mater a Petar pres pee emt ee Soe See etets Saige Peper Se ~ rs era a bes . : sy ‘. at ahs tj wh Tet a? be or ane: é a, 6 Malte messes ge: Roch: Seriake ~ Entomological News Proceedings of the Entomological Section Academy of Natural Sciences OF PHILADELPHIA. :0: VOLUME X, 1899. EDITOR : HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph. D., Associate Editor. ApvIsoRyY COMMITTEE: EZRA T. CRESSON. CHARLES A. BLAKE. WILLIAM J. Fox. PuHILie LAURENT. CHARLES LIEBECK. CHARLES W. JOHNSON. . ry ee. a 527 \\4 eke \l PHILADELPHIA: <7 . ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF . THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, LOGAN SQUARE. 1899. INDEX TO VOLUME x. GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY. _ Albany, Entomological Society of, 208. — 2 ae American Entomological Society, 51, 108, 219, 302. Appealin behalf of entomology 45, 235. Appletrees in Europe,Scales on 69 Bananas, Spiders among...... 44 Biscayne Bay,Collecting on... 94 -Burterflies, Tne (poem)....... 19 Chicago Entomological Society 107 Directery of American Entomolo- gists, 178, 247, 296. Diseases and flies......... 109, 154 Diseases, Mosquitoesspread.... 69 Doings of Societies 20, 51, 78, 107, 152, 189, 219. 252, 271, 302. Economic Entomology 134, 207, 291. Editorials 13. 41, 67, 101, 132, 176, 205, 246, 264, 290. Entomolcyical Literature 15, 47, 74 Io4, 147, 182, 209, 248, 266, 296 Entomological Section, Academy of Natural Sciences 209, 79, 154, 273 Faunistic entomology of Ohio . 134 Feldman Collecting Social 20, 51, 78. 107, 152, 178, 189, 219, 252, 272, 303. Fruit pest, A//orhina nitida as a 43, SOMA... .,....... . Eaten ae oe 154; 193 Gulis Names of..... 5. -:.... So Grape-cane gall-maker........ 53 Killing large insects, Best method for, 178. Rassing hug... 23.85 ee. ee 205 Mexico, Notes on remotest corner of, 45. Mosquito, To a (poem)...:... 265 Natural History specimens in the foreign mails again, 132. Nature SW@idiege. (os. 5 2s ee 258 Newark Entomological Society 22, 78, 108. 155, 189, 271, 302. Notes and N-ws 14 42, 68, 102, 144, 173, 208, 247, 265, 294 Oak. gall in the world, Largest 193 Obituary. Casta A... .:.... eee - 82 rose, i. W, |. oes ca, . 19° Grist, HG 00-3. a. aaa HabbamtHvG;. a/....'.:.25* 80 Mnhite Goose. aus 3¥IO Ohio, Faunistic Entomolegy of 134 Peachemite, News. see....... 14, 73 Philad-Iphia Entomologists - and Entomology, 152. Physiological species again.... 39 Poison-ivy, Galls on......-.-. 154 Reflections ou realizing dreams, etc., It 4. ; Southwest, Letters from the.... 83 Sudden appearance, etc., of insects, oO. Sugar beets, J/ege/ra vittata injuring, 44... 5 U. S. Natioial Museum, Collection of insects in, 273. _ ARACHNIDA. PILOT UIE cy yo oe oak pia e's 179 Castie-butiding spider. . 23, 168 Lycosa domifer™ oi... ec cse ees 168 Mue, New peach........ 14,°73. 207 Spiders among bananas....... 44 COLEOPTERA. Adalia bipunctata....-- 0. c00e-- 146 Allorhina nitida..... 43 71, 102, 144 Ampeloglypter sesostris .....2.+ 53 Ceanothus, C. found on........ 162 Coccinellids, Massing of...... 68 Collection of C. in New York City, 69. ; Colorado, C. of ,;....+.-. 5,120, 196 Cremastochilus leucostictus....+- 243 Cychrus Easteru N. American 174 Cychrus Guyoti vs. C. Andrewsit var., Igl. Dinapate Wrightti............. 83 Gall maker, Grape cane...... Horn coilection of carabid mouth parts. 302, 304. Léma trelineala . s&s, 6a eee oi 58 Lie. Nifé: Gi oo as tases eeslanal 219 Megetra vittata injuring sugar bects, 44. Mordellide notes..... ....... 14 New Jersey, C of........ 20, 22, 78, 107. 152, 180, 190, 219, 220, 252, 272. 304. Pemphus cpacus*® ... 2... ccc ee 97 *Denotes new specific or generic names \e\ ii INDEX. Pennsylvania, C. of........ 20, 295 Rare species, So-called,....... 303 Recollections of Old Collecting Grounds, 5, 120, 196. Saperda lateralis.. ..ccc0ece.0 ss 108 Sexes of C., Proportions of.... 219 Sound-producing Organ of Lema trilineata, 58. Trap SQGiemee sie iss ses 6565 see Utels@ereean iad.) veg DIPTERA. Calliphorinz, North American gen- era of, 145. Dapp eucuroite™...., 0625s ch 129 Fleas, New and known....... 37 Flies and disease.......... 109. 155 Hystrichopsylla americana* ..... 37 Mosquito larve, Long life of... 102 Mosquitoes spread disease.... 69 New Jersey, D. of. .20, 79, 220, 272, 303. Pennsylvania, D. of........... 220 Pericoma, 7 nu. spp*....-.... 33-35 Poison-ivy root galls.......... 154 Pulex irritans dugestt*,,.. .... 37 Psychoda schizura® ,....+++...- 32 Psychoda sigma* ... sae +ss--- 3t Psychodide of Pacific coast... 30 Sciara inconstans.,......+.++6-- 201 Stenoxenige......<.ye-.-.. 60 Stenoxenus® johnsoni*® .......-... 61 Sycorax lanceolata*............ 35 Trypetid from Hawaii, A new. 129 Utah: Di trem..:... am + 303 HEMIPTERA. Acanthia lectularia in Cape Colony, 2gt, Athysanus alpinus*® ........... 173 Athysanus arctostaphyli* 172 Athysanus frigidus®........+++. 172 Chinch bag@sGuwewain ss sey... 144 Cicada septemdecim........+. 51, 182 Coccid, Ants’ nest.........-.. 57 Cotton-scale, Fitch’s,......... 146 Dicyphus minimus*®........+++- 59 Empoasca, Remarks on......... 90 Fitch s cotton-scale insect.... 146 Pulvinaria phaie*..>....++.... 237 Ripersia minimus .°.... 00.200: 57 Seales on apple treesin Europe 69 HYMENOPTERA. Ancistrocerus birenimaculatus,.... 180 Andrena 3.nn. spp.™........... 253 Andricus championi......++..++ 194 Auts’ nest Coccid. isi". .2.-.2 57 Ants, Remarkable use of...... 247 Bees destroyed by dragonflies. 219 Bees of California ............ 157 Bees of Kansas............ PG = California, H. Of Soeeueene 157, 180 Cataglyphus viatica...... sin aie 247 Chrysts schletterert.....0+++++00 178 Dieger wasp........---.0+-;- aoa Diploplectron. 3 nn, spp.*...... 56 Harpactus cockerelli*,.......... 9 FHlarpactus howardi*,..........+ 9 LLY POMISCOMMMS 4.5. 6 Dose se es 40 Kandse, i... fe cece. 3, 253 MDI Soni Ag coos 05 a 40 Nesting habits of wasps,...... 180 Niteliopsis striatipes*.........-- 9 Nomada 3 nun. spp.*.....-. 159-161 Pisonopsis triangulavis™.......-. 9 SOMES LICCRUS Seo. . s sn ss wr ae 179 Synergus dugestt*®....... ..seee 195 Texas, Aculeata of .......... 244 Torymus mexicanus®... ...+06. 195 Wasp as anengineer........:. 52 Wasps, Four new,..........-. 9 LEPIDOPTERA. Adena Ts. S . .S. t aioe 21, 130 Archonias xequé*..... eee cee 166 Arctiidae, Alaskan,...... -.-- 130 Automeris leucane,... .....+++: 179 Biscayne Bay, Collecting on 94, 124 Butterflies, Notes on.... ..... Itt Callidryas eubule inmigration,. 71 Catocala, Art of collecting. ... Catocalae of Virginia......... 282 Catocalae, Request for eggs of 295 Ceratomia catalpae,....- 43, 190, 273 Chrysophanus helloides ......--+ 46 Collections of L., American 114, 209 Cossid from Texas, A new.... 129 Cranberry, N.C,, Additions to L. of, 128. Deilephila lineata in Utah...... 46 Ephestia Kuhniella.....+--. 207, 291 Epiphile vipa”... ..cer ee seen 166 Erebia from Alaska,........++ 21 Euptoieta claudia, ........+++++ 294 Evergestis funalis \arva.-...... 68 Exyra Rolandiana....+...0++++ 294 Fevalid JOCOSA. +... iver evesece 189 PiaridaL. of, .:...scpiasee. - - 94.124 Rourth of July... sees. . es eos ‘286 . Haploa triangularis*.........6++ 126 Hermaphrodite Carneades..... 252 *Denotes new specific or genericnames. Hybrid Limenitis............. 131 Fyphoraia subnebulosa*.......-+ 130 Inguromor pha arbeloides........ 129 Limenitis, Distribution of...... 245 Limenitis, Hybrid ............. 131 Mediterranean flour-moth 207, 291 Mesosemia yaporogosa*.,... faies. 167 Migrations of L......... pega eaky 72 Missouri Sphiugidae.......... 10 Neumoegen collection of L.... 209 New Hampshire, Noctuidae of 221 New Jersey, L. of 22, 78, 79, 156, 2.0, 271, 272. Noctuidae of New Hampshire. 221 North Carolina, L. of.....-... 128 Notodonta georgica........ sees 0 202 Orgyia leucostigma On Boston Com- mon, 262, Pamphila mystic... 0 00+ ++ eae Pamphila oslari* :..... $ srerew ia 112 Pamphila scuddert™ ....++++..++ Iit Pennsylvania, L. new, etc., 20, 219, 2 Peeves tn tae eo ras Ss 46 Plusia, Study of...... Sees; 265 Preservation of larvae........ 71 Pyromorphid, The smallest... 99 Setiodes bahamensis® ... 6006+ -.. 100 Siseme nigrescens®......+--..++ 168 Sphingidae, Missouri....,.... be) Telea polyphemus ......+++ «+204, 293 Thyreus Abbottii.... ...+--24++ I OD NT Ser sn 46, 263, 286 Virginia, Catocalae of.. ...... 282 NEUROPTERA (EXCL. ODONATA.) Acanthaclisis hagent*.. ........ 170 Brachynemurus maculosus*..... 170 Brachynemurus pallidus* ....... 17! Psocids of anold snake fence . 260 PCM Shetiorus. 2... es eee s 266_ ODONATA. Rees destroyed by O....... 219, 252 Biologia Centrali-Americana, ONG iy vine vos 8 re 103 Calopteryx angustipennis in Penn- sylvania, 199. Calopteryx apicalis............ 80 Celithemis fasctata............. I Copulation among O......... 42 Increase or decrease of O?.... 206 Tschnura kellicotti, habits....... 68 Kellicott collection of O...... 144 New Jersey, O. of..... 80, 274, 303 tren, O- Of. ..:.... ee. 302 ORTHOPTERA. Albitio katydid............ 247, 265 BL kee NS EEE BRIER oe 275, 276 Allotettix* prolongatus* ......... 276 Conocephalus ‘atlanticus*....... 39 Grasshoppers in New Mexico 43 Kansas, New Vomotettix from 8 Mantis in Pennsylvania... ..20, 273 Neotettix barretti*®. 00. 0.2.4.2... 277 Nomotettix acuminatus*........ 8 Nomotettix sinufrons® -......... 278 Stagomantis carolina in’ New York, 288. Tenodera sinensis... 62.0... 79, 273 Tettigian studies, Some....... 276 FBR MASE on aks Meenas 280 THYSANURA. Machilis conjuncta. 0. oe pec eens 71 AUTHORS. Ashmead, W, H...,..... 9, 55, 193 RI sl Oa ae Oe 37, 99 MEET Re OS. Re, cea 172 US ML DS a a ee 45, 170, 260 Barrett, O. W..).3 5... 45: 179, 293 Per TR Oe ee ee eg 2 Gt ae 244 MUNWICTE REE Cres ea rece = c1ehe 14 Browning, G. W.......... 46, 263 BSOU ee Ts oo oo center sige Hace 38 Calvert, P. P. 15, 42, 47. 68. 69, 74, 103, Io4, 132, 147, 182, 188, 199, 209, 248, 266, 271, 296, 391. Carrer. Lo... eotdes ouiee cies 97 Cockerell, T. D. A. 3, 40, 42, 44, 68, 71, 178, 253, 266. Coquillett. D. W.......... 60, 129 Dageeata ts: Sass beasts: 5 oe 204 Davidson, A......... 179, 180, 181 by 5) SPREE A Aes Borat 71 DavVitgnl atic nn ohn. uc cc ee 19 Dutiniti@eeseeN occ coc as tse 262 Dyat;-Bi Grae ss seks 99; 129, 202 Ehlrinistgiistos oo; ce . Seas 174 Field, W. L. W.......... ~ eee Pickeppyenkt soe ss. ceo eae 295 Fosternit: . seers. > 3s oa aes 18t FOURIER G.. cha eitac oe cecaies 157 Fox, W. J., 20, 51,79, 107, 154, 199, 206, 220, 252, 273, 304. Bele hen a ch ti een 208 Gillette Cy Pie. a eae 43 Goodhue, C, F,...... site Lee's 221 Graei Bi Reese a tedareasie 52 209 Hancock, J. L....... 8, 23, 168, 275 Hardy, We 0s, $02 ioecnes se. 265 be yf 8 CR RE ie ae 7 *Denotes new specific or generic names. iv INDEX, Hine, J.. Siete eet ean I, 201 ( Ottolengui, R...... PIS AR EA 1): , 265 Holdredwe. diet Fo ies, 191.1 ‘Rolts, P. Hasse awoke 73 Hloppiagy Bees ul. ae waa ams 162 | Rowley, R. Rave... Vas Io Hough, G.deN..... dan te 62, 145 | Schmitz," Fo i072 os ee 178 FLO WARS Woe cd sins sy aetishcte 7 | Schwarz, E. Assos stenna nee 70, 89 TIOWSTEW i IR ks oe chen nis 288 | Schwarz, F.244. s::s.hme nse 256 Maibbatd, fi. Ge. oes. y acess 83 | Skinner, H., 13, 19, 21, 41, 52, 67, Jpunson, WG............ 102, 207 80, IOL,.110,-JII, 152, 155, 176, St ie Sn are cen 43 219, 274, 286, 290, 296, 303. MONOWE, Vo Lice i. tees niwin oe 102 | Slingerland, M.V.... 0 see 288 RID BB OR 5 ws «isd Kv. Cia w. RGIS pw 108 | Slosson, Mrs. A. T. .:...... 94, 124 Kincaid, T...... dd 9S ta pin. aera 30 | Smith, E. J. a WME, £5, Taso.) sae 2 eR coe 3, .B..... >... 908 82, 126 Blase) FA os sas ae on 45. 295 | Smyth, E. A., Jr.......... 144, 282 PROD, Ee. «.ssnie We sok lee IAF» 2451) Speer, And. . 3... ess ss ewe II4 EGUSUEZOW, PP. oe ccs stn canons 295 || Tifomias Ui... 6. es eye ees be 128 AOS CURE ORCA ean pe eee 5 ee TOT} yDUISLS Fr Negee crately, bc io oie gseisinnay oie 57 EAeweck, Mi .c Si, tah 06 wo. LOL, 2437): UMSt, (Re eee he raw ree 59 SE ae MAI Nees ape ana ype 294 | Walker, ©. MoU oaks eae 58 Lounsburv,C,P....... Py ak 293/| Warren, J: 25 i aias Sona ee 296 Lovell, 3. Fiat ae Sie 39 | Webster, F.M..... ..14. 53, 71, 154 LUNI: go ol eee ee. aks 237 | Weidt, A. J..22, 78, 156, 189, 272, Marlatt; 'C. ibs seein. ee 146 302. Metal, Lb... cis sb Wass. since 166 | Wickham, H.F......... 5, 120, 196 Newcomb, H. H............... 110 | Williamson, E. B.......43, 68, tag Osborn, H.......... Py raggy 14s |} Monng, DB. Be a iciecd 13 lecting grounds......... 5 | Notes and-News ... . ..5.2.. ase 14 Hancock—A new species ‘of Nomo- | Entomological Literature ........... 15 tettix from Kansas................ 8 | Doing of Societies: ...........6........ 20 Ashmead—Four new entomophilous | FOXCEAMWON. Joo vdanae andi vane vn eeeas vs i WDB S = Ssias sss sceaes Sos ot eee 9 THYREUS ABBOTII (Swains). Our illustration of this curious Sphinx moth was made from a pen and ink sketeh drawn many years ago by Titian R. Peale. The larve feeds. upon species of Vitis and, -Ampelopsis, The distribution of the: Apecies is 5 Canadas: ‘eastern. United 4 States, westward to Towa. 3 35 ‘ >. - a NOTES ON CELITHEMIS FASCIATA. (Oaaiita); With a Short Description of the Female. . By J. S. Hine, Columbus, Ohio. Vety liftle ‘has appeared in literature reietiaig Celithemis - fasciata. Within the last two years I have seen no less than a dozen specimens of the species, and during the past summer I had the pleasure of observing in the field and collecting half that number near Akron, Ohio. To my knowledge the female has never been described, so I give below a short description of that sex. Mature Female.—Head with vertex and dorsal edge of frons dark shining brown, with a violet tinge from some views; eyes, antenne, mandibles and distal edges of labrum and labium dark ; other parts yellow. Thorax vellow with a wide median, a humeral and some » ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January side blotches dark; legs black; fore wings hyaline with the follow- ing dark; a regular, transverse band before the apex, an irregular blotch on the costal half between the pterostigma and the nodus, and a patch extending from near the base to the nodus, occupying a third or more of the width of the wing. This latter is divided longitudinally from its base for at least two-thirds of its length, Nes FF =) Sen Tr, F5 Bro e2e Right wings of six specimens of Celithemts fasctata and touches the costa at its distal extremity only. The hind’ wings have the same pattern as the fore wings, but the apical band is wider, and consequently the hyaline space at the ex- treme apex is smaller. There are two isolated spots, one be- hind the apex and the other behind the base of the basal patch, which, on this wing, extends clear to the base, where it sends back a triangular projection. Abdomen black, slightly pruinose, with a small dorsal patch on 2, a larger, nearly triangular one on each of 3,4,5and 6,and a small one on 7, yellow. Length of abdomen, 21; hind wings, 28 mm. Teneral Female.—This specimen differs from the other female, Ist, in the coloration of the hind wing, Instead of the isolated spot behind the apex of the basal patch, the inferior angle of that patch is produced without interruption. The other isolated spot is re- duced and appears as two small dots. 2nd, the abdomen shows yellow markings laterally and ventrally. Laterally these markings appear as patches on segments 1to 6. Length of abdomen, 20; hind wing, 27 mm. The species has the same habits in the field as elisa or eponina. It flies very nervously over the water before you for a moment, and then with a sudden turn vanishes from sight. In the 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3 after part of the day they may be found resting on the tips of reeds or sticks in the vicinity of water. When the collector approaches they flit away, but in case no effort is made to capture them they come to rest again on the same perch. I have seen an individual. duplicate this periormgoee no less than four times. I have before me at the present time four specimens from Akron, Ohio, taken by myself on June 23 and July 20, 1898 ; and two specimens from Indiana, taken by E. B. Williamson. Chas. Dury has taken the species at Cincinnati, Ohio. The accompanying drawings will explain themselves. They represent the right wings of six different specimens. I made them to show the variation in the outline of the dark mark- ings. I have never seen two specimens exactly alike in this respect. THE BEES OF KANSAS. By T. D. A. CocKERELL, N. M. Agr. Exp. Sta. The bee faunze of New Mexico and Illinois are fairly well known, and have very few species in common. It is interest- ing to ask, where do the eastern types find their extreme western limit, and at what points do they give way to those of the West and South? With these questions in mind, any information about the bee-fauna of Kansas is particularly wel- come ; and I have been very glad to learn from Mr. J. C. Bridwell, of Baldwin, that he is about to make a study of the bees of his region. Baldwin is in Douglas county, at the eastern end of the State. A box of bees collected at that place has just been re- ceived from Mr. Bridwell, and the species, so far as I have de- termined them, are the following : Bombus virginicus, Oliv., B. separatus, Cress., B. sonia: nicus, Deg., Anthophora abrupta, Say, euhalinie Frater, Cress., Melissodes bimaculata, Lep., M. obliqua, Say, M. perplexa, Cheread Epeolus bifasciatus, Cress., Calliopsis andrenifornis, Smith, Pro- tandrena cockerelli, Dunning, Prosapis pygmea, Cress., Spheco- des mandibularis, Cress., Augochlora humeralis, Patton, A. viri- dula, Smith, A. similis, Rob., A. confusa, Rob., Halictus par- dlelus, Say, H. ligatus, Say, H. fasciatus, Nyl., Andrena marie, Rob., A. erythrogastra, Ashm., A. vicina, Smith, A. salicinella, “N 4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January Ckll., A. geranii, Rob., A. claytoniw, Rob., A. say, Rob., and also an Halictus which might be forbesi, Rob., but for its dark wings. This list shows that the Baldwin bee-fauna is essentially the same as that of Southern Illinois. There are two western types only: Andrena salicinella, hitherto only known from New Mexico, and the Protandrena, a Kansas species of a west- ern genus. It is to be remarked that Mr. Baldwin sends both sexes of Protandrena cockerelli, the species being hitherto known only by a single 9 from Topeka. The ¢ is practically iden- tical with that of P. asclepiadis, Ckll., of which the is 9 un- known; but it does not necessarily follow that cockerelli is a synonym of asclepiadis, since mexicanorum, the 9 of which is quite distinct from cockerelli, has also a nearly identical Y. _ It is worth while to remark that Andrenq claytonie isso like A, hippotes that they would certainly be confused by one not specially looking for the differential marks, the best of which is in the shape of the process of the labrum. From Northwestern Kansas we have a list of bees collected by Dr. Williston, and recorded by Mr. Patton in Bull, U. 8. Geol. Surv., Vol. V. The species are OColletes armata, Patt., Augochlora humeralis, Patt., Nomia nortoni, Cress., Halictus parallelus, Say (occidentalis, Cress.), Oalliopsis coloradensis, Cress., Epeolus occidentalis, Cress., Nomada texana, Cress., Bom- bus pennsylvanicus, Deg., B. scutellaris, Cress. This is a mix- ture of Eastern and Colorado types. From Barber county, in Southern Central Kansas, border- ing on Oklahoma, we have a list of species collected by Prof. Cragin, published in Bull. Washburn College Lab. of Nat. Hist. (1885). The species are Bombus pennsylvanicus, Deg., B. scutellaris, Cress., Anthophora occidentalis, Cress., A. smithii, Cress., Synhalonia albata, Cress., Melissodes menwacha, Cress., M. atripes, Cress., Centris lanosa, Cress., Melecta interrupta, Cress., Nomia nortoni, Cress., Agapostemon radiatus, Say (tri- color Lep.), Augochlora viridula, Sm. (lucidula, Sm.), Pseudo- panurgus cthiops, Cress. - This list is very different from the others, and nearly agrees with the fauna of Central Texas. The Centris is quite a Mexi- can type. There are other Kansas bee-records, but without precise localities, so it is not worth while to enumerate them. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5 RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD COLLECTING GROUNDS. By H. F. WickHam, Iowa City, Iowa. Vil.—The Vicinity of Colorado Springs. Two years ago, in company with my wife and a friend, I spent a few weeks in the mountains of Colorado. Our first stop was made at Colorado Springs, which we reached on the fifteenth of June, apparently in the very height of the collect- ing season. The town lies on the extreme eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain region proper, in a rolling piece of country broken by many small hills which rise to the westward until they are lost in the grander heights of the Cheyenne Mountains and the numerous summits which surround the snow-covered apex of Pike’s Peak. The lower levels are covered with the character- istic weeds and shrubs of the arid plains, while at a height of two or three hundred feet above the creek the scrub oaks put in an appearance. The numerous canons which open from the hills support an almost entirely different class of plants, the oaks becoming more plentiful and being intermixed with nu- merous conifers and flowering shrubs. These shrubs often ex- tend out of the mouths of the canons along the courses of the little creeks, and in consequence the accompanying insect- fauna which we might otherwise consider as being confined to the mountain ranges is carried out some distance on to the adjacent plain. The altitude of Colorado Springs is approximately 6,000 feet. But since it is the most favored summer resort in the State and much frequented by a class of health and pleasure seekers, business enterprise has resulted in the construction of railroads or electric lines to many points of interest in the vi- cinity which would otherwise be difficult of access without the expenditure of considerable time. Thus it is easy to visit the Garden of the Gods, the canons in the Cheyenne Mountains and those near Manitou without any great exertion. Some of these are very rich in insects, particularly Williams’ Cafion, which lies close to Manitou. The railroad to the summit of Pike’s Peak offers a smooth walk for the pedestrian, but the results of our high altitude collecting here, by no means encour- age a recommendation to others. While not wishing to present a complete list of our captures 6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January here, it seems worth while to mention some of the most strik- ing characteristics of the coleopterous fauna, particularly since the region is one likely to be visited by any transcontinental traveler. By a perusal of the following notes some idea of the character of the beetles obtained may be secured. The only Cicindela seen in June was ©. repanda, which was common along the creek in the north Cheyenne cafion. In July I took some C. punctulata on muddy flats in fields near the Roek Island railroad tracks ; they were hardly typical, but approx- imated the variety micans very closely. A single example of venusta was taken during this month, running along a sandy road. Among the Carabide we met with comparatively few spe- cies, and the genera Nebria, Notiophilus, Dyschirius and Clivina, all of which we expected to see, were quite absent. Many Pasimachus elongatus were found in the sandy soil beneath ties along the Rock Island tracks, but none occurred elsewhere, with the single exception of a specimen from the north Chey- enne cafion. Bembidium lugubre and B. bimaculatum were both rather abundant along small streams, particularly in Williams’ Cafion, where we also found an example of Carabus serratus. B. bifossulatum, consimile and versicolor were rather common on a small saline mud-flat near the town. Plerostichus incisus occurred with Pasimachus in moderate numbers ; sometimes it was also accompanied by P. luczotii, which, however, was more common in the damp eafions. Dicclus sculptilis was captured under stones in sheltered spots in Williams’ and Cheyenne cafions. About roots of plants we scratched up Cymindis plani- pennis, Philophuga amena and Blechrus nigrinus, with an ocea- sional Piosoma setosum, though this last species is quite as fre- quently seen under boards in open spaces, in company with Nothopus zabroides. Dytiscid were not very abundant, and we could find none whatever in the little stream which is followed by the Pike’s Peak road. However, we got a fine lot of Agabus cordatus in a rill which runs through Williams’ Cafion. This species is easily taken by lifting up small stones, under which it hides ; and, being by no means agile, capture readily follows detec- tion. A. lugens, two species of Hydroporus and a Celambus ac- companied it. Dryops striatus was very abundant. Rhantus a 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. T binotatus was once taken in some numbers in a small muddy pool among the low hills near the town. Of the clavicorn beetles only a few seem to require mention. Silpha ramosa, truncata and lapponica were met with on carrion. Batrisus frontalis occurred under ties along the railroad track. Exochomus marginipennis and its variety @ethiops was beaten from sage-brush, Epilachna corrupta was swept from plants on low ground. AHyperaspis 4-vittata was not rare, being _ seratched up from about the roots of plants. A very pretty little insect which I have referred with some doubt to Hyper- aspidius trimaculatus was secured in abundance on cacti, where they evidently feed on the Aphides which infest these plants. so badly. rotylus boisduvalii was seen quite frequently in the canons, usually resting on the under sides of pine logs. Some few Languria lecontei were found in low meadows. Carpophilus brachypterus was very abundant on cactus blossoms. Buprestidz were not very common as a rule. However, in Cheyenne Cafion we took Buprestis maculiventris and Chryso- bothris trinervia on pine logs, Agrilus anxius on poplar, and Anthaxia eneogaster on flowers. In Williams’ Cafion Aemco- dera pulchella was extremely abundant on flowers in July, while with it occurred A. sparsain much smaller numbers. Rhynch- eros sanguinipennis frequented the same situations. Collops bipunctatus was plentiful on low plants in damp spots near the town. Trichodes ornatus was partial to flowers on the higher altitudes, while Clerus abruptus occurred mostly on plants in the arid districts. : In the Garden of the Gods Euphoria kernii was found in some numbers on flowers of Argemone mexicana. A single E. fulgida was taken at the mouth of the Cheyenne Cafion, while Trichius afinis was abundant on flowers of shrubs above the Seven Falls, a few oceurring also in Bear Creek and William’s Cafions. The Cerambycide were hardly as plentiful as one would ex- pect. Batyle suturalis and ignicollis both occurred on thistle and other blossoms rather commonly, chiefly in the hills about town. Leptura chrysocoma and L. sanguinea were found along the Pike’s Peak road above Manitou. Aemeops longicornis was occasionally seen on flowers near Bear Creek. Mono- hammus scutellatus and Xylotrechus undulatus were taken from 8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [J anuary pine logs in Cheyenne Cafion, while Monilema annulatum was obtained in small numbers on cacti. Chrysomelids were very abundant. Huryscopa lecontei was beaten from scrub oak, in company with Coscinoptera domin- - ieana. Cy, axillaris was very plentiful on various low plants, in company with the much less abundant C. vittigera. The other members of the family must mostly be passed over without notice; but it seems worth while to record the capture, near the town, of numbers of Microrhopala cyanea, varying from blue to green, and well up in Williams’s Cafion we found a few Odontota collaris on grass blades. The Tenebrionide offer little of interest, most of the species taken having been found under ties along the railroads. Mention may be made of Asida opaca, A, polita, Eleodes extricata, obsoleta, tricostata, longicollis, lecon- tei and nigrina, and Embaphion muricatum, Mele sublevis was taken in considerable numbers on a sandy flat inside the city limits, crawling: about during the morning hours. Zonitis bilineata was found rather rarely on composites in July. Rhynchophora were abundant in individuals; no sweeping could be done in patches of weeds on low ground without yielding some of the forms belonging near Smicronyx. On various flowers Rhynchites eximius occurred in great numbers, being one of the very commonest insects during June, though much rarer in July. I never met with this beautiful weevil at any other point, and it seems quite uncommon in collections, in spite of this wonderful local abundance. 4) VS A NEW SPECIES OF NOMOTETTIX FROM KANSAS. By Dr. J. L. HANCOCK. Among some Tettigide kindly sent to me by Prof. Hugo Kahl, of the Kansas University, I find an example of a species of Nomotettix which is not referable to any deseribed species. I append the following brief description, pending the appear- ance of.a more extensive paper on the whole group, which will contain a figure of this species. Nomotettix acuminatus, sp. nov. Similar to NV. parvus, differing as follows: Larger stature, includ- ing relative proportions of body, vertex from above more acute- angulate, the mammille of occiput more distinct, the anterior mar- gin of dorsum a little more produced over the head. Wings pos- teriorly reach slightly beyond the apical process. From criéstatus it is distinguished by the mvre slender form of the body, besides having the median carina of the pronotum lessarched longitudinally. Length of 2,9 mm.; pronotum, 8; hind femora, 5; antenna, 2.5. Locality, Lawrence, Kan. Prof. Hugo Kahl. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. > Four New Entomophilous Wasps. By Wiriiam H. AsHMEAD. PISONOPSIS Fox. (1) Pisonopsis triangularis, n. sp. 2.—Length6mm. Stature of Bothynostethus distinctus Fox, Black, closely, opaquely punctate. Ocelli arranged almost in an equilateral triangle. Eyes slightly convergentabove, with a median emargination within, but not deeply emarginated,as in P/son. Clypeus with a median triangular production Mandibles beneath strongly emarginate at basal third and rufous from the emargination toapex. Metathoraxrugulose, with a median furrow and a delicate - carina, the furrow lineated on either side from the carina. Wings subhyaline, the tegule, stigma and veins brown-black; the sub- median cell is distinctly shorter than the median; the first recurrent nervure is interstitial with the first transverse cubitus, while the second recurrent joins the second submarginal cell at its apical fourth. Abdomen distinctly punctate, the dorsal segments 1-4 broadly depressed at apex and clothed with a silvery or at least glit- tery pubescence, especially noticeable laterally; ventral segments 2-5 narrowly testaceous at apex and _ finely, closely punctate. Longer spur of hind tibie nearly as long as the basal joint of tarsi- Hab —Colorado. Carl F. Baker Collection, No. 2061. Type, No. 5064, U.S. N. M. NITELIOPSIS Saunders. (2) Niteliopsis striatipes, n. sp. Q.—Length 65 mm. Head and thorax black, finely, closely, eribrately punctate, the face, temples, pronotum and pleura with a silvery pubescence; abdomen rufous; legs black, the tarsi more or less rufous, brownish at base, while all the tibie have a white stripe outwardly. Theclypeus is strongly produced medially and again produced medially into a quadrate production. Wings hyaline. broadly fuscous at apical margins; the second submarginal cell re- ceives both recurrent nervures; while the submedian and median cells are nearly of an equal length. Hab -California. Carl F. Baker Collection, No. 2375. Type, No 5065. U.S. N.M. HARPACTUS Jarine. (3) Harpactus howardi, n. sp. 9.—Length 5.5 mm. Head and thorax black; abdomen rufous, smooth, impunctate; inner orbits from base of clypeus and narrowed above to beyond the middle of face, the anterior margin of the cly- peus, the scape beneath, a stripe on the front tibie anteriorly and a slight line on middle tibiz near the base, vellow; mandibles, except apex,black. The metathorax has a distinct triangular area at base, which is smooth except some lineations at extreme base. Wings hyaline the stigma and veins brown-black; the submedian cell is 10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January much longer than the median; both recurrent nervures join the second submarginal cell, the first at the middle, the second before the middle, of its apical half. Hab.—Claremont, Cal. Collected Aprii 18, 1898, by Dr. L. O. _ Howard. Type, No. 5070, U. S.N. M. (4) Harpactus cockerelli, n sp. °.—Length 5 mm. Head and thorax black, but clothed with a short whitish or silvery pubescence, and giving the insect a very hoary appearance; inner orbits narrowly anteriorly, the anterior margiv of clypeus the palpi, the mandibles basally, the antennz ex- cept the scape, pedicel and first three or four joints of flagellum above, the tegule, knees, tibiz at base, the auterior and middle tibiz in front, and more or less of the tarsi, noney-vellow or pale ferrugin ous. Wings hyaline, the costa and stigma brown black, the inter- nal veins paler: the venation agrees with H. howard?, except that the second recurrent nervure joins the second submargina] cell at the middle of its apical half. Abdomen rufous, the dorsal segments rather broadly ma-gined with a whitish or silvery pubescence at apex. : Hab.—Mesilla Park, N. M. Collected June 9, 1898. by Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell. Type, No. 5071, U. 8. N. M. (). < NOTES OF MISSOURI SPHINGIDAE. By R. R. RowLey, Louisiana, Mo. Of the genus Philampelus, achemon is our commonest spe- cies, and may be said to be fairly plentiful most years. The larva is much like that of pandorus, but may be known by the oblong instead of round, lateral yellow spots. Both want the caudal horn at maturity and are remarkable for their short, thick appearance at rest, the head being withdrawn into the swollen thoracic segments. Both feed on grape and woodbine. Of five larvee of achemon taken September 30, 1897, two had a light pea-green ground color ; two, smoky, yellowish brown and one a deep reddish brown. The young larvee of Philampelus have long, slender caudal horns that curve toward the head like a dog’s tail, but only a polished wart at maturity. Both species mentioned above are double-brooded and the August imagoes of pandorus have rosy patches on the hind margins of both wings, as I have seen in Mr. O. ©. Poling’s collection. I have found the larve of pandorus rare, but have taken more imagoes at light than achemon. Mr. Poling has informed me 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 11 that he obtained during the past summer a goodly number of the former on wild grape. P. vitis is unknown to me, but may be looked for in southern Missouri. Although a number of weeds are given as the food plants of Deilephila lineata, | have never found the larva on anything but purslane ; .have taken the moth at flowers at mid-day as well as at dusk. D. chamaenerii is probably not found here, though its food plants are abundant. The larva of Hyloicus plebeius feeds on trumpet creeper and lilac, but I have not found it common. Have taken the imago at light. Mr. Poling finds some noticeable variation in the moths. I captured a beautiful apparently fresh imago of Dilopho- nota ello on the railway station at Mexico, Mo., October 10, 1897. It had the appearance of a home-bred moth. Could this insect have flown from the tropics to Missouri without disturbing the seales on its wings ? Dolba hyleus is one of our commonest hawks. The larva feeds on paw-paw and the species is probably double-brooded. The color lines that shade the sphingial bands are very bright, especially on the young larva. The little pupa is much like that of the genus Sphinx, and larva and pupa alike closely ally this hawk to plebeius. 3 Two specimens of Sphinx eremitus have been taken at flowers by Mr. Poling, but we have searched the mints in vain for the larve. Sphinx gordius is a rare species with us. I have not taken the larva, but Mr. Sweet has a record of several found feeding on apple. Sphinx chersis, as well as S. drupiferarum, are uncommon in eastern Missouri. Mr. Sweet found the larva of the former on ash and the latter on apple and plum. S. kalmie is another probable member of our Sphinx fauna, but larva and imago alike are unknown to the writer. Search for the larva on ash and lilac. Of the Macrosilas, carolina is most abundant. I have found the larva feeding on tobacco, tomato, red pepper, ground cherry, potato, jimson weed and matrimony vine. WM. celeus 12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Januar'y is less common. Have found the larva on tomato and potato. ‘IT have neither taken the larva nor imago of M. cingulata in Missouri, though I found it a common hawk at Fort Smith, Ark. ~ . The pupa is easily distinguished by its doubly-curved tongue case, so unlike that of celeus or carolina. Mr. Otho C. Poling has taken cingulata at Quincy, [llinois, and thinks it feeds ona solnaceous plant. Search for the larva on convolvulus plants (sweet potato, bind-weed, morn- ing glory, etc). Out of twenty larvee, September, 1897, I obtained but one pupa of M. carolina. Nineteen of jthem were parasitized. I have found dark brown larvee of M. carolina only on jimson. Daremma undulosa is common about Curryville, and Mr. Poling has found the larvee plentiful at Quincy. I have found the larvee on ash in August. There is much variation of color in the caterpillars. The moth looks not un- like Ceratomia amyntor, but some large males have a faint grayish green tinge that gives a handsome appearance to the fly. The larvee of Ceratomia amyntor are quite common some years. Unlike the larve of other hawks, they have four fleshy horns behind the head. The whole larva has a rough, granular appearance, in perfect harmony with the harsh, toothed foliage on which it feeds. Mr. Ralph Sweet took quite half a hundred larvee of amyntor, one September, from a single elm tree. Of Thyreus abbotii I have seen but one larva taken on grape. It is probably common, though I have not found it so. Mr. Poling showed mea number of pup of abbotii from larvee taken at Quincey. The larva of Thyreus has no caudal horn. Ellopos titan and Amphion nessus, as well as Lepisesia flavo- Ffasciata, may be sought at early flowers, as serviceberry and lilac. They fly at mid-day and are early spring species. I have seen no one of them in Missouri. ; Hemaris tenuis, if it be a good species, is probably an inhab- itant of Missouri. The writer has taken a moth at flowers in April that answers to the description of thishawk. H. diffinis is very common. I have taken the fly at horsemint flowers in May and thistle blooms in August. The larva feeds on buckberry, snowberry and feverwort. H. thysbe, like diffinis, hovers over early flowers and thistle blooms in the hot sun- shine in August. Both diffinis and thysbe are double-brooded. The larva of thysbe is common on black-haw and snow-ball, and may be known by the toothed yellow collar behind the head. 1899] 13 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers.]} To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of reception. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, as to make it necessary to put “copy” into the hands of the printer for each number three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five “extras,” without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the num- ber desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep: PHILADELPHIA, Pa., JANUARY, 1899. THE NEWS is ten years old, or, rather, is entering its tenth year. Since THE NEWS enteregd on its career there have been many changes. Since our first number, of sixteen pages ap- peared, Entomology has wonderfully advanced; more persons are interested; it is largely taught in our schools and colleges; economic Entomology is recognized as a valuable study. A number of our valuable workers have joined the silent major- ity, but let us hope that their places may be filled by others just as enthusiastic, industrious and able. We are not infre- quently confronted with the criticism that the subject has lost its poetry and the delicate touch of Nature has been swept away, and, in its place, there is left a dreary list of scientific names, whose meaning can only be known toa favored few, with large scientific libraries at their elbow We try to remedy this in THE NEwWs, but receive no help from the critics; they talk, but do not act. Weadmit that descriptions of new species are as dry as the dust under an infested specimen; but we owe more to the systematic worker than to the growler, who pro- elaims from the housetops what should be, but has never put pen to paper. One good friend says we should give less space to ‘‘duns’’ for subscription money and devote the space to original entomological observations, and charge two dollars for THE NEws. When we lie awake half the night devising means to get the one dollar due us, could we be expected to stay up all night trying to get two? Dollars with some en- tomologists seem to be as scarce as the males of Pelecinus polycerator. - 14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. THe New Peacu Mire 1x Onto.—Apropos to the statemert of Prof. W.G. Johnson, in the December, 1898, number of ENToMo- LOGICAL News, regarding the occurrence of this pest in Maryland, I will say that in August, 1898, my assistant, Mr. C. W. Mally while inspecting two nurseries in this State, found the injury so characteristically described by Prof. Johnson, but was not able at the time to determine the nature of the depredator,and for want of time the matter was not followed further. In one very extensive nursery the damage was quite serious, the greater portion of a block of upwards of 500,000 young peach trees showing more or less of the effects of the insect. I may add that the two affected nurseries were located near to or south of lat. 40 degrees north.—F. M. WEBsTER. THE new synonymic catalogue of North American butterflies, by Dr. Henry Skinner, is now ready. See advertisement on cover. Ow1nG to the fact that we have placed THe News with another printing establishment, not familiar with scientific work, it is un- avoidably late. We will depend on our printer to do better ir the future. EDirors. MorvELLIpDz Notes.—Having occasion to overhaul my Mordel- lid brings a few memoranda that may be of interest. From Pres- cott, Arizona. [ have examples of a species of Pentari/a, which seems undoubtedly to be decolor Champ., as described in * Bio- logia,” vol. iv, pt. 2, p. 256. A specimen from Vera Cruz, which seems to fit the description of Pentaria brevicornis Champ., I cannot distinguish from my num- erous specimens of fuscula Lec. from Colo. and N. Mex.; the possi- bility of such identity is spoken of by Mr. Champion (p. 254), but my one specimen does not enable me to do more than partially con- firm this suspicion. A fineexample of Tomoxta hilaris Say, is among my (Vera Cruz) specimens. Mr. Champion gives one distinction (p. 272) between Mordella melena Germ. and scutellaris Fab. which is not mentioned by Smith in his Mordellidx, vol. 10, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe., p. 82, ¢. e., me- lena ** differs from scutellaris by itsshort clavate antenne.” TI find it much the easiest character for separating species. Mordella ser- valSay, seems rather a northern species—I have one pair from Sal- isbury, Vt., another pair from the subalpine region of Mt. Wash- ington, N. H., and one specimen from Brookline, Mass. ; Among the material sent me by Mr, Wickham from Brownsville, Texas (289), is asingle specimen of an interesting new species of Mordella, which seems to come near tenuipes Champ.; also (298) one example of a minute new species of Mordellistena near pulica- ria Champ.—-F RED. C. BowprtcH. 1899]. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15 Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining’ to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species,will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num- bered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain- ‘ing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in parenthesis. 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., Dec.,’98.—7. U.S. Department of Ag- riculture, Division of Entomology, Washington; Bulletin 17, new series, *98.—15. Biologia Centrali- Americana, London, part exliv, Oct.,’98.—I9. Hore Societatis Entomologice Rossice, St Peters- burg, *98,—4I. Entomologische Nachrichten Berlin, Nov.. ’98.—49. Termeszetrajzi Fuzetek, xxi., Budapest, Oct, 1, ’°98.—50. Proceedings, United States Nationai Museum, Washington, ’98.—56. Mittheilun- gen, schweizerischen entomologischen Gesellschaft. x, 4. Schaff- hausen, Oct.,’98.—58. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, ii, 9. Valparaiso, Sept., ’98.—87. Revue Scientifique, Paris, ’98.—97. Zeit- schrift fir wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ixv, 1. Leipsic, Nov. 15, °98.—-98. Travaux, Société [Imperiale des Naturalistes de St. Peters- bourg. The General Subject —A non. White wax of insects,87 Nov. 19.— Bethe. A. Acomparativestudy of the functions of the central nervous system of Arthropods (transl. by W. W. Norman), Journal of Comparative Neurology, viii, 3,Granville, O., Nov., °98.—C oc k- erell, T. D. A. Entomological Ethics. 7.—Distant, W. L. Biological suggestions: Assimilative colouration, ii, Zoologist, London, Nov..’98.—Doran, E. W. Vernacular names of in- sects, 7.—-Heymons, R. [Notice of] Packard’s Text Book of Entomology, Zoologisches Caentrlblatt, Leipzig, Nov. 17, ’98.— Knuth, P. Handbuch der Blitenbiologie. Ll Band: die bishea in Europa und im arktischen Gebiet gemachien blitenbiologischen Beobachtungen 1. Teil: Ranunculacee bis Composite. Leipzig, Engelmann. 1898. S8vo. 210 figs—Meunier, F. The insects of secondary times, 30 pls. Archives du Musée Teyler (2) vi, 2. Haarlem, ’98—Rane, F. W.. Noteson the fertilization of musk- melons by insects, 7. Economic Entomology —A non. Flies and typhoid fever [in Amer- ican camps in Cuba], 87, Nov.19.—Anon. A new tobacco juice insecticide, Journal Société des Aviculteurs Francais, Paris, Oct., *98.—Blandford, W. F. H. Xyleborus morigerus, tigs., Gardener’s Chronicle, London, Nov. 26, ’°98,—Britton, W. E. The San José scale in Connecticut,7.—C hittenden, F. H. Insect injury to millet,7.—Cooley. R. A. Notes on some Massachusetts Coccide, 7.—Felt, E. P. Notes on some o 16 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jaauary the insects of the year in the State of New York, 7.—Fernald, C. H. The brown-tail moth (Zuproctis chrysorrhea, L),7.— Forbush, E. H. Recent work of the Gipsy-moth Commis- sion, 7.-Grassi, B. Malaria propagated by means of special insects, Atti d. Reale Accademia dei Lincei, Rome, Nov. 6, 798 — Hopkins, A. D. Some notes on observations in West Vir- ginia,7.-Howard, L. O. Two beneficial insects introduced from Europe, figs .7; Notes on house flies and mosquitoes, 7; Pul- vinaria acericola( W. & R.) and P. ‘nnumerabilis, Rathv., figs., 7. —Johnson, W. G. Hydrocyanic acid gas as a remedy for the San José scale and other insects, 7; Notes from Marvland on the principal injurious insects of the year,7.-Kanthack, A. A , Durham,H.E, and Blandford, W. F.H. On _ na- gana or tsetse fly disease. Report made to the Tsetse fly Com- mittee of the Royal Society, of observations and experiments carried out from November, 1896, to August, 1898. Proceedings, Royal Society. lxiv, 404, London, Nov 19, ’98--Kenyon, F. C. Abstracts of recent publications, Experiment Station Rec- ord, x.3,’98,7.-Marlatt, C. Proceedings of the tenth an- nual meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists, Aug 19 and 20, 1898, 7; Notes on insecticides, 7.—Os bora, He. The duty of Economic Entomology, 7.-Quaintance, A. L. A preliminary report upon the insect enemies of tobacco in Florida, figs., Bulletin 48, Florida Agric. Experiment Station, Deland, Fla., Oct., ’98.—Sch, 8. Thetsetse-fiy, Insekten Borse, Leipsic, Nov. 24,’98: A new means against phylloxera, Natur- wissenschaftliche Wochenschrift, Berlin, Nov. 27,’98.—S mith. J. B. The distribution of the San José or pernicious scale in New Jersey, 7.-W ebster, F. M. The Chinch Bug: its probable origin and diffusion, its habits and development, natural checks and remedial and preventive measures, with mention of the habits of an allied European species, figs. Bulletin No. 15, new series, ’98, 7 — Webster, F. M., and Mally, C. W.. Insects of the year in Ohio,7.—-W eed, C. M. The feeding habits of the chip- ping sparrow, figs. Bulletin 55, New Hampshire College Agric. Experiment Station, Durham, N. H., July, 798; Notes on tent-cater- pillars, 7.-W.eed, C. M.. and Fiske, W. F. Notes on pruce bark-beetles, 7, ; Arachnida.-Cambridge, O. P. Arachnida Araneidea, pl. xxx, 15.-Schimkewitsch. W. Note on the dorsal organ of the Arancina, 98, ’97, 8, Dec.; On the origin of the alimentary canal in some Arachnids, 98, 98,1, Jan-Schultz, E. Onre- generation of the feet of spiders, 98, ’98, 2. Feb. Myriopoda.-C ook, O. F. American oniscoid Diplopoda of the order Merochaeta,* 50, no. 1154. Orthoptera. Burr, M. Aquatic Orthoptera, Entomologists’ Record London, Nov. 15, 98.—H unter. 8S. J. On the occur- rence of Dissosteira longypennis, Thomas, [and] Déssoste*ra in 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 17 Colorado, 5.—Hunter, 8S. J. [and Hough, G. de N.] Parasitic influences on Melanoplus, figs. Kansas University Quarterly. vii (A), 4, Lawrence, Oct., 98.—Morse, A. P. Notes on New England Acridiida iv, Acridiide 5, 5.—Pictet, A. and deSaussure, H .—Orthoptera,* pp 401-416, 15. Neuroptera.—K ohaut, R. Odonata of Hungary, 3 pls,. Kir. Magyar Termeszettudomanyi Tarsulat Megbizasabol, Budapest, ’96. {In Magyar.]