“"s - A ak ay ee oy “ere ~% aS aa . nats pj oy ree oe * callie «see ee ARY, 1908. NTOMOLOGIOAL NEWS Vol. XEX. + No. 1, HENRY SKINNER, M.D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor Apvisory Commirree: MENEY L. Vieeece A @ Seem, WHAIAM f. roe. “, W. WENZEL. —— — PHILADELPHIA: ENTOMOLOGICAL Rooms oF Tue ACADEMY oF Natural SCIENcEs, LOGAN SQUARE. at the Philadeipbia Post-Ofice as Second-Class Matter. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS Published monthly, excepting August and September, in charge of the Entomo- logical Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and the American Entomological Society. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, $1.00 IN ADVANCE. Outside of the United States and Canada, $1.20. : SINGLE COPIES 15 CENTS Advertising Rates: 30 cents per square inch, single insertion ; a liberal discount on longer insertions. No advertisement taken for less than 60 cents—Cash in advance. je All remittances should be addressed to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. . Complete to end of Thirteenth Vol. (1906). A —p fine set, bound in morocco, with the exception ° of last two volumes. Price $50. for the set. PHILIP LAURENT, 31 East Mt. Airy Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. A BUNCH OF RARE EXOTICS. Teinopalpus imperialis, 9 ..ccccccecsvess $2.75 Papilio Cuda savin dcsr'enevedvernloeiee $ .50 AMAthUSIA CAMAAdEVA 16. vescssccececcecs 1.25 “8 _—— MAYO. cccvcevesecevevssssduscesene ae EES oe oss i oenbineeen sad bedeces oO: | Morpho CYPTIS..cvcocicccsosccoveves senses r.50 albofasciata, S 756.5 Qiveseseess 1.00 Caligo eurylochus overs: cascestspeev nan T.25 UR MEED dev a's snkGerdevacvawiadsdesn ae 35 O° QETEUS..s.. sna tives Cote tena tnn 1.25 ¥ WRHGLENMUS, Cia vciuvagicacusessese 70 Attacus atlas (Celebes Islands)....,..... 2.00 S OT). dhdtebscatbetensadtene 2.50 Actias leto ne 4 00 og ANATOCIES..dcecvecsccsesecesevevres 2.50 Urania, letlus....ccisssseseeveseenaennee 40 All specimens are in papers, and in perfect condition. Postage paid on orders of one dollar and over. Send six cents for postage on order for less than one dollar. JOHN H. MATTHEWS, 3219 N. [3th Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA. ARIZONA INSECTS. Will collect in most orders or families or season’s catch. Also in botany, especially cactii and herpetology—reptiles and amphibians if notified early in the season. Agent for sale of Coleoptera, Mr. L. H. Joutel, 164 E. 117th St., New York City. DR. R. E. KUNZE, Phoenix, Arizona. CATALOGUE OF THE NEUBOPTEROID INSECTS (EXCEPT ODONATA) OF THE UNITED STATES BY NATHAN BANKS Complete to Summer of 1907 Price 5O cts. (net) per copy Mailed on receipt of price E. T. CRESSON, Treasurer, P, O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa. When Writing Please Mention “‘ Entomological News.” m A > 3 : re ‘2. \. a iv , a AA, i 4 oe i ; rye ie ae Bear cP aA 1 7: tom ological News “> = Proctenics Or THE NTOMOLOGICAL SECTION _ Academy of Natural Sciences Ton’ a ~—of Philadelphia VOLUME XIX, 1908. EDITOR : HENRY SKINNER, M.D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor. Apvisory Com™irres : weNey t. Vieeecke L.A. G. BEN, WILLIAM J. Fox . W. WHNZEL. oie mS PHILADELPHIA : f a ENTOMOLOGICAL Rooms or I _ THe AcApemMy or NaTurRAt SCIENCES, a LOGAN SQUARE. 1908. Pe, 77:1" ') -s =? INDEX TO VOLUME XIx. geographical distribution are tadened undioe Ghivtiaiagill Goal concerned, and sof under the species listed therein, except in the case forms, ‘New generic and specific names are marked with a ®.) ren. SUBJECTS. ® Entomological Society of of Natural Sciences America ........... 78, 90, 493 a. Entom. Section of 440 | Environment on colors, Ef- ; rt Mv edie 108 fects of Oeeteeeeees 87 147, 340 ee ib dtecedecblinessecrees 183 errr eee eee ewe eee Examining insects under com- Entomological So- pound miscroscope ....... 130 lan iments of ccomeenic | External wing buds in larvae 26, *| of holometabolous insects .. 135 ry Feldman Collecting Social, 46, 185, att 186, 188, 240, 342, 343, 380, 494, “** 149 46. [ aot ae Fighting moths with lights ... 387 4, 407 Floor-boards, Insect injury to 494 So- Graduate School of Agricul- Ss sdscssuccccccedewe 340 Happy Family of Bugologists Nn cetiedes Cpeem) .......0.ccccceees 204 jes at ball em Harrisburg Natural History dex system ......... . 188 | - Association ....... 236, 344, 345 RE | Heink Entomological Club, 55, 89 in structure ... 44! 237, 238, 346, 497, 408. of insects, causes of 18, | Household insect pests, Use of naphthaline against .... 496 ory of Jesuit Natural- Human fleas ........ 353, 380, 435 , Seeeecevescoesesee aot Hybrids rrr rere tee eee eee ies and human 384, 389 | Illustrations of insects, How @ DUPRGING ® occ ceccoscsases 140 and wingedness coos 128 Inflation of larvae eoesosesee 9 Insectivorous bats, Economic He eee een ewene +e , 339 walue Of ......seeeeeestoes 184 Insects as food for man 29, 31, 32 Journal of Economic Ento- MOLY ....cccccsccccesess 79 EES SORES Pee 4, 383 | Kellogg’s “Insect Stories” ... 385 _ Killing flies, Mixture for .... 380 ' Local lists of insects il INDEX. Mexico, Insect-formed ooliths Hh sis one.cewias'e's Co ea 291 Mimicry, 46, 224, 228, 230, 344 Mollusks, Blow-flies in dead. 234 Mouse-flea, A new .......... 435 Myasis in: manicceecea4. 42% 32 Nason collection ............ 75 Newark Entomological So- ciety, 86, 87, 88, 188, 189, 390, 392. ; Numerical distribution of in- pens 8 Gas cl Hg OS a 324, 303 Obituary : Ashmead, W. H. ...... 307 a) SRR oR 304 MeEAD., Ay cs saeoes 234 meee, AL Pun 306 SDE, 5 bis apne pone 445 Johnson, W. G ...... 242 Roaow,: FW... sete. 348 PONG AS iii ORs ile 306 Mame 3. Bie yest 242 Seijaye. 1. Mis... 306 SOW. OTL me closes» 447 ES Beles se a ol 142 Ohio Lake Laboratory ...... 292 _ Ooliths due to insects ....... 291 | Pacific Coast Entomological Society aegis hia d bees 499, 500 Paraffin sections attacked b pects We eek... ss schotk eee Parasites as cause of death of ipeCtS, Lavan yaa ss coos 189, 439 Personals: Adams, C.F. ) copes 493 Baker, C. Fc nae 386, 493 Barrett, (0. -Wi-ciaeee 79 Bradley, J. Cy ..caueee 491 Busck, A... ssa) cGuauee 322 Calvert,. P. ‘Po gesez 183, 437 Cresson, EB. Tiassa 289 Cresson, E. T., Jt. sane Paecke, FE... cave 322 Fenyes, A. .......e0000 493 Ferdinand, King ...... 407 Fernald; aaah wade teas 386 Froggatt, Wiusvives «08 234 Fullaway, ‘Dis 2 407 Grinnell, F. Jt.) ee 491 | Hammar, A. G. ......3 493 Hasemari, Io cse.550 ee 493 Hebard; M207. eae 182 Herrick, Gi Wioi,-.208 493 Minds: W.e 4. won 4I Holland, W.'J..\.. e.2u5 386 Howard, C. Ws. vees 493 Tavis, Ch sae Rue 493 Kellogy, Vio Ls artseaae 183 FOiCaad, 0. ass,e wore ae 130 Lauréat, Py oi. ole ae 340 McCook, H. C. ...141, 382 Mitchell, E. G. ........ 202 Montgomery, T. H., Jr 234 Nelson, J. A... cee 493 Patch, FE Ma: .c.cee 234 Poulton, E.-Be 2 493 Jaayie T1. J. i see 289 Reon, 3.) Aa Gs oan eee 182 Rivera, Mi J. ..scksn 234 wee, Acs SS Sauce 493 Slingerland, M. V. ... 234 San, J. Boa 141, 492 Van Duzee, E. P. ..... 234 Van Duzee, M.C ..... 234 Viereck, H. L. ..41, 404, 403 Wenzel, H. W. ....... 183 Wheeler, W. M. ...311, 386 Pitcher plant insects ........ 150 Plants attacked by insects: FS a ee 104, 131, 485 Alder= ....... 0008 penne 484 Alnus’... ..... eee See 484 Ampelopsis .......004 143 Apple (i. 505 GN bes IOI, 142 Astragalus ........ 481, 483 Beait...0, . cdstank ve ee 230 Blackherey 745 s\sssdeue 212 Bladdernut ........... 488 THMICUEL sc nsobnas > eeas 168 sesee 314 See eee eee 197 rush ee eneeee 295 } seensereegeoeccs eee eeeteeeeee 42 escccesscccds 10E beeeeeee SOE, t ‘. Steeseocesceosecs 210 Seccccasccce ST weeesceessl 42, 314 tor seen nnewe 168 Poe e eee Terrors 438 eocccceceees BD see eeeennnee 38 pices 3M, 119, 24! locust coccccess B39 cvésccsvess 208 . ae OOS evccccescccos SEE b~< ie oak cccccscceeslh® FF Es i. +e. Prenucceces cehily GS : ‘ Te | evevecccoscerecs 10% «+014, 131, 241, 485 ie rie ary eeeeeere 150 i uJ c eee meee meee ' :- Populus eeeeeee 1, &, 103 a : : eee eee reer eens 230 : ee 142) 13, 77, 105, 106, m9, af 102 Aer ee wee eee Bs ere tee eee eee 150 al Maelelee Peete er ew eene es trees, African.. 28, _ 228, 229. INDEX. iii 188, 240 Blood-sucking flawus*, Phihiracorus ....... 450 Tumidalous® ......+00+0 on«.062 Alabama, C. of .......s.05:; 16 Angola, C. of, 26, 28, 31, 224, -2,30. antacus, Strategus .. .286, 390, 461 iv INDEX. Aleocharinae of U. S. and Canada .. «3c eee 56 Aquatic C., How to collect and mount) .4)%:.ciekbeen eee 392, 393 Arizona, C. of, 161, 163, 188, 241, 320. Arrow-poison from C, ...... 229 California, C. of, 66, 160, 499, 500 Chariessa eae Ease « < 70 Cicindela, Distribution of by SSE RR aie acs eos oss 360 Cicindela, Parasite of ....... gI Coccinellid eggs, Aphid feed- MN RD Sk Wirt ib ws 132 Game Fister Soe res. es 318 Dime hidia. eciees ek... 229 ferrist®; Agrilus ..cecc..ccces 368 ferrugineus, Bradycinetus .... 459 Held; TRICE. nthe... oss 160 Paarida,/C: 6f) gatuss .... 187, 428 fuscula*, Polyphylla ......... 161 Geotr umes is iteniiie «ibn 12. ie ¢ de ¢¢«« 6,4 falva Doane. PE EISTMES 0 « «0 4 ¢ » viridicans n. sp. ly greenish IE is aieeal splints) copes : tip of the auxiliary vein con- _ siderably anterior to the origin of the practurca ; the praeturca . ce ~ te about equal in length to the distance between the origin of _ the third vein and the small cross vein, or even shorter. . 14. Bl ol cd: tip of the auxiliary vein nearly opposite the origin -- of the praefurca (or, when anterior of posterior, the distance is “i EE ay new ten the distenes tetwesn 3 ha the origin of the third vein and the small cross vein . a ra ome eae 19. 20. 2I. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., ’ . Rostrum and proboscis nearly as long as the head . rostrifera O. S. Rostrum and proboscis much shorter than thehead. . ..... 15. TMOrEe DIOWR ie oc. +, okie eae eee eee ee floridana O. S. Thotax ochraceous. . . 9... Ws ss 3 0 ve ie 16. . Thorax with a single broad brown stripe. ..... ochracea Doane. Thorax with three brownstripes. . .. . esr tf, LEC RIS. 9! 8% uo) eo, ne eke ks te te brevivena O. S. Stismafuscous. 9. 20.05 65 8 6 es oe le vulgata Bery. . Thorax shining black, pleura with a silvery reflection. morioides O. S. Thorax brownish or grayish. .°.°.:.'. . «+ 0 = = = sous T9. Femora with a narrow pale band atthetip. .......... 20. Femora without sucha band .....:. . .°. 50) #o 9 21. Posterior margins of the segments of the abdomen lighter. badia Walk. Posterior margins of the segments of the abdomen not lighter. adjecta n. sp. The distance between the tip of the auxiliary vein and the subcostal cross-vein is nearly or quite as long as thestigma. ... . 22. The distance between the tip of the auxiliary vein and the subcostal cross-vein is shorter than one-half the length of the stigma . 27. Halteres unusually long... oye 2 eo 23. Halteres of -usual length . . ... 5) _-—s- The Inflation of Larvae. ‘The growing interest in the breeding of Lepidoptera from he ‘ing out life histories, or from the larvx to se- and authentic imagoes for the collection, empha- he importance of preserving the larve for future com- be vantages of inflated larvee over those that are pre d in liquids are manifold, possibly the chief of which is Bernal wg wh eects cttw a oe us greatly enhancing the value of the collection. — ‘up the inflation of larva at the Merrick Museum is ago, we found that, so far as we could ascertain, in use for that purpose, failed to meet the im- . heap required of such apparatus, h we assume to be—First, that the arrangement for infla- on of the skin shall be susceptable of the most delicate ad- a stmer ; that it shall be instantly changeable to a greater or a sure ; that the pressure shall be constant as to force, = Siaeatio. Second, that the temperature of the oven Il be equally controllable by the operator, and that it shall | apododetagg ots that shall scorch the most del- skin, producing discoloration, or singe the haif of the 7 pe] a ' oan aan Bsc 10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., ’08 hairy forms. Third, economy of time. Fourth, economy in cost of making the apparatus. We at once proceeded to ex- periment with a view of devising a tank and oven that should meet these four requirement, and from old tin cans produced an oven and tank that, after Mr. Henry Engel has inflated hundreds of larvee, from the monstrous Samais (which we bd’ 2 we lz if a Mah Mi, ey d ee Mae | h d_dad_c iT ce a” i i w p Wy 1 oP ae a: C { a g Wal |! SD ! i} WES eE | .coaomes | @ a =e ‘ : ——— e~bs e SS y = a ==s=s4) a, bottom section of tank 12 x 18 in., half filled with water as shown; a’, tube leading air to blowpipe; a”, stopcock to shut air from blowpipe; a’, sockets to hold guide rod ; 4, top section of tank 11 x 18 in.; 5’ 5’, screw-eyes soldered to top of 4 to slide on guide rod 6’; 5'' 6", weights to regulate air pressure by adding or removing; 64’”, guide rod, ¥ in. round iron, to keep upper tank perpendicular in center of lower tank; c, outer shell of oven6x6x8in. high; c’, glass gauge tube, to show amount of water in boiler; c”, blowpipe in position for drying larvae; c’”, inner shell of oven 4% x 4% x 7 in.; d, spring Clip to hold blowpipe; d’, tube % in., to fill boiler and allow escape of steam or vapor ; d” ad", wire support to which clip is soldered; d’”’, rubber tube ¥ in. from tank to blow- pipe; e, wire frame to support oven; /, alcohol lamp or gas jet to boil water; g, block to support oven; /, ring in blowpipe to clamp larvae; 7 7, glass cover (made in two pieces) to cover oven, allowing operator to see larvae and retain the heat. call the ‘‘ Ox Roast’’) to the tiniest Micro, has met all the re- quirements mentioned, not the least being economy of time. All the time required is for cleaning the larva and placing it on the blow pipe; you can then turn your attention to other ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 rs, and no harm will result if left in the oven an hour or ‘Shall be pleased to furnish (free of cost) a sketch of our and oven in detail to those interested in the preservation ve, upon application, hoping thus to stimulate a more ‘interest in this very important branch of the study of ull be pleased to exchange inflated or live larve with c: ee - Annihilating the Codling Moth.* Por. A. L. Mecanper, Pullman, Wash. of se step by step the advances made in the fight against co moth is an instructive lesson of the importance of d entomology. Here is a pest that for ages has rendered st worthless a large percentage of the apples the farmer uced. The money loss to the community annually mounted emis of dls, and ere the Says of emo = The discovery of Paris green and the invention of the spray pump crop, but the strength of the spray, the number of sprayings nécessary, and the dates of their days of Paris green, scarcely forty years ago, it ’ an achievement to save sixty per cent. of the Re to stuty of ¢ sprayings were given. re ne? indicated that three four sprayings properly timed were all that were needed. applications of various insecticides showed that "arsenate of lead was superior to Paris green. The advent of © Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of the State College of Washington. 12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [Jan., ’08 high pressure power sprayers enabled the use of weaker sprays than had heretofore been thought desirable. By these various steps the savings mounted; eighty per cent. became ninety per cent., and then ninety-five per cent., until two or three years ago even ninety-eight per cent. could be counted on. This past season in concluding a series of investigations on this pest that have been in progress for a number of years, the State Experiment Station of Washington eclipsed the record. Modern power sprayers, working at two hundred pounds pressure, forced a dilute spray into every flower cup. As fast as the worms entered the cups they were poisoned. The annihilation of the first brood of larvze was almost complete. In a seventeen-acre orchard that had 400,000 wormy apples in 1906, but 176 worms were taken from the band-straps this year, indicating that but four hundred worms escaped the first spraying. Even under the best conditions of reproduction the second brood in this orchard could not have exceeded eight thousand worms or eighty boxes of apples.. But, as two other sprayings were given to poison the second brood the calculated eighty boxes were reduced to six, one-tenth of one per cent. of the crop. To give the two sprayings for the second brood cost $100, which was more than the increased saving amounted to. In other words, a single complete spraying is now considered all that need be necessary to suppress the codling moth, no matter how wormy the orchard previously was. This sentence must * be read carefully, it means much more than simply spraying. It means thorough spraying, at a certain date and in a way that the fruit grower ten years ago did not dream of. The spraying must be given within a few days after blossoming time. A coarse spray is forcibly shot from Bordeaux nozzles only, drenching the tree through and through. Arsenate of lead alone is used one pound to fifty gallons, or in some of our tests even as weak as one pound to eighty gallons. The idea now is that the poison is better distributed when carried by much water thrown with great force than when used as the misty concentrated spray prevalent a few years ago. Another important point has been brought out, on which the success of NEWS. 13 sisted on the necessity of spraying for the second brood my orchards are near. We believe, however, that nor- he codling moth breeds generation after generation in stricted area, that itmay even be said to have a home- [f, therefore, all the worms in an orchard be extermin- the chance for outside re-infection under ordinary con- small. Slution of this fight against the codling moth, band- was first thought of. Then this was supplemented by ng. The spraying became of most importance, and in SUR od banding. In the development of spraying ods, the concentrated spray of the hand pump was high-pressure spraying, and the number of hap- rd sprayings was continually cut down, until to-day we ¢ that a single spraying can be made completely effective h and on time, the maximum saving at the minimum Phrough the study of a few decades economic entomol- enabled the farmer to save his entire crop instead of ag all,—an unselfish investigation that has added an un- \ iste Laue a vi _™ it have never known any other I have found several which ! ss were | similar to that of promethea. ___Im ome instance this stalk was about an inch and three quarters in net similar case of such a specialization is described by Grote American Philosophical Society, Vol. XII, 401, 1902. ; a Quercus, the larva feeds on Rose, Prunus and others. Polyphe- mus is badly parasitized here by ichneumonid, tachimid, and braconid flies —Kamt R. Cooumex. 14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., ’08 A new Eriocrania (Lepidoptera) from-the Pacific Coast. By Francis X. Witi1AMs, San Francisco, Cal. , (Plate II) In early March, 1905, I had the good fortune to capture several examples of an Eriocrania (Eriocephala), which Mr. Busck, of the U. S. National Museum, pronounces to be a new species. The specimens, ten in all, were caught at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, in Marin County, in a small grove of oaks (Quercus agrifolia). They were in good condition and cap- tured rather early in the morning, being disturbed from the trunks of trees. Their flight is rather weak, but hard to follow on account of the small size of the insect. When taken they sometimes feign death, as is often the case in Hepialus, folding their wings like a caddis-fly. Five of the specimens were dissected for anatomical study and another was accidently destroyed, leaving four specimens in good condition. Eriocrania cyanosparsella n. sp. Head covered with coarse, light gray hair; antenne dark golden, more than half the length of the primaries. Primaries metallic golden with purplish patches showing rusty golden in some lights, and forming three rather irregular oblique bands across the wing, the outer ex- tending across the base of the outer third of the wing and having a short, interior parallel band at the outer angle, the middle band diffusing costally, and being the plainest of the three; the inner band in the basal third most evident at the costa, its lower half broken — and represented by one patch on the inner margin. Purple patches scattered about the apex, along the outer margin, and basally on the costa. All purple showing cyanous blue scales in certain lights. Secondaries golden, becoming translucent towards the base, outer half purplish, especially apically. A strong rusty, golden tinge is probably faded purple. Blue scales sometimes reflected. Fringes pale metallic gray, golden at their outer half on the primaries. Body more than half as long as primaries, covered with long, light gray hair. Legs elongate and spurred. Expanse 11.60 mm, Type i ¢ ;Cotypes 3 $ ¢ , in the collection of the author. There is some variation in the intensity and arrangement of the bands on the primaries, these being heavier in some and more numerous or less in others, but they agree with the type in fundamental pattern. The expanse varies from 10 to 14 mm. The mouth-parts and wing venation illustrated on the plate, show well the primitive character of thé Micropterygide. weak and funetionless mandibles are partly concealed have the elongate curved lacinia well developed ve proboscis. The galea is furnished with a heavily zed dorsal ridge. The stipes and cardo are represented : unjointed basal portion of the maxilla. , Six-jointed maxillary palpus has an unnatural figure and should be recurved from its middle un- a 19> 28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | [Jan., 708 bite which is so severe that the natives compare it with that of a poisonous snake. I am elsewhere * publishing in full my notes on this interesting insect. 4. No. 500. Bostrychopsis cephalotes Ol. (Coleopt.) This species (known to the blacks as “Osekoseko”) is, to- gether with its allies, of vast economic significance. It is a wood borer which destroys most native “soft” woods, riddling them completely so that a timber will in time break of its own weight. There is an almost unlimited amount of timber in Angola that is of no value whatever because of this pest. Myri- ads of fine trees (Berlinia paniculata, Brachystegia tamarin- doides, etc.) cannot be used on this account. There are for- tunately a good many “hard” trees (Pterocarpus erinaceus, Burkea africana, Balsamea mulelame, etc.—also Ebenacez) which the borer does not touch. But these as a rule are more difficult to work than the “soft” kinds. I once made some ex- periments with this bettle. I found that boards, if sawed im- mediately after the tree is felled and then dipped in a long trough containing a weak solution of sulphate of copper, escape riddling. Another method is to soak them in a stream of water until they smell sour. Of course, the trouble in such procedures is that the boards warp badly for lack of proper seasoning. 5. No. 525. Heptaphlebomyia simplex Theob. (Dipt.) I have chosen this mosquito not only because it is a common and vicious blood-sucker, but also because my observations on it have a bearing on the vexed and unsettled systematic prob- lems presented by the Culicide, the which are now engaging the active attention of different zoologists. H. simplex, which in its general facies suggests Culex fatigans Wied., was known previous to the writer’s collections only from @ specimens, which differ from all other known mosquitoes by having a distinct seventh scaled wing vein, upon which character Mr. Theobald has founded a new genus and a new sub-family. * Deutsche Entom. Zeitschrift. NEWS. 29 o e Angolan specimens bred from eggs by the writer, aan: ne = * that the 2 2 do not share this pecul- in these there is no true scaled seventh vein, but the , at right anglesynear the edge of the wing. This ce serves to illustrate the dangers of sweeping systematic >. founded upon restricted data. H. simpler occurs ee Toy om. usually in company with squitoes, especially Danielsia wellmani Theob. and eran Task. Tt breeds in foul pools, the eggs yn in color and laid in rafts. 7 6. No. 877. ? Natada amicta Swinh. (Lepidopt.) is known that the larvx. of some Lepidoptera defend *s by means of stinging hairs. For instance, we have tia stimulea and Automeris io in America. In Angola eid asaiier of caterpliars with this habit Three of a especially venomous and belong respectively to the ide (Micro), Arctiide (Macro) and Liparide (this r resembling rather closely the larvx of some Tortricidx). ve repeatedly tried to breed out these caterpillars, but have seeded. I have seen the Limacodid larve very often i by imagines of the species named at the head SIE ial Sate Ghatefore provisionally connected the fo This caterpillar is locally called “Epuvi” and . I once saw a severe case of urticaria in a 1 following one touch of it. i. 7: No. 140. Brachytrypus membranaceus Drury. (Orthopt.) i giant cricket is dug out of its burrows in mealie fields rere eagle senti One can some- imes sce small basketfuls, wings and legs removed, ready for ener sas eee emeemed a great delicacy. Native chil- often go about digging for these crickets, and not seldom ta: a aks Thee Bye Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, Jam. 1. 1907. pm Ns ‘j ‘del 30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., ’08 get their fingers badly nipped in return, as the insect’s man- dibles are sharp and powerful and can draw blood. When a nest of driver ants (Annoma arcens Westw.) goes on a raid it is a sight to see the crickets (comparatively elephantine in size) driven from their holes, stridulating indignantly and struggling in vain to rid themselves from their foes. 8. No. 538. Sarcophaga africa Wied. (Dipt.) This handsome, viviparous fly breeds in faeces, putrid meat, etc. I have elsewhere * published an account of experimental myasis which I produced in goats, using this species of fly and the allied Sarcophaga albofasciata Macq. 9. No. 524. Culex hirsutipalpis Theob. (Dipt.) This mosquito is not only a great nuisance but, like H. simplex (vide antea) is interesting for other reasons. The é ¢ from this region differ from the type in having no pale band at the apex of the palpi, and Mr. Theobald’s diagnosis of my first specimens was “Culex sp. nov. near hirsutipalpis Theob.” HATEET ERE HHURLSEdGHUMEapENT pepeenezt Hit Hi ligt Fe | TE ME 22 “hae | rt aq £043; ay ii sa: CUE attend ili} ijet tii: bdeutitabort ti : veces feel (gue ia i f bias HET ; Be ; 44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ~ [Jan., ’08 succeeded in taking one perfect specimen, which I was selfish enough to keep for my own collection. Although it seemed to be quite plenti- ful in this locality, I am of the opinion that it is a Mexican butterfly, and that we took it on the extreme northern edge of its range; at least it was not to be taken this year in a region of the same character in every respect, and but a few miles north of the type locality, nor has it ever been seen anywhere else on the edge of the desert. The altitude at Jucumba is about 3,200 feet, and the locality where loki was taken is but little over a mile from the Mexican boundary.—W. S. Wricut, San Diego, Cal. Mr. Wright says, “I am not so sure that I like the name you gave it, but shall not presume to criticise. It was my intention to ask you to name it after the locality in which it was found, but it matters little so long as it has a name.” I don’t fancy the name very much, but I am under the impression that it is difficult to get names. Linnaeus certainly had an easy time of it in respect to names and some people (see Proc. Brooklyn Ent. Soc.) seem to think that any names that fall short of the Linnaean standard should not be used. Oh, for some one who loves to be of use to others and who will supply ap- propriate names! Let us have about a thousand published in the News pro bono publico. Happiness, by universal consent, seems to consist in doing good to others, so here is an opportunity. Loki was the god of strife and spirit of evil, who contrived the death of Balder. Afterwards he was chained, and will continue so till the twilight of the gods. The locality I had was Mountain Springs—HENryY SKINNER. AN OLpD RECORD OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE Hasitsor Azabrus.—In December, 1904,* Prof. Gillette published an article on the mating habits of Anabrus simplex, in which he described a peculiar sac-like object which is ejected by the male at the time of copulation and car- ried about for some time by the female. A year later Mr. Snodgrass makes the same observation on Peranabrus scabricoltis, a related species.| The ejection of this sac-like object, called ‘‘sperm-sac”’ by Gillette, is not confined to the Decticine as I have seen a similar ob- ject carried by Scudderia. It has been supposed that these observations were new, Gillette thanking Mr. Marlatt for having had a thorough search made in the library of the Bureau of Entomology for such references and stating that Mr. Banks, the librarian, found nothing upon the subject. Such obser- vations had, however, been made and published almost half a centur before. In an article entitled ‘‘ Exploration in Upper California in 1860, under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution,’ published in the report of the Smithsonian Institution for 1864, Capt. John Feilner writes of what he * Ent. News, vol. XV, p. 321-324, pl. XIX (1904). + Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc., vol. XIII, p. 74-82, pl. 1-11 (1905), of its own kind, but I have . * * © Immediately be- making perpendicular and oblique of an inch, by means of its tail, which . The eggs are passed from the food, but feeds upon all kinds of vege- ; ahter a while the bag disap- and crippled one another which were and eees the and is and are dropped one by one into the holes. * * * no particular the dead pbserved them destroy sexually, the insect without the tail (which | presume to be one or two minutes, and the peculiarity | observed that the one I presume to be the female was over a shrill whistling sound, as if to call his mate. The _ instead of the reverse. After the act a small bag—evidently act lasts vis union was, the other without the tail about attached to the body of the female close to the tail ; this is uP, 4 - observations of Capt. Feilner, who was killed by the Indians «6 o making them, agree quite exactly with those of recent writers. ua rade gh ja 22 2 He il : ue adi : He : £ ! i : Hi 46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., ’08 | Doings of Societies. At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held on November 20th, 1907, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 S. Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, there were ten mem- bers present, and Mr. John A. Grossbeck, visitor. Professor Smith spoke about Culex perturbans and its habits. This is a species which for three or four years last past has been hunted by all those interested in mosquito work; but not until this year were the habits of the larva ascertained. The first stages of the larva had become known from eggs obtained from gravid females; but what became of them after they got out of the eggs nobody knew. Briefly stated, the eggs are laid in a raft on the surface of the water in densely overgrown swamps, illustrations of which were shown. The young larve hatching from these eggs at once make their way through the water to the mud surface and through the mud surface among the root mass below. Among these roots, anywhere from 2 to 4 inches below the bottom, the larve attach themselves by their anal tube and remain concealed from all ordinary natural enemies and in territory where no other mosquito larve can breed. The air supply seems to be obtained chiefly through the vascular system of the plants which is very loose and open. Mr. Grossbeck, in supplement, explained how he had found the breeding places by hunting egg boats, of which he finally found large numbers, at Lahaway, in Ocean County, and at Trenton, in Mercer County. He further described the par- ticular character of the plants among which the larvze are found and told how he collected them by forcing the net below the grass tussocks and, by disturbing the larve attached to the roots, got them into the free water, where he could get them with the net. Mr. Kaeber exhibited several species of ‘Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, which he collected in Arizona in the past sum- mer, which showed remarkable mimicry, and stated that the beetles and moths were taken at the same places and time, and in some cases were beaten from the same trees. FRANK Haimpacu, S§ ecretary. : - 7 7 y GICAL NEWS EL NGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION | Mr Fe cdagat OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. ‘XIX FEBRUARY, 1908. No, 2. he CONTENTS: SEEPS T ET EERE He PEST E EERE TET Cee eee eee ( Prrrrrrrirrin BsRorial ..«..- «cess + % ot ) = SS Neeapeeieres ie tes on C. dejecta Strecker, and Other Species of ___Catocala from East River, Conn. 7 vd By Cuas. R. Ery, Washington, D. C. phe (Puute V) ni ne original description of C. dejecta Strecker,* this species es pee 30 teenl Gash on the primaries Hulst also, in monc non the genus Cafoce/a, makes the absence of the Tie Ut tis tapelbdah Gharecterlétics sepateting this cies from others closely allied to it. ig July and August, 1907, the writer collected thirty- ] | of a species of Cafocala having black secondaries. Seviaaes tables Wire Giatictakably C. dejecte, but the thirteen, females, differed from the published de- criptions of this species in having in every case a decided basal dash. During the period mentioned the only other black- ‘inged forms of Cafocala captured were cpione and fristis. It is therefore evident that the thirteen females of the above series e of the same species as the males—that is, C. dejecta—and z: the literature relating to this species is incom- plete in that the male only has heretofore been described, and 7” _ © Ball, Brook. Ent. Soc., ti, y7, sie; Bull. Brook. Ent. Soc., vil, 33, sy. 47 48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 that it is inaccurate in that the said description would exclude the female. The absence of a basal dash is, in this case at least, not a specific but a sexual characteristic. In addition to the above facts it may also be stated that two females of C. dejecta were taken in the same locality in 1906, which have in each case a basal dash, and that a letter from Mr. Wm. Beutenmiuller informs me that the only female of C. dejecta in the collection of the Am. Museum of Nat. Hist. also has a basal dash. The males, in the series referred to, vary in expanse from 70 to 78 mm., with an average of 73.4 mm., with the excep- tion of one individual which measures only 59 mm. ‘The females vary from 66 to 79 mm. in expanse, with an average of 72.2 mm. There is considerable variation shown by both males and females of this species. Some of the males agree quite closely with the descriptions of Strecker and of Hulst. In a number of instances there is, however, a faint indication of a tendency toward the formation of a basal dash, and in many cases there is also a slight apical shading. This apical shading Strecker states to have been absent in the three specimens which he had before him. The females are much more heavily marked with black, as a rule, than is the case with the males, and the apical shading is in many cases quite pronounced. The most distinctive characteristic in both sexes is the very striking whitish area on the costal portion of the primaries just before the reniform. This area, which is much whiter than any other portion of the wing, extends from the t. a. line to the reniform, and is bounded below by a horizontal black shading, extending from the t. a. line to the point where the reniform and subreniform meet. ‘This whitish patch is very conspicuous because of its contrasting black border and, to- gether with the very dark reniform, affords an easy means of distinguishing this species from others somewhat resembling it in appearance. The above locality yielded also a noteworthy variation of C. gracilis Edwards, of the form showing but little suffusion of the primaries, in which the median band of the secondaries ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49 tear and does not reach the costal margin, on the upper wing. On the under side this linear band shows fe tendency to become obsolete. It is here broken at Stik Gelatty Maticatsa ot encther. other variation from the same locality is a form which rs to be intermediate between unijuga and meskei. It bl s the latter in size and in having the median band of ing of the primaries is, on the other hand, exactly the ee ar eallIN of Cotveris taken at East River, n., during 1906 and 1907, is as follows: 50 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 paleogama Guenée. “var. annida Fager. id ‘ phalanga Grote. antinympha Hiibner. badia Grote and Robinson. habilis Grote. basalis Grote. pretiosa Lintner. amasia Smith and Abbot (=sancta Hulst. cordelia Hy. Edwards. similis Edwards. fratercula Grote and Robinson. micronympha Guenée. preclara Grote and Robinson. grynea Cramer. gracilis Edwards. r = var. sordida Grote. ‘¢ (linear band on secondaries). amica Hiibner (= “ineella Grote). ok és var. androphila Guenée. “ suffusa Beutenmiiller. “ce sé “ce “ec nubitlis Hiibner. The Panorpidae (Scorpion-flies) of North Carolina, with Notes on the Species. By FRANKLIN SHERMAN, JR. Entomologist, State Department of Agriculture, Raleigh, N. C. This group of Neuropteroid insects has received very little attention from entomologists, mainly due, no doubt, to the fact that they do not make themselves conspicuous and are of relatively little economic importance. ‘The number of species to be found in any one locality seems to be small, though not so small as the ordinary collector might at first suppose. At Raleigh we have seven species recorded, while Mr. Manee has thus far located four at Southern Pines. Our complete list for the entire State includes fifteen species. Our limited records to present indicate that the species are, at least in the majority of cases, single-brooded, a given species occurring only at a certain season for one, two, or three con- secutive months. The exceptions to this are Panorpa rujicens, a * * ‘ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWs. st ta em the data for which species indicate a ee wrewlasty or partially two- ie cation: St pes enthocity of Mr. Nathan s, to whom thanks are due. While the author has per- ly collected most of the species listed, a number of records : i obtained from other collectors, as shown in the text. is E, C, W, E-C, etc., are used to denote the geo- situation of localities, as east, west, central, east- t As a rule the more southern forms of life are di athe at ad oat pars of ou Ste while the tly northern forms are found in the west and north- Specimens are in collections of the Department ure at Raleigh, or in the collection of Mr. Banks, tions of the other persons mentioned: ee eee S. Brimley and M. Bentley. Mr. Brimley has taken it at lights. Early t to middle of October. —ASpr and early-summer species taken both east and west, at mot yet at Raleigh, //awilock (E), early in May, R. S. Black Mountains (W), June, Wm. Beutenmiuller. tacus punctiger Westw. rh (E-C), early in June, R. S. Woglum. /aerelock in May, 1907, F.Shermian. An early-season species. = q Vapecion, collected os yet at only two localities, ob ‘no doubt more widely distributed Raleigh (E-C), middle of § >t to late in October ; taken by Sherman, Bentley, and Brimley. Southern Pines (S-E-C), September and Octo- = LY Ree yy I penn te Blech Mountains (W). by Wm. Beutenmiiller, in — 52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 6. Panorpa confusa Hagen. A late spring and summer species, not yet taken in eastern section. Raleigh (E-C), mid and late May, by Brimley. Highlands (S-W), early in July, Sherman. Slowing Rock (N-W), late in June and August, Sherman. 7. Panorpa lugubris Swed. This is an exceptional species. While its general appear- ance and structure mark it at once as a Panorpid, its color and habits are very unlike the other members of the family observed in the State. The wings, instead of being hyaline or yellow- ish, marked with black or brown, as is usual in the group, are glossy black, marked with white. The abdomen is red, and this combination of red and black colors, combined with the snout and the pinchers at the tip of the abdomen of the male, gives the insect a truly satanic aspect; yet, when examined without prejudice, it is a handsome species. While most Panorpids are found in low grounds, where there is a rank undergrowth, this one is found in grassy fields and pastures, especially the higher and drier portions. When persistently pursued it drops in the grass and feigns death or, at least, remains concealed. I have seen several specimens surround- ing and feasting upon a dead grasshopper ina path. Itisa fall species, apparently common every year, but more abun- dant in some years than others. Taken at Raleigh (E-C), from early in September to early in November, by Sherman, Brimley, and Bentley. Southern Pines (S-E-C), early in Oc- tober to early in November, by Manee. /azson (E), middle of October, Sherman. 8. Panorpa maculosa Hagen. A delicate species, thus far taken only in summer, in the mountains. Hendersonville (W), June, Sherman. AHighlands (S-W), early in July, Sherman. Blowing Rock (N-W), late in July and August, Bentley and Sherman. g. Panorpa nebulosa Westw. A late-spring and early-summer species, which our records indicate to be of general distribution in the State. Mavelock (E), early in May, Woglum. Raleigh (E-C), early in June, INTOMOLOG NEWS. 53 Hot Springs (W), Mrs. Slosson. Lake Toxaway Slosson. Highlands (S-W), early in June and Not yet taken by Mr. Manee at Southern rufa Say. 7 been informed by Mr. Banks that the type specimen species is in a museum in England. It was taken and, as the species had never again been recorded, Suspected of being a synonym or variation of some of the ser better-known species. On December 25, 1902 (Xmas- ), which was a warm, bright winter day, I took a specimen | in the southeastern part of our State, near the t, where the more typically southern forms of life are to ied. Several years later Mr. A. H. Manee took it at ines (8-1-0). end, learsting that it was a rarity, he te noticed more closely and finds it common in its sea- th runs from the middle of October to the middle of vember. Mr. Manee has sold a number of specimens to ic institutions and private collectors ; so that the status of sp is now fully established. - a pa raficens Rambur. Our records indicate that this species occurs throughout the fe, though not yet taken at Southern Pines by Mr. Maneec, nor at Raleigh. The fact that we have it recorded in the onths of April, May, June, and September, but not in July indicates that it may be two-brooded. Wallace ‘S-E), mid and late April, SHierman. /Yavelock (E), early, d, and late May, Brimley and Sherman. Wilkesboro (N-W), Ee of September, Sherman. Hendersonville (W), June, J | fi ie Panorpa signifer Banks. This species has been taken only in one western locality cs in our . It is doubtless more or less dis- ted thongh oor mon our mountain region at least. Slowing 4 (N-W), August, Woglum and Sherman (two different rs). 54 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’o8 13. Panorpa venosa Westw. This species may also be two-brooded. Raleigh (E-C), middle of September to middle of October, Brimley. Southern Pines (S-E-C), June, Manee. 14. Panorpa virginica Banks. Until I sent Mr. Banks a series of this species from our western (mountain) section, he had seen it only from the vicinity of Washington, D.C. My records include four rather widely different mountain localities. The records indicate the possibility of two broods. Hendersonville (W), June, Sher- man. Highlands (S-W), early in September, Woglum and Sherman. Boone (N-W), August, Sherman. Blowing Rock (N-W), August, Sherman. 15. Panorpodes carolinensis Banks. Black Mountains (W), May 20th, Beutenmuller. or Description of a New Catocala. By WILLIAM BEUTENMULLER. Catocala manitoba sp. nov. Male and Female.—Head and thorax dull olive or ashen gray, with an olivaceous tint. Collar edged with brown posteriorly. Fore wings rather broad, olive gray or purplish brown, with an olivaceous tint. Trans- verse anterior line black, distinct, with a rather strong outward curve from the costa to a little above the inner margin, and preceded by a slight brown shade. Basal dash black, scarcely extending to the middle of the basal area, sometimes absent. Basal line black, dentate, and extending to the basal dash. Transverse posterior line black, narrow to the lower inflection, where it is broad. Tooth opposite the cell rather long, followed by a very short tooth; thence the line is almost even and somewhat concave in its course to the lower inflection. Subterminal line dentate, somewhat paler than the ground color, distinct, but not very contrasting. Space between the posterior and subterminal lines filled with dull reddish brown from a little below the costa to the inner margin. Subapical shade very vague or absent. Reniform brown, disk and outline pale. Subreniform rounded, resting on the reniform; brown and partly or wholly black-ringed. On the costa near the middle is a black mark. Hind wings yellow. Median band black, somewhat angu- late, irregular, and meeting a black basal shade at the inner margin. Marginal band black and more or less broken before the anal angle, 55 is sometimes a detached spot. Fringes yellow, partly cut “alee ‘i Manitoba, Canada, August to Sep- GF CE. Pirmetone Heath). s.—Collections: Américan Museum of Natural His- Rutgers College, and George J. Keller. pallled to C. preciave. It may be readily known by -olive or purplish gray-brown fore wings, with an tint, and by the even brown space between the se posterior and subterminal lines. In freclara the p wings are lichen green, with a silky lustre. The tooth osite the cell in C. manitoba is long and followed by a very ne, while in preciara there are two long, sharp teeth. ne hind wings of both species are similar in color and a was erroneously considered by me to be the s C. titania Dodge, and the note on the latter published Mr. E. Firmstone Heath (Can. Ent., Vol. XX XIX, 1907, 5) belongs to C. manitoba. Recently I sent to Mr. G. a specimen of C. manifoha to ascertain if it was the umé as his C. fi/ania, and was informed that it is different. Mr. Dodge kindly compared my mawitoba with the single oxi ype of C. titania in the collection of Mr. O. C. Poling. Phe rem types of C. Hlania were destroyed by fire. T. Crnssow, Ja., is working upon the dipterous family Ephy- would like to examine all the material possible, native or Siiiel ghdiech, sgn Lackthey Avecce, Oakiand, Calif. -_ © a Sane Reeating of enbouiologiets at St. Loula, Mo., an organize- the n was effected to be known as the ** Heink Entomological Club,” so _Ramed by unanimous desire in honor of Mr. Chas. L. Heink, an enthu- > collector and student and owner of one of the largest collections vido in the city. A constitution and by-laws were adopted d a fund created for the foundation of a circulating entomological i The following officers were elected: President, Chas. L. Heink; SS Recording Secretary, Aug. Knetzger: Secretary, A. C. Keibly ; Trustee, Geo. Graf ; Sergt. at Arms, _ Noel Poepping. gS os ~ehnely ences eve, _ Kwerzoer, 56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | Feb., ’08 A Preliminary Systematic Arrangement of the Aleo- charinae (Coleoptera) of the United States and Canada. By A. FENYES. The following list is offered as an attempt to classify the Aleocharinae of America north of Mexico. ‘The second edi- tion of the Catalogus Coleopt. Eur. Cauc. et Arm. Rossic., has been used as a guide in arranging the genera common to both faunas, while the genera not occurring in the paleearctic region have been intercalated where they seemed to belong. Most of the genera created in Major Casey’s ‘‘ Observations on the Staphyl. groups Aleoch., etc.,’’ St. Louis, 1906, have been omitted and their species transferred to the allied genera. Nearly all the species described by Major Casey in his va- rious papers on Aleocharinae have been enumerated, although undoubtedly a considerable number of them will prove to be synonyms. Many of these species are described from unique specimens and are probably only individual variations. Only published genera and species are enumerated below. It is hoped that a corrected list may be printed from time to time. The list is necessarily imperfect, therefore corrections or additions will be appreciated by the compiler. DINOPSIS. GYRONYCHA. I. americana Kr. 14. valens Csy. 2. myllaenoides Kr. 15. ¢exana Csy. GYMNUSA. 16. olscura Csy. 3. brevicollis Payk. 17. fusciceps Csy. 4. variegata Kiesw. 18. lineata Csy. MYLLAENA. 19. attenuata Csy. 5 dubia Casall 20. pertenuts Csy. 6. intermedia Er. a1. fenyest Brnh. Fe minuta Gravh. OLIGOTA. 8. infuscata Kr. 22. apicata Er. 9. fenyesi Brnh. 23. parva Kr. 10. wvulpina Brnh. 24. pusillima Gravh. BAMONA. 25. pumilio Kiesw. II. carolinae Csy. 26. claviger Csy. 12. falliana Csy. 27. nugator Csy. 13. tenuissima Csy. 28. oviformis Csy. 57 : § i Ey 5 i il alin ih Li Heel an id THE THE neat AG ieeeenkeda ¥ ti 33 att & & eee § sibs : Adit aii bags 58 HUGH (iil neat 1 paeesaeee eo an 58 Io4. 105. 106. 107. To8. 109. IIo. IIt. II2. 113. II4. 115. 116. 117. 118. 19. 120, I2!. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. decolorata Csy. nanula Csy. pasadenae Csy. pusio Csy. valens Csy. vesperis Csy. PHYTOSUS. fletcheri Csy. littoralis Horn. BRYOBIOTA. bicolor Csy. THINUSA. maritima Csy. obscura Csy. BRYOTHINUSA. catalinae Csy. LIPAROCEPHALUS. brevipennis Mak. cordicollis Lec. DIAULOTA. densissima Csy. insolita Csy. AMBLOPUSA. borealis Csy. brevipes Csy. ASTHENESITA. pallens Csy. LEPTUSA. haemorrhoidalis Heer. americana Brnh. atrocephala Brnh. brevicollis Csy. canonica Csy. casey? Feny. opaca Csy. seminitens Csy. semirufa Csy. 132. £25, 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. I4I. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. I5I. 152. 153. 154. 155. 156. | 157. 158. 159. 160. | 161. 162. 163. 164. 165. 166. 167. PHILOTERMES. Juchst Kr. pennsylvanicus Kr. pilosus Kr. EURYUSA. obtusa Lec. BOLITOCHARA. notata Maki. densicollis Csy. californica Csy. punctiveniris Csy. aspera Csy. nigripennis Csy. obsolescens Csy. arcuata Csy. bakeri Csy. collaris Csy. laxicornis Csy. nigrina Csy. brevicornis Csy. minor Csy. marginella Csy. nanella Csy. picta Csy. laetula Csy. suturalis Csy. tristigma Csy. texana Csy. trimaculata Er. EUVIRA. debilis Shp. AUTALIA. puncticollis Shp. elegans Csy. FALAGRIA. longipes Woll. obscura Grvh. dissecta Er. towana Csy. ithacana Csy. subsimilis Csy. texana Csy. [Feb., ’08 FESEESESSEES TS SS BSRERSE 60 245. 246. 247. 248. 249. 250. "251. 252. 253. 254. 255. 256. 257. 258. 259. 260. 261. 262. 263. 264. 265. 266. 267. 268. 269. 270. 271. 272. 273. 274. 275. 276. 277. 278. 279. 280. 281. 282. 283. 248. ENTOMOLOGICAL experta Csy. 285. curtipennis Csy. 286. abducens Csy. 287. shastana Csy. 288. harfordi Csy. baltifera Lec. alutacea Csy. ~ laticeps Csy. placidula Csy. majuscula Csy. sparsella Csy. ducens Brnh. elsinorica Csy. transversa Csy. laticollis Csy. mollis Csy. pimalis Csy. citrina Csy. TRACHYOTA. cavipennis Lec. lativentris Csy. BRACHYUSA. raptoria Woll. DAYA. gigantula Lec. ATHETA. subtilior Brnh. ambigua Er. cambrica Woll. sulcifrons Steph. insecta Thoms. melanocera Thoms. elongatula Gravh. aubei Bris. gemina Er. polaris Brnh. angusticornis Brnh. californica Brnh. dichroa Gravh. laevicollis Makl. maritima Mannh. proterminalis Brnh. satanas Brnh. faliaciosa Shp. 289. 290. 29gI. 292. 293. 294. 295. 296. 297. 298. 299. 300. 301. 302. 303. 304. 305. 306. 307. 308. 309. 310. 311. 3124. 313. 314. 315. 316. 317. 318. 319. 320. 321. 322. 323. 324. 325. 326. 327. 328. 329. 339. NEWS. [Feb., 08 complana Mannh. americana Bruh. delicata Brnh. pseudovilis Brnh. sibirica Makl. angustula Gyllh. subdepressa Brnh. arcana Er. palustris Kiesw. nitens Makl. nigropolita Brnh. amicula Steph. festinans Er. flaveola Melsh. fulgida Brnh. globicollis Brnh. holmbergi Brnh, impressicollis Brnh. luctifera Brnh. pennsylvanica Brnh. polita Melsh. pratensis Makl. divisa Makl. coriaria Kr. sodalis Er. palhdicornis Thoms. nigritula Gravh. v. virginica Brnh. euryptera Steph. aquatica Thoms. pertyi Heer. castanoptera Mannh, oraria Kr. aspericauda Brnh. bidenticulata Brnh. crenulata Brnh. crenuliventris Brnh. Sulgens Broh. JSuscula Csy. helenica Csy. occidentalis Brnh. planaris Makl. truncativentris Brnh. vasta Makl. ventricosa Brnh. dentata Brnh. a S33 $8 FR FF FES FREREPE ESE ESS SEES 5 61 62 407. 408. 409. 410. 4It. 412. 413. 414. 415. 416. 417. 418. 419. 420. 421. 422. 423. 424. 425. 426. 427. 428. 429. 430- 43I. 432. 433. 434. 435. 436. 437- ENTOMOLOGICAL CALLICERUS. canadensis Csy. 438. puberulus Csy. 439. THAMIARABA. americana Brnh. 440. _ APTERONINA. schmitti Wasm. mats ASTILBUS. cavicollis Csy. ane TINOTUS. caviceps Csy. 443. imbricatus Csy. trisectus Csy. 444. HOPLANDRIA. 445. lateralis Mels. 446. pulchra Kr. 447 448. PLATANDRIA. 449 mormonica Csy. 450. 451. TRICHIUSA. 452. laevis Csy. 453 polita Csy. 454. transversa Csy. 455. compacta Csy. 456. parviceps Csy. 457. setigera Csy. monticola Csy. convergens Csy. 458. hirsuta Csy. 459. pilosa Csy. 460. atra Csy. 460a. postica Csy. 4606. virginica Csy. 461. robustula Csy. 462. rigida Csy. 463. discreta Csy. varicolor Csy. parvicollis Csy. 464. 465. ECITOPORA. 466 nitidiventris Brues. 467. tenella Wasm. 468. NEWS. ECITONUSA. schmitti Wasm. Soreli Wasm. ECITONIDIA. wheeleri Wasm. DINOCORYNA. bisinuata Csy. MICRODONIA. occipitalis Csy. PLATYUSA. sonome Csy. ZYRAS. angustulus Csy. caliginosus Csy. cremastogastris Wasm. . fauveli Shp. lautus Csy. loricatus Csy. lugubris Csy. megalops CSy. obliquus Csy. planifer Csy. rudis Lec. schmitti Hamilt. schwarzi Wasm. seticornis Csy. XENODUSA. sharpi Wasm, caseyi Wasm. cava Lec. v. hirsuta Wasm. v. major Wasm. montana Csy. vreflexa Walk. angusta Fall. PHLOEOPORA. testacea Mannh. corticalis Grvh. . ferruginea Csy. oregona Csy. sublaevis Csy. ' [Feb., ’08 Fit HTT i585 iF : 555358 ie fi af ae Ey (HITTER ha BRRRREES ESS & 2% 3 Lett fy tet 7/27, ae F ml a ate ; a \ So te ‘ : - : * ‘ | tee = *, J ,* —- : : , be ‘ ba . ee Sam 88 Atal ty ful 64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ISOGLOSSA. 565. dipustulata L. 536. arcuata Csy. 565a. Vv. pauxilla M. & R. ACHROMOTA. 566. speculicolls, Brnh. F ; 567. gvacilicornis Broh. 537. Suseor ee yay: 568. densissima Brnh, THIASSOPHILA. 569. densiventris Brnh. 538. angustiventris Csy. 570. sovor Brnh, 539. asperata Csy. 571. Sparsicollis Brnh. 540. Jaticollis Csy. 572. anthomyiae Spr. CRATARAEA. 573. maura Sachse. 541. suturalis Manuh. 574. rubripennis Pettit. 575. texana Csy. TERMITOGASTER. 576. fusicornis Csy. 542. ¢exanus Brues. 577. sternalis Csy. DECUSA. 578. algonguina Csy. 543. expansa Lee. 579. medialis Csy. HOMOEUSA. 580. tahoensis Csy. 544. acuminata Mark. Set. piosenek Co 545. crinitula Csy. ee? ln dae 583. ellipsicollis Csy. MYRMOBIOTA. 584. americana Csy. 546. crassicornis Csy. 585. postpicta Csy. ECITOXENIA. 586. smontanica Csy. 547. brevipes Brues. 587. —— Csy. MASEOCHARA. " os, Peper erie Csy. 548. semivelutina Solsk. 590. dipartita Csy. 549. decipiens Csy. sgt. laramiensis Csy. 550. valida Lee. 592. rubripennis Csy. 551. californica Csy. 593. castaneipennis Mann. 552. ponderosa Csy. 594. vobustula Csy. 553- vuficauda Csy. 595. glenorana Csy. 554. puber. ula Csy. 596. uvidula Csy. 555. Sasalis Csy. 597. vrotundicollis Csy. ALEOCHARA. 598. acomana Csy. 556. curtula Goese. 599. mannerheimt Csy. 556.a v. lustrica Say. 600. insulana Csy. 557. crassicornis B. & L. 601. defecta Csy. 558. lata Grvh. 602. affiuens Csy. 559. puberula Kig. 603. sculptiventris Csy. 560. marion Grvh. 604. imbricata Csy. 561. villosa Mannh. 605. idonea Csy. 562. fumata Grvh. 606. salicola Csy. 563. moerens Gyllh. 607. densiventris Csy. 564. verna Say. 608. obsolescens Csy. 564a. v. danguida Sachse. 609. recta Csy. [Feb. , 08 SESSETERETE g BIBLIOGRAPHY. m MAXx., Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1905, 249. = Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1906, 337. “Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1907, 381. Cuas. T., Entom. News, 1904, 250. , Tuos. L., Ann., N, Y., Ac. Sc., 1892, 711. a fi 3 g EEE G2 F uz: gee g 5 : if . Ent. Soc., = a 53- oe tity if a Na Soc. I. Nat. Mosc., 1853, No. 3. z ** Bull. Nat. Ges. Mosc., 1846. ear, Te., Journ. Ac. Nat. Sc., Phil., 1823. ie a Trans. Am. Philos. Soc., 1834 and 1836. . | WASMANN, E., Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1897, 273. , * Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1897, 280. sy ** Deutsch. Ent. Ztschr., 1899, 409. ¥ “ Krit. Verz. d. myrmekoph. u. termitoph. Arthrop., Berlin, 1894. "e ** Wien. Ent. Ztg., 1901, 145. 66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 Notes on the Coleoptera of Placer County, Calif. By JuriaA D. E. WricHT AND KARL R. COOLIDGE. The following species of Coleoptera were taken in the vicin- ity of Towle, Dutch Flat, and Alta, small mining towns of Bret Harte fame. In 1903 the former writer spent June, July, August, and a part of September at Towle, and April and May of 1907 were spent by the latter at Alta. Placer County is in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the elevation at Alta being about 4000 feet. Pinus ponderosa and P. lambertiana are char- acteristic trees of that region, and many species, particularly in the Coccinellide, were found on them. ‘The blossoms of of Anstostophylos and Ceanothus were also rich in insect visitors. Considerable collecting was done at Lake Alta, a small lake below Alta, and around the banks Cicindelide were found abundantly. There is a good hotel at Lake Alta, and we would recommend this locality as an excellent entomological one. The following list is far from complete, but, from time to time, we hope to be able to add to it. We are much indebted to Drs. Blaisdel and Van Dyke for many identifi- cations : CICINDELIDE. Omus californicus Esch. Fairly common in June. “‘ rugipennis. June. seguoiarum Cr. Rare; only one specimen in June. Cicindela purpurea, var. graminea Schaupp. A single specimen. ‘* lauta Casey. One specimen. oregona Lec. Abundant. May to September. “cc “ce CARABID. Pterostichus ater Dej. Several taken in June. me tarsalis Lec. Not rare in June. protractus Lec. Common, californicus Dej. Found abundantly under stones and logs. vicinus Mann. Several under stones. inania. One in June. lustrans Lec. June. Amara sp. Platynus subsericeus Lec. Abundant in July. Anisodactylus consobrinus Lec. June to August. . piceus Men. One taken under stone. DERMESTID. us occidens Casey. Abundant on the blossoms of manzanita. & TROGOSITID. posite virescens Fab. September, in decayed pine. ic ta dentipes Ex. Jane. ( - DASCYLLIDA. Lec. Very common on lilac. ‘ ELATERID£. locera profusa Cand. Very rare; a single specimen on a pine-stump. Vaus ops Lec. Also rare. June. tyobius murrayi Lec. A few examples taken on wing near ditch. rym cruciatus, var. edwardsia Horn. May, June. Very variable. a: figrinus Fall. A single specimen on yellow pine in May. Melans — Occasional in June. alcophora lis Lec. Common in June. | Dicerca hornii Cr. in June. | opulenta Fall. A specimen of this rare species was taken in 68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 LAMPYRIDE. Ellychinia californica Mots. Common in May and June, on oak. Very variable. Podabrus comes Lec. June. “ce Sp. MALACHID. Listrus sp., near pardalis Casey. CLERIDE. Trichodes ornatus Say. Common in July on ceanothus. LUCANID. Platycerus californica. A single specimen in June. SCARABAEIDZ. Canthon simplex Lec. Very common in May and June. Aphodius pardalis Lec. Hoplia dispar Lec. On ceanothus. Dichelonycha crotchii Horn. Rare. nes vicini, June. sf lateralis Fall var. Common. Cremastochilus pilosicollis Horn. One specimen in road. CERAMBYCID. Ergates spiculatus Lec. July. Hylotrupes amethystinus Lec. Not uncommon in August. si ligneus Fab. Common in June and July. Brothylus gemmulatus Lec. Calloides lorquini Bug. Rare. Clytus tanifer Lec. Common in July. Xylotrechus obliteratus Lec. One in July. Neoclytus conjunctus Lec. Ulochetes leoninus Lec. Two specimens on wing in August. Toxotus vestitus Hald. Common in July. Very variable in size and color. Pachyta spurca Lec. June and July. Leptura obliterata Hald. Common everywhere in July. ‘« tribalteata Lec. «so grossa Lec. June. Rare. ‘© laetifica Lec. Fairly common in June. “< chrysocoma Kirby. “« _ crassipes Lec. June and July. ‘* valida Lec. Rare. One in July. ‘* — dolorosa Lec. Also rare. Atima dorsalis Lec. Several taken on wing. Monohammus titillator Fab. Fairly common. “44 scutellatus Say. » ¢ a Wright has informed me. Two or three I took on alfalfa, and : ean ce sree Thecla ines, a Mex- s, i, and rarely taken in Arizona or Southern California, so Mr. McPhee Kunze, Phoenix, Arizona. 