EN STS om a ae ¥ a pa Te rl ATCA AR NENT EO ne a AO ATA NT POE Se rat ee eae en OP oR LE NRE I NE Ee at Rn ee OR RTE MT ee OI SONA LT EIS IE CELL LIA AE AO OTE CR AICI IE TOTES Ne TI Hiner a TI eae RET TARY AT OTT OO SEN OE OE ee eee I IE MNT A LE OL GRP PAN NE OE FEE ATE A BA I eRe eRe eee Ona OMT NA ON RTE EET NO NLT A OTIS OCT INT TN EEC OTOL ALLTEL ATO EA LO ner rp CE TE eee - a Pat re een er PL LE eT ot AC LLLP EME EE AE PE PORTER aE CE A RIL LE EO IE AION, . rr Salg-eepaneiroen ° ~ ee orn 7 - on hs oe erat g te sem He SO sR LCE DET AEP LOIRE “ee As I ivOO Keay NEM ING VOL. |. — APRIL 1885 to MARCH !I886. —--—-- 4 EDITOR: ie eeccee) | cea cee wie egies NATIONAL MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, D.C. ‘ i he AVG £ j, a Oy Eun If \' Bri i yea a {\ SAY TUN Uy VON Ie MERIGANA BROOKLYN, APRIL, 1885 te aN WOE ANNOUNCEMENT. Experience has shown that the Entomologists of the United States have not been disposed to give that support, which would insure financial success to the various entomological journals that have been published, and the feeling among many, of late years, has been that in union there would be strength. At the meeting of the Entomological Club of the A. A. A.S., in September 1884, the desirability of a union of existing journals was unanimously conceded. Negotiations between the representatives of the ‘‘Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society”, and “Papilio”, led to an arrangement by which these Journals were discontinued, and all intention of reviving them abandoned. [n their stead, a new Journal—of which this is the first number—was created, The new Journal will be devoted to Entomology in general, and the support of leading specialists in all orders has been promised, ‘The effort will be to make it interesting and instructive to all persons in any way interested in entomology. | For many reasons the issuing of such a Journal as an individual enterprise was deemed undesirable, and the representatives of ‘‘Papilio” therefore became life members of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, which has been duly incorporated. Provision has been made for a permanent publication fund which, it is hoped, will place the new Journal on a sound financial basis, aan The publication committee consists of the Editor and Messrs. B. Neumoegen, H. Edwards, E. L. Graef and F. Tepper; and the two journals are therefore represented in the management. The Journal will be edited by Mr. J. B. Smith, who has heretofore had charge of the Bulletin, and we are glad to announce that Prof. C. V. Riley, U. S. Entomologist, who has also become a life member of the Society, has promised his assistance in making the Journal a success. The proceedings of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, and of the Entomological Society of Washington, will be regularly published, and any other Entomological Society that will send us an abstract of its proceedings will receive like consideration. We ask therefore that all interested in the advance of American Entomology give us their substantial and hearty aid in our new enter- prise. THE PusiicaTion CoMMITTFE, Visit to an old time Entomologist. By Dr. Joun G. Morris. One evening, some years ago, while sipping tea with the family of a friend in his garden in an interior Ohio village, I hastily and uncere- moniously sprung up from my chair, much to the astonishment of my friends, and captured a beetle that was lazily flying by Well, I spilled my tea and dropped my flannel cake and tongue, (not my own, it was delicious beef tongue) but in the scramble, I secured the insect. ‘You should visit Baron Jenison, before you leave Ohio”, exclaimed the lady of the house, ‘‘he @lso catches bugs and is a queer specimen of a big-bug himself, and yet not a hum-bug either.” ‘Baron Jenison!” I replied, ‘I would goa hundred miles out of mv way to see him, for I have heard of him as a man worth visiting.” Having received directions, behold me early next morning on my way to visit a foreign titled entomologist who had settled down in Central Ohio. 1 had never corresponded with him, but I had heard of him. 1 knew that he was closely allied to one of the proudest families of the English nobility, but he himself was a German by birth. For some years he had held a distinguished rank in the army of a German prince, He had enjoyed all the advantages of a German university education, He was a gentleman of refined manners and ornamental accomplishments, —he excelled in music and as a draughtsman he had few equals, His leisure hours were devoted to Entomology and his ardor became so intense, ‘that, having procured a furlough from military duty, he went to Africa on a collecting tour and visited most of the museums and large private col- lections of Europe. — An unhappy disagreement with some of his family led him to leave his native country and settle in the United States; He abandoned _ for- tune and all prospects of preferment and came over with his wife as a poor man. He laid aside all