towards  its  summit  by  four  or 
five  small  brown  dots.  The  outer  edges,  the  fringes  of  hairs,  and  the 
posterior  edges  of  the  wings  are  opaque  white.  The  white,  hyaline 
color,  a  very  narrow  brown  line  with  two  dots  near  its  summit  on  the 
outer  edge,  an  opaque  white  fringe  of  hairs,  a  small,  discal,  dark  brown 
spot,  and  a  faint  line  of  the  same  color  above  it,  which  is  sometimes 
connected  with  this  spot,  distinguish  the  lower  wings.  The  head  is 
white,  with  brown  eyes  nnd  trophi.  The  thorax,  excepting  its  brown 
anterior  edge,  is  covered  with  very  large  white  and  iridescent  scales, 
which  are  loosely  attached.  The  abdomen  is  also  white,  with  a  distinct 
greenish  tinge;  the  last  abdominal  joints  have  at  their  edges  a  faintly 
marked  brown  and  oblique  line ;  the  last  joint  in  the  male  moth  is  tipped 
with  the  same  color,  and  if  the  fan-like  tuft  is  partly  extended,  a  num- 
ber of  black  and  brown  hairs  are  visible.  The  under  side  of  the  body 
and  the  legs  are  white;  the  first  pair  of  legs  are  ornamented  by  having 
the  upper  side  and  tips  of  first  joint  of  tarsi  yellowish-brown,  with  a 
golden  luster ;  the  second  pair  of  legs  have  also  sometimes  the  tips  of 
the  upper  sides  of  their  tibial  marked  with  the  same  color. 

NATURAL   AND   ARTIFICIAL  REMEDIES. 

The  sudden  and  quite  unexpected  disappearance  of  these  insects  so 
soon  after  the  first  brood  was  mainly  due  to  the  attractiveness  which 


26 

the  electric  light  possesses  to  these  moths.  Untold  numbers  were  thus 
destroyed  and  prevented  from  increasing,  which  otherwise  would  have 
been  the  case,  since  ])ut  one  parasite  is  known  to  i)rey  upon  it.  From 
caterpillars  gathered  outdoors,  and  whicli  pupated  June  25,  one  hymeu- 
opterons  parasite  issued  August  2.  Tliis  is  a  Glypta,  and  is  closely 
allied  to  rujiscutellaris,  Wesmael. 

The  best  remedy,  and  one  that  suggests  itself  at  once,  is  the  trimming 
of  the  hedge  at  the  proper  time ;  that  is,  when  the  first  indications  of 
the  presence  of  young  caterpillars  is  noticeable.  The  trimmed  shoots 
ought  to  be  removed  as  soon  as  possible,  at  least  before  they  have  bo- 
come  dry,  otherwise  these  very  active  caterpilhirs  will  undoubtedly  find 
their  way  back  to  the  hedge,  and  thus  thwart  the  design.  Applications 
of  the  various  insecticides  will  also  pro\  e  effective,  and,  owing  to  the 
protecting  web  of  the  worms,  ought  to  be  applied  in  form  of  a  spray. 


NOTES. 


THE   CHINCH  BUG  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

In  Bulletin  17  of  this  division  and  also  in  the  annual  report  for  1887 
Mr.  Howard  has  reviewed  the  subject  of  the  Chinch  Bug  on  the  Pacific 
coast,  and  the  summary  of  his  investigation  is  to  the  effect  that  but 
three  authentic  occurrences  of  this  insect  have  ever  been  known  in  the 
State  of  California.  One  was  a  single  specimen  collected  in  the  vicinity 
of  San  Francisco  in  1885  by  Mr.  Kocbele.  Another  was  a  single  speci- 
men collected  by  some  students  of  Johns  Hopkins  in  1884  (particular 
locality  not  known),  and  the  third  was  the  record  by  Mr.  Uhler,  of  Cali- 
fornia as  one  of  the  States  which  this  insect  inhabits.  Mr.  Uhler  after- 
wards wrote  that  the  specimens  which  he  had  seen  were  collected  near 
San  Francisco,  probably  by  Mr.  Henry  Edwards.  The  first  two  speci- 
mens mentioned  were  of  a  short-winged  form  which  has  been  found  only 
upon  the  Atlantic  sea-coast,  while  Mr.  Uhler  states  that  his  specimens 
were  of  the  long-winged  form.  Letters  addressed  to  Mr.  Koebele  in 
1887  brought  out  the  fact  that  he  was  not  aware  of  the  importance  of 
his  capture  of  this  insect  in  1885,  and  that  he  did  not  know  just  where 
he  found  the  specimen  referred  to.  Since  the  publication  of  the  Bulletin, 
however,  Mr.  Koebele  was  reminded  by  its  perusal  of  the  fact  that  this 
specimen  was  collected  upon  the  sea-coast,  and  the  present  spring  he 
visited  the  shore  near  Alameda,  Avith  the  result  of  finding  a  large  num- 
ber of  specimens  in  the  first,  second,  and  third  stages  upon  a  coast 
grass  which  has  not  yet  been  named.  Specimens  have  been  sent  for, 
and  we  hope  soon  to  place  the  entire  facts  upon  record.  This  large 
sending,  however,  places  upon  a  firmer  basis  than  ever  before  the  occur- 
rence of  this  insect  in  considerable  numbers  on  the  Pacific  coast,  although 


27 

there  is  as  yet  no  evideuce  of  any  damage  ever  liavkig  been  done  in  the 
State  of  California. 

GERMAN   PHYLLOXERA  LAW.S. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  reprint  Mr.  Max  Leicbtlin's  rules  for  import- 
ing plants  to  Germany,  as  published  in  the  Illustrated  Monthly  for  Gen- 
eral Interests  of  Horticulture.  The  directions  are  specifically  for  Eng- 
land, but  will  apply  to  America  equally  as  well : 

"  Whoever  wishes  to  import  plants  from  England  must  instruct  the 
nurseries  to  ship  plants  in  cases,  not  in  baskets,  to  pack  each  plant  with 
its  root-ball  separately  and  tightly,  so  that  they  will  not  shake  and 
loosen,  and  to  enable  the  inspector  to  examine  without  injury  to  the 
contents.  Ship  through  Use  Sutton  &  Co.,  parcels  express,  or  Best, 
Eiley  &  Co.,  Holboru  Viaduct,  London,  or  any  of  their  agents  in  the 
country  who  connect  with  Ylissiugen.  All  freight  suffers  delay  at  Vlis- 
singen.  Let  the  shipper  mark  i>ackages  with  the  needed  address  of 
consignee,  in  care  of  T.  T.  Niessen,  general  agent,  Kaldeukirchen,  and 
prefix  before  consignor's  domicile  the  word  ^aus'  (from),  which  are  re- 
quired custom-house  formalities.  If  the  consignees  live  in  Heilbronn, 
the  address  should  be  '  f.  i.  N.  IsT.,  ans  Heilbronn,  care  of  T.T.  Niessen, 
general  agent,  Kaldeukirchen.'  Finally  consignee  must  write  to  T.  T. 
Niessen,  Kaldenkircheu,  explaining  that  he  is  ready  to  pay  for  the 
phylloxera  examination  expenses  and  give  him  instructions  how  to  for- 
ward, whether  by  freight,  express,  or  mail." 

Mr.  Leichtlin  says  that  he  knows  from  experience  that  in  following 
these  directions  as  given  the  forwarding  of  plants  will  be  swift,  prompt, 
and  reasonable.  Any  further  information  on  the  subject  he  says  he 
will  give  with  pleasure  if  needed. 

KEROSENE   EMULSION   AGAINST   THE    CABEAGE-WORMS. 

In  our  report  for  18S3,  in  summing  up  the  different  remedies  whicli 
maj^  be  used  against  cabbage-worms,  we  mentioned  the  fact  that  for 
several  years  we  had  advocated  the  use  of  kerosene  emulsion  and  stated 
thatwe  were  satisfied  that  it  would  prove  of  practical  application  in  the 
field.  In  Bulletin  No.  11  of  this  Division  are  recorded  experiments  by 
Mr.  Webster,  undertaken  at  our  direction,  which  were  favorable  in  their 
results.  In  accordance  with  this  1883  suggestion,  Mr.  F.  E.  Anderson, 
of  the  Pension  Office  in  Washington,  undertook  to  apply  the  emulsion 
upon  his  cabbages  at  his  place,  near  Washington,  and  he  has  reported 
to  us  in  full  his  results.  They  have  not  been  published  previously, 
through  inadvertence,  and  we  take  this  occasion  to  give  them  in  his  own 
words : 

In  accordauce  with  vour  expressed  wish  to  have  a  memorandum  of  my  experience 
"Willi  kerosene  as  a  destroyer  of  tlic  Cabbage  Worm,  I  now  send  you  sucli  a  sketch  as 
my  memory  affords. 


28 

It  was  in  tbo  spring  of  18S4  that  I  first  put  into  active  operation  ray  long-flesired 
gardening  experiments.  The  soil  Tvas  a  warm  sandy  loam,  favorable  to  vegetables, 
and  I  set  ont  my  cabbages — the  Early  Jersey  Wakelields  of  Peter  Henderson — near 
the  end  of  April,  there  being  about  400  plants.  The  season  was  exceedingly  rainy,  but 
toward  the  middle  of  June,  as  well  as  I  can  recollect,  there  came  quite  a  severe  drought, 
and  at  about  this  time  the  cabbage-flies  began  to  appear.  I  had  amused  the  neighbor- 
ing farmers,  who  believed  in  "the  good  old  ways  of  our  fathers,  sir,"  very  much  by  my 
study  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker  and  the  reports  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
which,  with  Peter  Henderson's  "  Gardening  for  Profit,"  were  never  out  of  my  hands  in 
my  leisure  mo  nents  ;  and  the  champions  of  ruts  were  gleeful  over  the  antici))ated 
failure  of  the  "book-farmer,"  who,  moreover,  had  only  spare  hours  for  his  hobby 
and  no  help  save  his  own  hands.  But  I  was  not  at  all  worried  by  their  opinions.  As 
soon  as  I  saw  the  little  white  fellows  making  their  staggering  yet  swift  flights  over 
my  cabbages,  I  caught  one,  and  recognizing  him  at  once  by  the  iiicture  furnished  in 
the  report  for  1883,  as  Pieris  rapce,  I  lost  no  time  in  i^reparing  to  give  the  enemy  a 
warm  reception.  Not  having  a  cow  on  the  place,  I  varied  Hubbard's  formula  by  sub- 
stituting common  soap-suds  for  milk,  and  at  dusk  began  to  shower  it  upon  my  cab- 
bagesthrough  an  ordinary  large-sized  watering-pot.  Owing  to  inexperience  on  my  part 
and  to  the  imperfect  mixing  of  the  two  elements,  I  killed  a  few  plants  on  this  appli- 
cation, but  the  next  evening  I  had  learned  better  what  to  do  and  found  myself  suc- 
ceeding well.  In  short,  so  complete  was  my  victory — owing  to  prompt  action  a  ad  an 
early  use  of  the  I'emedy — that,  apart  from  the  cabbages  spoilt  by  the  first  trial,  I  did 
not  lose  a  plant.  The  only  damage  done  by  the  worm  was  to  a  few  outside  leaves. 
As  a  consequence,  I  believe  that  kerosene  as  a  destroying  agent  rests  on  a  sound 
basis.  All  persons  know  how  fatal  any  oil  is  to  insects.  Let  a  fly  fall  into  bacon 
grease,  for  example,  and  though  he  may  escape  seemingly  unhurt,  follow  him  up  and 
in  a  few  seconds  you  will  see  him  drop.  The  medical  men  remove  beetles  from  the 
human  ear  by  pouring  iu  sweet  oil.  While  I  am  no  scientist,  if  I  might  venture  a 
reason  I  would  say  that  I  believe  it  is  deadly  because  it  clogs  up  the  breathing-pores 
of  the  insect.  Kerosene  well  and  carefully  applied  will  do  the  same  thing.  Hence 
my  opinion.  If  the  application  has  injured  plauts  it  has  been,  I  should  judge,  more 
through  the  ignorance  or  carelessness  of  the  operator  thauthroagh  the  fault  of  the 
formula. 

Of  course  my  experience  is  inconclusive  of  the  matter,  as  I  experimented  on  early 
cabbages,  which  are  never  so  destriictively  assailed  by  the  Pieris  rajja'asthe  later  va- 
rieties are,  and  since  I  was  appointed  to  a  clerkship  in  Washington  before  the  season 
for  fall  cabbages  w  as  well  under  way  ;  but  I  have  tried  to  follow  what  I  conceive  to 
be  the  scientific  method,  namely,  to  state  facts  rather  than  fancies,  no  matter  what  re- 
sults spring  from  them.  If,  in  my  rough  way,  I  have  gratified  your  wish  I  feel  fully 
satisfied,  for  your  long-continued  kindness  and  that  of  Professor  Eiley  (to  say  noth- 
ing of  others  who  have  shown  me  j)olite  favors  iu  your  Department)  have  rendered 
me  subject  to  obligations  which  I  can  only  in  part  repay  by  signing  myself, 
Very  sincerely,  your  friend, 

Frank  E.  Anderson. 

P.  S. — Notwithstanding  my  "  book  farmin'  "  yon  will  be  gratified  to  learn,  doubt- 
less, that  I  had  the  finest  garden  iu  my  neighborhood,  excepting  only  one,  that  of  a 
rich  man  who  could  apply  more  fertilizer  to  the  soil  than  I  could. 


\^< 


SWARMING  OF   HACKBERRY  BUTTERFLIES. 


We  bave,  in  past  years  (3d  Rep.  Ins.  IVIo.,  pp.  151-2,  Sc.  American, 
April  G,  1878),  treated  of  tlie  migration  of  butterflies  and  of  the  excep- 
tional swarming  in  immense  numbers  of  several  species,  but  have  not 
known  of  a  more  striking  case  of  exceptional  abundance  of  a  certain 


29 

species  thau  was  brought  to  our  atteutiou  during  1887.  The  species  in 
question  is  Apatura  celtls,  one  of  the  Ilackberry  butterflies  treated  of  at 
some  length  iu  the  sixth  report  on  the  Insects  of  Missouri.  The  larvae 
are  found  feeding  ui)Ou  the  leaves  of  Celtis  in  the  month  of  May,  trans- 
form to  chrysalids  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  and  issue  as  butterflies 
iu  the  latitude  of  Saint  Louis  about  the  middle  of  June.  A  second  brood 
of  butterflies  appears  iu  August  and  the  insect  hibernates  in  the  larva 
state  at  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

The  present  spriug,  considerably  south  of  the  locality  where  we  studied 
the  species,  an  extraordinary  swarming  was  noticed  by  two  of  our  corre- 
spondents.  Mr.  Carl  Ilolzgang,  of  Clay  Center,  Kans.,  wrote,  under  date 
of  May  24 : 

As  I  passed  last  Thursday  (May  19)  along  the  Mississippi  Vallej',  west  side,  near 
Meiupliis,  up  the  Arkansas,  a  swarm  of  millions  of  moths  like  the  inclosed  were  fly- 
ing along  the  road  going  south,  etc. 

On  the  same  day  (May  24)  Mr.  F.  M.  Webster,  who  was  at  that  time 
in  Arkansas,  Avrote  as  follows : 

With  this  I  mail  you  *  *  *  examples  of  what  I  take  to  be  Apatura  celtis.  Never 
iu  my  life  have  I  observed  such  numbers  of  any  sjieciesof  butterfly  as  I  saw  of  these 
along  the  Saint  Francis  Eiver  on  the  14th  and  15th  of  the  present  month.  For  a  dis- 
tance of  about  30  miles  the  shores  of  the  river  were  literally  lined  with  them.  On 
stumps  they  would  be  x^acked  in  so  thick  that  with  wings  erect  they  completely  cov- 
ered the  surface.  The  sides  of  the  small  steamer  on  which  I  was  traveling  were 
covered,  and  I  counted  17  on  the  back  of  a  deck  hand  as  ho  was  going  about  his  Avork. 
When  a  landing  was  made  and  I  got  off  to  examine  the  brush,  they  would  rise  up  in 
clouds  about  me  and  get  into  my  eyes  and  mouth  so  that  I  had  to  beat  about  with  a 
bush  to  protect  myself.  The  engineer  of  the  boat  said  he  had  been  running  on  tbe 
river  fifteen  years,  but  never  saw  so  many  before.  The  inhabitants  along  the  river 
were  as  surprised  as  myself.     »     *     * 

The  swarming  of  this  species  in  spring  is  the  more  interesting  that 
in  most  other  instances  tlie  swarming  takes  place  in  the  autumn,  and 
the  only  explanation  of  this  exceptional  phenomenon  would  seem  to  be 
that  the  conditions  for  successful  hibernation  of  the  larvee  were  excep- 
tionally favorable. 

SOUTHWARD   SPREAD   OF   THE   ASPARAGUS-BEETLE. 

The  Imported  Asparagus-beetle  {Crioceris  asparagi  L.)  is  spreading 
gradually  southward.  Following  tlie  coast  and  the  watei*-courses,  it 
was  found  four  years  ago  as  far  South  as  Cherrystone  Creek,  in  Mary- 
land, OB  Chesapeake  Bay,  by  Mr.  Otto  Lugger,  and  during  1886  was 
found  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  Virginia,  by  Mr.  E.  A.  Schwarz.  Inland 
it  has  spread  more  slowly,  and  never  damaged  asparagus  beds  in  the 
vicinity  of  Washington  until  1887.  The  farthest  inland  Southern  point 
of  which  we  have  heard  is  Falls  Church,  Fairfax  County,  Va.,  where  it 
did  some  damage  in  the  spring  of  1887. 


30 

CATEKI'IJ.LAIJS    STOPriNG    TRAINS— A  NEWSPAPER  EXAGGERATION. 
The  fullowiiij;-  coiTCspoiulciicu  will  explain  itself: 

[C.  V.  Riley  to  A.  P.  Butler,  Com.  Agr.,  S.  C,  May  16,  1887.] 

1  inclose  u  clippiuij  from  tliia  moruiug'is  Post,  Cau  you  tell  me  auythiug  about  the 
coiTcctucss  of  the  statement? 

[Clipping  from  Waskingtou  Post,  May  15,  1887.] 

Columbia,  S.  C,  May  ir>. 
There  are  such  myriads  of  cotton  caterpillars  in  the  Peedee  Swamp,  this  State,  that 
a  mail  train  passing  over  the  Peedee  River  trestle  was  brought  to  a  standstill  re- 
cently by  thousands  of  these  worms  being  on  the  rails  and  causing  the  wheels  to 
slip. 

[Col.  A.  P.  Butler  to  Capt.  C.  M.  Smith,  ageut  C.  C.  and  A.  Pv.  li.,  May  18,  1887.] 

Please  find  inclosed  herewith  a  clipping  sent  to  this  Department  from  Washington, 
D.  C,  from  Prof.  C.  V.  Eiley,  Entomologist  of  the  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture.  Is  there  any  truth  in  the  matter,  and  are  the  caterpillars  as  numerous 
as  stated  ? 

[Indorsements.] 

Referred  to  J.  R.  Keuley,  superintendent  trains. — C.  M.  Smith. 
Referred  to  J.  F.  Dunn,  G.  S.— J.  R.  Kenley. 

I  have  had  no  report  of  a  train  being  stopped  by  caterpillars. — J.  R.  Kenley,  super- 
intendent trains. 

[John  F.  Dunn,  general  superintendent,  to  A.  P.  Butler,  May  20.] 

There  are  a  great  many  caterpillars  on  the  Peedee  trestle,  where  the  trains  stop  or- 
dinarily on  the  track,  and  they  make  the  track  slippery,  and  engineers  find  some  lit- 
tle difiiculty  in  getting  away,  but  nothing  to  stop  the  train. 

INJURY  BY  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  LOCUST. 

Caloptenus  spretus  has  appeared  m  large  numbers  iii  Otter  Tail 
County,  Minn.,  this  3'ear.  Mr.  Otto  Lugger,  who  resigned  bis  posi- 
tion as  an  assistant  in  this  Division  last  May  to  accept  the  position 
of  entomologist  of  the  Minnesota  State  Agricultural  Experiment  Sta- 
tion, is  busily  engaged  in  superintending  the  work  of  destroying  them, 
and  will  soon  publish  a  report  on  this  interesting  outbreak.  In  a  re- 
cent letter  he  informs  us  that  the  locusts  are  now  (July  5)  being  killed 
and  gathered  at  the  rate  of  500  bushels  per  day,  persons  employed  for 
the  purpose  receiving  the  remuneration  of  $i  per  bushel  for  their 
services.  Mr.  Lugger  was  connected  with  us  several  5  ears  in  Missouri, 
and  has  for  the  past  three  years  been  one  of  our  most  satisfactory  office 
assistants.  He  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  our  methods  of  work,  and 
exceedingly  well  posted  on  the  habits  of  insects,  especially  those  injuri- 
ous to  agriculture.  He  is,  therefore,  thoroughly  equipped  for  his  new 
post,  and  we  congratulate  Minnesota  on  having  secured  his  services, 
which  we  shall  miss  in  the  work  of  the  Division. 

Early  in  the  season  we  were  led  to  hope  for  immauity  from  the  Rocky 
Mountain  Locust,  as  when  the  young  first  began  to  appear  in  Minue- 


31 

sota  they  were  determiiied  from  Illinois  U8  not  the  migratory  species, 
but  as  belonging  to  some  of  the  local  non-migratory  kinds.  M.  Lugger 
has  had  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  State  authorities  and  especially 
of  the  governor  of  the  State,  and  we  shall  look  forward  to  his  report 
with  much  interest. 

THE  PERIODICAL  CICADA  IN  1888. 

During  the  present  year  two  broods  of  the  Periodical  Cicada  or  so 
called  •'  Seventeen-year  hocast"-' {Cicada  septendeeini,  L.),  one  of  the 
seventeen-year  (septendecim)  race  and  one  of  the  thirteen-year '(^re^e- 
cim)  race,  have  made  their  appearance  in  different  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  localities  in  which  they  are  supposed  t( 
have  appeared,  and  we  shall  be  pleased  to  receive  any  information, 
confirmatory  or  otherwise,  from  persons  who  may  receive  this  bulletin, 
as  we  are  desirous  of  definitely  limiting  the  extent  of  country  ovei 
which  these  broods  appear. 

Brood  V.—Sejiiendecim  (1854,  1871,  1888). 

Wisconsin. — Waukesha,  Walworth,  Jefferson,  Eock,  Grecu,  Dane  (?),  Iowa,  Grant, 
Crawford,  Eichmond,  Sauk  Couuties. 

loiva. — Mitchell,  Howard,  Winneshiek,  Allamakee,  Clayton,  Fayette,  Chickasaw, 
Floyd,  Bremer,  Butler  (?),  Dubuque,  Delaware,  Buchanan,  Black  Hawk,  Jack- 
sou,  Jones,  Linn,  Benton,  Clinton,  Scott,  Cedar,  Johnson,  Muscatine,  Louisa, 
and  Des  Moines  Counties. 

Illinois. — All  of  the  northern  counties.     The  boundary  line,  in  a  general  way,  mayj 
be  drawn  from  the  northwest  portion  of  Mercer  County,  southeast  to  th 
Illinois  River  at  Peoria,  west  along  the  Toledo,  Wabash  and  Western  Rail 
road.     There  seem  to  be  detachments  extending  farther  south,  especially  in 
the  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  and  they  occur  as  far  south  as  Shelby 
County. 

Indiana. — The  boundary  in  this  State  is  not  well-defined,  but  includes  the  ex- 
treme northwest  counties,  extending  as  far  south  as  the  Kankakee  River. 

Michigan. — In  this  State  the  southern  tier  of  counties  extending  from  Lake  Mich- 
igan east  to  the  middle  of  the  State. 

Pennsylvania. — Lancaster  County;  the  southeast  by  eastern  portion,  known  as 
the  "  Pequea  Valley."  This  locality  was  not  verified  in  1871,  although  there 
is  no  doubt  of  the  appearance  of  the  insect  in  immense  numbers  in  1854. 

BUOOD  X.—Tredecim  (1849,  1862,  1875,  1888). 
.  Texas.— We  are  particularly  desirous  of  verifying  this  brood.  Its  existence  now 
rests  on  the  single  statement  by  Dr.  Gideon  Smith  that  he  was  informed  that 
the  insect  appeared  in  vast  numbers  in  parts  of  Texas  in  1849,  but  that  he  was 
not  able  to  get  any  particulars.  1875  did  not  furnish  any  information  con- 
cerning this  brood  ;  hence  our  desire  for  full  and  accurate  returns  from  Texas 
this  year. 

THE  CHINCH  BUG  IN  1888. 

The  long  continued  rains  extending  over  a  large  part  of  theChinch 
Bug  territory  during  the  late  spring  and  early  summer  the  present 
season  have  <lone  much  to  verify  our  prediction  on  page  31  of  Bulle- 


tiu  17,  that  the  present  season  will  be  one  of  comparative  immunity 
from  the  attacks  of  this  insect.  We  learned  early  in  spring  of  the  snc- 
cessfiil  hibernation  of  the  bugs  in  large  numbers  in  Wisconsin,  Minne- 
sota, Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  and  South  Carolina,  but  later  information 
shows  that  the  heavy  rains  have  killed  them  off  in  great  numbers. 
July  returns,  however,  show  some  slight  damage.  The  two  worst  re- 
l)orts  have  come  from  Chesterfield,  S.  C,  and  Cadet,  Mo.,  but  these 
are  not  alarming. — L.  O.  H. 

INCREASE  AND  DIVEEGENT  HABITS  OF  CRYPTOCEPHALUS  VENUSTUS. 

Mr.  John  D.  Lyons  writes  us  from  Monticello,  N.  Y.,  that  Cryptoce- 
phalus  venustus  has  become  very  plentiful  this  year  in  that  locality.     It 

I  does  not  seem  to  do  much  damage  to  anything,  but  it  is  interesting  to 
note  that  it  is  found  on  the  Potato  in  preference  to  other  plants,  and  on 
the  Tomato,  Pumpkin,  and  Cucumber  if  the  Potato  is  not  convenient. 
; 


THE   HESSIAN  FLY   HALF-WAY  AROUND   THE   WORLD. 

The  Hessian  Fly,  Cecixlowyia  desirticior,  has  reached  New  Zealand 
The  March,  1888,  number  of  the  Neic  Zealand  Farmer  reports  it  from 
four  different  farms  in  the  Kangitikei  district,  one  of  these  being  at 
Bellevue,  near  Mart  on,  a  town  33  miles  southeast  of  Wanganui,  in  the 
state  of  Wellington. 

EAU  CELESTE  FOR  THE  ROSE  BEETLE. 


It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  eau  celeste  (blue- water,  a  simple  so- 
ution  of  sulphate  gf  copper,  with  ammonia),  recently  recommended  by 
this  Department  as  a  remedy  for  mildew,  at  the  same  time  rids  plants 
of  the  Eose  Beetle  when  they  are  so  infested.  Col.  A.  W.  Pearson,  of 
New  Jersey,  states  that  it  not  only  saved  his  vines  from  injury  by  mil- 
dew, but  also  rid  them  entirely  of  millions  of  these  beetles,  which  were 
threatening  to  destroy  the  fruit  and  foliage  entirely. 


PERSONNEL   OF   THOSE  ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAJ 

WORK. 

The  foilowiug  list  embraces  those  now  engcaged  in  Government  entomological  work 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito 
rially,  and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  i 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  ei^loyees:| 

DIVrSICTN-   OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    Sr  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist:  C.  V.  Riley. 

OJSice  staff:   L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant;   E.   A.   Schwarz,  Th.   Pergande,  Tyle 

Townsend,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants. 
Agents:  Saral.  Henshaw,  Bo.ston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind. ;  Herbert  Os 

born,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111.;   Mary  E.  Mnrtfehlt,  Kirkwood 

Mo.;  Lawrence  Brnner,  West  Point,  Nebr. ;   D.  W.  Coqnillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,    U.    S.    NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  Curator :  John  B.  fimith. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  AUGUST,    1888. 


"Vol.  I. 


No.  2. 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


423J 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING   OFFICE. 
1888. 

-No.  2 


CONTENTS. 


rage. 

The  Yellow-spotted  Willow-slug  (illustrated) L.  O.  Howard..        33 

Notes  on  Eum.eus  atala  (illustrated) E.  A.  Schwarz..        37 

hUri'LEMENTARV     liEPOKT     ON     THE      GaS      TREATMENT     KOK     .SCALE-INSECTS 

D.  W.  Coquillett..        41 

External  Spider  Parasites L.  O.  Howard..        42 

The  Sweet-potato  Saw-fly  (illustrated) 43 

The  Morelos  Orange  Fruit-worm  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley . .        45 

Kerosene  emulsion  as  a  remedy  for  White  Grubs 48 

Extracts  from  correspondence 50 

A  new  Tooaato  Euemy  iu  Georgia. — Precursors  of  Brood  V  of  the  Periodical 
Cicada. — Mites  iufestiug  am  old  Grain  Elevator. — The  Streaked  Cotton- 
wood Leaf-beetle  in  the  East. — Hibernation  of  Mosquitoes. — Leaf  Hop- 
pers and  the  "  Die-back  "  of  the  Orange. — The  Barnacle  Scale  injuring 
Persimmon. — Euryomia  melancholicavs.  Cotton  Bolls. — A  Peach  Fruit- 
worm  in  Japan. — Hibernation  of  the  2-8potted  Ladybird. — Prior  issu- 
iug  of  the  Male  Sex  with  Cimbex.— Work  of  the  Bronzy  Cut-worm  in 
Missouri.— The  Bamboo  Siuoxylou.— The  Western  Cricket  iu  18S7. — 
Dicerca  a  Poplar  Feeder. — An  Enemy  to  Young  Carp. 

Notes 58 

The  12-8potted  Diabrotica  injuring  Fruit  Trees. — Heat  evolved  from  the 
Work  of  a  Bruchus. — Economic  Entomology  in  India. — Buffalo  Gnats 
attacking  Man. — New  European  natural  Enemies  to  the  Asparagus 
Beetle. — Concerning  the  Uji  parasite  of  the  ailk-worm. 


Vol.  I,  No.  2.]  INSECT  LIFE.  CAugiist,  18§§. 


THE  YELLOW-SPOTTED  WILLOW-SLUG. 

{Nematus  ventralis  Say.) 

[Order  Hymenopteka:  Family  TENTiinEDiNiD.E.] 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

WILLOW  AND   WILLOW  WARES. 

The  willow  ware  industry  has  been  slowly  increasing  in  our  Eastern 
States  of  late  years,  but  is  as  yet  in  its  infancy.  The  immense  unutil- 
ized areas  of  land  along  our  many  rivers,  portions  of  the  sea  coast,  and 
of  some  uplands  and  prairies  not  suitable  for  any  other  agricultural 
pursuit,  invite  capital  and  energy  to  invest  in  the  production  of  osier, 
chiefly  for  the  manufactury  of  basket  ware.  According  to  the  census 
of  1880  there  were  in  the  country  304  willow-ware  establishments,  with 
a  capital  of  $1,852,917,  engaging  3,119  hands,  paying  annually  the  sum 
of  $057,405  for  wages,  and  producing  $1,992,851.  The  value  of  mate- 
rials consumed  was  $867,031,  of  which,  however,  but  a  portion  was  pro- 
duced here.  The  importation  of  both  raw  and  manufactured  material 
will  be  greatly  reduced,  and  the  demand  for  willow  ware  materially  in- 
creased if  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  a  systematic  production  of  osier 
becomes  once  better  generally  understood. 

The  various  species  of  willows,  including  those  with  tough  twigs  suit- 
able for  basket  making,  are  greatly  affected  by  insects,  and  one  of  the 
worst  is  this  slug  or  saw-fly,  observations  upon  which  Imve  been  re- 
corded in  past  years  by  Professor  Kiley  in  the  New  York  Tribune  for 
July  13, 1872,  while  his  note  books  contain  records  of  many  observations 
made  in  subsequent  years.  The  following  statements  are  drawn  up 
from  these  notes  and  from  others  made  by  Mr.  Lugger  and  myself  dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1887: 

NATURAL  HISTORY. 

If  not  checked  by  natural  or  artificial  remedies,  six  or  seven  broods  of 
this  insect  are  possible  in  the  Central  and  Southern  States.    Our  rec- 
ords for  188C  show  that  these  flies  were  abundant  and  depositing  eggs 
4238— No.  2 1  33 


34 

May  liO,  July  1,  July  17,  August  2,  September  7, 

ber  19;  full-grown  larvoe  Mere  observed  May  11,  May  22,  Juue  IG,  July 

6,  August  13,  September  13,  and  October  14. 


Fig.  5.— Nematus  VENTRAiJS.    a,  a,  a,  younglarvfe;  b,  full-grown  larva ;  c,  cocoon;  d,  adult;  all  slightly 
tnlargcd  (original). 

In  the  grounds  of  the  Agricultural  Department  in  Washington  these 
slugs  were  extremely  abundant  upon  isolated  willows  on  July  G ;  eggs 
were  deposited  July  17,  which  produced  the  second  brood.  A  third 
brood  became  numerous  August  2 ;  eggs  for  the  fourth  brood  were  de- 
])0sited  September  7,  and  eggs  for  a  fifth  brood  hatched  October  14. 
No  sawHies  had  been  observed  during  the  previous  year  nor  prior  to 
July  G,  thus  showing  that  they  came  from  some  other  willows,  and  that 
the  larvae  then  noticed  were  the  offspring  of  females  of  a  first  or  perhaps 
second  brood,  which  had  been  forced  to  search  for  new  breeding-places, 
the  former  food  supply  having  become  exhausted. 

The  number  of  broods  on  these  isolated  willows  conld  be  studied  with 
great  ease,  since  each  brood  of  slugs  consumed  in  turn  nearly  all  the 
younger  leaves  in  the  course  of  their  larval  existence.  Before  the  winged 
tiies  appeared  and  before  their  eggs  had  hatched,  the  young  leaves  and 
shoots  had  attained  quite  a  size,  and  offered  enough  suitable  food  for  a 
new  brood  to  feed  to  full  growth.  In  larger  patches  of  willows  such  ob- 
servations are  more  difticnlt,  because  in  the  course  of  time  the  several 
broods  overlap  each  other,  so  that  in  late  summer  slugs  of  all  sizes  can 
be  found  at  the  same  time,  and  there  is  no  indication  of  the  brood  to 
which  they  belong. 


35 

INJURIES  AND  APPEARANCE   OF  SLUGS. 

All  kinds  of  willows,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  the  weeping 
willow  and  species  growing  into  tall  trees,  are  injured  by  these  slugs  ; 
the  imported  yellow  or  golden  osier  willows  do  not  escape.  Yet  the 
species  and  varieties  of  the  white  willow  seem  to  be  preferred,  at  least 
they  are  first  attacked  if  a  variety  of  food  is  offered.  Young  poplars 
growing  in  close  proximity  to  the  willows,  were  injured  as  well,  and 
only  their  older  and  harder  leaves  escaped.  Such  poplar  leaves,  fre- 
quently utilized  by  the  female  saw-flies  for  oviposition,  were  not  used 
as  food  until  the  willow  leaves  became  scarce  and  hunger  forced  the 
slugs  to  search  for  other  food  plants  allied  to  willow.  Nor  are  eggs  in- 
serted into  poplar  leaves  until  willow  leaves  for  this  purpose  are  lack- 
ing. The  greatest  damage  is  done  to  young  plants,  and  this  is  one 
redeeming  character  of  this  insect,  as  insecticides  are  much  more  read- 
ily applied  to  them. 

The  defoliation  of  the  young  willow  plants  is  bad  enough  by  itself, 
and  if  repeated  several  times  in  the  same  season  or  in  consecutive  sea- 
sons will  no  doubt  kill  them.  But  still  another  injury  is  inflicted  which 
renders  such  defoliated  twigs  useless  as  osier.  Whenever  the  plant  is 
forced  to  jjroduce  a  new  set  of  foliage  the  new  leaves  do  not  simply 
replace  the  lost  ones,  but  grow  from  new  side  shoots,  thus  destroying 
the  usefulness  of  the  original  shoot,  which  for  commercial  purposes 
should  be  of  uniform  texture  throughout  its  whole  length. 

The  first  indication  of  the  presence  of  these  slugs  on  the  willows  is  th^e 
peculiar  little  blister  like  swellings  seen  upon  the  upper  surface  of  tli'e 
leaves  and  which  sometimes  give  them  a  wavy  or  crumpled  appearance. 
If  an  individual  leaf  is  investigated  these  swellings  are  seen  to  be  oc- 
casioned by  the  oval,  whitish  eggs,  which  are  partly  inserted  into  the 
under  surface  of  the  leaf-substance.  As  the  eggs  approach  the  time  of 
hatching  black  spots  and  streaks  appear  around  them,  which  are  the 
effects  of  the  numerous  wounds  made  upon  the  leaves.  As  soon  as  the 
young  slugs  appear  they  commence  to  gnaw  small  holes,  which  soon  in- 
crease in  size.  The  numerous  slugs  born  in  the  same  leaf  feed  usually 
in  close  proximity  to  each  other,  but  they  can  not,  however,  be  called 
gregarious.  Their  slimy  black  color  and  filthy  moist  excrement  soon 
reveal  their  presence.  As  they  grow  in  size  they  devour  the  whole  leaf 
and  soon  denude  the  plant,  leaving  only  the  thicker  portions  of  the 
mid-ribs  untouched.  The  slugs  make  no  attempt  whatever  to  hide,  in 
spite  of  their  conspicuous  markings,  but  are  plainly  visible  everywhere. 
Tliey  can  always  be  distinguished  by  the  peculiar  curved  position  of 
the  posterior  segments,  which  frequently  bend  away  from  their  true  legs 
in  the  form  of  an  interrogation  mark. 

THE  DIFFERENT   STAGES. 

The  Egg. — As  in  the  great  majority  of  saw-flies,  the  female  of  this 
species  is  provided  with  two  saws  under  the  posterior  part  of  the  abdo- 


36 

men,  which  are  used  to  cut  fine  slits  into  the  leaf-substance,  into  which 
the  eggs  are  pushed.  Here  they  increase  to  almost  twice  their  original 
size  by  absorbing  the  sap  of  the  plant  through  their  very  thin  shells, 
thus  preventing  their  dislodgmeut  until  hatching  time.  The  under  side 
of  the  leaf  is  invariably  utilized  for  ovipositiou.  The  appearance  of 
oval  bladder  like  projections  upon  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaf  is  pro- 
duced by  the  eggs,  as  already  mentioned.  They  show  still  more  plainly 
upon  the  lower  surface,  where  it  is  seen  that  the  eggs  are  only  partly 
imbedded  in  the  little  pockets  produced  by  the  saws  of  the  female.  If 
the  leaf  substance  at  the  time  of  cutting  these  slits  is  still  soft  and  yield- 
ing the  whole  agg  is  snugly  imbedded ;  otherwise  one-third  and  even 
one-half  of  the  egg  projects  outside.  The  egg  itself  is  quite  large  in 
proportion  to  the  mother  insect,  measuring  fully  0.3""".  in  length.  It 
has  a  long  oval  shape  and  is  one-third  as  wide  as  long.  These  trans- 
lucent, greenish  eggs  are  quite  numerous,  as  each  female  lays  on  an 
average  about  eighty  eggs  at  a  time,  and  since — in  time  of  scarcity  of 
young  foliage — several  females  sometimes  select  the  same  leaf,  as 
many  as  two  hundred  eggs  have  been  counted  upon  a  single  leaf.  The 
eggs  deposited  later  in  these  leaves  by  a  second  female  are  usually  de- 
stroyed, because  the  offspring  of  the  first  batch  of  eggs  commence  feed- 
ing as  soon  as  born  and  devour  the  leaf,  together  with  the  inclosed 
eggs.  In  the  course  of  four  to  eight  days  the  young  slugs  are  hatched. 
Tlie  time  of  incubation  varies  and  is  controlled  by  the  i)revailing  tem- 
perature. 

The  Larva,  Piqya,  and  Cocoon. — When  the  young  larvre  leave  their  egg- 
shells, they  are  at  first  white,  with  a  small  blackish  eye-spot  on  each 
side  of  the  head,  which  is  already  visible  through  the  shell  of  the  un- 
hatched  egg.  This  white  color  soon  disappears,  and  later  the  slugs 
are  shiny  black,  transversely  wrinkled,  and  ornamented  with  ten  large 
and  two  smaller  yellow  spots  on  each  side  of  the  body  along  the  stigmatal 
region.  A  slimy  matter  oozes  out  of  their  skin  and  covers  them  en- 
tirely. The  large  yellow  spots  are  very  prominent  only  after  the  last 
molt;  but  they  are  already  vaguely  indicated  in  the  younger  specimens, 
which  are  moreover  frequently  marked  by  a  narrow,  yellow  longitudinal 
dorsal  line.  Often  there  are  but  ten  spots,  the  ones  upon  the  first  tho- 
racic and  last  abdominal  segment  being  either  quite  small  or  lacking. 
The  head  is  polished  black,  free,  i^erpendicular,  and  as  large  as  the 
first  segment.  Besides  the  three  ijairs  of  long,  black,  jointed  feet,  of 
which  the  first  pair  is  shortest  and  the  third  longest,  the  slugs  possess 
six  i^airs  of  light  blue  prolegs  and  a  seventh  pair  of  very  imperfect  anal 
ones. 

Tlie  larvre  undergo  four  molts,  and  attain  maturity  in  from  ten 
days  to  three  weeks.  When  full  grown,  they  measure  fully  20"""  in 
length,  and  ceasing  to  feed,  enter  the  grouiul  where  they  form  shiny, 
glue  like  cocoons,  of  a  dark  bronze  color.  These  cocoons  are  double, 
and  consist  of  a  rough  outside  layer  inclosing  a  smooth  and  tough 


37 

inner  one.  If  lai  vte  of  this  species  are  confined  to  breeding  cages  with- 
out earth,  they  form  their  cocoons  among  or  under  the  dead  and  fallen 
leaves.  Within  these  cocoons  they  change  to  yellow  pupa',  which  in 
the  course  of  a  week  give  forth  the  winged  insects. 

The  Imago. — The  winged  insects  are  dull  and  heavy  in  all  their  mo- 
tions, and  depart  greatly — like  most  saw-flies — from  the  general  char- 
acter of  the  order  to  which  they  belong.  They  possess  neither  the 
powerful  jaws  of  the  predaceous  tribes,  nor  the  slender  jaws  and  tongues 
of  the  honey-feeding  families.  When  the  females  are  engaged  in  sawing 
slits  in  the  leaves  for  the  reception  of  their  eggs,  they  are  not  easily 
disturbed  in  their  work.  The  males,  however,  are  more  active,  being 
one  third  shorter,  and  not  as  bulky  as  their  females.  The  color  of  both 
sexes  is  black;  the  female  has  the  venter,  tibite,  palpi,  and  the  base  of 
the  wings  of  a  decidedly  bluish-green  color  ;  the  edges  of  the  abdomen 
and  obsolete  bands  between  the  segments  are  pale  yellowish.  The 
same  parts  in  the  male,  and  more  or  less  of  the  upper  surface  of  the 
abdomen,  are  yellowish-brown  or  orange  colored.  The  female  averages 
8'""'  in  length  and  the  male  6'""'. 

NATURAL  ENEMIES  AND  REMEDIES. 

No  parasite  has  as  yet  been  found  to  attack  the  larvte.  The  eggs 
however,  are  frequently  destroyed  by  very  small  Chalcids  of  the  genus 
Tnchogramma  which  become  numerous  when  tlie  second  brood  of 
females  is  ovipositing. 

The  Wheel-bug  ( Frionidus  cristatus)  has  been  of  very  great  service  in 
reducing  the  numbers  of  these  slugs.  At  a  time  during  the  summer 
of  1887,  when  the  willows  were  threatened  with  total  extinction,  a 
number  of  these  useful  bugs  stationed  themselves  upon  the  infested 
twigs  and  impaled  every  slug  that  could  be  found  upon  the  same  twig. 
Towards  the  end  of  the  fourth  generation  the  willows  recovered  some- 
what and  put  out  new  foliage,  and  the  slugs  became  so  very  scarce  that 
the  Wheel-bugs  found  it  no  longer  protitable  to  remain. 

The  English  Sparrows,  although  flocking  in  large  numbers  to  some 
sun-flowers  that  grew  very  close  to  and  among  the  willows  did  not  eat 
a  single  slug;  their  whole  attention  was  directed  to  the  ripening  seeds 
of  the  Sun-flower. 

As  to  remedies,  no  insect  is  more  readily  destroyed  than  this  by  the 
use  of  arsenical  solutions. 


NOTES   ON  EUMAEUS  ATALA. 

By  E.  A.  SciiWARZ. 

By  far  the  most  conspicuous  insect  in  semitropical  ¥\oy'u\a\^  Eumaeus 
atala,  a  butterfly  which  on  account  of  its  abundance  and  brilliancy 
in  coloration  can  not  fail  to  attract  at  once  the  attention  of  the  en- 


38 

toraological  visitor.  The  structural  peculiarities  of  tlie  larva  aud  pupa 
of  Eumaens  Lave  beeu  discussed  by  Mr.  Samuel  11.  Scudder,*  but  he 
hardly  refers  to  the  life  history  of  the  species.  Another  description 
of  the  earlier  staj,^es  seems  to  be  given  by  F.  Poey  in  his  work  on  the 
Lepidoptera  of  Cuba,  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  consult  the  work. 
It  is  not  quoted  by  Scudder  but  may  contain  a  full  account  of  the  life 
history  of  Eumaeus.  At  any  rate,  even  if  duplicated,  it  will  do  no  harm 
to  place  on  record  the  following  short  observations  made  independently 
last  year  during  a  stay  at  Cocoanut  Grove,  Dade  County,  Fla. 


Fig.  C.  EiiMAEis  atala:  1,  eKRS  in  situ— natural  size;  2,  3  eggs— enlarged ;  4,  larva;  5,  pnpa;  6 
adult  from  above;   7,  adnlt  from  aide— all  natural  size  (original). 

The  species  is  so  frequent  and  so  tame  in  the  pine  woods  between  the 
shores  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  the  Everglades  that  it  is  the  easiest  thing 
in  the  world  to  gather  some  observations  on  its  natural  history.  Its 
only  food-plant  in  Florida  is  Zamia  integrifolia  of  the  family  Cycadacea, 
a  plant  which  is  not  unlike  a  large  fern  and  whose  original  home  is 
the  West  Indies.  That  this  plant  is  of  considerable  economic  value 
wherever  it  occurs  in  abundance  is  a  well-known  fact,  but  it  may  not 
be  generally  known  that  it  furnishes  almost  the  only  means  of  subsist- 
ence of  the  present  population  of  the  shores  of  Biscayne  Bay  and  of 
the  uiainlaud  southward  thereof.  The  subterranean  stem  of  the  plant, 
when  ground  up  by  means  of  very  simple  and  cheap  machinery,  fur- 

*  The  stracturo  aud  transformation  of  ^«»iae«s  o<a/a.  Memoirs  Boston  Soc.  Nat* 
Hist.,  vol.  ii,  pt.  iv,  No.  iii,  1B75,  p.  413-419,  pi.  xiv. 


39 

nishes  a  starch  of  excellent  quality,  and  this  when  shipjjcd  to  Key  West, 
the  emporium  of  southern  Florida,  always  commands  a  good  price  in 
cash.  The  larva  of  Eumaeus  atala,  which  is  popularly  known  as  "Coon- 
tie  Worm,"*  would  therefore  be  an  injurious  insect,  since  it  often  en- 
tirely defoliates  large  bushes  of  the  Zamia,  but  the  plant  is  so  abund- 
ant and  possesses  such  indestructible  vitality  that  the  damage  is  reduced 
to  a  minimum. 

The  brilliant  red  larviie  abound  everywhere  on  the  plants,  and  if 
they  have  not  defoliated  the  latter,  the  cream-colored,  echiniform  eggs, 
or  rather  the  egg-shells,  may  be  easily  found  by  examining  the  under 
side  of  tl)e  leaves.  Here  they  are  in  more  or  less  regular  rows  of  three 
or  four  or  even  five  upon  each  leaflet,  and  there  is  also  sometimes  a 
regular  row  of  eggs  along  the  main  rib  of  the  leaf.  The  butterfly,  how- 
ever, never  oviposits  on  such  fully  developed  leaves,  but  always 
chooses  the  young  shoots  when  these  are  still  curled  up  and  the  leaflets 
closely  folded  together. 

The  female  butterfly  alights  upon  a  young  shoot  and  the  leaf  bends 
down  under  the  weight  of  the  insect,  which  thus  remains  with  its  legs 
upwards  wheu  ovipositing.  It  takes  a  long  time  before  the  female  has 
selected  a  suitable  place  lor  the  depositing  the  egg,  and  this  is  finally 
laid  with  a  great  elfort,  so  that  the  insect  has  to  rest  for  two  or  three 
minutes  before  going  on  with  her  work.  The  second  egg  is  laid  close 
to  the  first,  and  usually  a  third  and  sometimes  also  a  fourth  or  fifth  are 
laid  in  a  row  on  the  same  leaflet.  Then  the  female  proceeds  to  the  next 
leaflet  above  or  beneath  the  first,  or  chooses  another  one,  but  always 
close  to  the  first  place.  I  timed  a  female  which  had  just  laid  one  egg, 
and  found  that  thirty-two  minutes  afterwards  she  had  laid  only  13  ad- 
ditional eggs.  The  number  of  eggs  to  be  found  on  a  single  leaf  varies 
greatly ;  sometimes  only  two  or  three  are  found  (the  insect  having  evi- 
dently been  disturbed  by  a  sudden  gust  of  wind  or  otherwise),  but  usu- 
ally much  more,  and  as  many  as  thirty-five  were  counted.  When  the 
female  has  finished  ovipositing  the  leaf  gets  again  erect,  and  thus  the 
eggs  are  first  on  the  up])er  and  outer  sides  of  the  leaf,  but  in  the  course 
of  a  few  days  the  leaf  unfurls  and  the  eggs,  long  before  they  hatch,  are 
on  the  under  side  of  the  leaflets.  With  the  expanse  of  the  leaflets  the 
intervals  between  the  individual  eggs  increase,  and  the  rows  of  eggs  do 
not  longer  appear  so  regular  as  when  the  leaflets  were  still  closed. 

Duration  of  the  egg  state  in  the  month  of  May  at  least  ten  days; 
that  of  the  larva  at  least  a  fortnight ;  the  pupa  state  lasts  between 
nine  and  ten  days.  During  the  month  of  May  the  species  could  be 
found  in  all  stages  in  the  pine  woods  along  the  shores  of  Biscayne 
Bay,  and  it  seems  that  in  the  mild  climate  of  that  section  it  breeds  the 
whole  year  round. 

*  "  Coontie"  is  the  Indian  namo  for  Zamia  iutef^rifolia;  the  white  settlers  call  the 
plant  "  Contie  "  or  "  Comtie." 


40 

Althongh,  on  account  of  the  prevalence  of  the  liouse  nut  {Monomorium 
pharaonis),  1  was  unable  to  breed  indoors  the  butterfly  from  the  egg, 
still  I  bred  many  imagos  from  the  half  or  nearly  full-grown  larvje,  and 
frecjuently  young  larvai  from  the  eggs,  but  in  no  instance  did  I  obtain  a 
single  parasite  from  the  eggs,  larv;u  or  pupa'.  The  butterfly  seems 
likewise  to  enjoy  perfect  immunity  from  natural  enemies,  since  it  cau  be 
readily  approached  and  captured  with  the  hand.  Still,  nature  has  pro- 
vided against  an  undue  multiplication  of  this  butterfly.  If  plenty  of 
young  shoots  happen  to  be  on  one  plant  every  one  of  these,  or  at  any 
rate  /nost  of  them,  are  covered  with  the  eggs,  and  the  caterpillars  have 
defoliated  the  plant  long  before  they  are  full  grown.  They  then 
begin  to  migrate  in  search  of  new  Ibod,  not  in  a  body,  but  scatter- 
ing in  all  directions,  and,  since  the  plants  are  usually  not  so  very 
close  together  and  the  rocky  ground  most  unfavorable  for  locomotion, 
most  of  these  migrating  caterpillars  perish  from  starvation.  Moreover, 
untold  thousands  of  them  are  destroyed  by  the  fires  which  frequently 
sweep  through  the  pinewoods. 

In  regard  to  the  geographical  distribution  of  Eummis  Mr.  Scudder 
has  already  pointed  out  that  it  does  not  extend  so  far  north  as  its  food- 
plant.  This  last  occurs  still  around  Crescent  City,  but  the  butterfly  is 
even  no  longer  to  be  found  on  the  southern  end  of  the  Indian  River,  nor 
did  I  see  it  in  the  pine  woods  opposite  Lake  Worth.  It  was  still  quite 
abundant  about  3  or  4  miles  north  of  Miami  Eiver,  but  here  the 
coral  formation  rapidly  sinks  below  the  level  of  the  ground,  and  the 
pine  woods  assume  the  character  of  what  is  known  as  "  flat  woods," 
where  Zamia  does  not  occur.  It  is  thus  safe  to  assume  that  Enmccus 
atala  does  not  attain  the  northern  end  of  Biscayne  Bay.  Scudder 
mentions  its  occurrence  on  Key  Biscayne,  which  is  almost  due  east  of 
the  mouth  of  Miami  Kiver,  but  I  think  this  must  be  a  mistake,  since  the 
narrow  strip  of  sand  which  forms  Key  Biscayne  did  not  harbor  at  the 
time  of  my  visit  a  single  specimen  of  the  food-plant.  Southward  it  oc- 
curs on  Elliott's  Key  and  Key  Largo  and  on  the  mainland  perhaps  so 
far  south  as  Cape  Sable,  but  is  absent  on  most  of  the  smaller  keys 
south  of  Key  Largo.  In  southwestern  Florida,  as  I  have  been  informed, 
the  food-plant  extends  so  far  north  as  the  still  terra  incognita.  1  can 
not  tell  whether  or  not  the  butterfly  occurs  there. 

The  siccompanying  figure,  which  Professor  Eiley  has  had  drawn  by 
Miss  L.  Sulliv^an,  does  not  need  any  further  explanation,  nor  is  it  the 
intention  of  the  writer  to  enter  here  into  descriptive  details.  The  silken 
thread  which  girdles  the  pupa  has  been  accidentally  omitted  in  the 
photo-electrotype. 


41 


SUPPLEMENTARY  REPORT  ON  THE  GAS  TREATMENT  FOR  SCALE 

INSECTS. 

By  D.  W.  COQUILLETT. 

Since  writing  my  "Report  on  the  gas  treatment  for  scale  insects," 
wliicli  forms  part  of  Professor  Riley's  anunal  report,  jmblislied  in  the 
Report  of  the  Department  of  Agricnltnre  for  the  year  1887  (pp.  123-142), 
I  have  made  a  nnmber  of  observations  on  this  treatment,  the  more  im- 
portant of  which  are  recorded  below. 

There  is  a  great  diflerence  in  the  relative  strengths  of  the  best  grade 
of  the  various  brands  of  potassium  cyanide.  In  this  city  (Los  Angeles) 
the  two  brands  most  commonly  offered  for  sale  are  the  Powers  & 
Weightman,  manufactured  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  the  Malline- 
krodt,  manufactured  at  Saint  Louis,  Mo.  A  careful  analysis  of  each 
of  these  brands  by  Prof.  E.  M.  Wade,  an  analytical  chemist  of  this  city, 
showed  the  Powers  &  Weightman  cyanide  to  contain  fully  99  per 
cent,  of  pure  potassium  cyanide  (KCX),  while  the  Mallinekrodt  con- 
tained only  a  fraction  over  93  per  cent.;  and  several  experiments  which 
1  have  made  with  each  of  these  brands  fully  confirm  the  correctness  of 
the  above  analyses  in  favor  of  the  Powers  &  Weightman  cyanide. 

Either  of  these  brands  of  cyanide  will  dissolve  in  a  few  hours  in  cold 
water,  only  requiring  to  be  frequently  stiried.  When  thus  dissolved, 
the  solution  does  not  emit  the  disagreeable  odor  of  ammonia,  which  is 
emitted  by  the  solution  made  by  boiling.  The  solution  made  without 
heat  is  evidently  stronger  than  the  other,  since  heat  decomposes  the 
cyanide ;  and  several  tests  which  I  have  made  with  the  cold  solution 
indicate  that  it  is  stronger  than  when  made  by  boiling.  Moreover,  the 
cold  solution  is  more  liable  to  be  of  a  uniform  strength,  since  in  the 
other  the  boiling  water  will  take  up  more  of  the  cyanide  than  it  can 
retain,  and  upon  cooling  will  deposit  the  excess  in  the  bottom  of  the 
vessel. 

The  Powers  &  Weightman  cyanide  will  dissolve  in  about  half  the 
time  required  by  the  Mallinekrodt.  The  latter  solution,  after  standing 
a  few  hours,  assumes  a  reddish-brown  color,  but  the  solution  of  the 
Powers  «&  Weightman  cyanide  does  not  change  color,  remaining  of  a 
light,  olive-gray  color  for  an  indefinite  length  of  time. 

The  proportions  are  as  given  in  my  report,  namely,  5  pounds  of  the 
cyanide  to  1  gallon  of  water.  When  dissolved,  the  solution  will  measure 
about  1G8  fluid  ounces,  each  pound  of  the  cyanide  having  added  8  fluid 
ounces  to  the  solution.  Two  fluid  ounces  of  the  solution  will  contain 
about  1  ounce  by  weight  of  the  cyanide,  and  will  require  1  fluid  ounce 
of  sulphuric  acid  (commercial)  to  evolve  the  gas  from  them.  One  ounce 
by  weight  cf  the  dry  cyanide  will  require  about  2{  fluid  ounces  of  sul- 
phuric acid  to  evolve  the  gas  from  it. 


42 

A  wholesale  firm  in  this  city  offer  to  fiiruish  either  of  the  brands  of 
cyanide  mentioned  above  at  the  rate  of  G5  cents  per  pound  when  pur- 
chased in  quantities. 

The  second  or  drying  vessel  of  the  gas  generator  should  be  much 
larger  than  the  one  shown  in  Plate  VI  of  my  report.  This  vessel  should 
be  at  least  10  inches  in  diameter.  The  leaden  pipe  which  conveys  the 
gas  from  the  generator  proper  to  this  second  vessel  should  enter  one 
side  of  the  latter  near  the  top  and  then  curve  downward  until  its  lower 
end  is  within  about  an  inch  of  the  bottom  of  the  vessel.  When  in  use 
the  bottom  of  this  vessel  should  be  covered  with  sulphuric  acid  to  a 
depth  of  3  inches,  and  after  the  gas  has  passed  through  it  enough  of  the 
acid  should  be  drawn  out  of  this  vessel  to  generate  the  gas  the  next 
time,  and  fresh  acid  be  added  to  replace  that  drawn  out. 

The  generator  proper  should  be  furnished  with  two  vessels  above, 
instead  of  one— one  for  the  acid  and  the  other  for  the  solution. 


EXTERNAL  SPIDER  PARASITES. 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

Tn  Hardwicke's  Science  Gossip  for  July,  1888,  a  spider  from  Ceylon  is 
figured  with  a  parasitic  Ichneumonid  larva  in  situ  upon  its  back.  The 
adult  parasite  is  also  figured,  and  the  accompanying  note,  which  is  by 
Mr.  E.  Ernest  Green,  of  Pundiloya,  Ceylon,  states  that  the  Ichneumon 
appears  to  oviposit  upon  the  female  spiders  only,  and  that  the  spider 
continues  to  feed  and  remains  in  apparently  good  health  until  the  larva 
is  full-grown.  The  larva  then  spins  a  flask-shaped  silken  cocoon  and 
attaches  it  to  a  leaf.  No  identification  of  the  spider  or  the  parasite  is 
made  by  Mr.  Green,  although  he  states  that  the  latter  is  possibly  allied 
to  the  Pimpla  mentioned  by  Packard  as  being  parasitic  upon  a  spider 
in  Europe.  A  glance  at  his  figure,  however,  shows  that  the  parasite 
belongs  to  the  Ichneumonid  genus  PolyspMncta,  the  species  of  which 
are  well  known  to  be  parasitic  upon  spiders,  their  larvie  feeding  ex- 
ternally, as  pointed  out  by  Mr.  E.  A.  Fitch  in  the  Entomologist  some 
six  years  ago.  A  similar  case  in  America  was  for  the  first  time  men- 
tioned by  the  writer  in  a  comnuinication  to  the  Entomological  Society 
of  Washington,  not  yet  published.  In  this  case  the  parasitic  larva 
was  apparently  less  than  half  grown,  and  it  was  killed  without  rearing 
the  adult.  The  specimen  was  captured  by  Dr.  W.  H.  Fox,  of  Wash- 
ington, in  February,  which  would  indicate  a  larval  hibernation  of  the 
parasite.  Dr.  Fox's  larva  differed  greatly  from  the  full  grown  Poly- 
sphincta  larva  as  figured  by  Fitch,  but  this  may  be  due  to  thefiict  that 
it  had  not  reached  half  its  ultimate  size.    The  spider  upon  which  it 


43 

was  fouiul  was  a  young  specimen  of  Steadota  borealis  Hentz.  The 
larva  was  slender,  cylindrical,  white,  1  millimeter  in  leugtb,  and  was 
very  firmly  attached  to  the  front  of  the  dorsum  of  the  abdomen  of  the 
spider  in  a  transverse  position.  Mr.  Fitch,  in  the  article  above  men- 
tioned, quotes  observations  by  De  Geer,  Westwood,  Blackwall,  Laboul- 
bene,  Snellen  van  Yollenhoven,  Brischke,  and  Parfitt,  and  records  two 
jiew  instances  from  specimens  found  by  Rev.  n.  Matthews  and  Mr.  G. 
O.  Bignell.  In  the  same  volume  Rev.  O.  P.  Cambridge  records  two 
further  instances  from  his  own  observations. 

It  is  a  very  common  thing  to  rear  parasites  from  the  egg-bags  of 
spiders,  but  much  rarer  to  find  parasitic  larvai  feeding  upon  the  adult 
spiders ;  still  from  the  instances  mentioned  above  such  cases  have  not 
infrequently  been  observed  in  Europe.  Mr.  Fitch  makes  the  sweei)ing 
statement  that  the  species  of  the  genera  FolyspMncta  and  Acrodac 
tyla  "  are  probably  exclusively  spider  vampires, "  and  so  positively 
does  he  rely  on  this  generalization  that  he  states  that  Brischke's  record 
of  Folysplmicta  carhonarius  from  a  saw-fly  is  probably  an  error.  In 
this,  however,  he  is  probably  at  fault,  for  there  are  other  European 
records  of  the  rearing  of  FolyspMncta  from  saw-flies  and  from  longi- 
corn  larvai,  and  in  this  country  Professor  Riley  has  several  species  of  this 
genus  which  have  been  bred  from  lepidopterous  larvaj.  Moreover,  the 
F.  albipes  of  Cresson  was  bred  by  Comstock  from  a  lepidopterous  co- 
coou  found  on  au  orange  leaf  in  Florida  (Rept.  Dept.  Agr.,  1879,  p. 
208). 


THE  SWEET-POTATO  SAW-FLY. 

{Schizocerus  chenus  Norton.) 

[Order  IIymenoptera  ;  family  TenthrediniDvE.] 

In  the  summer  of  1886  Mr.  G.  Werckle,  of  Ocean  Springs,  Miss., 
wrote  us  that  a  neighbor  was  troubled  with  worms  which  destroyed  his 
sweet-potato  crop,  and  in  August,  1887,  he  was  able  to  secure  speci- 
mens, which  he  forwarded  to  the  Division,  and  from  which  we  were 
enabled  to  determine  the  insect  as  a  rather  rare  Saw-fly,  described  by 
Norton  in  1867  from  male  specimens  collected  in  New  York  as  Schizoce- 
rus ehenns  (see  Trans.  Amer.  Entom.  Soc,  Vol.  I,  page  55).  The  first 
installment  sent  by  Mr.  Werckle  consisted  of  pupte  only.  These  were 
received  August  18,  1887,  and  from  them  adults  issued  August  19. 
September  6  larvae  were  received  from  him,  possibly  of  another  brood, 
and  from  these  adults  issued  September  19.  We  also,  at  the  same  time, 
reared  from  the  cocoons  a  Braconid  parasite  belonging  to  the  genus 
Uuhadizon,  differing  from  any  species  of  this  genus  hitherto  described 
in  this  country  and  which  we  shall  describe  in  a  more  appropriate  place 


44 

under  the  name  Euhadlson  schhoccri.  It  is  illustrated  at  Fiji.  ^3.  ^>  e 
also  reared  an  uudetermiued  Tacliinid.  Mr.  Werckle  also  stared  iu 
one  of  bis  letters  that  the  eggs  were  laid  iu  the  leaves  and  looked  like 


Fig.  7.  ScHizocEKUS  ebexus.  a,  leaf  sliowing  epgs  in  situ— natural  size ;  b,  larvce  from  side ;  c,  same 
from  above— enlarged ;  rf,  thoracic  segments  of  same ;  c,  abdominal  segments— still  more  enlarged;/, 
adult  male— enlarged  (original). 

rows  of  scale  insects.  The  pest  was  observed  for  the  first  time  in  1880, 
when  tbelarvie  completely  defoliated  large  tracts  in  a  sweet-potato  field 
on  a  farm  lying  at  some  distance  from  any  other. 


Fig.  8.  Eubadizon  sciiizoceri,  enlarged  (original). 

The  present  season  (1888)  Mr.  Werckle  writes  us  that  the  pest  has 
iiot  beeu  uoticed  since  September,  1887,    The  adult  insect  is  a  small 


45 

four-wiuged  creature,  about  tbo  size  of  a  common  Uouse-tiy  or  a  little 
smaller.  It  is  black,  and  the  wings  are  dusky.  The  female  abdomen  is 
yellowish-brown.  The  insect  is  shown  in  figure  7  in  eggy  larva,  and  adult. 
The  larviu  figured  are,  howev^er,  not  full  grown.  We  mention  this  pest 
here  but  briefly,  as  our  observations  upon  it  are  by  no  means  complete, 
and  simply  to  place  the  fact  on  record  and  to  elicit  any  information 
which  others  may  possess  upon  the  subject. 


THE  MORELOS  ORANGE  FRUIT-WORM. 

{Trypeta  hidens  Loew.) 

[Order  Uipteua:  Family  TKvrExiD.E.] 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

We  have  for  some  time  been  aware  of  the  existence  in  Mexico  of  a 
worm  which  damages  the  fruit  of  the  Orange,  boriug  into  the  pulp  and 
rendering  it  uufit  for  eating  purposes.  It  has  been  described  to  us  by 
non-naturalists  as  a  large,  white  worm  of  perhaps  an  inch  in  length,  of 
which  no  sign  could  be  seen  from  the  outside  of  the  fruit.  The  exist- 
ence of  such  a  fruit-worm  in  Mexico  has  always  seemed  important  to 


Fig.  9. — Trypeta  ludf.ns.  a,  larva  enlarged  ;  I,  anal  segment  of  same  form  behind— still  more  en- 
larged ;  c,  puparium — enlarged;  d,  c,  head  and  aual  segments  of  same— still  more  enlarged;  /,  adult 
female — enlarged  (original). 

us  on  account  of  the  danger  of  importation  into  the  orange-growing 
regions  of  the  United  States,  and  we  have  several  times  instructed  our 
agents  who  were  visiting  New  Orleans,  into  tbo  markets  of  which  Mexican 
oranges  are  largely  imported,  to  search  for  infested  fruit.  Mr.  Howard 
in  1884  ascertained  that  the  fruit  dealers  in  New  Orleans  were  familiar 
with  the  existence  of  such  a  worm,  but  during  the  time  at  his  disposal 
he  was  unable  to  obtain  specimens.     In  the  summer  of  1887,  however. 


46 

Mr.  Briiner  went  to  Mexico  upon  leave  of  absence  for  a  collectings  trip, 
and  was  urged,  incidental!}'  to  the  other  objects  of  his  trip,  to  look  into 
this  matter  and  to  secure  specimens,  if  possible,  of  the  worm  in  ques- 
tion. He  ascertained  from  conversation  with  intelligent  Mexicans  that 
there  were  probably  three  worms  which  injured  the  fruit  of  the  Orange 
in  that  country.  The  one  was  a  worm  which  works  only  in  the  skin 
of  the  fruit  in  the  States  of  Michoacan  and  Jalisco,  but  which,  from 
description,  appeared  to  be  a  Tortricid.  Another  worm  was  described 
as  being  short  and  thick  and  working  inside  the  fruit  in  the  same  States. 
He  was  unable  to  learn  of  any  work  in  the  fruit  in  the  States  bordering 
upon  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  third  worm  was  found  bj^  Mr.  Brnuer, 
and  the  imago  obtained  from  specimens  which  he  brought  home.  These 
proved  to  be  Trypeta  hidens,  according  to  Loew's  excellent  description 
and  figure.*  The  notes  made  by  Mr.  Bruner  upon  finding  the  first 
specimens  are  as  follows : 

"  Upon  opening  an  orange  to  eat  it  was  found  to  contain  a  couple  of 
holes  immediately  under  the  skin,  penetrating  into  the  interior.  Further 
investigation  showed  the  orange  to  contain  eight  dipterous  maggots 
measuring  10™™.  in  length.  A  careful  examination  of  the  outside  surface 
revealed  no  signs  of  entrance,  but  the  inner  pulp  of  the  peel  contained 
a  minute  perpendicular  burrow,  which,  was  continuous  with  that  of  the 
hole  in  the  interior  of  the  fruit.  The  eggs  were  evidently  deposited  in 
one  of  the  j^ores  of  the  skin  or  upon  its  surface,  from  which  the  freshly- 
hatched  maggots  entered." 

The  following  note  was  sent  to  us  after  his  return  to  West  Point: 

"The  second  orange  containing  the  maggots  that  came  to  my  notice 
was  on  the  train.  This,  like  the  preceding,  showed  no  outward  signs 
of  occupancy  by  an  insect  enemj'.  I  then  obtained  permission  to  ex- 
amine a  lot  of  upwards  of  five  hundred  oranges  coming  from  the  same 
locality,  out  of  which  four  were  selected  as  such  that  might  contain 
the  worms.  All  of  these  latter  showed  more  or  less  well-defined  out- 
ward signs  of  the  depredations  of  some  insect  enemy.  One  of  these  at 
least  I  am  sure  contains  the  grub,  for  upon  my  arrival  home  I  found  a 
freshly-made  hole  coming  to  the  surface  and  saw  one  of  the  maggots 
protruding,  that  afterwards  was  made  to  re-ejiter.  The  oranges  were 
placed  in  jars  to  breed  the  flies.  Would  forward  some  of  them  to  3'ou 
only  that  the  weather  has  again  turned  quite  cold  and  I  am  afraid  to 
risk  them  in  transit." 

So  far  as  Mr.  Bruner  was  able  to  ascertain,  this  worm  is  most  abundant 
in  the  oranges  raised  in  the  State  of  Morelos,  100  miles  south  of  the 
City  of  Mexico,  and  the  statement  was  made  to  him  while  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  that  oranges  from  Morelos  were  very  liable  to  be  thus  infested. 
Mr,  Bruner  returned  to  Nebraska  early  in  December,  and  upon  Decem- 
ber 30  wrote  us  that  several  of  the  larvje  had  pupated.     The  larva*  be- 

*  Review  of  N.  A.  Tryiietina,  Mon.  Dipt.  N.A.,  Part  III,  Sm.Iuet.,  1873,  p.  223,  PI, 
XI,  Fig.  19. 


47 

gau  to  issue  from  the  fruit  December  23.  Tlie  fruit  itself  bad  rotted 
aud  molded,  aud  about  one-half  the  pulp  had  been  devoured,  although 
the  outside  did  not  show  it.  In  this  i)articu]ar  orange  the  s[)ot  where 
the  decay  began  was  where  the  fruit  came  in  contact  with  the  moist  sand 
at  the  bottom  of  the  breeding-jar. 

In  February  he  wrote  that  the  adults  had  begun  to  issue,  the  first 
oue  appearing  February  9.  A  number  of  specimens  of  both  sexes  were 
thus  reared,  aud  the  experiment  was  tried  of  conliuing  them  with  ripe 
fruit  to  see  whether  they  would  oviposit  in  the  orange  if  not  on  the 
tree.  This  experiment,  however,  failed,  and  none  of  the  flies  laid  eggs, 
all  dying  after  a  number  of  days.  It  is  doubtful,  however,  whether 
this  can  be  taken  as  evidence  against  the  possibility  of  damage  to 
picked  fruit. 

Tlie  larva,  pupa,  and  adult  of  the  insect  are  illustrated  at  figure 
'J,  and  these  figures  will  enable  the  ready  identification  of  the  in- 
sect, so  that  few  words  of  description  are  necessary.  The  full-grown 
larva  is  three-eighths  of  au  inch  in  length,  of  a  dirty  white  color,  with 
the  extremities  brownish.  Its  sbape  is  shown  in  the  figure,  and  it 
may  be  readily  distinguished  from  other  larv.e  so  far  knowu  to  affect 
oranges  by  the  two  anal  spiracles,  each  with  its  three  transverse  slits. 
The  puparium  is  shorter,  oval,  and  of  a  dark-brown  color.  The  gen- 
eral color  of  the  perfect  fly  is  ochre  yellow,  with  slightly  darker  mark- 
ings, as  indicated  in  the  figure.  The  markings  on  the  wings  are  yel- 
lowish toward  base  and  smoky  toward  tip. 

There  is  little  to  say  upon  the  subject  of  the  possibility  or  probability 
of  the  introduction  of  this  pest  into  the  orange  districts  of  Louisiana, 
California,  and  Florida.  The  fly  is  very  hardy,  aud  Mr.  Bruuer  states 
that  while  in  confinement  it  withstood  considerable  neglect,  as  well  as 
more  than  ordinary  variation  in  temperature,  the  mercury  on  several 
occasions  falling  some  degrees  below  the  freezing  point  in  the  room 
where  his  breeding  cage  stood.  So  far  as  we  can  learn  the  New  Or- 
leans markets  are  mostly  supplied  with  fruit  from  the  Gulf  States, 
where  this  insect  does  not  occur,  and  the  oranges  from  Morelos  go 
north  bj^  railroad  into  the  regions  widely  remote  from  any  American 
orange-growing  section,  so  that  the  probability  of  introduction  would 
not  seem  to  be  great,  although  the  possibility  always  exists  and  is  be- 
coming greater  with  the  extension  of  railroad  connection  and  facilities 
for  traffic. 

The  habits  of  this  species  do  not  seem  to  have  been  described  be- 
fore. Cerafitis  capifafa{  =  C.  citriperda),  however,  a  species  of  the  same 
family,  attacks  oranges  in  Madeira,  according  to  OstenSacken  (Entom. 
Monthly  Mag.,  xxi,  34,  July,  1884). 


48 


KEROSENE  EMULSION  AS  A  REMEDY  FOR  WHITE  GRUBS.* 

On  Jime  1,  last,  Mr.  Cogan,  superiuteudeut  of  lawns  at  the  Capitol 
grounds,  brought  to  the  Division  specimens  of  the  larvie  of  Allorhina 
nitida  and  stated  that  they  were  doing  serious  injury  to  the  lawns  under 
his  care.  This  afforded  an  excellent  opportunity  for  experimenting 
with  kerosene  emulsion,  and  Mr.  W.  B.  Alwood  was  instructed  to  visit 
the  grounds  at  once  and  to  conduct  a  careful  series  of  experiments  and 
observations.  The  results  have  proved  most  satisfactory  and  there 
seems  little  question  but  that  we  have  found  a  certain  and  easy  remedy 
for  these  destructive  creatures.  The  ordinary  White  Grubs  (larvai  of 
Laahnmterna  spp.)  will  unquestionably  be  affected  in  the  same  way. 
We  give  Mr.  Alwood's  report  in  his  own  words  : 

KEPORT  BY  W.   B.  ALWOOD. 

The  plat  affected  was  of  irregular  outline ;  on  a  large  portion  of  it  the 
grass  was  already  killed  and  a  considerable  portion  of  this  was  baic  of 
herbage  of  any  kind.  The  soil  was  everywhere  full  of  worms,  averag- 
ing about  six  to  the  square  toot  of  earth. 

A  small  plat  was  treated  with  kerosene  emulsion  diluted  fifteen  times. 

June  7,  visited  the  grounds  again.  Where  the  keresene  emulsion 
had  been  used  the  grubs  had  been  immediately  sickened  and  were  now 
lying  2  to  4  inches  below  the  surface,  not  eatrng.  Mr.  Cogau  said  that 
the  next  day  after  the  treatment  he  had  dug  up  several  grubs  which 
were  sick  and  soon  died  when  exposed  to  the  air  and  sunshine.  I  found 
no  dead  ones  in  the  soil.  The  grass  was  uninjured.  This  treatment 
seemed  promising  and  on  the  8th  of  June,  under  direction  of  this  Divis- 
ion, Mr.  Cogan  treated  the  entire  area  with  kerosene  emulsion  diluted 
fifteen  times.  For  this  purpose  15  gallons  of  emulsion  were  prepared, 
requiring  10  gallons  of  oil,  and  about  5  pounds  of  soap  were  used.  This 
would  give  some  300  gallons  of  diluted  wash.  This  was  applied  liberally 
to  the  soil,  which  was  for  some  days  kept  freely  soaked  with  water. 

June  11 1  visited  the  grounds  again.  The  grubs  over  the  whole  area 
had  turned  down  into  the  soil  and  seemed  sick ;  when  dug  out  were  so 
weak  they  could  scarcely  crawl. 

No  dead  ones  were  found.  The  green  grass  had  not  been  injured  by 
the  application.  Mr.  Cogan  was  requested  to  keep  the  soil  well  watered 
and  observe  what  further  results  followed. 

On  June  27  the  grounds  were  again  visited.  The  grass  which  was 
not  killed  by  the  grubs  had  recovered  very  much;  where  grass  had  been 
killed  wild  grass  and  weeds  are  growing  in.    The  grubs  are  still  in  the 

*The  "White  Grubs"  in  this  instance  are  \iirvx  of  AUorhina  nitlda.  See  note  by 
C.  V.  Riley  in  Le  Baron's  fourth  report  as  State  Entomologist  of  Illinois,  p.  90. 
See  also  note  on  the  habits  of  these  larva-  in  Washington,  by  L.  O.  Howard,  Canadian 
Entomologist,  1879,  p.  200;  also  in  American  Naturalist,  1882,  p.  411. 


49 

soil,  but  are  weak  aud  almost  inactive;  have  a  (lirty-yellow  color  and 
occasional  black  spots.  Saw  no  dead  ones.  Around  margins  of  plat 
treated  and  in  other  places  found  the  larvae  abundant  and  doing  injury. 

The  lawn  was  not  visited  again  until  July  27.  At  this  time  I  could 
not  find  Mr.  Cogan,  so  no  complete  examination  was  made.  No  grubs 
could  be  found  in  the  surface  soil  of  the  plat  treated  ;  elsewhere  they 
were  abundant,  but  no  steps  had  been  taken  to  check  them. 

July  31,  weut  to  the  Capitol  and  Mr,  Cogan  and  myself,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  a  laborer,  made  a  full  examination  of  the  plat  treated.  No 
grubs  were  found  in  the  surface  soil,  but  on  spading  down  8  to  12  inches 
some  were  found;  further  search  showed  them  at  a  depth  of  16  inches. 
Careful  examination  of  about  3  square  feet  of  surface  to  a  deitth  of  16 
inches  brought  to  light  fourteen  grubs,  all  dead  and  discolored,  as  before 
mentioned.  Not  a  living  larva  was  found  by  examination  on  the  treated 
plat.  A  spot  nine  paces  to  one  side  of  the  treated  plat  was  examined 
and  here  grubs  were  found  about  as  numerous  as  before,  a  few  of  which 
were  dead  and  sljowed  the  same  discoloration  before  mentioned.  We 
then  examined  a  spot  150  feet  from  the  treated  plat  and  found  the  grubs 
very  numerous,  some  thirty  being  counted  on  3  square  feet  examined. . 
These  were  in  no  wise  afiected,  tending  to  prove  that  those  found  in 
second  place  examined  had  crawled  away  from  the  treated  plat. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  experiments  I  have  ever  made 
with  kerosene  emulsion.  Mr.  Cogan  stated  that  he  used  a  small  i)ortion 
of  the  emulsion  diluted  but  eight  times,  and  found  that  it  did  not  injure 
the  grass.  However,  there  is  no  object  in  using  it  so  strong,  as  it  is 
easily  applied,  and  we  believe  the  very  abundance  of  water  helps  to 
carry  the  kerosene  into  the  soil.  This  was  the  purpose  in  having  the 
ground  treated  so  freely  watered.  Compared  to  our  previous  experi- 
ments for  the  destruction  of  white  grubs  (Bull.  13,  Division  Ent.,  1887, 
p.  39)  the  results  are  similar  up  to  a  certain  point,  but  where  the  earlier 
experiments  ultimately  resulted  in  failure  we  think  the  reason  is  to  be 
found  in  the  lack  of  facilities  for  drenching  the  soil.  It  would  require 
a  large  quantity  of  the  diluted  emulsion  to  penetrate  the  soil  to  any 
depth.  The  emulsion  was  prepared  according  to  the  original  formula 
published  by  this  Division,  and  frequently  repeated  in  Dr.  Kiley's  offi- 
cial reports. 

The  following  communication  from  Mr.  Cogan  may  be  taken  as  a 
thoroughly  fair  opinion  of  the  success  of  the  above  experiments : 

United  States  Capitol  Grounds, 

Washington,  B.  C,  August  2,  1888. 
Sir:  Early  in  the  month  of  Juno  I  submitted  to  your  Department  specimens  of 
grubs  which  I  found  destroying  the  grass  on  the  lawns  of  the  United  States  Cap- 
itol grounds. 

Your  assistant,  Mr.  Alwood,  immediately  investigated,  and  under  his  instructions 

the  places  affected  were  thoroughly  drenched  with  an  emulsion  of  kerosene  in  the 

proportion  of  one  to  sixteen,  and  the  ground  then  well  watered.     I  found  that  where 

this  emulsion  was  used  the  grubs  immediately  ceased  their  depredations,  penetrated 

4238— No.  2 2 


50 

further  into  tbc  ground,  and  not  alive  one  was  found  to  date  after  careful  searcL, 
while  in  other  places,  where  the  emulsiou  was  not  used,  they  are  still  continuing  their 
vTork  in  a  lively  manner.  I  have  watched  the  experiment  of  destroying  these  grubs 
with  a  great  deal  of  interest,  foi*  on  its  success  or  failure  depended  the  preservation 
or  destruction  of  the  grass  on  the  large  lawn  in  front  of  the  House  of  Kepresenta- 
tives,  aud  I  have  now  much  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  experiment  has  been  a  great 
success. 

Very  truly,  yours, 

WM.    J,    COGAN, 

Foreman. 
Prof.  C.  V.  KiLEY. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

-jK  ^  A.  New  Tomato  Enemy  in  Georgia. 

A  year  ago  the  accompanying  Leaf-lTopper  was  first  noticed  to  be  damaging  young 
tomato  plants.  »  *  »  I  inclose  you  a  few  plants  showing  the  nature  of  the  dam- 
age, a  single  insect  ruining  a  plant. — [A.  Oemler,  M.  D.,  Wilmington  Island,  Ga., 
April  29,  1887. 

Keply. — The  Leaf-hopper  which  yon  send^is  one  which  has  not  before  been  re- 
corded as  doing  any  such  damage.  It  is  Say's  Sticiocephalafestina.  Can  you  give  us 
further  details  as  to  the  numbers  and  the  damage  done,  and  their  method  of  work, 
and  also  as  to  whether  they  appear  to  confine  themselves  to  tomato  plants?  I  can 
suggest  nothing  in  the  way  of  a  remedy,  except  the  kerosene  emulsion  spray. —[April 
-30,  1887.] 

Secom>  letteu. — I  inclose  to  you  the  young  tomato  plants  to  demonstrate  the  man- 
ner of  working  of  the  Leaf-hopper  better  than  I  could  describe  it.  A  single  insect 
will  ring  the  stem,  when  the  lower  stem  may  dwindle.  The  number  is  not  great  at 
present,  still  the  damage  is  considerable  on  young  plants,  because  it  is  not  readily 
noticeable.  It  has  not  been  seen  on  other  plants.  If  you  have  overlooked  the  injury 
to  the  plants  you  may  still  observe  it  unless  they  have  been  thrown  away.  The  outer 
bark  does  not  seem  to  be  eaten  away,  but  a  ring  seems  to  have  been  sucked,  injuring 
the  staMlity,  or  I  may  say,  continuity  of  the  stem.  A  remedy  seems  inapplicable.^ 
[May  7,  1887.] 

Reply. —  *  »  #  j  i^ave  already  noticed  the  peculiar  ringing  of  the  stem 
which  you  mention.  This  will  be,  as  you  say,  a  very  difficult  insect  to  fight,  aud  I 
am  at  aloss  at  this  distance  to  suggest  a  remedy.  Perhaps  on  the  ground  you  may 
be  able  to  find  one,  in  which  case  I  hope  you  will  not  fail  to  forward  an  account. — 
[May  9,  1887.]      ■ 

Precursors  of  Brood  V  of  the  Periodical  Cicada,  1871-1888. 

o 

On  June  6  I  heard  the  note  of  the  Cicada  sei)tcndieem  at  Port  Byron  Junction,  4  miles 
east  of  Moliuo.  I  have  heard  the  note  every  day  since  in  Moline.  They  are  here  in 
such  small  numbers  that  they  have  not  attracted  general  attention.  Upon  reference 
to  your  report  of  1885  I  conclude  they  are  precursors  of  Brood  V.—[  Jerome  McNeill, 
Moline,  111.     June  13,  1887. 

Reply. —  »  *  *  j  ^m  glad  to  receive  your  information  concerning  the  note  of 
the  Cicada.  I  agree  with  you  that  these  individuals  must  be  precursors  of  Brood  V, 
as  there  are  no  recorded  broods  for  this  year.  Can  you  not  obtain  a  few  specimens  ?  — 
[June  16,  1887.] 


51 

Mites  infesting  an  old  Grain  Elevatoi". 

*  *  *  I  send  you  some  vennhi  that  I  have  beeu  watcbiug  with  interest  for  some 
time,  but  which  I  know  uothiug  of  in  a  scientific  way.  If  you  can  tell  me  anything 
of  them  you  will  greatly  oblige  myself  and  a  friend  who  is  the  unfortunate  owner  of 
the  souls  aud  bodies  of  millions  of  them.  They  appeared  about  six  weeks  ago, 
though  they  may  have  been  there  for  some  time  without  having  been  discovered,  in 
a  grain  elevator  (a  very  old  building  which  had  stood  vacant  for  years  up  to  last 
May)  in  a  bin  containing  about  5,000  bushels  of  best  lake  shore  wheat.  They  then 
were  like  hue  dust,  almost  microscopic,  white  and  soft.  There  were  none  of  the  hard, 
brown  kind  among  them  nor  any  of  the  long,  dark  headed  ones.  They  have  appeared 
since. 

These  insects  are  found  only  in  this  one  elevator  aud  in  the  one  bin.  They  are 
very  numerous,  sifting  through  the  wheat  aud  the  spout  so  that  one  can  sweep  up  a 
quart  every  morning  from  the  lloor  below.  The  wheat  is  freed  from  them  by  being 
jiassed  through  a  fan  before  shipping.  *  *  *.— [Rowland  Russel,  420  Milwaukee 
street,  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  September  1,  1885. 

Rkpi.y. — *  *    *    The  "vermin  "  which  infest  the  grain  elevator  are  mites  (Jcan»m). 
There  were  four  species  sent.     The  one  which  was  the  original  iufestor  and  which  oc- 
curs in  the  greatest  number  is  I'yroglijplius  longior.    The  other  species  all  prey  on  this 
one.     One  of  them,  a  species  of  Gamasus,  is  very  abundant,  while  the  other  two  spe- 
cies (Chei/Ietus  eniditua  aud  Eiipaliis  sp)  seem  to  be  rare.     The  Gamasns  will  prob- 
ably in  a  short  time  destroy  a  great  majority  of  the  Tyroglyphi,  and  thus  the  pest 
vermin  will  correct  itself.     It  will  be  very  difficult  to  cleanse  the  elevator  withoui 
emptying  it  pretty  well.     I  would  advise  the  burning  of  sulphur  all  through  th 
building,  especially  where  mites  abound,  and,  where  they  are  particularly  thick,  i 
might  be  well  to  let  a  little  bi-sulphide  of  carbon  evaporate,  remembering  that  thii 
vapor  is  heavier  than  air  and  that  it  is  exceedingly  inflammable.     *     *     *. — [Se 
tember  4,  1885.] 

Second  letter.—  *  *  *  As  you  say,  the  parasitic  mites  have  largely  destroye 
the  smaller  ones,  aud  I  suppose  when  their  food  is  all  gone  they  will  die  of  starvatioi 
I  do  not  want  to  trouble  you  further,  but  if  you  know,  will  you  tell  me  whether  th( 
Tyroglyphus  is  a  mite  that  affects  the  wheat  alone  and  lives  upon  it  exclusively, 
whether  it  is  due  to  the  aged  condition  of  the  wood-work  of  the  elevator,  and  is  likel 
to  infest  anything  stored  there  ? — [Sept.  9,  1885.] 

Second  reply. —  *  *  »  j  am  glad  that  the  predaceous  mites  seem  to  be  sucrT 
cessful  in  their  war  of  extermination,  but  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  they  will  pcrT. 
manently  rid  the  elevator  of  the  Tyroglyphi.  If  the  wood-work  of  the  elevator  is  ol 
and  there  is  much  moisture  about  it,  only  the  most  radical  measures  will  rid  it  of  mite 
now  that  they  have  established  such  a  foot-hold.  The  contents  should  be  remove 
as  far  as  possible  aud  the  building  thoroughly  dried,  and  it  should  also  be  fumigated 
as  I  suggested  in  my  last.  It  should  be  repainted  if  possible,  and  all  dirt  aud  tn 
cleaned  up.  This  course  will  be  expensive,  and  it  is  for  the  owner  to  decide  whetl 
it  will  pay  him  to  go  to  this  trouble;  but  as  I  said  before,  it  will  be  the  only  conin 
plete  and  satisfactory  way.  T.  longior  feeds  on  flour,  hams,  cheese,  and  a  variety  of- 
other  food  products.— [Sept.  12,  1685.]  ^ 

The  Streaked  Cottonwood  Leaf-beetle  in  the  East. 

I  send  to  you  by  mail  to-day  a  box  containing  a  beetle  and  larvai  which,  we  find, 
as  a  nuisance,  is  a  fair  rival  to  the  potato-bug. 

It  gets  on  the  young  leaves  and  shoots  of  the  Carolina  Poplar,  eating  the  leaves 
entirely  off,  and  oftentimes  destroying  the  bud  on  the  end  of  the  branches. 

We  first  noticed  it  about  three  years  .ago,  but  as  there  were  so  few  of  them  we  did 
not  take  pains  to  destroy  tlieni,  but  tht^y  have  been  getting  worse  every  year,  until 


n 


52 

now  we  are  afraid  tbey  will  do  too  much  damage,  and  we  are  at  Avork  piittiug  Paris 
green  on  the  trees  to  see  if  that  will  kill  them.  *  .  *  *  Tliey  are  also  spreading  to 
the  willows,  and  also  to  the  yonng  Kilmarnock  willows  and  New  American. — [Thomas 
B.  Meehau,  Germantowu,  Pa.,  July  G,  1887. 

Eeply. —  *  »  »  The  insect  which  you  find  on  the  leaves  and  shoots  of  your 
Caroliua  poplars  is  the  common  Streaked  Cottonwood  Leaf-hectle  {Liua  scripta).  This 
insect  was  descrihed  hy  Professor  Kiley  in  his  Annual  Report  for  1884,  on  pages  r}3G  to 
340.  The  article  was  suggested  hy  the  great  damage  done  hy  this  insect  in  the  newly- 
planted  timher  claims  of  the  Northwestern  Territories  during  the  summer  of  1884. 
!f*^f '    The  question  of  remedies  is  discussed  in  this  article  also.— [July  8,  1887. 

(   '  ■  Hibernation  of  Mosquitoes. 

:%■ 

'.:  fz.  [The  following  letter  was  the  second  from  Mr.  Wade  on  this  suhject.  His  first  letter 
.,<;  I  mentioned  incidentally  that  mosquitoes  wintered  in  large  numbers  in  his  cellar,  and 
j;!   ]    the  following  is  in  reply  to  our  request  for  specimens.] 

!  I  tried  to  catch  some  of  the  mosquitoes  by  day-light,  hut  they  were  too  wide-awake; 
so  I  let  it  go  until  this  evening,  when  I  tried  to  catch  and  box  them  alive,  but  it 
::  ■  seemed  as  though  two  flew  out  every  time  I  put  one  in.  I  have  got  a  few  for  you, 
!il|  !  probably  enough  ;  if  not,  I  will  try  again.  The  cellar  is  very  cold,  and  yet  in  one 
If,  j  corner  is  a  tin  furnace  conductor  of  heat.  It  seems  as  though  they  avoid  the  warm 
corner,  as  they  were  thickest  all  the  time  in  the  coldest  part  of  the  cellar.  They  seem 
Nearly  as  lively  as  in  the  summer,  and  I  notice  they  are  paler  in  color  than  those  out- 
ride in  the  open  air.  A  few  weeks  ago  they  were  so  thick  (in  this  cellar,  of  course), 
Hiat  my  housekeeper  would  hold  the  lamp  up  to  them,  and  in  a  very  short  time 
Klie  inside  of  the  chimney  would  be  a  half-inch  deep  or  more.  I  gave  John  Butter- 
vorth,  an  English  microscopist,  now  travelling  here,  a  small  bottle  full  of  them  to 
take  home.  To-day,  though  cold,  I  could  look  out  of  any  of  my  windows  and  see 
them  flying  as  in  summer.  It  is  many  weeks  since  any  of  us  were  bit.  I  have  never 
known  them  so  bad  anywhere  as  they  were  hero  the  past  summer,  and  yet  it  is  higli, 
dry,  rocky  ground.— [Jos.  M.  Wade,  158  Federal  street,  Boston,  Mass.,  Nov.  IG,  1884. 
Kki'LY. — I  have  carefully  examined  the  mosquitoes  you  sent  with  your  favor  of  the 
IGtli  instant,  and  I  find  them  in  no  way  different  from  one  of  our  common  and  widely, 
distributed  species  which  is  supposed  to  be  the  Culex  ciliatus  of  Fabricius.  You  are 
no  doubt  aware  that,  so  far  as  we  know,  our  northern  mosquitoes  pass  the  winter 
in  the  imago  state  and  that,  like  most  other  insects,  they  choose  places  of  a  uniform 
.and  pretty  low  temperature.  Thus  they  pass  the  winter  in  a  semi-torpid  condition 
\Vitiiout  taking  food,  whereas  in  a  -warmer  place  they  would  be  kept  alive  and 
perish  for  want  of  nourishment. 

■  Tlio  fact  that  you  found  such  immense  numbers  of  mosquitoes  in  your  cellar  shows 
that  they  must  have  been  unusually  numerous  with  you  the  last  season,  and  further 
that  your  cellar  must  have  been  particularly  attractive  to  them  as  a  suitable  place 
for  hibernation.  Still,  upon  careful  inspection  of  the  locality  in  question,  it  ought 
not  to  be  difficult  to  ascertain  the  reason  for  this  remarkable  gathering  of  mosquitoes 
as  related  by  you. — [November  24,  1884.] 

Leaf  Hoppers  and  the  "  Die-back  "  of  the  Orange. 

On  yesterday  I  sent  you  by  mail  a  bug,  like  inclosed,  asking  that  I  might  be 
informed  of  its  name  and  habits.  To-day  I  send  two  more  with  samples  of  orange 
twigs  in  the  grove  where  these  bugs  are  in  considerable  numbers.  1  can'f,  for  a  fact, 
say  the  bugs  are  the  cause  of  die-back,  but  certainly  the  presumption  is  great.  They 
are  constantly  on  the  trees  in  considerable  numbers ;  they  do  not  seek  roots  or  trees 
with  scale  on  or  any  form  of  insect  or  fungus.  They  are  on  the  new  twigs  or  the 
growth  prior  to  the  last,  and,  as  you  will  observe,  the  damage  is  to  those  parts  of  the 


53 

tree.  The  trees  chiefly  affected  are  set  iu  grove  budiled  last  fall,  dormant  and  cut 
oft' this  spring.  They  have  made  a  beautiful  growth  ;  are  thrifty,  clean,  free  from  in- 
sects of  every  kind.  The  theory  of  soil-poisoning  is  hard  to  accept  for  the  reason  that 
every  tree  is  not  affected  nd  some  older  trees  are  not  affected — oniy  now  and  then 
one  with  here  and  there  a  twig — also  the  fact  that  the  disease  occurs  iu  widely  sepa- 
rated parts  of  the  grove  ;  and  this  morning  I  found  one  or  two  young  trees  in  my 
nursery  and  some  two  or  three  trees  in  an  entirely  different  part  of  the  40-acre  prop- 
erty. Chiefly  it  occurs  iu  places  where  cow-peas  are  growing,  though  the  nursery  is 
of  course  clean,  but  wherever  the  disease  does  occur  these  bugs  are  found.  The 
habits  of  the  bug,  so  far  as  the  orange  tree  is  concerned,  are  as  follows  :  Usually  they 
are  in  company,  two  or  more;  they  rest  on  the  twig,  close  to  it,  without  motion  for  a 
long  time.  I  stood  watching  six  of  them  this  morning  for  thirty  minutes;  they  did 
not  move  until  I  disturbed  them,  but  they  protruded  the  termination  of  the  abdomen 
beyond  the  wings  and  ejected  with  considerable  force  towards  me  minute  drops  of 
fluid  in  a  continuous  spray,  an  astounding  amount  of  fluid  for  so  small  a  bug.  It  wet 
the  leaf  that  I  incloye  so  that  it  ran  down  in  a  stream  to  the  center  and  then  dried  on. 
I  disturbed  them,  however,  and  could  see  no  marks  of  any  injury  done  by  them.  I 
found  two  "Green  Soldier  Bugs"  and  two  or  three  "Leaf-legged  Bugs,"  but  surely  that 
is  nothing  to  an  amount  of  damage  being  done.  *  *  *  — [C.  F.  A.  Bielby,  De  Land, 
Fla.,  August  1,  1887. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  'pjje  insect  iu  question  is  one  of  the  Leaf-hoppers  and  seems  to 
be"  a  new  species  of  the  geuus^Aiilhci:es.  Nothing  definite  can  be  said  as  to  the  work 
of  the  insect;  that  is  a  point  which  you  will  have  to  determine  by  observation  in 
your  grove.  It  is  quite  possible  that  they  do  a  certain  proportion  of  the  damage,  in 
which  case  the  ordinary  kerosene  emulsion  spray,  applied  for  Bark-lice,  will  doubt- 
less rid  your  trees  of  these  also.  Certainly  the  twigs  sent  by  you  through  the  editor  of 
the  Florida  Dispatch  were  affected  by  the  so-called  "  die-back  "  disease  which  has  been 
frequently  treated  in  the  columns  of  the  Dispatch,  and  which  is  mentioned  by  Mr, 
Hubbard  in  his  Report  on  Lisects  aftecting  the  Orange,  and  of  which  you  doubtless 
have  a  copy. 

Your  observation  to  the  effect  that  the  Aulacizes  occurs  chiefly  in  places  where  cow- 
peas  are  growing  may  be  an  important  one.  Is  the  bug  found  upon  the  cow-peas 
also  ?  The  liquid  ejected  from  the  bug  which  you  watched  is  of  a  saccharine  nature, 
like  honey-dew.  Allied  species  are  well  know  to  eject  this  fluid  with  considerabh- 
force.  Th^Proconia,  which  is  found  upon  cotton-plants,  is  remarkable  for  the  distance 
to  which  it  ejects  drops  of  the  liquid.     «     *     *        —[August  G,  1887.] 

Second  letter. — In  accordance  with  your  request  for  additional  specimens  of 
the  bug  described  by  you  as  a  new  species  of  the  genws^ulacizcs  I  herewith  send  you 
tin  box  containing  several  of  different  ages  and  stages  of  development.  I  don't  know 
how  many  there  are  in  the  box,  as  I  caught  them  this  morning  with  considerable  dif- 
ficulty. 

There  was  a  strong  northeast,  damp  wind  blowing,and  whether  that  made  them  more 
lively  or  myself  less  so  I  am  unable  to  say  ;  they  are  quick  in  motion,  strong  in  flight, 
and  very  wary.  I  have  discovered  the  young  down  to  a  very  minute  size,  but  I  can 
not  as  yet  say  as  to  their  eggs,what  they  are  like,  or  when  deposited.  I  have  not  seen 
them  on  the  cow-pea,  but  my  observation  leads  me  to  thiok  they  are  xnore  numerous 
when  this  crop  is  grown  in  the  grove.  I  judge  from  the  yellow  contents  of  the  food- 
sac  that  they  suck  the  essential  oil  from  the  twig.  Would  this  affect  the  twig  seri- 
ously ?  They  choose  a  position  head  downward  on  a  twig,  not  the  nearest,  but  half 
(or  less)  hardened.  When  they  are  comfortably  settled  they  straighten  out  the  suck 
ing  tube,  which,  as  you  know,  is  short,  then  with  their  feet  draw  themselves  down, 
with  one  motion,  forcing  the  tube  into  the  twig;  they  then  remain  perfectly  passive. 
Whether  they  eject  the  fluid  when  not  disturbed  or  not  I  can't  say  ;  but  when  I  came 
near  to  them,  not  disturbing  them,  they  ejected  it  in  my  direction  ;  it  is  colorless,  and 
leaves,  on  drying,  a  whitish  deposit  on  the  leaf  (I  send  you  herewith  two  leaves) ;  it 


64 

may  be  "honey-dew,"  but  it  does  not  attract,  so  far  as  I  have  seen,  ants  or  otlier  in 
sects  that  are  wout  to  gather  to  this  sort  of  feast. 

As  to  ihe  result  to  the  trees,  the  twigs  I  sent  to  the  editor  of  the  Florida  Dispatch 
certainly  had  the  "die-back  ;  "  that  goes  without  saying,  for  they  died  back.  I  would 
like  very  much  to  connect  this  new  marauder  with  the  trouble,  if  possible.  There  is 
only  one  objection,  or  rather  dilliculty,  but  that  seems  almost  insurmountable.  I  see 
the  bug  on  plenty  of  twigs  that  do  not  die  back,  that  absolutely  decline  to  be  in  the 
least  affected.     I  console  myself  with  the  I'ellectiou  that  they  have  oil  to  spare. 

As  a  rule,  however,  the  twigs  do  not  die  back  unless  they  are  very  young ;  they  blis- 
ter and  do  not  look  well,  but  continue  to  harden  and  send  out,  some  of  them,  new  and 
healthy-looking  shoots  ;  others  send  out  weak  shoots  that  are  sometimes  themselves 
affected,  soHie/tmes  not,  usually  the  twig  reddens  a  little,  but  not  always.  There  is 
on  reasonable  hypothesis  upon  which  to  base  the  trouble  except  insects.  I  sunk  a 
shaft  10  feet  in  the  ground  between  four  affected  trees.  Two  feet  of  gray  sand  (first 
class),  then  8  feet  of  yellow  sand.  After  6  feet  down  there  were  three  or  four  thin 
strata  of  red  sand,  one-fourth  to  one-half  inch  in  thickness.  At  10  feet  struck 
water.  Drove  a  rod  down  9  feet  further  and  found  no  hard  pan.  The  soil  is  of  the 
best  pine  land.  The  original  growth  was  very  large,  soft  pine  trees  and  willow  oak 
as  large  as  my  body  (and  that  is  good  size). 

As  to  other  bugs,  there  are  a  few  leaf-footed  bugs;  also  a  few  Euthoctha  galeator ; 
these  "1  have  never  seen  doing  any  great  damage.  There  are  a  great  many  of  the 
Green  Soldier  Bugs.  I  don't  see  them  doing  much  sucking  at  twigs,  though  I  have 
seen  some.  But  the  trouble  in  my  grove  seems  to  be  the  same  or  nearly  so  as  that 
described  by  Mr.  James  Franklin  (Hubbard,  page  160).  In  conclusion,  permit  me  to 
say  that  the  same  twig  blistering  and  dying  is  not  confined  to  my  grove ;  I  find  it  in 
quite  a  number  of  groves,  but  in  none  so  general  as  my  own.  In  not  less  than  four 
or  live  young  groves,  in  different  places,  there  are  the  new  bugs,  and  there  also  are 
the  diseased  twigs.  So  also  in  groves  where  the  twigs  are  not  diseased,  the  bugs  oc- 
cur; and  in  groves  where  are  both  twigs  and  bugs,  some  trees  have  every  twig  af- 
fected and  other  trees  have  no  signs.     So  what  would  be  a  clincher  against  the  bugs 

i  really  turned  to  our  confusion. — [August  10,  1887.] 

Second  keply.  *  *  *  The  specimens  which  you  sent  comprise  not  only  the  new 
species  of  Aulacizes  which  accompanied  your  previous  letter,  but  two  specimens  of 
Proconia  iindata,  a  clo.sely  allied  species,  and  also  a  number  of  young  of  one  or  the 
other,  *  *  *  It  will  be  impossible  to  connect  either  of  these  leaf-hoppers  or  any 
of  the  Soldier  Bugs  with  the  diseased  condition  of  your  trees.  Their  punctures,  of 
course,  help  to  weaken  the  vitality  of  the  trees,  but  that  they  are  the  cause  of  the 

Die  back,"  is  hardly  possible.  You  have  doubtless  read  what  Mr.  Hubbard  says  in 
his  report  on  orange  insects  concerning  the  "  Die  back,"  and  this  comprises  the  extent 
of  our  present  knowledge  of  this  trouble. 

The  mycologist  of  the  Department  is  making  studies  of  the  fungi  connected  with 
the  disease  of  the  orange,  and  it  is  possible  that  some  practical  results  may  be  ob- 
tained through  his  investigations.  For  the  present  we  can  only  recommend  the  dilute 
carbolic  or  creosote  washes.  A  few  more  specimens  of  the  Aulacizes  will  be  accept- 
able, and  you  might,  if  you  feel  so  inclined,  send  on  a  few  specimens  of  the  insect 
■which  you  know  as  the  "  Green  Soldier  Bug." — [August  16,  1887.] 

The  Barnacle  Scale  Injuring  Persimmon. 

You  will  iind  inclosed  two  twigs  cut  from  a  persimmon  covered  with  what  I  sup- 
pose to  be  a  kind  of  scale.  I  have  seen  now  and  then  one  on  an  orange  tree,  and 
have  always  destroyed  them  for  fear  that  it  might  be  the  Fluted  Scale  (/cerya  jJMr- 
cliasi).  Tbis  persimmon  tree  was  covered  with  them,  and  I  burned  it  up.  It  is  the 
lirst  time  I  have  seen  them  in  any  numbers.  *  *  »  [W.  A.  Marsh,  Orlando,  Orange 
County,  Fla.,  August  1.^.,  1887. 


65 

Reply.— The  iusect  npou  the  twigs  is  tbe  common  Barnacle  Scale  of  Florida. 
{CeropluHlts  cirripcdifonnis  Comst.)  It  is  figured  and  described  in  the  Annual  Report 
.  of  this  Department  for  1S80,  and  in  Hubbard's  Report  on  Insects  Aflectiug  the  Orange. 
Its  occiirrenco  upon  Persimmon  has,  I  believe,  never  been  pnbliclj^  noticed.  It  is 
usually  found  upon  the  species  of  Enpatorium,  and  occasionally  upon  Orange  and 
Quince.  It  is  not  a  very  common  insect,  but  if  it  should  become  numerous  enough  to 
threaten  damage,  it  can  be  killed  while  young,  before  tlie  wax  is  hard,  by  the  appli- 
cation of  the  ordinary  kerosene  emulsion. — [August  19,  1887.] 

Euryomla  Melancholica  vs.  Cotton  Bolls. 

I  send  you  by  this  mail  a  small  box  containing  a  specimen  of  damaged  cotton-boll 
and  the  bug  which  my  corresjiondent  thinks  is  the  culprit.  It  conies  from  Mr.  C.  II. 
Estes,  Talbotton,  Ga.,  who  writes  me  that  he  took  them  from  the  farm  of  his 
neighbor,  Mr.  H.  C.  Greene,  and  that  as  many  as  39  bolls  similar  to  tlie  one  sent  were 
taken  from  one  stalk  of  cotton.  I  have  written  to  Mr.  Estes,  expressing  doubts 
about  the  truth  of  his  theory.  It  does  not  appear  to  me  that  the  injury  was  done  by 
the  beetle.  However,  I  know  but  little  about  such  things,  and  know  that  ubav 
insect  depredations  are  being  developed  constantly.  Please  give  me  your  views  or 
the  history  of  the  bug.— [J.  T.  Henderson,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  21,  1885. 

Rp:ply.  *  *  *  The  insect  is  a  beetle  which  is  very  comn  on  throughout  the 
South.  It  has  been  called  the  Melancholy  Euryomia  {Euryomia  melancholica).  It  is 
a  very  general  feeder,  and  occasionally  damages  peaches  and  other  fruit,  but  seems 
to  prefer  such  fruit  as  is  rotting  and  has  been  previously  gnawed  into  by  some  other 
iusect.  It  is  also  found  clustering  about  bruised  and  cut  places  in  the  trunks  of 
trees  from  which  the  sap  is  exuding.  Your  surmise  was  therefore  correct,  and  an 
examination  of  the  boll  sent  seems  to  indicate  prior  damage  by  the  boll-worm. — 
[August  2G,  1885.1 

A  Peach  Fruit-worm  in  Japan. 

During  my  stay  in  Japan  as  naturalist  of  the  United  States  Eclipse  Expedition  my 
attention  has  been  attracted  to  the  general  prevalence  of  disease  among  fruit  trees  of 
a  deciduous  growth,  due  for  the  most  part  to  the  ravages  of  insects.  My  attention 
has  been  especially  attracted  to  the  fact  that  the  peach  crop  is  rendered  an  almost 
complete  failure,  so  far  at  least  as  the  quality  of  the  fruit  is  concerned,  by  the  attacks 
of  a  small  lepidopterous  larva  which  bores  the  fruit,  causes  it  to  decay,  prevents  its 
coming  to  a  sound  maturity  and  ripening  in  a  marketable  condition.  In  consequence 
of  this  liability  to  insect  attacks,  the  custom  prevails  almost  universally,  as  you  are 
well  aware,  of  taking  the  fruit  from  the  trees  while  yet  green  and  hard  and  thus  ex- 
posing it  for  sale  and  consumption. 

I  desire  to  suggest,  inasmuch  as  large  exports  of  trees  and  plants  to  the  United  States 
are  constantly  taking  place  from  the  Japanese  ports,  that  wise  precautions  should  be 
adopted  to  prevent  the  accidental  introduction  into  the  United  States  of  this  perni- 
cious insect,  which  so  far  as  I  know  has  not  yet  made  its  appearance  upon  our  soil. 
While  it  is  barely  possible  that  the  climatic  condition  in  the  United  States  might  prove 
unfavorable  to  its  development  and  propagation,  this  is  altogether  unlikely.  There 
should  be,  in  my  judgment,  steps  taken  to  absolutely  prohibit  tlie  transportation  to  the 
United  States  of  Japanese  peach  trees,  or  of  trees  and  plants  which  have  been  grown 
or  packed  in  soil  taken  from  the  vicinity  of  peach  trees  and  peach  orchards,  inas- 
much as  the  larva  of  this  insect  undoubtedly  pupates  in  the  soil  or  upon  its  surface. 
Eor  the  sake  of  the  farmers  and  fruit-growers  of  Japan  I  would  like  to  suggest  that 
if  no  entomologist  has  hitherto  worked  out  the  life  history  of  this  iusect  and  ascer- 
tained the  best  means  of  combating  its  attacks,  it  would  be  desirable  that  the  Japa- 
nese dejtart  i  cut  of  agriculture  should  take  the  matter  into  hand  and  have  the  work 
done.     I  would  like  to  suggest  as  a  useful  precaution  the  destruction  of  all  badly  in- 


56 

fected  irees,  especially  seedlinga  growing  by  the  wayside  and  iu  waste  places,  aud 
the  careful  collection  of  all  wiud-fallen  aud  diseased  fruit  aud  its  destruction  by  fire. 
The  coufiuniption  of  fruit  in  an  unripe  condition  can  not  be  otherwise  than  prejudicial 
to  the  general  health  of  the  community,  especially  in  seasons  when  cholera  and  like 
diseases  are  prevalent,  and  the  financial  loss  to  the  agriculturist  must  be  immouso 
when  we  bear  iu  uiin  !  that  the  ravages  of  the  codliug-moth  which  attacks  the  apple 
in  Iho.  United  States  are  estimated  to  annually  occasion  a  loss  to  the  fruit-growers  of 
the  Union  of  from  14,000,000  to  $5,000,000;  the  importance  of  checking  the  attacks  of  a 
similar  insect  infesting  the  peach  in  Japan  must  commend  itself  to  your  mind.  Our 
own  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington  has  labored  long  and  laboriously  to 
instruct  the  fruit-growers  of  the  United  States  as  to  the  best  aud  most  effective  means 
of  guarding  against  the  ravages  of  such  insects,  aud  it  cau  not  but  feel  that  the  Jap- 
anese authorities  have  a  work  to  do  here  which,  if  accomplished,  would  be  a  great 
benefit  to  their  farming  community. — [W.  G.  Hall,  Ph.  D.,  naturalist,  Uuited  States 
Eclipse  Expedition  to  Japan,  Tokio,  Japan,  September  ir>,  1887. 

[The  above  letter  was  written  by  Dr.  Hall  to  Hon.  R.  15.  Hubbard,  United  States 
minister  to  Japan,  aud  by  the  latter  was  referred  to  this  Department  through  the 
Department  of  State.  Commissiouer  Colman's  reply  follows.  We  have  since  received 
no  further  information  on  the  subject.] 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  26th  instant,  in- 
closing Dispatch  No.  379  from  Mr.  Richard  B.  Hubbard,  United  States  minister  at  Tokio, 
which  is  accompanied  in  turn  by  a  letter  from  Mr.  W.  J.  Holland,  the  naturalist  of 
the  United  States  Eclipse  Expedition  to  Japan.  The  matter  has  been  referred  to  the 
,  acting  entomologist  of  this  Department,  who  reports  that  the  subject  is  one  of  con- 
siderable interest,  but  that  its  full  weight  can  notbe  determined  without  a  more  ac- 
curate idea  of  the  nature  of  the  insect  in  question.  If  it  should  jirove  to  be  one  of 
the  insects  which  already  infests  the  peach  iu  the  United  States  any  regulations  to 
prevent  importation  will  of  course  be  unnecessary.  It  is  desirable,  therefore,  that 
some  entomologist  in  Japau  should  investigate  the  matter  and  determine  accurately 
and  specifically  the  identity  of  the  pest  in  question.  Prof.  C.  Sasaki,  of  the  Agricult- 
ural and  Dendrological  College,  Tokio,  Japan,  is  a  very  competent  individual,  who 
has  made  his  name  well  known  by  his  investigations  of  the  Uji  parasite  of  the  silk- 
worm of  commerce. 

If  your  Department  will  kindly  forward  this  letter  to  Mr.  Hubbard,  with  the  request 
that  he  will  forward  it  to  Professor  Sasaki,  requesting  him  to  correspond  direct  with 
this  Department,  we  shall  be  able  to  get  to  the  bottom  of  tlie  matter  in  the  shortest 
possible  time.  Mr.  Holland  himself  should  also  be  requested  to  rear  the  iusect  and 
send  it  iu  all  its  stages  to  this  Departmcut. 

Hibernation  of  the  Two-spotted  Lady-bird. 

I  have  observed  some  little  matters  the  past  three  winters  in  my  present  house  that 
may  or  may  not  interest  you.  During  those  winters  there  has  seldom  been  more  than 
two  or  three  days  passed  that  I  have  not  had  "  lady-bugs  "  creepiug  and  flyiug  about 
my  house.  My  library  is  never  warmed  except  in  the  evenings,  but  when  the  room 
got  warm  they  would  invariably  come  out  and  be  active  all  the  eveuing,  seldom  more 
than  one  or  two  at  a  time,  but  they  have  shown  themselves  continually  every  few 
days  during  that  time.  At  one  time  during  cold  weather  there  were  probably  ],000 
on  the  inside  of  my  front  door.  I  have  fed  them  milk,  beer,  water,  and  made  one 
drunk  on  gin  ;  yes,  it  was  actually  drunk  and  showed  it;  they  drink  readily;  after 
being  about  my  desk  for  a  few  days.— [Jos.  M.  Wade,  Boston,  Mass.,  March  31,  1885. 

Reply.—'  *  *  The  species  you  refer  to  is  no  doubt  the  Two-spotted  Lady-bird 
(Coccinella  hij)unctaialj\nn.),  auil  as  an  interesting  point  in  the  natural  history  of 
this  species  I  would  state  that  of  the  many  species  of  Lady-birds  so  abundant  in 
summer-time  almost  everywhere,  this  is  the  only  one  which  has  accustomed  itself  to 


seek  winter  quarters  in  our  bouses.  Of  course  specimens  may  also  be  found  occa 
sionally  bibeniating  under  bark  or  otber  suitable  places  out-doors.  *  *  * — [April 
3,  1885.1 

Prior  Issuing  of  the  Male  Sex  of  Cimbex. 

*  *  *  Let  nie  add  that  I  was  <freatly  interested  in  your  account  of  Cimbex 
americaua.  Some  seven  or  eight  years  ago  I  had  about  a  pint  of  the  cocoons,  ob" 
tained  from  between  the  roots  of  the  weeping  willow  above  ground  and  among 
the  leaves  on  the  ground.  There  were  more  there;  I  raised  them.  Think  I  got 
nearly  200  imagos,  and  was  surprised  that,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  indi- 
viduals, the  first  80  that  came  out  were  males.  I  used  a  large  empty  aquarium  for 
the  hatchery,  and  the  show  made  was  fine. — [Sam'l  Lockwood,  Freehold,  N.  J.,  March 
31,  1885. 

Work  of  the  Bronzy  Cut-worm  in  Missouri. 

I  mail  you,  simultaneously  with  this,  box  containing  the  larva  of  some  insect  fprob- 
ably )  that  has  at  this  date  denuded  the  Timothy  grass  of  its  seed,  holds  it  like  a  coon 
in  its  fore  feet  while  it  eats  and  then  drops  the  empty  shell.  It  has  now  stripped 
nearly  every  head  in  our  extensive  meadows.  I  find  this  morning  a  small,  quick- 
llyiug  miller  in  the  grass  which  I  can  not  catch  and  do  not  know  as  it  is  related  to 
these  worms.  Please  determine  its  species  and  give  us  its  life-history  if  you  can. — 
[A.  D.  Thomas,  Terre  Haute,  Palmyra  County,  Mo.,  June  24,  1887. 

Reply. —  »  *  *  '^\^q  worms  which  you  sent  belong  to  the  species  known  com- 
monly as  the  Bronzy  Cut-worm  {Nepkelodes  violans).  This  is  a  8i)ecies  which  has 
seldom  been  recorded  as  doing  much  damage.  It  was  noticed  by  Professor  Riley  in 
1871  in  Missouri,  and  in  1881  it  did  considerable  damage  in  northern  New  York.  It 
is  a  very  widespread  species,  and  is  found  in  all  of  the  United  States  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  worm  does  most  of  its  damage  in  May  and  June,  and  enters  the 
ground  to  transform  to  pupa  towards  the  middle  or  the  latter  part  of  June.  It  re- 
mains in  this  condition  until  autumn,  when  the  moth  makes  its  appearance.  Where 
a  field  has  been  badly  damaged  it  will  be  a  good  plan  to  plow  it  over  in  July  or 
August  and  expose  the  pupa  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  to  flocks  of  chickens  and 
turkeys.     This  is  the  only  reme:ly  which  is  like  to  prove  efficacious. — [July  19,  1887.  ] 

The  Bamboo  Sinoxylon. 

Inclosed  in  glass  bottle  yon  will  find  some  curious  beetles  which  were  found  bor- 
ing into  and  apparently  living  upon  an  ornamental  bamboo  box  placed  on  a  table  in 
one  of  the  rooms  ;  no  indication  of  their  presence  was  noticed  until  on  lifting  the  lid 
the  fine  powder  from  their  borings  was  seen,  and  on  a  slight  shake  numbers  of  the 
creatures  were  dislodged  and  moving  about  quickly.  Under  a  magnifying  glass  their 
curious  figures  are  quite  interesting  to  watch.  Any  information  you  may  see  fit  to 
forward  will  be  awaited  with  interest.— [A.  L.  Townseud,  box  24G,  New  York,  N.  Y., 
January  8,  1888. 

Reply.— Y'our  letter  of  the  8th  instant,  inclosing  specimens  of  insects  found  boring 
into  an  ornamental  bamboo  box,  has  been  duly  received.  The  insect  in  question  is 
one  of  the  wood-boring  beetles  of  the  genus  SlnoxyJon  and  belongs  to  a  species  which, 
although  undetermined  is  frequently  found  in  bamboo  canes  and  boxes  from  China 
and  East  India.  It  is  closely  allied  to  a  species  found  in  Florida  and  it  h.as  similar 
habits.  These  insects  are  slow  of  development  and  indeed  may  remain  in  a  state  of 
retarded  development  for  a  numl)er  of  years.  If  you  wish  to  completely  disinfect 
your  box  you  can  do  so  by  pouring  upon  it  a  little  bisulphide  of  carbon. — [January 
16,  1888.] 

The  Western  Cricket  in  1887. 

I  hear  that  "grasshopper  locusts"  have  been  very  destructive  this  year  in  the 
Greenhorn  district,  on  the  border  of  Pueblo  and  Huergauo  Counties,  but  I  have  not 


58 

been  able  to  visit  the  district  or  obtain  auy  specimens  of  the  destructive  species.  I 
expect,  however,  that  they  are  the  Camnula  pellucida  (C.  atrox),  as  this  species  ap- 
pears to  be  abund.aut  this  year  in  Colorado.  1  found  it  particularly  abundant  at  the 
head  of  the  Arkansas  River,  in  Fremont  Pass,  and  also  in  the  streets  of  Leadville, 
both  these  localities  being  on  the  eastern  slope. — [Theo.  D.  A.  Cockerell,  West  Cliff, 
Custer  Connty,Colc.,  December  1,  1887. 

[See  Second  Report  U.  S.  Entomological  Commission.] 

Dicerca  a  Poplar-feeder. 

A  few  weeks  ago  I  discovered  a  Coleopterous  larva,  15i  millimeters  long,  boring  into 
a  Populiis  tremaloides  tree.  I  put  it  into  spirits  for  future  investigation,  and  thought 
no  more  about  it  until  I  came  across  the  figure  of  larva  oi  Dicerca  divaricala  (Third 
Report  U.  S.  Ent.  Com.,  PI.  VI,  Fig.  2),  and  noticing  the  resemblance  to  my  larva, 
took  out  the  latter  for  comparison.  There  cau  be  no  doubt,  I  thiuk,  that  my  larva  is  a 
Dicerca — probably  D.  prolongata  Lee.  (  vide  former  letter  ),  thusfully  confirming  this  as 
a  poplar  (and  not  pine)  feeder,  and  establishing  it  as  a  decidedly  injurious  iusect. 

To  ine  personally,  however,  it  is  a  beneficial  insect,  since  it  kills  just  enough  trees 
in  this  neighborhood  to  keep  me  supplied  with  dry  fire-wood. — [T.  D.  A.  Cockerell, 
West  Cliff,  Colo.,  December  27,  1887. 

An  Enemy  to  Young  Carp. 

I  inclose  two  insects — No.  1,  the  larger,  sent  to  me  by  a  gentleman  who  states  that 
it  fastens  on  the  carp  tish  and  finally  kills  it.  *  *  " — [VV.  L.  Jones,  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  October  3,  1884. 

Kkply. —  *  *  *  The  specimen,  No.  1,  which  is  reported  to  have  attacked  and 
killed  a  carp,  is  the  larva  of  one  of  our  common  Dragon  Flies  or  Mosquito  Hawks  (B'am- 
ily  Libellulidai,  Order  Ncuroptera),  the  species  having  been  described  as  Anax  JuHius 
These  larv;©  are  aquatic,  and  feed  upon  all  sorts  of  soft-bodied  water  insects  they  can 
get  hold  of.  They  are  also  known  to  attack  young  fish,  but  this  is  a  rare  occurrence, 
since  the  larvie  are  slow-moving  animals  and  by  uo  means  able  to  pursue  a  tish.-^^ 
[October  7,  1884.] 


NOTES. 

THE  TWELVE-SPOTTED  DIABROTICA  INJURING  FRUIT  TREES. 

A  new  habit  of  this  destructive  species  was  brought  to  our  attentiou 
tbe  present  spriug.  Mr.  J.  Lutber  Bowers,  wbo  resides  at  Herndon, 
Va.,  bas  a  young  orchard  cousistiug  of  trees  planted  for  tbe  most  part 
in  the  spring  of  1887.  The  neighboring  fields  are  partly  cultivated  and 
partly  grass  lauds,  with  no  forests  near.  Most  of  the  field  in  which  tbe 
orchard  stands  was  in  corn  last  year  and  is  entirely  so  planted  this 
year.  Last  year,  however,  there  was  a  half  acre  of  melons  on  the  south 
side.  Tbe  trees  made  a  fine  growth  lavSt  year  and  are  now  vigorous  and 
promising  except  where  tbe  leaves  have  been  eaten.  The  orchard  con- 
sists of  rather  more  than  2,500  trees,  of  which  7G0  are  plums,  and  tbe 
rest  are  peach,  pear,  cherry,  api^le,  and  apricot.  Tbe  varieties  are  min- 
gled together,  tbe  apples,  however,  being  set  out  to  form  a  permanent 
orchard.  In  tbe  latter  part  of  April  and  tbe  first  of  May,  when  tbe 
leaves  were  putting  forth,  Mr.  Bowers  observed  the  beetles  of  tbe  Twelve- 


51) 

spotted  Diabrotica  eatiug  the  leaves.  Tbe  plums  and  tlie  apricots  were 
selected  out  by  the  beetles,  and  except  in  a  fev/  instances  nothing  else 
was  touched.  The  exceptions  were  tbe  Governor  Wood  Cherry  and  the 
Hansell  Kaspberry,  which  were  slightly  injured.  The  attack  begau 
upon  trees  planted  in  the  ohl  melon  patch  above  mentioned.  The  plums 
and  apricots  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  were  soon  stripped  of  foli- 
age, and  the  insects  spread  over  nearly  the  entire  orchard.  The  first 
and  second  growth  of  leaves  were  almost  entirely  devoured  and  the  third 
growth  was  much  injured.  Many  of  the  trees  partly  succumbed  to  the 
attack  and  some  were  killed  entirely.  The  injury  was  quite  severe  and 
amounted  to  several  hundred  dollars.  The  injury  was  not  entirely  due 
to  the  Diabrotica,  although  Mr.  Bowers,  who  is  a  very  good  observer, 
states  that  this  insect  was  by  far  the  most  numerous  of  any  of  the  spe- 
cies found  upon  his  trees.  The  well-known  weevil — Eplewnis  imbrica- 
tus — occurred  in  small  numbers  and  attacked  the  foliage  to  some  slight 
extent,  and  one  of  the  common  May  beetles — probably  Lachnosfcrna 
fiisea — was  also  present  on  some  few  evenings  instill  smaller  numbers. 
Another  Scarabwid  {Diplotaxis  sp.)  was  also  noticed.  There  seems,  how- 
ever, no  doubt  but  that  the  main  damage  was  done  by  the  Diabrotica, 
and  this  instance  is  certainly  the  most  marked  which  has  ever  been 
brought  to  our  attention  of  damage  done  to  fruit-trees  by  this  species. 
It  is  safe  to  say,  however,  that  this  occurrence  is  exceptional,  and  that 
it  depended  almost  entirely  upon  the  peculiar  circumstance  of  a  young 
orchard  having  been  planted  close  to  a  last  year's  melon  patch,  which 
was  not  replanted  this  year.  The  beetles  undoubtedly  bred  upon  the 
melons  last  season  and  hibernated  in  large  numbers.  The  present 
spring,  finding  no  more  appropriate  food  at  hand  they  took  to  the  young 
plums  and  apricots  merely  as  a  substitute.  We  have  little  fear,  there- 
fore, that  a  new  habit  has  been  formed. 

The  above  facts  are  gathered  from  correspondence  with  Mr.  Bowers 
and  from  observations  made  by  Mr.  Alwood,  who  visited  Ilerndou  at 
our  direction  on  the  evening  of  June  13th. 

HEAT  EVOLVED  FROM  THE  WORK  OF  A  BRUCHUS. 

In  June,  1887,  Judge  Lawrence  Johnson,  of  the  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey,  a  member  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Washington,  sent 
to  the  Division  from  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  a  small  quantity  of  Cow 
Peas  {Dolichos  spp.),  which  were  badly  infected  by  Bruchm  scAiteUaris, 
and  in  his  accompanying  note  mentioned  a  circumstance  which  is  worthy 
of  record,  as  we  do  not  recollect  to  have  seen  anything  similar  in  print. 
The  peas  when  he  first  examined  them  were  contained  in  a  paper  sack, 
which  would  hold  about  one  gallon,  and  which  was  about  one-third  full. 
Resting  the  bottom  of  the  sack  accidentally  upon  his  hand  he  noticed 
that  it  was  very  perceptibly  warm.  He  then  tested  its  heat  with  an  or- 
dinary thermometer  and  found  that  while  the  temperature  of  tlie  air  was 


60 

only  71"^  Fabr.,  tlie  mercury  rose  wlieu  placed  among  the  peas  to  90^ 
Fabr.,  a  difference  of  25°  "in  a  few  minutes." 

This  difference  in  temperature  was  evidently  due  in  great  part  to  a 
mechanical  cause,  the  gnawing  of  the  peas  by  the  beetles  and  larvi^e,,  for 
subsequent  tests  have  shown  that  the  difference  in  temperature  between 
uninfested  peas  in  mass  and  the  surrounding  air  in  summer  is  slight, 
varying  with  the  time  of  day,  the  peas  being  cooler  than  the  air  at  midday 
and  warmer  after  sundown.  No  opportunity  has  since  offered  for  test- 
ing the  temperature  of  the  weevils  alone  in  mass,  although  such  compara 
tive  tests  would  be  interesting. — L.  O.  H. 

ECONOMIC  ENTOMOLOGY  IN   INDIA. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  E.  C.  Cotes,  first  assistant  to  the  director  of 
the  Indian  Museum  at  Calcutta,  for  copies  of  his  first  and  second  papers 
upon  economic  entomology.  No.  1  is  devoted  to  a  preliminary  ac- 
count of  the  wheat  and  rice  weevil  in  India,  and  No.  2  considers  the 
experimental  introduction  of  insecticides  into  India,  with  a  short  account 
of  modern  insecticides  and  methods  of  api>lyiug  them.  Of  the  latter 
we  need  not  say  anything,  except  that  it  is  a  short  summary  of  a  few  of 
the  remedies  now  in  use  in  this  country.  The  first,  however,  is  of 
considerable  interest  as  a  consideration  of  the  cosmopolitan  Calandra 
oryzw  in  a  more  or  less  tropical  country  in  which  the  principal  indus- 
tries are  wheat  and  rice.  Mr.  Cotes  has  gone  over  the  ground  of  pre- 
vious publications  very  carefully  and  introduces  a  great  deal  of  inter- 
esting correspondence.  Nothing  new  in  the  way  of  remedies  is  suggested 
and  no  particular  experiments  have  apparently  been  made.  The  point 
in  his  paper  which  interests  us  most  is  the  statement  of  the  loss  which 
i?  brought  about.  He  says  :  "  The  amount  of  loss  occasioned  by  the 
weevil  is  estimated  by  Messrs.  Ealli  Brothers  atan  average  of  2^  percent., 
the  maximum  being  5  per  cent,  and  the  minimum  1  per  cent.  Taking 
the  value  of  the  wheat  exported  at  £0,000,000,  the  annual  loss  oc- 
casioned by  the  weevil  in  exported  wheat  alone  is  £150,000.  This  sum, 
however,  in  reality  represents  but  a  fraction  of  the  whole  loss,  as  it 
does  not  take  into  account  the  damage  done  to  wheat  consumed  in  the 
country  or  any  of  the  loss  occasioned  to  the  rice,  which  is  also  attacked 
by  the  same  weevil,  besides  the  loss  indirectly  occasioned  owing  to  the 
difficulty  of  storing  the  grain."  The  species  seems  to  be  two-brooded 
in  India,  the  beetles  appearing  in  June  and  January. 

BUFFALO-GNATS  ATTACKING  MAN. 

In  our  report  for  1S8C  we  devoted  a  paragraph  to  the  consideration 
of  several  cases  of  loss  of  human  life  from  the  bites  of  Buffalo-gnats, 
but  our  agents  who  have  visited  tlie  region  where  these  insects  abound 
find  that  rumors  of  such  cases  are  hard  to  trace  and  that  the  newspaper 
reports  are  seldom  authentic.  All  of  the  agents  employed  on  this  in- 
vestigation have  been  asked  to  verify  if  possible  any  such  accounts,  and 


61 

the  following  quotation  is  from  a  letter  received  by  Mr.  Webster  in  re- 
ply to  inquiries  which  he  had  made: 

"I  had  a  nephew  by  the  name  of  L.  H.  Stokes;  I  suppose  he  was 
thirty  five  or  forty  years  old  and  a  man  of  family.  He  lived  near  the 
Hatchie  Eiver — I  think  it  was  near  Hcning  Station ;  the  year  I  have 
forgotten,  but  think  it  was  about  5  or  6  years  since.  It  seems  from 
what  I  could  learn  that  Stokes,  in  company  with  a  party,  went  fishing 
and  crossed  over  onto  an  island.  The  gnats  were  bad,  and  the  party 
kept  leaving.  All  were  scattered  on  the  island.  Finally,  in  leaving,  it 
seems  they  left  my  nephew  over  there.  It  rained  and  put  out  the  fire  (it 
was  cold  and  the  smoke  was  some  J)rotection  from  the  gnats);  he  had  no 
matches,  so  he  went  to  where  they  left  the  boat,  and  found  his  company 
had  all  gone  and  taken  away  the  boat.  He  could  not  swim,  so  he  was  left 
to  the  mercy  of  the  gnats.  He  fought  till  near  night  before  he  could  make 
any  one  hear  him.  After  they  came  and  took  him  over  he  went  home 
and  suffered  considerably,  and  before  day  he  died.  I  never  learned  the 
doctor's  name,  as  my  sister  objected  to  the  marriage  of  her  son,  which 
caused  a  coolness,  so  he  moved  off,  and  we  did  not  know  it  until  sev- 
eral days  after  his  death.  This  is  all  I  can  tell  you  about  it.  There  is 
no  doubt  but  that  the  Bufialo-gnats  killed  him.  I  learn  that  he  was 
very  much  swollen.  He  has  a  brother  living  near  Chestnut  Bluff  named 
Clinton  Stokes,  but  I  do  not  think  he  could  give  you  an^^  information. 
You  ask  what  part  of  the  body  was  bitten.  I  can  not  tell  this,  but  think 
it  was  his  hands,  arms,  face,  neck,  etc. — A.  E.  Buck. 

NEW  EUROPEAN  NATURAL    ENEMIES    OF    THE    ASPARAGUS    BEETLE. 

H.  Lucas,  in  the  Annales  de  la  Society  Entomologique  de  France,lst 
part  for  1888,  just  published,  announces  that  he  has  discovered  two  new 
natural  enemies  of  Grioccris  asparagi  in  the  vicinity  of  Huppain.  One 
is  the  Heteropter  Calocoris  chenopodU,  which  he  discovered  in  the  act 
of  sucking  a  larva,  while  the  other  is  of  much  more  importance  and  is 
nothing  less  than  an  internal  Tachiuid  parasite,  viz,  Myohia  jrnmila. 
This  species  has  long  been  known  in  Europe  and  was  first  described  by 
Macquart  in  1854.  Mr.  Lucas  observed  these  fiies  abundantly  through- 
out the  asparagus  beds,  but  did  not  suspect  that  they  were  parasites  of 
the  larva  of  the  Asparagus  Beetle.  While  searching,  however,  for  the 
pupa  of  the  Crioceris  he  found  in  the  earth  under  the  young  plants  a 
large  number  of  larval  skins,  which  had  near  the  head,  and  sometimes 
also  at  the  other  end  of  the  body,  large  openings.  He  took  a  dozen  full- 
grown  larviii  and  placed  them  in  a  box  (this  was  in  July,  1887),  and 
upon  his  return  to  Paris,  about  the  middle  of  August,  he  found  that 
several  of  the  Tachinid  flies  had  emerged,  having  undergone  tlieir  trans- 
formation to  pupa  and  to  fly  within  the  skin  of  the  Crioceris  larvse. 
From  observations  which  he  made  it  seems  that  the  fly  frequently 
emerges  from  the  larv^a  before  the  latter  has  descended  to  the  ground. 


62 

No  oue  seems  to  have  noticed  tliis  habit  of  the  Myohia  before,  and, 
judging  from  JMr.  Lucas's  expeiience,  it  seems  to  have  been  so  common 
in  the  locality  where  he  observed  it  as  to  be  an  important  factor  in  reg- 
ulating the  numbers  of  the  Asi)aragus  Beetle.  Up  to  the  present  tinie 
not  a  single  natural  enemj'  of  this  insect  has  been  discovered  in  Amer- 
ica, although  it  is  annually  doing  a  great  deal  of  damage  from  Long 
Island  to  Virginia  and  for  some  little  distance  inland.  It  ought  not  to 
be  a  difficult  thing  at  the  proper  season  of  the  year  to  import  this  para- 
site from  France,  and  we  shall  be  greatly  pleased  if  our  friend,  M.Lucas, 
will  assist  us  by  sending  material.  JSTo  species  of  Myohia  are  now  knowu 
in  this  country, 

CONCERNING    THE   UJI   PARASITE   OF   THE   SILK-WORM. 

Prof.  C.  Sasaki's  admirable  paper  upon  the  biology  of  the  celebrated 
silk-worm  parasite  of  Jaiian  has  already  been  noticed  in  this  country  in 
a  recent  number  of  the  American  Naturalist,  and  hence  does  not  require 
further  notice  here.  We  may  state,  however,  that  we  have  received  spec- 
imens of  the  parasite  from  Professor  Sasaki  direct.  Our  object  in  men- 
tioning the  papor  at  this  time  is  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  J.  M. 
F.  Bigot,  in  the  AnnaJcs  for  1888  (Bulletin,  page  XXXIX)  states  that  after 
a  careful  examination  of  the  plate  he  has  is  decidedly  of  the  opinion 
that  Rondaui's  provisional  erection  of  the  genus  Ujimyiafov  this  species 
was  unnecessary  and  that  it  really  is  nothing  but  a  species  of  the 
Tachinid  genus  Leslcia  of  Eobineau-Desvoidy  (1830).  Mr.  Bigot's  de- 
termination of  this  fact  is  extremely  interesting  because  from  his  stand- 
ing as  a  dipterologist  there  cau  be  but  little  doubt  as  to  the  accuracy 
of  this  conclusion  and  principally  because  there  are  two  European 
species  of  the  genus  Leslda,  viz,  L.  aiirea  and  L.  bicolor,  and  there  will 
therefore  be  opportunity  in  Europe  to  verify  the  abnormal  point  in  the 
life  history  of  the  Uji  fly  brought  out  by  Mr.  Sasaki,  which  is  to  the 
eflect  that  the  eggs  are  not  laid  upon  the  silkworms,  as  is  the  custom 
with  other  Tachinids,  but  are  laid  upon  the  mulberry  leaves  and  are 
hatched  after  they  have  been  eaten  by  the  silk-worms.  We  are  not 
aware  whether  the  habits  of  the  P]uropean  species  are  known,  but  if 
they  are  at  all  common  it  ought  to  be  not  a  difficult  matter  to  ascertain 
their  habits  and  to  compare  them  with  those  of  Leslcia  scricaria,  as  the 
Uji  fly  must  now  be  called. 

Our  faith  in  the  unity  of  habit  in  the  same  family  would  make  us 
somewhat  skeptical  of  the  accuracy  of  Sasaki's  observations,  notwith- 
standing the  high  character  of  the  work  as  a  whole. 


PERSONNEL   OF  THOSE  ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  coutribtitors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permaueiit  and  temporary  employes: 

IVISION   OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    S.   DKPAKTMENT   OK   AGlilCULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Office  staff :    L.  O.  Howard,   First  Assistant;    E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande,  Tyler 

Townsend,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 

in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 
Field  .lijeiitu :  Sainl.  Honshaw,  Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind. ;  Herbert 

Osboru,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.W.  McLain,   Hinsdale,  111.  ;  Mary  E.  MurtfeMt,    Kirkwood, 

Mo.;  Lawience  Bruuer,  West  Point,  Nebr. ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ; 

Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  INSECTS,   0.    8.    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Honorarrj  curator  :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

I^^For  bibliographical  purposes  it  maybe  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  thiir  communica- 
tions. Wliere  initials  alone  are  append(!d,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above. 

Editorial  or  nnsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  accredited  to  "  Insect  Life,"  or, 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of  the 
correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  \et  much  of  it  is  also  attended 
to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  during  my 
absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that  only  those 
articles  signed  by  either  ahould  be  cousidorod  individual. — U.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION   OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  SEPTEMBER,    1888. 


A^ol.    I. 


^o.   3, 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    FEINTING    OFFICE. 

1888. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Eon  OKI  ALS 63 

Notes  on  the  Kooky  Mountain  Locus Lawrence  Bruner.        65 

Injury  done  by  Roaches  to  the  files  in  the  Treasury  at  Washington..        67 
Further  notes  on  the  Hop  Plant-louse  (Phorodon  humuli)..  C.  V.  Riley.        70 

Life-history  of  Graptodera  foliacea  Lee Mary  E.  MttrtfeJdt.        74 

A  man-infesting  Bot  ( illustrated) Budolpli  Maias,  M.  D.         76 

Steps  towards  a  revision  of  Chambers'  Inde.v,  avith  notes  and  descrip- 
tions of  new  species Lord  Walsingham.        81 

Extracts  from  correspondence Sf) 

The  Strawberry  Weevil  iu  Pennsylvania — Graptodera  j^uncfipoini-^  injuring 
nursery  stock — Lachnosterna  hirticula  injuring  poplars  and  oaks — Insects 
confounded  witli  the  Hessian  Fly  prior  to  the  Revolution — Injury  from  non- 
migratory  locusts  in  Michigan — Australian  letters  on  Icerya 

Notes 88 

A  destructive  cricket  iu  Louisiana — A  new  enemy  to  Honey  Bees — An  un- 
published habit  of  Jllorhina  nitida — A  new  remedy  against  the  Woolly  Ap- 
ple-louse— Ovipositiou  of  the  Plum  Gouger — Recent  s  warmings  of  insects — 
An  inexpert  defense — Insect  damage  to  the  corks  of  wine-bottles — Locusts 
in  Algeria — Enemies  of  Icerya  iu  New  Zealand — Entomology  in  Chili 


Vol.  1,  No.  3.]  INSECT   LIFE.        [September,  1888. 


Outlook  for  Locust  or  Grasshopper  Injury.— One  of  tbe  most  important 
results  of  the  Eocky  Mountain  Locust  investigation  by  the  U.  S 
Entomological  Commission  is  that,  by  visiting  the  chief  breeding- 
grounds  of  the  insect  and  noting  the  state,  of  affairs  there,  it  is 
possible  to  predict  in  advance,  with  a  high  degree  of  probability, 
whether  or  not  there  is  auj'  danger  of  extensive  injury  the  ensuing- 
year  in  the  temporary  region,  or  country  occasionally  invaded.  Fully 
recognizing  the  economic  importance  of  this,  we  have,  since  our  con- 
nection with  this  Department,  endeavored  to  have  such  observations 
made,  whenever  practicable,  as  would  give  us  the  required  knowledge; 
and  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  conclusions  which  we  have  hitherto 
ventured  to  draw  from  the  reports  have  been  so  far  uniformly  justified 
by  subsequent  experience.  Mr.  Lawrence  Bruner  has  just  returned 
from  a  visit  to  northwestern  T^ebraska,  southwestern  Dakota,  and  cen- 
tral Wyoming,  and  has  sent  us  a  brief  report  of  the  results,  which  will 
be  found  in  this  number.  It  is  with  great  pleasure,  therefore,  that  we 
announce  that,  so  far  as  this  examination  warrants  an  opinion,  the  out- 
look for  the  coming  year  is  most  favorable.  We  are  all  the  more 
pleased  to  make  this  announcement  because,  from  the  accounts  in  the 
Ottertail  region  of  Minnesota  earlier  in  the  season,  and  the  excessive 
drought  that  has  prevailed  for  two  or  three  years  in  some  portions  of 
the  West  and  Northwest,  we  had  fears  of  serious  injury  in  the  near 
future. 

While,  therefore,  the  work  of  Mr.  Lugger  in  Minnesota,  and  that  of 
Mr.  Bruner  in  other  parts  of  the  Northwest,  show  favorably  for  the  im- 
mediate future,  very  considerable  injury  has  been  done  by  sedentary  or 
uon- migratory  species  in  some  parts  of  the  country  the  present  year. 
An  account  of  very  serious  damage  in  Michigan  from  Galoptenus  bivit- 
tatus  and  G.  femur-ruhrum  appears  in  the  "  Extracts  from  Correspond- 
ence" in  the  present  number. 


We  are  much  gratified  at  the  manner  in  which  "Insect  Life"  has 
been  received,  and  with  the  many  assurances  from  working  entomolo- 
gists of  sympathy  and  support.     We  shall  be  glad  to  publish,  from  any 

63 


64 

source,  origiual  contributions  to  knowledge  of  insect  life,  or  communi- 
cations that  will  in  any  way  advance  economic  entomology.  A  promi- 
nent author  and  naturalist,  and  one  deeply  interested  in  tlie  habits  of 
insects,  so  nearly  expresses  our  intentions  and  wishes  in  a  recent  letter 
that  we  quote  the  following  passage  therefrom: 

May  I  be  permitted  also  to  express  my  gratification  at  the  actiou  of  the  Agricult- 
ural Bureau  iu  ruakiug  this  uew  departure.  In  my  judgment  it  is  a  highly  impor- 
tant and  valuable  addition  to  the  study  of  economical  entomology,  and  indirectly  will 
tend  to  stimulate  all  investigations  into  the  habits  of  our  insect  fauna.  I  sincerely  trust 
that  this  monthly  bulletin  will  be  a  prominent  feature  of  your  Division,  and  that  it 
will  assume  a  broader  character  as  it  develops  and  become  a  national  organ  of  all  who 
are  working  in  the  field  which  it  covers ;  that  it  will  repregent  us  before  the  entomol- 
ogists of  Europe,  and  will  thus  become  what  we  have  so  long  needed,  a  vehicle  of  com- 
munication between  the  more  scientific  workers  and  students  and  the  masses  of  intel- 
ligent people,  as  well  as  an  organ  of  interchange  of  facts  and  theories  between  ento- 
mologists themselves. 


Importation  of  Insect  Parasites.— It  is  rarely  that  such  an  excellent  op- 
portunity offers  for  practically  exemplifying  the  benefit  that  may 
accrue  from  the  artificial  introduction  of  parasites  of  introduced  in- 
sects that  are  injurious  to  agriculture  as  has  lately  been  afforded 
by  the  history  of  that  most  destructive  of  Oalifornian  pests  the 
Fluted  Scale  {Icerya  purchasi).  At  our  request  and  through  the 
kind  efforts  of  Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  of  Adelaide,  South  Aus- 
tralia, the  Dipterous  parasite,  described  by  Dr.  Williston  on  page  21 
of  this  journal,  has  been  successfully  introduced,  but  with  what  final 
results  we  shall  indicate  later  on.  The  subject  is,  however,  so  im- 
portant that  we  have  long  wished  to  have  a  thorough  study  made  of  the 
])arasites  of  the  Icerya  in  Australia,  with  a  view  to  a  systematic  effort 
to  introduce  them  alive.  The  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  appealed  to 
Congress  for  authorization  to  send  an  agent  to  Australia  for  such  pur- 
pose, but  without  avail,  as  there  has  for  some  years  been  a  clause  in  the 
bill  appropriating  for  several  of  the  divisions  of  the  Department  which 
confines  investigations  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States.  We  are 
glad  to  announce,  however,  that  through  the  public  spirit  of  the  com- 
missioners to  the  Melbourne  Exposition,  and  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  has  been  able  to  send  an  agent,  and 
Mr.  Albert  Koebele  sailed  on  the  23d  of  August  under  our  instructions, 
from  which  we  quote  the  following  : 

As  you  have  already  been  informed,  your  mission  to  Australia  is  for  the  purpose  of 
making  an  investigation  of  the  parasites  oi  Icerya  purchasi,  with  a  view  of  introduc- 
ing them  into  California.  It  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  go  to  Adelaide  to  see  Mr. 
Frazer  S.  Crawford,  who  sent  the  Dipterous  parasites  and  the  Calosiomas  (or  rather 
Monophlwhits  crawfordi)  to  Mr.  Klee  and  Mr.  Coquillett  at  my  request.  This  Dipte- 
rous parasite  has  been  named  by  Dr.  Williston  Lestophonus  icerya',  and  at  Adelaide 
you  will  probably  be  able  to  study  this  insect  carefully.  Make  the  most  careful  in- 
vestigations wherever  you  can  learn  of  the  occurrence  of  Icerya,  and  find  as  many  of 
its  natural  enemies  in  Australia  as  possible.  Find  out  also  the  periods  at  whi-ch  these 
parasites  oviposit,  and  ascertain  the  season  at  which  success  in  importation  will  be 


65 

most  likely  with  each  and  all  of  them.  Once  on  the  ground  you  can  see  for  yourself 
just  what  will  be  necessary  to  be  done  in  order  to  bring  about  this  result.  You  should 
also  endeavor  to  iilace  the  Department  in  correspondence  with  as  many  observers  as 
you  can  interest  in  the  subject,  and  should  by  all  means  endeavor  to  get  at  least  one 
person  who  will  be  able  to  devote  some  time  to  the  matter  and  to  continue  observa- 
tions after  you  return.  You  will  inquire  immediately  upon  arriving  in  Melbourne 
couceruiug  the  largest  orange-growing  districts  in  Australia,  and  also  make  inquiries 
as  to  the  best  places  for  observing  Icerya,  aside  from  Adelaide.  If  you  will  visit  the 
Botanic  Gardens  in  Melbourne  you  will  be  able  to  get  some  information  there.  Baron 
"Von  Mueller,  formerly  director  of  the  Botanic  Garden,  is  still  a  resident  of  that  city, 
and  you  will  find  him  a  very  well-informed  person  to  consult.  I  inclose  letters  of  in- 
troduction both  to  Mr.  Crawford  and  to  Baron  Von  Mueller. 

We  shall  hope  for  good  results  from  Mr.  Koebele's  investigation,  for 
we  have  no  one  connected  with  us  who  is  more  careful,  capable,  and 
persistent  in  field  investigations. 


New  England  Butterflies — We  are  glad  to  learn  from  Mr.  Scudderthat 
his  great  work  on  New  England  Butterflies  is  now  rapidly  printing,  and 
he  hopes  to  get  the  first  part  out  early  in  the  autumn.  From  what  we 
know  of  this  publication  and  the  great  care  and  ability  of  the  author, 
we  anticipate  the  most  thorough  and  creditable  piece  of  entomological 
work  ever  published  in  this  country. 


NOTES  ON  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  LOCUST. 

West  Point,  Nebr., 

August  28,  1888. 

Dear  Sir:  In  accordance  with  your  letter  of  instructions  accom- 
panying that  of  the  honorable  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  I  left  home 
on  the  9th  day  of  the  present  month  for  a  short  tour  of  the  northwest- 
ern portion  of  this  State  and  adjoining  portions  of  Dakota  and  Wyoming, 
to  examine  into  the  subject  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Locust,  so  as  to  be 
able  to  report  as  to  its  future  possible  depredations ;  also  to  collect 
the  various  species  of  locusts  to  be  met  with  at  the  different  localities 
where  halts  were  made. 

I  accordingly  made  the  first  halt  at  Valentine,  near  Fort  Mobrara. 
Here,  although  it  rained  and  was  cloudy  during  the  entire  day,  quite  a 
number  of  very  interesting  locusts  were  captured.  Among  these  but 
two  specimens  of  the  migratory  species  were  found,  although  special 
search  was  made  for  that  particular  kind.  Inquiry  among  the  sur- 
rounding settlers  and  officers  of  the  fort  proved  the  almost  entire  ab- 
sence of  the  pest  for  a  considerable  number  of  years. 

At  Chadron  a  second  stop  was  made.  Here,  also,  collections  were 
made,  with  fair  success ;  but  not  a  specimen  of  M.  sprefus  found  or  re- 
ported by  the  many  persons  interviewed.     Here  the  "  Bad  Lands  "  fur- 


66 

nished  a  species  of  Trimerotropis  which  may  be  ne\y,  as  did  the  grassy 
bluff's  near  Valentine  one  belonging*  to  the  genus  Mesops. 

The  next  halt  was  made  at  Buff"alo  Gap,  Dak.,  where  I  took  the 
stage  for  Hot  Springs,  a  point  15  miles  distant  and  much  better  situ- 
ated for  making  collections  in  the  Acridinw.  A  portion  of  two  days  was 
spent  here  and  some  collections  made,  with  the  result  of  greatly  extend- 
ing the  known  range  of  a  number  of  species.  No  new  material  was 
found. 

From  this  latter  place  I  hired  a  team,  in  company  with  a  commercial 
man,  to  Custer.  At  this  place  much  interesting  material  was  taken, 
and  Harney  Peak,  the  highest  point  in  the  Black  Hills,  visited,  upon 
the  summit  and  upper  slopes  of  which  sub-alpine  forms  of  Mela)ioi)lus 
and  Pezotettix  were  taken.  One  of  these,  possibly  two  of  them,  may  be 
new.  A  good  series  of  all  were  obtained,  notwithstanding  the  diflficulty 
with  which  the  mountain  was  climbed,  the  distance  traveled,  and  the 
rain  that  fell  during  the  day.  The  altitude  of  Harney  Peak  is  just 
about  8,000  feet  above  sea-level.  Collections  were  also  made  at  about 
5,000  feet  elevation.  At  this  latter  elevation  a  species  of  Arcyptera 
was  obtained  that  is  new  to  me,  possibly  new  to  science. 

Having  visited  the  most  interesting  portions  of  the  Black  Hills  region 
for  the  collection  of  Acridians,  and  not  hearing  of  any  locust  depreda- 
tions to  the  northward,  it  was  decided  not  to  visit  Eapid  City,  but  to 
return  to  Buff"alo  Gap  via  the  Hot  Springs.  Just  before  starting  I 
learned  of  the  presence  of  the  Army  Worm  (Leucania  unijiuncta), 
about  three  miles  from  Custer.  The  description  was  so  perfect  that  the 
identity  of  the  insect  was  sure.  My  informant  claimed  that  but  a  single 
field  of  oats  had  been  injured. 

At  Fort  Robinson,  Xebr.,  a  second  army-worm  depredation  was 
brought  to  my  notice,  this  time  receiving  my  personal  attention.  Here, 
as  at  Custer,  but  a  single  field  of  oats  was  injured,  and  if  attended  to, 
the  pupiB,  which  had  just  formed,  can  mostly  be  destroyed,  and  prevent 
the  possible  greater  injury  next  year. 

Here  collections  were  made  in  the  family  Acrididcv,  but  no  new  species 
added.  Some  of  the  western  or  Rocky  Mountain  species  were  found, 
thereby  extending  their  hitherto  known  range  considerably  farther 
eastward. 

At  this  point  I  was  enabled  to  meet  quite  a  number  of  Army  officers 
and  troops  who  had  recently  been  over  different  portions  of  Wyoming, 
Colorado,  and  Utah,  and  from  them  learned  that  the  Rocky  Mountain 
locust  is  nowhere  present  in  these  parts  in  more  than  ordinary  numbers. 
To  be  entirely  satisfied  as  to  the  possible  mistake  of  these  different  per- 
sons with  whom  I  spoke  on  the  subject,  I  went  as  far  west  as  Douglas, 
Wyo.,  only  to  find  spretus  entirely  absent  there.  Inquiries  here  also 
went  to  show  that  this  pest  is  nowhere  to  be  found  within  the  region 
mentioned,  nor  had  any  damage  been  reported  since  several  years 
ago.     Here,  also,  some   scattering  injuries  by  the  army-worm  were 


67 

reported,  bat  not  iu  such  numbers  as  those  mentioned  above.  At  one 
or  two  localities,  viz,  on  Upper  Powder  River,  and  at  a  point  about 
twenty-two  miles  west  of  Douglas,  native  hoppers  of  various  kinds  had 
done  some  little  injury  to  gardens,  but  nothing  further. 

Finally,  unless  there  should  be  swarms  at  present  unknown  to  me  iu 
Montana,  Northern  Dakota,  and  tUe  British  Possessions  to  the  north — 
and  the  swarms  of  Ottertail  County,  Minn.,  and  neighborhood  have 
been  pretty  well  reduced — there  is  no  danger  of  an  invasion  for  several 
years  to  come. 

Very  respectfully,  etc., 

Lawrence  Bruner, 

Special  Agent. 
Prof.  0.  V.  Riley, 

U.  S.  Entomologist^  Washington,  D.  G. 


INJURY  DONE  BY  ROACHES  TO  THE  FILES  IN  THE  TREASURY 
AT  WASHINGTON. 

In  consequence  of  the  injury  done  to  certain  valuable  documents  on 
file  at  the  Treasury  Department  by  insects  or  mice,  the  following  letter 
was  written  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in  May  last: 

Treasury  Department,  Office  of  the  Secretary, 

May  22,  1888. 
Sir:  The  Secretary's  files  of  this  Department  are  being  seriously  injured  by  the 
ravages  of  insects  or  vermin,  and  with  a  view  to  the  adoption  of  some  means  for 
their  extermination,  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favor  if  you  will  authorize  Prof.  Charles  V. 
Riley,  or  some  equally  competent  officer,  of  your  Department,  to  make  an  examina- 
tion of  the  matter  and  recommend  such  measures  as  shall  enable  this  office  to  protect 
its  files  and  records  from  further  mutilation. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Hugh  S.  Thompson, 

Acting  Secretary. 
Hon.  Norman  J.  Colman, 

Commissioner  of  Agriculture. 

In  answer  to  this,  we  sent  Mr.  Townsend  with  the  following  letter  to 
the  chief  clerk  of  the  Treasury  Department: 

U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Division  of  Entomology, 

May  23,  1888.. 
Dear  Sir  :  In  accordance  with  instructions  from  the  honorable  Commissioner  of 
Agriculture,  given  me  at  the  request  of  Hon.  Hugh  S.  Thompson,  Acting  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  I  send  the  bearer,  Mr.  Townsend,  an  assistant  in  this  Division,  to  ex- 
amine the  rooms  iu  which  the  damaged  records  are  stored.  Will  you  kindly  allow 
Mr.  Townsend  every  facility  for  this  examination  ?  Upon  his  report  my  recommenda- 
tion will  be  based. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

C.  V.  Riley, 

Enlomologist. 
Mr.  E.  B.  Youmans, 

Chief  Cleric,  Treasury  Department. 


68 

Accordingly  Mr.  Townseucl  visited  the  Treasury  May  23,  1888,  and 
was  shown  every  attention  by  Mr.  Youmans,  who  in  person  took  him 
all  through  the  building,  and  assisted  him  in  making  the  following 
observations  : 

PERIPLANETA  AMERICANA. 

The  basement  was  first  visited  and  many  books  examined  which  had 
the  entire  backs  eaten  ofl.  These  were  old  as  well  as  more  recently 
bound  books  and  were  on  shelves  away  from  the  floor,  all  being  in  as 
dry  and  favorable  situations  as  are  to  be  found  in  the  basement.  No 
specimens  were  found  at  work.  Those  found  had  been  killed  by  the 
insect  powder  which  had  been  applied  all  over  and  around  the  records 
the  afternoon  before,  and  were  lying  on  their  backs.  They  were  the 
large  native  species  only,  Periplaneta  americana,  there  being  none  of 
Ectohia  germanica,  the  smaller  common  roach  (called  also  "Croton  Bug" 
and  "  Water  Bug").  No  live  roaches  had  been  noticed  that  day,  not 
having  up  to  that  time  re-appeared.  All  those  that  had  been  covered 
with  the  powder  had  died.  A  large  number  of  copies  of  the  "  Senate 
Eeport  upon  Methods  of  Business  in  the  Executive  Departments,"  which 
had  just  been  bound  (printed  March  8,  1888),  and  were  piled  up  from 
the  floor,  were  half  of  them  eaten  into  in  patches  over  the  backs  and 
covers  outside,  presenting  a  corroded  appearance.  These  reports  are 
sparingly  sent  out  on  account  of  their  value  and  importance.  A  spec- 
imen set,  showing  the  injuries  by  the  roaches,  will  be  sent  to  this 
Division.  These  books  were  bound  in  black  cloth  and  had  been  eaten 
into  for  the  paste  with  which  the  cloth  was  put  on  the  covers.  It  was 
for  the  same  reason  that  the  backs  of  the  other  older,  leather-bound  books 
had  been  eaten  away.  Specimens  of  excrement  found  on  the  shelves 
near  these  books  no  doubt  belong  to  P.  americana,  and  the  places  eaten 
had  similar  excrementitious  spots  upon  them.  Many  of  the  records 
stored  here  are  of  the  utmost  value  and  importance,  some  of  which  it 
would  be  utterly  impossible  to  replace,  but  all  are  liable  to  be  treated 
alike  by  the  roaches.  In  the  macerating  room  large  roaches  also  occur. 
The  large  species  seems  to  go  no  higher  than  one  or  two  stories,  and  very 
few  of  them  above  the  basement.  The  basement  is  naturally  somewhat 
damp,  is  heated  by  steam  in  winter,  and  the  roaches  have  been  worst  in 
the  darker  places.  They  have  not  been  as  troublesome  in  winter.  It 
also  seems  that  there  were  more  of  them  in  west  wing  of  the  building,  and 
not  so  many  on  the  east  side  of  the  wing,  the  windows  of  which  open 
into  the  inner  court,  as  on  the  west  side.  The  injured  records  are  stored 
in  the  basement  of  the  west  wing.  The  walls  are  very  solid,  being  of 
stone  or  iron,  with  very  few  cracks  or  holes  therein^  and  none  in  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  books  most  eaten.  The  corridor  outside  these  rooms 
is  said  to  be  full  of  the  roaches  in  the  early  morning. 

ECTOBIA   GERMANICA. 

Upstairs  all  above  second  floor,  only  this  species  occurs.    None  what- 
ever occur  in  the  library,  which  is  kept  very  clean  and  neat  by  the  lady 


69 

in  charge,  and  tlie  rooms  are  ligbt  and  dry.  In  file-rooms  on  top  floor, 
where  only  papers  are  kept  (east  wing),  there  are  no  roaches  eitlier  hirge 
or  small.  There  are  no  pasted  records  of  any  kind  in  these  file-rooms, 
and  employes  are  not  allowed  to  take  any  lunch  there.  The  rooms  are 
dry  and  light,  having  sky-lights  in  the  roof.  No  insects  of  any  kind  are 
found  there  unless  brought  from  other  parts  of  the  building,  when  they 
soon  disappear.  The  binding  room  on  same  floor,  and  connected  with 
the  file-rooms  by  narrow  passages,  was  visited  and  JE.  germanica  found 
there  and  also  in  printing  room  next  to  it.  Numerous  live  specimens 
in  drawers  and  under  books  in  office,  off"  printing  room,  were  found. 
Also  specimens  were  seen  in  these  drawers  which  from  the  description 
given  me  were  probably  the  imago  of  the  clothes-moth.  The  printing 
office  was  formerly  in  basement  where  the  eaten  records  are  now  stored, 
and  these  records  were  at  that  time  kept  in  the  room  now  occupied  by 
the  printing  office,  which  is  on  top  floor.  The  present  change  was  made 
out  of  humanity  to  the  employes,  for  whom  the  basement  proved  too 
unhealthy.  But  the  basement  seems  to  be  equally  unhealthy  for  the 
records,  though  from  not  exactly  the  same  cause.  In  a  room  on  top 
floor  where  some  light-house  records  are  stored,  some  of  the  smaller 
species  are  found,  and  a  number  of  small  paper-bound  reports  (bound 
in  blue  paper)  had  the  backs  partly  eaten  away,  evidently  to  get  at  the 
paste.  This  work  did  not  resemble  that  of  mice,  nor  did  any  that  1 
examined.     Steam  heater  in  this  room. 

OTHER   INSECTS. 

No  flights  of  white  ants  have  been  noticed  in  basement  by  employes 
questioned.  No  other  insects  which  could  have  any  bearing  on  this 
question  had  ever  been  seen  there,  and  the  rooms  are  not  troubled  with 
mice. 

REMARKS. 

Mr.  Youmans  believes  that  dampness  or  dryness  affect  the  insects 
very  little,  but  that  they  stay  where  there  is  food  to  their  liking.  The 
safety  of  these  files  before  referred  to  is  of  very  serious  importance  to 
the  officers  of  the  Department,  as  the  chief  clerk  is  held  responsible 
for  them  all  (whether  eaten  or  otherwise),  and  is  supposed  to  be  able 
at  any  time  to  produce  any  record  called  for.  He  can  not  say  it  is  not 
there,  because  a  copy  has  been  filed  with  him  ;  nor  can  he  say  it  has 
been  destroyed,  because  there  is  no  law  for  the  destruction  of  any  record. 
The  law  does  not  recognize  the  agency  of  insects  in  this  regard.  In  all 
these  cases  of  injury  it  was  only  those  i)art.s  permeated  with  paste  that 
had  been  molested ;  therefore  as  a  remedy  for  the  future  it  would  seem 
advisable  to  use  ii  poisoned  paste  in  the  binding  of  the  Government  pub- 
lications. 

On  May  24, 1888,  specimens  of  the  roaches  and  a  sample  set  of  books 


70 

were  received  from  Mr.  Youmans.     The  following  recommeudatious 
were  then  made : 

U.  S.  Depaktment  of  Agriculture,  Divisiox  of  Entomology, 

May  -26,  1888. 
Dear  Sir  :  I  take  pleasure  in  ackuo wledgiug  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  24th  traus- 
mitting  specimens  of  'iockroaches  from  your  building,  and  also  acknowledge  with 
thanks  the  receipt  of  the  volumes  of  the  "Senate  Report  upon  Methods  of  Business 
in  the  Executive  Departments."  The  cockroaches  sent  are  not  the  big  Oriental  Cock- 
roach, as  I  had  supposed  from  your  description,  but  belong  to  the  native  species 
known  as  Periplaneta  americana,  and  it  is  (luite  evident  that  this  insect  alone  is  the 
cause  of  the  damage  to  your  books.  Uuder  these  circumstances  I  can  add  noth- 
ing to  my  verbal  advice  of  the  other  day,  which  was  to  use  thoroughly  and  pei'sist- 
ently  the  California  Buhach,  which  Mr.  Townsend  tells  me  you  have  already  pur- 
chased. This  substance  does  not  act  upon  the  roaches  instantly,  but  very  few  recover 
which  have  been  touched  by  it,  although  they  may  take  a  day  or  so  in  dying.  It  has 
been  used  with  great  success  in  badly-infested  houses. 
Respectfully,  yours. 


Mr.  E.  B.  Youmans, 

Chief  Clerk,  Treasury  Department. 


V.  Riley, 
Entomologist. 


FURTHER  NOTES  ON  THE  HOP  PLANT-LOUSE  (Phorodon  humuli).* 

At  our  last  meeting  I  gave  some  account  of  investigations  which,  up 
to  that  time,  I  had  made  on  the  life-history  of  the  Hop  Plaut-lonse, 
proving  that  it  does  not  hibernate  on  the  ground  nor  in  any  part  of  the 
hop-yards,  but  that  it  migrates  in  autumn  from  the  Hop  to  diiferent 
species  of  Plum,  both  wild  and  cultivated,  and  winters  on  the  twigs  of 
the  same  in  the  e^^  state.  That  communication  was  made  in  August, 
and  left  some  facts  covering  the  period  from  that  time  until  the  ensuing 
spring  problematical  and  to  be  ascertained  by  further  investigation.  I 
have  since  iiersistently  followed  up  the  matter,  both  in  this  country  and 
in  Europe,  and  can  best  supplement  the  article  of  a  year  ago  by  quoting 
the  following  from  a  communication  to  the  Gardenerh  Chronicle  of  Eng- 
land for  October  22,  1887: 

"During  the  hop  harvest  (this  year  in  Kent  at  its  height  the  last  week 
in  September),  and  some  time  prior  thereto,  the  insects  are  fast  getting 
wings.  This  is  the  only  winged  generation  produced  on  the  Hop,  and 
all  individuals,  irrespective  of  brood,  show  the  tendency  to  become 
winged,  so  thoroughly  is  aphid  life,  like  plant  life,  influenced  by  tem- 
perature and  season.  The  first  to  get  wings  are  agamic  females,  and 
they  instinctively  leave  the  hop-yards  and  settle  upon  different  varie- 
ties and  species  of  Prunus,  and  begin  at  once  to  breed  and  bring  forth 
young.  Their  flight  is  much  iufluenced  by  meteorological  conditions, 
but  they  swarm  in  the  air  during  mild  and  pleasant  days.     On  my  very 

*  Paper  by  C.  V.  Riley  before  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agricultural  Science, 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  August  21,  1888. 


71 

first  visit  to  Maidstone  several  settled  on  my  person  while  1  was  being- 
driven  from  the  station,  and  where  wind  and  temperature  were  favora- 
ble I  have  known  them,  in  a  single  day,  literally  tj  cover  certain  shel- 
tered Damson  trees  close  to  a  hop-yard,  where  but  few  could  be  detected 
upon  the  trees  the  previous  day.  They  array  themselves  on  the  under- 
side of  the  leaves,  heads  generally  all  in  one  direction,  and  in  a  very  few 
days  they  are  intersprinkled  with  their  pale  and  wingless  young,  though 
each  produces  but  four  to  five  before  dying.  These  wingless  individu- 
als are  the  only  generation  produced  in  autumn  on  Prunns,  and  are  the 
true  sexual  females.  White  at  first,  they  become  yellowish-orange  and 
olivaceous  with  maturity,  the  head  and  the  members  darkening.  The 
last  to  acquire  wings  in  the  hop-yards  are  males,  and  they  settle  upon 
the  plum  leaves  (this  year  most  numerously  October  5),  and  fecundate 
the  females,  which  thereafter  lay  a  few  eggs  (not  more  than  four  or  five) 
around  the  latent  buds,  and  in  any  crack  or  sheltered  part  of  the  twigs, 
especially  of  the  previous  year's  growth.  The  eggs,  at  first  yellowish- 
green,  soon  get  darker,  and  finally  black,  and  become,  in  time,  more  or 
less  covered  with  dust  particles,  mold,  the  exuviae  of  mites,  etc.,  which 
adhere  by  means  of  the  sticky  '  honeydew'  everywhere  produced  by 
aphides. 

"The  winged  males  are  easily  distinguished  from  the  winged  females 
by  their  smaller  size  and  greater  unrest,  and  when  the  former  are  most 
abundant  the  latter  have  disappeared.  At  the  present  writing  the 
males  are  fast  dying,  aud  drying  up,  but  the  impregnated  females  still 
survive,  though  there  have  been  snow  and  several  white  frosts.  Some 
of  the  later  born  will  doubtless  live  on  till  the  leaves  have  fallen ;  but 
all  will  perish  with  the  first  severe  frost,  and  the  species  will  be  per- 
petuated through  the  winter  egg,  as  already  set  forth.  The  first  eggs 
were  observed  on  the  8th  of  this  month.  My  observations  show  that 
the  winged  emigrants  from  the  Hop,  while  preferring  the  Damson,  feed 
and  breed  on  all  other  varieties  of  Prunus  which  I  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  examining,  and  which  include  the  Bullace  (a  yellow  plum), 
the  Victoria  (large  red),  the  Black  Diamond  (large  black),  the  Yellow 
Gage,  the  Green  Gage,  and  the  Orleans.  Trees  examined  in  counties 
where  no  hops  are  grown  reveal  only  the  Plum  aphis  {Aphis  pruni). 
This  species,  which  remains  on  the  Plum  the  whole  year,  also  occurs  in 
late  autumn  in  the  agamic  winged  female,  the  winged  male,  and  the 
wingless  sexual  female  forms ;  and  though  often  mixed  with  the  Hop 
Phorodon,  is  easily  recognized  by  the  want  of  cornicles  or  projections 
at  base  of  antennas,  and  by  the  greener  color,  darker  members,  and 
black  eyes  of  the  true  female,  which  oviposits  in  similar  situations  as  the 
Phorodon,  and  whose  eggs  are  scarcely  distinguishable  from  those  of 
that  species. 

"  The  absence  of  Phorodon  multiplication  on  the  Hop,  and  the  manner 
in  which  stray  plants  in  the  field  or  hedgerow  are  forsaken,  while  what 
I  have  described  is  going  on  upon  the  Plum,  is  as  marked  as  the  free- 


72 

dom  of  Plum  in  early  saminer  after  the  winged  migration  therefrom 
to  the  Hop. 

^'The  observations  here  recorded  have  shown  (as  such  minute  observa- 
tions always  do)  the  unreliability  of  iuex])ert  testimony.  As  in  Amer- 
ica, this  has  been  a  year  of  exceptional  freedom  from  hop-lice  in  England, 
and  when  I  first  visited  the  hop-yards  at  the  commencement  of  the 
gathering  I  was  told  very  generally  by  laborers  and  owners  that  no 
lice  had  been  noted  lately,  whether  on  the  Hop  or  on  the  Damson,  and 
that  I  should  find  none.  Yet,  though  the  leaves  of  the  Hop  were  re- 
markably free,  I  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  the  lice  in  the  burrs,  or 
crawling  in  all  conditions  through  the  loose  texture  of  the  sacks  which 
were  being  filled  by  the  pickers,  while  the  first  deposited  on  Plum  were 
detected  on  the  very  first  tree  examined. 

''  In  conclusion,  I  have  been  struck  with  the  great  similarity  in  the 
general  aspect  of  things  both  on  the  Hop  and  the  Plum  here  and  in 
America.  Everywhere  parasites  and  predaceous  enemies  of  the  lice, 
belonging  to  the  same  or  similar  genera,  and  in  some  instances  the 
same  species,  and  everywhere  the  omnipresent  Red  Spider  {Tetranychus 
telarins),  and  its  equally  omnipresent  spherical  reddish  eggs  at  this  sea- 
son. And  while  the  lower  average  summer  temperature  will  cause 
fewer  generations  of  the  Phorodon  to  be  produced  in  England  (prob- 
ably only  six  or  seven)  than  in  America  (where  thirteen  have  been 
traced  this  year),  and  the  beginning  and  ending  of  the  insect's  activity 
will  be  more  abrupt  there  than  here,  yet  in  all  essential  points  the  life- 
history  of  the- species  in  the  two  countries  is  the  same." 

These  facts  which  I  obtained  in  England  were  independently  con- 
firmed by  my  assistants  in  this  country  during  the  same  period,  and 
the  correspondence  between  the  facts  observed  on  both  sides  of  the 
Atlantic  has  been  set  forth  in  a  communication  to  the  Country  Gentle- 
man for  IS'ovember  17,  18S7,  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  from 
which  1  quote  the  following: 

"  Professor  Eiley's  observations  in  England  I  shall  quote  in  his  own 
words  from  a  communication  written  to  me  from  Maidstone,  October 
8.  The  exact  correspondence  is  marked,  and  is  even  surprising  when 
we  consider  the  different  conditions  of  temperature  and  rainfall. 

"  '  I  shall  be  able  after  all  to  get  to  the  continent  without  intrusting 
any  one  else  here  with  the  finale  re  Phorodon.  I  have  the  whole  thing 
complete.  Egg  laying  began  not  more  than  two  days  ago,  and  with 
the  last  two  warm,  pleasant  days  it  is  going  on  rapidly,  the  males  being 
active  in  fecundation.  I  have  not  much  time  to  write,  but  the  facts  are 
all  as  pat  and  clear  as  day  here.  From  middle  to  25th  of  September, 
while  hops  were  being  gathered,  the  winged  females  were  developing 
and  leaving  the  hops.  On  Prunus  of  all  varieties — but  particularly  on 
Damson — they  settle  and  begin  to  feed  and  produce  young.  When 
weather  and  wind  are  favorable  I  have  seen  them  cover  trees  in  two 
days  so  that  every  leaf  would  have  a  dozen  or  more,  generally  heads 


73 

all  one  way,  and  their  pale  young  would  soon  begin  to  get  abundant. 
However,  they  are  not  so  very  prolific,  and  produce  at  most  half  a 
dozen  young.  These,  without  exception,  are  the  true  females,  so  far 
as  I  have  been  able  to  make  out,  and  develop  slowly  according  to  tem- 
perature, the  earliest  produced  only  just  now  laying.  About  the  time 
the  winged  females  begin  to  die  the  winged  males  take  their  places 
and  fecundate  the  wingless  females  so  soon  as  these  are  sufficiently 
mature.  The  appearance  of  the  winged  males  settling  in  all  positions, 
and  restless,  is  quite  in  contrast  with  that  of  the  more  plump  and 
sedate  winged  females. 

"'This  means  that  the  last  generation  from  Hop  gives  us  the  winged 
parthenogenetic  female  (return  migrant)  and  the  winged  male — the  lat- 
ter somewhat  later  than  the  former  and  representing  the  remnant  or 
devitalized  residuum — the  closing  nutrient  power  of  Hnmulus  being 
sufficient  to  produce  a  male,  but  not  a  female  !  So  that  only  the  true 
sexual  female  is  produced  on  Pruuus  in  autumn. 

"  'From  appearances  she  will  not  lay  more  than  five  or  six  eggs,  and 
these  are  placed  as  in  pruni,  mail,  etc.,  by  preference  around  base  of 
nascent  or  latent  buds  and  in  cracks  and  crevices  of  last  year's  growth, 
though  sometimes  (destined  to  perish)  on  leaf  or  smooth,  green  stem. 
They  are  smooth  and  olive-green  at  first,  becoming  darker.  *  *  * 
The  essential  facts  which  I  have  published  are  all  verified. 

"  'The  true  females  are  all  white  at  first  and  indistinguishable  from 
young  of  other  generations,  but  they  gradually  grow  more  orange  and 
then  olive,  the  head  and  members  getting  darker,  and  the  anus,  espe- 
cially after  coition,  black.'  " 

The  statements  therefore  in  my  paper  of  a  year  ago  are  substantially 
correct,  and  the  principal  facts  ascertained  since  may  be  thus  briefly 
summarized: 

(1)  The  insects  begin  getting  wings  in  autumn  irrespective  of  genera- 
tion. These  winged  females  may  either  come  from  the  fifth  generation 
of  the  year  or  as  much  as  the  thirteenth,  thirteen  generations  having 
been  followed  during  the  year  1887. 

(2)  The  males  uniformly  appear  after  the  females  and  after  the  hop 
crop  is  harvested.  Hence  it  becomes  extremely  important  to  destroy 
by  fire  or  by  thorough  drenching  with  a  strong  kerosene  emulsion  all 
the  hop-vines  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  crop  is  harvested.  This 
would  cut  off  the  larger  bulk  of  the  males  so  that  there  would  be  no  im- 
pregnation of  the  sexual  females,  which  are  for  the  most  part  at  that 
time  already  on  the  Plum. 

Another  interesting  fact  is  worthy  of  record  here;  it  is  the  small 
proportion  of  eggs  which  survive  the  winter.  In  the  fields  and  orchards 
where  my  observations  were  made  in  England  some  trees  were  literally 
covered  with  eggs,  and  I  brought  a  number  of  them  with  me  to  this 
country.  The  same  was  true  of  the  plum  trees  in  New  York,  which 
■were  under  observation  by  my  assistants.     Some  of  them  were  literally 


74 

covered  with  wiuter  eggs.  I  watched  them  carefully,  not  only  by  means 
of  those  brought  with  me  from  England,  but  of  others  brought  from 
JS'ew  York  in  the  late  fall  or  early  winter,  and  still  other  specimens  re- 
peatedly received  during  the  winter  from  Riclitield  Springs.  As  the 
hatching  period  approached  I  was  quite  surprised  to  find  how  many  of 
the  eggs  shriveled  up  and  perished.  I  also  made  it  a  point  to  be  on 
the  spot  as  soon  as  vegetation  began  at  Richfield  Springs,  and  found 
there,  in  a  state  of  nature,  the  same  mortality  among  the  eggs.  The 
large  majority  of  them  that  had  escaped  natural  enemies  had  perished 
by  shrinking  and  shriveling.  Again,  the  stem-mothers,  which  hatched 
on  Plum  last  spring,  though  they  were  few  compared  with  the  number 
of  eggs  that  had  been  provided,  were  for  the  most  part  lost  through 
storms  or  the  working  of  natural  enemies,  so  that  a  very  small  propor- 
tion succeeded  in  developing.  A  number  of  additional  interesting 
details  of  an  entomological  character  have  been  obtained  since  the  last 
meeting  of  the  society,  but  they  will  be  brought  together  in  a  forth- 
coming report  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture. 

The  whole  record  has  been  rendered  the  more  difficult  by  virtue  of 
the  occurrence  of  a  very  closely  allied  species  {Phorodon  malialeb), 
which,  though  hatching  at  the  same  time  as,  and  very  similar  to,  hunnili, 
does  not  migrate  to  the  Hop,  but  goes  to  various  other  plants  of  no 
importance  in  cultivation. 


LIFE-HISTORY  OF  GRAPTODERA  FOLIACEA  Lee. 

BV  MARY  E.    MURTFELDT. 

In  Bulletin  No,  3  of  the  Kansas  Experiment  Station  Professor  Po- 
penoe  has  a  very  interesting  illustrated  article  on  what  he  denominates 
"A  iSTew  Apple  Insect."  This  paper  was  the  more  interesting  to  me 
inasmuch  as  it  anticipated — in  the  matter  of  publication— certain  ob- 
servations of  my  own  on  the  same  species. 

About  the  1st  of  June  of  the  present  year  a  correspondent  sent  me, 
from  Colorado,  a  package  containing  a  dozen  specimens  of  a  flea-beetle, 
closely  resembling  in  size  and  form  the  Grape-vine  Flea-beetle  [Grapto. 
dera  chalybea,  Illig.),  but  differing  in  color,  being  of  a  highly  polished 
metallic  green  instead  of  blue.  The  apple  leaves  inclosed  with  these 
specimens  were  riddled  with  small,  irregular  perforations,  and  I  was 
informed  that  these  leaves  correctly  represented  the  condition  of  the 
foliage  of  most  of  the  young  trees  in  an  extensive  nursery — that  of  the 
Stark  Bros.,  near  Denver,  Colo. 

As  the  species  was  unknown  to  me,  I  inclosed  specimens  to  Professor 
Riley,  who  kindly  determined  them  for  me  as  the  species  under  con- 
sideration. Professor  Riley  informed  me  that  he  had  observed  the  work 
of  the  beetle  and  its  larva  in  Missouri  in  1872  feeding  upon  Hawthorn; 
also  in  1877  in  Colorado,  and  had  published  a  brief  account  of  it  and  its 


75 

life-history,  with  a  description  of  the  larva,  iu  the  Scientific  American 
for  June  16,  1887,  and  in  the  Gardener''s  Montlily  for  July  19,  1887  (vol. 
29.  p.  216),  under  the  name  of  G.  punctipennis,  which  is  a  synonym  of 
foJiacea. 

I  placed  my  beetles  on  fresh  apple  leaves  and  awaited  developments. 

More  than  a  month  elapsed  before  I  found  any  eggs  iu  the  jar.  On 
the  9th  of  July  I  found  several  clusters  attached  to  the  stems  and  bases 
of  the  midribs  of  the  leaves.  They  are  generally  in  twos  and  threes, 
ranged  side  by  side.  They  are  about  one  millimeter  in  length,  slender, 
oblong  rather  than  oval,  of  a  pale,  dull  orange  color,  somewhat  trans- 
lucent, and  Professor  Popenoe,  who  has  also  obtained  them,  says  that 
"under  a  high  magnifying  power  the  shells  are  seen  to  be  minutely 
granulated." 

By  the  17th  of  July  a  numl)er  of  larvae  had  hatched.  Tliey  are  nearly 
cylindrical,  of  a  dull  black  color,  and  r  ather  more  elongate  in  proportion 
to  their  diameter  than  the  larv;c  of  G.  chalybea^  When  grown  they  feed 
on  the  parenchyma  of  the  leaf,  indifferently  on  either  surface,  but  later 
they  gnaw  holes  in  it  similar  to  those  made  by  the  perfect  insects.  The 
first  molt  took  place  iu  eight  days,  and  two  or  three  of  the  small  larvse 
perished  iu  the  process,  being  unable  to  entirely  withdraw  themselves 
from  the  outgrown  skins.  The  second  molt  occurred  one  week  later,  and 
in  this  also  one  larva  perished.  During  these  periods  there  are  no  changes 
of  color  or  maculation.  August  2  one  larva  had  completed  its  growth, 
and  as  it  was  making  its  way  into  the  earth  I  put  a  stop  to  its  further  de- 
velopment by  transferring  it  to  the  alcohol  bottle.  The  following  char- 
acters were  noticed:  Length  of  mature  larva  from  6  to  7  millimeters; 
diameter,  IJ  millimeters;  form,  cylindrical,  tapering  somewhat  poste- 
riorly ;  general  color  varying  from  dull  black  to  dark  fuscous;  piliferous 
plates  inconspicuous,  of  the  same  shape,  number,  and  arrangement  as 
those  of  G.  chalyhea,  black  in  color  and  slightly  polished,  each  giving 
rise  to  from  one  to  three  minute  hairs;  head  rounded,  cordate,  deep 
black,  but  not  brilliantly  polished;  i^rolegs  well  developed,  faintly  an- 
nulate at  the  joints  with  dingy  white. 

The  larvpe  move  about  consider?jbly,  but  in  a  slow  and  rather  clumsy 
fashion,  with  the  tip  of  the  abdomen  appressed  to  the  surface  of  the  leaf 
or  stem  to  assist  in  keeping  them  iu  position. 

The  pupa  is  inclosed  iu  a  frail  earthen  cocoon  or  cell,  just  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  ground. 

I:^oue  of  the  beetles  from  this  brood  have  emerged,  and  it  is  possible 
that  they  may  hibernate.  Several  of  the  parent  beetles  were,  August 
14,  still  alive  and  as  voracious  as  ever,  while  eggs  and  young  larvte 
were  still  to  be  found  on  the  leaves. 

August  14  two  larvte  entered  ground  and  the  beetles  emerged  on 
the  28th  of  the  same  month — the  duration  of  the  pupal  stage  of  life, 
being  less  than  two  weeks. 


76 

September  1.  The  last  beetles  of  the  spring  brood  have  just  died, 
possibl}'  from  a  lack  of  fresh  food  more  than  from  old  age,  as  I  was 
absent  from  home  and  could  not  give  them  personal  attention.  The 
probabilities  are  that  the  second  brood  of  these  beetles  hibernates  and 
lays  its  eggs  early  in  the  season  for  the  production  of  the  beetles  that 
are  so  destructive  throughout  the  summer. 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  account  that  G.  foliacea  is  an  all-summer 
pest  and  capable  of  inflicting  a  vast  amount  of  injury  in  the  nursery 
and  youug  orchard. 

The  gentleman  from  whom  I  obtained  the  specimens  wrote  me  that 
he  had  tried  in  vain  to  check  its  ravages  with  pyrethrum,  kerosene  emul- 
sions, Paris  green,  etc.,  in  the  proportions  and  by  the  methods  usually 
recommended,  but  that  he  had  succeeded  in  destroying  it  without  injury 
to  the  trees  by  the  use  of  white  arsenic,  1  pound  to  200  gallons  of 
water,  the  arsenic  being  first  boiled  in  a  small  quantity  of  water  and 
then  diluted  to  the  proportions  given  above. 


A  MAN  INFESTING  BOT. 

[Extracted  from  a  paper*  by  Rudolph  Matas,  M.  D.] 

On  the  morning  of  June  27,  H.  T.  McC,  an  Englishman,  aged 
thirty  eight,  presented  himself  at  my  clinic  in  ward  8,  Charity  Hospital, 
stating  that  he  had  arrived  in  this  city  one  week  before  from  an  exten- 
sive trip  to  Spanish  Honduras,  where,  on  or  about  the  11th  of  this  month 
( Juue),^  he  had  been  stung,  while  bathing,  by  a  peculiar  fly,  which  was 
well  known  in  that  country,  as  it  was  a  veritable  nuisance,  if  not  a 
scourge,  because  it  attacked  man  and  beast  alike — the  white  foreigners 
especially — and  deposited  its  ova  in  the  sting,  wherein  the  "worms" 
(larvae)  developed  until  they  attained  considerable  dimensions — half  to 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  length,  according  to  the  patient's  statement- 
He  further  stated  that  he  remembered  the  moment  when  the  fly  stung 
him,  for  he  heard  it  "buzz,"  and  felt  it  "sting"  him  in  three  distinct 
places  on  his  body,  where  he  was  sure  the  "worms"  were  now  grow- 
ing, "though  they  must  still  be  quite  youug  and  small,  on  account  of 
the  comparatively  short  time  that  they  had  been  in  the  flesh" — /.  e.,  six- 
teen days  since  ova  had  been  deposited. 

We  then  examined  the  patient,  who,  after  undressing,  showed  us 
three  red,  hard,  furuueular  swellings,  situated,  one  on  the  right  side  of 

*Thi8  paper  was  published  by  its  author,  Dr.  Matas,  Visiting  Surgeon,  Charity 
Hospital,  New  Orleans;  Demonstrator  of  Anatomy,  Medical  Department,  Tulane 
University,  at  New  Orleans,  in  September,  1887,  for  private  distribution,  imder  the 
title  "  Report  of  the  case  of  a  patient  from  whose  subcutaneous  tissue  three  larvae 
of  a  species  of  Dermatohia  were  removed;  with  remarks."  Dr.  Matas  has  had  con- 
siderable correspondence  with  the  Division  and  we  may  have  some  farther  remarks 
upon  the  subject  m  a  future  number. 


77 

the  intorgintoal  furrow,  about  2  or  3  iucUes  from  tip  of  coccyx,  and  two 
other  similar,  tboii^ii  smaller  elevations  oathe  left  side  of  the  same  fur- 
row aud  closely  adjoining  one  another.  The  first,  which  was  the  most 
prominent,  was  elevated  at  its  highest  portion  about  one-quarter  of  au 
inch  from  thjelevelof  the  surrounding  skin,  and  ])resented  a  circular  area 
of  inflammatory  hardness  which  measured  about  1^  inches  in  diameter. 
Upon  careful  and  minute  inspection  the  largest  furunculoid  mass  was 
found  to  present  in  its  most  elevated  and  central  portion  a  minute  ori- 
fice, which  might  admit  the  point  of  a  coarse  bristle.  The  other  two 
swellings  presented  also  one  central  point  each,  where  a  little  puriform 
crust  had  become  fixed,  indicating  the  original  seat  of  puncture  and 
entrance  to  the  larval  sinus. 

Trusting  to  the  patient's  account  of  himself,  we  proceeded  to  the  ex- 
traction of  the  parasites — a  procedure  which  the  patient  urgently  re- 
quested. Guided  by  the  orifice  in  the  elevation  I  cut  with  the  point  of  a 
bistoury  into  the  very  center  of  the  swelling,  but  discovered,  however, 
that  by  simply  cutting  vertically  I  had  not  incised  the  cavity  wherein 
the  larvcB  lay  concealed,  and  was  obliged  to  again  incise  obliquely  and 
to  the  right  in  order  to  expose  the  parasitic  burrow.  This  oblique  di- 
rection of  the  larval  sinus  I  found  to  be  constant  in  each  of  the  three 
"stings."  I  found  that  the  larvtie  were  lodged  immediately  under  the 
derma  proper,  so  that  in  getting  at  them,  in  order  to  expose  them  thor- 
oughly, I  had  to  cut  completely  through  the  skiu,  which,  in  the  gluteal 
region  is  particularly  thick.  It  was  discovered  also  that  a  simple  in. 
cision  was  insufficient  to  remove  the  larvae,  and  that  digital  expression, 
and  this  very  forcibly  applied,  was  necessary  in  order  to  induce  them 
to  relinquish  their  stronghold.  In  fact,  the  two  last  larvae  were  removed 
more  by  this  means  than  by  incision,  the  orifice  of  the  sinus  having 
beeu  simply  incised  in  order  to  enlarge  the  orifice  of  exit,  and  the  parts 
expressed  by  pinching  them  in  a  fold  of  skin.  The  patient  stated  that 
in  Honduras  the  natives  usually  rid  themselves  of  these  unpleasant 
guests  by  applying  hot  tobacco  ashes  to  the  parts  and  following  this 
up  by  digital  expression.  This  is  a  rather  general  treatment  for  para- 
sitic dermal  affections  in  Latin-American  countries  where  tobacco  is 
always  on  hand.  In  our  patient's  case  we  cauterized  the  cavity  or  sinus 
left  by  the  evacuatiou  of  the  larvoe  with  pure  carbolic  acid,  for  fear  that 
the  septic  })roducts  of  larval  nutrition  might  tend  to  create  inflamma- 
tory mischief.  I  was  led  to  this  precaution  because  of  the  unfortunate 
results  which  followed  the  extraction  of  similar  parasites  in  another 
case,  that  of  a  Frenchman,  also  from  Honduras,  who  was  admitted  in 
the  same  ward  during  my  absence,  about  twelve  mouths  before,  and 
who  nearly  succumbed  to  a  most  violent  and  disastrous  attack  of  erysip- 
elas, which  supervened  immediately  after  the  slight  traumatism  inflicted 
in  the  extraction.  The  larvae  had  been  deposited  in  the  inner  surface 
of  the  left  arm,  and  from  this  point  the  inflammation  spread  on  all  sides, 
swelling  up  the  whole  extremity  and  left  thoracic  region.  Subcutaneous 
6591— No.  3 3 


78 

suppuration,  accompanied  by  gangrene,  followed,  finally  leaving  the 
arm  in  a  state  of  i)eruianeut  contraction  in  the  flexed  position,  as  the 
result  of  cicatricial  action.  Hai)pily,  in  the  present  case,  the  extraction 
ofthelarvcc  has  not  been  followed  by  any  excessive  inflammatory  re- 
action, owing,  perhaps,  to  the  general  good  health  enjoyed  by  the 
patient  at  the  time  of  the  operation. 

Since  this  case  has  come  under  my  observation  I  have  been  informed 
that  similar  instances  of  larval  deposits  in  the  skin  have  not  been  rare 
in  the  hospital,  at  least  since  the  Panama  Canal  and  other  enterprises 
have  increased  the  trafiic  between  this  port  and  the  Central  American 
Republics.  I  have  been  informed,  in  fact,  that  on  one  occasion  quite  a 
number  of  returning  laborers  or  immigrants  were  admitted  in  various 
wards  of  the  Charity  Hospital  suffering  with  these  parasitic  larvai. 
But  of  these  cases  no  report  has  been  presented  thus  far,  and  to  my 
knowledge  at  least  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  discover  the  parent- 
age of  the  larvfe  or  even  to  determine  their  proper  entomological  char- 
acters. The  specimens  removetl  from  my  patient  are  the  first  that  I 
have  seen,  and  I  believe  are  the  first  that  have  been  preserved  for  ex- 
amination and,  certainly,  for  the  inspection  of  this  association.  At  any 
rate  these  larvas  are  certainly  not  familiar  to  our  parasitic  pathology, 
for  our  texts,  and  even  those  that  devote  special  attention  to  parasitology 
(Cobbold,  Leuckart,  Davaine),  are  almost  barren  of  all  information  in  re- 
gard to  them;  so  that  it  is  necessary  to  appeal  to  the  special  entomologists 
to  obtain  some  clear  notions  as  to  their  exact  taxonomic  characteristics. 

In  view  of  our  prospects  of  increased  relations  with  Spanish  America, 
and  of  the  probability  of  a  future  importation  of  similar  specimens,  1 
have  thought  it  a  matter  of  some  interest  to  this  society  to  inquire  into 
the  natural  history  of  these  hypodermatic  parasites,  in  order  that  we 
may  at  least  possess  ourselves  of  some  clear  ideas  respecting  them,  so 
that  they  may  prove  more  familiar  acquaintances  when  we  are  again 
confronted  by  them. 

The  three  specimens  that  are  now  under  the  microscope  before  you 
are  mounted  in  a  glycerine  cell,  a  preparation  which  was  kindly  made 
at  my  request  by  the  gentlemen  in  charge  of  the  pathological  department 
of  the  hospital.  The  larvai  are  smaller  than  they  appeared  in  life,  as 
they  have  contracted  slightly.  The  largest  of  these  measures  about  4 
or  5"""  in  its  long  diameter  and  is  about  1^'"'^'  in  breadth.  To  the  naked 
eye  they  present  an  elongated  pyriform  or  clavate  appearance,  the 
broad,  thick  and  rounded  portion  corresponding  to  the  head  and  trunk, 
which  were  the  parts  furthest  from  the  surface  of  the  skin ;  the  long, 
tapering  or  caudal  extremity  pointed  upwards,  so  that  in  squeezing  the 
larva  out  of  its  lodgment  the  tail  end  appeared  first.  As  the  caudal 
extremity  presented  itself  a  dark  red  dot  was  visible  at  the  very  ex- 
tremity.  This  corresponded  to  the  dark  anal  extremity  containing  the 
stigmata  for  respiratory  purposes,  and  is  characteristic  of,  though  not 
peculiar  to,  the  Dermatobia  larvae 


79 

This  is  the  normal  position  of  these  parasites  in  general,  for  the 
respiratory  apparatus  which  is  attached  to  the  caudal  portion,  close 
to  the  anus,  is  placed  near  the  opening  originally  made  by  the  sting  of 
the  parent  fly,  in  order  that  they  may  be  as  close  as  i^ossible  to  the 
atmosphere.  When  the  larvte  were  extracted  they  wriggled  quite 
actively  in  their  vermicular  movements,  and  continued  to  move  until 
they  were  embalmed  in  the  cell  five  or  six  hours  after  their  extraction. 

On  microscopical  examination  of  the  most  perfect  specimen  (with  a 
low-power  three  quarter  objective,  B.  and  L.,  eye-piece  B.)  a  remarkable 
appearance  is  presented.  The  major  portion  of  the  parasite  is  seen  to 
consist  of  an  elongated,  pyriform,  tuberose,  or  exaggerated  clavatebody, 
apparently  concas^e  on  the  ventral  aspect  and  convex  dorsally,  termi- 
nating in  a  long,  tapering,  glabrous,  elongated-pyramidal  extremity. 
The  broader  and  truncated  part  of  the  larva  is  opaque,  and  none  of  the 
contained  organs  can  be  distinguished.  The  external  surface  presented 
the  curious  appearance  which  is  well  displayed  in  Fig.  10  {a  and  b). 


W 


r  y 


Fig.  10.— One  of  the  larvas  viewed  in  its  ventrai  (a)  and  dorsal  (6)  aspects.  At  a  is  shown  the  ventral 
aspect  and  the  appearance  of  the  cephalic  and  caudal  extremities,  also  the  three  lows  of  spines 
single  below,  and  the  point  where  the  double  dorsal  rows  end  ;  b  gives  the  dorsal  view  and  .--hows 
that  the  three  rows  of  spines  single  below  are  double  above.  Hair  line  between  indicates  the 
natural  length.     (From  drawings  made  for  the  author  by  courtesy  of  the  U.  S.  Entomologist.) 

Corresponding  to  the  three  dark  zones  distinctly  outlined  with  the 
naked  eye  are  seen  three  double  rows  of  black  booklets  or  spiues,  which 
are  distinctly  shaped,  when  examined  carefully,  like  the  thorns  of  a 
rose  stem.  They  are  lamelliform,  sharply  pointed  at  the  ends,  and  are 
curved  and  directed  (the  majority)  towards  the  caudal  extremitj^  so 
that,  if  embedded  in  the  tissues  lining  the  larval  sinus,  they  would  ofter 
a  resistance  to  caudal  traction  in  direct  ratio  to  the  force  employed. 
This  arrangement  is  manifestly  calculated  to  assist  the  larva  in  retain- 
ing its  position  m  the  subcutaneous  tissues,  and  especially  in  prevent- 


80 

JDgfauy  involaiitary  migrations  from  regious  subjected  to  great  muscular 
disturbauce.  They  may  also  assist  iu  burrowing,  though  advance  or 
head  movements  do  not  a])pear  to  be  habitual  with  these  larvse,  as  they, 
in  common  with  most  ectodermic  parasites,  are  not  anaerobic  (to  use  a 
Pasteuriau  phrase),  but  require  the  presence  of  atmospheric  oxygen  for 
their  maintenance. 

As  regards  the  disposition  of  the  spines  it  is  a  noticeable  fact  that  they 
differ  markedly  as  to  their  arrangement  according  to  the  aspect  of  the 
parasite  examined.  Thus,  as  is  plainly  shown  in  Fig.  10  {a  and  b),  the 
three  rows  of  spines  are  single  on  the  ventral  and  double  on  the  dorsal 
aspect,  the  point  where  the  double  row  ceases  being  plainly  shown  in 
a.  This  peculiarity  is  also  distinctly  exhibited  in  the  species  illustrated 
by  Fig.  11,  plainly  indicating  the  relationship  that  exists  between  them. 

The  only  segments  that  are  distinctly  outlined  are  the  first,  which 
represents  the  cephalic  end,  containing  the  oral  cavity,  armed  with  two 
styles.  Fig.  10  {(i),  and  the  second,  which  immediately  follows  it.  As 
these  specimens  have  shrivelled  considerably  since  the  time  of  extrac- 
tion, the  segmentation  is  not  as  plainly  visible  as  it  should  be. 

The  caudal  extremitj'  is  also  distinctly  shown,  though  the  details  of 
the  stigmatous  organs  are  not  as  plainly  delineated  as  desirable,  as  the 
stigmata  are  doubtless  hidden  within  the  anal  fissure.  In  this  respect 
they  differ  from  Brauer's  (Fig.  11,  a,  b,  c)  and  Coquerel's  (Fig.  11,  dj 
specimens  of  similar  larVcB,  with  which  they  otherwise  appear  to  be 
closely  related. 


Fig.  11.— a,  Brauer's  fisjure  of  entire  Dermatohia  larva,  supposed  to  be  closely  allied  to  .specimens  shown 
in  Fig.  10;  6,  cephalic  extremity;  c,  caudal  extremity  of  same  .specimen;  d,  Dermatohia  larva  fig- 
ured bj^  Coquerel,  and  closely  related  to  if  not  identical  with  preceding,  only  seen  under  a  lower 
power  and  porliaps  in  an  earlier  period  of  development.  (From  figures  kindly  furnished  by  the 
IT.  S.  Entomologist.) 


In  addition  to  tlie  three  rows  of  booklets,  a  large  number  of  small 
punctiform  and  blackish  tuberosities  are  seen  dotted  in  a  somewhat 
concentric  manner  above  the  upper  row  on  the  two  upper  segments 
and  the  vicinity  of  the  oral  point. 


81 


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

By  Lord  Walsingham. 

lu  attemptiug  a  gradual  revisiou  of  the  late  Mr.  V.  T.  Chambers'  In- 
dex of  the  Tiueiua  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  ])ublished  exactly 
ben  years  ago,  I  do  not  propose  to  take  the  genera  m  systematic  order, 
uor  alphabetically  as  in  the  original  publication.  I  shall  commence  with 
those  genf  ra  at  present  best  known  to  me  and  in  which  the  material  at 
my  disposal  is  sufficient  to  enable  me  to  add  something  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  subject.  It  will  be  easy  to  compile  a  new  list  if  the  revisiou 
should  be  ever  completed.  I  fear  it  may  be  some  time  before  any 
satisfactory  knowledge  ciwi  be  obtained  of  the  majority  of  the  species 
in  the  great  genus  Oelechia.  The  genera  Lithocolletis,  Gracilaria  and 
Tinea  also  present  considerable  difficulties  to  any  one  who  is  not 
in  a  position  to  examine  the  types  of  American  authors.  1  hope 
that  by  publishing  the  lists  of  different  genera  from  time  to  time  I 
may  call  forth  some  useful  observations  from  others  who  are  acquainted 
with  the  subject,  and  thus  accumulate  material  for  a  complete  catalogue. 
To  Dr.  Eiley,  Professor  Feruald,  and  Miss  M.  E.  Murtfeldt  I  am  con- 
stantly and  gratefully  indebted  for  specimens  and  information. 

CLEODORA,  Curt. 

Two  species  of  this  geuus  have  beeu  recognized  by  Chambers  as  occurring  in  the 
United  States.  Both  are  described  by  him  in  the  sixth  volume  of  the  Canadian  Ento- 
mologist, p.  245,  and  both  are  subsequently  referred  to  by  the  same  author  in  the 
Bulletin  of  the  United  States  Geological  and  Geographical  Survey,  Vol.  IV,  No.  1, 
pp.  91-92.     These  are  Cleodora  pallidisfrigella  Chamb.  and  Cleodora  paUideUa  Chamb. 

Thti  tirst  is  said  to  difiter  slightly  in  its  ueuration  from  the  European  type  of  this 
genus.  It  is  described  thus  :  "Thorax  and  primaries  pale  orange  ;  paler,  nearly  white 
along  the  dorsal  margin  and  on  the  extreme  costa  beyond  the  middle  ;  a  narrow,  indis- 
tinct, whitish  line  along  the  fold,  ending  at  a  small  brown  spot;  there  is  an  oblique, 
narrow,  whitish  streak  along  the  base  of  the  costal  cilia ;  a  minute  brownish  spot 
surrounded  by  a  pale  ring  at  the  end  of  the  disk,  and  an  oblique  brownish  streak  in 
the  cilia  at  the  apex.  The  brown  spots  are  all  indistinct.  The  palpi  pale  yellowish ; 
a  spot  on  the  top  of  the  third  joint  and  the  brush  on  the  second  joint  reddish  ochreous. 
Al.  ex.,  I  in." 

Under  the  second  of  the  two  references  given  above,  the  descriptions  of  both  species 
arc  amended  and  elaborated,  but  some  of  the  amendments  to  the  description  of  C. 
pallidella  can  only  apply  to  that  of  the  other  species,  the  spelling  of  which  is  here 
corrected  to  C.  lyallidistrUieUa.  The  wide  range  of  variation  indicated  points  to  the 
probability  that  Chambers  had  before  him  at  the  time  more  than  two  allied  species 
of  this  genus.  I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  a  specimen  of  C.  palUdis- 
trigella  from  Texas,  lent  me  by  Professor  Riley  and  received  by  him  from  Chambers 
as  a  type  of  the  species.     A  coloured  drawing  of  this  specimen  is  now  before  me.     It 

'Index  to  the  described  Tineina  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  V.  T.  Chambers. 
Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  IV  (1),  February,  1878. 


82 

is  certainly  a  Cleodora  distinct  from  all  American  and  European  species  with  whicli  I 
am  acquainted,  although  somewhat  resembling  in  general  appearance  Cleodora  stria- 
tella  Hb. 

A  specimen  of  C.  palUdella  is,  I  believe,  in  the  collection  of  Miss  Murtfeldt,  but  I  am 
not  acquainted  with  the  species. 

The  only  other  allusion  to  the  genus  Cleodora  as  possibly  occurring  in  America  is  to 
be  found  in  Staiutou's  edition  of  Clemens'  papers,  p.  Ill,  where  in  a  foot-note  the  ed- 
itor mentions  that  he  is  not  confident  that  Anothosia  Clem,  is  generically  distinct 
from  Cleodora.  Chambers  (Can.  Ent.  VI,  p.  245)  discusses  and  rejects  the  theory  of 
their  identity  chiefly  on  the  grounds  of  neuration  aud  of  the  form  of  the  palpi.  The 
palpi  of  my  single  specimen  of  Anothosia  certainly  resembles  those  of  Pleurota  more 
nearly  than  those  of  Cleodora. 

The  figure  of  the  hind-wing  of  Parasia  in  Stainton's  Lepidoptera  Tineina  (Insecta 
Britanuica)  indicates  scarcely  sufficient  indentation  before  the  apes.  In  this  re- 
spect Parasia  more  nearly  resembles  Cleodora,  from  which  it  differs  chiefly  in  the  form 
of  the  palpi.  The  neuration  of  the  fore-wing  of  Parasia  also  differs  from  Cleodora 
in  respect  of  the  addition  of  a  second  costal  branch  to  the  apical  vein,  and  this  is 
the  same  distinction  mentioned  by  Chambers  as  characterizing  his  North  American 
species  of  Cleodora  ;  nevertheless,  his  specimen  of  paUidistrioella  seen  by  me  was  not 
a  true  Parasia.  The  following  five  species,  of  which  four  are  new,  may  now  bo  added 
to  the  North  American  representatives  of  this  genus.  The  new  ones,  which  have  the 
strong  brush  on  the  palpi  which  distinguishes  Cleodora,  possess  the  same  peculiarity 
of  neuration  as  those  described  by  Chambers.  It  is  possible  that  when  more  material 
shall  have  come  to  hand  a  new  genus  intermediate  between  Cleodora  and  Parasiamaj 
be  usefully  characterized  for  their  reception. 

I  hope  at  some  future  time  to  publish  figures  of  these  and  many  other  North  Amer- 
ican Tineidce. 

Cleodora  striatella  Hb. 

I  tooli  a  single  specimen  of  this  species  in  Colusa  County,  Cal.,  June  39,  1871.  It  is 
exactly  similar  in  all  respects  to  the  typical  European  form. 

Cleodora  modesta  sp.  n. 

Antennce,  fuscous,  faintly  annulated  with  hoary  scales. 

Head  and  jyalpi,  hoary. 

Tongue,  clothed  at  the  base  with  hoary  scales. 

Thorax,  greyish  anteriorly,  shading  to  pale  umber-brown  posteriorly. 

Fore-wings,  uuicolorous  pale  umber-brown,  dotted  around  the  apex  with  intermixed 

fuscous  and  hoary  scales ;  a  line  of  white  runs  also  through  the  middle  of  the 

apical  cilia;  cilia  grey. 
Hind-ivings,  pale  greyish  ;  cilia  a  with  slightly  darker  tinge. 
Abdomen,  brownish,  grey. 
Legs,  grey. 
Exp.  al.,  10-11"™. 
Bahitat,  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  July. 
Type,  9  ,  Mus.  Wlsm.     1  <?  ,  2  $  ,  in  the  collection  of  Professor  Riley  (U.  S.  N.  M.). 

Cleodora  canicostella  sp.  u. 

Head,  thorax,  and  palpi,  with  long  projecting  tuft  beneath;  hoary  grey. 

Fore-ivings,  brown,  with  green  or  rosy  iridescent  tips  to  the  scales,  especially  on  the 
outer  half  of  the  wing,  visible  only  in  a  strong  light;  the  middle  third  of  the 
costa  narrowly  white,  the  white  streak  widening  outwardly ;  beyond  it  is  an  out- 
wardly oblique  costal  streak  which  crosses  the  wing  before  the  apex,  followed  by 
an  inwardly  oblique  small  white  costal  streak  and  some  fuscous  dots  in  the  cilia: 


83 

along  the  apical  margin  runs  a  white  line  in  the  cilia  between  two  narrower 
fuscous  lines;  there  are  a  few  fuscous  scales  at  the  anal  angle  and  above  them  a 
short  longitudinal  white  streak  ;  a  short  fuscous  streak  beyond  the  middle  of  the 
fold  almost  reaches  the  commencement  of  a  more  conspicuous  discal  streak  of  the 
same  colour  immediately  above  it,  both  margined  by  a  few  inconspicuous  whitish 
scales. 

Hind-ivings,  brown,  with  a  purplish  tinge;  the  cilia  brown. 

Exp.  al.,  12'°°>. 

Habitat,  Mt.  Shasta,  California,  Aug.  1,  1871. 

Type,  $  5 ,  Mm.  Wlsm. 
This  approaches  the  Texan  species  described  by  Chambers. 

Another  species,  or  perhaps  only  a  variety  of  the  above,  obtained  on  Burney  Creek, 
Shasta  County,  Calif.,  a  few  days  previously,  has  the  costa  white  to  the  base,  the  fold 
white,  and  the  white  line  in  the  fringes  with  its  fuscous  outer  margiu  reduplicated 

Cleodora  tophella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  with  long  projecting  tuft  of  mixed  whitish  and  cinereous  scales  beneath,  slightly 
darker  on  their  outer  than  on  their  inner  sides,  the  apical  joint  shaded  beneath. 

Head,  pale  cinereous. 

AntenncB  and  thorax,  slightly  darker. 

Fore-wings,  dull  ashy  brown,  with  a  considerable  sprinkling  of  brighter  (more  reddish 
brown)  scales  ;  the  tips  of  the  scales  about  the  apical  margin  and  cilia  are  jjaler 
and  give  a  speckled  appearance  to  the  end  of  the  wing. 

Hind-wings,  brownish  cinereous;  cilia  scarcely  paler. 

Abdomen,  the  same  colour  as  the  hind-wings,  with  subochreous  anal  tuft. 

Posterior  legs,  the  same  colour,  the  tarsal  joints  with  subochreous  spots. 

Exp.  a?.,  23™™. 

Habitat,  specimens  taken  May  24, 1871,  in  Mendocino  County,  Calif. 

Type,  $  9  ,  Mu8.  Wlam. 

I  have  specimens  from  Shasta  County,  Calif.,  July  24,  1871,  which  differ  from  the 
above  in  their  smaller  size  (exp.  al.,  12™™)  and  in  their  whiter  heads  and  palpi, 
the  tuft  on  the  latter  being  less  prominent.  These  j)robably  belong  to  a  second  brood 
of  tlie  above  species. 

Cleodora  sabulella  sp.  n. 
Palpi,  fawn  white. 

Head  and  thorax,  rather  more  decidedly  tinged  with  fawn-colour,  the  face  paler. 
Antenna;,  auuulated  with  fawn-colour,  and  fawn  white. 
Fore-icings,  fawn-colour  with  a  slight  brownish  tinge  towards  the  apex,  where  there  is 

some  appearance  of  pale  speckling  owing  to  the  tips  of  the  scales  about  the  cilia 

and  apical  margiu  being  of  a  lighter  hue. 
Hind-icings,  fawn  colour,  with  a  greyish  tinge;  the  cilia  fawn-coloured. 
Abdomen  and poste^'ior  legs,  paler,  corresponding  more  in  colour  with  the  thorax. 
Exp.  al.,  14-154™™. 

Habitat,  18  specimens  taken  in  Bear  Valley,  Colusa  County,  Calif.,  June  27,  1871. 
Type.  $   ^  ,Mus.  Wlsm. 

DACTYLOTA^  Snell. 

This  genus  has  hitherto  been  represented  by  a  single  species  found  on  the  shores  of 
the  Baltic  and  North  Sea,  in  the  west  of  Europe.  It  is  immediately  recognizable  by  the 
peculiar  form  of  the  hind-wings  in  the  male,  which  are  not  merely  emargiuate  below 
the  apex,  as  is  usual  in  the  Gelechince,  but   are   deeply  excised,  having  the   apical 

*  According  to  strict  rules  of  nomenclature  the  name  Dactylota  is  preoccupied  in 
Echinodermaia  and  should  be  changed. 


84 

maigiu  of  the  wing  divided  into  two  finger-like  lobes,  the  upper,  or  costal  one,  being 
double  the  length  of  the  lower,  or  dorsal  lobe.  There  is  a  slight;  difference  in  neura- 
tion  between  the  North  American  and  European  forms,  the  species  here  described 
having  the  discai  cell  of  the  fore- wing  not  narrowed  to  a  point,  as  in  bnelleu's  figure 
(Tijd.  V.  Ent.,  XIX,  PI.  I),  and  the  veins  that  leave  its  margins  are  distinctly  separate 
from  each  other  at  their  bases  ;  moreover,  the  apical  vein,  which  is  forked,  tiirows  its 
lower  branch  almost  to  the  apex  of  the  wing,  or  very  closely  above  it.  The  long  and 
slender  apical  joint  of  the  labial  palpi  also  serves  to  distinguish  the  American  from 
the  European  species. 

Dactylota  snellenella  sp.  n. 

Antennw,  simple;  basal  joint  scarcely  wider  than  the  stem. 

Palpi,  recurved,  sleuder ;  second  joint  longer  than  the  head,  clothed  with  short  di- 
verging scales  beneath,  smooth  above  ;  apical  joint  very  slender,  smooth,  longer 
than  the  second,  in  this  respect  differing  from  kinktrella  Snell.,  which  has  much 
shorter  palpi. 

Tongue,  rather  long,  scaled  at  the  base,  naked  beyond. 

Head  and  thorax,  greyish,  sprinkled  with  brownish  scales. 

Fore-wings,  elongate,  broadly  lanceolate,  costa  slightly  arched  near  the  base;  with  12 
veins,  7  and  8  from  a  common  cell ;  greyish,  sprinkled  with  brownish  scales,  hav- 
ing a  slight  iridescent  hue  in  a  strong  light.  Tbere  are  3  very  conspicuous  patches 
of  very  dark  umber  scales,  the  1st  within  the  basal  lourth,  adjacent  to  the  upper 
edge  of  the  fokl ;  the  2nd  within  the  basal  half  of  the  disk,  slightly  above  the  mid- 
dle of  the  wing;  the  3rd,  at  about  the  end  of  the  cell,  larger  and  more  conspicuous 
than  the  preceding  two,  is  followed  by  an  ill-detined  band  of  very  pale  grey 
scales,  stretching  from  the  costal  to  the  dorsal  margin  ;  the  apical  portion  of  the 
wing  is  faintly  sprinkled  with  similar  pale  scales;  a  narrow  line  of  subochreous 
scales  runs  nearly  parallel  with  the  costa,  from  the  base  for  about  one-third  of 
the  length  of  the  wing;  a  few  dark  umber  scales  are  also  observable  about  the 
middle  of  the  fold;  cilia  very  long,  rosy-grey,  sparsely  dotted  with  brown  along 
their  base. 

Hind-wings,  $ ,  shining,  pale  greyish,  also  iridescent  in  a  strong  light ;  as  wide  as 
the  fore-wings ;  costal  and  dorsal  margins  parallel ;  apex  produced,  obtusely 
pointed;  apical  margin  deeply  indented,  forming  a  short  obtuse  second  lobe; 
the  fissure  is  rounded  at  the  base;  abdominal  angle  rounded  ;  the  abdominal 
margin  nearly  straight;  cilia  very  long,  having  an  ochreous  lint.  On  the  under 
side  is  a  tuft  of  long,  hair-like  scales  from  the  middle  of  the  base,  lying  parallel 
to  the  upper  edge  of  the  2nd  lobe. 
In  the  9  the  hind-wing,  although  deeply  indented  below  the  apex,  is  not  divided 
into  two  lobes,  its  form  being  rather  that  of  the  genus  Cleodora  ;  the  tuft  of  hairs 
on  the  under  side  is  also  absent. 

Abdomen,  greyish,  rather  wide  and  flattened;  anal  tuft  faintly  ochreous. 

Exp.  ah,  17^'""'. 

Habitat,  Arizona.     2  ^  and  2  $  received  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison  in  1883. 

Type,    i    $,  Mm.  Wlsm. 
The  species  is  named  after  the  well-known  author  of  "De  Vliudei's  van  Neder- 
laud,"  who,  in  one  of  his  numerous  and  valued   papers  on  Microlepidoptera,  first 
described  the  European  representative  of  this  genus. 
( To  be  continued. ) 


85 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Strawberry  Weevil  in  Pennsylvania. 

la  the  inclosetl  block  I  send  you  a  few  specimens  of  au  insect  which  is  causing  a 
great  deal  of  damage  to  the  strawberry  crop  in  this  vicinity.  I  send  a  few  buds 
showing  how  the  mischief  is  done,  and  up  to  the  present  writing  about  one-half  of 
the  crop  has  already  been  destroyed,  on  some  of  the  stalks  not  a  berry  being  left. 
The  inclosed  specimens  were  caught  yesterday  in  the  act  of  cutting  the  stem  ; 
heuce  I  send  them  to  you  and  would  like  to  know  what  species  of  insect  it  is,  and 
could  you  suggest  a  remedy  to  stop  further  depredations,  as  I  am  anxious  to  save  at 
least  a  portion  of  the  crop.  The  injury  amounts  to  hundreds  of  dollars  on  single 
plantations,  at  least  so  estimated  by  the  number  of  blossoms  cut  off,  some  stalks 
having  only  two  or  three  berries  left  and  twenty  or  thirty  blossoms.  *  *  *  in 
1885  this  insect  made  its  first  appearance,  but  in  1886  it  was  not  noticed. — [Lawrence 
J.  Krieg,  Etna,  Allegheny  Couuty,  Pa.,  May  23,  1887. 

Reply. — Yours  of  recent  date  accompanying  specimens  of  au  insect  which  is  damag- 
ing your  strawberry  crop  has  come  to  hand.  This  insect  is  the  destructive  Straw- 
berry Weevil  (Anthonomiis  'musciilu.>i),  which  I  treated  at  some  length  on  pages  276  to 
279  in  my  last  report  as  Entomologist  to  this  Department.  I  have  to-day  requested 
that  a  copy  of  this  report  be  sent  to  your  address,  so  you  will  be  able  to  study  the 
insect  at  your  leisure.  I  have  been  unable  to  do  much  more  than  suggest  remedies 
so  far,  as  the  life-history  of  the  insect  has  not  yet  been  made  out.  After  reading  the 
article  carefully  you  may  be  able  to  find  out  where  the  beetles  go  and  where  they 
lay  their  eggs;  and  if  so,  an  important  step  will  be  gained.  If  you  try  the  kerosene 
emulsion,  or  the  pyrethrum,  or  gas-lime  and  sawdust,  I  should  be  glad  to  learn  the 
result  [May  25,  1887]. 

Graptodera  punctipennis  injuring  Nursery  Stock. 

1  inclose  you  some  small  bugs  ihat  are  eating  all  the  leaves  of  my  young  apple  and 
are  beginning  on  all  my  young  nursery  stock.  I  think  they  will,  if  they  continue, 
destroy  my  nursery.  Please  examine  and  tell  me  how  to  destroy  them.  They  ap- 
peared about  two  weeks  ago.  I  never  was  troubled  with  anything  of  this  kind 
before.— [J.  R.  Johnson,  Dallas,  Tex  ,  to  H.  E.  Van  Deman,  May  10,  1887. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  10th  instant  addressed  to  Mr.  Van  Deman,  the  pomolo- 
gist  of  this  Department,  has  been  referred  by  hira,  with  the  specimens,  to  this  Division. 
The  little  green  beetle  injuring  your  young  apple  trees  is  knowu  by  the  scientific 
name  of  Graptodera  punctipennis.  This  insect  is  a  near  relative  to  the  Grape  vine  Flea- 
beetle,  aud  its  habits  are  very  similar.  The  best  remedy  for  this  insect  will  consist 
in  spraying  your  young  trees  with  a  dilute  solution  of  Paris  green  or  Loudon  pur- 
ple. The  appearance  of  this  insect  in  injurious  numbers  is  rare,  and  we  shall  be  glad 
to  hear  from  you  further  as  to  the  amount  of  injury  aud  as  to  the  success  of  this 
remedy  if  you  decide  to  apply  it  [May  14,  18H7]. 

Lachnosterna  hirticula  injuring  Poplars  and  Oaks. 

I  have  several  North  Carolina  Poplars  in  which  have  swarmed  and  roared,  for  sev- 
eral evenings  after  nightfall,  myriads  of  beetles,  samples  of  which  I  inclose. 

Please  inform  me  whether  they  mean  evil  to  the  Poplar  and  whether  they  or  their 
progeny  are  injurious  to  vegetation  of  any  sort.— [Rev.  William  C.  Butler,  Leeland, 
Prince  George's  Couuty,  Md.,  May  17,  1887. 

Reply.—*  *  *  The  insects  which  you  inclose  belo  g  to  one  of  the  common  May 
beetles  ( Lachnosterna  hirticula),  and  are  the  parents  of  the  so-called  white  grubs.  The 
beetles  themselves  are  leaf-eaters,  and  you  will  probably  find  that  the  leaves  of  your 


86 

North  Carolina  Poplars  bave  beeu  gnawed  by  them.  You  should  not  lose  the  oppor- 
tnnity  to  destroy  these  beetles,  which  can  be  done  by  placing  a  lantern  suspended 
over  a  pan  containing  water  with  a  thin  scum  of  coal-oil  on  top  near  the  tree.  If  the 
beetles  are  extremely  numerous  several  of  these  trap  lanterns  will  be  necessary  to 
destroy  them.  The  same  insects  are  just  now  damaging  the  Oaks  upon  the  grounds  of 
this  Department.     [May  18,  1887]. 

Insects  Confounded  with  the  Hessian  Fly  prior  to  the  Revolution. 

Dn  Haniel  does  not  mention  the  Hessian  Fly  by  name,  but  on  page  90,  referring  to 
insects  injurious  to  corn,  says: 

"There  is  a  smaller  kind  of  worm,  which  gets  into  the  roots,  chiefly  oats,  and, 
working  upwards,  destroys  all  the  inside  of  the  plant,  which  perishes  soon  after.  I 
suspect  it  to  have  been  an  insect  of  this  kind  that  destroyed  so  much  wheat  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Geneva,  and  which  M.  de  Chateauvieux  describes  thus :  '  Our  wheat 
in  the  month  of  May,  1755,  sustained  a  loss,  which  even  that  cultivated  according  to 
the  new  husbandry  did  not  escape.  We  found  in  it  many  little  white  worms,  which 
afterwards  became  a  chestnut  color.  They  post  themselves  between  the  blades  aud 
eat  the  stems.  They  are  usually  found  between  the  first  joint  and  the  roots.  Every 
stalk  which  they  attacked  grew  no  more,  but  became  yellow  and  withered.  The 
same  misfortune  happened  to  us  in  the  year  1732.  These  insects  appeared  about  the 
middle  of  May  aud  made  such  havoc  that  the  crop  was  almost  destroyed.'  (Ver- 
iatim  et  literatim  from  the  work  of  M.  Du  Hamel  du  Menceau,  New  Hamburg  edi- 
tion, 1759.) 

The  Angoumois  Moth  is  also  fully  described  by  the  author.  If  the  above  does  not 
refer  to  the  Hessian  Fly  it  must  be  some  closely  allied  pest.  I  have  eight  volumes  of 
Arthur  Young's  works,  but  have  not  had  the  time  to  examine  them  for  flies. — [A.  S. 
Fuller,  Ridgewood,  N.  J.,  July  16,  1888. 

Eeply. — I  thank  you  for  the  extracts  from  Du  Hamel.  The  first  indicates  very 
plainly  that  it  has  no  reference  to  the  Hessian  Fly,  but  the  second  has  one  expression 
that  might  apply  to  the  Hessian^Fly,  viz,  that  about  "posting  themselves  between 
the  blade,"  but  unfortunately  this  is  more  than  offset  by  the  statement  of  their  eating 
the  stems,  and  this  proves  with  sufficient  conclusiveness  that  it  was  not  the  Hessian 
Fly  bat  a  species  of  Chlorops.  As  you  are  aware  these  also  have  pale  larvae  and  be- 
come brown  in  the  pupa  state,  while  one  species  at  least  is  frequently  found  between 
the  blades.  No,  there  can  be  no  question  whatever  that  this  case  refers  not  to  the 
Hessian  Fly  but  to  some  species  of  Chlorops  or  Meromyza  or  to  one  of  the  many  species 
of  insects  which  are  known  to  attack  small  grains  in  a  somewhat  similar  way.  There 
is  not  a  particle  of  positive  evidence  of  the  existence  of  the  Hessian  Fly  at  that  early 
period  in  this  country,  and  the  reference  to  Du  Hamel  in  the  minutes  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society,  May  18,  1768,  is  undoubtedly  to  his  article  on  the  Augoumois 
Grain-moth.     *     *     »     [July  23,  1888.] 

Injury  from  non-migratory  Locusts  in  Michigan. 

I  will  send  you  some  grasshoppers  that  have  destroyed  all  the  oats  about  this  sec- 
tion. What  is  left  is  worthless,  as  there  is  nothing  left  but  the  shell.  I  notice  that 
the  first  brood  is  gone ;  they  were  very  large.  The  second  brood  is  growing  fast. 
They  had  large  wings,  much  longer  than  the  body.  *  *  *  if  they  breed  very  fast 
they  will  clean  ns  out.  I  have  traveled  about  among  the  farmers  on  purpose  to  see 
the  crops;  all  are  much  injured. 

The  boys  say  they  have  seen  the  locusts  on  the  bushes  and  trees  in  the  woods.  They 
did  not  injure  crops  any.  *  *  *  j  don't  travel  in  the  woods  much.  I  would  like 
to  know  what  the  seventeen-year  means.  Do  they  come  every  seventeen  years  or 
will  they  stay  seventeen  years  ?— [Anthony  O'Donnell,  Saint  James,  Manitou  County, 
Mich.,  August  27,  18S8. 


87 

Reply. — The  box  of  locusts  has  been  received.  The  specimeus  were  one  female  of 
the  Red-Legged  Locust,  Caloptenus  femur-rubrum,  and  two  specimens — one  male  and 
one  female — of  the  Two-striped  Locust,  Caloptenus  bivittatus.  These  are  both  common 
species  and  widely  distributed.  They  occasionally  increase  in  large  numbers,  and, 
though  non-migratory,  often  cause  considerable  damage  to  crops.  The  specimens 
you  refer  to  as  having  wings  a  great  deal  longer  than  the  body  no  doubt  belong  to 
another  genus,  probably  Aeridium  or  (Edipoda. 

In  regard  to  the  Periodical  Cicada,  the  "seventeen-year"  means  that  they  appear 
at  intervals  of  seventeen  years.  We  mail  you  a  copy  of  Bulletin  8  on  this  insect,  which 
will  give  you  its  history.  Did  they  appear  in  large  numbers  in  your  locality  ?  Can 
you  send  us  some  specimens  of  them  ?  It  will  be  very  interesting  to  know  whether 
the  species  is  the  true  Seventeen-year  Cicada  or  some  other  species.  *  '*  * 
[August  31,  1888.] 

Australian  Letter  on  Icerya. 

*  *  *  The  insect /ceryajjitrcAast  we  have  among  our  orange  tribe,  "Citrus,"  and 
if  not  frequently  looked  after  I  believe  would  spread  to  a  great  and  damaging  ex- 
tent; but  as  we  have  so  many  other  pests  to  contend  with  theone  in  question  is  kept 
down.  Just  a  few  days  before  the  arrival  of  your  note  we  had  a  regular  clearing  all 
around,  and  my  overseer  killed  several  dozen  of  the  Icerya,  of  which  this  one  muti- 
lated specimen  can  be  found  now,  which  I  send  you  in  a  little  cotton  wool,  but  I  think 
enough  of  it  for  you  to  identify  the  thing.  I  have  not  seen  it  on  the  Acacias,  but 
on  other  plants,  and  particularly  on  our  native  Currant  Shrub  ( Leptomeria  acida  R. 
Br.),  but  as  I  am  not  just  now  able  to  see  or  procure  specimens  of  the  insect  from 
that  plant  I  could  not  be  quite  certain,  although  I  believe  so.  If  not  the  same  species 
it  is  very  much  like  it.  I  bad  several  interviews  on  the  insect  with  other  horticiilt- 
ui-al  and  agricultural  reporters  and  practical  men,  from  which  I  submit  the  follow- 
ing, viz,  that  the  sugar  planters  first  noticed  the  Icerya  on  sugar-cane  imported 
from  Singapore,  but  I  have  known  it  on  the  Citrus,  especially  young  plants,  this 
sixteen  or  eighteen  years  myself.  *  '  * — [Carl  H.  Hartmann,  Range  Nursery, 
Toowoomba,  Queensland,  Australia,  March  20,  1887. 


NOTES. 

A  DESTRUCTIVE   CRICKET   IN  LOUISIANA. 

A  rather  remarkable  iusect  pest  has  come  to  light  the  present  sea- 
son in  Catahoula  Parish,  La.  It  is  a  true  cricket  of  the  genus  Grylhis, 
but  the  specimens  so  far  received  have  been  too  badly  damaged  for 
specific  determination.  Mr.  Michael  Dempsey,  of  Jena,  writing  under 
date  of  May  7,  says:  *  *  *  "They  infest  portions  of  the  hills  and 
swamp  lands  alike,  doing  irreparable  damage  to  cotton,  sweet  and  Irish 
potatoes,  peas,  and  tobacco.  *  *  *  Our  farmers  are  seriously 
alarmed  at  their  fearful  increase  and  their  destructive  habits.  Their 
holes  in  the  ground  are  promiscuously  scattered  from  a  few  inches  to 
several  feet  apart,  and  are  seldom  over  a  foot  deep  in  the  uplands, 
although  they  go  much  deeper  in  the  swamp  lands,  as  the  soil  is 
deeper  and  the  subsoil  softer.  They  are  seldom  visible  in  the  heat  of 
the  day,  and  do  their  cutting  at  night,  taking  all  they  want  down  into 
the  ground,  where  they  eat  as  they  please.     *     *     *     in  1852  I  first 


88 

noticed  them  eatiug  youug-  cottou  oul}-,  aud  a  few  years  back  they  be- 
gan to  eat  sweet  potatoes.  Now  they  eat  peas  and  tobacco,  aud  have 
attacked  oar  gardens.  Oiir  parish  is  composed  of  small  farmers  who 
lack  means.     *     *  We  find  that  rapid  cultivation,  large  gangs  of 

poultry,  and  numerous  birds  keep  them  in  check,  but  they  are  becom- 
ing too  numerous  iu  spite  of  all  we  can  do." 

Beyond  doubt  in  a  case  like  this  the  best  remedy  will  be  found  in  the 
use  of  a  poisoned  bait,  aud  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  bran,  sugar, 
and  arsenic  wash,  which  proved  so  effective  against  the  Devastating 
Locust  in  California  in  1885,  and  which  is  described  in  my  annual  re- 
port for  that  year  ( Report  Department  of  Agriculture  for  1885,  page 
300),  would  prove  attractive  to  the  crickets  and  would  accomplish  the 
destruction  of  large  numbers. 

This  mixture  is  usually  prepared  in  wash-tubs  or  half-barrels. 
One  of  them  is  lilled  about  three-fourths  full  of  dry  bran,  and  to  this 
is  added  about  5  pounds  of  arsenic,  which  is  thoroughly  stirred  through 
bran  with  a  spade  or  shovel.  Five  pounds  of  sugar  is  next  thrown  into 
a  pail,  which  is  then  filled  with  water,  and  the  sugar  stirred  until  it  is 
dissolved,  when  this  sugar  water  is  added  to  the  bran  and  arsenic  and 
the  three  well  stirred ;  more  water  is  added  and  the  stirring  continued 
until  every  portion  of  the  wash  becomes  thoroughly  saturated.  This 
should  be  placed  about  the  infested  fields  in  table-spoonfuls. 

Freshly  cut  grass  or  other  green  vegetatioii,  sprinkled  with  Paris 
green  or  London  purple  and  scattered  at  intervals  throughout  the  fields, 
will  also  produce  good  results,  aud  be  less  expensive.  (U.  V.  Riley,  in 
Florida  Dispatch,  June  zO,  1887,  vol.  7,  p.  570.) 

A  NEW  ENEMY  TO  HONEY  BEES. 

Several  predaceous  bugs  have  been  recorded  from  time  to  time  as 
feeding  upon  honey  bees,  and  in  Bulletin  12  of  this  Division  (page  44) 
we  mention  the  fact  that  the  common  Wheel  Bug  {Prionidus  cristatus) 
was  in  the  habit  of  lurking  about  the  hives  aud  preying  upon  the  bees 
at  Winchester,  Va.  Last  summer  we  received  information  from  Mr.  J. 
W.  Lanford,  of  Lawrence  County,  S.  C,  that  anotber  bug  had  been  capt- 
ured by  him  in  the  act  of  piercing  the  honey  bee,  and  that  his  neighbors 
had  noticed  the  same  insect  lurking  about  their  hives.  The  specimen 
captured  in  the  act  was  forwarded  to  us,  and  proved  to  be  Euthyrhyn- 
chns  floridanus,  a  species  which  is  rather  common  throughout  the  South. 

AN   UNPUBLISHED   HABIT    OF   ALLORHINA  NITIDA. 

To  Mr.  W.  W.  Meech,  of  Vineland,  N.  J.,  the  well  known  authority 
on  quinces,  is  due  the  credit  for  the  discovery  that  the  ways  of  this 
common  beetle  are  not  altogether  bad.  He  found  the  adult  beetles  eat- 
ing the  fungus  Boestilia  aurantiaca  upon  his  quince  trees.  They  even 
alighted  upon  it  in  the  basket  wh»^n  he  was  gathering  the  fungus  and 


89 

ate  it  greedily.  Mr.  Meeeh  says  "for  this  meritorious  service  I  desire 
tbey  should  have  full  credit  as  among  the  iusects  beneficial."  This 
beneficial  habit,  however,  is  more  than  counterbalanced  by  their  appe- 
tite for  fruit,  to  say  nothing  of  the  damage  done  by  the  larva. 

A  NEW  REMEDY  AGAINST   THE   WOOLLY  APPLE-LOUSE. 

Maurice  Maiudron,  in  a  summary  of  the  habits  of  this  insect,  illustrated 
by  a  very  handsome  plate  in  the  July  number  of  the  Revue  Hortieole, 
quotes  the  following  formula  from  Dr.  (Jramoisy  : 

Grams. 

Pyroligueous  acid  rectitied  to  7  or  8  degrees. 1,  000 

Salicilic  acid 2 

Ked  oxide  of  mercury 1 

Fucliftiue .25 

This  solution  is  diluted  with  30  parts  of  water  when  the  vegetation 
is  active,  but  is  used  pure  in  winter  time.  A  mouth  or  two  after  the 
application  of  this  caustic,  according  to  Mr.  Kiinckel  d'Herculais,  the 
old  epidermis  of  the  tree  on  which  the  eggs  are  found  (alls  in  powder 
and  the  bark  becomes  smooth,  shining,  and  of  a  beautiful  mahogany 
color. 

OVIPOSITION   OF   THE   PLUM   GOUGE R. 

Regarding  the  egg-laying  habits  of  the  Wild-Plum  Weevil  or  Plum 
Gouger,  Coccotorus  scutellaris  [Anthonomus  prunicida  Walshj,  shown  at 
Fig.  12,  while  they  have  been  described  (see  Walsh,  First  Rep.  Ins.  of 
Illinois,  pp.  72-78;  Riley,  Third  Rep.  Ins.,  Mo.,  pp.  39-42),  the  follow- 
ing confirmation  will  prove  interesting.  Mr.  Lawrence  Bruner  writes 
us  from  West  Point,  Nebr.,  under  date  of  June  16, 
1888:  "I  have  just  witnessed  a  female  specimen  of 
the  Wild-Plum  Weevil  in  the  act  of  depositing  an  ^gg. 
The  modus  operandi  is  very  simple,  and  requires  but 
a  minute  and  a  half  to  two  minutes  for  the  perform- 
ance of  the  entire  operation.  She  first  spreads  out  to 
their  fullest  extent  all  of  her  legs,  braces  them,  and 
Fig.  12.-  Coccotorus  ^hcu  draws  her  beak  or  rostrum  to  as  nearly  a  perpen- 
scutteiians.^ (After  dicular  positiou  as  possiblc,  then  by  gnawing  and 
with  a  twisting  motion  soon  works  her  snout  into  the 
young  fruit  until  it  is  buried  a  trifle  above  the  bases  of  the  antennai, 
the  latter  being  held  close  against  and  directed  upward  along  the  ros- 
trum upon  the  head  while  the  hole  is  being  made.  She  now  draws  out 
her  beak  and  deliberately  turns  about,  and  after  a  few  preliminary 
thrusts  of  the  ovipositor  inserts  the  latter  into  the  hole  just  made  with 
the  beak  and  deposits  a  single  egg  that  is  of  the  same  diameter  as  the 
puncture.  The  egg  is  of  a  dirty  whitish,  somewhat  transparent  color, 
and  is  plainly  visible  with  an  ordinary  pocket  lens,  being  uncovered 
and  nearly  flush  with  the  surface.  It  soon  becomes  covered  by  the 
healing  of  the  injured  fruit.     This  curculionid  does  not  make  the  semi- 


90 

circular  or  luuate  gash  that  is  so  characteristic  of  the  "  little  Turk."  It 
deposits  a  single  egg  iu  each  plum  attacked.  But  some  plums  examined 
were  fouud  to  contain  several  eggs,  several  weevils  having  no  doubt 
used  the  same  plum  for  oviposition.  When  the  egg  has  hatched  and 
the  young  grub  commences  to  bore  into  the  fruit,  a  transparent,  gummy 
substance  oozes  from  the  puncture.  Fruit  containing  the  grubs  of  this 
weevil  does  not  necessarily  fall  prematurely,  nor  does  it  appear  to  be 
greatly  injured  for  use.  The  mature  insects  from  the  new  brood  begin 
emerging  by  the  time  fruit  commences  ripening,  and  from  that  time  on 
to  late  in  the  fall.  They  winter  in  the  ground  and  in  various  sheltered 
localities  about  plum  patches.  In  spring  they  appear  with  the  first 
buds  and  blossoms,  and  can  be  jarred  from  the  trees  like  their  ally,  the 
"  little  Turk."  They  cling  more  tightly,  however,  than  that  insect  does, 
and  a  much  severer  jarring  is  required  to  dislodge  them.  Their  punc- 
turing, while  not  so  marked  as  that  of  the  other  insect,  begins  just  a 
very  little  earlier  and  continues  perhaps  somewhat  later  in  summer." 