70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., 08 The North American Species of Chariessa (Coleoptera). By A. B. Woxcorr, Chicago, Il. Three examples of an undescribed species of the genus Chariessa have been in my collection for many years. Speci- mens of the four species and one color variety known to occur in our fauna are now before me, and demonstrate that the nondescript is specifically distinct. : Our few species may be separated by the aid of the follow- ing table : A. Abdomen entirely red. b. Thorax depressed, sides narrowing anteriorly, pubescence of thorax light red ; elytra broadly dilated posteriorly. Length 7-14mm. Ree ROR, MOK. Siig... sa) ey elegans Horn. bb. Thorax convex. c. Elongate, sides of prothorax parallel anteriorly, pubescence of thorax blackish ; sides of elytra nearly parallel. Length 9 fim Cab, Nid. oul es. oss ss dichroa Lec. c. c. Robust, sides of prothorax strongly narrowing anteriorly, pubes- cence of thorax whitish (or fulvous) ; elytra broadly dilated posteriorly. Length6-8.5mm. Tex., N. J., Mex., Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Brazil -..... . .4 sips vestita Chevr. A A. Abdomen black. d. Thorax moderately convex, narrowing anteriorly ; elytra black. Length 7-13 mm. Fla., Ga., N. J.,D. C,, N. Y., R. I., Mass., Pa., Ohio, Wis., Ont., Ill., Iowa, Neb, Kans., Ark., Ky., TOR tan es. sey el nn pilosa Forst. Elytra black, lateral and sutural margins pale, femora usually Dee Ma) ss: iial) 9) eh ea var. onusta Say. dd. Thorax strongly convex, parallel anteriorly: elytra dark blue. Length 11-15 mm, Texas. .... a texana n. sp. Elytra dark blue, lateral and sutural margins pale. . . . var. C. vestita Chevrolat (Brachymorphus), Col., Mex., Cent. ii, No. 150 (1835) ; Klug. (Znoplium), Abh. Berl. Akad., 1842, p. 3633 tab. 1, fig. 10; Spinola, Mon. Clérites ii, p. 88; tab. 45, fig. 2 (1844) ; Gorham, Biol. Cent. Amer. iii, part 2, p. 187 (1882) ; Laporte ( Corynetes spectabilis) Silberman’s Revue Ent. iv, p. 50, No. 1 (1836). In this beautiful species, which has erroneously been accred- ited to Spinola, the elytra and prothorax are blue, densely pubescent with erect whitish hairs, on each elytron before the middle there is a large transversely oval, velvety black spot ; INTOMOLOG NEWS. 71 ead, antennae (except the club), entire ventral surface of y and the legs are red, the pubescence of the parts is red ; libles, antennal club, tips of tarsal appendages and claws are black. Vestifa is a very broad species, h equaling half the length. from the more tropical portions of its habitat ’ to be a variable species in coloration, the tendency Seeree eee portions tp become obscurely reddish end PF sence more dense. In a Guatemalan specimen in ly collection the elytra are violaceous, the prothorax dull ious with a reddish tinge, the tarsi entirely red, and the ni di bles black at tip only; the five apical joints of the an- | ee fees ase thorax and elytra fulvous and y black spots of the elytra very large and round. | elegans Horn, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. iii, p. 87 (1870) ; Gorham, Biol. / ss Cent. Amer. ili, part 2, p. 346 ; tab. 12, fig. 23 (1885) ; Rivers (Lamberti) Loe vi, p. 396 (1894). T species bears a slight resemblance to C. dichroa, but : ee ms many yoapects. Elegans is a much broader, m i species. It is a deep sanguincous red (the color STGid sentestel toe pale red. as described by Dr. Horn), ae ra blue with metallic lustre wanting ; the antennae _ (the basal joint excepted) and the tarsi black. The prothorax in this species is much more coarsely and densely punctured while the elytra are less coarsely punctured than in dithroa. uu oe ap) : I js LeConte ( Zsoflium) Rep. Exp. and Surv. 1857, xii, p. 48. ; is species may be easily recognized by its elongate form, 5 ely punctured thorax and coarsely punctured elytra. The ing in this species is the same as in C. elegans, with the _ following exceptions: the blue of the elytra has a sub-metallic , the prothorax is more shining, the legs and antennae Tictetty back, while the scutellum is red, the pubescence Bed ced gvthonx to blackish. = Dichroa is by far the rarest species and according to Mr. Hopping larvae of the two species seem to be indistin- | Both species breed in the same log—that of Quercus _ douglasii or Sierra foot-hill oak (at Kaweah, Cal.), and as this iepeeeene mek Gram math shove 2000 fect, Mr. Hopping thinks s* ma - th oF >a ave 72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 it probable that the species may in some localities breed in oaks of a different species. For this species and a fine series of C. elegans I am indebted to Mr. Ralph Hopping. C. pilosa Forster (Lampyris), Nov. Spec. Ins. Cent. i, p. 40 (1771) ; Oli- vier (Enoplium), Enc. Meth. vii, p. 490 (1782) ; Say (Znop- lium), Amer. Ent. iii, tab. 41, fig. 5 (1828); Klug ( Anoplium); Abh. Berl. Akad., 1842, pp. 104 and 360 mec., p. 113; Spinola ( Pelonium), Mon, Clérites i, p. 356; tab. 34, fig. 5 (1844) ; LeConte (Felonium), Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., v, p. 32 (1849) ; Gorham (Pe/onium), Trans. Ent. Soc., Lond., xxv, p. 417 (1877) ; Wickham, Can. Ent., xxvii, p. 252 (1895). C. pilosa var. onusta Say (Lnoplium), Amer. Ent. iii; tab. 41, fig. 1 (1828) ; Say (2. marginatum ||), Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., iii, p. 188 (1823) ; LeConte (Pelonium), Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., v, p. 32 (1849) ; Wickham, Can. Ent., xxvii, p. 252, fig. 20 (1895). Chariessa pilosa and its color variety are so well known and easily recognized as to render needless the giving of any char- acters other than those contained in the table of species. C, texana n. sp. Elongate, black, thorax ferruginous, apical margin each side of middle with rounded black maculation, sometimes united forming a short, broad, transverse apical band. Head and thorax coarsely and very densely punctured, pilose with long, erect yellowish hairs. Thorax slightly longer than broad, convex, disc feebly longitudinally impressed, sides parallel anteriorly. Elytra dark blue, sides nearly parallel, convex, moderately shining, the sutural margins strongly costate, the costae smooth and broad, each elytron with four more feebly developed costae, punctuation very coarse and dense at base, less deep and coarse toward apices, humeri very prominent, impunctate. Legs densely clothed with very long semi-erect hairs. Length 11-15 mm. Sweetwater, Nolan County, Texas. Three specimens kindly given me by Mr. Willard Wooding. This species is most nearly allied to C. pilosa, from which it is distinct by the different form of the thorax and by the form of the entire insect, the elytra are more coarsely punctured and moderately shining, and it is a much larger species; the colors of thorax and elytra are also greatly different from those of pilosa. ‘The variety of this species is identical with the type excepting that the elytra are very narrowly margined, the pale margin being about half as wide as in C. pilosa variety onusta. 5 ar) species conspeisng 1 genus Erebia are all arctic in at or are found at high in temperate regions. this reason many of our species are rare in collections. a r has been fortunate in obtaining most of the species, t sever descriptions have been taken from figures. The lowing compose our fauna : data But!. | above immaculate dark brown. Beneath paler, with a wide, ish submarginal band on both wings, not quite reaching to the lower fin of the primaries; a more or less obsolete basal band; bands bor- ahr ATED, ond o macro bend on secondaries Exp. 1.80-2 inches. /.—Alaska and Arctic America. . Kirby. saries reddish brown, with a triangular, obscure, reddish, discoidal y marbled and clouded with gray and whitish; fringes whitish alternately; body brown; antennae annulated with white. 7> fa /.—Boreal America; Hudson Bay; Canada, Alberta. *, = Curt. 7 surface of wings dark reddish brown. On primaries toward ap ie ture Ocallated apots close together. Beneath as above, the ground es © paler; on primaries the outer portion is a pale band containing a Po series of white points. Exp. 2 inches. S W Habitat. —Boreai America; Hudson Bay; St. Lawrence Bay. Se disa, var. mancinus D. and H. "oa Upper surface of wings blackish brown. On primaries a reddish sub- | marginal band in which is contained three or four black spots, pupiled . _ with white, the upper two more distinctly so. Primaries beneath as above. Under surface of secondaries brown, densely powdered with grayish ; a broad, more or less distinct graytsh-black median band, deeply toward base, regularly sinuate outwardly; base gray- ish; a submarginal row of blackish lunules, sometimes obsolete; a whit- ish spot on secondaries; at costal margin and on outer edge of band a whitish, triangular patch, Exp. 1.50 inches. ya 74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | [Feb., ’08 Habitat.—Alaska ; Rocky Mountains; British America ; Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. 5. Vidleri Elwes. Wings above blackish brown; on primaries a yellow-brown band en- closing three small, dark-brown ocelli, the upper two pupiled with white. On secondaries a band extending about half-way across the wing, con- taining two brown spots, the upper small. Habitat.—Seton Lake, near Lilloet, on the Fraser River, British Columbia. 6. tyndarus, var. callais Edw.. o'—Wings above brownish, with a broad, transverse, castaneous band on outer two-thirds of primaries, more or less distinct. At apical end is contained a black, duplex, bipupiled spot. Secondaries with a series of three small, black points, each ina castaneous ring; fringes brown. Primaries beneath castaneous except costal edge and apex, which are gray; markings as above. Secondaries grayish, with brownish scales; disk crossed by a deeply crenated line, anterior to which, near base, is another line nearly obsolete; spots as above. Body brown above, below dark gray; antennae brown, luteous below; club fuscous above, yellow at tip. Q—Paler, the spots on secondaries sometimes more or less wanting. Exp. 1.50 inches. Habitat.—Colorado; New Mexico. 7. epipsodea Butl. o'—Upper surface of wings dark brown; generally three black, ocel- lated spots on primaries, broadly surrounded with reddish brown, wid- ening anteriorly and narrowing in the submedian interspaces. A similar series on secondaries, three or four in number, surrounded with reddish brown. Primaries beneath as above, third ocellus obsolete or repre- sented by a point. Secondaries beneath with outer margin paler and a curved median, blackish band; spots repeated, but reduced. Body and palpi brownish black; antennae and club brown above, buff below, fulvous at tip. Exp. 1.50 inches. Q—Of same size; ocelli enlarged. Var. brucei Elwes, The fulvous patch on primaries divided into four parts by the subcostal and discoidal nervures. Above third median nervure a small, fulvous patch which contains two black dots, the white pupils obsolete. Beneath as above. I regard this as a local aberration. Flabitat.—New Mexico to Alaska at suitable elevations ; common in Montana, Eastern Washington, and British Co- lumbia. “ 75 ar. brucei, Summit County, Colorado, 12,000 feet ; Fort c of light spots reduced, both above and below; usually primaries above and below, and two on inferior surface of sec- ar > ( —Fort Churchill, Hudson Bay; Yellowstone Park, Be Sooo feet; British Columbia; Wyoming; Colorado. on Eagle City, Forty Mile Mission, Alaska ; , or . ictase a variety of the Siberian mawrisius Esp., re id it is also close to £. hefersteinii Ex., another Siberian we Colorado, 10,000 to 14,000 feet. to «young! Holl. Al both wings are dark brownish black; on primaries a wide sub- ginal band of red spots, pupiled with black. On secondaries a con- Galore series of rounded spots, not confivent as on primaries. Beneath ter the spots of primaries more confluent, but less sharply outlined. 4 crossed by a broad-curved, median, dark band, defined on th sides by narrow black lines, External to this a paler band, more Seat ont osteo Succeeding this a moderately wide, even marginal band; pupils of above repeated. ss dark upon upper surface of wings, the ocellated red spots more developed. Exp. 1.50 inches. _ Habitat. Forty Mile Mission, Alaska. @ Dr. Wa. A. Nason has sold his collection of insects to the State Lab- oratory of Natural History, University of Illinois, Urbana, IIL 76 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 . Oviposition of Bibio albipennis Say. By ARSENE GIRAULT, New Richmond, Ohio. In early April, 1907, this species was very common at Olden, Missouri, occurring on various fruit trees in the large apple and peach orchards of the Ozark region. They were found as isolated examples clinging to the foliage, but on one occa- sion in the afternoon a single small swarm was observed at the edge of a peach orchard. ‘They were flying erratically, occasionally alighting on the foliage of nearby trees. The species was present for at least eight or ten days, and a female» deposited many eggs in a small box in which she was confined. Continued cold spells, however, interfered with their breeding and the eggs failed to hatch. On May 17, 1907, along the Ohio River, at New Richmond, Ohio, many single examples of this species were again met with on the foliage of apple, peach and other trees. ‘Three gravid females were captured on that date and confined during the afternoon of the same day in a jar containing moist soil. As expected, they had disappeared under the soil by the morn- ing of the 19th, and early in the morning of May 22d the egg-masses were found at the bottom of the jar under 65 mm. of soil, each mass partly enveloping the now dead body of the female. The eggs were deposited in a more or less regular mass, side by side and on their ends, the rows often over-lapping, and each mass averaged 2211 eggs by actual count. ‘The eggs are of the usual dipterous form and color, being oblong with both ends rounded, and with one side slightly convex, and the other slightly concave. ‘Their color is sordid yellowish white, they are translucent, opaque at the ends, their contents granulated, and surface apparently simple. In structure they are very delicate, To the naked eye they are minute and inconspicuous when single, and the whole mass is not wider than 6 or 7 millimetres. The eggs average 0.558 mm. in length. They die when taken from their positions in the soil and exposed to the atmosphere. I am indebted to Mr. D. W. Coquillett, U. S. National Mu- seum, for determination of the species. reddish brown, spot on discal white, 1 mm. square, basal corners slightly rounded ; 4 mm. § external margin and parallel to it runs a narrow bluish band. margin marked by 0 ul wove band wide. Secondaries ch pu brown, somewhat lighter at the costal margin, deepest at ba Under side : abdomen, two-thirds its length from thorax nearly ih tows: primaries same as upper surface except lim bal ne 5 Oe erarth Green, ceca spot duit wie seconda- grayish brown, with basal patch of purple brown. Expanse 53 female is much larger, expanse 71 mm., of lighter color and arke ced in the same manner. _ Lif istory of Amisola skinneri : Eggs found on August 20th Hatched September rst-sth inclusive. Young larvae grayish- brow naked, 2mm. Commenced to feed 4 days after emerg- . Changed to reddish-brown September 1oth. Changed dull red September 13th. September 16th skin shows iny ridges like paper crumbled up and smoothed out again. § form of skin stays to time of pupation. First pupa- _ tion Sept 29th, last October sth. No moulting what- ever ; itaiiae ob cocesh: Chrysalid naked in the loose ground 2 to 3 inches under surface, sandy earth preferred _ with a layer of dead leaveson top. They cease feeding and w rander aimlessly around cage, color fades to a reddish clay . nd anal portion and head shrink towards center with slight ‘swel My experience of last.year teaches me that this larva _ When freely handled will wander about, feed very irregularly "and little, and finally die; of 22 I saved only 2. This year they were not handled and all but one went underground. Food, black (live) oak. z - Average length of grown larvae 56 mm. The emerged larva shows no spines at first, but elevated dark punctures where | they grow fterwards Adults emerged last year August sth. ——_2e2e -— _ In Stience for January 24, 1908, is a brief statement of the aim and i ""meethods of the Conciliam Bibliographicum. & ety ; 2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENToMOLOGICAL News solicit and will thankfully receive 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 bibliographers.] 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 recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL News has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put ‘copy ”’ into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, 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 number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., FEBRUARY, 1908. We were pleased to learn from the minutes of the Secretary- Treasurer and other sources, that the Chicago meeting of the Entomological Society of America was a great success, and that the attendance was large. We also learned from one of our correspondents that Dr. James Fletcher of Ottawa, First Vice-President, conducted the meeting in his usual inimitable happy manner. It is an excellent thing to have officers who will make long journeys at a sacrifice when duty calls. The new officers are an honor to the Association, being men of ability and eminence, and their names shed lustre on the infant Society. It is to be hoped that the next meeting to be held in Baltimore will be equally brilliant as to attendance and papers, and that the same policies and precedents that were so suc- cessful in Chicago will be adopted in Maryland. Our predic- tion that the Society would grow and flourish like a green bay tree has been fulfilled so we are happy. | Te A CorRECTION.—ENT. NEws, p. 43, 1907, line 33, for S. A. Rohmer read S. A. Rohwer. I choose this opportunity to record Pterochilus 5- JSasciatus Say, from Pueblo, Colo., July 31, 1907 (G. M. Hite). As far as I know the genus has not been been recorded from Colorado.—S. A. RoHWER, Boulder, Col. 78 OMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79 Notes and News. OGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS ” OF THE GLOBE. ND ye the record of the capture of a specimen of Coipodes ethlius f. This insect was once taken at West Farms, N. Y., about 4o 10, I believe. The specimen referred to was taken by me herein D. C., over a bed of Canna on September 19, 1903.—Cuas. ¢ ). W. Baxnertr is back in the Bureau of Plant Industry of the . A., after a very pleasant summer and autumn among the cacao ions of Trinidad, B. W. L, in the study of cacao pests and diseases Basan would Be to suggest that some of y society butterflies contribute a fund toward the promulgation about the metamorphoses of insects The R = n SS h I gave in Horticultural Hall is a lie. It is mace out of the th and there is nothing whatever to tt.’ wise did James W. Paul, Jr., emphatically stamp this story, first in Philadelphia and later in papers throughout the SENIDEAi ins eceusioned inet only eaasemest but indignation here. d to think of such a thing being done,’ continued Mr. ne nan Setent gece as thene stories had it they would have been transformed into larve s before their arrival bere. It is all absolutely untrue.’ back from New York yesterday that ‘15,000 blazed the way for Miss Mary Astor Paul's en- entire ball Cost $100,000." ' it that ‘the piece de resistance came when, at ht of the festivities, s00 beautiful butterflies, gathered from all s of the earth, were released over the heads of the magnificently and jeweled women and the bravely dressed men who had gath- das Mr. Paul's guests.’” ' New Pustication, Tuk Jovaera. or Economic Enxtomo.ocy, a # | organ of the Association of Economic Entomologists. Editor, Porter Albany, N. Y, State Entomologist, New York; Associate , A. F. Burgess, Washington, D. C., Secretary Association Eco- . Entomologists; Business Manager, E. Dwight Sanderson, Dur- ham N. H., Director N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station; Advertising 80 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 Manager, Wilmon Newell, Baton Rouge, La., State Entomologist Lousi- ana. Advisory Board: L. O. Howard, Chief of Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Dept. Agr.; James Fletcher, Entomologist, Dominion of Canada; H. T. Fernald, Professor of Entomology, Mass. Agr. College; S. A. Forbes, State Entomologist, Illinois; H. A. Morgan, Director Tenn. Agr. Experiment Station; Herbert Osborn, Professor of Zoology, Ohio State University. At the twentieth annual meeting of the Association of Economic Ento- mologists held at Chicago, December 28, 29, 1907, a stock company com- posed of members of that association was formed for publishing a Journal of Economic Entomology, and arrangements were made for the imme- diate issue of the publication. An agreement was entered into between this company and the associ- ation whereby the Proceedings of the Association of Economic Ento- mologists are to be published exclusively in this journal. The Association of Economic Entomologists includes in its member- ship practically all the official economic entomologists of the world, nearly three hundred in number. Its proceedings have been published as a bulletin of the Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agri- culture, and have furnished the medium for publishing a large number of papers giving the results of investigation in economic entomology, many of which would not have found ready publication elsewhere. These proceedings will now appear in the Journal of Economic Ento- mology, making the first two numbers each year. The last four num- bers will contain similar contributions, notes, news, reviews of more important publications, etc. Ever since the untimely suspension of Insect Life, over fifteen years ago, there has been no place for the publi- cation of short notices or longer reports upon investigations and experi- ments in economic entomology, save the bulletins and reports of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and the agricultural press, all of which have their distinctive fields and limitations, precluding the publication of much worthy material. During the last ten years the science of economic entomology has ad- vanced in a most phenomenal manner. The general public has had fre- quent occasion to acknowledge its debts to applied entomology, and the number of workers and the quantity and quality of. work have increased in a manner far beyond expectation. The advent of the San Jose scale throughout the eastern United States, the tremendous losses occasioned by the Mexican cotton-boll weevil in Texas and Lousiana, the destructive work of the gipsy and brown-tail moths in New England, as well as many other important pests throughout America and the newly settled countries of Australia and South Africa, have turned attention to the work of the economic entomologist and its economic value as never before. Even more striking has been the work in the United States and South Africa upon the relation of ticks to the diseases of domestic ani- mals and their control, and greatest of all have been the discoveries that ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 81 i yellow fever are carried by mosquitoes and the magnificent ons of the application of this knowledge to the saving and arding of human life. J of Economic Entomology will be issued bimonthly, Feb- to December inclusive, to contain fifty to one hundred the size to be limited only by the financial support received and = offered. In size of page and style it will be uniform with the = of the Association of Economic Entomologists of former of Bureau of Entomology, U.S. Dept. Agr.). The sub- on price is $2 per year, in advance, plus 30 cents postage for for- SE OF THE MosouUITO.—Sronins from FLORIDA ABOUT THE Ss Lone Ranoe Scent ror Bioop.—There is one fact to be into account in the natural history of the mosquito of which there eepno crest Seal of igvecance I allude to the wonderful smell- we that world-embracing insect. Let me begin by relating ac Sys paamy rpemgetlaetang and doubtless sur- ast, which taken together constitute Cape Sable. A river empties > Gulf there, known as Shark River. It is one of the most notori- We were about a mile from the shore, which is there covered ove trees. We prepared our supper and after it was eaten Jon the deck, or in the cabin as pleased us. The time was and ate it. Wind either a calm, or gentle from the east. No mosqui- joes. Then something em ns on” A Sout cae ce toe 1 orth Instantly the came out. At first one or two, _ then more and more. As soon as possible we got up our sails and pro- ce sat § to sea. The explanation is simple. As long as the wind blew om the shore to us, the mosquitoes were unconscious of our presence ; the wind commenced to blow from us to the insects they became of the existence of warm blood, and they lost no time time in g after it. oe summer in Florida I camped in a wagon with a com- yn. The wagon was in a road which ran north and south, The Ba aap og the east, thus blowing directly across the wagon. I t on the west side. The mosquitoes to the west of us were at- d to us by the smell of our blood. They came to us, but all stopped t me. My companion got no mosquitoes, got no bites at all, while | 1 a sleepless night. 82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 Perhaps it is not generally known that the Florida coast is lined with lighthouses. One of these lighthouses north of Key West is called Som- brero. It is a frame of iron on which the dwelling and the lantern stand, and is five and one-half miles from the swampy, mangrove lined shore. This shore is the breeding place and home of mosquitoes. Probably no unprotected human being could survive there for a single night. I know wella couple who kept this light for a considerable period. Their experi- ence and their testimony on the subject on which I am writing should be conclusive, so I questioned them first, as to the distance that mosqui- toes can smell human blood. They said that sometimes they were over- whelmed with mosquitoes. Secondly, but when? Was it when the wind was blowing from the land? Were the insects blown to you? The ans- wer was that the inroads of the insects were only when the wind was blowing from the lighthouse to the shore. And the keeper said ‘‘not when the wind was blowing directly at right angles to the shore.” I suggested that there might be a pond a little out of the nearest point of the shore. As to that he did not know, for I think he said he had never visited the shore. It seems evident enough that if the mosquitoes were blown over, only those embraced in the narrow zone of the width of the lighthouse would ever get to the house, and as the wind never blows very long in one exact direction, varying and zigzagging about, no mosquitoes would ever get over the five and a half miles of water. Theidea is absurd. Either the insects go to the lighthouse on purpose or they don’t go at all. Now, if a mosquito can smell warm blood five and a half miles, how much farther can he smell it? The common route in pleasant weather from the coast to Key West is to sail down along the shore to Boca Grande. Then the vessel steers straight for its destination, a distance of eighty miles. The route recedes from the land, and the distance becomes as great as thirty miles. The course is regulated by sounding and the vessel is not allowed to get beyond a certain depth of water. I am well acquainted, and have been for years, with two men who have sailed across this course many times, regularly making trips from my house to Key West. They say that it has happened to them time and again, that they would leave Boca Grande in the evening with a westerly wind. One of them would lie on his blanket on deck and sleep, while the other sailed the boat. There would be no mosquitoes on the boat. The sleeper would sleep undisturbed. But after a while mosquitoes would appear and disturb the sleeper. When the wind began to come from the east, or off shore, the insects would disappear. Those already present, of course, would be either killed or quieted with blood after the way of the tribe. You will take notice that these observations were made by keen observers with their eyes wide open, and repeated over and over again. I published these facts twenty years ago. Last summer I heard of an entomologist’s visit to our coast and of his investigaday concern- ing this subject.—JoHN G. WEBB, Osprey, Fla. IGICAL NEWS. 83 ‘ENT wings, colored or uncolored, detached from the body be placed between two lantern slide covers and used as few minute drops of glue serving to hold the wings in lettering can be put on bits of Dennison’s adhesive je binding them together in the usual way.—P. P. Cacvert. cons 1m Wisconsin —The small vilage of Oostburg canbe map forty-two miles north of Milwaukee and ten miles 0 apap Aredia Teabay Wisconsin. On July 27, 1898, out on my usual night trip to catch moths near the woods, where i some tree-stems. Hundreds of insects appeared, of different one was a very large one. Waiting for a favorable opportu- ike with my net, I was rewarded with an almost perfect female the night of July 22, 1907, I imagined that two bats were flying near r id trees for the purpose of devouring the moths which covered Directing the red light of the bicyele-lamp toward the ystems, I saw a male and female Areéus odore feasting on the sweet 29 id provided. I caught the female that same night and July 24th I Mure Both specimens are almost perfect. On the night As it did not appear within a week | took the « it had deposited two hundred or more eggs, scat- over the inside of box and screen. The eggs are of the size of color, and round. About fourteen days after the larva emerged. [ did not know the food-plant my sorrow, al! died of inanition. Ere Brains exlore doce teeed tn thie Re cg care are chenetpartect and If they are’ stragglers from the South, could it be pos- arrive here in sucha good condition? In making the the South they were certainly liable to be killed by wks or other enemies before they ever reached this }. W. Holland writes me that the larvez feed on y Jo not some of the readers of the News know of another food-plant , the larve of the Erebus odora take? ; i testsaiber’, seey, f coughta female Erianyis elle 08 the flowers of the petunia. This insect likely was a straggler from the South, and led apd eames Twill be to hear from readers of the News any opinions and ex- fences with regard to Aredus odora, and | would like to know if those tts breed also in our northern climate.—Ep. Was, M.D., Oostburg, - 84 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’o8 Doings of Societies. Meeting of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, October 3, 1907. The President, Dr. Zabriskie, in the chair; fifteen members and two visitors present. Mr. Dow reported, on behalf of the Committee on Field Meetings, that numerous collecting trips to various localities in New York State and in New Jersey had been made during the past season. ‘The results proved especially gratifying to the younger members, who fully appreciated the efforts of the more experienced collectors, of whom several usually accom- panied the expeditions, to make the trips interesting and enjoyable. The value of field meetings in establishing a closer relation- ship among members was emphasized, and it was earnestly recommended that they be continued and encouraged during the next season. Mr. Davis exhibited two boxes of insects collected at Pin- lawn, Long Island, among which were two specimens of Zly- troleptus floridanus, a Floridian beetle, recorded in the East only once before, from Massachusetts. Mr. Davis pointed out that, although Long Island contained many excellent collect- ing grounds, all orders of insects, excepting, perhaps, Lepi- doptera and Coleoptera, had been very much neglected, and in this connection he moved, after a full discussion by the members, that the Brooklyn Entomological Society commit itself to the preparation of a list of the insects of Long Island. The motion was carried. Mr. Levison, in speaking of his season’s work with shade- tree insects, stated that the Tussock moth proved, as usual, the most troublesome pest ; the bag-worm and several species of Datana. occurred locally in large numbers; Pulvinaria, sometimes so destructive to maple trees, was not abundantly present this year. Mr. Dow showed a specimen of Catocala dejecta, captured in July near Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and a specimen of Basz- larchia astyanax, variety albofascia, taken at New Brunswick, New Jersey. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 85 of Basilarchia astyanax also included an Je ofthe variety alec, from Staten Island. exhibited a number of Lacrtias philenor, from Bicyeaiids, allof which had the tails consider- Gro. P. EnGetuarnvt, Recording Secretary. eeting of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, November x 7. The President, Dr. Zabriskie, in the chair; fifteen bers present. ; werett S. Howell, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was elected a a | an address entitled : ‘Collecting Bomébus at Banff, Al- .,"” Dr. Zabriskie gave an interesting account of a five eks’ trip, undertaken during the past summer in the com- ny of thirty-eight tourists, to the Pacific coast and Alaska, urning over the Canadian Pacific Railroad. eaving New York on the 24th of July, stops were made at llowstone National Park, at Portland, and Seattle, where amer bound for Alaskan waters was boarded. Visiting t, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Muir Glacier, and Vancouver, A rney was continued over the Canadian Pacific Railroad Banff, Alberta, where the travelers arrived on the 22d of gust and remained for two nights and a day. G ing due attention to the magnificent scenery, the beau- ul flora, and the many other attractions for which this ntain resort is noted, Dr. ‘Zabriskie did not neglect to serve in a general way the occurrence of insects. Consid- rable snow, still lying on the mountains, had fallen a few day s previously; nevertheless, a number of butterflies, princi- pally of the genera Argynnis and Colias, were seen on the ] A species of flowering Goldenrod, not exceeding inches in height, proved very attractive to bumble- not being very active, could be easily taken with Of the forty-seven specimens collected and exhib- nine were females. The variation of color and size, 86 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’o8 so usual in species of Bombus, in this case was most apparent in the maculation; seven species, however, could be readily distinguished. To further illustrate the variability of this family, Dr. Za- briskie showed a fine series of Bombus pennusylvanicus, ranging from the large females to the small workers and males, taken some years ago at Albany, N. Y., from one colony which had built its nest in a bird-house intended for wrens. Sulphur applied on this occasion to the nest, while killing the adults, had no effect on the pupz, for these matured and hatched some days later. Gro. P. ENGELHARDT, Recording Secretary. A meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was held September 8th at the residence of Mr. Wm. H. Broadwell, the President in the chair, and twelve members present. Mr. Angelman remarked that he had secured eggs of Cerura mul- tiscripta, all of which were black when first laid, and that all published data relative to color described them as gray. Mr. Keller reported the capture of two pairs of Acronycta elizabeta Sm., recently described, at Elizabeth, N.J., in August, and a specimen of A. detule at Mountain View, also in August. Mr. Dickerson reported the capture of a specimen of the former species at Chester. Mr. Grossbeck remarked that he had taken at New Bruns- wick, on August 19th, a dozen specimens of the introduced Vespa crabro, which were attracted to a light in a room, and asked if any other Aculeates were known to be heliotropic. Prof. Smith said that it was a rare phenomenon, and usually occurred only when the nests of the insects were in some way damaged. ‘This, however, was not the case in this particular instance, as the insects continued to be attracted to light for some weeks afterward and later the nest was discovered unbroken. Mr. Angelman said that moths were not as common in the early mornings on gas lamp-posts, etc., as in former years, _ENTomoLosiCcaL NEWS. 87 uted the cause to the increase in numbers of the Mr. Rockwell reported whee fitus common during the past hh A. Grossprck, Secrelary. ile cee at Newark Entomological Society a sb d on the 13th of the month at the residence of Mr. f. Brelime, the Presidént in the chair, and eighteen mem- bers present. A vote of thanks was tendered to Prof. J. B. { eee and Messrs. E. J. Smith, of Natick, Mass., and C. F. Harbison, of Dayton, Ohio, for contributions of separates and toward the formation of a new library. Mr. pny: mass, GE opel wes ected a tember of the . Otto Buchholz gave an interesting account of his ex- ded trips to Southern California and Arizona during the } summer. In California he found the territory so gener- iy under cultivation that really good collecting ground for jidoptera was difficult to find. Im Arizona he located at : ee County, an exceedingly rocky country, i chiefly at an elevation of between six and seven t feet altitude. In all between seven and eight thou- SUE MAES AeRigdddetere and tered to Sout thousand of Coleoptera were collected, besides a lot of mis- cca omer es Most all of the sect material was taken at light. Sugaring yielded small resus, though it had been persistently followed throughout | ae, Collecting on tree-trunks was very poor, practically : = having been taken in this way, and he attributed the ase to the insectivorous birds, the lizards, and a species of - mantid which he found very numerous. ____ Mr. Buchholz also exhibited light- and dark-colored cocoons _ Of Hyperchiria pamina, the difference in shade being due to environment at the time of spinning. Those larve left to spin up in leaves produced the usual brown cocoons, while others of the same lot, on being transferred to a box contain- ing bits of white paper at the time indications of spinning were manifested, produced light-colored ones. The fact that 88 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 the larvee were fed throughout their lives on the same food in the same cage, and were yet able to spin differently colored silk, is extremely interesting. Mr. Buchholz said that the eggs of 7. pamina hatch in precisely twenty-one days. Mr. Gerstencorn exhibited specimens of hybrid moths pro- duced by mating a male Smerinthus ocellatus with a female S. populi, both European species. The larve of both forms normally pass through four instars, but those of the hybrids passed through only three. The adults parted from copula- tion on May 14th and egg-laying began at once, the ova hatch- ing on the 22d of the same month. The first moult was made on May 27th, the second on June 2d, and the last on June 8th, the larve entering the ground to pupate on the 14th of that month. ‘The first imago emerged on the 8th of July and two others came out shortly afterward ; the remaining pupz did not disclose their imagines, and are passing the winter in good condition. J. A. GrossBEcK, Secretary. The November meeting of the Newark Entomological Soci- ety was held on the 8th of the month at Ferrg’s Hall, the President in the chair, and fifteen members present. A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Wm. Beutenmuller for the presen- tation to the Society of a copy of his monograph of Sesiidee, and to Mr. Geo. A. Erhman, of Pittsburg, for papers on Lepi- doptera and Coleoptera. Mr. John Koller, of Newark, was proposed for membership and unanimously elected. Mr. Wormsbacher exhibited a specimen of the recently described Limenttis ursula, var. albofasciata Newc., together with the type and allied species and varieties. Immediately following the short meeting the twenty-third anniversary of the Society was celebrated by a supper, at which all-around good humor prevailed. J. A. GrossBEcK, Secretary. The December meeting of the Newark Entomological Soci- ety was held in the annex of the destroyed Turn Hall, at 182 William Street. A vote of thanks was extended to Dr. C. J.S. __ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 89 ee et the library of copies of his own © publications, and to the Entomological Society of n for a set of their Proceedings to date. Saisie tere laree and evenly rounded coon of Hyperchiria io in which five living and well-formed e closely packed together. One part of the cocoon slit open to demonstrate that absolutely no partitioning many of the pupw. The specimen was spun ina eding cage. ‘Mr. Buchholz showed an elegantly mounted series of the al species of Rhynchagrotis which he had taken during “ st summer in Arizona. The officers elected for the year 1908 were as follows: Presi- , Prof. Henry Wormsbacher ; Vice-President, George T. ae eenepentes eam Recording Secretary, John A ; Financial Secretary, Herman H. Brehme ; Libra- jan, William H. Broadwell, and Treasurer, Simon H. M. J. A. Grossack, Secrefary. al A meeting of the Heink Entomological Club, St. Louis, _ Mo, was held January 12th, Mr. C. L. Heink presiding. All t two members present. Mr. Heink exhibited a perfect imen of Erynnis leonardus @ which he took last July, fee miles south of the city, this being the first récord of its - nce here. He also showed cocoons of Aufomeris io and r i how he had secured several larvae of the same (20 " imilles from St. Louis) and bred them. This is believed to be ig record for this region. Mr. Schroers gave an interest- genet of collecting Lepidoptera in different parts of _ Burope. Mr. Kelbly exhibited a new, adjustable spreading board, his own handiwork. He also showed a fine specimen of P. turnus 2 (yellow), something very rare in this locality. _ Mr. Knetzger exhibited a number of imagos of S. cecropia, which he bred, among them an aberration, devoid of the bands on the forewings. he Avo. Knetzcer, Secretary. go ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. The third meeting of the Entomological Society of America was held at the University of Chicago, December 30 and 31, 1907, in affiliation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and other societies. About one hundred were in attendance, coming from as widely remote localities as Maine and California, Ottawa and Louisiana. On Monday sessions were held for the reading of papers, the program of which follows: Notes on the Geographical Affinities of the Isle Royale, Lake Su- perior. (An outline of the relations of the Isle Royale fauna (beetle fauna) to that of Northern North America. General remarks on the major faunal centers based on beetles).—CHARLES C. ADAMS. Some problems in Nomenclature. (A brief discussion of the valid- ity of names, particularly those bestowed on insect galls and larve.)— Dr. E. P. FEtt. Stereoscopic Photography Applied to Entomological Subjects. (Ex- hibition of excellent stereoscopic effects brought about by an ingenious but simple apparatus.)—Proressor F. L. WAsHBURN. Life History and Habits of the Dimorph of Chaitophorus negundinis Thos. (Previous knowledge of the dimorph. Comparison with a similar dimorph in Europe. Life history; appearances in summer. Part played in the survival of species, etc.)—JoHNn J. Davis. Is Mutation a Factor in the Production of Vestigial Wings Among Insects? (A summary of some observations among insects belonging to various groups, where the evolution of wingless or subapterous species can be traced within a genus or small group.)—CHaries T. Bruges. The Sense of Sight in Spiders—Dr. ALEXANDER PETRUNKEVITCH. External Wing-Buds in Larve of Holometabolous Insects. (A dis- cussion of the general subject and recorded instances; and a report of an unrecorded instance.) —Dr. WittiaM A. RILeEy. Notes on the Nervous System of the Corydalis Latve—A. G. HAMMAR. Notes on a Chalcid Infesting Apple Seeds.—C. R. Crospy. The Mouth Parts and Phylogeny of Siricide—J. CHresTer BRADLEY. On Certain Structural Characters of the Genus Catocala—W. Brut- EN MULLER. Is Vespa borealis an Inquiline? (An account of finding males and ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 91 it Vests borealis Bing in the nest of V. dshotica on severs! —- on perfectly friendly terms.),—De. James Society of America and Its Work—Henry H. ” the Crane-Fly, Dicranomyia defuncta O. S—Dr he History of a Bee-Fly (Spogostylum anale Say); the Larve witic on the Larve of a Tiger Beetle Cicindela scutellaris Say. and August; larva on the last larval stage the spring; when the host makes its pupal cell and the ert become semi-fluid, the parasite moults and grows very idly, completely destroying the host. (July) The pupa digs toward ; by wriggling movements of the bodv. and the adult emerges the nrlace reached) (Title only.) —Victror E. Surtrorn. i in the Cecidomyiide. (A discussion of the morvhology value of these organs.)—De. E. P. Fexr. ral Ephemeride from the American Permian Formation. of true Ephemeride obtained from the Permian of Kansas. known true Ephemerids, and with the exception of a specimens, all that are known from the Permian. They t he e New Biological Field Station of Cornell University —Dr James grounds Around Chicago. —A. Kwuar. if of the Larve of Lycaena.—J. H. Coox. _____ On Monday evening the annual address was given before Society by Professor Herbert Osborn, of the Ohio State the Sain his subject being “The Habits of Insects as a Factor in Classification.” The address was followed by a i. enjoyable smoker, at which the members of the Society friends were the guests of the Entomological Sec- tae Chicago Academy of Sciences. the Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday, the 31st, the officers were elected : me & Most and P i. a Scher q be ao “* 92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 President, Dr. William Morton Wheeler. First Vice-President, Dr. John B. Smith. Second Vice-President, Rev. Prof. C. J. S. Bethune. Secretary-Treasurer, J. Chester Bradley. Additional members of the Executive Committee: Dr. James G. Needham, Prof. V. L. Kellogg, Prof. Herbert Os- born, Prof. J. H. Comstock, Dr. P. P. Calvert, Mr. F. M. Webster. . STANDING COMMITTEE ON NOMENCLATURE, To serve 3 years, Dr. H. T. Fernald. To serve 2 years, Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell. To serve 1 year, Dr. E. P. Felt. COMMITTEE ON NOMENCLATURE. Dr. Fernald moved, seconded by Dr. Smith: 1. That the Entomological Society of America hereby endorses the Code of Nomenclature, adopted by the International Zoological Congress, as the code which should be used by the members of the Society so far as it can be applied. 2. That cases not covered by this code which may be presented to the Society for consideration, be referred to a standing Committee on Nomenclature, to consist of three members, one member of which shall be elected each year for a term of three years, and the opinion of this Committee on cases referred to them, shall be reported to the Society at the first annual meeting subsequent to their reference to the Committee. Mr. Bradley moved to amend by striking out the second clause, because entomology should not be treated as distinct from Zodlogy in general, and because the Commission on Nomenclature established by the International Congress of Zoology is the sufficient and proper body before which to bring such question for decision. Dr. Fernald stated that the reports of the Commission on Nomenclature of the International Congress of Zodlogy are greatly delayed by the fact that the Congress meets only once in three years, and by the rule that a question must be pre- sented at least a year before the meeting at which it is to be considered. It was not the intention of the mover that the Committee should act in opposition to or independently from NEWS. 93 | ion on Nomenclature , but that it should be in- [in voicing the needs of entomology before that body, Sette the feat of reference. Vith that explanation, amendment was withdrawn and n passed. . PUBLICATION OF A JOURNAL. thaps the most important act of the mecting was em- ee cee bY te Beatve + and confirmed by the Society: it the Society undertake a publication to be called “Annals of jlogical Society of America,” to be issued in quarterly 6 a -™ . That it include only papers of importance or marked merit, Dd at cach be issued bound separately as well as in fascicles, acelin separately. ‘That proceedings of the meetings be included cither at the be- oO of each volume and form one separate, which is to r possible, someone living in a suitable location and who ¢ the work of managing editor for a series of years, be not covered in this report are to be determined by Board. publication under the provisions of this report be _ ieeugue as soon as possible. It will be seen from the above that all members will receive e containing the full proceedings of the meetings upon payment of One Dollar the entire annals; regular subscription price to non-members will be was passed limiting the number of Fellows ten per cent. of the membership. present ' meeting then adjourned, to meet next December in 94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., ’08 During the sessions the Executive Committee elected the following Fellows: Justus Watson Folsom, William Joseph Holland, Clarence Preston Gillette, Lawrence Bruner, Mark Vernon Slingerland, Henry Clinton Fall, Charles Lester Mar- latt. The following were elected members: G. E. Sanders, Ur- bana, Ill.; G. D. Shafer, Ithaca, N. Y.; Dr. J. A. Nelson, Ithaca, N. Y.; A. G. Hammar, Ithaca, N. Y.; William H. Blatchley, Indianapolis, Ind.; A. B. Wolcott, Chicago, IIl.; E. S. Worsham, Atlanta, Ga.; R. W. Harned, Ag. College, Miss.; Dr. Alex. Petrunkevitch, Short Hills, N. J.; Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, Boulder, Colo.; Wilmon Newell, Baton Rouge, La.; J. C. Hambleton, Columbus, Ohio; G. Ainslee, South Anthony Park, Minn.; L. H. Weld, Evanston, IIL ; Prof. B. H. Guilbeau, Baton Rouge, La.; J. Zetek, Urbana, Ill.; Prof. S. W. Williston, Chicago, Ill; C. F. Curtis Riley, Mankato, Minn.; Dr. J. F. Abbott, St. Louis, Minn. ; W. S. Fisher, Harrisburg, Pa. During the sessions an exhibit of entomological specimens and materials was open for the inspection of those interested. The titles of the exhibit are given below: Some Enlarged Photographs of Fossil Insects—-CHartes T. Bruges. New Devices in Economic Entomology.—W. E. Hinps. Stereoscopic Pictures of Insects——Proressor F, L. WaAsHBURN. Dimorph of Chaitophora negundinis Thos.—Joun J. Davis. Case of Fall Webworm Moths (Hyphantria textor and H. cunea.) Showing Range of Variation of the Latter; Inflated Larve.—HEenry H. Lyman. Entomological Specimens and Equipment; Interesting Insects from Mexico, Cuba, and Indo-Australia; New Species of Dynastes, etce.— Dr. G. LaGal. Stereoscopic Photographs of Orysside Taken with the Camera At- tachment to the Zeiss Greenough Binocular Microscope. Mouth Parts of Siricide— J. CHESTER BRADLEY. Stereoscopic Photograph of a Tenebrionid Beetle Taken with an Ordinary Camera Using an Eccentric Diaphragm.-—-C. R. Crospy AND J. C. Brabtey. J. C. BrapLey, Secretary-Treasurer. __ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS = . a S- > AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION my ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. MARCH, 1908. No. 3. CONTENTS: eee ee ee) eee eee eeeee _ This material, in the collection of the Academy of Natural es, Philadelphia, was collected by Miss K. Mayo in Dutch in the year 1905, except those from Idaho by Dr. H. rin 1905. The South American species of these groups Sen bUE WSS Wtodted, wid for that reason I have been © in my descriptions. ZEUGMA gen. nov. _ Head broader than high ; occiput flat; eyes large; front nar- + er foe vertex ahd widely ; the anterior ocellus about equidistant from vertex and ‘antag ; vertex with stout outer- and inner-vertical bristles. Antennz, situated below middle line of eyes, longer ites the face, with third joint elongate ; arista minutely pubes- ‘a 95 96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 cent, Face concaved; foveze and carina indistinct. Proboscis short, thick. Thorax with the following bristles: 2 pairs post-dorso-cen- trals, two post-alar, one supra-alar, two noto-pleurals, one hum- eral, no sternopleural, a fine hair in place of the propleural. Mesonotum flattened posteriorly ; metanotum slightly oblique and convex. Scutellum flat, with four bristles. Abdomen 9? ovate; first segment somewhat slender at base. Legs stout, but only middle femora thickened basally; all fem- ora, especially the posterior pair, with a series of short spines beneath towards apex; middle tibiz alone spurred at apex. Wings with first vein bare, and approximated to the auxiliary ; small cross vein is before the middle of discal cell; third and fourth veins parallel; anal cell obtuse. This ortalid genus evidently belongs in the subfamily Rich- ardiinze somewhere near the genus Hemixantha Lw., from which it differs mainly in the basal position of the small cross vein. The type is the following species. Zeugma palposa sp. nov. (Plate VI, Fig. 1.) ? Rufous, with bluish-black abdomen. Lateral vertical angles of front, and the ocellar region, shining, otherwise front is opaque; one pair of fronto-orbital bristles which are above the level of anterior ocellus. Frontal orbits towards antennz, orbits of face, cheeks, lower part of occiput, and an oblique line across occiput from lower part of posterior orbits to neck, silvery. Face more yellowish than front, with a brownish spot on each side near the oral margin; clypeus yellowish. Antenne yel- lowish-brown; third joint darker at apex, about five or six times as long as the second, widest at base and tapering slightly to a rounded apex. Palpi distinctly flabellate, yellow at base, whitish at its very broad tip, with a brown transverse median band, entirely silvery in certain reflections. Lateral turgid portion of the occiput black. Mesonotum sub- opaque, blackish in the middle of the anterior margin, with a median and lateral whitish pollinose stripe. Pleura polished, black, yellow pol- linose near the coxze; metanotum shining, rufous; halteres yellow. Ab- domen shining, with short appressed hairs; ovipositor polished, the first joint not as wide, but nearly as long, as the two last abdominal seg- ments. Legs yellow, with brownish femora bearing black spines; the hind femora are somewhat constricted or indented near the bases on the inside. Wings hyaline, without spots. Length 7 mm. One specimen. Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana (K. Mayo). black pustules characterized in the specific description of pus- fn v. d. W. (Biologia, Dipt. Il, pp. 329). The wing-design _ can be readily seen from the figure given; the darker portion bei grayish or black, while the remaining shaded portion is _ yellow. In general design this wing agrees with van der Wulp’s z ties ; therefore taking all together this species is no doubt a It is well to mention here, that this genus is closely allied _ to Myennis R. D., differing, as van der Wulp mentions, but not as to the number of its scutellar bristles. There are still more important variations, as for instance : the position of the small cross vein in relation to the discal cell, and the long drawn out lobe of the anal cell of the genus Myennis R. D. 98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 Melieria obscuricornis Lw. (Plate VI, Figs. 4, 5.) Ceroxys Loew, Mon. N. A. Dipt., III, 126, 1873. Melieria Coquillett, Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc., VIII, 22, 1900. Seventeen %, six 9, Springfield, Idaho (Skinner). Two % and five 9 of this series agree well with the typical description of this species, excepting that the antennz are not brownish-black, but entirely rufous, infuscate sometimes at apex. The remaining sixteen approach ochricornis Lw. in hav- ing the costal spot above and that on the small cross vein more or less confluent, and the somewhat distinct marginal bands on the abdominal segments. On the other hand, the first, or basal wing-spot extends to the costa, showing a tendency towards similis Lw.; but this latter species seems very distinct in having the marginal bands of abdominal segments very wide and dis- tinct. The following is a typical description of these specimens, which I think well to give: Front translucent yellow, orbits, vertex, face, cheeks, and occiput, whitish-yellow pollinose; one or two pairs fronto-orbital bristles near vertex. Antenne rufous; third joint sometimes infuscate at apex; arista blackish. Fovez brown in the middle. Palpi yellow. Thorax and scu- tellum whitish-yellow pollinose, with black bristles. Halteres white. Abdomen widest at second segment, gradually tapering to the apex, more grayish; posterior margins of segments 2-4 sometimes narrowly brownish; fifth segment of @ widened somewhat for the broad ovi- positor, which is like colored, its first joint as long as the fourth and fifth segments together, gradually tapering to a truncate apex. All coxe yellow, whitish pollinose; femora and tibize rufous; tarsi more or less infuscate. Wings yellowish hyaline; veins yellow except at the spot; the design as figured in Loew’s Monographs, Vol. III, plate VIII, figure 20; but the first spot sometimes extends from the costa to the fifth vein; the second pair sometimes nearly confluent; and the apical cloud more or less confluent with the spot on the posterior cross vein. Anastrepa serpentina Wied. (Plate VI, Figs. 6, 7.) Dacus Wiedmann, Auss. Zweif. II, 521, 1830. Acrotoxa Loew, Mon. N. A. Dept., III, 227, 1873. Two ¢ and two ¢ Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana (K. Mayo). No doubt these are this species, but I will give here a short description of them as follows: —, DGICAL NEWS. 99 lead rufous to yellow; ocellar tubercle, a spot each side, two spots the occif above the neck, brown or black; two pairs of lower fron- bristles; antenna nearly as long as face, third joint about four times ong as second. Thorax blackish-brown, rufous below, marked with yellow as follows: mesonotum with a median stripe, which is {1 and attenuated anteriorly, sometimes this stripe is mar- fa. Metanotum polished, black. Scutellum, except base, whit- , with four bristles. Halteres yellow. Abdomen black or brown, but SEs cs aerts Gea catign width of ttn and ixch segments ich to nearly the entire width of fifth and sixth segments, w. Ovipositor rufous, not flattened, tapering, as long as abdomen. gs rufous to yellow. Wings as figured, the lightly shaded portions yellow and the darker portions dark brown. nastr pseudoparallela Loew? _ Trypeta (acrotoxa) Loew Mon. N. A. Dipt., III, 230, 1873. On @ Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana (Mayo) which is crushed o much for certain identification. It may be fraterculus hie but only the male has been described, and as this speci- ee ene renee © the Reagih of he c , I have so determined it. EXPLANATION OF PLATE VI. tev toee eta Fi Xanthacrona tuberosa, lateral aspect of scutellum and thoracic __ Palpi, tuft and antenna glistening snow-white; antennz faintly '¢ above with ocherous. Thorax and basal two-thirds of the “forewings glistening white, below the fold somewhat suffused with yel- 100 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March, ’08 low; apical third of the wings pale golden. A pale golden basal streak begins on the costa, extends nearly parallel to the costa for one-fourth the wing length, then is bent downward and passes parallel to the fold into the golden apical portion of the wing. In the apical portion, there are two costal white wedge-shaped streaks and a similar dorsal one just before the tornus, opposite the first costal streak; all are internally margined with pale fuscous. A black apical spot. A pale fuscous mar- ginal line in the cilia. Cilia whitish, faintly tinged with yellow. Alar expanse 5mm. Hindwings and cilia whitish. Abdomen pale grayish, ocherous above, whitish beneath. Legs whitish. The unique type, a male, was taken in Essex County Park, N. J., by Mr. W. D. Kearfott, April 27. Lithocolletis kearfottella sp. nov. Antenne grayish, darker toward the tips. Palpi shining white, with a slight golden tinge. Face shining white, with a slight golden tinge; tuft reddish saffron, scales darker toward the tips. ‘Thorax and fore- wings shining reddish saffron. A white band extends across the anter- ior margin of the thorax, passes over the patagia and is continuous with a basal white streak. The basal streak extends for one-third the wing length, nearly parallel to the costa and is dark margined above. Four costal and three dorsal shining white streaks, all dark margined inter- nally. The first costal streak, at the basal third, is placed very ob- liquely, and is produced along the costa to the basal fourth. The first dorsal streak, at the basal fourth, is very large and very oblique. Near the costa its apex sometimes unites with that of the first costal streak, forming a very acute angle. The remaining three costal streaks are placed at equal distances from each other and from the first costal streak. The second costal streak is almost perpendicular to the costa and wedge- shaped. Opposite to it on the dorsum, before the tornus, is the larger almost perpendicularly placed wedge-shaped second dorsal streak. The third costal streak is inwardly oblique, curved, its apex pointing toward the apex of the third dorsal streak which is small, wedge-shaped and ‘ placed beyond the tornus. The fourth costal streak is very oblique and curved. A large black apical dot. A brown line in the cilia extending from the fourth costal streak around the apex to the third dorsal streak. Cilia grayish. Just below the fourth costal streak, there is a darker brownish streak in the cilia, giving the appearance of a hook, as in L. fitchella Clem., but not as distinct. Alar expanse 7 mm. Hindwings pale grayish with a slight ocherous tinge. Cilia whitish gray, tinged with ocherous. Abdomen dark gray above, silvery white beneath. Anal tuft grayish, ocherous. Legs silvery white slightly shaded with ocherous, tibiz and tarsi of the first pair very dark brown. Dy ite oe. &. ’ i 2 DG NEWS. 101 * ia L M2 Phree specimens, Montclair, N. J., bred by Mr. W. D. Kear- from mines on chestnut collected in October, 1901. The gols appeared in the following spring. Legs gray, hind tarsi blackish, grayish at their bases. _ T have bred this species from small tentiform mines on the underside of apple, Malus malus (L-). Britton. The appear- ance of the mine is entirely different from that of L. blancar- ‘della Fab. The mine is much wrinkled, and the leaf is strongly ~ - fold dd. The parenchyma is eaten in spots, giving the leaf a speckled appearance on the upper side. The pupa is suspended in a few silken threads. I also have flown specimens from ‘Montclair, N. J., which are identical with the bred specimens. Antenna pale grayish ocherous, faintly annulate with darker, some- what darker at the tip. Palpi shining white. Face white. Tuft pale gray with an ocherous tinge. Thorax and basal third of the forewings ocher- ous gray. Wings becoming more ocherous towards the apex. A white a 4 across the anterior margin of the thorax extends across the patagia 1 is continuous with a median basal white streak on the forewings, w ; % a 102 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’o8 There is a short dorso-basal white streak, somewhat dilated posteriorly. The median basal streak is curved downwards, and extends for two- fifths of the wing length, where it is confluent with the first dorsal streak, its upper edge uniting with the apex of the first dorsal streak. A few dark brown scales extend around the apex of the angle thus formed. There are four costal and three dorsal white streaks. The first dorsal streak at the basal fourth is very large, oblique and curved. Internally, it is dark margined just before it unites with the basal streak, the dark margin being continued around the angle and for a short distance along the lower side of the basal streak. The extreme edge of the costa is dark brown for about