his titular and aristocratic honors and was known among his neighbors as plain Mr. Jenison. This was the gentleman whom I was going to visit. I was quite a young man and wanted tosee and learn, I had never seen a live noble- man. Since that time, I have seen many with more names than dollars, and more titles than shirts. On arriving at the village where the baron lived, I did not at once go to his house. I was covered with Ohio dust and I went to a hotel and spent more time in making my toilet than I had done for months. [ thought my appearance should correspond to the occasion. The boot black said that if he rubbed anofher hour at my boots, they would be as thin as paper, and the chambermaid impudently asked me ‘‘whether I intended to wash my own shirt?”. ‘‘Is soap scarce herez’’ I rejoined. “No Sir, but it will be if you stay here long” was the little minx’s an- swer, as she bolted like lightning out of the room, just in time to escape a blow from my slippers which I hurled at her head. After smoothing down every hair and adjusting my cravat very neatly, much to its astonishment, I ordered a coach and two. There was no such vehicle in the village. I was told that I must walk. Walk! toa nobleman’s mansion? ‘That was vulgar but I had to do it. I went. The house was pointed out. It was not a palace. not even a splendid mansion; it was an ordinary house, very ordinary indeed. It was located on the muddy tow path of a canal; it was constructed of un- painted boards; pigs, fowls and dogs were enjoying themselves around unmolested. I thought my guide had made a mistake. My fancy had portrayed something different: I had thought of columned porticoes, massive gateways, a porters lodge and liveried servants. My courage began to rise, for verdant as I was, I was intimidated at the idea of en- countering a learned nobleman in his stately mansion, but if ‘his. resi- dence is so unpretending, thought I, his manners must correspond. | knocked. A plain, farmer-like man in shirt sleeves, stubby red beard, coarse straw hat, shoes innocent of the stain of blacking and vest and pants that had seen long and severe service, appeared. —4— I inquired in English: “Is Mr. Jenison at home?” ‘*Yes Sir, walk in’ was the reply in strong German accent. “Please deliver this card”. said I. “Tam Mr, Jenison, at your service, Sir!” he replied, straightening himself up with an air of dignity and polished refinement that bespoke the cultivated gentleman under this every day guise. I was amazed and relieved. This then was the entomologist, Baron Jenison. I told him my errand in his native language and I was most cor- dially, almost enthusiastically received. There was the genuine German gush in his manner and in less than ten minutes, though he was twenty years older than I, we were on most familiar terms. We began at once and although it was before noon, I will not say how late it was at night, or rather how early next morning, before we parted. It was indeed a glorious day. He of course, showed me all his collections in almost every department of Zoology, and presented me with some of his unequalled entomological drawings. He treated me most hospitably and regaled me with everything his own larder and a neighboring caterer could furnish. He displayed extensive reading and personal observation on various branches of Natural History and entertained me most instructively from his exhaustless stores of informa- tion. I humbly sat at the feet of this Gamaliel of science and hung upon his rich discourse with rapture. I started questions and suggested diffi- culties just to draw him out and he spoke like a book. He had met with no one for months who could speak with him on his favorite sub- ject and he seemed greatly delighted. You may imagine what an excit- ing day I spent. The Baron was personally acquainted with many of the most distinguished naturalists of Europe and related many interest- ing anecdotes concerning them. He made me tell all I knew about our American entomologists of that day, when the brotherhood was yet small. Long shall the events of that day be remembered by me., It was an intellectual feast rarely enjoyed. he fina] adieu long after midnight was impressive. I tore myself away bearing many specimens of the generous Baron’s duplicate beetles and the profoundest respect for a truly accomplished gentleman and naturalist. Baltimore, Febry. 