RECENT   SWARMINGS   OF   INSECTS. 

The  Beading  (Pa.)  Times  for  August  2,  1888,  contains  an  account  of 
an  appearance  of  "  bugs  "  iu  that  place,  with  detailed  remarks  by  a 
local  savant  (Prof.  G.  H.  Thompson),  who  stated  that  the  insects  in 
question  were  "  a  species  of  a  cotton  bat,  usually  called  the  moth,"  and 
that  "it  comes  from  the  cotton  fields  of  the  South."  Who  this  professor 
is  we  do  not  know,  but  it  is  clear  he  is  not  familiar  with  the  subject  he 
tries  to  discuss.  In  a  letter  from  Herman  Strecker  we  are  informed 
that  the  moth  which  appeared  in  such  large  numbers  for  the  one  night, 
August  1,  was  a  Tortrix  {Tortrix  fracUvittana  Clem.).  He  also  states 
that  the  article  above  referred  to  was  on  the  authority  of  a  fire-escape 
or  lightning-rod  man,  who,  to  use  Mr.  Strecker's  words,  knew  about  as 
much  of  such  things  as  an  intelligent  cow.  The  case  is  more  correctly 
stated  in  the  Reading  (Pa.)  Evening  Telegram  for  August  2,  1888, 
some  of  the  information  therein  being  derived  from  Mr.  Strecker  him- 
self. He  also  adds  in  his  letter  that  "  the  next  evening  but  a  few  were 
about  and  subsequently  scarcely  any."  The  sudden  abundance  of  this 
Tortricid  is  certainly  very  extraordinary.  It  fluttered  about  the  elec- 
tric lights  by  thousands.  According  to  a  note  in  the  Scientific  Ameri- 
can for  August  18, 1888,  they  were  first  noticed  flying  around  the  lights 
about  8  o'clock.  They  soon  infested  the  air  to  such  an  extent  as  to  re- 
semble at  a  distance  a  snowstorm,  and  passengers  on  the  street-cars, 
as  they  passed  under  the  lamps,  were  covered  with  the  insects,  which 
caused  vast  annoyance  by  getting  into  their  ears,  eyes,  and  mouths. 

In  the  same  number  of  the  same  journal  Mr.  Thomas  Latuam  is  re- 
sponsible for  the  statement  that  myriads  of  moths  were  at  date  of  his 
writing  circulating  around  the  electric  lights  upon  Third  avenue,  New 
York.  The  note  does  not  give  the  species,  but  states  that  the  moths 
are  barely  half  an  inch  long. 


91 

In  the  same  uuinber  as  above  quoted,  it  is  also  stated  that  at  Easton, 
Pa.,  "butterflies"  by  the  thousands,  after  flying  about  the  sixty-four 
electric  lights,  alighted  on  the  carbons  and  fell  dead  inside  the  globes, 
two  quarts  of  dead  "  butterflies  "  on.  an  average  being  afterwards  taken 
from  each  globe.  It  is  quite  possible  that  in  this  and  the  preceding 
instance  the  insects  were  the  Tortrix  first  mentioned. 

The  Bund  New  Yorker  for  July  7,  1888,  states  that  the  Eose  Beetle 
{Macrodactylus  subspinosus)  suddenly  appeared  the  week  previous  in 
swarms  at  the  Rural  Grounds,  causing  a  great  deal  of  damage  to  grapes, 
roses,  and  magnolias.  They  were  successfully  combated  by  spraying 
with  a  Buhach  solution. 

AN   INEXPERT  DEFENSE. 

The  following  clipping  is  from  the  Manchester  (Eng.)  Courier  for 
July  7,  1888,  and  is  entitled :  "A  remarkable  charge  of  homicide:" 

Paris,  Thursday  Night. 
The  trial  begins  at  Lyons  to-morrow  of  M.  de  Villenuve,  charged  with  homicide. 
M.  de  Villeuuve  is  a  wiue-grower.  Early  this  year  eleven  people  died  at  Hyferes  and 
more  than  four  hundred  were  suddenly  taken  ill  with  symptoms  of  poisoning.  The 
corpses  of  the  victims  showed,  at  the  post-mortem  examination,  poisoning  by  arsenic. 
M.  de  Villenuve,  who  had  furnished  them  with  wine,  was  charged  with  falsifying  it 
with  arsenic.  His  defense  is  that  two  years  ago  he  employed  that  chemical  to  rid  his 
vines  of  phylloxera.  The  insects  were  destroyed,  but  according  to  his  theory  the 
poison  muse  have  been  absorbed  by  the  vines,  and  thus  poisoned  the  wine. 

As  a  matter  of  course  this  defense  is  utterly  inadmissible,  and  either 
the  theory  of  the  prosecution  is  correct,  or  an  arsenical  mixture  must 
have  been  sprayed  upon  the  vines  at  or  near  the  time  of  ripening  of 
the  fruit,  either  as  a  remedy  for  some  leaf-eating  insect,  or,  as  is  more 
likely,  for  the  grapevine  mildew,  or  perhaps  for  the  black  rot.  It  is 
not  known  to  our  chemists  that  arsenic  is  ever  used  as  a  falsifier  of 
wine,  but  certain  crude  chemicals  containing  an  appreciable  quantity 
of  the  poison  might  be  so  used. 

INSECT  DAMAGE   TO   THE   COEKS   OF   WINE  BOTTLES. 

At  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Belgium 
held  May  7,  1887,  Mr.  Preudhomme  de  Borre  presented  a  communica- 
tion regarding  insects  which  feed  upon  the  corks  of  bottles  in  cellars, 
especially  wine  bottles.  Different  species  eat  holes  through  the  corks, 
thereby  causing  the  wines  to  escape.  Two  species  {Oenophila  vjlavum 
and  Hhizophagus  hipustulatus)  were  found  in  corks  brought  him  from 
Burgundy.  As  a  remedy  he  recommended  the  covering  of  the  bottles 
with  a  hard  and  thick  wax  not  subject  to  breaking  or  cracking.  His 
closing  words  were:  "For  the  love  of  the  god  Bacchus  cover  your  bot- 
tles well,  then,  gentlemen."  While  advising  this  remedy  he  had  been 
disposed  to  believe  that  the  eggs  of  the  insects  do  not  pre-exist  in  the 
corks,  but  Dr.  Tosquinet,  who  engaged  in  the  discussion,  announced 


92 

that  lie  bad  seen  several  of  these  corks  in  which  the  wax  had  been 
bored  through  by  the  exit-ho\es  of  a  coleopterous  insect.  Thus  in  some 
cases  the  eggs  may  be  deposited  in  the  cork  before  it  is  used  for  the 
bottles  and  escape  unhurt  the  processes  of  manufacture  and  corkage. 
To  escape  this  the  bark  is  to  be  disinfected  after  gathering.  Tinea 
eloacella,  Endrosis.  lacteella,  Asopia  farinalis,  and  Onisciis  imirarius  (a 
Wood-louse)  were  also  mentioned  as  cork  eaters.  The  last  named  at- 
tacks them  probably  only  after  they  have  first  been  attacked  by  insects. 
The  idea  of  substituting  rubber  corks  for  bark  ones  was  brought  up  but 
not  favored,  because  the  rubber  would  be  apt  to  spoil  the  flavor  of  the 
wine. 

LOCUSTS   IN  ALGERIA. 

According  to  the  Eeviie  Eorticole  for  July,  1888,  the  locusts  are  doing 
their  principal  damage  in  Algeria  the  present  year  in  the  province  of 
Constantine.  It  is  too  early  to  estimate  the  extent  of  the  injury,  but 
it  is  said  to  be  immense.  The  Government  has  appropriated  the  sum 
of  500,0U0  francs,  principally  as  a  bounty,  to  the  most  meritorious  farm- 
ers. Editorially  the  journal  goes  on  to  say  :  "This  is  very  good,  but 
what  will  be  equally  useful  is  the  appointing  of  a  commission  composed 
of  distinguished  entomologists  and  agriculturists  who  will  study  this 
scourge  from  its  origin  and  will  seek  the  means,  if  such  exist,  of  pre- 
venting the  return  of  these  invasions." 

ENEMIES   OF   ICERYA  IN   NEW  ZEALAND. 

In  the  July,  1888,  number  of  the  New  Zealand  Farmer  a  corre- 
spondent writes  that  he  has  been  investigating  the  condition  of  Icerya 
purchasi  in  that  country,  and  states  that  there  is  a  very  general  im- 
pression in  most  districts  that  it  has  received  a  check  from  some  cause 
not  yet  apparent,  as  the  information  in  regard  to  what  cause  or  causes 
can  not  be  wholly  relied  upon.  Another  correspondent  writes  in  the 
same  number  that  he  finds  birds  destroying  this  pest,  gold-finches 
feeding  constantly  upon  it,  aud  paroquets  being  also  known  to  eat  it. 
In  the  June,  1888,  number  the  New  Zealand  cuckoo  is  supposed  to 
have  destroyed  large  numbers  of  the  scale.  Vast  numbers  of  the 
females  on  an  acacia-hedge  in  Wairoa  South  were  found  destroyed  by 
some  natural  enemy  ;  the  ova-sacs  torn  open,  eggs  gone,  shreds  of  the 
cotton  lying  about  on  the  ground  and  no  larvae  to  be  seen,  everything 
pointing  to  a  bird  as  having  been  the  benefactor.  The  evidence  seemed 
to  be  in  favor  of  the  cuckoo  just  mentioned.  This  bird  is  said  to  be  a 
visitor  in  New  Zealand  at  certain  seasons  only,  and  is  found  in  many 
warmer  lands  with  a  climate  like  that  of  southern  California— in  Aus- 
tralia, Tasmania,  Java,  and  Sumatra.  This  matter  is  worth  attention. 
Bird  enemies,  as  well  as  insect  enemies,  should  be  considered  when  the 
question  of  introducing  Icerya-destroyers  into  California  is  brought 
under  investigation. 

O 


PERSONNEL   OF  THOSE  ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contribntors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes : 

IHVISIOX  OF   ENTOMOLOGY,  U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,   First  Assistant;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.   Pergande,  Tyler 

Towuseud,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants  ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 

in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 
Field  Agents :  Saml.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind. ;  Herbert 

Osborn,Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLaiu,  Hinsdale,  HI.;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood 

Mo. ;  Lawrence  Bruner,  West  Point,  Nebr. ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ; 

Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,  U.  S.  NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Honorary  curator :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

lEF"  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communica- 
tions. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  accredited  to  "  Insect  Life,"  or, 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  ''  Kiiey  aud  Howard."  While  most  of  the 
correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also  attended 
to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  during  my 
absence,  and  otherwise  so  material! j'  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that  only  those 
articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual. — C,  V,  E. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    EXTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  OCTOBER,    1888. 

Vol.  I.  ]sro.  4. 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 

1888. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 93 

The  Parsnip  Web-worm  (illustrated) C.  F.  Riley..        94 

Notes  on  a  Simulium  Common  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y L.  O.  Howard..        99 

A  Lady  Bird  Parasite  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley..       101 

The  Purslane  Caterpillar  (illustrated) 104 

Further  Concerning  External  Spider  Parasites  (illustrated)  L.  0.  Howard      106 

Remarks  ON  THE  Hessian  Fly (Abstract  of  paper  by  C.  V.Riley)..       107 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 108 

A  Stomoxys  iDJurmg  Stock  in  Oregon. — The  Colorado  Potato-beetle  in  Nova 
Scotia. — 1888  Damage  by  Chinch  Bug  in  Missouri. — A  Problematical 
Remedy  against  the  Asparagus  Beetle.— Increased  Ravages  of  Icerya  in 
California. — The  Green-striped  Maple- worm. — Wheat  Saw-flies.— Was 
it  an  Accident  or  a  Wily  Milkman  ? — Cranberry  Gall-mites. — Notes  on 
the  Chinch  Bug  in  Minnesota. — Epidemic  Diseases  of  the  Chinch  Lug 
in  Illinois. 
Steps  Towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc.  (illus- 
trated)  Lord  Walsingham..       113 

General  Notes 118 

Synonymy  of  the  Mealy  Bug  of  the  Orange.— Entomology  in  Chili.— Larva 
of  the  Clover  Stem-borer  as  a  Gall-maker. — The  Use  of  Osage  Orange 
as  a  Food  for  Silk-worms. — The  Pear  Diplosis  in  Euglaud. — TheOrchid 
Isosoma,  and  a  Remedy  for  its  lujury. — False  Report  of  Phylloxera  in 
Australia. — Apropos  to  Hot  Water  as  an  Insecticide. — "Value  of  dead 
Locusts  as  Manure.— The  Insiduous  Flower-bug. 
(a) 


Vol.  1,  No.  4.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [October,  188§. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

As  will  be  seen  from  the  Extracts  from  CorrespoDdence,  the  Chinch 
Bug  has  been  very  severely  affected  by  the  epidemic  diseases  due  to 
micro-organisms  both  in  Minnesota  and  Illinois,  and,  as  we  may  safely 
assume,  in  the  intervening  country.  This,  taken  in  connection  with  the 
rise  in  the  price  of  wheat,  must  be  very  encouraging  to  the  Western 
grain-growers. 


Entomology  would  seem  to  Lave  very  little  connection  with  those  most 
interesting  of  modern  inventions  for  speech  recording  and  repeating,  as 
exemplified  in  the  phonograph  and  graphophone.  But  some  composi- 
tion having  wax  as  a  basis  has  so  far  proved  to  be  the  best  for  record- 
ing the  impressions  of  the  sound  waves  and  also  for  reproducing  them, 
and  this  fact  must  necessarily  enhance  the  value  of  the  wax  product; 
for  we  have  little  doubt  that  this  improved  instrument  will  rapidly  come 
into  general  use  as  a  substitute  for  stenography. 


We  are  very  glad  to  learn  that  Prof.  C.  H.  Fernald,  of  Amherst, 
Mass.,  has  decided  to  monograph  the  Pyralidae,  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting families  of  moths;  because  he  is  one  of  the  few  really  careful  and 
conscientious  workers  in  descriptive  and  monographic  Lepidopterology 
of  which  the  United  States  can  boast.  He  excludes  the  Phycitidte  be- 
cause they  are  being  especially  worked  up  by  E.  L.  Eagonot,  of  Paris, 
who  has  for  years  been  preparing  his  plates  and  diagnoses  and  who  is 
a  careful  and  conscientious  worker. 


The  last  number  oi  Entomologica  Americana^  the  organ  of  the  Brook- 
lyn Entomological  Society,  comes  to  us  with  six  pages  of  descriptions, 
by  Geo.  D.  Hulst,  of  Epipaschiiie  and  Phycitidae.  In  four  of  these  pages 
some  eighteen  new  genera  are  defined  in  characteristic  manner,  averaging 
three  or  four  lines  to  each  characterization.  Most  of  the  new  generic 
terms  are  what  may  be  called  humbug  names — i.  e.,  words  selected  at 
random  or  coined  without  reference  to  the  peculiarities  of  the  insect,  and 
not  in  conformity  with  best  custom.     In  none  of  these  generic  characteri- 

93 


94 

zations  is  there  any  information  to  guide  the  student  as  to  wherein 
ihe  genera  differ  from  allied  genera.  Having  in  the  past  described  a 
number  of  species  in  similar  maimer  and  referred  them  provisioually 
and  often  wrongly  to  various  genera,  Mr.  Hulst  takes  this  method  of 
cutting  the  Gordian  knot  and  saving  himself  trouble  by  niakiug  many 
of  them  types  of  these  new  genera.  Such  work  seems  to  us  the  merest 
child's  play.  It  is  unworthy  the  dignity  of  science  and  justifies  to  day 
the  well-known  stigma  which  Latreille,  in  his  day,  applied  to  a  certain 
class  of  Lepidopterists. 


We  want  a  couple  of  young  men  in  the  work  of  the  Entomological 
Division.  Qualifications:  Some  knowledge,  or  at  least  interest,  in  ento- 
mology, but  particularly  some  chemical  training  and  mechanical  inge- 
nuity. Ability  to  draw  and  some  knowledge  of  French  and  German  will 
add  to  the  applicant's  fitness.  Any  one  seeking  such  a  position  should 
correspond  with  the  Entomologist,  stating  qualifications  and  references. 


Prof.  Dr.  K.  Lindeman,  of  Moscow,  writes  us  that  the  larva  of  Plusia 
gamma  has  been  extremely  prevalent  and  injurious  the  past  summer  in 
that  portion  of  Kussia,  having,  in  seven  environments,  done  great  dam- 
age to  Linseed,  Peas,  and  Hemp. 


THE  PARSNIP  WEB- WORM. 

{Bepressaria  heradiana  De  G.) 
By  C.  V.  Riley. 


SYNONYMY. 


^.  Phalcena-Tortrix  {Ph.-Tiuea)    herachana 

Linu. 
Phalmna-Tortrix  heradiana  De  G. 
Phalama  heraclei  Retzius. 
?  Tinea  umbellella  Fab. 
?  Pyralis  umiellana  Fab. 
"i  Pyralis  herachana  Fab. 
Tinea  apiella  Hiibuer. 
Depressaria  heraclei  Haworth. 


?  Depressaria  umbellarum  Haworth. 
Hwmylis  daueeUa  Boncb^. 
Depressaria  heracleana  Stephens. 
Hcemylis  pastinacella  Duponchel. 
Hatmylis  iimbelleUa  Zetterstedt. 
Depressaria  pastinacella  Zellerin  litt. 
Hosmilis pastinacella  Bruand. 
Depressaria  oniariella  Bethune. 


The  first  specimen  of  this  moth  which  we  obtained  was  in  1875  from 
Mr.  H.  G.  Hubbard,  who  had  found  the  larva  in  the  stem  of  some  cru- 
ciferous plant,  in  slight  brown  open  cocoon,  and  pupje  several  together 
in  same  stem.  In  the  summer  of  1883,  while  spending  some  delightful 
hours  with  Mr.  Roland  Thaxter,  of  Kittery  Point,  Me.,  we  found  this  in- 
sect extremely  common  in  the  stems  of  Wild  Parsnips,  of  rank  growth 
and  exceptional  size,  everywhere  growing  about  that  point.     Some  of 


95 

the  large  hollow  stems  from  an  inch  to  two  inches  in  diameter  wonld 
have  over  a  dozen  larvae  or  pup;B  within  them,  but  no  larvie  were  found  at 
the  time  upon  the  umbels.  Our  next  experience  with  this  insect  was  in 
1886  on  Lord  Walsingham's  estate  at  Merton  Hall,  Tbetford,  England. 
Here  the  larva  was  chiefly  working  on  the  umbels.  We  brought  over 
with  us  for  comparison  specimens  of  the  larvae  and  imagos,  and  find  the 
specimens  absolutely  identical  with  those  from  this  country.  Tbe  Eng- 
lish specimens  may  be  said  to  be  slightly  smaller  on  tbe  average  than 
the  American,  but  from  a  series  of  fifty-two  bred  specimens  now  before  us 
there  is  every  variation  between  the  extremes,  the  alar  expanse  ranging 
from  21"""  to  28""".  On  the  average  the  American  specimens  are  some- 
what darker  or  more  fuscous,  but  among  them  are  anumberfully  as  pale 
as  the  palest  English  specimens.  We  had  placed  Bepressaria  grotella* 
Eobinson  as  a  variety  of  this  species  after  a  study  of  his  figure  and 
description,  but  Professor  Fernald,  who  has  a  specimen  of  grotella, 
writes  us  that  he  believes  the  two  are  distinct. 


e^^- 


FiG.  13.— Depressaria  heracliana.— a,  larva,  side  view;  b,  dorsal  view;  c,  pupa;  d,  anal  ex- 
tremity of  pupa  showing  hooks;  e.  moth — enlarged;  /,  umbel  of  parsnip  webbed  together  by  the 
larvae,  natural  size  (original). 


EARLIER   LITERATURE. 

The  first  reliable  description  of  the  species  is  that  given  by  De  Geer, 
and  must  be  considered  the  original  characterization,  as  that  of  Lin- 
naeus is  very  uncertain.  Tbe  descrii^tionsofFabricius are  also  uncertain, 
and  are  questioned  among  the  synonyms.  Many  subsequent  authors 
have  figured  aud  described  the  species.  Albin  (1720)  is  said  to  have  fig- 
ured it,  Reaumur  (1736)  imperfectly  figured  larva  and  moth,  DeGeer  (1752), 
Shaffer  (1758),  Hiibner  (1805-24),  Duponchel  (1836),  Herrich- Shaffer 
(1855),  and  Zeller  (1854)  have  figured  the  wings,  while  J.  Sepp  (1843) 
has  given  an  excellent  plate  of  all  stages  excepting  the  egg.     Bruand 

*Lepidopt.  Miscellauies,  Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  9,  1S70,  pp.  157,  158,  pi.  1, 

/,io. 


96 

(1844)  figures  larva  and  pupa,  Curtis  (1860)  figures  larva  aud  pupa,  and 
Stainton  (1861)  figures  larva  and  adult. 

THE   SPECIES  IMPORTED   FROM  EUROPE. 

The  Eev.  C.  J.  S.  Bethune  (Can.  Eutom.,  vol.  2,  No.  1,  Aug.,  1869,  pp. 
1-4)  describes  specimens  taken  in  Ontario  as  Depressaria  ontariella  n. 
sp.  On  p.  19  of  the  same  volume,  in  connection  with  a  note  on  the 
subject  by  Mr.  James  Angus,  of  West  Farms,  N.  Y.,  some  doubt  is  ex- 
pressed as  to  the  validity  of  the  new  species.  In  his  Beitrag.  z.  Kennt. 
d.  nordam.  Nachtfalter,  Zeller  (Verhandl.  d.  zool.-bot.  Gesellschaft  in. 
Wieu,Band  23, 1873,  pp.  235-236)  refers  to  two  females  under  the  name  of 
ontariella  Bethune  (hence,  of  course,  from  Canada  or  the  United  States), 
one  having  label  "  14  Aug.,"  received  through  Dr.  Speyer,  which  agreed 
in  the  most  exact  manner  with  large  European  specimens  of  heracli- 
ana.  Zellei-  adds  that  without  doubt  the  species  emigrated  to  America; 
aud  having  reached  land  after  a  hiippy  winter  passage  experienced  no 
difficulty  in  selecting  at  once  a  suitable  food  plant  for  its  progeny.  Soon 
after  this  Prof.  J.  A.  Lintner  (Canad.  Entom.,  vol.  5,  p.  82)  records  that 
a  specimen  of  D.  ontariella  Bethune,  sent  by  him  the  previous  fall  to 
Dr.  Speyer,  and  by  him  submitted  to  Zeller,  was  by  the  latter  deter- 
mined to  be  D.  hcracliana.  We  have  also  from  William  Saunders,  now 
director  of  the  Dominion  Experimental  Farms,  an  authoritative  speci- 
men of  ontariella  which  is  a  true  heracliana. 

HABITS  AND   NATURAL   HISTORY. 

Stainton  says  that  the  eggs  are  deposited  in  the  spring  by  the  hyber- 
nated  female  moth  upon  the  undeveloped  umbels  of  the  Parsnip  {Pas- 
tinaca  sativa).  The  larvfe  may  be  found  here  in  the  United  States  in 
the  month  of  June;  in  England  toward  the  last  of  June  and  through 
July.  They  web  the  flower-heads  together  until  these  are  contracted 
into  masses  of  web  and  excrement,  an  umbel  thus  affected  being  shown 
in  fig.  13,/.  After  the  larvjB  have  consumed  the  flowers  and  unripe 
seeds  and  become  nearly  full  grown,  they  enter  the  hollow  stems  of  the 
plants  by  burrowing  their  way  inside,  generally  at  the  axils  of  the 
leaves,  and  then  feed  upon  the  soft  white  lining  of  the  interior.  Here, 
inside  the  hollow  stem,  they  change  to  the  pupa  state.  The  larvte  are 
moderately  gregarious.  They  will  sometimes  eat  newly-sown  parsnip, 
-after  the  older  plants  originally  attacked  have  been  destroyed,  in  such 
cases  eating  the  tender  green  leaves,  while  of  the  older  plants  they  eat 
only  the  flower-heads  and  interior  lining  of  the  stems.  It  is  not  at  pres- 
ent known  whether  there  are  two  broods,  though  this  is  quite  probable. 

On  June  4  of  the  j)resent  year  we  received  from  the  noted  seedsmen 
D.  Landreth  &  Sons,  Bristol,  Pa.,  flower-heads  of  the  parsnip  badly  in- 
fested with  the  larviB,  accompanied  by  the  following  account  of  Injury : 

We  send  you  some  furtber  specimens  of  parsnip  seed-stalks  suffering  under  the  at- 
tack of  the  grub  referred  to  in  our  previous  letter. 


97 

This  larva,  if  it  attacked  ouly  the  extended  footstalks  of  the  seed-heads  might 
be  treated,  but  it  secretes  itself  as  well  within  all  the  folds  and  enveloped  spaces 
of  the  seed-stalk,  parts  that  can  not  be  reached  except  by  unfolding. 

We  have  treated  the  affected  plants  with  kerosene  emulsion,  whale-oil  soap,  dry 
Paris  green,  Paris  greeu  in  water,  per-oxide  of  silicate,  and  other  articles,  and  all  to 
no  effect. 

No  i)arsnip8  being  at  liaud  to  feed  the  larvtie  upon,  a  lot  of  flower- 
beads  of  the  Wild  Carrot  {Daucus  carota)  were  placed  in  the  breeding 
cage  with  them.  After  a  short  interval  larg6  numbers  of  the  larviie 
gathered  around  the  cut  ends  of  the  stems  and  began  feeding  thereon. 
They  were  noticed,  also,  to  be  cannibalistic  in  their  habits,  several  be- 
ing seen  to  attack  one  of  their  number  and  devour  it  in  a  very  short 
time.  They  did  not  like  the  flowers  of  the  Carrot,  but  bored  into  the 
stems.  On  the  15th  of  June  more  larvie  were  received,  the  umbels  in- 
fested by  them  being  completely  spun  together  so  that  they  could  not 
expand,  and  the  greater  part  having  become  brown  and  decayed.  In 
a  few  instances  the  larvae  had  entered  the  stem. 

On  the  14th  of  June  a  few  of  the  larvne  changed  to  pupae  in  the  midst 
of  large  masses  of  excrement.  On  the  18th  about  a  dozen  more  pupated, 
some  at  the  bottom  of  the  jar  and  otiiers  on  the  flower-heads  or  any 
other  part  of  the  plant,  while  others  still  pupated  between  the  folds  of 
blotting-paper  placed  purposely  at  the  bottom  of  the  jar;  all  inclosed 
in  a  slight  web.  On  examining  the  stems  of  the  Carrot,  July  12,  on 
which  they  had  fed,  it  was  found  that  several  had  entered  to  undergo 
their  transformations. 

According  to  Bethune  the  species  remains  from  11  days  to  2  weeks 
in  the  pupa  state,  in  Canada  beginning  to  appear  about  the  1st  of 
August.  Stainton  gives  the  length  of  time  passed  in  the  pupa  state  in 
England  as  3  to  4  weeks. 

The  moths  which  we  reared  in  1883  issued  between  July  30  and  August 
4;  those  from  Mr.  Landreth  the  present  year  issued  from  June  25  to 
July  10.  They  have  the  habit  of  creeping  into  the  crevices  of  the  soil, 
and  are  then  not  easily  detected. 

DESCRIPTIVE. 

De  Geer  first  described  both  the  larva  and  the  moth  in  part  1,  vol- 
ume 2,  of  the  Memoires.  A  brief  but  good  description  of  both  is  also 
given  by  Stainton  in  the  Tineina,  while  Bethune  has  fully  described 
the  larva,  pupa,  and  imago  under  the  name  of  ontarieUa. 

No  description  of  the  egg  of  this  species  has  been  published,  and  we 
have  not  yet  obtained  specimens. 

The  larva  (Fig.  13,  a  and  h)  varies  in  general  color  from  a  light  yel- 
lowish or  greenish  to  a  bluish-gray,  and  has  conspicuous  black  piliferous 
spots  normally  placed,  the  head  and  cervical  shield  being  black.  Its 
average  length  when  full  grown  is  12  millimeters. 

The  pupa  (Fig.  13,  c)  is  dark  brown,  unarmed  and  normal,  and  is 
inclosed  in  a  slight  silken  cocoon  inside  the  hollow  stem  of  the  plant. 


98 

The  moth  (Fig.  13,  e)  is  of  a  grayish-bufif  or  pale  ochreous,  with  fuscous 
markings  on  front  wings. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   DISTRIBUTION. 

This  species  is  probably  one  of  the  most  generally  distributed  of  the 
genus.  It  is  recorded  by  Herrich-Schaffer  from  Glogau.  Dresden,  Swe- 
den, and  England.  Staintou  adds  Scotland,  Ireland,  France,  Finland, 
and  Canada.     It  is  also  now  well  seated  in  the  Eastern  United  States. 

FOOD  PLANTS. 

In  Europe,  the  Cow  Parsnip  {Heracleum  sphondylium),  Cultivated 
Parsnip  {Pastinaca  sativa),  Siberian  Parsnip  {Heracleum  sibiricum);  in 
America,  Pastinaca  sativa  and  the  Wild  Carrot  (Baucus  carota)  are 
known  to  be  subject  to  its  attacks. 

ENEMIES. 

Kaltenbach  (Pflanzenfeinde,  p.  282)  says  that  according  to  Boie,  of 
Kiel,  its  natural  enemies  are  Cri/ptus  flagitator Grv.,  Pimpla  heraclei,  and 
HopUsmenus  dimidiatus,  which  he  found  in  the  roots,  together  with  the 
pupa  cases  of  the  moth.  Curtis  (Farm  Insects,  p.  414)  records  Cryptus 
[Phygadeuon)  profligator  G-rv.,  and  OpMon  {Pristomerus)  vulnerator  Grv. 
as  bred  from  the  larvae  by  Bouche.  He  also  records  his  own  breeding, 
from  a  single  larva  taken  from  the  parsnip,  of  a  female  Microgaster 
allied  to  lacteipennis,  and  about  thirty  females  of  Encyrtus  truncatellus, 
which  he  believes  were  parasitic  on  the  Microgaster.  In  this  conclusion 
he  is  doubtless  in  error,  as  Encyrtus  truncatellus  {  =  Copidosoma  trunca- 
tellum  Dalm.)  is  always,  so  far  as  known,  a  primary  parasite  of  Lepi 
dopterous  larvfe.  It  already  inhabits  this  country,  and  may  probably 
turn  up  as  a  parasite  of  this  particular  Depressaria. 

No  parasites  were  bred  by  Bethune  in  this  country,  nor  by  us.  Among 
the  birds,  however,  Bethune  states  that  the  Hairy  Woodpecker,  {Picus 
mllosus)  visited  the  parsnip-stalks  in  his  garden  daily,  and  pecked  away 
at  the  larvfB  and  pupte  within. 

REMEDIES. 

Bethune  suggests  as  a  remedy  that,  when  the  young  caterpillars 
appear  on  the  flowers,  the  umbels  may  be  dusted  over  with  powdered 
white  hellebore,  repeating  the  operation  occasionally.  We  doubt  the 
efficacy  of  this,  and  should  have  more  faith  in  the  arsenites,  notwith- 
standing Mr.  Landreth's  adverse  experience.  Should  the  flowers  be 
destroyed  before  they  are  noticed,  cut  oft"  and  burn  all  affected  stalks 
before  the  moths  emerge  from  the  pupte.  The  larvje  are  easily  dis- 
turbed, and  may  be  dislodged  from  the  umbels  and  collected  in  pans 
and  burned. 


99 


NOTES  ON  A  SIMULIUM  COMMON  AT  ITHACA,  N.  Y.  * 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

Prof.  J.  H.  Comstock  has  been  studying  for  some  time  a  Black  Fly 
wbich  occurs  in  its  earlier  stages  in  enormous  numbers  in  and  about  the 
streams  at  the  head  of  Cayuga  Lake,  and  which  may  or  may  not  be 
identical  with  the  species  studied  by  Dr.  W.  S.  Barnard,  and  which  he 
treated  in  1880  in  the  third  volume  of  the  American  Entomologist.  I 
am  of  of  the  opinion  that  it  will  prove  to  differ  on  account  of  differences 
in  the  manner  of  ovipositiou.  Dr.  Barnard's  species  was  studied  at  But- 
termilk Creek,  3  miles  south  of  Ithaca,  while  the  species  observed  by 
Professor  Comstock  inhabits  the  Cascadilla  and  Ithaca  gorges,  both  of 
which  are  on  the  nortli  side  of  the  city. 

As  a  boy  I  was  familinr  with  the  large  black  slimy  masses  of  larvse 
attached  to  the  rocky  bottom  of  the  Cascadilla,  as,  indeed,  what  Ithaca 
boy  was  not.  We  all  avoided  them  as  if  they  had  been  poisonous,  and 
called  them  '' Bloodsuckers,"  and  every  one  of  us  firmly  believed  that 
he  would  be  a  "goner"  if  he  accidentally  stepped  upon  a  clump  while 
bathing.  Their  true  nature  was  not  known  until  well  along  in  the  sev- 
enties, when  Professor  Comstock  discovered  their  real  affinities.  The 
old  name  and  the  old  superstition,  however,  still  clings  to  them  among 
the  youthful  bathers  in  these  streams. 

To  day  (September  2,  1888)  I  have  just  taken  a  walk  through  the 
Ithaca  gorge  in  company  with  Professor  Comstock  aud  have  been  much 
interested  in  observing  these  insects  after  having  studied  SimuUum 
ventistitm  at  Washington,  and  being  familiar  with  the  collected  speci- 
mens, in  all  stages,  of  >S'.  meridionale  and  S.  pecuarum  studied  by- 
Professor  Kiley  from  Arkansas  and  Mississippi,  and  described  by 
him  in  his  1885  report.  There  had  evidently  been  a  comparatively 
sudden  fall  in  the  water,  and  we  were  enabled  to  make  our  observations 
dry  shod.  Many  patches  of  larvfe  were  left  high  and  dry,  and  were 
wriggling  and  dying,  in  glistening  masses,  under  the  hot  rays  of  the 
sun.  The  bottom  of  the  stream  is  solid  rock  into  which  many  small 
pot-holes  have  been  worn,  aud  some  of  these  holes  were  still  filled  with 
water,  making  miniature  aquaria,  which  seemed  teeming  with  animal 
life  like  the  tide  pools  on  the  sea-coast.  Simulium  larvie  of  all  sizes 
were  found  in  these  pools,  and  with  them  the  larvpe  of  Ephemerids,  of 
Sialis,  of  Hydropsyche,  and  others  which  we  did  not  recognize.  One 
large  green  Phryganid  larva,  with  two  tripartite  anal  hooked  processes 
was  observed  destroying  one  of  the  Simulium  larvae. 

*  This  article  was  sent  in  as  a  field  note  while  making  a  brief  sojourn  at  Ithaca, 
with  the  hope  that  it  would  arrive  in  time  for  the  September  number.  It  was  too  late, 
however,  and  is  published  in  this  number  without  further  elaboration,  which  would 
take  more  time  than  I  can  just  now  spare. — L.  O.  H. 


100 

The  fall-growu  larv?e  of  the  Simiiliaoi  are  the  largest  I  have  ever  seen. 
Specimens  were  taken  which  were  afterwards  measured  and  found  to 
be  between  three-fourths  and  seven  eighths  of  an  inch  long.  The  anal 
swelling  is  very  pronounced.  Those  colonies  which  were  left  by  the  re- 
ceding water  seemed  to  make  no  effort  to  escape  but  probably  died  on 
the  spot  to  which  they  were  attached.  A  gradation  in  the  size  of  the 
larviB  from  the  borders  of  the  stream  to  the  center  was  observed,  as  al- 
ready noticed  by  Dr.  Barnard.  The  cocoons  were  found  here  and 
there,  bnt  apparently  usually  a  little  distance  away  from  the  masses  of 
larvte.  The  cocoons  appeared  to  me  exceptionally  large  and  tough. 
The  colonies  of  larviie  were  found  in  greatest  numbers  just  on  the 
verge  of  the  numerous  falls  where  the  water  was  shallow  and  swift,  and 
at  the  crown  of  these  falls  I  was  delighted  to  have  Professor  Comstock 
point  out  to  me  the  adult  insects.  They  were  hoveriug  in  the  bright 
sunlight  in  considerable  numbers,  and  a  number  were  captured  with  a 
net.  They  could  hardly  be  said  to  fly  in  swarms,  but  seemed  to  hover 
about,  each  one  independent  of  the  others,  but  remaining  in  about  the 
same  locality.  At  this  time  of  the  year  they  seemed  to  be  principally 
males,  as  of  the  fifty  specimens  captured  but  one  was  a  female. 

Professor  Comstock  tells  me  that  this  same  flight  of  the  adults  can 
be  observed  on  almost  any  day  through  the  summer,  and  that  he  has 
seen  them  as  early  as  June.  During  July  he  states  that  he  observed 
them  flying  in  enormous  numbers.  His  notes  upon  the  oviposition  of 
the  species  will  be  very  interesting  when  published.  It  will  be  re- 
membered that  Dr.  Barnard  observed  the  eggs  at  Buttermilk  ravine  at 
the  edge  of  the  steam  aljove  the  wafer.  Professor  Comstock,  however, 
has  seen  the  female  dart  at  the  crown  of  the  falls  after  a  preliminary 
bover  and  lay  her  eggs  in  the  swift  current.  He  states  that  a  number 
of  females  choose  the  same  place  for  oviposition  and  frequently  lay  a 
mass  of  eggs  as  large  as  the  x>alm  of  one's  hand,  whicli  accounts  for  the 
large  extent  of  the  colonies  of  larvae.  1  have  seen  these  larvjB  in 
patches  of  many  feet  in  length  and  so  close  to  each  other  that  the  surface 
of  the  rock  could  not  be  seen.  The  jet  black  color  of  the  larvje  is  strik- 
ing, and  the  colonies  can  be  readily  seen  from  a  considerable  distance. 

A  peculiar  fact  concerning  this  species  is  that  it  does  not  seem  to  hite. 
No  one,  so  far  as  I  know,  has  ever  been  bitten  by  a  Black  Fly  in  this 
vicinity.  A  comparative  examination  of  the  mouth-parts  of  this  and 
other  species  will  therefore  be  interesting.  The  males  are  very  beauti- 
ful, as  are  individuals  of  this  sex  in  other  species  of  the  genus.  The 
eyes  in  life  are  of  a  beautiful  golden  bronze,  the  body  is  covered  with  a 
silvery  i)ubescence  and  the  wings  are  highly  iridescent. 

The  exact  details  of  the  life  history  of  this  species  are  being  collected 
by  Professor  Comstock,  and  we  look  forward  to  their  publication  with 
much  interest. 

I  called  attention  three  years  ago  to  the  abundance  of  the  nets  and 
tubes  of  Hydropsyclie  upon  the  Simuliumcovered  rocks  in  Rock  Creek 


101 

at  Washington,  and  I  was  pleased  to  find  the  same  condition  of  affairs 
here  at  Ithaca.  The  ca»es  of  these  carnivorous  larviiB  were  very  numer- 
ous, as  was  to  be  expected  from  the  abundance  of  food.  The  nets  dif- 
fered from  those  found  at  Washington  and  the  species  is  probably 
different. 


A  LADY-BIRD  PARASITE. 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

Up  to  the  present  time  uo  parasites  of  adult  Coccinellidre  have  been 
recorded  iu  this  country,  although  Honialotijlus  obscunis  Howard  has 
been  reared  from  the  larva?  of  the  Convergent  Lady  bird  {Hippodamia 
convergens)  in  Florida  by  Mr.  H.  G.  Hubbard.*  European  entomolo- 
gists, however,  have  recorded  several  observations  of  this  character, 
and  we  have  long  known  of  the  occurrence  of  at  least  one  parasite  in 
the  United  States  (the  species  here  treated)  having  habits  similar  to 
those  described  by  Westwood,  Ratzeburg,  and  others. 

In  1879,  at  North  Bend,  Ohio,  while 
visiting  our  esteemed  friend,  the  late 
Dr.  John  A.  Warder,  we  found  one  speci- 
men of  the  Spotted  Ladybird  (Megilla 
maculata),  stationed  almost  motionless, 
though  still  alive,  over  a  tough  brown 
silken  cocoon  in  the  position  shown  at    fig.  14.— megilla  maculata.  Beetle  and 

Eig.    14.       W^e    had    previously,    iu     Mis-  cocoon  of  parasite,  enlarged  (original). 

souri,  found  the  same  Coccinellid  dead  and  fastened  in  a  similar  manner 
over  an  empty  cocoon,  but  looking  so  natural  that  until  dissected  and 
found  to  be  gutted,  it  was  difficult  to  realize  that  it  had  been  para- 
sitized.    No  flies  were  obtained  from  the  specimens. 

In  July,  1883,  according  to  our  notes,  Mr.  Howard  observed  the  same 
thing  at  Sheldrake,  N.  Y.,  but  made  the  mistake  of  attempting  to  ob- 
serve it  from  day  to  day  in  the  field  without  disturbing  it,  and  one  day 
the  leaf  of  corn  to  which  the  specimen  was  attached  was  missing.  In 
1884  a  number  of  similar  specimens  were  found  at  Washington  by  Mr. 
Pergande,  and  at  Oxford,  lud,,  by  Mr.  Webster,  and  these  were  care- 
fully studied  and  a  number  of  the  adult  parasites  reared. 

The  cocoons  and  the  parasitized  beetles  were  found  upon  a  number 
of  different  plants,  but  usually  upon  cereals.  The  beetles  in  all  these 
later  cases  were  at  first  alive,  and  several  of  them  lived  for  twelve  days 
after  they  were  found.  All  were  unable  to  leave  the  cocoons,  and  when 
forcibly  detached  were  unable  to  walk,  rolling  over  upon  their  backs 
on  making  the  attempt.  The  closest  examination  of  the  beetles  found 
attached  to  the  cocoons  failed  to   show  any  exit-hole  by  which  the 

*  See  Bull.  5,  Division  of  Eutomologj-,  p.  22,  and  Insects  affecting  the  Orange,  Hub- 
bard, p.  70. 


102 

parasitic  larva  emerged  prior  to  spinning,  altbongb  it  seemed  probable 
that  the  ventral  portion  of  the  thoracico-abdominal  suture  was  used  for 
this  purpose.  Mr.  William  H.  Patton,  who  has  also  found  this  parasite 
on  Megilla  maculata,  informed  us  in  1881  that  in  his  specimen  the  larva 
had  apparently  emerged  form  a  perforation  in  the  last  dorsal  segment  of 
the  abdomen. 

A  number  of  free  specimens  of  the  Spotted  Lady-bird  were  captured 
August  24,  for  purposes  of  comparison,  and  in  one  individual  which 
could  not  be  distinguished  from  the  others  in  size,  coloration,  or  activity 
was  found  a  larva  which  was  with  little  doubt  that  of  the  same  para- 
site. This  larva  was  apparently  full-grown,  as  it  tilled  the  cavity  of  the 
abdomen  completely.  Its  head  was  directed  towards  the  suture  between 
the  abdomen  and  the  metathorax,  thus  strengthening  the  probability 
that  this  is  the  point  of  exit. 

In  addition  to  the  numerous  specimens  of  Megilla  maculata  found  thus 
parasitized  at  Washington,  one  specimen  of  Coccinella  9-punctata  was 
also  found  which  had  evidently  been  infested  by  the  same  parasite. 

Mr.  Webster's  observations  and  his  efforts,  at  our  request,  to  ascer- 
tain the  point  of  exit  of  the  parasitic  larva  from  the  beetle  are  sum- 
med up  in  a  letter  dated  Oxford,  Ind.,  July  22, 1884,  and  from  which  we 
quote : 

I  am  sorry  to  say  that  with  my  present  kuowledge  I  am  unable  to  settle  the  Lady- 
bird parasite  matter  to  my  satisfaction.  I  have  had  live  examples,  only  one  of  which 
(a)  was  placed  in  alcohol  when  fonnd.  This  had  sufiScient  vitality  left  to  tear  itself 
from  the  meshes  of  the  cocoon.  From  this  I  think  the  parasite  escaped  by  way  of  the 
aperture  in  the  membrane  connecting  the  thorax  with  the  abdomen,  which  you  can 
readily  see.  Three  of  the  others  ^yere  dried  and  difficult  to  study,  none,  however, 
exhibiting  the  aperture  as  in  (a).  In  one  the  mouth  was  seriously  damaged  ;  in  the 
other  two  not.  These  two  were  very  brittle  and,  although  there  were  apertures  above 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  scutellum  and  bases  of  the  wings,  I  do  not  like  to  attribute  to 
the  parasite  what  might  have  been  done  by  Webster. 

The  adult  insect  was  bred  in  some  numbers  both  from  Washington 
and  from  Indiana  specimens.  Only  females,  however,  were  reared, 
ifo  observations  have  yet  been  made  on  the  mode  of  oviposition. 
Eefereuce  to  the  literature  of  European  parasites  of  Coccinellidte  shows 
that  the  so-called  Microctonus  terminatus  (Nees)  has  precisely  similar 
habits,  and  under  the  supposition  that  the  American  species  might  be  a 
Microctonus,  specimens  were  sent  to  Mr.  E.  A.  Fitch,  of  England,  through 
Mr.  J.  B.  Bridgman,  for  comparison  with  identified  species  in  England. 
Through  an  oversight,  Mr.  Fitch  did  not  notice  that  the  species  did  not 
belong  to  Microctonus,  and  very  naturally  answered  Mr.  Bridgman  that 
it  did  not  correspond  with  any  of  Kuthe's  types  of  this  genus. 

Subsequent  study  indicates  that  the  species  bred  by  us  maj^  proba- 
bly be  placed  in  the  Braconid  genus  Centistes  of  Haliday,  judging  from 
Haliday's  original  description  and  the  few  words  of  analytic  diagnosis 
contributed  by  Eev.  T.  A.  Marshall  to  Mr.  Cresson's  synopsis  of  the 
Hymenoptera  of  Xorth  America. 


103 

Awaiting  the  forthcoming  consideration  of  this  genus  in  Mr.  Marshall's 
Monograph  of  the  British  Braconidse,  however,  we  shall  not  attempt  its 
characterization  at  present,  but  would  simply  propose  for  it  the  provis- 
ional name  of  Centistes  americana. 

The  so  called  Microctonus  terminatiis  reared  by  Audouin,  Ratzeburg, 
and  Scheffer  from  Coccinella  spp.  proves,  likewise,  to  be  no  Microcto- 
nus but  to  belong  to  the  wellkuowu  genus  Perilitus.  (See  Kirchner's 
Catalogus  Hymenopterorum  Europte,  and  Marshall's  Monogr.  Brit., 
Bracon.,  Trans.  Lond.  Ent.  Soc.  1887,  Part  II,  p.  53.) 

The  parasitic  habits  of  Microc- 
tonus proper  are  not  known.  All 
of  the  subfamily  of  the  Bracon- 
idfe  Polymorph!  to  which  it  be- 
longs, viz,  the  Euphorintie,  are 
however,  Coleopterous  parasites 
in  Europe  so  far  as  known. 

Eatzeburg's     interesting     ac- 
count of  the  habits  of  P.  termi- 
natiis   (Nees)    indicates   that   it 
works  in  a  manner   almost  pre-     fig.  i5.— centistes  americana.   imago,  enlarged 
cisely   similar  to  our    American  (ongmai). 

parasite  and  we  therefore  print  a  translation  of  his  account: 

In  1850  I  bred  three  females,  allbeiDgfound  in  very  strange  situations  in  the  vicinity 
of  Neustadt :  Living  specimens  of  Coccinella  5-pnnctata.  and  C.  7-pnnctata  vrere  sit- 
ting or  hanging  (once  in  a  rolled-up  leaf)  on  shrubs  and  carried  under  the  abdomen 
a  gray,  pear-shaped,  subtransparent  cocoon  surrounded  with  loose  silken  threads. 
From  the  fact  that  the  Coccinella  clasped  the  cocoon  with  the  legs  and  got  thus  en- 
tangled in  the  silk,  the  cocoon  was  closely  applied  to  the  abdomen,  and  I  had  some 
trouble  in  detaching  the  cocoon  when  the  Ichneumons  (from  June  10-14)  had  hatched 
after  cutting  open  the  cocoon.  Two  Coccinellse  were  still  alive  as  long  as  the  cocoon 
was  still  unopened,  since  they  moved  their  legs  a  little,  but  died  after  the  Ichneumon 
flies  had  issued.  The  third  specimen,  however,  remained  living  for  a  long  time  after- 
wards and  even  could  place  its  legs  into  the  proper  position  and  remain  standing.  I 
have  not  been  able  to  perceive  the  wound  through  which  the  Ichneumon  larva  issues 
from  the  beetle.  However,  the  Microctonus  larva  surely  feeds  within  the  Coccinella 
(as  already  stated  by  Westwood)  and  it  is  probably  through  one  of  the  ligaments, 
which  later  closes  up  again,  that  the  larva  pierces  through  the  beetle.  I  come  to 
this  conclusion ;  first,  I  found  upon  dissection  of  a  recently  dead  Coccinella  that  all  in- 
testines were  shriveled  up  and  pressed  onto  the  walls  ;  secondly,  I  have  observed  the 
sting  by  which  the  Ichneumon  Fly  deposits  the  egg. 

To  a  lively  female  Microctonus,  which  I  had  kept  alone  for  two  days  in  a  glass  box, 
I  placed  a  Coccinella  7-punctata.  At  once  the  attention  of  the  Microctonus  was 
aroused;  she  ran  to  the  place  where  the  Coccinella  was  and  closely  examined  it  from 
all  sides,  running  forward  and  backward  in  a  very  comical  way.  Immediately  after- 
wards she  prepared  to  sting  in  the  same  way  as  described  by  me  in  Aphidius  aphidi- 
vorus  (I,  p.  50).  The  abdomen,  pear-shaped  in  repose,  became  long  and  thin;  the 
ovipositor  protruded  more,  only  on  the  tip  surrounded  and  conducted  by  the  sheats. 
The  sting  was  repeated  about  six  to  ten  times  in  one  minute  and  always  directed 
against  the  incisures  of  the  body  (usually  of  the  abdomen).  Within  one  hour  the 
female  thus  attacked  three  or  four  times  the  beetle,  which  only  occasionally  moved. 
Since  the  Ichneumon  $  was  not  impregnated  I  could  not  expect  to  get  any  progeny. 


104 

In  1842  (June  10)  I  had  already  found  one  specimen  pursuing  a  Cocciuella.  Wesmael 
also  captured  it  in  the  middle  of  June  and  Nees  in  October  (I,  30). 

We  have  here  also  an  Ichneumon  Fly  which  oviposits  in  iniagos,  but  imagos  which 
are  long-lived  and  in  which  the  brood  can  mature  (Westwood,  Introd.  II,  p.  143,  and 
Forstinsecten  III,  18). 

Within  two  days  the  Ichneumon  Fly  repeated  its  stings  very  often.  It  died  then  and 
shortly  afterwards  also  the  Coccinella.— [Ratzeburg,  Ichueumouen  d.  Forstinsecten, 
Vol.  Ill,  pp.  61,62.] 


THE  PURSLANE  CATERPILLAR. 


FlO.  16.— COPI  DRYAS 

GLOVEiti.  EgK,  greatly  en 
lai'ged. 


(Larva  of  Copidryas  gloveri,  Grote  &  Robiuson.) 

lu  August,  1879,  we  received  larvoe  of  this  insect  from  Columbus, 

Tex,,  where  they  were  found  by  Mr.   Schwarz  iu  tolerable  abundance 

feeding  upon  the  common  Purslane  {Portulaca  ole- 

racea)  in  company  with  larvte  of  Deilephila  lineata 

which  so  commonly  feeds  upon  this  plant. 

We  did  not  receive  them  again  until  the  summer 
of  1887,  when  they  were  sent  to  us  by  several  cor- 
respondents in  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  who  stated 
that  they  occurred  in  such  great  numbers  upon  the 
Purslane  that  they  could  not  but  anticipate  great 
damage  to  field  cropri  after  the  original  food-plant 
should  give  out.  As  a  sample  communication  we 
may  quote  from  Mr.  H.  W.  Lipp,  of  Eossville,  Kans.,  who  wrote  us 
under  date  of  August  22 : 

"Inclosed  please  find  a  few  larvte,  and  if  not  asking  too  much  will  you  be  kind 
enough  to  inform  me  to  what  order  and  family  they  belong?  They  have  appeared 
here  for  the  first  time,  and  do  nodamage  to  crops  just  now.  *  *  *  Up  to  date  they 
j^re  feeding  on  purslane  and  nothing  else,  and  the  oldest  and  largest  ones  are  com- 
mencing to  go  into  the  ground.  To  all  apjiearances  they  are  going  to  stay  with  us, 
and  for  that  reason  I  would  like  to  know  if  they  are  liable  to  attack  growing  corn 
next  spring  or  no  .  They  are  here  in  very  large  numbers  and  some  alarm  is  felt  as  to 
-what  they  will  feed  on  next  spring.     *     *     * 

We  reared  a  number  of  adults  in  1887, 
and  had  intended  publishing  an  account 
of  the  insect  that  year,  but  Prof.  E.  A. 
Popenoe,  of  Manhattan,  Kans.,  who  had 
the  advantage  of  being  actually  on  the 
ground,  published  so  good  an  article  in 
the  Kansas  Industrialist  for  October  1, 
illustrated  by  figures  drawn  by  Mr.  C.  L.  Maiiatt,  that  the  immediate 
necessity  was  overcome,  especially  as  Professor  Popenoe's  paper  was 
quite  widely  quoted.  The  facts,  however,  should  be  put  upon  more  per- 
manent record  and  hence  this  note.  The  accompanying  figures  of  larva 
and  moth  were  engraved  several  years  ago,  while  the  figures  of  the  Qgg, 
pupa,  and  cocoon  are  copied  from  Mr.  Marlatt's  figures. 


Fig.  17.— Copidryas  gloveki.    Newly- 
hatched  larva,  greatly  enlarged. 


105 


Fig.  18.— C0PIDUYA8 
GLOVERi.  Cocoon 
inclosing  pupa, 
natural  size. 


Tlie  following  facts  couceruino-  the  life  history  of  the  species  are  cou- 
deusetl  from  our  owu  notes  and  Prof.  Popenoe's  paper  : 
The  eggs  (fig.  16)  are  laid  on  the  under  side  of  the  purs- 
lane leaf,  either  singly  or  in  clusters  of  from  two  to  five. 
The  larva  hatches  in  two  or  three  days  (fig.  17  young 
larva),  and  is  at  first  light  green  or  yellowish  green  with 
darker  shading  across  the  middle  of  the  body.  In  eight 
or  nine  days  it  attains  full  growth  after  having  passed 
through  four  molts.  The  full-grown  larva  (fig.  20,  6)  is 
light  gray  or  dull  white  with  black  dashes  on  the  sides 
of  each  segment,  and  with  the  shadings  of  salmon  i^iuk. 
The  full-grown  larvae  enter  the  ground  for  pupation, 
excavating,  a  tubular  burrow  in  the  surface  soil,  gum- 
ming the  lining  and  closing  the  opening  with  a  thin  layer 
of  particles  of  soil  (tig.  18).  The  pupa  is  shown  at  fig. 
19  with  the  head  and  anal  extremities  enlarged.  The 
insect  remains  in  this  state  in  the  neighborhood  of  twelve  days.  The 
moth  is  shown  at  fig.  20,  a,  and  the  colors  of  the  front  wings  are  brownish- 
gray,  with  a  creamy  white  streak,  those  of  the  hind 
wings  buff"  with  a  blackish  margin. 

Four  generations  were  traced  by  Professor  Popeuoe, 
but  he  does  not  report  upon  the  method  of  hibernation. 
Glover  figures  the  female  in  his  plate  85,  fig.  34,  and 
states  that  it  was  the  only  specimen  in  a  small  col- 
lection by  Dr.  Lincecum,  of  Texas.  This  formed  the 
type  of  the  species,  and  the  male  was  then  unknown. 
There  is  little  danger  that  this  insect  will  ever  trans- 
fer its  atten- 
tions to  any 
cultivated 
crop,  although  the  cultivated 
Portulaca  grandiflora  may 
suffer  in  the  future.  The  in- 
sect may  be  looked  upon  rather 
as  beneficial,  in  that  it  de 
stroys  the  noxious  "Pussley,^ 
the  supposed  evil  qualities  of 
which  Charles  Dudley  War- 
ner has  made  so  celebrated  in 
his  "My  Summer  in  a  Gar- 
den." Purslane  is,  however, 
not  looked  upon  by  our  West- 
ern farmers  as  a  particularly  fk 
noxious  weed,  and  following 
the  locust  ravages  of  1875  it  proved  almost  a  godsend  by  its  rapid  de- 
velopment and  value  both  as  food  for  hogs  and  as  a  green  manure  when 
plowed  under. 


Fig.  19.— CopiDRYAs 
GLOVERI.  Pupa,witb 
head  and  anal  ex- 
tremities enlarged. 


CopiDRYAS  GLOVERI.    a,  adult;    6,  full-grown 
larva,  natural  size  (original). 


106 

The  species  vas  originally  described  from  the  female  (Tr.  Am.  Ent* 
Soc.  II,  185)  uuder  the  geuus  Eiiscirrhopterus.  Subsequently  Mr.  Grote 
{Can.  Ent.  VIII,  99)  referred  it  to  Copidryas,  and  described  the  male 
from  a  specimen  from  Mr.  Meske  (now  in  our  possession),  separating 
the  form  froQi  the  Cuban  Euscirrhopterus  freyi.  Butler  (Papilio  I,  129) 
compares  the  genus  to  ^Egocera,  but  adds  nothing  to  the  description. 
Strecker  (Lep.  lihop.  et  Het.,  1877,  132)  describes  the  larva  from  a  blown 
specimen,  and  this  is  tbe  first  description  of  the  larva  made,  though  no 
food-plant  is  given.  Of  the  seven  specimens  before  us  (4  2  9,3$  S  ) 
the  males  are  uniformally  smaller,  and  have  the  clypeal  projection 
smaller  and  narrower,  and  covered  with  whitish,  intermixed  with  a  few 
blackish,  scales,  whereas  in  the  female  these  scales  are  black.  A  second 
and  less  important  character  of  the  male  is  the  tendency  in  the  outer 
discal  spot  of  primaries  iuferiorly  to  elongate  and  become  double.  The 
colorational  differences  mentioned  by  Grote  have  no  sexual  value. 


FURTHER  CONCERNING  EXTERNAL  SPIDER  PARASITES. 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 


Fig.  2i.— a,  Polysphincta  dictyn.e,  adult;  6,  Linyphia  communis  with  its  parasitic  larva— enlarged 

(original). 

After  reading  my  note  on  this  subject  in  the  August  number  of  Insect 
Life  (p.  42),  Mr.  J.  H.  Emerton,  of  Cambridge,  wrote  me  that  he  had 
sent  me,  among  other  hymenopterous  parasites  of  spiders,  several  simi- 
lar larvie,  and  that  he  found  such  instances  almost  every  year. 

Upon  looking  over  Mr.  Emerton's  material,  which  I  had  not  previously 
carefully  examined,  I  found  five  small  spiders,  four  of  which  supported 
externally  upon  the  dorsum  of  the  abdomen  parasitic  larvfe  and  one  a 
delicate  cocoon  from  which  a  parasitic  larva  had  been  taken.  The 
spiders  seemed  to  be  Linyphia  communis,  L.  marginata,  and  a  species  of 
Erigone. 


107 

In  auother  vial  I  was  delighted  to  find  an  adult  parasite,  the  cocoon 
from  which  it  had  emerged,  and  the  remains  of  the  spider  which  had 
supported  it.  Concerning  this  specimen,  Mr.  Emerton  had  made  the 
following  note : 

Fly  raised  from  larva  on  young  Dictyna  volupis  Keys.  The  remains  of  the  spider 
and  the  pupa  cocoon  are  iu  the  vial.  When  found,  May  15,  1887,  the  larva  was  about 
half  as  long  as  the  spider's  abdomen  and  about  oue-fourth  as  thick.  It  was  attached 
by  the  mouth  on  the  front  of  the  abdomen.  By  May  18  the  spider  had  died  and  the 
larva  was  full  grown,  larger  than  the  spider  had  been,  and  had  begun  to  spin  a  cocoon. 
May  25  it  changed  to  pupa  and  the  fly  came  out  June  1. 

The  adult  parasite  is  a  beautiful  little  Polysphincta  6  ,  and  differs  from 
other  described  Eorth  American  species. 

Polysphincta  dictynae  n.  sp. 

Male. — Length,  2.5""".  Face  obscurely  carinate  below  insertion  of  antennae  ;  me- 
sonotum  shining,  but  with  short,  tine,  and  close  pubescence  ;  metascutum  with  two 
submediau  longitudinal  carinas  extending  parallel  to  the  nucha  when  they  diverge; 
nucha  smooth,  circular,  rest  of  metascutum  faintly  shagreened.  First  abdominal 
segment  with  a  well-marked  smooth  central  longitudinal  dorsal  groove,  sides  of  groove 
concave  ;  venter  of  abdomen  strongly  concave  ;  wing  veins  all  light  brown  ;  no  trace 
of  an  areolet.  Color  :  Vertex  and  occiput  black,  face  lemon  yellow  ;  antennal  scape, 
pedicel,  and  joints  1  and  2  of  fuuicle  yellow,  rest  of  fuuicle  brown  ;  mesothorax  yel- 
low with  a  large  brown  spot  at  front  of  scutum  and  one  on  each  of  the  parapsides, 
also  one  just  anterior  to  scuto-scutellar  furrow  ;  metathorax  black  ;  all  legs  yellow; 
abdomen  honey-yellow  below,  segments  1,  6,  and  7  brown  above,  remaining  segments 
yellow,  each  with  a  definitely  limited  brown  patch  which  is  diamond-shaped  on  joint 
2  and  triangular  on  3,  4,  and  5. 

1  ^  ,  from  Dictyna  volupis  ;  J.  H.  Emerton,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

The  figures  illustrating  this  note  have  been  drawn  by  Miss  Sullivan 
from  the  material  received  from  Mr.  Emerton.  Fig.  21,  a,  represents 
the  adult  Polysphincta  dictyme,  and  Fig.  21,  b,  an  outline  drawing  of 
Linyphia  communis  with  a  parasitic  larva  in  situ.  The  larva  figured  is 
full  grown  and  is  quite  apt  to  be  that  of  the  Polysphincta.  No  attempt 
has  been  made  in  this  sketch  to  show  more  than  the  position  which  the 
parasitic  larva  assumes  on  the  spider. 


REMARKS  ON  THE  HESSIAN  FLY.* 

At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  May  4,  the 
author  called  attention  to  some  grave  errors  in  the  published  minutes 
of  the  earlier  meetings  of  the  society.  The  public,  as  well  as  the  most 
competent  authors,  had  always  believed  that  the  Hessian  Fly  was  in- 
troduced during  the  Revolution  by  Hessian  troops.  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen, 
of  Cambridge,  has  argued  against  this  belief.  He  has  argued,  further, 
that  the  species  was  not  imported  from  Europe.  Professor  Riley 
showed  that  most  of  Hagen's  arguments  were  weak  and  fell  to  the 

*  Abstract  of  a  paper  by  C.  V.  Riley  before  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agri- 
cultural Science,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  August  21,  1888. 
8274 2 


108 

groimd,  except  that  based  on  the  early  aiinutes  of  the  Philosophical 
Society,  which,  as  commimicated  to  him  (Hageu)  by  oue  of  the  secre- 
taries, Mr.  H.  Phillips,  jr.,  and  as  published,  make  meutiou  of  the  Hes- 
sian Fly  in  1708,  or  before  any  Hessian  troops  landed.  Professor  Riley 
announced  that  the  statement  of  the  secretary,  as  also  the  published 
minutes,  turn  out  to  be  absolutely  erroneous  on  these  points,  as,  upon 
consulting  the  original  records,  he  found  no  mention  of  Hessian  Fly 
l^rior  to  1791.  In  all  previous  cases  the  Fly  or  ilie  Fly  in  wheat,  or  the 
Fly  tveavil  are  the  terms  used,  and  it  is  susceptible  of  positive  proof  that 
these  terms  referred  to  totally  distinct  insects,  belonging  to  different 
orders,  and  still  called  weevils,  viz:  Sitophilus  granarius,  ^S.  oryz(c,  and 
Qelechia  cerealella.  Thus  popular  belief  and  tradition  are  vindicated, 
but  it  is  a  most  interesting  illustration  of  grave  and  misleading  error, 
resulting  from  inaccuracy  in  what  appear  to  be  trifles,  as  the  change 
in  the  records  was  doubtless  made  inadvertently. 
The  following  extract  is  from  the  letters  to  Dr.  Hagen  by  Mr.  Phillips: 

At  the  request  of  Professor  Lesley,  I  have  examined  our  old  mluutes  in  reference 
to  the  Hessian  Fly,  and  append  on  next  page  the  results  of  my  search.  I  know  posi- 
iivdy  that  before  the  Revolution  our  newspapers  were  full  of  communications  in  ref- 
euce  to  the  Hessian  Fly  eo  nomine.  I  can  not  call  to  mind  any  one  paper,  but  I  remem- 
ber perfectly  frequently  seeing  these  articles  when  reading  for  other  purposes.  I 
can  not  find  that  the  committee  ever  reported. 

The  following  are  the  extracts  from  the  minutes  as  furnished  by  Mr. 
Phillips: 

May  18,  1768.— Com.  on  Husbandry,  to  consider  whether  any  method  can  be  fallen 
upon  for  preventing  the  damage  done  to  wheat  by  the  Hessian  Fly.  [N.  B. — Mr.  Du 
Hamel  has  written  on  the  subject.] 

June  '21,  1768.— Papers  on  the  Hessian  Fly  read  by  Dr.  Bond,  ordered  to  be  published. 
[See  No.  4,  original  papers.] 

October  18,  1768.— Col.  Landon  Carter,  Sabine  Hill,  Virginia,  observations  on  the  Fly 
Weevil  destructive  to  wheat;  ordered  to  be  published. 

For  purpose  of  comparison  the  following  verbatim  copy  of  the  rec- 
ords is  here  reproduced : 

May  18,  1768. — It  was  recommended  to  the  Committee  of  Husbandry,  etc.,  to  meet 
on  Tuesday,  31st  of  this  mouth,  at  the  college  to  consider  whether  any  method  can 
be  fallen  on  for  preventing  the  damage  done  to  wheat  by  what  is  called  the  hy.  [N. 
B. — Monsieur  du  Hamel  has  written  on  this  subject.] 

Jnne21,  1768. — The  Committee  for  Husbandry  report  that  they  had  considered  ye 
aftair  of  destroying  the  Fly  in  wheat,  and  that  Dr.  Bond  had  laid  before  them  a  paper 
containing  many  useful  observations  on  that  subject,  which  Dr.  Bond  was  requested 
to  read  before  ye  Society.  The  Society  having  heard  and  approved  of  ye  paper,  re- 
quest him  to  prepare  it  for  ye  press,  that  it  may  be  communicated  to  ye  public  with- 
out loss  of  time. 

Novemher  15,  1768, — Colonel  Lee  transmitted  to  the  Society  the  ingenious  and  accu- 
rate observation  of  Col.  Landon  Carter,  of  Sabine  Hall,  in  "Virginia,  concerning  the 
Fly-iveavil  that  destroys  the  wheat.  The  Society  acknowledge  themselves  under  great 
obligations  to  Colonel  Carter  for  communication  of  the  conclusions  he  has  formed  (ou 
long  experience)  concerning  that  insect's  propagation  and  progress,  and  the  methods 
to  be  used  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  the  wheat  by  it,  and  order  it  to  he  printed 
for  the  public  benefit. 


109 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

A  Stomoxys  Injuring  Stock  in  Oregon. 

What  is  the  name  of  this  liy  ?  It  made  its  appearance  here  two  or  three  years  ago, 
and  this  year  pesters  our  horses  fearfully.  Is  there  any  application  to  the  hide  or  coat 
of  the  horse  that  will  keep  them  otf  ?— [  J.  H.  Albert,  Salem,  Oregon,  June  29,  1H88. 

Reply. —  *  »  *  This  fly  proves  to  be  a  species  of  the  genus  Stomoxys,  and 
is  so  close  to  the  Eastern  species  calcitrans,  that  I  hardly  care  to  separate  them,  espe- 
cially as  your  specimen  was  flattened  and  broken.  5.  calcitrans  is  a  well-known  bit- 
ing fly  in  the  United  States,  seldom  entering  houses  just  before  or  during  a  rain,  and 
its  close  resemblance  to  a  common  house-fly  has  given  rise  to  the  supposition  that  the 
house-fly  bites  only  in  wet  weather.  The  species  are  seldom  abundant  enough  to  cause 
any  injury  to  stock,  although  the  present  spring  we  have  had  accounts  from  Mary- 
land and  New  Jersey  of  considerable  annoyance  caused  to  cattle  by  them.  We  have 
found  that  fish-oil  is  the  most  admirable  preparation  to  protect  stock  from  the  bites 
of  this  fly  and  from  the  Buftalo  Gnat.  A  reliable  cori-espondent  of  ours  states  that 
in  the  absence  of  fish-oil  he  uses  tallow  with  sufficient  pine  tar  added  to  make  it  stick 
the  hair  together  but  not  enough  to  make  it  cause  the  hair  to  fall  off". — [July  10,1888.3 

The  Colorado  Potato-beetle  in  Nova  Scotia. 

*  *  *  I  wish  to  make  known  to  your  Department  the  interesting  (not  to  farmers) 
fact  that  the  Colorado  potato-l)ug  is  now  common  in  certain  parts  of  Nova  Scotia,  in 
which  province  it  became  introduced  about  six  years  ago. 

In  this  particular  locality  I  visited  in  fields  two  days  ago  and  found  it  covered  with 
the  young.  Would  you  like  specimens  ?  I  should  be  happy  to  forward  them. — [J.  Mat- 
thew Jones,  Aylesford,  Nova  Scotia,  July  14,  1888. 

Reply. —  *  #  «  Your  statement  in  regard  to  the  Colorado  Potato-beetle  is 
very  interesting  indeed  as  I  believe  we  have  no  published  record  of  this  fact.  We 
have  for  some  time  wished  to  secure  specimens  of  this  insect  from  its  extreme  north- 
ern range  in  order  to  make  notes  as  to  variation,  andhaye  also  wished  to  receive  notes 
from  some  good  observer  as  to  the  life  history  in  such  localities,  including  particularly 
the  number  of  broods,  duration  of  the  diflerent  stages,  etc.  *  *  ^  —[July  24, 
1888.] 

1888   Damage  by  Chinch  Bug  in  Missouri. 

*  *  *  In  your  favor  of  July  2  is  the  query,  "  Are  the  Chinch  Bugs  really  doing 
any  damage  in  this  vicinity,  or  have  the  rains  killed  them  off?"  They  have  and  are 
doing  considerable  damage,  but  the  excessive  rains  of  this  season  have  checked  their 
multiplication  considerably,  I  think,  and  also  enabled  the  infested  crops  to  make  a 
strong  growth  and  better  resist  the  pumping  operations  of  the  insects.  I  am  afraid 
yet  as  the  weather  gets  drier  and  hotter  that  the  maize  and  millet  crops  will  be  very 
much  damaged .  I  was  horrified  yesterday  to  see  the  bugs  swarming  around  the  roots 
and  stems  of  the  grass  in  a  timothy  meadow.  They  were  running  back  and  forth 
over  the  ground  like  excited  auts  when  their  nests  are  disturbed. 

Since  writing  the  above  I  have  been  through  some  fields  of  maize,  oats,  sorghum 
cane,  and  millet,  and  the  sight  of  the  state  of  all  these  crops  (though  they  were  all 
doing  well  two  weeks  ago)  was  enough  to  "make  the  heart  sick."  It  is  hard  to  say 
■which  of  the  above  crops  has  8uff"ered  already  the  most,  though  sorghum  cane  has 
been  "cracked  up  "  to  be  neatly  bug-proof.  The  cause  of  all  this  quick  devastation 
is  apparently  through  there  having  been  seven  or  eight  days  of  hot,  dry  weather, 
which  has  enabled  the  bugs  to  "  multiply  and  replenish  the  earth  "  and  get  in  their 
work. 

On  the  ground,  running  in  a  restless,  excited  manner  among  the  roots  of  all  the  crops 
mentioned,  the  bugs  are  to  be  seen  by  thousands,  as  if  they  had  been  let  loose  on 


110 

the  earth  like  a  new  Egyptian  plague.  They  seem  to  be  actuated  by  the  same  prin- 
ciple as  "  She,"  in  Haggard's  novel,  and  intend  to  "Bhist"  their  way  to  success.  If  any 
one  wishes  to  live  here  by  fanning  the  whole  present  system  will  have  to  be  revised, 
a  complete  change  of  crops  will  have  to  be  made.  Clover  and  a  variety  of  root  crops 
will  have  to  be  grown.  I  did  hope  that  by  putting  down  most  of  our  laud  in  timothy 
meadows  we  might  evade  the  bugs,  but  it  seems  now  that  they  will  damage  timothy 
as  bad  as  any  other  of  the  grass  family;  especially  so  would  it  be  if  the  cereals  and 
other  grasses  were  not  to  be  liad. 

The  Chiuch  Bug  is  too  prolihc  aud  omnivorous  to  be  vanquished  by  any  other 
mothod  than  starvation.— [J.  G.  Barlow,  Cadet,  Mo.,  July  9,  1888. 

A  problematical  remedy  against  the  Asparagus  Beetle. 

Asparagus  beetle. — Last  year  I  had  very  great  numbers  of  them  on  my  field.  In  Oc- 
tober, after  several  killing  frosts,  I  foand  hundreds  of  them  on  a  few  small  plants 
which  had  escaped.  All  summer  I  fought  them  with  Paris  green.  Being  frightened 
by  the  great  numbers  seen  as  late  as  October,  this  spring  I  opened  furrows  on  each 
side  of  the  rows  aud  placed  a  little  more  than  half  a  ton  ot  tobacco  stems  in  those 
rows,  closing  them  again  with  a  plow.  The  two  acres  and  one-third  were  disposed  in 
four  beds  of  twelve  each,  with  a  road  10  feet  wide  between  every  two  beds,  leaving  for 
for  the  filth  bed  only  five  rows.  There  was  no  tobacco  placed  in  the  roads.  Thisspring 
I  planted  a  row  of  asparagus  in  each  road,  as  indicated  by  the  larger  dots.  There 
was  also  an  asparagus  seed-bed  from  which  I  planted  another  3|  acres  with  asparagus 
this  spring.  No  tobacco  was  placed  on  the  seed-bed.  The  place  where  the  seed-bed  had 
been  is  now  a  part  of  the  new  asparagus  plantation.  Several  hundred  plants  which 
were  not  needed  were  heeled  in  about  50  paces  away  from  the  former  seed-bed  ;  most 
of  them  were  sold,  but  some,  perhaps  fifty,  remained,  The  plants  with  which  those 
former  roads  were  planted  were,  of  course,  taken  from  the  seed-bed,  where  no  tobacco 
had  been  used.  The  only  places  attacked  by  beetles  this  summer  are  those  four  roads, 
the  space  where  the  seed-bed  had  been,  and  the  plants  heeled  in.  Had  I  used  tobacco 
on  the  seed-bed  I  think  my  plantation  would  have  been  entirely  free  from  the  beetle. 

I  had  used  tobacco  in  former  years  against  the  cut-worms  which  ate  ofi"  the  young 
shoots  of  my  grapevines,  by  surrounding  each  plant  with  stems,  dug  in,  with  entire 
success.     •     *     *     — [G.  A.  Schmitt,  P.  O.  box  156,  Wellesley,  Mass.,  July  11,  1888. 

Increased  ravages  of  Icerya  in  California. 

During  the  latter  part  of  last  week  and  the  early  part  of  the  present  one  I  have 
been  out  to  Pasadena  and  down  to  Orange,  helping  two  different  parties  to  get  their 
fumigators  in  operation.  The  party  at  Orange  told  me  that  if  he  could  not  make  a  suc- 
cess of  the  gas  he  would  cut  down  his  trees,  and  several  other  orange-growers  have  told 
me  the  same  thing  in  regard  to  their  own  trees.  You  have  doubtless  seen  in  the  Pa- 
cific Rural  Press  that  Mr.  A.  S.  Chapman  has  resigned  his])osition  on  the  State  Board 
of  Horticulture,  giving  as  his  reason  for  so  doing  that  the  ravages  of  the  Icerya  had 
forced  him  to  abandon  fruit-growing.  He  and  his  father  own  what  was  once  one  of 
the  finest  orange  and  lemon  groves  in  southern  California,  but  is  now  almost  worthless, 
owin"'  to  the  ravages  of  the  scale  insects.  A  few  weeks  ago  his  father,  Mr.  A.  B. 
Chapman,  told  me  that  he  took  what  money  his  oranges  and  lemons  brought  him  and 
spent  it  in  spraying  his  trees  with  one  of  the  best  caustic  washes  in  use,  aud  as  a  re- 
sult his  trees  were  injured  to  such  an  extent  that  they  will  bear  no  fruit  the  present 
vear,  while  the  scale  insects  are  about  as  numerous  as  before  the  spraying  had  been 
done. 

Several  other  growers  in  the  San  Gabriel  Valley  told  me  that  they  were  seriously 
thinking  of  abandoning  their  orange  and  lemon  groves  on  account  of  the  scale 
insects.  It  is  getting  to  be  a  very  serious  question  in  this  part  of  the  State. — [D.  W. 
Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  September  1,  1888. 


Ul 

The  Green-Striped  Maple  Worm. 

»  *  *  For  four  years  uow  our  soft  maples  (Jcec  ritftri/w)  have  been  defoliated  by 
a  disgusting  worm,  twice  in  a  season  ;  and  the  vitality  of  the  trees  has  been  a  good 
deal  weakened.  A  more  systematic  warfare  has  been  waged  against  them  this  spring 
than  ever  before,  however,  and  the  indications  are  that  their  numbers  will  be  con- 
siderably reduced.  I  inclose  a  local  item  of  mine  in  relation  to  them,  and  also  some 
eggs. — [H.  W.  Young,  publisher  Star  and  Eansan,  Independence,  Kans.,  May  31, 
1887. 

Reply.  *  *  *  The  eggs  which  you  send  are  those  of  the  moth  of  the  Green- 
striped  Maple-worm  {Anisota  rubicunda).  This  insect  is  not  treated  in  the  pam- 
phlet which  I  send  you  but  was  figured  and  described  in  Professor  Riley's  Fifth  An- 
nual Report  on  the  Insects  of  Missouri.  The  newspaper  clipping  which  you  inclose 
as  clipped  from  the  Star  and  Eansan  of  May  27  is  very  sensible,  and  the  remedy  which 
is  proposed  is  as  good  as  anything  which  can  be  suggested.  This  hand-picking  of 
the  eggs  is  tedious  but  satisfactory  when  done  thoroughly,  aud  a  spraying  with  Lon- 
don purple  is  also  good  where  the  apparatus  is  easily  obtained.  In  the  Missouri  re- 
port just  mentioned  Dr.  Riley  recommends  that  a  trench  should  be  dug  either  around 
an  individual  tree  or  around  the  grove  or  belt.  The  trench  should  be  at  least  a  foot 
deep,  with  the  outer  wall  slanting.  Great  numbers  of  the  worms  when  about  to 
leave,  the  tree  to  transform  will  collect  in  this  trench  or  bury  themselves  in  the 
bottom,  and  may  there  be  easily  killed.  The  trouble  with  this  remedy  is  that  it  de- 
stroys the  worms  after  the  damage  has  been  done,  but  it  will  at  the  same  time  reduce 
the  numbers  of  the  next  generation.— [June  9,  1887.] 

Wheat  Saw-Flies. 

The  accompanying  bottle,  contains  a  grub — found  on  my  wheat.  Last  year,  just 
before  harvest,  I  found  nearly  one-half  the  stalksof  wheat  had  lost  their  head,  which 
I  found  lying  on  the  ground  just  beneath  the  stalk,  uneaten,  aud  I  could  not  imag- 
ine what  had  done  the  mischief.  This  year  I  watched  more  closely  ;  I  discovered  this 
fellow  at  work.  Can  you  tell  what  he  (or  she)  is  ? — [John  S.  Gittings,  Baltimore, 
Md..  June  6,  1887. 

Reply. —  *  #  *  The  worm  which  is  damaging  your  wheat  is  the  larva  of  a  Saw- 
fly,  which  has  become  quite  abundant  in  the  last  two  years  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Penn- 
sylvania, New  Jersey,  Delaware,  and  Maryland,  confining  its  attacks  to  wheat  and 
timothy  grass.  Up  to  two  years  ago  none  of  these  Saw-flies  were  known  to  possess 
this  habit  in  this  country,  but  this  species  now  bids  fair  to  become  quite  a  pest.  The 
life-history  has  not  been  fully  made  out  as  yet,  and  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  suggest 
a  remedy  at  this  time.  An  agent  of  the  division  stationed  in  Indiana  is  devoting  his 
time  to  the  study  of  insects  aftecting  wheat  and  other  grains,  aud  he  has  been  in- 
structed to  pay  special  attention  to  this  insect.  You  will  probably  not  be  further 
bothered  with  them  this  season,  as  the  majority  of  them  will  go  in  the  ground  to  pu- 
pate within  a  few  days.  A  topical  remedy,  applied  to  the  worms  in  the  field,  is  out 
of  the  question  on  a  large  scale,  and  we  can  only  hope  to  bring  about  a  destruction 
of  the  pupa  or  the  adult  insect.     '     *     *— [June  7,  1887.] 

'  «  *  I  have  this  morning,  as  per  request,  placed  in  a  tin  box  a  few  worms,  with 
food  ;  hope  they  will  be  received  in  better  order.  The  fly  to  which  you  refer  I  noticed 
in  large  numbers  on  the  wheat  some  tw®  weeks  since.  They  were  larger  than  the 
common  house-fly,  aud  I  think  a  bluish  appearance.  I  inclose  in  the  box  some  heads 
of  wheat  as  I  fiud  them  on  the  ground.  They  are  working  vigorously  now.  They  do 
not  maliciously  cut  oft'  the  head  ;  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  the  better  opportunity  to  sap 
the  stem  or  eat  the  stem.  They  are  vigorous  feeders,  and  if  their  numbers  were  great 
would  destroy  the  entire  crop ;  they  are  evidently  increasing;  more  numerous  than  last 
year.  They  can  cut  a  head  of  wheat  off  in  twenty  minutes.  They  then  feed  upou 
the  stem  for  a  long  time.     My  impression  is  each  worm  destroys  at  least  two  heads 


112 

each  day,  morning  and  evening.  I  do  not  agree  with  you  as  to  the  time  of  disappear- 
ance. They  will  feed  upon  the  wheat  for  several  days  yet.  Last  year  they  destroyed 
wheat  until  the  grain  of  wheat  was  well  formed,  say  the  middle  of  June.  Hot  suus, 
warm,  dry  weather  is  not  favorable  to  them.  1  sincerely  hope  we  may  be  relieved  from 
so  dangerous  a  pest,  as  this  portion  of  Delaware  is  devoted  largely  to  the  growing  of 
wheat,  myself  and  the  two  adjoining  farms  here  growing  350  acres  of  wheat. — [H. 
A.  Newlaud,  Middletown,  Del.,  June  3,  1887. 

Reply. —  *^  *  »  The  fresh  larvse  indicate  that  the  species  is  identical  with  one 
which  we  received  last  year  from  Indiana.  We  have  an  agent  in  the  field  at  Lafay- 
ette, in  that  State,  who  is  devoting  his  entire  attention  to  the  subject  of  grain  insects, 
and  yon  can  rest  assured  that  this  species  will  not  be  neglected.  It  promises,  as  you 
say,  to  become  a  serious  pest. — [June  4,  1887.] 

Was  it  an  Accident,  or  a  Wily  Milkman? 

In  the  bottle  that  you  will  get  with  this  you  will  find  something  that  we  got  in  the 
milk  this  morning;  the  family  were  made  sick  lately,  as  we  suppose,  from  drinking 
milk,  and  I  send  you  this  in  the  interest  of  science  in  case  it  is  something  new  to  you, 
as  it  is  to  me,  and  I  would  be  obliged  if  you  wouJd  drop  me  a  line  stating  what  it  is. — 
fW.W.  Ryan,  715  Eleventh  street,  northwest,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  30,  1885. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  Your  note  of  the  20th  instant  and  the  bottle  of  milk  duly  re- 
ceived. An  examination  of  the  object  in  the  milk  showed  it  to  be  the  pupa  of  a 
small  beetle  surrounded  by  a  little  mass  of  apparently  flour  and  curds.  The  species 
proved  to  be  Trogosita  mauritanica  which  is  found  in  flour  and  grain,  and  the  infer- 
ence is  pietty  plain  that  your  milkman  diluted  his  milk  with  some  farinaceous  ma- 
terial.   *     *     *— [July  1,  1885.] 

Cranberry  Gall-mites. 

I  send  you  by  mail  this  day  a  package  containing  a  lot  of  diseased  cranberry  vines 
The  disease  seems  to  be  a  fungus  growth,  and  seems  likely  to  destroy  the  vines. 
Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  have  it  examined  and  also  inform  me  what  it  is,  and  any 
remedy  that  may  occur  to  you  ? — [John  H.  Brakeley,  Bordentown,  N.  J.,  July  12,  1887. 

Reply. —  #  *  *  The  small  pinkish  excrescences  are  the  galls  of  a  gall-mite  of 
the  genus  Phytoptus.  These  insects  will  be  difficult  to  destroy  as  they  can  not  be 
reached  at  this  season  of  the  year  by  any  application,  as  they  are  inclosed  within  the 
galls.  Do  they  appear  to  be  wide-spread,  or  is  the  damage  confined  to  acomparatively 
few  vines?  If  it  can  be  determined  when  the  mites  first  appear  in  the  spring  they 
can  then  be  destroyed  by  the  use  of  a  little  sulphur,  but  we  shall  be  unable  to  indicate 
the  proper  time  until  the  history  of  this  particular  species  has  been  studied.  So  far 
as  we  can  find  out  at  present  it  is  something  new. — [July  15,  1887.] 

Second  Letter.—  *  *  *  Asyet  I  have  heard  of  these  diseased  vines  appearing 
ou  only  one  bog.  The  disease  has  spread  considerably  there.  I  have  advised  the 
proprietor  to  keep  a  look-out  for  a  very  small  fly,  which  may  betray  itself  by  its 
numbers. 

Rb;ply. —  *  *  *  "It  will  be  a  waste  of  time  for  the  proprietor  of  the  cranberry 
bog  whicb  you  mention  to  '  keep  on  the  lookout  for  a  very  small  fly  which  may  be- 
tray itself  by  its  numbers,'  as  the  producer  of  the  gall  sent  by  you,  with  your  pre- 
vious communication,  isnot  asmall  fly,  but  a  true  Mite.  If  the  disease  of  the  leaves  has 
appeared  only  upon  one  bog,  of  course  a  very  satisfactory  way  of  getting  rid  of  the 
pest,  for  some  time  to  come,  will  consist  in  picking  the  leaves  from  the  entire  bog  and 
destroying  them  by  fire.  Your  association  and  the  proprietor  of  the  bog  can  best 
determine  upon  the  desirability  of  going  to  this  expense,  but  it  seems  to  me  it  will 
pay  you  to  assist  him  in  this  matter.  It  is  possible  also  that  by  carefully  watching 
the  leaves  aud  ascertainiug  when  the  galls  begin  to  crack  and  the  adult  insects  to 
issue,  a  long  flooding  of  the  bog  will  result  in  the  destruction  of  a  great  number  of 
the  Mites.  "—[July  li>,  1887.] 


113 

Notes  on  the  Chinch  Bug  in  Minnesota. 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  rather  extensive  trip  through  our  southern  counties, 
chiefly  to  study  the  Chinch  Bugs.  There  will  he  hut  little  trouhle  in  1889,  as  a  very 
large  percentage  of  these  insects  has  heen  killed  by  a  fungus  {EntomopMliora).  The 
same  disease  appeared  early  in  August  upon  our  experimental  plots.  It  started  from 
some  holes  dug  along  a  low  hoard  fence  made  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  and  killing 
the  bugs ;  thence  it  spread  to  iields  with  oats  and  wheat.  These  fields  had  a  very 
dense  growth  of  youug  red  clover  growing  upon  them  as  well,  which  shaded  the 
ground  thoroughly  and  kept  it  moist.  In  a  week  the  disease  had  spread  over  the 
whole  farm,  aud  would  have  killed  all  the  Chinch  Bugs  if  the  prevailing  moist  con- 
ditions had  continued  for  some  time.  But  it  became  very  hot  and  dry,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days  the  disease  came  to  a  sudden  halt,  excepting  in  very  low  or  well- 
shaded  fields.  As  soon  as  the  disease  appeared  I  collected  large  numbers  of  the  dis- 
eased insects,  and  mailed  them  to  various  parts  of  the  State  infested  by  Chinch  Bugs. 
My  last  trip  was  made  to  investigate  the  eflects  of  this  experiment.  I  found  the 
Chinch  Bugs  nearly  exterminated  wherever  the  disease  has  artificially  been  introduced. 
But  the  disease  bas  also  been  at  work  quite  a  distance  from  these  centers  of  introduc- 
tion, and  consequently  I  am  in  doubt  whether  I  re-introduced  the  disease  or  not.  This 
"but"  is  quite  a  bore,  aud  it  is  now  impossible  to  fathom  the  truth.  If  possible  I 
shall  keep  on  experimenting  with  the  various  fungi  destroying  insects,  and  think  of 
starting,  next  year,  a  "  cholera  farm"  iu  this  locality,  providing  the  health  commis- 
sioners allow  it. — [Otto  Lugger,  University  of  Minnesota,  September  10,  1888. 

Epidemic  diseases  of  the  Chinch  Bug  in  Illinois. 

We  are  in  the  thick  of  work — botanical,  entomological,  and  experimental — on  the 
two  chinch-bug  diseases  which  I  reported  in  1882,  both  of  which  are  now  wide-spread 
and  destructive  in  southern  Illinois.  The  Entomopbthora  (12th  report,  page  53) 
sprinkles  the  ground  so  thickly  in  some  fields  with  the  dead  bugs  that  it  makes  one 
think  of  a  flurry  of  snow  ;  and  the  bacterial  Aft'ection  seems  to  be  even  more  destruc- 
tive, although  less  conspicuously  so.  If  it  comes  in  the  way  of  any  of  your  people 
to  send  me  some  living  bugs  from  a  region  where  their  numbers  are  not  evidently 
diminishing,  I  would  be  glad  to  have  them  for  experimental  use. — [S.  A.  Forbes, 
Champaign,  Ills. 


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

By  Lord  Walsingham. 

1  Continued  from  page  84. j 

BUTALIS. 

By  the  addition  of  the  four  new  species  uow  described,  the  representatives  of  this 
genus  known  iu  the  United  States  and  Canada  are  raised  to  the  number  13:  these 
include  the  unicolorous,  mottled,  and  streaked  terms  known  in  Europe,  but  at  pres- 
ent no  species  allied  to  the  spotted  B.  flahella  Led.  has  been  met  with.  The  only  two 
American  species  with  which  I  am  personally  unacquainted  are  the  pale  'white  "  or 
"  whitish"  B.  planipenneila  Chamh.  and  B.  albipennella  Chamb. 

Butalis  impositella  Z. 

=Gelechia  monstrateUa  Wlk. 
=Butalis  matiitella  Clem. 

This  synonymy  is  verified  by  reference  to  Zeller's  type,  Walker's  type,  and  Clemens' 
type. 


114 

Chambers  writes  (Bull.  U.  S.  G.  G.  Surv.,  IV,  93)  that,  having  bred  a  large  series 
of  matuteUa  Clem.,  he  finds  its  range  of  variation  includes  the  forms  described  by 
himself  as  dorsipaUideUa,  brevistriga,  and  immacalatelta. 

We  shall  therefore  be  probably  safe  in  considering  these  names  as  synonyms  for 
one  species  of  which  matutella  Clem,  is  the  type,  but  this  yields  priority  to  impositella 
Z.  I  am  unable  to  accept  Chambers'  further  suggestion  that  trivinctella  Z.  should 
be  also  included  here.  The  only  two  specimens  I  have  of  this  species  show  .i  strongly 
marked  difference  in  the  direction,  although  not  in  color,  of  the  markings  and  appear 
to  represent  a  distinct  type,  but  it  should  be  easy  to  arrive  at  a  correct  conclusion  by 
repeating  Chambers's  experiments  and  breeding  from  the  larvie  which  feed  in  a  web 
on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves  of  various  species  of  Aster. 

Butalis  basilaris  Z. 

=z  flavlfrontella  Clem. 

This  synonymy,  suggested  by  Staintou  (Tin.  N.  Am.,  40),  is  verified  by  comparison 
of  a  true  specimen  oi  flavifrontella  Clem,  with  Zeller's  type  of  basilaris. 

Butalis  suffusa  sp.  n. 

Antenna;,  mouse-gray. 

Palpi,  mouse-gray,  dusted  with  whitish. 

Tongue,  clothed  at  the  base  with  whitish  scales. 

Head,  mouse-gray,  streaked  with  whitish  scales  on  the  face  and  at  the  sides. 

Thorax,  mouse-gray,  sprinkled  with  whitish  scales. 

Fore-ivings,  mouse-gray,  sprinkled  and  sufi'used  with  whitish  (in  some  cases  over- 
spreading nearly  the  whole  wing-surface),  the  scales  are  narrow  andelougate,  re- 
calling to  mind  those  of  Butalis  pilosella  Z.,  cilia  mouse-gray,  with  a  faint 
brownish  tinge. 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  brownish  gray. 

Abdomen,  mouse-gray,  specked  with  whitish;  lateral  claspers  with  a  broad,  rnnnded, 
central  projecting  end;  a  rounded,  shorter  excrescence  on  the  upper  side;  and 
a  somewhat  acute  pointed  process  beneath,  which  leaves  the  main  stem  consid- 
erably before  its  hinder  margin  ;  in  this  respect  differing  from  Butalis  ochristriata. 

Exp.  al.,  10-12"™. 

Habitat,  Mount  Shasta,  Siskiyou  County,  Cal. 

Type,  $,  Mus.  JVlsm. 

I  took  6  males  in  August,  1871. 

Butalis  perspicillella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  white  at  the  base  and  all  along  their  upper  side  ;  the  end  of  the  second  joint 
and  the  whole  of  the  third  joint  smeared  with  brownish  fuscous  bel)w. 

Head,  brownish-fuscous  in  front,  margined  above  and  at  the  sides  with  white,  which 
extends  around  the  eyes  and  on  the  outer  side  of  the  basal  joint  of  the  antennae. 

Thorax,  whitish-ocherous,  tinged  and  smeared  with  brownish-fuscous,  the  center 
above  having  a  purplish  iridescent  tinge. 

Fore-wings,  whitish-ocherous,  tinged  and  smeared  with  brownish-fuscous;  having 
two  short  brownish,  fuscous  streaks,  the  first  adjacent  to,  but  below,  the  fold  on 
the  basal  third  of  the  wing ;  the  second  on  the  fold  scarcely  beyond  the  mid- 
dle of  the  wing ;  above  the  fold  is  another  short  streak,  lying  nearer  to  the  first 
than  to  the  second  of  these  already  mentioned  ;  towards  the  apex  is  a  slight  fus- 
cous shade  preceded  by  a  small  spot  of  the  same  color;  cilia  brownish-fuscous. 

Hind-wings,  iridescent  purplish-fuscous,  coarsely  scaled;  cilia  brownish-fuscous. 

Abdomen,  iridescent  purplish-fuscous  above;  the  lateral  appendages  on  the  ultimate 
segment  whitish  ocherous. 

Exp.  rt?.,10"»". 

Habitat,  California. 

Type,  Riley  Coll.  [U.  S.  N.  M.],  No.  166,  labeled  "  Folsom  15,  4,  85,  California." 


115 

Butalis  aterrimella  Wlk. 

Gelechia  aterrimella  Wlk. 
The  followiug  is  a  description  taken  from  fresli  specimens,  undoubtedly  identical 

with  this  species  : 

Antenna;,  simple  brownish-black. 

Palpi,  brownish-black. 

Tongue,  clothed  at  the  base  with  brownish-fuscous  scales.    ■ 

Bead,  face,  and  thorax,  brownish-black. 

Fore-wings,  brownish-black,  with  a  patch  of  scattered  white  scales  on  the  middle  of 
the  fold,  and  a  few  whitish  scales  beyond  them,  sparsely  scattered  towards  the 
apical  portion  of  the  wing  ;  these  white  scales  appear  to  be  very  fugitive,  and  in 
a  worn  specimen  are  almost  entirely  removed  ;  cilia,  grayish-fuscous. 

nind  wings,  brownish-fuscous. 

Underside  of  fore  and  hind  wings,  brownish-fuscous. 

Abdomen,  brownish-fuscous,  with  a  few  ocherous  scales  about  the  ultimate  segment 
in  the  male. 

Legs,  brown-black. 

Exj}.  at.,  $  W-"!",  9  13"^"^ 

Habitat,  St.  Martin's  Falls,  Albany  River,  Hudson  Bay ;  Orono,  Me. ;  Mount  Shasta, 
Siskiyou  County,  Cal. 

Type,  $ ,  B.  M. 

Both  sexes  received  from  Professor  Fernald,  taken  at  Orono  ;  I  have  also  a  single, 
male,  which  I  took  on  Mount  Shasta  in  August,  1871. 

Butalis  ochristriata  sp.  n. 

Antenna',  brownish-gray. 

Palpi,  whitish,  widely  barred  across  the  outside  of  the  second  joint,  at  its  upper  end, 
with  brown-gray,  and  sprinkled  with  the  same  color  along  the  under  side  of  the 
apical  joint. 

Tongue,  clothed  with  whitish  scales  at  the  base. 

Head,  mouse-gray,  fading  to  whitish  laterally  around  the  eyes. 

Thorax,  mouse-gray,  paler  at  the  sides  and  on  the  patagia. 

Fore-wings,  mouse-gray,  sprinkled  with  long  whitish  scales  on  the  outer  half  of  the 
extreme  margin,  and  all  over  the  apical  portion  of  the  wing  to  the  base  of  the 
dorsal  cilia;  abroad  whitish-ocherous  streak  starts  from  the  middle  of  the  base 
and  follows  the  line  of  the  fold,  to  beyond  the  commencement  of  the  dorsal  cilia, 
fading  into  the  ground-color  on  the  middle  of  the  wing  above  them  ;  cilia  brown- 
ish-gray. 

Hind-wings,  brownish  ;  cilia  brownish-gray. 

Abdomen,  mouse-gray ;  ^  with  the  lateral  claspers  bulged  above  at  their  outer  extremi- 
ties, and  prolonged  at  their  lower  angle  into  slender  points,  tending  obliquely 
downwards,  and  about  equal  in  length  to  the  posterior  margin  of  the  claspers 
themselves ;  in  this  respect  as  in  its  coloring  this  species  differs  from  its  nu- 
merous allies. 

Legs,  whitish-gray. 

Exp.  al.,  11"^'™. 

Habitat,  Sheep  Rock,  Siskiyou  County,  Cal. 

Typ^  $y  Mus.  JVlsm. 

Described  from  two  males  taken  in  August,  1871. 

Var.  A. — In  some  specimens  the  mouse- gray  ground  color  of  the  fore- wing  is  re- 
placed by  brownish-fuscous  or  purplish -fuscous;  the  light  scaling  on  the  costa  and 

apical  portion  of  the  wing  being  obsolete,  and  the  hind-wings  assume  an  almost  pur- 
plish tinge. 

Habitat,  Mendocino  County,  Cal.  A  single  female  taken  on  May  24,  1871  ;  Siskiyou 
County,  Cal.,  seven  males,  August,  1871. 


116 

Types,  $   9,  Mus.  Whin. 

Var.  B. — Another  variety  has  brownish-gray  fore-wings,  the  whitish-ucherous  stripe 
being  entirely,  or  almost  entirely,  obliterated,  a  number  of  scattered  dull  whitish- 
ocherous  scales  giving  a  mottled  appearance  to  the  almost  uuicolorous  fore-wings. 
Some  specimens  of  this  variety  are  very  small,  their  expanse  reaching  only  9"^"". 
Habitat,  Shasta  County  and  Siskiyou  County,  Cal. 
Tapes,  S    9  ,  Mm.  Wlsm.  ■ 

Described  from  nine  males  and  five  females  taken  in  July  and  August,  1871. 

I  should  certainly  have  regarded  these  three  forms  as  specifically  distinct  had  it  not 
been  for  a  careful  examination  of  the  genital  appendages,  which  appear  to  be  pre- 
cisely similar.  Moreover,  my  specimens  of  all  the  forms  were  taken  at  approximately 
the  same  time  and  place. 

Butalis  albilineata  sp.  u. 

Antenme,  brownish-fuscous. 

Palpi,  white,  dusted  with  brownish-fuscous,  especially  on  the  outer  side. 
Head,  brownish-fuscous,  with  some  whitish  scales  on  the  face  and  about  the  eyes. 
Thorax,  brownish-fuscous,  touched  with  white  on  the  patagia. 

Fore-wings,  brownish-fuscous,  with  a  strong  white  lino  of  even  width  running  from 
the  middle  of  the  base  to  the  apical  margin  below  the  apex ;  the  extreme  costa 
very  narrowly  whitish  beyond  the  middle  ;  cilia  brownish-fuscous  with  a  few 
white  scales  along  the  costa  and  beneath  the  apex. 
Hind- wings  and  cilia,  $  dark  purplish-fuscous  ;   9  brownish-fuscous. 
Abdomen,  brownish-fuscous  above,  white  beneath. 

Legs,  brownish-fuscous,  with  a  good  deal  of  white  about  the  tarsi  and  on  the  under- 
side. 
Exp.  al.,  10"!"^ 
Habitat,  Arizona. 
Types,  $    <i,Mus.  Wlsm. 
One  male  and  two  females  received  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison. 
This  species  approaches  very  closely  the  European  B.  schleichiella  Z. 

Arotrura,  gen.  n. 

l"af)OTpov  =  plow,  oupa'  =  tail.] 

TjTpe  Arotrura  eburnea  Wlsm.  $   9- 


Fig.  22.— AuoTUUKA  eburnea  Wlsm.    Neuration  and  uncus,    a,  Anterior  wing;  &,  posterior  wing- 
enlarged  (original). 

Antennce,  simple  throughout ;  basal  joint  flattened,  elongate. 

Labial  palpi,  \ioTvect,  slightly  recurved;  basal  joint  clothed  with  closely  appressed. 
scales ;  apical  joint  two-thirds  as  long  as  the  second,  tapering,  but  somewhat  stout. 


117 

Maxillary  palpi,  very  short  aud  inconspicuous. 

Tongue,  very  long,  clothed  with  scales  only  at  the  extreme  base. 

Ocelli,  absent. 

Head,  smooth. 

Fore-wings,  elongate,  sharply  lanceolate,  the  costa  slightly  bulged  before  the  middle  ,* 

11  veins  ;  3  and  4  from  a  common  stem  ;  7  and  8  from  a  common  stem,  the  lower 

branch  running  to  the  ai)ex,  the  upper  to  the  costa. 
Sivd-wings,  elongate-lanceolate,  sharply  pointed,  the  costa  arched  before  the  middle, 

the  abdominal  margin  somewhat  widened  and  depressed. 
Abdomen,   genital  segments  of  <y   largely  developed;  the  uncus  and  lateral  claspers 

tapering  posteriorly  ;  the  points,  slightly  upturned,  extendiug  three-sevenths  of 

the  whole  length  of  the  abdomen  ;  the  ovipositor  of  the  $  extruded. 

Arotrura  eburnea,  sp.  n. 

Anienncp,  ivory-white  ;   basal  joint   elongate,   flattened   at  the  base,    and  slightly 

arched . 
Paq)i,  ivory-white  ;  clothed  Avith  appressed  scales,  which  are  somewhat  dilated  down- 
wards on  the  basal  joint  only  ;  apical  joint  about  two-thirds  the  length  of  the 
second,  somewhat  less  stout,  but  by  no  meaus  slender. 
Tongue,  very  long,   clothed  at  the  base  with  ivory-white  scales  ;    beyond,  naked> 

light  yellowish-brown. 
Head,  face,  and  thorax,  smooth  ivory-white. 

Fore-tvings,  elongate,  sharply  lanceolate,  ivory-white;  cilia,  ivory-white. 
Hind-wings,  pale  grayish-fawn  ;  cilia  pale  fawn  at  their  base,  fading  outwardly  into 

fawn-white. 
Under  side  of  fore  and  hind  tcings,  tinged  with  grayish-fuscous  in  the  ^,  tending  to 

pale  fawn  color  in  the  $  . 
Abdomen,  ivory-white;    somewhat  ochreous   beneath;    ^ ,  uncus   single,  very  long 
wide  at  the   base,  but  somewhat  laterally  compressed  above,  having  a  narrow 
stalk  immediately  beyond  the  base,  whence  it  is  lattrally  compressed,  down- 
wardly  dilated,    and   tapering  posteriorly  to  a  narrow  and  slightly  upturned 
gouge-shaped  point  ;  lateral  claspers  rounded  externally,  with  an  angulated  pro- 
jection at  about  the  middle  of  the  upper  edge,  whence  they  taper  posteriorly  to 
a  narrow,  slightly  upturned  obtuse  point,  reaching  as  far  as  the  end  of  the  uncus; 
within  these  claspers,  and  projectingslightly  beyond  the  angle  at  the  middle  of  the 
upper  edge,  are  two  spatuhite  appendages,  or  supplementary  claspers,  fringed, 
with  hairs  along  their  edges  and  about  their  surface.      9  with  the  ovipositor 
strongly  exserted,  flattened  at  the  base,  and  fringed  at  the  extremity  with  simi- 
lar hairs  to  those  found  on  the  supplementary  claspers  of  the  male. 
Ejp.  al.,  20™'". 
Habitat,  Arizona. 
Types,  i   2 ,  Mas.  Wlsm. 

Two  males  and  one  female  received  from  the  late  H.  K.  Mon  ison. 
Without  a  careful  examination  of  the  neuration  and  genital  segments  this  species 
would  undoubtedly  have  been  regarded  as  a  Butalis,  for  although  somewhat  larger 
than  the  ordinary  forms  of  this  genus ;  it  has  almost  exactly  the  shape  of  wings  and 
general  appearance  which  distinguish  it.  The  fore  and  hind  wings  are,  however, 
somewhat  narrower  towards  the  apex. 

{To  be  continued.) 


118 


GENEKAL  NOTES. 

SYNONYMY  OF  THE  MEALY  BUG  OF  THE  ORANGE. 

la  1880  Prof.  J.  H.  Comstouk  described  the  common  Mealy  Bug- 
found  on  Orange  trees  in  Florida  as  Dnctyloinus  destructor*  and  by 
this  name  it  has  since  been  generally  known  in  this  country.  The  same 
species  is  stated  by  Professor  Comstock  to  be  common  in  northern  green- 
houses upon  a  variety  of  plants. 

In  the  Florida  Dispatch  for  June  25,  1888,  Mr.  W.  H.  Ashmead  an- 
nounces that  D.  destructor  Comstock  is  synonymous  with  Lecanium 
phyllococcus,  described  by  him  in  the  Canadian  Entomologist  for  August 
1879  (Vol.  XI,  No.  8,  p.  160),  and  that  the  species  should  therefore  be 
known  as  Dactyloi)im i^hiillococcus  (Ashm.). 

There  is  little  doubt,  however,  that  this  species  is  identical  with 
the  Coccus  citri  of  Boisduval  (see  Boisduval,  Entomologie  Horticole, 
1867,  p.  348,  fig.  48),  as  described  at  length  by  Signoret  in  the  Ann. 
Soc.  Ent.  France,  1875,  page  312,  and  as  figured  upon  Plate  XIV,  fig- 
ures 2,  2"^,  and  2^  of  the  same  volume,  under  the  name  Dactylopius  citri 
(Boisd.).  This  conclusion  is  arrived  at  by  Penzig  in  his  Studi  Botanici 
sulle  Agrumi  e  sulle  Piante  affini,  Rome,  1887,  p.  530,  after  a  careful 
comparison  of  Comstock's  descriptions  and  figures  with  the  European 
insect;  and  there  is  at  present  no  reason  why  this  conclusion  should 
not  be  adopted  in  this  country. 

D.  citri  is  said  by  Penzig  to  be  one  of  the  worst  of  the  Orange  ene. 
mies  in  Italy,  both  from  the  damage  caused  hy  its  punctures  and  from 
the  abundance  of  the  smut  fungi — Mellola  and  Cladosporium — by  which 
its  attacks  are  followed. 

ENTOMOLOGY   IN   CHILL 

Prof.  Frederico  Philippi  lately  favored  us  with  copy  of  his  "Catalog© 
de  los  Coleopteros  de  Chile"  (reprinted  from  the  Auales  de  la  Universi- 
dad  de  Chile,  Vol.  LXXI,  1887).  Since  the  publication  of  Vols.  IV  and 
V  (1S49-'51)  of  the  "  Historia  flsica  i  politica  de  Chile  "  by  Claudio  Gay, 
this  is  the  first  attempt  at  collating  the  Coleopterous  fauna  of  that  coun- 
try. In  Gay's  "Historia"  the  Coleoptera  known  from  Chili  amounted 
to  345  genera  with  891  species,  whereas  Prof.  Philippi  is  now  able  to 
enumerate  686  genera  with  2,247  species.  This  is  undoubtedly  a  large 
increase,  but  the  whole  number  evidently  represents  only  the  smaller 
portion  of  the  Coleoptera  actually  occurring  in  Chili,  which  is  so  diver- 
sified in  regard  to  climatic  and  geological  conditions.  From  the  nature 
of  the  conditions  it  is  apparent  that  the  Chilian  fauna  admits  of  but 
little  opportunity  for  comparison  with  the  fauna  of  Xorth  America. 
Still,  in  perusing  Philippi's  catalogue  we  find  that  it  contains  30  species 
*Rept.  Eut.,  Auu.  Kept.  Dept.  Agr.aSdO,  p.  342. 


119 


which  occur  also  iu  North  America.  By  far  the  greater  portion  of  these 
are,  however,  species  of  geueral  distribution  occurring  in  almost  every 
part  of  the  globe.  Eliminating  these,  the  following  true  American  spe. 
cies  are  common  to  the  faunas  of  the  United  States  and  Chili:  Tetracha 
Carolina,  Bidessus  affinis,  Laccophilus  americanus,  L.  proximus,  Gyrinus 
parens,  Tropisternus  glaher,  T.  lateralis,  Lathrobium  dimidiatum,  Atw- 
nius  gracilis,  Bruchus  scufellaris,  Megilla  maculata,  Eriopis  connexa. 

Besides  this  work  on  Coleoptera,  we  have  a  Catalogue  of  the  Chilian 
Lepidoi)tera,  by  Mr,  William  Bartlett  Calvert,  published  at  Santiago  de 
Chile  in  1886,  and  which  enumerates  89  species  of  Diurnals  and  366  of 
Heterocera;  and  a  list  of  the  Chilian  Diptera  by  Dr.  R.  A.  Philippi  in 
the  Verh.  K.  K.  Zool.  Bot.  Ges.  in  Wien,  1865,  which  of  course  is  now 
somewhat  antiquated. 

THE  LARVA  OF  THE  CLOVER  STEM  BORER,  Languria  Mozardi  Latr., 

AS   A   GALL   MAKER. 

On  September  5,  1888,  while  searching  for  galls  on  Solidago,  which- 
grows  abundantly  on  the  bluffs  in  the  vicinity  of  La  Fayette,  Ind., 
we  found  a  well-developed  gall  on  a  stock  of  wild  lettuce  {Lactuca  can- 
adensis, L.).  This  gall  was  opened  carefully,  and  found  to  contain  a 
pupa,  plainly  Coleopterons,  of  a  yellowish  color,  much  enlarged  ante- 
riorly but  more  slender  posteriorly.  The  gall  was  at  once  bound  up,  the 
pupa  having  been  replaced  in  its  cavity  exactly  as  found,  and  the  whole 
placed  in  a  glass  jar.  On  September  21,  sixteen  days  after,  an  adult 
of  L.  mozardi  made  its  appearance  in  the  jar,  and  an  examination  of 
the  gall  revealed  the  cavity  empty,  and  the  avenue  therefrom  through 
which  the  beetle  had  made  its  escape. 

Prof.  J.  H.  Comstock  states  in  the  report  of  the  Commissioner  of 
Agriculture  for  the  year 
1879,  p.  199,  that  the  insect, 
as  a  clover  pest,  pupates  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  stem 
in  which  the  larva  origi- 
nated. We  have  ourself 
found  larvae  not  distin- 
guishable from  those  of  this 
species  burrowing  in  the 
stems  of  timothy,  where 
they  pass  the  winter  in  the 
larval  stage  (see  Eeport 
Commissioner  of  Agricult- 
ure, 1886,  p.  574).  The  question  involved  seems  to  be,  is  the  species 
evolving  to  or  from  a  gall  maker  ?— [F.  M.  Webster. 

THE  USE   OF   OSAGE-ORANGE   AS  A  FOOD  FOR   SILK-WORMS. 

Some  three  years  ago  the  chamber  of  commerce  of  Lyons,  France,  es 
tablished  a  silk  laboratory,  under  the  direction  of  Monsieur  J.  Dusu- 


FiG.  23.— Langukia  mozardi.    a,  egg ;  6,  larva  in  clover  stem ; 
c,  larva;  d,  pupa-   e,  adult  (affer  Comstock). 


120 

zean.  Among  the  mauy  objects  of  this  work  was  that  of  collectiug 
speciiueus  of  the  cocoons  of  wild  silk  worms  from  all' portions  of  the 
world,  with  a  view  to  determining  whether  their  silk  might  not  be  used 
commercially  to  a  greater  extent.  It  was  also  desired  to  find  some 
wild  species  which  might  be  successfully  crossed  with  the  Bonihyx  niori 
and  lend  new  vigor  to  a  species  which  has  been  weakened  by  centuries 
of  domestication. 

At  the  same  time  some  interest  has  been  excited  by  the  success  at- 
tained in  this  country  through  the  use  of  osage-orange  {Madura  auran- 
tiaca)  in  feeding  silk-worms,  and  at  the  request  of  M.  Dusnzeau,  the 
Division  has  furnished  him  with  specimens  of  osage-raised  cocoons.  Of 
them  he  writes : 

These  three  varieties  of  cocoons  are  very  regular,  firm,  and  fine.  I  have  recently 
reeled  100  grams  of  each,  and  I  will  send  you,  a  Uttle  later,  complete  reports  of  the 
three  trials.  I  must  say  to  you  that  the  variety  fed  upon  mulberry  reeled  excellently, 
without  the  threads  breaking  ;  those  of  the  two  varieties  fed  on  maclura  were  a  lit- 
tle less  satisfactory,  breaking  several  times.  But  it  will  not  be  possible  to  draw  an 
exact  conclusion  from  this  trial,  because  the  first  lot  is  of  unknown  origin  and  can 
not  be  compared  with  the  second  and  third  lots,  themselves  raised  from  eggs  fur- 
nished by  difterent  houses. 

The  request  for  the  samples  mentioned  came  too  late  for  me  to  make 
a  selection  proper  for  snch  an  experiment.  This  year  a  better  selection 
will  be  made  and  it  is  hoped  that  results  of  more  value  may  be  obtained. 

In  this  connection  M.  Natalis  Eondot,  the  celebrated  French  statis- 
tician, writes : 

I  am  anxious  to  settle  this  question  of  the  raising  of  worms  on  the  leaves  of  the 
osage  orange,  as  I  am  now  doing  in  China,  with  the  leaves  of  the  Cudrania  triloba.* 

Before  determining  what  advantage  the  silk  raiser  would  derive  in  using  the  leaf 
of  the  maclura,  it  will  be  necessary  to  know  what  is  the  quality  of  the  silk  drawn 
from  the  cocoons  of  the  worms  nourished  with  this  leaf.  It  will  be  necessary  to  ex- 
amine the  filament  of  these  cocoons. 

In  this  work  the  Division  will  give  the  French  scientists  all  the  as- 
sistance in  its  power,  and  it  may  be  that  we  shall  be  able  to  record  im- 
portant results  at  a  later  date. — [Philip  Walker. 

THE   PEAR  DIPLOSIS   IN  ENGLAND. 

In  our  Annual  Report  for  the  year  1885  we  gave  a  full  account  of  this 
insect,  and  from  the  mode  of  its  occurrence  we  had  good  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  it  was  an  importation  from  Europe  and  probably  identical 
with  the  Cecidomyia  nigra  (Meigeu)  of  Schmidberger  and  G.  pyricoia  of 
Nordlinger.  At  that  time  no  European  specimens  of  the  imago  existed 
in  any  collection,  so  that  a  direct  comparison  of  the  European  and  Ameri- 
can species  was  out  of  the  question.  In  1885  Miss  E.  A.  Ormerod  (re- 
port of  observations  of  injurious  insects  for  1884)  first  called  attention 
to  the  existence  of  the  Pear  Midge  in  England,  the  pest  being  espe- 

*  The  Cudrania  triloba  ia  a  bush  of  the  Nettle  family  (Order  Vrticacew).  It  is  not 
found  in  the  United  States. 


121 

daily  bad  iu  Marie  Louise  pears.  However,  no  imagos  were  obtained 
until,  iu  1887  and  1888,  Messrs.  R.  H.  Meade  and  Peter  Incbbald  suc- 
ceeded in  breeding  the  imagos.  Mr.  Meade  carefully  compared  them 
with  our  description,  and  finds  the  English  insect  absolutely  identical 
with  the  American  form.  He  has  recently  published  a  very  careful 
and  iudependent  description  of  the  imago,  giving  at  the  same  time  a 
full  account  of  the  life-history  of  the  insect  as  hitherto  observed  in  Eng- 
land.* In  view  of  the  uncertainty  regarding  the  names  given  to  the  in- 
sect by  the  older  authors,  viz:  Cccidomyia  nigra  of  Meigen  andSchmid- 
berger,  and  C.  pyricola  of  Ncirdlinger,  Mr.  Meade  proposes  to  drop  these 
names  and  to  accept  Diplosis  pyrivora  Eiley,  which  we  had  provision- 
ally given  and  by  which  it  can  be  identified  with  certainty. 

THE   ORCHID   ISOSOMA  AND   A  REMEDY  FOR   ITS   INJURY. 

Some  years  ago  Professor  Westwood  described  a  phytophagous 
species  of  the  Chalcid  genus  Isosoma  (J.  orchidearum)  which  is  injurious 
to  Orchid  plants  belonging  to  the  genus  Gatleya.  These  are  ornamental 
and  highly-prized  plants,  the  pride  of  owners  of  greenhouses,  and  the 
injury  by  the  Isosoma  larvie  infesting  the  stems  and  the  leaves  is  very 
annoying.  M.  Kiinckel  d'Herculais  announces  (Ann.  Soc.  Ent.  de 
France,  1888,  Bull.,  p.  23)  that  he,  in  connection  with  M.  Gazaguaire, 
is  studying  this  Isosoma  which  has  appeared  in  some  greenhouses  in 
Paris,  and  that  he  is  preparing  a  paper  on  the  subject.  M.  Gazaguaire 
proposes  to  kill  the  Isosoma  larvje  in  their  burrows  by  means  of  a  tri- 
angular dissecting  pin.  The  larvae  do  not  need  to  be  extracted,  and 
the  wound  inflicted  on  the  plants  by  this  botanico-surgical  operation  is 
insignificant. 

The  insect  has  been  quite  common  in  some  of  the  Paris  conserva- 
tories lately,  and  in  view  of  the  skepticism  which  yet  prevails  among 
some  of  the  English  entomologists  as  to  its  phytophagic  nature,  we 
may  add  that  from  specimens  submitted  to  us  by  Dr.  L.  Felix  Henneguy 
while  we  were  iu  Paris  last  October,  we  had  an  excellent  opportunity 
of  rearing  both  sexes  and  of  watching  the  larvae  in  all  stages.  We 
repeatedly  saw  the  larva  feeding  on  the  orchid  substance,  and  the  cavity 
made  is  at  first  only  just  large  enough  to  contain  it  and  its  vegetal 
frass.— C.  V.  R. 

FALSE   REPORT   OF   PHYLLOXERA  IN   AUSTRALIA. 

Australia  has  just  recovered  from  a  Phylloxera  scare.  The  Adelaide 
Garden  and  Field  for  July,  1888,  states  that  rumors  had  been  current  for 
a  few  days  that  the  phylloxera  had  been  discovered  at  a  Mr.  Hardy's 
vineyard  at  McLaren  Vale.  The  report  arose  from  the  fact  that  some 
vine  cuttings  recently  planted  showed  a  peculiar  enlargement  of  some 

•  Diplosis  pyrivora  Riley,  the  Pear-gnat,  by  R.  H.  Meade.  The  Entomologist,  Vol. 
XXI,  No.  300,  May,  1888,  pp.  123-131. 


122 

of  the  rootlets.     This  proved  on  investigation  to  be  a  fungus  disease 
of  the  vine. 

APROPOS   TO   HOT   WATER  AS   AN   INSECTICIDE. 

Our  esteemed  New  Zealand  correspondent,  Mr.  R.  Allan  Wight,  writ- 
ing as  to  the  use  of  hot  water  as  an  insecticide,  tells  a  rather  remarkable 
story  as  follows: 

An  old  lady  of  his  acquaintance  had  a  fine  old  grape-vine  in  her 
garden  which  went  over  the  wall  and  bore  fruit  in  her  neighbor's  yard, 
and  she  was  spiteful  euough  to  take  the  kettle  off  the  fire  and  pour  the 
entire  contents  on  the  vine  (she  dared  not  cut  it  down,  for  both  houses 
were  rented  from  the  same  landlord).  She  failed  of  her  purpose,  for  the 
vine  was  not  injured  in  the  least. 

VALUE   OF   DEAD    LOCUSTS  AS  MANURE. 

In  a  letter  to  us  some  time  ago  Mr.  J.  Birkbeck  Nevins,  of  Liverpool, 
gave  an  analysis  of  dried  locusts  from  observations  made  by  Edward 
Davis,  F.  C.  S.,  President  Liverpool  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society, 
as  follows: 


Without 
wings. 


WiDgs 
developed. 


Pliosphoric  acid  (P2  O5) 

Tiibasic  phosphate  of  lime. 

Nitrogen 

Ammonia 


Per  cent. 
1.92 

4.21 
10.  14 
12.31 


Per  cent. 
1.89 
4.13 
10.64 
12.92 


This  shows  that  these  dried  locusts  are  as  rich  in  nitrogen  as  meat, 
guano,  or  dry  blood,  and  contain  euough  phosphoric  acid  to  greatly  in- 
crease its  value  as  a  manure,  which  English  authorities  estimate  at 
about  $25  per  ton. 

THE   INSIDIOUS  FLOWER  BUG. 

According  to  Garden  and  Forest  for  August  22,  Triphleps  insidiosus 
has  been  doing  considerable  injury  among  some  of  the  Chrysanthemum 
collections  near  Boston  this  summer  by  piercing  the  euds  of  the  shoots, 
causing  them  to  "go  blind"  and  the  leaves  to  curl  up  and  wither.  The 
statement  is  made  that  pieces  of  cloth  kept  saturated  with  kerosene  oil 
bound  around  the  ends  of  slender  sticks  and  stuck  in  the  ground 
among  the  plants  so  that  the  saturated  cloth  is  about  on  a  level  with 
the  ends  of  the  shoots,  seems  to  have  the  effect  of  driving  away  the 
insects. 


PERSONNEL    OF  THOSE   ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORE. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes: 

DIVISION  OP  ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    S.    DEPARTMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist:  C.  V.  Eiley. 

Office  Staf:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande,  Tyler 
Townseud,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 
in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 

Field  Agents  :  Saml.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind;  Herbert 
Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa ;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111.  ;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood, 
Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Brnuer,  Lincoln,  Nebr.  ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  ;  Al- 
bert Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,   U.    S.    NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator  :  C.  V.  Eiley. 
Assistant  Curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

|^=  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communica- 
tions. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  accredited  to  "Insect  Life,"  or, 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "  Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of  tht 
correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also  attended 
to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  during  my 
absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that  only  those 
articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual. — C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OP    ENTOMOLOGY. 
PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  NOVEMBER,    1888. 

Vol.    I.  ISTo.   5. 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PEINTINO   OFFICE. 

1888. 


CONTENTS. 


PaRO. 

Special  Notes 123 

Some    Recent    Entomological   Matters   of    International    Concern. 

(illustrated) C.  V.  Eiley..       126 

The  Food-  habits  of  the  Thripid^ Herlert  Oshorn . .       13? 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 142 

Danger  to  human  Beings  from  use  of  Paris  green. — The  Clover  Seed-midge 
in  Ohio.— Formula  for  a  Buffalo  Gnat  Application. — The  acid  Secretion 
of  Notodonta  concinna. — Out-of-door  Hibernation  of  Lecanium  hemisphwri- 
cum  in  Pennsylvania.— The  Introduction  of  Lestophonus  icerya\—A 
House  infested  with  Psocida?. 

Steps  Toward  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsingham..      145 

General  Notes 151 

A  recent  British  entomological  Circular.— Two  Suggestions  to  Students  of 
Entomology. — The  Relation  of  Ants  to  the  Corn  Aphis. — Insects  intro- 
duced into  Chili. — Remarkable  Abundance  of  the  Cecropia  Silk-worm. — 
The  Clover-root  Borer.— A  Point  in  Favor  of  the  English  Sparrow. — The 
Rear-horse  domesticated. — A  California  Enemy  to  Walnuts. — Little 
known  Enemies  of  the  Potato  Plant  in  New  York.— Prof.  Forbes'  In- 
vestigation on  the  Food  of  Fresh-water  Fishes. — The  Hosts  of  a  few 
Larger  Ichueumnoids.— The  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 


Vol.  1,  Wo.  5.]  INSECT   LIFE.         [November,  18§8. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Prof.  A.  J.  Cook's  latest  bulletin  *  is  devoted  to  a  consideration  of 
experiments  with  insecticides  and  implements  for  tlieir  application. 
The  larger  portion  of  the  bulletin  refers  to  the  treatment  of  apple 
trees  for  Codling  Moth  and  plum  and  cherry  trees  for  Plum  Curculio. 
Professor  Cook  designed  to  show  the  relative  effect  on  foliage  from 
repeated  sprayings  with  London  purple  aud  also  the  comparative  im- 
munity from  injury  of  trees  so  treated.  The  data  on  which  he  con- 
structs his  table  are  so  indistinct  that  it  is  difficult  to  form  conclusions 
concerning  them.  We  gather,  however,  that  where  trees  were  treated 
once  the  foliage  was  uninjured  and  few  apples  were  perfected  or  ripened ; 
where  treated  twice,  foliage  slightly  injured  and  "much  fruit"  perfected; 
where  treated  three  times,  foliage  more  injured  (sometimes  seriously) 
and  "  much  fruit"  perfected.  Tbe  applications  were  made  on  the  6th, 
12th,  and  20th  of  June.  The  preparation  used  was  1  pound  London 
puride  to  100  gallons  of  water.  The  check  trees  were  crab-apples,  one 
of  which  bore  few  apples  and  the  other  bore  heavily.  He  concluded 
that  "  it  is  more  and  more  patent  that  it  pays  remarkably  well  to  spray 
our  apple  trees." 

In  view  of  the  extensive  practical  experience  of  orchardists  for  many 
years  now  with  the  arsenites  as  a  protection  from  the  Apple- worm,  ad- 
ditional exijerimentation  is  hardly  necessary  on  this  point,  as  the  value 
of  this  lireventive  method  has  become  fully  established,  the  only  ques- 
tion to  be  advantageously  discussed  in  connection  therewith  being  the 
risk  of  poisoning,  which,  as  experience  and  Professor  Cook's  experi- 
ments in  the  past  have  shown,  is  reduced  to  a  minimum,  or  may  be 
left  out  of  account  altogether  where  proper  precautions  are  taken.  It 
is  otherwise  with  these  arsenites  as  a  preventive  for  Curculio  attack. 
We  have  long  felt  that  they  might  be  used  with  benefit  for  this  purpose, 
and  have  recommended  their  trial,  but  from  the  nature  of  the  case  we 
have  anticipated  less  good  than  in  the  case  of  the  Apple-worm,  and 
Professor  Forbes'  experiments  and  some  unpublished  experiments  which 
we  have  had  made  by  Mr.  Alwood  confirm  this  view.    Several  plum  and 

*  Agricultural  College  of  Michigan,  Department  of  Zoology  and  Entomology. 
Bulletin  39.     September,  1888. 

123 


124 

cherry  trees  were  treated  by  Professor  Cook  with  London  purple  on  the 
same  dates,  with  the  result  that  good  crops  of  perfect  fruit  were  gath- 
ered, ''  while  cherry  and  apple  trees  near  by  suftered  seriously."  Pro- 
fessor Cook  concludes  that  with  plums,  cherries,  and  apples,  two  or 
three  applications  for  the  Curculio  are  of  advantage. 

He  also  discusses  methods  of  applying  liquids,  mentioning  favorably 
the  geared  Victor  Field  force-pump,  the  Perfection  hand-pump,  Gould's 
double-acting  barrel-pump,  the  Whitman  pump,  and  the  Lewis  pumps. 
Some  of  these  we  could  not  indorse  so  favorably  for  such  work,  but 
will  withhold  any  remarks  we  might  make  for  a  forthcoming  bulletin 
on  this  subject.  The  subject  of  nozzles  is  mentioned,  and  in  six  words 
he  disposes  of  the  Eiley  or  Cyclone  nozzle  as  a  comparative  failure,  an 
experience  which  neither  accords  with  our  own  nor  with  that  of  many 
other  horticulturists  and  entomologists  both  at  home  and  abroad,  and 
makes  one  question  whether  Professor  Cook  uses  it  properly  or  in  im- 
proved forms.  The  Nixon  nozzle  and  the  Lowell  graduating  nozzle  are 
commended.     All  the  illustrations  are  from  trade  circulars. 

A  number  of  remedies,  aside  from  arsenical  sjn^ays,  are  noticed. 
Among  these,  carbolized  lime  and  plaster  for  Curculio,  applied  dry,  are 
said  to  have  been  successful.  Bisulphide  of  carbon  was  used  very  suc- 
cessfully to  destroy  ants  by  making  an  opening  down  into  the  colony, 
pouring  in  about  half  a  gill  of  the  liquid,  and  stopping  up  the  opening 
by  packing  in  clay.  We  have  had  best  success  with  it  by  igniting  it 
after  covering  the  ground  for  about  ten  minutes  with  a  damp  blanket. 


Mr.  C.  P.  Gillette,  the  entomologist  of  the  Iowa  station,  has  two  ar- 
ticles in  Bulletin  No.  2  of  the  station,*  received  October  8,  the  one  en- 
titled "A  few  important  Chinch  Bug  remedies,"  and  the  other  "Arsenic 
experiments." 

Under  his  first  head,  Mr.  Gillette  considers  plowing,  burning,  shading 
the  ground,  and  neat  farming.  Mr.  Gillette  has  made  some  experiments 
in  plowing,  and  finds  that  when  the  bugs  are  buried  to  a  depth  of  7 
inches  they  never  come  to  the  surface  again.  At  5  inches  nearly  all 
are  permanently  interred,  while  at  3  inches  they  all  emerge  within 
twenty-four  hours.  He  advises,  therefore,  that  the  furrow  should  be 
turned  at  least  G  inches  deep,  and  that  a  jointer  should  be  used  on  the 
plow. 

The  subject  of  using  soluble  arsenic  as  an  insecticide  has  again  been 
brought  to  public  attention  by  several  writers,  and  this  probably  sug- 
gested Mr.  Gillette's  experiments.  But  we  believe  that  its  use  does  not 
rest  on  a  clear  conception  of  what  constitutes  a  practical  insecticide. 
The  end  sought  in  the  use  of  arsenic  is  to  destroy  the  insect  with  a 
minimum  amount  used  in  the  safest  j)ossible  manner  to  plant  and  ani- 

*  Iowa  Agricultural  College,  Experiment  Station.    Bulletin  2,  August,  1888. 


125 

mal  life.  So  far  as  plant  life  is  concerned,  it  is  in  neb  preferable  to  nse 
it  in  insolnble  form,  and  nsed  in  tbis  form  we  can  not  see  tbat  it  is  any 
more  apt  to  cause  injury  to  stock. 

A  series  of  experiments  directed  towards  tbe  preparation  of  an  arsen- 
ite  of  less  specific  gravity  tban  Paris  green,  and  not  more  insoluble 
tban  London  purple,  would  in  our  estimation  yield  good  results.  Soluble 
arsenic,  because  of  its  rapid  absorption  by  the  leaves  of  plants  and  con- 
sequent caustic  effects,  is  useful  only  in  comparison  with  other  prepara- 
tions. 

Mr.  Gillette's  conclusions  from  his  experiments  with  arsenic  are  prac- 
tically those  reached  by  us  as  long  ago  as  1879,  and  as  formulated  in 
Bulletin  3  of  the  Entomological  Commission.  He  finds  by  experiment 
that  arsenic  in  theproportionofl  pound  to  400  gallons  of  water  scorches 
the  tips  and  edges  of  the  leaves  of  Apple.  One  pound  to  800  gallons 
damaged  the  leaves  of  Plum  too  badly  to  allow  this  strength  to  be  rec- 
ommended. One  pound  to  250  gallons  scorched  the  leaves  of  Grape 
badly.  One  pound  to  400  burnt  the  leaves  of  P>ox  Elder  badly.  One 
pound  to  500  burnt  the  leaves  of  Honey  Locust  badly.  One  pound  to  800 
scorched  the  leaves  of  Poplar  badly.  One  pound  to  500  destroyed  one- 
half  of  the  surface  of  the  leaves  of  Easpberry,  etc.  'American  Elms  re- 
sisted the  best  of  any  plant  experimented  upon,  while  Plum  was  most  sus 
ceptible.  With  the  latter  tree  he  found  that  in  the  proportion  of  1  pound 
to  1,200  gallons  of  water  about  half  of  the  leaves  were  taken  off  and  the 
remainder  were  left  looking  sickly  and  somewhat  burnt.  He  concludes 
t'hat  arsenic  can  not  be  used  in  solution  stronger  than  1  pound  to  1,200 
gallons  of  water,  ami  experiments  show  that  apple  leaves  sprayed 
with,  tbis  solution  could  be  fed  to  the  larvte  of  Datana  ministra  without 
apparently  affecting  them.  Tests  made  by  the  chemist  of  the  station, 
Prof.  G.  E.  Patrick,  show  that  the  leaves  unquestionably  absorb  a  cer- 
tain proportion  of  the  arsenic.  Mr.  Gillette  expresses  himself  more 
strongly  against  the  use  of  this  poison  thaa  any  one  who  has  yet  written 
about  it.  He  says,  "It  would  be  unwise  in  the  extreme  to  recommend 
the  latter  (arsenic),  especially  if  it  be  in  solution,  for  insecticidal  pur- 
poses." 

Both  the  articles  are  timely,  and  we  look  forward  with  interest  to  the 
results  of  JMr.  Gillette's  work.  Both,  however,  are  marred  by  very 
abundant  orthographical  errors,  probably  the  result  of  hasty  proof- 
reading. 


Washington  and  other  eastern  cities  have  been  exceptionally  free 
from  the  attacks  of  shade-tree  pests  the  past  summer,  particularly  from 
the  defoliators,  such  as  the  Elm  Leaf-beetle  and  the  Fall  Web-worm.  The 
Web-worm  has  been  exceptionally  scarce  in  Washington,  and  only  late 
in  September  were  a  few  webs  of  the  second  generation  observed.  The 
Elm  Leaf  beetle,  while  rather  more  abundant,  has  been  much  less  so  than 


126 

usual,  and  this  reminds  us  of  an  occurreuce  which  shows  how  careful 
one  must  be  in  drawing  conclusions  from  experiments  to  destroy  in- 
sects. Counting  upon  the  ordinary  appearance  of  the  Elm  Leaf-beetle, 
we  sprayed  the  trees  in  our  garden  with  London  purple  early  iu  the 
summer,  and  as  no  damage  was  done,  we  were  quite  of  the  opinion  that 
the  spraying  had  been  a  success  until,  later,  we  noticed  that  uiisprayed 
trees  were  quite  free  also.  In  the  same  way  a  gentleman  came  to  us 
toward  the  end  of  the  season  and  informed  us  that  he  had  completely 
protected  his  trees,  bj^  spraying  the  grass  under  them  Mith  Paris  green, 
his  trees  for  the  first  time  iu  several  years  having  retained  the  verdure 
of  their  foliage. 


SOME    RECENT   ENTOMOLOGICAL  MATTERS    OF   INTERNATIONAL 
CONCERN.* 

Entomology  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  branches  of  natural  history, 
but  its  devotees  find  such  a  vast  number  of  species  to  deal  with  (very 
many  yet  unstudied)  that  their  work  is  for  the  most  part  somewhat  ex- 
clusive and  interests  few  but  the  specialist.  In  truth,  though  so  impor- 
tant in  the  economy  of  nature  and  in  their  relations  to  man,  insects  are 
yet  too  often  looked  upon  as  rather  unworthy  his  serious  thought. 

^Nevertheless  there  are  many  insects  which  possess  general  interest 
by  virtue  of  the  manner  in  which  they  affect  man  directly  or  indirectly. 
Among  such  may  be  mentioned  species  which  prevail  in  several  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  world,  and  the  interest  is  enhanced  if  they  affect  man's 
comfort  and  convenience,  or  are  injurious  to  agriculture  or  horticulture. 
It  is  my  intention  this  evening  to  refer  to  three  of  the  latter  class,  which 
have  lately  become  rather  notorious. 

In  doing  so  I  omit  extended  consideration  of  the  methods  that  recent 
investigation  have  shown  to  be  most  efiicient  in  eiiabliug  the  cultivator 
to  contend  with  and  control  these  enemies  to  agriculture;  for,  though 
this  practical  bearing  of  the  subject  is  of  immense  importance  to  the 
people  concerned,  I  take  it  that  noue  of  those  in  my  hearing  are  prac- 
tically interested. 

THE   ICERYA  OR  FLUTED   SCALE. 

The  first  is  what  I  call  the  Icerya  or  Fluted  Scale  {Iceri/a  purchasi 
Maskell).  It  is  one  of  our  largest  scale-insects  (family  Coccidce),  and 
has  of  late  years  done  immense  injury  to  the  orange  groves  and  to 
many  other  trees  and  shrubs  of  southern  California.  The  history  of 
the  species  is  interesting,  and  jioints  to  Australia  as  its  original  home 
and  to  its  introduction  from  Australia  to  Kew  Zealand,  Cape  Town, 
South  Africa,  and  California.     Nothing  was  known  or  published  upon 


*Read  by  C.  V.  Riley  before  the  Philosophical  Society  of  Washiagton,  D.  C,  March 
31, 188H,  and  illustrated  by  diagrams. 


127 


the  species  prior  to  tbe  seventh  decade  of  this  century,  and  it  seems  to 
have  first  attracted  attention  almost  simultaneously  in  Australia,  Africa, 

and  America,  all  the  evidence  point- 
ing to  its  introduction  into  Califor- 
nia by  the  late  George  Gordon,  of 
Menlo  Park,  about  the  year  1868, 
and  probably  from  Australia  on 
Acacia  latifolia. 

The  genus  Icerya  was  founded  by 

Signoret,  a  French  entomologist,  in 

1875,  being  based  upon  the  single 

species  I.  sacchari  (Guerin).     This 

^5s»,  .^^^  species  and  the  one  that  we  are  now 

/^  ^\  dealing  with  are  the  only  two  spe- 

/     .^^  ^     \  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  genus. 

i      i  ^\      \  In  my  Annual  Report  as  United 

States  Entomologist  for  1886 1  have 
given  a  very  full  characterization  of 
the  species  in  all  its  stages,  but  the 
only  facts  that  I  need  draw  atten- 
tion to  on  this  occasion  are,  first, 
"  That  the  female  undergoes  three 
molts  and  the  male  two;  i.  e.,  each 
has  one  more  stage  than  had  pre- 
viously been  recognized  by  ento- 
mologists and  observers ;  secondly, 
that  it  difiers  from  all  other  members  of  its  family  (Coccidw)  in  its  ex- 
tended powers  of  locomotion  in  most  of  its  stages;  in  its  extreme  har- 
diness or  power  of  surviving  for  a  given  period  without  food,  and  in  its 


Fig.  24.  Icerya  pvrchasi,  newly  hatched  female 
larva — greatly  enlarged  (after  Riley). 


Fig.  25.  Icerya  purchasi,  male  larva,  second 
stage— greatly  enlarged  (after  Eiley). 


Fig.  2C.  Icerya  purchasi,  a,  female  larva,  second 
stage— enlarged ;  6,  antenna— still  more  en- 
larged (after  Riley). 


128 

polyphagous  habit,  or  the  ease  with  which  it  accommodates  itself  to  so 
great  a  variety  of  plants.  These  are  the  three  characteristics  which 
most  concern  the  practical  man  and  which  make  it  oue  of  the  most  dif- 
ficult species  to  contend  with. 


^  ^^  ^   M^"^"^^- 


/ 


riG.  27.  Icerya  purchasi,  female  larva,  third 
stage— enlarged  (after  Riley). 


Fig.  28.  Icerya  purchasi,  male  pupa,  ventral 
view — enlarged  (after  Eiley). 


''  A  very  long  list  of  plants  might  be  enumerated  upon  which  this 
insect  is  either  found  accidentally  or  upon  which  it  can  live  more  or 
less  successfully.  But  the  list  of  plants,  especially  of  trees,  important 
to  us  for  their  products,  which  are  seriously  affected  by  it  is  compara- 


FiG.  29.   Icerya  purchasi,  adult  male,  enlarged  ;  «,  joint  of  antenna  ;  h,  tip  of  tarsus ;  c,  wing  pocket 
and  books,  still  more  enlarged  (after  Riley). 


129 

tively  limited,  and  will  include  the  Acacia,  Lime,  Lemou,  Orange, 
Quince,  Pomegranate,  and  Walnut.  Some  few  other  trees  might  be 
added,  and  it  is  particularly  partial  to  the  Rose  and  the  Nettle ;  but  it 
is  doubtful  whether  the  species  could  permanently  thrive  and  multiply 
to  an  injurious  extent  on  many  other  trees  than  those  mentioned. 

"All  young  scale  insects  are  quite  active  when  they  first  hatch,  and 
most  ot  them  at  this  time  are  extremely  small,  and  when  very  thick 
upon  a  tree,  instinctively,  or  at  least  very  easily,  dro[)  from  the  termi- 
nal twigs  and  branches.  Their  specific  gravity  at  this  time  is  so  slight 
that  they  are  easily  wafted  with  the  wind  in  their  descent.  This  general 
truth  a|)plies  with  equal  force  to  the  Icerya,  which  is  readily  carried 
from  tree  to  tree  and  Irom  orchard  to  orchard  by  the  agency  of  wind, 
by  running  water,  or  by  birds  or  other  insects.  Another  local  means 
of  transport  not  to  be  ignored  is  upon  the  clothing  of  persons  engaged 
in  cultivating-,  upon  packages,  and  upon  all  implements  used,  whether 
in  cultivating  or  harvesting  the  crop.  This  particular  species  also  has 
quite  a  habit  of  crawling  over  the  ground,  and  its  local  spread  is  very 
materially  enhanced  thereby. 

"It  is  carried  long  distances,  however,  chiefly  by  high  winds,  birds,  and 
commerce,  and  its  introduction  frf>m  one  continent  to  another  has  un- 
doubtedly been  effected  by  the  latter  method  upon  young  trees  or 
cuttings."* 

More  light,  however,  is  yet  needed  upon  the  question  of  the  original 
habitat  of  the  species,  and  as  the  settlement  of  the  question  is  imi)or- 
tantin  many  respects  I  have  during  the  past  year  been  endeavoring  to 
get  definite  information  upon  the  subject.  Without  going  into  techni- 
cal details,  which  would  not  interest  you,  I  may  briefly  state  that  the 
question  arose  in  my  mind  a  year  ago  as  to  the  probable  identity  of 
Iceriia  imrchasi  and  J.  sacchari,  which  last  came  from  the  islands  of  Mau- 
ritius and  Bourbon,  and  which  is  injurious  to  Sugar-cane  there.  On  the 
supposition  that  the  two  described  forms  were  specifically  identical, 
light  is  at  once  thrown  upon  its  wide  distribution.  It  occurred  to  me 
that  an  insect  which  affected  the  sugar-cane  could  be  easily  transported 
from  the  sugar-producing  islands  in  the  Indian  Ocean  to  Australia, 
South  Africa,  and  California,  either  consecutively  one  from  the  other, 
or  to  either  or  all  directly,  through  the  sugar  trade,  especially  when  it  is 
known  that  in  many  cases  in  packing  the  coarser  sugars  it  is  the  custom 
to  put  pieces  of  cane  in  the  packages  to  facilitate  drainage.  I  took  some 
pains,  therefore,  to  first  decide  by  an  examination  of  sj^ecimens  whether 
purchasi  was  really  distinct  from  sacchari  or  not,  and  this  could  only  be 
done  conclusively  by  examination  of  the  ty])es.  My  old  friend.  Dr.  Sig- 
noret,  who  is  the  leading  French  authority  on  the  Coccidoe,  was  unfort- 
unately very  ill  at  his  country  home  when  I  was  in  Paris,  last  October, 
but  he  kindly  sent  his  keys  and  permitted  me  to  examine  his  collection 


*  From  an  address  by  the  writer  before  the  State  Board  of  Horticulture  at  Eiver- 
side,  Cal.,  April?,  1887. 


130 

and  to  satisfy  myself  that  saccJiari  was  really  distinct  from  purchasi. 
This  fact,  while  not  absolutely  opposed  to  the  idea  of  the  origin  of  the 
Fluted  Scale  from  the  islands  of  Bourbon  and  Mauritius,  because  both 
species  may  occur  there,  tends,  nevertheless,  to  confirm  the  prevailing 
opinion,  and  that  which  I  originally  held,  viz,  that  the  native  home  of 
the  species  is  in  Australia. 

A  limited  number  of  natural  enemies  and  parasites  have  already  been 
discovered  upon  it  in  California.     They  are  as  follows: 


Among  predaceous  insects : 
Chrysopa  sp. 

Hippodamia  amhigua  Lee. 
Blastobasis  icert/wella  Eiley 
Blapstinus  hrevicollis  Lee. 
? Perimegaiomacylindricum  Kirby,  var. 

angulare. 
Largus  succmctus. 
Piesma  cinerea  Say. 
Corizus  hyalinus  Fabr.    • 
PeritrecJius  luniger  Say. 
Beosus  sp.  (probably  new). 
Lyciocoris  sp.  (probably  new). 
Piezostelhus  sp.  (probably  new). 


Among  true  parasites: 

Isodromiis  icerycc  Howard. 
Coccophagus  n.  sp. 
EnUdon  n.  sp. 
Alaptus  iceryce  n.  sp. 
T''oroii  n.  ap. 
?  Gonioziis  u.  sp. 

In  Mexico: 
Phora  sp. 
Scymnus  amabilis  Lee. 

In  South  Africa : 

Rodolia  icerycv  Baly. 


Now,  as  the  number  of  these  enemies  (and  particularly  of  the  para- 
sites) increases,  the  fruit-growers  of  California  will  get  more  and  more 
relief  from  the  ravages  of  the  Icerya  ;  but  it  is  an  interesting  fact  that 
in  Australia,  which,  as  we  have  seen,  is  in  all  probability  its  native 
country,  thesj)ecies  is  not  so  injurious  as  it  is  with  us,  the  reason  being, 
doubtless,  tiiat  it  has  natural  enemies  there  which  serve  to  keep  it  in 
check,  and  which  liave  not  been  transported  with  it  to  the  countries  of 
its  intro<luction.  Here  we  have  a  case  where  it  would  be  eminently  fit 
to  have  these  enemies  in  Australia  especially  studied  and  to  attempt  to 
introduce  them  to  California  ;  for  the  successful  accomplishment  of  this 
would,  without  doubt,  result  in  immense  benefit  to  the  people  of  that 
State.  With  most  of  the  parasites  this  would  be  an  easy  matter  from 
the  very  manner  in  which  they  are  known  to  affect  the  Icerya.  In  fact, 
since  I  delivered  an  address  upon  this  subject,  last  spring,  at  Riverside, 
Cal.,  the  people  of  that  State  have  been  alive  to  the  importance  of  the 
subject,  and  have  in  county  and  State  conventions  appealed  by  resolu- 
tion to  Congress  to  authorize  the  sending  of  a  commission  to  Australia 
for  this  purpose. 

This  is  nature's  method  of  checking  the  evil,  and  one  which  it  were 
wise  for  man  to  adopt.  At  the  present  time  it  is  possible  for  the  fruit- 
growers of  California  to  protect  their  fruit  trees  by  vigilant  means  and 
rather  large  expenditure  of  time  and  money,  and  where  these  are  not 
employed  ruin  stares  the  orange- grower  in  the  face.  The  introduction 
of  the  natural  enemies  which  keep  the  species  in  check  in  its  native 
country  would  soon  bring  about  a  change  in  this  country,  and  its  intro- 


131 

duction  would  relieve  the  orange-grower  of  the  necessity  of  so  much  ex- 
penditure to  bring  about  the  same  result.  Just  as  we  employ  cats  to 
kill  off  mice  and  ferrets  to  kill  rats,  so  in  economic  entomology  it  be- 
hooves us  to  encourage  the  entomological  enemies  of  our  insect  foes, 
especially  in  cases  like  the  present,  where  there  is  a  feasible  method 
promising  good  lesults  in  the  introduction. 

THE    HESSIAN  FLY. 

{Cecidomyia  destructor  Say.) 

This  is  a  fragile  midge  belonging  to  the  Diptera  and  to  the  family 
Cecidomyidfe,  and  you  will  get  a  very  fair  idea  of  its  general  color  and 
appearance  by  recalling  the  common  mosquito.  It  is  one  of  the  insects 
most  destructive  to  Wheat,  Rye,  and  Barley.  At  the  present  season  it 
is  found  in  what  is  known  as  the  flax-seed  or  puparium  state.  This  is 
the  hardened  larval  skin  inclosing  the  quiescent  larva  and  ultimately 
the  pupa.  These  puparia  are  more  or  less  hidden  in  the  base  of  young 
wheat  plants  and  the  perfect  flies  issue  as  soon  as  we  get  settled  spring 
weather,  and  in  fact  are  issuing  in  southern  latitudes  at  the  x)resent 
time.  The  sexes  are  easily  distinguished  by  the  simpler  antenufe  of 
the  female  as  compared  with  those  of  the  male,  by  the  more  robust  ab- 
domen and  extensile  ovipositor.  iShe  deposits  her  eggs  between  the 
ribs  of  the  blades  generally  near  the  base;  the  young  larvae  hatching 
therefrom  suck  the  substance  of  the  stalk  and  imbed  themselves  more 
or  less  fully  within  it.  There  are  two  broods  annually,  and  in  southern 
latitudes  a  tendency  to  a  third  one.  Few  insects  have  more  often  been 
treated  of  or  more  fully  written  about  than  this,  and  an  added  inter- 
est has  lately  been  given  to  it  because  of  its  recent  introduction  into 
England.  The  species  has  long  been  known  to  occur  upon  the  conti- 
nent of  Europe  and  the  prevailing  belief  has  been  that  it  was  intro- 
duced therefrom  into  the  United  States  during  the  Eevolutionary  war 
by  Hessian  troops.  It  was  first  announced  in  England  some  two  years 
ago  bj'  Miss.  E.  A.  Ormerod,  consulting  entomologist  of  the  Royal  Ag- 
ricultural Society,  and  it  has  proved  more  or  less  injurious  and  rapidly 
extended  during  the  past  two  years,  so  that  at  the  present  time  it  is 
found  on  most  portions  of  the  eastern  coast  extending  up  into  Scotland. 

In  North  America  the  species  has  constantly,  since  the  first  announce- 
ment of  its  appearance  on  Long  Island,  spread  farther  and  farther  west 
with  the  westward  movement  of  the  center  of  wheat  culture,  so  that  at 
the  present  time  it  may  be  said  to  extend  over  nearly  the  whole  wheat 
area  of  the  United  States,  except  perhaps  the  extreme  northwestern 
and  the  southwestern  limits,  where  the  excessive  dryness  of  the  atmos- 
phere, in  the  one  case,  and  the  excessive  heat  of  summer,  in  the  other, 
have  proved,  so  far,  obstacles  to  its  successful  multiplication.  For  a 
long  time  it  was  unknown  on  the  Pacific  coast,  but  during  the  past  three 
years  it  has  been  quite  injurious  in  jiarts  of  California. 


132 

Now  its  advent  in  England,  a  century  after  it  was  brought  to  this 
country,  has  caused  a  good  deal  of  discussion,  and  while  I  was  over  there 
last  autumn  I  found  that  not  only  British  agriculturists,  but  theBritish 
public  generally  were  intensely  interested  iu  the  subject  and  quite 
agitated  as  to  the  prospects  in  the  future. 

Three  points  particularly  interest  the  grain  grower  as  well  as  scien- 
tific men,  viz,  the  date  when  the  insect  was  actually  imported  into 
England,  the  country  it  was  introduced  from,  and  the  prospects  from 
its  work  iu  the  future. 

I  had  occasion  to  consider  all  of  these  points  at  some  length  iu  the 
London,  Times  for  Uctober  17  last,  butiu  this  connection  have  time  only 
to  say  that  as  to  the  first  point  there  is  likely  to  be  the  same  contro- 
versy as  there  has  been  in  reference  to  the  periods  of  its  importation 
into  America,  and  just  as  all  the  facts  point  to  the  latter  event  about 
the  time  of  the  Kevolutionary  war,  so  the  evidence  points  conclusively 
to  its  very  recent  advent  into  England.  One  of  the  strongest  oppo- 
nents of  the  view  that  the  species.was  imported  into  this  country  by 
Hessians  has  been  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen,  of  Cambridge,  and  though  his 
arguments  have  some  weight  from  the  historic  side  they  are  weak  from 
the  biologic  side,  as  they  do  not  take  into  account  the  exceptional 
tendency  to  belated  or  retarded  development  which  the  species  exhibits 
in  the  puparium  state. 

There  was  no  way  of  definitely  ascertaining  from  what  country  the 
insect  was  really  introduced  into  England,  but  by  a  study  of  the  para- 
sites which  had  so  far  been  detected  iu  England.  Hence  I  was  urged 
while  there  last  year  to  examine  such  parasites  as  had  been  reared 
there. 

This  material  was  submitted  by  Miss  Ormerod,  Professor  Fream,  Lord 
Walsingham,  Mr.  O.  E.  Janson,  Mr.  Fred.  Enock,  Mr.  F.  M.  Campbell, 
and  others  who  interested  themselves  iu  the  subject  and  were  anxious 
for  determinations. 

A  study  of  these  parasites  enabled  me  to  identify  them  as  Platygas- 
ter  minutus  Lind.,  SemioteUus  nigripes  Lind.,  Eupelmus  karschii  Lin<l., 
Merisiis  intermedius  Lind.,  Tetrastichus  Rileyi  Lind.,  Euryscapns  saltator 
Jjiuil.,  Dacnvsa  senilis  Hal.;  and  while  the  material  that  was  placed 
in  my  hands  will  require  some  little  revision  of  a  paper  which  I  have 
already  published  on  the  parasites  of  the  species  in  America,  yet  they 
are  all  essentially  European  and  point  unmistakably  to  the  importation 
to  Engl  and  from  the  continent  of  Euro[)e.  The  negative  evidence,  so  far 
as  it  goes,  confirms  this,  because  statistics  show  that  from  2  to  3  per 
cent,  of  the  straw  imported  into  England  comes  from  America,  and  the 
importation  has  not  been  made  through  the  chief  ports  of  entry  of 
American  vessels,  such  as  Liverpool.  In  fact  the  species  has  not  yet 
been  found  in  Ireland  or  on  the  western  coast  of  England,  being  con- 
fined, as  already  remarked,  to  the  east  coast. 

In  reference  to  the  third  point,  viz,  the  future  injury  that  is  likely  to 


133 

be  (lone  in  Eugland,  I  may  briefly  state  that  on  account  of  the  cooler 
summers  and  milder  winters  and  the  lateness  at  which  wheat  is  sown 
in  England  there  is  very  little  danger,  in  my  judgment,  of  any  such  in- 
jury as  we  suffer  from  here,  or  as  the  insect  causes  in  portions  of  con- 
tinental Europe.  In  fact  it  is  very  injurious  only  under  conditions 
where  two  annual  generations  are  pretty  uniformly  produced,  and  I  am 
satisfied  that  in  England,  as  a  rule,  only  one  generation  will  be  pro- 
duced. 


THE   HOP   PLANT-LOUSE. 

The  next  insect  which  I  will  say  a  few  words  about  is  the  Hop  Plant- 
louse  {Phorodon  hionuli),  of  which  we  have  been  able  to  say  for  the  first 
time  the  past  year  that  we  now  know  positively  its  full  life  history.  I 
have  for  some  years  desired  to  settle  a  question  that  has  been  mooted 
among  entomologists,  as  also  among  hop-growers,  viz,  the  mode  of 
hibernation  of  the  species ;  for  while  some 
of  the  earliest  writers  upon  aphidology  have 
believed,  and  even  stated,  that  there  was  a 
form  of  this  insect  that  occurred  in  autumn 
on  the  Damson  in  Europe,  the  statement  has 
been  as  confidently  controverted  and  the 
fact  denied  by  some  of  the  highest  author- 
ities in  the  family.  Hop-growers  as  a  class 
have  generally  pooh-poohed  the  idea.  Yet, 
from  my  own  experience  with  other  species 
of  the  family  and  with  their  singular  life 
history  and  migrations  from  one  plant  to 
another,  I  had  for  some  time  felt  convinced 
Fm.3o.  Phorodonhumidi. siem.mothev,   thut  Phorodo7i  humuli  also  must  have  some 

enlarged,  head  and  antenna  still  more 

enlarged  (original).  othcr  wiutcr  rcstiug  placc  than  the  hop  vine, 


Fig.  31.  Phorodon  humuli,  first  migrant  from  plam,  third  generation,  enlarged;  head  at  side  still  more 
enlarged  (original). 


134 


and  after  very  careful  and  jjersistent  investigation,  in  which  I  have  had 
the  cooperation  of  several  of  my  assistants,  the  question  has  been  fully 
and  thoroughly  settled. 

The  facts  in  the  life  history  of  this  insect, 
therefore,  may  be  summed  up  as  follows: 
Hibernating  at  the  present  season  of  the 
year,  the  little  -  glossy,  black,  ovoid  eggs  of 
the  species  are  found  attached  to  the  term- 
inal twigs,  and  especially  in  the  more  or  less 
^  protected  crevices  around  the  buds,  of  dif- 

/L^    _  ^\\  ferent  varieties  and  species  of  Prunus,  both 

\    \  wild  and  cultivated.     From  this  winter-egg 

there  hatches  a  stem-mother  (Fig.  30),  which 
is  characterized  by  being  somewhat  stouter, 
with  shorter  legs  and  honey  tubes  than  in 
the  individuals  of  any  other  generation. 

Three  parthenogenetic  generations  are 
produced  upon  Prunus,  the  third  becoming 
winged  (Fig.  31).  This  last  is  what  my  late  friend  Lichtenstein  called 
the  pseudogyna  or  migrant,  and  it  instinctively  flies  to  the  hop-plant, 
which  is  entirely  free  from  attack  during  the  development  of  the  three 
generations  upon  Plum.     A  number  of  parthenogenetic  generations  are 


32.  Phorodmi  humuli,  true  sexual 
female,  enlarged  (original). 


Fig.  33.  Phorodmi  humuli,  male,  enlarged  (original). 

produced  upon  the  Hop  until  in  autumn,  and  particularly  during  the 
month  of  September  winged  females  are  again  produced.  This  is  the 
pupifera  of  Lichtenstein  or  return  migrant,  and  she  instinctively  re- 
turns to  the  Plum.  Here  she  at  once  settles  and  in  the  course  of  a 
few  days,  according  as  the  weather  permits,  produces  some  three  or 
more  young.     These  are  destined  never  to  become  winged  and  are  true 


skin  of  female  which  laid  them— enlarged 
(original) 


135 

sexual  females  (Fig.  32).  Somewhat  later,  on  the  Hop,  the  true  winged 
male  (Fig.  33),  and  the  only  male  of  the  whole  series,  is  developed,  and 
these  males  also  congregate  upon  the  Plum,  on  the  leaves  of  which  toward 

the  end  of  the  season  they  may  be 
found  pairing  with  the  wingless  fe- 
males, which  stock  tlie  twigs  with 
the  winter  eggs  (Fig.  34).  Such, 
briefly,  is  the  life  history.  Twelve 
generations  may  be  produced  dur- 
ing the  year,  but  there  is  great  ir- 
regularity in  the  development  of 
these  generations  and  the  return 

Fig.  34.  Phorodon  htirmdi,  eggs  and  shriveled         migrant  from  the  Hop  iS  produCCd 

at  the  the  end  of  the  season  whether 
from  individuals  of  the  fourth  or 
tifth  generation,  or  of  the  twelfth.  As  I  have  remarked  elsewhere* 
"'each  parthenogenetic  female  is  capable  of  producing  on  an  average 
one  hundred  young  (the  stem-mother  probably  being  more  prolific),  at 
the  rate  of  one  to  six,  or  an  average  of  three  per  day,  under  favorable 
conditions.  Each  generation  begins  to  breed  about  the  eighth  day  after 
birth,  so  that  the  issue  from  a  single  individual  easily  runs  up,  in  the 
course  of  the  summer,  to  trillions.  The  number  of  leaves  (seven  hun- 
dred hills,  each  with  two  poles  and  two  vines)  to  an  acre  of  hops,  as 
grown  in  the  United  States,  will  not,  on  the  average,  much  exceed  a 
million  before  the  period  of  blooming  or  burning;  so  that  the  issue  from 
a  single  stem-mother  may,  under  iavoring  circumstances,  blight  hun- 
dreds of  acres  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  months. 

"  While  meteorological  conditions  may  materially  affect  the  increase 
and  power  for  injury  of  the  species,  these  are  far  more  truly  predeter- 
mined and  influenced  by  its  natural  enemies,  many  of  which  have  been 
studied  and  will  be  described. 

"  The  slight  colorational  differences,  as  also  the  structural  differences, 
including  the  variation  in  the  tubercles  or  cornicles  on  head  and  basal 
joints  of  anteun*,  whether  upon  Plum  or  Hop,  are  peculiarities  of  brood 
and  have  no  specific  importance  whatever. 

"  The  exact  knowledge  thus  gained  simplifies  the  protection  of  the 
hop  plant  from  Phorodon  attack.  Preventive  measures  should  consist 
in  destroying  the  insect  on  Plum  in  early  spring  where  the  cultivation 
of  this  fruit  is  desired,  and  the  extermination  of  the  wild  trees  in  the 
woods  wherever  the  hop  interest  is  paramount ;  also  in  avoiding  the  in- 
troduction of  the  pest  into  new  hop  countries  in  the  egg  state  upon 
plum  cuttings  or  scions.  Direct  treatment  is  simplified  by  the  fact  that 
the  careful  grower  is  independent  of  slovenly  neighbors,  infection  from 
one  hop  yard  to  another  not  taking  place." 

The  bearing  of  these  facts  will  probably  best  be  brought  home  to 

*  Paper  read  before  the  British  Association,  Manchester,  September  2,  1H87. 


136 

you  by  the  statement  that  bitberto  hop-growers  have  been  groping  in 
the  dark  and  working  to  prevent  injuries  by  appbcations  to  the  soil. 
In  fact,  the  English  hop  growers  have  been  led  by  their  very  best  au- 
thorities to  waste  their  energies  in  this  direction.  The  importance  of 
the  matter  will  appear  when  I  state  that  the  hop  crop,  which  is  quite 
an  important  one  in  some  parts  of  this  country,  and  especially  impor- 
tant in  some  parts  of  Europe,  annually  suffers  from  the  ravages  of  this 
its  worst  insect  enemy,  and  some  years  is  rendered  a  total  failure  by  it. 
Further,  that  some  parts  of  this  country,  as  the  Pacific  coast,  are  yet 
free  from  it  and  that  hop  growers  thereby  being  forewarned  may  pre- 
vent its  introduction  from  the  East  or  irom  Europe,  as  there  is  ver^'  little 
doubt  in  my  mind  but  that  the  insect  has  been  introduced  from  one 
country  to  another  in  the  egg  state  upon  plum  scions,  as  it  may  easily 
be  transported  from  place  to  place  in  this  manner.  I  had  the  pleasure 
during  September  and  the  early  part  of  last  October  to  finish  up  the 
investigation  and  follow  out  the  closing  scenes  in  the  life  history  of  this 
species  in  the  county  of  Kent,  England,  while  some  of  my  assistants 
were  doing  the  same  thing  in  Herkimer  County,  New  York,  and  the  facts 
independently  obtained  correspond  in  a  remarkable  manner,  thus  con- 
firming and  strengthening  the  conclusion  which  I  have  indicated  to  you. 

SUMMARY. 

All  three  of  the  species  which  I  have  brought  to  your  notice  have 
been  imported  to  this  country  from  other  countries,  and  this  is  the  case 
with  the  vast  majority  of  the  worst  weeds  and  insects  of  American 
agriculture.  I  should  naturally  be  led,  in  closing,  to  some  considera- 
tions growing  out  of  this  interesting  fact;  for  it  is  noteworthy  that  such 
introduced  species  often,  and  indeed  as  a  rule,  outstrip  the  native  spe- 
cies in  the  struggle  for  existence,  and  become  abnormally  destructive 
to  cultivated  crops.  In  America  and  the  other  newer,  but,  geologically 
speaking,  older,  parts  of  the  world,  as  Australia,  one  reason  for  this 
state  of  things  is  patent,  viz,  the  fact  that  the  natural  enemies  of  the 
species  are,  as  a  rule,  not  brought  with  it,  so  that  it  has  much  freer 
play  in  its  reproductive  powers  than  it  has  in  its  native  country  where 
such  natural  checks  occur.  But  there  are  other  just  as  potent  facts 
which  tend  to  bring  about  the  greater  destructiveness  of  introduced 
species  in  the  countries  mentioned,  and  one  that  has  not  been  fully 
realized  has  always  struck  me  with  much  force.  It  is  this,  that  most 
of  such  species  are  introduced  from  Europe  or  the  older  civilizations 
where,  on  evolutional  grounds,  it  is  natural  to  suppose  that  they  are 
the  very  species  which  have  become  accustomed  to  the  civilized  condi- 
tions induced  during  so  many  centuries.  In  other  words,  the  species 
which  most  abound  and  have  most  successfully  accommodated  them- 
selves to  such  artificial  conditions,  have,  in  the  geologically  brief  period 
of  man's  pre-eminence,  acquired  advantages  over  species  which  have 


137 

not  been  submitted  to  such  environment.  The  former,  when  brought 
into  competition  with  the  latter,  nnder  such  conditions,  rapidly  out- 
number them  and  get  the  upperhand. 


THE  FOOD  HABITS  OF  THE  THRIPID^. 

By  Herbert  Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa. 

In  general  the  food  habits  of  all  the  species  in  any  circumscribed  group 
of  animals  will  be  found  to  agree  quite  closely,  and  any  departure  from 
such  unity  of  habit  will  furuish  interesting,  often  important,  subjects 
of  study. 

In  the  Thripidce  we  have  a  small  group  of  insects  remarkably  well 
defined  and  agreeiug  so  closely  iu  structural  characters  that  we  would 
expect  in  them  very  close  uniformity  in  food  habits.  Nevertheless, 
there  has  been  wide  difterence  of  opinion  upon  this  point,  some  believing 
them  to  be  essentially  herbivorous,  while  others  have  held  for  all,  or 
some,  of  the  species  a  carnivorous  diet. 

In  the  Canadian  Entomologist  for  1883  (Vol.  XV,  p.  151),  I  have  pre- 
sented a  brief  resume  of  the  American  species,  with  some  notes  regard- 
ing food  habits.  Since  then  I  have  made  such  observations  as  possible 
and  have  also  collected  testimony  from  various  sources,  so  that  it  seems 
to  me  possible  to  present  sufficient  evidence  to  warrant  a  conclusion 
approximating  the  truth. 

Without  repeating  the  substance  of  my  paper  iu  the  Canadian  Ento- 
mologist, I  may  state  in  brief  the  most  important  sources  of  evidence 
there  referred  to. 

Mr.  Haliday,  whose  monograph  of  the  European  species  has  been  the 
foundation  for  all  subsequent  work,  treats  them  as  herbivorous,  as  does 
also  Westwood  in  the  "  Classification." 

In  this  country  Dr.  Fitch,  Dr.  Packard,  and  Professor  Comstock  have 
described  species  as  injurious  to  plants. 

Mr.  Walsh  held  strongly  to  the  belief  that  they  were  carnivorous,  and 
I  will  here  state  his  arguments  in  full.  In  the  proceedings  of  the  En- 
tomological Society  of  Philadelphia  he  says  : 

Ou  June  8  I  noticed  a  few  imagos  of  a  large  Tlirip  in  some  galls  of  P.  carycefoliw 
■wliicli  were  at  that  time  full  of  their  normal  tenants ;  ou  June  22  I  noticed  in  galls  of 
the  same  insect  on  the  same  trees  many  red  pupje,  apparently  of  the  same  Thrips, 
which  seems  to  have  supplanted  or  exterminated  the  Phylloxerw,  for  almost  every 
gall  contained  six  or  seven  Thripid  pup^  and  but  very  few  Phylloxerw, 

In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Philadelphia  (Vol. 
Ill,  pp.  611-12),  he  says: 

What  is  the  cause  of  this  phenomenon  (the  absence  of  larvse  in  Cecidomyian  galls) 

I  can  not  say  with  certainty,  but  I  suspect  that  the  egg  or  the  very  young  larvse  of 

the  "gall-gnat"  is  to  a  great  extent  destroyed  within  the  gall  by  being  punctured 

and  sucked  by  some  iusect  foe  ;  and  that  that  foe  probably  belongs  to  Thripidae. 

10332— No.  5 2 


138 

Authors  have  hitherto  always  considered  this  remarkable  family  as  vegetable-feed- 
ing, but  from  many  facts  which  I  have  observed,  one  of  which  I  have  recorded  (Proc. 
Eut.  Soc.  Phila.,  I,  p.  310).  I  believe  that  they  are  generally,  if  not  universally, 
insectivorous,  and  that  those  that  occur  on  the  ears  of  wheat,  both  in  the  United 
States  and  in  Europe,  are  preying  there  upon  the  eggs  or  the  larva?  of  the  Wheat 
Midge  {Cec.  tritici),  and  are  consequently  not  the  foes,  as  has  been  generally  imagined, 
but  the  friends  of  the  farmer.  In  confirmation  of  these  views,  it  may  be  remarked 
that  the  very  same  species  (Thrips  cerealiuin),  which  has  been  stated  by  all  European 
authors  to  attack  the  ears  of  the  wheat,  was  found  by  Vasali  Eandi  in  Italy  "to  gnaw 
the  stems  of  the  wheat  above  the  knots  and  cause  the  abortion  of  the  ear."  (See 
Westw.,  Intr.,  II,  p.  4.)  Is  it  probable  that  the  same  species  should  attack  the  same 
plant  in  two  such  very  different  parts?  I  believe  that  the  Italian  Thrips  were  attack- 
ing Hessian  Flies  (Cec.  destructor')  or  some  such  wheat-destroying  insects  that  inhabit 
^'  the  stem  above  the  knots,"  and  that  it  was  these  last  and  not  the  Thrips  that  caused 
the  "  abortion  of  the  ear."  The  Thrips  that  were  supposed  to  do  so  much  damage  in 
Wisconsin,  as  related  by  Dr.  Fitch  (N.  Y.  Kep.,  I,  p.  304),  were  said  to  attack  both 
the  blossoms  of  the  wheat  and  the  blossoms  of  the  clover.  But  it  is  not  the  genera- 
habit  of  insects  to  prey  at  the  same  time  upon  two  plants  which  are  so  widely  dis. 
tinct  as  wheat  and  clover — the  one  Monocotyledonous,  the  other  Dicotyledonousl 
Even  the  Polyphagous  army  worm  refuses  to  eat  clover. 

Now,  as  already  stated,  I  have  myself  noticed  several  Thrips  in  June  both  in 
the  larva  and  imago  state  on  the  Cecidomyidous  gall  *S'.  anigma,  and  have  raised  the 
larva  to  maturity  in  a  breeding-jar  in  which  there  was  nothing  but  that  gall.  More- 
over, Dr.  Fitch  found  his  Phlaothrips  carya'  in  hickory  galls,  which  are  mauifestly 
either  closely  allied  to  or  identical  with  the  Cecidomyidous  hickory  gall  Tnbicola  O. 
S.,  though  he  doubts  whether  these  galls  were  produced  by  the  Thrips  or  by  some  other 
insect  (N.  Y.  Rep.  II,  p.  127),  and  Osteu  Sackeu  observes  of  the  galls  of  the  Cecido- 
myidous Lasioptera  vitis  O.  S.  that  some  of  the  galls'  hollows  are  often  abandoned 
by  their  inmates  and  invaded  by  numerous  Thrips.     (Dipt.  N.  A.,  p.  201.) 

lu  Practical  Entomologist,  Vol.  I,  p.  21,  he  says : 

I  do  not  believe  that  the  Thrips  of  entomologists  are,  as  has  hitherto  been  uni- 
versally believed,  vegetable  feeders  ;  but  tbat,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  cannibal 
insects,  preying  upon  injurious  larva^,  and  therefore  the  friends  and  not  the  foes  of 
the  agriculturist. 

Still  further  in  the  Practical  Entomologist,  Vol.  II.  p.  50: 
Naturalists  hitherto  had  always  supposed  that  these  Thrips  were  vegetable 
feeders  and  injurious  to  plants.  In  the  Proceedings  (Entom.  Soc.  Phil.,  Ill,  pp.  611, 
612)  I  suggested  "  that  they  are  generally,  if  not  universally,  insectivorous,  and  that 
those  that  occur  on  the  ears  of  the  wheat,  both  in  the  United  States  and  in  Europe, 
are  preying  there  upon  the  eggs  or  larva?  of  the  Wheat  Midge  {DijyJosis  tritici),  and 
are  consequently  not  the  foes,  as  has  been  generally  imagined,  but  the  friends  of  the 
farmer.  "  At  the  conclusion  of  this  passage  I  gave  several  reasons  for  my  belief,  and 
I  have  since  found  Thrips  preying  upon  the  gall-making  larva?  of  more  than  twenty 
different  galls,  growing  on  different  trees  and  other  plants,  so  that  there  is  now  no 
manner  of  doubt  in  my  mind  that  Thrips  is  a  true  cannibal  insect.  The  importance 
of  this  discovery  may  be  seen  at  once.  The  larva?  of  a  minute  Flea-beetle  (HaUica) 
often  grieviously  infests  clover  blossoms,  feeding  upon  and  destroying  a  large  portion 
of  the  seed.     A  Thrips  occurs  also  sometimes  in  large  numbers  ou  these  blossoms. 

Hitherto  farmers,  when  they  detected  Thrips  on  their  clover,  had  supposed  that  a 
new  enemy  was  invading  it.  Now,  when  they  see  the  Thrips  there,  they  may  go  to 
bed  and  sleep  comfortably,  satisfied  that  the  depredations  of  the  real  enemy  are  about 
to  be  checked :  and  in  the  same  way,  whenever  in  wheat  fields  infested  by  the  larvae 
of  the  Wheat  Midge  (popularly  known  in  the  East  as  the  "Milk  Weevil"  and  in  the 
West  as  the  "Red  Weevil")  Thrips  are  discovered  in  the  ears  of  the  infested  grain, 


139 

the  farmer  may  know  that  a  friend  has  come  to  his  rescue,  and  that  the  Great  Author 
of  Nature  is  saying  to  the  littls  pest,  through  the  mouth  of  the  minute  and  almost 
microscopic  insect  Avhich  He  has  appointed  to  do  His  work,  "Thus  far  shalt  thou  go, 
but  uo  farther,  and  here  shall  this  grievous  plague  of  flies  be  stayed." 

I  may  remark  here  that  I  have  found  a  few  Thrips  hauutiug  the  leaf  galls,  which 
have  so  abounded  everywhere,  in  1866,  on  the  Clinton  grape-vine,  and  which  have 
been  named  vitifoliw  by  Dr.  Fitch.  There  can  be  but  little  doubt  that  they  were  prey- 
ing here  upon  the  minute  bark-louse,  which  produces  thisleaf-gall.  I  have  also  noticed 
them  to  be  very  abundant  in  the  flowers  of  the  Bracted  Bind- weed  (Cahfstegia  septum). 
As  a  small  plant-feeding  beetle  (the  Conotehis  ohscnrus  of  Erichson)  also  occurs  in 
great  numbers  in  the  same  flowers,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  Thrips  may  feed 
.upon  its  larv;B. 

In  speaking  of  the  natural  enemies  of  the,  Phylloxera,  Dr.  Eiley  says 
(Mo.  Kept.,  YI,  pp.  50,51): 

The  most  efficient  is  a  black  species  of  Fringe-wing  or  Thrips,  with  white  wings — 
Tliripa  phylloxera-  of  my  MS.  The  egg,  which  is  thrice  as  large  as  that  of  the  louse, 
ellipsoidal,  and  with  a  facetted  surface,  is  deposited  within  the  gall  among  its  legiti- 
mate inhabitants,  and  the  young  Thrips,  which  differ  from  their  parents  not  only  in 
lacking  wings,  but  in  being  of  a  blood-red  color,  with  only  the  extremities  and  the 
members  black,  play  havoc  with  the  lice.  They  are  active,  supple  creatures,  and 
turn  up  menacingly  the  posterior  part  of  the  body  when  disturbed.  They  are  found 
in  several  different  kinds  of  Phylloxera  galls,  and  do  more  than  any  other  species  to 
keep  the  leaf-inhabiting  grape  Phylloxera  within  bounds. 

Mr.  Pergande,  whose  acquaintance  with  the  Thripidje  is  very  exten- 
sive, writes  in  Psyche  (III,  p.  3G9) : 

That  many  species  of  the  Thrips  are  vegetable  feeders  in  some  of  their  stages  has 
long  been  well  known,  and  I  have  seen  numerous  species  on  all  kinds  and  all  parts  of 
plants,  and  some  of  these  Thrips  I  have  seen  in  the  act  of  feeding,  but  I  have  also  ob- 
served that  not  all  species  have  entirely  the  same  habit,  and  that  some  in  one  stage  or 
another  are  carnivorous.  Especially  have  I  noted  this  to  be  the  case  with  a  species 
which  is  frequently  found  upon  the  leaves  of  Platauus  and  upon  other  plants  which 
are  badly  infested  with  Tetranychiis  telariiis,  upon  the  adults  and  young,  and  probably 
also  upon  the  eggs,  of  which  these  Thrips  feed.  It  may  also  turn  out  that  two  or 
three  species  which  swarm  in  great  numbers  in  the  blossoms  of  clover,  which  are 
usually  full  of  the  eggs  and  larva?  of  Cecidonujia  leguminicola,  are  particularly  car- 
nivorous, and  further  observations  may  prove  that  they  mainly  search  and  feed  upon 
the  Cecidomyia.  I  may  also  mention  here  that  this  year,  as  late  as  November  14,  after 
several  quite  cold  days,  I  found  for  the  first  time  Heliothrips  hamorrhoidalis  BouchS 
on  apple  leaves  in  the  orchard  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture,  as 
lively  and  active  as  in  hot-houses,  where  this  species  was  only  observed  previously. 
I  may  also  mention  the  presence  of  Heliothrips  dracauxe  Heg.  in  the  conservatory  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  an  insect  which  is  reported  as  doing  immense  damao-e  to 
Draccenas  in  hot-houses  in  different  parts  of  Europe. 

In  188G  Di.  Karl  Liudeman  published  results  of  his  studies  on  the 
Thrips  in  Eussia,  and  treats  of  five  species  as  infesting  various  plants. 

Thrips  secalina  Lindeman,  a  new  species  infesting  and  subsisting  upon 
grain  and  Timothy  grass. 

Phloeotlirips  frumentaria  Bel.,  in  ears  of  corn,  the  larvre  sucking  its 
food  from  the  plant. 

Chirothrips  antennata  Osborn,  a  species  that  was  first  discovered  by 


140 

the  writer  in  heads  of  Timothy  grass  in  Iowa,  and  next  recorded  by 
Liudeman  as  living  on  the  same  and  other  plants  at  Moscow. 
Aptinothrips  rufa  Hal.,  he  states  to  subsist  upon  grasses  and  compo- 

sitiTB. 

Phlceothrips  armaia  Lindemau,  is  a  new  species  that  lie  describes  as 
affecting  Anthemis  tinctoria,  Chrysanthemum  leucanthejnum,  and  other 
plants. 

Professor  Lintner  included  Limothrips  {Thrips)  tritici  Fitch  in  his  lists 
of  clover  insects  (Report  of  New  York  Agricultural  Society  for  1881-82, 
p.  192),  and  also  mentions  a  "  Thrips  sp."  in  the  same  connection. 

In  Prof.  W.  J.  Beal's  Grasses  of  North  America,  Professor  Cook,  in 
chapter  on  insects,  page  375,  says  of  Thripidfe  : 

The  past  season  I  have  found  three  species,  one  black,  one  light  yellow,  and  one 
bright  red,  all  to  be  verj^  abundant  on  the  clover  blossoms,  yet  I  could  not  see  that 
they  were  greatly  injurious. 

Further,  page  40 L  of  same  work,  in  regard  to  grass  withering  in  sum- 
mer : 

This  is  more  likely  due  to  species  of  Thrips,  three  of  which  I  have  taken  from  the 
culms. 

Professor  Cook  also  informs  me  that  Professor  Fernald  has  described 
the  attacks  of  one  species  on  grass,  but  I  have  not  the  reference  at  hand ; 
and  also  that  he  has  dissected  Thripidfe,  and  found  their  stomachs  to 
contain  grains  of  pollen. 

The  species  referred  to  as  attacking  grass  may  very  likely  be  the 
same  as  credited  with  destroying  grass  by  Professor  Comstock,  and 
given  the  manuscript  name  of  Limothrips poaphagus. 

Since  presenting  the  statements  in  my  paper  published  in  1883  1 
have  watched  every  season  the  work  of  the  common  species  at  Ames, 
and  especially  in  clover  heads  have  noted  the  operations  of  thousands 
of  individuals.  In  all  these  observations  I  have  not  seen  a  single  example 
of  Cecidomyia  larva  or  anything  to  indicate  attack  upon  these  or  any 
other  insects.  On  the  contrary,  as  recorded  in  my  report  to  Professor 
Eiley  for  1887  (Rep.  Dep.  Ag.,  1887),  I  have  seen  the  Thripida?  fall  a  prey 
to  the  Insidious  Flower  Bug  {Thriphleps  insidiosus).  I  feel  pretty  well 
convinced,  therefore,  that  whatever  they  may  do  when  Cecidomyia  larvi© 
are  present,  they  must  be  able  to  live  without  them,  and  it  seems  almost 
certain  that  they  subsist  upon  the  tissues  of  the  clover  itself,  since  they 
occur  in  all  stages  of  development.  I  have  also  observed  a  species  re- 
sembling tntici  in  Wild  Morning-glory  blossoms,  Fitch's  Phlceothrips 
mali  on  grape  leaves,  and  what  is  presumably  his  Coleothrips  trifasciata 
(though  my  specimens  dilier  in  certain  characters  given  generic  impor- 
tance) on  a  common  weed,  and  in  none  of  these  species  have  I  seen 
evidence  of  feeding  upon  anything  but  the  plant  or  its  secretions.  Last 
summer  (1887)  I  collected  an  undescribed  species  from  the  leaves  of  hop 
in  Wisconsin.  Individuals  of  various  sizes,  mostly  larvte,  being  found 
more  or  less  clustered  together  on  the  leaves,  and  there  seemed  to  be 


141 

scarcely  an  opportunity  to  doubt  that  they  were  subsisting  upon  the 
plant.  A  species  which  agrees  with  P.  nigra  Osborn  in  every  respect, 
so  far  as  I  can  see,  but  in  larval  and  pupal  characters,  occurs  commonly 
on  Mullein,  and  this  species  I  have  bred  from  egg  to  imago  with  no  other 
food  than  that  received  from  the  mullein  leaf,  the  injury  to  the  leaf 
showing  as  yellow  blotches,  similar  to  those  produced  by  Tetranychus 
telarius.  1  can  therefore  state  positively  that  this  species  can  mature 
upon  purely  vegetable  diet.  The  leaves  were  kept  in  water  in  my  office 
under  constant  observation,  and  the  Thrips  developed  to  maturity  on 
the  same  leaves  that  the  eggs  were  deposited  upon  by  the  adults. 

The  following  summary  of  the  species  whose  food  habits  have  been 
noted  will  show  the  state  of  our  knowledge  so  far  as  the  different  species 
are  concerned  and  the  records  of  which  have  come  to  my  notice : 

Phloeothrips  mali  Fitch,  gouging  iuto  youug  apples  (Fitch). 

Phlocothrips  caryw  Fitch,  iu  hickory  galls,  food  ?  (Fitch). 

Phloeothrips  nigra  Osborn,  lives  in  clover  heads. 

Phloeothrips  sp.  near  nigra,  feeding  on  leaves  and  blossoms  of  Mullein. 

Phloeothrips  frumentaria  Bel.,  larvfe  suck  grain  in  the  ear  (Lindemau). 

Phlreothrips  armata  Liudenian,  aftectiug  Compos) tie  and  Grasses  (Lindeman). 

Thrips  tritici  Fitch,  injurious  to  wheat  and  clover  (Fitch),  attacking  styles  of  apple 

blossoms  (Osborn),  injuring  strawberry  (various  writers). 
Tlirips  rerealium  Hal.,  very  destructive  to  wheat  in  Europe  (Kirby,  Curtis,  et  al.). 
Thrips  miiiutissimiis  L.,  infests  potato  (Curtis). 
Thrips  ochraceous,  destructive  to  melons,  etc.  (Westwood,  Curtis). 
Thrips  striatus  Osborn,  "  destroys  onion  plants  "  (Packard)."* 
Thrips  sp.,  very  injurious  to  olive  trees  (Westwood). 
Tlirips  sp.,  living  on  leaves  of  hop. 

Limothrips  poaphagus  Comstock  MS.,  affecting  grass  (Comstock  et  al.). 
Limothrips  graminea  Pergande  MS.,  affects  corn,  wheat,  and  grass  (Pergande,  Forbes 

in  lit.). 
Heliothrips  hcemorrhoidalis  Bouch^,  injuriousin  greenhouses  and  on  apple. 
Heliothrips  dracwiue,  H-jg.,  reported  very  destructive  in  hot-houses  (Pergande). 
Heliothrips  adoniclum  -dracaince.  (?)  infests  greenhouse  plants  (Westwood). 
Chirothrips  antennata  Osborn,  iu  timothy  heads    (Osborn),  timothy,  wheat,  and  rye 

(Lindeman). 
Aptinothrij>s  rufa,  subsisting  upon  Grass  and  Compositse  (Lindeman). 
Coleothrips  trifasciata  Fitch,  injurious  to  wheat  (Fitch,  Packard). 

The  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from  the  evidence  at  hand  seems  to  me  as 
follows  : 

That  the  Thripid.ne  as  a  group  are  normally  herbivorous,  and  their 
presence  on  cultivated  plants  is  a  source  of  danger. 

That  they  feed  mainly  on  the  exuded  nectar  or  secretions  of  plants, 
when  these  are  abundant,  and  on  pollen,  and  at  such  times  may  do  little 
or  no  damage. 

That  they  will  upon  occasion  attack  the  tissues  of  the  leaves  or  the 
essential  parts  of  the  blossom  and  pierce  them  for  their  contents,  and 
at  such  times  may  cause  serious  damage. 

*  Packard  also  mentions  this  species  ;'Entom.  for  Beginners,  p.  197)  as  injurious  to 
wheat,  but  I  think  it  must  be  an  error,  and  Thrips  tritici  intended  instead. 


142 

That  of  the  recorded  species  there  are  two  at  least  which  must  be 
looked  upou  as  carnivorous,  in  certain  stages  at  least.  The  species 
here  recorded  by  Mr.  Walsh  and  Dr.  Eiley  as  infesting  Phylloxera  galls, 
and  the  one  recorded  by  Mr.  Pergaude  as  destroying  Tetranychus. 

The  attacks  of  Thrips  upon  PhyJIoxet-fc  seem  explicable  to  me  without 
supposing  them,  as  Mr.  Walsh  did,  essentially  carnivorous.  For,  sup- 
posing that  they  first  entered  the  gall  to  feed  upon  the  exuded  sap  there, 
or  the  soft  tissues  so  available  for  their  use,  it  would  not  be  a  great 
change  for  them  to  feed  upon  the  exudations  from  the  lice,  aud  later,  if 
pressed  for  food,  upou  the  lice  themselves.  This  view  may  be  errone- 
ous, but  it  seems  to  me  reasonable,  though  I  have  been  unable  to  make 
observations  to  confirm  it,  because  in  all  the  galls  of  Phylloxerce  I  have 
examined  I  have  not  as  yet  found  Thrips  present.  It  seems  to  me  that 
we  must  consider  the  carnivorous  diet,  where  present,  as  an  acquired 
habit,  or  one  but  receutly  developed  in  the  species,  and  that  for  all 
species  upon  which  no  positive  observations  have  been  made  that  the 
only  safe  ground  to  take  is  that  they  are  a  source  of  danger  to  culti- 
vated plants;  that  is,  to  believe  them  injurious  until  they  are  proven 
beneficial. 

The  difficulty  of  making  positive  observations  on  the  food  habits  of 
these  minute  creatures  makes  a  general  law  regarding  their  habits  very 
desirable,  and  I  hope  that  evidence  may  accumulate  which  will  enable 
us  to  determine  still  more  certainly  what  is  the  actual  relation  which 
these  insects  bear  to  other  organisms. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

Danger  to  Human  Beings  from  Use  of  Paris  Green. 

Thanks  for  Nos.  1  .and  2  of  "Insect  Life."  Your  publications  are  great  public  edu- 
cators aud  special  aids  to  farmers.  A  more  thorough  knowledge  of  our  friends  aud 
foes  among  insects  aud  birds  would  increase  our  farm  products.  We  hope  you  may 
tind-out  iusecticides  whicli  are  less  dangerous  to  humanity  than  arsenic.  Two  cases 
of  serious  illness,  but  not  fatal,  have  occurred  in  our  neighborhood — one  from  eating 
strawberries  planted  alternately  witb  potatoes  which  had  been  dusted  with  Paris  green, 
aud  the  other  from  eating  raspberries  adjoining  the  potato  patch,  from  which  thepoison 
had  blown.  We  hope  that  Congress  will  make  all  necessary  appropriations  for  the 
carrying  on  of  the  good  work. — [R.  Bingham,  Camden,  N.  J.,  September  22,  1888. 

Reply. — *  »  *  i  am  glad  to  get  the  account  cf  the  two  cases  of  poisoning  from 
the  treatment  of  potatoes  by  Paris  green,  and  agree  with  you  that  a  less  dangerous 
remedy  would  be  good.  With  proper  care,  however,  there  is  very  little  danger,  and 
in  both  the  instances  which  you  mention  the  application  was  evidently  very  care- 
lessly made. — [September  25,  1888.] 

The  Clover  Seed-midge  in  Ohio. 

Will  you  please  tell  me  the  name  of  the  "  worms'"  that  I  send  by  the  same  mail 
with  this  letter  ?  They  were  in  the  second  crop  of  clover  this  season  on  my  brother's 
faim.     He  would  cut  enough  of  the  clover  in  the  morning  to  feed   twelve  cows  at 


14:^ 

night,  and  let  it  lie  in  the  wagon  all  day,  and  when  he  took  it  out  at  night  the  wagon 
box  would  be  literally  pink  with  them,  they  were  so  numerous.  This  was  about  the 
middle  of  August.  I  was  away  from  home  at  the  time,  but  he  put  some  of  them  in 
a  box  to  keep  until  I  returned.  I  thought  perhaps  they  were  so  well  preserved  you 
could  identify  them.  *■  *  *  Last  year  we  had  the  Chiuch  Kug,  but  I  have  only 
seen  a  very  few  of  them  this  year. — [Miss  E.  J.  Phillips,  Chagrin  Falls,  Cuyahoga 
County,  Ohio,  September  21,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  insect  which  you  send  this  time  is  a  common  Clover  Seed- 
Midge  (Cecidomyia  leguminicola  Lintuer).  This  insect  was  first  discovered  by  Prof.  J. 
A.  Liutner  in  1878  in  New  York  State,  but  has  since  been  found  as  far  West  as  Wis- 
consin and  north  into  Canada  and  south  into  Northern  Virginia,  so  it  is  not  at  all 
strange  tbat^it  should  occur  in  your  vicinity.  It  is  jiarticularly  destructive  to  the 
clover-seed  crop,  but  does  not  injure  the  quality  of  the  hay.  The  insect  was  treated 
in  the  Annual  Reports  of  this  Department  for  1878  and  1879  and  also  in  Bulletin  12  of 
this  Division.  A  very  satisfactory  remedy  consists  in  cutting  the  tirstcrop  of  clover 
from  two  to  three  weeks  before  the  ordinary  time,  thus  allowing  that  generation  of 
the  maggots  no  opportunity  to  mature. — [September  2'),  1888.] 

Formula  for  a  Buffalo  Gnat  Application. 

As  I  planted  on  the  Mississippi  River  many  years  ago,  I  think  my  experience  with 
Buft'alo  Gnats  may  be  useful  to  others,  as  I  never  lost  by  them. 

In  the  fall  I  always  caught  a  quantity  of  fish  with  a  seine,  and  got  a  quantity  of 
oil  from  the  oflfal.  Early  in  the  spring  I  put  5  pounds  of  roll  sulphur  in  a  large  iron 
pot,  and  when  melted  poured  in  2  gallons  of  pine-tar,  stirring  and  taking  the  pot  from 
the  fire,  and  stirred  in  5  gallons  of  fish  oil  until  it  was  cool. 

When  the  season  came  for  gnats,  each  plowman  was  provided  with  a  gourd  con- 
taining a  pint  or  two,  which  he  hung  up  at  the  end  of  his  row,  and  was  instructed 
to  examine  the  throat  just  behind  the  jaw,  where  they  first  attack.  As  soon  as  he 
observed  any  gnats,  he  passed  the  alarm  along  the  line,  and  every  plowman  smeared 
the  mixture  over  the  nostrils,  throat,  and  flanks  of  his  animal.  I  protected  my  work- 
oxen  the  same  way.  The  stock  cattle  were  protected  by  smoke,  or  by  lying  on  the 
sand-bars  left  by  the  river.  I  always  had  everything  ready  for  the  gnats,  and  as  I 
protected  my  animals  instantly  I  never  had  any  animals  injured  by  them. — [P.  H. 
Skipwith,  Oxford,  Miss.,  August  30,  1887. 

The  Acid  Secretion  of  Notodonta  Concinna. 

In  rearing  a  brood  of  caterpillars,  figured  in  Harris'  work  as  "Red  Hump"  {Xoto- 
donta  concinna),  I  discovered  that  they  had  the  power  to  emit  quite  a  quantity  of 
strong  hydrochloric  acid,  strong  enough  to  be  decidedly  corrosive  to  the  skin  and 
easily  perceptible  in  the  atmosphere.  This  act  was  often  performed  when  suddenly 
disturbed,  and  was  noticed  only  in  the  older  ones,  though  it  might  have  been  present 
when  yuunger,  but,  if  so,  was  unnoticed.  As  I  find  no  mention  of  this  power  in  any 
of  the  works  at  ray  disposal,  I  referred  the  matter  to  you,  feeling,  if  not  known  be- 
fore, you  would  be  interested  in  it. — [Charles  S.  Denham,  East  Pepperell,  Mass.,  Au- 
gust 22,  1887. 

Reply.—*  *  *  So  far  as  we  can  learn  this  acid  secretion  has  not  been  noticed 
in  print  in  reference  to  this  particular  species;  but  it  is  well  known  that  many  of  the 
Philodontid  larvaj  allied  to  it  have  the  power  of  ejecting  from  glands  between  the 
head  and  first  segment  such  an  acid  liquid  or  vapor.  A  number  of  articles  have  ap- 
peared in  the  last  two  years  in  European  entomological  magazines  in  reference  to 
this  secretion,  and  we  have  noticed  it  in  some  four  or  five  of  our  native  species. 


144 

Out-of-door  Hibernation  of  Lecanium  hemisphaericum  in  Pennsylvania. 

About  a  year  ago,  I  sent  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  specimens  of  Lecanium 
which  were  pronounced  hemisphcsricum,  which  had  infested  an  outdoor  cucurbitous 
plant,  from  about  the  Ist  of  July  until  late  in  October,  when  the  plant  was  removed 
(1886).  After  the  plant  (or  plants)  was  removed  I  observed  that  about  a  dozen  of  the 
adult  females  had  located  on  an  upright  support  of  the  arbor,  where  they  remained  all 
winter.  They  were  not  examined  until  late  in  the  following  spring  (1887),  perhaps  the 
1st  of  May,  and  then  I  found  them  all  vacated.  The  plants  came  up  in  great  num- 
bers in  the  spring,  but  my  women  folk  considered  them  a  nuisance  and  removed  every 
one  of  them  from  the  premises.  On  the  spot  formerly  occupied  by  the  vines  my  wife 
set  some  foreign  ferns,  where  they  remained  until  the  advent  of  frost  this  fall,  when 
I  noticed  that  they  were  almost  as  badly  infested  as  the  Echinocystis  was  lastseasou. 
I  also  found  that  a  Japanese  Quince  (Cydonia  japonica),  over  which  these  vines  were 
permitted  to  run  last  year,  were  similarly  infested.  Now,  I  desire  you  to  determine 
whether  these  are  all  the  same  species.  Because,  if  they  are,  then  Lecanium  hemis- 
jjAartcwyji  is  capable  of  an  outdoor  survival  of  the  winter  of  South  Pennsylvania,  which 
may  be  a  matter  of  some  importance  to  know. 

It  may  be  pertinent  to  the  subject  to  state  that  we  have  had  these  ferns  in  our  pos- 
session for  the  past  seven  or  eight  years,  keeping  them  in  the  house  during  winter, 
and  setting  them  out  during  the  summer,  and  I  have  never  noticed  a  single  specimen 
of  Lecanium,  or  any  other  insect,  on  them  until  the  present  season,  and  I  am  confident 
that  I  would  have  noticed  them  sometime  during  the  seven  years  had  they  been  pres- 
ent. My  observations  last  year  demonstrated  that  this  insect  multiplies  prodig- 
iously on  a  curcubitaceous  plant,  and  if  it  can  endure  the  outdoor  winter  with  impu- 
nity it  may  possess  possibilities  that  can  not  be  entirely  ignored.  *  *  *  — [g.  S. 
Rathvon,  Lancaster,  Pa.,  October  29,  1887. 

Eeply. —  #  #  »  I  recollect  perfectly  your  correspondence  of  a  year  ago  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Lecanium  hemisphcsricum  and  a  note  of  the  singular  fact  of  its  outdoor  oc- 
currence was  made  at  the  time  for  publication  in  an  early  bulletin.  It  has  not,  how- 
ever, been  published  as  yet,  and  your  present  observation  will  form  an  interesting 
postscript  to  it.  An  examination  of  the  specimens  sent  this  time  ui)on  tha  fern  shows 
that  they  are  Lecanium  hemisjihwricum,  but  those  upon  the  twig  of  Japanese  Quince 
belong  to  a  different  species — Lecanium  persicce.  The  latter  species  has  long  been 
known  to  infest  peach  and  plum  out  of  doors  as  far  north  as  the  latitude  of  New  York 
City,  but  the  wintering  of  hemis2)ha'ricum  under  the  circumstances  is  of  great  interest. 
I  have  never  seen  this  species  even  in  the  latitude  of  Washington  upon  anything  but 
hot-house  plants.— [November  2,  1887.1 

The  Introduction  of  Lestophonus  iceryae*. 

*  *  *  A  Monophlcebus  which  was  left  in  San  Mateo  on  a  Cherry  Laurel  badly  in- 
fested, showed  by  a  recent  visit  numerous  holes,  and  judging  from  their  condition  two 
months  previous  when  seen,  at  least  50  or  60  flies  had  hatched,  all  probably  a  month 
after  being  placed  there.  Of  course  it  was  too  early  to  expect  any  of  their  progeny 
to  appear,  but  if  successful  I  shall  look  for  them.  *  *  "— [W.  G.  Klee,  220  Sutter 
Street,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  October  4,  1888. 

A  House  infested  with  Psocidae. 

In  March,  1886,  a  lady  here  bought  a  new  mattress  composed  of  hair  and  corn-husks. 
It  was  used  daily  until  the  following  August,  when  the  family  left  home  for  a  six 
weeks'  vacation.  A  day  or  two  after  the  return  in  September,  there  were  noticed  on 
a  pair  of  shoes,  which  had  not  been  in  recent  use,  several  little  colorless  creatures 
resembling  the  common  "  book-lice  "  in  appearance,  some  of  which  have  been  sent  to 
you.     Continuing  the  examination,  what  was  her  horror  to  find  the  under  surface  of 

"  See  Insect  Life,  No.  1,  p.  21. 


145 

the  lower  sheet  and  the  upper  surface  of  the  mattress  almost  alive  with  the  insects. 
To  use  her  own  language :  "A  pin-point  could  not  have  been  put  down  without  touch- 
ing one  or  more  of  the  bugs."  Further  search  showed  a  very  unpleasant  state  of 
affairs.  The  walls  of  the  room  were  so  covered  with  the  insects  that  a  sweep  of  the 
hand  removed  them  by  the  thousand,  and  the  other  rooms  in  the  house  were  almost 
as  badly  infested.  The  bureau  drawers  were  swarming  with  them.  They  were  be- 
hind the  jnctures  and  between  the  pictures  and  the  glass  in  crawling  cohorts.  They 
were  under  everything  aud  in  everything.  To  say  that  the  neat  housekeeper  was 
beside  herself  is  putting  it  mildly  indeed. 

The  mattress  was  removed  and  examined.  Without  exaggeration  it  contained  mill- 
ions. Then  came  the  house-cleaning.  The  walls  and  lioors  were  washed  with  solu- 
tion of  borax  and  corrosive  sublimate.  Pyrethrum  powder  was  freely  used.  All  the 
carpets  were  sent  to  the  steam-cleaners.  The  furniture  was  beaten,  cleaned,  and  var- 
nished. The  struggle  was  continued  for  a  year  with  all  the  persistence  of  an  extra- 
ordinarily neat  housekeeper.  The  insects  had  the  best  of  it,  and  held  possession  in 
diminished  numbers.  The  family  then  removed  to  a  hotel,  while  for  days  the  closed 
house  was  fumigated  by  burning  sulphur,  aud  the  scrubbing  processes  were  after- 
wards repeated.  The  insects  were  again  diminished,  but  the  least  relaxation  in  the 
struggle  was  soon  followed  by  an  increase  of  the  enemy.  Again  the  house  was  va- 
cated, and  the  closed  rooms  were  subjected  to  the  vapor  of  benzine,  basins  and  pans 
being  filled  and  the  fluid  left  to  evaporate.  The  scrubbing  processes  were  again  re- 
peated, and  the  lady  began  to  hope  that  the  benzine  had  been  the  concluding  touch, 
although  she  continued  to  have  the  creatures  on  her  mind  and  to  watch  for  them.  Her 
hopes  were  vain.  The  insects  are  still  in  the  house,  two  years  after  the  removal  of 
the  mattress,  and  in  spite  of  all  the  harsh  treatment  they  have  received.  These 
Psocida;  at  least  seem  incapable  of  taking  a  hint.  Their  numbers  are  of  course  greatly 
reduced,  but  they  still  march  over  the  walls  and  hide  in  dark  places.  If  you  can 
suggest  a  remedy  that  has  not  been  tried,  it  will  be  accepted  gratefully  by  that 
troubled  lady,  and  faithfully  employed. 

As  I  close  my  letter  it  occurs  to  me  that  the  house  has  been  built  less  than  three 
years,  and  that  the  present  neat  occupants  are  the  only  ones  it  has  ever  had;  also 
that,  in  addition  to  the  treatment  detailed  above,  the  house  has  been  subjected  to  the 
fumes  of  burning  charcoal. 

If  anything  further  is  needed  to  show  how  tenacious  of  life  these  little  creatures 
are,  I  may  add  that  in  order  to  mount  them  for  microscopical  examination  they  were 
immersed  in  liquefied  crystals  of  carbolic  acid,  where  they  continued  alive  for  several 
seconds.— [Alfred  C.Stokes,  Trenton,  N.  J.,  Octobers,  1888. 

Note. — The  specimens  received  were  all  immature,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to 
determine  the  species.  The  insect  belonged  to  the  Psocidse,  but  apparently  not  to 
the  true  genus  Psocus. 


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

By  Lord  Walsingham. 

[Continued  from  page  117.] 

INCURVARIA  Haw. 

Incurvaria  punctiferella  sp.  u. 

Antennae,  about  half  the  length  of  the  fore-wings:   straw-colored  at  base,  brownish 

beyond. 
Palpi,  very  short,  depressed  ;  apical  joint  half  the  length  of  the  second  joint. 
Head  and  thorax,  straw-colored. 


146 

Fore-wings,  pale,  straw-yellow,  with  from  18  to  20  small  chocolate-brown  spots,  some- 
what varying  iu  size,  number,  and  distribution ;  not  arranged  iu  rows,  except  in 
HO  far  as  those  on  the  outer  half  of  the  wing  have  a  tendency  to  exhibit  two 
oblique  lines  running  parallel  to  the  apical  margin  ;  the  base  of  the  costa  tinged 
with  chocolate-brown.     Under  side,  brownish  with  x^ale  cilia. 

Heacl-ivinrjs  and  cilia,  cinereous  gray.     Under  side,  pale  grayish. 

Abdomen,  cinerous;  uncus,  short,  obtuse,  apex  curved  over  in  a  semicircular  form; 
lateral  claspers,  projecting  nearly  their  whole  length  beyond  the  uncus,  elongate, 
upturned,  the  upper  angle  of  the  posterior  margin  turned  inwards,  the  margin 
itself  rather  oblique,  with  a  sharp,  short,  projecting  point  at  its  lower  angle  ; 
towards  the  base,  the  whole  lower  edge  of  the  claspers  is  turned  under  and  in- 
wards almost  at  right  angles  with  its  outer  surface,  Avhich  itself  appears  to  be 
of  about  equal  width  throughout. 

Exjp.  al.,  15""". 

Habitat,  Rouge  River,  southern  Oregon,  May  7, 1872;  Mendocino  County,  Cal.,  May, 
1871. 

Types,  $  9»  Mus.  IVIsm. 

Incurvaria  solenobiella  WIsm. 

Abdomen,  uncus  short  and  obtuse ;  lateral  claspers  bulged  on  their  outer  sides,  up- 
turned posteriorly  and  pointed  inwards  at  the  apex ;  they  are  much  wider  in  the 
middle  than  at  the  ends;  the  line  of  their  lower  edge  is  somewhat  undulating, 
with  a  faint  indication  of  a  projecting  point  posteriorly.  They  differ  very  de- 
cidedly in  form  from  those  oi punctiferella  Wlsm. 

Incurvaria  politella  sp.  n. 

Antemuv,  grayish-fuscous,  pubescent  in  the  <?  . 

Palpi,  mouse-gray. 

Head,  mouse-gray,  sometimes  paler  towards  the  thorax. 

Thorax,  shining,  grayish, 

Fore-wiH<7S,  shining,  pale  grayish,  sometimes  with  a  slight  sneous  tinge,  especially  in 
the  $;  the  a'ueous  tinge  is  evenly  diifnsed  over  the  wing-surface;  cilia  gray 
along  their  base,  tips  whitish. 

Hind-wings,  gra J,  rather  darker  than  the  fore-wings,  with  a  slight  purplish  irides- 
cence. 

Abdomen , -pale  grayish-fuscous;  uncus,  short  and  obtuse;  lateral  claspers  elongate, 
wider  at  the  base  than  apex,  with  a  small  projecting  excrescence  at  their  upper 
edge,  close  to  the  base,  and  a  well-developed  tooth  projecting  inwards  from  half- 
way along  their  lower  edge ;  the  posterior  ends  are  rounded  and  soirewhat  turned 
upwards. 

Legs,  pale  gray. 

Exp.  al.,  $  17""",   9   14-15™"'. 

Habitat,  The  Dalles,  Oregon,  April  21,  1872,  and  Rouge  River,  Oregon,  May  7, 1872. 

Types,  c?  9 ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

Incurvaria  humilis  sp.  n. 

This  is  a  small,  inconspicuous,  unicolorous  species,  of  a  uniform  grayish-brown  color. 

The  hind-wings  very  slightly  darker  than  the  fore-wings,  owing  to  an  excess  of  the 
gray  tinge.  The  legs  are  scarcely  paler.  The  abdomen  is  of  the  same  color  as  the 
fore-wings.  The  genital  organs  are  peculiar;  a  short,  obtuse,  straight  uncus,  not  bent 
over,  is  overshadowed  by  the  strongly  upturned  lateral  claspers,  which  have  the  ap- 
pearance of  hooks  on  either  side;  they  have  a  slight  tooth-like  projection  below,  and 
a  small  excrescence  above  at  their  base,  but  are  of  a  totally  different  shape  from 
those  of  the  larger  allied  species. 


147 

Hxp.  al,  13-14""", 

Habitat,  Cresceut  City,  Cal.,  19-21  Jime,  1872. 

Type,  $ ,  Miis.  Wlsm. 

Incurvaria  aenescens  sp.  n. 

Antemm,  wliitish  at  the  base,  tending  to  fuscous  beyond. 
Palpi,  whitish. 
Head,  yellowish-white. 

Thorax,  fore-ivings,  and  cilia,  unicoloroas^  pale  golden-brown. 
Hind-winf/s,  purplish-gray;  cilia  gray. 

Aidomen,  grayish  ;  lateral  claspers,  elongate,  triangular,  upturned,  deeply  excised 
beneath,  near  their  base,  and  with  an  inwardly  projecting  short  point  at  their 
lower  extremity;  uncus  short,  obtuse,  projected  but  not  hooked. 
Exp.  al,  <?  14™°',  5  12-13""". 
Habitat,  Rogue  liiver,  Oregon. 
Types,  $   9,  Jfws.  Wl»m. 
One  male,  four  females.  May  7,  1872. 

Incurvaria  labradoriella  Clem. 

The  type  of  this  species  in  the  collection  of  the  American  Entomological  Society 
at  Philadelphia  had  only  one  fore-wing  and  one  hind-wing  remaining  in  1871,  and  I 
was  somewhat  doubtful  whether  it  was  a  true  Incurvaria.  I  have  had  no  recent  oppor- 
tunity of  examining  the  specimen. 

Incvirvaria  acerifoliclla  Fitch. 

The  neuration  of  this  species  dift'ers  from  that  of  the  typical  Incurvarice,  in  that  veins 
5  and  G  of  the  hind-wings  arise  from  the  same  stem.  The  case-bearing  habits  of  the 
larvfE,  ratherthan  the  structural  appearance  of  the  imago,  probably  influenced  Clemens 
and  Chambers  in  placing  it  finally  in  this  genus. 

Incurvaria  mediostriatella  Clem. 

=Lecithocera  ?  flavistrigella  Wlsm. 

When  describing  Lecithocera?  flaristrigella  I  was  practically  unacquainted  with /m- 
curvaria  mediostriatella  Clem.  The  type  examined  by  me  in  1871  having  only  two  wings 
remaining  and  these  much  worn,  I  failed  to  recognize  my  species  by  the  description, 
and  was  guided  chiefly  by  the  long  and  stout  antenn;^  in  placing  it  in  the  genus 
Lecithocera.  I  have  now  examined  the  neuration  of  a  specimen  and  am  bound  to  ad- 
mit that  it  does  not  belong  properly  to  that  genus.  The  apical  vein  of  the  fore-wing 
is  furcate  near  the  base,  as  stated  by  Clemens,  and  in  this  respect  it  dift'ers  from  the 
type  of  the  genus  in  which  he  has  placed  it ;  nevertheless,  I  think  that  the  position  is 
approximately  correct. 

CECOPHORA  Latr. 
CEcophora  thoracella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  2nd  joint  pale  ochreous,  shaded  with  fuscous  externally  on  its  basal  half:  apical 
joint  brownish-fuscous  with  some  pale  ochreous  scales  at  about  the  middle  and 
apex. 

Head  and  face,  pale  ochreous,  shaded  with  brownish-fuscous  above. 


148 

Thorax,  brownish-fuscous,  with  a  faint  purplish  tinge,  posteriorly  fringed  ^vith 
whitish-ochreous. 

Fore-wings,  remarkably  narrow  in  proportion  to  their  length  for  this  genus,  whitish- 
ochreous;  a  basal  patch,  wider  on  the  costal  than  on  the  dorsal  margin,  of  a 
brownish-fuscous  color,  is  followed  by  a  small  triangular  patch  of  the  same  color 
immediately  before  the  middle  of  the  wing,  and  this  is  scarcely  separated  by  a 
short  space  on  the  costa,  from  a  larger  patch  of  the  same  form  immediately  beyond 
the  middle;  the  lower  points  of  these  two  triangular  patches  are  directed  ob- 
liquely outwards,  at  the  same  angle  as  that  followed  by  the  dorsal  extension  of 
the  basal  jiatch;  the  apical  portion  of  the  wing  is  entirely  whitish-ochreous  with 
a  few  scattered  brownish  scales  about  the  baseof  the  cilia  ;  cilia  whitish-ochreous. 

Hind-wings,  shining,  whitish  ;  cilia  whitish-ochreous. 

J&domen,  shining,  pale  grayish-ochreous. 

Exp.  al,  10™"'. 

Habitat,  Colorado. 

Type,  9 ,  Mus.  JVIsrn. 
A  single  female  taken  by  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison. 

Qjcophora  dimidiella  sp.  n. 

AntenncB,  brown,  faintly  barred  with  whitish. 

Palpi,  dark  brown  ;  apical  joint  tinged  with  yellowish  towards  the  apex. 

Tongue,  brown,  clothed  with  brown  scales  on  the  basal  half;  apical  half  naked,  yel- 
lowish. 

Head,  shining,  yellowish. 

Thorax,  deep  brown. 

Fore-wings,  deep  brown,  with  several  paler  patches;  the  1st  and  most  conspicuous  lies 
partly  above  and  partly  below  the  fold,  reaching  to  the  dorsal  margin  at  about 
the  basal  third  of  the  wing;  this  is  shining  pale  yellowish  (silvery-white  wher- 
ever the  scales  have  been  abraded) ;  on  the  middle  of  the  costal  margin  is  a 
smaller  silvery-white  spot  followed  by  a  similar  spot  at  the  commencement  of 
the  costal  cilia ;  the  lower  end  of  the  outer  spot  is  bright  yellow,  it  terminates 
somewhat  obliquely  before  reaching  the  middle  of  the  wing,  its  apex  being 
directed  towards  a  similar  mixed  silvery-white  and  yellow  spot  which  lies  at  the 
anal  angle;  cilia  dark  brown;  the  apical  portion  of  the  wing  has  a  somewhat 
irrorated  appearance  in  the  specimen  before  me  (perhaps  owing  to  the  abrasion 
of  some  of  the  deep  brown  scales). 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  dull  brown,  slightly  paler  than  the  fore-wings. 

Abdomen,  deep  brown. 

Legs,  dull  brown,  scarcely  paler  about  the  tarsal  joints. 

Exp.  fti.jie'""^. 

Habitat,  Sonoma  County,  Cal.,May  19,1871,  two  females;  male,  Lake  Tahoe,  Osten- 

Sackeu,  and  male,  Manitou,  Colo.     Osten-Sacken  (Zell.  Csdl.). 
Type,  9,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

CEcophora  coloradella  sp.  n. 

Antennae,  grayish-browu  ;  faintly  spotted  with  paler  scales  above. 

Palpi,  brown  ;  whitish  on  their  inner  sides ;  a  few  paler  scales  about  the  outside  of 

the  apical  joint  and  at  the  base  of  the  second  joint. 
Head,  yellowish. 
Tongue,  whitish. 
Thorax,  grayish-brown,  with  a  pale  streak  on  each  side,  the  two  meeting  posteriorly 

at  the  base. 


149 

Fore-icings,  elongate,  widened  outwardly;  costa  slightly  bulged  at  the  base  ;  straight 
beyond  ;  apex  somewhat  depressed,  apical  margin  very  oblique,  scarcely  convex ; 
grayish-brown,  dusted  throughout  with  whitish  scales  ;  a  conspicuous  pale-yellow 
crescent-shaped  blotch  at  the  commencement  of  the  dorsal  cilia ;  cilia  grayish, 
brown;  neuration  very  peculiar ;  the  apical  vein  reaches  the  costal  margin  im- 
mediately above  the  apex,  and  from  before  its  middle  sends  to  the  costa  a  forked 
branch. 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  pale  grayish-brown ;  veins  six  and  seven  parallel,  three  and 
four  from  a  point. 

Abdomen  and  legs,  pale  grayish-brown. 

Ex}).  al.,  19  ™™. 

Habitat,  Colorado. 

Type,  <? ,  Mns.  Wlsm. 
A  single  specimen  given  me  by  Mons.  Eagonot. 

CEcophora  pseudospretella  Stn. 

It  is  curious  that  this  widely  distributed  and  far  too  common  species  should  not 
have  been  hitherto  recorded  from  the  United  States.  Zeller  had  four  specimens  from 
Washington  Territory  and  I  have  received  it  from  Vancouver  and  taken  it  in  Califor- 
nia.    It  has  apparently  been  overlooked  in  the  Eastern  States. 

I  have  also  a  unicolorous  bronzy-brown  species  which  should  undoubtedly  be  placed 
in  this  genus,  but  the  palpi  are  broken,  and  I  prefer  to  wait  for  better  specimens  be- 
fore describing  it. 

Psecadia  zelleriella  Chamb. 

I  feel  confident  from  a  careful  examination  of  Chambers's  descriptions  of  his  Hypon. 
omeuia  zelleriella  and  his  Hyponomeuta  texanella  that  these  two  supposed  species  are 
one  and  the  same ;  both  descriptions  agree  perfectly  with  specimens  in  my  own  col- 
lection. . 

The  description  oi  zelleriella,  though  earlier  than  that  of  texanella,  is  more  minute 
and  complete.     I  have  not  seen  the  types. 

It  is  important  in  this  connection  to  remember  that  Chambers  has  also  described 
an  Anesychia  texanella  from  the  same  locality.  This  is  evidently  a  distinct  species,  and 
one  with  which  I  am  not  acquainted.  His  Hyponomeuta  texanella  is  obviously  a  true 
Psecadia,  but  as  it  must  be  dropped  in  favor  of  the  prior  name,  zelleriella,  no  confusion 
need  arise  from  retaining  his  Anesychia  texanella,  which  should  also  be  placed  in  this 
genus. 

Psecadia  discostrlgella  Chamb. 

=  suhccerulea  Wlsm. 

When  describing  subcwrulea  I  was  unacquainted  with  Chambers's  Anesychia  dis. 
costrigella,  except  by  the  description.  A  comparison  of  a  series  of  both  species  has 
convinced  me  that  the  specimens  from  Arizona,  Utah,  and  Colorado,  which  agree  with 
my  figure  of  Chambers's  type  (in  the  Museum  of  the  Peabody  Academy  of  Sciences, 
Salem,  Mass.,)  are  merely  darker  forms  of  my  Californian  species,  the  name  of  which 
must  be  suppressed  as  a  synonym  of  discostrigella. 

Psecadia  marmorea  sp.  n. 

Jntennw,  brownish,  fuscous. 

Palpi,  recurved,  banded  with  white  and  brownish  fuscous;  second  joint  with  a  broad 
brownish  fuscous  baud  and  a  spot  of  the  same  color,  more  strongly  marked  on  the 
outer  than  on  the  inner  side  ;  apical  joint  with  two  brownish  fuscous  bauds  of 
about  equal  width  on  both  sides,  having  the  extreme  apex  and  a  belt  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  joint  white. 

Head,  whitish,  with  a  conspicuous  white  spot  above  the  juncture  with  the  thorax; 
face  grayish. 


150 

Thorax,  white,  with  four  fnscous  spots  posteriorly :  one  behind  each  of  the  patagia 
and  two  on  the  posterior  margin  ;  there  is  also  a  similar  spot  on  the  anterior  por- 
tion of  the  thorax,  but  the  specimen  before  me  is  somewhat  injured  by  the  pin. 

Fore-wings,  white,  with  an  irregular  brownish  fuscous  band  stretching  from  the  base  to 
the  apex,  interrupted  on  the  costal  margin  by  two  white  patches,  the  second  and 
larger  of  which  is  immediateiy  beyond  the  middle  of  the  wing,  and  contains  a  sin- 
gle brownish  fuscous  spot;  the  brownish  fuscous  band  occupies  more  especially 
the  costal  half  of  the  wing,  but  encroaches  on  the  white  dorsal  half  by  a  slight 
somewhat  triangular  projection  near  the  base  aud  a  larger  projection  of  the  same 
shape  about  the  middle,  between  aud  below  which  is  a  single  circular  fuscous 
spot ;  immediately  above  the  anal  angle  are  two  semi-detached  brownish  fuscous 
patches,  followed  at  a  short  interval  by  a  marginal  series  of  seven  dark  fuscous 
spots,  extending  around  the  apex  of  the  wing,  the  upper  two  being  clearly  pro- 
jected upon  the  white  space  about  the  apex,  which  forms,  as  it  were,  another  in- 
terruption to  the  fuscous  band ;  cilia  above  the  apex  white,  below  it  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  apical  margin  brownish  fuscous,  below  which  to  the  anal  angle  they 
are  again  white. 

Eind-wings  and  cilia,  pale  fawn- gray. 

Abdomen,  grayish-ochreous;   anal  tuft  ochreous. 

Legs,  grayish,  with  some  brownish  fucous  bands  across  the  tarsi. 

Ex}}.  al.,  21""". 

Habitat,  Arizona. 

Type,  $  ,  Mus.  Whm. 
A  single  male  in  good  condition  received  from  Professor  Riley,  is  nearly  allied  to 

AnesycMa  hagcnella  Chamb.,  but  differs  in  the  interruption  by  the  white  costal  patches 

of  the  dark  upper  half  of  the  wings,  as  well  as  in  other  minor  particulars  of  mark- 
ings aud  in  the  number  of  the  marginal  spots. 

Psecadia  fuscipedella  sp.  n. 

Paljyi,  grayish  fuscous. 

Head  and  antenna',  dull  leaden  gray. 

Thorax,  dull  leaden  gray,  with  six  black  spots  in  two  lines  converging  posteriorly  ; 
the  first  pair  at  the  base  of  the  patagia;  second  pair  nearer  to  each  other  at 
about  the  middle ;  third  pair  nearer  still,  at  the  base. 

Fore-wings,  dull  leaden  gray,  with  four  black  spots;  one  at  the  end  of  the  cell ;  one 
before  it,  above  the  middle  of  the  wing  ;  a  smaller  one  on  the  fold  slightly  nearer 
to  the  base ;  and  one  still  nearer  to  the  base  below  the  fold  ;  on  the  apical  mar- 
gin, and  distributed  around  the  apex  and  anal  angle,  on  the  costal  aud  dorsal 
margins  are  from  nine  to  eleven  small  black  spots  at  the  base  of  the  dull  leaden 
cilia. 

Eind-iiings,  scarcely  paler. 

Abdomen,  bright  ochreous. 

Legs,  anterior  audmediau  grayish  fuscous  ;  posterior  bright  ochreous  with  the  femora 
tinged  with  gray,  and  tarsi  dark  fuscous  tinged  with  ochreous  at  the  joints. 

Exjhal.  21™"\ 

Habitat,  North  Carolina. 

"Lype,  9,  Mus.  WIsm. 
A  single  female  in  good  condition  received  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison. 

(^To  be  continued.) 


151 
GENERAL   NOTES. 

A   RECENT  BRITISH  ENTOMOLOGICAL  CIRCULAR. 

The  Agriciiltaral  Department  of  Great  Britain  has  just  issued  a  three- 
page  circiihir,  probably  written  by  Mr.  Whitehead,  upon  the  subject  of 
caterpilhirs  upon  fruit  trees.  Two  groups  of  caterpillars  are  considered, 
the  one  group  including  the  Winter  Moth  [Gheimatobia  brumata),  the 
Pale  Brindled  Beauty  {PhUjaUa  pilosaria),ihe  Mottled  Umber  [Hybernia 
dcfoliaria),  and  Hi/beniia  aurantiaria,  all  having  wingless  females  and 
susceptible  to  the  same  remedies.  The  other  group  includes  three  in- 
sects of  more  normal  habits,  viz  :  The  Lackey  Moth  {Clisiocampaneustria), 
the  Ermine  Moth  {Hyponomeiita  jiadella),  and  the  Figure-of-eight  Moth 
{Diloba  c(vrideocephala).  The  life  history  of  all  these  species  is  of 
course  well  known  in  England,  and  nothing  new  is  suggested  in  the  cir- 
cular in  the  way  of  remedies.  The  Canker  Worm  tree-guard  of  American 
pattern  is  recommended  for  the  insects  of  the  first  group,  while  for  the 
second  group  clean  cultivation  around  the  tree,  the  denuding  of  the 
trunk  and  lower  limbs  of  their  outer  bark,  and  the  application  of  soapy 
and  oily  compositions  and  of  paraffine  and  carbolic  acid,  and  the  throw- 
ing of  fluely-powdered  quicklime  on  the  trees  during  winter  after  an 
attack  are  the  only  remedies  recommended.  No  notice  is  taken  of  the 
arsenical  mixtures  now  so  popular  in  this  country. 

TWO  SUGGESTIONS  TO  STUDENTS  OF  ENTOMOLOGY. 

Some  years  ago  we  used  the  following  method  for  studying  the  ve- 
nation of  the  wings  of  small  Lepidoptera.  We  have  told  it  since  to  many 
friends,  but  believe  it  has  not  been  published.  It  is  in  some  respects 
preferable  to  the  so-called  "Dimmock  process"  and  particularly  as  a 
time-saver.  It  is  also  in  this  respect  preferable  to  denudation  with  a 
brush.  The  wing  is  removed  and  mounted  upon  a  slide  in  Canada  bal- 
sam, which  should  be  i)referably  rather  thick.  The  slide  is  then  held 
over  the  flame  of  an  alcohol  lamp  until  the  balsam  spreads  well  over 
the  wing.  Just  as  it  is  about  to  enter  the  veins,  however,  the  slide  is 
placed  ui)on  ice,  or,  if  in  the  winter  time,  outside  the  window  for  a  few 
moments.  This  thickens  the  balsam  immediately  and  prevents  it  from 
entering  the  veins,  which  remain  permanently  filled  with  air  and  appear 
black  with  transmitted  light.  With  a  little  practice  one  soon  becomes 
expert  enough  to  remove  the  slide  and  cool  it  at  just  the  right  time, 
when  the  scales  will  have  been  rendered  nearly  transparent  by  the  bal- 
sam while  the  veins  remain  filled  with  air.  We  have  done  this  satis 
factorily  not  only  with  Tortricidre  and  Tineidie,  but  with  Noctuids  oi 
the  size  of  Aletia  and  Leiicania.  The  mounts  are  permanent,  and  we 
have  some  which  have  remained  unchanged  since  1880.  Professor  Riley 
had  for  some  years  before  this  been  in  the  habit  of  mounting  wings  in 
balsam,  in  which  of  course  the  scales  cleared  after  a  time. 


152 

With  Apbids  and  Coccids,  whicb  are  covered  with  an  abundant  waxy- 
secretion  which  can  not  be  readily  brushed  away,  we  have  adopted  the 
plan  of  melting'  the  wax.  We  place  the  insect  on  a  bit  of  platinum  foil 
and  pass  it  once  over  the  flame  of  the  alcohol  lamp.  The  wax  melts  at 
a  surjirisingly  low  temperature  and  leaves  the  insect  perfectly  clean  for 
study.  This  method  is  i)articu]arly  of  use  in  the  removal  of  the  waxy 
cocoon  of  the  i)upie  of  male  Coccidte,  and  is  quicker  and  more  thorough 
than  the  use  of  any  of  the  chemical  wax  solvents  which  we  have  tried. — 
L.  O.  H. 

THE  RELATION  OF  ANTS  TO  THE  CORN  APHIS. 

In  the  August  number  of  the  American  Naturalist  Professor  Ooin- 
stock  criticises  my  note*  on  the  Corn  Aphis  {Bhopalosiphum  maidis),  as 
follows : 

After  narrating  several  experiments,  clearly  showing  that  the  ants  collect  the  plaut- 
lice  and  carry  them  to  the  roots  of  the  corn,  Mr.  Webster  makes  the  following  remark- 
ahle  statement :  "These  observations  led  me  to  conclude  *  *  *  that  ants,  of  which 
three  species  attend  these  plant-lice,  viz,  Lasius  flaviis,  Formica  schaiifussii,  and  F. 
/«sca,  are  not  in  the  least  responsible  for  their  distribution  over  the  fields,  *  *  *." 
We  do  not  think  the  conclusions  of  Professor  Forbes  can  be  set  aside  in  this  way. 

My  critic  will,  possibly,  pardon  me  for  suggesting  that  there  is  noth- 
ing remarkable  in  the  statement  referred  to,  nor  are  the  observations  of 
any  one  set  aside.     The  position  taken  is  simi)ly  this: 

The  Corn  Plant-louse  owes  its  distribution  to  the  winged  migratory 
broods,  of  whose  ultimate  destination  the  ants  can  have  no  conception 
and  as  little  control  over  their  movements.  The  number  of  individuals 
may  be  largely  increased  through  the  influence  of  ants,  but  there  is 
nothing  to  indicate  that  their  influence  directs  the  movements  of  the 
winged  generation.  Nor  do  we  see  that  the  ants  are  any  more  account- 
able for  the  appearance  of  these  winged  females  in  any  particular  field 
than  is  the  farmer  who  produces  the  corn  responsible  for  its  appearance 
in  foreign  markets  when  he  disposes  of  his  crop  to  a  local  dealer. 

In  our  notice  we  gave  observations  showing  that  as  soon  as  a  winged 
viviparous  female  alighted  on  a  corn  plant  and  was  found  by  an  ant  the 
latter  took  her  in  cbarge,  placing  her  on  the  roots  of  the  plant,  where 
her  progeny  were  fostered  and  cared  for  ;  that  this  ofispring  constituted 
the  generation  which  was  the  most  destructive  to  the  corn  crop;  that 
only  in  cases  of  dire  necessity  were  these  offspring  removed,  and  all  of 
our  attempts  to  force  their  removal  by  the  application  of  substances 
supposed  to  be  distasteful  resulted  in  failures. 

That  ants  collect  the  eggs  and  young  of  Aphides,  carry  them  to  their 
homes,  and  even  place  the  young  on  their  food  plants,  no  one  can  reason- 
ably doubt.  But  to  say  that  this  proves  that  the  Aphides  are  wholly 
dependent  on  the  ants  for  either  their  existence  or  diffusion  is  rather  a 
sweeping  assertion, 

*  Eeport  Commissioner  Agriculture  1887,  pp.  148-9. 


153 

On  two  occasions  we  have  observed  the  winged  viviparous  temales  of 
the  Corn  Plant- loase,  unattended  by  ants,  giving  birth  to  her  young  on 
the  stems  of  young  corn,  below  the  surface  of  the  ground,  the  soil  being 
very  mellow,  and  there  appears  to  be  no  good  reason  for  disbelieving 
that  at  least  some  of  these  young  might  have  survived.  There  seems 
room  to  doubt,  also,  that  without  the  aid  of  ants  at  least  a  few  young 
hatching  from  the  eggs  might  reach  their  food  and  survive,  although 
careful  experiments  had  failed  to  make  them  do  so.  Nature  has  ways 
of  her  own  of  doing  things,  and  in  attempting  to  counterfeit  them  the 
most  careful  experimenter  will  often  find  himself  at  fault. —  [F.  M. 
Webster. 

INSECTS  INTRODUCED  INTO  CHILI, 

Of  considerable  general  interest  is  a  paper  by  Dr.  R.  A.  Philippi  on 
the  changes  in  the  fauna  of  Chili  caused  by  man*  in  which  he  discusses 
and  enumerates  the  animals  that  have  been  voluntarily  or  involuntarily 
introduced  by  man  into  that  country.  The  paper  extends  over  the 
whole  animal  kingdom  and  teems  with  interesting  details,  but  we  can 
here  only  refer  to  the  insects,  f 

The  intentional  importations  comprise  the  useful  insects,  viz:  the 
honey-bee  and  the  silk-worm.  The  former  was  introduced  in  1848  (the 
Italian  race)  and  greatly  flourishes  now  in  the  whole  state,  so  that  Chili 
exports  now  a  large  amount  of  honey  and  wax.  Sericulture  was  for 
some  time  successfully  carried  on,  encouraged  by  Government  subsidy. 
The  climate  is  eminently  fit  for  this  industry,  since  the  mulberry  grows 
finely  in  the  whole  country,  and  since  it  never  rains  in  the  season  when 
the  worms  are  fed.  However,  a  new  secretary  of  agriculture  had  no 
interest  in  the  subject;  the  Government  subsidy  was  withdrawn,  the 
mulberry  plantations  were  cut  down,  and  at  present  silk  raising  may 
be  said  to  have  been  entirely  abandoned  even  by  private  persons.  The 
introduction  of  the  Cochenille  insect  has  never  been  attempted,  although 
it  would  no  doubt  flourish  in  the  northern  part  of  Chili. 

Coming  to  the  injurious  insects,  the  following  have  or  have  not  been 
introduced : 

The  Phylloxera  has  not  yet  reached  Chili,  but  the  Apple-blight  («S'cM- 
zoneura  lamgera)  has  made  its  home  in  this  country,  having  been  iutro- 

*Ueberd.ie  Veranderungen  welche  der  MeuscTi  in  der  Fauna  Chiles  bewirkt  hat. 
Festschrift  des  Vereins  fiir  Naturkunde  zu  Cassel  zur  Feier  seines  fiinfzigjahrigen 
Bestehens  Cassel,  1866,  pp.  1-20. 

t  All  these  insects  are  immigrants  from  Europe  and  no  North  American  insects  have 
hitherto  been  introduced  into  Chili.  The  Coleoptera  we  mentioned  in  the  October 
number  (p.  118)  as  being  common  to  both  North  America  and  Chili  are  not  importa- 
tions, but  represent  a  very  ancient  natural  distribution.  In  fact  all  animals  men- 
tioned by  Dr,  Philippi  are  importations  from  Europe  except  the  California  quail 
(Orti/x  calif ornica)  which  has  run  wild  in  the  vicinity  of  Valparaiso,  and  there  is 
farther  strong  evidence  that  the  Canis  Ingce  of  Peru  and  northern  Chili  originates  from 
the  North  American  Canis  occidentalia  or  C.  latran$. 
10332— No.  5 3 


154 

duced  about  thirty  years  ago  with  apple  trees  from  Frauce.  It  spread 
rapidly  aud  developed  an  extraordinary  destructive  power,  so  as  to  seri- 
ously threaten  the  important  ajiple  industry  of  the  province  of  Valdivia. 
But  fortunately  the  first  shock  of  the  invasion  was  the  worst,  and  the 
disease  has  lost  in  intensity,  although  there  is  even  now  hardly  a  single 
apple  tree  in  the  country  which  is  free  of  this  pest. 

Various  species  of  Coccida?  are  nosv  acclimatized  in  Chili,  but  most  of 
them  affect  only  the  plants  upon  which  they  were  introduced.  Thus 
we  find  iu  Chili  Coccus  adonidum^  G.  hesperidum,  AspkUotus  rosce,  A. 
nerii.  Aspidiotus  lauri  injuriously  affects  in  central  Chili  the  Olive  trees 
and  many  other  plants  with  leathery  leaves,  e.  g.,  Myrtus  lunia  and  M. 
ugni,  which  are  famous  for  their  delicious  fruits.  Besides  these  Coc- 
cidse,  quite  a  number  of  European  Aphids  have  also  permanently  set- 
tled, but  not  a  single  species  of  the  many  Lepidoptera*  and  Coleoptera, 
injurious  to  growing  cultivated  plants  and  trees,  has  ever  been  intro- 
duced with  its  food-plant.  Thus,  there  are  never  any  caterpillars  nor 
flea-beetles  on  the  Chilian  cabbage ;  there  are  no  wormy  apples,  pears, 
plums  [prunes  ?] ;  there  are  no  Canker  Worms,  Cut- worms,  no  Tent 
Caterpillars  and  no  Pea  Weevils. 

Of  other  injurious  Coleoptera  very  few  have  found  their  way  to  Chili ; 
Sitodrepa  panicea^  the  well-known  Herbarium  pest,  Corynetes  violaceus, 
the  Bone  Beetle,  and  0.  rujicollis,  the  Ham  Beetle,  are  economically  not 
very  important.  Two  grain-weevils  occur,  Calandra  oryzce  aud  C.  gra- 
naria,  the  damage  done  by  the  latter  being  often  enormous ;  but  an- 
other grain  pest.  Tinea  granella,  has  never  been  heard  of  in  Chili.  In 
houses.  Tinea  hiseUella  (crinella)  is  very  common,  feeding  on  carpets- 
Several  European  Dermestidte  are  from  time  to  time  brought  over  iu 
ships,  but  do  not  seem  to  flourish  in  Chili  -,  their  places  are  occupied  by 
native  species,  and  the  Chilian  Eurhopalus  variegatus  is  fully  able  to  dis- 
pose of  any  insect  collection  so  as  to  need  no  assistance  from  the  kin- 
dred European  Anthrenus.  Tenehrio  molitor  has  in  quite  recent  years 
been  intentionally  introduced,  the  larva  being  used  as  birds'  food,  but 
has  not  yet  spread  further. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  Blatta  germanica  is  also  not  rare,  but  Dr. 
Philippi  found  it  only  in  the  woods  and  is  iucliued  to  consider  it  as  au- 
tochthonous. 

The  parasites  of  man,  viz,  the  flea,  the  bed-bug,  and  the  three  species 
of  lice,  are  just  as  common  in  Chili  as  elsewhere.  The  fleas  and  the  lice 
no  doubt  accompanied  the  first  human  immigrants  toChili,  while  the  bed- 
bug came  in  all  probability  only  after  the  arrival  of  the  Spaniards ;  even 
to-day  it  is  still  absent  in  the  province  of  Valdivia  and  in  the  country 
of  the  Araukanians.  The  flea  occurs  in  Chili  as  elsewhere  only  up  to 
an  altitude  of  5,000  feet.  The  Jigger,  Sarcopsylla penetrans,  which  is  a 
considerable  annoyance  along  the  coast  of  Peru,  occurs  nowhere  in  Chili. 

*  PJusia  gamma  which  occurs  in  Chili  is  claimed  by  Dr.   Philippi  as  an  endemic 


155 

The  house-fly  is,  in  Chili,  the  same  common  and  annoying  companion  of 
man  as  elsewhere,  and  the  question  whether  or  not  it  existed  before  the 
arrival  of  the  Europeans  will  never  be  answered.  Stomoxys  calcitrans 
is  rather  scarce  in  Chili,  and  Dr.  Philippi  observed  it  first  twenty  years 
ago ;  it  is  not  mentioned  in  Gay's  work. 

With  the  introduction  of  domestic  animals  some  of  their  insect  para- 
sites have  also  come  to  Chili.  The  sheep-tick  {Melophagus  ovinus)  was 
introduced  at  a  very  early  period,  but  the  sheep  gad-fly  {(Estrus  ovis) 
exists  in  Chili  only  since  about  twenty-five  years.  (Estrus  bovis,  occa- 
sionally introduced  in  breeding  cattle,  has  hitherto  not  taken  a  firm 
hold  on  Chilian  soil.  CEstrus  equi  and  Ripposboca  equina  have  never 
been  found  in  the  country  nor  has  Chili  any  native  species  of  that 
family.  The  chicken  and  pigeon  have  also  added  their  parasitic  Acari 
[Acarus  gallince  and  Argas  reflexus)  to  the  Chilian  fauna. 

The  Eed  Spider  {Tetranychus  telarius)  has  become  extremely  numer- 
ous and,  injurious  in  Chili,  but  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  the  south- 
ern provinces,  e.  g.,  Valdivia,  where  rains  are  frequent  and  abundant, 
this  pest  has  never  been  found.  Whether  the  Itch  Mite  {Acarus  scabiei), 
which  is  especially  common  on  the  island  of  Chiloe,  is  to  be  considered 
as  an  endemic  insect  or  as  an  importation  by  the  Spaniards  can  never 
be  satisfactorily  decided. 

We  mentioned  above  that  Plusia  gamma  and  Blatta  germanica  are 
considered  by  Dr.  Philippi  as  endemic  forms,  and  to  those  must  be  added 
Ophmi  luteus  and  Acridium  tesselatiim,  which  according  to  Prof.  Carlos 
Berg  is  different  from  A.  migratormm,  a  question  which  is,  however,  still 
an  open  one.  However  that  may  be,  any  grasshopper  damage  in  Chili 
is  never  done  by  A.  tesselatmn,  but  by  the  much  smaller  (Edipoda  cineras- 
cens.  But  since  more  than  forty  years  there  was  never  any  damage  worth 
mentioning  done  by  grasshoppers,  whereas  still  at  the  beginning  of  this 
century  such  invasions  took  place  several  times  in  the  vicinity  of  San- 
tiago. But  since  that  time  the  enormous  increase  of  the  cultivated  area, 
in  consequence  of  the  construction  of  numerous  irrigation  canals,  has 
forever  prevented  an  undue  multiplication  of  the  grasshopper. 

REMARKABLE  ABUNDANCE   OF   THE   CECROPIA  SILK-WORM. 