one-third of the wing length, where the dark line is deflexed, and continues as the dark margin of the first costal streak which is narrow, very oblique, its apex extending to a point just beyond the apex of the first dorsal. The second costal streak is large, nearly perpendicular, its apex opposite to that of the second dorsal streak, which is also very large, and placed slightly nearer the base than the corresponding costal streak, and is somewhat oblique. The next pair of streaks, of which the dorsal is placed just above the tornus, are nearly opposite to each other, slightly oblique toward the base and curved; their apices nearly meet. These two pairs of streaks are margined internally with brown scales. Fourth costal streak oblique, cuved and unmargined. A narrow line of black scales extends from below the apex of the last costal streak to near the apex of the wing, and is margined above by a line of white scales. Marginal line in the cilia dark brown, extending around the apex from the fourth costal streak to the third dorsal. Cilia grayish ocherous. Alar expanse 7 mm. Hindwings grayish. Cilia gray, with a fulvous tinge. Abdomen dark gray above, whitish beneath. Anal tuft grayish ocherous. Legs whitish, banded and striped with gray. The unique type, a male of this species, was bred by Mr. W. D. Kearfott from a much wrinkled mine on the underside of a willow leaf, collected in Essex County Park, N. J., July 6, 1902. The imago appeared July 19. This species is nearest to L. scudderella Frey & Boll, which it closely resembles in the costal and apical markings. Lithocolletis tremuloidiella sp. nov. Antenne dark gray, the joints becoming lighter toward their bases. Palpi grayish white. Face grayish white. Tuft gray, mixed with white. Thorax pale reddish brown near the base, becoming more ocherous be- yond the middle. There is a short median basal white streak, and a dorso-basal white streak, both thickly dusted with blackish scales, and uniting with the first dorsal streak. There are five costal and five dorsal ” boides Michx., received from Mr. J. W. Cockle, Kaslo, B. C., Aug. 26,1907. The imagos appeared during the same month. ‘The mine is large (for an underside Lithocolletis mine), oval, “and with a fine fold through its long axis. It closely resembles the mine of L. salicifoliella on poplar, but is very much larger. st is considerable variation in the extent of the white markings ; sometimes the fascia formed by the fourth pair of ‘Streaks is interrupted, and the fascia just before the apex does _ Mot reach the inner margin. __ This species is very close to. salicifoliella in the character _and arrangement of markings; but may be distinguished from _ it by the much greater expanse, the slightly shining and more _.feddish ground color of the forewings, the slightly less oblique "position of the white streaks, and by the noticeable bluish luster _ Of the marginal line in the cilia. The specimens which appear in August are densely dusted, in this respect differing from the : brood of L. salicifoliella. Possibly this may be the species from Colorado, which Cham- bers doubtfully identifies as L. salicifoliella. (Cin. Quart. Jn. Sei. II, 302, 1875) > q \g 104 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 By some mistake this species has been referred to as Lithocol- letis populiella Chambers by Mr. Busck in his paper “Tineid Moths from British Columbia” (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XXVII, 770, 1904) and by Dr. Harrison G. Dyar in “Lepidop- tera of the Kootenai District” (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XX VII, 937, 1904). Lithocolletis saccharella sp. nov. Antenne pale ocherous, beyond the basal third annulate with dark; several joints toward the tip dark. Palpi shining white. Face shining white. Tuft whitish, golden toward the sides. Thorax and forewings ocherous. A white stripe on each side of the middle of the thorax is continuous with a very oblique curved white streak at the inner angle of the forewing. This streak, which is sometimes dark margined behind, extends to the fold and is usually prolonged along the fold to unite with the first dorsal streak. The first dorsal streak begins at the basal fifth, is oblique and curved, and extends slightly more than half way across the wing. The second dorsal streak, at about the middle of the dorsal margin, is also oblique and curved, and near the costa, its apex meets that of the first costal streak, which is short, oblique and placed slightly beyond the middle; thus forming an acutely angled, interrupted fascia. The second costal streak, at the apical fourth, is sometimes al- most overlaid with black scales. Above the dorsal cilia is a long oblique white streak. All the streaks are dark margined externally. Apical portion white dusted with black. There is considerable variation in the extent of the black dusting, which sometimes extends to the tornus. Marginal line in the cilia brownish ocherous. Cilia pale ocherous. Alar expanse 5-7 mm. Hindwings pale grayish ocherous. Cilia pale ocherous, Abdomen gray above, pale ocherous below. Anal tuft ocherous. Legs whitish. Hind tarsi faintly tipped with black. Described from specimens bred at Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have specimens taken in Essex Co. Park, N. J., by Mr. W. D. Kearfott. The mines of this species are very common on Sugar Maples, . Acer saccharum, Marsh. and Acer nigrum Michx., as many as 25 or 30 mines sometimes occurring on one leaf. ‘The mine is a small irregular blotch on the upper side. The pupa is not en- closed in a cocoon. The imagos appear from May to June and again in August. Mr. Chambers (Can. Ent. III, 130, 1871) confused this species with L. aceriella Clem., which it in no way resembles. streak, whose apex just meets that of the costal. is very dense on a white ground, and is con- band, nearly one-half the breadth of the the third costal and dorsal streaks The third & spot, not touching the costa, is in- dark external dark margin is continued into the usually unites with a sickle-shaped costal streak, apex, and concave toward the costa. The dark costal streak is sometimes continued along the margined. Opposite it is a long ob- Cilia ocherous, with a dark brown hinder mar- middle. metallic in the Alar expanse 7.5-9 mm. Hindwings = Cilia fulvous. Abdomen pale yellowish beneath, with a on each segment dark. In the female or three segments and tuft ocherous, pale ocherous in the male. Legs whitish, the first two pair an- tibie shaded with ocherous and black scales, _ Mills College, Alameda County, California. folia Nee. received from Mr. G. R. Pilate. The mine is a _ Described from specimens bred from leaves of Quercus a... somewhat irregular blotch on the upper side of the The pupa is formed under a flat nearly circular semi- 106 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 © transparent web, the upper epidermis, as is usual, being thrown into a longitudinal fold. This species is very near to umbellulariae Wism. The most marked difference is the absence of the costal and dorsal basal white patches characteristic of that species. Lithocolletis platanoidiella sp. nov. Antenne whitish, banded with brown above. Palpi shining white. Face shining white, with a slight golden lustre. Tuft golden. Thorax and forewings deep shining ocherous. Extreme edge of the costa to- ward the base black. The first costal streak at the basal fourth, short, oblique and outwardly dark margined. The second costal streak, at the middle of the wing length, is also oblique, and its apex meets that of the longer corresponding dorsal streak, which begins at the middle of the dorsal margin, somewhat nearer the base than the costal streak. There is thus formed an interrupted, angulated white fascia, of which the external dark dusting is continuous, and is prolonged backward to the space between the third costal and the second dorsal streaks. These latter streaks are placed opposite to each other, the costal at the apical third, the dorsal at the tornus, and both are dark margined behind. Fourth costal streak somewhat oblique, pointing forward, and dark margined behind by a few black scales. Apical portion white, dusted with black scales. This dusted portion forms an almost rectangular area. At the base of the costal cilia, but not extending through them, and anterior to the dusted apex, is a small white streak. Marginal line in the cilia brown. Cilia ocherous around the apex, becoming gray to- ward the tornus. Alar expanse 6.5-8 mm. Hindwings gray. Cilia gray, tinged with reddish. Abdomen gray above, shining silyery ocherous beneath. Anal tuft ocherous. Legs. Front legs dark brown above, with a narrow white stripe beneath. Tarsi white at their bases. Middle and hind legs whitish ocherous, their tarsi tipped with black. I have bred this species at Cincinnati, O., from blotch mines on the upper surface of leaves of several species of oak, viz. Quercus alba L., Quercus macrocarpa Michx., Quercus platan- oides (Lam.). ‘The larva is of the flat type, and when mature, spins an oval flat silken cocoon. The imagos appear in August. The larvze of the fall brood hibernate in silken-lined chambers. This species superficially resembles L. bethunella Cham., from which it can be distinguished by the absence of the dorsal streak at the basal fourth and by the presence of two costal streaks beyond the fascia, there being but one such streak in L. bethu- nella. square, begins nearer the base than half way across the wing. A broad white the middle, black-margined externally and on . Third costal streak strongly arcuate and opposite dorsal streak; the external dusting densest im- of silvery scales. Marginal line in cilia brownish. Jen, becoming grayish towards the tornus. Alar expanse 10 mm. = bronzy gray, cilia gray. Abdomen bronzy gray above, silvery ne: Anal tuft reddish. Legs, except the first pair, ocherous, tarsi whitish and unspotted. First pair striped with dark gray, tarsi banded a i ~ he 4 : “x wh - "One specimen taken at Mountain Lake, Giles Co., Va., June -*s 0, 907. A very large and distinctly marked species, belong- _ ing to the same group as L. bethunella, Cham. vind _ 1 ae By C. S. Brruxey, Raleigh, N. C. Finding among my pinned wasps some male Polistes taken _ in December and January, I kept notes of all the Pbdlistes tak while hibernating during the winter of 1906-7, with the _ following results : November 29, 1906. Fifty-four /olistes taken, of which a were male annularis and thirty-one females of the _ game species ; three were females of other species. December 4, 1906. Fifty-seven taken, of which one was a male annularis and the rest females of other species. _ February 8, 1907. One hundred and thirteen taken, of _ which were males and fifty-six females of anxnu/aris and ‘seven of other species. _ _ March 22, 1907. Three males and two females of annularis _ taken on the wing. On March 26th two more male annudaris _ taken, also on the wing. 108 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 Argynnis astarte, Doubl.-Hew., and other High Mountain Butterflies. By F. H. Wo.u.ry Don, Millarville, Alberta. In Can. Ent., xl, p. 14, January of the present year, is an article by Dr. Henry Skinner, expressing regret that so few definitely specified localities for Azgynnis astarte have ever been recorded. As some notes of mine on this and other Alberta species will shortly appear in those pages, I thought I would take the opportunity of dealing more fully with the habitats and habits of some of the high mountaineers of Brit- ish America in the News. Were I in Dr. Skinner’s position of never having ‘‘ been there before,’’ I suppose I should have felt just the same about the matter, and been quite at a loss, once arrived at one of the C. P. R. hotels in the Canadian Rockies, where, when or how to go to the most likely place to get or even to see astarte in the shortest possible time. Yet had I not read his article, I should probably not have troubled to name any exact locality, so confident do I feel that astarte could be found ina favorable season upon any peak at or above the timber-line—8o0o0o0 feet is not necessary—round Banff or Laggan, or the adjacent neighborhood, a few weeks after they were sufficiently bare of the previous winter’s snow. . My first acquaintance with the mountain tops was in 1900, when I made the trip from Laggan Station to the nearest moun- tain to the northeast, as that had been pointed out to me a few years previously by Captain H. J. Elwes, as one which he thought Mr. Bean had told him was a good one for butterflies. Mr. Bean’s ‘‘ low, smooth mountain directly north of Laggan ’’ is very likely this, as the station hands told me he used to go and camp high up on it for weeks. His mountain ‘‘ three miles southwest of Laggan, 8500 feet,’’ is very likely Piran, or St. Piran, as it is called on some maps, of which the latest com- puted height is 8610 feet. Well, I got there; and just below the summit I got a portion, about half—the central half of an astarte 8. If the rest of him had been anywhere near, it would probably have assisted him better to keep out of my way, and I should not have got him. On the top ridge, a long, even ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 109 > lla suitable for running hundred-yard races, I saw w more and caught a fresh though slightly crippled ¢ is beanii. Then in went the sun for the day, and the day rade win; brought snow. That was on August 8th. I re- : L to the locality in Can. Ent., xxxiii, p. 161, as Slate n (I wrote southeast"by mistake), as it and its neigh- | » the west were marked on the map as ‘‘ Slate Range,”’ it ive failed to discover whether it has received a definite 3 me even yet. Four days later I took another in even worse tion, on the top ridge of Sulphur Mountain just on the imber line, at about 7200 feet. Mr. Sanson’s capture on June es I think the earliest yet recorded, and that near the evil’s Lake, Banff, was recorded by me in the pages referred to. aout 18, 1904, after having waited round Lake Louise, , in company with Mrs. Nicholl for two days, wait- ag for a gleam of sunshine and breath of warm air, and z on snow-drifts to try and keep warm, I started alone on er visit to the ‘Slate Mountain’’ in most unpromising her. It did no better than it promised either, and the peeeerecting thing I found was a pair of ptarmigan with brood which, by-the-way, are less afraid of a man thar ithe average barn-door fowls. If anyone contemplates _ making a trip to that mountain for butterflies and back in a _ day, my advice is don'’#/ It is nearly three miles from Lake nis § to the station, and three more through burnt and fallen “ ber to the foot of the mountain. There are others far easier access and probably equally prolific or more so. m0 On the day following the sky had almost completely cleared, i I piloted Mrs. Nicholl up the trail to Saddle Back, about > miles from Lake Louise chalet. It was there on a grassy i heathery slope that I had taken what I never believe is Ca streckeri and which I recorded as nastes, and C. pelidne var. skinneri, and a worn specimen of Chrysophanus snowi. t that had been nearly three weeks later, and now the pre- is winter's snow had evidently not been long off the ground, n¢ ones nothing to be seen. As I had brought Mrs. choll up that height rather against her inclinations, I felt hat disgusted. We sat down on a fallen log (we were IIO ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. {March, ’08 at about 7000 feet, a little below the limit of timber) and thought. We were in between two peaks, Fairview 8875 feet, according to the map I had consulted, and Saddle Peak 7900 feet. Presently Mrs. Nicholl asked, ‘‘ Which of these is the most likely peak for astarte?’’ I had been at Laggan before and she had not, so I felt bound to give advice. ‘‘ That, I fancy,’’ I replied pointing to the top of Fairview, some 1900 feet above us. I had no idea that she intended going up, for the wind was fresh and cold and not a butterfly or moth was to be seen moving. We appeared to be too early by a fort- night for so high an elevation. However, she wandered off in that direction and I still sat and thought. About an hour later, z. e., at about midday, I espied her close tothesummit. I had now made up my mind that we were wast- ing time up in this windswept, belated region, and tried to signal her to return to much lower levels. I failed to catch her atten- tion, so started off—to fetch her back. I had hardly commenced the ascent when I caught a freshly emerged ¢ C. skinnert, that species reaching to barely above the timber line, which at Lag- gan averages about 7200 feet. I had yet to go within about 500 feet of the summit when whiz! flash! What was that? A red butterfly. Astarte? That cannot have had the temer- ity to emerge from the pupa up here already this wintry sea- son! Mrs. Nicholl will be interested to hear I have seen some- thing reminding me of astarte. I hurried up to the peak. The wind had now dropped, or else I had got above it. The huge loose rocks with which the mountain top seemed to be piled up, caught and reflected the sun’s heat and I seemed to have reached a different climate. I soon caught sight of Mrs. Nicholl flourishing the net. ‘‘ Hello! Why didn’t you come up long ago? Astarte swarms. I’ve been having grand sport for the last hour.’’ And sure enough, there they were in dozens! But howthey flew! Now dodging around the rocks, then whiz! Flash! Over cliff or else straight away out of sight as though one had a train to catch, and not another chance for a week. Sometimes two or three would meet and fly almost vertically upwards, gyrating around one another to a height of 50 or roo feet, then separate and descend still ‘ly though less vertically in different directions. iced eine tattle on a ick, but if ever I did man- ae Get within striking distance I generally missed, so kly do they dodge. It is a great exertion to climb 3000 a the hotel tothe regions of asfarte. Itisa great sight Bees Os wing, comnce. But it is a feat when seen, to catch it! ‘‘ Look ! there goes one. ~ ! There's another. Look! Two! Behind you!” , at times they seem everywhere at once, and then per- te or fifteen minutes you may not see more than one, ig like a flash. Between us, I think, we got ten in a of hours, but then we were paying attention to Angyn- r Oceneis beanti and Chrysophanus snowi, as well, and, riter especially, had an eye to moths also. Asfarte is such te to catch, and thereare several other good things to be oe ae i the peaks, so that exclusive attention to this species — Sl dataiside Mies ant coetinend iteelf. Personally, s always a great muff with the net, and Mrs. Nicholl fe then doubled my catch. It may be that on duller days ‘ith sunshine and lower temperature, this butterfly és Stee to capture. I have had no opportunity of trying. Jencis beanii was still more common at the same place. It jedly shy of approach, but with extreme caution is not to stalk when at rest and does not make long flights. I ke got fifteen or twenty on that day in fine condition, d nearly all males. Astarte were also prime, and males A. alberta was just out, and though far less common than was much easier to catch. It is not a peak-haunter, ferring even shaly slopes a few hundred feet lower. I Saw none on the extreme summit. Castle Crags, or rather ¢ lower ridges leading to them from Fairview, I found ground for it and an easy footing for quick movements. a lazy, slow flier and does not like to rise. It often and from its low-flying habit I have often caught @ netful of shale, either instead of or as well as the butter- fly. On day we took about a dozen, both sexes. Later the day I found Ocneis beanii and astarte on the wing on Sadd. Peak as late as 5 p.m. It should be remembered that 112 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 the favorite haunts of $ astarte and deanii are either cliffs or gigantic piles of sharp-edged rocks which make running a yard absolutely impossible, and quick movements with one’s feet in- advisable, often highly dangerous. ‘This, with the exertion of climbing, the uncertainty of the weather and the fleetness and shyness of astarte makes one feel that it is of some value when caught. Chrysophanus snowi was also to be had in similar situa- tions to alberta. But this species goes below the timber line. On the following day, in warmer weather, we made the ascent of Piran on the opposite side of Lake Louise. There we found the same four species in equal, if not greater num- bers, with the addition of Meditaea anicia var. beanii. This form goes far above the timber line, but does not reach the summit. The typical azzcia is found lower down and there appears to be gradations through. This, by-the-way, I had taken on Slate Mountain, as well as Lycaena aguilo which flies on Piran also, but above and below timber. Here also we took a few Colias streckert which was just coming out. ‘This on a lower ridge leading toward Mt. Victoria. On this ridge running is safe and easy, and Arvgynnts alberta, Chrysophanus snowt, Oenets beaniz, and occasionally Lycaena aquilo are to be found. Such situations are perhaps the best for catching Oezeis beaniit by reason of the open ground, though more may be seen higher up. For astarte, $, ‘‘ Excelsior’’ must be the motto. This afternoon Mrs. Nicholl took a 9 down close to the timber line above the head of Lake Agnes and near the same placea $ of Colias elis just out. Here end all my per- sonal experiences with alberta and astarte. . On July 16th and 18th of last year I had some success with Oenets beanti again on Piran, the first day in dull, cold weather with a few glimpses of sunshine. If the sun appeared for a few seconds, so did deanzz. I would mark him down, and even if the sun went in again at once I frequently caught him, sometimes in a pill box! Once I delved down about two feet amongst stones and got him. On the 18th I took two ? 9, one near the sum- mit the other within 200 feet of Lake Agnes, 7. e., about 6950 feet, and quite freshly emerged. I saw the species all over the south and east sides of the mountains from the timber line up. DMOLOGICAL NEWS. 113 side is precipitous. The season was exceptionally i astarte evidently not yet out. Ncoarctia yarrowi has is coc bees taken on Piran, and today I found a half- ywn larva on a rock which was probably this species, and fal cast skins. The larvasrefused all food and died. Afe- # and Anthocharis creusa were other catches, at and timber. Siviky 7th T eecended Mount Stephen, Field, B. C., up to ; or a little higher. I took a freshly emerged yarrow? | sitting on a rock in blazing hot sunshine. It made no at- mipt to escape, though its wings were dry. I caught @neis anit € and saw one or two more. A full-fed larva found hundred feet above timber produced Lycaena aguilo 3 July 29th. On the 8th I went up Mount Field by way of _ Burgess Pass. Here again I took Ocneis beanii and saw three or four more. That was on a low spur overlooking the railway, by ne “means the highest point. Also a full-fed larva which Started to spin within four hours and produced a ¢ yarrow ; uly 29th. He crippled very slightly in drying, not seem- g to understand climbing up sticks but wanting rocks. The fva was at rest in the hot sun. Today I got a thirty-yard w of a goat, which stood and stared at me but did not allow a On the 13th I made the ascent of a . probably nameless, about six or eight miles south- east of Windermere, B. C., by way of what is locally called “*Taggart's Pass."’ It is timbered practically to the summit, and probably scarcely over 7000 feet. Result, inter alia, two 7? or three Ocncis beanii seen quite close but not captured. Pyrgus eentaureae, one in fine condition, several hundred feet lower. This, by- the-way, I have from Lake Agnes, Laggan, much worn, ly 17, 1904. In Edward's Butterflies of North America, iii, "part xv, Mr. Bean writes: ‘‘ In 1890 I took one pair of Arg. alberta on a mountain near Hector, B. C., two miles west of | Alberta Province line. On that mountain lives Chionobas brucei, _ never yet observed at Laggan, only nine miles distant.’’ _ Mrs. Nicholl records both a/ierfa and astarte from Lake omg B. C., and the Yoho district. Nowhere there, how- , did she meet with Oencis brucei, though at my sugges- 114 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March, ’08 tion she was even on the lookout for it. Last year, how- ever, she met with it some way to the north of Laggan. She writes: ‘‘ The first place I took it was on a mountain at the head of the North Fork of the Saskatchewan flying with beanti ; it was common on all the high mountains north of that. It is evidently a more northern species than deanzi, and I think harder to catch.’’ I am indebted to her for a good series. About other species she writes: ‘‘I got eleven as/arte on the spurs of Mount Athabasca, and northwards, very fresh, the last week in July, and alberta fairly swarmed in many places. . . . I got twenty-five in one day on the slopes of Wilcox Peak. . . . Wilcox Pass, or rather the valley just south of it, is the headquarters of C. edés, which swarms there, with a few christina in company. iis is evidently a northern insect. It is the commonest Colzas on the Athabasca. One Pyrgus centaureae on Brelahtan Pass in August is the only one I got.’’ Her record for alberta during 1907 is particularly interesting, as during six years collecting at Laggan Mr. Bean only met with it in the even-numbered years, and suggested that it was biennial in appearance. It may be at Laggan yet, for all any- one knows, as I have no odd-year records. By-the-way, I found year-old wings of either this or astarte in a spider’s lar- der under a stone on Mount Stephen. ‘Two very high moun- taineers, though perhaps scarcely worth climbing after, are Pamphila comma and Pieris occidentalis. I have comma (form manitoba?) from 8500 feet, and occidentalis from the actual summit, over 8600 feet of Mount Piran. I got wildly excited on viewing four or five of the latter species in the distance playing round a high ridge on Mount Field, and thought I had come across a new species. On page 84 of the February News, Elytroleptus floridanus is said to have been recorded in the East only once before, from Massachusetts. It might be of interest to some, to know that it has been taken abun- dantly in this vicinity, for the last five years. It is found on oak leaves, the last of May and the first of June—Norman S. Easton, Fall River, Mass, DG! NEWS. 1m5 Notes on Catocala. _R. R. Rowtey, Louisiana, Mo.” vc SA Tiisesis teteacy beesn on the aard of March, a batch of eggs of C. wnijuga that I had received from C Lonard of Kear J., began hatching prema- fompted, no doubt, by the unusually warm weather that from the 20th to the 28th, the thermometer rang- or week frm 80 to 90 degre A few tender leaflings their winter coverings in anticipation of an early . Eile Gaenn $0, grief tm the protracted cold weather that J me to the utmost to get food for the hungry young s” and I was compelled to keep a fire going in the *” from the last of March to the 8th of May to save h neues arve are very slender, spen-worm- large, almost black heacs. Th ee aeacs, cach, Sve days from chit and the caterpillars changed to black with a cream- middorsal band and an almost white ventral side with fc (i patealeapeaaligrmaregiin Sth and 6th of April the larve moulted the second raching a length of three-fourths of an inch with sides E, mottled with a lighter color. The middorsal line, light, and with a rather large spot of the same color on the ; at beyond the third pair of true legs and another above i second pair of prolegs. The venter, cream color. A dorsal Ria, shied catr of proiees « | the 10th of April the third moult occurred, with the a nearly an inch long, brownish and grayish in irregular s. The dorsal cream colored line reduced to small sep- i sausage-link-like spots, not very distinct. nt the 16th of April, the larva being a light gray with dorsal hump and dark spot over inter- ace between the 3rd and 4th pairs of prolegs, with a white 116 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 lateral patch on either side, just in front of the black dorsal spot. A broad, white cross band just back of the 3rd pair of true legs. Head light gray with a black marginal line down each side and above. The third pair of prolegs as large and prominent as the end props. A row of small, middorsal, rounded, connected white spots with black boundaries. As the larva lies flat on the stem, it furnishes a strong case of pro- tective mimicry. From April 22nd to 24th the fifth moult occurred. Just after this moult, the larve vary in length from one and a half to quite two inches, possessing small, light-colored tubercles, each set with a bristle and the entire body with a lateral fringe of short sete. Head much larger; the body a little darker than before but without any black spots. Head with encircling band of black. Both true and false legs light. Whole body with light and dark gray longitudinal, irregular stripes or figures. In the full grown larva the upper lobes of the head inside the black encircling band, yellowish brown. ‘The ground color be- comes ashen gray with pale, longitudinal lines, much broken and irregular. The hump over the 1st pair of prolegs quite disap- pears and the enveloping spot is hardly noticeable. Larva quite two and a half inches long. Between the fifth moult and ma- turity fifteen of the fifty larvze died. The first case or cocoon was spun May the oth, on the ground between two leaves. Others spun between folds of paper in the breeding jars. The first chrysalids on May 14th or 15th, about an inch and a quarter long, dark brown on dorsal side, red brown on ventral, abdominal rings, a whitish prunescence covering the whole pupa. The first two imagos on June 13th, the length of pupal stage being 33 days. ‘The last imago on June 2oth. Eggs of Catocala cara began hatching on the 29th of May. As in C. untjuga, the larve are very small and slender and exceedingly active. So much so indeed, that nothing short of an air-tight box will prevent their escape. The freshly hatched larva is light brown with somewhat darker head and rear. About one-fifth of an inch long, rapid in movement and 1, 08) 0G NEWS. 117 ee eee. Diameter hardly more than a y thread. SEAS MN Man Srebitaoudted the Gret time on June 7 fore second moult the larva becomes very dark, the lat- ee eee oe doremm of the front half brown. On the top side of the body, back of the fe ls dallons, longitudinal stripe. True feet and prolegs . Head small, not black. Aft second moult (June toth) the larva is nearly half an os: a dark, almost black band along the side with a ud middorsal and upper lateral yellow-brown or orange 9¢ interrupted only at the hump, over the 3rd and 4th pro- by cro back patch Pro- and true legs straw color. rm t Sid atts (Tansitet) the larva ie about three- ers of an inch long, very light yellowish-brown with very lighter lines and deeper yellow-brown at seg- ‘ment edges. The cross band over third pair of prolegs is red- brown and marks the dorsal hump. True and prolegs light _ brown. Head with black lateral dash to each side. oj after fourth moult (June 17th) the larva is light yellow- ish gray with orange tubercles and short bristles. Lateral tom of sete. Humped over and pair of prolegs and with larger twin tubercles over the next to the end segment, form- g a hump-like ridge. Head light with lateral black stripe eet Sromanenee. True and prolegs flesh color. Ler n one and one-cighth inches. SEiaa fully grown, about 16 weeks after fifth moult, the ise is over three inches long and marked much as above s i. In the breeding jars the larva usually spins among the wi leaves on the stems, not on the bottom of the jar as do r iendemiong The pupa is large and covered with a % h prunescence. AE Ga aikemars, I have kept a close watch fot la : of C. cara on a small willow tree in my back yard and » been rewarded by finding a number of fine caterpillars. Il “worms” were sometimes taken on the underside of dead 118 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March, ’o08 twigs while two half grown specimens were found on the bark at the base of the tree in the shadow of some drooping rasp- berry leaves. On the underside of a dead branch of some- what greater diameter than a lead pencil, two well grown larvee were found. After the tree had apparently been robbed of all its caterpil- lars and several days had passed without finding any, in the folds of a muslin bag tied on a living branch, three mature larvee were discovered. A trick was then tried that had proved successful in the search for Catocala piatrix larve. Sticks or dead branches were leaned against the tree and, in the morning, several larve were found on the under side of the sticks. I am sure that when no shelter is to be found on the tree, the larve, after the night’s feeding, leave the tree and hide beneath leaves or find other retreats. I found this so in C. piatrix by scattering pasteboard and folds of paper beneath walnut bushes and in the morning se- curing the larve beneath the boards or in the folds of the paper. Small larve of all species of Capoten perhaps, are some- times found in the bark grooves or cracks and, perhaps, al- ways with the head down and in most cases within three or four feet of the ground. We have never climbed for any but hickory species and then only when the rough loose bark ex- tended beyond reach. I recall a walnut bush that grew near the edge of a low bank and the water had worn a hole down among the roots. I thrust my hand down the hole and felt among the rootlets till I found a fine large C. piatrix larva. On the beastie of a willow that had fallen over, a very large cara “worm” was discovered near the ground. Beneath the loose bark of shag-bark hickory, larve of a number of species of Catocala can be easily found and usually near the ground, but sometimes higher if the loose bark ex- tends upward. On hickory we have taken larve of C. residua, C. habilis, NEWS. 119 et ewe wide, polacogeme, vidue, ve- robinsoni. eartalarthet widuete, jechrymos, judith and other black- ‘species feed on hickory and perhaps pecan. e found the larve,of neogama on walnut and sus- Pm has the same food plant. F commonest species, innubens, feeds on honey locust as » illecta. The latter species was common here in 1900. a and illia feed on oak. a 2003 Cotecele season here i 501 rarities were taken. Jilecta was noticeably absent. oth of August I took an imago each of Catocala sub- i dejecta and Mr. Ed. Dodge took one amatrix and one = SiUe tits eskates are live been but. two emetris taken Judith is always rare. On August 12th, at night Mr. ee te I have never yet taken this m the sth of August Mr. Ralph Dodige was fortunate mugh to take a fine cara with yellow instead of red on the lind wing, a peculiar freak in color. ato as Dodes ick: Cocwrmereia the first ever taken here, a magnificent specimen. On the 11th of the same month, the writer took the first vid he ever saw here and it was the first and only one taken here ¢ this year. From the 1st to the 15th of September many _ §pecimens of vidua and robinsoni were taken, the latter, almost _ invariably on the bodies of white oak trees. ™ Specimens of insolabilis and Aebilis were taken in the sum- “Mer of 1906 but not in 1907. On the agth of June, 1906, I took at bait one consors and Doge took one fora. Nether have been taken since | On the 19th of July, 1906, Ralph Rowley took a single speci- n of C. coccinata, a species rarely taken anywhere. "All in all, the summer of 1907 was an interesting one en- 120 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’o8 tomologically, hereabout, despite the unfavorable character of the early part of the season. The time of appearance of all lepidopters was later than the summer before by from a week and a half to three weeks, but when butterflies did put in an appearance they seemed to make up for lost time in numbers. Papilio cresphontes and troilus were more numerous than they had been for years, while turnus and ajax were common. The great moths Citheronia regalis and Eacles imperialis had their day along with the rest and their horrid (?) larvae were brought to the bugman in paper bags and glass jars for identi- fication, with the query as to just how long a human being would live after being bitten by one of these venomous ( ?) creatures. The year 1881 was a great insect year here as the writer now remembers it, and about the middle of June thousands of specimens of Argynnis idalia could be seen poised over wild flowers or on the wing in the prairie country west of Vandalia, Mo. Scarcely a dozen specimens of idalia have been seen by the writer since. o> ->e Notes on Necrophorus orbicollis Say. By C. O. HouGuton, Newark, Del. While at work about some peach trees in my back yard late in the evening of May 30, 1906, my attention was attracted to what I at first thought was the stridulation, at close hand, of the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst. I was about to strike a match to look for curculios on the limbs of one of the peach trees, when I discovered that the noise I had heard was caused by several specimens of Vecrophorus orbicollis Say, which had congregated about a dead mouse that lay on the ground beneath the tree. Wishing to learn something of their movements about the mouse, and the cause of the stridulation, I secured a candle, some matches, a box for a seat, and proceeded to investigate. It was then about 8 o’clock and the moon was shining. The night was still and the temperature about 60° F. | Just as I was seating myself near the dead mouse a large beetle came flying about the spot, and on knocking it down i a can eneteet ena Necro- -ppeaaaag While securing this specimem I could plainly + others about the mouse and, in addition to the strid- iia athice, wibe heard, as though the various t were engaged in combat, the mandibles of one on the chitinous parts of another ; and this is what i to be taking place when I lighted my candle. a nee cet car ed, cna ir of these were fighting, in pairs, close to the carcass. T purpose was, evidently, to keep each other from reach- ig the ty ofthe owe, a to do this they would seize h other with their legs, and apparently their mandibles 0, and roll about in a most Inudicrous manner, all the time ping up their stridulating sounds. At intervals they would Te their holds upon each other and return to the carcass, “only to renew the combat a little later. They did not appear 1 ith ih ech ea wt ew of a couple of feet or so. However, one took flight after a time, possibly owing to the light. sah BIE Soe Gadliectectating counts were pro- * pe Tice gh ef and reat ree remteced _ bya movement of the abdomen, apparently causing the upper of one or more of the abdominal segments to rub I gtlact the elytra.* as +, -__ Tcollected four of the beetles about the mouse—all that I ould locate—at 8.20 P.a., and left the carcass for nearly an hour. At 9.10 I again visited the place with my candle, and rns eu Prams at Sfat wo find the mouse gone from spot where it had lain. I soon located it, however, at a ; of several inches from its former resting place, and | ee Decal vain Tcotectea about it. 7 My observations for the night closed at 9.50, when I again J Visited the mouse and secured a single beetle. ©Since making these sotes, in 1906, the writer has noticed a single reference relative | to stridulation in Mecrophorns, via., Third Report of the State Entomologist of Missouri, _ —& 14, where Dr. Riley, in speaking of the stridulating organs of various Coleoptera, says: _ “Im the burying beetles (Necrophorida) these rasps are situated on the fifth abdominal ee ert the elytra.” 122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 Winged Aphids, C. W. WoopwortH, Southern California Pathological Laboratory, Whittier, Jan. 17th, 1908. In the course of a study of the cabbage aphis, Aphis bras- sicae, it was noticed that the wilting of the plant resulted in an immediate slowing down of the birth rate. This season has thus far been unusually dry in the southern part of the State, and in almost all fields there have been innumerable cases of evident diminution in the number of aphids without much parasitism or sign of fungus or bacterial diseases. A leaf badly curled and almost entirely covered on one side by the aphids first shows a spontaneous production of young. with wing pads. When these young have become full grown they fly away and the leaf becomes ultimately entirely free from the insects, except perhaps the bodies of a few swollen up parasi- tized individuals that may still remain and the cast skins that sometimes cling to the surface. There may be some connection between these two observa- tions, since the failure of plant licé to develop wings under more favorable conditions may be due simply to the rapidity of development of the rest of the body. After about one day from the birth of plant lice, those that are to produce wings are clearly distinguishable. Possibly the delay before birth result- ing from a partial wilting of the plant, or possibly the short- age of food for the new-born insect may give the wing buds time to begin development and to reach a point where they have an even chance with the other organs of the body. _ Professor Clarke has shown* that the common rose aphis, Siphonophora rosae, can be made to produce wings in the first generation upon rose cuttings in sand wetted with solutions of magnesium salts, while nothing else tried showed any effect. This is a case where there is no diminution in water supply; either the wing buds were stimulated by the presence of mag- nesium, or the other parts of the body were retarded. li the latter is true, it would simply fall in line with the suggestion made above. * The Journal of Technology. Vol. 1. h, '08) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123 | Me grape Phylloxera (Phylloxera vastatrix) produces an dance of winged individuals in Europe and elsewhere in -d States, but in California winged forms are extremely is possibly corresponds with the high ratio that soda bear to magnesium in our soils. ogg heal of this department, has suggested to me that ¢ winged forms are produced on the finest roots near the fac eee oer | this State might be bet- ex i by the almost invariable destruction of such roots Pacy climate. ¢ occasional production of broods of winged Phylloxera ee Semel rise and fall of alkali, x the ratio of the different salts near the surface of ’ gro i, thus conforming to the chemical theory of wing foduction, or the explanation may be that a better moisture =. 2 on such years may permit sub-surface rootlets to live if enough to produce a brood of winged individuals The son for the development of winged forms on these upper otlet may be according to the second explanation, the slow ryin out of these parts or their periodical wilting during the ummer resulting in a condition comparable with that occur- now in our cabbage fields. r phenomena occur in this region in the case of num- bes oer specie of lant tec They increase until they ch a point where the leaf will be brought, by their combined at ck, to a semi-wilted condition, and then all the young sub- ze vent produced will develop wings. Whole trees are thus _ sometin freed from plant lice. ae i well known that wing-producing lice develop much more in y than those that remain wingless. The present sugges- is that a slower development, cither immediately before or birth, is the exciting cause of wing formation. “The foregoing is presented with the hope that eters wil t¢ observations, the coming season, of evidence of spontan- “cous wing production and its relation to dry periods or to excessive infestation of the plant. 124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (March, ’08 Further Notes on Alberta Lepidoptera. By F. H. Wottey Dop, Millarville, Alberta, Canada. Argynnis monticola Behr. ? I have only a single Banff male that could possibly be as- sociated with this name, and cannot find by what authority I so listed it, as I do not think the specimen has ever been sent away for a name. I much regret that Dr. Skinner records the species from Banff on my authority. Since publishing my list of butterfies in t901 I have paid no attention to this specimen or its associates until now, though I had ample opportunity of procuring a long series of rhodope from British Columbia, | where it is common, had I so desired. As it is I have only four males, one from Vancouver, two from the Island, and the fourth from Kaslo. The three coast specimens are much alike, agree with Dr. Holland’s description and, allowing for sexual differences, with his figures. The color of secondaries beneath is very dark, the spots yellowish or slightly silvered only, ex- cept the marginal row which are distinctly silvered. The Kaslo specimen is slightly smaller, paler in ground color as well as in shading above, has paler secondaries beneath, with no trace of silver on any of the spots, and those on the margin are slightly larger than in the coast specimens. It agrees in these details with Holland’s figure (underside) and description of monticola except in having more of a rusty red and léss of a purplish shading on secondaries. Such slight material forms unstable ground for conjecture, especially as there are not names to fit both forms in the B. C. lists, but the Banff and Kaslo specimens are alike, and certainly suggest a distinct species from the rhodope so common in coast collections. Under rhodope in the Kootenai lists Dr. Dyar mentions that Mr. Cockle had the species standing as monticola. A. halcyone Edw. I thus listed the species on the authority of Dr. Skinner, who has specimens from me and enters the record in Supplement No. 1 to his Catalogue. I have now under examination, 12 ¢ and 392. The Qsex, which I had been unable to compare when writing my former notes, fits Mr. Edward’s figure to a ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125 r al allied to the local form I have in my in lalingether two dosen specimens receiver! from various *s and collectors under the several names of halcyone, is, chitone, platina and anyderi. Specimens under the last Baer ita @ lens Chan any of the rest I do not re age of te vc. oo § safer than names in speaking of some allied forms of gyn I will give them in making comparisons. A @ m “Oslar, Col.” labeled halcyone is more lightly marked and 1 above, and has buff band beneath, narrower and darker many Calgary specimen and marginal row of spots ons 's smaller. Coronis from Glenwood Springs, Col., comes rer, r, but like haleyone from Oslar differs in being more marked and shaded above. Chitone from Yellow- Dilark, Wyo., six to seven thousand feet, is very slightly en cy. je remain nine specimens received as platina. These I have led in two series, which if not species are at least well f local races... The first series consists of two males from er Canyon, Idaho, and Stockton, Utah, and a female from r Canyon, Tooele Co., Utah. The first of these is one of localities of platina, comes from Dr. Barnes and agrees wie This series differs from the Calgary § in being slightly paler in all the details of color and shading, but more distinctly in having rather larger silver spots and a wider, buff band. The other series of four males and two ‘females are from the mountains of Colorado above 8,000 fect aring labels “Pinnacle,” “Gore's Range” and “Williams River shat ." They are darker and more heavily black-marked and sd above, and having the spots smaller and buff band nar- er than the other series, fit the Calgary species exactly ex- for size wich is ery alight onaie inthe males with the relatively smaller still. _ Linpsay Syaioron of Looe, Cornwall, England, wishes to corre- ond with a collector wanting British Lepidoptera, with the idea of ex- <<. e Specimens set or papered. Full names. -¢ Meas i) a a ee -v =o 126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 A Fossil Orthopterous Insect with the Media and Cubitus Fusing. By T. D. A. CocKERELL. The first really fine insect found in the miocene shales of Florissant (Colorado) by the expedition of 1906 was a large beautifully spotted Orthopterous wing or tegmen. It was dis- covered by my wife at Station 9L, and was put aside for de- tailed study, which it has only recently received. The prin- cipal reason why it was not described sooner was its apparent resemblance to Lythymnetes guttatus Scudder, and the conse- quent possibility that it might belong to that species. In August, 1907, however, I went to Cambridge and examined the type of Lythymnetes guttatus, finding it to be entirely dif- ferent from ourinsect. Later, part of a tegmen of ZL. guttatus was found in unpacking the collections of 1907; it was ob- tained by Mr. S. A. Rohwer at Station 14. The new form may take the name Fa/acorehnia, in recognition of Mr. Rehn’s important researches upon the Orthoptera. Palaeorehnia maculata n. ¢, n. sp. Tegmen. Exceedingly ample, the portion preserved 39 mm. long and about 17 across ; the original length must have been over 55mm. The venation may be compared with that of Cyrtophillites rogeri Opp., from the Jurassic of Bavaria. The subcosta is straight, a trifle arched about its middle, and gives off veins above (three can be seen), more oblique than those of Cyrtophillites (the costal region probably less ample); the radius is practically straight (not kinked in the middle as in Cyrtophilh- tes), and the radial sector leaves it at the smallest angle possible, running alongside of it and diverging very slightly, but at length giving off a branch (the point of origin of this is not visible) which also leaves at a very slight angle ; the media, so far as visible, is separate from the radius, but at about 8 mm. from the base it approaches it very closely and proba- bly joins it a mm, or so further back; the media gives off two oblique branches below, the first or lower of which (M,) unites with the anterior branch of the cubitus for a short distance, at the level of and not far from the origin of the other branch ; the cubitus, 11 or 12 mm. from the base, breaks up into three branches, of which the first bends upward to join the media (M,), and then leaving it, very soon branches and the upper ramus of the second branch forks again ; the second and third branches of the cubitus are gently arched downwards, and appear to reach the margin without forking ; the anal veins are three in number, the first two long and strong, not branched, convex above at base, and for the *08) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 127 it ourse gently convex below. The veins, as in Grio- priltibe are crossed by numerous transverse veinlets ; these occasionally on consists of light spots on a ferruginous-brown ground | variou eee oe Salman 7 ‘the spots cluster along the veins, and eee ‘ Ja ab.—Florissant ; Miocene, Station 9 L (W. P. Cockerell, _ The interpretation of the venation of Palacorchnia was not -atonce evident; the union of the media with the cubitus and its later departure therefrom, is a confusing character, only ‘feadily understood by comparison with other types. Curiously racter is present in the ancient and extraordinary in- Sassen bockingi Dohrn., from the Permian. The character is found in the anterior wings of the Neu- serous Sialis and Raphidia. Among the fossil Orthoptera > union of the cubitus with the media is found in Cyrio- rogeri, an insect with broad tegmina having many nee to Pteaeetate, together with very im- the ordinary Acridiidae the cubi- a Among the specimens and figures of recent Orthop- a available, I was not able to find any genus in which the media and cubitus fused in the manner of /alacorchnia. Mr. Rehn has very kindly sought for this character among the far materials at his command, and has found it essentially in Palacorchnia and Cyriophyllites, in the Phaneropterid genus, 7¢trachoncha Karsch., 1890. This genus is exclusively Siem, with four known species. [n the Pseudophyllinae Mr. Rehn found tendencies to the same condition in a great _ number of diverse genera, but in no case true coalescence. In _ eighteen of Phanopterinae he found tendencies similar _ to those just described for Acridiidae ; the character of the wis serving, the approach being very decided in /schyra, M “128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’08 and slightly less so in Philophyllia, The eighteen genera are as follows: Zlimaea (Oriental region), Azara (Neotropical), Hyperophora (Neotropical), a bs PST: $% g25% gs Hiatt iat HUB 2 al Tere Hera: ab bi anced iat ll apbsedpaaa! Elitsas et 223 5 iyi? ‘ ne fist put alg Hi HHL HH f pete SEF 43 nt iy Br F eats ere LE ee o ag > 130 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ March, ’o08 rounded, with inner margin straight. Hindwings broad, rounded, the margin rather straight between veins three and six, all of thin texture and clothed with yellow brown and pale scales, having lines and veins mottled with dark brown, much after the style of lachrymosa Hist. of which it is a close ally. On forewings basal and discal spaces are somewhat darker, separated by a pale line starting from costa about one-fourth out in a sharp outward curve, thence straight across wing to inner margin. The extra-discal line a little heavier especially at costa than any other, and somewhat diffuse, starts three-fourths out, with a slight outward curve, not angled, around discal dot, thence in a series of small outward scallops crosses to inner margin within anal angle, succeeded by the usual broad pale line running parallel with it. Subterminal space darker, the hair line not clear except at anal angle, where it becomes white, ending in geminate dots, emphasized by a clus- | ‘ter of dark scales surrounding them. Marginal line dark brown, cut at veins. Fringes long, ground color of wing, a little darkened opposite veins. Discal dots linear, black. The discal space is sometimes centrally divided by a broad pale line. Starting one-half out on costa, which with a sharp outward trend passes outside the discal dot thence waved to inner margin. Hindwings with dark triangular basal area, between which and the extra-discal line, which is continued from forewings in a diffuse outwardly curved line to inner margin one half from base, is a broad clear space in which is placed the faint discal dot. The pale line following extra-discal is more or less evident, partially defined along outer border on both wings by short dashes of dark scales on veins. Subterminal space darkened with marginal line and fringes as in forewings. Beneath, pale yellowish ashen, glossy, with the pale cross lines above all reproduced, bordered by dusky dotted or diffuse lines, the extra-discal heaviest, with black patch at costa. Body and legs pale ashen. Type.— ¢ and 9, taken in coitu, Big Indian Valley, Catskill Mountains, June 29, 1907, and co-types from Bronx Park and Long Island, in collection of R. F. Pearsall. One @ from Bronx Park is darker, more heavily scaled, but the usual form is pale, with markings more indistinct than the types, especially . if rubbed. >_> Pror. TrEvor Kincarp, of the University of Washington at Seattle, has been asked by Dr. Howard to go over to Japan and organize a system for the collection of the Japanese parasites of the Gipsy Moth similar to that which is now in operation over in Europe. He ex- pects to have a good time and to do a pile of hard work in the land of the little brown men, and has started in to learn the lingo. 131 siiephesses Testlinatus in America. € By O. W. Ogsttunp, University, Minn. he December number of the News there appeared an in- g article on the of Chaitophorus negundinis » as observed in by Mr. Bragg. The follow- é and corrections may therefore be timely as attention ow been called to this peculiar form in America. I found he quite abundant on the maples in Minneapolis in 1897, ve since observed it at various places in Minnesota. Brag it appar, unaware of Keer paper onthe the most complete on the subject. The dimorph i aphid. Balbiani and Signorett later proved its UNE the Clatebhaiks c0 the maple. since consid- is Chellophorus eceris (L.) Koch, 1854. They also came RUNNING fast the Gieolegh, after covtioning in an ux. SUM Gcadiicn Sir sont, gt last periches ant comes to ‘nought. Kessler, in the above mentioned article, showed that thre distinct species had been included under Chaitophorus ‘aceris by authors, quite similar in general appearance but very - 5 variety Kessler assigns to the original Chaitophorus Koch., 1854; a brown variety he ascribes to Chai- _ fophorus testudinatus (Thorn.) Kessl., 1886; the third variety iis described as new under the name Chaitophorus lyropictus _ Kessl., 1886. The first two have a summer generation that re- as larva in an unchanged condition for three months or after which they resume active life and pasg through the i itsecy cocks As adults they proved to be the sexupara _ Producing the true sexes: the apterous females and winged males. The dimorph of the first differs from the second in EU cad ta dat tnty act being Satsened. Kessler, Nova Acta Leop-Carol. Akad., Vol. st, pp. 151-178. 1886. _ Thornton, Trans. Micr. Soc. London, Vol. 3. 1852. 2 Balbianj et Signoret, Comptes rendus Acad. Sci., Vol. 14. 132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, ’o8 The dimorph of the second species is apparently the same as that found by Mr. Bragg in Colorado and myself in Minnesota. Kessler’s figure shows the 22 flabellz on the abdomen, while Buckton is evidently at fault as to the number in his figure. As our American material appears to agree in all respects with the figures and descriptions of the European, I have for some time held the two to be the same and that it should be known as Chaitophorus testudinatus (Thorn.) Kessl., 1886. Kessler’s third form has no dimorph, but continues to produce the spu- riz during the summer as usual in the family. The question if Chaitophorus negundinis Thos., 1878, should be considered as a synonym, or if we also have two or more species under one name, may best be left an open question until the life history of our maple Chaitophorus is better known than at present. The fact that the summer generations of the first two remain as larve unchanged for three months or more, Kessler con- siders as a summer sleep or hibernation; in which case it may be better to speak of it as a specialization and not as a degen- eration. ~<42> = 144 ' ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 nearly adult and were probably the stem mothers. During the earlier part of the year it required twelve to fourteen days for them to become mature, but later in the warmer summer months the period for maturity was much shorter. The num- ber of young per female was, in two instances, 106 and 109, respectively. The length of time required to give birth to these young were I5 and 21 days respectively, or an average of 7 plus in the first case and 5 plus young per day in the second. The lice were evidently partial to the young tender shoots, but later in the summer when these became crowded, some of the aphids were obliged to secure their food supply from the leaf petioles or the undersides of the leaves. The first adult winged form was noticed May aist, it hav- ing been born May oth or toth. The lice continued to in- crease in numbers until about the middle of July, but from then until about August 12th, only occasional specimens were found, the others having become winged and having prob- ably migrated to other places. They began to be more num- erous, however, August 12th, and by August 19th were com- paratively abundant, most of them being immature individ- uals. This second appearance of the aphids in numbers was not due to return migrants, but rather to the progeny pro- duced by the few wingless forms that had remained. I was unable to follow up the appearance of the bisexual genera- tion, but when examinations of the vines were made the first part of October, wingless oviparous females and winged males were found im copula, and also a few eggs deposited upon various parts of the vine. Later in the fall but occasional eggs could be found upon the vines and I concluded that the ant (Cremastogaster lineolata) had carried them to its nest. From the very first appearance of the aphids and throughout the summer this ant had been in constant attendance upon them. The lice secreted, from the anus, a somewhat milky fluid which soon became more or less solidified. Upon the parts of the plant occupied by the lice many of these globules were usually found. 2 dfidaqzeli #! a eT : HEE qt Hii oe ae geagtatags be. bd 33) 3 Tt 3 pliaih Pt ‘iniah ii g2esbzidh 3297 4 Tid trate + Uimiided fsbristiile TSH et taht dae i Te ai _ Ma , Fag 3 a yy 2 fa : eee a 3 etait An LE A GBHTL SHR 3 : TERA iia! : pill Ht Br asseissiaa 146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 Measurements.—Length of body, 1.5273-2.1816 mm.; width, 1.0908- 1.2816 mm.; antenna, I, 0.0801; II, 0.0611; III, 0.2635; IV, 0.2159; V, 0.1969; VI, basal, 0.0896; filament, 0.3273; total 1.2444 mm.; cornicles, 0.1738 mm.; hind tarsus, 0.1344 mm.; style, 0.1141 mm, (The above measurements are averages from specimens mounted in balsam.) Egg.—tThe black shining egg is elliptical and measures 0.7009 by 0.3260 mm. Winged male—Head and thorax black, abdomen dark reddish brown. Antenne black, imbricated, with numerous circular sensoria irregularly placed on segments III, IV, and V. There are usually twenty or thirty sensoria on III and IV, and half that number on V, but these num- bers sometimes vary although the proportions are generally the same. Eyes black. Wings hyaline, with black veins, the first and second dis- coidals branching at a point about two-thirds the distance from where they leave the third discoidal to the margin. Legs dark to black, excepting the middle portions of the tibiz and femora. Cornicles very dark, almost black, cylindrical, imbricated, slightly less than the hind tarsi in length. Style dark but not black, conical, and longer than the tarsus. Measurements.—Length of body, 1.1999 mm.; width, 0.5636 mm.; length of wing, 1.7452 mm.; antenna, I, 0.0591; II, 0.0529; III, 0.2180; IV, 0.1895; V, 0.1650; VI, basal, 0.0825; filament, 0.2872; total, 1.0542 mm.; cornicles, 0.0978 mm.; hind tarsus, 0.1141 mm. ( Mesquneiaaams from specimens in alcohol ae in balsam.) Mr. T. A. Williams, in a bulletin of the Depailaa of Entomology, University of Nebraska, listed a new species, Aphis parthenocissi on Parthenocissa quinquefolia, but did not describe the same. This species is closely allied to Aphis ilicis Kalt.—(A. hed- erae Kalt.) of Europe, but compared with the European de- scriptions is quite distinct. I respectfully dedicate this species to Doctor Justus W. Folsom, who by the publication of “Entomology with refer- ence to its Biological and Economic Aspects” has done so much for the advancement of entomology, and to whom the writer is indebted for many helpful suggestions. EXPLANATION OF PLATE VII. Aphis folsomii.