1885. Saya Synonymical Notes. By Grorcre H. Horn, M. D. There have remained for a long time in our lists species described by Edward Newman which have for various reasons escaped identifica- tion. Several of these are Cerambycide which immediately obtruded themselves during a recent re-arrangement of my cabinet. Having satis- factorily determined those not previously settled it appeared to me proper to bring together in one list all of Newman's Cerambycida. ‘These have been described either in the ‘‘Entomologist” bearing date 1840-2, or in the “Entomological Magazine” Vol. V, bearing date 1838, In the annex- ed list I have arranged the genera alphabetically, for easy reference, and opposite each of Newman's names the equivalent as now recognized. ‘Those names opposite which no other occurs are still used. In addition to the Cerambycide, Newman has described a large number of species in other groups: these are also brought together and similarly treated. In conclusion will be found a number of notes referred to from the list by numbers in parenthesis. By the method of treatment here adopted, priority is established, and the excuse of ‘‘long continued use” can not prevail in rejecting an old name for a new one. CERAMBYCIDAE DESCRIBED BY EDW. NEWMAN, WITH THEIR SYNONOMY., Callidium zreum Ent. Mag. V. 393. =f antennatum ed. “6 cylindrides ed. 394 = Smodicum cucujiforme Say. Chion rusticus Ent. 23 == Chion cinctus Drury. Clytus humeralis Ent. Mag. V, 394 = Neoclytus scutellaris Oliv. Curius dentatus Ent. 17. “« scambus Ent. 79 = Plectromerus dentipes Oliv. Encyclops pallipes Ent. Mag. 392 = Encyclops ccerulea Say. Elaphidion deflendum Ent. 6 = Stenosphenus notatus Oliv. fe sobrium Ent. 30 = es sobrius (]) es mucronatum Ent. 27 == Elaphidion mucronatum Fabr. “ incertum Ent. 28. te parallelum Ent. 29. oe arctum Ent. 29 = KE. parallelum Newm. ee inerme Ent. 29. ce pumilum Ent. 29. «Glaphyra semiusta Ent. 1g = Molorchus bimaculatus Say (9). Heterachthes ebenus Ent. 9. ; eG. Leptura badia Ent. 69 = Typocerus badius Newm. ** nobilis Ent, 69 = ‘© velutinus Oliv. sinuata Ent. 70 = ES sinuatus Newm. aurigera Ent. 70 == “ zebratus Fab. bifaris Ent. 70. mutabilis Ent. 71. ‘< capitata Ent. 71- +s directa Ent. 71 = Acmzeops directa Nm. ch indirecta Ent. 71 = Leptura lineola Say. interrupta Ent. 72 = ‘* — subhamata Rand. Sstictica. Ent 72’ = ** octonatata Say. vibex Ent. 72 (8). allecta Ent. 72 = Leptura spheericollis Say (4). paupercula Ent. 72 = * a exigua Ent. 73 (5). hemattes Ent. 73. ‘* nana Ent. 73 = Leptura exigua Nm. Methia pusilla Ent, 18. Obrium rubrum Ent. Mag. V, 395. Oeme indecora Ent. 8 = Oeme rigida Say. Pachyta Ione Ent. 30 = Gaurotes cyanipennis Say. Phyton limum Ent. 18 = Phyton pallidum Say. Saperda cretata Ent. Mag. V, 396. ‘cana Ent. 12 = Stenostola pergrata Say. flammata Ent. 13 = Amphionycha flammata Nm. Spalacopsis stolata Ent. 305 (6). me suffusa Ent. 305. Strangalia famelica Ent. 68. Ne emaciata Ent. 68 = Strangalia acuminata Oliy. ae strigosa Ent. 69. A ‘Toxotus dives Ent. 68 = Toxotus cylindricollis Say. se rugipennis Zoologist Vol. 2, p. 476 (14). The following other than Cerambycide are described in the Ento- mologist. Lebia russata p. 31 = Pinacodera platicollis Say. Plochionus amandus p. 32. Hispa Bacchus p, 76 == Odontota bicolor Oliv. s+ Ariadne p. 77 == Charistena Ariadne Nm. ‘© Erebus p. 77 = Microrhopala Erebus Nm. fee LULOSp ry 7 — BE excavata Oliy. Hecate sp. 7.74— 3 cyanea Say. Cryptocephalus binominis p. 78 (7). Ee quadriforis p. 78 (8). quadruplex p. 78. lateritius p. 78. sparsus p. 79 (8). se se “I Species described in Entomological Magazine, Vol. V, 1838. Yrichius bistriga p. 170 = Trichius affinis Gory. Penthe funerea p. 374 = Penthe pimelia Fab. Pogonocerus concolor p. 375 == Dendroides concolor Nm, ee bicolor p. 375 == Dendroides canadensis Latr. Pedilus fulvipes p. 375 == Corphyra fulvipes Nm. SEU OlAxe 67/5) anon COllarisnsaiye SSIS ype 375) — «« lugubris Say. Seecuttulasp. 3/75 == ss terminalis Say. SLU CUDEIS) pe aise as Newmani Lec, Myodes stylopides p. 376 = Myodites stylopides Nm. Emmesa connectens p. 376. Hypulus simulator p. 376. Cephaloon lepturides p. 377. Macratria linearis p. 377 = Macratria murina Fab. Ischnomera carmata p. 378 == Asclera ruficollis Say. Synchroa punctata p. 378. Bolitophagus silphides p. 378 = Nosodes scabra Thunb. ee tetraopes p. 378 = Boletophagus depressus Rand. Hydnocera serrata p. 380 = Hydnocera pallipennis Say. Opilus castaneus p. 380 = Priocera castanea Nm. Degrapha typica p. 380 = Calopteron reticulatum Fab. oe discrepansspaegoh)—— *$ a dorsalis p. 381 = «© ~ terminale Say. sé divisa p. 381 = ss fg Cxenia scapularis p. 381 == Ceenia dimidiata Fab. Eros preefectus p. 382 = Eros thoracicus Rand. “* ‘lictor p. 382. ** alatus p. 382 = Plateros canaliculatis Say. ‘© oblitus p. 382 = Eros sculptilis Say. Polaclasis ovata, p. 383 == Polyclasis bifaria Say. KRhipicera proserpina p. 383 Sandalus petrophya Knoch. Onichodon orchesides p. 384 = Fornax orchesides Nm. Necrophorus bicolon p. 385 = Necrophorus pustulatus Hersch. Feronia atrata p. 386 = Pterostichus permundus Say. ** orbata p. 386 == Evarthrus orbatus Nm. ‘© spoliata p. 386 = Evarthrus spoliatus Nm. ** —_ coracina p. 386 = Pterostichus coracinus Nm. ** — monedula p. 386 = Pterostichus coracinus? Nm. ‘© lachrymosa p. 387 = Pterostichus lachrymosus Nm. ** — moerens p. 387 = Pterostichus coracinus Nm. ‘“* picipes p. 377 (9)- *« relicta p. 387 = Pterostichus relictus Nm. interfector p. 387 = Pterostichus adoxus Say. ee rostrata p. 387 = Pterostichus rostratus Nm. Amphasia fulvicollis p. 388 = Amphasia interstitialis Say. Phymaphora pulchella p. 389. Sear oan LLanguria gracilis p. 390. Hispa Xerene p. 390 = Microrhopala Xerene Nm. ‘© Philemon p. 390 = Odontota nervosa Panz. See sauGISHp ss 3Q0.