Miss  Clara  E.  Brown,  of  Calaway,  Custer  County,  Nebr.,  writes  to  the 
Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  under  date  of  October  5,  sending  speci- 
mens of  the  Cecropia  cocoon,  and  stating  that  the  worms  commit  great 
havoc  among  the  timber  claims  of  that  section,  and  that  the  cocoons 
are  to  be  found  in  vast  numbers  this  fall  fastened  to  the  limbs  of  the 
trees.  She  also  found  them  fastened  to  a  bush  which  they  call  the 
^'  Shoe-string"  {Amorpha  canescens)  in  that  country.  Her  object  in  send- 
ing was  to  see  whether  they  could  be  made  of  any  commercial  value, 
but,  as  is  well  known,  the  difficulty  in  reeling  the  silk  prevents  this. 


156 

THE   CLOVER-ROOT   BORER. 

As  has  been  pointed  out  by  Mr.  James  Fletcher,  this  insect  has  become 
known  of  late  years  in  Canada,  and  we  learn  from  an  item  in  the  Rural 
New  Yorker  for  September  15  that  it  has  been  found  upon  the  Rural 
farm  on  Long  Island.  This  destructive  enemj^  of  the  clover  plant  is  a 
slow  spreader,  and  it  is  very  fortunate  that  this  is  the  case,  as  it  is  a  very 
difficult  enemy  to  fight. 

A  POINT   IN   FAVOR   OF   THE  ENGLISH   SPARROW. 

Mr.  J.  G.  Cooper,  writing  to  the  Pacific  Rural  Press  of  September  8, 
1888,  records  the  destruction  of  the  Woolly  Aphis  upon  his  apple  trees 
by  a  large  flock  of  young  English  sparrows,  but  is  inclined  to  think  that 
it  was  due  to  the  excessive  dry  weather,  causing  a  scarcity  of  their  usual 
food. 

THE   REAR-HORSE   DOMESTICATED. 

Many  of  the  old  office  desks  in  the  Department  of  Agriculture  here 
at  Washington  have  become  badly  infested  with  Roaches  and  Croton 
Bugs,  which  feed  upon  almost  everything  left  in  the  drawers.  One  of 
the  assistants  in  the  Entomological  Division  was  paying  a  visit  some 
days  since  to  a  lady  employed  in  one  of  the  other  divisions,  and  to  en- 
tertain him  she  showed  him  what  she  called  her  "entomological  pet." 
This  was  a  handsome  female  specimen  o^  Mantis  Carolina  which  she  had 
captured  and  domiciled  upon  her  desk  and  fed  with  roaches  until  it  had 
become  reconciled  to  its  position.  At  the  date  of  the  visit  the  Mantis 
seemed  perfectly  at  home  and  the  original  insect  inhabitants  of  the 
desk  were  rapidly  becoming  less  numerous.  This  practical  application 
of  entomological  knowledge  is  highly  to  be  commended  and  greatly  en- 
courages the  entomologists  of  the  Department  in  their  labors  to  diffuse 
knowledge  of  the  habits  of  insects ! 

A  CALIFORNIA  ENEMY   TO   WALNUTS. 

Mr.  Coquillett,  writing  us  under  date  of  April  10,  gives  an  account  of 
a  Tortricid  larva  which  does  a  great  deal  of  damage  to  Walnuts  near  Los 
Angeles.  We  quote  his  note  as  follows.  The  description  of  the  larva 
comes  first : 

Body  green,  soiuetimes  tinged  with  yellow ;  piliferous  spots  lighter  ;  spiracles 
ringed  with  brown  or  black ;  cervical  shield  greenish,  irregularly  bordered  behind 
with  black  ;  head  yellowish  ;  a  black  or  brown  dot  on  each  side  of  face,  another  on 
lower  part  of  clypeus;  a  black  or  brown  triangle  on  each  lobe  of  the  head;  sides  of 
head  broadly  and  irregularly  bordered  with  black  or  brown.  Body  nearly  naked, 
provided  with  16  legs.  Length  14""".  Lives  singly  in  the  green  nuts  of  Juglaiis 
californica.  They  usually  enter  the  green  nut  near  the  stem  end,  and  make  from  one 
to  three  holes  iu  it,  out  of  which  they  push  their  black  excrements,  which  collect  in 
a  conspicuous  heap  at  the  mouth  of  each  hole.  After  eating  out  the  interior  of  one 
of  the  nuts  the  larva  deserts  it  and  eats  its  way  into  a  second  nut,  and  this  it  con- 
tinues until  reaching  its  full  growth.     In  the  breeding  cage  the  full-grown  larvi©  de- 


157 

serted  the  nuts  and  crept  beneath  the  litter  in  the  bottom  of  the  cage,  where  they 
spun  tough,  grayish  cocoous.  The  larvie  were  found  on  the  8th  of  May,  spun  their 
cocoons  in  June,  and  the  moths  issued  on  the  following  dates:  March  4, 12, 13  (four) 
15,  18,  24  (two),  25  (two),  27,  and  29  (two). 

Fully  five-sixths  of  all  of  the  walnuts  growing  ui)on  the  trees  on  one  of  the  hills 
near  the  city  of  Los  Angeles  were  or  had  been  infested  by  one  of  these  larv?e„  They 
enter  the  nuts  when  the  latter  are  from  a  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 

The  moth  is  very  close  to  Proteoptenjx  emarginana  Wlstn.,  but  is  nev- 
ertheless distinct,  and  it  may  be  a  new  species ;  but  this  point  we  shall 
decide  after  receiving  a  larger  series  of  adults. 

LITTLE  KNOWN  ENEMIES  OF  THE  POTATO  PLANT  IN  NEW  YORK. 

The  occurrence  of  the  Cucumber  Flea-beetle,  Grepidodera  cucumeris 
Harris,  in  immense  numbers  in  the  potato  fields  of  New  York  the  pres- 
ent season  has,  no  doubt,  resulted  in  much  damage  to  the  crop.  But 
as  the  beetles  were  associated  with  Cosmopepla  carnifex  Fab.  in  this  work 
of  destruction  in  western  New  York,  a  similar  state  of  affairs  may  have 
existed  elsewhere,  and  the  damage  have  been  entirely  attributed  to  the 
beetles.  This  fact  would  be  of  economic  importance,  as  a  remedy  that 
might  be  effective  in  fighting  the  one  might  be  worthless  in  destroying 
the  other. 

Singularly  enough,  the  only  locality  where  the  species  under  consid- 
eration has  previously  been  reported  as  injuring  the  potato  was  in 
Livingston  County  also,  it  having  been  sent  to  Professor  Lintner  from 
Souyea  about  the  middle  of  July,  several  years  ago,  and  mentioned  by 
him  in  his  second  report  as  State  entomologist  of  New  Y^ork,  p.  144. 
Professor  Lintner  also  states  that  the  same  insect  was  reported  very 
injurious  to  the  fruit  ot  the  Currant  about  Montreal,  Canada,  in  1884, 
■where  it  reappeared  the  following  year  in  still  greater  numbers. 

On  August  9,  1888,  Prof.  James  Troop,  of  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  sent  me 
specimens  of  Cosmopepla  carnifex  from  Livonia,  Livingston  County,  N. 
Y.,  with  the  information  that  they  were  swarming  on  the  potato  tops, 
especially  among  the  curled  leaves,  which  they  punctured,  these  leaves 
afterwards  withering  up,  turning  black,  and  ultiuiately  falling  oft",  evi- 
dently to  the  serious  detriment  of  the  crop.  When  placed  in  the  box 
in  which  they  were  sent  to  me  the  insects  were  nearly  all  yet  in  the  pupal 
stage,  but  on  reaching  me,  on  the  12th,  only  one  pupa  appeared,  the  re- 
mainder having  reached  the  adult  stage,  and  in  one  instance  the  female 
had  oviposited  on  one  of  the  inclosed  leaves. 

The  bugs  were  transferred  to  new  quarters  and  given  fresh  plants, 
upon  which  they  subsisted  continually  till  the  24th,  when  they  were 
killed  and  preserved. 

Prof.  Herbert  Osborn,  of  Ames,  Iowa,  tells  me  that  he  has  observed 
these  bugs  on  the  foliage  of  the  grape,  and  very  kindly  forwarded  me 
specimens  of  the  eggs  for  comparison  with  those  obtained  by  myself. 

The  Qgg  is  four-fifths  of  a  millimeter  in  length  and  three-fifths  of  a 
millimeter  in  diameter,  cupuliform,  with  a  ring  of  about  16  long,  slen- 


158 

der,  sinuous,  white  appendages  resembling  spines,  except  that  the  ends 
are  knobbed.  These  are  bent  so  as  to  point  outward.  The  whole  sur- 
face of  the  egg  is  covered  with  minute  short  spines,  these  being  longer 
and  more  thickly  placed  within  the  ring.  The  natural  color  is  dark 
bronze-brown,  but  alcoholic  specimens  are  of  a  dull  white  color,  the 
minute  spines  of  brown  showing  distinctly  on  the  surface.  The  eggs 
are  i^laced  in  clusters,  the  ringed  end  upward,  resembling  a  cluster  of 
minute  cups. — [F.  M.  Webster. 

PROFESSOR   FORBES'  INVESTIGATION  ON    THE  FOOD  OF  FRESH-WATER 

FISHES. 

The  number  of  insects  which  are  known  to  feed  on  fishes  is  very 
limited,  and  these  few  could  probably  subsist  on  mollusks  or  other  food, 
and  are  thus  not  dependent  on  a  fish  diet.  On  the  other  hand,  a  large 
proportion  of  fresh-water  fishes  depend  more  or  less  completely  on  in- 
sects as  food,  and  could,  therefore,  not  exist  without  the  insects.  To 
show  the  importance  of  insects  as  one  of  the  principal  food-articles  of 
fresh-water  fishes  has  been  the  object  of  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes  in  a  series 
of  admirable  papers  on  the  food  of  fresh- water  fishes  of  Illinois.  These 
papers  have  been  published  under  various  titles  in  the  Bulletin  of  the 
Illinois  State  Laboratory  of  Natural  History  (Vols.  I  and  II),  between 
the  years  1877  and  1888.  The  wide  scope  of  these  investigations  be- 
comes at  once  apparent  from  the  fact  that  no  less  than  1,221  fishes,  be- 
longing to  87  species  of  03  genera  and  25  families,  and  taken  in  various 
months  of  the  year  from  April  to  November,  were  carefully  examined, 
and  the  food  contained  in  their  stomachs  determined  and  classified.  In 
the  concluding  portion  of  the  series,  which  has  just  been  published  as 
Article  VIII  of  Volume  II  of  the  Bulletin,  Professor  Forbes  presents 
the  summary  of  his  researches  and  the  generalizations  derived  there- 
from. This  summary  concludes  with  a  classified  list  of  the  objects  de- 
tected in  the  food  of  fishes,  occupying  28  pages,  and  the  list  of  insects 
occupies  nearly  13  pages. 

This  list  is  of  great  interest  to  the  entomologist,  not  only  from  the 
species  it  contains,  but  also  from  the  many  very  common  species  wMch 
are  absent  therefrom,  and  we  regret  that  on  account  of  its  length  we 
can  not  reproduce  it  here  entire.  We  quote,  however,  Professor  Forbes' 
equally  interesting  general  remarks  on  the  food  of  adult  fishes  so  far  as 
they  pertain  to  the  insectivorous  species : 

"It  is  from  the  class  of  insects  that  adult  fishes  derive  the  most  im- 
portant portion  of  their  foo  1,  this  class  furnishing,  for  example,  40  per 
cent,  of  the  food  of  all  the  adults  which  I  examined, 

"The  principal  insectivorous  fishes  are  the  smaller  species,  whose  size 
and  food  structures,  when  adult,  unfit  them  for  the  capture  of  Ento- 
mostraca,  and  yet  do  not  bring  them  within  reach  of  fishes  or  Mollusca- 
Some  of  these  fishes  have  peculiar  habits,  which  render  them  especially 
dependent  upon  insect  life,  the  little  minno  v  Fhenacobius,  for  example. 


159 

which,  according  to  my  studies,  makes  nearly  all  its  food  from  insects 
(98  per  cent.)  found  under  stones  in  running  water,  l^ext  are  the  Pirate 
Perch,  Aphredoderns  (91  per  cent.),  and  the  Darters  (87  i)er  cent.),  the 
Croppies  (73  per  ceut.),  half-grown  Sheepshead  (71  per  cent.),  the 
Shovel  Fish  (59  per  cent.),  the  Chub  Minnow  (56  per  cent.),  the  Black 
Warrior  Suufish  {Clicmiohryttus)  and  the  Brook  Silversides  (each  54 
per  cent.),  and  Eock  Bass  and  the  Cyprinoid  genus  Notroyis  (each  52 
per  cent.). 

"  Those  which  take  few  insects  or  none  are  mostly  the  Mud-feeders 
and  the  Ichthyophagous  species,  Amia  (the  Dog-fish)  being  the  only 
exception  noted  to  this  general  statement.  Thus  we  find  insects  wholly 
or  nearly  absent  from  the  adult  dietary  of  the  Burbot,  the  Pike,  the 
Gar,  the  Black  Bass,  the  Wall-eyed  Pike,  and  the  great  river  Catfish, 
and  from  that  of  the  Hickory  Shad^  and  the  Mud-eating  Minnows  (the 
Shiner,  the  Fat-head,^  etc.).  It  is  to  be  noted,  however,  that  the  larger 
fishes  all  go  through  an  insectivorous  stage,  whether  their  food  when 
adult  be  almost  wholly  other  fishes,  as  with  the  Gar  and  the  Pike,  or 
mollusks,  as  with  the  Sheepshead.  The  Mud-feeders,  however,  seem 
not  to  pass  through  this  stage,  but  to  adopt  the  limophagous  habit  as 
soon  as  they  cease  to  depend  upon  Entomostraca. 

"Terrestrial  insects,  dropping  into  the  water  accidentally  or  swept  in 
by  rains,  are  evidently  diligently  sought  and  largely  depended  upon  by 
several  species,  such  as  the  Pirate  Perch,  the  Brook  Minnow,  the  Top 
Minnows  or  Killifishes  (Cyprinodonts),  the  Toothed  Herring,  and  sev- 
eral Cyprinoids  [SemoUlus^  Pimejyhales,  and  Notropis). 

"Among  aquatic  insects,  minute  slender  dipterous  larvae,  belonging 
mostly  to  Ghirononms,  Corethra,  and  allied  genera,  are  of  remarkable 
importance,  making,  in  fact,  nearly  one-tenth  of  the  food  of  all  the  fishes 
studied.  They  are  most  abundant  in  Phenacobius  and  Utheostoma, 
which  genera  have  become  especially  adapted  to  the  search  for  these 
insect  forms  in  shallow  rocky  streams.  Kext  I  found  them  most  gen- 
erally in  the  Pirate  Perch,  the  Brook  Silversides,  and  the  Stickleback, 
in  which  they  averaged  45  per  cent.  They  amounted  to  about  one-third 
the  food  of  fishes  as  large  and  important  as  the  Redhorse  and  the  Eiver 
Carp,  and  made  nearly  one-fourth  that  of  fifty-one  Buffalo  fishes.  They 
appear  further  in  considerable  quantity  in  the  food  of  a  number  of  the 
Minnow  family  {Notropis,  Pimephales,  etc.),  which  habitually  frequent 
the  swift  water  of  stony  streams,  but  were  curiously  deficient  in  the 
small  collection  of  Miller's  Thumbs  (Cottidw),  which  hunt  for  food  in 
similar  situations.  The  Sunfishes  eat  but  few  of  this  important  group, 
the  average  of  the  family  being  only  6  per  cent. 

"LarvfB  of  aquatic  beetles,  notwithstanding  the  abundance  of  some 
of  the  forms,  occurred  in  only  insignificant  ratios,  but  were  taken  by 
fifty  six  specimens,  belonging  to  nineteen  of  the  species,  more  fre- 
quently by  the  Sunfishes  than  by  any  other  group.  The  kinds  most 
^  Dorosoma.  -Pimephales. 


160 

commonly  captured  were  larvaj  of  Gyriuidoe  aud  HydrophilidiTe;  whereas 
the  adult  surface  beetles  themselves  {Gyrinus,  Diiieutes,  etc.),  whose 
zigzagdartiug  swarms  no  one  can  have  failed  to  notice,  were  uot  once 
encountered  in  my  studies. 

"The  almost  equally  well  known  slender  Water-skippe]s  {Hi/yrotre- 
chus)  seem  also  completely  ])rotected  by  their  habits  and  activity 
from  capture  by  fishes,  only  a  single  specimen  occurring  in  the  food  of 
all  my  specimens.  Indeed  the  true  Water-bugs  (Hemiptera)  were  gen- 
erally rare,  with  the  exception  of  the  small  sofr-bodied  genus  Gorisa^ 
which  was  taken  by  one  hundred  and  ten  si)ecimens,  belonging  to 
twenty-seven  species,  most  abundantly  by  the  Sunfishes  and  Top  Min- 
nows. 

"From  the  order  Feuroptera  fishes  draw  a  larger  jiart  of  their  food 
than  from  any  other  single  group.  In  fact,  nearly  a  fifth  of  the  entire 
amount  of  food  consumed  by  all  the  adult  fishes  examined  by  me  con- 
sisted of  aquatic  larvae  of  this  order,  the  greater  part  of  them  larvie  of 
Day  Flies  (Ephemeridae),  principally  of  the  genus  Hexagenia.^  These 
Neuropterous  larvte  were  eaten  especially  by  the  Miller's  Thumb,  the 
Sheepshead,  the  White  and  Striped  Bass,  the  common  Perch,  thirteen 
species  of  the  Darters,  both  the  Black  Bass,  seven  of  the  Sunfishes, 
the  Eock  Bass  and  the  Croppies,  the  Pirate  Perch,  the  Brook  Silver- 
sides,  the  Sticklebacks,  the  Mud  Minnow,  the  Top  Minnows,  the  Giz- 
zard Shad,  the  Toothed  Herring,  twelve  species  each  of  the  true  Min- 
now family,  and  of  the  Suckers  and  Buffalo,  five  Catfishes,  the  Dog- 
fish, and  the  Shovel  Fish— seventy  species  out  of  the  eighty  seven 
which  I  have  studied. 

"Among  the  above  I  found  them  the  most  important  food  of  the 
White  Bass,  the  Toothed  Herring,  the  Shovel  Fish  (51  per  cent.),  and 
the  Croppies ;  while  they  made  a  fourth  or  more  of  the  alimentary  con- 
tents of  the  Sheepshead  (4G  per  cent.),  the  Darters,  the  Pirate  Perch, 
the  common  Sunfishes  {Lepomis  and  Chamobryttus),  the  Eock  Bass,  the 
Little  Pickerel,  and  the  common  Sucker  (36  per  cent.). 

"  Ephemerid  larvre  were  eaten  by  two  hundred  and  thirteen  speci- 
mens of  forty-eight  species,  not  counting  young.  The  larvie  of  Hexa- 
genia,  one  of  the  commonest  of  the  'Elver  Flies,'  was  by  far  the  most 
important  insect  of  this  group,  this  alone  amounting  to  about  half  of 
all  the  Neuroptera  eaten.  They  made  nearly  one-half  of  the  food  of 
the  Shovel  Fish,  more  than  one-tenth  that  of  the  Sunfishes,  and  the. 
principal  food  resource  of  half-grown  Sheepshead;  but  were  rarely 
taken  by  the  Sucker  family,  and  made  only  5  per  cent,  of  the  food  of 
the  Catfish  group. 

"  The  various  larvte  of  the  Dragon  Flies,  on  the  other  hand,  were 
much  less  frequently  encountered.  Tbey  seemed  to  be  most  abundant 
in  the  food  of  the  Grass  Pickerel  (25  per  cent.),  and  next  to  that  in  the 
Croppie,  the  Pirate  Perch,  and  the  common  Perch  (10  to  13  per  cent.). 

'The  -vvinged  adults  of  this  and  related  genera  are  often  called  ''Kiver  Flies"  in 
Illinois. 


161 

"Case-worms  (Phryganeidw)  were  somewhat  rarely  found,  rising  to 
15  per  cent,  in  the  Rock  Bass,  and  12  per  cent,  in  the  Minnows  of  the 
Hybopsis  group,  but  otherwise  averaging  from  1  to  6  per  cent,  in  less 
than  half  of  the  species." 


THE  HOSTS   OF  A  FEW  LARGER   ICHNEUMONIDS. 

We  had  occasion  last  May,  in  writing  to  Mr.  Clarence  M.  Weed  con- 
cerning his  recently-published  paper,  "Biological  Notes  on  Some  North 
American  IchneumonidiB"  (Psyche,  Vol.  V,  No.  145,  May,  1888),  to  bring 
together  the  records  from  our  note- books  of  the  habits  of  several  of  the 
species  mentioned  by  him,  in  order  to  supplement  his  short  list.  As 
these  facts  have  not  been  published  we  give  them  below  as  a  matter  of 
record : 

Pimpla  notanda Proteoteras  ?esculana. 

A  Leaf  roller  on  Locust  (not  reared). 

Pimpla  annulipes Carpocapsa  pomonella.* 

Phycita  nebulo.* 

Papilio  ajax. 

Datana  ministra. 

Tortrix  quercifoliana. 

A  Leaf-roller  on  Strawberry  (not  reared). 

Teras  oxycoccana. 

Heterocampa  marthesia. 

Gelechia.  gallse-asterella. 

Pimpla  conquisitor Aletia  xylina.* 

Clisiocampa  americana. 
Thj-ridopteryx  ephemerteformis.* 
Phycita  nebulo.* 

Pimpla  inquisitor Orgyia  leucostigma.* 

Gelechia  gallfe-solidaginis. 
Grapholitha  olivaceana., 
Coleophora  cinerella. 
Leaf- roller  on  Ash  (not  reared). 
Trogus  obsidiauator  . . .  Papilio  asterias. 

Trogus  exesorius Papilio  ajax. 

Papilio  marcellus. 
Papilio  asterias.* 
Papilio  troilus.* 
Papilio  turnus.* 
Ichneumon  rufiventris  .  Pyrameis  cardui.* 
Pyrameis  huntera. 
Vanessa  milberti, 

■*  Those  records  with  an  asterisk  have  been  published  in  our  accounts  of  these  species. 

We  may  further  mention  that  Professor  Comstock  in  1879  reared  P.  conquisitor  from 
PhaceUura  hyalinitalis,  and  that  we  have  more  recently  reared  P.  annulipes  from  a 
Chilo  near  oryzceeUus,  whicli  we  have  reared  from  twigs  of  sumach  at  Washington. 
10332— No.  5 4 


162 

THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON.  • 

November  1,  1888.— Mr.  Scliwarz  read  aud  commented  upou  a  passage  in  Garzilasso 
de  la  Vega's  account  of  DeSoto's  expedition,  relative  to  silk-culture  in  Mexico  in  the 
earlier  part  of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  offered  some  remarks  on  the  absence  of  any 
reference  by  that  old  author  to  the  various  insect  pests  annoying  man,  with  which 
the  Spaniards  must  have  come  in  contact  for  the  first  time  during  DeSoto's  march 
through  North  America. 

Mr.  Fox  read  some  notes  on  the  spiders  collected  by  him  in  Tennessee  during  the 
past  summer.  He  especially  commented  on  the  habitat  of  a  species  of  Dolomedes  taken 
by  him,  and  upon  the  tube  oi  Lycosa  nidifex,  which  is  different  from  that  described  by 
Dr.  Marx  in  his  description  of  the  species.  Dr.  Marx  made  some  remarks  on  the 
paper,  and  gave  the  burrowing  habits  of  Lycosa  nidifex  as  observed  by  him  near  the 
seashore.  He  also  suggested  that  this  is  a  good  time  to  collect  gossamer  spiders,  which 
are  now  very  abundant. 

Mr.  Howard  suggested  the  collection  of  spider  egg  masses  for  the  purpose  of  trying 
to  get  parasites. 

Professor  Kiley  suggested  that  the  larva  of  Mantispa  can  be  obtained  in  the  same 
way.  He  also  made  some  remarks  on  the  habits  of  a  species  of  Agalena  common  on 
his  grounds.     He  further  made  some  remarks  on  the  habits  of  Atypus. 

Mr.  Smith  made  some  remarks  on  the  habits  of  Siomoxya  as  observed  by  him  at  his 
residence.  He  says  neither  he  nor  any  member  of  his  family  have  been  bitten  by  them, 
although  they  have  now  entirely  replaced  the  Musca  domestica.  They  are  not  attacked 
by  the  fungus  which  is  rapidly  killing  the  few  remaining  specimens  of  M.  domestica. 

A  discussion  of  the  habits  of  Stomoxys  was  participated  in  by  Messrs.  Mann,  Smith, 
Riley,  Schwarz,  Howard,  and  Al  wood. 

Mr.  Schwarz  made  a  series  of  shorter  communications  on  the  following  insects,  of 
which  specimens  were  exhibited :  On  Dendroctonns  simplex  attacking  Larix  Americana, 
and  on  the  other  Scolytids  atttacking  the  Tamarack;  on  the  secondary  characters  in 
the  male  of  Pissodcs  affinis ;  on  a  new  Herbarium  pest  from  California  (Trigonogenius 
sp.),  on  the  hitherto  unknown  female  of  Pliotinus  coUusirans ;  on  a  specimen  of  Sin- 
oxylon  hasilare  with  two-jointed  antennal  club,  and  on  the  occurrence  of  Sinoxylon 
texanum  near  Washington.  A  discussion  arose  between  Messrs.  Riley,  Howard, 
Schwarz,  and  Smith  on  the  constancy  of  the  number  of  antennal  joints  in  insects  and 
their  value  in  classification. 

JOHX  B.  Smith, 

Becording  Secretary. 


Fig.  35.  Chalcis  fiaripes. 


PERSONNEL  OF  THOSE   ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,'  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temjjorary  employes : 

DIVISION  OF  ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    S.   DEPARTMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  V.  Eiley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.   Howard,  First  Assistant;  E.  A.  Schwarz,   Th.  Pergande,  Tyler 

Townseud,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants  ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 

in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 
Field  Agents :  Saml.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass.;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind.;  Herbert 

Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111.;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood, 

Mo. ;  Lawrence  Bruner,  Lincoln,  Nebr. ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  Albert 

Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,  U.  S.  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator:  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  Curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

^f  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communica- 
tions. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "Insect  Life,"  or 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "  Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of 
the  correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also  at- 
tended to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that 
only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.  Illustrations, 
where  not  otherwise  stated,  are  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under  supervision. — 
C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION   OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  DECEMBER,     18S8. 

Vol.  .!•  No.  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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1888. 


CONTENTS 


Pago. 

Special  Notes I63 

The  Habits  of  Thalessa  and  Tremex  (illustrated) .C.  V.  Riley..       168 

Notes  on  Lachnosteuxa  fusca  (illustrated) J.  B.  Smith..       180 

A  Sandwich  Island  Sugar-cane  Borer  (illustrated) 185 

Extracts  from  Cokrespondence 190 

The  "Red  Bug"  iujuriug  Orauges  agaiu. — Further  lujury  in  the  Treasury 
by  Roaches. — Beetles  supposed  to  have  been  passed  by  a  Patient. — A 
Tiueid  on  Carpets  in  Texas. — Leaf-stripping  Ants  in  Arizona. — The  Hes- 
sian Fly  in  England. — Stinging  CatetpiUar  oi  Lagoa  ojycrcularis. — Re- 
buttal of  Wier's  Statements  regarding  the  Plum  Curculio. 

General  Notes 193 

Grain  Insects  in  Australia. — Further  concerning  the  Locust  War  in  Al- 
geria.— An  important  Contribution  to  Lepulopterology. — The  poison- 
ous Nature  of  the  Mecouium  of  Lepidoptera. — The  Peach-twig  Moth 
and  its  Parasite. — Two  abnormal  Honey  Bees. — Reappearance  of  Lach- 
nus  platanicola. — Two  alien  Pests  of  the  Greenhouse. — The  Food-habits 
of  North  American  Calaudridie. — Thii  natural  Food-plant  of  Graptodera 
foliacea. — A  remarkable  Insect  Enemy  to  Live  Stock. — Further  on  the 
Importation  of  Lestophouus. — Proceediuge  of  the  Entomological  So- 
ciety of  Washington. 


Vol.  1,  No.  6.]  INSECT    LIFE.  [December,  1§§8. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

The  notices  so  far  published  of  Insect  Life  have  been  very  satisfac- 
tory indeed,  and  we  feel  very  mnch  encouraged  at  the  manner  in  which 
the  bulletin  has  been  received  both  by  entomologists  and  farmers.  The 
only  strictures  so  far  made  have  been  in  reference  to  publication  of  de- 
scriptive matter.  We  wish  to  assure  our  reviewers  that  while  in  the  main 
Insect  Life  will  be  devoted  to  the  economy  of  insects,  it  is  also  devoted 
to  the  promotion  of  entomology  in  all  its  branches.  We  do  not  intend 
to  print  hurried,  isolated  descriptions,  carelessly  thrown  together  and 
hastily  published  to  insure  priority,  but  where  descriptions  form  a 
part  of  some  co  mprehensive  study  of  any  group  of  insects ;  where 
they  are  based  upon  a  broad  knowledge  of  affinities,  or  where  they 
are  connected  with  any  studies  in  life  history,  we  shall  be  glad  to  give 
them  place.  We  hope,  therefore,  to  publish  some  matter  of  this  kind 
with  almost  every  numoer  of  the  bulletin. 


Recent  California  Work  against  the  Fluted  Scale. — On  page  110,  No.  4, 
Insect  Life,  we  published  an  extract  from  a  letter  received  during 
September  from  Mr.  Coquillett,  giving  a  vivid  account  of  the  condition 
of  affairs  among  orange-growers  in  southern  California.  One  promi- 
nent fruit  grower  has  entirely  abandoned  the  industry;  another  one 
stated  that  he  would  cut  down  his  trees  in  case  he  could  not  make  a 
success  of  the  gas  treatment;  another  took  all  the  money  that  the 
oranges  and  lemons  brought  him  and  spent  it  in  spraying  his  trees 
with  "one  of  the  best  caustic  washes  in  use"  (!),  and  as  a  result  his 
trees  were  injured  to  such  an  extent  that  they  will  not  bear  this  year, 
while  the  scales  are  as  abundant  as  ever.  Other  growers  in  the  San 
Gabriel  Valley  state  that  they  were  seriously  thinking  of  abandoning 
their  citrus  groves.  This  sad  state  of  affairs  is,  as  we  stated  eighteen 
months  ago  in  our  Kiverside  address,  by  no  means  necessary.  While 
experiments  have  shown  that  the  fumigating  processes  will  kill  the 
insects,  still  they  are  expensive  and  elaborate,  and  our  orange-growing 
friends  do  not  seem  to  have  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  washes  which 
we  have  recommended. 

163 


164 

It  is  our  firm  belief,  founded  upon  personal  observation  in  California, 
that  tliorouoh  and  persistent  work  with  any  one  of  a  half  dozen  of  the 
kerosene  and  resin  compounds  will  prove  satisfactory.  So  far  as  we 
can  learn  they  have  by  no  means  received  a  fair  trial.  The  experiments 
made  by  Mr.  Koebele  in  1886  and  1887  have  demonstrated  the  efficacy 
of  certain  of  these  washes  to  our  entire  satisfaction,  and  we  feel  j^ositive 
that  we  could  keep  a  young  grove  comparatively  free  in  the  worst  in- 
fested district  at  an  expenditure  which  would  not  be  excessive.  Where 
the  insect  has  attained  a  firm  foot-hold  in  an  old  grove,  it  is  of  course 
very  difficult  to  eradicate;  but  young  groves  tjan  be  protected,  and  in 
our  oi)inion  the  horticulturists  are  making  a  very  great  mistake  in  en- 
tirely dropping  the  washes  and  devoting  so  much  time  to  the  expensive 
cyanide-gas  treatment.  We  do  not  understand,  after  what  has  been 
definitely  prov^ed  in  this  direction,  how  such  a  vital  mistake  could  have 
been  made  as  indicated  in  the  case  of  the  man  who  spent  all  his  money 
on  the  caustic  washes  and  seriously  injured  his  trees.  Nor  can  we 
sympathize  so  much  as  we  otherwise  would  with  those  who  have  felt 
themselves  obliged  to  abandon  the  cultivation  of  oranges  and  lemons. 


A  correspondent  in  California,  wishing  to  use  the  fumigation  process 
for  destroying  orange  scales,  was  informed  by  the  proprietors  of  an  ap- 
paratus for  confining  the  fumes  that  they  possessed  patents  not  only 
upon  their  mechanical  devices  but  also  upon  the  process  of  fumigation. 
Upon  receiving  word  from  our  correspondent  of  this  state  of  affairs  we 
took  occasion  to  look  the  matter  up,  and  came  to  the  conclusions  indi- 
cated in  the  following  sentences  which  are  extracted  from  our  final 
reply : 

I  have  had  a  most  careful  examination  made  at  the  Patent  Office  here  in  Washing- 
ton, with  the  result  that,  while  I  readily  find  the  record  of  the  issuing  of  a  patent  to 
the  Culver- Keach  people  for  their  apparatus,  I  can  not  find  the  slightest  trace  of  a 
patent  on  the  "process  of  fumigation  with  gas"  issued  to  these  people.  This  claim 
is  probably  set  up  by  them  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  other  parties  out  of  the  field. 
Moreover,  the  Patent  Office  has  decided  in  the  case  of  other  parties  that  the  "pro- 
cess" can  not  be  patented,  since  the  so-called  Hatch  patent  covered  the  same  ground, 
and  as  this  patent  has  expired  the  process  has  become  public  property.  The  essential 
features  of  the  gas  treatment  were  discovered  by  Mr.  Coquillett  as  an  outgrowth  of 
the  work  he  was  doing  for  the  Government  under  my  direction,  and  the  results  have 
been  made  public  and  are  public  property.  So  long  as  you  do  not  infringe  on  the 
mechanical  principles  used  in  the  fumigator  you  need,  in  my  judgment,  pay  little 
heed  to  claims  for  gas  treatment. 


Introduction  of  living  Parasites:  Success  of  the  Mission  to  Australia.— 
We  had  intended  publishing  in  our  general  notes  of  this  number  a 
quotation  from  the  South  Australian  Register  of  October  27,  giving 
an  account  of  the  apparent  success  of  the  mission  of  Mr.  Koebele,  one 


165 

of  our  agents,  whom  we  sent  to  Australia  for  the  purpose  of  studying 
and  collectiug  the  native  parasites  of  Icerya  purchasi  with  a  view  of 
introducing  them  iuto  California;  but  just  as  we  are  going  to  press 
the  Australian  mail  arrives,  and  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Koebele 
covers  the  ground  so  much  more  satisfactorily  that  we  print  it  in  full: 

So  far  my  work  lias  beoQ  much  more  successful  than  I  expected.  I  not  ouly  found 
the  dipterous  parasite  within  Icerya  in  large  numbers,  but  also  three  predaceous 
larvte  feeding  upon  the  eggs  of  Icerya.  Oue  of  these  is  a  Chrysopa  larva,  which  I 
tirst  discovered  in  numbers,  it  having  almost  destroyed  all  the  eggs  of  the  infested 
Icerya  at  Mannam,  2S  miles  up  the  Murray  River  from  Murray  Bridge  Station,  South 
Australia;  the  others  are  larvte  of  a  small  Coccinella.  I  have  collected  and  sent  with 
this  steamer,  Mariposa,  probably  10,000  leery*,  of  which  at  least  50  per  cent,  are  in- 
fested with  the  dipterous  larvae  and  pupte.  Dr.  Schomburg,  director  of  the  Botanical 
Gardens  of  Adelaide,  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  wardian-case,  in  which  I  placed 
three  young  orange  trees  and  nine  of  Pittosporum,  securely  packed  down.  The 
Iceryaj  were  placed  in  this  on  sticks  of  orange  placed  in  earth,  so  the  smaller,  half- 
grown  insects  can  easily  crawl  up  on  the  fresh  plants,  and  the  flies  that  hatch  en 
route  may  be  able  to  go  on  breeding.  Beside  these,  I  send  a  large  lot  in  tin  and 
wooden  boxes,  chiefly  taken  off  of  twigs;  these  latter  I  have  placed  in  ice-box,  so 
that  none  will  be  able  to  hatch  during  the  voyage.  As  it  looks  now,  for  all  are  on 
steamer  already,  the  latter  experiment  will  be  the  best  to  follow.  Notwithstanding 
the  care  and  labor  I  have  spent  in  getting  this  case  here  in  such  condition,  I  fear 
that  the  packages  will  sutler  greatly  through  the  handling  of  the  steamer  hands. 
However  it  may  be,  I  assure  you  that  success  will  attend  your  effort,  and  I  expect  to 
land  several  thousands  of  flies  in  pupa  state  with  every  steamer  landing  at  San 
Francisco. 

In  regard  to  the  case  with  plants,  this  is  a  bulky  thing,  weighing  240  pounds, 
while  the  same  number  of  scales  packed  in  boxes  would  make  only  a  few  pounds. 

The  most  diflicult  matter  is  to  get  Iceryie  in  such  large  numbers.  As  yet  I  have 
found  them  ouly  in  private  gardens,  but  I  know  of  sufficient  for  another  sending. 

On  coming  on  here  I  also  discovered  the  flies  within  Iceryie  in  Victoria,  and  am 
certain  that  they  will  be  found  all  over  Australia,  or  wherever  Icerya  is  present. 

They  are  not  ouly  parasitic  upon  Mouophlcebus  and  Icerya,  but  I  am  almost  cer- 
tain also  upon  Dactylopius.  I  found  many  empty  puparia  within  dried-up  Dacty- 
lopius,  and  also  have  several  fresh  ones  at  Adelaide. 

Will  remain  in  New  South  Wales  for  about  a  week  or  so  and  make  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  the  ground,  then  proceed  to  Victoria  in  search  of  Icerya,  but  will  be 
in  Adelaide  in  time  to  make  up  a  larger  shipment. 


Economic  Entomology  in  India. — An  esteemed  correspondent  writes  us 
from  Calcutta  with  regard  to  Insect  Life  as  follows : 

I  am  much  interested  in  your  new  venture  "  Insect  Life,"  which  is  the  practical  car- 
rying out  of  a  scheme  that  I  have  been  urging  on  our  people  here  for  years.  This  is 
what  a  practical  man  wants,  the  history  of  an  insect  and  a  name  or  ticket  by  which 
it  can  be  recognized  by  others  and  by  which  their  observations  can  be  correlated  and 
made  use  of  for  all  time.  In  all  countries  economic  entomology  must  have  more  at- 
tention paid  to  it  than  hitherto.  Competition  and  pressure  of  population  both  de- 
maud  every  effort  of  science  to  reduce  the  cost  of  production,  and  it  can  be  done  to  a 
greater  extent  than  has  hitherto  been  thought  of.  I  have  encouraged  an  assistant  in 
our  museum  to  precis  and  distribute  your  papers.  But  it  is  slow  work  and  I  should 
be  glad  of  any.papers  on  the  organization  of  your  Department,  to  found  a  similar 
one  here.     No  paid  agency  can  be  entertained  for  other  than  the  scientific  work,  and 


166 

•we  lack  the  intelligent  unpaid  agency  which  forms  the  feature  of  your  reports  and 
■which  gives  you  what  no  reasonably  paid  agency  could  accomplish.  This  is  my  great 
difficulty:  the  Indian  peasant  knows  nothing  of  insects  or  means  to  combat  tbem, 
and  is  too  ignorant  and  careless  to  help.  There  is  not  one  native  of  India  who  knows 
anything  of  natural  history  or  cares  for  it  or  is  likely  to  do  so. 


Credit  to  whom  Credit  is  due. — We  are  sorry  to  notice  from  the  Garden 
and  Field  (Adelaide,  South  Australia)  for  July,  1888,  that  Mr.  F.  S. 
Crawford,  to  whom  is  due  the  discovery  of  Lestoijhoniis  iceryce,  the 
Dipterous  parasite  of  the  Fluted  Scale,  and  who  has  taken  so  much 
trouble  to  secure  specimens  to  forward  them  to  California  and  New 
Zealand,  is  somewhat  hurt  by  an  exhibition  of  want  of  knowledge  of 
the  facts  on  the  part  of  a  California  paper.  He  quotes  from  the  Cali- 
fornia journal  as  follows : 

To  Professor  Coquillett,  Mr.  Wolfskill,  and  Mr.  Craw  great  praise  is  due,  for  they 
are  in  a  fair  way  to  do  more  for  Southern  California  than  has  been  accomplished  in 
many  years. 

Following  this,  in  his  own  words,  he  adds: 

All  honor,  then,  be  to  this  patriotic  trio,  and  personally  lot  me  express  my  compli- 
ments to  the  writer  of  the  article,  because  until  I  read  it  I  labored  under  the  delusion 
that  I  first  discovered  th  ■  Dipteron,  that  I  first  suggested  its  introduction  into  Cali- 
fornia and  other  countries  afflicted  by  the  Icerya  scourge,  and  that  I  have  put  myself 
to  some  little  and  my  friends  to  much  greater  trouble  in  collecting  and  forwarding 
the  Coccid  hosts  of  these  parasite  flies — all  of  which  is  doubtless  a  mistake! 

We  are  very  sorry  that  Mr.  Crawford  feels  hurt  about  this  matter,  and 
beg  to  assure  him  that  it  is  but  a  specimen  of  a  certain  kind  of  Ameri- 
can journalism  for  which,  in  all  probability,  no  one  of  the  three  gentle- 
men in  question  is  in  the  least  responsible.  Mr.  Crawford's  claims  upon 
the  gratitude  of  the  California  people  are  well  known  and  abundantlj' 
recognized.  Our  own  part  in  this  matter  is  equally  ignored  in  the 
article  referred  to.  In  our  Riverside  address,  in  the  spring  of  1887,  we 
made  use  of  the  following  words : 

It  has  doubtlfess  occurred  to  many  of  you  that  it  would  be  very  desirable  to  intro- 
duce from  Australia  such  parasites  as  serve  to  keep  this  Fluted  Scale  in  check  in  its 
native  land.  We  have  a  ready  seen  that  there  is  one  minute  parasite  which  has,  in 
all  probability,  been  brought  over  with  it  from  Australia,  and  there  is  no  question 
but  that  it  is  very  desirable  to  introduce  any  such  of  its  enemies  and  parasites  as  can 
be  introduced.  This  State — yes,  even  Los  Angeles  County — could  well  afford  to  ap. 
propriate  a  couple  of  thousaud  dollars  for  no  other  purpose  than  the  sending  of  an 
expert  to  Australia  to  devote  some  months  to  the  study  of  these  parasites  there  and 
to  their  artificial  introduction  here. 

Receiving  through  Miss  Ormerod  the  first  specimens  of  Lestophonus, 
we  requested  Mr.  Crawford  to  send  specimens  to  Messrs.  Coquillett  and 
Klee.  We  have  recently  learned  that  Mr.  Klee  also  independently 
made  the  same  request  to  Mr.  Crawford  after  learning  that  such  a  par- 
asite existed.    The  California  newspaper  man  was  siugularlj^  uufortu- 


167 

nate  in  that  none  of  the  three  gentlemen  whom  he  mentioned  had  any- 
thing to  do  with  the  matter  beyond  receiving  the  specimens  and  at- 
tempting to  colonize  them. 


Entomologiske  Meddelelser,  udgiviie  af  Entomologisk  Porening  ved  Fr. 
Meinert,  Copenhagen.— This  is  the  title  of  a  new  journal,  of  which  we 
have  received  the  first  five  numbers  through  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion. The  name  of  its  editor  is  a  guaranty  of  the  excellence  of  its  con- 
tents, a  large  proportion  of  which  are  from  his  pen.  Unlike  English 
journals,  this  paper  contains  no  prospectus,  no  price,  no  indication  as 
to  where  it  is  to  be  obtained,  and  no  date  except  that  of  the  year.  It  is 
printed  in  good  style,  on  good  paper,  and  in  the  Danish  language  ex- 
clusively. In  the  numbers  before  us  there  seems  evident  an  intention 
of  giving  as  complete  a  list  of  the  Danish  insect  fauna  as  possible.  The 
Orthoptera  have  been  completed  and  the  Coleoptera  are  making  good 
progress.     We  are  glad  to  greet  a  new  friend. 


The  Rural  Neiv  Yorker  potato  contest  has  been  decided  and  the  so- 
called  Rural  Seedling  No.  2  yielded  at  the  rate  of  1,076  bushels  to  the 
acre.  No.  3  lost  the  day  and  was  nearly  a  failure  ou  account  of  the 
ravages  of  the  common  Flea-beetle  {Crepidodera  cucumeris).  Probably 
the  yield  of  No.  2  would  have  been  greater  but  for  this  cause.  This  in- 
sect has  been  particularly  destructive  during  the  past  season  upon  the 
Rural  farm,  confining  its  attack  to  the  leaves  and  terminal  shoots. 

It  is  now  proposed  to  start  a  potato  contest  for  ladies,  the  patches 
to  be  limited  to  one-fortieth  of  an  acre  or  thereabouts.  The  details, 
however,  are  not  fixed. 


We  have  received  from  Prof.  Dr.  K.  Lindeman,  of  Moscow,  a  report 
upon  the  diseases  of  tobacco  in  Bessarabia.  The  report,  unfortunately 
for  American  students,  is  published  in  Russian  and  not  in  the  German, 
in  which  Professor  Lindeman  usually  writes.  He  discusses  principally 
the  Tenebrionid  beetle,  Opatriim  intermedium,  a  species  which  is  con- 
fined to  southern  Russia,  and  the  larva  of  which  attacks  the  stem  un- 
derground. The  larva  also  feeds  upon  wheat,  Atriplex  and  Convolvu- 
lus. He  also  discusses  the  injury  done  by  a  Thrips  {Thrips  tabaci)  and 
another  Tenebrionid — Pedinus  femoralis. 


We  have  received  from  George  W.  Peckham  and  Elizabeth  Peckham 
a  paper  entitled  "  The  North  American  Spiders  of  the  Family  Attidse," 
which  has  the  appearance  of  a  careful  and  most  conscientious  work. 


168 

Eev.  T.  A.  Marshall  writes  us  that  E.  Andre,  of  Beaune,  is  now  en- 
gaged in  compiling  a  new  catalogue  of  the  Hymeuoptera  of  Europe  and 
adjacent  countries,  ever^^  parr  of  which  will  be  submitted  to  specialists 
before  publication,  and  which  doubtless  will  for  a  time  prove  serviceable 
to  working  Hymenopterists. 


The  Buhach  Producing  and  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Stockton, 
Cal.,  very  generously  offered  to  sell  the  Department  some  time  ago 
seed  of  Pyrethrum  cinerariaifoUnm,  at  the  following  rates :  One  pound, 
$50;  5  pounds,  $200;  10  pounds,  $350;  50  pounds,  $1,250;  which 
shows  that  there  is  money  in  the  cultivation  of  this  insecticide  plant 
in  the  United  States.  We  have  already  shown  that  the  plant  can  be 
successfully  grown  over  a  large  portion  of  the  country  and  it  seems 
remarkable  that  this  lirm  should  have  enjoyed  a  monopoly  so  long. 


We  are  anxious  to  get  copies  of  our  First  and  Sixth  Reports  on  the 
Insects  of  Missouri.  We  shall  be  pleased  to  purchase  them  of  any  of 
our  readers  who  happen  to  have  copies  that  they  can  spare.  We  desire 
these  two  reports  more  particularly.  The  first  is  published  in  the  Re- 
port of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture  for  1868,  and  we  will  purchase 
copies  ot  that  report  where  the  entomological  part  is  not  separated. 
The  Sixth  Entomological  Report  was  iiublisbed  separately.  We  are  also 
willing  10  purchase  the  entomological  reports  for  any  other  years. 


THE  HABITS  OF  THALESSA  AND  TREMEX. 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 
HABITS   OP   THALESSA. 

Our  two  largest  American  Ichueumonids  {Thalessa  atrata  and  T.  lima- 
tor)  have  long  been  known  to  bore  the  trunks  of  various  trees  with  their 
lengthy  ovipositors,  choosing,  apparently,  only  trees  or  stumps  inhab- 
ited by  Treniex  or  other  wood-boring  larvie,  from  which  the  general  sup 
position  has  been  that  the  larvte  of  the  Ichueumonids  were  parasitic 
upon  the  larvse  of  the  Tremex.  Accurate  and  positive  observations  on 
this  point,  however,  seem  not  to  have  been  made,  or  at  least  not  to  have 
been  recorded,  prior  to  our  own,  which  will  presently  be  quoted. 

Harris  (Ins.  inj.  to  Veg.,  p.  538)  says  of  the  larva  of  Tremex  tolumua : 
It  is  ofteu  destroyed  by  the  maggots  of  two  kinds  of  icbueumou-flies(i'iHijj/rt  atrata 
aud  lunator  of  Fabricius).  These  flies  may  frequently  be  seeu  thrusting  their  sleuder 
borers,  measuriug  3  or  4  inches  iu  length,  into  the  trunks  of  trees  inhabited  by  the 
grubs  of  the  Tremex,  aud  by  other  wood-eating  insects;  and,  like  the  female  Tremex, 
they  sometimes  become  fastened  to  the  trees  and  die  without  being  able  to  draw  their 
borers  out  again. 


169 

It  will  be  noticed  from  the  above-quoted  passage  that  while  Harris 
states  positively  that  the  larv;p.  of  the  parasites  destroy  the  larvre  of  the 
Tremex  he  says  nothing  about  the  place  where  the  parasitic  egg  is  laid 
and  does  not  even  hazard  the  supposition  that  the  Tremex  larva  is 
pierced  by  the  ovipositor  of  the  parasite.  Later  authors,  however,  have 
loosely  made  this  statement  without  evidence  or  authority.  For  instance, 
Packard  (Guide,  etc.,  p.  19G)  says : 

The  genus  Bhyssa  contains  our  largest  species  and  frequents  tlie  boles  of  boring  in- 
sects iu  tbe  trunks  of  trees,  inserting  its  remarkably  long  ovipositor  in  the  body  of 
the  larvae  deeply  imbedded  in  the  trunk  of  the  tree. 

Following  this  statement,  or  possibly  some  previous  one  which  we 
have  not  been  able  to  place,  the  idea  has  been  current  that  the  wood- 
boring  larva  is  pierced  by  the  ovipositor  of  the  parasite.  As  late  as 
1886  Professor  Oomstock,  in  the  Standard  Natural  History,  II,  p.  514, 
says : 

And  the  females  {Rhysaa)  are  often  found  witli  their  long  ovipositors  deeply  sunken 
iJiM  the  trunks  of  such  trees  (infested  with  Sirex)  in  the  act  of  laying  their  eggs  iu 
the  bodies  of  the  wood-boring  larvae. 

From  the  use  of  the  generic  name  Sirex,  Professor  Comstock's  state- 
ment would  seem  to  be  drawm  from  European  sources,  and  this  has  led 
us  to  make  some  search  of  European  records  for  observation  upon 
allied  species. 

Westwood  (Introd.,  etc.,  II,  150)  says : 

Some  species,  whose  females  are  furnished  with  a  vei-y  long  ovipositor,  are  found 
on  the  trunks  of  trees,  stumps  of  wood,  etc.,  evidently  searching  for  the  lignivorous 
larvte,  in  which  they  deposit  their  eggs. 

Ratzeburg  (Ichneumonen  d.  Forstins.)  states  that  both  Nordlinger 
and  himself  reared  Rhyssa  ][)ersuasorki  from  Sirex  spectrum,  and  he  also 
records  B.  curvipes  as  reared  from  Kiphidria  canielus.  He  does  not, 
however  give  any  details  of  his  observations,  nor  does  he  state  that  the 
l^arasite  in  ovipositing  pierces  the  wood-boring  grub. 

In  spite,  however,  of  the  lack  of  definite  observations  on  this  point, 
the  idea  was  almost  universally  prevalent  among  entomologists  up  to 
recent  years  that  the  parasite  pierced  the  grub  with  her  ovipositor  and 
deposited  her  egg  in  its  body. 

In  the  December,  1882,  number  of  the  Canadian  Entomologist,  Mr. 
Frederick  Clarkson  gave  an  account  of  observations  upon  this  parasite 
which  were,  upon  the  whole,  very  similar  to  those  which  we  had  pre- 
viously made.  His  article  was  called  forth  by  a  popular  review  of  the 
habits  of  atrata  and  luaator  contrihated  to  the  May  number  of  the  same 
journal  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Harrington,  in  which  the  latter  fell  into  the  old 
error  of  stating  that  the  female  Thalessa  deposits  her  eggs  iu  the  larvae 
of  the  UroceridiB  and  other  wood-borers  by  means  of  her  long  ovipositor. 
Mr.  Clarkson  stated  in  brief  that  his  experience  had  demonstrated  that 
while  it  may  be  a  fact  that  these  insects  deposit  their  eggs  upon  the 


170 

larvfB  of  Uroceridse  or  other  borers,  they  do  not  commouly  do  so.  lu 
every  case  that  he  observed  the  ovipositor  entered  through  wood  that 
had  not  been  previously  attacked,  and  in  his  opinion  the  egg  is  often, 
if  not  generally,  laid  regardless  of  contact  with  the  larva.  He  con- 
cluded that  if  the  Ichneumonid  larvne  are  carnivorous  they  must  bore  in 
search  of  food,  as  he  thought  it  improbable  that  the  adults  performed 
the  great  labor  of  boring  on  the  chance  of  meeting  with  a  larva,  but 
rather  that  they  deposit  eggs  at  every  insertion. 

In  1884  the  question  was  brought  up  again  by  Mr.  George  Gade,  of 
Fordham,  N.  Y.  who  had  made  practically  the  same  observations  as  Mr, 
Clarkson,  but  who  drew  the  strikingly  erroneous  conclusions  that  Tha- 
lessa  is  lignivorous  and  not  parasitic.  He  is  reported  to  have  stated 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Brooklyn  Entomological  Society,  held  September 
27, 1884  (see  Bulletin  Brooklyn  Entom.  Soc,  Vol.  VII,  Nov.,  1884,  page 
103),  that  he  had  long  doubted  the  parasitic  habit  of  the  species.  He 
remarked : 

I  have,  daring  the  past  season,  watched  many  females  ovipositing,  and  have  cut  off 
the  ovipositor  when  ready  to  be  withdrawn,  and  in  no  instance  have  I  found  a  larva 
of  any  kind  anywhere  near  the  point  reached  hy  the  borer  and  where  the  egg  was 
deposited.  The  conclusion  is,  therefore,  that  the  hirva  is  a  true  wood-feeder,  and  not 
parasitic. 

In  the  discussion  which  followed  Messrs.  George  D.  Hulst,  and  A.  C. 
Weeks  are  stated  to  have  announced  that  they  had  reached  the  same 
conclusion  from  independent  observation. 

At  the  December  meeting  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Washington 
we  commented  upon  this  report  of  Mr.  Gade's  observations,  and  later 
wrote  to  the  editors  of  the  Brooklyn  Bulletin  a  letter  which  was  pub- 
lished in  the  January  (1885)  number  (page  123),  giving  the  results  of 
our  own  observation,  and  quoting  the  following  letter,  which  we  had 
previously  written  to  Mr.  J.  A.  Lintner,  and  which  he  published  in  an 
article  o^  his  own  in  the  Country  Gentleman  for  April  17,  1884  (vol. 
XLIX,  page  331): 

I  have  on  several  occasions  had  opportunity  of  closely  studying  not  onlj^  the  mode 
of  ovipositiou,  but  of  larval  growth  of  lihyssa.  My  sketches  and  notes  are  at  home 
[written  from  Boscawen,  N.  H.],  but  the  salient  facts  beari.ug  on  your  question  I  can 
give  from  memory.  In  all  instances  where  I  have  found  the  female  depositing,  it  has 
been  in  trees  infested  with  Tremcx  cohimba,  and  I  have  found  her  most  numerous  on 
badly  affected  or  injured  trees,  or  ev^eu  on  stumps  or  broken  trunks  already  partly  de- 
cayed. The  instinct  to  read;  the  egg  or  larva  of  Tremex,  so  dwelt  upon  in  popular 
accounts,  is  imaginary.  She  bores  directly  through  the  outer  parts  of  the  tree,  and 
doubtless  probes  for  a  burrow  ;  but  her  egg  is  consigned  anywhere  in  the  burrow; 
the  young  larva  seeks  its  prey,  and  lives  and  develops  without  penetrating  the 
body  of  its  victim,  but  fastened  to  the  exterior.  This  habit  among  parasites  is  much 
more  common  than  is  generally  supposed.  A  great  mauy  lihyssa  larva?  doubtless  per- 
ish without  finding  food,  and  a  great  mauy  females  die  in  probing  for  a  burrow, 
especially  when  they  burrow  through  wood  that  is  sound  and  hard. 

We  also  published  in  Science,  November  28,  1884  (Vol.  IV,  No.  95, 
page  48G),  a  note  making  the  same  criticism. 


171 

In  the  discussion  which  followed  the  reading  of  our  letter  at  the  i^o- 
vember  (1884)  meeting  of  the  Brooklyn  society,  as  reported  by  Mr.  John 
B.  Smith,  Mr.  Gade  announced  himself  as  "  positive  that  many  of  the 
logs  frequented  by  the  Rhyssa  are  not  infested  by  Tremex  or  other 
wood- boring  larva." 

It  follows  from  the  accurate  observations  here  brought  together,  and 
which  do  not  depend  npon  inference,  that  Mr.  Gade  (as  all  those  who 
support  him)  was  entirely  wrong  in  his  conclusion  that  Thalessa  is 
lignivorous;  and  though  further  observations  were  promised  the  en- 
suing year  we  have  looked  in  vain  in  the  reports  of  the  meetings  of 
the  Brooklyn  society  for  any  subsequent  statement  or  admission  of 
error. 

We  have  had  in  our  collection  since  1872  alcoholic  specimens  of  T. 
lunator,  as  well  as  Tremex  columha  in  all  stages,  taken  from  the  trunk  of 
a  Box  Elder  [Negtindo  aceroides)  on  Mr.  William  Coleman's  farm,  near 
Merrimac,  Mo.  We  took  these  on  the  4th  of  July,  1872,  and  made  notes 
as  to  the  habits  of  the  larva  and  pupa  of  both  species.  The  tree  was  al- 
ready partly  dead,  and,  in  fact,  our  experience  in  this  as  in  subsequent 
observations,  shows  that  in  most  cases  the  tree  has  been  somewhat  af- 
fected, so  that  the  wood  was  not  firm  and  healthy.  This  stump  fur- 
nished an  excellent  opporlunitj"  for  investigation,  because  it  was  so 
easily  split,  and  we  examined  the  burrows  very  carefully  and  found 
Thalessa  in  all  stages  at  that  time — larvse,  pup*  of  both  sexes,  and 
imagines  of  both  sexes  within  the  tree,  the  larvse  being  of  various  sizes 
and  invariably  external  to  the  Tremex,  i.  e.,  not  within,  but  holding  on 
to  its  victim  and  sucking  the  latter's  life  away,  without  in  any  case  en- 
tering the  body.  At  this  same  time  females  wei-e  also  actively  engaged 
in  ovipositing,  and  by  carefully  tracing  the  ovipositor  in  several  cases 
we  came  to  the  conclusion  that  she  did  not  attempt  to  reach  the  Tremex 
larva  but  only  to  reach  its  burrow,  and  that  the  young  parasitic  larva 
after  hatching  must  instinctively  seek  its  victim.  Thalessa,  therefore, 
is  not  an  internal  parasite  and  in  this  it  agrees  with  a  great  many 
other  parasites  both  Hymenopterous  and  Coleopterous,  e.  g.,  Ophion, 
Typhia,  Eupiectrus,  Elachistus,  Elasmus,  Polysphincta,  Acrodactyla, 
Rhipiphorus,  etc.,  which  are  all  external,  as  we  know  from  our  own  ex- 
perience and  Mr.  Howard's;  while  Tryphon,  Sphinctus,  and  Paulsens 
are  mentioned  by  Westwood  as  having  the  same  habit.  In  fact,  external 
parasitism  is  far  more  common  among  the  larvne  of  the  Ichneamonidfe 
and  the  Chalcididie  than  has  hitherto  been  supposed,  and  may  be  said 
almost  to  be  the  rule  with  all  parasites  upon  true  Endophytes,  and  with 
secondary  parasites.  The  truth  of  the  whole  matter  is,  that  Thalessa, 
like  all  other  insects,  is  liable  to  suffer  from  fallible  instinct,  and  that 
while  she  doubtless  has  better  means  of  distinguishing  a  tree  infested 
by  Tremex  than  we  have,  she  nevertheless  often  makes  mistakes,  and  the 
"unerring  instinct"  which  book  entomologists  are  so  fond  of  dwelling 


172 

upon  is  often  at  fault.  In  our  own  experience  we  have  never  found  her 
boring  in  uninfested  trees,  as  others  have  done,  and  in  cases  where  she 
fails  to  reach  a  Tremex  larva  and  to  fasten  her  egg  upon  or  near  it  she 
must  either  reach  a  Tremex  burrow  or  a  Tremex  larva  must  come  in  con- 
tact with  such  egg  or  the  larva  issuing  therefrom  to  insure  perpetuation. 
The  Thalessa  larva  no  doubt  actively  searches  for  its  victim  within  the 
burrow,  but,  from  the  nature  of  its  mouth-parts,  is  incapable  of  boring 
wood  as  Mr.  Harrington  and  Mr.  Clarkson  suppose. 

METHOD   OF   OVIPOSITION    IN   THALESSA. 


The  method  of  oviposition  in  a  creature  witb  such  an  enormously  long 

ovipositor  as  Thalessa 
possesses  must  be  of 
particular  interest. 
We  have  had  good  op- 
portunities of  observ- 
ing it.  In  i^repariog 
for  the  act  the  position 
is  generally  longitud- 
inal or  in  a  line  with 
the  axis  of  trunk  or 
branch,  the  head  ei- 
ther up  or  down  .With 
the  abdomen  raised  in 
the  air  the  ovipositor 
is  taken  and  managed 
with  t  he  hind  legs,  and 
the  tip  guided  by  the 
front  tarsi.  The  two 
outer  sheaths  are  used 
as  props  and  do  not 
enter  the  wood  with 
the  ovipositor  proper. 
They  are  generally 
crossed  —  a  position 
which  gives  additional 
strength  and  security 
to  them.  Now,  by  a 
movement  from  side  to 
side,  and  by  arching 
the  abdomen  and  bear- 
ing upon  the  oviposi  tor 
she  gradually  forces 
this  back  through  the  tip  of  the  abdomen  into  a  membrane  which  issues 


Fig.  36.— Thalessa  lunator.  (a)  Female  in  act  of  ovipositiiig ;  (&) 
abdomen  showing  outer  sheaths  in  slightly  dili'erent  position  ;  (c)  ab. 
domen  stretched  to  its  utmost,  as  when  first  inserting  or  finally 
withdrawing  the  ovipositor,  and  showing  the  coil  of  outer  sheaths  (/  ), 
the  distended  membrane  (d),  and  the  ovipositor  coiled  around  in- 
side it  at  periphery  (original). 


173 


from  between  the  sixth  and  seventh  joints  dorsally.  There  is  a  won- 
derful muscular  power  in  the  anal  joints,  and  the  ovipositor  is  forced  back 
until  it  forms  a  perfect  coil,  so  that  when  the  abdomen  is  stretched  in  a 
straio-ht  line  to  its  utmost  (Fig.  36,  c)  the  ovipositor  within  the  membrane 
makes  a  circle  almost  as  large  as  a  qnarter  of  a  dollar,  the  anal  joint 
having  made  a  three  fourths  turn  within  the  membrane.  In  this  man- 
ner the  ovipositor  under  the  venter  has  been  sufficiently  shortened  to 
bring  its  tip  against  the  bark.  During  this  operation,  however,  the 
outer  sheaths,  which  have  not  followed  the  ovipositor  within  the 
membrane,  have  been  obliged  to  make  a  more  or  less  irregular  coil 
opposite  to  and  in  front  of  the  membrane  on  the  ventral  side  as  at 
Fig.  30,/.  Now  commences  the  operation  of  boring,  and  with  the  won- 
derful muscular  power  in  the  anal  joint  and  the  elasticity  of  the  mem- 
brane, the  insertion  of  the  ovipositor  goes  on  quite  steadily  if  the  wood 
be  in  the  least  soft.  As  the  borer  enters,  the  sheaths  make  a  larger 
and  larger  loop  on  one  side  of  the  body,  or  even  a  valve  on  each  side, 
and  at  last,  when  the  borer  is  well  nigh  inserted,  they  present  the  ap- 
pearance represented  in  a  and  h.  Our 
figures,  made  from  sketches  in  the 
field  at  the  time  mentioned,  will  con- 
vey a  very  good  idea  of  this  interest- 
ing process.  In  withdrawing  the 
ovipositor  the  reverse  action  takes 
place  and  the  loops  of  the  outer 
sheaths  gradually  become  smaller 
and  smaller;  the  ovipositor  proper 
is  again  forced  back  into  the  tough 
bladder-like  membrane  between  the 
sixth  and  seventh  joints  dorsally  and 
we  have  a  repetition  of  the  appear- 
ance {fl)  as  already  described.  The 
popular  figures  of  the  act  of  oviposi- 
tiou  which  we  have  so  far  seen  are 
for  the  most  part  imaginary  and  er- 
roneous. That  of  Rhyssa  by  Blan- 
chard,  for  instance,  is  purely  imagi- 
nary and  shows  the  ovipositor  insert- 
ed in  a  Sirex  larva,  while  that  by 
Wood  is  still  poorer.  The  best  we 
have  seen,  and  evidently  copied 
from  some  European  work,  we  take 
from  an  old  American  Agriculturist  (Fig.  37).  The  species  is  evi- 
dently Bhyssa  persuasoria^  which  is  comoion  to  Europe  and  North 
America,  and  which,  having  a  relatively  shorter  ovipositor  than  Tha- 
may  not  require  the  elastic  membrane.    The  larva  and  pupa  of 


Fig.  37.    Bhyssa  persuasoria  ovipositing. 
(Afler  the  American  Agriculturist). 


174 


tbis  species  are  figured  and  described  by  Snellen  van  Vollenlioven  in 
TijdMchrift  voor  Entomologie  (IV,  18G0,  pages  170,  177,  plate  12).  The 
ovipositor  of  the  pupa,  as  is  to  be  expected,  is  only  about  one-half  as 
long  as  that  of  Thalessa. 

Probably  as  good  an  account  of  the  method  of  the  boring  as  has  been 
published,  and  one  of  the  earliest  accurate  accounts,  is  that  contributed 
by  Mr.  J.  Quay  to  our  Americayi  Entomologist  for  September,  1880  (Vol. 
Ill,  page  219).     We  quote  from  this  article  as  follows: 

As  these  insects,  by  standing  on  "tip-toe"  and  elevating  their  abdomen  to  its  fullest 
height,  can  clear  but  about  2  inches  space,  the  problem  presents  itself  as  to  how  can 
the  remaining  3  inches  of  ovipositor  be  disposed  of  in  order  to  allow  the  drill  end  to 
enter  the  perforated  stump. 

1  observed  that  after  raising  the  abdomen  as  far  as  possible  the  drill  was  worked 
forward  so  as  to  slightly  bend  under,  giving  the  insect  a  purchase  on  same.  Then 
followed  a  bearing-down  motion  on  the  bent  tube,  curving  the  end  of  the  abdomen  for- 
ward and  upward,  and  next  forcing  the  ovipositor,  near  its  attached  end,  to  curve  also 
and  pass  up  through  the  abdomen  and  above  into  a  cavity  which  there  opened  for 
its  reception. 

What  a  strange  provision  of  itature  ! 

The  cavity  was  inclosed  by  a  membranous  sack,  capable  of  great  distension,  and 
while  the  drill  was  being  continually  forced  up  through,  it  curled  about  within  the 
sack,  forming  one  complete  bend  of  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  an- 
other partial  one.  When  fully  distended  the  sack  was  very  thin,  quite  urauspareut,  and 
seemingly  upon  the  point  of  bursting  apart.     But  the  ovipositor  was  in  this  manner 

brought  to  the  edge  of  the  worm-hole, 
was  slipped  in,  and  thus  made  to  ease 
away  upon  the  distended  sack,  which, 
by  collapsing,  forced  out  again  the  drill 
by  its  mere  force  of  contraction.  The 
coil  now  soou  disappeared,  and  the  in- 
sect was  fully  prepared  to  commence  op- 
erations upon  the  hapless  Tremex. 

STRUCTURE  OF  THE  OVIPOSITOR. 

Our  readers  who  have  followed 
us  so  far  will  doubtless  wonder 
how  an  egg  can  be  passed  down 
such  a  loDg  ovipositor  not  wider 
than  a  horse- hair.  A  careful  ex- 
amination will  show  that  this  in- 
strument is  composed  of  three 
parts,  which  may,  upon  being  soft- 
ened, easily  separate,  but  which 
in  nature  are  securely  locked  to- 
gether. Figure  38  illustrates  the 
ends  of  these  three  parts  a,  «,  b  as  they  appear  when  on  their  flat  sides? 
and  it  will  be  noticed  that  the  tips  are  strongly  notched  diagonally, 
which  structure  facilitates  the  insertion  or  boring  into  the  tree  and 
renders  extraction  somewhat  more  difficult,  especially  where  the  wood 
is  somewhat  hard.     Now  the  dorsal  or  central  piece  is  solid  at  its 


Fig.  38.— Ovipositor  and  egg  of  Thalessa ;  a,  h,  a, 
tips  of  coiujjonent  parts  of  ovipositor  proper;  c, 
cross-section  of  ovipositor;  d,  egg;  e,  e,  ventral 
pieces  of  ovipo.sitor  proper;  /,  middle  or  dorsal 
piece  of  ovipositor,  all  greatly  enlarged  (original). 


175 

dorsal  end  and  cleft  on  the  inner  side  to  about  two-thirds  or  three- 
fourths  its  length.  On  either  side  of  this  cleft  is  a  strong  ridge  or  rail 
something  after  the  fashion  of  a  T-rail.  Each  of  the  ventral  pieces,  on 
the  contrary,  has  a  groove  into  which  the  rail-like  ridges  of  the  dorsal 
piece  lock.  The  ventral  pieces  in  the  act  of  oviposition  slide  up  and 
down  these  rails,  which  serve  to  keep  the  three  pieces  securely  fastened 
together.  Through  the  center  of  the  dorsal  piece  runs  a  membranous 
duct,  which  is  probably  muscular,  and  is  formed  by  a  groove  on  either 
side  of  the  cleft,  while  through  the  connected  piece  that  the  other  or 
ventral  pieces  make  when  conjoined  runs  another  similar  duct.  The 
margins  of  the  membrane  in  either  duct  when  seen  by  cross  section 
look  somewhat  like  a  septum.  Figure  38,  c,  shows  a  cross  section  of 
the  three  pieces  when  interlocked,  taken  about  the  middle  of  the  ovi- 
l)ositor,  the  appearance  varying  somewhat  in  different  parts  of  the 
instrument.  The  egg  (Fig.  33,  d)  is  0.18™"^  long  and  CIS'"""  in  greatest 
width;  it  is  ovoid  in  form,  and  compressed  at  the  sides,  and  is  evidently 
worked  down  by  the  muscular  linings  of  these  grooves.  The  pieces  as 
a  whole  are,  when  interlocked,  doubtless  bulged  out  to  admit  of  the 
passage  of  this  egg.  The  greatest  expansion  must  take  i)lace  about 
the  middle  of  the  cleft  by  virtue  of  the  fact  that  while  the  combined 
ovipositor  is  oval  in  transverse  section  the  burrow  or  perforation  is 
more  cylindrical,  thus  permitting  tlie  bulging  of  the  cleft  at  its  middle 
and  preventing  too  great  separation  of  the  open  end  formed  by  the 
ventral  pieces. 

We  are  much  indebted  to  Mr.  Gade  for  specimens  of  the  egg,  as  also 
for  preserved  females  showing  the  distended  membrane.  The  dimen- 
sions of  the  egg  which  we  have  given  are  from  eggs  examined  by  dissec- 
tion in  the  female  abdomen,  and  correspond  to  the  size  of  the  oviposi- 
tor; but  the  eggs  from  Mr.  Gade,  and  from  which  our  figure  was  made, 
are  larger  and  more  elongate. 

The  manner  in  which  the  females,  especially  after  they  have  been  en- 
feebled, become  fast  in  the  trunks  which  they  bore  has  often  been  re_ 
corded  as  a  matter  of  observation.  On  jS^ovember  9, 1872,  at  Glencoe 
Mo.,  we  found  the  nearly  mature  female  Thalessa  in  another  Box  Elder 
tree,  already  mature,  but  dormant,  butevideutly  ready  to  issue  early  the 
following  summer,  because  she  had  eaten  right  to  the  surface  of  the 
bark.  The  Tremex  larvii?  were  at  this  time  of  all  sizes,  and  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  this  tree  showed  the  vicissitudes  to  which  these  insects 
are  subject,  not  only  after,  but  before  exit;  for  females  of  both  genera 
were  often  found  dead  in  the  tree.  The  Thalessa  matures  within  its 
burrow  with  the  wings  perfect,  and  as  it  depends  very  largel.y  on  the 
use  of  its  matured  jaws  for  escape,  it  frequently  fails  to  escajje  when  en- 
countering gnarled  and  knotty  wood. 

The  Tremex,  both  in  the  larva  and  pupa  states,  is  quite  subject  to  the 
attacks  of  a  fungus,  which  so  closely  resembles  the  dying  and  decaying 
parts  of  the  wood  that  the  infected  parts  of  the  skin  seemed  filled  with 
dead  wood. 


176 

ARDOR   OF   THE   MALES. 

The  ardor  of  the  males  of  Tlialessa  has  often  been  commented  upon. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Harrington,  in  the  Canadian  Entomologist  for  November, 
1887  (Vol.  XIX,  p.  206),  recounts,  un'ler  the  head  "The  Nuptials  of 
Thalessa,"  a  series  of  interesting  observations  made  in  June,  1887,  and 
which  showed  that  the  males,  having  issued  first,  awaited  the  females, 
and  were  able  to  locate  the  spot  at  which  a  given  female  would  emerge 
some  time  before  she  made  her  appearance.  In  one  instance  which  he 
records,  a  particular  spot  was  crowded  with  males  for  two  days  before  the 
female  emerged,  and  even  then  she  was  assisted  by  the  removal  of  the 
bark  by  the  observer.  The  males,  in  waiting,  make  eveiy  effort  to  reach 
the  female,  inserting  the  tips  of  their  abdomen  into  crevices  in  the  bark. 
On  emerging  the  female  is  instantly  seized,  the  legs  of  the  male  clasp- 
ing the  yet  unused  wings  and  abdomen,  thus  preventing  her  from  tlying. 

DOES   THE   FEMALE   OVIPOSIT   IN   EXPOSED   LEPIDOPTEROUS   LARV^? 

In  a  communication  to  the  Country  Gentleman  of  July  12,  1883,  page 
561,  Prof.  J.  A.  Lintner  raised  the  question  as  to  whether  this  insect 
was  really  constructed  for  preying  as  a  parasite  upon  internal  borers  or 
whether  it  did  not  prey  upon  exposed  larvae.     He  wrote  as  follows : 

The  question  is  therefore  raised,  Are  the  commonly  accepted  habits  of  the  "long- 
stings"  correctly  given  ?  Has  any  one  actually  seen  them  in  the  act  of  lirobing  the 
burrows  of  a  Tremex?  Such  an  operation  has  never  come  under  my  observation, 
while  probably  all  field  entomologists  have  repeatedly  found  them  fastened  by  their 
ovipositor  firmly  inserted  in  apparently  solid  wood.  I  recall  an  instance  observed  by 
me  several  years  ago,  when  what  I  think  must  have  been  Rhijssa  lunator,  was  earn- 
estly engaged  in  placing  its  eggs  in  a  colony  of  a  species  of  Datana,  feeding  upon  a 
branch  of  hickory,  in  the  following  singular  manner:  Its  ovipositor  was  bent  beneath 
it,  extending  between  its  legs,  with  its  tip  projecting  in  front  of  its  head,  enabling  it 
with  perfect  ease  to  select  one  caterpillar  after  another  for  the  reception  of  its  eggs. 
Why  would  not  this  be  a  much  better  method  of  using  the  long  ovipositor  than  the 
one  generally  ascribed  to  it  ?  There  would  certainly  be  no  hap-hazard  work  in  such 
oviposition,  or  any  waste  of  material.  In  the  instance  above  recorded  each  thrust 
told,  as  was  seen  in  the  well-known  alarm-jerk  of  these  larvje,  at  once  communicated 
from  the  victim  to  the  entire  group.  Unfortuuately  the  importance  of  the  observa- 
tion was  not  known  to  me  at  the  time,  and  no  further  attention  was  given  to  it. 

Quite  recently,  desiring  to  learn  whether  Professor  Lintner  had  ob- 
tained any  further  evidence  to  justify  so  singular  a  statement,  we  ad- 
dressed him  and  he  informed  us  that  he  had  no  further  experience  other 
than  that  given  in  his  forthcoming  report,  of  which  he  kindly  sent  us  ad- 
vance proofs,  and  in  which  he  quotes  asimilar  observation  narrated  by 
Mr.  J.  S.  Woodward,  secretary  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, after  repeating  his  .own  experience  as  we  have  quoted  it.  The 
trouble  is  that  in  both  Mr.  Lintner's  and  Mr.  Woodward's  observations 
memory  is  the  sole  guide  and  there  has  been  no  positive  identification  of 
the  species,  and,  though  we  have  a  high  regard  for  the  observational  pow- 
ers of  both  these  gentlemen,  it  seems  to  us  that  both  must  be  in  error,  be- 
cause a  study  of  the  structureof  the  ovipositor  in  Thalessa  shows  clearly 


177 

that  it  is  not  adapted  for  stingiug  soft-bodied  larvte.  The  very  curious 
structural  peculiarities  of  the  abdomen,  which  we  have  just  described; 
and  which  are  essential  to  permit  the  tip  of  the  ovipositor  to  be  pro- 
jected against  the  trunk  of  the  tree  are  also  inconsistent  with,  the  motions 
described  by  Professor  Lintner.  So,  also,  the  labored  force  necessary  to 
bring  the  ovipositor  in  position,  and  in  the  general  act  of  ovipositiou  in 
Thalessa,  does  not  agree  with  what  is  there  described.  While  the  rel- 
ative length  of  ovipositor  to  body  varies  somewhat,  the  former  generally 
extends  about  five  inches  from  the  tip  of  the  latter,  and  if  brought 
under  the  body  would  extend  over  three  inches  beyond  the  head. 
Moreover  there  is  no  sharp  lance  at  tip,  nor  means  of  curving  this  last 
so  as  to  bring  it  on  the  back  of  a  caterpillar  with  the  Ichneumon  in  the 
positiou  described  by  Lintner. 

The  ovipositor  of  Thalessa  is,  in  short,  an  elaborate  boring  and  saw- 
ing instrument.  The  simplest  explanation  of  both  Lintner's  and  Wood- 
ward's observations  would  be  that,  if  the  insect  was  Thalessa,  she  was 
by  chance  boring  a  branch  or  trunk  infested  with  Tremex  at  a  place 
where  Datana  larv?e  were  massing,  as  they  are  known  to  congregate 
for  moulting  purposes  in  masses  upon  the  trunk.  But,  as  will  be  seen, 
Professor  Lintner's  statement  is  too  explicit  as  to  the  alarm-jerk  of  the 
stung  Datana  larva3  to  justify  this  first  explanation  of  the  riddle,  and 
the  attitude  assumed  by  Thalessa  would  not  correspond  to  his  descrip- 
tion; so  that  upon  careful  consideration  we  are  satisfied  that  the  true 
explanation  is  that  some  other  large  Ichneumonid  was  observed  by  both 
and  by  both  mistaken  for  Thalessa.  Some  of  the  large  Ophiouids  of 
the  genera  Thyreodon,  Exochilum,  or  Heteropelma  might  be  quite  easily 
mistaken  theretor,  especially  at  some  little  distance. 

Both  Exochilum  and  Heteropelma  are  parasitic  upon  Bombycid  larvse, 
which  feed  externally  like  Datana,  and  in  our  breeding  experience  we 
have  found  the  commonest  parasite  of  Datana  ministra  and  Datana  in- 
tegerrima  to  be  a  large  undescribed  Heteropelma  that  might  easily  be 
confounded  with  Thalessa  lunator,  unless  one  is  quite  careful  in  obser- 
vation. It  is  true  that  the  ovipositor  in  these  genera  can  not  be  ex- 
tended to  any  great  length,  ijrobably  not  more  than  half  an  inch ;  but 
the  abdomen  in  oviposition  is  undoubtedly  curved  under  the  body  in 
such  way  that  the  caterpillars  are  stung  in  front  of  the  parasite  very 
much  as  described  by  Mr.  Lintner.  The  abdomen  is  long  enough  to 
allow  this,  and  it  is  the  customary  position  with  Ophionids  when  ovi- 
positing. Another,  black,  species  {H.  flavieornis)  resembles,  in  a  similar 
wav,  Thalessa  atrata. 

The  particular  species  of  Heteropelma  which  we  have  bred  from  Da- 
tana larva  is  undescribed,  and  at  Mr.  Oressou's  request  we  add  a  de- 
scription of  it  in  this  connection  : 
Heteropelma  datanw  sp.  uov. 

Female. — Average  length  25™™;  expanse  35™™.     General   color  ferruginous- brown, 
the  abdomen  verging  to  bronzy-black.     Mead :  Antenna}  uniform  yellowish-brown,  a 
]  2357— No.  G 2 


178 

little  darker  than  head  and  thorax,  the  scape  yellowish  below  ;  face  below  auteunse, 
and  a  narrow  baud  around  eyes  (sometimes  obsolete  above)  gamboge  yellow  ;  eyes 
black  or  dark  brown.  Thorax  darker  above  than  below;  mesoscutum  with  three 
broad  indistinct  darker  longitudinal  bauds,  which  vary  considerably  iu  intensity, 
rather  sparsely  punctate,  slightly  shining,  with  a  very  faint  median  longitudinal  sul- 
cus ;  mesoscutellum  usually  rather  lighter  in  color  than  scutum,  more  densely  i>unct- 
ate,  opaque  ;  metanotum  varying  considerably  in  intensity  of  color,  very  rugose,  the 
irregular  cariute  which  produce  the  rugosity  much  darker  than  the  intervening 
spaces,  a  very  shallow  median  longitudinal  groove  ;  legs,  especially  tibiae  and  tarsi, 
lighter  in  color  than  thorax;  front  trochanters  sometimes  quite  yellow  ;  first  joint  of 
hind  tarsi  fully  five  times  as  long  as  second  joint ;  wings  uniformly  dark  fuliginous, 
with  a  bronze  reflection;  leguliTB  concolorous  with  rest  of  mesoscutum.  Ahdomen 
with  petiole,  concolorous  with  thorax  ;  joiut  2  with  a  black  stripe  above,  reddish- 
brow  below ;  joints  3  to7  dusky,  nearly  black,  with  a  bronzy  or  purplish  sheen  ;  lighter 
on  ventral  line ;  outer  sheaths  of  ovipositor  lanceolate,  black  except  at  immediate  base 
and  strongly  pilose. 

Eight  $  specimens  from  pupaj  of  Datana  Integerrima. 

Difters  at  a  glance  from  the  only  other  North  American  species  of  the  genus,  viz: 
H.  flavicornis  Brn\\6  and  3.  longipes  Provancher. 


Fig.  39.— Tremex  columba.  a,  larva,  ahowiDg  Tbalessa  larva  attached  to  its  side ;  h,  head  of  larva, 
front  view,  enlarged;  c,  female  pupa,  ventral  view  ;  d,  male  pupa,  vential  view  ;  <?,  adult  female— all 
slightly  enlarged  (original). 

In  reference  to  the  transformations  of  Tbalessa  onr  fig^ures  will  suffi- 
ciently illnstrate  them  so  that  there  is  not  much  need  of  a  further  remark. 
The  larva  (Plate  I,  a),  as  will  be  seen,  has  the  ordinary  Ichneumouid  form, 
tapering  at  both  ends,  and  has  the  typical  parasitic  jaws  (/>)  quite  incapa- 
ble of  gnawing  through  wood.  The  spiracles  are  normally  arranged. 
The  most  interesting  feature  of  the  adolescent  stages  is  the  pupa  in  which 
the  long  ovipositor  extends  at  first  in  a  direct  line  from  the  point  of  in- 


Insect  Life,  Vol. 


Thalessa  LUNATOR. 


179 

sertiou  aucl  then  bends  iu  a  loop  and  is  brought  back  over  the  dorsum 
and  around  the  head  and  then  back  again  on  the  ventral  side,  hugging 
tlie  legs,  its  tip  reaching  far  beyond  the  tip  of  the  abdomen.  In  this  it 
differs  from  the  European  Rhy.ssa  ptrsuasoria,  in  which  the  ovipositor  of 
the  pupa,  according  to  Snellen's  figures,  previously  mentioned,  reaches 
only  some  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  body  behind  the  back. 

It  remains  only  to  state  in  reference  to  the  habits  and  transformations 
of  Treraex  (see  Fig.  39)  that,  from  the  facts  already  mentioned,  it  would 
seem  that  the  imagines  mature,  as  a  rule,  somewhat  later  than  Thalessa, 
and  that  the  larva?  are  found  of  various  sizes  on  the  approach  of  winter. 
We  have  also  found,  on  one  occasion,  at  Emporia,  Kans.,  on  December 
10,1874:,  in  Celtis  occidentalis,  a  Tremex  imago  somewhat  torpid  and  eaten 
half-way  out  of  the  trunk.  There  are  no  positive  records  in  this  coun- 
try to  show  the  length  of  duration  of  the  larva  state  in  either  of  these 
genera,  but  we  should  expect  the  Thalessa  larva  to  develop  most  rapidly 
when  once  it  finds  its  food,  but  to  possess  also  great  power  of  enduring 
without  food  in  early  life.  There  is  doubtless  much  irregularity  in  de- 
velopment in  both  genera,  especially  after  the  pupa  state  is  assumed, 
while  the  period  of  oviposition,  as  we  know,  may  cover  several  of  the 
summer  months. 

The  larva  (Fig.  39,  a)  has  the  normal  form  of  the  horn  tails,  being 
blunter  at  both  ends  than  the  Thalessa,  with  an  anal  thorn,  short  thor- 
acic legs  and  strong  gnawing  jaws  (Fig.  39,  b).  Our  figure  (a)  shows 
a  young  Thalessa  larva  attached  about  the  middle,  just  as  it  has  re- 
mained since  1872  in  our  alcoholic  specimens.  The  ovipositor  in  the 
female  pupa,  as  shown  in  the  figure  (c)  is  not  bent. 

We  have  the  authority  of  Kollar  that  the  larva  of  Sirex  gigas  attains 
full  growth  iu  seven  weeks  after  the  laying  of  the  e^g,  and  that  in  the 
pupa  state  it  may  remain  in  the  tree  for  several  years.  Normally  both 
Thalessa  and  Tremex  probably  go  through  their  transformations  within 
a  year.  Tremex  columha  is  at  times  abundant  enough  to  materi;dly 
injure  trees,  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Periam,  the  present  editor  of  the  Prairie 
Farmer,  sent  us  an  account  (November  28, 1873)  of  a  hickory  tree  which 
he  believed  was  killed  by  it.  Our  figures  will  convey  a  very  good  idea 
of  the  adolescent  states  of  both.  They  were  drawn  by  Dr.  Marx,  with 
our  assistance,  from  our  Missouri  material,  and  also  from  a  pupa  kindly 
loaned  for  the  purpose  by  Dr.  H.  A.  Hagen,  our  own  examples  of  the 
pupa  being  too  mature  to  permit  of  a  good  figure  being  made. 

EXPLANATION   TO   PLATE   I. 

Thalessa  lunator :  a,  larva,  side  view  ;  h,  head  of  larva  from  side  ;  c,  pupa,  side  view ; 
d,  tip  of  ovipositor  of  pupa,  ventral  view  greatly  enlarged  to  show  five  parts  (includ- 
ing sheaths)  of  which  it  consists;  e,  adult  female;/,  abdomen  of  adult  female  from  side, 
showing  gap  between  joints  6  and  7,  from  which  the  membrane  distends  when  ovi- 
positor is  in  action  ;  g,  adult  male ;  /(,  anal  extremity  of  abdomen  of  male  enlarged. 
(Original.) 


180 

NOTES  ON  LACHNOSTERNA  FUSCA,  Auct. 

By  John  B.  Smith. 

Among  the  iDJurious  insects  most  commonly  referred  to  in  economic 
papers  and  reports  the  above  species  stands  in  the  first  rank.  It  is 
known  universally  as  the  parent  of  the  "  white-grab,"  and  a  very  gen- 
eral impression  prevails  that  there  is  but  one  grub  of  that  kind.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  there  are  quite  a  number  of  species  which  are  almost 
equally  as  common,  locall^^  or  seasonally,  as  the  L,  fusca,  and  the  injury 
done  by  them  has,  according  to  the  usual  rule,  been  saddled  on  the  uni- 
versal scapegoat,  which  in  this  genus  has  been  fusca.  Until  very  lately 
entomologists  have  been  entirely  at  sea  as  to  the  specific  limitations  of 
our  species.  It  was  an  understood  matter  that  they  were  very  variable 
and  afforded  no  safe  characters  for  differentiation.  In  November,  1887, 
in  Trans.  Amer.  Entom.  Soc,  XIV,  209-296,  was  begun  a  paper  by  Dr 
G.  H.  Horn,  issued  early  in  the  present  year,  which  at  last  brought 
order  out  of  confusion,  and  enabled  us  to  arrange  our  material  with 
some  degree  of  satisfaction. 

Among  the  species  recognized, /jtsm  is  the  one  credited  by  Dr.  Horn 
with  the  greatest  amount  of  variation,  and  several  races  are  indicated, 
which  are  yet  said  to  present  no  distinctive  characters.  At  the  same 
time  Dr.  Horn  does  not  seem  to  be  quite  sure  that  there  is  after  all  but 
one  species,  even  though  the  characters  separating  them  are  not  ob- 
vious. The  collections  of  the  National  Museum  are  very  rich  in  speci- 
mens and  species  in  this  genus,  and  large  collections  made  this  spring, 
and  obtained  from  various  parts  of  the  country,  have  enabled  me  to 
somewhat  supplement  Dr.  Horn's  work  on  the  genus.  Attention  once 
drawn  to  a  very  strongly  marked  character  of  the  genital  structure  of 
both  sexes,  investigation  was  continued  along  this  line  with  the  most 
gratifying  results,  since  the  characters  afforded  are  constant,  strongly 
marked,  and  readily  verified.  At  the  present  time,  only  the  diversities 
observed  in  the  species  known  as  fusca  will  be  described,  further  notes 
made  on  the  large  majority  of  our  other  si)ecies  being  reserved  for 
j)ublication  when  more  complete. 

Studied  in  the  light  of  the  genital  structure,  fusca  resolves  itself  into 
four  distinct  species,  each  almost  equally  common  at  special  localities, 
but  not  at  the  same. 

The  characters  in  which  all  these  forms  agree  are  as  follows :  Body 
not  pubescent  above,  shining;  autennte  10-jointed,  the  club  of  male 
always  longer  than  that  of  the  female;  clypeus  not  densely  punctured, 
the  margin  moderately  reflexed,  teebly  emarginate;  lateral  margin  of 
thorax  not  serrate,  nor  distinctly  angulate;  the  posterior  tibite  are  trun- 
cate at  apex,  without  a  trace  of  sinuation  at  the  base  of  the  fixed  spur 
of  the  male;  this  spur  is  of  moderate  size;  claws  strongly  toothed  at 


181 


middle;  the  size  is  large,  facies  robust;  punctuatiou  uot  coarse;  the 
males  with  a  more  or  less  curved  ventral  ridge  on  the  penultimate  ab- 
dominal segment,  and  without  a  cupuliform  depression  on  the  last  seg- 
ment. 

With  these  positive  characters,  there  is  an  infinite  variation  in  size, 
shade  of  color,  form,  punctuation,  and  vestiture.  Several  species  here- 
tofore created  on  these  characters  have  been  properly  united  by  Dr. 
Horn,  for  all  of  them  are  evanescent,  and  not  to  be  relied  upon  for  the 
distinction  of  species;  a  positive  character,  however,  is  found  in  the 
form  of  the  ventral  ridge  of  the  penultimate  abdominal  segment;  based 
on  this  character,  the  species  into  which  I  would  divide //tsca-  are  recog- 
nizable as  follows: 
Eidge  straight ;  posteriorly  not  overliauging,  but  nearly  as  gradual  as  the 

anterior  declivity grandis 

Eidge  longer,  slightly  curved,  the  ends  overhanging  posteriorly  ;  centrallj' 

the  ridge  is  declivous  hut  uot  overhanging  behind fusea 

Eidge  shorter,  decidedly  arcuate,  overhangiug  posteriorly  for  its  full 
length,  the  ends  at  some  distance   from  the  posterior  margin  of  the 

penultimate  segment duhia 

Eidge  still  shorter,  still  more  arcuate,  still  more  overhanging,  the  ends 
at  the  extreme  margin  of  the  penultimate  segment,  and  somewhat  over- 
hanging the  termiual  segment arcuala 

By  this  table  the  males  may  be  distinguished  without  much  trouble. 
The   females  are    not  so  _ 

easily  separated,  yet  may 
in  most  cases  be  associ- 
ated with  the  males. 

L.  GEANDIS  sp.  nov. 

This  species  is,  as  a 
whole,  rather  larger  than 
either  of  the  others,  and 
rather  more  robust.  The 
sides  of  the  thorax  are 
very  perceptibly  suban- 
gulate  before  the  middle, 
giving  the  species  a  dis- 
tinctive appearance  easily 
recognized  in  both  sexes. 

In  the  female,  the  last 
segment  is  emarginate, 
and  the  middle  of  the  ab- 
domen, especially  toward 
base,  is  distinctly  and 
somewhat  aciculate  punc- 
tate. The  male  character  has  been  sufiBciently  given  in  the  table 
last  segment  is  granulate-punctate. 


Fig.  40.  Lachnosterna  GRANDis :  ],  clasper  of  male  from  front 
and  above;  2,  clasper  of  male  (right)  from  side;  3,  clasper 
of  male  (left)  from  side ;  4,  ventral  characters  of  male ;  5, 
genital  structure  of  female ;  5a,  pubic  process ;  56,  superior 
plates;  5c,  inferior  plates— enlarged  (original). 


The 


182 


Within  ray  experience  this  is  the  rarest  of  the  fusca  forms,  though 
widely  distributed.  I  have  seen  it  from  Texas,  Korth  Carolina,  Georgia, 
District  of  Columbia,  Illinois,  Colorado,  Maryland,  New  York,  Wiscon- 
sin, Nova  Scotia,  Lake  Superior  Eegion.  Mr.  Schwarz  thinks  it  more 
common  in  the  latter  region  than  the  other  species.  In  the  District  of 
Columbia  it  is  rare,  only  a  few  specimens  being  known  in  collections. 

I  shall  not  attempt  a  verbal  description  of  the  sexual  characters  of 
the  male,  since  the  figures  will  give  a  better  idea  than  could  be  other- 
wise given.  In  the  female  this  species  is  peculiar  by  the  slenderly  fur- 
cate pubic  process,  and  the  triangular  upper  plates,  which  are  com- 
pletely separated  by  the  pubic  process.  The  lower  plates  are  quadrate 
or  nearly  so. 

L.  FUSCA  Frohl. 

This  is  the  form  which  Dr.  Horn  in  his  paper  suggests  as  the  form 
probably  seen  by  Frolich,  and  upon  which  he  based  his  species.     It 

offers  no  points  of  superfi- 
cial difierencefrom  the  fol- 
lowing species,  with  which 
it  agrees  in  form,  color, 
size,  and  general  habitus. 
The  ventral  character  in 
the  male  must  be  examined 
to  recognize  that  sex,  and 
no  difficulty  will  be  found 
in  this.  The  female  of  this 
species,  on  the  contrary, 
differs  from  all  the  other 
forms  in  that  the  last  seg- 
ment is  not  emarginate. 
This  character  is  at  once 
obvious  on  examination, 
and  the  species  is  thus 
readily  recognizable  in  both 
sexes. 
A  comparison  of  the  fig- 
ures of  the  male  characters  with  those  of  grandis  will  at  once  show 
how  they  difter,  while  still  after  the  same  general  type.  The  female 
shows  a  greater  difference,  and  differs  also  from  all  the  others  of  this 
group  by  having  the  pubic  process  a  simple  cylindrical  rod  somewhat 
dilated  medially  and  terminating  in  an  obtuse  point.  The  upper  plates 
are  coalescent  on  the  median  line,  and  are  somewhat  irregular. 

This  species  we  have  from  Texas,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Ohio,  Illi- 
nois, District  of  Columbia,  Iowa, 

It  is  the  common  form  around  New  York  City,  was  the  only  form 
found  in  a  large  loc  of  material  from  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  was  repre- 


Fig.  41.— Lachnosterna  fusca.  l.clasper  of  male  from  front 
and  above  ;  2,  clasper  of  male  (right)  from  side  ;  3,  clasper  of 
male  (left)  from  side  ;  4,  ventral  characters  of  male ;  5,  genital 
structure  of  female;  5a,  pubic  process;  5b,  superior  plates. 
5c,  inferior  plates— enlarged  (original). 


183 

seuted  in  great  proportion  in  a  lot  of  specimens  from  the  vicinity  of 
Chicago,  111.  In  the  District  of  Columbia  it  is  rare,  but  a  single  spec- 
imen having  been  found  the  present  season. 


L.  DUBIA  sp.  nov. 

Completely  resembles  the  preceding  in  all  outward  appearance  and 
habitus.  The  ventral  characters  of  the  male  must  bo  resorted  to  for 
the  identification  of  thatsex. 
As  appears  from  the  figure 
the  ridge  is  decidedly  more 
curved  than  in  the  preced- 
ing species,  and  is  in  every 
respect  more  distinctly 
marked.  The  primary  char- 
acters will  show  on  compari- 
son with  the  previous  fig- 
ures a  considerable  change 
in  type,  which  indicates  ap- 
parently a  greater  diver- 
gence between  this  and  fusca 
than  there  is  between  fusca 
and  grandis.  In  the  female 
the  last  ventral  segment  is 
emarginate,  and  it  is  there- 
fore easily  distinguished 
from  that  of  fusca.  In  the 
corneous  characters  of  the  genitalia  the  differences  noted  in  the  male 
are  emphasized.  The  pubic  process  here  becomes  broad,  stout,  some- 
what contracted  medially,  and  divided  superiorly  into  two  branches 
which  are  broad,  somewhat  flattened,  and  obliquely  truncate.  The 
superior  plates  are  narrow,  linear. 

Altogether,  it  is  a  distinct  species,  showing  quite  a  distinct  differ- 
ence in  type  in  the  geuital  structure  of  both  sexes. 

This  species  we  have  from  Massachusetts,  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Maine,  Xorth  Carolina,  District  of  Columbia,  Illinois,  Ohio,  Texas, 
Colorado,  Tennessee,  Nevada,  Montana,  California,  Wisconsin.  Of 
all  the  others  this  extends  farthest  west,  aud  the  race  cephaUca  Lee. 
belongs  to  this  species.  It  is  fairly  numerous  at  New  York;  forms 
a  fair  proportion  of  the  specimens  received  from  Chicago,  lib,  but  is 
rare  at  Washington,  no  specimens  having  been  collected  this  season, 
aud  only  a  few  specimens  in  the  local  collections  indicating  its  occur- 
rence. 

L.  ARCUATA  sp.  nov. 

This  species  is  as  a  whole  rather  smaller  than  either  of  the  others, 
although  it  has  probably   as  great  an  average  length.      From  ditbia 


Fig.  42.— Lachnostekxa  dubia.  1,  clasper  of  malefrom  front 
and  above;  2,  clasper  of  male  (lijiht)  from  sido;  3,  clasper 
of  male  (left)  from  side;  4,  ventral  cliaracters  of  male; 
5,  genital  structure  of  female ;  5a,  pubic  process ;  56,  supe- 
rior plates;  5c,  inferior  plates— enlarged  (original). 


184 


it  does  not  differ  at  all  in  the  female  in  superficial  characters,  every 
effort  having  failed  to  dis(;over  any  feature  whereby  specimens  of  this 
sex  might  be  distinguished  from  each  other.  As  the  genital  structure 
is  so  distinct  this  is  rather  surprising,  and  the  distinguishing  feature 
will  no  doubt  be  still  discovered. 

The  primary  characters  of  the  female  genitalia  are  of  the  same  type 
shown  in  dubia,  but  the  distinction  is  yei  obvious.     The  pubic  process, 

while  divided  at  tip  much 
as  in  the  preceding  species, 
is  only  about  half  as  long, 
and  does  not  divide  the 
upper  plates  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding species.  It  resem- 
bles the  upper  part  of  the 
duhia  structure  set  upon 
the  superior  plates  ;  these 
latter  are  large  and  nearly 
quadrate,  in  marked  con- 
trast with  the  narrow, 
linear  structures  of  duhia. 
The  inferior  plates  differ  as 
markedly,  as  can  be  readily 
seen  by  a  comparison  of 
the  figures. 

The  males  also  offer  no 
habital  or  other  differences 
from  duhia,  except  in  the 
ventral  characters,  but  these  are  obvious  and  easily  recognized.  The 
ridge  in  this  species  is  very  much  curved,  very  much  overhanging,  the 
ends  reaching  the  apical  margin  of  the  segment,  while  the  arch,  com- 
bined with  the  depression  of  the  last  segment,  forms  a  perfect  oval. 
In  this  species  the  space  included  by  the  arch  of  the  ridge  is  smooth; 
in  duhia  it  is  punctured. 

This  species  seems  rather  more  southern  than  the  preceding.  It  is 
practically  the  only  form  taken  at  Washington,  man}^  thousands  being 
taken  while  only  one  specimen  of  the  other  forms  was  discovered. 
Other  localities  are  ITew  York,  New  Jersey,  Central  Missouri,  Iowa, 
Georgia.  The  specimens  from  New  York  and  New  Jersey  are  from  my 
collection,  and  form  the  small  minority  of  the  specimens  taken.  The 
specimens  from  Central  Missouri  are  from  Professor  Riley's  collection, 
and  the  figures  in  the  Missouri  Reports,  so  extensively  copied,  probably 
represent  this  species. 

Finally,  these  forms  represent  a  series  of  species,  evidently  derived 
from  the  same  stock,  and  which  have  differentiated  in  physiological 
rather  than  superficial  or  habital  characters.    They  have  become  dif- 


FlG.  43.— Lachnosterna  arcuata.  1,  clasper  of  male  from 
front  and  above;  2,  claspor  of  male  (right)  from  side;  3, 
clasper  of  male  (left)  from  side;  4,  ventral  characters  of 
male  ;  5,  genital  structure  of  female  ;  5a,  pubic  process ; 
56,  superior  plates  ;  5c,  inferior  plates — enlarged  (original). 


185 

fereutiated  in  both  sexes,  but  have  retained  those  superficial  ap- 
pearances which  we  may  suppose  were  of  value  to  the  ancestor  of  all 
these  forms. 

The  study  of  these  characters  in  all  our  available  species  will  be  con- 
tinued, and  we  may  hope  that  a  permanent  result,  so  far  as  the  present 
limitation  of  species  is  concerned,  can  be  thus  arrived  at. 

I  have  taken  the  course  of  proposing  new  names  for  three  of  the  forms 
here  described,  although  several  names  exist  in  the  syuouomy  which 
might  possibly  be  available.  I  have  done  this  because,  after  discussing 
the  matter  with  Dr.  Horn,  he  assures  me  that  it  would  be  almost  impos- 
sible to  discover  which  of  the  forms,  as  separated  by  me,  the  authors  had 
before  them.  An  examination  of  the  types  will  have  to  be  made,  and 
as  the  characters  relied  upon  were  in  almost  every  instance  color,  punct- 
uation, size,  or  some  other  equally  variable  character,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  each  of  the  authors  have  mixed  up  two  or  more  species 
under  the  same  name.  At  any  rate,  even  if  tbe  names  proposed  by  me 
should  eventually  be  referred  as  synonyms,  they  will  at  least  have  served 
their  purpose  of  making  specific  identification  certain. 


A  SANDWICH  ISLAND  SUGAR-CANE  BORER. 

{Si)he)iophorus  obscurus  Boisd.) 

In  August  last  we  received  from  Mr.  E.  J.  Wickson,  of  Berkeley,  Oal., 
a  piece  of  sugar-cane,  brought  from  the  Sandwich  Islands,  infested 
by  borers,  which  were  reported  to  do  considerable  damage.  The  speci- 
mens were  sent  to  Professor  Wickson  by  Prof.  LeRoy  D.  Brown,  presi- 
dent of  the  State  University  of  Nevada,  who  collected  them  in  June 
while  visiting  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Professor  Brown's  attention  was 
called  to  the  subject  by  his  Majesty,  King  Kalakaua,  who  requested 
him  to  bring  the  specimens  to  this  country  for  study.  The  cane  received 
at  the  Department  proved  to  be  infested  by  the  larviB  of  a  large  Snout- 
beetle  of  the  genus  Sphenophorus,  several  species  of  which  are  known 
to  bore  into  the  stalks  and  roots  of  corn  in  this  country.  Our  Annual 
Report  for  1881-2,  page  138,^,  contains  an  account  of  the  habits  and 
transformations  of  the  species  which  more  particularly  affect  corn  in 
the  United  States,  and  which  are  known  as  Uorn  Bill-bugs. 

The  only  previous  uotice  of  Sugar-cane  Borers  in  the  Hawaiian  Is- 
lands with  which  we  are  familiar  is  from  the  Haicaiian  Planter^ s  Monthly 
for  July,  1883,  but  this  refers  to  the  Lepidopterous  borer  Ghilo  saccharaUs^ 
a  species  which  is  widely  distributed  wherever  Sugar-cane  is  grown. 
Another  species  of  Sphenophorus  affects  Sugar-cane  in  the  West  Indies 
and  South  America  and  was  described  by  the  Rev.  Lansdown  Guild- 
ing  in  his  prize  essay  on  "  Insects  Aftecting  Sugar-cane"  (Trans.  Soc. 
of  Arts.  Vol.  XLVI,  1828)  as  S.  sacchari,  while  the  well-known  Rhyncho- 


186 

phorus  palmaruin  is  also  mentioued  as  injuring  the  cane  in  the  same  lo- 
cality. 

We  succeeded  later  in  rearing  the  adult  beetle,  but  failing,  with  the 
literature  at  our   command,  to  recognize  it  among  the  vast  number 

of  described  species,  we 
sent  a  specimen  to  Dr. 
David  Sharp,  of  England, 
who  kindly  gave  us  the  fol- 
lowing references  quoted 
from  the  "Memoirs  on  the 
Coleoptera  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands,"  by  T.  Blackburn 
and  D.  Sharp,*  a  work 
which  we  could  not  con- 
sult: 


Genus  CXXVI.  Sphenoj}honi8 
Mun.  Cat.,  VIII,  p.  2646.  360. 
Calandra  ohsciira,  Boisd.  Voy. 
Astr.  II,  p.  448.  Fairm.  Rev. 
Zool.,  1B49,  p.  474. 

Iu8.  Oabu.  lutroduced.  Ta- 
hiti, New  Ireland.  In  the  stems 
of  banana,  on  the  mountains. 
This  insect  is  apparently  omitted 
in  the  Munich  Catalogue  of 
Coleoptera. 

Dr.  Sharp  further  wrote  that  his  original  identification  of  the  species 
was  made  from  Boisduval's  deficient  description  and  from  Fairraaire's 
paper,  and  from  a  specimen  so  named  by  Jekel.in  the  British  Museum 
collection.  After  receiving  our  specimen  (which  was  a  male,  while  the 
Jekel  specimen  was  a  female)  Dr.  Sharp  found  both  sexes  of  the  same 
spenies  among  some  specimens  recently  sent  him  from  Tahiti  by  Mr.  J.  J. 
Walker,  who  found  them  under  the  bark  of  a  species  of  Musa  (Banana). 
The  species  belongs  to  Schoenherr's  and  Lacordaire's  genus  Spheno- 
phorus,  and  should  be  included  in  the  group  having  the  third  tarsal 
joint  large  and  pubescent  beneath.  The  disintegration  of  this  large 
genus,  already  indicated  by  Schoenherr  and  more  strongly  advocated 
by  Lacordaire  has  been  accomplished  in  more  recent  times  by  Dr.  Horn, 
Dr.  Le  Conte,  Mr.  Pascoe,  and  especially  by  Mr.  Chevrolat.  The  work 
of  the  latter  author  (published  in  the  Ann.  de  la  Soc.  Ent.  de  France, 
1882  and  1885,  partly  after  Chevrolat's  death,  the  whole  being  evidently 
incomplete  and  unfinished)  is  of  such  unsatisfactory  and  unsystematic 
character  that  the  generic  determination  of  a  single  species  is  next  to 
impossible  without  having  access  to  the  types. 

Although  we  can  not  place  our  species  in  any  of  the  numerous  genera 
erected  by  Chevrolat  at  the  expense  of  the  old  genus  Sphenophorus,  it 


Fic  44  —  SPHF^op^Olus  obscuuus  a,  adult,  enlaiged  6 
head  of  adult,  from  side,  still  more  enlarged;  c.  full-grown 
larva,  from  side ;  d,  i)upa,  ventral  view,  both  enlarged 
(original). 


•Published  iu  Trans.  Royal  Dublin  Soc.  (2)  III,  1885,  pp.  119-300. 


187 

seems  best  to  leave  the  generic  determination  to  a  future  monograph 
ot  this  group,  and  we  prefer  to  leave  the  species  in  that  genus  under 
which  it  was  originally  described.  lu  order  to  facilitate  the  recognition 
of  this  species,  which  has  been  described  in  publications  not  readily 
accessible,  we  append  a  description  of  the  imago  by  Mr.  Schwarz  which 
he  has  drawn  up  at  our  request  to  accompany  these  notes. 

Generic  characters. — Rostrum  sleuder,  moderately  curved  beneath,  iu  the  male  with 
impressed  median  line  and  two  longitudinal  rows  of  rounded  tubercles.  Antennse 
sub-basal,  funicle  6-joiuted,  first  joint  longer  than  wide,  second  longer  than  the  first, 
the  following  sub-transverse  gradually  becoming  larger;  club  hardly  securiform  and 
moderately  compressed,  spongy  portion  nearly  two-thirds  as  long  as  smooth  portion 
and  obliquely  truncate  each  side.  Eyes  transverse,  flat,  not  contiguous  beneath. 
Presternum  between  cox£e-not  linear  and  about  half  as  wide  as  the  diameter  of  the 
coxal  cavity.  Scutellum  elongate,  flat.  Mesothoracic  epimerauot  ascending,  obtuse 
at  outer  anterior  angle.  Legs  rather  stout,  femora  thickening  apically  and  strongly- 
sinuate  at  tip;  tibise  not  curved,  longitudinally  carinate,  on  inner  side  fringed  with 
very  short  setfe ;  third  tarsal  joint  large,  entirely  spongy  pubescent  beneath,  second 
and  third  joints  spongy  pubescent  at  tip.  Abdomen  with  5  segments.  Closely  allied 
to  Cacfophagus,  with  which  it  agrees  in  the  form  of  the  autennal  club  and  the  third 
tarsal  joint  but  differs  in  the  shorter  beak,  which  is  bi-seriately  tubercled  beneath  in 
the  ^;  second  joint  of  funicle  longer  than  first;  scutellum  elongate,  legs  stouter  with 
clavate  femora,  tibiae  longitudinally  carinate. 

Specific  characters  of  i  . — Length  from  tip  of  thorax  to  tip  of  elytra  13. .5  millimeters. 
General  color  rufo-piceous  (perhaps  immature).  Beak  as  long  as  thorax,  but  little 
compressed,  gently  dilated  at  basal  third;  above  rather  finely  and  densely  punctate, 
more  coarsely  at  the  sides ;  a  small  frontal  puncture  ;  beneath  the  impressed  median 
line  becomes  deeper  and  wider  toward  the  base,  the  tubercles  forming  the  row  each 
side  of  the  median  line  smooth  and  rounded  and  more  numerous  at  tip  than  posteriorly. 
(Fig.  43,  h).  Head  sparingly  and  finely  uuctate.  Antennal  scape  opaque  and 
tomentose,  first  and  second  joints  of  funicle  smooth  except  at  tips,  the  remaining 
joints  opaque,  nearly  moniliform  ;  smooth  part  of  club  with  a  row  of  coarse  setigerous 
punctures  near  the  base.  Thorax  distinctly  longer  than  wide,  basal  margin  rounded, 
sides  straight  from  base  to  beyond  the  middle,  thence  arcuately  narrowing;  a  well- 
marked,  short  tubular  constriction  at  tip,  front  margin  straight;  surface  shining, 
even,  except  a  slight  aute-basal  median  depression  ;  rather  finely  puuctulate  on  disc, 
with  an  ill-defined  longitudinal  smooth  space  at  middle,  punctures  larger  toward  the 
sides  and  especially  in  the  ante-basal  depression,  basal  margin  densely  punctured  ; 
color  orange-yellow  with  rather  broad  black  median  stripe  not  reaching  apex  and 
base;  flanks  more  opaque  with  two  large  black  patches.  Scutellum  elongate,  acute 
at  tip,  surface  even.  Elytra  sub-opaque  at  base,  as  wide  as  base  of  thorax,  nearly  1^ 
times  as  long  as  thorax  and  twice  as  long  as  wide  ;  humeri  obliquely  truncate,  sides 
feebly  converging  posteriorly,  separately  rounded  at  tip  ;  sub-opaque;  color  (imma- 
ture specimen?)  dirty  piceous-yellow  with  indistinct  black  marking  (especially  a 
large  longitudinal  stripe  toward  the  sides) ;  puuctate-striate,  striie  moderately  deep, 
the  punctures  remote  and  not  strong;  suture  at  base  with  a  row  of  fine  punctures, 
rest  of  suture  and  the  other  interstices  each  with  a  series  of  small  tubercles 
which  are  sometimes  rounded  but  more  often  (especially  posteriorly)  confluent 
into  little  longitudinal  cariuiv.  of  varying  length.  Pygidium  sub-triangular,  longer 
than  wide,  sub-truncate  at  tip,  longitudinally  convex,  sub-opaque,  densely  puuctu- 
late at  base,  very  coarsely  and  more  sparsely  at  apex.  Underside  reddish  piceous, 
somewhat  shining;  pro-  and  mesosternum  coarsely  punctured,  the  former  without 
impression  (except  the  apical  constriction),  the  latter  with  moderately  deep  notch  at 
middle,  opaque  and  sparsely  punctured  at  sides  ;  first  abdominal  segment  as  long  as 


188 

the  last  and  both  densely  and  coarsely  punctured;  segments  2-4  rather  finely  punctured 
at  middle,  more  coarsely  at  the  side,  segment  2  a  little  shorter  than  the  first,  3  and  4 
equal,  each  shorter  than  the  second.  Femora,  orange-yellow  trochanters  and  tip  of 
femora  black;  tibiue  dirty  brownish  yellow,  simple  (not  bi-spinose)  at  tip,  tarsi  piceous. 

The  structure  of  the  head,  mouth-parts  and  the  transverse  folds  of  the 
segmeuts  of  the  larva  (Fig.  43,  c)  agrees  with  that  of  Spkenophorus  ro- 
bustus,  described  aud  figured  by  us  iu  our  Aunual  Report  for  1881 -'82, 
(p.  141-142,  pi.  VIII,  Fig.  2,  a)  but  is  distiuguished  at  once  by  the 
rather  sudden  enlargement  of  abdominal  segments  4,  5,  and  6,  the 
fifth  being  especially  large  and  bulging.  In  this  respect  it  resembles 
the  larva  of  Sphenopliorus  liratus  as  described  and  figured  by  Ch.  Co- 
querel  (Ann.  Soc  Ent.  France,  1849,  p.  455-450,  Plate  VIII,  Fig.  Ill, 
2),  but  in  the  latter  species  the  enlargement  of  the  abdominal  segments 
is  said  to  be  gradual.  The  thoracic  and  anterior  abdominal  spiracles 
are  as  in  8.  robustus;  the  sixth  and  seventh  pairs  are,  however,  more 
dorsally  placed  and  the  eighth  pair  is  entirely  dorsal,  somewhat  ob- 
liquely placed  and  as  large  as  the  prothoracic  spiracles.  The  last  seg- 
ment is  broadly  truncate  at  middle  of  apex,  the  truncature  being 
accompanied  each  side  by  a  shorter  oblique  truncature.  The  four  angles 
thus  formed  are  marked  each  by  two  long  setse,  one  placed  above  the 
other. 

The  pupa  (Fig.  43,  <?),  while  resembling  in  general  shape  that  of  8.  ro- 
bustus, is  distinguished  by  the  stronger  armature  of  the  head.  The  two 
setigerous  frontal  tubercles  are  very  prominent  and  surrounded  anter- 
iorly by  a  crescent-shaped  ridge  in  front  of  which  is  a  small  setigerous 
tubercle.  The  tubercles  near  the  base  of  the  beak  are  also  more  prom- 
inent. Near  the  hind  angles  of  the  thorax  are  each  side  two  rather 
large,  blunt  tubercles,  and  another  obliquely  placed  pair  of  smaller 
tubercles  on  each  side  of  the  disc  toward  the  anterior  angles  ;  two  small 
tubercles  are  also  at  the  middle  of  the  anterior  margin.  The  armature 
of  the  pygidium  (seventh  dorsal  abdominal  segment)  consists  of  a  single 
row  of  rather  large  setigerous  tubercles,  aud  the  last  ventral  segment 
is  truncated  at  tip,  terminating  each  side  into  a  bi  setose  cone-like  pro- 
cess.    The  prothoracic  spiracles  are  very  large  and  conspicuous. 

Judging  from  the  specimens  of  sugarcane  received  from  Mr.  Wickson 
the  damage  caused  by  the  beetle  must  be  very  great  since  the  stalks 
were  completely  riddled  with  the  galleries  of  the  larvre,  several  of  the 
latter  being  in  a  piece  of  cane  about  8  inches  long.  Tbe  galleries 
(Fig.  45)  are  wide  when  compared  with  the  diameter  of  the  larva,  and 
not  long,  mostly  running  longitudinally,  but  some  also  across  tbe  cane. 
They  are  filled  with  macerated  fiber  whicii  tbe  larva  apparently  pushes 
bebind  itself.  When  ready  to  pupate  tbe  larva  somewhat  enlarges  the 
channel  and  forms  a  coarse  cocoon  of  fiber  in  which  tbe  transformation 
takes  place.  The  outside  of  the  infested  cane  (Fig.  44)  shows  several 
small  round  holes  which  probably  represent  tbe  place  where  the  egg 
has  been  inserted  by  the  parent  beetle,  and  several  large,  oblong  open- 
ings which  are  probably  the  exit  holes  of  tbe  emerging  beetle. 


189 


As  we  received  no  other  notes  on  the  natural  history  of  the  species  we 
can  say  nothing  as  to  time  and  mode  of  oviposition,  the  duration  of  the 
larval  state,  hibernation,  etc.  The  only  other  information  is  that  con- 
tained in  the  quotation  from  Blackburn  and  Sharp's  Memoir  on  the 
Hawaiian  Coleoptera,  viz:  That  the  species  attacks  also  banana  stems, 
and  further  that  it  has  been  introduced  (no  doubt  with  sugar-cane  or 
banana  plants)  from  other  islands  in  the  Pacific  Ocean. 


(^^ 


^-^-ppnwS. 


^iW^I 


w^^^^  ^ 


Fig.  45.— Sections  of  sugar  cane  showing  work  oi  Sphenophorus  obscurus :  a,  larva;  h,  pupa,  in  situ, 
c,  probably  points  of  oviposition,  somewhat  reduced  (original). 

In  the  absence  of  any  more  definite  information  it  is  difficult  to  sug- 
gest any  preventives  or  remedies  for  this  pest.  Since  the  larva  appar- 
ently works  in  the  lower  part  of  the  canes  and  probably  also  in  the  roots, 
many  larva?  will  no  doubt  remain  in  those  parts  of  the  plants  after  the 
rest  of  the  cane  has  been  cut  and  carried  oft'  to  the  sugar-houses.  The 
remaining  stubble  should  be  carefully  examined  and  all  infested  stumps 
destroyed.  The  same  should  be  done  with  all  diseased  or  dying  banana 
plants. 

Since  neither  sugar-cane  nor  bananas  are  cultivated  in  California 
there  is  little  danger  that  this  Sphenophorus  will  become  acclimated  in 
that  State  from  the  Sandwich  Islands. 


190 

EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  "Red  Bug"  iujuring  Oranges  again. 

I  seud  you  by  this  mail  a  small  box  coutaiuiug  what  to  us  is  a  uew  insect,  which 
attacks  and  is  most  destructive  to  the  fruit  of  the  Orange  tree.  It  has  but  recently 
appeared,  and,  as  far  as  I  know,  is  confined  to  a  few  trees  in  a  large  grove  joining 
our  place  in  the  east.  The  fruit  has  nearly  all  fallen  from  the  first  tree  attacked, 
and  in  this  tree  there  are  thousands  of  the  insects,  which  are  now  mostly  engaged  in 
reproducing  the  species.  The  oranges  are  covered  with  them,  and  they  follow  the 
fruit  to  the  ground,  being  as  thick  in  that  as  what  is  on  the  tree.  They  are  not  iujur- 
ious  to  the  tree,  as  far  as  I  can  observe,  though  they  swarm  upon  the  trunk  and 
branches.  Their  proboscis  is  of  sufficient  length  to  penetrate  through  the  thick  skiu 
of  the  orange,  so  that  they  appear  to  feed  upon  the  juice  only.  I  urged  the  owner  of 
the  grove  to  spray  the  trees  with  hot  water,  and  finally  have  his  promise  to  do  so 
upon  my  furnishing  the  outfit  and  he  the  water.  I  expect  I  can  get  him  at  it  to- 
morrow.— [A.  L.  Duncan,  Dunedin,  Hillsborough  County,  Fla.,  November  8,  Ifc'SS. 

Reply. —  *  »  »  The  insect  which  you  send  and  which  is  damaging  your  neigh- 
bor's oranges,  is  the  common  "Red  Bug"  or  "  Cotton  Stainer  "  {Dysdercus  suiurellus). 
The  normal  food  of  this  insect  is  cotton,  aud  its  original  home  is  probably  in  the 
Bahama  Islands  or  the  West  Indies.  It  has  long  been  known,  however,  as  a  Florida 
insect,  and  many  years  ago  seriously  damaged  the  cotiou  crop  both  in  this  State  and 
upon  the  sea  islands  of  Georgia.  Its  first  appearance  as  an  orange  destroyer,  so  far 
as  we  know,  was  in  1879,  and  you  will  find  soine  short  account  of  it  in  the  Annual 
Report  of  this  Departmedt  for  that  year.  So  far  as  our  experience  goes  this  insect 
only  damages  oranges  near  which  cotton  is  grown,  and  we  should  be  interested  to 
learn  whether  this  is  the  case  with  your  neighbor's  oranges.  The  worst  damage  has 
always  been  during  a  season  in  which  the  bugs  have  multiplied  profusely  upon 
cotton,  and  after  picking  have  migrated  to  the  neighboring  orange  trees.  It  has  been 
noticed  that  the  bugs  accumulate  in  great  numbers,  especially  during  cold  nights, 
upon  heaps  of  cotton  seed  outside  the  gins,  and  this  has  suggested  that  as  a  remedy 
small  heaps  of  cotton  seed  might  be  placed  at  intervals  through  the  groves,  and  in 
the  early  morning  the  bugs  which  have  collected  upon  them  might  be  destroyed  by 
the  use  of  hot  water.  Your  advice  to  your  neighbor  is  good,  but  you  will  probably 
find  that  spraying  the  insects  with  a  dilute  kerosene  emulsion  made  according  to  the 
Hubbard  formula  will  be  more  efficacious  than  the  hot  water  alone.  *  »  »  — [No- 
vember 14,  1888.] 

Further  Injury  in  the  Treasury  by  Roaches. 

Allow  me  to  introduce  Mr.  E.  Hergesheimer,  Chief  of  Drawing  Division,  who  will 
tell  you  about  our  trouble  with  pests  of  the  same  nature  as  infested  your  records. 
Please  ""ive  him  the  benefitof  your  experience. — [B.  A.  Colonna,  Assistant  Chief  U.  S. 
Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey  Office,  to  E.  B.  Youmans,  Chief  Clerk  Treasury,  September 
18,  1888. 

Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Honorable  Assistant  Secretary,  with  recommendation 
that  this  matter  be  referred  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  such  advice  as  that 
Department  may  be  able  to  give,  looking  toward  relief  from  the  pests  mentioned.— [E. 
B.  Youmans,  Chief  Clerk,  to  Hon.  Hugh  S.  Thompson,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, September  18,  1888. 

Respectfully  referred  to  the  Honorable  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  with  request 
that  he  will  have  this  matter  investigated  by  the  Entomologist  of  his  Department, 
and  such  action  suggested  by  him  as  will  lead  up  to  the  object  desired.— [Hugh  S. 


191 

Thompson,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  the  Honorable  Commissiouer  of 
Agriculture,  September  18,  1888. 

Reply. — The  letter  from  Mr.  B.  A.  Colonna,  iutroducing  Mr.  Hergesheimer,  accom- 
panied by  drawing  of  map  injured  by  insects,  and  referred  by  you  to  this  Department, 
has  bejn  received  and  referred  to  the  Entomologist.     He  replies  as  follows: 

"The  drawing  injured  is  that  of  a  map  made  on  tracing  cloth,  the  lines  of  red,  blue, 
and  greeu  pigment  having  been  eaten  as  well  as  patches  in  places  not  touched  by  ink. 
This  injury  has  been  done  by  the  Croton  Bug,  Ectobia  (/ermanica.  These  insects  are 
well  known  to  attack  anything  that  has  any  paste  in  its  make-up.  As  a  remedy  for 
them  use  the  Pyrethrum  powder  or  California  Bnhach.  It  should  be  sprinkled  wher- 
ever the  roaches  run,  and  on  them  if  possible.  The  best  time  to  do  this  is  in  the  even- 
ing, so  that  the  application  will  be  made  just  before  they  begin  to  run.  *  *  If  this 
remedy  is  used  thoroughly  and  persistently  it  will  surely  afford  relief.  *  *  This 
and  the  large  species,  Periplaneta  americana,  were  investigated  and  reported  upon 
in  the  Treasury  by  this  Division  in  May  last.  *  *" — [F.  C.  Nesbit,  Acting  Commis- 
sioner of  Agriculture,  to  Hon.  Hugh  S.  Thompson,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, September  19,  1888.] 

Beetles  supposed  to  have  been  passed  by  a  Patient. 

The  five  insects  sent  herewith  seem  to  me  to  be  three  different  kinds  of  beetles. 
History:  They  were  sent  to  me  by  a  reputable  physician  of  southern  Illinois.  He 
says  they  were  found  in  the  stools  of  a  patient— a  lad  working  on  a  farm ;  that  this 
is  the  third  time  that  they  have  been  found;  that  they  followed  the  administration 
of  a  saline  cathartic.  Please  name  for  me,  give  their  habits,  etc.,  and  I  shall  be 
under  mauy  new  obligations. — [J.  M.  Shaffer,  M.  D.,  Physician  to  Board  of  Health, 
Keokuk,  Iowa,  August  31,  1888. 

Reply. — Yours  of  the  31st  ultimo,  with  specimens  of  beetles  supposed  to  have  been 
passed  by  a  farm  boy  in  southern  Illinois,  has  at  last  come  to  hand.  "  *  *  The 
beetles  are  of  three  different  species,  viz,  Oiithophagus  hecate,  0.  penmylvanicus,  and 
Aphodius  qranarius.  These  beetles  are  all  found  in  manure  and  dung  of  different  ani- 
mals, and  I  consider  that,  without  question,  they  mnst  have  entered  the  stools  of  the 
boy  after  the  latter  had  been  passed.  It  is  very  unlikely  that  he  passed  the  insects 
themselves.— [September  18,  1888.] 

A  Tineid  on  Carpets  in  Texas. 

I  have  sent  you  by  this  mail  a  small  box  containing  some  kind  of  a  bug  ;  I  do  not 
know  much  about  them.  In  the  first  place,  I  live  in  a  rock  house  (my  reason  for  tell- 
ing that  is  because  I  never  saw  them  in  a  wooden  one).  They  are  to  be  found  along 
the  edges  of  carpets,  on  the  furniture  generally,  as  though  eating  the  veneer  ;  their 
favorite  haunt  is  in  and  around  the  fire-place  ;  they  also  go  up  the  chimney  in  large 
numbers.     What  are  they?— [David  Hampton,  Burnet,  Tex.,  October  6,  1888. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  These  insects  are  very  interesting  and  are  new  to  our  collection 
here.  They  are  cloth-feeding  Tineids,  but  the  species  we  can  not  determine  until  we 
have  reared  the  moth.  Can  you  not  send  another  supply  of  specimens  f  You  do  not 
mention  whether  they  seem  to  do  any  damage  to  your  carpets,  and  I  wish  that  you 
would  inform  us  on  that  point.  Please  send  a  large  lot  of  specimens  before  you  begin 
to  destroy  them,  and  you  can  probably  kill  them  easiest  by  a  free  use  of  California 
Bnhach.— [  October  22,  1888.  ] 

Leaf-stripping  Ants  in  Arizona. 

Can  you  give  me  any  information  that  will  help  me  to  destroy  the  leaf-eating 
ants?  They  are  very  thick  on  my  ranch,  and  I  don't  know  what  to  do  to  get  rid  of 
them.    It  seems  impossible  to  kill  them  in  the  ground.     They  are  a  medium-sized  red 


192 

ant,  and  tbey  throw  up  little  mounds  and  seem  to  do  nothing  only  to  eat  leaves. 
They  will  strip  a  tree  of  every  leaf  in  one  night.  They  have  done  so  much  damage  to 
my  nursery  that  I  have  got  to  go  to  work  and  destroy  them  if  possible.  If  there  is 
any  way  that  will  fix  them  please  let  me  know.  »  *  *  —  [D.  Turner,  Paradise 
Nursery,  Phoenix,  Maricopa  County,  Ariz.,  October  27,  1888. 

Reply. —  »  #  *  while  it  is  impossible  to  say  with  absolute  certainty  just  what 
species  you  complain  of,  it  is  iu  all  probability  the  Leaf-eating  Aut  of  Texas  (CEcodoma 
fei-ens).  Inasmuch  as  yon  state  that  you  are  able  to  find  easily  the  mounds  which 
they  make,  your  best  plan  will  be  to  attack  them  with  bisulphide  of  carbon,  which 
you  can  use  in  the  following  manner:  Having  secured  a  pound  or  so  of  this  volatile 
liquid,  thoroughly  wet  a  large  blanket  with  water,  pouring  perhaps  a  tablespoouful 
of  the  bisulphide  into  each  of  several  of  the  larger  holes  iu  the  mound;  then  throw 
the  wet  blanket  over  the  mound,  allowing  it  to  remain  for  from  ten  to  fifteen  minutes. 
Then  remove  the  blanket  and  by  means  of  a  lighted  kerosene  rag  at  the  end  of  a  pole 
explode  the  bisulphide  vapor  at  the  mouth  of  the  holes  into  which  you  have  poured 
it.  The  rationale  of  this  operation  is  as  follows :  The  bisulphide  vapor  being  heavier 
than  the  air  sinks  down  through  the  burrows  of  the  ants  and  the  explosion  forces  it 
in  every  direction,  upwards  and  sidewards,  through  the  burrows  and  it  is  instant 
death  to  every  ant  with  which  it  comes  in  contact.  Eepeat  this  operation  with  every 
mound  which  you  find,  and  although  the  trouble  will  be  considerable  you  will  suc- 
ceed in  eradicating  the  pest.  Be  careful,  however,  in  handling  the  bisulphide,  as 
it  is  very  volatile  and  inflammable.  Should  you  try  this  remedy,  please  inform  us  of 
the  result.— [November  3,  1888.] 

The  Hessian  Fly  in  England. 

*  *  *  I  found  the  puparia  (Hessian  fly)  in  almost  every  field  around  Strand, 
which  is,  so  far  as  I  know,  the  most  westerly  point  from  which  it  has  been  reported. 
I  also  caught  three  males  on  a  window  of  the  house  where  we  were  staying. 

One  of  the  curiosities  I  met  with  near  Bbam  was  a  farmer  who  was  "perfectly  sat- 
isfied with  the  crop  of  wheat ;  "  who  would  not  have  anything  taken  out  of  his  field — 
no !  not  the  "  'Essen  fly  "  ;  and  who  wanted  to  lock  me  up  for  trespassing  in  his  stubble 
field.  Whose  fault  is  it  that  these  British  farmers  are  utterly  ignorant  as  to  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  infested  crop?  What  use  is  a  stupid  report  and  list  of  places  where 
the  fly  has  occurred?  From  pnparia  collected  August  5,  1887, 1  bred  the  last  Cecid. 
September  21,  1888.  Truly  this  is  a  queer  bug.— [Fred.  Enock,  London,  England, 
October  13, 1888. 

Stinging  Caterpillar  of  Lagoa  opercularis. 

I  send  you  by  mail  to-day  a  worm  or  caterpillar  found  upon  a  rose-bush.  On  Sun- 
day last  a  patient  came  to  me  with  evidences  of  poisoning  inflicted  by  a  similar  cat- 
erpillar; the  face  was  aifected,  redness,  swelling,  and  great  and  intense  pain.  Same 
readily  passed  oft",  but  was  A'ery  intense.  Please  let  me  know  something  of  the 
"beast,"  name,  etc.— [H.  B.  Horlbeck,  Department  of  Health,  Charleston,  S.  C,  Octo- 
ber 23,  1888. 

Reply.— The  caterpillar  iu  question  is  one  of  the  so-called  stinging  caterpillars,  and 
this  particular  species  is  Lagoa  opercularis.  Underneath  the  long  silky  hairs  which 
you  notice  are  concealed  shorter  stifl'  hairs,  exceedingly  sharp  at  the  points,  which 
produce  a  nettling  when  they  penetrate  the  flesh.  This  caterpillar  is  quite  common 
from  New  Jersey  southward,  and  feeds  upon  a  great  many  difl'erent  plants.  There 
are  generally  two  annual  generations  and  the  insect  passes  the  winter  in  its  cocoon. 
The  moth  is  yellow  in  color,  tinged  with  brown.— [October  26, 1888.1 


193 

Rebuttal  of  Wier's  Statements  regarding  the  Plum  Curculio. 

Following  the  line  of  iuvestigatiou,  as  a  rebuttal  of  D.  B.  Wier's  statements  regard- 
ing the  behavior  of  the  Plum  Curculio  I  am  able  to  furnish  the  following  report, 
based  upon  close  observation  of  a  few  of  our  practical  men  during  the  present  season: 

(1)  There  has  been  no  preference  discovered  as  to  the  varieties  of  plums  attacked. 

(2)  A  large  portion  of  the  eggs  deposited  in  the  Wild  Goose  Plum  failed  to  hatch, 
but  enough  did  to  destroy  about  two-thirds  of  the  crop. 

(3)  Native  varieties  (wild)  of  plums  are  no  more  exempt  than  those  in  the  culti- 
vated grounds. 

Sprat/ing  unlh  London  purple. — This  work  was  begun  as  soon  as  the  blossoms  ap- 
peared and  followed  up  to  the  time  the  fruit  was  fully  formed.  In  the  same  orchard 
several  trees  were  omitted  in  the  spraying  treatment,  and  as  large  a  per  cent,  of 
sound  fruit  was  gathered  from  them  as  from  those  sprayed.  The  solution  was  suffi- 
ciently strong  to  burn  some  of  the  leaves,  as  it  was  my  privilege  to  observe. 

The  Bag  or  Basket  Worm  has  been  quite  numerous  at  Parsons,  Kans.,  this  year 
upon  large  Red  Cedar  trees.  Spraying  with  London  purple  has  been  thoroughly  ap- 
plied and  failed.  Can  you  advise  any  other  means  besides  hand-picking? — [G.  C. 
Brackett,  Kansas  State  Horticultural  Society,  Lawrence,  Kans.,  September  25,  1888. 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

GRAIN   INSECTS  IN    AUSTRALIA. 

Just  at  present  the  colony  of  South  Australia  is  considerably  ex- 
ercised over  the  Hessian  Fly  and  other  grain  iusects.  Last  July  we 
received  a  communication  from  Mr.  F.  S.  Crawford  asking  for  our  opinion 
concerning  the  importation  of  the  five  principal  grain  pests  from  Europe 
and  from  this  country  into  Australia  in  grass  hay.  We  replied  that 
from  the  life  habits  of  the  insects  we  imagined  that  there  would  be  little 
or  no  danger  respecting  the  Wheat  Midge  {Diplosis  tritici),  the  Ribbon- 
footed  Corn-fly  {Ghlorops  Ueniopus),  or  the  Wheat  Saw-fly  {Cephus pyg- 
mceus).  The  Hessian  Fly  [Cecidomyia  destructor)  and  the  Joint- worms 
{Isosoma  spp.),  however,  might  be  so  importtid,  as  both  hibernate  in  the 
straw.  We  also  informed  him  that  in  our  opinion  a  restriction  compel- 
ling the  burning  of  straw  or  hay  packing  would  be  far  preferable  to  any 
legislation  for  preventing  the  importation  of  goods  so  packed,  as  in  the 
former  way  no  disturbance  to  commerce  would  result  and  the  scheme 
could  be  so  much  more  easily  carried  out  and  practically  euforced.  If 
the  packiug  should  be  simply  grass  hay,  the  danger  would  be  much 
slighter  than  if  wheat,  rye,  or  barley  straw  were  used. 

The  matter  was  brought  before  the  meeting  of  the  Bureau  of  Agri- 
culture at  Adelaide,  on  September  17.  It  seems  from  the  report  that 
none  of  the  insects  in  question  have  as  yet  made  their  appearance  in 
the  colony,  although  the  recent  well-founded  scares  in  England  and  in 
New  Zealand  have  suggested  to  the  Australians  the  necessity  for  the 
utmost  precautions.  Against  the  measures  suggested  as  preventives 
of  the  fly's  introduction  it  was  contended  that  too  much  importance 
was  attached  to  the  alleged  risk,  and  that  it  would  be  a  most  sferious 
12357— No.  6 3 


194 

matter  to  commercial  men  if  the  proposed  packing  restrictions  were 
put  into  force.  Tlie  question  of  tbe  action  to  be  taken  by  tlie  neigh- 
boring colony,  Victoria,  was  also  brought  up,  and  the  necessity  for 
united  action  was  put  forth ;  for  if  one  colony  prohibited  certain  pack- 
ing and  the  other  did  not,  the  latter  would  gain  a  commercial  advan- 
tage ;  hence,  a  conference  between  delegates  was  suggested.  The  fol 
lowing  motion  was  finally  carried: 

That  the  bureau  are  of  the  opinion  that  to  check  the  introduction  of  the  Hessian 
Fly  and  kindred  dangerous  insects  it  would  be  necessary  to  prohibit  the  importation 
of  all  goods  packed  in  straw  of  cereals  of  any  kind.  This  would  result  in  a  great 
loss  and  inconvenience  to  our  South  Australian  importers,  and  the  bureau  would 
recommend  that  an  inspector  under  the  vines,  fruits,  and  vegetable  protection  act 
confer  with  the  officers  holding  similar  appointments  in  the  adjacent  colonies,  with  a 
view  of  their  Governments  arriving  at  some  common  act. 

Our  own  suggestion  had  at  that  time  not  been  considered,  and  Mr. 
Crawford,  in  writing  to  us  under  date  of  September  30,  raises  the  ob- 
jection that  although  at  first  it  might  seem  the  best  way  out  of  the  diffi- 
culty, he  is  afraid  that  in  practice  it  would  be  found  a  greater  evil  than 
limiting  the  packing  to  certain  vegetable  products,  because  all  earthen- 
ware, china,  glass,  etc.,  would  have  to  be  unpacked  and  repacked  in 
bond,  which,  of  course,  would  be  strongly  objected  to  by  importers;  or 
if  the  straw  were  burned  on  tbe  importers  own  i^remises  it  would  be 
necessary  to  have  a  customs  officer  or  inspector  present  to  see  it  done. 

It  strikes  us  after  considering  this  objection  that  the  best  and  safest 
way  out  of  the  difficulty  is  to  combine  tbe  two  suggestions  and  restrict 
the  packing  material  to  certain  safe  substances  under  penalty  of  having 
straw  packing  burned  at  the  custom-house  and  at  the  risk  in  unpacking 
and  repacking  of  the  importer.  It  seems  to  us,  moreover,  that  if  the 
Hessian  Fly  does  not  make  its  appearance  in  Australia  during  or  imme- 
diately after  the  present  year  of  the  Melbourne  exposition,  when  so  much 
merchandise  from  this  country  and  fmm  England  has  been  carried  over, 
we  may  reasonably  expect  exemption  for  years  to  come. 

Many  kinds  of  packing  material  are  in  common  use  in  this  country 
and  the  restriction  as  to  the  kind  of  packing  would  probably  not  work 
to  the  serious  disadvantage  of  American  exporters. 

FURTHER   CONCERNING   THE   LOCUST   WAR   IN   ALGERIA. 

Mr.  J.  Kiinckel  d'Herculais,  President  Entomological  Society  of 
France,  has  addressed  a  report  to  tlie  Governor-general  of  Algeria  upon 
the  subject  of  the  Locusts  and  their  invasion  of  Algeria.  The  particular 
conclusions  at  which  Mr.  d'Eerculais  arrives  are  as  follows: 

(1)  The  necessity  of  organizing,  after  the  example  of  the  Americans 
and  the  Russians,  a  permanent  scientific  service,  charged  with  tbe  study 
of  the  Migratory  Locusts;  study  of  the  habits  of  ditierent  species;  re- 
searches upon  the  centers  of  multiplication ;  the  providing  of  maps 
(trac^  de  cartes)  of  prevision  of  invasions  and  of  maps  of  the  progress 
of  invasions;  researches  upon  the  natural  causes  of  destruction;  re- 
searches upon  the  practical  methods  of  destruction. 


195 

(2)  The  necessity  of  orgauizing  a  service  trained  in  the  handling  of 
different  apparatus  and  in  implements  and  methods  of  destruction. 

(3)  The  necessity  of  providing  resources  by  the  establishment  of 
a  special  tax  after  the  example  of  the  English  in  the  island  of  Cyprus. 

These  couclusious  were  recommended  by  the  Agronomic  section  of 
the  French  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  March  30,  and 
the  whole  association  in  general  assembly  April  3,sanctioned  the  prop- 
ositions of  the  section.  As  a  result  the  President  of  the  French  Ento- 
mological Society  has  been  charged  by  the  minister  of  public  instruc- 
tion, at  the  request  of  the  Governor- general  of  Algeria,  with  the  organ- 
ization of  a  scientific  commission  for  the  study  of  the  locusts  which 
ravage  the  French  Algerian  colony. 

AN  IMPORTANT  CONTRIBUTION  TO  LEPIDOPTEROLOGY.* 

This  paper  gives  a  review  in  monographic  form  of  a  very  interesting 
group  of  species.  All  the  species  heretofore  described  are  noted  here, 
while  a  considerable  number  of  species  are  for  the  first  time  character- 
ized. Lord  Walsingham  says  "Anophorinte,"  and  in  his  introductory 
remarks  gives  the  characters  of  the  group  so  termed.  The  number  of 
genera  is  increased  from  three  to  thirteen,  and  the  characters  are  struct- 
ural. The  genera  are  therefore  easy  of  determination,  if  somewhat  nu- 
merous. A  leading  character  is  the  apical  vein,  which  is  said  to  be 
either  forked  or  not  forked.  The  number  of  American  species  is  in- 
creased from  eight  to  seventeen.  One  noteworthy  feature  of  the  paper 
is  that  the  male  genital  organs  are  described  for  almost  every  species, 
putting  them  on  a  sound  basis  in  every  respect.  Figures  of  the  most  of 
these  structures  are  also  given.  In  the  terminology  of  the  parts  the 
words  " uncus"  and  " clasper"  are  employed.  We  shall  have  some  re- 
marks on  the  nomenclature  of  these  parts  in  some  future  number. 

The  arrangement  of  the  American  species,  according  to  the  result  of 
Lord  Walsingham's  studies,  is  as  follows  : 


Neolophm  Wlsm.,  gen.  nov. 

furcatus  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Arizona. 
Etdepiste  Wlsm. 

ci-essoni  Wlsm.,  Texas. 

macM/j/er  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Arizona. 
JJj/Zoc^ojJMS  Wlsm.,  gen.  nov. 

giriseus  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Arizona. 
Acrolophus  Poey. 

simulatus  Wlsm.,  Texas. 

pltimifrontellus  Clem.,  North  Carolina, 
Massachusetts,  New  York. 
bombiicina  Zell. 

mortipennellus  Grt.,  Central  Alabama. 

cervinus  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Texas. 

texanellus  Chamb.,  Texas. 

arizoneUus  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Arizona. 


Anaphora  Clem. 

niorrisoni  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Florida. 

propinqua  Wlsm.,sp.  nov.,  Florida. 

popeanella    Clem.,    Missouri,    Texas, 
North  Carolina. 
af/rolipennella  Grt. 
scardina  Zeli. 

tenuis  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  North  Carolina. 

macrogaster  Wlsm.,  sp.  nov.,  Arizona, 
Felderia  Wlsm.,  gen.  nov. 

filicornis  Wlsm.,sp.  nov.,  Arizona. 
OrtholopliHs  Wlsm.,  gen,  nov. 

variabilis  Wlsm.,  Arizona, 
Pseudanaphora  Wlsm.,  gen.  nov. 

arcanella  Clem.,  Minn. 


*A  revision  of  the  genera  Acrolophiis  Poey,  and  Anaphora  Clem,  By  the  Right 
Honorable  Lord  Walsingham,  M.  A.,  F.  Z.  S.,  etc.  Trans.  Ent.  Soc,  Lond.,  1887, 
pp.  137-173,  pi.  VII  and  VIII. 


196 

THE   POISONOUS   NATURE   OF   THE   MECONIUM   OF   LEPIDOPTERA. 

Mr.  Tb.  Gooseiis,  at  the  meetiug  of  April  11  of  the  Freuch  Entomo- 
logical Society,  read  a  note  ui)on  tbe  Meconium  of  Butterflies.  It 
seems  that  he  had  in  a  bottle  some  chrysalids  of  Vanessa  prorsa.  There 
were  also  in  the  bottle  some  caterpillars  of  Fidonia  atomaria,  but  these 
were  in  a  tube,  and  the  tube  had  a  cork  stopper.  One  of  the  Vanessas 
issued,  spread  its  wings,  and,  ready  to  take  its  flight,  ejected  the  me- 
conium amassed  in  its  chrj'salis  state.  This  matter  fell  upon  the  stopper 
and  immediately  killed  tbe  twenty  caterpillars.  The  experiment  was 
repeated  by  placing  a  little  of  this  liquid  in  a  bottle  with  another  lot  of 
caterpillars,  which  also  perished.  Larvae,  however,  placed  in  contact 
with  the  dry  meconium  lived  as  usual.  His  conclusion  was  that  it  is 
probably  the  evaporation  of  the  substance,  which  is  composed  in  a  large 
part  of  uric  acid,  which  has  the  property  of  killing  caterpillars,  and  that 
its  poisonous  action  is  often  the  unsuspected  cause  of  the  death  of  larvae 
in  breeding-cages. 

THE   PEACH-TWIG  MOTH   AND   ITS  PARASITE. 

Popular  Gardening  for  July,  1888,  reports  a  so-called  "  new  enemy  to 
the  Peach  "  in  Delaware  and  Maryland,  which  is  said  to  be  a  worm  from 
one-quarter  to  three  eighths  of  an  inch  long,  and  about  as  thick  as  a  pin. 
It  feeds  on  the  leaf,  buds,  and  ends  of  the  young  shoots,  which  of 
course  kills  the  tips  of  the  twigs.  Some  orchards  in  Kent  and  Sussex 
Counties,  Delaware,  are  said  to  look  as  if  a  fire  had  passed  over  the 
ends  of  the  twigs  and  scorched  the  leaves.  The  origin  and  habits  of 
the  pest  are  said  to  be  not  yet  known,  while  the  area  over  which  it  ap- 
pears is  said  to  be  limited. 

It  seems  from  reading  this  item  that  this  is  by  no  means  a  new 
enemy,  but  that  it  is  the  old  and  well-known  Anarsia  Hneatella  Clemens. 
This  insect  was  mentioned  in  the  Annual  Report  of  this  Department 
for  1872,  by  Mr.  Glover,  as  having  done  a  great  deal  of  damage  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  Maryland  Agricultural  College  in  May  of  that  year.  Al- 
most all  of  the  twigs  of  the  trees  were  observed  to  be  killed  at  the  end. 
The  moth  was  bred  and  identified  and  the  insect  studied  in  all  stages. 
Apple  trees  were  observed  to  be  damaged  in  the  same  way,  supposably 
by  the  same  insect. 

Our  notes  show  that  adult  insects  issue  during  May  and  June  and 
the  next  brood  infests  the  fruit  of  peach.  The  larvae  are  found  during 
the  latter  part  of  July  and  August  and  mature  during  September. 
The  larva  leaves  the  fruit  before  transforming  and  suspends  itself  to 
the  outside  of  the  fruit.  The  first  full  account  published  is  by  Pro- 
fessor Comstock,  in  the  Annual  Report  of  this  Department  for  1879, 
page  255.  According  to  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Entomological 
Society  of  Ontario  for  1872,  Mr.  William  Saunders  has  found  the  same 
larva  boring  in  the  roots  of  Strawberry  in  Ontario.    Mr.  Lintner,  iu 


197 

his  first  report  as  State  Entomologist  of  New  York,  published  in  1882, 
has  a  rather  extensive  article  upon  the  same  subject,  and  records  peach 
twigs  as  damaged  at  five  localities  in  the  State  of  New  York,  so  that 
the  insect  is  far  from  being  a  new  pest.  The  best  remedy  will  be  to 
clip  and  burn  the  infested  twigs  as  soon  as  they  are  noticed  in  May.  In 
Professor  Comstock's  article,  before-mentioned,  it  is  said  that  a  Chalcid 
parasite  was  bred  from  this  insect.  The  specimens  of  this  parasite  we 
have  had  in  the  Department  collection  for  all  these  years  under  the  MS. 
name  of  Copidosoma  variegatum,  and  in  Bulletin  5  of  this  Division,  in 
which  we  described  a  number  of  species  of  this  genus,  this  one  was 
overlooked.     We  take  this  occasion  to  submit  a  formal  description : 

Copidosoma  variegatum  sp.  nov.  Howard. 

Female. — Length,  0.93""";  expanse,  2.2™">;  greatest  width  of  fore- wing,  0.49">™. 
Club  of  antennae  flattened,  rounded  at  tip,  as  long  as  all  of  the  other  funicle  joints 
together;  pedicel  twice  as  long  as  first  funicle  joint.  Pnnctation  of  head  and 
thorax  as  in  C.  gelechiw.  Marginal  vein  of  fore-wings  entirely  wanting.  General 
color  black,  with  brilliant  metallic  green  luster ;  scape  of  antenna  black,  white  at 
tip;  pedicel  black;  first  four  funicle  joints  white;  joints  5  and  6  of  funicle  brown ; 
club  brown;  all  coxse  metallic;  all  femora  and  tibiae  dark  brown,  white  at  tips;  all 
tarsi  white. 

Described  from  six  9  specimens,  all  bred  from  a  single  larva  of  Anarsia  lineatella, 
which  was  inflated  as  are  the  larvae  which  harbor  other  species  of  Copidosoma. — L. 
O.  H 

TWO  ABNORMAL  HONEY  BEES. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  France  May  23,  Mr. 
H.  Lucas  exhibited  two  specimens  of  the  common  Honey-bee,  which 
were  collected  near  Bordeaux  find  which  were  remarkable  from  the  fact 
that  in  the  one  the  left  eye  is  small,  while  the  right  eye,  on  the  con- 
trary, is  strongly  developed  and  even  extends  beyond  the  median  part 
of  the  front.  With  the  other  specimen  the  exact  contrary  occurs,  and 
it  is  the  left  eye  which  is  more  developed  than  that  of  the  right  side, 
which  is  plainly  smaller.  On  account  of  this  extremely  remarkable 
anomaly  it  could  be  said  that  these  bees,  from  this  character,  belong 
upon  the  one  side  to  the  male  sex  and  upon  the  other  to  the  neuter. 

RE-APPEARANCE   OF  LACHNUS   PLATANICOLA. 

This  year  we  have  noticed  an  abundance  of  the  large  Sycamore  Tree- 
louse,  Lachnus  platanicola  Eiley  (fam.  Aphididce),  on  the  Sycamores,  or 
Western  Plane  trees,  in  Washington.  A  number  of  trees  along  the 
walk  bordering  the  west  side  of  the  Capitol  Grounds  were  found  infested 
with  them  in  September,  the  insects  being  principally  on  the  smaller, 
lower  branches,  clinging  in  large  patches  to  the  bark,  while  the  pave- 
ment below  was  stained  with  the  exudations  which  had  dropped  from 
their  bodies  in  such  quantities  as  to  form  miniature  pools  on  the  side- 
walk.   At  this  time  the  individuals  composing  the  patches  represented 


198 

all  the  early  stages,  varying  from  very  small  ones  up  to  nearly  full- 
grown  specimens,  none  however  being  winged. 

In  October  several  trees  on  La  Fayette  square,  in  front  of  the  Cosmos 
Club,  were  also  noticed  to  be  infested,  the  brick  walk  beneath  being 
similarly  stained  by  tbem. 

This  species  was  described  by  Professor  Eiley  in  1883,  in  the  American 
Naturalist  for  February  of  that  year,  with  a  notice  of  its  excessive  abun- 
dance in  1882,  not  only  in  Washington,  but  in  many -other  parts  of  the 
United  States.— T.  T. 

TWO  ALIEN  PESTS  OF   THE   GREENHOUSE. 

Of  the  food  habits  of  the  adult  Locust  Borer  very  little  appears  to 
have  been  observed,  although  they  are  known  to  frequent  the  blossoms 
of  Solidago  during  September. 

On  two  occasions  these  beetles  have  been  brought  to  me  by  the  florist 
of  Purdue  University,  with  the  complaint  that  they  were  found  in  the 
greenhouse  eating  the  leaves  of  roses,  and  in  no  case  were  they  ob- 
served to  molest  other  plants. 

On  October  11  complaints  came  from  the  same  quarter  regarding  a 
bug  which  clustered  on  the  buds  of  Chrysanthemums,  causing  the  latter 
to  discolor.  Inspection  revealed  the  depredator  to  be  the  Tarnished 
Plant-bug,  in  the  pupal  and  adult  stages,  the  latter  predominating. 
These  were  not  observed  to  attack  any  other  plant,  and  were  destroyed 
by  fumigating  with  tobacco  smoke. — F.  M.  W. 

[We  doubt  the  accuracy  of  the  observation  as  to  Cyllene  rohinice  eat- 
ing rose  leaves. — Eds.] 

THE   FOOD-HABITS  OF  NORTH   AMERICAN   CALANDRIDAE. 

We  take  this  opportunity  to  publish  (suggested  by  our  article  on  the 
Sandwich  Island  Sugar-cane  Borer)  a  short  review  of  the  food- habits  of 
the  ISTorth  American  Calandridse,  to  which  family  the  genus  Spheno- 
phorus  belongs,  derived  both  from  published  records  and  our  own 
notes.  As  will  be  seen,  there  is  considerable  diversity  even  among  the 
comparatively  few  genera  of  our  fauna. 

The  genus  Calandra  infests  stored  grains  (wheat,  corn,  rice,  etc.). 

The  genera  Dryotribus,  Gononotus,  Macrancylus,  Mesites  (?),  JElassoptes 
are  strictly  maritime  and  live  in  larva  and  imago  states  in  old  boards, 
roots,  etc.,  washed  up  on  the  beach. 

The  genera  Dryophthorus,  Eimatium,  Cossomus,  Allominms,  Caulo- 
philus,  Phlwophagus,  WoUastonia,  Amaurorhinus,  Bhyncolus^  Stenoscelis 
live  under  bark  of  dead  and  decaying  wood,  or  bore  into  decaying  wood 
of  deciduous  or  coniferous  trees. 

Bhodoba^nus  ISpunctatus  infests  the  stems  of  various  plants,  Xan- 
thium  strumarium,  Ambrosia,  and  Thistle. 


199 

Cactophagus  validus  has  heen  found  exclusively  under  decaying  Opun- 
tia  leaves,  the  larva  no  doubt  liviug  within  the  leaves  or  roots  of  the 
same  plant. 

The  genera  Yuccaborus  and  ScyphopJiorus  infest  plants  of  the  genus 
'  Tucca. 

The  genus  Rhynchopliorus  infests  palmetto  trees. 

The  genus  Sphenophorus  infests  the  roots  or  lower  part  of  the  stems  of 
Tarious  wild  or  cultivated  Graminaceous  plants.  One  or  perhaps  sev- 
eral species  are  strictly  maritime. 

A  small  number  of  genera  remain  of  which  the  food-habits  are  still 
unknown. 

THE   NATURAL   FOOD  PLANT   OF   GRAPTODERA  FOLIACEA   Lec. 

Miss  Murtfeldt's  interesting  observations  on  this  species  (p.  74)  show 
that  it  feeds  greedily  on  the  foliage  of  the  apple  tree,  and  on  the  au- 
thority of  Professor  Riley  it  is  stated  also  to  feed  on  hawthorn.  Possi- 
bly it  is  not  confined  to  any  group  of  plants,  but  it  may  be  worth  men- 
tioning that  I  found  specimens  of  a  beetle,  referred  by  Professor  Eiley 
to  this  species,  in  considerable  abundance  on  Cucurbita  perennis  Gray, 
at  Cottonwood  Springs,  Pueblo  County,  Colo.,  last  August.  They  ap- 
pear to  be  entirely  confined  to  the  Cucurbita,  and  one  might  have  sup- 
posed that  it  was  their  i^roper  food  plant  under  ordinary  circumstances. 
I  have  not  yet  heard  of  their  doing  damage  to  the  cultivated  melons, 
squashes,  etc— T.  D.  A.  Cockerell,  West  Cliff,  Colo.,  October  14,  1888. 

A  REMARKABLE   INSECT   ENEMY   TO   LIVE   STOCK. 

The  numerous  published  accounts  of  the  loss  of  life  not  only  of  stock, 
but  of  human  beings,  from  the  sting  of  the  Whip-tailed  Scorpion  {T/ie- 
lyphonus  giganteus),  and  the  consequent  popular  names  of  "Nigger- 
killer"  and  "Mule-killer"  are  sufiQciently  absurd  to  those  who  know  its 
harmless  nature ;  but  there  is  some  little  excuse  for  such  tales  on  ac- 
count of  the  close  resemblance  of  the  animal  to  the  true  scorpions,  which 
are,  in  reality,  more  or  less  poisonous.  No  excuse,  however,  can  be 
offered  for  the  statement  which  was  recently  sent  us  from  Texas  by  a 
correspondent  who  forwarded  a  specimen  of  Mantis  Carolina  with  the 
information  that  a  gentleman  told  him  he  had  lost  a  valuable  horse  by 
one  of  these  insects.  We  would,  therefore,  suggest  as  a  new  popular 
name  for  this  Mantis,  "The  Texas  Horse-killer!" 

FURTHER   ON   THE   IMPORTATION    OF  LESTOPHONUS. 

Just  as  we  are  going  to  press  we  learn  from  Mr.  D.  W.  Coquillett,  our 
agent  at  Los  Angeles,  CaL,  that  he  has  received  Mr.  Koebele's  shipment 
concerning  which  we  quote  Mr.  Koebele  in  the  Special  Notes  of  this 
number.  A  tent  had  been  placed  around  an  orange  tree  in  anticipa- 
tion of  the  arrival  of  the  parasites.    The  boxes  were  taken  inside  the 


200 

tent  aud  opened.  Up  to  the  time  of  writing  sixty  specimens  of  Les- 
topbonus  bad  issued  under  tbe  tent.  In  tbe  case  of  living  pbmts  were 
found  living  Cbrysopa  adults  and  two  species  of  Ooccinellid  larvie,  also 
many  eggs  and  cocoons  of  Cbrysopa.  Tbe  adults  of  Lestopbonus  will 
doubtless  continue  to  issue,  and  we  bave  every  reason  to  bope  that  they 
will  ovii>osit  in  tbe  Iceryas  upon  tbe  tree  under  tlie  tent.  Two  Cocci- 
uellid  larv«  were  found  crawling  outside  of  tbe  case  from  wbicb  tbey 
bad  emerged  through  cracks  in  tbe  putty.  When  transferred  to  the 
orange  tree  tbey  attacked  the  first  Icerya  tbey  met. 

THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL   SOCIETY  OF   WASHINGTON. 

December  6,  1886. — Au  amendmeut  of  the  constitution,  relating  to  the  dues  of  the 
various  classes  of  members  was  discussed  and  adopted.  Mr.  S.  Lowell  Elliott  was 
elected  a  corresponding  member  of  tbe  Society. 

Dr.  Marx  made  a  communication  on  the  structure  of  Hijpoclnlus,  a  form  showing 
intermediate  characters  between  the  Tetrapneumones  and  D'qmtumones.  He  showed 
in  what  features  it  related  to  each  of  these  groups,  and  also  that  in  its  nest  making 
habits  it  combined  the  characters  of  both  TerritcUarice  aud  TuMtellaruf.  He  also 
made  some  remarks  on  the  characters  of  the  Dysderidoc,  FiUsiatida;  and  Cmiflon\d(v, 
the  latter  a  family  which  he  deems  unnecessary,  although  recognized  by  Emertou. 

Prof.  Riley,  commenting  on  this  paper,  thinks  the  present  bases  of  division,  although 
apparently  disturbed  by  such  forms  as  that  discovered  by  Dr.  Marx,  may  yet  be  sys- 
tematically useful.  He  also  urged  upon  Dr.  Marx  the  importance  of  a  study  of  our 
Theraplwsida'.  Dr.  Marx  replied  that  in  this  family  nothing  could  be  done  at  pres- 
ent, since  the  classificatiou  now  in  use  was  not  based  upon  a  study  of  our  fauna,  and 
the  characters  used  were  totally  inapplicable. 

Mr.  Howard  remarked  that  he  had  recently  read  in  the  Tr.  New  Zealand  Inst,  for 
1869  an  account  of  the  katipo,  or  poisonous  spider  of  New  Zealand,  which  appears 
to  be  a  species  of  Latrodectes.  This  is  found  on  the  sea-beach  in  the  sedges,  and  was 
not  feared  by  the  natives  at  a  distance  of  half  a  stone's  throw  from  the  water. 

Mr.  Ashmead  said  that  he  had  seen  a  peach  orchard  defoliated  by  a  spider.  He 
states  positively  that  he  has  seen  the  spiders  bite  pieces  out  of  the  leaves,  but  does 
not  say  that  he  saw  them  afterward  chew  the  bitten  pieces. 

Prof.  Riley  made  a  communication  upon  the  larvae  of  Lepiinus.  and  LeptimUus,  show- 
ing their  relationship  to  that  of  Platypstjlhis.  Larvae  aud  imagosof  the  former  had 
been  found  around  Washington,  in  nests  of  Graphops,  and  larvae  and  imagos  of  the 
latter  had  been  found  upon  the  beaver  in  California.  No  pupsio  of  either  had  been 
found. 

Prof.  Riley  also  made  a  communication  on  the  habits  of  Thalessa,  which  is  proved 
an  external  parasite  on  Tremex.  He  also  gave  an  account  of  the  egg  aud  of  the 
structure  of  the  ovipositor.  He  thinks  the  statement  of  Messrs.  Lintner  and  Wood- 
ward that  Thalessa  also  oviposits  in  the  larva  of  Datana  ministra  was  based  upon  an 
error  of  observation,  Heteropelma  datance,  n.  sp.,  having  probably  been  mistaken  for 
Thalessa. 

Mr.  Schwarz  exhibited  a  Telamona  having  a  globular  sac  projecting  equally  above 
and  below  the  surfaces  of  the  carapace.  He  supposes  this  sac  to  be  formed  by  a 
parasite  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  in  which  Gonatopus  forms  a  sac  on  certain 
Bhynchota.    The  Society  then  adjourned. 

J.  B.  Smith, 
Recording  Secretary. 


PERSONNEL  OF  THOSE  ENGAGED    IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORE. 

The  followiug  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  iu  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical,  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Divisionof  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes : 

DIVISION  OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    II.    S.   DEPARTMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist:  C.  V.  Riley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant;  E.   A,   Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande,  Tyler 

Towusend,  W.  B.  Alwood,  Assistants ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 

iu  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 
Field  Agents :  Samuel  Henshaw,   Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  Lafayette,  Ind. ; 

Herbert  Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa  ;  N.   W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  HI. ;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt, 

Kirkwood.Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Bruner,  Lincoln,  Nebr.  ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles, 

Cal.  ;  Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,  U.    S.    NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator:  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  Curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

lyFor  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communica- 
tions. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "  Insect  Life,"  or, 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "  Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of 
the  correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also 
attended  to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge 
during  my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work 
that  only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.— C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION   OF    EXTOMO^^  OP 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.      ,_,    — ^      ^AC^fi^tiJLBW,    1889 


y-  p,  METCAfeF. 


Vol.  I.  :no.  7. 


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,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVEENMENT   PRINTINa   OFFICE. 

1889. 


CONTENTS. 


Pa  26. 

Special  Notes .      201 

A  Contribution  to  the  Literature  of  Fatal  Spider  Bites  (illustrated).      204 
Description  of  Leonia  Rileyi,    a  new   Mbloid    Genus    near    Hornia, 

(illustrated) Eugene  Diiges      211 

On  the  Emasculating  Bot  Fly  (illustrated) 214 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 216 

Injurious  lusects  iu  Mississippi  for  1888. — Larva  o{  Saturnia  io  on  Saw  Pal- 
metto iu  Florida. — ^caHi/iacflrasi)»(7is  iujuriug  Pine  apple  iu  Florida. — 
Hylesinus  trifoUi  iu  Ohio. — Wisconsin  letter  on  Cicada  septenilecim. — A 
proposed  Remedy  for  the  Chinch  Bug. — One  of  the  Parasite  Introduc- 
tion Experiments  in  California.— Two  Species  of  Anomala  injurious  to 
the  Vine  in  the  South. — Beetles  boring  in  an  Opium  Pipe  from  China. 
— A  Grape-vine  Flea-beetle  in  the  Southwest.— The  "Voice"of  Vanessa 
antiopa. — A  Swarming  of  the  Milk-weed  Butterfly  in  1886. — A  Phyllox- 
era on  the  Pecan. — Anthreuus  destroying  Whalebone. 

General  Notes 222 

Results  of  Professor  Forbes's  Investigations  on  the  Relation  of  Wheat  Cult- 
ure to  the  Chinch  Bug. — An  old  American  Account  of  the  Buffalo 
Gnat. — Notes  on  Pteromahis  puparum. — Another  Human  Bot  Fly. — 
Geographical  Range  of  the  Chinch  Bug. — Damage  to  Fruit  by  the 
Adult  of  AUorhina. — The  Imbricated  Snout-beetle. — Notes  on  Acridi- 
da3  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal. — Chloridea  rhexia  injuring  Tobacco. — A  curious 
Habit  oi  Epilaclina  borealis. — Birds  and  the  White  Grub. — Dosing  Trees 
witb  Sulphur  and  other  Substances.  —  Alum  as  a  Currant-worm 
Remedy. — An  Australian  Experiment. — Proceedings  of  the  Entomo- 
logical Society  of  Washington. 


Vol.  l.Wo.'y.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [January,  1889. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

"We  have  just  seut  our  ludiana  ageut,  Mr.  F.  M.  Webster,  to  Australia 
to  assist  iu  the  collection  of  the  parasites  of  the  Fluted  Scale  {Iceryapur- 
chasi),  and  to  write  up  a  report  on  the  agricultural  aspects  of  the  Mel- 
bourne Exposition.  Mr.  AVebster  sailed  December  15,  and  will  return 
to  this  country  iu  March. 


As  will  be  noticed  from  the  third  page  of  the  cover  of  this  number, 
Mr.  W.  B.  Alwood  has  resigned  his  position  in  the  Division  and  Mr.  C. 
L.  Marlatt  has  been  appointed.  Mr.  Alwood  has  accepted  the  position 
of  Yice-Director  of  the  Virginia  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  at 
Blacksburg,  Va.  Mr.  Marlatt  comes  to  us  from  the  Kansas  State  Agri- 
cultural College  at  Manhattan,  where  he  has  held  the  position  of  Assist- 
ant in  Entomology. 


A  uumber  of  workers  in  economic  entomology  will  soon  be  coming 
to  the  frout.  Under  the  Hatch  experiment-station  act,  something  over 
twenty  of  the  State  experiment  stations  have  been  a)>\e  to  appoint  an 
entomologist  among  the  officers.  Some  of  the  appointees  have  been 
well  trained  in  economic  entomology,  while  others  are  young  men 
fresh  from  college  with  only  a  general  knowledge  of  the  subject.  So 
large  a  number  of  men  situated  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  de- 
voting their  time  wholly  or  in  part  to  work  which  should  be  original  and 
experimental,  can  not  fail  to  produce  important  results.  It  has  long 
seemed  to  us  that  much  couhl  be  gained  through  an  association  of  those 
actually  working  in  this  direction,  and  since  this  enlargement  of  the 
number  of  workers  the  desirability  of  such  an  association  seems  to  us 
greater  than  ever  before.  Other  specialists,  as  the  chemists,  the  orni- 
thologists, theicthyologists,  have  their  national  organizations  and  their 
annual  meetings  to  discuss  methods  of  work  and  fields  for  investigation. 

It  seems  to  us  that  there  should  be  a  national  organization  of  those 
entomologists  engaged  in  the  ])ractical  application  of  the  science,  meet- 

201 


202 

ing,  say,  ouce  a  year,  to  discuss  new  discoveries,  aud  particularly  to  ex- 
change experiences  as  to  methods  of  work,  whether  in  field  or  laboratory. 
Such  a  coming  together  of  those  engaged  in  kindred  work  and  the  con- 
sequent interchange  of  experience  aud  intercommunion  could  not  fail  to 
be  productive  of  good  both  socially  and  scientificalh'.  Economic  ento- 
mology has  heretofore  greatly  suffered  by  the  writings  and  pretensions 
of  those  who  have  no  sort  of  appreciation  of  its  real  value  and  impor- 
tance, but  who,  writing  at  second  haud,  upon  subjects  of  which  they 
have  no  personal  knowledge  whatever,  are  just  as  apt  to  disseminate 
error  as  truth.  We  should  like  to  get  an  expression  from  those  of  the 
readers  of  Insect  Life  interested  in  the  work  as  to  the  desirability 
and  feasibility  of  such  a  national  organization,  and  particularly  as  to 
how  many  could  attend  a  meeting  once  a  year  in  some  one  of  our  large 
cities. 


Kerosene  Emulsion— An  Error  corrected —We  have  unfortunately  been 
misquoted  of  late  relative  to  a  statement  made  in  the  Introduction  to 
our  1885  report.  We  there  stated  that  where  miik  is  not  accessible  a 
satisfactory  kerosene  emulsion  can  be  made  with  the  white  of  egg 
and  a  little  sugar,  and  gave  the  most  desirable  proportions.  We  no- 
tice, however,  that  Orchard  and  Garden,  for  February,  1888,  and  other 
journals  on  previous  dates  have  published  the  entirely  unwarranted 
statement  that  "  Professor  Eiley  has  had  the  best  results  in  fighting 
scale  insects  with  a  kerosene  emulsion  prepared  after  the  following  form- 
ula," quoting  the  white  of  egg  aud  sugar  recipe.  Our  position  is  thus 
entirely  misrepresented. 

It  will  be  news  to  most  entomologists  to  learn  that  the  Wm.  H.  Ed- 
wards collection  of  Ehopalocera  has  been  purchased  by  the  Rev.  W.  J. 
Holland,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  The  collection  of  Dr.  Holland,  as  thus  en- 
riched, is  probably  one  of  the  largest  as  well  as  typically  the  most  per- 
fect collection  of  the  Rhopalocera  of  temperate  North  America.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  collection  of  Wm.  H.  Edwards  it  contains  the  entire  collec- 
tion of  Mr.  Theodore  L.  Mead,  and  a  large  number  of  specimens  derived 
from  Morrison,  Wright,  Behreus,  Ricksecker,  and  other  collectors,  in  all 
fully  8,000  specimens,  representing  the  nearly  700  species  credited  to  our 
fauna.  As  an  illustration  of  the  richness  of  this  collection,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  Lycccn'i  pseudargiolus  is  represented  by  256  specimens, 
ranging  in  their  distribution  according  to  their  localities  from  St. 
Michaels,  Alaska,  to  southern  Florida,  and  from  Quebec  to  Arizona, 
with  a  large  series  of  bred  specimens  arranged  according  to  pedigree 
from  one  brood  to  another,  showing  the  lineage  of  the  seasonal  or 
dimorphic  forms. 

The  Rhopalocera  of  other  lands  are  well  represented,  notably  by  speci- 
mens from  tropical  America,  Africa,  and  Asia,  and  by  fine  suites  of  the 


203 

Japanese  species,  collected  in  1887  by  Dr.  Holland  during  his  visit  to 
Japan  as  the  naturalist  of  the  United  States  Eclipse  Expedition  of  that 
year.  In  all,  over  4,000  species  of  Khopalocera  are  found  in  the  collec- 
tion, the  genus  Papilio  alone  having  more  than  250  species  correctly  eti- 
quetted  in  the  drawers  allotted  to  them. 

In  the  Heterocera  the  collection  is  also  rich.  By  purchase  Dr.  Holland 
has  obtained  the  entire  collection  of  the  Hypeuidie  and  Pyralidie  of 
Japan,  made  by  the  late  Henry  Pryer,  of  Yokohama.  This  collection, 
the  formation  of  which  occupied  Mr.  Pryer  seventeen  years,  is  being- 
made  the  basis  of  an  elaborate  monograph  of  the  Pyralidai  of  Japan  by 
Dr.  Holland,  in  the  preparation  of  which  he  will  have  the  assistance  of 
Prof.  C.  H.  Fernald  and  others. 


Recent  entomological  Publications.— During  the  past  few  months  a  num- 
ber of  very  important  American  entomological  publications  have  been 
received.  We  do  not  feel  the  same  latitude  in  publishing  critical  re- 
views in  Inse  ct  Life  as  we  should  in  a  private  periodical,  bnt  impor- 
tant j)ublications  should  receive  some  attention  at  our  hands,  if  only  a 
mere  announcement  of  their  i)ublication,  for  Insect  Life  reaches  a 
large  class  of  readers  whose  means  of  ascertaining  just  what  has  been 
published  in  an  entomological  line  are  otherwise  slight. 

The  first  part  of  Professor  Comstock's  "  Introduction  to  Entomology  " 
was  received  some  two  mouths  since.  The  title  reads,  "An  Introduc- 
tion to  Entomology,  by  John  Henry  Comstock,  Professor  of  Entomol- 
ogy and  General  Invertebrate  Zoology  iu  Cornell  University,  and  for- 
merly United  States  Entomologist,  with  man}'  original  illustrations 
drawn  and  engraved  by  Anna  Botsford  Comstock,  Ithaca,  X.  Y.;  pub- 
lished by  the  author,  1888."  This  first  part  is  a  volume  of  231:  pages, 
comprising  201  illustrations,  and  considers  the  orders  Thysanura,  Pseu- 
doneuroptera,  Orthoptera,  Physopoda,  Hemiptera,  and  Neuroptera, 
leaving  the  Lepidoptera,  Diptera,  Coleoptera,  and  Hymenoptera  for  the 
second  and  concluding  part.  The  work  is  designed  primarily  as  a  text- 
book.    Price  $2. 

Mr.  John  B.  Smith's  monograph  of  the  "  Sphingidae  of  America  North 
of  Mexico  "has  just  been  published  by  the  American  Entomological 
Society,  Philadelphia.  It  is  a  work  of  195  pages,  based  largely  on 
work  and  material  at  the  National  Museum,  and  is  illustrated  by  nine 
plates,  the  plates  referring  maiuly  to  anal  characters  and  wing-vena- 
tion. 

Dr.  Lintner's  fourth  report  on  the  injurious  and  other  insects  of  the 
State  of  New  York  has  also  recently  coine  to  hand.  Dr.  Lintner  uses  68 
text  figures,  and  his  report,  iucluding  indices,  covers  237  pages. 

The  first  and  second  ])arts  of  Mr.  Scudder's  long  contemplated  work, 
entitled  '•  Butterflies  of  the  Eastern  United  States  and  Canada,  with 
special  reference  to  New  Euglaud,"  have  also  been  received.  The  work 
is  published  by  the  author  and  is  very  elaborate,  the  illustrations  form- 


204 

ing  a  special  feature.     It  is  to  be  issued  in  12  parts,  eacla  coutaiuing  8 
plates  aud  about  144  pages  of  text.     The  price  is  $5  per  part. 

Dr.  Packard's  Entomology  for  Beginners  appeared  in  September. 
It  is  a  condensed  treatise  of  about  350  pages  with  nearly  300  figures, 
and  is  entitled  "Entomology  for  Beginners,  for  the  use  of  young  folks, 
fruit-growers,  farmers,  and  gardeners,  by  A.  S.  Packard,  M.  D.,  Ph. 
D.,  New  York,  Henry  Holt  &  Co.,  1888."    The  price  is  $1 .75. 


A  CONTRIBUTION  TO  THE  LITERATURE  OF  FATAL  SPIDER  BITES. 

The  evidence  for  aud  against  the  possibility  of  a  fatal  bite  from  any 
of  our  common  spiders  is  sufficiently  confusing.  We  have,  on  the  one 
hand,  a  wide  spread  impression  among  people  at  large  that  such  fatal 
bites  are  frequent  and  a  large  number  of  poorly-authenticated  news- 
paper records  of  cases.    On  the  other  hand,  we  have  a  general  incredul- 


FiG.  4e.—Latrudectus  mactans:  a,  adult  female;  b,  c,  d,  c,/,  g,  abdomen  of  different  stages  and  va- 
rieties, upper  side;  h,  under  side  of  r/,-  i,  adult  male,  a,  c,  f,  rj,  h,  aud  i  enlarged  twice,  c  and  d  three 
times,  6  four  times  (original). 

ity  among  entomologists  and  arachnologists,  who  require  absolute  proof 
before  accepting  what  seems  probably  untrue  Judged  from  the  statements 
of  naturalists  who  have  allowed  themselves  to  be  bitten  without  bad  re- 
sults, not  only  by  many  different  spiders,  but  by  the  very  species  said 
to  be  venomous. 


205 

Under  these  circumstauces  auy  wellautbeuticated  case  of  poisoning 
is  of  value,  and  we  place  the  following  facts  on  record  for  what  they  are 
worth  : 

In  January,  1886,  we  received  for  identification  from  Col.  Thomas  B. 
Keogh,  of  Greensborough,  K  C,  a  specimen  of  the  common  Latrodectus 
mactans.  a  rather  large  brown  spider,  with  a  red  spot  on  its  abdomen, 
with  the  accompanying  statement  that  a  specimen  of  the  same  species 
had  killed  a  man  at  Greensborough,  We  publish  our  reply  in  full,  as  it 
drew  out  the  interesting  statement  which  follows: 

Your  letter  of  the  7th  iustaut,  with  specimeas  of  spider  supposed  to  be  ideutical 
with  a  species  which  has  fatally  bitteu  a  man  iu  your  neighborhood,  came  safely  to 
hand.  I  am  glad  to  get  this  specimen,  the  habits  of  which  yon  so  accurately  de- 
scribe, and  am  much  interested  in  the  instance  \\ihich  you  report.  Such  instances 
have  been  placed  upon  record  in  several  papers,  but  there  has  been  so  far  no  accurate 
scientific  evidence  of  the  power  of  this  insect  to  inflict  a  fatal  wound.  For  this  rea- 
son I  should  be  very  glad  to  hear  from  you  of  the  circumstances  connected  with  this 
instance.  In  the  first  place,  are  you  certain  that  the  spider  which  bit  the  man  be- 
longed to  this  species  (the  scientific  name  of  the  spider  is  Latrodectus  mactans,  but  it 
has  no  common  name)  i  (2)  Was  the  spider  seen  to  inflict  the  wound  or  was  it  found 
upon  the  wound  immediately  afterward  ?  (3)  How  long  did  the  man  survive  the 
bite?  (4)  Was  the  wound  a  punctured  one,  and  how  large  was  the  orifice?  (5) 
What  were  the  symptoms,  aside  from  the  spasms  which  you  mention  ;  what  was  the 
character  of  the  swelling  ?  (6)  Was  the  man  healthy  and  strong,  and  what  was  his 
susceptibility  with  regard  to  other  poisons,  as  the  Poison  Ivy,  for  instance  ?  (7)  At 
what  time  of  the  year  did  this  occur,  and  what  was  the  man  doing  when  bitteu  ;  was 
ho  in  a  profuse  perspiration  or  not  ? 

The  answers  to  all  these  questious  bear  upon  the  interest  attached  to  it,  and  you 
will  greatly  oblige  me  by  answering  them  as  fully  and  as  accurately  as  possible.  Our 
best  arachnologists  would  deny  the  possibility  of  a  fatal  bite  from  these  spiders  were 
it  not  rendered  uncertain  by  such  positive  accounts  as  these  of  yours.  In  view  of  this 
fact  the  importance  of  accurate  investigation  will  be  readily  seen  by  you.  We  pro- 
pose, as  soon  as  opportunity  offers,  to  experiment  as  to  the  poison  of  this  and  several 
allied  spiders  upon  rabbits,  and  thus  to  approximate  a  solution  of  the  question. 

On  receiving  this  letter,  Colonel  Keogh  handed  it  to  Mr.  John  M.  Dick, 
who  was  the  employer  of  the  man  in  question,  and  whoai  Colonel  Keogh 
states  to  be  a  "very  intelligent  and  well-informed  young  farmer,'' who 
resides  about  half  a  mile  from  Greensborough.  Mr.  Dick's  statement 
is  as  follows: 

In  reply  to  your  questions,  asked  Colonel  Keogh  in  your  letter  of  January  11,  I  will 
make  the  following  statements : 

(1)  No  one  was  with  the  man  when  he  was  bitten.  All  we  kuow  is  his  own  state- 
ment. He  said  he  felt  something  crawling  on  his  neck ;  as  he  brushed  it  oft'  it  stung 
or  bit  him  very  severely.  As  the  pain  was  very  great,  he  looked  to  see  what  had 
caused  it.     He  described  the  insect  as  a  black  spider  with  a  red  spot  on  it. 

(2)  He  was  bitteu  about  8.30  o'clock  a.  m.  and  died  between  10  and  11  o'clock  p.  ra., 
about  fourteen  hours  intervening. 

(3)  I  examined  his  neck  and  found  about  ten  little  white  pimples,  all  of  which  could 
be  covered  with  a  one-dollar  silver  coin.     I  saw  no  puncture  of  any  kind. 

(4)  There  was  no  swelling  at  all,  but  his  neck  and  left  breast  and  arm  became  very 
hard,  so  much  so  that  I  could  not  make  an  impiession  in  the  flesh  with  my  thumb. 

(5)  The  man  had  been  living  with  me  for  nine  years,  and  was  perfectly  healthy. 
Had  no  disease. 


206 

(6)  He  could  handle  poison  oak  or  ivy  with  impunity. 

(7)  He  waa  bitten  on  the  19th  of  October,  1887.  Ho  was  hauling  wood  at  the  time. 
It  was  a  damp  cold  morning  and  he  could  nob  have  been  overheated.  As  soon  as  the 
sensation  of  pain  had  passed  off  the  man  felt  no  further  inconvenience  till  towards 
the  middle  of  the  day.  (He  described  the  pain  from  the  sting  as  somewhat  similar 
to  the  sting  of  a  wasp.)  About  half  past  11  o'clock  he  came  to  the  house  and  told  me 
that  he  had  been  bitten  by  a  spider.  I  treated  the  matter  lightly,  thinking  he  would 
have  been  dead  by  that  time  if  it  was  going  to  hurt  him  at  all,  but  he  complained  of 
pains  running  through  his  whole  body.  Finally,  he  went  to  town  (only  1  mile  dis- 
tant), saying  he  was  going  to  get  whisky.  About  1  o'clock  he  came  home.  Said 
he  felt  no  better.  Said  the  pain  had  settled  in  his  bowels.  In  a  short  while  he  com- 
menced to  have  spasms.  (He  told  me  he  had  only  bought  5  cents' worth  of  corn 
whisky.)  When  the  spasm  came  on  I  was  greatly  frightened.  As  I  kuew  of  no  rem- 
edy but  whisky,  I  gave  it  to  him.  In  all,  I  gave  him  three  half  pints.  He  seemed  re- 
lieved of  pain  about  3  o'clock,  and  Jid  some  work  about  the  barn.  About  4  o'clock  the 
pains  came  on  again  and  the  spasms  with  them.  He  had  only  two  spasms.  He  never, 
recovered  from  the  second  one,  but  remained  in  a  state  of  unconsciousness  till  his 
death. 

I  have  another  man  working  for  me  who  was  bitten  by  one  of  the  spiders  about 
three  years  ago.  I  showed  him  the  spider  which  Colonel  Keogh  forwarded  to  you, 
and  he  recognized  it  at  once  as  being  exactly  like  the  one  which  had  bitten  him.  As 
this  man's  experience  with  a  spider  bite  is  rather  peculiar,  I  will  give  it  to  you  as  he 
has  told  me.  He  was  at  work  in  a  corn  field  about  the  middle  of  June.  It  was  the 
afternoon  of  the  day.  He  went  to  a  spring  near  by  for  a  drink  of  water.  While 
resting  a  moment  at  the  spring  the  spider  bit  him  on  the  ankle.  He  spit  tobacco 
juice  on  the  sting  and  soon  felt  no  pain.  (He  describes  the  pain  from  the  sting  as 
more  like  a  brier  scratch.)  He  resumed  the  work,  but  in  an  hour  or  so  felt  a  sudden 
shock  or  pain  run  through  his  whole  body.  As  one  shock  would  pass  oif  another 
would  come  on.  He  unhitched  his  horse  and  attempted  to  ride  home,  but  soon  fell 
off  the  horse  in  an  unconscious  condition.  His  employer  found  him  by  the  road  side 
and  had  him  taken  home.  This  gentleman  has  since  told  me  the  negro  seemed  per- 
fectly crazy.  He  told  what  had  bitten  him  between  spasms  of  pain.  The  only  remedy 
he  kuew  of  was  whisky.  He  gave  the  negro  three  pints,  and  it  had  no  intoxicating 
effects.  The  negro  had  spasms  one  after  another  for  several  days.  It  was  three  weeks 
before  he  stopped  having  them,  and  it  was  two  mouths  befoi-e  ho  was  able  to  do  any 
work.  He  has  not  entirely  recovered  yet.  Whenever  he  becomes  overheated  he  has  to 
stop  woik.  He  has  a  numb  sensation  pass  over  him.  His  ankle  did  not  swell  at  all. 
These  same  kind  of  pimples  which  I  noticed  on  the  neck  of  the  man  that  died  ap- 
peared on  his  aukle,  and  break  out  afresh  every  time  he  becomes  overheated  from 
exercise. 

The  sinder—Latrodectus  moctans—'is  cougeueric  with  tbe  ^Yell-kllOVvn 
"Malmiguiatte"  of  South  Buroiye  {Latrodectus  m almig niatus  Walck.), 
about  the  venomous  nature  of  whose  bite  there  is  so  much  contradic- 
tory testimony. 

It  will  be  interestiug-  in  this  connection  to  quote  a  few  of  the  pub- 
lished opinions  of  naturalists  upon  this  subject. 

In  the  Annals  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  France  for  1842,  page 
205,  is  a  notice  of  different  facts  which  confirm  the  venomous  property 
of  Latrodectus  mahnigniatm,  by  Dr.  Graells,  translated  from  the  Spanish 
by  Leon  Fairmaire.  He  states  in  brief  that  prior  to  1830,  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Tarragone  (Department  of  Cologne),  there  was  no  knowledge  of 
any  spider  which  gave  poisonous  bites,  but  that  in  the  years  1830, 1833, 


207 

and  1811  there  were  a  number  of  such  accidents.  He  shows  that  they 
occur  most  abundantly  in  the  years  of  the  migratory  locusts  and  shows 
that  such  locusts  were  easily  overcome  by  this  spider.  The  Royal 
Academy  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  at  Barcelona  in  1830  appointed  a 
<}ommission  to  investigate  the  dangerous  accidents  caused  during  the 
summer  of  that  year  by  the  spider.  The  members  of  the  commission 
were  not  entomologists  and  their  report  was  almost  worthless,  hi  1833 
there  were  a  number  of  other  cases  and  Dr.  Graells  was  appointed  by 
the  Academy  to  investigate.  He  found  as  a  matter  of  course  that  the 
reports  were  greatly  exaggerated.  A  number  of  cases  were  found,  liow- 
ever,  and  investigated,  which  were  unquestionably  caused  by  the  bite 
of  this  spider,  and  the  following  symptoms  were  recorded : 

A  double  puucturo  snrroundetlby  two  red  circles,  wliicli  unite,  together  forming  au 
edematous  areole  which  marks  the  seat  of  a  tumor  which  develops  later.  The  paiu 
extends  and  soon  occupies  the  length  of  the  bitten  limb,  and  often  reaches  to  the  axil- 
lary or  inguinal  glands,  according  to  the  limb  bitten.  These  glands  tumefy  and  be- 
come painful  and  the  skin  between  them  and  the  bite  becomes  marked  with  livid 
spots  which  seem  to  follow  the  course  of  the  lymphatic  vessels.  The  paiu  continues, 
reaching  the  body  even  to  the  abdominal  and  thoracic  cavities,  with  a  sensation  of 
burning  heat,  strong  constriction  or  soreness  of  throat,  tension  of  the  abdomen, 
tenesmus,  and  extreme  headache,  which  makes  itself  felt  along  the  spinal  column  ; 
soon  followed  by  general  convulsions,  more  iiarticularly  in  the  extremities,  followed 
often  by  insensibility,  especially  in  the  feet,  which  are  ordinaril^^  livid,  wLile  the 
whole  body  is  swollen.  This  imposing  array  of  symptoms  brings  about  a  very  marked 
low  spirit  on  the  i>art  of  the  patients,  indicated  by  their  expressions  of  despair,  of 
profound  affliction,  or  fear  concerning  the  return  of  the  health,  for  thej  believe  them- 
selves threatened  with  approaching  death. 

They  continually  change  from  place  to  place  iu  their  bed,  giving  utterance  to  sighs 
and  plaintive  cries,  carrying  their  hands  to  their  heads  mechanically,  or  they  say  that 
they  feel  their  brains  pricked  by  pins.  The  face  is  sometimes  red  and  burning,  at 
others  pale.  The  difficulty  of  respiration  is  marked,  the  pulse  is  very  low,  quick, 
irregular,  the  skin  cold  and  rather  moist  from  an  abundant  cold  and  viscid  perspira- 
tion;  at  the  same  time  the  patient  complains  that  his  bowels  are  burning  and  asks 
for  fresh  water.  In  some  cases  the  sight  is  almost  totally  obscured,  the  conjunctiva 
injected;  in  others  the  voice  becomes  weakened,  and  perhaps  a  ringing  in  the  ears 
becomes  very  marked.  Sometimes  livid  spots  appear  over  the  whole  body.  The  in- 
tensity of  these  symptoms  varies  according  to  the  susceptibility  of  the  individual,  to 
the  strength  of  the  Latrodectus,  and  also  the  number  of  bites  which  the  patient  has 
received. 

Eecovcry  comes  sooner  or  later,  according  to  the  strength  of  the  i^atient,  the  energy 
of  the  remedies,  and  the  promptness  of  their  effect.  In  all  cases  it  is  announced  by 
the  perspiration,  which  from  cold  and  viscid  becomes  warm  and  vaporous  ;  by  the 
quickening  and  regularity  of  the  pulse;  by  increasing  facility  in  respiration  and 
urination  ;  by  the  cessation  of  the  intiammation  of  the  glands  and  of  the  aching  iu 
the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  which  passes  into  a  sort  of  lethargy  which  may  be  more 
the  effect  of  the  laudanum  given  than  a  symptom  of  the  disease. 

Mr.  Pierret,  in  the  same  periodical  for  1843,  page  8,  states  that 
this  same  spider  inhabits  Corsica  also,  and  that  its  bites  there  cause 
symptoms  similar  to  those  described  by  Dr.  Graells.  It  appears  in  the 
heat  of  summer  and  is  found  principally  iu  houses.  When  an  inhab- 
itant is  bitten  the  remedy  consists  in  exposing  the  wounded  i)art  to 
strong  heat  from  a  furnace  and  iu  rubbing  it  with  irarlic. 


208 

Ou  the  same  page  Mr.  Lucas  aunounced  that  he  had  studied  the 
habits  of  the  same  insect  in  Algeria,  where  it  is  frequently  found.  He 
states  that  he  never  observed  that  its  bite  was  venomous  and  that  he 
had  himself  been  bitten  several  times  without  any  bad  effects. 

Walckenaer,  Histoire  Naturelle  des  Insectes— Apt^res(Paris,  1837,  p. 
177  et  seq.),  makes  the  following  statements: 

However  violeut  may  be  the  effect  of  the  veuom  wliich  a  spider  injects  iuto  the 
puncture  which  it  makes  iu  the  body  of  au  insect  which  it  seizes,  this  venom  iu  the 
largest  species  in  the  north  of  France  produces  no  effect  upon  man.  I  have  allov\'ed 
myself  to  be  bitten  by  the  largest  species  of  spiders  around  Paris  without  consequent 
swelling  or  reddening.  Tuese  small  punctures  have  given  me  no  other  sensation  tban 
would  have  been  produced  by  a  pin  or  a  needle  which  I  had  stuck  into  my  finger. 
In  fact,  the  venom  of  a  spider  has  not  even  as  great  an  effect  upon  man  as  that  of  a 
wasp,  a  bee,  a  bed-bug,  a  flea,  and  even  still  smaller  insects.  We  see  people  not  un- 
commonly who  tiave  probably  been  bitten  by  some  one  of  these  insects  and  who 
attribute  the  consequent  results  to  the  bite  of  the  spider  becanse  it  is  often  the  first 
insect  which  they  see  when  they  find  themselves  awakeued  iu  the  night  by  the  pain. 
The  spider,  frightened  by  the  unexpected  approach  of  some  person  or  by  a  light,  runs 
to  hide  itself  and  thus  has  all  the  appearance  of  a  culprit. 

In  warm  climates,  where  very  large  spiders  are  found,  the  bite  may  be  stronger  and 
in  consequence  more  painful,  and,  in  time  of  extreme  heat,  with  unhealthy  persons, 
the  slight  inflammation  which  results  from  the  bite  may  produce  fever,  and  fever 
may  bring  about  delirium  without  the  action  of  any  poison.  It  is  thns  that  we 
explain  the  extraordinary  effect  attributed  to  the  Tarantula  de  la  Ponille  and  of  the 
Lalrodectus  malmigniatus  in  the  island  of  Corsica.  The  facts,  from  my  point  of  view, 
have  been  greatly  exaggerated ;  the  observations  upon  which  they  are  founded  are 
all  old,  and  even  at  the  time  when  thej^  made  the  most  noise  several  judicious 
observers  have  treated  them  as  fables.  *  *  *  [Here  follows  a  short  account  of  the 
Tarantula  mentioned  above.]  They  attribute  to  the  Latrodectus  malmigiiiaius o£ Sardi- 
nia  the  same  eff"ects  as  to  the  Tai-antula.  The  species  of  this  genus  are,  however, 
much  smaller,  but  in  America  as  ui  Europe  they  are  considered  venomous. 

Azara  has  had  several  of  his  negroes  bitten  by  the  great  Mygale  avictilaria  of  South 
America.  He  remarks  that  a  fever  of  twenty  hours'  duration  often  results  from  these 
bites,  and  that  it  is  sometimes  accompanied  by  a  little  delirium,  but  that  it  never  has 
serious  results. 

Again,  in  treating  of  the  "  Malmiguiatte  "  under  his  specific  descrip- 
tion, Walckenaer  says : 

This  species  is  believed  to  be  very  venomous.  Its  bite  causes  with  man,  so  it  is  said, 
pains  and  even  fever.  Mr.  Luigi  Totti,  physician  of  the  Madeleine  Hospital  at  Vol- 
terra,  in  a  long  memoir  which  he  has  sent  to  us,  confirms  all  that  has  been  said  about 
the  effects  produced  by  this  spider  by  Boccone,  Keysltr,  Rossi,  and  others,  altliough  its 
mandibles  are  not  very  large  and  it  is  not  large  itself.  Moreover,  Mr.  Abbot,  who  was 
ignorant  of  what  had  been  written  iu  Europe  upon  the  genus,  says  of  all  three  species 
which  he  has  figured,  that  their  bite  is  renowned  in  America;  so  the  fact  is  certain. 
'  *  *  Mr.  A.  Cauro,  of  Ajaccio,  Doctor  of  Medicine,  iu  a  thesis  entitled  "  Explana- 
tion of  the  methods  of  curing  the  bite  of  the  Tlieridion  malmiijniaiic,  Paris,  1833,"  page 
6,  sa<ys:  "  It  appears  that  the  venomous  character  of  Thendion  mahnifjniatte  is  not  set- 
tled, because  all  naturalists  avoid  saying  that  they  believe  that  its  bite  is  very  dau- 
gerous.  It  is  certain,  very  certain,  that  it  is  very  dangerous  iu  Corsica;  perhaps  it 
may  be  fatal  under  some  conditions."  Mr.  Cauro  gives  in  d^ail  the  effects  of  this 
bite,  whi-ch  resemble,  heirsays,  those  of  the  bite  of  the  viper;  but  Mr.  Caaro,  as  well  as 


209 

all  his  iiredecessors.  has  not  taken  care  to  assure  himself  that  the  sickness  that  he  de- 
scrihes  was  actually  caused  by  the  Latrodectus.  He  reports  no  observations — no  ex- 
perience which  proves  it. 

The  followiug-  paragraphs  are  taken  from  an  articleby  Eev.  J.  Black- 
wall, in  the  Transactions  of  the  Linniiean  Society  of  London  (Vol.  XXI, 
1855,  p.  31)  entitled  "Experiments  and  observations  on  the  poison  of 
animals  of  the  order  of  Araueidea  :" 

The  numerous  accounts  which  have  been  published  by  various  authors  of  the  sin- 
gular eflects  induced  in  the  human  species  by  the  bite  of  the  Tarantula  (Lycosa  taran- 
tula apuliw  Walck.),  and  of  the  still  more  extraordinary  mode  of  cure,  together  svith 
tlie  serious  and  sometimes  fatal  consequences  which  have  been  attributed  to  the  bite  of 
the  Malmigniatte  {Latrodectus  maJmvjniatiis  Walck."),  must  be  regarded  as  amusing  fic- 
tions in  the  natural  history  of  the  Araneidae,    *     *     *," 

The  legitimate  conclusion  deducible  from  the  experiments  seems  to  be,  that  there  is 
nothing  to  apprehend  from  the  bite  of  the  most  powerful  British  spiders,  even  when 
inflicted  at  a  moment  of  extreme  irritation  and  in  hot  sultry  weather,  the  pain  occa- 
sioned by  it  being  little,  if  any,  more  than  is  due  to  the  laceration  and  compression 
the  injured  part  has  sustained. 

These  experiments  do  not  present  any  facts  which  appear  to  sanction  the  opinion 
that  insects  are  deprived  of  life  with  much  greater  celerity  when  pierced  by  the  fangs 
of  spiders  than  when  lacerated  mechanically  to  an  equal  extent  by  other  means, 
regard  being  had  in  both  cases  to  the  vitality  of  the  part  injured,  as  the  speed  with 
which  existence  terminates  mainly  depends  upon  that  circumstance.  It  is  true  that 
the  catastrophe  is  greatly  accelerated  if  spiders  maintain  a  protracted  hold  of  their 
victims,  but  this  result  is  obviously  attributable  to  the  extraction  of  their  fluids, 
which  are  transformed  by  oft-repeated  acts  of  deglutition  into  the  stomachs  of  their 
adversaries. 

From  the  entire  mass  of  evidence  supplied  by  the  experiments  taken  in  the  aggre- 
gate, it  may  be  fairly  inferred  that  whatever  properties  characterize  the  fluid  emit- 
ted from  the  orifice  in  the  fangs  of  the  Araneidie  it  does  not  possess  that  degree  of 
virulence  which  is  commonly  ascribed  to  it,  neither  is  it  so  destructive  to  animal  life 
when  transmitted  into  a  recent  wound  as  it  is  generally  supposed  to  be.  Were  I  dis- 
posed to  speculate  upon  the  manner  in  which  it  aff"ects  insects  on  being  introduced 
by  the  fangs  into  their  vascular  system,  I  might  conjecture  that  it  has  a  tendency  to 
paralyze  their  organs  of  voluntary  motion,  and  to  induce  a  determination  of  their 
fluids  to  the  part  injured;  but  I  refrain  from  dwelling  upon  a  suggestion,  however 
plausible  it  may  appear  to  be,  which  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  of  the 
subject  can  only  be  regarded  as  hypothetical. 

The  so-called  "Katipo"  of  Xew  Zealand  is  a  poisonous  spider,  which 
apparently  belongs  to  the  genus  Latrodectus,  and  from  the  descriptions 
which  we  have  seen  much  resembles  the  Xorth  American  L.  mactans- 
It  is  referred  to  by  Mr.  Taylor  in  his  work  "A  leaf  of  the  natural  his- 
tory of  New  Zealand"  as  "  the  Katipo — venomous  spider — one  kind  red, 
and  one  black  with  a  marked  red  spot  on  its  back.  Their  bite  appears 
to  be  very  poisonous,  occasioning  a  violent  swelling  of  the  part."  Other 
writers  state  that  Mr.  Taylor  is  mistaken  in  describing  a  red  Katipo, 
bat  agree  with  him  that  the  one  with  the  black  body  and  red  vermilioD 
spot  on  its  back  is  the  most  poisonous. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Wright,  in  an  article  published  in  the  Transactions  of  the 
New  Zealand  Institute  for  1869,  states  that  the  spider  is  from  one-half 
to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  measuring  across  the  body  and 


210 

legs,  aud  that  there  are  t^o  varieties,  one  of  a  dark  glossy  browu  or 
black  color,  and  the  other  similar,  except  for  a  red  spot  upon  the  abdo- 
men.    Of  the  immaculate  variety  he  says  : 

The  abdomen  is  perfectly  spherical,  like  a  No.  1  shot,  aud  very  glossy ;  the  legs  are 
compact,  uot  straggling.  It  is  found  among  dead  wood  in  the  garden,  with  a  slight 
Aveb  ;  amongst  the  rafters  of  an  out-building.  The  natives  have  no  distinguishing 
name  for  either  variety  ;  they  are  both  called  "  Katipo,"  to  distinguish  them  from  the 
"  Puuga-were-were,"  the  common  spider. 

Mr.  Wright  gives  a  number  of  cases,  from  hearsay,  of  fatal  bites  by 
the  red-spotted  variety,  and  describes  a  serious  case  in  his  own  practice, 
which,  however,  did  uot  result  in  death.  Mr.  Wright,  in  all  of  the  cases 
which  he  mentions,  seems  to  have  considered  that  the  simple  word  of 
the  patient  that  he  was  bitten  by  this  spider  is  sufficient.  He  evidently 
has  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  spider  which  produced  the  result.  The 
circumstances  of  the  case  which  came  under  his  own  notice  are  worth 
quoting  in  full: 

lu  the  month  of  December,  1868,  a  person  of  the  name  of  John  Huff,  living  near  my 
residence,  came  into  the  surgery  complaining  that  he  had  been  bitten  on  the  shoulder 
by  a  spider.  He  was  in  the  employment  of  Messrs.  Archard  &  Brown,  of  Stanley 
Street,  Mechanics'  Bay.  He  was  occupied  at  the  time  in  carrying  fire-wood  to  sup- 
ply the  furnaces  of  a  brick-kiln  ;  the  wood  was  stacked  near  the  kiln  in  sedge  or 
coarse  grass;  this  happened  between  the  hours  of  11  aud  12  o'clock  a.m.  At  noon 
he  came  home  to  dinner,  sat  down  to  table,  but  upon  attempting  to  eat  fouud  he 
could  uot  open  his  mouth,  or  was  scarcely  able  to  articulate,  in  consequence  of 
stiffness  about  the  jaws.  He  was  alarmed,  aud  came  into  the  s.irgery,  when  it  was 
(lifticult  to  understand  what  he  had  to  say.  All  I  could  learn  from  him  was  that 
he  had  been  bitten  by  a  spider  ou  the  shoulder,  in  the  bay.  Upon  examining  the 
spot,  I  found  the  surface  raised  to  an  extent  as  large  round  as  a  tea-cup;  this  ele- 
vated surface  was  white,  aud  was  surrounded  by  a  halo  of  red,  not  unlike  an  exag- 
gerated wheal  of  the  nettle-rash.  He  complained  of  considerable  pain  in  the  part,  aud 
during  the  examination  became  faint,  and  soon  almost  pulseless.  His  pulse  was  un- 
usually slow,  scarcely  counting  more  than  twelve  or  fourteen  beats  in  the  minute. 
His  countenance  and  the  general  surface  of  the  body  assumed  a  hue  of  extreme  pallor, 
which  gradually  turned  to  a  blue  tint.  His  extremities  were  cold  aud  flaccid  ;  his 
respiration  almost  ceased;  aud  indeed  I  had  fears  that  he  was  about  to  expire.  Dr. 
Pinching  being  iu  my  house  at  the  time,  I  called  for  his  assistance.  He  was  aston- 
ished at  the  feebleness  and  prostration  of  the  patient  from  such  au  apparently  tri- 
fling cause. 

From  his  extreme  faintness  it  was  necessary  to  lay  him  on  the  floor,  when  I  applied 
spirits  of  ammonia  to  the  wound,  which  hy.d  the  effect  of  lessening  the  swelling  aud 
abating  the  pain.  I  also  administered  ammonia  aud  water,  afterwards  combined 
with  brandy,  in  considerable  doses;  under  this  treatment  his  pulse  graduallj^  im- 
proved, his  circulation  and  respiration  became  more  natural,  as  was  evidenced  by  his 
return  to  a  more  natural  color.  Although  a  stout,  strong  man,  this  state  of  depres- 
sion remained  for  upwards  of  two  hours  before  he  was  able  to  return  home.  In  the 
evening  I  found  him  considerably  improved,  having  taken  a  slight  dose  of  medicine. 
For  several  days  he  could  not  return  to  his  work,  but  complaiued  of  great  lassitude 
aud  nervous  depression,  which  he  was  sensible  of  for  many  days  after. 

It  must  be  evident,  from  the  symptoms  of  this  case,  that  the  man  was  powerfully 
affected  by  a  uarcotic  and  irritating  poison,  which,  being  absorbed  into  circulation, 
aftectfid  the  heart,  brain,  and  nervous  system  to  a  very  considerable  extent,  almost 
amounting  to  fatal  syncope  ;  that  the  stimulants,  by  exciting  the  heart's  action,  gradu- 


211 

ally  aroused  the  excretory  fuuctious,  so  as  ultimately  to  remove  the  poison  from  the 
system  ;  for  although  suffering  under  its  influence  for  a  considerable  time,  it  does  not 
appear  to  have  left  auy  permanent  effects  behind  it,  for  the  man  has  since  been  in  per- 
fect health, 

Mr.  Wright  further  states  that  the  Maoris  are  well  acquainted  with 
these  spiders,  and  have  always  considered  their  bite  very  dangerous. 
The  tufts  of  sedge  upon  the  sea-beach  are  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  red- 
spotted  variety,  and  the  natives  avoid  sleeping  in  such  places.  Haifa 
stone's  throw  inland,  however,  they  do  not  fear  the  Katipo.  The  native 
remedy  consists  in  rubbing  the  part  and  applying  hot  half-scalded  leaves. 
Formerly  the  priests  were  consulted  and  incantations  to  the  gods  of  the 
hills  and  valleys  were  supposed  to  be  efQcacious. 

It  will  possibly  appear  to  the  reader  that  after  collecting  this  testi- 
mony we  are  as  far  from  the  solution  of  the  question,  "  Do  spider  bites 
ever  produce  fatal  results ! "  as  we  were  before ;  but  it  seems  to  us, 
after  analyzing  the  evidence,  that  it  must  at  least  be  admitted  that  cer- 
tain spiders  of  the  genus  Latrodectus  have  the  power  to  inflict  poisonous 
bites,  which  may  (probably  exceptionally  and  depending  upon  excep- 
tional conditions)  bring  about  the  death  of  a  human  being.  Admitting 
in  its  fullest  force  the  argument  that  in  reported  cases  the  spider  has 
seldom  if  ever  been  seen  by  a  reliable  observer  to  inflict  the  wound,  we 
consider  that  the  fact  that  species  of  Latrodectus  occurring  in  such 
widely  distant  localities  as  South  Europe,  the  Southern  United  States, 
and  New  Zealand  are  uniformly  set  aside  by  the  natives  as  poisonous 
species,  when  there  is  nothing  especially  dangerous  in  their  appearance, 
is  the  strongest  argument  for  believing  that  these  statements  have 
some  verificatiou  in  fact.  It  is  no  wonder  that  a  popular  fear  should 
follow  the  ferocious-looking  spiders  of  the  family  Theraphosoidne;  but 
considering  the  comparatively  small  size  and  modest  coloring  of  the 
species  of  Latrodectns  so  wide-spread  a  prejudice,  ocQ,urring  in  so  many 
distinct  localities,  must  be  well  founded. 

As  no  good  figure  of  our  Latrodectus  mactans  has  been  published,  we 
have  had  Dr.  Mars  prepare  the  accompanying  illustrations.  The  large 
female  was  drawn  from  specimens  collected  by  Mr.  Townsend,  near  New 
Orleans,  La.,  and  the  variations  were  drawn  from  specimens  in  Dr. 
Marx's  own  collection. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  LEONIA  RILEYI,  A  NEW  MELOID  GENUS  NEAR 

HORNIA. 

By  Dh.  EugJ:ne  Duges,  Guanajuato,  Mexico. 

Length,  11™™;  diameter,  3™™.  Of  a  more  or  less  dark  ferruginous  color  and  cov- 
ered with  stitf  hair  or  black  setse. 

Labrum  somewhat  retracted,  anteriorly  depressed  and  slightly  emarginate,  laterally 
nearly  rounded,  punctate,  hairy,  ferruginous ;  mandibles  conical,  stout,  curved,  ap- 
parently broken  at  tip,  which  is  obtuse  with  traces  of  a  rupture;  maxillae  with  two 
corneous  lobes,  the  external  one  at  tip  of  the  shajie  of  a  rounded  plate  and  ciliate, 


212 


Fig.  47.—  Leonia  rileyi :  a,  adult  female ;  6,  antenna ;  c, 
labium;  d,  maxilla  and  palpus;  e,  tarsal  claw  from  the 
side — enlarged;/,  tarsal  claw  from  above,  still  more  en- 
larged (from  drawings  by  Duges). 


the  iuternal  one  sub-quadrate  at  tip,  provided  with  thick  and  stiff  hairs  ;  maxillary 
palpi,  four-joiuted,  the  last  ovoid,  much  less  large  thau  iu  Hornia.  Meutum  trape- 
zoidal, t.  e.,  quadrate  with  the 
y^yi:^X^^^^^^~^  front  margin  shorter  thau  the  jjos- 
j^  terior;  ligula  coriaceous,  rounded 

attip;  labial  palpi,  three-jointed, 
the  last  ovoid  and  of  the  same 
form  as  the  corresponding  joint  of 
the  maxillary  palpi ;  antennie  in- 
serted on  an  elevation  of  the  front, 
ton-jointed,  first  joint  the  longest 
and  thickest,  claviform,  second 
one-half  the  size  of  the  first,  trans- 
verse-conical, third  conical,  thin- 
ner, and  longer  than  the  second, 
fourth  three-fourths  the  size  of 
the  third,  fifth  to  ninth  similar 
to  the  fourth,  tenth  oval,  longer 
than  the  ninth  ;  joints  5  and  6,  7 
and  8  have  the  tendency  to  become 
connate  into  a  single  joint.  The 
antennae  are  stoitt  and  resemble 
much  those  of  the  male  Hornia. 
They  are  longer  than  the  head, 
puuctulate  and  pubescent.  The 
first  two  joints  are  ferruginous,  the  remaining  black;  epistoma  separated  from  the 
front  by  a  short,  well-marked,  and  anteriorly  straight  furrow,  puuctulate,  ciliate,  fer- 
ruginous ;  eyes  small,  decidedly  transverse  ;  head  trapezoidal,  a  little  wider  than  the 
thorax,  posterior  margin  straight,  angles  rounded,  surface  strongly  depressed,  with 
sparse  black  pubescence  ;  color  ferruginous. 

Prothorax  strongly  transverse,  one-third  wider  than  long,  a  little  narrowing  pos- 
teriorly, side  margin  straight  or  nearly  so,  anterior  angles  strongly  rounded,  posterior 
angles  less  so,  base  slightly  margined  and  sinuatp;  dorsal  channel  obsolete,  surface 
shining,  punctate,  ferruginous,  covered  with  black  hairs. 

Scutellum  large,  slightly  transverse-triangular,  rounded  at  tip,  punctate,  black. 
Elytra  squamiform,'but  larger  than  iu  Hornia,  for  they  nearly  reach  the  middle  of 
the  first  abdominal  segment.  They  meet  at  the  tip  of  the  scutellum  with  their  iuternal 
humeral  (sutural)  angles,  but  diverge  thence  so  that  a  small  portion  of  the  metanotum 
I) ecomes  visible;  rounded  at  the  side  and  subangulated  at  the  internal  margin;  the 
angle  which  is  here  visible  may  be  said  to  be  the  i  aternal  apical  angle.  Surface  cor- 
iaceous, rugose,  punctate,  testaceous,  covered  with  black  hair.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  state  that  the  elytra  do  not  cover  the  side  jiieces  of  the  sternum.  No  underwiugs. 
Metasternum  very  short. 

Abdomen  normal,  i.  e.,  very  little  inflated  and  in  no  way  baggy  (en  besace) ;  all  seg- 
ments entirely  subcorueous,  though  less  so  ou  the  ventral  side  than  dorsally.  Last 
dorsal  segment  very  small,  rounded  at  tip,  last  ventral  a  little  larger  and  emargin- 
ate.  All  segments  blackish-brown  with  anterior  and  posterior  borders  ferruginous, 
excepting  the  two  last  segments  which  are  entirely  black.  The  whole  abdomen  is 
shining  and  pubescent. 

Legs  ferruginous,  covered  with  black  hair.  All  coxte  conical  and  very  prominent, 
the  intermediate  impending  ou  the  posterior,  just  as  in  Hornia,  although  the  over- 
lapping is  here  more  marked.  Femora  slender  without  silky  emarginatiou  ;  tibiae 
slender,  also  without  emarginatiou  and  with  well  developed  spurs,  those  of  the  hind 
tibite  large  and  rounded  at  tip.  Tarsal  joints  slender.  Claws  reddish,  long,  curved, 
andacute,  ou  the  underside  provided  witha  long,  straight,  acute  spine,  attainiugthree- 


213 

fonrlbs  the  leugth  of  the  claw  aud  which  represents,  in  our  opinion,  the  lower  divis- 
ion of  the  claw  in  tlie  other  Meloidie.  This  spine  is  longer  aud  thicker  than  in  Her- 
nia, Avhere  it  is  but  little  visible,  and  hardly  one-fourth  the  length  of  the  upper  di-* 
vision.  Otherwise  the  claws  of  Leouia  entirely  i-esenible  those  o(  Sitaris  muralis  and 
Hornia. 

The  insect  just  described  is  closely  allied  to  Hornia.  Still  we  believe 
it  deserves  to  form  a  separate  genus  which  should  enter  the  tribe  pro- 
posed by  us  incur  "Synopsis  des  genres  de  Meloides  du  Mexique" 
(Bull,  de  la  Soc.  Zool.  de  France,  ix,  1886,  p.  1)  between  the  "  Meloides 
vrais"  aud  the  "  Cantharides  "  of  Lacordaire  {Meloi)ii  and  Cantharini 
of  Le  Conte  and  Horn)  for  the  genus  Hornia.  This  tribe  could  be  called 
Hornii  {Rorniides)  if  this  uew^  division  should  be  adopted,  which  would 
thus  comprise  already  two  genera,  Hornia  aud  Leonia. 

The  important  characters  of  this  Meloid  are  :  the  overlapi)ing  of  the 
posterior  coxa?  by  the  intermediate  ones,  the  very  short  metasternum, 
and  the  side  pieces  of  the  sternum  not  being  covered  by  theelytra.  These 
characters  approach  it  to  Hornia,  from  which  genus  it  differs  iu  the  num- 
ber of  antennal  joints,  which  is  certainly  only  10  iu  our  specimen  (pos- 
sibly a  sexual  character,  but  if  so,  we  should  say  not  a  less  remarkable 
one) ;  further  in  the  form  of  the  prothorax,  which  is  by  no  means  elongate 
orcampanulate  butrathercordate;  in  themuch  larger  elytra,  themetaster- 
uum  being  much  less  visible ;  in  the  abdomen  being  not  much  iniiated 
and  sub-corneous  in  all  its  parts;  and  finally  in  having  that  long  spine 
which  represents  the  lower  division  of  the  claws.  It  approaches  the  Sitar- 
ini  in  the  form  of  the  elytra  and  claws,  but  the  characters  just  mentioned 
remove  it  so  decidedly  that  in  our  opinion  it  can  not  be  associated  with 
that  tribe. 

We  have  so  far  seen  only  two  specimens  of  Leonia  rileyl.  One  is  that 
we  have  just  described  ;  the  other  was  sent  by  us  to  Europe  to  Mous. 
Auguste  Salle.  We  have  found  them  on  the  walls  of  a  dwelling-house 
of  the  Hacienda  de  Jupataro,  State  of  Guauajuato,  Mexico.  At  that 
place  we  also  observed  some  probably  undescribed  Anthophoras,  from 
the  nests  of  which  the  beetles  probably  had  emerged. 

I  have  dedicated  this  new^  genus  as  a  mark  of  friendship  and  esteem 
to  my  friend,  Dr.  IS^icolas  Leon,  Director  of  the  Mechoacano  Museum 
of  the  city  of  Morella,  capital  of  the  State  of  Mechoacan,  Mexico,  a 
scientist  already  well  known  whether  in  Mexico  or  in  Europe  and  the 
United  States,  as  a  bibliophile,  antiquarian,  and  naturalist.  In  re- 
gard to  the  name  of  the  species,  I  have  given  it  that  of  rileyi,  in  honor 
of  Dr.  C.  V.  Kiley,  the  learned  American  who  first  drew  our  attention 
to  the  remarkable  peculiarities  of  this  insect  (which  in  our  Synopsis  we 
had  placed,  with  some  reserve,  in  the  iSifari.ni  under  the  name  of  Hornia 
mexicana)  and  who  was  kind  enough  to  send  us  a  itair  of  Hornia  minuti- 
pennis  Eiley,  which  served  us  for  comparsion. 


214 


ON  THE  EMASCULATING  BOT-FLY. 

(Cuterebra  einascidator  Fitch.) 

Siuce  the  publication  by  Dr.  Fitch  in  his  Fourth  New  York  Eeport  of 
his  long  and  interesting  account  of  this  insect,  it  has  received  Uttle 
notice  from  entomologists.  Dr.  Fitch's  article  attracted  great  attention, 
and  the  fact  that  a  botfly  existed  which,  according  to  his  statements, 
ax)parently  bred  only  in  the  testicles  of  Chipmunks  or  Gophers  and 
Squirrels  was  certainly  a  remarkable  one.  Dr.  Fitch  succeeded  in  rear- 
ing but  one  adult  which  issued  about  July  29,  1857,  from  earth  in  ajar 
in  which  the  larva  had  been  placed  September  1,  185G.  So  far  as  we 
know  this  is  the  only  adult  of  the  species  which  has  ever  been  reared. 


Fig.  48. — Cuterebra  einasculator :  «,  full-grown  larva  from  above;  6,  .same,  from  below — enlarged; 
c,  head  of  same;  d,  anal  end  of  same;  e,  portionof  integument  of  same— still  more  enlarged  (original). 

Dr.  Fitch  published  a  painstaking  description  of  the  different  stages 
and  gave  the  species  the  name  of  Cuterebra  emasculator  from  the  larval 
habit  which  he  supposed  characteristic.  He  mentions  the  fact  that 
hunters  in  the  vicinity  of  Lakeville,  N.  Y.,  where  the  first  specimen 
sent  him  was  found,  had  long  been  familiar  with  the  fact  that  at  least 
onehalf  of  the  male  gray  squirrels  shot  in  that  vicinity  were  fonnd  to 
be  castrated,  and  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  hunters  that  the  deformity 


215 

was  caused  by  the  squirrels  seizing  and  biting  out  the  testicles  of  their 
comrades.  In  support  of  this  idea  he  gives  the  testimouy  of  Mr. 
Hurst,  taxidermist  of  the  New  York  State  Cabinet  of  Natural  History, 
who  claimed  to  have  seen  a  half  dozen  red  squirrels  unite  in  mastering 
a  gray  one  and  castrating  him.  Dr.  Fitch  queries  whether  the  bot  fly 
may  not  be  attracted  by  the  wound  so  made,  if  this  habit  prove  com- 
mon, but  concludes  that  the  object  of  the  joint  attack  of  several  upon 
one  is  rather  to  kill  the  grab  which  is  engaged  in  emasculating  him. 

Unfortunately  there  is  yet  some  doubt  as  to  whether  Fitch's  species 
will  hold.  Brauer,  in  his  Monograph  of  the  CEstrid;^,  page  232,  quotes 
Fitch's  description  at  length,  and  states  that  he  can  not  separate  the 
species  from  Cuterebra  scutellaris  Low,  a  North  American  species,  the 
habits  of  which  do  not  seem  to  be  known. 

If  this  interesting  insect  has  not  attracted  much  attention  of  late  years 
from  entomologists,  it  has  not  failed  to  be  noticed  by  zoologists  and  tax- 
idermists, although  we  are  not  aware  that  observations  have  been  pub- 
lished. The  following  statement  was  written  at  our  request  by  Dr. 
Merriam,  the  Ornithologist  of  the  Department,  as  we  had  learned  by 
conversation  that  he  had  made  notes  some  years  ago  on  the  abundance 
of  the  insect  in  New  York  State : 

111  reply  to  your  inquiry  conceruing  the  occurreuce  of  Cuterebrse  in  squirrels,  I 
would  state  that  during  luany  years  collecting  in  the  Adirondack  region  of  northern 
New  Yorl^,  particularly  along  its  western  border,  in  the  Blacli  River  Valley,  I  fre- 
(iueutly  found  Cuterebra'  in  or  near  the  scrotum  in  the  Gray  Squirrel  (Sciiirus  caroli- 
ucnsis  leucotis),  Red  Squirrel  (Sciurus  hiidsonius),  and  Chipmunk  {Tamias striatus  lysteri). 
I  have  observed  the  same  thing  at  East  Hampton,  Mass.,  and  in  other  localities.  The 
most  extraordinary  instance  of  the  prevalence  of  this  disgusting  parasite  that  has 
fallen  uuder  my  observation  was  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Champlain,  New  York,  iu 
October,  1885.  On  the  7th  and  9th  of  that  mouth  I  killed  mora  than  fifty  Chipmunks 
(Tamias  strintus  lysteri)  within  a  few  miles  of  old  Fort  Ticonderoga  and  on  the  rocky 
side  hill  behind  the  town  of  Whitehall.  Of  these  a  very  large  percentage— I  think 
fully  one-half — were  infested  with  "wabbles  "  (Cuterebra?).  More  females  than  males 
were  thus  afflicted.  The  "  wabbles"  were  usually  situated  near  the  median  line,  and 
anywhere  from  the  umbilical  region  to  the  genitals.  In  a  few  cases  they  were  in  the 
axilla,  and  in  one  or  two  instances  in  the  upper  part  of  the  foreleg.  In  a  number  of 
individuals  two  Cuterebrre  were  found  and  in  a  few  cases  as  many  as  three. 

Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  tells  me  that  he  collected  a  number  of  Chipmunks  about  the  south 
end  of  Lake  George,  Warren  County,  N.  Y.,  during  the  latter  part  of  August  and 
first  of  September,  1882,  a  considerable  proportion  of  which  were  infested  with 
CuterebrsB.  As  many  as  three  were  found,  iu  different  stages  of  development,  in  one 
animal.  A  Gray  Squirrfel  killed  at  Sing  Sing,  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  contained  a 
Cuterebra  in  the  left  pectoral  region. 
Respectfully, 

C.  Hart  Mkrriam, 

Ornithologist. 

It  is  very  possible  that  the  larvae  of  more  than  one  sj)ecies  of  the 
genus  Cuterebra  were  concerned  iu  the  cases  noticed  by  Drs.  Merriam 
and  Fisher,  but  this  point  can  not  be  decided  at  the  present  time. 
14174— No.  7 3 


216 

The  chief  object,  however,  of  publishing  this  note  is  to  iutrodiice 
careful  figures  of  the  full-grown  larvd  uot  before  published.  They  are 
drawn  from  a  specimen  received  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  George  B. 
Starkweather,  of  this  city.  Concerning  the  capture  of  the  specimen, 
which  was  from  a  female  Chipmunk,  Mr.  Starkweather  wrote,  October 
19,  1888 : 

About  uoou  oil  the  llJtli  my  children's  pet  kitteu  came  in  from  the  grove  near 
our  house,  in  the  Rock  Creek  region,  with  a  "  chippj'  "  in  its  mouth.  They  rescued  it 
at  once,  but,  although  warm,  life  was  extinct.  The  strange  appendage,  or  abnormal 
growth  which  they  noticed  on  the  under  side,  caused  them  to  lay  it  away  carefully 
in  an  empty  covered  cigar-box  "  to  show  to  papa." 

My  attention  was  called  to  it  twenty-four  hours  later,  when  the  dark-colored  mag- 
got was  found  in  one  corner  of  the  box  nearly  motionless.  They  described  the 
"swelling"  as  about  an  inch  long  and  of  the  shape  of  a  mulberry.  There  seemed  to 
be  a  natural  opening  at  its  apex  over  a  sixteenth  of  an  inch  in  diameter  with  a  tinge 
of  a  dark  liquid  about  it. 

Subsequent  inquiry  lias  revealed  the  fact  that  squirrel  hunters  in  this 
vicinity  report  that  these  grubs  are  very  abundant  around  Washington 
in  the  common  Gray  Squirrel,  one  gentleman,  with  that  freedom  from 
fact-bias  characteristic  of  the  amateur  hunter,  stating  that  he  never 
shot  a  squirrel  which  was  not  infested  by  grubs.  We  will  doubtless, 
therefore,  have  opportunities  for  rearing  the  adult  and  comparing  it 
with  Low's  scutellaris. 

The  larva  has  already  been  well  described  by  Fitch,  and  our  figures 
will  illustrate  its  appearance.  The  specimen  from  which  they  were 
drawn  was  evidently  full-grown,  and  has  entered  the  earth  in  a  breed- 
ing jar. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

Injurious  Insects  in  Mississippi  for  1888. 

(1)  The  Cotton  Worm  {Aletia  xylina)  was  reported  from  the  Homochitto  River  and 
Middle  Fork  Creek  bottom  after  the  storm  of  the  19th  and  20th  of  August,  but  with- 
out doing  any  serious  damage.  Winds  mostly  southeast  and  east.  On  September  10 
I  observed  them  of  three  different  sizes  in  my  own  tield,  feeding  on  the  second  growth 
of  tender  cotton  leaves.  I  have  noticed  on  some  stalks  worms  as  marked  {2(1)  on 
Plate  I,  Report  IV,  United  States  Entomological  Commission,  eating  on  the  underside 
of  the  leaves,  others  as  marked  on  same  plate  {2d  and  2/(  as  well  as  2f).  They  con- 
tinued to  eat  slowly  and  made  but  very  little  progress  in  destroying  the  foliage. 
Cool  nights  and  hot  days  kept  them  at  bay  during  the  latter  part  of  September  and 
the  first  part  of  October.  As  some  of  the  most  natural  enemies  of  the  Cotton  Worm 
observed  during  this  season  I  will  mention  one  spider  {Oxyopes  vlridans);  one  wasp 
(FoUstes  iellicosa) ;  onebug  {Metapodiiis  femoraliis) ;  one  fly  (Proctaoanthus  milberti) ; 
one orthopter  (IfftH^is  Carolina),  All  those  mentioned  above  I  have  observed  myself  de- 
stroying  the  worms.  The  latter  did  uot  damage  the  cotton  crop  to  any  extent  in  this 
county.  During  the  middle  of  October  they  webbed  up  in  all  parts  of  the  field,  and 
1  observed  a  large  number  of  Cotton  Worm  chrysalids  destroyed  by  the  larviB  of 
Cliauliognathus  americanus.  I  also  found  some  chrysalids  devoured  by  the  larvae  of 
Cyrtoneura  stabulans,  and  have  likewise  found  some  empty  skins  of  chrysalids  con- 
taining the  iiuparium  of  this  fly. 


217 

(2)  The  Boll  or  Coru  Worms  {Reliothis  armigera')  were  very  numerous  on  late  corn, 
and  I  have  fouud  from  two  to  five  worms  of  different  sizes  in  most  every  ear  of  corn 
examined.     They  likewise  damaged  the  cotton  crop  to  some  extent. 

(3)  The  Sugar-cane  Beetle  (Ligyrus  rugiceps)  has  been  reported  as  doing  considera- 
ble damage  to  sugar-cane  during  the  early  part  of  the  spriug. 

(4)  The  Greasy  Cut- worm  (Agrotis  ypsilon)  was  reported  from  all  partsof  this  county 
to  be  very  destructive  in  cotton  fields,  cutting  the  plants,  and  thereby  seriously  injur- 
ing the  stand  of  cotton. 

(5;  The  Cabbage  Plant-louse  (Aphis  brassicce)  has  been  very  numerous  this  past 
season,  seriously  injuring  the  cabbage  crop. 

(6)  The  Wavy-striped  Flea-beetle  {Phyllotreta  viitata)  has  been  during  the  past  year 
a  great  garden  pest,  and  destroyed  turnip  and  mustard  plants  especially. 

(7)  The  Southern  Cabbage-butterfly  (Pieris  protodlce)  has  been,  in  the  larva  state, 
exceedingly  injurious  to  the  cabbage  family.  I  noticed  some  of  the  butteriiies  on  the 
6th  of  November  in  our  gardens. 

(8)  I  also  wish  to  mention  a  beetle,  the  Twig  Girdler  (Onaideres  cingulatus)  which 
has  been  very  destructive  to  hickory  and  persimmon  twigs  in  this  county.     I  have 
found  them  gnawing  grooves  around  the  twigs  of  large  rose-bushes  in  my  yard,  sev- ' 
ering  the  limb  sufficiently  to  make  it  fall  to  the  ground  by  the  first  slight  wind. 

(9)  The  Apple-tree  Teut-caterpiller,  as  described  on  page  412  of  the  Annual  Report  of 
your  Department  for  1884,  did  serious  damage  to  the  plum  and  apple  trees  in  this 
locality.— [George  H.  Kent,  RoxiS;  Miss.,  December  1,  1888. 


Larva  of  Hyperchiria  io  on  Saw  Palmetto  in  Florida. 

I  send  you  a  very  beautiful  caterpillar  by  this  mail.  I  hope  it  will  not  be  a  chrys- 
alis when  it  reaches  you.  It  preys  only  on  the  Saw  Palmetto  so  far  as  I  have  observed 
and  does  not  damage  that  to  any  extent.  I  should  be  glad  to  get  its  name  from  you. 
— [Robert  Ranson,  Canaveral,  Fla.,  December  3,  1888. 

Reply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  3rd  instant  and  the  accom- 
panying caterpillar  found  feeding  upon  the  Saw  Palmetto.  This  caterpillar  is  the  larva 
of  the  common  To  Moth,  Saturnia  io,  so  called  on  account  of  the  large  eye-spots  on  the 
hind  wings.  The  caterpillar  is  a  very  handsome  one,  but  has  the  disagreeable  prop- 
erty of  producing  a  nettling  effect  upon  the  skin  when  handled.  It  spins  its  cocoon  at 
orjust  under  the  surface  ofthe  ground,  and  passes  tbe  winter  in  the  pupa  state  and  the 
moth  emerges  in  the  spring.  This  insect  is  so  far  from  being  confined  to  the  Saw  Pal- 
metto that  this  is  the  first  time  it  has  been  reported  from  this  plant,  so  far  as  we  know. 
It  is  found  upon  the  greatest  variety  of  plants,  and  is  common  from  New  York  to  Flor- 
ida. It  is  seldom  or  never  reported  as  appearing  in  sufficient  numbers  to  be  called 
injurious.     *     «     »     —[December  7,  1888.] 

Acanthacara  similis  injuring  Pineapple  in  Florida. 

I  am  forwarding  to  you  by  this  mail  an  insect  that  I  have  recently  found  eating 
the  leaves  of  Pineapple  plants.  I  shall  feel  greatly  obliged  if  you  will  kindly  let  me 
know  what  it  is  and  something  of  its  habits. —[A.  Haden,  Orlando,  Fla.,  December  2, 
1888. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  2d  instant  and  the  box  containing  an  insect  found  upon 
the  Pineapple  plant  have  been  duly  received.  The  insect  is  one  of  our  large  katy- 
dids, but  has  no  common  name.  Its  scientific  name  is  Acanthacara  similis.  But 
little  is  known  concerning  the  habits  of  this  insect  except  that  it  is  a  leaf-feeder 
throughout  its  whole  existence.  The  manner  and  place  of  depositing  the  eggs  is  not 
known.  Your  Pineapples  can  doubtless  be  protected  by  spraying  with  a  dilute  solu- 
tion of  Paris  green  or  London  purple.  Will  you  kindly  inform  us  as  to  the  numbers  in 
which  this  insect  appears  and  the  damage  it  does. — [December  7,  1888.] 


218 

Second  letter. — I  have  to  thank  you  for  your  communication  dated  7th  instant^ 
with  particulars  regarding  the  insect  I  forwarded  {Acaitthacara  simtlis).  It  is  only 
within  the  last  month  or  two  that  I  have  noticed  the  appearance  of  this  insect  on 
my  Pineapple  plants,  and  the  damage  done  so  far  has  been  trifling,  as  I  have  only 
succeeded  in  finding  two  specimens  actually  on  the  plants.  The  green  outer  surface 
and  edges  of  the  leaves  attacked  are  eaten,  leaving  the  white  fiber  exposed,  and 
causing  the  leaf  above  the  part  eaten  to  wither  and  die. — [December  15,  1888. 

Hylesinus  trifolii  in  Ohio. 

Your  favor  of  the  30th  ult.  received.  I  am  not  fortunate  enough  to  be  the  pos- 
sessor of  the  volume  you  mention,  viz:  Eeport  of  1878.  I  have  the  reports  of  1877 
and  1879,  but  neither  mentions  the  Clover  Root- borer,  so  I  have  had  no  way  of  identi- 
fying the  beetle  except  from  reports  and  descriptions  given  in  the  Ohio  Farmer  and 
other  agricultural  papers.  But,  from  all  I  can  learn  from  the  above  sources,  I  am  con- 
fident that  it  is  HyJesinus  trifolii.  However,  to  be  certain,  I  went  to  my  field  Decem- 
,  ber  5  and  obtained  specimens,  imago  and  pupa,  which  I  inclose.  *  *  *  The  tap 
root  of  the  clover  was  in  every  case  eaten  hollow,  and  the  borers  were  hibernating  in 
the  crevices  quite  close  to  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  past  season  was  the  second 
that  the  field  has  been  mowed.  *  »  *  — [W.  B.  Hall,  Wakeman,  Ohio,  December 
7,  1888. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  7th  instant,  accompanying  specimens,  came  safely. 
You  are  right  in  your  identification  of  the  Clover  Root-borer  as  Rylesinus  trifolii.  This 
insect  has  spread  greatly  in  the  last  few  years,  and  no  satisfactory  remedy  has  been 
suggested  beyond  plowing  under  the  clover  in  .the  spring  of  the  second  year  and 
planting  sgine  other  crop.     *     *     *     — [December  11,  188b.] 

Wisconsin  Letter  onVCicada  septendecim. 

*  *  *  There  are  many  strange  stories  told  about  them  [the  Cicadas]  and  not  a 
few  egregious  mistakes  written  about  them  by  authors,  some  claiming  that  the  male 
never  eats  anything  during  its  existence  as  a  perfect  insect.  *  *  *  They  derive 
their  nourishment  from  vegetable  substances.  Soft  maples  seem  to  be  a  favorite 
tree  for  them  to  feed  upon.  I  have  seen  trees  several  inches  in  diameter  covered  with 
them,  their  probosces  driven  into  the  bark  almost  their  full  length,  and  I  could  see  no 
diff'erence  between  male  and  female  ;  they  seemed  to  feed  alike,  but  I  have  never  seen 
them  thus  engaged  until  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  Their  excretion  is  a  clear 
transparent  fluid.  *  *  *  The  season  was  an  uncommonly  growing  one  ;  vast  num- 
bers of  the  eggs  were  grown  in  and  over  by  the  rapid  growth.  The  vast  amount  of 
dead  leaves  seen  on  the  trees  was  causedby  the  puncturing  of  small  twigs,  and  larger 
ones  on  both  sides.  The  heavy  foliage,  when  violently  moved  by  strong  winds,  broke 
the  weakened  limbs  and  but  few  eggs  matured  in  the  broken  tAvigs.  I  have  noticed 
in  blackberry  twigs  that  the  newly  hatched  insects  in  some  cases  worked  their  way 
into  the  soft  iiith  when  egress  was  prevented.  Among  their  enemies  are  hogs,  some 
of  which  were  reported  to  me  as  having  died  from  eating  too  many  of  them  before 
they  took  wing.  Poultry,  birds,  and  especially  crows  are  destructive  to  them.  One 
insect  that  seems  to  have  escaped  notice  as  an  enemy  is  the  Soldier  Bug.  It  inserts 
its  long  bill  into  the  puncturt,  of  the  twig  and  eats  the  eggs.— [John  March,  Shulls- 
bury.  Wis.,  December,  1888. 

A  Proposed  Remedy  for  the  Chinch  Bug. 

Several  years  ago  I  had  a  small  rye  field  intended  for  green  feed,  and  on  one  side  of 
said  rye  field  there  was  Indian  corn  and  on  the  other  there  was  what  we  call  Texas 


219 

sugar-caue,  used  lor  greeu  teed  also  (it  sprouts  out  again  as  olteu  as  it  is  cut  until 
killed  by  frost).  As  tlie  rye  was  getting  ripe,  so  that  the  numerous  Chiuch  Bugs  could 
not  iiudaay  more  nourishment  in  the  same,  they  turned  into  the  adjacent  corn  field, 
and  on  the  other  side  into  said  Texas  sugar-caue.  They  were  in  such  numbers  that 
they  would  soon  have  killed  off  both  crops. 

I  now  set  in  and  tried  iusect-powder,  coal-oil,  and  other  insecticides  on  them,  and 
being  convinced  that  no  poison  could  atiect  them,  since  the  whole  bug  family  suck 
their  meals  through  a  bill,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  to  kill  them  with  hot  water.  Since 
the  crops  would  be  killed  by  the  insects  anyway,  a  trial  would  not  hurt,  but  at  the 
same  time  I  anticipated  that  neither  the  corn  nor  the  cane  would  be  hurt  by  the  hot 
water  christening,  from  the  fact  that  the  stems  of  these  plants  are  enveloped  in  so 
many  leaves  that  the  insects  would  surely  all  be  killed  before  the  heat  reached  the 
tender  parts.  So  I  poured  boiling-hot  water  upon  the  lower  parts  of  the  corn  infested 
with  the  Chinch  Bug,  which  were  black  with  them,  and  killed  them  outright,  and 
with  a  garden  sprinkling-can  killed  them  in  the  same  way  on  the  Texas  caue.  The  ' 
result  was  that  the  corn  and  cane  were  both  saved.  The  corn  did  not  suffer  any  by 
the  process,  and  the  cane  had  only  some  of  its  outer  leaves  burned,  and  grew  on  all] 
summer.  Next  year  I  recommended  the  same  process  to  some  friends  who  expected 
to  lose  their  corn  by  Chinch  Bugs.  They  set  out  kettles  in  the  fields  and  saved  their 
corn  in  the  same  way,  and  informed  me  that  the  hot  water  only  made  the  corn  grow 
so  much  faster,  and  did  not  hurt  it  in  the  least.  I  tried  steam  afterwards,  and  found 
it  to  be  as  good  as,  if  not  better  than,  hot  water.  A  narrow  gauged  steam-boiler 
might  be  used  therefor  with  the  proper  pipes  and  hose,  and  jets  let  on  the  corn-stalks  ^ 
when  passing  through  the  rows,  and  the  bugs  killed  in  this  way  without  injuring  the^ 
corn  in  the  least. 