. Hemiptera. -A lwood, W. B. Notes on the life-history of the wooly aphis of apple (Sch:zoneura lanigera),7.-C ham pion G. C. Rhynchota Heteroptera,* vol. ii, pp. 153-176, pls. ix, x, 15 —Cholodkovsky, N. Contributions to a monograph of the Conifer-lice, ii, 3 pls, 19, xxxi,4.—C oc kerell, T. D. A. New North American insects,* Annals and Magazine of Natural History, London, Nov.,’98.—C ooley, R. A. See Economic Entomology.—King, G. B., and Tinsley, J. D. Anew ant-nest Coccid, figs.,*5.—-Reed. E. C. Synopsis of the He- mipteri of Chili (cont.),58—Webster, F. M. See Eco- nomic Entomology. ' Coleoptera.—_Burgess, A. F. An abnormal coccinellid, 7.— Horn, W. Tennew species of Cicindelide, Notes from the Ley- den Museum, xx, 2-3, Sept. 98.—-v. Kiesenwetter, H. and Seidlitz, G. Coleoptera, V Bd. 1 Hiilfte, 5 Lieferung. Naturgeschichte der Lusecten Deutschlands begonnen von Dr. W. F. Erichson. Berlin, Nicolaische Verlags-Buchhandlung. °98.— Schoch, G. Supplement VIII to “Genera and species of my Ceto- nid collection,” 56.—S paeth. F. Description of some new Cas- sidide, with synonymic remarks, Verhandlungen z-b. Gesellschaft in Wien, xlviii, 8. Nov. 17, ‘98—Tschitschérine, T. Materials for study of the Feronines, 19, xxxii,1-2.-Weed, C. M.and Fiske, W. F. See Economic Entomology. Diptera.—H ough, G. de N.* See Orthoptera.—K. [ Wan- dolleck on the phylogeny of the flea and on the Stethopathidz]} Na- turwissenschaftliche Rundschau, Braunschweig, Nov. 16, ’98.— Portschinsky, J. Biology of the coprophagous and necro- phagous flies, ii: Studies on Lucélia bufonivora, parasitic on anurous - Batrachia, figs. [in Russian], 19, xxxii,1-2—Van der Wulp, F.M. _ Diptera,* vol. ii. pp. 377-384, 15.—-Van der Wulp, F. M.and de Meijere, J.C. H. Newcheck list of the Nether- . land Diptera (Bijvoegsel tot deel xli, Tijdschrift voor Entomolo- gie). The Hague, ’98.—Wagner, J. Aphanipterological stud- ies, 3 pls., 19, xx xi, 4. Lepidoptera.—A 1 wood,W.B. On the life history of Proto- parce carolina,7.—Baer, M. On the structure and colors of the wing-scales of butterflies, 97.—_Bartlett-Calvert, W. Revised Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Chile (cont.), 58—C ock- erell, T. D. A. Second note on a new Hemileuca, 5; See Hemiptera.*—Druce, H. Lepidoptera Heterocera, vol. ii, pls. 18 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January xevi, xevii, 15.—Kennel, J. The destruction of butterflies by birds, Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, Nov. 15, ’98.—v. Lin- den, M, Researches on the development of the markings of the butterfly wing in the pupa, 3 pls.,97,and Lllustrierte Zeitschrift - fir Entomologie, iii, 21. Neudamm, Nov. 1,’98.--Moore, F. Lepidoptera Indica, parts xxxii, xxxiii, Loudon, L. Reeve & Co., ’98. (Vol iii, pp. 145-192, pls 247-262.) Rec’d Dec. 13,’98.—P a g e n- stecher, A. The Lepidoptera of the high mountains,Jahrbucher des Nassauischen vereins fir Naturkunde, li, Wiesbaden, ’98.—R ip - pon, R. H. F._ Icones Ornithopterorum, part 12 London. Published by the author. 4 pls. Rec’d Dec. 13, ’98.—S mith, J. B., and Dyaxr, H. G. Contributions toward a monograph of the Lepidopterous family Noctuide of boreal North America: a Revision of the species of Acronycta (Ochsenheimer) and of certain allied genera, 50, no. 1140.—Soule, C. G. A curious cocoon of Attacus cecropia.5; Callidryas eubule [in Mass. ], 5. Hymenoptera.—_Bethe, A.. Psychological studies: on bees, 87, Nov. 5.—Cockerell, T. D. A. Arctic and sub-arctic bees, Nature, London, Nov. 24, ’98.—F. M. . The “sauva” or leaf cutting ant, Naturwissenschaftliche Rundschau, Braunschweig, Nov, 26, 798. —Frey-Gessner, E. Hymenoptera Helvetie (cont.), 56.— Howard, L. O. On some new parasitic insects of the sub- family Encyrtine,* 50, no. 1142.-—-Karsch, F. On the etiology of the Ichneumonid genus Polysphincla Gray.,41.-Kohl, F. F. New Hymenoptera, 1 pl.,49.—Konow, F. W. On some new Chalagastra species,*41.—K riechbaumer, J Contribution to a monograph of the Joppine,a sub-family of the Ichneumonide, 2 pls.,* Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, xliii, 1 and 2, Nov- 98—Marshall, T. A. Braconide in Species des Hyménop- teres d’Europe et d’Algérie fondé par Edmond André et continué sous Ernest André. 64e fascicule. Paris, Vve Dubosclard, Oct. 1, 98. (Tom. V, pp. 225-288, pls. x-xii)—-Mocsary, A. New species of the genera Huylossa Latr.and Epicharis Klug.* (in Latin), 49.—Selwyn, P. H. Honey bees acclimatised, Ot- tawa Naturalist, Oct. and Noy.,’98°—Sundwik, E. E. On the wax of bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), Hoppe-Seyler’s Zeitschrift fiir physiologische Chemie, xxvi, 1 and 2, Strassburg, 798. “THe ButrerFLy Book. APopular Guide to a Knowledge of the Butterflies of North America. By W. J. HoLvLanp. Ph D., D-.D.. LL.D. With 48 platesin color photography. New York. Double- day & McClure Co.” This is a large octavo of 400 pages, and con- tains chapters on the Life-History and Anatomy of Butterflies; the Capture, Preparation and Preservation of Specimens; the Classi- fication of Butterflies; Books about North American Butterflies. Through the work are interesting essays under the title of Digres- sions and Quotations. The plates represent the highest type of what is known as the three-color process and are successful to a re- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 19 markable degree. Where they are not quite satisfactory it is owing to the fact that the forms figured are so closely related as to make any process insufficient. The majority of the figures leave nothing to be desired, as they are close to perfection. The work is excellently done, and the author is to be sincerely congratulated. This book will do more to stimulate an interest in these insects than anything heretofore printed. The works of the past that were of any value had a prohibitive price, but on looking over this work one is amazed at what is given for such a comparatively smal]] money out- lay. The young and the old can find any amount of interest in such a book, and we can heartily recommend it to all lovers of the beau- _ tiful in Nature. It is intended as a popular work, but still hasa scientific interest, as many types are accurately figured, and it will not be out of place in any scientific library. We can hardly say too much in its praise, and can find but few faults, and in a work of its magnitude it is surprising there are not more that might be criti- cised. On page 80 the caterpillar is spoken of as emerging from the chrysalis—a typographical error of smaH moment. The locality of Argynnis hippolyta is not given. Figures 14 and 15, on plate 46, represent as male and female two widely different species. Figure 39, on plate 47, is not pocahontas, but the normal female of Pam. zabulon. Ptate 47, fig 40 is not bretius but phyleus. Plate 48, fig. 15 is not Thanaos horatius J but the 2 of a different species. We think as a book for the tyro the time of seasonal appear- ance of the species should have been given. The author has slighted his descriptions on account of the perfection of the plates, but where sexes differ and under sides are not shown more descrip- tive matter would have been an advantage. Ii the specimens had been properly and symmetrically ex panded, they would have looked much better to the eye of the lepidopterist. Our space is too limited to say more of. this beautiful book. We hope it will find a place in every library. H. 8S. THE BUTTERFLIES. After Coppee. * Pour la Couronne.” At sixteen years she knew no care; How could she, sweet and pure as light ? And there pursued her everywhere Butterflies all white. A lover looked. She dropped her eyes, That glowed like pansies wet with dew, And lo! there came from out the skies Butterflies all blue. Before she guessed, her heart was gone; The tale of love was swiftly told. And all about her wheeled and shone Butterflies of gold. Then he forsook her one sad morn, She wept and sobbed, “ O, love. come back.” There only came to her forlorn Butterflies all black. JOHN DAVISON. 2) : ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [J anuary DOINGS OF SOCIETIES. At the November meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South 13th street, eleven members were present. On behalf of Mr. Lau- rent, Mr. Wenzel exhibited a collection of Lepidoptera made by himself and Mr. E. Wenzel at North Mountain, Pa., in July, calling particular attention to Endropia serrata, which had been taken abundantly; also to Plusia wreoides and P.u-aureum, which were probably not before recorded from Pennsylvania. Among the unidentified material Dr. Skinner called attention — to a specimen of the rare Plusia formosa. Mr. H. Wenzel reported the capture of Casnonia ludoviciana and other interesting species of Coleoptera, in New Jersey, on October 12th. The same speaker referred to the forthcoming new edition of Smith’s Catalogue of the Insects of New Jersey, and to the diversity of opinion of authorities as to the abun- dance or rarity of certain species in the old work, and suggested the advisability of having more consistent data in the new work. Discussed by Messrs. Johnson, Bland, Fox, H. Wenzel and Castle. Mr. Johnson spoke of the extension of the Caro- linian fauna into New Jersey. He had collected ninety-seven species of Syrphide in that State, of which only ten were Southern species; of the Tachinidz ninety-six species, of which twenty-seven may be said to be Southern. Five out of forty- eight species of Tabanidz had not been recorded from so far north, while out of thirty-four species of Bombylidz only six are Southern. He did not think the Diptera formed as good a basis for indicating faunal limits as did the Coleoptera or some of the other orders of insects. Mr. H. Wenzel exhibited a species of Lixus, from Anglesea, N.J., taken in August, which he had only before known from Louisiana. The absence of Mantis carolina from the fauna of Southern New Jersey was commented on by Mr. Seiss. Dr. Castle stated he had re- ceived specimens of the Mantis from Chester county, Pa. Wo. J. Fox, Secretary. A meeting of the Entomological Seetion of the Academy of Natural Sciences was held November 17th, Mr. C.S. Welles, Director, presiding. Dr. Calvert stated that he had recently mounted some specimens of the San José seale ( Aspidiotus per- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21 niciosus), and presented them for examination. He said the specimens fairly represented the figures in the current literature on the subject. The specimens had been boiled in a solution of caustic potash, which had removed all but the chitin. Twigs of apple, showing the scale in position, were also shown, as well as those of Chionaspis furfurus. Dr. Skinner exhibited a living specimen of lanatra fusca, and also two species of Brebia from Northern Alaska. The latter were in poor condi- tion and looked much alike, but, on careful examination, tha differences were marked, the species being FE. rossii and EF. disa var. mancinus. The former seldom has but two ocelli and the latter three or four. Mancinus also has a small white spot on the middle of the edge of the band which crosses the centre of the under side of the inferiors. Mr. Liebeck exhibited an interesting conglomerate cocoon of Callosamia cynthia. Three well-made cocoons were enclosed in a bag of silk, the whole looking like one large pear-shaped cocoon. Dr. Skinner exhib- ited his new Synonymic Catalogue of American Rhopolocera. The body of the catalogue, exclusive of the index, bibliography, list of authors, etc., consists of ninety-nine pages. There are 645 species listed, and each reference is a separate line, thus greatly helping the eye. Where a species is found outside of our faunal limit the distribution is given. A few species listed as valid in former lists have been placed in the synon- ymy, but only in cases where it seemed well warranted. It is hoped the catalogue may prove useful. Mr. Lancaster Thomas exhibited a female specimen of Grap- ta comma, captured at Cranberry, N.C., which was very dark on the under side. He had taken two specimens, one now being in the collection of Dr. Skinner. He also mentioned seeing Callidryas eubule flying in one direction, a specimen passing every five or ten minutes. He also saw Junonia cenia, flying South, in the same way, in pairs. In both cases the butterflies were going against the wind. Mr. Jehnson said he had seen Pieris monuste in immense numbers at St. Augustine, Fla., going North, for three days. Same speaker had seen Agraulis vanilla, going South, in Florida, in September, when _the passion-vine, their food plant, further North, was wither- ing, but in Florida was still fresh. HENRY SKINNER, M. D., Recorder. 22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January A regular meeting was held by the Newark Entomological Society at Turn Hall, Sunday, December 11th, at 4 p. m., with President Scleckser in the chair and the following mem- bers present: Messrs. Angleman, Kircher, Broadwell, Seille, Herpers, Bischoff, Kemp, Bunsow, Weidt, Buchholz and Prof. John B, Smith. The genus Datana was selected for study and identification for the following meeting. Mr. Kemp gave a list of captures made in one locality, at Clementon, N. J., for three successive seasons, as follows : May 10, 1896, Pamphila metea 3 was abundant; £ not so plentiful. Specimens were fresh. Syneda graphica, none seen. Epirranthis obfirmaria, none seen. May 9, 1897, P. metea ¥ abundant ; 9 more scarce than the preceding year. 8S. graph- ica very abundant ; mostly in fresh condition. . obfirmaria, none seen. May 10, 1898, P. metea, one ~ taken ; S. graphica, none seen; H. obfirmaria, abundant and in good condition, but difficult to capture on account of their keeping so close to the underbrush. Mr. Weidt remarked that an early spring one season and a late one the following would make a difference of two or three weeks in the appearance of certain broods of insects. Mr. Kemp mentioned that he found Cincindela consentanea moderately abundant on very warm days all through Septem- ber, in 1897, at Atco, N. J. Mr. Weidt remarked that he noticed ants preying on young larva of Sphinx luscitiosa, and he added that he seldom found eggs on bushes that were infested with ants. The following officers were elected : President, Edward Bischoff. Vice President, S. T. Kemp. Treasurer, Simon Seib (re-elected ). Secretary, A. J. Weidt (re-elected). Librarian, John Angelman (re-elected ). ; Mr. Bischoff and Mr. Weidt volunteered to act as curators for Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, respectively, for the follow- ing year. A, J, Wewpt, Secretary. Oe ae eel ta al, Spider. sin sat Orig From nature by the author. Different forms of burrows of the Castle-buildi a, occupied by POMPILUS MARGINATES, Nt NEws, Vol Io “ E 4 -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VoL. X. FEBRUARY, 1899. 5 No. -2. CONTENTS: Hancock—The Castle-building Spider 283 ; Editorial......... EX Se 9 Cer red: Kincaid—The Psychodide of the | Notes and NeWS. ..-. ............s002 42 WOGiMCG COanh st Ser se sccseces 30 | Entomological Literature «.. ...... 47 Baker—On Two. New and One Pre-_ | Doings of Societies..}...............-. 51 viously Known Flea ... ........ 37; The Wasp asan Engineer.... -.. 52 Bruner—A New Conocephalus ..... 38 | Exchanges...........:0....0...2-----+5- i Lovell—Physiological Species Again 39 | THE CASTLE-BUILDING SPIDER. By Dr. J. L. Hancock. 9 Illustrations by the Author, The sandy wastes bordering the lower end of Lake Michigan, in Northern Illinois, are inhabited by several species of tube- constructing spiders. Though any one of the forms occurring here would repay study, for the present I will consider a spe- cies which, from the peculiar habit of building a little castle or nest at the opening to the tube, makes it of more than ordi- nary interest. This Lycosid is likely to be taken at first glance for the turret-spiders L. arenicola or L. turricola, but it is quite distinct from either of them. The spider is equally ex- pert whether engaged as a carpenter, weaver, mason or digger, all of which attributes she“brings to bear some time or other in making her completed retreat. The female shown in the illustration, Fig. 1, is always found in the burrows when dug out of the ground, unless some mishap has overtaken her. In the Fall of 1896 I found my way into an uncultivated lot where weeds in profusien had unbounded sway, cenchrus being particularly in evidence. | Patches of high grass, sedges and ragweeds made the open lay of ground a paradise of run- ning spiders. Here it was the castle-building species seemed perfectly at home, showing its varied accomplishments to best \p 24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February advantage. The artfully hidden castle is not apparent to the uninitiated while walking over the ground, as it is commonly secreted in a recess of overhanging dried grasses. Frequent visits to several localities added greatly to my observations, and, though the greater number were made in the late fall, at the suggestion of Mr. Emerton, some time was spent in June, in the following and present year,in anticipation of finding them mating. In this I was disappointed and all efforts to find the male was fruitless. Fia. 1, (a) The Castle-building Spider, ventral view. (b) Same,dorsal surface. (c) Female epiginum. Original from nature. : One of the castles which I alluded to above, the first of my discoveries, will be described as a means of furnishing a gen- eral idea of the kind of nest made, afterwards recurring to the subject of castles further on, when considering the tubes throughout. When one remembers the average size of the adult castle, only five-eights of an inch high, and a little over one-half inch in diameter, it is obvious that close inspection is quite essential. cai This castle was situated beside a half- buried piece of branch, a site which was chosen often. Around it was growing little seedlings and lichens which grew from the superficial deposit of vegetable mould, and giving to the surroundings the effect of a small garden colored with sienna and green. The nest proper was quite round ; fragments of chickweed, bark and rootlets, woven together with silk, went to make up moest of the structure, while to one side a dried leaf of ragweed was wsthet- ically curved around and attached, leaving other bits of leaves ; 1899} - ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 25 incorporated into its margin. Two grass leaves were brought down from a plant near by and festooned to two sides, the fin- ishing touch being a dagger-pointed bur poised on the margin. By the time several nests were examined I found evidence of the most whimsical tastes in the selection of material for nests, an enumeration of which is here given: Green and dried grass leaves, dried fine sedges, spikes and leaves of foxtail grass, fibrous roots, ragweed leaves curved by drying, cenchrus or burgrass spikes and burs, wing of beetle, weather beaten white paper, piece of brown string, twigs of va- rious kinds in bits, dark bark, seeds of weeds, bird excrement, sand made into pellets, small stones and gravel from soil., Exploring the tubes with a straw was not without reward, for I found by feeling the way down carefully, until meeting resistance, the live spider when touched communicates a mo- tion to the straw sticking above the ground. To learn more of the occupant one has but to dig a hole down at the side to avoid injuring the castle, then making an undercut below ex- tending to the tube; follow it down to the bottom where the spider rests with its head pointing upwards. The Fall of the year finds various sized individuals of different ages prepar- ing to pass the winter in burrows. Sometimes just within the castle a fine screen of silk is woven across the entrance as an obstruction against floods or the possible entering of hymenop- terous enemies, which is again torn away after all danger is passed. The young, even down to the smallest, show a wonderful in- stinet for castle building. This I saw depicted in the dainty character of many of their works. Activity is expressed on every side at thisperiod of the year. Littleyellow sand pellets encircling the openings told plainly that the spider’s year is nearing a close. They had a forewarning of the coming win- ter and sought refuge by deepening their retreats to get safely below the freezing line. The love of warmth was exemplified even after the first fall of snow, forthe appearance of the warm sun’s rays enticed them to come up to get a last glimpse of the sun from the top of the castle. From what I gleaned, old spiders live in their burrows for more than a season and often remodel them after being injured by storms. They hold great fondness for their homes and try resolutely to stick by them, 26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February going out long enough only to catch insect food. Even this is seldom, for much food is taken in at the very threshold of the castle. Younger specimens re-dig outgrown burrows, enlarg- ing them as occasion requires. It was interesting to observe neighborly beetles and other species of spiders, not to be out- done, with one accord churn up the soil by their diggings. rid Fig. 2, A castle or nest of the Castle-building Spider, natural size, from nature, hy the author. When the vernal spell is changed by lowering temperature, quiet creeps upon the scene. Usually the spider’s tube is constructed vertically in the ground unless, as is shown in the reduced plate illustration, obstructions cause some deviation. The four different examples here shown were opened from the side, being carefulto preserve their form. A silk lining is put on by the spider, which is continuous with the inside of the 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27 castle. In the construction of the tube damp earth facilitates working materially, but being equal to the occasion the spider can dig a tube in dry sand, requiring extra effort and a good deal of ingenuity. The process is so simple, however, when compared with the complicated mechanism used by one contemplating sinking such a shaft on a large scale that it is worthy of special note. In setting out to make the tube she proceeds with some slight variation in the following way: Standing on tiptoe the spider moves her abdomen around almost in a circle between her legs, touching the ground here and there with the spinnerettes at the end of the body. The silk pouring out catches fast in the soil, and in a moment an adherent round flooring of about ten millimeters across is formed. Then she turns about, digging up the little silk mat entangled with sand, and ina twinkling has made it intoa parcel, which is laid to one side. Again she spins out silk over the same spot and dexterously lifts up the mass, lays the pel- let beside the preceding, until by repetitions she has tempo- rarily encircled the newly-made pit with her internal diggings. At times she stands head down in the hole and pats down the new-formed mouth with her inverted abdomen. Within an hour she is down the depth of her body and the hole exca- vated sufficiently large to turn around in, but now each parcel after bcing made is snapped from her mandibles with a sudden motion of the palpi when up to the entrance. As she pro- gresses the tube is lined with silk, often going over the surface to prevent any caving in of the earth. Now we find her tak- ing a well-earned rest, and not until darkness is fully estab- lished does she commence her castle. In vivarium I watched spiders by artificial light under conditions quite natural. Coming out of her tube I saw her grasp a prickly sphere of burgrass, and taking it to the burrow she adjusted it to the border of the opening. In a few moments she gathered two more of the burs, one at a time placing them to form a partial border ; the intervening spaces between them were filled with sand pellets, which she made and brought up from the inside of the tube. Taking this to be the foundation of her future castle, I took the opportunity of trying an experiment, that is, of furnishing material. The ground, quite bare near her tube, was strewn with a selection of short pieces of bleached 98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ February at grasses, the top of a foxtail grass, which I had seen composing other nests, beside some. weed stems, and three little rolled pieces of red, white and blue paper. The spider, which had disappeared for a time below the surface, now came to the opening, and walking over to one of the grasses she picked it up and carried it to the edge, where, letting it go, she turned around within the tube and attached it at the middle to the entrance with multiple strands of silk. Another grass stem was next taken, which she laid crossing the first, on top of the half buried burs. ‘Then her attention was drawn to the weed stems, which in like manher were disposed of and imbedded in silken pellets. In their turn then came the red paper, a straw and sand bundle, placing them with the same seru- pulous neatness. The bit of white paper was drawn to the side and fastened, and lastly the blue paper found a resting spot, all the material which I supplied having been used in - embellishing the towering castle, which was now nearly an inch in height. Referring again to the plate illustration, a, shows a tube which penetrated ten inches of the soil; it was finished with a curious eastle, having as an ornamentation on top two spikes of the bristly foxtail grass. The interior was slightly enlarged just within. 3 1899] : ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 33 Habitat : Seattle, W ashington, March 24 to June 15, 1898. Captured on a basement window. In this species the bifurcations of the veins are so obscurely indicated that it was difficult to place generically ; the ante- rior bifurcation is very close to the apex of the wing and the posterior one quite close to the base. The wings are folded roof-like in repose. Pericoma sitchana, n. sp. & Body black, clothed with gray hair. Legs black, clothed with gray bair and scales. Wings ovate, broad!y rounded at the tip, the first simple nervure terminating just before the apex; bifurcations equidistant from the base éf the wing ; hair upon the veins mixed black and white, the black being most pronounced at the apices of the veins and at the bifurcations; length of wing 2.5 mm.; fringe gray, with a patch of white at theapex. Antennz one-half as long as the width of the wing, 16-jointed; joint 1 cylindrical; joint 2 large, globular; joints 5-16 globular, separated by very short pedi- eels, the nodes sparsely clothed with gray hair. Gentalia not con- spicuous, black, clothed with gray hair. Habitat: Sitka, Alaska, July 12, 1897. Pericoma triloba, n. sp. 2 Body brown, densely clothed with gray hair. Wings broadly ovate, not quite twice as long as broad, apcx distinctiy pointed, ex- actly at end of first simple nervure, clothed with gray hair upon the veins; fringe dark gray ; length of wing 3 mm.; posterior bifur- cation much nearer the base of the wing than the anterior one. Legs brown, clothed with gray hairand scales. Antenne one-half as long as the width of the wing, not much longer than the maxil- lary palpi; 17-jointed ; joint 1 moderately large; joint 2 exiremely large. subglobose towards apex, clothed with scattered whorls of long gray hair; joint 17 minute. Ventral plate broad at base emarginate laterally and terminating in three distinct lobes: ovi- positor yellow, slightly curved. S Gentalia inconspicuous, very hairy. Iuferior appendages 2- jointed ; joint 1 large and stout; joint 2 short, cylindrical, curving towards the apex, which is broadly and obliquely truncate. Supe- rior appendages 1-jointed, short, straight, tapering from the base to an acute point. Habitat: Seattle, Washington. Numerous specimens were secured in a railroad culvert situated on the campus of the university, March 12 to June 1, 1898. Pericoma variegata, n sp. 2 Body black, clothed with white hair, except a small patch of black hair near the base of the wing. Legs black, clothed with black and white hair. Wings rather acutely rounded at the tip, more than twice as long as broad: hair upon the veins deep black, 34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. - [February except upon a broad transverse band near the base and an out wardly curved row of small patches just beyond the middle, which are white; fringe both on anterior and posterior margin. with alter- nate patches of white and black hair; length of wing 2.8mm. An- tenn black, as long as the width of the wing, 17-jvints; joints 1-3 stout. cylindrical, densely hairy; joints 4-17 small, fusiform. thinly clothed with loug white hair. Ventral plate brown, shallowly emarginate at apex: ovipositor brown, rather long, almost straight. Habitat: Seattle, Wash. Swept from bushes May 8, 1898. Pericoma bipunciata, n. sp 2 Body brown, clothed with white bair. Legs brown, clothed with white hair, some of the latter being long. Wings broadly rounded at the tip, about twice as long as broad, clothed upon the veins wilh white and black hair, the black most pronounced at the apices of the veins and upon the bifurcations, the white most evi- dent near the base and towards the apex, where there are small, ir- regular patches of this color; fringe black, except a spot extending from the apex of the third Jongitudinal vein to the end of the seventh and a smuill patch between the eighth and ninth vein, which are white; bifurcations equidistant from the base of the wing; 17- jointed; joint 1 rather large, cylindrical; joint 2 broader tuan1, globular ; joints 3-17 fusiform, clothed with scattered white hairs; joints 3-4 bear dorsally a row of strong erect black setw. Ventral plate squarely produced, slightly emarginate at apex. 3 Gentalia conspicuous, black, clothed with white hair. Habitat: Seattle, Wash. (1%); Santa Cruz Mountains, Cal- (1%; 12); from the collection of Leland Stanford Junior University. Pericoma furcata, n. sp. 2 Body brown, clothed with white hair, among which a few black hairs are scattered. Wing twice as long as broad, narrowly rounded at the apex, which is pointed between the simple veins; viens clothed with black and white hairs as follows: Two curved rows of prominent black tufts across the middie of the wing, be- tween which the hair is principally white; the area between the outer row of black tufts and the apex of the wing principally with black hair* area between the inner row of black tufts and base of wing, with mixed black and white hair: fringe black, with white tufts at apices of all the veins; bifurcations equidistant from the base of the wing: length of wing 2.8 mm. Antenne a3 long as the width of the wing, 16-jointed; joints 1-2 slightly larger than the succeeding ones; joints 3-16 swollen at base and bearing loose tufts of biack hair. Legs with alternate annulations of black and white hair. Ventral plate dilated basally, and strongly produced in the middle. the production bilobed and angularly emarginate at apex ; ovipositor moderately long, almost straight. 1899] - ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS: 35 Habitat: Pullman, Wash. Collected by Mr. R. W. Doane, of the Washington Agricultural College, Pericoma trunca‘a, n. sp. 2 Body brown, densely clothed with mixed white and dark brown hair. Wings ovate, broadly rounded at the tip, not quite twice as long as broad; hair upon the veins principally dark brown. with a rather large patch of white near the middle of the wing and its apex; fringe dirk brown, on posterior margin as long as the width of three cells and with small patches of white hair alternating with the brown tufts at the apices of the veins; bifurcations of the veins equidistant from the base of the wing; length of wing 4 mm. Legs brown, clothed with brown hair and scales, interspersed with a few longer white hairs. Antenne black, not quite as louvg as the width of the wing, 17-jointed; joint 1 rather large, cylindrical; joint 2 large. globose; joints 3-16 fusiform, covered with scattered hairs; joint 17 minute; ventral plate longer than broad, broadly truncate at the apex ; ovipositor vellow, long and slender, strongly curved. Habitat: Palo Alto, Cal. From the collection of the Leland Stanford Junior University. Collected by Mr. R. E. Snod- grass. Sycorax lanceolata, n. sp. 2 Body brown, clothed with brown hair, which appears black in some lights. Wings extremely narrow, four times as long as broad, apex sharply acuminate and pointed exactly at the tip of the single simple nervure; anterior and posterior bifurcations distant from the base of the wing, respectively, two-thirds and one-third the wing’s length ; veins unevenly clothed with brown hair, similar to that upon the body; fringe very heavy.colored similarly te the hair upon the veins, on the posterior margin somewhat shorter; length of wing 2 mm. Legs brown. clothed with brown hair, except on the basal joints of all the tarsi, which are covered with white hair Antenanz short, stout, about three-fourths as long as the width of the wing, 15-jointed; joint 1 cylindrical; joint 2 globose, larger than succeeding joints; joints 3-15 linear and sparsely clothed with brown hair. Ventral plate elongate, broad at the base, and nar- rowed towards the apex, which is bilobed and linear]y emarginate. Habitat: Palo Alto, Cal. August 3,1898. One specimen ; Santa Cruz Mountains. August 9, 1895. Three specimens ; collection of the Leland Stanford Junior University. Almota, Wash. Ten specimens, collected by Mr. R. W. Doane, of the Washington Agricultural College. This interesting species belongs to Halliday’ s second division of the Psychodide, containing genera with a single simple 12 THE PSYCHODIDZ OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37 vein between the forked nervures, and since it agrees in every essential generic character with Sycorax it has been referred to that group, although a comparison with the European mate- rial may necessitate the erection of a new genus for its recep- tion. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Figs. 1-11. Ventral plate of Psychodide. (1.) Psychoda sigma, n. sp. (2.) Pericoma tridactyla, n. sp. (3.) Pericoma olympia Kine. (4.) Psychoda’ pacifica Kine. (5.) Psychoda elegans Kine. (6.) Pericoma triloba, n. sp. (7.) Pericoma variegata, n. sp. (8.) Pericoma bipunctata, n. sp. (9.) Peri- coma schizura,n. sp. (10.) Pericoma truncata, n.sp. (11.) Sycorax lanceolata, n. sp. Fig. (12.) Wing of Sycorax lanceo- lata, denuded of hair to show venation. (13.) Ventral plate of Pericoma fureata, n. sp. >). pS ae ON TWO NEW AND ONE PREVIOUSLY KNOWN FLEA. By C. F. BAKER, Auburn, Ala. Pulex howardii Baker. In the group which includes this flea and fasciatus and its allies, the males determine the spe- cies. For this reason wickhami and _gilletei are not well founded. They were separated on characters whose values could not have been correctly estimated at the time. They should be reduced to synonyms of howardii. Fulex irritans, var. dugesii, n. var. Dr. Duges has sent mea flea taken on Spermophilus macrourus at Guanajuato, Mex., which agrees very closely in its characters with P. irritans, but is smaller, paler and the legs are more slender. In these particulars it approaches pa/l/dus, but the male claspers are large and half oval, and the mandibles about equal the fore coxe. Named for its discoverer, who has been diligently investigating the Mexican Siphonaptera for many years. Hystrichopsylia americana, n. sp. 2 Length 3.25 mm. A typical Hystrichopsylla. and closely re- sembling obtusiceps. Color deep chestnut brown. Head not angu- lated in front above, but evenly rounded from occiput to mouth. Head comb not perpendicular,as in obfusiceps, but-ou lower margin of head, and consisting of fuurteen spines on each side. Pronotal comb of about fifty small, slender, close-set teeth. First abdominal segment only with a comb of about forty teeth. Abdomen very heavily bristled, as in obtustceps. Seventh dorsal segment with ten 388 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February j large, very Jong. black spines on posterior border, wie surpass apex of abdomen. Bristles on joint 2 of antenne exceeding joint 3 in length. Alitibie heavily armed on posterior margins with very numerous, long, stout, black spines. Tarsi slender; proportional lengths of tarsal joints as in obtus/ceps. The posterior apical spines on hind tibise and first and second joints of hind tarsi are in each case longer than the succeeding joint. Described from a single female received from Prof. F. L. Harvey and taken on Hvotomys at Orono, Me. The specimen may not be quite mature. IT have seen a flea from Haplodon of remarkable structure and great size, which may have been an Hystrichopsylla. The - single specimen which came into my hands was destroyed by an accident in the laboratory. The occurrence of this peculiar genus in America is a matter of the greatest interest. The fact of its coming from an animal that has lived beside walks trodden by our entomologists for many years shows how the Siphonaptera have been neglected, and indicates the fertility of a field easily worked. An op- portunity for a. piece of splendid work is open to collectors of mammals and those interested in hunting. Such persons could easily do more than any others towards building up our knowledge of the Siphonaptera of America, and that by simply saving what actually passes through their hands. The _ only apparatus needed is small vials of alcohol and tweezers. It should be borne in mind that all species should be eol- lected in large series, and everything must be carefully labeled. t). VY ‘A NEW CONOCE-PHALUS. By LAWRENCE BRUNER. Conocephalus atianticus n. sp. Grass green, very rarely flecked with dusky spots, moderately slender, with rather short wings and long ovipositor. Fastigium ot the vertex short, a trifle longer than broad, rounded in front and furnished below with a blunt tooth at base. It is bor- dered above at sides and in front by a yellowish line, below which it is more or less heavily marked in front by a transverse line of black. Pronotum usually with lateral carine yellowish, the disk flattened, quite coarsely punctate and granulate; the lateral lobes with anterior and posterior angles rounded. Tegmina extending beyond the apex of the hind femora from one-fifth to one-third their length, their tips acuminately rounded. Femera of front and middle legs below with 0-3 spines, those of hind legs with spines 1899} ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39 on both sides. Tibi of all more or less infuscated. Ovipositor rather long and slender, as long or longer than the body, a little curved near the base. Antenne rufous, becoming infuscated api- -eally. Length of body, male, 24-27 mm., female, 26-28 mm.; of fasti- gium, male, 1.4 mm., female. 1.6 mm.; of pronotum, male, 7.2 mm., female, 6.7-7 mm.; of tegmina, male, 33 mm., female, 28-36 mi.: of hind femora, male, i9 mm., female, 19-21 mm.; of oyipositor, :9.5- 31mm. , Hapirat.—New Jersey, Philadelphia neck, Pa. (J. B. Smith); Maryland, Virginia (Bruner); Virginia (Pergande). This insect approaches the C. gladiator Redtenbacher in the length of its ovipositor and wings, but differs from it in other respects. It is too small for C. dissimilis Serv. and has to short hind legs to be placed with C. retusus Scudder, while C. obtusus Burmeister seems to be an insect witha much shorter ovipositor. Described from 14 specimens. PHYSIOLOGICAL SPECIES AGAIN. JOHN H. LOVELL, Waldoboro, Maine. In an editorial in THE NEws for November, 1897, the editor tells of a strange tune sung (?) by a Cicada along the Jersey shore, and raises the query: ‘‘ Is there such a thing as physi- ological species?’’ In the December number Prof. Cockerell expresses his belief in such species and advises naturalists to be on the watch for them, while in the succeeding issue Mr. Robertson asks why the term physiological species is used and requests examples. Let us broaden the question to include all animal and plant life, and ask: ‘‘ Do systematists ever constitute species on physiological characters alone?*’ Unquestionably they do and numerous instances can readily be given. Prof. Farlow, than whom we ean have no better authority, says in his recent article on ‘‘ The Conception of Species *’: ‘‘ We cannot fail to notice the increasing tendency among cryptogamic botanists to give more and more weight to physiological characters in lim- iting their species.’’ ‘‘One who takes up the recent deserip- tive works on Uredinaceze is surprised to see the number of species which depend on physiological characters.’’ ‘‘The tendency to split up species on physiological grounds becomes more and more marked.’’ ‘‘The explanation is to be sought in the fact that descriptive botany in certain groups of plants 40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ February has reached a point where the ordinary morphological charac- ters no longer suffice to classify what we know or wish to know about the plants themselves.”’ ‘‘We also feel warranted in’ believing that hereafter physiological characters will assume even a greater ee ia it than at presen in the characteriz- ation of species.’ Anyone who is familiar with the systematic literature of botany knows how difficult it is to distinguish species even among the higher forms of plants on morphological grounds alone. The varieties of one botanist are apt to become the species of another; while both species and genera are trans- ferred back and forth in a most astonishing manner. Dr. Gray once expressed the opinion that not more than one-third of the described species of oak were valid, and in one of his letters writes that the asters threatened to reduce him to blank despair. A well known authority in reviewing a recent work on grasses declares that six or eight good and valid spe- _ cies have been compressed into a single polymorphous one. The fact is that if minute differences were to be noted every plant would represent a species. Something like this seems really to have happened in the case of the genus Sphagnum in regard to which a European bryologist remarks, Sit brevius dictum; ‘* Tot specimina, quot nomina.”’ (). vv MISCOPHINUs OR HypomiscopHus?—It turns out that J/scophinus Ashm., EnromoLtocicat News, October, 1898, is identical with Hypomiscophus, Ckll., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., October, 1898. _ Dr. Skinner cannot find out just when the October ENTOMOLOGICAL News appeared, but Le states that it ‘is usually mailed on or before the last day ofeach month.’ Messrs. Taylor and Francis inform me that the October Annalsand Mag. of Nat. Hist. was issued to the public on September 30th, at 8.30 a. m.. which would be about 7.30 a.m. in Philadelphia. Such are the facts,and they leave us still in uncertainty. Unless more light is forthcoming, I am inclined to favor the use of Miscophinus, as Ashmead described three species under it, while my Hypom/scophus was based on a single species.— T. D. A. CocKERELL. P.S.—Mr. Ashmead kindly informs me that his copy of ENtomo- LOGICAL NEws containing Miscophinus was received onthe morn- ing of the first of the month, and he read it at the breakfast table. It must therefore have been mailed on September 30th, and owing to the difference of longitude, the London publication has priority of several hours.—T. D. A-C. 1899] : 4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author’s name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers. To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of reception. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, as to make it necessary to put “copy” into the hands of the printer for each number three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five “extras,” without change in form, will -be given free, when they are wanted; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the num- ber desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Eb. PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY, 1899. SoME time ago an appeal for assistance to advance the in- terests of entomology was asked from a very wealthy woman in this city, and such assistance declined, on the ground that ‘she had never wavered from a dislike to amateur collec- tions of insects immolated on pins and whose long suffering no one could realize.’’ Now this all raises the question as to whether the lady is correct in her ideas on the subject. Een if entomologists did immolate live insects on pins, it is probable that they would not suffer pain, but as a matter of fact they are killed before being pinned, as otherwise they would be ruined as specimens. While insects do have sensory nerves, they are probably by no means as well developed as the motor nerves, which are essential in such active creatures. In the higher orders of animals and those which bring forth few young, pain is necessary to protect life, and the loss of this protection in insectsS is compensated for by fecundity. There are also direct experiments to prove that insects do not suffer pain. It is said that a dragon-fly will eat from the end of its abdomen as far as it may befedtoit. Alsoif the same insect be ‘deprived of its abdomen and supplied with one of wax of the same size and weight, the insect will go about its business and pursue mosquitos for food as though its anatomy had not been abbreviated. The nocturnal moths are also very tolerant of pins thrust through them in day time, but when night comes they endeavor to depart, pin, tree and all, if pinned to the latter. The writer has been accused, of cruelty by lady friends in starving to death the large bombycid moths, which by the way, have no mouth parts and only feed in the larve condition. When our lady friends cease to wear sealskin coats, the plum- age of beautiful birds and have the tails of their horses less like effete dust brushes, we will be willing to hear from them on the subject of cruelty to insects. 49 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February Notes and News. / ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. Norice.—Will correspondents kindly note that my address is now MesItLA Park, New Mexico (Not Mesilla nor Las Cruces) ?—T D. A. COCKERELL. “THE regents of the University of New York have appointed Dr: Ephraim Porter Felt, State Entomologist. In the autumn of 1896 he was appointed Assistant State Entomologist under the late Dr. Lintner. The tenth to the twelfth Reports of the State Entomolo- gist were issued after his connection with the office.” ADMIRAL DEWEY, it seems, is a great collector of butterflies, in addition Spanish vessels and other bric-a-brac.— Philadelphia Ledger. Remark.—If Admiral Dewey handles his specimens the way he did the Spanish fleet, he would not receive much in exchange for his duplicates. However, we aro pleased to learn that he is an en- tomologist.—Eps. A: Nore on CopuLation AMONG Oponata —The statement that in pairing the male dragonfly grasps the female by the prothorax or neck seems tO have been generally accepted While this is true for Agrionide, so tar as I have had opportunity of observing, it is pos- sibly not true for Auschnide and Libellulidse—certainly not true for all of them. During July, 1898, while coliecting about Round . Lake, in Northern Indiana, a pair of Celithemis fasciata was taken, and the male was found to be grasping the female dy the head, the inferior appendage covering the occiput, while the supe- rior appendages rested against the rear of the head. In this case I held the pair in my fingers and separated the male from the female. Although unable to make so positive an observation in any other case, by carefully approaching pairs of Celithemis elisa, C. eponina and: Mesothemis simplicé colliss ,astaey er sted on the grass and sedges , I was able to determine, in the case of these. three species also, that the female was grasped by the head, The structure of the parts in- volved might indicate that this habit belongs to all the aE: and Libellulide.* A comparison of the actions of Hnallagma signatum and Celithe- mis fasctata while pairing and ovipositing isiuteresting. In flight when the male Knallagma is carrying the female, grasping her by the prothorax, the legs of the latter are drawn up close to the body, and, while resting in copulation, they usually hang extended on either side of the abdomen of the male, or they may remain in their original position, folded to the body. While ovipositing the male *In my collection is a pair of Aesckna constricta Say, taken in copula, October 1, 1893, in Delaware County, Pa., by myself, killed and pinned in the copulatory position. Thea eg teng 1 s of the male erases the head of the female in the man- ner above described by Mr. Williamson.—P. P. CALVERT. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43 and female are usually submerged. the male grasping the female and both clingirg to some aquatic plant in which the eggs are being placed. In the case of Ce/ithem/s fascéata in flight the male grasps the female by the head, the legs of the latter hanging extended. In copulation the abdorzen of the male is grasped by all the legs of the female, or the second and third pairs of legs may grasp the ab- domen of the female hersel(. In ovipositing the male and female - hover and flit about “in couple,” the female frequently touching the tip of ber abdomen to the water.—E B. Wrttramson, Car- negie Museum, Pittsburgh. Allorhina nitida Linn. as A Fruir Pest.—i do not remember to have seena mention of this insect as a fruit pest I recently re- ceived a number of the beetles from Mr. George F. Breninger, who obtained them at» Pheenix, Ariz ,and writes concerning them as follows: “* They are the most destructive insect on fruit I have ever seen. They begin with the first peaches that ripen 2nd continue until about the first of October, when they disappear. I have seen so Many ona peach as to completely hide it,and ther goto the ground with much buzzing when the fruit drops - You will notice the cutting apparatus on the top of the head with which it digs up the flesh of the fruit. It also feeds to some extent on melous and tomatoes.”