— ES a Donacia cincticornis p. 391 (10)- ce cataractze p. 391 (11). oF rugifrons p. 391 (j)). Orsodachna costata p. 391 (12)- Ef ruficollis p. 391. se inconstans p. 392. Chleenius fulgiceps p 490 = Chleenius pensylvanicus Say. - augustus p. 490. MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS. Anchomenus picticornis Zoologist, ii, p. 414 == Platynus picticornis Nim. Hydnocera rufipes Charlesw. Mag. IV, p. 362 (13). A agra id. p- 364. 2 curtipennis id. p. 364 = Hydnocera rusticalis Say. Khysodes aratus Chariesw. Mag. 1838, p. 664 = Rhysodes exaratus Serv. ae sculptilis id. p- 666 = Clinidium sculptile Nm. Cryptocephalus bivius id. 1840, p. 249. cs Jarvatus id. p. 250 = Griburius larvatus Nim. és Jautus id. = Cryptocephalus guttulatus Oliv. x limbatus id. = Pachybrachys limbatus Nm. ce mammifer id. as geminatus id. = Cryptocephalus lituratus Fab. es lixus id. == ?Cryptocephalus trivittatus Oliv. Be luteolus id. unknown. NOTES. 1.—Stenosphenus sobrius Nm., does not occur within our faunal limits It is abundant in Mexico. 2.—Glaphyra semiusta Nm , is that variety of JZ. d:maculatus Say, with the greater portion of the surface rufo-testaceous, 3. Subsequently described by me as Z. mitidicolhs. 4.—Leplura allecta Nm., is that form of sphaericollis with red_ thorax, paupercula with black thorax. 5.—Synonymous with this species is Z. suuvia Lec, L. exigua Nm. is recognized as variable. The typical form is black, the basal joint of antennze and front legs pale; Z. mana has the mouth pale, also the front legs and the bases of the middle and hind femora; Z. saucia Lec., has the legs similar to zama, the thorax yellow with a large discoidal black spot; sometimes the angles only are yellow. In my cabinet is a specimen similar to mama with the head rufo- testaceous. a) \ L. subargentata Kby. Under this name I propose to include several forms which have been separated on co.or variat on. These are ruficeps Lec., similis Kby., and rhodopus Lec. ‘Vhe differences between these forms are given by Dr. Leconte (New Species, 1873, p. 217) the last named, accidentally omitted, being very like the normal suéargentata except that the legs are all rulo-testaceous. 6. —It is probable that these are merely sexes of one, s/o/ats being the male, suffusa the female, 7.—This is, without much doubt, that called by the later name dis/- wnctus Hald. 8.—These two have not been certainly identified. g.—‘‘The type of #. pecepes Nm., in the British Museum belongs to this (s4igicus Say) species, but the description does not agree and seems to refer rather to P. sudmargimatus.” Leconte. In either case the name is a synonym and should be dropped. 10.—This is the species known by the more recent name of /werda Lac. 11.—These two seem to be forms of the variable cupruea Kby. 12.—After an examination ofa large series of Orsodachne from all parts of our country I can see no reason why they should not be considered » as one species. There is even greater variation in color than the names now known will cover. The published names in the order of date are as follows: O. ATRA Ahrens, Neue Schr. Ges. Halle, 1811, 1, p. 46. vittata Say, Journ. Acad. iii, 1823, p. 430. armeniaccee Germ., Ins. spec. nov, 1824. p. 526. hepatica Say, Journ. Acad. V, 1827, p. 281. Childreni Kby., Faun. Bor. Am. 1837, IV, p. 221, pl. 7, fig. 6. tibialis Kby., id. id. inconstans Nm. Ent. Mag. V, 1838, p. 392. coslata Nim., ruficollis Nm., id. __p. 391. trivittata Lac., Mon. Phytop. 1845, i, p.,71. luctuosa Lac, id. p: 72. tricolor Mels., Proc. Acad. 1840, p. 160. From this it seems that our species has quite as much synonymy as has been admitted for the two principal European species. 13. —Hydnocera rufipes has been placed as a variety of humeralis Say, but incorrectly, it is a much paler blue than that, the legs entirely pale rufo-testaceous and the elytra are densely and finely punctured. 14.—This species has since been re-described by Dr. Leconte (New Species, 1873, p. 207) as Pachy/a rugipennis, he being apparently unaware of Newman’s previous description. ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA, 2 ee es On the classification of North American Diptera. (Second paper. )* By Dr. S. W. Wittiston. The limits of the two following families, as here given, are narrower than those now accepted by Osten-Sacken, whose authority in dipteroloyi- cal matters I need not say is among the very highest. For convenience sake, however, I exclude certain disputed genera, to be discussed else- where, thus rendering the forms given in this paper more certainly re- cognizable. In this, as in the following papers, I introduce genera from Mexico and the West Indies, wherever I can do so with clearness; such will be printed in italics. Genera unknown to me will be preceded by an asterisk. TANYSTOMA. Tarsi with three membranous pads at the tip (the empodium deve- loped pulvilliform); body and legs