—1, wing of viviparous female; 2, style of winged viviparous female; 3, cornicle of winged viviparous female; 4, hind tibia of oviparous female, showing sensoria; 5, antenna, of wingless viviparous female; 6, of winged viviparous female; 7, of wingless ovi- parous female; 8, of winged male, iS zn pril,"08] =§§§_- ENTOMOLOGICAL NeEWs. 147 - Color and Environment. : By Howarp Austen Snyper, Philadelphia, Pa. _ While collecting insects in the Bermuda Islands in the year 1905, I perceived that the common wasps I saw flying were of a lighter shade than those of the United States, and ex- pected to find in my net a species different from our own, ’ but on examination I saw that they were identical with our _ Polistes pallipes. The difference in shade I attribute to the - fac that as Bermuda has coral roads and white calcimined foots, the average shade of the country has had the effect of _ producing a lighter shade in its insects. As every one knows, the more contrasted int color or shade an insect or bird is with _ félation to surrounding objects, Or the background on which es it rest the more liable it is to be discovered and devoured or led by its enemies. Locally we see that effect in the locust, Trimerotropis maritima, and the tiger beetle, Cicindela dor- alis, of our own coasts, which from their habit of frequent- _ img the light sandy tracts, have had their darker ancestors _ @liminated by this fact in the economy of nature, and only the __ light ones remain and are inconspicuous and less liable to de- struction. Their color serves to keep them on the sand, for let them wander inland where there is vegetation and a _ darker soil, and they are soon discovered and destroyed. With __ bees and swift flying creatures this rule cannot so well apply, ‘ never long in one place, and can elude their ene- The tiger beetle and locust alight frequently and are often resting in sight of ‘enemies. _____ I mean to indicate by the above that in any country, especi- _ ailly an isolated one, the insects will average darker or lighter according to the shade of the land and vegetation. Let a _ dark insect inhabit a country where the roads and the roofs are white, it will be rendered conspicuous and thus exposed to danger oftener than it would be in a country where the surface is darker. The diagram below will portray in a gen- eral way the appearance of Bermuda as compared with that _ of the United States—not exactly, of course. For the proper 148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 effect, the diagram should be viewed at a distance of ten feet, when the difference in degree will be seen without detail. KINWN NNN NS VN WIN VN § \WVN Vv f . S WY United States. Bermuda. The average road in the United States is about the color of a plowed field, and hence of fittle effect in modifying the gen- eral shade. In Bermuda the roads are closer than in Penn- sylvania, and hence effective in lightening the general aspect of the country—and added to this, the roofs increase the ef- fect, and although an insect in its flight might many times fly over or alight on a dark background, among the thousands of objects visible, of two insects of one species, the slightly darker one will be the first discovered on a light background; the lighter ones will live the longer and naturally have more descendants. It seems unnecessary since acquaintance with Darwin’s the- ory is so wide-spread, to say that although all animals resem- ble their parents, they all vary in minor particulars, and any difference in color or otherwise may serve to protect one and enable it to live long enough to produce its kind with a like resemblance and a little immunity. Nature seizes upon that which is good. It may be asked why these insects are not still lighter, but here the law of equilibrium intervenes and prevents a further advance. There is danger when it becomes too light of be- coming too conspicuous. Taking an extreme case, a white insect would be at once a prey of its enemies when on or over the darker vegetation. They are held back far enough from white to be fairly safe on a dark background. : ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149 tested in a large country, where the nd colors are various, and can only partially be proven nm an isolated country. The Bermudian surface affords us re res © the theory material for reasoning in this line, let us imagine a al island placed seven hundred miles from the mainland, Bermuda is, but connected with it by a chain of islands, as ermuda could have been, and let all the intervening islands come submerged by the subsidence of the sea bottom, which + pe ible. Up to this time, the insects of the mainland have free access to all the islands, and vice versa. Conse- er 2 uae ne snove condition among of the island cannot arise, but now that they are “Sto fm the mtn, he bea evict sn ‘shape their destiny, which seems to be as described. iG ee °° Peeed will have titir colors Bs i unless extremely well defended by poisonous quali- - Siieia GE deletes or underground habits. A New Variety of Papilio Philenor. a By Henry Skinner. he philenor hirsuta ». var. nee Sam in Yee beley characte of the body and the shortness of the tails. The thorax and abdomen are clothed with long black hairs and the tails are _ 45mm long. Male and female from Plumas County, Califor- _ mia, 9,500 feet elevation. Received from Mr. George Franck. — ee ~ e * a t, of pr Ext. News:—I take pleasure in announcing the recent or- ion of “The Association of County Entomologists” of California, in San José, February 1sth, 1908 W. H. Volck, Entomologist Cruz and Monterey Counties, was made president, and E. L. for Santa Clara County, secretary and treasurer. is for a more perfect co-operation in common to the orchardists of the districts rep- We hope by frequent consultations, comparison of plans and work to be better able to further the horticultural in- | 150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 Pitcher-Plant Insects.—III. By Frank Morton JoNnEs, Wilmington, Delaware. (Plates VII-IX.) Papaipema appassionata Harvey. Of the insects observed at Summerville, South Carolina, making Sarracenia their food-plant, next in abundance to the Exyras was a root-borer which proved to be Papaipema ap- pasionata Harvey. The burning over of the meadows makes the work of this insect in the roots of Sarracenia fava much more apparent than in those places where the tangled clumps of leaves of the preceding season conceal the ground. On these comparatively bare portions of the Sarracenia meadows, and especially in the less swampy places, it becomes apparent early in April that a very large proportion of the roots of Sarracenia flava contain this larva, which bores, first perpen- dicularly through the buds, then horizontally, following the course of the root-stock and keeping open the passage to the surface for the disposal of the frass, which is built up into a closed turret-like tube, capping the entrance to the burrow. So numerous are these burrows that whole clumps of fava with their interlaced root-stocks fail for a time to put up either buds or leaves, and many which start to grow are under- mined and killed by the operations of the borer. The much larger frass-tubes formed in the preceding year by full grown larve are also noticeable among the roots, showing that these structures are compact and tough enough to last through a winter’s exposure to the weather. Their purpose is probably to prevent the burrows from being flooded during rains and temporary inundations. At first only a fraction of an inch in height, these turrets are extended with the growth of the larvee to a height of two inches or more, and are often built against and partly supported by one of the larger fleshy leaf- stems, through which the burrow extends into the root-stock. The upper figures on Plate VIII, show the condition of the turrets, the extent of feeding, and the position of the lar- ve in the root-stocks on April first. Throughout the sum- IGICAL NEWS. 151 hese larvee extend their burrows through the root-stocks, owing up new turrets from time to time as they follow the ing course of the interlaced roots. Pupation takes place wide part of the burrow, not far from the surface, pro- ee Coe nee = oe cocape of the moth figure, Plate VIII). The first pupa was noted Sep- sber twenty-second, though some not observed were evi aly a few days earlier; the moths commenced to emerge Detober sixteenth, the last emergence of eighteen being No- nber third. e unusually long larval period is presumably the effect ie long season in this southern locality, the insect being 1 here as in the north. at ta serve tems ecimn nd in Sarracenia purpurea in New Jersey (see Can. Ent. ¥, 91-94), in which plant they did not pupate in the bur- » Ror was the turret-building habit observed. Mr. Bird s compared the South Carolina specimens from flava ith his New Jersey specimens from purpurca, and finds them ie the examples bred from fava, as would be expected, being slightly larger. _ “larva of Exyra rolandiana has been noted as feeding - in the flowers and unripe ovaries of Sarracenia purpurea. it Summerville no Exyra larve were found in the flowers either Sarracenia flava or Sarracenia minor. The flowers tele which begtf ts appear toward the end of ¥ il, are frequently destroyed by a small Tortrix caterpillar, th feeds among the petals and stamens and also burrows > and hollows out the green ovary, fastening the debris SRE Genter Aogether with silk. In these larva-infested flow- __ ers the umbrella-shaped style withers and the shrivelled petals _ Cling to the wreck of the flower instead of falling at the usual time. The lower figures on Plate VIII illustrate a healthy Siete after the fall OF the petals Sd an infested one. These larve were noted about May first, when a few of a 152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 them were almost full fed; they became more abundant by the middle of the month. A slight cocoon is formed in the flower from the debris loosely held together with silk, and from this the brown pupa pushes its way out some hours be- fore the emergence of the moth. Of those under observation, the first appeared May twenty-third, though at that date many of the later larve had not pupated. The latest emergence noted was June thirteenth. From unripe ovaries of Sarracenia purpurea gathered near Katahdin Iron Works, Maine, later in the season (August), the same insect was bred, and Mr. Kearfott identifies it as Olethreutes daeckeana, a species which he described in 1907 from a New Jersey locality where its food-plant was also Sarracenia purpurea, so it is evidently widely distributed and will probably be found wherever Sarracenia is abundant. Archips parallela Rob. Toward the end of May still another insect may be found attacking Sarracenia minor; this is the larva of a Tortricid,— a smooth, cylindrical caterpillar about seven-eighths of an inch in length, dull dark sage-green in color, studded with small white tubercles bearing short fine white hairs; the head and thoracic shield are yellowish-brown with black markings, and the feet black. This caterpillar seems to prefer the smaller open leaves of Sarracenia minor. It fills the upper portion of the tube with a white opaque web, through which it retreats in a tortuous passage when alarmed. In feeding it takes no care not to eat entirely through the leaf-wall, and the upper portion of the hood usually shows a ragged hole where the caterpillar has fed. A number of these larve of different ages were found in localities widely separated, so their occurrence in this food-plant was evidently not accidental. Of these, one fell a victim to the new leaf to which it was transferred,— evidence that this insect has not yet perfectly adapted itself to this dangerous food-plant. One larva on June third left the leaf in which it had been feeding, ensconced itself on the 3 ¥ Ape s Apri om ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 153 outside nother leaf of minor in the angle formed by the win, g of the Jeaf and the outside of the tube, and here NE ge ee eer white silk; here, a few days later, it changed to a press wtih on Jee twenty-second forced its way out 1 by means of the double row of spines with which sents are armed, and the moth emerged. Mr. W. D. tt pronounces the moth to be a typical specimen of Sasi HAN a widely distributed epccies with d long eens Seodpleats. On some of its other food-plants : trpillar spins several leaves together to form a more : tubular shelter. It would be interesting to determine ) what extent it is adapting itself to the other species of Se ac found within its range. ‘9, POLLINATION. Th [berrecenie tat depend upon insect agency to effect n of the blossom was recognized long ago by the nist: iad Gas iratfire of the Gower indicates something the ce es Socom shed. Careful se 1 of the insect visitors of Sarracenia flava through- fs blooming season make it seem probable that in this spe- ica th method of pollination differs in some respects from “the p accounts of this process in the genus Sarracenia he ; In flava, as in the other species of the genus, the le is a curious umbrella-shaped structure, each of its five being cleft, and the stigmatic surfaces are situated on le projecting points at the base of these clefts on the con- fe side of the open umbrella. The petals at the base form pse bell-shaped cover, spreading out and filling the space ween the points of the inverted umbrella; and access to Ee one ony 2 coe of Sve opegne i just below the curled-up tips of the umbrella with he Tiaite stigmatic points. uae memeianenting on a petal enters the flower, turns at angles in either direction to one of these openings, and in forcing its way through, if of suitable size, scrapes its back a on me whe 154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 across the projecting point of the stigma. In flava especially, egress is exceedingly difficult except at the five entrance holes; and all of the numerous insects observed visiting these flow- ers emerged after considerable struggling through one of these orifices, almost invariably again scraping the stigma in their departure. In flava therefore, with its heavy closely- overlapped petals usually preventing the escape of the visit- ing insects except by repassing the stigma, some special pro- vision for preventing habitual self-pollination by insect ag- ency would be expected; and this seems to be provided for in the position the flower assumes upon its stem at various ages. When the bud first appears above the ground it is borne up- right upon the stem; as the blooming period draws near, the stem bends just below the bud, making a complete turn, so that when the flower opens the style occupies the position of an inverted umbrella, catching and retaining the falling pollen, most of which is shed within twenty-four hours after the flower begins to open. The flower then begins again to change its position, often being very noticeably tilted on the stem by the third day, and eventually, long before the fall of the petals, it takes a position at right angles to the original one. These changes of position and the structure of the flower are shown on Plate IX. The tilted and finally upright flow- ers naturally retain less pollen than the newly opened horizon- tal ones, and often the tilted flowers show little trace remain- ing of the abundant supply in the newly-opened blooms. As the blossoms remain fresh and continue to be attractive to insects for more than two weeks, it would seem that this change in the position of the flower and the consequent spill- ing of the pollen decidedly favor cross-fertilization. Ants are almost invariably present in the flowers, attracted by the abundant nectar oozing from the ovary, but they are probably of little importance as pollenizers. The ant most abundant in fava at Summerville is identified by Prof. W. M. Wheeler as Tapinoma pruinosa Roger. Ants, wasps, and oc- casionally butterflies visit the outside of the flower; spiders, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155 nd n the little green tree frogs which habitu- occur EE Tavita ate somietionts found ensconced in the Seer nae the Best opening of the fous blossoms in h, their most frequent visitor on sunny days is the honey- being of suitable size to snugly fit the orifice, rarely ie sana harap Most of these carry loads of pollen, and do not seem to exercise any ice, relative to the age of the flowers, in making their vis- “Much smaller bees, Augochlora and Osmia, are less fre- it vis and on account of their size usually escape con- t with the stigma. At rare intervals a bumble-bee may be mn fori its way into the flower by the usual path, but ; ane proved so infrequent a visitor that it can scarcely nsidered of much importance as a pollenizer of flava. One e other insect, however, of suitable size to effect polli- tation, an insect always associated with Sarracenia, ,i5 @ con- tan Tad or cemen The Sarracenia fly, Sarcophaga Riley, habitually resorts to the blossoms as well to the leaves, perhaps more for shelter than for food. At cht and on cool, windy or rainy days these flies crowd into : blossoms, sometimes to the number of three or four to =— they are rongh, bristly, and often yellow with Suit tiae aide and leave the Gowers by ‘the only practic- able path, the orifice just under the stigma, which they are of suitable size almost necessarily to touch in passing. Tthas been suggested that the pitcher plant moths (Exyra) may be pollenizers of these flowers ; but as fava at Summer- © commences to bloom in March, and Exryra ridingsii, the es most intimately associated with it, does not appear i the middle of May, and Exyra semicrocea not until the middle of April, this can scarcely be the case. The color of the flowers and the fact that their fragrance becomes more notic jle toward evening indicates the possibility that night- flying may aid in pollination. The following list in- eludes all day-time visitors found in sufficient numbers to udicate that they are habitual visitors to these flowers: vil a 156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 In Sarracenia flava: Coleoptera : Chauliognathus marginatus Fabr. Diptera: . : Sarcophaga sarraceniae Riley. Hymenoptera: Apis mellifera L. Bombus Pennsylvanicus De G. Augochlora (confusa Robt.?). Osmia sp. Halictus sp. Tapinoma pruinosa Roger. The small brilliantly-metallic bees, Augochlora, and an Os- mia, were also noted frequenting the blossoms of Sarracenia minor, which did not seem to be visited by the larger insects. Dr. Mellichamp has recorded a beetle, Euphoria melancholica, as an occasional visitor to this flower. The size and structure of the flower, however, seem to indicate the small bees as the more suitable pollenizers. A New Genus and Species of Decticinae (Orthoptera) from California. By Morcan HEBarpD. Cyrtophyllicus* new genus. This genus is related to Zacycloptera Caudell} from which it differs chiefly in the very minute wings, the different form of the cerci and tegmina and the more spinose legs. Male only known. Fastigium blunt and not half as broad as basal joint of antenne. Pronotum slightly produced caudad, dorsal surface almost flat; lateral carinz not distinct cephalad but developed as distinct shoulders caudad, diverg- ing regularly caudad and at the caudal margin separated by slightly more than twice the width at the median portion of the prozona. Prosternum armed with a pair of long slender *Cyrtophyllus genus of Pseudophyllinae, eixds, that which resem- bles. Proceedings U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XXXII, p. 308. _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 157 I et etc te apex of te abdomen coed B short, not reaching the apex of the abdomen, rounded Wings very minute. Supra-anal plate small bsc the last dorsal abdominal segment produced, ent bopeded leterad by rounded Pic. 2. Fic. 3 ee Lateral view of 3 2. Cyrtophyllicus chlorum n. gen. and sp. Tympanum of Figure ees . 3. Cyrtophyllicus chiorum n. gen. and sp. Dorsal view of ; of male abdomen. (x 6.) 158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 lobes. Cercus slender, somewhat bowed and armed with a single heavy tooth. Legs moderately long, slender and well spined. Type.—Cyrtophyllicus chlorum, new species. Cyrtophyllicus chlorum new species. Type.—Male; El Portal, Mariposa County, California. Al- titude, 3,200 feet. August 30, 1907. Collected by Morgan Hebard. (Hebard collection.) Size moderate; form somewhat slender. Head not broader than cephalic portion of pronotum into which it is well inserted; fastigium of vertex short, blunt, compressed and deeply sulcate; eyes small, prominent and semiglobose; antenne in length almost six times that of pronotum, filiform, width of basal segment two-thirds that of eye, antennal scrobes somewhat protuberant. Prozona of pronotum not punctate, metazona rugoso-punctate, separated from the prozona by a distinct straight transverse sulcus; median carina of pronotum scarcely visible; prozona twice the length of metazona; cephalic margin per- ceptibly concave, caudal margin broadly rounded. Tegmina slightly more than twice as long as the pronotum, broad and considerably swollen, apically rounded, the costal field much enlarged, costal margin arcuate; tympanal area distinctly wider than the caudal width of the pronotal disk, its length exceeding width by a third of the latter. Wings minute falciform lobes. Abdomen -moderately plump, rounded, without dorsal carina, the terminal dorsal abdominal segment covered with very fine hairs. Cerci more than five times as long as the basal width, covered with very fine hairs and on the inner side near the tip armed with a heavy, short and sharp pointed tooth. Subgenital plate with a very shallow subtrigonal apical emargination, styles long and filiform. Legs moderately long and slender, covered with short fine hairs; posterior femora two and one-half times as long as pronotum and very little swollen on the basal half, armed below on both margins on the apical half only with eleven to twelve small sharp spines; an- terior and median femora of equal length, longer than the pronotum by a quarter of its length, both armed below on both margins with small spines numbering six to eight on the margins of the anterior femora and seven to eleven on those of the median femora. Posterior tibie slightly compressed, armed below with two apical spurs, margins well spined; anterior and median tibie armed below with six pairs of heavy spines, anterior tibie with four spines in the dorso-caudal mar- gin. General color uniform bright grass green; eyes pale nut brown; antenne straw color. 159 specimen taken was collected at night with the 01 a fasierh, stridulating loudly on a low green bush. when approached it did not cease its stridulation, but t up a loud and constant zick, rick, zick, zick, bcWaswad much ou pemare: Sendieris but far louder. Other individuals cr d stridulating loudly during the night until just be- deavoring to capture other specimens during the eve- gone was located in a high oak tree, another about twelve Bie the ground in a dense bush, another in a tangle of s near the ground and others, including the specimen in low green bushes on the mountain side. All ilecting was done after dark which made it very difficult locate the specimens, and, although they did not move until ached very closely, they usually ceased their song when 1. One which I succeeded in almost grasping es- »y tumbling down into the thick weeds under its perch. New? Scocalasitec. » By H. C. Fatt. BIN Geitiis alds oricierllydesigned to make known esting new species of Thyce discovered by Mr. G. H. _ Field, of San Diego, in the summer of 1906. The opportun- teeny hose. to add descriptions of two species of _ Lachnosterna and a Polyphylla which appear to be without names. The relation of cach of these to previously described Bier is made known, and there is therefore little use in monographic treatment of their genera of which there is either little need or small prospect in the near fu- ture, 160 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 Thyce fieldii n. sp. Of the usual form, head and thorax piceous, elytra blackish brown, legs paler brown, vestiture pale ochreous. Head densely clothed with elongate scales and fine erect hair, prothorax and elytra with rather sparse recumbent acuminate scales, which are as a rule from two and one-half to three times as long as wide; sterna densely clothed with long cinerous or ochreo-cinerous hair, venter densely cinero- squamulose. Clypeus sinuato-truncate (¢) or arcuato-truncate (?). Prothorax four-fifths as long as wide, sides parallel in basal three- fifths, surface polished and finely rather sparsely punctate, especially toward the middle posteriorly; median line impressed and punctured. Elytra nearly parallel, finely feebly somewhat densely punctate, with- out costae; suture densely clothed with white scales. Length 22-23% mm. Male.—Antennal club subequal in length to entire stem, last joint of maxillary palpi fully three-fourths as long as the antennal club, with a broad, deep, oval excavation throughout its length. Front tibiae entirely devoid of teeth except the apical one. Outer claw of each tarsus with an acute tooth which is about one-third as long as the api- ‘cal portion of the claw; tooth of inner claw of front tarsus about one-half as long as that of the outer claw; the disparity evident, but less marked on middle and hind feet. Female.—Brown throughout, a little wider behind, vestiture sparser, clypeus smaller, the angles rounded; head with the vertex obtusely tumid. Antennal club about three-fourths the length of the preced- ing joints; last joint of maxillary palpus half as long as the antennal club; front tibie strongly bidentate; tarsi a little shorter; teeth of claws smaller than in the male, but showing nearly same disparity. Five examples (4 males, 1 female) of this fine species are before me, all collected by Mr. Field, in the southern part of San Diego County, California. The simple front tibize of the male, bidentate in the female, and the polished sparsely punctured thorax distinguish this species at once and remarkably from all previously described forms. It is dedicated with pleasure to its discoverer from whom I received one male taken in the summer of 1906, at Campo—elevation 2,400 feet. It was at once recognized as a new species and I wrote Mr. Field urging him to go for them again the following summer, when it was hoped fe- males might be secured. A visit to the same region last July was successful, and Mr. Field has kindly sent me three more males and one female from his catch, Only two or three of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 161 } latter sex were obtained. A short extract from a letter om Mr. Field relative to this trip will be of interest in this section. He writes :— “We started (from San Diego) June 29, and a hot spell arted the same day we did. The first week was withering, stering hot and, as we drifted along the Mexican border he semi desert country, Hell could not have been more than half mile off, and it wouldn't have surprised me at all to see ok Mr. Devil sitting under a sage brush or greasewood. cut out the Devil’s canyon trip on account of the intense heat, it was impossible to take the horses any nearer than fountain Springs, we actually could not have carried water sbugh to quench our thirst until we got back. I was obliged > Tee she Thyce tre, but made it, and while supper was cooking I placed the cyanide bot- tes and nets by the tree to be prepared for an emergency but dark, and then they did come with a rush as they did before were not nearly so many out, but after the battle we counted thirteen slain.” Pay © . Field narrates further adventures with the new Thyce— Po is sufficient to indicate some of the conditions inci- i ce he > & . ? . “ae -- fesent the more tked white vittz of the related spe- _ cies. Antennal club about three-fourths longer than the stem. Pygid- jum squamulo-pubescent, the hairs and squamules not very densely and both nearly evenly distributed over the entire surface, lateral and apical margins only slightly reflexed. Front tibia bi- 162 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 of Los Angeles, who has very kindly placed them at my dis- posal. In one example the elytral vittae are almost entirely wanting, in the others a little better defined. The antennal club is relatively shorter than in any of our previously de- scribed species. The shorter spur of the anterior tibia is about three-fourths the length of the longer one, and this seems also about the ratio prevailing in both diffracta and crinita notwithstanding Casey’s statements of existing dif- ferences. Lachnosterna lenta n. sp. Oblong, scarcely wider behind, robust, not strongly convex, castan- eous, legs paler. Clypeus feebly emarginate, border rather widely re- flexed, surface moderately finely punctate, the punctures well sepa- rated; front similarly punctured, more sparsely at middle, in some examples, Thorax obliquely narrowed in front, sides subparallel pos- teriorly, margin finely crenate, punctuation coarse, close, and nearly evenly distributed. Elytral punctuation as coarse as or slightly coarser than that of the thorax, and equally dense; sutural costa distinct, discal costa faint but evident, marginal obsolete. Pygidium finely sparsely punctate, nearly smooth in the female. Metasternum hairy in both sexes, the hairs shorter and less dense in the female. Abdomen minutely remotely punctate. Last joint of maxillary palpus elongate fusiform, not impressed. Length 17-20 mm., width 10-12 mm. Male—Antennal club slightly longer than the entire stem; pygid- ium broader and evenly convex; abdomen flattened at middle, the penultimate segment with an arcuate or subangulate slightly rough- ened ridge a little behind the middle; last ventral broadly concave, smooth at apex; inner spur of hind tibia short, one-third to two-fifths the length of the outer one; ungual tooth smaller, acute, distinctly intra-median in position. Female——Antennal club shorter than the stem; alia smoother, more narrowly rounded and slightly tumid at apex; inner spur of hind tibia nearly as long as the outer; ungual tooth larger, median. This species is a member of the ephelida group and should stand between generosa and praetermissa. It is closely re- lated to the latter, differing in its rather more robust form, coarser, denser punctuation, somewhat more widely reflexed clypeus, the thoracic margin more evidently crenulate. The genitalia are quite distinct from the figures given by Smith, for praetermissa, the male claspers more complex as viewed ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163 rally. _The~ pul process in the female is long, slender, 1 forked at tip. In practermissa the public process of the tale is shorter and stouter, much as in Smith’s figure for frons, the tips of the arms with two or three short setz. Jescribed from 3 males, 1 female, taken at Mobile, Ala., by ts., Arizona. to Mr. Schwarz for the four examples (1 male, 3 females) from which the above description is drawn. The species is a very distinct one and docs not resemble at 164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. {April, ’o8 all closely any previously described species of Lachnosterna with which I am acquainted. It possesses the characters which in Horn’s synopsis define the crenulata groupt and may be placed at the end of that series, differing from all of them, and indeed from all known species of the genus in its prom- inent front thoracic angles, and in the form of the hind coxal plates. The terminal joint of the maxillary palpi may be best described as cylindro-ovate, differing more or less from all other species of the group, though nearest aemula; it is feebly impressed in the male, scarcely at all so in the female. In the paper on Listrochelus by Dr. Horn,* the prolonged and acute free angle of the hind coxal plate is said to be a constant character in this genus, while in Lachnosterna, the angle is sometimes right, but never acute or prolonged. This is a mistake. Compare for instance antennata, nitidula and tristis of Lachnosterna with disparilis, favipennis and carmin- ator of Listrochelus, and the coxal angle will be found to be quite as prominent or even more so in the Lachnosternas. This structure then is no more distinctive than is the verti- cal carina or the ungual pectination, and there remains no single constant character for the separation of the two gen- era. << — Notes on Sesiidae. 4 By Henry ENGEL. Sesia bassiformis Walker. During the summer of 1905, the Messrs. Kahl and Klages collected a number of specimens of this species at Ohio Pyle, Pa. Previous to these captures my only record of bassiformis from this section was a specimen given me by Mr. Knechtel. The Ohio Pyle specimens were taken in a field where Iron Weed grew in abundance, either resting on the leaves of these plants or flying about in the field. This note furnished a clue to locate this species in my collecting grounds about Pitts- *Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. VII, 1878, p. 138. il, '08] _____ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165 urg, Pa., during the summer of 1906. Extensive pasture fields, profusely covered with Iron Weed, are ‘situated near y home, and late in 1905, I examined many of these plants i the roots of a great many infested by larve. early August, 1906, closely observed the Iron Weed a IIS al ony way Heme from work I usu- “ally arrived there about 5.45 P. M. which would seem late in the day for collecting Sesias. But this field had the benefit _ Of the late afternoon sun and on August 13th, I observed three Specimens and captured two of them. The following evening and up to September oth, numerous specimens were taken. _ Imagos were on the wing from 1o A. M. to sunset. Pairs ‘Were taken in copulation from noon to 6 P. M. In one in- oon a female was observed to deposit an egg on the under = of a leaf. The larva enters the stem from 1-3 inches base and bores down into the roots. Pupation occurs F galleries beneath the surface in the old part of the root- . about the end of July. Period of flight, August 13th 7, ee and September, 1907, while employed at the a. Merrick Museum, New Brighton, Pa., I collected several dozen specimens in the vicinity of that town. By October _ 22nd, several frosts had occurred and the Iron Weed plants _ were killed. I took up several infected root-stocks and found the larvae: in various stages of development, ranging from 12- 18 mm. long. The following description was taken from the larger larve. Length, 18 mm., head 1.60 mm., wide, bilobed, light chest- nut brown. Mandibles and ocelli dark brown. Front of head sparsely covered with light brown hairs. Thoracic shield pale brownish. Body semi-translucent, watery white. A brownish dorsal shade broadening on the somites and in the intersections. An indistinct whitish stigmatal line. Spiracles oval, light brown. Thoracic legs concolorous, clouded with pale brown outwardly. Abdominal legs concolorous, claws circular, light chestnut brown. Tubercles not prominent, in- 166 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 dicated by a short brown seta. Anal segment a little darker dorsally than ground color. Pupa is normal, light brown. Food plant: Vernonia, Iron weed. The food piant of S. bassiformis is given in the literature as Eupatorium purpureum Linn. or Joe-pie weed. This plant has been extensively explored by Mr. Bird, Mr. Merrick and the writer. While it is by no means free from insect depre- dations we have not observed it infested by the larva of bassi- formis in this section. Sesia pyralidiformis Walker. This modest little species was encountered in a pasture field while I was searching for bassiformis on a very hot day in August, 1906, It was slowly flying along near the ground and settled on a dead daisy head. Several specimens were taken that day and a few more during later visits. All the specimens occurred in a comparatively small area which led me to the conclusion that its food plant would be among the plants in this field. About a month after I had taken the last specimen I went to this place and looked for its probable food plant. The only plants of any prominence were iron weed and boneset. As the former had disclosed a borer I commenced splitting the stems of boneset and soon observed the very neat gallery of a larva leading into the roots. Many plants were found to be infested but these larvae were quite small, and after testing patches of boneset in different localities and find- ing these plants infested almost everywhere I concluded to wait until the following year to continue my observations. During July, 1907, I discovered a patch of boneset in a field near New Brighton, Pa., in which about one-half of the plants harbored a larva. Several dozen plants were trans- planted in a breeding cage, and on August 18th Sesia pyrali- diformis disclosed its identity. About 30 specimens emerged from these plants, all appearing from 8-10 A. M. Copula- tion took place about one hour after emerging and lasted from 1 to 2 hours. ) The imagos were very abundant in the locality where I NEWS. 167 SY soeeuacts were: talna as well ons made on their habits. On summy days they as will from i0 A, M. to sunset. Often a female rest on a leaf for a while then move to the edge and by ing the abdomen deposit a egg on the under side of the f. In several cases I observed females depositing an egg 7 Semen tee Bead of the plant. Most of the ova are a the leaves near the stem about 6 inches from the base. rv enter the stems from 1-2 inches above the crown sts and bore lato-the roots. The following year they | itn feeding in the roots and work up into the new stems # - t 1-2 inches where they prepare a place for emerg- ce by eating through the side of the stems. Pupation takes | b ins the gallery. The larve mature from July 15-3o0th. ty et sre The moths were from August 7th to September 13th. They are most lant about middle August. These observations however, pre taken from the material observed at large and the speci- eh taken on Angus the 7h mt fave en te Fs middle July. The average length of the pupa ate is about 20 days A description of the early stages as = ahh ow, Oblong in shape, depressed flat surface at top alga hcd <5 salad : iB : darker Head sparsely covered with pale brown abdominal legs dirty white. Thoracic shield, thoracic on abdominal legs pale brown. Tubercles inconspicu- setz, ons, I shorter than II, seta slightly _ Jonger on anal segment. Along dorsum a semi-transparent line is evi- ; Pupa—Light chestnut brown, with the usual chisel-shaped process _ developed on head. Spines on segments rather profuse. 168 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 Food plant: Eupatorium perfoliatum Linn., Thoroughwort or Boneset. Sesia spec?—A species allied to Sesia rutilans Hy. Edw. but differing in several respects was reared from a stock of Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale Linn., collected at New Brighton, Pa., by Mr. Henry Bird. The specimen emerged August roth, 1907. Mr. Bird kindly donated the specimen to the Merrick Mu- seum. 40> i 7 __ENTOMOLOGICAL News. 169 1. ADDITIONAL SPECIES. cursim Whit. | ~ Ral (BE. C.). June 7 to July 17; C. Ss. Brimley and 8. Wogium. ) hk, (Lake Ellis) (E,). June 1905; May, 1906; . Seemingly not a common species. dimmocki Hine. r (CN. E.). Early June, 1895; C. W. Johnson. h& (E.). Late May, 1907; Brimley and Sherman. “Chrysops fallax O.S. All our reports of this species are for the months of June (E. C.). June 5 to 18; taken by Brimley and (N. E.) Early July, 1895; C. W. Johnson. lle (S. W.). June, 1907; Sherman. (S. W.). July, 1906 and 1907; Sherman. : Rock (N. W.). July 20, 1904; Sherman. This ‘specie s probably occurs throughout the State. “ montanus O. S. y two specimens of this have been collected. (B. C.). June 5 and 18, 1906; Brimley. nigribimbo Whit. & (E.). Taken rather commonly by both writers n 1905, ess, 1607, from late May to late June. = Chrysops parvulus Daecke. a Our three specimens are from two mountain localities, HYen- pe (S. W.) June, 1907, and Highlands (S. W.) July, xy ibe sepaielas Vine. The type and only specimen of this species was taken by z C. S. Brimley at Raleigh (E. C.) April 18, 1906. Described by Prof. Hine in Ohio Naturalist, December, 1907. 48. eh sige A of rather late seasonal range. Raleigh (E. C.). Not uncommon from July 9 to Septem- ber 9; Brimley. 170 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’08 49. Chrysops shermani Hine. ; Highlands (S. W.). July, 1906; July, 1907. Common and annoying on horse; Sherman. Marion (W.C.). Mid-July, 1907 ; Sherman. 50. Tabanus annulatus Say. Our two specimens are from the eastern section. _ Havelock (ake Ellis) (E.). July, 1905. Specimens sent in by J. J. Ballard. 51. Tabanus exul O. S. Our three records are all from the central part of the State and all in July. Pluck (C.). July, 1903; S. W. Poster. Southwestern Alamance Co. (C.). July, 1905; Sherman. Charlotte (C.). Late July, 1907 ; Sherman. 52. Tabanus fuscopunctatus Macq. Havelock (ake Ellis) (E.). Late May, 1907; L. Ll. Smith. Southern. Pines (S. E. C.). Mid-May and June, 1906; Rev. A. H. Manee, 53. Tabanus hinei Johns. Havelock (Lake Ellis) (E.). Late May, 1907. Two speci- mens taken by C. S. Brimley. 54. Tabanus lasiopthalmus Macq. Raleigh (E. C.). May 9, 1905; G. M. Bentley. Havelock (Lake Ellis) (E.). May, 1906; Brimley. 55. Tabanus longiusculus Hine. Raleigh (E. C.). Early July, 1903; Sherman. Lagrange (E.). Mid-July, 1907; L. M. Smith. Southern Pines (S. E. C.). Taken by Rev. Manee. 56. Tabanus megerlei Wied. Southern Pines (S. E. C.). April, 1905; Sherman; mid- April, 1906; R. S. Woglum. 57. Tabanus mexicanus Linn. This crepuscular or nocturnal species has been taken only at three localities in the eastern and southeastern sections of the State. Wilmington (S. E.). 1905; Woglum. Wallace (S. E.). June 4, 1904; R. W. Collett. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 17! 38kG take Ellis) (E.). Late June and July; a num- J.J. Ballard. superjamenstarius Whit. ville (S. W.). June, 1907 ; Sherman. Tabanus trispilus Wied. » Pendleton (N.¥E.). June 7, 1895; C. W. Johnson. as (S. W.). July, 1907 ; Sherman. Two specimens not yet identified but clearly distinct from there recorded, have been taken at Southern Pines (S.E.C.), ably by Rev. A. H. Manee, and are now with Prof. Hine a y. The eyes are hairy. Pity 2: NEW RECORDS ON GEOGRAPHICAL ae ne DISTRIBUTION. i y such localities are given as materially extend the m range of the species in the State, beyond what was 1 in our 1904 list. a Iryso brimleyi Hine. Originally taken at Raleigh, this species has now been taken both» east and west, and is likely distributed throughout the etek (E). May, 1906; Brimley. __ Hendersonville (S. W.). June, 1907; Sherman. — Ghrysops callidus 0. S. oa _ Same dates and localities as for the preceding. _ Ghrysops celer O. S. a _ Southern Pines (S. EB. C.). Mid-May, 1906 ; Foster. o Hendersonville (S. W.). June, 1907 ; Sherman. _ Highlands (S. W.). July, 1907 ; Sherman. ey s. g Havelock (E. ). Late June, 1905; Brimley. A Caryoops mocehus 0.S. All our Raleigh records for this species as printed in the _ 172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 1904 list properly belong to C. ziger. One specimen of moechus has been taken at Raleigh (E. C.). Sept. 3, 1903; Brimley. Lillington (E. C.). Early June, 1906; Sherman. Hendersonville (S. W.). June, 1907 ; Sherman. Chrysops niger Macq. Probably distributed throughout the State. Pendleton (N. E.). Early June, 1895; C. W. Johnson. Flendersonville (S. W.). June, 1907 ; Sherman. flighlands (S. W.). July, 1907; Sherman. Chrysops obsoletus Wied. Pendleton (N. E.). June, 1895; C. W. Johnson. Highlands (S. W.). July, 1907 ; Sherman. Chrysops univittatus Macq. This species, recorded in the 1904 list only from central and east-central parts of the State, has now been taken in a num- ber of new localities indicating general distribution in the State. Chrysops vittatus Wied. Our present records show this species to be in all parts of ' the State—the 1904 list indicated only eastern localities. Diachlorus ferrugatus Say. At the time our 1904 list was written but one example of this species had come into our hands, but in June, 1905, the . writers found it to be both abundant and annoying as Have- lock (E.). Tabanus americanus Forst. Present records indicate this species to be of general distri- bution in the State. Tabanus cinctus Fabr. The males of this handsome species have a habit of hover- ing in the air in the same. manner as the carpenter-bees of the genus Xylocopa. Southern Pines (S. E. C.). Early June and late May, 1906 ; _ Rev. A. H. Manee. Flighlands (S. W.). June, 1907; Sherman. Tabanus coffeatus Macq. Formerly recorded only from Raleigh, but our present rec- ords indicate distribution throughout the State. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 173 A Fabr. abor (S. E.). September, 1905; Woglum. , . 0.5. (E.). Early August, 1904; Sherman. mthern Pines (S. E. C.)., Early July, 1904, and early 1904; Rev. A. H. Manee. DNAL RANGE OF COMMONER TABANIDAE AT RALEIGH, N. C. je species are arranged in the order of their appearance e year, beginning with the earliest-appearing forms and in ig with those that appr latest inthe season Based on of C. S. Brimley. = Jo > saab 18, One | 7. cerastes, May 29 to June 20. - m June T. stygius, May 30 to July 10. ig, tJ C. fallax, June § to June 18. May 2 to Sept. 13. C. cursim, June 7 to July 17. ensis, May 2to May 13. | 7. molestus, June 7 to July 20. lis, May 7 to Aug. 17. T. melanocerus, June 7 to July 17. wr, May 7 to May 13. T. trimaculatus, Jane 17 to July 23. May 7 to Sept. 9. C. fulvistigma, June 11 to July 25. 5, May 15 to June 15. | 7: afratus, June 11 to Oct. 11. t, May 18 to Aug. 16. T. coffeatus, Jane 13 to July 23. May 20 to Oct. 18. T. americanus, June 19 to Aug. 18. , May as to Sept. 18 T. fronto, July 4 to Sept. 17. May 26 to Oct. 1. C. sequax, July 9 to Sept. 9. 5, May 26 to Oct. 10, T. Jongus, July 14 to Sept. 13. May 28 to July to. T. veriegatus, Sept. 2 to Oct. 29. y North American Pelidihine with a Table Slee for Determining the Species. a > By R. W. Doane, Stanford University. 1. “In working over the large series of Pachyrhina that have come to me from time to time I have found it desirable to re- vise Loew's table (Vehr. Zool-Bot. Ges. 1879, 513-516) to include the Mexican species and other species that have since ~ been described. Believing that it may prove helpful to some, especially as Loew’s table is not easily accessible to all, I give Nev 174 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 my table here together with descriptions of four undescribed species, including two of our most common California forme. I have not seen specimens of P. affinis Bell. or P. excelsior Berg. and cannot from the descriptions select any characters which would not apply equally well to some of my specimens of P. incurva Lw. so these three species are placed together in the table until further study shall show some characters by which they may be separated. P. occipitalis Lw. occurs in two places as in the original table, as I find that desirable on account of the occiput being more or less shining, sometimes almost opaque. 1, Thorax wholly black... . 2 1 n6, 6:05 6.5 9 se nee a. Thorax not wholly black. . . . 2 0. 5% 0" 4. 2. Abdomen altogether black. ............,- altissima O. S. Abdomen reddish-yellow toward the base. . . . erythrophrys Will. 3. Thoracic stripes black . . 2. s0%. 4) + 5 1s) y)iss 4. Thoracic stripes brownish or reddish, sometimes obsolete .. . . 18. 4. Wings hyaline... . . . . «6 «6 pie > fe 5. Wings with a yellowish or brownish tinge... ........-. 12. incurva Lw. 5. Anterior end of the lateral stripes curved. . . . affinis Bell excelsior Berg. Anterior end of the lateral thoracic stripes not curved ...... 6. 6. Pieura without spots ; occiput without a black spot. . virescens Lw. Plepra with spots . 2... oe a) a ¥. 7. Pleura for the most part cinereous. .......... collaris Say. Pleura not cinereous. . . . . . 4» » : 4 (h) bec gee 8. 8. Pleura yellow, with yolk-yellow spots. ....... ordinaria O. S. Pleura variegated with brownish fuscous or blackish spots . . . . 9. 9. Head wholly Diack’... 2... Mews ee californica n. sp. Head yellow, with a black spot on the occiput... ....... fe) to. A small black spot between the antennz ; the black spot on the occi- put does not reach over the vertex ..... pedunculata Lw. No spot between the antennz ; the black spot on the occiput reaches over the vertex... .. 2.4 . sy es ee, 11. Pleura variegated with several fusco-blackish spots, posterior margin of the eighth sternite of male only gently curved . .vittula Lw. Pleura sulphur-yellow, with only one or two reddish-brown spots ; posterior margin of the eighth sternite of male with a deep V-shaped incision. .. 14°... 2.) eee snowii n. sp. 12. Wings with a brownish or brownish-yellow tinge ........ 13. Wings with a yellowish tinge, at least along the anterior margin . 14. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175 ends ofthe lateral stripes of the thorax curved out. nteric aid of leteted atripes not carved cut Tree of for the most part black or fuscous.... ....... 15. nn yellowish, darker toward the tip. . . . . consularis O. S. veura and metanotum spotted... . ............-- 16. and metanotum without spots. ......... noblis L.w. spot on the lateral thoracic stripes . . Bigrolutea Bell. spot on the lateral thoracic stripes... ....... 17 shining black above, yellow below... .. . . usta O. S. 0 SS Pore eee mexicana Macq EEE 19. ET, sn dg wini®, & s «cc eos oe 22. DPA 6 @ © «© @ @€ 6 @ © © « © @ © 0 © ee 20. ie) is Chl ieee « @¢ 6.2 2 .¢ «= 21. margins of the lateral thoracic stripes with three velvety- EE Se elegantula Wil!. eral thoracic stripes without black spots unimaculata L.w. Jlongerthanusual............. macrocera Say TS. <0 aM eis ¢ ¢ 0 ¢ ¢« tenuis Lw. rc ack pot a th nei el ie tr hora panctum Iw. ST ee Steer Oo of te Hteral horace DET: « ¢ @igi6 es ec ces eeces 23. ts of the flagellum, except the basal ones, blackish pS ae 24. the fagellumintwocolors .............. 30. i. ¢« cunt « «6 «0 0 aime «-« 25. _ with a shining triangular spot in the middle. TTS . . « wia.e «e+ csc unifasciata Lw. DU « . os alc a co te os 2's 26. = and occiput unicolorous. ... .. . . 5, ween sodalis lw. _e occiput with a black stripe. ....... occipitalis Lw. suture colored with black at bothends ........ = hie suture not colored blacks... .....-.-+-- an. : i OP nk Wiedith cheraite of the anate with & rather dexp + ~ gounded incision, the edges of which bear long yellow hairs. x a occidentalis n. sp. es Posterior margin of the eighth sternite of the male straight or nearly $0, yellow hairs much shorter and sparser . . ferruginea Fabr. ee pereeh-yelow Re (Ms 6 ko 6 oceipitalis Lw TS 5. gap es + + +e gracilicornis Lw. 3. Joints of the flagellum black at the base oe Faas 6 4 33 _ Joints of the flagellum yellow at the base... . 2... .--.- 31. Occiput without distinctly defined shining triangle. po lt _ Occiput opaque, with a distinct shining triangle. .......-- 32. 32. Costal cell colorless, stigma dark brown... . . . abbreviata Lw. , 176 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 33. Thoracic:suture tinged with black... .0. . 0% & ope 34. Thoracic suture tinged with reddish-brown .. . : ee Lw. 34. Anterior end of lateral thoracic stripes curved. . a Berg. Anterior end of lateral thoracic stripes not curved; . Saturalis Lw. 35. Antennz with more than thirteen joints in both sexes. . ... . 36. Antenne with thirteenjoints. ......... breviorcornis n. sp. 36. Stigma yellowish-brown, apex of the wings not distinctly infuscated. eucera Lw. Stigma dark brown, apex of the wings distinctly infuscated. polymera Lw. Pachyrina californica n. sp. Yellow; head wholly black, opaque; sides of rostrum somewhat yel- low; palpi black; first three segments of antennae yellow, the third sometimes darker toward the tip, other segments black, rather swollen at the base, with short stiff verticles; in the female, the 4th and 5th segments of the antennae are more or less yellow; ground color of the thorax bright yellow, shining, stripes shining black, median stripe broad, not extending back of the suture, lateral stripes reaching to the scutellum, not curved anteriorly; thoracic suture black in the mid- dle; dorso-pleural suture black; dorso-pleural membrane yellow; col- lare yellow with median and lateral black spots; pleura black anter- iorly, yellow posteriorly; scutellum and metanotum yellow with a median black line; halteres yellow, knobs brown; coxae black; fem- ora and tibia yellow, black at the tips; tarsi blackish; abdomen yel- low with rather broad black lines dorsally, ventrally and laterally; segments 6, 7, and 8 sometimes almost wholly black; hypopygium red- dish brown; posterior margin of the eighth sternite of the male pro- duced into two small triangular processes which bear dense tufts of rather long reddish-yellow hair; posterior margin of the large ninth tergite blackish, with a deep semi-circular incision, posterior lateral margins with a small deep U-shaped incision; ovipositor reddish-black at the base, valves short, straight, blunt; wings hyaline with a faint whitish spot in the region of the stigma; veins, stigma, and more or less distinct spots just back of the stigma, over the origin of the prae- furca and over the base of the basal cells brown; a faint hardly per- ceptible cloud in all the cells; petiole of the 2nd posterior cell as long as the anterior cross-vein. Length, male, 15 mm, wing 13 mm., fe- male, 18 mm., wing 14 mm. Hab.—Stanford University, Cal. Many males and females. A single poorly preserved specimen from Pullman, Wash., seems to belong with this species. Pachyrhina snowii n. sp. Yellow; head orange yellow, shining, somewhat lighter below; the DLOGICAL NEWS. 177 band on the occiput and the vertex attenuated indistinct reddish-brown spot above each eye; ros- brown spot on each side close to the base; palpi the joints; first two segments of the antennae Wyoming. One male, one female. like P. vittula Lw. but may be distinguished by the markings on the pleura and particularly by the deep V- incision on the posterior margin of the eighth opaque, orange-yellow, above, much lighter yellow be- below; occiput with an arrow-shaped brownish spot; and first three segments of antennae orange-yellow, re- of antennae dark brown; palpi darker toward the yellow, dorsal stripes brownish-yellow or reddish- shining, the lateral ones expanding somewhat anter- of the collare, the coxae and irregular spots on the or reddish-yellow ; thoracic suture marked with black with a black spot in the middle; three black spots dorso-pleural membrane, the first just back of the collare, a short distance in front of the wing and the third at the of the wing; scutellum and metanotum with a broad, reddish- _ yellow stripe; halteres yellowish at the base, darker toward the tip, 178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’08 knobs brownish; femora and base of tibie brownish-yellow, tibize grow- ing darker toward the tip; tarsi brown, terminal segments almost black; abdomen brownish-yellow, darker posteriorly, posterior and lateral margins of the segments but slightly darker; the eighth stern- ite of the male long, broad, conspicuous, the posterior margin with a rather deep rounded incision, the edges of which bear a conspicuous fringe of long yellow hair; posterior margin of the ninth tergite with a small V-shaped incision, the edges of which are black; ovipositor reddish-yellow, upper valves straight, tips rounded, lower valves not reaching the tips of the upper valves; wings hyaline; stigma brown, more or less distinct; second posterior cell sessile or with a very short petiole (in two of my specimens this cell is broadly sessile in one wing, and with a very short petiole in the other wing). Length, male, II mm., wing, 11 mm.; female, 15 mm., wing, 15 mm. Hab.—Central and Southern California, Montana, Eastern _and Western Washington, Nevada, Arizona. (type from Stan- ford University, Cal.) Many males and females. This species is very like P. ferruginea of the eastern United States and doubtless is the one that has been recorded from California as ferruginea. The long, broad eighth sternite of the male with its deeply cleft, long-haired posterior margin at once separates it from ferruginea in which this sternite is only slightly curved or cleft along the posterior margin and is provided with much shorter sparser hairs. The specimens from Arizona and one of the Washington specimens have the anterior lateral margins of the median thoracic stripe bor- dered with brown and in some the anterior ends of the lateral stripes are also marked with brown. The brown spot on the occiput is sometimes quite indistinct, in other specimens it is well marked, sometimes drawn out into a narrow line anter- iorly. In a few of the specimens the tip of the knob of the halteres is yellowish. The palpi are sometimes wholly yellow and the 4th, 5th, 6th segments of the antennae of the female are ustially more or less yellow. Pachyrhina breviorcornis n. sp. Yellow; head yellow, with a brownish tinge and a small triangular brown spot above, lighter behind the eyes; rostrum yellow, brown on the sides; palpi yellow; antennae with thirteen segments, first and sec- ond wholly yellow, third elongate, basal half yellow, distal half brown, DLOGICAL NEWS. 179 to twelve brown with the basal one-fourth or less yel- excised below, with a dense soft pubescerice and a whorl moderately long hairs, only four or five hairs in each whorl, thir- nth segment short, conical, wholly brown; thorax yellow; dorsal ipes reddish-brown; pleura light yellow, a spot below the wing wnis With a brownish tinge above; meta- im yellow; halteres brownish, lighter at the base, knobs darker; t brownish yellow; legs ycllowish-brown, tarsi and tips of fem- itt j : | Creek, Mich. One male. nat like P. eucera Lw. but antennae only thirteen seg- i, last segment shorter and the middle segments not so y excised. The second posterior cell in eucera is subject rable variation, in some of the specimens before me is cell is broadly joined to the discal cell, in others it has a as ae a Some Oxybeline Wasps from New Mexico. és ra By S. A. Rouwer anp T. D. A. Cocker. ———— Oxybelus fossormn. sp. Q Length 4% mm. Head and thorax deeply 180 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 Hab.—Mesilla Park, N. M. College campus, June 7, ’99 (Ckll.). ‘* Digging in sand.’’ Related to O. abdominalis Baker, from which it may be known by its larger size, shining abdomen, with the punctures on the second segment more widely separated ; the pale ferru- ginous, instead of dark. brown, venation and the narrower spine. Oxybelus townsendi n. sp. j’. Length5 mm. Head and thorax rather densely but finely punctured, covered with fine silvery pubescence which is denser on the face, cheeks, prothorax and upper posterior face of meta- thorax ; clypeal process prominent ; mesonotum without depression ; scutellum and postscutellum carinated, postscutellum not so strongly ; squama rising from side of postscutellum, short, strongly curved and sharply pointed ; spine rounded at tip and slightly broader, grooved above until apical third ; areas of the metathorax well defined, posterior face surrounded by a ridge, on posterior face below spine is an oval shin- ing fovea ; abdomen finely punctured, first segment somewhat truncate at base, the medial depression broad but distinct, second segment with a narrow transverse basal depression. Color black ; mandibles at tip pic- eous ; antennae, mouth parts, base of tegulae, anterior tibiae and tarsi dull rufous ; eyes (dry) pale yellowish brown ; squama pallid ; first, sec- ond and third abdominal segments on apical margin dull white ; first on each side with a line of yellow; a yellowish spot on base of hind tibia ; three apical segments and narrow apical margin of the one before ru- fous ; abdomen with sparse silvery pubescence. Wings hyaline, nerv- ures brown. Hab.—lVas Cruces, N. M., August 30. Flowers of Solidago canadensis. Dedicated to Prof. C. H. T. Townsend, who col- lected it. This species has its nearest ally in O. similis Cress., from which it may be separated by the different shape of the post- scutellum, its being feebly carinated ; fovea in face of meta- thorax not produced beneath, the abdomen evenly punctured throughout ; pubescence on mesothorax silvery and other color characters. Accompanied on the flowers by O. sparideus, O. emarginatus and O. cornutus. Belomicrus cladothricis Ckll., on Croton, between Rowe and old Pecos Pueblo, N. M., Sept. (W. P. Ckll.). This extends the range a long dis- tance northward. FOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Ewromotocicat News solicit and will thankfully receive items contributions will be considered and passed upon at our and an thr an may be, Gill be published according to date of recep News has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circum/er- copy " into the bands of the printer, for each num- when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along desired. See ao pepe wil be ecnoatyigel —Ea. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., APRIL, 1908. Let us never forget the debt we owe to the pioneers of . The results of the dearly bought experience of the n a solid foundation of fact upon which we now stand aleet cenitdenity, to enter upon new fields of investiga- cs concasch to-day is far dif ferent from what it was even ten years ago. The number of devo to these attractive studies is easily a hundred-fold at greate than then.”"—James Fietcuer. ss het ology is doing great things but we see no busts of @ s in the Halls of Fame. At the meeting of the BATE Now York, kt was suggested to the President iGf one of our great scientific institutions that the Hall of Fame in the American Museum of Natural History, should contain slp talent esate f such an individual. Dr. Fletcher is perfectly right in what eset heees ces we tev taand tn eal but few honors have come to entomologists. Perhaps we should "rise superior to what may be termed empty honors and glory in the knowledge of the value of our study and its great in- terest to mankind, now and for what it will be in the future. 