As  the  Chinch  Bug  migrates  from  the  wheat  or  rye  fields  into  the  corn  or  cane,  myj 
advice  is  not  to  let  them  come  into  the  latter,  but  kill  them  in  the  stubble  or  even  be- 
fore the  wheat  or  rye  is  cut;  the  farmer  might  run  his  boiler  along  the  wheat  or  rye] 
fields  adjacent  to  a  corn  or  cane  field  and  let  jets  of  steam  into  the  former,  killing  the* 
insects  before  they  commence  to  migrate,  and  as  soon  as  the  wheat  or  rye  is  cut  set 
your  boiler  at  work,  and  with  proper  hose  or  perforated  pipes  run  over  your  whole 
wheat  and  rye  stubble,  killing  every  Chinch  Bug  on  your  stubble  and  atthe  same  time 
all  the  yonng  Grasshoppers,  which  are  then  just  emerged  from  their  eggs  to  commence 
their  depredations.  Steam  may  exterminate  not  only  Chinch-bugs,  but  also  Army 
Worms  and  Cabbage  worms.  If  it  is  au  established  fact  that  Chinch  Bugs  can  be 
killed  by  steam  on  the  stubble  of  each  farmer,  why  not  pass  laws  that  each  farmer 
is  responsible  for  the  damage  of  his  Chinch  Bugs  to  his  neighbors  ?  If  a  meadow 
is  infested  with  the  Army  Worms,  our  present  plan  is  to  make  ditches  around  the 
infested  field  and  prevent  them  from  marching  further,  which  forces  them  to  turn 
into  chrysalids  on  the  field  where  they  started  froiu,  and  set  loose  the  millers  or 
butterflies  again  upon  the  world,  to  lay  new  eggs  of  destruction  for  the  next  year. 
But  if  my  plan  of  using  steam-boilers  on  wheels  for  the  destruction  of  insects  were 
introduced  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  run  such  a  steaming  machine  over  any 
meadow  infested  with  Army  Worms  and  kill  them  outright.  In  like  manner  a  light 
steamer  with  perforated  i>ipes  set  high  horizontally  might  be  used  to  kill  the  cater- 
l^illars  on  cabbage,  since  the  latter  can  stand  a  much  greater  heat  than  the  caterpillars 
can.  Surely  in  parts  of  our  country  where  the  Grasshoppers  do  great  injury  they 
might  be  killed  by  steam  when  young. — [George  C.  Bunsen,  West  Belleville,  111., 
November  8,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  use  of  hot  water  against  these  insects  is  very  old.  You  will 
find  it  referred  to  in  my  Reports  on  the  Insects  of  Missouri,  and  briefly  mentioned  in 
the  Annual  Report  of  this  Department  for  1887,  page  80.  Your  proposed  application 
of  steam  by  means  of  narrow-gauge  steam-boiler  is  simplj'  a  modification  of  the  old 


1 


220 

idea  without  the  indorsement  of  practical  experience.  It  looks  rather  \Yell  on  paper. 
but  is  inferior  in  many  resp  ects  to  the  use  of  a  good  kerosene  emulsion  as  recom- 
mended in  the  same  report. — [November  13,  1888.  J 

Introduction  of  Icerya  Parasites  in  California. 

I  am  very  glad  you  consider  the  identity  of  the  parasite  (Lestophonus)  found  on 
Monophloebus  and  Icerya  proved  beyond  a  doubt.  The  last  experiment  of  sending 
Monophloebus  on  ice  i^roved  a  success,  inasmuch  as  the  majority  of  flies  hatched  under 
the  cage  in  San  Mateo,  but  so  far  I  can  see  no  trace  of  their  progeny.  I  examined  the 
bush  carefully  the  other  day  ;  it  appears  to  me  that  there  are  many  Icerya  that  look 
unhealthy  compared  with  those  on  surrounding  trees. — [W.  G.  Klee,  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  November  11,  1888. 

Tw^o  Species  of  Anomala  injurious  to  the  Vine  in  the  South. 

To-day  I  mail  you  specimens  of  two  species  of  beetles  from  Louisiana,  sent  rae 
to  tell  what  they  are.  They  are  new  to  me,  though  the  smaller  somewhat  resembles 
the  Grapevine  Flea-beetle.  Both  are  very  ravenous  feeders  upon  the  leaves  of  the 
grape,  completely  skeletonizing  them  when  the  beetles  are  numerous.  They  also  eat 
out  young  buds  and  tips  of  shoots.  They  come  in  June  and  July  in  Louisiana. 
When  disturbed  they  drop  to  the  ground  and  the  larger  feign  deatli  for  some  time, 
while  the  smaller  at  once  seek  cover,  which  also  do  the  larger  after  "possuming" 
awhile.  *  *  *  They  promise  to  be  very  destructive  to  vineyards  if  they  should 
become  numerous. — [T.  V.  Muusou,  Denison,  Tex.,  January  24,  1887,  to  Mr.  H.  E. 
Van  Deman. 

Eeply. — Yours  of  the  24th   instant  has  been  referred  to  me  by  Mr.  Van  Deman. 

tie  insects  which  accompany  your  letter  aud  which  you  state  are  eating  up  your 
rape  leaves  and  buds  belong  to  two  species  of  a  genus  of  leaf-eating  beetles,  Anomala. 
The  larger  one  is  A.  marqinata.  and  the  smaller  one,  A.  minuta.  So  far  as  I  know  these 
insects  have  never  been  specifically  complained  of  as  grape-vine  pests,  although  when 
very  abundant  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  their  power  for  considerable  damage.  I 
would  advise  as  a  remedy  spraying  the  vines  with  the  ordinary  Paris  green  or  Lon- 
don purple  solutions  at  any  time  before  your  grapes  begin  to  ripen. — [January  31, 
1887.] 

Beetles  boring  in  an  Opium  Pipe  from  China. 

I  send  you  per  to-day's  mail  a  vial  containing  three  minute  beetles,  with  their 
frass  or  debris.  An  opium  pipe,  a  curiosity  from  China,  made  of  bamboo,  suddenly 
proved  to  be  infested  with  these  insects,  and  it  is,  in  fact,  honeycombed  Nvith  them, 
for  shaking  the  pipe  would  give  a  tablespoouful  of  the  frass,  with  a  number  of  the 
insects.  I  send  you  three,  which  are  all  the  live  ones  I  could  get. — [S.  Lockwood, 
Freehold,  N.  J.,  March  8,  1887. 

Eeply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  8th  instant  aud  of  the  ac- 
companying package  containiug  beetles  reared  from  the  bamboo  opium  pipe.  These 
beetles  belong  to  the  genus  Dinoderus  and  are  allied  to  D.  flovidanum  Horn,  but  of 
course  it  is  a  difficult  thing  to  determine  specifically  the  small  Chiuese  insects.  I 
would  call  your  attention  to  the  article  by  Dr.  Hagen  in  the  Canadian  Entomologist 
for  August,  1886,  in  which  he  mentions  two  Ptiuid  beetles  bred  from  a  bamboo  box  from 
Hong  Kong.— [March  10,  1887.] 

A  Grape-vine  Flea-beetle  in  the  Southwest. 

Inclosed  please  find  specimen  of  a  bug  which  made  its  appearance  in  this  valley 
(Salt  River  Valley)  within  the  last  eight  days.  It  preys  chiefly  upon  the  tender  leaves 
of  the  grape,  as  you  see  per  sample.     This  being  our  first  experience  here  with  grape 


221 

pests,  aud  the  iusect  beiug  a  stranger  to  us,  I  inclose  these  samples  for  such  intorma- 
tiou  as  yon  may  be  able  to  give  us  in  the  premises,  as  there  is  mnch  uneasiness  con- 
cerning the  future  crop. — [J.  J.  Wingar,  Tempe,  Ariz.,  April  13,  1886. 

Reply  —  »  #  *  'pjjg  iusect  damaging  jour  grape-vine  is  one  of  the  Jumping 
Flea-beetles  and  is  known  as  Graplodera  ignita.  It  is  a  close  relative  to  the  Steel-blue 
Flea-beetle  of  the  East  (G.  chalyiea),  which  also  injures  grape-vines  in  this  way.  On 
a  small  place  it  is  the  custom  here  to  kill  the  beetles  by  jarring  them  on  sheets  satur- 
ated with  kerosene,  as  in  the  early  spring  they  do  not  readily  take  to  flight.  In  the 
large  vineyards  the  best  plan  would  be  to  spray  the  vines  with  a  dilute  solution  of 
Paris  green.— [April  21, 1886.  ] 

The  "  Voice  '  of  Vanessa  antiopa. 

*  *  *  Vanessa  antiopa  has  a  "  voice  "  similar  to  Acherontia  airopos,  but  evidently 
not  so  strong,  much  finer,  but  still  remarkably  loud  for  its  body,  proboscis,  and  for  a 
day-bufcterfly.  I  heard  it  in  Euroj)e,  in  Lorraine,  from  two  Antiopas  on  a  beech-stem 
walking  around  each  other,  and  agitating  their  wings  with  often-repeated  cries,  evi- 
dently preparing  for  copulation. 

I  wrote  of  it  to  Dr.  Eimer  at  Tuebingen,  but  he  wanted  some  larvje  of  the  Antiopa 
to  study  the  thing,  and  I  could  not  fiud  him  any,  as  they  are  scarce  in  Lorraine. — 
[Ch.  Wercklt?,  Ocean  Spriugs,  Miss.,  September  6,  1886. 

Reply. — *  *  *  Your  observation  concerning  the  "voice"  of  Vanessa  an  tiojja  is 
new  to  me,  although  it  may  have  been  noticed  before. — [September  10,  1886.] 

A  Svwarming  of  the  Milk -weed  Butterfly  in  1886. 

The  following  is  a  brief  account  of  a  migratory  movement  of  enormous  numbers  of 
the  commoD  so  called  Milk-weed  Butterfly  observed  at  West  River,  Maryland,  on  the 
23d  of  September,  1886.  About  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  my  sou,  G.  Murray  EUzey, 
called  the  attention  of  myself  and  several  other  gentlemen  to  the  fact  that  "  the  whole 
heavens  were  swarming  with  butterflies."  There  were  an  innumerable  multitude  of 
them  at  all  heights  from,  say,  100  feet  to  a  height  beyond  the  range  of  vision,  except 
by  the  aid  of  a  glass.  They  were  flying  due  southwest  in  the  face  of  a  stiff  breeze. 
Observations  upon  the  flight  of  individuals  between  points  of  known  distances  apart 
showed  t'hat  the  rate  of  movement  was  not  far  from  20  miles  per  hour.  Where  they 
originally  came  from  or  whither  they  went  we  could  not  tell.  They  nndoutedly  came 
from  beyond  the  bay,  which,  in  that  place,  is  14  miles  across,  and  they  must  have  been 
early  on  the  wing.  By  11.30  o'clock  the  numbers  had  declined,  aud  it  was  evident 
the  bulk  of  the  flight  was  over,  but  for  several  days  a  great  many  individuals,  evi- 
dently following  the  migratory  movement,  were  observed. 

My  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Daniel  Murray,  who  had  been  three  days  previously,  viz, 
on  the  20th  of  September,  at  Long  Green,  in  Baltimore  County,  Md.,  saw  a  vast  mul- 
titude of  the  same  butterflies  in  migratory  movement;  they  were  seemingly  ex- 
hausted in  flight  and  settled  on  the  trees  in  such  multitudes  as  to  give  them  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  autumnal  forest.  I  was  surprised  at  the  great  power  of  sustained  flight 
exhibited,  also  at  the  great  distance  an  individual  butterfly  could  be  seen  by  the  un- 
aided eye,  at  least  across  the  water— not  less  than  U  miles.— [M.  G.  Ellzey,  M.  D., 
Washington,  D.  C,  January  20,  1887. 

Reply.— [Acknowledgment  of  letter,  with  references  to  articles  which  have  been 
published  on  the  subject.] 

A  Phylloxera  on  the  Pecan. 

"  *  *  I  send  you  a  fuller  specimen  of  the  galls — the  fnngns  growth  on  the  Pecan 
trees  I  wrote  yon  of.  It  only  appears  where  the  flowers  appear,  aud  in  the  green 
state  when  opened  is  full  of  the  minutest  insects.     This  is  all  of  the  information  I  can 


222 

give  aud  I  will  be  very  glad  to  receive  auy  iuforination  as  to  what  treatment  you  will 
recommeud  to  prevent  any  further  formation  on  the  tree;  and  if  the  tree  can  be 
brought  to  bearing  fruit  again  I  shall  be  delighted.  '  *  *— [Mary  E.  Winston, 
Stanton,  Miss.,  December  27,  1886. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  These  galls  interest  us  very  much  indeed.  They  are  made  by 
a  plant-louse  of  the  genus  Phylloxera,  but  they  are  not  absolutely  identical  with  any 
which  we  have  heretofore  seen.  They  come  nearest  to  a  species  of  hickory  plant-louse 
which  occurs  in  New  York  State,  and  which  was  named  by  Dr.  Fitch  Fhylloxera 
caryd'cauUs.  I  would  urge  you  to  send  us  specimens  of  these  galls  in  the  spring  and 
summer.  Yon  will  find  it  a  diflicnlt  pest  to  get  rid  of.  The  only  sure  method  will  be 
to  destroy  the  galls  in  the  early  summer,  and  of  course  this  will  be  difficult  to  do; 
but  if  you  can  manage  to  reach  the  highest  points  on  the  tree  by  ladders  and  cut  the 
galls  otf  with  a  pruning  pole,  you  will  lind  that  very  few  will  return  next  season.  You 
will  doubtless  recognize  the  generic  name  of  this  insect  as  being  that  of  the  cele- 
brated grape-root  pest,  but  of  course  your  insect  is  entirely  distinct  from  those  ou 
grape.     *     *'     *. —  [January  4,  1887.] 

Anthrenus  destroying  Whalebone. 

Inclosed  insects  and  piece  of  whalebone,  eaten  by  them,  are  from  Mr.  Merriam's 
establishment.  Please  examine  aud  give  me  your  report  in  course  of  time — address 
Alfred  T.  Brown,  Rising  Sun,  lud.  This  insect  is  not  very  numerous  as  yet,  but  as  I 
discovered  it  here  I  made  inquiry  as  to  particulars,  etc.  The  parties  have  not  con- 
sidered it  as  of  any  importance,  but  I  tell  them  it  may  be  in  time  if  not  investigated 
and  checked. — [John  P.  Brown,  24  Lincoln  Street;  Boston,  Mass. 

Reply.  »  *  »  xhe  insect  is  one  of  the  common  museum  pests  and  is  closely  al- 
lied to  the  Butfalo  Carpet-beetle,  and  is  called  Anlhrenus  variiis.  This  insect  .is  a 
very  general  feeder,  preferring  animal  substances,  and  its  occurrence  upon  whale- 
bone, although  hitherto  not  recorded  so  far  is  I  know,  is  not  at  all  surprising. 
Without  knowing  how  the  whalebone  is  stored  and  without  experimenting  upon 
the  elfect  which  various  insecticide  substances  would  have  upon  the  whalebone,  it 
would  be  difficult  for  me  to  suggest  a  remedy.  If  the  circumstances  are  such  that 
the  vapor  of  bi-sulphide  of  carbon  can  be  used  it  will  undoubtedly  kill  the  beetle  in 
all  stages.— [October  15,  1886,  to  Mr.  Alfred  T.  Brown,  Rising  Sun,  Ind.] 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

RESULTS  OF  PROFESSOR  FORBES'S  INVESTIGATIONS  ON  THE  RELATION 
OF  WHEAT  CULTURE  TO  THE  CHINCH  BUG. 

[Abstract  from  paper  read  before  the  ninth  meeting  of  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agiicultural 
Science  at  Cleveland  in  1888. 1 

Southern  Illinois. — Reports  from  193  townships  for  1SS7  show  iujury  to 
corn,  none  iu  4  (average  wheat  area  iu  1886  =  2,100  acres  per  township) ; 
slight  iu  3  (2,440  acres);  considerable  in  7  (2,530  acres);  great  iu  30 
(2,900  acres) ;  very  great  in  37  (about  2,100  acres) ;  nearly  complete  in 
89  (2,700  acres)  ;  complete  iu  23  (4,400  acres).  Wheat  area  iu  1887 
differed  from  1880  ouly  iu  a  somewhat  lower  average  ;  for  188S,  from 
1,500  acres  (Chinch  Bag  iujury  to  corn  none)  to  nearly  4,100  acres  (com- 
plete)  pertowuship.     Corn  area  for  1887  was  1,800  acres  (uoue)  to  3,000 


223 

acres  (complete),  lowest  intermediate  poiuts  reached  beiug  2,150  and 
2,400  acres  per  township. 

Western  Illinois. — Reports  from  124  townships  (for  1887  ?)  show  in- 
jnry  to  corn  slight  in  30  (average  wheat  area  in  1886  =  1,600  acres  per 
township),  moderate  in  7  (1,900  acres),  considerable  in  0  (nearly  2,100 
acres);  great  in  2  (2,600  acres),  very  great  in  2  (not  given).  Grass  in- 
jnry  averaged  half  that  to  corn.  In  1886  the  wheat  areas  (correspond- 
ing to  the  first  four  degrees  of  Chinch  Bng  injury  to  corn)  were  1,600, 
1,900,  nearly  2,100,  and  2,600  acres,  respectively^,  per  township  (the  re- 
maining grades  beiug  represented  by  too  small  a  number  of  townships 
to  afford  an  average).  The  corresponding  acreage  of  wheat  for  1887 
was  2,000,  2,400,  3,600,  and  3,870,  respectively. 

Central  Illinois. — Reports  from  177  townships  (for  1887  ^)  show  injury 
to  corn  none  in  110  (average  wheat  area  per  township  in  1886=700 
acres) ;  a  little  in  29  (not  given) ;  moderate  in  5  (not  given) ;  considera- 
ble in  11  (not  given);  great  in  4  (not  given);  very  great  in  6  (3,100 
acres) ;  nearly  complete  in  11  (2,650  acres)  ;  complete  in  1  (not  given). 
Wheat  area  in  1887  was  1,050  acres  (damage  to  corn  none),  2,000  (a 
little),  1,100  (moderate),  2,400  (considerable),  3,000  (great),  3,900  (very 
great),  3,500  (nearly  complete). 

Eastern  Illinois. — Reports  from  94  townships  (for  1887  ?)  show  injury 
to  corn  none  in  65  (average  wheat  area  per  township  in  1886=670 
acres) ;  considerable  in  9  (nearly  1,800  acres) ;  other  headings  gave  too 
small  numbers  to  average.  Wheat  area  for  1887  was  980  acres  per 
township  (damage  to  corn  none),  1,300  acres  (a  little),  2,200  acres  (con- 
siderable), other  headings  too  small  to  average. 

Northern  Illinois. — Reports  show  wheat  areas  for  1887  to  be  333 
acres  per  township  (damage  to  corn  [in  1887  !J  none),  337  acres  (a  little), 
323  acres  (moderate),  357  acres  (considerable). 

Whole  State  of  Illinois. — Reports  from  793  townships  (for  1887  ?)  show 
Chinch  Bug  injury  to  corn  none  in  384  (average  wheat  acreage  per  town- 
ship in  1886=700),  slight  in  121  (1,100  acres),  moderate  in  30  (1,200 
acres),  considerable  in  47  (1,500  acres),  great  in  37  (2,650  acres),  very 
great  in  48  (2,200  acres),  nearly  complete  in  102  (2,700  acres),  and 
complete  in  24  (almost  4,500  acres).  Reports  from  811  townships  for 
1887  show  average  wheat  acreage  per  township  to  be  952  (damage  to 
corn  none),  1,275  (slight),  1,644  (moderate),  1,802  ?  (considerable),  3,036  ? 
(great),  2,423?  (very  great),  2,942  ?  (nearly  complete),  anc'  4,1561  (com- 
plete). Eeports  from  townships  for  1880  show  Chinch  Bug  fujury  to 
grass  none  in  525;  slight  in  130;  moderate  in  71;  considerable  in  56; 
great  in  5 ;  very  great  in  5 ;  corresponding  wheat  acreage  per  township 
increasing  from  less  than  1,000  (damage  none)  to  4,400  (very  great). 
Reports  from  townships  for  1887  show  average  wheat  area  per  town- 
ship 850  acres  (Chinch  Bug  injury  to-small  grain,  including  wheat,  none), 
2,600  acres  (considerable),  2,600  acres  (very  great),  and  1,450  (complete). 

Combining  Chinch  Bug  injury  to  small  grain,  grasses,  and  corn,  the 


224 

average  wheat  acreage  per  township  ranged  from  1,008  (no  crop  injured) 
to  2,936  (total  damage  equal  to  18  on  a  scale  of  24) ;  numbers  between 
these  extremes  being  somewhat  wavering,  but  on  the  whole  a  fairly  reg- 
ular ascending  series,  falling  away  at  one  point  to  3.296  [sic !  ]  and  rising 
again  to  3,296  later  on. 

AN  OLD  AMERICAN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  BUFFALO  GNAT. 

Prof.  Herbert  Osborn  has  called  our  attention  to  the  following  short 
article  which  we  deem  of  sufficient  interest  to  publish : 

In  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  Volume  I  (1818),  there  is  an  ar- 
ticle entitled  "  On  the  Geology,  Mineralogy,  Scenery,  and  Curiosities  of 
parts  of  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and  the  Alabama  and  Mississippi  Territo- 
ries, etc,  with  miscellaneous  remarks.  In  a  letter  to  the  editor  by  the 
Eev.  Elias  Cornelius."  In  the  body  of  this  paper,  on  page  328,  under  the 
heading  "A  Destructive  Insect,^^  occurs  the  following  interesting  account 
of  a  fly  which  must  certainly  be  the  Buffalo  Gnat,  and  which  is,  so  far 
as  we  know,  the  earliest  authentic  account  of  its  operations: 

But  I  will  not  enlarge  on  a  fact  already  familiar.  I  will  ask  your  further  indul- 
gence only  while  I  commnnicate  a  curious  fact  for  the  information  of  the  zoologist. 

In  the  Choctaw  country,  130  miles  northeast  of  Natchez,  a  part  of  the  public  road 
is  rendered  famous  on  account  of  the  periodical  return  of  a  poisonous  and  destructive 
fly.  Contrary  to  the  custom  of  other  insects,  it  always  appears  when  the  cold  weather 
commences  in  December,  and  as  invariably  disappears  on  the  approach  of  warm 
weather,  which  is  about  the  1st  of  April.  It  is  said  to  have  been  remarked  first  in  the 
winter  of  1807,  during  a  snow-storm,  when  its  effects  upon  the  cattle  and  horses  were 
observed  to  be  similar  to  those  of  the  gnat  and.  mosquito  in  summer,  except  that 
they  were  more  severe.  It  continued  to  return  at  the  same  season  of  the  year,  with- 
out producing  extensive  mischief,  until  the  winter  of  1816,  when  it  began  to  be  gen- 
erally fatal  to  the  horses  of  travelers.  So  far  as  I  recollect,  it  was  stated  that  from 
thirty  to  forty  traveling  horses  were  destroyed  during  the  winter.  The  consequences 
were  alarming.  In  the  wilderness,  where  a  man's  horse  is  his  chief  dependence,  the 
traveler  was  surprised  and  distressed  to  see  the  beast  sicken  and  die  in  convulsions, 
sometimes  within  three  hours  after  encountering  this  little  insect.  Or  if  the  animal 
were  fortunate  enough  to  live,  a  sickness  followed,  commonly  attended  with  the  sud- 
den and  entire  shedding  of  the  hair,  which  rendered  the  brute  unfit  for  use. 

Unwilling  to  believe  that  effects  so  dreadful  could  be  produced  by  a  cause  appar- 
ently so  trifling,  travelers  began  to  suspect  that  the  Indians,  or  others,  of  whom  they 
obtained  food  for  their  horses,  had,  for  some  base  and  selfish  end,  mingled  poison  with 
it.  The  greatest  precaution  was  observed.  They  refused  to  stop  at  any  house  on  the 
way,  and  carried  for  the  distance  of  40  or  50  miles  their  own  provision,  but  after  all 
suffered  the  same  calamities.  This  excited  a  serious  inquiry  into  the  true  cause  of 
their  distress.  The  fly  which  has  been  mentioned  was  known  to  be  a  most  singular 
insect,  and  peculiarly  troublesome  to  horses.  At  length  it  was  admitted  by  all  that 
the  cause  of  the  evils  complained  of  could  be  no  other  than  this  insect.  Other  pre- 
cautions have  since  been  observed,  particularly  that  of  riding  over  the  road  infested 
with  it  in  the  nigbt;  and  it  now  happens  that  comparatively  few  horses  are  de- 
stroyed. I  am  unable  to  describe  it  from  my  own  observation.  I  passed  over  the 
same  road  in  April  last,  only  two  weeks  after  it  disappeared,  and  was  obliged  to  take 
the  description  from  others.  Its  color  is  a  dark  brown;  it  has  an  elongate  head, 
with  a  small  and  sharp  proboscis  ;  and  is  in  size  between  the  gnat  and  mosquito. 
When  it  alights  upon  a  hoi'se,  it  darts  through  the  hair,  much  like  a  gnat,  and  never 


225 

quits  its  bold  uutil  removed  by  force.  Wbeii  a  borse  stops  to  drink,  swarms  fly  about 
the  bead  and  crowd  into  tbe  moutb,  nostrils,  and  ears ;  bence  it  is  supposed  the 
poison  is  communicated  inwardly.  Wbetber  tbis  be  true  or  not,  tbe  most  fatal  con- 
sequences result. 

It  is  singular  tbat  from  the  time  of  its  first  appearance  it  has  never  extended  for 
a  greater  distance  than  40  miles  in  one  direction,  and  usually  it  is  confined  to  1.5 
miles.  In  no  other  part  of  the  country  bas  it  ever  been  seen.  From  tbis  fact  it  would 
seem  probable  tbat  tbe  cause  of  its  existence  is  local.  But  what  it  is  none  can  tell. 
After  the  warm  weather  commences  it  disappears  as  effectually  from  human  obser- 
vation as  if  it  were  annibilated.  Towards  the  close  of  December  it  springs  up  all  at 
once  into  being  again  and  resumes  the  work  of  destruction.  A  fact  so  singular  I 
could  not  have  ventured  to  state  without  tbe  best  evidence  of  its  reality.  All  tbe 
circumstances  here  related  are  familiar  to  hundreds,  and  were  in  almost  every  man's 
moutb  when  I  passed  through  the  country.  In  addition  to  tbis,  they  were  confirmed 
by  the  account  which  I  received  from  Col.  John  McKee,  a  gentleman  of  much  intelli- 
gence and  respectability,  who  is  tbe  present  agent  of  tbe  General  Government  for  tbe 
Choctaw  Nation.  He  bas  consented  to  obtain  specimens  of  tbe  insect  for  your  exam- 
ination, when  it  returns  again,  and  will,  I  hope,  accompany  tbe  transmission  with  a 
more  perfect  description  than  it  has  been  possible  for  me  to  communicate. 

NOTES  ON  PTEROMALUS  PUPARUM. 

We  found  a  chrysalis  of  Pieris  rapcc  filled  with  the  larviie  of  this  par- 
asite on  April  3,  the  larv.Te  pupating  ou  the  6th.  No  further  develop- 
ments took  place  up  to  the  18th,  when  we  left  home,  not  to  return  again 
until  the  20th  of  May,  at  which  time  the  entire  contents  of  the  chrysalis 
had  transformed  to  adults.  This  fully  confirmed  the  opinion  expressed 
by  Professor  Riley  (Rep.  Comm.  Agr.  188.3,  p.  112),  that  a  large  propor- 
tion of  them  undoubtedly  wintered  over  in  the  bodies  of  the  chrysalids 
and  emerged  the  following  spring. 

On  the  morning  of  August  9  we  observed  a  larva  of  Pieris  protodice 
Boisd.,  in  tbe  act  of  transforming  to  the  chrysalis.  Near  by,  and  very 
evidently  watching  this  transformation,  were  a  male  and  female  of  this 
parasite.  The  trio  were  observed  several  times  during  the  early  part  of 
the  day,  the  parasites  always  on  guard,  as  it  were,  although  the  temale 
was  several  times  observed  to  attempt  oviposition,  in  every  case,  how- 
ever, being  deterred  from  doing  so  by  the  jerking  of  the  larva,  now  in  a 
semi-pupal  state  During  one  of  these  visits  the  male  was  driven  away, 
but  soon  returned.  About  0  p.  m.,  the  last  observation  of  the  day,  the 
transformation  of  the  larva,  while  not  complete,  had  so  far  advanced  as 
to  prevent  the  radical  movements  which  had  characterized  its  struggles 
during  the  forenoon,  and  the  female  was  busily  engaged  in  her  w^ork  of 
oviposition,  the  male  still  present  as  a  spectator  (?).  On  the  morning 
of  the  10th  the  chrysalis,  now  fully  developed,  was  removed  and  placed 
in  a  glass  jar,  awaiting  further  developments. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  seventeen  days  after,  the  adult  Ptero- 
malus  were  observed  issuing  from  the  chrysalis  in  great  numbers. 
After  all  had  emerged  they  were  counted  and  found  to  number  68  males 
and  4  females.  The  same  parasite  had  been  reared  from  a  similar 
chrysalis  on  August  13,  but  the  individuals  were  not  counted. — F.  M. 
Webster. 


226 

ANOTHER  HUMAN  liOTFLY. 

Apropos  of  the  interesting'  article  on  "A  Man-infesting  Bot,"  Insect 
Life  No.  3  (Vol.  I,  p.  70-80)  it  may  be  in  order  to  call  attention  to  an 
account  of  a  similar  or  identical  species  presented  in  some  "  Additional 
Observations  on  the  Parasites  of  Man  and  Domestic  Animals,"  appended 
to  Prof.  A.  E.  Verrill's  valuable  Reports  on  the  External  and  Internal 
Parasites  of  Man  and  Domestic  Animals,  and  which  does  not  seem  to 
have  been  familiar  to  Dr.  Matas  at  the  time  of  writing  his  article.  In 
the  case  recorded  by  Professor  Verrill,  in  which  the  insect  is  referred 
doubtfully  to  TJermatohia  noxialis^  it  appears  that  the  patient,  a  resi- 
dent of  Mississippi,  became  infested  in  that  State,  which  would  indicate 
an  extension  of  the  species  into  this  country,  or  the  occurrence  of  a  very 
nearly  related  species  here. 

lu  the  last  report  (page  95)  it  was  meutioned  that  a  species  of  bot-fly  lives  iu 
the  larval  state  beneath  the  hiuuau  skin,  forming  painful  tumors.  But  such  in- 
stances had  been  observed  only  iu  the  tropical  parts  of  Central  and  South  America- 
It  is,  therefore,  of  interest  to  record  a  similar  case  iu  the  United  States.  In  this  in- 
stance a  young  woman  twenty-two  years  old,  residing  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  was  the 
victim  of  the  insect.  The  larvts,  developed  from  eggs  deposited  in  the  skin  by  tlie 
fly,  caused  great  irritation  and  pain  in  the  subcutaneous  tissues,  resulting  iu  large 
abscesses,  from  which  the  mattire  larvje  finally  esc-aped. 

lam  indebted  to  Dr.  William  B.  Fletcher,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  for  a  specimen  of 
the  larva  of  the  insect  which  was  taken  from  this  patient  and  sent  to  him  by  Dr. 
James  Hughes,  who  treated  the  case.  "Whether  it  be  identical  with  the  South  Amer- 
ican species  can  not  be  determined  from  the  larv;e  alone. — H.  Osborn. 

GEOGRAPHICAL   RANGE    OF   THE   CHINCH  BUG. 

In  the  section  on  the  distribution  of  ihis  insect,  in  Bulletin  17  of  this 
Division,  and  in  the  Annual  Keport  for  1887,  only  two  localities  outside 
of  the  United  States  were  mentioned,  viz:  Cuba,  according  toSiguoret 
and  Uhler,  and  Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  according  to  Uhler.  We  have 
since  noticed  that  Mr.  W.  L.  Distant  records  it  as  extending  southward 
through  Mexico,  Guatemala,  and  Honduras,  and  in  the  Biologia  Cen- 
trali-Americana  records  it  as  captured  by  Champion  at  the  following 
points : 

(riKiteinala. — San  Geronimo,  Paso  Antonio,  Pauzos,  Champerico,  and  Rio  Naranjo. 
Faitama.—Volcau  de  Chiriqui,  2,000-3,000  ft. 

DAMAGE  TO  FRUIT  BY  THE  ADULT  OF  ALLORHINA. 

The  Pacific  Rural  Press  calls  attention  to  the  damage  done  by  an 
Allorhiua  to  ripe  peaches  in  Arizona.  The  statement  is  made  that  it 
appears  after  the  tirst  summer  rains,  apparently  from  the  low  moist 
lands,  and  immediately  seeks  the  peach  orchards,  where  it  selects  the 
choicest  fruit::  and  ruins  them.  In  case  there  are  no  ripening  i)eaches 
it  feeds  upon  grapes,  and  even  upon  growing  corn-stalks.  It  disappears 
during  the  latter  part  of  August.     When  they  are  plentiful  several  will 


227 

attack  a  ripe  peach  simultaneously  and  devour  all  of  its  mellow  portion 
in  a  few  hours.  The  habits  of  this  beetle  seem  then  to  be  quite  similar 
to  those  of  the  allied  species  in  the  east.  In  the  south  A.  nitida  is  called 
the  "  Fig-eater  "  and  it  is  said  to  seriously  injure  grapes.  The  same 
species  was  very  abundant  in  the  District  of  (Columbia  during  last  sea- 
son and  at  the  Benning's  Station  of  this  Department  the  beetle  swarmed 
in  great  numbers  upon  the  peach  trees  and  ruined  a  great  portion  of  the 
fruit.  We  have  always  supposed  that  this  beetle  only  attacked  decay- 
jug,  over-ripe,  or  injured  fruit,  but  the  evidence  is  now  growing  so  strong: 
that  it  will  attack  perfect  fruit  that  careful  observations  are  needed. 

THE  IMBRICATED  SNOUT-BEETLE. 

This  insect  has  added  another  food-plant  to  its  already  long  list.  In 
the  Third  Report  on  the  Insects  of  Missouri  we  recorded  damage  to  Ap- 
ple, Cherry  trees  and  Gooseberry  bushes  by  gnawing  the  twigs  and 
fruit.  In  1879  Professor  Comstock  added  to  the  list  Onions,  Radishes, 
Cabbage,  Beans,  Watermelons,  Muskmelons,  Cucumbers,  Squashes,  and 
Beets.  A  recent  correspondent  of  the  Prairie  Farmer  (Mr.  J.  P.  Coulter, 
Cramer,  111.,  issue  of  June  23,  1888)  records  damage  to  Potato.  He 
states  that  the  insect  is  fully  as  destructive  as  the  Colorado  Potato 
Beetle,  and  that  its  manner  of  operating  is  about  the  same  as  the  other, 
except  that  it  probably  cuts  the  stalk  off  more  frequently,  and  '•'  very 
generally  cuts  off  the  other  parts,  with  the  soft  undeveloped  leaves." 
The  editorial  comment  ignores  the  previous  discovery  upon  vegetables, 
and  suggests  no  remedy.  Paris  green  or  London  purple,  however,  will 
pr@bably  prove  effectual. 

NOTES   ON   ACRIDIDiE   IN   LOS   ANGELES,  CAL. 

Acridium  vag urn.— Adults  taken  February  5,  May  12,  May  17,  July  1, 
August  4,  August  29,  September  4  (in  coitu),  and  November  13.  Fre- 
quents tall  weeds  and  trees;  they  feed  on  the  leaves  of  orange  trees. 
The  females  in  life  are  green,  variously  dotted  and  marked  with  yellow; 
antennae,  a  stripe  below  and  another  back  of  each  eye,  besides  a  stripe 
on  top  of  the  head  and  thorax,  yellow;  wing-covers  towards  their  tips 
tinged  with  brown;  hind  femora  marked  with  black  before  their  tips; 
hind  tibice  reddish,  provided  behind  with  two  rows  of  spines  which  are 
yellow,  tipped  with  black ;  hind  tarsi  reddish  above,  grayish-brown 
below ;  length,  2J  inches.  The  half-grown  larva  is  green,  irregularly 
dotted  with  darker  and  marked  with  whitish  dashes;  a  white  stripe  on 
each  side  of  the  abdomen  and  another  below  each  eye ;  each  eye  is 
marked  with  four  vertical  dashes,  of  which  the  hindmost  is  widest  and 
east  distinct ;  spines  of  hind  tibia?  white  tipped  with  black.  Found 
Julj^  26  and  December  15. 

Mela)ioplus  devastator,  affinis  and  cyanipes. — Adults  taken  November 
13,  and  cyanipes  February  4;  in  coitu  October  1. 


228 

Lactista  gibhosa. — Adults  tai^eu  Jauuary  15,  February  5  and  12,  April 
12,  May  12  aud  17,  July  26,  aud  Xoveinber  13.  It  sometimes  makes  a 
rattling-  noise  while  on  the  wing. 

JEncoptolophus  sordidus. — Adults  taken  February  12  and  November  13, 
Several  larviTB  were  taken  November  13. 

(Edocara  strangulata  or  Stirapleura  decussatus. — Adults  taken  Febru- 
ary 5  and  November  13. 

Trimerotropis  vinculata. — Adults  taken  May  12  and  17,  June  6,  July  1 
and  24.  and  November  13.  It  sometimes  makes  a  rattling  noise  while 
on  the  wing. 

(Edipoda  venusta. — Adults  seen  June  6  for  the  first  time  in  the  sea-son  ', 
also  seen  July  20. 

Conozoa  icallula. — Adults  taken  July  1. 

Ghimeroceyliala  pacifica. — Larva  half  grown,  February  4  ;  adults  taken 
April  28. 

Thr'mcus  californkus. — Adults  taken  only  in  early  spring. — D.  W.  Co- 
quillett. 

CHLORIDEA  EHEXIA   INJURING   TOBACCO. 

We  have  not  yet  published  the  fact  that  during  the  summer  of  1886 
the  wide-spread  and  polyphagous  larva  of  this  insect  did  considerable 
damage  to  tobacco  crops  in  parts  of  Georgia 
and  Alabama.  We  deferred  publication  await- 
ing  further  facts,  but  it  seems  desirable  that 
this  note  should*  go  upon  record.     The  larvie 
were  first  sent  us  July  10,  by  Hon.  J.  T.  Hen- 
derson, of  Atlanta,  with  the  information  that 
Fig.  49.—chioridea  rhexia-n.it-    they  wcrc  fouud  upou  the  bud  of  the  tobacco 
urai  size  (after  Riley).  ^j^^^^     Spccimeus  wcre  also  received  from 

J.  S.  Newman,  of  Auburn,  Ala.,  and  J.  S.  Barnwell,  of  Darien,  Ga.  The 
latter  gentleman  stated  that  in  general  the  adult  of  this  creature  did 
more  damage  to  his  tobacco  plants  than  the  large  tobacco-worm.  When 
young  and  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  length  it  lives,  according  to  this 
gentleman,  in  the  central  stalk  of  young  leaves  and  eats  so  many  holes 
in  them  that  the  tobacco  is  utterly  unfit  for  market  as  "  wrappers,"  even 
if  it  is  good  for  "fillers."  As  wrappers  are  so  much  more  valuable  in 
the  market  he  considered  it  a  terrible  blight  on  the  industry  in  his 
locality. 

So  far  as  we  know  this  insect  has  never  before  been  recorded  as  feed- 
ing upon  Tobacco.  Its  commonest  food-plant  in  the  South  is  "  Ground 
Cherry"  {PhysaUs  rincosa),  and  the  other  species  of  the  same  genus.  The 
larva  feeds  upon  the  little  bolls  of  this  plant.  It  also  feeds  upon  other 
wild  Solanaceous  plants,  and  we  have  found  it  upon  Solanum  seiglinge 
■  in  St.  Louis.  It  has  been  received  at  the  Department  from  South 
Carolina  feeding  upon  cultivated  Geranium,  and  in  Ohio  it  feeds  upon  a 
Composite  of  the  genus  Ageratum.    The  probabilities  are  that  in  Georgia 


229 

and  Alabama  the  insect  turned  its  attention  from  the  Ground  Cherry 
to  Tobacco  lor  some  temporary  reason,  that  the  summer  of  1880  was 
an  exceptional  one,  and  that  the  insect  will  not  find  in  Tobacco  a  stable 
food-plant.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  it  may  become  a  permanent 
enemy  to  the  crop.  There  are  probably  at  least  three  annual  genera- 
tions in  Georgia  aud  Alabama,  and  the  insect  winters  in  the  pupa  state 
underground.  The  pupa  was  sent  to  us  several  times  in  the  course  of 
the  Cotton  Worm  investigation  as  belonging  in  all  probability  to  the 
Cotton  Worm,  aud  on  page  17  of  the  Fourth  Report  of  the  Entomolog- 
ical Commission  (where  the  insect  is  considered  under  the  name  of  As- 
pila  virescens)  an  interesting  account  is  given  of  this  mistaken  identity'. 
Should  the  iusect  again  become  abundant  upon  Tobacco,  a  good  remedy 
will  be  difficult  to  find.  The  best  which  we  can  suggest  will  be  the  use 
of  Pyrethrum  powder,  diluted  either  with  flour  or  plaster  in  the  propor- 
tion of  one  part  to  ten. 

BIRDS  AND   THE   WHITE    GRUB. 

Mrs.  Mary  Treat,  in  a  recent  number  of  Orchard  and  Garden,  records 
observations  showing  that  a  family  of  Brown  Thrushes  fed  abundantly 
upon  White  Grubs.  She  has  also  seen  the  Kobin  feeding  upon  this 
larva. 

DOSING   TREES   WITH   SULPHUR  AND   OTHER   SUBSTANCES. 

There  is  a  prevailing  aud  popular  idea  that  insects  may  be  driven 
from  trees  by  boring  holes  through  the  bark  into  the  wood,  placing  sul- 
phur therein,  and  plugging  the  hole.  There  are  some  persons  who  pro- 
fess to  have  tried  the  experiment  with  success,  to  have  cleared  trees, 
such  as  Elms  of  the  destroying  worm,  etc.  Prof.  C.  V.  Eiley,  Ento- 
mologist of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  pronounces  these  remedies 
fallacious. 

"  The  belief  in  this  efficacy,"  he  says,  "  is  founded  on  the  supposition 
that  the  poison  passes  with  the  sap  into  general  circulation  and  with  it 
into  the  foliage,  aud  is  destructive  to  leaf-feeding  insects.  It  is  an  en- 
tirely unfounded  idea,  aud  is  based  upon  ignorance  of  the  fact  that  the 
substance  remains  intact,  and  is  not  taken  up  in  the  circulation.  In- 
stances where  it  has  seemed  to  succeed  have  been  recorded,  and  in  such 
cases  its  apparent  efficacy  was  due  to  a  coincident  disappearance  of 
the  insect  from  some  other  cause.  Sulphur  which  I  plugged  up  in  such 
holes  many  years  ago  was  found  to  be  perfectly  unchanged  after  many 
mouths.  All  such  remedies  may  be  stamped  as  nonsense." — Scientific 
American,  December  8,  1888,  vol.  59,  p.  353. 

ALUM   AS  A   CURRANT  WORM  REMEDY. 

At  the  Massachusetts  Station,  Prof.  Fernald  has  been  experimenting 
with  alum  as  a  destroyer  of  Currant  Worms,  and  concludes  that  "  alum 


230 

as  an  iasecticide  for  the  Currant  AYorra  is  a  perfect  failure.  In  explan- 
ation of  the  success  reported  by  various  horticulturists  in  the  use  of  this 
substance,  it  is  possible  some  one  who  tried  showering-  Currant  Worms 
with  alum  water  did  it  just  before  the}'  were  done  feeding,  and  when  they 
went  down  into  the  ground  he  supposed  his  application  had  destroyed 
them,  and  at  once  reported  his  supposed  success  in  the  papers." 
— American  Garden,  December,  1888,  vol.  9,  p.  432. 

AN  AUSTRALIAN   EXPERIMENT. 

In  The  Garden  and  Forest  (Adelaide,  South  Australia)  for  November 
1,  1888,  Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford  makes  a  quite  favorable  report  on  the 
efiflcacy  of  the  resin  and  soda  compound  recommended  by  Mr.  Koebele 
in  our  report  for  1886,  when  applied  to  Orange  Aphis  and  to  the  "Round 
Orange-scale"  {Aspidiotits  aurantU).  In  Mr.  Crawford's  experiments 
equal  parts  of  soda  aad  resin  were  used  in  ord«n'  to  dissolve  the  latter 
more  readily.  The  application  almost  immediately  killed  every  Aphis 
on  the  tree  treated,  and  after  a  week's  time  resulted  in  a  change  of 
color  of  many  of  the  SQales.  After  three  weeks  many  adult  females 
were  seen  alive,  and  larvje  were  noted  on  the  twigs.  Two  weeks  later 
some  old  scales  and  a  few  newly  formed  scales  were  noted.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford thinks  a  second  application  would  be  necessary  to  completely  free 
the  trees,  the  3"oung  scales  and  larvae  being  easily  destroyed  by  one 
treatment.  Nearly  all  the  infested  leaves  are  said  to  have  fallen  from 
the  trees,  while  those  free  from  scale  were  uninjured,  a  somewhat 
remarkable  and  hardly  possible  result. 

ENTOMOLOGICAL   SOCIETY   OF   WASHINGTON. 

January  3,  1889.— Forty-seventh  regular  iiK^etiiig.  The  reports  of  the  Treasurer, 
Recording  Secretary,  and  Corresponding  Secretary  for  tbe  past  year  were  presented 
and  accepted. 

Mr.  C.  L.  Marlatt  was  elected  an  active  member  of  the  society. 

The  annual  election  of  officers  followed.  It  was  moved  and  passed  that  all  the 
oJSdcers  he  re-elected  to  a  second  term,  except  the  Recording  Secretary.  Dr.  Wm.  H. 
Fox  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Recording  Secretary  rice  J.  B.  Smith,  resigned. 

The  annual  address  of  the  President  was  delivered  by  Mr.  E.  A.  Schwarz,  who  took 
for  his  subject  "On  the  Coleoptera  Common  to  North  America  and  Other  Fannal 
Regions."  The  large  number  of  species  taken  into  consideration  was  divided  into 
two  classes:  (1)  Those  distributed  by  natural  dispeisiou,  viz,  the  circumpolar  fauna, 
the  endemic  species  common  to  both  North  and  South  America,  and  the  migratory 
species;  (2)  those  distributed  by  the  agency  of  man,  viz,  non-intentional  importa- 
tion, non-intentional  introduction,  and  intentional  introduction.  The  various  in- 
tricate phases  which  the  subject  assumes  were  discussed  and  illustrated  by  exami>les. 

The  question  was  discussed  by  Dr.  Riley,  Mr.  Smith,  Dr.  Marx,  Dr.  Fox,  Mr. 
Howard,  and  C.  R.  Dodge  from  the  standpoints  of  Lepidopter.i,  Arachnida,  and 
Hymenoptera. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned. 

Tyler  Towxsend, 

For  Ii'ccordiiui  Sccretari/. 


PERSONNEL   OF  THOSE  ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical ;  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes: 

DIVISION  OF   ENTOMOLOGY,  U.    S     DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant ;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergaude,  Tyler 
Townsend,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  Assistants ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 
in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 

Field  Agents  :  Saml.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass.;  F.  M.  Webster,  La  Fayette,  lud. ;  Her- 
bert Osboru,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111.;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirk- 
wood,  Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Bruner,  Lincoln,  Nebr.  ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.j 
Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT   OF  INSECTS,    U.    S.   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  Curator:  John  B.  Smith. 

J^^  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedient, 
the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communica- 
tions. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  refer- 
ring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "Insect  Life,"  or 
•where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "  Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of 
the  correspondence  of  the  division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also  at- 
tended to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that 
only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.  Illustrations, 
where  not  otherwise  stated,  are  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under  supervision.— 
C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  FEBRUARY,    1889. 

A^ol.   I.  No.   8. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 

ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE, 

AND  EDITED  BY  THE  ENTOMOLOGIST  AND  HIS 

ASSLSTANTS,  WITH  THE  SANCTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSIONER  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVEENMENT    PRINTING   OFFICE. 

1889. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 231 

The  Red  Bug  ok  Cotton  Stainer  (illustrated) 234 

A  Parasite  of  the   supposed  Eggs  of  the  Cotton  Stainer  (illustrated) 

■ L.  0.  Howard..       2A\ 

Spraying  Devices  (illustrated) C.  V.  BUey..      243 

Early   Occurrence    of   the  Chinch-Bug    in   the    Mississippi   "Valley 

-S.  A.  Forhes 249 

Hepialus  argenteomaculatus D.  S.  Eellicott. .      250 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 252 

Late  autuniual  Occurrence  of  Mites  in  great  Numbers. — Balaninus  nasicus 
in  granulated  Sugar. — On  Tliale8.sa  and  Tremex :  A  Correction.— Sap 
Beetles  in  injured  Figs. 

Steps  toward  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walswgham..      254 

General  Notes 256 

Notes  on  Cochineal  Insects. — The  Beet  Carrion-beetle. — An  African  Lady- 
bird introduced  into  New  Zealand. — Successful  Spraying  with  Paris 
Green  for  Codling  Moth. — The  Leather  Beetle  Litigation. 

11 


Vol.  1,  ]¥o.  8.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [February,  1889. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Mr.  T.  D.  A.  Cockerell,  of  West  Cliff,  Custer  County,  Colo.,  reuiiiids 
us,  after  readiug  the  uote  ou  the  subject  of  the  food  habits  of  the  Cal- 
audridte  in  No.  G  (page  198),  that  he  had  sent  us  a  larva  found  in  the  base 
of  Gereiis  viridiflorus  which  we  determined  as  probably  the  larva  of  Oac- 
tophagus  validus.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  statement  in  Insect 
Life  was  to  the  effect  that  this  beetle  had  been  found  exclusively  under 
decaying  Opuntia  leaves.  We  did  not  insert  this  instance  in  our  list  of 
the  food  habits  of  this  beetle  for  the  reason  that  the  determination  from 
the  larva  alone  might  have  been  incorrect. 


Important  to  Coieopterists.— The  edition  of  the  ''Classification  of  the 
Coleoptera  of  jS^orth  America,"  by  J.  L.  Le  Conte  and  Geo.  H.  Horn, 
published  in  1883  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  was  so  small  that  it 
was  exhausted  almost  as  soon  as  issued.  The  work  is  indispensable 
to  every  student  of  North  American  Coleoptera,  and  in  demand  from 
Coieopterists  the  world  over.  We  are  glad,  therefore,  to  learn  that  a 
new  reprint  from  the  original  stereotype  plates,  undertaken  by  Dr. 
Horn,  has  just  been  completed.  Copies  may  be  obtained  for  $2.50  each 
(which  includes  postage)  by  addressing  the  following  parties  in  Phila 
delphia.  Pa:  Dr.  George  H.  Horn,  874  North  Fourth  Street;  Mr.  E.  T. 
Cresson,  Post-ofiBce  Box  1577 ;  and  Dr.  A.  E.  Foote,  1223  Belmont  Ave- 
nue. 

In  this  number  we  resume  the  publication  of  the  much-needed  re- 
vision of  Chambers'  Index  by  Lord  Walsingham,  whose  interest  in  the 
Microlepidopterous  fauna  of  North  America  is  a  matter  of  congratula- 
tion to  all  working  entomologists  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

The  second  Shipment  of  Icerya  Parasites.  — The  December  steamer  from 
Australia  brought  over  the  second  lot  of  Australian  parasites  of  the 
Cottony  Cushion-scale.  Mr.  Koebele  had  informed  us  by  letter  that 
he  had  forwarded  in  this  lot  at  least  12,000  healthy  living  parasites, 

231 


232 

mostly  in  the  puiia  state,  and  we  bad  every  hope  that  they  would 
arrive  in  as  good  shape  as  the  first  lot.  We  are  much  disappointed, 
therefore,  to  learn  from  Mr.  Coquillett  that  the  shipment  reached  him 
in  very  poor  condition  on  December  9,  three  days  after  the  publication 
of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Koebele  to  Mr.  Klee,  which  came  on  the  same 
steamer.  Mr.  Klee  had  some  difficulty  in  getting"  the  boxes  from  the 
customhouse,  and  wrote  Mr.  Coquillett  that  "  when  he  got  them  the 
boxes  were  all  broken  up  and  had  evidently  been  repacked  since  Koe- 
bele packed  them  for  shipment."  When  Mr.  Coquillett  received  them 
there  were  eight  tin  and  two  wooden  boxes;  "all  of  the  tin  boxes  were 
mashed  flat  and  their  contents  were  very  moldy."  There  was  in  them 
only  one  living  Lestophonus  and  one  of  its  parasites,  one  Coccinellid 
beetle,  and  a  Chrysopa  larva.  One  of  the  wooden  boxes  had  also  been 
broken  open.  Mr.  Klee,  writing  later,  explains  that  the  ice  in  the  ice- 
house in  which  the  boxes  were  confined  had  fallen  upon  the  packages 
and  smashed  some  or  most  of  them.  It  was  se\'eral  days  before  he 
could  obtain  them  from  the  steamer  and  the  conterrts  of  those  boxes 
which  were  partly  open  were  covered  with  mold.  He  repacked  and  for- 
warded them  as  soon  as  he  could. 

The  accident  of  the  falling  ice  was  perhaps  impossible  to  avoid, 
although  carelessness  on  the  part  of  the  steamer  hands  might  have  been 
at  the  bottom  of  it.  The  delay  on  the  part  of  the  custom-house  author- 
ities, however,  was  no  accident,  and  we  have  taken  steps  to  prevent  its 
recurrence.  The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  has  very  courteously  issued 
an  order  to  the  collector  of  the  port  at  San  Francisco  to  allow  future 
packages  to  enter  free  of  duties  and  charges,  and  to  forward  them  un- 
opened and  without  unnecessary  delay  to  Mr.  Coquillett. 


A  secondary  Icerya  Parasite.- We  were  again  disappointed,  although 
not  surprised,  to  learn  from  Mr.  Koebele's  last  letter  that  he  had  dis- 
covered a  parasite  of  the  Lestophonus  which  he  has  been  sending  to  this 
country.  It  was  rather  to  be  expected  that  the  hopeful  Dipterous  para- 
site would  have  its  enemies,  but  it  was  none  the  less  a  discouraging 
thing  to  land  tbat  there  is  one.  Mr.  Koebele  sent  a  series  of  pinned 
specimens  of  this  secondary  parasite  to  us  direct  from  Australia,  and 
Mr.  Coquillett  has  since  forwarded  a  series  which  he  secured  from  Mr. 
Koebele's  last  sending  of  the  primary  parasites.  Tbis  secondary  para- 
site is  a  very  strange  form,  and  we  hope  to  characterize  it  in  coiruection 
with  a  number  of  unpublished  Icerya  enemies  in  our  Annual  Report  for 
1888.  It  will  be  sufficient  at  this  time  to  state  that  it  is  a  new  and  re- 
markable genus  of  the  peculiar  Chalcid  subfamily  Elasmincc.  Mr. 
Koebele's  warning  concerning  this  secondary  parasite  was  received  in 
abundant  time  and  put  Mr.  Coquillett  on  his  guard  concerning  it,  and 
the  latter  has  exercised  such  care  that  at  last  account  not  one  of  them 
has  escaped  to  peri)etuate  its  kind. 


233 

Entomological  Work  at  Cornell. — Bulletin  No.  3  of  the  Agricultural  Ex- 
periment Station  at  Cornell  University  contains  three  entomological 
articles  by  Professor  Comstock  ;  the  first  ou  the  Insectary  of  Cornell 
University,  the  second  on  Preventing  the  Ravages  ot  Wire  Worms,  and 
the  third  on  the  Destruction  of  the  Plum  Curculio  by  Poisons.  The 
first  article  contains  a  description  of  the  new  building  which  has  been 
erected  by  the  experiment  station  for  work  upon  insects,  Avith  a  full- 
page  illustration  of  the  building.  The  building  contains  a  laboratory 
for  the  experimenter  and  his  artist,  a  workshop  and  a  dark  room  for 
photograph  purposes  ;  also  quarters  for  a  janitor  and  a  store-room  for 
apparatus.  In  the  basement  there  is  a  boiler  for  heating  the  building 
and  a  conservatory  with  conveniences  for  potting  plants;  a  coal  cellar 
and  a  cold-room  for  the  storage  of  hibernating  insects.  Back  of  the 
main  building,  which  is  a  two-story  cottage,  and  attached  to  it,  is  the 
conservatory,  which  is  divided  by  a  partition  into  two  rooms  each  30 
feet  in  length,  one  of  which  is  used  as  a  hot-house  and  the  other  as  a 
cold-house.  Several  new  devices  for  use  in  the  study  of  insects  are  also 
described,  the  most  important  one  being  a  root-cage  for  observing  sub- 
terranean insects.  We  have  for  many  years  hoped  to  build  such  an  in- 
sectarium  on  the  Department  grounds  to  aid  us  in  the  laboratory  work 
of  the  Division,  and  the  fact  that  plans  that  would  permit  the  realiza- 
tion of  this  wish  have  been  before  Congress  for  two  years  without  action 
very  well  illustrates  the  difficulties  in  accom])lishing  anything  of  this 
sort  at  Washington  as  compared  with  some  of  our  State  institutions. 

The  second  article  relates  the  results  of  a  series  of  experiments  in 
trapping  Wire  Worms  and  their  parent  beetles.  It  was  found  that  by 
the  baits  used — sliced  potatoes,  unsweetened  dough,  sweetened  dough, 
and  clover — many  more  mature  beetles  than  larva?  were  captured.  A 
number  of  interesting  facts  were  proved  but  the  principal  result  arrived 
at  is  that  by  the  use  of  small  bunches  of  cut  clover  (the  best  bait) 
poisoned  with  Paris  green  water  and  placed  at  intervals  through  a  corn 
field,  under  bits  of  board,  large  numbers  of  the  parent  beetles  can  be 
killed. 

Sweetened  dough,  made  of  one  part  of  sugar  to  ten  parts  corn  meal 
and  sufficient  water  to  make  a  dough,  was  found  to  be  next  in  efficacy 
to  the  clover,  although  its  attractiveness  was  considerably  less.  The 
use  of  the  clover  bait  is  the  same  idea  which  we  have  put  into  practice 
and  recommended  for  Cut  Worms,  and  doubtless,  in  view  of  Professor 
Comstock's  experiments,  the  same  trap  will  attract  both  Cut  Worms 
and  Wire  Worms.  It  is  noticeable  that  the  Click  Beetle,  second  in 
abundance  of  any  of  those  caught  in  traps,  was  Drasterius  dorsalis, 
and  it  is  worth  while  to  remark  that  our  experience  has  shown  that  this 
insect  is  quite  likely  to  be  a  beneficial  species,  feeding  in  its  larval  state, 
at  least  a  portion  of  the  time,  upon  other  insects.  Figure  11  of  the 
paper  is  unfortunately  not  named  and  can  not  be  identified  from  the 
illustration. 


234 

The  tbird  article  mentions  the  feeding  habits  of  the  adult  Plum  Cur- 
culio,  and  details  observatious  which  confirm  what  has  long  been  known 
to  some  of  us,  viz,  that  this  species  gnaws  holes  in  apples  in  August. 


THE  RED  BUG  OR  COTTON  STAINER. 

{Dysdercus  sutureUus  H.  Sclif.) 

The  damage  done  to  the  Orange  crop  in  parts  of  Florida  daring  the 
present  winter  by  this  comparatively  well-known  pest,  has  suggested 
the  desirability  of  a  general  article  upon  its  life  history  and  habits, 
which  is  herewith  presented. 

GEOGRAPHICAL  DISTRIBUTION, 

The  Cotton  Stainer  is  a  native  of  tropical  America  and  the  West  In- 
dies, but  has  long  been  known  as  an  enemy  to  the  cotton  crop  in  the 
extreme  southern  United  States.  In  the  Bahamas  during  the  period 
of  cotton  cultivation  it  was  perhaps  the  most  serious  enemy  to  the  crop. 
According  to  the  results  of  the  investigation  made  by  a  committee  of 
the  general  assembly  of  these  islands  in  1801,  this  bug  preceded  all  other 
causes  of  loss  in  the  cultivation  of  Cotton.  In  the  winter  of  ]878-'79 
Mr.  Schwarz  found  it  in  great  numbers  in  the  Bahamas,  and  considers 
it  by  far  the  greatest  enemy  to  Cotton.  On  and  in  a  single  boll  he 
counted  54  specimens,  young  and  old. 

That  the  insect  also  occurs  in  Cuba  was  proved  by  the  receipt  of 
specimens  found  on  a  cotton  plant  in  1879  in  Havana,  and  sent  to  the 
Department  by  Mr.  B.  W.  Law,  of  that  city.  We  have  no  knowledge, 
however,  of  its  occurrence  in  South  America.  It  is  not  to  be  found 
among  the  large  collections  of  insects  found  upon  the  cotton  plant  by 
Messrs.  Branner  and  Koebele  during  the  winter  of  1883-'84  at  Para, 
Marauhao,  Pernambuco,  and  Bahia,  Brazil,  although  many  other  Elete- 
ropterous  insects  were  collected  by  them  upon  Cotton.  In  Florida  Mr. 
Glover  found  the  Cotton  Stainer  prevalent  at  Ocala  and  Palatka  in 
1858,  injuring  the  cotton  plant.  In  his  report  for  1875  he  again  treats 
of  its  damage  to  Cotton,  but  up  to  that  time  it  had  not,  apparently,- 
been  reported  as  damaging  the  Orange  or  any  other  cultivated  crop. 
In  our  own  investigations  we  have  repeatedly  met  with  it  in  Florida. 

FOOD-PLANTS. 

The  Red  Bug  as  yet  damages  no  cultivated  crop  except  Cotton  and 
the  Orange.  Mr.  Hubbard  has,  however,  observed  it  feeding  upon  the 
seeds  of  certain  malvaceous  plants  which  he  was  not  able  to  determine 
specifically.  Professor  Comstock,  in  the  winter  of  1879,  found  it  upon 
a  native  species  of  Eose  Mallow  {Hibiscus  sp.),  and  also  upon  an  intro- 
duced species  which  he  calls  Hibiscus  fulgidius,  at  MaitlQ.ud,  Fla.     He 


235 

also  found  it  upon  the  leaves  of  Guava  which  were  Infested  by  a  Mealy 
Bug,  but  was  unable  to  determine  whether  the  Red  Bugs  were  feeding 
upon  the  leaves  of  the  plant  or  upon  the  sweet  excretion  of  the  Mealy 
Bug.  According  to  the  Rev.  W.  F.  Nigels,  of  Dunedin,  Fla.,  it  is  also 
found  on  what  is  there  termed  the  "  Spanish  Cocklebur,"  and  upon  the 
''Poisonous  Nightshade;"  but  this  statement  has  not  been  confirmed 
by  other  observers.* 

HABITS  AND   NATURAL  HISTORY. 

The  Egg. — We  do  not  possess  authoritative  specimens  of  the  ^gg  of 
this  insect  to  figure  and  describe,  and  this  is  particularly  unfortunate, 
as  published  accounts  of  the  Q,gg  and  method  of  oviposition  do  not 
agree.    Glover  says : 

The  eggs,  to  the  number  of  twenty  or  thirty,  are  deposited  on  the  leaves  or  stalks 
of  the  cotton-plant  (Gossi/pium). 

Professor  Oomstock,  in  his  article  previously  mentioned,  gives  the 
following  paragraph  to  the  eggs  : 

The  eggs  of  the  cotton-stainer  were  sent  to  the  Department  in  April  by  Mr.  H.  S. 
Williams,  of  Rock  Ledge,  Fla.  They  were  laid  in  a  group  of  twenty-one,  upon  the 
underside  of  an  orange  leaf.  They  were  amber-colored  and  oval  in  shape.  The 
young  bugs  made  their  exit  through  nearly  circular  holes  on  the  upper  side,  near  one 
end.  The  eggs  appear  smooth  and  glistening  to  the  naked  eye,  but  an  examination 
with  a  lens  shows  them  to  be  densely  covered  with  hexagonal  impressions. 

Mr.  Hubbard  quotes  Professor  (Jomstock's  statement,  but  is  of  the 
opinion  that  the  eggs  are  not  normally  deposited  upon  leaves.  "  In 
winter  at  least,"  he  says,  "  and  around  gin-houses,  the  eggs  are  drojDped 
loosely  in  the  sand,  and  amcmg  the  heaps  of  cotton-seed  upon  which 
the  bugs  are  feeding."  Mr.  Schwarz,  who  observed  this  insect  in  the 
Bahamas  in  the  winter  of  1878-'79,  did  not  find  the  egg's,  although,  had 
they  been  laid  upon  tbe  leaves  of  the  cotton  trees,  they  could  hardly 
have  failed  to  attract  his  notice,  owing  to  the  enormous  abundance  of 
the  insect  in  all  other  stages.  He  says  (Report  upon  Cotton  Insects, 
1879,  p.  348) : 

According  to  the  opinion  of  the  natives,  the  eggs  of  the  cotton  bug  are  deposited 
in  the  cracks  of  the  rock.  I  myself  found  a  number  of  eggs  on  the  leaf  of  a  plant 
growing  under  a  cotton  tree,  but  failed  to  rear  the  insect,  and  am  therefore  not  sure 
that  said  eggs  are  really  those  of  the  cotton  bug. 

Mr.  Schwarz  further  says  in  conversation  that  both  young  and  old 
bugs  were  swarming  in  and  out  of  the  crevices  in  the  rocks  and  that 
the  supposition  of  the  natives  above  mentioned  is  probably  correct. 

There  is  no  soil  proper  at  these  places,  the  vegetation  apparently 
growing  out  of  the  coral  rock. 

It  will  therefore  be  seen  that  the  statements  of  Glover  and  Oomstock 
are  open  to  doubt  in  view  of  the  positive  observations  of  Hubbard  and 

"  Mr.  Nigels  has  since  sent  us  specimens  of  the  "Spanish  Cocklebur,"  which  proves 
to  be  Ureua  lohata,  while  he  writes  that  the  "  Nightshade"  which  he  mentions  is 
Solan  urn  iiigrum. 


236 


the  negative  ones  of  Schwarz.  The  eggs  described  by  Comstock  are 
still  in  the  collection  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  and  a  careful 
examination  of  the  young  larvfe  which  hatched  from  them  at  once 
shows  that  they  belong  to  a  difierent  species  [cf.  Figs.  50,  e  and  51,  a). 
We  have  attempted  to  learn  to  what  species  they  really  belong,  but 
have  been  unable  to  do  so  on  account  of  the  immaturity  of  the  larvae. 
The  eggs  resemble  in  shape  and  sculpture  those  of  Metapodiusfemoratus 
and  Eutlioctha  galeator,  two  predaceous  bugs  found  upon  orange,  and 
are  intermediate  between  them  in  size,  but  the  young  bugs  differ  from 
either  of  these  species.  We  have  shown  these  eggs  and  the  young 
larvj©  which  hatched  from  them  at  Fig.  50,     One  of  the  egg-shells 

contained  within  it  an  interesting  egg- 
parasite  which  will  be  described  by 
Mr.  Howard  in  another  part  of  this 
number. 

Comstock's  statement  haviug  thus 
been  disproved,  Glover's  becomes  all 
the  more  doubtful,  and  Hubbard's  ac- 
count is  the  only  one  upon  which  we 
can  confidently  rely.  His  few  words 
of  description  of  the  egg  are  as  folio  ws : 
The  eggs  are  oval  iu  shape,  amber-colored, 
with  a  pearly  luster,  and  present,  under  the 
lens,  a  pattern  of  closely  reticulated  lines. 

The  other  preparatory  Stages. — 
Among  the  alcoholic  and  other  mate- 
rial of  the  Red  Bug  sent  to  the  De- 
partment at  different  times,  we  have 
been  able  to  distinguish  four  prepara- 
tory stages  which  undoubtedly  repre- 
sent separate  molts,  and,  from  the 
gradation  in  size,  probably  represent 
the  complete  life  of  the  insect.  They 
are  shown  at  Fig.  51,  a,  &,  and  c,  and 
Fig.  52,  a.  All  were  drawn  from  alco- 
holic specimens  except  6,  which  was  a 
dry  and  somewhat  shriveled  pinned 
specimen.  This  probably  accounts  for  the  laterally  contracted  abdomen 
of  this  drawing  as  compared  with  c.  The  color  in  all  is  bright  red,  the 
wing  pads  iu  c  and  Fig.  52,  a,  being  black,  and  the  lines  separating  the 
segments  very  light  yellow.  These  yellow  bands  are  even  more  marked 
on  the  under  side  of  the  abdomen,  while  the  most  conspicuous  marking, 
and  one  which  persists  through  all  stages,  is  the  narrow  yellow  baud 
around  the  front  border  of  the  prothorax  just  behind  the  head.  All  of 
the  legs  and  the  antenuiie  are  reddish-yellow  \\\  the  first  stage,  becom- 
ing yellowish-brown  in  tbe  second  stage,  the  tibia*  and  tarsi  darker  than 


Fig.  50.— a,  egg  taken  for  that  of  Dysdercns 
suturellus  by  Comstock,  side  view — enlarged  ; 
b,  portion  of  surface— still  more  enlarged  ;  c, 
dor.sal  view  of  same  egg ;  d,  same  with  con- 
taiued  parasite;  e,  larva  from  same — all  en- 
larged (original). 


237 

the  femora.  lu  the  tliird  aucl  fourth  stages  the  legs  aud  antenuse  are 
yellow-brown,  the  auteuuoe  darker  towards  tip,  and  the  tibiie  and  tarsi, 
particularly  those  of  the  hiud  legs,  darker  than  the  femora.     The  sizes 


Fig.  51.— Dysde)-cug mturellits :  a,  first  stage;  6,  second,  c,  third— all  enlarged  (original). 

of  the  drawings  themselves  in  Figs.  51  and  52  are  not  relative,  but  the 
length  of  the  hair  lines  will  show  the  actual  size  of  each  stage. 


Fig.  52.— Dysdereus  stiturellits :  a,  fourth  stage,  orpnpa  ;  b,  adult— both  enlarged  (original). 

The  Adult.— The  adult  bng  varies  in  length  from  10"""  to  15'^"'  (0.4  to 
0.6  inch).  The  hinder  portion  of  the  thorax  aud  the  wing-covers  varies 
from  dark  browu  to  black,  the  latter  being  crossed  with  narrow  lines  of 


238 

light  yellow,  as  shown  in  Fig.  52,  b.  The  head  and  forepart  of  the  thorax 
are  red,  varying  from  light  to  dark.  The  underside  of  the  body  is  bright 
red,  with  the  segments  outlined  by  narrow  light-yellow  bands.  The 
antennae  are  black,  as  are  also  all  tibite  and  tarsi;  the  femora  or  thighs 
are  red.  The  beak  is  red,  except  the  last  joint  which  is  black.  All  of 
these  colorational  markings  vary  considerably  in  intensity. 

Is  umber  of  Broods  and  Hibernation. — We  can  make  no  just  estimate 
of  the  number  of  annual  generations.  Wherever  the  Eed  Bug  is  ob- 
served it  is  found  in  nearly  all  stages,  and  individuals  have  never  been 
carried  through  their  life  round.  Occurring  apparently  only  in  sub- 
tropical localities,  it  breeds  steadily  all  the  year  round,  and  insects  of 
all  stages  are  to  be  found  in  December  and  January. 

WorTi  of  the  Insect  on  Cotton — The  Cotton  plant  seems  to  be  the  origi- 
nal food  of  this  species.  Mr.  Glover's  statement  concerning  its  method 
of  work  on  Cotton  is  as  follows  : 

It  draius  the  sap  fron)  the  bolls  by  its  puucture,  causing  them  to  become  diminutive 
or  abortive  ;  but  the  principal  injury  it  does  is  by  sucking  the  juices  of  the  seed  and 
boll,  and  then  voiding  an  excrementitious  liquid  which  stains  the  cotton  fiber  yellow 
or  reddish,  aud  very  much  depreciates  its  value  in  the  market,  the  staius  being  in- 
delible.    (Ann.  Eept.  Dept.  Agr.,  1858,  p.  271.) 

Of  late  years  the  damage  done  to  cotton  has  not  caused  much  com- 
plaint, aud  indeed  Florida  is  the  only  State  which  has  ever  suffered  to 
any  extent  by  the  damage  which  this  insect  does  to  this  crop. 

Work  of  the  Insect  upon  the  Orange. — Glover,  writing  upon  this  species 
as  late  as  1875.  does  not  seem  to  have  ever  known  it  to  damage  oranges, 
as  otherwise  he  would  undoubtedly  have  mentioned  this  habit.  Shortly 
thereafter,  however,  the  Red  Bug  acquired  the  habit  which  today  makes 
it  a  serious  enemy  to  the  orange  crop  in  Florida.  This  habit  was  first 
called  to  the  attention  of  this  Department  in  December,  1879,  when  Mr. 
S.  W.  Carson,  of  Fort  Meade,  Fla.,  wrote : 

I  send  you  to-day  some  bugs  which  are  excessively  injurious  to  sweet  oranges  after 
they  ripen.  The  tree  from  which  these  were  taken  had  thousands  on  it.  They  set  to 
sucking,  and  never  cease  until  the  riud  is  punctured  to  the  pulp  ;  soon  decay  sets  in, 
and  the  fruit  drops.  Scores  will  fall  off  in  twenty  four  hours.  We  are  ruined  in  the 
orange  culture  if  they  continue. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1880  Professor  Comstock,  then  Entomologist  of 
the  Department,  visited  Florida  and  paid  some  attention  to  this  insect. 
He  ascertained  that  the  principal  injury  was  done  where  cotton  was 
planted  in  close  proximity  to  orange  trees,  and  learned  of  one  instance 
where  cotton  was  i)lanted  between  the  rows  of  orange  trees  with  the 
result  that  nine-tenths  of  the  oranges  were  destroyed.  As  Mr.  Hub- 
bard's Report  upon  Insects  affecting  the  Orange  is  out  of  print  we  may 
quote  his  excellent  general  remarks  on  the  damage  to  Orange: 

In  January  and  February,  if  the  weather  is  mild,  the  Red  Bugs  desert  the  fields 
where  they  have  lingered  upou  the  dead  trash  and  waste  of  the  cotton,  and  suddenly 
make  their  appearance  in  the  orage  groves.  Usually  this  takes  place  only  in  groves 
adjoining  fields  that  have  been  planted  in  cotton  ;  but,  as  they  are  strong  fliers,  the 


239 

bugs  not  unfrequeutly  migrate  in  considerable  numbers  to  a  distance  even  jf  several 
miles. 

At  first,  only  adults  are  seen  ;  these  at  once  attack  the  fruit  upon  the  trees.  A 
■week  or  ten  days  later,  tbe  wingless  young  appear,  always  upon  the  ground,  cluster- 
ing upon  tbe  fallen  fruit.  If  tbe  trees  are  not  stripped  and  tbe  fruit  harvested 
before  tbe  young  brood  become  adult  and  acquire  wings,  the  entire  crop  will  be  lost. 
Even  the  packing- house  is  not  safe  from  invasion,  and  fruit  is  apt  to  be  destroyed 
after  it  has  been  gathered  and  stored  in  the  bins. 

In  puncturing  the  orange,  the  bugs  insert  their  slender  sucking  beak,  often  its  en- 
tire length,  and  although  the  oil  of  the  rind  forms  their  principal  food,  they  never- 
theless frequently  regale  themselves  with  draughts  of  juice  from  ^he  pulp  withiu, 
and  are  sometimes  seen  to  suck  the  juices  from  the  surface  of  split  or  injured  fruit, 
tapping  it  with  the  tips  of  their  probosces,  after  the  manner  of  flies. 

The  sucking-tube,  having  the  fineness  of  a  hair,  leaves  no  visible  wound  upon  the 
outside  of  tbe  fruit,  and  within,  no  indication  of  its  j)assage.  An  orange  which  has 
been  attacked  therefore  shows  no  outward  sign  of  injury;  nevertheless,  a  single 
puncture  causes  it  to  drop  in  a  few  hours  from  the  tree,  and  to  decay  in  one  or  two 
days. 

It  is  quite  useless  to  pack  for  shipment  to  a  distance  the  fruit  from  a  grove  which 
is  attacked  by  Red  Bugs,  since  the  unsound  fruit  decays  in  the  packages  and  soon 
ruins  the  whole. 

During  November  and  December,  1888,  damage  of  this  character  was 
reported  from  Florida.  Mr.  A.  L.  Duucau,  of  DunediD,  Hillsborough 
County,  wrote  under  date  of  November  8,  stating  that  it  had  recently 
appeared  in  great  numbers  in  his  vicinity,  but  that  it  was  conflued  to 
a  few  trees.  A  subsequent  letter  (November  22)  from  the  same  gentle- 
man stated  that  there  is  no  cotton  grown  in  his  neighborhood,  "  or  at 
least  very  little,"  and  that  the  bug  was  spreading  through  most  of  the 
groves  up  and  down  the  coast.  Under  date  of  January  2  he  again 
wrote  that  the  damage  had  ceased  and  that  the  bugs  had  almost  en- 
tirely disappeared.  Eev.  William  F.  Nigels,  of  the  same  place,  writ- 
ing to  the  Florida  Farmer  and  Fruit-Grower,  December  10,  makes  sev- 
eral statements  which  are  of  considerable  interest.  His  letter,  a  copy 
of  which  was  forwarded  to  us  by  Prof.  Curtiss,  the  editor  of  the  Farmer 
and  Fruit-Grower,  is  as  follows  : 

A  new  enemy  to  the  orange  is  giving  trouble  to  the  orange  growers  of  this  penin- 
sula ;  it  is  the  old-time  cotton  bug,  the  insect  that  stains  the  cotton  in  the  boll,  which 
gives  it  a  yellowish  color  and  hence  lessens  its  market  value.  A  fcAv  years  ago  this 
insect  was  known  to  exist  in  two  orange  groves  about  7  miles  from  here,  in  one  of  which 
the  fruit  was  nearly  all  destroyed  by  it,  and  it  seemed  to  have  disappeared.  A  month 
ago,  however,  it  reappeared  in  great  numbers  in  different  localities,  and  it  seemed  to 
attack  the  orange  trees  at  once.  As  no  cotton  has  been  raised  here  for  a  number  of 
years,  it  is  difficult  to  account  for  its  sudden  appearance  and  in  such  uumbers.  My 
own  trees  have  been,  thus  far,  singularly  exempt  from  its  ravages,  although  I  have 
trees  in  three  different  fields,  while  the  insect  exists  in  several  surrounding  groves. 

I  have  occasionally,  heretofore,  found  a  few,  both  young  and  old,  among  dead 
weeds,  in  fence  corners,  and  where  trash  had  accumulated;  but  I  always  destroyed 
every  one  I  could  find,  knowing  that  they  did  no  apparent  good  and  might  do  evil; 
and  to  this  precaution  and  care  may  be  due  its  absence  from  my  trees.  From  limited 
observation,  I  judge  that  its  habitat  is  not  at  all  peculiar  ;  as  already  stated,  it  can 
live  anywhere  and  on  anything,  and  survive  our  light  frosts.     1  have  found  it  mostly 


240 

on  what  is  termed  here  the  Spanish  cocklebnr,  but  I  have  seen  it  also  ou  the  poison- 
ous nightshade.  Its  modest  taste  seems  to  have  changed  of  late,  and  it  has  found  the 
rich  juice  of  the  orauge  more  palatable  than  juices  of  wild  and  noxious  weeds;  with 
its  long  proboscis  it  pierces  the  rind  of  the  orange  and  sucks  its  sweets  until  satiated, 
and  every  orange  thus  punctured  falls  to  the  ground  within  three  or  four  days.  I 
have  seen  every  orauge  from  a  full  tree  on  the  ground,  the  result  of  the  voracious 
enemy.  Five  hundred  or  more  of  the  insects  can  be  seen  on  one  tree,  and  a  dozen  ou 
one  orange.     The  loss  to  the  grove  mentioned  above  amounted  to  $500. 

The  question  is,  is  there  a  limit  to  its  depredations  and  can  it  be  exterminated  ? 

A  brief  history  of  its  habits,  with  directions  how  to  destroy  it,  would  be  very  timely 
aud  prevent  much  loss. 

This  orange-feeding  habit  is  then  a  temporary  one  iu  that  it  is  in- 
dulged in  only  while  the  oranges  are  ripening  and  just  before  picking. 
During  the  rest  of  the  year  it  must  feed  upon  some  other  food-planf, 
and  if  not  upon  cotton,  probably  upon  some  malvaceous  plant  allied  to 
it.  The  statement  of  Eev.  W.  F.  Nigels,  quoted  under  the  section  Food- 
plants,  would  indicate  that  it  breeds  npon  other  wild  plants,  but  here 
there  arises  a  possibility  that  Mr.  Nigels  has  mistaken  some  other  al- 
lied insect  for  the  Red  Bug. 

REMEDIES. 

It  is  very  important  that  the  most  careful  observations  should  be 
made  in  the  neighborhood  of  orange  groves  subject  to  the  attacks  of 
this  insect  upon  the  food-i)lants  other  than  cotton,  upon  which  it  sub- 
sists during  the  season  prior  to  its  migration  to  the  orange. 

Up  to  the  present  year  the  orange  crop  seems  to  have  been  only  oc- 
casionally damaged,  and  this  is  evidently  only  when  the  bugs  have  euor- 
mousl}^  increased  during  a  favorable  season  upon  their  more  normal 
food.  These  food-plants  once  discovered  for  a  given  locality,  a  slight 
examination  every  year  will  indicate  whether  the  bugs  are  increasing 
unduly,  and  if  this  is  found  to  be  the  case,  they  can  be  destroyed  iu 
time  to  prevent  the  winter  damage  to  oranges.  Where  cotton  is  grown 
near  (within  a  few  miles  of)  the  grove,  the  probabilities  are  that  the 
bugs  will  have  migrated  from  the  cotton  fields  after  picking,  and  in  such 
case,  and  when  the  bugs  seem  particularly  abundant,  it  will  pay  the 
neighboring  orange  growers  to  procure  the  spraying  of  the  cotton 
fields  with  a  kerosene  emulsion.  Where  there  is  absolutely  no  cotton 
in  the  neighborhood,  wild  malvaceous  plants  shoitld  be  watched,  and 
observers  should  search  for  whatever  other  wild  plants  form  the  food 
of  the  bugs.  If  this  suggestion  is  followed  out  the  damage  done  to  or- 
anges will  undoubtedly  be  greatly  lessened. 

When  the  oranges  are  actually  being  attacked,  it  is  difficult  to  fight 
the  insects.  Mr.  Duncan,  in  his  letter  of  November  22,  statedthat  one  of 
his  neighbors,  upon  the  first  appearance  of  bugs  upon  his  trees,  secured 
a  spraying  outfit  and  a  quantity  of  the  Hubbard  kerosene  emulsion  aud 
went  to  work,  but  gave  it  up  in  two  days.  The  emulsion  killed  the 
bugs  but  others  kept  coming  in,  and  it  was  impracticable  to  continu- 


241 

ally  spray  the  trees.  He  therefore  picked  the  fruit  as  the  only  remedy. 
The  same  difficulty— that  the  bugs  are  continually  flying  to  the 
groves — will  oi^erate  against  any  remedy  which  may  be  tried  at  this 
time.  The  only  remedy  previously  published  we  may  quote  from  Mr. 
Hubbard  : 

As  was  long  ago  suggested  by  Mr.  Glo\er,  in  his  report  above  mentioned,  the  bugs 
may  be  attracted  to  small  heaps  of  sugar-cane  trash  with  which  Paris  green  or  some 
other  poison  should  be  mixed  ;  or  the  bugs,  when  collected  upon  piles  of  cotton-seed 
in  winter,  may  be  destroyed  by  drenching  them  with  boiling  hot  water.  The  expe- 
rience of  several  cotton  jilauters  with  this  last  method  has  shown  it  to  be  practica- 
ble, bnt  to  be  effective  it  must  be  thoroughly  carried  out.  As  the  eggs  can  not  all  be 
reached  and  destroyed  by  hot  water,  the  operation  needs  to  be  repeated  several  times 
at  such  frequent  intervals  that  the  bugs  are  not  allowed  to  reach  maturity  and  deposit 
fresh  eggs. 

In  the  orange  grove  effective  traps  may  be  mwde  with  refuse  oranges,  orange  peel, 
etc.,  and  the  bugs,  when  thus  collected,  may  be  destroj-ed  with  the  kerosene  washes 
used  for  Scale  insects.  The  kerosene  solutions  will  also  be  more  effective  than  hot 
water  in  reaching  and  killing  the  eggs. 

As  Mr.  Hubbard  further  states,  the  cultivation  of  cotton  through  the 
orange-growing  district  of  Florida  is  for  many  other  reasons  likely  to 
diminish  rather  than  to  increase,  and  with  the  abandonment  of  this 
cultivation  we  may  expect  the  Red  Bug  to  do  less  and  less  damage  to 
oranges,  if  not  to  disappear  entirely  as  an  orange  pest,  unless  (and  this 
is  not  over  likely  to  happen)  it  should  breed  extensively  upon  some 
wild  plant. 

OAN   THE   RED   BUG  BE   USED  AS  A  DYE? 

In  the  old  days  of  expensive  dye  substances  it  was  thought  from  the 
brilliant  red  color  of  these  bugs  that  they  could  be  used  for  some  such 
purpose.  Accordingly  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  of  Boston,  was  sent  a 
number  of  these  bugs  in  1858  from  this  Department  (then  a  bureau  of 
the  Patent  Ofiice),  and  from  his  report,  published  in  the  Annual  Eeport 
for  that  year,  it  appears  that  the  whole  substance  of  the  insect  could 
be  converted  into  a  rich  orange-yellow  dye  which  could  be  readily  fixed 
upon  woolens  or  silks  by  the  alum-mordant  liquor.  He  also  found  that 
an  ochreous  yellow-lake  could  be  made  from  them  by  precipitating  the 
coloring  matter  with  gelatinous  alumina. 


A  PARASITE  OF  THE  SUPPOSED   EGGS  OF  THE  COTTON  STAINER. 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

In  the  article  just  preceding  this  parasite  is  mentioned  and  at  Fig.  50 
is  shown  one  of  the  eggs  which  was  so  transparent  that  the  contained 
parasite  could  be  quite  plainly  seen.  Carefully  removing  the  egg-shell 
the  parasites  were  found  to  be  adults  and  in  such  perfect  condition — 
evidently  just  ready  to  issue — that  the  following  description  was  drawn 


242 

up  from  them  and  the  accompanying  drawing  prepared.  There  is  some 
little  doubt  as  to  the  length  of  the  wings,  for  they  were,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  closely  folded  and  not  fully  developed.  The  venation,  however, 
could  be  easily  observed.  The  only  other  species  of  the  genus  reared 
in  this  country  is  H.  lejytocorlsw,  which  Mr.  Hubbard  reared  from  the 
eggs  of  Leptocorisa  tijndoides,  a  predaceous  bug  found  commonly  on  the 
Orange  in  Florida. 


Fig.  5Z—nadronotus  rugosus  Howard— enlarged  (original). 

HADRONOTUS   RUGOSUS   sp.  nov. 

Female. — Leugtli  1.8  "'™.  Expanse  cau  not  be  measured,  as  the  wiugs  of  the  speci- 
mens examined  have  not  expanded.  AntennsB  arise  immediately  above  the  mouth; 
scape  reaches  nearly  to  anterior  ocellus;  pedicel  sub-cylindrical,  as  long  as  first  funi- 
cle  joint;  funicle  joints  increasing  regularly  in  width  from  joint  1  to  basal  joint  of 
club;  joint  1  of  funicle  twice  as  long  as  joints,  the  remaining  joints  sub-equal  in 
length  ;  joint  2  of  club  equal  to  joint  1 ;  joint  3  longer  than  2  and  pointed.  Head 
and  face  closely,  deeply,  and  regularly  punctate  ;  facial  impression  shallow,  with 
transverse  punctures  and  with  a  distinct  central  longitudinal  carina.  Mesouotum 
strongly  punctuate,  the  punctures  of  the  scutum  assuming  a  longitudinal  direction. 
Dorsal  surface  of  abdomen  strongly  longitudinally  rugose,  each  joint  smooth  at  ex- 
treme base  and  apex,  the  rugosities  strongest  upon  joint  1,  growing  slightly  fainter 
on  succeeding  joints  ;  joints  2  longest,  joints  1  and  3  slightly  shorter  ;  venter  of  ab- 
domen witli  well-marked  circular  punctures.  Entire  surface  of  body  with  very 
sparse  whitish  pilosity.  General  color  black ;  mouth  parts,  antennte,  and  legs  honey 
yellow,  except  that  the  front  coxa?,  antenual  club  and  pedicel,  and  first  two  funicle 
joints  above  are  brownish.  The  wings  can  not  be  well  studied,  but  seem  typical  of 
the  genus,  and  as  in  H.  leptocorisa;  Howard. 

Described  from  3  9  specimens  {$  unknown)  dissected  from  eggs  of 
Heteropteron,  found  on  Orange  by  H.  S.  Williams,  Rock  Ledge,  Fla.,  in 
April,  1880,  and  supposed  by  Professor  Comstock  to  be  those  of 
Dysdercus  suturellus. 


243 


INSECTICIDE  APPLIANCES. 

MODIFICATIONS  OF  THE  BILEF  OF  CYCLONE  NOZZLE. 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

We  have  for  some  time  been  at  work  on  a  Bulletiu  on  Insecticides 
and  Insecticide  Appliances,  in  the  preparation  of  which  we  have  had 
the  assistance  of  Mr.  W.  B.  Alwood,  who,  as  we  announced  in  the  last 
number,  has  accepted  a  position  in  the  Virginia  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Station  at  Blacksburgb.  There  is  no  certainty  as  to  when  this 
Bulletin  will  be  published,  and  as  we  are  informed  that  the  condition 
of  the  printing  fund  will  probably  not  justify  its  publication  during  this 
fiscal  year  we  have  decided  to  extract  portions  of  it  in  advance  for  the 
pages  of  Insect  Life.  The  inquiries  which  come  to  us  for  information 
upon  the  subject  of  the  Cyclone  or  Eddy-chamber  Nozzle,  whether  as 
to  the  principles  of  its  construction  or  as  to  where  it  can  be  obtained, 
have  induced  us  to  take  this  up  first,  and  in  this  article  it  will  be  our 
endeavor  to  give  a  clear  and  simple  exposition  of  its  features  that  will 
permit  any  good  machinist  to  construct  it. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  emphasize  the  fact  here  that  this  invention  is 
public  property,  being  an  outgrowth  of  our  work  for  the  Government, 
and  that  all  patent  claims  involving  the  principle  may  be  ignored  by 
the  public.  Since  the  publication  of  our  Fourth  Eeport  of  the  United 
States  Entomological  Commission  some  important  modifications  have 
been  perfected,  especially  abroad,  and  it  is  to  these  that  we  desire  to 
call  more  particular  attention.  While  the  terms  "  Cyclone  "  or  "  Eddy- 
chamber  "  apply  to  the  whole  class  of  nozzles  constructed  on  the  same 
principle,  it  has  become  necessary  to  designate  some  of  the  modifications 
by  specific  names.  Usually  they  have -been  given  the  name  of  the  indi- 
vidual who  devised  the  modification,  and,  following  this  rule,  the  ordi- 
nary and  original  form  which  we  have  adopted  in  this  country  should 
be  known  as  the  "  Riley  Nozzle,"  by  which  term  it  is  already  exclu- 
sively known  abroad  and  which  it  is  desirable  to  adopt  for  the  sake  of 
clearness  of  statement. 

THE   TYPICAL   RILEY  NOZZLE. 

As  adopted  for  our  work  this  form  is  illustrated  at  fig.  54,  which 
shows  the  general  appearance  and  detail  of  structure,  with  also  an 
outline  drawing  of  an  angle-faced  chamber. 

At  A  is  shown  the  typical  small-stemmed  nozzle  with  the  screw- 
cap  c  above  the  chamber  a  as  it  appears  when  removed  from  the 
chamber.  The  circular  body  of  this  cap  is  chambered  out  inside 
and  screws  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  chamber  a,  the  orifice  d  com- 
ing in  juxtaposition  with  the  orifice  e,  shown  in  the  section  at  B,  in 


244 

the  wall  of  this  chamber.  These  parts  must  meet  accurately  when 
lid  is  screwed  down  or  the  working  of  the  nozzle  is  interfered  with. 
To  overcome  this  somewhat,  a  transverse  slotted  opening  is  sometimes 
made  at  d.  Most  of  the  French  modifications  make  the  cap  to  screw 
over  the  outside,  but  this  necessarily  increases  the  vertical  depth  of  the 
chamber  and  considerably  alters  the  character  of  the  spray,  tending  to 
make  it  coarser,  but  at  the  same  time  to  give  it  greater  propulsive  force 
in  a  direct  liuefrom  the  discharge  orifice. 


Fig.  54— The  Eiley  or  Cyclone  nozzle. 


For  a  fine  mist  of  spreading  spray  the  best  results  are  obtained  with 
a  shallow  chamber  like  the  one  shown.  The  face  of  the  cap  should  be 
of  fairly  heavy  metal,  countersunk  on  the  exterior  surface,  leaving  but 
a  thin  plate  of  metal  at  the  orifice  of  exit.  The  inner  surface  should 
never  be  countersunk  around  this  orifice,  as  is  often  done  by  manufact- 
urers. The  section  at  B  shows  the  construction  of  the  stem  and  cham- 
ber and  the  tangential  entrance  orifice  at  the  bottom  of  the  chamber. 
Ate  is  shown  a  view  of  the  upper  surface  of  the  cap  c,  and  also  an  out- 
line drawing  of  a  chamber  placed  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees  with  the 
stem.  This  last  is  an  important  modification,  especially  when  spray- 
ing overhead,  as  by  slightly  inclining  the  supporting-rod  the  spray  can 
be  delivered  upward  in  a  nearly  vertical  direction. 

The  size  of  the  stem  is  merely  a  matter  of  convenience  to  suit  the  de- 
sire of  the  user.  In  the  work  of  the  Division  this  has  been  made  of 
suitable  size  to  insert  in  five-sixteenths  or  one-quarter-inch  rubber  tubing, 
as  we  found  these  the  most  convenient  sizes  of  discharge-pipe  to  use. 
A  wire  wrapped  tightly  around  the  tube  over  the  stem  makes  a  per- 
fectly tight  joint  and  answers  all  purposes. 

Of  late,  however,  when  it  has  become  desirable  to  use  the  different 
sizes  and  styles  of  nozzles  for  the  many  and  varied  purposes  to  which 
spray  machinery  is  now  put,  we  have  used  a  stem  carrying  a  female 
screw  of  the  size  to  fit  a  three-eighthsinch  nipple.  This  nipple  is  made 
with  a  stem  to  insert  in  the  size  of  the  discharge  pipe  which  it  is  de- 
signed to  use,  and  a  slight  shoulder  permits  of  more  secure  fastening 


245 

of  the  rubber  by  wire,  which  is  very  desirable  to  prevent  discouuection 
when  great  force  is  used  for  finer  sprays. 

A  discharge  orifice  of  about  one  sixty-fourth  inch  (0.4"'")  is  the  proper 
size  for  producing  a  very  fine  spray,  while  for  the  coarser  sprays  one- 
sixteenth  inch  is  commonly  used.  Between  these  two  dimensions  vari- 
able volume  to  suit  most  purposes  will  be  obtained.  For  heavy  sus- 
pension or  clogging  mixtures  the  orifice  may  be  still  larger. 

The  Eiley  nozzles  are  manufactured,  under  contract,  for  dealers  by 
Thomas  Somerville  &  Sons,  proprietors  of  the  ISational  Brass  Works, 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  by  Woodin  &  Little,  509  and  511  Market  street, 
San  Francisco,  Cal.  The  Noel  modification  is  manufactured  by  the 
firm  of  Noel,  Paris,  France,  and  the  Vermorel,  by  V.  Yermorel,  Ville- 
franche,  sur  Rhone,  France.  In  New  Zealand  it  is  manufactured  and 
sold  by  Kutzner  Brothers,  brassmakers,  Masterton,  New  Zealand. 
This  firm  advertise  it  as  the  "American  Cyclone  Nozzle"  and  make  it 
single  and  in  triplets. 

MODIFICATIONS   OF   THE  EDDY-CHAMBER    SYSTEM  OF  NOZZLES  IN  THE 
UNITED   STATES. 

But  one  modification  of  sufficient  importance  to  merit  attention  has 
appeared  in  this  country,  viz  : 

The  Universal  Spray-tip.— This  nozzle  is  the  invention  of  John  Crofton 
and  L.  D.  Green,  of  Walnut  Grove,  Cal.,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for 
samples  and  for  an  exhibition  of  its  working  while  in  San  Francisco 
two  years  since.     The  illustration  (Fig.  55)  shows  its  general  features. 


lllllljl 

Ui\  i 

^fm 

I'll" 

m  ' 

m 

m 

Fig.  55.— The  Universal  Spray-tip  (original). 

It  is  shown  entire  at  A,  and  is  in  general  form  similiar  to  a  water  cock. 
The  outer  or  distal  end  of  the  nozzle  is  shown  at  B  and  the  plug  at  C, 
The  si)herical  body  of  the  nozzle  has  on  its  outer  surface  two  counter- 
sunk depressions,  c  and  d,  and  at  the  bottom  of  each  is  a  small  circular 
opening  communicating  with  the  orifice  in  which  is  inserted  the  plug  C. 
15GS8— No.  8 2 


246 

It  has,  also,  a  larger,  straiglit  orifice,  a,  which  communicates  with  the 
center  orifice. 

The  plug  C  has  two  cavities  drilled  into  the  body  on  adjacent  quar- 
ters, and  connected  by  a  small  orifice  which  passes  from  the  shallower 
cavity  tangentially  into  the  base  of  the  deeper  one.  This  will  be 
better  understood  by  reference  to  Fig.  56,  in  which  is  shown  a  sec- 
tion through  the  center  of  the  nozzle.  This  cut  represents  the  water 
entering  the  shallow  cavity  in  the  body  of  the  plug  &  passing  through  the 
cavity  e  and  issuing  at  c.  By  turning  the 
'^_.._^  plug  rightward,  as  indicated  by  the  dot- 

/^^M^  ^N_> ^^-^  ^^^^1  the  discharge  can  be  delivered  at 

*■     -"'     '^  .,*mt.innifKifj      fj     Th US  it  discharges  sidewisc  or  Straight 

ahead,  at  the  will  of  the  operator.    By  turn- 
ing the  plug  leftward  from  the  position 
shown  in  the  cut,  the  discharge  will  be  re- 
versed and  delivered  at  a,  which  is  a  larger 
"""""riJS""' '''"'■*'''    sti-aight  orifice  and  permits  the  washing 
out  of  any  sediment  or  obstruction.  When 
turned  half  way  around  rightward  from  the  position  shown  in  the  cut, 
the  nozzle  is  closed. 

FOREIGN   MODIFICATIONS   OF   THE   RILEY  NOZZLE. 

Foreign  modifications  of  the  Kiley  nozzle  are  numerous,  but  mostly 
of  slight  practical  value.  Many  of  them,  and  especially  the  more  im- 
portant, were  exhibited  at  the  International  Exposition  and  Con- 
ress  held  at  Conegliano,  Italy,  March,  188G.  As  a  matter  of  gen- 
eral information  to  American  farmers  and  fruit-growers  we  quote 
freely  from  the  report  of  Dr.  V.  Alpe  on  this  exposition,  made  to  the 
minister  of  agriculture,  industry,  and  commerce  of  Italy,  printed  at 
Eome,  1887. 

Doctor  Alpe  discusses  principally  the  use  of  lime-water  as  a  fungi- 
cide and  the  various  nozzles  by  which  it  is  applied ;  also  the  most  im- 
portant pumps,  etc. 

The  following  quotation  (omitting  some  over  complimentary  allusions) 
is  from  pp.  31-35  of  the  report.  Dr.  Alpe  has,  in  this,  quoted  largely 
from  Professor  Cettalini's  paper  on  the  exhibit : 

Oue  of  the  most  importaut  points  in  apparatus  for  the  application  of  lime-water  is 
that  which  relates  to  the  atomizer. 

The  exhibitors  at  the  exposition  in  Conegliano  did  not  neglect  this  essential  element, 
and  although  oue  can  not  say  that  there  were  presented  any  very  importaut  novelties 
or  solutions  of  the  problem,  which  were  iu  every  respect  perfect,  nevertheless  there 
was  no  lack  of  interesting  matter.  The  typical  fundamental  atomizer  is  that  of  Riley 
*  *  *  brought  to  our  notice  some  years  since.  The  atomizers  presented  at  our 
exhibitions  were  all  more  or  less  eifective  modiiicatious  of  the  Riley  atomizer.  As  is 
well  known,  this  consists  of  a  cylindrical  box,  in  bronze  or  other  metal,  of  varying 
interior  diameter,  closed  by  an  empty  crystalline-lens-shaped  stopper  constructed 


247 

of  the  same  uuetal,  the  center  of  the  stopper  having  an  aperture  of  1.5  millimeters, 
slightly  conical,  with  the  base  greater  towards  the  exterior. 

At  the  base  of  this  cylindrical  box  there  is  an  aperture  whose  axis  is  in  the  direc- 
tion of  a  tangent  to  the  concave  surface  of  the  cylinder.  This  aperture  communi- 
cates with  a  pump  by  means  of  an  India-rubber  lube,  which  is  the  distributor.  The 
liquid  enters  the  cylinder  with  great  velocity,  there  existing  a  great  diflereuce  in 
diameter  between  the  distributing  tube  and  the  receiving  aperture.  By  the  tangen- 
tial position  of  this  aperture  tbe  liquid  is  forced  to  whirl  in  the  cj'linder,  assuming 
a  rapid  rotary  motion.  When  the  liquid  has  filled  the  cylinder  it  is  forced  to  pass 
out  by  the  upper  aperture.  The  molecules  of  the  liquid,  continuing  tbis  rapid  cir- 
cular movement  until  the  exit  is  reached,  are  thrown  by  centrifugal  force  first  upon 
the  surface  of  the  conical  aperture  and  afterwards  into  the  outer  air  by  combined 
forces  of  projecting  and  rotary  motion.  When  the  spirals  have  reached  such  a  size 
as  to  overcome  the  molecular  attraction  of  the  liquid  they  are  subdivided  into  mi- 
nute particles  forming  a  mist  or  spray  of  extreme  fineness. 

Dr.  Aljie  follows  with  a  lengthy  discussion  as  to  the  availability  of 
the  Riley  nozzle  for  spraying  lime  water,  and  concludes  that  from  the 
nature  of  the  small  exit  aperture  they  are  not  suited  to  this  work. 

Professor  Scribner,  while  mycologist  of  this  Department,  found,  how- 
ever, that  the  Yermorel  modification  of  the  Eiley  nozzle  (which  will  be 
spoken  of  at  greater  length  further  on)  is  the  only  nozzle  he  can  use 
successfully  in  applying  lime-water. 

Continuing,  Dr.  Alpe  speaks  of  the  more  important  modifications  of 
this  nozzle  which  were  shown  at  the  exposition,  as  follows : 

In  truth,  Vermorel,  who  now  constructs  the  Riley  atomizer  in  France,  has  endeav- 
ored to  find  a  remedy  by  enlarging  the  aperture  of  exit  as  much  as  the  peculiarities 
of  the  construction  will  admit. 

From  this  it  is  easily  imagined  that  various  persons  have  thought  of  modifying 
the  original  apparatus  of  Eiley,  and  among  the  most  noted  modifications  aud 
which  deviate  less  from  the  primitive  type,  and  which  we  saw  at  the  exposition, 
are  those  of  Ronfini,  of  Venturini,  of  Barnabe,  of  Savoia,  of  Professor  Giordano,  aud 
of  Noel. 

The  first  content  themselves  with  slight  modifications,  while  the  latter  introduce 
much  more  radical  changes.  Ronfini  modified  the  Riley  atomizer  more  in  the  form 
than  in  the  essential  parts,  but  Venturini  has  rendered  it  much  better  adapted  to  the 
use  of  hydrate  of  lime  ;  not  only  enlarging  the  circumference,  but  at  the  same  time 
furnishing  the  lower  base  with  a  regulator  by  means  of  which  the  jet  may  be  made 
to  bear  a  greater  or  less  atomizing,  according  to  necessity.  Barnabe,  instead  of  this, 
contrived  to  avoid  the  clogging  of  solid  material  by  attaching  a  screw  to  the  lower 
opening  in  such  a  manner  that  it  cau  be  opened  and  closed  in  an  instant,  causing  the 
substance  which  impeded  the  regular  functions  of  the  apparatus  to  fall  of  itself,  pushed 
by  the  liquid  which  continues  to  flow. 

Savoia  placed  the  air-chamber  higher,  and  in  the  wall  of  the  receiving-cylinder 
fixed  four  blades,  which,  arranged  one  above  the  other,  forced  the  liquid,  which 
rushed  from  a  small  lateral  aperture,  to  strike  successively  from  one  to  the  other, 
revolving  twice.  More  reasonable  aud  better  adapted  to  the  apparent  object  is  the 
Giordano  atomizer.  This,  as  usual,  is  formed  of  a  chamber  placed  immediately  above 
the  place  of  exit  for  the  liquid  from  the  pump,  which  is  furnished  with  a  thin,  mov- 
able plate  of  metal  about  half  way  up,  having  four  apertures  of  sufficient  extent  placed 
at  an  angle  of  45  degrees.  The  solution  then  strikes  against  the  metal  valve  before 
mentioned,  divides  itself  into  four  parts,  and  these  four  jets  then  reunite,  striking 
one  against  the  other,  rush  violently  into  the  upper  part  of  the  apparatus,  there 


248 

again  uniting  they  escape  to  the  exterior,  forming  a  cone  of  liquid  much  more  ex- 
tended than  that  which  can  be  obtained  by  the  Kiley  atomizer. 

We  have  long  employed  this,  and  have  found  it  really  good,  naturally  under  such 
conditions  as  vre  shall  see  further  on.     [Pages  36-37  of  report  above  mentioned.] 

Dr.  Alpe  continues,  quotiuff  Professor  Cettolini  as  to  the  various  otber 
styles  of  uozzles  sbowu  at  the  exposition,  and  concludes  the  discussion 
of  nozzles  by  indorsiug  Professor  Cettolini's  views,  that  a  simple  rub- 
ber tip,  which  can  be  compressed  and  deflexed  by  a  spring,  so  as  to 
regulate  the  amount  and  direction  of  the  spray,  is  superior,  at  least  for 
spraying  lime  solutions,  to  the  metal  nozzles. 

The  more  important  modiflcatious  brought  out  in  France  and  alluded 
to  in  the  above  extract  may  now  be  treated  at  greater  length  in  connec- 
tion with  drawings  of  each. 

The  Noel  Nozzle. — The  Noel  nozzle,  as  made  by  the  firm  of  Noel,  Paris, 
is  shown  at  Fig.  57.  It  is  constructed  on  essentially  the  same  princi- 
ple as  the  Riley  nozzle,  excei)t  that  the  upper  parts  of  the  chamber  and 
the  discharge  orifice  are  somewhat  modified. 

The  circular  chamber  is  abruptly  widened  at  the  top,  making  in  fact  a 
separate  chamber  of  larger  diameter  superadded  to  the  lower  chamber. 
On  the  shoulder  thus  formed  rests  a  circular  disk,  f/,  fiat  or  slightly 
concave  below,  and  which  plays  up  and  down  between  the  shoulder 
and  removable  cap  c,  which  closes  the  end  of  the  upper  chamber,  a 
space  of  about  three  sixteenths  of  an  inch.  The  center  of  this  disk  is 
pierced  with  an  opening,  as  in  the  Riley,  and  the  upper  surface  is  built 
up  around  this  orifice,  both  from  its  outer  circumference  and  the  edge  of 
the  central  orifice,  into  a  rim  surrounding  a  conical  depression  in   the 


Fig.  57.— The  Noel  nozzle  (original). 


center  of  the  disk  This  rim,  when  the  valve  like  disk  is  raised,  pro- 
trudes through  the  face  of  the  removable  cap,  and  when  lowered  is 
nearly  on  a  level  with  its  outer  surface. 

The  liquid  on  entering  the  chamber  first  issues  from  the  central  ori- 
fice, exactly  as  in  the  Riley  type,  and  is  diii'used  in  a  diverging  cone- 
shaped  spray,  but  the  pressure  of  the  whirling  liquid  rising  into  the 
upper  chamber  forces  itself  around  the  valve-like  disk  ^7,  and  depress- 
ing it,  partially  issues  around  the  outer  rim  of  the  disk  in  a  converging 
cone  of  spray,  thus  interfering  with  the  discharge  from  the  central 
orifice.     It  is  claimed  this  tends  to  greater  diffusion  and  admits  of  the 


249 

passage  of  a  larger  quantity  of  liquid.  The  nozzle  is  shown  entire  at 
rt,  and  in  section  at  b  ;  c  is  the  removable  cap,  d  the  moveable  disk  in 
the  upper  chamber,  and  e  the  tangential  inlet.  This  form  of  nozzle  was 
commended  by  the  judges  at  the  exposition  of  which  we  have  i)reviously 
spoken,  but  in  our  practice  we  have  found  it  much  inferior  to  the  stand- 
ard Riley  nozzle. 

{To  be  continued.) 


EARLY  OCCURRENCE    OF  THE  CHINCH  BUG  IN  THE  MISSISSIPPI 

VALLEY. 

By  S.  A.  Forbes. 

The  earliest  record  of  the  occurrence  of  the  Chinch  Bug  in  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi  does  not  antedate  1840,  at  which  time  this  insect  had 
become  sufficiently  numerous  in  Tazewell  County,  on  the  Illinois  Eiver, 
to  attract  attention.  I  was  consequently  peculiarly  interested  by  in- 
formation received  last  winter  from  W.  T.  Shelby,  Esq.,  a  police  magis- 
trate and  notary  public  of  Olney,  111.,  to  the  effect  that  he  personally 
remembered  the  destruction  of  a  field  of  corn  in  1828,  on  his  father's 
farm,  opened  up  to  cultivation  about  181G,  7  miles  north  of  Albion,  the 
county  seat  of  Edwards  County. 

Mr.  Shelby  has  lately  written  me  upon  this  point  as  follows : 
Chinch  Buo's  appeared  in  Edwards  County,  7  miles  north  of  Albion,  in  1828,  the 
year  that  Geu.  Andrew  Jackson  was  first  elected  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  Whigs,  in  derision  of  the  Democrats  or  Jackson  men,  dubbed  them  Jackson  bugs. 
I  am  not  mistaken,  as  they  almost  destroyed  afield  of  corn  of  my  father's,  the  fodder 
from  which  the  stock  did  not  like  to  eat. 

It  is  remarkable  that  an  occurrence  of  such  entomological  interest 
should  have  escaped  the  knowledge  of  Thomas  Say,  living  at  that  time 
at  New  Harmony,  Ind.,  25  miles  away,  and  that  his  first  specimen  of 
the  Chinch  Bug  should  have  been  obtained  three  years  later  from  the 
Atlantic  coast. 

Since  the  above  was  written  Mr.  Shelby  writes  again  : 

I  have  lately  had  a  conversation  with  Mr.  Elijah  Nelson,  who  made  a  farm  in  1820, 
2^  miles  west  of  where  Olney  now  is,  and  he  informs  me  that  Chinch  Bugs  appeared 
in  the  first  crop  of  oats  that  was  sown  on  that  farm,  as  early  as  1823,  and  that  his 
father  told  him  that  these  were  the  same  kind  of  bugs  that  they  had  in  old  Virginia. 
Mr.  Nelson  also  tells  me  that  in  1832  they  appeared  in  considerable  numbers  and  did 
some  damage  to  corn. 

Inquiry  in  the  vicinity  of  the  much  older  settlements  of  Illinois — 
those  along  the  Mississippi  River  above  the  mouth  of  the  Kaskaskia — 
gives  me  no  hint  of  the  early  occurrence  of  any  of  the  great  farm  pefcts; 
but  this  is  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  the  first  farms  were  opened  there 
in  the  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  Mississ;pi)i  and  Kaskaskia  Elvers,  and 
that  no  prairie  lands  were  cultivated  for  very  many  years  after  the  set- 
tlements were  established. 


250 

HEPIALUS  ARGENTEOMACUIATUS. 

By  D.  S.  Kellicott,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

This  beautiful  inotb,  described  by  Harris,  is  known  to  occur  over  a 
rather  wide  range  of  the  northern  United  States  and  Canada,  and  whilst 
it  is  rather  uucoiumon  in  local  collections  it  must  be  an  abundant  insect, 
at  least  in  some  localities ;  one  of  these  is  in  Oswego  County,  K  Y.,  where 
I  have  found  the  larvte  and  pupa-shells  in  great  numbers.  Its  habits 
are  quite  in  accordance  with  those  of  its  congeners,  so  far  as  they  are 
known.  It  bores  the  roots  and  stems  of  the  Speckled  or  Hoary  Alder, 
Alnus  incana.  I  bave  been  unable  to  study  the  larval  habits,  except  in 
midsummer  or  in  early  spring,  as  it  occurs  in  the  section  mentioned 
above.  At  the  former  season  the  imagos  for  the  year  have  escaped. 
At  the  latter,  the  mature  larvoe  are  in  galleries,  often  reaching  far  up 
into  the  trunks,  and  the  two  broods,  as  I  regard  them,  which  are  to  ma- 
ture in  succeeding  years  are  mostly  in  the  underground  portions. 

The  larv®  of  Cossidie  and  ^Egeriid.ne,  which  live  in  wood,  appear  to  re- 
quire more  than  one  year  to  complete  their  growth.  For  example,  that 
of  Cossus  robi)ii(v  requires  three  years,  as  the  following  experiment  in- 
dicates :  July  1,  1882,  eggs  of  this  species  were  placed  in  a  wound  in 
the  bark  of  Eohinla  pseudacacia.  The  tree  selected  was  isolated  and 
there  were  no  signs  that  its  trunk  had  been  attacked  by  borers.  A  part 
of  the  eggs  gave  larvte,  the  castings  of  which  were  observed  from  time 
to  time  at  the  place  where  the  eggs  were  lodged.  The  latter  part  of 
June,  1885,  a  female  pupa  shell  of  the  Cossid  was  found  at  the  same 
place.  Again  I  have  shown,  in  a  high  degree  of  probability,  that  Har- 
monia  2nni  exists,  as  a  borer  for  three  years  {Ent.  Americana,  1,171). 
So  this  alder-boring  species  appears  to  pass  a  like  period  in  the  roots 
and  stems.  I  have  already  reterred  to  the  different  broods  found  in 
spring  and  summer.  Again,  I  have  had  larvte  under  observation  in 
roots  kept  moist  from  July  until  the  following  May.  They  must  have 
been  nearly  two  years  old,  but  did  not  transform.  The  failure  of  the 
original  stumps,  and  the  refusal  of  the  larv*  to  make  homes  in  fresh 
ones,  prevented  further  success. 

The  life  history  appears  to  be  as  follows  :  The  eggs  are  laid  the  first 
week  in  June  ;  the  caterpillars  live  for  two  years  in  the  roots;  as  the 
third  year  advances  they  work  upward  more  or  less  into  the  stems;  in 
the  spring  of  the  third  year  they  bore  out  to  the  surface,  partially  or 
loosel}'  plug  the  opening  with  chips,  and  transform  ;  there  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  a  well  marked  pupa  cell,  and  it  travels  rapidly  up  and  down 
its  tube  for  a  long  distance  by  means  of  the  transverse  abdominal  teeth. 
Pupation  occurs  about  May  1,  and  moths  emerge  a  mouth  later  in  the 
locality  cited  above.  The  pupa  shells  have  been  found  protruding  from 
trunks  in  a  manner  quite  like  those  of  other  Cossids. 


251 

An  account  of  the  larva  and  the  pupa  was  read  by  me  at  the  Ann 
Arbor  meeting?  (1885)  of  the  Entomological  Club  of  the  A.  A.  A.  S. 
This  was  printed  in  Entomolofjka  Americana,  I,  p.  174,  and  the  pro- 
visional name  Cossiis  alni  was  proposed.  It  was  not  until  June,  1888, 
that  I  obtained  an  imago,  which  proved  to  be  Repialus  argenteomacu- 
latus. 

The  descriptions  were  as  follows  : 

Length,  1.5  to  1.8  inches.  Subcylindrical,  tapering  very  slightly  at  extremities; 
slender.  Width  of  body,  0.25  of  an  inch.  Length  of  smaller  ones,  0.8  inch.  The 
head  is  light  yellowish-brown  above,  black  about  the  mouth  parts,  hemispherical, 
smooth  or  slightly  roughened,  with  a  few  dark  dots,  from  which  arise  dark  hairs, 
usually  worn  off  the  vertex  of  the  larger  examples.  The  second  ring  is  smooth  ;  lighter 
colored  than  the  head.  Above  the  spiracle,  on  either  side,  there  are  three  black  spots, 
situated  at  the  corncrsof  aright-angled  triangle ;  theupper  one,  at  the  right  augle,bears 
a  coarse  brown  hair;  the  other  two  have  liner,  lighter-colored  hairs.  The  top  of  the 
third  ring  is  likewise  smooth  and  brownish.  The  remaining  body  surface,  except 
the  yellowish  piliferous  spots  and  top  of  ring  13,  is  white.  The  longer  hairs  on  the 
posterior  rings  are  black.  The  body  rings  are  stronglj'  folded  transversely.  The  yel- 
lowish dorsal  spots  bear  brownish. hairs;  the  anterior,  larger  pair  are  situated  near 
together  on  the  broadest  transverse  fold ;  the  smaller,  posterior  pair  are  situated  on 
a  narrower  fold,  and  much  farther  from  the  slight  dorsal  furrow.  The  stigmata  are 
broadly  elliptical;  the  rings  narrow,  black,  scarcely  raised  above  the  surface;  the 
color  within  the  ring  light  brown.  The  legs  are  yellowish  ;  hooks  black  ;  the  prop- 
legs  with  very  many  booklets. 

The  pupa  is  slender,  length  1.6  inches,  width  of  thorax,  0.33  inch,  but  slightly 
curved  and  of  unusually  uniform  diametei",  smooth,  under  a  lens  transversely  striate, 
the  three  anterior  rings  black,  shagreened  ;  on  the  prothorax  there  are  two  conical 
protuberances  which  in  profile  under  a  strong  lens  prove  to  be  double  pointed ;  on 
the  clypeus  are  two  gouge-shaped  spines,  shining  black  on  outer  half,  and  on  the 
u^jper  roughened  base  of  each  of  these  there  is  a  small  conical  tooth  ;  on  the  under 
side  of  the  head  case,  below  the  gouge-like  spines,  is  a  pointed  spine  directed  for- 
ward; back  of  this  are  two  smaller  cusps,  one  either  side  of  ventral  line,  and  still 
farther  back,  apparently  over  the  first  tarsal  joint  of  the  fore  legs,  are  two  smaller 
points.  The  transverse  rows  of  dorso-abdominal  teeth  are  as  usual,  but  the  teeth  are 
exceedingly  fine,  increasing  in  size  but  little  posteriorly  ;  the  black,  blunt,  anal  seg- 
ment bears  several  small  black  conical  teeth  on  either  side. 

I  have  found  no  parasite  of  this  larva,  but  I  have  seen  that  the 
woodpeckers  are  its  deadly  foes.  In  April,  1886,  I  had  a  favorable  op- 
portunity to  search  for  the  borer  and  was  astonished  at  the  scores  re- 
moved by  these  birds.  They  often  drill  through  a  deep  layer  of  wood  ; 
often  two  holes  are  made  one  above  the  other,  the  purpose  being  ob- 
vious. The  morsel  is  evidently  located,  or  its  burrow  rather,  by  sound- 
ing, as  I  noticed  many  instances  in  which  a  row  of  punctures  sur- 
rounded the  base  of  the  alder.  The  destroyers  are  sometimes  mistaken, 
for  I  found  tlieir  drillings,  evidently  made  in  search  of  this  larva,  in 
sound  wood  in  which  there  were  no  borers,  but  these  were  few  com- 
pared with  the  successful  trials. 

Is  it  the  activity  of  these  birds  that  prevents  the  abundance  in  the 
forest  of  certain  borers,  e.  r/.,  Aegeria  acemi,  whilst  the  same  insect  is 
often  destructively  abundant  in  the  ornauiental  maples  of  cities  and 
villages  ? 


252 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

Late  Autumnal  Occurrence  of  Mites  in  Great  Numbers. 

Friday,  November  7,  was  a  raiuy  day,  aud  at  night  a  very  beavy  rain-fall  occurred  ; 
on  Saturday  it  rained  in  light  showers,  grew  cooler  iu  the  evening  aud  froze  bard 
at  uight;  ou  Sunday  morning  a  lady  riding  along  asked  her  husband  what  that  curi- 
ous sawdust-like  stuff  was  that  was  scattered  along  the  roadside  so  beautifully. 
On  examination  it  was  fouud  to  be  a  sery  small,  red-legged,  spider-like  insect,  aud 
that  it  was  everywhere— field,  roadside,  garden — covering  the  country  for  miles.  I 
think  it  Avas  not  more  than  oae-half  as  large  as  the  tiniest  new-born  spider  I  ever 
saw,  although  I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  one  just  from  the  egg.  They  were 
more  noticeable  in  pools  and  puddles  of  water — perhaps  from  their  insignificance  in 
size — where  they  appeared  in  patches,  few  or  no  individuals  appearing  singlj-. 

Viewed  through  a  microscope  of  low  magnifying  power  they  appeared  to  be  shaped 
somewhat  like  a  grand-father  gray  beard  or  daddy-long-legs;  eight  bright  red  legs 
dangled  from  their  black  bodies;  occasionally  a  sort  of  drab-colored  individual  might 
beseeu;  two  white  opaque  specks  on  either  side,  which  I  fancied  might  be  eyes, 
adorned  one  end  of  th.;  body  and  a  very  curionsly-sliaped  dull  red  spot  the  other ;  no 
appearance  ot  any  web  was  discernible;  they  were  not  at  all  active,  aud  in  about  a 
week  the  legs  began  to  turn  white  and  drop  off,  probably  because  the  insect  was  dead. 
As  none  were  to  be  found  on  our  farm  after  Sunday,  aud  as  1  am  a  very  busy  woman, 
I  had  no  time  to  study  them.  Being  very  much  interested  in  them,  however,  I  have 
ventured  to  write  you,  hoping  that  you  will  kindly  tell  me  wliat  you  think  about  this 
strange  insect,  Avhere  they  so  mysteriously  came  from,  aud  whether  they  will  be  likely 
to  appear  again,  and,  if  so,  will  it  be  to  our  injury  ?  •  *  *  —[Augusta  B.  Wisuer, 
Tecumseh,  Lenawee  County,  Mich.,  November  27,  1888.] 

Reply.— Your  letter  of  the  27th  ult.,  giving  an  account  of  the  occurrence  of  a  small, 
red-legged,  spider  like  insect  iu  great  numbers  in  your  vicinity  after  a  cold  snap, 
has  been  received.  I  am  very  sorry  that  j'ou  did  uot  save  specimens,  as  I  am  not 
aware  that  anything  precisely  similar  has  before  been  recorded.  Your  description  is 
quite  careful,  but  you  do  not  give  us  a  definite  idea  as  to  size.  *  *  *  If  you  can 
possibly  secure  specimens,  please  do  so  and  forward  them  to  us.— [December  4, 1888.] 

Second  letter. — Your  letter  of  December  4  duly  received.  In  answer  I  will  say 
that  I  have  been  so  fortuuate  as  to  obtain  a  few  specimens,  which  I  shall  this  day 
mail  to  you.  Although  they  have  disappeared  from  our  immediate  vicinity,  I  find 
that  at  my  brother's  a  great  quantity  of  them  remain,  and  they  were  observed  one 
day  last  week  crawling  all  over  the  buildings  and  even  came  into  the  house  and  got 
into  the  milk.  I  find  this  morning  that  many  that  I  gathered  for  you  must  have  es- 
caped, but  I  hope  enough  are  leit  for  you  to  determine  their  nature.  They  were  in  a 
deep  bottle,  and  I  did  not  dream  of  their  getting  out.  I  have  not  chauged  the  water 
from  which  I  took  them,  fearing  their  health  might  suffer.  In  a  letter  from  a  sister 
living  in  Tuscola  Couuty,  she  says  :  "  I  have  uot  seen  the  little  insects  you  speak  of, 
but  others  have  here,  or  out  of  town.  It  does  seem  strange.  Mysterious  are  the 
works  of  Providence."  Now  there  is  little  doubt  that  it  is  the  same  insect,  as  I  wrote 
her  describing  it ;  and  as  she  lives  at  a  distance  of  about  160  miles,  you  will  see  how 
widely  spread  it  appears  to  be.     *     *     '—[December  11.  1888. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  llth  instant,  accompanying  a  bottle  containing  speci- 
mens of  the  mite  concerning  which  you  had  previously  written  us,  has  been  received. 
I  am  very  glad  to  get  these  specimens.  The  material  is  so  rotten  that  it  is  difficult 
to  study,  but  the  species  is  evidently  near  the  genus  Tetrauychus,  which  is  the  genus 
to  which  the  common  Red  Spider  of  our  greenhouses  belongs.  Concerning  the  habits 
of  this  particular  species  which  you  send  I  can  say  nothing,  except  that  all  of  the 
species  of  the  genus,  so  far  as  we  know,  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  plants,  and  your  spe- 
cies may  have  been  very  common  ou  grass  or  low  herbage. — [December  18,  1888.] 


253 

Balaninus  nasicus  in  granulated  Sugar. 

I  mail  you  a  box  of  worms  scut  to  ns  from  Biicyriis,  Oliio.  They  were  taken  from 
a  barrel  of  granulated  sugar  that  was  lined  with  several  layers  of  tissue  paper.  Can 
you  tell  us  anything  about  them  and  how  they  probably  came  to  be  there  ?  1  imag- 
ine they  came  from  the  staves  of  the  barrel,  although  that  is  hardly  probable,  as  the 
wood  is  kilu-dried  before  being  used  for  cooperage. — [F.N.Barrett,  143  Chambers 
street.  New  York,  November  26,  lf88. 

Reply.— I  have  your  letter  of  the  '26th  instant  and  the  accompanying  box  of  gran- 
ulated sngar  containing  worms  from  Bucyrus,  Ohio.  These  worms  are  not  sugar- 
eaters,  and  their  presence  in  the  barrel  described  was  accidental.  They  are  the  larvse 
of  the  common  Chestnut  Weevil  (Balaninus  nasicus),  and  it  is  their  habit  to  emerge 
from  chestnuts  and  enter  the  ground  to  pupate.  Chestnuts  must  have  been  stored  or 
temporarily  placed  near  this  barrel  of  sugar  (probably  over  it),  and  the  grubs,  in 
search  of  earth,  made  their  way  into  it.  They  did  not  come  from  the  wood,  as  you 
suggest. — [November  30,  1888.  ] 

On  Thalessa  and  Tremex— A  Correction. 

I  continue  to  receive  with  much  pleasure  the  successive  numbers  of  Insect  Life, 
and  in  No.  6,  to  hand  a  few  days  ago,  was  specially  interested  in  your  admirable  arti- 
cle on  the  habits  of  Thalessa  and  Tremex,  and  the  beautiful  illustrations  which  accom- 
panied it.  I  must  plead  guilty  to  formerly  having  imbibed  too  trustfully  the  state- 
ments of  well-known  entomologists  as  to  the  oviposition  of  Thalessa.  and  to  have  thus 
been  led  to  insert  in  my  paper  published  in  the  Canadian  Entomologist,  Vol.  XIV,  p. 
83,  the  statement  that  the  egg  was  deposited  in  the  larva.  This  was  especially  un- 
fortunate, as  the  rest  of  the  article  was  the  result  of  personal  observations.  There 
appears,  however,  to  be  a  clerical  error  in  your  paper  on  page  172,  where  I  am  coupled 
with  Mr.  Clarkson  as  an  advocate  of  the  larvte  being  lignivorous.  It  is  evident  that 
Mr.  Gade  was  intended  for  mention. 

The  description  of  Hiteropelma  datatxe  enables  me  to  place  a  name  upon  a  species 
which  has  been  in  ray  cabinet  for  several  years  as  sp.  nov.  1  I  have  two  specimens, 
both  collected  here.— [W.  H.  Harrington,  Post-Office  Department,  Ottawa,  Canada, 
January  7,  1889. 

Sap-Beetles  in  injured  Figs. 

I  send  you  by  mail  figs  from  the  same  tree  showing  several  stages  of  injury  from 
the  insects.  The  figs  are  from  a  tree  about  four  years  old,  growing  in  a  sandy-loam  soil 
made  rich  with  stable  manure  and  cotton  seed.  The  piece  of  ground  upon  which 
stand  the  trees  is  about  65  by  75  feet  and  bordered  on  north  and  northeast  by  brick 
wall,  east  by  brick  house,  and  south  and  west  by  paling  fence.  The  trees  were  some- 
what severely  bitten  by  cold  last  winter,  but  have  borne  a  very  heavy  crop  of  fruit 
this  summer.  The  brown  insect  begins  to  infest  the  fruit  by  entering  the  end  further- 
most fi-om  the  limb  as  soon  as  the  fig  begins  to  mature  and  get  ripe.  You  notice 
there  are  two  kinds  of  the  insect — one  a  brown,  size  of  a  weevil;  the  other  almost 
microscopic,  dove-colored.  They  destroy  my  entire  crop  of  figs.  What  are  they,  and 
is  there  any  remedy  against  their  ravages  ?  I  have  other  kinds  of  figs,  but  they  are  not 
so  bad  ou  them.— [J.  C.  Richardson,  Greenville,  Ala.,  September,  1886. 

Reply. — *  *  ''  The  numerous  small  insects  which  are  found  swarming  in  the 
figs  sent  by  you  represent  several  species  of  the  Coleoterous  family  (Xitidulidw),  popu- 
larly known  as  Sap-beetles.  The  largest  and  most  abundant  species  among  them  is 
CarpophiJua  mutilatus.  Three  other  species,  viz,  Colosfiis  niger,  Colastus  truncatus,  and 
Cnrpopliilus  maitjinatus,  were  much  less  frequent.  The  small  white  larvte  of  these 
beetles  work  also  upon  the  figs.  These  Sap-beetles  can  not  be  considered  as  injurious, 
since  they  are  not  capable  of  puncturing  the  rind  of  their  own  accord,  and  they  only 
enter  such  fruits  as  have  been  previously  injured  by  some  other  insect.  They  feed 
upon  the  tlecaying  pulp.     Within  the  limits  of  the  cotton  belt  the  notorious  Cotton- 


254 

worm  Moth  is  well  known  to  be  greatly  injurious  to  ripening  fruit,  especially  to  figs, 
by  boring  through  the  skin  of  the  fruit  with  their  probosces  and  sucking  the  juice. 
The  Sap-beetles  afterwards  enter  through  theopeniug  made  by  the  moth,  simply  hast- 
ening the  decay  of  the  fruit.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  injury  to  your  figs  has 
been  caused  in  this  way  ;  and,  if  so,  the  only  way  to  protect  your  trees  will  be  to  induce 
the  neighboring  cotton  planters  to  poison  the  Cotton  Worm.— [September  30,  1886.] 


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

Bv  Lord  Walsixgham. 

iContbuted  from  page  150.] 

In  addition  to  the  species  already  known  from  North  America  (all  of 
which  will  be  included  in  the  finally  revised  Index  which  is  proposed 
to  be  published  in  portions  as  these  papers  proceed)  I  am  now  able  to 
give  descriptions  of  several  new  species  from  different  localities  and  to 
add  further  notes  to  facilitate  the  recognition  of  already  described 
forms.  As  each  genus  is  dealt  with  the  portion  of  the  Index  referring 
to  it  has  been  privately  printed  and  each  portion  is  therefore  available 
for  publication  at  any  moment ;  but  it  has  been  thought  advisable  to 
hold  it  back  until  a  more  considerable  section  of  the  whole  has  been 
completed. 

DEPRESSARIA  Hw. 
Depressaria  togata  sp.  n. 

^HieHHrt',  purplish-fuscous. 

Palpi,  cinereous,  speckled  with  fuscous  externally  on  tbe  second  joint ;  apical  joint  en- 
tirely suffused  with  fuscous,  with  the  exception  of  the  extreme  apex  which  is 
ochreous. 

Head,  dull  grayish-ochreous  ;  face  paler. 

Thorax,  cinereous  speckled,  with  fuscous. 

Fore-wings,  pale  grayish-ochreous,  thickly  suffused  and  streaked  with  purplish-fus- 
cous;  the  markings  ill-defined,  consisting  of  a  dark  fuscous  patch  at  the  base  of 
the  dorsal  margin,  a  dash  of  the  same  color  immediately  above  the  middle  of  the 
wing  at  one-third  from  the  base,  followed  by  some  pale  grayish-ochreous  scales; 
a  pale  grayish-ochreous  spot  on  the  middle  of  the  wing  at  about  the  end  of  the 
cell  is  preceded  and  followed  by  fuscous  scales,  and  beyond  and  above  it  are  sev- 
eral fuscous  dashes  radiating  outwards  to  the  costal  and  to  the  upper  half  of  the 
apical  margin,  where  is  a  row  of  obscure  fuscous  spots  preceding  the  somewhat 
paler  and  mottled  cilia. 

Hind-wings,  pale  shining  whitish  gray,  with  the  cilia  scarcely  darker  in  which  a  slight 
tinge  of  grayish-ochreous  is  traceable. 

Abdomen,  grayish-ochreous. 

Exp.  ah,  20""". 

Habitat,  Montana. 

Tyjje,  ^ ,  Mus.  {f'lsm. 
This  species  is  distinguished  by  its  very  pale  hind-wings,  contrasting  strongly  with 

the  dark  fore-wings,  which  remind  one  much  of  tbo  European  atbipuncteUa.     The 

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


255 

neuratiou  of  the  hind-wings  as  well  as  their  color  serves  to  separate  it  from  that 
species :  veins  3  and  4  of  the  hind-wings  being  from  the  same  point,  whereas  in  albi- 
punctella  they  arise  from  a  short  stem. 

This  species  belongs  to  the  group  in  which  veins  2  and  3  of  the  fore-wings  are  sepa- 
rate. 

Depressaria  ciuereocostella  Cleni.  =  clausella  Wlk. 

Writing  on  this  subject  in  the  P.  Z.  S.,  1881,  p.  312,  I  mentioned  that  Clemens's 
paper  in  which  it  was  described  was  published  at  some  time  during  the  month  of 
March,  1864,  and  that  the  volume  XXIX  of  Cat.  Sp.  Het.  B.  M.  containing  Walker's 
description  of  clausella  was  dated  March  7,  1864.  Some  additional  information,  for 
which  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  E.  T.  Cresson,  of  Philadelphia,  and  to  Mr.  Butler,  of  the 
British  Museum,  justifies  me  in  giving  precedence  to  Clemens's  name,  the  volume  of 
Walker's  Catalogue  having  been  submitted  to  the  trustees  of  the  British  Museum 
before  publication,  on  June  25,  1864,  whereas  Clemens's  paper  in  the  Proc.  Eut.  Soc. 
Phil.,  II,  422,  w'as  laid  upon  the  table  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Philadelphia 
on  May  9,  1864,  and  had  probably  been  issued  to  the  subscribers  some  weeks  before. 

Depressaria  solidaginis  sp.  n. 

Antennce,  purplish-cinei-eous. 

Palpi,  cinereous,  second  joint  roughly  clothed,  with  a  divided  brush  beneath  ;  apical 
joint  with  an  obscure  fuscous  ring  near  the  base,  a  wider  and  more  conspicuous 
one  near  the  apex,  and  the  extreme  tip  also  fuscous. 

Head,  cinereous  touched  with  reddish  brown  above  ;  face  whitish. 

Thorax,  purplish-cinereous,  tufted  posteriorly. 

Foreivings,  cinereous,  blotched  and  speckled  with  purplish  fuscous,  especially  about 
the  outer  one-half  of  the  cell  and  at  the  base  of  the  dorsal  margin;  three  small 
blackish  dots  at  one-third  from  the  base,  the  two  upper  on  the  disk,  obliquely 
l^laced,  and  followed  by  some  very  pale  cinereous  scales,  the  third  on  the  fold 
straight  below  the  outer  and  lower  one  of  the  pair;  slightly  beyond  the  middle 
of  the  wing  and  in  a  direct  line  with  the  middle  dot  is  a  very  pale  cinereous 
spot  surrounded  with  darker  scales,  the  outer  portion  of  the  costal  margin  has 
four  or  five  dark,  purplish  fuscous  patches  formiug  a  continuation  of  the  row  of 
dots  of  the  same  color,  five  in  number,  which  extend  from  the  anal  angle  along 
the  apical  margin,  the  whole  series  being  preceded  by  some  ill-defined  longitud- 
inal dark  fuscous  streaks;  three  of  these  are  connected  with  the  costal  spots,  the 
other  three  do  not  reach  the  corresponding  spots  on  the  apical  margin  ;  cilia,  gray- 
ish-cinereous, with  a  slight  lilac  lustre. 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  pale  grayish,  with  a  faint  lilac  luster. 

Ahdomen,  grayish  cinereous,  clouded  with  fuscous  posteriorly. 

Exj).  al.,  22""". 

Hahifat,  Kirkwood,  Mo. 

Larva  on  Solidago. 

Tyjw.  S  ,  -l^'ts.  WIsm. 
A  single  specimen  received  from  Miss  Murtfeldt  in  1884,  bred  from  Solidago. 
This  species  belongs  to  the  group  in  which  veins  2  and  3  of  the  fore-wings  arise 

from  a  common  stem. 

The  larva  of  this  species  is  probably  that  which  is  described  by  Coquillett  (Pap. 

Ill,  97-8)  under  the  nsime  jjidvijiennella  Clem.,  for  I  find  that  Professor  Fernald  named 

Mr.  Coquillett's  specimens,  and  has  also  identified  specimens  of  this  species  for  Miss 

Murtfeldt  as  pulvijienneUa  Clem.,  which  do  not  correspond  with  specimens  of  jyulvi- 

j)ennella  in  my  own  collection  that  were  compared  with  Clemens's  type  in  the  collec- 
tion of  the  Eutomological  Society  of  Philadelphia. 


256 

Depressaria  fernaldella  sp.  n. 

Antennce,  dull  cinereous,  basal  joint  touched  with  tawny  and  fuscous  scales. 

Palpi,  tawny-reddish  beneath,  above  pale  cinereous  mottledand  blotched  with  black- 
ish scales  on  the  second  joint;  a  spot  at  the  base,  a  broad  ring  above  the  middle 
and  a  minute  spot  at  the  apex  of  the  terminal  joint,  also  blackish. 

Head,  tawny-reddish  ;  face  and  the  clothed  base  of  tlie  haustellum  pale  cinereous. 

TJtorax,  tawny-reddish,  mixed  with  fuscous. 

Fore-wings,  tawny-red,  speckled  with  blackish  and  pale  cinereous  scales;  the  costal 
portion  of  the  wing  above  the  cell  from  the  base  to  beyond  the  middle  is  of  a  paler 
tawny-red  than  the  remainder  of  the  wing  surface,  and  is  mottled  with  fuscous 
along  the  costa ;  before  the  middle  are  two  small  spots  of  raised  fuscous  scales, 
nearer  to  the  costa)  than  to  the  dorsal  margin,  the  lower  one  being  farther  from 
the  base  than  the  upper  and  immediately  followed  by  a  streak  of  pale  cinereous 
scales;  some  bright  reddish  scales  lie  between  the  two  discal  spots  and  on  and 
about  the  fold;  slightly  beyond  the  middle  is  a  conspicuous,  roundish,  pale  cine- 
reous spot,  above  and  beyond  which  is  a  profuse  sprinkling  of  pale  cinereous,  min- 
gled with  bhickish-fuscous  scales  reaching  to  the  costal  margin  but  not  to  the 
apex  ;  at  the  base  of  the  dorsal  margin  is  a  small  patch  of  pale  cinereous  the  outer 
edge  of  which  is  straight;  cilia  greyish,  sprinkled  with  reddish. 

Eindwings,  pale  cinereous. 

Abdomen,  pale  cinereous  with  a  slight  ochreous  tinge. 

Legs,  hind  tibiai  mottled  with  grayish. 

Exp.  al,  23'""' 

Habitat,  Ornno,  Me.;  Wisconsin. 

Types,  $  2  ,  Mus.  fVlsm. 

I  have  received  this  species  from  Wisconsin,  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison,  and  also 
from  Maine,  from  Professor  Fernald,  who  was  at  one  time  disposed  to  regard  it  as  hi- 
larella  Z.,  from  which,  however,  it  is  totally  distinct.  The  species  appears  to  be  not 
very  far  remote  from  hi/pcricella,  but  it  is  somewhat  larger  and  paler. 

I  believe  that  the  description  of  the  supposed  larva  of  hUarella  (Coquillett,  Pap. 
Ill,  98)  really  refers  to  this  species,  inasmuch  as  Fernald  had  sent  specimens  of  this 
insect  to  several  correspondents,  myself  among  the  number,  under  the  name  of  Zel- 
ler's  species,  and  had  not  the  Zeller  collection  subsequently  come  into  my  possession  I 
should  probably  have  failed  to  recognize  the  mistake. 

Depressaria  parilella  Tr.,  var.  novo-niundi  Wlsm. 

In  the  P.  Z.  S.  for  1881,  pp.  317-18,  I  discussed  the  question  of  the  identity  of  the 
North  American  Depressaria,  for  which  I  suggested  the  name  novo-mundi,  with  D.par- 
ileUaTv.,  a  well-known  European  form. 

After  re-examining  a  full  series  of  specimens  from  both  continents,  I  am  not  pre- 
pared to  argue  that  those  from  Oregon  or  from  the  Eastei-n  States  should  be  regarded 
aa  anythingmore  than  local  forms  oi  parilella,  especially  as  Zeller  (Lin.  Ent.,  IX,  283 
et  scq.)  describes  no  less  than  five  different  varieties  of  the  species  known  in  Europe. 
The  only  points  in  which  the  American  specimens  differ  from  those  in  the  Zeller  col- 
lection are  in  the  slight  dusting  of  fuscous  scales  around  the  apical  joint  of  the  palpi 
and  in  the  somewhat  iiiore  elongate  appearance  of  the  fore-wings  as  well  as  in  their 
darker  color.  This  species  should  therefore  be  referred  to  as  D.  parilella  Tr.,  var. 
novo-mundi  Wlsra. 

I  am  able  to  add  another  species  to  the  record  of  European  forms  occurring  on  the 
•west  coast  of  North  America.  I  have  received  from  Mr.  Walker  three  specimens  un- 
•donbtedly  referable  to  D.  ciniflonella  Z.     These  were  beaten  out  of  fir  October,  1882, 


257 

at  Esquimalt,  Vancouver  Island,  and  were  probably  specimens  that  were  commenc- 
ing to  hibernate. 

Depressaria  lythrella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  cinereous,  dotted  and  mottled  with  purplish-fuscous  scales,  especially  towards 
the  apex  of  the  second  and  third  joints. 

Antennce,  anuulated  widely  witli  tawny,  narrowly  with  fuscous  scales. 

Head  and  thorax,  cinereous ;  the  former  striped  along  the  middle  ;  the  latter  speckled 
with  purplish-fuscous. 

Fore-icings,  tawny-reddish,  much  dusted  with  fuscous  and  pale  cinereous  towards  the 
costa;  a  pale  cinereous  basal-patch  has  a  distinct  spot  on  its  lower  half;  before 
the  middle  of  the  wing  is  a  conspicuous  curved  black  spot,  edged  with  reddish 
and  followed  by  cinereous  scales ;  a  few  ciuereous  scales  are  scattered  across  the 
wing  on  the  outer  third,  parallel  with  the  apical  margin,  along  which  runs  a 
slender  line  of  blackish  scales;  cilia  purplish-gray. 

Hind-tvings  and  cilia,  brownish-gray. 

AMomen,  purplish -gray. 

Posterior  tibia  of  the  same  color  as  the  hind-wings ;  tarsi,  mottled  with  darker  scales. 

Exp.  al.,  15""". 

Larva  on  Lythrum  alatum. 

Habitat,  Illinois;  received  from  Professor  Forbes. 
Appears  to  be  allied  to  impurella  Tr.  and  to  the  same  group  as  purpurea  Hw. 

Depressaria  gracilis  sp.  n. 

Antennw,  brown. 

Palpi,  straw-colored,  tinged  externally  on  the  second  joint  with  brown,  especially  at 
its  apex. 

Head,  pale  reddish-brown;  face,  whitish-ochreous. 

Thorax,  reddish-brown. 

Fore-wings,  rather  narrow,  pale  straw-color,  with  a  short,  dark  brown  basal  patch, 
conmiencing  on  the  costa  but  not  reaching  quite  to  the  abdominal  margin  ;  two 
minute  dots  of  brown  scales  on  the  disc  before  the  middle,  the  upper  one  being 
nearer  to  the  base  than  the  lower  ;  a  small  brown  spot  on  the  middle  of  the  wing 
at  the  end  of  the  cell,  and  a  row  of  brown  marginal  spots  almost  connected,  so  as 
to  form  a  marginal  line,  four  on  the  apical  and  two  on  the  costal  margin  ;  cilia 
whitish  straw-color,  tipped  with  brownish  and  having  a  strong  line  of  brownish 
scales  along  their  base ;    about  the  anal  angle  the  cilia  are  paler  than  above  it. 

Hind-wings,  very  pale  fawn-gray  ;  cilia  straw-white. 

Abdomen,  grayish. 

Legs,  pale  straw-color,  tinged  with  brown  on  the  posterior  tarsal  joints. 

Exp.  al.,  15""". 

Habitat,  Texas. 

'PyP^,  (?)  Mus.  Ulsm. 
A  single  specimen  received  many  years  ago  from  Belfrage.     It  seems  remarkable 

that  this  species  should  not  have  been  known  to  Zeller  or  Clemens,  who  were  both 

acquainted  with  the  results  of  Belfrage's  collecting.     I  have  not  been  able  to  find  any 

description  of  it,  but  if  Chambers  has  by  error  placed  it  in  the  genus  Gelechia  it  is  yet 

possible  that  I  may  have  overlooked  it.     It  is  a  small  and  rather  slender  species  with 

normal  neuration,  closely  allied  to  the  European  D.  culcitella  HS. 


258 

PLUTELLA  Sclirk. 
Plutella  omissa  sp.  n. 

Head,  face,  and  antenna',  white ;  palpi  slightly  tinged  <vith  brownish  at  the  sides. 

Fore-u'ings,  white,  with  a  yellowish  tinge,  most  noticeable  along  the  fold,  sometimes 
with  a  very  few  scattered  brownish  scules;  the  dorsal  and  apical  margins  and  the 
anal  angle  are  dotted  with  small  groups  of  brown  scales;  cilia  white. 

Hind-ivings,  very  pale  grayish,  iridescent,  with  a  rosy  hue  ;  cilia  paler. 

i:x2).  ah,  13™"i. 

Eubitat,  Willow  Creek,  Oregon,  September  9,  1871.     Five  specimens. 

Tyjye,  $   9 ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

{To  he  continued.) 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

NOTES  ON  THE   COCHINEAL  INSECT. 

In  October,  188G,  we  received  from  Mr.  A.  F.  Carothers,  luka  Ranch, 
near  Cotiilla,  La  Salle  County,  Tex.,  a  large  number  of  specimens  of 
tlie  Cochineal  Insect  [Coccus  cacti),  and.  were  much  interested  to  find 
that  they  were  being  destroyed  by  a  predaceous  caterpillar,  which 
worked  in  precisely  the  same  way  as  Dakruma  coccidivora  upon  the  Cot- 
tony Maple  scale,  described  by  Professor  Comstock  in  the  annual  re- 
port of  this  Department  for  1879.  The  caterpillars  ate  one  Coccid  after 
another,  spinning  a  silken  tube  as  they  progressed  and  remained  hid- 
den inside  the  tube,  which  was  covered  with  fragments  of  the  Coccus 
and  of  its  white  secretion.  We  were  fortunately  able  to  rear  the  adult, 
which  proved  to  be  beyond  question  identical  vfith.  Bakmma  coccidivora, 
this  species  having  previously  been  found  only  in  the  District  of  Col- 
umbia. 

Another  enemy  of  the  Cochineal  Insect  was  reared  from  this  same 
lot  of  sijecimens.  This  is  a  true  parasitic  fly  of  the  genus  Leucopis, 
species  of  which  have  previously  been  recorded  as  attacking  scale  in- 
sects. Specimens  were  sent  to  Dr.  Williston  who  has  kindly  sent  us 
the  following  description,  as  the  species  proves  to  be  new: 

Leucopis  bellula,  u.  sp.,  Willisto? 

Length  l|-2""".  Black,  thickly  grayish  white  dusted.  Front  with  two  slender, 
gently  arcuate,  black  stripes;  the  narrow  orbital  space  perceptibly  more  whitish. 
Antenute  black,  the  basal  joints  shimmering  whitish  ;  arista  short.  Face  in  color 
like  the  frontal  orbits.  Mesouotum  with  two  conspicuous  chocolate-brown  stripes, 
beginning  on  the  inner  side  of  each  humerus  and  gently  converging  to  the  posterior 
margin.  In  the  middle  of  the  dorsum,  before  the  scutellum,  there  are  two  bristles; 
the  usual  bristles  on  the  lateral  margin,  and  ou  the  margin  of  the  scutellum ;  none 
on  the  front  or  vertex.  Abdomen  more  whitish  than  the  thorax  ;  clothed  with  short 
black  hairs;  first  segment  with  the  lateral  margins  and  a  posterior  band,  deep 
brown  ;  second  third  and  fourth  segments  each  with  a  slender,  sub-interrupted  stripe 
and  a  pair  of  rounded  spots,  all  deep  brown  in  color ;    the  pair  on  the  second  mod- 


259 

eratejy  large,  ou  the  third,  smaller,  and  on  the  fourth,  puuctiform  or  minute.  Legs 
black,  with  the  same  whitish  iiruinositj^ ;  the  immediate  tip  of  femora,  the  base  of 
front  and  hind  tibiie,  the  middle  tibije,  and  the  tarsi,  except  their  tip,  yellow,  the 
tibijB  elsewhere  and  the  tip  of  the  tarsi  brown  or  iufuscated ;  in  some  specimens,  the 
tibia'  throughout  are  more  brown.  Wings  Lyaline,  or  faintly  clouded  ;  the  auxiliary 
vein  distinctly  separated  from  the  first  longitudinal,  except  at  tip;  the  last  section 
of  the  fifth  vein  a  little  shorter  than  the  penultimate  one  of  the  fourth. 
Four  specimens,  from  Professor  Riley,  labeled  "Par.  on  Coccus  cacti." 
I  was,  at  first,  in  doubt  as  to  the  specific  difference  of  this  from  L.  bella  Loew,  from 
Cuba.  Aside,  however,  from  the  different  habitat,  there  are  sutficient  differences  in 
coloration  to  indicate  a  well-marked  variety,  at  all  events.  Loew  describes  his  spe- 
cies as  having  "Antennae  nigrae,  albido-polliuosae,"  the  second  segment  of  the  abdo- 
men only,  as  bearing  a  "  macnlam  rotundam  atram,"  and  "  Alae  lacteae"  in  color. 

A  species  of  Drosophila  was  also  bred  from  the  mass  of  Coccids,  aud 
this  Dr.  Willistou  determines  as  Drosophila  quinaria  Loew.  This  in- 
sect, however,  is  of  course  uot  a  parasite. 

We  notice  from  the  Florida  Dispatcli  of  August  C,  1888,  that  the 
Cochineal  Insect  has  become  ver}^  abundant  upon  Opuntias  at  Jessa- 
mine, Pasco  County,  Fla.,  on  the  authority  of  a  communication  from 
Walter  X.  Pike,  of  that  place.  The  specimens  were  determined  by  Mr. 
Ashmead.  The  only  previous  record  of  the  occurrence  of  this  dye  in- 
sect in  Florida  is  that  by  Professor  Comstock  upon  page  347  of  the 
annual  report  of  this  Department  for  1880.  Professor  Comstock's 
specimens  were  collected  by  Dr.  R.  S.  Turner  at  Fort  George,  Fla., 
upon  a  yellow-flowering  cactus,  the  species  of  which  was  uot  deter- 
mined. 

THE   BEET   CARRION-BEETLE. 

A  notice  in  the  American  Agriculturist  for  September,  1888,  to  the 
eft'ect  that  the  Beet  Carrion-beetle  (Silpha  opaca)  has  been  doing  a 
great  deal  of  damage  to  mangolds  in  England  the  past  season,  reminds 
us  of  the  fact,  to  which  attention  has  not  lately  been  called,  that  this 
insect  is  also  lound  commonly  in  this  country,  but  that  it  has  never 
here,  so  far  as  records  go,  been  reported  as  injurious.  Like  other  spe- 
cies of  its  family  it  feeds  upon  decaying  animal  and  vegetable  material. 
In  England,  however,  it  occasionally  does  great  damage  to  the  mangel- 
wurzel  crop.  It  was  first  noticed  to  have  this  habit  in  1844,  The  dam- 
age is  done  by  the  larva  feeding  upon  the  leaves. 

AN   AFRICAN  LADY-BIRD   INTRODUCED    INTO    NEW  ZEALAND. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Henry  D.  Twohy,  of  Auckland,  we  were 
some  time  ago  favored  with  the  following  communication  from  the 
Otago  Witness  of  February  3,  1888,  which,  through  an  oversight,  had 
not  been  published.  Mr.  Twohy  suggests  that,  if  it  seemed  desirable, 
the  same  lady-birds  could  be  shipped  from  Cape  Town  aud  landed  in 
N^ew  York  by  way  of  London  in  twenty-six  days,  if  the  boats  made 
close  connection.  Our  Australian  importations,  however,  are  so  prom- 
ising at  present  that  this  experiment  is  hardly  worth  trying: 

An  interesting  experiment  is  being  conducted  at  Nelson  in  the  way  of  acclimatiza- 
tion.    It  appears  that  some   of  the  finest  trees  in   and  about  Nelson  have  been  de- 


260 

stroyed  by  the  Wabble  Blight  or  Australian  Buff.  Mr.  Tinline,  while  at  Cape  Town, 
read  there  a  pamphlet  by  Miss  Ormerod,  the  entomologist,  entitled  "Notes  on  the 
Australian  Bug  {I.  purchasi)  in  South  Africa,"  which  stated  that  the  grubs  of  a  cocci- 
uellid  or  lady-bird  have  been  observed  by  Mr.  Bairstow  to  do  much  good,  by  destroy- 
ino-  the  young  Australian  bugs  just  at  hatching  time  within  the  sac  of  the  female. 
Ofthese  Mr.  Bairstow  says: 

"The  Coccinella  is  by  far  our  best  friend.  It  is  proving  a  perfect  godsend  in  de- 
stroying the  perfect  young  in  nidus  of  the  female  'bug.'  The  larva  buries  itself  in 
the  gravid  female  and  completely  destroys  her  progeny,  the  dead  carcass  falling  to 
the  ground;  and  it  eats  the  '  bug,'  not  only  when  it  (the  Coccinella)  is  young,  but 
when  it  has  developed  to  beetle  condition."  Mr.  Tinline  accordingly  wrote  to  a 
friend  in  Cape  Town  asking  him  to  procure  some  of  the  lady-birds,  which  he  did,  and 
one  hundred  and  twenty  of  the  little  beetles  were  caught,  put  into  a  bottle  with  a 
goodsupply  of  the  "  bugs"  to  feed  upon,  and  shipped  on  board  of  the  Tonyariro.  On 
arrival  in  New  Zealand  (passage  twenty  to  twenty-two  days,  steamer)  it  was  found 
that  by  far  the  larger  number  of  them  were  alive  and  healthy.  A  few  were  given  to 
Mr.  Maskell  in  Wellington,  and  the  remainder  brought  on  to  Nelson.  Mr.  Maskell's 
advice  was  to  select  some  sniallshrub  infested  with  the  blight,  cover  it  carefully  with 
muslin,  and  then  turn  the  lady-birds  into  this  cage.  A  young  lemon  tree,  to  which 
the  bug  is  paying  great  attention,  was  selected  in  Mr.  Sharp's  garden  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  there  the  little  colony  of  lady-birds  is  to  all  appearances  thriving. 

SUCCESSFUL  SPRAYING  WITH  PARIS   GREEN  FOR  CODLING  MOTH. 

Through  the  kiuduess  of  Mr.  G.  F.  Keimaii,  of  Rogers,  Beuton 
Couuty,  Ark.,  we  learn  that  at  the  county  fair,  held  from  the  lOth  to 
the  13tb  of  October,  1888,  Mr.  Ellis,  of  Bentonville,  sent  in  the  entire 
product,  good  and  bad,  of  two  Ben  Davis  apple  trees,  which  he  had 
treated  with  Paris  green,  and  asked  that  they  be  examined  by  experts. 
This  was  done,  and  the  investigation  proved  that  not  a  single  apple  in- 
fested by  Codling  Moth  could  be  found. 

THE   LEATHER   BEETLE   LITIGATION. 

Those  who  read  the  article  on  the  Leather  Beetle  or  Toothed  Der- 
mestes  (Dermestes  vuljnnus  Fab.)  in  our  Annual  Report  for  1886  (pages 
258  to  204)  will  be  interested,  doubtless,  to  learn  that  the  lawsuit  be- 
tween A.  Einstein's  Sons,  of  Savannah,  and  the  Boston  and  Savannah 
Steam  ship  Company,  in  which  the  former  claimed  damages  for  injury 
done  by  this  beetle  to  boots,  as  alleged,  from  Boston  to  Savannah,  has 
since  been  tried  twice,  and  that  both  times  the  juries  have  failed  to 
agree.  The  issue  is  still  being  fought,  and  it  is  not  outside  the  bounds 
of  possibility  that  some  day  a  decision  may  be  reached.  The  evidence 
at  the  final  trial  will  be  interesting  reading  to  entomologists. 


FEBSOXNIlL   of  those  engaged  IX   GOVEEXMENT  EXTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assst  in  the  management  of  the  periodical ;  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes: 

DIVISION   OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    S.    DEPARTMENT  OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  Y.  Eiley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande,  Tylor 
Townsend,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  Assistants ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 
in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 

Field  Agents  :  Saml.  Heushaw,  Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster,  La  Fayette,  Ind. :  Her- 
bert Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111. ;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirk- 
wood,  Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Brnner,  Lincoln,  Nebr.  ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.; 
Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,    U.    S.    NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator  :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Assistant  Curator  :  John  B.  Smith. 

I^"  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedi- 
ent, the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communi- 
cations. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  re- 
ferring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "  Insect  Life,"  or 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "Riley  and  Howard."  While  most  of 
the  correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself  yet  much  of  it  is  also  at- 
tended to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that 
only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.  Illustrations, 
where  not  otherwise  stated,  are  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  8ullivau,  under  supervision. — 
C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  MARCH,    1889. 


Vol.   I.  >To.  9. 


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. 

18  89. 


CONTENTS 


Page. 
Special  Notes 261 

Insecticide  Appliances  (illustrated) C.  V.  lUIey..      26:i 

Three  new  Parasites  of  Icerya  (illustrated) L.  0.  Howard..      268 

A  Contribution  to  the  History  of  Theophila  mandarin  a.  i'/u7/j>  Jralkcr..      270 
Notes  on  the  Cultiyatiox  of  the  Japanese  Oak-feeding  Silk-worm, 

C.E.  Webster,  M.B..       273 

Notes  on  a  Species  of  Bryoijia  infesting  Dwellings F.  M.  Webster..      277 

Cranberry liEAF-GALLS '. Dr.  Fr.  Thomas..      279 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 280 

The  Red-legged  Flea-beetle  iujiiring  Peacli  Orcbards.— The  Spider  Bite 
Question  again. —  Susceptibility  to  Insect  Poison.— The  Hay  Worm  iu 
Kentucky. — A  Rose-bud  Ceeidomyia. — Beetles  infesting  Yeast  Cakes. — 
Mites  in  Flaxseed. — Insects  at  Electric  Lamps. — Bees  rersits  Fruit. — 
Hydrocyanic  Acid  Gas  Treatment  for  Scale  Insects. — New  Enemy  of 
the  Chinch  Bug.— Army  Worm  iu  1888. 
Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc.. Lord  Walsimjham..      287 

General  Notes 291 

Bleaching  Wings  of  Lepidoptera. — Winter  Appearance  of  the  Cecropia 
Moth. — Is  Marriage  a  Failure  ? — Insects  upon  the  Coffee  and  Tea  Plants 
in  Ceylon. — Plants  injured  by  Capsus  quadririttatiis. —  Immxunty  of 
Southern  Dakota  from  the  Chinch  Bug. — Burning  the  Stubble  for  Hes- 
sian Flies. — More  abnormal  Honey  Bees. — Entomological  Society  of 
Washington. 
II 


Vol.  I,  i\o.  9.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [Iflaicli,  I§§9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Poisonous  Bites.— We  would  call  especial  attention  to  the  long  and  in- 
teresting letter  from  Dr.  B.  R.  Corson  on  spider  bites,  which  we  publish 
on  page  280,  and  which  is  an  important  contribution  to  the  discussion  of 
the  subject.  Dr.  Corson  is  an  old  acquaintance  and  a  former  collector  of 
insects.  He  is  a  most  reliable  observer.  We  hope  that  our  article  in  the 
January  number  will  reach  the  eyes  of  other  physicians,  who  will  be  able 
to  add  similar  cases  from  their  own  practice.  We  also  publish  a  letter 
from  Mr.  B.  W.  Allis  bearing  upon  the  same  article,  and  may  state  in 
this  connection  that  the  views  which  he  presents  are  practically  those 
suggested  by  us  in  our  article  upon  poisonous  insects,  published  in  Vol- 
ume V  of  the  Reference  Handbook  of  the  Medical  Sciences  (Philadel- 
phia, 1887).  We  have  stated  upon  page  741  of  that  volume  that  the 
efiects  of  insect  poisons  depend  in  great  measure  upon  the  idiosyncracy 
of  the  individual  and  upon  the  state  of  health  and  constitution. 


Cranberry  Fungus  Gall.— We  also  publish,  under  the  head  of  "  General 
Notes,"  an  interesting  communication  from  Dr.  Fr.  Thomas,  of  Ohrdruft", 
Germany,  relative  to  the  Cranberry  Gall  mentioned  upon  page  112  of 
the  current  volume  of  Insect  Life.  Specimens  of  this  gall  were  sent 
to  Dr.  Thomas,  and  his  remarks  are  authoritative.  The  determination 
of  the  gall  as  of  Phytoptus  origin  was  made  by  our  assistants  during  our 
absence  in  Burope,  and  while  we  should  have  been  more  cautious  had  we 
seen  the  specimens,  the  error  is  a  very  pardonable  one,  as  the  resem- 
blance to  many  other  Phytoptus  galls  is  striking.  This  is  one  of  the  few 
instances  where  a  fungus  has  been  mistaken  for  insect  work,  while  our 
mycological  friends  have  often  been  caught  napping  in  mistaking  and. 
even  describing  as  of  fungus  origin  structures  due  to  insects. 

261 


262 

The  secondary  Icerya  Parasite.— At  the  time  of  OUr  last  writiug  we  were 
ill  some  little  doubt  as  to  whether  the  supposed  secondary  parasite  of 
Icerya  might  not  prove  to  be  a  primary  parasite,or  at  all  eveuts  a  parasite 
upon  something  else  than  the  very  useful  Lestophouus.  But  recent 
communications  fiom  Mr.  Coquillett  have  deprived  us  of  this  hope.  He 
writes  under  date  of  January  15  :  "  I  have  just  examined  a  number  of 
pupariaofthe  Lestophonus,  and  in  two  of  them  I  found  two  of  the 
Chalcids,  one  in  each  puparium.  In  one  the  Cijalcid  was  dead,  but  the 
other  was  living,  and  I  found  it  in  a  puparium  that  was  entire,  not  hav- 
ing a  hole  in  it  by  which  the  Chalcid  entered  ;  so  there  can  be  no  doubt 
of  the  Chalcid  having  been  developed  in  the  inside  of  this  puparium.' 
As  yet  none  of  these  secondary  parasites  have  been  allowed  to  escape, 
and  it  is  quite  possible  that  by  the  great  care  which  is  being  taken  the 
Lestophonus  may  be  introduced  without  its  destructive  enemy. 


National  Organization  of  Entomologists.— Our  proposition  in  the  January 
number  of  Insect  Life  concerning  the  formation  of  a  national  organiza- 
tion of  economic  entomologists,  however  favorably  the  idea  may  have 
been  received,  has  not  resulted  in  many  expressions  of  opinion  so  far. 

Prof.  A.  J.  Cook,  of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  College,  writes : 

Your  suggestion  of  auuiial  meetings  where  entomologists  may  discuss  insects  and 
especially  methods  of  work  is  most  timely,  and  I  hope  will  result  in  the  organization, 
I  should  give  any  snch  project  my  hearty  support. 

Prof.  Herbert  Osborn,  of  the  Agricultural  College  at  Ames,  Iowa, 
writes : 

Your  suggestion  regarding  the  national  society  of  entomologists  seems  to  me  very 
timely.  Only  a  few  days  ago  the  same  subject  was  in  my  mind,  and  I  believe  au 
American  Society  for  entomologists  or  an  Entomologists'  Union,  on  the  basis  of  the 
Ornithologists'  Union,  or  something  similar,  would  be  very  advantageous  to  the  cause 
of  entomology. 

A  few  other  gentlemen  have  written  in  much  tlie  same  terms,  and  we 
shall  be  glad  to  get  not  only  such  general  opinions,  but  also  definite 
suggestions. 


We  notice  that  several  of  the  editorial  or  unsigned  articles  in  Insect 
Life  have  been  copied  by  other  journals  with  individual  credit,  and  we 
would  therefore  call  particular  attention  to  the  notice  which  is  always 
published  upon  the  third  page  of  the  cover,  to  the  effect  that  all  editorial 
or  unsigned  articles,  when  personal  credit  is  desired,  should  be  attrib- 
uted to  the  joint  work  of  "Riley  and  Howard." 


We  are  pleased  to  learn  that  through  the  liberality  of  Senator  Mc- 
Millan, of  Michigan,  the  Michigan  Agricultural  (College  has  been  able 
to  purchase  the  Fred  Tepper  collection  of  Lepidoptera. 


2f)3 


INSECTICIDE  APPLIANCES. 

By  C.  V.  KiLEY. 

IC'on  tinned  from  2).  249.] 


FOREiaN  MODIFICATION   OF   THE   RILEY  NOZZLE   (('ontinued). 

The  Vermorel  Nozzle. — Auotber  and  perhaps  the  most  important  modi- 
fication of  the  Eiley  nozzle  is  that  of  V.  Vermorel,  Villefranche  (Rhone), 
France.    It  is  well  shown  both  entire  and  in  section  at  tig.  58. 


Fig.  58.— The  Vermorel  Kozzle— natural  size  (Orio:inal). 


The  important  part  of  this  nozzle  is  the  disgorger,  an  attachment  for 
removing  obstructions  from  the  discharge  orifice.  This  is  accomplished 
by  perforating  the  bottom  of  the  cylindrical  chamber  with  a  circular 
opening  about  half  the  diameter  of  the  chamber.  Into  this  is  inserted 
from  above  a  rod,  which  is  circular  terminally  but  preferably  triangular 
below  and  fitting  loosely  in  the  orifice.  This  rod  projects  below  the 
chamber  so  as  to  give  movement  enough  to  permit  its  distal  end  to  be 
thrust  through  the  ojjeniug  in  the  removable  cap,  c.  The  part  of  the  rod 
within  the  chamber  consists  of  a  seat  which  is  ground  to  fit  the  bottom 
of  the  chamber  when  the  rod  is  forced  down  by  the  water  in  action,  as 
shown  in  the  section,  iJ,  thus  preventing  the  escape  of  liquid,  an  object 
which  is  further  assured  by  fitting  a  rubber  casket,  e,  on  the  lower  sur- 
face of  the  seat.  Above  the  seat  the  rod  is  cylindrical  and  of  consider- 
able size  until  near  the  end,  fZ,  where  it  is  dressed  to  a  diameter  small 
enough  to  pass  through  the  discharge  orifice.  The  dimensions  of  the 
diflerent  parts  of  this  rod  must  be  governed  by  the  size  of  the  parts  of 
the  chamber. 

When  the  discharge  becomes  obstructed  the  rod  is  pressed  forward 
until  the  small  end  shown  at  d  forces  out  the  obstruction.  The  press- 
ure once  removed  the  rod  fidls  back  to  its  place.  While  the  rod  is 
pressed  forward  the  water  rushes  out  around  it  through  the  lower  part 
of  the  chamber,  thus  completely  washing  out  sediment  of  any  kind.  To 
prevent  this  outflow  at  the  base  of  the  chamber  from  falling  upon  the 


264 


operator  a  shallow  concave  cup,/,  is  fastened  with  a  screw  to  the  lower 
end  of  the  rod.  This  deflects  and  throws  the  liquid  forward.  This  de- 
vice was  added  to  the  nozzle  by  Prof.  F.  L.  Scribner,  formerly  Mycolo- 
gist of  this  Department,  and  is  an  important  addition,  especially  when 
spraying  overhead. 

This  nozzle  accomplishes  the  desired  work  equally  as  well  as  those 
without  the  disgorging  or  cleansing  attachment,  and  the  disgorger  is  a 
great  convenience  when  spraying  with  solutions  which  are  not  clear. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  nozzles  for  spraying  lime  solutions. 
The  diameter  of  the  discharge  orifice  is  made  much  larger  for  using 
lime-water  and  the  heavy  suspension  liquids  which  are  used  as  fungi- 
cides than  is  necessary  for  ordinary  insecticide  preparations.  If  the 
orifice  is  too  large  the  liquid  passes  out  in  a  thin  cone-shaped  sheet 
and  is  not  broken  into  fine  spray. 

As  will  be  seen  from  the  illustration,  this  nozzle  can  be  screwed  into 
the  coupling  at  the  end  of  the  discharge  pipe  and  used  as  a  side  dis- 
charge nozzle,  or  by  using  an  elbow  cou])ling  the  discharge  may  be  di- 
rect from  the  distal  end. 

Recently  M.  Vermorel  has  altered  the  construction  of  this  nozzle  so 
as  to  make  the  eddy  chamber  adjustable  on  the  stem,  thus  permitting 
the  spray  to  be  directed  at  any  desired  point  within  the  circumference 
of  a  circle.  Fig.  59  will  help  to  illustrate  how  this  is  accomplished. 
This  style  is  made  in  singles  and  doublets.  The  illustration  gives  the 
doublet.  The  chambers,  a  and  «',  on  either  side  are  fitted  into  the  stem 
c  by  short  smooth  nipples,  h  and  h',  projecting  out  from  the  body  of  the 
chambers.  They  closely  fit  the  circular  opening  through  the  head  of 
the  stem  c,  but  permit  the  chambers  to  freely  rotate  around  the  axis  of 
a  line  drawn  through  their  base.  From  the  center  of  the  nipple  of  the 
chamber  a  a  brass  rod  extends  through  the  head  of  the  stem  c  and 
through  the  base  of  the  chamber  «',  below  the  eddy  chamber,  and 
enters  the  thumb  screw,/.  By  loosening  this  thumb-screw  the  nozzles 
can  be  freely  rotated  and  by  tightening  it  it  is  firmly  held  in  place  at 
whatever  angle  desired. 

In  the  cut  the  parts  of  the  nozzle  are  shown  separated,  yet  in  a  line 
occupying  their  relative  positions  in  the  perfect  nozzle.     Mounted  in 


JDJ 


h     d 


Q 


6 


riG.59.— Improved  Vermorel  Nozzle— retlnced  about  one-half  (Original). 

this  manner  only  the  chamber  a  can  be  fitted  with  a  disgorger,  as  the 
rod  which  binds  the  chambers  together  would  necessarily  interfere  with 
putting  one  into  the  chamber,  a'. 


265 

The  tangential  entrance  to  the  eddy-charaber  is  made  from  the  face 
of  the  nipples,  b  and  b',  and  as  these  do  not  meet  in  the  stem,  rotating 
the  chambers  does  not  interfere  with  the  liow  of  the  liquid.  This  is  a 
useful  modification  in  the  construction  of  this  nozzle  both  from  the  fact 
that  two  nozzles  are  conveniently  mounted  on  one  discharge  pipe,  and 
tliat,  being  fitted  on  a  rotating  axis,  the  direction  of  the  spray  can  be 
governed  at  will. 

The  AJbrand  Modification.— yiv.  G.  Albrand  has  constructed  a  Kiley 
nozzle  on  the  same  principle  as  his  modification  of  the  Eaveneau  nozzle. 
Xot  satisfied  with  the  Vermorel  system  of  disgorging  or  clearing  the 
nozzle  from  obstructions,  he  has  constructed  his  with  the  cap  attached 
to  a  thumb-lever  held  in  place  by  a  spring. 

When  the  discharge  orifice,  which  is  situated  in  the  removable  cap^ 
becomes  obstructed,  a  pressure  on  the  thumb-lever  raises  the  cap  and 
permits  the  liquid  to  rush  out,  carrying  away  any  obstructions. 

The  cut  (Fig.  60)  illustrates  this  feature  of  the  nozzle.     The  eddy- 
chamber  is  situated  at  the  extremity 
of  the  stem,  & ;  c  is  the  cap  and  a  the 
thumb-lever  held   in   place  by   the 
spring  beneath  it. 

The  Japy  Modification. — In  this  noz- 
zle Japy  has  devised  a  degorger 
somevwhat  on  the  principle  of  the  Ver- 
morel, but  which  works  in  the  op- 
posite way  (Fig.  61).  In  normal  position  the  thumb-lever  a  is  suffi- 
ciently raised  by  the  spring  placed  between  it  and  the  tube  b  to  throw 
the  needle  c  down  into  the  discharge  orifice,  thus  closing  it  and  prevent- 
ing the  passage  of  the  liquid. 

When  the  operator  wishes  to  begin  work  he  presses  upon  the  le^er  as 
shown  in  the  cut  and  immediately  the  spray  issues  from  the  eddy- 
chamber.  If  the  discharge  becomes  clogged  he  releases  the  lever  and 
the  needle  is  thrown  forward  into  the  opening,  thus  clearing  it.  This 
is  a  convenient  and  simple  plan  of  disgorging,  and  at  the  same  time 
serves  the  purpose  of  a  stopcock  or  cat-ofi". 


-The  Albraud  Nuzzle — reduced  (Or 
iual). 


Fig.  G1  — The  Japy  Nozzle— reduced  (Original) 


By  reference  to  Fig.  61  the  plan  of  the  nozzle  will  be  easily  under, 
stood.     In  general  construction  it  does  not  differ  from  other  nozzles  of 


266 


the  eiUlychamber  class,  the  details  of  which  are  fully  ^iveu  in  other 
drawings. 

The  Marseilles  Modification. — This  novel  modification  of  the  Eiley  noz- 
zle was  recently  brought  out  by  a  society  known  as  the  Future  of  Viti- 
culture (I'Avenir  Viticole)  of  Marseilles,  France,  ami  deserves  attention 
as  the  most  radical  modification  which  has  yet  come  into  our  possession 
as  well  as  for  its  utility.  lu  this  the  typical  chamber  has  beeu  so  altered 
as  to  bear  little  resemblance  to  the  original  type.  This  is  fully  shown  in 
the  illustration  (Fig.  62).  The  stem,/,  is  a  brass  tube  which  makes  a  screw 
connection  with  the  discharge  pipe  at  its  proximal 
end,  and  has  its  distal  end  closed  by  a  cap  soldered 
on  and  bearing  in  its  center  the  disgorging  needle, 
d.  Just  below  the  closed  end  an  orifice,  c,  communi- 
cates with  the  interior.  This  is  cut  tangentially  in 
the  side  w^all  of  the  tube  and  is  of  considerable  size. 
It  is  covered  externally  by  a  thiu  brass  band  fitted 
closely  over  tlie  tube,  but  which  does  not  quite  com- 
plete the  circumference.  This  is  indicated  in  the 
drawing.  This  band  can  be  adjusted  about  the  tube 
so  as  to  leave  a  greater  or  less  opeuing  ate  as  niay 
be  desired.  When  turned  partially  over  the  orifice, 
c,  it  reduces  the  opening  to  required  dimensions  and 
forces  the  issuing  ll<piid  to  take  a  rotary  motion 
about  the  stem,/,  and  to  rise  with  such  motion  into 
the  chamber  shown  immediately  above.  Below  the 
band  just  mentioned  is  a  thicker  band,  g,  soldered 
around  the  tube.  The  lower  edge  of  this  forms  a 
shoulder  which  meets  the  inward  turned  shoulder, 
h,  of  the  outer  jacket,  and  a  rubber  washer  between 
completes  the  joint.  The  outer  jacket  extends  be- 
yond the  end  of  the  inner  tube  and  forms  a  chamber  covered  by  the 
removable  screw-cap,  «,  which  is  pierced  in  tie  center  with  the  discharge 
orifice  e.  The  illustration  shows  one  half  of  the  outer  jacket  cut  away. 
It  slides  readily  upon  the  stem,/,  so  that  to  remove  an  obstruction  the 
outer  jacket  only  has  to  be  drawn  bodily  downward  when  the  needle,  d, 
enters  and  clears  the  orifice.  I  have  as  yet  had  no  opi)ortunity  to  use 
this  nozzle,  but  believe  that  a  cord  or  wire  can  readily  be  used  to  draw 
the  outer  jacket  down  when  it  is  out  of  reach  of  the  hand.  The  pressure 
of  the  liquid  immediately  restores  it  to  the  normal  position. 

The  JS'eic  Zealand  Triplet  Modification.— The  triplet  cyclone  mannt'sict- 
ured  by  Kutzner  Bros,  of  Masterton,  Xew  Zealand,  is  one  of  the  prac- 
tical foreign  modifications  of  the  Riley  nozzle  worthy  of  mention  and 
illustration.  The  history  of  the  introduction  of  the  eddy  chamber  sys- 
tem of  nozzles  into  Australia  and  neighboring  islands  is  told  by  Mr. 
Frazer  S.  Crawford  of  Adelaide,  South  Australia,  in  his  paper  treating 
of  the  Fusicladhims. 


Fir,.  62.— Coiistniftini 
the  Marseilles  Nozzl< 
natural  size  (Original). 


267 

Mr.  Crawford  first  learned  of  this  system  of  nozzles  though  Mr.  Hub- 
bard's Eeport  on  Insects  Affecting  the  Orange,  sent  him  from  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture.  He  had  several  made  which  he  used  success- 
fully in  his  orchards  and  gardens,  but  desiring  a  larger  iimouut  of  spray 
than  one  nozzle  furnished  he  combined  them  in  doublets  and  triplets 
as  desired,  by  branching  the  discharge  pipe  near  the  end  and  attaching 
a  nozzle  to  each  branch  and  holding  all  together  by  means  of  a  clamp. 
This  idea  led  to  the  development  of  the  triplet  shown  in  the  cut,  and 
is  more  fully  set  forth  in  the  communication  with  which  I  will  close  this 
second  paper. 

When  itcame  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Division  that  the  eddy-cham- 
ber system  of  nozzles  was  being  successfully  used  in  Australia,  an  or- 
der for  specimen  nozzles  was  sent  to  the  makers  above  mentioned,  as 
also  the  request  tbat  they  furnish  information  about  its  introduction 
there,  and  the  adoption  of  the  peculiar  form  of  triplet  manufactured  by 
them.  This  letter  being  published  in  a  New  Zealand  paper,  called  forth 
the  following  response  from  Mr.  Crawford,  through  which  we  learned 
the  details  of  its  introduction  and  development  in  that  part  of  the 
world.  That  porti<m  of  the  letter  which  relaies  to  tlie  matter  under 
consideration  is  here  given,  as  it  is  of  considerable  interest : 


Surveyor-Gexehal's  Office, 

South  Australia,  June  11,  1888. 


Dear  Sir: 


(4)  Regarding  the  RUeij  Cyclone-nozzle.  By  a  New  Zealaud  paper  I  perceive  that  you 
have  ordered  from  Messrs.  Kutzner  Bros,  of  that  colony  a  triplet  cyclone-uozzle,  as 
you  are  about  to  issue  a  bulletin  on  that  very  useful  nozzle.  The  early  history  of 
the  cyclone-nozzle  in  Australia  you  will  find  in  my  report  on  the  Fusiciadiums,  etc. 
The  original  triplet  as  fif;ured,  being  the  first  made  in  the  Australian  colonies,  is  the 
one  I  still  use  in  my  garden.  This  I  lent  to  Mr.  Dobbie  of  Gawler  Place,  Adelaide, 
who  undertook  to  manufacture  them  on  his  own  account,  and  he  improved  on  mine 
by  fixing  the  three  nozzles  to  a  central  chamber,  the  top  of  which  unscrews.  These 
have  been  sold  in  New  Zealand,  Victoria,  Tasmauia,  and  New  South  "Wales,  one  be- 
ing purchased  by  Kutzner  Bros.,  who  wrote  to  me  about  it.  *  *  *  I  regret  to 
say  that  an  enterprising  Californian,  a  William  Spawn,  has  been  allowed  to  jiateut 
it  in  South  Australia,  although  his  patent  is  not  worth  anything  because  mine  was 
made  and  publicly  exhibited  before  he  applied  for  the  patent.  He  has  also  patented 
it  in  Victoria.  The  drawing  accompanying  his  specifications  was  simply  an  enlarge- 
ment of  the  drawing  of  the  nozzle  as  figured  in  one  of  your  reports. 

I  consider  the  cyclone  type  of  nozzle  as  the  greatest  boon  that  orchardists  have  re- 
ceived, as  without  it  it  is  quite  impossible  to  spray  a  large  orchard  satisfactorily. 


Yours,  very  faithfully, 

Frazer  S.  Crawford. 
Professor  Riley. 


268 

Tlie  arraugemeut  of  the  triplet  c^^clone  received  from  Messrs.  Kutz 
ner  Bros,  is  shown  in  the  following  illustration  (Fig.  03).  The  nipple, 
which  is  designed  to  enter  five  sixteenths 
inch  hose,  is  surmounted  b}'  a  hemispherical 
chamber,  ft,  which  is  covered  with  a  milled- 
edge  cai),  a,  which  screws  into  the  chamber, 
b.  On  thiscap  are  mounted  at  the  angles  of 
of  a  triangle  three  Riley  nozzles.  The  one  to 
the  rear  stands  higher  than  the  others  and 
delivers  its  spray  straight  in  front,  while  the 
lower  ones  are  respectively  freed  slightly  to 
the  right  and  left  of  a  direct  line.  This  ar- 
rangement secures  a  broad  diverging  cloud 
Fig.  63.-The New Zcaian.i  T.i,,ht-    of  spray  and  Very  much  facilitates  the  work 

ledmed  (Original).  -.i         1  •  i    i.         i-         ±-  i.^  ^ 

Without  m  any  way  detracting  irom  the  qual- 
ity of  the  spray  as  is  the  case  when  an  attempt  is  made  to  increase  the 
capacity  by  enlarging  a  single  nozzle.  A  disgorger  could  be  easily  added 
to  the  chambers  as  here  arranged,  but  as  yet  we  believe  no  attempt  has 
been  made  to  do  so.  A  screen  of  tiue  wire  cloth  is  placed  across  the 
hemispherical  chamber,  thus  rendering  "clogging  almost  impossible. 


THREE  NEW  PARASITES  OF  ICERYA. 

Bv  L.  O.  Howard. 

Professor  Riley  has  turned  over  to  me  for  description  three  of  the 
parasites  reared  by  Mr.  Coquillett,  at  Los  Angeles,  from  the  Fluted  Scale 
[Icerya  purcliasi).  These  he  has  referred  to  by  name  in  his  annual  re- 
port for  1888,  and  the  accompanying  figures  are  from  the  report.  The 
necessity  for  condensation,  however,  rendered  it  desirable  that  this  de- 
scriptive matter  should  be  published  elsewhere.  Neither  of  the  three 
species  seems  to  be  at  all  abundant. 

THORON  OPACUS,  sp.  uov. 

JlfaZe.  — Length,  0.84""";  expanse,  1.2'""';  greatest  width  of  fore  wiug,  0.163"""  ;  length 
of  antenna,  0.6  '"'".  Joint  1  of  funicle  rather  shorter  and  .slightly  narrower  than  pedi- 
cel;  fnnicle  joints  distinctly  separated,  subeqnal  in  length,  increasing  very  slightly 
in  width  from  4  to  9,  joints  2  and  .3  equal  in  width  and  slightly  slenderer  than  eitlier 
1  or  4  ;  club  one-third  longer  than  joint  9  of  funicle,  ovate,  at  hase  of  same  width  as 
joint  9  of  funicle,  without  a  trace  of  dividing  sutures.  Metauotal  spiracles  large,  oval ; 
metascutellum  with  astraight  median  longitudinal  furrow.  Abdomen  flattened,  ovate, 
rather  longer  than  thorax.  General  surface  of  the  body  with  no  visible  punctation, 
opaque.  Head,  autenuie  and  thorax  dark  brown;  abdomen  rather  lighter  ;  all  legs 
brown;  tarsi  nearly  white;  base  of  all  tiljiie  nearly  white.  Wings  hj^aliue;  veins 
slightly  dusky. 

Described  from  1  $  specimen,  rather  poorly  mounted  in  balsam,  reared  by  D.  W. 


269 


Coquillett,  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  Jnly  21,  1887,  from  adult  female  of  Icerya  purchasi. 
It  was  reared  iu  a  box  containing  only  three  or  four  of  the  scales,  so  there  can  be  lit- 


FiG.  6i.—Thoron  opacus,  Howard  :  a,  antenna ;  6,  c,  d,  fore,  middle,  and  hind  legs  ;  e,  last  tibial  and  first 
tarsal  joints  of  fore  leg  ;  /,  abdomen ;  g,  wings  ;  h,  hooks  of  hind  wing— all  much  enlarged  (Original). 

tie  doubt  of  its  having  lived  at  the  expense  of  one  of  them.     Mr.  Coquillett  reared 
another  specimen  August  29,  1887,  but  this  I  have  not  seen. 


COCCOPHAGUS  CALIFORNICUS,  sp.  nov. 
Female. — Length,  1.4"""  ;  expanse,  2.1'"'"  ;  greatest  width  of  fore  wing,  0.39" 


domen  broader  than  thorax  and  one-third  longer 
cle  subequal  iu  length  ;  joint  1  of 
funicle  one-third  longer.  Eyes 
rather  more  plainly  hairy  than 
usual.  General  color  dark  brown, 
nearly  black,  uo  punctation  visi- 
ble. Mesoscatellum  lighter  in 
color  than  rest  of  thorax  except 
at  immediate  base,  its  posterior 
edge  with  a  narrow  band  of  bright 
lemon-yellow,  extending  from  one 
lateral  angle  around  the  curved 
border  to  the  opposite  lateral 
angle,  of  nearly  equal  width 
throughout,  at  its  widest  portion 
measuring  .027""";  all coxfe  brown; 
all  trochanters  yellowish-white  ; 
all  femora  brown,  yellow  at  tip, 
more  yellow  at  tip  of  front  femora. 
less  at  tip  of  middle,  and  still  less 
at  tip  of  posterior  femora;  front 
tibiic  light  yellow,  very  slightly  dusky  ;  middle 
tibiie  yellowish  with  a  brownish  shade  near  base 


Ab- 
Pedicel  and  joints  2  and  3  of  fuui- 


i^\ 


Coccophagus  californicus,  Howard— enlarged 

(Oiigiual). 


tibia"  entirely  light  yellow ;  hind 
all  tarsi  yellowish-white,  last  joint 


270 

dusky.  Wings  hyaline,  veins  light  hrown,  distinct.  Described  from  one  female 
.specimen  reared  from  a  female  Icerya  imrchasi  a,t  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  July  6,  1887,  by 
Mr.  D.  W.  Coquillett. 


Fig.  66. — Encijrtus  duhitts,  How.ii'd — enlarged  (Original). 

ENCYRTUS  DUBIUS,  sp.  nov. 

J/rtZe.— Length,  1.2'""^ :  expanse,  2.2"""  ;  greatest  width  of  fore  wing,  0.37">">.  Scape 
of  antennitt  long,  thin,  cylindrical,  together  with  bulla  as  long  as  first  three  funicle 
joints;  pedicel  short,  conical;  joint  1  of  funicle  longer  than  pedicel ;  joint  2  slightly 
.shorter  than  joint  1  ;  joints  2  to  6  sube(]nal  in  length  and  width,  each  constricted  at 
either  extremity ;  club  ovate,  one-third  longerthan  joint  6  of  funicle,  but  not  exceeding 
this  in  width;  funicle  and  club  with  hairs  at  least  as  long  as  the  joints  themselves* 
but  not  arranged  in  regular  whorls.  Marginal  vein  of  fore  wings  lacking;  postmar, 
ginal  equal  in  length  to  stigmal.  Head,  niesoscutum,  and  scapulie  very  delicately 
shagreened  ;  mesoscutellum  with  regular  fine  longitudinal  ridges.  Metanotal  spi- 
racles circular.  Abdomen  ovate,  slightly  longer  than  thorax,  and  equal  to  it  in 
width.  General  color,  brown,  glistening  ;  head  and  mesonotum  with  greenish  metal- 
lic luster;  antennae  and  legs  light  brown,  base  of  tibi;e  whitish.  Wings  hyaline, 
veins  brown. 

Described  from  one  g  reared  from  Icerya  purchasi  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  September 
3,  1887,  by  D.  W.  Coquillett,  issuing  in  a  box  which  contained  only  adult  females  of 
the  scale. 

Differs  in  anteuuie  and  sculpture  of  scutellum  from  any  S  Eucyrtus  which  I  have 
.seen.  As  the  2  has  not  been'  reared,  this  may  prove  to  belong  to  some  allied  genus, 
hence  the  specific  name. 


A  CONTRIBUTION  TO  THE  HISTORY  OF  THEOPHILA  MANDARINA. 

By  Philip  Walker. 

Desiring  about  two  years  ago  to  obtain  some  information  about  the  wild 
mulberry- feeding  silk- worm  of  China,  the  Theophila  mandarina.,  which 
had  excited  some-attention  in  Europe,  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture 
requested  the  Secretary  of  State  to  instruct  the  consul-general  of  the 
United  States  at  Shanghai  to  examine  into  the  matter  and  obtain  sam- 


271 

pies  of  the  cocoons  and  manufactured  products,  and  if  possible  some  of 
the  eggs.  Ill  this  the  consul-general  was  successful,  as  the  following 
correspondence  shows. 

The  eggs  were  dul^'  received  at  the  Department,  but  failed  to  hatch. 
This  is,  we  believe,  the  experience  of  European  experimenters.  The 
object  of  tills  importation  was  to  obtain  a  vigorous  race  of  mulberry- 
feeding  worms,  which  might  be  interbred  with  our  own  depleted  races 
and  instil  into  them  new  life.  The  outcome  was  unfortunately  unsuc- 
cessful. 

United  States  Consulate-General, 

Shanghai,  August  9,  1886. 

Sir:  Referring  to  the  Department's  instructions  No.  7,  inclosing  a  copy  of  a  com- 
munication from  the  Commissionerof  Agriculture  to  Mr.  Bayard,  relative  to  a  certain 
race  of  silk-worms  named  therein,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  Shang-lin,  a  district 
in  which  a  kind  of  wild  worm  makes  its  cocoon  on  the  ordinary  mulberry  tree,  is 
some  120  miles  northwest  of  Shanghai,  and  to  get  there  a  long  and,  at  this  season  of 
the  year,  tedious  journey  is  necessary. 

I  have  been  informed  that  the  gathering  of  this  wild  cocoon  is  carried  on  from  the 
end  of  the  sixth  month  to  the  beginning  of  the  eighth  (Chinese  calendar),  and  it  being 
now  the  middle  of  the  seventh  month,  I  have  thought  it  advisable  to  instruct  Mr. 
Emens,  the  interpreter  of  this  consulate-general,  to  visit  the  district  of  Shang-lin  as 
soon  as  possible  and  inform  me  of  the  result  of  his  inquiries  and  procure  the  samples 
desired  by  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture. 

The  obstacles  which  will  present  themselves  in  making  the  Inquiries  in  this  matter 
will  be  increased  if  they  are  not  made  during  the  season,  which  will  close  two  weeks 
hence. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture  to  kno-w  that  this  par- 
ticular kind  of  cocoon,  very  little  known  to  Chinese  and  still  less  by  Americans  and 
Europeans,  is  supposed  to  be  a  degenerate  form  of  the  ordinary  silk-worm.  Twenty 
to  twenty-tive  years  ago,  when  this  section  of  China  was  devastated  by  rebels,  the 
jjeople  of  Shang-lin  were  compelled  to  flee  from  their  homes  at  the  season  of  the  year 
when  they  were  engaged  in  breeding  their  silk-worms.  Being  thus  suddenly  deprived 
of  any  care  whatever  the  butterflies  laid  their  eggs  promiscuously,  and  in  time  this 
peculiar  race  of  worms  has  developed,  and  it  is  said  they  are  not  to  be  found  elsewhere 
in  China. 

The  silk  is  of  lighter  weight  than  the  ordinary  product,  and  it  may  possess  ordinary 
properties  that  Americans  may  develop  to  their  profit. 

I  do  not  think  it  has  received  the  attention  of  European  cultivators  of  the  silk- 
worm. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 


D.  Kennedy, 
Consul-General. 


Hon.  James  D.  Porter, 

Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  Washington.  D.  C. 


Shanghai,  August  27,  1886. 
Sir:  In  conformity  with  your  verbal  instructions  to  obtain  for  the  United  States 
Department  of  Agriculture  a  small  quantity  of  the  eggs  of  a  race  of  mulberry-feed- 
ing silk- worms,  scientifically  known  as  the  Theophila  mandarina,  and  called  by  the 
natives  Tlen-seng-tsan,  together  with  samples  of  the  cocoons  of  this  insect  and  of  the 
silk  spun  from  them,  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  left  Shanghai  on  the  12th  in- 
stant and  proceeded  to  Shang-lin,  a  name  applied  to  a  village  and  the  surrounding 
district  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  Che-Kiang.     It  is  a  level,  fertile  region. 


272 

throughout  which  the  mulberry  is  extensively  cultivated.  At  the  village  of  Shaug- 
liu  I  could  obtain  no  satisfactory  information  regarding  the  wild  worm,  as  the  natives 
termed  it,  and  I  therefore  went  a  few  miles  into  the  country  and  finally  reached  a 
small  village,  where  I  saw  the  first  crop  of  wild  cocoons  in  the  process  of  being  spun, 

I  made  inquiries  respecting  the  eggs,  but  the  people  seemed  totally  ignorant  of  the 
matter,  and  I  was  repeatedly  told  that  these  worms  came  from  heaven,  which  ex- 
plains the  term  used  in  the  letter  of  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Tien-seng- 
tsan,  which,  literally  translated,  is  htaveu-born  silk- worm.  Throughout  a  circuit  of 
'20  miles  this  wild  worm  is  met  with.  No  attempt  is  made  to  propagate  them.  They 
take  up  their  abode  in  the  mulberry  orchards  from  which  the  domestic  worm  is  fed, 
and  they  are  regarded  by  some  of  the  farmers  as  a  nuisance,  while  others  in  whose 
orchards  they  are  numerous  gather  and  dispose  of  the  cocoons. 

I  could  only  learn  of  five  places  where  the  spinniug  of  these  cocoons  is  carried  on. 

I  secured  four  samples  of  cloth,  which  I  have  marked  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  4.  No.  1  is 
a  crape  used  for  women's  turbans,  for  which  I  paid  the  retail  price  of  70  cents,  Mex- 
ican. No.  2  is  a  kind  of  gauze,  and  is  used  in  various  ways;  price,  40  cents.  No.  3 
is  used  for  clothing;  price,  52^  cents.  No.  4  is  made  from  the  outside  covering  of  the 
cocoon,  from  which  a  kind  of  down,  used  for  wadding  in  quilts  and  winter  clothing, 
is  also  made.  Sample  No.  5  is  a  lot  of  cocoons  before  being  stripped,  and  No.  0  shows 
the  appearance  when  ready  for  winding.  Sample  No.  7  shows  the  spun  silk  as  taken 
from  the  reel.* 

It  will  be  observed  that  it  is  of  a  yellowish  color  and  much  coarser  than  the  ordi- 
nary silk.  I  did  not  succeed  in  obtaining  any  of  the  eggs,  the  second  crop  being  all 
hatched,  but  I  made  arrangements  to  have  a  quantity  sent  me  as  soon  as  the  worms, 
which  are  now  about  twenty  days  old,  have  developed  into  moths.  I  expect  they 
will  arrive  in  Shanghai  in  the  latter  part  of  September.  Eggs  laid  in  the  eighth 
moon  hatch  out  so  that  the  cocoons  are  ready  to  gather  in  the  following  sixth  moon, 
forming  the  first  crop.  The  second  crop  is  gathered  in  the  eighth,  and  no  attention 
whatever  is  given  at  any  time  to  the  breeding  or  raising  of  these  worms. 

They  must  lay  their  eggs  on  the  bark  of  the  mulberry  tree  as  well  as  the  leaves,  for 
in  the  autumn  the  leaves  are  all  stripped  from  the  trees  and  fed  to  sheep.  Yet  the  crop 
is  always  about  the  same. 

Attempts  to  cultivate  theiu  or  to  compel  them  to  lay  their  eggs  indoors  will,  I  was 
informed,  prove  unsatisfactory.  The  moths  will  either  escape  or  die.  I  was  told 
that  they  never  cross  with  the  domestic  worm.  They  feed  upon  the  mulberry  leaves 
exclusively.  I  made  inquiries  as  to  their  origin,  and  was  told  that  they  had  always 
existed  throughout  that  section.  Information  that  I  had  jjreviously  obtained  in 
Shanghai  to  the  eft'ect  that  they  are  a  degenerate  type  of  the  ordinary  worm,  caused 
by  the  advent  of  the  rebels  twenty-five  years  ago,  was  not  corroborated  by  the  an- 
swers to  my  questions  on  the  subject.  An  old  man  of  seventy,  who  was  busy  reeling 
silk,  told  me  that  he  had  known  of  them  for  over  sixty  years.  The  natives  spoke  of 
their  hardiness  and  their  indifl'erence  to  rain,  wind,  or  any  of  the  conditions  that 
seriously  affect  the  domestic  worm. 

The  majority  of  the  natives  of  whom  I  made  inquiries  knew  nothing  of  their 
habits.  They  gather  the  cocoons  from  the  trees  twice  a  year  and  regard  them  as  a 
free  gift  from  heaven. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  S.  Emexs, 
Interpreter  United  States  Consulate-General. 

General  J.  D.  Kennedy, 

Consiil-General  of  the  United  States,  Slianr/hai. 

"  These  samples  are  in  the  Department's  silk  museum. 


273 


NOTES  ON   THE  CULTIVATION  OF  THE   JAPANESE   OAK-FEEDING 
SILK-WORM  (Antherea  yama  mai). 

15Y   C.    E.    WEBSTER,    M.    D. 

The  subject  of  this  pa])er  is  ooe  that  has  engaged  the  attentiou  of 
the  writer  through  a  period  of  several  years,  aud  affords  mauy  pleas- 
ant recollections. 

The  eggs  of  the  Yama-mai  are  deposited  singly  or  in  small  groups. 
Their  tenacious  brown  envelope  serves  to  fasten  them  to  the  spot  when 
they  are  deposited,  to  occlude  the  minute  pores  which  perforate  the 
shell,  thus  controlling  the  evaporation  of  the  contained  iiuids,  and  also 
as  a  disguise  to  conceal  them  from  birds  aud  other  enemies,  rendering 
them  inconspicuous  upon  the  rough  twigs  of  the  oak.  In  shape  they 
are  flattened  spheroids,  the  greater  diameter  being  3"""  and  thelesser2""". 
They  are  deposited  in  the  latter  part  of  August.  Those  which  are 
sterile  begin  to  flatten  out  in  a  few  days  and  finally  collapse,  while  those 
that  are  fertile,  if  carefully  opened  by  cutting  off  one  face  of  the  disk, 
will  show  the  developing  embryo. 

The  worm  is  fully  formed  long  before  cold  weather  sets  in,  and  lies 
throughout  the  winter  in  a  dormant  state  curled  up  within  its  neatly 
varnished  case. 

The  eggs  are  commercially  known  as  seed.  I  obtained  my  seed  from 
Mr.  W.  Y.  Andrews,  of  New  York,  in  the  fall  of  1872.  He  probably 
obtained  the  stock  from  England.  Originally  the  species  was  brought 
from  Japan  by  the  French  Acclimatization  Society  about  the  year  1S60. 
The  first  stock  was  lost,  and  later  a  representative  of  the  Dutch  Gov- 
ernment obtained  a  fresh  supply,  from  which  many  crops  were  raised  in 
different  parts  of  Europe. 

I  placed  the  eggs  in  a  bottle  and  hung  them  outside  a  north  window. 
There  they  remained  until  the  following-  spring.  When  warm  weather 
came,  fearing  that  they  would  hatch  before  their  food-plant,  the  Uak, 
was  in  leaf,  the  bottle  was  lowered  into  a  well  and  occasionally  exam- 
ined. All  remained  quiet  until  the  middle  of  May,  when  there  appeared 
three  or  four  little  caterpillars. 

The  Oak  was  not  yet  out.  It  is  stated*  that  they  will  eat  the  leaves 
of  the  Chestnut,  Quince,  Pynis  terminalis  and  P.  aria  (species  allied  to 
the  Mountain  Ash)  and  also  that  they  will  eat  the  leaves  of  the  Pear.t 

The  young-  worms  were  placed  upon  the  pear  leaves  and  ate  vigor- 
ously, but  this  food  brought  on  an  attack  of  diarrhoea,  a  regular  cholera 
infantum,  from  which  they  died,  victims  of  circumstances  and  an  un- 
natural diet.  A  few  days  later  the  little  reddish,  fuzzy  oak  leaves  were 
out  of  bud,  more  caterpillars  were  crawling  about  in  the  bottle  and  the 
work  of  attending  an  interesting  family  of  fifty  began  in  good  earnest, 

*Der  Japauische  Eicheuspiauer.     Von  Ad.  Ullerich. 
flu  Mr.  Andrews'  circular. 


274 

The  eggs  were  emptied  upon  a  piece  of  moist  blottiug  paper,  covered 
with  glass  and  set  in  a  warm  place.  A  temperature  of  60°  F.  is  suffi- 
cient to  hitch  them.  The  moisture  serves  to  soften  the  shell  and  varnish. 
The  worm  makes  a  perforation  in  the  edge  of  the  disk,  and  through  this 
opening  its  head  can  be  seen  vigorously  gnawing  at  the  tough  rind  which 
imprisons  it.  Some  larvse*  make  a  meal  of  their  entire  egg-shell,  de- 
vouring what  is  left  of  it  after  they  emerge,  but  these  merely  eat  a  bole 
large  enough  to  crawl  through.  They  hatch  early  in  the  morning  and 
have  the  advantage  in  their  natural  state  of  a  drink  of  dew  before  going 
to  the  leaves.  For  this  reason  it  is  best  to  give  them  water  before 
]dacing  them  upon  their  food,  or  the  twigs  may  be  sprinkled  with  water. 
They  should  never  be  touched  by  inexperienced  fingers,  but  may  be 
lifted  upon  a  soft  brush.  In  handling  them  observe  the  fact  that  their 
tendency  is  to  crawl  upwards. 

The  length  of  the  newly  hatched  worm  is  7""".  The  general  color  is 
dark,  and  they  are  quite  hairy.  This  ai)pearance  serves  a  useful  pur- 
pose, rendering  them  less  conspicuous  upon  the  twigs  of  the  oak,  and 
much  better  protected  from  the  sharp  sight  of  insect-eating  birds  than 
if  they  presented  the  bright  green  color  of  their  later  stage. 

The  young  worms  when  placed  upon  their  food  at  once  crawl  to  the 
end  of  the  stem  and  attack  the  leaves.  In  their  first  period  they  are 
rather  restless  and  disposed  to  wander,  particularly  if  in  a  light  place. 
In  four  or  five  days  they  attain  the  length  of  14""". 

The  caterpillar  then  prepares  to  cast  its  skin.  For  this  it  is  neces- 
sary that  it  should  have  a  firm  hold  upon  the  twig,  to  secure  which  it 
crawls  away  to  the  end  of  the  stem  and  covers  the  bark  for  a  short  space 
with  a  net-work  of  silk.  Firndy  grasping  this  fabric  with  its  hinder 
pairs  of  legs  for  two  or  three  days,  it  composes  itself  to  sleep  while  in- 
ternal changes  are  taking  place.  During  this  sleep  it  does  not  assume 
the  ordinary  position  of  rest.  The  fore  part  of  the  body  is  elevated  and 
very  much  drawn  together,  a  position  characteristic  of  the  larva  of  the 
SphingidtTB. 

]Molting  insects  should  never  be  disturbed.  This  change  involves  a 
great  strength,  and  sickly  ones  are  unable  to  endure  it.  Those  un- 
fortunates who  enter  into  the  new  i)eriod  with  portions  of  the  old  skin 
still  attached  to  them  are  quite  likely  to  die. 

The  newly  molted  worm  looks  pale  and  delicate.  Its  head,  much  in- 
creased in  size,  is  of  a  creamy  color,  the  body  of  a  light  green  and  si)arely 
covered  with  thin  hairs.  The  segments  do  not  present  the  plump, 
rounded  appearance  that  is  characteristic  of  the  condition  just  before 
the  molt,  but  are  angular.  After  a  short  rest  it  repairs  to  the  ends  of 
the  twigs  where  the  leaves,  which  are  now  quite  large  and  of  a  glossy 
green,  serve  to  relieve  its  hunger.  The  chief  occupation  of  the  worms 
during  the  period  between  the  molts  is  eating,  and  as  the  amount  eaten 


*Tbe  Sphingidw. 


275 

depends  upou  the  size  of  the  jaws,  we  see  that  au  occasional  cbaujje  is 
necessary  to  meet  the  requirements  of  an  increasing  appetite.  Wlieu 
reared  nnder  cover,  the  leaves  must  be  occasionally  sprinkled  in  order 
to  supply  the  worm  with  drink. 

In  a  short  time  after  the  first  molt  it  becomes  somewhat  darker  in 
color  and  in  ten  days  prepares,  as  before,  for  the  second  molt.  It  has 
then  reached  a  length  of  about  26'"'".  At  the  twenty-flrst  day  it  makes 
a  third  cast  of  the  skin.     Its  length  is  45"^'". 

Just  before  the  fourth  molt,  which  occurs  near  the  thirty-first  day,  it 
measures  70"^"".  This  is  its  final  caterpillar  skin.  The  head  which 
was  previously  more  or  less  tinted  with  red  remains  of  a  permanent 
green.  The  sides  are  adorned  with  metallic  silver  spots,  and  other 
less  conspicuous  markings. 

The  fully  grown  worm  forty-seven  days  after  hatching  from  the  egg 
is  of  a  length  of  90'"'"  or  100""".  It  is  then  about  to  produce  the  cocoon. 
The  fully  grown  caterpillar  wanders  about  the  branches  of  the  Oak  evac- 
uating from  its  bowels,  not  the  hard  dry  pieces  characteristic  of  its  ordi- 
nary condition,  but  a  soft  semifluid  matter  which  will  mar  any  cocoon 
upon  which  it  happens  to  fall.  For  this  reason,  as  well  as  to  avoid  ac- 
cidents consequent  upon  being  disturbed,  the  twigs  containing  spinning 
insects  should  be  removed  from  the  neighborhood  of  those  preparing 
to  spin.  The  worm  generally  selects  a  spot  where  two  leaves  can  be 
drawn  together  to  afford  a  partial  shelter.  Between  these  leaves  it  en- 
sconces itself. 

The  first  silk  thrown  out  is  of  a  golden-green  color.  With  this  is 
covered  the  stems  of  the  leaves,  the  twig  from  which  they  grow,  and 
also  their  proximal  surfoces.  This  silk  forms  a  sort  of  scatibldmg.  It 
prevents  the  leaves,  and  with  it  the  web,  from  failing  oft"  the  tree,  de- 
fines the  space  that  the  cocoon  is  to  occupy  and  by  its  color  serves  as  a 
disguise  for  the  white  material  that  is  produced  later.  Having  in- 
closed itself  within  this  coarse  structure  the  cocoon  proper  is  made. 
Along. the  exposed  space  in  the  o])eniug  between  the  leaves  is  woven 
the  first  thick  layer  of  silk.  The  head  is  moved  rapidly  back  and  forth 
across  this  surface  leaving  after  it  its  sticky  filament.  The  fiber  is  laid 
in  loops  as  if  by  a  flourish  of  the  pen.  The  entire  fabric  is  composed 
of  a  repetition  of  loops  like  flourishes. 

Each  cocoon,  it  is  stated,  consists  of  a  single  thread  extending  from 
the  stem  through  intricate  weaviugs  till  it  ends  upon  the  inner  surface. 
This  thread  is  from  800'"  to  1,000"'  in  length  and  .02^'"'"  to  .05'"'"  in  thick- 
ness. 

In  a  day  or  two  the  cocoon  is  completed.  It  is  a  regular  oval  about 
50'""'  'by  25""".  The  exposed  portions  of  the  outer  surface  of  a  golden 
green,  while  the  portions  protected  by  the  leaves  are  of  a  pale  green. 
The  interior  is  of  a  silvery  white. 

On  the  third  day  after  commencing  the  spinning  there  is  evacuated  a 
milky-white  secretion,  which  permeates  the  whole  structure  and  in  dry- 
18578—^0.  9^—2 


276 

ing  leaves  it  covered  with  a  fine  white  dust.  This  secretion  is  supposed 
to  correspond  to  the  urine  of  higher  animals. 

At  tliis  time  tlie  caterpillar  skin  is  cast  for  the  last  time.  The  head 
splits  through  the  middle,  the  split  extending-  down  the  back,  and  by 
repeated  vermicular  movements  the  creature  forces  the  skin  backward 
until  it  remains  a  conical  button  packed  at  the  bottom  of  the  cocoon. 
The  pupa  is  at  first  a  soft  sticky  thing,  with  rudimentary  members  simi- 
lar to  those  of  the  fully-developed  moth,  excepting  the  wings  and  sex- 
ual organs,  which  are  little  developed.  In  a  short  time  all  of  these 
structures  become  agglutinated  together  by  drying,  and  although  their 
outlines  are  still  discernible,  they  can  no  longer  be  separated. 

The  pupal  period  is  forty  days. 

Let  us  consider  the  mercantile  value  of  the  structure  which  this  in- 
sect has  made  for  its  own  protection.  If  the  cocoon  be  placed  in  hot 
water  and  stirred  about,  various  euds  of  the  fiber  which  was  broken  in 
stripping  off  the  leaves  will  be  found  floating.  If  these  are  caught  upon 
some  rough  substance  and  drawn  out  of  the  water,  they  will  unravel 
from  the  cocoon  and  soon  end.  By  perseverance  a  fiber  will  be  found 
which  unravels  indefinitely.  In  the  practical  api)lication  of  this  fact 
for  the  reeling  of  silk  several  cocoons  are  placed  in  the  water  together 
and  their  fibers  joined  to  form  a  single  thread. 

The  peculiarities  of  this  silk  are  that  the  fiber  is  strong  and  loosely 
laid,  therefore  comparatively  easy  to  reel,  but  it  is  coarser  than  the 
Bomhyx  mori  silk  and  does  not  take  a  dye  readily.  The  silks  of  the 
various  American  species  are  somewhat  finer,  of  various  shades  of  brown, 
and  difficult  to  reel  because  of  the  compactness  of  the  cocoon  and  the 
delicacy  of  the  thread.  I  have,  however,  specimens  of  the  Cecropia 
silk  which  was  of  such  quality  that  it  could  be  manipulated. 

In  gathering  cocoons  for  silk  they  should  be  taken  while  fresh,  as 
soon  as  the  worm  has  completed  its  pupal  change  and  before  the  weather 
has  affected  the  quality  of  the  fiber.  The  pupa  may  be  killed  by  steam- 
ing and  drying.  The  cocoons  can  then  be  packed  and  preserved  for 
reeling.  The  Japanese  j)repare  the  yama-mai  by  killing  them  in  the  sun 
or  baking  them  in  ovens. 

The  first  change  occurs  at  about  the  fifth  week  after  the  spinning; 
the  chrysalis  skin  bursts,  and  the  moth  emerges  by  emptying  a  fluid 
which  softens  the  fiber  and  then  breaking  its  way  through  the  end  of 
the  cocoon.  After  about  an  hour  the  wings  become  expanded  and  the 
perfect  insect  is  before  us.  The  female  is  slightly  larger  than  the  male 
and  of  a  more  somber  color.  The  males  vary  in  tint  from  dark  choco- 
late to  bright  yellow,  while  the  female  varies  from  brown  to  orange. 
The  forewings  are  strongly  curved  along  the  costal  margin  and  acutely 
angled  at  the  tip.  Each  wing  presents  a  transparent  eye-like  spot,  in 
this  respect  resembling  the  Polyphemus  and  Luna.  The  vivid  coloring 
and  strongly- marked  difference  between  the  male  and  female  serve  to 
distinguish  this  species  from  A.  ijeniyi,  its  Chinese  congener. 


277 

DiiriDg  the  first  day  the  female  is  quiescent.  After  pairing  the  male 
^ies  away,  while  the  female  flutters  among  the  branches  and  deposits 
ber  eggs.  As  reared  in  confinement,  the  eggs  may  be  gathered  from 
the  sides  of  the  boxes  within  which  they  are  deposited.  The  ordinary 
yield  of  a  single  insect  is  two  hundred. 

The  yama-mai  is  a  native  of  a  hilly  country,  and  thrives  better  in 
similar  localities.  The  Japanese  raise  them  either  upon  scrub  oaks  or 
upon  cut  branches  of  the  same  placed  in  jars  of  water  in  open  sheds. 
If  raised  upon  the  trees,  scare  crows  are  placed  in  the  tops  to  keep  away 
the  birds  and  paste  spread  about  the  trunk  to  catch  the  ants. 

The  species  can  readily  be  cultivated  in  this  country.  The  only  spe- 
cial precaution  necessary  is  care  in  the  wintering  of  the  eggs,  and,  if 
reared  in  confinement,  the  selection  of  a  locality  free  from  mold,  coob 
with  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and  not  too  dry,  as  this  is  the  best  for  the 
growing  worms  ;  otherwise  they  are  liable  to  an  infectious  disease,  which 
destroys  them  just  before  the  period  of  spinning.  It  might  be  possible 
to  change  the  habit  of  this  species  so  that  it  could  be  wintered  in  the 
cocoon,  but  it  is  probable  that  such  a  change  would  affect  the  quality  of 
the  silk.  It  appears  to  me  more  likely  that  the  establishment  of  a  cul- 
tivated stock  of  the  American  species,  which  should  winter  in  the  egg 
and  produce  a  summer  cocoon,  thus  resembling  the  yama-mai  in  habit, 
would  afford  a  source  from  which  a  native  staple  might  be  reeled. 

I  am  led  to  this  conclusion  by  the  observation  that  those  cocoons  of 
the  Cecropia  which  when  reelable  contained  dead  worms,  show  con- 
clusively that  change  by  cultivation  is  necessary  in  order  to  utilize  the 
native  species. 

The  secret  of  success  in  silk  culture  is  in  knowing  the  nature  of  the 
insect,  and  failures  regarding  foreign  species  are  due  to  an  attempt  to 
introduce,  not  adopt  or  naturalize,  them.  A  purely  native  silk  can  be 
produced,  and  the  cultivation  of  such  a  stock  would  be  the  best  founda- 
tion for  a  silk  industry.  Understanding  must  be  the  parent  of  skill. 
Domestication  of  the  native  and  acclimatization  of  foreign  must  precede 
the  cultivation  of  a  useful  product. 


NOTES  ON  A  SPECIES  OF  BRYOBIA  INFESTING  DWELLINGS. 

By  F.  M.  Webster. 

For  the  last  two  years,  during  spring,  there  have  appeared  in  a  num- 
ber of  residences  in  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  great  numbers  of  small,  active, 
brown  mites,  which,  while  apparently  doing  no  harm,  created  much  con- 
sternation among  the  painstaking  housewives. 

There  are  a  number  of  species  of  Bryobia  in  this  country,  two  of  which 
{B.  pratensis  and  B.  pallida)  were  described  by  Mr.  H.  Garman  as  in- 
festing meadows  in  Illinois,*  but  the  present  species  appears  to  be  unde- 
scribed. 

*Fourteentli  Report  State  Entomologist  111,  pp.  73  and  74. 


278 

Ou  May  26  of  the  present  year  our  atteution  was  called  to  the 
swarms  of  these  mites  crawling  ou  windows  and  over  cari)ets  and  fur- 
niture iu  rooms,  some  of  which  were  not  accessible  to  sunshine,  and  had 
not  been  kept  warm  during  winter.  On  June  7,  we  found  the  same 
species  exceedingly  abundant  on  the  leaves  of  Timothy  ou  the  lawns  iu 
the  vicinity  of  the  infested  dwellings.  Those  which  we  had  observed 
indoors  were  seemingly  fully  developed,  whereas  those  on  the  grass 
were  of  all  sizes,  the  minute  individuals  predominating,  and  usually 
forming  companies  or  families  grouped  about  mature  individuals.  A 
month  later  however,  there  were  comparatively  few  remaining  ou 
the  grass,  and  they  had  long  since  disappeared  from  the  dwellings. 
On  July  29,  I  could  find  but  a  single  individual  after  long  search,  this 
one  being,  as  I  suppose,  full  grown.  From  this  date  up  to  September 
26,  when  they  were  again  observed  on  Timothy,  nothing  could  be  found 
of  them  ou  the  grasses  or  indoors.  Wherever  these  mites  occurred  ou 
the  grass  the  latter  soon  began  to  have  a  scalded  appearance.  In  fact, 
the  prevailing  opinion  seems  to  be  that  the  species  of  Bryobia,  found  in 
this  country,  are  of  vegetal  food  habits.  This,  if  true,  would  indicate 
that  they  entered  our  dwellings  for  the  purpose  of  hibernating;  an  idea 
which  is  somewhat  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  in  some  of  the  houses 
which  they  frequented  there  were  no  growing  plants.  Besides  this,  a 
species  similar  to  the  one  observed  by  me  was  sent  to  Prof.  A.  J. 
Cook,  from  Scotts,  Mich.,  by  Mr.  Adam  Haas,  on  December  12,  with 
the  complaint  that  the  window  curtains  and  carpet  on  the  south  side 
of  his  parlor  were  full  of  them.*  But,  if  their  object  were  simply  to 
secure  protection  from  the  cold  weather,  why  should  they  stay  so  late 
in  the  spring  ? 

This  occurrence  of  mites  in  dwellings  is  not  confined  to  Indiana  and 
Michigan.  In  the  Country  Gentleman  of  June  9,  1881,  a  correspondent 
of  Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  complains  of  their  occurring  ou  kitchen 
windows  and  in  a  box  of  clothing  in  a  seldom  used  chamber,  the 
walls,  floor,  and  furniture  of  the  latter,  iu  the  corner  near  the  box,  being 
almost  covered  with  the  mites.  In  his  reply  Dr.  Lintner  states  that 
the  mites  were  allied  to  the  red  spider.  In  a  private  letter  of  July  9» 
1881,  Dr.  Liutuer  writes  me  that  under  date  of  June  16  a  correspondent 
complains  of  the  occurrence,  in  great  numbers,  of  mites  in  a  newly 
lathed,  plastered,  and  painted  house. 

In  Europe  the  massing  together  of  a  similar  species,  Petrohla  lapidum, 
during  autumn,  has  been  repeatedly  observed.  Duges  found  whole 
families  under  stones  in  public  walks  iu  the  south  of  France,  he  having 
in  summer  observed  it  in  families  on  the  under  side  of  leaves  of  the 
Plane-tree.t  What  was  sui)posed  to  be  the  same  species  has  been  sev- 
eral times  reported  as  swarming  under  pebbles  and  gravel  in  England. 

*Michigan  Farmer,  January  9,  1888. 

t  Economic  Entomology.     Aptera.     By  Andrew  Murray,  pp.  119,  120. 


279 

Mr.  Albert  Miiller  ineiitious  its  occurreuce  in  great  numbers  in  August, 
on  the  flint  gravel,  covering  the  approaches  to  Elmer's  End  Station, 
near  London.* 


CRANBERRY  LEAF-GALLS. 

Bj'  Dn.  Fr.  Thomas,   Ohrdniff,  Germany. 

The  cranberry-galls  mentioned  in  the  periodical  bulletin  (Insect 
Life,  Vol.  I,  1888,  p.  112),  looking  like  mite-galls  of  extremely  small 
size,  are  not  made  by  Phytoptus  or  any  other  animal  parasite,  but  by  a 
little  unicellular  fungus  of  the  genus  Synchytrinm.  The  mite-galls  of 
a  similar  form  we  And  on  other  plants  are  purse-like  and  furnished  with 
an  opening,  serving  as  a  passage-way  for  the  mites  from  the  opposite 
surface  of  the  leaf.  Microscopical  investigatioTi  shows  the  cranberry- 
galls  as  not  purse-like,  but  chalice-shai)ed.  On  the  bottom  of  the  crim- 
son chalice  (at  the  base  of  the  excavation)  one  cell  is  much  increased 
in  size,  the  "  host  cell"  of  the  parasite.  It  contains  only  one  subglob- 
ular  fungus-cell,  0.08(3-0.171"""  in  diameter,  which  has  a  brownish, 
smooth  wall ;  its  contents  are  colored  by  chrome-yellow  oil.  This  "  rest- 
ing spore"  of  the  fungus  resembles  that  of  Synchytrimn  aureum  Schro- 
ter,  known  in  Euroi)e  as  growing  upon  a  great  many  plants,  in  the 
United  States  on  LysimacJiia  quadrifoUa  L.  (cf  Farlow,  Botanical  Ga- 
zette, X,  p.  ii42),  but  till  now  unknown  or  at  least  undescribed  as  a  gall- 
maker  of  Vaccininm.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  Synchytrium  vaccinii, 
which  produces  the  cranberry-galls,  belongs  to  the  former  species,  no 
chalice-shaped  gall  caused  by  Synchytriwn  aureum  having  been  found 
yet. 

In  autumn  the  cranberry-galls  become  black  and  brittle  and  break 
otf.  The  resting  spores  of  the  fungus  fall  down  to  the  ground  or  are  set 
free  by  the  rotting  away  of  the  leaves.  Next  spring  the  spore  germi- 
nates, produces  (in  a  manner  still  to  be  stated  for  this  species)  zoospores, 
swimming  in  water  for  some  time  and  attaching  themselves  to  epidermal 
cells  of  a  young  cranberry- leaf  to  i-ecommence  the  production  of  galls. 
Thus  the  parasite  spreads  by  water,  an  infection  that  can  not  be  lim- 
ited in  a  locality  in  which  water  sometimes  overflows  all  the  ground  or 
runs  from  one  part  to  the  other.  A  long  flooding  of  the  bog  can  not 
but  result  in  the  further  distribution  of  the  disease.  The  single  remedy, 
I  mean,  would  be  to  draw  out  all  plants  covered  with  galls  in  summer 
or  autumn  before  the  resting  spores  escape. 

*  Entomologist's  Monthly  Magazine,  ltifi7-'68,  p.  71. 

Note. — Early  in  December,  ln88,  Hon.  L.  B.  Cnster,  of  Logansport,  Ind.,  applied 
to  me  for  a  remedy  for  a  species  of  mite  which  had  taken  possession  of  a  dwelling 
in  his  city,  coming  in  throngh  the  crevices  about  the  windows,  as  observed  by  the 
lady  of  the  house,  they  having  been  also  observed  in  the  same  house  the  preceding 
spring.— F,  M.  W. 


280 

It  is  possible  that  tbe  same  fungus  irsfects  other  plants,  too,  and  causes 
there  small  protuberances  or  galls  on  leaves  and  stalks,  and  therefore 
it  would  be  desirable  to  state  the  occurrence  of  such  small  galls  on 
other  plants  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  the  diseased  cranberries. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Red-legged  Flea-beetle  injuring  Peach  Orchards. 

A  peach  enemy  has  spruug  up  among  us  that  threatens  the  entire  destruction  of 
our  orchards  unless  checked  in  some  way.  It  is  a  small  beetle,  as  per  inclosed  speci- 
men. It  partakes  somewhat  of  the  natnre  of  the  flea  and  potato-bug.  When  dis- 
turbed they  jump  rather  tban  fly,  and  can  be  shaken  ofl'  the  trees,  causing  them  to 
drop  through  the  branches  like  shot.  We  propose  to  spray  our  trees  with  Paris  green 
(1  pound  to  100  gallons).  Do  you  know  the  name  of  the  insect  we  refer  to,  and  is 
there  anything  better  than  Paris  green  for  their  destruction  ?  Any  information  you 
may  be  able  to  give  us  will  be  thankfully  received.  [Stover  &  Stover,  Edgemont, 
Md.,  May  15,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  insect  which  is  damaging  your  peach  trees  is  the  Red-legged 
Flea-beetle  (Haltica  rufipes).  Your  proposed  application  of  Paris  green  will  probably 
be  satisfactory  in  destroying  the  beetles,  but  of  course  will  not  at  once  put  a  stop  to 
the  damage.  Would  it  not  be  simpler  to  shake  them  down  upon  sheets  placed  upon 
the  ground,  first  saturating  the  sheets  with  kerosene  so  that  every  beetle  falling 
upon  them  will  be  killed?  We  shall  be  glad  to  learn  of  the  success  of  whichever 
plan  you  adopt. — [May  17,  1888.] 

The  Spider  Bite  Question  again. 

I  must  thank  you  for  sending  me  Insect  Life.  While  entomology  is  out  of  my 
line  now,  I  usually  see  something  of  interest  while  looking  over  your  journal.  In 
the  last  number  the  article  on  "Fatal  Spider  Bites"  has  especially  interested  me,  as 
I  have  had  a  curious  experience  in  the  same  line,  and  it  may  interest  you  to  have  an 
account  of  it. 

In  medicine  we  frequently  have  rare  cases  come  together.  I  have  had  six  cases  of 
spider  bite,  or  so  diagnosed,  where  the  testimony  is  more  or  less  convincing  as  to  the 
venom  of  spiders 

Four  of  them  are  rather  remarkable,  as  the  history  is  the  same  in  all,  and  the  symp- 
toms very  similar.  A  man  comes  home  from  his  work,  eats  his  supper,  and  goes  out 
to  the  privy,  sits  on  the  hole,  comes  in  contact  with  a  spider's  web,  and  almost  im- 
mediately is  bitten  on  the  glans  penis.  But  a  few  minutes  pass  by  before  there  is 
giddiness  and  sharp  lancinating  pains  running  up  into  the  back  and  abdomen.  The 
patient  is  so  sick  that  he  goes  to  bed  at  once  and  sends  for  a  physician  ;  there  is  fever, 
intense  restlessness,  and  anxiety  ;  the  abdominal  muscles  hard  and  contracted;  the 
muscles  of  the  face  and  throat  strongly  contracted,  and  swallowing  very  difflcult; 
the  patient  appears  to  be  in  great  agony,  and  calls  for  immediate  relief;  the  arterial 
pressure  is  high,  the  pulse  hard  and  rapid.  In  my  first  case,  a  negro  about  forty  five 
years  old,  the  symptoms  were  relieved  by  large  doses  of  morphine  subcutaneously, 
and  the  patient  was  up  in  three  or  four  days.  He  had  incipient  phthisis  at  the  time, 
and  died  from  this  disease  a  year  later.  There  was  no  point  on  the  glans  penis  to 
indicate  the  bite. 

In  my  second  case  I  was  called  out  at  midnight  on  the  suburbs  of  the  city  to  a 
mulatto,  a  large  and  vigorous  man,  whom  I  found  in  great  iigony,  tossing  all  over 


281 

the  bed,  and  crying  out  from  the  same  ianciuatiug  pains  running  np  into  the  abdomen 
and  back,  the  muscles  of  the  whole  body  strongly  contracted,  especially  the  abdom- 
inal; there  was  high  fever,  the  body  in  a  profuse  perspiration,  and  the  pulse  hard  and 
quick.  He  gave  me  much  the  same  history.  He  had  gone  out  to  the  privy  after  his  sup- 
per, had  sat  on  the  hole,  had  felt  the  web,  and  almost  immediately  the  bite  on  the  glans 
penis,  followed  quickly  by  the  agonizing  pains,  so  that  it  was  with  great  difCcnlty 
that  he  reached  the  house.  I  gave  him  large  doses  of  morphia,  hypoderniatically,  and 
plenty  of  whisky  before  he  found  any  relief.  This  man  was  sick  in  bed  three  weeks; 
he  had  fever  lasting  several  days,  and  some  diarrhoea,  and  he  got  up  much  reduced  in 
flesh,  verj  weak,  and  his  muscles  all  sore  from  the  tetanic  contractions. 

A  third  case  was  that  of  a  strong,  muscular  white  man,  who  sent  for  me  at  mid- 
night, after  trying  in  vain  various  measures  to  relieve  his  violent  pains  in  the  stomach 
and  back.  He  gave  me  precisely  the  same  history  as  the  other  two.  He  went  into 
his  garden  after  supper  to  attend  to  his  flowers,  went  into  the  privy,  sat  on  the  hole, 
felt  the  spider's  web,  and  almost  immediately  the  bite.  For  some  minutes  he  felt  no 
inconvenience  ;  gradually  the  severe  lancinating  pains  came  on,  shooting  up  into  the 
abdomen  and  back,  and  they  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  he  sent  for  me.  I 
found  the  same  restlessness,  anxiety,  tetanic  contractions,  and  agonizing  pains  as  in 
the  other  cases.  I  found,  moreover,  on  the  glans  penis  the  point  of  puncture.  It 
was  a  bright  red  point,  surrounded  by  a  white  zone,  and  an  outer  red  areola,  the  en- 
tire spot  measuring  about  two  lines.  The  testicles  were  drawn  up,  and  the  abdom- 
inal muscles  very  tense  and  hard.  Morphia  and  stimulautsrelieved  the  case,  and  the 
patient  was  out  in  two  days. 

The  fourth  case  was  that  of  a  boy  two  years  old.  His  nurse  had  set  him  on  a  privy 
seat  which  had  not  been  used  for  some  time,  and  he  immediately  complained  of  some- 
thing biting  him.  When  seen  by  me  soon  after,  I  found  the  prepuce  very  much 
swollen  and  edematous,  but  the  child  did  not  complain  much.  The  swelling  disap- 
peared rapidly.     The  evidence  in  this  case  is  very  unsatisfactory,  of  course. 

My  fifth  case  was  that  of  a  colored  woman,  who  gave  a  history  of  a  spider  dropping 
from  the  ceiling  and  biting  her  on  the  face  as  she  lay  in  bed.  There  was  a  great  deal 
of  oedema  and  pain,  and  the  patient  suftered  several  days.  I  could  find  no  distinct 
point  of  puncture,  and  the  spider  was  not  found. 

In  my  sixth  case  a  man  in  putting  on  his  sock  in  the  morning  was  bitten  on  the 
toe,  giving  him  a  great  deal  of  pain.  He  was  quickly  relieved  by  morphine.  He 
brought  me  the  spider,  which  I  immediately  put  in  alcohol  for  future  examination. 
Unfortunately,  while  away  from  the  city,  the  specimen  was  lost.  There  was  a  red 
spot  on  the  abdomen,  and  it  resembled  very  much  the  female  Latrodectiis  mactaus  fig- 
ured in  your  journal. 

I  am  sorry  the  evidence  in  these  cases  is  not  more  direct,  and  that  lean  not  produce 
the  spiders.  I  made  diligent  search  in  each  case,  but  the  webs  had  been  brushed 
away.  While  it  may  be  questioned  that  these  cases  were  spider  bites,  the  collective 
evidence  is  in  favor,  I  think,  of  that  explanation.  One  thing  is  certain — sitting  on  old 
privy  seats  is  not  without  its  dangers,  in  this  part  of  the  country,  at  any  rate.  Scor- 
pions are  not  to  be  found  in  Georgia,  certainly  not  in  this  part  of  the  State.  I  know 
of  no  species  of  ant  capable  of  producing  snch  a  serious  bite.  We  can  throw  out  a 
bee  or  wasp  sting.  The  svmptoms  all  pointed  to  the  introduction  of  a  venom  or  ani- 
mal alkaloid  allied  to  tctanine.  The  evidence  in  four  cases  of  sitting  on  a  privy  seat, 
of  feeling  the  web,  and  immediately  the  bite,  points  strongly  to  the  spider  as  the 
cause  of  the  trouble. 

The  intensity  of  the  symptoms  in  the  second  case,  where  the  patient  was  a  strong 
and  vigorous  man,  would  lead  one  to  believe  in  the  possibility  of  a  fatal  spider  bite 
when  the  patient  was  feeble  or  especially  sensitive  to  the  venom  of  spiders.  Of 
course,  it  is  a  mere  conjecture  as  to  the  species  of  spider  that  caused  the  trouble  in 
these  cases.  In  the  first  three  cases  the  symptoms  were  so  similar  as  to  suggest  but 
one  species.     And  yet  it  is  not  impossible  that  with  spiders,   as  with  the  venomous 


282 

rt'ptiles,  tbe  malignity  of  the  bite  aiay  depend  upon  the  condition  of  the  animal  at 
the  time.  With  the  rattlesnake,  for  instance,  repeated  use  of  his  fangs  will  exhaust 
the  supply  of  the  poisou,  requiring  some  time  for  its  reproduction,  at  -which  time  the 
bite  will  be  much  less  venomous. 

I  have  written  out  for  you  my  experience,  thinking  you  may  be  able  to  make  some 
use  of  it  in  your  journal. — [E.  R.  Corson,  M.  D.,  liSS  Jones  street.  Savannah,  Ga., 
January  26,  1881). 

Reply. — Your  long  and  interesting  letter  of  January  26  has  just  come.  The  record 
of  your  spider-bite  cases  is  extremely  interesting,  and  we  will  publish  it  in  a  near 
number  of  Insect  Life  just  as  sent,  making  perhaps  a  few  comments.  It  is  greatly 
to  be  regretted  that  in  none  of  these  cases  was  the  spider  seen  or  captured,  and  it 
is  also  a  matter  of  regret  that  you  lost  the  specimen  of  the  one  which  you  thiuk  was 
Latrodectus,  and  which  was  the  biter  in  your  sixth  case.  Your  letter  as  a  whole 
atfords  a  very  strong  bit  of  cumulative  evidence.  In  none  of  the  outhouse  cases  is  it 
probable  that  the  Latrodectus  could  have  been  the  biter,  as  the  spiders  of  this  genus 
do  uot  live  in  such  places.  There  are,  however,  two  genera,  viz,  Amaiiroiius  and 
Ccvlotes,  which  do  live  in  such  buildings.  Their  species  are  rather  large,  active, 
ferocious  spiders,  which  spin  abundant  webs.  The  very  names  of  two  of  the  species  of 
Amanrobii(s,  viz,  aiidax  and  ferox,  indicate  the  character  of  the  spiders.  There  are 
other  spiders  found  in  these  places,  viz,  the  genera  Tegenaria,  Pholciis,  Dictyna,  and 
Tlierid'unn.  The  tirst,  however,  is  probably  not  the  one.  The  second  is  too  weak, 
and  the  third  is  too  small,  and  the  fourth  is  too  shy.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  circum- 
stances under  which  the  bites  were  given  in  the  tirst  four  cases  are  pecniiarly  favor- 
able, as  the  parts  injured  were  those  which  broke  tlie  web  and  which  were  most  ex- 
posed and  which,  at  the  same  time,  are  perhaps  the  tenderest  parts  of  the  body,  being 
tilled  with  blood-vessels  and  nerves.  It  is  truly  remarkiible  that  all  of  these  cases 
should  have  occurred  in  your  practice  so  nearly  together.  I  suppose  that  you  have 
uot  placed  them  on  record  before  or  you  would  have  given  us  the  references.  If  any 
similar  cases  occur  again  in  your  practice  or  in  the  experience  of  any  of  your  medical 
friends  I  hope  that  you  will  not  fail  to  try  to  secure  the  perpetrator  of  the  injury. — 
[January  30,  1889.] 

Susceptibility  to  Insect  Poison. 

Allow  me  to  refer  to  Insect  Life,  No.  7,  page  204,  instancing  the  cases  of  reputed 
poisoning  by  Latrodectus  mactans,  where  unsuspecting  persons  had  been  bitten,  re- 
sulting fatally,  while  so  many  others  have  been  bitten  without  being  seriously  in- 
jured, and  scientilic  and  medical  men  have  often  caused  it  to  bite  them  to  test 
its  power  for  harm  The  sting  of  the  honeybee  is  not  usually  considered  serious, 
but  an  exception  came  directly  under  my  observation.  During  the  afternoon  of  July 
12,  1887,  I  removed  some  sections  of  honey  from  a  colony  of  bees,  and  as  the  basswood 
(or  linden)  season  was  nearly  finished  they  had  but  little  to  do  but  to  seek  revenge. 
At  6  a.  m.  the  next  day  as  my  mother  stepped  outside  the  door  she  was  stuug  upon 
the  temple  by  an  irate  bee,  while  at  a  distance  from  the  hive  of  about  100  feet. 
At  6.30  she  was  taken  with  a  fainting  tit,  somewhat  spasmodic  in  its  action,  which 
was  followed  by  six  others  during  the  next  hour  and  a  half.  A  reclining  posture  and 
a  dash  of  cold  water  into  the  face  would  soon  restore  consciousness,  ohe  continually 
insisted  upon  sitting  up  and  that  she  "  was  better  now,"  until  at  8  o'clock,  when  the 
worst  symptoms  began  to  wear  away.  The  sting  had  not  been  removed  at  first 
and  was  not  readily  found,  as  there  was  scarce  any  swelling  or  angry  blotches  in  one 
place  more  than  another  to  be  seen  upon  the  face,  and  the  wound  itself  seemed  very 
slight.  The  extremities  were  swollen  and  blotched,  accompanied  by  a  sensation  as  of 
nettles,  and  very  painful,  apparently  the  etfect  of  the  virus  being  sutfused  throughout 
the  entire  system,  whereas,  when  stung,  the  most  of  it  (the  virus)  usually  appears 
to  linger  in  the  tiesh  round  about  the  wound,  and  often  causes  considerable  swelling 
in  the  vicinitv. 


283 

The  sting  of  the  wasp,  hornet,  and  bumble-bee  is  no  less  virulent,  and  cases  are 
claimed  where  healthy  meu  have  died  from  the  sting  of  an  individual  of  each  of  the 
above-named  insects. 

In  such  cases,  were  the  stings  to  be  removed  immediately  without  pinching  the 
large  end  which  contaius  the  poison  sac,  thereby  charging  the  wound  with  poison, 
and  as  much  of  the  virus  as  possible  removed  from  the  wouud  by  suction  or  otherwise, 
and  an  alkali,  as  soda  or  ammonia  water,  applied,  it  hardly  seems  as  if  there  could  be 
much  trouble,  unless  the  poison  were  to  get  into  the  circulation  iu  sufficient  quantity 
almost  immediately,  which  is  hardly  to  be  exi)ected.  Such  occasional  circumstances 
ought  not  to  deter  us  from  keeping  bees,  but  should  rather  incite  us  to  study  nature's 
laws,  lest  a  single  stray  bee  work  much  harm  ;  aud  iu  case  of  both  bee  aud  spider  it 
seems  that  not  one  case  in  one  hundred  thousand  proves  fatal.  Indeed,  may  it  not 
be  a  fact  that  radical  poisoning  and  death,  caused  by  these  smaller  insects  of  their 
special  orders,  have  only  occurred  where  the  virus  was  introduced  directly  into  the 
circulation,  either  through  vein  or  artery  1  L  am  not  aware  that  L.  mnctans  is 
found  in  Michigan.  Have  never  seen  it  here.  The  question  whether  it  has  been 
examined  for  any  glands  that  may  produce  a  virus  and  place  it  iu  a  wound  made  by 
the  mandibles  suggests  itself.  Also,  if  such  virus  has  been  found,  whether  its  nature 
be  acid  or  alkaline. 

Some  points  regarding  the  reported  effects  of  the  poison  of  L.  mactans  may  be 
worthy  of  note.  When  once  in  the  system  of  the  man  (mentioned  by  Mr.  Dick) 
who  was  bitten  but  did  not  die,  it  seemed  to  remain  iu  the  system  much  as  does  the 
venom  of  the  rattlesnake.  The  formic  acid  from  the  bee-sting  loses  its  iutegrity  in  a 
day  or  two.  Its  action  is  quick  and  decided,  but  not  lasting.  The  effects  of  prussic 
acid  upon  insects  in  the  "  cyanide  bottle"  are  very  similar.  Tbey  very  soon  succumb 
to  its  effects,  but  even  when  in  a  state  of  lethargy,  if  placed  in  the  open  air,  often  re- 
vive and  are  soon  as  well  as  ever. — [E.  W.  AUis,  Adrian,  Mich.,  February  9, 1889, 

The  Hay  Worm  in  Kentucky. 

Please  tell  me  what  is  the  matter  with  the  hay  ?  The  accompanying  sample  was 
out  and  ricked  in  the  meadow  in  the  summer  of  1887,  aud  remained  there  till  a  few 
days  ago.  When  hauling  it  in,  after  the  hay  was  unloaded  froui  the  wagon,  there 
were  great  quantities  of  the  large,  brown,  seed-like  bodies  all  over  the  rack,  among 
which  were  little  worms  .and  bugs.  Are  the  brown  pellets  the  manure  from  the 
worms  and  bugs?  You  will  observe  that  the  heads  of  the  timothy  hay  appear  to  have 
been  eaten  out  in  hollows.  In  the  box  I  send  you  are  also  quantities  of  the  brown 
substance  aud  worms,  just  as  appeared  ou  the  hay  frame.  —[James  F.  Askew,  George- 
town, Ky.,  November  26,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  insect  in  question  is  the  common  Hay  Worm  {Asopia  cos- 
taJis),  usually  found  in  clover  hay  and  the  life-history  of  which  was  first  given  by  me 
in  the  Prairie  Farmer  (April  20,  18(37),  and  subsequently  more  fully  iu  the  Sixth 
Eeport  on  the  Insects  of  Missouri.  The  small  round  pellets  are  the  excreuientia  of 
the  caterpillars.  This  insect  is  a  difficult  one  to  tight,  aud  our  ouly  way  to  defeat 
its  attack  is  to  adopt  certain  preventive  measures.  After  the  haymow  is  once 
thoroughly  infested,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  destroy  the  worms  without  renderirig 
the  hay  unfit  for  use.  The  worm  feeds  solely  upon  dried  hay,  and  during  summer 
they  are  confiued  to  such  unfed  hay  as  remains  over  from  the  previous  year's  mak- 
ing; therefore  new  hay  should  never  be  stacked  iu  coutact  with  old.  Of  course  it 
would  be  desirable  to  clean  up  the  barn  before  putting  in  the  new  crop.  Salting 
the  hay,  especially  the  2  or  3  feet  near  the  bottom,  is  a  good  practice.  Its  occur- 
rence upou  timothy  hay  is  rather  remarkable ;  for,  as  before  stated,  it  greatly  prefers 
clover,  aud,  in  consequence,  will  you  not  kindly  inform  us  whether  this  particular  hay 
was  not  stowed  near  some  last  year's  clover,  or  upou  a  spot  where  clover  had  been  ? — 
{November  30,  1888.] 