wholly without macrocheete (dip/era eremocheta Osten-Sacken); eyes of male holoptic (Osten-Sacken), rarely narrowly seperated; two sub-marginal, five posterior cells in the wing, fifth posterior cell not contiguous at its base with the discal cell; the mar- ginal vein encompasses the whole wing; some or all the tibiz with spurs. TABANIDZ. Proboscts of the male with four, of the female with six bristles; third joint of the antennae annulate, never with differentiated style or bristle; tegu- lae rather large. Species never very small, often among the largest in the order; never thickly pilose; in life the eyes usually brilliantly colored and marked. Head short, broad, eyes large. Antennz porrect, the third joint com- posed of from three to eight annuli or segments. Thorax not very convex, scutellum without spines on its border. Abdomen broad, moderately elongate or short, never slender or contracted. Legs moder- ately stout, the front and middle tibiz sometimes dilated, the middle tibia always with spurs. Veins of the wings distinct; first posterior cell (and fourth in exotic species) rarely closed. Early stages passed in the water or earth; larvae carnivorous; with a distinct head; pupe free. The females are blood-sucking, usually found in the neighborhood of pastures, in sunny open parts of woods, during the hot sun-shiny days of summer. ‘The males are much more rarely met with, and will be found usually in sweepings of meadow lands, on flowers, etc. * The first paper of the series is in Bull. B’kl. Ent. Soc. VII, p. 129. tt 1.—Hind tibize with spurs at their tips (sometimes small). (Pungonine.)...2......2 Hind tibize without spurs; ocelli absent. (Tabanine.)...........5..........-.. 5 2.—Third joint of the antennze composed of eight annuli, the first of which is only a lithlesloncer thanwthe tollLowine7OMes.. :emmeietctemiels eter) tcl stele 1 tle haioe eercle 3 Third joint composed of five or fewer segments, the first of which is much longer thantthertollowinesiocellijpreseme: .\....maeeperretsrenenl jst =e) ste «] bel sbeysieieieie/aeiaiede 4 3.—Front of female narrow, without denuded callus; ocelli rarely absent.. Pangonia. Front of female broad, with a large, broad, denuded callus; ocelli present...... Apatolestes, v. n, 4. —Second joint of the antennze about halfas long as the first; wings hyaline or with small spots; eyes in life with numerous small dots................. Silvius. Second joint as long, or but little shorter than the first; wings with a dark pic.ure; eyesunabie vite werlanger SpOlS . — “Raeedeckec se se clare are ayagier sche Chrysops. 5.--Front of the female as broad as long; callus transverse; front tbiz a little dilated; base of third antennal joint not dilated............. Hzmatopota. LON teOleiemlale/MALLOW sr Gia cte'elorce tL), Save: sia stances memo rcvnie asictel se ols caehsta era ae 6 6.—Front tibiz very much dilated; third antennal joint not strongly angulated above de eric . Lepidoselaga. ront tibicsnmoderatelyrdilated( face Short jyeeeiseice sore) eae te Diachlorus. Brontembieeno tea tl ated yee e i oho s\o 5, Semen Reeme he yc ictLS otal a elayerrtu abet omenementee toate 7 7.—A small ocelligerous tubercle present in the female; eyes pubescent, more dlist- MTG asin Hn Mrinal ese eee stages hy snp cto alo: «) «oho MMeMatet suse fecerstagal Ney erat Therioplectes. Ocelligerous tubercle absent; eyes pubescent)... /..-..-.....-:..-....Atylotus. Ocelliperousstuberclerabsentsseyes abare. .. senceryaeiete lee ai-telcians eeelseaiacl Tabanus. - LEPTIDZ. Third joint of antenne simple; with a simple, or thickened styliform, bristle, tegule rudimentary. Rather small to rather large species; thinly pilose, with short thorax, elongate abdomen and large wings. Head short, eyes of male contiguous or approximate; ocelli present. Antennz mostly short, never elongate, the third joint with a terminal or dorsal bristle, or terminal slender style, Face small, excavated. Proboscis short; palpi slender, porrect, often bushy pilose. Abdomen elongate, broadest toward the base, composed of seven segments; the female ovipositor pointed. Legs slender, the hind pair somewhat elongate; some or all the tibiz spurred. Posterior cells of wings all open, Larvze carnivorous, living in earth, decaying wood, dry sand, in moss or in water. ‘The flies are usually found about meadow and low woodlands, on bushes, etc., and prey upon other insects. Some western species of Symphoromyia, according to Osten-Sacken, suck blood, as do the horse-flies. ee 1.—Front tibize with terminal spurs; face without swelling in the middle (Dialysis Wallk:. iteste,Osten:Sacken),. a ea eeiee steietsne conta hte epi nate & Triptotricha. Hront tibizedestitute of terminal Spumcsmers tse i papi alcreicte a ese es sieeve rcpenane 2 2.—Third joint of antennz, round, oval, or pear-shaped, the bristle distinctly fertninalive. ee kc oss 5 3 SSM eee, cits as VORA Cea oc ts 3 Whird jomt kidney-shaped;, arista mlorerdorsal ye 22). c'est viejspsieete eee eee eles 5 Spe A male Cel OPEN ya < - Siniele tere ss 1c: «, ofc aMReMeeRROROIC ey te. +s ateyetotelavens Laat ts ae uepus: (Amalicelleclosea': isch e tek peck ac 5-0 5 ela o rahe ohne eee oc nee ere nee 4 4.