7 al ee 182 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS: (April, ’o8 Entomological Literature. Dig HyMENOPTEREN MITTELEUROPAS, NACH IHREN GATTUNGEN UND ZUM GROSSEN ‘TEI, AUCH NACH IHREN ARTEN ANALYTISCH BEAR- BEITET. By Dr. Otto Schmiedeknecht. Pp. 804, with 120 text figures. (Jena 1907, Verlag von Gustav Fischer.) The present extensive treatise although it does not deal directly with the fauna of North America, is one which will be very useful to stu- dents of Hymenoptera in this country. Since the publication of Cres- son’s Synopsis twenty years ago, no single comprehensive work has been available for the use of American entomologists desiring to be- gin the study of this complex and interesting group of insects. Dur- ing this time many new genera have been discovered, and other Euro- pean ones found in America, until at the present time there is a great deal lacking in the synopsis which will be in great part supplied by the new work. Professor Schmiedeknecht has classified all of the families down to genera, and as the genera occurring in the United States and in cen- tral Europe are in most cases very nearly the same, this part of the volume may be applied to the classification of our own fauna with the most gratifying results. On account of the large number of species included in the parasitic groups, these have been in most cases only generically classified, al- though specific tables for genera of special interest like Jchnewmon and Gasteruption are given in complete form, Specific tables are however given for all the wasps and bees and the Chalastogastra, but they are of no aid to American entomologists, for an extremely small number of species are common to the two continents. On the whole the work seems to embody the current views of the foremost workers in each group, which allows of a much more rep- resentative and conservative treatment than would otherwise have been possible. Only twenty-two families are recognized. The author’s own familiarity with what is no doubt the most difficult family, the Ichneu- monidz, makes this part of the book especially valuable. Each family and other of the larger groups is described at some length, with figures of wings and other diagnostic parts and also with references to available literature. In short, the volume is a storehouse of much that will prove use- ful to American as well as European entomologists, and should be in the hands of all actively interested in the classification of these in- sects—C. T. BruEs. => Messrs. HEBARD AND REHN are trying to tell from the appearance of the map of the United States where the most new species of Or- thoptera may be found. They are planning an expedition. |OLOG: NEWS. 183 parotes and News. we teehee 0 atllection trip to the Mee. Lake region in search of Coleoptera. of the Entomological Society for Ontario, for 1907, ng and valuable document. Great activity is being shown brethren. e V. L. Ketioce, of Stanford University, will be in Europe nt l to December of this year. His address is, care French, ne Co., Florence, Italy. . P. Catvert delivered an interesting course of lectures in the Institute course, at the Academy of Natural Sciences of His subject was “Studies in the Natural History of 0 and Central America.” for Pusiicarions of tx Buxgav or Extomovocy, Washington, S. Under this title, Circular No. 76 of the Bureau, revised to March = is republished with 28 pages, an increase of 7 pages over the rst edit It is a most helpful guide through the maze of Annual oe , Bulletins—old, new and technical series, Circulars—first and nd series, Special Reports, Bulletins and Reports of the U. S. Ento- tal Commission, Insect Life, Farmers’ Bulletins relating to Ento- Py a organized : Tt has been compiled by Miss Mabel Colcord, Librarian =< ERRATA VOL. XIX. #2 Tine 16, for ons, read 28 2, * 47, for .o14, read .14. ** 11 from bottom, for 70 read 20. “ 8, for 9 read (9). * 146, alter pronounced, insert tubercle, so as to read pronoun- ced tubercle. - — species differs from a typical Yantha- : crona, etc. i a. Ld ~% “ 19, for (acrofoxa) read ( Acrofoxa). 426, for Cyrtaphiliites read Cyrtophyliites. _“ 426, second line of description, for 55 mm. read 50 mm. - $26 and 127, for Lythymnetes read Lithymnetes. > -* aap, for Fefrachenchs read Tetraconcha. 184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 Doings of Societies. The Brooklyn Entomological Society met January 9th, sev- enteen members being present. Of the old officers, President J. L. Zabriskie, and Recording Secretary, G. P. Engelhardt, declined re-election. The following new officers were elected unanimously : President, R. F. Pearsall; Vice President, E. L. Graef; Treasurer, C. H. Roberts; Recording Secretary, R. P. Dow; Corresponding Secretary, A. C. Weeks; Librarian, J. J. Levi- son; Curator, Geo. Franck; Delegate to the New York Acad- emy of Sciences, John B. Smith; Field Committee, appointed by the Chair, | Mr. Weeks read a paper upon “The Economic Value of the Vespertilionide (Insectivorous Bats)” with suggestions as to their preservation and propagation, and gave a summary of his observations upon a large colony of these creatures which were domiciled in the roof of his summer residence on Long Island last year, together with his opinion that as de- stroyers of noxious insects they were superior to the whip- poorwill and nighthawk, and the several species of owls and nocturnal animals and reptiles. Nothing could be said to their prejudice, while moreover they were free from the faults of many partially insectivorous birds, in that they did no injury to poultry or other useful birds, fruit or vegetation. They were practically on the alert throughout each night during the insect season and by hibernation or emigration during the cold period required no artificial care. Bats are able to cap- ture many species of injurious moths which in both the larval and mature stages are so well concealed during the day that they cannot then be readily taken. Several methods of con- structing artificial shelters for refuge to bats and their propa- gation were suggested to take the place of natural hiding places in hollow trees which were now rapidly disappearing, with a recommendation that bats be protected by law and that the U. S. Department of Agriculture, through the co-opera- tion of its Divisions of Biology and Entomology cause a for- ‘oa a _ _—— - + : oi . = ro nat : Pre a \ i: F > gt ee y= i« wy ’ re i * 4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185 a bs anede altng the lines set Bi the paper, and if deoned of efit importance, 8 Farmers or other Bulletin, embodying the results be 1 and distributed. J. B. Smith noted that bats keep close to the NER Uie ater entirely on the wing, hence, were oot to be valuable as destroyers of the gypsy moth, the own tail and female moths generally, before the egg laying. r. Dow had observed while collecting under electric lights, lat a majority of moths caught by the bats were arctiids. Mr. Olsen then related a beautiful example of maternal ude. He had encountered a party of boys stoning a bat, Vespertilio novaeboracensis. The animal neither av nor resisted but held her wings folded around her body. sing her, he discovered a mew born young one within ie tering wings. The helpless mother had stayed to face leath for its sake. Olsen made a nest of leaves in his hat. — On arrivir home, he found the mother and three young. a G. P. Encernanot, Secretary. - Twentieth Anniversary Meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, which was held at the home of the Secre- tary, at Wissahickon, Philadelphia, Pa., December 28, 1907, the members were present: Dr. Henry Skinner, Prof. Philip P. Calvert, Philip Laurent, Albert Hoyer, Henry ____W. Wenzel, Dr. D. M. Castle, Frank Haimbach, Theo. H. _ Schmitz, Henry S. Harbeck, Erich Daecke, Wm. S. Hunting- p F a 3 z a A. Grossbeck and W. D. Kearfott, to whom invita- had been extended, expressing regrets at not being able to attend Anniversary mecting. Professor Calvert read a paper by Vernon E. Shelford, of 186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, ’o8 the University of Chicago, on the distribution of Tiger Beet- les and their egg-laying habits: The subject was discussed by the members, more particularly by Mr. Henry W. Wenzel and Dr. Henry Skinner. Prof. Calvert spoke about Leptino- tarsa, and said that in different years the species varies ac- cording to Dr. Tower. Mr. Daecke exhibited specimens of Pamphila arogos Badl. & Lec. taken at Brown’s Mills Junction, N. J., July 21, 1907. This species has also been taken at Lakehurst, N. J. (Davis), before which it had only been reported from Gulf States, Iowa and Nebraska. The geographical distribution of Pam- philas was discussed by the members. The meeting then adjourned, and after a musical program furnished by Mr. Haimbach, Jr., a collation was served, which was very much enjoyed by all those present, and upon which occasion the President read an address to the members; ad- dresses then followed by each of those present and the Twen- tieth Anniversary Meeting was pronounced a grand success. FRANK HatImMBacu, Secretary. At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held Jan- uary 15, 1908, at the residence of Mr. Henry W. Wenzel, No. 1523 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, there were thirteen members present. The following officers were nominated and elected to serve during the year 1908: President, Erich Daecke; Vice Presi- dent, Henry S. Harbeck; Treasurer, Henry W. Wenzel; Secretary, Frank Haimbach; Assistant Secretary, George M. Greene. The President read his annual address, which was ordered incorporated in the minutes. The Treasurer’s report was read, and ordered filed. The Secretary submitted a verbal report, which was ac- cepted. Mr. Schmitz presented a specimen of Thecla halesus Cram., taken in a room of his home on January 8th. It was sug- NEWS. 187 t the pupa of this insect was brought North in a and as January is its time of emergence in the SRG GED as cety stcidcurs! Zastle spoke of his trip last summer to the mountains isburg, Pa. ‘ zel exhibited H. A. Wenzel's collection of Anthi- ¢, from Southern Arizona, among which are probably ee were on Xalep hin. . Greene reported the finding of Hololepta sp. and , under bark, in the early part of this month. SEI deste thedl Bros eurore; and said that only one imen had been seen and taken at Island Heights, N. J., y 5, 1907, and that very few were seen in May, 1906, etisds Were taked”in April and May, 1905. , Wenzel thought that the large gathering of Eros au- ra was not caused by food, but probably by the presence ‘a number of females; the speaker had noticed other species . Cast said that he collected one or two specimens of longulus Lec. at Enterprise, Fla., and that no Ss were seen at that time, while several days after he took thousand with one sweep of net. a Harbeck exhibited a specimen of Trichocera regela- tionis Linne. This is a European species and, according to Aldrich, has only been taken in this country, in Greenland, and British Columbia. It was taken in numbers on Novem- 19, 1907, by Messrs, Philip*Laurent, at Mt. Airy, and F. hur, at Logan, Pa. . Bland described the nature of the country about his Ne hfersey home: st Little Silver, Monmouth County, the eS ee Frank Harmpacn, Secretary. € ~ Me: 188 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’08 At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held Feb- ruary 19, 1908, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, No. 1523 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, thirteen members were present, and Messrs. Kearfott and Classen, visitors, Mr. Kearfott exhibited his card index system, upon which he is collecting data pertaining to the Tortricidae of the world. The original descriptions of genera and species are given, as well as venation, head and palpi, and other structural de- tails. Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited a number of specimens of Macrobasis ochrea from Southern Arizona, all in coition. Each male had selected a female of exact size of itself; the species has a tendency to vary greatly in size. Prof. Smith said that he would make a microscopical ex- amination of the sexes, and report his findings at the next meeting. Among the Lepidopterous collection from Southern Ari- zona, made by Messrs. Wenzel, Jr., and Kaeber, which Prof. Smith determined for Mr. Haimbach, the Professor pointed out as of especial interest, specimens of Mamestra palicauda Sm. ; this species has a white anal tuft, being the only one of this genus with that characteristic. + Mr. Daecke exhibited specimens of Pamphila dion Edw. taken at Brown’s Mills, N. J., September 15, 1907. FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary. A meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was held January 12, 1908, in the Turn Hall annex, with seventeen members present. Mr. Samuel Henshaw, of Cambridge, and Mr. Otto Buch- holz, were tendered thanks for generous donations toward the library. “Under the topic of “Variation in Insects” Mr. Buchholz exhibited a series of over sixty specimens of Arctia nevaden- sis, Showing all variations and named varieties. Mr. Brehme exhibited specimens of Neonympha henshawii, INTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 189 extremes in coloration. Mr. Grossheck showed a Geometrids and spoke of the great amount of varia- man, apr he species displayed. Especially interesting . n of Therina fiscellaria, in which the two nor- j seidel le a csiaMahad cross-lines anastomosed and parted at yin t of juncture, thus forming a quadrangle with the costa a triangle with the inner margin. A similar case was ° Eeetionen gant, where the basal and outer fields ines centrally, having a small white costal and inner mar- 1 spo A represent the usual broad median area. Mr. adwell had a fine series of Telea polyphemus, showing the ac “4 | variation from pale yellow to dark reddish individ- Bo Joun A. Grossneck, Secretary. of the Newark Entomological Society was held bruary 9, 1908, with eighteen members present and Mr. 7 ry Dietz, of New York, a visitor. r. Brehme read a paper entitled “Notes on Some Saturn- n which he spoke of the large percentage of dead cat- S in the cocoons he had collected last fall. Samia ce- fared worse thar all other species in this respect, scarcely is per cent. containing live pupee, and, of the dead ones only I pe r cent. of those examined were infested with parasites. . a polyphemus unlike S. cecropia died mostly in the larval : — - Stage, and just before the season of pupation hundreds of lar- : xs wld be seen hanging limp from the branches of their i? food-plants. Of those that succeeded in forming cocoons 60 _ were invalid, and, as in the case of cecropia, died be- re pupating, though the inner as well as outer wall of the oem was fully formed. Promethea, on the other hand, teamed moe to be alee by dines a all anderen xa to a remarkable degree the usual infestation of parasites. Cynthia was not inclined more in one direction than in another* and the percentage of good cocoons remained at a par with z In discussing the paper Mr. Erb bore out Mr. Brehme’s , 190 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’08 statements in regard to the dead and dried up larvae in the cecropia and polyphemus cocoons. Mr. Doll said that infes- tation was a purely local one, since in one locality on Long Island, all of nine hundred to one thousand cecropia cocoons were dead, while in another only a short distance away, he secured over sixteen hundred good ones. Mr. Zaiser relatea a somewhat similar experience where at Canarsie, Long Is- land, all those cocoons of cecropia collected close to the sea- shore, contained living pupz, while those some distance back from the coast, proved to be dead. He thought the influ- ence of the salt air might have been responsible in keeping the parasites away from the immediate shore district. In neither of the last two instances were cocoons examined to any extent, so that it was impossible to say whether the mor- tality was due to parasitism or disease. Mr. Kircher re- marked that invariably cocoons (cecropia) attached to the © branches of trees were good, while those at the base of the tree trunk were bad. Mr. Angelman cited the note on Erebus odora in the Feb- ruary issue of the News, and remarked that many more speci- mens were taken in western localities than in eastern ones, a fact probably due to the moths travelling northwardly from Mexico, along the range of the Rocky Mountains, and thence scattering to the lower lands. He thought it not beyond the bounds of possibility, however, that the insect should breed in the territory where it was found. Mr. Doll spoke of the abun- dance in which the species occurred at Brownsville, Texas, where during the day a dozen or more would gather on the walls of the hut assigned to him as a temporary habitation. Mr. Buchholz said that Mr. Kemp had a similar experience in the West Indies, where the insects would actually come to the dining table, attracted by the odor of beer. Mr. Doll said he found a single larva at Brownsville, and believes that it is a general feeder on low plants. The recorded food-plant, fig, does not occur at Brownsville. | Joun A. GrossBeck, Secretary. a _ ENTOMC ¢ GICAL NEWS ROCE DINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL.SECTION ’ ne ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. << xv MAY, 1908. No. 5. oa ae CONTENTS: Tw Freaks: eS Hovugtton—The Blackberry Leaf-Miner 212 : tityrus...... ceeseeceeeenee EGE Bowd itch— Notes on Pachybrachys. 216 eoeee Saverner—Migrating Butterilies....... 218 ssoccese Rohwer—Some Larrid Wasps from Col- GERI. cannsanvnsssnccccese cescccsse 320 Wellman— Notes on some Angolan In- eecccees sects of Economic or Pathologic Pempertance.. «ice scccececeseceenes Jooes—Callceamia angulifera Walk. M. WRF. COPONIIR. «cc cnesecneeceeee 23 a ee Mud Wasp.... 231 puenecononccsocccboceccesceece 233 oeese et, eupsegendoccectecsecisl SER Dolngs of Sockethos........cccscesccses 26 Obituary—James H. Ridings........... 242 sevcece “ —FProf. Willis Grant Johnson. 242 ne Decals +—Pariio ajax and Eudamus tityrus. “ rr By Ettison A. Suytu, Jr., Blacksburg, Va. n the egg Papilio ajax, and repeating in various combina- | classical experiment with this species. Doubt- # everyone who has bred ths fly has noted the varied length 2 in individuals of the same brood, has had early + g eggs produce one form in a few weeks, others of the game brood bring forth another form in midsummer, still 8 disclose imagines of a third form in the late fall and pass over one or even two winters and produce the dif- forms the second or even the third spring, summer or = In a large series bred from eggs laid in June, 1902, which walshii, telamonides and marcellus at appropriate periods, Thad one pupa among others last over until April, 1903, when it disclosed a biformed female, the left side of which had only ae ae enh of the tal (shall I call €'afar 1g! i = ~ ee 192 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [May, ’o8 walshi?), and the right half with the terminal caudal spot extended up the sides of the tail (ajax telamonides). The ac- companying photograph is of this individual, now in my col- lection. It will be noticed that the apex of the left forewing is apparently not fully developed: the reason for this may also be the cause of the bi-formation. The other figure is of a specimen of Eudamus tityrus with the yellow spots suffused over the apical area of the forewing. It was caught by me in a garden in Charleston, S. C., June 29, 1897, in company with a large series of normal specimens of the same species and its peculiarities were not noticed un- til it was afterwards expanded. On the under side of the hind wings the silver-white spot, large in the normal form, is reduced to a mere dash along the base of the cell, and an isolated faint mark at right angles to and touching sub-costal vein opposite base of cell. ——S— Eastern Eupithecias. By RicHArpD F. PEARSALL. Eupithecia catskillata n. sp. Expanse 16-17 mm. Palpi long, rather heavy, dark brown, the tips white. Antennae silvery, annulate with pale brown, shortly ciliate in ¢. Vertex and front with dark brown and gray scales mixed. Thorax with band of dark brown crossing it in front centrally by a narrow pure white band not always present; the scutellar region tipped with a conspicuous spot of white scales. Fore wings broad, well rounded, pale gray tinged with yellow brown. A dark area at base, crossed by a series of faint lines a little darker, is limited by a double pale line which leaves costa above discal spot, sweeps outward in a bold curve quite around and touching it, and in another broad outward curve reaches inner margin one-half out. This line is broader and clearer than the extra discal pale line which is also present, and, angled outward below costa, runs parallel with it, rather nearer the margin than usual. Between them a dusky shade line, is marked with short dashes on veins. The subterminal white line very obscure and narrow, except at anal angle where it forms a broad lunule curved in- ward. Discal dots oval, distinct, black. Below discal dot, at end of cell, is a small patch of yellow scales present in all of my examples. Subterminal space dark like basal area, frosted costally at apex with white. Marginal line usually entire, black. Fringes long pale gray with “ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWs. 193 “patches at end of veins, on all wings. Hind wings rounded, ler subcostally, otherwise the same arrangement of lines as on fore ings but without darker basal area, and much more obscure. Discal a faint. Beneath grayish white. The double series of pale $ as above, very apparent, almost pure white, and the separating iscal runs outward to discal dot, though not always touching it, turns kward to inner margin at almost a right angle, and extra discal with ‘d curve around discal dot, reaches inner margin one-half out. Rin ty nde, ary Abdomen beneath and legs Be, ree Type @ and ¢ taken in Big Indian Valley, Catskill Moun- _— tain the former May 25th, ‘06, the latter May 31, '06, in my " _ Co-types 24 ¢ and ¢ taken in same locality May 25 to June _ 42. Readily determined by the patch of yellow scales on fore i is beneath discal dot on fore wings, and the snow white - seutellar area. Near to fletcherata Taylor, but smaller. Eupithecia erpata n. sp. 18 mm. Palpi long dark brown, mixed gray scales. Ver- dark brownish ash. Thorax and abdomen above, dark scales intermixed, the second segment and seventh, with black dots laterally; somewhat extended, above dark ashen yellowish, the latter more apparent on fore and four, and subterminally, especially all is a thin sprinkling of black scales, heaviest and subterminally. Basal area to discal line is crossed indefinite lines, of darker hue. The black discal line curves outward at costa, then recedes toward base, touching inner _ ‘Margin, one-third out. It is,faint and narrow, bordered by a pale * also faint, starts from costa, with an ill- ; defined cloud above discal dot, extends outward to include same, _ and thence straight to inner margin. In rubbed examples this line is frequently wanting, with the discal space paler and clear. The extra discal with its succeeding double pale lines, are sharp and distinct, the former black, more intense centrally, where also a few white scales border it outwardly. It curves gently outward around cell, without costa, to inner margin, having sharp inward spurs two. Subterminal space darker; the central clear —. See i 5 a = i - 7 ia ™ » is eras é 77 i Fil i i ut i a3 | i g : _ white line runs in waves parallel to the double lines, and ends near _ anal angle in a larger angular white patch. Marginal line black nearly 194 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 entire. Fringes long dusky, cut sharply with dark brown at ends of veins. Hind wings paler costally, the cross lines fading out except the dis- cal and extra discal, both crossing the wing in regular curves, to inner margin, the latter and its succeeding pale lines, well marked. Sub- terminal space darker, narrow, traversed centrally, as in fore wings, with a clear white waved line. Fringes as on fore wings. Discal dots on all wings small black, wanting in some examples. Beneath, pale ash gray, the lines above distinctly reproduced, especially the ex- tra discal, and a subterminal shade line which are black at costa on fore wings. Discal spots linear, black, very distinct. Hind wings with cross lines diffuse, the discal boldly angled outward at cell turns sharp- ly backward to inner margin, intradiscal rounded to discal spot which it includes, thence parallel with discal line to margin, extra discal starting from costa with strong outward curve encircles discal spot thence straight to inner margin, and subterminal, parallel with margin, these latter as in fore wings most distinct; discal dots round, black, prominent. Body beneath and legs pale ashen. : Type é and @ taken in Big Indian Valley, Catskill Moun- tains, the former, May 5, ’o7, the latter April 29, ’07, together with 18 co-types in both sexes in my collection. I have received this species from Mr. F. A. Merrick, New Brighton, Pennsylvania and from Massachusetts. It resembles palpata but is smaller. From that species it differs in having the pale line near base of abdomen and its tip beneath not dark. Its striking features are prominence of the extra discal and pale lines above on all wings, and by the short inner margin of hind wings which causes the lines to run from it almost laterally for half their length, the anal angle being nearly ob- literated. After a long period of obscurity Eup. coagulata Guen. has been separated from geminata Pack., but there still remain under the latter name two distinct species, not difficult of separation with good series of specimens. To which be- long the name of geminata? In Dr. Packard’s original de- scription (5th Report Peab. Acady., page 58) he notes, one special feature—the large discal dots on all wings—which serves to fix the application of his name to the larger spe- cies—with its expanse of 25 mm. and over. The smaller spe- L NEWS. 195 T des t herewith, having before me a series of eleven Sas ater fhe name of fa meritata n. sp. jan 20-22 mm. Head, thorax, body, except second segment of yen, which is black, and wings above, a uniform dark cinerous, a. black lines, or rows of dots on veins. These lines en- | 2 the two largest just preceding and beyond the discal line at costa bends sharply outward, then retreats to- margin. The discal line, with a short outward straight across wing. Extra discal is a series of costa to below cell, thence direct to between these a fine black distinct line starts sharply to enclose discal dot, below which it aight to inner margin, sometimes wavy. Subterminal clear ond the narrow pale line following extra discal, and parallel is centrally by a fine whitish crenulate line, a little r.at anal angle. Centrally the veins are marked quite freely tufts small, black; below somewhat darker. Body and legs pale ciner- Os. Comparison with geminata Pack. might be useful and descriptive. ‘Tt may be separated thus: Beside its smaller size which is quite con- ant, the upper surface is darker, more distinctly marked with black sharply dotted. The white line in submarginal space is and the discal dots large oval, jet black on fore- on hindwings, or very faint and small; while i the discal dots on ail wings are large and very rominer the surface is crossed by well-defined bands, a | Riile diffuse in some examples, the extra discal on both wings and ig bs T ~~ line beyond it particularly clear. The white submarginal line rea below quite plainly and the discal dots if present are fainter— 1 geminata the under surface is clear silvery cinerous, the pale extra discal only showing by contrast with dusky shade I esantriadaally, the latter not traversed by white line, dots large, distinct on all wings. and @ from Big Indian Valley, Catskill Moun- _ tains, July 6 and 16, 1899, in my collection. Co-types from Mr. F. A. Merrick, New Brighton, Pa., taken in August, ' in’ represented in the Merrick Museum, and in my collec- Dien real exception to the above statements, and only a few of the most mature eggs thus expelled will hatch out. m5 226 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 4. The shell of the parent, when dead and empty of eggs, usually dries up in situ without causing further trouble. 5. The eggs once having reached the dust of the floor de- velop precisely like those of many other fleas. In the light of what has been said it will be seen that so long as natives go about with infected feet, chiggers will abound. Domestic animals, too, should be kept at some distance from white quarters and the floors of bungalows should be occasion- ally sprinkled with naphthol or kerosene. I have several times pointed out* that this flea is one of the principal factors in the production of the tropical disease known as Ainhum, 19. No. 1067. Calandra oryzae L. (Coleopt.) : This troublesome weevil is a great nuisance in stores of meal- ies (maize) and other grain. A moth (not yet heard from) shares with it this evil reputation. The native blacks in order to preserve their seed corn, store it in earthen pots the mouths of which they seal with clay. The local name for the weevil is “Omelekese.” 20. No. 876. Dorylus nigricans Ill. (Hymenopt.) This is the hated “army ant” of this district. Having been several times driven from my tent by them I can personally testify to their mandibular powers. In former days a favorite method of punishment inflicted by the native chiefs was to bind hand and foot the victim who was then thrown into a nest of “army ants’—here called “Ovisonde.” Careful house- wives, however, welcome the approach of the ants and joy- fully vacate for them the bungalow. For after a column of “army ants” has minutely explored a dwelling not a bug, beetle, cockroach, mouse, rat, snake or other pest remains behind. Much has been written on the habits of these and related ants, so I will not extract in detail from my notes the observations there recorded concerning their column formations, tunnelling under streams, forming living bridges over water, removing or elevating obstacles from their line of march, etc., etc. *Jour. Trop. Med., 1906 p. 31; Boston Med. and Surg. Jour., 1906 p. 480. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 227 21. _ _—No. 1441 seq. Diacantha spp. (Coleopt:) cs are a number of noxious Phytophaga which might be ntior ‘Those named in the title of this note feed on sae and especially destroy melons and cucumbers. i beetles: Monolepta ludrica Wse., Melinotoma spp., i Curculionide, larve of Elateride (Tetralobus echo erect marr te 270 also Conuon garden gests. Hemiptera and Lepidoptera have not yet been re- : : Pe tac iol. Ro 22. 7 No. 1156. Simulium damnosum Theob. (Dipt.) This tiny fly is possibly one of the most successful destroy- s of patience and provokers of profanity in the Colony. Na- tives near wet plains sometimes are compelled to move their on account of it, and I have had to break camp to es- a swarm. Tt crawls down one’s neck and up one’s sleeves viciously, leaving a tiny red wheal which itches furi- SINS ack @iogser for ome time. i: : 23. __—*-— No. 179. Apis nigritarum Lep. (Hymenopt.) a TP > common Angolan honey bee. The species, described "ae eee memeber’ regarded as caly 2 variety of rs A. ad soni Latr., and some authors regard both these forms Shey ties of the common European honey bee. I have it m the authority of Professor Cockerell, however, that our ae n nigritarum is not to be identified with the European Soe The insect is of considerable economic importance, “As the natives eat the honey; and beeswax is one of the chief exports of the colony. The hives are made of hollowed out pieces of log (sometimes of bark) and are hung or lodged in trees. Particular trees are considered to be good “bee trees™ Sty eel ot of te es When full, the bees are out of the hives and allowed to go off to find no +r home. No attempt is made to keep them, or to attract ~w swarms. It may be said in passing that the Apidae of ae 228 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’08 Angola are of great interest, my small collection having al- ready turned up several fine new forms, including a new genus. The peculiar abdominal pouches of the Xylocopid group, en- closing parasitic mites (Paragreenia Ckll.) is also most in- teresting, as is the mimicry and parasitism in the whole familly. 24. No. 1554. Tabanus biguttatus Wied. (Dipt.) This fly is representative of the powerful group which in- cludes, in my collection, several new species. T. latipes Macq. is the handsomest member, while the one named in the title to this note is of special interest on account of its mimicry of a wasp. The two species here named, with several others (not- ably T. socius Walk. and T. rubricundus Walk.), make life a burden to cattle, and occasionally attack man. 25. No. 1060. Clytus semiruber Qued. (Coleopt.) A common Cerambycid beetle (represented here by a variety, probably new) which is typical of a large group. They do great damage to dry timber. C. semiruber (which is distaste- ful and rejected by insect-eating animals) is a Millerian mimic of Zonabris dicincta Bert. 26. No. 1555 seq. Salius spp. (Hymenopt.) Such -formidable wasps as Salius vindex Sm., S. dedjax Guér., and S. regina Sauss., are reinforced by scarcely less powerful representatives of Scolia, Synagris and Sphex. The number of species is very large in the region, and the more aggressive ones are best left alone. I once saw a gigantic Salius chase a native boy several rods. The sting, of such wasps is severe. The group as a whole is a fine one and several of my specimens are new to science. 27, No. 1246. Haematopota ocellata Wied. (Dipt.) I have taken a considerable number of Haematopotae nearly a dozen of which have been pronounced new species. These flies are a terrible pest in the wet season, both to men and -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 229 Is. The nearly naked natives suffer badly, and I have even a phiegmatic donkey become excited over them. One imes sees a horse or mule with the side of its neck almost literally covered with the tormentors. They will bite through 28. 5 No. 63. Anthia calida Har. (Coleopt.) _ The commonest of a group of valiant Carabidae, some of _ which are much larger than calida. When disturbed they eject a » acid secretion from the end of the abdomen, which, if elf in a similar manner, spitting venom several feet. I was ‘once inclined to doubt the existence of the last named ani- , but I finally saw the phenomenon with my own eyes. 29. No. 1156. Aulacaspis sp. (Hemipt. ) insect attacking the Grenadilla vine (Passiflora ra the “Ocimania” tree (Papaya vulgaris). It was r* probably brought here on a tree (Melia azedarach) im- vae : ‘ported from Portugal and called by the colonists — ia This Aulacaspis is typical of a large group of scale ideects _ __ which I have not yet been able to study carefully. es ~ | No. 22. Diamphidia locusta. (Coleopt.) This Chrysomelid beetle is by far the most startling insect in the list ; for from its grub is extracted the lethal arrow poison of the Bushmen and their neighboring tribes. On the occa- sion of my first visit to Africa I had a specimen (larva) brought me, but was naturally very skeptical as to the statements ac- companying it. The blacks told me that the bite of either the imago or the grub was fatal, and that either is used in pre- paring the arrow poison. Correspondence with various savants, however, has verified the local opinion of the deadly nature of the beetle, and I have according described my larva in an- other journal.* Various other substances are mixed with the *Deutsch Entomolog. Zeitschrift, 1907 p. 17. Piet, Sa, 230 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 powdered grub, chiefly the watery extract of the bulb of Hae- manthus toxicaria. In former times various species of Stroph- anthus, especially S. lanosus were also used. 31. No. 870. Pheidole punctulata Mayr. (Hymenopt.) These tiny ants are a troublesome pest. They are into every- thing. A dish of food, unless placed on a table the legs of which are set in tins of water, is almost immediately scent- ed and explored by them; and in the dry season even a glass of water in a few minutes has a lot of them floating in it. Housewives are driven to despair and native cooks endure hard words and blows on account of punctulata the local name of which is “Olunjinji.” Other ants in a less degree are guilty of the same proclivities. The ants of Angola seem to be close- ly allied to those of South Africa, and as yet only one new form has turned up in my collection. 32. No. 133. Epicauta sp. (Coleopt.) A plant-feeder and, like several of the preceeding, unde- sirable to have in the garden. This beetle is destructive to the flowers of potatoes and to bean plants. I should say before dismissing it, that this Meloid, if dried and powdered, will pro- duce blisters just as do Lytta vesicatoria L., Zonabris cichorett L., Z. pustulata Thunb. and the other species used medicinally in different countries. I am elsewhere* writing of the remark- able mimetic relations of Angolan Epicauta with other insects. A study like the present must always remain incomplete. I hope, however, to add to the preceding observations other notes on the most interesting or important insects (from an agricultural or pathological standpoint) that come to my notice during my proposed collecting tours in West Africa. In con- clusion I wish to thank several correspondents for determina- tions of specimens, among whom I must mention Professor Cockerell, of the University of Colorado, Dr. Forel of Yvorne, Switzerland, and especially my friend Dr. W. Horn of Berlin, the President of the German Entomological Society. *Vide Deutsch. Entomol. Zeits. _ By Frank Morton Jones, Wilmington, Del. ¢ BN en, chee Mack. chocoret basally with oli brown hairs and more or less heavily overlaid with golden- Sow Beser hs} ‘Disca ee” ve 8e promincet: on secondaries, absent y faintly indicated. Transverse posterior line yellow, clearly de- fin 1 eriorly, outwardly fading into a broad, powdery golden-brown area. Secondaries beneath with no light line; purplish-red, with no ery sles to typical engulifera above; the discal marks yellow, Sbsolete on secondaries. Beneath, the black transverse lines of from fourteen males and ten females from Berke- , South Carolina. din * a 7 By M. Tanpy, Dallas City, Ill. om During the summer of 1907 it was my good fortune to come ae in possession of a very interesting and rare specimen of the Rag t containing the live pupae of the Carpenter Mud Wasp. nd this insect selects some partly decayed board in ¥ to excavate its tunnel for a nest, which is usually several " inches in depth, and partitioned off into cells about one inch i. each, in which are stored spiders ; and one egg deposited in “3 each cell. Now this particular insect, the subject of this sketch, seemed : to be of different mind from the rest of its kind, as is ex- 3 oe manufactured mater- ul for its domicile. it had caught the spirit of the age of progress and invention, and responded to some mysterious and inexplicable desire to better its condition, to provide a newer if not more fashionable home, or it never would have invaded a sash and door factory to provide for the same, and select the best of finishing lumber—a block of cypress, which had been discarded in the manufacture of window frames—dressed on both sides and with a groove in the under side, as it reposed upon a lum- ber pile. On its upper side were six small partly decayed set 232 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 places, which bear evidence that our insect novice still retained some of its “old fogy notions” by its efforts to excavate a tun- nel for its home, in each of these decayed places, and abandoned them by reason of the silicified layers intervening between the annual growths, which are peculiar to this particular variety of wood, and which cause much trouble and annoyance to the manufacturer. What our little novice lacked in botanical wis- dom it made up by experience, and we can imagine that, though it was thoroughly disgusted with its failure it still retained the proverbial “grit” of this family of insects, by the ready man- ner it adapted the mechanical groove in the block of wood to its own purposes. It now appears that our little novice made the best of its environments, and enlarged its plans in advance of any of its kind by planning a larger and more magnificient domicile, and proceed to divide up its newly acquired premises into twelve rooms and cells, neatly partitioned off with mud. In Comstock’s Manual for the Study of Insects, page 658 is illustrated a nest of this insect, composed of five cells, but in this case, it was a home built with its own hands (?) and exer- tion—hence it did not feel equal to, or had no desire, pro- vide a larger or more commodius domicile, as did the subject of this sketch. Later in the season when a workman had occasion to take some material from this pile of lumber, in lifting the block containing this interesting specimen he discovered the peculiar and new form, and consulted the writer as to its identity. The block being separated from the smooth plain surface of the plank below, exhibited a very perfect cross-section view of the nest containing the live pupae, and each pupa suspended in fine web so that it did not come in contact at any point with the walls of its cell, and no visible remains of food ma- terial with which the cells were first stored. The pupae are exactly, in shape and appearance like a very slender medicine capsule filled with a dark chocolate colored material and cap- ped with white. Thus, in many ways the interesting insect world contributes to the curiosity and wonder of the human kind. To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out lest convenience, and, as far as may be, Will be published according to date of recep- ion. Ewromo.c News has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ‘a8 to make it necessary to put “ copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- | weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or matter for a certain issue, Twenty-five “ extras,” without change in form, free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May, 1908. there is no entomologist who can recall without sadness or bitterness some favorable collecting place wiped out “existence by the extension of towns or cities, or by the re- Pia of woods and thickets. Even without mentioning the i a of forests as sources of lumber supply, as conservers ____ Of moisture, as health-restoring agencies and as recreation- areas, our fraternity ought readily to sympathize with those who are doing what they can to save the few large tracts of . _ woodland which still remain in the eastern United States. ___ One of these is in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, ea is in the Southern Appalachians. Bills to acquire these ee ond ape as federal forest reservations are now before the pa of Representatives at Washington, and have been ap- proved do American Civic Association. At the present 3 igen J bills are in the hands of the Judiciary Commit- _ tee of the House where, some fear, they will slumber undis- ___ turbed until the end of the session. i Let all those who desire to see their country’s natural re- and strengthened, all those who love na- ife, all naturalists, botanists and entomolo- by spoken word or written letter to make ives and Senators at Washington forests must be acquired for the Nation and for- action of this present Congress. suggested that in addition to the members from each state and district, letters and resolutions insisting action be addressed at once to the speaker, Hon. Joseph : Hon, John J. Jenkins, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee; Hon. James A. Tawney, Chairman of the Appro- priations Committee; and the Hon. Charles F. Scott, Chair- man of the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representa- | ie a 5 & i ie fl i 233 234 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. Miss Eprra Patcu, State Entomologist of Maine, has been spend- ing a few months at Cornell University. Ir 1s announced that Dr. Thos. H. Montgomery, Jr., of the Univer- sity of Texas, has been called to the head of the Department of Zoology of the University of Pennsylvania. Pror. M. V. SLINGERLAND, has just returned from Chicago, where he has been investigating the insect enemies of twine string, for the Mc- Cormick Reaper & Binder Company. Tue first number of the Annals of the Entomological Society of America has appeared. It is a credit in every way to the Society and the Editorial Board. If future numbers maintain the same standard of excellence its future will be assured. Durinc the past season two distinguished foreigners, Messrs Walter Froggatt, Government Entomologist of New South Wales, and Dr. Manuel J. Rivera, Entomologist of Chili, have visited various entomo- logical centres in the United States. Cuar_es Apzorr Davis, curator of the Roger Williams Park Museum, Providence, Rhode Island, died Jan. 28th. He was deeply interested in entomology and published a number of papers on the subject, and possessed a valuable collection of insects. Turips TABACI Linp.—This insect has appeared in enormous numbers on onions at Yuma, Arizona, a place where (as I learn from Prof. R. H. Forbes) onions have not been grown before. I am indebted to Mr. Crane, of Yuma, for specimens.—T. D. A. CoCKERELL. Mr. E. P. Van Duzet, has left for a month’s collecting trip to Southern Florida. He wishes to look up the ‘subtropical forms of Hemiptera and will make as large collections as possible. His brother M. C. Van Duzee will go as far as Jacksonville with him and collect principally Hymenoptera. Wur.e collecting on Puget Sound during the summer of ’07 a num- ber of mollusks were collected and cleaned. When unpacking the shells on my return I found that a fly had oviposited in a number of the shells, pupated and emerged, being held by the paper about the shells. The specimen proved to be the blow fly Calliphora sp. The shells of Pterophytes foliatus furnished the largest number of flies but other shells had also harbored them. The shelter of the shell and the food offered by the remains of the body of the mollusk which had not been entirely removed had furnished a very satisfactory home and diet to the flies. In most cases only a few flies had reached ma- turity possibly because of inadequate food.—J. W. Huncarte. INTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 235 ‘TA from the Huachwa Mts., Arizona.—The two species of Argia d in the list on page 45 of the News for Jan., 1908, are A. fonto N., and A. vivida, var. plana, Calv —P. P. CALVERT. It A DKOLL Stony oF A GERMAN SCHOOLMASTER AND A U. S. A. on.—By Dr. Wattuer Horn (Berlin).—There was once a thin = : in Germany, called **W. H."" He was little and thin, her SEs chalidien a large, bi mejor ia the U.S. A. named “Th F C.. an important fellow—a real Major. — 1908, to fight against the school- © schoolmaster got awfully frightened. Poor little schoolmaster, hat could he do? e schoolmaster tried to write an epistle against the furious Major, as he began to write “Th. L. C.," he wrote ‘Mo. T. Sch.""— of intellectual perception " was really “very feebly devel- Finally he got an ideat he went out to catch two different grass- Ss, put each one in a separate glass, labeled them carefully “ Th. LC." and ** Mo. T. Sch.,"’ thinking that will help his memory to facilitate _ the distinction. Really the epistle advanced ; but, alas, the next morning _ came, “Th. L. C." had moulted and looked now like ** Mo. T. Sch.” oor little schoolmaster, how were you taken in again ! was still a little schoolboy named “H.R. ;" clever in every- g, only he had never succeeded in differentiating a positive from a He saw his master’s sorrow. Bs x , what's the matter?" Seer soi ts bad ery. I see the two grasshoppers, master?" aa , my little boy, here they are." es San une, bees ty or.” master?" eens ore “ And the claws "’? “ One like the other!" ae i ilaes do the bugs spring, master?” "od “Absolutely the same behavior !"’ $ Well,” said the clever boy, ‘‘the bugs are really the same, only a “ Casey" should be perhaps the comparative of ‘* Motschoulshy.”’ be OF THE PARASITISM OF TACHINA FLIES ON THE LARVAE OF Phlegethontius sexta Jouanssex.—At Paris, Texas, on September 6th, 1904, I found a nearly fullgrown larva of this species hanging head _ down from a tomato plant in a garden, the anal prolegs holding it. "The body was limp, shrunken and decomposed, and literally full of the grubs of some tachina fly. Afterwards the body hardened and became brittle, finally cracking along one side, through which the maggots ‘worked their way out. Eleven of them pupated on the surface of the 236 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 soil contained in a jar in the laboratory, while ten more pupated with- in the body of the host, the last three segments of which were packed tightly with them. Otherwise, the entire cavity of the body was empty, Twenty-one (21) flies were reared from this single larva. The length of the pupal instar of the fly from September roth to September 27th, was 17% days, probably lengthened somewhat by the dryness of the soil in the confining jar. The variation in size of the puparia was mark- ed, ranging in length from 8.10 to 4.90 mm. with all gradations. On October 8th and oth, the grubs of this species of tachina fly were again found in two sexta caterpillars from tomato plants, and twenty-four (24) puparia were afterwards obtained from the hosts, averaging twelve (12) apiece. But four of these flies had emerged up to November 16, 1904. The two hosts showed symptoms similar to those of the first case. This parasite was kindly determined for me by Mr. C. H. Tyler Townsend, Division of Insects, U. S. National Musuem, as “Argyrophylax protoparcis Towns. (or a n.sp.?).”—A, A. GrrAvLt, Paris, Texas. Doings of Societies. At a meeting of the Entomological Department of the Har- risburg Natural History Association held in the rooms of the Division of Zoology on the evening of April 9th at 8 o’clock; a resolution was passed to the effect that, hereafter an abstract of the minutes be submitted to the EnromotocicaL News for publication in its columns. In the absence of the regular chair- man, Mr. P. H. Hertzog consented to preside. Mr. Henry L. Viereck then spoke at some length on “The Possibilities of a Universal System of Scientific Nomenclature.” He first gave a short review of the history of the Linnean System of nomenclature and of the difficulties which had been encounter- ed in recent years because of the enormous increase in the number of described froms in all branches of zoology. It became necessary that many points be arbitrarily defined in order to prevent inextricable confusion. He mentioned the work of the International Zoological Congress telling what it had accomplished and what it still hoped to do. ‘ Mr. Warren S. Fisher then presented a paper on “Insects Injurious to Forest Products.” Emphasizing the importance of the study of forest entomology, he outlined the methods of OLOGICAL NEWS. 237 Seen le ae of egal forest produtts then received some at- d the economic relation of insects to forests was dis- er touching the eject of remedies and methods of pre- pees Mr. Fisher concluded with an interesting sum- f the annual losses occasioned by insects to forest pro- 1 also to growing timber. W. R. Watton, Secretary. 7 Siehruary meeting of the Heink Entomological Club of is, Mo., was held on the 16th of the month, Mr. C. L. n ik in the chair and nine members present. = . Graf exhibited a dwarf specimen of Catocala piatrix, ‘Tess than half the usual size. eee seeren a Pair Of 2. pallescens, taken at Jef- m Barracks, Mo. Mr. Poepping displayed several Rhodosia julia, taken in Louis. —.. three specimens of Ufeus sagittarius in north St. Louis on the river bank, January 4, 1903; Bp siine specimen of Euerythra phasma and a pair of Eucla ndete bred from larvae taken at Meramec Highlands, baat ir. Knetzger exhibited a series of P. asterias, all bred, show- aA “ing remarkable variation in the number of yellow spots (inner Me ae ) of the secondaries, one specimen being entirely devoid i » spots, another having but one spot, another two and so n up t0 the specimen with the ful number of eight spots. t question as to whether the larvae of P. asterias showed wetbineg in markings was discussed, since the f the larvae producing females are much more - pronouncedly marked than the rings of those producing males. Mr. Kelbly read an interesting paper on his experience with A x ous methods for the preparation of larval skins. ane Aue. Knerzcer, Secretary. 238 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’08 The Heink Entomological Club of St. Louis, Mo. held its regular monthly meeting on March 14th, Mr. C. L. Heink, presiding and all members present. Mr. Schroers reported that on February 14th a ceils perfect specimen of P. cresphontes flew into his office through an open window, but escaped before he could make an effort to capture it. Mr. Heink exhibited a large series of Anthocharis, includ- ing A. genutia and A. olympia, local forms. He stated that during many years of collecting about St. Louis, he has taken olympia almost every year, during the month of April, but only in one certain locality. Mr. Poepping exhibited a series of Conchylodes platinalis, which he found in abundance last season. Mr. Kelbly reported having taken that morning (March 14th) a fresh specimen of £. claudia, the wings of which were still flabby. AuG. KNETZGER, Secretary. The monthly meeting of the Brooklyn Entomological Society was held February 6th, President Pearsall in the chair and fif- teen members present, with four visitors. The evening was devoted to listening to an illustrated lec- ture by J. J. Levison, of the City Department of Parks, who has charge of the shade trees throughout Brooklyn and whose subject was: “the Enemies of our Shade Trees and Practical Methods of Combatting Them.” Insect enemies in Brooklyn are chiefly the tussock moth, N. leucostigma and the borer Zeugera pyrina. The city is divided into districts for the leucostigma, each cleared in turn by scraping off the egg masses and burning them. Unfortunately the department has no supervision over back yards and other private property and the very people who make the most urgent requests upon the department are the ones who would not spend ten cents on bands to keep a fresh brood of caterpil- lars from ascending the trees. The only way to fight the pyrina is to pour a little carbon bisulphide in each caterpillar tunnel and plug it. y, 08) ‘TOMOLOGICAL NEws. 239 z we bagworm Thyridopterix ephemeraeformis, Datana, c ia, cynthia and Hyphantria cunea have been trouble- . ee is growth does far more harm to the shade trees than s combined. The Northern Maple and Oriental Syca- 1 ¢ recommended for planting along the streets. The lar ha proved so unsatisfactory that its planting is now for- R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. a) he Brooklyn Entomological Society met at 55 Stuyves- a ue, March 5, 1908, President Pearsall and eleven ou A present. ¢ has been added to the archives of the Society a valu- _ collection of photographs of prominent entomologists world, presented by Mr. E. L. Graef. It was decided is ch cecatar ts paar raph and notice of his entomological career, in the hope that or more, in subsequent years, achieve equal fame. ee ee method of propagating and gy insectivorous birds and constructing suitable nesting [r. Franck exhibited two specimens of Hepialus auratus, $ but dissimilar in size, taken by Mr. Pearsall on the ‘of the Catskills. They were found sitting in dense een mee = Gostmiapecimens of this epecies are black aberration of Colias philodice @ from Mr. 2. eee S collection, taken at Betlilehem, Pa., was closely ex- , 4 It is in ex larva condition. The inner portion, norm- as was even a shade darker than the normally black e! "margin of the primaries, The line of demarcation is perfectly — The specimen retains the pink margins, especially the secondaries, which is most marked in first and second ___ _-Mr. Engelhardt exhibited a Brenthis myrina é taken by him ___ at Overbrook, N. J., May 30, 1907. Its ground color was a rich chocolate, varying from almost black next the body to a shade 240 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 darker than normal at the margins. Its structure and its com- panionship with plenty of other myrina are all that identify it. R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. At the regular meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held March 18, 1908, at 1523 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, 14 members were present, Mr. Englehardt of Brooklyn, visitor. Professor Smith reported on the study made of the geni- talic structure of Macrobasis ochrea. He finds that there is a distinct correlation between males and females, so that co- pulation is rather difficult between specimens of markedly dif- ferent sizes. A small male can copulate with a large female; but it would be difficult for a large male to copulate with a small female. The male organs are furnished with a hook and in copulation the lower part of the terminal segment of the male slips under the lower part of the last abdominal segment of the female. The hook engages a slight thickening on the inner rim of the female segment and the lock is complete. It is almost impossible to get the specimens apart by a direct pull. A figure was exhibited which brought out these characters more clearly. Professor Smith also read an interesting letter from Dr. S. S. Haldeman dated March 18, 1864, and addressed to Mr. J. H. Blakely, professor in W. F. Collegiate Institute of Wil- mington, Del., giving details of how to collect and mount insects, same being explained by sketches. Mr. Englehardt made some remarks on the New York and Brooklyn Societies and exhibited a box of Memythrus show- -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 241 fa Bie histories and the great variation of this group and ed variety and also explaining the habits. Dis- eg mcmnctticn from C. T. on Platypesa ornatipes “Townsend. Mr. Aldrich de- Te Be oka! ececies from Champaign, nm 1894. It has since been taken in Ithaca, N. Y., and s, S. D. Mr. Greene took a & specimen of this spe- at Lehi th Gap, September 25, 1906, sitting on leaf of wild Silas the fourth séeord of its capture and the first in It has remarkable hind tarsi, a drawing of was shown from Aldrich’s paper in EnTomoLocicaL ee b tad. NS Viereck mentioned larvae taken from decomposed ma- pl i exhibited photo of same which is most likely a Mallota. fe also showed photo of larvae taken from stomach of horse Kaeber said he had found larvae in hickory shoots had been injured by fire) at Clementon, N. J., in the ring of 1906. Judging from the amount of work done in ee ey ne tere in the euamer of 5. ‘The imagoes were cut from the same wood March 15, Jaa turned out to be the Longicorn Stenosphenus nota- eel r, Wenzel had on exhibition the Coleoptera collected in _ Arizona last summer by his son Mr. H. A. Wenzel while in Se red with Mr. Kaeber. These filled twenty-one boxes and 12,000 specimens. He made remarks on same, rarities and new species. ‘Dr. Skinner congratulated them on the fine collection and spoke of his trip to the same locality. | —" explained the new Lumiere color photogra- : ’ process. Smith said his photographer had experimented with these plates and had succeeded in making beautiful lantern Geo. M. Greene, Ass’t. Secretary. 242 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, ’o8 OBITUARY. JAMES H. RIDINGS. Mr. Ridings died suddenly on April 17th from paralysis of the heart. He was born in Philadelphia, June 12, 1842. He was the son of the late James and Diana Ridings. His father was a distinguished Philadelphia Entomologist and one of the founders of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, after- ward the American Entomological Society. Mr, Ridings was also fond of entomology and took a warm interest in the welfare of the American Entomological Society, having been its recording secretary for twenty-four years, serving from Sep- tember, 1873 until December, 1897. He was a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and its entomo- logical section and became a member of the American Entomo- logical Society February 9, 1863. He will be greatly missed by his associates in the society. Mr. Ridings leaves a wife and one daughter to mourn his loss. Services were held in All Saints P. E. Church and the interment was at Mount Peace Cemetery, April twenty-first. PROF. WILLIS GRANT JOHNSON. Mr. Johnson was born at New Albany, Ohio, in 1866, and af- ter studying at the Ohio State University, took his B. S. and M. S. degrees at Cornell, specializing in economic entomology. Later he took advanced work in Leland Stanford University and served as instructor there. As instructor in the University of Illinois he conducted important investigations, continuing his work for the Laboratory of Natural History, and later was state entomologist of Maryland. After organizing the State Horticultural Department of Maryland and serving as its chief until 1900, he took up journalistic work as managing editor of the American Agriculturist. He then became associate editor of the New England Farmer and the Orange Judd Farmer, as well as the Agriculturist, and but a short time ago he was appoint- ed one of the Board of Control of the New York State Experi- ment Station at Geneva. While living in New York City he was attacked by spinal meningitis and after some time of illness died in that place March 11, 1908. His body was returned to Ithaca and buried in Lake View. Mr. Johnson was the author of several reports and bulletins as well as the Poultry Book, which was published in three vol- umes in 1903-4-5. While living in Palo Alto, California, he was married and is survived by his wife and several relatives. __ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS ROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION al | ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. _ JUNE, 1908. No. 6. CONTENTS: genus and species of Three American SdoeSsoreccceseseasovece species of Aeshna (Odonata fom Cale. Tages Saeeseenl studies of new ofe- ms Gn Recbes Glasetaptic aie | Hasemne—Wetes co the Foychodides,. 20 pes << ern Pines, N. Carolina..........++. eeceesece BES | BGGIEN 5000.05 ccccocsccccccceccecsce SD eeenrecvece wy Literature ...+..