284 

Second  letter.— In  reply  to  yours  of  the  30th  ult.  in  relation  to  the  Hay  Worm, 
I  will  say  that  there  was  no  clover  stacked  near  the  timothy  hay,  nor  had  there  ever 
been.  The  hay  will  inspect  pure  timothy,  although  th«re  is  a  stalk  of  red  clover 
scattered  here  and  there  in  the  meadow.  I  have  ted  attacked  hay  to  all  kinds  of 
stock  and  have  seen  no  ill  results.— [December  22,  1888. 

A  Rose-bud  Cecidomyia. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  forwarding  to  you  for  inspection  an  insect  which  has  made 
its  appearance  in  a  neighbor's  rose-houses,  and  completely  destroys  all  his  buds.  You 
will  find,  ou  close  inspection,  a  little  maggot-like  worm  close  under  the  bud  in  all  the 
young  shoots  I  send  you.  As  it  is  not  known  to  me  or  any  other  rose  grower  I  have 
shown  it  to,  I  would  like  to  hear  your  opinion  of  it.  if  not  asking  too  much.  Also  if 
you  know  anything  in  the  way  of  remedies  for  it.— [Ernst  Asmus,  West  Hoboken, 
N.  J.,  September  29,  1886. 

Eeply. — *  *  *  This  injury  appears  to  be,  so  far  as  I  know,  entirely  unprece- 
dented. The  insect  is  the  larva  of  one  of  the  gall  midges  of  the  genus  Cecidomyia, 
but  no  insect  of  this  kiud  has  ever  been  recorded  as  feeding  in  this  manner.  It  there- 
fore becomes  of  great  interest  and  importance  to  work  this  insect  up  thoroughly,  and 
as  a  preliminary  step  I  would  urge  you  to  send  at  once  to  the  Department  as  many  of 
the  injured  buds  with  the  larviie  as  you  can  find.  In  addition  to  this,  it  would  be  a 
good  plan  to  cover  with  gauze  one  of  the  plants,  so  as  to  catch  the  little  midge  when 
it  issues  from  the  ground.— [October  1,  1886.] 

Second  letter.—"  *  *  The  maggot  Cecidomyia  has  made  its  appearance  in 
two  different  florists'  establishments  this  fall  in  my  neighborhood,  if  I  have  been 
rightly  informed,  in  both  cases  having  destroyed  the  whole  crop  [of  roses].  They 
seem  to  appear  in  the  fall  only,  as  I  have  not  heard  of  any  later.  *  *  *—[  January 
18,  1889. 

Beetles  infesting  Yeast  Cakes. 

I  send  in  this  mail  a  box  of  yeast  cakes  that  are  infested.  Will  you  kindly  send  me 
the  name  or  names  of  the  animals?  They  appear  in  the  boxes  of  yeast  during  the 
months  of  August  and  September,  aud  do  not  trouble  us  much  at  any  other  time.  The 
boxes  in  which  they  are  put  up  are  covered  with  a  paper  label,  seemingly  in  such  a 
way  that  no  insect  could  get  in.  Is  it  possible  that  the  egg  is  hatched  in  the  meal, 
and  that  the  insect  develops  in  the  yeast  ?  Apparently  the  only  way  to  get  rid  of 
them  is  to  prevent  their  developing  in  the  boxes.  Can  yon  suggest  any  preventive 
that  might  be  placed  in  the  box  which  would  make  a  part  of  the  composition  of  the 
box  itself?  The  boxes  used  are  like  the  one  I  send  you.  Could  oil  of  cedar  be  used  f 
*  *  *  In  the  process  of  making  the  meal  is  raised  to  ubout  90°  F.  Would  this  kill 
the  eggs?— [W.  K.  Higley,  College  of  Pharmacy,  Chicago,  111.,  October  4,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  Your  yeast  cakes  were  iufested  by  Silvanns  surinamensis  and  Lee- 
mophlceus  pusiUus,  two  insects  which  are  very  general  feeders  aud  very  common  in 
drug  stores,  feeding  upon  all  sorts  of  medicinal  roots,  barks,  herbs,  aud  powders. 
Both  species  also  feed  upon  meal  and  liour.  The  box  which  yon  sent  was  not  at  all 
tight,  and  it  would  be  very  easy  for  the  beetles  to  work  their  way  under  the  cover.  If 
the  label  is  securely  pasted  on  aud  completely  encircles  the  box  the  insects  can  not 
enter  without  piercing  the  paper,  which  they  will  not  be  ai>tto  do.  If  the  eggs  or  any 
young  larv»  were  contained  in  the  meal  they  would  probably  not  be  destroyed  by  a 
heat  of  90°  F.  An  easy  way  to  kill  them  would  be  to  subject  them  before  use  to  a 
heat  of  110°,  aud  then  the  only  protection  necessary  after  this  course  is  taken  will  be 
to  pay  particular  attention  to  and  secure  gumming  of  the  label  around  the  edges  of 
the  cover.     *     *     *— [October  7,  1886. 


285 


Mites  in  Flaxseed. 

I  inclose  sample  mites  taken  from  flaxseed  that  has  beeu  stored  since  last  fall. 
Will  you  kindly  tell  me  what  these  turn  to,  and  if  they  will  die  out  when  cold  weather 
comes?  Will  you  say  at  the  same  time  if  they  cause  any  damage  to  the  seed,  either 
in  appearance  or  shrinkage  in  weights?  *  *  * — [Albert  Dickinson,  115  Kiuzie 
street,  Chicago,  111.,  September  16,  1886. 

Eeply. — *  *  *  The  seed  has  been  infested  by  the  mite  known  as  Tryo(//i/j)^i/ssi>o, 
but  there  is  also  another  mite  present  which  is  predaceous  in  its  habits,  and  which 
is  killing  off  the  original  mites  in  great  numbers.  This  predaceous  mite  is  Cheyletus 
eruditus.  This  case  is  precisely  comparable  to  one  that  was  brought  to  our  notice  a 
year  ago  by  a  Milwaukee  firm.  In  that  case  a  prediction  was  made  that  within  a  few 
weeks  the  mites  would  disappeai-,  and  it  seems  probable  that  in  the  case  of  your  flax- 
seed the  same  thing  will  occur.  If  it  seems  worth  v^hile  to  take  the  trouble,  I  would 
advise  the  thorough  sifting  of  the  seed  in  the  sacks  which  have  been  observed  to  be 
infested,  in  order  to  get  rid  of  the  brown  earthy-looking  substance,  which  is  nothing 
more  nor  less  than  the  bodies  of  the  destroyed  mites. — [September  18,  1886. 

Insects  at  Electric  Lamps. 

*  *  *  These  beetles  (GaJeruca  xanthomelwna)  were  very  injurious  to  elm  trees  in 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  last  summer.  Some  bands  of  cotton  soaked  in  oil  (I  think  they 
were)  had  beeu  placed  around  the  tree,  but  did  not  seem  to  be  of  much  service,  siuce 
I  picked  large  numbers  of  pup;e  out  of  them  which  afterward  developed  healthy  bee- 
tles. The  beetles  came  into  the  electric  lights  much  less  than  I  should  have  sup- 
posed, for  though  there  were  thousands  of  other  species  of  Coleoptera  and  Lepido- 
ptera,  such  as  Leucania  uuiptuicta,  L.harveyi,  Cacacia  fervldana,  and  a  species  of  beetle 
unknown  to  me  (of  which  I  took  in  one  week  from  one-third  of  the  lamps  of  the  city 
over  6,000),  Galeruca  xanthomelcena  v,'as  quite  scarce,  hardly  numbering  100  specimens, 
I  should  think,  in  the  week's  catch  above  referred  to.— [Harrison  G.  Dyar,  Boston, 
Mass.,  February  8,  1889. 

Note.— The  beetle  referred  to  was  Harpalus pennsylvanicus.  Of  theother  Coleoptera 
a  large  percentage  were  Carabidte. 

Bees  versus  Fruit. 

I  see  that  a  statement  of  the  experiments  of  N.  W.  McLain,  of  Aurora,  111.,  with 
honey  bees,  is  going  the  rounds  of  the  papers  as  conclusive  evidence  that  bees  do  not 
puncture  grapes.  As  an  observer  of  the  facts  in  the  case,  and  a  practical  fruit-grower  for 
the  last  thirty-five  years,  and  with  several  colonies  of  bees  quite  a  portion  of  the  time, 
I  am  prepared  to  say  that  those  experiments  are  not  conclusive.  Bees  have  striking 
peculiarities,  as  you  are  well  aware,  and  in  none  are  they  more  peculiar  than  in  their 
tastes.  They  attack  certain  varieties  of  peaches  with  great  avidity,  working  through 
the  skin  and  eating  into  the  flesh  even  before  the  fruit  is  thoroughly  ripe,  while  other 
varieties,  to  our  taste  sweeter  and  riper,  are  left  untouched.  Hale's  Early  is  always 
a  favorite  with  them  without  reference  to  the  supply  of  other  food.  Grapes  they  do 
not  attack  except  under  certain  conditions.  These  conditions  apparently  are  that  the 
fruit  must  be  very  ripe,  the  weather  dry  and  warm,  and  other  food  scarce.  They 
have  sometimes  destroyed,  or  rendered  unfit  for  market,  tons  of  grapes  in  our  vine- 
yards in  a  single  day,  puncturing  the  skin  so  juice  would  ooze  from  several  grapes  in 
almost  every  cluster.  I  had  some  controversy  with  Professor  Cook,  of  the  Michigan 
Agricultural  College,  three  or  four  years  ago  on  the  subject,  and  quoted  from  some  of 
your  observations  that  bees  would  under  certain  conditions  attack  and  damage  fruit. 
With  your  consent  I  would  like  to  make  use  of  any  facts  you  may  have  bearing  on  the 
subject.    As  I  do  not  now  remember  where  to  look  for  the  statement  I  then  referred 


286 

to,  I  will  be  greatly  obliged  if  you  will  give  ine  the  facts  or  reference. — f  H.  G.  Tryon, 
Willoughby,  Lake  County,  Ohio,  December  6,  1886. 

Reply. — *  *  *  My  opinion  concerning  the  question  of  Bees  vs.  Fruit  has  for  a 
long  time  been  identical  with  your  own,  viz,  that  under  certain  conditions  bees  will 
and  do  injure  certain  varieties  of  frnit.  This  opinion  was  arrived  at,  however,  with- 
out thoroughly  satisfactory  experimentation  upon  my  part,  and  it  was  with  the  view 
of  settling  the  point,  so  far  as  it  was  possible  to  settle  it  by  experiments,  that  I  in- 
structed Mr.  McLam  to  carry  on  the  series  of  experiments  to  which  you  refer.  As 
you  seem  to  have  seen  a  newspaper  account  only,  I  take  pleasure  in  sending  you  by 
to-day's  mail  a  copy  of  my  report  for  1885,  which  contains  on  pages  336  to  339  the  de- 
tails of  his  work  in  this  direction.  My  own  comments  you  will  find  in  the  introduc- 
tion on  page  2L2.  I  freely  admit  that  my  remarks  upon  his  results  might  have  been 
more  qualified  and  that  where  I  state  that  the  experiments  show  pretty  concUiaively 
that  bees  do  not  injure  fruit  at  first  hand,  I  should  have  said  "grapes"  instead  of 
fruit,  as  the  experiments  were  made  principally  with  grapes.  You  will  notice  that 
the  word  "  conclusively  "  is  qualified,  and  in  reality  the  more  I  study  the  matter  the 
more  the  difficulties  of  settling  the  question  by  such  a  series  of  experiments  are 
forced  upon  me.  You  must  admit,  however,  that  these  experiments  place  the  burden 
of  proof  upon  the  affirmative  side  as  far  as  grapes  are  concerned. — [C.  V.  R.,  Dec. 
16,  1886. 

Hydrocyanic   Acid   Gas  Treatment  for  Scale  Insects. 

*  '  *  I  again  visited  Mr.  Oilman  a  few  days  ago,  and  was  pleased  to  learn  that  he 
had  met  with  very  good  success  in  fumigating  his  orange  trees  with  hydrocyanic  acid 
gas  passed  through  sulphuric  acid ;  we  carefully  examined  several  trees  that  he 
treated  with  the  gas  when  I  was  there  a  little  over  a  mouth  previously,  and  were  un- 
able to  find  any  living  Red  Scales  (Aspidiotus  aurantU),  while  the  fruit  and  foliage 
were  uninjured.  Mr.  Gilmau  says  that  he  treats  on  an  average  four  trees  an  hour, 
using  the  one  apparatus  which  operates  two  tents,  and  estimates  that  the  cost  will 
amount  to  about  6.5  cents  per  tree,  his  trees  being  from  10  to  14  feet  high  by  the  same  in 
diameter.  If  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  again  treat  these  trees  until  after  the  lapse  of 
four  years,  this  will  reduce  the  cost  of  treatment  to  less  than  twenty  cents  a  year  for 
each  tree.  Mr.  A.  Scott  Chapman,  of  San  Gabriel,  in  this  county,  informs  me  that 
some  of  his  father's  orange  trees  that  had  been  treated  with  thiagas  nearly  two  years 
ago  are  still  reirarkably  free  from  the  Red  Scale,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
adjoining  trees  are  thickly  infested  with  them.  The  trees  treated  v/ith  this  gas, 
however,  are  quite  as  thickly  infested  with  the  Icerya  as  they  were  when  first  treated, 
which  clearly  shows  the  great  difterence  in  the  dispersive  habits  of  these  two  species. 

While  at  Mr.  Gilmau's  I  picked  up  the  following  insects  from  beneath  some  of  the 
trees  which  he  had  just  treated  with  the  gas  :  one  Chilocorus  bividnerus,  two  Exoehomus 
pUaiii,  six  Coccinella  ahdominalis,  fonv I'syJIohora  twdata,  one  Diabrotica  irivittata,  four 
Lar(jus  succincius,  one  Euschistus  iristigmiii^,  two  Ophioii  macrurum,  six  Chrysopa  sp.?, 
five  Musca  domestica,  two  Mydca  sp.?,  and  one  spider.  The  next  day  all  had  recovered 
with  the  exception  of  one  Largus,  the  two  Ophions,  one  Chrysopa,  the  five  Muscas,  one 
Mydea,  and  the  spider.  Mr.  Gilmau  says  that  wht-n  he  leaves  the  tents  charged  on 
the  trees  all  night  all  of  the  Lady  Bugs  on  these  trees  will  be  killed.  The  other  trees 
are  each  confined  in  the  gas  twenty  minutes,  which  includes  the  ten  minutes  required 
for  generating  the  gas.— [D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  Feb.  1,  1889. 

New  Enemy  of  the  Chinch  Bug. 

1  notice  you  don't  mention,  as  preying  on  the  Chinch  Bug,  the  Casnomapennsuhmmca 
that  I  found  swarming  in  sheaves  of  wheat  that  was  infested  with  the  Chinch,  while 
assisting  with  harvest  in  Illinois.  Years  later  I  found  a  Casnonia  with  a  Chinch  in 
its  mouth  among  a  scattered  colony  of  the  latter,  at  the  base  of  a  leaf  of  green  young 


287 

corn.  But  I  lost  th«  captor  aud  its  victim,  the  former  slipping  out  of  my  fiuger  by  its 
thiu,  flat,  long  body.  I  thiuk  Casnonias  are  better  fitted  to  bunt  the  Chinches  thau 
the  Coccinellse,  unless  the  latter  are  more  efficient  in  the  larval  state.  *  *  * — 
[Emile  Longuemare,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October  20,  1888. 

Army  Worm  in  1888. 

*  *  *  The  Army  Worm  appeared  iu  this  section  in  greater  numbers  than  I  ever 
saw  before.  They  hurt  the  Barley  crop  along  the  lake  in  Monroe  County,  20  per  cent. 
They  seemed  to  be  more  numerous  near  the  lake.  Nearly  all  I  examined  were  Ichneu- 
monized.— [Harry  S.  Burnett,  Kendall,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y.,  September  27,  1888. 


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

By  Lord  Walsingham. 

[  Continued  from  page  268.] 

CEROSTOMA  Latr. 
Cerostoma  radiatella  Don. 

=  PluteIoptera  ochreIJa  Chamb. 

In  describing  the  genus  Plnteloptera,  of  which  his  species  ochrella  is  the  type,  Cham- 
bers wrote  :  "Fore-wings:  These  differ  from  those  of  PluteUa  crueiferarum  onlv  by 
having  two  branches  of  the  discal  vein  continued  through  the  cell  in  which  they 
unite,  forming  an  independent,  elongate,  triangular  cell,  beside  the  secondary  cell 
seen  in  Plutella." 

In  this  and  iu  all  other  respects  the  ueuration  as  described  aud  figured  agrees  with 
that  of  the  genus  Cerostoma,  aud  a  comparison  of  a  Texan  specimen  obviously  such 
as  Chambers  had  before  him  when  describing  P.  ochrella  from  Texas,  with  a  full  series 
of  Californian  aud  European  examples  of  Cerostoma  radiatella  Don.,  confirms  the 
identity  of  the  species. 

The  figure  of  the  hind-wing  in  Chambers's  plate  is  not  well  shaped,  but  I  have  no 
doubt  that  oc/ire?/a  is  merely  a  synonym  of  the  common  and  widely  distributed  C. 
radiatella  known  to  be  extremely  variable  in  color  and  markings  ;  many  European 
specimens  being  exactly  similar  to  the  Texan  form.  The  second  joint  of  the  palpi  is 
somewhat  more  thickly  clothed  iu  European  than  in  American  specimens,  a  jjecul- 
iarity  which  occurs  also  in  Cleodora. 

Cerostoma  subsylvella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  on  the  inner  side  whitish,  the  outer  side  of  the  long  dependent  tuft  of  hairs 
fawn  color;  apical  joint  whitish. 

Antennw,  white,  anpulated  with  fawn  brown. 

Head  and  thorax,  pale  fawn  color. 

Fore-wings,  pale  fawn  color,  sprinkled  aud  mottled  with  fawn  brown,  a  patch  of  dark, 
purplish  fuscous  scales  on  the  dorsal  margin  near  the  internal  angle,  and  another 
preceding  the  anal  angle,  a  faint  indication  of  two  similar  spots  on  the  costal  mar- 
gin iu  some  specimens,  one  of  which  is  opposite  the  second  dorsal  spot, ;  a  few  dark 
scales  at  the  apex.  [The  dorsal  spots  are  not  continued  across  the  wing  as  in 
the  European  species  sylvella,  aud  partially  in  alpella,  nor  is  there  any  indication 
of  a  longitudinal  streak  as  in  the  allied  American  species  cervella  Wlsm.  ] 

'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, 


288 

Hind-wings,  gray,  witli  paler  cilia. 

Abdomen,  fawn  gray. 

Exp.  al,  34'"'". 

Habitat,  Esquimalt,  Vancouver  Island;   5  <? ,  29  ;   collected  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Walker; 

beaten  from  Oaks,  August,  1882. 
Type.  (?  9  ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

TRACHOMA  Wlgrn. 

Trachoma  senex  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  tawny,  profusely  sprinkled  with  gray;  the  upper  surface  of  the  second  joint 
and  the  apical  joint  almost  entirely  lioary-gray. 

Anienna',  tawny,  faintly  aunulated  with  gray. 

Head,  tawny;  face  sprinkled  with  gray. 

Thorax,  tawny. 

Fore-wings,  tawny,  sprinkled  and  transversely  streaked  with  hoary-gray,  having  sev- 
eral patches  of  raised  tawny  scales  on  the  basi-dorsal  half  of  the  wing,  and  one 
before  and  above  the  anal  angle ;  the  hoary-gray  sprinkling  on  the  basal  half  of 
the  wing  is  interrupted  by  slender  lines  of  tawny  scales,  and  some  chestnut-brown 
is  scattered  about  the  fold  and  the  base  below  the  costa ;  at  the  middle  of  the 
costal  margin  is  a  dark  tawny-fuscous  patch,  containing  some  raised  scales,  and 
followed  by  a  chestnut  brown  shade,  sprinkled  with  hoary,  at  its  upper  edge, 
and  crossed  by  two  longitudinal  tawny  lines  on  its  lower  half;  adjacent  to  the 
outer  end  of  the  lower  line  is  a  short  oblique  streak  of  pure  white;  the  apical 
portion  of  the  wing  on  the  costal  margin  is  thickly  sprinkled  with  hoary-white, 
except  the  extreme  apex,  where  the  chestnut-brown  predominates;  the  apex  is 
falcate,  and  immediately  below  it  is  a  pale  fawn  spot  in  the  cilia ;  below  this  the 
cilia  are  bright  chestnut-brown  to  the  anal  angle,  where  a  few  tawny-gray  scales 
are  intermixed. 

Hind-wings,  gray,  with  a  faint  purplish  tinge  ;  cilia  somewhat  paler. 

Abdomen,  gray ;  anal  tuft  inclining  to  ocherous. 

Exp.  al.,  20-"™. 

Habitat,  a  single  9 ,  for  which  I  am  indebted  to  Professor  Eiley,  is  labeled  "  Placer 
County,  Cal.,  Aug." 

Type,  9 ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 
This  species  is  allied  to  the  European  Trachoma  horridella  Tr.  but  diflfers  in  the 

abundance  of  hoary  scales,  in  the  oblique  white  spot  at  the  end  of  the  cell,  and  in  the 

chestnut-brown  on  the  costa  and  at  the  anal  angle. 

PTEROLONCHE  Z. 

Pterolouche  liueata  sp.  n. 

Head,  antennce,  and  iialpi,  \>one-co\ov;  the  antenn;e  strongly  setulose  ;  palpi  porrect, 
somewhat  arched,  apex  slightly  depressed,  extending  to  the  length  of,  approxi- 
mately, 5""". 

Fore-wings,  bone-color,  marked  throughout  with  slender  longitudinal  lines  of  a  darker 
bone-gray  tint,  following  the  veins  and  the  fold  and  evenly  distributed  over  the 
wing,  as  well  along  the  upper  portion  of  the  discal  cell  as  beyond  its  margins  ; 
counting  these  lines  across  the  wing,  8  are  distinctly  traceable,  and  a  rather 
short  oue,  tending  inwards  from  the  end  of  the  cell,  lies  between  the  4  upper 
and  4  lower  ones  ;  cilia,  smoky-gray.  Under  side  somewhat  darker  than  the  up- 
per side,  having  a  besmeared,  smoky  tinge,  except  along  the  extreme  costal  and 
dorsal  margins. 


289 

Hind-wings,  smoky-gray  with  a  slight  brownish  tinge  ;  cilia  the  same  but  with  a  pale 
hue  along  their  base  and  another  at  their  tips.  Underside  also  smoky,  but  the 
pale  costal  margin  ;s  rather  wider  than  in  the  fore-wings. 

Aidomen,  o(  the  single  <?  berore  me  is  denuded  by  grease;  genital  appendages  very 
l^eculiar,  the  stout  pointed  uncus  projecting  far  beyond  the  lateral  claspers,  of 
which  there  are  apparently  2  pairs ;  the  upper  ones,  bulging  and  rounded  above, 
have  attached  to  their  lower  edge,  small  supplementary  processes,  narrow  at  the 
base,  swelling  towards  their  ends,  and  armed  with  a  brush  of  hairs ;  the  lower  pair; 
somewhat  spoon-shaped,  narrower  at  their  ends  than  in  the  middle  and  curving 
slightly  inwards. 

Legs,  bone-color. 

Ex^).  al.,  36'"'". 

Habitat,  Arizona. 

^!IP^)  $r  -^MS-  Wlsm. 

The  addition  of  this  interesting  genus  to  the  North  American  fauna  rests  on  the  re- 
ception of  a  single  $  in  fine  condition  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison. 

COSMOPTERYX  Hb. 

Cosmopteryx  nitens  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  shining  bronzy. 

Head  and  face,  bronzy-brown. 

Antenna',  brown,  the  apex  white  and  a  single  narrow  white  ring  about  xou  inch 
from  the  apex. 

Fore-H'ings,  brown,  with  two  conspicuous  golden  spots  at  about  one-fourth  from  the 
base,  the  upper  one  scarcely  separated  from  the  costal  margin,  the  lower  one 
somewhat  larger  and  extended  posteriorly ;  at  about  the  middle  of  the  wing  is  a 
straight  transverse  golden  fascia  with  a  slight  rosy  or  coppery  hue,  preceding  a 
pale-yellow  patch,  which  is  margined  by  a  broad  oblique  coppery-golden  fascia 
terminating  in  a  white  streak  on  the  costa.  The  pale-yellow  patch  is  divided 
longitudinally  by  a  rather  wide  and  conspicuous  streak  of  black,  extending  to 
the  golden  fascia  on  each  side,  and  somewhat  nearer  to  the  costal  than  to  the 
aiiical  margin;  the  apical  portion  of  the  wing  is  brown,  with  a  slender  golden 
streak  along  the  base  of  the  dorsal  fringes,  commencing  beyond  the  oblique  outer 
fascia  and  terminating  with  some  silvery  scales  at  the  apex. 

Cilia  and  hind-tvings,  shining  bronzy. 

Abdomen,  brown,  with  some  shining  metallic  scales  about  the  sides  and  anal  seg- 
ments. ' 

Legs,  brown,  banded  with  silvery  white  ;  spurs  also  silvery. 

Exp.  al.,  10">'». 

Habitat,  2  specimens  from  Professor  Fernald  from  Texas  and  I  from  the  late  H.  K. 
Morrison  from  Southwest  Texas. 

Tyjje,  $,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

Cosmopteryx  pulcherrimella  Chamb. 

Chambers,  before  describing  piilcherrimeUa,  suggests  that  gemmiferella,  clemenaella, 
and  pulcherrimella  Chamb.  are  all  one  species,  and  then  proceeds  to  describe  the  latter 
as  new  and  distinct.  From  specimens  in  my  own  collection  I  am  able  to  separate  the 
species  with  the  greatest  facility,  not  only  by  the  pattern  and  coloration,  but  also  by 
the  position  of  the  white  rings  on  the  antenu;e.  These  will  be  found  to  present  a  con- 
stant character,  so  far  as  my  observations  go,  throughout  the  different  North  Ameri- 
can species  of  this  genus,  which  could  easily  be  tabulated  systematically. 

Cosmopteryx  chalybaeella  sp.  n. 

Antennae,  brown,  a  white  line  along  the  side  of  the  basal  joint  and  running  approx- 
imately through  half  their  length  ;  apex  white,  with  two  or  more  white  rings,  pre- 
ceded by  a  dark  band  before  it. 


290 

Palpi,  whitisli,  witb  a  slender  line  of  brown  scales  extending  along  the  outer  side  of 
the  apical  joint. 

Head,  brown,  with  central  and  lateral  slender  white  lines  running  back  over  the 
thorax,  which  is  also  brown;  face  whitish. 

Fore-wings,  brown,  with  two  short  rather  broad  silvery  dashes  at  about  one-fourth 
from  the  base,  the  first  nearest  the  costa,  commencing  also  nearest  to  the  base  ;  a 
very  slender  silvery  line  from  the  base  along  the  dorsal  margin  ;  and  a  short  ob- 
lique streak  of  the  same  color  tending  down  wards  from  the  costal  margin  towards 
the  apex  of  the  upper  dash  ;  beyond  the  basal  half  of  the  wing  is  the  usual  orange- 
yellow  space,  limited  internally  and  externally  by  shining  steel-gray  metallic 
spots,  the  pair  adjacent  to  the  costa  being  much  wider  apart  than  the  opposite  pair, 
which  are  adjacent  to  the  dorsal  margin ;  there  is  a  white  streak  in  the  costal 
cilia  touching  the  upper  and  outer  metallic  spot,  and  a  similar  apical  streak  is 
continued  a  very  short  distance  along  the  dorsal  margin  ;  cilia  steel-gray,  with  a 
slight  greenish  tinge. 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  the  same  color. 

Legs,  brownish;  tarsal  joints  smeared  and  spotted  with  white. 

Exp.  al.,  6""". 

Habitat,  Southwest  Texas  (Morrison). 

Tijpe,  S  !  Mus.  nism. 

Cosmopteryx  quadrilineella  Chamb, 

I  have  a  single  specimen  from  Sonoma  County,  Cal.,  taken  in  May,  1871,  which 
agrees  in  size  and  pretty  closely  in  markings  with  this  species,  to  which  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  it  belongs.  Although  the  specimen  is  in  somewhat  poor  condition  it 
can  be  easily  recognized  as  distinct  from  deUcateUa. 

Cosmopterj'x  delicatella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  silvery,  with  some  brownish  scales  towards  the  base. 

Head,  brown. 

Antennce,  brown,  the  apex  broadly  white  with  two  narrow  white  rings  separated  from 
the  apex  by  a  still  broader  brown  band. 

Thorax,  brown,  with  three  narrow  silvery  white  streaks,  one  central,  extending  from 
the  head  along  the  thorax. 

Fore-ivings,  brown,  the  basal  portion  with  four  narrow  silvery-white  lines  ;  the  first 
from  the  base  of  the  costa  tending  somewhat  downwards  ;  the  second  commenc- 
ing opposite  to  the  middle  of  the  first  and  extending  somewhat  beyond  it; 
the  third  commencing  beyond  the  origin  of  the  second  and  extending  very 
slightly  beyond  it ;  the  fourth  immediately  above  the  dorsal  margin,  commencing 
near  the  base  and  extending  to  the  origin  of  the  third ;  about  the  middle  of  the 
wing  is  a  broad  pale-orange  l)and,  on  the  basal  edge  of  which  are  two  golden 
spots,  the  upper  one  opposite  the  end  of  the  second  basal  streak,  tipned  with 
blackish  scales ;  the  second  farther  from  the  base,  larger  and  more  conspicuous 
than  the  first,  situated  opposite  to  the  end  of  the  third  basal  streak ;  at  the  outer 
edge  of  the  pale-orange  band  are  two  similar  spots  separated  by  a  narrow  exten- 
sion outwards  of  the  orange  color,  the  first  situated  immediately  above  the  other, 
but  not  touching  the  margins  of  the  wing;  a  small  white  streak  extends  out- 
wards along  the  costa  from  the  upper  spot,  and  from  the  narrow  extension  of  the 
orange  baud  there  runs  aslender  silvery- white  line,  somewhat  arched  up  wards  and 
terminating  in  the  extreme  apex  of  the  cilia ;  the  space  above  and  below  it,  in- 
cluding the  cilia  themselves,  being  of  the  same  brown  color  as  the  base  of  the 
wing. 

Hindwings  and  fringes,  also  brown. 

Abdomen,  brown,  anal  segments  tending  to  ochreous. 


291 

Legs,  brown,  spurs  and  tarsal  joints  whitisli,  tibiaj  also  streaked  with  white. 

Exp.  al.,  lO'nm. 

Hahitat,  North  Carolina.     Two  specimens  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison. 

Type,  <?,  Mus.  Wlsm. 
This  species  evidently  approaches  very  closely  to  quadriUneella  CLanib.,  having  the 
same  characteristic  four  lines  on  the  basal  portion  of  the  wing ;  it  has,  however, 
four  metallic  spots,  not  three,  and  a  conspicuous  white  streak  on  the  costa  not 
mentioned  by  Chambers  ;  moreover,  its  size  is  considerably  greater  than  Cham- 
bers's species,  and  it  is  observable  that  all  the  species  of  this  genus  are  extremely 
uniform  in  the  expanse  of  the  fore-wings. 

Cosmopteryx  unicolorella  sp.  n. 

Palpi,  brown,  with  shining  white  lines  along  their  upper  and  under  sides. 

Antenna',  brown,  with  the  basal  joint  enlarged  outwardly,  a  slender  silvery-white 
line  on  their  upper  sides  along  the  basal  half,  very  coarsely  scaled  beyond  the 
middle;  the  four  apical  joints  white,  i^receded  by  a  broad,  brown  band,  which  is 
preceded  by  one,  and  after  short  intervals  by  three  more  white  joints. 

Head  and  thorax,  brown,  with  three  silvery-white  lines  ;  one  from  the  top  of  the  head 
runs  along  the  middle  of  the  thorax,  two  from  the  bases  of  the  antenna;  along  the 
upper  edges  of  the  tegnhe. 

Face,  shining  silvery. 

Fore-xvitKjs,  rich  brown;  a  slender  bluish-silvery  line  from  the  base  along  the  costa; 
its  outer  half  turning  slightly  downwards  reaches  one-fourth  of  the  wing  length  ; 
an  equally  slender  silvery-white  line  reaches  somewhat  farther  along  the  dorsal 
margin,  and  between  the  ends  of  these  are  two  short  detacheil  silvery  streaks; 
across  the  middle  of  the  wing  is  a  beautiful  jiurplish,  steel-colored,  metallic  fas- 
cia, not  quite  reaching  the  extreme  costal  or  dorsal  margin ;  beyond  it  (without 
any  orange  or  yellow  band,  as  is  usual  in  this  genus)  are  two  large  spots  of  the 
same  color,  the  first  dorsal,  the  second  beyond  this  costal,  from  which  a  conspic- 
uous white  dash  passes  upwards  through  the  costal  cilia ;  the  extreme  apex  is 
fuscous,  with  another  cous])icuous  white  dash  in  the  cilia  below  it,  preceded  by  a 
marginal  streak  of  metallic  scales ;  cilia,  brownish-fuscous. 

Hind  wings  and  cilia,  brownish-fnscous. 

Abdomen,  brown,  with  two  rather  silvery  bars  before  the  pinkish-white  anal  tuft. 

Legs,  brown  ;  the  tibife  streaked  and  the  hind  tarsi  spotted  at  the  joints  with  silvery- 
white  on  their  outer  sides;  spurs  whitish  with  conspicuous  silvery-white  bands 
around  the  legs  at  their  bases. 

Exp.  al.,  14""". 

Habitat,  Siskiyou  Co.,  Cal.     A.  single  ^  taken  in  the  beginning  of  June,  1872, 

Type,  $ ,  Mm.  Wlsm. 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

BLEACHING   WINGS   OF  LEPIDOPTERA. 

By  the  Diiiiiuock  process  tbe  wings  are  first  acted  upon  by  a  saturated 
solution  of  tbe  chloride  of  liiue,  chlorine  being,  of  course,  the  bleaching 
agent.  Afterward  they  are  washed  in  water  to  which  hydrochloric  acid 
has  been  added,  to  get  rid  of  the  slight  deposit  of  lime.  The  process  is  a 
slow  one  for  thickly-scaled,  dark-colored  insects,  and  it  occurred  to  me  to 
try  a  mixture  of  the  chloride  and  acid,  liberating  the  chlorine  gas.  The 
method  was  absolutely  successful,  the  wings  decolorizing  immediately 
18578-1^0.  9 3 


292 

aud  being  ready  for  tlie  slide  witliiu  two  minutes.  In  fact,  very  delicate 
wings  can  scarcely  be  taken  oat  quick  enough,  and  need  very  little  acid. 
The  advantage  is  the  rapidity  of  work  aud  the  certainty  of  retaining 
the  wings  entire,  the  chloride  of  lime  sometimes  destroying  the  mem- 
brane in  part  before  the  bleaching  is  complete.  The  disadvantage  is  the 
vile  smell  of  the  chluriuegas  when  liberated  by  the  combination  of  the 
two  liquids.  For  quick  work  this  must  be  endured,  and  the  beauty  and 
completeness  of  the  result  are  also  advantages  to  counterbalance  the 
discomfort  to  the  senses. — J.  B.  S. 

WINTER  APPEARANCE  OF  THE  CECROPIA  MOTH. 

Mr.  Warren  H.  Manniug,  of  Reading,  Mass.,  informs  us  that  Mr.  Clark, 
of  the  Boston  Park  Commission,  found  two  specimens  of  Attacus  cecropia 
January  12,  1889,  in  the  street  in  Boston,  apparently  numbed  by  the 
chilly  air.  This  was  one  of  the  results  of  the  long  period  of  mild,  spriug- 
like  weather  in  the  latter  part  of  December  and  the  first  of  January, 
and  aftbrds  an  indication  of  the  probable  issuing  at  that  time  of  many 
other  insects,  thus  proving  what  we  have  so  often  stated,  that  the  se- 
vere winter  is  more  favorable  to  the  successful  hibernation  of  insects 
than  a  mild,  open  winter. 

IS  MARRIAGE   A  FAILURE! 

Our  esteemed  correspondent,  Mr.  B.  Allan  Wight,  of  Auckland,  New 
Zealand,  to  whom  we  have  already  referred  in  these  pages,  contributes 
the  following  to  the  literature  of  this  important  question  of  the  day: 

It  does  seem  as  if  Mr.  Green's  discovery,  tliat  his  Ceylou  parasite  of  the  spider  at- 
tacks the  female  only,  may  have  something  to  do  with  her  propensity  to  destroy  the 
male  as  soon  as  he  has  lecuudated — by  the  bye,  is  not  that  a  method  of  preventing 
"  marriage  being  a  failure  "  and  still  avoiding  the  objectionable  divorce?  I  have 
been  watching  two  house-spiders  in  my  bed-room  (which  I  would  not  allow  to  be  re- 
moved). The  female  for  more  than  a  month  not  only  allowed  her  companion  to  live, 
but  certainly  manifested  plain  signs  of  affection.  They  were  never  more  than  an  inch 
apart,  aud  one  was  sure  to  come  up  to  the  other  if  it  moved  away,  placing  the  feet 
and  legs  over  it  (may  I  say  the  hands  aud  arms  ?).  If  disturbed,  they  ran  into  their 
back  parlor  and  hid,  close-touching,  but  it  did  not  last  long.  Whether  flies  were 
scarce  or  not,  I  can  not  say,  but  she  killed  him  aud  sucked  his  juice  in  the  end.  But 
the  most  singular  thing  is  that  ever  after  that  she  does  uot  seem  very  alert,  and 
remains  always  close  to  the  body,  and  now  (after  about  six  weeks)  she  is  dead,  hang- 
ing close  to  it,  and  the  broom  has  been  allowed  to  close  the  record. 

INSECTS   UPON   THE   COFFEE   AND   TEA  PLANTS  IN   CEYLON. 

Our  valued  correspoudent,  Mr.  E.  Ernest  Green,  of  Eton,  Punduloya, 
Ceylon,  sends  the  following  interesting  notes  upon  insects  aflectiug 
Coffee,  supplementary  to  those  mentioned  by  Mr.  J.  Neitner  some  years 
ago: 

Allow  me  to  thank  you  for  your  very  interesting  periodical.  Insect  Life,  in  the  in- 
terests of  entomologists  and  agriculturists.  I  hope  your  example  will  lead  the  way 
for  many  other  similar  publicatious. 


293 

I  ara  sending  you,  under  separate  cover,  a  small  pamphlet  on  "The  Enemies  of  the 
Coffee  Tree,-"  compiled  by  the  late  Mr.  J.  Neitner.  Since  the  pnblicatiou  of  this  paper 
many  new  enemies  have  made  their  appearance,  notably  the  Lecanium  viride,  which 
has  practically  wiped  out  coffee  cultivation  in  many  districts.  Its  vigor,  the  rap- 
idity with  which  it  is  propagated  have  defied  any  remedial  measures  that  we  could 
afford  to  apply,  and  consequently  planters  are  everywhere  turning  their  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  tea  in  the  place  of  coffee.  The  tea  plant  also  has  many  insect  ene- 
mies; but,  from  the  method  of  cultivation,  which  allows  of  periodically  pruning 
down  the  bush,  it  is  better  able  to  withstand  them. 

I  have  noted  as  enemies  of  the  tea,  several  species  of  "  Red  Spider,"  Tetranychus 
and  allied  genera. 

Lecanium  coffew  and  a  species  of  Aspidiotus.  (Fortunately  the  Lecanium  riride  does 
not  flourish  on  the  tea  plant). 

Termes  fatalis,  which  eats  through  the  stem  just  below  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

Several  small  Lepidoptera  belonging  to  the  Tortricidie 

A  boring  larva,  Zeu^era  coffew. 

The  larvas  of  A(iroiis  consureata  and  A.  diffusa  are  very  mischievous  in  nurseries  of 
young  tea  plants. 

There  are  numerous  other  caterpillars  that  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  the  tea,  but 
damage  caused  by  them  is  so  small  as  to  be  of  no  account. 

It  may  interest  you  to  know  that  specimens  of  a  Lecanium  found  by  me  on  mango 
leaves,  and  sent  to  Mr.  J.  W.  Douglas,  of  London,  have  been  identified  by  him  as  L. 
acuminatum,  Signoret  (Essai  sur  les  Cochenilles,  Anuales  de  la  Soc.  Entoni.  France, 
1873,  p.  397,  PI.  12,  fig.  1)  described  from  specimens  found  on  orchids  in  the  Luxem- 
bourg gardens  in  Paris.  Mr.  Douglas  tells  me  he  has  lately  received  this  same 
Lecanium  from  Demerara,  where  it  is  found  upon  both  mango  trees  and  orchids. 

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

PLANTS   INJURED   BY   CAPSUS   QUADRIVITTATUS. 

Mr.  Warren  B.  Manning,  of  Beading,  Mass.,  sends  the  following  list 
of  plants  injured  during  1888  in  Brookliue,  Mass.,  by  this  phuit-bug: 
The  following  plants  were  injured  considerably,  many  others  slightly: 


Deutzia  crenata,  badly. 
Galium  boreale. 
Heliotrope  (garden),  badly. 
Lemon  Geranium. 
Valeriana  officinalis,  badly. 
Tauacetum  vulgaie. 
Aralia  spinosa. 
Acer  Janonicum. 
Lysimachia  clethroides,  badly. 
Achillea  sp. 


Ranunculus  acris  fl.  pi.  badly. 
Phlox  suffruticosa,  not  P.  paniculata. 
Hydrangea  paniculata  grandiflora. 
Hibiscus  Syriacus. 
Philadelphus  coronarius  aureus. 
Lunaria  rediviva,  very  badly. 
Campanula  persica^folia. 
Polemonium  reptans. 
Hypericum  perforatum,  badly. 


This  iireect's  impartiality  is  noticeable,  taking,  as  it  did,  acrid,  bitter,  aromatic, 
and  sweet  tasting  leaves,  and  smooth  or  rough  surfaces. 


294 

IMMUNITY    OF    SOUTHERN    DAKOTA   FROM   THE   CHINCH   BUG. 

Our  old  time  friend  and  correspondent,  Mr.  W.  W.  Corbett,  of  Fargo, 
wrote  us  recently  concerning  the  possibility  or  probability  of  the  a]}- 
pearauce  of  the  Chinch  Bug  in  destructive  numbers  in  Dakota.  The 
subject  is  one  of  general  interest  and  we  copy  at  length  from  our  reply  : 

The  question  which  you  risk  iu  yours  of  the  25tli  ultimo  is  uot  one  which  admits 
of  a  thoroughly  satisfactorj'  answer.  I  have  thought  sometimes  that  there  was  dan- 
ger ahead  for  the  wheat  crops  of  southern  Dakota  from  the  Chinch  Bug,  and  I  have 
expected  to  hear  of  damage  from  it.  The  immunity  so  far  experienced  is  doubtless 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  Chinch  Bug  is  essentially  a  southern  insect,  occurring  iu  its 
greatest  abundance  in  portions  of  the  country  where  the  wiuters  are  not  so  severe 
as  they  are  with  you.  Occasionally,  however,  they  do  some  damage  as  far  north  as 
Wisconsin  and  even  parts  of  southern  Minnesota,  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  at  any 
time  to  learn  that  a  race  of  the  species  had  established  itself  iu  these  more  northern 
sections  and  had  adapted  itself  to  the  more  severe  cold  of  your  winters.  Such  an 
occurrence  may,  however,  be  indefinitely  postponed.  From  my  experience  I  would 
say  that  your  blizzards  will  prove  a  great  protection  against  it,  but  at  the  same  time 
I  would  keep  on  the  look-out,  and  if  I  had  large  wheat  interests  in  your  vicinity, 
and  were  not  an  entomologist,  I  would  not  fail  to  post  myself  upon  the  habits  of  this 
insect  and  watch  for  it  constantly.  Another  cause  of  your  immunity  up  to  the  pres- 
ent tiu:e,  I  think,  may  be  found  in  the  common  practice  of  burning  the  prairies  iu 
autumn  in  the  country  that  is  perfectly  new,  for  this  custom  has  the  effect  of  destroy- 
ing the  bulk  of  the  Chiuch  Bugs  that  otherwise  would  hibernate,  and  upon  these 
grounds  you  may  expect  in  the  more  southern  part  of  your  Territory  that  the  insect 
may  become  more  numerous  in  proportion  as  the  country  is  settled  up  and  fenced 
and  prairie  fires  are  prevented. 

BURNING   THE   STUBBLE   FOR   HESSIAN   FLIES. 

Mr.  Fred  Enock  and  Miss  Ormerod  have  carried  on  a  spirited  discus 
siou  in  the  columns  of  the  Jlfark  Lane  Express,  of  London,  on  the  advisa- 
bility of  burning  the  stubble  as  a  remedy  against  the  Hessian  ri3-.  Mr. 
Enock  holds  that  it  is  bad  policy  for  the  reason  that  the  parasites  of  the 
pest  are  thus  destroyed  along  with  the  unparasitized  puparia.  He  ad- 
vocates an  extensive  rearing  of  parasites,  and  an  endeavor  to  cultivate 
them  artilicially  in  order  to  liberate  them  afterward  in  the  fields.  Miss 
Ormerod  takes  quite  the  contrary  view,  and  holds  that  burning  of  the 
stubble  regardless  of  parasites  is  the  better  plan.  We  had  occasion  dur- 
ing January  to  write  Mr.  Enock  upon  this  subject,  and  quote  from  our 
letter  as  follows : 

*  *  *  The  question  under  discussion  is  an  old  one,  and  one  which  will  probably 
never  be  settled  to  every  one's  satisftiction.  Theoretically  you  are  right,  Uud  practi- 
cally Miss  Ormerod  is  right.  At  present,  and  with  general  entomological  knowledge 
in  its  present  state,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  will  be  advisable  to  burn  or  other- 
wise destrojf  screenings  which  examination  shows  to  contain  puparia.  It  is  a  great 
bother  for  any  one  to  try  to  breed  parasites,  and  for  a  practical  man  it  Is  out  of  the 
question.  The  burning  of  stubble  is  something  which  depends  entirely  upon  local 
conditions.  *  »  *  There  are  cases  when  (he  consideration  of  the  parasites  has  an 
immense  practical  bearing,  but  with  the  Hessian  Fly  in  England  to-day  I  am  inclined 
to  believe  that  the  study  of  the  parasites  is  of  value  only  as  indicating  the  origin  of 
the  pest  and,  by  observation  of  their  ni  tubers,  as  a  means  of  prediction   during  a 


295 

MORE    ABNORMAL   HONEY-BEES. 

given  winter  of  the  probable  abumlauce  of  the  fly  during  the  next  summer.  The 
more  yoti  experiment  iu  the  direction  set  forth  in  your  articles  the  more  I  believe  you 
will  be  inclined  to  agree  with  me. — C.  V.  R. 

Prof.  A.  J.  Cook  writes  us  under  date  February  15,  as  follows  : 
You  speak — Insect  Life,  p.  197— of  abnormal  bees.  I  have  a  still  stranger  case — 
a  bee  half  drone  and  the  other  half  worker.  This  division  is  lateral.  One  side — jaw, 
eye,  wing,  and  leg — is  drone,  the  other  worker.  I  have  seen  several  bees  which  have 
head  and  thorax  of  worker  and  abdomen  of  drone,  or  vice  versa.  This  longitudinal 
sex  difterentiation  is  quite  new  to  me. 

ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

February  7,  1889. — Mr.  Howard  read  a  paper  entitled  "  Notes  on  the  hairy  eyes  of 
some  Hymeuoptera,"  in  which  he  discussed  the  appearance  of  these  hairs  and  reviewed 
the  very  scant  literature  on  the  subject,  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that  hairy  com- 
pound eyes  occur  here  and  there  iu  isolated  genera  or  groups  of  genera  in  many  families 
throughout  the  order,  indicating  the  genera  in  which  they  are  known.  He  announced 
their  discovery  in  a  number  of  genera  of  minute  Chalcids  iu  which  they  had  not  be- 
fore been  recorded,  and  mentioned  the  curious  fact  that  there  was  no  gradation  be- 
tween a  perfectly  naked  eye  and  an  eye  in  which  the  hairs  were  comparatively  long 
and  perfectly  plain.  He  concluded  that  these  hairs  were  probably  at  present  func- 
tionless  and  of  much  less  classilicatory  value  than  their  apparent  close  relationship 
with  such  an  important  organ  as  that  of  sight  would  seem  to  indicate. 

Mr.  Smith  remarked  in  discussion  that  iu  the  Lepidoptera  three  variations  in  the 
eye  were  used,  i.  e.,  the  naked,  the  lashed,  and  the  hairy.  In  the  Noctuidai  these 
variations  were  of  generic  importance.  Mr.  Schwarz  stated  that  they  were  used 
in  the  Coleoptera  both  specifically  and  generically. 

Mr.  F.  V.  Coville  read  an  interesting  paper  entitled  "Notes  on  Bombus  and 
Apathus  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y."  He  described  his  methods  of  observation,  and  gave  at 
some  length  the  habits  of  Bombus  horealis  and  B.  fervidus.  He  could  find  no  distinc- 
tion of  the  males  of  these  two  species.  He  had  found  the  males  of  Apathus  elatus  in 
the  nests  of  B.  fervidus,  but  no  males  of  the  latter  species.  As  the  female  of  Apathus 
^latus  is  unknown,  and  as  he  had  found  the  male  copulating  with  the  female  of  the 
Bombus,  he  concludes  that  the  species  Apathus  elatus  has  no  real  existence. 

A  general  discussion  followed  this  paper,  which  was  participated  in  by  Messrs- 
Riley,  Smith,  Howard,  Marlatt,  C.  R.  Dodge,  Schwarz,  Marx,  Townsend,  Ashmead, 
Mann ,  Fox,  and  others.   . 

Mr.  Ashmead  read  a  paper  entitled  "A  note  on  the  genus  Tetracnemus,"  referring  to 
Westwood's  original  description  as  giving  5-jointed  tarsi  and  Walker's  subsequent 
redescriptiou  as  giving  4-jointed  tarsi.  He  exhibited  two  species  from  Florida,  the 
one  an  Encyrtid  corresponding  with  Westwood's  description,  and  the  other  an  Eulo- 
phid  corresponding  with  Walker's. 

Dr.  Marx  commented  on  a  letter  received  from  Judge  Johnson  and  identified  sev- 
eral species  of  spiders  which  he  had  sent  to  the  society  from  Florida.  He  also  stated 
that  he  had  been  informed  by  letter  that  M.  Simon,  of  France,  had  in  his  collection 
a  second  species  of  the  new  genus  Hypochilus. 

Wm.  H.  Fox,  M.  D., 

Recording  Secretary. 


PERSONNEL  OF  THOSE  ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical ;  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes : 

DIVISION  OF  ENTOMOLOGY,   U.    S.   DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist:  C.  V.  Riley.  ,      m  i 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande.  lyler 
Townsend,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  Assistants;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-culture  and 
in  charge  of  reeling  experiments. 
Field  Agents :  Saml.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass. ;  F.  M.  Webster^ La  layette  Ind  :  Her- 
bert Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  W.  McLain,  Hinsdal%,  111. ;  Mary  E  Murtfeklt,  Kirk- 
wood.  Mo. ;  Lawrence  Bruner,  Lincoln,  Nebr.  ;  D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,    U.    S.   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Assistant  Curator :  John  B.  Smith.  ,    ,,    ^      i         ^^r.^Ai 

i^  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expedi- 
entTthe  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  communi- 
cations. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  re- 
ferring to  the  list  above  given. 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "  Insect  Life,"  or 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "Riley  and  Howard.'  While  most  of 
the  correspondence  of  the  Division  is  earned  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  it  is  also  at- 
tended to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that 
only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.  Illustrations, 
where  not  otherwise  stated,  are  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under  supervision.- 
C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  APRIL,    1889. 

Vol.   I.  No.    lO. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AiND  LiFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 

ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE, 

AND  EDITED  BY  THE  ENTOMOLOGIST 

AND  HIS  ASSISTANTS. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 
1889. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 2iJ7 

Systematic  Relations  of  Platypsyllus,  as  detekmined  by  the  Larva 

C.  V.Biley..      300 

Stridulation  in  Vanessa  antiopa A.  H.  Swinton..      307 

Notes  on  the  Tenacity,  Elasticity,  and  Ductility  of  Raw  Silk 

Philip  Walker..       309 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 312 

Borers  in  a  traveliug  Trunk. — An  early  Note  on  the  Periodical  Cicada.— 
More  Evidence  bearing  on  Spider  Bites.— Buffalo  Gnats  on  the  Red 
River.— A  Beetle  living  in  an  Insecticide.— The  new  Flour  Moth  in 
England. — Abundance  of  an  lulus  in  Dakota. — The  Bean  Weevil  in 
California, — Method  of  mounting  Eggs  of  Insects  for  progressive  em- 
bryologic  Study. — Grass  Cut  Worms. — Another  Proposition  in  regard 
to  Chinch  Bug  Remedies. — Two  Chinch  Bug  Appearances  the  past 
Year. — The  Texas  Heel-fly. — Insect  Injuries  in  Ohio  for  1888. — A  Boll 
Worm  Letter. — A  remarkable  Theory. 

General  Notes - 322 

Late  important  Publications  relative  to  the  Hessian  Fly. — Fungicides  as 
Insecticides. — Kerosene-soap  Emulsion  as  Fuel. — New  Food  Plant  for 
the  Scurfy  Bark-louse. — Obituary. — Precursors  of  Brood  VIII  of  the 
Periodical  Cicada. — A  Spider-egg  Parasite. — Spraying  Fruit  Trees. — 
White  Grub  in  Strawberry  Beds.— Farmers  and  Stock  Raisers'  Insect 
Society. — A  Bryobia  in  New  Zealand. — The  Box-elder  Bug. — The  Flor- 
ida Wax-Scale  in  California. — Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 
II 


Vol.  I,  IVo.  10.]  JNSECT    LIFE.  [April,  I§S9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Mr.  Koebele's  Mission  concluded.— Mr.  Koebele  returned  from  Aus- 
tralia and  New  Zealand  by  the  March  steamer.  He  left  Australia  late 
iu  February,  and  spent  a  large  part  of  the  month  of  March  in  New 
Zealand  with  Mr.  Maskell  and  Mr.  Wight  searching  for  parasites  and 
other  enemies  of  Icerya.  He  shipped  from  Australia  before  leaving 
another  sending  of  Monophloebus  and  Icerya  infested  with  Lestopho- 
nus,  and  also  sent  a  large  numberof  Coccinellids  of  four  difi'erent  species, 
nearly  all  of  which  were  alive  upon  arrival  in  Los  Angeles.  Mr.  Coquil- 
lett  reports  good  success  in  colonizing  this  shipment,  and  writes  that  the 
Coccinellids  particularly  made  themselves  at  home,  beginning  imme- 
diately to  feed  upon  Icerya. 

In  New  Zealand  Mr.  Koebele  was  unable  to  find  any  true  parasites, 
with  the  possible  exception  of  a  small  Dipterou,of  which,  however,  he 
saw  only  four  or  five  specimens.  He  found,  however,  several  Coc- 
cinellids which  feed  with  avidity  upon  Icerya,  and  brought  a  large 
number  of  these  to  California  with  him.  We  expect  to  publish  before 
long  a  preliminary  report  from  him  on  the  trip  as  a  whole,  which  will 
doubtless  prove  interesting  reading. 

One  of  the  interesting  results  not  yet  mentioned  in  these  columns  was 
the  finding  and  successful  importatiou  of  a  predaceous  Noctuid  larva 
which  feeds  upon  Pulvinaria,  Icerya  and  Lecanium.  This  insect  has 
received  the  name  Thalpochares  cocciphaga  from  Mr.  Meyrick,  and  it  may 
possibly  breed  and  flourish  in  California,  although  Mr.  Coquillett  has 
just  written  us  that  living  larvae  received  by  him  refused  to  feed  upon 
Icerya. 

Two  other  predaceous  Lepidopterous  larvae  were  found  by  Mr.  Koe- 
bele, one  of  which  was  a  Pyralid,  which  fed  abundantly  upon  Eriococcus 
eucalypti,  while  the  other  was  a  Tineid. 

Our  Indiana  agent,  Mr.  F.  M.  Webster,  was  sent  to  Australia  in  De. 
cember,  but  remained  there  only  one  month  and  had  little  opportunity 
for  entomological  research,  as  he  was  charged  with  assisting  in  the  prep- 
aration of  a  report  for  the  State  Department  on  the  agricultural  as- 

297 


298 

pects  of  the  Melbourne  Exposition.     He  returned  on  the  same  steamer 
with  Mr.  Koebele,  joining  the  latter  in  Ne\A^  Zealand. 

Both  gentlemen  speak  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  courtesies  which 
they  received  both  at  the  hands  of  the  Ex})osition  Board  and  from 
prominent  men  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand.  Our  esteemed  corre- 
spondent, Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  of  Adelaide,  was  particularly  kind  and 
placed  every  facility  at  their  disposal.  It  goes  without  saying  that 
Messrs.  Maskell  and  Wight  received  Mr.  Koebele  most  cordially  in  New 
Zealand. 


The  Periodical  Cicada  in  1889.— Brood  VIII,  which  is  of  the  seveuteeu- 
year  race,  will  appear  this  year  through  quite  an  extent  of  country. 
The  region  commences  in  southeastern  Massachusetts,  extends  south 
across  Long  Island  and  along  the  Atlantic  coast  of  New  Jersey,  Dela- 
ware, and  Maryland  as  far  as  Chesapeake  Bay ;  then  up  the  Susque- 
hanna River  in  Pennsylvania,  to  a  point  a  little  below  Harrisburg; 
thence  westward  iu  Ohio,  embracing  the  southwestern  corner  of  the 
State  and  the  northwestern,  portion  of  Kentucky,  and  then  upward 
through  southwestern  Indiana,  ending  in  central  Illinois.  It  is  possible 
also  that  there  is  an  eastward  extension  of  the  region  from  Kentucky 
into  southern  West  Virginia,  as  Cicadas  occurred  in  1855  in  the  Ka- 
nawha Valley,  and  also  in  the  counties  of  Buncombe  and  McDowell,  in 
North  Carolina  ;  but  as  these  appearances  were  not  verified  in  1872,  it 
is  probable  that  they  belonged  to  Brood  XVIII,  which  is  of  the  thir- 
teen-year race. 

We  shall  be  glad  to  receive  full  accounts  this  year  of  all  appearances 
from  any  of  our  correspondents,  and  from  all  others  who  will  be  kind 
enough  to  write  us  of  occurrences  in  their  vicinity.  Accounts  from 
North  Carolina  and  West  Virginia  are  especially  desired,  as  these  will 
tend  to  clear  up  any  doubt  remaining  as  to  what  brood  occurred  in  those 
States  in  1855. 


Economic  Entomology  in  California.— We  have  jUSt  received  from  Mr. 
W.  G.  Klee  a  little  work  published  under  the  auspices  of  the  State  Board 
of  Horticulture,  and  entitled  "A  treatise  on  the  Insects  Injurious  to 
Fruit  and  Fruit-trees  of  the  State  of  California."  Mr.  Klee  is  a  little 
weak  in  his  technical  entomology,  and  frequent  misspellings  of  scientific 
names  occur.  He  quotes  freely  from  other  writers,  however,  and  his 
scientific  orthography  is  not  a  fault  which  will  trouble  his  practical 
readers.  His  illustrations  are  mainly  borrowed,  but  most  of  those 
which  are  original  are  fairly  good.  His  colored  plates,  which  are  re- 
printed from  the  Biennial  Report  of  the  State  Board  of  Horticulture 
for  1885-'86,  are  very  happy  in  catching  the  characteristic  appearance 
upon  the  twigs,  leaves,  and  fruit  of  the  three  species  of  scale-insects  so 


299 

figured  {Aspidiottis  perniciosus,  A.  aurantii,  iiu(\  Icerya piirchasi).  He 
untbrtuuately,  however,  reproduces  souie  of  tbe  worst  of  Matthew  Cooke's 
figures,  and  Comstock's  very  poor  one  of  Lecanium  hesiieridum.  Th( 
volume  eoutaius  also  considerable  new  matter,  to  which  we  shall  havj 
occasion  to  refer  later. 


Kinds  Words  from  a  Veteran  Entomologist.— The  pleasing  things   whict 
entomologists  are  writing  us  concerning  Insect  Life  are  very  grati-j 
fying,  but  especially  so  was  the  following  sentence  from  a  recent  com-j 
munication  Irom  that  veteran  and  learned  entomologist,  whom  wedeei 
it  an  honor  to  call  friend,  viz.  Prof.  J.  O.  Westwood.     He  writes  : 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  excellent  periodical  you  have  inaugurated— Insect  Lifi 
I  find  it  full  of  valuable  new  matter,  and  its  illustrations  fully  keep  up  the  old  8tyl« 
I  -wish  I  could  find  and  support  an  equal  set  of  clever  pupils. 


The  Lepidoptera  of  Australia.— We  are  pleased  to  learn  from  a  recent 
communication  from  Mr.  A.  Sidney  Olliff,  of  the  Australian  Museum  at 
Sidney,  New  South  Wales,  that  the  authorities  of  the  museum  have 
recently  decided  to  continue  the  publication  of  the  drawings  and  manu- 
script relating  to  the  life  histories  of  Australian  Lepidoptera  left  by 
the  late  Alex.  W.  Scott  and  since  acquired  by  the  museum.  The  work 
of  editing  and  revising  this  material  has  been  intrusted  to  Mr.  Scott's 
daughter,  Mrs.  Edward  Forde,  and  Mr.  Olliff.  It  is  to  be  published  on 
the  plan  of  the  three  parts  which  were  issued  by  Mr.  Scott  before  his 
death,  and  will  probably  extend  to  twenty  parts,  each  containing  three 
or  four  colored  folio  plates.    The  first  part  is  expected  about  May  1. 


Mr.  John  B.  Smith,  who  has  been  our  assistant  in  the  Department  of 
Insects  at  the  National  Museum,  has  resigned,  to  accept  the  more  lucra- 
tive position  of  Entomologist  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  at 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  Mr.  Martin  L.  Linell,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  has 
been  appointed  as  an  Aid  in  the  Department,  and  during  our  absence 
Mr.  Howard  will  act  as  Curator.  Mr.  Linell  is  an  entomologist  of  con- 
siderable experience,  and  is  well  fitted  to  aid  in  the  care  of  such  an  im- 
portant collection  as  that  of  the  National  Museum  has  become.  We 
regret  to  lose  Mr.  Smith  from  the  Washington  entomologists,  but  con- 
gratulate him  on  the  appointment,  and  wish  him  every  success  in  bis 
new  field,  in  which  applied  entomology  will  occupy  him  more  than  it  has 
hitherto  done. 


The  Entomologist  will  sail  on  the  13th  of  April  for  Paris,  as  one  of 
the  Assistant  Commissioners  to  the  Paris  Exposition,  appointed  by  the 


300 

President  to  report  upon  Group  VIII,  which  iu  the  main  represents 

agricultural  products.     Since  last  autumn  much  of  his  time,  as  the  rep- 

esentative  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  has  been  devoted  to  the 

^reparation  of  an  exhibit  of  the  agricultural  products  of  the  United 

tates  for  that  Exposition.     While  his  duties  in  Europe  will  necessarily 

^prevent  active  direction  of  Divisional  matters,  he  hopes  by  constant 

correspondence  with  the  office  to  still  keep  in  communication  with  the 

readers  of  Insect  Life. 

During  his  absence  Mr.  Howard  will  be  Assistant  in  Charge,  and  will 

Iso  act  as  Curator  of  Insects  for  the  National  Museum. 


ai 

i 


I  J 


YSTEMATIC  RELATIONS  OF  PLATYPSYLLUS,  AS  DETERMINED  BY 
THE  LARVA.* 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

There  is  always  a  great  deal  of  interest  attaching  to  oiganisms  which 
are  unique  in  character  and  which  systematists  And  difificulty  in  placing 
in  any  of  their  schemes  of  classification,  A  number  of  instances  will 
occur  to  every  working  naturalist,  and  I  need  only  refer  to  Limulus, 
and  the  extensive  literature  devoted  during  the  past  decade  to  the 
discussion  of  its  true  position,  as  a  marked  and  well-known  illustration. 
In  Hexapods  the  common  earwig  and  flea  are  familiar  illustrations. 
These  osculant  or  aberrant  forms  occur  most  among  parasitic  groups, 
as  the  Stylopidse,  Hippoboscidse,  Pulicidse,  Mallophaga,  etc.  Probably 
no  Hexapod,  however,  has  more  interested  entomologists  than  Platyp- 
sylhis  castoris  Ritsema,  a  parasite  of  the  beaver.  I  can  not  better  illus- 
trate the  diversity  of  opinion  respecting  its  true  position  in  zoology  than 
by  giving  an  epitome  of  the  more  important  literature  upon  it. 

J.  Ritsema,  in  Petites  N'oiivelles  Entomologiques  for  September  15, 1869, 
described  the  species  as  Platypsylhts  castoris.  He  found  it  on  some 
American  beavers  {Castor  canadensis)  in  the  zoological  garden  of  Rot- 
terdam. He  considered  it  to  ''undoubtedly"  belong  to  the  Suctoria  of 
De  Geer,  and  to  form  a  new  genus  of  Pulicidse. 

In  the  same  year,  in  the  Tijdschrift  voor  PJntomologie,  second  series, 
Vol.  V,  p.  185  (which  I  have  not  seen),  the  same  author  publishes  what 
is  apparently  a  re-description  of  the  insect.  He  gives  his  views  more 
fully  as  to  its  systematic  position,  considering  that  it  belongs  to  the 
Aphaniptera,  and  is  equivalent  to  the  Pulicid?e. 

In  the  same  year.  Prof.  J.  O.  Westwood  (having  previously  read  a 
description  of  the  species,  November  9,  1868,  before  the  Ashmolean 
Society  of  Oxford)  published  in  the  Entomologist's  Monthly  Magazine^ 
Vol.  VI,  October,  1869,  pp.  118-119,  a  full  characterization  of  the  in- 

*  Eead  at  the  meeting  of  the  Natioual  Academy  of  Sciences,  April  20,  188H,  and 
here  reprinted  from  Scientific  American  Supplement,  June  2,  1883,  vol.  25,  p.  10356. 


301 

sect  under  the  name  of  Flatypsyllus  castormiis.  A  new  order,  Achrei- 
optera,  is  established  upon  the  species,  which  he  very  aptly  likens,  in 
general  appearance,  to  a  cross  between  a  flattened  flea  and  a  dimin- 
utive cockroach.  "  The  abnormal  econom^^  of  the  insect,  its  remarkable 
structure,  the  apparent  want  of  mandibles,  our  ignorance  of  its  trans- 
formations, and  the  possibility  that  the  creature  may  be  homomor- 
phous  in  the  larva  and  pupa  states,"  are  the  reasons  assigned  for  estab- 
lishing the  new  order,  and  here  Professor  Westwood  is  perfectly  con- 
sistent, as  in  his  famous  "  Introduction  to  the  Classification  of  Insects'! 
the  Forflculida?  are  placed  in  the  order  Eup]exoi)tera  ;  the  Thripidse  id 
the  order  Thysauoptera  ;  the  Phryganeidjie  in  the  order  Thrichoptera; 
the  Stylopidae  in  the  order  Strepsiptera;  and  the  Pulicidje  in  the  order 
Aphauiptera. 

In  1872,  Dr.  J.  L.  Le  Conte  published  his  paper  "  On  Platypsyllidce,  a 
New  Family  of  Coleoptera  "  (Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  of  Loudon  for  1872,  pp. 
779-804,  PI.  LXVIIl),  in  which  he  shows  that  Platypsylla  is  undoubtedly 
Coleopterous,  and  can  not  possibly  be  referred  to  the  Aphauiptera- 
Careful  descriptions  and  figures  of  anatomical  details  are  given,  and  he 
finds  that  its  aflinities  are  very  composite,  but  in  the  direction  of  the 
Adephagous  and  Clavicoru  series.  Its  most  convenient  place  is  shown 
to  be  between  the  HydropMHdw  and  Leptinidce.  There  seems  to  be  no 
good  reason  why  the  name  PlatypsyUm  is  here  changed  to  Platypsylla, 
a  spelling  adopted  by  most  subsequent  American  writers. 

In  1874,  Professor  Westwood,  in  the  "Thesaurus  Entomologicus  Ox- 
oniensis"  (Oxford,  1874),  p.  194,  PI.  XXXVII,  gives  figures  with  details; 
reprints  his  previous  diagnosis,  and  maintains  his  previous  course  in 
erecting  a  new  order  for  the  insect  without  giving  any  additional  rea- 
sons. 

In  1880,  P.  Megniu,  in  "  Les  Parasites  et  les  maladies  parasitaires," 
etc.,  Paris,  1880,  gives  (pp.  G6-67)  a  description  of  the  family  "Platyp- 
syllines  "  without  expressing  an  opinion  concerning  the  systematic  posi- 
tion.   He  also  describes  and  figures  the  species. 

In  1882,  Dr.  George  H.  Horn  (Trans.  Amer.  Ent.  Soc,  X,  1882-'83 ; 
Monthly  Proc,  February  10, 1882,  j).  ii)  exhibited  drawings  illustrating 
the  anatomy  of  Platypsylla  and  Leptinus,  and  showed  that  a  close  rela- 
tionship exists  between  these  genera.  Later,  in  his  "  Notes  on  Some 
Little  Known  Genera  ad  Species  of  Coleoptera"  (Trans.  Amer.  Ent. 
Soc,  X,  1882-'83,  pp.  113-126,  PI.  Y,  114-116),  he  reviews  the  characters, 
and  explains  and  illustrates  the  anatomical  details.  The  differences  he 
points  out  between  his  observations  and  those  of  Le  Conte  are  more 
particularly  in  the  mandibles.  In  connection  with  this  paper  he  also 
describes  and  illustrates  the  structure  of  Leptinillus,  which  he  sep- 
arates from  Leptinus,  and  demonstrates  their  close  relationship  with 
Platypsyllus. 

In  1883,  Le  Conte  and  Horn,  in  their  "  Classification  of  the  Coleop- 
tera of  Xorth  America"  (Washington,  Smithsonian  Institution,  1883), 


302 

give  (pp.  13-15)  a  full  descriptiou  of  the  fainil^^  characters,  a  little  modi- 
tied  from  Le  Coiite's  first  description,  but  sustaining  his  views  on  the 
£.ystematic  position  of  PlaU/psyUidcc. 

In  1883,  Alphonse  Bonhoure  (Ann.  Soc.  de  France,  1883;  Bull,  des 
Seances,  p.  cxxvi)  exhibited  drawings  and  specimens  o{  Platypsijllus 
castoris  found  in  tbe  Departement  des  Bouchts-du  Rhone. 

In  1884,  Edm.  Reitter,  in  "  Platypsylla  castoris  Kits,  als  Vertreter 
einer  neuen  europiiischeu  Coleopteren-Fauiilie"  ( Wiener  entom.  Zeit., 
Ill,  1884,  pp.  19-21  (gives  a  lengthy  description  of  the  species  with  spe- 
cial regard  to  the  sexual  difterences.  He  shows  that  the  European  insect 
is  not  specifically  distinct  from  the  American  forui,  but  he  does  not  ex- 
l)ress  an  opinion  on  the  position  of  the.family  among  the  Coleoptera. 

In  the  same  year  Bonhoure  (Ann.  Soc.  Ent.  de  France,  1884,  pp.  143- 
153)  more  fully  records  its  discovery  on  Castor  fiber  taken  in  the  Petit- 
Ehone.  It  is  a  question  whether  this  European  beaver,  now  quite  rare, 
is  distinct  from  ours.  He  gives  a  very  good  review  of  the  subject,  with 
a  plate  of  the  most  imi)ortant  details,  after  Horn,  and  he  fully  indorses 
the  coleopterological  position  of  the  insect. 

In  the  same  year  Ritsema  {Tijdschrift  voor  Entomologie,  1883-'84, 
LXXXVI)  refers  to  Bonhoure's  discovery  of  Platypsylla  in  France,  and 
corrects  Reitter  in  some  unimportant  details. 

In  1885,  Reitter,  in  "  Coleopterologische  Notizen,"  XIII  (  Weiner  entom. 
Zeit,  Vol.  IV,  1885,  p.  274),  answers  Ritsema's  criticism. 

In  the  same  year.  Dr.  Friederich  Brauer,  in  his  masterly  "  Systema- 
tischzoologische  Studien  ■'  (Sitzb.  der  kais.  Akad.  der  Wissensch.,  XCI, 
p.  364),  speaks  of  the  relationship  in  the  thoracic  characters  between 
Mallophaga  and  Coleoptera  as  illustrated  by  Platypsyllus,  by  inference 
admitting  the  Coleopterous  nature  of  the  latter,  but  recognizing  that  it 
has  Mallophagous  affinities. 

In  1880  H.  J.  Kolbe,  in  his  "  Ueber  die  Stellung  von  Platypsyllus  im 
System"  {Berliner  entom.  Zeitsch.,  XXX.,  188(3,  pp.  103-105),  discusses 
the  subject,  without  any  new  evidence,  however.  He  concludes  that 
most  of  its  characteristics  relate  it  to  the  Corrodentia,  and  particularly 
to  the  sub-order  Mallophaga,  in  which  it  has  its  closest  kinship  in  Lio- 
theidje.  The  remarkable  tripartite  mentum  he  thinks  should  not  be 
compared  with  the  bipartite  mentum  of  Lei)tiuus,  and  calls  attention  to 
the  fact  that  in  Ancistrona  in  Mallophaga  it  is  also  trilobed. 

The  above  are  the  more  important  papers  on  the  subject,  though 
the  insect  has  been  referred  by  other  authors  to  both  Neuroptera  and 
Orthoptera. 

CHARACTERS  OF  PLATYPSYLLUS. 

V^here  the  characters  of  the  imago  have  been  so  often  described,  it 
is  unnecessary  to  refer  to  them  in  detail,  and  I  will  only  call  attention 
to  the  more  striking  structural  features,  and  to  some  omissions  by,  or 
differences  between,  previous  authors.    A  glance  at  the  illustrations 


303 

which  I  uave  prepared  will  show  the  prevailing  characteristics  of  this 
interesting  creature,  its  general  ovoid  and  flattened  form,  and  more 
particularly  the  flattened  semicircular  head.  Dorsally,  we  notice  the 
rather  prominent  occiput  fringed  behind  with  short  and  broad  de- 
pressed spines  or  teeth  which  form  a  sort  of  comb,  the  prothorax  trapez- 
oidal and  but  very  slightly  curved,  with  side  margins  strongly  grooved. 
There  is  a  very  distinct  scutellum,  and  the  two  elytra. are  rounded  at 
the  tip  and  without  venation.  Hind  wings  and  eyes  are  both  wanting. 
The  abdomen  shows  five  segments,  each  with  a  row  of  depressed  bris- 
tles. 


1 

U/ —  /    '— 


i 


■>%       -'  I 


Fio.  67.— Full  grown  larva  of  PZrt?)/-  Fig.  6S.—Platypsyllus  castoris,  adult— greatly 

pS2/iJ««  c(i«ton's— dorsa  Iview — greatly  enlarged  (after  Kiley). 

enlarged  (alter  Riley). 

On  the  ventral  surface  we  find  among  the  more  curious  characteris- 
tics, first  the  antennte;  these  were  originally  described  by  Westwood 
as  three  jointed,  the  club  being  annulated.  Le  Conte  could  not  dis- 
tinctly make  out  the  number  of  annular  joints  upon  this  club,  though 
he  thought  he  detected  seven,  which  made  nine  joints  to  the  whole  an 
tenna.  The  club  is  received  in  the  deep  cup-shaped  excavation  of  the 
second  joint.  Horn  thought  he  detected  a  division  of  the  second  joint, 
and  resolved  but  six  segments  in  the  club,  making  also  nine  joints  to 
the  whole  antenna,  but  in  a  somewhat  different  fashion  from  Le  Conte. 
Westwood's  figure  shows  eight  annuli  to  the  club.  He  failed  to  find 
any  trace  of  the  mandibles,  but  Le  Conte  described  them  as  small,  flat, 
subquadrate,  with  the  inner  side  deeply  crenulate,  and  resembling  those 


304 


Fig.  60.— Yoiiug  larva 
from  below — greatly 
enlarged  (after 
KUey). 


of  Coryloplius ;  the  stipes  well  developed,  and  bi-articnlate.  Horn  could 
not  entirely  make  out  the  mandibles  as  described  by  Le  Coute,  and 
rather  concluded  that  wliat  Le  Conte  described  is 
really  one  of  the  granules  whicb  occur  behind  the  la- 
brum.  He  considered  that  the  piece  could  hardly  be 
even  an  aborted  mandible,  because  of  its  diminutive 
size. 

What  all  authors  have  agreed  in  calling  the  mentnm 
is  very  noticeable,  being  large  and  broad,  and  trilobed 
behind.  The  maxillse  are  strong,  with  complicated 
stipes,  and  with  two  flat  thin  lobes,  the  inner  one 
smaller  than  the  outer  and  rounded  at  the  tip,  both 
lobes  being  ciliate.  The  maxillary  palpi  are  four- 
jointed,  the  labial  palpi  three-jointed.  The  prosternum 
is  very  large,  subtriangular,  concealing  the  insertion  of 
the  coxpe,  and  extending  over  the  front  part  of  the 
mesosternum,  as  does  this  over  the  front  of  the  meta- 
sternum.  Six  ventral  segments  of  the  abdomen  are 
visible  behind  the  posterior  coxa?,  which  conceal  two 
and  the  base  of  a  third.  The  coxae  are  flat  and  not 
at  all  prominent.  The  legs  are  characterized  by  broad 
and  flattened  tibife  and  femora,  and  the  strong  spines 
with  which  they  are  armed.  The  tarsi  are  five-jointed, 
the  front  and  middle  pair  with  a  row  of  claviform  membranous  append- 
ages each  side,  which  Le  Conte  found  only  in  the  male. 

American  entomologists  have  been  satisfied  to  follow  Le  Conte  and 
Horn  as  to  the  position  of  Platypsyllus.  Yet  with  such  diversity  of 
opinion  on  the  subject  among  high  European  authorities  the  importance 
of  a  knowledge  of  the  adolescent  states  has  been  recognized,  as  the 
character  of  either  the  larva  or  pupa  would  settle  the  question. 

During  a  stay  at  West  Point,  Nebr.,  in  Uctober,  1880,  I  learned  from 
one  of  my  agents,  Mr.  Lawrence  Bruner,  that  there  was  a  beaver  in  a 
creek  not  far  from  that  point,  and  I  at  once  made  arrangements  for  him 
to  trap  the  beaver,  and  to  look  particularly  for  living  specimens  of  Platy- 
psyllus on  the  skin,  and  especially  the  earlier  stages.  He  succeeded  in 
capturing  the  beaver  and  sent  me  some  fifteen  specimens  of  the  larva 
and  also  some  imagos,  but  neither  eggs  norpup?e  were  found.  A  glance 
at  the  larva  satisfied  me  at  once  of  its  coleopterous  nature;  but  as  we 
have,  waiting  to  be  worked  up  and  published,  an  emharras  de  richesses 
entomologiques  in  the  collections  of  the  National  Museum,  and  as  cir- 
cumstances largely  decide  the  precedence,  I  should  probably  not  have 
called  attention  to  this  larva  for  some  time,  had  it  not  been  that  at  the 
last  monthly  meeting  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  Washington,  Dr. 
Horn,  who  was  present,  announced  the  finding,  the  present  spring,  by 
one  of  his  correspondents,  of  this  very  larva,  and  exhibited  a  specimen. 
Some  points  about  it,  and  especially  the  position  of  the  spiracles,  being 


305 

yet  rather  obscure  iu  his  mind,  he  requested  me  to  examine  my  mater 
ial,  which  I  have  thus  been  led  to  do.  I  have  made  a  figure  of  this 
larva  which  will  sufficiently  indicate  its  nature. 

The  general  form  of  the  trophi,  and  particularly  the  anal  cerci,  fully 
settle  the  disputed  point,  and  remove  this  insect  completely  from  the 
Mallophaga  (none  of  which  possess  them),  and  confirm  its  position  in 
the  Clavicorn  series  of  the  Coleoptera.  Yet  in  the  larva,  as  in  the 
imago,  the  effects  of  its  parasitic  life  are  shown  in  certain  modifications, 
which  approach  the  ruuning  section  of  the  Mallophaga.  Without  going 
into  details  I  may  say  that,  besides  its  general  and  more  decided  coleop- 
terological  features,  this  larva  is  distinguished  by  the  shortness  and 
stoutness  of  its  legs,  by  the  size  and  stoutness  of  the  antennae,  by  the 
stiff  and  long  depressed  hairs  on  the  dorsal  and  more  particularly  on 
the  ventral  surface,  and  by  the  dorsal  position  of  the  abdominal  spir- 
acles, all  characters  approaching  the  Mallophaga.  The  first  pair  of 
spiracles  is  lateral,  and  may  be  said  to  be  mesothoracic,  being  placed 
on  the  mesothoracic  joint,  but  on  a  distinct  fold.  The  eight  abdominal 
spiracles  are  placed  on  the  sides  of  the  dorsum,  and  in  this  respect  re- 
call the  parasitic  triuugulin  of  the  Meloid  larvje.  The  mandibles  are 
barely  corneous,  and  they  are  more  elongate  and  curved  in  the  younger 
than  in  the  older  larva,  while  the  legs  are  also  relatively  stouter,  more 
curved,  and  with  a  much  longer  and  sharper  claw  in  the  younger  larva, 
which  seems  well  fitted  for  grasping  the  hairs  of  its  host. 

There  can  no  longer  be  any  doubt,  therefore,  about  the  true  position 
of  Platypsyllus.  The  eggs  will  probably  be  found  attached  iu  some 
way  to  the  hairs  of  the  animal  they  are  laid  on,  much  as  they  are  in 
Mallophaga,  and  the  pupa  is  probably  formed  in  the  nests  of  the  host 
and  not  upon  the  skin,  which  will  explain  the  reason  for  its  not  occur- 
ring with  the  larva  and  imago  upon  the  beaver,  either  iu  the  case  of  my 
specimens  or  those  of  Dr.  Horn. 

The  greatest  resemblance  of  Platypsyllus  in  the  imago  state  to  the 
Mallophaga  is  found  in  the  spinous  comb  on  the  hind  border  of  the 
occiput,  the  arrangement  of  the  spiues  on  the  abdomen,  and  the  super- 
ficial autennal  structure,  but  particularly  in  the  broad  trilobed  meutum. 
All  of  the  other  characteristics  are  readily  referable  to  the  Coleoptera, 
though,  as  Le  Conte  pointed  out,  they  are  composite,  recalling  in  the 
antennae,  the  Gyrinidte,  in  the  pronotum  the  Silphidre,  in  the  mesoster- 
num  Limulodes,  in  the  elytra  the  Staphylindoe,  in  the  legs  the  Anisoto- 
mida?,  and  in  the  mandibles  the  Corylophidte.  The  scutellum  and  the 
five-jointed  tarsi  at  once  remove  it  from  Mallophaga,  and  it  is  a  wonder 
thatLe  Conte  and  Horn  have  not  more  fully  insisted  on  this  fact.  The 
trophi  are  very  complicated,  and  there  are  various  details  of  structure 
not  noticed  or  not  mentioned  by  any  of  the  writers  upon  the  subject 
hitherto. 

I  have  been  led  to  very  carefully  examine  the  imago,  and  the  more 
closely  I  have  done  so,  the  more  completely  I  realize  the  accuracy  of 


306 


Le  Conte's  original  work.  The  mandibles  are  visible  or  not,  according  as 
tbey  are  exposed  or  withdrawn,  and  their  existence  may  depend  on  the 
sex,  as,  so  far  as  my  material  justities  conclusion,  they  are  visible  in  the 
male  only.  Where  found,  they  correspond  to  Le  Conte's  description. 
Even  in  the  larva  they  are  weak  and  of  doubtful  service  in  mastication, 
while  in  the  imago  they  are,  as  is  also  the  labrum,  quite  rudimentary; 
which  fact  hardly  justifies  us,  however,  in  arguing  their  non-existence. 

As  confirmatory  of  the  affinities  of  Platypsyllus,  as  here  proved,  it 
may  be  mentioned  that  Leptimis  testaceus  Miill.,  the  only  species  of  its 
genus,  is  known  to  be  parasitic  on  mice,  as  it  has  been  found  upon  them 
in  Philadelphia  by  Dr.  John  A.  Ryder,  and  I  have  taken  it  in  the  nests 
of  a  common  field  mouse  near  Washington  ;  but  still  more  interesting 
is  the  fact  that  Leptinillus  validus  Horn  (also  the  only  species  of  its 
genus)  is  an  associate  parasite  of  Platypsyllus  on  the  beaver,  a  number 
of  both  having  been  taken  by  one  of  my  agents,  Mr.  A.  Koebele,  in 
San  Francisco,  from  beaver  skins  brought  from  Alaska. 

In  reference  to  the  classificatory  value  that 
should  be  attached  to  an  aberrant  type  like  this 
I  have  already  expressed  my  opinion  in  a  paper 
on  Megathymus,  a  Lepidopteron  that  connects 
in  many  ways  the  two  great  divisions  of  butter- 
flies and  moths,  published  in  the  Transactions 
of  the  Academy  of  Sciences  of  Saint  Louis,  Vol- 
ume III,  1876,  and  will  take  the  liberty  of  read- 
ing a  few  passages  therefrom  : 

Between  all  classificatory  divisions,  from  variety  to  king- 
dom, the  separatiug  lines  we  draw  get  more  and  more 
broken  in  proportion  as  our  knowledge  of  forms,  past  and 
present,  increases.  Every  step  in  advance  toward  a  trne 
conception  of  the  relations  of  animals  brings  the  different 
groups  closer  together,  until  at  last  we  perceive  an  almost 
continuous  chain.  Even  the  older  naturalists  had  an  ap- 
preciation of  this  fact.  Linnajus's  noted  dictum,  "  Naiura 
saltus  nonfacit,"  implied  it;  and  Kirby  and  Spence  justly 
observe  that  "  it  appears  to  be  the  opinion  of  most  modern 
physiologists  that  the  series  of  affinities  in  nature  is  a 
concatenation  or  continuous  series  ;  and  that  though  an 
hiatus  is  here  and  there  observable,  this  has  been  caused 
either  by  the  annihilation  of  some  original  group  or  spe- 
cies, or  that  the  objects  required  to  till  it  up  are  still  in 
existence  but  have  not  yet  been  discovered." 

Modern  naturalists  tind  in  this  more  or  less  gradual 
blending  their  strongest  arguments  in  favor  of  commu- 
nity of  descent;  and  speculation  as  to  the  origin,  or  out- 
come rather,  in  the  near  present  or  remote  past,  of  existing  forms  is  naturally  and  very 
generally  indulged,  even  by  those  who  a  few  years  back  were  more  inclined  to  ridicule 
than  accept  Darwinian  doctrine.  Shall  we  then  say  that  the  old  divisions  must  be  dis- 
carded because  not  absolute?  As  well  might  we  argue  for  the  abolition  of  the  four 
seasons  because  they  differ  with  the  latitude,  or  because  they  gradually  blend  into 
each  other.    Entomologists  will  always  speak  of  moths  and  butterflies,  howsoever 


Fig.  to. — Full-grown  larva 
from  below — greatly  eularged 
(after  Kiley). 


307 

arbitrary  the  groups  may  come  to  be  looked  upou,  or  however  nua;erous  the  inter, 
mediate  gradations. 

Families  should,  I  think,  be  made  as  comprehensive  as  possible,  and  not  unduly 
multiplied;  and  in  considering  aberrant  forms,  the  objects  of  classitication  are  best 
subserved  by  retaining  them  in  whatever  division  can  claim  the  balance  of  characters. 
It  is  better  to  widen  than  to  restrict  in  the  higher  groups.  Le  Conte  does  better 
service  in  bringing  Platypsylla  among  the  Coleoptera  than  does  Westwood  in  creat- 
ing a  new  order — Achreioptera — for  it.  Phylloxera,  in  Homoptera,  is  much  more 
wisely  retained  in  the  Aphididte  than  made  the  type  of  a  new  family. 

Platypsyllus,  therefore,  is  a  good  Coleopteron,  and  in  all  tbe  characters 
in  which  it  so  strong!}^  approaches  the  Mallophaga  it  oflfers  merely  an 
illustration  of  modificatiou  due  to  food  habit  and  environment.  In  this 
particular  it  is,  however,  of  very  great  interest  as  one  of  the  most  strik- 
ing illustrations  we  have  of  variation  in  similar  lines  through  the  in- 
fluence of  purely  external  or  dynamical  conditions,  and  where  genetic 
connection  and  heredity  play  no  part  whatever.  It  is  at  the  same  time 
interesting  because  of  its  synthetic  characteristics,  being  evidently  an 
ancient  type  from  which  we  get  a  very  good  idea  of  the  connection  in  the 
jjast  of  some  of  the  present  well-defined  orders  of  insects. 

Westwood,  though  now  an  octogenarian,  may  safely  be  called  Eng- 
land's most  eminent  entomologist  by  virtue  of  the  character  and  volume 
of  the  work  which  he  has  accomplished.  Dr.  Le  Conte  was  facile 
princeps,  America's  leading  coleopterist.  I  do  not  know  that  any  greater 
tribute  could  be  added  to  the  sound  judgment  and  deep  knowledge 
possessed  by  that  late  distinguished  member  of  the  Academy  than  the 
confirmation  of  his  views  as  opposed  to  the  views  of  Westwood  and 
other  European  authorities  which  the  discovery  of  this  larva  now  gives 
us. 


STRIDULATION  IN  VANESSA  ANTIOPA. 

By  A.  H.  SwiNTOX,  Bedford,  England. 

Although  the  sound  made  by  this  butterfly  without  doubt  is  the  ex- 
pression of  certain  emotions,  be  it  of  anger  or  of  love,  since  it  is  not  made 
by  the  emission  of  the  breath,  we  can  not,  I  think,  consider  it  more  than 
elementary  voice,  and  in  the  present  instance  a  singularly  erratic  de- 
velopment of  its  elements.    It  may  be  that 

"  In  Loralne  ther  notis  be 

Full  swetir  than  in  this  contre," 

for  English  entomologists  are,  I  believe,  generally  of  opinion  that  the 
sound  which  butterflies  make  is  caused  by  their  rubbing  their  wings 
together  in  their  ardor.  In  the  Entomologist's  Monthly  Magazine  for 
February,  1877,  page  208,  I  find  the  following  notice : 

In  1872  a  female  antiopa  came  into  my  possession  in  a  hibernating  condition,  and 
in  that  state  slie  would,  when  disturbed,  partially  expand  her  wings,  and  at  the  same 
time  -was  produced  a  grating  sound,  which  seemed  to  come  from  the  base  of  the 
wings.— A.  H.  Jones,  Shrublands,  Eltham. 


308 

The  V.  antiopa  is  only  a  migrant  to  this  country  and  seklom  seen, 
but  it  breeds  in  Europe  and  northern  Asia,  commonly  along  willow- 
bordered  streams.  I  have  a  few  specimens  from  the  banks  of  the  To, 
and  from  one  of  these  I  have  detached  the  fore  wing.     (See  Fig.  71 .) 


Fig.  71. — Uiagram  of  loie  wing  of  Vanessa,  antiopa  (ori 


Along  the  hinder  edge  of  this  I  notice  a  smooth  projecting  vein,  &,  to 
run,  which  looked  at  in  the  direction,  a,  is  seen  with  a  strong  magniher 
to  be  flattened  and  notched  like  a  tile  for  not  quite  half  its  length.  This 
vein,  when  the  wings  are  expanded,  rests  on  another  projecting  vein  on 
the  hinder  wing,  in  such  a  manner  that  when  the  upper  wing  is  moved 
the  notched  vein  rubs  over  this  vein  as  the  bow  rubbed  with  rosin  works 
on  the  violin  string. 

Let  any  one  now  take  a  dried  specimen  of  this  butterfly  from  the  cabi- 
net and  grasping  the  fore  wing  by  its  front  edge  rub  it  backwards  and 
forwards  over  the  hinder  one,  so  that  the  bases  meet,  but  being  at  the 
same  time  careful  not  to  crumple  the  wings  and  so  produce  a  false  sound. 
He  will  then  without  fail  hear  the  sweet  secrets  of  antiopa,  which  are 
beautiful  and  delicate  in  expression,  recalling  the  trickle  of  the  brooklet. 

I  may  notice  that  the  Vanessa  butterflies  are  renowned  and  well- 
known  as  stridulators  on  account  of  their  large  size,  bat  that  nearly  all 
butterflies  rub  their  wings  together  when  under  the  influence  of  the 
emotion  of  love,  and  since  it  is  the  result  of  friction  to  produce  a  striated 
surface,  many  of  these  smaller  ones  must  have  organs  of  sound  too  fine 
for  human  sense.  My  own  researches  have  always  been  circumscribed 
from  a  want  of  adequate  microscopic  power. 


309 


NOTES  ON  THE  TENACITY,  ELASTICITY,  AND  DUCTILITY  OF  RAW 

SILK. 

By  Philip  Walker. 

The  tenacity  of  a  silk  fllameut  is  that  property  by  virtue  of  which  it 
resists  rupture  when  stretched.  Its  ductihty  is  the  property  which  per- 
mits it  to  stretch  without  rupture ;  aud  its  elasticity  the  virtue  which  en- 
ables it,  after  stretching,  to  recover  to  a  certain  extent  its  initial  length. 
In  ordinary  parlance  the  tenacity  of  a  silk  thread  is  the  weight,  in  grams, 
necessary  to  produce  rupture.  In  determining  the  tenacity  the  force  is 
generally  exerted  on  a  thread.  50  centimeters  long. 

The  properties  of  elasticity  and  ductility  come  into  play  simultane- 
ously in  the  operation  of  stretching. 

This  fact  was  first  determined  by  M.  Robinet,*  a  Frenchman,  who  in 
1838,  and  for  ten  years  following,  devoted  himself  to  this  and  similar 
subjects  with  great  advantage  to  sericultural  science. 

Thirty  years  later  the  subject  was  again  attacked  by  M.  Persoz,t  of 
the  Paris  conditioning  house,  and  at  about  the  same  time  by  M.  Paul 
Francezon,  of  Alais  (Gard).  I  owe  to  them  a  large  part  of  the  informa- 
tion contained  in  these  notes. 

If  a  thread  a  meter  long  is  suspended  from  a  fixed  point,  and  to  the 
lower  end  a  weight  is  attached  so  as  to  stretch  it  50  millimeters,  this 
stretch  will,  upon  the  removal  of  the  weight,  diminish  to  about  35  mil- 
limeters. This  15  millimeters  of  recovery  represents  the  elasticity  of 
the  filament  and  the  35  the  ductihty  under  the  tension  of  the  weight 
employed.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  we  stretch  it  still  farther,  the  propor- 
tion of  ductility  becomes  greater  and  of  elasticity  less,  until  at  between 
15  and  20  per  cent,  (usually)  the  limit  is  passed  and  the  filament  breaks. 

When  the  stretch  approaches  the  limit  of  elasticity  the  recovery  is 
very  slow  in  a  dry  atmosphere,  but  more  rapid  in  the  presence  of  moist- 
ure. Thus,  a  thread  50  centimeters  long,  stretched  5  centimeters,  or 
10  per  cent.,  when  relieved  of  its  load,  recovered  at  once  25  millimeters; 
in  the  first  half  hour  this  increased  to  3  centimeters.  It  was  then  moist- 
ened, and  immediately  recovered  another  half  centimeter;  during  the 
following  minute  it  shortened  until  but  1  centimeter  of  stretch  remained 
aud  then  the  recovery  stopped. 

But  although  there  is  evidently  a  very  distinct  action  of  elasticity 
and  ductility  in  the  stretching  of  a  silk  thread,  it  is  found  sufficient  in 
the  commercial  testing  of  raw  silk  to  examine  their  joint  action  and  to 
determine  the  total  stretch  of  which  a  given  thread  -is  capable  without 
breaking. 

*Memoire  sur  la  Filature  de  la  Sole,  Paris,  1839,  and  a  series  of  memoirs  published 
from  1843  to  1848,  which  are  nnfoi-tunately  uot  in  the  library  of  the  Department. 
\  Essai  sur  le  Titrage  et  le  Decrensage  de  la  Sole,  Persoz,  Paris,  1878. 


310 

Through  some  uuexplaiued  misconception,  this  per  cent,  of  stretch  is 
called  the  elasticity,  though  it  were  more  properly  styled  the  ductility 
of  the  thread.  Adopting,  however,  the  consecrated  usage,  we  shall 
continue  in  these  notes  to  use  the  term  "elasticity"  with  this  siguiticauce. 

The  elasticity  of  silk  in  its  normal  state  is,  as  has  been  stated,  from 
15  per  cent,  to  20  per  cent.  Many  conditions,  however,  may  vary  these 
results  within  and  even  beyond  these  limits.  One  of  the  most  impor- 
tant of  them  is  the  amount  of  water  contained  in  the  silk.  By  the  term 
"  normal  state"  I  mean  about  the  same  as  by  "conditioned  weight ;  " 
that  is  to  say,  its  state  in  an  atmosphere  of  moderate  dryness. 

As  an  instance  of  the  above  I  may  cite  the  example  of  a  thread  which 
in  the  normal  state  had  rather  less  than  the  average  elasticity,  that  is 
to  say,  14.7  per  cent.,  which  when  thoroughly  moistened  only  broke  when 
elongated  19.4  per  cent. 

Among  the  more  accurate  of  experiments  on  this  subject  are  those 
of  M.  Persoz.     Thej"  may  be  summarized  as  follows: 

The  presence  of  an  excess  of  water  in  the  silk  exercises  a  notable 
efiect  on  its  elasticity,  and  (according  to  this  author)  on  its  tenacity, 
increasing  the  former  and  decreasing  the  latter.  On  the  other  hand, 
silk  reduced  to  absolute  dryness  loses  slightly  in  tenacity,  but  very  con- 
siderably in  elasticity.  This  is  shown  from  the  following  experiment 
upon  a  1.G2  gram*  white  reeled  silk : 


Description. 

Tenacity. 

EL^sticity. 

(1)  Thread  soaked  in  water  for  twenty-fonr  hours 

Grams. 
115 
132 
127 

102 

Per  cent. 
22.3 

(2)  Thread  in  its  normal  condition 

19 

(3)  Thread  dried  at  128°  U 

8.2 

(4)  BoUed  off .            

U.2 

It  will  be  seen  that  between  l^os.  2  and  3  the  tenacity  has  diminished 
3.8  per  cent.,  and  the  ductility  56.8  per  cent.,  and  that  between  Nos.  2 
and  1  the  ductility  has  increased  17.4  per  cent. 

M.  Francezon,  who  enjoys  the  reputation  of  being,  from  a  scientific 
point  of  view,  the  most  talented  silk  reeler  in  France,  has  also  made  ex- 
haustive experiments  on  the  elasticity  and  tenacity  of  silk,  and  his  con- 
clusions are  in  some  points  different  from  those  of  MM.  Kobiuet  and 
Persoz.  Unfortunately,  1  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  his  writings  and 
therefore  am  forced  to  derive  my  information  of  his  work  from  second- 
ary sources.! 

M.  Francezon  so  improved  the  use  of  the  serimeter  as  to  compare, 
with  entire  precision,  silks  differing  in  size  and  in  hygrometric  condition. 
To  evaluate  the  hygrometric  condition  during  these  tests,  the  skein  to 

*  That  is  to  say,  a  silk  weighing  1.62  grains  per  500  meters.  The  weight  in  grama 
of  a  skein  of  this  length  is  the  international  standard  for  the  sizing  of  silk  adopted 
by  the  congress  of  Brussels.— P.  W. 

i  Maillot— i/fpotts  sm-  le  Vers  a  Sole  de  Murier,  p.  205. 


311 

be  tested  was  wound  upon  a  reel  1.250™  in  perimeter  and  then  cut 
exactly  into  two  equal  parts;  one  of  these  halv^es  was  weighed  at  ouce, 
and  again  after  drying  (absolutely),  which  gave  the  conditioned  weight 
sought,  as  well  as  the  quantity  of  water  contained  before  the  tests ;  the 
other  half  served  in  part  for  the  tests  and  what  remained  was  weighed 
as  it  was,  and  agaiii  after  drying,  which  gave  the  weight  of  water  con- 
tained after  the  tests ;  the  mean  obtained  from  these  weights  was  taken 
as  the  average  "  hygrometric  condition." 

As  a  result  of  these  experiments  M.  Francezon  differs  from  both  the 
authors  already  quoted  by  concluding  that  humidity  has  no  effect  on 
the  tenacity.  In  relation  to  the  elasticity,  however,  he  has  found  where 
the  silk  contains  not  less  than  8  per  cent,  and  not  more  than  11  per 
cent,  of  water  a  variation  of  1  per  cent,  of  moisture  more  or  less  will 
occasion  a  variation  of  elasticity  in  the  same  direction  of  about  10 
millimeters,  (or  2  per  cent.).  His  tests  were  made  on  first  quality 
yellow  French  and  green  Japanese  silks. 

The  i)resence  or  absence  of  gluten  (gres)  in  silk  has  an  appreciable  effect 
on  its  tenacity  and  ductility.  In  the  above  table  the  loss  of  tenacity 
between  No.  1  and  No.  4  is  22,7  per  cent.,  and  of  ductility  25.3  per  cent. 
But  in  other  tests  these  figures  have  reached  30  per  cent,  for  the  ten- 
acity and  45  per  cent,  for  the  ductility. 

In  the  matter  of  the  charge  of  silk  thread,  it  may  be  said  that  those 
substances  which  coat  the  fibrine,  such  as  albumen  and  gelatine  and 
its  own  gluten,  probably  increase  the  tenacity,  while  of  those  which 
penetrate  and  dilate  the  fibrine,  some  coloring  matters  are  without 
effect,  and  others,  such  as  the  metallic  salts,  used  to  excess  in  produc- 
ing black  dyes,  reduce  the  tenacity  materially,  and  often  entirely,  so  as 
to  cause  the  tissue  woven  of  it  to  crack  when  folded. 

Aside  from  these  extraneous  influences  upon  the  elasticity  and  ten- 
acity of  silk,  there  are  others  inherent  in  the  silk  itself,  such  as  the 
volume  of  the  thread  and  the  number  of  filaments  of  which  it  is  com- 
posed. 

The  tenacity  of  silks  is  uot  proiiortioual  to  their  size.  The  tenacity  of  silks  com- 
jjosed  of  the  same  number  of  threads  augments  -with  their  volume  hut  by  decreasing  dif- 
ferences; in  other  words,  all  conditions  being  equal,  the  finer  silk  is  proportionately 
stronger  and  its  tenacity  greater. 

The  tenacity  of  silks  composed  of  increasing  numbers  of  filaments  increases  in  a 
proportion  more  rapid  than  the  increase  in  the  volume  of  the  silks;  in  other  words, 
the  tenacity  augments  by  increasing  dili'erences  in  a  series  of  silks  composed  of  in- 
creasing numbers  of  filaments. 

For  a  given  size  the  strongest  silk  is  that  into  the  composition  of  which  enter  the 
greater  number  of  filaments.  In  other  words,  if  two  silks  have  the  same  size,  while 
one  is  composed  of  four  filameuts  and  the  other  of  five,  it  is  the  last  which  is  the  stronger 
and  has  the  greater  tenacity.  The  tenacity  iu  composite  silks  increases  proportion- 
ately with  the  number  of  contacts  between  the  filaments. 

The  mean  tenacity  of  silk  for  a  thread  of  one  square  millimeter  cross-section  is 
43.620  K.  (95  pounds),  * 

*For  demonstration  see  Maillot  "  Legons,"  etc,  page  204, 
21125— No.  10 2 


312 

lu  silks  composed  of  the  same  number  of  filaments  the  relative  clnctility  is  not  pro- 
portional to  the  volume.  In  the  same  silks  the  absolute  ductility  increases  in  a  pro- 
portion which  is  very  small  when  compared  with  the  increase  in  the  volume. 

In  silks  composed  of  increasing  numbers  of  filaments  the  elongation  is  not  in  jiro- 
portion  to  the  volume.  In  the  same  silks  the  relative  ductility  is  almost  in  an  in- 
verse proportion  to  the  volumes.  In  the  same  silks  the  absolute  ductility  augments 
to  a  certain  degree  with  the  number  of  filaments.  These  augmentations  of  ductility 
are  successive  and  show  a  certain  degree  of  regularity. 

The  volumes  teing  equal,  that  silk  is  the  most  ductile  into  the  composition  of 
which  enter  the  greatest  number  of  filaments.  In  other  words,  given  two  silks  of 
the  same  size,  if  there  are  five  filaments  in  one  and  six  in  the  other  the  latter  will  be 
the  most  ductile. 

Therefore,  although  augmentation  in  volume  iu  silks  composed  of  the  same  num- 
ber of  filaments  has  an  almost  insensible  influence  on  their  ductility,  an  increase  iu 
the  number  of  filaments  increases  the  ductility  to  a  considerable  degree.  This  etfect 
of  the  solidarity  of  the  filaments  is,  however,  very  different  for  the  ductility  and  the 
tenacity.  The  solidarity  causes  the  tenacity  to  increase  in  a  greater  proportion  than 
the  increase  in  the  number  of  filaments,  while  the  ductility  does  not  by  any  means 
increase  in  this  proportion. 

The  general  conclusion  which  is  naturally  presented  to  the  mind  after  having 
thought  over  the  facts  recorded  above  is  that  silk  is  a  much  more  homogeneous  mat- 
ter than  was  thought  at  first.  The  race  of  the  worms,  the  climate,  the  nature  of  the 
food,*  nothing,  in  fact,  appears  to  sensibly  alter  its  composition  and  its  essential  prop- 
erties. 

Whether  it  comes  from  the  North  or  the  South,  from  a  feeble  or  a  robust  worm, 
whether  it  be  white  or  yellow,  fine  or  coarse,  brilliant  or  dull,  we  lind  the  same  com- 
position, the  same  proportional  strength,  the  same  elasticity.  This  all  depends,  how- 
ever, on  one  condition — that  all  the  samples  examined  shall  have  been  reeled  under 
the  same  conditions. 

Some  of  the  influences  which  have  been  thought  powerful  and  capable  of  pro- 
foundly altering  the  essential  properties  of  silk  are  almost  powerless.  Such  are  the 
age  of  the  cocoons  or  of  the  reeled  silk,  the  nature  of  the  reeling-water  and  its  tem- 
perature. On  the  other  hand,  it  seeuis  demonstrated  that  the  processes  and  th3 
mechanisms  which  have  the  efiect  of  augmentiug  the  tension  of  the  silk  thread  dur- 
ing its  development  may  alter  it  in  an  essential  manner,  above  all  its  extensibility.! 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

5  Borers  in  a  traveling  Trunk. 

On  pages  258-262,  Annual  Report  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  1885,  just  received, 
you  deal  with  the  Leather  Beetle.  Possibly  the  following  which  at  the  time  was  a 
revelation  to  me  may  also  interest  you.  In  September,  1866,  I  bought  a  fine  solid 
Eussia-leather  trunk  iu  St.  Petersburg.  The.  price  did  not  seem  high.  It  had  an  ad- 
ditional outside  linen  cover,  and  I  never  noticed  any  sign  of  gnawing  by  insects.  It 
was  traveling  with  me  until  January  7, 1867  ;  then  quiet  in  my  paternal  trunk-room 
in  New  York  until  May,  1867;  then  with  me  in  Washington  until  May,  1868;  then 
with  me  iu  the  old  Cincinnati  Observatory,  Mount  Adam,  Cincinnati,  until  Novem- 
bei,  1870.     During  these  last  two  years  I  believe  that  I  did  not  use  it  or  move  it  from 

*  No  food  but  the  mulberry  w^as  used.  It  remains  to  be  seen  if  the  iVIaclura  will 
give  different  results. — P.  W. 

t  These  last  paragraphs  are  quoted  by  M.  Persoz  frouj  the  second  of  a  series  of 
memoirs  published  by  M.  Robiuet  between  184:J  and  18l8. 


313 

the  store-room,  where,  however,  it  was  iu  a  good  light  aud  not  near  any  old  leather. 
Yet  when  I  opened  it  to  use  it  iu  October,  1870,  it  was  riddled  with  holes  and  the  bee- 
tles or  furry-covered  grubs  were  everywhere.  I  concluded  that  one  or  more  must 
have  been  in  it  from  the  beginning  uuperceived  and  were  thus  imported  from  Russia, 
as  I  had  never  heard  of  such  l>ugs  in  this  country.  I  had  bought  the  trunk  under  the 
impression  that  the  peculiar  odor  of  the  Eussia  leather  would  repel  moths  and  insects, 
but  I  was  thus  undeceived.  The  burrows  were  worse  in  the  leather,  but  there  were 
enough  in  the  linen  aud  especially  iu  the  wood,  a  hard  hickory,  to  show  tbat  the  bee- 
tle or  grub  was  omnivorous.  The  trunk  has  long  since  gone  to  the  old  junk  shop, 
but  the  bugs  will  remain,  as  they  seem  to  have  gotten  into  the  carpets  and  house  gen- 
erally. I  trouble  you  with  this  to  ask  organization  and  laws  to  prevent  the  importa- 
tion of  foreign  injurious  insects  just  as  for  diseases,  paupers,  etc. — [Cleveland  Abbe, 
Washington,  D.  C,  November  4, 1886. 

Note. — We  attempted  at  the  time  to  secure  specimens  of  this  insect  in  order  to  de- 
termine it,  but  Professor  Abbe  was  unable  to  furnish  them. 

An  early  Note  on  the  Periodical  Cicada. 

In  the  IVcstcrn  Monthly  Magazine,  No.  XXI,  September,  1834,  published  at  Cincin- 
nati, I  hud  a  note  on  the  Periodical  Cicada  which  seems  not  to  have  come  under 
your  observation.  It  is  in  the  form  of  an  extract  from  the  first  number  of  "  The  Ad- 
vocate of  Science  and  the  Annals  of  Natural  History,"  published  in  Philadelphia,  and 
reads  as  follows : 

"  The  year  of  its  appearance,  however,  varies  in  different  sections  of  the  country. 
In  1792,  according  to  Barton,  it  visited  the  neighborhood  of  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  and 
had  certainly  appeared  there  three  times  before,  at  regular  intervals  of  seventeen 
years.  In  1797  it  appeared  iu  some  parts  of  the  State  of  New  York.  In  1800  it  vis- 
ited most  of  the  Southern  and  Middle  States.  It  is  known  to  have  observed  the 
period  of  seventeen  years  in  this  extensive  section  of  country,  both  before  and  since 
that  time.  In  the  middle  and  western  portions  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  it  ap- 
peared in  1803."— [S.  A.  Forbes,  Champaign,  111.,  May  8,  1888. 

More  Evidence  bearing  on  Spider  Bites. 

Having  seen  a  statement,  taken  from  the  Saint  Louis  Globe-Democrat,iu  regard  to 
your  investigating  a  case  of  spider-bite  in  North  Carolina,  I  thought  it  might  perhaps 
be  of  interest  to  you  to  give  a  statement  of  a  case  which  occurred  in  ray  family  at 
Augusta,  Woodrutf  Couuty,  Ark.,  iu  the  summer  of  1870. 

My  little  son,  then  about  sixteen  months  of  age,  ran  his  finger  into  the  key-hole  of 
the  front  door,  and  uttered  a  scream.  I  took  him  away,  but  could  see  no  cause  for  his 
continued  screaming.  I  then  thrust  a  stick  iu  the  key-hole,  and  a  black  or  browii 
spider,  with  a  bright  red  spot  either  upon  the  back  of  the  head  or  upon  its  back,  ran 
out.  We  put  or  bound  common  baking  soda  upon  the  finger,  when  he  seemed  to  be 
relieved,  and  I  went  to  the  court-house,  as  I  was  holding  ray  court  at  the  time.  But 
before  tirae  to  adjourn  court  ray  wife  sent  rae  word  that  the  boy  was  in  spasms.  We 
called  in  our  doctor,  aud  he  claimed  he  had  never  known  or  heard  of  such  a  case,  and 
seemed  to  doubt  that  the  trouble  was  thus  caused  ;  by  giving  a  powerful  cathartic  the 
boy  was  relieved  of  his  spasms,  but  he  died  in  less  than  a  year  of  dysentery,  and  we 
always  felt  that  the  spider-bite  led  to  his  death,  as  it  seemed  he  never  recovered  from 
the  etfects.— [A.  D.  Blauchard,  Oueonta,  N.  Y.,  March  8,  1889. 

Buffalo  Gnats  on  the  Red  River. 

I  wish  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  train-oil,  or  any  kind  of  fish-oil,  is  an 
absolute  preventive  against  the  attack  of  Buffalo  Gnats  when  applied  in  very  small 
quautie«  to  work  animals.  I  have  experimented  with  tar  water  and  other  remedies 
recommended  in  Report  for  1886,  and  find  nothing  to  compare  with  the  cheap  train- 


314 

oil.  Many  people  are  not  satisfied  to  use  the  simple  oil,  but  insist  upon  mixing  tar 
and  other  useless  thiuars  with  it,  which  disfigure  the  animal  by  causing  the  hair  to 
come  off.  Almost  every  one  in  this  neighborhood  is  now  acquainted  with  this  remedy, 
but  it  may  be  well  for  me  to  direct  your  attention  to  it  for  future  reference.  We  own 
about  two  hundred  mules,  and  our  lands  extend  from  the  margin  of  Wallace  Lake 
along  that  of  Caunisuia  and  Edwards  Lakes  for  the  distance  of  20  miles,  where  this 
gnat  breeds  in  vast  numbers  at  this  season  of  the  year.  We  never  had  any  serious 
experience  with  these  gnats  until  the  spring  of  1885,  when  we  lost  fifteen  mules  in  one 
week.  At  that  time  we  were  ignorant  of  the  danger  of  their  bites  or  the  remedies 
against  them,  and  treated  the  mules  for  colic,  as  they  swelled  up  and  showed  every 
symptom  of  that  disease.  Since  that  time  the  gnats  have  come  in  swarms  every 
spring  about  this  date.  1  attribute  this  to  the  fact  that  a  raft  of  some  10  or  12  miles 
has  accumulated  in  Bayou  Pierre,  opposite  to  our  possessions,  which  makes  a  perfect 
breeding  place  for  them.  The  Government  is  responsible  for  this  raft,  as  all  the  logs 
which  were  removed  from  the  raft  above  Shreveport  were  directed  by  their  engineer, 
Major  Woodruff',  into  Jones  Bayou,  for  the  purpose  of  closing  that  stream. — [G.  A. 
Frierson,  Friersou's  Mill,  De  Soto  Parish,  La.,  March  11,  1889. 

Reply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  interesting  letter  of  March  11 
and  to  thank  you  for  the  information  which  it  contains.  We  have  come  to  practi- 
cally the  same  conclusion  in  regard  to  the  superior  efficacy  offish-oil  for  Buff"alo  Gnat 
bites.  The  conditions  which  you  describe  regarding  the  accumulation  of  logs  in 
Bayou  Pierre  are  veiy  favorable  to  the  increase  of  the  gnat,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that 
you  are  right  in  attributing  the  abundance  of  these  pests  to  the  Government  opera- 
tions.—[March  18,  1889.] 

A  Beetle  living  in  att  Insecticide. 

Some  two  or  three  years  ago  samples  of  various  substances  used  for  insecticides 
were  placed  in  the  Agricultural  Museum  of  Purdue  University,  at  La  Fayette,  Ind. 
As  the  object  was  merely  to  display  the  substances,  they  were  placed  in  the  glass 
flasks,  such  as  are  used  for  similar  displays  of  seeds,  the  mouth  being  in  th '  base 
when  the  flask  is  in  an  upright  position.  One  of  these  flasks  contained  several 
ounces  of  powdered  white  hellebore,  which,  as  it  was  never  disturbed,  had  settled 
into  a  somewhat  compact  body.  On  removing  this  flask  a  few  days  since  the  cork 
stopper  was  found  to  have  been  burrowed  through,  evidently  from  without,  and  the 
mass  of  powder  was  literally  full  of  burrows  and  channels  passing  through  it  in  all 
directions.  On  turuing  the  powder  out  upon  a  table  and  examining  it  carefully 
two  adult  beetles  of  Tenebrioides  mauritanica  were  found  dead  in  the  burrows  in  the 
powder.  How  long  these  beetles  had  remained  in  the  powder  alive  it  is  obviously 
impossible  to  state;  but  it  would  be  safe  to  say  that  they  entered  it  from  motives  of 
choice,  and  either  subsisted  upon  it  or  else  did  an  incredible  amount  of  tunneling 
without  sustenance.  While  at  the  time  the  beetles  were  removed  from  the  powder 
the  latter  was  not  fresh  and  did  not  retain  its  full  strength,  there  still  remained 
enough  to  impart  a  tingling,  burning  sensation  to  the  nostrils  when  any  of  the  pow- 
der was  inhaled  through  the  nose,  yet  not  enough  to  set  one  to  sneezing. — [F.  M. 
Webster,  Purdue  University,  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  December  23,  1887. 

The  new  Flour  Moth  in  England. 

We  have  a  flour  caterpillar  in  England — newly  arrived,  in  the  last  two  years — which 
is  so  very  troublesome  and  injurious  where  it  establishes  itself,  that  I  should  like  to 
place  a  short  account  of  it  in  your  hands,  hoping  that  at  your  leisure  (I  should  rather 
say  at  your  best  convenience,  for  leisure  you  have  none)  you  may  kindly  tell  me  whether 
you  have  it  in  the  United  States,  and  if  so  whether  you  manage  to  keep  it  in  check. 
The  caterpillars  were  first  observed  in  Europe  in  1877,  by  Dr,  Jul.  Kuhn,  of  Halle,  doing 
much  mischief  in  the  process  of  grinding  some  American  wheat.     The  imagos  from 


315 

these  larvse  were  placed  by  Dr.  Kuhn  in  the  hands  of  Professor  Zeller,  who  considered 
them  to  be  Ephestia,  of  a  species  previously  undescribed,  and  they  were  named  by  him 
^  tM7(HJe//a  specifically,  after  their  observer.  All  this  mo«t  likely  you  know  well,  but  it 
is  the  appearance  of  this  pest  here  which  I  am  more  particularly  writing;  to  you  about. 
In  1887  the  caterpillars  did  great  harm  in  some  large  stores  in  London,  and  last  year 
the  attack  established  itself  in  a  wheat-flour  steam-mill  in  the  north  of  England. 
The  great  harm  caused  is  by  reason  of  the  caterpillars  "  felting  "  up  the  meal  or  flour 
by  the  quantity  of  web  which  they  spin  in  it.  They  feed  of  course,  but  this  is  not  so 
injurious  as  working  up  the  flour  together,  as  they  clog  the  mill  apparatus  to  a  very 
serious  extent. 

I  have  much  reduced  their  numbers  by  getting  the  manager  of  the  steam-mill  to 
turn  on  scalding  steam;  and  cleaning,  whitewashing,  and  some  use  of  parafBne 
have  done  good.  The  real  cure  would  be  to  change  the  material  ground.  If  we  could 
use  rye-meal  for  a  few  weeks  we  could  clean  out  this  wheat-flour  feeding  caterpillar 
efl"ectually.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  delicate  apparatus  of  our  recently  arranged 
wheat-roller  mills  does  not  allow  of  this.  One  point  that  would  help  us  in  preventive 
measures  would  be  to  know  where  the  attack  comes  from.  I  am  told  it  is  a  "scourge  " 
amongst  the  flour — or  rather  the  meal,  as  it  prefers  the  more  branny  parts — in  wheat 
from  Eussia  and  Hungary  at  the  Mediterranean  ports,  so  I  am  making  inquiries,  but 
Dr.  Lindeman  is  not  aware  of  this  attack  having  been  noticed  in  Russia.  Under 
these  circumstances  I  thought  that  I  would  write  to  you  about  it,  and  if  you  are  ac- 
quainted with  this  moth  and  the  larval  workings — still  more  if  you  know  how  to  de- 
stroy it — I  should  feel  greatly  favored  and  obliged  by  any  information  that  you  may 
kindly  give.  I  believe  that  unless  it  has  very  recently  been  placed  on  your  American 
lists  of  Lepidoptera  it  is  not  noted  as  known  there,  and  I  am  trying  to  persuade  my- 
self that  it  is  not  all  selfishness  which  makes  me  trouble  you  thus,  but  that,  if  by  any 
possibility  you  may  not  chance  to  have  heard  of  the  serious  nature  of  the  work  of 
these  larvae,  you  may  care  to  have  a  few  lines  about  them. 

The  moth  is  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  spread  of  the  fore  wings,  which  are  of 
pale  gray  with  darker  transverse  mai'kings;  the  hinder  wings  remarkable  for  their 
whitish  semi-transparency,  with  a  darker  line  from  the  point  along  a  part  of  the  fore 
edge.  The  larvse  when  full  grown,  as  far  as  I  see,  are  about  five-eighths  of  an  inch 
long  and  palish  flesh  color,  lighter  when  older,  head  yellowish-brown — you  will  not 
care  to  have  full  description — but  they  have  surprising  instinct  for  traveling,  and 
amazing  strength.  One  that  I  watched  to  test  this  power  escaped  from  under  a  little 
smooth-edged  card-board  frame  which  I  had  placed  on  a  woolen  cloth  on  a  quite  flat 
table  and  pressed  down  with  a  1-pouud  weight. — [Eleanor  A.  Ormerod,  Torrington 
House,  St.  Albans,  England,  March  6,  1889. 

Reply.— Your  letter  of  March  G  in  reference  to  Epheslia  kuhniella  has  just  come. 
I  am  familiar  with  the  substance  of  your  letter,  as  I  have  read  the  papers  by  Mr. 
Klein  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Entomological  Society  of  London,  1887,  and  in  the 
Mark  Lane  Express;  by  Mr.  Tutt  in  The  Entomologist,  and  by  Mr.  Barrett  in  the  Ento- 
moIogisVs  Monthly  Magazine.  I  think  I  can  safely  say  that  this  species  does  not  occur 
in  the  United  States.  Our  Epheslia  which  has  similar  habits  is  the  interpunclella  of 
Zeller  {sew  Fitch).  Fitch's  account  is  published  in  his  Second  Report  ou  the  Noxious, 
Beneficial,  and  other  Insects  of  New  York,  under  the  name  of  Tinea  zew.  He  calls  it 
the  "Indian  Meal  Moth,"  "  Indian  meal"  being  the  American  name  for  the  meal  of 
maize.  It  will  be  a  very  difficult  pest  to  fight  and  the  measures  which  you  have  al- 
ready adopted  are  probably  the  best  which  can  be  suggested.— [March  22,  1889.] 

Abundance  of  an  lulus  in  Dakota. 

Inclosed  please  find  samples  of  a  destructive  and  very  annoying  insect.  I  do  not 
know  its  name ;  it  is  not  poisonous.  They  first  invaded  us  in  September,  coming  in 
countless  numbers  in  the  yard,  then  in  the  house,  and  in  everything  they  could  find 
to  eat.     They  have  a  special  liking  for  sweet  milk,  pies,  sauces,  etc.     When  digging 


316 

potatoes  I  found  as  high  as  one  huudretl  aud  fifty-three  iu  the  shell  of  one  potato 
that  they  had  hollowed  out.  While  assorting  potatoes  a  few  days  ago  I  found  many 
alive ;  also  what  I  believe  to  be  deposits  of  their  ova.  By  iuformino-  lue  of  the  name 
of  the  insect  you  will  greatly  oblige  many  farmers  aud  gardeners. — [W.  S.  Young, 
Woousociiet,  Dak.,  March  1,  1889. 

Reply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  Ist  instant  aud  the  worms 
sent  in  the  accompanying  box.  They  belong  to  one  of  the  common  Western  species 
of  "thousand-legs,"  and  judging  as  nearly  as  I  can  from  the  crushed  specimens  re- 
ceived they  are  the  /«/ms  virgatus  of  Wood.  Your  account  of  the  extraordinary 
abundance  of  this  insect  is  very  interesting,  and  I  have  seldom  heard  of  a  similar 
case.  Your  only  plan  will  be  to  attempt  to  traj)  them  on  a  large  scale  by  placing 
slices  of  potato  poisoned  vrith  Paris  green  in  spots  where  they  are  most  abundant. 
This  course  will  occupy  considerable  time  and  will  be  quite  troublesome,  but  it  is  the 
best  recommendation  I  can  make.  If  you  adopt  this  plan  please  let  us  know  of  its 
success.— [March  18,  1889.] 

The  Bean  Weevil  iu  California. 

At  a  meeting  of  our  Horticultural  Society  held  to-day,  Mr.  0.  N.  Cadwell  exhibited 
specimens  of  beans  from  his  place  in  Carpinteria  showing  the  ravages  of  an  insect 
new  to  us,  and  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  sending  you  a  few  of  the  beans  with  the 
insects  for  you  to  identify.  Mr.  Cadwell  thinks  they  were  introduced  iu  the  "  Golden 
Wax  "  bean  during  1887,  but  he  does  not  remember  where  they  came  from.  The  in- 
sect is  discovered  while  the  beans  are  yet  in  the  pod  and  just  beginning  to  ripen. 
They  attack  the  "Limas"  and  all  other  varieties  as  far  as  observed.  As  the  raising 
of  "Lima"  beans  is  an  important  industry  with  growers  in  the  Carpinteria  Valley, 
they  are  naturally  nervous  about  this  new  enemy.  I  have  no  doubt  you  are  familiar 
with  the  pest  and  can  enlighten  us  about  it.  *  *  * — [H.  C.  Ford,  Santa  Barbara, 
Cal.,  February  6,  1889. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  February  G,  with  specimenSjhas  been  received.  The  insect 
which  is  damaging  beans  at  Carpinteria  is  the  common  Bean  Weevil  (Bruchits  obsolt- 
tiis).  It  will  not  be  necessary  for  me  to  write  "you  at  length  concerning  this  insect,  as 
Mr.  Matthew  Cooke  in  his  work  on  the  "Insects  of  the  Orchard  and  Vineyard"  has 
compiled  a  short  account  of  it  from  my  w^ritings,  accompanied  by  figures,  upon  page 
334,  under  the  name  of  Bruclius  fabw. — [February  18,  1889.  J 

Method  of  mounting  Eggs  of  Insects  for  progressive  embryologic  Study. 

*  *  *  I  mail  you  to-day  a  slide  of  newly  hatched  larva)  of  ^rciia  virgo.  *  *  * 
Possibly  you  may  be  interested  in  the  method  I  use  iu  observing  the  development  of 
the  embryo,  which  is  simple  and  consumes  but  little  time,  though  jirobably  used  by 
others,  although  devised  by  myself.  In  summer  evenings,  when  moths  fly  into  the 
house  I  capture  them,  placing  each  in  a  pasteboard  pill-box  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
deep  and  1  inch  in  diameter,  marking  the  cover  with  a  reference  letter  and,  under  this 
letter,  entering  in  a  record-book  date  of  capture.  If  a  female,  I  usually  find  next 
morning  a  number  of  eggs,  which  I  distribute  equally  into  a  number  of  homeopathic 
phials  each  about  1  inch  high,  placing  the  same  reference  letter  on  the  corks  and 
numbering  the  corks  from  1  upwards.  Then  I  till  No.  1  with  carbolic  acid  on  the 
first  day;  No.  2  on  the  second,  and  so  on  until  the  last  day  I  fill  a  bottle  containing 
the  newly  hatched  larvse.  I  find  the  acid  renders  the  eggs  perfectly  transparent,  so 
that  the  embryo  can  be  observed  in  various  stages  of  development.  I  mount  iu  ben- 
zole balsam  direct  from  the  carbolic  acid,  the  larv»  sent  you  being  prepared  by  this 
process.  *  *  * — [Edwin  A.  Hill,  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  Saint  Louis  aud  Chicago 
Railway  Company,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  March  4, 1889. 


317 

» 

Grass  Cut  Worms. 

I  seud  you  by  this  mail  three  specimens  of  the  worm,  or  grub,  that  is  doing  great  in- 
jury to  lawns  in  this  city.  I  have  not  heard  of  them  elsewhere.  Although  somewhat 
familiar  with  the  habits  of  the  worm,  having  seen  it  work  in  other  States,  I  do  not 
know  its  name.  It  works  immediately  under  the  ground,  feeding  entirely  on  the 
roots.  It  appears  to  move  in  a  body,  and  the  first  indication  of  their  appearance  is 
dead  grass,  and  the  sod  in  such  places  to  the  depth  of  nearly  one-fourth  of  an  inch  can 
be  rolled  up.  What  is  the  remedy,  and  must  lawns  so  destroyed  be  plowed  up '?  My 
investigation  so  far  convinces  me  that  the  grubs  or  cut-worms  destroy  the  sod  en- 
tirely, and  in  that  case  re-seediug  seems  to  be  the  only  alteruative.  You  will  greatly 
oblige  me  by  giving  me  a  report  for  publication  in  the  Northwestern  Farmer. — [E. 
A.  Webb,  Fargo,  Dak.,  June  30,  1888. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  Your  box  on  receipt  was  found  to  contain  three  cut-worms,  one 
of  which  had  been  destroyed  by  the  other  two.  The  remaining  two  belonged  to  en- 
tirely dilierent  species.  The  whitish  worm  with  a  brown  head  is  the  so-called  Glassy 
Cut- worm  ( Hadena  devastairix)  which  was  treated  in  the  Annual  Report  of  this  Depart- 
ment for  1886,  on  pages  578  to  580,  as  injuring  timothy  in  Indiana.  The  larger  darker 
worm  with  dark  stripes  is  the  so-called  Bronzy  Cut-worm  {Kephelodes  violans).  This 
worm  was  curiously  enough  found  working  with  the  Glassy  Cut-worm  in  Indiana  as 
mentioned  in  the  article  above  referred  to.  It  has  been  known  to  entomologists  for 
a  long  time,  but  has  seldom  done  any  particular  damage.  If  you  have  the  1886  Re- 
port at  hand  you  will  see  that  the  damage  done  is  almost  precisely  similar  to  that 
which  you  describe.  It  is  altogether  likely  that  the  main  perpetrator  of  the  dam- 
age is  the  Glassy  Cut-worm.  The  course  to  be  pursued  will  depend  upon  circum- 
stances to  some  extent.  As  soon  as  the  damage  is  noticed,  and  it  will  probably  be 
confined  to  a  definitely  limited  spot,  this  spot  should  be  inclosed  within  a  furrow  and 
the  worms  killed  as  they  collect.  Moreover,  if  the  spot  is  small  I  would  try  drenching 
it  with  a  dilute  emulsion,  as  this  course  has  been  found  to  be  effective  against  the 
white  grub  which  works  in  lawns  in  a  somewhat  similar  way.  If,  however,  a  large 
lawn  has  been  neglected  until  itisalmost  entirely  destroyed,  it  might  as  well  be  plowed 
up  at  once  and  chickens  and  hogs  turned  in  to  feed  upon  the  worms. — [July  6,  1888.] 

Another  Proposition  in  regard  to  Chinch  Bug  Remedies. 

I  have  lately  discovered  a  remedy  by  which  the  Chinch  Bug  trouble  may  be  greatly 
diminished,  if  the  idea  can  only  be  brought  before  the  farmers  generally  and  induce 
them  to  act  accordingly.  I  hope  you  will  give  the  plan  your  recommendation,  and 
have  it  published  in  the  leading  agricultural  papers,  and  get  the  attention  of  farmers 
drawn  to  the  subject  as  much  as  possible.     The  following  is  the  plan  given  in  brief: 

That  each  farmer  sow  a  small  field  of  rye  in  the  fall  for^early  spring  pasture ;  they 
should  turn  stock  on  it  in  the  spring  as  soon  as  the  bugs  commence  flying,  which  is 
towards  the  last  of  March  or  first  of  April ;  keep  ic  pretty  well  grazed  until  nearly  time 
for  the  young  bug  to  hatch  out,  whi^h  is  about  the  20th  of  May.  Then  it  should  be  all 
plowed  under,  leaving  nothing  for  the  young  bugs  to  eat  when  they  are  hatched  out. 
The  Chinch  Bug  wants  nothing  to  eat  while  in  the  egg  state;  but  soon  after  being 
hatched  they  must  go  to  eating,  and  can't  travel  far  before  eating  their  first  meal — 
only  a  few  feet  at  the  farthest  and  they  are  done.  That  these  things  are  facts  and 
also  that  the  grazing  will  draw  the  bugs  to  the  field  1  have  the  most  positive  evidence, 
and  might  relate  the  circumstances  by  which  I  came  to  find  it  out.  But  not  wishing 
to  bother  you  with  so  long  a  letter  I  omit  it.  I  will  give  it  yet  in  another  letter  if 
desired,  as  it  might  give  others  a  chance  to  experiment  and  find  out  still  more  on  the 
subject.  My  plan  will  certainly  commend  itself  to  farmers  as  a  saving,  by  drawing 
the  bugs /rom  their  pastures  instead  of  to  them.  If  the  bugs  are  numerous,  as  thev 
were  here  this  spring,  it  will  not  do  to  put  the  rye-field  that  has  been  plowed  under 
in  corn  unless  very  late,  for  by  that  very  mistake  I  am  now  losing  my  corn  crop. 


318 

Some  may  uot  like  my  plan  on  accouut  of  losing  the  use  of  the  rye  field  the  rest  of 
the  season;  but  it  might  be  put  in  such  things  as  tobacco  or  potatoes  that  Chinch 
Bugs  do  not  eat ;  and  better  lose  it  entirely  for  the  season  than  lose  a  crop  as  some  of 
ns  are  novr  doing  in  this  vicinity.  I  do  not  claim  that  all  the  bugs  will  lay  their  eggs 
in  the  grazed  rye-tield  and  none  in  the  wheat ;  but  I  do  claim  the  grazing  will  draw 
them  and  vastlj'  diminish  the  evil. — [David  M.  Scribner,  Hickman's  Mills,  Jackson 
County,  Mo.,  July  7,  1888. 

Two  Chinch  Bug  Appearances  the  past  Year. 

*     *'     *     You  asked  me  to  give  you  a  history  of  the  Chinch  Bug  in  this  locality. 

'  *  *  They  appear  on  the  small  grain,  wheat  and  oats,  in  May,  and  when  that 
crop  has  been  harvested  they  go  into  the  corn.  They  sometimes  totally  ruin  a  large 
field  of  wheat  or  oats,  and  I  have  seen  as  much  as  one  acre  in  one  place  wherein  they 
killed  every  stalk  of  the  corn  after  it  had  silked  and  tasseled.  They  must  lay  from 
two  hundred  to  five  hundred  eggs  each,  and  in  three  weeks  from  the  time  the  eggs 
are  laid  the  bugs  are  grown  or  capable  of  doing  as  much  damage  as  they  will  ever 
do.  I  have  seen  more  than  one  million  on  a  place  60  feet  square.  They  acquire 
wings  at  four  or  five  weeks  old  and  fiy  away,  but  they  always  leave  a  host  behind 
them,  which  stay  until  frost.  I  find  plowing  the  corn  as  often  as  i)ossible  the  best 
means  of  checking  them,  as  by  that  means  a  great  many  of  the  eggs  are  covered  up 
and  the  smaller  bugs  killed.  Light,  sandy  lands  are  not  troubled  with  them  after 
June  1,  as  they  make  their  way  into  the  earth  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  the 
sand  gets  so  warm  by  about  June  1  that  they  can  not  live  in  it.  They  do  most  dam- 
age on  clay  and  slaty  lands,  and  stay  with  us  in  winter  by  hiding  themselves  in 
rotten  wood,  boards,  old  stumps,  and  on  rough  stubble  lands.  A  bug  called  the  Lady- 
bug  is  thought  by  some  to  be  connected  with  them  in  some  way.  as  they  invariably 
go  before  the  Chinch  Bug.  The  Lady-bug  is  a  red-speckled  insect  about  the  size  of  a 
small  field  pea,  and  the  Chinch  Bug  is  smaller  than  the  smallest  grain  of  wheat.  In 
their  first  stage  they  are  red,  in  the  second  stage  black,  and  in  the  third  stage  they 
acquire  wings  of  a  whitish  color  and  then  they  fly  away  from  one  place  to  another 
and  deposit  more  eggs. — [J.  F.  Myers,  Chesterfield,  S.  C,  June  22,  1838. 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  the  Chinch  Bug  is  now  putting  in  an  appear- 
ance, locally  only,  so  far,  but  very  numerous.  Barley,  of  which  there  is  but  little 
grown,  however,  is  destroyed  almost  completely,  and  the  bug  is  attacking  some  corn 
fields.  Wheat  is  too  far  along  to  be  damaged  by  them.  The  17-year  locust  has  also 
appeared,  but  confines  its  ravages  to  the  woods  so  far.  We  do  uot  anticipate  any 
trouble  from  them.— [Paul  Lachmund,  Sauk  City,  Wis.,  July  9,  1888. 

The  Texas  Heel-fly. 

I  will  as  soon  as  possible  send  you  some  specimens  of  screw-worms.  If  the  fly  will 
deposit  her  eggs  in  pieces  of  meat  there  will  be  no  trouble,  but  I  am  told  she  does  not 
do  this.  You  appear  to  have  misunderstood  my  letter  in  regard  to  the  Heel-fly.  1 
thought  I  stated  plainly  that  the  fly  did  not  directly  injure  the  animal.  The  injury 
is  the  result  of  the  annoyance  caused  the  animal.  A  cow  will  be  quietly  grazing, 
when  suddenly  she  will  spring  forward,  throw  up  her  tail  and  make  for  the  nearest 
water  at  a  headlong  gait,  seemingly  deprived  for  the  moment  of  every  instinct  except 
the  desire  to  escape,  so  that  they  will  rush  over  a  high  bluff',  if  in  their  way,  often  be- 
ing killed  by  the  fall.  This,  with  miring  in  water  holes  and  the  fact  that  they  are 
prevented  from  feeding,  causes  the  loss.  The  fly  may  appear  any  time  after  the  last 
of  December  whenever  we  have  a  few  warm  days,  and  will  remain  until  May  if  the 
weather  is  such  that  comparatively  cool  days  occasionally  alternate  with  warm,  but 
once  the  weather  becomes  settled,  they  disappear.  I  can  find  no  one  who  has  ever 
seen  any  larvje  in  the  heel.  That  they  attack  the  heel  seems  certain  from  the  fact 
that  the  animal  is  satisfied  thu  moment  it  reaches  even  shallow  water.     It  has  been 


319 

described  to  me  as  resembliug  the  nit-fly  or  bee  which  deposits  its  eggs  on  the  hair  of 
horses.  I  shall  forward  specimens  as  soon  as  possible. — [George  Wolf  Holstein, 
Box  45,  Albany,  Texas,  February  14,  1888. 

Reply.—*  *  *  I  have  now  for  nearly  three  years  been  aware  of  .the  fact  that 
the  Heel-tly  is  a  distinct  and  well-known  species,  and  that  it  really  lays  its  eggs  upon 
the  heels  of  cattle.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the  Warble-fly  of  the  Ox  {Hijpoderma  bovia), 
belonging  in  fact  to  the  same  geuns,  and  in  general  appearance  it  resembles  this 
species  very  closely.  It  is  the  Hypoderma  linearis  of  Villers.  This  determination  has 
been  corroborated  by  our  best  American  authority  upon  Diptera,  Dr.  Williston,  of 
New  Haven,  and  the  specimens  were  received  from  Mr.  W.  F.  ISI.  Dickson,  of  Milford, 
Texas.  You  are  right  in  faying  that  the  fly  will  not  deposit  her  eggs  in  a  piece  of  meat 
or  in  a  raw  spot  on  the  animal.  The  eggs  are  unquestionably  laid  near  the  heel 
among  the  hair,  and  my  desire  is  now  to  get  hold  of  authentic  specimens  of  the  larvae 
or  maggots.  The  very  fact  that  cattle  fear  this  fly  so  terribly,  and  run  to  mud  and 
water  to  cover  their  feet  and  legs,  indicates  that  the  attack  is  exclusively  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  heel.  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  get  further  specimens  of  the  fly,  and  if 
the  maggots  or  grubs,  or  larv;e  can  be  obtained  they  will  be  of  the  greatest  value. 
The  Screw-worm  of  which  you  speak  is  the  Liicilia  maceUaria,  and  this  insect  is  well 
known  to  oviposit  only  upon  raw  places,  such  as  open  wounds. — [February  28,  1888.] 

Insect  Injuries  in  Ohio  for  1888. 

In  looking  through  my  berry  patch  I  found  that  nearly  every  raspberry  cane  had 
been  stung  by  the  Snowy  Tree-cricket  {(Eeanthm  niveus).  So  abundant  were  they 
that  the  canes  were  very  seriously  injured.  »  *  *  I  found  one  cane  22  inches  long 
which  contained  three  hundred  and  twenty-six  eggs  by  actual  count.  In  another  I 
counted  fifty  eggs  in  a  little  less  than  an  inch.  This  fall  they  seem  fully  as  abundant 
and  do  not  confine  their  depredations  to  raspberry  alone,  but  have  used  the  tender 
shoots  of  some  plum  grafts  which  I  had  in  my  nursery,  and  these  are  nearly  ruined ; 
they  are  decidedly  on  the  increase  with  us  and  will  have  to  be  dealt  with  very  se- 
verely in  order  to  check  their  ravages. 

Another  pest  which  seems  ou  the  increase  is  the  Grape-vine  Leaf-hopper  {Erythro- 
nenra  vitis  Haw.),  In  1888  and  the  present  year  they  have  been  very  abundant, 
eating  the  leaves  and  causing  the  foliage  to  look  very  brown.  There  is  also  a  leaf- 
miner  which  works  in  grape  leaves,  nearly  every  leaf  having  one  or  more  of  their 
paths  in  them.     I  have  not  reared  the  insect,  so  can  not  describe  it. 

The  Hog  Caterpillar  (rinlampelus  vitis  Haw.)  and  another  (Thyreits  abhottii)  were 
very  abundant  this  season  on  the  grape  and  Virginia  creeper,  but  I  could  not  find  a 
single  one  of  either  species  that  was  not  parasitized  by  a  Microgaster. 

The  Grain  Louse  (Aphis  granarius,  Kirby)  was  very  bad  ou  oats  this  season,  nearly 
every  head  being  filled  with  them.  This  caused  the  oats  to  be  light  weight,  and 
many  straw  stacks  are  green  with  the  heads  that  were  blown  over  in  threshing. 

There  has  also  been  an  unusual  abundance  of  the  Currant  Worm  {Nematus  ventri- 
cosus),  the  Rose  Slug  (Selatidria  rosce),  the  Strawberry  Emphytus  (Emphytas  maculatus), 
and  above  all  the  Cherry  Slug.  There  was  a  row  of  the  sour  red  cherry  trees  which 
were  so  badly  infested  with  this  pest  that  the  trees  looked  as  if  they  had  been 
scorched  with  fire. 

The  Clover  Root-box'er  has  done  great  damage  to  clover,  eating  the  tap-root  and 
thus  destroying  the  vitality  of  the  plant.  It  was  very  wet  during  the  month  of  Oc- 
tober, and  this  caused  branch  roots  to  form  which  keeps  the  clover  alive,  but  not  in 
thriving  condition.  This  is  destined  to  be  one  of  our  greatest  pests,  aud  from  all 
appearances  it  has  come  to  stay. 

The  Cabbage  Worm  (Pieris  rapo})  and  the  Potato  Beetle  (Doryphora  lO-Uneata)  were 
not  any  more  abundant  than  usual,  aud  with  proper  care  were  kept  in  subjection. — 
[W.  B.  Hall,  Wakeman,  Ohio,  November  26,  1888. 


320 

A  Boll-worm  Letter. 

Will  you  kiudly  seud  me  the  most  recent  printed  matter  on  fighting  the  Cotton  Boll- 
worm.  Wo  are  estiiblisiiiug  a  branch  of  our  station  on  one  of  the  State  farms  in  the 
Brazos  River  Bottom  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  where  cotton  grows  6  to  8  feet 
high,  and  where  this  pest  will  sometimes  destroy  100  acres  in  a  block.  Will  be  glad 
to  have  you  make  suggestions  in  regard  to  undertaking  the  work.— [F.  A.  GuUey, 
Director  State  Experiment  Station,  College  Station,  Tex.,  March  27,  1869. 

Reply.— I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  27th  ult.  We  have 
done  no  work  here  upon  the  Cott<m  Boll-worm  since  the  publication  of  the  Fourth  Re- 
port of  the  U.  S.  Entomological  Commission,  a  copy  of  which  you  doubtless  possess. 
You  will  notice  from  this  report  that  the  principal  practical  remedies  are  the  avoid- 
ance of  corn  crops  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  cotton-fields;  the  early  worming  of 
neighboring  corn ;  and  above  all  the  early  poisoning  of  the  cotton  crop  with  Paris 
green  or  London  purple,  as  for  the  Cotton  Worm.  Some  extensive  experiments  are 
really  needed,  and  you  have  a  most  excellent  opportunity  of  testing  particularly  this 
last  remedy.  It  is  to  a  certain  extent  theoretical,  although,  as  you  will  notice  by  the 
appendices  of  the  Fourth  Report,  the  experiments  which  have  been  tried  upon  a  small 
scale  indicate  that  it  will  be  successful.— [April  1,  1889.] 

A  remarkable  Theory. 

Thirty  years  ago,  while  going  my  daily  morning  rounds  to  kill  the  millers  that  were 
troubling  my  honey  bees,  I  found  a  common  grasshopper  with  his  skin  cracked  open 
on  his  back  and  with  a  cricket  inside  the  grasshopper's  skin.  It  produced  a  sensation 
with  me,  as  I  had  supposed  that  the  grasshopper  and  cricket  belonged  to  dilferent 
genera.  I  had  no  books  to  help  me,  so  I  went  to  work  to  study  the  grasshopper  fam- 
ily. I  soon  satisfied  myself  that  the  cricket  was  a  pupa.  Then  the  question  arose, 
what  was  the  imago  ?  I  found  that  the  flying  grasshoppers  made  their  appearance  at 
the  time  the  crickets  left,  and  were  full  grown  when  they  came  and  were  more  nearly 
like  the  crickets  than  the  most  of  imagos  are  like  the  pupas  from  which  they  come.  I 
satisfied  myself  that  the  crickets  with  their  rear  stylets  could  not  mate  if  they  wanted 
to.  I  ought  to  have  added,  for  the  week  following  my  discovery  of  the  grasshopper 
changing  to  a  cricket,  I  saw  from  one  to  three  in  the  same  condition  each  day.  After 
two  years  I  found  two  crickets  that  had  a  burrow  in  my  garden,  which  I  resolved  to 
watch.  I  commenced  to  work  at  them  on  the  10th  of  July.  I  went  to  look  after  them 
about  every  half  hour.  I  watched  two  or  three  days  and  found  a  flying  grasshopper 
at  the  mouth  of  the  burrow.  It  was  quite  stupid,  so  that  I  could  pick  it  up  and  lay  it 
down.  It  took  it  two  or  three  days  to  get  life  enough  to  attempt  to  fly  or  to  get  out  of 
my  way.  It  finally  became  active.  At  the  time  that  I  found  this  one  I  dug  into  the 
burrow  to  look  after  the  other  cricket,  but  it  was  not  there.  It  had  probably  been 
caught  by  the  fowls.  But  I  found  a  cricket's  skin,  which  was  good  enough  proof  to 
convince  me  that  the  cricket  had  changed  to  a  flying  grasshopper.  In  the  printed  slip 
I  have  given  the  rule.  I  will  now  give  exceptions.  The  rule  is  given  for  the  three 
largest  species.  Three  times  in  the  last  thirty  years,  after  a  protracted  season  of  dry, 
warm  weather,  I  have  seen  the  crickets  of  the  smallest  of  the  three  species  of  grasshop- 
pers on  the  25th  of  August,  otherwise  I  have  not  seen  any  before  the  end  of  the  first 
week  in  September.  Another  exception  is,  that  after  a  protracted  season  of  cold, 
wet  weather  on  bleak  hills  I  have  known  the  common  grasshoppers  to  live  over  win- 
ter before  changing  to  crickets.  If  you  would  like  to  experiment,  I  would  send 
you  a  few  flying  grasshoppers,  after  they  had  mated  and  been  fertilized,  with  the 
expectation  that  you  could  hatch  their  eggs  and  produce  before  spring  a  crop  of 
crickets  which  would  show  all  the  stages  of  the  insects. 

About  ten  years  after  makiiig  my  discovery  I  got  Professor  Tenuey's  "  Zoology."  I 
there  saw  the  common  grasshopper,  the  cricket,  and  the  flying  grasshopper  described 
as  three  distinct  genera.    This  produced  another  sensation,  it  beiaig  the  first  intima- 


321 

tion  that  1  bad  had  that  my  discovery  was  an  original  discovery.  I  then  wrote  a 
similar  description  to  the  inclosed  printed  slip,  and  sent  a  copy  to  Townend  Glover, 
one  to  Dr.  Fitch,  and  one  to  Professor  Tenney,  and  asked  a  criticism  from  each.  I 
did  not  get  a  response  from  either.  Commissioner  Watts  responded  by  saying  that  I 
was  mistaken  in  supposing  that  the  grasshopper  laid  eggs  and  then  changed  to  a 
cricket.  He  then  gave  me  the  version  which  I  already  had  in  Mr.  Tenueys'  book.  I 
replied  by  showing  how  he  had  mistaken  my  statement.  That  ended  that  correspond- 
ence. Some  three  years  ago  I  got  bold  of  our  State  Entomologist's  report  and  read  it 
with  a  good  deal  of  interest.  I  then  took  the  liberty  of  rehearsing  my  discovery 
as  in  this  communication,  and  was  told  in  response  that  I  was  mistaken  in  my  deduc- 
tions, saying  that  it  was  not  possible  for  the  cricket  to  change  to  a  flying  grasshop- 
per, but  that  tne  common  grasshopper  might.  I  had  made  no  deductions  to  be  mis- 
taken in.  I  had  simply  stated  what  I  had  seen.  My  feeling  was  that  if  lie  was  a 
gentleman  he  had  a  queer  way  of  showing  it.  Our  correspondence  closed.  If  it  is 
impertinent  for  me  to  try  to  get  a  discovery  that  I  have  made  in  natural  history 
before  the  world,  I  am  unwittingly  and  unintentionally  guilty.  Hoping  that  you 
will  find  nothing  oflensive  in  this  communication,  I  will  subscribe  myself  with  kind 
regards. — [Archibald  Stone,  Bingbamtou,  N.  Y.,  Augusts?,  1888. 

Reply. — I  am  sorry  to  have  to  tell  you  that  you  have  certainly  been  deceived.  Yon 
may  have  found  a  cricket  which  had  crawled  inside  a  cast  skin  of  a  grasshopper,  but 
for  the  one  insect  to  pass  into  the  other  and  back  again  is  utterly  impossible.  You 
will  soon  be  convinced  of  this  if  you  will  confine  one  of  the  insects  in  a  jar  or  breed- 
ing-cage and  watch  it  closely,  and  see  that  no  other  insect  has  access  to  the  jar. 
This  must  be,  I  think,  the  way  in  which  you  were  misled.  In  watching  those  in 
the  burrow  out  of  doors  and  not  confined,  it  was  a  very  easy  matter  for  the  insects 
to  get  mixed  up.  Crickets  and  grasshoppers  belong  to  two  entirely  distinct  families, 
and  so  you  will  at  once  see  the  fallacy  of  supposing  one  to  proceed  from  the  other. 
In  regard  to  the  imagos  of  crickets,  they  mate,  in  spite  of  their  rear  stylets,  which 
you  will  find  if  you  observe  them  closely.    ■ 

The  young  grasshopper  has  a  sort  of  a  general  resemblance  to  a  cricket,  and  after 
it  hatches  from  the  egg  it  molts  periodically,  each  time  the  wings  becoming  more 
marked  until  the  final  molt  leaves  it  with  fully  developed  wings.  The  specimen 
will  be  found  to  be  in  a  weak  condition  after  each  molt,  especially  the  last  one.  So 
it  is  just  possible  that  you  have  made  a  mistake  in  the  identification  of  crickets.  The 
specimens  which  you  observed  and  accepted  as  crickets  may  have  been  the  larvje  of 
the  grasshoppers,  in  which  case  you  have  followed  the  stages  correctly.  I  shall 
be  pleased  to  receive  specimens  from  you  both  of  the  crickets  and  the  grasshoppers, 
which  will  at  once  settle  the  question. — [August  30,  1888.] 

[Printed  slip  inclosed  by  Mr.  Stone. J 
GRASSHOPPERS   AND   CRICKETS— SEVERAL   STAGES   OF   INSECT  LIFE. 

BiNGHAMTON,  August  25. 
To  the  Editor  of  the  Bepuhlican  : 

I  gave  notice  in  the  daily  Bepuhlican  on  the  10th  of  July  last  that  in  the  next  ten 
days  all  the  crickets  would  change  to  flying  grasshoppers.  I  will  now  give  notice 
that  all  the  common  grasshoppers  will  change  in  the  next  three  weeks  to  crickets. 
That  the  reader  will  not  be  confused,  I  will  say  that  the  common  grasshopper  hatches 
outof  very  small  eggs  about  the  1st  of  June.  They  eat  and  grow  until  about  the 
f^nd  of  the  first  week  in  September,  when  within  the  next  two  weeks  they  change  to 
crickets.  The  crickets  remain  as  crickets  through  the  winter  and  until  the  10th  of 
the  following  July,  when  they  change  to  flying  grasshoppers.  The  flying  grasshop- 
per mates.  They  remain  until  October  or  November,  when  the  females  work  their 
bcdie3  downi  to  their  wings  into  the  ground  and  die.  Their  eggs  remain  in  the  tips 
cf  their  bodies,  where  they  hatch  the  next  spring,  the  offspring  using  the  bodies  of 
the  mother  dying  grasshopper  as  a  staircase  through  which  to  come  to  daylight. 


322 

In  the  life  history  of  insects  the  eggs  are  the  first  section.  The  eating  and  grow- 
ing section,  known  as  the  hirva,  is  the  second  section.  The  intermediate  section  be- 
tween the  larva  and  the  imago,  known  as  the  pupa,  is  the  third  section.  The  perfect 
insect  is  known  as  the  imago.  The  whole  growth  of  all  insects  is  made  by  the  larva. 
Neither  the  egg,  the  pupa,  or  the  imago  ever  grow.  Neither  do  either  of  the  first 
three  sections  mate  or  lay  eggs.  The  common  grasshopper  is  the  larva.  It  never 
mates  or  lays  eggs.  Its  whole  work  is  to  eat  and  grow.  The  cricket  never  grows, 
neither  does  it  ever  mate  or  lay  eggs.  It  is  the  pupa.  The  flying  grasshopper  is  the 
imago.  It  never  grows,  but  mates  and  lays  the  eggs.  Any  one  wishing  to  become  a 
witness  to  the  change  that  is  now  to  be  made  can  put  a  box  into  his  pasture  where 
there  are  plenty  of  grasshoppers  and  go  to  it  every  morning  before  sunrise,  after  the 
first  week  in  September  or  during  the  second  week,  and  he  may  be  quite  sure  of 
being  gratified.  The  change  of  the  cricket  to  the  flying  grasshopper  is  eff'ected  in  the 
cricket's  burrow  in  the  ground  and  is  not  so  easily  witnessed. 

Archibald  Stone. 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

LATE  IMPORTANT   PUBLICATIONS    RELATIVE    TO   THE    HESSIAN  FLY. 

E.  A.  Ormerod.— Hessian  Fly.     Report  on  insects  injurious  to  wheat  plants  in  New 

Zealand.     (4  folio  pages,  dated  April  11,  1888,  with  a  figure  of  Howard's  plow 

appended  on  fifth  page.) 
Karl  Lindeman.— Ueber  das  Yorkommeu  derHessenfliege  an  wildwachseuden  Gra'sern. 

(Entom.  Nachr.  XIV,  No.  16,  Aug.,  1888,  p.  242-243.) 
S.  A.  Forbes.— A  new  parasite  of  the  Hessian  Fly.     (Psyche,  Vol.  V,  No.  144,  April 

1888,  p.  39-40.) 
Fred.    Enock.— Parasites  of  the  Hessian  Fly.     (The  Entomologist,  Vol.  XXI,  Aug., 

1888,  p.  202-203.) 

In  the  above-named  articles,  which  were  published  within  a  few 
mouths  of  each  other  during  1888,  several  interesting  points  and  new 
facts  in  the  natural  history  of  the  Hessian  Fly  have  been  brought  out. 

After  a  careful  comparison  of  imagos  and  upon  examination  of  infested 
wheat  straws,  both  received  from  New  Zealand,  Miss  Ormerod  declares 
tliat  the  New  Zealand  insect  is  indistinguishable  from  the  genuine 
Cecidomyia  destructor.  This  sudden  appearance  of  the  Hessian  Fly  in 
such  a  remote  part  of  the  globe,  coming  so  shortly  after  its  appearance 
in  England,  can  not  fail  to  attract  general  attention.  That  the  insect 
has  been  introduced  into  New  Zealand  can  not,  we  think,  well  be  dis- 
puted, and  it  is  quite  likely  that  such  importation  took  place  from 
England  and  not  from  North  America.  Miss  Ormerod  seems  to  have 
some  doubts  on  this  question,  since  she  says : 

I  notice  a  small  point  about  the  fly  which  inclines  me  to  conjecture  it  is  American. 

At  any  rate  a  study  of  the  parasites,  which  will  no  doubt  be  bred 
from  the  New  Zealand  Hy,  will  definitely  settle  this  question,  as  it  was 
the  case  when  the  Hessian  fly  appeared  in  England.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  an  inspection  of  the  parasites  bred  in  England  enabled  us 
to  decide  that  the  Hessian  fly  must  have  been  introduced  into  England 
not  from  North  America  but  from  Russia. 


323 

Our  knowledge  of  tUe  parasites  of  tlie  Hessiau  Fly  has  been  advanced 
by  two  contributions  :  Professor  Forbes  describes  a  Proctotrupid  {Pla- 
tygaster  liiemalis),  which  he  bred  from  puparia  collected  in  southern 
Illinois  in  March.  The  parasites  issued  on  unknown  dates  between 
April  23  and  October  18. 

Mr.  Fred.  Euock  gives  a  list  of  the  parasites  which  he  bred  in  1887 
from  the  puparia  of  the  Hessiau  Fly.  They  are  ten  in  all,  three  cor- 
responding- to  American  species,  five  to  Russian  species,  and  two  unde- 
termined. We  are  quite  certain  that  the  determination  of  two  of  the 
American  species  is  incorrect,  but  this  question  we  shall  discuss  else- 
where. 

Another  interesting  and  very  important  question,  economicallj',  has 
been  touched  upon  by  Professor  Lindeman,  viz,  that  of  food-plants  of 
the  Hessian  Fly  other  than  the  cultivated  cereals.  He  first  mentions 
the  finding  in  England  of  a  single  pupal  case  of  the  fly  on  velvet  grass 
{Holciis  lanatus)  as  recorded  by  Charles  Whitehead  in  1887.  In  June 
of  the  same  year  Dr.  Lindeman  found  in  the  neighborhood  of  Moscow 
two  stalks  of  timothy  {Phlmini  pratense)  infested  with  larvie  of  the 
Hessian  Fly;  and  in  June  of  the  year  following,  1888,  he  received  in- 
formation of  the  injurious  abundance  of  the  fly  on  timothy  in  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Tambow,  together  with  a  large  number  of  pupoe,  which  he 
says  were  undoubtedly  those  of  the  insect  in  question.  In  1887,  also, 
he  received  from  Tambow  and  Woronesh  specimens  of  "quick  grass" 
{Triticnm  repens)  containing  pupaj  of  Cecidomyia  destructor. 

Dr.  Lindeman  thinks  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  under  certain 
conditions,  such  as  the  absence  or  scarcity  of  the  ordinary  food-plant, 
the  Hessian  Fly  may  subsist  on  various  wild  or  cultivated  grasses.  He 
makes  no  mention,  however,  of  having  reared  the  adult  flies,  which 
leaves  the  matter  of  the  correct  identification  of  the  insect  in  some 
doubt.  In  view  of  the  importance  of  this  question,  further  observations 
are  highlj^  desirable. 

FUNGICIDES   AS   INSECTICIDES. 

We  have  elsewhere  referred  to  the  fact  that  Colonel  Pearson,  of  Xew 
Jersey,  discovered  that  the  lime  and  copper  sulphate  solutions  used 
against  the  Grape  Mildew  were  also  efticacious  against  the  Rose  Bug, 
and  our  attention  has  been  called  by  a  note  in  the  Rural  yew  Yorker 
for  March  23, 1889,  to  the  effect  that  F,  Bascarolli,  a  grape-grower  in  the 
Tyrol,  shows  that  this  same  substance  is  very  injurious  to  locusts  and 
to  garden  snails. 

KEROSENE-SOAP  EMULSION   AS  FUEL. 

It  is  stated  that  Dr.  Kauff"man,  a  Russian  experimenter,  has  succeeded 
in  solidifying  petroleum  to  be  used  as  fuel,  by  heating  it  and  mixing  it 
with  from  1  to  3  per  cent,  of  soap.  The  latter  dissolves  in  the  oil,  and 
the  liquid  in  cooling  forms  a  coippact  mass  having  the  appearance  of 


324 

cemeut  aud  the  consistence  of  tallow.  The  product  is  difficult  to  in- 
tiame,  but  wheu  lighted  burns  slowly  and  without  smoke,  develoi)iug  a 
high  temperature,  and  leaving  only  2  per  cent,  of  a  hard  black  residuum. 
— [Engineering,  July  27,  1888. 

NEW  FOOD-PLANT  FOR  THE  SCURFY  BARK  LOUSE. 

Mr.  John  R.  Matlack,  of  Fort  Washington,  Pa.,  sent  us  specimens  of 
currant  twigs  of  the  "  cherry-currant  variety  "  completely  covered  with 
female  scales  of  Chionaspis  fiirfurus  Fitch.  He  also  wrote  that  all 
the  branches  were  covered  in  a  similar  way.  This  appearance  of  this 
scale  upon  Currant  was  to  be  expected,  but  was  not  previously  recorded. 
The  food-plants  previously  known  are  as  follows:  Apple,  Pear,  Choke- 
cherry,  Crabapple,  European  Mountain  Ash,  and  Black  Cherry. 

OBITUARY. 

We  are  mnch  pained  to  learn  of  the  death  of  Samuel  Lowell  Elliott, 
Ph.  D.,  which  occurred  at  his  residence  in  Brooklyn  February  12.  Dr. 
Elliott  was  forty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death  and  had  for  a 
long  time  been  well  known  as  a  careful  student  of  the  habits  of  insects, 
and  was  a  remarkably  ingenious  man  in  the  way  of  contriving  success- 
ful methods  of  rearing  and  studying' living  insects.  He  was  born  in 
Plattsburgb,N.  Y.,  and  was  the  only  son  of  Dr.  W.  H.  Elliott,  of  that 
village.  He  was  a  member  of  a  number  of  scientific  societies,  among 
others  the  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 

\      PRECURSORS   OF   BROOD   VIII   OF   THE    PERIODICAL   CICADA. 

Prof.  William  A.  Buckhout  informs  us,  under  date  of  February  23, 
that  three  adult  Cicadas  appeared  in  his  greenhouse  during  the  last 
week.  The  greenhouse  was  built  about  eighteen  months  ago  and  its 
site  was  formerly  covered  by  an  irregular  growth  of  nursery  stock. 

A   SPIDER-EGG   PARASITE. 

31r.  Henry  C.  Wells,  of  Short  Hills,  N.  J.,  sends  us,  February  24,  a 
cocoon  of  the  common  Argiope  riparia  from  which  had  issued  three 
lemale  specimens  of  the  Ichneumon,  Pimj?Z«  inquisitor,  which  we  had 
previously  bred  from  a  number  of  L<  pidoi)terous  larva?.  The  Argiope 
cocoon  was  full  of  the  cocoons  of  the  parasite.  As  many  as  twenty 
could  be  plainly  counted.  They  were  about  10  millimeters  long  by  3 
millimeters  in  diameter,  and  were  composed  of  rather  loose  pure  white 
silk,  closely  covered  with  the  loose  reddish-brown  silk  of  the  siuder. 
The  spider  eggs  had  been  entirely  consumed  and  only  slight  traces  of 
them  remained.    '' 

SPRAYING  FRUIT   TREES. 

The  testimony  of  experimenters  is  not  entirely  in  favor  of  this  rem- 
edy.    Mr.  W.  A.  Smith,  of  Berrien  County,  Michigan,  r<^ports  in  Popular 


525 

Gardening  for  March,  1889,  that  he  sprayed  his  apple  trees  once  last 
year  aud  that  nine  tenths  of  the  frnit  were  wormy.  No  particulars  are 
given,  but  the  instance  is  worthy  of  record. 

It  is  but  fair  to  state,  however,  that  Mr.  Smith  also  states  that  for  the 
last  two  years  he  has  found  that  a  single  spraying  saved  his  cherries, 
aud  also  that  four  or  five  applications  have  done  the  same  for  his  plums. 

WHITE    GRUB   IN   STRAWBERRY   BEDS. 

Mr.  M.  T.  Thompson  {Popular  Gardening,  March,  1889)  finds  that 
plenty  of  manure  and  thorough  working  of  the  land  will  greatly  reduce 
the  numbers  of  the  white  grub.  He  understands  that  hog  manure  will 
not  answer  the  purpose. 

FARMERS  AND   STOCK-RAISERS'   INSECT  SOCIETY. 

We  learn  that  a  meeting  of  farmers  aud  stock-raisers  was  recently 
held  at  Duquoin,  111.,  intended  primarily  to  take  some  action  regarding 
the  Chinch  Bug  and  also  to  form  an  organization  for  the  study  of  the 
habits  and  the  best  means  of  fighting  insect  pests  in  general,  where 
concerted  action  seemed  to  be  needed.  Mr.  E.  M.  Harris,  of  Duquoin, 
was  elected  president,  and  a  board  of  directors  was  chosen  composed 
of  one  farmer  from  each  of  the  eight  precincts  of  the  county.  County 
organizations  of  this  kind  are  most  desirable,  as  they  will  bring  about^ 
a  concert  of  action  which  can  not  be  arrived  at  in  any  other  way. 

A  BRYOBIA  IN   NEW   ZEALAND. 

In  our  March  number  we  published  a  communication  by  Mr.  Webj 
ster  concerning  a  mite  of  the  genus  Bryobia,  which  has  been  infesting 
houses  in  Indiana  and  other  parts  of  the  country.  We  learn  from  th( 
]!\eiv  Zealand  Farmer  for  February  that  a  congeneric  insect  is  dam- 
aging the  leaves  of  the  apple  in  New  Zealand. 

THE   BOX  ELDER    BUG. 

In  Bulletin  No.  12  of  this  Division  we  published  aij  account  of  damj 
age  to  apiiJes  by  Leptocoris  triviftata  in  Utah,  and  stated  that  our  cor- 
respondent wrote  "  that  they  had  appeared  upon  the  box  ekler  shade 
trees."  During  the  past  season  we  have  heard  of  their  occurrence  in 
great  numbers  in  Utah  aud  Nebraska,  and  notice  in  the  Kansas  Indus- 
trialist, for  March,  1889,  an  article  by  Prof.  E.  A.  Popenoe,  in  which  he 
tigures  the  insect  in  all  of  its  stages  and  gives  an  account  of  its  habits. 
He  has  observed  it  feeding  upon  a  number  of  plants,  but  upon  none  of 
much  economic  importance. 

THE   FLORIDA  WAX-SCALE   IN    CALIFORNIA. 

We  have  recently  received  a  letter  irom  Mr.  W.  E.  Collins,  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Board  of  Horticultural  Commissioners,  of  San  Bernardino 


326 

County,  Cal.,  inclosing  us  specimens  of  a  scale  insect  which  were 
taken  from  trees  imported  this  season  from  Florida,  anil  which  prove 
to  be  the  well-known  Wax-scale  of  Florida  {GeropJastes  floridensiH).  It 
has  not  previously  been  reported  from  the  State  of  California,  and  Mr. 
Collins  writes  that  the  specimens  are  the  first  of  the  kind  that  have 
been  seen  in  San  Bernardino  County.  Up  to  the  present  time  the  spe- 
cies has  been  supposed  to  be  confined  to  the  State  of  Florida,  where 
its  principal  food  plant  is  the  Gall-berry  {IJex  glabra),  a  plant  which 
grows  wild  in  the  flat  woods  and  in  low  grounds  about  ponds.  It  also 
lives  and  thrives  upon  Quince,  Apple,  and  Pear,  and  occurs  everywhere 
upon  the  Orange,  but  usually  in  insignificant  numbers.  It  is  not  noted 
as  a  pest  in  Florida,  but  occasionally  it  will  increase  upon  an  individ- 
ual tree  so  as  to  arouse  apprehension.  It  is  readily  killed  by  the  kero- 
sene emulsion  spray,  which  should  be  applied  while  the  majority  of  the 
insects  are  young. 

THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

M(trch7,  1889. — Judge  Lawrence  Johuson  presented  a  paper  on  the  "Jigger-tlea  of 
Florida,"  giving  an  account  of  its  life-babits,  and  tbe  damage  which  it  causes  to 
young  poultry.  The  best  preventives  are  cleanliness  and  keeping  the  young  chickens 
away  from  dry,  dusty  places  that  are  protected  from  rain. 

Professor  Riley  spoke  of  some  Microgasters  affecting  Rbopalocera,  dwelling  upon  the 
great  variability  of  the  species  and  the  difficulty  of  finding  specific  characters.     He 
considers  the  sculpture,  especially  of  the  scutellum,  as  affording  the  best  character; 
He  identifies  Microgaster  pierklis  Pack,  as  Apanteles  glomeratus,  although  the  American^"' 
brm  differs  in  the  leg  coloration. 

Mr.  Marlatt  read  a  paper  on  Lyccvna  comyntas,  referring  to  an  immense  swarm  of 

ese  butterflies  noticed  flying  about  an  elm  tree  at  Manhattan,  Kansas.  Other  in- 
tances  of  the  swarming  of  butterflies  were  mentioned  in  the  discussion. 

April  4,  1889. — Mr.  M.  L.  Liuell  was  elected  an  active  member,  and  notice  was  given 
hat  the  third  number  of  the  Proceedings  liad  been  issued.     A  letter  was  read  from 
|Baron  C.  R.  Osten-Sacken,  inclosing  a  note  for  publication  entitled  "Correction  to 
the  Monographs  of  the  Diptera  of  North  America,  No.  1,  Washington,  1862." 

Dr.  Marx  read  a  paper  called  "Some  spiders  from  the  Galapagos  Islands."  This 
paper  was  based  on  the  collection  made  by  the  scientific  force  of  the  steamer  Albatross, 
and  nearly  all  of  the  spiders  were  new.  This  paper  gave  rise  to  a  discussion  on  the 
value  of  insular  fauna;  in  the  light  of  the  theory  of  evolution. 

Mr.  Schwarz  read  a  paper  on  "Vitality  of  Insects  in  Cold  Water."  His  observa- 
tions were  made  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior,  where,  under  certain  conditions, 
immense  numbers  of  insects  are  sometimes  washed  ashore.  He  explained  this  phe- 
nomenon, and  presented  a  tabular  statement  of  the  condition  of  insects  of  different 
families. 

Mr.  Howard  presented  a  note  on  the  "Mouth  parts  of  the  Cockroach,"  describing 
in  detail  these  parts  and  calling  attention  to  a  formerly  unnoticed  sclerite. 

William  H.  Fox,  M.  D., 

liecordinq  Secretary. 


PEBSOyNEL  OF   THOSE  ENGAGED    IN   GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  followiug  list  embraces  those  now  eugaged  iu  Goveriuneut  eutoiiiological  work, 
aiid  who  will  assist  iu  the  luauageiuent  of  the  periodical :  those  at  AVasbiugton  edito- 
rially, aud  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  leas  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes : 

DIVISION   OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    U.   S.    DEPARTMENT  OF   AGIUCULTCRE. 

Entomologist:  C.V.Riley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant ;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergande,  Tyler  Town- 
send,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  Assistants  ;  Philip  Walker,  Assistant  in  silk-cnlture  and  in 
charge  of  reeling  experiments. 

Field  Agents  :  Sam!.  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass.  ;  F.  M.  Webster,  La  Fayette,  Ind. ;  Her- 
bert Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa;  N.  AV.  McLain,  Hinsdale,  111  ;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirk- 
wood,  Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Bruuer,  Lincoln,  Nebr. ;  D.  W.  Coqnillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.; 
Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT   OF   INSECTS,    U.    S.    NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorar)/  Curator  :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Aid:  Martin  L.  Linell.  t 

ly  For  bibliographical  purposes  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expeii-' 
ent,  the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  commuii- 
cations.  Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by  le- 
ferring  to  the  list  above  given.  I 

Editorial  or  unsigned  articles  or  notes  should  be  credited  to  "  Insect  LiFE,"|or 
where  it  is  desired  to  give  personal  credit,  to  "  Riley  aud  Howard."  While  most'of 
the  correspondence  of  the  Division  is  carried  on  by  myself,  yet  much  of  i';  is  also  at- 
teuded  to  by  my  first  assistant,  Mr.  Howard,  who  acts  as  Entomologist  in  charge  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  otherwise  so  materially  assists  in  editorial  and  office  work  that 
only  those  articles  signed  by  either  should  be  considered  individual.  Illustrations, 
where  not  otherwise  stated,  are  drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under  supervision  5- 
C.  V.  R. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DiyiSIO:N^    OF    El^TTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  MAY,    1889. 


Vol.  I.  No.  11. 


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. 


WASHIi^GTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1889. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Special  Notes 327 

Note  on  the  Genus  Lestophonus S.  W.  WilUston,  M.  D..      328 

The  Corn  Worm  or  Boll  Worm  in  California D.  W.  Coquillett..      331 

The  Serimeter Philq)  Walker..       333 

Additional  Note  on  the  Megilla  Parasite C.  F.Biley..      338 

Notes  upon  the  Longevity  of  the  early  Stages  of  Eburia  quadrimac- 

ULATA,  Say F.M.  Webster..       339 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 340 

Trumpet-creeper  injured  hy  Lygceus  reclivatus. — Thrips  triticiinimm^  Ov- 
auge  Blossoms. — White  Ants  in  Australia. — The  Toad  vs.  Cockroaches. 
— White  Grub  Injury  to  Strawberries.— Larva  of  Cicada  septendecim. 
— Some  Additions  to  Packard's  Forest-tree  Insects. — A  Phytoptus  on 
Plum. — A  Lac  Insect  on  the  Creosote  Bush. — A  Rhizococcus  on  Grass 
in  Dakota. — Wash  for  Apple  tree  Bark-lice  and  Borers. — Saw-fly  on 
Polygonum  dumetorum. — Oscinis  sp.  on  Chrysanthemum. — Ants  destroy- 
ing young  Maples  in  Nebraska. 

General  Notes.. 347 

The  Spider  Bite  Question. —  Uropoda  americana  on  Euphoria  inda. — Evap- 
orated Sulphur  for  Red  Spider  in  Greenhouses.— Double  Flowers 
caused  by  Mites. — Rheumatism  aud  Stings  of  Bees. — The  Black  Bird 
and  the  Boll  Worm. — Swarms  of  a  Gnat  in  Iowa. — New  Remedy  for 
Striped  Bugs. — The  European  Ribbon-footed  Corn-fly. — Sparrow  De- 
struction in  Australia. — Hennetia  mucens  infesting  Bee-hives. — The 
Chinch  Bug  this  Year. — Codliug  Moth  Destruction  iu  Tasmania. — Gas 
Lime  for  the  Onion  Maggot. — Paris  Green  for  the  Garden  Web-worm.  ' 

— Phylloxera  iu  Asia  Minor. — Bark  Lice  on  the  Cocoanut. — Importaut 
Publications  on  Economic  Entomology. — The  Pyrethrum  Industry. — A 
new  Use  for  the  Fluted  Scale. — Codling  Moth  Notes. — Obituary. — The 
Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 

II 


Vol.  I,  No.  11.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [May,  1889. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Australian  Enemies  of  Icerya  in  California.— Mr.  Koebele  writes  undei' 
date  of  April  4  that  he  has  just  visited  Los  Angeles,  and  tinds  that 
many  of  the  Australian  Lady-birds  have  escaped  from  the  tent  in  which 
they  were  confined  and  have  made  themselves  at  home  on  the  neigh- 
boring trees,  where  he  found  not  only  numerous  eggs  but  also  nearly 
full-grown  larvte.  Within  the  tent  they  were  swarming  in  great  num- 
bers, eggs,  larvte,  puppe,  and  beetles.  The  Lestophonus  seems  to  be  de- 
veloping very  slowly;  only  young  larvae  were  found  within  the  scales, 
yet  many  were  infested. 


We  have  just  received,  through  the  kindness  of  the  author,  the  sec- 
ond edition  of  Saunders'  Insects  Injurious  to  Fruits.  The  volume  is 
but  two-thirds  the  thickness  of  the  first  edition,  but,  being  printed  on 
thinner  paper,  contains  the  same  number  of  pages,  and  the  price  has 
been  reduced  from  $3  to  $2.  In  the  preface  to  the  second  edition  the 
author  states  that  he  has  endeavored  to  make  such  corrections  and  em- 
body such  additional  facts  as  will  bring  it  into  accord  with  our  present 
knowledge  of  fruit  enemies.  We  are  sorry  to  notice,  however,  that 
some  points  are  partially  overlooked,  or  might  with  advantage  have 
been  a  little  more  elaborated ;  but  this  is  a  matter  of  expense  and  is 
settled  between  author  aud  publisher. 

As  a  whole,  the  work  is  a  most  excellent  compilation,  and  absolute 
errors  are  rare.  We  will  call  attention  to  two  only.  The  one  occurs 
on  page  131,  where  it  is  stated  that  the  application  of  Paris  Green  de- 
ters the  Codling  Moth  from  laying  her  eggs  on  the  apple,  and  the  other 
on  page  400,  in  the  statement  that  the  adult  female  of  Icerya  purchasi 
is  covered  by  an  egg-sac. 

The  first  edition  appeared  ia  1883,  published  by  J.  B.  Lippincott  & 
Co.;  the  second  edition,  1889,  same  publishers.  As  a  compilation  of 
matter  of  much  value  to  fruit  growers,  iaterspersed  with  the  author's 
own  experience,  this  work  serves  an  important  purpose. 

327 


328 

Cataloguesof  Oriental  Insects.— Our  esteemed  correspoiideut  in  Bengal, 
Mr.  E.  T.  Atkinson,  C.  G.,  Accountant-General  of  the  Treasury  at  Cal- 
cutta, has  undertaken  the  gigantic  task  of  preparing  catalogues  of  the 
Class  Insecta  belonging  to  the  Oriental  Region.  It  is  intended  to 
include  therein  all  described  species  up  to  date.  These  catalogues 
will  be  of  great  use  to  workers  everywhere.  The  first  one,  which  em- 
braces the  Cicindelidae,  Mr.  Atkinson  writes  us,  under  date  of  March 
12,  will  appear  in  a  few  weeks. 


A  new  Government  Publication.— We  have  received  the  first  number  of 
the  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Viticulture,  a  publication  just  inaugurated 
by  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  colony  of  Victoria,  Australia. 
This  first  number  is  a  small  octavo  of  80  pages  and  contains  the  minutes 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  of  Viticulture  for  Victoria,  an  account 
of  a  conference  of  viguerons,  held  in  August,  1888  ;  of  a  conference  of 
fruit-growers  held  in  September,  1888;  a  number  of  papers  relating  to 
vine  growing  in  California  and  the  British  colonies,  and  a  notice  of  a 
proposed  college  of  viticulture.  The  number  contains  considerable 
matter  of  interest  to  entomologists,  and  Ave  notice  that  in  the  discus- 
sions it  seems  to  be  an  accepted  fact  that  the  Grape-vine  Phylloxera  has 
obtained  a  hold  in  Australia.  There  is  also  thereport  of  some  discus- 
sions regarding  the  appointment  of  a  qualified  entomologist  and  of  the 
introduction  into  Parliament  of  an  insect  pest  act.  The  journal  is  to 
be  published  monthly  at  the  expense  of  the  government,  provided  the 
vine-growers  show  their  interest  in  the  matter  by  joining  a  central 
vine-growers'  association,  and  subscribing  to  the  association  half  a 
guinea  annually. 


NOTE  ON  THE  GENUS  LESTOPHONUS.* 

By  S.  W.  WiLLiSTOX,  M.  D.,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

In  the  abstract- of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Linnteau  Society  of  New 
South  Wales  for  February  27  of  the  present  year  Mr.  F.  A.  A.  Skuse 
states  that  he  has  recognized  two  species  in  what  I  had  erroneously 
considered  one,  and  described,  rather  too  briefly  I  may  say,  as  Lesto- 
jjhonus  iceryce.  He  is  also  of  the  opinion  ^'  that  the  genus  Lestoi^honus 
can  be  included  in  the  family  Oscinidcv  only  as  an  anomalous  genus. 
Not  only  is  the  arista  of  the  antennae  entirely  wanting,  and  the  anal  cell 

*  This  geuus  Lesiophonus,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  erected  by  Dr.  Williston  iu 
No.  1  of  tbe  current  volume  of  Inskct  Life  for  the  Australian  parasite  of  Icerya  pur- 
chasi — the  Fluted  Scale  of  California.  It  is  the  same  parasite  which  Professor  Eiley 
has  had  imported  into  California  iai  such  numbers  from  Australia  during  the  past 
winter  months.  The  question  of  the  identity  of  the  form  bred  from  Monophla'bus 
and  that  bred  from  Icerya  is  of  extreme  practical  importance  for  the  reason  that 
owing  to  the  comparative  rarity  of  Icerya  iu  Australia  a  large  portion  of  the  Lesto- 


329 

present,  but  a  rudimentary  auxiliary  vein  is  visible  and  a  pale  posterior 
basal  transverse  vein  exists." 

Happening  to  be  in  Washington  recently,  I  gladly  availed  myself  of 
the  opportunity  to  carefully  examine  all  the  material  of  this  genus  in  the 
Department  collection,  which  examination  enables  me  to  discuss  more 
intelligently  the  character  of  both  genus  and  species  than  was  possi- 
ble from  the  three  not  too  well  preserved  specimens  that  I  had  previously 
studied.  Mr.  Skuse  is  quite  right  in  considering  the  genus  an  anoma- 
lous member  of  the  Oscininw.  My  reasons  for  placing  it  there  were 
chiefly  ueurational  ones,  to  which,  with  Schiner,  I  am  inclined  to  attach 
much  importance.  Notwithstanding  Mr.  Skuse's  assertion  I  will  repeat 
that  the  auxiliary  and  anterior  basal  cross-veins  are  entirely  wanting, 
as  Mr.  Skuse  will,  IJ;hink,  see  by  mounting  specimens  of  the  wings  in 
balsam.    By  reflected  light  there  does  appear  to  be  a  rudiment  of  the 


Fig.  72. — Lestophonus  iceryce :  wing  venation. 

auxiliary  vein,  very  similar  to  the  fold  seen  in  many  species  of  Oscinime, 
running  forward  from  the  humeral  cross-vein  and  becoming  obsolete. 
i  am  not  sure  what  Mr.  Skuse  means  by  the  statement  that  there  is  a 
pale  posterior  basal  transverse  vein.  Such  a  vein  is  distinct,  otherwise 
there  would  be  no  anal  cell.  If  "  posterior "  is  a  lapsus  for  anterior, 
however,  I  must  difier  with  him — the  second  basal  and  discal  cells  are 
wholly  confluent.  But,  notwithstanding  these  peculiarities,  which  seem 
characteristic  of  the  DrosophiUnce  and  Osciniruc,  I  believe  now,  after  a 
more  careful  study  of  allied  forms,  that  the  relationship  of  the  genus  is 
with  the  Ochthiiihilina'  of  Schiner,  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of  Leu- 
copis.  It  is  true  that  Loew's  definition  of  the  Agromyzinw  will  wholly 
exclude  this  form,  but  so  will  it  exclude  other  genera  that  Loew  includes 
in  this  group — there  are  no  vibrissa,  the  front  does  not  have  strong 
bristles,  and  the  anterior  basal  cross- vein  is  wanting;  furthermore  there 
are  no  bristles  on  the  under  side  of  the  first  femora,  and  the  peculiar 
exserted  genitalia  are  different;  nevertheless  I  would  place  the  genus 
provisionally  here. 

phoiii  imijuited  were  taken  in  Mouoplilcebus  ou  the  supposition  tliat  they  were  specif- 
ically identical  with  those  infesting  Icerya.  The  abstract  of  Mr.  Skuse's  paper  was 
sent  to  Professor  Riley  by  Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  and  arrived  after  Professor  Eiley'a 
departure  for  Europe  in  April.  Fortunately  Dr.  Williston  was  in  Washington  at  the 
time,  aud  made  a  careful  examination  of  all  the  material  at  the  Department,  and 
wrote  this  note  at  our  request.— L.  O.  H. 


330 

As  regards  the  specific  diflfereuces,  I  can  a,ssare  Mr.  Skuse  that  there 
was  but  one  species  iu  the  specimeus  I  described,  nor  cau  I  find  satis- 
factory evidence  of  more  than  one  in  the  material  iu  the  Department 
collection,  including  nearly  fifty  specimens.  Nevertheless,  I  w  ill  by  no 
means  say  there  may  not  be  two.  In  the  examiuation  of  an  abundance 
of  fresh  material,  Mr.  Skuse  is  in  a  far  better  position  to  discuss  such 
characters  than  I  am.  That  what  was  considered  L.  iceryce  was  bred 
from  both  Icerya  and  Mouophloebus  might  lead  one  to  suspect  two 
forms,  but  would  not  be  a  strong  evidence  iu  itself.  The  same  species 
is  frequently  parasitic  on  dift'erent,  sometimes  numerous,  hosts.  The 
specimeus  examined  were  bred  from  both  Icerya  and  ]\Iouophloebus. 

There  is  a  minute  variation  iu  the  shape  of  the  anteunie.  Iu  many 
specimeus  the  third  joint  is  rounded  on  the  distal  eud,  in  others  sub- 
angulated  in  front  below,  almost  as  figured.  The  face,  when  the  au- 
tennte  are  removed,  shows  two  subautennal  grooves,  separated  by  a 
low  ridge  and  reachiug  to  the  oral  margin.  The  size  of  the  shining 
frontal  triangle  is  a  little  variable;  on  either  side  the  opaque  orbital 
triangle  may  be  somewhat  reduced  in  size.  Along  the  vertical  margin 
of  the  occiput  there  is  a  row  of  short  delicate  bristles.  Iu  the  thorax, 
abdomen,  or  wings  I  can  discover  no  differences,  except  minor  colora- 
tional  ones.  The  feet,  in  specimens  that  I  suspect  are  immature,  are 
yellow,  whereas  in  others  they  are  luteous  or  eveu  darker.  None  of 
these  differences  would  I  consider  other  than  varietal  in  the  absence  of 
better  evidence. 

A  matter  of  greater  interest  at  present  is  the  geographical  distribu- 
tion of  the  genus  aud  the  validity  of  the  present  generic  name. 

So  far  as  the  material  at  my  command  permits  I  feel  better  satisfied 
with  the  species  than  with  the  genus.  In  my  search  for  the  genus  I 
overlooked  Eoudaui's  description  of  Cryptochoetum,  lioudaui  (Bull.  Soc. 
Ent.  Ital.,  1875,  172),  to  which  my  attention  was  called  later  by  Mik's 
suggestion  of  the  relatiouship.  The  characters,  as  giveu  by  the  author, 
though  not  very  complete,  apply  well,  as  will  be  seen.  Still,  as  the  name 
is  already  proposed,  it  will  be  premature  to  withdraw  Lestophouus  until 
we  have  further  iuformatiou  of  Cryptochoetum.  Especially  would  I 
call  attention  to  the  peculiar  genitalia  here  figured,  no  reference  to 
which  is  made  by  Rondani,  though  he  knew  both  sexes. 


FiG.73.—Lestophonits  iceryce:  male  genitalia. 

His  generic  description  is  as  follows : 

Cryptochoetum. 

AuteuuEe  articulo  ultiino  latissimo  et  ail  epistotnium  elongate,  prfesertim  maris 
maximo,  sabquadrato,  arista  iu  utroque  sexu  aboifciva,  indistiacta — Oculi  nudi— 
Frous  puberula,  non  setosa. 


331 

AlsB  margine  antico  non  secto ;  vena  costali  ad  apicem  tantum  tertiae  longitudinalis, 
non  ad  quartam  producta;  areola  basali  antica  iucompleta;  vena  ultima  postica  ex. 
ilis  sed  distincta.     Femora  omnia  non  incrassata. 

Sp.  C.  grandicornis.  Earo  in  floribus  Euonimi  europei,  in  collibus  subapenninis 
ditionis  parmensis  eum  legi. 


THE  CORN  WORM  OR  BOIL  WORM  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

By  D.  W.  CoQUiLLETT,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

In  the  Fourth  Report  of  the  United  States  Entomological  Commission, 
pages  355  to  384,  Professor  Riley  has  given  an  exhaustive  account  of 
the  Corn  Worm  or  Boll  Worm  {Heliothis  armigera  Hiibner).  During  my 
residence  in  California  I  have  made  a  few  observations  upon  this  insect 
not  recorded  in  the  above  report. 

While  the  normal  habit  of  the  full-grown  larva  is  to  enter  the  earth 
to  pupate  it  does  not  always  follow  this  course.  On  the  9th  of  October 
I  found  three  chrysalids  of  this  si)ecies  in  ears  of  corn,  and  on  the  8th 
of  the  succeeding  mouth  I  found  a  fourth  chrysalis  in  a  similar  situation. 
On  the  7th  of  November  a  moth  issued  from  one  of  the  chrysalids  first 
mentioned,  so  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  identity  of  the  species. 

Besides  garden  geraniums  I  have  also  found  the  larviB  feeding  upon 
the  blossoms  of  a  wild  sunflower  {Relianthus  spf)  and  upon  the  seed- 
pods  of  Malva  horealis,  as  well  as  upon  those  of  a  leguminous  plant 
commonly  known  as  "  bitter  clover,"  also  upon  the  leaves  of  Cabbage, 
Grape,  and  Pear,  and  I  found  a  half-grown  larva  feeding  upon  a  green 
l^ear  into  which  it  had  already  eaten  a  large  cavity.  In  the  same  tree 
were  two  other  larv?e  of  this  species. 

In  the  work  above  mentioned  Professor  Riley  records  having  bred 
from  Boll  AVorms  two  species  of  TacMna  flies — T.  aletUe  Riley  and  T. 
anonyma  Riley.  On  the  1st  of  June,  1888,  several  Tachinid  larvae  issued 
from  some  of  these  worms,  which  I  captured  in  Los  Angeles,  and  soon 
afterward  pupated ;  the  flies  issued  on  the  14th  of  the  same  mouth. 
Specimens  of  these  flies  were  submitted  to  Professor  Riley  for  identifi- 
cation, and  under  date  of  February  14  he  writes  me  as  follows  con- 
cerning them  : 

I  have  glanced  at  the  Taehina  from  Seliotkis  armigera  and  find  that  it  differs  from  T. 
anonyma  and  it  does  not  seem  to  be  represented  in  the  Museum  collection. 

The  species  is  an  interesting  one  on  account  of  the  great  difference  in 
the  arrangement  of  the  bristles  on  the  head  and  abdomen  in  the  different 
sexes  ;  so  great,  indeed,  is  tliis  difference  that  no  person  not  familiar  with 
the  facts  in  the  case  would  ever  suspect  that  the  two  forms  are  but  the 
opposite  sexes  of  the  same  species.  That  they  are  such,  however,  there 
can  be  no  doubt,  since  I  bred  both  forms  from  the  same  lot  of  larvse 
and  also  captured  three  pairs  united  in  coition.     The  species  is  evidently 


332 

uew  to  science,  and  ia  order  that  it  may  be  recognized  in  the  future,  I 
append  the  following  detailed  description  of  it : 

Tachina  (Masicera)  armigera  u.  sp. 

Male. — Front  narrow,  scarcely  half  the  transverse  diameter  of  the  eyes,  frontal 
vilta  blackish-brown,  sides  of  front  with  yellowish  cast,  furnished  with  a  single  row 
of  bristles,  the  upper  threeor  four  of  which  are  well  differentiated  from  the  lower  ones, 
the  latter  descending  on  sides  of  face  a  little  below  base  of  the  third  antennal  joint. 
Antenme  black,  second  joint  short,  third  joint  narrow,  of  nearly  an  equal  width,  fully 
three  times  as  long  as  the  second ;  arista  naked,  thickened  on  its  basal  third.  Face 
silvery  gray,  lateral  margins  less  than  half  as  wide  as  the  median  fovea,  the  lateral 
ridges  with  bristles  extending  nearly  to  lowermost  of  the  frontal  row,  the  vibrissal 
bristle  a  little  above  the  epistomal  margin.  Paljji  yellow.  Eyes  bare.  Mesonotum 
gray  pollinose,  with  four  well-marked  shining  stripes.  Sciitellum  black,  gray  poUi- 
nose,  furnished  with  six  marginal  bristles,  the  pair  at  the  apex  stout,  a  pair  of  smaller 
ones  in  front  of  them.  Jhdomen  elongate-ovate,  black,  mottled  with  gray,  sides  of 
second  segment  except  narrow  posterior  borders,  and  sides  of  third  except  the  poste- 
rior third,  reddish,  apex  of  last  segment  sometimes  also  reddish;  first  segment  with 
a  median  posterior  pair  of  bristles,  second  segment  with  three  pairs,  the  intermedi- 
ate ones  poorly  developed,  third  segment  with  two  pairs  and  the  usual  posterior  row, 
fourth  segment  and  lateral  margins  with  the  usual  bristles,  remaining  vestiture  of  ab- 
domen composed  of  quite  long,  recumbent  bristles,  but  the  abdomen  can  not  be  said 
to  be  hirsute.  Legs  black,  bristly,  front  tibiae  with  a  pair  of  apical  bristles  and 
with  a  single  one  on  outer  side  below  the  middle,  hind  tibiie  feebly  ciliated,  pulvilli 
and  ungues  elongated.  TTiH^jfs  grayish  hyaline,  outer  posterior  angle  of  first  poste-. 
rior  cell  rounded,  destitute  of  a  fold  continuation  of  the  fourth  vein. 

Female. — Differs  from  above  description  of  the  ^  only  as  follows:  Front  hrosid., 
equaling  transverse  diameter  of  the  eyes;  crown  with  two  additional  bristles  outside 
of  those  in  frontal  row.  Antenna}  with  third  joint  less  than  three  times  as  long  as 
the  second.  Abdomen  grayish-black,  first-segment  and  posterior  end  of  the  second 
and  third  clearer  black,  sides  of  second  and  third  segments  concolorous  with  rest  of 
abdomen;  dorsum  of  abdomen  with  no  bristles  except  a  posterior  pair  on  the  third 
segment,  those  at  apex  of  the  last  one  and  on  the  lateral  margins.    Length  6  to  8°^™. 

Described  from  2  $  and  3  9  bred  from  Eeliothis  armigera  Hiib.  at 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  and  9  $  and  3  9  captured  at  the  same  place,  three 
pairs  captured  while  united  in  coition. 

Professor  Riley,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  a  revision  of  the  above 
description,  writes  me  as  follows  concerning  the  generic  position  of  the 
above  species : 

This  species,  in  the  elongate  antenna?,  with  the  short  second  joint,  and  the  ab- 
sence of  the  fold  of  the  fourth  vein,  belongs  more  properly  with  Masicera,  but  the 
more  elongate  abdomen  and  the  dilferences  in  the  width  of  the  female  and  male  fronts 
are  characters  of  the  true  Tachina  (sens.  str.).  As  the  two  genera  run  so  closely  into 
each  other  it  may  be  as  well  for  the  present  to  locate  it  with  Tachina. 


333 


THE  SERIMETER. 


By  Philip  Walker. 

The  first  experiments,  having  in  view  the  determination  of  the  fact 
that  silk  is  elastic,  were  made  near  Paris  in  1836.  They  were  executed 
by  MM.  Delbare,  sr.,  Paroissien,  and  Boucher.  Two  years  later,  M.  Rob- 
inet,  "  Member  of  the  Royal  Academy  of  Medicine  and  Professor  of  a 
course  on  the  Silk  Industry,"  took  up  the  work  and  it  occupied  him 
for  several  years,  during  which  he  announced  his  results  in  a  series  of 
memoires.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  only  the  first  of 
these,  entitled  a  "Memoire  on  the  Silk  Filature," 
published  in  Paris  in  1839,  is  at  present  in  the  library 
of  the  Agricultural  Department,  for  it  is,  to  this 
learned  experimenter  that  we  owe  nearly  all  of  the 
earlier  knowledge  of  the  physical  properties  of  silk. 
He  invented  the  serimeter,  the  instrument  employed 
in  determining  the  tenacity  and  elasticity  of  raw  silk. 
The  perfected  form  of  this  machine,  as  used  by  him, 
is  shown  in  Fig.  74.  It  was  the  outcome  of  several 
tentative  models  described  in  the  memoire  cited. 
The  principle  of  these  was  one  by  which  a  very  light 
cup  was  suspended  to  the  thread  to  be  tested.  This 
cup  carried  a  pointer  which  glided  along  a  scale. 
The  silk  in  place,  the  cup  was  gradually  filled  with 
sand,  the  addition  stopping  only  with  the  rupture 
of  the  thread.  This  apparatus  only  measured  the 
elasticity. 

After  having  obtained,  by  means  of  the  apparatus 
of  the  cup  and  sand,  a  certain  number  of  results  which 
demonstrated  that  silks  had,  to  very  different  degrees, 
the  faculty  of  stretching,  Robinet  constructed  a  more 
accurate  machine  of  a  high  degree  of  sensibihty  and 
capable  of  giving  results  that  might  be  compared  with 
one  another.  His  first  idea  was  to  replace  the  uncer- 
tain and  unequal  descent  of  the  cup  charged  with  a 
variable  weight  by  a  fixed  weight,  the  action  of  which 
would  be  moderated  and  regulated  by  means  of  a 
pendulum  or  balance-wheel  absolutely  like  that  of  a 
clock.  The  silk  was  attached  by  one  end  to  a  fixed 
point ;  the  other  end  was  seized  by  a  pair  of  pincers 
fastened  to  a  weight  which  gave  motion  to  a  chain 
wound  round  the  drum  of  the  clock.  Then  by  means 
of  a  very  simple  mechanism  of  an  escapement  and  a  balance-wheel 
the  descent  of  the  weight  could  be  regulated  so  that  each  oscillation  of 
the  balance-wheel  would  make  it  descend  one  millimeter  and  stretch 


^■[ 


Fig.  74.— Robinet's 
Serimeter. 


334 

the  silk  to  that  extent.  This  apparatus  being  completed,  several  inter- 
esting tests  were  made  with  it.  Later  a  spring  or  dynamometer  was 
attached  to  it  on  the  upper  end ;  this  spring,  which  was  extended 
by  the  silk  attached  to  it,  indicated  the  weight  corresponding  to  the 
effort  necessary  to  stretch  the  silk  to  the  breaking  point ;  it  therefore 
gave  the  measurement  of  the  tenacity.  By  means  of  a  very  simple  ar- 
rangement the  needles  indicating  the  tenacity  and  the  ductility  re- 
mained fixed  at  the  point  in  which  they  were  when  the  silk  broke. 

It  was,  however,  soon  perceived  that  this  apparatus,  although  already 
very  satisfactory,  was  still  capable  of  receiving  several  improvements, 
such  as  a  fly-wheel  in  place  of  the  escape- wheel,  which  would  avoid  the 
little  jerks  imparted  to  the  silk  by  the  latter.  It  appeared  also  pos- 
sible to  avoid  certain  corrections  necessitated  by  the  presence  of  the 
dynamometer  which  let  the  upper  end  of  the  silk  descend  slightly  as  it 
yielded  to  the  effects  of  the  weight.  A  more  perfect  instrument  was 
then  constructed,  for  the  details  of  which  M.  Robiuet  gives  credit  to  M. 
Lehodey,  a  clock  maker  of  Paris.  This  instrument  he  called  the  seri- 
meter  *  because,  as  he  naively  says,  "it  was  necessary  to  have  a  name  for 
it  to  avoid  paraphrases." 

The  construction  of  this  serimeter  is  shown  in  Fig.  74 :  A  B  C  D 
is  a  box  one  meter  and  a  half  long.  At  A  B  is  a  spindle  on  which 
can  be  placed  a  bobbin  of  the  silk  which  we  wish  to  test;  M  is  a 
clip  which  grasps  the  silk  and  holds  it  firmly.  K  is  another  clip  placed 
exactly  one  meter  from  the  clip  M.  The  clip  K  can  sHde  in  the  groove 
N  1'  made  in  the  box,  and  is  fastened,  on  the  interior  thereof,  to  a  weight 
attached  to  an  endless  chain.  The  descent  of  this  weight  is  made  per- 
fectly regular  by  passing  the  chain  over  a  sprocket-wheel  forming  part 
of  a  clock-work. 

As  soon  as  the  mechanism  starts  the  weight  decends,  drawing  the 
movable  clip  K  towards  N  and  stretching  the  silk  which  is  fastened  to 
it.  At  O  there  is  a  small  and  very  light  lever  which  rests  against  the 
stretched  silk.  At  the  moment  when  the  latter  breaks  the  lever  acts 
on  the  fly-wheel  of  the  mechanism,  and  stops  it  immediately.  The 
needle  G  is  attached  to  the  clip  K  and  indicates  on  the  scale  GL  the 
number  of  centimeters  and  millimeters  which  the  weight  has  descended 
and  the  silk  been  stretched. 

The  experimenters  thus  devised  a  method  of  determining  the  ductil- 
ity of  silk,  which  was  found  to  be  an  excellent  one  when  the  instrument 
was  well  made,  ran  with  perfect  regularity,  and  did  not  jerk  the  silk  in 
any  way. 

But  it  was  not  thought  suflBcient  that  the  serimeter  should  give  the 
measure  of  the  ductility  alone,  it  must  also  indicate  the  weight  equiva- 
lent to  the  effort  which  caused  the  thread  of  silk  to  break ;  in  other 
words,  it  must  give  the  measure  of  the  tenacity. 

This  desideratum  was  accomplished  in  the  following  manner:  The 
*  Silk  measurer. 


335 

clip  K,  instead  of  being  fastened  directly  to  the  weight  of  the  mechan- 
ism, was  attached  to  it  by  means  of  a  small  spiral  spring,  E  ;  the  clip 
was  drawn  by  the  weight  through  the  intermediation  of  this  spiral 
spring.  The  weight  acting  on  the  spring  at  E,  and  the  silk  fixed  in  the 
clip  K,  resisting  this  action,  the  spring  was  stretched  from  E  to  F,  and 
the  double  pointer  G,  being  movable,  was  made  to  rise.  The  latter  in- 
dicated on  the  scale  h  %  the  extension  of  the  spring  up  to  the  moment 
when  the  silk  broke ;  for  then  the  spring  resumed  its  original  length  and 
drew  the  clip  with  it;  but  the  needle  being  free  and  drawn  by  friction 
only,  remained  in  place  and  gave  the  double  indication  of  the  ductility 
and  the  tenacity,  for  the  divisions  of  the  scale  h  i  indicated  the  number 
of  grams  corresponding  to  the  effort  necessary  to  stretch  the  spring. 

Now,  it  will  be  observed  that  this  scale  was  attached  to  the  spring 
and  descended  with  it,  so  that,  whatever  the  stretch  imparted  to  the 
silk,  the  point  to  which  the  spring  was  attached  aud  its  scale  were  al- 
ways in  the  same  relative  conditions.  For  a  better  comprehension  an 
example  may  be  cited :  A  thread  of  raw  silk  is  stretched  upon  the  in- 
strument; the  mechanism  is  started;  it  stretches  the  silk  150"™  and 
the  needle  G  indicates  that  figure  on  the  S(!ale  GL.  On  the  other  hand 
the  spring  and  its  scale  have  followed  the  movement  of  the  weight,  but 
the  resistance  of  the  silk  has  stretched  the  spring  and  caused  the  needle 
to  rise,  relatively,  to  the  30-gram  point.  We  have  thus  a  silk  of  which 
the  ductility  is  represented  by  the  number  150  and  the  tenacity  by 
the  number  30. 

If,  now,  instead  of  one  thread  we  take  two  and  fasten  them  in  the  clips, 
the  effort  of  the  weight  will  still  stretch  them  150""",  but  the  double  re- 
sistance which  now  opposes  this  effort  will  be  found  to  have  raised  the 
needle  to  the  60-gram  point.  This  is  evident,  and  the  result  would  have 
been  the  same  if,  insteadof  two  threads,  we  had  employed  one  having 
a  double  tenacity. 

The  experiment  terminated,  the  clip  K  is  drawn  to  its  initial  position 
by  means  of  a  button  i)laced  under  the  spring  E. 

Such  was  Eobinet's  perfected  serimeter  and  its  modus  operandi.  The 
standard  serimeter  of  to-day  differs  from  it,  not  in  principle  but  in  some 
mechanical  details.  That  employed  in  the  silk  laboratory  of  this  De- 
partment is  shown  in  Fig.  75,  and  was  constructed  by  Berthaud,  of 
Lyons. 

As  in  Eobinet's  second  instrument,  the  dynamometer  is  on  the  supe- 
rior portion  of  the  apparatus  at  A.  In  it  the  spring  has  been  discarded 
and  the  tension  of  the  thread  is  exerted  on  a  pendulum,  c,  which  is 
raised  more  or  less  from  its  vertical  position  as  the  tenacity  of  the  silk 
is  greater  or  smaller.  In  its  swing  upward  this  pendulum  carries  the 
pointer  d,  which  however  does  not  return  with  it  but  is  held  up  by  the 
friction  on  its  axis.  This  pointer  slides  along  a  quadrant  on  which  is 
engraved  a  scale  of  grains,  indicating  the  tenacity  of  the  thread.    But, 


336 


as  the  pendulum  rises  the  clip  e,  which  is  indirectly  attached  to  the 
bell  crank  at  its  upper  end,  descends.  To  indicate  this  descent  the 
quadrant  bears  a  second  scale  ft,  upon  which  the  same  pointer  d  shows 
the  motion  of  ein  millimeters.  This  motion  must  be  deducted  from  the 
motion  of  the  lower  clip  /to  obtain  the  real  stretch  of  the  silk. 

The  lower  portion  of  the  instrument  is  simi- 
lar to  Eobinet's  apparatus  minus  the  dyna- 
mometer. The  clip/  carries  a  pointer  g,  which 
indicates  upon  the  scale  c  the  amount  of  stretch 
at  the  moment  of  rupture.  In  the  instrument 
of  to-day,  however,  the  distance  between  the 
initial  position  of  the  clips  is  but  50  centime- 
ters, and  as  the  scale  is  divided  into  centimeters 
and  millimeters  the  stretch  there  indicated  must 
be  doubled  to  obtain  the  per  cent,  of  elongation. 
The  instrument  just  described  is  that  used 
in  all  conditioning  houses  to-day.  There  is, 
however,  according  to  M.  Q.uajat,  Assistant  Di- 
rector of  the  Italian  Experimental  Station  at 
Padua,  a  great  difference  among  instruments 
in  the  time  necessary  for  the  descent  of  the 
weight  from  the  upper  to  the  lower  end  of  the 
scale,  a  distance  of  200'"'".  In  a  recent  pam- 
phlet he  calls  attention  to  this  fact,  which  is 
important  because  the  indicated  tenacity  of  a 
given  thread  may  be  altered  by  varying  the 
time  to  which  it  is  submitted  to  the  strain.  The 
weights  of  the  serimeters  in  the  following  con- 
ditioning houses  descend  (accordiug  to  M. 
Quajat)  in  the  following  periods  of  time: 

Seconds. 

Milan 15 

Turin 14^ 

Turin  (another  establishment) l',i 

Treviso 20 

Padua 16 

Lyons 16 

That  in  the  silk  laboratory  at  this  Depart- 
ment consumes  thirteen  seconds  in  the  descent. 

In  relation  to  the  instrument  in  the  New  York  Silk  Conditioning 
Works,  the  director  of  that  institution  writes : 

lu  answer  to  ,^  our  favor  of  the  17th  instant,  I  beg  to  state  that  I  have  tested  the  seri- 
meter  used  by  us  and  find  as  follows :  The  average  time  it  takes  to  run  from  zero  to 
the  200  marli  is  fifteen  seconds;  after  a  thorough  cleaning  and  when  everything  is 
favorable  it  takes  twelve  seconds,  but  after  a  few  hours  on  account  of  dust  the  speed 
18  reduced  to  fifteen  seconds,  and  if  very  dusty  I  find  as  low  speed  as  eighteen  to 
twenty  seconds. 


Fig.  75.— Standard  Serimeter. 


337 

This  feature  of  cleanliness  opens  up  a  new  objection  to  the  present 
form  of  serimeter,  emphasizing  as  it  does  the  variability  in  the  time 
necessary  for  the  weights  to  descend  in  the  different  official  serimeters 
of  the  world. 


Fig.  76.— Quajat'a  Horizontal  Serinieter. 

Desiring  therefore  to  construct  a  serimeter  that  would  overcome  this 
difficulty,  M.  Quajat  has  designed  that  shown  in  Fig.  76.  This  apparatus 
is  horizontal  instead  of  vertical  as  is  usual.  It  is  handier  to  use  and  the 
operator  can  employ  it  with  less  fatigue. 

Jt  is  composed  of  two  pieces  placed  upon  a  base  which  may  be  leveled 
by  an  adjusting  screw.  The  piece  A  carries  a  pendulum  a  which  draws 
with  it  in  its  movement  the  pointer  h  which,  as  in  other  dynamometers, 
marks  on  a  quadrant  the  number  of  grams  by  which  it  has  been  dis- 
placed. To  a  small  clip,  c,  is  attached  one  end  of  the  filament  to  be 
tested.  This  piece  is  so  placed  that  its  level  will  be  as  little  disturbed  as 
possible  during  the  test.  A  small  stop  piece,  d,  holds  the  end  of  the  pen- 
dulum at  the  zero  of  the  scale  and  at  the  same  time  shows  whether  the 
apparatus  is  level. 

On  the  piece  B  the  second  end  of  the  filament  is  caught  in  the  clip  e, 
which  is  exactly  50  centimeters  from  the  clip  c  when  all  the  pointers 
are  at  zero.  The  pointer/  runs  along  a  scale  divided  into  millimeters 
and  shows  exactly  the  distance  which  the  thread  has  stretched  when 
rupture  takes  place.  The  movement  of  the  pointer  is  caused  by  means 
of  a  driving  screw,  g,  which  is  turned  by  a  crank  which  is  connected  to 
it  through  a  pair  of  miter  gears,  and  which  has  such  a  pitch  that  the 
movement  of  the  hand  will  advance  the  pointer  10  millimeters  per 
second.  The  nut/  is  so  constructed  that  it  may  be  detached  by  a  single 
turn  of  the  screw  h,  which  throws  it  out  of  gear  with  the  driving  screw 
and  enables  us  to  bring  it  back  to  the  zero  point.* 

The  mode  of  compensation  for  the  movement  of  the  clip  c  is  exceed- 
ingly simple,  the  pendulum  being  so  adjusted  that  it  will  displace  that 

*  This  description  is  translated  from  the  pamphlet  ah'eady  mentioned.  The  cut  is 
also  reproduced  from  it. 


338 

clip  jnstl  millimeter  for  each  gram  of  teusioQ  exerted,  and  therefore  the 
number  of  grams  of  tension  is  the  same  as  the  number  of  millimeters  of 
displacement,  and  both  are  read  from  the  same  scale. 


ADDITIONAL  NOTE  ON  THE  MEGILLA  PARASITE. 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

Since  the  publication  of  our  article  on  this  subject  (see  p.  101,  ante) 
we  have  received  an  interesting  letter  on  the  subject  from  Rev.  T.  A. 
Marshall,  of  England,  who  is  monographing  the  Braconidse,  and  to 
whom  we  sent  specimens.  He  replies  that  the  species  belongs  to  the 
genus  Dinocamptus  of  Foerster,  which  he  himself  prefers  to  regard  as  a 
subsection  of  the  old  genus  Perilitus,  and  that  the  European  species  P. 
terminatus  (formerly  placed  in  Microctonus  by  Ratzeburg,  Ruthe,  and 
others),  the  habits  of  which  are  so  similar  to  those  of  our  American 
species,  belongs  to  the  same  subsection  of  the  genus.  Concerning  our 
own  species  Mr.  Marshall  writes  : 

It  ditfers  very  little  from  the  cognate  European  forms,  and  is  interesting  to  know 
from  your  observations  that  it  has  similar  habits.  Its  appearance  confirms  my  notion 
that  such  a  genus  as  Dinocamptus  is  useless  and  should  be  suppressed  ;  for  your  in- 
sect exhibits  at  the  same  time  the  dividing  nervure  of  Dinocamptus  and  the  abruptly 
curved  radial  cell  of  Perilitus. 

Using,  therefore,  the  same  specific  name  proposed  in  our  former  art- 
icle, the  species  may  be  described  as  follows  : 
Perilitus  americanus  n.  sp. 

Female. — Length  3.5'""^;  expanse  6™"\  Head  nearly  smooth,  thorax  and  first  ab- 
dominal segment  punctate,  abdomen  glabrous.  First  cubital  areolet  separate  from 
the  first  discoidal ;  radial  areolet  ending  half  way  between  the  wing  and  the  stigma, 
semi-cordate.  Terebra  straight.  Color  black;  antenna}  dark,  pedicel  and  first  fun- 
icle  joint  yellowish;  head,  except  ocelli  and  included  spot  and  the  large  occipital 
black  spot,  fulvous ;  middle  and  hind  coxa?  black,  hind  femora  dusky,  rest  of  legs 
honey-yellow  ;  wings  hyaline,  stigma  dark  brown,  veins  a  trifie  lighter,  still  lighter 
in  hind  wings;  most  of  abdomen  dark  fulvous  approaching  castaneous,  dark  on  me- 
diodorsal region. 

Resembles  the  European  P.  falciger  Ruthe  in  venation,  but  differs  in  shape  of  ovi- 
positor and  radically  in  coloration.  Differs  decidedly  in  color  from  the  only  described 
North  American  species — P.  mellinus  Provancher. 

Since  the  preparation  of  this  additional  note  Messrs.  0.  M.  Weed 
and  C.  A.  Hart  have  published  in  Psyche,  for  April,  1889,  an  arti- 
cle entitled  "  Notes  on  the  Parasite  of  the  Spotted  Lady-beetle." 
The  authors  have  found  a  number  of  similar  cases  and,  adopting  our 
name  of  Centistes  americana,  publish  a  full  description  of  both  sexes. 
They  have  therefore  fallen  into  the  same  error  of  generic  position,  and 
their  description  seems  to  indicate  that  they  had  before  them  a  differ- 
ent species  of  Perilitus,  although  on  actual  comparison  of  type  speci- 
mens the  differences  may  prove  to  be  varietal. 


339 

William  H.  Patton  calls  our  attention  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Glover,  in 
the  Annual  Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  1877,  figured 
upon  Plate  III  (Pig.  43)  a  Lady-bird  parasite  which  worked  the  same 
way,  showing  a  grass  leaf  with  the  cocoon  under  it  and  the  beetle 
clinging  to  the  cocoon.  The  parasite  itself  is  figured  natural  size  from 
the  side  on  the  upper  side  of  the  leaf.  In  his  text  he  refers  to  it  in  the 
following  words  (page  99) : 

A  parasitic  insect  attacks  the  Rippodamia  (Coccinella)  macidata  (Fig.  43),  the 
Spotted  Lady-bird,  iu  a  very  similar  ruauner,  aud  was  taken  in  Maryland. 


NOTES  UPON  THE  LONGEVITY  OF  THE  EARLY  STAGES  OF  EBURIA 
QUADRIMACULATA,  Say. 

By  P.  M.  Webster. 

On  June  28,  1888,  Mr.  J.  N.  Latta,  of  Haw  Patch,  Ind.,  sent  me  a 
crushed  specimen  of  this  beetle,  with  the  statement  that  it  had  been 
found  underneath  the  carpet  in  the  parlor  of  Mr.  J.  R.  Copeland,  a  farmer 
living  near  Wawaka,  Ind.  The  carpet,  as  I  afterward  learned  from  the 
lady  of  the  house,  had  been  taken  up  and  renovated  regularly  each 
spring  for  many  years,  but  nothing  of  this  sort  had  been  noticed  until 
the  last  time  it  was  removed,  when  a  number  of  beetles  were  found 
underneath,  and  both  the  floor  and  carpet  badly  eaten.  Some  weeks 
later,  and  after  the  floor  had  been  thoroughly  swept  and  the  carpet  had 
been  replaced,  another  beetle  of  the  same  sort  had  been  found  crawling 
on  the  inside  of  one  of  the  windows. 

Further  correspondence  with  Mr.  Copeland  revealed  the  following 
facts :  The  floor  was  composed  of  hard  maple,  and  had  been  used  in  the 
building  fourteen  years  before.  The  lumber  had  been  sawed  and  had 
laid  in  the  saw-mill  for  a  considerable  time  prior  to  its  having  been 
used.  The  house  had  been  constructed  upon  the  present  stone  founda- 
tion, and  two  feet  above  the  level  of  the  ground.  There  was  no  way  by 
which  these  insects  could  reach  this  floor  (which  by  the  way  is  the  only 
one  injured  in  the  entire  building)  other  than  by  way  of  the  windows  or 
by  an  outside  cellar  door,  about  30  feet  away,  and  leading  through  a 
dark  alley,  this  parlor  not  being  situated  over  the  cellar.  The  room, 
being  the  parlor,  was  not  much  used  and  the  windows  were  nearly  al- 
ways kept  closed.  The  floor  was  not  affected  more  seriously  near  the 
edges  of  the  carpet  than  elsewhere,  and  the  injur}^  did  not  appear  to 
have  been  influenced  by  light  or  proximity  to  the  cellar  door  previously 
mentioned.  In  short,  everything  indicates  that  the  eggsorlarvse  were 
in  the  wood  when  used,  fourteen  years  before. 

April  10, 1889. 


340 

EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

Trumpet-creeper  injured  by  Lygaeus  reclivatus. 

Herewith  I  send  you  some  specimens  of  an  insect  which  has  appeared  in  large  num- 
bers on  a  "  trumpet-creeper  "  in  this  neighborhood.  There  are  no  signs  of  it  on  any 
other  plant  in  the  garden,  but  I  am  told  it  appears  regularly  on  this  one  every  autumn. 
I  fail  to  find  anything  to  indicate  that  these  insects  were  hatched  out  on  the  vine, 
althou'i-h  they  may  possibly  have  come  to  life  in  the  cracks  in  the  wall  behind  it.  I 
wish  to  know  if  it  is  injurious  to  vegetation,  and  whether  it  should  be  destroyed  or 
encouraged.— [William  Campbell,  328  East  Fourth  street.  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  Oc- 
tober 5,  1883. 

Reply. — The  insect  in  question  is  one  of  the  plant  bugs  known  as  Lygwiis  reclivatus 
Say.  It  injures  vegetation  by  puncturing  the  twigs  of  plants  and  sucking  the  sap. 
It  is  found  on  a  large  variety  of  plants,  and  it  is  curious  that  they  only  aliect  in  your 
neighborhood  the  trumpet-creeper. 

If  you  desire  a  remedy  you  cau  do  no  better  than  to  spray  the  plants  with  a  dilute 
emulsion  of  kerosene  and  soap,  made  according  to  the  following  formula  : 

Kerosene 2  gallons  =  67  per  cent. 

Common  soap,  or  whale-oil  soap i  pound  (  ^  o.,  , 

Water 1  gallon  ^      '     ^ 

Heat  the  solution  of  soap  and  add  it  boiling  hot  to  the  kerosene.  Churn  the  mix- 
ture by  means  of  a  force-pump  and  spray -nozzle  for  five  or  ten  minutes.  The  emul 
sion,  if  perfect,  forms  a  cream  which  thickens  on  cooling,  and  should  adhere  without 
oiliness  to  the  surface  of  glass.  Dilute,  before  using,  one  part  of  the  emulsion  with 
nine  parts  of  cold  water.  The  above  formula  gives  3  gallons  of  emulsion,  and  makes 
when  diluted  30  gallons  of  wash.— [October  9,  1888.] 

Thrips  tritici  injuring  Orange  Blossoms. 

Inclosed  in  the  bottle  which  I  send  you  are  a  lot  of  insects  and  orange  flowers. 
These  were  taken  from  trees  that  were  badly  atfected  with  what  we  call  blight  or 
wilt.  The  foliage  appears  as  though  it  were  terribly  affected  with  the  drought ;  some- 
times the  entire  tree,  but  more  frequently  a  few  branches.  The  leaves  will  fill  out 
durin'i-  a  rainfall,  but  soon  wilt  again  when  the  weather  becomes  fair  and  cloudless. 
The  foliage  soon  falls,  the  limbs  becoming  bare ;  the  terminal  twigs  will  then  die, 
sometimes  back  to  the  body  of  the  tree.— [Robert  C.  May,  Rock  Ledge,  Fla.,  April 
12,  1889. 

Reply. — The  insects  which  you  send,  and  which  were  found  in  the  flowers  of  the 
orange,  belong  to  the  species  known  as  Thrips  tritici.  It  received  this  name  from 
the  fact  that  it  was  originally  described  from  wheat.  Upon  orange,  so  far  as  we 
know,  it  is  found  priucii)ally  in  the  blossoms;  in  fact,  it  inhabits  all  sweet-scented 
flowers.  They  appear  to  feed  for  the  most  part  upon  the  stamens  and  petals,  from 
which  they  suck  the  oil.  These  parts  of  the  flower  fall  naturally,  and  the  work  of 
the  J/(HjJ8  only  hastens  their  dropping.  The  fruit-producing  pistil  is  usually  left 
uninjured.  Ordinarily,  therefore,  it  can  not  be  considered  an  enemy  to  the  plant, 
although  it  may,  when  occurring  in  enormous  numbers,  do  some  damage.  A  solution 
of  whale-oil  soap  in  the  proportion  of  1  pound  to  4  or  5  gallons  of  water  will  destroy 
the  insects  when  sprayed  upon  the  flowers  in  a  fine  spray. — [April  16,  1889.] 

White  Ants  in  Australia. 

I  am  troubled  with  "  White  Ants"  in  my  orchard.  They  are  killing  some  of  my 
fruit  trees  and  vines.  Can  you  in  your  next  issue  recommend  any  preventative  or 
permanent  cure  that  will  not  be  too  expensive  ?    They  appear  to  be  a  common  pest 


341 

in  the  Goulburu  Valley,  aacl  a  cheap  reineclj'  would  be  of  great  service.  I  have  heard 
of  arseoic  as  beiug  a  remedy.  Would  it  be  safe  to  apply  a  handful  of  the  poison 
around  the  roots  ?  Would  it  be  likely  to  injure  the  trees  ? — [George  North,  Numurkah, 
Victoria,  Australia,  January  21,  1889,  to  Charles  O.  Montrose,  Editor  Victorian 
Fanners^  Gazette,  Melbourne. 

Reply. — Regaixliug  the  letter  from  your  correspondent  in  Numurka,  who  wishes  a 
remedy  for  the  damage  done  by  White  Ants  to  his  fruit  trees  and  vines,  I  may  say 
that  if  his  determination  of  the  insect  is  correct  he  ought  not  to  have  much  difficulty 
in  remedying  the  damage,  providing  the  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  similar  insects 
in  this  country.  In  the  orange  groves  of  Florida  considerable  damage  has  sometimes 
been  done  by  our  common  White  Ant  {Termes  Uavipea).  We  find  it  invariably  attacks 
wood  buried  in  or  lying  upon  the  ground  and  that  its  central  nests  are  rarely  discov- 
ered, but  generally  exist  in  deeply  buried  roots  or  under  very  large  stumps  and  logs. 
The  workers  extend  their  subterranean  galleries  for  immense  distances  and  it  is 
therefore  practically  impossible  to  trace  them  to  a  source  aud  thus  break  up  a  colony. 

They  damage  living  trees  by  eating  away  the  bark  about  the  collar  and  root,  and 
growiug  wood  is  only  attacked  by  them  under  exceptional  circumstances,  when  there 
is  no  dead  wood  or  when  they  wish  to  escape  from  the  heated  soil.  Recently  trans- 
planted trees  or  those  planted  too  deep,  or  those  which  have  too  much  earth  heaped 
about  the  crown  or  are  diseased  from  any  cause,  invite  attack.  Their  work  is  readily 
distinguished  by  the  fact  that  the  walls  of  the  galleries  are  always  lined  with  a  layer  of 
comminuted  wood  which  gives  them  a  characteristic  mottled  appearance.  Their  en- 
trance galleries  are  under  the  surface  of  the  ground  aud  under  cover  of  other  material, 
for  they  never  expose  themselves  to  light.  The  decaying  stumps  and  roots  of  forest 
trees  on  newly  cleared  laud  form  a  source  of  supply  and  should  be  carefully  and  thor- 
oughly removed  from  vineyards  or  fruit  orchards.  Mulches  of  decaying  wood  should 
not  be  heaped  about  the  base  of  the  tree.  Wherever  White  Ant  attack  is  suspected 
the  earth  should  be  removed  from  the  affected  parts  aud  the  ground  should  he  exposed 
to  the  depth  of  several  inches,  and  the  dead  wood  and  bark  should  be  cut  oft'  with  a 
kuife.  A  liberal  application  of  hot  water  will  destroy  those  which  can  not  be  reached 
with  the  kuife.  Pyrethram  and  kerosene  emulsion  in  extremely  diluted  solution  can 
be  applied  with  success,  but  the  latter  should  be  used  with  great  caution.  Trees 
which  have  been  girdled  may  be  saved  by  inserting  scions  between  the  root  below 
aud  the  stock  above,  re-establishing  the  conuection  between  the  two.  A  poultice  of 
mud  and  cow  dung  applied  to  the  aftected  part  will  protect  it  and  assist  in  the  for- 
mation of  new  bark. — [April  15,  1889,  to  Mr.  Chas.  0.  Montrose,  222  Russell  street, 
Melbourne,  Australia.] 

The  Toad  vs.  Cockroaches. 

I  have  read  your  publication  on  "  Insect  Life  "  with  much  interest.  The  article  in 
No.  3,  page  67,  on  "Injury  done  by  Roaches,"  etc.,  suggested  to  me  to  call  your  at- 
tention to  a  sentence  in  my  book  on  "  Quince  Culture,"  page  133,  where  I  say :  "Poul- 
try are  supposed  to  omit  from  their  bill  of  fare  some  of  our  insect  friends,  and  it  is 
probable  the  birds  do  likewise;  but  all  insects  are  devoured  by  the  toad,  which  will 
clear  your  room  of  cockroaches  over  night,  just  as  he  will  your  garden  of  the  vilest  of 
your  insect  foes."  Now  is  the  breeding  season  for  the  toads,  and  they  can  easily  be 
found  in  abundance  in  almost  every  little  pond  or  puddle  of  water.  The  tree  toad 
that  tells  ot  coming  rain  all  through  the  summer  by  his  song  is  able  to  climb  with  the 
agility  of  the  fly,  having  a  foot  of  similar  construction,  and  is  also  a  most  valuable 
insect  destroyer.— [W.  W.  Meech,  Vineland,  N.  J.,  April  9,  1889. 

White  Grub  Injury  to  Stra^wberries. 

*     *     *     I  will  mail  the  white  grubs  with  this.     I  do  not  know  the  scientific  name 
of  the  insect — we  only  know  them  as  the  white  grub.     I  would  like  to  know  if  there 
is  any  better  method  of  exterminating  them  than  digging  them  up.     My  brother  pur- 
23105— No.  11 2 


342 

poses  using  a  solution  of  Paris  green  and  clipping  the  roots  into  it  when  vre  next  set 
our  strawberrry  plants.  Would  it  injure  the  plants  ?  Would  it  in  anyway  aflfect  the 
fruit  next  season  ?  Can  you  suggest  auy  other  ijreparatiou  which  would  be  as  ef- 
fective in  destroying  the  grubs,  but  not  so  dangerous  to  handle  ?  We  have  several 
acres  of  strawberry  plants  under  cultivation,  and  of  some  20,000  plants  set  last  May 
it  is  safe  to  sa}'  the  grubs  have  destroyed  6,000  of  thein,  which  we  have  had  to  re- 
place. As  to  the  ground  under  cultivation,  it  is  a  mellow  clay  loauj ;  has  been  in 
strawberry  vines  about  seven  years,  plowed  last  aiitmnn  and  rest  last  May.  In  the 
time  mentioned  the  patch  has  been  fertilized  with  about  125  cords  of  barn-yard  ma- 
nure, a  little  over  5  acres,  3  in  vines,  the  rest  in  grass.  Here  I  will  say  that  in  haul- 
ing manure  in  August  I  have  noticed  hundreds,  perhaps  thousands  of  young  white 
grubs  in  it,  which  leads  me  to  believe  the  beetle  is  more  apt  to  lay  her  eggs  in  a  ma- 
nure heap  than  elsewhere.  In  working  among  our  vines  in  June  and  July,  I  have 
frequently  found  the  eggs  of  some  insect  which  I  suppose  to  be  the  May  beetle  ;  they 
are  perhaps  one-fourth  the  size  of  a  small  pea,  perfectly  round,  break  very  easily,  and 
contain  a  whitish  fluid.  I  remember  of  finding  thirteen  in  oue  place.  *  *  *  The 
grub  seems  to  feed  on  the  roots  of  the  plant  as  long  as  there  is  life  in  it.  I  do  not 
know  whether  they  go  from  plant  to  plant  under  ground  or  come  to  the  surface  nights. 
I  suppose  the  former,  as  1  never  see  any  at  the  surface  during  the  day  unless  dug  up. 
Nor  do  I  know  whether  toads  hunt  them  below  the  surface,  though  I  frequently  find 
toads  buried  in  the  ground  around  the  plants.  Yesterday  I  placed  a  full-grown  grub 
about  3  inches  from  a  toad's  nose;  when  he  (the  toad)  made  a  move  the  grub  disap- 
peared as  quick  as  a  flash  of  lightning.  AVe  have  previous  to  this  year  cultivated  only 
on  the  matted  row  system,  and  although  the  grubs  destroyed  many  jilants  it  was  not 
so  noticeable  as  now  that  we  cultivate  in  hills  only.  Generally  it  is  only  young  plants 
they  destroy.  After  a  plant  has  matured  it  is  seldom  they  destroy  it;  although  con- 
tinually gnawing  at  the  plant,  it  throws  out  roots  faster  than  one  grub  can  eat  them. 
Generally  there  is  but  one  grub  under  a  plant,  though  not  infrequently  I  find  two 
and  three;  even  four  are  sometimes  found  working  at  one  plant.  But  this  is  the  ex- 
ception and  not  the  rule,  except  with  young  ones,  when  I  frequently  find  six  or  eight 
eight  in  oue  place. — [L.  E.  Fogg,  South  Thomaston,  Me.,  August  D,  1886. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  larvte  which  you  sent  were  undoubtedly  "White  Grubs"  and 
probably  the  immature  forms  of  the  adult  beetle  which  you  also  sent,  and  which  is,  as 
you  suppose,  the  common  May  beetle  (Laclinosterna  ftisca).  I  must  ask  you  again 
whether  you  are  very  sure  that  these  grubs  are  eating  the  roots  of  your  strawberries. 
If  this  is  so  I  fear  that  you  can  do  no  better  than  to  dig  them  up  by  hand.  Your 
brother's  proposition  as  to  the  use  of  a  Paris  green  solution  is  not  a  practical  oue  and 
will  be  of  no  avail.  The  eggs  which  you  describe  are  too  large  to  be  those  of  the  May 
beetle  and  are  probably  those  of  snails  or  slugs,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  grub  in 
manure  is  a  dilferent  thing.  The  adult  beetles,  as  you  are  doubtless  aware,  are 
readily  attracted  to  light,  and  during  the  season  of  their  flight  (May  and  Juue)  the 
use  of  lanterns  suspended  over  pans  of  water  with  a  scum  of  kerosene  on  top  will 
doubtless  destroy  many  beetles  which  otherwise  would  lay  eggs  in  the  ground  among 
your  strawberries. — [August  18,  1886.] 

C  ^      :''' 

Larva  of  Cicada  septendecim.  I 

*  *  *  To-day  I  have  the  pleasure  of  mailing  to  you  a  tin  canister  containing 
a  Cicada  larva  in  situ,  and  hope  it  will  reach  you  intact.  I  almost  despaired  of 
finding  oue  at  home,  and  my  pleasure  is  great  at  haviug  succeeded.  I  examined  the 
lump  of  soil  carefully  after  finding  the  larva  within  and  there  was  positively  no  hole 
to  be  seen  that  led  to  the  gallery  in  which  the  larva  was  found,  which  shows  that 
it  does  not  travel  about  in  search  of  food.  You  will  see  that  the  gallery  is  very  sliort 
and  just  large  enough  for  the  larva  to  turn  about  in.  You  will  see  a  hole  in  the  dirt 
at  one  end  of  the  gallery,  but  that  I  accidentally  exposed  wheu  scraping  the  lump 
smaller  to  make  it  lighter  and  less  bulky  to  mail.     I  think  the  best  way  to  get  tlie 


343 

ball  oat  of  the  canister  will  be  to  hook  soiuething  nuiler  the  string  that  is  around  it 
and  gently  draw  it  out.  *  »  *  I  am  sorry  that  Professor  Riley  is  not  in  Washing- 
ton. Howev^er,  you  may  be  able  to  keep  the  piece  of  soil  intact  until  he  comes  back. 
I  scarcely  expect  you  will  be  able  to  keep  the  larva  alive,  but  that  will  not  mat- 
ter so  much.  One  fact  is  ascertained,  that  the  larva  does  not  require  roots  to  feed 
upon,  neither  does  it  travel  about  in  search  of  food.  I  suppose  it  makes  its  way 
slowly  and  laboriously  through  the  soil,  and  finds  sufficient  food  in  the  fresh  soil  that 
it  slowly  brings  itself  in  contact  with.  One  strange  thing  is  that  it  does  not  seem 
to  make  any  difference  how  dry  the  soil  is. — [J.  G.  Barlow,  Cadet,  Mo.,  August  "^0, 
1886. 

Second  Letter. — My  civilized  or  tamed  Cicada  larva  is  still  alive  and  growing, 
though  I  have  had  him  in  a  small  jar  between  three  and  four  months,  with  nothing 
for  him  to  subsist  on  except  what  he  finds  in  fine,  rather  damp  soil.  What  rather 
surprises  me  ia  that  I  always  find  him  on  the  top  of  the  soil,  notwithstanding  I  cover 
him  with  fresh  tine  earth  at  intervals,  in  the  hope  that  he  will  remain  below  the  sur- 
face and  act  in  a  more  natural  manner.  Though  I  have  burietl  him  in  the  new  soil 
frequently,  I  always,  next  time  I  visit  him,  find  him  pawing  around  on  the  top. — [.J. 
G.  Barlow,  Cadet,  Mo.,  October  14,  188G. 

Eeply. — *  *  ■*  I  am  interested  in  the  account  of  your  tame  Cicada  larva.  Does 
it  not  strike  you  that  it  comes  to  the  surface  on  account  of  a  lack  of  food  ? — [Octo 
ber  18,  1886. 1 

Some  Additions  to  Packard's  Forest-tree  Insects. 

I  have  been  comparing  my  note-book  with  Packard's  Bulletin  Xo.  7,  and  have  no- 
ticed several  omissions  iu  the  lists  therein  which  may  be  of  some  interest. 

Hickory. — Saperda  lateralis :  A  large  number  of  siJecimens  on  a  windfall,  in  copu- 
lation.    Philadelphia,  June,  188*2. 

Elm. — Saperda  Candida  :  One  pair  in  copulation  on  young  elm.  Concord,  June  7, 
1883.  Anthaxia  viridicornis :  Eating  leaves  of  elm.  June  16,  1885.  Several  speci- 
mens. 

PiXE. — Neoclijtus  enjihrooephaliis  :  Two  specimens.  June  24,  1885.  N.  muricatulus  : 
Common  on  cord- wood  and  standing  timber.     June  24,  1885. 

Oak. — Agrilus  iilincatus  :  Over  one  hundred  specimens  taken  on  a  white  oak.  June 
15, 1885. 

Buprestis  ultramarina  is  taken  on  pitch-pine  at  Gloucester,  N.  J.,  from  April  20  to 
May  5.     The  Philadelphia  cidlectors  always  look  for  it  between  those  dates. 

Goes  tigrinui  is  commonly  taken  on  the  oak  in  Philadelphia,  and  notonthe  hickory 
as  stated  by  Dr.  Fitch  and  quoted  by  Packard. 

I  do  not  find  these  occurrences  noted  iu  Harris  or  Packard  and  so  take  the  liberty 
of  communicating  them, — [Adams  Tolmau,  Concord,  Mass.,  June  25,  1885. 

A  Phytoptus  on  Plum. 

I  send  you  some  shoots  from  a  plum  tree  with  a  fungoid  growth  in  the  shape  of 
small  pustules  at  the  base  of  the  small  branches  and  under  the  buds,  and  standing  very 
thick  in  rings  around  the  branch.  They  can  also  be  traced  with  the  glass  all  along 
the  main  branch,  protruding  from  cracks  of  the  outer  bark.  The  tree  is  healthy  and 
every  branch  and  twig  is  loaded  with  the  fungus,  as  I  suppose  it  to  be.  *  *  * — [A.  J. 
Cay  wood,  Marlborough,  N.  Y.,  January  28,  1888,  to  Professor  Scribner,  Department  of 
Agriculture. 

Reply. — Mr.  Scribner  has  referred  to  this  Division  your  letter  of  the  28th  ult.,  ac- 
companied by  specimens  of  what  you  take  to  be  a  fungoid  growth  on  small  shoots  of 
plum.  Ou  breaking  open  the  small  pustules,  as  you  have  noticed,  they  are  found  to 
be  full  of  small  mites  of  the  genus  Phytoptus.  The  pustules  are  evidently  nothing 
but  the  galls  of  the  mites.  I  do  not  recognize  the  mite,  and  am  not  aware  that  any 
species  having  this  exact  habit  has  been  described.    A  close  study  will  be  necessary 


344 

to  ascertain  the  exact  lifS-history  of  this  species  and  the  best  time  at  which  to  fight 
it.  You  can  doubtless  rid  your  trees  ac  this  time  of  the  year  by  severe  pruning,  hut 
the  probabilities  are  that  in  the  spring  there  will  occur  a  time  when  the  mites  wan- 
der from  their  old  galls  to  the  new  growth  in  order  to  form  new  galls.  If  this  time 
can  be  ascertained,  which  can  be  done  only  npon  the  spot,  it  will  be  comparatively 
easy  to  destroy  these  creatures  by  spraying  the  trees  with  a  dilute  kerosene  emul- 
sion. I  trust  that  you  will  follow  this  matter  up  and  not  fail  to  let  me  know  the 
results  and  to  send  me  specimens  from  time  to  time.  I  have  every  reason  to  believe 
that  the  galls  are  the  winter  form  produced  by  Plii/topttis  pruni-crumcni,  which  pro- 

I duces  in  spring  the  little  purse-like  galls  on  the  leaf. — [February  1,  1888.] 
Second  letter. — You  think  the  galls  on  the  plum  tree  may  be  a  winter  form  of 
growth  ;  the  trees  wore  infested  the  same  during  the  summer  and  the  summer  previous. 
I  never  could  make  myself  believe  that  knots  on  plums  and  cherries  were  of  fungoid 
origin,  as  I  always  supposed  they  were  caused  by  insects,  as  knots  in  the  forest  and 
other  vegetable  life  are  recognized  to  be,  but  scientists  say  fungi,  and  of  course  I  was 
compelled  to  say  so  too.  I  now  send  you  another  package  containing  the  regular 
black  knot  and  the  galls  sent  you  last  week  so  inseparably  connected  with  them  that 
I  think  you  will  say  they  precede  the  black  knot,  and  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
they  are  the  first  appearance  of  the  same.  You  will  notice  at  the  base  of  some  short 
spurs  the  pustules  show  the  black  and  pinhead  like  sections  of  the  fullj^  matured  black 
Knot,  and  by  looking  the  specimens  all  over  you  will  find  a  growing  similarity  from 
Ifche  smooth  fresh  gall  to  the  matured  gail  sections  of  the  hard  black  knot ;  and  it 
would  seem  that  the  development  of  the  younger  galls  was  arrested  by  the  close  of 
the  growing  season.  I  shall  not  be  surprised  if  the  branches  that  are  covered  with 
these  galls  will  another  season  be  a  perfect  scab  of  the  common  plum  knot. — [A.  J. 
Caywood,  Marlborough,  N.  Y.,  February  6,  1888. 

Second  keply. — Yours  of  the  6th  iust.  with  additional  specimens  came  duly  to 
hand.  The  twigs  are  interesting  and  the  abundance  of  the  uiite  galls  is  surprising. 
Their  occurrence  with  the  black  knot  is  probably  a  simple  coincidence  as  there  is  do 
possibility  that  they  can  have  any  connection  with  the  black-knot  disease,  which, 
as  is  well  known,  is  caused  by  a  fungus  (PlowrighUa  moi-iosa).  It  is  barely  possible 
that  the  attacks  of  the  mites  by  weakening  the  vitality  of  the  twigs  render  them 
moie  liable  to  the  attacks  of  the  fungus;  but  beyond  this  no  possible  connection  can 
be  plausibly  traced.— [February  8,  1888.] 