—Third joint of antennze with a slender arcuate bristle............... Chrysopila. Third joint with a shorter, slender style.................... *Spania.*Ptiolina. ee ptr AGEL OPEN aie vies: u i's coe > <>. » hotest aLe et cte ni-gstaln, pia mini fete Symphoromyia. Atal CelisGlose dips ariis ctsetess Js. 3 & SERRE Oriel ake oe Fteiolelevetersesterer ner eee Atherix. Apatolesies, n. g. Q. Head broad; eyes bare, elliptical, angulated above, Front broad, its least width (at the vertex) about a third of the length, below with a large, transverse, denuded callus. Ocelhi distinct. Antennze situated below the middle of the head in_ pro- file, short, small, first joint thickened, but little longer than broad; sec- ond joint very short, simple; third joint twice as long as the first two together, only a little thickened at the base, cylindrical, composed of eight annuli, the first only a little longer than the following ones. Pro- boscis short, scarcely extending beyond the tip of the palpi, the second joint of the latter moderately taickened. Abdomen a little wider than the thorax, the sides nearly parallel to the tip of the fourth segment. Legs simple, the front tibiz very slightly dilated, hind tibize with spurs. All the posterior cells open; anterior branch of third vein with a stump near its origin. Apatolestes comastes, n. sp. Q. Black, thickly bluish gray pollinose. Front shining black; face whitish gray; palpi light yellow; wings with stigmatic spot and brownish spots on the cross veins; tibiae brownish yellow. Length 11 mm., of wings g mm, : Front shining black, on each side of the ocelli faintly brownish pollmose, below the callus, the first two antennal joints, and on the face densely nearly white pollinose; third antennal joint black. Thorax nearly uniformly clothed with bluish gray pollen, thicker on the pleurze; on the dorsum with sparse white pubescence, the pleurze with moderately abundant white pile; dorsum with three slender whitish stripes. Abdomen opaque brownish black, the first segment and the posterior margins of the following segments grayish and clothed with sparse white hairs. Legs black, the tibiae brownish yellow; front tarsi blackish, middle and hind pairs brown. Wings lightly infuscated, the stigma and narrow clouds on the cross-veins brownish. Two specimens. California. This species in size and general ap- pearance resembles Zaéanus pumilus Macq. Gen. nov. A female specimen ofa species, yet unnamed, from Florida, —13— may belong to a new genus. The species is the smallest with which I am acquainted in the family, measuring only 6 mm, and has the appearance ofa small Tabanus. The hind tibiz have minute spurs. The head is that of Tabanus (sensu strict.), except that there is no callus, the front is rather broader, aud the antennz have only two very small terminal annuli. of the third joint, the basal segment of which is large, only a little longer than broad, gently convex below and obtusely angulated in the middle above. The body is light yellowish brown, thickly pollinose, the wings hyaline with a brownish stigmatic spot. The eyes in life apparently had the upper half green and the lower purple. Noctuids common to Europe and North America. By Joun B. Surru. In the ‘‘Verh. k. k. zool. bot. Gesellschaft in Wien” 1874, pp. 273 to 319, is a paper on the above subject, by Mr. H. B. Meeschler, than whom perhaps no one has a better collection of Insects from boreal america. From Labrador especially he seems to have sources of supply not open to the majority of collectors, and not a few of the species de- scribed by him are unknown to the American student. To the courtesy of Mr. Moeschler, who at the request of Mr. A. W. P. Cramer sent me for study a small lot of northern species, and among them his types, I am in a position not only to speak intelligently as to his species; but also to correct some errors which have crept into his article. As the heading to this article implies, I speak of the Noctuids alone, and more particularly of the species of Agro. Agrotis augur Fab. = haruspica Grt. Mr. Moeschler refers approv- ingly to Speyer’s note on this species. Speyer calls them varieties, nam. ing the american form grandis. Grote had previously named the species haruspica and retains the name as referring to a distinct species, and in my opinion correctly. Awgur is uniformly smaller and with very dist- inct maculation, and is distinguishable at a glance from its European ally. Not that alone would afford reason for their distinctness; but the fore tibize are much more heavily spinulated in the American form, and the genital organs of the G* are obviously different. In hAaruspica the side piece is wider at the middle, and narrows rather abruptly to an ob- tuse tip. The clasper is short, stout, with an abrupt curve forming one quarter ofa circle. In augur on the