LETTER of the Vih isconsin Entomological Society Volume 1 Number 2 James W. Mertins, Editor May, 1973 EDITOR* S NOTES It is with great sadness that we announce to any who are not as yet aware of it, the death of past-president of WES and first editor of the NEWSLETTER, Mr. Lutz J. Bayer. Lutz was fatally injured in an automobile accident on Easter Sunday in Minnesota, and was buried near his home on Long Island, N.Y., the following Friday. The current editor, and two other Wisconsin entomologists, Corrine Thomas and Jim Stevens, were in attendance at the funeral. Although his untimely death occurred before the appearance of this, the first full- fledged number of the NEWSLETTER, much of its contents may be attributed to his industry, and we vow to continue in his stead as best we can. James W. Mertins, member of the Editorial Committee, has been appointed editor of the NEWSLETTER, replacing the late Lutz Bayer. Herbert Grimek has volunteered to fill the vacancy thus created on the committee. You will note that this issue of the NEWSLETTER is numbered Volume 1 - Number 2. In checking the archives, an earlier communication to the membership dated Spring, 1971, was found to bear the NEWSLETTER title, and was numbered Volume 1 - Number 1. Hence the current designation. We hope that through the NEWSLETTER all of our members will be able to participate in the functioning of our Society. NOTICES (This column will accept and publish any personal notes from members in regard to specimens or equipment desired, or for sale, trade, or exchange.) Wanted . Confirmable reports or specimens from termite infestations within Wisconsin. Please contact Glenn Esenther, U.S. Forest Products Lab- oratory, Madison, with any information you may have. The NEWSLETTER of the Wisconsin Entomological Society is published two to four times yearly at irregular intervals. Please send all news, notes, contributions and other items for the NEWSLETTER to the Editor, Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. NOTICES (cont.) Wanted. Pseudo scorpions - live or preserved in alcohol. Any species. Will accept any specimens you don't want, or have house pseudoscorpion, Ch elifer cancro ides , for trade. Tim Mertins, Dept, of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706. NEWS OF MEMBERS (This column will serve to keep the membership up to date on other mem- bers' activities, honors, address changes, new members, or other news.) Dr. R. J. Dicke was one of two recipients of $500.00 awards for excellence in teaching in the U. W. College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The award was presented at the annual banquet of Gamma Sigma Delta, honor society in agriculture, in April. Bill Phillipsen reports that he caught a large wolf spider and fed it a June beetle while on guard duty at summer camp for the U.S. Army Reserve in Arkansas . COLLECTING TRIP RECORDS One of the suggested functions of the NEWSLETTER was for it to be the re- pository for lists of insects collected by members of the group at the various Society functions each year. Thus, separate lists would appear for the collect- ing trip to Bill Sieker's farm, the fall sugaring trip, and any other organ- ized function. Unfortunately, during the first two years of our organized trips nobody has made an effort to accumulate this information. Unless some of you have kept records of your catches and wish to share them with this publication as a partial list, we must assume the loss of these data. We propose to prepare a form for distribution to all participants at future collecting trips which will make it harder for members to forget making a list of their specimens, and easier to submit the same to the editor. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGY (To appear in this space in subsequent issues, a continuing series sum- marizing the history of the science and hobby of entomology in Wisconsin over approximately the last 100 years.) WISCONSIN INSECT NOTES Members, share your experiences with others. Did you collect anything interesting this year? Share your observations with all of us! We'd like to hear from you; send us anything of interest, from collecting to entomological jokes or poems. 2 WIS. INSECT NOTES (cont . ) "Nevermore!" (’til 1990). Be on the lookout!! According to the Cooperative Economic Insect Report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Vol. 23(19): 277-278) Brood XIII of period- ical cicadas (17-year race) is scheduled to appear this year in northern Illinois, the eastern quarter of Iowa, the extreme southern portions of Wisconsin and Michigan, and the northwestern corner of Indiana. The so-called "locusts" should appear in late May, and for about 6 weeks fill the countryside with their re- markable song, mate, lay eggs in twigs, and pass away as suddenly as they appeared. Dr. R. C. Froeschner, Federal taxonomist at the U.S. National Museum, is anxious to obtain specimens for determination. All records are welcome, but par- ticularly the date of appearance is desired. If you see or hear this insect, please submit the record of the exact location and date to Dr. Foeschner at the USNM, Washington, D. C. The U.W. Insectarium would also appreciate representative specimens . Remember this is the last chance until 1990 to collect this interesting bug!! PROGRAM NOTES (This space will normally report on such things as the results of the or- ganized Society collecting trips including species lists, and announcements of upcoming programs, events and meetings. We include in this issue only , two Secretary's reports which usually appear in the monthly Meeting Notes, but have unavoidably been previously unpublished.) MINUTES OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR THE MEETING HELD ON APRIL 16, 1973 The April 16th meeting of the Wisconsin Entomological Society was called to order by acting Chairman, Bill Sieker, in the absence of President Coppel. There were no additions or corrections to the Secretary's report. Jim Mertins called for a publication report on the NEWSLETTER. Lutz Bayer said that the first publication would be out by the end of the month. There was no further business, so Bill proceeded with the introduction of the speaker for the evening. Dr. Ron Hodges from the United States National Museum was with us and presented an interesting discussion on the taxonomy of the Microlepidoptera. He began with a discussion of the history behind the present classification and how this caused problems for people using the existing keys. Today there are 100 to 125 proposed families in 4 suborders. The best present overview is written by Common in The Insects of Australia . Dr. Hodges then sep- arated the Microlepidoptera from other lepidopterous groups by their possession of 3 setae on the thoracic spiracles of the larvae. He gave the characteristics separating the 4 suborders. He mentioned some of the current problems in the taxonomy of the group and explained why he and associates are undertaking a revision of the moths. In previous classifications the authors only examined a few characters and a few specimens. With careful examination of many specimens, it has been found that many of the characters in present use are variable within the species. 3 APRIL 16 MINUTES (cont.) Therefor* many are incorrectly placed and named. Also additional unnecessary genera and even families are in existance that can be eliminated in the present on-going revision. The publication now being released in fascicles by numerous authors, each specializing in a particular group within the moths, is called the Moths of America North of Mexico . It contains descriptions of each species to aid in identification, what their life cycle is, and what kinds of problems are encoun- tered in naming and identification. The completed work will be a catalog to all of the names and will contain lists of type localities and type specimens. It will contain information on 12,000 to 13,000 species with colored illustrations. The purpose of the work is to bring the knowledge about the Microlepidoptera back to a solid basis. Dr. Hodges also devoted part of his presentation to the method he uses for pinning his specimens. With this he included a sample of spread Microlepidoptera, some with only a V’ wing spread. After the presentation the meeting was adjourned and Dr. Hodges invited everyone to see the materials he had with him about the book and his work. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Duehn Secretary MINUTES OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR THE MEETING HELD ON MAY 17, 1973 The May 17th meeting of the Wisconsin Entomological Society was called to order at 7:30 PM by President Harry Coppel. The President welcomed back one of our seldom seen members. Dr. Robert Dicke, who was in attendance due to the end of the bowling season. A standing moment of silence was observed by all present for Lutz Bayer, who was killed in an automobile accident since the last meeting. Dr. Coppel proceeded to give an interesting talk on Hawaii illustrated by colorful slides. Exciting vistas of the coastal areas and various geographical features were well represented. Also shown were numerous tropical fruits, flowers, and other portions of the Hawaiian flora. Of particular interest to the group was the series of slides on termites, termite control in Hawaii, in- cluding the large, colorful striped tents used to completely enclose buildings for fumigation with hydrogen cyanide. A short business meeting followed the presentation. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved with the correction that the Moths of Amertca North of Mexico is to cover 12,000 to 13,000 species, not 1200 to 1300. President Coppel charged the remaining members of the Editorial Committee with the responsibility of soliciting a new member from the general membership of the Society, if necessary, and the selection of a new editor from within the Commit- tee. It was announced that a floral memorial was sent in the Society's name to the funeral of the late Lutz Bayer. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, James Stevens Acting Secretary 4 MEMBERSHIP LIST OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY MAY, 1973 Ackerman, Jack V * *Ackerman, Jacqueline K Akagi, Betty (Mrs. Tomoji) *Anhilger, Carl R Arnold, Richard A *Bartelt, Robert ^Benjamin, Daniel M +Bergman, Edward A Borth, Bob #*Boughner, Jackson L *Bruns, Mrs. Ernest (Betty) +Buckstaff, Ralph N Burkholder, Wendell +* Car Ison, Donald Conrad, Marlin * Conrad, Patrick J *Coppel , Harry * Custer, Mrs. Howard C. (Dorothy) +*DeFoliart, Gene R *Dennis, Clifford +*Dettwiler, Daniel Loren +*Dettwiler, Ellen +*Dicke, Robert J Duehn, Barbara 4102 Lowell St. Two Rivers, Wis. 54241 4102 Lowell St. Two Rivers, Wis. 54241 502 Yosemite Trail Madison, Wis. 53705 Clearwater Lake Wis. 54518 735 McKinley Lane Hinsdale, 111. 60521 2021 Riverside Dr. Port Huron, Mich Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 301 Fayville» Adams Hall Madison, Wis. 53706 2590 Windward Way Naples, Fla. 33940 3702 Council Crest Madison, Wis 53711 2119 N. Main St. Oshkosh, Wis. 54901 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 31 Virginia St. Racine, Wis. 54901 6911 North Ave. Middleton, Wis. 53562 4533 Stanley Downers Grove, 111. 60515 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 5737 Cedar Place Madison, Wis. 53705 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 Biology Department U.W., Whitewater, Wis. 53190 3051 N. Bartlett Ave. Milwaukee, Wis. 53211 3051 N. Bartlett Ave. Milwaukee, Wis. 53211 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 5 MEMBERSHIP LIST (cont.) Erickson, Mrs, Robert (Louise) . *Esenther, Glenn ★Ferge, Leslie A. ..o. ........ Ferge, Mrs, Leslie W. (Florence) +*Fleming, Mrs. W. J, (Rosemary) ^Flowers, R. Willis . ......... *Fluke , Barnaby . . France, Lloyd V. .............. Go jmerac , Walter Gr imek , Herbert J • ............. + Grimstad, Paul R, *Hilsenhoff, William L. + Holzbauer, Philip A. + *Karpuleon, Fay H. + *Kleene, Stephen 0. #*Kleln, Michael *Kuehn, Roger M. +*Lange , Kenneth #*Lawton, James K ^Lichtenstein, Paul Lillie, Richard A Lukes, Roy +^lacArthur, Kenneth 3328 N. Main St. Racine, Wis. 53402 5102 Barton Rd. Madison, Wis. 53711 1013 Milton St. Apt. 303 Madison, Wis. 53715 Rt. 5, Townline Rd. Wausau, Wis. 54401 1122 Saybrook Rd. Madison, Wis. 53711 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 841 Broadway, Rm. 307 Milwaukee, Wis. 53202 P. 0. Box 112 Albany, Wis. 53502 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 1719 Chadboume Ave. Madison, Wis. 53705 Department of Entomology U. W., Madison, Wis. 53706 Department of Entomology U. W., Madison, Wis. 53706 Rt. 1, Box 214 Palmyra, Wis. 53156 921 Maple St. Eau Claire, Wis. 54701 1514 Wood Lane Madison, Wis. 53705 Japanese Beetle Investigations O.A.R.D.C., Wooster, Ohio 44691 5042 N. 61 St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53218 314 3rd St. Baraboo, Wis. 53913 Milwaukee Public Museum 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53233 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 2060 Allen Blvd. Apt. 23 Middleton, Wis. 53562 Box 152 Baileys Harbor, Wis. 54202 Milwaukee Public Museum 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53233 6 MEMBERSHIP LIST (cont.) +*Massey, Mrs. Dean T. (Patricia) +*Massey, Tom +*Masters, John H +*Matzke, Curtis *Mertins, James Moe, Robert *Narf, Philip A *Narf, Richard P *Neidhoefer, James P -rtfelson, JoAnna + Nielsen, Mogens C + Parkinson, James C Phillipsen, William J Powers, Randy R # Renlund , Donald + Saunders, Joseph W + Schmitt, Kenneth A., Jr Schrader, Jim +*Scott , Walter E *Severson, Mrs. Winfield (Lu) . . +*Shenefelt, Roy D +Shenefelt, Mrs. Roy (Florence) +*Sieker, William E +Sloup, Joe # Smith, William 5101 Holiday Dr. Madison, Wis. 53711 5101 Holiday Dr. Madison, Wis. 53711 Box 7511 St. Paul, Minn. 55119 1817 Wesley Ave. Janesville, Wis. 53545 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 2110 S. 22 St. La Crosse, Wis. 54601 2405 Waunona Way Madison, Wis. 53713 410 Gunderson St. Madison, Wis. 53714 2525 K Hampton Ave. Milwaukee, Wis. 53209 3403 Circle Close Madison, Wis. 53705 3415 Overlea Dr. Lansing, Mich. 48917 3222 N. 11 St. Wausau, Wis. 54401 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 2602 N. Sherman Blvd. Milwaukee, Wis. 53201 5202 Burnett Dr. Madison, Wis. 53705 Department of Agronomy U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 3104 N. 93 St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53222 317 Eugenia Ave. Madison, Wis. 53705 1721 Hickory Dr. Madison, Wis. 53705 6517 Elmwood Dr. Middleton, Wis. 53562 Department of Entomology U.W., Madison, Wis. 53706 630 Oak St. Oregon, Wis. 53575 2633 Stevens St. Madison, Wis. 53705 22 Cathy Court Madison, Wis. 53711 Rt. 2, Tipperary Rd. Poynette, Wis. 53955 7 MEMBERSHIP LIST (cont.) *Suter, Walter Biology Department Carthage College Kenosha, Wis. 53140 # Tari, Mrs. Emilie 4538 E. Buckeye Rd. Madison, Wis. 53716 *Threlfall, Maarit 5518 Barton Madison, Wis. 53711 + *Throne, Alvin L 1358 Meadowlark Lane Waukesha, Wis. 53186 Vance, Eric 2831 S. 29 St. La Crosse, Wis. 54601 + Young, Allen M Department of Biology Lawrence University Appleton, Wis. 54911 *Ziemer, Sylvester E 715 Dorelle St. Kewaunee, Wis. 54216 *Zimmerman, James H 2114 Van Hise Ave. Madison, Wis. 53705 * indicates a charter member # will be dropped from mailing list unless 1972 and 1973 dues are paid ($4.00) + 1973 dues unpaid ($2.00) William Hilsenhoff, Treasurer Wisconsin Entomological Society Department of Entomology University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis. 53706 Address correction requested