—C. P. GILLETTE. ; Is Ceratomia catalpe spreading northward? Tathe November _ number of Tur News (page 231) this southern speciesis recorded from Delaware County, Pa. In 1893 I received through Prof. Beekwith. then of Delaware College, two specimens of this moth from Sussex County, Del., and in 1894. in a large quantity of electric light ma terial taken in this city (Wilmington, Del.), I found a single speci- men; but this year the larve have appeared on the catalpa trees in great numbers, and the moths vere not rare at the lights; se that in this State Ceratomia catalpe appears to have spread north- ward, and has certainly greatly increased in numbers, where it was formerly very rare.-—F RANK M. Jones, Wilmington, Del. GRASSHOPPERS IN NEW Menxico.—This year (1898) we have had quite a plague of grasshoppers in the Mesilla Valiey. The species concerned were all residents. The principal offender being Melano- plus differentialis, with M. femur-rubrum a fair second. M. aridus was common, but seemed to restrict itself almost entirely to the native grasses The interesting feature of the attack was that it was not participated in by three Melanopliui (I prefer this term for the tribe to Melanopli). which were very common in the im- mediate vicinity. Melanoplus herbaceus occur red in immense num- bers onthe Pluchea borealis, Holoplus elegans wasequally abundant on Atriplex canescens, while Hesperotetti« viridis was quite com- mon on Bigelovia (or Joscoma) heterophylla var, wrightii. Each of these species is colored like its food-plant, and never by any chance leaves it for the cultivated fields. 44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February At Tularosa, N. M., this fail, | was surprised to find great num- bers of a Melanoplus quite new to me, allied to . bivittatus. It proves to be M@ thomas/; (Scudd, Revis, Melanopli, p, 368,) a species only known hitherto by a single male captured by Bruner in the State of Durango, Mexico! Its habits are quite like those of differ- entialis and bivittatus, so it will undoubtedly prove injurious. The specimens were taken in the yard at the back of the hotel, where grape vinesand fruit trees were cultivated The genuine © bivitta- tus is common enough in New Mexico in the Transition Zone, as at Santa Fe, but is never seen at the lower levels. T. D. A COCKERELL. MEGETRA VITTATA INJURING SUGAR BEETS-—Now that so much interest is being taken in sugar beets, it may be worth while to re- cord that Mr. C. E. Mead sent me two specimens of this curious Meloid on Sept. 3, with the information that they were injuring sugar beets at Aztec, N. M. The specimens differ slightly from the form of the insect found in the Organ Mts , N. M., in that the dull orange marks on the elytra are confined to the subcostal region, in- stead of forming a well marked network covering the greater part of the elytra T. D. A. COCKERELL. We are accustomed to hear of large spiders coming from tropical regions in bunches of bananas. The ordinary statement about these spiders is that they are “tarantulas.” The genuine “ tarantulas” belong to the family Theraphosidae, and the known habits of these- spiders are not such as would lead one to suppose that they would seek shelter in banana bunches. “ Tarantulas” are ground spiders and rarely climb trees. So it is not surprising that the large spid- ers found occasionally in bunches of bananas prove to belong to quite different groups. During the past few years [ have had several large spiders sent me that were taken from bananas. These spiders beloag to two species. The larger and heavier one is Clenus ferus Perty. The family Ctenide is a small one, and by most arachnologists considered close to the common Lycoside. They are wandering spiders, making no web, and are often found on trees Two species occur inour South- ernStates This particular species was tirst known from Brazil, but is now known to inhabit various parts of South and Central Amer- ica. It has been sent me from Albany, N. Y., New York City, Ft. Collins, Colo.. and lately I have seen a specimen from Corvallis, Ore. It has stout jaws, long legs anda hairy body. so it is probable that most of the“ tarantulas’’ from bananas are referable to this species : The other spider cent me as occurring among bananas is Helero- poda venatoria Linn, the so-called huntsman spider, a common inhabitant of all tropical countries. Specimens have been seen from — New York City and Corvallis, Ore. This spider belongs to the family Sparasside, closely related to the Thomiside. They spin no 1899 — ENTOMOLOGICAL . NEWS. 45 webs, but wander in search of prey. This species is quite flat, and has very long legs. The female carries her egg-sac under the body. Nothing is known regarding the poisonous qualities of these spiders. but they are probably much less dangerous than the true‘ taran- tulas.”’ NATHAN BANKs. AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF ENTOMOLOGY AND KINDRED SCIENCES. — In the interest of entomology, it would be a good plan if every ento- mologist in the United States would petition their representatives in Congress to have paragraph 666 of the tariff law of 1897 amended, so that specimens of natural history for scientific collections be admitted free of duty, whether intended for private or public use. The paragraph in question comes under the free list. and reads as follows: “Specimens of natural history, botany and mineralogy when imported for scientific public collections, and not for sale.” A law that tends to discourage private scientific research in patu- - ral history should be blotted out immediately, asit isa disgrace to a civilized nation. Entomology, especially, merits all the encourage- ment possible, and one of the best ways of helping the cause would be to remove the barrier from the private student. All who read this are earnestly requested immediately to petition their represent- atives at Washington, urging that the section in question be amend- ed, and that without delay. Epwarp A, KLAGEs. NOTES ON 1HE ReEMOTEsST CORNER OF MEXICO.—At present the northern part of the State of Guerrero is considered to be the least known district of the republic. Lying between the route from Toluca to Colima and the old road from Acapuleo up to Chilpan- cingo and Mexico City, it is almost untraveled. Ou account of the long dry season it is but little cultivated, and the hills are sparsely covered with stunted trees. The altitude ranges from 1,000 to 2000 feet, with “cerros” of 3.000 to 5,000 feet. The numerous gold and quicksilver mines of the regioz’and the “Gran Pacifico” railroad, which is buildiag, will soon bring the country into promi-+ nence. Though at the present time { Dec.,’93] the dry season is only fairly begun, the apparent insect fauna is hardly 5 per cent. of that of the rainy season. There is stiil a good variety of Orthoptera, especially Locustide and Gryllide. Odonata are, of course, to be found along the Rio Mescala and Rio Cocula: Gomphine not met with. Taran- tulas still prowl and scorpions still lurk. The wood-boring Cole- optera “hold their own” in the narrow timber strips along the rivers; but al! the Phytophaga are hibernating. Of Diptera and Lepidoptera there is left scarcely a trace. A hot desolate country just now, but one of the most interesting corners of the neotropical region when #t rains —O. W. Barrett, Tacubaya, D. F., Mexico. In Mr. Welles’ article (Destructive Work of Daremma Catal- px). in your December number, the mention of unusualabundance 46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February of Deilephila lineata larve calls to mind a similar Occurrence in this section in 1897, which, judging from reports from other locali- ties in the great westerndry belt at that time, was probably of far- reaching extent. From even as far south as the Rio Grande Valley came a newspaper report, with the usual journalistic coloring, say- ing that millions of large striped worms, large as a man’s finger, each witha horn on theend of its tail. were marching across the country ina body. These worms had never been seen there before, and no one could classify them. They did not stop nor turn back when they came to the Rio Grande River, but deliberately took to the current, and those that were not swept away continued the line of march from the other side. This of course, is the reporter’s sensational description of an extraordinary appearance of some sphingid caterpillar, possibly that of D. lineite. While I was engaged in netting Catocalas about-a wooden siation building of the railway at Green River, Utah, in August of the same year, a resident who observed me ventured the information that Ishould have keen there in June,“ for the whole desert was then alive with big green striped worms.” The foot hills about Salt Lake City were, during the same period. over-run with countless myriads of the larve of D lineata. They always preferred as food plant Clarkia rhomboidea. Rosa fend- lertana aud Saliz longifolia. During the previous year (1896) these larve were quite uncommon, but the moths were abundant I re member counting thirty of the latter about asingle electric lamp at one time, but during the season just past (1898)I failed to find a single larva of this species,and but very few of the moths, - G. WESLEY Brownrné, Salt Lake City, Utah. Tue remarks in the December number of THE News, about the prevalence of the different species of Pverés, interested me very much, because I find among my field notes some observations of the same nature. In 1895 P. oleracea was everywhere in the vicinity of Salt Lake City, from the bottom of the valley to the neighborhood of nine or ten thousand feet above sea level. Since that time it has steadily decreased until, during the last season, it has been almosta rarity her2,and as it has disappeared, P. rap, which was not abundantin 1895, has increased prodigiously. P. protodice, so far as I can judge, has remained of about the same numbers, being every year common but at no time specially plentiful. I have often wondered what are the conditions that govern the limitations of these species.—G. WeEsLEY BROWNING, Salt Lake City, Utah. Nore oN CHRYSOPHANUS HELLOIDES.—In_ 1895 I received from Utah somespecimens of Chrysophanus helloédes, and in September of the same year took at Roby, Ind., 7 specimens of what Tat the time of capture thought was C. hypophleas: When. spread I com- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47 pared them with my cabinet specimens and found them to be C. helloides. On reporting this to some collectors who had been in- terested in this (Chicago) field for upward of 25 years, L was sur- prised to learn that the species had never been reported so far East An inquiry through the columns of THe EntromoLocicaL News brought the information that its furthest previous Eastern appear- ance had been in Western Nebraska. . I notified all the Chicago collectors to be on the lookout for it in 1896, with the result that it was reported from all parts of the dis- trict, and both in thespring and fall It is now found throughout the summer, as [ have this year taken it ineach month from May to September. Last fail, in making exchange with a Minneapolis, Minn., collec- tor, Lreceived a lot of Chrysophanus sp.? and at the same timea request for C. hellotdes. Inthe lot received from my correspond- ent were zzne specimens of hello/des, thus establishing a new local- ity for the species. Itseems to be spreading eastward,and I would like to hear from any one‘noting its occurrence further East or South than Chicago-—Joun L. HEALY, Sec. Chicago Entomological So - ciety. (). sa ~ Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. ' Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Eftomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species,will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num- bered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain- ing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., Dec. ’98.—5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., Jan ’99.—7. Bulletin No. 18, new series, U.S. De- partment of Agriculture, Divisionof Entomology, Washington, ’98. —9. The Entomologist, London, Jan. ’99.—Il. The Annals and Maga- zine of Natural History, London, Dec. ’98.—21. The Entomologist’s Record, London, Dec. 15, ’98.—22. Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, Dec. 12, 98.—33d. Dénkschriften, kais Akademie der Wissenschaft- en, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschattliche Classe, lxiv, Vienna, ’97. —33s. Sitzungsberichte of same.—84. Insekten Borse, Leipsic, *98,— 48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February 99. Bulletins. Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Sta- tion, Ithaca, N. Y., Dec. ’98. The General Subject.—The Zoological Record for 1897. London, ‘98. Brown, A. W. Arachnida 50 pp., Myriopodaand Pro- totracheata 19 pp; Sharp, D., Insecta, 300 pp.—Brandi- court, V.. Protective colors, Bulletin, Société Linnéenne du Nord de la France, Amiens, Sept.-Oct., ’97.—Carret, A. M.F. Guillebeau and his entomological. works (cont.), L’Echange, Re- vue Linnéenne, Lyon, Dec. *98.—Comstock, J. H., and Needham. J. G. The wings of insects iv, figs., The Ameri- ean Naturalist, Boston, Dec °98.—Danby, W.-H. and Green, ©. DeB. Report on the Entomology of British Columbia, 1 pl. Bulletin of the Natural History Society of British Columbia. Vie- toria, 1893.—H ey ne, A. Hints on use of duplicates for the enrich- ment of one’s own collection, 84, Dec.22.—Howard, L.O. The dispersion of terrestrial species in general and of insects in particular by the agency of man. [French transl.] Notes et Revue, Archives de Zoologie’ Experimentale et Generale (3) vi, 3. Paris, ’98.— Oudemans. J. Th. De Nederlandsche Insecten. Aflever- ing 9 sGravenhage. Martinus Nijhoff. °98. (Lepidoptera pp. 385-432. Diptera pls.xx-xxii)—-Schaufsus, C. The signifi- cance of formol for the insect collector, 84, Dec.8.—S em per,G. Die Nachtfalter-Heterocera, Zte Lieferung,7 pls. Reisen im Archi- pel der Philippinen von Dr. C. Semper. Zter Theil. Wissenschaft: liche Resultate, 6 ter Band. Wiesbaden. C. W. Kreidel’s Verlag. 1898.—_Tichomirow, A. On the anatomy of the insect testis, figs.,22—Weller, S. A bibliographic index of North Amer- ican Carboniferous Invertebrates, United States Geological Survey. Bulletin 153, Washington,.’98. Economic Entomology.—A non. The introduction of beneficial lady birds from Australia into India, 7; Recent injury by the sugar- cane beetle and related species, 7; A new enemy to the grape vine in Mexico, 7; Cotton field insects, 7 : An interesting case of myiasis, 7: A radieal- novelty inchinch bug work, 7.—Baudoin, M. The employment of ants in operative medicine, Revue Scientifique du Bourbonnais, Moulins, Dec. 15,°98.-Behr, H.H.. Notes on ticks,7.-Brauer, F. Contributions to the knowledge of extra- European (Estridx and parasitic Muscarie,1 pl.,33d.—C hitten- den, F. H. Biologic noteon Conotrachelus elegans Say,7; Anew sugar-beet beetle [Monvxia puncticollis Say], 7; A leaf-beetle [Chrysomela (Zygogramma) exclamationis] injurious to cultivated sunflower; 7; A flea beetle living on purslane, 7: Recent injury by bark- beetles -a correction, 7; Twig pruners andallied species, figs., 7: A destructive borer enemy of birch trees, with notes on related species, figs..7.—C lement, A. L. Bees and wasps living in superposition in the same~hive, fig:, Bulletin, Société Nationale d’ Acclimatation ‘de France, Paris, Aug. 98.-Coqtillett, D. W. °Acecidomyiid injurious to seedsofsorghum,*7.—Dixson, 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49 H. ‘Cyanide of potassium as an insecticide, Gardeners’ Chronicle. London, Dec. 17,’98.—F letecher, J. The Hessian fly attack- ing timothy, 4.-—Gould, H. P. Second Report on the San José scale, with remarks on the effects of kerosene on foliage; figs . 99,no 155.—Grassi, B. Relations between malaria and arthro- pods, Rendiconti, Accademia dei Lincei, Rome, Dec. 4, °98.—H o w - ard, L. O. The work against /cerya purchasi in Portugal, with an account of the introduction from America of Novius car- dinalis,7; The San José scale on dried fruit,7—Hubbard, H.G. and Pergande, T. A new Coccid on birch, figs..*7—King, G.B. China asters infested by a Coccid,5.—Os born, H. The Hessian fly [Cecidomy/a destructor] in the United States, 8 text figs., 2 pls, Bulletin 16, new series, U.S. Dep’t. of Agriculture, Division of Entomelogy. Washington. D. C., °98—Pergande, T. The peach Lecanium, figs..*7; A new plant louse on tobacco.*. 4— Slingerland, M. V. The grape-vine flea-beetle. figs., 99. No. 157.—Numerous minor “ Notes from Correspondence” in 7. Arachnida.—K owalevsky, A. A new lymphatic gland in the European scorpion, 2 pls.. Memoires. Academie Imperiale des Sciences, St. Petersburg, v,10..’97. Rec’d Dec. 20,’98.-—Nalepa, A. To knowledge of the Phy)locoptine, 5 pls,. 33d. - Thysanura Becker, E. Some remarks on the anatomy of Machilis maritima Latr., 22. ; Hemiptera —A non. The European bat bug [Acanthéa pipis- frelli) in America,7.—Berg, C. Descriptions of new Hydro- metride of the Argentine republic, Comunicaciones del Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires, i, 1. Aug. 24,’98.—Breddin, G' Hemipterological studies iv, Jahresbericht u. Abhandlungen, Natur- wissenschaftliche Verein in Magdeburg, ’98.—Cockerell,. T. _D. A. Two new genera of Lecaniine Coccide, 9; See Hymenop- tera—Cockerell, T. D. A. and King, G. B. The Coceid genus Spherococcus in Massachusetts,* 4—Hu b bard, H. G. and Pergande, T. See Economic Entomology.*— Kirkaldy..G. W. A guide tothestudy of British water- _bugs (aquatic Rhynchota), 9—Marlatt, C. L. Anew nomen- clature for the broods of the periodical Cicada,7.-Mokrzhet- ski. S. Some observations on the cycle of the sexual develop- -mentof the * blood louse” (Schizoneura lanigera Hausm.) (Transi. from the Russian by P. Fireman),7.—Montgomery, T. H. Jr... The spermatogenesis in Pentatoma up to the formation of the spermatid, 5 pls., Zoologische Jahrbucher (Anat. u. ‘Ontog. Abtheil.) * xii, 1, Jena, Nov. 15.’°98.—-Pergande,. T. See Economic Ento- _ mology.*—Reuter,O. M. Hemiptera Gymhocerata of Europe, es the Meditérranean basin, and ‘Asiatic Russia, iv, 6. pls.; ; V,10 pls. {In Latin], Acta Societatis Scientiarum Fennice, xxiii. Helsing- fors, 97. Rec’d Dec. 24,98 —-Scudder, S. H. |. Anunknown tract on American insects by Thamas Say,5.—_Speiser, P. taken out uninjured, the other three specimens being more _or less cut to pieces or crushed betyveen the tough fibres. All these larve were thoroughly dormant and very flaccid; evi- dently they had eaten nothing for some months. I feel sure that they are more than one year and probably more than two years old, but no doubt they would have issued by July or August of this year. All the larve in this trunk appear to lie not deeper than one or two inches beneath the surface of the wood. It is possible however, that they may not issue until next year, and for this reason I hesitate to have the tree cut down. The fibres of the wood are still moist and very light in color showing very slight fermentation except where the juvenile galleries of a year or two ago have pene- trated. There are no young larve, and evidently all are of the same age and nearly or quite adult, and there are no exit holes in the tree. There may be 50 to 100 larve in the trunk, but of course this is only a surmise. Dr. Murray promises to -wateh the tree during the summer and will try to secure specimens of the beetle as they emerge. I feel quite certain now that there are comparatively few broods of Dinapate existing in this region, and unless it exists also in Baja California or on the southern slope of the San Ber- nardino range, any year may witness its complete extinction ; because unless the females, in imago, feed upon and kill the buds of living palms in which they then oviposit, the number of trees in fit condition to rear the young is exceedingly lim- ited. I have in fact seen but this one tree in any of the cafions Ihave visited. It is absolutely certain that only the Washing- tonia palm is capable of supporting the large broods of this gigantic borer, and if the females should fail to find a suitable tree in any year, they must inevitably perish without issue. When I consider the limited number of these trees in existence in a wild state, and the slender chance the female beetle must have of finding a dying tree in the right condition and at the right time, I am more than ever inclined to suspect that the beetles deliberately kill the tree in which they oviposit.. If _ they killed the tree merely by feeding as adults upon the buds, 88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April there would be many trees killed; for often more than 200 adults issue from a single infested trunk. In the case of the * ‘tree I have examined, it is probably not the presence of the larvee that have killed it as they have not apparently pene- trated deeply into the interior and their galleries are not suffi- ciently numerous to seriously impede the circulation of the sap, even in the outer portion of the trunk. I feel highly elated at having discovered a living brood, and I think there is no doubt that Dr. Murray will be able to secure living specimens of the imago. It is so difficult to eut out large or small chunks of the wood without injuring the laryie that I have not thought it advisable to secure any in this way. PALM SPRINGS, CALA., March 13, 1897. On March 5 I made a serious expedition with a wagon and mules and an Indian to help, to Palm cafion where I spent the day getting out more pieces of palm wood containing Dinapdate larvee. I secured four pieces weighing each from 2 or 3 to 6 or 8 tbs., and each containieg one or two living larve. The largest piece undoubtedly contains several of the larve. These pieces I now have in my bedroom and I can occasionally hear the larve cutting the fibre with a snap like a pair of shears. I discovered much to my surprise that the interior of the palm trunk is entirely filled with galleries. I had before concluded that all the work had been done nearer the sur- face, the trunk being an extra thick one. I find however that this trunk like all the rest, has the interior entirely rid- dled with burrows and very little solid wood left by the larvee. Many of the larve are still in the interior, although some of them are already forming cells near the exterior. We eut into a great many of the grubs in getting out these chunks of wood, and I secured several good additional specimens in alcohol. c: It is hard to realize the enormous extent and dimensions of the Dinapate galleries. Not the largest of our Florida palmettos could support more than three or four of these larve; they would eat it all up and then die of starvation, If there are 20 or 30 holes in one of the Washingtonia palms, one finds the interior entirely eaten out from end to end, and one can follow the galleries, over one inch in diameter for 20 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 89. feet up and down the trunk following the grain and without diminishing sensibly in diameter. Then think of the yards and yards of smaller galleries made by the larva while still young. Such extensive and prodigious borings cannot be made in one or two years, and certainly not in any tree trunk of moderate size. There is certainly no other plant here than this Washing- tonia palm that is capable of supporting a brood of these huge and voracious grubs. Therefore, I do not hesitate to assert that they exist only in the Washingtonia, and that they are very certain soon to become extinet. I regard the discovery of a colony as one of the most interesting entomological events of my life and I can assure you that if we breed the imagos this year from this trunk, they will not soon be duplicated by others. There are some thousands of the trees left, but they are in small groups scattered miles apart in a few of the most inae- cessible cafions of the San Jacinto range. Here the beetles are nearly extinet, but it is possible that in Baja California they may survive a few centuries longer. In times past they were abundant here, as evidenced by the numerous old trunks rid- dled with their burrows. But the trunks that haye fallen in recent years are all free from their attacks, and as the Indians -haye burned all the trees that are accessible, so that their trunks are now bare of fronds, it must be now quite difficult for the female beetle to find a fit receptacle for her eggs. I am sure now that they do not oyiposit in bare trunks or in healthy trees, although it is possible that the beetles kill the tree in which they oyipost their eggs.* * (Subsequently, in sune, Mr. Hubbard forwarded to Washington the pieces of palm wood ; and, after some unforeseen accidents and misfortunes, asmall num- ber of imago beetles were bred from the wood at the Department of Agriculture during the latter part of August. In October, 1897, Mr. Hubbard received a letter from Dr. Murray, of Palm Springs, stating that, owing to the excessive heat in August, he had been unable to visit Palm cafion, and that,for the same reason, none of his Indians had been willing to undertake the trip. The imago and larva of Dinapaie have been described and figured by the late Dr G. H. Horn (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 13, 1886, pp. 144, plate I). WhileatSan Diego, Cala., Mr. Hubbard ascertained that the type locality of Mivapate wrightii is Palm Springs, Cala., and not the Mojave Desert,as stated by Dr. Horn. The full-grown larve col- lected by Mr Hubbard are fuliy twice larger than that figured by Dr. Horn. Mr. W. G, wright, the discoverer of Dinapate, has, as far as Known to me, never EA S]o anything on the food-plant or habits of this remarkable species.— 90 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. { April REMARKS ON EMPOASCA (Hemiptera). By C. F. BAKER. - The following remarks are called forth by Mr. Gillette’s treatment of this genus in his late paper on the tribe Typhlo- cybini (Proc. Nat. Mus., XX). My statements are based on the examination of a larger amount of American material than has previously been accessible to any one person. First of all I have examined the types of all Mr. Gillette’s species. My own collection, the largest of American species in existence, contains most of the species in generous series, all but one being represented (and this, pergandei, of doubtful validity). I know that it is easier to pull down than to build up, and appreciate very fully the difficulties arising in the study of Empoasca. The attempt is not made herein to finally settle the question. This paper may be considered simply a contri- bution to our knowledge of what constitutes a species in Hm- poasca, There is good reason to believe that Mr. Gillette’s s3paration of his various ‘‘species’’ is highly artificial, and that in many eases his distinctions are based on individual in- stead of on specific characters. The species of this genus arrange themselves naturally in two groups: I. Those having the vertex very broadly rounded apically, not even sub-angulate, rarely slightly longer at middle than at eyes; third apical cell of elytra usually sub-linear, its base more nearly bi-angled ; including the larger green, yellow or smoky species of the genus. II. Those having a distinctly angulated vertex, though often very obtusely so, and sometimes not longer at middle than at eyes, this being due to the fore margin being paralleled by the anterior pronotal margin ; third apical cell of elytra usually more or less strongly widened apically, its base dis- tinetly tri-angled ; including the smaller species of the genus, which are often vari-colored. : Mr. Gillette had this same idea when he first planned his ‘« Analytical Key,’’? to my certain’ knowledge. But he does not follow it out. Instead, he breaks up the continuity of the first group by introducing nigra, pulchella, splendida, albolinea gud atrolabes. I have examined the types and many other 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 91 specimens of these species. To me the vertex appears sub- angulate and the other characters those of group II. Even superficially they show a far closer relationship with the spe- vies cited under group II than with smaragdula and. its allies. In a study of the characters of Hmpoasca it is an exceedingly difficult matter to eliminateall possibilities of error in observa- tion. Possible errors may be attributed to two causes, (1) malformation produced by drying, and (2) optical illusions due to varying position of parts. Among the Typhlocybids we find insects almost as delicate and frail as some. of the Capsids. The great delicacy of the body walls renders the proper preparation of specimens a very difficult matter. When mature specimens are selected and prepared with great care, the distortion caused by drying is reduced to a minimum ; but as in the case of Aphida and the little yellow and green culicid-like flies that fly about our lamps, an examination of fresh, undried material is almost imperative. I know from observation that drying produces marked changes in the form of vertex and face, and the usual collapsing of the abdomen throws the genital organs out of their natural position. With the parts thus distorted errors are still more likely to occur in viewing various details under the microscope. Even under ordinary circumstances there is the widest chance for error (and this is true of many other Homoptera). In fo- cusing a half or two-thirds objective on a convex vertex the proper reading of the width can be readily made, but a very slight change in the angle of the long axis of the body or in the focusing will produce differences of specific or even sec- tional value. The same is true of the face. Unless the point of the vertex and the tip of the clypeus are equi-distant from the lens, an error in the reading of the lens will surely be made. No part is more difficult to study ‘aaah: the last ventral seg- ment. Collapse of the abdomen frequently throws it out almost perpendicular to the body axis. It assumes something of-this form when the ovipositor isin use. There is but one accurate point of view, and this is obtained when the base of the segment and its apex are equi-distant from the lens. This is a view rarely obtainable on the specimen as ordinarily 92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. — [March mounted. The errors resulting are obvious. To illustrate, try the following experiment: Hold a sheet of ordinary note paper before the eyes, flat surface parallel to the face, but slightly bent, as the last ventral segment usually is over the convexity of the venter. Its upper edge, if evenly held, will be truncate. Tip this edge very slightly toward the face and it becomes distinctly incurved ; tip it away and it becomes ‘‘broadly rounded.’’ Now fold the sheet along the middle line, spread it nearly but not quite to its original position, and repeat the experiment. This represents some very ordinary conditions in the last ventral segments. Tipped very slightly towards the face it becomes deeply angularly emarginate ; tipped away it becomes strongly angularly produced at middle, with a concavity on either side. These widely different ap- pearances can all be produced by variations in the position of a rectangular sheet of paper. Now if the sheet be cut into — some of the various shapes which the last ventral segment really does assume, and its position varied as above, still more re- markable changes are readily produced. To such causes in part are due several of Mr. Gillette’s species, and perhaps the effects observed by Osborn and Ball, and mentioned on p. 737 of Gillette’s paper. Under these circumstances individual variation is greatly accentuated. The necessity of correct observation, then, is of first importance. Next in importance measurements should be made directly from the specimen. Measurements made from camera lucida drawings, especially if the drawings are — taken on a flat surface, are very inaccurate, sometimes showing almost a specific difference between the two sides of the draw- ing. Delicate calipers or an eye-piece micrometer should be used directly. | The forms remaining in group I, as above mentioned, I would arrange as follows : 1. SMARAGDULA, representing the only specific tvpe in the group, a. variety CLYPEATA. (livingstoniz). b. variety AUREOVIRIDIS. (tncisa). c. variety OBTUSA. (pergande?, denticula and unico'or). 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 93 d. variety TRIFASCIATA. I am not a ‘‘ lumper,’’ and so do not believe in the establish - ing of varieties except where the evidence is very unusual. I have series of hundreds of specimens in this group from va- rious localities, and these are now-in the National Museum, where they may be examined by students. I consider color as not of specific value here, and the slight variations (real, not apparent) in form of last ventral segment of varietal value only. The color varies from green (aureoviridis and obtusa) through yellow and brown (clypeata to entirely black above (livingstonii). The size varies from rather small in unicolor to large in aureoviridis, which is one of the largest Typhlocybids These names represent geographical varieties, ranging from the East (represented by the forms of obtusa), through the Rocky Mountain region (represented by the elypeata and aure- oviridis forms) to the Pacific coast (represented by elypeata and livingstonii). Specimens approaching typical smaragdula are found throughout the United States, which is a significant facet. Trifasciata is paralleled by virdii and a variety of pura with smoky marked elytra. All the species of group II need further study, and I would recommend that entomologists all over the West sweep 4r- temisias especially, thoroughly, and not to pause until they have laid in series of hundreds of specimens of the species found on these and other Western plants. Atrolabes and similis are synonymous with splendida, which is a common species in the South. Similis is entered in Gil- lette’s table, but I find no description of it in the text. I have seen the types. The types of pallida were collected in 1879 and are totally decolored by their twenty years’ experience in collections. I have swept the cotton plant in various parts of the South and have found on it only Empoasca flavescens and Dieraneura uni- puneta. Other than on the color, or rather lack of color, I cannot separate pallida from flavescens (compare Gillette’s de- scriptions and figures). Mexicana and viridescens are insep- arable in large series, running one into the other. Mr. Gillette mentions my original specimens, which he agreed with me was pura, yet he describes snowi, the descrip- tion of which is very good of the original specimen of pura. I 94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April have series of pura from the far northwest and series from Arizona, which are his snowi, and I cannot separate them, Some of the specimens from the northwest have the golden coloration which he mentions and some from Arizona are with- out it. : The peculiar venation shown in Mr. Gillette’s drawing of the elytron of twmida is a malformation, most other specimens not showing it. ray COLLECTING ON BISCAYNE BAY. By ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON. I came to Miami this year on January 9th. The weather was very warm when I arrived, but soon grew cooler. It has been very changeable and uncertain since then. We have had much more rain than is usual at this season and many cold nights. On the whole, the conditions have not been fa- vorable for collecting. During the summer over seven thou- sand soldiers were encamped here. Their camp oceupied the place of a dense hammock of tropical trees and shrubs, whieh were cut down and cleared away for this purpose. The growth of vegetation in this climate is almost miraculously rapid. The soldiers left here the last of the Summer, and their former camping ground is now a luxuriant tangle of vines, bushes and plants. Among these I have done the greater part of my collecting this season. The eustard-apples (Carica papaya), from four to ten feet high, are covered with their yellow flow- ers, Which seem very attractive to butterflies. Catopsilia eu- bule and C. agarithe are always hovering over the blossoms, the former hardly to be distinguished from the flowers themselves. Masses of a white bur-marigold (Bidens leucantha) cover the ground, and around these fly hymenoptera, diptera and the smaller butterflies. A tall, shrubby nightshade (Solanum ver- bascifolium) is now in flower and fruit, too, and attracts many insects. On its greenish white flowers one often sees the odd long-snouted Brenthid, B. anchorago. I have taken some thirty or forty specimens on these blossoms. A tiny Anthono- mus is also found on this plant. _ I took many last season here, and it is just as common now. It is apparently undescribed— unless West Indian, A f MUSKINGUM 7 s Svea MADISON - f 5 peek | monrcomeny pe FasRFELO ssi ae a ‘ GREENE Prcxaway 4-92 reo raverte ! f , ‘ ee : / WARREN ee =a f MOCKING ATHENS : mann TOR Ff wand A Yat ; \ = od . CLERMONT — JACKSON ‘ Sia cise j » XN ( Py aeapatht By sc:0T0 Me ee 2 5 Sort a a * Murgantro Wistrionieo f = . MS ( = Grioceris asparagug ek Map No. 3. a section where the cabbage is less cultivated than in the Cincin- nati region, and other food plants like mustard, etc., not moreabun- dant . The first of the two earliest reports received came from a point about fifteen miles from where the Big Kenawha river empties into the Ohio, while the second came from a point about thirty-five miles below the mouth of the Big Sandy river and at the mouth of the 142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May Scioto river, the latter flowing down from the north, while the two former flow upward from the south, the Kenawha, in fact, rising in western North Carolina, and its upper tributaries being inter- spersed with those of the Yadkin and the James, which flow into the Atlantic ocean,and also the Tennessee river, which, after a winding course, empties into the Ohio river, not very far above its junction with the Mississippi. These two occurrences, the first observed in Ohio, have puzzled me greatly, and I have been wholly ata loss to account for them. Even now ldo not feel altogether sure of my ground, and state what Ido at present with the hope that some one else will study the problem, and, it is to be hoped, throw more light upon it The upper Kenawha almost pierces the Allegheny Mountains, and it is a question if it does not open a gateway whereby Murgan- | tia may have made its way from North Carolina or Virginia, through the mountain region, and followed down its valley to the Ohio river, this junction being, as I have stated, only about fifteen miles from where the insect was first reported as destructively abundant. If future studies show that this species thus made its way over the mountains by way of the valley of the Big Kenawha, from the Atlantic coast, where it has been known to occur for nearly twenty years, it will solve my problem, for, once thickly scattered along the Ohio river in this section, the insect might easily be car- ried down stream and left along the river below, and especially might this occur at,the mouth of the Scioto. The chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus, has in all probability entered the State from three directions. As 1 have recently writen on this species, it will be only necessary to explain that, like Murgantia, it is of southern origin, and hundreds of years ago, perhaps, spread from Central America over the eastern and central portions of the United States, as well as along the Pacific coast. Along both sea- coasts we have what seems to be an environmentally specialized form, composed largely of individuals, whose wings are so aborted as to render them valueless as applied to locomotion. On the other hand, except as farther stated, over the western and central portion of the country. by which I mean the country laying between lon, 105° and the Allegheny Mountains, we have a form, all individuals of which have fully developed wings. The Atlantic coast form is found in northeastern Ohio, to which locality it has evidently made its way. as in case of other species mentioned, by way of western New York and Pennsylvania, being at present confined here, so far as known to the extreme north- eastern counties of the State, though there appears to have been a farther spread westward,through Canada,along to the north of Lake Erie, crossing into Michigan and pushing its way southward into northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio, where it evidently min- gles with the western macropterous form. As intimated, the Atlan- tic coast form is made up of this brachypterousform largely, but, i i 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 143 except along the Florida coast, there are among these many indi- viduals possessing fully developed wings, which, so far as we know, interbreed with the short winged form. In Ohio both forms are found pairing together, but whether the western macropterous form will interbreed with the eastern brachypterous form has not yet been determined. There isa bare-possibility that what we have been considering a single species may in reality prove to be com- posed of two, but I hardly think this the case, and am more inclined to consider the brachpyterous form in an evolutionary period, not. far enough advanced as yet to be considered a distinct species If Columbus had appeared several hundred years later, and’ the coun- try along the Atlantic coast remained longer in a condition unin- fluenced by the white man, we might then found two distinct species of Bivssus in the conutry now included within the United States of America. or that portion of it laying between the Missis- sippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Asparagus Beetle, Criocer’s asparag?, is also an imported species, having been introduced into the eastern part of the country many years ago. See map 3. It has made its way westward through New York to northeastern Ohio, probably over about the same ground as that passed over by Hylastés and Phytonomus. At present it occurs in Cuyahoga, Medina, Wayne, Stark and _ Columbiana counties, these marking the extreme front of its ad- vance in the State It seems to be progressing slowly westward, and even less rapidly south and southwestward.* . Judging from its relative abundance, and also from its recent ap- pearance in several localities, it would seem that Thyriodopteryx ephemereformis spread northward into Ohio long ago, first estab- lishing itself in the southwestern part of the State. See map 2. It has been known about Cincinnati for many years and is now more abundant there than elsewhere in Ohio; in fact it has only been found about Columbus within the last five or six years, and the same is true of Springfield and other points in that vicinity. At present Washington county appears to be about its eastern limit of diffusion in this State, the border line probably trending north- westward to Franklin county, thence, rarely, to Mercer county, with a single appearance of the species at Grand Rapids, Wood county, in nearly the extreme northwestern part of the State, and within 25 miles of Lake Erie. In the foregoing [ have given as correct an idea of the trend of diffusion in several of our species of insects as the data at hand will -permit- It is not expected that this is absolutely correct in all of *NoTE.--The outbreak of this species in southwestern Michigan can not be ‘ considered as belonging to the westward bound Ohio invasion, as the most pre- _ sistent searching over much of that portion of the latter State west of Cleve- land has utterly failedto reveal a single individual. I am inclined to believe that the Michigan outbreak is either the result of what Dr. Howard would term ‘a “commercial leap,” or else to the north of Lake Erie, through Ontario, there has been an independent tide of migration, though, if the latter were the case, it uty have been observed and reported in that section of Canada, before this ye ; 144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May the details, though in the main I believe that it will be found ac- curate, and my hope is that it will serve as a nucleus to which others with more light and further studies will be able to build, and if the future structures are better than mine,so much the better. ¥. M. W. 4). vy Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. ALLORHINA NITIDA L., again.—As Prof. Gillette’s note on the abeve insect has called forth remarks from Mr. Cockerell and Prof. L. O. Howard, [ feel that I will be in good company when I call at- tention to the tact, that in the second annual report of the South Carolina Experiment Station for 1889, as Entomologist to the Station, I gave a short notice on page 105. of the damage done the Fig crop in the South, by Allorhina nitida or the ‘‘ Fig-eater” of the Children’s vocabulary, (pronounced ‘‘ Fig-gater.”’) ELLison A: SmyTH, JR. THE Ohio State University has purchased from Mrs Kellicott.the extensive collection of Odonata, which had been brought together by the late Prof. D. S. Kellicott. Aside from the complete series - of Ohio species forming the basis of Prof. Kellicott’s published ‘papers on the group there is a representative series of North Ameri- can species and a number of exotics, making altogether a most ex- cellent study collection. It is fortunate that the collection is assured permanent preservation and the University is very fortunate in the acquisition’ Prof. Kellicott had nearly finished the manuscript of a descriptive catalogue of the Ohio Odonata based on this collection, written especially for the use of students. The species not treated in the original manuscript have been covered by Mr. J. S. Hine, and the work is being printed by the Ohio Academy of Sciences. HERBERT OSBORN. BULLETIN 15, Div. of Entomology, U. 8. Dept. Ag., by Prof. F. M Webster, devoted to the Chinch-bug, is a valuable contribution to the literature on this widespread pest. Could its teachings be thoroughly distributed and heeded by the class of farmers who suf- fer most from the ravages of the pest it would accomplish great things. Unfortunately the farmers most needing it are likely to give it the least attention. Asa study in geographical distribution it is a valuable contribu- tion to science as it contains a very complete presentation of Prof. Webster’s view as to the original habitat and lines of dispersal of the insect, a view to which he certainly brings a strong array of evidence His statements concerning the probable conditions pro- ducing dimorphism are perhaps less fully supported, but there is here the possibility of so many factors having been operative that 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145 it is not safe to be too dogmatic. It would seem most probable that the winged forms are the more primitive, and the brachypterous forms the derivatives, and while it is possible that prairie fires may have had something to do in preventing the development of brachypterous races in the west, I can hardly see how they could be a primary factor since it appears to me more a matter of adaptation to constant or inconstant food supply. His discussion of the experiments with fungous diseases of the chinch-bug and their utility is very candid, and on the whole ap- pears judicious. He might have cited numerous other experiments indicating the effect of their use. none however, having the cer- tainty of an experiment under absolute control,as such experiments are practically out of the question in a ‘case of this kind. With his presentation and conclusions the practical farmer ought not to be teo strongly encouraged to expect immediate and complete relief by this method nor will he feel that the method is entirely worth- less. HERBERT OSBORN. GERMAN physiology is attacking the intelligence of the ant. Pro- fessor Bethe, of Strasburg, thinks he has found a purely material reason for their recognizing each other. He cleansed the ants taken from one hill in a solution of alcohol, dipped them in a decoction made of ants from anotber hill, and placed them in thestrange hill. ‘They were not attacked as strangers, even when of different color and conformation. On the other hand, ants treated in this manner when put back in their own hills were not recognized by their tribe, but at once attacked and killed. Professor Bethe infers from this that ants must give out some liquid whose odor guides them and that each colony must have its own peculiar smell.—San Francisco Examiner. f nore (tomy horror) that in the article on Calliphorine in March News, page 63, I omitted one of the most important char- acters that defines the group. Lateral post humeral bristle situated laterad the presutural Garry DE N. Houeu. A TRAP FOR COLEOPTERA. — As some requests have been made for hints on collecting, [send the following note, not remembering to have seen itin print, and it may be new to some. Many beetles of the tamily Staphylinidz seem to be very fond of the sap of the birch, and may be taken in numbers by smearing leaves thickly with it, placing them ina sheltered place, preferably beside the birch stump, from which the sap exudes and covering with chips to keep out the rain. _ Look sharp when you uncover the heap for Trichopterygide of which there will undoubtedly be some specimens, or better still throw the mass on a sieve over white paper. Go over the whole mass carefully and you will have your reward. 