contrary the side piece is much ——14— longer, tapering regularly and evenly from base to tip: the clasper is much longer, more slender, gracefully curved, and terminating in a hook curved into a semi-circle. These characters are constant and reliable, and indicate a good species, however closely related. The western form swerre@ differs from haruspica less than that species does from augur, and is yet a fairly good species. Agrolis sincera H.S. This species [ have not been able to compare with European material, but doubt its identity. — Agrotis Wocke’ Mcesch]. ‘This species has been hitherto unidenti- fied by American Lepidopterists, and is said, fide Staudinger, to occur also in Central Asia. Comparisons of types prove that scropulana Morr. is a later name for Wocker, and not for carnea, as Mr. Grote puts it. Okakensis Pack, is suspected by Mr. Meeschler as identical with either Carnea or Wocket, but without reason: it has bipectinate antennze, while those of Wocke are simple. I may be permitted to doubt the identity of the Central Asia specimen with our American form. Agrotis festiva vat. conflua. Moeschler speaks of a Q recently receiv- ed, and in his lot is a specimen marked var, conflua: but which is cer- tainly not that species. I have conflua and fesfiva, and compared with them, this species differs in having a protuberant, roughened clypeus, very heavily armed fore tibia, and entirely different genitalia. I have named the species so//aria, and feel certain that Mr. Mceschler has al- lowed a superficial resemblance to mislead him. Agrotis simplonta Hb, G. Mr. Meeschler mentions two specimens, and especialiy a ¢{\ which is distinguished by a rusty spot before the reni- form: this identical specimen is now before me, and is certainly nothing more nor less than a large ¢\ of Mr. Meeschler’s own species, dissona which is also in the same lot. Compared with alpine szmplonia which | have at hand the differences are so radical and obvious, that it is really a mystery how Mr. Mceschler could overlook them. Szmfplonia need not- yet be added to our faunal lists. ¥ Agrotis Islandica. This Mr. Meeschler claims is found in Labrador; but not like the type form. Two specimens, one from Iceland, and one marked var. Labradorensis are in Mr. Meeschler’s lot. This variety is certainly the opfipara of Mr. Morrison, and in my opinion fully distinct from the type Islandica. I have seen numerous specimens of ofipara which showed very little variation, and decline to believe that it is a vari- ation of /slandica, which 1s closely allied to sexatiis or obeliscoides. I would much rather believe it a form of ochrogaster Gn., which varies enormously. —15— ' Agrotis segetum = txana Grt. This reference is doubtfully made fide Grote in his list of 1875, and ¢xana is not known to Mr. Meeschler in nature. I have seen both sexes of sege¢um as well as “exana and find them totally different. Mr. Grote’s reference was probably made on the faith of erroneous information as to the European species. I do not believe that segefum occurs in our fauna. There are eleven other species of Agrofis cited as common to both continents—viz: Chardinyt, baja, speciosa, C. nigrum, plecta, fennica, ravi, saucta, ypsiton, prasina, and occulta, and as to those I believe him correct, though all the references had been previously made. At some future date I shall have some criticisms to make of others of Mr. Mceschler’s original references. I would here simply call atten— tion to the fact that all is not done when it has been determined that there are no constant differences in color and maculation between species on both sides of the Atlantic. All those forms which are at home in North America are presumably distinct, and only the most careful com- parisons of structure should determine whether the species are really alike. A certain amount of exception to this applies in the case of the circumpolar fauna, and of species which extend far northwardly. ‘The great similarity of surroundings, and the extreme probability that at some time a connection existed between the circumpolar countries, gives countenance to the idea that the fauna is largely identical, and to this opinion I am led by what I have thus far seen ofthat fauna. As to Mr. Meoeschler’s paper asa whole, it bears evidence that the author is a firm believer in the identity of a large percentage of the Lepi- doptera found in Europe and North America, and his comparisons are all made with a view to prove identity. Too much importance is placed on color and maculation, and not enough on structure. Mr. Meeschler’s references, where they are original, must be carefully verified before they are accepted. > + ++ a Eyes of Insects. In No. 2 of the Journal of the N. Y. Microscopical Society, is an article on ‘‘compound eyes and multiple images”, interesting as well to the Entomologist as to the Microscopist. There is considerable infor- mation about the general structure, and especially interesting are the notes on the differences of size in the