NEWSLETTER of the Wisconsin Entomological Society Volume 2 Number 3 James W. Mertins, Editor September, 1974 EDITOR'S NOTES The editor is sorry to report that the group picture taken at the Sieker farm field trip in June was returned from the processing company cut in half, proving one should not try to squeeze 22 photos on a roll of 20.. Too bad; the half that return- ed looked very good. Once again we solicit any contributions or suggestions for the NEWSLETTER from the membership. Your cooperation would be thoroughly appreciated. 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 to trade. Native or exotic foreign beetles; have numerous perfect mounted Cat oc ala moths (mostly duplicates) for exchange. John Hempel, 1602 N. Concord Dr., Janesville, Wis. 53545. Wanted. Records by county for all Wisconsin Rhopalocera, Sphingidae, Satumiidae, and Catocala. For more details write Roger Kuehn, 5042 N. 61 St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53218. ’ 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. Wanted . Pseudoscorpions - live or preserved in alcohol. Any species. Will accept any specimens you don't want, or have house pseudoscorpion, Chelifer cancroides, for trade. Jim Mertins, Dept, of Entomology. University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706. Wanted . Cockroaches, any species, but especially non-domestic one; live or pre- served in alcohol. If possible, location and habitat data on specimens would be greatly appreciated. Ralph Howard, Dept, of Entomol., University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706. 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. NEWS OF MEMBERS (Please submit items of interest for this column to the Editor.) Prof. Stephen Kleene will soon relinquish the Deanship of the UW College of Letters and Science at the end of his 5-year appointment to that post. He will re- turn to full time duties in the Mathematics and Computer Sciences Departments. Dr. Paul Grimstad has recently departed Madison for the University of Notre Dame, Vector Biology Laboratory, where he will be working on a mosquito genetics and breeding program with Dr. G. B. Craig, Jr. Fay Karpuleon, Eau Claire, has resigned her membership in the WES, but still maintains her enthusiasm for Lepidoptera, and invites any member in the vicinity to stop for a visit. At least two of our members, Gene DeFoliart and Willis Flowers, are planning to attend the Centennial Celebration of Entomology at Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) on October 14-15, 1974. The program includes a symposium entitled, "Insects, Science and Society". A slide, entitled "Male Cecropia " , won first place in the color slide division, and best photo overall in the salon at the recent Insect Photo Salon sponsored by the Entomological Society of Canada at Halifax, Nova Scotia. The photographer was Jim Mertins. Barbara Duehn, currently Secretary of WES, wishes to announce a name change. After her marriage last August, 10, she is now Barb Campana. New husband, Chuck, is finishing his Ph.D. requirements in chemistry at UW-Madison, and should not be anew face to members, as he has attended several of our meetings in the last year. New Members Colorado State University Libraries Fort Collins, Col. 80521 Charles M. Saum Serafino Square Apartments 9993 W. North, Apt. 337 Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Changes of Address Bob Borth 304 Princeton Ave. Apt. M, Madison, WI 53705 Les Ferge Rt . 5, Townline Rd., Wausau, WI 54476 Paul Grimstad Vector Biology Lab., Dept, of Biology, U. of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. 46556 Leslie Lyons Dept, of Fisheries and Forestry, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada James C. Parkinson 3502 Mountain View Rd. Apt. 5, Schofield, WI 2 Member R£sum&s Les Ferge recently finished up his studies at the UW-Madison, and has returned to Wausau. His interest is in collection and rearing of Wisconsin Lepidoptera, especially those of the northern portions and from the acid bog habitat. Dues Response to the newly instituted dues notice system has been very good. A few people have not yet returned the self-addressed return envelope with remittance. If you are among them, please take time out now and do so. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGY - IV William Morton Wheeler was probably the most important and famed entomologist ever produced by the State of Wisconsin. Born in Milwaukee in 1865, he was edu- cated at Dr. Peter Engelmann's famed German Academy, after which he took a position as instructor of German and Physiology at Milwaukee East Side High School. George Peckham was principal at that time and the two became good friends, even to the point of cooperating on field work for the Peckhams' studies on wasp psychology. Wheeler also was responsible for many illustrations in the Peckhams 1 spider publi- cations and collaborated on the writing of one of them. Wheeler also did research during these years for the classic paper on the embryology of the German cockroach produced in conjunction with William Patton and Charles 0. Whitman. In 1887, at age 22, he moved from high school instructor to the directorship of the Milwaukee Public Museum. Wheeler took on Carl Akeley as taxidermist, and the two of them collaborated in experimentation with new ideas resulting in the pro- duction of the world's first nuseum diorama (still on display today). Although responsible for all fields of natural history (at which he was quite capable), Wheeler devoted a great effort to entomology , at one time adding 10,000 specimens in a single month to the Museum's collection! In his 1888 annual report he sug- gested a useful model system for arranging museum insect collections and specimens which had worldwide application. After resigning from the Museum, Wheeler became a full Professor of Zoology at the University of Texas and there developed his consuming interest in the behavior of ants, which years later culminated in his monumental "Fungus -growing Ants of North America". In 1903 Professor Wheeler became Curator of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, and then in 1908 took on entomology teaching and research duties at Harvard, where he continued his work with social insects. During his long career Dr. Wheeler produced over 460 publications, some quite remarkable in size. He was an excellent and lucid writer with a command of four languages in addition to Greek and Latin. He held four honorary doctorates in ad- dition to his earned Ph.D. from Clark University, and served as president of the Entomological Society of America and head of the American Society of Naturalists. William Morton Wheeler actively continued his research activities until his sudden death by heart failure at 72 in 1937. WISCONSIN INSECT NOTES Reports from Federal and State officials monitoring the situation indicate that a total of 28 Japanese beetles were trapped this summer in the same limited area of the City of Kenosha that produced 13 last year. The increased number of beetles taken would seem to indicate the first infestation in Wisconsin is now a fact, but no official announcement to that effect has been made. 3 PROGRAM NOTES MINUTES OF THE WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR THE MEETING HELD ON MAY 7, 1974 The May meeting of the Wisconsin Entomological Society was called to order by President Jim Mertins. Our guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Les Lyons, a visiting professor from Canada. He does research on forest pest insects. He pre- sented comments and slides on the damage caused by insects in northern pine forests. Dr. Lyons began his presentation with a restricted definition of a forest pest insect by saying that they are insects whose activity slows or terminates natural growth of the forest. He then pointed out the fact that commercial forests may be unnatural ecosystems and, therefore, highly susceptible to insect problems. He also noted that unlike farm crop pests, forest pest insects are endemic with per- iodic epidemic outbreaks. Therefore, studies of forest pest insects may begin when the insect isn't readily available. Dr. Lyons then presented slides showing var- ious life stages of insect pests and illustrations of damage caused by them. Examples shown were: Saratoga spittlebug, pine spittlebug, jack pine budworm, spruce budworm, white pine weevil, Ips bark beetles, pine root collar weevil, sawflies, pine tussock moth, and gypsy moth. Following the presentation by Dr. Lyons the minutes for the preceding meeting were approved. An announcement was made reminding Society members of the annual collecting trip to Bill Sieker's farm on June 30. Also a sugaring trip will be arranged for a date in July. Jim also announced that the Milwaukee Entomological Society would hold a meeting on Monday, May 13. The topic will be "Venomous Insects". There was no further business, so the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Glenn Esenther, Acting Secretary SIEKER FARM COLLECTING TRIP - JUNE 30, 1974 The weather for this year's excursion was ideal and 38 members and other in- terested persons turned out for an enjoyable day. The flowers of the numerous dog- woods in the area were in full bloom, and proved exceptionally attractive to many insects, especially cerambycids, providing good collecting for those who took ad- vantage. Bill and his wife were, as usual, most gracious hosts and provided cooling lemonade for the thirsty collectors. The species reported taken are listed below; determinations are those of the collectors and for the most part are uncorroborated. Combined species list (all adults unless otherwise noted) provided by 8 members: Bob Borth, Les Ferge, Clyde Gorsuch, Jim Parkinson, Bill Sieker, Jim Mertins, Ralph Howard, and John Baker. Orthoptera: Hemiptera: Homoptera: Neuroptera: Blattidae - Parcoblatta sp. (eggs and adults) Miridae - 4 to 6 spp. (nymphs and adults) Nabidae - Neididae - Coreidae - Pentatomidae - 2 spp. Membracidae - Cicadellidae - 2 spp. Cercopidae - 2 spp,. Psyllidae - Chrysopidae - Chrysopa sp. 4 PROGRAM NOTES : SIEKER FARM (cont.) Combined species list (cont.) Coleoptera: Cicindelidae Carabidae Silphidae Staphylinidae Cantharidae Lampyridae Lycid idae Cleridae Buprestidae Scarab ae idae Coccinellidae Mordellidae Tenebrionidae Melandryidae Lucan idae Erotylidae Cerambycidae Cicindela seguttata Agonderus sp. Badister pulchellus Brachinus fumans Euferonia coracina Lebia atriventris Platynus decorus Scarites subterraneus Nicrophorus orbicollis N. pustulatus Podabrus rogosulus P . tomentosus Lucidota atra L. punctata Phot inus pennsylvanica Pyropyga decpiens Plateros ( lictor ?) Trichodes nut alii Achmaeodera sp. Agrilus ruf icollis A. sp. Aphod ius sp. Phyllophaga sp. Trichiotinus viridians Brachyacantha ursina Hippodamia convergens H. 13-punctata tibialis Mordella marginata M. octopunctata Diaperis maculata Mercantha contracta Scotobates calcaratus Melandrya striata Dorcus parallella Pseudolucanus capreolus Triplax f lavicollis Tritoma bigut tat a Anoplodera circumdata A. rubica A. vittata Callimoxys sanguinicollis Euderces pictipes Leptura lineola L. prop inova Oberea tripunctata Strangalina fame lie a Typocerus lugubris 5 PROGRAM NOTES: SIEKER FARM (cont.) Combined species list (cont .) Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae - Curculionidae - Mecoptera: Panorpidae - Lepidoptera: Sphingidae - Saturniidae - Arctiidae - Notodontidae - Papilionidae - Pieridae - Danaidae - Satyridae - Nymphalidae - Lycaenidae - Hesperidae - Diptera: Asilidae - Bombyliidae - Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae - Torymidae - Arachnida - Dermacentor variabilis Calligrapha bident icola Labidomera clivicollis (larvae and adults) Pachybrachys (pubescens ?) Rhyne it es bicolor Rhyssomatus lineat icollis Panorpa banksi Cressonia juglandis Paonias excaecata Smerinthus geminatus Hyalophora cecropia Apantesis (virginicola ?) Haploa militaris Datana spp. Papilio cresphontes P. turnus (larva and adults) Colias eury theme Pieris rapae Danaus pi ex ip pus (obs.) Euptychia cyme la Boloria (toddi ?) Chlosyne nycteis Limenitis arthemis astyanax Nymphalis antiop a N. milberti Speyeria aphrodite S. idalia (one fresh specimen) Everes comyntas Lycaena thoe Satyrium falacer Ancyloxipha numitor Epargyreus clarus Polites origenes Thorybes pylades (poss. obs.) Ceraturgus ( cruciatus ?) Diplopoda - 2" -long yellow and black species (obs.) Reptilia - Northern brown snake and garter snake FERRY BLUFF COLLECTING TRIP - JULY 20, 1974 The night was cool and a bit breezy. Worst of all, due to a mix-up in signals, nobody brought the sugar solution. A handful of faithful members stuck it out until just after sunset when Willis Flowers turned up and saved the day with a minimal supply of essential elements for mixing up a batch of the attractive potion, and a blacklight. Neither of the methods proved very lucrative this night, but at least everyone present got to see how this interesting type of activity is carried out. Perhaps more deer mice and flying squirrels were observed on the treated trees than underwing moths, but even that was an interesting experience. The following is a 6 PROGRAM NOTES: FERRY BLUFF (cont.) list of species reported by Jim Mertins as representative of those taken both be fore and after dark by various methods. Species list Orthoptera: Blattidae - Parcoblatta sp. Neuroptera: Myrmeleont idae - (larvae obs.) Coleoptera: Cicindelidae - Cicindela punctulata Carabidae - Brachinus fumans Silphidae - Silpha americana Pyrochoridae - Dendroides cyanipennis Cerambycidae - Parandra brunnea Mecoptera: Bittacidae - Bittacus strigosus Lepidoptera: Sphingidae Ceratomia amyntor Darapsa myron (obs.) Saturniidae - Telea polyphemus Noctuidae ** Catocala (micronympha ?) C. sp. (obs.) Nymph a 1 idae Asterocampa celt is (obs.) Limenitis arthemis astyanax Polygonia comma Hymenoptera: Mut ill idae - Dasymutilla ? sp. MISCELLANEOUS Instant Antiquity ? ! Recently the Editor ran accross an unusual and interesting article published in 1897 by the illustrious entomologist, L. 0. Howard, and entitled, "A New Direct Benefit from Insects". The members may find it humorous. It seems that at that time, both in France and in the State of Pennsylvania, a small industry concerned with spider farming was thriving. The spiders were used for no other purpose than the stocking of wine cellars, thus securing an almost immediate coating of cobwebs upon new wine bottles giving them the appearance of age. In Pennsylvania, an immigrant Frenchman was raising two species of spiders, Epeira vulgaris and Nephila plumipes , and selling them to wine merchants for a tidy $10.00 per 100. In those days, a truly princely sum! 7 WISCONSIN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Wisconsin Entomological Society Department of Entomology University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis. 53706 Address correction requested