146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May After prepar ing the trap, let it stand three or four days or longer if the weather is bad, and the result will be better than to uncover too soon. : D. B. YounG. Fitcn’s CoTTon SCALE InsEcT.—In his 3d report (Nov. 16, 1856), Dr. Asa Fitch described as Aspidiotus gossypii n. sp., a scale insect occurring on a leaf of a cotton piant, Gossepium religzosum, sent to him from Nirgpo, China, by the Rev. M. 8. Culbertson of the Presbyterian Board of Missions. Dr. Fitch described this insect in a gel.eral way, comparing it to the apple bark louse. Signoret (Essai, ete., Ann. Ent. Soc., France, 1870, p. 109), quotes Fitch’s re- marks entire, but refers the insect to the genus Diaspis. In 1895 Mr. Wm. H. Ashmead, in an article entitled *‘ Notes on cotton insects found in Mississippi” (Insect Live, vol. vu), refers (p. 323) a species of Aleurodes discovered by him on cotton to the insect named by Dr. Fitch, and suggests that Dr. Fitch had mis- taken a dricd pupa of.an A/eurodes for a coccid belonging to the genus Asp/diotus. In ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws for 1895, p. 157, Mr. T. D. A, Cockerell protests against this reference of Mr. Ashmead of the insect to Aleurodes, and prefers to consider Fitch’s species as belonging to the genius Chionaspis, or perhaps Déaspis,as suggested by Sig- noret. Fortunately it is now possible to remove the obscurity and un- certainty hitherto attaching to Fitch’s insect. Fitch’s original type specimen, labelled in his own handwriting as “ Asp/diotus gossy- pit,” and answering to his discription, was found in the old Fitch collection in Philadelphia by Mr. Theo. Pergande, and proves to be a single example of the larval stage of an Aleurodes. The speci- men is now in the collection of the Department of Agriculture. It is interesting to discover that Mr. Ashmead's inference as to the relationship of the insect is correct, although it is very improbable~ that the Alewrodes found in Mississippi is identical with the spe- cies occurring on cotton in China. As China becomes more acces- sible to exploration it may be expected that an Aleurodes will be found to infest cotton in the province of Ningpo and probably else- where to which Fitch’s name will apply. C. L. Marvatr. Washington, D. C. ADALIA BIPUNCTATA Linn , and its varieties —Although the use- less multiplication of scientific names is an impediment to the student, it seems desirable that well marked varieties should be designated by a name. The names of such varieties are of course subject to the rules of priority and I was therefore surprised to find in reading the interesting article * An Abnormal Coccinellid.” by A. F. Burgess (Proc. of the Tenth Ann. Meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists), that the name A. humeralis of Say seems to be still in common use among American Entomologists. This should give way to A. 4-maculata of Scopoli, or perhaps 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147 A. 6-pustulata of Linneus, which last differs only in the presence ofan additional spot at the tip of each elytron. Careful compari- son of specimens of A.4-maculata from England and France, and the description in Weise’s tables of European Coccinellide (Zeit- schrift fur Entomologie. Breslau. 1879), with our A humeralis proves their identity. Specimens in my collection are from Wor- cester, Southbridge, Chicopee. Mass., and Brattleboro, Vt. Two specimens collected by Dr Geo. Dimmock in Springfield, Mass., are of the form A. 6-pustulata. Ialso have a specimen with the red humeral and apical spots present, but without the median pair of spots, thus corresponding with the European variety, A. Simoni of Weise. FREDERICK KNAB. ). Vv Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species,will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num - bered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain, ing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French- German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., 799.—5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., April, ’99 —6. Journal of the New York En- . tomological Society, March, ’99.—8. The Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, April, 99.—ll. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, London, March, ’99.—12. Comptes Rendus, L’ Academie des Sciences, Paris, March 6, ’99.—2I. The Entomologist’s Record, London, March 15,’99.—22. Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, ’99.—35. Annales, Société Entomologique de Belgique, Brussels, xliii,2, March 6,'99.—40. Societas Entomologica, Zurich-Hottingen,’99 —51. Novi-’ tates Zoologice, v. 4, Tring, England, Dec. 31,’98.—60. Comunica - ciones, Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires, i, 2, Dec. 17, ’98.—68. Sci- ence, New York, ’99.—82. Centralblatt fir Bakteriologie, Jena, ’99.— 84 Insekten Borse, Leipsic, ’99.—87. Revue Scientifique, Paris, ’99.— 102. Proceedings, Entomological Society of Washington, iv, 3, °99.— 103 p. Occasional Papers, California Academy of. Sciences, vi, San Francisco, Feb. 28, ’99.—104. Mittheilungen, Naturhistorisches 448 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May Museum in Hamburg, xv, ’98.—l05. Videnskabelige Meddelelser, Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjobenhavn. Copenhagen, ’98.—106. Buletinul Societatii de Sciinte din Bucarescu, Romania. vii, Bucar- est, 798. The General Subject.—A non. Gustav Schoch [obituary], portrait, 84, March 16.—Berg, C. Substitution of generic names, 60 c.— Bethune, C. J. S. Therise and progress of entomology in Canada, Transactions, Royal Society of Canada (2) iv, 4, Ottawa, "98.—Cockerell, T. D. A. Color in nature, 68, March 24 — Kunckeld’Herculais. On moulting in insects considered as a means of defense against animal or vegetable parasites; special roles of tracheal and of intestinal moults, 12.—Pauls. Experi- mental zoological studies of Dr. M. Standfuss, 40, March 15— ~ Poulton, E. B. The instincts of wasps asa problem in evo- lution. figs., Nature, London, March 16, ’99.—Schupp, A, On the “ place-sense” of insects, 84, March 2.—Viré, A. The sub- terranean world: the blind animals, figs., 87, Feb.25.—W alsing- ham. Transmissionof natural history specimens abroad by sample post, 8. Economic Entomology.—A non.—Abstract of recent publications, Experiment Station Record, x, 6.7. U. S. Dept. Agriculture, Washington, 999.—Berg, C. On the enemies of the migra- tory locust (Schistocerca paranensis Burm. [in Spanish], 60 c. —Clement, A. L. On a retarded escape from the cocoon of Attacus cynthia, Bulletin, Société Nationale de Acclimatation de France, Paris. March, 99.—Levat, L. A. The disappearance of the bird and the multiplication of the insect, 87, March 18.— Lounsbury, C. LP. Report of the Government Entomelo- gist for the year 1897. Cape of Good Hope Dept. of Agriculture. Cape Town, 1898; Entomology. figs., The Agricultural Journal pub- lished by the Department of Agriculture, Cape of Good Hope, xiv, 4. Cape Town, Feb. 16,’99.—-Lowe, V. H. i. The raspberry saw-fly, ii. Preliminary notes on the grape-vine flea beetle, 7 pls., Bulletin No. 150. New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva. N. Y. Dec.,’98. Two destructive orchard insects: i. the apple-tree tent-catterpillar; ii. spraying experiments against the spring canker=-worm, figs., 4'pls., Ibid. Bull. No.152.—M ar pmann, On the occurrence of mites in urine, 82, March 13.—Nutall, G. H. F. The. mosquito-malaria theory, 82, March 13, ete.—-Sagnier The San José scale, Bulletin des seances, Société National d’ Agricul- ture de France, Paris, Feb., ’99.-Smith, J. B. Report of the Entomological Department of the New Jersey Agricultural College Experiment Station forthe year 1898. N.J. Agr. Col. Exper. Stat. Rep. 1898. pp. 371-467, 15 figs. Trenton, ’99.—Webster, F. M. A serviceable insectary, 2 pls., 4, April. Arachnida.—Berg, C. On Thelyphonus maximus Tarnani, 60c- —~Hentschel, E, Contributions to knowledge of spiders’ 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149 eyes, 2 pls., Zoologische Jahrbiicher, (Abtheil. Anat. Ontog ) xii; 3, Jena, Feb. 22, °99.—K raepelin, K. New pedipalpi and scorpions of the Hamburg museum,* 104.—Pocock, R. I+ The geographical distribution of the Arachnida of the orders Pedi- palpi and Solifugxe, maps, Natural Science, London, March, ’99.— Sorensen, W. Arachnida Groenlandica (Acaris excepta) [in Danish],* 105.-—Su pino, F. Considerations on the classifica- tion of the /xodes, Atti, Societa Veneto-Trentina di Scienze Natu- rali, (2), iii 2, Padua, ’99. Myriopoda—C oo k, O. F. The Diplopod family Striariidx,* 2 pls., Proceedings, U.S. National Museum, No. 1169, Washington 99; African Diplopoda of the family Gomphodesmide, 7 pls., Ibid , No. 1170, °99.—Silvestri, P. New Argentine Geophiloi- dea [in Latin] 60 c. Thysanura.— Silvestri, F.—First notice on the Argentine Thysanura [in Spanish], 60 c. Orthoptera—v. Brunn, M. Parthenogenesis in Phasmide observed by a transmarine merchant,104.—Burr, M. Ontheab- breviation of organs of flight in Orthoptera, 2l—MecNeill, J. Notes on Arkansas Truxaline,* 4, March; Arkansas Melanopli, ii,* 5—Scudder, $8. H. The Orthopteran genus Schistocerca,* Proceedings, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, xxxiv, 15, Boston, 99; Supplement to a revision of the Melanopli,*3 pls., Pro- ceedings, Davenport [lowa] Academy of Natural Sciences, vii, ’99, Neuroptera.—_Banks, N. A classification of the North Ameri- ean Myrmeleonide,* 4, March.—Kellogg, V. L. Mallo- phaga from birds of Panama, Baja California and Alaska,* 4 pls., 103 p—Kellogg, V. L. and Chapman, B. L.—Mal- lophaga from birds of California,* 5 pls., 103 p.—MeLachlan, R. Notes on certain palearctic species of the genus Hemerobius, figs..8—Snodgrass,R. E. Theanatomy of the Mallophaga, S pls, 130p.—Voinov, D. N. Digestive epithelium of the nymphs of schna, 106; Physiological researches on the digestive apparatus ard the adipose tissue of Odonate larve, 2 pls., 106. Hemiptera —C ockerell, T. D. A. A date-palm scale in- sect, 68, March 17.—Cockerell, T. D. A. and King, G. B. An apparently new Lecanium found on white cedar,* 5.— Dolby-Tyler, C. H. Lecanium longulum Douglas para- sitized by Lecanobius cockerelli Ashmead. Secondary parasite ‘Holcopelte,n. sp., Ashm ,8.—Howard, L. O. The odor of Coccide, 4. April—_Hunter, S. J. The Coccide of Kansas,* 7 pls , Kansas University Quarterly. viii., 1, Lawrence, Kan., Jan., *99.-Johnson, W. G. The odor of Coccide, 4, April.— _ King, G. B. Two new Coccids from Bermuda, 5.—M o n- tandon, A. L. A new form inthe genus Ranatra, descrip- tion of a new species, 106; Hemiptera cryptoveraia, notes and de_ 150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May scriptions of new species, 106—-Montgomery, T. H., Jr. Chromatin reduction in the Hemiptera: a correction, 22, Feb. 20.— Quaintance, A. L. Newor little known Aleurodide, ii,* figs.,4, Aprii—Schwarz, E. A. Note on the Cedrela Psyl- lids (genus Freysuila Aleman),* 102, March 16. Coleoptera —Berg, C. Description of a new genus of Ceram- bycide of the Argentine Republic [in Latin], 60c.—-Bordas, L. Anatomy of the anal glands of the Coleoptera of the tribe Brachioine, figs., 22, Feb 20—Chagnon, G. A chase for Coleoptera at Boucherville. Le Naturaliste Canadien, Chicoutimi | Quebec, Feb., ’99.—Champion, G. C. A list of the Rhipi- dophorids and (Edemeride supplementary to the “ Munich” Cat- alogue, 35.—Dierckx, F. Researches on the defensive glands of the bombardier Carabide,12.—F all. H. C. Synopsis of the species of Acmeodera of America north of Mexico,* 6.—Hey- mons. R. The development of wings in the larve of ZYenebrio molitor L. (transl?),2l.—Linelll, M. L. Descriptions of some new species of North American heteromerous Coleoptera [posthuimous],* 102, March 7.—Planet, L. Monographie essay on the Coleoptera of the genera Pseudolucanus and Lucanus, Le Naturaliste, Paris, March 15,’99.—Schenkling, C. On the habits of our Apions, 84, March 9, 23 —-Wickham, H. F,. The Coleoptera of Canada: xxi. The Pythide of Ontario and Que- bec, figs., 4, March; xxxii., Supplementary remarks to earlier papers, figs., 4, April. Diptera —K ecllogg, V. L. The mouth-partsof the nemato- cerous Diptera, iii, figs..5.—Lundbeck, W. Diptera Green- landica,* figs.,2 pls. 105.—Robertson, E. H The singing fly [Syrphide]. Science Gossip, London, April, 99.-Roths- child, N. C. Contributions to the knowledge of the Siphon- aptera, 3 pls., 51. Lepidoptera.n—_Beutenmiiller, W. Notes on the American forms of Euch/oe Hubner, 4. March—Butler, A. G. A revision of the Pierine genus Huphina, with notes on the seasonal phases and descriptions of new species. !1.—-Chapman, T A. British Lepidoptera, Entomologist, Londou, March, 99.—C 0 ¢ k- erell, T. D. A. Notes on some New Mexico butterflies, 4, March; On a synonymiccatalogue of the North American Rhopalo- cera by Henry Skinner,68, March 10 —Druce, H. Descriptions of some new species of Heterucera from Tropical America, Africa and the Eastern Islands,* 1—D yar, H. G. On the larve of North American Nolide, with descriptions of new species,* 4, March; The life-histories of the New York slug-caterpillars, xviii., 1 pl ,6; Life-history of Diphthera fallax H.-S.; Spathulate head setze on the larva of Chamyris cerintha Treits,5—Dvar, H- G. and Chapman, T. A. Color change in the adult larva 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 151 of Scoliopteryx libatriz, just previous to pupation, 2l.—Fabre J. H. Entomological souvenirs: i. The great peacock; ii. The Bombyx of the oak, Archives de !Zoologie Generale et Exper- imentale, (3) vi. 3, Paris, °98.—Fischer, E. Critical exper- imental researches on the occurrence per cent. of Vanessa aberra- tions produced by intense cold, 40. March1.—Grote, A. R. Synonymy [of Cochlidionide, 7. e., Limacodide, etc. ], 4, March.— Hanham, A. W. A list of Manitoba moths, part ii,4, March. —Heath, E. F. Manitoba butterflies, 4, April—Heyer, E. Hybridation among Bombycide, 40, Dec 15,’98—Kavye, W. J. Collecting Lepidoptera in Trinidad,21--vy Linden, M., Friedel, E. Are fiying butterflies followed by birds? Naturwissenschaftliche Wochenschrift, Berlin, Feb 5, 19, ’99 — Mackenzie,J. D.B.F. A prelimimry list of the moths of Miramichi [New Brunswick], with notes thereon Proceedings of the Natural History Association of Miramichi, No 1. Chatham: N. B ,1899.—-M oore, F. Lepidoptera Indica, part xxxv. Lon- don, Lovell Reeve & Co. 1898. Rec’d March 13,’99 (Vol iii, pp. 217-232, pls. 271-278. Nymphaline-Limenitina).—Rothsehild, W., andJordan, K. A monograph of Charaxes and the allied Prionopterous genera, 11 pls., figs.,51.-Smith, J. B. Notes on Scotogramma and Oncocnemis, with descriptions of new species,* 6; Description of the gopher moth,* 4, April.—S ta nd- fuss, M. Summary ofthe temperature and hybridation experi- ments hitherto undertaken [oa Lepidoptera], 84, March 16.— Urech, F. Notice and critical remarks on terminology, and on evolution of heat and color in aberrations of Vanessa 20 and urtice produced by me, figs ,22, March 13 —Verson, E. Theevolu- tion of the intestinal tube in the silk worm, ii, Archives Italiennes de Biologie, xxx. 3, Turin, ’98. Hymenoptera.—_Ashmead, W. H. Super-families in the Hy- menoptera and generic synopses of the families Thynnide, Myrmo- side and Mutillide, 6—Dolby-Tyler, C. H. See He- miptera.—Harrington, W. H. Six new Ottawa Procto- trypide, 4, April-—Kokouyew, N. Op some preoccupied ‘hames of Braconide, 35.-Konow, F. W. New contribution to the synonymy Of the Chalastogasira, Entomologische Nachrichten, Berlin, March °99.—P oulton, E. B. Seethe General Subject. —Rudow. Some exotic bees’ buildings, 84, March 23, etc.— Wasmann, E, Lasius fuliginosus as a predatory ant, 22, Feb. 20. 152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May DOINGS OF SOCIETIES. At the March meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held at the invitation of Dr. Skinner at his residence, 716 N. 20th Street, twelve members and two visitors were present. Prof. J. B. Smith recorded a specimen of Phengodes laticollis from New Jersey, it being new to the State. Healso exhibited a series illustrating the variation of Crocota aurantiaca. Yhey showed a greater range of variation than the speaker had ever known in any other species of Lepidoptera. Knowledge of the life history will be necessary in determining whether one or more species were represented. Mr. Liebeck referred toa previous communication on Plesiobaris albtlatus and stated he had taken two specimens at Buena Vista, N. J. They were beaten from the yellow daisy. Mr. Johnson showed hickory twigs girdled in the form ofa spiral by an unknown larva Mr Liebeck read a comiinication from Prof. Caulder on the variation of Cicindela scutellaris. The two varieties C modesta and C. rugifrons occurred simultaneously, and were taken in onRw lation at. Warwick, RL Prof. Smith said the varieties of this species occurred stele taneously at Manchester, N. J. Dr. Skinner referred to the large number of species of lepidop- tera, which had been taken by collectors at Miami, Fla. He has recorded about seventy species of diurnal lepidoptera, all taken in about one month. He showed two specimens of Papilio trotlus, from Allen Co., Fla., which differ considerably in markings from the typical form. He also exhibited Papilio aliaska,a geog- raphical race of Papilio machaon, a European species, aliaska oc- curring in Alaska Other species of Papdlio were shown, including *- Papilio turnus, whose variations were pointed out. The same speaker read a paper on Philadelpbia Entomologists and Eutomol- ogy as follows: “The ‘Quaker City’ has raised a standard of entomological work under which some of our friends seem at times restless. It must be remembered that entomology is no new thing in Philadel- phia, and our city was the cradle of the study in this country. The ‘father of American Entomology, Thomas Say, was born here in 1787,and in 1812 became a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of. Philadelphia, and ‘turning his back on the financial world as it. were, began his entomological labors in earnest.” Ever since that time entomology has flourished and men of mark have made the city famous asa centre for the study. In 1859 the first Entomological Society in America was founded, and it still flour- ishes, along with its sister organizations, the Entomlogical Section of the Academy and the Feldman Social. I said we had raised a standard of work or technic, and perhaps we deserve no credit for 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 153 this as we have had the benefit of time and the transmitted training and experience of such men as Say, Melsheimer, Haldeman, Le- conte, Horn. Feldman and other bright lights of Science. In addi- tion to all this we have fine libraries,and a number of the best known and oldest scientific societies on this continent; infact there is an atmosphere of science which allows no decadence. We are particular and like to see things done properly, and when they are not, and our friends and correspondents complain that we are fussy and hypercritical, it ‘jars’ us. If we are lepidopterists we like to see the scales on the wings where nature has placed them; we like to see the color and character of the thoracic hair of the Hesperi- dz; we know that it is an anatomical fact that butterflies and moths each have two antenne ; we don’t like Sphinx pins in Ly- eenide and Lycrena pins in Sphingide; we like the specimen pinned through the middle of the thorax and nowhere else, and not atanangle of 45°; we like specimens symmetrically spread at the same height on the pin and with the antenne parallel, and on the same plane as the costa of the fore-wing; we object to pin labels on specimens as big as bill posters; we are never so tired that we can’t write a few numbers for specimens, and don’t resort to the very largest numbered calendar we can find; weare not satistied to know what State an insect comes from,as there is some difference in the character of the country around San Francisco, the top of Mt. Whitney or the Mohave desert for instance; we are also curious to know whether our butterfly was taken Christmas day or the Fourth of July; we do not put specimens in the same shape and make of papers that the confectioner uses for “ sour balls; ” we are satisfied with one specimen in a paper, as we like a pair of autenne on each ofthem. As to packing insects for transportation, we know some- thing about that, but itis a longstory. We havecollections here in the different orders that should be seen to be appreciated and col- ‘ectors that are not surpassed anywhere in America. We are proud of our record and can’t lower our standard for anybody,and our friends North, East, South or West must do as wellor drop out of the race. As to collectors, we have them in almost every order, and they know their work well. Takeatrip with me to the ‘ Neck’ or Anglesea, and watch our jovial fellow member, H. W. W., coat off, white umbrella in hand, beating for Coleoptera. Whereis his equil as a keen collector, who gets there in spite of every obstacle? Go with me on a spring day to Clementonand see our friend, P. L , taking in Pamphila metea, Thecla niphon, Syneda graphica and other good things which, when spread, will go in one of the best ordered collections in the country. Our Dipterist is an indefatig- able collector and finds new families and genera right across the Delaware. There are few like him. We have an Orthopterist and Hemipterist, who isa mighty good fellow too, but he won’t work very hard so long as the other people bring him plenty of material for study. In the Odonata we havea collector of repute, 154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May who is leading in the race in this country, and we predict that it won’t be long before the gentleman will be the leading authority of the world in his specialty. I must now refer to ‘my young friend,’ as a Washington man puts it -he is young in years, but a perfect terror on new species of Hymenoptera, which he claims, of course, are all good. We also predict a great future for him; he may be young in vears now, but will soon be a grey-beard in science. We have another lepidopterist who finds any species of butterfly in North Carolina you may mention, and the object of his life is to prove we have but a single species in America, and that it is found in but one place in the world, and that place is Cranberry, It is always customary to speak of your peighbors; what shall we say of our great collecting ground, Jersey and its State Entomolo- gist? Isaid State Entomologist It does not follow that a State Entomologist is necessarily anentomologist, but Jersey. is the proud possess »r of an entomologist, and an entomologist is one who has a broad guage knowledge of insects, and also of the economy of in- sects. The best compliment I can pay our friend from * Spain” is to say that entomologists are scarce. [t does not follow from whatl have said that these are the only good men we have in the societies mentioned. Those to whom I have alluded may be more con- picuous by reason of their fondness for the “annex” or other rea- sons. but space and time do not permit me to mention al!, but they are equally great.” WiLiiAM J, Fox, Secretary. A meting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences was held March 23d, Mr Laurent, Director, pre- siding. Eleven persons were present. Dr Calvert stated that he had recently been studying some galls found in the roots of the poison ivy. Some of the roots and galls were preserved in a flower pot and some were placed in alcohol. From these latter a number of dipterous larve were taken. Some of the live galls were opened and two flies found. A living fly was also reared from the galls. There were also found some small Hymenopterous insects, presumably Chalcids. These were parasitic on the flies The flies belong to either Cectdomyta or Mycetophila, Mr. C. W. Johnson exhibited specimens of the family Acroceridz. All of these insects are extremely rire, the speaker having taken only but two or three specimens. Very little is known of their life habits. Those known are parasitic on spiders or their. cocoons. Dr Skinner spoke of the possibility of flies carrying the cholera bacillus and quoted as fol- lows from an article by the late Dr. John A. Ryder: ‘** Suppose a case; imagine a cholera victim upon street or any- where else vomiting; the flies present are attracted and drink until sated, and have their feet and mouth parts wetted with the vomit containing the germs. They then perhaps fly out in the street, take a place on a horse-car, ride several miles, dismount, fly 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155 into another house *vhere the family is at dinner and contaminate the food set before them with the germs of the cholera carried in the mouth parts and feet ot the insects. Some of the family sicken and die, yet no one of them will ever, perhaps, suspect that the flies may have carried the germs, as supposed above, for miles from some other case. The safeguards are to at once clear away, disinfect with corrosive sublimate solution or, scald the spots where the vomit has been thrown, and to be vigilantin theuse of fly-screens.” During the civil war, Professor Joseph Leidy pointed out, with beneficient results, that the common house-fly was instrumental in spreading the contagion of hospital gangrene.- The same speaker stated that he thought it’ probable that there was in nature an almost mathematically exact percentage of immunity from all diseases in man and the lower animals. This accounts for the fact that many people drink water contaminated with the bacillus of ty phoid fever and do not get the disease. In insects the same idea holds good, as a certain amount of immunity from parasitism pre- vents the destruction of the species. This immunity may vary from year to year, but will probably average about the same. Dr. John B. Smith said that the general law of immunity and parasit- ism was of interest in economic entomology, the balance between organisms being nicely adjusted, and seldom materially disturbed. The larva of the moth, Teras oxycoccana, is never parasitized in the first brood, frequently in the second brood, and almost certainly in the third brood. The life history of the “ Elm Leat Beetle” was mentioned, and a statement made in regard to the effect of weather in favoring parasitic disease on this species. Mr Johnson men- tioned the effect of cold in driving away Heliconius charitonius from the vicinity of St. Augustine, Fla. Mr. Laurent exhibited a blown larva of Tolype velleda, and spoke of its wonderful resem- blance to the twig on which it was found. He also reported the capture of a ? of Pamphila mystic at Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, on the 5th of June. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. The regular meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was heid Sunday, March 12th, Vice President Kemp presiding, und 12 members present. A series of the genus Datana and Crocotd were exhibited by the most ot the members for study and identification. Prof. Smith exhibited a series of Kubaphe ( Crocota), illustrating the species found in this territory. Especial attention was called to the varieties of aurantiaca and the differences exhibited, not only in the marking, but to some extent in the wing form. It was suggested that no broods of the species had ever been raised, and that this would give a good chance for au original piece of work that could be completed in one season. The common forms in his experience are rubscundaria and brevicornis, which shade into each 156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May other very gradually. The white spotted form he has not taken. The others kad in New Jersey. Mr Kearfott reported the capture of Xylinu vuimoda and Anis- opterix pometaria at Montclair, N. J., March 5, 1899. Mr. Angleman exhibited a series of the new species Callimor- pha triangulata, taken near Newark, N. J., in the latter part of June. Mr. Kearfott remarked that he had taken a een of the same species at Erie, Pa., July 18th. The family Notodontides was selected for sends and comparison at the next meeting. Adjourned. A. J. WEIDT. Pl. V Vol Io ’ ENT. NEwS NEW LEPIDOPTERA (Mengel) _ ENTOWOLOGICRL NEWS AND |". "PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL: SECTION ‘ =~ “ACADEMY oF NATURAL SCIENCES; PHIL AD sia! a pat ; _ Vor. X. ' _ JUNE, 1899. No. 6. CONTENTS: Fowler—California Beed of the Genus Ball--Some New Species of Athysanusl72 Nomada.......3 seesieeeeses «Suseeve 157 | Ehrmann—Notes on- Eastern NA. Hopping—Some Notes on Coleoptera CychruB.. per TT TE xi xk ee tee 174 Found on Species of Ceanothus 162} Editorial .).............. ea eee 176 Mengel—Four New Species of Butter- Notes and’ News.......< ees ttunedcees 178 flies from South America..... .++-.166 | Entomological Literatures........... 182 Hancock—The Castle-Building Spider Doings of Societies... .2:............ 189 (Ly cosa Domifex) 2.2... cdetieanse els (PEEMOUEY . 0a Sains dencans Gbubpepebn dn ccece 190 - Banks—New Myrmeleonide.......... io Ne oo ee eee i, ii -CALIFORNIA-BEES OF THE. GENUS ROMADA: /: BY CARROLL FOWLER, Berkeley, | Cal. “hei the most characteristic of our early. spring “pees are those of the genus.Vomada, which are to be found ‘rather of the University of California. The species exhibit a great deal of variation in color and also in the wing venation. The latter character cannot be used at all in classifying because in abundantly upon our yellow wild flowers. This article is based upon a study of the species Nomada in my collection and’that the single species bisignata, of which we have a large series‘ all the extremes of variation in the venation are to be found. The color pattern, although variable, seems to be the most reliable character. The following synopsis is an attempt at the natural classification of the species known to me, with the probable position of the other California species indicated in ' foot notes. Bright yellow markings on black ground, with very little brown. 158 ENTOMOLOGICAL ®EWS. [June - Second abdominal segment broadly yellow; two large yellow spots on metathorax.* . . . . VINNULA. Yellow on second segment narrowed or interrupted ; metathoracic spots feeble, usually wanting. Legs largely yellow; fifth abdominal segment almost entirely yellow. Yellow band on second abdominal segment not interrupted. Second joint of the — slightly shorter than the third,.9.55; .. OLVILIN. Second. joint of fhe Bacclinws hank one-third the length of the third. . . . 8 AS Legs black with brown sisecriernise ; broad basal portion of the fifth abdominal segment black. Yellow bands of the abdomen entire. . . FRAGILIS. Yellow bands on segments 2-4 broadly interrupted. INTERRUPTA. Reddish brown and black, sometimes with pale yellow lateral markings on the abdomen. Second abdominal segment with large whitish, lateral markings connected by a narrow, medially inter- rupted line near the posterior edge. . . CROTCHILI. Lateral markings, when present, yellowish and not extend- ing medially. On the sides of the abdominal-segments a large basal black spot crowding the yellow into a narrow ob- lique line. . . . Bo ae SS Black spots small or wantin: . Broad base of segments 1-4 black. . . OBSCURA. Little or no black on base of segments 1-4. Fifth abdominal segment with two yellow spots or a band.+ Scutellum sub-bilobate, with yellow spots. Nig 33: VINCTA. * Citrina, edwardsti and suavis, Which are unknown to me, alsoappeartogo | here Suavis differs from vinnulzin that the fifth abdominal segment is entirely yellow ; edwardsii from both of these, in having yellow markings on the dise of the thorax; and ctrina from all these, in that the second joint of the flagellum is shorter than the third. . + Opposita may be distinguished by its pale ferruginous color from vincia and lepida, which are dark. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 159 Seutellum not prominent, black. LEPIDA. No yellow on fifth segment. Thorax black, abdomen reddish. MELLIVENTRIS. Thorax and abdomen reddish. Unicolorous ..... . . .. BRUBRA. Marked with black, abdomen often with lateral yellow spots. BISIGNATA. 1. NOMADA VINNULA Cress. Fresno, Cal., May 4, two specimens collected upon Melilotus indica Alhambra and Po- mona, Los Angeles county, June, five specimens (H.O. Wood- worth). Previously recorded from Nevada. 2. NOMADA SUAVIS Cress. California. Unknown to me. 3. NoMADA EDWARDsIi Cress. California. Unknown to me. 4. NOMADA CITRINA Cress. California. Unknown to me. 5. NOMADA CIVILIS Cress. Berkeley, Cal. (H. O. Wood- worth), March 28. Four males, collected upon Ranunculus californica and Brassica campestris. Previously recorded from Colorado. 6. NOMADA RIVALIS Cress. Berkeley, Cal. (H. O. Wood- worth), April 18. Two males. 7. NOMADA FLAVIPES Prov. Los Angeles, Cal. Unknown to me. ) 8. NOMADA FRAGILIS Cress. Berkeley, Cal., May 19. One male. Previously recorded from Colorado. 9. NOMADA INTERRUPTA, D. Sp. 7.5mm. Black, abdomen with interrupted yellow bands. & Head black, densely punctured, clothed with thin, brown- ish pubescence ; lower anterior orbits, anterior margin of the clypeus, labrum and mandibles (except tips) yellow ; anten- ne black above, brown beneath, third joint about half the length of the fourth. Thorax black, immaeulate, clothed with thin brownish pubescence ; legs black, anterior trochanters at apex, their femora and tibia beneath and at apex, the inter- mediate femora on apical portion beneath and at apex, the posterior femora and tibia at their apices, and the tarsi (excepting the ‘posterior metatarsi) yellow ; the claws are black. Abdomen black, with very short, thin, pale pubes- cence, longer on apical segment; first segment with a small yellow spot on each side, the remaining segments with yellow 160 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June bands broadly interrupted on the middle of 2-4 and nar- rowly on 5; a small black spot near the lateral apical margins of segments 4-5. Ventor yellow, with irregular black mark- ings. | Habitat, Berkeley, Cal. (H. O. Woodworth), March 16. One specimen. 10. Nomapa crorcui Cress. San Mateo, Cal., April 13. One specimen. 11. Nomapba OBLIQUA, 0. Sp. 7mm. Small, black, with brownish abdomen. 3S Head black, densely punctured, clothed with white pubescence, thin on vertex; the lower anterior and ‘posterior orbits, the anterior margin of the clypeus and mandibles (ex- — cept tips) yellow; flagellum black above, brown beneath, second joint nearly as long as third. Thorax black, immact- late, densely and finely punctured, clothed with white pubes- cence, thin and short on metathorax; wings dusky on narrow apical margins; legs black, with short white pubescence, longer on anterior and intermediate femora behind; anterior femora in front and behind yellow, above and beneath black; intermediate and posterior femora with a little yellow on the apical portion beneath ; all the tibiz and tarsi yellow beneath, obscurely so in the posterior pair. Abdomen smutty red, pale on apical segments, clothed with thin white pubescence, rather long and thick on apical segments; the first segment is black except a narrow subapical reddish line; the apical mar- gin of the second, a subapical line on the third, and the base of the remaining segments black; the sides of segments 3-4, with a large black spot, following which is an elongate, oblique yellow spot. Venter black; segments 2-5 with yellow . or reddish bands, more or less interrupted laterally by large black or brown spots, which are usually confluent with the basal black of the segments. , Habitat, Berkeley, Cal. (H. O. Woodworth), March 28 to April 12. Two specimens, collected upon Ranunculus califor- nica. 12. Nomapa osscura, n. sp. 7.5mm. Black, abdomen with dull red bands. J Head black, densely punctured, clothed with pale pubes- cence, thin on vertex ; lower corners of the face, narrow ante- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 16L rior margin of the clypeus, labrum and mandibles (except tips) yellow; flagellum dull red, with a black line above, second joint about half the length of the third. Thorax black, immaculate, opaque, densely punctured, clothed with white pubescence, rather thin above and dense beneath; wings hya- lin, faintly dusky at tips; legs black; underside of the fem- ora and tibiz of the anterior and intermediate legs, the tips of all the tibie, the anterior tarsi, the middle and posterior metatarsi and the apical portion of the succeeding joints yel- low. Abdomen black, opaque, finely punctured, clothed with short griseous pubescence, longest on apical segments; the apical margins of the segments are dull reddish brown. Venter dull red, the apical segment and the basal portion of the first. black; the broad apical margins of the other ventral segments dusky, merging into large dark spots on the lateral portion. Habitat, Berkeley, Cal.; March 18. One specimen, col- lected upon Ranunculus californica. 13. Nomapa opposita Cress. California. Unknown to me. 14. Nomapa vincta Say. Berkeley, Cal, May. Two speci- mens. Previously recorded from the Eastern, Middle and Western States. 15. Nomapa Lepmpa Cress. Berkeley, Cal., February, March and April. Twenty-six males, collected upon Ranunculus californica and Brassica campestris. Many of these specimens have the scape entirely black instead of yellow in front, and the legs generally have more black than Cresson’s type. Pre- viously recorded from Colorado, Illinois and Texas. 16. NoMADA MELLIVENTRIS Cress. <. 2 Differs from the male in that the pubescence on the face is much shorter; the third joint of the antenne is about one- half the length of the fourth. In all of my specimens the first segment of the abdomen is black at the extreme base, both above and beneath, the two black spots mentioned by Cresson sometimes fusing with this. Sometimes there is a little black on the apical margins of segments 2-4. Berkeley, Cal., March 15 to April 18. Ten specimens, col- lected upon Brassica campestris and Ranunculus californica. 17. Nomapa ruBrA Proy. Fresno, Cal. (H.O. Woodworth), April 28. Six females collected upon Eschscholtzia californica and Medicago sativa. 162 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June 18. Nomapa sisignaTta Say. Berkeley, Cal., March 15 to April 13. Thirty-six specimens, collected upon Ranunculus californica. Var. RuBRIcA Prov. Berkeley and Visalia, Cal., March, May, June. Seven specimens, agreeing quite well with Pro- vancher’s description, but seem to be distinctly a variety of bisignata. 0 SOME NOTES ON COLEOPTERA FOUND ON SPECIES OF CEANOTHUS. By RAupH Hoppine, Kaweah, Cal. The following list of Coleoptera has been formed from speci- mens collected during the past three years, 1896-7-8, on the various species of Ceanothus found on the Kaweah river and tributaries, in Tulare county, California. The species of Ceanothus are hard to distinguish ; and, as many of these beetles are found on nearly all of the species when in flower, I have not tried to separate them. Ceanothus is one of our prettiest flowering shrubs, varying from two to three feet at an elevation of 7,000 feet to eight and nine feet at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The flowers are generally white, but on one species they are pale blue. Ceano- thus is variously known as ironwood, blue brush, deer brush, buck brush, snow brush, etc., and is generally one of the Species that goes to form chaparral. The species found-in this vicinity are Ceanothus cordulatus, C. cuneatus, C. divaricatus, C, diversifolius and (C. parvifolius. C. cuneatus, although abundantly flowering, forms an exception, as beetles are not found on the. flowers, but only on the leaves. I have found some curious color variation, due to difference in elevation, which is from 1,000 to 7,000 feet. . This list is not considered complete, as I have several unde- termined species, and many will, no doubt, be added by fur- ther collecting. I have to thank Mr. Liebeck for many of my determina- tions and much help. Amphichroum scutatum Fauv.—Very common at an elevation of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163 Anthobium aurifluum Fauv.—Found with seutatum. These two species are found in the flowers in immense numbers. Exochomus marginipennis Lec.—Rare ; from 1,000 to 3,000 feet ; on the leaves. Anthrenus scrophularie Linn.—Common. from 1,000 to 6,000 ‘feet. At 1,000 feet this species has a white saddle mark- ing on the elytra, but the specimens taken from 4,000 to 6,000 feet are like our pretty little eastern specimens. Anthrenus varius Fabr.—Very common from 1,000 to 7,000 feet, but varying much in size. Cryptorhopalum apicale Mann.—Not common ; 1,000 feet to 3,000. Found with the following species : Orphilus glabratus Fabr.—A very common species at 1,000 feet, but becoming rarer as the elevation increases. Grynocharis pilosula Cr.—Common from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. A black variety is found with this, although not common, The black variety seems to be more plentiful as the eleva- tion increases. Macropogon testaceipennis Mots.—Very rare. My one specimen is an odd color variation, the anterior part of the elytra being reddish, the rest black. Typical specimens are a pale color. My specimen was taken at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Cardiophorus fenestratus Lec.—Rare. I have taken but eight specimens in eight years, at 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Limonius maculicollis Mots.— Not common ; 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Limonius occidentalis Cand.—Very common, but most common at 3,000 and 4,000 feet. Limonius canus Lec.—Rare; found with Sericosomus flavipennis Mots. Athous axillaris Horn.—Very rare ; 4,000 feet. Sericosomus flavipennis Mots.—Very common ; from 1,000 to 7,000 feet. Rarely varies, although sometimes a black specimen is found. Perothops witticki Lec.—Very rare. One specimen at 4,000 feet. Anthaxia deleta Lee.—Very rare. Have found but three speci- mens at 7,000 feet. — Acmeodera plagiaticauda Horn.—Rare. Have but three speci- mens, taken at 4,000 feet. 164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Acmeodera mariposa Horn.—Very rare, having taken but one example. Acmeodera dohrniti Horn.—One specimen, doubtfully referred to this species, was taken with the above. Podabrus cavicollis Lee.—Common from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. Malachius thevenetii Horn.—Not common ; found: from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. ; Malachius macer Horn.—A very common beetle, not often found on Ceanothus, but generally on a small Beria. Malachius mixtus Horn.—Very common, but, like the above, not often found on Ceanothus. Microlipus laticeps Lec.—Very rare. Found on leaves at 1,000 feet. Listrus interruptus Lee.—Common from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Listrus difficilis Lee.—Very common; found same as the above. Trichodes ornatus Say.—Common at all elevations. Hoplia callipyge Lee.—Our common rose beetle, but often found on the flowers of Ceanothus. Dichelonycha truncata Lec.—Rare. Found from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. re Poecilobrium chalybeum Lec.—Not common. Found from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Callimus cyanipennis Lec.—Common from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Callimus ruficollis Lee.—Common from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Callimoxys fuscipennis Lec. Very common from 1,000 to 6,000 . feet. Clytus lanifer Leec.—Not rare. Found from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Acmeops longicornis Kirby.—Rare._ I have three specimens. Strangalia delicata Lec.—Common at 1,000 feet, but becoming rarer at higher elevations. Leptura lactifica Lec.—Rare. Found from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Leptura, n. sp.—Found with laetifica and closely resembling it, the most conspicuous difference being in the color of the legs, which are red. while in /aetifica they seem to be in- variably black. | Leptura sanguinea Lec.—Found with the above two species. These are all rather rare beetles. Leptura molybdica Lee.—Common. This species at from 1,000 to 2,000 feet is evidently the typical form with red epau- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165 ‘lettes, but at 7,000 feet this beetle is invariably a dark blue all over. Pachybrachys melanostictus Suffr.—Not common. Found on the leaves from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Pachybrachys lustrans Lec.—Not common. I have found three varieties of this at 4,000 feet. Sivinis saucia L22.—Not common. Like the above, found on the leaves, from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Luperodes torguatus Lec.—Common at about 5,000 feet. Microrhopala melsheimeri Cr.—Not common; at 4,000 feet. Found on the leaves. Odontota californica Horn. Fotnd with the above. Not “common. : Stenochidus gracilis Lee.—Common. Found from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. Cistelo opaca Lee.—Common from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Isomira discolor Lec.—One of the commonest beetles from 1,000 to 7,000 feet. Asclera discolor Lee.—Found in limited numbers at 4,000 to. 5,000 feet. . Anaspis atra Lec.—Found in great quantities from 1,000 to 6,000 feet. Anaspis collaris Lee.—Rare ; 4,000 feet. Mordella scutellaris Fabr.—Common from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. Corphyra punctulata Lec—Found from 1,000 to 7,000 feet. Common. From 1,000 to 4,000 feet this beetle is of a straw color, and much smaller than the Alpine variety, the elytra of which are a shining black. Cantharis stygica Lee.—Common. At 1,000 feet this is not found on Ceanothus, and is a vivid green, but at 3,000 to 6,000 feet is a uniform dark blue. In the four species where I have noted color variation in the foot-hill and Alpine specimens I have not found any that were intermediate. From the number of determinations by Dr. LeConte, his specimens must have been collected on Ceanothus, as many of these species are found nowhere else. 166 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [J une FOUR NEW SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES FROM SOUTH AMERICA. LEVI W. MENGEL, Reading, Pa. (See Plate.) Epiphile Zipa, sp. nov. Expanse about 2 in. Upper side of superior wings orange and dark brown. The orange dark- ens at base of wings to light brown ; otherwise uniform. The orange extends half way to the apex, along the anterior mar- gin; from the base along the sub-median nervure almost to the inner angle and thence diagonally across the wing to the costa. The orange thus makes a large triangular patch, al- most surrounded by brown. The remainder of the superiors brown, uniform, with the exception of a strongly marked white spot near the apex. The inferiors are a rich blue, fad- ing to brown along the interior and exterior margins. There are two very light blue spots in the median nervures. Along the anterior margin, half way to the apex, is an orange diffu- sion fading to brown, along the sub-costal nervure. Under side of superiors very much paler than above, the orange changing to yellow, darker near base and extending along the sub-median nervure almost to the exterior margin. Remaining portion of wing very light brown, with a blue black ocellus, surrounded by a yellow edge, near apical angle. The ocellus is surmounted by a decided white spot. Inferiors pale brown, changing to light reddish brown along the inner and exterior margins. A row of well-marked ocelli extends along margin. A triangular silvery yellow spot on the costa extends almost to discoidal cell, with the apex of the triangle pointing downward. Habitat : Neiva, Tolima, U.S. Columbia. Archonias xeque, sp. nov. Expanse 1? in. Ground of su- periors dark, nearly black, with a row of well-marked white spots running from the apex to the inner margin, midway be- tween the base and the inner angle. Also a row of smaller_ white spots running parallel to the exterior margin, with a few white dashes near the apex. Base of inferiors black, with a bar of spots extending from anterior margin two-thirds across the wing towards the inner margin, The upper part of this bar is white, while the remaining portion, including part 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 167 in cell, is deep orange. The exterior parts are black, though not so intense as the base. A row of decided white spots runs parallel to the exterior margin. There are a few faint whitish dashes on the margin. Interior margin, white. Under parts of superiors, general ground work black, the diagonal row of white spots of upper side showing through wing. The exterior margin is covered with a row of arrow- shaped lunules, which are yellow at apex, changing to white at inner margin. Under parts of inferiors yellow, with black diffusion near base. A serrated black line extends from apex to inner angle, making a number of toothed or arrow- shaped markings along the margin. The nervures run tothe apices of these marks. Body above and below black, with abdomen yellow. This species is nearest to A. chrysolophana, Stgr., on upper surface, but differs entirely in the arrangement of the white row of spots on the superiors, while the bar of the inferiors is lemon yellow, no white being present, as in A. weque. The under side of chrysolophana is white, with only a few dashes of lemon yellow along the veins. The under side of A. xeque more closely resembles the under side of A. toca, Doubl., than chrysolophana, but is again inde- seribably different, while the upper sides of both wings in toca are solid white, no yellow or orange being present. Described from examples in collection of Dr. H. Strecker and the author. Habitat : Neiva, Tolima, U. 8. Columbia. Mesosemia yaporogosa, sp. nov. Expanse 1% in. Superiors greenish blue, with black apices ; black extending to inner margin. A bar of white extends from the costa half way across the wing, fading into blue. Inside the white bara band of black passes across the wing to inner margin. A large circular black spot covers part of the discoidal cell, extending, however, partly beyond. This spot is half way between the base and the apex. One-third the extent of the wing, away from the base, another black line extends from costa to inner margin. Inferiors blue, same shade as superiors, with black margins extending quite to inner angle. Two black bars pasS from interior margin, meeting at inner angle, enclosing a cres- cent of blue. Inner margin brown. 