+0+000+ 29% Notes WeTBcocecccccsoncccescooses 2 _ A New Genus and Species of Oribatidae. eo. * By H. E. Ewrne, Arcola, III. es (Piste XZ) ¢ new genus described in this paper is the second of this a et The first genus described as peculiar to this country was Gymno- bates, Banks ; recently I have added to my collection two new species which belong to this genus. The genus Tu- midalvus described in this paper is per- haps nearer to Lohmannia than to any other of the known genera. TUMIDALVUS n. gen. Pteromorphz absent; cepthalo- thorax anchylosed with abdomen; mandibles chelate; lamelle absent. Legs short and stout. There is no ven- tral plate to the abdomen. The dorsal plate extends down over much of the * ventral part of the abdomen and touches both the anal and genital cov- ers (Fig. 1). Anal and genital covers era aticsees only by a rim common to est Madian venta rein} both. Unguis tridactyle. The ab- 243 244 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 domen is oval and bears a large median boss or tubercle on the posterior end. | This genus resembles somewhat Lohmannia Michael, but differs from it in having three claws at the tip of the tarsus instead of one; in having the abdomen terminate posteriorly in a large swelling or tubercle; also in the shape of the abdomen, which is not cylindrical as in Lohmannia, but is oval, as in most Oribatide. Tumidalvus americana n. sp. Light brown; posterior part of the abdomen much darker than the rest of the body. Cephalothorax almost as broad as long; no lamelle. The cephalo- thorax bears three prominent pairs of large, stout, pectinate bristles (Pl. XI, Fig. 1) ; those of the anterior pair, situated near the tip of the rostrum, are about one-half as long as the cephalothorax and are di- rected forwards; at about the middle of the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax is situated a similar but slightly stouter pair of bristles, equal in length to the anterior pair; there is a much larger posterior pair of bristles situated almost approximate to the posterior margin of the cephalothorax, between the pseudostigmata; they are directed outwards and are about one-third longer than the middle pair. The pseudostigmata (Fig. 3) are prominent, cylindrical in shape, and about one-half as broad as the tibia of leg 1. The pseudostigmatic organ has a long, straight peduncle and a small clavate head; it is about two- thirds as long as the posterior pair of bristles. The abdomen is about three-fifths as broad as long; the surface is covered with rather small, round tubercles of almost uniform size (Fig. 7); on the median posterior aspect ‘of the abdomen there is a large swelling or tubercle, already mentioned as a generic character. The dorsum of the abdomen bears twelve pairs of stout, pectinate bristles (Fig. 4). There are two rows of six bristles each on the dorsum, one on each side of the median line and not far from the same; the bristles in these rows increase in size from the anterior pair back- wards; the anterior pair is about one-fifth as long as the posterior pair. There is a row of six subequal bristles on each side of the ab- domen, on or slightly above the lateral margin. Genital and anal covers contiguous (Fig. 5); genital covers about two-thirds as long as anal covers, and each bearing on its inner margin eight stout, short, sharp spines, which point inwards; anal covers very long and narrow, each bearing near its outer margin two prominent stout bristles, which point inwards; each bristle is about twice as long as the width of the anal cover at the point where it is situated. Legs stout and short, the anterior pair being about three-fifths TOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 245 long as the abdomen; tarsus of leg 4, one and one-half times as ast ea weed & long Vig. 67> getead equal le tibia in length, but slightly broader than the same. All the legs a fe stout, curved, pectinate bristles, and the tarsi several simple les. Unguis tridactyle, dactyles cqual. Collected by the writer at Arcola, III. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. americana, dorsal view, X 92. lous americona, labial organs of the left side, X 202. 3 Tumidaleus america, reodostigna. and peodostgnatc or. gan, X 202 Ritiuidelous emericolle, scta {rom the abdomen, X 202. MCA cesericene, centsal view, X og “Fig. 6. Tumidalous americana, tibia and tarsus of leg, IV, X 202. ‘Fig. 7. Tumidalwus americana, piece of integument from dorsum of “— a abdomen, X 210. -_—_— @» ef —-— - Crabronidae from Colorado and New Mexico. 4 i By S. A. Ronwer, Boulder, Colo. ee i (Protothyreopus) piecrus Cress. @ Florissant, py oi 1907 (S. A. Rohwer) ; the markings are yellow, iY, om ot whitish, scutellum black, post-scutellum yellow, spots on & a ag abdominal segment meeting. ¢ Florissant, Colo., July _ 1996 (5 A. Rohwer) fis. Geranium; the markings are yell , those on the abdomen somewhat whitish. $ Beulah, : Aug. (Ckil.); does not quite agree, the spots on the j rst abdominal segment meet, two small spots on each side of face, markings dark yellow. Perhaps dilectus is a variation of bigeminus Patt. | ro (Protothyreopus) ruriremur Pack. @ Cripple - creck, Colo., July 31, 1906, about 9100 ft., fis. Potentilla (S. a Rohwer). New to Colorado. am (Thyreopus) vixcus Cress. @ Cripple Creek, as 31, 1906, about 9100 ft., fis. Pentstemon (Roh.) ; . Park, Boulder Co., Colo., about 8500 ft., Sept. 6 "1907 (G. M. Hite); @ Boulder, Colo., Sept., 1906 (G. M. ” Hite); ¢ Florissant, Colo., July 18, 1906 (Ckll.); @ Boulder, Colo., June (G. M. Hite) is 8 mm. The Cripple Creek speci- ae 7¥ 246 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 men has the bands on the abdomen wider and darker yellow. The pubescence is black. Crasro (Thyreopus) LaTipes Sm. 6 ¢ 6 Florissant, Colo.,. June and July, 1907, on foliage of Ribes vallicola (Roh.); 4 6 ¢ Florissant, Colo., July, 1906 “flying around Ribes,” (Ckll.); 2 ¢ 8 Florissant, Colo., July 7, 1907, on foliage of Salix brachycarpa (Roh.); 4 6 8 Boulder, Colo., Sept. 4, 1906, on foliage of Vitis vinifera, (Roh.); ¢ Boulder, Colo., June (G. M. Hite); ¢ Copeland Park, Boulder Co., Colo., Sept. 6, 1907 (Roh.). The last does not seem to be the same, but I can find no good characters on which to separate it. All of them have black hair on thorax above and vertex, pale hair on the front, white on mesopectus. The abdomen is elongate as in Coloradensis Pack., which is considered a synonym of latipes. The strength of the metathoracic ridges varies some- what, also the keel on the cheeks. Crasro (Synothyreopus) consprcuus Cress. Boulder, Colo., May 18 (G. M. Hite), Aug. 30, 1906 (Roh.). Crasro (Blepharipus) nicricorNis Prov. ? Copeland Park, Boulder Co., Colo., Sept. 4, 1907, alt. about 8500 ft. (Roh.). ‘New to Colorado. F Crasro (Blepharipus) ATER Cress. Florissant, Colo., July 7, 1907, fls. Heracleum lanatum, (Roh.). CRABRO ERRANS Fox. ¢ Jim Creek, Boulder Co., Colo., Sept. 7, 1907, fls. Eriogonum effusum (Roh.); Florissant, Colo., July 21, 1906, on Cleome serrulata, also July 19, 1906 (CkIl.) ; 6 Las Vegas, N. M., June 7 (CkIl.). Crasro (Cuphopterus) conrertus Fox. 2 Copeland Park Park, Boulder Co., Colo., Sept. 6 1907, (Roh.); ¢ Florissant, Colo., July 18, 1906 (CkIl.). The male has a good deal of white pubescence on the head and thorax. Crasro (Solenius) BELLUS Cress. 2 Boulder, Colo., June 11 (G. M. Hite); @ Florissant, Colo., July 28, 1907, fils. Carduus acaulescens, also July 21, 1907, fls. Geranium richardsonii (Roh.). CraBro (Xestocrabro) sExMACULATUS Say. Las Vegas, N. M., Aug. 3, 1907 on foliage of Veratrum (Cklil.). Crasro (Xestocrabro) TRIFASCIATUS Say. 2 Cripple Creek, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 247 or: * obo. | ly 17, 1906, fils. Linum lewisii (Roh.); 2 2 @ Floris- . nt, Colo., July 21, 1907, fis. Geranium richardsonii (Roh.) ; 3 é Florissant, Colo., July 7, 1907, fis. Heracleum lanatum, oh.); @ Beulah, N. M. (W. P. Cockerell). ) ( Cuphopterus Moraw.) operas n. sp. medial ridge for nearly the entire EE u ' as lateral ridges, more or serrate beneath; all the femora robust; single; first recurrent nervure sin apical third of cell. Color spot on mandibles, scape behind, tubercles, spot on all the beneath, a small clongate spot on sides of abdominal segments 2-5 the anterior pair, and tegulz reddish; + we Loree hey } 4 ; fl ay on = i : z . 2 . & 7 -_ , . 4 , gg weevwvrens. q -o @ se , : . a -s . 4 | ar % : : “f a np. i << he an a eat 2zR 4 => ; « = : Se a0. nett Vee. 3 J -- , : : f 7 eas: * ° , - * 4 Py las ‘ - “Ve Sui e u i | i i E j Habitat—Beulah, N. M. (W. P. Cockerell). Two females. The striation of the dorsulum seems to run this species into _ Fox's group singularis, but it is certainly not any species in that group. Disregarding the striation of the pronotum, it _ runs to paucimaculatus Pack., from which it may be separated 248 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 by the pronotum being dentate laterally, having no yellow on the metanotum, etc. While in Ashmead’s table it runs to Cuphop- terus Moraw., it does not seem to be closely related to any of the species of that group. Crabro opwana* n. sp. é. Length 7-9 mm. Clypeus rounded on the anterior margin, slightly emarginate in the middle, middle carina not very strong but still plainly seen; front between eyes from a little above the middle of eyes smooth, shining; near the eyes there are a few striz; rest of head with large, distinct, well separated punctures; ocelli in a triangle; scape wider at apex than at base; flagellum stout, first and second joints equal, smooth, without a fringe of hairs; prono- tum rather longer than usual, a distinct, slender, sharp tooth at anterior corner; (this tooth is stronger in some specimens than others); dorsulum, scutellum with large distinct punctures; meso- pleurze strongly strio-punctate; mesopectus rather finely punctured; episternum and epimeron of metathorax distinctly striated with strong strie; metathorax without an enclosure, dorsulum and posterior face strongly punctured, the dorsulum more strongly; first joint of hind tarsi distinctly longer than the longest spur of hind tibiz; anterior femora produced beneath for the entire length, near the base is a sharp tooth; (in some specimens there is another much smaller tooth near the apex); middle femora produced beneath so that when viewed from behind each is somewhat rectangular; posterior femora normal; posterior tibize serrated on the outer margin; middle tibize not serrated, without spur at apex; first recurrent nervure in apical sixth of cell; abdomen strongly constricted between the first and second segment, and less so between segment two and three, and sometimes three and four; basal segments with distinct, well sep- arated punctures, apical segment very finely punctured; venter with some well separated punctures. Color black; scape except a spot behind, tubercles, sometimes two spots on pronotum, spots on first six abdominal segments above, (these spots meet on segments five and six, forming a band), apex of anterior and middle femora (the yellow on the anterior femora is wider beneath) legs below femora except a black spot on four posterior femora within, yellow; hind tarsi somewhat infuscated; antennze beneath somewhat testaceous but not strongly so. Wings dusky hyaline, apical half a little the darker; nervures and stigma dark brown (the stigma in one specimen is pale brown.) Clypeus, lower half of inner orbits, lower part of cheeks, sides of thorax and pectus with silvery pubescence. " * Opwan is the Chippewa (Indiana) word for thigh. Used here on account of the spine on the fore femora. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 249 ae 08) = 3 at—Fight ¢ @ Florissant, Colo., July 7, 1907, 8000 Heracleum lanatum, (S. A. Rohwer). In Fox's table (Crabroninz of Boreal North America) this cies runs to between hilaris Sm. and cognatus Fox., but is it er of these and not any of the species of the hilaris group, ng easily separated by having the antennz entirely without re id other characters. Easily separated from C. snowii « which falls in the same place by the naked antennz. Fol- vin Dr. Ashmead’s arrangement (Can. Ent.) this species , obably form a new genus near Paranthyreus Kohl Length about 13 mm.; width of head 3 mm.; width of thorax 3 length of anterior wing 9 mm. Head wider than thorax, closely, evenly and rather finely punctured throughout; line ocellus rather faint; ocelli in a low triangle, the distance two hind ocelli slightly less than the distance between and the nearest eye margin; clypeus rounded anteriorly, middle clavate, covered with microscopic pile; pronotum strongly dentate laterally, the anterior face longitudinally , transversely striate above, striato-punctate below, meso-pectus metathorax obliquely striate from middle; very finely transversely striated; middle fur- strong; slightly foveolate on posterior face; received near apex of first cubital; femora robust, triangular (more especially the fore femora); anterior flattened; middle and posterior tibix serrated on outer above finely, densely punctured; ventral segments — — . ~ a a bt 3 al ' : a Aeron ee a ® . — “ a a er ‘yan ~¥ tee ae pny A ee He oe ar . ' ‘ —~ . nd S 7 <3 oP Ss on lps iy < - * - 4 ae S J ‘ _ wt 3 ¢ > . , h if a y 4 ad , i FA = . > i ae. 2 . Sa My ; : f F *5 a hie ta ‘ ¥ - p> ) R , ? “5 ‘ . 7 . , ae ; S . ‘ a é - r i “a » , 3 4 gg - F ; ‘ Eee . 5 | _ without large punctures, but with a number of small ones; pygidium _ broad, triangular, with large elongate punctures; sides of pygidium _ with a more or less distinct fringe of white hairs. Color black; _ mandibles except apex, scape entirely, two spots of pronotum, tu- bereles, spot below tegulac, two small lateral spots before the apex of femora and legs below (middle and yellow extending inward), two large spots segments one and two, and a wide band on it i 250 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 segment 3, 4 and 5 deep yellow; tegule part yellow and part testa- ceous; wings hyaline, the apical margin slightly dusky; nervures, costa and stigma pale brown to testaceous; clypeus, lower inner orbits, lower part of cheeks, fore femora above thorax (more strongly so on pectus and posterior face of metathorax), sides of three apical abdominal segments with silvery pubescence. Habitat—Florissant, Colorado, July 6, 1906 (S. A. Rohwer). The following table will separate this species from all its allies. It is more closely related to rufifemur Pack., but quite distinct. The table is based on the females of the subgenus Protothyrepus (Fox’s group rufifemur). Head and thorax with long, dense hair; ventral segments of abdomen 2-5 spotted with yellow (Calif) ........ villosus Fox. Head and thorax without such hair ; venter of abdomen immaculate. . I 1. Posterior face of metathorax with two yellow spots (Atlantic coast meheraliy 2k: eas as eee bigeminus Patt. Posterior face of metathorax immaculate, black. ......... 2. 2. Pygidium strongly margined bya wall, slightly but distinctly depressed apically ; head not larger than usual (Colorado, S. Dakota, Montana, Washington). «( . o5.s0's det. a ee dilectus Cress. Pygidium not thus margined and not depressed apically; head Warge oe ie 6 i eww we Iain Wot at 3. 3. Mesopleurz striato-punctate throughout; enclosure of metathorax striato-punctate, posterior face distinctly transversely striate ; punctures of scutellum sparse; punctures of first abdominal segment large and distinctly separated ; second ventral seg- ment with large well-scattered punctures ; no yellow beneath tegulz ; two elongate yellow spots on third abdominal seg- ment; legs partly rufous; fore femora without or with very little white pubescence above (U. S. east of Rocky Mts., and north of a line from Nebraska to Maryland . . rufifemur Pack. Mesopleure distinctly striate above; enclosure of metathorax finely obliquely striated ; posterior face very finely transversely stri- ate; punctures of scutellum dense; punctures of first abdomi- nal segment finer and denser ; second ventral segment without large punctures ; a large yellow spot below tegule ; third abdominal segment with a broad band ; femora without rufous ; fore femora above with white pubescence (Colo.). megacephalus Roh. Crabro (.So/enius Lept. ?) ferrugineipes n. sp. $. Length 10 mm.; length of anterior wing 8 mm. Head not as wide as thorax, closely, finely punctured (punctures densest between the eyes; ocelli in a low triangle; each ocellus in a depression; dis- tance between the two lateral ocelli distinctly less than the distance _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 251 eeren a08 the ficarest eye margin; no furrow from middle pone without lat eral tect, rather strongly rounded in the m + carina not strong; first four joints of flagellum emar- a ‘Deneath, the of the fourth joint slightly produced at the a little longer than second; pronotum rather iedidecty, ¢ ofeoe J sharp tooth laterally; dorsulum separated punctures; meso-pleura trans- pis. rsely o-punctate lower down; meso-pectus punc CTEM aibithoris senctited: sides and posterine“iacs i horax transversely striate (the strie of posterior face larger) ; middle furrow distinct, strongly foveolate on posterior face; upper ee wemerior faces separated by 2 circular furrow; fore tarsi very slightl; sifiest'two shdominal segments constricted at base: Wiest two dorsal segments distinctly punctured, punctures large and 8 lier glee Apel h, shining; genitalia with a comb of ; mandibles within, scape entirely, gronotem, tubercies, postecut ellum, small elongate spots Hebitat—Pecos, N. M., July 16, 1903 (W. P. Cockerell). | ners (nbrrine oer Sn) th peas texanus Cress., but the punctures on the head are not and well separated, the legs are differently colored, 3-6 3 cee cies ee It has much general resemb- lance to spiniferus Fox, but the punctures on the dorsulum are 7 _ even throughout, the abdomen more closely punctured, size , 9. Length 12 mm.; length of anterior wing 9 mm; width of head 3 mm.; width of thorax 3 mm. Head large, as wide as thorax, closely, finely punctured; ocelli in a low triangle; distance between i less than the distance between them and the nearest eye margin; in front of each ocellus in a small depressed area; © 252 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 no furrow from middle ocellus; clypeus produced in middle into a truncated process, the width of which is equal to the distance be- tween the eyes at the clypeus; middle carina strong; mandibles bifid at apex, with three inner teeth, the first tooth small; first joint of flagellum equal to 2 and 3; pronotum not strongly ridged an- teriorly, but feebly so, not dentate laterally, anterior face smooth; when seen from in front there is a U-shaped fovea at the top in the middle; dorsulum finely densely punctured posteriorly, finely striato- punctate posteriorly; scutellum punctured anteriorly, longitudinally striated posteriorly; meso-pleure strongly transversely striated; meso- pectus smooth with large scattered punctures; dorsulum of meta- thorax finely obliquely striated from center; sides and posterior face of metathorax finely transversely striated; middle furrow strong, distinctly foveolate on posterior face; femora stout, triangular in cross-section; anterior femora with a strong keel on inner posterior margin, outer margin of middle and posterior tibiz with a number of stout spines; dorsulum of abdomen densely finely punctured, the punctures on the first segment larger and more separated; venter of abdomen microscopically punctured; apical margin of each segment with a row of large punctures; pygidium strongly margined, strongly depressed and narrowed apically; sides of pygidium with a fringe of testaceous hair. Color black; elongate spot on mandibles, scape en- tirely, two spots on pronotum, tubercles, apex of femora, tibiz ex- cept a black spot within on the anterior four (tarsi dull testa- ceous), elongate spots on sides of first three abdominal segments above (those on the third largest and almost meeting, those on the first small and well separated), broad band fourth and fifth segments above, yellow; tegule rufous; wings dusky hyaline; nervures, costa and stigma pale brown. Middle of clypeus with golden pubescence; sides of clypeus, lower inner orbits, posterior orbits, lower part of thorax with silvery pubescence. Habitat—Fiorissant, Colo., June 26, 1907 (S. A. Rohwer). In Fox’s table (Crabronine of N. Amer.) this species runs near montanus Cress., but it may be known from all of that group by the different sculpture, larger size, fringe at side of pygidium, etc. Disregarding the structure of the clypeus it runs to trifasciatus, but is at once known from this by the ocelli being in a lower triangle. Crabro ( 7iyreopus) brachycarpae n. sp. @. Length 7 mm.; length of anterior wing 5 mm. Head about ‘as wide as thorax, finely densely punctured, cheeks without tooth or keel; ocelli in about an equilateral triangle, the distance between the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 253 ones slightly less than the distance between them and the fest eye margin; a distinct line-like furrow above and below middle us; facial basin smooth, shining; clypeus rounded anteriorly, iy notched in middle, without teeth; no middle carina on cly- between the eyes at the clypeus about equal to width the middle; antennx simple, flagellum (excluding pedi- ice as long as scape, first joint of flagel- i 1 F i F anterior four femora, tibie except spot within on middle, a ae inner and outer apical margins of posterior, tarsi (apical ___ joints infuscated), band on all the dorsal abdominal segments (band On and third slightly broken in middle), small spot on second ile ventral segments, greenish-white; tegule black; wings hya- but not clearly so; nervures testaceous; thorax and head with Tong, rather sparse, white hair; clypeus and narrow, lower inner orbits with silvery pubescence; shield cream-colored, the apical two-thirds streaked with black. * Habitat—Florissant, Colo., June 23, 1907, on Salix brachy- _ €arpa (S. A. Rohwer). Closely related to C. vernalis Pack., but easily known by the color of the shield, the presence of a circular fovea on meso- pleurz, the shorter first joint of flagellum, and other characters. Grabro ( X¢s/ocrabro Ashm.) heraclei n. sp. . Length about 84 mm.; length of anterior wing 5 mm. Head about the same width as thorax, closely, finely punctured, occiput finely striato-punctate; ocelli in a rather low triangle; furrow from lower ocellus faint; distance between hind ocelli less than that to the 254 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 nearest eye margin; facial basin distinctly margined above, smooth, shining; first joint of flagellum a little longer than second, first and fourth emarginate basally, second and third slightly produced in middle beneath; clypeus rounded anteriorly, slightly produced in middle, without lateral teeth; middle carina well developed; pronotum pro- duced anteriorly, notched in middle, a strong sharp spine laterally, a faint transverse carina near apical margin; dorsulum rather coarsely striato-punctate, striae more distinct posteriorly, two distinct longi- tudinal carina; scutellum striato-punctate or striated; meso-pleura trans- versely striated above, punctured below, meso-pectus shining, finely punctured; suture between episternum and epimeron meso-pleuralis strong; upper surface of metathorax divided by a margined furrow, the walls of which separate the upper and posterior faces by turning at right angles with the furrow; upper surface with a few oblique striz, also some punctures; furrow abruptly ending below middle of posterior face; posterior face with three more or less distinct trans- verse striz, rest apparently finely punctured; sides of metathorax finely, closely, transversely striated; all femora without teeth; middle tibiz without apical spur; middle and posterior tibie with a few teeth on outer margin; abdomen shining, very finely punctured, venter with- out punctures; apical segment sharp at apex, with a fringe of hairs. Color black; spot on apex of scape in front, two elongate spots on pronotum, two small spots before scutelium, postscutellum, rather large spot on dorsal segments 1-4, band on dorsal segments five and six, greenish-yellow; legs black, line on posterior side of anterior femora and a spot on apical anterior side, spot on apex of middle femora, anterior four tibize beneath, spot on posterior tibie beneath, anterior tarsi, greenish-yellow; tegule rufous; wings dusky hyaline; nervures and stigma dark brown; clypeus with silvery pubescence; meso-pleure with white hair. Var. with the sculpture of dorsulum weaker, meso-pleure more striato-punctate, ridges of metathorax not so prominent, tubercles yellow. Habitat—Florissant, Colo., July 7, 1907 (S. A. Rohwer), fls. Heracleum lanatum. Var. Florissant, Colo., June 26, 1907 (S. A. Rohwer), on foliage of Salix brachycarpa. This species may be separated from all others of the sub- genus Xestocrabro by the strongly spined pronotum. In the somewhat striated effect of the dorsulum it resembles singularis (—=maculatus) but there is no spine on the anterior femora. Closest to foxii Kinc., but the structure of the metathorax is different and the scape is partly yellowish, etc. strong; pronotum sharply truncate anteriorly, with- ; slightly notched in middle; dorsulum more densely 1 than head, without longitudinal carina; scutellum striato- meso-pleurx finely, transversely striated, some striw stronger ; suture between episternum and epimeron meso-pleuralis aces divided by a ridge; upper surface shining, with a few oblique @; sides and posterior face transversely striated; anterior femora u at base beneath; middle tibix without apical spur; abdo- impunctate, widest beyond middle. Color black; anterior femora beneath rufous, anterior tibia be- : spot on apical part of middle femora beneath, Spot ot posterior tibie beneath yellow or rufous; wings dusky hyaline; _ Habitat—Topaz, Butte, Teller Co., Colo., alt. about gooo ft., ___ June 23, 1907 (S. A. Rohwer), fis. Drymocallis fissa. Pi _ May be separated from its allies by anterior femora pro- duced beneath, smaller size, darker color, etc. ae 4 a Grabro (Crossoceros) eockerelll n_ sp. 4 —-&.-—« Length about 4% mm.; length of anterior wing 3% mm. Head iB .as thorax, shining, impunctate or very finely punctured; ocelli eek an equilateral triangle; the distance between the two hind ocelli about equal to the distance to the nearest cye margin; a distinct en from the anterior ocellus to occiput; furrow from anterior near the hase of antennz not so strong as upper furrow, , sloping; facial basin not distinctly defined; antennz slen- at all clavate; first joint of flagellum a little longer than a flagellum beneath with a row of very fine, rather short hairs; rounded outer margin, without teeth or middle promi- not distinct; pronotum with a low, rounded, in- anteriorly, without teeth laterally, slightly notched in i F : Lib ze > 256 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 middle, smooth, shining; dorsulum smooth, shining, with a few very small punctures, a more or less distinct longitudinal furrow in middle; meso-pleurz smooth, shining, impunctate, suture rather strong; upper surface of metathorax with some short, longitudinal strize at base; furrow not strong, convexities shining, very finely striated; upper and lower surface separated by a furrow; posterior face on metathorax with a triangular fovea at basal middle, bounded by ridges at the sides, finely transversely striated; meta-pleure finely transversely stri- ated; legs normal, middle tibiz without spur; first transverse cubital received before middle of radial cell; abdomen smooth, shining, im- punctate; pygidium broad, obtusely rounded at apex. Color shining black; spot on scape in front, line on pronotum, tubercles, scutellum dark yellow; legs—anterior trochanters and femora except a black line reddish-yellow; anterior tibie and tarsi, except a line behind, middle femora except a broad line behind and a narrow one in front, middle tibiz except a line behind, middle tarsi, base of posterior tibize and a line beneath yellow; clypeus and thorax beneath with white pubescence; wings hyaline, slightly dusky at apex, irridescent; ner- vures and stigma dark brown. é. Very much like 9. Furrow on front stronger, metathorax fur- row stronger, scape and tubercles black. Habitat—Florissant, Colorado, July 17, 1906 (CkIl.). ¢ and 2 “flying around Ribes;”’ 2 ¢ $ July 19, 1906 (CkIl.). The @ runs near Jentus Fox in Fox’s table (Crabronide of N. Amer.) but differs as follows: clypeus without medial tooth ; antennz more slender; metathorax somewhat different; tuber- cles yellow; posterior tibiz entirely yellow beneath, etc. May be known at once from harrisii Pack. by the dark venation. The ¢ runs to impressifrons Sm. but is not that species. Crabro ( Crossoceros) eriogoni n. sp. 9. Length about 5 mm.; length of anterior wing 4 mm. Head as wide as thorax, densely finely punctured; broad, smooth, low fur- row from lateral ocelli to upper orbits; ocelli in an equilateral tri- angle; distance between hind ocelli a little greater than that to the nearest eye margin; furrow from anterior ocellus to facial basin; facial basin smooth, shining; antenne slender, very slightly subclavate, first and second joints of flagellum subequal; clypeus rounded anteriorly, without teeth; middle carina wanting or almost so; pronotum very slightly ridged anteriorly; dorsulum finely densely punctured; meso- pleurz finely striato-punctate; suture rather weak; in basal middle is a large puncture; scutellum similar to dorsulum in sculpture; fur- row of metathorax rather faint on upper surface, more distinct on — NEWS. 257 ow t os paddler tad: caste Ao occ es striato-punctate ; strie stronger; middle tibie with apical spur; nora rather more robust than usual ; transverse cubitus received a lit- middle of radial cell; abdomen shining, impunctate, pygidium , rather sharp at apex, bat not excavated, with a few large Color black; scape in front, mandibles except apex, er tips of anterior femora, anterior tibix, middle tibix except a ick spot, base of posterior tibix, basal joint of middle and posterior si yellowish; anterior tarsi ferruginous; clypeus, cheeks, thorax at ) and beneath with silvery pubescence, wings clear hyaline, irides- | is fee Wy Crabeo errone Fos, Prosopsis spp., ie 2 is Fox's ta table runs between propinquus Fox (Texas) and eee Pack. (Eastern States) but there is no median promi- ene on the clypeus, and it differs in other characters. ez modestam n. sp. . Length 5% mm.; anterior wing 4 mm. Head smooth, shin- , impunctate; around each lateral ocelli is a depressed area; front broken in middle by a line; facial basin rather narrow, shin- _ ing; antenne rather slender, pedicellum with tooth beneath, first A ~ flagelfular joint emarginate, second produced beneath, remaining simple, __ pale at base; clypeus strongly produced medially, sides of this pro- fs _ jection with small teeth, in middl ee sel pronotum . _ founded; dorsulum with very fine punctures; meso-pleure almost im- yay Tit wanting; suture of metathorax strong; meta- wi ee Se ieee oe posterior four tro- ___ hanters elongate; femora robust, especially the anterior pair; pos- _____ terior tibie enlarged at apex; venation normal for genus; abdomen + as usual in this genus. Color shining black; clypeus somewhat and { antenne piceous; scape beneath, tubercles, apical half of coxzx, tro- chanters, apex of four anterior femora, their tibie except a black spot four tarsi, base of posterior tibix yellow; tegulx, apex pex of abdomen brownish-red; clypeus and lower silvery pubescence; wings clear hyaline; iridescent; i a Habitat—RBoulder, Colo., May 30, 1906 (T. D. A. Cockerell). Rhopalum Kby.—group pedicellatus: Fox. This agrees vee Coma this genus. The following table will separate the species of this genus in the male sex. 258 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 Metathorax with anenclosure............ pedicellatum Pack Metathorax without an enclosure... 2. +. 2)»: an x 1. Abdomen banded with reddish, anterior four legs entirely yellow ; basal joint of middle tarsisimple . ..... rufogaster Pack. Abdomen black ; anterior four legs more or less black ; basal joint of middle tarsi with a spine within ....... modestum Roh. The following table will separate all the species mentioned above : Females ..060 S663 oe. eB 3 es z Males. (4°03), 30. 5 0. GR... Se 16. 1. Pygidium broad, flat, not strongly excavated towards apex. . . . 2. Pygidium narrow, strongly excavated ...........4--. 10. 2. Small species; abdomen entirely black ............-. 3. Large or medium size species; abdomen marked with yellow. . . 5. 3: Ovceitine low triangle... S00. . a ign ee errans Fox. Ocelli in an equilateral triangle. . . ,../6 4...) .) ae 4. 4. Shining; scutellum yellow; fore trochanters and femora reddish. cockerelli Roh. Subopaque; scutellum black; fore trochanters and femora black. eriogoni Roh. 5. Ocelli in an equilateral triangle; head and dorsulum finely punctured; mesopleurae shining, with a few punctures. . confertus Fox. Ocelliin alow.triangle. . . . .\u5. 5). «5. 4 en ee 6. 6. Mesopleurae shining; with few punctures. ........... aM Mesopleurae subopaque, striato-punctate or striated. ...... 8. 7. Stigma and costa dark brown ; ocelli (dry) deep black ; metathorax more strongly Schiiptured Mts sce e ea conspicuus Cress. Stigma and costa ferruginous; ocelli (dry) yellowish ; metathorax not so coarsely punctured. .......... vincus Cress. 8. Pygidium strongly margined by a wall, slightly but distinctly de- pressed apically ; head not larger than usual. . .dilectus Cress. Pygidium not thus margined, not depressed apically; head large. . 9. g. Enclosure of metathorax striato-punctate ; legs partly rufous. rufifemur Pack. Enclosure of metathorax obliquely striated ; legs yellow and black. megacephalus Roh. 10. Ocelli in an equilateral triangle ; shining black. . . nigricornis Prov. Ocelliin alow triangle .. . 2... 2 29} ss) ee II. 11. Clypeus produced into a truncated process. .......+4+:5 12; Clypeus rounded anteriorly, not produced into a truncate process... 13. 12. Head densely, finely punctured ; clypeus with some golden pubes- COUCH ee. we 8 a nokomis Roh. Head with large punctures ; pubescence of clypeus silvery. bellus Cress. 13. Posterior face with strong lateral ridges ; abdomen with small yellow spots ; slender head, thorax and abdomen nude . operus Roh. Posterior face of metathorax without strong lateral ridges. . . . 14. i eee Rk ‘ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 259 very closely punctured ; upper and posterior faces of meta- indistinctly separated ........ trifasciatus Say. not so closely punctured; upper and posterior faces of metathorax not separated ......... 6-maculatus Say petiolate, petiole clavate ; coxae and trochanters yellow modestum Roh. ES ee ‘este a ale 16. ES 17 tibiae without suchashield.............. 18. simple ; markings greenish-white . . . brachycarpae Rob. ? keoled anteriorly and with a lateral spine . _ beraclel Rob. as, Larger; punctures large and strong ; fore femora with strong spine ; “ae ‘legs largely yellow re a opwana Rob. Smaller ; punctures very fine ; fore femora produced at base beneath; legs almost entirely black US drymocallidis Rob. } “The types of all the new species described above are in the author's collection. +s y Faxers.—The butterfly was n.) —e ee = < ot pe dene indeed lector his head. "*hmother fake,” he “See And with his he SS comes ry the glistening blue dust from the wings, lo! it was but a common brown field butterfly “As the collecting of butterflies more popular,” he explained, _ “more butterfly fakers turn men, with various aniline dye a into a good resemblance to a $10 to detect, for the reason that, when the dye and discolors your fingers, you suspect nothing, since the gala mai tama would do the same "—N ewspaper. i : rf 260 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 Notes on Erebus odoratus L. By C. H. Fernatp, Amherst, Mass. In the February number of Ent. News, page 83, Dr. Was, gave his experience in capturing Erebus odora L. in Oostburg, Wis. This insect was first named Phalaena (Bombyx) odorata Linn. in the Systema Nature, ed. X, Vol. 1, page 505, 1758, and the same name was given in Clerck’s Icones with a very fine colored figure of the female. In the twelfth edition of his Systema Nature, Vol. 1, Part 11, page 811, 1767, Linnaeus changed the name to Phalaena (Attacus) Odora. Why it was changed from odorata to odora is not clear to me. Formerly, entomologists made use of the twelfth edition of the Systema Nature and only in recent times has the tenth edition been adopted as a starting point in Zoology. This accounts for the general use of the later name, odora, instead of the older one, odorata, Aurivillius has given a comparatively full synonomy of this insect in earlier works, in his Recensio Critica Lepidop- terorum Musei Ludovice Ulricze que descripsit Carolus A Linné, pages 151, and 152, 1882, which work seems to have been generally overlooked in this country. In accordance with the International Rules of Zoological Nomenclature, Articles 26 and 27, this insect should be known by the name of Erebus odoratus (L.). Two specimens of this insect were taken on the same evening last summer in the city of Boston. One flew into an office in the Tremont building and the other flew into an open window of the Governor’s office in the State House but a short distance away. In 1872 a specimen was found resting on one of the buildings at the University of Maine, at Orono, Maine, nine miles north of Bangor, which is in latitude 44° 54” 2” N., the farthest north that I have heard of the capture of this species. The question whether this and other southern insects as the cotton worm, fly over seemingly enormous distances and are finally captured in these northern latitudes ; whether they are ac- cidentally carried north in the pupal stage; or whether they = 08) _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 261 SUMUMMUIY inthe northera ‘Dicdlities where they are nd is an interesting one, and has been discussed pro and con or man: years, vi ebus odoratus (L) has been taken 150 miles at sea, off the st of Brazil, as stated by Walker in his Catalogue of Lepi- dopt ra Heterocera, Part XIV, Noctuide, page 1290, 1858, ad in this case there is little doubt that the insect in question tea pth pede atieme nate tbt Ana 1 P. Thomas, in an article entitled “Ballooning as a > published in Appleton’s Magazine for November, 1906, aan Stes ft Se re A tory mosquitos, and other insects.” We are further in- ; form Sti eaper cxfrente of sic, even in strong winds, __ while the balloon is carried along at a rate of 50 or 75 miles an oo ) OF even more, everything seems as quiet to the occupants ¢ : car as would be the case in a calm. Under such cir- nces, may not moths, even as large as Erebus odoratus, pt in the strong upper currents of the air from the Islands where they breed, as far north as Orono, a dis- Ghee r4oo modes? Such a flight in a 50 mile breeze — The ia Aphis of the pS vers rufomaculata n. sp. . By H. F. Witson, Urbana, Illinois. eo cee ___ red spots which seem always to be present upon the abdomens of the viviparous females. . viviparous.— 9 . _ General color green, head somewhat dusky on vertex, eyes light thorax green, abdomen green with about 2 to 4 little dots—eyes of the embryos—showing on both the dorsal and ventral 7 a slight yellow discoloration at bases of cornicles. The — anter are light green at the base shading to blackish at the distal _ ends, femora pale green, tibiae very pale green, dusky at the distal 262 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’06 ends only, tarsi black; style green to blackish, short and ensiform; the honey tubes are long and cylindrical, green at the base and shading into dusky at the ends, or all dusky, their peculiar form as described for alate female below; beak pale green, dusky at tip, barely reaching 3d coxae. Measurements about as follows: body, 1.40 mm.; style, .11mm.; honey tubes, .27mm.; antenna, .0mm.; joints III, .17; IV, .13; V, .11; VI, 11; VII, .18mm., respectively. Alate viviparous.— °. General color green, head dusky to black, eyes bright red and very prominent, prothorax green with dusky to black transverse band; mesothorax blackish upon central portion, lateral margins green; ab- domen green; wings hyaline with distinct, rather conspicuous dark veins, the base green. ‘The abdomen and the head are sometimes mot- tled with light orange; mesosternum black; the beak is a very light green, dusky at the end. Along each side of the green abdomen above there often are 4 or 5 small dusky spots which do not show in all speci- mens; style ensiform and .11 mm. long. Antennae about 1.06 mm. long, green at base and blackish beyond the middle of joint 3; 3d joint with about 12 sensoria, 4th with about 8, 5th with one large sensorium near the distal end and 2 or 3 along the middle portion; 6th, at the joining of the 7th., with six small and one large sensoria; joints about as follows: III, .27; IV, .17; V, .15; VI, .13; VII, .22 mm. The femora are dusky at outer end or entirely light green, tibiae dusky to black at distal ends, tarsi black, cornicles dusky greenish yellow throughout, cylindrical. Length of body 1.30 mm.; wing, 2.13 mm.; stigma .60 mm.; narrow and parallel-sided; cauda .11 mm. dusky brown in color. The very broad head and very prominent compound eyes are striking peculiarities in this species. The cornicles which would be classed as cylindrical are somewhat constricted immediately back of the slight flange, then comes a slight enlargment from which the cornicle very gradually diminishes in diameter to the base. During my study of this insect as a student in entomology at the Colorado Agricultural College during the winter and spring of 1906 and 7, I did not find it upon any plants but the chrysanthemums. It seems to be strictly a greenhouse species at Fort Collins, as neither Prof, Gillette nor any of his assis- tants have found it upon out of door plants. June, '08) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 263 New Pyralidae. By Franx Harmnacu, Philadelphia, Pa. ochralis sp. nov. e of wings 15 mm. Entire upper surface of wings bright : ae socmmtaries somtwhet lighter apically. Markings pin S; ysa eripalis, On the under side, only the outer line is vis- g which is shaded inwardly with a dark brown line, from which kh ne | whole area to apex is light brown, darkest on primaries. Dis- ee See ae nine site only d from six specimens from Denver, Colo., vii, 17, Aa. occidentalis sp. nov. =) of wings 23 mm. Markings as in Blepharomastix ranalis, but heavier. Ground color is considerably darker than in ranalis, ap- Ps brown, with the entire upper surface covered with evenly ip. dark brown atoms. The species is closely related to ranalis, * hasan separated by its uniformly larger size, and darker color, by the upper wings of male, which are narrower and more pointed. 7 Described from eight specimens collected by Mr. H. A. Kae- ey at Miller's Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Ariz., July, nymphulalis sp. nov. y of wings 20 mm. Upper and under surfaces of both pri- SII Ea deceudarieg Sustrous whitich ochre, with. well defined brown markings, similar to Nymphula ekthlipsis, which it mimics in this respect. The markings are the same beneath as above. The species Sta iaatet to Blepheromastix stenielis, but the secondaries are more pro- duced basally, and the markings are more distinct and ornate. Described from nine specimens collected at Cincinnati, Ohio, by Miss Annette F. Braun, on June 12, 17, and July 2 to roth. : a insequalis var. nov. a on" Ol from the Eastern form, by having the markings of the front _ color bright orange, on which the lines are much finer. __ Described from one specimen collected by Mr. H. A. Kae- _ ber, at Miller's Canyon, Huachuca Mts., Ariz., July, ’07. This may prove to be a distinct species, but having but the one speci- men, it is probably better for the present to give it only a varie- tal name, 264 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 Crambus oslarellus sp. nov. Expanse of wings 25-30 mm. Head and palpi cinereous. Primaries and thorax lustrous bronze, with a silvery white stripe from the base to near subterminal line; a tooth in the middle on the lower side, and a small white spot above the outer end of white stripes. Sec- ondaries smoky white. The species closely resembles Crambus prae- fectellus, and has no doubt been confounded with it. The principal points of difference are its much larger size, the smoky hind wings, and the absence of reddish line inside of white subterminal line, which is present in praefectellus; also the subterminal line forms nearly a right angle, which is not the case in praefectellus. Described from ten specimens, collected at Silverton, Colo., and Clear Creek, Colo., vii, 3, 07, by Mr. E. J. Oslar, in whose honor this species is named. Three related American species of Aeshna (Odonata). By E. B. WILLIAMSON. The three species are: multicolor Hagen, mutata Hagen and jalapensis n. sp. They are characterized as follows: Rs forking proximal to the level of the stigma, with 3 or 4 rows of cells between the fork at the level of the distal end of stigma; the proximal side of the triangle in hind wing more than half as long as the posterior side; membranule fuscous with the base more or less white or gray; stigma of adult males dark brown or black above; dark yellowish brown beneath; immature males and females have the stigma golden yellow, paler beneath; a ventral spinulose tubercle on abdominal segment1; a black T-shaped spot on the frons, which spot widens posteriorly to enclose the vesicle in black, and margins the eyes in front with a line of black; thorax brown with a dorsal and two lateral stripes on each side; legs black, the first femora of both sexes beneath with a pale streak for half their length and all femora of females reddish brown above for the greater part of their length; abdomen constricted at segment 3; males with a minute median dor- sal tooth on abdominal segment 10, and appendages seen in profile distinctly forked at apex with an angulate dorsal carina; abdominal appendages of the female of usual form, the apex rounded obtuse, varying from 5 to 7 mm. in length in different species. DIFFERENTIALS :—Mutata and jalapensis are separated at once from multicolor: males,—the inferior basal tubercle of the superior appendages in multicolor at one-fourth to one-fifth the length of the appendage, in jalapensis and mutata at one- ne, '08 NTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 265 h to one-seventh the length of the appendage; and the nar- eee ¢ and higher keel of multicolor as compared lege gpa as seen in profile; females,—each | appendage of multicolor is nearly symmetrical, the SUITED with shes thes oneo carvctone’ the Semin apn tl att et io dage is nearly straight, the inner edge broadly curved; h 6 mm. in jalapensis and 7 mm. in mutata. By ap- Nt cod citem ore onannt Cao i = longer dorsal carina and apical fork of the superiors, and the _ shorter (one-half the length of the superiors) inferior in jalap- is; in mutata the apical fork is reduced in size and the in- " ferior appendage is two-thirds the length of the superiors. _ The ventral spinulose tubercle on abdominal segment 1 is - most pronounced in jalapensis and multicolor, the spinulose area in mutata being raised into only a very low tubercle. On es . . - 266 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o08 The T-shaped spot on frons is best developed in jalapensis, and of smallest area in multicolor. In multicolor the stem of the T in front is about .66 mm. wide and the sides of the stem are straight or slightly concave, diverging posteriorly and isolating the blue vesicle and the lateral ocelli from the blue area of the frons by a band of black about twice as wide as the ocelli. The ocelli are separated from the blue vesicle by a line of black narrower than the ocelli. In mutata the stem of the T in front is wider than in multicolor but scarcely I mm. wide, but the sides, instead of being concave, are distinctly convex, and the vesicle is less blue, the vesicle and the lateral ocelli more widely separated from the blue area of the frons, and the lateral ocelli separated from the vesicle by a line of black fully as wide as the ocelli. In jalapensis the stem of the T in front is over I mm. wide, the sides straight but more divergent than in the other two species, the lateral ocelli and vesicle isolated from the blue area of the frons by a band of black about three times as wide as the diameter of the ocelli; the extent of blue on the vesicle as in mutata. In coloration of abdomen males of mutata and multicolor are almost identical, although the blue spots are slightly re- duced in mutata especially on segment 10; jalapensis has the spots greatly reduced. A similar reduction is true also of the more obscurely colored females. In the matter of coloration of jalapensis and mutata we have an exactly parallel case in the two species with very similar appendages which have been as- sociated under the name constricta. In this case, as in the case of mutata and jalapensis, the species with the dark-colored abdomen is the slenderer, less robust of thorax. The habits of the two species associated under constricta are well known to me and are entirely distinct; it is probable that mutata and jalapensis show a parallel difference in habits. Some venational characters of the three species are tabulated below. These may be summarized briefly, calling attention to mutata and multicolor especially, since in these venational dif- ferences are most constant. 1. Mutata compared with multicolor has narrower wings with distinctly less curved supplements and a more distal ter- ee | —— 267 2 Of Cu, at wing margin; pagpenee to fnicly. tater: te in these characters). I mea lp dint wie with a median shorter outer side than in multicolor; (jalapensis has anal loop of a form similar to mutata, but the outer ee ots & eo... & The presence generally of two rows of cells throughout between M, and M, in hind wing distal to point where two ea oes of sf agen etn ei (apna er . The larger number of cubito-anal cross veins in both front ‘and hind wings ; (jalapensis intermediate ). a The larger number of cells in the triangle of hind wing; —- (jalapensis resembles multicolor). OP od Bie teres mute of cross veins inthe sopetiangte of 4 ne (jalapensis intermediate). The larger number of antenodals and postnodals in both hind wings; (jalapensis resembles mutata). more proximal origin of M,,; (jalapensis resembles ). ST et the socre distsl postin of the arcules a terms __ Of its relation to antenodal crossveins; (jalapensis intermediate, resembling mutata). ‘TABULATION OF VENATIONAL CHARACTERS. The figures in the columns headed respectively “ swificolor,” “jalapensis” and “mutata” are in all cases those of percentages. 4 multicolor | jalapensis CHARACTERS od atisd tQred 22 male female male female male female mm.) 30 Too 100 of stigma in front wing {3s — oo 50 5° : = 50 » 100 Mia in front wing under stigma 10 15 : arising {at distal tnd of stigma) Ei 100 55 50 268 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 CHARACTERS multicolor I0od' 22 Jalapensis 5d ts mutata log’ 2Q male female male female male female Wings narrower, supplements less curved (a) Wings wider, supplements more curved (6) Wings intermediate in width, curving of sup- plements intermediate (c) Too I0o Ico Ioo Gere) 100 {4 marginal cells beyond 3 cells beyond 2-3 cells beyond 2 cells beyond 1-2 cells beyond r cell beyond | on same level Cur in hind wing meeting win margin with ref- + erence to level of nodus (d@) 50 10 50 40 50 20 100 40 40 Anal loop wide, Az arising basal to the last cubito-anal (e@) cross-vein before the sub- triangle Anal loop narrower, Az arising opposite or distal to last cubito-anal cross-vein Anal loop with a median cell (z.e. more than 2 cells wide near its middle) Anal loop without a median cell p Cole) Ioo 100 Ioo I0o 30 70 100 100 100 tele) About as long as inner side of triangle (/) Outer side of anal loop (formed by Cuzand A; before their separation) | Longer than inner side of triangle (¢) Ioo 20 100 100 Ioo 2 rows of cells between From the point throughout where 2 rows of cells appear be- tween M; and Mg in hind wing to wing margin For at least part of this distance only 1 row of in hind wing 1 L cells Ioo 40 100 75 75 25 25 f Opposite second antenodal Between second and third, nearer second Between second and third, nearer third Opposite third | Between third and fourth Arculus in front | wing 10 85 25 75 Io 100 100 Between first and second antenodals Opposite second Betweeen second and third Arculus in hind wing 25 75 40 50 100 I0o TOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 269 sunbllielor| folapensis | mutala od 229i sd 1Qitog 29 male female male female male female the third end] 5 ‘25 25 20 aoe 1 Said = |... oe x 60 35 50 10 10 50 the fifth and sixth s” cromt-veins infront wing (4) 8&5 301 80 iol 20 se — ~ fits) 4 oe chai * rs. be 4s 50 4 : 5 sol $3 5° two transverse cross- veins, 3-celled to (/) eee 4" e With ree transverse cross) 8) 7 divided, 6-celled 10 (/) 10 With one transverse cross- vein, proximal cell divi- ded, 3-celled eis Bk eK agree me crose| 100) 60 100) 10 50 ded, § celled 10 40 ~ ce 2) 60 50| 10 25 25 cros-veins infront wing | 40 5° go 7 75 J 25 35 Feroseveins in hind wing { 75 i 100) 40 75 ’ 3 ; 60 25 270 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, 708 multicolor | jalapensis| mutata CHARACTERS 10g 29/50 1Ql10og 29 male female/male female|male female I4| Io 50 15| 30 16] 30 50 : ‘ 17 60 100} Io 50 Antenodals in left front wing 18] 30 a 4o a 19 40 20 20 21 10 7 50 8 50 , : 9|40 fe) 100 Postnodals in left front wing iglee 40 Pa II 40 100] 50 12 20 20 21 50 24| 30 50 25| 20 . 26| 20 50 J : sein AED EO 20 20 50 Ante- and postnodals in left front wing ZBI os ‘“e iil “aay 29 20 10 30 50 31 20 33 Io 9| Io 100 Io} 40 40 ’ ; : II| 40 40 100) 99 Antenodals in left hind wing val te yaad as 26 13 40 50 14 10 (te 8 Io] 40 50 fe) , ‘ ; I1| 20 40 Too} Io 50 Postnodals in left hind wings 12| 30 a jo 50 13} 10 60 14 40 18 50 I9| 10 50} ° 20| 30 21| 10 40 ; j -__ /22| 10 100] 20 Ante- and postnodals in left hind wing 23| 20 ‘i ae 50 24| 20 25 20 30 50 26 20 30 27 Io Ap nGE EH Ut Gata ry eli jee a lat tn pHa gelinice! phdgpellly pat plies 20 tastegacel aint sis 92 gat 2 E fT 3 Hi = 5 3 atl: : aed a % a2] i ~ ene ated lel Sia | eee Un te Bola: gilitay 3 pecan’ ceteis-1 BT crler 5 & gy a q hepbitag teifteiy wad e553 pal pug a ant st Hi! , i. § qa i ; at <8 , z iyi Ar i am jane SEPP 272 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 Incidental Studies of new species of Oscinis. By E. S. Tucker, Special Agent, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agric. In my incidental studies of flies which were obtained by per- sonal collecting during past and more recent years, four forms have been found belonging in the genus Oscinis, which fail to agree with any known species, and, in consequence, they are named and described herewith as new. Oscinis nigra n. sp. Colorado,—Denver ; August, 1906. Type: one specimen de- posited in the U. S. National Museum. Wholly black, except fulvous tinge of halteres, and dull reddish eyes. Body and legs shining. Triangular space of front extending from the vertex to a point against the antennal insertions, lower angular edges of front dull opaque. Dorsum of thorax minutely punc- tured, bearing scattered black bristles, sides fringed; scutellum having two apical bristles of great length. First and second sections of wings equal in length, third section about two-thirds the length of either one of the preceding, and fourth section one-half the length. ‘Third and fourth longitudinal veins scarcely divergent. Length, 1.5 mm. This specimen differs from all previously described forms of - Oscinis on account of total absence of yellow or fulvous color, other than on the halteres. Oscinis flavescens n. sp. Colorado,—Manitou, 6629 ft.; August, 1894. Type: one speci- men deposited in the U. S. National Museum. Prevailing color yellow, with black markings as follows: A small spot on vertex enveloping the ocelli; three broad longitudinal stripes on mesonotum, the medial, except towards the distal end, is twice the width of a lateral one, beginning on the prothorax in advance of them and extending the entire length of mesonotum, while the lateral stripes taper to an end before reaching the posterior margin; metathorax polished black beneath the scutellum; dorsal base of abdomen and a median spot arising from anterior edge of second segment black, basal margin with a pronounced and rounded middle expansion on each succeeding segment also black; two subfuscous spots on pleura pos- teriorly beneath base of wing, and a strong dash of black on posterior coxal plate. Eyes black; vertex and front punctured, somewhat shining on triangular area; third antennal joint disciform, arista black; dorsum of thorax clothed with fine grayish pubescence which glistens on the June, ’08] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 273 . oo black stripe a fringe of black bristles extends along each side; scut- _ tellum regularly rounded behind, nearly as long as the width. Lp) and second costal sections of the wings about equal in length; the third and fourth together equal to one of the preceding; third and ‘fourth longitudinal veins parallel. Length, 1.75 mm. According to Dr. C. F. Adams’ table of Oscinis, this speci- m runs to nuda Adams, but it appears as a form too ex- me to be regarded even as a variety on account of the fol- differences: no sharp definition of vertical triangle; Vittae of thorax black instead of brown, and three in number _ insteac of four; no additional line above base of wing unless _ extre obscure ; black eae on lacking above middle coxx, but two faint or obscure tions on pleura; scutellum lacking apical of bristles, wholly bare, (may possibly be denuded, however) ; fore margins instead of hind margins of abdominal Segments black; tips of tarsi not black; third section of costa «More f as long as second section. » oe SS oo oo _—— = . Collin county ; one female specimen collected in oat field, and one male in November, 1907. in the U. S. National Museum. | Generally yellow ; front dull, thorax with sericeous pubescence, abdo- Po Om black dot enclosing the ocelli, anda second dot be- ; ocellar spot in the frontal triangle of the male; hair of front t and stubby, suggestive of minute bristles; arista black. 3 Eyes black with slight pale pubescence. Dorsal vittze four in number, h black on the female, black on ‘ middle pair but slightly parted and shorter than the co lateral ones, all failing to reach the posterior margin of the mesonotum; ___an additional short narrow stripe above the base of the wing. Lateral of pleura strongly lined with black, and a short black dash runs each posterior coxa. Scutellum evenly rounded, bearing a few the apical pair stout. Similar black bristles fringe each mesonotum, and a pair arises near the posterior margin of standing at the distal end of a lateral stripe. black; abdominal segments infuscated at base, more suffused with a dark cast especially overspread- ; anterior edges of second segment with a distinct small dot; venter immaculate; protruded tip of male genitalia and of female black; claws black. a Wings clear hyaline, second costal section twice the length of third ___ Section, third and fourth longitudinal veins parallel. Length, 1.5 mm. ft veEHt vit : 274 _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 Although running to O. ovalis Adams, these specimens differ particularly by reason of the double length of the second com- pared with the third costal sections of the wings, and by the rather unusual appearance of an almost bristly front. Oscinis dissidens n. sp. Texas,—Plano, Collin county; June, 1907, one specimen taken in an experiment cage in oat field. Type deposited in the U. S. National Museum. Mostly shining black; face below the frontal triangle, together with the oral region and mouthparts, excepting the palpi, venter of abdomen largely and dorsal base obscurely, knees of anterior and middle legs slightly, tibie of middle legs obscurely, all trochanters and the tarsi except at tip, and halteres, yellowish. Frontal triangle extending across the vertex, polished, reaching two-thirds of the distance to the an- tennx, adjoining outer edges of front dull, front projecting over the antennal insertions. Antennz dull opaque, third joint inwardly sericeous, arista pale and faintly pubescent. Mesonotum with faint pale pubescence, two fine sulci running forward from posterior margin, scutellum with a pair of small terminal bristles. Wings clear, first and second costal sections equal in length, third and fourth longitudinal veins parallel. Length scarcely more than I mm. Runs to, and agrees in many respects with O. obscura ac- cording to Mr. Coquillett’s description, but the following dis- tinguishing features are noted: greater part of the front yel- low, tibiz of fore legs black instead of yellow, and the second longitudinal vein joins the costa at more than half the distance instead of midway between the apices of the first and rhird longitudinal veins. Notes on the Psychodidae. By LEonArD HAseMAN, University of Missouri. Since the completion of my monograph of the North Amer- ican Psychodidz, which appeared in the Transactions of the American Entomological Society, Vol. XX XIII, I have been carefully watching for any new species and life histories which may turn up in this region. The extreme minuteness and inconspicuousness of the adults, as well as the immature stages of these flies, makes their dis- covery in nature possible only by very close and persistent ob- ; DMOLOGICAL NEWS. 275 hile I have secured a number of my species on indows and vine-clad walls of buildings) I have had yd a algal i to lights. I have secured all my life histories Seiwenstable culturesyin which they breed in great re The past year two new life histories have been ind, one of which proves to be that of a new species. A t of specimens collected between March 20 and June 20 re be identified as Ps. schisura Kin. Their wing length jes from 1.8 mm. to 28 mm., and they all have the black tufts at the tip of the veins and the alternate black and white n ark ngs which give the wings a mottled appearance. A few sp collected between April 18 and May 24 have been : das Ps. cinera Bks. This species has also been found air! tahelepel aaa Banta,* een eeeers over the entize range from the At zt ee Hit | _ Early in the spring of 1907 I collected a quantity of dry _ weeds and grass, and also some green grass and curly-dock ves, which were put into two large square glass jars, covered and placed in the insectary to thoroughly ferment. ort time mosquitoes appropriated the jars for their use. ee ee oo ed, and glass covers placed over the jars for a time. ater tf Site ceescwed ottd early in June adult Prycho- ds were found in one of the jars. The cover was replaced on this jar and a large brood of adults appeared on the 13th of 5 oe This jar was fairly teeming with them, while the other, which stood by its side, contained none at all. The first brood of va and pupx escaped my observation, but on the 15th Jul a second brood of larve appeared, when the jar was _femoved to my laboratory and daily observations made on the habit: of the larve, pupe and adults. After the first adults «k : found in the jar, it was kept covered except when speci- were being removed. In this way five broods were reared the summer. The adults of the first brood appearing June 13-20, the second July 17-20, the third August 8-12, the * Carnegie Institute of Washington, publication No. 67, p. 84. 