A  Lac  Insect  on  the  Creosote  Bush. 

*  *  *  I  also  mail  you  a  small  package  containing  stems  with  exudations  of  the 
creosote  bush  ( Larrea  mexicana)  of  which  Dr.  Loew  says,  "the  reddish-brown  exudation 
on  the  branches  will  yield  a  red  coloring  matter  showing  all  the  reactions  of  cochineal. 
The  alcoholic  extract  of  the  leaves  on  evaporation  yields  a  greenish-brown  residue  of  a 
specific  and  somewhat  disagreeable  odor,  more  strongly  perceptible  on  boiling  the  ex- 
tract with  water.  This  residue  is  only  to  a  small  extent  soluble  in  water,  and  the  so- 
lution has  an  acid  reaction.  It  yields  a  light  yellow  precipitate  with  acetate  of  lead. 
The  part  of  the  alcoholic  extract  that  is  insoluble  iu  water  is  easily  soluable  in  alka- 
lies. It  also  dissolves  in  nitric  acid  at  a  moderate  heat,  whereby  oxidation  takes 
place.     On  addition  of  water,  a  yellow,  brittle  mass  is  precipitated." 

The  Mexicans  use  an  effusion  of  the  leaves  for  bathing  in,  in  rheumatic  affections, 
and  as  long  as  the  disease  is  in  its  first  stages,  with  remarkably  good  results. 

But  apart  from  its  medicinal  properties,  I  am  led  to  believe  that  these  exudations, 
if  properly  examined,  would  give  a  splendid  bright  red  coloring  matter  and  a  very 
superior  varnish  resembling  the  celebrated  Japan  lacquer.  Do  not  you  think  it  worth 
while  to  have  the  necessary  chemical  analysis  made f  There  are  miles  upon  miles  of 
the  bush  growing  here  and  far  down  into  Mexico,  and  I  should  think  that  a  man 
could  gather  from  60  to  100  pounds  of  clear  exudation  matter  in  a  working  daj^  of 
ten  hours.    My  supposition  as  to  the  qualification  of  producing  a  superior  varnish  is 


345 

based  upon  the  esperiineats  (incomplete  though  they  were)  of  a  French  chemist  who 
passed  here  about,  a  year  ago  and  who  died  siuce  in  South  America.— [John  A.  Spring, 
Tucson,  Arizona,  August  '21,  1887. 

Reply.— The  portion  of  yonv  letter  of  August  21,  referring  to  the  exudation  of  the 
Creosote  Bush  {Larrea  mexicana)  has  been  referred  to  the  Entomologist,  who  reports 
that  the  specimens  were  received  in  good  condition  and  that  they  form  welcome  ad- 
ditions to  the  collections  of  the  Entomological  Division.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  it 
has  been  abundantly  proven  that  this  exudation  is  that  of  an  insect  and  not  directly 
of  the  plant.  The  insect  in  question  is  the  Carteria  larreoe  of  Comstock,  described 
in  the  Annual  Report  of  this  Department  for  1881-82,  page  211.  This  insect  belongs  to 
the  Bark-lice  or  Coccidas,  and  to  a  peculiar  group  of  these  insects  which  secrete  wax 
and  lac  in  different  forms.  It  is  closely  related  to  the  insect  which  produces  the 
stick  lac  of  commerce  and  which  is  known  as  Carteria  lacca  Kerr.  Another  species 
has  been  described  by  Professor  Comstock,  which  appears  upon  Mimosa,  in  Mexico. 
This  he  calls  Carteria  mexicana.  You  will  find  a  good  discussion  of  the  characters  of 
these  insects  in  the  Annual  Report  of  this  Department  just  mentioned,  and  of  the 
insect  theory  as  opposed  t^  the  plant  theory,  including  also  some  remarks  upon  the 
chemical  properties  of  lac  in  the  American  Naturalist,  Vol.  XIV,  p.  782  (November, 
1880).  You  will  also  find  the  chemical  properties  of  the  stick  lac  of  commerce  treated 
in  most  of  the  chemical  dictionaries  or  encyclopfedias. — [August  31,  1887.] 

A  Rhizococcus  on  Grass  in  Dakota. 

Inclosed  please  find  two  spears  of  grass  with  some  eggs  of  something  that  I  wish 
you  to  determine  for  me  if  yon  can,  as.  the  grass  is  infested  with  it  all  over  this  coun- 
try. If  you  don't  experiment  with  such  things  please  hand  it  to  some  one  who  does. 
If  they  do  not  hatch  until  spring,  a  warm  place  and  a  little  sprinkling  would  bring 
them  to  life.  If  they  are  injurious  to  stock  let  me  know,  as  there  are  lots  of  horses 
and  cattle  running  out  here. — [A.  E.  Hall,  Buffalo  Gap,  Custer  County,  Dak.,  Feb- 
ruary, 1888. 

Reply.— Your  letter  of  recent  date  inclosing  spears  of  grass  with  eggs  laid  in  white 
sacs  has  been  received  and  referred  to  the  Entomologist,  who  reports  that  the  white 
waxy  sac  is  excreted  by  a  bark-louse  which  seems  to  be  a  new  species  of  the  genus 
Rhizococcus.  Up  to  the  time  of  depositing  the  eggs  the  wingless  degraded  females 
of  this  insect  are  naked, but  as  the  time  for  oviposition  approaches  they  begin  to 
secrete  this  smooth  white  sac  all  over  the  surface  of  the  body,  and  as  the  secretion 
becomes  thick  they  begin  depositing  their  eggs,  moving  forward  in  the  sac  thus 
formed  and  after  death  shriveling  np  and  remaining  in  the  anterior  portion.  It 
will  probably  not  have  the  slightest  deleterious  effect  upon  the  stock.— [February  18, 
1888.] 

Wash  for  Apple-tree  Bark-lice  and  Borers. 

I  find  the  most  effectual  wash  for  bark-lice  on  apple  and  pear  trees  and  borers  in 
apple  and  peach  trees  to  be  the  following  recipe:  5  pounds  of  potash  (Babbitts's  the 
best)  and  5  pounds  of  lard  dissolved  in  5  gallons  of  boiling  water;  1  peck  good  stone 
lime  slacked  in  5  gallons  boiling  water,  while  hot  mixed  with  potash  and  lard.  The 
above  mixture  can  be  kept  in  an  old  tub  or  barrel  for  any  length  of  time.  To  use  add  to 
each  gallon  2  gallons  of  boiling  water,  and  while  hot  apply  to  trunk  and  large  limbs 
with  an  old  broom.  If  this  mixture  is  applied  to  trees  while  young  and  used  year 
after  year,  the  bark  of  the  trees  will  be  kept  as  smooth  as  glass  and  all  bark-lice  and 
borers  destroyed.— [J.  Luther  Bowers,  Herndon,.Va.,  February  24,  1888. 

Saw-fly  on  Polygonum  dumetorum. 

To-day  I  mail  a  box  containing  some  larv;o  that  may  interest  you.  This  is  the 
first  colony  I  have  seen  of  them.  They  were  found  on  wild  grape  vine,  also  on  another 
climber,  Pobjrjonwm  dtimetorum,  which  I  enclose,  and.have  th^  peculiarity  of  curling 


346 

themselves  iuto  a  compact  rinj^,  ou  the  under  sides  of  the  leaves,  when  not  feeding. 
When  undisturbed  they  are  covered  with  a  jiretty  close  coat  of  very  whitedown; 
some,  as  you  will  see,  are  without  the  down.  They  look  lilie  bird-droppings.  The 
locality  is  a  very  shady  woody  ravine  where  the  sunshine  can  not  penetrate.  In  the 
box  there  is  a  small  larva,  found  on  a  plant  not  common,  in  the  same  place. — [J.  G. 
Barlow,  Cadet,  Mo.,  September  10,  1888. 

Reply. — *  *  *  The  species  is  Emplujlus  lestaccus,  being  nearly  allied  to  the 
Strawberry  Saw-fly.  The  climbing  plant  which  you  enclose  is  Polygonum  dumetorum. 
—[September  14,  1888.] 

Oscinis  sp.  on  Chrysanthemum. 

Some  one  sends  me  a  specimen  of  Clu-i/sanlhemum  J nitesccns,  with  an  insect  pest  that 
seems  new  to  me.  »  *  *  — [Thomas  Meehan,  Germantown,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Jan- 
uary 12,  1887. 

Reply. —  *  *  *  Tiie  insect  infesting  Chrysanthemum  is  a  Dipterous  leaf-miner 
of  the  genus  Oscinis  and  is  probably  an  undescribed  species.  I  have  received  the 
same  thing  within  a  few  days  from  Mr.  Charles  Henderson.  Certain  of  the  fli'^s  had  is- 
sued on  the  way,  so  that  it  is  now  too  late  to  do  much  in  the  way  of  hand-picking, 
which  is  the  only  available  remedy.  When  another  brood  appears  the  infested  leaves 
jhould  be  picked  off  and  burned.  In  this  way  the  pest  can  be  very  readily  held  in 
check. — [January  14,  1887.] 

Ants  destroying  young  Maples  in  Nebraska. 

There  is  a  small  black  ant  that  is  destroying  all  of  the  young  rock  or  sugar  maple 
trees  which  have  been  grown  from  seed  planted  this  summer  in  the  western  part  of 
Nebraska.  The  seeds  were  planted  on  new  land,  opened  last  spring.  I  will  give  you 
a  description  of  how  the  ants  attack  the  young  trees  and  how  the  trees  are  affected. 
They  attack  the  trees  just  above  the  ground.  Tlie  trees  look  as  if  they  were  stung. 
The  bark  turns  brown  as  if  it  was  decaying.  Tliere  is  a  ring  formed  around  the  tree 
about  one-eighth  inch  wide,  and  the  young  tree  dies  when  the  ring  is  completed.  *  * 
—I  B.  F.  Blythe,  Diller,  Jefferson  County,  Nebr.,  July  16,  1886. 

Rkply — *  *  *  We  should  like  very  much  to  receive  specimens  both  of  the  ant 
and  its  work  on  the  young  sugar  maples.  The  efficacy  of  any  remedy  which  you  may 
try  depends  altogether  upon  the  trouble  and  expense  to  which  you  are  willing  to  go. 
The  best  preventive  will  of  course  be  a  broad  band  of  bright  tin  fastened  securely 
around  the  base  of  the  tree.  Search  should  be  made  for  the  colonies,  which  you  can 
destroy  by  the  use  of  bisulphide  of  carbon,  which  is  poured  in  small  quantities  into 
the  nest.  Naphthaline  in  the  form  of  a  crystalline  powder  stirred  in  and  about  the 
hills  is  very  elfective  in  breaking  up  colonies.  When  they  have  begun  to  attack  a 
tree  it  is  with  extreme  difficulty  that  they  can  be  permanently  driven  ott'. 

Pyrethrum  dusted  upon  the  tree  and  scattered  about  its  base  kills  all  the  ants  with 
which  it  comes  in  contact  and  affords  a  temporary  relief,  but  its  effects  are  not  lasting. 
Coating  with  shellac  and  binding  the  trunk  with  a  band  of  tar  cannot  be  relied  upon 
to  keep  them  off  permanently.  A  broad  band  of  rabbit  far,  tied  around  the  trunk 
with  the  hair  downwards,  is  effectual  in  preventing  their  ascent.  A  still  more  simple 
and  almost  as  effective  one  is  a  barrier  of  chalk.  This  is  applied  by  rubbing  a  lump 
of  raw  chalk  over  the  bark  around  the  tree  to  make  a  band  about  8  inches  wide,  and 
completely  encircling  the  trunk.  In  attempting  to  cross  such  a  band  the  ants  nearly 
always  slip  and  fall  to  the  earth.  Thisdevica  is  not  permanent,  and  requires  frequent 
renewal  on  account  of  the  effect  of  dews  at  night  and  of  rains.  Very  often  soft  clay, 
Fuller's  earth,  or  talc  may  be  substituted  for  the  chalk,  but  in  all  cases  must  be  ap- 
plied by  rubbing  on  from  a  dry  lump.  Good  results  cannot  be  obtained  by  using  any 
of  these  substances  inpo^vder,  dried,  or  as  a  whitewash  applied  with  a  brush.— [July 
22,  1886.] 


347 
GENERAL  NOTES. 

THE   SPIDER-BITE   QUESTION. 

The  following  item  appeared  iu  the  EvGiiinf/  Star  (Wasbiugton)  for 
March  12,  1889,  and  is  a  fair  sample  of  the  newspaper  reports  iu  refer- 
ence to  spider-bites  which  are  so  common  : 

BITTEX    BY   A   BLACK   SPIDER. 

Mr.  Tileston  F.  Chambers,  son  of  Mr.  D.  A.  Chambers,  of  this  city,  came  home 
from  Princeton  witli  several  fellow-students  to  spend  the  inauguration  holidays.  On 
Saturday,  March  '2,  he  was  bitten  twice  on  the  arm  by  what  the  doctor  said  must 
have  been  a  black  spider,  with  the  most  alarming  results.  Blood-poisoning  and 
.iaundice  followed,  but  by  careful  treatment  he  is  now  rapidly  recovering.  The  phy- 
sician said  that  another  hire  would  undonbtedly  have  proved  fatal. 

Learning  by  correspondence  from  Mr.  D.  A.  Chambers  that  the  phy- 
sician iu  charge  was  Dr.  Z.  T.  Sowers,  of  Washington,  a  well-knOwu 
and  prominent  practitioner,  we  called  upon  Dr.  Sowers,  who  informed 
us  that  he  knew  little  more  than  was  given  iu  the  newspaper  state- 
ment. He  said  that  he  had  had  several  such  cases  in  his  practice  and 
that  he  was  accustomed  to  attribute  these  bites  to  black  spiders,  for 
the  reason  that  he  knew  of  uo  other  insect  found  in  such  localities 
which  could  produce  the  effect.  The  room  in  which  young  Mr.  Cham- 
bers was  bitten  was  one  which  had  long  been  disused,  and  he  occupied 
it  on  the  night  of  March  2,  for  the  reason  that  the  rest  of  the  house 
was  full  of  inaugaration  visitors.  Thus  there  is  nothiug  special  con- 
nected with  this  instance. 

Professor  Riley  is  under  the  impression  that  certain  of  these  cases  re- 
sult from  the  bite  of  the  Blooil-sucking  Coae-nose  {Gimorrhimis  san- 
guisuf/a),  an  insect  which  is  oscasioaally  found  iu  houses,  and  which  is 
able  to  iuflict  a  very  severe  wound  with  its  beak. 

Evidence  in  regard  to  fatal  bites  is  v^ery  weak,  with  the  exception  of 
the  genus  Latrodectus,  and  this  genus  is  never  found  in  outhouses  or 
disused  rooms.  Dr.  Elliott  Cones  calls  our  attention  to  the  fact  that  if 
the  Latrodectus  stories  are  true  we  have  a  case  in  this  creature  of  the 
most  ])owerful  poison  known.  With  the  most  poisonous  snakes  an  ap- 
preciable quantity  of  poison,  say  one  or  two  drops,  is  injected  into  the 
wound,  but  with  the  Latrodectus  an  infinitely  smaller  quantity  seems  to 
produce  as  strong  an  effect. 

In  this  connection  we  may  quote  an  item  which  falls  under  our  notice 
in  the  April  number  of  Psi/che,  and  for  the  reliability  of  which  the  Sci- 
entijic  American  (November  17, 1888,  vol.  LIX,  p.  310)  is  responsible  : 

SPIDER  POISONS. 

Professor  Breeger  has  recently  investigated  the  poisons  of  spiders.  He  found  that 
the  Russian  varieties  of  spider,  PhalcDichimn  and  T/'oc/tosa  (tarantula),  are  non-poison- 
ous, but  that  a  third,  Caraou,rt,ov  "  black  wolf,"  secretes  a  powerful  poison,  forming 


348 

25  per  ceat  of  its  whole  weight.  This  substance  is  a  peculiar  unstable  alkaloid,  de- 
stroyed at  60°  C,  or  by  alcohol.  Introduced  into  the  circulation  of  warm-blooded 
animals,  one-thirtieth  of  a  milligram  per  kilogram  of  the  animal  treated  was  sufficient 
to  cause  death.  It  exceeds  in  power  all  known  vegetable  principles  and  prussic  acid> 
being  comparable  in  toxicity  with  the  poison  of  snakes. 

The  following  two  letters  also  bearing  on  the  subject  are  appended, 
the  first  of  which  is  from  Mr..R.  Allan  Wight,  of  New  Zealand  : 

What  Dr.  Wright  told  you  about  the  Katipo  is  perfectly  correct.  I  was  then  liv- 
ing close  by  and  knew  all  the  parties  and  all  the  circumstances,  and  my  sons  also  re- 
member it  all.  It  was  as  clear  a  case  of  Katipo  poisoning  as  possible,  and  the  man 
Said  he  saw  the  spider  bite  him  and  minutely  described  the  spidsr,  which  description 
tallied  exactly  with  its  proper  one.  A  case  occurred  at  Whangarei  a  few  weeks  ago, 
where  a  man  was  bitten  and  suffered  a  good  deal,  and  I  have  written  to  the  medical 
man  who  attended  him  and  will  let  yon  know  the  result.  I  am  also  going  soon  on 
another  long  tour  in  the  north,  where  I  shall  be  able  to  get  many  tales  and  reliable 
information  from  both  natives  and  white  men  as  to  the  Katipo,  and  will  let  you  know 
when  I  come  back.  I  drove  over  to  a  man  who  is  said  to  have  lost  his  arm  "  throurjh  a 
Katipo,''^  but  I  found  that  he  does  not  know  one  when  he  sees  it,  did  not  see  the  bite  in- 
flicted, was  in  a  place  where  the  Katipo  does  not  live,  and  when  the  arm  was  re- 
moved the  hone  was  diseased  ("honeycombed").  That  is  one  of  those  tales  people  hear 
and  which  make  it  difficult  to  believe  anything.  I  feel  certain  the  Katipo  is  a  very 
dangerously  poisonous  spider,  but  I  never  but  once  saw  a  case  with  my  own  eyes.  It 
was  many  years  ago  and  I  was  out  with  a  war  party  of  Maoris  ;  one  night  we  found 
ourselves  in  an  unpleasant  position  as  far  as  they  were  concerned.  On  our  rear  there 
were  a  number  of  nice  hollow  places  to  sleep  in,  but  as  these  were  Maori  ovevs,  in 
which  men  had  been  cooked  for  a  cannibal  feast,  the  natives  not  only  would  not  sleep 
in  them  but  they  would  not  let  me;  so  we  lay  down  on  the  bare  shingle  beach  with  no 
tent  in  a  high  wind,  and  before  us  at  a  short  distance  was  an  island  that  is  (they  say) 
inhabited  by  evil  spirits  ;  so  with  spirits  both  before  and  behind  we  lay  awake  talk- 
ing in  subdued  whispers. 

I  had  my  head  on  a  rush  bush,  but  they  would  have  me  shift  it  on  to  a  rock,  be- 
cause they  said  the  Katipo  lived  in  the  rushes  by  the  sea-side.  I  was  anxious  for 
them  to  sleep,  knowing  that  to-morrow  we  would  want  all  our  strength,  but  it  was 
no  use,  for  by  and  by  a  man  screamed  out  that  the  Katipo  had  bitten  him,  and  in  a 
moment  lights  were  brought,  and  sure  enough  the  Katipo  was  there  within  a  foot  of 
the  wound  under  his  mat.  The  arm  swelled,  but  not  so  much  as  to  give  alarm.  What 
alarmed  me  more  were  his  weakness  and  languor  and  the  lowness  of  his  pulse  and 
his  heart  action.  The  poison  certainly  was  a  powerful  narcotic,  if  symptoms  go  for 
anything.  I  gave  him  all  the  brandy  we  had,  and  the  natives  pretty  well  burned  his 
wound  and  rubbed  and  rubbed  at  him  till  they  got  him  into  a  perspiration,  but  he 
did  not  properly  recover  for  several  days,  and  if  one  had  only  known  it  would  have 
been  a  mercy  to  have  let  him  die  (which  I  believe  he  would) ;  so  I  thought  when  I 
saw  him  gasping  his  life  away  with  blood  and  froth  flowing  from  his  mouth.  Ugh ! 
That  is  one  of  the  several  scenes  I  do  not  care  to  think  about.  By  the  by,  I  could 
not  get  the  specimen;  the  Maoris  burned  it,  as  they  said  the  Katipo  is  an  evil  spirit 
and  if  tee  did  not  burn  it  the  man  would  die.  I  never  heard  of  any  Katipo  but  one; 
I  think  Taylor  is  mistaken.  I  have  many  chiefs  here,  and  I  asked  them  only  to-day, 
but  no  one  ever  heard  of  but  one  Katipo — the  black  spider  with  a  vermilion  spot  on 
the  abdomen.     *     *     *     . — [R.  Allan  Wight. 

Immediately  after  reading  Dr.  Corson's  interesting  article  on  Spider  Bites  in  the 
March  number  of  Insect  Life  I  went  into  a  partially  darkened  room  and  drew  on 
my  bare  feet  a  pair  of  felt  boots  that  had  been  unused  for  some  time.  Simultane- 
ously I  received  a  sharp  puncture  on  my  ankle. 

Dr.  Corson's  case  of  the  man  who  was  bitten  on  the  toe  while  putting  on  his  stock- 


349 

ing  was  at  once  brought  vividly  to  mind  ;  and  all  the  circumstances  favored  the  idea 
that  I  had  been  bitten  by  a  spider. 

From  the  reported  cases  it  seemed  that  a  painful  experience  was  before  me,  if  noth- 
ing worse;  but  I  could  not  help  feeling  a  certain  exultation  because  the  elusive 
creature  had  at  last  bitten  the  wrong  man,  and  would  soon  be  brought  to  the  bar  of 
justice  and  his  photograph  placed  in  an  entomological  rognes'  gallery. 

I  took  off  my  boot  and,  holding  it  carefully,  lighted  a  lamp  ;  and  with  infinite  pains, 
lest  some  guilty  thing  should  escape,  I  soon  succeeded  in  dislodging  a  fine  wasp! 

Actuated  by  a  strong  sense  of  duty,  nine  out  of  every  ten  men  will  go  out  of  their 
way  to  kill  a  snake  of  whatever  species.  Probably  as  many  believe  that  spiders  are 
capable  of  inflicting  poisonous  bites.  Wasps  are  as  common  as  spiders  at  some  sea- 
sons of  the  year  about  out-buildings.  Lacking  more  positive  evidence,  it  seems 
probable  to  me  that  the  sting  of  a  wasp  and  the  imagination  of  the  patient  are  suffi- 
cient to  account  for  many  so-called  spider-bite  cases. — [G.  M.  Dodge,  Louisiana,  Mo., 
April  20,  1889. 

UROPODA   AMERICANA  ON  EUPHORIA  INDA. 

Mr.  J.  V.  DaQsby,  of  Peasacola,  Fhi.,  sends  us  a  specimen  of  Eu 
phoria  inda,  unearthed  in  the  working  of  a  hot-bed.  It  was  covered 
with  small  parasites  which  proved  to  be  TJropoda  americana.  This  mite 
commonly  infests  many  beetles,  bat  we  believ^e  has  not  previously  been 
recorded  as  infesting  this  particular  species. 

• 

EVAPORATED   SULPHUR   FOR  RED   SPIDER   IN   GREENHOUSES. 

Some  interesting  experiments  have  been  carried  on  at  Amherst  by 
S.  T.  Mayuard,  the  horticulturist  of  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station,  which  indicate  that  evaporated  sulphur  is  not  only 
a  good  fungicide,  but  that  it  is  an  excellent  remedy  against  Tetranychus 
telarius — the  common  Ked  Spider.  The  remedy  consists  in  heating  a 
kettle  of  sulphur  for  three  or  four  hours  twice  or  three  times  a  week  to 
nearly  boiling  point  in  the  room  with  infested  plants,  care  being  taken 
not  to  heat  it  so  that  it  will  take  fire,  but  evaporating  enough  to  fill  the 
room  with  visible  vapor  and  to  make  the  sulphur  odor  perceptible.  So 
perfect  a  remedy  is  this  claimed  to  be  that  infested  plants  exposed  for  a 
few  hours  in  the  room  where  sulphur  is  used  are  said  to  be  completely 
freed. 

DOUBLE   FLOWERS   CAUSED  BY  MITES. 

A  large  number  of  experiments  have  been  carried  out  at  Innsbruck 
by  Professor  Peyritsch,  tending  to  show  that  double  flowers  may  be 
artificially  produced  by  the  agency  of  a  mite  (Phytoptus).  It  seems 
that  the  professor  was  examining  a  wild  double  flower  of  Valeriana 
tripteris,  and  discovered  that  it  was  infested  with  the  mites  in  question. 
He  transferred  these  mites  to  other  plants,  chiefly  of  the  orders  Valeri- 
anacew  and  Cnicifene,  and  a  few  Scrophularinece,  Commelyiiacecv,  and 
even  others,  but  the  best  results  were  obtained  in  the  first  named.  Va- 
rious kinds  of  doubling  were  produced,  such  as  petalody  of  the  stamens 
and  pistil,  prolification  and  duplication  of  the  corolla,  etc.,  as  well  as 
torsions  and  fasciations  of  the  shoot.     The  leaves  were  also  aft'ected, 


350 

the  margin  showing  teeth  like  those  of  a  comb.  By  infecting  the  plant 
at  diiierent  times  either  the  leaves  or  the  flowers  may  be  iuflueuced, 
and  it  appears  that  the  parasite  ninst  attack  the  organ  in  its  earliest 
stages.  Professor  Peyritsch  thinks  that  there  are  certain  mites  which 
produce  double  tiowers  in  certain  plants,  as  the  mites  in  which  he  was 
particularly  iuterested  were  always  most  abundant  in  certain  species 
and  less  so  in  others.  The  experiments  are  recorded  in  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Imperial  AeafJemy  of  Vienna,  Vol.  XCVII,  I,  p.  597. 

"The  i^lants  of  Valerianacew  experimented  upon  include  Valeriana 
(twelve  sp.),  Valerianella  (three  sp.),  Fedia,  Centranthus  {{hree  sp.),  Pat- 
rinea.  Abnormal  leaves  were  induced  in  ten  species  of  Valeriana,  all 
of  the  Valerianellas,  two  of  Centranthus,  aud  in  Fedia.  Double  flowers 
were  ])roduced  in  Valeriana  in  six  cases,  three  times  in  Centranthus,  and 
once  each  in  Fedia  aud  Valerianella.  Amoug  the  Crucifers  Professor 
Peyritsch  worked  on  Biscutella,  Brassica  nigra,  Capsella  hursa-pastoris, 
Cochlearia  officinalis,  Eruca,  Lepidium,  Malcolmia  (two  sp.),  and  Sisym- 
brium Sophia.  Various  were  the  results;  in  many  of  the  cases  {Coch- 
learia, Eruca,  Leindium,  Sisymbrium,  Brassica,  Capsella)  bracts  were 
formed  resembling  the  leaves,  but  of  smaller  size ;  proliferous  flowers 
were  formed  in  Brassica  and  Biscutella  ;  •  ])eta:\ody  of  stamens  occurred 
in  Cochlearia  and  Eruca.  In  Linaria  cymhalaria  peloriate  flowers  and 
other  changes  were  found. 

"  Professor  Peyritsch  says  that  the  results  are  effective  or  not  accord- 
ing as  the  plant  is  a  good  host-plant  for  the  mite — a  good  hoStplaut 
being  quite  crippled. 

♦'Among  the  Valerians,  those  plants  with  their  leaves  were  more  easily 
affected  than  others  with  more  substance. 

"The  Phytoptus  infesting  the  buds  of  the  Hazel,  Corylus,  and  which 
canses  malformations  in  it,  was  transferred  to  plants  of  Brassica, 
Sisymbrium,  Capsella,  and  Myagrum.  Bracts  were,  in  consequence,  de- 
veloped in  Sisymbrium,  Capsella,  and  Myagrum,  in  which,  as  in  most  Cru- 
cifers, the  bracts  are  generally  wanting;  and  in  the  last-named  double 
flowers. 

^'- Bellis perennis  gave  the  same  results  when  infected  by  the  mites  from 
Valeriana,  Campanula,  or  Corylus,  viz,  the  production  of  very  hairy 
leaves,  but  not  toothed,  the  disc  florets  green,  and  the  involucral  bracts 
elongated. 

"  It  was  observed  that  after  infection  growth  in  length  was  slow,  but 
lateral  bud  development  was  accelerated  unless  other  abnormalities  ap- 
peared."— [TJdo  Dammer,  Berlin. — Gardeners'  Chronicle,  March  16, 1889, 
Vol.  V,  p.  333. 

EHEUMATISM  AND   THE   STINGS   OF   BEES. 

"A  very  nice  supply  of  bee  literature  is  furnished  from  week  to  week 
in  the  British  Bee  Journal.  Amongst  other  wonderful  discoveries  of 
the  present  day  it  appears  to  have  been  reserved  for  Dr.  Tere  to  have 


351 

discovered  a  cure  for  rheuinatisiu  in  the  stiug  of  a  bee.  Those  who 
have  hands  which  refuse  to  catch  hohl  of  a  thinof  properly  through  that 
painful  disease,  listen.  He  says  he  has  tried  his  remedy  upon  173  pa- 
tients and  been  uniformly  successful.  As  we  have  no  means  of  contra- 
dicting him,  his  word  must  be  accepted  till  we  can  disprove  it.  Hear 
ye,  therefore,  the  words  of  the  learned  doctor.  Herr  Tere  says,  to  the 
above  173  patients  he  applied  39,001)  stings.  The  number  seems  to  us 
rather  appalling,  but  the  doctor  endeavors  to  inspire  courage  by  saying 
that  after  the  tirst  sting  the  i3ain  is  felt  less  and  less,  till  at  last  it  is 
gone.  When  the  pain  of  the  sting  is  gone  the  rheumatism  departs 
with  it.  Though  I  have  had  no  experience  of  rheumatism,  and  there- 
fore no  need  of  cure,  I  can  vouch  for  the  pain  getting  less  and  less, 
after  each  sting,  in  my  own  case.  Before  dismissing  the  Subject  we 
might  say  that  we  have  frequently  heard  cottagers,  who  have  had 
rheumatism,  and  been  stung  accidentally,  say  that  as  the  pain  of  the 
sting  subsided,  so  did  the  rheumatism  follow  suit." — [  W.  Chitty. — Gar- 
deners^ Chronicle,  ftlarch  30,  1889,  Vol.  V,  p.  404. 

THE   BLACKBIRD   AND   THE   BOLL   WORM. 

We  learn  from  the  April  number  of  the  Ameriean  Garden  that  Secre- 
tary Bonham,  of  Ohio,  on  learning,  a  few  years  ago,  that  the  Blackbirds 
were  destroying  the  green-corn  ears,  and  that  his  neighbors  were  all 
shooting  the  birds,  investigated  the  matter,  and  found  that  wherever 
the  Blackbirds  had  been  at  the  corn  they  had  extracted  a  Boll  Worm. 
He  thereupon  told  his  hired  man  that  the  neighbors  could  drive  all  the 
Blackbirds  over  into  his  corn-field  if  they  wanted  to !  This  is  an  inter- 
esting experience,  but  was  the  evidence  sufficient,  the  observations 
detailed  enough,  or  the  possibilities  of  error  sufficiently  guarded  against 
to  make  it  thoroughly  reliable  ? 

SWARMS   OF   A  GNAT   IN   IOWA. 

We  learn  from  the  Dailij  Gate  City,  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  March  28,  1889, 
that  immense  swarms  of  the  little  gnat  known  as  Chironomus  nigricanH 
appeared  in  that  vicinity  within  the  few  days  previous,  coming  from  the 
Mississippi  and  forming  in  the  air  in  immense  clouds,  covering  every- 
thing with  which  they  come  in  contact. 

NEW   REMEDY  FOR   STRIPED   BUGS. 

Fit'A-'s  Magazine  states  that  a  little  calomel  mixed  with  flour  or  ashes 
sprinkled  on  cucumber  or  squash  vines  will  keep  them  comparatively 
free  from  this  insect. 

THE   EUROPEAN  RIBBON-FOOTED   CORN-FLY. 

We  notice  in  the  Rural  New  Yorker  of  April  13,  under  the  head  of 
♦'A  Xew  Insect  Pest,"  an  account  of  the  damage  done  Barley  and  Rye 
by  Chlorops  twniopus — the  common  Ribbon-footed  Corn-fly  of  Europe — 


352 

in  Sweden.  It  seems  that  on  the  island  of  Gothland  Barley  to  the  value 
of  nearly  half  a  million  dollars  was  destroyed  by  this  larva,  while  the 
same  insect  destroyed  fully  a  third  of  the  Rye  crop  of  the  province  of 
Upland.  We  call  attention  to  this  as  an  item  of  news,  but  there  is  no 
reason  for  calling  this  a  new  insect  pest.  It  has  been  known  in  Europe 
for  many  years,  and  was  treated  at  considerable  length  by  John  Curtis 
in  his  well-known  work  on  "  Farm  Insects,"  published  in  Glasgow  in 
1860,  and  had  for  many  years  prior  to  that  date  damaged  Rye,  Barley, 
and  Wheat  in  England  and  on  the  continent. 

SPARROW   DESTRUCTION   IN   AUSTRALIA. 

"  Miss  Eleanor  A.  Ormerod,  consulting  entomologist  to  the  Royal 
Agricultural  Society  of  England,  has  forwarded  a  donation  of  £5  to 
be  applied  to  the  destruction  of  Sparrows  in  South  Australia.  A 
subcommittee  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society  of  Souih  Australia  has 
undertaken  to  raise  subscriptions  in  aid  of  this  worthy  object,  and  it  is 
proposed  to  have  monthly  competitions  in  the  production  of  Sparrows' 
heads  and  Sparrows'  eggs.  These  competitions  will  take  place  after  the 
next  autumn  show  in  Adelaide.  At  the  autumn  show  there  will  be  a 
grand  prize  competition,  when  prizes  of  £2,  £l.lOs.,  10s.,  and  5s.  will  be 
offered  for  the  largest  numbers  of  Sparrows'  heads,  and  the  same  value 
in  prize-money  will  also  be  ottered  for  the  largest  numbers  of  Sparrows' 
eggs.  Additionally  to  this,  every  competitor  who  fails  to  secure  a  prize, 
and  yet  brings  in  100  or  more  heads  or  eggs,  will  receive  a  bonus  of  2s. 
6(1.,  and  any  one  producing  under  100  and  not  less  than  50  heads  or  eggs 
will  receive  a  bonus  of  Is.  These  prizes  and  bonuses  ought  to  encourage 
the  boys  to  exert  themselves. 

"An  American  paper  tells  us  that :  '  There  is  a  scarcity  of  our  native 
song  birds ;  the  Sparrow  drives  them  away  and  destroys  their  eggs  and 
young.  Dr.  Merriam  estimates  that  a  pair  of  Sparrows  in  ten  years  will 
increase  to  275,710,983,098.  They  migrate  over  the  country  in  grain 
cars,  in  which  they  have  been  caged  while  stealing  breakfast.  They  can 
be  destroyed  by  throwing  down  a  handful  of  wheat  and  shooting  among 
them  with  fine  shot.  The  owl  and  hawk  are  very  helpful  and  should 
invariably  be  spared.' 

"  In  Victoria  the  fruit-growers  are  becoming  alarmed  at  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  Sparrows,  which  are  exceedingly  numerous.  A  bill  was 
lately  placed  before  the  legislature  there,  to  provide  means  for  reliev- 
ing cultivators  from  this  pest,  but,  as  in  South  Australia,  it  was  op- 
posed by  those  who  were  not  subject  to  losses,  who  were  too  indolent 
to  examine  into  the  truth  of  the  complaints  made,  or  who  were  too  self- 
ish to  interfere  in  a  matter  in  which  they  were  not  directly  and  person- 
ally concerned.  A  few  of  the  opponents  were  led  away  by  statemenfes 
that  the  Sparrow  does  little  harm  in  its  native  home  in  England,  but  it 
is  a  fact  that  it  does  a  great  deal  of  damage,  though  it  is  there  kept 
from  increasing  so  rapidly  as  in  Auscralia — first,  by  the  colder  weather, 


353 

which  limits  the  breeding  season  to  a  month  or  two,  whereas  in  Aus- 
tralia the  season  lasts  very  nearly  all  the  year  through ;  and  secondly, 
in  England  there  are  many  owls,  hawks,  and  other  enemies  which  prey 
upon  the  Sparrows,  whilst  in  Australia  these  enemies  are  almost  entirely 
absent.  Perhaps,  when  it  is  too  late,  the  opponents  to  the  Sparrow  bill 
will  find  that  their  pockets  and  personal  comforts  are  ver^^  intimately 
aflected  by  the  presence  of  hordes  of  these  little  pests,  which  drive  away 
all  the  insectivorous  birds,  but  will  not  touch  an  insect  (except  from 
l>ugnaciousness),  but  which  will  eat  all  the  seeds  of  all  the  plants  that 
grow  in  the  fields,  spoil  all  the  fruit  that  is  produced  in  the  orchards 
and  vineyards,  and  even  attack  the  vegetables  and  flowers  in  the  gar- 
dens when  there  is  nothing  else  to  destroy." — Garden  and  Field  FAde- 
laide,  South  Australia],  January,  3889,  vol.  14,  p.  92. 

HERMETIA  MUCENS   INFESTING  BEE-HIVES. 

In  August,  1887,  Dr.  W.  B.  Rohmer,  of  Grand  Bay,  Mobile  County, 
Ala.,  wrote  us  concerning  an  insect  that  had  caused  much  trouble  to 
bee-keepers  in  his  vicinity,  accompanying  his  communication  with  spec- 
imens of  the  imago  and  also  of  the  eggs  which  he  had  observed  the  in- 
sect in  the  act  of  depositing.  Noticing  the  insects  alighting  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  his  hives,  his  attention  had  been  drawn  to  them,  and  he  found 
that  they  introduced  their  ovipositors  beneath  the  entrance  blocks  or 
in  the  cracks  between  the  hives  and  the  bottom  boards  and  remained 
in  this  position  several  minutes,  perfectly  motionless,  repeating  the  op- 
eration a  number  of  times.  Upon  investigation  a  large  number  of  eggs 
were  always  found  deposited.  When  the  hives  were  removed  for  the 
purpose  of  cleaning  them,  worms  in  all  stages  of  growth  were  found 
upon  the  floors,  especially'  in  recently  transferred  hives,  where  there 
had  been  a  large  accumulation  of  debris  incident  to  cleaning  away  and 
sealing  comb  to  the  frames.  In  this  debris  of  wax  and  foreign  material 
all  sizes  occurred,  from  the  tiny  worm  just  hatched  to  the  large  one 
snugly  ensconced  in  its  web.  Where  the  hives  were  clean  and  there 
was  nothing  in  the  bottom  for  the  worms  to  subsist  upon,  the  newly- 
hatched  larvai  made  their  way  up  unobserved  to  the  combs  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  frames,  eating  and  growing  as  they  advanced.  The  perfect 
insects  were  also  seen  laying  their  eggs  in  the  cracks  in  the  sides  of  old 
hives  where  the  boards  were  nailed  together,  and  for  the  reason  that 
they  have  so  many  points  of  introduction  these  hives  are  more  infested. 

The  specimens  sent  proved  to  be  a  true  Dipteron,  Hermetia  niucens, 
which  belongs  to  the  Stratiomyidte.  Nothing  similar  to  these  habits 
has  ever  been  published,  so  far  as  we  are  aware.  In  fact  most  of  the 
species  of  this  family,  except  some  which  are  aquatic  in  their  early 
stages,  live  underground  and  their  life  history  is  not  thoroughly  under- 
stood. This,  therefore,  is  a  matter  of  not  only  considerable  scientific 
interest,  but  also  much  economic  importance  from  the  stand-point  of  the 
bee-keeper.    That  the  Hermetia  occurred  in  such  locations  and  laid  the 


354 

eggs  meutioued  there  can  be  uo  doubt;  but  that  Dr.  Kohmer  has  con- 
fused the  larv*  of  Galleria  or  some  other  Guest-moth  with  the  larvse 
of  the  fly  seems  probable. 

THE   CHINCH   BUG   THIS   YEAR. 

A  report  comes  to  us  from  Mr.  J.  W.  Beach,  of  Batavia,  Boone  County, 
Ark.,  to  the  effect  that  a  general  alarm  prevails  in  that  section  of  the 
country  for  many  miles  around  in  regard  to  the  Chinch  Bug.  They  did 
a  considerable  amount  of  damage  there  last  year,  and  those  that  win- 
tered over  have  already  destroyed  m;iny  fields  of  grain  this  spring. 
The  wooded  country  in  places  is  reported  full  of  them,  so  much  so  that 
the  people  are  contemplating  setting  fire  to  their  woodlands. 

CODLING  MOTH  DESTRUCTION    IN   TASMANIA. 

We  have  in  r>agt  years  referred  to  the  energetic  way  in  which  the  au- 
thorities in  Tasmania  were  dealing  with  the  Codling  Moth  probli^m,  and 
as  an  evidence  of  their  continued  work  we  quote  the  following  from 
the  Hobart  Town  Mercury  of  recent  date  : 

The  inspector  submitted  a  list  of  persons  wlio  liad  failed  to  send  in  schedules,  aud  a 
resolution  was  passed  to  issue  summonses  to  all  ju  default.  It  was  also  resolved  tl\at 
the  Inspector  proceed  against  all  persona  neglecting  to  gather  and  destroy  infected 
fruit  aud  also  for  neglecting  to  bandage  their  trees. 

GAS   LIME   FOR   THE    ONION   MAGGOT. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Gardeaer^s  Chronicle,  as  reported  in  the  issue 
of  April  G,  1889,  states  that  having  had  his  cauliflowers,  onions,  brocolis, 
savoys,  and  cabbages  destroyed  by  wholesale,  had  his  garden  trenched 
in  the  autumn  and  winter  and  gave  it  a  thorough  dressing  of  gas  lime 
and  salt  and  continued  to  use  a  slight  dressing  every  season  afterwards. 
The  crops  are  no  longer  molested  either  by  the  Onion  Maggot  or  by  the 
Wire-worms.  He  states  that  salt  shoidd  be  omitted  from  the  dressing 
if  the  land  be  heavy. 

PARIS  GREEN  FOR  THE  GARDEN  WEB-WORM. 

In  our  annual  report  for  1885  in  treating  of  this  insect  we  urged  as 
the  most  satisfactory  remedy  the  use  of  one  of  the  arsenical  mixtures, 
and  are  glad  to  learn  that  experiments  made  in  1888  by  Professor  Cas 
sidy,  of  the  Colorado  State  Experiment  Station,  proved  very  effective. 
Professor  Cassidy  states  that  he  made  his  first  application  of  Paris  green 
June  ],  using  1  pound  of  the  poison  to  100  gallons  of  water,  which 
proved  to  be  very  eflective  aad  not  dangerous  to  the  plant.  A  second 
application  was  made  June  20  and  another  July  3. 

PHYLLOXERA  IN   ASIA  MINOR. 

We  learn  through  the  Ganlemfs  Chronicle  of  April  G  that  the  last 
number  of  the  Ketv  Bull  tin  states  that  the  introduction  of  Phylloxera 


355 

into  Asia  Minor  appears  to  have  been  the  result  of  a  deliberate  importa- 
tion of  the  vines  from  a  country  where  the  disease  was  known  to  exist. 

BARK    LICE   ON   THE   COCOA-NUT. 

At  the  meetinji'  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society,  March  26,  Mr. 
McLacblau  exhibited  leaves  of  the  Cocoa-nut  Palm  from  Jamaica  infested 
by  Fiorinia  pellucida  Sign,  and  Mytilasins  huxi  Sign.  (.1/,  pandani  Com- 
stock),  the  former  being  the  more  abundant.  Mr.  Morris  stated  thit  he 
had  seen  a  pUintation  of  25,000  trees  badly  infested  and  that  the  first 
attack  was  noticed  in  1881  after  the  cyclone  of  1880,  the  planters  at- 
tributing the  unhealthy  condition  of  the  trees  to  breaking  of  the  roots 
during  the  cyclone. 

IMPORTANT   PUBLICATIONS   ON  ECONOMIC   ENTOMOLOGY. 

Eelazione  intoruo  ai  lavori  della  R.  Stazioae  clL  Entomologia  Agraria  di  Firenze,  per 

gli  anui  1883-'84-'85.     Per  Ad.  Targioui  Tozzetti.     Anuali  di  Agricoltura,  1838. 

Fireuze,  1888. 
Report  of  Observations  of  Injurious  Insects  and  Common  Farm  Pests  during  tlie  year 

1888,  with  methods  of  prevention  and  remedy  (l"ith  Report),  by  Eleanor  A.  Orme- 

rod.     London,  1889. 
Report  of  Entomologist  and  Botanist,  James  Fletcher.     Reports  of  thP  Officers  of 

Experimental  Farms  for  1888.  Ottawa,  1889. 
We  have  received  during  the  last  month  three  of  the  most  important 
works  upon  economic  entomology  which  have  been  published  by  foreign 
Governments  during  the  year.  Professor  Targioui  Tozzetti  has  brought 
out  the  second  of  his  extensive  reports  on  the  experiments  conducted 
at  the  laboratory  of  the  station  for  agricultural  entomology  at  Florence. 
The  first  of  these  reports  was  published  in  1884.  The  present  volume 
is  a  large  octavo  of  over  500  pages,  illustrated  by  about  70  text  figures, 
and  is  devoted  mainly  to  the  consideration  of  the  injurious  insects  of 
Italy.  Some  attention  is  also  paid  to  fungi.  The  greatest  space  given 
to  any  one  insect  is  devoted  to  the  Grape-vine  Phylloxera,  although 
many  species  of  all  orders  receive  treatment. 

Miss  Ormerod's  report  for  1888  covers  130  pages  and  is  written  with 
her  usual  great  care  and  attention  to  the  practical  side  of  her  work. 
The  report  this  year  covers  a  large  number  of  species,  and  the  longest 
individual  article  is  that  upon  the  new  Corn  Moth  {Ephestia  kiihniella), 
concerning  which  we  have  published  a  letter  from  Miss  Ormerod  in  Xo 
10  of  Insect  Life.  Attention  is  called  tocertain  injuries  by  Auguillulidae* 
and  a  well-executed  full-page  plate  is  given  to  an  Eel-worm  attacking 
oat  plants.  She  publishes  another  instructive  table  giving  prices  of  the 
sales  of  sound  and  warbled  hides  in  connection  with  a  supplementary 
article  on  the  Warble-fly  {Hypodenna  bovis). 

Mr.  Fletcher's  report  as  entomologist  and  botanist  to  the  Dominion 
of  Canada  possesses  more  interest  to  the  American  reader  through  the 
identity  of  the  insects  treated  with  those  occurring  in  the  United  States. 


356 

The  principal  insects  treated  are  the  Wheat  Midge,  the  Army  Worm,  the 
Wheat  Stem-maggot,  the  Bean  Weevil,  the  Clover  Cut- worm  {Mamestra 
tr(folii),iiud  Cut-worms  in  general.  We  sympathize  with  Mr.  Fletcher 
concerning  the  poor  quality  of  paper  and  press  work  used  in  the  Domin- 
ion reports  which  we  have  seen,  and  assure  him  that  we  consider  his 
reports  worthy  of  much  more  attractive  form. 

THE    PYRETHRUM   INDUSTRY. 

We  learn  from  the  California  Florist  and  Garden  for  March,  1889,  that 
during  the  year  1888  there  were  imported  into  the  United  States  from 
Dalniatia  and  other  places  between  200  and  300  tons  of  dry  Pyrethrum 
flowers,  while  California's  product  was  52  tons. 

A  NEW  USE   FOR   THE  FLUTED   SCALE. 

A  writer  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Florida  Dispatch  suggests  that 
inasmuch  as  there  is  a  probability  of  overdoing  the  orange  business  in 
Florida  (as  it  is  estimated  that  that  State  will  in  the  next  five  years  be 
able  to  supply  a  box  of  oranges  for  every  man,  woman,  and  child  in  the 
United  States),  a  good  way  to  limit  the  production  would  be  to  intro- 
duce the  Fluted  scale  {Icerya piirchasi)  into  Florida! 

CODLma  MOTH  NOTES. 

Mr.  D.  B.  Wier,  in  the  Orchard  and  Farm  (California)  for  March,  1889, 
in  a  general  article  on  ''  Orchard  Work,"  in  which  he  summarizes  the 
remediesfor  the  Codling  Moth,  suggests  that  every  large  orchard  should 
have  a  store-house  or  packing-house  or  building  that  can  be  made  moth- 
proof, into  which  all  apples  and  pears  should  be  taken  as  soon  as  gath- 
ered. Packages  of  these  fruits  should  never  be  left  outside  of  this  build- 
ing over  night.  He  suggests  sioiply  the  covering  of  all  openings  in  the 
building  with  fine  wire  gauze  and  the  use  of  as  few  windows  as  conven- 
ient. The  moths  issuing  from  the  fruit  will  fly  to  the  windows,  where 
they  may  be  destroyed  every  morning.  This  suggestion  is  a  good  one, 
as  we  have  shown  in  our  article  on  the  Codling  Moth  in  the  Annual  Re- 
port of  this  Department  for  1887,  pages  97  and  98,  where  we  quote  the 
experience  of  Mr.  DeLoug,  of  California,  who  killed  upwards  of  15,000 
moths  in  this  way. 

Prof.  E,  A.  Popenoe  gives  a  detailed  account  of  his  experiments  in 
spraying  apple  trees  with  arsenical  combiuations  in  the  first  annual  re- 
port of  the  Kansas  Experiment  Station,  a  review  of  which  is  published 
in  the  Industrialist  for  April  20,  1889.  His  experiments  seem  to  have 
been  carefully  carried  on  and  com[)arisons  made  with  uusprayed  trees. 
His  best  results  were  obtained  with  a  mixture  of  1  ounce  of  Paris  greeu 
to  20  gallons  of  water.  By  the  use  of  tliis  two  thirds  of  the  crop  was 
saved  at  the  expense  of  damage  amounting  to  8J  per  cent,  of  the  foliage. 


357 

OBITUARY. 

We  have  just  learned,  through  Dr.  Marx,  of  the  sad  death  of  Count 
Eugene  Keyserling,  which  occurred  at  Eeichenbach,  Silesia,  April  4, 
Couni  Keyserling's  death  is  an  irretrievable  loss  to  the  study  of  Amer- 
ican Arachnology.  For  a  number  of  years  he  had  been  engaged  in 
studying  the  spiders  of  North  America,  and  had  i)ublished  in  the  Ver. 
d.  kk.  Zool.  Bot.  Ges.  seven  numbers  of  his  "New  Spiders  from  Amer- 
ic.T."  He  had  also  published  a  monograph  upon  the  Laterigrades  of 
America  and  the  Theridiidie  of  America.  In  the  last  two  monographs 
he  used,  in  addition  to  his  other  material.  Dr.  Marx's  extensive  collec- 
tion, and  also  in  the  two  last  numbers  of  his  "New  Spiders  from  Amer- 
ica." He  was  also  engaged  upon  a  monograph  of  the  Ei)eirid{e  of 
North  America,  but  some  time  before  his  death  interrupted  this  work 
to  finish  the  great  monograph  commenced  by  Koch  on  the  "Spiders  of 
Australia."  At  the  present  writing  we  are  not  informed  as  to  whether 
this  work  is  completed,  but  if  not  it  s^ems  to  be  followed  by  a  fatality, 
for  Koch  lost  his  eyesight  while  engaged  upon  it.  Count  Keyserling 
was  quite  advanced  in  years. 

THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

May  2,  18&9.— Mr.  Ashmead  read  a  paper  ou  some  South  Auierican  Chalcididce.  He 
exhibited  a  number  of  iuteresting  genera  not  fouud  la  North  America,  and  gave  hia 
reasons  for  changing  the  systematic  position  of  several  genera.  He  also  showed  a 
remarkable  Encyrtid,  with  six-branched  antennae,  allied  to  Tetracuemus. 

Mr.  Howard  read  a  paper  on  "The  Authorship  of  the  Family  MyiuayUhv."  He 
showed  that  the  authority  should  be  "Haliday,"  as  he  used  it  with  family  rank  in 
"Hym.  Brit.,"  London,  1839. 

Mr.  Schwarz  read  a  paper  ou  "Economic  Entomology  in  Southern  Florida."  He 
found  most  of  the  cultivated  plants  remarkably  free  from  injurious  insects,  especially 
the  semi-tropical  ones.  The  Limes,  however,  have  a  serious  enemy  in  Artipus  Jiorida- 
Hits,  which  is  especially  destructive  to  the  inids  on  the  young  trees.  Egg-plants  aud 
tomatoes  Avere  also  badly  infested,  the  latter  by  a  West  Indian  Heteropteron  {Pthia 
picta),  not  liitherto  fouud  in  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Schwarz  also  spoke  of  the  beetle  {Lasioderma.serricorne)  in  smoking  tobacco. 
It  is  rarely  found  in  tobacco  manufactured  in  the  North  or  in  the  very  finely  cut  (so- 
called  "Turkish")  tobaccos.  In  tobacco  badly  infested  the  insect  may  be  found  in 
all  stages  at  any  season  of  the  year. 

William  H.  Fox,  M.  D., 

Recording  Secretary. 
23105— No.  11 3 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    EXTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  JUNE,    1889. 


A^ol.    I. 


:n"o.  12. 


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. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Spkcial  Notes 359 

Notes  on  some  injurious  and  beneficial  Insects  of  Australia  and  Tas- 
mania  F.  M.  Webster..       361 

Two  new  Species  of  Scymnus Dr.  David  Sharj) . .       364 

A  Case  ok  Lachnostekna  Damage 365 

Notes  on  PRONUiiA  and  Yucca  Pollination C.  V.  Bilei/ . .      367 

Notes  on  some  Species  of  Lnsecis  which  affect  the  upper  Portion  of 

THE  Stems  of  some  Grasses F.  JV.  TFeister..      37-2 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 375 

The  Mole  Cricket  as  a  Harbiuger  of  Spriug. — First  injurious  Ax^pearance 
of  the  Army  Worm  iu  Florida. — The  Camellia  Scale. — The  Australian 
Lady-bird. — Valgus canaliculatus  a.  Quiuce  Euemy. — Applicatiou  to  pre- 
vent Icerya  from  asceudiug  Trees. — Lasioderma  serricorne  injuring 
Cigarettes. — Injury  by  the  Fall  Web-worm  iu  Texas. — Dryocampa  im- 
perialis  on  Elm  aud  Liudeu.—Larvie  of  Teuthrio  moUtor  in  a  Woman's 
Stomach. — Another  Note  on  the  retarded  Development  of  Calopienus 
sprefus  Eggs  at  Manhattan,  Kaus. 

General  Notes 3S0 

Linen  injured  by  Agrotis  Larvse. — Impression  of  an  Insect  iu  Paper. — The 
Destructive  Leaf-hopper  injuring  Timothy. — The  Sunflower  a  Food- 
plant  of  Rhodohtvnm  l'3-punclntus. — Ficris  rapw  aud  proiodice  in  Col- 
orado.— Ligi/rusgihhosus  injuring  Carrots  in  Indiana.— The  Scurfy  Bark- 
louse  upon  the  Currant. — Phylloxera  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. — White 
Ants  in  Fences. — A  new  Butterfly  Publication. — The  Bot-fly  of  the 
Ox. — A  Note  on  Museum  Pests. — The  Phylloxera  in  Colorado.— The 
Rhizococcus  ou  Grass. — A  new  Grape  Pest  in  the  Southwest.- Au 
Aleurodes  ou  Tobacco. — A  Corn-root  Worm  in  South  Carolina. — A  Deer 
Bot-fly. — The  Shield  Method  for  Leaf-hoppers. — Lord  Walsingbam's 
Index. — The  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 
2 


Vol.  I,  No.  12.]  INSECT  LIFE.  [June,  1889. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Australian  Entomology — We  are  pleased  to  notice  that  the  Garden  and 
i^/"(^(V?,  published  monthly  at  Adelaide,  is  devoting  more  and  more  space  to 
pure  and  applied  science.  Mr.  J.  G.  O.  Tupper  is  contributing  a  series  of 
articles  under  the  caption  "  Common  Native  Insects,"  and  usually  occu- 
pies all  of  the  first  page  of  this  octavo  journal.  He  gives  popular  de- 
,-criptions  of  these  insects,  and  names  their  habits. 

The  second  page  is  usually  occupied  by  Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  under 
the  department  heading  "Notes  on  Garden  Pests,  etc.,  during  the 
Month,"  and  the  third  page  is  devoted  to  the  reports  of  the  meetings  of 
the  microscopical  section  of  the  Royal  Society  of  South  Australia. 

In  the  April  number  Mr.  Crawford  occupies  considerable  space  in  a 
consideration  of  the  statement  by  Mr.  Skuse  to  the  effect  that  the  Les- 
tophonus  ou  Icerya  and  Mouophloebus  is  divisible  into  two  species,  and 
concerning  which  we  have  already  published  an  article  by  Dr.  Willis- 
ton  in  No.  11  of  Insect  Life.  It  seems  that  Mr.  Skuse  is  now  engaged 
upon  a  monograph  of  the  Australian  Diptera. 

Mr.  Crawford  also  devotes  some  space  to  a  consideration  of  the  Oys- 
ter-shell Bark-louse  of  the  Apple  {Mijtilaspis  pomorum),  which  it  seems  is 
abundant  in  certain  sections  of  Australia.  He  also  attacks  our  remark 
in  No.  7  of  Insect  Life  (page  230)  in  which  we  expressed  ourselves 
as  being  a  little  incredulous  concerning  his  statement  that  infested 
leaves  fall  from  the  effects  of  an  application  of  the  resin-soap  solution, 
while  healthy  leaves  are  not  affected.  Our  incredulity  was  based  upon 
our  own  experience,  which  is  to  the  effect  that  healthy  leaves  are 
quite  as  badly  damaged  by  most  insecticide  s  as  leaves  infested  with 
scales. 


The  proposed  Entomologists'  Union.— As  we  have  previously  stated,  the 
replies  to  our  request  for  expressions  of  opinion  in  regard  to  the  pro- 
posed general  organization  of  economic  entomologists  have  not  been 
numerous  up  to  date,  but  those  which  we  have  received  have  expressed 
so  much  enthusiasm  in  the  plan  that  it  begins  to  look  like  a  matter  of 
ultimate  accomplishment.  Mr.  James  Fletcher,  Dominion  Entomologist 
and  president  of  the  Entomological  Club  of  the  American  Association 

359 


360 

for  the  Advaucemeut  of  Science,  is  in  favor  of  issuing  a  call  and  organ- 
izing at  the  forthcoming  meeting  of  the  American  Association  which  will 
be  held  in  Toronto  in  August.  It  seems  to  us,  that  it  will  be  an  excel- 
lent idea  to  discuss  the  question  thoroughly  in  all  its  bearings  at  this 
meeting,  and,  if  possible,  to  permanently  organize. 


The  Cave  Fauna  of  North  America.— Entomologists  will  be  greatly  inter- 
ested in  Dr.  Packard's  extensive  memoir  just  published  entitled  "Cave 
Fauna  of  North  America,  with  remarks  on  the  anatomy  of  the  brain 
and  origin  of  the  blind  species,"  inasmuch  as  a  large  proportion  of  the 
animals  treated  are  insects,  arachnids,  and  myriapods.  It  is  an  oc- 
tavo paper  published  by  the  National  Academy  of  Sciences  and  has  15G 
pages  with  27  plates  and  21  text  figures,  together  with  a  map  of  Mam- 
moth Cave.  We  commend  a  perusal  of  this  paper  to  the  eminent  as- 
tronomer who  suggested  that  American  cave  insects  should  be  much 
larger  than  those  of  Europe  because  our  caves  were  the  biggest  iu  the 
world ! 


The  Beetle  which  lived  in  an  Insecticide.— Mr.  Webster  informs  US  by 
letter  that  the  hellebore  in  which  two  adults  of  Tenebrioides  mauritanica 
were  found  to  have  tunneled  for  a  long  time,  as  recorded  upon  page 
314  of  the  April  number  of  Insect  Life,  has  recently  been  tried  at 
Lafayette  upon  gooseberry  bushes  infested  by  the  Imported  Currant- 
worm,  with  the  result  that  it  was  found  to  have  retained  sufficient 
strength  to  destroy  the  larvae.  This  makes  his  former  observation  more 
satisfactory. 


Bulletin  on  Root-knot  Disease  in  Florida.— We  are  jUSt  putting  through 
the  press  Bulletin  No.  20  of  this  Division,  which  is  entitled  "The 
Root  knot  Disease  of  the  Peach,  Orange,  and  other  Plants  in  Flor- 
ida, due  to  the  Work  of  Anguillula,"  by  Dr.  J.  C.  Neal,  the  present 
entomologist  of  the  Florida  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  The 
publication  of  this  bulletin  has  been  somewhat  delayed,  as  Dr.  Neal's 
observations  were  mainly  made  during  the  early  part  of  1888,  but  his 
results  have  not  been  anticipated  by  other  observers.  The  character 
and  extent  of  the  damage  done  by  these  "Eel  worms"  will  surprise 
those  who  have  not  studied  them  iu  the  South,  and  we  expect  that  the 
practical  results  of  Dr.  Neal's  short  investigation  will  be  great. 


The  wide-spread  and  abundant  rains  late  in  May  of  the  present  year 
seem  to  have  accomplished  the  usual  result  of  greatly  lessening  the 
numbers  of  Chinch  Bugs  in  localities  from  which  they  were  early 
reported. 


361 


NOTES  ON  SOME  INJURIOUS  AND  BENEFICIAL  INSECTS  OF  AUS- 
TRALIA AND  TASMANIA. 

By  F.  M.  Webster. 

The  followiug  observations,  made  during  a  harried  visit  to  these 
islands,  may  not  bo  entirely  devoid  of  interest  to  American  entomolo- 
gists. The  value  of  these  random  notes  will,  however,  be  of  minor 
service  only,  to  colonial  entomologists,  owing  to  the  fact  that  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  I  have  not  been  able  to  secure  the  names  of  the  species 
under  consideration. 

We  arrived  in  Tasmania  in  season  to  witness  the  last  of  an  invasion 
of  the  "Green  Bug,"  Diphucepluila  splendens^  one  of  the  Scarahceidce.,  of  a 
brilliant  blue  color  and  about  the  size  of  our  DicJielonycha  fnscula.  On 
the  29th  of  January  we  visited  the  garden  of  Mr.  Bidencope,  near  Ho- 
bart,  and  found  a  great  many  of  his  plum  and  cherry  trees  had  been 
entirely  defoliated,  and  some  of  his  apple  trees  had  suffered  nearly  as 
severely  by  attacks  of  these  beetles.  Pear  trees  were  only  slightly  in- 
jured, and  the  same  was  true  of  strawberry  plants.  Gooseberries  and 
black  currants  were  not  touched.  They  are  said  to  also  attack  grain. 
The  beetles  had  first  appeared  about  six  weeks  before,  and  at  the  time 
of  my  visit  had  nearly  all  disappeared,  myriads  of  dead  being  found  on 
the  ground,  and  a  few  live  individuals  were  still  to  be  found  on  roses, 
of  which  they  appeared  to  be  especially  fond.  They  are  stated  to  occur 
about  Hobart,  regularly  every  four  years,  and  are  supposed  to  originate 
in  the  woods,  on  the  Wattle.  They  occur  in  different  localities  during 
different  years,  as  Mr.  Keen,  of  Kingston,  about  ten  miles  south  of  Ho- 
bart, stated  that  next  season  would  be  their  year  to  appear  in  his  locality. 
The  same  gentleman  stated  that  he  had  observed  them  periodically  for 
the  last  twenty  years,  and  had  known  them  to  be  blown  across  the  river 
Derwent,  near  Blackman's  bay,  in  such  swarms  as  to  commit  serious 
depredations.  The  same  species  is  similarly  destructive  in  the  colony 
of  Victoria,  Australia.  In  method  of  attack,  and,  indeed,  in  the  actions 
of  the  adult  in  general,  they  greatly  resemble  our  "  Eose  Bug,"  Macro- 
dactylus  suhspinosus,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  they  could  be 
successfully  fought  with  pyrethrum. 

Another  very  injurious  insect,  and  one  that  appears  to  be  very  nu- 
merous in  Tasmania,  is  a  species  of  Earwig  {Forficula  sp. ) which  eats 
into  and  destroys  ripe  fruits.  It  seems  to  me  that  these  could  be  easily 
trapped,  as  I  found  them  swarming  in  orchards  and  gardens,  under 
boards  and  rubbish,  and  also  on  the  bands  on  fruit  trees  used  against  the 
CoiUin  Moth  which  were  literally  alive  with  them. 

The  Codlin  Moth  appears  to  be  doing  serious  injury  in  most  of  the 
Australian  colonies.  The  band  system,  the  only  generally  applied  pre- 
ventive, seems  to  result  as  unsatisfactorily  as  it  has  in  America.  Our 
Australian  cousins  appear  to  be  well  provideel  with  laws,  looking 


362 

toward  the  destruction  of  insect  pests,  and  if  tliey  can  devise  more  eflB- 
cieut  meaus  of  lighting  these  insects,  tliey  will,  in  all  probability,  be  in 
better  shape  to  cope  with  the  Codliu  Moth  and  other  like  enemies  of 
the  products  of  their  orchards  and  fields,  than  we  are  here  in  the  United 
States.  From  what  I  saw  in  Tasmania,  I  am  quite  confident  tliat  there 
are  at  least  two  broods  of  the  Codlin  Moth  in  that  colony. 

The  American  Blight,  as  the Schizoieur a  laniyeraU  commonly  termed 
throughout  the  colonies,  seems  to  be  much  more  troublesome  than  with  us. 
Not  only  nursery  stock, but  also  trees  which  have  been  transplanted  and 
fruited  for  many  years,  are  alike  subject  to  attack.  Not  only  are  the  roots 
attacked,  as  with  us,  but  trunks  and  branches  suffer  also.  The  iusect 
seems  to  have  an  especial  liking  for  the  scars  on  old  trees  that  have  been 
left  by  the  pruning  of  large  branches.  Australian  nurserymen  claim  that 
varieties  of  apples,  worked  on  stocks  of  the  Northern  Spy  and  Majentiu 
varieties,will  l)e  proof  against  this  blightifthegraftingis  done  nineinches 
to  a  foot  above  ground.  The  pest  is  devoured  in  immense  numbers  by  an 
exceedingly  valuable  little  yellow  an<l  black  Coccinellid,*  great  numbers 
of  which  were  sent  home  by  Mr.  Koebele,  my  own  share  in  the  matter 
being  to  reach  the  locality  where  they  were  the  most  numerous,  after  they 
had  disappeared.  However,  I  found  the  same  Coccinellid  in  Tasmania, 
where  it  was  engaged  in  devouring  the  Aphids  infesting  the  heads  of 
carrots,  which  were  being  grown  for  the  i)urpose  of  producing  seed. 
Another  smaller  but  similarly  colored  species  of  Coccinellid,  but  with 
two  transverse  zigzag  black  bands  across  its  yellow  elytra,  the  anterior 
one  being  sometimes  continuous,  but  usually  interrupted,  was  also  ob- 
served likewise  engaged.  This  Aphid,  which  was  exceedingly  abun- 
dant in  the  garden  of  Mr.  Keen,  of  Kingston,  near  Hobart,  did  not  ap- 
pear to  affect  any  other  portion  of  the  carrot,  except  the  seed  heads,  and 
these  were  literally  alive  with  them.     It  is  a  species  of  Rlwimlosiphum. 

The  only  other  Aphid  observed  in  conspicuous  numbers  was  Aphis 
maidis,  which  was  swarming  on  the  sorghum  plants  growing  on  the  farm 
of  the  Agricultural  College  of  South  Australia.  At  the  time  of  my 
visit,  February  9,  the  winged  adults  and  earlier  stages  were  ensconced 
among  the  young  folded  leaves  of  the  sorghum  plants,  precisely  after 
the  manner  of  our  Corn  Aphis  with  us,  at  a  corresponding  season. 
Professor  Lourie,  principal  of  the  college,  informed  me  that  the  insects 
were  sometimes  so  abundant  on  the  plant  as  to  render  it  obnoxious  to 
stock,  thereby  nnfitting  it  for  green  fodder. 

During  my  visit  to  the  above  institution,  Professor  Lourie  also  called 
my  attention  to  one  of  his  fields  of  grass  land,  the  surface  of  which  in 
many  places  was  now  as  bare  as  the  floor  of  his  ottice  so  far  as  growing 
grass  is  concerned.  The  ground  was  thickly  punctured  with  small, 
round  holes,  and  on  digging  in  the  vicinity  of  these  we  found  myriads 
of  small  vertical  cells,  several  inches  in  depth.  The  major  part  of 
these  cells  were  lined  with  a  thin  silky  web,  within  each  of  which  we 

*  Leis  conformis  Boisd. 


363 

fouud  a  slender  caterpillar,  of  a  whitish  color,  with  brown  head.  Some 
of  these  larvte  were  quite  large,  nearly  an  inch  in  length,  others  not 
nearly  so  large,  bat  all  Lepidopterous,  and,  judging  from  their  general 
appearance,  belonging  to  the  Pyralidce*  If  Mr.  Eraser  S.  Crawford 
would  solve  the  problem  of  this  insect,  he  would,  I  am  sure,  do  his  col- 
ony a  great  service,  and  if  he  will  give  us  the  results  of  his  studies,  he 
will  furnish  American  entomologists  some  very  interesting  information. 

PhytoiHus  pyri  occurs  generally  throughout  Australia,  I  believe,  and 
I  found  it  affecting  the  foliage  of  pears  in  the  garden  of  Mr.  Bidencope, 
of  Hobart,  Tasmania. 

The  Grape  Phylloxera  occurs  at  present,  I  believe,  in  the  colonies  of 
Victoria  and  IS'ew  South  Wales,  and  it  looks  as  though,  without  a  com- 
bined effort  on  the  part  of  all  of  the  colonies,  the  pest  would  soon  get 
a  firm  foothold  and  cause  serious  trouble  in  the  future. 

What  is  known  as  the  Bryobia  Mite  {B.  speciosa)  is  quite  injurious  to 
stone-fruit  trees,  and  also  to  the  apple  tree.  I  saw  it  working  on  some 
of  the  trees  at  the  experiment  farm  at  Dorkia,  Victoria,  and  understand 
that  it  is  very  injurious  elsewhere.  Professor  J.  L.  Thompson,  of  the 
Agricultural  College  of  Victoria,  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  mite  origi- 
nates on  the  Almond,  and  spreads  from  there  to  other  fruit  trees.  They 
do  not  appear  to  injure  the  foliage,  but  cluster  in  great  numbers  on 
the  young  shoots,  especially  at  the  forks.  Mr.  Crawford  also  says  that 
"  they  give  a  pinkish- gray  color  to  the  twigs,  caused  by  the  mixture  of 
the  white  of  the  moulten  skins,  the  red  eggs,  the  pink  of  the  young,  and 
dirty  green  of  the  mature  mites,  all  huddled  together." 

While  examining  wheat  straws,  in  a  field  of  grain  near  Hobart,  Tas- 
mania, I  found  an  adult  fly,  a  Chlorops,  which  was  within  the  stem.  In 
another  straw,  in  the  same  field,  I  found  a  larva  which  resembled  that 
of  an  Isosoma,  but  in  attempting  to  secure  it  the  wind  blew  it  away, 
and  I  failed  to  recover  it.  It  might,  however,  have  belonged  to  the 
speciesofDiptera  just  mentioned.  With  this  exception  I  failed  to  find 
any  wheat-destroying  insects,  and  I  know  nothing  as  to  what  extent 
the  one  observed  might  be  termed  destructive. 

The  Eucalyptus  Scale,  Eriococcus  eucalypti  Cr.,  occurs  in  great  abun- 
dance about  Hobart,  Tasmania,  as  well  as  in  Australia.  In  the  vicin- 
ity of  Hobart,  the  scale  is  destroyed  by  certain  Lepidopterous  larvue 
wliich  live  and  move  about  within  a  web-like  sac  covered  with  excre- 
mentitious  matter.  When  these  larvse  were  abundant  there  were  few 
Eriococcus.  These  carnivorous  larviB  may  belong  to  one  of  the  two 
species  mentioned  in  ISo.  10,  Vol.  I,  of  Insect  Life.  If  so,  the  breed- 
ings of  the  adult  will  show  it.t  Almost  an  equally  industrious  enemy 
of  the  Eriococcus,  and  very  frequently  associated  with  the  preceding, 
was  a  large  black  Scymnus,  J  which  appeared  to  be  in  the  midst  of 

*  This  iasect  is  a  Crambid  which  cxn  not  be  deterniiued  from  the  material  brought 
to  Washington. 
tThis  insect  is  evidently  a  Dakrmna. 
\  Scymnus  restitnior  Sharp. 


364 

its  breeding"  seasou.  At  tbe  date  of  observation,  January  28,  these 
Scymni  were  nearly  all  pairing,  and  quite  a  large  number  of  very 
young  larvffi  were  afterwards  observed  in  a  box  of  twigs  of  Eucalyptus, 
infested  by  the  scale,  and  which  were  collected  at  the  time  of  obser- 
vation. 

So  far  as  chronic  depredators  on  farm  crops  are  concerned,  about  the 
same  state  of  affairs  seems  to  exist  in  Australia  as  in  the  United  States. 
White  Grubs  get  in  their  work  after  the  most  approved  American  plan. 
A  species  of  Migratory  Locust  originates  in  the  interior  and  overruns 
considerable  areas  of  farming  country.  A  species  of  Caterpillar,  with 
habits  strangely  like  those  of  our  Army  Worm,  marches  through  fields 
of  grain,  leaving  destruction  in  its  wake.  I  was  informed  that  this  pest 
was  more  liable  to  occur  immediately  following  a  wet  winter,  late  sown 
oats  being  especially  subject  to  attack.  The  Grain  Moth,  Gelechia 
cerealella,  and  the  Rice  Weevil,  Calandra  oryzcv,  cause  serious  damage 
to  stored  grain. 

Early  in  February  it  was  stated  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Caisus, 
Queensland,  "millions  of  caterpillars  were  clearing  all  vegetation  be- 
fore them." 


TWO  NEW  SPECIES  OF  SCYMNUS. 

By  Dr.  David  Sharp,    Wilmington,  England. 

[Note. — The  Australian  and  New  Zealand  Cocciuellids  which  were  imported  by 
Mr.  Koebele  to  California  in  the  hope  that  they  will  become  acclimatized  and  feed 
npou  the  FInted  Scale  were  sent  to  Dr.  Sharp  for  determination.  As  he  tiuds  among 
them  an  interesting  new  species,  and  as  this  is  perhaps  the  most  prominent  of  the 
species  brought  over,  he  has  sent  us  a  detailed  description,  which  we  publish  below, 
together  with  one  of  a  closely  allied  species  which  he  had  formerly  received  from  New 
Zealand.— Eds.  1 

Scymiius  restitutor  n.  sp. 

Major,  ovalis,  niger,  cinereo-puhescens,  prothoracis  margine  anteriore  utrinque  antennis 
que pallidefestaceiSjiUis  apicen  versus  fnscesceniihus  subtus  abdomine  pectoreque  sordide 
testaceis.    Long.  4^""". 

The  upper  surface  is  closely  and  rather  finely  punctured,  the  pubescence  snberect, 
a  little  curled;  the  thorax  is  rather  narrow,  so  that  the  outline  is  discontinuous  to  a 
greater  degree  than  is  usual  in  the  genus.  The  under  surface  is  of  a  sordid  yellow  or 
pale  red  color,  more  or  less  infuscate  at  the  sides  and  in  front ;  the  tarsi  are  fuscous 
red,  and  the  claws  are  all  simple,  neither  toothed  nor  lobed.  The  prosternal  lines 
are  rather  long,  and  not  at  all  curved  in  front ;  moderately  distant  at  the  front  mar- 
gin they  continue  in  slightly  divergent  directions  to  the  hind  margin.  The  epi- 
pleurse  are  unusually  broad.  Claws  of  the  hind  feet  simple,  those  of  the  middle  and 
front  feet  feebly  lobed  at  the  base. 

Found  in  Australia. 

This  species  does  not  resemble  any  other  Soymnns  known  to  me  at  all 
closely,  except  an  undescribed  species  from  New  Zealand,  which,  owing 
to  this  circumstance,  it  may  be  well  to  characterize. 


365 

Scyninus  circularis  n.  sp. 

Eotnn(latitf<,  convexiifi,  uigerrimus,  pube  longiore paUide-(jrisescente  irregulariter  vetilus, 
fortiter  punctatus  ;  abdomine  rufescente,  antcnnis  tarsisqui' Jiavis,  ad  (q)ices  fnscis.  Long., 

3mm. 

Thorax  sparingly  punctured,  with  a  very  small  flavesceut  mark  ou  the  anterior  mar- 
gin ou  each  side.  Elytra  rather  coarsely  and  not  closely  punctured,  bearing  a  fine, 
rather  long,  almost  white  pubescence;  this  pubescence  is  not  depressed,  and  the  in- 
dividual hairs  do  not  take  a  straight  or  parallel  direction.  Prosternal  lines  subparallel, 
slightly  curvate  at  the  anterior  margin,  and  slightly  sinuate  behind.  Metasternum 
sparingly  and  rather  coarsely  punctate  ;  hind  coxas  very  widely  separated.  Front 
and  middle  cla\r  with  a  long  appendage  extending  the  greater  part  of  the  length  of 
the  claw,  and  with  free  sharp  extremity,  so  that  the  claw  appears  bidentate  ;  claw  of 
hind  foot  with  shorter  lobe. 

This  species  has  been  found  by  Mr.  Richard  Helms,  in  1884,  at  Pictoii, 
South  Island,  New  Zealand.  A  species  smaller  in  size,  but  very  similar 
in  color  and  outline,  has  been  found  by  Captain  Broun  on  Fagus  cun- 
ninghami  in  the  North  Island. 

S.  circularis  is  smaller  and  of  much  more  circular  form  than  A',  resti- 
tutor,  and  differs  in  the  structure  of  the  claws  and  other  important  par- 
ticulars. 


A  CASE  OF  lACHNOSTERNA  DAMAGE. 

In  the  August  number  of  Insect  Life,  pp.  58  and  59,  we  noted  the 
defoliation  of  young  ]dum  aud  cherry  trees  in  an  orchard  belonging  to 
Mr.  J.  Luther  Bowers,  of  Herudou,  Va.,  occasioned  by  the  attacks  of  the 
Twelve-spotted  Diabrotica.  This  very  unusual  habit  of  the  Diabrotica 
was  accounted  for  in  the  article  referred  to  by  the  fact  that  the  tret^s 
had  been  planted  on  land  that  had  been  in  melons  the  previous  year, 
and  we  then  felt  little  hesitancy  in  predicting  that  this  beetle  had  not 
formed  a  new  food  habit  and  would  not  again  be  thus  troublesome. 
We  instructed  Mr.  Bowers  to  be  on  the  lookout  for  it  this  spring,  how- 
ever, and  on  May  9  we  received  a  telegram  from  him  which  read,  "The 
bugs  are  destroying  everything."  This,  while  somewhat  indefinite,  from 
the  previous  experience  with  the  Diabrotica,  led  to  the  inference  that 
this  beetle  had  re-appeared  in  force. 

We  immediately  sent  one  of  our  assistants,  Mr.  C.  L.  Marlatt,  to 
Ilerndou  with  spraying  appliances,  to  learn  the  exact  nature  of  the 
present  outbreak,  and  to  use  such  measures  as  would  be  advisable  to 
l)revent  further  injury.  The  following  facts  are  gathered  from  his  re- 
port : 

Examination  of  the  orchard,  on  the  afternoon  of  May  9,  showed  that 
for  the  Plums  and  Cherries  the  amount  of  injury  had  not  been  over- 
stated by  Mr.  Bowers.  Certain  varieties  of  the  trees  mentioned  were 
entirely  defoliated  and  nearly  all  were  more  or  less  injured,  the  outer 
half  of  the  branches  having  been  especially  attacked.  At  this  time,  6.30 
P.  M.,  the  trees  were  comparatively  free  of  insects ;  a  single  specimen  of 


366 

the  Diabroticii,  and  one  of  the  wellkuowu  App  lepest,  the  Imbricated 
Snout  beetle  {Epiccenis  imbricatus)  were  fouud.  A  number  of  speci- 
mens of  a  plaut-feediug  bug  {Euthoctha  galeator)  were  observed  pierc- 
ing and  sucking  the  juice  of  the  tender  terminal  growth  of  the  plum 
trees,  causing  the  attacked  portion  to  wither  or  "  blight."  This  bug 
was  supposed  by  Mr.  Bowers  to  have  caused  the  defoliation  of  his  trees, 
and  while  this  of  course  could  not  be  the  case,  the  very  injurious  habit 
of  this  insect,  as  noted,  is  worthy  of  record  here.  The  ground  beneath 
the  injured  tree  was  seen  to  be  covered  with  dark  colored  excrements 
of  some  large  beetle,  probably  of  the  May  Beetle  {Lachnosteniu  sp.) ;  and 
an  examination  of  the  soil  about  the  trees  showed  numbers  of  these 
beetles  concealed  near  the  surface.  The  orchard  was  again  visited  af- 
ter dusk,  between  8.30  and  10,  and  these  beetles  were  then  found  feed- 
ing on  the  trees  in  great  numbers,  thus  removing  any  doubt  as  to  the 
authors  of  the  injury.  As  many  as  seventy-live  were  taken  from  a  sin- 
gle small-sized  tree,  and  on  others  already  defoliated  beetles  were  fouud 
clustered  about  the  twigs  gnawing  at  the  petioles  and  bark.  The  com- 
mon May  Beetle,  L.  {ftisca)  arcuata  Smith,  was  found  to  largely  predomi- 
nate; other  species  of  Lachnosterna  were  associated  with  this  common 
form,  but  in  much  fewer  numbers.  The  determination  by  Mr.  E.  A. 
Schwarz  of  a  considerable  quantity  of  beetles  collected  as  they  occurred 
on  the  trees,  here  given,  will  indicate  the  comparative  abundance  of  the 
dift'erent  species. 

Lachnosterna  arcuata \  ^^o  o  o  [■^^■^ 

dubia  -.         2  c?  (?     '^ 

fraterna j      ^  ^       J6 

hirticula I    .,  gg  /24 

Mstis J      9  $  9  |l^ 

Mr.  Bowers  states  that  the  injury  of  the  present  year,  while  more  se- 
vere, is  not  different  from  that  of  last  year,  and  also  that  he  then  saw 
similar  excrements  about  the  defoliated  trees.  This  would  indicate 
that  the  May  beetle  may  be  charged  with  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
last  year's  injury ;  the  attacks  of  the  Diabrotica  later  in  the  season 
only  aiding  in  the  work  of  destruction,  although  Mr.  Al wood's  obser- 
vations as  reported  in  our  previous  article  are  not  to  be  discredited. 

The  smooth-leaved  sorts  of  Plums  and  Cherries  were  this  year,  as 
also  last,  especially  attacked.  The  Apple  and  Pear  trees,  among  which 
the  others  were  planted,  were,  however,  uninjured.  The  first  mentioned 
trees  in  the  following  list  were  most  severely  attacked  ;  those  marked 
with  a  star  were  injured  the  previous  season  also.  Plums — German 
Prune,*  Shropshire  Damson,*  General  Lee,*  Green  Gage,  General 
Hand,  White  Egg,  Wild  Goose;  Cherries— Gov.  Wood,*  Black  Tarta- 
rian, Napoleon  Bigarreau.  The  Hansel  Raspberry  was  also  attacked 
both  years.    The  May  Duke  Cherry  and  Weaver  Plum  were  untouched. 


367 

The  Plums  and  Cherries,  about  six  buudrecl  and  fifty  trees,  and  tlie 
Hansel  Raspberry  were  sprayed  May  10  witli  Loudon  i)urple  and  water 
iu  the  proj>ortion  of  6  ouuces  of  the  former  to  50  gallons  of  the  latter — 
a  Kixon  pump  and  nozzle  being  used  for  this  purpose.  Concerning- this 
application,  Mr.  Bowers  writes,  under  date  of  May  14,  as  follows  : 

The  bugs  were  less  Saturday  night  (May  11).  Last  uight  I  found  only  from  three 
to  eight  per  tree  ;  yesterday  I  found  some  dead  under  weeds  and  grass.  I  shall  spray 
about  Friday  or  Saturday.  We  have  had  very  heavy  rains,  and  I  think  the  poison  is 
all  washed  off. 

It  is  impossible  from  the  above  to  determine  whether  the  decrease  of 
the  beetles  is  owing  to  the  spraying  or  other  cause,  such  as  the  rain. 
Later  communications  from  Mr.  Bowers  show  that  on  account  of  con- 
tinual rains  during  May  he  did  not  spray  again.  The  trees  were  not 
damaged  further,  and  the  beetles  became  rapidly  less  numerous,  al- 
though dead  ones  were  not  found.  It  is  probable  that  the  poisoued 
beetles  were  able  to  conceal  themselves  before  the  poison  took  eliect. 


NOTES  ON  PRONUBA  AND  YUCCA  POLLINATION.* 

By  C.  V.  Riley. 

Partly  because  of  more  pressing  duties,  partly  because  of  a  desire  to 
make  some  special  experiments,  but  chiefly  in  the  hope  that  (after  the 
fruiting  season  of  the  dehiscent  Yuccas  was  over,  and  Mr.  Hulst  had 
been  able  to  make  more  careful  observations)  he  would  himself  grace- 
fully amend  his  opinions  to  accord  with  the  facts,  I  have  deferred  an- 
swering till  now  the  remarks  by  Mr.  Hulst  on  pp.  230-238  of  Vol.  II, 
Ent.  Amer.  The  matter  is  too  important  to  drop,  and  I  have  too  much 
regard  for  my  critic  personally,  and  hope  for  his  future  entomologically, 
not  to  do  what  little  I  can  to  check  an  unfortunate  tendency  to  hasty 
work  and  conclusion,  noticeable  in  this  as  in  some  other  of  his  late 
writings. 

Mr.  Hulst  "  confesses  the  corn  "  iu  reference  to  my  first  complaint, 
and  is  inclined  to  blame  the  report  for  his  misrepresentations — an  in- 
clination which  would  have  more  of  my  sympathy  were  he  not  editor 
of  the  paper. 

It  is,  however,  far  more  important,  from  the  scientific  side,  that  he 
confess  to  the  justness  of  my  second  indictment,  and  it  is  to  this  end 
that  I  return  to  the  subject. 

*  In  explanation  of  the  controversial  nature  of  this  communication,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  refer  to  a  dispute  on  this  subject  between  the  Rev.  G.  D.  Hulst  and  my- 
self in  the  columns  of  Entomologica  Americana  during  the  summer  of  1887.  The 
communication  is  a  reply  to  Mr.  Hulst's  last  publication  on  the  subject,  and  is  pre- 
sented verbatim  ef  literatim  as  written  on  my  way  to  Europe  in  August  of  that  year, 
and  as  mailed  to  him  from  England.  Mr.  Hulst  is  editor  of  the  aforesaid  journal, 
and  exercised  his  editorial  prerogative  in  declining  to  publish  the  communication. 
I  have,  therefore,  concluded  to  present  the  paper  to  the  Society,  since  it  discusses 
matters  of  considerable  scientific  incerest. 


368 

Mr.  Hulst  adheres  to  bis  belief  "  that  there  must  be  very  extensive 
fertilization  of  the  dehisceut  species  of  Yucca  by  the  agencies  of  bees 
and  other  insects."  He  does  not  bring  forth  a  single  detinite  fact  or 
observation  of  actual  pollination  to  prove  or  sustain  the  beUef,  but  rests 
it  on  the  following  grounds : 

1st.  That  Meehan  found  that  the  mere  application  of  pollen  to  the 
papillose  apex  of  the  stigma  is  sufficient  for  fertilization. 

2d.  That  he  (Hulst)  has  seen  honey-bees  within  the  open  as  well  as 
the  partly  open  flowers,  as  also  other  insects,  Aphides  and  (Joccinel- 
lidai  being  particularly  mentioned. 

3d.  That  not  one  in  ten  of  the  capsules  subsequently  examined  by 
him  showed  the  larva. 

4th.  That  he  is  informed  that  dehiscent  species  of  Yucca  do  ripen 
seeds  in  Europe. 

Such  are  the  negative  arguments  upon  which  rests  his  belief  in  the 
face  of  all  the  facts  I  have  put  on  record.  Let  us  consider  the  former 
briefly  in  their  order. 

1st.  My  good  friend  Meehan  has  written  much  on  the  fertilization  of 
Yucca — much,  too,  that  has  not  shown  the  keenest  penetration  nor  the 
strictest  ascuracy.  But,  in  candidly  admitting  his  errors  when  shown 
to  be  wrong  (as  he  has  done  to  the  writer,  and,  I  have  reason  to  believe, 
to  Mr.  Hulst,  who  sought  his  support  in  the  belief  here  combated),  he 
has  proved  himself  to  be  the  true  naturalist.  I  am  familiar  with  his 
exijeriments,  having  witnessed  the  results,  and  can  best  express  my 
own  opinion  by  quoting  from  a  letter  from  the  late  Dr.  G.  Euglemauu 
(written  January  10,  1881),  in  which,  among  other  things,  he  says: 

As  to  Meehau's  operations,  I  have  seeu  myself  the  fine,  large,  well-filled  pods  of 
Tucca  aiigiisfifoUa  raised  by  him  by  his  artificial  method.  He  says  he  punches  an 
anther  into  the  stigmatic  cavity.  Whether  he  or  anybody  else  could  distinguish 
■whether  the  pollen  adheres  only  to  the  papillose  (not  stigmatose)  apex  or  gets  into 
the  liquor  that  fills  the  cavity  when  the  stigma  is  ready  to  conceive,  is  a  question  (or 
no  question)! 

Meehan's  experiments  were  made  on  a  species  in  which,  as  I  have  else- 
where shown,  the  stigma  is  shorter  and  the  stigmatic  liquor  more  abun- 
dant than  in  Yucca  filamentosa,  and  it  may  be  that  for  these  or  other 
reasons  it  is  more  easily  pollinized  by  hand  or  by  other  means  than  by 
Proiiuba.  But  I  have  followed  up  his  experiments,  and  made  many 
others  during  the  past  seven  years,  on  filamentosa  and  aloifolia,  with 
results  that  convince  me  that  application  of  the  pollen  to  the  papillose 
apices  only  is  not  sufficient  to  insure  fructification,  at  least  in  those 
species.  My  experiments  have  been  made  in  the  afternoon,  evening, 
and  morning,  with  flowers  one  day,  two  days,  and  three  days  after 
opening;  with  pollen  from  the  same  flower  or  from  other  flowers  either 
on  the  same  or  other  racemes,  by  touching  the  mere  apices  with  anther 
or  brush,  and  by  forcing  the  pollen  by  either  conveyance  into  the  stig- 
matic tube.  In  these  experiments,  which  have  not  yet  been  published, 
and  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  detail  here,  I  have  endeavored  to  guard 


369 

agaiastalliufluences,  such  as  tbe  condition  oftbeplaut  and  the  weather, 
which  might  atiect  or  vitiate  the  results.  These  may  be  summed  up 
thus: 

(1)  Dr.  Englemanu's  limit  of  time  during  which  fertilizations  may 
take  place  must  be  extended  so  as  to  include  the  second  evening,  and 
even  the  second  morning,  after  tbe  opening  of  the  flower. 

(2)  i^o  seed  has  been  produced  by  merely  touching  the  apices  of  the 
stigma  with  the  pollen,  though  partial  fertilization  may  take  place  and 
cause  the  growth  of  the  fruit  for  a  varying  period,  generally  only  three 
or  four  days.  When  the  pollen  is  thrust  into  the  tube  (the  mode  of 
conveyance  making  little  difference)  fertilization  is  much  more  certain, 
but  even  here  is  rarely  sufficient  to  produce  ripe  seed,  the  upper  part  of 
the  pod  often  filling  well,  but  the  basal  part  not  filling,  and  at  last 
withering,  so  that  the  fruit  ultimately  falls  off  before  ripening. 

The  conclusion  is  inevitable  that  angustifoUa  is  more  susceptible  to 
artificial  pollination  than  the  species  which  I  experimented  with,  and 
that  Pronuba  far  excels  man  in  the  perfection  with  which  she  performs 
the  act.  She  has  the  power  of  fertilizing  all  the  ovules,  at  which  no 
one  will  wonder  who  has  carefully  watched  her,  because  the  act  of  jiol- 
lination  is  normally  repeated  several  times,  first  from  one  of  the  angles 
between  the  apices,  then  from  another,  and,  as  Prof.  William  Trelease 
has  shown,  the  tongue  is  used,  in  addition  to  the  tentacles,  to  push  the 
l)ollen  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  tube. 

2d.  I  have  made  careful  search  the  past  summer,  and  have  had  my 
associates,  Messrs.  Howard,  Pergande,  and  Lugger,  assist  in  the  search 
for  honey-bees  in  or  about  the  Yucca  flowers  in  Washington.  There 
were  over  two  hundred  stalks  under  observation,  most  of  them  of  easy 
access,  on  the  grounds  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture.  Neither  of 
the  three  gentleini  n  mentioned  detected  any  bees,  but  I  succeeded  on 
two  occasions,  and  each  time  between  9  and  10  a.  m.,  in  finding  a  single 
bee  flying  about  the  flowers.  In  neither  case  did  the  bee  make  any  at- 
tempt to  enter,  but  in  each  it  probed  around  the  outer  base  of  the  flower 
in  search  for  nectar,  and  soon  left  evidently  without  being  able  to  get 
much.  These  facts  I  record  not  iu  any  way  to  cast  discredit  on  Mr. 
Hulst's  statement,  but  rather  to  show  how  very  different  from  his  own 
has  been  my  experience  in  this  direction,  both  iu  St.  Louis  and  Wash- 
ington. Not  that  I  placid  much  faith  in  the  constancy  of  bees,  which 
are  known  to  be  somewhat  fickle  iu  their  tastes  according  to  season  or 
colony,  a  fact  that  may  account  for  the  difference  in  our  experience,  as 
may  also  the  presumption  that  Apis  meUifica  is  more  abundant  in 
Brooklyn  than  iu  Washirjgton,  or,  again,  the  known  fact  that  Yucca  an- 
f/ustifolia  is  less  scant  in  nectar  than  its  filamentose  congener.  Be  that 
as  it  may,  our  Apis  has  plainly,  so  far  as  observed,  been  after  nectar, 
and  has  shown  no  disposition  whatever  to  go  near  the  stigma,  and  this 
fact  is,  as  I  have  learned,  corroborated  by  Professors  Cook  and  Beal, 
of  the  Michigan  State  Agricultural  College,  where,  for  the  first  time 


370 

this  year,  they  have  observed  honey-bees  about  the  Yucca  flowers.  It 
is  further  corroborated  l^y  experiiueut  which  I  made  this  summer  of 
confining  bees  to  the  flowers  within  a  gauze  inclosure. 

As  for  pollination  by  other  insects,  ChauUognathus  pennsylvankus^ 
which  feeds  on  both  pollen  and  the  nectar,  is  the  most  common  species 
found  in  the  flowers,  and  by  virtue  of  these  habits  and  its  peculiarly 
modified  mouth-parts,  is  most  to  be  suspected;  yet  I  have  carefully 
watched  it  for  years,  only  to  be  convinced  that  it  never  either  assists  or 
competes  with  Pronuba  in  the  act  of  pollination. 

3d.  This  argument  has  already  been  disposed  of  in  mj  previous  com- 
munication (Vol  n,  p.  238,  summary  iv),  and  it  is  only  necessary  to  add, 
that  until  Mr.  Hulst  is  more  exact,  and  will  tell  us  what  proportion  of 
his  pods  containing  no  larvae  also  showed  no  signs  of  oviposition 
{i.  e.,  how  many  were  perfect  without  sign  of  puncture  or  constriction  or 
irregularity  about  the  middle),  we  shall  not  even  know  how  many  the 
little  moth  poUinized  without  getting  a  chance  to  perform  the  other  (to 
her)  important  act. 

4th.  This  is  contrary  to  my  owu  experience  in  Europe,  and  to  all  au- 
thoritative record  familiar  to  me,  and  until  Mr.  Hulst  gives  us  his  au- 
thority and  the  evidence,  it  were  sheer  waste  of  time  to  further  discuss 
the  point. 

1  have  thus  disposed  of  all  the  valid  arguments  brought  forward  by 
Mr.  Hulst  to  sustain  his  position  on  this  matter.  I  may  briefly  notice, 
however,  a  little  satire  which  he  indulges  in  at  my  expense,  and  a  quite 
irrelevant  assertion  which  happens  also  to  be  incorrect. 

As  one  deeply  interested  in  apiculture  and  a  practical  bee-keeper 
twenty-seven  years  ago,  it  was  perhaps  unpardonable  in  me  not  to 
qualify  the  statement  about  bees  not  being  attracted  to  white  flowers. 
Both  Midler,  in  his  "Alpeublumen,"  and  Lubbock,  in  "Ants,  Bees, 
Wasps,"  etc.,  have  shown  that  bees  prefer  blue  and  purple  to  white 
flowers,  and  this  is  what  was  meant  on  the  face  of  my  language,  so  to 
speak;  but  Mr.  Bulst  has  naturally  made  the  most  of  the  lapsus,  and 
scored  a  point  where  every  other  point  is  against  him. 

The  assertion  which  I  would  call  attention  to,  and  which  is  entirely 
beside  the  question  at  issue,  is  that  "  we  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Bngelmauu 
for  the  discovery  of  the  fact  that  Pronuba  is  an  agent  in  the  fertiliza- 
tion of  Yucca." 

Whatever  may  have  led  Mr.  Hulst  to  make  this  assertion,  it  is  sim- 
ply untrue,  and  the  facts,  which  I  may  as  well  put  on  record  here,  are 
these :  In  June,  1872,  Dr.  Engelmann,  who  then  knew  full  well  that 
Yucca  needed  extraneous  aid  in  fertilization,  called  my  attention  to 
this  fact,  and  to  the  further  fact  that  insects,  especially  white  moths 
and  soldier-beetles  [Ghauliogtiathus),  were  common  in  the  flowers.  He 
made  no  observation  whatever  upon  insect  pollination,  but  wished  me 
to  study  the  question.  The  discovery  that  Pronuba  was  the  agent  was 
my  own,  as  were  all  the  subsequent  discoveries  in  reference  to  the  in- 


371 

sect  made  that  year ;  bat  they  were  always  communicated  to  him,  aud 
often  shared  with  and  witnessed  by  him. 

My  first  paper  on  the  snbject  was  read  in  Angust,  1872,  before  the 
A.  A.  A.  S.,  at  its  Dubuque  (Iowa)  meeting-,  and  presented  to  the  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences  of  St.  Louis  at  the  meeting  for  September  2,  1872. 
Dr.  Engelmann's  "Notes  on  the  genus  Yucca"  were  presented  to  the  same 
Academy  September  IG,  1872.  Both  papers  are  printed  in  Vol.  Ill  of 
the  Transactions  of  the  Academy,  Dr.  Engelmann's  preceding,  because 
leading  up  to  mine.  In  his  paper  Dr.  E.  says:  "The  suspected  insects 
were  handed  over  to  my  friend  Mr.  C.  V.  Riley,  who  thereupon  took  up 
the  zoological  part  of  the  investigation,  the  surprisingly  interesting  re- 
sults of  which  are  detailed  by  him  in  the  succeeding  paper"  (Trans., 
etc..  Ill,  p.  10),  and  I  distinctly  express  my  indebtedness  to  him  "for 
drawing  my  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  plants  of  this  genus  must  rely 
on  some  insect  or  other  for  fertilization."  It  is  quite  probable  that  but 
for  Dr.  Engelmann's  suggestion  I  should  never  have  made  the  investi- 
gations, and  lie  should  share  with  me  whatever  honor  attaches  to  the 
discovery.  If  this  is  what  Mr.  Hulst  means,  his  language  is  unfortu- 
nate. Dr.  Engelmanii  was,  duriug  my  residence  in  St.  Louis,  at  once 
my  friend,  companion,  and  master  in  natural-history  matters,  and  1  have 
too  much  reverence  for  his  memory  to  allow  to  pass  unchallenged  what 
he  himself  would  repudiate  were  he  still  among  us.  As  soon  as  1  had 
learned  that  Pronuba  was  the  agent,  he  sent  a  brief  announcement  to 
the  Bulletin  of  the  Torrey  Botanical  Club  (Vol.  Ill,  No.  7,  July,  1872^ 
p.  33),  rather  hastily  referring  to  the  insect  as  "a  white  moth  of  the 
genus  Tortrix,"and  in  a  subsequent  communication  [ibid.^  August,  1872, 
p.  37)  he  corrected  the  error  and  recorded  some  further  tacts  in  the  life- 
history  of  the  insect.  In  neither  case  was  there  any  claim  of  individual 
discovery  of  the  entomological  facts,  and  these  announcements  must  be 
read  in  the  light  of  his  subsequent  more  deliberate  language,  which  I 
have  quoted. 

In  conclusion,  having  already  devoted  more  time  to  Mr.  Hulst's  opin- 
ions than  they  justify,  let  me  add  that  another  year's  study  of  Yucca 
fertilization  has  not  only  served  to  confirm  ail  that  I  have  hitherto  writ- 
ten, but  still  further  to  enhance  the  importance  of  Pronuba  to  the  plant 
and  the  intelligent  nature  of  her  unique  performances.  Prof.  William 
Trelease,  who  has  made  the  only  other  careful  observations  on  the  sub- 
ject which  have  come  to  my  notice,  has  demonstrated  (Bull.  Torrey  Bot. 
Club,  Aug.,  1886,  pp.  135-141)  that  the  stigmatic  liquor  is  not  nectarif- 
erous, but  that  the  slight  amount  of  nectar  associated  with  the  flowers 
is  secreted  in  thin  pockets  formed  by  the  partitions  that  separate  the 
three  cells  of  the  pistil,  and  which  open  externally  by  a  contracted  pore 
from  which  the  nectar  is  poured  through  a  capillary  tube  (inclosed  by 
the  closely  applied,  but  not  outwardly  united,  lobes  of  the  ovary)  to  the 
base  of  the  pistil,  so  that  nectar-feeding  insects  seek  it  not  about  the 
stigma,  but  at  the  base  of  the  pistil  or  of  the  petals,  whether  within  or 


372 

without.  I  have  fully  verified  Trelease's  statements  by  dissection  and 
study  of  the  insects  seeking  this  scant  nectar,  and  indorse  his  conclu- 
sion that  while  the  observations  serve  to  disprove  any  positive  value  of 
their  nectar  in  the  pollination  of  Yucca  flowers,  they  add  to  the  impor- 
tance of  Pronuba  by  showing  that  the  acts  of  collecting  the  pollen  and 
transferring  it  to  the  stigma  are  performed  voluntarily  and  without  food 
compensation  as  I  was  at  first  inclined  to  believe 

I  have  lately  had  the  pleasure  of  studying  Yucca  ivliipplei  m  Cali- 
fornia and  theremarkableTree-yucca  ( Y.  brevifolia)  in  the  Mojave  desert. 
The  former  is  pollinized  by  Pronuba  maculaia  Riley,  and  the  latter  by 
a  most  remarkably  modified  and  adapted  species  which  I  expect  to  de- 
scribe as  Pronuba  2)aradoxa. 

Thus  everywhere  in  the  United  States  where  Yucca  nominally  fruits 
we  find  it  associated  with  its  Pronuba. 

I  await  with  interest  and  curiosity  any  new  discoveries  in  this  con- 
nection, but,  so  far  as  present  knowledge  justifies  anticipation,  I  should 
expect,  where  neither  Pronuba  nor  Pronuba-like  insect  exists,  to  find 
the  plant  modified  to  more  readily  permit  self-fertilization  sooner  than 
to  find  Apis  mellifica  the  pollinizing  agent,  the  opinion  of  Mr.  E.  L. 
Layard,  of  New  Caledonia  (who  first  expressed  it  in  1880 — l^aUire,  Vol. 
XXII,  p.  GOG),  and  of  Mr.  Hulst,  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 
I  Reprinfed  from  Proceedings  Entomolotjical  Society  of  Washington.  Vol. 
/,  No.  3,  pp.  150-154,  read  June  5,  1888.] 


NOTES  ON   SOME   SPECIES  OF   INSECTS  WHICH  AFEECT  THE  UP- 
PER PORTION  OP  THE  STEMS  OF  SOME  GRASSES. 

By  F.  M.  Webster. 

There  are  several  species  among  our  common  grasses  which  are  more 
or  less  subject  to  injury  at  or  near  the  upper  joint,  whereby  that  portion 
of  the  culm  above  is  so  injured  that  it  will  suddenly  wither,  turn  yellow, 
and  die,  leaving  the  portion  below  this  upper  joint  green  and  vigorous. 
Of  the  grasses  thus  affected  that  have  come  under  my  own  observation, 
those  most  commonly  injured  are  Blue-grass  [Foa  pratensis),  Timothy 
{Phleuni prafense),  Bottle  Grass  {Setaria  glauca),  and  Panic  Grass  {Pan- 
icum  crus-galli). 

The  extent  to  which  Blue-grass  is  subject  to  this  attack  in  the  United 
States,  east  of  the  MississiiTg[)i  and  north  of  the  Ohio  Elvers,  has  at- 
tracted considerable  attention,  as  it  has  also  in  Canada. 

In  his  Third  report  as  State  Entomologist  of  New  York,  page  96,  Pro- 
fessor Lintner  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  similar  injury  to  this  grass 
was  observed  long  ago  and  recorded  in  the  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agri- 
culture and  Science,  1, 1845,  page  2G3.    Professor  Lintner  in  this  notice 


373 

states  that  be  had  receutl^^  received  specimens  of  injured  grass  from 
Emmett,  Ohio,  and  also  from  Union  Springs,  N.  Y.,  but  was  himself 
unable  to  determine  the  nature  of  the  depredator.  In  one  of  the  stems 
of  grass  sent  from  Union  Springs  he  found  some  globular,  transparent, 
rather  large  eggs,  which  had  been  placed  under  the  sheath  near  the 
joint.  These  eggs  hatched  lepidopterous  larvte,  which  fed  within  sec- 
tions of  grass  stems  with  which  the  professor  supplied  them,  but  did 
not  reach  maturity. 

In  his  review  of  this  notice,  Prof.  J.  H.  Comstock,  in  the  American 
Naturalist,  vol.  22,  No.  255,  page  200,  stated  that  he  had,  thirteen  years 
previous,  published  a  notice  on  the  subject,  giving  an  account  of  the 
depredations  of  a  species  of  Thrips,  Limothrips  poapliagus  MS.,  the  de- 
scription of  which  he  had  never  published. 

Professor  Comstock  states  {loc.  cif.)  that  the  young  insect  pierces  the 
stem  of  the  grass,  just  above  the  upper  joint,  causing  it  to  shrink,  and  all 
parts  above  the  injury  to  die.  He  also  says  that  the  insect  obtains  its 
growth  under  the  sheath,  at  the  point  stated,  after  which  it  crawls  forth, 
and  can  be  swept  from  the  grass  in  great  numbers.  He  further  states 
that  it  occurs  tirst,  each  season,  on  the  Blue-grass,  which  it  injures  the 
most  severely,  and  later  on  Timothy  and  other  grasses.  He  has  not, 
however,  been  able  to  complete  the  life-history  of  this  interesting  insect. 

In  the  Thirteenth  Report  of  the  State  Entomologist  of  Illinois,  Prof. 
S.  A.  Forbes,  in  a  foot  note  on  page  22,  calls  attention  to  this  injury  to 
the  stems  of  Blue-grass  and  Timothy,  stating  that,  judging  from  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  single  pupa,  found  by  him  under  the  sheath  outside  the 
stem  of  Timothy,  the  injury  to  the  grass  was  not  due  to  Meromyza  amer- 
icana^hnt  that  the  pupa  found  by  him  belonged  to  a  species  of  Chlorops; 
but  he  was  unable  to  say  to  what  extent  the  species  figured  in  the  in- 
jury to  the  two  grasses  named. 

In  his  report  as  Entomologist  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  Can- 
ada for  1885,  p.  11,  Mr.  James  Fletcher  devotes  considerable  space  to  the 
discussion  of  similar  injuries  to  both  Blue-grass  and  Timothy,  giving  re- 
ports from  a  number  of  his  correspondents  showing  that  the  damage 
there  is  quite  a  serious  matter.  The  major  portion  of  Mr.  Fletcher's 
correspondents  appeared  to  attribute  the  injury  to  the  work  of  the  Joint 
Worm,  but  a  Mr.  Brodie,  of  Toronto,  had  found  the  larvj©  of  a  fly 
(CMorops)  doing  much  harm  in  several  townships  in  the  county  of  On- 
tario. 

In  his  report  as  Entomologist  of  the  Dominion  Agricultural  Experi- 
ment Farms  for  1888  the  same  gentleman  again  refers  to  the  subject,  and 
reaches  the  following  conclusion: 

Now,  from  the  above  observations  and  some  others  mentioned  below,  made  by 
trained  entomologists,  it  is  perfectly  certain  that  there  are  injuries  to  grasses  by  dif- 
ferent insects,  the  effects  of  which  are  very  similar  in  appearance,  and  all  of  which 
would  be  classed  under  the  head  of  "  Silver-top,"  but  for  each  of  which  a  different 
treatment  might  be  necessary. 

25068— No.  12 2 


374 

Professor  Fletclier  states  that  while  the  injury  appears  first  on  Poa 
pratensis,  it  is  afterwards  observed  on  Timothy,  Phleumpratense,  Conch 
Grass,  Triticum  repens,  T.  caninum,  and  Poa  serotina. 

In  June,  18S6,  while  at  home  from  the  South  for  a  short  time,  and 
while  examining  a  quantity  of  injured  Blue-grass  stems,  I  found  two 
j)upfe  resembling,  iu  a  general  way,  that  of  Mcromyza  americana,  but 
smaller,  and  agreeing  reasonably  well  with  the  description  given  by 
Forbes  of  the  specimen  found  by  him  in  Timoth3^  Being  obliged  to 
leave  home  again  in  a  few  days,  for  an  indefinite  period,  a  quantity  of 
injured  stems  from  the  immediate  locality  was  forwarded  to  the  De- 
partment, but  no  adults  were  reared  from  them. 

From  the  appearance  of  injured  stems  of  Blue-grass  I  am  confident 
that  there  are  at  least  two  entirely  different  species  engaged  in  this  work, 
one  of  which  is  some  species  of  Diptera,  possibly  identical  with  that 
found  by  Forbes,  in  Illinois,  and  also  with  the  species  observed  in 
Cauada;  the  other  belonging  to  some  species  of  insect  which  extracts 
the  juices  of  the  culm  without  destroying  the  tissue.  Both  of  these 
insects,  if  there  are  not,  indeed,  a  much  larger  number  engaged  in  this 
work,  without  doubt  occur  in  Indiana. 

Early  iu  August,  1884,  in  the  vicinity  of  Oxford,  Ind.,  I  found  many 
of  the  stems  of  Panic  Grass,  Panicum  crus-galH,  infested  just  above 
the  upper  joint  with  a  larva,  in  some  respects  resembling  that  of 
Meromyza  americana.  From  a  quantity  of  affected  stems  I  reared  a 
considerable  number  of  adult  flies,  which  proved  to  belong  to  an  un- 
determinable species  of  Ghlorops.  These  larvte  are  much  larger  than 
those  found  in  Blue-grass  iu  1886,  and  are  of  distinct  species  without 
much  doubt. 

Near  the  same  locality,  and  about  the  same  time,  I  found  the  Bottle 
Grass,  Setaria  glauca,  affected  iu  much  the  same  manner,  and  rather  ex- 
pected to  find  the  Ghlorops  larviie  doing  the  injury ;  but  an  examination 
revealed  the  fact  that  these  larvie  were  Coleopterous,  and  they  were 
afterwards  determined  by  Professor  Riley  as  those  of  Centriniis  picimi- 
nus  Hbst.,  a  small  snout  beetle,  of  the  family  Curculionidie,  and  not 
uncommon  in  Illinois  and  Indiana. 

Another  larva,  differing  from  either  of  the  preceding,  was  observed 
burrowing  in  the  terminal  internode  of  a  species  of  grass  belonging  to 
the  genus  Muhlenbergia,  possibly  M.  mexicana  Trin.  This  last  larva 
was  lost  in  the  mails,  and  I  have  not  since  observed  them  affecting 
this  grass.  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  rear  from  or  even  observe  any 
insect  burrowing  in  the  stems  of  Timothy;  but  there  is  scarcely  a  year 
that  some  of  the  heads  do  not  turn  white,  iu  June,  from  some  injury 
near  the  upper  joint. 


375 

EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Mole  Cricket  as  a  Harbinger  of  Spring. 

I  seud  you  lierewitli  an  iusect  locally  known  as  the  "Mole-bug,"  from  the  fact  that 
it  barrows  a  track  or  "  run"  just  uniler  the  surface  of  the  ground,  very  much  as  the 
mole  does,  and  you  will  see,  if  the  specimen  reaches  you  in  good  condition,  that  its 
forefeet  are  very  much  like  those  of  the  mole.  You  may  be  familiar  with  the  habits 
of  this  iusect,  and  then  you  may  not.  The  object  I  have  in  sending  you  this  speci- 
men is  because  of  this  very  interesting  fact,  that  the  first  appearance  of  the  "Mole- 
bug"  in  the  spring  of  the  year  is  a  sure  indication  that  winter  is  over— that  sprino- 
has  come— that  there  will  be  no  more  cold  weather.  The  "Mole-bug  "  announces  his 
appearance  just  a  little  before  dusk  of  an  evening  by  the  peculiar  grating  nasal  sound 
it  makes,  in  an  unbroken  repetition  of  tay-tay-tay-tay,  which  can  be  heard  for  a 
considerable  distance.  He  is  very  shy,  and  not  easily  approached  without  the  risk 
of  disturbing  his  evening  song,  and  causing  him  to  seek  safety  by  making  a  hasty 
retreat  into  his  run,  which  he  has  made  under  the  ground,  from  just  outside  of  which 
he  lias  been  sending  forth  his  harsh  music. 

I  have  been  noting  the  first  appearance  of  these  insects  for  several  years,  and  an 
oldgentleman  of  my  acquaintance,  who  first  called  my  attention  to  this  little  prophet, 
says  he  has  noted  its  first  appearance  for  a  great  many  years,  and  our  observations 
warrant  the  assertion  that  when  the  "  Mole-bug  "  is  heard  winter  is  over  and  spring 
has  most  emphatically  arrived.  It  usually  makes  its  appearance  between  the  20th 
and  30th  of  March  ;  but  the  first  one  I  heard  this  season  was  on  the  l~th  of  March, 
earlier  than  usual.  I  do  not  know  that  this  information  will  be  of  any  use  to  you, 
but  then  it  is  like  taking  a  bread  pill— if  it  does  not  do  any  good  it  will  not  do  auy 
harm.  Farm  work  is  progressing  very  rapidly  in  this  section  ;  the  rain-fall  during 
this  mouth  has  been  below  the  average,  and  no  thunder  or  wind  storms  up  to  this 
date,  which  is  something  very  unusual.— [B.  T.  Webster,  Louisville,  Miss.,  March  29, 
1889,  to  Prof.  R.  B.  Fulton,  of  the  University  of  Mississippi. 

First  injurious  Appearance  of  the  Army  Worm  in  Florida. 

I  fully  believe  that  I  have  the  true  Army  Worm  of  the  North  {LeHcania  unipiuicta) 
on  my  place.  They  were  first  noticed  about  ten  days  since  in  a  field  of  very  rank 
Oats,  which  were  shooting  to  head  and  about  waist  high.  The  worms  exist  in  im- 
mense numbers.  They  have  eaten  the  Oats  to  the  bare  stems  and  are  spreading  over 
the  farm,  destroying  as  they  go.  Ditches  do  not  stop  them,  and  I  am  now  burning 
straw  around  the  field  daring  the  middle  of  the  day,  at  which  time  they  are  in  mo- 
tion. If  you  desire  it  I  will  forward  specimens.  They  may  prove  to  be  the  Laphijgma 
frugiperda,  but  I  believe  them  to  be  Leacania  imipuncta.  I  have  not  heard  of  them 
anywhere  else  in  the  country,  and  have  never  known  them  to  appear  sooner  than 
July  or  August  until  now.— [J.  V.  Dansby,  Pensacola,  Fla.,  March  1,  1887. 

Reply.—  *  *  *  The  appearance  of  either  the  true  Army  Worm  (LeMcanire  !/«i- 
puncta),  or  of  the  Grass  Worm  {Laphygmafrmjiperda),  at  this  season  of  the  year  in  such 
enormous  numbers  as  yon  describe  is  a  matter  of  great  interest.  You  are  doubtless  right 
in  supposing  that  it  is  the  first  named  of  these  two  insects.  We  have  already  recorded 
the  occurrence  of  the  true  Army  Worm  in  Florida  during  late  winter  and  early  spring, 
but  have  never  known  of  its  occurrence  in  such  injurious  numbers.  *  *  *  \Vo 
should  be  very  glad  to  receive  a  large  number  of  specimens  from  you.  These  should 
be  iuclosed  in  several  small  boxes  together  with  a  supply  of  grass  or  other  food,  and 
sent  by  mail.  We  hope  that  you  will  give  us  every  detail  of  this  invasion.— [March 
5,  1887.] 


376 

Second  letter  — Yours  of  the  5th  iustaat  received  to-day.  I  now  forward  by- 
mail  four  boxes  of  specimens  :  No.  1 ,  gathered  from  Texas  Blue-grass ;  No.  2,  from  Rad- 
ish ;  No.  3,  from  green  Peas ;  No.  4,  from  Oats.  I  have  placed  their  respective  foods  in 
the  ;>oxes  with  each.      *     *     *— [J.  V.  Dausby,  Pensacola,  Fla.,  March  9,  1887. 

Second  reply. — Your  s  of  the  9th  instant,  with  four  boxes  of  Army  Worms,  came 
duly  to  liaud.  They  are  the  genuine  Army  Worm  {Leucania  nnipitncta).  and  therefore 
you  were  right  iu  your  surmise.  This  is,  as  stated- before,  an  interestiug  fact,  as  the 
insect  has  never  been  recorded  as  occurring  in  injurious  numbers  so  far  south  as 
Pensacola.  The  proba  bilities  are  that  as  soon  as  this  brood  of  worms  disappears  you 
will  not  be  troubled  with  it  again  for  some  years  to  come.  This  same  insect  occurred 
in  great  numbers  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  in  the  spring  of  1882,  but  in  this  southern  loca- 
tion its  natural  enemies  were  so  abundant  that  the  large  brood  was  almost  entirely 
killed  oft',  and  has  not  been  destructive  iu  that  locality  since.  You  will  probably 
have  a  similar  experience  at  Pensacola. — [March  14,  1887.] 

Third  Letter. —  *  *  *  jj^  your  communications  you  expressed  a  wish  that  I 
would  give  the  details  of  this  worm  invasion  in  this  section.  They  were  first  ob- 
served in  a  lield  of  Oats  on  the  21st  of  February,  though  doubtlessly  they  were  there 
some  time  before.  Adjoining  the  Oats  is  an  orchard  which  was  in  grass  the  past 
season.  Last  summer  and  fall  were  remarkably  dry.  For  two  weeks  before  the 
worms  were  noticed  the  weather  was  warm  and  foggy,  with  very  little  sunshine. 
The  worms  first  appeared  on  the  side  next  the  orchard.  The  Oats  -were  about  2  feet 
high,  -very  luxuriant  and  growing  rapidly.  The  worms  seeiued  to  go  under  the  thick 
leaves  of  the  bunches  of  Oats  at  night,  fed  most  freely  from  early  morning  until  noon 
and  fi-om  that  time  until  late  in  the  afternoon  they  were  in  motion,  crawling  in  every 
direction  see  king  new  pastures.  By  the  15th  of  March,  which  was  about  twenty-five 
days  after  first  being  observed,  the  most  of  them  had  gone  into  the  i)upa  state.  Their 
favorite  place  for  transformation  seemed  to  be  just  barely  below  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  aronud  the  Oat  stubbles,  where  they  can  now  be  found  in  large  numbers. 

On  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  February  a  heavy  rain  fell,  followed  by  a  norther, 
and  ou  the  moi-ning  of  the  29th  it  was  quite  cool,  with  considerable  frost,  to  which 
the  worms  appeared  to  be  perfectly  iudifterent.  A  heavy  rain  also  fell  ou  March  8 
without  any  effect.  Besides  the  Oats,  the  worms  manifested  a  liking  for  Wheat,  Blue- 
grass,  Corn,  green  Peas,  Cabbages,  and  Radishes;  also  did  some  damage  to  Tomatoes 
and  Egg-plants.  They  seemed  to  be  indifferent  as  to  Lettuce,  Onions,  Strawberries, 
Dewberries,  Melons,  and  Cucumbers,  neither  did  they  feed  on  Butler  Weed  (Gna- 
phalium  purpureum)  or  Mexican  Clover  (Ekhardsonia  scabra),  to  which  they  had  abun- 
dant access.  In  conclusion,  I  will  state  that  my  Oats  are  entirely  destroyed,  and  that 
I  saved  my  other  crops  by  the  free  use  of  London  purple.  Although  not  a  great  many 
were  killed  by  the  poison,  yet  they  would  refuse  to  feed  upon  any  plant  to  which  it 
was  applied.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  had  I  used  it  freely  upon  my  Oats  at  the  be- 
ginning they  could  have  been  saved  from  destruction.  I  have  heard  of  no  worms 
anywhere  in  the  country  except  ou  my  place.  *  *  * — [J.  V.  Dansby,  "NewFarm," 
near  Pensacola,  Fla.,  March  18,  1887. 

The  Camellia  Scale. 

Can  you  suggest  any  remedy  for  this  insect  on  my  Camellias  ?  The  trees  are  about 
12  feet  high  and  all  the  leaves  on  the  under  side  are  covered  with  the  insect;  some 
look  as  if  there  were  cotton  growing  ou  the  leaves.  It  appeared  here  about  five  or 
six  years  ago.  I  have  washed  every  leaf  with  whale-oil  soap  at  one  time,  at  another 
with  resin  soap,  and  at  another  with  castor-oil,  none  of  which  has  done  any  good. 
About  the  middle  of  March,  when  the  trees  make  new  leaves,  all  the  old  ones  fall ; 
the  ins.ect  then  appears  about  May  or  June  on  the  new  leaves.  I  send  some  of  the 
leaves  by  this  mail. — [Robert  Halliday,  Liberty  Road,  Baltimore,  Md.,  January  14, 
1887. 


377 

Reply.  _*  *  *  The  Insect  on  your  Camellias  is  the  Camellia  Sc^le  (Fiorinia  camel- 
Uw  Comst.).  It  has  previously  beeuobsei-ved  only  ou  the  Camellias  ia  the  hot-houses  of 
this  Department,  but  has  been  so  thoroughly  treated  that  it  is  not  common.  You  will 
find  a  good  remedy  in  the  application  of  a  kerosene-soap  emulsion,  made  according  to 
the  following  formula  : 

Kerosene 2  gals. 

Common  soap  or  whale  oil  soap i  lb. 

Water 1  gal. 

Heat  the  solution  of  soap  and  add  it  boiling  hot  to  the  kerosene.  Churn  the  mixt- 
ure by  means  of  a  force  pump  and  spray  nozzle  for  five  or  ten  minutes.  The  emul- 
sion, if  perfect,  forms  a  cr>'aiu  which  thickens  on  cooling  and  should  adhere  without 
oiliuess  to  the  surface  of  glass.  Dilute  one  part  of  emulsion  with  nine  parts  of  water. 
—[January  15,  1887.] 

The  Australian  Lady-Bird. 

In  several  of  my  previous  letters  to  you  I  have  expressed  my  belief  that  the  red- 
aud-blrick  Lady-bug  from  Australia  would  prove  more  effectual  as  a  destroyer  of  the 
Icerya  than  any  of  the  other  predaceous  or  parasitic  insects  recently  introduced  into 
this  State  from  Australia,  and  I  am  now  able  to  state  definitely  th  at  such  is  the  case. 
The  Orange  tree  covered  with  a  tent  at  Mr.  WolfskiU's,  in  this  city,  where  I  colo- 
nized the  first  two  or  three  consignments  of  these  Lady-bugs,  is  now  almost  entirely 
free  from  living  Iceryas,  while  on  the  adjoining  trees  many  larvie  of  this  Lady-bug 
are  now  busily  engaged  in  destroying  these  pests,  and  already  the  good  work  ac- 
complished by  them  is  apparent  to  the  most  casual  observer.  I  have  also  colonized 
them  in  several  localities  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  in  every  instance  the  attempt 
has  proved  successful,  the  Lady-bugs  apparently  thriving  q  uite  as  well  here  as  they 
would  in  their  native  land. 

From  time  to  time  I  have  carefully  examined  the  Iceryas  on  the  tree  under  the  tent 
where  I  colonized  all  of  the  Lestophonas  iceryie  received  from  Australia,  but  thus  far 
have  found  no  outward  signs  of  parasites,  although  several  of  the  Ice  ryas  that  I  dis- 
sected contained  larv»  of  the  Lestophouus.  It  is  possible  that  in  time  this  parasite 
may  accomplish  much  good  by  destroying  the  Iceryas,  but  the  work  of  the  Lady-bug 
referred  to  above  is  so  much  more  rapid  and  effectual  that  it  seems  only  a  waste  of 
time  to  bother  any  longer  with  the  slow-going  Lestophonus.  Cert  aiu  it  is  that  these 
two  species  could  not  live  together  in  the  same  locality,  since  the  Lady-bugs  would 
devour  all  the  Iceryas  and  the  Lestophonus  could  not  help  itself.  In  comparing  the 
work  accomplished  by  the  Lady-bugs  with  that  of  the  Lestophonus,  I  am  strongly 
tempted  to  uncover  the  tree  inhabited  by  the  Lestophonus  and  allow  the  Lady-bugs 
to  accomplish  the  work  that  the  slow-going  Lestophonus  should  have  done  but  has 
not.  The  latter  may  be  an  effectual  destroyer  of  the  Mouophhebus,  but  it  is  no  match 
for  the  Icerya,  .and  the  latter  would  certainly  have  continued  to  thrive  and  spread 
devastation  among  our  orange  groves  but  for  the  timely  arrival  of  the  Lady-bugs, 
whose  persistent,  Yankee-like  energy  will  soon  result  in  sweeping  this  curse  from  our 
orange  groves. — [D.  W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  May  1,  1889. 

It  gives  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  report  that  the  colonization  of  the  parasites 
upon  my  trees  appears  to  have  resulted  remarkably  well,  so  far.  Large  numbers 
have  hatched  on  each  of  the  three  trees  upon  which  we  placed  the  boxes,  and,  better 
still,  Mr.  Scott  Chapman  and  myself  found  three  larvteupon  an  adjoining  tree,  show- 
ing couclusi  vely  that  the  Lady-birds  were  already  distributing  their  eggs  through  the 
orchard.— [J.  R.  Dobbins,  San  Gabriel,  Cal.,  April  27, 1889,  to  D.  W.  Coquillett. 

Valgus  canaliculatus  a  Quince  Enemy. 

I  have  been  watching  for  several  years  to  see  the  enemy  of  the  Quince  that  eats 
out  the  fruit  buds  when  they  are  quite  small.    I  send  you  a  small  beetle  which  I  have 


378 

just  cauglit  in  the  act.  You  can  no  doubt  give  its  name  and  life  history.  If  new  to 
you  it  will  be  of  interest,  and  if  not  it  may  be  a  new  discovery  that  it  eats  out  the  fruit 
buds  of  thecjuince.  I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  included  it  in  the  list  of  insect 
enemies  when  writing  my  book,  but  could  not  be  certain  what  it  was  that  did  the 
mischief.  Perhaps  you  may  have  it  figured  already,  if  not  it  might  be  well  to  pre- 
serve it  for  such  use.  Inclosed  is  a  sample  of  the  bud  as  eaten  out. — [W.  W.  Meech, 
Vinelaud,  N.  J.,  May  1,  1889. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  May  1  and  the  beetle  eating  quince  buds  have  been  received. 
The  new  enemy  is  a  Scarab;eid  beetle  known  as  Valgus  canaliculatus.  It  is  a  compara- 
tively common  species,  but  I  believe  has  not  before  been  recorded  as  having  this 
habit.     The  larva  of  Valgus  lives  in  decaying  wood.— [May  13,  1889.] 

Application  to  prevent  Icerya  from  ascending  Trees. 

*  *  *  I  have  recently  been  experimenting  with  various  viscid  substances  to  be 
placed  around  the  trunks  of  trees  to  prevent  the  Iceryas  from  ascending  them,  and 
find  that  the  following  gives  very  good  satisfaction:  Resin,  4  ounces;  beeswax,  1 
ounce;  cotton-seed  oil,  5  fluid  ounces.  The  resin  and  beeswax  are  first  melted  over 
the  fire,  the  cotton-seed  oil  then  added  and  the  whole  thoroughly  stirred  ;  when  cold 
it  is  ready  for  use.  When  spread  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree  this  remains  moist  for  over  a 
week,  but  a  better  plan  would  be  to  apply  it  to  the  outside  of  a  bandage  of  some  sort 
previously  placed  around  the  trunk  of  the  tree  to  prevent  injury  to  the  bark.  This 
will  make  the  process  of  washing  the  infested  tree  with  pure  cold  water  thrown  upon 
it  with  considerable  force  still  more  effective  by  preventing  the  Iceryas  that  have 
been  washed  off  from  again  ascending  iuto  the  top  of  the  tree. — [D.  W.  Coquillett, 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  April  1,  1889. 

Lasioderma  serricorne  injuring  Cigarettes. 

I  send  you  by  mail  to-aay  a  few  larvae  and  beetles.  With  the  limited  literature  at 
my  command  I  have  identified  the  insects  as  Bijlarus  unicolor.  Am  I  right  ?  They 
are  doing  much  damage  to  dry  leaf  tobicco  and  cigarettes.  While  in  the  egg  or 
young  larva  state  the  tobacco  is  made  into  cigarettes.  When  the  larva  matures,  it 
eats  out  through  the  paper,  thus  destroying  the  draught  of  the  cigarette.  They  also 
cut  through  the  paper  package.  Can  you  direct  me  to  the  literature  on  this  insect, 
and  has  it  ever  come  under  the  notice  of  the  Department  as  injurious  to  tobacco  or 
cigarettes?  I  have  a  quantity  of  tobacco  infested  on  hand  and  am  going  to  study 
the  life-history  and  also  experiment  as  to  remedies,  if  none  are  yet  known.  Do  you 
know  of  any  remedies,  or  could  you  suggest  any  line  of  experiments?  Would  it  be 
effectual  and  safe  to  use  bisulphide  of  carbon  in  tight  boxes,  with  the  cigare  ttes  still 
in  the  paper  jiackages,  if  the  mouth  of  the  packages  were  left  open  ?  If  so,  would  it 
be  necessary  to  remove  the  cigarettes  to  new  packages  in  order  to  air  them  and  clear 
them  of  the  fumes  of  the  bisulphide  ?  I  ask  this  as  many  cigarettes  not  yet  cut  could 
be  saved. 

The  experiments  that  I  have  made  show  that  the  larvae  and  adult  beetle  in  the 
cigarette  can  be  destroyed  with  the  fumes  of  the  bisulphide  of  carbon  without  any  in- 
jury to  the  cigarette.  My  question  now  is,  will  the  same  process  destroy  the  egg  of  the 
beetle?  If  so,  then  the  use  of  bisulphide  will  be  entirely  successful.  In  the  case  of  leaf- 
tobacco  which  is  packed  in  large  hogsheads,  would  the  fumes  settle  and  permeate 
through  all  the  leaves,  and  kill  egg,  larva,  pupa,  and  adult  ?  Or  would  it  be  necessary 
to  transfer  to  a  box  with  crates  in  it,  so  that  the  leaves  could  be  somewhat  separated  ? 
The  process  of  steaming  and  cutting  in  preparation  of  the  cigarette  tobacco  does  not 
seem  to  destroy  the  young.  *  *  * — [Geo.  F.  Atkinson,  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C,  Jan- 
uary 11 ,   1886. 

Reply. — In  reply  to  yours  of  the  11th  instant,  I  would  state  that  the  insect  which 
you  send  is  a  spec'es  which  is  found  all  over  the  world,  feeding  in   Cayenne  pepper, 


379 

spices,  tobacco,  and  other  pungent  siibstauces.  Ic  i-*  Lasioderma  serricoriie.  This  in- 
jury to  cigarettes  has  been  observed  in  other  localities,  and  samples  of  damaged  goods 
have  been  sent  to  the  Division  before.  In  tobacco  warehouses  in  Baltimore  particu- 
larly it  has  done  much  injury  to  cigars  and  cigarettes,  preferring  the  latter.  It  is  very 
abundant  one  year  and  then  disappears  almost  entirely  for  a  numl»er  of  years.  It  is 
a  night  flyer,  and  enters  store-houses  through  open  windows  or  cracks  at  night  only. 
The  best  way  to  destroy  the  lavvfe  and  eggs  is  to  thorouglily  steam  all  the  tobacco. 
The  steaming  which  is  done  in  the  preparation  of  cigarette  tobacco  is  either  not  thor- 
ough enough  or  the  tobacco  is  loft  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time  after  steaming  and 
before  being  made  np,  and  in  this  interim  the  beetles  enter  it.  Many  precautions 
should  be  used.  Cut  tobacco  should  be  kept  in  tightly-closed  boxes  when  not  in  use. 
All  manufactured  cigarettes  should  be  packed  np  at  the  close  of  the  day's  work,  or  if 
this  be  not  possible,  they  should  be  closely  covered  with  flannel  cloth.  All  the  win- 
dows in  the  building  should  bo  closed  at  night,  and  its  general  cleanliness  should  be 
carefully  looked  after.  No  dust  lieaps  should  be  allowed  to  accumulate,  and  the  walls 
should  be  kept  whitewashed.  The  bisulphide  of  carbon  would  hardly  be  a  safe  or 
pleasant  remedy  in  this  case.  It  would  be  of  considerable  interest  if  you  would 
carefully  rear  the  insect  and  note  its  habits  and  natural  history,  particularly  the 
length  of  time  of  the  different  larval  stages  and  tbe  number  of  annual  generations. 
—[January  18,  1886.] 

Injury  by  the  Fall  Web-worm  in  Texas. 

*  *  *  The  "Fall  Web-worm"  has  been  doing  great  damage  to  the  trees  on  this 
island,  more  this  year  than  formerly,  owing.  I  presume,  to  the  little  attention  that  has 
been  paid  here  to  its  ravages.  It  seems  to  prefer  the  leaves  of  the  Mulberry.  I  have 
two  large  Black  Mulberry  trees,  which  the  Web-worms  would  defoliate  in  a  week, 
but  I  have  kept  the  numbers  down  by  cutting  off  the  branches  as  I  noted  the  webs 
on  the  leaves.  The  worms  are  now  coming  out  for  the  third  time  this  season. — [E.  P. 
Clegg,  Galveston,  Tex.,  Septembers,  1888. 

Dryocampa  imperialis  on  Elm  and  Linden, 

I  herewith  send  you  a  larva  that  I  have  never  seen  before.  It  feeds  on  the  Linden 
tree,  Norway  Spruce,  and  Elm  tree.  I  can  not  find  it  in  any  book  I  have.  It  is  about 
the  size  of  the  Cecropia  Silk-worm  {Atlacus  cecropia),  has  long  white  hairs  all  over  it, 
and  the  warts  are  yellow.  Please  send  me  the  name  of  it  if  you  can. — [Victor  Braid- 
wood,  Viueland,  N.  J.,  September  10,  1888. 

Reply.—*  *  *  The  worm  sent  is  the  larva  of  the  Imperial  Moth  (Dryoca?jyjrt 
imperialis).  It  is  known  to  feed  on  the  Button-wood  or  Plane-tree,  Sweetgum,  Alder, 
Willow,  Pine,  Spruce,  Tamarack,  but  is  not  included  in  Packard's  Report  upon  Forest 
Insects,  Bulletin  7  of  the  U.  S.  Entomological  Commission,  among  the  enemies  of  the 
Elm  or  Linden  ;  so  this  fact  may  prove  of  interest.  The  caterpillars  attain  their  full 
size  from  the  middle  of  August  to  the  last  of  September,  when  they  descend  from  the 
trees  to  go  into  the  ground.  The  moth  appears  in  June  and  is  of  a  fine  yellow  color, 
sprinkled  with  jjurple-brown  dots,  with  large  patches  at  the  base  of  the  wings,  and 
with  smaller  spots  near  the  middle  and  a  wavy  band  of  purplish-brown  toward  the 
hind  margin  of  each  wing.     It  expands  from  4  J  to  5  inches. — [September  12,  1888.] 

Larvae  of  Tenebrio  molitor  in  a  Woman's  Stomach. 

I  send  herewith  inclosed  one  of  acouple  of  insects  claimed  to  have  been  ejected 
from  the  stomach  of  a  woman  in  an  adjoining  county,  and  sent  me  for  diagnosis  and 
treatment.  It  is  not  an  Eutozoa  that  I  know  or  can  find  any  information  about. 
Please  examine,  name,  classify,  and  tell  me  its  habitat. — [John  S.  Apperson,  M.  D., 
Glade  Springs,  Va.,  April  30,  1889. 


380 

Reply.— I  beg  to  acknowledge  tlie  receipt  of  your  iuterestiug  letter  of  the  30th 
ultimo.  The  specimen  which  yon  send  is  the  common  Meal  Worm  (larva  of  Tenebrio 
moUtor).  This  is  a  common  insect  all  over  the  -world,  feeding  in  corn  meal  and  flour, 
and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  story  of  its  ejection  from  the  stomach  of  a  woman  is 
correct.  You  can  readily  conceive  how  the  larva  could  have  been  swallowed  by  her 
in  corn-meal  mush,  which  she  naturally  would  not  chew,  and  it  is  also  readily  con- 
ceivable that  the  worm  would  disagree  with  her  and  would  cause  vomiting.  Such 
cases  have  been  iireviously  placed  on  record,  and,  though  always  interesting,  are  not 
remarkable.— [May  2,  1839.] 

Another  Note  on  the  retarded  Development  of   Caloptenus  spretus  Eggs  at 
Manhattan,  Kans.* 

In  1874  Kansas  was  devastated  by  Caloptenus  spretus  (as  you  know),  and  much  was 
published  upon  the  subject,  true  and  false.  At  the  time  I  made  many  careful  exam- 
inations of  them  on  my  farm  in  Marshall  County  ;  their  eggs,  etc.  At  that  time,  after 
they  had  deposited  their  eggs  all  over,  the  Agricultural  College  at  Manhattan,  Riley 
County,  Kansas,  had  occasion  to  build  a  small  blacksmith-shop  on  a  plat  of  bare 
ground.  This  shop  was  used  till  the  summer  of  1880.  In  August  of  1880  I  con- 
ducted the  Riley  County  "  Teachers'  Normal  Institute"  at  Manhattan,  and  visited  the 
"Agricultural  College  "  daily.  During  that  time  the  authorities  had  occasion  to  take 
down  and  remove  the  blacksmith-shop  above-mentioned,  and,  lo!  the  ground  covered 
by  a  floor  was  perfectly  full  of  grasshopper  {Caloptenus  spretus)  eggs.  To  see  if  they 
were  still  vital,  we  gathered  great  quantities  of  them  and  placed  them  iu  the  sun, 
and  they  hatched  the  true  insect — Caloptenus  spretus.  Placing  some  in  gauze-covered 
boxes,  I  raised  many  through  all  stages  to  maturity,  thus  showing  that  the  eggs  de- 
posited in  1874  had  ret-ained  all  their  vitality  under  that  building  until  1880,  or  six 
years ;  for  there  had  been  none  on  that  ground  during  that  interval. — [F.  W.  Parsons, 
California,  Mo.,  July  15,  1886. 

Reply. — *  *  "^  Are  you  i>erfectly  sure  of  your  dates  iu  the  case  of  retarded  de- 
velopment of  the  eggs  of  Caloptenus  spretus  f  Cases  almost  parallel  to  this  are  on 
record,  as  yon  will  see  if  yon  will  consult  the  American  Naturalist  for  1881,  pp.  748 
and  1007.  One  of  these  instances  is  reported  by  a  Manhattan  man,  Mr.  I.  D.  Gra- 
ham, and  in  this  instance  the  occurrence  of  the  locusts  at  Manhattan  is  stated  to 
have  been  iu  1876.  Are  you  sure  that  the  blacksmith  shop  was  built  iu  1874  ?  It  is 
such  an  interesting  and  important  observation  that  you  will  pardon  my  desire  to  be 
very  particular  on  this  point.     *     *     *— [July  19.  1886.] 

[Note. — Subsequent  correspondence  with  Mr.  Parsons  leaves  doubt  as  to  the  date 
of  building  the  blacksmith  shop,  which  was  probably  1876.] 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

LINEN   INJURED   BY   AGROTIS   LARV^. 

Mr.  C.  G.  Barrett  publishes  a  very  iuterestiug  article  iu  the  March 
number  of  the  Untomologisfs  Monthly  Mcujazine  (Loudou,  Euglaud), 
describiug-  the  serious  damage  doue  to  the  lineu  manufacturiug  in- 
dustry iu  the  uorth  of  Ireland  by  the  larviie  of  Agrotis  exclamat'wnis. 
The  damage  is  doue  after  the  liueu  is  removed  from  the  grass  upon 
which  it  has  beeu  laid  out  for  bleachiug.  It  remaius  upon  the  grass  for 
some  days  or  a  week,  and  is  then  gathered  up  aud  laid  iu  a  heap,  before 
*  See  American  Naturalist,  vol.  15,  1881,  pp.748  and  1007, 


381 

the  process  of  dippiog.  It  is  while  the  linen  lies  in  these  heaps  that 
the  injury  is  done.  The  larvjii  unquestionably  have  crawled  upon  the 
under  side  of  the  lineu  while  it  was  stretched  upon  the  grass  and  have 
been  gathered  up  with  it.  At  night,  being  hungry  and  being  confined 
in  the  heap  of  lineu  and  under  pressure,  they  act  just  as  they  would 
when  under  ground,  using  their  strong  jaws  to  gnaw  through  the  cloth. 
The  remedy  proposed  by  Mr.  L.  M.  Ewart,  who  investigated  the  sub- 
ject and  who  was  Mr.  Barrett's  informant,  was  to  place  the  cloth  di- 
rectly in  the  dip  after  removing  it  from  the  grass,  as  no  damage  seems 
to  have  been  done  at  any  other  time  except  when  the  cloth  was  piled 
in  a  heap,  never  when  it  is  spread  uj)on  the  grass.  As  a  matter  of 
course  a  thorough  shaking  of  the  cloth  would  answer  the  same  purpose. 
Curiously  enough  the  larv.e  were  found  to  stand  immersion  in  the  dip 
(a  weak  solution  of  chloride  of  lime)  for  several  hours  without  apparent 
injury. 

IMPRESSION   OF   AN   INSECT   IN    PAPEE. 

A  curious  case  of  an  impression  of  an  insect  in  a  piece  of  paper  has 
recently  come  to  our  notice.  Mr.  John  li.  Giles,  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Giles  Lithographic  and  Liberty  Printing  Company 
of  New  York,  has  sent  us  a  piece  of  transfer  paper  of  rice  manufacture 
made  in  India,  which  contains  a  most  perfect  impression  of  a  species  of 
Lithobius,  a  genus  allied  to  the  Centipedes.  All  parts  of  the  insect  are 
readily  discernible,  and  it  is  incorporated  in  the  substance  of  the  paper 
and  forms  a  part  of  it.  The  specimen  was  no  doubt  accidentally  en- 
trapped in  the  pulp  while  the  paper  was  in  the  process  of  manufacture^ 
and  passed  unnoticed  through  the  rollers  in  the  subsequent  stages" of 
drying. 

THE   DESTRUCTIVE   LEAF  HOPPER   INJURING   TIMOTHY. 

Our  former  Missouri  agent,  Mr.  J.  G.  Barlow,  writes  us  under  date  of 
April  29  that  some  Timothy  meadows  in  the  vicinity  of  Cadet  are  infested 
by  millions  of  small,  dark-colored  leaf-hoppers,  specimens  sent  proving  to 
be  Cieadula  exitiosa.  They  have  already  injured  the  grass  to  a  consid- 
erable extent,  and  though  so  numerous  are  difficult  to  capture  except 
by  sweeping,  on  account  of  their  extreme  shyness  and  agility.  This 
species  was  described  by  Uhler  in  the  third  volume  of  the  American 
Entomologist,  page  72.  There  is  also  an  account  on  page  78  of  the 
same  volume  of  their  infesting  wheat  fields  in  m^aiads  in  North  Caro- 
lina from  October,  1879,  to  January,  1880.  In  the  Annual  Report  of 
this  Department  for  1879,  pages  191  to  193,  a  full  account  of  the  insect 
and  its  destructiveness  is  given  and  special  reference  made  to  the  above 
cases  of  damage  in  North  Carolina,  which  were  laid  to  the  extreme 
mildness  of  the  winter  of  1879-80.  The  species  has  heretofore  been 
noticed  as  injurious  only  to  winter  wheat,  to  which  Timothy  grass  may 
now  be  added. 


382 

THE   SUNFLOWER    A   FOOD  PLANT    OF    RHODOB^NUS    13-PUNCTATUS. 

Ill  vol.  1,  No.  C,  p.  198,  of  Insect  Life,  under  the  bead  of  "The  Food- 
babits  of  North  Aiiiericau  Calaudridie,"  only  Xanthium  strmnarium, 
Ambrosia,  and  Thistle  are  given  as  food  plants  of  this  beetle.  I  found 
the  larva  of  this  species  burrowing  in  the  pith  of  the  common  garden 
Sunflower  on  August  21.  Tbere  was  a  bole  through  the  woody  walls 
covering  the  pith,  but  whether  bored  from  within  or  from  without  I 
could  not  determine,  but  suppose  it  must  of  necessity  have  been  exca 
vated  from  within,  as  it  was  located  some  distance  from  the  ground. 
The  larva,  still  within  its  burrow,  was  placed  in  a  small  box  and  the 
adult  beetle  found  therein  on  September  8th,  following.— F.  M.Webster. 

PIERIS  RAPiE   AND   PROTODICE   IN   COLORADO. 

AVe  notice  that  Professor  Cassidy,  in  a  late  bulletin  of  the  Colorado 
Experiment  Statiou,  says  that  the  Southern  Cabbage-buttertly  {Pieris 
protodice)  is  the  most  injurious  of  the  Cabbage  butterflies  in  Colorado, 
mentioning  also  P.  oleracea,  Plusia  hrassic(v,  and  Ceramica  iricta,  but 
leaving  P.  rapcv  entirely  out  of  consideration.  Scudder,  in  his  paper 
on  the  introduction  and  spread  of  P.  rapw  in  North  America,  gives  the 
year  188G  as  the  date  of  its  introcjuction  into  Colorado.  A  dozen  speci- 
mens were  taken  by  Mr.  David  Bruce  in  the  vicinity  of  Denver  between 
August  and  October  of  that  year.  Inasmuch  as  rapce  usually  practi- 
cally replaces  'protodice  in  a  year  or  so  after  its  introduction,  it  seems 
rather  remarkable  that  now  in  18>9,  three  years  afterwards,  j>ro/o^ice 
should  still  be  the  most  injurious  species  in  the  State,  and  that  in  an 
account  of  this  kind  rapce  should  not  even  be  mentioned. 

LIGYRUS   GIBBOSUS   INJURING   CARROTS   IN   INDIANA. 

On  September  5,  a  plat  of  Carrots  on  the  grounds  of  the  Indiana 
Experiment  Station  was  examined  and  the  roots  of  tbe  plants,  from  the 
surface  of  the  ground  downward  to  the  depth  of  2  or  3  inches,  were 
found  to  have  been  gnawed,  the  cavities  thus  formed  being  large,  irreg- 
ular, and  seldom  extending  inward  beyond  tbe  cortical. 

Further  investigation  revealed  the  depredators  to  be  the  adult  beetles 
of  this  species,  usually  two  and  sometimes  four  being  found  about  one 
plant,  although  comparatively  few  plants  were  affected,  and  the  depre- 
dators were  not  very  abundant.  Tiie  injuries  continued  during  tbe  re- 
mainder of  tbe  month  and  October,  but  up  to  tbe  6tb  of  December, 
when  we  left  for  Australia,  we  bad  not  succeeded  in  securing  eggs  or 
witnessing  ovipositiou,  although  both  sexes  of  the  beetles  bad  been 
kept  about  potted  plants.  The  crop  was  not  seriously  damaged,  owing, 
no  doubt,  to  the  limited  number  of  beetles. 

Tbe  only  other  recorded  notices  of  tbe  destructive  habits  of  this  spe- 
cies are  to  be  found  in  tbe  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Agriculture 
for  1880,  p.  274,  where  the  beetles  are  accused  of  destroying  tbe  garden 


383 

Sunflower,  wild  Suutioxrer,  and  Dahlias  in  Nebraska,  and  the  larvte  of 
becoming  quite  injurious  to  [wtatoes  in  Texas. — F.  M.  Webster. 

THE   SCURFY    BARK  LOUSE   UPON   THE   CURRANT. 

Prof.  Herbert  Osboru  has  written  us  in  reference  to  our  statement, 
upon  page  324  of  No.  1 0  of  Insect  Life  to  the  effect  that  Currant 
had  not  previous!}' been  recorded  as  a  food  plant  of  Chionaspis  furfurus^ 
and  that  he  had  found  it  upon  this  plant  in  Iowa,  and  had  mentioned 
it  upon  page  95  of  the  Bulletin  from  the  Department  of  Entomology 
of  the  Iowa  Agricultural  College  for  188-4. 

PHYLLOXERA  AT  THE  CAPE  OF  GOOD  HOPE. 

We  learn  from  the  April  number  of  Garden  and  Field  that  the  Phyl- 
loxera is  abroad  in  fifteen  centers  in  the  division  of  Stelleubosch  and  in 
two  centers  in  the  Cape  division  of  Cape  Colony.  Bisulj)hide  of  car- 
bon is  being  brought  by  the  ton  from  England  for  use  in  treatment. 

WHITE  ANTS   IN  FENCES. 

Prof.  G.  F.  Atkinson  records  in  a  recent  bulletin  of  the  South  Caro- 
lina experiment  station  the  fact  that  long  stretches  of  the  board  fences 
on  the  outskirts  of  Columbia  have  been  seriously  damaged  by  White 
Ants.  The  principal  damage  is  done  to  the  boards  where  they  meet 
on  the  posts.  It  is  particularly  noticeable  where  a  batten  is  nailed  on 
at  the  joint.  Professor  Atkinson  states  that  tar  poured  between  the 
post  and  the  boards  soon  after  building  the  fence  will  act  as  a  preventive. 

A  NEW  BUTTERFLY"   PUBLICATION. 

We  have  just  received  from  Mr.  A.  Sidney  Olliflf  of  the  Australian 
Museum,  a  copy  of  a  little  paniphletof  fifty  pages  entitled  "Australian 
Butterflies:  A  brief  account  of  the  native  families  with  a  chapter  on 
Collecting  and  Preserving  Insects."  The  pamphlet  is  profusely  illus- 
trated with  wood-cuts  and  the  chapter  ui)on  collecting  and  preserving- 
is  valuable. 

THE   BOT-FLY   OF   THE   OX. 

We  are  glad  to  notice  that  the  Farmers^  Review,  of  Chicago,  is  un- 
dertaking an  investigation  relative  to  the  damage  to  cattle  and  their 
hides  from  the  larva  of  the  Bot-fly  of  the  Ox  or  Ox  Warble-fly.  The  in- 
vestigation is  uudertaken  by  means  of  circular,  and  the  following  spe- 
cific questions  are  asked : 

1.  Are  grubs  comixiou  ou  the  backs  of  cattle  in  your  county  ? 

2.  What  damage  do  they  do  ? 

3.  Do  buyers  '"dock"  cattle  in  your  locality  on  account  of  the  grubs  ?  If  so,  what 
loss  in  dollars  and  cents  does  this  amount  to  on  sales  in  the  grubby  season? 


384 

4.  Do  farmers  realize  that  grubs  are  a  great  damage  to  their  stock,  and  eudeavorto 
preveufc  the  trouble? 

5.  If  auy  remedies  have  been  used,  state  their  nature  and  whether  successful  or  not. 

6.  What  proportion  of  beef  cattle  marketed  from  your  county  are  afflicted  with 
grubs  ? 

7.  What  amount  does  your  local  hide-buyer  deduct  from  the  purchase  price  of  a 
grubby  hide  ? 

8.  What  class,  sex,  age,  or  breed  of  cattle  are  most  troubled  by  the  grubs  ? 

We  shall  be  glad  if  auy  of  our  correspoudeuts  will  take  tbe  trouble  to 
auswer  these  questions  dire-t  to  Mr.  A.  S.  Alexander,  of  the  Farmers^ 
Review,  134  Vau  Bureu  street,  Chicago,  111. 

A  NOTE   ON   MUSEUM   PESTS. 

In  Insect  Life  No.  7  (p.  222),  Mr.  John  P.  Browu  notes  the  ravages 
of  Anthrenus  varius  upon  whalebone  at  Boston. 

The  same  industrious  little  insects  attacked  the  baleen  belonging  to 
one  of  the  mounted  whale  skeletons  in  the  National  Museum  and  did 
some  little  damage  before  their  presence  was  noted  and  a  stop  put  to 
further  depredations  by  liberal  douching  with  a  solution  of  arsenic. 

Anthrenus  is  a  dangerous  pest  on  account  of  its  small  size  and  pre- 
dilection for  horn  and  feathers,  but  for  downright  mischief  Bermestcs 
is  by  all  odds  the  worst  enemy  of  zoological  material,  promptly  putting 
in  his  appearance  on  every  skin  or  rough  skeleton  that  may  have  es- 
caped the  i)oison  bath. 

Dermestes  macnJatus-  is  the  species  now  on  watch  at  the  National  Mu- 
seum, and  the  writer  thinks,  though  it  is  merely  a  matter  of  individual 
opinion,  that  this  insect  has  completely  driven  away  the  weaker  J),  lar- 
darins. 

B.  lardarius  is  by  no  means  to  be  despised,  but  maculatus  far  exceeds 
it  in  strength  and  vigor,  seeming  to  attack  some  objects  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  displaying  its  destructive  powers. 

In  several  instances  boxes  used  for  the  storage  of  skeletons  were  per- 
forated by  the  lively  larvic  until  they  looked  as  if  riddled  by  shot,  and 
crumbled  to  pieces  in  the  hand. 

The  most  curious  object  attacked  by  these  insects,  however,  was  a 
plaster  mold  made  over  the  heatl  of  a  some  time  dead  monkey  and 
stored  away  for  the  purpose  of  being  used  when  the  said  monkey  was 
mounted. 

When  taken  down  the  mold  was  found  to  be  pitted  in  many  places 
by  Dermestes;  the  dead  bodies  of  larvae  fitted  into  the  holes  they  had 
sunk  in  the  flesh-tainted  plaster  leaving  no  doubt  as  to  the  origin  of  the 
pits. 

Perhaps  the  palm  should  be  awarded  to  the  larvae  that  bored  through 
the  side  of  a  pasteboard  box  containing  chloride  of  lime  and  succeeded 
in  burrowing  2  inches  deep  in  it  before  giving  up  the  ghost. — F.  A. 
Lucas,  U.  S.  National  Museum,  Washington. 


385 

THE  PHYLLOXERA  IN  COLORADO. 

Mr.  Eugene  Weston,  of  Canon  City,  Colo.,  informs  us  by  letter  that 
there  is  some  danger  of  the  Phylloxera  becoming  a  dangerous  enemy 
in  that  part  of  Colorado.  One  of  the  vine-growers  of  his  vicinity,  evi- 
dently a  man  of  conscientious  principles  and  a  good  neighbor,  found  the 
Phylloxera  in  a  lot  of  California  vines  that  he  had  purchased,  and  at 
once  dug  up  and  burned  six  hundred  valuable  grape  roots  which  he 
feared  might  be  infested.  But  a  leading  nurseryman  of  the  same  place 
has  been  charged  with  sending  out  large  quantities  of  vines  this  season 
which  had  been  imported  from  California  and  showed  indubitable  signs 
of  the  disease.  Mr.  Weston  informs  us  that  the  results  will  be  closely 
watched  and  the  necessary  legislation  secured  if  found  expedient. 

THE   RHIZOCOCCUS   ON   GRASS. 

Mr.  James  Fletcher,  Dominion  Entomologist  of  Canada,  sends  us  some 
specimens  of  the  egg  sacs  of  a  Rhizococcus  on  grass,  which  he  received 
from  a  correspondent,  Mr.  A.  H.  McKay,  of  Pictou,  Nova  Scotia.  They 
were  found  in  large  numbers  over  an  extensive  marshy  flat  in  Cumber- 
laud  County,  Nova  Scotia,  every  blade  of  dead  grass  having  a  Rhizococ- 
cus attached  to  it.  This  is  the  same  species  which  is  mentioned  on  page 
345  of  Insect  Life,  Vol.  I,  as  occurring  on  grass  in  Custer  County, 
Dak.,  and  this  locality  is  the  only  one  from  which  we  had  previously 
received  it.  It  is  undoubtedly  a  new  species  of  this  remarkable  genus. 
Mr.  Fletcher  inclosed  also  with  the  specimens  a  dipterous  parasite, 
which  proves  to  be  a  species  of  Leucopis.  The  parasitism  of  this  genus 
on  Coccidai  is  mentioned  in  a  note  on  page  258  of  the  same  volume  of 
Insect  Life. 

a  new  grape  pest  in  the  southwest. 

A  beetle  new  to  entomological  literature  in  the  role  of  a  grape  pest 
has  been  sent  to  us  from  Arizona  by  one  of  our  correspondents,  Mr. 
William  J.  Howerton,  of  Florence,  Pinal  County.  It  proves  to  be  Gas- 
troidea  formosa  Say,  one  of  the  Flea-beetles,  of  which  the  habits  have  not 
been  previously  recorded.  The  eggs  from  which  proceed  the  only  brood 
so  far  determined  are  deposited  in  January  and  February,  in  clusters  on 
the  under  side  of  the  leaves  of  the  Caiiagre  or  Tuberous-rooted  Rhu- 
barb, a  native  plant  of  Arizona,  and  the  beetle's  natural  food  plant. 
The  imagos  appear  in  great  numbers  in  March  and  the  early  part  of 
April,  when  they  attack  the  leaves  of  the  grape,  and  this  year  have 
done  considerable  damage  to  vineyards  in  Pinal  County.  Some  vines 
are  greatly  damaged  while  others  near  by  may  be  scarcely  touched,  and 
whole  vineyards  are  apparently  exempt  while  others  within  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  are  considerably  infested.  At  the  date  of  our  correspondent's 
letter,  May  18,  the  beetles  had  relaxed  their  attacks  upon  the  grape 
leaves  and  disappeared,  nor  were  any  eggs  or  larvte  to  be  found  at  that 


386 

time.  The  remedy,  of  course,  will  be  to  spray  the  CaSagre,  upon  which 
the  beetles  breed,  with  one  of  the  arsenical  mixtures,  at  the  time  when 
the  larviTB  are  in  full  force  feeding  upon  the  leaves,  which  is  February 
and  March  in  Arizona. 

AN   ALEURODES   ON  TOBACCO. 

Prof.  p.  Gennadius,  Director  of  the  Bureau  of  Agriculture,  Ministry 
of  the  Interior,  Athens,  Greece,  wrote  us  under  date  of  March  25  that 
he  had  found  an  Aleurodes  on  the  Tobacco  plant,  a  description  of  which 
he  had  recently  published  in  a  Greek  journal  which  we  have  not  seen. 
We  can  not  at  present  tell  whether  Professor  Gennadius  named  the 
species,  though  we  infer  not.  He  wrote  us  later  (May  21),  sending 
samples  of  the  leaves  infested  with  the  Aleurodes  of  the  Tobacco  plant. 
These  present  a  whitish-speckled  appearance  from  the  abundance  of  the 
small  insects  covering  them.  In  this  last  letter  he  writes  that  the  in- 
sect has  caused  a  good  deal  of  damage  to  the  tobacco  plantations  of  the 
valley  of  Trichonia.  It  has  been  observed  that  after  continued  rains  it 
disappears,  probably  being  washed  away  in  numbers,  as  it  is  a  very 
small  and  delicate  insect.  It  thrives  and  multiplies  rapidly,  however,  in 
dry  weather.  Plants  growing  in  poor  soil  show  its  attacks  earlier.  The 
attacked  leaves  become  nearly  useless,  acquiring  a  very  bad  taste. 

A  CORN  ROOT-WORM  IN  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

The  larva  of  Diahrotica  12-punctata  has  been  sent  to  us  by  Dr.  J.  W. 
Thomas,  of  Abbeville,  S.  C.,  with  the  statement  that  it  was  taken  im- 
bedded its  full  length,  head  up,  in  the  heart  of  a  stalk  of  corn  at  the 
base.  He  writes  that  this  insect  cost  him  at  least  100  bushels  of 
corn  in  the  year  1857,  and  is  this  year  damaging  the  stands  of  corn 
generally.  In  1887  it  was  confined  to  the  bottom  lands,  but  now  the 
uplands  are  attacked.  Sandy  bottoms  are  exempt.  Corn  planted  be- 
fore the  1st  of  April  was  not  injured  much,  but  all  planted  in  April 
seriously  damaged.  It  is  likely  also  that  corn  planted  even  as  late  as 
June  would  not  escape  its  ravages.  A  strong  top  dressing  of  lime 
would  help  to  reduce  its  numbers,  and  to  let  the  land  lay  in  fallow 
through  one  summer,  when  it  can  be  spared,  will  starve  out  the  major- 
ity of  them.  The  most  practical  idea  that  can  be  suggested  for  this 
insect  is  to  spray  all  cucurbitaceous  plants  in  the  vicinity  of  corn-fields 
later  on  in  the  season  with  a  dilute  arsenical  solution,  with  the  view  of 
destroying  the  perfect  beetles,  which  would  otherwise  winter  over  and 
deposit  their  eggs  about  the  corn  roots  the  following  spring. 

A  DEER   EOT  FLY. 

We  have  received,  through  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  A.  E.  Bush,  of  San 
Jos^,  Cal.,  specimens  of  the  larva  of  a  bot-fly  infesting  the  deer.  The 
larvie  sent  were  taken  from  a  pocket  under  the  jaw  of  a  yearling  deer 
from  Humboldt  County,  Cal.,  and  as  nearly  as  can  be  determined 
belong  to  an  undescribed  species  of    the  genus  Cephenomyia.     The 


387 

pockets  in  which  these  larvfB  are  found  do  not  show  from  the  outside, 
but  are  seen  as  soon  as  the  bide  is  removed,  generally  just  where  the 
head  and  neck  join  under  the  jaw.  In  the  animal  referred  to  there 
were  two  pouches  or  pockets  on  one  side,  one  lower  than  tbe  other,  an 
unusual  case,  as  there  is  generally  one  on  each  side.  The  popular  ac- 
count given  by  old  hunters  is  that  the  eggs  are  deposited  by  a  ily 
which  enters  the  head,  probably  by  the  nostrils.  One  deer's  head  ex- 
amined had  the  pocket  of  larvae  between  the  ear  and  the  upper  jaw, 
with  an  opening  into  the  tube  at  one  side  of  the  glottis,  opening  into 
the  mouth  near  the  roof.  This  is  an  insect  of  much  interest,  and  we 
rely  on  our  correspondent  to  secure  further  specimens  alive  and  to 
endeavor  to  breed  the  fly. 

THE   SHIELD  METHOD  FOR  LEAF  HOPPERS. 

Mr.  Eugene  Westou,  of  CaGon  City,  Colo.,  secretary  of  the  Fremont  _ 
County  Horticultural  Society,  writes  us  of  the  success  of  the  followj 
ing  plan  for  combating  the' Grape-vine  Leaf-hopper :  Four  lath  nailei 
in  a  square  and  suitably  braced  are  covered  with  drilling,  which  is^ 
then  smeared  over  with  the  residuum  of  petroleum  remaining  after  the] 
kerosene  is  distilled  off,  which  is  easily  obtained  in  quantity  from  the 
local  oil-wells  in  that  vicinity.     One  man  carries  the  frame  while  an- 
other raises  the  vines,  thereby  disturbing  the  leaf-hoppers,  which  fly 
agaiust  the  shield,  and  are  thus  destroyed  ty  millions.    The  best  timej 
for  the  operation  was  found  to  be  just  before  or  near  sundown  and 
nightfall,  as  the  temperature  rapidly  cools  there  at  that  time  of  thej 
day.    It  should  not  be  so  warm  that  the  hoppers  fly,  nor  so  cool  that 
they  fall  at  once  to  the  ground.     If  the  frame  is  held  at  a  slight  angle 
and  as  near  as  possible  to  the  vines,  they  willhop  on  it  in  myriads. 
The  operation  must  be  rapidly  and  thoroughly  performed,  and  repeated 
as  often  as  the  hoppers  again  become  numerous. 

This  plan  has  also  been  used  by  grape-growers  in  California  and 
New  York,  with  considerable  success,  during  1887  and  1888. 

LORD  WALSINGHAM'S  INDEX. 

In  our  next  number  we  shall  resume  the  publication  of  Lord  Wal- 
singham's  "Steps  towards  a  Eevision  of  Chambers's  Index,  with  Notes 
and  Descriptions  of  new  Species."  The  next  number  will  begin  with 
the  genus  Lithocolletis.  "We  regret  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  pub 
lish  this  valuable  work  in  consecutive  numbers  of  Insect  Life,  but 
we  have  received  the  copy  in  installments,  and  the  distance  in  time 
between  Washington  and  England  has  rendered  it  impossible. 


388 


THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

June  G,  1889. — Mr.  Ashuiead  read  a  letcer,  which  he  had  recently  received  from  Mr. 
D.  Reduioud,  of  St.  Nicholas,  Fla.,  in  contirraatiou  of  his  (Ashmead's)  statements  re- 
garding the  leaf-eatiuji  habits  of  a  Florida  spider  made  at  the  meeting  of  the  society 
in  December  last  (Inskct  Life,  Vol.  i,  p.  200).  Mr.  Redmond  wrote  that  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  trees,  which  occurred  in  the  spring  and  early  summer,  was  effected  by  the 
spiders  eating  all  the  thick  portion  of  the  leaf,  as  a  silk-worm  eats  the  mulberry,  and 
also  by  gumming  up  and  sticking  the  leaves  together  by  means  of  some  adhesive  secre- 
tion. Dr.  Marx  held  that  while  the  spiders  might  cut  off  the  leaves  and  web  them  to- 
gether, a  study  of  the  mouth  parts  makes  it  questionable  whether  any  spider  is  phyto- 
phagous, which  opinion  was  also  held  by  Mr.  W.  M.  Wheeler.  Mr.  Howard  thought 
that  Tortricid  larvte,  probably  abundant  but  overlooked,  had  attracted  the  spiders. 

Mr.  Schwarz  read  and  commented  on  poi'tions  of  a  letter  by  Henry  Stanley  to  the 
Royal  Geographical  Society  of  England,  referring  to  certain  insects  observed  in  Cen- 
tral Africa — a  small  gray  caterpillar  {Lagoa?)  and  a  spider  ( Theraphosida') — and  to 
poisoned  arrows  used  by  the  natives,  the  poison  of  which  is  obtained  by  boiling  the 
■dried  and  powdered  bodies  of  red  ants  in  palm  oil. 

In  a  note  on  Brood  VIII  of  the  Periodical  Cicada  Mr.  Schvrarz  recorded  its  appear- 

ce.  May  19-21,  this  season  in  limited  numbers  at  Harper's  Ferry,  District  of 
'olumbia,  and  in  Alexandria  County,  Va.  At  Harper's  Ferry  all  the  Cicadas  seen 
Avere  on  a  clearing  surrounded  by  woods,  and  Mr.  Schwarz  pointed  out  that  under 
«uch  conditions  the  development  of  the  Cicadas  is  no  doubt  accelerated  by  the  in- 
creased warmth  of  the  soil  within  the  clearings. 

Mr.  Schwarz  also  presented  for  publication  a  paper  recording  the  food  habits  and 
food  plants  of  a  number  of  Coleoptera,  chietiy  Rlujnchophora. 

Dr.  Marx  read  a  paper  on  the  morphology  of  Filistata  capitata  Hentz.,  in  which  he 
-described  a  remarkable  comb-like  organ  on  the  inner  surface  of  the  inferior  spinnerets 
which  has  the  function  of  an  accessory  calamistritm.  He  also  made  some  observations 
on  the  value  in  classifications  of  the  three  or  four  stigmatal  openings  to  the  lungs, 
dividing  the  Araneina  into  Tri-sticta  and  Tetra-sticia.  He  had  found  a  rudimentary 
fourth  stigma  in  the  species  under  consideration,  showing  that  it  had  hitherto  been 
■wrongly  placed  in  the  first  of  the  groups  mentioned.  The  paper  was  accompanied 
by  careful  drawings  illustrating  the  various  points  discussed. 

C.  L.  Marl  ATT, 
Acting  Recording  Sen-eiary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION   OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  VOL.    II. 

JULY,    1SS9,  to  JUNE,    1S90. 


INSECT   LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 
ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE. 

KDITKD    BY 

C.    V.    RILEY,   Entomologist, 

AND 

L.    O.    HOWARD,    First   Assistant, 

WITH   THE   ASSISTANCK    OF   OTHER   MEMBKRS    OF   THK    DIVISIONAL   FORCE. 


I  PUBLISHED  BY  AUTHORITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  AGRICULTURE.] 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE. 

1889-'9Q. 


PERSONNEL  OF   THOSE   ENGAGED  IN  GOVERNMENT  ENTOMOLOGICAL 

WORK. 

The  following  list  embraces  those  now  engaged  in  Government  entomological  work, 
and  who  will  assist  in  the  management  of  the  periodical ;  those  at  Washington  edito- 
rially, and  the  others  as  contributors.  The  force  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  is 
more  or  less  inconstant,  as  it  consists  of  both  permanent  and  temporary  employes: 

DIVISION   OF   ENTOMOLOGY,    U.    S.    DEPARTMENT  OF   AGRICULTURE. 

Entomologist :  C.  V.  Riley. 

Office  Staff:  L.  O.  Howard,  First  Assistant ;  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Th.  Pergaude,C.  H.  Tyler 
Towusend,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  F.  W.  Mally,  Nathan  Banks,  Assistants. 

Field  Agents  :  Samuel  Henshaw,  Boston,  Mass.  ;  F.  M.  Webster,  La  Fayette,  Ind. ;  Her- 
bert Osborn,  Ames,  Iowa;  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood,  Mo.  ;  Lawrence  Bruner, 
Lincoln,  Nebr. ;  D.  W.  Coquiilett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  ;  Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Cal. 

DEPARTMENT  OF   INSECTS,    U.    S.   NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 

Honorary  Curator  :  C.  V.  Riley. 
Aid:  Martin  L.  Linell. 

II^'For  bibliographical  purposes  it*  may  be  necessary  to  state  that,  where  expe- 
dient, the  names  or  initials  of  members  of  the  force  will  be  attached  to  their  commu- 
nications. Where  initials  alone  are  appended,  the  full  name  can  be  ascertained  by 
referring  to  the  list  above  given.  Illustrations,  where  not  otherwise  stated,  are 
drawn  by  Miss  Lillie  Sullivan,  under  supervision. 
II 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  1. 

Page. 
Special  Notes I 

Aksenical  Poisons  for  the  Plum  and  Peach  Curculio S.  A.  Forbes..  3 

Kkpokt  of  a  Trip  to  investigate  Buffalo  Gnats C.  L.  MarJatt..  7 

Notes  on  Noises  made  by  Lepidoptera Henry  Edwards..         11 

A  Letter  on  Iceryapurchasi 15 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 17 

American  Insecticides  in  India. — Sciapteron  ro6mi«B  in  Cottonwood  in  Wash- 
ington Territory. — A  Fodder  Worm  in  tho  South. —  Col.  Pearson's 
Method  of  lighting  Rose  Beetles. — Lyctiis  sp.  in  Bamboo. — The  Texas 
Cattle-tick. — The  Boll  Worm  in  Texas. — A  cosmopolitan  Flour  Pest. — 
Mites  <m  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  ok  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsingham..        23 

General  Notes 27- 

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. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  2. 

Special  Notes 31 

Aggregate  DamagefromCotton  Worms  in  Texas,  Crop  of  ItiS'.B.  JV.Snow.        32 

A  NEWLY  imported  Elm  Insect  (illustrated) L.  0.  Howard..         34 

Some  Michigan  Notes  RECORDED C.  H.  Tyler  Tow nsend..         42 

Preliminary   Note    upon    Chionobas    (CEneis)    macounii,     Edw.    (illus- 
trated)     James  Fletcher..        45 

Extracts  from  Corresponde.vce 4t> 

Pieris  rapa;  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. —  JFalshia  amorphella  and  the  Loco  Weed. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Walsingham  ..        51 

General  Notes 54 

Honors  to  American  Entomology. — A  new  East  Indian  Genus  of  Coccidte. — 
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 
Cattle-fly  or  Horn  Fly. 

Ill 


IV 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  3. 

Page. 
Spkcial  Notes 61 

Dermestks  vulpinus  in  Goat-skins  (illustrated) Frank  M.  Jones..        63 

The  Japanese  Peach  Fruit-Wokm 64 

A  Report  on  the  Lesser  Migratory  Locust C.  L.  Marlatt..        66 

The  Lmported  Australian  Lady-bird  (illustrated) D.  W.  CoquiUeit..        70 

Extracts  from  Correspondenck 74 

Enemies  of  Diabrotica. — The  New  Zealand  Latlirodectus. — Chinch-bug  Rem- 
edies.— Cut-worms. — An  Army-worm  from  Indiana. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Wahingham..        77 

■Gen  kr al  Notes 81 

The  amended  California  horticultural  Law. — New  Codling  Moth  and  Peach 
Borer  Enemies.— Some  Pacific  Coast  Habits  of  the  Codling  Moth.— The 
Effect  of  arsenical  Insecticides  upon  the  Honey  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  iilyus  in  Indiana. — The  field  Cricket  de- 
stroying Strawberries. — The  Plum  Curculio  Scare  in  California.— 
Lachntis  longistigma  on  the  Linden  in  Washington. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  4. 

•  Special  Notes 91 

The  Horn  Fly  (illustrated) 93 

Some  Insect  Pests  of  the  Household.— Beb-hugs  and  Red  Ants  (illus- 
trated)  C.  V.  Eiley..       104 

Identity  of  Shizoneura  panicola  Thos.  and  S.  corni  Fah H,  Osborn..       108 

Notes  ON  the  Breeding  and  other  Habits  of  some  Species  of  Curculi- 

onid,e,  especially  of  the  Genus  Tyloderma F.  M.  Webster. .       109 

'Extracts  from  Correspondence 112 

The  Spread  of  the  Australian  Lady-Bird. — Wasps  in  India. — Injurious  In- 
sects in  New  Mexico. — The  Corn-Feeding  Syrphus-fly. — Larvte  of  Ceph- 
enomyia  iu  a  Man's  Head. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  Wahingham  ..       116 

-General  Notes 121 

The  Cabbage  PlutellainNew  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 
Society  of  Washington. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  5. 

Special  Notes 125 

Some  Insect  Pests  of  the  Household  (illustrated) C.  V.  Eiley..  127 

The  Carnivorous  Habits  of  Tree  Crickets Mary  E.  Murtfeldt..  130 

Life  History  of  one  of  the  Corn  Bill-bugs  (illustrated)  ..F.  M.  Webster..  132 


Page. 

The  New  Zealand  Katipo R.  AllanWight..       134 

A  Caterpillar  damaging  the  Cork-tree 136 

Another  Strawberry  Saw-fly Frederick  W.  Mally ..       1 37 

Pacific  Coast  Work  of  the  Division  of  Entomology W.  A.  Henry..      141 

CiNCiNDELA  limbata  Say  (illustrated) Lawrence  Bruner..       144 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 145 

Injury  by  Xyleborua  dispar  iu  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. — Abun- 
dance of  Datana  angusii. 
Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc.  (illustrated )..iord 

Walsingham 150 

General  Notes 156 

The  Bot-fly  of  the  Ox  or  Ox  Warble.— The  Minnesota  Locust  Outbreak.— 
The  Weeping  Tree  Mystery. — An  early  Occurrence  of  the  Periodical 
Cicada. — Laphria  cania  Will.  :  A  Correction.— Entomological  Society  of 
Washington. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  6. 

Special  Notes 163 

The  so-called  Mediterranean  Flour-moth  (illustrated) 166 

The  Ox  Warble  (illustrated) 172 

Association  of  Economic  Entomologists 177 

Office  and  Laboratory  Organization S.  A.  Forbes..      185 

Extracts  FROM  Correspondence 187 

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  In- 
jury to  Grass  from  Gastrophysa  polygoni. — Damage  to  dead  Trunks  of  Pine 
by  Rhagium  lineatum. — Some  Vedalia  letters. — On  Hcematobia  serrata. 

General  Notes 192 

Oviposition  of  Tragidion  fulvipenne. — Insects  injuring  the  Tea-plant  in  Cey- 
lon.— A  New  Way  of  Using  Carbon  Bisulphide. — Range  of  Pyralia  fari- 
nalis. — Kind  Words  from  abroad. — On  some  Gall-making  Insects  in 
New  Zealand. — Vertebrate  Enemies  of  the  White  Grub. — New  Method  of 
destroying  Scale-insects. — Dr.  Franz  Low. — Eugene  Maillot. — Entomo- 
logical Society  of  Washington. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  7-8. 

Special  Notes 199 

The   Use  of  Hydrocyanic  Acid   Gas  for  the  Destruction  of  the  Red 

Scale D.  TV.  Coquillett..  202 

The  Larv^  of  Hypoderma  bovis Cooper  Curtice . .  207 

The  Imported  Gypsy  Moth  (illustrated)  208 

Some  Insect  Pests  of  the  Household,  continued. — The  true  Clothes 

Moths  (illustrated) C.  V.Riley..  211 

Irrigation  and  injurious  Insects. L.  0.  Howard..  215 

Note  on  the  Oviposition  and  embryonic  Development  of  Xiphidium 

ENSIFERUM TVm.  M.  Wheeler. .  222 

The  Six-spotted  Mite  of  the  Orange  (illustrated) C.  V.Riley..  225 

2902— No.  1 4 


VI 

Page. 

H ARPiPHORUS  MACULATUS TV.  Hague  Harrington . .       227 

Adults  op  the  American  Cimbex   injuring   the  Willow   and  Cotton- 
wood IN  Nebraska  (illustrated) F.  M.  Webster..       228 

Observations  on  Monomorium  Pharaonis M.  A.  BeUevoye..      230 

The  dipterous  Parasite  of  Diabrotica  soror  (illustrated)  D.  W.CoquiUett..       233 

Spilosoma  fuliginosa  (illustrated ) Otto  Lugger . .       236 

A  Grub  supposed  to  have  traveled  in  the  human  Body  (illustrated)..      238 

The  Dog-wood  Saw-fly  (illustrated) 239 

Platypsyllus— Egg  and  Ultimate  Larva  (illustrated), C.  V.  Riley..       244 

Some  new  Parasites  ofthe  Grain  Plant-louse  (illustrated). Z/.O.J?oii)arrf..       246 
An  Australian  Hymenopterous  Parasite  of  the   Fluted   Scale  (illus- 
trated)   C.  r.  Riley..       248 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 250 

The  Orchid  Isosoma  in  America. — A  Flaxseed  Mite.— Abundance  of  yEg-ma 
acerni. — Hessian  Fiy  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. 

General  Notes 255 

Insects  affecting  Salsify. — An  Egyptian  Mealy-bug. — A  case  of  excessive  Para- 
sitism.— Some  hitherto  unrecorded  Enemies  of  Raspberries  and  Blackber- 
ries.— Nebraska  Insects. — A  Podurid  which  destroys  the  Ked  Rust  of 
Wheat. — Insecticide  litig  ition. — North  European  Dragon  Flies. — A  Correc- 
tion.—A  Parasite  of  the  Mediterranean  Flour-moth. — Elfects  of  the  open 
Winter.— Honey  Bees  and  Arsenicals  used  as  Sprays. — Entomological 
Society  of  Washington. 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  9. 

Special  Notes 263 

Some    insect    Pests     of    the    Household.— Cockroacues    (illustrated) 

C.  F.Riley..       266 

Two  Spider-egg  Parasites  (illustrated) L.  O.  Hotvard..       269 

On  the  Parasitic  Castration  of  Typhlocyba  by  the  Larva  op  a   Hy- 

MENOPTER  AND  THAT  OF   A   DiPTER M.  A.  Giard..         271 

A  Poisonous  Spider  in  Madagascar 273 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 275 

Injury  to  Grass  from  Gastroidea  polygoni, — Resin  Wash  against  Mealy  Bug 
and  Woolly  Aphis. — Dryocampa  riibicunda. — 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  Scydmienidae. — 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  De- 
scriptions OF  new  Species Lord  Walsingham . .      284 

General  Notes 286 

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.— Metamorphoses  of 
Fleas. — The  Entomological  Society  of  Washington. 


VII 


CONTENTS  OF  NO.  10. 

Page. 

Special  Notes 29.3 

The  Rose  Chafer.— Macrodactylus  subspinosus  (illustrated).  C.  V,  Riley..      295 

A  New  Genus  and  two  new  Species  of  Australian  Lamellicorns 

Dr.  David  Sharp..       302 

An  interesting  Tineid.— Menesta  melanella  (illustrated)  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt .      303 

Experiments  with  the  Plum  Curculio F.  M.  Webster..      305 

The  Phylloxera  Problem  abroad  as  it  appears  to-day 310 

The  Los  Angeles  County  Horticultural  Commission 312 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 314 

The  Pine  Lachnus  as  a  Honey-maker.— Root-Knot  on  Apple,— A  Fuchsia 
Aleurodes. — The  Skein  Centipede  and  Silver  Fish. — 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  Chambrs'  Index,  with  Notes  and  Descrip- 
tions of  new  Species  (illustrated)  Lord  WaUingham..      322 

General  Notes 326 

A  Rhizococcus  on  Grass  in  Indiana. — Further  Note  on  the  Egyptain  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  Legislatioa. — A  Test  Case  under  the  Horticultural  Law. — 
Locusts  in  India. — New  injurious  Insects  in  Colorado. — Obituary. — En- 
tomological Society  of  Washington. 

CONTENTS  OF  NO.  11-12. 

Special  Notes 335 

The  Insect  Collection  of  a  large  Musem  (illustrated) 0.  V.Riley..      342 

Notes  on  Languria F.  H.  Chittenden..      346 

Some  of  the  bred  parasitic  Hymenoptera  in  the  National  Collection. — 
Familx  Braconid^ 348 

Anthrax  parasitic  on  Cut- worms  (illustrated) 353 

Mountain  Swarming  op  Vanessa  californica C.  L.  Hopkins . .      355 

Notes  ON  A  Species  OF  necrophagous  DiPTERA  F.  M.  Webster..      356 

Additional  Note  on  Spider  Egg-parasites    L.  O.  Harvard. .      359 

Preparatory   Stages   of    Syntomeida   epilais   and    Scepsis  edwardsii 

Harrison  G.  Dyar..       360 

The  Tulip  Tree  Leaf  Gall-Flv 362 

An  Experiment  with  Coccinellid^  in  the  Conservatory. i^.  M.  Webster..      363 

A  North  American  Axima  and  its  Habits  (illustrated) L.  0.  Howard..      365 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 367 

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. — Flies  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. — The 
Plant-feeding  Lady-bird  and  the  Potato  Stalk-beetle. — Intrusion  of  the 
Elm  Leaf-beetle  in  Houses. — Re  Lestophonus. 


VIII 

Page. 
General  Notes 378 

Boiling  Water  for  Peach  Borer.— The  Family  Phylloxeridae.— The  newly 
imported  Rose  Saw-fly.— Testimonial  to  Mr.  Koebele.— A  Paradox.— A 
rare  Sphingid. — A  new  Apple  Pest. — American  Vines  in  France  and  the 
Phylloxera.— A  new  Australian  Vine  Pest. —Trouble  in  California. — 
Lepidopterological  Notes. — The  Puncturing  of  Apples  by  the  Plum 
Curculio.— The  Vedalia  in  New  Zealand  :  Recent  Increase  of  Icerya. — 
The  Phylloxera  in  New  Zealand.— An  Acknowledgment. — The  genital 
Armature  in  male  Hymenoptera. — The  man-infesting  Bot. — The  Eggs 
of  Atherix. — A  Monograph  of  the  Evaniidae. — Colonel  Pearson  on  the 
Rose  Chafer. — The  Columbus  Horticultural  Society. — Mr.  Buckton's 
Monograph  of  the  British  CicadiB  and  Tettigiidse. — 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  Wash- 
ington. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  JULY,    "18S9. 

A^ol.  II.  :n^o.  1. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 

ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIIl  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE, 

AND  EDITED  BY  THE  ENTOMOLOGIST 

AND  HIS  ASSISTANTS. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING   OFFICE. 
18  89. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 1 

Arsenical  Poisoxs  for  the  Plum  axd  Peach  Curculio 5.  A.  Forbes..  3 

Eeport  of  a  Trip  to  investigate  Buffalo  Gnats C.  L.  Marlatt..  7 

Notes  on  Noises  made  by  Lepidoptera Ucitri/  Edwards...        11 

A  Letter  on  Icerya  purchasi 15 

Extracts  f1?om  Correspondence 17 

American  Insecticides  in  India. — Sciapteron  rohinm  in  Cottonwood  in  Wash- 
ington Territory. — A  Fodder  Worm  in  tlio  South.— Col.  Pearson's 
Method  of  lighting  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  hoisduvalii  in  South  America. — Letter  on  the  proposed  "Ameri- 
can Entomologists'  Union." 
Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers' Index,  etc..  .Zorti  Walshigham..-       2:3 

General  Notes 27 

Two  Ijcal  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 


Vol.  II,  ]¥o.  1.]  INSECT   LIFE.  [July,  I8S9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

With  this  iiiimber  we  commence  the  second  volume  of  Insect  Life. 
The  hist  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  Oflice  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  i^ublicatiou  of  the 
bulletin  met  with  even  more  favor  than  we  had  hoped  at  the  start, 
and  almost  no  adverse  comments  have  reached  our  eye.  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  adv^antageous  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  Eleanor  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  Simpkiu,  Marshall  &  Co.,  of  Lon- 
don, and  the  price  is  2s.  6d.    The  descriptions  and  identifications  of  the 

1 


inaecTS  are  by  Mr.  Oliver  E,  Jiiuson,  iiiid  the  S[K'cies  are  figured  in 
nearly  all  instances.  Many  items  of  interest  strike  us  in  glancing 
tbrougli  the  pages,  and  while  many  of  the  species  seem  to  be  vicarious 
with  our  owu  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  {PluteUa  cruciferarum),  which  damages 
cabbiige  in  the  East  Province.  The  Fluted  Scale  {Icerya  purchani)  of 
course  occui^ies  a  considerable  space,  while  the  Flat  Scale  (Lecamiim 
liespcridum)  is  also  mentioned. 

Among  the  vicarious  pests  may  be  mentioned  the  Orange  Fly  {Ccra- 
titis  citriperda),  which  damages  oranges  in  the  same  way  as  does  the 
Morelos  Orange  Fly  {Trijpeta  ludens — see  INSECT  Life,  August,  1888, 
page  45) ;  the  Orange  Butterfly  (P<rj)///o  <7co«o?e?is),  which  works  upon 
the  foliage  of  the  Orange  in  the  same  way  that  the  Orange  Dog  {PairUio 
cresphontcs)  works  in  Florida;  the  Bean  Seed-weevil  {Briichiis  subarma- 
tus'^,  which  damages  beans  just  as  does  the  Bean  Weevil  [Bruchus  obso- 
Ictus)  in  America;  a  large  Cantharid  {Mylabris  oculnta),  which  injures 
beans  and  peas  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  damage  done  by  Meloids  in 
the  West;  and  the  Cetoniid  (Rkabdotis  semipunctata),  which  injures  figs 
and  peaches  just  as  does  the  "  Fig  Eater  "  {AUorhina  nitida)  in  our 
Southern  States. 


Professor  Forbes'  Correction.— We  are  glad  to  make  roon)  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  Beport  of  the 
Department  for  1888.  Our  information  in  the  Annual  was  derived  from 
a  newspaper  reijort  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  oi)era1ions  by  the 
Army  engineers.  We  have  already  i)ublished  Mr.  G.  A.  Frierson's 
letter  concerning  this  peculiar  case  (see  Insect  Life,  April,  1880,  Vol. 
I,  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  iii  the  river  and 
harbor  appropriation  bill. 


Bibliography  of  American  Economic  Entomology. — The  first  jmrt  of  this 
I'^ng-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 


of  this  work  has  been  iti  the  hands  of  Mr.  Samuel  Ilenshaw,  of  Boston, 
for  the  past  two  years,  and  tlie  first  part,  jnst  now  being  printed,  com- 
prises the  writings  of  B.  D.  Walsh  and  C.  V.  Jiiley. 


Bulletin  on  Root-knot  Disease  in  Florida. — This  bulletin,  mentioned  in 
our  Special  Xotes  in  the  last  number  of  Insect  Life,  has  been  delayed 
for  the  plates,  which  the  i)rinter  could  not  have  executed  untd  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,  188S,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Cen- 
tral Illinois  Horticultural  Society,  at  Champaign,  as  republished  in  the 
last  Keport  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  curculios  confined  with  ])lum  leaves.  June  IG, 
one  observed  making  a  deep,  sharp,  oblong  excavation  in  the  midrib; 
simihir  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  11),  plums  pep- 
l)ered  with  holes,  some  containing  eggs,  others  not.  July  2,  fresh  lot  of 
beetles  imprisoned  with  both  leaves  and  green  idums.  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  Aijril  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 


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  likcNvise  been  attacked.  The  rose 
leaves  were  net  injured.  When  rose  blooms  and  peach  leaves  together 
were  oftered  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  honejtsuckle  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  0,  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  poisoned  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  Avas  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  effects  of  the  poisons  were  nevertheless  evident,  as  shown  by  the 
subjoined  table : 


raris-grcen  experiment  Xo.  I,  April  19,  1881), 


Check  lot. 

1  lb.  to  100  gals. 

lib.  to  200  gals. 

1  lb.  to  300  gals. 

1  lb.  to  500  gals. 

Died. 

Number  used, 
24. 

Number  used, 
12. 

Number  used, 
12. 

Number  used, 
9. 

Number  used, 
12. 

April  22 

3 

3 

1 
2 
2 
2 

2 

93 

9 

3 

24 

1  ,                          2 

3 

4 
2 

1 

2 

1 

3 

26 

3 

I 

1 
1 

1 

29 

Total 

10 

12 

9 

12 

May  4  tliis  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.  lu 
the  check  lot,  meanwhile,  only  one  had  died. 


rarisr/reen  experiment  Xo.  2,  Mag  4,  1889. 


Check  lot. 

1 
1  lb.  to  100  gals.   1  lb.  to  200  gals. 

1  lb.  to  300  gals.  1  1  lb.  to  500  gals. 

Died. 

Nurabc  r  used, 
12. 

- 
IJumber  used, 
1-J. 

Number  used, 
12. 

Number  used, 

NuQiber  used, 
22. 

Mav    0 

3 
1 

1 
2 
3 

1 

= 

1 

4 
2 
3 
4 
6 
2 

2 

2 
3 
1 

1 

9 

3 

lU 

1 

4 
4 

n 

4 

5 

1 

1 

Total 

' 

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  look 
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  live. 

Finally,  May  17,  a  still  more  extensive  experiment  was  begun  with 
Loudon  purple,  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  curculios  being  divided 
into  five  lots  as  before,  their  treatment  diflering  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 


adults,  doubtless  tlie  earliest  to  emerge,  were  already  begiuuiug-  to  die 
spontiiueously.  The  experiuieut  Mas  coutiiiued  ibr  eight  days,  when  all 
the  curculios  of  the  first  lot  were  dead,  and  nearly  all  of  the  other 
poisoned  lots,  a  fourth  of  the  check  having  also  perished. 


London  imrple  experimenf,  May  17,  1&89. 


Check  lot. 

1  lb.  to  100  gals. 

1  lb.  to  200  gals.'l  lb.  to  300  giils. 

1  lb.  to  5(.0  gals. 

Died. 

Number  used, 
47. 

Number  used, 
100. 

Numbi  r  used, 
100. 

Number  used, 
50. 

Number  used, 
iJO. 

35 
18 
18 
10 
5 
G 

37 
]!) 
10 
11 
7 
5 

IG 
4 

9 

7 
3 

12 

6 

21       

1 

4 

'2 

10 

23  

24 

5 

4 

8 
5 

Total 

10 

92 

89 

41 

45 

EFFECT   ON   THE   FOLIAGE. 


It  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 
hear  under  favorable,  and  also  under  unfavorable,  conditions.  My 
experiments  ou  this  point  are  incomplete,  but  they  are  given  here  for 
what  they  are  worth: 

First.  Two  branches  of  a  peach  tree  were  s])rayed  May  18  with  Lon- 
don purple  mixtures,  a  pound  to  100  and  a  jiound  to  HOO  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  no  further  observations  were  made. 

June  C  two  other  branches  were  sprayed  as  before.  A  heavy  rain 
followed  June  8,  and  more  upon  the  9th.  Ou  the  10th  the  effects  of 
the  jioison  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  IGth 
and  17th.  On  the  ISth  the  discolored  spots  had  increased  in  size, 
those  on  the  branch  sprayed  with  the  stronger  solution  being  somewhat 
larger  and  more  numerous,  Ko  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  stiidyiiig  .sections  of  the  petiole. 


as  before,  substituting  Paris  greeu  for  Londou  purple  in  both  mixtures. 
Light  rain  followed  the  same  day,  and  more  on  the  9th.  On  the  lOtb 
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  Lou- 
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 
l)erhaps  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  ascertainerl.  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  i^lum  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.  Marlatt,  'Assistant. 

Washington,  D.  C,  April  22,  1889. 
Sir:  Iu  .accordance  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 
iunnediate  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. 

Ecspecifully, 

C.  L.  Marlatt.     ' 
Prof.  C.  V.  Pi  LEY, 

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

As  you  had  surmised  would  be  the  case,  the  Bufif.ilo  gnats  had  already 
disai)peared  when  I  arrived  at  Frierson's  Mill.     A  few  Turkey  Gnats 


8 

were  observed  about  horses  and  cattle,  bat  it  was  evidently  somewhat 
early  for  tliis  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  remains  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  iilanters  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,  etc.  Bat  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  18.S5,  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  ray 
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  tlie  spring  (February  and 
INIarch)  floods,  and  G  to  8  feet  above  the  level  of  the  few  weeks  pre- 
vious, daring  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,  larvro,  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  larvae  were  not  Ibutul 
on  these  logs,  althoagh  they  afforded  excellent  breeding  places  m  the 


numerous  whirls  of  water  caused  by  the  rapid  curreut  of  the  stream 
impingiug  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 
])rojected  several  feet  into  the  water.  Logs  so  placed,  and  possible  of 
removal  for  examination,  were  not  commonly  met  with.  Kearly  al)  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  larva^,  of  the  buffalo  gnat  were  on  the  logs 
their  small  size  prevented  their  discovery. 

On  the  day  following  (April  10)  that  portion  of  the  raft  near  Eed 
Bluff"  <vas  examined,  and  here  again  were  found  excellent  breeding 
places  for  Simulium  larvie,  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,  etc.,  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  pupa^)  and  larv*.  A  few  cocoons  and  larvre  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  pui)al  existence  of 
Simulium  species. 

The  larvse  and  jiupa^  found  proved  to  be  largely  if  not  altogether  those 
of  the  Turkey  Gnat  [8.  meridionale  Eiley).  JVlany  of  the  larva?  did  not 
exceed  1"""  in  length,  were  almost  hyaline  and  apparently  but  recently 
hatched  (?);  others  were  full  grown,  and  spinning  cocoons.  These 
larvfe  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  Giiatlarvte  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  larvre,  but  this 
could  not  be  satisfactorily  determined. 

The  height  of  the  water  prevented  any  satisfactory  examination  of 
the  trees  and  shrubs  growing  near  the  bayon,  but  wherever  possible 
branches  or  vines  so  situated  and  extending  into  the  water  were  drawn 
out  and  examined.     ISTo  evidence  of  gnats,  however,  was  found. 

Mr.  G.  A.  Friersou  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  tlieraft  would  indicate 
that  the  larvae  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  tlie  raft,  which  is  more  likely  to  bear 
cocoons  in  qnantity  than  the  floating  material  at  high  water.* 

The  relation  of  Bayou  Pierre  to  the  lied  River  is  such,  as  shown  in 
the  report  of  CaptJiiu  Bergland  contained  in  the  Annual  Keport  of  the 
Chief  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  Army,  Part  II,  1885,  Api)endix  TJ,  pages 
1187-1493,  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  fur  larva?,  and  i)ossibly  also  driving 
the  adults  in  larger  swarms  to  the  higher  land. 

During  the  summer  mouths  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  uumlter  of  the 
principal  ones  were  carefully  searched  for  cocoons  or  larva'  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 
Rivers. 

The  raft  in  Bayou  Pierre  originated  in  the  attempt  of  the  United 
States  Government  (in  1872-7.3)  to  close  Tone's  Bayou,  which  connects 
Bayou  Pierre  Mith  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  carried  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  mouth  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  debris, 
and  trees  and  shrubs  are  now  growing  upon  it. 

*  Mr.  P^riersou  subsequeutly  collected  and  forwarded  to  the  Departmeut  a  con. 
siderable  quantity  of  material — cocoons,  larvai,  etc.,  from  this  place,  concerning 
which  wo  quote  hrielly  from  his  letter  of  May  3  as  follows: 

"Tlie  water  has  fallen  about  2  feet  below  its  level  when  the  gnats  were  hatching 
out.  *  *  *  xhe  current  is  very  swift,  »  *  *  j^,,,!  j  found  that  every  over- 
hanging tree,  logs  sticking  out  of  the  water,  and  the  millions  of  roots  on  tlie  liank 
were  literally  plastered  over  with  the  cocoons  for  the  distance  of  2  feet  above  and 
below  the  water." 


11 

III  the  estitnates  made  by  the  Goverunient  Engineers  for  the  clearinfj 
of  Bayou  Pierre,  the  princi[)al  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  Avater  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  np  of  the  remaining  and 
less  stable  portions  of  the  raft,  will  make  the  clearing  of  Bayou  Pierre 
at  the  i)resent  time  con)paratively  inexi)ensive.  The  raft,  even  if  left 
to  take  its  own  course,  would  in  time  go  out  of  itself,  and  if  the  work  of 
loosening  that  i)ortion  above  Bed  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,  $_'5,000  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  wmild 
occasion  some  difiiculty.  It  could,  however,  be  directed  into  Lake  Can- 
nisnia  and  secured  there  in  still  water,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  current 
of  the  Biiyou  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,  it  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  Vanesna  an 
tiopa^^''  published  in  the  last  number  of  ''  Insect  Life,"  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  aiitiopa  has  the  power  of  making  a  sound,  for 
many  years  ago  in  England,  when  1  began  to  collect  butterflies  ami 
moths,  I  observed  that  the  beautiful  Vanessa  io^  the  favorite  of  every 
young  entomologist,  gave  out  a  slight  rasping  sound  when  many  speci- 
mens w^ere  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 
influence  to  deaden  the  insect's  expression  of  love.  The  projecting  vein 
which  is  shown  in  Mr.  Swinton's  cut  is  also  quite  a[)parent  in  V.  io, 
and  probably  is  a  character  of  the  whole  of  the  genus.     Still  more  remark- 


12 

able  is  the  noise  produced  by  various  species  of  the  Nympbalid  geuus 
Ageronia,  to  wbich  atteutiou  was  first  called  by  tbe  late  Charles  Darwin 
in  his  "Naturalist's  Voyage  Eound  the  World."  This  was  his  famous  ex- 
l^edition  in  H.  M.  S.  Beagle,  whicb  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  hnbit  of  Ageronia  are  worth  transcribing  in 
full.     He  sa3's : 

I  -was  ruuch  surprised  at  the  habits  of  Fapilio  feroriia  (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  Avings  are  ex- 
panded in  a  horizontal  plane,  instead  of  being  folded  vertically,  as  is  commonly  the 
case.  This  is  the  only  butterfly  Avhich  I  have,  ever  seen  that  uses  its  legs  for  running. 
Not  being  aware  of  this  fact,  the  insect,  more  than  once,  as  I  cautious)}'  approached 
with  my  forceps,  shuffled  on  one  side  just  as  the  instrument  was  on  the  point  of  clos- 
ing, and  thus  escaped.  But  a  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  jiroduced  by  a  toothed 
wheel  jiassing  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 
iu  the  observation.     (Nat.  Voyage,  Appletou's  edition,  \}.  33.) 

As  a  boy,  I  had  read  this  interesting  note  by  the  great  naturalist, 
and  iu  the  last  months  of  the  year  1866  I  had,  during  a  stay  of  four 
weeks  in  Panama,  the  opportunity  of  observing  for  myself  this  cnirious 
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  a  mile  through  them  without  meetiug  with  many  examples.  The 
sound  made  by  the  first-named  species  is  like  that  of  the  next,  and 
somewhat  recalls  the  nois.e  produced  by  a  boy',}  imitation  of  the  old 
watchman's  rattle.  It  is  a  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  least  40  or 
50  yards  on  a  clear  day,  and  when  no  wind  could  carry  the  sound  away. 
The  noise  of  A.  ampliinome  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. 

I  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  iu  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  nan  ative,  he  quotes  Mr.  Edw. 
Doubleday  as  having  described  before  the  Entomological  Society,  March 


13 

3,  1845,  "a  peculiar  structure  iu  the  wiugs  of  this  butterfly  which  seems 
to  be  the  means  of  its  makiug  its  uoise."     He  says: 

It  is  remarkable  for  having  a  sort  of  drum  at  the  base  of  the  forewiujjs,  between 
the  costal  ueryure  and  the  subcostal.  These  two  uerviues,  moreover,  haVe  a  i)eculiar 
screw-like  diajihragm  or  vessel  in  the  interior. 

Darwin  also  alludes  to  a  statement  iu  Langsdorff's  travels  (1803-07) 
that  "a  butterfly  called  Februa  hoffmanseggi  makes  a  noise  when  flying 
away  like  a  rattle."  This  name  probably  refers  to  Ager.fercntina,  which 
Avas  called  Ager.  februa  by  Hiibner. 

In  addition  to  this  gentis,  1  have  observed  the  power  of  stridulation 
in  two  other  butterflies,  viz,  iu  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  Charaxes  as  it  alights  upon  a  bunch  of  the 
beautiful  and  sweet-scented  flowers  oi  Bursar iaspinosa  closes  its  wings 
with  a  grating  sound  not  unlike  that  of  the  Prepona,  and  repeats  the  same 
as  it  is  disturbed  from  its  resting  place.  In  butterflies  it  would  appear  that 
tlie  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  iu  the  sounds  produced  by  the 
moths,  that  of  one  species  having  beeu  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  iSphinx  {Acheronfia) 
atropos,  familiarly  known  as  the  ''  Deatii's  Head  Moth,"  which  gives 
out  a  very  singular  and  plaintive  cry,  not  uulike  that  (though  in  a 
greater  degree)  produced  by  a  captive  beetle  of  the  Geofrupid  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  opiuions  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  couutry,  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 

attiiued  to  the  finer  barinoiiies  of  uiitiire,  of  a  slight  breezy  sensation 
rather  than  a  sound,  but  one  quite  a[)i)reciable  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  auteun;Te  at  their  tips  across  the  costal 
iiervure,  which  will  be  seen  to  be  considerably  thickened  about  its 
middle,  just  where  the  apex  of  the  antenna  would  reach  it.  This  thick- 
ening of  the  costa  is  much  more  apparent  in  an  allied  species,  Alyp. 
lorqiiiiili,  than  in  our  common  form.  With  the  latter  I  was  enabled 
some  few  years  ago,  while  walking  across  theTublic  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  Comi)osite 
family,  the  name  of  which  1  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  stridulatiou,  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  bad  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 
I  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.  Hooked  very  carefully  and  in  an  opening, 
buzzing  about  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  found  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 
Oniithoptera  eroesuft,  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  excitemeuC  still  remain 


15 

with  ine  in  a  treasured  corner  of  my  collection.  The  whole  of  ray  speci- 
mens are  raales,  and  it  was  not  until  some  years  after  that  I  became 
acquainted  witli  the  other  sex  of  this  singular  moth.  It  belongs,  as 
does  Alypia,  to  the  family  Zygwuidw,  as  we  at  present  understand  that 
very  incongruous  group,  and  the  generic  name  isiTccrttesm,  my  species 
being  II./ene,strata..  The  structure  by  which  the  insect  is  enabled  to 
produce  the  singular  and  striking  sounl  is  the  thickening  of  the  costal 
membrane  about  the  apical  third,  behind  which,  and  uearer  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  Ortlwptera.  The  antenuiie  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  iuuscles  of  the  transparent  space,  cause  the 
whizzing  and  characteristic  sound  which  so  attracted  nie,  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 
185G  at  Westernport,  the  females,  differing  in  this  respect  to  the  other 
species,  being  much  more  common  than  the  opposite  sex.  In  this  the 
clear  si)ace  is  much  smaller  than  in  H.  fenestratiij  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  Boisduvalin  Trans.  Linn.  Soc,  London,  1877,  and  a  fourth 
is  described  and  figured  as  a  native  of  Mexico  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Druce,  in 
the  Biol.  Ceutr  Amer.,  but  of  the  habits  of  this  last  mentioned  nothing 
as  yet  is  known. 


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  j\Ir.  Cooper  transmitting  certain  resolutions  of  the  fruit- 
growers of  California.  It  is  here  published  as  a  good  sumnuiry  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,  TTasJiwgton,  D.  C. 
Hon.  Ellwood  Cooper, 

President  State  Board  of  Horticulture,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
I  have  the  houor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  le'ter  of  May  20,  trananiitting 
the  petitiou  of  the  fruit-growers  of  Califortiia  in  coiiveutioa  asseinljleil,  to  the  off(;c1j 

O-5013— :^o,  1 2 


16 

tliut  tliis  Department  seiul  a  (lualiliod  agent  to  Australia  to  collect  aud  export  to  this 
country  the  parasites  of  the  Fluted  Scale  {Iceri/a  2)urchasi).  Your  petitiim  is  timely, 
and  I  abuudautly  realize  the  importance  of  the  action  which  you  sug<rest.  lu  reply 
let  me  recite  briefly  the  steps  wl?ich  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  j)etitious  from  your  State,  in  the  spring  of  1830  a  competent 
agent  of  the  Division  of  Entomology  was  appointed  and  was  located  at  Los  Angeles 
with  instructions  to  carry  out  a  certain  line  of  expei'imeutatiou  which  was  mapped 
out  for  him  by  the  Entomologist,  Professor  Riley.  Later  in  the  season  another  agent 
Avas  sent  to  the  same  spot  and  the  results  of  their  combined  work  were  i^ublished  in 
the  Annual  Keport  of  this  Department  for  1886,  in  an  extended  article  by  Professor 
Eiley,  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  bo  i)erfectly  efficacious  and 
quite  within  the  means  of  the  most  indigent  fruit-grower. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1887  Professor  Kiley  visited  California  in  person  and  investi- 
gated the  sections  of  the  State  in  which  the  Icerya  occurs,  and  in  ;in  address  before 
your  State  Board  at  Kiverside  summarized  his  conclusions.  Among  other  points 
brought  out  in  this  address  was  the  suggestion  that  it  would  be  very  desirable  to 
inti"oduce  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  cxnert  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  Icerya,  and  the 
Division  at  Washington  was  engaged  in  an  industrious  correspondence  with  ento- 
mologists in  Sonth  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,  aud 
strong  efforts  were  made  by  the  Department  aud  also  by  the  California  delegation  in 
Congress  to  secure  a  specific  appropriation  for  the  purpose  of  studying  and  importing 
this  parasite.  These  efforts,  as  j^ou  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  Gov- 
ernment to  exhibit  at  the  Melbourne  exposition,  and  the  Secretary^  of  State  and  tlie 
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  iu  August  and 
accomplished  the  results  with  which  you  are  already  familiar. 

During  the  winter  of  1883-89  strong  efforts  were  again  made  by  this  Department 
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,  wo 
would  desire  to  send  him  or  another  agent  again  during  1889;  iu  fact,  to  take  just  the 
action  which  you  have  petitioned  us  to  nndertake.  This  effort  was  apparently  suc- 
cessful, ami,  as  the  Entouiologist  und(!rst()od,  the   appropriation  clause  passed  Con- 


17 

gress  ill  this  uiodificd  farm.  On  my  assumption  of  my  present  office,  iu  discussiog 
this  matter  with  the  acting  entomologist,  1  was  put  in  possession  of  these  facts,  but 
was  surprised  to  tiud,  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  iu  the  same  condition  in  which  it  was  last  year,  and 
the  only  hope  of  Government  help  iu  this  matter  will  rest  in  securing  iudepeudeut 
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 iu  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  iu  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  sutfered  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  eftbrts  to  obviate  this  state  of  afiairs  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  mj'self  that  the  Iccrya  can  be  overcome  by 
persistent  toil,  and  am  quite  inclined  to  indorse  the  sentiments  expressed  by  Pro- 
fessor Riley  upon  page  1(54  of  the  December  number  of  Insect  Life,  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,  whicli  you  will  find  in  the  Annual  Report  for  1888,  a 
copy  of  which  has  doubtless  already  reached  your  office. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

Edwix  Willits, 
Assistant  Secretary. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

American  Insecticides  in  India. 

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

*'It  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  iu  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  Govei-nmeut." 

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  be  successful.  Arrangements  are  being  made  for  further  experi- 
ments, 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  iu  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  ray  forthcoming  report, 
which  has  been  in  type  for  some  months,  and  which  will  jjrobably  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  it  appears. — [E.  C.  Cotes,  Indian  Museum,  Cs^il- 
cutta,  India,  May  22, 1889. 


18 

Sciapteron  robiiiiae  in  Cottoiiw^ood  in  Washington  Territory. 

By  to-diiy's  mail  we  send  you  what  appears  to  be  the  borer  that  destroys  the  Cot- 
tonwood and  Bahn  trees  of  the  West.  While  holding  the  creature  on  the  blade  of  a 
saw,  the  pretty  winged  bug  that  you  will  lind  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. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  10th  with  specimen  just  received.  The  insect  which 
you  send  is  one  of  the  Western  Clear-winged  Motbs  and  is  known  as  Sciapteron 
rohiuia'.  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  Pea3h-tree  Borer  of 
the  East  and  belongs  to  a  group  of  moths  the  larvte  of  which  all  bore  into  the  stems 
of  trees  and  plants.  It  is  probably  neither  sufficiently  abundant  nor  destructive  with 
you  to  occasion  a  demand  for  a  remedy. — [May  18,  1889.] 

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  TortricidiB,  but  does  not  roll  the  dry  leave's  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  a  small  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  1st  of  March  aad  coming  out 
the  last  of  the  same  month,  three  to  four  weeks. — [Lawrence  C.  .Johnson,  Waterford, 
Miss.,  May  4,  .1839. 

Reply. — 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  Eelia  amuda.  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 
])articular  method  in  which  the  fodder  corn  is  stored.  Will  you  kindly  request  Mr. 
Peel  to  write  us  a  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, 
18H9.] 

Second  letter.— Your  favor  of  the  15th  instant  received.  Much  obliged  for  your 
prompt  information  about  Helia  (enmla.  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  liy, 
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  tlic  insect.  Externally,  therefore,  the  stack  seems  perfectly  souud  auO 
safe,  when  within  it  may  be  a  mass  of  fragments  and  diiug.  The  manner  of  eating 
the  blades  yon  may  see  in  the  bits  put  in  tlie  box  sent  yon.  They  eat  it  pretty  much 
all  except  the  central  vein ;  especially  at  tlie  binds,  wliere  most  compact,  they  cat 
all,  running  from  that  towards  the  ends.  But  a  moldy  or  spoiled  spot  they  never 
tonch.  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  1st  of  April.  I  am 
told  the  larvie  were  then  numerous,  but  they  had  already  begun  to  web  up.  This  is 
about  all  I  can  tell  you  ;  I  never  saw  the  egg. — [Lawrence  C.  Johnson,  Bolivar,  Tenn., 
May  19,  1889. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  the  19th,  from  Bolivar,  Tenn.,  has  jnst  come.  Thank  you 
very  much  for  the  additional  information  relative  to  the  habits  of  Htlia  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  slight  expense  the  numbers 
of  this  pest  can  be  greatly  reduced. 

The  worm  which  you  found  in  dry  clover  was  ])robably  a  ditferent  tiling,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  common  Clover-hay  Worm  {Asopia  costulis),  which  yon 
will  find  figured  and  described  on  pages  102  to  107  of  Professor  Kiley's  Sixth  Report 
on  the  Insects  of  Missouri. — [May  23,  1889.] 

Colonel  Pearson's  Method  of  fighting  Rose  Beetles. 

I  kill  Rose-bugs  by  smasldng  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.  I  have  been  experimenting  for  the  past  two 
weeks  with  all  the  poisons  jirocurable  in  the  drug  shops,  and  without  desired  results. 
In  dealing  with  Rose-bugs  in  my  vineyards  I  send  my  meu  along  the  trellis  early, 
from  6  to  10  a.  m.  They  strike  the  vines  with  paddles;  the  bugs  fall  on  the  ground,  aiul 
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  arc  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  i^ast  three  years  in  Vinelaud.  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, 
Vinelaud,  N.  J.,  June  15,  1889. 

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  has  not  destroyed 
them.  *  *  *  The  basket  is  being  i)erforated  with  round  holes,  under  which  I  find 
little  dust  piles.  The  dust  I  send  with  the  bugs. — [Mrs.  N.  W.  C.  Holt,  Winchester, 
Mass.,  June  20,  1889. 

Reply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  June  20.  The  insect 
found  in  your  bamboo  work-basket  is  not  unknown  as  an  enemy  to  baml)oo  iinpoi-ted 
from  China  and  .Japan.  It  is  a  species  of  a  genus  of  wood  boring  beetles  called  by 
entomologists  Lyetus.     You  need  not  f  sar  the  sjiread  of  this  insect,  as  they  feed  on 


20 

nothing  hut  bamboo.     Keep  np  your  benzine  treatment  and  you  will  kill  the  insects. 
*     ^     *— [June  2.'),  1889.] 

The  Texas  Cattle-tick. 

Will  you  please  give  me  the  historj^  of  the  Texas  Cattle-tick  (Ixodes  hoi-in)  or  refer 
me  to  the  literature  on  the  subject  ?  They  are  a  terrible  i)e.st  here. — [M.  Francis,  D. 
V.  M.,  College  Station,  Texas,  June  17,  1889. 

IvEPLY. — I  beg  toacknowletlgetbereceiptof  your  letter  of  the  17th  in.stant,  request- 
ing information  concerning  the  Texas  Cattle-tick  (Ixodes  boi^is).  Thissi)ecies  was  de- 
scribed by  Professor  Eiley  in  a  special  report  of  this  Deimrtment  (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,  the  iguana,  and  on  .small  mammals.  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  4G.  It  is 
found  in  our  Northern  States,  but  is,  however,  most  abundant  in  the  Southwest,  Mis- 
souri to  Texas,  jand  has  been  taken  in  large  numbers  b^'  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  Avould  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  l>e  made  with  soap  according  to  the 
formula  originally  iiroposed  by  this  Division.  The  emulsion  should  be  applied  in  an 
8  per  cent,  solution  with  a  force  fjump,  using  the  Eiley  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. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  report  to  you  the  condition  of  affairs  i  n  regard  to  the  Boll  Worm 
(IlcJioiliis  armigera)  and  its  yearly  destruction  of  cotton,  with  the  view  of  asking  yojir 
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,()00  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  pupa>,  but  I  found  caterpillars  up  to  the  10th  of  June,  though 
scarce.  In  order  to  de.stroy  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  1P80,  page  239.  The  field  crop  of 
corn  is  now  in  silk  and  tassel. 

Usually  from  the  1st  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  ii 
done  by  a  needle  or  pin,  and  in  a  few  days  they  drop  from  the  plant.  Some  firmers, 
not  knowing  what  insect  does  this,  have  given  them  the  name  of  sharpshooters, 
and  it  is  yet  a  mooted  <|uestion  with  us.  By  the  time  the  cotton  ])ut8  on  a  new  crop 
of  squares  and  blooms  the  moth  is  ready  for  it  again,  and  if  the  wcatlier  is  moist  and 
warm  it  thus  keejjs  on  until  frost;  but  sliould  a  drought  pres'ail,  witli  hot,  drying 


21 

wiuds,  the  eggs  will  uot  hatch,  auil  this  puts  au  end  to  them  for  that  year,  with  the 
exceptiou  of  a  few  scattering  oues.  Thns  a  dr^^  aud  hot  .inly  aud  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,  la 
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. 

Rkply. — 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,  aud  which  you  do  not  seem  to  have  seen.  You  Avill  find  the  Boll 
Worm  treated  on  pages  3'm  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  jiay  to  grow  small  patches  here  and  there  as  traps  fouthe  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  Hour  mill. 
They  seem  to  breed  under  basement  doors  and  come  up  aud  fly  away  on  warm  days. 
There  seems  to  bo  a  ditterence  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  not  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.  Wo  have  tried  several  remedies,  but  Persian  insect  powder  is  the 
only  thing  that  killed  them.— [McPhersou  &  Stevens,  Sprague,  Wash.  Ty.,  May  IS, 
1889. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  May  18  with  accompanying  specimens  has  been  received. 
The  beetle  which  occurs  in  your  flour  mill  is  rhilctia^  hifasciatiis,  a  cosmopolitan 
species  which  feeds  everywhere  in  flour  atul  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.] 

Mites  on  a  Neck-tie. 

I  send  you  in  a  tin  box  a  neck-tie  covered  with  Acari  which  a  gentleman  sends  me 
from  S.an  Francisco.  He  says  the  tie  has  lain  in  a  drawer  and  has  been  worn  at  in- 
tervals. He  first  noticed  the  "  foreign  substance  "  two  weeks  ago  and  thought  it  sand 
until  ho  detected  motion  in  the  particles.  Wh.^.t  mite  is  it  ?  How  can  garments  be 
best  treated  to  get  rid  of  it  ?— [  E.  J.  Wicksou,  Berkeley,  Cal.,  May  25,  1689. 

Reply. — Yours  of  the  25th  ultimo  aud  mites  duly  received.  We  can  not  distinguish 
between  the  specimens  found  on  the  neck-tie  and  the  common  Cheese  Mite  ( Tijroglyphm 
giro),  and  there  must  have  been  something  very  peculiar  about  those  neck-ties  or  else 
the  gentleman  who  sent  the  specimens  must  have  been  a  bachelor  and  have  kept  his 
cr.ackers  and  cheese  in  the  same  drawer  with  his  clothes.  The  same  mite,  as  you 
know,  is  found  in  fiour  of  all  kinds  and  milk.  Sulphur  is  the  best  remedy.  Either 
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  herewitli  sboukl  Lave  been  sent  you  some  weeks  ago.  They 
are  from  Madison  Station,  Madison  Couutj',  Miss.,  the  beetles  occurring  in  several 
potato  fields  at  and  witbin  a  mile  of  tbe  station.  Tbis  is  tbe  first  year  I  bave  seen 
tbem  in  Mississippi.  If  tbey  bave  been  here  at  an  earlier  date  you  may,  perbaps, 
know  it.  I  send  tbem  as  a  note  of  tbe  spread  of  tbe  beetle  so  far  south. — [Dr.  D.  L. 
Pbares,  Agricultural  College,  Mississippi,  May  11,  1889. 

Eeply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  tbe  receipt  of  yours  of  tbe  lltli  instant,  with 
accompanying  specimens  of  tbe  Colorado  Potato  Beath'  {Dor yphora  lO-lineula).  I 
believe  that  tbis  is  tbe  first  time  tbey  bave  been  noticed  so  far  soutb  in  your  longi- 
tude.    I  will  make  a  note  of  tbis  matter  for  Insect  Lifk. — [May  18,  1889.] 

Sw^arming  of  Urania  boisduvalii  in  South  America. 

I  take  tbe  liberty  of  mailing  to  you  two  specimens  of  butterfiy  captured  at  Colon, 
Eepublic  of  Colombia,  March  18  and  23,  18H9.  Wben  witbiu  a  few  hours  of  that  port 
tbese  insects  were  seen  flyiug  from  tbe  mainland  in  a  uortberly  direction  across  tbe 
bay.  Tbis  migration  continued  daily  from  tbe  date  of  arrival,  March  18,  for  nearly 
a  week.  Wben  tbe  fiigbt  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.  Tbe  point  wbicb  attracted  my  atten- 
tion was  the  vast  number  of  tbe  insects.  Tbe  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  tbe  Ked  Ant  (Formica  rufaf) 
in  spite  of  the  suspension  of  tbe  tray  in  which  tbe  butterflies  were  placed  from  tbe 
ceiling  by  one  string,  and  tbe  saturation  of  said  string  with  turpentine  and  castor 
oil.— [Dr.  S.  A.  Davis,  107  West  47th  street.  New  York  City,  May  9,  1889. 
'  Reply. — Your  letter  of  May  9  transmitting  specimens  of  a  "  butterfly  "  c  aptured  at 
Colon,  United  States  of  Colombia,  has  been  received.  Tbe  insect  sent  is  not  a  but- 
terfly but  a  moth,  and  is  known  as  Urania  hoisduvalii.  It  bears,  however,  a  striking 
resemblance  to  some  of  tbe  large  swallow-tailed  butterflies  of  the  genus  Papilio. 
Your  note  concerning  the  abundance  of  this  insect  is  very  interesting. — [May  20,  1889.] 

Letter  on  the  proposed  "American  Entomologists'  Union." 

*  '  *  I  see  in  tbe  March  (1889)  number  of  Insect  Life  you  ask  for  ideas  con- 
cerning the  proposed  Society  of  Economic  Entomologists.  I  do  not  think  my  views 
on  tbe  subject  are  worth  mucb,  but  such  as  tbey  are,  they  arc  as  follows:  I  sbould 
like  to  see  an  organization  founded,  witb  members  in  every  State  in  tbe  Union  (and 
I  do  not  see  why  not  also  in  Canada  and  Mexico;,  with  tbe  headquarters  at  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  at  Washington.  Such  a  society  to  be  called,  perbaps,  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  Wasbington.  Tbese  re- 
ports to  be  preserved  and  examined  by  a  committee  appointed,  and  the  essence  of 
tbem  printed  in  Insect  Life  or  as  a  special  bulletin.  This  I  think  would  (1)  bring 
economic  entomologists  in  touch  witb  one  another;  (2)  enable  them  to  benefit  from 
one  another's  discoveries;  (3)  and  especially  the  facts  thus  collected  might  be  seen 
often  to  bave  a  significance  wbich  would  be  totally  lost  were  they  to  remain  isolated 
among  their  discoverers  ;  (4)  altbough  apparently  ad. ling  to  tbe  work  of  tbe  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  it  would  really  diminisb  it,  as  you  would  have  only  tbe  secre- 
taries' reports  to  deal  witb,  and  it  would  be  tbeir  duty  to  receive  and  collate  reports 
of  otbers  within  tbe  boundaries  of  tlnMr  'jwn  States. — [Theo.  D.  A.  Cockerell,  West 
Cliir,  Cust»!r  County,  Colo.,  May  11,  ISHJ. 


23 


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

By  Lord  Walsixgham. 

JiContiniied  from  page  291  of  Vol.  /.] 

LITHOCOLLETIS  Z. 

In  revising  tlie  index  to  the  ffeiins  Lifhocolletis,  one  gronp  of  six  supposed  species 
has  given  me  more  trouble  tliau  the  otiiers.  These  are  :  ulmella  Cbaiub.,  modesia  F. 
&  B.,  conglomerateUa  Z.,  hicolorella  Chanib.,  quercivorella  Chanib.,  and  ohtmilohiv  F. 
ifeB. 

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  conglomeraleUa,  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  hicolorella  from 
ulmella,  with  which  he  had  at  first  placed  it.  He  further  says  that  hicolorella  has  two 
costal  streaks,  while  ulmella  has  Ihrec ;  but  in  describing  quercivorella,  also  with  three 
costal  streaks,  ho  says  the  third  streak  is  a  mere  spot  before  the  cilia.  In  short,  it  is 
doubtful  whether  there  are  sufiicient  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  it  can 
scarcely  be  more  than  a  conjecture)  as  to  their  distinctness  is  as  follows: 

(1)  An  authenticated  specimen  of  mqdexta  F.  &  B.  from  Boll's  collection. 

(•2)  A  specimen  received  from  Miss  Murtfeldt,  regarded  by  her  as  ulmella  Chatnb. 

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

(h)  A  figure  of  a  second  specimen  in  the  collection  of  the  Peabodj'^  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  ^Yjiite  oak. 

(5)  An  authenticated  specimen  oi ohtmiloha'  F.  &  B.  from  Boll's  collection. 

It  ismost  improbable  that  the  elm  and  oak  feeders  should  be  the  same,  although 
Miss  Murtfeldt's  specimen,  of  the  supposed  ulmella  is  scarcely  distinguishable  froia 
those  bred  from  oak,  and  Boll's  specimen  of  modesia  actually  bred  from  elm  is  still 
less  so.  We  may  at  once  admit  that  there  are  at  least  two  distinct  but  very  closely 
allied  species,  one  on  elm,  the  other  on  oak,  but  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt  what- 
ever that  ulmella  and  modcsta  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 
American  correspondents  I  may  have  been  guilty  of  some  confusion  as  to  this  species, 
having  been  misled  by  seeing  specimens  of  hicolorella  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  conglomerateXla  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,  although  the  markings  are  easily  visible.     It  agrees  pre- 

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


24 

cisely  with  the  fiyiuo  of  tho  specimen  in  the  collectiou  of  the  Anr:rican  Eutomolog. 
ical  Society,  but  Chambers  admits  having  mixed  his  specimens  of  hicolorella  v/i{h 
uJmella,  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  ohUmJohw  F.  &  B.,  and  the  third  is  an  equally  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 congJomcrafeUa  Z.  from  these,  or  from  hicolorcUa  Chamb.,  which  would  cer- 
tainly be  included  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  iusect,  for  A'hich  the  name 
co)i(jlo»ierateUa  takes  precedence.  The  specimens  mentioned  as  received  from  Miss 
Murtfeldt  were  bred  from  the  upper  side  of  leaves  of  white  oak,  but  this  would  cer- 
tainly not  distiuguish  them  from  qnercivoreUa  or  hicolorcUa,  both  upper-side  mines, 
the  one  bred  from  Q.  bicolor,  the  other  from  Q.  obtiisiloba.  The  main  ditferences  npou 
which  Chambers  seems  to  rely  in  separating  these  two  species  are  as  follows: 


BicolortUa. 

Fore  wings  yellowish  satfrou,  dorsal 
stripe  extending  to  cilia.  Oblique  dor- 
sal streak  absent.  Two  costal  streaks,  fol- 
lowed by  small  dots.     Hind  tarsi  white. 


QitcrcivordJa. 

Fore  wings  reddish  orange,  dorsal  stripe 
extending  beyond  middle  of  dorsal  mar- 
gin. Oblique  dorsal  streak  present ;  three 
costal  streaks,  the  third  a  mere  spot. 
Hind  tarsi  annuiate  with  black. 


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

(1)  UlmeUa  Chamb.  =modesta  F.  &  B. 

(2)  ConglomeraieUa  7j.=-hicoJsrdla  Chamb.  =ohtiifiilol)w  F.  A:.  B. 

(3)  QnercivoreUa  Chamb. 

jsfoxE.— Chambers,  in  distributing  specimens  to  his  various  correspondents,  fre- 
quently appears  to  have  attached  a  wrong  name  to  them.  This  he  admits  in  more 
than  one  instance  in  his  writings.  The  ntmost  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  (Fapilio,  IV,  1.51-.'?) 
show  that  in  some  cases  the  professor  failed  to  recognize  specimens  that  ho  must  cer- 
tainly have  seen  before.  This  maybe  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  bo  worth  while  to  mention  that  when  I  saw  Dr.  Clemens'  type  of  this  spe- 
cies in  tho  collection  of  the  American  Entomological  Society,  Philadelphia,  in  1871,  I 
made  a  note,  "  Hind  wings  gone ;  very  unlike  a  LilhocoUetis."  It  is  perhaps  doubtful 
whether  Chambers  was  rightly  acquainted  with  the  species.  The  larva  supposed  by 
him  to  belong  to  it  (Can.  Ent.,  Ill,  lG.5-6)  was  proved  to  bo  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  lifascieUa  (unknown  to  me), 
and  says  of  the  former  that  the  tuft  is  white,  and  it  has  no  costal  and  no  dorsal •fitreaks 
behi  nd  the  fascia,  and  the  apex  is  not  dusted.  Chambers  described  his  hifascicUa  from 
a  single  bred  female,  and  if  the  subapical  markings  were  nob  conspicuous  it  is  possible 
that  Clemens  may  have  omitted  to  mention  them.  In  Dr.  IIa,gen's  paper  (Papilio,  IV, 
152)  mention  is  made  of  specimens  (one  good)  of  tuhifereUa  Chamb.  from  Kentucky  iu 


25 

tlie  Caml)i-idge  Museum,  and  a  comparison  of  these  with  tlie  remains  of  Clemens' 
typo  at  Philadelphia  wouhl  decide  the  point;  but  for  the  present  I  should  not  be  jua- 
tilied  in  attempting  to  correct  their  synonymy,  and  scarcely  in  suggesting  that  either 
of  them  may  bo  identical  with  hhaieJhi  F.  &  B.,  which  must  bo  at  least  a  nearly 
allied  species. 

LithocoUetis  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  ¥.  &  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  also  in  Men- 
docino and  Siskiyou  Counties,  Cal.,  Rouge  River,  in  Oregon,  and  have  received  it 
from  Miss  Murtfeldt  from  Missouri. 

LithocoUetis  rileyella  Chaanb.  =  tenuistrigata  F.  &  B. 

I  received  from  Miss  Murtfeldt,  in  December,  1878,  n  LithocoUetis  labeled  "Tenti- 
form  mine  on  nnder  side  leaf  of  red  oak."  This  specimen  agrees  precisely  with  Cham- 
bers' description  of  L.  rileyeUa,  and  is  obviously  that  species.  It  is  nndialinguishable 
from  tetuiistrirjata  F.  &  B.,  of  which  I  have  specimens  and  mines. 

LithocoUetis  quercibella  Chamb.=  subaureola  F.  &  B. 

I  was  at  first  disposed  to  think  that  qnerciheUa  could  only  be  regarded  as  n,  syno- 
nym oi  arycntijimhriella.  Chambers  writes  that  it  resembles  closely  \ns  fuscocostella, 
whi-.h  I  have  shown  to  belong  to  that  species;  but  after  a  careful  study  of  his  de- 
scription by  the  side  of  a  specimen  of  subanreoJa  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. 

LithocoUetis  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  sacchariunm,  and  hy 
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  pecnliarity  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.  Snrv.,  lY,  109,  1878). 

LithocoUetis  argentifimbriePa  Clem. 

=  Argijromiges  quercialhdla  Fitch. 
=^  LithocoUetis  longestriata  F.  &  B. 
=  LithocoUetis  ftiscocostella  Chamb. 

In  the  Canadian  Entomologist  (Vol.  Ill,  57)  Chambers  suggests  that  argenlifimhri- 
el  I  a  Clem,  maybe  the  same  species  as  qneraialhclla  Fitch,  bnt  he  appears  to  have 
never  fully  satisfied  himself  that  this  w;is  the  case  owing  t )  the  differences  between 
the  descriptions  of  the  larvie.     On  page  H*  of  th,-,  same  volume  he  points  out  that 


26 

whereas  Fitch  describes  the  larva  of  qiiirciaJhdhi  as  being  "flat,"  no  known  flat 
larva  of  this  genus  makes  a  tentiforni  mine,  or  an  oval  cocoon,  such  as  Fitch  de- 
scribes. The  hirva  of  Clemens'  species  is  cylindrical,  and  as  Fitch's  description  is 
not  comparative  it  is  presumable  that  the  word  "  flat"  was  not  used  in  the  sense  in 
which  Clemens  and  Chambers  use  it  for  larva;  of  this  genus,  as  distinguishing  them 
from  the  cylindrical  form. 

Frey  and  Boll  (Stett.  Ent.  Zeit.,  XXXIV,  209)  themselves  suggest  the  possibility 
that  their  longcHtriata  may  be  the  same  as  arfjeutijlmhrieUa  Clem.,  and  their  descrip- 
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  (II,  229),  Chambers  professes  an 
acquaintance  with  argeutifi mbriella  Clem,  and  confirms  its  identity  with  lotigestriata  F. 
&  B.  (although  he  subsequently  treats  them  as  separate  species  in  his  index),  but  he 
fails  to  recognize  his  own  fuscocosiella,  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  Zoologj^,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  about  which  Dr.  ILagen 
writes  (Papilio,  IV,  151) :  ^^Argentifimbriella  Chb.,  I,  Ky.  (very  bad  condition  ;  jjcrhaps, 
1.  longcstriata  Frey)."  It  was  probably  owing  to  the  condition  of  his  specimen  that 
Chambers  failed  to  see  that  his  description  of /»«f'oco.s<ei/a  corresponded  with  it.  I 
have  a  specimen  of  the  latter  species  from  Dr.  Eiley,  from  Washington,  D.  C,  and  a 
specimen  of  argentifimbriella  compared  with  Clemens'  type  iu  the  collection  of  the 
American  Entomological  Society  at  Philadelphia.     They  are  evidently  the  same. 

Jt  is  somewhat  doubtful  whether  this  insect  was  first  publicly  named  by  Clemens 
or  Fitch.  Fitch's  d  scription  was  publish  d  in  the  annual  report  of  the  New  York 
State  Agricultural  Society,  issued  as  Vol.  XVIII  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,  for  on  page  .585  is  a 
letter  from  his  excellency  Jos''ph  A.  Wright,  American  minister  at  Berlin,  dated 
"Berlin,  May  11,  1859."    Iu  my  copy  is  pasted  the  following  letter: 

"  State  of  New  York,  Agricultural  Rooms, 

"Albany,  May  19, 18G0. 
"Sir:  Will  your  lordship  be  pleased  to  accept  for  your  library   the  eighteenlh 
volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society  for  the  year. 
"I  am,  most  respectfully,  your  very  obedient  servant. 

"  B.  P.  Johnson, 
"  Corresponding  Secretary. 
"Lord  Walsingham, 

"  President  Royal  Agricnllaral  Society  of  England." 

The  wording  of  this  letter  seems  to  show  that  this  volume  of  the  Transactions  was 
not  actually  distributed  until  the  year  18()0,  especially  as  the  first  three  figures  of  the 
date  "  18. )U  "  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  cor- 
rect me  if  I  am  wrong,  I  propose  in  the  revised  Index  to  give  precedence  to  urgen- 
tijimbriella  Clem,  over  quercialbella  Fitch. 


27 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

TWO    LOCAL    OUTBREAKS    OF   LOCUSTS. 

Two  locust  occurrences  worthy  of  note  have  come  to  our  notice  this 
season,  one  in  Utah  and  anotlier  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.  Dartou  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  Melano[)lus,  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  1  east  three 
species,  3[.  bivittatus,  M.  spretus,  and  M.  femur-rubrum  or  M.  devastator; 
but  the  other  sending,  consisting  of  a  quarter  pint  of  decaying  pup;c, 
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 
various  causes  have  been  working  together  to  produce  the  injurious 
u umbers  appearing  this  year,  but  uo  great  damage  is  to  be  looked  for 
at  the  present  in  this  region. 

In  Louisiana  the  species  which  occurred  was  Melanoplus  cinereufi,  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 
l)lants  being  eaten.  This  is  a  local  hou  migratory  species,  all  of  which, 
though  liable  to  multiply  to  such  an  extent  as  to  cause  some  little  alarm, 
seldom  really  do  any  appreciable  damage.  Probably  the  best  method 
of  treatment  is  by  the  use  of  the  bran-arsenic  mash,  concerning  which 
several  paragraphs  will  be  fouud  in  the  Annual  Eeport  of  the  Depart- 
ment for  1885,  pages  300  and  301. 

TENT   CATEKPILLAE,   IN   ARKANSAS. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Bland,  of  War  Eagle  Mills,  Benton  County,  Ark.,  has  sent 
us  a  specimen  of  the  moth  of  the  American  Tent-caterpillar  {Clisiocampa 
americana)  with  its  eggs,  which  he  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 

uiiliUc'l.v  iiiiiy  be  followed  by  a  third  in  Arkansas.     Our  correspondoiit 
writes  us  tliat  this  insect  is  very  destructive  to  fruit  trees  in  Lis  county. 

THE    THISTLE    CATEKPILLAK   IN   WASHINaTON    tERRITOKY. 

Mr.  E.  O.  Scbwiigerl,  of  Naomi,  Kitsap  County,  Wash.  Ty.,  sent  to  us 
the  middle  of  June  si)jcimeus  of  the  larva?  of  tbo  conimou  Thistle 
Butterliy  (i^f^^"^*^"  <i(^>'<lui)  infesting  thistles  and  nettles  there  and 
which  he  has  not  been  able  to  tiud  on  any  other  plants.  This  is  a  com- 
mon butterfly,  which  is  known  to  feed  on  the  thistle  the  world  over, 
and  helps  much  iu  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  larva)  attack  first  the  head 
or  young-  shoots,  eating  out  the  flower  buds,  and  then  -work  down  inside 
the  stems,  thus  effectually  destroying  the  seed  croi).  Birds  do  not  eat 
these  larvjc  on  account  of  their  short,  sharp  spines. 

THE   CECUOPIA   SILK-WORM  AGAIN. 

In  Insect  Life,  for  November  (page  155),  was  mentioned  the  great 
abundance  of  the  Cecropia  near  Calaway,  Nebr.  As  we  wished  to  ob- 
tain some  of  these  cocoons.  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  wlieu  I  assorted  tbeni  I  found 
that  about  half  of  them  were  poor.  A  good  mauy  -were  stuug  aud  filled  up  with 
8UU1II  grubs  of  some  other  iusect,  and  others  were  last  year's  cocoous.  I  suppose  you 
know  that  there  is  not  much  timber  here,  excepting  where  it  has  been  set  out  and 
planted,  aud  it  is  ouly  on  the  cultivated  box-elders,  and  then  only  iu  certain  locali- 
ties, that  the  cecropia  silk-worm  is  fouud  iu  numerous  quantities. 

Under  date  of  December  IG,  1888,  M.  Natalis  Eondot  writes  us : 
You  notice,  in  No.  5  of  Inskct  Life,  the  remarkable  abundance  of  Cecropia  iu  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  difliculty  iu  reeling  the  filameui  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  fautaisie.  I  do  not  know  whether 
these  cocoons  have  been  studied  from  this  point  of  view ;  iu  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  Biown  has,  perhaps,  personal  reasons  for  complaining  of  the  damage 
done  by  these  wild  worms;  but  it  is  possible  that  iu  reality  the  product  in  cocoons 
would  bo  very  light.  It  would  be  important  to  know  how  many  of  these  cocoons 
could  be  obtained  ;  for,  in  order  to  make  a  i^roper  test,  it  would  he  necessary  to  have 
several  pounds.  This  Cecropia  is  little  known  to  ns,  and  I  find  iu  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,  and  some  of  the  moths.  In  examining 
my  notes  I  find  that  I  saw,  some  years  ago,  cocoons  and  moths  of  certain  species,  one 
of  Avhich  was  very  j)robably  the  riaUjsamla  cecropia,  while  the  otiiers  were  of  one  or 
two  species  very  similar  to  it.  Were  they  hybrids  of  tiie  Cecropia?  I  do  not  know. 
As  the  Cecropia  is  abundant  iu  the  United  States  you  ought  to  know  whether  it  is  of 
a  unique  species  or  whether  there  are  others  allied  to  it, 


29 

Eai'l3'  in  January  \vc  were  able  to  send  M.  Koiulot  a  few  live  cocoons 
of  the  Cecropia,  and  in  transmitting-  theui  gave  the  following  reply  to 
bis  questions : 

The  species  which  is  the  most  coiumoa  in  the  Uuited  States  is  the  Atlaciis  cecropia 
of  Liunc.  There  are  two  species  iu  this  country  very  closely  allied  to  it  aud  by  some 
held  to  be  simple  varieties  of  the  Cecropia;  they  are  the  Columbia  aud  tha  (xloceri. 
It  is  possible  that  it  is  to  oue  or  both  of  these  that  you  refer  as  beiug  meutioued  iu 
your  uotcs. 

It  is  boped,  from  the  live  specimens  sent  M.  Eondot,  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.  L.  G.  Wilson,  of  Parsons,  Dak.  (statistical  correspondent  of  the  De- 
l)artment),  informs  us,  under  date  of  December  18,  that  wild  cocoons  are 
fount],  iu  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  10,  gives  an  ac- 
count of  his  experiments  in  spraying  large  elm  trees  on  the  Kutgers 
College  campus.  Ho  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,  som3  of  which  are  over 
50  feet  iu  height,  can  be  reached.  Professor  Smith  finds  that  the  ad- 
dition of  a  small  quantity  of  kerosene  emulsion  to  the  mixture  of  Lon- 
don pur[»le  and  water  is  of  use  iu  enabling  the  si^ray  to  penetrate  the 
pubescence  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves  and  to  spread  wberever  it 
touches  instead  of  collecting  in  drops  aud  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  SUBGOTniCA  Haw.). 