168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Lower part of superiors grey brown, with white bar extend- ing entirely across the wing. Black spot of upper side ap- ~. pears enclosed in oval of brown. A second oval band encloses the first. Lower part of inferiors generally brown, becoming paler towards exterior margins. Wing traversed by band of dark brown, extending from costa to inner angle, across middle of wing. Seyeral paler bands mark wing along outer margin. A black spot appears in discoidal cell. M. yaparogosa is nearest to M. lamachus, Hew., differing in color and the arrangement of bars of upper surface. The white bar is also absent in lamachus. On the under side the ar- rangement is totally different, besides the absence of a white bar in lamachus. Lamachus also has several ocelli and spots on under surface of superiors, while the brown ovals are absent. Habitat: Neiva, Tolima, U.S. Columbia. Siseme nigrescens, Sp.nov. Expands 13-16in. Upper side of both wings black. On thesuperior wing a bar of very faint white spots extend from costa to inner margin. Another bar of the same faint marks runs parallel to outer margin. In- feriors marked with two red spots near inner angle. Under parts of superiors black, with faint marks of upper side devel- oped into well-marked white bars, the exterior row being made of separate spots, while the inner bar issolid. Base and inner margin of inferiors blue grey suffusion, passing to black. A decided white bar traverses the wing from the anterior mar- gion almost to inner angle, while a row of faint spots, grey in color, runs parallel to outer margin. Two red spots near inner angle. Exterior margin tipped with white. Body above and beneath black, with abdomen grey. Under parts; Heaguiciale S. caudalis, Bates, from which, how- ever, it differs entirely. Habitat: Neiva, Tolima, U. oid Columbia. THE CASTLE-BUILDING SPIDER (LYCOSA DOMIFEX). By J. L. Hancock. The length of the adult female spider varies from sixteen to twenty-one millimeters (approximating three-quarters of an inch). Using the largest of these for a type specimen, the width of the abdomen is eight ; the cephalothorax is nine in 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. <0 169 length, seven in width and four and a half millimeters in height. The cephalothorax, or forward part of the body, is dark grayish brown, witha lighter yellowish wedge-shaped band in the middle, extending nearly the entire length ; in old speci- mens the whole head portion is nearly uniform lightigray. The middle pair of eyes (for there are three rows) are encircled with yellow hair, the extreme front being of the same color. The ab- domen in old specimens is yellowish brown, obscurely marked. A median narrow dark band, visible for nearly the first half, joins a darker facing in front and gives off laterally a diagonal stripe, followed with a lighter interrupted stripe in the same direction ; the middle band shades imperceptibly behind, with a broad, indistinct band coyering the whole remaining upper surface, becoming narrower and terminating at a point at the end of the abdomen ; frequently this band shows indications of being divided transversely by five faint dark yellow thin stripes ; its lateral margins are circumscribed by lighter spaces between the almost obscured stripes. Specimens just arriving at maturity have the abdomen a rich, dark brown; the nar- - row stripe in front on the abdomen is lighter, the broad band is wanting ; five thin, transverse yellowish gray stripes divide the abdomen backwards, commencing with the most couspicu- ous one a little in advance of the middle. The abdomen often appears very dark at first glance, the markings upon it not being apparent. In the adult underneath the abdomen is pinkish yellow, the sternum is light and the lip darker. The legs in- crease slightly in thickness, also becoming lighter colored from the fourth to the first pair ; the first legs are light gray, yel- lowish toward the body, densely clothed with a few scattered long dark hairs, and the hind legs are dark or yellow, with blackish spines. The first and second legs have the last three joints—tibia, metatarsus and tarsus—black beneath ; near the . body these legs are lighter, the femurs are yellowish olive. The mandibles are coveréd with yellow hair on the front. . I have recently examined a male specimen of Lycosa nidifex, Marx, kindly sent to me by Mr. Nathan Banks. The speci- men, I am informed, has similar castle-building habits such as described in ENTOMOLOGIcAL NEws, February, 1899. The type of nidifex has not been recovered in the Marx collection, but Mr. Banks sent me the above specimen, taking it to be 170 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June that species. It is closely allied, if not identical, with my domifex, and though the markings are different they are not any more, perhaps, than attainsin different sexes of the Lyco- side. The points wherein the male nidifex differs from the de- scription given above are as follows: There is a dark band one-third. the width of the abdomen on the venter and the whole coloring above and below on the body is darker; a noteworthy difference occurs on the legs underneath ; the third and fourth joints of all the legs are darkest, getting lighter to- ward the extremities, while in domifex the dark markings are confined to the last three joints of the first and second pair of legs. There are apparently no markings on the upper surface of the abdomen in the alcoholic example under consideration. It is hoped a study of more material the coming summer will bring forth new light on these interesting members of the Lycoside. 0). NEW MYRMELEONIDAE. By NaTHAN BANKS Acanthaclisis hageni n. sp. Very similar to A congener,and may be best described by com- parison with that species. .The vertex is shining black (not shining in A. congener) and there are transverse lines of white hairs,and two patches of them behind ; pronotum hastwo small spots in front far- ther apart than in A. congener, and outside of them two others, near the middle of each side is a large pale spot, and a transverse one each side onthe hind margin, (in A. congener there are two pale spots in front, a row of three each side, and two transverse ones on the hind margin); on the middle of mesothorax in front there are two large oblique pale marks (in A congener there are four subequal spots forming a square): on mesoscutellum the pale spots are much jarger. The veins of the wings are less interrupted with pale and those of the posterior part are almost wholly black. The wings are narrower than in A congener, especially noticeable in the middle of the hind border. The radial sector has ten branches, seven before the last transversal before the pterostigma (in A congener there are eight branches, five before the last transversal before the pterostigma. Phenix, Arizona, May [Dr. Kunze]. Brachynemurus maculosus n, sp. Face yellow, between and above antenne a large dark area from eye to eye, sometimes showing a pale double spot in the center, the dark is continued over upon the vertex in the middle; antennze brown; palpi pale, last article dark at tip; prothorax moderately 1899] . ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 171 short, yellow, with four brown lines, the lateral ones only reach the sulcus; anterior part of mesothorax mostly dark brown, with a pale narrow stripe each side, each lateral lobe shows asmall pale spot above the base of fore wing; scutellum of mesothorax pale with a medium dark stripe (not one each side as in most species) ; metathorax pale with a median brown spot forked and divergent in front, sides dark brown; pleura of thorax almost wholly dark; legs pale yellow, without marks except base and apex of the tarsi dark; abdomen pale at base, lineate with dark, dark at tip; wings hyaline, costals forked only near tip, three transversals before the radial sector, pterostigma pale, dark on base; veins dark, interrupted with pale, except the vein behind radial sector which is wholly pale, at ore erd of most of the transversals (including those ending on radial sector ard fork of same) there isa large dark spot, also ore at erd of each costal] and a rather larger mark terminating the pale vein rear the tip of wig; hind wings much less marked. Length to tip of wings, 20 mm. Tehama, California, August [A. P. Morse]. ' This species belongs in the group of B. abdominalis which may be distirguished by having a median stripe on the mesoscutellum, and a wholly pale vein behind the radial sector. The four species may be separated as follows: 1—Radial sector wholly dark, four stripes upon the pronotum....2 ' Radial sector more or less pale,a stripe on each side of pro- DURRNE Mh gtr Citas HEN a ce eae what oe MOIRA S Cals ons we Bt ARES A”, Tapa 3 2— Spots along radial sector, small] species................MACULOSUS. No spots along radial sector. ............... cece eee ees BLANDUS. 2—Spots scattered, basal part of radial sector interrupted with BORE cre ieee capes cake Lanes cco Nae set cc pee ae we ABDOMINALIS- Spots. mostly atisnged along the radial and median veins, basal part of radial sector wholiy 1 RY Se a care ese: TENUIS. Brachynemurus blandus Hag. B. coguiiletti Currie. There is, I think, no doubt that Currie’s species is identical with Hagen’s. The peculiar markings of the pronotum in B. coguilletté agree with those ascribed by Hagen to B blandus, ard to no other form. ‘There is considerable variation in size in this as in other species of the genus. Brachynemurus pallidus nv. sp. ' Pale yellowish, dark around bases of antenne, two dark spots on veriex, tips of palpi dark, antenre pale brownish; prothorax shows only the lateral stripes and these are very indistinct, but each tip showsa prominent dark dot at the sulcus; thorax with a few dark spots, no signs of marks on mesoscutellum ; atdomen pale yel- low, with a median and Jatera] dark line, apex obscure; legs pale _— yellow. unmarked, except the joints of tarsi are tipped with dark ; wings clear, without marks, veins dark, interrupted with pale, but without any adjoining clouds, pterostigma darker at base; hind 172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June wing similar to fore wing; costals forked only near the pterostigma - one to three transversals basad of radial sector. Length 2 18 mm; expanse 37mm. Pheenix, Arizona, September [Dr. Kunze]. Nearer to B. minusculus than to any other species, but easily sep- arated from that by the lack of median lines on the pronotum, un- marked hind femora, etc. ‘SOME NEW SPECIES OF ATHYSANUS, By E. D. BALL, Fort Collins, Colo. Athysanus frigidus, n. sp. General appearance of A. exitiosa broader and shorter. As broad as obsoletus, with a rounder vertex. Length, ° 4-4.5mm, 3 3.5mm; width, 2 1.6mm, % 1.2mm. Vertex two and one half times wider than long, half longer on middle than against eye, the surface sloping and broadly rounding to the tumid front; ocelli distant from eyes; front wider than long, twice wider at apex than the parallel margined clypeus; pronotum half longer than vertex, lateral margins very short, humeral mar- gins long, rounding; elytra slightly longer than the body in both sexes, narrowing behind, venation normal, apical cells rather short. Color: Grayish or brownish white; a large oval spot on either side the middle of the anterior margin of the vertex, a large round one between the ocelli and the eyes. sometimes three small ones: on _the disc, forming a triangle, a pair of elongate marks on the pronotum back of the anterior margin and a pair of spots on the disc of the scutellum, black; elytra covered with a whitish “bloom,” the nervures obscure; face light, a pair of large spots be- low those on the vertex, another pair, irregular in shape, near the apex of front. Light colored specimens may lack some of the spots on face, while darker ones—and the males as a rule have brown stripes—between the light veins of the elytra. Genitalia: Female, ultimate ventral segment twice longer than penultimate, shallowly emarginate posteriorly, with a broad, slightly, roundingly, bilobed, median tooth: pygofers twice longer than wide, equaling the ovipositor; male. ultimate ventral segment long, half longer than valve, valve broad, obtusely rounding, plates broad at base, regularly narrowing to the slightly divergent poiats, scarcely twice longer than the valve. Described from numerous specimens collected at Fort Col- lins, Colo., and back into the lower foot-hills. Found only on Artemisia frigida, to which the white color and powdery “‘hloom” of both larvee and adults well adapt it. Athysanus arctostaphyli, n. sp. Shorter and stouter than A. instabilis, with shorter elytra, 1899 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 173 deep chestnut brown ; vertex yellow, with transverse fuscous lines. Length, 24mm,¢3.5mm; width, 2 1.6mm, ¢'1.2mm. Vertex obtusely angulate, twice wider than long, not.quite two- thirds as long against eye as on middle, anterior margin thick, rounding to the face; front a little longer than wide, but little wider at the apex than the clypeus; pronotum strongly arcuated anteriorly, the side margins very short; elytra short and stout, reaching the end of the abdomen, appendix minute, apical cells short, sometimes a second cross nervure between the sectors. Color: Vertex tawny yellow,a line between the fulvous ocelli, broken forwards in the middle, a transverse band back of this, and a crescent near each basal angle connected by a curved line, dark brown; pronotum yellowish, irrorate with fuscous except on the anterior margin; elytra! nervures pale, testaceous, heavily margined with fuscous; face yellow, sutures, arcs of the front and a spot on the clypeus fuscous; below brownish fuscous, legs annulate with fuscous. . Genitalia : Female, ultimate ventral segment little longer than penultimate, posterior margin shallowly excavated either side of the middle; pygofers over twice longer than wide, equalling the ovi- positer. Male, valve broad, obtusely rounding: plates broad at base, triangular, three times longer than valve, outer margin thickly set with coarse hairs. Described from numerous specimens taken in the mountains west of Fort Collins, Colo., between 7,000 and 9,000 feet alti- tude, and one specimen from Leadvile, Col. (C. P. Gillette). The Fort Collins specimens were all taken, together with their larve, from bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva- ursi). Athysanus alpinus, 0. sp. General form and color of obsoletus, with the longer vertex of extrusus. Pale clouded yellow, with two transverse fuscous bands on the vertex. Length, 2° 5.5-6mm, 3 4.5mm; width, 2 2mm, o 1.5mm. Vertex nearly as long as the pronotum, twice as long on the middle as against eye, three-fifths as long as the basal width, ob- tusely angulate before, the margin blunt and rounding ; front, no longer than its basal width, twice longer than clypeus; pronotum two and one-half times wider than long; elytra shorter than the abdomen in the female, sligthly exceeding it in the male. Color: Dirty straw yellow,a fuscous, transverse band between the ocelli, angled forwards nearly to the apex of the vertex,a brownish fuscous band just behind and parallel with the first, fork- ing at each end, the anterior forks running forward to the ocelli, the posterior ones back to the basal angles; pronotum with four 174 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. {June longitudinal stripes commencing back of the anterior margin, the outer pair divergent, the inner pair uniting across the scutellum ; - elytral nervures light, apical cells fuscous margined in the male; face yellow, a spot above either antenna and about seven arcs on the upper part of the front, fuscous. Genitalia: Female, ultimate ventral segment half longer than the penultimate, outer angles rounded, a stout median process tipped with two divergent teeth, either side of which is a narrow angular emargination. Male, valve as broad as the ultimate segment and about half as long, plates triangular, two-thirds the width of the valve and two and one half times as long, their margins straight or slightly concave. Described from fifteen specimens taken from a damp moun- tain meadow on the Little Beaver, Larimer county, Colorado, at an elevation of 9,500 feet. NOTES ON EASTERN N. A. CYCHRUS. Gro. A EHRMANN, Pittsburg, Pa Cychrus nitidicollis Chev. I have taken this species. but once in this locality, a single specimen; I have, however, taken it several times at Charleroi, Washington county, and received it from Fairmount, W Va. All were found during the months of August and September C. nitidicollis, var. brevoorti, Lec Of this extremely rare form I have found but one specimen, st Charleroi, November 12, 1896, and since then have not happened across it. C. stenostomus Web. I only found three specimens under dry leaves at base of beech- nut tree, on September 4, 1896, and none since C. stenostomus, var. lecontei, Dej. The most abundant of the Cyher7 found in this section. I have taken this form in every month of the year, sometimes during January imbedded in ice, and holding these in my hand, the heat of which would soon resuscitate them. C. stenostomus, var. bicarinatus, Lec. I found one specimen only of this rather rare form on Septem- ber 9, 1897. C. canadensis Chd. Is recorded as being found at Pittsburg. I find, however, after examining the collections in this section, that all specimens are from Prof. Jerome Schmitt. of St. Vincent’s College, who has frequently taken it at Chestnut Ridge, Cambria county. Pa. C. elevatus Fab. This is also recorded as found in this section. The specimen upon which the record in Hamilton's list of Coleoptera of Western Pennsylvania, is based, giving the locality as Jean- 1899} ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175 nette, Pa., was originally in my possession and is from Green Ridge Mo. Am of the opinion this species does not occur in southwestern Pennsylvania, C. viduus Dej. I have apparently been more fortunate than most collectors in the capture of this species, yet all were taken in a small, re- stricted locality at Baldwin’s station. Several specimens have often been found very close together, as many as four at one time under a stone about one foot in di- ameter. It has often been a great pleasure to me to hold this beautiful insect in my hand and admire its graceful form. Though [ have had as many as three specimens in my hands at one time, it does not always happen that success rewards a search for this species, having many times turned over so many stones, logs, sticks and bark that my back felt broken from the exertion; on glancing backward over the route followed in the vain search, it looked as if it had been struck by a cyclone I have held a live Cychrus viduus in my hand whose head was imbedded in the mouth of a shell of the large land snail, who was so intent on his occupation that transferring my hold from him to the shell and letting him hang suspended did not inter- fere with him in the least; he seemed so absorbed in the pro- cess of feeding that continual maneuvering in this manner failed to distract his attention from his prey. . The species is found here from April until the end of September. C guyoti Lec This species is so rare that it is represented in but few collec- tions A Prof. Jerome Schmitt,of St. Vincent, Pa., has a fine pair re- ceived some years ago from North Carolina. As for as recorded. this species occurs only in the mountain re- gions of that State. (A note concerning the above record will be puLlished in the September number. ) C. ridingsii Bland. This very pretty little species, in appearance so much like a diminutive C. andrewsii, has only been found at Uniontown and Cresson, Pa., proving it to be a strictly mountain species, as is the case with C. canadensis. C. andrewsii Harr. The species is found here, though not so restricted as C. viduus, nor found as often, yet the habits are similar. This has only been taken from June 28th to September 14th and does not seem to cover as long a perion as C. viduus. In looking for Cychrus, [find wherever land snails are abun- dant, some one of the species will be found. Cychrus should always be sought after in damp, shady and stonyplaces. During my collecting experience of twenty years, have never found any species but C. /econte? hibernating. 176 : [June ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author’s name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers. | To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of reception. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, as to make it necessary to put “copy” into the hands of the printer for each number three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue.. Twenty-five “extras,” without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the num- ber desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., JUNE, 1899. EDITORIAL. ‘‘ Prior to 1618 it was supposed that all small animals were spontaneously generated ; for instance, eels were supposed to be generated from the slime of the Nile, and maggots were thought to be spontaneously generated in meat. To the ex- amination of this very point the celebrated Francesco Redi, physician to the Grand Dukes Ferdinand the Second and Coomos the Third, of Tuscany, and a member of the Academy del Cimento, addressed himself in 1618. He had seen the maggots of putrefying flesh and reflected on their possible ori- gin. But he was not content with mere reflection nor with the theoretic guesswork which his predecessors had founded on imperfect observations. Watching meat during its passage from freshness to decay, prior to the appearance of maggots, he invariably observed flies buzzing around the meat and fre- quently alighting upon it. The maggots, he thought, might be the half-developed progeny of these flies. The inductive guess precedes experiment, by which, however, it must be finally tested. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 177 ‘¢Redi knew this and acted accordingly. Placing fresh meat in a jar and covering the mouth with paper, he found that, though the meat putrefied in the ordinary way, it never bred maggots, while the same meat placed in open jars soon swarmed with these organisms. For the paper cover he then substi- tuted fine gauze, through which the odor of the meat could rise. Over it the flies buzzed and on it they laid their eggs, but the meshes being too small to permit the eggs to fall through no maggots were generated in the meat. They were, on the contrary, hatched on the gauze. By a series of such experiments Redi destroyed the belief in the spontaneous gen- eration of maggots in meat, and with it doubtless many re- lated beliefs.’’ Suppose after having been dead, say about 260 years, Redi should come back to life and pick up a copy of The New York Medical Journal of December 10, 1898, and read an article en- titled, ‘‘ The Cultivation of the Plasmodium malarie,’’ by L. H. Warner, M. D. A portion of this paper reads as follows : ‘‘Dr. Walter F. Scheele, of New York City, recently con- ducted a number of experiments and investigations in mos- quito development which prove that there are three distinct types of mosquitoes, each possessing a distinct degree of poisoning power in its sting. His claims are that mosquitoes originate and deyelope in foul water, especially when vegetable. or animal albuminous substances are present. In the first stage of its de- velopment the mosquito is a conglomerate mass of different b1cteria and microbes, formed by decomposing matter, composed of vegetable and animal albumen. The latter being in a state of decomposition is a deadly poison. * * ** 23 ‘Upon emerging from the water the mosquito is charged with a surplus of albuminous poison, which must be got rid of immediately or death occurs ; hence it instinctively seeks to preserva its life by sting- ing and injecting the injurious albumen into the only objects that will receiv3 it, man and bsast.” If Redi came to life and read this rot, he would undoubtedly be disgusted with the nineteenth century and immediately desire to return to the ‘‘shades.”’ The most charitable thing we can say of the editor of The New York Medical Jonrnal is that he never read the manuscript of the article, or he would not have permitted such stuff to appear in a respectable periodical. 178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. THe AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL Society intends to prepare a ~ Directory of American Entomologists, which shall contain. the names, addresses, special orders studied, etc. Such a work can’t fail to be extremely useful. Its success will largely depend on the interest entomologists take in it and the promptness with which they supply the necessary information. Pleasesend to ENToMOLOG- 1cAL News, the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Race street, Philadelphia, the following information in regard to yourself and any friends interested in the study of insects: Name, Correct address, Special study, orders, etc., Have you a collection ? Do you exchange specimens ? FELDMAN OvutTInG.—The Feldman Collecting Social at its last meeting decided to hold a field meeting at Anglesea, New Jersey, on the coming July 4th. The undersigned committee of arrange- ments was appointed, with plenary power, and herewith extend a cordial invitation to members of the different Entomological So- cieties to be their guests on the above date. The Keystone Rod and Gun Club will be the headquarters of the meeting. All collectors who desire to attend are cordially invited to be the guests of the Feldman Collecting Social on Tuesday, July 4th. The quarters, however, will be open from Saturday, July Ist, until afternoon of July 4th, thereby enabling anyone desiring to spend several days collecting at this place to do so, in which case the committee will be pleased to furnish, upon application, any desired information re- garding several days’ accommodations. It is important that those desiring to attend the meeting of July 4th should notify the com- mittee as early as possible, in order that they may know how many to provide for, and thus assure comfort and sufficient room for all. THEO. H. Scumitz, Chairman, No. 3104 Baring street, West Philadelphia. Charles Boerner, H. W. Wenzel, Philip Laurent. CHRYSIS SCHLE TTERERI, Mocsary.—A few years ago, I caught at Socorro, New Mexico,a beautiful species of Chrysis resembling both in color and structure the European C. zgnzta, but smaller and more slender than that insect. I now find that it agrees with the desception of C. schletterer?, Mocs., from Tacubaya, Mexico; so that name is to be added to our faunal list. T. D. A. COCKERELL. On the best method for killing large insects.— Having received several inquiries as to the easiest and quickest plan for killing large specimens, it may be of some interest to give my modus operand? Ilere in the tropics the need for such a plan is greater, of course, but 1899] , ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 179 ' I believe many a fine specimen has been ruined by the collector’s re- lying wholly upon the cyanide jar. My first“ snag” for the cyanide process was a quart of lively Heterogomphus chervolati—Burm, and Strategus julianus—Burm. They reveled in the cyanide. There was no boiling water. I made a hypodermic syringe by drawing the tip of my medicine-dropper toa fine, slender point in an alcohol flame. By puncturing the thick wall of the metasternum with a strong setting-needle I could easily insert the“ hypo” and inject three or four drops of gasoline directly into the body cavity, Death was instantaneous ; no second dose required. I now use the same plan forall large insects. Even the largest sphingids like Amphonix medor—Cr, are killed in two seconds - without turning a scale. Care should be taken to have the bulb of the “ hypo” fitair-tight the tip should taper gradually and witha slight curve. It should be inserted from beneath into the middle of the thorax, and if well managed little or nogasoline should appear on the outside. The tip of the “hypo”? may be protected by thrusting it into a good- sized cork. “Hypo” and small vial of gasoline may be carried in the same small pocket. O. W. BARRETT, Tacubaya, D. F , Mexico. Ecpysis oF dAutomeris leucane—Hbn. The thin cocoon is made of coarse, gluey, red-brownsilk; 5mm. inside the front end is a transverse wall or screen with meshes (usually) of about 1 mm. This wall is fastened rather loosely to the cocoon and is not “ dis- solved,” scarcely softened even, by the imago, but merely loosened at one side. The abdomen at once lengthens 5 mm. or 8 mm. after the pupa case is ruptured and so good “ push power” is developed. The hinges of the screen door being broken the ecdyis is completed in three to five minutes, the front end of the cocoon offering but little resistance. Twenty to thirty minutes after the screen snaps back into place the wings are full-sized. O. W. BARRETT A New Recorp IN An Opp Piace.—In January of 1899, while in practice in Los Angeles, a patient presented himself complaining of pain and discharge of watery fluid from one of his ears. Examination revealed a tick that was easily removed The tick looked unfamiliar, and on forwarding it to the Dept. of Agriculture at Washington it was discovered to be Argasmegin?, Duges. origin- ally descrited from Mexico and not hitherto reported from the United States. The patient had never been twenty miles away from Los Ange- les, and had intheautumn spent a few weeks in the country,but had not been sleeping out of doors. A. Davipson, M. D., . Clifton, Arizona. SpHex ELeGans.—This wasp for some reason or other is very sel- dom found among the many other wasps one may capture in a few . days of collecting: yet they must be common in summer, for their 180 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June nests are frequently to be found in the stems of the white sage so common throughout South California. For nesting sites they prefer the larger stems, first gnawing through the thin partitions opposite the leaf insertions, which nat- uraily divide an otherwise hollow stem. The parent wasp first packs the bottom of this tube with very fine, grass-like fibres; which, on investigation, prove to be fine strips of the loosely fib-— rous bark of Audibertia polystacha, from 1-4 inch to 1 1-2 inches in length. On this is laid the larval food supply which consists of, on an average, of seven or eight tree crickets. The egy is laid on the breast of one of the tree crickets, a wad of bark fibre is placed on the top which forms the base for the next cell, etc. A copious wad, sometimes three or four inches in depth, protects the topmost cell, The cocoon when completed is one inch long and one quarter inch wide at its widest part at the cephalic end. It has two coverings, the outer a loose sac resembling tissue paper, of a grayish brown color, the inner somewhat resembling that of the common mud dauber, but stouter and denser. The majority of theadult wasps hatch out in July and August and pass the winter concealed in crevices or other convenient shel- ters in trees and rocks; afew, probably not more than 15 or 20 per cent., remain in the larval stage till the following May. They make their escape by forcing their way through the fibrous divis- ionsabove, seldom cutting their way through the sides of the stem. P. trypoxylonis, Towns; may,as usual, be found to have con- sumed the larval food. Of genuine parasites there are few, all of them attack the larva after it has spun its cocoon. They are Lpis- tenia cerulata, Photopsis unicolor, Photopsis ferrugineo. A Davipson, M. D., Clifton, Arizona. Notes ON CALIFORNIA Wasps.—THE NEsTING Hasits OF ANCIs-. TROCERUS BIRENIMACULATUS, SAuss.—In the end of February or in the first week of March, before the increasing warmth of spring has yet stirred any of the other wasps,this one has broken its way through its celland begun building for its coming brood. [It usually constructs its cells in the hollow stems of plants or in the deserted tunnel of some other species. If the cavity is a- narrow one, these cells are placed in a single series; if wide, they are grouped to- gether laterally. in sufficient numbers to fill the cavity. The cells vary in size according to the cavity they occupy, their average ex. ternal measurement being 719 inch long by 3-19 wide. They are circular on section, truncate at the ends, and are built of little pel- lets of clay pieced together in a manner similar to that of the com- mon mud-dauber wasp of this section. The number of cells built by each wasp varies from 2 to 15. Immediately on exit they begin to build fresh nests and many may be found complete in April. The young are fed on thesmall green larve found so abundantly on the leaves of the common Ar- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 181 - temesia; eight ofthese is the average number found in each cell. The egg is deposited after the cell is filled. The larve of this spe- cies, in commonwith many others, can devour more food than the parent wasp generally allows them; one of them that I experi- mented with had no difficulty in disposing of four small spiders immediately after consuming the maternal allowance. The parasites affecting these are few in number and are limited to one species, viz . Chrysi?s cerulans, Fabr. This wasp, I believe, possesses the distinction of having a smaller percentage of parasites than any other | have investigated. Of the hundreds of cells I have examined only five contained parasites. This immunity is probably wholly due to the nests being com- pleted mon hs earlier than the majority of parasites usually appear. A. Davupson, M. D., Clifton, Arizona. Prof. F. W. Mally, of Hulen, Texas, has recently been elected, by the directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, State Entomologist and Professor of Entomology in the college. Dr. A. Fenyes has started on a collecting trip to Mexico, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, and will be gone five months. Dr. William Barnes is collecting Lepidoptera in Southern Arizona. Dr. Henry Skinner, Prof. A J.Snyderand Mr. Philip Laurent are planning a collecting trip to the Rocky Mountains. The following is of interest as an early reference to Cicada septen- decim. The brood referred to seems to be that due in 1902. E. Foster, New Orleans, La “A respectable old gentleman, who has seen and observed the locust at the different periods of their appearance, as noted below, has favored the editor of the Register with the following memo- randa : *** The locust appeared— *** Tn 1749, in the month of May. ** * Tn 1766, they came out of the ground from the 14th to the 17th of May. ‘*** Tn 178%, they came out fron the 16th to the 19th of May. * * In 1800, from the 19th to the 26th of May. *** Tn 1817, they did not appear until the beginning of June. It is supposed the cold and wet weather retarded their progress. * “They continue from four to six weeks.and are harmless, except: to young and tender fruit trees or the twigs of older trees, wherein the female deposits her eggs, which in a few days vivify, and the twigs either break off or the young locust emerges and falls to the ground, and makes its way into the earth for another period of erunet en years.” ’— Niles’ Weekly Register, July 12,1817, XII, - p- e . , 182 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT, Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species,will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num- bered in the following list, in which the pepers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain- ing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 3, The American Naturalist, Boston, May, ’99.—4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., May, 799.—5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass , May, ’99 —9. The Entomologist, London, May, ’99.—10. Na- ture, London, ’99.—ll. The Annals and Magazine of Natural His- tory, London, April, ’99.—l4. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, ’98, pt. iv, April 1, ’99.—15. Biologia Centrali- Americana, London, pt. cxlvi, Feb ’99.—22. Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, ’99.—35. Annales, Société, Entomologique de Belgique, Brussels, xliii, 3, March 30; 4, April 27, ’99.—38. Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, xviii, 2-3, March 31, ’99.—40. Societas Entomologica, Zirich-Hottingen, 799.—46 Tijdschrift voor Ento- mologie, xli, 3-4, The Hague, March 28, ’99.—55. Le Naturaliste, Paris, April 1, 799 —59. Sitzungsberichte der naturforschenden Freunde, Berlin.-—75. Twenty-ninth Annual Report, Entomological Society of Ontario, Toronto, ’99.—84. Insekten Borse, Leipsic, ’99.— 86 a. Annales, Société Entomologiquede France, Paris, ’97: 1, Dec.,. 97; 2-3, April, ’98; 4. July, 98; all received May,’99 —86b. Bulletin of the preceding. ’97, received May, ’99.—107. Revista do Museu Paulista, iii, 5,S Paulo, Brazil, ’98.—!08. The Agricultural Jour-_ nal. Published by the Department of Agriculture, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town, ’99.—-109. Proceedings, Royal Society of Queens= land, xiv, Brisbane, ’99.—H0. Bulletin, Société d’ Histoire Naturelle de Colmar, nouvelle sérig, iv, 798, The General Subject—_Bachmetjew, P. The critical point and the normal solidification point of insect juices, 49, April 1.— Brainerd, D. The preparation of specimens for the exhibition of life-histories in the cabinet, figs.,75—Brindley, H-. H. On certain characters of reproduced appendages, particularly in the Blattide, 1 pl, 144—-Comstock. A. B. Hints on making ‘collections of insects, Teacher’s Leaflets, for use in the public schools, prepared by the‘ ollege of Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., No. 7, June 1,797 -Evans, J. D. Notes on insects of the vear,division No. 2, Bay of Quinte district, 75.—Harrington, W. H. Notes on insects of the year, division No. 1, Ottawa dis- trict, figs .75—Hubbard, H. G. Insect fauna of the giant cactus of Arizona: letters from the southwest,5 —Kilman, A- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 183 H.. Notes on insects of the year, division No. 4, Niagara district, figs.,75.—Kiinekel d’Herculais, J. Moulting in insects considered as a means of defense against vegetable or animal para- sites; special roles of tracheal and intestinal moulting, Anales Sociedad Cientifica Argentina, Buenos Aires, March, ’99.— Lemoine, V. Ontheapplication of the Roentgen rays to the study of Articulates,86b.—Lochhead, W. Entomology in schools, figs.. 75.-L yman, H H. The President’s annual address, 75; The freezing of insests, 75-—-Marchal, P. The Cecidomyids of cereals and their parasites, -figs., 8 pls., 86 a, 1.— Mayet, V. Note on tke insects of the salt lands 86b.— Moffat, J. A. Notes on the seison of 1898, 75.—Norris, A. E. Cabinet pest. deterrent, 4.-dePeyerimhoftf, P- Sexual variation in- the Arthropods, 86 a, 2-3.-R ennie,R. W. Notes on insects of the year, division No.5, London district, figs., 75.—Rousseau, E Ona process permitting the study of the internal anatomy of insects without dissectioa (preliminary com- munication),35,4 —Schenkling.S. Onumyrmecophilous Ar- thropods,'84, April 13; Springing beans, 84, April 20.—Schwarz, E. A. Classified list of species observed by H. G. Hubbard on the giant cactus, 5, supplement—Webster, F. M. Thecot- lector and his relation to pure and applied entomology, 75 ; Economic Entomology.—A non.—Absiract of recent publications,’ Experiment Station Record, x,8, U.S. Dep't of Agriculture, Wash- ington, ’99.—A non. Dragonflies and chicken-raising, 84, April 27.-Anon. The gypsy moth and economic entomology, 3.— Austen, E. E. Mosquitoes and malaria, the manner in which mosquitoes intended for determination should be collested and pre- served..10, April 20.—Benn, J. H., and others. Locust exter- mination, 108, March 30.-Carew-Gibson, E. A., Mat- simura,M. [The apple fruit miner, Argyresthia conjugella), 4—Chittenden,. F. H. Some insects injurious to garden and orchard crops, figs., Bulletin No. 19, new series, U.S Dep’t Agriculture, Division of Entomalozy, Washington, ’99.—C ho- baut, A. Oaa Xyleborus parasite of an orchid in European . greenhouses, 86a, 2-3.—Dayguin. Edible insects in antiquity and in our own day,55.—Daniels. C. W. On transmission of proteosoma to birds by the mosquito: a report to the Malaria Committee of the Royal Society, Proceedings of the Roval Society, London, lxiv, 411, April18,°99 -Dearness, J. The cotton boll worm in Canadian corn, 75.—Duggar, B. M. Notes on the use of the fungus Sperotrichum globuliferum tor the destruction of the chinch-bug (Blissus leucopterus) in the United States. Centralblatt fir Bakteriologie. Jena, March 31,’99.—E d ington. Locust ex- termination by the means of fungus, 108, March 16.—F letcher, J. The brown-tail moth; Injurious insects in 1893, figs., 75.-F or- bush, E. H. Thegypsy moth,75.—Fuller, C. Thecom- mon blue tick of Cape Colony and its relationship to the red water 184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June ticks of North America and Australia, figs., 108, March 16.— Fyles, T. W. The farmers’ garden and its insect foes, figs., 75.—Hunter, S. J. Alfalfa, Grasshoppers, Bees: their rela- tionship, figs., Contributions from Entomological Laboratory, Uni- versity of Kansas, No. 65. Lawrence, Jan ’99.—H utt, H- L. A few of the most troublesome insects of the past season (1898), figs., 75—Illidge, R. Life-history. ete., of timber moths, 109.— Lounsbury, C. P. Coddling moth again, 108, March 2 — [Lugger O?] Butterflies and moths injurious to our fruit-pro- ducing plants, 237 figs. Bulletin 61, University of Minnesota Agric. Exper. Station, Division of Entomology. St. Anthony Park, Minn, Dec..’98.—M archal, P. See the General Subject; also numerous short notes in 86 b—Mayer, ©. A new remedy against phylloxera, 108, March 2.—Pound, C. J. Notes on the cattle tick, 109.-—Roberts, L. Ticks and their destruction, 108, March 16.—Shirley, J. Notes on bees and [as destroyers of] wax-scales, 109.—-—Slingerland, M. V. Some new notions about some old insects, Reprint from Transactions, Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society, pt.1, Boston, 99; Insect pests of 1898, Reprint from. Proceedings, Forty-fourth Annual Meeting, Western New York Horticultural Society, Jan. 25, 26, ’99.--S pa li- kowski, E. New researches on the accidents caused by the stings of bees,55.—W ebster, F. M. Some econom?c features of international entomology, figs ,75.—W eed, C. M. The for- est tent caterpillar, figs,, Bulletin 64; New Hampshire College Agricultural Experiment Station, Durham, N. H., April. 799; {Report of] Department of Entomology, figs, Tenth Annual Report of the same, Nov., ’98.—-Wells, H. H. and others. Locust fungus operations, 108, March 2. ; Arachnida.—Biro, L. Mimetie spiders, [in Magyar, brief sum- mary in German], Rovartaui Lapok, Budapest, April ’99.—C a m - bridge, F. O. P. Onnew species of spiders from Trinidad, West Indies: 1 pl., 14.—Cambridge, O. P. Arachnida- Araneidea, pp- 289-296*, 15.—Gillet nt e, C. P. Life-history of the sheep scab-mite, Psoroptes communis,75.—v an Hasselt, A. W.M. The venom of spiders, 46.-Moenkhaus, W.J. Contribution to knowledge of the Arachnida of San Paulo,1 pl., 107.—P ocock, R. I. A new stridulating Theraphosid spider from South America, Il—Trouessart, E Noteon the organ of fixation and of suction in the larva of Z'’rombid/on, figs., 86 b. Myriopoda.—_H en nings. Tomdsvary’s organ of Glomer’s, figs.» 59, 99, No.3.—-Verhoeff, C. On the European cave fauna’ especially Diplopoda and Chilopoda, 22, April 17. Thysanura.—Bouvier, E. L. The genus Masndronia, new type of the family Lepismide, 86b—Calandruccio, S. On the biology of Japyx solifugus Hal. and Campodea staphylinus Westw., preliminary note, Bulletino d. Societa Hntomotne tog Ital- jana, xxx, 1-2, Florence, Oct. 31, ’98. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185. Orthoptera.—B olivar, I. Description of a new species of Or- thoptera from Peru,86b.—Brindley, H. H. See the General Subject.—C uenot, L. The absorbent region in the intestine of Blatta, figs., Archives de Zoologie Experimentale et Generale, (3) vi, 5, Paris, ’98.—-H unter, 8. J. See Economic Entomology. —Petrunkewitsch, A. On the physiology of digestion in Periplaneta orventalisand Blatta germanica, figs., 22, March 27.— deSaussure, H.and Pictet, A. Orthoptera, pp. 457-8*, I5.-Scudder. S. H. TheStenopalmatines of the Pacific coast,*4—Stadelmann, H. A case of parthenogenesis in Bacillus rossius, 59, 798. Neuroptera.—Kellicott, D. S.-The Odonata of Ohio (see the review, post) —-Martin, R. Description of new Odonata’ 86a,4—Tumpel, R. Die Geradfliger Mitteleuropas. Eisen- ach, Verlag von M. Wilckens -Lieferung 2-4. pp. 25-96, pls. iv- xiv and 24 text figs., Odonata and Ephemerida Hemiptera—C hampion., G. C. Rhynchota-Heteroptera, vol. ii, pp. 193-216, pl. xii,*15.—Cockerell, T. D. A. On- the habits and structure of the Coccid genus Margarodes,* 3; Four new Diaspine Coccide,* 4; Aleurodicus mirabilis, 5; Some new Coccide collected at Campinas, Brazil, by F. Noack (three papers), 107—Ehrhorn, E. M. Three new Coccide,*4.—F ow ler, W. W. Rbynchota-Homoptera, vol. ii, pp. 217-224, pl. xiv,* 5.—Hempel, A. Notes-on Capulinia Jaboticabe Ihering, 1 pl.,107 —King, G. B. Contributions to knowledgeof Massachu- setts Coccide i, 4.-Mayvet, V. Longevity of thecystsof Mar- garodes, 86b.—Reed, E. C. Synopsis of the Hemiptera of Chili (cont.) [in Spanish], Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Valparaiso, Dec.,’98.—-W ebster, F M., and Cockerell, T. D. A. The odor of the San José scale, Asp¢diotus per- nictosus, 75. Coleoptera.—_Bedel, L., and Francois, P. Onthestridu- latory apparatus of Siagona, figs.,86b.—Belon, R. P. De- scription of a new Longicorn of the genus Hebestola, 86 b.— Bordas, L. General considerations on the defensive glands of Coleoptera, Comptes Rendus, l’ Academie des Sciences, Paris, April 17,°99.—-Bourgeois. J. Catalogue of the Coleoptera of the chain of the Vosges and of the adjacent regions, 110.—C ham- pion, G. C. A list of the Cantharidse supplementary to the * Munich ” catalogue. 35,4—C hobaut, A- New observations on the biological relations of the Anthicide with the vesicants, 86 b. —Croissandeau, J. Monograph of theScsydmenide (cont.), 5 pls,86a,4—Deegener, P,. Structure and position of the mouth-parts of Hydrophilus, figs , 59,99, No.3.—Dierkx, F. Structure and function of the defensive gland in the genus Brachy- nus, figs ,22, Aprill7.-Escherich, K. To knowledge of the coleopterous genus Zonabris Harold, 1 pl., 38 and heft 4, April 30 186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June 99 —Everts, J. E. Coleoptera Neerlandica. De schildvleu- gelige Insecten van Nederland en het aangrenzend Gebied. Deel 1, 2de Gedeelte. ’sGravenhage Martinus Nijhoff. 1899. pp 369-677, figs. 28-62 [in Dutch]—Formanek, R_ On the period of flight of some Coleoptera, 38.-Gadeau de Kerville, H. Physiological experiments on Dyticus marg/nalis, 86b -Gor- ham, H- 8. Coleoptera, vol. vii., pp. 257-276, i-xii,* 15 —H a r- rington, W. H. A few Canadian Longicorns. 4.—H u b- bard, H. G. On Thalassa montezume Mauls. (family Coccinel- lide), figs., Proceedings, Entomological Society of Washington, iv, 3, April 28.’99—Lesne, P. Revision of the Coleoptera of the family Bostrychide., part ii, figs-, 86 a, 2-3; On a new species of Coleoptera of the family Bostrychidx* ( Heterarthron subdepressus, n. sp.).86b.—P ic, M. Onthe carnivorous instincts of the An- thicide, 86b-Raffray, A. Revision of Batrisus and allied genera of Central and South America,* 1 p] ,86a,4.—Sch warz, E. A. Description of new species of Coleoptera,* 5, supplement. —Thery,. A. Descriptions of new Buprestide and various re- marks, 86 a, 2-3 Diptera—Austen, E. E. See Economic Entomology.— Dahl, F. The flea and its position in the system, 59, ’*98 — Elliot, R. Two avian parasites; notes on their meta- morphoses, figs.. 75 —Kellogg, V.-L. The mouth parts of the Nematocerous Diptera, iv, figs, 5—Marchal, P: See the General Subject-—W eltner, W. Thespawnof Chironomus - silvestris F. 59, 98 —van der Wulp, F. M. Diptera, vol. ii., pp 385-392, pl x,* 15. Lepidoptera.—A ndré, E. Suicide of caterpillars. Bulletin, Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Macon, No. 12, Dec. 1, ’98.—B u t - ler, A. G@. Chrysophanus thoe ot Gray—why is it not C. hyl- lus Cramer? 4.—Dognin, P. New Heterocera from south America, 35,3.—D ruce, H. Descriptions of some new species ot Heterocera from Tropical America, If; Lepidoptera Heterocera, vo! ii, p!. xeviili, 15.—D yar, H. G. A new Lithosian.* 5.— Fettig. Variability in the order Lepidoptera 4 propos of some aberrations observed in Alsace, HW0.—Friedmann, F. Onthe formation of pigment in butterflies’ wings, 1 pl. Archiv fiir mikro- schopische Anatomie, liv, 1. Bonn, March 27,’99.—F rings, C. Preference of Lepidoptera for their own colors, 40, April 15.— Fyles, T. W. Observations upon Sptlosoma congrua Walk., 4.—Gibson, A. Muskoka asa collecting ground, figs., 75; On the Noctuide occurring in Toronto, figs. 75—Hampson, @. F. A revision of the moths of the subfamily Pyraustinse and fam- ily Pyralide, pt. 1, figs.,2 pls.,*14.