facets of some 7abanid@, and the probable difference of function. Mr, Williston’s paper on Syrphide shows that this difference in size of facets occurs also in that family, and also that it has some generic value. J2 BSs: SEG Water Beetles. Looking over several collections of Water Beetles recently, I was surprised to see how poorly they are usually represented. Mr, Roberts and myself last season took numerous species, most of them in large numbers, out ofa single pond, and in fact a very limited tract of that pond; and that in mid-summer. April and May are the best months to collect those insects, and any moderate sized pool in which there is some vegetation is sure to yield an abundant harvest. A stout net ring is re- quired, the bag to be of coarse cheese cloth, and the vegetation should be swept nearly to the bottom: not once only, but half a dozen times, In a single haul over a hundred specimens, representing ten or a dozen species have been taken. Rather sluggish ditches in meadows form ex- cellent collecting grounds. [Bess ; Oviposition in Agrion. Kf Mr. McLachlan has noticed Agrion mercuriale, (“‘a very local British species”) with a part or the whole of the abdomen incrusted with mud, caused by its sinking its eggs in the mud left from the dried up pools. He is not aware that this species descends beneath the surface of the water, (Ent. Mo. Mag. Vol. XXI, p. 211.) Remembering the same thing, on referring to my collection, I find a few females of our common Agrion civile with mud on a part of the abdomen. The egg laying habit of this species is to sink about the last four segments beneath the water, generally on grass. I know only one species of North American Agrion to descend beneath the surface of the water, viz: our common A. exulans. I have noticed it a foot or more beneath the surface, fastening its eggs to the stems of water grass, and remaining submerged a long time during the operation. When a stick is thrust near it, or a slight commotion caused that will shake the grass stalk, it will let go, rise quickly to the surface and as quickly take wing. ACAD. NAT. SCI. PHILA, S. Frank AARON. In June 1870 I took about sixty cocoons of Sama Cynthia to New- burgh, N. Y., and there freed them. In August 1884 I found on Eagle Cliff, Lake Mohawk, some distance west of Newburgh, several cocoons _ of S. cynthia on Sassafras. These were evidently the descendants of those I had freed in 1870. Azlanthus is not found on Eagle Cliff, and the species has evidently adopted the food plant of its near ally, promethea. Cuas. A. A. Diirine. —17— New Bombycidae from Colorado. By Henry Epwarps. Notodonta notaria, n. sp. Primaries mouse—color, with the nervures, three apical streaks, and a dentate, marginal line, brown. At the base, from near costa to near internal margin is a clear and very distinct white streak. Secondaries sordid white, with brownish dentate marginal line, and a large brownish blotch at anal angle, enclosing a whitish sublunate mark. Thorax concolorous with primaries. Abdomen yellowish brown at base, whitish toward the tip. Antennze dull fawn—color. Underside of primaries sordid white, clouded with brownish, of secondaries sordid white, margins only brownish. Exp. wings 50 mm. Length of body 24 mm. Colorado (D. Bruce.) 5 specimens. ({ Q. A very fine insect, undoubtedly belonging to the European genus, and in its general aspect recalling WV, /remula, S. V., and J. forva, L. Janassa lignicolor, var. Coloradensis, n. var. This is probably a new species, but for the present I prefer to regard it as a variety only. The primaries are however much less produced than in /. “gnicolor and the tint is grey, with little or no wood-brown shade. The coloring is more diffusely disposed over the wing surface, giving an indistinctness to the markings, and there isa great difference in the general appearance, difficult to define in words. The anal cloud on the secondaries is decidedly smaller, while the whole insect has a shorter and stouter appearance. Several examples. ©! Q. Denver, Colorado (D. Bruce), Salt Lake (Hy. Edwards). Icthyura Brucei, n. sp. Ground color of primaries sordid white, with the lines and marks, rich brown. A basal and sub-basal line, the former whitish, edged with brown, and dentate in the middle, the latter almost straight. Behind the middle is a broad brown shade, through which from costa to internal angle runs a clear white line, which on costa is broadly produced into the distinct white mark usual in the genus. Between this and the margin a row of seven brown spots in the middle of which is a brownish cloud resting on posterior margin, which with the fringe is brownish. Secondaries wholly mouse- color, Thorax sordid white at the sides, the centre broadly brown. Abdomen dull sordid white. Antennze and palpi brown, the shaft of the former whitish. Underside, mouse-color, with darker bent median band common to both wings, and the white costal mark on primaries indicated by a pale dash. Exp. wings 30 mm. Length of body 12 mm. Colorado, 1