Late  in  May,  1886,  Mr.  Henry  Nobes,  a  fruit-grower  iu  the  vicinity 
of  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  called  our  attention  to  the  fact  that  some  insect, 
unknown  to  him,  was  destroying  the  ripening  fruit  iu  bis  strawberry 
field,  large  berries  beiug  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  nuujbers  under  the  straw  mulch.  Worms  were  not 
only  caught  iu  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 
aj^pear  to  trouble  the  fruit,  except  to  a  very  limited  extent. — F.  M. 
Wehster. 


30 

THE   EUROPEAN   WHITE   GRUB. 

We  do  not  know  wbicli  to  wond  ir  at  the  most,  the  industry  of  the 
woman  or  the  numbers  in  which  the  White  Grub  (larva  of  the  Euro- 
l)ean  Melolontha  vuhjaris)  must  have  occurred  in  the  soil,  in  the  state- 
ment made  by  M.  Reiset  and  quoted  in  "ia  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  larvie  in  15  days.  The  actual  number  of  grubs 
was  estimated  at  180,000. 

A  WHEAT   PEST   IN  CYPRUS. 

Mr.  A.  E.  Shi})ley,  of  Cambridge,  England,  has  just  published  a  pre- 
liminary report  on  the  species  of  Tineina  which  injures  wheat  croj)s  in 
Cyi)rus  (Bulletin  of  Miscellaneous  Infornnxtion,  Koyal  Gardens,  Kew, 
No.  30,  June,  1889,  pages  133-135).  This  insect  is  Q^copliora  iempera- 
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.  Shii)ley 
has  received  has  so  far  been  very  fragmentary. 

THE  ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  01'  WASHINGTON. 

June  27,  18S9. — Mr.  G.  W.  J.  Angell,  of  New  York  City,  w:is  elected  a  correspoudiuf^ 
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.  Asbmead  read  a  descrip- 
tive paper  entitled  "An  Auomalons  Chalcid,"  in  which  he  erected  a  new  genus  and 
species  {Hoplocrcpis  alhidavis),  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  tlie  society  to  some  enlarged  figures  of  the 
mouth  parts  of  PeripJaneta  oricntalis  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  Inskct  Life  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. 
Tlie  paper  was  a  very  valuable  contribution  to  our  knowledge  of  the  insect  parasites 
and  messmates  of  auts,  and  was  discussed  by  Dr.  Marx,  Mr.  Ashmead,  and  others. 

C.  L.  Marlatt, 
Acting  L'ecordiiig  Secretury. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  AUGUST,    1889. 

Vol.  II.  No.  2. 


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. 


CONTENl^S. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 31 

Aggregate  Damage  from  Cotton  Worms  in  Texas,  Crop  of  1887.5.  W.  Snow.        '32 

A  newly-imported  Elm  Insect  (illustrated) ;... L.  0.  Howard.         34 

Some  Michigan  Notes  recorded Tyler  Toumsend .        42 

Preliminary   Note    upon    Chionobas    (CEneis)    macounii,    Edw.    (illus- 
trated)   James  Fletcher.         45 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 46 

Pieris  raj)^  iu  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.        51 

General  Notes 54 

Honors  to  American  Entomology. — A  new  East  Indian  Genus  of  Coccidie. — 
Cannibalism  with  Lady-birds. — Damage  by  the  Pear  Midge. — Icerya 
purchasi  not  iu  Florida. — A  new  State  Board  of  Horticulture. — The 
Army  Worm  in  Indiana. — Doings  of  Agrotis  ciqndissima. — The  Disap- 
pearance of  Icerya  in  New  Zealand. — A  Peculiarity  of  certain  Caddis- 
flies.  — Caterpillars  stopping  Trains.  — Locusts  in  Algeria. — The  New  Cat- 
tlo-fly  or  Horn  Fly. 
II 


Vol.  II,  No.  2.]  INSF:CT    life.  [August,  ISSO. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

The  Grain  Louse. — The  common  Grain  Aphis  [Siphonophora  avence) 
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  sufiBciently  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  most  fort- 
unate that  it  is  usually  killed  off  b}'  its  enemies  before  api^reciable 
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  maded  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  1887,  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 
l)romised  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.  Oook  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  comi)rises  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.  An  estimate  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.  The  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. 

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 


33 

of  the  country,  and  the  Cotton  Caterpillar  and  Boll  Worm  were  active 
in  all  sections  of  the  cotton  belt.  The  injury  elsewhere  may  not  have 
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.  In  a  number  of  counties  damage  from 
worms  is  not  mentioned,  and  it  is  presumed  that  no  loss  occurred. 


Loss 

from  in- 

aects. 


Product 

without 

loss. 


Loss 

Bales. 

from  in- 

sects. 

Percent. 

U 

33i 

2,  781 

23 

15,  556 

10 

16 

29 

3,253 

4,'\t 

8,773 

146 

89  's 

13,188 

58' 

1,  082 

87 

14,  230 

20 

10,  716 

10  . 

29, 701 

12 

1,088 

5 

741 

25 

1,  0!t9 

20 

87 

25 

11,  489 

33 

366 

32 

967 

44 

21,  236 
419 

nU 

256 

40 

1 

29,  252 

38 

783 

20 

15,  246 

20 

8,126 

11 

9,443 

10 

1,693 

20 

13, 020 

25 

33 

5 

761 

4,252 

8 

6,165 

5 

725 

11 

3,123 

26 

167 

25 

16,  823 

40 

4 

178 

5 

14,  773 

23 

369 

63 

7,548 

14 

5,315 

10 

3,702 

9,468 

5 

11,  730 
1,036 

13 

3 

3 

142 

34 

803 

34 

12,  658 

5 

4,786 

31 

3,214 

8 

3,795 

20 

22, 512 

25 

62 

44 

18,  963 

25 

6,665 

50 

52 

90 

15, 967 

20 

2,917 

12 

4,  1.56 

n 

11,818 
2,629 

348 
17,  378 

144 

13,  274 

9 
121 
21,481 
J,  268 
890 
3,618 
6,679 
6,344 

14,  229 
2,374 

10,  489 
1,819 


745 

390 

4,356 

13,  546 

29 

13, 137 

2 

533 

469 

33,112 

20, 526 

2,315 

4,894 

19 

11,109 

6,161 

27.  796 

8,514 

13,  288 

7,565 

52 

2,456 

13 

40,  735 

5,375 

9,750 

38,  296 

35,  187 

62 

10, 139 

3,897 

6, 202 

215 

38 

1,454 

2,806 

10,  382 

24,  904 

311 

4,854 

16,  563 

9,376 

1,940 

10 


Bales. 

14,  773 

2,629 

348 

19,  748 

144 

16, 187 

9 

121 

26,  851 

1,921 

1,187 

5,653 

8,905 

8,459 

16,  740 

3,892 

10,  489 

2, 175 

9,423 


520 

5,445 

13, 546 

39 

14,  597 

2 

592 

902 

39,  894 
24, 148 

2,894 

8,739 

35 

20, 198 

6,485 
27,  796 
11,203 
18,  983 
10,  087 
104 

3,012 

17 

50, 290 

9,598 
11,471 
42,  .551 

40,  445 

63 
13,  519 
4,933 
9,397 


1,939 

4,126 

12,  214 

35,  076 

598 

5,393 
18,  822 
11,720 

4,311 
20 


Harain 

Harris 

Harrison 

Haskell 

Hays 

Henderson 

Hidalgo 

Hill 

Hood 

Hopkins 

Houston 

Hunt 

Jack  

Jackson 

Jasper 

Jofierson 

Johnson  

Jones 

Karnes 

Kaufman 

Kendall 

Kerr 

Knox    

Lamar   

Lampasas 

Lavaca  

Lee   

Leon 

Liberty  

Limestone 

Live  Oak 

Llano   

Madison 

Marion 

Mason 

Matajrorda  .  ... 

McCuUoch 

McLennan  

McMuUen 

Medina 

Milam 

Mills 

Montague 

Montgomery  .. 

Morris 

Kacogdoches... 

Navarro 

Newton 

Nolan 

Nueces 

Orange  

Palo  Pinto 

Panola 

Parker 

Polk 

Rains 

Red  River 

Refugio 

Robertson 

Rockwall 

Runnels 

Rusk 

Sabine 

San  Augustine 


34 


Counties. 

Bales. 

Loss 
from  in- 
sects. 

Product 
without 

loss. 

Counties. 

Bales. 

Loss 
from  in- 
sects. 

Product 
without 

loss. 

San  Jacinto 

San  Patricio 

San  Saba 

5,342 
160 

7U8 

145 

11,415 

16,  589 

498 

1,044 

9,781 

209 

7 

5,844 

21 

18,  664 

3,759 

2,788 

Per  cent. 
15 

50 
8 

Bales. 

6,285 

320 

770 

145 

11,415 

20,736 

9,960 

1.160 

13,217  I 

220 

6,875 
21 
20,  287 
3,836 
4,356 
10,  528 
22 

ValVerde 

Van  Zandt 

Victoria 

5 

10,482 

3,710 

6,  726 

7,823 

30,644 

8,875 

30 

32 

11,391 

3,  793 

5,495 

8,881 

391 

27,  150 

1, 125,  499 

Per  cent. 
....   .^... 

33 
19 
15 
13 
18 
55 

11 

32 
38 

Bales. 
5 
13, 103 
5,537 

Walker 

Waller 

8,304 

9,203 

Smith 

20 
95 
10 
26 
5 

Washington 

Wharton 

Wichita           

3.5,  223 
10,  823 

Stephens 

87 

Tarrant           

Wilbarf.er 

Williamson 

Wilson 

39 

Taylor 

13,  401 

5  578 

Titus 

15 

Wise    

8,  863 

Wood 

12,  687 

Travis 

1 

36 

22 

Young 

469 

Miscellaneous 

Total 

27,  150 

Tylet 

1,422,948 

Uvalde     

A  NEWLY-IMPORTED  ELM  INSECT. 


By  L.  O.  Howard. 

Our  first  knowledge  of  this  insect  in  this  country  was  gained  in  1884, 
when  Mr.  Charles  Fremd,  of  Eye,  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-lookiug  mealy  bug. 

Thousands  of  them  are  be- 
tween the  cracks  of  the 
bark,  and  are  destroying 
the  vitality  of  the  trees. 
I  have  made  one  applica- 
tion of  kerosene  emulsion, 
but  I  piesume  not  strong 
euougli.  I  will  go  oyer 
them  again  with  a  strong- 
er emulsion.     »     *     * 

Professor  Riley  was 
in  Europe  at  the  time, 
and  we  therelore 
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 
for  study.  It  was 
plainly  to  bo  seen  that  they  were  new  to  the  Coccid  fauna  of  the  United 
States,  and  our  impression  then  was  that  they  belonged  near  the  genus 
Uriococciis. 


Fig.   1.— GOSSTPARIA   ULMI 

larva  from  side— greatly  enlargi 


oung  Urva  from  above; 
(original). 


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  otber  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 
fidva  (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  1888  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  oi  Eriococcus 
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  ])ortion  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  Eiley  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  uhni  Geoffroy,  described  by  Sig- 
noret  in  the  Annales  de  la  Societe  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  Gmelin  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  waa  probably  the  scale  which  Mr.  Fremd  noticed  upon  his  Chinese  Azaleas 
and  which  he  confounded  with  his  Eliu  Coccids. 


36 

Signoret  describes  the  newly  hatched  hirva,  the  adult  female  before 
and  after  iiupreguation,  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  INidularia'],  wheu  one  disturbs  these  insects  during 
their  state  of  metamorphosis,  they  are  apt  to  run  away.  This  is  what  M.  Licbtenstein 
has  noticed  with  Dactylopins  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  \_berceau'\. 

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  wehave  seen,  and,  accordingto  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.  5c,  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. 

Siguoret's  descriptions  of  the  different  stages  are  sufficiently  accurate, 
and  we  may  simply  give  a  brief  resume  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  si)ine 
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  antennae  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  antennae  are  six 
jointed,  second  and  third  longest,  fourth  and  fifth  shortest.  There  is 
an  elongated  protuberance  each  side  of  the  autennje.  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  antennfe,  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  lammelhie,  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,  adalt  female  from  below;  b,  adult  female  from  sido;  c,  adult  female 
from  above— all  greatly  enlarged;  d,  empty  waxy  cushion;  e,  females  in  natural  position— enlarged; 
/,  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  antennte  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  coxte,  trochanters,  and 
bases  of  the  femora.  Its  segments  are  not 
well  marked.     (See  Fig.  3.) 

A  few  days  after  this  form  makes  its 
appearance  the  cocoons  begin  to  give  out 
the  perfect  males,  which  issue  with  wings  fully  expanded. 


Fig.  3.— GossYPAEiA  ULMI:  Imperfect 
male— greatly  enlarged  (original). 


(See  Fig. 


38 


r 


5  c.)  There  really  seems  to  have  beeu  a  molt  between  this  pseudi- 
mago  aud  the  perfect  male,  for  in  uo  other  way  can  we  accouut  for  the 
difference  in  form.  The  antenna^,  possess  the  same  nnmber  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  fleshy  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  coxitb  and 
trochanters.  The  tibite  are  longer  in  proportion  to  their  tarsi.  The 
anal  segment  gives  off  two  w^axy  filaments  as  long  as  the  entire  body. 
These  filaments  were  not  noticed  in  the  pseudimago. 

Tlie  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  pseudimaginal  form  issues  under  perfect- 
^'  ly  natural  conditions  several  days  before  the  true  im 

ago ;  it  is  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 
coi)ulation  of  the  pseudimago  with  the  female  is  a  per- 
fect one  or  is  abortive  and  i)rompted  by  premature  in- 
stinct, although  the  intromittent  organ  of  this  form  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- 
sect's life  in  general  terms.  The  young  lice  are  appar- 
ently born  viviparously  as  with  the  Mealy  Bugs,  and 
issue  from  their  living  mothers  in  late  June  and  early 
July  and  scatter  actively  over  the  tree,  the  majority  of 
them  with  TJlmus  fulva  in  which  the  twigs  are  pube- 
scent or  bristl}',  settling  temporarily  upon  the  leaves, 
mainly  upon  the  up])er  surface  in  the  angles  of  the  midrib  and  princi- 
pal veins,  but  also  upon  the  under  surface.  With  TJlmus  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  aud  preferably  just  at  the  forkiugs  of  the 
veins.  We  have  never  found  them  settled  upon  the  upper  surface  of  .the 
leaves,  nor,  in  this  stage,  upon  the  twigs. 


Fig.  4.  — GossYi'A- 
KIA  ULMI :  Cocooii  of 
male,  showing  aual 
fllameut8  and  edgea 
of  wings  extruding — 
greatly  enlarged 
(original). 


3y 

111  August  the  lice  desert  the  leaves  and  new  twigs  aud  return  to  the 
]arger  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  coccids  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  aud  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  j)arts  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  ii:  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  ncturally 
backwards  as  do  the  males  of  other  Coccidse. 

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  oft'  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  weh  as 
some  beetles,  are  attracted. 

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

Mr.  Jack's  original  specimens  were  found  upon  Ulmus  fulva  in  the 
Arnold  Arboretum  near  Boston,  aud  he  afterwards  found  the  species 
quite  widely  distributed  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  occurring  upon  U. 
americana  and  TJ.  racemosa  as  well  as  upon  the  European  species,  U. 
montana  and  U.  campestHs.  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  lefi  the  coarse  bark  of  the  trunk  and  ascended  to 
the  higher  parts  of  the  tree. 

Jn  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  aud  the  American  species  grow- 
ing side  by  side  with  IT.  montana.     TJ.  fulva,  which  is  so  badly  infested 


40 

at  Boston,  is  apparently  untouched  in  Washington.  In  other  parts  of 
the  city  the  Coccids  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  larvte  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. 


Fig.  5.— (jOsstparia  ulmi:  «,  female  before  impregnation— greatly  eulaigetl;  b,  male  cocoons  in 
natural  position  on  limb— natural  size;  e,  perfect  male— greatly  enlarged  (original). 

Ul)on  ascertaining  definitely  during  May  the  identity  of  the  species 
with  the  Euroj)ean  Gossyparia  ulmi  It  immediately  occurred  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 

tbe  arboretums  in  which  European  elms  were  largely  j;towing;  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,  aud  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 
know.     *     »     * 

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  a  stronger  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  iilmi  upon  American  elms  and  upon  Euro- 
pean elms  in  this  country  was  quite  to  be  expected,  and  the  only  won- 
kier is  that  it  has  not  been  found  and  recognized  before.  The  species 
of  Coccidfe  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  Australia  and  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  Asterodiaspis  quercicola 
{Bouch6),  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.  He  also  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  Tyler  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.,  prei)ared  by  the  writer  three  years  ago  (1886), 
and  which  it  is  not  now  tbought  advisable  to  publish  in  its  original 
condition.  The  miijority  is  omitted,  only  a  few  points  being  brought  out 
which  are  considered  of  sufiticient  interest  to  be  worthy  of  record. 

Passing  the  Hymenoptera  with  the  remark  that  the  Kaspberry  Saw- 
fly  {Selandria  rubi)  did  some  yearly'  injury  from  1881  to  188G,  we  tind 
in  the  Lepidoptera  a  number  of  species  to  be  noticed.  Of  the  two  Cab- 
bage Butterflies  (Pieris  oleracea  and  rapw),  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  the 
native  species  was  (up  to  1886)  usually  the  more  abundant,  both  species, 
however,  being  quite  injurious  evefy  year.  Scudder  records  P.  rapce  as 
reaching  this  part  of  Michigan  in  1877,  on  the  authority  of  A.  J.  Cook 
and  E.  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  {^^geria  exitiosa  and  tlpuliformis) 
are  prominent,  the  first,  aided  perhaps  by  the  hard  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 
si)lendid  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 
from  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 larviB  seen  in  18S6  and  some  a  year  or  two  before,  there  had  been 
none  noticed  for  several  years  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  with  in  ears  of  green  corn.  The  Army  Worm  {Leiicania 
unipuncta)  also  appeared  here  in  1881,  being  in  good  force  and  entirely 
destroying  many  fields  of  grain,  especially  oats. 

In  1886  the  moths  of  a  species  of  Agrotis  (probably  subgothica)  were 
found  in  great  numbers  about  houses,  being  especially  numerous  and 


43 

active  every  eveniug  duriug  the  latter  part  of  May,  the  whole  of  Juue, 
and  the  first  part  of  July,  swarming  on  the  upper-story  windows  of 
houses. 

In  the  Diptera  several  species  never  known  to  be  injurious  occuned 
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  iu  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  larvaj  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  $  ,  taken  iu  Connecticut,  Juue  25.  Three  other 
Diptera  were  observed  in  considerable  numbers  on  currant  bushes  iu 
1882,  on  May  9  and  later  in  the  same  month.  They  are  Bihio  femoratus 
Wied.,  $  and  9  ,  a  smaller  undetermined  species  of  Bibio,  and  Scatophaga 
stercoraria  Linn.  The  first  of  tbese  is  given  the  locality  "Atlantic 
States,"  in  Osteu-Sacken's  list,  and  iu  the  local  lists  just  mentioned  is 
recorded  from  Philadelphia,  but  not  from  Montreal ;  the  last  species 
occurs  iu  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  will  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  a  half  hour.  It  would  seem  that  where  there  were  so  many 
of  the  beetles  on  the  leaves  they  would  be  apt  to  cause  some  damage,  yet 
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  about  in  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  in  explana- 
tion of  their  being  found  in  abundance  only  on  the  bushes  that  were  iu 
grassy  places. 

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


44 

corded  for  this  locality  iu  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  iu  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  avence)  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  {Euschistus  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  Acrididte  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  hivittatus  and  C.  differ entialis,  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. 


45 


PRELIMINARY  NOTE  UPON  CHIONOBAS  ((ENEIS)  MACOUNII,  Edw. 

By  James  Fletcher,  Ottawa,  Can. 

In  the  Canadian  Entomologist  (XVll,  p.  74, 1885)  Mr.  W.  H.  Edwards 
describes  the  male  of  Chionohas  macounii  from  about  a  dozen  specimens 
discovered  June  28,  1884,  by  Prof. 
John  Macoun,  the  Canadian  Govern- 
ment Botanist,  at  ISTepigon  on  the 
Canadian  Pacific  Eailway  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,  K.  W.  T.,  lying  at 
the  eastern  base  of  the  Eocky  Mount- 
ains. Up  to  the  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  whole  genus. 
In  size  and  general  appearance  it  ap- 
proaches nearest  to  C.  calif oniica, 
but  the  sexual  bar  of  androconia,  such  ^,«.6._(eneis  macoumi:  Fuii-grow.  larva;  4 
a  conspicuous  feature  in  the  males  of 
Chionobas,  is  entirely  wanting  in  the 
present  species.  The  average  expanse  of  the  wing  is,  $  55-65™™,  9 
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  jjurpose  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  difl'erent  entomologists  in  various  parts  of  America  and 
Europe.  The  eggs  hatched  in  three  weeks,  and  notwithstanding  that 
the  larvfe  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  Garex  pedunculata 
and  rested  exposed  upon  the  leaves,  where  they  finished  feeding  with- 
out any  protection  and  without  spinning  auj^  silk. 
3377— No.  2 2 


from  above;  B,  from  side,  beginniu^  of  cut; 
G,  from  side,  endof  cut— naturalsize(origiiial). 


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 an}^  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  larvne  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 
larva  is  figured  life  size  above*  (eighteen  days  after  fourth  molt).  The 
general  colour  is  grayish-brown,  striped  with  black  and  pala  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  rapae  in  California. 

In  Insect  Life,  just  received,  I  notice  a  note  upon  Fieris  rapm.  lu  May,  1883,  1 
captured  in  this  place  one  male  of  that  species  (idei;tified  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,  1889. 

Poisonous  Spiders. 

I  send  to-day  in  glass  tube  a  specimen  of  Latrodeetus  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  Life,  iu  which  I  have  found  very  many  interest- 
ing things,  I  see  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  rightly,  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  h-eyeri.  The 
oblong  tumified  border  was  about  3  lines  high,  of  a  livid,  violaceous  color,  tilled  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 
da;ss  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 
I  employed.  Since  that  time  I  have  never  had  occasion  to  see  any  one  bitten  by  Me- 
triopelma, Theridion,  or  Scolopendra.—lDr.  Alfred  Dugds,  Guanajuato,  Mexico,  May  26, 
1889. 

Blackbirds  vs.  Boll-worms. 

On  page  351,  Insect  Life,  after  comments  on  Blackbirds  and  the  Boll-worm,  it  is 
remarked,  "  This  is  an  int'^resting  experience,  but  was  the  evidence  sufficient,"  etc. 
To  my  mind  it  was,  to  encourage  me  that  I  had  a  friend  iu  the  blackbird,  and  that 
he  was  destroying  boll-worms  by  the  thousand.     The  facts  are  these  : 

My  iield  of  corn  w.  s  in  full  roastiug-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.  He  added,  "  The  neighbors  are  all  in 
their  corn-iields  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  evidences  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  inappreciable.  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  the  same.  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  m  the  April  (No.  299)  Entomologists'  Monthly 
Magazine  under  the  name  of  Lecanium  mangifer(r.  Mr.  Douglas  appends  a  note  to 
this  article  in  which  he  mentions  that  the  specimens  received  from  Deraerara  should 
also  be  referred  to  this  species. 

From  small  experiments  with  kerosene  soap  emulsions  I  feel  sure  that  your  pro- 
posed 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  idea  of  the  probable  cost  of  apparatus  (or  refer  me  to  a  manufacturer  of  the 
special  nozzles  and  force-pumps  used  in  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. 

Reply.—  *  "  *  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  Eiley  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. 

I  inclose  herewith  a  match-box  containing  Quince  leaves  infested  with  insects. 
The  Quince  tree  is  in  a  garden  among  pears,  peaches,  plums,  pomegranates,  figs,  grapfes, 
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. 

Reply. — 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  nodistinctive  common  name.  Itfeeds  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  Cori/thuca  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 
next  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  all  stages.  In  Professor  Riley's  report  for  1886  no 
mention  is  made  of  this  insect  iiaving  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.  I  have  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  Tceniocampa  rufula  Grote,  but  the  Telephorid  larva  did  not  attack 
it,  and  finally  died.  Is  it  possible  that  this  beetle  has  learned  to  feed  upon  the  eggs 
of  the  Icerya  from  having  seen  the  larvae  of  the  Australian  Lady-bird  do  so? — [D. 
W.  Coquillett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  May  29,  1889. 

The  Red-legged  Flea-beetle  Again. 

In  regard  to  the  Red-legged  Flea-beetle,  of  which  we  wrote  you  last  spring,  stating 
that  they  were  doing  considerable  damage  (a  reply  having  been  i-eceived  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  origiaal  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  iu  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.  If  I 
am  wrong  in  the  determination  of  the  insects  let  me  know. — [W.  Knaus,  McPherson, 
Kans.,  April  20,  1889. 

Reply. — Ibegtoacknowledgethereceiptof  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  obliintus  falling  before  the  old  Linnaean  title.    You 


50 

are  of  course  familiar  with  the  habits  of  this  bug  as  published  iu  Riley's  Second 
Missouri  Report,  pages  113  and  114,  and  iu  Forbes'  report  as  State  eutouiologist  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  eftective  remedy 
against  it.     "     *     *     —[April  24,  1889.] 

"Walshia  amorphella  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 
always  find  many  worms.  An  insect  lays  the  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  verj-  gratifying  to  us. — [Thomas 
J.  Quilliau,  Birmingham,  Huerfano  County,  Colo.,  April  9,  1889. 

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 
iu  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 
of  the  peculiar  effect  upon  live  stock.  The  maggots  are  harmless  larvse  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, 
irom  whom  you  might  be  able  to  ascertain  something  of  value  regarding  treatment. 
In  an  article  published  iu  1887  in  the  Drug  Record  concerning  a  post-morfem,  he  shows 
that  the  disease  was  one  of  the  mucous  and  serous  membranes,  and  recommends  the 
following  treatment : 

"  Pul.  ext.  belladonna grs.  x. 

Corrosive  sublimate gr.  j.  to  gr.  jss. 

Licorice ^j. 

Glycerine q.  s. 

"Mix.  Make  a  thin  paste  and  give  a  tablespoon  ful.  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,  etc." — [April  19, 
1889.] 


51 


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

By  Lord  Walsingiiam. 

[Continued  from  page  26  of  Vol.  11.} 

Lithocolletis  fragilella  F.  &  B. 

The  introduction  of  the  name  trifascieUa  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  mariceella  bred  from  a  nearly 
allied  -plant— Symphoricarpa.  I  subsequently  pointed  out  that  mariceella  was  quite 
distinct  from  trifascieUa,  but  confirmed  the  occurrence  of  trifascieUa  in  America  on 
the  authority  of  a  specimen,  received  from  Dr.  Riley,  bred  '"from  leaves  of  honey- 
suckle." I  am  now  in  a  position  to  make  further  corrections.  Frey  and  Boll  iu  their  last 
paper  (Stett.  Ent.  Zeit.,  XXXIX,  270-271),  described /m^rtZeZto  from  larvte  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  trifascieUa 
Hw.  as  to  be  almost  uudistinguishable  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  trifascieUa.  On  again 
referring  to  the  specimen  received  from  Dr.  Riley  I  find  it  to  be  the  same  as  fragileUa 
F.  &  B. ;  the  close  affinity  of  this  species  with  trifascieUa  may  be  sufficient  excuse 
for  my  previous  error,  as  at  that  time  I  was  unacquainted  with  Frey  &  Boll's  species. 
Under  these  circumstances  trifascieUa  must  be  erased  from  the  American  lists.  The 
most  noticeable  characters  by  which //•a(7i/eWa  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  trifascieUa  commences  at  the  base  of  the  wing  and  reaches  to  the  first  fascia.  In 
fragileUa  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 
affinis  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  diftereuce  iu  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  C)nsi- 
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  distinguishiog  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 

Lithocolletis  lucetiella  Clem. 


(TiiigruateUa  F.  &  B. 


I  fiud  in  Zeller's  collection  a  specimen  of  cpinigmaieUa  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.  I  am  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. 
=  cfltisella  Chamb. 
^^  paslllifoUella  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 
nonfascieUa,  "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- 
fascieUa must  consequently  be  treated  as  a  synonym.  Chambers's  descriiJtiou  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  larvae,  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.  Eut.  Zeit.,  XXXIX,  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  npon  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. 
and  pusillifoliella  F.  &  B.  as  synonyms  o£  celtifoliella  Chamb. 

Lithocolletis  morrisella  Fitch. 
:=  texanella  Z. 

Fitch,  in  describing  his  Argyromiges  morrisella,  remarks  that  it  ditiers  from  A. 
pseudacaciella  Fitch  {^  7-obiniella  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  diff'erences  described  are  precisely  those  which  sep- 
arate texanella  Z.  from  roiiniella  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.  I  am  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  Sobinia,  Amorpha,  and  Ampldcarpaea,  aud  are  best  kuown  uuder  the  names 
ot  rohiniella  Clem.,  amorphweUa  Chamh.,  aud  texanella  Z.  There  can  be  no  doubt  as 
to  the  in-ecedence  in  nomenchiture  as  between  morrisella  and  texanella,  if  my  theory 
is  correct,  the  name  morrisella  having  been  published  many  years  before  Zeller's 
paper. 

LithocoUetis  uhlerella,  Fitch. 
=  amorphceella,  Chamb. 
=  amorphw,  F.  &  B, 

Fitch's  description  oi  Argijromiges  uhlerella,  although  brief,  applies  "with  suflQcieut 
precision  to  the  Amorplia-mimn^  LithocoUetis,  described  by  Chambers  as  amorphtmlla, 
and  by  Frey  and  Boll  as  amorphce.  Fitch  states  that  "it  resembles  ^J^ewdacacie/^a 
(^  rohiniella  Clem.),  but  it  is  throughout  of  paler  colors,  its  forewings  being  golden- 
grey"  (rather  than  "uniform  brilliant  golden")  and  "the  black  dot  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  amorph(eella  from  rohiniella,  and  we  may  at  once 
give  precedence  to  Fitch's  name  uhlerella  for  this  species. 

LithocoUetis  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. 

LithocoUetis  gemmea,  F.  &  B. 

When  describing  this  species  Frey  and  Boll  were  doubtful  whether  it  were  distinct 
from  Farectopa  rohiniella  Clem.,  not  having  properly  recognized  the  latter  species  at 
that  time,  and  Chambers  asserts  positively  (Cin.  Qr.  Jr.  Sc.  I,  209-10)  that  L.  gemmea 
F.  &  B.  =  Parectopa  rohiniella  Clem.  I  am  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- 
lected by  Boll  which  agrees  precisely  with  the  description  of  gemmea  and  is  so  labeled. 
It  would  be  utterly  impossible  to  apply  to  it  the  description  of  Parectopa  rohiniella, 
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  LithocoUetis  and  apparently  a  good  and  distinct  species. 

LithocoUetis  ostryeefuliella,  Clem. 
=  mirifica,  F.  &  B. 

Chambers  suggests  (Cin.  Qr.  Jr.  Sc,  I,  202)  that  mirifica  may  be  the  same  as  ostry- 
cefoliella.     I  am  inclined  to  agree  with  him. 

LithocoUetis  tritaeniella,  Chamb. 
=  consimilella,  F.  &  B. 

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

LithocoUetis  guttifinitella,  Clem 

Chambers  (Can.  Ent.,  Ill,  111)  describes  cesculisella  as  a  \ ariety  o{ guttifinitella,  but 
notices  that  the  larva  differs  decidedly  from  that  of  the  type.     It  seems  impossible  to 


64 

believe  that  the  same  species  mines  leaves  of  lihus  toxicodendron,  one  of  the  Anacar- 
dacew,  and  also  those  of  JSsoulus  glabra  belonging  to  the  Sapindacew.  He  then  pro- 
ceeds to  describe  another  species,  coryUella,  also  very  nearly  allied  to  gnttlfinileUa  but 
feeding  on  Corylus  americana,  and  his  variety  astnjateUa  mining  Ostrija  virghiiva  is  said 
to  bear  the  same  relationship  to  coryUella  as  cesculisdla  bears  to  gutlijinitilla.  It  is 
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  larv:e  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  nudistinguishable  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  w^ho  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  j>rt8<o?-e?Za  Z.  anA  i)opulifoliella  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,  vaslorella  Z.  and  popu- 
lifoHella  Tr.  It  is  in  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  igiwta  Y.  &  B.,  heleanthivorella  Chamb.,  hostonica  F.  & 
B.,  elephantopodella  F.  &  B.,  amana  F.  &  B.,  actinomeridis  F.  &  B.,  and  nobilissima  F. 
&  B.  (the  latter  can  only  be  treated  as  an  MS.  name,  no  detailed  description  having 
been  jjublished),  all  feeding  upon  various  Composifw.  The  name  ambrosiwella  was 
corrected  to  ambrosiella  by  F.  &  B.  (Stetf.  Ent.  Zeit.,  XXXIX,  267).  L.  ignofa  F.  A 
B.  seems  to  be  the  same  as  heleanthivorella  Chamb.,  as  suggested  by  Chambers — ignota 
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  Eiley,  chief  of  this  Division,  has  just  beeu  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.  Hageu  of  Cambridge,  who  was  elected  in  1803,  and  Dr.  A.  S.  Pack- 
ard, elected  in  1884.  The  Transactions  for  1888  show  that  there  are 
only  ten  living  honorary  fellows. 

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


55 

bis  official  couuection  with  the  Expositiou,  but  was  takeu  ou  account 
of  his  researches  iu  applied  Entomology,  jjarticuiarly  with  reference  to 
their  value  to  French  agriculture.  This  latter  honor  has  been  offered 
to  Professor  Riley  before,  but  he  has  jireviously  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. — L.  O.  II. 

A   NEW  EAST   INDIAN   GENUS   OF   COCCID^. 

Mr.  E.  T.  Atkinsou,  of  Calcutta,  has  just  published,  in  the  Journal 
of  the  Asiatic  Society  of  Bengal  (Vol.  Iviii,  Part  ii,  Xo.  1,  1889), 
descriptions  and  figures  of  a  new  genus  of  Bark-lice  found  at  Muug- 
phu,  in  Sikkim,  ou  Quercus  incarna,  Castania  india,  and  C.  tribuloides. 
The  insect  resembles  Pulvinaria  excej^t  that  its  larvae  have  distinct 
anal  tubercles.  It  is  a  Hemicoccid  resembling  the  Lecanids  iu  general 
appearance.  The  secretion  is  abundant  and  close  during  the  larval 
state.  In  the  second  stage  it  becomes  more  waxy  so  as  to  approach,  iu 
appearance,  the  genus  Orthesia,  and  the  mass  of  wax  ou  the  leaves  is 
more  like  detached  or  attached  plates  than  threads. 

CANNIBALISM  WITH   LADY-BIRDS. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Slater,  in  Scitnce  Gosstp  for  «July,  1889,  states  that  he  has 
seen  the  larviie  of  Coccinella  dispar  attack  the  pupte  of  its  own  species 
and  destroy  them.  He  has  witnessed  such  instances  of  cannibalism  not 
merely  iu  a  glass  box  iu  which  he  had  placed  some  larvte  and  pup?e, 
but  ou  a  row  of  curraut  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  i)lant-louse  destroyers.  He  has  never 
observed  the  adults  engaged  in  this  reprehensible  habit. 

DAMAGE  BY  THE  PEAR  MIDGE. 

Kev.  E.  N.  Bloomfleld,  of  Hastings,  Eugland,  rejiorts  in  the  July 
number  of  the  Entomologisfs  Monthly  Magazine  that  considerable  dam- 
age was  done  to  Pears  this  spring  in  his  vicinity  by  this  insect  {Diplosis 
pyrivorttf  Eiley). 

ICERYA  PURCHASI  NOT   IN  FLORIDA. 

The  several  recent  scares  concerning  the  supposed  api)earance  of  the 
Fluted  Scale  of  California  iu  Florida  appear,  upon  the  best  information 
which  we  have  been  able  to  secure,  to  have  been  founded  upon  errors 
iu  determination.  Iu  two  instances  the  common  Mealy  Bug  {Dactylo- 
pius  citri)  was  the  insect  mistaken  for  Icerya,  and  in  one  case  the  insect 
causiTig  the  scare  was  the  Florida  TVax-scale  {Ceroplastesforidensis). 


56 

A  NEW   STATE   BOARD   OF   HORTICULTURE. 

The  legislative  assemblj^  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  sev^eral  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  beiug  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,  w^hich  was  a  25-acre  rye  field,  and  found  the  crop  a  total 
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  pupce  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 
bad  expanded  there  appeared  numerous  examples  of  half  grown  larvae 
of  what  afterwards  yielded  the  Noctua  (Agrotis)  cvpidissima  Grote. 
These  larvae  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  larvte*  of  Plusia 
californica  and  also  some  Mamestra-like  larvs©  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  larvie  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  harboriug  au  unusual  number  of  Noctuid  larvte,  and  when 
plowing  became  practicable  the  worms  were  already  of  large  size;  the 
plowing  destroyed  their  food  plants  so  that  the  larvre  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.  Eivers. 

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  Iceryte,  were  not  only  in  millions  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,  aud  several  other  places,  where  Mr. 
Maskell  never  saw  them  at  all.  These  beetles  have  sprung  up  suddenly,  and  the  work 
they  have  done  is  positively  incredible.  In  March,  1868,  1  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, 1  was  again  in  Auckland  and 
lo,  it  was  goue!  I  fouud  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  the  enemy  ?  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  hangiug  to  the  Acacia  undulaia  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 
who  inherits  her  father's  love  of  nature,  uudertook  to  watch  them  for  me,  and  she 
now  reports  that  the  Coleoptera  are  all  gone  out  of  sight,  and  no  more  Iceryae  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  tbe  air.  The  distribution  of  the  species,  however 
over  the  whole  of  Europe  j^oints  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  oedlpus  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  e^es  as  a  rule  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  jjlace  at  cyclic  intervals? 

CATERPILLARS   STOPPING   TRAINS. 

Under  this  caption  we  printed  in  j^o.  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  i^resent  year  we  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Stark 
Webster,  of  Mattawamkeag,  Me.,  inclosing  a  clipping  from  the  Upper 
River  Neu's  of  May  25,  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.  He  also  noted  that  many  of  the  cocoons  spun  in  the 
latter  part  of  June  contained  a  large  white  maggot.  A  subsequentlet- 
ter,  dated  July  C,  was  accompanied  by  specimens  in  which  it  was  seen 
that  the  insect  they  contained  was  the  Tent  Caterpillar  of  the  Forest 
{Clisiocampa  sylvatica),  and  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,  Eock  Maple,  and 
some  other  trees. 

In  the  first  volume  of  the  Amer'wan  Entomologist^  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  ou  the  Canadian  Pa- 
cific.— Freight  locomotives  and  railroad  men  powerless. — Mosquitoes  joiu  iu  the 
raid  and  do  bloody  work, — Additional  motive  j)owerand  saud  eliect  their  release. 
The  first  freight  train  run  in  connection  with  the  Bangor  and  Piscataquis  over  the 
Canadian  Pacific  met  Avith  a  novel  and  what  at  one  time  threatened  to  be  a  serious 
as  well  as  a  laughable  mishap  Sunday.     Onr  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.  Wbeu  the  train  had  proceeded  a  few  miles,  aud  whenit  wason  a  short  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.  la  some  places  tbey  were  half  an  inch  thick,  and 
the  army  stretched  out  11  miles. 

The  night  previous,  as  the  tilne-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  oft'  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  through  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  nob  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  ijitching  most  vigorously  into  the  men,  seemingly  drawing 
blood  from  all  nationalities  alike,  and  the  sight  of  a  sweating,  swearing  railroad 
laborer,  frantically  brandishing  alder  boughs  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  Freuch  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 
hatching  occurred  vigorous  measures  of  defense  were  taken  by  beatiug 
the  ground  with  branches  of  trees  in  leaf. 


60 

When  the  Locusts  have  hatched  in  such  large  quantities  that  the  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  thisrequisition  willingly  and  without  complaint. — 
C.  V.  E. 

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  RcematoMa  cornicoJa. 
We  are  investigating  its  Yirginia  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  ai^pear,  and  it 
follows  with  reasonable  certainty  that  thoroughly  liming  the  dung  in 
places  where  the  cattle  preferably  stand  at  night  will  kill  off  many 
larvse  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. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OP    ENTOMOLOGY. 
PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  SEPTEMBER,    1889. 


A^ol.    II. 


No.  3. 


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. 


CONTENTS 


Special  Notes til 

Dermestes  vulpinus  IX  Goat-skins  (illustrated) Frank  M.  Jones..         63 

The  Japanese  Peach  Fkuit-wokm 04 

A  Kepokt  on  the  Lesser  Migratory  Locust C.  L.  Marlatt..        66 

The  imported  Australian  Lady-bird  (illustrated) D.  W.  Coquillett..        70 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 74 

Enemies  of  Diabrotica.— The  New  Zealand  Latrodectus.— Chinch-bug  Rem- 
edies.— Cutworms. — An  Army- worm  Irom  Indiana. 

Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  TValsing^am..        77 

General  Notes ." 81 

The  amended  California  horticultural  Law. — New  Codling  Moth  and  Peach 
Borer  Enemies. — Some  Pacific  Coast  Habits  of  the  Codling  Moth. — The 
Effect  of  arsenical  Insecticides  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  diftereut  Varieties  of  Wheat? — The  Asso- 
ciation of  Official  Economic  Entomologists. — The  Entomological  Club 
of  the  A.  A.  A.  S.—Dynastes  iityus  in  Indiana.— The  Field  Cricket  de- 
stroying Strawberries.— The  Plum  Curculio  Scare  in  California. — 
Lachnus  longistigma  on  the  Linden  in  Washington, 
II 


Vol.  II,  No.  3.]  INSECT    LIFE-         [September,  18§9. 


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  Ko. 
I  of  Vol.  I  of  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  Rhync.hota,"  by  Mr,  E.  T.  Atkinson,  and 
includes  short  articles  upon  the  liice  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  Carhula  higuttata),  an  insect  which  appears  in 
vast  numbers  whin  the  sesamum  crop  is  gathered  and  stacked  on  the 
threshing  floor  and  eats  out  the  kernel  of  the  seed,  leaving  onl3'  the 
husk;  the  Green  Bug  {Xezara  viridula),  which  occurs  upon  potato 
halms;  also  several  species  of  Capsidw,  Jassidce,  ApMdce,  and  Coccidce. 
A  new  species  of  GeratapMs  and  a  new  species  of  Pemphigus  are  men- 
tioned as  feeding  upon  Cinchona.  The  second  part  is  by  Mr.  L.  de 
Nic^ville,  and  treats  of  -a  Butterfly  injurious  to  Rice  and  the  Ceylon 
cardamom  pest.  The  butterfly  is  Saustus  gremius,  and  the  larvoe  feed 
upon  the  leaves  of  rice.  The  cardamom  pest  is  Lamphides  eJpis,  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.  E.  C.  Cotes  gives  us  further  notes  on  the 
Wheat  and  Rice  Weevil,  on  the  Sugarcane  Borer-moth  {Chilo  saccha- 
ralis),  the  Sorghum  borer  (species  not  determined),  a  caterpillar  in- 
jurious to  tea,  cut- worms,  a  moth  injuring  a  cultivated  timber  tree 
known  as  Cedrela  toona,  Clothes  moths,  Eispa  a'wesce/is  injuring  rice,  a 

61 


62 

species  of  Tomicus  whicb  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  Reliothis  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  AcJicea  melicerte,  the  damage  done  to  jute 
crops  by  caterpillars,  the  Spilarctia  siifusa,  the  injury  by  Tinea  lucidella 
to  the  horns  of  hollow  horned  ruminants,  damage  to  the  leaf  covering 
of  opium  balls  by  Lasioderma  testaceiim,  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  Ee- 
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.  F.  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  A.ssociation  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 

ciatiou  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,  J)d. 


Fjo.  l.—Dermestes  vulpinus :  a,  egg;  b,  c,  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  cf  beetle;  e,  head  of  larva;/,  left  maxilla  of  same,  with 
palpus;  <7,  labium  of  same,  with  palpi — enlarged.     (After  Eiley.) 

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  vulpimis^hoiougs,  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  occa- 
sionally that  it  occurs  in  sufficient  numbers  to  do  any  great  amount  of 
injury.  The  larvte  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  in  the  skin  ;  and  it  is  a  common  sight  to 
see  larvfe  of  various  ages,  pupae,  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 


lively  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  Enssia  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 


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 
burning  sulphur,  has  been  pro- 
posed ;  but  the  practical  value 


Fig.  8. — Goat-skin  damaged  by  leather-beetle — 
Uiit.  size.     (Original.) 

of  these  methods  has  not  been  tested. 


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 Col  man  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  couceruing  this  iusect.  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  a  species  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  a  single  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  tbe  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  larvae  ripening  early  and  dropping  oil".  Infested  fruit  may 
be  recognized  in  the  following  ways : 

(1)  It  becomes  soft  and  may  be  crushed  by  a  slight  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 
abont  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.  Marlatt,  Jssistatit. 

The  following  account  of  the  recurrence  in  injurious  numbers  of  the 
Lesser  Locust  {Melanoxms  atlanis)  the  present  season  in  the  Merrimac 
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  Eiley  visited  the  infested 
region  in  person  in  1882  and  1883,  aud  with  the  aid  of  some  of  his  assist- 
ants introduced  and  explained  to  the  farmers  some  of  the  machines 
for  collecting  aud  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  PI.  vii,  1 ;  aud  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  188  i  and  1883,  and  seemed  to  warrant 
the  investigation  recorded  in  this  article. 


67 

To  tlje  Entomologist  : 

Dear  Sik:  My  farm  this  seasou  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 3|  acres,  but  am  satisfied  I  can  never  exterminate  them  that  way.  They  were 
quite  bad  last  seasou,  but  not  to  be  compared  to  this. 
Respectfully, 

E.  A.  Fellows. 

Franklix,  N.  H.,  Juhj  3,  1889. 

Mr.  Fellows's  commuuication  is  iuteresting  not  only  because  it  records 
the  abundance  of  the  Locust  Mite  {Trombidium),  previously  found  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  suifered 
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  qaite  thick  in  the  oats  had  scattered  somewhat  over  adjoin- 
ing meadow-laud,  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  coitii;  but  none  were  found  ovipositing,  although  in 
the  dissection  of  a  large  number  of  females  one  or  two  were  found  with 
empty  ovaries,  indicatiug  that  oviposition  had  r<lready  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  iu  the  spring  either  by  plowing 
them  under  or  by  the  use  of  trapping  or  kerosene  machines,  shoukl  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  iu  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  bore  from  one  to  fifty 
mites,  while  of  those  near  the  river  less  than  50  percent,  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  larvse  {Tachma  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  iu  the  latter  part  of  June  and  the  first  of 
July.  Of  these,  sixty  bushels  were  taken  from  the  three  and  a  half  acres 
of  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  aucl  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.  Grordon  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  aud  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  oflficer  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,  Yt.,  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  Atlatiis  already  de- 
scribed. 

In  answer  to  inquiries  made  at  various  points  from  Hanover  to  Bel- 
lows Falls,  I  was  informed  by  various  parties  and  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  aud  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,  couflrmed  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  j)laced,  to  be 
a  comparatively  easy  matter  to  keep  them  in  subjection  by  the  use  of 
the  measures  already  given. 

The  Locust  Mite,  Dipterous  larvte,  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.  COQUILLETT,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

In  his  annual  report  for  the  year  1888,  published  in  the  report  of 
this  Department  for  that  year,  Professor  Eiley  has  given  an  account  of 
"  The  Importation  of  Parasites  and  Predaceous  Insects  from  Australia," 
containiug  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. 

Egg. — 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, 
suprastigmatal,  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  tibise  darker;  last  segment  furnished  with 
a  retractile  proleg. 


71 


Second  stage. — Same  as  iu  tbe  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  iu  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  G  millimeters  (Fig.  9). 


Fig.  9.—Yedolia  cardinalis :  a.  Full-grown  larva;  6,  pupa,  dorsal  view,  enclosed  in  last  larval  skin; 
e,  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  laid. 

haloid. 

First 
nioit. 

Second 
molt. 

Third 
molt. 

Pupated. 

Beetle 
issued. 

Apr.  20 

Apr.  26 

May     3 

May     5 

(?) 

May  U     May  21 

Apr.  23 

Apr.  29 

May     3 

May     7 

May  15 

May  19     May  26 

Apr.  27 

May     3 

May     5 

May  11 

May   19  1  Ma^   26 

May     6 

May  11 

May  14 

May   19 

May  29  |  June    5 

May  11 

May  13 

May    17 

May  23  !  May  31 

May     9     May   12 

May   20     May  26 

May   17  ;  May  22 

May  31  ,  June    5 

May   10 

May   17     May   25 

May   11 

May   19  i   May  27 

May  12 

May   19  1  May   26 
Apl-.  25  1  May     4 
Dec.     5     Dec.   18 

1 

72 

Averages :  Egg,  six  days.  Larva,  nearly  twenty-two  days  {i.  e.,  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  Qgg  is  more  slender  and  of  a  deeper  red  color  than  the  egg  of  the 
Icerya. 

The  young  larvse  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 
anteume  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  0{)ening  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- 


73 

ing  for  the  females  to  issue,  even  going  so  far  as  to  tear  away  the  old 
pupa-skiu  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  larvte  also  feed 
upon  the  Iceryas,  but  with  this  difference,  that  the     „ 

^  -^         '  '  llG   H)—\iduli 

attack  is  usually  made  from  above  instead  of  from      na?**,  adult,  enUificd. 

below.  (After  Ilile\). 

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  larvie  in  a  breeding-cage  containing  black  scales  (Lecanium 
olem  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  Ladybird  larvne  had  been  devoured  by  their  comrades.  At  the 
same  date  I  placed  an  equal  number  of  these  larvse  in  another  cage 
containing  specimens  of  an  undetermined  species  of  Lecanium  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 larvfe  had  fallen  a  prey  to  their  rapacious  brothers.  I  also  tested 
these  larvee  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.  II.  Dobbins  informs  me  that  on  one  occasion  he 
saw  a  lace- winged  tiy  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 
ray  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  greatlj'  aided  by 
Mr.  Wolfskin  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  10,55o  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-iufested  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.  E.  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  several  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  uame  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  yoH  to  know  that  I  have  bred  a  Tachina  fly  from  D.  soror,  but  its 
wings  never  expanded,  so  it  is  not  fit  for  study.  I  have  just  captured  a  large  number 
of  these  beetles,  and  will  try  to  breed  perfect  specimens  of  this  flj'. — [D.  W.  Coquil- 
lett,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  June  19,  1889. 

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


75 

The  New  Zealand  Latrodectus. 

I  take  great  interest  in  reading  the  periodical  bulletiu  uu  "  Insect  Life."  In  Vol.  I, 
No.  7,  January,  1889, 1  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. 
I  see  that  in  your  bulletin  it  is  described  as  black  ^vith  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  idaces,  mostly  banks  of  rivers,  and  were  especially  numerous  on  the  banks 
of  the  Waugauui  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 
a  cure.  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.  maclans.—lC.  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  1st  to  the 
liJth  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  become  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  bags  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  1st  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  1st  of  May.  His  wheat  came  out  and  made  good  grain,  while 
all  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  I  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.    I  am  putting  out  quite  a  patch  of 
sweet  potato  plants.     I  sprout  largely  for  sale  and  for  my  own  use,  and  also  raise 
490G-  -N^o.  3 2 


76 

cabbage,  tomato,  pepper,  and  other  plants.  I  find  that  the  Cut-worms  are  working 
on  mo.st  all  of  them.  I  have  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.  Pieplant  or  rhubaib  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  boiliug  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,  111.,  May  20,  1889. 

Reply. —  *  »  *  l^jie  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.  CEmler,  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  much  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  thea  dilute  it  con- 
siderably before  dipping  the  young  plants  in  it.-  Even  then  success  can  not  be  relied 
upon.     »     *     *     —[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,  tilled  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  i^lowed  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  I  do  not  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  propagatmg  year  by  year  along  the  fences  and  by-places 
adjacent  to  this  field,  which  had  been  previously  for  four  successive  seasous  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  tly  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  kiud  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 


77 

definite,  though  it  says  "  they  (the  worms)  go  into  the  molting  stage  and  re-appi^ar 
again  the  same  season,  or  prodnce  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  Lord  Walsingham. 

\_Conttimed  from  page  54  of  Vol.  II.^ 

Lithocolletis  alnifoliella  Hb. 

Chamb.  Bull.  U.  S.  G.  G.  Surv.,  IV,  121  (1878). 

Pack.  U.  S.  Dept.  lutr.,  Eut.  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  Injurious  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  larvje^  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  lysimachiaeella. 

Chamb.  Cin.  Qr.  Jr.  Sc.  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.  Ill,  165-6  (1871) :  IV,  123-4  (1872). 
Gn.  ?  sp.  ?  mining  Quercus  ilicifoliaf    Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  IV,  124  (1872). 

=z Lithocolletis  sp.?    Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  Ill,  166  (1871):  IV,  124  (1872). 
Gn.  ?  sp.  ?  mining  leaves  of  "  Willow  Oaks."    Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  (1872) :  IV,  124  (1872). 

=^  Lithocolletis  sp.  ?    Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  Ill,  166  (1871) :  IV,  124  (1872). 
Brachys  (eruginosa  Say.     Mining  Fagus  ferruginea.     Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  IV,  124  (1872). 

=  Lithocolletis  sp.  ?     Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  ill,  166  (1871) :  IV,  124  (1872). 


78 

Gn.  ?  sp.  ?  mining  Acer  saccharinum.     Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  IV,  124  (1872). 

=  LithocoUetis  sp.  ?    Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  Ill,  166  (1871) :  IV,  124  (1872). 
Meionius  Iwvigatus  Say.     Mining  Desmodium.     Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  IV,  124  (1872). 

=  Leucanthizal  sp.     Chamb.  Can.  Ent.  Ill,  166  (1871) :  IV,  124  (1872). 

LithocoUetis  chambersella. 
=  quinquenotella  Chamb. 

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

LithocoUetis  umbellularice  sp.  u. 

Antenna,  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. 
Read,  face  shining  white,  frontal  tuft  yellowish  in  the  middle,  saffron-brown  at  the 

sides. 
Thorax,  golden  saffron,  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-leu^th,  is  a  white  costal  spot  slightly 
margined  with  blackish  atoms,  and  opposite  to  this  is  another  whitedorsal  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  tiMce,  white,  with  two  broadish  black  bars  across  their  upper  sides  and  a  small 

black  terminal  spot. 
Exp.  al.,  Q"-". 
Ty2)e,  $  $  Mus.  Wlsm. 

Mendocino  County,  Cal.,  found  and  bred  iu  the  month  of  June,  1871.  Three  speci- 
mens, from  large  diffused  blister-like  mines  on  the  upper  side  of  leaves  of  Umbel- 
lularia  calif  or  nicalsnttal;  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  eincinnatiella  Chamb.  I  think  it  is 
open  to  question  whether  cincinnatiella  may  not  be  a  form  of  macrocarpella.  The  only 
differences  I  can  detect  in  comparing  authenticated  specimens  of  each  speciei  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- 


79 

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

-  LithocoUetis  gaultheriella  sp.  n. 

Antennw,  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-saffron,  posteriorly  whitish. 

Fore-iviiigs,  golden-satfrou,  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 
than  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-tvings,  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  $  9  Mus.  Wlsm. 
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  LithocoUetis. 

LithocoUetis  ledella  sp,  n. 

Antennw,  whitish,  faintly  barred  above  with  bruwn. 

Palpi,  white. 

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

Thorax,  golden-saffron  with  a  few  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- 
yined;  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. 

Eind-unngs  and  cilia,  gray,  with  a  faint  golden  sheen. 

Abdomen,  gray,  anal  tuft  paler. 

Mind-tarsi,  whitish-gray,  unspotted. 

j!:xp.  al.  9-10m»i. 

-fype  $  $  Mus.  Wlsm. 
Six  specimens,  brtd  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. 

LithocoUetis  alnicolella,  sp.  n. 

AntenncB,  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  triangular,  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-ivings  and  cilia,  also  pale  grayish. 
Abdomen,  gray  above,  anal  tuft  scarcely  paler. 
Posterior  tibia,  whitish,  unspotted. 
Exp.  al.  6"!"'. 
Type,  S  9  Mus.  JTlsni. 

Two  specimens  were  bred  from  larvre  found  mining  the  upper  sides  of  leaves  of 
Alnus  incana  on  Mount  Shasta,  Siskiyou  County,  Cal.,  in  August,  1871,  in  which 
mouth  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- 
coUetis feeding  on  both  sides  of  the  leaves. 


81 

Lithocolletis  incanella  sp.  n. 

Antenna',  whitish,  faintly  spotted  above. 
Palpi,  shiniijg  white. 

Htad,  face  shining  white,  frontal  tuft  white,  with  a  few  saffron  scales  at  the  sides. 
Thorax,  bright  reddish-saffron,  with  a  thin  whitish  line  running  arouud  its  anterior 
margin  and  coaimuuicatiug  with  the  basal  streak  on  the  fore-wing. 

Fore-tvings,  bright  brownish-saffron  with  a  king  sleuder  niedio-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  beyond  the  costal  streak  beyond  it;  the  second  costal  streak  ia  small  and 
points  slightly  outwards ;  the  third  is  nearly  perpendicular ;  the  fourth  points 
slightly  inwards  from  a  little  before  the  apes;  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  apes  estend- 
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  esterior  costal  streak;  within  this  line,  but  separate  from  it,  ia  an 
elongate  apical  spot  of  somewhat  disconnected  blackish  scales,  the  cilia  pale 
greyish. 

Hind-wings  and  cilia,  pale  grayish. 

Abdomen,  daik  gray  above,  aual  tuft  somewhat  paler. 

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

Exp.  ah,  9"'"\ 

Type,  $  9  Mus.  Wlsm. 
The  larva  feeds  in  mines  on  the  under  side  oi  Alnus  ineana  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  (uear  Pit 

fiiver),  Shasta  County,  Cal. 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

THE   AMENDED    CALIFORNIA  HORTICULTURAL   LAW. 

We  take  from  the  Los  Angeles  Evening  Express,  of  July  12,  the  fol- 
lowing amendmeuts  to  the  old  act  to  protect  aud  promote  the  horticult- 
ural interests  of  the  State.  Tlie  act  embodying  these  amendments  was 
tipproved  March  20.  Entomological  legislation  is  so  unusual  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: 
"Skc.  1.  Whenever  a  petition  is  presented  to  the  Ijoardof  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  otherwisi',  and  appoint  one 
commissioner  each  year,  one  mouth  or  thereabouts  previous  to  the  expiration  of  the 
term  of  office  of  any  member  of  said  commission.  The  said  commissiou  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  servo  for  one  year,  who  shall  serve  for  two  years,  and  who  shall  serve 
for  three  years,  and  shall  notify  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  result  of  their  choice." 
Sec.  2.  Section  two  of  said  act  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 
"Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  county  board  of  horticultural  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- 
stroy 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  owneis,  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 
maintaiuiug  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  iiublic 
nuisance,  and  may  be  proceeded  against  as  such.  If  found  guilty,  the  court  shall 
direct  the  aforesaid  couuty  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  jimended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 
"Sec.  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  ofiicer  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: 
"Sec.  4.  It  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  rc-ports  in  bulletin  form,  or 
may  incorporate  so  much  of  the  same  in  their  annual  reports  as  may  be  of  general 
iuterest." 


85 

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

"  Sec.  5.  Each  member  of  the  county  board  of  horticultural  commissioners,  aud 
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 
couipeusation  as  shall  be  determined  by  resolution  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the 
county,  before  entering  into  the  discharge  of  his  or  their  duties." 

Sec.  6.  Section  six  of  said  act  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"Sec.  6.  Said  county  boards  of  horticultural  commissioners  shall  have  power  t4» 
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,  aud  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  : 

"Sec.  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." 

Sec.  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." 
Sec.  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,  iu  the  Industrialist  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  larvae  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  ]ar\  tB  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  larvje  of  Trogosita  ohscura 
devour  the  pupsB  of  the  Codling  Moth  under  tree  bands. 

He  also  states  that  he  bred  a  large  number  of  specimens  of  a  honey- 
yellow  Bracouid  from  larvae  and  pupae  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  Eeport  of  this  Department  for  1879,  that  Professor  Corn- 
stock  during  that  year  bred  4  parasites— 2  Chalcids,  1  Microgaster,  and 
1  Braconid.  Professor  Eiley  has  reared  from  the  ^geria  Phceogenes 
ater  Cress,  and  Bracon  nlgrifectus  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  INIoth  differs  slightly  in  habit  in  Cal- 
ifoinia  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  iuch  in  diameter,  he  noticed  the  moths 
appearing  in  numbers.  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  u])ou  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  larvte,  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  dustiug 
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  Albanj,  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  i^robable  effects 
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  Si)rayed  all  sorts  of  fruifs  freely,  both 


85 

iu  aud  out  of  the  blooining-  season,  and  instead  of  destroying  liis  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  iu  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  onb^  three  years 
ago  iu  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  iu  cane-growing  regions. 

Dr.  Soltwedei,  in  his  article,  mentions  having  discovered  in  the  cane 
roots  the  following  genera,  which  all  belong  to  the  family  Anguillulida3 : 
Borylaimus,  only  once  ;  several  species  of  Tylenchus,  of  which  the  one 
found  almost  always  attendant  upon  the  "  sereh"  disease,  seems  to  be 
new,  and  is  uamed  by  him  T.  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 
aud  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  iu  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  aud  of  the  egg,  and  remarks  ou  the 
various  organs,  including  those  of  generation  aud  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  2,ny  remedies. — T.  T. 

THE   IMPORTATION   OF   OCNEEIA  DISPAR. 

We  are  greatly  interested  to  learn  from  the  New  England  Farmer  of 
July  13  that  the  larvsB  of  this  well-known  European  insect,  which  is  a 
rather  large  bouib;ycid  moth,  have  made  their  appearance  in  the  town 
f  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  larvse  of  this  insect.  The  importation  at  this 
late  date  of  such  a  conspicuous  species  is  of  great  interest. 

ANOTHER  LEAF-HOPPER  REMEDY. 

Mr.  George  West,  of  Stockton,  Cal.,  according  to  the  Vineyardist  of 
July  15,  has  given  the  plan  of  feeding  ofit'  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  GOU-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 
uo  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- 
cult family  Territelariae. 

DOES  THE   WHEAT-STEM  MAGGOT,   MEEOMYZA   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  Ave  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  th 
attack  of  the  spring  brood  of  larvie,  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  s  anie  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  lith  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-' 
euce  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. — F.  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  th  ■  Advance- 
ment of  Science,  a  meeting  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.  AH  econ- 
omic entomologists  employed  by  the  general  or  State  Governments  or  by  the  State 


e 

n 


88 

Experimeotal  Stations  or  by  auy  agricultural  or  horticultural  association,  and  all 
teachers  of  ecouomic  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 
Jby  a  majority  of  the  officers,  or  shall  be  called  on  the  written  request  of  not  less  than 

te  members.     Eight  members  shall  constii/ute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 

;ss, 
^The  mode  of  publication  of  the  proceedings  of  the  association  shall  be  decided  upon 
w  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. 

I-  The  adoption  of  tlie  constitution  was  followed  by  an  election  of  offi- 
cers, which  resulted  as  follows :  President,  Dr.  C.  V.  Kilej^,  U.  S.  Ento- 
mologist; first  vice  president,  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes,  State  Entomologist  of 
Illinois;  second  vice-president,  Prof.  A.  J.  Cook,  Professor  of  Entomol- 
|gy  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.  Kiley,  of  Washington ;  S. 
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  iMaine;  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  Eeed,  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, 


8y 

Rev.  C.  J.  S.  Bethune,  Mr.  William  Saunders,  Dr.  P.  R.  Hoy,  Mr.  C. 
M.  Weed,  Mr.  L.  O.  Howard,  Mr.  J.  Alston  Moflat,  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- 
aid,  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.  Bethnne,  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'  IS"., 
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.  ^9'^  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  larvae  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 
ate  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 
iruit  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  CUECULIO   SCARE  IN   CALIFORNIA. 

Eecent  advices  from  one  of  our  California  agents,  Mr.  D.  W.  Coqnil- 
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  ConotracJielus  nenuphar. 
The  Rose  Beetle  has  been  found  to  be  very  destructive  in  that  vicinity 
to  the  leaves  of  Evergreen  Oaks,  Camelias,  Palms  {Washingtonia  Jilli- 
/era),  Canna  indica,  and  several  other  plants. 

LACHNUS  LONGISTIGMA   ON   THE   LINDEN   IN   WASHINGTON. 

The  Linden  Tree-louse,  Lachnns  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  Rilej,  has  so  far  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  L.  platanicola  to  Linden  and  L.  longistigma  to 
Sycamore,  resulted  in  both  cases  in  the  failure  of  the  colonies. — T.  T. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  OCTOBER,    1889. 


^Ol.    II. 


ISTo.  4. 


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  AUTIIOR,ITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  AGRICULTURE.] 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE, 


G  0  N  T  E  N  T  S. 


Page. 

Special  Notes 91 

TilK  HOKX  Fi.Y   (illustrated) 93 

Some  Insect   Pests  of   the   Household— Bed-bucs   and  Red  Ants  (illus- 

Tiated) C.  r.Itiley..  104. 

Identity  of  Sciiizoneuka  panicola  Thos.  and  S.  couni  Fah R.  Oshorn . .  lOS 

Notes  on  the  Breeding  and  other  Habits  of  some  Species  of  Cuuculi- 

ONiD.E,  especially  OF  THE  Genus  Tylodekma F.  M.  Wthslvr..  lOy 

Extracts  from  Correspondence lliJ 

The  Spread  of  the  Anstraliau  Lady-bird. — Wasi).sin  ludia. — Injurious  lusects 
iu  New  Mexico. — The  Corn-feeding  Syrpluis-lly. — Larva?,  of  Ceplieuomyia 
in  a  Man's  Head. 

Steps  towards  a  Eevision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc Lord  WaU'uujham..  IIC 

General  Notes 1"^1 

The  Cabbage  Plutella  iu  New  Zealand. — Caunibalisra  with  Coccinella. — 
Rhode  Island  popular  Names  for  CorijdaJus  coniutus. — 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.  II,  Wo.  4.]  INSECT  LIFE.  [October,  1§§9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Greeting — The  writer  is  pleased  to  greet  more  directly  again  the  read- 
ers of  Insect  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)  Ave  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  ii 
duties  have  been  discharged. — C.  V.  R. 


Lestophonus  or  Cryptochcetum — Professor  Mik's  Opinion. — In  the  August 
number  of  the  Wiener  Entomologisclie  Zeituny  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  Ochthiphilina',  and  states  that,  in  his  opinion, 
there  can  hardly  be  any  doubt  regarding  the  identity  of  Lestophonus 
with  Rondani's  CryptocJuctum.  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.  VIP  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 

Tbe  principal  articles  are  upon  experiments  in  preventing  the  injuries 
of  tbe  Plum  Curculio;  a  practical  preventive  of  Kose  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  afiecting 
garden  crops  ;  heat  as  a  remedy  for  Bean  and  Pea  Weevils;  the  Chinch 
Bug  in  Ohio ;  on  two  Potato  Insects  {Epicfcrus  imbricatus  and  Doryphora 
lOlineata)',  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  {Asiridiotus  aitrantii),  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  w^ere  placed  in  a  boiler  and  covered  with 
water  and  then  boiled  until  dissolved  and  stirred  occasionally  during 
the  boiliug.  After  dissolving,  the  preparation  was  boiled  briskly  for 
about  an  hour,  a  small  quantity  of  cold  water  beiug  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. 

(Hwmatohia  serrata  Robiueau-Desvoidy.) 


-H^MATOBIA  SERUATA: 

larged.     (Original.) 


marxMt 
pupariuui ;    d,  adult  in  biting  position — all  en- 


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. 

FIRSl    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  whicli  appear  to  have  made  their  first  ap- 
pearance abont  the  middle  of  Angnst.  They  are  very  annoying  to  cattle,  but  rarely 
settle  upon  the  horses  or  mules.  They  gather  in  patches  or  clusters  particularly  npon 
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  bo  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  iVlr.  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, 18S8,  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  sumuier. 

By  the  summer  of  1S89  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,  Staftbrd,  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  Calvertou  during  June  and  Jul}'.  Later  in  the  season  Mr. 
Marlatt  assisted  in  the  worlj,  which  had  been  greatly  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. 


Fig.  12.— H.'EMATOBIA  serrata:  a.  side  view  of  head  of  larva;  &,  ventral  view  of  head  of 
larva,  showing  antennas  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  circum- 
stances, will  prove  uudoubtedly  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.  Willistou,  to  whom  we  sent  specimens  for  name,  wrote  us  that  he 
thought  it  an  introduced  species,  and  very  close  to.  ffccmatobia  serrata 
of  Robineau-Desvoidy,  differing  only  in  color  of  legs  and  auteuuie.  He 
has  since,  however,  described  it  as  a  new  species  (see  EntomoJogica 
Americana,  Vol.  V,  No.  9,  September,  1889,  pp.  180-181),  under  the  name 
Hannatohia  cornicola,  giving  H.  serrata  as  a  questionable  synonym. 
His  published  remarks  on  this  point  are: 

I  can  not  resist  tLe  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  iu  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.  Lintuer  had  sent  specimens  to  Baron  Osten-Sacken  at 
Berlin,  who  determiiied  them,  as  Dr.  Lintuer  informs  us  iu  a  letter 
dated  September  16,  as  the  European  serrata,  placing  it  in  the  closely 
allied  genus  or  subgenus  Lyperosia  of  Roudani.  We  are  quite  inclined 
to  accept  Baron  OstenSackeu's  dictum  in  this  matter  and  so  also  we  feel 
assured  will  Dr.  Willistou,  and  we  hence  conclude  that  our  species  is 
the  European  serrata,  whether  it  be  ultimately  placed  in  Hcemaiohia  or 
Lyperosia  hoih.  of^  which  genera  were  split  off  from  iStoinoxys  and  are 
considered  by  Schiner  as  subgenera  of  this  last.  At  present  we  shall 
follow  Dr.  Willistou  in  placing  it  in  Rwmatobia. 

We  kuo\y  little  of  the  European  geographical  distribution  of  ^.  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  fact  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  Htematobia  in  Europe  are  given  by  Railliet*  as  follows : 

The  Hiematobias  are  very  small  flics  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 iu  through  the  hairs  to  pierce  the  skin.  H.  stimulaus  Meig.  and  H.  fcrox  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  iu  small  numbers  it  was  probably  for 


■■  Elements  do  Zoologie  Mddicale  et  Agricole. 


96 

some  time  unnoticed,  aud  its  first  noticeable  appearance  may  not  Lave 
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.  K  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  importatious  have  been  from  points  like  Antwerp,  Loudon,  Am- 
sterdam, Hamburg,  Glasgow,  Liverpool,  Southampton,  Hull,  Rotter- 
dam, aud  Bristol.  The  year  188G,  immediately  preceding  the  appear- 
ance of  the  fly,  was  marked  by  quite  an  extensive  importation  of  Hol- 
steius  from  Amsterdam  and  Kotterdam  and  Loudon,  through  the  Gar- 
field station,  mainly  for  parties  in  New  York  City.  Over  three  hundred 
were  imported,  aud  an  interesting  point  to  investigate  will,  therefore, 
be  the  occurrence  or  nonoccurrence  of  this  fly  in  Holland. 

POPULAR    NAMES   AND   POPULAR   ERRORS. 

The  popular  name  which  is  here  adopted — the  "  Horn  Fly" — has  the 
sanction  of  popular  use.  It  is  sufficiently  distinctive  aud  we  therefore 
recommend  its  adoption.  The  name  of  "  Texas  Fly  "  aud  "  Buffalo  Fly  " 
aud  "Buffalo  Gnat"  are  also  in  use  in  some  sections  aud  iudicate  au 
impression  that  the  insect  came  from  the  West.  Dr.  Lintuer  uses  the 
term  "Cow-horn  Fly."     Objections  may  be  urged  to  all  of  these. 

The  most  promiueut  of  the  popular  errors  is  the  belief  that  the  fly 
damages  the  horn,  eats  into  its  substance,  causes  it  to  rot,  aud  even 
lays  eggs  in  it  which  hatch  into  maggots  aud  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  'Egg.— 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 
aud  breeding.  It  seemed  probable  that  this  was  the  only  substance  in 
which  the  species  breeds,  as  indeed  it  is  the  only  likely  substance  which 


97 

exists  in  sufficient  quantity  tlirougb  the  pastures  to  liarbor  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  Ilajmatobia  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  nmde  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  to  a  single  dropping, 
while  that  dropped  between  4  p.  m.  and  later  in  the  night  contained  still 
fewer.  On  a  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  act  of  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  fully  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 
a  minute.  Every  individual  had  returned  to  the  cow,  however,  in  little 
mfire  than  a  minute.  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 
speedily  as  possible  after  dropping,  the  flies  had  already  left. 

The  results,  therefore,  indicate  that  the  eggs  are  dei)Osited  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 

JDescrip  f  ion— hength,  1.25"'™  to  1.37""";  width,  0.34"""  to0.41"i™.  Shape,  irregular 
ovnl,  nearly  straight  along  one  side,  convex  along  the  other.  General  color,  light 
reddish  hrown,  lighter  after  hatching.  General  surface  covered  with  a  hexagonal, 
epithelial-like  sculpture,  each  cell  from  .027'"™  to  .033'"'"  in  length  hy  ahout  half 
the  width.  In  the  uuhatched  egg,  even  in  those  just  deposited,  a  long,  rather  nar- 
row, ribbon-like  strip  is  noticed  along  the  entire  length  of  the  flattened  side,  ratber 
spatuloid  in  shape.  lu  hatching  this  strip  splits  otf,  remaining  attached  at  one  end, 
and  the  larva  emerge  from  the  resulting  slit. 

Larva. — After  the  eggs  hatch  the  larvii'  desceud  into  the  duug,  re- 
maining, however,  rather  near  the  surface. 

Newly -hatched  ia/m.— 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. 

Fiill-yroun  Larva. — Length,  7""";  greatest  width,  2  to  2.5'"'".  Color,  dirty  white. 
Antenme  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  iu  young  larva.  Anal  stigmata  large,  slightly  pro- 
truding, very  dark  brown,  nearly  round,  flattened  on  proximal  borders,  slightly  longer 
than  broad,  0.14'"'"  in  length,  with  one  central  round  oiiening,  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.  Aual  segment  below  with  a  dark  yellow  chitinous 
plate  showing  six  irregular  paired  tubercles;  the  surface  of  the  skin  surrounding  the 
j)late  rather  coarsely  granulated. 

PuPARiUM. — When  readj^  to  transform  the  larv.ne  evidently  descend 
Irom  the  dung  into  the  ground  below  from  a  half  to  three-quarters  of  an 
inch.  Actual  observations  were  made  on  larvne  iu  dung  in  breeding- 
cages  where  the  soil  was  line  sand,  affording  ready  entrance  to  the  lar- 
vae. 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. 

Bencription. — The  puparium  is  from  4 '"'"  to  4.5  """  in  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  sanui  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  Num- 
ber OF  ANNUAL  GENERATIONS. — Tbc  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  teu 
to  fifteen  days  from  the  laying  of  the  eggs.    In  all  cases  the  eggs  hatched 


99 


Experiments  a  little  later  gave  the 
1.  on  cow  duug  free  from 


in  less  than  twenty-four  hours 
following-  i)eriods: 

Aug.  21.  Eggs  deposited  in  confinement  placed  at 
eggs  of  other  flies. 

23.  Larvie  one-fourth  gi-own. 
25.  LarviT3  0ue-half  inch  long. 

27.  Larva3  leaving  manure  and  entering  sand  to  pupate. 
Sept.   5.  Three  flies  issued. 

Aug.  23.  Eggs  placed  with  isolated  dung  at  1.30  p.  m. 

24.  (9  a.m.)  Eggs  have  hatched. 

25.  LarviC  one-fourth  inch  long. 

29.  Apparently  full  grown. 

30.  Puparia  found. 
Sept.   5.  Two  flies  issued. 

6.  Four  flies  issued. 

1.  Eggs  deposited  10.25  a  m. 

2.  Eggs  were  hatched  when  examined  at  9  a.  m. 
5.  Larva>  half  grown. 

7.  LarvtB  entering  sand. 

8.  Five  puparia  taken  from  sand. 

9.  All  in  jjuparia. 

15.  Three  adults.  ^ 

16.  Twenty  adults.  >A11  found  at  9  a.  m. 

17.  Twenty-six  adults.    ' 

17.  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. 


Fig.  13.— HiEMATOBiA  seuuata:   a,  head  of  female,  fiont  view;  b,  Lead  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 


iu  Virginia  early  in  May,  and,  from  hearsaj^  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  the  slightest  harm 
to  the  animal.  Careful  study 
of  the  insects  in  the  field 
show  that  they  assume  two 
characteristic  positions,  one 
while  feeding  and  the  other 
while  resting.  It  is  the  rest- 
ing position  in  which  they 
are  always  found  when  upon 
the  horns.  In  this  position 
the  wings  are  held  nearly  flat 
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  out  widely,  aud  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  tailor  an  impatient  turn  of  the  head 
the  flies  rise  instantl}^  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 a  rain-storm  they  flock  beneath  the  belly.     When  the  animal  is 


Fig.  U.— B.ematoi!Ia  serrata:  Adult  in  resting  poai- 
tiou— enlarged.    (Oiiginal.) 


101 

lying  down  a  favorite  place  of  attack  seems  to  be  under  tbe  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  Hies  and  will  lose 
condition  rajjidly,  while  others  are  but  slightly  troubled. 


Fig.  15. — Cowliorn  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  oft"  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  Entomoloyica  Americana  {loc.  cit.). 

Male. — Length  3.5  to  4"™.  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  antenua> ; 
in  the  middle  a  narrow,  dark  brown  stripe;  a  single  row  of  slender  bristles  ou  each 
side.  Antenn;B  brownish  red  ;  second  joint  slightly  tumid ;  third  joint  a  little  hmger 
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  geuial  orbits  silvery  gray,  with  a  slightly  yellowish  cast;  facial  foviie 
and  cheeks  blackish,  the  latter  clothed  with  yellowish  hair.  Palpi  black,  the  inner 
surface  and  immediate  base  more  yellowish  ;  gently  spatnlate  in  sbape,  nearly  as  long 
as  the  proboscis,  and  extending  two-thirds  of  their  length  beyond  the  oral  margin. 
Mesonotum  sub-shining  black  in  ground-color,  but  mostly  concealed  beneath  a  brown- 
ish dust,  which,  on  the  pleura?,  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,  tirst  two  pairs  of  tibite 
and  tarsi  brownish  yellow  or  luteous,  the  hind  tibite  and  tarsi  blackish  brown;  hind 
tibia}  on  the  posterior  surface  with  a  noticeable,  erect,  subapical  bristle  ;  hind  tarsi 
about  as  long  as  their  tihiye,  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  wiug. 

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

AMOUNT   OF   DA.MAGE. 

y'lie  amount  of  damage  done  by  the  fly  has  been  exaggerated  by  some 
and  underestimated  by  others.  We  have  heard  niauy  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  diflicult  to  heal.  Those  who  uuderesti- 
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  ApiAications. — 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  an  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.  Where  it  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  larvie  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  larvie  will  consequently  be  more  or  less  together  and  easy 
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-. 

Oar  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  H;Tematobias  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.  EiLEY. 

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  one  redeeming  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  tliink  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. 

{Acantliia  lectularia  L.) 

I  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  Asiatic  and  African  countries  around  the  eastern  end 
of  the  Mediterranean.  It  was  introduced  into  England  at  least  as 
early  as  1503,  and  doubtless  reached  America  soon  after  extensive  set- 
tlement.   Certain  English  writers  have  endeavored  to  father  the  pest 

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

t  From  GqocI,  ffousekeeping,  May  25,  1889, 


X 


105 

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

The  adult  bug  (Fig.  1G6)  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      Fig.  le.— Acanthia  lectularia:  a,  young;  6,  adult—en- 

nearly  transparent.   The  head  ^^^'^  '   *    ^^^   ^"^'^ 

is  comparatively  broader  than  in  the  old  bug,  and  the  autenmie  are 
stouter.  They  molt  several  times  before  attaining. full  growth,  jyid 
among  the  specimens  in  my  possession  I  can  distinguish  about  four 
distinct  stages.  Tlie  bug  figured  at  16  a  has  probably  molted  once,  and 
the  differences  in  the  head,  thorax,  and  antennae,  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  temperatnre  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  disiufect'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  iu  all  its  stages,  including  the  egg.  It  is  a  certain 
remedy,  and  used  thoroughly  will  destroy  every  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  sto])ped  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  tbe  bed-bug 
has  been  found  in  the  woods  under  tlie  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  w^hose  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  occasion- 
a.  h.  ally  in  beds  as  far  noith  as 

riG.iT.-coNOKiiiNus  sAxouisuGA:  «,  luatiuc  bu- ;  h,    ^^q^  Jcrspy  aud  Illiuois,  but 

7)uj)a.     (After  lliley.)  -,  j.    I'l  -i.       n       i  i    • 

does  not  habitually  breed  in 
such  locations.  Its  bite  is  very  painful  and  it  will  absorb  a  consi<lerable 
amount  of  blood.-  We  show  the  adult  bug  and  the  nearly  full-growu 
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  Sa^^  which  is,  however,  a  synonym.  In  the  larger  cities 
of  Europe  it  is  as  much  of  a  pest  today  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  i)art  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,  aud  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  eflect  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  aud  attended  by  a  retiijue  of  workers 


107 

cariiij>-  for  the  larv.ne  aucl  startiug  oat  from  dawn  till  dawn  on  foraging 
expeditions  in  long  single  files  like  Indians  on  the  war-path. 


b'lo:  18.— MoxOMORiuM  PHAUAONis  :  ft,  female  ;  h,  worker  enlarged.     (After  Kiley.) 

I  have  shown  at  figure  IS  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  kerosene  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  yonr  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  accoiiiiilish  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  small  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  i-Torth,  and  aFloridian  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  {Gamjyonotus  herculeanus  var. 
pennsylvanicus)  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  a  few  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  i)lace  has 
ceased. 


IDENTITY  OF  SCHIZONEURA  PANICOLA  Thos.  AND  S.  CORNI  Fab. 

By  Herbert  Oshorx. 

Hitherto  the  species  of  ScMsoneura  infesting  grass  roots  and  dog- 
wood leaves,  respectively,  have  been  coiisidered  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  spc^cies,  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,  producing  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  sufiticient  interest  to 
merit  the  immediate  attention  of  entomologists. 

It  may  be  stated  here,  however,  that  winged  individuals  of  8.  pani- 


109 

cola  bred  from  grass  agree  very  perfectly  with  individuals  of  8.  corni 
fouud  oil  Dogwood  est;iblisliiug  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  yvinged  jianicola  reared  from  grass 
roots  and  transferred  to  Conms  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.,  iv,  214),  but  this 
description  is  so  brief  and  general  that  it  might  not  be  sufficient  for  de- 
termination. Mr.  Oestlund,  however  (Aphididie  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 
corni.  W alsh'' s  fungicola  (Proc.  Ent.  Soc.  Phil.,  i,  304)  is  apparently  a 
fresh  corni  that  he  found  resting  on  fungus  ;  and  as  he  describes  corni- 
cola  as  like/M^^/co/a,  except  abdomen  black,  I  am  inclined  to  think  he 
had  simply  older  or  contracted  specimens  for  the  description  of  the  lat- 
ter. Passerini's  Schizoneura  venusta  (Gli  Afidi,  p.  38),  infesting  roots 
of  grasses  in  Europe,  is  evidently  the  equivalent  o^panicola  Thos.  in  the 
United  States,  and  I  find  by  turning  to  Passerini's  original  description 
that  he  mentions  its  similarity  to  corni  Fab.,  without,  however,  suggest- 
ing any  relation  between  them.     He  says: 

Valde  similis,  Schizoneura}  corni,  cjiiie  autem  tliversa  dorso  omuiuo  nigro  iu  apteris, 
et  abdominis  basi  et  apice  tautum  albido  iu  alatis. 

All  discrepancies  in  the  descriptions  (which  are  very  slight)  seem  to 
me  to  be  accountable  on  the  ground  of  difference  in  a^jpearance  of  tbe 
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  antennte. 


NOTES  ON  THE  BREEDING  AND  OTHER  HABITS  OF  SOME  SPECIES 
OF  CURCULIONID^,  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  iu  fratjaria!  Eiley,* 
from  the  fact  that  its  larviii  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.  Aiuslie,  of  Rochester,  Miuu.,  iu  1880,  who 
stated  fhat  it  was  of  rare  occurreuce. 


no 

this  period,  including  the  time,  place,  mid  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  G5°  to  70°  Falir.,  they  immediately  be- 
gan pairing.  A  few  days  later  one  of  tbe  females  w^as  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  Gth  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, 
lud.,  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,  glatiuous  substance. 

I  now  had  over  a  dozen  females  in  the  jar,  and,  notwithstanding  they 
were  pairing  with  the  males  constantly,  there  apjieared  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  i)lants  in  as  mauy  flower-pots,  placing  the  first  so  deep  in 
tbe  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  a  nidus.  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  tbe  cavity.  Tbe  labor  of  oviposition  over,  she  again 
turned  about,  and,  after  carefully  pushing  the  egg  in  place,  began  col- 


Ill 

lecting  the  down  from  the  stem,  pulliDg  it  oif  with  her  jaws  aud  tuck- 
iug  in,  over  and  about  the  egg,  effectually  tilling  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  1st  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,  aud  these 
about  as  large  as  previously  indicated.  1,  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  aud  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  develoiDuient  of  the  larvte  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  larva?  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  mouth.  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  spe^iiesfoveolatus  Say  oviposits  in  the  stems  of  the  Evening  Prim- 
rose, CEnofhera  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  fr((fjaria%  but 
shaped  and  colored  much  the  same.    The  insect,  iu  all  its  stages  except 


112 

the  egg,  may  be  fouud  in  the  stems  of  this  plant  during  the  mouth  of 
August,  the  more  advanced  stages  nearest  to  the  ground.  The  main 
stem  in  the  one  selected  and  the  work  of  the  beetle  mcy  be  readily  de- 
tected by  their  scarred  and  pitted  appearance.  Except  from  beiug 
larger,  the  larvie  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  pupne. 

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  areus  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  Imeaticollis  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 
larvfB  are  preyed  upon  by  a  species  of  Bracon,  the  larvse  of  which  leave 
the  body  of  their  host  and  spin  small  brown  cocoons  within  the  seed 
pod,  several  parasites  inhabiting  a  single  larva  of  Ehysseniatus. 

June  18,  1889. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Spread  of  the  Australian  Lady-bird. 

The  Vedolia  has  multiplied  in  numbers  aud  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,  aud  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  aud  thoroughness,  that  I  am  to-day  coutident  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  Juue  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. 
K.  Dobbins,  San  Gabriel,  Cal.,  July  2,  1889. 


113 

Wasps  ill  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  Mnrdau,  and  brought 
to  Jheluni,  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  bos  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  contains  a  number  of  specimens  of  the  bean 
or  frijole  bug,  also  two  small  pnpte  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  Ipomnea  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  I  am  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  i^reys  on  the  beans,  originates  from  the  other. 

The  convolvulus  bug  appears  early  in  the  spring  ;  I  gathered  it  on  the  plants  my- 
self in  May.  The  Beau  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  ajsugof  any  kind  on  them.  The 
Bean  bug  commits  great  depredations  on  bean  fields,  often  destroying  them  entirely. 
The  only  means  the  Mexicans  have  found  to  somewhat  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  beau  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-called  navy  beau,  and  it  would  be 


114 

a  real  acquisition  to  the  American  bill  of  fare.  The  Mexicans  eat  their  beans  three 
times  a  day — at  every  meal  the  year  rouud,  if  they  have  them,  In  a  few  days  I  will 
endeavor  to  go  myself  to  the  place  from  which  these  bean  bugs  (I  think  you  ought  to 
call  them  Mexican  beau  bugs  if  not  already  named)  were  seut  to  me,  some  20  miles 
from  Las  Vegas,  to  examine  them  myself  on  the  vines,  and  will  then  send  you  another 
lot  and  describe  what  I  see. —  [J.  F.  Wielandy,  Springer,  N.  Mex.,  Julj'  "23,  1S89. 

Rp:ply. — I  have  your  letters  of  the  22d,  23d,  and  24th  of  July,  and  also  all  of  the 
8i>ecimens  which  you  mention.  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  full  informa- 
tion aud  for  the  specimens  Avhich  you  send.  The  insect  which  you  call  the  New 
Mexico  bean  bug  is  Epilachna  corriq>ta,  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  Chelimorjyha  crihrarla. 
Your  long  account  in  your  letter  of  the  23d  is  very  interesting,  and  unless  you  send 
mo  something  to  supersede  it  after  your  visit  in  person  to  examine  the  insects  in  the 
field,  I  shall  publish  it  in  Insect  Life.  Among  your  specimens  we  also  found  the 
common  rose  bug  of  the  Northern  States  {MacrodacfyJ us  mibs2)inosu8).  The  applica- 
tion of  an  arsenical  poison  early  in  the  season  should  be  an  effective  remedy  against 
the  bean  bug.  Your  locality  is  a  very  interesting  one,  and  I  trust  you  will  keep  your 
eyes  open  for  injurious  insects  for  us. — [July  31,  1889.] 

Second  letteu. — In  order  to  investigate  the  Mexican  bean  bug  more  fully  (there 
being  no  beans  in  this  immediate  neigbborhood)  I  Avent  last  Sundaj^  to  Watrous, 
some  50  miles  south  of  this  place,  on  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &,  Santa  F6  Railroad, 
where  I  examined  them  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  William  Kroenig,  who  is,  with  me,  one  of 
the  very  fewxiersons  who  take  a  i  interest  in  such  matters  in  New  Mexico.  The  re- 
sult is  that  I  am  enabled  to  send  you  to-day  the  insect  in  the  egg  stage,  the  larva 
stage,  and  the  iuuigo  stage.  Th^  pupaas  I  am  not  able  to  procure,  for  reasons  appar- 
ent enough.  In  conversing  with  Mr.  Kroenig  I  find  the  following  facts:  That  ho  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  cultivated  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  waj^  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  mo  is  now  to  find  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  w^ent  to  a  corn  field  in  which  there  were  beans  iilanted  among  the 
corn.  We  there  found  chiefly  larvte,  and  only  4  bugs.  The  bugs  had  apparently  laid 
their  eggs  aud  died.  The  larvio  were  nearly  all  of  the  same  size.  I  also  found  3 
bunches  of  eggs,  which,  together  with  the  larvai,  I  put  in  the  little  vial  with  a 
mixture  of  ale  A  and  water.  The  i)areut  bug  appeared  about  the  loth  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 
eggs.  I  found  among  them  two  varieties  of  lady-bugs,  which  seemed  engaged  in 
preying  upon  the  eggs  and  small  larvte,  and  of  which  I  inclose  a  couple  of  speci- 
mens. I  do  not  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  larvio  in  the  bottle  together  with  the  eggs.  I  am  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 
Ipoma^a  or  Convolvulus;  the  other  being  the  notorious  Mexican  beau  bug,  which  is 
the  brown  bug  of  the  Coleoptera  order — sixteen  spotted.  I  will  continue  my  observ- 
ations on  this  insect.     I  send  you  a  few  bean  leaves  to  show  you  the  manner  in  which 


115 

its  depredations  are  committed.  Yon  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. 

I  also  send  you  another  box  with  a  bug  of  the  Hemiptera  order,  which  I  found  in  a 
garden  at  Las  Vegas,  preyiug  upon  youug  cabbage  plants,  which  it  sucks,  causing 
the  leaves  to  dry  and  the  young  i>lauts  to  wilt  aiul  die  entirely,  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  squash  bug  preys  upon  Cucurbita\  This  very  pr.tty  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  iu 
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- 
self. I  also  send  you  a  third,  grayish  insect,  which  abounds  iu  immense  quantities  on 
the  farm  of  Mr.  Kroeuig.  It  is  omnivorous,  at  least  apparentlj\  It  does  especially 
great  damage  on  young  apple  trees.  I  inclose  two  apple  leaves  to  show  how  it  works, 
eating  the  parenchyma,  some  youug  trees  being  entirely  denuded  in  appearance,  al- 
thougli  none  of  them  die  from  the  effect.  They  are  not  entirely  killed,  only  greatly 
retarded  in  growth.  I  have  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  does  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  rp:ply. — Thank  you  very  much  for  your  loug  and  interesting  letter  of  the 
30th  ultimo,  conceruiug  the  New  Mexican  Bean  Bug.  I  shall  be  glad  to  publish  this 
letter  nearly  in  full.  The  two  Lady-birds  which  you  found  feeding  upon  the  eggs  are 
Hlppodamla  converrjcns  aud  Coccinella  tran8verso<j nitata.  The  bug  which  you  found 
upon  cabbage  is  the  common  Harlequin  Cabbage-bug  {Murgantia  liiatrionica) .  The 
beetle  which  jou  found  upon  young  apple  trees  is  congeneric  with  our  Rose  Bug  of 
the  North.  It  is  Macrodacti/his  nniformis.  The  beans  which  you  inclose  have  been 
handed  to  the  head  of  the  Seed  Division  with  tlie  request  that  thej^  be  planted. — [Au- 
gust 5,  1889.] 

The  Corn-feeding  Syrphiis-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  drii  d  up.  My  first  idea  was  that 
this  was  due  to  the  Chinch  Bug.  Of  course  I  s-^t  to  work  at  once  to  investigate,  aud 
found  only  a  solitary  bug  here  and  there,  not  sufficiently  numerous  to  do  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  lively  but  delicate-looking 
larva',  sometimes  five  or  six  at  the  base  of  one  leaf.  The  larvaj  seem  to  be  all  of  one 
species,  but  of  various  sizes,  or  ages,  aud  here  and  there  iu  the  same  places  where  the 
larval  were  feeding  I  found  puptc  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  larvte  and  pupa?  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  thelarvse.  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. 

Reply.— Yourletter  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  Syrphns-fly  {Mcsorirapta poUta)  in  No.  1,  Vol.  I,  of 
Insect  Life.  Your  letter  is  therefore  of  considerable  interest,  and  will  go  on  record 
among  our  notes. — [August  14,  1889.] 


116 

Larvee  of  Cephenomyia  in  a  Man's  Head. 

I  was  called  to  see  a  case  to-day,  wlio  had  just  come  from  SwartLout  Carioii,  30 
miles  from  here,  the  messenger  stating  that  his  father  had  Screw  Worms  in  his  uose  and 
wanted  me  to  get  them  out.  I  found  the  patient  at  the  home  of  his  son,  in  bed.  His 
name  is  E.  P.  Fowler  ;  age,  Gl ;  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  jiain  between  the  eyes,  as  well  as  reddened  looking  in  the  month, 
■with  the  back  iiarts  of  a  leaden  color  and  covered  with  mucus.  I  jirocnred  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  nsed  a  powder-blower  and  blew  into  each  nostril 
in  dift'ereut  directions  an  impalpable  powder  of  calomel,  after  which  several  maggots 
came  away  of  themselves.  I  send  yon  a  sample  of  five  of  tliem  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  gaiu  some  information  of  the  fly,  whether  it  is  identical  with  the  Sheep  Grub, 
Green  Bottle  fly,  or  is  it  an  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?,  1889. 

Reply. — Your  very  interesting  letter  of  August  7  has  just  come  to  hand,  and  the 
specimens  also  arrived  in  good  condition.  The.  larvsT*  which  you  seud  do  not  belong 
to  the  species  which  is  ordinarily  known  as  the  Screw  Worm,  but  to  a  different  group. 
Instead  of  being  Muscids  they  are  ffistrids,  and  although  it  is  impossible  to  determine 
the  precise  species  from  the  larva',  the  genus  is  Ceplienomijia.  The  larvaj  of  those 
species  of  this  genus  of  which  we  know  the  larviB,  are  found  in  the  nasal  i)as8ages 
of  deer,  and  within  the  last  two  months  we  have  received  from  Mrs.  Bush,  of  San  Jos6, 
larvic  taken  from  the  deer  which  may  be  the  same  species  as  the  one  which  you  send. 
The  occurrence  of  this  larvic  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  larvae  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  Lord  Walsingham. 

IContinued  fiom pcKje  81  of  Vol.  7J. ] 

liithocolletis  nemoris  sp.  n, 

Anienna',  white,  spotted  above  with  fawn  brown, 

Falpi,  white. 

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

Thorax,  saft'ron. 

Fore-wings,  rather  shining  saii'ron  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- 


117 

lated  thau  the  firsb  ;  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 aloug  the  middle  of  the  wing,  forming  a  dark  patch  below  and  beyond  the 
second  costal  streak  which  is  situated  just  before  tlio  apex;  the  cilia  are  saffron, 
shading  to  ^lale  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  gra.yish-fuscous  bars  above. 

IJxj).  al  8""". 

TijpeS  ^  Hits.  Wlsm. 
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 

each  other.     I  took  the  species  also  on  the  wing  at  the  same  time  and  place.     This 

species  belong  to  the  same  groui)  as  cinclnnaiiella  Chumh. 

IiithocoUetis  oregonensis  sp.  u. 

Anientiw,  closelj'  annulate  with  white  and  brown. 

PaJpi,  whitish,  dusted  with  gray  externally. 

Haustellum,  yellow. 

Head,  face  grayish,  frontal  tuft  grayish-fuscous. 

Thorax,  golden-saffron. 

Fore  wings,  golden-saffron,  with  four  rather  shining  white  fascia;  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  augulated  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  scaling  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. 

Ex2).  al.  7""". 

Type  $  Mus.  Wlsm. 
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  scabioscUa.     I 

have  unfortunately  no  knowledge  of  its  food-plant. 

Lithocolletis  insignis  sp.  n. 

Antennae,  yellowish,  unspotted. 

Palpi,  white. 

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

Thorax,   white. 


118 

Fore-wings,  pale  saffrou,  with  a  rather  golden  tinge;  abroad  white  basal  streak  on 
the  upper  half  of  the  wiug,  runuiug  parallel  to  the  costal  margin  for  one-third 
the  wing-length,  thence  deiiexed  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  j  ust  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  outvrards.  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  saffrou  at 
the  extreme  apex.  Beneath  the  apex  the  cilia  are  white,  blending  into  safitron- 
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. 
Exj).  al.  9"^'". 
Type  $   9  Mus.  WJsm. 

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  Couut.\,  in  August 
of  the  same  year.  It  is  evidently  a  scarce  species,  as  I  met  wi  th  a  single  specimen  only 
on  each  of  the  four  different  occasions.  I  am  unable  to  give  any  information  as  to 
its  larval  habits.  It  seems  to  belong  to  the  same  group  asfilchella  and  the  European 
species  rohoris,  but  differs  very  greatly  in  the  form  of  its  markings. 

lu  addition  to  the  known  American  species  of  this  genus,  I  have  received  two  more, 
which  are  uudescribed,  from  Dr.  Eiley,  one  feeding  on  GrindcVia  roiusta,  the  other  on 
Belula.  1  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  Museam,  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. 


119 

North  American  species  of  LithocoUeiis. 


Food  plants. 


Tiliaceoe  : 

Tilia  americana 

Anacardiacco' : 

Kbus  toxicodeudrum 

Sapindacec  : 

iEseulus  glabra 


Tiliella  Chamb . 


Guttifinltella  Clem... 
ToxicodendriK  <ei?. 


Guttifinitella 

Var.  yEsculella  Chamb. 


Aceraceca : 

Acer  saccharinum 


Leg\ 

Uesiuodiuni  viridiflorur 
Phaseohis  paiiciHorus  . 

Aniorplia  fruticosa 

Robiuia  psBudacacia... 


Eobinia  viscosa. 
Robinia  hispida. 


Robiiiasp.  ? 

Aniphicarpa»  monoica 
Rosaceae  : 

Cerasiis  serotina 

Primus  americana 

Crataegus  tonieutosa  . . 

Pyrua  coronaria , 

Pyrns  mains , 

Cydonia  vulgaris , 

Cydoiiia  japoiiioa 

Hamamelidcfe : 

Haniaiiielis  virgiuica. . . 
Capri/oliacetv  : 

Lonicera  albida 


Lonicera  sempervirens  — 
Syruphoricarpus  vulgaris 


Symplioricarpus  sp.  ?  . 
Compositce.  .- 

Solid  ago  patula 

Grindelia  robusta 

Ambrosia  trifida    

HeliantUus  giganteus. 


Elepbaiitopns  carolinianus 
Actinomeris  squarrosa 


Verbesiua  virgiuica 

Ericacem  : 

Gaultheria  shallon 

Ledum  glandulosum 

Yacciniacece  : 

Vacciniura  ovatum 

[Primulaccoe  : 

Lysimachia  lanceolata  . , . 
Laiirinice : 

Uiiibellularia  californica 
Vlmaccoe : 

Ulmus  americana 

Ulmus  lulva 


Celtis  occidentalia  . 
J  uglandaceoe : 

Juglans  nigra 

Juglans  I'inerea 

Gary  a  alba 

Carya  olivaiformis . 

Oarya  sp.? 

Cupnliferce  : 

Quercus  alba 


Ostensackenella  Fitch  . 

Robiniella  Clem 

Rubiniella  Clem 

Ostensackenella  Fitch  . 

Robiniella  Clem 

Gemmea  F.  d:  B 


Aceriella  Clem. 


Sp.? 


Actinomeridis  F.  &  B 


Gaultheriella  Tfi«w. 
Ledella  Wlsm 


rmbellulariie  Wlsm 


Ulmella  Chamb  . 
Ulmclla  Chamb  . 


Celtifoliella  Chamb . . 

Caryicfoliella  Clem  .. 
CiU\:vMh-\hi<'lem... 
C:iiv;rf,.lirlhi  Clem... 
C;uv;i'l(ilifll;i  Chnn.  . 
Eppelshciiiiii  F.d-.B 


Bifasciella  Chamb 

Cincinnatiella  Chamb. 
Hamadryadella  Clem  . 
Tubiferella  Clem  


Lucetrella  Clem. 


Clemenaella  Chamb., 
Lucidicostella  Clem. 

Desmodiolla  Clem. 
Desmodiella  Clem. 
Vhle.eUa,  Fitch. 
Ostensackenella  Fitch. 
Robiniella  Clem. 
Robiniella  Clem. 
Ostensackenella  Fitch. 
Robiniella  Clem. 
( ?  Superior  and  inferior.) 
Morrisella  Fitch. 

Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 
Pomifoliella  Z. 


Affiuis-F.  d-  B. 
Fragilella  F.  <£  B. 
Fragilella  F.  <f-  B. 
Fragilella  F.  <£  B. 
Mariella  Chamb. 
Syniphoricarpella  Chamb. 
Affinis  F.  iC  B. 

Solidaginis  F.  d-  B. 

Ambrosiella  Chamb. 
Ambrosiella  Chamb. 
Ignota  J^.  <£-  B. 
Eiephantopodella  F.  ct-  B. 
Elephantopodella  F.  d-  B. 


Araoena  F.  d-  li. 
( ?  Superior  an<l 


ferior.) 


Elephantopodella  F.  d  B. 


Lysimacbiella*  Chamb.] 


Argentinotella  Clem. 
Argentinotella  Clem. 
Occitanica  F.  d  B. 
Cellifoliella  Chamb. 


Caryalvella  Chamb. 

{1.  Superior  and  inferior.) 

iEriferella  Clem. 
Albanotella  Chamb. 
Argentiflmbriella  Clem, 
Basistrigella  Clem. 


'  This  spegiea  has  not  yet  beep  bre4, 


120 


North  American  species  of  Litliocolletis — Contiuned. 


Food  plants. 


Ct(;«(Z»"/'«»-«E— Continued. 
Quercus  bicolor 


Quercus  castanea. 


Quercus  macrocarpa. 


Qu^cus  nigra 

Quercus  obtuailoba . 


Quercus  prinoides  . 
Quercus  priuus 


Quercus  rubra 

Quercus  tinctoria. 


Quercus  sp.  ? 

Castanea  aniericaua. 


Fagus  aylvatica  . . 
Corylus'anierican;i 
Ostry  a  virgin  ica.. 


Cftrpinus  americaua 
Betulacere  : 

A  In  us  incana 

Aluus  serratula 

Alnus  sp.  ? 

Betula  sp.? 

Salicacece : 

Salix  alba 

Salix  babylonica 

Salix  longifolia 

Salix  s/).  f 


Populus  grandidentata 

Populus  treniuloides 

Populus  sp.  ? 


Food  plants  unknoivn  . 


Superior. 


Conglomeratella  Z . 


Haniadryadella  Clem  . 
MacrocaVpella  F.  <£•.  J>. 


Cincinnatiolla  Chamb 

Conglomeratella  Z 

Hamadryadella  Clem. 

Lebertella  7''.  (£■  B 

Quercivorella  Chamb 


Bethuniella  Chamb  . 
Unitasciella  Chamb. 

Castanella  Chamb  .. 
Castanella  Chamb  .. 
Caryliella  Chamb... 


Coryliella  Chamb 

Coryliella,     var.    ostryella 
Chamb. 

Tritaeniidla  Chamb 

Coryliella  Chamb 


Alnicolella  Wlsm 


Alnivorella  Chamb . . 

ISi).  ?  (superior  and  inferior) 


Alniella  (Z.)F.&B  .. 
Australisella  Chamb. 

Bostonica  J'.  (£ -i? 

Chanibersella  Wlsm  . 

Insignis  Wlsm 

Ohsoleta  F.  d^  B 

Oregonensis  Wlsm, . . . 
Sexnotella  Chamb  . . . 


Argentifinibriella  Clem. 
Basistrigella  Clem.. 
Argentiflnibriclla  Clem. 
Basistriuflla  Cltnn. 
Fitchella  Clem 
Hagenii  F.  d-  B. 
Quercibella  Chamb. 

iEriferella  Clem. 
Kileyella  Chamb. 


Basistrigella  Clem. 
Fitchella  Clem. 
Hagenii  F.  d-  B. 
Minuteila  F.  <£■  B. 
Rilevella  Chamb. 
^tiferella  Clem. 
Basistrigella  Clem. 
Obstrictella  Clem. 
Diaphanella  F.  <£•  B. 


Faginella  Z. 
Obscuricostella  Clem. 
0.stryffifoliella  Clem. 


lucanella  Wlsm. 
Auronilens  F.  &  B. 


Salicifoliella  Chamb. 
Salicifoliella  Chamb. 
Salicifoliella  Chamb. 
Atomariella  Z. 
Scudderella  F.  d-  B. 
Atomariella  Z. 
Atomeriella  Z. 
Populiella  Chamb. 
Salicifoliella  Chamb. 
{?Alnu8.) 


{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  Eeport  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  larvte  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  be  so  well  maintained.  With- 
out the  turnip,  moreover,  the  trade  iu  frozen  mutton  could  not  be 
carried  on  to  such  an  extent  as  it  promises  by  the  aid  of  this  crop. 
Many  cruciferous  i^lants  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  pupte.  I  was  studying  apple  insects  for 
Professor  Forbes  at  the  time,  in  early  spring,  and  some  species  of  Coc- 
ciuellidsB  were  very  abundant  in  the  orchards  of  Mr.  Parker  Earle,  at 
Anna,  111.  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 
ivas  also  eating  tliem  with  avidity.  I  caught  adult  beetles  in  the  act  a 
number  of  times,  and  afterwards  proved  by  observations  ou  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. 

We  are  indebted  to  Prof.  W.  W.  Bailey,  of  Brown  University,  Provi- 
dence, E.  I.,  for  the  following  list  of  names  used  in  Ehode  Island  for 
Corydalns  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.  I.), 
Snake  Doctor,  Dragon,  and  Hell  Diver. 

SOUTHERN  SPREAD  OF  THE  COLORADO  POTATO-BEETLE. 

Apropos  to  the  note  on  ijage  22,  current  volume  of  Insect  Life,  allow 
me  to  state  that  there  are  good  reasons  for  the  belief  that  Boryphora 
lO-Uneata  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  tree  in  a  better  condition.  There  is  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  ligM  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  efifect 
of  arsenical  insecticides  upon  the  honey  bee,  Mr.  Webster  desires  to  state 
that  it  was  during  a  period  of  two  years  that  Mr.  Tenowine  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  Economic  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, 
Eufgers  College,  JSTeiv  Brunsivick,  K  J. 

ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Septemher  5,  1889. — The  society.opeued  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 
Synagdes  by  Dr.  Marx,  and  a  beetle  {Microrhopala  melsheimeri)  by  Mr.  Ullie. 

Mr.  Schwarz  read  a  note  on  the  spread  of  Sitones  hispiduJus,  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  rupee,  Mr.  Schwarz  stated  that  he  had  found 
the  eggs,  larvie,  and  pupae  on  CakUe  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  Lymexyhn  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.  Marl  ATT, 
Acting  Eecording  Secretary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISIOX    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  NOVEMBER,    1889. 

A^ol.   II.  No.  5. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AiND  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. 


CONTENTS 


Special  Notes 125 

Some  Insect  Pests  of  the  Household  (illustrated) C.  V.  Biley..       127 

The  carnivorous  Habits  of  Tree  Crickets Mary  E.  Murffeldt..       1:50 

Life-history  of  one  of  the  Corn  Bill-bugs  (illustrated),  F.  M.  Webster.. .       Ki2 

The  New  Zealand  Katipo B.  Allan  Wight..       134 

.A  Caterpillar  damaging  the  Cork-tree 136 

Another  Strawberry  Saw-fly : Frederick  W.  Mally . .       137 

Pacific  Coast  Work  of  the  Division  of  Entomology W.  A.  Henry..      141 

CiciNDELA  limbata  Say  (illustrated) Lawrence  Bruner..       144 

Extracts  from  Correspondence l'!5 

Injury  by  Xyleborus  dispar  iu  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  Datan a  angusii. 
Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  etc.  (illustrated).  .lord 

Walsinghani 150 

General  Notes 15G 

The  Bot-fly  of  the  Ox  or  Ox  Warble.— The  Minnesota  Locust  Outbreak  — 
The  Weeping  Tree  Mystery. — An  early  Occurrence  of  the  Periodical 
Cicada. — Laphria  canis  Will. :  A  Correction. — Entomological  Society  of 
Washington. 
II 


Vol.  II,  No.  5.]  INSECT    LIFE.         [November,  1§§9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

Work  of  the  Division  on  the  Pacific  Coast — During  the  past  Slimmer 
Prof.  W.  A.  Henry,  director  of  the  Wisconsin  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  was  sent  by  tbe  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  Eusk,  and  that  portion  relating  to  the 
work  of  the  Entomological  Division  has  been  referred  to  us.  The  several 
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  (Ecayithus  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  Eeport  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  Q^.  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. 


126 

The  Chinch  Bug  Entomopthora — In  a  number  of  the  agricultural  jour- 
nals duriug  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  loug 
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.  Eepeating  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.  KiLEY. 
^Continued  from  page  108. 1 


Fig.  19.— Anthrexus  sceophulari^  :  a  larva,  dorsal  view;  b.  do.,  ventral  view;  c,  pupa;  d.  adult — 
all  enlarged  (after  Riley). 

THE  CARPET  BEETLE,  OR  SO-CALLED  "BUFFALO  MOTH."*^ 


{Antlirenus  scrophulariw  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 
broftght  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. 
\Yithin  this  range  of  cities  it  has  since  flourished  and  done  great  dam- 
age, but  has  not  greatly  extended.  It  is  found,  however,  in  all  the  New 
England  States,  and  as  far  west  as  Illinois,,  and  as  far  south  as  Wash- 
ington, 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  car- 

*  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  comfortable  dwelling-place  for  this  insect,  which  is  of  a  secreting 
and  retiring  disposition.  It  seems  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.  Hageu,  in  1875,  for 
instance,  was  able  to  trace  three-fourths  of  the  infested  carpets  brought 
to  his  notice  to  a  particular  Hue  of  goods  sold  at  a  single  establishment 
in  Boston.  At  the  present  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  agaiust  it. 

The  accompanying  figures  (Fig.  19  a  to  rf),  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 
piipa,  and  is  shown  at  c.  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  larvte  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  larv?e  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  rec- 
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  placidly  fold  her  hands  for  all  the  ironhle  Anthrenus  scrophu- 
laricB  will  give  her. 


THE  CARNIVOROUS  HABITS  OF  TREE  CRICKETS. 

By  Mary   E.  Murtfeldt. 

From  observations  and  experiments  on  the  Snowy  Tree  Crickets 
{QiJccmthus  niveus  De  Geer  and  (E.  latipennis  Hilej)  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  count 
against  them.  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  ffi.  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  tlieir  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  ot  last  year  I  had  a  colony  of  OS.  niveus  liatch  from 
apple  twigs  that  had  also  been  badly  punctured  by  Ceresa  hubalus.  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 
^gg.  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  antennfe  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  antennae  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  theexuvite  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  not  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  ffi".  latipennis,  distinguished  to  casual  observation  by  its 
somewhat  larger  size  and  by  the  brilliant  orange  red  or  Ved  and  yellow 
dorsal  stripe  of  the  pup?e.  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  (Ecanthus  would  clear  the  Phylloxera 


132 

from  a  large  oak  leaf  in  the  course  of  a  single  night  wheu  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  Lee). 
Bv  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  Illinois  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  lauds,  which  had 
previously   been    grown   up   with 
rushes  {Schyiis)  and  reeds  {Phrag- 
iiites),  its  supposed  food  plants. 

There  is  the  best  of  evidence  that 
this  pest  has  for  several  years  been 
working  serious  injury  to  the  corn 
crop  planted  on  recently-drained 
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 


'Pig.  20.— Sphenophorns  ochreus:  a,  larva;  h,  adult_ 
enlarged  (origiual). 


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  larvae 
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  larva?  and  the  diminutive 
size  of  the  corn  at  the  period  of  ovipositiou, 
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  larva?,  it 
looked  as  though  breaking  the  ground  in 
June  or  July  and  throwing  roots  and  larviie 
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, 


Fig.  21. —Work  of  Sphenophorus 
ochreus  in  root.s  of  Scirpus — nat. 
ural  size  (original). 


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  stipafa  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  s^ir- 
face.  Larvae  continued  to  work  up  to  the  1st  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. 


"^HE  NEW  ZEALAND  KATIPO. 

By  R.  Allan  Wight,  Auckland,  New  Zealaud. 

The  Maori  name  of  this  spider  is  ^'  Katipo,"  the  proper  name,  Latro- 
dectus  scelio  and  it  belongs  to  the  family  Theridiidte.  All  old  colonists, 
natives,  and  scientific  men  in  New  Zealand  are  agreed  that  it  is  danger- 
ously poisonous.  The  poison  is  of  an  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  Agaleuidte  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  Ufo  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  {i.  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  Kumera  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  jjroof  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  theKtimera 
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  larvfe  of  the  Bind- weed  Hawk-moth  (Sphinx  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  capt- 
ured on  the  sea-shore. 

The  poison  is  generally  treated  as  a  narcotic,  with  stimu.anis,  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  Clarice  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  jjains  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  the  thigh  whilst  tending  Kumera 
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  residentmagistrateof  Nelson  (Mr.  Bishop), 
of  the  death  of  a  child.  The  fact  is  beyond  doubt,  but  the  particulars 
are  not  given. 

The  Eev.  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  ver3^ 
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  jjublisued  otherwise  are  one  of  a  girl 
and  one  of  an  old  man  suifering  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  takii>g  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  causei'  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  silk 
worm,  of  a  dark  gray  color,  and  covered  with  down,  and  to  produce 
''  small  white  butterflies." 


137 


ANOTHER  STRAWBERRY  SAW-FLY. 

Motioslegia  u/nota  (Nor.).t 
By  F.  W.  Malley,  Champaigu,  Ills. 


Fig.  22.— Monostegia  ignota  :  a,  egg ;  b,  blisters  containing  eggs ;  c,  blisters  from  which  larvae  have 
issued-  d,  d,  young  larviB  ;  /,  full  grown  larvii ;  g,  cocoon  containing  larva  (natural  size);  h,  shows  jr 
enlarged  ;  i,  adult  female  ,  jj,  ventral  and  lateral  view  of  abdomen  of  female  ;  k,  saw  ;  I,  labium  and 
labial  palpi;  m,  maxillas  and  maxillary  palpi;  «,  mandibles ;  o,  ventral  view  of  embryo  after  segmen- 
tation ;  p,  embryo,  lateral  vi  'W,  ventral  surface  outermost :  q,  embryo,  lateral  view,  ventral  surface 
curving  inward;  r,  embryo,  lateral  view,  ventral  surface  doubled  upon  itself  and  showing  beginnings 
of  alimentary  canal ;  «,  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- 
idcv),  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  aiore  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'3  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,  M.  ignota 
having  four,  and  H.  maculatus  only  three. 

The  larvse  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 
eggs  from  the  1st  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  larvfe  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  light-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  larvse.  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.  22  o. 

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 r. 

Fourth.  Beginnings  of  the  alimentary  canal;  anteriorly,  the  oesopha- 
gus ;  posteriorly,  the  rectum  and  colon.     Fig.  22  r. 

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.  22  s. 

tEmphytus  maculatus  (Nor.).  Bost.  Proc,  VIII,  1861,  pages  l.=i7,  158.  Trare.  Am. 
Ent.  Soc,  I,  page  232. 

Harpiphorua  maculatus  (Nor.).     Cresaon's  Synopsis  N.  Am.  Hymen.,  page  160. 


139 

i:Jixth.  Division  of  the  outer  wall  into  distinct  segments  and  hatching 
of  the  embryo. 

When  ready  to  issue  the  young  larvse  eat  a  small  hole  through  the 
inclosing  epidermis  and  emerge.  At  first  they  are  slender  22-footed 
slugs;  bodies  white,  translucent,  much  wrinkled;  granular;  2-2.3™™ 
long;  upper  part  of  the  head  cream  colored;  claws  of  the  pectoral  legs 
eyesjlabrum,  mandibles,  brown;  remaining  mouth  parts,  whitish  brown-, 
ring  around  the  eyes  black.  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  larvse  when  full 
grown  are  between  .55  and  .65  inch  long.  Head  and  mouth  parts,  claws, 
and  first  joints  of  the  ijectoral  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.  Larvae  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  larvae  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  larvae 
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  larvae  before  frost  would  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  jpecies  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 
larvae  of  that  species.  (See  Fig.  23  for  comparison  of  the  heads  of  the 
larvae  of  31.  ignota  and  E.  maculatus.) 

Numerous  specimens  of  the  adults  of  11.  i^woto  were  examined,  neuratiou 
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  *S'.  ohscurata,  I  think  on  an  examination  of  more  abundant 
material  it  will  prove  to  be  the  same  as  ignotay  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.). 


Fig.  23.— a,  head  of  larva  of  Monostegia  ignota  (^or.) ;  I  and  c,  front  and  side  view  of  head  oi  Harpi- 
phorus  maeulatus.     (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.  obsciirata  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  apjjearing  about  the  middle 
of  April.  Hence  most  of  the  worms  have  hatched  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  1st  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  conclusion,  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. 
maeulatus  larvse,"  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,  Madisou,  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- 
ing the  destructive  effects  of  the  white  scale  and  red  scale,  and  the  ef- 
forts in  jjrogress  to  check  their  ravages.  At  Orange,  in  Orange  County, 
the  destruction  of  citrus  trees  by  the  red  scale  has  been  great,  and 
only  a  few  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  in  a  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  i)ortions  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  tlie  Secretary  of  Agriculture  (see  the  special 
notes  m  this  number,  p.  125). 


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  in  a  very  thorough 
and  systematic  manner,  tbe  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.  Tbe  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  larvfe  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  to  see 
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  Avas  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  elibrts  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  i^eople  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  w  ould  be  enabled  to  spread  and  do 
great  harm  before  overtaken.  It  is  of  the  highest  importance,  at  this 
time,  that  a  constant  fight  against  tbis  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  excelleut  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. 

Bv  Lawrence  Bruner. 


Recently,  while  walking  over  the  sand-hills  lying  to  the  south  of  the 
Dismal  Eiver  in  Thomas  County,  Nebr.,  I  found 
a  few  specimens  of  Say's  Cicindela  Umbata.  This 
very  interesting  beetle  is,  so  far  as  I  am  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  large  "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  coitu. 

The  next  day  until  2  p.  m.  was  spent  in  looking 
for  more  of  them.  In  all  two  dozen  specimens 
were  taken — everyone  of  them  in  "blow-outs" 
of  a  similar  type  to  that  in  which  the  first  were 
seen,  i.  e.,  with  one  or  more  nearly  perpendicular 
sides  and  in  which  little  or  no  vegetation  occurred. 


Fig.    24.  —  Cicindela    i,im- 
BATA— enlarged.  (Original.) 


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  difl'erent  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.  G.  lepida,  G.formosa,  C.  venusta, 
and  G.  imnctulata  were  also  taken  in  similar  places.  Of  these  latter 
the  G.  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  limhata  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  was  made  for  them.  Evidently  the  season 
was  too  early  for  them.  My  reason  for  thinking  that  the  larvae  are  to  be 
found  here  is  that  the  parent  beetles  are  most  frequently  seen  about 
these  banks  when  m  co^<w  ;  and  also  because  the  material  composing 
the  walls  of  these  "blow-outs"  is  too  fragile  and  loose  at  every  other 
point  save  here  lor  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  Toddiugton,  near  Cheltenham,  as 
to  be  doing  very  serious  injury.  I  found  on  anatomizing  the  injured  small  branches 
that  one  of  the  galleries  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  advising  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.  *  *  »  —[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  Eurycreon  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  iu  Wet  Mount- 
ain Valley.  Mr.  H.  G.  Smith,  jr.,  has  sent  Anthomyia  brassicce  from  Denver,  witb  a 
note  that  it  injured  turnips  ;  and  earlier  in  the  year  the  same  crop  at  Denver  was  re- 
ported to  sutfer  from  the  attacks  of  IHiyUoireta  puailla  Horn,  specimens  of  which  were 
sent.  In  Wet  Mouutain  Valley  P.  pusilla  is  common,  but  seems  to  confine  itself  to 
wild  plants.  Aphis  hrassicw  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  Diapheroviera  from  Pueblo  County,  but  it 
seems  to  be  rare.  The  sparrow-hawk  does  excellent  service  in  keepiug  down  Ortho- 
ptera. One  shot  on  tbe  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  J«a- 
brns  in  its  stomach. 

Alusca  domestics  ranks  as  a  first-class  nuisance  in  Wet  Mountain  Valley,  swarming 
in  houses  and  getting  into  everytbiug.  A  blow-fly  (LucUia)  is  a  great  pest  in  the 
earlier  part  of  the  year. 

HeVwiMs  armigera  is  abundant  in  Custer  County,  but  apparently  harmless. 

Agrofis  saucia  is  also  common. 

A  box  of  crackers  from  Denver  was  found  badly  infested  with  small  larvae,  almost 
certainly  of  a  species  of  Ephesfia.—lTheo.  D.  A.  Cockerell,  Westcliflfe,  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." 
*  *  *  I  only  took  up  the  subject  with  the  view  of  clearing  our  own  orchard,  and 
I  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  tbe  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),  hut  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 b.  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  uot  find  now.  At  first  I  thought  tLey  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,  and  Mr.  Koebele  now  repeats  what 
he  told  me  in  Auckland,  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  inclose  a  piece  of  horn  scoop  upon  which  the  insect  has 
been  feeding.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  inform  me  whaf  the  insect  is,  by  what  means 
to  get  rid  of  it,  etc.?    *     *     *     —[J.  P.  Brashears,  Fort  Worth,  Tex.,  October  3, 1889. 

Reply. —  »  »  *  fhe  insect  in  question  is  Anthrenus  variiis,  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  bos,  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  Diploais  equesiris  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  rihesiw  Signoret,  is  a  newly  observed  trouble  to  Eibes  in  this  coun- 
try so  far  as  identification  goes,  but  appears  to  have  been  here  in  one,  possibly  two 
localities  for  a  few  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-bird  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 
{Meqilla  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 
bV  you,  and  as  your  illustration  represents  the  appearance  exactly  as  observed  by 
me  I  presume  that  the  observations  were  parallel,  though  1  did  not  carefully  study 
the  parasite,  having  only  a  very  poor  microscope. — [F.  W.  Goding,  Rutland,  111., 
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  su  cker,  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  as  it  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. 

Reply. — *  *  *  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,  E.  I.,  July  8, 
1889,  to  H.  R.  Storer,  M.  D.,  Newport,  R.  I. 

"  In  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  Join-nal,  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. 

Reply. — 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  larvse  developed  in 
the  shorts  and  transformed  to  beetles,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  several  generations 
might  not  have  lived  in  the  cushion,  providing  there  was  sufiicient  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. 


149 

Reply. —  <*  »  *  xhe  specimeus  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  coininou  until  Fall.  It  is  a  southwestern  species 
but  occurs  as  far  north  and  east  as  central  Kansas  at  least.  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  attention  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  its  destruction.  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  purple,  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  fteding  and  Manner  of  Repose. — These  caterpillars  travel  up  the 
tree  from  the  ground,  single  file,  each  oue  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  haviug  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 
other  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  thein  strikes  out  in  a  new  direction,  laying  his  thread, 
which  all  the  rest  follow  till  they  arrive  in  pastures  new  upon  another  branch;  and 
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 
tbread,  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  destitate  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.,  July23,  1889.] 

Reply. —  *  *  «  xhe  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 
concerning  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  Lord  Walsingham. 

^Continued  from  page  120  of  Vol.  II.'] 

CBYPTOLECHld  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  ov\gin.= Machimia  Clem. 

B.  Veins  7  and  8  of  the  fore-wings  separate ;  6  and  7  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  2  and  3  of  the  fore- wings  from  a  point  or  from  a  common  stem  ;  4  very 

close,  =/(Ze  Chamb. 

CRYPTOLECHIA  Z. 

=zPsilocorsis,  Clem. 
^^Hagno,  Chamb. 

Chambers  (Bull.  U.  S.  G.  G.  Surv.,  IV,  84)  rightly  places  his  genus  Eagno  (equivalent 
to  Psilooorsis,  Clem.)  io  a  section  of  the  genus  Cryptolechia.  It  is  indeed  similar  in 
neuratiou,  palpi,  and  antennae  to  Cryptolechia  straminella,  a  South  African  species  de- 
scribed by  Zeller  (Handl.  Kong.  Svensk.  Ak.,  1852,  107),  as  the  type  of  the  geuus  then 
created.  Zeller  subsequently  (Hor.  Soc.  Eut.  Eoss.,  XIII,  2.')9)  removed  s<ra»nw<//a  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,  Psilooorsi>i  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. 

FsUocorsis  quercicella  Clem. 
r=Depre8saria  cryptolechiella  Chauih. 
^Cryptolechia  cressonella  Chamb. 
=Uagno  faginella  Chamb. 
=Psilocorsis  dubitatella  Z. 

Chambers  himself  (Bull.  U.  S.  G.  G.  Surv.,  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  suflScient  to  account  for  Mr. 
Cresson's  opinion. 

Specimens  received  from  Miss  Murtfeldt  (presumably  the  same  as  those  referred  to 
by  Chambers,  (1.  c.,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  is  a  dark 
form,  not  separable  from  reflexella  Clem. 

I  have  seen  tlie  type  of  Psilocorsis  dubitatella  Z.  (Hor.  Soc.  Ent.  Ross.,  xiii,  262-3, 
1887)  in  Dr.  Staudinger's  collection.  It  is  a  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  striae  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  reflexella  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.  Gos. 
Wien.,  XXIII,  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  apjiroaches  dark  varie- 
ti3s  of  quercicella,     I  shall  not  venture  to  describe  it  as  distinct. 


152 

Should  an  extended  series  of  bi'ed  speciuiens  of  auy  of  these  darker  foruas  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  Bent. 

Mr.  Bentenmiiller  has  lately  published  (Eut.  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  ueuration,  or  of  the  form  of  the  wings,  nor  any  details  of  structure  it  is 
impossible  to  place  it  correctly. 


STENOMA  SCHLAEGEBIZ.,  AXD  ITS  ALLIES  FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Cryptolechia  schJaegeri  was  first  described  by  Zeller  in  1854,  in  the  ninth  volume  of 
the  Liunea  Entomologica,  pages  372-3,  and  figured  on  Plate  3,  Fig.  18  of  the  same 
volume.  The  description  was  takeu  from  specimens  of  both  sexes  from  New  York  in 
his  own  collection  ;  tlie  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  t\i&rei  described. 
Here  he  remarks  that  the  hind  wings  of  the  female  are  usually  whitish.  He  goes  on 
to  describe  a  varietj' of  the  same  species  from  Georgia,  "  var.  ft. ;?  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  distinct 
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  J — schlaegeri  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.  2bb).  The  form  of  the  lateral  claspers  is  approximately 
the  same  in  both. 

/^IZ~A         The  small  variety  (var.  b.  of  Zeller's  supplementary  no- 
tice) from  Georgia  and  Texas  has  the  hind  wings  and  sim])le 
uncus  of  the  true  schlaegeri  and  is  apparently  undistin- 
7^  guishable  from  it,  except  in  size,  since  the  markings  on 

„      „      „  the  anterior  wings  are  subject  to  some  variation  in  position 

Fig.  25.— Cryptolechia  ^   .  .         *,.''.  .  l-     ^^     ■  m, 

schlaegeri:  «.  Uncus  of  the  '-^'"^  intensity  of  coloring  m  specimens  ot  all  sizes.  The 
common  form.  6.  Uncus  of  the  shorter  ciliation  of  the  antenute,  noticed  by  Zeller,  is 
less  common  form.  Enlarged  scarcely  more  than  proportionate  to  the  reduced  size  of 
(original).  each  individual. 

C.  frontalis  is  described  as  having  the  hind  wings  gray,  but  broader  than  iu 
schlaegeri.  So  far,  so  good.  It  is  noticeable  that  in  the  supposed  form  of  schlaegeri, 
described  in  Zeller's  supplementary  paper  (Lin.  Eut.  X,  pages  158-9)  with  paler  hind 
win<Ts  (and  simple  uncus)  there  is  considerable  variation  iu  the  shape  and  position  of 
vein  2  of  the  fore  wings,  both  in  the  large  variety  (Zeller's  var.  a)  and  iu  the  small  form 
(var.  b  of  Zeller).  In  some  specimeus  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  it  arises 
either  from  the  same  point  as  vein  3,  or  extremely  close  to  it,  and  is  abruptly  bent 
backwards  iu  the  first  instance  before  taking  its  ordinary  direction.  In  others  again 
this  vein  arises  quite  separate  from  vein  3,  being  more  or  less  bent  iu  its  outward 
course;  in  one  specimen  before  me,  which  is  uudistinguishable  from  Zeller's  var.  b, 
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  exceptioual. 


153 

Stenoma  leucillana  Z. 

Specimens  in  my  collection,  taken  by  Belfrage  in  Texas,  agree  very  closely  with 
Walker's  type  of  the  Nova  Scotian  algideJla,  bnt  comparing  it  with  a  series  of  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  leucillana  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  \a  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 
schlaegeri. 

Stenoma  algidella  Wlk. 

For  the  present  I  shall  adopt  the  same  course  with  regard  to  Crypiolechia  algidella 
Wlk.,  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. 

AntentKe  in  the  ^  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  ;  api- 
cal margin  oblique  ;  dorsal  margin  straight,  almost  parallel  with  the  costal,  but 
slightly  diverging  to  the  anal  augle,  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  augle  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  half  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  9  ;  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. :   $  27,  9  30  ">">. 

Habitat,  Arizona.    (Two  males  and  two  females  collected  by  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison.) 
Type,  $   9  >  Mus.  Wlsm. 

This  species  differs  from  Stenoma  schlaegeri  Z.  in  its  narrower  and  more  elongate 
fore  wings,  which  in  the  specimens  before  me  have  little  or  no  indication  of  the  gray 
clouds  and  blotches  prevalent  iu  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  diJated  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  oifurcata,  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. 

Steiioma  crambitella  sp.  n. 

Antennce  ciliated  in  the  $  ;  shining  ochreous  beyond  the  basal  joints,  which  are  white 

Pal^i  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  nervules;  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. 

Hhid  tvings  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.  ah:  22™™. 

Haiitat,  Arizona  (received  from  the  late  H.  K.  Morrison). 

Type,  $  $  ,  Mus.  JVlsvi. 

Stenoma  humilia  Z. 

=Cryptolechia  humilis  Z. 

z=Cryptolechia  nubeculosa  Z. 

=^Harpalyce  canusella  Chamb. 
•Zeller,  in  describing  Cryptolechia  nubeculosa  (Ver.  Z-b.  Ges.  Wien. ,  XXIII,  245-6 

PI.  Ill,  12),  does  not  refer  to  his  previous  description  of  humilis  (Lin.  Ent.  X,  156-8,  PI. 

1, 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  present  it 
may  be  well  to  retain  the  genus  as  represented  by  a  single  species. 

Menesta  tortriciformella  Clem. 
=Gelechia  Uturella  Wlk. 
^Hyale  coryliella  Chamb. 

This  species  has  been  redescribed  by  Walker  (Cat.  Sp.  Ins.  B.  M.,  XXIX,  591)  under 
the  name  of  Galechia  Uturella,  as  already  pointed  out  by  me  (P.  Z.  S.  1881,  319).    Hyale 


155 

coryliella  Chamb.  (Cin.  Qr.  Jr.  Sc,  II,  242),  which  Chambers,  in  the  Index  (Bull.  U. 
S.  G.  G.  Surv.,  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  hind  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. 
Antennw,  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. 

2^07e-mn^8,  shining,  uuicolorous  bone- color,  with  scarcely  paler  cilia,  along  the  base 
of  which  is  a  very  slender  almost  undistinguishable  grayish  li.ie;  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, yevj  pale 

bone-gray. 
Abdomen,  pale  shining  bone-gray. 

Legs,  pale  bone-gray,  the  posterio.  tarsal  joints  with  the  slightest  tinge  of  ochreous. 
Exp.al.,  24™°». 

Habitat,  California.     (Two  females  from  the  Zeller  collection.) 
Type,  9  ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 
This  species  is  apparently  allied  to  lithosina  Z.,  but  it  is  of  larger  size. 

Ide  vestalis  Z. 
Cryptolechia  vestalis  Z. 
^Harpalyce  albella  Chamb. 
Zeller  iu  describing  vestalis  (Ver.  Z.-b.  Ges.  Wieu,  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  ami  (6)  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  (ft)  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  uuiujurious  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  (i)  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  a  rule,  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) : 

//?i»ois.— 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. 

/owa.— Seventy-one  per  cent,  of  the  cattle  iu  the  majority  of  counties  are  grubby 
in  the  season  specified.     Loss  on  grubby  hides  one-third. 

Indiana. — Forty-eight  per  ceut.  of  the  cattle  grubby.     Loss  on  hides  one-third. 

jri8Consi«.— Thirty-three  per  cent,  of  cattle  grubby.     Loss  on  hides  oue-third. 

Oftio.— Fifty-six  per  cent,  of  cattle  grubby.     Loss  on  hides  one-third. 

i/isso»ri.— Fifty-seven  per  cent,  of  cattle  grubby.     Loss  on  hides  one-third. 

^ttHsas.— 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  Nelraska  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.  In  the  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  oue-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  the50  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 

ao^ain  largely  from  Miss  Orraerod,  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. 


y^ 


#t- 


^m 


Fig.  26  — Portion  of  inside  of  tanned  warbled  hide  (after  Ortiierod.) 

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,"  Hyi^o 
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  Id.  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). 


Fig.  27.— Piece  of  waibled  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  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station,  on  the  Eocky  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. 
17-3G. 


H,  Uuiversitj-  of  Miu'.icsota,    A^^nculttiral  Experiment  Statiou,  pp. 


160 

iug  in  wintertime  or  early  spring  is  the  most  effectual  means  of  j^re- 
venting  grasshopper  injury  the  coming  summer;  but  this  recommen- 
dation has  rarely  been  carried  out  on  a  co-operative  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  infested  region  of 
Otter  Tail  County  enough  eggs  had  been  deposited  hy  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, 
aud  also  in  certain  spots  in  the  timothy  fields  and  pasture  lauds.  In 
winter-time  the  governor  and  State  legislature  were  appealed  to,  money 
was  promptly  appropriated  aud  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.  Not  a  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  i^racti- 
cable,  and,  in  one  instance,  a  judicious  use  of  London  purple,  was  also 
resorted  to. 

"About  the  middle  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  iVews  of  October  9,  in  which  a  very  well  written 

*  First  described  and  recommended  in  Riley's  "  The  Locust  Plague  in  the  United 

States." 


161 

aiul  humorous  account  is  giveu  of  the  solution  by  the  reporter  of 
that  paper  of  tlie  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  scam- 
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.  Kidpath,  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. 

(Steilman'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  tliiid  8tran(,e  appearance  was  sivarms  of  flies  about  an  inch  long  and  big  as  the  top  of 
a  man's  little  finger,  rising  out  of  spigot  holes  in  the  earth,  which  eat  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  pajje  43  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- 
termiuedby  Dr.  Williston. — T.  Townsend. 


ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

October  3,  1889.— Fifty-fifth  regular  meeting.  Prof.  James  Fletcher,  Entomologist 
to  tbe  Dominion  of  Canada,  was  elected  a  corresponding  member  of  the  society. 

Dr.  Fox  made  some  remarks  on  "Malformations  in  Spiders,"  exhibiting  two  speci- 
mens (£jKi?Y(  scZoi^ffrtHa,?,  and  Z)icf*/?iflsp.  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 
fonnd  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  {Cwnopoeus  palmeri),  which  lives  in  its  early  stages  in  the 
stems  oi  Opuntia  bernardina.  These  food-habits  are  the  more  remarkable  from  the 
fact  that  all  the  other  known  species  of  this  group  [Acaiithocinini)  live  beneath  the 
bark  of  dying  or  dead  trees.  Mr.  Schwarz  also  read  a  not^^e  on  the  peculiar  flight  of 
a  specimen  of  the  flying  locust,  Dissosteira  Carolina,  while  observed  to  be  pursued  by 
an  English  sparrow,  its  flight,  in  escaping  the  bird's  attacks,  veering  directly  up  or 
down,  but  never  to  one  side ;  and  presented  for  record  an  observation  on  Chalybion 
casruleum,  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  some  interesting  flies  from  Virginia,  noticing  and 
exhibiting  specimens  of:  Holcocephala  abdominalis,  to  Say's  description  of  which  ho 
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. 

Wm.  H.  Fox,  M.  D., 

Recording  Secretary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISIOX    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 
PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  DECEMBER,    1889. 

Vol.  II.  No.  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. 


CONTENTS 


Pase. 
Special  Notes 1 163 

The  so-called  Mediterranean  Flour-moth  (illustrated) 166 

The  Ox  Warble  (illustrated) 172 

Association  of  Economic  Entomologists  .-. 177 

Office  and  Laboratory  Organization  S.  A.  Forbes..      185 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 1H7 

The  Mediterraueau  Flour-moth.— Spider  Bites  :  Two  Ceyloueae  Cases. — Scent 
iu  Duug-heetles. — Beetles  from  Stomach  of  a  Chuck-wills-widow.— A 
Harvest-mite  destroying  the  Eggs  of  the  Potato-beetle.— Supposed  Injury 
to  Grass  from  Gastrophysa  j^o/j/firoMi- Damage  to  dead  Trunks  of  Pine  by 
Rhagium  lineatum. — Some  Vedalia  Letters. — On  HwmatoMa  serrata. 

General  Notes - 192 

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- 
land.— Vertebrate  Enemies  of  the  White  Grub. — New  Method  of  destroying 
Scale-insects. — Dr.  Franz  Low. — Eugene  Maillot.— Entomological  Society 
of  Washington. 
II 


Vol.  II,  No.  6.]  INSECT     LIFE.  [December,  1 8§9. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

The  Official  Association  of  Economic  Entomologists.— We  devote  consid- 
erable si)ace  iu  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  iu  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 
iu  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  evideut  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  Dorypliora 
decemlineata,^^  reprinted  from  the  Journal  of  Morphology,  Vol.  Ill,  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  Boryphora. 

The  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, 
Cimhex  americana,  Nematus  ventraUs,  Lina  scripta,  L.  tremulae^  L.  lap- 
ponica,  Saperda  calcarata,  S.  concolor,  Vanessa  antiopa,  Hyphantria  cunea, 
Acronycta  lepiisciilina,  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  Cimhex  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  Ichneumonidte  are  reported  to  have  been 
bred  from  it.  Acronycta  populi,  Eiley,  is  made  a  synonym  of  A.  lepus- 
culina,  Guenee,  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.— Prof.  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-Hy  {Gephus  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  larvjc  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  {Hcematobia  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  larvae  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  Exposition.— The  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  k'dhnitlla  Zeller. ) 


Tig.  2%.— Ephestia  knhnidla:  a,  larva;  &,  pupa;  c,  adult— enlarged ;  d,  head  and  thoracic  joints  of 
larva  ;  e,  abdominal  joints  of  same— still  more  enlarged;  /  moth  from  side,  resting;  g,  front  wing, 
showing  more  important  markings;  /;,  venation  of  fore-^«ng;  i,  venation  of  hind- wing— somewhat 
enlarged  (a,  b,  c,  and  e,  original;  d,f,  g,  h,  and  i,  after  Snellen). 

This  insect,  which  during  the  last  few  years  has  been  doing  so  much 
damage  iu  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  iu  pami)hlet 
form  in  Bulletin  No.  1  of  this  organization.  We  publish  in  this  number, 
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  iu  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  iu  our  reply  {loo. 
cit.)  we  stated  that  the  species  does  not  occur  iu  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  I^atioual 
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  Lepidopteroua 
larvie  which  has  been  carefully  investigated  has  shown  that  the  author 
of  the  damage  was  either  the  Angoumois  Moth  {Gelechia  cerealeUa),  the 
Grain  Moth  {Tinea  granella)  or  Ephestea  inter punctella  {=zece  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  ]  889  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.  It  seems  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  a  crack  or  a  nail  hole  was  to  be  found 


Fig.  29.—Ephestia  kiihnieUa:  a,  cocoon  from  below,  showing  pupa  through  the  thin  silk  attaching  the 
cocooa  to  a  beam  ;  6,  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  aud  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  larvse  were 
sent  to  Prof.  P.  C.  Zeller  from  a  flour  mill  in  Halle  a.  S.  Professor 
Zeller  described  the  species  in  the  Stettiner  Entomologische  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  thelarvfe  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  ]883,  Professor  Zeller  wrote  to  us,  under  date  of  February  20,  as 
follows : 

I  send  herewith  Ephestia  kiilmiella  in  oi'der  to  ascertain  positively  whetherit  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- 
hof.     -     •     » 

Preudhomme  de  Borre,  in  the  Comptes  Retidus  de  la  Societe  Entomolo- 
gique  de  Belgique,  July  5,  1884,  gave  an  account  of  the  injury  done  by 
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  Entomolo gische  Nachrichten  for  May,  1884,  under 
the  caption  "  Ephestia  Mlhniella,  Zeller,  Eine  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  nearlj^  brownish.  He  refers  them 
unquestionably,  however,  to  one  species;  He  had  looked  in  vain  through 
American  literature  for  an  account  of  this  moth.  FitcWs  Tinea  zece  is 
the  only  one  that  approaches  it,  but  his  description  does  not  agree  with 
Mlhniella.  Dr.  Karsch,  nevertheless,  thought  zew  might  prove  to  be  a 
variety  o^Mihniella.  In  the  same  mouth  (May,  1884)  M.  Maurice  Girard, 
{Bulletin  des  Seances  de  la  Societe  Entomologique  de  France,  pp.  LXXIII, 


169 

LXXIY)  read  a  note  on  the  ravages  of  this  moth  which  had  appeared  in 
euormous  numbers  in  a  flour  mill  at  Lodeliusarte,  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.  Eagonot  himself  had  specimens  coming  from 
North  Carolina,  Mexico,  and  Chili. 

In  an  editorial  note  in  the  Entomologisclie  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^m  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  larvae  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  Le^uwen,  jr.  The  author  states  that 
the  main  object  of  his  article  is  to  introduce  the  illustration,  as  it  is 
made  up  chiefly  of  a  summary  of  Zeller's  article  already  referred  to.  He 
makes  some  remarks  on  the  color  of  the  larvcne  in  correction  of  Zeller, 
gives  a  short  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  Mliniella  with  other  European  species  of  Epliestia. 

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  339  of  The  En- 
tomologist, Vol.  20,  1887,  records  the  breeding,  during  November  aud 
December,  of  specimens  of  this  insect  found  feeding  on  rice-cones.  Mr. 
Tutt,  on  page  212  (loc.  cit.),  records  the  breeding  of  larvoe  found  feeding 
on  flour  in  a  cargo  at  the  London  docks,  giving  a  short  account  of  the 
feeding  habits.  Mr.  Barrett,  on  i)p.  255-256  of  The  Entomologist's 
Monthly  Magazine,  Vol.  23,  April,  1S87,  summarizes  Zeller's  observations, 
aud  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.  Lll  to  LIV.  His  observations  were  made 
from  May  to  September,  1887,  on  an  immense  colony  of  larvoe  which 
had  over-ran  some  large  warehouses  in  the  east  end  of  London.  Piimi- 
gatiug  with  sulphur  and  hot-liming  the  floors,  ceilings,  and  walls  for 
several  days  did  not  prevent  their  spread.  The  flour  was  mingled 
with  sills:  threads  so  as  to  be  useless.  The  eggs  appeared  to  be  laid  on 
top  of  the  sacks,  and  hatched  within  a  few  days.  The  larvse  burrowed 
through  the  sacking,  spinning  long  galleries  through  the  flour,  gener- 
ally not  penetrating  to  a  greater  depth  than  three  inches.  When  full 
grown  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  larvae.    A  small  ichneumon  fly  destroyed  the  pest  by  September. 

The  principal  English  article,  however,  is  by  Miss  Ormirod.  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  larvfe  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  heroic  treatment  failed 
to  destroy  the  pest.  It  was  supposed  that  this  north  of  England  case 
was  due  to  the  importation  of  eggs  and  young  larva3  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. 
Fletcher,  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  Jcilhniella  have  been  made  upon  material  brought 
us  by  Professor  Pauton,  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. 

Epliestia  inter punctella  we  have  bred  upon  a  number  of  occasions.  We 
first  raised  it  upon  wheat  at  St.  Louis,  in  October,  1870.  Larvae  have 
been  sent  to  us  from  a  meal-sack  at  Boylston,  Mass.  5  we  have  reared 
it  from  corn  from  Guatemala ;  larvae  and  moths  were  received  from  a 
firm  of  manufacturing  chemists  from  Detroit,  Mich.,  who  had  found 


171 


them  crawling  about  over  sacks  contaiuing  roots  of  aanileliou — moths, 
in  fact,  being  found  in  the  bags ;  we  found  numerous  larvte  infesting 
wheat  in  the  Atlanta  Exposition  building  in  1884;  large  numbers  of 
larvse  were  also  found  in  a  jar  containing  Chickasaw  plums  at  the 
same  exposition ;  larvae  were  received  from  Ripley,  Miss.,  on  two  occa 
sions  in  1885,  gome  of  which  were  said  to  have  been  found  feeding  on 
sugar  in  barrels;  one  specimen  was  bred  from  dry  Opuntia  from  Texas; 
larvae  were  received  from  Detroit,  found  among  old  books ;  larvfe 
of  all  sizes  were  found  infesting  Pecan  nuts  in  St.  Louis,  in  September, 
18 ?2 ;  moths  were  bred  bj"  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  biseUiella,  but  there  is  some  doubt 
connected  with  this  case. 

We  have  figured  the  states  of  interpmic- 
tella  (Fig.  30)  in  comparison 'with  those  of 
JcUhniella  (Fig.  28),  in  order  that  both  may 
be  readily  recognized.  The  early  states 
are  quite  similar  in  appearance,  but  the 
larvte  may  be  distinguished  by  the  follow- 
ing characters : 

The  larvae  of  JcUhniella  are  more  slender  and  of  a  more  uniform  diam- 
eter than  those  of  the  other  species.  The  abdominal  legs  are  longer, 
cylindrical,  with  a  circular  fringe  of  booklets  at  the  crown.  In  inter- 
punctella  the  legs  are  short,  conical,  with  the  fringe  of  booklets  at  the 
crown  oval.  All  piliferous  warts  in  JcUhniella,  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.  2Sd).  In  interpuncteUa  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  JcUJinieila 
is  almost  perfectly  smooth,  while  that  of  interpuncteUa  is  somewhat 
granulate. 


^^ssmm 


Fig.  30. — Ephestia  inter punctdla  :  a, 
larva;  b,  pupa;  c,  adult— enlarged; 
d,  head  and  thoracic  joiuts  of  larva- 
still  more  eularged  (origiDal). 


172 

THE  OX  WARBLE. 

{Hypoderma  hovls  De  Geer.) 

With  eacli  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.  One  of  the  best  accounts  appeared  nearly  one 
hundred  years  ago  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Linniean  Society  of  London, 
1796,  Vol.  Ill,  page,  289  in  a  paper  read  by  Mr.  Bracy  Clark,  entitled 
"Observations  on  the  Genus  Oestrus,"  in  which  the  habits  and  means 
against  the  Ox  Bot  were  detailed  practically  as  they  are  known  to-day. 
Vallisuieri,  Reaumur,  Geoflfroy,  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  lierbivorous  species,  are 
infested  with  bots.  These  are  legless  grubs  which  fall  into  three  categories  :  (1)  Gas- 
tric, or  those  which  are  swallowed  by  the  animal  infested,  and  which  live  in  the  stomach 
in  a  "bath  of  chyle."  (2)  Cephalic,  or  those  which  crawl  up  the  nostrils  and  inhabit 
the  frontal  sinuses.     (3)  Cutaneous,  or  those  which  dwell  in  tumors  just  beneath 

*  See  Insect  Life,To1.  II,  No,  5  (Nov.,  1889)  pp.  156-158. 


173 


the  skin.  They  are  all  the  larvae  or  early  states  of  two-winged  flies  (Diptera)  belong- 
ing to  the  family  CEstridae,  characterized  by  having  the  mouth  parts  entirely  obsolete, 
and  popularly  called  gad-flies  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 
hot  {Hypoderma  bovis),  so  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  in  a  Sxed  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-IarvsB  breathe  principally  through  two  spiracles  placed  at  the  blunt  and 
squarely-docked  "end  of  the  body,  and  in  the  ox  hot  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  to  the  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  sometbing  over  ouebalf  inch  in 
length,  black,  banded  with  yellow,  as  in- 
dicated in  the  Hgiire,  and  is  not  unlike 
a  bee  in  appearance.  The  flies  issue 
during  the  entire  summer,  but  are  par- 
ticularly abundant  during  the  months 
of  July  and  August.  The  individual  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 
other  species  of  the  family,  will  be 
found  to  last  but  a  few  days.  Dur- 
ing the  fall  and  winter  months  the  young  larvoB  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.  336 
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.) 

On  escaping  from  the  back  of  the  animal  the  larva, 
^iG.z'i.-mj  voder  ma  ^jjidj  iu  the  earlier  stages  is  yellowish  white,  is  of  a 

hovis ;  head  of  female  ^  ^ 

fly  from  the  front— en-  gray  color,  which  rapidly  darkens  until  in  the  con- 
larged  (after Br.auer).  tractcd  puparium  the  color  becomes  very  dark  brown, 
almost  black.     The  pupa  state  lasts  about  thirty  days,  the  time  depend- 
ing somewhat  upou  the  weather,  and  the  perfect  insect  escapes  by  forcing 
open  a  peculiar  subtriangular  lid  at  the  anterior  extremity  of  the  pupa- 


FiG.  ZX— Hypoderma  6oiu'«— enlarged 
(after  Brauer). 


174 


rium,  a  figure  of  which  showing  the  lid  detached  we  reproduce  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  difierence  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  quote<l  above.is  based  on  experience  with  war- 
bled cattle  in  Illinois  from  1860-'(i3,  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  in  situ  and  the 
habits  of  the  perfect  insect. 


Fig.  33. — JEtypoderma  buvi6    a,  egg,  b,  full  grown  larva,  ventral  view;  c,  piiparium,  ventral  view;  d, 
newly  hatched  larva,  side  view,  e,  anal  stigmata  of  larva^all  enlarged  (after  Braucr). 

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, 

^^      x^ /^hk       the  so-called  Heel-fly  {Eypoderma  lineata),  as 

^^m  k!^  W^Sk.  '^^^^  '^^  ^^^  descriptions  and  figures  by  other 
kB  ^  W  ^M  'ii^thors,  show  that  the  grooved  and  slightly 
I^^H  V^W      pediceled   enlargement  of   the  end  which   is 

^^  ^j^r        attached    is     admirably   adapted    for    being 

^5^  J>  strongly  fastened  to  the  skin  and  to  the  base 

puparium,  from  side;  6,  same,  of  the  hairs,  and  all  obscrvatious  that  have 
from  below,  showing  exit  hole  bccu  recorded  jjoiut  to  the  fact  that  the  young 
L^tt'iurinT'lt.'u'f 'f  lar™  works  its  way  directly  from  the  egg  under 
nrai  size  (after  Clark).  the  skiu,  as  is  the  casc  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  Life,  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  fly  about  to  oviposit  also  bears  on  this  point. 

Mr.  Bracy  Clark,  in  "  An  Appendix  or  Supplement  to  a  Treatise  on 
the  CEstri  and  Cuterebrte  of  Various  Animals"*  {Transactions  Linnwan 
Society,  London,  1843,  Vol.  xix,  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  ai)parently  so  frightful  to  cat- 
tle, says: 

We  may  also  further  observe  that  there  can  uot  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  as  in  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,  aud  perhaps  an  instinctive 
fear,  always  impressed  upon  them,  is  altogether  sufficient  for  the  extraordinary  alarm 


F.  Brauer,  in  his  Monographie  der  (Estriden 
(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  pamjihlet  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 
sharp,  cutting  hooks  clothing  its  body  surface. 
In  support  of  this  she  says  : 


Fl<:.  35.  —  Hi/poderma  lovis. 
ovipositor  of  female :  a, 
from  side ;  b,  tip,  from  be- 
low— enlarged  (original). 


*An  essav  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  in  a  slanting  or  straight  or  curved  direction  from  a  little  open- 
ing at  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  larvae,  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 
attacks  to  annoiut  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  larvfe,  as  well 
as  to  deter  the  fly  from  ovipositing.  In  the  discussion  of  remedies  by 
Miss  Ormerod,  in  her  various  reports,  a  number  of  stroug-smelliug  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  Fly  in  Virginia  and  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  larvae  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  carbolic  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. 


177 

The  poiut,  therefore,  to  be  considered  is  whether  the  question  of 
fuller  statistical  information  as  to  damage  done  is  sufiQcient  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  lusects  at 
the  U.  S.  National  Museum,  the  president,  C.  V.  Riley,  occupying  the  chair.  The 
following  members  were  present:  C.  V.  Riley,  Washington;  S.  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,  Iowa;  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.  Liuell,  C.  L.  Marlatt,  Tyler  Townsen  t,  aud  L.  O.  Howard,  Washington. 

In  the  absence  of  the  secretary,  Mr.  J.  B.  Smith,  Mr.  L.  O.  Howard  was  nomiuated 
and  elected  secretary  pro  tern. 

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  : 


BYLAWS. 
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- 
tiou  of  papers  and  in  the  scientific  discussions  at  the  regular  meetings,  and  may,  by  per- 
mission of  the  presiding  officer,  speak  ou  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.— 0/  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. 

Sec.  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. 

Article  III.— 0/  Meetings. 

Section  1.  Notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  meetings  shall  be  published  in  all  the 
American  entomological  periodicals  and  in  Insect  Life. 

Sec.  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. 

Sec.  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  sessiors. 

(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  mauuer  and  on  the  same  notice  as  prescribed  in  the  constitution  for  amend- 
ments to  that  instrument. 

The  association  then  adjourned  until  1.30  p.  ra. 


179 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  meeting  was  called  1o  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.  Popeaoe,  Kansas;  J.  M.  Stedman,  New  York;  C.  H.  Fer- 
nald,  Massachusetts.  The  application  of  A.  S.  Packard  of  Rhode  Island  was  referred 
to  a  committee  consisting  of  the  president  and  the  secretary,  with  power  to  act  after 
it  shall  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.  Eakiu,  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  Jefiferson  Place. 

Mr.  H.  Garman  read  two  papers  entitled:  (1)  "Notes  on  a  Corn  Koot-worm  in 
Kentucky  ;  "  (2)  "  The  Bordeaux  Mixture  as  an  Insecticide."  The  writer  had  discov- 
ered that  the  Corn  Root-worm  of  Kentucky  is  not  Diabrotica  lougicornis,  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  hia  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,  +he  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  larvte  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.  Carman'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  Peronospora  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  viue-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  his  own 
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  recording  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  i^ublish  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.  Feruald,  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  tlie  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  tstatioa  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  discussion  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  Economic  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,  ghould  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  lUOof  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  oi 
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  larvai  of  the 
first  brood  destroyed  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  adjourumeat  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  called  to  order  at  10  o'clock  by  Vice-President  Cook.  The  min- 
utes were  read  and  approved. 

The  secretary  read  a  letter  fromD.  S.  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  diflferent  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-flower.  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  coru,  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.  S.  Harris  thinks  that  he 
has  found  it  upon  Purslane.  Mr.  Forbes  considers  the  species  as  normally  inhabiting 
the  far  West  and  spoke  of  its  extraordinary  increase  in  Illinois  in  late  years.  Twenty  . 
years  ago  Walsh  mentioned  the  finding  of  three  specimens  in  Illinois  as  worthy  of  re- 
mark. 

Mr.  Lugger  had  found  three  pupse  of  D.  12-imnctata  at  the  roots  of  Rudbeckia  in  a 
field  which  had  been  grown  in  corn  the  previous  year. 

Mr.  Garman  stated  that  Mr.  D.  S.  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 
in  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  liliely  to  be  overlooked,  he 
would  be  glad  to  see  a  resolution  passed  commending  the  technical  side  of  the  Gov- 
ernment work  inentomology  to  Congress. 

Referring  to  Mr.  Lugger's  suggestion,  he  further  suggested  that  the  distribution  of 
diseased  insects  atforded  an  opportunity  for  co-operation. 

Mr.  Kiley  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  hovis, 
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  auother  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  and  slow.  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  a  right  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  for  aid  on  the 
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  a  swamp,  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  exi^eriment 
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. It  is  also  authorized  to  represent  the  association  in  conference  with  auy  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  meetin<i-s  may  be 
called  by  a  majority  of  the  officers.  Eight  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  trausaction  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  Economic  Entomologists." 

It  was  moved  and  cairied  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 
snch  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. 

AFTERNOOX   SESSION. 

The  association  reconvened  at  4  o'clock  ;  President  Riley  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  to  the  Association  of  Agricultural  Colleges  and 
Experiment  Stations  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  thau  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.  Agricultui'o  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,  S.  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.    HOWAKD, 

Secretary  pro  tempore. 


185 


OFFICE  AND  LABORATORY  ORGANIZATION.* 

By  S.  a.  Forbes,  Chaitqyaign,  III. 

With  the  sudden  establishmeut  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  so  as  the  work  of  each 
station  increases  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  outgrovjing  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  Illinois,  the  work  of  the  official  entomologist 
of  that  State,  and  the  instruction  work  of  the  department  of  zoology 
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  zoological  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  zoological  order;  tbe  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  miscellaneous,  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  described  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,  when  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  in  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  sufdcing  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  a  new  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. 

*  *  *  I  know  of  no  better  means  of  obtaining  infoimation  upon  economic  ento- 
mology than  througli  the  pages  of  your  most  vahiable  publication.  I  shall  be  obliged 
if  you  will  insert  the  following  notice  of  the  appearan'ce  in  Canada  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean Flour-moth,  Epliestia  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.  For  a  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  Di\  P  H  Bryce,  the  secretary  of  the  provin- 
cial board  of  health,  have  just  issued  a  bulletin  upon  its  operations,  appearance  in 
the  differeut  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  attenti"n  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.  In  the  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  or  so ; 
took  the  clothing  from  our  bolting  reels  and  cleaned  it  and  washed  the  inside  thor- 
oughly with  soft  lye  soap  and  lime.  We  did  the  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  the  reels.  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  had  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  oue  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  hovr  great  are  not  only  the  dangers  of  its  transmission  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  t\iQ  Ephestia  kiihnieUa  develops 
under  favorable  conditions,  nothing  will  better  illustrate  than  the  correspondence  of 
a  sufterer  therefrom  already  published.  When  it  is  stated  that  a  large  warehouse, 
some  25  feet  wide,  75  feet  long,  and  four  stories  high,  became  literally  alive  with  moths 
in  the  short  course  of  six  months,  while  thousands  upon  thousands  of  the  cocoons 
were  fouud  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  sujall  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  over  a  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  of  sulphur  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,  My  gale  fasciata,  while  working  in  the  field. 
Both  patients  coraijlained  of  recurring  spasms  followed  by  soreness  and  muscular 
pains  extending  through  the  leg,  arm,  andueck  on  the  affected  side.  The  local  medical 
ofScer  applied,  m  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,  so  common  in  cleared  lands  at  this  season  of  the  year.  They  all 
came  from  the  direction  of  the  higher  land.  I  have  long  been  of  the  opinion  that 
the  power  of  scent  was  stronger  in  insects  than  m  any  other  department  of  animated 
creation.     *     *     *     —[W.  W.  Meech,  Vineland,  N.  J.,  October  18.  1889. 

Beetles  from  Stomach  of  a  "  Chuck- vrills-widow^." 

I  send  by  mail  some  "bugs"  taken  from  the  stomach  of  a  Chuck-wills-widow.  Please 
state  name,  and  whether  injurious  to  agriculture. — [G.  H.  Kagsdale,  Gainesville, 
Cook  County,  Tex.,  May  12,  1886. 

Reply. —  »  #  *  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  recent  date,  ac- 
■compauied  by  insects  taken  from  the  stomach  of  the  Chuck-wills-widow  {Antrostomns 
■caroUnensis).  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  Laclinosterna  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,  188G.] 

I>  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  their  eggs.  This  insect  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. 

Reply. —  *  «  »  -ji^e  insect  which  you  found  feeding  on  the  eggs  of  the 
Colorado  Potato-beetle  is  a  Harvest-mite  of  the  genus  Tromhidium.  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.  »  »  •  — 
t June  22,  1886.] 


190 

Supposed  Injury  to  Grass  from  Gastrophysa  polygoni. 

to  iufonii  me  as  to  the  inclosed  insects.  A  few  days  ago  they  made  their 
appearance  in  great  numbers  in  the  conrt  house  yard,  and  are  destroying  the  grass 
very  rapidly.— [N.  R.  Smithson,  Winchester,  111.,  June  2,  1887. 

Reply.—  *  *  *  This  beetle  is  known  as  Gastrophysa  polygoni.  It  is  a  perfectly 
harmless  species,  injuring  no  crop  and  feeding  solely  upon  the  weeds  of  the  genns 
Pohjcjonum  (kuot-weed,  jomt-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. 

I  send  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.  Meinminger,  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  p  lace  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  Scale.  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. 


191 

had  fought  out  the  battle,  and  while  the,  carcasses  of  the  vanquished  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  trees  in  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  1.5th  of  April,  and  from  lot  No.  2  on  the  24th  of  the  same 
month.  On  tbe  25th  of  April  I  found  larvse  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 
coloniesof  various  sizes  between  May  31  and  July  31.  *  »  *  — [J.  R.  Dobbins,  San 
Gabriel,  Cal.,  October  22,  1889. 

I  am  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  Sextou,  Goleta,  Cal.,  August  12,  1889. 

On  Haematobia  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  Hmmatohia  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  Hcmiatobta  serrata  E.  D.  {Lyperosia  End.)  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  End.).  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  Frauzensbad,  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  Cecidomyiaj,  to  Dr. 
Franz  Low  (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  additioD  to  our  knowledge  of  the  life-bistory  of  Tragidion 
fulvipemie  is  made  by  Prof.  E.  A.  Popenoe,  in  a  paper  entitled  "  Note 
on  the  oviposition  of  a  Wood  borer,"  read  at  the  Wichita  meeting  of  the 
Kansas  Academy  of  Science,  and  published  in  the  Manhattan  Industri- 
alist for  November  2,  1889.  The  Ceramhycidcv,  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  : 

Whea  detected  in  ovipositiou,  the  females  were  standing  on  the  smooth  bark,  trans- 
^^ersely  to  the  stick,  their  bodies  close  to  the  surface,  their  antenute  bent  nnder  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  no  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  call  it. 
The  egg-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  {Eumeta  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  {Tliyridopteryx  ephemera eformis).    Mr. 


193 

Green  quotes  a  quaint  native  legend  concerning  these  insects,  to  the 
eflect  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  coffece). — This  insect  which  has  been  so  fre- 
quently treated  as  a  coffee  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  Cossince. 

The  Tea  Bark-louse  {Aspidiotus  thece). — 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.  thece,  but  is  much  more  readily  recognized  on  account 
of  its  yellow  color  contrasting  with  the  bark,  while  A.  thece  is  of  the 
same  color  as  the  bark. 

The  Transparent- SCALED  Bark-logse  {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  occur  upon  a  single  plant  the  leaves 
become  completely  devoured.  It  is  a  close  ally  to  the  Lobster  Cater- 
pillar of  Europe,  8  fagi. 

The  Eed  Tea-mite  or  Red  Spider  {Tetranychus  biaculatus). — This 
miteiproduces  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.  Nietuer  as  the  "  Red  Spider  of  the 
coffee  tree  {Acarus  Coffece). ^^ 

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  tbis  country  of  the  point  brought 
out  by  the  president  of  the  Lyons  Viticultural  Society  iu  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  efiect  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  iu 
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  Linnseus. 

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.  Id  referring  to  the  latter  insect,  which  he  calls  Eurytoma 
olearke,  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  larvre  and 
piip?e  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  Eurytoma  hordei,  and  states  that  it  is  not  certain  that  it  is 
phytophagous,  but  that  it  maybe  only  parasitic  upon  thelarv^a  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  Chalcididcc.  Specimens  which  he 
has  kindly  sent  us  show  that  it  is  a  Proctotrupid  of  the  subfamily  Pla- 
tygasterinw,  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)  Neivs  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  iu  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  and  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,  kingbird,  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  a  single  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  Ofitice  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  uews  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 
greatly  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  larvfe  of  the  Coleopterous  genus  Nehria,  but  he  soon  became  more 
interested  in  the  life-history  of  gall-producing  insects,  especially  Biptera, 
Eoinoptera,  and  Acarmce.  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  Psyllid(v,  and 
he  became  the  recognized  leading  authority  on  this  intricate  group  of 
insects.  Notwithstanding  the  works  by  Flor  and  Thomson,  the  clas- 
sification of  PsijUidce  had  remained  practically  where  Forster  left  it  in 
1848,  and  Low's  paper,  "  Zur  Systematik  der  Fsylloden,"  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  Psyllidce  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.  Low  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. 

EUGi:NE   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  a  man  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 
pebrine.  He  was  a  student  of  Pasteur's,  and  a  comparatively  young 
man.  His  work  entitled  '•'■Legons  sur  le  ver  a  soie  du  71/wmr,"  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  migration  of  Vanessa  cardiii.  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  Nomeu- 
clator  Zoologicus." 

Mr.  Marlatt  gave  some  "Notes  on  the  abundance  of  oak-feeding  lepidopterous 
larvae  this  fall,"  ami  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  r6sum6 
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. 

Wm.  H.  Fox,  M.  D., 

Recording  Secretary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL  BULLETIN.  (Double  number.)  January  and  February,  1890. 

Vol.  II.  Nos.  7  and  8. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 
ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE. 

KDITED   BY 

C.   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.  1 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE, 
1890. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Special  Notes 199 

The  Use  of  Hydrocyanic  Acid  Gas  for  the  Destruction  of  the  Red 

Scale D.W.Coquilletl.      202 

The  Larv^  of  H  ypoderm  a  bo  vis Cooper  Curtice      207 

The  imported  Gipsy  Moth  (illustrated) 208 

Some  insect  Pests  of  the  Household,  continued— The  true  Clothes 

Moths  (illustrated) C.  V.Riley.      211 

Irrigation  and  injurious  Insects L.  0.  Howard.      215 

Note  on  the  Oviposition  and  embryonic  Development  of  Xiphidium 

ensiferum Wm.  M.  Wheeler.      222 

The  Six-spotted  Mite  of  the  Orange  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley.      225 

Harpiphorus  maculatus ." W.  Hague  Harrington.      227 

Adults  of  the  American  Cimbex  injuring  the  Willow  and  Cotton- 
wood in  Nebraska  (illustrated)  F.  M.  Webster.      228 

Observations  on  Monomorium  pharaonis M.  A.  Bellevoye.      230 

The  dipterous  Parasite  of  Diabrotica  soror  (illustrated)  D.  W.  Coquillett.      233. 

Spilosoma  fuliginosa  (illustrated) Otto  Lugger.      236 

A  Grub  supposed  to  have  traveled  in  the  human  Body  (illustrated) 238 

The  Dog-wood  Saw-fly  (illustrated) 239 

Platypsyllus~Egg  and  ultimate  Larva  (illustrated) C.  V.  Riley.      244 

Some  new  Parasites  of  the  Grain  Plant-louse  ( illustrated). i.O.  Howard.      246 
An  Australian  Hymenopterous   Parasite  of  the  Fluted  Scale  (illus- 
trated)   C.  V.  Riley.      248 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 250 

The  Orchid  Isosoma  in  America — A  Flaxseed  Mite— Abundance  of  JSgeria 
acer«i— 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. 

General  Notes 255 

Insects  affecting  Salsify— An  Egyptian  Mealy-bug— A  Case  of  excessive  Para- 
sitism— Some  hitherto  unrecorded  Enemies  of  Easpberries  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. 


Vol.  II,  Nos.  7  and  8.]   INSECT  LIFE.    [ Jan.  aud  Feb.,  1§90. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

A  descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  Phalangiinae  in  Illinois.— We  liave  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.  The  descriptive  catalogue  includes  the  con- 
sideration of  three  genera  and  ten  species,  two  of  the  species  being 
new.  Liohonum  dorsatunij  L.  (f )  fonnosuni  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  aud  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.  The  subscription  price  is  $1  a  year,  aud  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.  Lintuer'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 


200 

Natural  History.  It  comprises  nearly  two  hundred  and  tifty  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  Eemedies  and  Preventives,  the 
Larch  Saw-fly  {N'ematus  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  list  of 
the  principal  publications  of  the  Entomologist  during  1888  is  giren. 
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  iusect.  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.  0.  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  jjoints  are  brought  out.  The  "  Larger  Typha-borer"  {Arzama  oh- 
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. 


20V  PHOP^^^^/.    p. 

^    o   K/FTCAl-r 

"The  Toothed-horned  Fish-fly"  (Gkanlibdes  rostricornis  Ramb.)  is  fig- 
ured iu  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  latimculus  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  larvae.  Notonecta  undulata  is  recorded  as 
feeding  upon  May-fly  larvae  and  upon  a  species  of  Boatman  [Corisa 
alternata  Say).  Donacia  subtilis  Kunze  feeds  upon  a  number  of  aquatic 
plants  and  pollinizes  Niiphar  advena.  His  observations  indicate  that 
the  13-spotted  Lady-bird  {Hippodamia  l3-pimctata)  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  Beriacus  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  Piatypsyiius.— 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  Nirrmis  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  resemblance  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 
larvfe  in  the  oesophageal  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  larvae 
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  E.  Kane  (p.  238)  relating  to  the  travel- 
ing propensities  of  the  young  Hypoderma  larva. 


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,  pub- 
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  use  of  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  for  the  destruction  of  scale-insects  (family 
Coccidce) ;  and  I  am  not  aware  that  anything  has  been  published  upon 
ihis  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  I5tli  iust.  asking  about  tlie  condition  of  the 
lemon  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  will  cut  otF  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  offish  oil  to  100  gallons  of  water.  The  trees  treated  with 
the  gas  remained  perfectly  clean  for  over  a  mouth;  then  we  found  scales  on  the  out- 
flide  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,  I  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  me  in  moving  the  outfit  from  tree  to  tree  when  mak- 
ing the  tests.  Among  the  difterent  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 
upon  another  tree.  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  iu  this  way. 

The  followiog  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 

Water. 

Sulphuric 

of  tree. 

of  tree. 

of  potaah. 

acid. 

Feet. 

Feet. 

Ounces. 

Fluid  ozs. 

Fluid  ozs. 

8 

4i 

10 

41 

9 

4i 

8i 

14 

82 

Hi 

10 

5J 

11 

5i 

12 

71 

15 

7i 

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 
a  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  21J  ounces  by  weight  of  the 
dry  cyanide,  whereas  by  the  new  process  it  will  require  only  7^  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  cyaui«le  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  cya- 
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- 
phuric 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- 
cyanic 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. 
Ill  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  in  a  few  of  these  experiments  con- 
sisted of  5  pounds  of  cyanide  dissolved  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  solution,  and  added  in  a 
minute  and  a  half  2^  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,  suu  shining,  light  breeze.  Tree  9  feet  tall  by 
S  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  leaves. 

(210)  Took  2  ounces  dry  cyanide  and  2^  fluid  ounces  of  water,  added 
in  a  few  seconds  2^  ounces  pure  sulphuric  acid.  Turned  the  blower 
five  minutes.  1  to  1.20  p.  m.,  September  25,  sun  shining,  light  wind. 
Tree  8  feet  high  by  5  in  diameter.  October  19,  about  one-fourteenth  of 
the  leaves  were  killed ;  found  no  live  red  scales. 

(211)  Took  4  ounces  dry  cyanide  and  4J  fluid  ounces  of  water,  added 
in  a  few  seconds  4^  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,  suu  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 
7^  fluid  ounces  pure  sulphuric  acid.  Turned  the  blower  five  minutes. 
9.30  to  9.50  a.  m  ,  September  26,  suu  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  5^  ounces  dry  cyanide  and  22  fluid  ounces  of  water,  added 
at  once  5|  fluid  ounces  of  sulphuric  acid.  Turned  the  blower  five  minutes. 
10.30  to  10.50  a.  m.,  September  26,  sun  shining,  light  breeze.  Tree  10 
feet  high  by  9  in  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  a  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  live  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  3J  ounces  dry  cyanide  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  8  in  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  5^  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.  m.,  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  7^  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  LARV^  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, 1  have  been  collecting 
the  larvae  of  Hypoderma  bovis  from  cattle.  I  found  larvse  of  the  first 
stage*  (1)  in  the  oesophageal  walls,  (2)  one  specimen  under  the  pleura 
near  the  eleventh  rib,  (3)  in  the  subcutaneous  tissue  of  the  back,  and 
(4)  in  subcutaneous  tumors  which  opened  by  an  orifice  upon  the  exter- 
nal skin.    Larvae  of  the  second  and  third  stages  have  been  discovered 

•  *By  first  stage  I  mean  the  earliest  stage  found.  They  were  from  lO-lS""™  long  and 
1.5"""  thick,  and  were  similar  to  the  first  stage  of  Hypoderma  diana,  as  figured  by 
Brauer  (Mon.  d.  (Estriden).— C.  C. 


208 

only  in  tumors.  Molts  of  the  lirst  stage  were  found  in  the  tumors  with 
the  second  and  were  the  means  of  connecting  the  three  stages.  Larvae 
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, 
Bd.  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  larviB  of  the  first  stages  in  the 
oesophagus,  back,  subcutaneous  tissue  and  tumors,  suggests  that  the  life 
history  of  a  certain  portion  of  the  larvse,  if  not  all,  has  been  overlooked. 
It  is  possible  that  the  eggs  or  young  larvpe  are  licked  by  the  cattle  from 
the  backs;  that  the  larvae  make  their  way  into  the  oesophageal  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  m4de  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  appear 
in  the  publications  of  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry. 


THE  IMPORTED  GIPSY  MOTH. 

{Ocneria  dispar  L.) 


Fig.  36. —Oflnecia  dispar.  female— natural  size  (after  Katzeburg). 

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.  Ill  (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 


-Ocneria  dispar.  male— natural : 
(after  Kirby). 


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  seut  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  Neio  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  Eatzeburg,  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  destruction  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  Zoological 
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,     r^     ^^    ^      .  ^. 

'  '7717  7      Fig.  ZS.—OcnenadnparJaiY.i  — 

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. 


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  IJ  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.  80, 
of  its  occurrence  at  Winchester  is  still 
uncertain,  as  only  i^artly  grown  larvae 
were  sent  by  our  correspondent,  Mrs. 
Holt. 

Kegarding  its  natural  enemies.  Pro- 
fessor Fernald  states  that  none  have 
been  noticed  in  this  country,  but  that 
eleven  species  of  Ichneumonidce  and 
seven  species  of  Tacliina  flies  have  been 
noticed  in  Europe.  This  statement  is 
evidently  taken  from  Eatzeburg,  who 
mentions  this  precise  number  of  eleven 
Hymenopterous  parasites  (not  all  Ich- 
neumonidse,  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  : 


i^l  V 

Fig.  39.— Ocneria  disj^ar,  pupa- 
size  (after  Katzeburg.) 


Pimpla  flavieans  Etz.,  Rtz.  W.  S. 
Pimpla  instigator  Grav.,  G.  et  L.  409,  Rtz.  W.  S. 
Pezomachus  hortensis  Gr.,  (hyper)  Brischke  A.  W.  T.  128. 
Limneria  difformis  Gr.,  Kirch.,  94. 

Hemileles  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.  S. 

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.,  Brischke  A.  W.  T.  128. 

13.  Apanteles  melanoscelus  Rtz.,  Kirch.  121,  Rtz.  W.  S.  =  Apanteles  difficilis  Nees. 

14.  Apanteles  solitarius  Rtz.,  KircU.  122,  Rtz.  W.  S.,  Brischke  A.  W.  T.  128. 

15.  Microgaster  calceatus  Hal.,  Marsh.  M.  B.  B.  246. 

16.  Microgaster  (?)  tenehrosus  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.  Microgaater  pubescens  Etz.,  Kirch.  121,  Rtz.  W.  S.  =  calceatus  Hal. 

20.  Eurytoma  abrotani  Panz.,  Etz.  W.  S.,  Kirch.  155,  Brischke,  A.  W.  T.  128. 

21.  Pteromahia  halidayanus  Rtz.,  (hyper)  Brischke,  A.  W.  T.  130. 

22.  Pteromalus  pint  Hartig,  (hyper)  Brischke,  A.  W.  T.  128. 

23.  Pteromalus  boucManus  Rtz.,  (hyper)  Brischke,  A.  W.  T.  128,  G.  et  L.  428. 

24.  Eupflmus  bifasciaius  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  Mierogaster  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  Microgasterince,  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.  j 

THE   TRUE   CLOTHES-MOTHS* 

•'And  he,  as  a  rotten  thing,  consumeth,  as  a  garment,  that  is  moth-eaten."— Job^ 

xiii,  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  oue  species,  the  moth  of  a  second,  and  gives  it 
the  name  of  a  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  ditter  somewhat  in  the  moth 


Fig.  iO.— Tinea,  pellionella— enlarged— a,  adult;  6,  larva;  c,  larva  In  case  (after  Eiley). 

■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  pelUonella 
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  hiselliella  Hummel. 

Perhaps  the  commonest  of  these  in  more  northern  regions  is  the  case- 
bearing  species  (T.  pelUonella),  shown  at  Fig.  40.  Its  habits  may  thus 
briefly  be  stated  :  The  small  light-brown  moths,  distinguished,  as  shown 
at  Fig.40rt,  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,  workiug  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  larvaj  (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  larvai  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  pupa  takes 
place  within  the  case  the  follow- 
ing spring  and  the  moths  soon 
afterward  issue.  Such  is  the  life 
round  of  the  first  species.  It 
feeds  in  all  woolen  cloths  and 
also  in  hair  cloth,  furs,  and  feath- 
ers. Curiously  enough  a  little 
parasite  sometimes  enters  the 
house  and  lays  its  eggs  in  the 
destructive  larvse.  The  accom- 
panying drawing  (Fig.  41)  was 
made  from  specimens  received 
from  Michigan.     It  may  be  known  as  Hyperacmus  tinew. 

The  next  spacies—Tineola  bisellieUa — 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.  It  is 
generally  fond  of  the  same  sub- 
stances upon  which  the  former 
feeds,  and  is  quite  as  voracious. 
A  curious  instance  was  brought  to 
my  attention  in  1884,  in  which  a 
large  stock  of  feather  dusters  was 
completely  ruined  by  this  species, 


Fig.  il.— Hype  I  acimis  tmece—eul&rged  {after  Riley). 


Fii;.  i2.-Tii 


adult;  b,  larva; 


c,  cocoon  and  empty  pupa-akin— enlarged   (after 
Riley). 


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 


214 

there  is  more  than  one  generation  annually  in  southern  latitudes.  The 
pareut  moth  (Fig.  4:2a)  is  of  a  delicate  straw-color  and  has  no  black 
spots.  The  larva  is  shown  at  Fig.  426  and  the  cocoon  at  Fig.  42c.  The 
latter  is  often  found  with  the  empty  pupa-skin  protruding  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 


enlarged  (after  Riley). 


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  ever^^  stage,  and  it  is  one  of  the  few  substances 
which  will  destroy  the  egg.  I  would,  however,  repeat  the  caution  as  to 
its  inflammability.  iNo  light  should  be  brought  into  a  room  in  which  it 
has  been  used  until  after  a  thorough  airing  and  until  the  odor  is  almost 
dissipated. 

The  proper  packing  away  of  furs  and  \vinter  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 


215 

small  sum  from  his  tailor  a  number  of  pasteboard  boxes  in  which  they 
deliver  suits,  and  his  wife  carefullj^  folds  and  packs  away  all  clothing, 
gumming  a  strip  of  wrapping  paper  around  the  edge  of  the  cover  so  as 
to  leav^e  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 
pillowcases,  which  answer  well.  The  success  of  these  means  depends 
entirely  on  the  thoroughness  of  the  preliminary  work.  Camphor,  to- 
bacco, uapthaline,  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  iu  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  iu  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  theEocky  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  iu  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  Surv^ey. 

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  can  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 
locust,  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  3874  to  1877 
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  ren- 
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  ic  in  the 
growing  season,  a  very  large  section  of  these  plains  might  be  brought  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  extensive  forests  grown  where  no w  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  out.  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  depends  upon  it,  and  the  wel- 


217 

fare  of  a  much  larger  area  south  and  west  also  depends  upon  it,  certainly  the  ques- 
tion is  worthy  of  consideration  by  our  national  authorities. 

The  day  is  not  far  distant  when  our  National  Governiuent  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  tbere  were  no  other  impediments  to  overcome  than  this  sterility, 
formidable  as  it  is,  the  gradual  filling  up  of  the  border  area  with  an  activepopulation 
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  a  large  extent  distinguished  by  the  presence  of  Jr/emista,  Chenopodiaceous  plants, 
and  what  is  usually  termed  "bunch-grass  ;"  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  further  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  euch 
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  jiests 
than  portions  of  the  temporary  regions. 

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  uo  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  populatiou.  Wher- 
ever valuable  and  i)ermanent  mines  are  discovered  iu  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  iu  jiarts  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,  wbich  may  be  found  iu  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  aft'ecting  an  agricultural  area  bearing  any  comj)arison  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  iu  the  belt  mentioned. 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  if  any  method  can  be  devised  by  which  an  agricult- 
ural (not  pastoral)  populatiou  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  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.  It  will  have  to  be  on  a 
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 uplish  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  desired  end:  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  efiectual  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  postpone  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 
80  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,  can  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  assuredly  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  upoa 
the  amount  of  water  that  cau  t)e  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  ijioneer 
agricultural  population.  Some  efficient  aid  of  some  kind  must  be  given  if  such  a 
scheme  is  ever  carried  intoeftect,  and  if  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  Jefterson  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  auy  hopes 
of  ever  accomplishing  this  desired  end.  Still  there  appears  to  be  one  possible  means 
of  bringing  this  about,  at  least  to  a  limited  extent.  The  demand  of  trade  will  doubt- 
less comijlete  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  jjossible,  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  officer  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  Insiguiticance  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 

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.  I  am  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  strikiug'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  it  is  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  introdnce  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 
insect  enemy.     I  may  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  Eocky  Mountains,  where  the  insect  commits  sad  havoc,  as  with  a  little 
eifort  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  the  spring.  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  also  the  case  of  the  Grape-vine  Phylloxera  and 
may  again  quote  from  Professor  liiley : 

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 
(Benches  dn-Rh6ne),  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  lasting  less  than  two  days,  made  between  the  uaiddle 
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  in  many  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  Missouri.) 

Too  much  in  fact  can  not  be  said  of  the  advantages  of  a  system  of 
Irrig^atiou  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  irrigation  in  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  Eocky  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,  Scud. 

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 
st^ll  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  Locustidce,  Mantidce, 
and  Phasmidce.  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  abundauce,  and  representing  families  heretofore  unstudied,  I 
happened  on  one  of  the  Locustidce,  the  eggs  of  which  meet  the  require- 
ments. The  species  to  which  I  allude  is  Xiphidhun  ensiferum,  Scud.,  a 
very  common  insect  about  the  meadows  and  marshlands  of  Wisconsin 
and  the  adjacent  states. 

Unlike  other  species  of  the  family  whose  ovipositiou  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  ovipositiou.  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  larvie  of 
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  l"""  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 
membrane  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  I 
conclude  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  Blattidce  show  the  greatest  fixity  in  habits  of  oviposition 
of  any  of  the  Orthopteran  families,  the  Locustidce  exhibit  the  greatest 
variety.  Some  species  like  the  American  Anahrus  simplex  and  the  Eu- 
ropean Lociistce  oviposit  in  the  ground  like  the  Acridiidw.  Others, 
like  many  species  of  XipMdiwn  and  Orchelbnum,  oviposit  in  the  pith  of 
easily  penetrated  twigs.  According  to  Professor  Eiley  Phaneroptera 
curvicauda  lays  its  eggs  "singly  in  the  edges  of  leaves,  between  the 
upper  and  lower  cuticles."  Other  species,  approaching  Xipliidium  ensi- 
ferum  like  Conocephalus  ensiger,  lay  their  eggs  between  the  root-leaves 
and  stems  of  various  plants.  The  ETuropeau  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  Xipliidium  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  Phasmidw,  oviposit  in  clusters,  the  eggs  of  which  are  arranged 
in  more  or  less  regular  rows.  This  habit  is  most  strenuously  adhered 
to  by  the  Blattidce,  though  many  species  of  Acridiidce,  Gryllidce,  Locust- 
idw,  and  Mantidw  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  Blattidce.  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  Manticlce, 
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  Blattidce  and  those  numerous  forms 
which  either  deposit  their  eggs  in  exposed  situations  like  Microcentrum^ 
or  bury  them  in  the  earth  or  the  tissues  of  i)lants  like  the  Acridiidm 
and  GryUidce. 

The  eggs  of  XipMdium  ensiferum  begin  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  middleof  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  iit  st  larvae  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,  (Ecanthus 
niveus  as  described  by  Dr.  Howard  Ayers.  The  embryo,  as  noted  above, 
is  developed  on  the  flat  ventral  face  of  the  Qg.g  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  Qgg  is  deposited,  i.  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. 

(Telranychvs  6  maculatus,  ii.  sp.) 

By  C.  y.  Riley. 

This  mite  has  done  much  damage  to  the  orange  in  Florida  since  1886, 
and  we  have  ])repared  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  Tetranychns  G  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  G-maeuIatus  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  iu  front  of  the  eyes  ;  laterally  slightly- 
constricted  jnst  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  dis.tinct,  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, 
twoeachside,  the  anterior  one  of  each  pair  being 
blood-red,  this  pigment  extending  some  distance 
into  the  body,  giving  the  appearante  of  two  red 
eyes  on  each  su  e ;  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  iu  the  smaller  and  more  numer- 
ous specimeus,  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  coniposed  of  a  collection  of  eight  to 
twelve,  larger  or  smaller,  more  or  less  circular, 
quite  deep  black  spots,  while  in  others  all  the 
spots  are  single,  and  with  one  or  the  other  of  the 
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,  ou  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-yellow,  and  are  loosely  attached  to  the  web. 


Fig.  Air— Tetranychus  6-maculatus:  a,  rfom 
above — enlarc;ed;  6,  tarsus;  c,  rostrum 
and  palpus— still  more  enlarged  ;  d,  tip 
ofpalpus— still  more  enlarged(original). 


227 


HARPIPHORUS  MACULATUS  Norton. 

By  W.  Hague  Harrington,  Ottawa,  Canada. 

The  spotted  saw-fly,  whose  larvse  feed  upon  the  strawberry  plant,  is 
widely  distributed,  and  probably  well  known  to  all  collectors  of 
Hymeuoptera,  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  HarpipJiorus^ 
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  sufHcient  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  71/.  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  forewiugs,  M.  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  suimarginal 
cells  : 


Specimens  having  four  submarginal 
cells  : 


Date. 

Males.    Females. 

May  9 

1  '               1 

lo."":::. :■;■.■.: 

1 

12 

1 
1 
3 

13 

21 

3 
1 
3 

10 

27            

26 

Total 

6 

Date.                Males. 

Females. 

1 
1 

^9 

9 
2 

7 
3 

1 

22 

11    

12 

i 

1 

Juno  2 

Total 

4 

This  shows  the  two  forms  to  occur  during  the  same  period  and  in  com- 
paratively the  same  abundance,  and  the  habits  of  the  adults  were  ap- 
parently in  all  respects  similar.  With  those  previously  in  my  collection 
I  have  ifow  before  me  80  specimens,  which  appear  to  belong  undoubt- 


228 

edly  to  the  same  species.  Of  these,  16  males  aud  24  females  have  three 
submargiuals,  and  8  males  and  29  females  have  four.  A  counectiDg 
link  between  the  two  equal  groups  is  formed  bj^  the  remaining  three 
specimens,  which  are  females,  and  in  each  of  which  the  left  wing  has 
four  aud  the  right  wiug  three  submargiuals.  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,  coloriug,  shape  of  auteunse,  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  antenuse 
shorter,  and  which  appear  to  be  distinct,  and  to  belong  to  Monostegia. 
The  anteunoB  in  these  specimens  more  resemble  those  of  Mono2)hadniis, 
haviug  the  second  joint  as  long  as  the  third  and  fourth  united,  and  the 
apex  blunt ;  whereas  the  antennae  in  H.  maculatus  (especially  in  the  male) 
are  longer  and  more  tapering,  aud  have  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth 
joints  more  or  less  subequal. 

Mr.  Malley  in  his  excellent  plate  figures  the  antennae  of  his  straw- 
berry pest  as  of  the  Monostegia  form,  and  also  indicates  differences  in 
the  larvae,  and  possibly  the  species  bred  by  him  may  really  be  a  Mon- 
ostegia aud  distinct  from  the  specimens  with  four  submargiuals  which 
I  have  taken  and  consider  to  be  H.  maculatus.  The  ornamentation  of 
the  abdomeu,  however,  seems  so  characteristic  that  one  would  hardly 
expect  to  fiud  insects  thus  marked  feeding  upon  the  same  plant  aud 
yet  belonging  to  different  genera. 


ADULTS   OF    THE   AMERICAN    CIMBEX    INJURING   THE  WILLOW 
AND  COTTONWOOD  IN  NEBRASKA. 

By  F.  M.  Webstek,  Lafayette,  Ind. 

Under  date  of  June  11, 18S9,  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,  cottouwood,  and  box-elder, 
aud  was  not  a  little  startled  by  finding  myself  surrounded  by  what  1  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  of  them,  a^jpar- 
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  rou^h  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. 


Fig.  ■i5.—0imbex  amerieana :  a,  willow  leaves  showing  egg-blisters  from  above  and  below  ;  6,  twig 
showing  gircUings;  c,  egg;  d,  newly-hatched  larva;  e,  e,  full-grown  larvae;  /  cocoon;  g,  cocoon 
cut  open,  with  pupa;  h,  pupa,  side  view;  i,  female  fly;  j,  her  saw  detached,  side  view;  A;,' tip  of  saw — 
c,  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  know  I  have  been 
planting  trees  all  my  life,  or  at  least  during  the  last  fifty  years  of  it,  and  I  never  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  besideu 
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,  jjp.  334-6,  Plate  V,  Fig.  1.  In 
this  case  the  depredation  occurred  on  the  grounds  of  Admiral  Ammen, 
in  the  vicinity  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  ovipositiou  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,  Beims. 

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  Phylloecus  integer  and  not  by  the  Cimbex. 

t  Translated  and  condensed  from  Annales  de  la  Soci6t6  Entomologique  de  France, 
sixth  series,  Vol.  VIII,  1888,  fourth  trimestre,  Bulletin,  pp.  clxxvii-clxxxi. 


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, 
r  have  read  in  various  authors,  among  others  in  the  encyclopedia  com- 
piled by  Dr.  Cheuu,  this  note : 

The  domestic  aut  of  Schenk,  a  very  small  species  which  has  of  late  made  great 
devastation  in  England,  iu  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.  Andre,  the  Species  of  Hymen- 
oprera  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  follo^ving  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  Eeims,  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  in  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  looselj  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  yermanica,  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  i^urpose  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  larvjB  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  16th  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  as  I  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  larvae  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  ixp,  aud  which  attracted  them  as 
well  as  the  fresh  liver,  were  at  last  furrowed  with  chaimels  more  or  less 
deep.  One  of  these  pieces,  which  served  for  a  score  of  days,  was  com- 
pletely (lug  through  iuto  the  center  aud  only  the  exterior  parts  remained, 
which  were  hardened  aud  bored  with  holes.  In  that  condition  ants  were 
crowding  all  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 1  Two  or  three  thousand  ants  working  day  and  night.  When  I 
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  outof  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, 
ruu  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.* 


THE  DIPTEROUS  PARASITE  OF  DIABROTICA  SOROR. 

By  D.  W.  COQUILLETT,  Los  Angeles. 

Up  to  the  present  time  but  few  instances  have  been  recorded  of 
Coleopterous  insects  being  subject  to  the  attacks  of  Dij)terous  jjarasites. 
In  his  first  report  as  State  Entomologist  of  Missouri,  Professor  Riley 
records  having  bred  the  Tachinid,  Exorista  (LydeUa)  doryphorce  Hiley, 
from  the  larvje  of  the  Colorado  Potato-beetle  {Doryphora  10-Uneata 
Say),  and  in  the  fifth  volume  of  the  American  Naturalist  Dr.  Henry 
Shimer  gives  an  account  of  the  Dexid,  MelanospJiora  diabroticce  Shimer, 

*  Mr.  Bellevoye  continued  to  gather  these  ants  during  the  whole  month  of  Novem- 
ber. The  neuters  were  a  little  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  {Diabrofica  nittata  Fabr.). 
In  the  Annales  de  la  Societe  Entomologique  de  France  for  the  mouth  of 
June,  1888,  Mr.  M.  H.  Lucas  gives  an  account  of  the  parasitism  of  the 
Tachinid,  Myohia  pumila  Macq.,  on  tbe  Asparagus  Beetle  {Crioceris 
asparagi  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,  Gassida,  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, 
I  obtained  several  Dipterous 
pupsB  from  tbe  abdomen  of  a 
dead  Galosoma  perigrinator 
Guer.,  and  three  flies  issued 
from  these  pupce  on  the  25th 
of  the  same  month  ;  they  be- 
loug  to  the  genus  Masicera  of 
Macquart,  but  the  species  is 
still  undetermined. 

On  the  21st  of  June,  1889, 
I  saw  a  Dipterous  larva  issue 
from  the  abdomen  of  an  adult 
Diahrotica soror  Lee;  it  soon 
afterward  pupated,  the  fly 
issuing  on  the  5th  of  the  fol- 
lowing month.  Since  this 
time  I  have  succeeded  in  ob- 
taining quite  a  number  of  tbe 
pu  pte  of  this  parasite,  the  flies 
from  which  issued  at  various 
times  during  the  month  of 
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-tbird  con- 
tained larvsB  of  this  parasite,  each  infested  beetle  containing  only  a 
single  larva. 

Tbis  parasite  is  very  interesting,  not  only  on  account  of  the  fact  that 
it  aids  the  horticulturist  in  lessening  tbe  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  otber  Dipteron 
known  to  me,  nor  can  I  find  any  reference  to  it  in  any  work  upon  this 


Fig.  46.— Gelatoria  craivii :  a,  adult  fly ;  b,  head  of  same 
from  front ;  c,  abdominal  appendage  from  side ;  d,  ab- 
dominal appendage  from  behind  ;  e  wing  showing  vena- 
tion—all enlarged  (original; . 


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  been  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 
iu  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 
fovese  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  ; 
antennae  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.  Eyes  bare.  Thorax  nearly  as  long  as  the  abdomen,  fur- 
nished with  stout  bristles.  Scutellum  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  tibiae  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  crawii  n.  sp.,  which  may  be  further  characterized  as 
follows : 

M  le.  Frontal  vitta  blackish-brown,  sides  of  front  white,  tinged  with  yellow;  face 
white;  palpi  reddish-yellow;  antennae  black.  Thorax  grayish-black,  destitute  of 
stripes,  the  bristles  not  disposed  in  rows.  Scutellum  grayish-black.  Abdomen 
black,  mottled  with  gray,  destitute  of  reddish  spots;  fifth  segment  scarcely  one- 
fourth  as  long  as  the  fourth  ;  a  posterior  dorsal  pair  of  bristles  on  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  coucolorous  with  the 
dorsum.  Legs  black,  claws  and  pulvilli  much  shorter  than  last  tarsal  joint.  Wings 
hyaline.     Alulae  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  4^  to  5^"™. 


236 

Described  from  three  males  and  two  females,  bred  from  adults  of  Di- 
abrotica  soror  Lee,  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

PUPARIUM.— Dark  brown,  cyliudrical,  the  ends  ronnded;  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  4|""". 

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- 
I— 1  spects.  -Although  I  hunted  for  its  larva 

r''^  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  the  sidewalks  are  covered 
every  morning  with  a  thick  layer  of 
frost,  these  larvae  are  rather  abundant. 
They  leave  their  hiding  places  and  crawl 
over  the  sidewalks ;  at  this  time  they 
are  frequently  themselves  incrusted 
with  crystals  of  ice.  Some  few  days 
ago,  with  the  thermometer  ranging  from 
5°  to  30  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  crawl  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  larvse,  I  can  not  give  a  closer  description,  but 
the  illustration  will  give  a  good  idea  of  their  general  appearance.  The 
larvge  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 


Fig  il —Spxlosoma  fuhgmosa ,  a  larva 
b,  cocoon  ,  c,  moth— blijjhtly  enlaiged 
(original). 


237 

a  cocoon.  This  is  of  a  regular  oval  shape,  made  of  fine  threads  of  dirty 
white  silk,  intermixed  with  a  few  hairs  from  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  issue  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 ;  tbe  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. 
AntennsB  white,  with  blackish  tips. 

This  rather  handsome  moth  is  very  i^eculiar  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,  18.-s9.  Fouud  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  I  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  Larvae  infesting  Man  and  the 
Squirrel.  A  case  occurring  in  the  practice  of  Dr. 
Silvanus  D.  Freeman,  of  Smethport,  McKean 
County,  Pa,  may  nob  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 
night.  The  mother  remarked  that  the  cause  of 
suffering  was  a  "pollywog"  working  under  the 
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  the  cheek.  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  "poinb"  in  the  cheek.  Placing  his  finger  on  the  in- 
side, the  doctor  detected  a  foreign  body  in  the  swelling,  which  he  lanced,  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,  and  in  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  uights  had  been  very  restless.  The  mother  thought  that  the 
"poUywog"  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  Life.  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 


Fig.  48.— Hypoderma 
boy:  o,  ventral  surface — enlarged;  b, 
anterior  end ;  c,  anal  end — still  more 
enlarged  (original). 


239 

with  boils.  These  contained  larvte.  Dr.  Matas  pictured  a  dififereatly  shaped  grub 
from  that  found  by  Dr.  Freeman,  in  that  the  Central  American  one  has  a  large  head 
and  diminishes  rapidly  towards  the  caudal  end. 

In  describing  Dr.  Freeman's  grab,  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  resembled,  except  in  being  narrower  in  proportion  to  the  length,  the  grub 
figured  ou  page  214  of  Vol.  1  of  Insect  Life  as  the  Emasculating  Bot-fly. 

I  do  not  suppose  that  there  is  anything  unusual  in  finding  larvfe  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: 

I  am  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 in  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 
38  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  M.  diana,  which  infests  deer  in 
Europe,  as  also  the  same  stage  of  the  common  R.  bovis. 

We  have  shown  this  larva  at  figure  48,  a  rei)resenting  the  entire 
larva,  h  showing  the  head,  and  c  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  larvae  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  iu  the  note-books  of  the  Divisiou  a  number  of 
references  to  this  insect,  having  first  collected  the  larvae  ou  Cornus 
paniculata  in  Missouri  in  the  fall  of  1875.  Since  that  time  we  have  col- 
lected and  received  through  our  correspondents  larvje  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  larvae  were 
collected  in  Missouri  iu  the  fall 
of  1875  on  Gornus  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,  larvae  were 
found  on  Cornus  sp.  at  Kirk  wood, 
Mo.,  and  these  entered  soil  Octo- 

illl jTI^  //  ber  5,  but  again  the  adults  failed 

P^J^  to   appear.     October  2,  1884,   a 

'^  number  of  larvse  of  this  insect 

were  received  from  Mr.  M.  S. 
Crane,  of  Caldwell,  N.  J.,  who 
seems  to  have  first  discovered  the 
peculiar  hibernating  habits  of  the 
and  who  writes  of  them  as  follows  : 


Fig.  4S.—Harpiphorus  varianus:  a,  larvje  before 
last  molt;  b,  larva  after  last  molt;  c,  larvse  In 
burrows  in  decaying  wood — natural  size  (after 
Jack). 


larvse, 

I  send  yoQ  with  this  a  box  of  saw-tiy  larvae  found  feeding  on  Cornus  paniculata. 
When  about  to  change  to  a  chrysalis  the  larvae  bore  into  decayed  wood  to  transform. 
There  are  two  broods  iu  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  larvae  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  larvae  was  received  from  Mr.  Crane  September  2,  1885,  concerning 
which  he  again  writes : 

I  send  you  herewith  a  box  of  saw-fly  larvaj  found  feeding  on  pauicled  dogwood 
(C.  paniculata),  a  few  of  which  I  forwarded  to  you  last  year,  and  have  not  been  able 


241 

to  secure  any  more  until  a  few  days  ago.  Previous  to  last  year  they  were  very 
abundant,  eating  the  foliage  all  otf  of  many  bushes.  For  several  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  larvaj  entered  to  change. 

An  examination  of  the  larvae  April  8,  1886,  showed  that  they  had 
not  then  changed  to  pupte ;  the  adults  appeared  from  May  28  to 
June  8. 

September  12,  1888,  a  number  of  saw-fly  larvae  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  dumetoruni. 
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  C.  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.  S.  Packard,  who 
was  unable  to  identify  tbtm,  and  who  wanted  additional  material.  In 
the  absence  of  Dr.  Packard  in  Europe,  however,  he  communicated  with 
us,  and  in  compliance  with  our  request  forwarded  us  specimens  of  the 
larvae  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  larva?  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  larv£e  you  will  see  that  most  of  the  specimens  are  covered  with  a  sort  of  white 
bloom,  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  food-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  Avhen  captured.  I  do  not  know  whether  the  two  specimens 
I  inclosed  are  of  one  sex  or  not. 

The  larvae  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  larvae  burrowing  in  decaying  wood 
picked  up  near  Cornus  bushes,  he  succeeded  about  the  first  of  June  in 
■obtaining  the  perfect  insects,  the  larvae  having  pupated  within  the  bur- 


242 

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.  Each  egg  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  rciidily  detected. 

On  hatching,  the  larvae  emerge  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaf.  They  sre  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  jjarts  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  larvae  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  larvae  secrete  a  pe- 
culiar, very  white  efiioresceuce,  by  which  the  back  and  sides  become  covered.  This 
is  constant  after  each  molt  until  the  last. 

Thia  efiioresceuce  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  tlie  difference  of  sexes. 

When  the  larva  has  cast  its  skin  for  the  last  time  a  complete  and  surprising  change 
has  taken  place.  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  larvae  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  larvic  were  found  in  September.  The  larvae  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  larvae  go 
into  the  ground  to  hibernate,  but  none  have  been  discovered  there. 

Figures  of  the  larvte,  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  E.  [Emphytus)  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 
larvae  received  from  Mr.  Crane  form  a  very  good  connecting  series  be- 


243 

tween  the  two  species.  Those  bred  from  the  larvge  sent  by  Mr.  Barlow, 
together  with  the  adults  received  from  Mr.  Beach,  agree  more  closely 
with  R.  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  submargiual  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 
Bolerus,  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- 
tennae, the  labrum,  tegulsB,  scutel,  feet,  and  portions  of  the  legs,  white. 
The  two  basal  joints  and  more  or  less  of  the  third  joint  of  the  antennj© 
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  U.  testaceus,  which  is  prob- 
ably the  same  insect,  from  Penusylvania  and  Virginia.  To  these  lo- 
calities we  have  added  New  Jersey,  Missouri,  and  Kansas.  In  Cressou's 
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  G.  mas)  were  found  by  Mr. 
Jack  not  to  be  attacked  by  this  insect,  but  the  foliage  of  G.  sericea,  G. 
alba,  G.  stolonifera,  G.  paniculata,  G.  sanguinea,  G.  asperifoUa,  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  larvtB  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.  EiLEY. 

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  linder's  account,  that  the  lacunae  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,  miglit 
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  e^gs,  as  observed  in  the  oviduct  of  the  female  Platypsyllus,  are 
sufiQciently  uncharacteristic,  except  as  to  their  flattened  form;  they 
are  0.4™™  long  and  0.2™™  in  broadest  diameter,  non-sculptured,  white, 
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. 

W^hat  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  zoologist.  The  larva,  as  hitherto  described 
and  figured,  even  iu  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  Platypsi/llus,  then 
the  larvfB  hithetto  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  Entomologica  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.—PlatypsyUus  castorig,  ultimate  larva:  a,  dorsal;  b,  ventral  view;  c,  head  from  beneath;  rf, 
tarsus ;  e.  tarsal  claw  (alter  Riley ^ 

Platypsylltjs  GKBTO-Ris.— Ultimate  Larva— Lmgih.  about  S.i'"'"; 
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  prester- 
num, ratber  stout  and  2  toothed  j  clypeus  very  large,  triangular ;  an- 
tenuoe  very  smaii,  3-jointed,  inserted  in  front  of  the  lateral  angles  of  the 
clypeus,  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  anteunte  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— :S^os.  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 
occur  on  the  dusky  parts  of  joii 
shorter  bristles  on  the  sternum.* 


SOME  NEW  PARASITES  OF  THE  GRAIN  PLANT-LOUSE. 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

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  larvae  in  the  Division  of  Entomology  and  by  Mr.  Hubbard,  in 
Florida.  Professor  Cook  considered  a  species  reared  by  hiui  as  a  Bark- 
louse  parasite,  but  with  the  evidence  before  us  at  that  time  I  surmised 
that  it  might  have  come  from  unnoticed  Syrphid  larvae.  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  iudorse  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. 

The  genus  Megaspilus  has  been 

rarely  reared  in  this  country.  A 
species  has  been  reared  from 
the  Hop  Plant-louse  in  the 
Division  of  Entomology  and  a 
rather  large  series  from  the 
Grain-louse.  I  am  not  familiar 
with  any  references  to  its  habits 
in  Europe.  The  subfamily  to 
which  it  belongs  contains  other 

Fig.  51 -Pac/iynfMron  wica^is!  female-enlarged  genera  of  plautlouse   parasitCS, 


(oi'igiual). 


viz.,  Ceraphron  and  Lygocerus. 


Pachyneuron  micans,  n.  sp. 

Female.— I^ength,  1.28'"™;  expanse,  2.1'"'";  greatest  width  of  forewing,  0.46""". 
Antennae  short ;  funicle  as  long  as  width  of  head ;  first  fuuicle  joint  succeeding  ling- 
joints  as  hroad  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.  Face  and  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  caina  rounded ;  abdomen  flat,  subcampauulate,  or  oval, 
nearly  as  broad  as  thorax.  General  color  metallic  bluish,  greenish,  or  bronzy  black; 
antennae  and  all  coxie  metallic  ;  all  femora  metallic  on  the  outside,  tipped  with  dull 
yellow  ;  tibite  honey  yellow;  tarsi  somewhat  darker,  last  joint  brown. 

ifaZe.— Differs  as  follows:  Antennte  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  tibite  have  each  a  light  brown  central  baud. 

Described  from  many  male  and  female  specimens  reared  from  Sipho- 
nophora  avence  from  Lafayette  and  Goshen,  Ind. 

MEGASPILUS  NIGER,  U.  Sp. 

i^emaZe.— Length,  l.G">"' ;  expanse, 
3  33mm  J  greatest  width  of  fore-wing, 
0.62"'"'.  Scape  of  autennte  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 
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  tibitB  and  tarsi  lighter  brown. 

Described  from  five  female  specimens  reared  from  Siphonophora  avence 
from  Selkirk,  Mich.,  and  Lafayette,  Ind.,  July,  1889. 
Encyrtus  websteri,  u.  sp. 

Female. — Length,  O-O^""'"  ;  expanse  of  wings,  2.1™"";  greatest  width  of  forewing, 
0.35™"".     Antennse  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  ;  mesoscutellam  finely  sha- 
greened. Marginal  vein  wanting; 
stigmal  somewhat  longer  than  post- 
marginal  ;  wings  hyaline ;  cilia  short.  Color  :  Scape  of  antennai,  all  of  head,  mesoscu- 
tum, abdomen  and  hind  thighs,  metallic  blue-green;  funicle  of  antennte  brown  ;  mes- 


FiG.  52.— Megaspilus  niger,  female— enlarged  (original). 


Fig.  hZ.— Encyrtus  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  tibiae  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- 
nae are  cylindrical,  the  segments  well  separated  subcylindrical  and  furnished  with 
short,  finely  distributed  hair.  The  general  color  of  the  legs  is  darker  ;  the  bauds  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 
avencB  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  C.  V.  Riley. 

We  have  just  received  from  Mr.  F.  S.  Crawford,  of  Adelaide,  the 
first  Hymenopterons  parasite  of  Icerya  yet  found  in  Australia.     It  is 


Fig.  5i.—Ophelosia  craw/ordi,  enl.arged  (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  caUfornica  How- 
ard, which  breeds  rapidly  in  California  and  is  a  noted  enemy  of  the 
Black  Scale  {Lecaniuni  olece).  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 : 

"  I  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  (Proctotrupidse?),  the  female  yellowish  brown,  the  male  almost  black. 
On  examination  I  found  that  many  might  have  escaped  through  the  cotton  stopping 
being  insecure,  but  I  suppose  that  I  have  bred  a,bout  thirty  since.  It  is  strange  that 
this  is  the  only  instance  of  a  Hymenopterous  parasite  of  the  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.     »     »    * 

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  bur  insect 
before  him ;  but  as  he  has  proposed  no  name  ours  will  hold.  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  antennae,  and 
the  compressed,  serrate,  hairy,  9-jointed  male  form.  The  wings  in  Opheloaia  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  motascutum  ;  the 
fimbriae  of  the  callus  are  very  dense,  but  short.  The  tufts  of  hair  at  base  of  abdomen 
are  sparse.  The  hind  tibiae  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,  n.  sp. 

Female.— L.ength,  2™™ ;  expanse,  4™™.  General  color  honey-yellow,  somewhat  darker 
dorsally  than  ventrally.  Head  :  face  and  vertex  strongly  transverse-rugose ;  ocelli 
concolorous ;  eyes  darker ;  antennae  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 
submargiual  vein  to  hind  border  of  wing  including  the  patch  of  wing  bristles;  also 
with  a  large  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  tibi»  somewhat  darkened  ;  hind  coxae  black  ;  front  and  middle 
coxa}  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.  S. 
Crawford,  at  Adelaide,  from  specimens  of  Icerya  purchasi  received  from 
S.  Australia,  50  miles  south  of  Adelaide. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Orchid  Isosoma  iii  America. 

A  friend  of  mine,  by  occupation  a  florist,  has  applied  to  me  for  information  concern- 
ing an  insect  pest  afiecting  the  genus  of  orchids  known  as  Cattleya,  more  especially 
C.  triance,  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  larvae  have  been  described  to  mo  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 
he  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. 

Eeply. — 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.  Irof.  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  In-i  CT  Life,  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  Flaxseed  Mite. 

I  send  you  something  by  to-day's  mail  that  greatly  puzzles  me.  My  lather,  who 
has  just  returned  from  Kansas,  brought  with  h  m  the  bottle  which  I  inclose,  contain- 
ing specimens  of  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 
bushfls  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  1  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  debris  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  must  abound- 
ed. What  do  you  think  of  the  matter?  The  owner  of  the  infested  seed  is  Mr.  Z. 
Ha.ves,  of  Paola,  Kans. — [Mary  E.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood,  Mo.,  December  10,  1889. 

Reply. — Yours  of  the  10th  instant  with  specimens  came  safely  to  hand.  The  mite 
which  is  found  in  such  amazing  numbers  in  flaxseed  in  Kansas  is  a  species  of  Tyrogljj- 
phus  differing  from  any  familiar  to  me  ;  it  is  quite  difl'ereut  from  T.  longior,  the  com- 
mon flour  and  cheese  mite.  You  are  probably  right  in  considering  that  the  creat- 
ures were  feeding  upon  the  ddbris  of  the  broken  seeds,  and  that  they  were  attracted 
by  the  state  of  partial  decay.— [December  13,  1889.] 

Abundance  of  .Sgeria  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  far  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  rery  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  suff'er  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 
pain+ed  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.— Your  letter  of  the  2d  instant  is  just  received.  We  are  obliged  to  you  for 
the  note  concerning  the  abundance  of  jEgeria  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  larvae  to  pupse  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  had  been  bred 
from  some  straw  443*.  One  small  fly  was  also  found  in  jar ;  this  is  marked  443^.  Dur- 
ing September,  1887,  a  few  puparia,  evidently  of  this  fly,  were  found  near  Alameda 
on  two  species  of  grass,  one  of  these  Elymtis  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  larvae  still  remaining  within  puparia  col- 
lected in  July.— [Albert  Koebele,  Alameda,  Gal.,  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,  111,  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  Aspidiotua  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  debris  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  larvae  to  it,  and  fill  it  with  pellets  of  earth.  I  then  drench  this  with  kero- 
sene emulsion  reduced  to  a  strength  of  2  to  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 
tablespoonf  ul  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- 
Us  had  been  grossly  ignored.  It  appearsthat  a  certain  adventurer  inoculated  a  number 
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  tree* 
without  apprising  the  experimentor  of  this  fact ;  at  the  appointed  time  the  trees 
were  carefully  examined  and  not  a  living  Icerya  could  be  found  on  them.  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  larvae  in  alcohol,  and  a  few  more  slides  with  speci- 
mens for  the  microscope.  Among  the  latter  is  an  interesting  parasite  on  Aspidiotus 
uvce,  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  Aspidiotua  uvce  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  brassicce  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  I  send  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)  lor  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. 
Reply.— 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  diflers  from  the  Red  Scale  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.  Those  in  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  tightly  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,  are  not  new  to  us.  We  have  always 
noticed  them  upon  fruits,  especially  when  injured,  and  about  cider-mills.  Please 
give  its  name.  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,  1889. 

Reply, — The  two  flies  sent  are  undoubtedly  two  different  species :  The  black  one 
cannot  be  recognized  without  a  careful  examination  and  study  of  the  specimens,  but 
it  is  one  of  the  Drosophi'idce  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  ampelophilalioew,  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.  I  saw  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),!  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  also  the  poison-secreting  glanda 


255 

and  the  poison  sacs  or  cells.  Till  these  are  shown  or  till  a  spider  is  seen  to  bite  a  per- 
son, people  will  be  incredulous.— [Dr.  Wni.  P.  T.  Coal,  Meadows,  111.,  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  remov- 
ing the  clothes  found  the  fragments  which  I  send  inclosed.  If  yon  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,  111.,  January  1, 
■  1890. 

Reply. — Your  letter  of  January  1  and  the  accompany  fragments  of  a  spider  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  Drassidce,  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   AFFECTINa  SALSIFY. 

Owing,  possibly,  to  the  fact  that  this  vegetable  is  growu  only  iu  our 
gardens,  and  to  a  very  limited  extent,  its  insect  enemies  seem  to  have 
been  but  little  studied.  Mr.  John  Martin  (10th  Eep.  St.  Ent.  111.,  p.  139), 
gives  it  as  one  of  the  food  plants  of  the  larvae  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  yep.r  (1889),  we  found  the  foliage  of  these 
plants  being  eaten  by  larvae,  which,  as  they  all  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 
Pcedisca,  followed  in  a  few  days  by  other  moths  belonging  to  this  species, 
Dichelia  sulfureana  and  Lophoderus  triferana.  A  number  of  larvae 
were  attacked  by  parasites,  and  on  September  1  considerable  num- 
bers of  a  species  of  Limneria  appeared. 

While  searching  for  the  larv*  of  the  preceding  a  caterpillar  of  Spi- 
losoma  virginica  was  observed  leisurely  devouring  the  foliage  of  this 
plant,  and,  also,  adults  and  pupte  of  Lygiis  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  top  of  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  order  in 
wliich  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.  Blunfleld  of 
Alexandria,  Egypt,  buring  the  past  four  years  the  gardens  in  Alex- 
andria have  been  infested  by  a  Coccus  which  destroys  all  of  the  trees 
and  is  causing  the  greatest  alarm.  It  first  appeared  four  years  ago  when 
Mr.  Blunfleld  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 
leaves  of  Ficus  rnginosa  and  one  or  two  other  kinds  of  fig  seem  too  tough 
for  it  and  it  will  not  touch  them.  He  states  that  it  seems  almost  im- 
possible for  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.  Blunfleld  sent  specimens  which  were  referred  to  Mr.  J.  W.  Doug- 
las, one  of  the  most  prominent  British  students  of  Coccidse,  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  sufficient  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  larvae 
of  Datana  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  midwinter, 
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  188G,  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  clue  to  the  mystery,  revealing  a  state  of  affairs  as  interesting 
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,  etc.,  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. — [F.  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 


258 

Bactylopius  infesting  the  roots  of  red  clover,  TrifoUum  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  brachypteriis  Say. — These  beetles  are  sometimes  quite 
numerous  in  the  fruit  of  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  about  the  receptacle,  renders  their  presence  difficult  to 
detect. 

lulus  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  1 6  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  in  a  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  lulus  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  carnifex  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  Ciinbex, 
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  Mrsutus,  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  origiually  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. 


Fig.  55.— Coccotorut  scutellarig- 
enlarged  (original). 


Fig.  56. — Ooccotorus  prunicida  ;  a,  plum-stone  showing 
exit-hole  of  larva ;  b,  adult ;  c,  side  view  of  head  of 
adult — enlarged  (original). 


A  PODUEID   WHICH  DESTROYS  THE   RED   RUST   OF   WHEAT. 


In  studying  the  iusect  enemies  of  our  cereals  during  the  last  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 
theiii  subsistence.  During  the  present  year,  however,  we  have  twice 
found  individuals  feeding  upon  the  Uredo  spores  of  the  common  wheat- 
rust,  PuGcinia  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 
to  get  greatnumbers  of  spores  caught  among  the  bristles  on  their  bodies, 
and  these  spores,  it  is  fair  to  suppose,  are  carried  away  and  probably 
become  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  8mynthuru8 
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 
*'  Trollslandor  (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  Ghremyliis  ruhiginosus  reared  from  Ephestia  Jciihniella. 

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 


261 

Smulium  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.  Tnrner,  of  this  city,  brought  us  a  living 
imago  of  the  Fall  Web- worm  [Hypliantria  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,  howev^er,  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  siil)ject  of  piercing  ovipositors  in  the  different  orders  of  in- 
sects, stating  that  in  the  order  Diptera  they  werevery  rare,  and  calling  attention  to  the 
fact  that  iu  Tri/peta  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  upou  the  genus  Lestophonus,  showing  that 
careful  studies  which  he  had  made  indicated  that  Mr.  Skuse,  of  Australia,  is  correct 
in  considering  L.  mnnophlccbi  and  L.  iveryw  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  diniidiatus  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— i^os.  7  and  8 5 


262 

the  recent  sending  of  larv«.  of  ErisfaUs  tenax  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Lintner,  to  whom  they  had 
been  sent  as  having  been  found  under  similar  circumstances. 

Mr.  Ashmeadread  a  paper  on  the  Chalcid  genus  HaMea,  in  wh.ch  he  announced 
the  finding  in  this  country  for  the  Brst  time  of  a  species  of  this  genus,  which  super- 
ficially resembles  E«j>e?»ms,  but  is  distinguished  by  the  dilated  poster, or  tibu-e  and 
tarsi."  Tbe  American  specimen  was  captured  by  Mr.  Schwarz  at  Harper's  1-erry,  and 
the  species  is  uaraed  by  Mr.  Ashmead  Halidea  scluvarzii. 

Mr  Howard  read  a  paper  ou  the  Hymenopterous  parasites  of  Ocnena  chspar,  which 
is  incorporated  in  the  article  ou  the  Gipsy  Moth  in  this  number  ot  Insect  Li^f^- 

Mr  Townsend  presented  a  communication  entitled  "  Further  note  on  D most  n a 
Carolina"  referring  to  hisprevious  article  iu  the  Canadian  Entomologist  for  September, 
1884,  on  the  peculiar  aerial  performances  of  this  locust,  and  giving  rhe  results  of  ob- 
servations during  1885  and  1H8G 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  MARCH,    1890. 

Vol.  II.  N"o.  9. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 
ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE. 

EDITED   BY 

C.    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. 


Page. 
Special  Notes 263 

Some     insect     Pests    op    the    Household— Cockroaches    (illustrated) 

C.  V.Riley..       266 

Two  Spideu-egg  Parasites  (illustrated) L.  0.  Howard..      269 

On  the  parasitic  Castration  of  Typhlocyba  by  the  Larva  of  a  Hymen- 

opter  and  that  of  a  Dipter M.  A.  Giard. .      271 

A  poisonous  Spider  in  Madagascar 273 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 275 

lujury  to  Grass  from  Gastroidea  polygoni—Resm  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  Scydm?enidie — Ahuudance  of  Bryoiia 
pratensis — Larval  Habits  of  Xylehorus  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- 

tionsof  new  Species Lord  Walsingham..      284 

General  Notes 286 

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  Eatomological  Society  of  Washington. 
II 


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.  I,  No.  1), 
of  the  Alabama  Agricultural  Experiment  Station.  It  consists  of  "A 
preliminary  Eeport  on  the  Life-history  and  Metamorphoses  of  a  Eoot-gall 
l^emsLtode,  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  lett  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.  schachtii  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 
scarcely  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 
"  club-foot "  of  cabbage,  and  the  functional  tubercles  on  the  roots  of 
Leguminoseoe,  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  cliecking  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  ("  Faugen- 
pflauzen"),  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  homhycis,  a  new  Tachinid  fly,  para- 
sitic on  Indian  silk- worms  {Bomhyx  fortunatus  and  Attacus  ricini),  and 
figures  larva,  puparium,  and  imago. 

He  follows  with  original  notes  on  two  girdling  beetles,  Ccelosterna 
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  lar^a  forms  a  calcareous  egg-like 
case  in  which  to  pupate,  A  chrysomelid  beetle,  Aulacophora  ahdomi- 
nalis  G.  and  H.,  is  destructive  to  Cucurhitacece — 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.  Gollau  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  (?),  often  does  considerable  injury  to  the 
youngopium  poppy,whileour  well-known  Boll  Worm,  ^eZiot/ttsarmi<7era, 
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  Gecidomyia  oryzw,  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, 
Lecafiiwn 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.  coffece,  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  Agriculture  of  Queens- 
land, Australia,  a  valuable  addition  to  the  knowledge  of  economic  ento- 
mology and  botany  of  that  region  in  a  "  Eeport  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.  Each  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- 
scale,  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. 

C.  V.  Riley. 
[Continued  from  page  215.] 

IV. — COCKROACHES.  * 


^m^'^^ 


Fig.  57. — The  Croton  Bug  or  German  Cockroach  (Phyllodromia  germanica) :  a,  first  stage;  6,  second 
stage;  c,  third  stage;  d,  fourth  stage;  e,  adult;/,  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  in  length.  Its 
thorax  is  yellowish  with  brown  mottlings  and  its  antennae  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  in4ts  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  the  larger  of  the  two,  which  is  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  inch  in  length.  Its  wings  are  also  much  shorter,  not  quite  reach- 
ing to  the  tip  of  the  abdomen.  Its  unifor»,  very  dark  mahogany  color, 
is  unmottled  with  yellow  and  its  antenna;  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  trausformations  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  the  stages  are  shown  lettered  progressively  from 
a  to  h.  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  Crotou  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  it  doubtless  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  of  cloth  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  iu  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.  Y,  No.  3,  p.  350),  as  current 
among  the  Mexicans: 

To  get  rid  of  cockroaches— Catch  three  and  put  them  in  a  hottle,  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. 

Bv  L.  O.  Howard. 


Fig.  58.—Acoloides  saitidis  Howard;  female,  showiDg  wing  veins— greatly  enlarged ;  male  antenna> 
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 
Sceliouinai,  the  first  of  which  was  reared  by  Mr.  L.  Bruuer  at  Lincoln, 
Nebr.,  from  the  eggs  of  the  Araneid  ISaitis  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  eg^  open 
rather  than  by  gnawing  a  regular  hole. 


ACOLOIDES*  n.  g.  {Scelionince). 

Female  antennte  with  very  large  non-jointed  club,  and  4-jointed  funicle.  Male 
antennae  12-jointed,  submoniliform  ;  club  small,  separable  into  three  joints.  Mandi- 
bles 3-dentate.    Eyes  hairy.    Lateral  ocelli  situated  on  the  eye  margin.    Mesoscutum 

*  Acolns  +  etSos. 


270 

without  parapsiclal  sutures ;  lueeoscutelluni  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  vei-y  large ;  fourth 
and  fifth  visible. 

It  agrees  with  the  points  mentioned  in  the  very  insufliicient  characterization  of 
Foerster's  genus  Aeolus,  except  that  it  is  winged.  Foerster,  however,  knew  only  the 
female,  and  only  mentions  the  fact  that  the  anteunal  club  is  not  jointed,  and  that 
the  scutellum  is  developed,  while  the  wings  aie  absent  or  rudimentary. 

Acoloides  saitidis,  n.  sp. 

Female. — Length,  1.4""";  expanse,  3.6™™;  greatest  width  of  fore- wing,  O.IG'"™.  An- 
tennas 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  ishomologi- 
cally  composed  of  six  joints.  Eyes  hairy ;  lateral  ocelli  touching  the  eye  margin. 
Head,  face,  and  mesonotum  densely  and  finely  punctate ;  parapsldal  furrows  not 
present;  first  and  second  abdominal  segments  with  fine,  close,  longitudinal  striae, 
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  xiresent,  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  a  small  rounded  knob. 
General  color,  deep  black ;  all  legs  and  antehnje  honey  yellow  ;  all  coxae  black, 
lighter  at  tips;  scape  brownish  and  pedicel  darker  than  club. 

Male. — Differs  from  female  only  in  antennae  which  are  plainly  12-jointed;  joint  1 
of  funicle  as  long  as  pedicel,  joints  2  to  7  subequal  in  length  and  width,  and  each  as 
broad  as  long  and  well  sejjarated  ;  club  oval,  nearly  as  long  as  three  preceding  joints 
together.     Antennae  uniformly  honey  yellow. 

Described  from  9  male,  and  1  female  specimens. 

Genus  BJEUS. 

Minute  wingless  SceUonince,  without  differentiated  scutellum  and  with  non-jointed 
antenual  club. 

BcBUs  americanus  n.  sp. 

i^enia/e.— 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  antenual  club  .082™™. 
General  color  dark  honey-yellow ;  scape  ivnd  fun- 
icle of  autenn*  brownish,  club  lighter,  dark  at 
tip  ;  vertex  and  face  light  honey-yellow;  dorsum 
of  thorax  and  abdomeu  dark  honey-yellow,  almost 
approachiug  mahogany  ;  legs  throughout  concolor- 
OU8  with  head ;  middle  and  hind  tibiae  a  little 
darker  near  base.  Surface  of  abdomen  smooth, 
shiny ;  mesonotum  very  faintly  punctate.  Thorax 
and  abdomen  with  extremely  fine,  sparse,  whitish 
pile  ;  tip  of  abdomen  with  a  short  and  contracted 

FiG.59.-B«.««  americanus.  Female-      ^inge  of  white  pile.     Antennal  club  very  large, 

greatly  enlarged  (original).  longer  than  rest  of  funitfle  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  Brooklyu, 
!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  Upeiridw. 

No  species  of  Bams  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.  seminulmn  Haliday,  but  as  I  know 
of  no  recognizable  descriiition  of  it  the  present  species  is  given  a  new 
name. 


ON  THE  PARASITIC  CASTRATION  OF  TYPHLOCYBA  BY  THE  LARVA 
OF  A  HYMENOPTER  {Aphelopvs  melaleucus  Dalm.),  AND  THAT  OF 
A  DIPTER  {Ateleneura  spuria  Meig.). 

By  M.  A.  GiARD.* 

The  larvse  of  the  Hymeuopterous  and  Dipterous  parasites  of  Ty- 
plihcyha,  which  I  have  described  in  a  former  communication, t  belong: 
the  first  to  Aphelopus  melaleucus  Dalm  an,  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,  Typhlocyha,  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  Typhlocyha,  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  Thorns,  on 
Deltocephalus  xanthoneurus  Fieb.),  it  becomes  very  probable  that  Proc- 
totrupids  of  the  family  Dryinidw  are  generally  parasites  of  Homopters 
of  the  family  Jassidce. 

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 larvae,  in  particular,  of  Cicadula  virescens  Fall.  {Thamnotettix 
sulplmrella  Zett.)  by  the  larva  of  Pipmiculus  fuscipes  Fall.,  it  becomes 
equally  probable  that  the  Dipters  of  the  family  Pipunculidce  are  in  gen- 
eral parasites  of  Homopters  of  the  family  Jassidw. 

*  Translated  from  Comptes  rendns,  Nov.  4, 1889  (Vol.  cix,  No.  19,  pp.  708-710). 
t  See  Comptes  rendns,  July  8,  1889. 


272 

We  have  been  able  to  procure  io  abundance  and  study  more  com- 
pletely than  has  heretofore  been  done  the  parasites  (Dipterous  and 
Hymenopierous)  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.  rosce  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. 

Tbese  two  species  may  be  parasitized  by  Aphelopus  and  by  Ateleneura. 
But  Aphelopus  infests  especially  T.  hippocastani  and  much  less  often  7'. 
douglasi.  Ateleneura  is  found,  on  the  contrary,  almost  always  in  T, 
douglasi  and  ver^'  rarely  in  T.  hippocastani. 

The  females  of  T.  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  T.  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.  Ateleneura  seems  to 
have  much  less  influence  on  the  development  of  that  organ. 

The  genital  armature  of  the  male  presents  some  very  salientdistinctive 
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  arcs,  bat 
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  T.  rosea}  L.  or  T.  lethierryi 
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 

beeu  noted,  so  far  as  I  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 
beyoud.  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  T.  hippocastani  and 
T.  ulmi  L.J  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  T.  uhni^  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 
Typhlocyha,  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  beeu  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  ouly,  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  larva?  col- 
lected with  various  Homopters  will  make  the  solution  of  this  question 
€asy. 


A  POISONOUS  SPIDER  IN  MADAGASCAR. 

Rev.  Paul  Camboue,  missionary  of  the  Society  of  Jesus  at  Tanana- 
rive, Madagascar,  has  recently  sent  us  two  papers  by  himself,  the  one 
published  in  Les  Missions  ,Gatholigues,  April  2,  1886,  and  the  other  in 
the  Bulletin  Mensuel  de  la  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.  Yiusoii  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  toid  me,  under  a  barrel.  The  child,  never  doubting  the 
eflt'ect  attributed  to  the  bite  of  the  spider,  had  takeu  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.  Hav- 
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  ajar  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  help  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  Mtnavody.  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  Euler  of  the  Universe  who  thus  pre- 
vents these  venomous  insects  from  multiplying  without  measure! 

August  3,  third  molt.  The  red  color  of  the  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  possess  it,  but  its  action  is  relative  to  the  animal 
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 
more  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 
o)  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.  Cambou6  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 
difliculty  by  inoculations  upon  diflerent  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  Latrortectus  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,  111.,  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  larvje  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  answerinor  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.  I  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  soon  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. 

Dryocampa  rubicunda. 

I  send  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-worra.  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  years  in  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  alfected. 
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  would  say  that  using  one-half  common  soap,  2  gallons  kerosene,  and  28  gallons 
'water,  I  sprayed  about  60  trees,  and  30  more  were  sprayed  with  the  same  proportion, 


277 

but  using  sealed  kerosene,  such  as  be  bad  in  bis  can  and  at  his  wish  to  save  time,  into 
which  was  put  12  gallous  diluted  emulsion  and  one-fourth  pound  Loudon  purple,  think- 
ing to  destroy  eggs  and  larvie  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.  Wo  had  no  apple  blossoms  for  "  memorial  decorations."  Having  no 
microscope  at  band  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  out  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  ;  at  least  they  do  not  with  us.  Both  are  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. 

Reply. — The  larvae  sent  are  those  of  Botis  harveyana.  This  is  a  pyralid  which  has 
long  been  known  to  feed  upou  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  m  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,  aud  whether  they  are  an  old  or  new  enemy  to  the  corn  crop. — [Eugene 
O.  Wheelock,  Brooklyn,  Wis.,  September  10,  1888. 

Reply.— The  beetles  belong  to  a  common  species.  Euphoria  inda.  This  species  has 
long  been  known  to  attack  injured  fruit,  and  is  often  found  congregating  in  numbers 
upou  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  you  investigate  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  into  some  other  stage.  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  in  a  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. 

Reply. — 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  migatoma  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  and  is  the  subject  of  an  arti- 
cle in  the  last  number  of  Insect  Life,  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  yo;ir  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  difi"ered  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. 
Wm.  F.  Wharton,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  and  referred  to  this  Division. 

Food  of  the  Scydmaenidae. 

Is  it  commonly  known  what  the  food  of  the  Coleop'terous  family  Scydmaenidce 
consists  of?  Both  Packard  in  his  "Guide,"  and  LeBaron  in  his  Fourth  111.  Report, 
are  silent  on  this  subject.  A  few  weeks  ago  I  found  quite  a  series  of  specimens  of  a 
Scydmcenus  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  very  damp.  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.  Oil  or  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  a  town  of  some  four  thousand  inhabitants.  I  saw  one  of  these  insects 
on  a  house  in  towu  this  winter.  The  first  part  of  May  last  I  8a\.»  one  on  a  house  35 
miles  from  here. — [L.  H.  Ellis,  Wilmington,  Ohio,  December  28,  1889. 

Reply. — 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  jjratensis.  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  yon  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  bo  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 
oi  the  larvae. 

So  far  as  I  see  I  quite  agree  with  Schmidberger  that  the  larvae  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  larvse  feed  on  a  white 
material  prepared  by  the  mother  beetle ;  other  observers  have  considered  that  the 
larvje  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. 

Rkply. — 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  larvfb  necessarily  ditters  from  that  of  those  species  whose  larvae  excavate  galleries 
of  their  own.  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  larvae  have  not  yet  been  invest!- 


280 

gated  here.  In  1844  Th.  Hartig  had  already  stated  that  the  "Ambrosia"  of  Schmid- 
berger  is  nothing  but  a  fungus  which  he  called  Manila  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  Mycelium  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.  injri,  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  difl'ers  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  larvjB  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  far  more  common.  I  have  no  specimens  of  ^i^aZp/iMscwr- 
CMh'onis  Riley,  but  these  seem  to  differ  from  the  description  of  that  species  in  the  num- 
ber of  the  joints  of  the  antennae  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 
Dipterous  reared  from  it. 

No.  10.  A  Tineid  moth  that  I  have  obtained  in  large  numbers  from  breeding  cage* 
containing  cut- worms.  Can  it  be  that  the  larvte  of  this  insect  are  parasitic  upon  th© 
cut-worms,  or  do  they  live  on  clover  with  which  the  worms  are  fed  ? 

No.  11.  Gall  and  moth.  A  small  bush  of  Amorpha  fruticosa  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  ^gerians  were  reared  from  a  cluster  of  woody  galls  on  a 
small  limb  of  Quernus  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, Inquilina,  were  reared. 

No.  13.  Dipterous  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. — [0.  P.  Gillette,  Ames,  Iowa,  August  2H,  1889. 

Reply.— List  of  species  referred  to  in  Mr.  Gillette's  letter  of  August  28,  1889: 


1  and  2.  Sigalphus  curculionis  Fitch. 

3.  Sigalphus  canadensis  Piov , 

4.  Pimpla  inquisitor  Say. 

4a.  Pteromalid,  probably  undescribed. 

5.  Orthopelma  occidentalis  Ashm. 

6.  Cwlinius  meromyzw  Forbes. 

7.  Anthrax  scrobiculata  (?)  Loew. 

8.  Tachina  sp. 


9.   Chostopsia  osnea  Wied. 

10.  Gelechia  sp. 

11.  Walshia    amorphella   Clem,   and    its 

gall  on  Amorpha  fruticosa. 

12.  ^geria  nicotiana  H.  Edw. 

13.  Anthomyia  near  calopteni. 

14.  Scymnus  cervicalis  Muls. 

15.  Leucopis  n.  sp.  (  ?). 


There  is  an  immense  amount  of  descriptive  work  yet  to  be  done  in  the  Pteroma- 
lidte  and  the  Tachinidse,  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  suft'ered  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  a  crop.  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  iu  this  part ;  most  of  the 
fruit  dropped  to  the  ground  before  half  matured,  on  the  average  about  oue-quarter. 
of  a  crop.     Peaches  aud  plums,  however,  were  iu  abuudauce  and  of  the  best  quality. 
I  never  saw  finer  iu  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  refe  ence  to  the  specimen  and  how  it  came  to  be  so  com- 
pletely pi-essed  ?  The  explanation  of  this  particular  example  can  not  be  the  same  as 
that  given  upon  page  381  of  Vol.  I,  Insect  Life,  of  a  species  of  Lithobius  that  was  sent 
from  the  Giles  Lithographic  and  Liberty  Printing  Company,  for  that  was  evidently 
ciuight  up  iu  the  surface  substance  of  the  paper  while  it  was  being  manufactured — 
[C.  V.  Riley,  December  1(5,  1889,  to  Mr.  N.  O.  Wilhelm,  25  Clinton  Place,  N.  Y. 

Reply. — 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  to  the  common  level.  You  see  all  parts  of  the  insect  can  readily  be  seeu.  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  numerousempty  egg-shells  in  the  surface  of  the  paper  persuade 
nie  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.  *  *  * — [LeRoyT.  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  Smithsouian  Institution. — *  *  * — [LeRoy  T. 
Weeks,  Osborne,  Kans.,  November  23,  1889,  to  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam. 

Reply.— 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 
(Ecanthua  latipennis  Riley.  The  notes  of  the  Katydids  have  been  carefully  studied  by 
several  entomologists,  aud  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  free 
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,  1889.1 


283 

Notes  of  the  Season  from  Mississippi. 

The  cotton  worm  (Aletia  argillacea,  Hiibn.):  This  worm  made  his  first  appearance 
ou  bottom  land  of  large  plantations  iu  the  latter  part  of  July,  but  its  iujury  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  av- 
erages from  15  to  30  per  cent.  The  late  June  plauting  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  corn-plant  louse  (Aphis  maidis):  Observed  during  the  summer  in  large  groups 
on  corn  and  sorghum  plants. 

The  corn-root  worm  {Diabrolica  12-imnetata):  The  larva  of  the  above  injured  the 
stand  of  corn  very  seriously  during  April  and  May. 

The  cabbage  plusia  (Plusia  brassicw,  Riley):  Very  numerous  and  destructive  in  gar- 
dens in  this  locality. 

The  cabbage  piouea  (Pionea  rimosalis,  Gueu^e) :  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  hrassica,  Linn)  :  Found  ou  a  good  many  plants  of 
the  cabbage  family  in  vast  groups. 

White  ants  or  wood-lice  (Termes flavipes,  K.):  Have  noticed  these  insects  destroy- 
ing coUard-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,  Guen^e):  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  (Anasa  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  nitidaJis,  Cramer):  Have  noticed  this  worm  boring 
holes  into  squashes,  cucumbers,  melous,  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  cottou  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,  hiuu) :  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  Lord  Walsingham. 

{^Continued  from  p.  155. J 

Adela  flamensella  Chamb. 

z=lactimaculella  Wlsm. 

This  species  was  originally  described  from  a  very  bad  specimen  with  antennae  and 
palpi  broken  off  and  therefore  presumably  with  the  wing  more  or  less  worn. 

Imperfect  specimens  of  laetimaculella,  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  hella  Chamb. 
A  very  small  form  apparently  undistinguishable  from  this  species  occurs  in  Texas. 

Adela  punctiferella  sp.  n. 

AntenncB,  9 ,  IS""™  long,  whitish  tinged  with  fuscous  towards  the  base. 

Palpi,  roughly  clothed,  hoary ;  the  naked  apical  joint  slightly  tinged  with  purple 

above. 
Head  and  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  t» 

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,  9  ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Riley  for  the  specimen  from  which  this  small  but  distinct 
species  is  described. 

Adela  bellella  Wlk. 

=  degeerella  Emmons  (neo  L. ). 

Walker  describes  this  species  as  closely  allied  to  degeerella  L.  and  I  mentioned  (P. 
Z.  S.,  1H80,  7b)  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  degrees  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  in. 
having  the  antennae  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  ej'es  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  Wlk. 
=Uviella  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.  It  is  abundantly  distinct 
from  all  other  species. 

Adela  ridingsella  Clem,         x 

=  Dicte  corruscifasciella  Chamb. 
=  Adela  achla'geri  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  GlypMpteryx. 