—J ones, E. D. Emer- gence of a butterfly, figs., Science Gossip, London, May, ’99.— Lathy, P. L. Descriptions of new species of Syntomids in the collection of Mr. H: J. Adams,9.—[L ug ger, O?] See Eco- nomic Entomology.—Mabille, P. Description of new Lep- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 187 idoptera, 86a, 2-3,-MecIntosh, W. The butterflies of New Brunswick, Bulletin, Natural History Society of New Brunswick, xvii, St John, N. B..”99 Moffat, J. A. Random recollec- tions in natural history, figs., 75; A bit of history,75.—Moore , F. Lepidoptera Indica, part xxxvi. [Vol. iii, pp. 233-254, pls. 279-286, completing vol. iii.] London: Lovell, Reeve & Co, Ltd. 1899. Rec’d Apr. 24—Oberthur, C. Descriptions of new Lepidoptera, figs., 86 b—Pictet, A. Aerial development of the wings of Lepidoptera, Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles (4) vii, 3. Geneva, March 15,’99.-S nellen, P. C. T. Some remarks on Pyrilids, with description of new species [in Dutch],2 pls, 46.—-Standtuss, M. Summary of the ex- periments hitherto undertaken on Temperature and Hybridation, 84, April27—Staudinger, O. Lepidoptera of the Ham- burg Magellan Collecting Expedition. Ergebnisse der Hamburger Migalhiensischen Sammelreisa, iv, ’99.—-Trimen, R. Seasonal dimorphism in Lepidoptera, 19, April13.—Winn, A. F. Notes on Papilio brericauda Saunders, 75. Hymenoptera._duBuysson, R. Study of the Chrysidide of the Museum of Paris, 2 pls... 86a,4.—Cameron, P. Hymen- optera, vol. i, pp. 467-474, vol. ii, pp. 401-404,* 15.—C ockerell, T. D. A. Noteson American bees,* 9.-—Dyar, H. G. Larva of Xvelide,4.—Fertou.C. Remarks on the habitsof some species ef Prosopis Fabr..86b.—F ox, W. J. The North Amer- ican Mutillide,* Proceedings, Academy of Natural Sciences of Phil- adel phia, 1899, April 17; Synopsis of the United States species of the Hymen>pterous genus Centris Fabr., with description of a new species from Trinidad,* _ Id--Hunter, S. J. See Economic Entomology.—Kiaer, H. Review of the Phytophagous Hy- menoptera of Arctic Norway,1 pl-. Tromso Museums Aarhefte, xix, ’98.—Kieffer, J. J. Cynipide, pp. 289-368, pls. xiii-xv, of Vol. VIL, Species des Hym‘nopteres d’Europe et d’ Algérie fond é par Elmond André et continu’ sous Ernest André, 65e Fascicule Paris. Vve Dubosclard,Jan.1,99.—K onow. F- W. Onsome new Chalastogastra,*38.—Marshall, T. A. Amonograph of British Braconide, part viii, 1 pl-, Transactions, Entomological Society of London, 99, ptii—M orice, F. D-. Pastor Konow’s proposils as to the classitication of Hymenoptera. Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine, Londoa, May, ’99.--Wasmann, E. Sup- plement to “ Lasius fuliginosus as predatory ant,” 22, April 17; The psychical activities of ants, 3 pls., Zoologica, heft 26, X1 Bi, 1, Stuttgart, 99. Tare Oponata oF Oxnro, By Davip S. Kettricorr, Pa. D. Ohio State University. Contributions from the Department of Zoology and Entomolozy. No. 1. [R2printed from the Special Papers of the Ohio Academy of Sciences, No. 2.] Columbus, Olio. Pub- lished by the State University, March, 1899. 8vo. pp. viii, 116- 188 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Portrait of the author. Three plates, containing 39 outline figures _ of parts of species of Enallagma, Lestes, Diplax and Gomphus. This posthumous work of Prof. Kellicott is introduced by a pref- atory note from his successor, Prof. Harbert Osborn, stating that it has been prepared from the originw m inuscri yt left by its author. Of this the first 61 pages are unchanged. The remainder has been completed, in accordance with Professor Kellicott’s plan of treat- ment, by his associate, Mr. J. 8. Hine, who also contributes a bio- graphical notice and a bibliography of his deceased colleague. Practically, therefore, the present essiy is due to Messrs. Kellicott and Hine The figures have bzendrawn by Mr. W. E. Kellicott. We have previously expressed, in this journal, our high apprecia- tion of Prof. Kallicott’s work on the dragonflies of Ohio, We are, therefore, much indebted to Mr. Hine for placing before us the present more exteaded results of that study. The subject mutter proper begins with a brief introduction, in which the student is reterred to other authors for a knowledge of the structure and metamorphoses of these insects. The 100 species found in Ohio are then described, with frequent keys to assist in their identification. Notes are frequently added upon the habits of flight and of oviposition. We incline to think that the localities in which the rarer species have been found have not always been suffi- ciently indicated. In the hurried perusal with which we have been obliged to content ourselves, it seems to us that the key to the species of Lestes (p. 15) is not very helpful; that some names, such as Fonscolombia aud Diplax, have been continued which must be given up; and that an error has been made in the key to the genera of Libellulinz (p. 92) in using the character “ sectors of the arculus pedicillate” for Dzplax[—Sympetrum] and Leucorhinia, for the reason that a very considerable amount of variation exists in this - regard. Very little change has been made in arrangement and classifica- tion. A considerable number of mistakes have been made by our- selves and others in treating of various species of the North American Odonata, and some of these errors appear in the present woik. As the corrections have not yet been published, however, neither Prof. Kellicott nor Mr. Hine are responsible for the errors of their predecessors; but students will do well to be on their guard in identifying forms allied to Hnallagma pollutum, Gomphus lividus, fraternus and externus. In closing, we call attention to a remark in the Intr oduction, | which is very cheering to the odonatologist. Treating of the ques- tion of the decrease or increase in the number of species, we read: “It is the opinion of the writer that some few forms once resident are no longer within our limits, but that others have taken up their homes here at the same time: in fact, it appears probable that the number has increased, rather than dimiuished, up to the present time.” Puivipe P. CALVERT. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 189 DOINGS OF SOCIETIES. Regular meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was held Sunday, April 9th, at Town Hall, President Bischoff presidiug and fourteen members present. The family Notadontide was exhibited and was fairly well rep - resented by most of themambers, Mr. Kearfott'sexhibit included an interesting series of blown larva and pupe. Mr. Weidt exhibited a series of Fevalia Jocosa among which were two specimens, the primaries of which were yellow instead of green, and read the following article : “On Sunday, April 2d, I tooka trip to Forrest Hill near New- ark, N. J.. with my friend, Mr. Broadwell. to collect one of the earliest noctuids of the season, Fevalia jocosa. The weather was cold and before we reached our destination snow began to fall and a strong north wind was blowing which gave us small hopes of find - ing the insect, but after a search of two hours we had taken six specimens. The moth is taken on the bark of hemlock trees and all I have ever taken had just emerged, which made it aneisy matter to capture them. It is necessary for the collector to carry a small box to put the specimens until theyare fully developed before put- ting them in the poison bottle. [ took a specimen March 8th, last year (anearly spring) and took one as late as April 19th this year. I have never seen the insect flying nor taken one at light. Prof. Smith remarked the tongue being very small, the moth is no feeder and does not fly much. Headded that the insects mate early; usually intwenty-four hours and disappear soon after. Mr. An- gleman mentioned that he had taken specimens with the primaries half yellow and half-green. Mr. Kemp stated that a half day’s col- lecting of Coleoptera by him, in the vicinity of Elizabeth, N. J., on March 30th, resulted in the capture of over 1,509 specimens, among which he recognized over 150 species Cf these species there were about 9) Carabids, 40 Staphylinide, 8 Chrysomelide;17 weevils aud the rest scattered throughout the order. They were mostly collected among dead leaves and debris,on the ground. under bushes.” A. J. Wert, Sec. At the April meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South Thirteenth street, eleven members and one visitor were present. Mr. Wenzel stated that in the oldedition of the Catalogue of New Jersey insects there were but nine species of Scydmaenida listed, whereas the number will be inereased to seventeen in the forthcoming edition as far as his own collecting is concerned. He had taken the following species of that family in New Jersey from January 28th to April 15th: Brachycepsis subpunctatus, Scydmenus perforatus, Scydmenus flavitarsus, S. fossiger, 8. ba- salis, S analis, S. brevicornis, S. clavipes, S. Leconte’, S.salinator, S. fatuus, S. fulvus, Cephensium corporosun. 190 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June Mr. Laurent reported the abundance of pupi of Ceratomia ca- talpa at Moores, Delaware county, Pa. The pupa and many dead caterpillars lay just under the sod at the base of trees. The irregu- lar appearance in abundance of the species was discussel by Messrs. Laurent, Skinner and Wenzel. Dr. Skinner referred. to a recently received letter, the writer dwelling on the probable large number of sp2cies new to science which existed in the private collections of ininy persons who were averse to sending them to specialists for study for fear that the spe- cialists would desire to retain the specimen in payment for the trouble in identifying. The speaker held that specialists have the right to retain desirable specimens in such cases, and spoke of the ingratitude existing asa rule with those who expect to have sci- entific workers devote their time and experience in naming their specimens without recompense. Tithe Discussed by Messrs, H. Wenz2] and Bland, who concurred with Dr. Skinner. Mr. H. Wenzel resorded the capture of Hrchomus levus in abundance at Anglesea, N. J., during the winter. WiiiaM J. Fox, Secretary. re) OBITUARY. We announce with sorrow and regret the death of Edward Win- slow Cross on April 23d, who resided in Manchester, N. H., and was born in that city July 21,1875. He was an ardentstudent of ento- mology and a contributor to the pages of this journal. The Geome- tride claimed his especial attention, and he had a fine collection in the family. He was the youngest son of Judge David Cross, and a student at Harvard College Law School, and was graduated from Amherst College, class 97. RE I The February News was mailed February 3d. The March News was mailed March 4th. The April News was mailed March 27th. The May News was mailed May 3d. ENT. NEws, Vol Io PE XE CYCHRUS, etc., (Liebeck) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA, Vou. X. SEPTEMBER, 1899. No.7. CONTENTS: Liebeck—Cychrus Guyoti vs.C. An- {| Hine—Sciara Inonstans — Reared Orewsll VAP. 3. sees esestoeseveses 191} from Carnations,.....:.....+6.+++- 201. Ashmead—The Largest Oak-Gall in | Dy, ys teaay Ae of N wine the World and its Parasites... 193 ts leg ee Le et a5 ye ; er sat OMA... .SVapeene eee eiss tes ssi cack : Wickham -“heoollecttions of Ola-Col | Economic Entomology............++++ 207... lecting Grounds ........ .....+-+-- 196 | Notes and News...........+0.. PRS | a Williamson— Calopteryx Augusti- Entomological Literature.......... 4.209 pennisSelys in Western Pennsyl- | Doingsof Societies...............+.3. 219 199 | EXChanges.....,.ccccce.seececececeswes i, ii CYCHRUS GUYOTI vs. C. ANDREWSII VAR. By CHARLES LIEBECK, Philadelphia, Pa. (See Plate VI.) In the recent paper on Cychrus by G. E, Ehrmann, atten- tion was called to a paragraph pertaining to certain specimens of C. Guyoti (No. 9 of plate), in the possession of Prof. Je- rome Schmitt, of St. Vincent’s College, Pa. Some confusion regarding the identity of this species exists in many collec- tions, and the following notes are submitted with a view to preventing future errors. C. Guyoti was described by Dr. Leconte, Proc. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sciences in 1866, p. 363, from a unique female collected in the Black Mountains of North Carolina. Later Dr. Horn, in his paper on Cychrus of N. A. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., 1878, Vol. 7, p. 173-174, submitted the characters of male tarsi, sep- arating these species as follows : Anterior tarsus of male with a slight papillose space at tip of first joint. Guyoti. _.. Anterior tarsus of male densely, spongy pubescent be- ‘neath, first joint clothed over nearly the entire surface. Andrewsii, 192 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept When males are not present the position of the strial pune- tures of the elytron will readily separate the species. Punctures of strie regular and well centered. Andrewsii. Punctures of striz confused and encroaching on the intervals. é Guyoti. This character pertains to the basal three-fourths of the elytra, as the striz and punctuation become confused at the apex in both species. But three authentic specimens of C. Guyoti have been ex- amined, and possibly forty of C. Andrewsii, all forms, and no deviation from the above rule occurs. There is a tendency in many specimens of C. Andrewsii to a broadly angulated form of thorax as is shown by the accom- panying plate, the series showing gradual development from No. 4 to 9 in regular order. A series of C. Ridingsii, Nos. 10, 11 and 12, is also utilized to show the same character. _ Without types or authentic specimens at hand, and only females present, the student can very easily go astray, aS can be seen by a glance at No. 9, a supposed Guyoti, or No. 5, a small Andrewsii, which could very readily be confused with Ridingsii. The figures of plate show the comparative size of the various species, and it will be seen that Guyoti is much larger than Andrewsii, being quite as large as the larger form of C. viduus. Specimens of the several species from Pennsylvania have the thorax longer and narrower than those of North Carolina and Tennessee. I am indebted to Dr. Henry Skinner for the excellent pho- tograph of the specimens and to Mr. Roland Hayward for careful comparisons with the Leéonte specimens in the Cam- bridge Museum. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. - C Guyoti Lec. male (Horn Coll.). C Guyoti Lec female (Wenzel Coli.). C. viduus Dej. C. Andrewsii Harr. Pa. C. Andrewsii Harr. Va. C. Andrewsii Harr. N C. Cc. Andrewsii Harr. N. C. C, Andrewsii Harr Sawyer’s Springs, Tenn. C. Andrewsii Harr. N.C. Ridingsii Bland, type. female, Va. . C. Ridingsii Bland, Pa. Coo OA Eee ee — 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ 193. 12. C. Ridingsii Bland, Tenn. 13. Cremastochilus leucostictus Burm. male. 14. Cremastochilus leucostictus Burm. female. 0 THE LARGEST OAK-GALL IN THE WORLD AND ITS PAR- ASITES. By WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD. Some two or more years ago, February 20, 1897, the Na- tional Museum received from Dr. A. Duges, of Guanajaro, Mexico, the largest oak-gall it has ever been my pleasure to see, and which is undoubtedly the largest Cynipid gall yet discovered. Subsequently additional specimens of the same species, but much smaller and exceedingly variable in shape and size, were also received from Dr. Duges. The first and largest specimen received, and which is un- questionably the largest oak-gall in the world, isof an irregu- lar oblong, globular shape, and measures fully 43 inches long by 3 inches in diameter. Externally it is opague, more or less roughened, and ofa greyish color or somewhat similar in color to the bark ofour common white oak ; white internally it is brown and of a dense, hard, pithy substance. It is polytha- lamous ; the larve cells being numerous and deeply imbedded, in the interior of the gall, as in those of similar structure. The other specimens, afterwards received from Dr. Duges, are, as stated before, much smaller, more irregular in shape, and dwindle down in size to specimens not exceeding an inch in diameter. All of them, as we are reliably informed by Dr. Duges, were obtained from the roots of an unknown Mexican - Oak tree. At the time of the receipt of the largest of these galls, I re- ported the gall was the product .of an undeseribed Cynipid, which would probably prove to belong to the genus Andri— cus. . The rearing of three of the gall-flies by Dr. Duges con- firms my opinion in reference to the generic position of the gall-makersof this gigantic gall, but the gallitself is evidently similar to one described as Cynips Championi by Mr. Peter Cameron, in Biologia Centrali- Americana, Hymoptera, vol. 1, p- 70, the maker of which was unknown. Dr. Duges also bred from this gall two distinct parasites : an inquiline, Synergus sp.,and a Torymid, Torymus sp.; also a 194 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept beautiful undescribed rhynchophorus beetle. The last the - Jate Mr. Martin Linell had intended to describe under the name of ' I believe with Dr. Calvert, that a name given to a gall alone, without a knowledge of the gall-maker, will hold in most cases, but such descriptions should be discouraged, since the identification of galls, without their makers, is always at- tended with uncertainty ever afterwards. Itis so in this case, but the name given by Mr. Cameron must be retained, and I give below, for the first time, the description of its maker, and its parasites. Andrieus championi Cameron | Cynips championi Cam. Biol. Centr.—Am. Hym I, p. 70. (Gall). Gall-fly.—¢ Length 4.5 mm. Black, the abdomen and an- terior and middle femora rufous. Head and thorax rugoso— punctate, clothed with a sparse, glittering pubescence; abdo- men smooth, polished, impunctate, the sides of segments 1-7 with sparse glittering hairs, antenne 14 jointed, long, fili— form, black, the third joint the longest, more than six times as long as thick, the following joints to the 13th, gradually short- — ening, the 13th joint being scarcely one-third the length of the third joint, the last joint almost as long as 12-13 united. Clypeus rounded at apex. Mandible strong, tridentate, pice— ous black, the inner tooth minute, the middle and outer tooth large, subequal. Mesothorax with the parapsidal furrows distinct and posteriorly becoming obliterated just before at- taining the base of the scutellum; a median furrow only slightly or vaguely defi ned on the middle of the disk; ante- riorly close to the margin are two short,glabrous lines ; while the scapule have a long glabrous line ; scutellum rounded, rugose, the fovev at base with raised lines; metathorax short, with too median carine. Wings hyaline, the veins piceous- black, the vein at base of the open marginal being short and strongly angulated. Abdomen ovate, as long as the head and thorax united, polished impunctate except some sparse punc- tures on thesides of the seventh segment ; sheaths of ovipositor black, not at all prominent. Hab—Guanajuato, Mexico. Type, No. 4304 U.S. N. M. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 195 Described from 3 2 appear received from Dr. A. nae Synergus Dugesi, n. sp. ‘ @—Length 3mm. Black, head, except the vertex, eyes, and occiput, the antenne, the pronotum, except aiatioris, the trochanters, the knees, the tips of anterior and middle tib- iz and beneath, and their tarsi, brownish-yellow. Head ru- goso-punctate, the face and cheeks with strong converging strie. Mandibles ferruginous, black at tips. Antenne 13-jointed the third joint very nearly as long as 4-5 united. Mesono- tum rather coarsely, transversely rugalose, the parapsidal fur- rows very nearly obliterated by the coarseness of the sculpture. Mesopleura longitudinally striated. Metanotum short ob- lique, with two, rather widely separated, median carine and a distinct lateral carina, the angles prominent, pubescent, with prominent spiracles. Wings hyaline, the tegule pice- ous, the veins, except the subcostal and the median veins to- wards base which are pale yellowish piceous black. Abdo- men ovate, about one-third longer than the head and thorax united, highly polished, black, the second segment, except the very short petiole, occupying the whole surface, the ter- minal segments being retracted. Jj —Length 2-6 mm. Agrees well with the °, except: the sides ofthe pronotum, the mesopleura, but not the mesopectus and the legs, except a dusty shade on the hind tibize and tarsi, are wholly brownish yellow ; the parapsidal furrows are distinct, the tegulze brownish-yellow, while the antenne are 15-jointed, thethird joint being somewhat thickened, slightly curved and fully as long as joints 4-5 united, the following joints subequal. Type, No. 4305 U.S. N. M. Described from 14 and 2 2 specimens, bred by Dr. A. -Duges from Andricus (Cynips) oie ee Cam. Torymus Mexicanus, n. sp. 2.—Length 4 mm.; ovipositor 6.5mm. Head and thorax metallic green, the hind margin of the mesopleura violaceous followed by a bright cupreous band ; abdomen bronzed-black ; flagellum black ; scape, tegule and tarsi brownish-yellow ; cox metallic green; anterior femora towards base and the hind femora except tips, metallic brown, the rest of the legs rufous wings hyaline, the veins, except the subcostal at base, 196 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept dark brown. Head shagreened and punctate, the face clothed with a white pubescence; mandibles ferruginous, the teeth ~ plack. Thorax sparsely pubescent, transversely shagreened and punctured, the punctures more distinct and coarser along thehind margin of the pronotum, on the parapsides along the furrow of same; andon the scutellum. Mesopleura except thehind margin sculptured, the hind margin smooth, impune- tate. Hind coxe large, reticulately sculptured. Abdomen finely or microscopically reticulated, thedorsal flap bluish. 3.—Length 3.2mm. Agrees well withthe 2 in colorand in the structure of the head and thorax, butthe tegule and the femoraare bluish-green,the tibiz dark brown, the tarsi, except the terminal joint, whitish, while the abdomen is bluish-green scarcely as longas thethorax, with the dorsal flap bright green. Type, No. 4306U.S. N. M. Described from 1 2 bred from the small gall. RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD COLLECTING GROUNDS. By H. F. WickHAM, Iowa City, Iowa. IX. The Alpine Districts about Leadville. Leaving Buena Vista, the railroad follows the Arkansas Valley very closely in the long climb to Leadville. As the mountain summits draw nearer and nearer the waters of the turbulent stream become ever less muddy and by the time the great mining camp is reached the dwindled Arkansas is trans- formed into a clear brook, flowing over a pebbly bed or glid- ing more slowly on a torturous course through broad marshy meadows. The altitude has now exceeded ten thousand feet and the fauna and flora are essentially modified in conse- quence. Wearrived at the station late in the afternoon of July 7th, during aheavy rain. Every afternoon of our eight day so- journ was marred by a like precipitation of moistureand this detracted materially from the pleasure of the trip as well as interfering with collecting. These showers are very cold and quickly result in benumbed hands which are slow to grasp the ground-inhabiting insects, and the saturated dripping foliage precludes successful use of the sweep-net or umbrella. The little butterflies (apparently some species of Jyccena) fold 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 197 their wings and hang quite still upon the shrubs while a cold storm cloud is passing over, only to awake to active flight al- most the instant that the sun comes out again. The dirty, smoky city covers a great deal of ground and it is something of a walk from the ‘‘up town”? hotels into the wooded hills which rise on every hand. The large timber, if there ever was much of it, is now mostly gone and the re- maining trees are chiefly so dwarfed or undersized as to be of no use for commercial purposes. To this they owe their ex- istence and as they still support some insects let us hope that they may long remain undisturbed. Many of the large ra- vines and gulches have been ruined entomologically by exten- sive mining operations but a few spots were found which yielded tolerably well. The stony porous soil of most of the hillsides holds but very little water and supports a fauna which is in strong contrast to that-of the marshy valley region. We saw no living Cicindelide during our stay, butsome dead C. cinctipennis served to show that the species extends up the valley from Buena Vista, where it was seen rather abun- dantly. On the higher slopes of Moose Mountain, which lies near enough to Leadyille to make the summit, though far above timber line, tolerably easy of access on foot, we took Carabus tedatus, of the form which I have always considered as representing oregonensis and have distributed as such. It was scarcely common, but we managed to get several under stones and logs in the valley of a little stream which heads on the mountain. The banks of this stream were lined with stones under which we found a few ebria obliqua and N tri- faria, Patrobus aterrimus and some Staphylinide, while Bembi- dium incertum, B. grapii and Trechus chalybeus were secured with them but in more abundance. All of these bank loving Carabidee were found in the wettest, coldest spots,often in the spray from a small cataract and their capture was attended with a good deal of bodily discomfort, owing to the rains and the very low temperature of the water in these mountain streams which are mainly fed from snow fields lying higher up. Following the ravine we finally emerged from the timber and found ourselves on the bald, rocky head of the mountain, where no trees grow, for after leaving the fringe of gnarled, 198 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept wind-twisted stunted evergreens that mark the timber line, the rest of the vegetation consists only of low herbs which be— come of less and less height as we ascend until at last we find the flowers blooming almost on the level of the ground from ' which they emerge—a scanty circlet of leaves, crowned by a- stalkless blossom—and the spaces between the boulders are clothed with a flower-studded carpet of vegetation which has the general effect of moss,though really very different. Between timber line and the summit we secured Pterostichus surgens, Amara hyperborea, Cymindis cribricollis, Cytilus trivittatus, Ap- hodius aleutus, A. phwopterus, A. vittatus and fragments of the — before mentioned Carabus and of Entomoscelis adonidis. The lower hills near town were worked for Carabide by careful search under stones. As a result we got Notiophilus si- biricus, Pierostichus protractus, Pt. luczotii, innumerable Amare, Calathus ingratus, Cymindis unicolor, CO. cribricollis, Harpalus in- nocuus and H. montanus,. Incidentally we secured some beetles of other families in the same situations,—Cytilus trivittatus, Cryptohypnus \abbreviatus,\C. nocturnus, C. tumescens, Graphops varians, Adimonia externa and a species of Macrops. Foliage of the dwarf evergreens on these hills was beaten over an um- brella with results as follows :—Scymnus utilis, one specimen, Athous simplex, rather scarce, Podadrus lateralis more abun— dant, Dasytes hudsonius, a few, Callidium hirtellum,a couple, and Pachybrachys subvittatus, several. On poplars we found a Di- cerca (tenebrosa?) and numerous Zeugophora abnormis, the lat- ter eating irregular holes in the leaves. Some dead tops of conifere yielded several Magdalis, Plagithmysus muricatulus in plenty, and a specimen of Salpingus virescens. Flower. working and miscellaneous sweeping showed up (besides some commonerthings) Coscinoptera vittigera, Trichodes ornatus, Epi - canta pruinosa and Entomoscelis adonidis. Rhynchites bicolor was not uncommon on wild roses. A few pieces of wood and the rubbish accumulated by a former rush of water through a deep ravine, furnished shelter for Peritaxia rugicollis and Ste- phanocleonus cristatus. The insects of the marshes are mostly Staphylinidz, not yet worked out ; however I can name a few beetles from these spots, as follows :—Elaphrus clairvillei, rare, Tachinus angustatus, Mycetoporus sp., and an Hrycus which seems to be morio. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 199 Here, as at Buena Vista, we found it well worth while to search piles of logs and of sawed lumber in the railroad yards and about mills. We gotinthis way a very good lot of spe- cies as the accompanying list will show: Melanophila longipes, M. drummondi, Chrysobothris caurina, Buprestis langii, B. ad- jecta, Clerus nigriventris, C. sphegeus, Thanasimus undulatus, Asemum mestam, Criocephalus agrestis, C. productus, Phymato- des dimidiatus, Pachyta liturata (light and dark forms), Acmeops proteus. A. pratensis, Leptura 6-maculata, L. sanguinea, Mono- hammus scutellatus and Pagonocherus mixtus. Altogether we considered our visit to this vicinity as being a successful one, although the neighborhood is probably by no means as rich as in former days before the development of its mineral re- sources so ruined the beauty which must have marked it pre- vious tothe adventof the railroad and the smelter. 0 CALOPTERYX ANGUSTIPENNIS SELYS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.* By E. B. WILLIAMSON, Pittsburgh, Pa. On June 18th of this year Mr. D. A. Atkinson, J. L. Graf, H. D. Merrick and myself visited Ohio Pyle Falls, where in the course of a few hours we succeeded in taking about 40 specimens of the species named above. Males predominated. Ohio Pyle is situated on the Youghiogheny River. This river rises in Garrett and Preston counties, West Virginia ; flows north into Pennsylvania, thence flowing north by northeast and emptying into the Monongahela at McKeesport, about 15 miles from the Ohio River. The Youghiogheny in its entire course is about 100 miles long. Ohio Pyle is in Fayette county, in the Laurel Ridge of the Allegheny mountains, at altitude of about 2,000 feet. It is about 12 miles north of the State line, in latitude 39° and 50° north and longitude 79° and 30‘ west. At Ohio Pyle the Youghiogheny has an average width of about 50 yards. Hills, several hundred feet in height, covered with deciduous trees, rise abruptly from the banks of * This brief paper is remarkable in that it gives an account of what is probably the most remarkable case of re-discovery of a rare species ever made among the North American Odonata. No other male of angustipennis has been known to exist than that in the British Museum, sent by Abbot from Georgiaacentury - age: eo females have been previously known. See Hagen, Psyche, Vv, p. 244. —P. P. CALVERT. 200 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept the river. The bed of the ‘stream is . filled with large sand- stone and conglomerate boulders, past which the current rushes with great yelocity. The Calopteryx in its flight and habits much resembles Hetaerina americana, flitting over the rapids, resting on the boulders and on the few bushes and grasses margining the stream. ‘hey are swifter in flight and more difficult to take than Calopteryx maculata. Only adults were seen. One pair was taken in copulation. Compared with Hagen’s description, published in Psyche in 1889, the following may be noted : Hind wing, &, 36; 2, 38. Width at nodus of hind wing, Sand °,8. Ante-cubitals, front wings, 7 and 2, about 28 ; ante-cubitals of hind wings, <’, about 22; 2, about 25. Ab- domen, 3’, 46; &, 43. aig “iSéebnd fat of antenne, labrum anda nist inferior median spot on rhinarium greenish white; labrum with a round black spot just below the white spot ja rhinarium ; la- bium black, outer lobe narrowly margined with greenish white ; upper part of head, especially about the ocelli, with brassy reflections ; eyes brown, thorax and abdomen bright green ; sutures of thorax black ; pectus pruinose with a trans- verse green band before the base of 1. Wings with the re- ticulation largely green, most noticeable when seen from the front ; subcostal apparently black; median vein and princi- pal sector closely joined for the distance of four or five ante- cubitals ; principal sector apparently arising from the sub- nodal. Abdomen darker anteriorly with bluish reflections, tending to brassy posteriorly, greenish black underneath ; sternum of Lchalky white ; base of sternaof3 to 8, with two blu- ish spots ; appendages dark greenish brown, as compazed with C. virgo and C. maculata relatively longer, possibly with more teeth on the exterior dorsal edge of the superiors. Since the above was written I have had the privilege of ex- amining a male and female of this species collected by Mr. R. ©. Osburn and Mr. J. B. Parker, on June 10th, in central Ohio, eight days before the species was taken at Ohio Pyle. The Specimens were taken along Pine Creek, a tributary of Clear Fork, which in turn empties into the Mohican. They offer no differences from the western Pennsylvania specimens. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 201 § SCIARA INCONSTANS—REARED FROM CARNATIONS. By JAMES 8. HINE. s In his second report Fitch described as Molobrus inconstans an insect which he found common in December on the win- * dows of his room. He states that in all probability they emerged from earth in some flower-pots. In January of the present year the complaint camein that 202 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept carnations in the greenhouse were dying from some unknown cause. I investigated the matter and found no cause except - numbers of minute whitelarve which were boring inside of all the stems that showed serious injury. From these larve I reared several adults which were easily traced to the genus Sciara, but not being sure of the species I sents pecimens to the Department of Agriculture at Washington where they were labeled inconstans. From what I knew of the habits of the larve of the Mycetophylide I supposed at first that the plants were killed in some other way and then were attacked by these insects, but by farther observation I was convinced that they fed upon the growing plants. In the accompanying drawing, figure 1 represents the adult female, figure 2 the adult male, figure 3 the ventral view of pupa, figure 4 side view of pupa, figure 5 the larva and fig- ure 6 the last abdominal segment of the male. >). VU LIFE. HISTORY OF NOTODONTA GEORGICA—H. S. By HARRISON G. DYAR. This larva is here described for the first time. Dr. Pack- ard’s description (Mon. Notodont., p. 154) of georgica larva was taken from some specimens in the National Museum which appear to have never;been bred. What reason led to theiz identification as georgica is unknown to me, but they are in reality evidently larvee of Heterocampa obliqua. It will be remembered that Abbott and Smith figure LN. georgica and N. angulosa as sexes of one species. My breeding explains this matter, since the larve of these species have the same food plant and habits and moreover resemble each other almost to identity. The main difference is the colored tuber- cle on the eighth abdominal segment of georgica. Apparently Abbot, overlooking this slight difference, figured the two spe- cies as sexes of one, since he probably bred them from what he considered the same larva. “gg. Ihave not found these in nature. Eggs from the ab- domen of the female moth are apparently hemispherical, white, coarsely granular rather than reticular and about 1 mm. in diameter. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 203 Stage I. Head rounded, brown, a black shade over the ver- tex and behind ; width .55 mm. Body slender, smooth and shining, sordid smoky greenish ; a diffuse dark dorsal shade; a reddish band subventrally, joined to large blackish spots on joints 5, 6, 11, 12 subventrally with smaller spots on joints 3 and 4. Feet all black. Joint 12 a little enlarged ; sete short, pale; tubercles minute, black, normal, primary ; cervical shield small, quadrate, dusky. Stage II. Head rounded, bilobed, sordid green, a black line at the junction with neck and a blackish shade from the jaw to base of antenna; width 1 mm. Body opaque greenish white, dorsal vessel dark; a narrow white lateral line and yellow substigmatal one; subventral region olive brown the whole length. Thoracic feet, tubercles and leg plates black ; anal plate dusky; cervical shield not distinet; joint 12 a lit- tle enlarged, its tubercles i large, contiguous, not elevated. Stage IIT. Head green, a faint yellow lineon each side be— hind the ocelli; width 1.4 to 1.8 mm. Body much as before, the tubercles and leg plates green; tubercles i of joint 12 large, at first concolorous, later yellowish. Stage IV. Head higher than joint 2, flattened before, cly- peus small, median suture a deep groove ; deep green, finely mottled with white, a yellow line from antenna over lower ocellus to back of head; width 2.3 to3 mm. Body slender, joint 13 tapering, its feet weak. Skin smooth except tuber- cles i of joint 12 which are high contiguous yellow tubercles with a seta at the apex of each. Green, the back heavily shaded with white, a broad dorsal band, streaked on the an nulets (which are 6), divided by a greenish central line; a narrow subdorsal and lateral line, faintly white. The white shading extends between all these to a yellow stigmatal line with a black dash below iton joints 3to 6, 1land12. A few white. dots subventrally; feet green, the thoracic ones with three black dots. In another example the stigmatal line was narrowly bordered above with black, below with red. Stage V. Head high, wide, rounded, green, thickly white mottled; jaws and a line to back of head opposite spiracle of joint 2 yellow, continuing the yellow stigmatal line of the body and like it narrowly red-edged below. Width 3.9 to 5mm. Body slender, setz minute, joint 12 a little enlarged dorsally, 204 * °"« ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept with high, contiguous, yellow, orange-tipped tubercles i. Marks as before, except that instead of the later lateral white line is a row of dots. Dorsum all white shaded, subventral region white dotted; stigmatal line narrowly black edged above with black dashes present on the legless segments, bu t not conspicuously. _ The larve lives on a perch as N. angulosa and N. ferruyinea in the earlier stages. Cocoon. A few threads between leaves. Pupa. Cylindrical, tapering a little behind, dark mahog- any brown; the edges of the segments next tothe three move- able incisures sharply cut and nearly black. Cases sha- greened, segments punctured sparsely on the anterior two- thirds. Cremaster two low, divergent cones, each with a short, thick, capitate spine at the tip with one or more small hooks on the lower aspect. Length 29mm., width 7mm. Food plants. Oaks (Quercus velutina, Q. minor). The lar— vee will feed on the rough leaved oaks, contrary to the habit of N. angulosa. The species is double brooded. ie TELEA POLYPEMUs is nota rare moth in the Est, but the fia ding of a large number of their cocoons on apple, prune and willow in the vicinity of Los Angeles certainly is of interest, as | cin find no record of their having been taken here before. Mr.O. W. Howard sent me 50 cocoons taken as above noted, and he succeeded in raising about 75 by enclosing the moth with netting on our common pepper tree, thus establishing a new food plan — for polyphemus. Early in January three dead cocoons were found wellup inthe Cahuenga Mountains, northwest of the city, and a number in the brush about the mouth ef the San Gabri 1 Canon, 28 miles away,so the moth is evidently pretty well established. All the Eastern cocoons that Lhave seen are wrapped in leaves with no attempt to fasten the stems to the twigs, and readily de- tach and fall tothe ground, but these were closely woven the full length of the stem, and including the twigs adjoining thus being permanently attached to the tree. The moths began to emerge May 30, and continued to comet the rate of three. or four a week until the past few warm Gays, when five appeared on the board this morning. FRANK 8. DAGGETT, Pasadena, Cal. 2 Nots.—Prof. A. J. Snyder took an imaz2o of polyphemus at Salt Lake City, July 4th, 1839.—Eb. z 1899] 205 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers. ] To Contributors.— Re- generation of the limbs in the Mantide and constancy of the tetra- mery of the tarsus of regenerated limbs after autotomy in the pent- amerous Orthoptera, 12, June 26; On the absence of regeneration of the hind limbs of the jumping Orthoptera and its probable causes, I2, July 10.—Burr, M. Abbreviation of wings in Orthoptera, 21, June 1; Exotic Conocephalide in England, 21, May 15; Para- sites of Orthoptera, 2], July 1—Comstoek, J. H.. and Needham, J. G. The wings of inseets, chapter iv (concl.), figs. [Orthoptera]. American Naturalist, Boston. July, °99.— Coupin,H. Natural history of the praying mantis, 87, July 1. —Leger. L.. and Dubosecq, O. Onthe Malpighian tubes of the cricket - Observations on the preceding note by A. Giard, Comptes Rendus, Sociéié de Biologie, Paris, June 24, °99.—M c- Neill, J. Arkansas Melanopli, iii.*5,June—Scudder, S. H. The North American species of Orphulella* 4 July: An index to Stal’s genera of Orthoptera, supplement to, 5, Aug.—Tutt> J. W. Migration and dispersal of insects; Orthoptera, 2l- May 15. Neuroptera.—_Banks, N. Descriptionsof New North American Neuropteroid insects,* 2, xxv,3, Jan ; Neuroptera, See the General Subject.—Calvert, P. P. Odonata from Tepic, Mexico, with stpplementary notes on those from Baja California, figs..1 pl.* Pro- ceedings, California Academy of Sciences (3) i, 12, San Francisco 14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept May 22,99; Parallelisms in structure between certain genera of Odonata from the Old and the New Worlds,I—Hine, J. 8. Additions to the list of Ohio dragon-flies, IL—Kirby, W. F. On a collection of Odonata (Dragon-flies) from Panama,* 1 pl , May-—McLachlan, R. Notes on certain Palearctic species of the genus'Hemerobius, Nos. 2, 3, figs., 8, June, July —Tutt, J- W. Migration and dispersal of insects: dragon-flies, 21, June 11 July 1. Hemipteraa—A shmead, W. H. Rhynchota.* See the Gen- eral Subject-—Ball, E. D. Some new species of Deltocephalus,* 4, July.—Bianchi, V. Enumeration of the works pertaining to the Hemipter-Heteropterous fauna of the Russian Empire, 1798- 1897, Annuaire, Museé Zoologique de Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersburg, ’98, 3-4.—-Buffa, P. Contribution. to the anatomical study of Heiothrips hemorrhotdalis, 5 pls., W4, vii—Cockerell, T. D. A. First supplement to the check, list of the Coccidx, Bulletin, Illinois State Laboratory of Natura- History, v,7, Urbana, Jan.,99; A reply to Mr. Marlatt’s article on sources of error in recent work on Coccide, 68, July 21.— Cockerell, T. D. A., and Parrott, P. J. Contribu- tions to the knowledge of. the Coccidx,* figs., The Industrialist, March, April, May,1899. Place of publication?—Distant, W. L. Rhynchotal notes—Heteroptera: Scutellerinz and Graphosomi- ne, il, July—Green, E. E. The Coccide of Ceylon, part i 30 pls., London; Dulan & Co,1899.-Heidemann, O. Het- eroptera found on an ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum); 1022.—Hempel, A. Two new Coccide of the sub-family Leca-. nine, 4, June; Descriptions of three new species of Aleurodidx from Brazil,5, Aug —Horvath, G. Monograph of the genus Aphe- locheirus, figs.,49:-—H unter, S. J. The Coccidex of Kansas, ii,* 5 pls., Kansas University Quarterly, viii, 2, Lawrence, April, *99.— King, G. B. Contributions to the knowledge of Massachusetts Coccide, ii, 4, June—Kirkaldy, G. W. On some aquatic Rhynchota from South America, 25, 347; Travels of Dr. E. Festa to Ecuador, xix Aquatic Rhyncota, 25, 350; Travels of Dr. A. Borelli to the Argentine Republic and Paraguay, xxiv. Aquatic Rhy nchota, 25, 351; Travelsof Dr. A. Borelli to the Bolivian Chaco and the Argentine Republic, xvi. Aquatic Rhynchota, 25, 352 — Leonardi, G. Monograph of the genus Asp/d/otus (cont.), figs., 114, vii.-Montandon, A. L. Hemiptera Heteroptera, fam Coreidx, Notes and descriptions of three new American species,* Buletinul Societatii de xciinte, viii, 1-2, Bucarest, Jan.-April, ’99.— Parrott, P. J. Aspidiotus (Targionia) helianthi sp. nov., fig.,4,July.—Reed, E. ©. Synopsis of the Hemiptera of Chile (cont ), [in Spanish], 58, and 1-2, Jan.-Feb. Coleoptera.—A rrow, G. J. Onsexual dimorphism in beetles of the family Rutelide, 36; Notes on the Rutelid genera Anomala, Mimela, Popillia and Strigoderma, 36—Bachmetjew, P. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. P15 On body-temperatures of Bulgarian Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft deutscher Naturforscher und Aerzte, 70. Versammlung zu Diisseldorf, 19-24 September, 798. Leipzig, 99 —Blackburn, T. Revision of the genus Parop- sis, part iv, Proceedings, Linnean Society of New South Wales, *98. pt. iv; Sydney, May 19, ’99.—Bordas, L. The anal glands of the Aphodiine, Natural Science. London, June, °99; The defensive glands or anal glands of the Coleoptera, An- nales de la Faculté des Sciences de Marseille, ix, 5.— Brenske, E. The Serica species of the world, monograph- ically treated (cont.) B. Oriental region,24—Casey, T. L. A revision of the American Coccinellide* [with appendix on some African and 8. American Coccinellide],6—Diercekx, F. On the structure of the anal glands of the Dytiscide and the pretended defensive role of these glands, 12, May 1.—Escherich, C. On the natural history of Paussus Faviert Fairm.., figs., 44, 5, June 12 —Fall. H. C. Revision of the species of Apion of America north of Mexico,* 4 pis.,2, xxv.3, Jan—F leutitaux, E. Note on two Elateride of Chili belonging to the Tribe Ludiide, 30 b; Eucnemide of the Fry Collection, 35,5, May 26—Gadeau de Kerville, H. Physiological experiments upon Dyticus marginalis [transl. from Bull. Soc. Ent. France, ’97], 9, July.— Griffini, A. Travelsof Dr. Festa tothe Republic of Ecuador and neighboring regions, xv Note on some Brenthide, 25, 337 ; Travels of Dr. E. Festa to Ecuador and neighboring regions, xvii. Observations on the genus Lacconectus Motsch, 25, 342.—H a r - rington, W. H. Ottawa Coleoptera: Cerambycide, Ottawa Naturalist. June.’99 Hubbard, H. G. Habitsof Phodaga alticeps Lec., 102; On Thalassa montezum@e Mus. (family Cocci - nellidse), figs., 102—Kirkland, A. H- Cryptorhynchus lapathi L. in Massachusetts, 5, Juane-—-Lewis, G- On new spe- cies of Histeride and notices of others, figs,* ll, July-—Linell, M. L. and Schwarz, E. A. Coleoptera. Seethe General Subject- Olivier, E. Typical Lampyride in the Museum, 32,’99, No. 2.—Peringuey, L.- Descriptive catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa, supplements to Cicindelide, Carabidz and Paussi- dx,52.—Pic, M. Description of a new genus and seven new species of exotic Coleoptera, 30b.—Raffray, A- Descriptive catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa, family Pselaphide ; first supplement. 52-—Regimbart, M- Travels of Dr. E- Festa to the Republic of Ecuador and neighborimg regions, xvi- Dytiscide and Gyrinide, 25, 341.—Slosson, A. T. A new Cossonus,* 4, July.—S paeth, F-. Description of some new Cas- sidide, with synonymic remarks, | pl., 44,4, May 9—Xambeu, Capt- Habits and metamorphoses of insects (continued), [two papers]. Annales, Société Linnéenne de Lyon, 1898, tome 45. Diptera.—B iro, L. Commensalism in flies, 49.—C oquillett, D. W. Diptera.* See the General Subject.—Dah1, F, Theplace 216 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept of the Pulicids in the system, Archiv fir Naturgeschichte, Ixy, i, 1, Berlin, April, ’99.—Hey mons, Rich, The systematic posi- tion of the Pulicide#, 22, No. 588; Supplement to the preceding, 22, July 3.—-Hine, J. 8S. Twenty-five species of Syrphide not previously reported for Ohio, IIl_—Hough. G. de N. Studies in Diptera Cyclorhapha: 1. The Pipunculide of the United States,* Proceedings, Boston Society of Natural History, xxix, 4, July, 799. —Howard, L. O. A Dipterous parasite of Lachnosterna, 102.-Kellogg, V. L. The mouth-parts of the nematocerous Diptera, v, 5, June.—K oorevaar,.P. The larval stage of Hypoderma bovis (transl. from Tijds Ned. Dierk. Ver., ’98], Il, July. —Meade, R. H. A descriptive list of the British Cordyl- uridx, 8, July.—Mik, J- On the Dipterous genus Microdon, Wiener Entomologische Zeitung, xviii, 5-6, June 10,’99-—P ratt, F.C. A note ona bred Sczara larva,i02.--Sikora, F. Anew conservation method for Diptera and Microlepidoptera, 84, July 6. —Vignon, P. On the histology of the digestive tube of the larva of Chironomus plumosus, I2, June 26,—-Vilcog, A- The Oestridz, animal parasites, 79, May 6—Wasmann, E. J. Pantel on Thrixion Halidayanum Round. 8. Lepidoptera._Bachmetjew, P. Onthedimensions of Bulga- rian butterflies in comparison with those from Western Europe, 40, May 15, June 1, 15, July 1; See Coleoptera—Bacot, A. Onthe relationship of the Lepidopterous pupa to its larva, 21, July 1.— Beutenmtller, W-.- Synopsis of the species of Melittia of America north of Mexico, with description of a new species,* Bul- letins, American Museum of Natural History, xii, art. 8, New York, June 30, ’99.