276 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 fourth August 20-27, and the fifth September 1to-15. The broods gradually decreased in numbers of individuals until there were very few to appear in the last brood. The food supply began to get scarce after the second brood, and decaying po- tatoes were added, for which the larve showed great fondness. The second jar, containing the decaying vegetable culture, was left standing uncovered in the insectary all summer. The mosquitoes did not return to it and no signs of Psychodids appeared in it. The water nearly all evaporated, so that by the first of December only a small quantity of water remained in the bottom to keep the grass and weeds moist. While rearranging the insect breeding cages on December 9, I was surprised on lifting up the jar containing the culture to see a half dozen or so adult Psychodids fly out of it. The jar was immediately covered and removed to my laboratory. On the following day a few more adults emerged, but by the most careful examination no larve or pupz could be found. A number of the adults were collected and mounted, while the rest were left in the jar for breeding. The second brood of larve and pupz appeared during Christmas vacation when I was away and on my return the 5th of January, a great many adults were present in the jar. Some of the adults were again collected and others left for breeding. On the 6th and 7th of January the first signs of larvee were noted. They had just hatched and were extremely small, and unlike the larve of the other species I have observed, were very sluggish. The first pupze from this brood of larvee were found on the 15th of January and adults began to emerge on the 16th. Only three broods of this Psychodid were reared; the adults appearing — Dec. — to Dec. 9; Dec. — to Jan. 6; Jan. 16 to 25. Stragglers from the last brood continued to appear until the middie of February and a few specimens again appeared the last of March. Returning to the first species, which was bred between June 15 and Sept. 15, I find, on comparing it with Ps. floridica* — *Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. xxxiii, pp. 316 and 324. ®9MOLOGICAL NEWS. 277 ; a close relation exists between the two forms. My eris of Ps. floridica has deteriorated considerably, especially + larve and adults, so that comparisons in some particular MU cs ceca aon. ee coerence & the size of the Missouri specimens, the larve of the latter being from one- Sie third larger. The difference in size also appears = ¢ pupa and adults. The Florida larve have eight or nine orsal plates on the posterior annuli of the abdominal segments, wh ¢ the Missouri larve have but six. The Florida larve ioe ee fe wane the Missouri ones have two: l widely separated plates on the posterior annulus of ——— Each of these plates bears two long bristling _ In the living Missouri larve the internal organs show th the body wall as a broad creamy-white band in the | ‘of the fourth and fifth abdominal segments, which did SEE Giterences convince we These slight but uniformly astant differences convince me that this Missouri Psychodid ot the same as the Florida one, though certainly very closely ied. The adults have been compared with Ps. nocturnala _ and their similarity in every respect is so great that I feel sure they are the same species. The dates of their appearance also I find that my figures of Ps. foridica are slightly at fault ‘on the segmentation of the posterior end of the abdomen. In some cases I find that the break between the last two annuli _ is so marked that I mistook it for a segmental rather than an _ annular division. - * LARVA. ‘The larva is quite slender, cylindrical, measuring 11 mm. n length and 8 mm. in breadth. Each of the three thoracic _ segment: is rather distinctly divided into two annuli. The first abdominal segment also has two annuli, while each of the ee Each annulus of the abdominal segments has, on its dorsal surface, a © small chitinous shield; the third shield of each segment being 278 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 the largest. Each of the abdominal and thoracic annuli are well armed with short, closely set spike-like hairs, which are more or less arranged in girdles, due to the annular divisions. Be- sides these short hairs there are two or four longer curved hairs on the dorsal surface of the posterior annulus of each segment, likewise one or two along the sides of the same annuli, and two pairs of similar hairs on their ventral surface. The paired ventral hairs on the thoracic segments are mounted upon small, widely separated, circular plates, similar to the dorsal plates on the posterior annuli except much smaller. In living specimens the internal organs in the region of the fourth and fifth abdominal segment show creamy-white through the body wall. This did not appear in the Florida larve and is also obsolete in alcoholic specimens. No signs of anal tracheal gills are present. The thoracic air nipples are present on the dorso-lateral portion of the second prothoracic annulus. As in the case of the Florida specimens, these were not seen to be used by the larve for breathing. The larve have the greedy habit of engulfing everything that they can get hold of. The alimentary canal is continually distended with food. The internal organs appear very dis- tinctly through the body-wall, especially in case of specimens preserved in alcohol. The protrusions surrounding the anal opening are much more pronounced than in the Florida speci- mens. A test was made to determine the length of time they could live under water without coming to the top to breathe and the limit was found to be about twenty-four hours, as in the case of the Florida larve. PUPA. The pupz are found hidden in the debris at the surface of the water, where they are continually kept moist and where they can protrude their thoracic breathing tubes out above the surface. The pupz are somewhat larger than those from Flor- ida and the abdominal spines are slightly less developed. There is a very marked difference in the size of the male and female pup. The latter are both longer and more heavily built. In- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 279 zeta wm I its hehe gee take Ca-the veiled ak (onan oneal hs has but a single row of spines. Along the median re three or four small spines, bordered on each side by one FAG, 1.—Dorsal and ventral view of larva and ventral view of pupa, ‘gi Px, mocturnala (X 20). Ee re meee by. Shree of four smaller ques, 2 extend out to the lateral edge of the body. The next ar abdominal segments each have two rows of spines. The on each segment consists of four medium-sized = well separated and placed at equal intervals. In the : : of the second row on each segment are three small, _ Closely-set spines, which are bordered on each side by one large ‘a 280 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [June, ’o8 spine and these in turn by three or four spines, which de- crease in size laterally. The posterior abdominal segment, viewed from the ventral side, has a basal portion, from the lateral sides of which projects a’single strong spine, and from the ventral surface of which project two strong spikes, each of which terminates in two sharp spines. Posteriorly the seg- ment is much constricted and terminates in two pointed spines with a narrow emargination between. Looking at the seg- ment from the side, it can be seen that the dorsal half projects beyond the ventral portion and terminates in two very strong dorsally curved spines. On the dorsal surface the segments have but a single row of spines. Along the median line of the back the first segment bearing spines has two small closely applied ones, the next two segments each have three and the next two segments each two. Lateral to these closely joined spines on each segment there is one strong spine, followed by three or four smaller ones. On the dorsal surface of the anterior abdominal and the thoracic segments there is usually a single papille bearing a fine bristle-like hair. The dorsal spines curve slightly forward, while those on the ventral surface project backward. These help the pupz in working their way up through the decaying vegetable material and in maintaining their position when they once get to the sur- face where their thoracic breathing tubes can be protruded out into the air. The breathing tubes are very long and slender, with a short, much wrinkled stalk. The trachea can be traced to the very tip of the tube. There are two rows of small, circular foramina on the dorsal surface of each breathing tube. These foramina also surround the tip of the tube and extend some ways down the ventral surface in two rows. In some cases the segments of the antennz can be distin- guished through the semi-transparent sheath. The ocelli can be seen through the sheath and are arranged in parallel rows extending almost at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the body. Some of the venation of the wings and the seg- eid ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 281 eee i observations on the habits of the adults. were made. y © often seen to settle upon the surface of the decaying ial in the jar as if feeding, but I was unable to decide y concerning this; they may have been depositing eggs, MG Giially the large females. RO Eaten wes checrvet ts nutes’ apf , and a few notes on these observations may be of in- 9 other entomologists. The males precede the females Box imo and are wry stn by te time the fra 'gin to emerge. Mating takes place soon after the females ~ and while they are yet quite sluggish. I have watched e courting the females by taking a position immedi- . ly im front of them, where they remain perfectly motion- ess for several minutes, except for the continued waving of ne er which are occasionally allowed to touch the an- ge of the female. When the males attempt copulation, they rotruc the posterior end of the abdomen forward, much as se small Hymenopterous parasites do when they deposit eggs fet me forward along : of the body rather than directly underneath it. After hhe strong fang shaped male genitalia have firmly grasped the the insects turn end to end and have been seen to remain |i eatin for fom one to two minutes. While in coition the _ wings stand roof-like, the male’s being enclosed by the female's, Ba much as in the case of butterflies. ASTER ants which was reared be- . December oth and January 25th. This species differs from the other Psychodids I have observed. The much shorter than the other forms and are broader The annulation is very distinct. The pupe are plump, slightly broader than deep. The adult has carefully compared with my other species, and as it does | conform to the descriptions of any of Bank’s and Kin- 4 SUT eictie 7 have Glide that it is a new species 282 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 LARVA. The larve are extremely sluggish and have the habit of roll- ing themselves up in the decaying material and feigning death when disturbed. They are not nearly so greedy as the other forms, though they feed almost continuously. Occasionally they leave the culture and climb up along the sides of the ves- sel by carrying along with them a film of water. Specimens have often escaped from my watch-glasses and crawled about on the table until quite dry, but on replacing them in the glasses they would revive. Tuldae rm ~ ov & zy - av | 200 000 OG clove 1B G4/Poe Fic. 2.—Dorsal and ventral view of larvae and ventral view of pupa, Ps. domestica, n. sp. (X. 20). The larve attain a length of from 6 to 7 mm. and a breadth of .8 mm., and are slightly flattened. The thoracic segments and the first abdominal have each two distinct annuli, while the next six abdominal segments have each three. Each annulus, with the exception of those of the first.abdominal segment, bears a distinct plate on its dorsal surface. There is some variation in the dorsal plates on the first three abdominal seg- ments, and they are usually much reduced, though, as a rule, each annulus of the second and third segment bears a small INTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 283 ¢, and often the anterior annulus of the first segment also re a plate. The SME cots acarusah te count ne much the larger. The first and usually the second pro- MRA Gist ineicthoracic flates are so cleft from behind he median line as to form two plates placed side by side. side these dorsal plates the body is well armed with very wt bristling hairs and a few long ones. The posterior an- 18 of each abdominal segment bears two pairs of long bris- - thing g hairs on its dorsal and ventral surfaces and one or more sin hairs on its lateral margin. The anterior annulus of | the thoracic segments bears similar hair These hairs are pees 1 upon low papilla and are usually curved rather than fa One or both pairs on the dorsal surface of the a. trior segments may be mounted upon the dorsal plates. ; : larve possess the prothoracic air nipples, as in the other So far as I have been able to determine, these are used for respiration, unless perhaps when the larve leave he water and crawl up the sides of the jar or along on the Straws and weeds which extend above the water. At this time they have only a thin film of water around them and the four _ small projections bearing the cilia which protect the posterior breathing pores are usualy retracted so tht these breathing pores are closed and at such times air may be taken through ___ While feeding and while in the water respiration is carried mn entirely through the posterior, spiracles. It is interesting _ to watch this operation. After the larva has been at the bottom of the jar feeding for a while, a small bubble of gas to form at the tip of the breathing tube. This is ar ontinued until the bubble has reached a considerable size, when the larva stops feeding, lets go all hold, and rises to the sur- _ face much as an zronaut. On reaching the surface the bub- _ ble bursts, the cilia around the spiracles spread out and hold the larva in place until a new supply is drawn into the tracheal system, when the cilia are retracted and the weight of the body of the larva carries it to the bottom of the jar again, where it continues to feed. The fresh air in the tracheal system is 284 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 under considerable pressure, so that the supply is not able to float the larva, but as soon as the pressure is released and the gas collects in a bubble at the tip of the tube, its buoyancy is sufficient to carry the larva to the surface. This operation is repeated every five minutes or so, depending upon the activity of the larva. A test was made to determine the length of time the larve could remain submerged. For this purpose a small quantity of kerosene was poured over the water in a small dish and many of the larve were found to be still active after being deprived of air for a day. PUPA. The pupe are oval in shape and somewhat flattened. They attain a length of 3.5 mm. and a breadth of .8 mm. The thoracic breathing tubes are much shorter than in the other forms, measuring about .25 mm. in length. The abdominal segments are well armed with numerous short, simple and com- pound spines. On the ventral surface the five segments pos- terior to the tip of the wing sheaths each has two rows of these spines. The first row on each segment is near its anterior edge and consists of four compound spines, well separated. The second row is near the posterior edge of the segment and consists of from six to nine small compound spines along the median line, bordered laterally by a single enlarged spine, and this followed laterally by a number of smaller ones. The com- pound spines consist of two or three small sharp spines borne on a low circular papilla. The posterior segment bears on its ventral surface a single strong compound spine, along the lat- eral edge of its slightly expanded base, while the tip is ter- minated by two slightly diverging strong simple spines with a broad emargination between. The arrangement of the spines on the dorsal surface is about the same as on the ventral surface. Each segment has two rows, but the spines of the second row are smaller and more closely set than on the ventral surface. Six of the abdominal segments bear these rows of spines on their dorsal surface, i .)6)hl(l ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 285 the dorsal surface of the last segment near two laterally projecting spines as on the tubes are club-shaped, with a short, much and bear two longitudinal rows of foramina surface. The segmentation of the antenne through their semi-transparent sheath. long, rather acutely rounded at the tip of ; evenly and well clothed with long black hair; about one-half the breadth of wing; anterior ; dense tuft of long black hair on base of costa. one-sixth length of wing nearer tip than posterior; wing. Female wing, length 2.25 mm. to mm. to 100 mm. Male, length, 18 mm. to 1.85 to .7 mm. Length of antenne about one and term! in a very acute claw; inferior genitalia one-jointed, greatly __ expanded at base, but tapers rapidly to tip, which bears a single long, ventral plate yellowish brown; ventral plate broader than long, broad emargination behind reaching half way to base; ovipositor as breadth of plate, much curved; plate and base of ovipositor with short hair. : ‘abitat -—Columbia, Missouri; bred in laboratory from De- 286 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’08 Some Observations at Southern Pines, N. Carolina. By Apram HERBERT MANEg, A. M. Strategus antaeus. In these sand hills, where the long-leaf pines denude the ground of all but their own litter; in these black-jack barrens, where the many spaces bare among the tufts of wiry grass gleam white in vivid harmony with black and yellow; here, where neither stones nor gravel hinder plunge of trowel, there is free field for study, and in the World of the Little the toilers in the soil incite to special interest. My first antaeus, picked up in winter, were charred by ground fires. In summer, ’05, came my first polished males. On the night of July 11, ’06, I took my first females by elec- tric light. That same month we investigated an inch hole by a cart path and dug out a working male. July 26 I took my first pair from between two exposed roots of a large oak. They were pulverizing the surface soil, preparatory to shaft dig- ging. After several such takings of pairs and singles, I came to know the peculiar mound of earth always pulverized to a depth of one to three inches. August 3d I dug beneath an old mound and found an egg. August 9th and 14th several more eggs, and I note as follows: tty Beneath the mound of loosened soil an inch shaft extends vertically for six or eight inches. At bottom of shaft a one- and-a-quarter inch chamber reaches horizontally from one to five inches, and in this chamber, packed with finely broken bits of decadent oak leaves, a solitary egg is deposited. Some- times two or rarely three such chambers diverge from the same shaft, but I believe with never more than one egg in each. A favorite haunt for nesting is by a pile of dead oak leaves wind blown in some hollow, from which I conclude that the young larva feeds on leaf debris and later on decadent oak roots. The newly laid egg is oblong and white, in length fully three- thirty-seconds of an inch. In three or four days the egg swells to globular and is fully one-eighth inch in diameter. June, ’08] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 287 From seven or eight eggs taken August 14th and placed in a jelly tumbler I found on August 25th five larve from five- Cighths to seven-cighths inches. They had eaten eggshells £99 +f antasus (Matunak size) Oy 3s aipere /< +. ) SooGrs hh | i Strategus a” E99 antwus £ Nest Fabr. and some dead oak-leaf debris. The last larva emerged Au- gust 30th—length, five-sixteenths inch ; color, white, with head fuscuous. In September one larva had become cannibal and de- 288. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’o8 voured all the other larvae. (This probably accounts for the eggs being deposited solitarily.) October 12th the cannibal larva, less than two months old, had grown from its abnormal feeding to a length of two inches; color: head blackish, legs and spiracles yellow-brown, body whitish, with blue-black showing through, under side and last three segments blue- black. From August, 1907, three larve from eggs were fed sepa- rately on dead oak leaves and roots, and at four months were only one inch long, so that the two months old two-inch canni- bal specimen was doubtless of abnormal size. It would be in- teresting to rear a larva-fed antaeus grub into pupa or imago and note whether it would become a giant specimen or simply mature more rapidly. Strategus splendens, Beauv. This rare species occurs here with a season at least two months earlier than antaeus. In June and July I find only dead specimens, and a fresh living beetle was dug from my garden January Ist, within a few feet of which I found on the same date an imago which had evidently died just after moulting, as the elytra were abortive. Geotrupes balyt. This species buries not only animal drop- pings, but decadent fruits. I noted it working under spoiled cocoanut and also under refuse watermelon. Dr. L. O. How- ard wrote me that this was a new observation. Sandalus niger.. I have discovered what was, I believe, hitherto unproved, that the reddish male of Sandalus is a fixed variety of niger. Dr. Howard writes me that Dr. Horn, in his synopsis of the genus, suspected this relationship. He wrote also that my dates are interesting, as in the vicinity of Wash- ington, D. C., where S. niger is rare, the mating season is not later than August. I note as follows: “In November, 1904, took two or three living females on dead black-jack oak. In November, 1905, found a few females, and Mr. R. S. Woglum, acting State Entomologist, took one red male, the first found here. In November, 1906, we took twenty females, three black males and two red males. I then suspected that the red males were niger, as we found no red females to correspond. In November, 1907, we took forty - hy 4 § (=) Pe” on 7 . an lu y* ___ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 289 oe , eve one a black-brown niger; four black males and a 1 red males. Two of the black males were in sexual contac and in several instances a red male, sometimes two, attached to a miger female. On warm sunny days the red ales. tre flying. It was exciting to draw one down by a wave he net when it would descend on an incline and strike the round like a pebble. If we simply allowed it to reach an oak “most sure Se ee med erate near. .. The n here for niger is October 26th to December 1. On th Sits Tesh WMlale in the act of ovipositing. The ‘is pure white, cylindrical, convex at each end, more than + vice as long as wide and so minute (one-forty-fifth of an inch ree th) that five lengths would not equal the diameter of the rae ‘of S. antaeus.* The eggs are irregularly clustered in a en tk of bark or wood or on under side of loose bark of a dead bi th or trunk of black-jack oak and are attached by silken E gtThe female imago is a full inch in length, entirely nude of Efe, with the nine outer segments of antennz in short lamine imer to the thickened tip. The male is from 11-16 to «ager in length; pubescent beneath and above espe- rs ly on face; thorax and base of elytra, and with the nine ee 6 em neers: Me E T. Carsson, the distinguished Hymenopterist and treasurer - of the American Entomological Society, has been in charge of the pub- of the Society since 1861, a record of 47 years’ unselfish service interest of entomology. es J. Quayte, assistant professor of Entomology in the University will be located at the Southern California Pathological Laboratory, Whittier, Cal., after July first. 7... 3rd, 1907, I took a perfectly fresh specimen of Calli- _ @ryas agarithe 4, at Beach Haven, New Jersey; it was found in com- pany with large numbers of eubule, of which I took twenty-one males , ‘Sed nine feorales. Is this not a new record for New Jersev? The was in such perfect condition that it seems impossible that it have flown up from the South —W. G. Frreocey, Jr that 200 eggs of S. ager would equal is SS cus <8g of S. antacus, but antacus imago is very heavy and niger imago very i The egg of Dynastes tityrus is also small, one-half the diameter that of antacus. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit and will thankfully receive 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 bibliographers.] 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 recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put ‘‘ copy ”’ into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, 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 number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep. PHILADELPHIA, PA., JUNE, 1908. We have touched on this subject before, but would again like to remind our readers that we are not egotistical. TG: those who so kindly write articles for the NEws we wish to say that the editors of this journal are the most learned people in the world, and in addition to that are mind readers. Also, time hangs heavy on our hands as we have nothing to do. Don’t take the trouble to number the pages of your Ms. as we can do it better. Write botanical names and names of places any old way. We know all the botanical names and have be- come familiar with all localities, having lived in each one. When you give measurements of insects, especially new species, you need not write the figures plainly, as knowing everything we can readily decipher them. The names of all new and proposed species are known to us in advance, and knowing them yourself it is not necessary to be particular about how you write them. When writing us you need not be particular about your name and address, as we can read any- thing. If errors occur just blame us and the printer. The printer, by the way, is a wonder. He reads Russian, Chinese and Sanscrit with greater facility than he does English. The collecting season has begun, so we may be able to forget the editorial department for a time. P. S—Don’t forget to mix up exchange notices and other matter for the News with personal matter to the Editors. . 290 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 291 _ Entomological Literature. upres in Noxrn Amesicaw Memaractom. By Edward P. Van Duzee. "This paper was published in the Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences Vol. ix, pp. 29-129, issued April 18th, 1908 The author the results of a systematic study of all the membracids collection and of material obtained from correspondents. tables of the subfamilies, genera and species are given, and o figures of many species. At the end of the paper is a list includes all the species known to exist north of the Southern ET I part 5. gives an account of the meetings with notes and exhibitions, and the address of the President and a paper by G. W. entitled “A List of the Described Hemiptera (excluding and Coccidee) of the Hawaiian Islands.” . eee amanad or THE TexeemonrD Susrammy Comontia By _ Thomas L. Casey. Proceeedings of the Washington Academy of z te Sciences; Vol. x, pp. 51-166. "Phe Tenebrionid genera, Eusattus, Comiontis, Coclus, Branchus and | and others, are considered, and new genera and many new are described in this paper. ul 7 or Jesurr Narurauisrs. ee) A. Hillig, S. J., has compiled and published a pamphlet of 4 pages under this title in No. 4 of Vol. II. of St. John’s College j » St. John’s University, Toledo, Ohio, April, 1908 The : somes (arranged alphabetically), addresses, specialties in natural em eee ence Sagtere of the Society of Jesus Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. Tue Eccs or Insecrs or rae Laxes or Cuarco anv Texcoco, in THE or Mexico Crry anp tHe Formation or Oourrus.—M. L. _ Cayeux has a brief article on this subject in a publication not likely to * be consulted by many entomologists—the recently issued Compte Rendu of the roth Session of the International Geological Congress, held in var tall 292 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [June, ’08 Mexico City in September, 1906, and published in that place under date of 1907, received in Philadelphia in March, 1908. M. Cayeux discusses (in French, pp. 1223-1227), first, the geological portion of a communi- cation of Virlet d’Aoust “on the eggs of insects serving as food for man and giving rise to the formation of ooliths in the lacustrine limestones of Mexico” (Compte Rendus, Acad. Sci. Paris, vol. 45, p. 865, 1857). Then, on the basis of material furnished him by the Mexican Geological Survey he concludes: It is undoubted that the egg of an insect, entire or broken, is a centre of concentration for the limestone of the lacustrine sediment and that it determines the forma- tion of innumerable small, iregular nuclei, but in truth it does not form an oolith properly so called in the Mexican lakes. The globules which result from the molecular concentration of carbonate of lime around the eggs have the morphological characters of ooliths. They possess, when they are complete, a central voluminous nucleus, in which are to be found all the elements of the lacustrine sediment, and a non-differen- tiated thin and irregular cortical zone. In white light, one never discerns concentric or radiate structure; in polarized light, the ex- tremities of a well-marked black cross are often observed. As they are to-day, these globules constitute a new and highly interesting cate- gory of false ooliths, that is corpuscles which to the naked eye are not to be distinguished from true ooliths and which arise—according to the sedimentation—either by partial crystallization of a limestone sediment or by concentration of carbonate of lime around foreign bodies. The false ooliths in process of formation in the neighbor- hood of Mexico City are essentially different from ooliths with con- centric structure so widespread in the primary and secondary rocks. However, the lacustrine and brackish water deposits of the tertiary may contain some elements of the same origin. The microscopic study of this terrain is too little advanced to affirm that this category of pseudo-ooliths is not represented there. _ [Neither M. Cayeux nor M. Virlet d’Aoust mention the species of insect concerned. Perhaps the eggs are those of Corixa referred to in many text books of entomology. | ANNOUNCEMENT.—The Lake Laboratory, maintained by the Ohio State University, announces the usual program for the coming sum- mer, including courses in General Zoology and Botany, Entomology, Ornithology, Experimental Zoology, Comparative Anatomy, Ecology, Embryology, Invertebrate Morphology and Ichthyology also oppor- tunities for research work and accommodations for investigators as in previous years. The staff will include, besides the Director, Pro- fessor E. L. Rice, of Ohio Wesleyan University; Professor Lynds Jones, of Oberlin; Professor Charles Brookover, of Buchtel College; ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 293 or M. E. Stickney, of Denison University, and W. B. Herms, Fe in Zoology at Harvard University. ies offered are especially good in Entomology, and attention is given to the aquatic life of the locality. Oppor- es for research work in this line are very favorable. Independ- yestigators are given the use of tables free of charge, but are ted to tir own microstopes and other apparatus. The y is nt one for summer work, the laboratory being | on the point separating Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie, with ntag a fine beach. or detailed information, letters may be addressed to , Professor Herbert Osborn, Ohio State University, Co- ao rid a us, Ohio. THose interested in exotic Rhopalocera the following note may be erest: On the 19th of December, 1903, I took a fine male of rp pegasus at Garoet, Java, which locality is nearly one ind miles west of the western limit for species of the “priamus” . specimen was taken in a narrow native trail through the Papandajan, an active volcano less than ten £ 4 1H 5 F it ! ! will rock him, don't you cry! you are hungry, my little sweet, drink, and so little to cat, are tough, and their blood is thin, city folks soon will be rolling in— piie z i 3 g you'll be ready to buzz and fly. dear little bill, will teach you to bite, she will! think we are slow and dumb, not afraid of petroleum! Hush, little buzzer, go by. —From Chicago American. ' 294 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. A HAPPY FAMILY OF BUGOLOGISTS. | June, ’o8 To rHe CHIEF of THE BurEAU of Enromotocy, Docror L. O. Howarp. WirH THE CoNnsEeNT OF Dr. Dyar. In 1878 when first we started the long strife ‘ Against the tribe of bugs, against their life, We kept the war up hot and bitter, To exterminate the nasty critter, Who claimed the world to be his own; ‘In every land in every zone. At last, we found, we were too few, To cope with this audacious crew, But at this stage! we did expand, Our progeny now claims the land! We raised a family large and bold, Which, with firm grip, and a fair hold, Fights all our battles without fear, Against all bugs though far or near, We may, therefore, be justly proud! Of such a bright and brilliant crowd. Since then, some bright lights passed away, While others went off, far astray, To spread our doctrine here and there Without a favor or a fear! We have become a mighty tribe, In woods, in barrens, and-waste land! Wherever we may be on hand. We kill the lice, we kill the bugs, But are quite careful of the frogs, Who always prove a friend in need When bugs are plentiful for feed. We trap the skeeter in his lair, When the sky is clear and fair, Because we know he has a chink Which we detect just in a wink. It’s well, therefore, our offspring grow To give fraternity a show. Times are so hard, these days of zest! It’s well to take a little rest, To gather lots of pent up steam, * To bottle up another scheme But! since it is now rather late, And while the balance points at fate, It’s time for all to go to rest To stand the strains of coming test. We therefore humbly do resign! To efforts of the laws sublime. THEODORE PERGANDE. Washington, D. C. a ~ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS ZEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION | ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. — JULY, 1908. No. 7. tie CONTENTS: Busck—Descriptions of two new Gele- Goeevcccescceces ™S chidac from pa mae ager oncesg 316 eeeeeetseeeseee Dee Schacfier — New ‘oleoptera, ~ on yal — Histeridac.... 318 Patch —C normani Grote ... 321 BEG). cccrcccccce pI Cockereil- Base of the genus Nomada, belonging to the group of N. « se asdtdashdans $i | Paxson—Numerical Distribution of > EMSREED .. . ccodsccuccvetercacens gical Literature ........----- 339 eeececcceesececcoces ms) | ONotes ROWS. 0s cencdassasecovanaenn ae Doings of Societios .........0+.cecee* Me Noon te Lie Hy of Noa gs Ge ag By W. R. Watton, Harrisburg, Pa. ad ? (Plate XID ° Early i in the spring of 1907 the writer discovered evidences "of the larva of a lepidopterous insect boring i in the stalks of the common cat-tail rush (Typha) at Harrisburg, Pa. After a _ diligent search, a dead larva, much discolored, was secured and also the remains of a pupa shell which was within the bur- _ row of the insect; these burrows were considerably more than 4 a quarter of an inch in diameter and extended from 8 to 14 finches above the surface of the ground, leaving in most in- 4 __ stances only a thin wall of tissue to support the stalk of the As the weather for some weeks after this was unusually cold and stormy, no further observations were attempted until June toth, when a search was instituted in hope of securing _ the larva above mentioned. We were soon rewarded in finding _ it in several stages of growth within the stem of the plant. From all appearances the larva feeds for a time on the sheath of the stem, as the smaller ones were doing at this time. As _ it increases in size it bores directly into the succulent central _ shoot, where it afterward remains until emerging as a mature 295 296 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 On the date above mentioned the smallest larvae found meas- ured less thap’one-half an inch in length, while the largest were fully an inch long. Several of the larvae were kept under observation until nearly full fed, when they were removed to a cage and soon after pupated, the first pupa appearing on July 6th, the adult of which emerged July 18th, in the evening. By July 21st nearly all the larvae to be found in nature had finished pupating, but two full fed larvae were secured on that date. The last larva in captivity pupated on July 28th and emerged on August 17th. The pupal period in this locality seems therefore to vary from 12 to 20 days, most of the moths however appeared in from 18 to 20 days after pupation oc- curred. In all, some seventeen adults were reared. The moth was identified by Dr. H. G. Dyar as Nonagria permagna Grote, but as Dr. J. B. Smith has shown Grote’s permagna and oblonga to be synonymous* we assume that oblonga takes precedence. The life history of this moth has been given by Prof. Kelli- cott in Bull. Buffalo Society of Nat. Sci., Vol. 5, p. 40, 1885, under the name of subcarnea; this Dr. Smith has also shown to be a synonym of oblonga Grote. } Dr. W. J. Holland, in the “Moth Book” (my copy bears the imprint of the year 1905 on the title page), says “This is a southern species thus far only recorded from Florida,” which is certainly an oversight, as Smith records the species from New York, New Jersey, Maine, Illinois and California. The larva of the moth is quite two inches in length when mature and of a pale yellowish color with flesh-colored stripes ; it is bare save for a few bristles upon the back and sides. The pupa is a bright chestnut color when new, but grows much darker as the time of emergence approaches. The moths of tha genus® Nonagria are peculiar in that they possess a clypeal spine, which is used by them in penetrating the thin covering left by the larva to conceal the mouth of the tunnel. The pupae show the development of this spine very plainly, as may be seen in the illustration. A side view of the head of the female moth is also shown which is redrawn from Smith. *Proceedings Ent. Soc. Washington, Vol. V, No. 4, p. 315. Owe. _ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 297 a been tunable to find any record of the insect having tn taken in Pennsylvania before, although Dr. Smith records ron several neighboring states and says “It is quite prob- that the species will be found throughout the United States rever the food plant (Typha) occurs.” ¢ situation in which the larvae were found consists of a RSG cenad by the seroovel of clay foc ie of a brickyard in operation nearby. These pools are bor- d with the cat-tail rushes upon which the caterpillars sub- rie race peaches continns ce somadaal § than one acre in extent, but I am given to understand that a recerecs coteee= = over twenty renee above sea level is almost precisely 400 feet, as n by the city engineer's levels. ly not more than a single adult larva is found in a { stalk but in a few instances more were found; in one instance Bon healthy pupae were found in one stem. The plants in ' vhick the insects mature do not bear any fruit, as the injury d is a most serious one, the central shoot dies and turns and the infested plants can be singled out quite readily ‘sign toward the approach of the time of pupation. 75 per cent. of the plants in the marsh seemed to be infested, but some animal seems to have a special fondness for othe fat pupa, as more often than otherwise it had been extracted thr a hole broken in the side of the stem. In some cases this seemed to be the work of a rodent, judging from the drop- F that were found about such places. Observations lead me to believe that this species does not feed below the water line in its burrows. In cases where the water had receded from the [ - base of the plant, the larva invariably descended to the very _ crown. But I was unable to discover a single case in which _ the insect went below the water line where water was actually a » et ues _ The moth is apparently not much attracted to light, as _ was shown by the fact that although collections were made _ almost nightly at a light not more than 100 yards from where ' the moths were emerging, not a single specimen was taken in 298 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 : a W y this manner. Prof. Smith, however, records at least one in- © stance in which it was taken at light. The moth resembles the color of the dead rushes so closely that it was unnoticed even in breeding jars for some time, and when sitting with the wings closed it resembles a swelling on the stem quite closely. During the rearing of the above-mentioned species, two spe- cies of Diptera were bred from its habitations that seem to bear a definite relation to its life-history; one, a Tachinid, was reared from the larva of the insect. This fly is figured herewith and Mr. C. H. T. Townsend, who examined it through the kindness of Dr. Howard, deter- mined it to be a species of Ceromasia (Masicera).* The fly was bred from two separate groups of larvae taken at an in- terval of a week or so apart, one lot emerging on July 20th and the other on the 26th. Another fly which was reared from the tunnels in large numbers and which was found to inhabit the majority of abandoned burrows, is the Ortalid fly Chaetopsis — aenia (Wied.), which is also the Ortalis trifasciata described in Say’s complete works. Dr. Howard states that he has reared the fly from corn- stalks; it has also been reared from sugar cane, and there is one instance on record in which it is supposed to have caused considerable injury to growing oats. However, I found no evidence to show that the fly fed on any but stalks that had been previously attacked by other insects. I notice two varie- ties of C. aenia bred from the same stems of Typha, both of which are spoken of by Loew in his “Monographs.” One of them has the legs entirely yellow, while the other has a con- siderable amount of black upon the femora. They seem to be very generally infested with small mites which are especially numerous on the head of the fly and which remain on the same even when dried in the cabinet. I have noticed specimens of Muscina stabulans similarly infested and have recently taken a very small Phorid that was literally alive with equally minute mites. * The species seems to agree in every way with Coquillett’s descrip- tion of Masicera myoidaea (Desv.), which has been reared from the larva of Hydroecia nitela, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 299 r _ DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIL* _ Nonagria oblonga (female), enlarged 2 diameters. , ‘Pupa of same (female), enlarged 2 diameters. Larva of same (female), enlarged 2 diameters. Side view of head of female moth. Redrawn from Smith. -eromasia sP., 4% diameters. Chactopsis aenia, rged 4% diameters. Dorsal view of abdominal segment of larva. | A new Mellinus. 7 By Harry S. Sain, Lincoln, Nebraska. weeks ago while working up the Nebraska species of imus contained in the University collection, the writer came a specimen from Indiana which appeared to be un- ‘ibed. Knowing that the collection of the American En- mole society was practically complete in this group, the i len was sent to Mr. H. L. Viereck for comparison, who ed that it represented a species distinct from any in the e } mentioned collection, where to his knowledge were all wr from America north of Mexico excepting 0b- rit t Hlandlirsch, a description of which he very kindly, sent The species i is characterized as follows: a? in. sp. about 9 mm. Head short, transverse; cheeks, occiput, x and front with punctures extremely minute, and so close to- "1 ras to appear granulate, rather dull; distance between posterior | li _ tightly greater than that between them and the inner eye i jargins; face and clypeus finely punctured, the latter with the anterior ‘ z ‘margin ‘sinuate on each side of the median produced lobe, which is equal to slightly more than one-fourth of the width of the entire and squarely truncate; clypeusewith about a dozen rather long } on its disk, the produced lobe fringed with hairs anteriorly; portion of front showing short golden pubescence when viewed at the proper angle. Propleura punctatostriate, collar rounded at the Mesonotum finely and closely punctured; a rather strong carina the insertion of the anterior wings above; scutellum and De tecenetiom finely punctured, each with a rather large pit or fovea at each side; mesopleura and mesonotum finely and closely punctured mesonotum; episternal groove strongly impressed and foveolated the entire length. Enclosed basal portion of metanotum U-shaped as in some species of Alyson, closely and finely punctured and somewhat peice: metapleura punctured as mesopleura or more sparsely so; * Enlargement indicated is for a “reduction to 4% inches in diameter. Zl: ‘pom + . > > 9 f © 300 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. (July, "oF posterior portion of metathorax somewhat roughened. Alaa smooth, almost impunctate excepting apically and ventrally, where rather strong punctures are to be found, but the disks of these segments are practically impunctate; last ventral segment with a longitudinal keel or carina; dorsal surface of pygidium with large coarse punctures, the intervening spaces with minute ones. Coloration: Ground color of insect black, the following areas deep yellow: Mandibles except tips, clypeus, face below and _ between antenne, inner orbits rather widely up to level of anterior ocellus, scape and pedicellum beneath (flagellum missing), collar above pos- terior portion of tubercles, part of tegule, a median spot on scutellum and postscutellum, a large ovate spot on each side of the third abdom- inal segment, a small lateral spot on four, a rather wide band on five narrowed laterally. The legs are colored as follows: Anterior coxe, trochanters, femora and tibie in front, and tarsi, yellow; intermediate coxze and trochanters with a yellow dot, femora and tibie in front, yellow, tarsi rather darker; hind legs entirely brownish. Wings hyaline, iridescent, nervures dark brown. Type—A female taken at*Beaver, Indiana on August 17, 1894. I take pleasure in dedicating this species to Prof. Robt. H. Wolcott, M.D., collector and donor of the specimen, who has added many valuable insects to the University collection. The second abdominal segment has two or three tiny yellow spots showing through. Other specimens of the species are quite likely to have these spots more strongly developed, or en- tirely absent. In order that students may have no difficulty in placing this species, the following modification of the latter portion of Fox’s synopsis (Entomological News, V, p. 201, 1894) is submitted. 4. Clypeus, except fore margin in male, metathorax, petiole and second abdominal segment, without yellow markings; third abdomi- nal segment with a yellow mark on each side ; in the male the scape and first two joints of the flagellum beneath, yellow. bimaculatus. Clypeus entirely yellow (male unknown)..........4... ‘. 5. Two marks on basal portion of metathorax, basal half of first abdomi- nal segment and maculations on second and third segments of abdomen, yellow (remaining segments without yellow) alpestris. Metathorax and first abdominal segment without yellow maculations ; segment four with a small lateral yellow spot, segment five with a continuous laterally narrowed band... ... wol cotti ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWs. 301 ¢ related American species of Aeshna (Odonata). By E. B. WILLIAMson. (Continued from page 264) ‘multicolor Hagen. i eer to repeat déscriptions and bibliographical (see Calvert, Biol. Cent. Amer., Neur., p. 183). The SE is apecies is frcen Panama through the Mexican high- = the Southern United States (headwaters of the Rio “and Pecos), and along the Pacific coast from Lower ornia to Victoria and Kootenay, British Columbia. Mr. haw has kindly sent me photographs of five specimens multicolor in the Hagen collection. As I surmised - fro ’ ies venation and as Professor Walker has recently ; ainly determined, two specimens, one from the Upper Mis- souri and one from the Yellowstone, represent two other aa s than multicolor. A male from Toluca, Mexico, collected _ by Dr. Calvert is here referred to multicolor. The T-spot on the frons is slightly wider, the first lateral thoracic stripe is som narrower, the thorax is less robust, and the inferior pend is shorter (not reaching the apex of the dorsal carina of the superiors) than in typical multicolor. The dorsal thor- I ides the colee of abdomen, so far as can be definitely _ determined, and the superior appendages are typical multicolor. £ As to the habits of multicolor little has been published. Mr. _ Currie (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., Vol. V, 1903, pages 299 and goo) has described the conditions at Williams and Winslow a eer wes taken. From the coloration and robust a one might infer that multicolor is a sun-loving species, ' wing during the hottest part of the day, and frequenting still bodies of water (ponds or marshes). Aeshna mautata Hagen. Since its description (Neur. N. Amer. p. 124) by Hagen, no _ further attempt was made to identify this species until it was _ placed as a synonym under multicolor by Calvert in Biol. Cent. . Amer. Neur., p. 183. Mr. Henshaw kindly sent me a photo- graph of the type (an imperfect female) which I identified as 402 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, °o8 the same as the species I had taken at Bluffton, Indiana. Later Professor Walker compared an Indiana female with the type (which has only North America for locality) and pronounced them identical. At an earlier date Professor Walker had sent me two é and one Q, all teneral, of the species from Wilbra- ham, Mass., taken June 5, 1902. My specimens were taken at Bluffton from June 23 to July 13, 1907, 22 6,1 Q, all adult. Color in life @.—Pale markings throughout, and eyes and face pale blue; rear of eyes shining black. Dorsal thoracic stripes 4 mm. long, I mm. wide at narrowest point, widened above and below, nearly meeting at the mid-dorsal line at the antealar sinus. Lateral stripes undivided, the first 1 mm. wide below, wider and diffuse above, the upper extremity about 3 mm. wide; second stripe about 1 mm. wide, the anterior (upper) edge nearly straight, the posterior (lower) edge less regular, the extreme upper end of the stripe wider. Abdomen :* LATERAL DORSAL ANTERIOR POSTERIOR SEGMENT 3 AESHNA MUTATA G Segment 1 brown, a dorsal apical spot and sides below apically, blue; segment 2 blue, above basally, as far as the transverse carina, brown continuous with the brown on 1, a dorsal blue streak through this brown, a transverse brown stripe posterior to the transverse carina and at the apex of the segment; the lower surface of the auricles and a longitudinal streak posterior to them, brown; segment 3 anterior to carina blue (A)+ with a dorsal longitudinal brown stripe (1)t con- * With post mortem changes the color pattern is often confused or entirely obliterated. So far as my material goes the greatest changes take place in the basal portion of the segments anterior to the trans- verse carina. In some segments where coloration posterior to the transverse carina is fairly well preserved, anterior to it all trace of color pattern has disappeared in a uniform dull brown. +These letters and numerals apply to corresponding letters and numerals in the figures representing color pattern of segments 3 and 6. _ BNTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 303 posterior to the transverse own (3), with a blue ring interrupted dorsally (2), just Ad carina (B and C), and a wide blue ring (D) interrupted iy (), just anterior to the apical brown ring (5) of the seg- nt, | t 4 similar, brown stripe on dorsum anterior to transverse a, ies. but not quite reaching base of segment, the wide it i ring near apex of segment (D) reduced in extent; net STUEE ates 1 still wider, 3 longer, 2 and 4 widening and B D reduced and appearing as spots, rather than interrupted rings; gr 7 B and C are isolated (A and C together are the “lateral fided basal spot” and D is the “apical spot” of Hagen); in segment B is reduced to two minute spots, C is greatly reduced and A has dis- Pee: red; in segment 9 only D remains; in segment 10 variable faint _ all yellowish spots represent D. B..' -@—Mouth parts bluish, labium olive green, anteclypeus plumbeous; above anteclypeus, green obscured with brown, a distinct narrow brown stripe on lower edge of frons in front; frons above dull bluish black T-spot, which, with its continuation in front of the eyes, is i y margined with yellowish; eyes dark greenish-brown, paler welow, a distinct narrow posterior green border widening and fading it below ; rear of eyes shining black. Thorax with dorsal stripes ided cach into a Superior and inferior small green spot (described rom a single specimen and probably not constant—there is great i Variation in color pattern of female Acshna of the same species) ; two lateral stripes green, above yellowish; spots between wings green. _ Abdomen similar to male, but marked with green,—on first three or ee four segments the green margined with yellowish, on the posterior seg- _—s ments the green is obscured and drabbish. On segment 3 pale areas C and D are continuous laterally, and dark area is wider and darker. bh] Segments 4-7 the dark areas 1 and 3 are on cither side reddish _ brown near their centers, shading out to black at the margins; an ex- ee ne cm 8 i pale dul brown: appendages brown. In Wells County, Indiana, are few remnants of the old a swamps which fifty years ago made the chills and ague of this _ country a constant menace to the early settlers and a perennial | _— joke for those too wise to invade such an inhospitable wilder- ness. One of these swamps lies southeast of Bluffton, on land owned by three farmers. Two of the farmers are brothers named Vanemon, and the swamp may conveniently be known as the Vanemon Swamp. It is about three miles south of the Wabash River and is completely surrounded by woodland, its very existence being known to but few persons. At some . o- wa i. ry was > 304 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 distance from the swamp the woodland is typical hickory- oak growth. Immediately about the swamp are black ash, elm, pin-oak, red maple and a few sycamores. Willows and button bush fringe the swamp at several points. In the swamp itself Sparganium eurycarpum is most conspicuous. At one side is a large area of Iris versicolor and Carices abound along the eastern side. There are several areas of cat-tails and spatter dock (Nymphaea advena), the latter of which is noticeably increasing its territory. Duckweed (Spirodela) is abundant with other floating and submerged vegetation, and in spring the beautiful leaves of the yellow water crowfoot (Ranunculus delphinifolus) show splendidly through the clear water. A few years ago Scirpus fluviatilis appeared in the swamp and it has now increased to a considerable area. Associated with it is the rice grass, Homalocenchrus oryzoides. No other station for Scirpus fluviatilis is known for Wells County and a violet, Viola conspersa, growing near at hand in the low wood- land, is known nowhere else in this county. Along the low area which drains the swamp during its brief period of over- flow, Caltha palustris, a rare plant here, occurs sparingly. In early spring dainty crustaceans (Branchipus vernalis) in half invisible schools pulsate their aimless ways. The cray- fish (Cambarus acutus), lives in the swamp and Cambarus argillicola burrows in the immediately adjacent woodland. Spotted water snakes drop from the button bushes, the shores are alive with spotted frogs and tree toads (Hyla versicolor) may be gathered like inanimate objects from an old board fence or from the spatterdock leaves. Formerly, painted turtles and snapping turtles lived in the swamp but I have seen neither for a year or two. There are no fish and but few salamand- ers (Amblystoma) in the swamp. Red-winged blackbirds and green herons nest at the swamp. There is one muskrat house, and raccoons are frequent visitors. The waters teem with varied insect life. The number of species of dragonflies observed is not large but individuals of certain species are legion. This and one other swamp in Wells County are the only known stations in the state for Sympetrum ~~ “ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 305 a species which has not been taken at the Vanemon since 1902, though it has been looked for carefully each It is possible the deepening of the outlet and the con- drying up of the marsh in summer may have caused pe dare though the other swamp where S. albifrons has been more modified in recent years than the Vane- m an Swamp and during 1907 the capture of a single male there _ Shor sd the species had not entirely disappeared from the io. - . I collected first about the Vanemon Swamp in 1900. EE Sia ue tb Shao Raallegmas were ever observed The first visit to the swamp in 1907 was on June 16. Gang swamp was reached only late in the afternoon after a Pe day spent along the Wabash River. To my surprise a number of Enallagmas were seen. As many of these as possible were _ taken and later examination showed 43 ¢ and 15 @ of Enal- lagma calverti and 2 @ of Enallagma cyathigerum. Again on the afternoon of June 18, 34 @ and 10 @ of E. calverti and a * pee E. cyathigerum were collected. On another date Enal- _ lagma aspersum was plainly seen but not taken. E. cyathigerum | ick not before been reported for Indiana and E. calverti is en - only from Lake Maxinkuckee. Repeated visits to sev- eral swamps and old gravel pits failed to locate any other _ colonies of E. calverti or cyathigerum. Libellula quadrimacu- ___ fata, hitherto never seen about the Vanemon Swamp, was abun- dant in 1907, and a single @ of Libellula vibrans, a new in- habitant, was also taken. ~ On both afternoons, when collecting Enallagmas, I saw for a minute an Aeshna which flew leisurely once about the marsh and disappeared in the tree-tops. As it flew towards me, even at some distance, I saw by the brilliant blue of the eyes that it was a species entirely unknown to me. On June 23, I was at the swamp early in the morning. As soon as I arrived I noticed Aeshnas flying low over the marsh. A small patch of spatter-dock in open water was repeatedly visited, the Aeshnas flying slowly in and out, with much stationary fluttering among the leaf stems. Two males were soon captured and no others made their appearance. Eight subsequent visits were made to x au ze yl 306 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 the swamp up to July 13 after which date no individuals were seen. On bright mornings when the eastern sky was un- obscured they were hunting low over the western side of the marsh at 4.45 o’clock. One cloudy morning they did not ap- pear at all. After 9 or 10 o'clock their visits to the marsh were rare and they were more wary, leaving the marsh when any effort was made to approach them and flying directly to or above the tree tops. When searching for food early in the morning they are less wary than I have ever seen Aeshna con- stricta which frequents the same marsh in autumn, and which is most actively on the wing in bright weather from 10 A. M. to 2 P. M. Aeshna mutata spends most of the day after 9 or 1o A. M. either resting in the trees or flying about over the tree-tops, very probably the latter. As is usual in the genus the night is spent clinging to the tree trunks or larger limbs at some elevation. At an undrained button-bush swamp five miles north of Bluf- fton, two males of Aeshna mutata were seen and captured on June 30. Several Libellula vibrans were flying at this swamp but no Libellula quadrimaculata were seen. At a swamp four miles north of Bluffton which much resembles the Vanemon Swamp, and where Sympetrum albifrons has been taken, on June 30 Libellula quadrimaculata was so abundant that 43 specimens were caught in possibly half an hour, though they are not easily captured. At this swamp also in autumn, as at the Vanemon Swamp, Aeshna constricta is not rare. But Aeshna mutata was not taken at this swamp which in general resembles the Vanemon Swamp much more than does the but- ton-bush swamp. Of these three swamps I have collected at the Vanemon Swamp most and I am reasonably sure that Aeshna mutata has not hitherto frequented this swamp since 1g00. As to the appearance here for the first time in 1907 of the three species of Enallagma (cyathigerum, calverti and aspersum) and two species of Libellula (quadrimaculata and vibrans) I am even more convinced than in the case of Aeshna mutata. 