Adela  bella  Chamb. 
=  chalybeis  Z. 
=  iochroa  7a. 

Theoriginal  description  of  hella  Chamb.  refers  to  a  "  dull  brown  purple,  violaceous,^ 
or  golden,"  species  (not  green)  with  indistinct  dark-margined  fascise  near  the  apex. 
The  antennae  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  agrees  in  the 
main  with  Zeller's  description  of  chalybeis,  of  which  the  antennae  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  antennae 
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  bril- 
liant green  Adela,  from  Louisiana,  with  thickened  antennae  in  the  female  and  with  in- 
distinct transverse  lines  (scarcely  fasciae),  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  eeruginosella  sp.  n. 

Afttennw,  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. 
Exj).  al.,  15™™. 
Sab.,  Louisiana  (Morrison). 
Types,  $  9 ,  Mus.  Wlsm. 

This  species  differs  from  Adela  bella  Chamb.  and  its  synonyms  in  the  decidedly 
green  color  of  the  fore-wiugs,  iu  the  absence  of  golden  scales  on  the  apical  surface, 
and  in  the  absence  of  transverse  fasciaforni  markings  on  the  apical  third  of  the  wing, 
also  in  the  longer  antennae,  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  pygmceus, 
known  in  England  as  the  "Corn  Saw-fly,"  by  sweeping  in  a  meadow, 
presumably  near  Ottawa,  and  also  in  a  collection  received  from  Mr.  Van 

Duzee,  collected  near  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
on  the  9th  and  11th  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.  The  figure 
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 
with  the  one  there  given  will  show  the 
resemblance,  and  the  republication 
of  this  figure  of  Cephus  will  perhaps 
assist  other  collectors  in  recognizing 
The  insect  figured  at  /  is  the  commonest  European  parasite — 


Fig.  60.  Cephus  pygmcnn :  a,  outline  of  larva— 
nat.  size  ;  6,  larva  enlarged ;  c,  larva  in  wheat 
stalk — nat.  size ;  d,  frass ;  e,  adult  female ;  /, 
female  parasite— enlarged  (after  Curtis). 


it 


Pachymerus  calcitrator. 


287 

TASMANIAN  LADYBIRDS  AND   THE   "  AMERICAN   BLIGHT." 

In  leviewiug  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  efilicient  in  destroying  Schizoneura  laiii- 
gera  about  Adelaide,  South  Australia,  was  found  destroying  Rhopalosi- 
phum  on  carrot  iu  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  Schizoneuraea,ting  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 
iu  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  Rhopalosiphwn,  infesting 
carrot  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  G.  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  Eriococcus  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  pupae  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  i^arasites. — [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  an  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  larva?  of  none  of  the  Acroceridce,  to  which  this  fly  be- 
longs, are  known,  and  he  is  unable  to  state  what  these  larvae  would 
have  been  in  the  state  of  nature. 

The  notes  are  of  considerable  interest,  especially  if-the  determination 
should  be  correct,  for  upon  looking  the  matter  up  we  find  that  all  of  the 
flies  of  this  family  of  which  the  habits  are  known  are  parasitic  upon 
spiders.  Aeroeera  sanguinea  and  A.  trigramma  have  been  reared  by  C. 
Koch  from  the  orange-yellow  cocoons  of  Tegenaria  agilis.  Henops  mar- 
ginatus  or  Ogcodes  palUpes  was  reared  by  Meuge  from  Clubiona  putriSy 
the  larva  living  in  the  abdomen  of  the  spider.  Astomella  Undenii  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. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  French  Entomological  Society  held  on  November 
13,  1889  {Bull,  des  Seances,  pp.  ccxii-ccxiii).  Dr.  H.  Beauregard  pro- 
posed some  changes  in  the  nomenclature  of  certain  species  of  Meloidae, 
on  account  of  duplicated  names.  The  following  apply  to  our  North 
American  fauna : 

Neniognatha  bicolor  Walk,  is  changed  to  N.  icalkert.  This  change  is 
superfluous  as  Walker's  species  has  long  been  known  to  be  a  synonym 
of  N,  apicalis  Lee. 

Cantharis  lugubris  Ulke  is  changed  to  C.  ulkei  because  the  specific 
name  conflicts  with  Epicauta  lugubris  Klug.  This  change  would  seem  to 
be  unnecessary  so  long  as  the  genera  Epicauta  and  Cantharis  can  be 
kept  apart. 

To  Tetraonyx  4:-maculatus  Fabr.  belong  as  synonyms  T.  cruciatus  Cast., 
described  from  S.  Domingo,  and  T.  rubensis  Ohevr.,  described  from 
Cuba. — IE.  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- 
phylloxenc  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  irom  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.  K.  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  {Gheimatobia  brumata)  will 
fail  ofgood  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  Garden  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  larvse  in  the  trunks  or  roots  of  the 
elm  trees.  Recently,  however,  numbers  of  the  larviie  were  found  in  the 
small  twigs  of  a  felled  tree  and  the  pupte  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  larvae  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"  [Schiso- 
neura  lanigera).  The  soot  is  buried.  6  or  7  inches  below  the  sur- 
face of  the  aifected  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  Calcutta, 
March  5, 1888,  an  interesting  paper  on  "The  Metamorphoses  of  the  Dog- 
flea,"  which  has  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  in  a  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,  etc.,  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  larvre  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  larvae  for  six  days,  and  pupae  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 
larvae  for  twelve  and  pupae  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.  Eiley  and  L.  O.  Howard ;  Record- 
ing Secretary,  C.  L.  Marlatt ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  Tyler  Townseud;  Treasurer, 
B.  P.  Mann ;  Executive  Committee,  E.  A.  Schwarz,  Otto  Heidemanu,  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  should 
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  Etcording  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  uon-cavernicolous  species,  several  ad- 
ditions are  made  and  their  geographical  distribution  given.  As  a  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 
«ize  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  venter  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  uiay  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  theMallophaga, 
■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  oi 
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  Amhlyopinua  nor  to  any  other  genus  of  Staphylinidte. 

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  Dictynida',  and  belong  to  the 
genera  Neoj)hanes  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  Umbalis  Hbst. 
and  M.  granulosus  Melsh.  were  the  same  species.  He  had  found  these  two  beetles  in 
coitu,  and  as  only  males  of  limhalis  and  females  of  granulosus  had  been  previously 
known,  the  identity  of  the  two  species  was  fully  shown.  M.  limhalis  being  first 
<le8cribed,  holds. 

C.  L.  Marlatt, 

Recording  Secretary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

D  [VISION    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL    BULLETIN.  APRIL,    1890. 


^Ol.     II. 


No.  lO. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 
ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE. 

KDITEI)    BY 

C.    V.    RILEY,    Entomologist, 

AND 

L.    O.    HOWARD,    First  Assistant, 

WITH  THE  ASSISTANCE  OF  OTHKU  MEMBERS  OF  THE  DIVISIONAL  FORCE. 


I  PUBLISHED  BY  AUTHORITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OE  AGRICULTURE.] 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE, 
1890. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 
Special  Notes 293 

The  Rose  Chafer— Macrodactylus  subspinosus  (illustrated)..  .C.  V.  Biley..  295 

A  New  Genus  AND  TWO  NEW  Species  op  Australian  Lamellicorns 

Dr.  David  Sharp . .  302 

An  interesting  Tineid— Menesta  melanella  (illustrated)  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt..  303 

Experiments  with  the  Plum  CURCULio    F.  M.  Webster..  305 

The  Phylloxera  Problem  abroad  as  it  appears  to-day 310 

The  Los  Angeles  County  Horticultural  Commission 312 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 314 

The  Pine  Lachnus  as  a  Honey- maker — Root-Knot  on  Apple — A  Fuchsia 
Aleurodes— The  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  unda<a 
injuring  the  Vine. 
Steps  towards  a  Revision  of  Chambers'  Index,  with  Notes  and  Descrip- 
tions OF  NEW  Species  (illustrated) Lord  Walsingham . .  322 

General  Notes 326 

A  Rhizococcus  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 


Vol.  II,  No.  10]  INSECT  LIFE.  [April,  l§90. 


SPECIAL  NOTES. 

On  the  compound  Eyes  of  Arthropods.— Studies  from  the  Biological 
Laboratory  of  Johus  Hopkins  University,  Vol.  IV,  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- 
thropod. 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- 

29:$ 


294 

ment  Station  and  includes  brief  accounts  of  the  Striped  Cucumber- 
beetle,  the  Cherry  Tree-slug,  a  new  Strawberry-root  Plant-louse  {Aphis 
forbesi),  described  in  the  August-December,  1889,  No.  of  Psyche,  and  of 
the  "Ehubarb  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  Ghenopodium  hyhriduni,  the  western  representative  of  this 
species,  Lixus  macer,  while  Mr.  Webster  bred  it  later  from  the  stems  of 
Helianthus.  We  briefly  recorded  these  habits  and  the  gall-making 
habit  of  Lixus  parous  from.  California  at  the  December,  1885,  meeting 
of  the  Washington  Entomological  Society  (Proc.  Ent.  Soc.  Wash.,  I, 
No.  2,  1888,  p.  33).  That  L.  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- 
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  I'eceived 
from  Prof.  S.  A.  Forbes,  Director  of  the  Illinois  State  Laboratory  of 
Natural  History,  a  paper  by  H.  Garman,  entitled  "A  Preliminary  Ee- 
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,  Ephemeridje,  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  Eome,  from  the  23d  to  the  27th  of  March, 
1890,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Italian  CEnophile  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. 


Fig.  61.— Macrodactylug  subspinosus:  a,  female;  6,  anterior  part  of  male  to  show  the  prosternal 
metacoxal  process;  c,  pygidium  of  male;  d,  ahdomen  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  Eose  chafer,  or  Kose  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  Melolonthte  particularly  injurious  to  vegetation"  (Mass. 
Agric.  Report  and  Journal,  X,  1827,  pp.  1-12),  reported  in  K  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. 


Fig.  62.— Macrndactylus  subspinosus -.  a,  fuU-grown  larva  from  the  aide;  6,  head  of  larva  from  the 
front;  c,  left  mandible  of  larva  from  beneath ;  d,  left  maxilla  of  larva  from  above;  e,  last  ventral  seg- 
ment of  larva;  /,  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  larvse  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  {Lack- 
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. 

GEOGRAPmCAL  DISTEIBUTION. 

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  of  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  Kep.,  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 (1st  New  York  Kep.,  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  Beau  v.,  which  has  not  yet  proved  to  be  injurious  and  is  in  all 
probability  less  abundant.    A  third  species,  M.  umformis  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  larvfe  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  Galoptenus  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- 
ternafusca)  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,  whicb  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.  E.  H.  Miller  states  in  the  American  Agriculturist  (see 
Amer.  Nat.,  v.  17,  1883,  p.  1291),  that  the  flowers  of  Beutzia  scabm 
are  even  preferred  by  the  beetle  to  the  grape-vine.  The  blossoms  of 
the  various  species  of  Spircea  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  cinerariw- 
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. 

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  by  the  long  and  sharp  claws  and  the 
spines  of  the  beetle. 

NATURAL    CHECKS. 


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  larvai  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  larvae  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  larvas  had  killed  and  devoured  most 


300 

of  those  of  the  Macrodactylus.  Since  many  Elaterid  larvae  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  from  attempts  to 
destroy  similar  larvae  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  larvae  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,  nothwithstauding  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.  Spiraeas,  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 


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  macrophijlla  about  12  feet  high,  with  Buhach 
water.  The  bugs  were  devouring  this  latter  by  hundreds.  In  fifteen  minutes  after 
spraying,  thousands  of  the  bugs  were  found  wriggling  upon  tbe  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  eifect  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  Yorlier 
May  19,  1883)  is  to  dust  the  plants  with  air-slaked  lime  or  gypsum, 
and  Prof.  C.  M.  Weed  has  suggested  as  an  improvement  upon  it  (7th 
Ann.  Kept.  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. 
E.  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. 


A  NEW  GENUS  AND  TWO  NEW  SPECIES  OF  AUSTRALIAN  LAMELLI- 

CORNS. 

By  Dr.  David  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  quiuque- 
dentata3,  palpis  simplicibus,  articulo  ultimo  quam  penultimo  duplo  longiore.  La- 
brum  sat  crassum,  angulis  parnm  protniuulis.  Antennaj  brevissimaj,  8-articulatfe^ 
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  anteunse.  The  maxillte  looked  at 
externally  appear  to  be  only  three-toothed,  but  there  are  two  other 
nearly  equally  large  teeth  concealed  behind  the  external  teeth. 

Althougb  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  antennae,  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  can 
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. 

Anodontonyx  vigilans,  n.  sp. 

P^Uide  ferrugineus,  crebre  punctatus;  corpore  subtus  fere  nudo,  ad  latera  parce 
setoso;  elytris  inter  punctaturam  lineis  elongatis  parum  conspicuis.     Long.,  Q-IO"'"". 

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,  is  not 
free  from  punctures.  Pygidium  rather  coarsely  punctate.  Presternum 
behind  the  coxsb  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. 
Anodontonyx  harti,  n.  sp. 

Oblongus,  ferrugiueus,  vel  piceus,  convexus,  crebre  fortiter  punctatus ;  pectore 
utrinque  pariini  hirsiito;  elytria  ad  late ra  longuis  setosis,  inter  punctaturam  liueis 
elongatis  conspicuia.    Long.,  I^-IS""™. 

Mas;  tarsia  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?e.  The  male  has  the  hind 
tarsi  5J  millimeters  long,  whereas  in  the  female  they  are  only  3^.  In 
this  latter  sex  the  anterior  tibiae  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  Ooleoptera.  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.  Murtfeldt,  Kirkwood,  Mo. 


Fig.  ^"i.— 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  aud  Tiamed  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  Tineidce,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Lon- 
don 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.  Y.  T.  Chambers,  whose  studies  of 
American  Tineidae  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  1  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 
aud  iridesceut  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,  duskj'  at 
base,  maxillary  palpi  very  small,  tongue  broad,  white  at  base ;  antennas  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. 

Hiud  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  tibia;,  wit'i  tarsi,  dusky,  indi!>tinctly  annulate  with  white;  hiud  legs 
dusky  and  leaden  gray,  with  broad  band  of  white  encircling  tibiae  ;  terminal  joint 
whitish  at  base,  shading  to  dark  gray  at  tip;  upper  spurs  long,  white;  lower  spurs 
ocherous.  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  IS""™. 

This  species  is  pretty  aud  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.obtnsiloba)  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  lually  attenuate  to- 
wards the  edges,  from  under  which  the  frass  is  ejected.     When  dis- 

*  I  have  since  noticed  that  Lord  Walsingham  has  removed  this  species  from  Menesta 
and  placed  it  .n  the  Tricotaphe  section  of  Gelechia.  He  also  states  that  it  is  a  synonym 
of  Chambers'  Gelechia  refusella. — M.  e.  m. 


305 

turbed  the  larva  retreats  swiftly  to  the  more  densely  woven  part  of  its 
cover. 

Lenefth  of  full  grown  larva  from  7  to  8™™,  diameter  l.S'"™,  nearly 
equal  throughout,  form  depressed,  sutures  deep,  especially  laterally ; 
surface  smooth ;  color  diugy  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  aud  prolegs  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  AspidiscaMke  case, 
which  is  dragged  to  some  distance  from  the  injured  portion  of  the  leaf 
and  firml.y  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.  636).  Within  this  case  the  larva  changes  to  a 
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  hy  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— :t^o.  10 2 


306 

The  methods  employed  iu  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  iu  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  iu  vivaria. 

Result  of  examinatiou  on  September  4  :  Fourteen  adults.     Dead. 

Experiment  Xo.  3. — June  18,  fourteen  Kansas  Sand  Plums,  from  E.  Yenowiue,  Ed- 
wardsville,  Ind.,  coutaiuing  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  examinatiou  September  3:  Nothing. 

Experimetit  No.  b.— June  1>^,  twenty-four  Chickasaw  Plume,  from  E.  Yenowiue,  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.  Kiugsbury,  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  Albertsou  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  Nectarines,  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  iu 
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  iu  vivaria. 

Result  of  examination  September  4  :  Nineteen  adults.     Dead.* 

*Six  larvje  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.*— Jvne  25,  fifty-three  Apples,  from  Princeton,  lud.,  containing 
sixty-two  egg  punctures,  placed  in  vivaria. 

Result  of  examination  September  6 :  Five  adults.     Living. 

Experiment  No.  lb.*— 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. 


Varieties  of  fraits. 


No.  of 
specimeus. 


No.  of 

Adults 

punctures. 

reared. 

204 

73 

351 

86 

103 

19 

541 

116 

611 

119 

588 

59 

885 

219 

305 

67 

14 

4 

24 

5 

220 

35 

223 

3.5 

158 

8 

Ratio    p  e : 
specimen. 


Ratio  per 
puncture. 


Large  Daraaon 
Blue  Damson  . 
Yellow  Egg  . . . 

Lombard 

Coe's'Golden  . . 
Nectarines  ... 
Wild  Goose  ... 

Mariana 

Kansas  Sand  .. 

Chickasaw 

Wild 

Robinson 

Apples 


2.02 
3.26 
5.00 
2.34 
l.!)8 
3.72 
2.36 
3.25 
3.50 
4.80 
5.02 
4.80 
17.00 


2.7!) 
4.08 
5.42 
4.1.6 
5.13 
9.96 
4.04 
4.55 
3.50 
4.80 
6.27 
6.36 
19.62 


As  will  be  observed,  the  greatest  mortality  to  eggs  and  larvae  between 
the  time  of  oviposition  aud  the  hatching  of  the  adult  occurred  in  the 
Wild  aud  Robiusou  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. 

t  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 
larvae  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  drift  of  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  saw  an  adult  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  occur  simultan- 
eously with  the  advance  individuals  of  the  new  brood,  both  feeding 
upon  the  fruit  of  the  plum,  apple,  etc. 

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. 

*Thi8  figure  will  be  published  iu  the  uext  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 

c 

d 

d 

d 

c 

c 

d 

c 

c 

c 

c 

d 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

b 

b 

c 

o 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

j 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

c 

i 

i 

i 

i 

f 

d 

g 

c 

g 

g 

c 

J 

c 

i 

i 

c 

f 

b 

d 

f 

f 

f 

f 

c 

f 

f 

f 

f 

b 

a 

a 

i 

a 

f 

f 

f 

f 

f 

f 

f 

b 

a 

a 

b 

a 

a 

h 

a 

a 

a 

b 

b 

a 

a 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

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 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

a 

Explanation. — a=BlackmanPlum;  b=WildPlum;  c=:Wild  Goose  Plum;  d=Bogg8' 
Plum;  e=Crab  Apple;  f=Late  Cherry;  g=May  Cherry;  o=Seedling  Apple; 
h=Moore'8  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  a  fresh  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  tirst  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. 

Much  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  4^  acres. 

The  departments  in  which  vine  cultivation  is  extensive,  such  as  Her- 
ault.  Card,  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 : 


Tears. 

American 

vines 
covered. 

Depart- 
ments. 

Tears. 

American 

vines 
covered. 

Depart- 
ments. 

1881 

Acres. 
22,  000 
42,  700 
70.  000 
131,  909 
188,  200 

17 
22 
28 
34 
34 

1886 

Acres. 
276  900 

57 

413,  700  !           38 
536  900              43 

1883 

1888 

1884  

719, 500              44 

1885 

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.    Herault  presents  380,000  acres  of  renewed  vineyards ;  Aude, 


311 

68,000;  Gard,  60,000;  Gironde,  47,000;  tbe  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  on  the  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,  (Jruguay, 
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  Italy  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  ot  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  Jos6  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  on  the  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  auraniii)  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  Jos6  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  Jos6  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  Jos^  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  Jos6  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  yon  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 
defeuse  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  County  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. 


Description. 

Age  ten 

years  and 

over. 

Age  five 

years  to 

ten. 

Age  five 

years  and 

under. 

Number  of  orange  trees 

289,  677 

18,  055 

4,575 

15 

119,530 

29. 345 

435 

15 

187  500 

10,  350 
150 

Number  of  lime  trees       .      

Number  of  citron  and  pomalo  trees ... 

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  redouble  all  previous 
efforts  in  a  warfare  against  insect  pests. 

We  regret  to  report  that  duriug  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  bj'  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  and  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. 
Eespectfully, 

A.  F.  Kercheval,  President. 
F.  Edward  Gray,  Secretary. 

County  Horticultural  Commissioners 


EXTRACTS  FROM  CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  Pine  Lachnus  as  a  Honey  maker. 

I  send  by  this  mail  a  box  with  pine  tags,  live  Aphids,  and  honey-dew.  I  put  in  a  sec- 
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- 
croscopist,  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  from  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 I  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. 

Reply. — The  inclosed  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 
Insect  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  the  roots 
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  had  requested  the  proprietors  of  the  nursery  to  give  me  trees  of  their 
own  raising  and  supposed  they  had  doue  as  they  agreed  to  do,  but  some  of  their  em- 
ploy6s  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  AnguilUila,  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,  188J. 

Eeply. — 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.  I  send  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,  1H90.] 

Reply. — 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  Aleurodido},  as  you  know,  holds  a  position  between  the  Aphididae  and  the 
Coccidae,  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  tor  you  to  tell  me,  but  cer- 
tainly they  must  often  stroll  into  the  suburbs  of  your  province.  I  never  knew  any  one 
who  could  give  a  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  antenme 
at  one  end,  and  something  similar  at  the  other,  black  and  smoky  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  Jish."  It  alsD  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,"  butis  known  to  science  as  Cermatia 
forceps.  The  two  sorts  observed  by  you  were  only  diiferent  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  saceharina),  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.  Pyrethruui  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  tully  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 
{Ceroplasles  floridensis).  You  will  find  this  insect  figured  and  described  in  Hubbard's 
Insects  affecting  the  Orange.  It  commonly  aftects  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  ray 
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  coarso  sponge.  I  send  the 
oak  chip  in  which  the  destroyer  was  found.  I  very  much  fear  that  the  fly  or  moth  ia 
depredating  upon  other  oaks  in  the  yard.  How  can  we  distinguish  it,  and  is  there 
no  protection  against  it  ?— [Carrington  Mason,  Memphis,  Teun.,  October,  22,  1889.] 
Reply.— The  larva  is  that  of  one  of  the  large  Tile-horn  beetles  (gecus  Prionus). 
The  particular  species  is  probably  P.  laticolUs.  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  iu  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  cultnre.  That  pest  is  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,  Loudon  purple,  burning  of  lamps  to  catch  the  miller, 
are  among  the  best  of  the  remedies  resorted  to,  but  all  have  proved  comparative  fail- 
ures. 

I  am  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  Department  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. 

Reply. — 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.  S.  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  opeuing  the  tick  the  feath- 
ers seemed  to  be  ground  up  almost  iuto  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-skin,  which  it  very  much  resembles ;  it  is  firmly  attached, 
the  down  breaking  rather  than  pull  off.  Not  a  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  fonnd  but  feathers 
as  wheD  made.  This  was  found  about  a  month  ago  and  the  ladies  through  the 
country  have  opened  many  pillows,  some  as  much  as  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  close  inspection.  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. 

Reply. — 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  have  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- Nat iiralisl  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  ticiving  occurs  have  been  infested  by  one  of  the 
Dermestid  beetles  (in  all  of  the  cases  with  which  1  am  familiar  it  has  been  Attagenua 
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  2:3,  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  onion  crop  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
report  for  1885,  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- 
ful 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  as  it  comes  up.  Third  piece  gave  less- 
than  one-fourth  of  a  stand.  Fourth  piece  was  plowed,  having  been  broken  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  18  acres,  replanted  16,  and  then  sowed  corn  on  3  of  it.  The 
sowed  corn  was  all  right;  balance  produced  one-fourth  stand.  If  they  increase  next 
year  over  this  year,  corn  planting  will  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;  an(i,  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  Uut-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. 
I  am  on  the  southeast  shore  of  Otter  Tail  Lake  near  Otter  Tail  City :  my  land  is  a  sandy 
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  ouly  under  cultivation  three  years. 
Onions,  beets,  carrots,  and  beans  were  sown  with  a  *'  Planet,  Jr.,"  garden  drill ;  they 
were  cut  olias  fast  as  they  came  to  the  surface,  just  below  the  surface,  by  very  small 
young  Cut-woims.  Neither  salt  nor  ashes  would  stop  their  work  ;  the  crop  was  an 
entire  loss.  Now,  what  can  I  do?  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.  But  I  do  want  to  raise  onions,  beets,  and  carrots  as  well  as  beans  and 
sweet  corn. —[Washington  Muzzy,  Balmoral,  Otter  Tail  County,  Minn.,  March  4, 1887. 

Reply. — While  late  plowing  of  the  fields  infested  by  cnt-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  tiuie  or  labor.  It  simply  in- 
volves the  necessity  of  a  pretty  general  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  tlie  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  Solauum  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  Solatium  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  seed-pods  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  iu  and  around 
his  garden  patch,  killing  every  young  plant  of  S.  roatratum  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  o&  close  to  the  ground  and  goes  bowling  along  before  the  wind  at  a  great 
Tate.  The  winds  there,  however,  are  more  north  and  south  than  fiom  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  iu  Harper's  Magazinetoan article  entitled  "Ladies'  Day  atthe 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  a  very  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  have  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,  I  have  bred  four  hy menopters,  which  I  take  to 
be  the  parasite  which  Koebele  discovered.  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  placert  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  (Proctotrupidte  ?).  The  female,  yellowish-browu  (?);  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 
Tjrown  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  antenna;,  as  if  they  were  having  a  bout  of  fisty- 
cufts.  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  coddiugton 
lens,  it  may  be  that  I  am  mistaken,  but  such  is  my  impression.  This  strange  proceed- 
ing would  last  a  few  seconds.  Was  it  a  kind  of  preliminary  investigation  on  the  part 
of  the  male  to  discover  whether  the  female  had  been  already  impregnated  ? 

I  likewise  send  you  some  cayeqne  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. 


321 

Do  you  know  of  any  such  habit  in  the  States  ?—[Frazer  S.  Crawford,  Adelaide, 
South  Australia,  November  24,  1889. 

Reply. —  *  -  #  lu  reference  to  the  specimens  which  you  sent.  No.  1  is  ^itr^/isc/iia 
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  Icerya  for  them  to  breed  on.  Better  still,  if  you  could 
get  a  good  supply  of  Icerya  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  some  sent  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.] 

Procouia  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  v^ith  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  you  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  sufiicient  numbers  to  threaten  your  vines  seriously,  it  will  be  well  for  you  to  sprky 
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 
(Phyllosticia  labruscw),  which  produces  the  rust  colored  spots.  If  this  fungus  ap- 
pears extensively  you  will  find  a  remedy  in  dustiug  the  vines  with  sulphur  and  lime. — 
[May  17,  1886.] 

*  Since  described  on  p.  249  of  the  current  volume. 
21715— Xo.  10 3 


322 


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

By  Lord  Walsixgham, 

\_Continued  from  page  286  of  Vol.  II. 1 

COPTOTRICHB  Ken.  nov. 

Ko-Tciv  -  to  cut ;  Q/ji^  -  a  hair. 

Tischeria  complanoides  F.  »fe  B.  =  latipennella  Chamb. 

Aniennw,  <?  ,  ciliated,  a  miuute  projectiug  hair  pencil  from  the  basal  joint  beneath 

Labial  palpi,  dependent,  scarcely  longer  than  the  head. 

Haustelbtm,  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  apes  ;  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  also  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. 


Fig.  64. — Coptotriche  complanoides  :  a.  6,  neuration  of  front  ami  hind  wingaof  male;  c,  genital  seg- 
ments of  male — enlarged  (Walsingliam  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.  syu. =^Tischeria  latipennella  ChambI 
(^l=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. 


323 

Frey  aad  Boll  [Stett.  Eat.  Zeit.,  XXXIV,  220-1  (1873)  ]  described  their  specimens 
of  zellereUa  ashaviuj?  the  wiuj^-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  laUpennella  Chamb. 

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  sis  specimens,  all  males,  received  from  Miss  Murtfeldt  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  his  idea  of  that  species  was  not  the  same  as  that  of  Frey  and  Boll,  whose 
specimen  is  a  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  zellereUa  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,  will  turn  out  to  be  the  same.  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- 
eniug  of  the  cilia  above  the  apex  (see  Fig.  64  &).  Until  I  can  assure  myself  on  this 
point  zelleriella  Clem,  must  be  retained  in  the  index  as  a  distinct  species,  and  Frey 
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.  Sc,  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(1884)]. 

Tischeria  castanella  Chamb. 

I  am  unacquainted  with  this  species  except  from  the  description. 
Tischeria  citrinipennella  Clem. 

u.  %^\\.=^hadiella  Chamb. 

Tbis  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  oiiamb..  indeed  so 
far  as  I  am  aware  it  occurs  only  in  this  species  and  in  the  darker  tinctorieJla  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  his  descrip- 
tion agrees  in  all  important  points  with  my  example  of  citrinipennella,  and  I  have  uo 
hesitation  in  regarding  his  name  as  a  synonym. 

Tischeria  quercitella  Clem. 

n.  syn. — quercivorella  Chamb. 

Chambers  iu  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  specimen  sent  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  uot  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,  A.pril  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  Ragouot  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.  «fe  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  Heliopais  Icevis  and 
Ambrosia  trifida  in  Kentucky  [Cin.  Qr.  Jr.  Sc,  II,  113-4  (lh75)].  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  of  a  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  Buccidatrix.  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.,  XXXVII,  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  Ambrosia  arte- 
misicefolia  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. 

Antenn<B,  pale  grayish-brown,  strongly  ciliated  in  the  ^ . 

Palpi,  pale  grayish-brown. 

Mead,  roughly  clothed  with  pale  grayish-brown  scales  tending  to  whitish  in  front; 

face  whitish. 
Fore-ivings,  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-ivings,  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. 
Exp.  al.,  6™™. 
Habitat,  California. 
Type,  $  9 ,  Mus.    Wlsm. 

The  larva  mines  the  upper  side  of  the  leaves  of  Ceanothus  divaricatus  Nutt.,  making 
at  first  a  naiTow  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  tn  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  Bth-llth 


326 

of  June,  1871,  in  considerable  abundance,  the  whole  shrub  being  covered  with  mined 
leaves.  1  also  took  it  on  the  wing  in  Mendocino  County,  27tb  May,  1871.  I  have 
received  the  same  species  from  Dr.  Riley,  collected  at  Placer  County,  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  aenea  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 
Eagonot  received  from  Texas  from  Boll,  and  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Riley  for  a  third  ex- 
ample bred  from  roso. 

BEDELLIA  Stn. 
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.,  189-91],  is  very  widely 
distributed,  occurring  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand  as  well  as  in  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  le  continued.) 


GENERAL  NOTES. 

A  RHIZOCOCCUS   ON   GRASS  IN   INDIANA. 

January  22,  of  the  present  year,  Director  Stockbridge,  of  the  Indiana 
Experiment  Station,  placed  in  ray  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  Thripidce,  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  a  low  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  Westivoodia,  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 
Eoyal  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  cegyptiacuni. 

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  Capsidte.  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  is  a  full 
bibliographic  list,  an  index  to  genera  and  an  index  to  species. 

TWO  PARASITES  OF  THE  GARDEN  WEB-WORM. 

In  our  article  upon  Eurycreon  rantaUs,  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  Ichneumonid  in  early 


328 


July  from  piipse  received  from  Mr.  W.  F.  Avera,  editor  of  the  Ouachita 
Herald,  of  Camden,  Ark.,  who  had  noticed  the  larvfe  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 
Linineria  eurycreontis,and  we  pre- 
sent herewith  a  figure  of  the  fe- 
male sex.  The  eggs  are  laid  in 
the  larvae  and  those  specimens 
which  we  reared  issued  from  the 
pupte.  Many  Limnerias,  it  will 
be  remembered,  issue  from  the 
larvcTB  of  their  hosts  before  the 
latter  have  transformed. 

We  also  reared  about  the  same 
time,  from  the  same  lot  of  web- 
worm  pupte,  specimens  of  a  Bra- 
conid  parasite,  which  we  have  de- 
termined as  Mr.  Cresson's  Agathis 
exoratus. 


Fig.  64. — Limneria  eurycreontis — female  with  abdo- 
men and  ovipositor  shown  detached  at  left;  male 
abdomen  at  right— enlarged  (original). 


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  pastinacce  (Linn,)  was  found  abun- 
dantly on  carrot,  at  Haslemere,  in  July,  and  Curtis  t  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  Axihides,  among  them  Aphis  papaveris 
Fab.,  which  infests  the  leaves,  and  A.  carrotce,  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. 

tRep.  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  a  species  oiBhojalosiphum.* 

On  October  3,  1888, 1  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 
fibrous  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  mouth  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  salsify.  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. — fF.  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  prim- 
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  Bhopalmn,  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  diflQcult  to  find  a  single  tea  bnsh  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  (Famsa  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  lilac  stripe  along  the  mitldle  of  the  back  and  a  bright  blue  stripe  on 
each  side.  The  |)oisonous  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  buff,  tinged 
with  chocolate  at  the  margins. 

NEW   INSECT   LEaiSLATION. 

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  employ^,  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,  larvaj  or  pupae,  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 
■eggs,  larvsB  or  pupjB,  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  employ^,  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  Sau  Bernardino  County  to  be  infested  with  scale  or  other  insects,  detrimental 
or  iujui-ious  to  trees,  vines,  fruits  or  plant-life  or  the  products  thereof. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  or  persons,  as  owner,  agent,  or  employ^,  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,  «o<  declared  to  be  infested,  as  provided  in  section  two  of  this  ordinance,  with- 
out giving  votice  of  their  arrival  to  a  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,  until  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. 


331 

[The  board  respectfully  point  out  to  the  ladles  of  the  couuty  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.] 

Sec.  4.  Every  owner,  or  owners,  or  person  or  persons,  in  charge  or  possession  of 
any  oicliard,  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,  larvje  or  pup;B  thereof,  shall,  tvlien  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, 
packafje,  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 
nrge  all  persons  to  refrain  from  purchasing  any  trees,  etc.,  from  Los  Angeles  or  Or- 
ange Counties.] 

Sec.  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  tine  be  satisfied,  specifying  the  extent  of  imprisonment,  which 
must  not  exceed  one  day  for  every  dollar  of  the  fine. 

Sec.  a.  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  duriug  January  the  Los  Augeles  coiiuty  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  iu  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  Deccan  in  1882-83,  while  the  first-named  species  extends  its 
ravages  rather  into  the  dry  plains  of  the  Punjab  and  Eajputana. 

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,  vsbr.  fabceRUey,  Lachnosterna  fiisca,  ami  Tenebrio 
obsciirus.  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  was  appointed  honorary  treasurer  of  the  French 
Society  on  his  retirement,  in  1887,  and  published  many  notes  on  Coleop- 
tera  in  the  "Annales." 


333 

AN  TCERYA  IN  FLORIDA. 

Passed  Assistant  Paymaster  H.  R.  Smith,  U.  S.  N.,  uow  statioued  at 
Key  West,  Fla.,  sent  to  this  Department  on  the  24th  of  March  a  bark- 
louse  infesting  the  Eose.  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  t;o  be  a  new  species  of  the 
genus  Icerya,  but  which  resembles  more  closely  Icerya  sacchari — the 
sugar-cane  pest  of  Mauritius — than  J.  piirchasi,  the  citrus  pest  of  Cali- 
fornia. The  young  lice  are  indistinguishable  from  I.  ^Jurchasi,  but  the 
adult  females  lack  the  iiuted  ovisac  and  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  antennfe  in  the  different  stages  are  almost  indistinguishable  from 
those  of  l.purcJiasi;  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  rosce. 

ENTOMOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

March  6,  1890. — Mr.  Schwarz  exhibited  aiicl  remarked  upon  the  following  species  of 
Coleoptera,  which  are  new  to  the  fauna  of  North  America:  Lathrid'ius  (Coninomua) 
t?orfi/V»' Westwood ;  Actinopteryx  fucicola  Allibert,  Jrrhipis  lanieri  Gu^riu,  and  Pro- 
batius  utnbratilis  Duval.  He  also  showed  specimens  of  Temuochila  huibardi  L6veill6, 
and  Terelriosoma  hornii  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  Oclitheiius,  and  spoke  of  the  geographical  dis- 
tribution of  these  aquatic  beetles. 

Mr.  Marlatt  presented  a  note  on  a  dipterous  larva  infesting  the  seeds o{ Xantlmtrn. 
He  had  found  these  larvjB  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  drmnmondi. 

These  notes  were  discussed  by  Messrs.  Schwarz,  Townsend,  and  Howard. 

Mr.  Townsend  read  a  paper  entitled  "Notes  on  Acridiidaj  in  Michigan,"  which  re- 
lated more  particularly  to  dates  of  appearance  and  habits. 

0.  L.  Marlatt, 
Recording  Secretary. 


U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE. 

DIVISIOX    OF    ENTOMOLOGY. 

PERIODICAL  BULLETIN.  (Double  number.)  May  and  June,  1890. 


ATol.  II.  Nos.  11  and  12. 


INSECT  LIFE. 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  ECONOMY  AND  LIFE-HABITS  OF  INSECTS, 
ESPECIALLY  IN  THEIR  RELATIONS  TO  AGRICULTURE. 

EDITED    BY 

C.    V.    RILEY,    Entomologist, 

AND 

L.    O.    HOWARD,    First  Assistant, 

WITH   THE    ASSISTANCE  OF  OTHEIl  MEMBERS  OF  THE  DIVISIONAL  FORCE. 


[PUBLISHED  13Y  AUTHORITY  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE, 
1890. 


CONTENTS 


PasTA. 
Special  Notes 335 

The  Ixsect  Collection  of  a  large  Museum  (illustrated) C.  V.  Rilei)..       342 

Notes  ox  Languri a F.  R.  Chittenden . .       346 

Some  of  the  bred  parasitic  Hymenoptera  in  the  National  Collection- 
Family  Braconid.e 348 

Anthrax  parasitic  on  Cut-worms  (illustrated)  353 

Mountain  Swarming  of  Vanessa  californica C.  L.  HopMns..      355 

Notes  on  a  Species  OF  necrophagous  Diptera F.  M.  Webster. .      356 

Additional  Note  ON  Spider  Egg-p  kasites L.  0.  Howard..       359 

Preparatory    Stages    of    Syntomeida    epilais   and   Scepsis  edwardsii 

- Hanibon  a.  Dijar..       360 

The  Tulip  Tree  Leaf  Gall-fly 362 

An  ExperimentwithCoccinellid^  inthe  Conservatory../^.  M.  Webster..      363 

A  North  American  Axima  and  its  Habits  (illustrated) L.  0.  Howard..       365 

Extracts  from  Correspondence 367 

The  Scale  Question  in  Florida — A  Palm  leaf  Scale  iu  Trinidad— The  Cigar- 
ette Beetle — A  curious  Case — Beneficial  Beetles  infested  with  Mites — 
Flea  Beetle  Injury  to  Strawberries — Lecanium  hesperidum — Flies  in  an 
exhumed  Corpse— The  May  Beetle  and  the  White  Grub — Parorgyia  on 
Cranberry  in  Wisconsin — HeJomi/za  sp.  found  in  Mayfield  Cave,  In- 
diana!— A  Cave  Crustacean  iu  a  Well — Potato  Stalk-borer  in  Corn  and 
Rag-weed— The  Melon  Worm— Cut  Worms  and  Carnations— The  Plant- 
feeding  Lady-bird  and  the  Potato  Stalk-beetle — Intrusion  of  the  Elm 
Leaf-beetle  in  Houses— .Be  Lestophonus. 

General  Notes 378 

Boiling  Water  for  Peach  Borer — The  Family  Phylloxerid* — The  newly 
imported  Rose  Saw-fly — Testimonal  to  Mr.  Koebele— A  Paradox — A  rare 
Sphingid — A  new  Apple  Pest— American  Vines  in  France  and  the  Phyl- 
loxera— A  new  Australian  Vine  Pest — Trouble  iu  California — Lepidopter- 
ological  Notes — The  Puncturing  of  Apples  by  the  Plum  Curculio — The 
Vedalia  iu  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- 
meuoptera — The  man-infesting  Bot— The  Eggs  of  Atheris — A  Mono- 
graph of  the  EvaniidiB— Colonel  Pearson  on  the  Rose  Chafer — The  Co- 
lumbus Horticultural  Society — Mr.  Bucktou's  Mouograph  of  the  British 
Cicadse  and  Tettigiidje — 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 


Vol.  II,  Xos.  11  and  12.]     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  Bibliograpby  of  the 
more  important  contributions  to  American  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  III,  the  more  important  writings  of 
Charles  Valentine  Riley,  covering  276  pages  and  including  1,555  titles; 
and  (4)  an  index  to  the  first  three  parts,  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  proofread  during  his  absence  in  Paris  last  summer. 

Subsequent  parts  of  the  bibliograpby  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  iniportaut  coutributions  to  American  Economic  En- 
tomology. Prepared,  by  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  by  Samuel  Hen- 
shaw. Parts  I,  II,  and  III.  The  more  important  writings  of  Benjamin  Dann  Walsh 
and  Charles  Valentine  Riley.     Washington  :  1H90. 

335 


336 

Bulletin  No.  21,  Division  of  Entomology.* — Under  this  serial  number  Mr. 
Koebele's  report  ou  his  trip  to  Australia  aud  New  Zealand  to  investigate 
the  natural  enemies  of  leerya  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 
Snout-beetle  which  has  been  im[)orted  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  Scale  (Lecanium 
olew),  probably  introduced  direct  from  Europe  on  the  Olive ;  several 
scale-insects  of  the  subfamily  Monophlcehime,  injurious  to  the  Eucalyp- 
tus; 3Iictis  prof  ana  Fab.  aud  a  new  species  of  Aspongopus — two  Heter- 
opterous  insects  injurious  to  the  Orange — and  three  species  of  .1ie?o/on^/nVZ 
beetles  injurious  in  the  larval  state  to  wheat  (jrops.  These  are  :  SciUda 
nigrolineata  Boisd.,  8.  pruinosaiyiiXxn.,  and  Anodontonyx  vigilans  Sharp, 
the  latter  described  in  the  last  number  of  Insect  Life,  page  302.  The 
beetles  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  IG  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  lit  from  Canada.  He  has  some  30  pages  of  interesting  matter 
illustrated  with  a  dozen  cuts.  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  Arseuites,  Fuller's  Rose-beetle,  and  a  curi- 
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  maj'  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  i^ew  Jersey .|    He  gives  full  illustra- 

*  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  Division  of  Entomology.  Bulletin  No  21. 
(Revised  EditioD.)  Report  of  a  Trip  to  Australia  made  under  direction  of  the  Ento- 
mologist to  investigate  the  Natural  Euemies  of  the  Fluted  Scale,  by  Albert  Koebele. 
(Published  by  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture.)     Washington:  181(0. 

t  Experimental  Farms.  Reports  of  the  Director,  Chemist,  Entomologist  and  Bot- 
anist, Horticulturist,  Poultry  Manager,  and  Superintendents  Experimental  Farms, 
for  1889.     Ottawa.    1890. 

X  Special  Bulletin  New  Jersey  Agricultural  College  Experiment  Station,  K,  Febru 
arv  28,  1890. 


337 

tions  aud  accounts  of  tlie  Black-headed  Crauberry-worra  [RJiophohota 
vacciniana),  the  Cranberry  Frmtworm  {Acrobasis  vaccinii),  the  Tip  Worm 
{Cecidomyia  vaccmii),  the  Cranberry  8ca\e{Aspidiotussp.),  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  the  second  he  advises  an  application  of  Paris 
green  or  London  "i^urple  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  distinct  from  T.  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  Oscinidae,  the  Wheat  Bulb  fly  {Hylemia  coarctata),  the  Cur- 
rant Gall  mite,  the  White  Currant-scale  {Fulvinaria  ribesiw),  the  Medi- 
terranean Flour-moth,  the  Wheat  Fly,  aud  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  beef  "  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  aud  Eichoffs  work  on  Bark-beetles  is  quoted  at  length, 
particularly  with  reference  to  the  food  of  the  larv«,  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  Illinois.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  Pesta  during  the 
year  1889,  with  methods  of  prevention  and  remedy.  13th  Report,  by  Eleanor  A. 
Ormerod.     London,  1890.     Price  18d. 

t  Fifteenth  Report  State  Entomologist  on  the  Noxious  and  Beneficial  Insects  of 
the  State  of  Illinois.  Fourth  Report  S.  A.  Forbes ;  for  the  years  1885  and  1886.  Spring- 
field, lr89. 

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, 


338 

crop  can  be  saved  by  spraying;  a  second  contribution  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  life  history  of  the  Hessian  Hy,  indicating  that  the  development 
of  a  third  brood  of  larvne  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  Illinois  which  was  summarized  on  page  222  of  Vol.1 
of  Insect  Life.  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  Notes  on  Cut  Worms.  The  report  is  illustrated  by  six  beauti- 
ful heliotype  plates,  two  and  one-half  devoted  to  Bill  Bugs,  and  the  others 
to  Cutworms,  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  1^88  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  [CUsiocampa  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 pygmceits)  has  been  studied  and 
the '^clematis  disease  "has  been  determined  to  be  due  to  Heierodera 
radicicola,  the  same  Nematode  worm,  of  the  family  Anguillulidic,  which 

"Third  Annual  Eeport  on  Insects  and  Fungi  injurious  to  the  Crops  of  the  Farm,  the 
Orchard,  and  the  Garden,  by  Charles  Whitt-head,  esq.,  F.  L.  S.,  F.  G.  S.,  1889,  London. 
1890.  Printed  for  Her  Majesty's  stationery  office  by  Eyre  &  Spottiswood,  printers  to 
the  Queen's  most  excellent  Majesty. 


339 

is  the  subject  of  Professor  Atkinson's  Bulletin  No.  Oof  the  Alabama 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  recently  noticed  in  these  pages. 

A  series  of  field  experiments  is  proposed  by  Professor  Com  stock  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  occurxing  in  this  country,  although  it  is  a 
well-known  European  pest. 


Ohio  Station  Investigations.— Article  XIX  in  Bulletin  7,  volume  II 
(Second  Series,  Xo.  14)  of  the  Ohio  Agricultural  Experiment  Station, 
entitled  "Xotes  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  well  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  both,  and  lessen  the  expenditure  of  time  and 
labor.  In  the  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  Insect  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  resume  of  the  principal  injurious  insects  noticed  by  the  Ohio 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station  during  the  year  1889  is  given  in  the 
Eighth  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 
leg umini cola),  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  ( Ci/aniris  pseudargiolns  and  Eimrgyreus  tityrus) 
and  two  plant-lice  {Aphis  trifolii  and  GaUipteriis  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  {Empoasca  alhopicta),  the  Rose 
Leaf-hopper  {Typlilocyha  rosce)  and  BeJostoma  americamim. 

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  {Bruehus  ohsoletus)^  Pear  or  Cherry-tree  Slug,  Im- 
ported Cabbage- worm  {Pieris  rajxe),  and  Strawberry  Eootlouse  {ApJiis 
forhesi)  are  also  treated. 


Professor  Westwood's  Revision  of  the  Mantidae.— 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  Familise  Mantidarum,  Speciebus  uovis  aut  minus  cognitis 
descriptis  et  delineatis."  It  consists  of  a  syuonymical  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  bacuUna  Bates  MS.   Stagmomantis  Carolina  Job.au- 
Oligonyx  uhlei-iStal.  ?  Sphendale  infuscata  Sauss.  son. 

Oligonyx  scudderi  Sauss.    f  Phasmomantis grandis  Sauss.    Stagmomantis  dimidiata  Burm. 
Oligonyxgraminis Scndd.   Mantis  iiheeleri  Wheeler.  Stagmomantis  ?  JHJnor  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  i)rospectus  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  iirst  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- 
ism 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  ]\rr.  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  CaUfornia.— The  fruitgrowers  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  Scale  {Mytilaspis  gloverii),  the  Purple  Scale  (M.  citricola),  and  the 
Chaff  Scale  {Parlatoria  pergandii).  The  Ma}"  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  Eiverside  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  oflicial  posi- 
tions created,  "political  entomologists"  have  been  called  into  existence 


342 

and  the  State  has  snfif'ered  from  them.  Much  has  been  done  in  the  way 
of  county  regulations  and  State  hiws  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.* 

By  C.  V.  EiLEY. 

THE   TYPE   OR   SYSTEMATIC   COLLECTION. 

The  ideal  cabinet  collection  of  a  National  Museum  should  represent, 
as  completely  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 
constant  hnndling  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  jjossible,  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  classificatorj  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  sliglat  changes,  from  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Smithsonian  Insti- 
tution for  1886,  Part  IT,  Report  of  the  National  Museum,  pp.  182-186,  Washington, 

,1890. 


343 

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  iu  other  ways  trenches  on  the  function  of  the  study 
collection.  As  the  Museum,  in  this  department,  will,  in  accordance 
with  statute  (Kevised  Statures,  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  ])reserv- 
iug  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  iusects- 
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  dift'er- 
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  3  inches.  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^\  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  witli  zinc- white.  The  front  is  furnished  with  a  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-fonrth-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  13  by  8^  inches  outside  measurement,  the  top  and 
bottom  projecting  slightly  at  the  front  and  sides.  The  inside  measure- 
ment is  llf  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  2f  inches  in  outside  depth,  unequally  divided,  the  lower  por- 
tion IJ  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  dupli- 
cate it  is  well,  when  it  is  not  too  heavy  or  cumbersome,  to  place  such 
biologic  material  with  the  systematic  collection;  yet  experience  has 


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. 

VariQus  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  i 
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  (c  c,  fig. 
66)  beveled,  the  sides  either  beveled  or  straight,  the  latter  prefei-able 
They  vary  in  leagth  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  point  or  loop.  A  brad-awl  is  used  to  make  a  slot  in 
the  block  into  which  this  loop  is  forced  (e,  fig.  (}6,  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  it  out.  Four  pointed  wire  nails  {d  d  d  d),  set  into  the  bottom  so  as 
to  project  about  one-fourth  inch,  serve  to  hold  the  block  to  the  cork 
bottom  of  the  case  or  drawer  in  which  it  is  to  be  placed.    The  method 


346 

■of  use  is  simple  aud  readily  seen  from  the  accompanyiug  figures,  which 
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  aud  will  be  held  secure  by  the  pins  between  the  block 
and  the  cork  of  the  drawers. 


~3 


<5 


X 


£ 


S7 


5  6 

Fig.  Cl5.— Vialholder;  1,  block,  with  vial  beveled  on  all  sides;  2,  do.  beveled  only  on  ends  ;  3,  block, 
end  view ;  5,  do.  section ;  4,  G,  do.  .side  views ;  a.  block ;  h.  spring  wire  clamps ;  c,  beveled  ends  of 
block;  d,  pointed  wire  nails;  e,  point  of  insertion  of  clamp  (lettering  on  all  ligures  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.  on  a 
Composite  plant,  the  daisy  flea-bane — EHgeron  ram o.sus  Walt,  {strigosm 
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  Annual  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture 


347 

for  1879  (p.  199)  it  is  stated  that  "  tlie  adult  beetles  begiu  to  issue  in 
Aujiust  and  ou  coutinually,  makiug  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  (cloverj  during  the 
winter  failed  to  show  the  insect  in  any  stage  of  growth." 

When  reading  this  account  I  remembered  having  seen  during  the 
jjreceding  summer  a  female  Languria  mozardi  ovipositing  in  a  common 
species  of  ragweed  ( Imbrosia  trijida),  A  visit  in  the  following  Novem- 
ber to  the  locality  where  this  observation  was  made  resulted  in  the  dis- 
covery of  facts  that  throw  new  liglitou  the  habits  of  these  beetles.  In  the 
ragweed  stems  were  found  some  half  dozen  specimens  of  larvae,  whicb,with 
the  aid  of  the  description  and  figure  given  in  the  article  above  referred 
to,  I  was  enabled  to  identify  as  belonging  to  some  species  of  the  genus. 
Of  these  larva?  all  but  one  agreed  with  the  published  description  and 
were  afterward  found  to  be  L.  mosardi.  One  specimen,  however,  was 
larger  than  the  others  and  differed  in  other  respects  from  the  descrip- 
tion. This  specimen  transformed  and  provetl  to  be  L.  gracilis  Newm. 
The  larvie  did  not  appear  to  be  feeding  on  the  fresh  white  pith,  but 
rather  in  thedead  and  discolored  pitb.  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  larvte  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  Cerambycidse  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  a  common  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  larvte  indistinguishable  from  that  of  L.  mozardi  as 
described  {I.  c.)  are  mentioned  by  Prof  F.  M.  Webster  (Kept.  U.  S. 
Dept.  Agr.,  1886,  p.  G74)  as  infesting  the  stems  of  timothy.  Both 
species  breed  in  Ambrosia,  and  their  occurrence  under  the  circumstances 
above  recorded  on  Urtica  is  sufficient  evidence  that  both  breed  in  the 
stems  of  this  plant  as  well.  The  probable  oviposition  of  mozardi  in 
Erigeron  ramosus  points  to  this  as  a  likely  food-plant,  and"  the  occur- 
rence of  the  same  species  on  the  common  ox-eye  daisy  [Chrysanthem^im), 
a  near  relative  of  Erigeron,  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  Compositne. 


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  BRACONID^. 

Subfamily  Braconinae. 

Parasites.  Hosts. 

Bracou  simplex  Cress Ceramhijcid   (unbred)   under   bark  of  Oak. 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Collected  also  at   St.   Louis,   Mo.,  and  in 
Texas. 

Bracon  agrili  Asbm Agrilus  fuhjens  Lee.   under  bark  of  maple. 

Lafayette,  lud.,  April  21  to  May  4,  1887. 
Bracon  pectlnator  ?  Say Saperda  vesiitc^  Say,  on  Elm  ?    Washington, 

D.  C. 
Bracon  arizonensis  Ashm Audrieua  coxii  Bass.      Fort    Grant,   Ariz,, 

March  28  to  April  6,  1882. 
Bracou  solidaginis  Riley  MS Gehchia  galhesolidaginis  Riley.     St.  Louis, 

Mo.,  August,  1867. 
Bracon  atriceps  Riley  MS Lavertui   sp.i   on  Epiloiium  angmtifolium. 

Cadet,  Mo.,  September  3,  1886. 
Bracon  cecidomyiie  Ashm Cecidoini/iid    gall    on    Mimidus    glutinosus. 

Alameda,  Cal.,  Jan.  9,  1886. 
Bracon  nigripictus  Riley  MS Sanniiia  exitiosa  Say.     Washington,  D.  C, 

May  10  and  June  4,  1879. 
Dolba  hylceus  Drury.     St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Octo- 
ber, 1870. 
Bracon  sp.  ? Platynota    flavedana     Clem.,    on     Clover. 

Washington,  D.  C,  September  3,  1879. 
Bracon  diastatai  Ashm Diasfata   N.    sp.   mining    leaves   of   corn, 

Jacksonville,  Fla.,  June  28,  1886. 

Received  also  from  La  Fayette,  Ind. 
Bracon  gastroidese  Ashm Gastroidea  cyanea  Mels.     Columbus,  Ohio, 

June  7,  1886. 
Bracon  phycidis  Riley  MS Pliycis  indigineUa  Zell.     Oxford,  Ind.,  July 

9.  1886. 
Bracon  pissodis  Ashm Pissodes  strobi  Peck,   on  pine.   Wellesley, 

Mass.,  August  19,  1886. 
Bracon  n.  sp JSgeria  exitiosa  Say.     Kirkwood,  Mo.,  No- 
vember, 1872. 


349 

rarasites.  Hosts. 

Bracon  xanthostigma  Cr ..Botis  penitalis  on  Lotus.    St.  Ijonis,  Mo., 

September  15,  1875. 
Tortricid  gall  on  Goatweed.     Woodburn, 

111.,  August  6,  1872. 
Geleehia  beneficentella  Murtf.  from  bolls  of 
Solanum  cai'olinense.    Washington,  D.  C, 
June  30  to  July  4,  1886. 
GelecMa  cercidos  Murtf.     Kirkwood,  Mo. 
Collected  also  iu  Texas. 

Bracon  n.  sp Trypeta    giiba    Low.    gall    on    Ambrosia. 

La  Fayette,  lud..  May  3,  1889. 

Bracon  gracilarisB  Asbm . Gracilavia  des  mod  tell  a  Chamh.    Kirkwood, 

Mo.,  July  12,  I8ri6. 

Bracon  buccnlatricis  Ashm Bueculatrix  n.  sp.  on  oak.     Kirkwood,  Mo., 

June  10,  lr-86. 

Bracon  xanthonotus  Ashm Pbalienid   pupa  on    Orange.     San  Diego, 

Cal.,  December  18-20,  1876. 

Bracon  n.  sp CUsiocampa    constricia    Str.      Sacramento, 

Cal.,  June  16  and  17,  1882. 

Bracon  n.  sp ProteoterasaisculanaRWay.   Kirkwood,  Mu. 

Bracon  californicus  Riley  MS Cecidomyiid    gall    on    Baccharis  pilularis. 

Alameda,  Cal.,  February  ly,  1886. 

Bracon  cookii  Ashm  Leaf-miner  on  Basswood.     Lansing,  Mich. 

Bracon  notaticeps  Ashm  Tineidleaf-skeletonizeron  Oak.    Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  September  30,  1880. 

Bracon  gelechise  Ashm Gtlechia  sp.  ?  on  Oak.     Washington,  D.  C, 

October  5  and  6,  1880. 
Geleehia  cinerella  Murtf.     Kirkwood,  Mo., 
1881. 

Bracou  n.  sp Geleehia  roseosnffu8ella  Clem.      St.   Louis, 

Mo.,  May,  1«72. 

Bracon  analcidis  Ashm Analcia  fragariw  Riley.       St.   Louis,  Mo., 

September,  1870. 

Bracon  vernoniiecola  Ashm  Dipteron  iu  seeds  of  Vernonia.     Kirkwood, 

Mo.,  September  14,  1881. 

Bracon  vernoniai  Ashm  . Platynota  senta7iaClem.  and  Endemis  botrana 

Schiff.  iu  seed  capsules  of  Vernonia  nove- 
ioracensis.  Washington,  D.  C,  May  IS- 
IS, 1885,  and  St.  Louis.  Mo.,     April  22. 

Bracon  j unci  Ashm Coleophora^  on  Juncus  balticub.    St.  Louis, 

Mo.,  September  18,  1876. 

Bracon  juncicola  Ashm Colenphora  cispilicella  Walsingh.  on  Juncus 

balticus.  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  11, 
1876. 

Bracon  trifolii  Ashm Coleophora  sp.  ?  on  white  clover.    Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  June  30,  1879. 

Bracon  tortricicola  Ashm Tortricid  in  seeds  of  ^»«6;osia<n^rfa.  Kirk- 
wood, Mo.,  April  23,  1885. 

Bracon  euurie  Ashm Galls  of  Euura  on  Salix  californica.  Donor 

P.  O.,  Placer  Co.,  Cal.,  January,  23, 1886. 

Bracon  juglaudis  Ashm Tiueid  ?  larva   in   walnuts.     Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Bracon  pomifoliellsB  Ashm Bueculatrix  pomifoUella.    St.  Louis,  Mo. 

25852— Nos.  11  and  12 -2 


350 

rarasites.  Hoists. 

Bracou  n.  sp Ehysseinatus  UnealicoUis    Say   ou  Asclepias 

corymbosa.  La  Fayette,  lud.,  March  "29, 
1889. 

Biaconu.sp Smivronyx  tycMoides  on   Cuscuta    arvensis. 

Washiugtou,  D.  C,  July  24,  1879. 

Subfamily  Exothecinae. 

Bathystomus  n.sp Joj<rJcid  leaf-roller  on  Oak.     Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Rhysipolis  orcbesitu  Asbm OrcJiesia  caaianea  Melsb.  in  woody  fungus. 

Grand  Ledge,  Micb.,  July  24,  1881. 
Bbysipolispboxopteridis  Riley  MS Phoxopieris    nubecalana    Cleui.    on  Apple. 

Kirkwood,  Mo.,  May  5,  18:^4. 

Subfamily  Spathiinae. 

Spatbius  abdomiualis  Riley  MS   FhUeoslniis  dentaius  Say  on  Cedar.  Saliua, 

Kaus.,  May  23,  1885. 

Spatbius  sequoia)  Asbm Coleopterous  larva  ou  Red  Wood.  Alameda, 

Cal. 

Subfamily  Hecabolinae. 

Casnopbanes  prodoxi  Riley Prodox us  decipiens  RilejonYacca.  St. Louis, 

Mo. 
Ca'uopbanes  bemiptycbi  Riley  MS.  ....^..-ifemyj^^c/tMS     punctatus    Lee.,    in    Grape. 

Elizabetb,  N.  J.,  1880. 

Csnopbanes  koebelei  Riley  MS Prodoxus  cenescens  Riley  on   Yucca.       Los 

Angeles,  Cal.,  June  5  to  9,  1686. 
Prodoxus  n.    sp.  on  Yucca  whipplei.      Los 
Augele.s,  Cal.,  January  6  to  February  10, 
1887. 
Pionuba  n.  sp.  on  Yucca.      Los  Angeles, 

Cal.,  September  15,  1886. 
Prodoxus  marginatus  Riley  on  Yucca  tvhip- 
plei.     Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  May  22,  1886.  . 

Csenopbanes  n.  sp Laverna  n.  sp.  gall-motb  on  Trichostomum- 

dichotoma.    Georgiana,  Fla.,  July  11, 1882. 

Gelechia  gallwastrella  Kellicott  on  Aster  as- 

teroides.  Bladensburgb,  Md.,  July  5, 1883. 

Subfamily  Doryctinae. 

Doryctes  mellipes  Asbm Borer  in  rotten  Cherry- wood.     Kirkwood, 

Mo.,  April  27,  18?8. 

Subfamily  Rhyssalinae. 

Rhyssalus  atricops  Asbm Caca'cia  rosaceana  Harr.  on  Apple.  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  July  1,1882,  and  August 
15,  1886. 

Rhyssalus  loxotaeniiX)  Asbm Loxotaenia  cltmensiana  Fernakl  on  wheat. 

La  Fayette,  Ind.,  June  3,  1885. 


351 

Parasites.  Hosts. 

Rhyssalus  u.  sp Sarrothripa    rewaijana    Diip.     on    willow, 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  22,  1886. 

Rhyssalus  selanflriie  Ashm Eriocampa  cerasi^  Peck.     Washington,  D 

C,  July  5,  1H79. 

Ryhssalus  autispila^  Ashui Antispila   ampelopsiella    Cham,  on   Grape 

Kirkwood,  Mo. 

Rhyssalus  triliueatus  Ashm Coleophora  caryaifolidla  Chamb.  on  Hick 

cry.     Washington,  D.  C,  May  5,  1883. 

Rhyssalus  oscinidis  A  hni Oscinis  sp.  ?  on  Plantago  major.     Washin 

ton,  d'  C,  July  6  to  9,  1888. 

Rhyssalus  californicus  Ashm  . GixW  oi  Holcaspis  chrysolepsis  Ashm.  on  Q 

chrysolepis.     Colfax,  Cal.,  December  19 
1885. 

Rhyssalus  gallicola  As  am Gall  of  Amphibolips  trizonata  Ashm.  on  Oak 

Fort  Grant,  Ariz.,  June  21  and  23,  1882. 

Gall  of  Compsodvyoxenus  brunneus  Ashm.  on 

Oak.     Fort  Grant,  Ariz.,  April  27,  1882. 

Gall  of  Callirhytes  vacciniifoliil   Ashm.  on 

Oak.     Fort  Grant,  Ariz.,  April  21,  1882. 

Colastes  microrhopalse  Riley  MS MicrorhopalavittataY&h.  on  diiferent  spe- 
cies of  Solidago.  Washington,  D.  C, 
June  21,  1884. 

fColastes Gossyparia  ulmi  Geoffr.     Rye,  N.  Y.,  June 

23,  1884. 

Oncophanes  melleus  Ashm Microlepidopterous  ?  larva  on  Oak.  Kirk- 
wood, Mo.,  August  24,  1884. 

Subfamily  Rhogadinae. 

Heterogamus  fuinipennis  Cr Sphinx  drupiferarum  f  Abb.  on   Apple.   St. 

Louis,  Mo.,  May  10,  1868. 
Smerinthus  juglandis.  Abb.     St.  Louis,  Mo., 
July  15,  1873. 

Heterogamus  texanrs  Cr Cei-atomiaamyntorlih.l  on  Elm.     Lansing, 

Mich.,  June  18,  1887. 

Rhogas  terrainalis  Cr Leacania  unipuncta  Haw.     St.  Louis,  Mo., 

Jnne  12, 1876. 
Pcedisca  n.  sp.  gall  moth  on  Solidago  lan- 

ceolata.     Washington.     D.  C. 
Nephelodes  violatts  Guen. 

Rhogas  n.  sp   Scopelosoma  sidusl  Guen.     Washington,  D. 

C,  June  17,  1884. 

Rhogas  lajtus  Cress Acronycta  dactyUna  Grt.  on  Alder.    Ottawa, 

Can.,  August  1888. 
Apparently  same  species    found   at  West 
Cliff,  Colo.,  collected  also  in  Texas. 

Rhogas  harrisincE  Ashm Procris  {Harrisina')  americana  Harr.  Jack- 
sonville, Fla.,  October  9, 1879,  and  Kirk- 
wood, Mo.,  October  18,  1881. 

Rhogas  geometra;  Ashm Geometrid  larva.     St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Rhogas  burrus  Cress Acronycta   hasta  Guen.   on   Wild   Cherry. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  July  16,  1872. 
Acronycta  lobeliw  Guen.  on  Oak.     St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  February  1,  1874. 


352 

Parasites.  Hosts. 

Rhogas  rileyi  Cress Acronycta  oblinita  S.-A.   on   Willow.     St. 

Louis,  Mo.,  April,  186«,  and  La  Fayette, 
lud. 
Ntphelodesviolana  Guen.     Ames,  Iowa,  June 
11,  1887. 

Rhogas  platypterygis  Ashri Platypteryx  arciiata  Walk,  on  Alnua  serru- 

lata.      Washington,  D.    C,  October  23, 
1883. 

Rhogas  nolaphanae  Ashm Nolophana  malana   Grt.     St.    Louis,    Mo., 

November  3,  1870. 

Rhogas  simillimus  Ashm Geometrid   on  Pine.     Holderness,  N.    H., 

September  8,  1883. 

Rhogas  desmiaj  Ashm Desmia   maculalisf  Westw.      Cadet,    Mo., 

June  17,  1886. 

Rhogas  canadensis  Cr Clostera  inclusa  Hb.     Washington,  D.  C, 

September  12,  1882. 
Rhogas  cerurae  Ashm . .  ^ Cerura  sp.  ?  ou  Willow.  Napa  County,  Cali- 
fornia, August,  1887. 

Rhogas  melleus  Cr Aplodes  suhrifroniaria    Pack,    on   Eupato- 

rium.     St.  Louis,  Mo.,  1871. 
Eucrostis  zelleraria   Pack,   on    Chrysanthe- 
mum.    St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October,  1871. 
Aplodes  riibivora  Riley  ou  Ageratum.     St. 

Louis,  Mo.,  April  10, 1881. 
Clostera  americana  Harr.     St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Rhogas  intermedins  Cr Acronyda  dactylina  Gr.  ou  Alnus  iucaiia. 

Holderness,  N.  H.,  September  27  to  Octo- 
ber 5, 1883. 
Acronycta  oblinita  S.-A.     Oxford,  Ind.,  Au- 
gust 2,  1884.     Washington,  D.  C,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1880. 
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  Cheloninae, 

Phanerotoma  tibialis  Hald Grapholitha  caryana  Fitch.     Hickory-nuts. 

Kirkwood,  Mo.,  April  5,  1873. 

SphiBropyx  bicolor  Cr Arctiid  ?     Washington,  D.  C,  July  8,  1878. 

Chelonus  iridescens  Cr Phycid  on  Aphyllon  tuberosum.     San  Diego, 

Cal.,  June  27,  1887. 
Chelonus  lavernse  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  Prov Lepid.  gall  on  Ceanothus  cureaius.     Colton, 

Cal.,  June  18,  1887. 


353 

Parasites.  Hosts, 

Chelonus  parvus  Say   Cecidomyia  s.-sirobiloides  Walsh.    Pahreah, 

Utah. 
Chelonns  nanus  Prov Ntimatus  gall  on  Willow.      Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Subfamily  Sigalphinae, 

Sigalphus  curculionis  Fitch Conotrachelus  nenuphar  Hbst.     St.  Louis, 

Mo.,  June  15  to  July  21,  1870. 
Borer  in  stalk  o{ Ambrosia.     St.  Louis,  Mo., 

May  4,  1873. 
Sigalpbus  copturi  Riley  MS Copturus  longulus  Lee.    Washington,  D.  C. 

June  2,  1883. 
Sigalphus  nigripes  Riley  MS Andricus  coxii  Bass.      Fort   Grant,  Ariz., 

July  27,  1883. 
Schizopryninus  texanus  Cr Trypeta  soUdaginis  Fitch  on  S.  canadensis. 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  20,  1880. 
Trypeta  gall  on  Solidago.    Utah  ?    1881. 

(To  be  continued.) 


ANTHRAX  PARASITIC  ON  CUT-WORMS. 

Four  perfect  bee-flies  (family  Bomhyliidce)  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  pupae  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  larvfe,  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.  Vau  Dyke,  of  this  city,  who  is  au  enthusiastic  young  collector  of  in- 
sects, informs  me  that  on  one  occasion  he  placed  a  Lepidopterous  chrysalis  in  a  bos 
by  itself,  and  that  when  next  examined  this  box  contained  a  Dipterous  pupas  ;  the 
Lepidopterous  chrysalis  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.  Vau  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  Loew,  one  of  the  commonest  Bombyliids 
found  in  this  State  and  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  common  Anthrax  fiava  of 
Europe.  The  pupa  very  closely  resembles  that  of  Aphoebantus  mus  O.  S.,  figured  at  5, 
oa  and  5b,  Plate  XVI,  of  the  Second  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Entomological  Commission. 
On  either  side  of  the  last  segment  are  three  short  teeth,  and  on  the  under  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. 


354 

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  pupa?  of 
Lepidoptera,  especially  Noctuje.  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  Hymeuopterous  parasitism  ;  but  Zetterstedt 
in  the  Diptera  Scaudinavite,  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  larva3  of  Lepi- 
doptera. Walker  in  1851  makes  the  same  statement  in  the  Insecta  Bri- 
tannica,  that  some  of  the  species  are  parasitic  in  Lepidopterous  larvse. 
In  the  second  report  of  the  D.  S.  Entomological  Commission,  p.  266,  we 
have  referred  to  Schiner's  statement  (as  quoted  by  Osten  Sacken)  that 
the  larvae  of  the  very  nearly  allied  genus  Argyramceba  were  parasitic  in 
Lepidopterous  pupjc,  which  fact  has  also  been  referred  to  by  late  Ger- 
man writers  {Entomologische  J^fachrichten,  18<S5,  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  Nocture.  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." 


Fig.  67.— Anthrax  hypomelas:  a,  larva  from  side; 
lia;  c,  pupa;  d,  iinago— all  enlarged  (original). 


6,  pupal  skin  protruding  from  cut- worm  cbrysa- 


355 


MOUNTAIN  SWARMING  OF  VANESSA  CALIFORNICA. 

By  C.  L.  Hopkins. 

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  caUfornica)  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 
Oamp,"  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  tdl 
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  life  were  seen  in  the  shape  of  '"  snow- 
fleas,"  two  or  three  large-winged  grasshoppers,  and,  occasionally  at 
first,  a  butterfly.  The  last  two  were  stiffened  by  the  cold  as  if  they  were 
there  from  the  day  previous.  The  latter  insect  increased  much  in  num- 
bers as  we  ascended,  and  were  many  of  them  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  about  a  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. 
ing  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  five  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,  iu  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  »:hem  between  the  leaves  of  a  note-book ;  in  this  way  some  were 
kei)t  for  identification.  A  gentleman  whom  I  met  a  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  1  am  indebted  for  the  specimens  and  facts 
upon  which  this  notice  is  based  tells  me  that  within  the  last  five  years, 
and  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,  ev^erything  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 
wliich  were  quite  a  number  of  small  flies,  later  determined  by  Professor 
Riley  as  belonging  in  or  near  the  genus  Gonicera,  numerous  pupse  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  37°  Fah.  The  coffin  was  of  wood 
and  of  the  best  modern  manufacture,  being  practically  airtight  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  api)earance  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  bythedoctor  mov- 
ing about  over  the  corpse,  and  living  larvae  were  noticed  in  the  flesh, 
while  the  whole  exposed  surface  of  the  body  was  quite  thickly  covered 
with  pupte,- 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  larvae  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  larvae  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  "  Laneet,^^  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  vermiu-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  bj"  Dr.  Peters. 
That  adults  or  larv;^  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  freezin":  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  coequal  with  that  existing  outside,  viz,  28°  to  37° 
Fah.,  the  single  door  communicating  witli  other  parts  of  the  house 
being  kept  closed  as  continuously  as  circumstances  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  sh'ould  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,  I  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  ajoiuing  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. 


359 


ADDITIONAL  NOTE  ON  SPIDER-EGG  PARASITES. 

By  L.  O.  Howard. 

Bm  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  searcli  has  revealed  that  he  is  correct.  A  number  of 
female  specimens  have  been  found  in  a  vial  labeled  in  Mr.  Emerton's 
handwriting,  "  Parasites  on  spider's  eggs  in  orange  cocoon,  collected 
1871." 

In  reference  to  this  same  species,  Mr.  W.  Hague  Harrington  has 
written  to  Professor  Kiley  as  follows  : 

With  refereuce  to  tlie  (lescri])tion  and  excellent  figure  of  Bceus  americanus  in  the  last 
Dumber  (p.  270)  of  Insect  Life,  may  I  mention  that  Provaucher  has  described  a  spe- 
cies of  this  genus  (Additions  et  Corrections  a  la  Faune  Hymenopterologique  de  la 
Province  de  Quebec,  p.  209,  25  June,  1887)  as  a  Chalcid,  under  the  name  Trichasius 
vlavalus.  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.  Theanteuual  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  Provau- 
cher. He  would  hardly  look  for  a  Bceus  among  the  Chalcididse.  The  type,  which  is 
in  my  possession,  seems  to  dift'er  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. 

I  am  greatly  obliged  to  Mr.  Harrington,  for  this  note  and  comparison 
of  Abbe  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  Bceus  clavatus  (Prov.). 

AcoLOiDES  SATTiDis. — 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.j  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,  uearly  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,  .5™"".  Body  pale  yellowish  white 
with  black  spots,  arranged  nmcii  as  the  warts  of  the  Arctiinse,  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, 
gmm.  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  reMish  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  W™'". 

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"™. 

Fifth  larval  stage. — Mature  larva.  Head  round,  orange  red,  paler  above  the  mouth. 
Palpi  whitish;  eyes  and  jaws  dark  brown;  a  few  hairs.  Width  of  head  2™™,  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  (fi)  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 
a  band.  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  antenuiB  cases  ;  two  large  and  three 
or  four  small  streaks  on  the  wing-cases  ;  abdominal  segments  have  a  transverse  baud 
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  odoruni.  Larvae  from  Dade  County,  Fla.,  on  the 
ocean  side  of  Lake  Worth. 


361 

Scepsis  edwardsii  Grote. 

Egg.—Vtohahly  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.— Hei^d  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.-Uead  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 
scanty.     Length  of  larva,  4""".  „r- i.i. 

Third  larval  stage.-Uead  shiny  pale  yellow,  eyes  black,  mouth  whitish.  Width, 
.7""".  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,  f),  8,  11,  and  13  black,  the  rest 
whitish  ;  a  white  subdorsal  line.    The  hairs  are  long,  white,  and  black.     Length  of 

larva,  5°!™.  ,       v. 

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. 

Fi/i/i  larval  smae.— 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'gniatal,  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  ou  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  vellowish  tinged  with  orange.  Width  of  head,  2.2™"'.  Length  of  larva,  20«"°. 
Ei^giith  larval  stage.— Matnve  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  joints  3  and  4.  Joint 
13  has  the  upper  waits  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,  is  a  faint  orange  patch,  the  brightest  being  ou  joint  12.  Posteriorly  on  joint 
4  across  the  subdorsal  space,  is  a  pinkish  white  band  with  a  dark  border  anteriorly, 
and  ou  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  (secoud  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.-Spnu  on  anv  flat  surface  without  covering.  It  is  made  of  silk  and  the 
larval  hairs  which  are  laid  more  roughly  at  the  point  at  which  the  imago  will  emerge. 
The  whole  of  the  uuder  side  is  fastened  to  the  supporting  surface. 


362 

Pupa. — Cylindrical,  flattened  a  little  iu  front,  the  dorsum  very  slightly  depressed 
behind  the  thorax.  Abdominal  segments  withont  motion.  Body  punctnred  and  wing 
cases  creased,  but  slightly.  Cremaster  covered  by  a  bundle  of  short  hooks  and  sur- 
rounded by  similar  hooks  on  the  last  segment,  which  also  exteud  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  ihree  days,  except  the  last  two,  which  were  longer.     Pupa,  14  days. 

Food-plant.— ThQ  rubber  tree,  Ficus  pedmctilata.    Larva  from  Dade  County,  Fla. 


THE  TULIP  TREE  LEAF  GALL  FLY. 

Di2)Josis  Uriodendii  O.  S. 

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  longtime  iu  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  came  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  Butomology.  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  siuce  remained  un- 
published iu  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  tallpifera).  These  spots,  about  two-teuths  or  three-tenths  of  an  inch 
in  diameter,  indicate  the  presence  inside  of  the  leaf  of  a  leaf  mining  larva  of  Cecido- 
myia.     *-     *     * 

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  couuted  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  single  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 
larvte  dropping  to  the  ground  in  September  and  hibernating  as  pupte. 

Our  notes  indicate  that  there  ate  also  three  broods  at  Washington  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  anteiina3  are  also  14-jointed  instead  of  "apparently  13- 
jointed."  flis  implied  criticism  of  Loew,  however,  to  the  effect  that  the 
male  antenn;ie  are  14  jointed  instead  of  26-jointed,  is  probably  correct, 
as  in  the  antennce  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  S()ring  plowing  and  rolling  suggested 
by  Mr.  Jack  will  probably  greatly  reduce  the  numbers  of  the  pest. 


AN  EXPERIMENT  WITH  COCCINELLID^  IN  THE  CONSERVATORY. 

By  F.  M.  Webster. 

The  extent  to  which  the  various  species  of  Aphididce  and  Coccidcv  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  "Greenfly"  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  si)ecies  of  Coccinellidie  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  A])hids, 
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  Coccinellidae  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  experimeiit  began  July  26,  by  transferring  fifty  adults  of  C.  9- 
nofata  from  the  fields  to  the  conservatory,  September  2i  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. 
Vd  punctaia.  October  1,  thirty-four  more  were  placed  as  the  others  had 
been,  these  being  nearly  all  9-notata,  and  were  mating  at  the  time.  On 
October  15.  many  young  larvte  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  larvpe,  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  larvae  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  hivul- 
nerus  Muls.  was  selected.  A  couple  of  white  spruce  trees  Abies  alba, 
on  the  campus  of  Purdue  University,  became  thickly  infested  by  Myti- 
laspis  pinifolice*  which,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  attracted  myriads  of 
the  Lady  beetle. 

On  October  22,  several  hundred  of  these  beetles  were  transferred  from 
the  spruce  to  another  compartment  of  the  same  conservatory,  devoted 
exclusively  to  tropical  and  subtropical  plants,  ferns,  etc.,  upon  which  were 
large  numbers  of  Coccidce.  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.  Not  a  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  Coccinellidte  in  our  conservatories. 

*I  may  perhaps  be  pardoned  for  stepping  aside  from  the  tenor  of  this  notice  iu 
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.  Howard. 

In  the  Transactious  of  the  Eatoraological  Society  of  London  for  1862 
(p.  373)  Mr.  Walker  described  an  anomalous  genus  of  Chalcididse  uuder 
the  name  of  Axinia,  from  specimens  collected  by  Mr.  Bates,  at  St. 
Paul,  Brazil,  the  sole  species  receiving  the  name  Axima  spinifrons. 
Walker  recognized  in  this  genus  affinities  with  the  Chalcidinae,  Eury- 
tomiufe,  and  Eucharinte,  and  also  with  certain  exotic  genera  which 
connect  the  Pteromalinae  with  the  Oleouyminse. 


Fig.  68.— Axima  zabriskiei— Female,  from  above— enlarged  (original). 

In  July,  1884,  Cameron,  in  the  Biologia  Geritmli- Americana,  erected 
upon  this  genus  the  subfamily  Aximince  and  added  the  Central  Ameri- 
can genus  Hontalia.  He  recognized  its  relationships  with  the  Chal- 
cidinfe  and  Eurytomiute.  Hontalia,  however,  differs  from  Axima  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  Axima  among  some  South  American  Chalcididte  collected 
principally  along  the  Amazon  by  Mr.  Herbert  Smith,  and  which,  as  a 
transition  form,  convinced  him  that  Axima  really  belongs  to  the  Eury- 
tomince. 

I  had  previously  reached  a  nearly  similar  conclusion  from  examina- 
tion of  the  true  species  of  Axima,  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  antenuic  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  to 
condemn  the  subfamilv  Aximince. 


kiei. — Female,  side  view— enlar^ieil  (orijiinal). 


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  l."^87  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, ''  Larvse  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  duplal  Larva  of  Axima  has  six  or  more 
strong  dorsal  tubercles  aud  bead  of  pupa  is  strougly  tuberculate. 

Mr.  Zabriskie  on  three  occasions  reared  quite  a  large  series  of  the 
species  about  to  be  described  from  nests  of  Ceratina  ditpla,  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), 
atNyack,  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,  aud  from  them  the 
accompanying  figures  and  descriptions  have  been  made. 

Axima  zabriskiei  u.  sp. 

Female. — Length  6"™.  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  ditferent  planes;  metanotum 
rugose,  with  a  few  irregular  longitudinal  carinae  ;  pronotum  with  a  faint  median 
tubercle.     Petiole  of  abdomen  as  long  as  metanotum,  very  iinely   shagreened  and 


367 

irregularly  aud  faintly  carinate.  Abdomeu  smooth,  shiny,  with  patches  of  fine  pubes- 
cence ;  a  rounded  patch  on  sides  of  fourth  segment,  and  fifth  and  sixth  segments  al- 
most entirely  covered.  Fimbria  of  the  metanotal  callus  quite  long  aud  white,  and  a 
row  ofrather  long  soft  white  hairs  on  outer  margin  ofhindcoxse.  General  color  black, 
with  rather  indefinite  ferruginous  markings  ;  all  over  the  thorax  the  black  is  so  in- 
definitely blended  with  ferrugiuous  as  to  make  it  impossible  to  define  color  areas ;  the 
ferruginous  is  more  marked,  however,  on  the  sides  of  the  pronotum  aud  mesoscutum; 
autenu£e  black,  scape  reddish  at  base ;  all  coxte  black  and  punctate  ;  all  trochanters 
dark  honey  yellow  ;  all  femora  and  tibite  black  in  middle,  dark  houey  yellow  at  tips ; 
all  tarsi  honey  yellow ;  abdomen  ferrugiuous  at  base  below.  Wings  narrow,  short, 
reaching  when  closed  only  to  middle  of  fifth  abdominal  segment,  perfectly  hyaline, 
veins  very  dark  brown. 


Fig.  70. — Axima  zabriskiei. — Male,  side  view— enlarged  (original. ) 

Male. — Differs  only  in  the  antenme  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  Geratma  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  aud  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  Mi/tilasins  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  auraniii.  He  also  stated  that  next  to  M.  citricola,  Mytilaspis 
gloverii  is  the  next  most  common  species,  and  next  to  this  is  Ceroplastes  fioridensis. 
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  it  is  injurious.  I  would  also  be  glad  to  learn  to  what  extent  the 
Six-spotted  Mite,  which  you  recently  described  as  the  TvtranychuaQmaculatus,  injures 


368 

orauge  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  Myiilaspis  than  others,  aud  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 
hid  opinion  by  consulting  his  work.  My  own  experience,  in  a  broad  way,  from  personal 
observation,  maybe  summarized  thus:  The  three  most  injurious  species  in  Florida  are: 
M.  citricola,  M.  gloverii,  and  Parlaioria  pergandei.  None  ot  these  insects  are  as  inju- 
rious in  Florida  as  either  Icerya  or  the  California  Red-scale,  or  the  San  Jos6  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  ameuable  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  doue  by  the  6-spotted  mite.  I  am  very  glad  to 
learn  that  Vedalia  so  well  survived  the  winter  out  of  doors. — [April  16,  1890.] 

A  Palm  leaf  Scale  in  Trinidad. 

I  inclose  a  piece  of  palm-leaf  of  rrilohardia  fibifera,  which  is  very  badly  infested  by 
a  scale  insect  of  the  genus  Mytilaspis,  so  far  as  I  am  able  to  make  out.  The  palms 
were  obtained  from  the  botanic  gardens  in  Trinidad,  and  this  insect  is  only  to  be 
found  oh  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  f  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. 

Reply. — 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, /sc/twas- 
pisfiliforinis,  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-day  I  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. 

Keply. — I  have  your  favor  of  the  11th  instant  and  the  accompanying  specimen  of  a 
beetle  which  you  found  in  cigarettes.  This  is  Laaiodervia  aerricorne  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  Life,  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,  Kaleigh,  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  larvae  in  these  instances  were  in 
the  wood  before  it  was  used  m  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  frame,  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  well  as  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  ia  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  difterent  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  ou  the  leaves  from  the  ujjjjer  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  Illiger.  We  would  recommend  dust- 
ing with  air-slaked  lime.  It  is  diflScult  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  ?  What  are  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  Lecanium 
hesperidum  was  discovered  by  Monsieur  R.  Moniez,  who  published  a  description  thereof 
and  an  account  of  its  development  in  the  Comptes  Bendus  des  Stances  de  I'Acadeviie 
Frcmfaise,  February  14,  1887,  page  449.  Various  longer  and  shorter  abstracts  of  this 
article  have  been  published  in  several  periodicals,  e.  g.  in  the  EntoviologisVs  Monthly 
Magazine,  "Volume  XXIV,  1387,  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  antennae, 
legs,  and  with  a  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  larvae.    The  material  was  given  me 


371 

after  standing  in  water  for  a  couple  of  days,  and  therefore  is  in  poor  condition.  When 
exhumed,  both  coffin  and  case coutainiugitwerein perfect  condition,  and  the  soil  was 
a  stifiFblue  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  larvse  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. 

Reply. — 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 
PhoridiB,  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.  M^gnin,  in  "La  faune  des  tombeaux  "  (Comptes  rendus  de  I'Ac.  des  Sciences,  v. 
105,  No.  20,  Nov.  14,  1887,  pp.  348-351)  gives  a  summary  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,  CalUphora  vomitoria,  Cyrtoneura  staiulans,  Phora(Trin- 
eura)  aterrima,  Anthomyia  st^).;  Coleoptera,  Bhizophagua  parallelocollis ;  Thysanuridse, 
Achorutes  armatus,  Templetonia  nihda  ;  Myriapods,  Julus  si>. 

The  two  first  named  Diptera  cease  to  ^ork  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  Ehizopliagus  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  pupse  of  the  Trineura  aterrima,  and  the  larvie  of  Ehizophagus  have 
also  been  found  in  large  numbers.  The  eggs  of  both  insects  are  deposited  on  the 
ground,  and  M6gnin  concludes  that  these  larvae  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  Ehizophagus  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- 
cally air-tight,  constructed  of  white  wood,  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 
l^  grains  arsenic.     Larvae,  pupae,  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  larvae  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  larvae  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  ri03,i8  an 
extract  from  "  Lancet,"  August '23,  185J,  page  231,  in  which  the  statement  is  made  that 
"  one  hundred  and  hfty  pheasants  were  poisoned  from  eating  the  maggots  generated 
in  some  animals  destroyed  by  a  strychnia  vermin-killer.  "  I  do  not  know  whether  to 
believe  this  or  not.  If  we  have  a  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  oS"ered  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  difterent  stages  with  the  material  you  have? — [  F.  M.  Webster,  La  Fayette,  Ind., 
February  12,  1890. 

Keply. — 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  larvse  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  conkl  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  larvie  are  very  tenacious  of  life  and  very  little  aS"ected  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.  Ptiuid  larvae 
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,  Lack- 
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  forui  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 

80  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  expos^  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  (18.')3),  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  of  a 
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 
soou  exhibit  a  decided  fondness  for  this  grub,  literal  and  pure. 

Linne,  my  little  son,  without  any  definite  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  years  ago.  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  larvae. 

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. I  am  not  so  sure  but  wild  cauiues,  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  larvae  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  larvae  of  all  ages 
can  be  found  in  the  ground  at  any  given  time.     We  are  not  prepared  to  say  that  these 


374 

are  bard  and  fast  rules  for  even  this  one  locality,  and  we  sliould  certainly  expect  a 
variatiou  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  t>n  Cranberry  in  'Wisconsin. 

I  wish  to  call  your  attention  again  to  sonoe  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,  1^  inches  long,  provided  with  feelers  or  horns.  On  his  back  there  was  a  tuft 
of  fnr  or  hair,  resembling  the  hiamp  on  a  camel.  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  Arcti a,  and  said  that  it  is  an  enemy  of  the  cranberry.  In  the  interest  of  the 
Wisconsin  Cranberry  Growers'  Association  1  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  oil  on  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  yon 
oould  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  larvae 
attain  full  growth  by  fall,  hibernate  in  a  web,  transform  to  pupa?  in  the  spring  and 
issue  as  moths  in  early  summer.  The  larvie  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  larvfe,  moths  of  which  emerge  in  August.  Most  of  the  larvae  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  aud  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. 1 

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.  Shafler,  Keokuk,  Iowa. 

Reply. — I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  19th  instant,  with  speci- 
men of  an  animal  found  in  a  well.  This  is  the  little  crustacean  described  by  Packard 
as  Ccecidotea  stygia  and  which  has  been  found  in  Mammoth  and  other  caves,  in  the 
little  pools  of  clear  cold  water  which  abound  in  such  locations.  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  ^iaXk-hovex  {Gortyna  nilela  Qn&n).  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  fiowering  plants  which  are  commonly  grown  in  gardens.  By 
way  of  compensation  it  is  particularly  partial  to  thestem  of  the  Cockle  Bur  (Xan^/iittm 
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  result  in  any  practical 
results,  consists  in  cutting  the  larvae  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  labor  of  boys  could  be  readily 
utilized  in  this  work.  It  has  been  previously  recorded  as  damaging  corn,  but  1  think 
never  to  the  extent  which  you  describe. 

Another  letter.— As  you  request,  I  to-day  send  you  a  bos  containing  a  larva  of  the 
corn-stalk  borer,  marked  No.  1,  and  three  larvae  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  Ist  of  June,  I  killed 
about  fifty  worms,  and  many  more  at  other  times.  In  1884 1  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  ^  inch  to  I  inch  long,  and  are  easily  killed 
by  pulling  the  infested  stalks  up  and  crushing  them.— [Thomas  Wikessell,  Wauseon, 
Ohio. 


376 

Reply.— The  Corn-stalk  Borer  (No.  1)  and  the  Rag  Weed  Borer  (No.  2)  are  both 
larv.e  of  Gortyna  nitela  as  I  supposed  from  your  letter  of  the  27th  ult.  Achatodes  zece 
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  in  a  number  of  other  cultivated  plants  and  large-stemmed  annual  weeds. 
No  other  remedy  has  been  suggested  than  cutting  them  out  of  the  stalks  which  they 
infest,  by  hand,  and  this  of  course  would  bo  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  thelarvsB  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  a  remedy  if  you 
know  of  any  to  avoid  it. — [J.  H.  von  Hasselu,  Anderson,  S.  C. 

Reply. — The  insect  of  which  you  speak  is  in  all  probability  the  Melon  Worm  of  the 
South  {fhakellura  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. 

Cut-worms  and  Carnations. 

I  send  you  by  this  mail  some  larv?e  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  oi  Agrotis 
saucla)  audit  is  altogether  likely  that  it  is  responsible  for  the  damage  to  carnationa 
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  fgr  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.  The  hairy  slug  defoliates  beau  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  tlie  only  genus  of  the  CoccinellidiB  or  "  Lady-birds" 
■which  is  plant-feeding  in  its  habits.  It  is  Epilachna  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  as  I  am.  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  fall  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  188.5  the  Elm  trees  were  wretchedly  stripped,  and  last  August,  as 
early  as  the  6th,  these  beetles  came  to  the  house  in  swarms.  The  hoube  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  eftbrt  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.  S.  Onderdouk,  Great  Neck,  Long  Island,  N.  Y. 

Reply. — The  account  which  you  give  of  the  great  numbers  in  which  the  Elm  Leaf- 
beetle  infests  your  house  is  very  interesting,  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  can  offer 
you  no  encouragement  in  regard  to  any  remedy  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  2l8t  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  Life  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 
a  risk  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  fiacks,  after  which  the  sacks  were  opened 
and  the  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  nse,  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  Lestophoni.  These  two  muslin  sacks  I 
kept  inside  the  tent.  The  contents  of  some  of  the  tin  boxes  which  were  in  worse 
condition  I  put  in  a  paper  bag,  pinned  it  shut  aud  kept  it  in  my  room  ;  nothing  but 
Chalcids  have  appeared  in  this  bag,  aud  all  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,  18b9. 


GENERAL   NOTES. 

BOILING  WATER  FOR   PEACH   BORER. 

Mr.  John  B.  Haas,  iu  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  for  a  depth  of  3  or  4 
inches,  making  a  trench  from  3  to  6  inches  in  width,  aud  poured  a  buck- 
etful of  water,  boiling  hot,  all  around  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  allowing  it 
to  remain  iu  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  Auzieger,"  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  "id;ie"  termination  instead  of  the  "inse."  He 
therefore  gives  as  the  four  families  of  the  suborder  Phytophthires  :  (1) 
Coccidae;  (2)  Phylloxeridie :  (3)  Aphidse;  (4)  Psyllidse. 

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  Emphytus  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  a  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  8uggested>the  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 
ijuch  trips,  and  it  is  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  olece)  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 
l)robably  an  instance  of  albinism,  and  the  tirst  one  of  the  kind  which 
has  ever  come  to  our  notice  among  the  Coccidse. 

A  RARE   SPHINGID. 

We  have  just  received  for  the  Natioual  Museum  collection  from  Mr. 
W.  Gr.  Henry,  of  the  U.  S.  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  a  specimen  of 
the  female  of  the  rare  PseudospJiinx  tetrio.  Mr.  Henry  gives  us  an  inter- 
esting account  of  its  capture,  which  we  may  quote : 

The  insect  referred  to  was  captured  at  sea,  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  aid  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.  For  a  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,  aud  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.  No  other  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  a  recent  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  larvae 
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  no  mention  of  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  or  two.  If  introduced 
here,  I  consider  it  likely  to  be  as  destructive  as  the  codlin  moth,  and  one  equally  as 
difficult  to  eradicate  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  c6pages  into  the  vineyards.  Many  people  in 
France  and  other  countries  have  been  inclined  to  regard  the  graftingof  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 


381 

opened  on  the  subject,  and  a  few  days  later  the  Syndicat  du^  Comvierve  des  Vins  de 
Champagne  de  Reims  drew  up  au  important  document,  in  which  its  views  as  to  Ameri- 
can plants  wt^re  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 
and  propagators  par  exctllence  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  docunieut  have  been  sent 
to  the  mayors  of  the  seventy-nine  communes  of  tbe  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  go  a  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  (Japsidse,  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,  etc.,  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  Jose  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  tr.es,  and  no  effective  new  parasites  of  the  Red, 
Black,  or  San  Jose  scales  have  been  discovered.  The  parasite  of  the 
Black  scale,  discovered  by  Professor  Comstock  in  1880  {DilopJiogaster 
■californica  Howard),  was  at  that  date  considered  by  him  a  very  effective 
«nemy  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.  (Tooiato  worm). — Well  known  as  destructive 
to  the  foliage  of  both  potato  and  tomato,  but  was  last  autumn  observed 
eatiug  into  the  fruit  ot  the  tomato,  six  individual  tomatoes  in  one  in- 
stance being  destroj'ed  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. 

Baremma  cataljxe  Bd.  (Catal]>a  Sphinx). — Besides  being  exceedingly 
•  abundant,  and  the  larv.ne  very  destructive  to  young  Catalpa  trees  in 
southern  Indiana,  I  have  found  the  larvae  also  defoliating  trees  in  the 
forests  of  Arkansas  in  May.  Mr.  John  B.  Smith,  in  his  recent  mono- 
graph of  the  Sphingidie,*  does  not  include  territory  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi River  as  within  the  distribution  of  this  species. 

S2)ilosoma  virginicaFahr.  (Yellow  Woolly-bear). — The  caterpillar  was 
observed  eating  holes  in  ripe  muskmelons  at  La  Faj^ette,  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  Asdepias  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. 

Proflenia  lineatella  Harv. — Nearly  full  grown  lar-vte  observed  at  La 
Fayette,  Ind.,  October  29,  18.S8. 

Scoliopteryx  Uhatrix  L. — Adult  moths  reared  at  La  Fayette,  Ind., 
September  24.  Parasite,  Ophion  purgatum  Say,  emerged  from  pupte  of 
this  species  October  29. 

Aletia  xylina  Say  (Cotton  worm). — Adults  captured  in  a  large  field  of 
led  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. 

Plutelia  cruciferarum  Zeller  (Cabbage  Plutella). — This  pest  of  the 
cabbage  appeared  in  some  of  the  market  gardens  about  La  Fayette, 
Ind.,  duiing  May,  1889,  and  did  serious  injury.  The  moths  emerged 
in  great  abundance  late  in  May,  and  about  the  10th  of  June  there  ap- 
peare«l  great  numbers  of  parasites — Phccogenes  discus  Cress. 

W'Usonia  brevivittella  Clem. — Adults  of  this  species  were  reared  from 
seed  pods  of  Evening  Primrose,  Oenothera  biennis  L.  The  larvte  depre- 
date upon  the  seed  pods  much  as  those  of  Pronuha  yiiccasella  Kiley  do 
in  the  seed  pods  of  the  Yucca.  The  larvie  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. 

*TraDs.  Aui.  Eut.  Soc,  Vol.  XV,  p.  '205. 


883 

Callosamia  promethea  Drury. — The  larvse  of  this  species  was  very 
abuudaut  duriug  the  season  of  1889,  and  the  cocoous  were  to  be  found 
on  wiki  cherry  and  sassafras  in  great  numbers.  Examination  of  these 
cocoons  in  March,  1890,  developed  the  fact  that  fully  two-thirds  of  tliem 
had  been  parasitized  by  Ophion  macrurum  Linn. 

Agroiis  herilis  Grote  (Western  Striped  Cut-worm). — In  company  with 
other  cut-worms,  this  species  is  supposed  to  descend  into  the  earth  iu 
the  fall  for  the  purpose  of  hibernating.  The  winter  of  1889-'90,  how- 
ever, proved  an  exception,  and  the  larvae,  usually  about  one-fourth  to 
one-third  grown,  were  observed  on  warm,  sunny  days  during  the  entire 
winter  leeding  above  ground  upon  young  wheat  in  the  field,  and  also 
apou  grass  in  meadows  and  other  grass  lands. 

Hadena  stipata  Morr. — On  page  134,  Volume  II,  Insect  Life,  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,  lud.,  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  Walk. — 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  afoot-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 


V       .,   ۥ 


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  groivn  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  AucMand.  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  i)arts,  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  uncheclced.  I  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  to  increase.  The  fact  is  I  feel  sure  he  has  sent  them  the  icrong 
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)  leery  a  returning  every  where  and 
not  a  trace  of  Vedalia;  in  many  jjlaces,  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  care  of  Vedalia  and  conserve  a  few  colonies; 
the  reason  is  very  obvious.  *  *  *  — [R.  Allan  Wight,  Paeroa,  Auck- 
land, New  Zealand,  March  15,  1890. 

THE  PHYLLOXERA  IN  NEW  ZEALAND. 

*  *  *  I  am  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  rastatrix,  of  which  a 


385 

fine  specimen  now  stands  before  me  in  a  bottle.  I  have  just  come 
borne  from  a  tour  rouud  the  North,  and  I  have  seen  it  in  two  vineyards 
in  our  principal  grape-growing  country.  1  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 
tbem  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  I  of  the  Proceedings  of  tbe  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  septendeeim  in  1889 ; 
food  plants  and  food  babits  of  some  North  American  Coleoptera;  Myr- 
mecophilous  Coleoptera  found  in  temperate  North  America,  and  sud- 
den spread  of  a  new  enemy  to  clover  {Sitones  hispididus) ;  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  Mymaridae, 
and  a  few  additions  and  corrections  to  Scudder's  Nomenclator  Zoologi- 
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 
Lycwna  comyntas ;  an  ingenious  method  of  collecting  Bombus  and 
Apathus,  and  abundance  of  Oak-feeding  Lepidopterous  larvte  in  the 
fall  of  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  Cbalcid  genus  Bali- 
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  {(Edipoda)  Carolina;  by  Professor 
Lugger,  on  the  migrations  of  the  Milkweed  Butterfly.  In  addition  to 
tbese  are  many  shorter  notes  by  Professor  Eiley,  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.  MacCbesney,  of  Arlington,  ]Sr.  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.j  VI,  No. 
2,  and  this  paper  must  be  credited  as  the  scientific  jiresentation  of  the 
matter  rather  than  my  popular  account  to  which  accident  alone  gave  a 
date  not  intended  and  an  apparent  i)riority  which  it  does  not  de- 
serve.— [John  B.  Smith,  Rutgers  College. 

THE   GENITAL  ARMATURE   IN  MALE   HYMENOPTERA. 

General  Eadoszkowski,  at  the  meeting  of  the  French  Entomological 
Society,  of  September  11, 1889  (see  Bulletin  Eiitomologique,  p.  (ilxxii), 
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  Diifour,  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  ujore  than  40  genera  and  500  species.  He  has 
expressed  himself  as  of  the  opinion  that  of  all  chai  acters  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  AnthophUa,  MutilUdw,  and  Ghrys- 
ididce. 

THE  MAN  INFESTING  EOT. 

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.  Laboulbene  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  tumor  and  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  Neivs  (p.  39), 
describes  a  mass  of  eggs  taken  from  the  under  surface  of  a  tree  over- 
hanging a  small  stream,  which  wasdetermined  by  Dr.  Williston  as  those 
of  the  Leptid  genus  Atherix.  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  piliugof  Lake  Miuiietonka,  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  larvne 
hatched  which  we  were  able  to  determine  as  belonging  to  this  genus  by 
comparison  with  the  figures  in  Dr.  Brauer's  Monograph  of  Dipterous 
larvffi,  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  Evaniidpe  has  been  completed 
by  August  Schletterer  and  published  in  three  parts  in  the  Annalen  des  K. 
K.  Naturhistorischen  Ho/museums,  Volume  IV.  Parts  I  and  II  bear  the 
date  1889  and  part  HE  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  morphological  details.  He  places  only  the 
three  genera  Evania  Fab.  {Brachygaster  Stephens,  Hyptia  Shuckard), 
Gasteruption  Latr.  {Foenus  Walk.,  and  other  authors),  and  Aulacus 
Jur.  {Aulacostethus  Philippi  and  PammegiscMa  Prov.)  in  the  family 
Evaniidae.  The  work  as  a  whole  is  one  of  the  most  thorough  and  com- 
plete monographs  which  we  have  seen. 

COLONEL  PEARSON  ON  THE  ROSE  CHAF5JU. 

In  the  article  on  the  Rose  Chafer,  on  page  295  of  the  lastuumber,  wo 
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  to  a  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 
tem,porarily  stupefies  them,  and  they  will  eventually  recover  and  fly 
away.  Meanwhile  they  will  be  quite  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  ^Egerians."  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 

MB.    BUCKTON'S    MONOaEAPH   OF   THE    BRITISH   CICADA   AND   TETTI- 

GIIDvE.* 

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  Aphididas,  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  uumbei 
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.  E,  G.  Gotes.  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  niori),  the  pamphlet  considers 
Bomhyx  fortuHatus,  the  Desi  or  Chota  Polo  ;  Bombyx  crccsi,  the  N^istry  or 
Madrassi;  Bomhyx  arracanensis^  the  Nya  Paw;  Bombyx  sinensis,  the 
Sina,  Cheena,  or  Chota  Pat;  Anthercva  mylitta,  the  Tusser ;  Attacits 
ricini,  the  PJri ;  Anthercva  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  Ghinch  Bugs.  There  is  little  further  in  this  article  than  fliat 
summarized  from  the  Lawrence ,{K^^^^')  Daily  Journal  on  page  126  of 
the  current  volume.  We  repeat  our  caution  as  to  the  too  ready  accept- 
ance of  results  of  this  character. 

*  Monograph  of  the  British  Cicadae  and  Tettigiidae,  illustrated  by  more  than  400 
colored  drawings  by  George  Bowdler  Buckton,  F.  R.  S.  London,  Macmillan  &  Co., 
and  Ne\v  York,  ld90.     8  parts.     Price,  8s.  per  part. 

t  The  Immature  State  of  the  Odonata.  Part  III.  Subfamily  Cordulina.  By  Louis 
Cabot,  with  6  plates.  Memoirs  of  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology,  Vol.  XVII, 
No.  1,  Cambridge,  February,  1890. 


389 

STUDY   OP   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    SUQAR-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  next  crop.  In  1857  they  were  so  abundant  along 
the  lower  coast  as  to  have  about  destroyed  the  crops  on  one  or  two 
plantations.  They  again  appea  red  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  maun  eras  cane, 
and  are  known  near  the  coast  throughout  the  Gulf  States.  The  moth 
is  of  a  light,  grayish  brown  color,  with  about  1^-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 
numbers  will,  therefore,  be  preserved  in  the  ra toons.  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.  Aii 
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 
lorage  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  precautious  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  Ghilo  saccharalis. 

IMPORTATION   OF    HESSIAN  FLY  PARASITES. 

With  the  assistance  of  Mr..  Fred  Enock,  of  London,  England,  we 
Lope  to  import  during  the  summer  some  living  specimens  of  Semiotel- 
his  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,  1800. — Mr  B.  E.  Fernow  was  elected  au  active  member  of  the  society. 

Mr.  Fox  read  a  paper  on  a  small  group  of  spiders  forming  the  subgenus  CeratineUa 
of  the  genus  Erigone.  The  subgenus  includes  about  seventeen  species  distinguished 
by  the  presence  of  a  shield  on  the  abdomen.  All  the  specimens  were  collected  east 
of  the  Alleghanies  by  Messrs.  Marx  and  Fox,aud  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  were  shown.  The  paper  called 
forth  considerable  discussion  which  was  participated  in  by  Messrs.  Riley,  Maun, 
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  hixn  in 
southern  Michigan,  with  some  brief  notes  and  dates  of  occurrence.  One  species, 
Corimelmia  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  (Carjnnus),  willow,  hazel,  etc. 

These  papers  were  discussed  by  Messrs.  Schwarz  and  Riley. 

Mr.  Dodge  read  a  paper  on  Artificial  Silk,  describing  the  Count  de  Chardouuet's 
method,  as  exhibited  at  the  late  Paris  Exposition,  of  making  from  cellulose  asubstance 
clQsely  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. 
O 


INDEX  TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Acanthia  lectularia,  105,  f.  16. 

Acololdes  saitidis,  269,  f.  58. 

Anthrenus  scrophulariae,  127,  f.  19. 

Anthrax  hypomelas,  354,  f.  67. 

Axima  zabriskiei,  365,  366,  367,  ff.  29,  68,  70, 

Bseus  araericanua,  270,  f.  59. 

Celatoria  crawii,  234,  f.  46. 

Cephus  pygmaeus,  286,  f.  60. 

Cicindela  limbata,  144,  f.  24. 

Cimbex  americana,  229,  f.  45. 

Coccotorua  prunicida,  259,  f.  56. 

Coccolorns  scutellaris,  259,  f.  55. 

Conorhinus  sangaisuga,  106,  f.  17. 

Coptotriche  complanoides,  322,  f.  64. 

Croton  Bug,  266,  f.  57. 

Cryptolechia  schlaegeri,  152,  f.  25. 

Dermestes  vulpinus,  63,  64,  ff.  7,  8. 

Encyrtus  websteri,  247,  f.  53. 

Ephestia  interpunctella,  171,  f.  30. 

Ephestia  kiihniella,  166, 167,  ff.  28,  29. 

Gossyparia  ulmi,  34,  37,  38, 40,  ff.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5. 

Hsematobia  aerrata,  93,  94,  99, 100, 101,  ff.  11, 12, 13, 

14, 15. 
Harpiphorua  maculatua,  140,  f.  23. 
Harpipuoru.s  varianna,  240,  f.  49. 
Hyperacmus  tineae,  213,  f.  41. 


Hypoderma  bovie,  158, 15D,  173, 174,  175,  ff.  26,  27, 31, 

32, 33,  34,  35. 
Hypoderma  sp.,  238.  f.  48. 
Limneria  eurycreontia,  328,  f.  65. 
Macrodactylns  aubapinoana,  296,  ff.  61,  62. 
Megaspilaa  niger,  247,  f.  52. 
Meneata  melanella,  303,  f.  63. 
Monomorium  pharaonia,  107,  f.  18. 
Monoategla  ignota,  137, 140,  ff.  22,  23. 
Ocneria  dispar,  208,  209,  210,  ff.  36, 37,  38,  39. 
CEneis  macounii,  45,  f.  6. 
Opbelosia  crawfordi,  248,  f.  54. 
Pachyneuron  micana,  246,  f.  51. 
Platypsyllua  caatoria,  245,  f.  50. 
Plum  Curculio  punctures  in  young  apples,  382,  f. 

71. 
Spilosoma  fnliginoaa,  236,  f.  47. 
Sphenophorus  ^chreaa,  132, 133,  ff.  20,  21 
Tetranychua  6-maculatu8,  226,  f.  44. 
Tinea  pellionella,  212,  f.40. 
Tinea  tapetzella,  214,  f.  43. 
Tineola  biaelliella,  213,  f.  42. 
Vedalia  cardinalis,  71, 73,  ff.  9, 10. 
Vialholder  in  uae  in  U.  S.  National  Museum,  346, 

f.66. 


AUTHORS'  INDEX. 


Adama,  J.  R.,  letter,  75. 

Barlow,  J.  G.,  letter,  115. 

Bellevoye,  M.  A.,  article,  230. 

Binkiird,  A.  D.,  letter,  149. 

Bollmun,  C.  H.,  letter,  374. 

Bonham,  L.  N.,  letter,  47. 

Brashears,  J.  P.,  letter,  147. 

Bruner,  Lawrence,  article,  144. 

Bryant,  Cha8  C,  letter,  189. 

Chapman,  A.  Scott,  letter,  190. 

Chittenden,  F.  H.,  article,  346. 

Coal,  Dr.  Wm.  P.  T.,  letter,  254. 

Cockerell,  Theo.  D.  A.,  article,  332 ;   letters,  22, 145. 

Coquillett,  D.  W.,  articles,  70, 122, 202,  233 ;  letters, 

49,  74.  252,  278,  367,  377. 
Cotes,E.C.,  letter,  17. 
Craig,  J.  P.,  letter,  277. 
Crawford,  Frazer  S.,  letter,  321. 
Curtice,  Cooper,  article,  207. 
Curtiss,  George  G.,  letter,  147. 
Dailj,  A.  B.,  letter,  321. 
Dall,  Caroline  H.,  letter,  316. 
Damiani,  M.,  letter,  289. 
Darton,  James  B.,  letter,  281. 
Davis,  J.  D.,  letter,  317. 
Davis.  Dr.  S.  A.,  letter,  22. 
Devereaus,  W.  L.,  letter,  372. 
Dobbins,  J.  R.,  letters,  112, 191. 
Dodge,  G.  M  ,  letter,  315. 
Duges,  Dr.  Alfred,  letter,  47. 
Dyar,  Harrison  G.,  article,  360. 
Edwards,  Henry,  article,  11. 
Ellis,  L.  H.,  letter,  278. 
Ernst,  A.,  letter,  368. 
Evans,  W.  M.,  letter,  314. 
Fischer,  Eugene  K.,  letter,  253. 
Fletcher,  James,  articles,  45, 187. 
Forbes,  S.  A.,  articles,  3, 185. 
Francis,  M.,  letter,  20. 
Freeman,  Legh  R.,  letter,  18. 
Gale,  E.,  letter,  316. 
Giard,M.  A,  article,  271. 
Gillette,  C.  P.,  letter,  281. 
Goding,  F.  W.,  letter,  147. 
Green,  E.  Ernest,  letters,  47, 189,  270. 
Greiner,  Tuisco,  letter,  376. 
Harrington,  W.  Hague,  article,  227. 
Harris,  Thos.  C,  letter,  369. 
Hay,  Robert,  letter,  319. 
Henry,  W.  A.,  article,  141. 
Hewitt,  Chas.  A.,  letter,  318. 
Hoehling,  Dr.  A.  A.,  letter,  368. 
Holt,  Mrs.  N.  W.  C,  letter,  19. 
Hopkins,  C.  L.,  article,  355. 
Howard,  L.  0.,  articles,  34,  54, 122,  215,  246,  269,  335, 

359,  365. 


Hudson,  "W.  S.,  letter,  369. 

Hunt,  S.D.,  letter,  254. 

Jennings,  W.,  letter,  48. 

Johnson,  Lawrence  C,  letter,  18. 

Jones,  Frank  M.,  article,  63. 

Kent,  George  H.,  letter,  283 

King,  D.O.,  letter,  148. 

Knaus,  W.,  letter,  49. 

Koebele,  Albert,  letter,  252 

Kruschke,  H.  O.,  letter,  374. 

Lockwood,  Samuel,  letter,  315. 

Lugger,  Otto,  article,  236 

Mally,  F.  W.,  article,  137. 

Marlatt,  C.  L.,  articles,  7,  66. 

Mason,  Carrington,  letter,  316. 

McCluney,  Mrs.  Mary  T.,  letter,  276. 

McLennan,  E.  K.,  letter,  276. 

McPherson  and  Stevens,  letter,  21. 

Meech,  '^.  W., letter,  189. 

Meehan,  Thomas  B.,  letter,  376 

Memminger,  E.  R.,  letter,  190. 

Miller,  E.  S.,  letter,  277. 

Miller,  LM.,  letter,  76. 

Morse,  Albert  P.,  letter,  250. 

Murtfeldt,  Mary  E.,  articles,  130, 303 ;  letters,  251, 

253. 
Muzzy,  Washington,  letter,  319. 
Nicholson,  L  W.,  letter,  369. 
Onderdonk,  H.  S.,  letter,  377. 
Ormerod,  Eleanor  A.,  letters,  145, 147,  279. 
Osborn,  Herbert,  article,  108. 
Osten  Sacken,  C.  R.,  letter,  191. 
Pearson,  Alex.  W.,  letter,  19. 
Phares,  Dr.  D.  L.,  letter,  22. 
Quillian,  Thomas  J.,  letter,  50. 
Ragsdale,  G.  H.,  letter,  1S9. 
Read,  M.  C,  letter,  252. 
Reimer,Otto  E.,  letter,  278. 
Riley,  C.  Herberte,  letter,  75. 
Riley,  C.  v.,  articles,  59,91,104,  127,211,  225,  244 

248,  266,  295,  342. 
Rivers,  J.  J.,  article,  56. 
Schwarz,  E.  A.,  article,  288. 
Sexton,  Joseph,  letter,  191. 
Sharp,  Dr.  David,  article,  302. 
Shaffer,  J.  M.,  letters,  375. 
Smith,  J.  B.,  note,  386. 
Sraithson,  N.  R.,  letter,  190. 
Snow,  B."W.,  article,  32. 
Somerville,  William,  letter,  20. 
Stiles,  Harvey  C,  letter,  146. 
Stover  and  Stover,  letter,  49. 
Stover,  H.  R.,  letter,  148. 
Tate,  Dr.  H.L.,  letter,  317. 
Taylor,  A.  O'D.,  letter,  113. 
Teuchei  t,  George,  letter,  252. 

393 


394 


Thompson,  A .  L.,  letter,  75. 

Thompaon,  'Lesley,  letter,  116. 

Thompson,  "W.  J.,  article,  389. 

Townsend,  C.  H.  Tyler,  articles,  42,  85,  90, 162. 

Walker,  Philip,  article,  28. 

Walsingham.  Lord,  articles,  23,  51,  77, 116, 150,  284, 

322. 
"Warren,  C.  C,  letter,  253. 
Webster,  F.  M.,  articles,  29,84,  87,  98, 109, 122, 132, 

161,  228,255,  256,  257,    259,  287,  305,  326,328,356, 

363,  382  [letters,  275,370. 
Weed,  C.  M.,  article,  121. 
Weeks,  LeRoy  T.,  letter,  282. 


Wheeler,  Wm.  M.,  article,  222. 

Wheelocii,  Eugene  O.,  letter,  277. 

Wickson,  E.  J.,  letter,  21. 

Wielaudy,  J.  F.,  letter.s,  113, 1 14, 148. 

Wight,  R.  Allan,  articles,  134,  384;  letters,  57, 146, 

Wikessell,  Thomas,  letter,  375. 

Wiley,  Charles  A.,  letter,  251. 

Wilhelm,  N.  O.,  letter,  282. 

Willits,  Edwin,  letter,  15. 

Wright,  W.G.,  letters,  46. 

"Van  Deman,  J.  W.,  letter,  276. 

Yon  Hasseln,  J.  H.,  letter,  376. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Acanthia  lectularia,  life-history,  104. 
Acarina,  in  Lintner's  report,  200. 
Acarinse,  Low's  ivork  in,  196 

Acarus  colfeae,  thought  to  be  indentical  with  lea- 
mites,  193. 

translucens,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Achsea  melicerte,  damaging  castor-oil  plant  in 

India,  62. 
Achatodes  zete,  m  m*,  376. 
Acherontia  atropos,  stridulation,  13. 
Achoriites  armatus,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 
Acoloides  n.  g.  Howard,  descr.,  269. 
saitidis  n.  sp.  Howard,  descr.,  270. 
bred  from  spider's  eggs,  359. 
Acridiidse,  in  Michigan,  333. 

oviposition  of,  224,  225. 
Acridium  peregrinum,  the  locust  of  India,  332. 
Acrobasis  vaccinii,  ram.,  337. 
Acrocera  sanguinea,  parasitic  on  spiders,  288. 
trigramma,  parasitic  on  spiders,  288. 
Acroceridie,  larvas  known,  288. 
Acronycta  lepusculina,  in  Minn.,  164. 

populi,  ft  distinct  species,  164. 
Actinopteryx  fucicola,  new  to  fauna,  333. 
Adela  aeruginosella  n.  .sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  285. 
bella,  note,  284,  285,  286. 
bellella,  note,  284. 
biviella,  synonym,  285. 
chalybeis,  synonym,  285. 
degeerella,  synonym,  284.  • 

flamensella,  note  on,  284. 
iochroa,  synonym,  285. 
lactimaculella,  synonym,  284. 
punctiferella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  descr.,  284. 
purpurea,  note,  285. 
ridingsella,  note,  285. 
rufimitrella,  note,  284. 
schlaegeri,  synonym,  285. 
septentrionella,  note,  285. 
simpliciella,  note,  284. 
singuleila,  note,  285. 
sulzella,  note,  285. 
trigrapha,  note,  285. 
violella,  note,  284. 
Aderces,  peculiarity  of  wings  and  eyes,  57. 
.a^geria  acerni,  destruction  of  maples,  251. 
exitio.sa  in  Mich.,  42. 
nicotiana,  from  galls  on  Quercus,  281. 
tipuliformis  in  Mich.,  42. 
.aischna,  facets  of  eye,  293. 
African  insects.  South,  1. 
Agathis  exoratus,  bred  from  web-worm  ,  328. 


Ageronia,  stridulation  in  species,  12. 

amphinome,  stridulation,  12. 

februa,  stridulation,  13. 

ferentina,  stridulation,  12, 13. 

feronia,  use  of  legs  in  running  and  stridula- 
tion, 12. 
Agrotis  annexa,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

cupidissima,  injuring  grape  in  California,  56. 

herilis,  active  in  winter,  383. 

Anthrax  bred  from  pupa,  3.53. 

malefida,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

saucia,  in  Colorado,  146. 

injuring  carnations,  376. 

snbgothica,  eating  ^awberries,  29. 

swarming  of  moths  in  Michigan,  42. 

sutfusa,  cutting  opium  poppy  in  India,  264. 
injuring  tea  plant,  330. 
Aletia,  argillacea,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

xylina,  note,  382. 
Aleurodes  8p.,on  fuschia,  315. 

vaporiorum,  mm,  339. 
Allorhina  nitida  in  South,  2. 
Alypia  lorquinii,  stridulation,  14. 

octomaculata,  stridulation,  14. 
Amblyopinus,  parasitic  on  rodents,  292. 
American  Blight  and  Tasmanian  Lady-birds,  287. 
soot  for,  290. 

cimbex,  injuring  willow  and  cottonwood,  228. 

entomologists'  union,  proposed,  22. 
Anabrus,  eaten  by  sparrow-hawk,  146. 

simplex,  ovipositing  in  the  ground,  224. 
Anasa  tristis,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
Angonmois  moth,  damage  in  America,  167. 
Anguillulidse,  injury  to  cane  fields  in  Java,  85. 
Anisota  senatoria  in  Michigan,  42. 

stigma,  on  oak,  295. 
Anobium  pertinax,  mm,  369. 
Anodontonyx  n.  gen.  Sharp,  descr.,  302, 

harti,  n.  sp.  Sharp,  descr.,  303. 

vigilans,  n.  sp.  Sharp,  descr.,  302. 
injuring  wheat,  336. 
Ant,  how  to  destroy  hills  of,  252. 

little  red,  pest  in  France,  200,  230. 
Antheraea  assama,  mm,  338. 

mylitta,  mm.,  388. 
Anthomyia    near   calopteni,    mining   leaves   of 
Chenopdium,  281. 

sp.,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 

brassicfe,  in  Colorado,  146. 
Anthonomus  prunicida,  a  good  species,  259. 

scntellaris,  distinct  from  prunicida,  259. 
Sigalphus  bred  from,  280. 


m  m=:mere  mention. 


395 


396 


Anthophila,  males,  genital  armature  in,  386. 
Anthrax  cingulata,  mm,  354. 

circumdata,  mm,  354. 

flava,  mm.,353,  354. 

hypomelaa,  bred  from  cut- worm  pupae,  353. 

molitor,  bred  from  cut-worm  pupa,  353. 

ecrobiculata,  bred  from  cut-worm  pupsB,  281, 
353. 
Anthrenus  scropUuIarise,  natural  history,  127. 

varius,  attacking  horn  spoons,  147. 
Antrostomus  carolinensis,  beetlos  in  stomach,  189. 
Apanteles,  mm.,  340. 

n.  .sp.,  bied  from  Phycis,  382. 

difficilis,  parasite  of  Ocneria.  210. 

forneratus,  European  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
parasite  of  Pieris,  211. 

fulvipes,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

inelanoscelus,  p.arasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

solitarius,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Apate  dispar,  referred  to  Xyleborus,  145. 
Aphelopus  melaleucus,  parasitic  in  Typhlocyba, 

271. 
Aphididse,  food  of  Coccinellidae,  363. 

injury  in  India,  61. 

on  salsify,  256.  % 

Scymnus  and  Leucopis  destroying,  281. 
Apliis  sp.,  on  tea  plant,  329. 

brassicse,  in  Mistissippi,  283. 

carrotsB,  on  carrot,  328. 

dauci,  on  carrot,  328. 

forbesi,  mm.,  294,  340. 

maidis,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

mali,  mm.,  329. 

papaveris,  on  carrot,  328. 

plantagiuis,  on  carrot,  329. 

near  plautaginis,  on  salsify,  256. 

populi,  Oicauthus  feeding  on,  131. 

trifolii,  on  clover,  340. 
Aphcebantus  mus.,  mm,  353. 
Apple-leaf  Hopper,  mm,  340. 
Apple-tree  Flea-beetle  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Apple-tree  Tent-caterpillar,  mm,  338. 
Apple-twig  Borer,  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Aramigus  fulleri,  mistaken  for  Plum  Curculio  in 

Caliiornia,  90 
Archippus  Butterfly,  migration  of,  197. 
Arotia,  Baumbauria,  a  parasite  of,  23.5. 
Argyramoeba,  bred  from  pupae  of  moths,  354. 
Argyromiges  morrisella,  referred  to  LithocoUetis, 
52. 

ostensackenella,  referred  to  LithocoUetis,  53. 

pseudacaciella,  referred  to  LithocoUetis,  52,53. 

quercialbella,  synonym,  25,  26. 

uhlerella,  referred  to  LithocoUetis,  53. 
Army  Worm,  effect  of  irrigation  on,  222. 

in  Bruner's  report,  258. 

in  Indiana,  56,  76. 

in  Michigan,  42. 
Arrenurus  sp.,  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
Arrhipis  lanieri,  new  to  fauna,  333. 
Arsenical  poisons,  effect  on  foliage,  6. 

for  curculio,  3. 
Arsenicals,  effect  on  Honey  Bee,  84,  261. 
Arsenites,  can  not  be  recommended  on  peach,  260. 
Arthropods,  compound  eyes  of,  293. 
Arzama  obliquata,  in  Weed's  bulletin,  200. 


Asopia  costalis  in  clover  hay,  19. 
Asparagus  Beetle,  Myobia  a  parasite  of,  234. 
Aspidiotus  sp.,  on  cranberry,  337. 
aurantii,  in  California,  367. 
origin,  312. 
resin  wash  for,  92. 
flcus,  danger  of  spread  to  California,  263, 
flavescens,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
nerii,  infesting  ivy,  252. 
perniciosus,  origin,  312. 
rossi,  injuring  olive,  336. 
theae,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
transparens,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
UV8B,  parasitized  by  Centrodora,  253. 
Aspongopus  n.  sp.,  injuring  the  orange,  336. 
Astatopteryx,  peculiarity  of  wings  and  eyes,  57. 
Asterodiaspis  quercicola,  preferring  American  to 

European  oaks,  41. 
Astomella  lindenii,  reared  from  spider,  288. 
Ateleneura  spuria,  parasitic  in  Typhlocyba,  271. 

velutina,  syn.  of  spuria,  271. 
Atherix,  eggs  of,  386. 

Athysanus  maritimus,  Dryinas  parasitic  on,  271. 
Attacus  cecropia,  abundance  of  in  Nebraska  and 
Dakota,  28,  29. 

ricini,  mm,  338. 

parasitized  by  Trycolypa,  264. 
Attagenus  megatoma,  feather  felting  of  pillows, 
318. 
probably  destroying  Ephestia,  278. 
Aulacophora  abdominalis,  affecting  cucurbitae  in 

India,  264. 
Anlacostethus,  mm,  387. 
Aulacu.s,  mm,  387. 

Australian  Lady-bird  in  New  Zealand,  146. 
life-history  and  increase  in  California,  70. 
spread  in  California,  112. 
Axima  spinifrons,  from  Brazil,  365. 

zabriskiei  n.  sp.  Hwd.,  descr.  and  habits,  365. 
AximinsB,  relations,  365. 

B. 
BsBus  americanus  n.  sp,  Howard,  descr. ,  270. 
parasite  of  spider's  eggs,  359. 
clavatus,  note,  359. 
seminulum,in  Europe,  271. 
Bag  worm,  life-history  of   Ceylon  Faggot-worm 
similar  to,  192. 
on  tea  in  India,  62. 
Baridius  trinotatus,  remedy,  376. 
Bark-lice,  spraying  for,  276. 
Baumbauria,  parasite  of  Arctia,  235. 
Bean  cut-worm,  in  Miss.  ,283. 
seed-weevil  in  Africa,  2. 
weevil,  mm,  340. 

heat  as  remedy,  92. 
in  America,  2. 
Bed- bug,  life-history,  104. 
Bedellia  somnulentella,  note,  326. 
Belostoma  americanum,  mm.,  340. 

in  Weed's  bulletin,  201. 
Benacus  griseus  in  Weed's  bulletin,  201. 
Bethylus  n.  sp.,  parasite  of  Codling  Moth,  83. 
Bibio,  fall  occurrence,  197. 
Bibio  sp.  in  Mich.,  43. 

albipennis  in  Mich.,  162. 
femoratus  in  Mich.,  43. 


397 


Bibliography    of    American    economic    entomo- 
logy, 2. 
Bind- weed  Hawk-Moth,  on  sweet-potato  in  N.  Z., 

135. 
Bird-lice,  work  on,  389. 
Blackbird,  destroying  the  White  Grub,  195. 

vs.  Bollworms,  47. 
Black -headed  Cranberry-worm,  mm,  337. 

scale,  albinism  in,  379. 

Dilophogaster  californica  a  parasite  of,  248. 
in  Australia,  336. 
not  attacked  by  Vedalia,  73. 
spraying  for,  in  California,  146. 
Blastophaga,  on  fig,  197. 
Blatta,  in  French  houses,  231. 

germanica,  in  French  houses,  231. 
work  on  embryology  of,  163. 
BlattidiB,  oviposition,  224. 
Blister  Beetles,  nomenclature  of,  288. 
Blood-sucking  Cone-nose,  bite  of,  106. 
Boatman,  Notonecta  feeding  on,  201. 
Boll-worm,  blackbirds  destroying,  47, 

injuring  poppies  in  India,  264. 

in  Mich.,  42. 

in  Miss.,  283. 

in  Tex.,  20,  317. 
Bombyx  arracanensis,  mm,  388. 

criesi.mm,  388. 

fortunatus,  mm,  388. 

parasitized  by  Trycolypa,  264. 

sinensis,  mm,  388. 
Bostrichus  dispar,  referred  to  Xyleborus,  145. 
Bot-fly  of  the  ox,  injury  by,  156. 
Botis  harveyana,  on  greenhouse  plants,  277. 
Box-elder  Bug  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 

Plant-Louse  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Brachyderes,  Hyalomyia  a  parasite  of,  234. 
Brachygaster,  mm,  387. 

Brachysaeruginosa,  Lithocolletissp.,  referred  to  77. 
Bracon  sp.,  infesting  Rliyssematus,  112. 

nigripectus,  reared  from  ^geria,  83. 
Braconidae,  bred  parasitic,  348. 
Bruchus  fabsB  in  Colo.,  332. 

obsoletus,  mm,  340. 

in  America,  2. 

in  Colo.,  332. 

subarmatus  (1)  damaging  beans  in  Africa,  2. 
Bryobia  pratensia  in  houses,  279, 
Bucculatrix,  mm,  325. 

Buffalo  Gnat,  eflects  of  open  winter  on,  261. 
injury,  2. 
report  of  trip  to  investigate,  7. 

Moth,  natural  history,  127. 
Buprestis  striata  eating  through  clothes,  369. 
Butternut  Tingis  on  quince,  48. 


Cabbage  Butterflies  in  Mich.,  42. 

Maggot,  experiment  on,  86. 

Pionea  in  Miss.,  283. 

Plant-louse  in  Miss.,  283. 

Plusia  in  Miss.,  283. 

Plutella,  mm,  382. 
inN.  Z.,121. 

"Worm,  Apanteles  parasite  in  Europe,  211. 
Csecidotea  stygia  in  a  well,  375. 


Cselinius  raeromyzfe,  bred  from  Meromyza,  281. 
Callimorpha  suffusa  on  ash,  295. 
Calliphora  vomitoria  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 
Callipterus  trifolii,  on  clover,  340. 
Callosamia  promethea  on  cherry  and  sassafras,  383. 
Calopteuus  in  Colo.,  145. 
atlani.s  in  Mich.,  44. 

Macrodactyluslarvsedestroying  egg-pods, 

bivittatus  in  Mich.,  44. 

differentialis  in  Mich.,  44. 

femur-rubrum  in  Mich.,  44. 
Calosoma  peregrinator,  Masicera  bred  from,  23». 
Camnula  pellucida,  damage  in  Utah  in  1889,  27. 
var.  obiona,  eattn  by  sparrow  hawk, 
146. 
Camponotus  herculaneus  in  door  yards,  108. 

pensylvanicus  in  door  yards,  108. 
Campoplex,  doubtful  primary  parasite  of  Ocne- 
ria,  211. 

conicus,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

difformis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Cantharid  injuring  vegetables  in  Africa,  2. 
Cantbaris  lugubris,  changed  to  ulkei,  288. 

ulkei,  ugubris  changed  to,  288. 
Capsid,  a  new  Australian  vine  pest,  381. 
Capsidae,  injury  in  India,  61. 

of  India,  327. 
Carbon  bisulphide,  new  way  of  using,  194. 
Carbnla  biguttata,  injuring  sesamum  in  India,  61. 
Carpet  Beetle,  natural  history,  127. 
Carpocapsa  injuring  peaches  in  Japan,  65. 

pomonella  in  Colo.,  146. 
Carpophilus  brachypterus    in  ripe    raspberries, 

258. 
Cassida,  Cassidomyia  a  parasite  of,  234. 
Cassidomyia,  parasite  of  Cassida,  234. 
Catalpa  Sphinx,  382. 
Caterpillars  stopping  trains,  58. 
Cattle  fly,  oviposition,  60. 
Cecidorayia  sp.  in  K.  Z.,  195. 

destructor,  in  England,  147. 

leguminicola,  new  remedy,  339. 

oryzae,  affecting  rice  in  India,  264. 

salicis-gnaphaloides,    Xiphidium  ovipositing 
in,  223. 

vaccinii,  337. 
Cecidoniyid  galls,  Encyrtus  rear.d  from,  248. 
Cecropia  Moth,  abnormal  larva,  86. 

silk-worm,  abundance  in    Nebr.  and    Dak., 
28,  29. 
Celatoria  n.  gen.  Coq.,  descr.,  235. 

crawii  n.  sp.  Coq.,  descr.,  235. 
Centrodora,  parasite  of  Aspidiotus,  253. 
Cephenomyia,  larvae  in  a  man's  head,  116. 
Cephus  pygmaens,  mm,  338. 

imported  from  Europe,  164. 

taken  near  Ottawa,  286. 
Cerambycidae,  oviposition,  192. 
Ceraphron,  a  plant-louse  parasite,  246. 
Cerataphis,  injuring  cinchona  in  India,  61. 
Ceratina  dupla,  Axima  bred  from,  366. 
Ceratinella,  mm,  390. 
Ceratitis  citriperda  in  Africa,  2. 
Ceresa  bubalus,  puncturing  apple  twigs,  130. 
Cermatia  forceps,  in  houses,  316. 


398 


Ceroplastes  flondensia,  in  Florida,  367. 
mistaken  for  Icerya,  55. 
on  guava,  316. 
Cetoniid  injuring  fruits  in  Africa,  2. 
Chsetopsis  senea,  bred  from  cornstalk,  281. 
Chaff  scale,  danger  of  spread,  341. 
Chalaras  spiitius,  referred  to  Ateleneura,  271. 
Chalcid,  reared  from  ^geria,  83. 
Chalcidinae,  mm,  365. 
Chalybion  cseruleum,  strategy  in  catching  spiders, 

162. 
Charaxes  sempronius,  stridulation,  13. 
Cliaiiliodes  rostricornis,  in  Weed's  bulletin,  201. 
Cheimatobia  brumata,  traps  for  useless,  289. 
Chelimorpha  cribraria,  injuring  Convolvulus  in 

N.M.,1U. 
CheloninsB,  bred  parasitic,  352. 
Cherry  tree-slug,  mm,  294,  340. 
Chiloconis  bivulnerus,  experiment  with,  364. 
Chilo  saccharalis,  inj  ury  to  sugar  cane  in  India,  61. 
Chinch  Bug,  mm,  338. 
disease  of,  388. 
effect  of  irrigation  on  221. 
Entomophthora  attacking,  126. 
in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
in  Ohio,  92. 
remedies  for,  75. 
Chionobas  androconia, compared  with  maconnii,45. 
californica  allied  to  macounii,  45. 
macounii,  article  on,  by  James  Fleicher,  45. 
Chora-poka,  injuring  sesamum  in  India,  61. 
Chortologa  australis,  locust  iu  Australia,  336. 
Chremylus  rubiginosus,  parasite  of  Ephestia,  260. 
ChrysididsB,  males  genital  armature  in,  386. 
Chrysopa,  preying  on  the  Grain  Aphis,  31. 

sp..  possible  Vedalia  enemy,  73. 
Chrysops,  in  Colorado,  146. 
Chuck-wills- widow,  beetles  in  stomach,  189. 
Cicadffi,  Biickton's  monograph,  388. 
Cicada  septendecim,  mm,  385. 
1675  appearance,  161. 
Cicadula  virescens,'parasitized  by  Pipuncalus,  271. 
Cicindela  formosa,  in  Nebraska,  145. 

lecoutei,  resembles  limbata  in  habits,  146. 
lepida,  on  white  sands  in  Nebraska,  U5. 
limbata  in  Nebraska,  144. 
punctulata,  in  Nebraska,  145. 
venusta,  in  Nebraska,  145. 
Cigarette  beetle,  368. 

Cimbex  americana,  injuring  willow  and  cotton- 
wood,  228,  229,  230. 
Tachinid  bred  from,  164. 
Clisiocampa  americana,  mm,  338. 
in  Arkansas,  27. 
sylvatica,  stopping  trains,  58. 
Clothes  moths,  account  of  and  means  of  destroy- 
ing, 211. 
in  India,  61. 
Clover-hay  worm,  injury,  19. 
Clover-root  Cecidomyia,  mm,  337. 
Clover-seed  midge,  new  remedy,  339. 
Clubioua  pntris,  parasitized  by  a  dipter,  288. 
Coccidse,  food  of  Coccinellidae,  363. 
injr.ry  in  India,  61. 
new  East  Indian  genus,  55. 
Coccinella  dispar,  cannibalism  witii,  55, 121. 


Cocci  nella  nova-zealandia,  destroying  Icerya,  57. 
novem-notata,  cannibalism  with,  121. 

experiment  with,  36t. 
repanda,  destroying  Rhopalosiphnm,  287. 
transversoguttata,    preying   on  Epilachna, 
114, 115. 
Coccinellida;,  experiment  with,  363. 

eating  Grain  Aphis,  31. 
Cockroaches,  account  of,  266. 
Coccotorus  scutellaris,  in  sand  cherry,  258. 
Coccus  vandalicus,  on  the  cocoanut,  278. 
Codling  moth,  mm,  258,  337. 
enemies  of,  83. 
experiments  on,  181. 
Pacific  Coast  habits,  84. 
spraying  for,  276,  340. 
Coelosterna  scabrata,  affecting  sal  saplings  in 

India,  264. 
CoBnopceus  palmeri,  lives  in  Opuntia,  162. 
(^oleoptera.aquatic,  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
blind  species,  291. 
mining  leaves,  77. 
Collections,  insect,  mode  of  arranging,  342. 
Colorado  potato-beetle,  mm,  319. 

effect  of  Bordeaux  mixture  on,  180. 
eggs  destroyed  by  Trombidium,  189. 
Gipsy  moth  a  greater  pest,  209. 
new  enemy  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Tachinid  parasite  of,  233. 
Columbus  Hort.  Soc,  notice  of,  387. 
Conicera  sp.,  in  corpse,  341,  356. 

atra,  breeding  in  decayed  radishes,  358,  371. 
Coninomns  nodifer,  new  to  fauna,  333. 
Conocephalus  ensiger  oviposits    between  root- 
leaves  and  stems,  224. 
Conorhinus  sanguisuga,  bite  of,  106. 
Conotrachelus  nenuphar.  Fuller's  rose-beetle  mis- 
taken for,  00. 
Sigalphus  bred  from,  280. 
Copidosoma  truncatellum,  parasite  of  Plusi.i,  253. 
Coprid,  stridulation,  13. 
Coptotriche  ii.  gen.,  Wlsm.,  descr.,  322. 

complanoides,  note,'S22. 
Corimeloena  nitiduloides,  in  ant's  nest,  390. 
Corisa  alternata,  Notonecta  feeding  on,  201. 
Coriscus  ferus,  preying  on  Mono.'tegia,  140. 
Cornel  saw-fly,  habits  and  data  of  injuries,  239. 
Corn  bill-bugs,  mm.,  338. 
life-history,  132. 
Corn-feeding  Syrphus-fly,  in  Missouri,  115. 
plant-louse,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
root-worm,  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Kentucky,  179. 
Mississippi,  283. 
saw-fly,  European,  imported,  164. 

taken  near  Ottawa,  286. 
worm,  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
Mississippi,  283. 
Corydalus  cornutus,  popular  names  for,  122. 
Corythuca  arcuata  on  quince,  48. 
Cosmopepla  carnifex,  injuring  raspberry  foliage, 

258. 
Cossinae,  boring  coffee  and  tea  plants,  193. 
Cotton- worm,  mm,  382. 

damage  in  Texas,  32. 
in  Mississippi,  283. 


399 


Cow  horn-fly,  in  Lintner's  report,  200. 
Cranberry  fruit- worm,  mm.,  337. 

scale,  mm,  337. 
Crioceris  aaparagi,  Myobia  a  parasite  of,  234. 
Crossotosoma  aegyptiacuro,  uote  on,  327. 
Croton  bug,  account  of,  267. 
Crow,  destroying  the  white  grub,  195. 
Cryptochoetum,Le3tophonu8  a  synonym  of,  91. 
Cryptolechia,  characters  and  relations.  150,  154. 

algidella,  referred  to  Stenoma,  153. 

coucolorella,  doubtful  position  of,  152. 

cressonella,  synonym,  151. 

ferruginosa,  relation  with  obsoletella,  151. 

frontalis,  relation  with  Stenoma,  152. 

humilis,  referred  to  Stenoma,  154. 

lithosina,  referred  to  Ide,  155. 

nubeculosa,  synonym,  154. 

obsoletella,  note,  151. 

quercicella,  synonymy  of,  151. 

reflexella,  synonymy  of,  151. 

schlsegeri,  referred  to  Stenoma,  152. 

straminella,  formerly  under  Machiraia,  150. 

vestalis,  refeired  to  Ide,  155. 
Cteniza  ariana,  A  stomella  reared  from,  288. 
Culex,  in  Colorado,  146. 
Curculionidse,  breeding  habits  of,  109. 
Curculio,  Plum,  arsenical  poisons  for,  X 

feeding  experiments,  3. 

insecticide  experiments,  4. 
Currant  Borer  in  Michigan,  42. 

Gallmite,  mm,  337. 

Worm,  remedy,  252. 
Cut- worms,  mm.,  336,  338. 

Anthrax  bred  from,  280. 

extreme  ravages,  318,  319. 

in  Bruner's  report,  258. 

in  India,  61. 

injuring  tea  plant,  330. 

in  Mississippi,  283. 

trapping  with  clover,  76. 

Westem-atriped,  active  in  winter,  383. 

Variegated,  on  carnations,  376. 
Cyaniris  pseudargiolus,  on  clover,  340. 
Cyrtoneura  stabulans,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 


Dactylopin  s  on  red  clover,  Solenopsis  attending, 
'  258. 

sp.,  in  Egypt,  256. 
citri  mistaken  for  Icerya,  55. 
vitis,  disappears  when  its  metamorphosis  is 
disturbed,  36. 
Daremma  catalpae,  on  Catalpa,  382. 
Batana  angusii,  in  Indiana,  149. 

ministra,  defoliating  black  walnuts,  256. 
parasitized  by  Tachina  flies,  257. 
Death's-head  Moth,  stridulacion,  13. 
Death-watch,  mm,  369. 

Deltocephalus  xanthoneurus,  Gonatopus  parasi- 
tic on,  271. 
Depressaria  cryptolechiella,  synonym,  1.51. 
Dermatobia,  in  man  from  Brazil,  386. 
Dermestes  vulpinus,    damaging  silk  cocoons  in 
India,  62. 
injury  to  goat  skins  in  Delaware,  63. 


Diabrotica  duodecimpunctata  in  Kentucky   and 
Virginia,  179. 
in  Mississippi,  283. 
on  roots  of  Rudbeckia,  182. 
longicornis,  in  Nebraska,  182. 

not  in  Kentucky,  179. 

soror.  dipterous  parasite  of,  233. 

eaten  by  Xysticus,  74. 

Tachina  bred  from,  74. 

vittata,  gauze  frame  for,  340. 

Melanophora  a  parasite  of,  234. 
Diamond-back  moth  damaging  cabbage  in  Af- 
rica, 2. 
Turnip  raoth,  in  New  Zealand,  121. 
Diapheromera,  in  Colorado,  146. 
Diaspis  vandalicus,  on  the  cocoanut,  278. 
Dichelia  sulfureana,  reared  on  salsify,  255. 
Dicte  corruscifasciella,  synonym,  285. 
Dictyna,  sp.,  malformed  specimen,  162. 
Dictynidae,  mm.,  292. 

Digger-wasp,  killing  tarantula  in  Texas,  149. 
Dilophogaster,  Ophelosia  near,  321. 
Tomocera  changed  to,  249. 
californica,  parasite  of  black  scale,  248,  381. 
Dilophus,  fall  occurrence,  197. 
Dingy  Cut-worm  eating  strawberries,  29, 
Diplosis  equestris,  probable  injury  to  barley  in 
England,  147. 
liriodendri,  on  tulip  tree,  362. 
pyrivora,  injury  in  England,  55. 
Diptera,  ovipositing  on  Harpiphorus  eggs,  243. 
aquatic  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
Low's  work  in,  196. 
piercing  ovipositors  in,  261. 
Dissosteira  Carolina,  mm,  385. 
aerial  performances  of,  262. 
flight  to  escape  from  a  sparrow,  162. 
Dogwood  saw-fly,  habits  and  injuries,  239. 
Dolerus,  defined  by  submarginal  cells,  243. 
Donacia  subtilis,  pollenizes  Nuphar,  201. 
Doryctinae,  bred  parasitic,  3.50. 
Dorylaimus,  injuring  sugar-cane  in  Java,  85. 
Doryphora  10-lineata,  injury  in  Ohio,  92. 
in  Mississippi,  22. 
Southern  spread,  122. 
Tachinid  parasite  of,  233. 
work  on  embryology  of,  163. 
Dragon  Flies,  notice  of  work  on  North  European, 
260. 
Zaitha  devouring  early  stages,  201. 
DrassidfB,  effecti.  of  bite,  255. 
Drosophila  ampelophila,  found  in  hen's  feed,  254. 
Drosophilidae,  found  in  dung,  254. 
Dryinidae,  parasitic  on  Jassidae,  271. 
Dryinus  pedestris,  parasitic  on  Athysanus,  271. 
Dryocampa  rubicunda,  in  Missouri,  276. 
Dung-beetles,  scent  in,  189. 
Dynastes  tityus,  in  Indiana,  89. 

E. 
Economic  Entomologist's  Union  proposed,  31. 
Elaterid  larva  destroying  Macrodactylus  larva, 

299. 
Elm  Bark-louse,  a  newly  imported,  34. 
Leaf-beetle,  in  hou-ses,  377. 
in  Lintner's  report,  200. 
spraying  for,  29. 


400 


Emphytus,  defined  by  subraarginal  cells,  243. 

cincius,  newly  imported,  378. 

niaculatus,  easily  confu.sed  with  Monostegia, 
138. 

testaceus,  identical  (?)  with  varianus,  242. 
Etnpoasca  albopicta,  mm,  340. 
Encyrtus  clavellatus,  mm,  248. 

webstei-i  n.  sp.,  Howard,  descr.,  247. 
Endioptis  nitidali.s,  in  Mi-ssissippi,  283. 
Entomological  Club  A.  A.  A.  S.,  1889  meetiag,  88. 

journal,  new,  340. 

News,  notice  of,  199. 

Society  of  Washington,  minutes,  30, 123,  162, 
197,  261,  262,  291. 
proceedings,  review,  385. 
Entomologists,  Association  of  Economic,  62,  87,  92, 
123, 163. 

minutes  of  first  annual  meeting,  177. 
Entomology,  at  Paris  Exposition  of  1889, 165. 

bibliography  of  economic,  335. 

bulletin  21  of  Division  of,  336. 

Division  of,  work  on  Pacific  coast,  125, 141. 

honors  to  American,  54. 
Entomophthora,  attacking  Chinch-bug,  126. 
Epargyreus  tityrus,  on  clover,  340. 
Epeira  sclopetaria,  malformed  specimen,  162. 
Epeiridae,  Basus  bred  from  eggs  of,  271. 
Ephemeridse,  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
Ephestia  sp.,  in  crackers,  146. 

inf  erpunctella,  damage  in  America,  167, 170. 
distinguished  from  kiihniella,  171. 
in  flouring  mills,  278. 

kiihniella,  Chremylus  a  parasite  of,  260. 
in  Canada,  187. 
investigations  of  damage,  166. 

zeae,  in  America,  167. 
Epicaerus  imbricatus,  injuring  potato,  92. 
Epicauta  lugubris,  mm,  288. 
Epilachna  corrupta,  injuring  beans,  114,  377. 
Erigone,  mm,  390. 

EriococcusazaleiB,  similar  appearance  of  Gossypa- 
ria  ulmi  to,  35. 

eucalypti,  destroyed  by  Leis,  287. 
Eristalis  dimidiatus,  fi  om  bowels  of  a  woman,  261. 

tenax,  from  bowels  of  a  man,  262. 
Erythroneura  vitis,  in  Michigan,  44. 
Eumeta  carmerii,  injuring  tea-plant  in  Ceylon,  192 
Eupelmus,  distinguished  from  Halidea,  262. 

bifasciatus,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  211. 
Euphoria  inda,  damaging  green  corn,  277. 
Euplectrus,  similar  in  habits  to  Bethylus,  83. 
European  Cock-chafer,  reqiedies,  300. 
Euiycreon,  in  Colo.,  145. 

rantalis,  parasites  of,  327. 
Euryischia  lestophoni,  bred   from  Lestophonus, 

321. 
Eurytoma  abrotani,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  211. 

hordei,  referred  to  wrong  genus,  195. 

olearicB,  referred  to  wrong  genus,  195. 
Eurytominae,  mm,  365. 
Enschistus  variolarius,  injuring    raspberries   in 

Michigan,  44. 
Evania,  mm,  387. 
Evaniidie,  monograph  of,  387. 
Exorista  doryphorae,  bred  from  Doryphora,  233. 
Exothecinfe,  bred  parasitic,  350. 


Faggot  Worm,  injuring  tea-plant  in  Ceylon,  192. 

Fall  Web-worm,  eflect  of  open  winter  on,  261. 

Februa  hoffmanseggi,  stridulation,  13. 

Field  cricket  destroying  strawberries,  89. 

Fig  Eater  in  South,  2. 

Five-ribbed  Tea-mite,  in  Ceylon,  193. 

Flat  Scale  in  Africa,  2. 

Flea  Beetles  injuring  strawberry,  369. 

Fleas,  metamorphoses  of,  290. 

Florida  Wax-scale,  mistaken  for  Icerya,  55. 

on  guava,  316. 
Flour  infested  with  Phylethus,  21. 
Fluted  Scale,  Australian  hymenopterous  parasite 

of,  248. 
Fluted  Scale,  hydrocyanic  acid  gas  for,  204. 

in  Africa,  2. 

not  in  Florida,  55. 
Fodder- Worm  in  Southern  States,  18. 
Fcenus,  mm,  387. 

Forest  Tent-caterpillar,  stopping  trains,  58. 
Formica  rufa  (?)  destroying  insect  specimens  in 
S.  Amer.,  22. 
Bchaufussi,  Corimelaena  in  nest,  390. 
Frog,  destroying  the  May  Beetle,  195. 
Fruit-fly,  in  Queensland,  266. 
Fuller's  Rose-beetle,  mm,  336. 

mistaken  for  Plum  Curculio  in  Cal.,  90. 
Fungus  diseases,  international  meetings,  295. 


Gall-making  insects  in  N.  Z.,  194. 
Garden  Web-worm,  parasites  of,  327. 
Gasteruption,  mm,  387. 
Gastroidea  polygon!  injuring  grass,  275. 

on  Polygonum,  190. 
Gelechia  sp.,  bred  probably  from  clover,  281. 
cerealella,  damage  in  America,  167. 
liturella,  synonym,  154. 

refusella,  Meuesta  tortricella  a  synonym  of, 
304. 
Geotrupid,  stridulation,  13. 
German  Cockroach,  account  of,  267. 
Gipsy  Moth,  hymenopterous  parasites  of,  262. 
Glyphipteryx,  note,  285. 

Goat  skins,  injured  by  Dermestes  vulpinus,  62. 
Golden-winged  Woodpecker,  destroying  the  White 

Grub,  195. 
Gonatista  grisea,  mm.,  340. 
Gonatopus  pilosus,  parasitic    on  Deltocephalus, 

271. 
Gortyna  nitela  in  corn  and  ragweed,  375. 

similar  methods  of  a  cut-worm  to,  133. 
Tachina  sp.  bred  from,  280. 
Gossyparia  alni,  a  synonym  of  ulmi,  35. 
farinosus,  a  synonym  of  ulmi,  35. 
lanigera,  a  synonym  of  ulmi,  35. 
spurius,  a  synonym  of  ulmi,  35. 
ulmi,  article,  34. 
Gracilaria  sp.  injuring  tea-plant,  330. 
Grain  Moth,  damage  in  America,  167. 
Plant  louse,  mm,  336,  339. 
injury  in  1889,  31. 
in  Mich.,  44. 
new  parasites  of,  246. 


401 


Grapevine  Leaf-hopper,  a  remedy,  86. 

in  Mich.,  44. 
Graptodera  exapta  on  fuchsias,  277. 
Grasshoppers,  mm,  327. 

in  Utah,  281. 
Green  Bug  injuring  potato  iu  India,  61. 

Cotfee-scale,  kero.sene  emulsion  for,inIndia,17. 
Green-striped  Maple- worm  in  Bruner'areport,  258. 
Greeting,  1,  91. 
Gryllidffi,  oviposition  of,  224. 


Hadena  stipata,  destructiveness  of,  383. 

injuring  corn,  134. 
Hsematobia  coinicola,  oviposition,  60. 
synonym  of  serrata,  95. 
ferox,  a  European  species,  95. 
serrata,  Kowarz's  identification,  191. 
life-history,  93. 
Smith's  bulletin,  165. 
stimulans,  a  European  species,  95. 
Hagno,  synonym  of  Cryptolechia,  150. 

faginella,  synonym,  151. 
Hair  worms,  infesting  Melanoplus  atlanis,  68. 
Halidea,  mm.,385. 

schwarzii  n.  sp.,  Ashm.,  first  species  of  the 
genus  found  in  this  country,  262. 
Haltica  ignita,  injuring  strawberry,  370. 
Harlequin  Cabbage-bug  in  N.  M.,  114. 
Harpalus  faunus,  infested  with)|mites,  369. 
Harpalyce  albella,  synonym,  155. 
canusella,  synonym,  154. 
tortricella,  synonym,  155. 
Harpiphorus,  defined  by  submarginal  cells,  243. 
maculatu.s,  comparison  with  other  species,  227. 

easily  confused  with  Monostegia,  138. 
testaceus,  identical  (?)  with  varianus,  242. 
varianus,  habits  and  data  of  injuries,  239. 
Harvest  Mite,  destroying  eggs  of  Doryphora,  189. 
Hawthorn  Tingis  on  quince,  48. 
Hecabolinae,  bred  parasitic,  350. 
Hecatesia  sp.  in  Mexico,  15. 

exultans,  figured  by  Boisduval,  15. 

fenestrata,  stridulation,  14. 

thyridion,  stridulation,  15. 

Heel  Fly,  oviposition,  174. 

Helia  aemula  damaging  fodder,  18. 

Heliothis  armigera,  in  Colorado,  146. 

injuring  poppy  in  India,  62,  264. 
in  Michigan,  42. 
in  Mississippi,  283. 
in  Texas,  20. 
Hellgrammite  Fly,  popular  names  for,  122. 
Helomyza  sp.,  in  Mayfield  Cave,  374. 
Hemiptera,  aquatic,  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 

preying  on  Harpiphorus  larvae,  243. 
Hemiteles  fulvipes,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

variegatum,  bred  trom  Phycis,  382. 
Henops  brunneus,  on  apple  twigs,  28S. 

marginatus,  possibly  reared  from  spider,  288. 
Hessian  Fly,  mm.,  264,  336. 

importation  of  parasites,  390. 
in  California,  252. 
Heterodera    javanica,    injuring    sugar-cane     in 
Java,  85. 


Heteiodera  radicicola,  injuring  clematis,  338. 
life  history,  263. 
schachtii,  in  Europe,  263. 
Heteroptera,  from  southern  Michigan,  390. 
Hippodamia  convergens,  experiment  with,  264. 
preying  on  Epilachna,  114. 
13-puuctata,  experiment  with,  364 
on  aquatic  plants,  201. 
Hispa  aenescens,  injuring  rice  in  Indiii,  61. 
Holcocephala  abdominalis,  notes  on,  162. 
Homoptera.  Low's  work  in,  196. 
Honey  Bees,  elfect  of  arsenicals  on,  84, 123,  261. 
Hontalia  allied  to  Axinia,  365. 
Hop  aphis,  mm,  339. 

Plant-louse,  Megaspilus  reared  from,  246. 
Hoplocrepis  albiclavus,  mm,  30,  385. 
Horn  Fly,  life-history,  93. 
oviposition.  60. 
Smith's  bulletin,  165. 
Horse  Bot-Fly,  eggs  not  inserted,  175. 
Horticultural  law,  the  amended  Californian,  81. 
Horticulture,  Los  Angeles  County  Commission, 
312. 
new  insect  legislation  re,  330. 
new  State  board  of  Oregon,  56. 
test  case  under  law,  331. 
Hyale,  synonym,  154. 

coryliella,  synonym,  154. 
Hyalomyia,  parasite  of  Brachyderes,  234. 
Hydrocyanic  acid  gas,  for  Red  Scale,  202. 
Hyleuiia  coarctata,  mm,  337. 

Hymenoptera,  bred  parasitic  in  National  Museum 
collection,  348. 
male,  genital  armature  in,  386. 
Hymenopterous  parasites,  mm,  339. 
Hyperacmus  tineae,  clothes  moth  parasite,  213. 
Hyphantria  cunea,  effect  of  open  winter  on,  261. 

in  Minnesota,  164. 
Hypoderma,  larva  traveling  in  a  boy's  body,  238. 
bovis,  co-operative  investigation,  183. 
in  Colorado,  145. 
injury  by,  156. 

larvae  taken  internally,  201,  207. 
life-history  and  remedies,  172. 
traveling  grub  resembling,  239. 
diana,  internal  larvae  similar  to,  207. 
traveling  grub  resembling,  239, 
lineata,  oviposition,  174. 
Hyptia,  mm,  387. 


Icerya  purchasi,  mm,  333. 

Australian   hymenopterous   parasite  of, 

248. 
bulletin  on  enemies  of,  336. 
Cedrus  libani  a  new  food-plant  of,  49. 
destroyed  by  Vedalia,  112. 
disappearance  in  New  Zealand,  57, 146. 
enemies  of,  70. 

Hydrocyanic  acid  gas  for,  204. 
Hymenopterous  parasite  of  in  Australia, 

320. 
importation  of  parasite  to  destroy,  15 
in  Africa,  2. 
not  in  Florida,  55. 
recent  increase  in  New  Zealand,  384. 


402 


Icerya  purchasi,  Telephorus  censors  a  new  enemy 
of,  49. 
rosae,  MS.  name  proposed,  333. 
sacchari,  mm,  333. 
Ichneumon  sp.,  bred  from  Ceratina,  366. 
Ichneumonidfe,  parasitic  on  Ocneria,  210. 
Ide,  charactei's  and  relations,  150, 155. 

lithosina,  note,  155. 

osseella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  155. 

vestalis,  note,  155. 
Idioceius  sp.,  on  mango  in  India,  265. 
Imbricated  Snout-beetle,  in  Brunei's  report,  258. 
Imported  Cabbage-worm,  mm,  340. 

Gipsy  Moth,  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  Japan,  209. 

In  New  England,  208. 
Indian  meal-moth,  damage  in  America,  167. 

in  flouring  mills,  278. 
Inquilin»,  bred  from  ^geria,  281. 
Insecticides,  American,  in  India,  17,  47 ,  264. 

litigation  concerning,  260. 

and  fungicides  combined,  339. 
Insidious  Plant-bug,  attacking  scales,  364. 
Irrigation,  effect  on  injurious  insects,  215. 
Ischnaspis  flliformis,  on  palm  leaf,  368. 
Isosoma  hordei,  not  parasitic  on  Cecidomyia,  195. 

orchidearum,  on  orchids,  250. 
lulus  sp.,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 

impressus,  infesting  ripe  raspberries,  258. 
Ixodes  bovis,  injury  to  cattle  in  Texas,  20. 


Jassidse,  Dryinidse  and  Pipunculidae  parasitic  on, 
271. 
injury  in  India,  61. 
Jay,  destroying  the  White  Grub,  195. 
Joint-worm,  not  parasitic  on  Cecidomyia,  195. 


Kakerlak  orientalis,  in  French  houses,  231. 
Katipo  of  New  Zealand,  bites  of,  134. 
Katy-did,  call  of,  282. 

oviposition,  224. 
King-bird,  destroying  the  White  Grnb,  195. 
Koebele,  Albert,  testimonial,  379. 


Laboratory,  organization  of  work  in,  185. 
I.achnosterna,  sudden  appearance,  297. 
fusca  in  Colorado,  332. 

larva  eating  locust  eggs,  298. 
larval  life,  372. 
remedies,  300. 
hirticula,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
prunina,  local  abundance  in  MichigaH,  43. 
rugosa,  in  stomach  of  Chuck-wills- widow,  189. 
Lachnus,  on  Pine,  314. 

longistigma,  on  Linden  in  Washington,  90. 
platanicola,  differences  between  longistigma 
and,  90. 
Lady-bird,  mm,  339. 

cannibalism  with,  55. 
parasite,  observed  by  Goding,  147. 
Lamphides  elpis,  larvse  injuring  Cardamom  in  Cey- 
lon, 61. 
Languria  gracilis,  bred  from  rag-weed,  347. 
mozardi,  breeding  habits,  346. 


Laphria  canis,  in  Michigan,  43, 162. 
Larch  Saw-fly,  in  Lintner's  report,  200. 
Lasioderma  serricorne,  mm,  385. 
in  cigarettes,  369. 
testaceum,  injuring  opium  balls  and  cheroots, 
62. 
Lathridius  nodifer,  n^ w  to  fauna,  333. 
Lathrodectus  sp.,  in  Madagascar,  273. 

mactans,  allied  species  in  New  Zealand,  75. 
scelio,  bites  of,  134. 
verecundus,  bito  of,  46. 
Leaf  Grumpier,  Hemiteles  bred  from.  382. 
Leaf-hoppers,  on  Cranberry,  337. 
Leather  Beetle,  injury  to  goat  skins  in  Delaware, 
62. 
damaging  silkworm  cocoons  in  India,  62. 
Lecanium  sp.,  not  attacked  by  Vedalia,  73. 

acuminatum,  L.  mangiferae  distinct  from,  48. 
coffe»,  afi'ecting  coffee,  265. 
hesperidum,  in  Africa,  2. 

on  life  history,  370. 
mangiferaj  on  Mango,  48. 
nigrum,  affecting  coffee,  265. 
olese,  albinism  in,  379. 

Dilophogasterealifornica  a  parasite  of,  248. 
in  Australia,  336. 
not  attacked  by  Vedalia,  73. 
viride,  mm,  370. 
affecting  coffee,  265. 
kerosene  emulsion  for  in  India,  17. 
Leis  conformis,  destroying  Schizoneura,  287. 
Lepidoptera,  noises  made  by,  11. 
Lepisma  saccharina,  in  houses,  316. 
Leptocorisa  acuta,  injury  to  rice  in  India,  61. 
Lesser  Locust  in  Michigan,  44. 

New  Hampshire,  62,  66. 
water-bug,  devouring  aquatic  animals,  201. 
Lestophonus,  validity  of  the  genus,  91. 
icerya",  distinct  from  monophlcebi,  261. 
in  California,  377. 
value  as  an  Icerya  destroyer,  147. 
monophloebi,  distinct  from  iceryse,  261. 
Leucania  unipuncta  in  Michigan,  42. 
Leucanthiza  sp.,  referred  to  Metonius  Ifevigatus, 

78. 
Leucopis  sp.,  preying  on  aphides,  281. 
Ligyrus  gibbosu.s,  in  bird's  stomach,  189. 
Limneria,  reared  from  larvas  on  salsify,  255. 
difformis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
enrycreontis,  parasite  of  web-worm,  328. 
Limonius  auripilis,  eating  raspberries,  258. 
Limnlus,  eye  of,  293. 
Lina  lapponica,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
scripta,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
tremuhe,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
Linden  tree-louse,  on  linden  in  Washington,  90. 
Liobonum  dorsatum,  in  Weed's  catalogue,  199. 

formosum,  in  Weed's  catalogue,  199. 
Listronotus  latiusculus,  breeding  in  Sagittaria, 

201. 
Lithobius,  mm,  282. 

LithocoUetis  sp.,  referred  to  Brachys  serugino-sa, 
77. 
sp.,  referred  to  coleoptera,  77,  78. 
sp.,  upper  and  lower  mines  on  Betula,  120. 
sp.,  upper  mines  on  Grindelia,  119. 


403 


LithocoUetis  aceriella,  upper  mines  ou  Acer  and 
Hamamelis,  119. 
actinoiueridis,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 

upper  mines  on  Actinomeris,  119. 
£enigmatella,  synonym,  52. 
seriferella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  119, 120. 
SBSculisella,  a  variety,  53,  54. 

upper  mines  on  iEsculus,  119. 
affinis,  bred  from  Lonicera,  51. 

lower  mines  on  Lonicera  and  Symphori- 
carpus,  119. 
albanotella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 
alnicolella  n.  .sp.  AVlsm.,  described,  80. 

upper  mines  on  Aluus,  120. 
alniella,  food-plant  unknown,  120. 
alnifoliella,  doubtful  American  species,  77. 
ainivorella,  distinct  from  alnicolella,  80. 

upper  mines  on  Alnus,  120. 
ambroaiseella,  corrected  to  ambrosiella,  54. 
ambrosiella,  lower  mines  on  Ambrosia  and 
Heliauthus,  119. 

note,  54. 
amoena,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 

lower  mines  on  Actinomeris,  1 19. 
amorphffi,  synonym,  53. 
amorph£eella,  bred  from  Amorplia,  53. 
argentifimbriella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 

note,  25,  26. 
argentinotella,  lower  mines  on  TJlmus,  119. 
atomariella,  a  valid  species,  54. 

lower  mines  on  Salix  and  Populus,  120. 
auroaitens,  lower  mines  on  Alnus,  120. 
australisella,  food-plant  unknown,  120. 
basistrigella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 

synonym,  25. 
beihuniella,  upper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
bicolorella,  mining  oak  leaves,  23. 
bifasciella,  affinities,  24. 

upper  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 
bostonica,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 

food-plant  unknown,  120. 
caryfefoliella,   upper   mines  on  Juglans  and 

Carya,  119. 
caryalvella,  lower  mines  on  Carya,  119. 
castanella,  upper  mines  on  Quercus  and  Cas- 

tanea,  120. 
celtifoliella,  note,  52. 

upper  and  lower  mines  on  Celtis,  119. 
celtisella,  synonym,  52. 
chambersella,  food-plant  unknown,  120. 

to  replace  name,  78. 
cincinnatiella,  allied  to  macrocarpella,  78. 

same  group  as  nemoris,  117. 

upfier  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 
clemeusella,  lower  mines  on  Acer,  119. 

valid  species,  25. 
conglomeratella,  food-plant  unknown,  23. 

•  upper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
consimilella,  note,  51. 

synonym,  53. 
coryliella,  mining  Corylus,  54. 

upper  mines  on  Cupuliferie,  120. 
desmodiella,  lower  mines  on  Desmodium  and 

Phaseolus,  119. 
diapbanella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
elepbantopodella,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 

2902— Ko.  1 5 


Litbocolletis  elepbantopodella,   lower  mines  on 
Composite,  119. 
eppelsbeimii,  upper  mines  on  Carya,  119. 
faginella,  lower  mines  on  Fagus,  120. 
fitcbella,  insignis  allied  to,  118. 

lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
fragilella,  lower  mines  on  Lonicera  and  Sym- 
phoricarpus,  119. 

note,  51. 
fuscocostella,  note,  25. 
gaultberiella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  79. 

upper  mines  on  Gaultberia,  119. 
gemmea,  note,  53. 

upper  mines  on  Eobinia,  119. 
guttifinitella,  note,  53,  54. 

upper  mines  on  Rhus  and  Jllsculus,  119. 
hageuii,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
hamadryadella,  upper  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 
belianthivorella,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 
ignota,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 

lower  mines  on  Helianthus,  119. 
incanclla,  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  81. 

lower  mines  on  Alnus,  120. 
insignis,  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  117. 

food-plant,  unknown,  120. 
intermedia,  note,  2.5. 
Icbertella,  affinities,  25. 

iipper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
ledella,  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  79. 

upper  mines  on  Ledum,  119. 
longestriata,  synonym,  25,  26, 
lucetiella,  note,  52. 
lucetrella,  lower  mines  on  Tilia,  119. 
lucidicostella,  lower  mines  on  Acer,  119. 
lysimachiEeella,  a  doubtful  species,  77. 
lysimachiella,  lower  mines  on  Lysimachia,  119. 
macrocarpella,  allied  to  umbellularife,  78. 

upper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
mariwella  bred  from  Symphoricarpus,  51. 
mariella,    lower  mines  on  Symphoricarpus, 

119. 
minutella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
miriflca,  synonym,  53. 
modesta  mining  elm  leaves,  23. 
morrisella,  lower  mines  on  Amphicarpsea,  119. 

note,  52. 
nemoris  n.  sp.  Wksm.,  described,  116. 

upper  mines  on  Vaccinium,  119. 
nobilissima,  allied  to  ambrosiella,  54. 
non-fasciella,  synonym,  52. 
obscuricostella,  lower  mines  on  Ostrya,  120. 
obsoleta,  food-plant  unknown,  120. 
obstrictella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
obtusilobae  mining  oak  leaves,  23. 
occitanica,  lower  mines  on  Ulmus,  119. 
oregonensis,  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  117. 

food-plant  unknown,  120. 
ornatella,  synonym,  53. 
ostensackenella,  note,  53. 

upper  and  lower  mines  on  Kobinia,  119. 
ostryfeella,  mining  Ostrya,  54. 
ostrysefoliella,  lower  mines  on  Ostrya,  120. 

note,  53. 
ostryella,  upper  mines  on  Ostrya,  120. 
pastorella,  affinities,  54. 
pomifoliella,  lower  mines  on  Eosaceae,  119. 


404 


LithocoUetis  populiella,  lower  mines  on  Populus, 
120. 
populifoliella,  aflSnities,  54. 

synonym,  52. 
quercibella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
synonym,  25. 
synonomy  of,  77. 
quercipulchella,  synonym  of  quercibella,  77. 
quercivorella,  mining  oak  leaves,  23. 

upper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
quinquecotella,  change  of  name,  78. 
rileyella,  lower  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 

synonj  m,  25. 
robiniella,  bred  from  Robinia,  52. 

upper  and  lower  mines  on  Robinia,  119. 
roboris,  insignia  allied  to,  118. 
ealicicolella,  allied  to  ledella,  80. 
salicifoliella,  a  valid  species,  54. 

lower  mines  on  Salix;  and  Populus,  120. 
scabiosella,  oregonensis  allied  to,  117. 
ecudderella,  lower  mines  on  Salix,  120. 
sexnotella,  food-plant  unknown,  120. 
eolidaginis,  lower  mines  on  Solidago,  119. 
subaureola,  note,  25. 
symphoricarpella,  lower  mines  on  Symphori- 

carpus,  119. 
tenuistrigata,  note,  25. 
texanella,  synonym,  52. 
tiliella,  upper  mines  on  Tilia,  119. 
toxicodendri,  upper  mines  on  Rhus,  119. 
tiifasciella  not  an  American  species,  51. 
tritseniella,  note,  53. 

upper  mines  on  Ostrya,  120. 
tubiferella,  a  coleopterous  larva,  77. 
doubt  as  to  species,  24. 
upper  mines  on  Quercus,  119. 
ublerella,  lower  mines  on  Amorpha,  119. 
uhlerella,  note,  53. 
ulmella,  mining  elm  leaves,  23. 
upper  mines  on  Ulmus,  119. 
umbellularife  n.  sp.  "Wlsm.,  described,  78. 

upper  mines  on  Umbellularia,  119. 
unifasciella,  upper  mines  on  Quercus,  120. 
Lithophana  antennata,  early  appearance,  383. 
Lixus  concavus,  injuring  rhubarb,  294. 
macer,  bred  from  Chenopodium,  294. 
parens,  gall-making  habit,  294. 
Lobster  caterpillar,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Locustae,  European,  ovipositing  in  the  ground, 

224. 
Locnstidae,  embryological  observations,  223. 
oviposition  of,  224,  225. 
variety  of  oviposition,  224. 
Locusts,  mm,  337. 
in  Algeria,  59. 
in  India,  332. 
Locusts,  outbreaks  in  1889,  27. 
Locust-mite  in  New  Hampshire,  67. 

Rocky  Mountain,  eft"ct  of  irrigation  on,  216. 
Long  scale,  danger  of  spread,  341. 
Lophoderus  tr-iferana,  reared  on  salsify,  255. 
Lucilia  in  Colorado,  146. 
Lycajna  comyntas,  mm,  385 
Lyctus  sp.  in  Bamboo,  19. 
Lydella  doryphorfe,  bred  from  Doryphora,  233. 
Lygocerus,  a  plaut-louse  parasite,  246. 


Lygus  lineolaris,  a  synonym  of  pratensis,  49. 

obliuitus,  a  synonym  of  pratensis,  49. 

pratensis,  on  pear  and  apple,  49. 
piercing  salsify  leaves,  255. 
Lymexylon  sericeum,  in  red  oak,  123. 
Lyperosia,  Hsematobia  serrata  referred  to,  95. 

serrata,  Kowarz's  identification,  191. 

M. 

Machimia,  characters  and  relations,  150. 

tentoiiferella,  note,  150. 
Maciodactylus  angustatus,  in  the  South,  297. 
uniformis,  in  the  Southwest,  297. 
on  apple  in  New  Mexico,  115. 
subspinosus,  life-history,  295. 
in  New  Mexico,  114. 
Maliophaga,  resemblance  of  ultimate  Platypsyllus 

Jarva  to,  201,  244. 
Mamestra-like  larvfB  injuring  grape  in  California, 

56. 
Mamestra  legitima,  in  Asclepias  seed-pod,  382. 
papaverorum,   confounded  with   Boll  Worm, 
264. 
Mantidai,  embryological  observations,  223. 
•   oviposition  of,  224. 
Westwood's  revision,  340. 
Mantis  wheeleri,  mm,  340. 
Maple  scale  in  Michigan,  44. 
Masicera,  parasite  of  Calosoma,  234. 
May  Beetle,  found  in  frog's  stomach,  195. 
in  Mississippi,  283. 
on  larval  life,  372. 
sudden  appearance,  297. 
Fly,  Zaitha  and  Notonecta  devouring  larvse, 
201. 
Meal-worm,  beetles  of,  in  a  pin-cushion,  148. 
Mealy  bug,  Egyptian,  256,  327. 
mistaken  for  Icerya,  55. 
resin  wash  for,  276. 
Meconema  varium,  ovipositing  under  bark  scales, 

224. 
Mediterranean  flower-moth,  damage  by,  166,  336. 
in  Canada,  187. 
parasite  of,  260. 
Megapenthes  granulosus,  synonym  of  lirabalis,  292. 

limbalis,  granulosus  identical  with,  292. 
Megaspilus,  reared  from  islant-lice,  246. 

niger,  n.  sp.,  Howard,  descr.,  247. 
Megilla  maculata,  experiment  with,  364.    . 
parasite  observed  by  Goding,  147. 
Melanism,  341. 
Melanochroism,  341. 
Melanophora  diabroticse,  parasite  of  Diabrotica, 

233. 
Melanoplus  atlanis,  in  New  Hampshire,  66. 
Melauoplus  bivittatus,  damage  from,  in  Utah  in 
1889,  27. 
cinereus,  damage  from,  in  Louisiana  in  1*889,  27. 
devastator,  damage  from,  in  Utah  in  1889,  27. 
femur-rubrum,  damage  from,  in  Utah  in  1889, 

27. 
spretus,  mm.,  336. 

damage  from,  in  Utah  in  1889,  27. 
Melittia  ceto,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
Meloidae,  nomenclature  of,  288. 


405 


Melolontha  hippocastani,  remedies,  300. 

vulgaris,  abundance  in  Ponierania,  30. 
larval  life,  374. 
remedies,  300. 
Melon-worm,  in  cantaloupes,  376. 
Menavody,  poisonous  spider,  273. 
Menesta,  characters  and  relations,  150, 154. 

erected  for  an  aberrant  Gelechiid,  303. 

melauella  n.  sp.,  Murt.,  described,  304. 

tortricella,  mm,  304. 

tortriciformella,  synonymy,  154. 
Mermis,  infesting  Melanopus  atlanis,  68. 
Meromyza  americana,  Cselinius  bred  from,  280. 

on  wheat,  87. 
Mesochorus,  reared  from  Microgastercocoons,  211. 

gracilis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

pectoralis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

splendidulns,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Mesogiapta  polita,  in  Missouri,  115. 
Metonius  Isevigatus,  mining  Desmodium,  78. 
Metriopelma  brej  eri,  bite  of,  47. 
Microcentrum  retiuerve,  oviposition  of,  224. 
Microgasterinse,  possible  parasites  of  Ocneria,  211. 
Microgaster,  Mesochorus  reared  from  cocoons,  211. 

reared  from  JEgeria,  83. 

calceatus,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210,  211. 

liparidis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 

pubescens,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  211. 

tenebrosus,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210.  , 

tibialis,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Microrhopala  melsheimeri,  myrmecophiloua,  123. 
Mictis  profana,  injuring  the  orange,  336. 
Millipedes,  mm.,  337. 
Mite,  cheese,  on  a  neck-tie,  21. 

in  flax-seed,  251. 
Mole,  destroying  the  white  grub,  195. 
Monocrita  olearise,  bred  from  and  parasitic  in  galls 

on  Olearia  in  Kew  Zealand,  195. 
MoDomorium  pharaonis,  in  France,  Algeria,  Pal- 
estine, 230. 
life  history  and  remedies  for,  106. 
Monophadnus,  supposed  Harpipborus  resembling 

in  antennse,  228. 
MonophlcebinsD,  on  Eucalyptus,  336. 
Monostegia  ignota,  Harpipborus  agreeing  closely 
with,  227. 
life-history,  137. 

obscurata,  closely  allied  to  ignota,  140. 

Harpipborus  maculataa  agreeing  closely 
with,  227. 
Morelos  orange  fly  damaging  oranges,  2. 
Mulberry  silk  worm,  mm,  388. 
Murgantia  histrionica  in  New  Mexico,  114. 
Musca,  facets  of  eye,  293. 

domestica,  in  Colorado,  146. 
Mutillidse,  males,  genital  armature  in,  386. 
Mygale  fasciata,  bites  of,  189. 

hentzii,  killed  by  Pepsis,  149. 
Myiasis;  Low's  work  on,  196. 
Mylabris  oculata  damaging  vegetables  in   Afri- 
ca, 2. 
Myobia  pumila,  parasite  of  Crioceris,  234. 
Myriapoda,  in  Lintner's  report,  200. 
Myrmica  molesta,  a   synonym  of  Monomorinm 

pharaonis,  106. 
Mytilaspis  cifricola,  danger  of  spread,  341. 
in  Florida,  367. 


Mytilaspis  gloverii,  danger  of  spread,  341. 
in  Florida,  367. 
pinifolioe,  on  Abies,  364. 
Myzus  mahaleb,  on  salsify,  256. 


N. 


Nebria,  Low's  first  work,  196. 
Nemat-odes,  Atkinson's  bulletin  on,  263. 

iniury  to  cane  fields  in  Java,  85. 
Nematus  erichsonii,  in  Lintner's  report,  200. 

ventralis,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
Nemognatha  apicalis,  note  on,  288. 

bicolor,  synonym,  288. 

walkeri,  synonym,  288. 
Kemotois,  note,  285. 
Keoceratnbyx  holosericeus^  girdling  branches  in 

India,  264. 
Neophanes,  belonging  to  a  new  spider  family,  292. 
Xerica  bidentata,  on  elm,  295. 
Nettle-grub,  blue  striped,  injuring  tea  plants  330. 
Neuglenes,  peculiarity  of  wings  and  eyes,  57. 

apterus,  peculiarity  in  eyes  and  wings,  58. 
Neuropter,  impressed  in  paper,  "282. 
Neuioptera,  aquatic  from  Mississippi  bottoms 

294. 
Nezara  hilaris,  puncturing  bean  buds,  147. 

viridula,  injuring  potato  in  India,  61. 
Nidularia,  runs  away  when  disturbed  during  met- 
amorphosis, 36. 
Nirmus,  resemblance   of  ultimate  PI,  typsyllus 

larva  to,  201. 
Noctua  cupidissima,  injuring    grape  in  Califor- 
nia, 56. 
Notonecta  undulata,  devouring  aquatic  insects, 

201. 
Nymphalid,  stridulation,  12. 


Obituary  :  Dr.  Anton  Ausserer,  86. 
Lucien  Bucjuet,  332. 
Heinrich  Frey,  332. 
Dr.  Franz  Low,  196. 
Eugene  Maillot,  196. 
Ochthebius,  revision  of,  333. 
Ochthiphilin8e,Lestophonu8  placed  in,  91. 
Ocneria  dispar,  hymenopterous  parasites  of,  262. 
importation  of,  86. 
in  Europe,  Asia,  and  Japan,  209,  210. 
in  New  England,  208. 
Odonata,  early  stages,  388. 

from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
notice  of  work  on  North  European,  260. 
CEcanthus  latipennis,  insectivorous   food-habits 
of,  125, 130. 
sound  of,  282. 
niveus,  insectivorous  food-habits  of,  125, 130. 
oviposition  of,  225. 
CEcophora  temperatella  damaging  wheat  in  Asia 

Minor,  30. 
(Edipoda  Carolina,  mm,  385. 
ffineis  macounii,  breeding  of,  45. 
Ottice,  organization  of  work  in,  185. 
Ogcodea  pallipes,  possibly  reared  from   spider, 


406 


Oligonyx  gramiuis  mm,  340. 

sciuUleii,  miu,  340. 

uhleri,  mm,  340.  ' 

Oliogophus  pictus,  in  "Weed's  catalogue,  199. 
Oucideres  cingulatus,  mm,  264. 
Oncometopla  undata,  on  weeping  trees  in  Texas, 

161. 
Ophelosian.  gen.  Eiley,  described,  249. 

crawfordi  n.  sp.  Eiley,  described,  249. 
bred  from  leery  a,  321, 
described  by  Tryon  but  not  named,  266. 
Ophion  macrurum,  bred  from  Promethea  cocoons, 
383. 

purgatnm,  reared  from  Scoliopteryx,  382. 
Orange  butterfly  in  Africa,  2. 

dog  injuring  orange  in  Florida,  2. 

fly  damage  in  Africa,  2. 
Orange-striped  oak  worm  in  Michigan,  42. 
Orcbelimum,  ovipositing  in  pith  of  twigs,  224. 
Orchid  Isosoma,  in  American  greenhouses,  250. 
Orgyia  leucostigma,  Pimpla  bred  from,  281. 
Oriental  cockroach,  account  of,  267. 
Ornitboptera  croe-^us,  first  capture  by  Wallace,  14. 
Orthesia,  Pseudopulvinaria   approaching  in  ap- 
pearance, 55. 
Orthopelma    occidentalis,   bred     from    Rhodites 

galls,  281. 
Orthoptera,  eggs  ribbed,  15. 
Oscinidae,  mm,  337. 
Osciuis  sp.,  injuring  tea  plant,  330. 
Otiorhynchus  cribricoUis,  injuring  the  olive,  336. 
Ox  warble,  mm,  337. 

in  Bruuer's  report,  258. 

injury  by,  156. 

life-history  and  remedies,  172. 


Pachymerus  calcitrator,  parasite  of  Cephus,  286. 
Pachyneuron,  bred  from  Syrphid  larvse  and  plant- 
lice,  246. 
micans  n.  sp.  Howard,  described,  246. 
Paedisca,  reared  on  salsify,  255. 
Palloptera  superba,  taken  in  the  District,  162. 
Pammegi.->chia,  mm,  387. 
Papilio  cresphontes,  mm.,  264. 

injuring  orange  in  Florida,  2. 
demoleus  in  Africa,  2. 
erithonius,  affecting  orange  in  India,  264. 
feronia,  use  of  legs  in  running  and  stridula- 
tion,  12. 
Parasa  lepida,  injuring  tea  plant,  330. 
Parectopa  robiniella,  not  a  synonym,  53. 
Parlatoria  pergandei,  danger  of  spread,  341. 

in  Florida,  368. 
Parorgyia,  on  cranberry,  374. 
Peach  Borer,  boiling  water  for,  378. 
enemies  of,  83. 
fruit- worm,  Japanese,  64. 
Peach-tree  Borer  in  Michigan,  42. 
Pear  Midge,  injury  in  England,  55. 
Pear-tree  Slug,  mm,  340. 
Pea  Weevil,  mm,  337. 

heat  as  remedy,  92. 
Pemphigus,  injuring  cinchona  in  India,  61. 
Pepsis  formosa,  killing  tarantula  in  Texas,  149. 


Periodical  cicada,  Brood  XXII  in  Michigan,  43. 

1675  appearance  of  161. 
Periplaneta  americana,  mm,  30. 
account  of  266. 
orientalis,  mm,  30. 
account  of,  267. 
Pezomachus  hortensis,  hyper-parasite  of  Ocneria, 

210. 
Pha30genes  ater,  reared  from  ^geria,  83. 

discus,  bred  from  Plutella,  362. 
Phakellura  hyalinatalis,  in  cantaloupes,  376. 
Phalangiinse  of  Illinois,  notice  of  catalogue  of,  199. 
Phaneroptera  curvicauda  ovipositing  in  edges  of 

leaves,  224. 
Phasmidse,  embryological  observations,  223. 

oviposition  of,  224. 
Phasniomantis  grandis,  mm,  340. 
Phora  aterrima,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 
Phycis  indiginella,  Hemiteles  bred  from,  382. 
Phylethus  bifasciatus,  in  flour-mills,  21. 
Phyllodromia  germanica,  account  of,  267. 
Phylloecns  integer,  mm,  286. 

damage  to  willows,  230. 
Phyllotreta  pusilla,  injuring  turnips  in  Colorado, 

146. 
Phylloxera  rileyi,  CEcanthus  feeding  on,  131. 
vastatrix,  effects  of  irrigation  on,  221. 
in  France,  380. 
in  New  Zealand,  384. 
present  foreign  status,  310. 
Phylloxeridaj,  note,  378. 
Pieris  oleracea  in  Michigan,  42. 
protodice  in  California,  46. 
rapae,  mm,  340. 

breeding  on  Cakile  americana,  123. 
in  California,  46. 
in  Michigan,  42. 
Pimpla  flavicans,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
inquisitor,  bred  from  Orgyia,  281. 

Pteromalid  bred  from,  280. 
instigator,  parasite  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Pionea  rimosalis,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
PipunculidfB,  parasitic  on  Jassidfo,  271. 
Pipunculus  fuscipes,  parasitic  on  Cicadula,  271. 
Plant-lice,  autumn  life-history,  92. 
Platypsyllus  castoris,  ultimate  larva  of,  201,  244, 

292. 
Platysamia  cecropia,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
Plecoptera,  from  Mississippi  bottoms,  294. 
Plocederus  pedestris,  boring  timber  in  India,  264. 
Plum  aphis,  resin  wash  for,  276. 
Curculio,  correction,  2. 
experiments  on,  305. 
in  Brunor's  report,  258. 
puncturing  apples,  383. 
scare  in  California,  90. 
successful  spraying,  340. 
Weed's  experiments  on,  92. 
Gouger,  a  good  species,  259. 
Plusia  brassicsB,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

parasitized  by  Copidosoma,  253. 
californica,  injuring  grape  in  California,  56. 
Plutella  cruciferarum  damaging  cabbage  in  Af- 
rica, 2. 
on  cabbage,  382. 
Podurid,  destroying  red  rust  of  wheat,  259. 


407 


Poplar  girdler,  in  Minnesota,  164. 
Potato  beetle  in  the  South,  22. 
Prepona,  stridulation  in,  13. 
Prionns  laticollis,  in  ash  and  oak,  317. 
Probatius  umbratilis,  new  to  fauna,  333. 
Proconia  undata,  injuring  the  vine,  321. 
in  Mississippi,  283. 
on  weeping  trees  in  Texas,  161. 
Prodalia,  belonging  to  a  new  spider  family,  292. 
Prodenia  lineatella,  mm,  382. 

eating  salsify,  255. 
Pronuba  yuccasella,  mm,  382. 
Protoparce  celeus,  on  potato  and  tomato,  382. 
Pseudanaphora  arcanella,  mm,  338. 
Pseudopulvinaria,  a  new  genus  of  East  Indian 

CoccidcB,  55. 
Pseudosphinx  tetrio,  in  Gulf  of  Mexico,  379. 
Pseudovates  mexicana,  mm,  340. 
Psilocorsis,  synonym  of  Cryptolechia,  150. 

dubitatella,  synonym,  151. 

qnercicella,  referred  to  Cryptolechia,  151. 

leflexella,  synonym,  151. 
Psiloptei-a  drumraondi,  food  habits,  333. 
Psyllida;,  Low's  work  in,  196. 
Pteromalid,  bred  from  Pimpla,  281. 
Pteroroalus  bouch6anus,  hyper-parasite  of  Ocne- 
ria,  211. 

halidayanus,  hyper-parasite  of  Ocneria,  211. 

pini,  hyper-parasite  of  Ocneria,  211. 
Ptiliolum  cedipus,  peculiarity  of  eyes  and  wings, 

58. 
Pulvinaria  innumerabilis  in  Michigan,  44. 

ribesise,  mm,  337. 

on  Ribes  in  England,  147. 
Purple  Scale,  danger  of  spread,  341. 
Pyralis  farinalis,  range  of,  194. 
Pyrameis  cardui  infesting  thistles,  28. 
Pythonissa  (?),  efl'ecta  of  bite,  255. 

R. 

Raspberry  Saw-fly  in  Michigan,  42. 
Red  Ant,  attacking  bed-bugs,  104. 

destroying    insect    specimens    in    South 

America,  22. 
life  history  and  remedies  for,  106. 
borer,  in  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Red-legged  Flea-beetle,  its  injury  decreasing,  49. 
Locust  in  Michigan,  44. 
Scale,  danger  of  spread  to  California,  253. 
gas  process  for,  122,  202. 
origin  of,  312. 
resin  wash  for,  92. 
Tea-mite,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Rhabdotis  semipunctata  damaging  fruits  in  Af- 
rica, 2. 
Rhagium  lineatum,  boring  dead  pine,  spruce,  and 

fir  trunks,  190. 
Rhizococcus,  on  grass  in  Indiana,  326. 
Rhizophagus  parallelocollis,  on  exhumed  corpses, 

371. 
Rhodites  radicum,  Orthopelma  bred  from  galls  of, 

280. 
Rhogadinae,  bred  parasitic,  351. 
Rhopalosiphum  on  carrot,  287,  329. 
Rhopalum,  enemy  of  tea  aphis,  329. 
Rhophobota  vacciniana,  mm,  337. 


Rhubarb  Snout-beetle,  mm,  294. 
Rhynchota  of  India,  32,  265,  327. 
Rhyssalinae,  bred  parasitic,  350. 
Rhysseniatus  lineaticollis,    breeds    in  Asclepias 

pods,  112. 
Rice  Sapper  in  India,  61. 

weevil,  injury  in  India,  61. 
Robin  destroying  the  White  Grub,  195. 
Rocky  Mountain  Locust,  in  Minnesota,  159. 
Root-knot  disease  in  Florida,  Bulletin  on,  3. 

supposed,  on  apple,  315. 
Rose  Beetle,  co-operation  in  investigating  breed- 
ing habits,  183. 
method  of  killing,  19. 
preventive  of  injury,  92. 
Bordeaux  mixture  useless  for,  387. 
life-history,  295. 
Leaf-hopper,  mm,  340, 
Slug,  remedy  for,  252. 
Rust-mite  of  the  orange,  a  tea-mite  closely  related 
to,  193. 


S. 


Sagittaria  Curculio,  breeding  in  Sagittaria,  201. 
Saitis  pulex,  Acoloides  bred  from  eggs  of,  269. 
San  Jos6  scale,  origin,  312. 
Saperda  calcarata,  in  Minnesota,  164. 

concolor.   Ichneumons  bred  from,   in  Minne- 
sota, 164. 
Sarcophaga,  infesting  Melanoplus  atlanis,  68. 
Saustus  gremius,  injuring  rice  in  India,  61. 
Scale  insects,  gas  process  for,  122. 

no  new  parasites,  381. 

patented  fan-blower  for  destroying,  195. 

question  in  Florida,  367. 
Scatophaga  stercoraria  in  Michigan,  43. 
Scepsis  edwardsii,  descr.  preparatory  stages,  361. 
Schizoneura  corui,  panicola  identical  with,  108. 

cornicola,  confused  with  corni,  108. 

fungicola,  synonymous  with  corni,  109. 

lanigera,  in  Australia,  336. 
Tasmania,  287. 
soot  for,  290. 

panicola,  a  synonym  of  corni,  108. 

venu.sta,  synonymous  with  corni,  109. 
Sciapteron  robiniae  in  cottonwood  in  California 

and  Washington,  18. 
Scitala  nigrolineata,  injuring  wheat,  336. 

pruinosa,  injuring  wheat,  336. 
Scoliopteryx  libatrix,  Ophion  bred  from,  382. 
Scolopendra,  mm,  275. 
Sculptured  corn  Sphenophorus,  inBruner'sreport 

258. 
Scydmsenus  near  brevicornis,  food  habits,  278. 
Scymuus  cervicalis,  ,"preyiug  on  Aphides,  281. 
Selandria  ignota,  life  history,  137. 

obscurata,  closely  allied  to  ignota,  140. 

rubi  in  Michigan,  42. 
Semiotellus  destructor,  bred  from  Hessian  Fly  in 
California,  252. 

nigripes,  parasite  of  Hessian  Fly,  390. 
Sericaria  mori,  mm,  388. 
Sheep-rot  Fly,  eggs  not  inserted,  175. 
Sigalphina;,  bred  parasitic,  353- 
Sigalphus  canadensis,  bred  from  Anthonomus,  281. 

curculionis,  bred  from  Conotrachelus,  281. 


408 


Silver  Fish,  in  bouses,  315. 
Simulinm,  investigation  of,  8. 

meridionale,  efi'ect  of  op>»n  winter  on,  261. 
larvae  in  Louisiana,  9. 

pecuarum,  effect  of  open  winter  on,  261. 
Siphocoryne  pastiuaceae,  on  carrot,  328. 
Siphonophora  avena?,  iiyury  in  1889,  31. 
in  Michigan,  44. 
new  parasites  of,  246. 

7iear  erigeronensis,  on  Salsify,  256. 
Sitodrepa  panicea,  in  red  pepper,  321. 
Sitones  hispidulus,  enemy  to  clover,  385. 

recently  imported  from  Europe,  123. 
Six-spotted  mite  of   the  orange,  description,  225. 
Skein  Centipede,  in  houses,  315. 
Skunk,  destroying  the  White  Grub,  195. 
Smynthurus,  destroying  red  rust  of  wheat,  259. 
Snails,  Zaitha  devouring,  201. 
Snowy  Tree-cricket,  insectivorous  food-habits  of, 

125, 130. 
Solenopsis  fugax,  destroying  blackberries,  257. 
Sorghum  Borer,  in  India,  61. 
Sparrow-Hawk,  destroying  the  "White  Grub,  195. 

good  service  in  Colorado,  146. 
Spathiinffi,  bred  parasitic,  350. 
Sphendale  infuscata,  mm,  340. 
Sphenopliorus  ochreus,  life-history,  132. 
Sphinx  atropos,  stridulation,  13. 

Carolina,  in  Mississippi,  283. 

convolvuli,  on  sweet  potato  in  New  Zealand, 
135. 
Spiders,  bites  of,  46, 189,  254. 

parasites  in  eggs  of,  359. 
Spilarctia  suffusa,  damaging  jute  in  India,  62. 
Spilosoma  fuliginosa,  a  circumpolar  species,  236. 

virginica,  eating  musk-melons,  382. 
eating  salsify,  255. 
Spraying,  experiments  in,  181. 
Squash  Borer,  in  M'ssissippi,  283. 

Bug,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
Stagmomantis  Carolina,  mm,  340. 

dimidiata,  mm,  340. 

minor,  mm,  340. 
Stauropus  alternus,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 

fagi,  alternus  closely  allied  to,  193. 
Stegana  (?)  sp.,  found  in  dung,  254. 
Stenoma,  characters  and  relations,  150, 154. 

algidella,  possible  synonym,  153. 

crambitella  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  154. 

f areata  n.  sp.  Wlsm.,  described,  153. 

humilis,  synonymy,  154. 

leucillana,  possible  synonym,  153. 

schlaegeri,  note,  152. 
Stomoxys,  Hteq^atobia  formerly  classed  under,  95. 
Strawberry  Koot-louse,  mm,  294,  340. 

Saw-fly,  Monostegia,  137. 
Striped  Cucumber  beetle,  mm,  294. 

-■     gauze  frame  foi',  340. 

Grape  vine  beetle,  injury  in  Ohio,  92. 
Sugar-cane  Borer-moth,  injury  iu  India,  61. 

Borer,  tropical,  in  Louisiana,  389. 
Synageles,  a  myrmecaphilous  species  of,  123. 
Synemosyna,  a  myvmecophilous  species  of,  123. 
Syutomeida  epilais,  described  preparatory  stages, 

36P. 
Syrphida  preying  on  the  Grain  Aphis,  31. 


Tachina  Flies,  destroying  Datana,  257. 
bred  from  Cimbes,  164. 
bred  from  Cut  worms  and  Gortyna,  281. 
infesting  Melanoplus  atlanis,  68. 
parasitic  on  Ocneria,  210. 
Tseniocampa  rufula,  Anthrax  bred  from  cocoon, 
353. 
exempt  from  attack  of  Telephorus,  49. 
Tarnished  plant-bug,  on  pear  and  apple,  49. 
Tea  Aphis,  in  Cej-lon,  329. 

Bark-louse,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Tegenaria  agilis,  Acrocera  bred  from,  288. 
Telea  polypben.us,  in  Minne.sota,  164. 
Telephorus  censors,  new  enemy  of  Icerya,  49. 
Telesilla  cinereola,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
Temnochila  hubbardi,  from  Florida,  333. 
Terapletonia  nitida,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 
Tenebrio  molitor,  in  pincushion,  148. 

obscurus,  in  Colorado,  332. 
Tent  Caterpillar  in  Arkan.sas  in  1889,27. 
Tenthredinidas,  destructive   to  the    strawberry, 

137. 
Te"phritis  sp.,  aSecting  fruit  in  Queensland,  266. 
Teras  oxycoci.ana,  synonymy,  337. 

terminalis,  Mecouema  ovipositing  in  galls  of, 

224. 
vacciniana,  synonymy,  337. 
Teretriosoma  horuii,  from  Florida,  333. 
Termes  flavipes,  eating  through  cloth  and  wood. 
253. 


Tetragnatha  grallator,  from  Mississippi  bottoms, 

294. 
Tetranychus  bioculatus,  on  tea-plant  in  Ceylon, 
193. 
rosearum,  color  similar  to  6-macnlatus,  225. 
6-maculatus  n.  sp.  Riley,  described,  225. 

in  Florida,  367. 
tiliaruui.  color  similar  to  6-maoulatus,  225. 
vitis,  color  similar  to  6-maculatus,  225. 
Tetraonyx  cruciatus,  synonym,  288. 
cubensis,  synonym,  288. 
4-maculatus,  synonymy,  288. 
Tetrophtbalmus,  mm,  389. 
Tettigiidas,  Buckton's  monograph,  388. 
Texas  Cattle-tick,  injury,  20. 
Thamnotettix  sulphurella,  parasitized  by  Pipun- 

culus,  271. 
Thesprotia  baculina,  mm,  340. 
Thirteen-spotted  Lady-bird,  on  aquatic  plants, 

201. 
ThripidsB,  mm,  327. 
Thrips,  in  wheat,  338. 

on  salsify,  256. 
Thyridopteryx  ephemerseformis,  Ceylon  Faggot- 
worm  similar  to,  192. 
Thysanura,  genus  Tomocera  in,  changed  to  Dilo- 

phogaster,  249. 
Tinea  granella,  damage  iu  America,  167. 

lucidella,  injuring  horns  of  ruminants  in  India, 

62. 
pellionella,  a  clothes  moth,  212. 
tapetzella,  a  clothes  moth,  212,  2U. 
zeaj,  relation  to  Ephestia  kiihniella,  168. 


409 


Tineid,  injuring  tea  plant,  330. 

Tineola  biselliella,  bred  from  woolen  stuff,  171. 

clothes  moth,  S12. 
Tingis  of  the  oak,  CEcanthua  feeding  on,  131. 
Tip  Worm,  mm.,  337. 
Tischeria  senea,  note,  326. 

ambrosiella,  note,  325. 

badiella,  .synonym,  323. 

bicolor,  note,  324. 

castanella,  note,  323. 

ceanothi  n.  .sp.,  Wlsm.,  de.scribed,  325. 

citrinipennella,  note,  323. 

clemensella,  note,  323. 

complanoides,  type  of  Coptotriche,  nov.  gen., 
322. 

concolor,  note,  324. 

fuscomarginella,  notes,  324. 

belianthi,  note,  324. 

heliopsiella,  note,  325. 

heliopsisella,  synonym,  325. 

latipennella,  synonym,  322. 

longe-ciliata,  note,  325. 

malifoliella,  note,  326. 

nolckenii,  synonym,  325. 

prainosella,  note,  325. 

pulvella.  note,  325. 

quercitella,  note,  324. 

quercivorella,  synonym,  324. 

roseticola,  note,  326. 

solidaginifoliella,  note,  324. 

sulphurea,  note,  324. 

tinctoriella,  note,  324. 

zellerella,  synonym,  322. 

zelleriella,  Chamb.,  synonym,  323. 

zelleriella,  Clem.,  synonym,  322. 
Tobacco,  beetle,  mm,  385. 
Tomato  worm,  382. 

in  Mississippi,  283. 
Tomicus,  boring  the  Makai  tree  in  India,  62. 
Tomocera,  changed  to  Dilophogaster,  249. 
Toothed-horned  Fish-fly,  in  Weed's  bulletin,  201. 
Tragidion  fulvipenne,  ovipo.sition,  192. 
Transparent-scaled  Bark-louse,    on   tea-plant   in 

Ceylon,  193. 
Tree  Crickets,  food  habits  of,  125, 130. 

in  Brnner's  report,  258. 
Trichasius  clavatus,  wrongly  leferred,  359. 
Trichodectes,   resemblance    of   ultimate  Platyp- 

syllus  larva  to,  201. 
Trichopoda  sp.,  taken  in  the  District,  162. 

ciliata  (?),  taken  in  the  District,  162. 

hirtipes  (?),  taken  in  the  District,  162. 

radiata,  taken  in  the  District,  162. 
Trichoptera,aquatic,from  Mississippi  bottoms, 294. 
Trichupterygid  Beetles,  a  peculiarity  of,  57, 122. 
Trineura  aterrima,  on  exhumed  corpses,  371. 
Triphleps  insidiosus,  attacking  scales,  364. 
Trogosita  obscnra,  preying  on  Codling  Moth  pu- 
pae, 83. 
Trombidium,  destroying  eggs  of  Doryphora,  189, 

locustarum  in  New  Hampshire,  67,  68. 
Trycolypa  bombycis,  parasite  on  Bombyx,  264. 
Trypeta  ludens  damaging  oranges,  2. 
piercing  ovipositor  of,  261. 

pomonella,  mm,  266. 

piercing  ovipositor  of,  261. 


Turkey  gnat,  effect  of  open  winter  on,  260. 

larvae  in  Louisiana,  7,  9. 
Twenty-spotted  Lady-bird,  inWeed's  bulletin,  200, 
Tylenchus  spp.,  injuring  rice  and  maize  in  Java, 
85. 

devastatrix,  injuring  clover,  337. 

sacchari,  injuring  cane  and  sorghum  in  Java, 
85. 
Tyloderma  aereum,  on  Evening  Primrose,  112. 

foveolatum,  breeding  habits  of,  111. 

fragariPB,  breeding  habits  of,  109. 

variegatum,  in  an  ant-hill,  112. 
Typha-borer,  larger,  in  Weed's  bulletin,  200. 
Typhlocyba,  parasitic  castration  of,  271. 

douglasi,  parasitized  by  Ateleneura,  272. 

hippocastani,  parasitized  by  Aphelopus,  272. 

lethierryi,  other  species  confounded  with,  272. 

opaca,  on  elms,  273. 

rosae,  mm,  340. 

other  species  confounded  with,  272. 

ulmi,  on  elm. s,  273. 
Typhlodromua  carinatus,  on  tea-plant  in  Ceylon, 
193. 

oleivorua,  a  tea-mite  closely  related  to,  193. 
Tyroglypbus  sp.,  infesting  flax-seed,  251. 

longior,  flax-seed  mite  different  from,  251. 

siro  on  a  neck-tie,  21. 


IJ. 


Urania   boisduvalii,  swarming  in    South  Amer- 
ica, 22. 
TJropoda  americana,  infesting  Harpalus,  369. 


Yancho,  reputed  poisonous  spider,  275. 
Vanessa  antiopa,  in  Minnesota.  164. 
stridulation,  11. 
californica,  mountain  swarming  of,  355. 
cardui,  migration  of,  197. 
io,  stridulation,  11. 
milberti,  mm,  356. 
Vedalia  cardinalis,  destroying  the  Icerya,  142. 
ignored  in  a  litigation,  252. 
in  New  Zealand.  384. 
life-history,  70. 

progress  on  the  Pacific  coast,  190. 
spread  in  California,  112. 
Vespa,  nests  in  a  trunk  in  India,  113. 
Vine-loving  Pomace-fly,  found  in  hen's  feed,  254. 
Viticulture,  international  meetings,  295. 


W. 


Walshia  amorphella,  bred  from  gall  on  Amorpha, 
281. 
on  the  Loco  Weed,  50. 
Warble  Fly,  in  Colorado,  145. 
Wasps,  in  India,  113. 
Web-Worm,  burrowing,  mm,  338. 
Weevils,  clover,  mm,  337. 

granary,  336. 
Westwoodia,  on  grass,  327. 
Wheat  Bulb-fly,  mm,  337.  ' 

Bulb-worm,  mm,  338. 


410 


"Wheat  Fly,  mm,  337. 
Saw-fly,  mm,  338. 

taken  near  Ottawa,  286. 
Stem-maggot,  mm,  336. 

on  varieties  of  wheat,  87. 
■Weevil,  injury  in  India,  61. 
White  Ants,  eating  tlirough  cloth  and  wood,  253. 
in  Missisisippi,  283. 
Currant-scale,  mm,  337. 
Grub,  mm,  339. 
life  of,  372. 
remedies,  300. 

A'ertebrate  enemies  of,  195. 
"Willow  Cimbex,  in  Bruner's  report,  258. 
"Wilsonia  brevivittella,  from  CEnothera  pods,  382. 
"Winter  Moth,  traps  for  useless,  289. 
"Wood  Lice,  in  Mississippi,  283. 
Woolly  Aphis,  re.sin  wash  for,  276. 
Apple-louse,  in  Australia,  336. 

soot  for,  290. 
Bear,  Yellow,  eating  musk  melons,  382. 


X. 

Xiphidium,  ovipositing  in  pith  of  twigs,  224. 

ensifernm,  oviposition  and  embryonic  devel- 
opment, 222. 
Xylebcrus  dispar,  mm,  337. 

injury  in  England,  145. 
larval  habits,  279. 
pyri,  syn.  of  dispar,  279. 
Xylonomus  rileyi,  taken  on  Washington  Monu- 
ment, 197. 
Xysticus  gulosus,  eating  Diabrotica,  74. 

T. 
Yellow  Bark-louse,  on  tea-plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Tea-mite,  on  tea  plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
Z. 
Zaitha  fluminea,  devouring  aquatic  animals,  201. 
Zeuzera  coffea3,  on  tea-plant  in  Ceylon,  193. 
pyrina,  affecting  elms,  290. 
on  Smith's  article,  386. 
Zygsenidie,  stridulation,  14. 


PLANT  INDEX. 


ALiea  alba,  infested  with  Mytilaspis,  364. 
Acacia  undulata,  Icerya  ou,  384. 

Icerya  on  in  New  Zealand,  57. 
Acer  saccharinum,  leaves  mined  by  a  coleopter, 
78. 

leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  25. 

Litbocolletis  bred  from,  ll.^J. 
Actinoraeiis  squairosa,  Lithocolletis  bred  from, 

119. 
.^Isciilus  glabra,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  54. 

Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Agrostis,  Hessian  fly  puparia  found  on,  252. 
"Ake-Ake"  or  "Akepiro,"  galls  on,  in  New  Zea- 
land, 194. 
Alder,  chafer  on,  299. 

GosSyparia  ulmi  on,  in  Europe,  35. 

leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  77. 
Alnus  sp.,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  in  Europe,  35. 

incana,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
mined  by  Lithocolletis,  80,  81. 

serratula,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Ambrosia,  Cryptolechia  bred  from,  151. 

artemisiasfolia,  Tischeria  bred  from,  325. 

trifida,  Languria  ovipositing  in  stems,  347. 
Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Tischeria  bred  from,  325. 
Amorpha,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  53. 

fruticosa,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 

Walahia  amorphella  bred  from  galls  on, 
281. 
Amphicarpsea,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  53. 

monoica,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Anacardacese,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  54. 
Apple,  Capsid  injuring,  381. 

chafer  on,  299. 

Henops  on  twigs,  288. 

insects  on,  338. 

Lachnosterna  prunina  on,  in  Michigan,  43. 

Lygus  pratensis  injuring,  49. 

Macrodactylus  uniformis  nn,  115. 

new  pest  in  Australia,  380. 

CEcanthus  and  Ceresa  breeding  in  twigs,  130. 

Ocneria  dispar  on,  86,  209. 

supposed  root-knot  on,  315. 
Apricot,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 
Argemone  mexicana,  migration  of,  320. 
Arrow-leaf,  Listronotus  breeding  in,  201. 
Artemisia,  found  in  permanent  locust  region,  217. 
Asclepias  incarnata,  Mamestra  in  seed-pod,  382. 

Rhyssematus  breeding  in  pods,  112. 
Ash,  Callimorpha  on,  295. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

PrioDusin,  316. 
Azalea,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 


Balm  of  Gilead,  food  jilant  of  Ocneria,  210. . 

tree,  Sciapteron  boring  in  Washington,  18. 
Bamboo,  bored  by  insect,  62. 

bored  by  Lyctus,  19. 
Banyan  tree,  Dactylopius  on,  in  Egypt,  256. 
Barley,  injury  probably  by  Diplosis  equestris  in 

England,  147. 
Bean,  buds  punctured  by  Nezara,  147. 

damaged  by  Bruchus  in  Africa,  2. 
Cantharid  in  Africa,  2 

injured  by  Epilachna,  376. 
Telesilla,  283. 

Mexican,  infested  with  Epilachna,  113, 114. 
Beech,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

insects  affecting,  390. 
Betula,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  118. 

sp  ,  Cryptolechia  bred  from,  151. 

sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Birch,  Cryptolechia  bred  from,  151. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 
Blackberry,  Lachnosterna  prunina  on,  in  Michi- 
gan, 43. 

new  enemies  of,  257. 
Buffalo  Nettle  or  Thistle,  migration  of,  319. 
Bunch-grass,  found  in  permanent  locust  region, 

217. 
Bursaria  spinosa,  Charaxes  frequenting,  13. 
Butternut  infested  with  Corythuca  arcuata,  48. 

insects  affecting,  390. 


Cabbage  damaged  in  Africa  by  Plutella,  2. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

injured  by  Pieris  in  Michigan,  42. 

Murgantia  on,  in  New  Mexico,  114, 115. 

Nematode  injury  to,  263. 

Plutella  on,  382. 
Cakile  americana  food  plant  of  Pieris  rapje,  123. 
Camellias,  Aramigus  fuUeri  destructive  to,  90. 
Canna  indica,  Aramigus  fuUeri  destructive  to,  90. 
Canteloupes,  injured  by  Melon  "Worm,  376. 
Cardamom,  injured  by  Laniphides  in  Ceylon,  61. 
Carnations,  Cut- worms  injuring,  376. 
Capri  tig,  and  Caprification,  197. 
Carpinus,  insects  affecting,  390. 

americana,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Carrot,  Aphis  on,  256. 

attacked  by  Aphides,  328. 

Rhopalosiphum  on,  287. 
Cassia,  Ageronia  resting  on,  12. 
Carex  pedunculata  Chionobasmacouniibred  on, 

45. 
Carya  sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 

alba,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 

olivselormis,  Lithocolletis  bred  L-om,  119. 
411 


412 


Castanea  atnericana,  Lithocolletia  bred  from,  120. 

indica,  Pseudopulvinaria  on  in  Sikkim,  55. 

tribul()lde8,Pseudopulviuaria  on  in  Sikkim,55. 
Castor-oil  plant,  damaged  by  a  noctuid  larva  in 

India,  62. 
Catalpa,  Daremma  on,  382. 
Cattleya  eldoiado,  attacked  by  laosoma,  250. 

gigas,  attacked  by  Isosoma,  250. 

trionsB,  attacked  by  laosoma,  250. 
Ceanothus  divaricatus,  Tisclieria  bred  from,  325. 
Cedar  of  Lebanon,  Icerya  on,  49. 
Cedrela  toona,  injured  by  a  moth  in  India,  61. 
Cedrus  libaui,  Icerya  on,  49. 
Celtis  occidentalis,  Lithocolletisbred  from,  119. 
Cerasus  serbtina,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Chenopodium  album,  Anthomyia  mining  leaves, 
281. 

hybriduai,  Lixus  bred  from,  294. 
Chenopodiacese,  found  in  permanent  locust  re- 
gion, 217. 
Cherry,  Chafer  on,  299. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

■wild,  Prometbea  cocoon.s  on,  383. 
Chestnut,  Typblocyba  on  in  France,  272. 
Chinese  Azaleas,  injured  by  a  bark-louse,  35. 
Chrysanthemum,  Languria  on,  347. 
Cinchona,  injured  by  Cerataphis  and  Pemphigus 

in  India,  61. 
Cinnamon  Rose,  not  affected  by  Chafer,  298. 
Clematis,  disease  from  Heterodera,  338. 
Clover,  affected  by  Tylenchus,  337. 

Cut- worm  injury  to,  383. 

hay,  infested  with  Asopia,  19. 

insects  affecting,  200,  340. 

Languria  breeding  in,  347. 

new  enemy,  385. 

Sitones  hispidulus  injuring,  123. 
Cockle  Bur,  Gortyna  nitela  in,  375. 
Cocoanut,  infested  with  Coccus,  278. 
Coffee,  bored  by  Zeuzera,  193. 

kerosene  emulsion  for  scale  in  India,  17. 

Nematode  injury  to,  263. 

scales  affecting  in  India,  265. 
Compositfe,  Anthrenus  on  flowers,  129. 

leaves  mined  by  Litbocolletis,  54. 
Convolvulu.'i,  Mexican,   infested  with  Chelimor- 

pha,  113. 
Cork  oak,  caterpillar  damaging  in  Spain,  136. 

defoliated  in  France  by  Ocneria,  209. 
Corn,  Cbsetopsis  a;nea  bred  from  stalks,  281. 

damaged  by  Heliotbis,  Aphis,  and  Diabrot- 
ica,  283. 

Euphoria  in  eai's,  277. 

fodder  infested  by  Helia,  18. 

food-plant  of  Ocneria,  210. 

Gortyna  nitela  in,  375. 

infested  with  Hadena,  133,  383. 

infested  with  Sphenopborus,  132. 

iniured  by  Boll-worm   in  Michigan,  42. 

injured  by  Mesograpta  in  Missouri,  115. 
Corniis,  infested  with  Schizoneura  corni,  108. 

sp.,  Harpi])horus  larvae  on,  241,  243. 

alba,  Harpiphorus  larvas  on,  243. 

asperifolia,  Harpiphorus  larvie  on,  243. 

florida,  not  attacked  by  Harpiphorus  varianus 
243. 


Cornus  mas,  not  attacked  by  Harpiphorus  varia- 
nus, 243. 
paniculata,  Harpiphorus  larvaj  on,  240,  243. 
sanguinea,  Harpiphorus  larvas  on,  243. 
sericea,  Harpiphorus  larvse  on,  243. 
Corylus  americana,  leaves  mined  by  Litbocolletis, 
54. 
Litbocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Cotton,  damage  lo  by  worm  in  Texas  in  1887,  32. 
injured  by  Aletia,  Heliotbis,  and  Agrotis,  283. 
injury  by  Boll- worm  in  Texas,  20. 
leaves  of  young  plants  eaten  by  Melanoplns 
cinereus,  27. 
Cottonwood,  injured  oy  Cimbex  americana,  228. 
Sciapieron  boring  in  California  and  Washing- 
ton, 18. 
Cranberry,  insects  affecting,  336. 

Parorgyia  on,  374. 
Crataegus    tomento&a,  Litbocolletis  bred  from, 

119. 
Crazy  plant,  Walshia  amorphellaon,  50. 
Cucurbitaceae,  beetles  affecting  in  India,  264. 
Currant,  injured  by  .aigeria  in  Michigan,  42. 

insects  injuring,  92. 
Cydonia  japonica,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  119, 

vulgaris,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Cypress,  Icerya  on  in  New  Zealand,  49. 


Daisy  Flea-bane,  Languria  gnawing  stems,  346. 
Desmodium,  mined  by  Metonius  Isevigatus,  78. 

viridiflorum,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Deutzia  scabra,  Rose-chafer  affecting,  298. 
Dogwood,  injured  by  Saw-fly,  239. 

leaves  infested  with  Schizoneura  corni,  108. 
Door-weed,  Gastrophysa  on,  190. 


E. 


Elephantopus     carolinianus,   Litbocolletis    bred 

from,  119. 
Elm,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 
insects  affecting,  390. 
leaves  mined  by  Litbocolletis,  23. 
Nerica  on,  295. 
Zeuzera  affecting,  290. 
Typblocyba  infesting,  273. 
Elymus  americanus,  puparia  of  Hessian-fly  found 

on,  252. 
Erigeron  ramosus  or  strigosus,  Languria  gnawing 

stem,  346. 
Eucalyptus,  infested  with  Eriococcus,  287. 

scales  affecting,  336. 
Evergreen  Oaks,  Aramigus  fulleri  destructive  to. 

90. 
Evening  Primrose,  Tylodermaaereum  on,  112. 
Tyloderma  foveolatum  breeding  in,  111. 
Wilsonia  bred  from  pods,  382. 


Fagus    ferruginea,   Brachys    aeruginosa    mining 
leaves  of,  77. 
sylvatica,  Litbocolletis  bred  from,  120. 


413 


Ficus,  and  caprification,  197. 

pedunculata,  food  of  Scepsia,  362. 

ruginosa,    not  attacked    by    Dactylopius    in 
Egypt,  256. 
Fig,  and  caprification,  197. 

injured  by  Cetoniid  in  Africa.  2. 

insects  affecting,  197. 
Fir,  dead  trunks  bored  by  Ehagium,  190. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

Icerya  on,  in  New  Zealand,  49. 
Flax,  mite  injuring  stored  seed,  251. 
Fuchsia,  affected  by  Graptodera,  277. 

Aleurodes  sp.  on,  315. 


Ganltheria  sballon,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 

mined  by  LithocoUetis,  79. 
Gooseberiy,  insects  injuring,  92. 
Goose  Grass,  Gastrophysa  on,  190. 
Grape  Vine,  Aphis  on,  destroyed  by  CEcanthus, 
131. 
injured  by  Agrotiscnpidissima,  56. 
Alypia,  13. 
leaf-hopper,  44. 
Rose  Beetle,  92. 
wild,  Harpiphorus,  larvae  on,  241,  243. 
Grass,  injured  by  Rhizococcus,  326. 

roots  infested  with  Schizoneura  corni,  108. 
supposed  injury  from  Gastrophysa,  190. 
Grindelia  robusta,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  118. 
Guava,  Ceroplastes  affecting,  316. 


Hamamelis  virginica,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 
Hawthorn  infested  with  Corythucaarcuata,  48. 
Hazel,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

insects  affecting,  390, 
Helianthusgiganteus,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 
Heliopsis  Itevis,  Tischeria  bred  from,  325. 
Hickory,  Datana  angusii  on,  149. 

insects  affecting,  390. 
Honeysuckle,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  51. 
Hornbeam,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

I. 

Iron-wood,  insects  affecting,  390. 
Ivy,  infested  by  Aspidiotus  nerii,  252. 
Poison,  lobelia  for  poison  of,  254. 


Joint  "Weed,  Gastrophysa  on,  190. 

Juglans  cinerea,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 

nigra,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 
Juugham,  bored  by  Coleoptera  in  India,  264, 
Jute,  damaged  in  India  by  caterpillars,  62. 


Knot  Weed,  Gastrophysa  on,  190. 

L. 

Larch,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

Ledum glandulosum.LithocoUettis  bred  from,  119 

mined  by  LithocoUetis,  80. 
LeguminossB,  Nematode  injury  to,  263. 


Linden,   European,    Lachnus    longistigma  on,  in 
Washington,  90. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

insects  affecting,  390. 
Lime,  food  plant  of  Ocn'^ria,  209. 
Liriodendron  tulipiferura,  Diplosis  injuring,  362. 
Loco  Weed,  Walshia  amorphella  on,  50. 
Locust,  Sciapteron  boring  in,  18. 
Lonicera,  Red-fruited,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  51. 

albida,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  51, 119. 

sempervirens,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  51, 119. 
Lysimachia  lanuelata,  leaf  mined  by  a  larva,  77. 

lanceolata,  LithocoUetis  bred  from,  119. 


M. 


Magnolia  glauca,  Rose-chafer  on  flowers,  298. 

macrophylla.  Chafers  (.n,  301. 
Maize,  fodder  damaged  by  Helia,  18. 

injured  by  Nematodes  in  Java,  85. 
Maple,  affected  by  Dryocaiupa,  276. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  210. 

infested  with  Pulviuaria  in  Michigan,  44. 

soft,  damaged  by  ^geria  acerni,  251. 
Makai  tree,  bored  in  India  by  Tomicus,  62. 
Mango,  affected  by  Idiocerus  sp.,  265. 

Lecauiuin  mangiferiB  on,  47. 
Mimosa,  Ageronia  resting  on,  12. 
Mock  orange,  Rose-chafer  on  flowers,  298. 
Monila  Candida,  food  of  Xyleborus  larva,  280. 
Mulberry,  Ocneria  dispar  on,  86. 
Myrtle,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

N. 

Nerium  odorum,  food  of  Syntomeida,  300. 
Nettle,  Languria  on  stems,  347. 
Norway  Spruce,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  210. 
Nuphar  advena,  poUenized  by  Donacia,  201. 

O. 

Oak,  Anisota  on,  295. 

chafer  on,  299. 

food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

injured  by  Anisota  senatoria  in  Michigan,  42. 

insects  affecting,  390. 

Lachnosterna  prunina  on,  in  Michigan,  43. 

leaves  mined  by  LithecoUetis,  23,  77. 

Macrolepidopterous  larvse  taken  on,  197. 

Ocneria  dispar  on,  86. 

Prionus  in,  316. 

Red,  leaves  mined  by  LithocoUetis,  25. 

Tingis  and  Phylloxera  on,  destroyed  by  CEcan- 
thus, 131. 
Oats  damaged  by  army  worm  in  Michigan,  42. 
CEnothera  biennis,  Tyloderma  foveolatum  breed- 
ing in.  111. 

Wilsonia  bred  from  pods,  382, 
Oleander,  black  scale  on,  379. 

food  plant  of  Syntomeida,  360. 
Olearia  furfuracea,  galls  on,  in  New  Zealand,  194. 
Olive,  insects  injuring,  336. 
Opuntia  bernardiua,  Cuenopoeus  in  stems,  162. 
Orange,  aflected  by  Papilio  in  India,  264. 

damaged  by  Papilio  in  Africa,  2. 

damaged  by  Six-spotted  Mite,  225. 

injured  by  Aspongopus,  336. 
Orchid,  infested  with  Isosoma,  250. 


414 


Ostrya  virginica  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  54 

Lithocolletia  bred  from,  120. 
Ox-eye  daisy,  Languria  on,  347. 

Rcse-cbafer  on  flowers,  298. 


Puccinia  rubigo-vera, destroyed  by  a  Podurid,259. 
Palm.s,  Aramigus  fulleri  destructive  to,  90. 

scale  affecting,  368. 
Panicled  dogwood,  Harpiphorus  larvae  on,  240,  243. 
Peach,  arsenites  can  not  be  recommended  for,  260. 

Chafer  on,  299. 

Clisiocampa  ovipositing  on  limb  of,  27. 

effect  of  poison  on  leaf,  3. 

injured  by  iEgeria  in  Michigan,  42. 
Cetoniid  in  Africa,  2. 
Carpocapsa  in  Japan,  64. 
Rose  Beetle,  92. 
Pear,  Chafer  on,  299. 

food-plant  of  Ociieria,  209. 

Injured  by  Diplosis  in  England,  55. 

Lygus  pratensis  injuring,  49. 
Peas,  damaged  bj'  Cantharid  in  Africa,  2. 
Pepper,  injured  by  Sphinx,  283. 
Peronospora  viticola,  effect  of  Bordeaux  mixture 

on,  18b. 
Phaseolus,    Mexican,   infested    with  Epilachna, 
113. 

pauciflorus,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Phragmites,  infested  with  Sphenophorua,  132. 
Phyllostictalabrusca",  on  vine,  321. 
Pine,  dead  trunks  bored  by  Rhagium,  190. 

Icerya  on,  in  New  Zealand,  49. 

insects  on,  337. 

Lachnuson,  314. 
Pig-weed,  Anthomyia  mining  leaves,  281. 
Plane  tree,  nearly  ruined  in  France  by  Ocneria,209. 
Plum,  Capsid  injuring,  381. 

Chafers  on,  299. 

fed  on  by  Curculio,  3. 

food-plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

insects  on,  337. 

Xyleborus  in  wood  in  England,  145 
Polygonum,  fed  on  by  Gastroidea,  275. 

Gastrophysa  feeding  on,  190. 

dumetorum,  Harpiphorus  larvre  on,  241, 243. 
Pomegranate,  food-plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 
Poplar,  food-plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

insects  affecting,  164. 

white,  Sciapteron  boring  in,  18. 
Poppy,  injured  by  Heliothis  armigera  in  India,  62. 

Mexican,  Prickly  or  California,  migration  of, 
320. 

opium,  cut  by  Agrotis  and  Boll  "Worm  in 
India,  264. 
Populus  sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

grandidentata,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

tremuloides,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Portulaca,  Aphis  on,  256,  329. 

oleracea.  Aphis  on  roots,  329. 
Post  Oak,  Menesta  on,  304. 
Potato,  injured  by  Baridins,  376. 

injured  by  Epica^rus  and  Doryphora,  92. 

injured  in  India  by  Nezara,  61. 

Nematode  injury  to,  263. 

Protoparce  celeus  on,  382. 


Prilohardia  flbifera,  scale  on,  368. 
Prunus  americana,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Pyrethrum  cinerarisefolium,  Rose  Chafer  on  flow- 
ers, 299. 
Pyrus  coronaria,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
malus,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 


Quereus  .sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

leaves  mined  by  Coleopter,  77. 
alba,  Lithocolletia  bred  from,  119. 
bicolor,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  24. 

Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
castanea,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
ilicifolia,  leaves  mined  by  a  Coleopter,  77. 
incana,  Pseudopulvinaria  on,  in  Sikkim,55. 
niacrocarpa,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
nigra,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
obtusiloba,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletia,  24. 

Menesta  on,  304. 
prinus,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
-  prinoidea,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
rubra,  /Egeria  bred  from  galls  on  limb,  281. 

Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
tinctoria,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Quince,  Corythuca  on,  48. 
food  of  Ocneria,  209. 


Radish,  Di.abrotica  feeding  on,  182. 
Rag-weed,  Gortyna  nitela  in,  375. 

Languria  ovipositing  in  stem,  347. 
Raspberry,  injured  by  slugs  in  Michigan,  42, 
insects  injuring,  92. 

Lachnosterna  prunina  on,  in  Michigan,  43. 
new  enemies  of,  257. 
Red  Clover,  Dactylopius  on  roots,  258. 
oak,  Lymexylon  sericeum  in,  123. 
rust  of  wheat,  destroyed  by  a  Podurid,  259. 
Reeds,  infested  with  Sphenophorus,  132. 
Rhus  toxicodendron,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolle- 
tis, 54. 
Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
lobelia  for  poison  of,  254. 
typhina,  Ceratina  nests  in,  366. 
Rice,  injured  by  Cecidomyia  in  India,  264. 
Hispa  in  India,  61. 
Saustus  in  India,  61. 
weevil  in  Indiii,  61. 
Leptocorisa  in  India,  61. 
Nematodes  in  Java,  85. 
Ribes,  Pulvinaria  on,  in  England,  147. 
Robinia  sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  53, 119. 
hispida,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
pseudacacia,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
viscosa,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Rosa  cinnamonica,  not  affected  by  Chafer,  298. 
Rose,  food-plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

new  saw-fly  on,  378. 
Rubber  tree,  food-plant  of  Scepsis,  362. 
Rudbeckia,  Diabrotica  pupte  at  roots,  182. 
Rushes,  infested  with  Sphenophorus,  132 


415 


s. 


Sagittaria,  Listronotua  breediog  in,  201. 
Sal,  bored  by  Coleoptera  in  India,  264. 
Salix  sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

ailba,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

babylonica,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 

longifolia,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  120. 
Salsifj,  Aphis  on,  329. 

insects  affecting,  255. 
Sand  Cherry,  Coccotorus  infesting,  258. 
Sapindaceoe,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis,  54 
Sassafras,  Promethea  cocoons  on,  383. 
Scirpus,  infested  with  Sphenophorus,  132. 
Scrophulariaceff,  Anthreniis  on  flowers,  129. 
Sesamiim,  crop  injured  by  Carbula  in  India,  61. 
Shorea  assamica,  bored  by  Tomicus  in  India,  62. 
Smart-weed,  Gastrophysa  on,  19U. 
Solanum  tuberosum,  mm,  319. 

rostratuDi,  migration  of,  319. 
Solidago  patula,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Sorghum,  injured  by  a  borer  in  India,  61. 
Nematodes  in  Java,  85. 
Aphis,  283. 
Sphagnum,  in  swamp,  189. 
Spira;a,  Eose-chafer  on  flowers,  298. 
Spruce,  dead  trunks  bored  by  Rhagium,  190. 

white,  infested  with  Mytilaspis,  364. 
Squash  family,  beetles  affecting,  in  India,  264. 

injured  by  Mel ittia,  Anasa,  and  Eudioptis,  283. 
Slippery  elm,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  35. 
Strawberry,  Field  Cricket  destroying  fruit,  89. 

Flea  Beetles  injuring,  369. 

food-plant  of  Ocneria,  2i0. 

fruit  eaten  by  Dingy  cut-worm,  29. 

injured  by  saw-flies,  227. 

Monostegia  ignota  on,  137. 

roots  infested  with  Tyloderma,  109. 

worms  infesting  in  Bruners  report,  258. 
Strychnos  myriatica,  scale  on,  368. 
Sugar-cane,  borer  in,  in  Lousiana,  389. 
injured  by  Nematodes,  85,  263. 
Chilo  in  India,  61. 
Sumach,  Ceratina  nests  in,  366. 

Rose-chafer  on  flowers,  298.  • 
Sun  flower,  wild,  Diabrotica  on  roots,  182. 
Symphoricarpus  sp.,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  51, 
119. 

vulgaris,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Sweet-potato,  Katipo  in  beds  of,  in  New  Zealand, 
134. 

Sphinx  on,  in  New  Zealand,  135. 


Tea,  damaged  by  a  bag- worm  in  India,  62. 

injured  by  a  caterpillar  in  India,  61. 

insects  affecting,  in  Ceylon,  192. 

insects  injuring,  329. 
Thistle,  Pyrameis  cardui  infesting,  28. 
Tilia  americana,  Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Timothy,  cut- worm  injury  to,  383. 

Languria  breeding  in,  347. 


Tobacco,  crop  ruined    by   Melanoplus  atlanis  in 
New  Hampshire,  69. 

injured  by  Sphinx,  283. 
Tomato,  injured  by  Sphinx,  283. 

Protoparce  celeus  on,  382.  . 

Trifolium  pratense,  Dactylopius  on  roots,  258. 
Tulip  tree,  Diplosis  injuring,  362. 
Turnip,  Diabrotica  feeding  on,  182. 

eaten  by.  white  ants,  283. 

injured  by  Anthomyia  and  Phyllotreta,  146. 

insects  on,  337. 


Ulmus  americana,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  35, 39. 
Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
campestris,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  35,  39. 
fulva,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  35,  38. 

Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
montana,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  38,  39. 
racemosa,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  38. 
rubra,  Gossyparia  ulmi  on,  39. 
Umbellularia  californica,  leaves  mined  by  Litho- 
colletis, 78. 
Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 
Urtica  dioica,  Languria  on  stems,  347. 


Vaccinium  ovatum,  leaves  mined  by  Lithocolletis 

117,  119. 
Vine,  Capsid  injuring,  in  Australia,  381. 

chafer  on,  298,  299. 

importation  regulations  for  Italy,  289. 

injury  to,  by  Proconia  and  Phyllosticta,  321. 
Verbesina  virginica,   Lithocolletis  bred  from,  119. 


W. 


Walnut,  Black,  attacked  by  Datana,  256. 

Datana  angusii  on,  149. 
Washingtonia  filifera,  Aramigus  fulleri  destruc- 
tive to,  90. 
Weepingtree,  injured  by  leaf-hopper  in  Texas,  161. 
Wheat,  damaged  in  Asia  Minor  by  a  Tineid,  30. 

infested  with  Cephus,  164. 

injured  by  weevil  in  India,  61. 

Melolonthids  damaging,  336. 

rust,  destroyed  by  a  Podurid,  259. 
Willow,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  209. 

injured  by  Cimbex  americana,  228. 

insects  affecting,  164,  390. 

oaks,  Coleoptera  mining  leaves  of,  77. 
Wistaria,  food  plant  of  Ocneria,  210. 


X. 


Xanthium,  dipterous  larva  in  seeds,  333. 
strumarium,  Gortyna  in,  375. 


Yucca,  mm,  382. 


ERRATA 


Page  21,  line  18  from  bottom,  read  Phyltihus  for  Philetus. 

Page  -26,  line  23  from  bottom,  read  1859  for  18  9. 

Page  47,  line  9  from  bottom,  insert  a  colon  after  tbese. 

Page  52,  line  25  from  bottom,  rea»l  Hagen  for  Hagan. 

Page  53,  line  17  from  bottom,  omit  of. 

Page  55,  line  11  from  top,  add  (Pseudopulvinaria),  after  genus. 

Page  55,  line  12  from  top,  read  incana  for  incarna. 

Page  55,  line  12  from  top,  read  Castanea  indica  for  Castania  India. 

Page  57,  lino  18  from  top,  read  The  Coccinellid  beetles  for  These  beetles. 

Page  57,  line  14  from  bottom,  read  Trichopterygid  beetles  for  Caddis  flies. 

Page  58,  line  8  from  top,  read  PtiUolum  for  Pteliohim. 

Page  66,  line  14  from  top,  read  Melanoplus  for  Melanojms. 

Page  68,  line  21  from  top,  read  Sarcophatja  for  Sarcophoga. 

Page  70,  line  13  from  top,  read  Vedalia  for  Vedolia. 

Page  71,  line  16  from  top,  read  Vedalia  for  Vedolia. 

Page  73,  in  explanation  of  figure,  read  Vedalia  for  Vedolia. 

Page  78,  line  10  from  bottom,  read  Nuttall.forNuttal. 

Page  83,  line  3  from  bottom,  read  nigripectus  for  nigrifectus. 

Page  90,  line  8  from  top,  read  Camellias  for  Camelias. 

Page  90,  line  8  from  top,  read  filif era  for  fiUifera. 

Page,  91,  lines  14  and  8  from  bottom,  read  Crypioclmtum  for  Crijptochcetum. 

Page  92,  line  17  from  top,  read  Division  for  vision. 

Page  101,  line  11  from  bottom,  read  genal  for  genial. 

Page  101,  line  11  from  bottom,  read  foveai  for  fovise. 

Page  102,  line  22  from  bottom,  read  flies  for  fles. 

Page  108,  line  1  from  top,  read  herculaneus  for  hm-culeanns. 

Page  108,  line  16  from  top,  read  main  source  for  mains  ource. 

Page  112,  line  15  from  top,  read  Ehyssematus  for  Eyssematus. 

Page  112,  line  18  from  bottom,  read  Vedalia  for  Vedolia. 

Page  116,  line  5  from  bottom,  read  fascia?  for  fascia. 

Page  117,  line  19  from  top,  read  belongs  for  belong. 

Page  119,  line  19  from  top  read  Amphicarp(va  for  Amphicarpaw. 

Page  120,  center  column,  line  20  from  top,  read  Coryliella  for  Caryliella. 

Page  123,  line  6  from  bottom,  read  sericeum  for  sericorne. 

Page  126,  line  1  from  top,  read  Entomophthora  for  Entomopthora. 

Page  126,  line  9  from  top,  read  Piintomophthora  for  Entomopthora. 

Page  127,  line  7  from  top,  read  Entomophthora  for  Entomopthora. 

Page  127,  explanation  of  figure  19,  b,  read  pupa  within  larval  skin,  for  larva,  ventral 

view. 
Page  128,  line  17  from  top,  omit  "and  h  from  below." 
Page  128,  line  20  from  bottom,  add  after  "larva,"  as  shown  at  b. 
Page  132,  line  13  from  bottom,  read  Phragmites  for  Phragnites. 
Page  138,  line  9  from  bottom,  read  Fig.  22  p.  for  Fig  22  r. 
Page  147,  line  23  from  bottom,  read  "  Sattelmiicke"  for  "  Sattlemarke." 
Page  151,  line  18  from  bottom,  read  clear  for  clean. 
Page  154,  line  1  from  bottom,  read  GelecMa  for  Galechia. 

417 


418 

Page  155,  line  5  from  top,  add  Cbambers  after  ide. 

Page  167,  line  4  from  top,  read  Ephestia  for  Ephestea. 

Page  182,  line  12  from  top,  read  they  can  not  be  recommended,  for  they  can  be  recom- 
mended. 

Page  192,  line  15  from  bottom,  read  elliptical  for  ellipticle. 

Page  193,  line  15  from  bottom,  read  The  Five-ribbed  Tea-mite  for  Five-legged  Tea- 
m\te. 

Page  193,  line  21  from  bottom,  read  hioculatus  for  biaculatus. 

Page  195,  line  1  from  top,  read  hymenopteron  for  hymeuopteran. 

Page  209,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  Azalea  for  Azalia. 

Page  211,  line  11  from  top,  read  5  for  13, 

Page  211,  line  12  from  top,  read  8,  9,  and  10,  for  14,  15,  and  16. 

Page  226,  explanation  of  fignro,  read  from  for  rfom. 

Page  253,  line  18  from  bottom,  read  naphtha  for  naptha. 

Page  259,  line  16  from  bottom,  read  springtails  for  nenroptera. 

Page  259,  line  13  from  bottom,  read  ruMgo-vera  for  ruhigovera. 

Page  261,  line  10  from  bottom,  read  ludens  for  higens. 

Page  264,  line  6  from  top,  read  "  Fangpliauzen  "  for  "  Fangenpflanzen." 

Page  271,  line  17  from  bottom,  omit  comma  after  infests. 

Page  272,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  rosce  for  rosece. 

Page  277,  line  12  from  top,  read  fuchsias  for  fuschias. 

Page  280,  line  20  from  top,  read  Borkenk.  for  Borkask. 

Page  280,  line  16  from  bottom,  read  scutellaris  for  scutellahis. 

Page  280,  line  4  from  bottom,  read  Gortyna  for  Gortina. 

Page  283,  line  1  from  top,  add  of  18S9,  after  Season. 

Page  283,  line  12  from  bottom,  read  Eudioptis  for  Endioptis. 

Page  283,  line  9  from  bottom,  read  Treitschke  for  Treitshke. 

Page  283,  line  6  from  bottom,  read  maUfida  for  malepida. 

Page  302,  line  17  from  top,  insert  palpi  after  labial. 

Page  303,  line  5  from  top,  read  longins  for  longuis. 

Page  312,  line  19  from  top,  read  welfare  for  wefare. 

Page  313,  line  7  from  top,  read  parasitic  for  parisitic. 

Page  322,  line  7  from  top,  insert  Type  before  Tischeria. 

Page  323,  line  23  from  bottom,  readigrateful  for  greatfiil 

Page  328,  line  15  from  bottom,  read  j)astinacecc  iov pastinacce. 

Page  329,  line  3  from  bottom,  read  Chrysopas  for  Chrysopus. 

Page  330,  line  8  from  bottom,  read  Gracilaria  for  Gracillaria. 

Page  360,  line  3  from  top,  read  Rhinebeck  for  Buiialo. 

Page  366,  line  5  from  top,  read  70  for  60. 

Page  371,  line  13  from  bottom,  read  31  for  21. 

Page  379,  line  11  from  top,  transpose  first  the  to  beginning  of  line. 

Page  383,  line  11  from  bottom,  read  Lithophane  for  Lithophana. 
■Page  390,  line  5  from  top,  omit  probably. 


ope5^r°P>'^r 


'•^T^^^^"