-Bird, H- Southern Noctuids at Rye, N-Y., 4,June-—Buckler, W. (the late). The larve of the British butterflies and moths, vol. viii. (the concluding portion of the Ge- ometrez). Edited by G. T. Porrit. London: Ray Society,’99. Pls. exxviii-cxlvii-—Butler, A. G- Arevision of the Dismorphina of the New World, with descriptions of new species, 11, May-— Chapman, T. A. A classification of butterflies by their antennze (cont), 21, May 15; Classification of the Acronyctas, 21! July1-—Dognin, P. New Lepidoptera from South America’ 35,5, May 26—Dyar, H. G. Identification of the Euclid larve figured in Glover’s ** [llustrations of North American Entomology,” 102; Descriptions of the larve of fifty North American Noctuids, 102; The phylogeny of the Lasiocampids, 1 pl., 21, June 1; Spdl- osoma congrua Walk., 4, June; [Hampson’s Syatomide, vol. 1 of the Catalogue of Lepidoptera Phalenze of the British Museum], 4, June; Note on the seconary abdominal legs in the Megalopygidx, 1 pl.,6; Note on two Hydroecia larve, 6; The Megalopygid genus Trosia, with description of a new species,*6; New _ species of Syntomide, 6; Life-histories of North American Geomet- ride, ii, iii, 5, July, Aug-: Lepidoptera. See the General Sub- jectt—-Druce, H. Descriptions of some new species of Heter- 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 217 ocera from tropical America,* etc, 1, June.—F rings, C. Ex- periments with low temperature in 1898, 40, June 15, July 1, 15.— Grote, A. R. Ctenucha cressonana, 4, July; Specializations of the Lepidopterous wing: Parnassi-Papilionide [two parts], 3 pls., Proceedings, American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia,. No. 159, Ree’d. August 1,’99.—Guppy, F. L. Ona small col- lection of Lutterflies made chiefly in the Tunapuna valley, Proceed - ings, Victoria Institute of Trinidad, pt. 3, Port-of-Spain,. March, ’99.—Hampson, G. F. Arevision of the moths of the sub- family Pyraustine and family Pyralide, part ii, figs ,- Proceed - ings, Zoological Society of London, 99, pt. i, June1 ; Catalogue of the Syntomide in the collection of the British Museum [being] Vol. 1 of the Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalenze. London: Printed by order of the Trustees. ’98. 559 pp., 285 figs.,* separate atlas of 17 colored plate.—Hampson, G. F. et al. Nomenclature of Lepidoptera, 9, Julv.—Heath, E. F. Leucobrephos midden- dorfi, 4, July.—Hine, J. 8. Additions toa list of butterflies known to have been taken in Ohio,IIl.—H oward. L. O. But- terflies attracted to light at night,102.—Jinichen, R. Con- clusions on carbon dioxide, acid-rigor (heat rigor) and winter sleep in caterpillars,84,Mayll.-—Kaye, W. J. Collecting Lepidop- tera in Jamaica, 31, June 1.—Lathy, P. I. A monograph of the genus Calisto Hibn.,1 pl.,* 36.-Moffat, J H. F. E. Wasmann’s * Psychical Powers of Ants,” 4, Sept.— Zander, E. Contributions to the morphology of the stinging app aratus of Hymenoptera, Zeitschrift f. W ieecnsohett ae Zool- -ogie, 66 Bd., 2 Heft, Leipsic, ’99. ° 0 DOINGS OF SOCIETIES. At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting - Social held June 21st at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South bias street, Philadelphia, atwelve members were present. The death of Dr. H. G. Griffith, a member, was anuodiagialg Prof. Smith exhibited a hermaphroditic specimen of Curtilles sp., received from Washington. The antenne, wings and thorax show male characteristics on one side of the body, whereas on the opposite side they are female, Both the claspers of the male and ovipositor of the femaleare present. He further stated that dragon flies had been reported to be very destructive to honey bees in Colo- rado, béing especially partial to queen bees. The present unusual abundance of Odonata was mentioned, especially schna heros, Mr. Seiss also remarked on the abundance of this species, Mr. H. Wenzel reccided the capture of Sizhcn relustus at Atco N. J. It was found abundantly in the larval and pupalstate in Sphagnum! moss. He also exhibited specimens of Zmesrphorus costalis, new to this region, and Cedius Ziegleri and Adranes coccus, both quite rare, ail ‘oF which he had taken at Clemen- ton, N. J. _ Prof. Smith read a newspaper clipping regarding the occurrence of fire flies in extraordinary abundance. He pointed out that at this early season the fire fly is rather scarce,and stated the article was no doubt greatly exaggerated as is most newspaper entomology. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, death has recently claimed our fellow member, Dr. Horace Greeley Griffith. Be it Resolved, by the Feldman Collecting Social at its regular meet- ing held June 21, 1899, that we express our sincere regret and grief at this serious loss. We honored and esteemed our fellow member for his ability as a collector and student, for his social, qualities and for his many congenial traits that endeared him tous as a compan- ion and fellow worker. Ilis loss isa serious one tous and to our science, and we tender our sincere condolence to the members of his family whose loss is as great as our own. Resolved, further that a copy of this minute be sent to the family of the deceased. Wiu.iam J. Fox, Secretary. © ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. VoL, X. NOVEMBER, 1899. No. 9 CONTENTS: Cockerell—New Species of Andrena Editorial ........., Te Bee -264 frem KanSas.. 2... .....200-++eee ees OP) ge ak ae Seiten Ate» Act”: of Collscting. |YS™ and } COW M ns s fossndd = -0s = sagagee Catocala... ...ssee.--+-sseeseeee 256) Entomological mie .266 Nature Studies ..........- .......006-- 258 Doings oft Societies. .............8.... 271 The Psocids of an Old Snake Fence.. .260 The Digger Wasp WHXGHAUNZOS. ©. 5. .Gic wangiunccceec cease i, ii NEW SPECIES OF ANDRENA FROM KANSAS. By T. D. A. CocKERELL, New Mexico Agricultural College. Andrena kansensis, n. sp.— J. Baldwin, Kansas, April. (J. C. Bridwell.) Two. Andrena bridwelli, 1. sp.— cd. Baldwin, Kansas, April. (Bridwell.) Two. eut, April 30, 1893. Also one from Hartford, Connecti- (S. N. Dunning.) I formerly thought this a yariety of A. cressoni. Andrena cragini, 1. 8sp—dc. Baldwin, Kansas, August. (Bridwell.) One. Named after Prof. F. W. Cragin, who published a list of Hymenoptera, which he col- leeted in Barber Co., Kansas. These species will be best identified by means of the follow- ing table: Male Andrene of North America, with the abdomen not ferrugi- nous, and the clypeus and lateral face-marks yellow or white. Abdomen of the tesselate and hardly or not punctured type 1, Abdomen distinctly punctured . . gee Ses 1. Very small, not over 6 millim. lense, whitish face marks personata Rob. 554 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov Larger, between 7 and 9 millim., face-marks yellow or yellowish 2006's) 69 ri 8 ee, ot a 2. Late summer and autumn species, lateral face-marks only a spot... - Sed tee Vernal species, lateral tine: aries iriniipalen ‘tea about 84 millilim.; pubescence dull white, long and quite abundant, on abdomen thin but conspicuous, not forming bands; only two submarginal cells; sixth ven- tral abdominal segment with a projecting point on each Side . . . . . « (Parandrena) andrenoides Cress. 3. Thorax with sparse, feeble punctures, its pubescence dirty white; sixth ventral segment of abdomen’ normak.: 32-5 . . . asteris Rob. Thorax minutely becoliaie. with ware strong, quite numer- ous punctures, its pubescence pale ferruginous ; sixth ventral segment of abdomen with the apical margin broadly reflexed. Length 8 millim.,black,the pubescence pale ferruginous, or reddish-ochreous ; facial quadrangle about square ; clypeus with strong, well-separated punc- tures ; front véry densely striate-punctate ; flagellum, except the first joint, dull ferruginous beneath ; clypeus bright lemon-yellow, with two conspicuous black spots ; lateral marks reduced to small round yellow spots ; pro- cess of labrum broad, truncate, with a shallow emargi- nation ; enclosure of metathorax granular, hardly de- fined ; tegule shining brown ; wings dusky, stigmaand ~ nervures ferruginous ; tarsi dark, but inclined to fer- ruginous; abdomen rather shiny, more distinctly punc- tate than usual in the group; hind margins of the second and following segments with pale ochreous hair- bands . ,°. .% .°%. * -cragint Omi eee 4, Clypeus only partly yellow ; autumnal species . . 5. Clypeus light, except the usual dots ; vernal species 6. 5. Sides of elypeus black, wings dusky at apex, first two abdominal segments with orange fulvous bands. aliciarum Ckll. Anterior margin of clypeus broadly black, wings clear. pulchella Rob. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 255 6. Face-markings lemon-yellow .-. . ... .. 7. Face-markings cream-color . . ...... . 9. 7. Lateral face-marks in the form of a square, with the lower inner angle cut off by the clypeus, the upper side straight and about level with the lower edge of the antennal sockets, forming a right aS with the orbital margin. .. a sy BES Bi Lateral face-marks isiine a sehvly eid atid triangle, the upper angle about level with the top of the elypeus; pubescence dull white; flagellum dark ; process of la- brum truncate, but the edge concave; stigma and nervures bright orange-fulvous ; apex of abdomen be- neath a little brush of dark hair, present also in cressoni. All else as in cressoni. . . . bridwelli Ckll., n. sp. . Pubescence dull white .. . . . eressoni Rob. Pubescence orange-fulvous; all the tarsi, and the hind tibiz, except a suffused aE within, beige ferruginous ; femora and first four tibie black ; ‘process of labrum with a concave truncation ; antenne dark ; sometimes a small yellow supraclypeal patch ; wings a little dusky at tips, stigma and nervures bright orange fulvous; other characters as in cressoni . kansensis, Ckll., n. sp. 9. Length 12 millim.; fliesin June . . rudbeckie, Rob. Not over 8 millim.; fly in March and April . . 10. 10. Larger ; flagellum dark . capricornis Casad and Ckll. Smaller (6 millim.), flagellum ferruginous beneath. primulifrons Casad . Mr. Bridwell also sent an example of Calliopsis verbene Ckll. and Porter, ined., collected at Baldwin, Kansas, inJuly. This species, the type locality of which is Las Vegas, N. M., is allied to C. andreniformis, but differs in the face-marks (2) as follows: Clypeus strongly but not closely punctured, shining, black, with the anterior margin broadly white; no supra- clypeal mark ; lateral white marks triangular, with the inner angle cut off, the upper angle not reaching the level of the antenne ; labrum with a transverse light mark, 256 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov THE. “ART” OF COLLECTING CATOCALA. — By H. Scowarz, St. Louis, Mo. I suppose almost every collector of Lepidoptera has more or less made the acquaintance of collecting Catocala, and found it to be a most vexing task, owing to the difficulties involyed in the undertaking. . I have tried various methods. One is that of spearing them with a bow and arrow, only that I used the weapon on a small scale. It is madeof a willow twig about eightinches long and three-fourths of an inch in diameter. This is hollowed out ~ anda stick to fit the inside (one inch longer than the hollow “one) is supplied. Three needles are then inserted into one end of the stick in a triangular form and so that their pointed ends are outward. A stout wire about three inches long is then fas- tened about threeand one-half inches from one end of the hollow piece in such a manner that about one inch of wire will extend from each side of the wood. A medium-sized rubber is then fastened—one end to each of the extending wires—so that it will lay over the hollow piece without being expanded. Now insert the stick (the one holding the needles) into the hollow one and your gun is ready for action. This instrument has a great drawback, owing to the experience needed to operate it. A novice will invariably either damage the specimen, so as to render it unfit for the cabinet, or miss his would-be captive altogether ; probably the latter. Another method is ‘‘the cyanide bottle.’”? This is very simple, but more profitable than the preceding. The speci- men must be approached with extreme care and the bottle placed over it with great dexterity. The last but most satis- factory method is collecting with the net. A little practice will enable the collector to secure his prize almost every time a hit is made; at least such was my experience. As it may Bio be of interest to beginners in the ‘‘art’’ of collecting Catocala to know how this is done to the best ad- vantage, I will here give a description. During the months of June, July and August the Catocala-hunter of this section will find his game in dark, moist places, heavily timbered with oak, elm and other rough-barked trees. Owing to the similar coloration of the forewings (primaries) in the genus 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 257 Catocala to that of the bark of most trees they are not easily detected. Often a novice will be doomed to disappointment in seeing what he supposed to be a fine specimen, a piece of pro- jected bark, or the like. Again he will be misled by mis- taking what looks from a distance like a bit of tree-moss, bark or one of the many things that look so similar, for a splendid specimen of that large genus, Catocala. In short, ‘‘ experince teaches,’ and never have these words held truer than in this very instance. When a place like the one described is found the collector must exercise great care in moving among the trees. Always. ~ approach the tree you are about to examine from the shady . side. Do not get closer than is necessary in order to detect any specimen that may be hidden in the furrows of the bark. When having spied a specimen approach it very slowly and move as little foliage as possible. When the rim of the net will just about touch the object on which your Noctuid is situ- ated place it very cautiously about three or four inches from the insect, with part of net-rim touching tree, of course with open side of net toward the moth. Now, without waiting for the insect to fly, make a brisk dash toward it with your net, and (if you have been swift enough) the prize is yours, when it must be stopped from fluttering in the net at once. This is done by giving it no room to move about. Place your thumb and forefinger beneath the wings on thorax and give a smart squeeze, which will at once end its struggles to escape. Ex- perience has taught me never to wait for the insect to fly, for nine times out of ten you will miss it. To testify that net-collecting is a most satisfactory method I can do no better than state that on the 21st of June, this year, my brother and I captured forty-three specimens in two and one-half hours. [Nore.— We do uot believe it is possible to collect Catocal@ in a perfect condition by means of a net, and there is no collector who would have rubbed specimens. The best way istouse four needles set ina handle,at right angles toeach other and between one-eighth and one-fourth inch apart. The needles are thrust through the thorax and the specimens taken in this way are faultless. The next best way is touse a well-charged, wide-mouthed cyanide jar.—Ebs. ] 258 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov NATURE STUDIES. The appended newspaper clippings describe the plan of work of an organization which was started in this place last spring, and the enclosed clippings, all from our local paper, give some idea of what we have accomplished. I send these to you, thinking that some of the readers of THE NEws might like to try some such plan in other places. As a result of the organization here, the number of people very much inter- ested in entomology has increased from one to seven. Yours truly, W.R. Howarp, Belfast, Maine. Those interested in nature studies met at the High School room last Monday evening and listened attentively to a talk on birds by Rey. A. A. Smith. Mr. Smith is a close observer of birds, their life and habits, and from a classification, in their common English names, written on the blackboards, and from specimens and pic= tures, talked interestingly for about an hour. The individual members of common famiiies were taken separately and something of interest in regard to the name and habits was given. Mr W.R, Howard on “ Moths and Butterflies.” and Mr, Smith on “ Bird Life,” were very fortunate selections of speakers and subjects, and for next week Rev. J. M. Leighton on the “ Early Spring Flow- ers’? must of necessity be as interesting from his love and knowl- edge of them. While these gatherings are informal in some re- spects, they are creating a deeper interest in nature at the season of the vear most favorable. Mr. Howard, as chairman of the special committee appointed at the first meeting, reported that the com- mittee thought it advisable to form two associations. To form the Agassiz Chapter of the school children, and those out of school into an independent class not connected with the Chapters in any way, but to jointly enjoy the general talks. A sensational article is going the rounds of the plate matter papers: giving a feirful account of the work of a new and daugerous insect called the ‘: strangling bug,’ from its habit of striking its vietims: in the neck. The description, illustration and scientific name (Be nacus griseus), are those of avery common and harmless insect, commonly called the water boatman or electric light bug. It lives. in the water, but is caught in July flying about electric street lights with the beetles and moths. One member of the Belfast Nature Club has six specimens caught this season, and the insect was socommon that many were allowed to escipe. This alleged terror belongs to the order Hemiptera. It is about two inches long, brown in color, with large gauzy wings, which fold closely upon the back. The hind legs are strong for swimming and it has. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 259 glassy beadlike eyes. It is handled in this vicinity as carelessly as the common June bug and no person has been hurt. Last Monday those of the Nature Club who are interested in botany and entomology went on a buckboard ride to Herrick’s bog in Northport. The day was beautiful, the company jolly and every- thing pleasant, with the exception of the tramp on the bog. That was “simply horrible.’ It was a lost opportunity for the most amateurish snap shot freak. The streams in a bog are not very good places for a seat, as two of the party realized. But then it was in the interest of science. “It wasa great day for butterflies.” A member of the Fourth ot July horribles committee improved some of the time in rehearsals. The doctor of the party disappeared and caused some uneasiness, but appeared just five minutes before the time fixed to start home aud when some of the gentlemen had found courage to organizea rescue party. One of the ministers went on a foraging tramp ahead and caused just a few hoots to be _ Sent up. Everything considered, it was'a very decorous crowd. Two entirely new flowers were added to the general collection—a new Gaylussacia anda corydalis—while the individual herbariums were increased by some common specimens. A recent convert to en- tomology, who had formerly flocked with the ornithologists, showed that he was not entirely free from the spell of his first love by vainly ~ attempting to capture a hen in a butterfly net. After having driven about a mile and a half on the way home, it was found that one of the ladies had left her umbrella behind, and a dignified city official gallantly sprinted back to get it, making the round trip in something less than five minutes. The next outing will be with Mrs. E. S. Pitcher at the battery shore. . There was a small attendance at the meeting of the Nature ( lub, Friday evening, on account of severalj members having other engagements. The roll-call showed that a large majority of the members prefer the study of botany. The meeting adjourned to Monday evening. At the adjourned meeting Monday evening Rev. J. M. Leighton was chosen vice president and John R Dunton treasurer, this com- pleting the organization. The dues were fixed at five cents per month. It was voted to hold the regular meetings the second Mon- day evening of each month. Methods of work, etc., were discussed; and arrangements will be made for field work by the classes at once. The executive committee state, for the benefit of interested parties who have not yet joined. that the only requisites of mem- be.ship are signing the constitution and paying thedues. Members may act theirown pleasure or convenience as to the amount or nature of their studies Most of the members will do individual field work, as many have done in the past, and in addition there will be class work and field work by small parties. Some members collect or make observations of whatever they see in any branch of 260 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov natural history that interests them, while perhaps they are spe- cially studying one branch. The outlook for the club is highly en- couraging, as the members are a]l enthusiastic, and others, who are equally interested, expect to join at the next meeting. O THE PSOCIDS OF AN OLD SNAKE-FENCE. By NATHAN BANKS. One evening in the later part of August, while engaged in the occupation of wheeling the baby, I noticed om her dress a small black insect. The ever ready empty vial was brought into service; and, by the aid of a glass, I saw that the insect was a black Psocid, quite new to me. Several black Psocids I had taken, but all with a paler area in the wings ; in this one there was no such pale space. In afew moments another speci- men was taken in a similar position. By the road-side were growing trees, cherry, wild cherry and maple, and I surmised that on the trunk of one of these the Psocid would be found in numbers. Early next evening I looked but saw none, so began vigorously beating the shrubbery ; but no black Psocid. While contemplating the situation I saw a specimen on the sleeve of my outing shirt. Somewhere around here they are, that’s certain; but trunk-gazing and bush-beating brought no — reward. Ina few days came a holiday, and at once I went to explore the region of the black Psocid. Near the row of trees: commences an old snake or worm-fence, running back for some distance. On this, I thought, might be a Psocid. Sure enough ; but a pale-winged one! Lots of them, eggs, nymphs and adults. It seemed at first to be Psocus quietus; but, on examination, I saw it was different and agreed with specimens of Psocus perplecus Walsh. After taking a few of these I saw a few specimens plainly larger, much like P. striatus, but less marked. These turned out to be Psocus purus Walsh. Both of these I thought ‘‘good finds,’’ and I laid in a supply of them; but no sign of a black Psocid. In the afternoon I started to explore the entire length of that fence. I had gone but a short distance when I saw, on one of the lower rails, a dead black Psocus, the one I was looking for. Examination of all the rails abové showed only the two pale species. The 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 261 rails were old and full of cracks and crevices. For some unknown reason I pulled off a partly loose piece, and there, on the under side, were four black Psocids, sitting, as happy as could be. ‘“That,’’ I said, “is it; they are inside of the rails.”’ Piece after piece I pulled off and found plenty of the blaek species. Finally, fearing the farmer’s wrath, for the partial destruction of his fence, I hurried away to my room.. While hunting for this species I came across a few specimens of that widespread but rarely seen little Psocid, Amphientomum hageni Pack. This made four species of Psocide from that old snake-fence—a very good showing. Psocus perplecus Walsh, the most common of all, is a pale- winged species, living in colonies on the outside of the rails. There egg masses were common and contained about twenty eggs on theaverage. Nymphs andadults were grazing together on the under surface of the rails. The nymphs transform to adults in the morning, clinging to the under side of a rail; the soft white wings drooping while expanding. The adults are very pale at first, but in day or so get the proper colors ~ and are then quite pretty. They will not fly readily, but run when disturbed. Psocus purus Walsh. Larger and paler than the preceding ; no markings on wings, except a black doton posterior margin. These are less common and more scattered than P. perplexus, but have the same habits. Psocus,n.sp. Black ; the veins dotted with white. Found in groups of from three to six beneath loose pieces of the rails. They are not easily disturbed and do not run quickly. They evidently fly at twilight, for pairing and migration, and are then attracted to white surfaces. The nymph was not found. Amphientomum hageni Pack. This hides in a crack or under a piece of lichen. It has much resemblance to a Tineid moth. It does not take readily to flight, but runs from one crack to another.. The nymphs, contrary to the usual rule in Psocide, is quite flat, and looks much like one of the bird-lice. 262 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov THE DIGGER WASP. : (From Hartford ( Ct.) Times, September 21, 1899.) It appears that there are other insects besides the ant that bur row in soils composed of a light sandy loams generally selecting a sidewalk flagging, or an old stump, under which they carry on their burrowing-—leaving, as our correspondent said, little heaps of the soil to show their industry. The query of our correspondent (in Tuesday’s 7'’mes) was answered that the insect was the ant. Now the ant does throw up such little sand-heaps as those men- tioned by our correspondent; but so does the bigger insect that makes the little niounds he speaks of. This larger insect is a spe cies of fossorial wasp—commonly called the Digger Wasp, and which was described two yearsago by The Times These formid- able looking wasps are useful as destroyers of grasshoppers It is an interesting part of Nature’s great system of checks and balances by which an equilibrium is maintained, thus preventing the undue increase of any one species, whether ot insects or creatures. An ob- server a few days since found afemale Digger Wasp filling her nest with grasshoppers, to serve as food for the larve until they are developed far enough to go through with their transformations The wasp here spoken of does not kill the insects with her sting. but paralyzes them, so that they will remain good food for the larve. Some spidersdo the same thing. The Digger Wasp is closely related to the **mud dauber” wasps, which make nests of clay in barns. sheds, garrets, etc., and we believe also paralyze the insects they store up for their progeny. It is tue female that makes the nest and uses her sting. It is one of the many wonderful pro- yisions in the insect world of what we call (but sometimea igno- rantly) ‘‘animal instinct.” At present the wasps are filling their nests with grasshoppers Norr.—The wasp the article is trying to describe is undoubtedly Zachytes, as the. S. Sfeciosus is not all common here, while tho ,7achytes is very common his year,—_S N. DUNNING ray Natick, Mass., August 29, 1899. EDITORS OF ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws.—lI enclose a clipping from The Boston Traveller for July 28th, which I think is de- serving of repetition in your paper. Having long been a stu- dent of insect life, it struck me that it would be an exceedingly interesting sight to see caterpillars emerging full grown from cocoons, and so made haste to investigate, but to my great sor- row none of the caterpillars were obliging enough to emerge to please me, and so I was denied a chance to record the won- derful occurrence for your readers. What I did find was that the trees were really loaded with cocoons of Orgyia leucostima, Most seemed to be empty and many wee covered with the 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. : 263 egg clusters left by the female. I only saw one living larva, and he did not come from a cocoon. Respectfully yours, E. J. SMITH. Every lover of Boston Common has reason for alarm and right- eous indignation. Its trees, especially the American elms and lin- dens, are literally covered with cocoons, each containing a well- developed caterpillar, almost ready to begin his career of devasta- tion. There are not simply tens of thousands of the voracious pests—there are millions of them There are thousands on indi- vidual trees. Caterpillars are already to be seen crawling upon the trunks. The ends of branches are already eaten bare of leaves- Have we money to expend for the extermination of the English sparrow, whom everybody allows does occasionally at least attack a caterpillar, and none to spend for the destruction of the crawling nuisance itself? Are there thousands of dollars for artistic flower beds in the public garden, and nothing available for the glorious trees of Boston Common? It is said that a whitewash of lime will instantly destroy the cocoons. Men should to-day begin this work and hasten it with every possible means. It should have been done weeks ago. ray Vv Pror. Snyper and I had another jaunt up:City Creek caijion before he left here and we caught some few things more. Thecla chrysa- dus was just coming out and we took a few fine specimens. Speaking of this species, 1 visited one{of the cafions about twenty miles north of this city August 27th, where | found it by the thousand, but as it was so late in the season they were all worn,and after catching two or three dozen of them and finding none that were good enough to keep, I ceased molesting them. Also took at the same time a rather poor specimen of Pamphila scudderi The latter part of our summer, z. e., since about August Ist, the weather has been so cool and autumnal in its character, and the warm weather was so late coming, that it bas made the season seem so re- markably short. But the past three weeks have been remarkable in the unusual appearance of the large, brightly silvered form of A7- gynnis snyder, the one with the bright red on the lower side of the secondary wings. During previous years I have never found but two specimens of Argynnis in Salt Lake Valley ; that is, outside of the cafions, and those two were seep last year. Within the past few days, however, there have been dozens of snyderz flying about the streets,even to the centre of the business portion of the town. These were nearly all apparently good clean specimens, and all of the large form But one seldom hasa net handy for such unex- pected things, and I only succeeded in taking two specimens of them. I suspect that this species has established itself on the garden violet in our city. Prof. Snyder has written me that he found this form just emerging in the mountains east of Ogden about the last of July.—G Wes.ry Brownine, Salt Lake City, Utah. 264. [Nov ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author’s name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers. } : To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to- date of reception. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, as to make it necessary to put “copy” into the hands of the printer for each number three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five “extras,” without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the num- ber desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep, PHILADELPHIA, PA., NOVEMBER, 1899. There is nothing like the amount of exchanging of specimens going on among entomologists as there should be, and one of the reasons for this is careless collecting. The person that is careful and neat does not care to have his or her collection marred by ragged and flown specimens and is thus deterred from exchanging. Many also think they have little to ex- change, but such is not the case, as there is probably no local- _ ity in this country that does not produce some desirable spe- cies. The local collector should make a special effort to get four or five good species in abundance and in faultless condi- tion, and there would be very little question but what many — persons would be glad to have a set, no matter how long they have been collecting. The writer of this notice has been col- lecting for about thirty years, yet he never fails to replace poor specimens by better ones as opportunity offers. Let the be- ginners and even advanced students try this plan and put their exchange notices in THE News and the results will doubt- less be gratifying. As an example, a Philadelphia lepidop- terist could put ina notice like this: ‘‘I have faultless exam- ples of Papilio turnus glaucus ; Anthocharis genutia ; Argynnis- bellona and idalia; Pieris protodice ; Terias nicippe; Neonympha. canthus ; Thecla augustus, Pamphila massasoit, metea, zabulon.”’ Now we feel quite sure there are many persons who would be glad to get a set of some of these species in faultless condition- in exchange for sume of those they could get equally perfect. ‘One fine specimen is worth no end of trash.’’ 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 265 Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. Sd THE insect mentioned on page 247 of the October NEws was a pink katydid.—The species was not given —Eps. TO A MOSQUITO. O, tiny insect, pity take ; Go hence ; the haunts of man forsake, We pray you. For should our baser passions wake, You’ll rue the day—make no mistake ; We'll slay you. For many weary years, it’s true, table @ hote we’ve furnished you All gratis. ~ When you had nothing else to do — And that was pretty often, too— You ate us. With cheerful buzz you’d ply your sting, And then away would gaily wing, So fleet, oh! But now you’ve had your little fling, Begone —or we'll not do a thing, Mosquito ! RoBERT T. Harpy, JR. Mr. H. H. Newcoms, of Boston, Mass., announces the -sudden death of Mr. M.C. Stevenson, of Salt Lake City. Utah, who died last June from an acute attack of appendicitis. The deceased was interested in Lepidoptera. IT am engaged in a special study of the Lepidopterous genus,. Plusia,and hope at some time to publish an illustrated monograph of the N. A. species. I have at present examples of about fifty species, many, however, represented by but single specimens. I should welcome any assistance ia this work, either in the form of specimens (for which [ will give ample return in exchange or cash), or in the following manner: I earnestly request each collector who reads this paragraph to send me a list of the species of Plusta present in his collectidn, with a statement of the localities of cap- ture. If all collectors would aid me in this simple way, I shall very quickly be enabled to publish an article showing the geo- graphical distribution of the genus. Lawait the results of this re- quest.as it will ina measure demonstrate who are ready todoa little work for the advancement of knowledge, and who are afflicted with what Mr Grote once aptly termed “ the greed of possession ”’ —possession being the sole aim of their labors. Due credit will be given to all who aid me in any manner.—R. Sree ee: 115 Madi- son avenue, New York City. — 266 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov Psocus spEctosus, Aaron.—A single specimen of this species was collected at Dripping Spring, Organ Mountains, New Mexico, August 20, 1898, by Martin D. Cockerell and José Mendoza. I am indebted to Mr. N. Banks for assistance in its determination. This pretty species was described from North Carolina and was not ex- pected so far west. This is the first record of a Psocéd from New Mexico.—T, D. A. CoCKERELL. ray Vv Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT, Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pereining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species,will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num- bered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain- ing them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, F'rench, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 4. The Canadian Entomologist, London, Ont., Oct ,’99.—5.Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., Oct.,’99.—6. Journal of the New York Entomo- logical Society, Sept., ’99.-8. The Entomologist’s Monthly Maga- zine, London, Oct., ’?99.—Il. The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, London, Sept.,’99.—2I. The Eutomologist’s Record, London, Sept. 15, ’99.—35. Annales, Société Entomologique de Belgique, xliii, 7, Brussels, July - 29, ’99.—41. Entomologische Nachrichten, Berlin, °99.—45. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 99, Ites Lepidopter- ologisches Heft, Berlin, Sept. 15.—50. Proceedings, U. 8. National Museum, Washington, xxii, ’99.—55. Le’ Naturaliste, Paris, *99.— . 58 Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Valparaiso, 799.—60. An- ales, Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires, vi, ’99—64. Annalen, K. K. Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums, xiii, 1-3, Vienna,’98, rec’d. Oct. ’99, —70. Journal, Institute of Jamaica, ii, Kingston,’99.—79. La Nature, Paris, ’99.—8I. Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, ’99 — 116. Zool- ical Bulletin, ii, 6, Boston, Sept. ’99.—1I7. Schriften des Vereines zur Verbreitung naturwissenschaftlicher Kenntnisse in Wien, XXxXix, ’99. . The General Subject—Bordage, E. On the spiral mode of growth of appendages in course of regeneration in Arthropods, Comptes Rendus, L’Academie des Sciences, Paris, Sept. 4, 799.— Boutan, L. Tracheates, Periplaneta orientalis, figs-, and Janet, C. Hymenoptera, the Ant., figs. in: Zoologie Descrip_ tive, Anatomie, Histologie et Dissection des Formes Typiques d'In- vertébrés [Redacteur L. Boutan] Paris, Octave Doin, 2 vols, 1900.— Brunner von Wattenwyl, C. The coloration of in- sects, I7.—de Bruyne, C. On the intervention of phagocy- tosis in the development of the Invertebrates, 5 pls., Memoires 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 267 Couronnés et Memoires des Xavants Etrangers publiés par l’ Acade- mie Royale des Sciences, etc., de Belgique, xli, Brussels, Dec , ’97, to July, ’9.—Carpenter, G. H. Insects, their Structure aud Life. See review,post.-Chapman, T. A. The theory ofem- boitement, 2l—Enteman, M. M. The unpaired ectodermal structures of the Antennata, figs.,.6—Harris, T. W- Manu- seript notes by the late T. W. Harris on Say’s insects and papers, ii{S H. Scudder, editor],5.—Porter, C. E. Essay towards a Chilian bibliography of Natural History, 58, July, Aug.— Poulton, E. B.,and Sanders, C. An experimental in- quiry into the struggle for existence in certain common insects, Report of the Sixty-eighth Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Bristol, Sept.,’98, London, 99. —Silvestri, F. Geographical distribution of Koenenia mtrabilis Grassi and other. Arthropods. Peripatoides Blainvillet (Blanch.), Zoologischer Anzeiger, Leipsic, Sept. 18, 799. Economic Entomology.— A non. ‘The present position of the inves- tigation of the malarial parasite, Nature, London, Sept. 7, ’99.— Anon. [Results of the German Malaria Expedition], Insekten Borse, Leipsic, Oct. 5, °99-—-Bolle, J. Thesilk-worm of the mulberry trees, its culture, diseases and the means for combatting them, 17.-F letcher, J. Worm snakes and suake worms, Ot- tawa Naturalist,Oct. ’99.—Green, E. E. Ona tea pest from India, figs.,8.—del Guercio, G. Contributions to the study of the forms and the life-bistory of Phleothrips olee and on some new soap mixtures of carbon bisulphide and nicotine as insecticides, fig.. Bulletino, Societa Entomologica Italiana, xxx, 3-4, Florence, Aug 31, ’99; Contributions to the study of the forms and of the life-history of Trama radicis Kaltenbach, with a note on the systematic position of the genus in the family Aphide, figs., thid.- Lochhead, W. Dermestes lardarius in honeycomb. 4. —de Loverdo, J. The tsetse fly disease, 79, Sept. 9.—de Mériel, P. Steam engine for insecticide powders, fig., 79, tept-2- Pettit, R. H. The clover root mealy bug., figs., 4. —Schaudinn, F. Alternation of generations of the Coccidie and the new malaria researches, Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft der Naturforschenden Freunde, Berlin, July 18,’99.-Slinger- land, M. V. The cherry fruit-fly,a new cherry pest, figs.. 1 pl., Bulletin 172, Sept-,’99, [and] Emergency Report on Tent Cat- erpillars, figs-, Bulletin 170, Cornell University Agric. Exper. Sta- tion, Ithaca, N. Y., May, ’99.—Troop, J. The San José and other scale insects and the Indiana Nursery Inspection Law, Purdue University Indiana'Agric. Exper. Station, Bulletin No. 78, La Fay- ette, Ind., May.’99.—W ilcox, E. V. Abstracts of recent liter- ature, Experiment Station Record, xi,1,U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, ’99. Arachnida—Goeldi, E. A. Arachnological studies relating to Brazil (cont.) [in Portuguese], Boletim do Museu Paraense de 268 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov Historia Natural e Ethnographia, II, 4, Para, Dec., ’98. Rec d- Oct., 99. Myriopoda.—Porter, C. E. Introduction to the study of the Myriopods (concl.) [in Spanish], 58, June. Apterygota- Banks, N. TheSmynthuride of Long Island, New York,*6.—Silvestri, F. Brief comparative description of Lepidocampa Oudms , with Campodea Westw., 2 pls., 60. Orthoptera.—_B outan, L. See the General Subject —Fle y - mons, R. On vesicular organs in grasshoppers, figs , ~itzungs- berichte der kéniglichen preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Berlin, June 15, 799.—Morse, A. P. New North American Tettigine, iii,* 6—Timpel, R. Die Geradfliigler Mittel- europas. Eisenach, M. Wilckens. Lieferung5. [Pp. 97-136, figs, 25-46, pls. xv-xvii.] Rec'd. Oct., 799. Neuroptera.—Kellogg, V. L. A list of the biting lice (Mal- lophaga) taken from birds and mammais of North America, 50, No. 1183.—Tutt, J. W. Migration and dispersal of insects :; Odon- ata, 21. : Hemiptera.—_—C ockerell, T. D. A. Tables for the deter- mination of the genera of Coccide,4.-—Cooley, R. A. The Coccid genera Chionaspis and Hemichionaspis,- 9 pls Special Bulletin, Hatch Experiment >tation of the Massachusetts Agric. College, Amherst, Mass. -Aug. 10, 799 Distant, W. L. Rhynchotal notes, Heteroptera: Plataspine, Thyreocorine and Cydnine, Il_—Green, E. E.. Observations on some species of Coccide of the genus Cerop/astes in the collection of the British Museum,1 pl,fl.—del Guercio. G. See Economic Ento- mology -Heidemann, O. A new species of Tingitiaz,* 4-— King, G. B. A new Pulvinaria from Massachusetts, figs , 5. —Kirkaldy. G. W. On some aquatic Rbynchota from Ja- maica [reprint from Entomologist, London, Feb. 1899], 70.—L a n- der, B. Note on the seventeen-vear Cicada,6.-Melichar, L. Monograph of the Ricaniidse (Homoptera), 6 pls.,* 64.—P ar- rott, P. J, New Coccids from Kansas,* figs., 4. Coleoptera.- Chobaut, A. Habits and metamorphoses of Platypsylius castoris Rits, figs, 55, Sept 1— Cockerell, T. D. A. A nervy Meloid beetle parasitic on Anthophora, 4.— Davis, T-. W. Whirligig beetles taking a sun-bath, 6.— Ganglbauer, L_ Die Kifer von Mitteleuropa, IIL Bd, 2te Hilfte. Familienreihe Cluvicornia, 16 text figs Wien. ‘ arl Ger- old’s Sohn. 1899. Pp. 409 to 1046.—H orn, W- Ontheclassifi- — cation of the Cicindelide, 45 (Coleopterologisches heft 1, July) — Jacobyv, M. Descriptions of new species of South American phytuphagous Coleoptera, Entomologist, London, Oct., ’99.— Kerremans, C. Contrilution to the study of the American intertropical fauna, Buprestide, ii,* 35.—Schulz, W. A. On the life-history of the South American Cerambycid genus Hippopsis, 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 269 figs , 41, July.—Seidlitz. G. Coleoptera Vter Bd , 2te Hilfte’ 3te Lieferung, in Naturgeschichte der Insekten Deutschlands begon- nen von Dr. W. F. Erichson, Berlin, ‘99. [Pp. 681-968 Oedem- eride|.—Xambeu, Capt. Habits of Ateuchys laticollis L., a Coleopter of the group of coprophagous Lamellicorns, 55, Sept. 15- Diptera —Coquillett, D. W. New generaand species of Dexide *6—Doane. R. W. Notes on Trypetidx, with descrip- tions of new species,* 2 pls.,6.—Girschner, E. Contribu- tion to the life-history and classification of the Muscide, figs., 41, June—Hough, G-deN. Synopsis of the Calliphorine of the United States,* figs.,16-—Riibsaamen, E. H. Communica- tions on newand known galls from Europe, Asia, Africa and Amer- ica, figs., 2 pls., 41, Aug, and Sept.; On the living habits of the Cecidomyide, ii, iii, 81, Sept. 1 and 15.-W heeler,W- M. New species of Dolichopodide from the United States,* 4 pls, Proceedings, California Academy of >ciences (3) ii, 1, San Fran- cisco, Sept. 29, 799. Lepidoptera. Aurivillius, C-. Rhopalocera ethiopica: the butterflies of the Ethiopian faunal region,a systematic geograph- ical study, 6 pls., figs. Kongl. Svenska Vetenskips Akademiens Handlingar, xxxi, 5. Stockholm. ’98. Rec’d Oct. 5, ’99.—von Bonninghausen, V. Contribution to knowledge of the Lepidopterous fauna of Rio de Janeiro, tribus Sphingide, 45.— Cockerell, T. D. A. A new Nociuid of the genus Cirro- phanus,* 4.—Coquillett, D. W. On the early stages of some California Lepidoptera.6.—Dogniu, P. New Heterocera from South America, 35.—Druce, H. Descriptions of some new species of Heterocera, 1.—Dyar, H. G- Description of the larva of Hadena miseloides Guen., 4 ; Life-history of Hypsoropha hormos Hibn , 4; Life-histories of North American Geometrid: v. 5; Life-history of a European slug-caterpillar. Cochlidion avel- tana,1 pl,6; A new genus of Cochlidionide from Virginia, 6.— Gauckler, H. Double cocoons of Saturnia spini, 45.— Grose-Smith, H. Rhopalocera Exotica, being illustrations of new, rare, or unfigured species of butterflies With colored draw- ings and descriptions Loudon: Gurney and Jackson. Part 49, July, °99--Grote, A. R. Thediphylism of the diurnal Lepi- doptera,4.—H of mann, O. Remarks on * Experimente!tle Zool- ogische Studien mit Lepidopteren by Dr. M Standfuss, 45.— Lathy, P. J Butterflies and moths, 70.-v. Linden, M. On Franz Friedmann’s *‘ Ueber die Pigmentbildung in den Schmetterlingsfliigeln,” 81, Sept.15.-Mevrick. E Macrolepi- doptera in: Fauna Hawaiiensis or the Zoology of the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Isles: Being results of the explorations instituted by the joint committee appointed by the Royal Society of London.. and the British Association for the Advancement of Science and carried on with the assistance of those bodies and of the Trustees 270 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum at Honolulu. Ed- ited by David Sharp, vol. 1, part ii, pp. 128--75, pls. iii-vii- Cambridge, University Press, June 8,’99.-Moore, F. Lepi- doptera Indica, part xxxix. London, Lovell Reeve & Co., 799. Rec’d. Sept. 28. [Pp’33-64, pls. 303-308, Vol. 4 Nymphalinze-Limenitina. ] —Rothschild, W. and Jordan, K. A monograph of Charaxes and the allied prionopterous genera (cont.), figs Novi- tates Zoologice, vi, 2; Tring, Aug. 15,’99 -Schaus, W. New species of Lithosiide from trupicil America,* 6.-Schwartze, E. To knowledge of the development of the gut of Lepidop- tera, 4 pls., Zeitschrift far Wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Ixvi, 3, Leip- sic, Sept. 22.99. Smith, J. B. New species of nocturnal moths of the genus Campometra and notes,* 50, No..1184.—Ste ven - son, C. Chlorippe celtis Bd.-Lec. captured on Montreal Island, 4.—Stichel, H. Critical remarks on the specific determina- tion of butterflies, i, Catonephele and Nesswa Hbn.. figs ,1 pl., Berliner Entomologische Zeitung, xliv, 1-2, July, ’99.—W ey mer, G. Papilio orthosilaus, n sp., 41, July. Hymenoptera.—Ashmead, W. H. Classification of the ento- ° mophilous wasps, or the superfamily Sphegoidea, v,4.—Burger- stein, A. Plants and Ants, Wiener Llustrirte Garten- Zeitung, Aug. and Sept.,’99.—-Cockerell, T. D. A. The Panurgine bees,5; See also Coleoptera.—F owler, C. The Habropoda and Didasia of California,» 4—-F riese, H. Monograph of the bee genera Megacilissa, Caupolicana, Diphaglossa and Oxea, 64.— Janet, C. See Boutan L. and Janet C. in the General Subject.— Konow, F.W. New South American Tenthredinide, 60.— Krieger, R. Onsome Ichneumonid genera allied to Pimpla, 1 pl.. Sitzungsberichte der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, Leipsic, ~ *97-’98. Rec'd. Oct.’99.—Perez, J. Three new Megachile from Chili, 58,Jnly.—Sladen, F. W UL. Bomb in captivity and habits of Psithyrus, 8. oO Insects, THEIR STRUCTURE AND LIFE. A PRIMER OF ENTOMOLOGY , By GrorGe H. CARPENTER, B.Sc. Lond.... Assistant Naturalist in the Science and Art Museum, Dublin...... London: J M. Dent & Co., 29 and 30 Bedford street, W.C. 1899. 12mo Pp. xii, 404, 183 figs in the text. Furnished by the New York publishers, the Macmillan Co., 66 Fifth avenue. Received from John Wana- maker’s. Price, $1.75. ** Not one, even of the many books made in these days is likely to be thought superfluous by itsauthor. And in spite of—to a great extent indeed becauss of—the thousand and more original works on Insects now published yearly, it seems that the student has need of asmall, inexpensive, English book, sketching in outline the whole subject of eutomology. Such a volume as this is necessarily for the most part a compilation.” So begins the Preface, aud the sources of the compilation are then given 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 271 Chap. I, The Form of Insects, using a cockroach as a typical mem- ber of this class. describes the structure of adult insects by compar- isons with this type. It is significant that even in such a handbook as this about 60 pages of the 83 comprising this chapter are devoted to the internal organs. This leads us to expect that prominence will be given to embryonic development in Chap II, The Life-History of Insects, pp. 84-127. aud such is the case, although, of course, larval and pupal stages and metamorphosis are also treated of. Chap. ITI The Classification of Insects, pp. 128-159, contains also some clear and interesting summaries, necessarily brief, of causes knowa to effect modifications of insects. Chap. IV, The Orders of Insects briefly describes these groups and their component families, pp: 160-280. Chapter V, Insects and Their Surroundings, deals with habitats, geographical distribution, insects and flowers, food, para- sitic forms, methods of protection, mimicry, social communities, to p. 343. Chap. VI, The Pedigree of Insects, pp. 344-378, gives us a genealogical tree,among other interesting speculations. A valuable “References to Literature,” of 217 titles (pp. 379-392), classified by subjects, indicates the authorities for the statements iu the preced- ing text. Index, pp. 393-404. There are few, if any. original illustrations. Their sources are ac- © knowledged under each, and so manv are copied from the publica- tions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that they fit the book even more for use by American students than by Englishmen. As the above summary of the contents shows, this work is quite encyclopedic as regards the number of topics discussed, and it can be strongly recommended to all those who desire a view of Ento- mology on its many sides. 1 LD aie O28 ray Vv DOINGS OF SOCIETIES. Minutes of Newark Entomological Society, September 10th. Meeting called to order, with Vice President Kemp in the chair and six members present. A vote of thanks was tendered Dr. Kunze, of Arizona, who donated a lot of Lepidoptera for the Society’s collection. Mr. Angleman reported'ithat Callimorpha triangulata Smith was common at Newark June 18th, adding that this was a week earlier than usual. The members, with some exceptions, reported poor collect- ing this season in the vicinity of Newark. Mr.8. T. Kemp remarked that he had a successful two weeks’ trip, August 11th-24th, at Swartzwood Lake, N. J. Among the captures were: Adelphagrotis prasina, Agrotis 272 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov geniculata, Peridroma occulta, Noctua normaniana, Hadena frac- tilinea, Trigonophora periculosa, Orthosia auriantigo, all taken at night. He remarked that he found the following Sphina on Evening Primrose: D. lineata, C. tersa, F. pandorus, 8, erimitus and P. celus. Mr. Seib remarked that Betunia or Four O’clock was more attractive. The genus solected for identification and study for the next meeting was Carneades. Meeting adjourned. A. J.. WEIDT, Sec’y. At the September meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South Thir- teenth Street, thirteen persons were present. Prof. J. B. Smith exhibited a small apple-tree, to which was attached a cocoon of the bag worm, the silken thread by which it hung having girdled the tree in consequence of the latter’s rapid growth. He also recorded the capture of Ommniatostola lintneriana, at lights, at Anglesea, N. J.,!September 3d. It is a coast species, hitherto quite rare, and was quite abundant on the date mentioned. Mr. Johnson reported the capture of a specimen of Pangonia chrysocoma, a rare Dipteron, at the Delaware Water Gap. Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited specimens of Lomechusa cava, from Newtown Square, Pa. It had not before been recorded from this region, and the present specimens were captured in the nest of Camponotus vicinus. Dr. Castle showed Coleoptera from Hamilton Co., New York, among which were some interesting species. Mr. Haimbach exhibited a number of interesting Lepidop- tera from Holly Beach, N.J., collected in July last. Prof. Smith called attention to Trechus chalybeus, collected near South River, New Brunswick, N.J., by Master Harry Wenzel. They were associated. with an ant, Lasius mixtus, under large stones. Calfornia and British Columbia speci- mens in hand were dated September, whereas the present ones were taken in July, and were not before recorded from New Jersey. Mr. H. Wenzel spoke of the impossibility of defining the 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 273 geographical distribution of the North American Pselaphide and Scydmenide, from our present knowledge, judging from his experience in collecting these insects during the past season, when species not before recorded from these regions had been taken abundantly. Hitherto these insects had not been collected in a careful way by coleopterists in general, and for this reason theories as to their distribu- tion are likely to be of little value at the present time. At a future date he expects to exhibit his collections of these in- sects to the members of the Social. He stated that the habits of the same species differ considerably as to its place of abode, being frequently found in ants’ nests and in places where ants were entirely absent. . The great abundance of several species of Harpalus during the past summer was discussed by several of the members. WILLIAM J. Fox, Seeretary.. A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences was held September 28th, Mr. Philip Laurent, Director, presiding. Fifteen persons present. Mr. Fox reported that some co-types of Crabro had been received from and presented by Prof. Trevor Kincaid. Mr. W. H. Ashmead spoke of the phenomenal growth of the collection of insects of the U. S. Department of Ag- riculture, and said exotic species had been coming in by the thousands. In reply to Mr. Laurent Mr. Ashmead stated that he had estimated the number of specimens of insects in the collection of the National Museum as 1,350,000. The strength of the collections in the various orders was dwelt on. Mr. Laurent exhibited a living specimen of Stagmomantis carolina, captured in this city on the river front. He had re- ceived four specimens of Tenodera sinensis this year, taken in Germantown, Philadelphia. He had received the first speci- men from Mr. Meehan in 1896. The method of the Chinese in making Mantids fight in a bowl was mentioned. -Mr. Ash- mead spoke of the value of these insects in destroying noxious species. Mr. Laurent stated that Ceratomia catalpe was abun- dant this season, and that Mr. Reif had found 180 pupe at Moore Station, Pa. Mr. Ridings said that in walking along O74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov Michaux avenue, in Fairmount Park, he had met the Park gardener, who called his attention to the way in which the water lilies are destroyed by an insect burrowing in the stem. Specimens showing the damage were exhibited. The injury was probably done by Pyrausta nelumbialis Smith. Mr. Ash- mead said a lily in the grounds of the Department of Agricul- ture had been injured by a Pyralid larva. Mr. Johnson said a species of Chironomous had been reared by Prof. Smith from the Victoria regia. Dr. Calvert stated that during the last of August he had made an expedition into Southern New Jersey, by means of the bicycle, with a view of getting data in relation to the Odonata for Prof. Smith’s new Catalogue of the Insects of New Jersey, which is shortly to appear. The route was Camden to Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, Gloucester, Abse- con, Bargaintown, Somers Point, Petersburg, Tuckahoe, Den- nisville, Eldora, Millville, Bridgton, Alloway, Camden, thus making a circle through the lower half of the State. Jschneura kellicotti was found at seven places. He had also found it earlier at Block Island, R. I. At Bargaintown he had gotten interesting data in the cedar bogs through which the Hopat- cong Creek flows. The flight of the male Heterina was de- scribed. They dance up and down and at the same time make a circle of about four inches. The object of this dance was unknown. The species of Sematodilors were mentioned, the [denot know have taken a number of specimens of Mantids.’ ws they are rare here but as | have never seen them before L. . 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 289 feel that perhaps I ought to speak. of them. My home is on the northern,outskirts of Rochester, and [I found many of them about my house, and they were also taken about Char- lotte and Summerville. I did not hear of any further South. Those that I observed were either green or light brown, ap- parently two varieties. Early in the spring | found a cluster of the eggs on a twig that had been blown from a tree. I identified it but not to my satisfaction, for until I saw the perfect insect I had no idea of their being found here. The specimens I observed were good feeders and in my opinion they should be encouraged, as their diet was entirely insects.’ Although this insect has doubtless been ehared many times in this State, from eggs received from the South, as we have done here at the insectary the past summer from eggs received from New Mexico, yet I find but one recorded instance of such rearings. Glover has stated that ‘‘it has been successfully raisedas far North as the Hudson River by bringing the egg- cases from the Middle States. Several cases were found fast- ened to the trees the next autumn, but after that they entirely disappeared.’’ It is said that the eggs probably could not en- dure our northern winters. It will be noted that Mr. Atwood found an egg-case in Rochester in the spring, but there is nothing to indicate that the eggs were alive. Mr. Seudder in his ‘¢ Catalogue of the Orthoptera of North America” recorded two species of Mantids, chlorophaca and phryganoides, from New York State, the former near Watertown, N. Y., and the latter from New York. Mr. Scudder just writes me that ‘no Mantide are known to live normally in New York. One of the two species | recorded was probably imported in packing from Florida ; the other was also either an aceidental oceur- rence or a mistake of locality. I have never heard of Stag- momantis carolina, our northernmost Mantid, from as far north as New York.’’ I have asked Mr. Atwood to continue ob- servations upon the insect to determine if it survives the win- ter and appears again in the same locality next year. NorE —Mr. Atwood writes me furtherunder date of October 31, i899: -** I have no doubt but what I will be able to get specimens for you next summer, be- cause surely we cannot have as severe a winter this ¢ oming year as we had the past,and I have every reason to believe that these insects that I observed here hatched out near my house. There were so very many ofthem that it could not have been accidental, their coming here, I have also reason to believe that the eggs that I foundin the mass in the spring were also alive, they having that ap- pearance and being not very much unlike the egg efthe grasshopper. The insect did well in our latitude, it being quite slender in July and August and reaching 2 strong andsturdy crowth the latter part of September, their abdomens being de- e jdedly € orpulent.” 290 [Dee ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfullyreceive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name om be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliograph- ers, To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published accord ng to date of reception. ENTrOMOLOGICAL NEWs has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumference, as to make it necessary to put “copy” into the hands of the printer for each number three weeks before date of issue. This should be rem-»inbered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five “extras,” without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the num- ber desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep, PHILADELPHIA, PA., DECEMBER, 1899. r HE object of describing new species of insects is to make them known to the scientific world, but this fundamental principle in many cases seems to be overlooked by. some of our systematists who describe as species such slight variations, brought about by distribution, climate or other causes, and frequently from such insufficient material as to make it quite impossible to know what they have in mind or what they mean by their descriptions. . Perhaps the entomologist of the future will be 4 being who spends all his spare time and money wandering over the earth seeking types. Some day, perhaps, these names that have crept and unfortunately will creep into our future lists of species will be weeded out, but at the ex- pense of much valuable time and study, and it would have been better had they never been described. Where there is the slighest doubt about a single specimen supposed to be new it would be far better to wait for adequate material than to rush into print and makea synonym. More time should be given to careful collecting through a series of years with aeen- rate data on all specimens particularly in one locality. If this were done many interesting problems could be solved. Dur- ing the past summer One of our subscribers spent considerable time collecting certain species, and his work shows conelu- sively that two names will have to be merged into one. This is more scientific and useful than constructing two names out of nothing. Instead of the individual going around seeking types another plan might be inaugurated, and that is build- ing a cairn where the n. sp.is taken and putting all the in- formation, ete., ina steel tube whieh should have a screw cap and be buried in the cairn for the information of all students,. 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 291 DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc. D., New Brunswick, N. J. Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor Prof. John B. Smith, Sc. D., New Brunswick, N. J. * EPHESTIA KUEHNIELLA AND ACANTHIA LECTULARIA.—In connec- tion with the note contributed by W. G- Johnson in the September number of the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws, it may be of interest for me to add that Ephestia kuehniella occurs in thisColony. I have seen it at several local mills and have been told by millers that it i kuown in other and distant parts of the country. How long it has been about Capetown I have been thus far unableto ascertain, but there seems to be no evidence of its being a newcomer. The mill people say it causes them some inconvenience, but is by no means a serious pest. The mill buildings here are, asa rule, well built and of brick, and a considerable measure of cleanliness prevails; the principal one at Capetown is shut down twice a year and given as thorough clean-out, particular attention being bestowed to dis- lodge all of the ““ web” in the spouts. [ understand that similar methods prevail at the other important mills. Compared with many American establishments, our mills are small and there is,be- sides, a lack of that extreme rushfand bustle that characterizes most everything in Yankee-land. Perhaps it is owing to these cireum- stances that the flour moth is not very troublesome. No parasites have emerged in my rearing boxes, but there was no lack of Jr7zb- olium in the spouts which I had dragged for my material. Mr. Johnson refers to the fumigation of buildings with hydrocy- anic acid gas. I have carefully refrained from advocating the oper- ation buta number of the foremenconnected with the orchard fum- igation at work in different parts of the colony, to my knowledge oblige their fruit-growing patrons by treating sleeping apartments in the dwellings.. The results are said to be all that is desired. At my suggestion the Cape Government Railways some months ago adopted this fumigant to “ disinfect ” their rolling stock. For some years the problem of “ what to do” sorely troubled even the head, of the department, and correspondence with railway managements in America and elsewhere elicited no information of value. Finally a measure involving the exhaustion of air from the coaches after en- closing them in a special chamber was proposed and a requisition sent to England for the necessary iron work; it was at this juncture that hydrocyanic acid gas was brought to the rescue. The simplic- ity and efficacy of the treatment was demonstrated by the fumiga- tion of eight particularly bad coaches and by laboratory experi- ments it was shown that no injury befel any of the fittirgs, cloth, 292 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee leather or metal; highly polished steel, it is true, did become slightly blued, but only when exposed to a far greater density of the gas than what proved fatal to even the eggs of the insect. The relief of the authorities when the head trimmer reported that nota single living insect was discovered among the multitude gathered by his workmen during their careful inspection of the treated coaches was really amusing, but the personally expressed thanks of the general manager, to say nothing of the calibre of the cheque left behind, was convincing of their appreciation of the service and of the past gravity of the situation. A corps of fumigators now takes charge of the through trains as they arrive from the north and for many months there has been but a single complaint ; this one failed to be substantiated, for although the coach accused was immedi- ately side tracked and overhauled no living bugs were found. Out of justice to the railroad management [ feel bound to add that the in- fested condition of the coaches was by no means due to neglect or indifference, and that the abundance of the pest may be safely at- tributed to circumstances of climate and travel. The climate isa warm one, the train journeys are very long, and it is usual for trav- ellers to carry their own bedding. The cape excels in at least three productions, diamonds, gold and bed-bugs, Notwithstanding the’ potency of hydrocyanic acid gas as an in- secticide, I cannot say that I am in favor of recommending it to the public for the destruction of house or granary pests. It is 100 ter- ribiy dangerous to trifle with and the least infringement in the nec- essary:precautions may mean death to someone. Cyanide is now largely used for the extraction of gold and, despite of the utmost care in its employment, I am told that fatal accidents to native em- ployees are not infrequent. My suggéstion to anyone who contem- plates using the gas in a dwelling is to first administer a slight amount of solid cyanidetoan animal. Most persons will be so ap- palled and horrified by the suddenness of the end that they will have no desire remaining to assume risks in the house. I have re- peatedly inserted small particles in bits of dry meat and laid these as baits for feline disturbers of my evening labors, and I am not ex- aggerating when I say that, as a rule,the creatures drop dead almost instantly and often with the meat still in their mouths; seldom do they die more than three or four feet from where the bait was laid. In house fumigation it is not danger to the operator that 1 fear, but such an happening as an unexpected intrusion by a party all unconscious of the danger. Accidents of such a nature are improb- able, sure enough, but they are possible,and when the chances favor fatal consequences even remote possibilities should have great weight. The story has reached me that not long ago a. native la- borer,wholly unaware of his Ganger, sought to enter one of the rail- way coaches undergoing treatment. It seems that he came up un- observed and, as luck would have it, went straight to the only un- 1899} ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 293 locked door in the train. Ove of the guards heard the door open, shouted just too late, but rushed up in time to drag the man out by the heels. Fortunately the gas was largely spent, butalthough the man wasa stalwart Kafir the effects of the short exposure were such as to thoroughly frighten all who saw him. Now the opera- tors employed at the railway are exceptionally careful workmen, in fact they were selected largely because of habitual prudence, and this near approach to an accident simply illustrates how with what appears all necessary precautions there is a grave element of risk in such operations. The doors to the carriages are ordinarily iocked the key holes plugged, but at the last moment something was found to be defective with the lock of the door in question, and the watch- men chanced to be facing another way as the bare footed native cameup. Might not an analagous circumstance occasionally hap- pen in mills and houses, where at the best the risks are immensely greater? It isnot asifthere were no alternative measures applic- able for granary and house insects and to me it seems a plain case of prudence dictating to let well enough alone. Hydrocyanic acid gas for orchard fumigation and for the disinfeccion of nursery stock in specially devised buildings is right enough, as it isalso under proper precautions for the treatment of railway carriages that must be put into use again within a few hours, but to encourage its gen- eral use in closed buildings seems going to far. If to be used at all in dwellings, granaries and tbe like [ think that all ot the opera- tions should be under the personal superintendence of a responsible party licensed by law. We have had no accident in the colony in three vears’ work with thegas in special chambers and in the or- chard, but when disinfecting a tew rooms at a boarding school one ofthe orchard operators gave himself and several others violent headache and nausea. One after another he told me he had to give upand golay down. The bad effects were all the result of ill-con- sidered procedure, but if an experienced fumigator makes mistakes in judgment what might not be expected from an ignoront be- ginner ? Cuas, P. LouNsbBUrRy. Cape Town, South Africa, October 10, 1899, vv Noreon Telea polyphemus-Cr., ete —Since it appears that 7’. polyphemus— Cr. has not been reported from Mexico I wish to put on record here the capture of a 3 by Prof. Luis Murillo at Jalapa, V.C..this month (April). Hacles tmperialis—Drury has come to stay though still very rare in Cuernavaca, Mor ,and in Jalapa, V. C. And Actias luna—L. is getting settled at Jalapa and (?) Orizaba, V.C. Although the last two moths are reported in the Biologia, C. A., Prof. Murillo declares they have been in evidence in Jalapa for only two or three years. The city is almost entirely shut out from the north and at an elevation of 5,000 feet. O. W. Barrett, Museo, Tacubaya,D. F., Mexico. I94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. Dr. HERMAN STRECKER has completed his valuable index to the species in Kirby’s Lepidoptera Heterocera, Vol. 1, and is now pre- paring a list of the 417 types in his collection. This will be Supple- ment III to his Lepidoptera RLop. et Heterocera. These publica- tions may be obtained from the author. Mr. LANCASTER THomAs has returned from his annual trip to Cranberry, N. C., and reports that the collecting was unusually poor owing to the very dry weather during the summer. Dr. WILLIAM Barnes was fairly successful in his collecting trip to Southern Arizona, Pror. H. A. Pitspry collected a lot of interesting Cychrus at Clingman’s Dome, Blount Co., Tenn. They are now in the fine col- lection of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, of Philadelphia. [ NoTICcE in the report of the American Entomological Society, held June 22d, that you reported Melitawa harrisii as having been taken at Lopez, Sullivan county, Pa. I took one good specimen of same, June 15th, at Plymouth, Luzerne county, Pa., but saw no others. This is the first specimen I have taken in my four years collecting in this vicinity and have not heard of its being taken by anyone else around here, I took one good fresh specimen of Fuptodeta claudia in Septem- ber, 1898 and another in September, 1899. ALFRED E. Lister. Nores oN Exyra ROLAnpDIANA.— While looking through some old volumes of Psyche recently I noticed inII., p39, the description and an account of the habits of the larva of Exyra rolandiana by Mr. Thaxter. The species is quite commonin Durham wherever its food plant (Sarracenia) flourishes,and the larvee have been found. not in the leaves as described by Mr. Thaxter, but within the flow— ers and buds the last of May and first of June. The imago appears the last of June and first of July, and has been observed resting in the leaves of its food plant. Mr. Thaxter says that the larva is “* delicateand difficult to rear”’ butsuch was not my experience with those taken well along to- ward maturity. About half a dozen were collected the last week in May and placed in wide mouthed vials with a piece ef the ovary of the pitcber plant flower, securely plugged with cotton and left to themselves. Most of them completely finished the food that was given them and one or two were dwarfed for lack of more, but every one ot the lot produced a perfect imago. I would recom- mend collectors who have access to a swamp in which pitcher plant 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 295. grows to collect and rear these larve for perfect specimens of this dainty little noctuid are acquisitions to any collection. W. F. Fiske. AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF ENTOMOLOGY AND KINDRED SCIENCES- In the interest of natural history it would be a good plan if every naturalist throughout the United States would petition their rep- resentatives in Congress te have paragraph 666 of the tariff law of 1897 amended, so that specimens of natural history for scientific col- lections be admitted free of duty, whether intended for private or public use. The paragraph in question comes under the “ free list ” and reads as follows: “‘Specimens of natural history, botany and mineralogy, when intended for scientific public collections and not for sale.” Natural history, especially entomology, merits all the encourage- ment possible and an excellent way to further an interest in it would be to remove the barrier from the private student. All who read this are earnestly requested immediately to petition their rep- resentatives at Washington urging that the section in question be amended and that without delay. Epw. A. KLAGEs. In studying the relations between the species of the genus Cato- cala 1 acquired the conviction that for the solution of the problem it isindispensable to resort to experiments with elevated and re- duced temperature after Standfuss. Some results from the breed - ing of European species are already obtained. Unfortunately the most interesting species, those with .the black hind-wings, are in- accessible to the European experimenter,the eggs of American cato- calas not being on sale. I determined therefore, by your mediation, to address to thei members of the American Entomological Society and others a re- quest to procure for me the living eggs of any species of Catocala, which are so abundant in the United States. The black species are especially desired, the indication of the food-plant is also necessary. In exchange I can offer many species (well prepared) of my collec - tion of Russian Lepidoptera, St. Petersburg, Crimean, Siberian. NicHo.Las Kusnezow, Physiological Laboratory of University, St. Petersburg, Russia. 1 HAVE had the pleasure of collecting Coleoptera a few days in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, during this summer (1899), and a few notes I have kept that may be of interest to other collectors. One pine tree trap, cut early in May,produced in four months the follow- ing catch: Hylobtus pales, very abundant. Pissodes strobi, not abundant, Eurymycter fasciatus, very abundant. Tamicus pinz, very plentiful. Hylurgops pinifex, not abundant. Hister lecontez, in 296 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee great numbers. Pytho deplanatus, very abundant. Monohammus i‘ttilator. M scutellatus and M. confusor were almost in swarms, but Monohammus maculosus very scarce. In July and August Ac- Acanthocinus obsoletus and Liopus variegatus were taken in small numbers. Asemum atrum, quite plenty in August, Xylotrechus undulatus, but a few good specimens and Rhagium lineatum was often present. Clerus quadriguttatus, C. nigrfrons and C nigripes could be taken by the dozens. Latera good number of Chrysobo- thr7s, dentipes and C. femorata, were taken. So allof thiscatch was from afew pine logs carefully watched, and often rolled over on the grass, J. C. WARREN. Crooked Creek, Pa. THe Zoological Department of the Massachusetts Agricultural College is doing good work in Entomology and has a strong teach- ing force. Prof. ©. H. Fernald, Ph D, being ably assisted by Prof. R. S. Lull, M. S., and his son, Dr H. F. Fernald, who for ten years past was Professor ‘of Zoology in the Peunsylvyania State College and for two yeirs Economic Zoologist. THOsE who havechanged their addresses since reporting for the Entomologists’ Directory will kindly notify the undersigned at once, as the copy will soon be ready for the printer. Those that miss the opportunity to have their names in the Directory will. surely regret it. It costs you nothing. HENRY SKINNER, Box 248. Philadel] phia. ray VU Entomological Literature, COMPILED BY P. P. CALVERT. Under the above head it is intended to mention papers received at the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences of Cogs a5 For pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species, will be re- corded. The numbers in HEAVY-FACED TYPE refer to the journals, as num- bered in the following list, in which the papers are published ; * denotes that the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms. Titles of all articles in foreign languages are translated into English; usually such articles are written in the same language as the title of the journal contain- sur them, but when such articles are in other languages than English, French, German or Italian, this fact is indicated in brackets. 1. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciencesof Philadelphia, | 1899, part ii.—3. The American Naturalist, Boston,Oct.,’99. - 5. Psyche, Cambridge, Mass., Nov.,’99.—7. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, Washington ; publications of,’99.—8. The Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, London, Nov., 799 —9. The En- tomologist, London, Nov., ’99.- 10. Nature, London, 799. —I2. Comptes Rendus, l’ Academie des Sciences, Paris, Sept. 25, ’99.—15. Biologia Centrali- Americana, London, pt. exlvii, April; pt. exlviii, June; 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 297. pt cxlix, Aug. ’99,—2I. The Entomologist’s Record, London, Oct.’ 15, °99.—26. Appleton’s Popular Science Monthly, New York, Nov. *99.—35. Annales, Société Entomologique de Belgique, xliii, 9, Brus- sels, Oct. 4, 799.—4l. Entomologische Nachrichten, x xv, 20, Berlir, Oct., ’99 —84. Insekten Borse, Leipsic, ’99.—118. Memoirs and Pro- ceedings. Manchester [England] Literary and Philosophical Society, xliii, 98-99: ree’d. Oct. 17.99. The General Subject —A xenteld. D. Some observations on the sight of Arthropods, Archives Italiennes de Biologie, xxxi, 3, Turin, Sept. 23, °99--Bordage, E. Ona particular mode of protection of theappendages in curse of regeneration after artificial section among insects, 12—Carret, A. M. F. Guillebeau and his entomological works (cont.), L’Echange Revue Linnéenne, Lyon, Oct.,’99 —Coupin, H. Singular mode of locomotion in insects, figs., La Nature, Paris, Sept, 30,’99—Enderlein, G. Contribution to knowledge of the structure of the cross striped muscles of insects, 1 pl. Archiv fiir Mikroscopische Auatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte, lv, 1, Bonn, Oct. 11,’99—Heuneguy, L. F. The modes of reproduction of insects, Bulletin, Société Philomathique. Paris (9), i, 2,’99.—-Ile y mons, R. On W. M. Wheeler’s ** Anemotropism aud other tropisms in Insects,’ Zoolo- gischer Centralblatt, Leipsic, Sept. 26,’99.—K nuth, P. Hand- buch der Blitenbiologie. Il Band: Die bisher in Europa und in ark- tischen Gebiet gemachten bliitenbiologischen Beobachtungen, 2 Teil: Lobeliacez bis Gnetacee. Leipzig Verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann. 1899. figs., 705 pp.——-Lenecek, O. Jumping beans, Verhandlungen. Naturforschenden Vereins in Briinn, xxxvi,’98.—Plateau, F. Vision in Anthidium manicatum L., 35—Poulton, E. B Report of the Hope Professor of Zoology [on the Entomological col- lections, etc., at Oxford], Eleventh Annual Report of the Delegates of the University Museum for 1898, Oxford.—Schwarz, E. A, List of insects hitherto known from the Pribilof Islands, in: The Fur Seals and Fur Seal Islands of the North Pacific Ocean, by David Starr Jordan. Part 3, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1899.—-Sharp, D._ Insects, part II. See review, post. Economic Entomology.—A non. Theinvestigation of the malarial parasite, 10, Oct. 5.—A non. Some means for combatting Schizo- neura lanigera, Wiener Illustrirte Garten-Zeitung, Oct., *99.— Bancroft, T. L. Onthe metamorphosis of the young form of Filaria bancrofti Cobb (F. sanguinis hominis Lewis, F’. noc- turna Manson) in the body of Culex ciliaris L., house mosquito of Australia. Abstract of Proceedings, Royal Society of New South Wales. Sydney, June 7, ’99.--Celli, A., and Casagran di, O. On the destruction of mosquitoes: contribution to re- searches with mosquito-killing substances, Centralblatt fir Bak- teriologie, Jena, Oct. 14, °99.—Chittenden, hy... = he squash-vine borer (Melittia satyriniformis HUbn), figs., 7, circular 298 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee No. 38, second series, Apr. 22; The common squash bug (Angsa tristis DeG.), figs, 7, circular No, 39, second series, May 5.— Fernald, H. T. Supplementary report of the Zoologist: some insects injurious in Pennsylvania, figs , Report of Department of Agriculture of Pennsylvania for 1898, pp. 373-443. [Harrisburg Pa.] Wm. Stanley Ray, State Printer of Pennsylvania, °99.— Howard, L. O. Three insect enemies of shade trees, figs, 7, Farmers’ Bulletion, No. 99, May 26; Spider bites and “ kissing bugs.” figs.,26—Leonardi, G. Pulvinaria camelicola. Sign, and method of combatting it, figs., Annali, R. Scuola Superiore di Agricoltura in Portici, (2), i,2, Naples, ’99.—-Lounsbury, C. P. Report of the Government Entomologist for the year 1898, Cape of Good Hope. Dep’t. of Agriculture, Cape Town, W. A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, 1899, 9 pls.: Ibid. [Nu- merous Notes on Economic Entomology from the Cape of Good Hope Dep’t of Agric., reprinted from the Agricultural Journal, Cape Town, 98 and 99. Many of these have been previously re- corded, but we add] 1899, No. 6. The Wattle bag-worm, figs.; No. 25, Bean Bruchus, figs: No. 26, Cabbage Aphis, figs—M ac- donald, I, Mosquitoes in relation to Malaria, New York Med- ical Journal, Oct. 14, °99—Marlatt, ©. L. The principal insect enemies cf the grape, figs., 7, Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 70, 798. The peach twig- borer: an important enemy of stone fruits, figs.,7 . Farmers’ Pulletin, No. 80,’98.—R oss, R. The mosquito theory of malaria, 26.—Schg, C. Onthe fight against scale insects. 84, Oct.19.—Smith, J. B. Crude petroleum as an insécticide, 4 pls . Bulletin 138, New Jersey Agric: Exper. Stations, New Bruns- wick, Sept. 5,’99.—-Wilcox, E. V. Abstracts of recent pub- lications, 7, Experiment Station Record, xi,2.-W oods, A. F., and Dorsett, P. H.: The. use of hydrocyanic acid gas fo fumigating greenhouses and cold frames, figs., 7, cireular No. 37. second series, Jan. 10. _Arachnida.-Cambridge, F. O. P. Arichnida Araneidea, vol ii, pp. 41-56, pls. iii-iv,*15.—Cambridyge, O. P. Arachnida Araneidea, vol. 1, pp. 297-304, pls. xxxi-xxxii,* I5.—N ordens- kioid, E. Contributions to knowledge of the morphologyfand classification of the Flydrachnide, 2 pls., Acta Societatis Scienti-— arum Fennice, xxiv, 5, Helsingfors, Mar. 14. 98: Ree’d. Nov- 7, 799, —Osborn, H. Acarina,* figs. in: The Fur Seals and Fur Seal Islanj, ete , by David S. Jordan, pt. 3, Washington, Gov’t. Print- ing Office, ’99. Peripatus and Myriopoda.—P oulton, E. B. Peripatus in the Malay peninsula, 10, Oct. 19.-deZograf, N. On the lateral cephalic organs of Glomer/s, 12. Orthoptera Burr, M. Notesonthe Forficularia, Annals and Magazine of Natural History, London, Oct.,’99—Scudder, &. —H. Twogenera of North American Decticine,* Proceed ings, 1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 299 American Academy of Arts and Science, xxxv, 5, Boston, Oct. 799. The species of Myrmecophila in the United States,* 5; A compari- son of the systematic distribution of European and North American Orthoptera, 5. Neuroptera.—_F letcher, J. Chrysopa larva in a new role Ottawa Naturalist, Nov., ’99. Hemiptera.x—Champion, G. C. Rhynchota Heteroptera, vol. ii, pp. 217-264, pls. xiii-xv,* 15.—-Cockerell, T. D. A. Some notes on Coccide,*1—Dolby-Tyler. C. H. The development of Ceroplastes roseatus Towns, &{Ckll.,1 pl., Transae- tions, Entomological Society of London, ’99. pt. iii, Sept. 30, ’99.— F owler. W. W.. Rhynchota Homoptera, vol. ii, pp. 225-248 pl. xv,45—Heymons, R. Contributions to the morphology and development of the Rhynchota, 3 pls., Abhandlungen, kais. L eopold.-Carol. Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher, 74 Bd. Halle, ’99, Webster, F. M. Have we more than one species of Blissus in North America? 3. Coleoptera.—Arrow, G. J. Anomala donovani, Marsham, synonymical note [A. ¢rrorata Blanch],8—Carpenter, L, Hibernation of Coleoptera, Bulletin, Société Linnéenne du Nord de la France, No. 317, Amiens. May,’99.—Jacoby, M. _ Descrip- tions of new species. of South American phytophagous Coleoptera, §.—-von L[Linden, M]. On R. Escherich’s Anatomy and biology of Paussus turcicus Frid., likewise a contribution to knowl- edge of myrmecophily, Biologisches Centralblatt, Erlangen, Oct. 1 799.—Morley, C. Mutilation of Cryptophagi, 8.—Shar p. D. Coleoptera, vol. ii, pt. 1, pp. 497-552, pl. xvi.* [Cucujide], 15 . Dipteraa—Aldrich, J. M., and Turley, L. A. ‘A. balloon-making fly, figs.,3.—See also Economic Entomolegy, various authors. Lepidoptera._Bankes, E. R. [and Walsingham, Lord.] Lzthocolletis concomitella, n. sp.,and its nearest allies, 8—Druce, H. Lepidoptera Heterocera. vol. ii, pp. 537-552, pl, xeix,* 15.—Dyar, H. G. Life histories of North American Ge- ometride, vi, 5—Godman, F. D., and Salvin, O, Lepidoptera Rhopalocera, pp- 449-460, pl. xci [ Hesperidze*], 15.— Hamlyn-Harris, R. Pyrameis atalanta 500 miles from land, 21.—Merrifield, F. Gradual formation of pigment on the dark pupa of Papilio machaon, 21.—Schultz, O-. List of the species of palzwarctic Macrolepidoptera hitherto found infested with thread-worms, 84, Oct. 26—Semper, G. Heterocera in: Reisenim Archipel der Philippinen von Dr. C. Semper. Z weiter Theil, wissenschaftliche Resultate, Bd. VI. Lieferung 3. Wiesbaden, C. W. Kreidel’s Veilag,’99 Tpls. Snyder, A. J- Ameri- can Lepidoptera [collections of], Popular Science, New York, Oct.. °99.— Soule, C. G. Rearing larve in tin boxes, 5.—W at- 300 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee son, J. On Calinaga, the single genus of an aberrant sub- family of butterflies, 8. Hymenoptera.—Alfken, J. D. The Xylocopa species of the Hawaiian Islands, not. X «a@neipennis DeG , but X. chloroptera Lep.,4l.-Cameron, P. Description of a genus and species- probably representing a new tribe of Hymenoptera from Chili, 18, —Cockerell, T. D. A. The species of the bee genus Dieu- nomia,* 9.—F orel, A. Hymenoptera, vol. iii, pp. 1-80, pls- i-iii* [Formicidse, Myrmicidse]15; Letter from Faisons [North Carolina, dated July 28, 1899, containing observations on ants], 35.— Fox, W. J- Contributions toa knowledge of the Hymenoptera of Brazil, No. 7: Eumenide (genera Zethus, Labus, Zethoides, Hu- menes, Montezumia aud Nortonia) \.—Konow, F. W. New Tenthredinide from South America, 4.—Pauleke, W. On the question of the parthenogenetic origin of the drones ( Ap/s mellé- fica male), figs., Anatomischer Anzeiger, Jena, Oct. 5, °99.— Plateau, F. See the General Subject. InsEcts. Part ll. Hymenoptera continued (Tubulifera and Acu- leata), Coleoptera, Strepsiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, A phaniptera, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Anoplura. By David Sharp, London; Macmillan and Co., Limited. New York: The Macmillan Co. 1899, SVO, pp. Xii, 626; 293 figs. Received from John Wanamaker. This, the sixth volume of the Cambridge Natural History, edited by 8S. F. Harmer and A. E. Shipley, concludes the account of the insects begun in Vol. V. This latter, published in 1895, dealt with Peripatus and the Myriapods by different authors, and devoted 483 pages to a general account of Insects and of the orders Aptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera (in the wide sense), and the Hymenoptera Sessiliventres and Petiolata-Parasitica, Those who know Dr, Sharp’s previous volume need only be told that the present one is truly a continuation. By its completion we have now an excellent series ot modern books of reference, none of which deals with precisely the same aspect of entomology, although they must and do repeat many facts of primary importance, Thus for a general sketch we have Carpenter’s “ Insects, their structure and life,’ noticed in the November News, for an introduction to taxonomy Comstock’s ** Manual ;” Packard’s “ Text Book of Ento- mology” is a store house for anatomy and physiology ; Smith’s “ Economic Entomology” presents the applied science; while Sharp s “Insects” deeply interests us by the prominence which is given to habits. Probably most persons will be puzzled, like ourselves, at the order in which the differeut groups of insects are discussed by Dr. Sharp, In a general way that order corresponds to increasing complexity, but the position of the Hymenoptera in particular seems abnormal. As our readers may be interested in having presented to them an 1899] - ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 301 abridgment of the classification of the larger orders as employed in this volume, we add the following table: - Tubulifera. -..Chrysidide. Hymenoptera - ( Anthophbila. Diploptera. vel Fossores Heterogyna (Formicide). oe ta. Lamellicornia. Adephaga or Caraboidea. Polymorpha. ‘Coleoptera..... { Heteromera. Phytophaga. Rhyncophora. | Strepsiptera. Lepidoptera. ..Rhopalocera and Heterocera. Orthorrhapha Nemocera, Orthorrhapha Brachycera. Cyclorrhapha Aschiza, Cyclorrhapha Schizophora. Pupipara. Diptera. .2: —_—_—rA ( Gymnocerata- Hleteroptera.. | Cryptocerata. Hemiptera. .... Trimera ry Homoptera... | Dim, Monomera. Anoplura. The most interesting part of the book is probably the section on the Hymenoptera, by reason of the striking, various and won- derful habits of these insects. There are, however, many similar observations recorded for other groups and they prove most enticing reading when one opens the book at random. The illustrations are as delightfully clear and clean as is the typography, so that the book is pleasing in every way, and we must expect weight in a vol- ume which treats of insects. Author and readers are alike to be congratulated on the results of Dr. Sharp’s labors amidst the be- wildering riches of entomology. BoP. 302 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dee DOINGS OF SOCIETIE 5 MINUTES OF NEWARK ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Regular meeting was held at Town Hall, Sunday, October 8th, at 3:00 p.m. Vice President Kemp presided and eight members were present, including Prof. Smith. Mr. Angleman and Mr. Buchholz reported Péer/s protodice com- mou near Newark. Mr. Weidt exhibited a series Cleora wmbrosaria,a Geometrid, showing the intergrades from the dark to the light forms. The 2 asa rule were lighter. The insect. was very common at Forrest Hill near Newark, on September 19th, and were taken on the trunks of hemlock trees. From eight to ten specimens were seen on one tree. Mr. Buchholz found Schinia brevis plentiful, locally, near Eliza- bethport, September 9th. Mr. Kemp reported the capture of Pseudanthroecia coracias at Elizabeth, July 7th. Mr. Weidt donated a pen to the Sool as the last one had been placed on the retired list on half pay, having been in service for over two years. Meeting adjourned A J. Werpt, Secretary. A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held Oc- tober 26th. Mr. C. W. Johnson, Vice President, in thechair. Dr. Skinner presented 178 insects from Utah. Mr. Liebeck stated that the society had purchased 206 specimens, 73 species of Coleoptera from the Griffith collection. Dr. Skinner exhibited the mouth parts of the Carabide from which illustrations had been made for Dr. Horn’s paper on the family These specimens were originally gummed on card board but had been lately remounted on glass mi- croscope slides by Prof Johu B. Smith. They are now in appro- priate boxes and all numbered in accordance with Dr. Horn’s paper. Mr. Ulke of Washington, who was present and by the way was the first member elected to the society, spoke of the great value of Dr. Horn’s work and aiso complimented Prof. Smith for putting the material in a condition to be available for study for an indefinite period, A unanimous vote of thanks was tendered Prof. Smith for his valuable work. Mr. Laurent exhibited the Coleop- tera collected by Prof. A. J. Snyder and himself in Utah, princi- pally at the head of the big Cottonwood Canon. The catch was a good one considering that less than 100 hours collecting was had. The speaker was surprised to see sucha small amount of variation in Cicinaela longilabris, Lucanus mazama, Gaurotes cressoni, Hleodes extricata and Pristoselis were specially mentioned ; the latter were abundant on thistles. The photographs takea on the trip were shown. Dr. Calvert exhibited the Odonata collected by Dr. Skinner in Utah. There werethirty-two specimens represent- ing fifteen species. A pair of Somatochlora semicircularis in fine condition were mentioned. Plathem/s subornata 3, 2,are much 1899] - ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 303 like the Easteru species. They differed in that in the East the sexes are marked differently while the Western ones are alike. L7.- bellula forensis was said to be the Eastern representative of ZL. pul- chella. Ophigomphus occidentis was taken. The difficulties of this genus were mentioned. Lnallagma calverti was said to be very close to annexum. ‘The differences in the appendages were de- scribed. The sexes of calverti were taken in coitu. Some New Jersey specimens of Odonata received from Mr. Davis were also shown. ‘T'wo specimens of what was supposed to be Argéa trans- lata were taken at New Foundland, N. J., and were of peculiar in- terest because they correspond most closely with specimens from Arkansas, Texas and Mexico. The types came from Venezuela Dr. Skinner exhibited the Lepidoptera taken by himself in Colorado and Utah during the past summer. Mr. Johnson exhibited the Diptera taken by Dr. Skinner in Utah and said there was a new species of Symphoromyta and a Tipula not yet determined. Stra- teomyta nevade 2 was of much interest. The differences between the sexes were pointed out. The greater part were Pacific slope species. Dasyllis columbica was of interest because it mimics the bumble bee which has fulvous pile the same as the fly. The flies collected by Mr. Laurent were also exhibited. Mr. Ulke said he did not believe in rare species. It means igno- rance of locality, time or habits. Say described two water beetles received from Melsheimer, as Hydrocampus rotundatus. Dr. Horn did not notice these in his studies and it subsequenily turned up in Massachusetts. Mr. Ulke also found them in somesmall pud- dies and took 50 or 60 ina day. A small species of Silphidew, Pino- dytes cryptophagoides agreeing with Mannerheim’s specimens from Alaska was also taken in the woods near Washington, D. C., and was found ina deep hole near a stump. It is a blind species and is found by sifting. Mr. Wenzel stated that his son had found a Pselaphus new to his collection, in the roots of sedge His expe- rience in sifting and finding rare species was given. He corrobo- rated what Mr. Ulke said about so called rare species. Dr. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. At the October meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South Thirteenth street, Philadelphia, twelve members were present. Mr. Johnson exhibited his collection of Chironomide, containing the following number of species from New Jersey: Chironomma, 16; Cricoptopus,3; Camptocladius,1; Orthocladius,2: Euryc- nemus,1; Tanypus,8; Ceratopogon,23; Heteromyia,1; a total of 55. Prof. J. B, Smith stated the probable existence of many more spe cies of this family in New Jersey than were represented inthe above list. Very little is known of their early stages and while the larve are said to live on decaying vegetable inatier in water,there is one 304 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec species, Cr/icoptopus sylvestris which is injurious to vegetation, the larve mining the leaves of ‘the water lily, Vector‘a regia Mr Johnson referred toa former commmunication on spirally girdled hickory twigs, and stated he had since reared two speci- mens of Heterachthes quadrimaculatus therefrom. Mr. H. Wenzel exhibited his collection of Scydmznide and Psel aphid containing about 150 species and 900 specimens. Over 80 species were from the vicinity of Philadelphia, 79 of which occur in New Jersey, although he believed all will eventually be found in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Prot Smith called attention to a collection of the mouth parts of Carabids on which Dr. Horn’s classification of that family was based. He had undertaken the mounting of these specimens on microscopic slides, the specimens being originally pasted on card board. In every instance the specimen was simply named gener- ically. The slides will be arranged in boxes, the latter numbered to correspond to the plates of Dr. Horn’s paper, and each slide is numbered the same as the corresponding figure on the plates. He stated that the figures are not exact, the author bringing out only certain salient features of the mouth parts and in the speaker’s opin- ion thereby overlooking other important characters. A vote of thanks was extended Prof. J. B. Smith for the elegant collation given the members at the last meeting. Dr. Skinner related the experiences of his recent trip to the Wa— satch Mountains, Utah, in company with Messrs. Snyder and Laur- ent. Wittram J. Fox, Secretary. ~ at ee 5 = QL Entomological news 461 E574 v.10 Biological & Medical Senals - yn Vi paecier NA OP eae PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY |) “Warn TORAGE - Saetiiet CREE Sebababapapaaie-s vs sikaalsa ata eee eae pect aes - ¥, Peek Ey to Pralets ts ote ts apeets Saute pry ere Peay ce = = ae oy Boone oy skal ndeme by aks “ 2? us ze + =i} > “At eeaner a a rok tates 5 1a sats Ry AME 43