2 47 mm. sal J thoracic stripes about 3 mm. long, less than 1 mm. wide and rowed at cither end. First lateral stripe less than 1 mm. wide, of ee eevee ant of ite pattern, not diffuse. Second fal stripe similar to first, but slightly wider above on the upper terior) side, the lower (posterior) edge nearly straight. In the ale the lateral stripes are slightly wider than in the male. Ab- nen variable, but blue areas greatly reduced. In no case jo tl t areas B seem to be joined with pale areas C as on seg- nts 4-6 in mutata. In four males collected by Dr. Calvert there is no ace of the apical pale spot, D, on segments 4-10. In a male collected by Mr, Godman [and in 1 4 collected by me at Jalapa, but not seen = ipa _Williamson—P. P. C.] these spots are present but obscure dr In Dr. Calvert's four specimens segments 8-10 are entirely = ¢ excepting pale narrow apical articulations on 8 and 9 epee “amp h the kindness of Dr. Calvert I have studied four es collected by himself and one male and one female col- ed by Mr. F. D. Godman, all at Jalapa, Mexico. The types are one male in Dr. Calvert's collection, taken by lf, and the female in Mr. Godman’s collection. The ele- vation of Jalapa is 4315 feet. Dr. Calvert writes that his speci- jens were taken along a small river which flows through the hyd m, above a dam near a mill, where the current was slow, d between 10 A. M. and noon of a sunny September day, F 4 706. It is not impossible that multicolor may be found in i¢ vicinity of Jalapa, as I have found the two species which : at hav t been associated under the name constricta at Bluffton, in one case flying within 100 feet of each other, but each plainly oy its own habitat. ‘In the preparation of this paper I am under obligations to . Calvert who has kindly loaned me several specimens of = maiticoor, from a wide range of localities, and the five males _ and one female of jalapensis which I have seen. To him I am > ho indebted for invaluable advice and criticism. Professor Walker kindly compared material with specimens at the M. C. Z. and loaned me two males and one female of mutata which Professor Needham had sent him for study. Mr. Henshaw furnished me with some details regarding Hagen’s type of 308 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 mutata and sent me photographs of specimens in the Hagen collection. There may be some difference of opinion as to the status of the three forms here considered, and the question may arise as to whether they should be regarded as three species, or as two species and one sub-species or as one species and two sub- species. Among the dragonflies of North America at least there does not seem to be that geographical isolation to which is attributed the minor differences designated especially by or- nithologists by trinomials* and I am unable to consider any of these three forms of dragonflies as having the same status as such sub-species. Moreover the custom of a becoming modesty in describing a form as a mere variety or sub-species of some earlier described form seems to place an unnecessary burden on and give a certain unwieldiness to nomenclature. The author’s text, rather than the name proposed, should be relied on to give his ideas as to the characters, relations and distribution of the form described, though it must be admitted that in many cases the differences designated by a name are so slight that a single name expresses about all the real in- formation the author seems to possess. At the present time tri- nomials are variously employed in different groups and by different authors in the same group. The use of binomials for all definable forms will obviate the perpetuation in nomenclature of haphazard guesses as to relationship within the genus. [As I collected most of the material which Mr. Williamson has here described as Ae. jalapensis, n. sp., I may be permitted to state that my Jalapa material is similar to that collected by Mr. Godman at the same locality and listed as Ae. multicolor in my work on Mexi- can and Central American Odonata (Biol. Cent.-Amer. Neur., p. 184, June, 1905), and with which I compared it when writing page 400 of the supplement to the same work; that jalapensis corresponds approxi- mately to the “males from Amula and Jalapa” mentioned as having narrow pale stripes on the sides of the thorax and smaller pale spots on the abdomen (I. c., pp. 183, 400), which I did not consider worthy of a separate name; that I am not yet convinced of their subspecific rights, much less their specific rank; and that Mr. Williamson and I disagree as to the recognition of subspecies by trinomials or a similar device of nomenclature. It is the old question between the “splitter” and the “lumper.”—P. P. CAtvert.] *It must not be overlooked that North American dragonflies have not yet been as carefully collected and studied as many other groups. My statement here is merely in accord with our present knowledge. ity that Fitch's “circular bark-louse” Aspidiotus SE states tc nn. cee m’s scale (Aspidiotus ancylus Putn.) has been suggested . 326 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 numerous; VI, 6, several; VI, 9, one; VI, 10, two; VI, 14, several; VI, 15, two; VI, 16, one; VI, 17, do.; VI, 18, do.; VI, 21, two, male and female, cop.; VI, 22, one; VI, 28, two; VII, 5, one; VII, 17, do. Cicindela punctulata——VI, 25, one; VI, 27, do.; VI, 28, several; VII, 3, do.; VII, 4, numerous; VII, 5, do.; VII, 6, several; VII, 7, do.; VII, 12, numerous; VII, 14, several; VII, 15, numer- ous; VII, 197j)@0.; VII, 24, do.; VII, 27, dei evitee several; VIII, 8, do.; VIII, 10, do.; VIII, 11, three; VIII, 14, do.; VIII, 17, several; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 21, do.; VIII, 23, one; VIII, 26, three; VIII, 31, several; IX, 1, numerous; IX, 3, several, male and female, cop.; IX, 7, one; IX, 12, several; IX, 23, do.; IX, 26, numerous. Crioceris asparagi.—V, 15, numerous, male and female; VI, 10, sev- eral; VI, 13, two; VI, 14, several; VI, .16, do. Coccinella novemnotata.—V, 16, one; V, 19, several; V, 28, one; VI, 5, two, male and female, cop.; VI, 10, one; VI, 21, do.; VI, 24, do.; VII, 6, do.; VII, 7, two; VII, 15, one; VIII, 26, do. Coccinella sanguinea.—VI, 24, one. Desmocerus palliatus.—VII, 3, one. Diabrotica vittata—VI, 5, three, male and female; VI, 10, one. Doryphora clivicollis—VIIl, 11, one. Doryphora decemlineata.—V, 18, numerous; V, 29, several; VI, 1, two, male and female; VI, 2, one; VI, 10, several, male and fe- male; VI, 13, numerous; VI, 28, do. Elaphrus ruscarius.—V, 2, one. Ellychnia corrusca—IV, 25, one; V, 3, do.; V, 6, do.; V, 16, two; VI, 16, one. Epicauta pennsylvanica—VIII, 11, numerous; VIII, 19, three; VIII, 21, several; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, numerous; IX, 1, do.; IX, 3, do.; IX, 7, two.; IX, 8, numerous; IX, 12, numerous, male and female, cop.; IX, 23, two; IX, 26, one. Euphoria inda—IV, 9, one. Gyrinus sinuatus—IV, 27, numerous (seen often before); V, 28, numerous; VIII, 17, do.; VIII, 23, do.; IX, 1, do.; IX, 12, do.; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, do.; IX, 26, do. Harpalus caliginosus—IX, 3, several; IX, 6, do.; IX, 7, three; IX, 8, two, male and female, cop. . Hippodamia parenthesis.—VI, 5, one; VI, 29, do. Hister abbreviatus.—IV, 30, several. Hister americanus.—IlV, 30, several. Lachnosterna fusca—IV, 28, numerous; IV, 30, one; V, 6, numerous; V, 8, two; V, 10, several; V, 13, numerous; V, 14, do.; V, 15, do. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 327 latus.—IV, 25, one; V, 3, numerous, male and fe- ; V, 7, do.; VI, 24, one. TV, 30, one. . subspinosus.—V1, 2, one; VI, 3, three, male and female; several, male and female; VI, 9, three, male and fe- VI, 10, several, male and female; VI, 11, three; VI, several, male and female, cop.; VI, 14, do.; VI, 16, one; 17, do.; VI, 19, several; VI, 22, several, male and female: do.; VI, 24, numerous, male and female, cop.; VI, VI, 9, one; VI, 10, do.; VI, 22, two; VI, 24, do.; VI, 28, do.; VII, 3, two; VII, 7, three. —VI, 6, numerous; VI, 10, do. eee ee? V1. s do. carolinus.—V. 30, several; VI, 1, numerous; VI, 4, do.; _ VI, 6, do.; VI, 8 do.; VI, 9, do.; VI, 10, do.; VI, 11, two; VI, 13, three; VI, 16, do.; VI, 24, two; VI, 28, one. s—VI, 28, two. phthalmus.—V1, 23, one; VI, 24, several; VI, 25, sev- male and female, cop.; VI, 27, two; VI, 28, several, and female, cop.; VII, 7, numerous, male and female, VII, 14, two; VII, 15, do.; VII, 27, several, male and : VIII, 1, three, male and female, cop.; VIII, ; VIII, 14, do. humeralis.—VI, 16, one. ORTHOPTERA. ‘ira corolina.—VII, 11, three; VII, 12, several; VII, 14, do.; VII, 15, do.; VII, 17, do.; VII, 24, numerous; VII, 27, _ several; VIII, 1, do.; VIII, 4, numerous; VIII, 8, several; VIII, 10, do.; VIII, 11, numerous; VIII, 14, several; VIII, 17, do.; VIII, 19, numerous; VIII, 21, several; VIII, 23, numerous; VITI, 26, do.; VIII, 31, several; IX, 1, numerous; ; IX, 3, several; IX, 7, two; IX, 8, ; IX, 18, numerous; IX, 21, do.; IX, é A i Pg 328 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 Gryllus pennsylvanicus.—Y, 28, two; VIII, 17, do.; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, several; IX, 1, three; IX, 3, do.; IX, 7, two; IX, 8, one; IX, 12, numerous; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, do.; IX, 20, do. Melanoplus femoratus.—VIII, 21, two. Melanoplus femur-rubrum.—VIII, 21, numerous; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, do. ;)iX, 1, do.; IX, 3, do.; 1X7, do: Tae ee 12, do.; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, do.; IX, 26, do.; IX, 29, do. Nemobius fasciatus.—VII, 13, three; VII, 14, several; VII, 27, numer- ous; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 23, do.; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, do.; TX, 1,°d64 IX, 3, do.; IX, 7, dows TX, Slee ee do.; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, do.; IX, 29, do. Scudderia curvicauda—VIII, 17, two; VIII, 19, one; VIII, 21, two; VIII, 23, three; VIII, 26, two; VIII, 31, three; IX, I, one; IX, 8, several; IX, 12, two; IX, 23, one; IX, 26, three. LEPIDOPTERA RHOPALOCERA. Argynnis cybele—VI, 4, several; VI, 5, two; VI, 9, do.; VI, 10, several; VI, 11, one; VI, 13, three; VI, 14, numerous; VI, 15, several; VI, 16, numerous; VI, 17, several; VI, 18, do.; VI, 19, do.;: Ve 21, do.; VI, 22, do.; VI, 24 9@0.5 9 a es do.; VI, 27, three; VI, 28, numerous; VII, 3, several; VII, 4, three; VII, 5, do.; VII, 6, two; VII, 7, three; VII, 12, two; VII, 14, several; VII, 15, three; VII, 17, one; VII, 24, two; VIII, 1, one; VIII, 4, do.; VIII, 11, do.; VIII, 17, three; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 21, one; VIII, 23, several; VIII, 26, two; VIII, 31, several; IX, 1, three; IX, 3, two; IX, 7, one; IX, 8, several; IX, 12, do.; IX, 18, one; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, two; IX, 29, several. Argynnis idalia.—VI, 13, one male; VI, 15, do.; VI, 17, one; VI, 18, do.; VI, 19, several; VI, 21, do.; VI, 22, several, male and female; VI, 23, several; VI, 24, one; VI, 25, numerous; VI, 27, do.; VI, 28, do.; VII, 3, do.; VII, 4, several; VII, 5, do.; VII, 6, several, male and female; VII, 7, do.; VII, 12, two; VII, 14, several; VII, 15, do.; VII, 17, do.; VII, 24, three; VII, 27, one; VIII, 1, do.; VIII, 11, two; VIII, 17, one; VIII, 19, several; VIII, 23, do.; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, one; IX, 1, two; IX, 3, several; IX, 7, two; IX, 8, several; IX, 12, two; IX, 18, one; IX, 21, two; IX, 23, one; IX, 29, three. Argynnis myrina.—VI, 6, two; VI, 16, do.; VI, 19, several; VI, 21, one; VII, 14, do.; VII, 24, two; VII, 27, do.; VIII, 1, one; VIII, 4, do.; VIII, 31, two; IX, 1, do.; IX, 3, several; IX, 18, two; IX, 21, three. gs ite are bees Bs BOSSE ESSER Lobe ELS ESSE its eh ie $i g§ $8ge%ttng F Pk Eas “sr Shite t an asebduea 8962 -bRo2 ES a eee eS a ggbe | WH Pde pet ad Yetg Elerees® apa® Estee? tao eller Fed CF er dete Pe bee: Sbae gg Sue eM Eee ee h Sige t eda ok LSPS S a” ub gee g tier se Pere ae hee eat gages eee Pegess fists gs zee ispe= ELE ifthe ela gas gated heath gctpeee: ALTA Ma Eb Read peed Levene ie - . BR vd 4 yess: ae abs = gt” Maeeu. ye eT $29 as ee>s ial 3 eee ; ‘helieitta ee estate a ‘ me! > 7.8 See, 330 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 Eurema euterpe-—IX, 7, several; IX, 8, one. Eurema nicippe——IX, 12, one male; IX, 23, two males. Grapta interrogationis.—VI, 25, two; VI, 27, three; VI, 28, one; VIII, 26, do.; IX, 1, do.; IX, 7, do. ‘ Grapta interrogationis uwmbrosia.—VII, 2, two; VII, 3, do.; VII, 4, three; VII, 6, one; VII, 12, do.; VII, 15, two; VII, 27, one; VIII, 11, do.; VIII, 14, do. Hesperia tessellata—VII, 14, one. Junonia coenia.—VII, 7, one; VII, 9, do.; VII, 12, do.; VII, 14, three. Limenitis archippus—vVI, 8, one; VI, 10, do.; VII, 13, do.; VII, 14, do.; VII, 15, do.; VII, 24, do.; VII, 27, do.; VIII, 8, sev- eral, male and female; VIII, 10, one; VIII, 11, do.; VIII, 17, three; VIII, 31, one; IX, 3, do.; IX, 8, two; IX, 12, one; IX, 18, two; IX, 21, several; IX, 23, one; IX, 26, two. Lycaena comyntas.—V, 2, one male; V, 16, three; V, 29, one; VI, 5, do.; VI, 22, several; VI, 23, do.; VI, 24, two; VI, 25, numerous; VI, 25, two; VI, 27, three; VI, 28, several, male and female; VII, 3, numerous; VII, 4, one; VII, 5, two; VII, 6, several, male and female; VII, 7, several; VII, 12, three males; VII, 14, three, male and female; VII, 15, sev- eral; VII, 24, three; VII, 27, several; VIII, 1, do.; VIII, 4, do.; VIII, 8, one; VIII, 10, several; VIII, 11, two; VIII, 14, do.; VIII, 17, several; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 23, three; VIII, 26, two; IX, 1, several; IX, 3, two; IX, 12, do. Lycaena pseudargiolus—IV, 9, two males; IV, 10, several males; IV, 11, do.; IV, 15, one male; IV, 20, several males; IV, 22, one male; IV, 24, two males; IV, 25, several males; IV, 28, two males; IV, 30, three males; V, 2, two males; V, 7, one; VI, 9, one female; VI, 11, one; VI, 13, three, male and female; VI, 14, several females; VI, 15, two females; VI, 16, three; VI, 21, one; VI, 24, do. Melitaea phaeton.—VI, 15, two; VI, 17, one; VI, 21, do. Pamphila egeremet.—VI, 5, one. Pamphila hobomok.—V, 28, three; V, 29, numerous, male and female; VI, 5, several, male; VI, 6, three, male and female; VI, 8, several males; VI, 10, two, male and female; VI, 11, two females; VI, 14, three; VI, 22, two; VI, 23, one; VIII, 31, one male. Pamphila peckius—V, 16, one; VI, 2, one female; VI, 6, two; VI, 15, ‘two, male and female, cop. Papilio philenor—VI1, 17, one female; VIII, 11, one. Papilio polyxenes-—V, 16, one male; V, 23, two males; V, 27, three males; V, 28, numerous; V, 29, numerous, male and female; VI, 6, do.; VI, 8, several, male and female; VI, 9, do.; VI, 10, several males; VI, 11, do.; VI, 13, several; VI, 14, Haar TTS EAP eee Pe meaty GEEEEES UatpS ab yoey Psyc iar qs fae + 4 ee z a Bg bx 5 ita y ise 659723853 qeglb ly itiite Pie eit Lott ee Peed Peddclodtagla qedgleqeed tle ty lte se’ aq 4 E E TrATH ey een bere reece a egeb ad eae he asf cers g75Ri eg pete a Le fet 8 bell: i peaqigegeaderis testilgeh eb att ee eee eee - 5445-5 a LE RSE e Lele 2 ee ee ed ne ee 'se pg de sleet id Peels ee peli g Fisisge ts = aa Sire fe! a ee eeks giles ot HEBER: fe sedi bed eileaslts issih . ee te a 332 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 Phyciodes tharos.—V, 16, one; V, 28, two; V, 29, do.; VI, 23, do.; VI, 24, one male; VI, 25, three; VI, 27, do.; VI, 28, numerous, male and female; VII, 3, numerous; VII, 4, do.; VII, 5, three; VII, 6, numerous; VII, 7, do.; VII, 12, do.; VII, 14, do.; VII, 15, do.; VII, 24, several; VII, 27, two; VIII, 1, do.; VIII, 10, three; VIII, 11, several; VIII, 17, numerous; VIII, 19, do.; VIII, 21, several; VIII, 23, numerous; VIII, 26, do.; VIII, 31, do.; IX, 1, do.; IX, 3, numerous, male and female, cop.; IX, 7, numerous; IX, 8, do.; IX, 12, do.; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, several; IX, 23, numerous; IX, 29, do. Pieris rapae—IlV, 10, one; IV, 11, do.; IV, 15, three; IV, 20, two; Pholisora Polygonia Pyrameis Pyrameis Pyrameis IV, 22, one; IV, 24, do.; IV. 25, numerous; IV, 26, one; IV, 28, several; IV, 30, numerous; V, 2, several; V, 3, do.; V, 4, one; V, 6, several; V, 7, do.; V. 11, do.; V, 16, do.; V, 27, two; V, 29, one; VI, 5, do.; VI, 10, do.; VI, 13, do.; VI, 15, three; VI, 16, two; VI, 17, do.; VI, 18, one; VI, 23, three; VI, 27, two; VI, 28, three; VII, 12, do.; VII, 14, two; VII, 15, do.; VII, 27, do.; VIII, 1, one; VIII, 4, do.; VIII, 11, do.; VIII, 17, three; VIII, 19, one; VII, 21, one; IX, 12, two; IX, 23, three; IX, 26, two; IX, 29, one. catullus—VII, 7, one; VII, 12, do.; VII, 14, three; VII, 15, do.; VIII, 11, two. comma comma.—lV, 11, two, male and female, cop.; IV, 24, two; IV, 25, one; V, 3, two, male and female; VI, 21, one. atalanta.—V, 29, two; VI, 2, one; VI, 5, do.; VI, 8, do.; VI, 9, do.; VI, 10, several; VI, 11, two; VI, 15, one; VI, 17, do; VI, 22, three; VII, 4, two; VII, 27, one; IX, 12, do.; IX, 23, three; IX, 26, two. cardui.—VI, 16, one; VI, 27, do.; VII, 3, do.; VII, 4, do.; VII, 14, two; VIII, 1, one; VIII, 4, two; VIII, 8, one; VIII, 10, two; VIII, 11, one; VIII, 14, two; VIII, 19, three; VIII, 21, two; IX, 3, one; IX, 8, two; IX, 12, do.; IX, 18, three; IX, 21, one; IX, 23, two; IX, 26, one. huntera—V, 16, two; VI, 8, several; VI, 9, three; VI, 16, one; VI, 21, do.; VI, 22, do.; VII, 17, two; VII, 27, sev- eral, Satyrus alope—VI, 24, two; VI, 25, three; VI, 27, one; VI, 28, sev- eral; VII, 3, three; VII, 4, several; VII, 5, do.; VII, 6, several, male and female; VII, 7, several; VII, 12, numer- ous; VII, 14, several; VII, 15, two; VII, 17, do.; VIII, 4, one female; VIII, 10, two; VIII, 14, one. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 333 te pirates, ovese!; V, 3, do.; V, 23, one; 3 VI, 10, two males. ee On III, 26, do.; IV, 9. » do.; SS ae ee RES ts < ba is s “e ates. V, 9, am tomate ae io—VI, 6, two males; VI, 9, one female; VII, 4, do. ria albovittata—V, 22, one; V, 29, do.; VI, 2, several; VI, 5, STEW! b tmos Vi. agro: VI, 13, two; VI, 14, three; VI, 17, one; VII, 15, two; VII, 24, one; VII, 27, do; VIII, » 17, ome (seen previous); IV, 19, two; V, 8 ne; V, 12, do.; V, 13, do.; V, 14, two; V, 15, ; V, aoe ©. 16, two; V, 17, one; V, 21, do.; V, 22, do.; V, 23, do.; V, a9, do.; V, 30, do.; VI, 3, do.; VI, 4, two; VI, 6, one; VI, ‘43, two; VI, 21, one; VII, 28, two; VIII, 6, one; VIII, _* mé bella—VII, 14, one; VII, 21, two; VIII, 23, one; IX, 3, — do.; TX, 12, do. ~ HYMENOPTERA. Apis mellifica—V, 29, numerous; VI, 28, one; VII, 6, two; VII, 7, 19, i - VII, 14, several; VIII, 1, several ; VIII, a3. ones TX, 334 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 Bombus pennsylvanicus.—V, 3, one; V, 11, do.; V, 16, several; V, 17, do.; V, 19, do.; V, 28, numerous; V, 29, several; VI, 2, one; VI, 4, do.; VI, 11, two; VI, 14, one; VI, 16, do.; VIII, 26, do.; IX, 1, several; IX, 3, three; IX, 7, one; IX, 12, three; IX, 18, two; IX, 21, three; IX, 23, do.; IX, 20, two. Bombus virginicus.—lV, 25, three; IV, 26, several; IV, 30, three; V, 2, several; V, 3, one; V, 5, do.; V, 6, several; V, 7, three; V, 14, do.; V, 15, several; V, 16, do.; V, 17, numerous; V, 19, several; V, 28, numerous; V, 29, several; VI, 1, do.; VI, 2, do.; VI, 3, three; VI, 4, do.; VI, 5, several; VI, 6, three; VI, 8, two; VI, 9, three; VI, 10, several; VI, 11} three; VI, 14, several; VI, 15, two; VI, 16, one; VI, 17, do.; VI, 18, do.; VI, 21, three; VI, 22, one; VI, 24, two; VI, 28, one; VII, 6, two; VIII, 4, one; VIII, 10, two; IX, 1, three; IX, 18, one; IX, 21, two; IX, 23, one; IX, 29, two. Camponotus herculaneus.—V, 3, numerous, neuters. Camponotus pennsylvanicus——lV, 14, 1906, several. Cerceris fumipennis.—VII, 15, two; VII, 24, one. Chalybion caeruleum.—VI, 24, one; VI, 25, do.; VII, 15, do. Dolerus bicolor.—V, 19, one. Isodontia tibialis—VII, 15, one. Monobia quadridens.—VII, 15, one. Myzine sexcincta.—VII, 15, one; VII, 24, do. Pelecinus polyturator.—IX, 6, three; IX, 7, one; IX, 8, two. Polistes metricus—IV, 25, three (seen often before); IV, 28, two; IV, 30, one; V, 3, two; V, 7, several; V, 9, do.; V, 11, do.; V, 15, do.; V, 29, three; V, 30, three; VI, 5, one; VI, Io, do.; VI, 16, two; VII, 14, do.; VII, 24, one; VIII, 4, do.; VIII, 10, two; VIII, 14, one; VIII, 17, do.; VIII, 26, three; IX, 1, two. Tiphia inornata.—VI, 5, one. Trogus exesorius—V, 29, one; VI, 2, three; VI, 5, several; VI, 9, do.; VI, 10, one; VI, 13, several; VI, 14, three; VI, 16, several; VI, 17, do.; VI, 18, one; VI, 23, do.; VI, 25, three; VI, 28, two; VIII, 17, one; VIII, 19, two; VIII, 23, do.; IX, 1, one. Vespa germanica.—V, 2, one; V, 3, two females; V, 6, one; V, 20, three; VI, 3, one; VI, 4, two; VI, 16, three; VI, 17, one; VIII, 10, do.; VIII, 26, several; IX, 1, three. Vespa maculata—V, 7, three; V, 28, one; VI, 2, two; VI, 6, one; VI, 10, do.; VI, 18, do.; VIII, 4, several VIII, 10, do.; VIII, 23, three; VIII, 26, do.; IX, 1, several. Xylocopa virginica.—V, 3, two; V, 4, one; V, 6, do.; V, 11, several; V, 29, one; V, 30, one; VI, 2, two; VIII, 4, one; VIII, 8, do.; VIII, 10, do. -_ ae TP ene ee ee Peel dale Pa | SF zt S55 5 isis ii: Stay Hy! tna ia? At eteabaaagi tagchtaeeda 3 aa Beeug aivtil dled tiietaael mer eT (ee Bigs sspiacibet se LESS (ee, Eb yelebestgh ilies. t ccePe tla ee ty a ae lily jlgil | ote & “SS ats ia fie Mee sailed Vv q a all ti. © = i . Yoo <. - a c S 336 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 several, male and female; VI, 28, three, male and female; VII, 3, several; VII, 4, several males; VII, 6, two males; VII, 7, several, male and female; VII, 12, several; VII, 14, two, male and female; VII, 15, several, male and female; VII, 24, do.; VII, 27, several males; VIII, 1, two, male and female; VIII, 4, two males; VIII, 10, two females; VIII, 11, two males; VIII, 17, two, male and female. HEMIPTERA. Cicada tibicen—VII, 9, one; VII, 10, do.; VII, 12, do.; VII, 15, se/- eral; VIII, 10, do.; VIII, 17, do.; VIII, 19, three; VIII, 26, several; IX, 3, do. Euchistus variolarius.—VII, 3, one. Hygrotrechus remegis—IV, 10, numerous; IV, 27, do.; V, 28, do.; VI, 9, do.; VI, 14, do.; VIII, 17, several; VIII, 23, numer- ous; IX, 1, several; IX, 12, do.; IX, 18, do.; IX, 21, do.; IX, 23, three; IX, 26, two. Leptopterna dolobrata.—VI, 10, one; VI, 11, two. Nezara hilaris.—IV, 25, one; VI, 14, do. Poeciloptera septentrionalis—VI, 25, one. DIPTERA. Bittacomorpha clavipes—V, 4, numerous; V, 5, do.; V, 6, do.; V, 7, do.; V, 28, one; VI, 14, two, male and female, cop. Chrysopila thoracica—V, 28, one; V, 29, several; VI, 1, three; VI, 2, several; VI, 3, three; VI, 4, one; VI, 6, several; VI, 10, two; VI, 11, one; VI, 13, two; VI, 14, one; VI, 17, do. Chrysops niger.—V, 28, several; V, 29, numerous; VI, 2, do.; VI, 5, do.; VI, 6, do.; VI, 8, three; VI, 9, several; VI, 10, numer- s; VI, 11, two; VI, 13, several; VI, 14, numerous; VI, i several; VI, 16, numerous; VI, 17, several; VI, 18, .do.; VI, 19, numerous; VI, 21, several; VI, 22, do.; VI, 23, do.; VI, 24, numerous; VI, 25, several; VI, 27, dz.; VI, 28, do.; VII, 3, numerous; VII, 5, do.; VII, 6, do.; VII, 7, do.; VII, 12, do.; VII, 14, do.; VII, 15, several; VII, 24, do.; VII, 27, one; VIII, 1, do.; VIII, 4, several; VIII, 8, three; VIII, 10, two; VIII, 11, one. Eristalis tenax.—VI1, 24, one; VII, 15, do; IX, 18, several; IX, 21, two; IX, 23, three; IX, 26, do. Eristalis transversus—VII, 15, one; IX, 18, several; IX, 21, one; IX, 23, three; IX, 26, two. Musca domestica.—IV, 27, one; IV, 29, do.; V, 28, several; V, 20, eat . VI, 5, numerous, male and fernales VI, 13, several; VI, 14, numerous; VI, 16, several; VI, 18, numerous; VII, 24, do.; VIII, 15, do.; IX, 1, do.; IX, 23, do.; IX, 29, several. oculata.— VIII, 4 one. “ RHUL q = if BRAHI WBE EY ead ante i PHUAHE i! Tit ee it; he iby Heuer ne lait vu tt # Hi HT if 7 Ee iru! cigagety ie i 32 i ; lui 7! fi elu A ghee | | ; nape Hal Hi Ha iil He uid itil Ht iF as , Sa ae - »ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit and will thankfully receive 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 bibliographers.] To Contributors.—All contributions will be considered and passed upon at out earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL News has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put ‘copy ” into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, 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 number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., JULY, 1908. We shall be glad to learn what the universities and colleges of the United States are doing in the way of teaching ento- mology, and if the information is sent to us tersely and briefly stated, we will publish it. We hold that the study of entomol- ogy is so important in many ways that its neglect by large in- stitutions of learning shows short-sightedness and benighted- ness. This is particularly true of medical colleges. We append a statement of the course given by the Graduate School of the University of Illinois under Prof. S. A. Forbes and Dr. J. W. Folsom. GENERAL En’romoLocy.—This course and Entomology form a year’s connected major work in entomology, covering substantially the whole field. The present course is devoted mainly to field entomology in the fall and later to the morphological and physiological aspects of the subject. Beginning with the collection and preservation of specimens and the making of field observations, it is continued by laboratory studies of typical insects, made with special reference to the recogni- tion of adaptive structures, and experimental work intended to deter- mine their exact utilities. GENERAL En’tomoLtocy.—To be taken either with or without the preceding course. The classification and determination of insects, the study of life histories in the insectary and by field observation, and the collection of information with respect to the cecological relations of insects, are the principal objects of this course. ApvANcED Entomoiocy.—Under this head students desiring ad-. vanced work in entomology, especially as a preparation for thesis work in this subject, will be individually provided. for on consultation 338 in each. At least a three-hour course for one semester will be pdb 3 preparation for etomologa then work TE: Enromotocy.—This course, while primarily entomologi- ted to be of general use to students of biology. The lec- melude a historical and critica] survey of the systems of classi- discussion of the aims and methods of classification; the ee ied ctor dronre, and the rules of nomen- e: the preparation of taxonomic aie, ivcving the sa taphy, synonymy, analytical keys, etc. These subjects re- PEE Eig Milbestory, and to qualified mulinls une material of the State Laboratory of Natural History is thle for study. er Literature. : or Tue Torraicipag AND THEIR Tyres. By C. H. Fernald, "A.M, PhD. Published by the Author. ee en a ceety youre of work on tale Haw dopte: It shows diligent and profound rescarch into of the subject. The synonomy of the genera is given. has. been much additional interest in the micro-moths in recent ad a work like this will be invaluable to future stadents. Notes and News. | September being omitted. son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Greenwood, residing at he s street, in this city, has been troubled for some time with ear ache and pains in the head, which were ascribed to neuralgia. ____ Recently Mrs. Greenwood, following instructions found in a medical ok sweet oil in the lad’s ear. Within a sho began itching in a distressing manner, and little later a live potato bug came out of the ear. ; bug grass way there since the advent of cold had penetrated the ear far enough to be out of sight reach—Jamestown Journal, Jamestown, N. Y., Jan., 1908 340 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’08 Mr. Puitip LAuRENT is working as hard as usual. He always was an ardent collector. Now that he has retired from business he has more time to devote to entomology. SLEEPING Hasit oF A Bre.—Some years ago I published a short article on the sleeping habits of some Hymenoptera, and since then have made various observations on the same and other species. A few years ago I found a little black bee sleeping on the daisies near my place; at the time I could not get it named, but recently through the kindness of Prof. Cockerell I learn that it is Panurginus illinoi- ensis Robt. Only males have been found asleep; they rest with the wings folded close to the body upon the yellow centre of the daisy. The first are found asleep about 6.30 P. M., and by 7 o’clock there are plenty of them. I notice the first specimens in the last few days of May, and they are found up to the middle of June. So soundly are they asleep, even before 7 o'clock, that one can frequently pick the flower and carry it about without disturbing the tired little slum- berer.—NATHAN BANKS. ANNOUNCEMENT of the third session of the Graduate School of Agriculture, to be held July 6-31, 1908, at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., and the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York. Entomology will be in charge of the following gentle- men: Dr. L. O. Howard, chief, U. S. Bureau of Entomology; Pro- fessor S. A. Forbes, professor of zoology, University of Illinois; Professor M. V. Slingerland; assistant professor of economic ento- mology, Cornell University; P. J. Parrott, entomologist, New York Agricultural Experiment Station; Dr. James G. Needham, assistant professor of limnology, Cornell University; Dr. A. D. MacGillivray, assistant professor of entomology, Cornell University; Dr. W. A. Riley, assistant professor of entomology, Cornell University; Prof. E. Dwight Sanderson, director and entomologist, New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station; Dr. E. P. Felt, State entomologist of New York. Sam1A Rupra.—In the May number of the Ent. News for 1907, page 214, I published a query as to the probability of the food plant influencing the color of this species and asked for help in the investi- gation. I was not successful in breeding this moth during 1907, and no one else has yet sent me any data respecting it. There is undoubtedly a local race of this species to be found in the interior of British Columbia, the general color of which is purple- brown above on all wings, whilst the underside is always grayish. Specimens from Los Angeles show ground color of a burnt sienna brown, which is reproduced in a darker shade on the underside. The markings of both forms are very variable, the only difference being Seal NEws. 341 rg’ cs aAEMii ol being dinplf’ diiiete ae te fornia species, has a tendency in the Northern form to lose mtation, the line being a series of loops bent outwardly with, | cases, a slight dentation between the veins. st assembling of a large series of this genus is very cumber- ne, may I ask some of our readers to send me particulars as to far this variety occurs? I have frequently been met with from collectors to whom I have sent this form of rubra that it rer to gloveri than to the generally recognized form of rubra, | two species are sufficiently distinct in the median lines to pre- possibility of a mistake, but at the same time the northern rubra is so different in appearance to warrant a separation y, when the investigation is carried to completion, even © Eh sy tom a soc of intron 1 2 i tion to examine the types of ceanothi, californica and euryalus, which gives as synonymous. Possibly some of these may have had | 7 ia them.—J. Wa. Cocke, Kaslo, B. C. a _Nomes ow Enea ax Exravs—In my list of the species of this genus, the ref ses to the immature stages were omitted. The life-history of ___ but twoof our species have been described and one of these incompletely. ay ‘Butt. N. Am., Vol. ITI, W. H. Edwards minutely described the preparatory stages of E. epipsodeas and later H. H. Lyman (Can. - Ent. , Vol. XXVIII, p. 274) published the life-history of the same ies, his descriptions differing somewhat from those of Edwards. magdalena. Thus it can casily be seen how much more be learned of the immature stages of Erebia and careful think, will climinate several of our forms. ia is subconical in shape and irregularly marked vertical ridges: The larva, which feeds ex- is cylindrical, tapering somewhat posteriorly, and the Satyridae, is bifurcate. shade of brown or gray, with the dorsally and ventrally, and somewhat produced at species as they now stand in our catalogues are hardly worthy of specific rank. The number of the ocelli and the _ degree of mottling on the inferior surface of the secondaries I would not consider of sufficient value for distinguishing species as in both 342 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 Rossi and fasciata will probably prove to be varieties of the Euro- pean disa. Ethela Edwards is a synonym of sofia Strecker and the var. sine-ocellata Skinner is the brucei of Elwes. Vesagus which is found in some of our earlier lists as shown by Strecker is a South American species of Lymanopoda. Haydenit Edw. belongs to Coenonympha. Erebus odora Linn. The larva and pupa of this species have been described by Dr. Juan Gundlach in his Entomologia Cubana. In a note on odora, (Entom. Amer. v. 3, p. 78) H. T. Fernald gives Ficus trigonata as the food-plant in Jamaica and states that the larva is nocturnal in its habits, hiding in holes in the trunk during the day. Later (Ent. Am. v. 4, p. 36) he corrects this, saying that the larva in question was that of a sphinx. The egg and young larva were de- scribed in the latter article. Hy. Edwards (Bibliographical Cat. p. 98, 1888) gives Cassia fistula, Pithecolobium and Saman as food- plants. Odora has been widely recorded from the U. S. and Canada. It is not rare in Jamaica, West Indies and Brazil. In Ecuador it is said to occur commonly up to an elevation of 10,000 feet. The fact that fresh and newly-emerged specimens are taken at the extremes of its range, would indicate that it breeds, at least occa- sionally, in the north. Thysania (Erebus) zenobia is another huge exotic noctuid, even larger than the preceding, which has been found in a number of localities, including Ontario, Iowa, Ohio, and Dr. P. A. Hoy (Can. Ent. v. 9, p. 219) has recorded a @ from near Racine, Wisconsin.— C. R. Coorince. Doings of Societies. At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held April 15, 1908, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, No. 1523 So. 13th street, Philadelphia, the following were present: Prof. John B. Smith, Dr. D. M. Castle, Messrs. Harbeck, Kaeber, Greene, Laurent, H. W. Wenzel, H. A. Wenzel, Seiss, Schmitz, Viereck, Huntington and Haimbach, also Mr. Flottman, visitor. Vice-President Harbeck in the chair. Mr. C. T. Greene was elected to membership. Letters were read from Mr. Wm. D. Kearfott of Montclair, N. J. and Dr. Walter Horn of Berlin, Germany, thanking the Social for the Souvenir pamphlets sent them. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 343 mith Seiihised Miiliniie end spoke about the work t? oe jum caespitum, an introduced ant. e ir. Vie tk spoke about cocoons found on Ailanthus trees at MIA tn the Southermisection of the City, by Mr. Flott- 1. These cocoons were similar in shape to the cocoons: of ‘mori, and many of them were bunched together. i. Greene reported the capture of one specimen of Lebia rcata, a Californian species, in sweeping on golden rod, at high Gap, VII, 28. Mr. Greene also told of his observation if a red scale insect, on the Palms at Horticultural Hall. 1 Franx Harmpacn, Secretary. a __ At the meeting of the Feldman Social held May 20, 1908 at re of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, No. 1523 So. 13th street, hiladelphia, thirteen members were present. tater trom Prot. John B. Smith, addressed to Mr. H. A. ro was read, which referred to the cocoons spoken about inA il meeting by Mr. Viereck, in which the Professor wrote d cocoons are all Philosamia cynthia. It is the first time tha SE its tpicleb Mil ics cocccns in u bul, ad 26 = nining the little mass, he found that most of the insects ‘dead and dry. In other words the caterpillars were sick they were ready to spin up, and they formed an abnormal BSP Gécoons. hee. H. W. Wenzel reported the capture of five specimens ee a 25th, at Malaga, N. J. _ Mr. Wenzel also spoke about a trip with Mr. Kearfott on May 3rd to the Wachung Mountains, and on May 17th to near Matags. 8. J. The same speaker referred to records of _ Buprestis decora from North Carolina on March 1st, showing _ that the genus is a month or two later in appearing here than in North Carolina. _ Mr. Geo. Greene exhibited specimens of the following Cole- optera: Melasis pectinicornis Melsh., taken at Philada., V. 17 "08; Chromatia amoenia Say, Philada., V, 17, ‘08, and Cicin- dela limbalis Lec, Howell’s Pond, N. J., IV, 27, or and Split _ Rock Lake, IV, 28, ‘or. a 344 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 Mr. Kaeber exhibited specimens of a scale insect on branches of cherry. Prof. Calvert submitted a plan for dividing the State of New Jersey into districts, for giving localities of insects, in New Jersey list to be published. Maps were shown indi- cating the localities as outlined by him. The plan was con- sidered a good one, but it was the opinion of all that rare spe- cies should be listed from the definite localities in which they have been taken. Prof. Calvert remarked that, according to Mr. Witmer Stone, the floras of the Delaware River Valley, and of the coastal strip (excluding the beaches) are identical, but that the flora of the Pine Barrens is distinct. Mr. Haimbach exhibited his collection of the Crambinae of North America, showing sixty-six species. Mr. Haimbach pointed out the species Eufernaldia caderellus Druce, which was described in Biol. Cent. Am. II, p. 290, 1896, and sub- sequently by Dr. Hulst in Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc., VIII, p. 224, 1900. Crambus bidens and multilineelus were also reported hav- ing been collected in South New Jersey by Mr. E. Daecke. Mr. Harbeck exhibited specimens of Spilomyia fusca, longi- cornis, quadrifasciata and hamata, species of a genus of Dip- tera that mimic wasps very closely. Mr. Geo. Greene stated with reference to his communica- tion at Feldman meeting of March 18th, that he had over- looked a record of Platypeza ornatipes Townsend, (not Ald- rich) by Mr. Johnson, at North Mountain, Pa., thus making his record from Lehigh Gap the second instead of first rec- ord for Pennsylvania. FRANK HaImBACH, Secretary. A meeting of the Harrisburg Natural History Association, Entomological Division, was held on Thursday evening, May 14th, in the rooms of the Division of Economic Zoology. Har- ris B. Schick presented a paper, entitled ““The Apple and Forest Tent Caterpillars,” W. R. Walton read a paper called “Notes ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 345 on the Li History of Nonagria oblonga (Grote).” [Pub- ed in the present number of Ent. News]e He ex- ee on eee as well Seer nes of the cane, Prof. G. N. C. Henschen gave resting talk on “The Psychic Powers of Ants,” ustrating his remarks with citations from Lubbock and Forel. | rere was a fair attendance. Chairman A. F. Satterthwait W. R. Watton, Secretary. Stsrmictogical Division of the Harrisburg Natural His- ME diet ta the rooms Of the Division of Zoology at the Us rite on the evening of June 11, 1908, at 8 o'clock, Mr. A Ge 3 eee residing. Mr. H. L. Viereck give a ‘most os x and instructive talk on the “The House fly and the ; i ibility of its Extermination.” He told of its habits, its rt in the spread of disease as known from experiments and n its work at the Chickamauga concentration camp where came a victim of the fever. In view of the enormous y losses alone from the ravages of typhoid, he thinks that | Ee ptiast the toese fy wostd be « payiog iavestnient a a the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proper treating and enclosing of all manure accumulations in cities could easily _ be accomplished and would go a long way toward the abate- S Tdat Of the fly nuisance in town. Mr. W. R. Walton exhibit- ___ ed several specimens of the peculiar Ortalid fly Myrmecomyia i _ myrmecoides (Loew). He said that in view of the fact that ___ Aldrich gives no note of its distribution except a reference to as its type locality (D. C. ) and that it does not appear in Smith’s _ list of N. J. Insects it might be well to record its capture. The \, ‘Harrisburg, three of them on blackberry blossoms, one on the __ trunk of a locust tree and one on wild rose and all in close prox- _ imity to locust trees. Mr. P. H. Hertzog gave an account of his troubles with the wire-worms which are very troublesome _ ~ about Harrisburg this year. oo W. R. Watton, Secretary. 346 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 The April meeting of the Heink Entomological Club of St. Louis, Mo., took place at the residence of Mr. Paul Schroers on the 24th of the month, Mr. Heink in the chair. Mr. Schroers exhibited a large number of parts of Dr. Seitz’s great work “The Butterflies of the World,” which were inspected with more than usual interest. This work should enjoy an ever-increasing sale among all lovers of Lepidoptera. The color plates are executed with artistic excellence and true to life, while the descriptive matter is highly entertaining and instructive. Mr. Schroers has generously decided to con- tribute a copy of this work to the Club’s library. Mr. Poepping exhibited several well prepared life histories of Pyrameis and Grapta. Mr. Kelbly reported that he had last season found larvae of 7. Polyphemus on a wild plum tree. The May meeting of the Heink Entomological Club of St. Louis, Mo., occurred at the residence of Mr. Geo. Graf on the 2ist, Mr. Heink presiding. Mr. Heink introduced the subject of a field day. It was decided to hold the same on May 31st, at Creve Coeur Lake, Mo., 23 miles from St. Louis. This is a resort of great nat- ural beauty, comprising a lake, bordered on one side by very high wooded bluffs, while on the opposite shore woodland and meadow contrive to offer the naturalist a variety of opportuni- ties. Colleague’ Mr. Geo, Akerlind of Chicago described this lo- eality at some length in the March, 1907, number of the ENTo- MOLOGICAL NEwSs. Mr. Knetzger exhibited a pair of Pamphila delaware, taken last July at Falling Springs, Ill., five miles east of St. Louis. P. delaware should be added to the “List of Butterflies of St. Louis and vicinity” in which it was not mentioned. A dis- cussion followed concerning the reason why P. delaware, found abundantly at Falling Springs, has never yet, to our knowl- edge, been seen on the west side of the Mississippi, notwith- standing the fact, that topography and flora here are in many places identical with those of Falling Springs, notably so at Creve Coeur Lake, Meramec Highlands and the cliffs south of the city. aupenaeneena: NEWs. 347 ra Sade papel Gil Ele dbeervatiods of metamorphoses ious orders. g to reports from various sources neither A. olym- ee autic were seen this season, altho’ eagerly sought. Auc. Knerzcer, Secretary. S, ate rooklyn Entomological Society met April 2, 1908, at ave., Brooklyn with President Pearsall presiding 18 members present. dr. Goo. Franck spoke on “Insects Characteristic of the oO Regions of New York with their relation to some ww land species.” His material came mainly from Sullivan yunty. At Soo feet altitude, Satyrus alope began to mingle ’ mediate forms. From 1500 feet alope was replaced y by nephele. The two typical species never met but the bred freely with the type forms which they en- rec Mr. Dow noted that at Claremont, N. H., only eeEeene elevation belay 900 to 1500 feet. Mr. Eng- ardt observed that at the base of the White Mountains, prob- iy 30001 3500 feet, all Satyrus were nephele. tome, showed a long series of Argynnis from Sul- y, eybele, grading into aphrodite and aphrodite into sas altitude increased. His series of Basilarchia showed ) gradations. Prof. J. B. Smith noted that at Del- Water Gap arthemis and astyanax were found but pros- fid not occur. Mr. Pearsall noted that at Big Indian y, Catskills, where proserpina was plentiful, neither of the othe “occurred. He claimed positively that proserpina was a = species. Professor Smith admitted that at least in some proserpina met perfectly the generally accepted de- of a “species.” Mr. Franck dissented and stated that i Ts ces of his female arthemis from Sullivan County could hot be distinguished from the type of the newly described _ Basilorchia astyanax, variety albofasciata Newcomb. Members _ of the society have an albofasciata @ from Staten Island, and a @ from New Brunswick, N, J., altitude in both cases being — than 150 feet. Astyanax is a lowland species, arthemis mountain dweller. a Mr. Dow claimed that a constant difference between the ¢ © tio albofasciata seen by him and all the arthemis in many dong series was the presence in the former of the blue or green on al 348 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [July, ’o8 over-sheen within the white band. The same portion of ar- themits is invariably a duller brownish, without the iridescence common to both on the outer portion of the wings. R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. The Brooklyn Entomological Society met May 7, 1908 at 55 Stuyvesant Avenue, Brooklyn, Vice-president Graef in the chair and eleven members present. The discussion of the previous month on Basilarchia was renewed. Mr, Frank Watson has a fine series from Niagara Falls including one specimen squarely between astyanax and albofasciata. Both Mr. Franck and Mr. Doll have undoubted hybrids between astyanax and disippus. From Flatbush in 1907 chrysalids from willows were generally astyanax. Very few disippus were seen in the region that year. Chrysalids from wild cherry were all astyanax. . Mr Schott captured at Huntington, L. I. Anatrichus minutus, a beetle normally living in the Gulf states. He took at Jamaica, L. I. Ips confluentus, a species not recorded in Smith’s New Jersey list. Mr. Bather reported on a trip of three months through Mexico and touching at Havana and Miami, Florida. In the Mexican mountains there was an absolute dearth of insects of all orders, not even aphids on the rose tips. This was at- tributed to the extreme dry weather. A day’s stay at Orizaba, Mexico, yielded good results. An excellent box-ful contain- ing no duplicates came from a single sequestered spot in the grounds of Morro Castle, Havana. Collecting was good in Miami in March. He had an aberrant Eumaeus atala from Miami in which canary yellow replaced the normally bright red abdomen and spots on the under side of the wings. R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. OBITUARY. FRIEDRICH WILHELM KONOW Friedrich Wilhelm Konow of Teschendorf, Germany, the distinguished scholar and Hymenopterist, who worked speci- ally in the Tenthredinoidea, died March 18th last. An account of his life is published in the May number of the Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. . ~ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 0c ZEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION eidiey OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. OCTOBER, 1908. No. 8 CONTENTS: ‘en Johnson and Rohwer—Colorado Bem- Sdddetesenscusece SOG |. WEEORO ccccnccccecccocnseseceetsane 373 —Synopsis and Bibliography of California Siphonaptera......... aah bbe osededess a3 caer ards ol the be of " ay deepen yo | Falter... ee ae iin tee ee FERRER RR een ee ws Doings Of Societies ooccccedcccecsésces Obituary— Prof. Paul Biolley .......... Bevecccrcsccceces as Simon H. M. eedesovece 3 Monsieur P. A. P. Finot.... 396 Wesee* cossccecose ys Prof. Gustav Mayr......... 3% A New Cecidomyiid on Oak. : By H. M. Russett anv C. W. Hooxer, _ Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. (Plate XIV) P Th insect was discovered by Mr. W. V. Tower, in July, cu , working on the leaves of a black oak. He began observa- tion on its life history but was called away and the work was taken up by Mr. H. M. Russell. Mr. Russell had practically _ finished, except for describing the adult, when he left to take = _ @ position with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the _ subject was placed in my hands to complete. In addition to verifying Mr. Russell's observations, I have described the adult, ish = Mr. E. P. Felt kindly determined as a new species. The : gall which it forms has been described by Osten Sacken as C. aa erubescens.* ____ This species of gallfly is very abundant on a black oak (Quer- €$ coccinae var. tinctoria group) growing near the Presi- _ dent’s house on the college grounds. This oak is in a small clump of red oaks, none of which have become infested ; this ., Seems to indicate that this Cecidomyia will feed only on black *Mon. N. A. ‘Dipt. I, p. 200, n. 20, 1862, “Folded margin of an oak leaf, tinged with red. This deformation seems to resemble that of C. quercus Lw. on the European oaks. Occurs in the spring.” 349 ~< 350 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 oak, as the infested tree harbors many thousands of the larvae and under its branches, the adults are found in swarms. Every leaf is infested, by from one to over one hundred, as high up as one can climb, certainly within ten feet of the top; but the in- festation at the highest point is not as extensive as that of the lower limbs. Cecidomyia (?) foliora n. sp.* Female.—Length, 1.95 to 2.55 mm. Antennae of 14 segments, length .95 to .99 mm.; the two basal segments light yellow, the others brown, thickly clothed with coarse brown hairs. Face bright orange-red; back of head with a fringe of dark brown setae. Mesonotum Van Dyke brown, with pale submedian lines, sparsely covered with fine setae. Sternum, pro and metapleura light brown, mesopleura dark brown. Abdomen with the five basal segments bright orange-red, thence gra- dually fading to a light yellow at the apex and lemon yellow on the protrusible ovipositor ;—within a few days the color of the ovipositor often darkens to an orange-red. Surface sparsely clothed with yellow setae. Legs light yellow, thickly covered with dark brown pubescence. Male.—Length, 1.20 to 1.65 mm. Antennae 1.50 to 1.65 mm. Scutel- lum orange-red; pleura pale brownish yellow, mesopleura marked with black. Abdomen orange-brown. The large bright orange-red abdomen and larger size of the females, make them quite conspicuous among the smaller males with their dull-colored abdomens. The color darkens within a few days after collecting, so that fresh material is necessary for identification ; the gall, however, is quite characteristic and cannot be mistaken. Described from nineteen specimens on eight pins, and from sixteen specimens mounted on six microscopic slides—eighteen male and seventeen female cotypes. These have ‘been deposited as follows: Two females and one male (one slide), and two females and three males (two pins) in the collection of the United States National Museum at Washington, D. C.; two females and one male (one slide), and two females and three males (two pins) in the collection of the New York State En- tomologist, Albany, N. Y.; the remainder—five females and five males (four slides), and four females and five males (four pins) in the collection of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. * Foliora from folium, leaf and ora, edge. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 351 les and seventeen males (six slides) and five females »s (six pins) from the same series have been marked Sad are*in the collection of the Massachusetts Ag- ‘al College, as are also slides of the early stages. sct may ultimately prove to belong to another genus, Dr. Felt (in litt.) in referring it tentatively to a LIFE HISTORY. ‘The adult insect emerges from the ground from May 1 to ll have disappeared by June 1. In the spring of 1908, the or five adults May 4, and by May 11 the insects were found , ‘ ¢ tree in thousands, being so numerous that it was only neces- 0 sweep an open cyanide jar over the top of and through the grass in all the specimens desired. The adults appear just as the leaves o unfold. For a time, after emerging, large numbers will be wi the early morning and on wet days especially, under the tree, ut a as it gets warmer and the dew dries off, they rise among the They have a feeble flight, however, and do not fly out beyond of the tree. When the leaves are one to two inches long, the to the leaves and begin to lay their eggs, for the most part he under side. ge: - eggs are laid without any regular order, attached to the the posterior pole and placed diagonally to the plane of the is minute, appearing to the eye like a reddish tuberance. Under the microscope it is seen to be almost perfectly : , 27 mm. long and 09 mm. wide. The surface is smooth and the "egg shell transparent, the reddish color more intense at one end, being due to the larva inside. Most of the eggs are scattered irregularly _ betw the veins on the lower surface, but a few are generally laid, ap- _ parently by chance, on the upper side. From fifty leaves, an average of ry nty eggs was obtained for cach, with not over six on the upper pal but the total number varied from forty to one hundred and twenty. On one leaf, an inch and three-quarters of an inch wide, there were two hundred and eighty-one eggs on the lower su:face and One hundred and seventy-five on the upper. This, however, is an sonal case. L ‘The larva hatches in from four to six days, the time varying with the weather. The body is pale orange, the head a shade darker. Length 27 mm.; width .1o mm. They go at once to the edge of the ‘Teaf, or to any hole in it, and begin to feed on the upper surface. After about four days of this feeding, the edge beings to curl over "on to the upper surface, forming a roll, the upper side of which becomes * = + 2 - $ surrey 7 9 352 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 more or less reddish. Within this roll, the larva continues to feed, extending the roll as it grows. Occasionally, a young larva feeds tor a time in a circle on the exposed surface of the leaf, causing it to become reddish and wrinkled. By May 22, nearly all the leaves near the ground show the rolls, which in some cases, nearly encircle the leaf, while in others, they may be about one-quarter of an inch long. In 92ne roll, an inch long, twenty-five larvae were found; while in others, only a few were present. As a rule, the longer the roll, the fewer insects they contain relatively. The insects remain in the larval stage through the summer, becoming full grown by the last of September or first of October, when all but those parasitized descend into the ground aud pupate to pass the winter. In exceptional cases, perfect larvae are not able to escape from the roll in the fall, and so pass the winter in the gall, emerging at the usual time in the spring through cracks or punc- tures in the drier rolls. Parasites—This gallfly is attacked by a chalcid egg parasite which appears at the same time in swarms almost as large as those of the host. The female chalcid walks around among the Cecidomyia eggs touching them rapidly with her antennae and stopping every now and then to insert her ovipositor and lay an egg in one of the host eggs, but neg- lects those surrounding it. A species of mite was also found to be very abundant under and on the tree, and though it was not seen attacking eggs or larva, con- ditions were such that it may be considered as possibly a parasite. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV. 1. Lower side of leaf showing galls, half natural size. 2. First stage of larva, not over six days old; just beginning to form galls on oak leaves. X 190. 3. Wing of C. foliora. X 25. 4. Segment of antenna of male; greatly enlarged. 5. “Wishbone” of full grown larva; greatly enlarged. 6. Dorsal view of head of full grown larva; greatly enlarged. Mosgurtors INvADE Crty.—Swarm Comes to Town and Plays Havoc Before Storm.—Just before the heavy storm last nignt a large swarm of mosquitoes flew into the city and caused a great deal of annoyance and plenty of work for physicians in the hospitals of the northeast section. In about fifteen minutes after the swarm struck the city the hospitals began to receive patients with their faces and hands so badly swollen that it was necessary in some cases to lance them to draw out the sting of the bite. On Girard Avenue, east of Belgrade Street, the pests stripped all the trees of their leaves. After they had passed the trees looked as though autumn had come.—Philadelphia Press, July 24, 1908. [!!!] _ ENTOMOLOGICAL News. 353 Sv eactemission of Bubonic Plague: a. Study of g the San Francisco Epidemic. “a By M. B. Mrrzaarn, B.S. he role of the flea in the trahsmission of bubonic plague $ particular interest to observations on the species of fleas -stin g rats in the San Francisco epidemic. In the present campaign of rodent extermination eighteen i rats have been examined by the writer. From the lat- a t of inant to December st he spent much of his time Miliitieinfected districts of San Francisco and other Re : where the existence of the plague was suspeeted. In ___ this connection an effort was made to locate the source of the E ees id flea introduction into the infected regions. = om ms SEGCE AMD EteTRIBUTION OF SPECIES OF FLEAS, : _ From coasting ships and river steamers the common flea ob- is & d was of the species Ceratophyllus fasciatus Bosc, and those _ collected from ships from oriental ports were of the s Ctenopsylla musculi Duges and Pulex cheopis Roth. eae 5 ver eteeared to be a definite invasion of the introduced spe- de s. Along the water front and east to the Latin quarter in z. Be Bemis there came to my obseravtion certain evidence is | introduction. As far as could be determined the orien- Sal get flea seemed to disappear east of this line within ten city a and only the common rat flea, Ceratophyllus fasciatus, made its appearance. In outlying districts I have not succeeded collecting ship rat fleas. I have secured negative evidence } determine that the foreign fleas are alone responsible for Fhe transmission. On twenty plague rats not one of the alien species was obtained. The flea in evidence was that com- mon to the Pacific coast, Ceratophyllus fasciatus. This species is the predominant rat flea in the counties bordering the bay. It was collected in San Francisco, Oakland, Point Richmond, and in districts where plague had been reported by the local h boards. At Point Richmond nineteen rat fleas were col- tasted i in a warehouse which was a probable source of human Se ame 08 proved to be the common species. From one in- [> 7 354 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 fected rat (Mus decumanus) taken from old Chinatown, nine- ty fleas were obtained, eighty-five per cent. of which were C. fasciatus. In Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley the rat flea C. fasciatus predominates to a marked degree. Ninety-five per cent. are the common species, the remainder being for the greater part Ctenocephalus canis, the cat and dog flea. Ctenopsylla musculi Duges is suspected of being a recent immigrant, This species was first collected in North America by Dr. Duges from a seaport town in Mexico. It was origin- ally described as a new species with the name Ctenopsylla mexi- cana. It is, however, synonymous with Ctenopsylla musculi. This species was found principally on ships from the orient and on one ship which came from Mexican ports Ctenopsylla musculi was found. It is found along the harbor front and one-half mile inland. Rats from the orient are no doubt re- sponsible for its introduction into San Francisco. Pulex cheopis Roth. originally was collected by Rothschild in Egypt, but is universal in its distribution. It has been recorded from southern Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, but never from North America. This is the flea which is charged with eighty to ninety per cent. of insect transmission of plague in India. It was collected from ships in the harbor which had visited ports in the Philippines, Japan and Hawaii. It was col- lected in San Francisco two blocks from the water front on Mus decumanus, the brown rat. On shipboard its host was found to be the black rat, Mus rattus. On land it was found in company with Ctenopsyllus musculi on rats from a water front grain warehouse. Nine species of this flea, Pulex cheopis, were received from Assistant Surgeon Ebert, who removed them from his person. Dr. Ebert is an officer in the United States — Public Health and Marine Hospital Service and employed in plague quarantine on ships from the orient and South America. It was while on duty sulfuring the holds of the S. S. “Mon- golia’” that he first became aware of the attacks of the parasites. Fortunately for the victim, the “Mongolia” enjoyed a. clean bill of health. The significance of the oriental flea introduction may be appreciated by the fact that eight or ten cases of the . ae -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 355 ie have been removed from shipboard since the present *rancisco epidemic. ° enocephalus canis Curtis on rats appears to be more nu- us in the metropolis than on rats collected in the trans tion. This species was perhaps contributed to the rat ts feline and canine hunters. This accounts probably for er number of Ctenocephalus canis found on rats in the ¢ densely populated quarters. On shipboard Ctenocephal- — is eeee comected from rodent hosts. The ship cat t _Feputec to be a rat hunter. The constant petting and i by the sailors does not stimulate hunting natural prey he inaccessibility of holds of vessels is a substantial check at catching. Thus an interchange of parasites between ) animals was not to be expected nor in any instance has my as known to occur. Numerous ship pets inadvertently left in| the cabins during fumigation proved victims to the sulfur mes. One species of flea only, the cat flea, was found on few fleas of the human species Pulex irritans Linn. - d from live or dead rats, It was the least numerous tthe ane found on animal hosts. Those collected were arbored by brown rats in a grain warehouse and: stable in %- wr the study of ship rat fleas twenty-five vessels were in- _ gpected and methods of rat extermination investigated. The essels in every instance were thoroughly sealed and fumigated th three per cent. SO2 gas obtained from burning crude sul- _ The rats when exposed to five hours of sulfuring are i after the third hour, when they scamper about to escape P dondly fumes before they succumb. Invariably the dead 8 oe are found with opaque lenses,—an evidence of blindness + asp death. Formerly three hours was the length of expos- "ure to sulfur fumigation. The rats were rarely killed, but mere- ly rendered stupid by the fumes and men with clubs killed _ them. Upon collecting these rats I found that the fleas soon revived and gave evidence of their activity when the contain- ers were opened. It was concluded that three hours’ exposure 356 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 was not sufficint to kill the parasites in this peculiar environ- ment. It appeared that a blanket of pure air enveloped the rodent’s body which the gas would not penetrate in the three hours of sulfuring. After these facts were established an exposure to five hours was the minimum time set. In an expos- ure to five hours this hypothetical layer of air surrounding the animal’s body was presumably destroyed and the fleas exposed directly to the sulfur fumes. Endeavoring: to escape, the fleas would jump about when the rats became blind and succumbed to the slowly penetrating sulfur fumes. Some were found on the floors of the holds and the comparatively few fleas found on the rat were asphyxiated in attempting to extricate them- selves or jumped on the rat from the floor when the deadly fumes were becoming effective. Evidence of this was obtained in the fact that all the specimens collected from the rats were found clinging to the ends of the hairs. When a vessel had received its fourth or fifth fumigation, providing the captain had observed the legal precautions (keep- ing the vessel fended off six feet and wearing rat guards on all her lines when alongside the docks) the rats aboard proved to be a negligible quantity. Efforts were taken under these circumstances to collect the fleas directly from the holds by means of fly-paper wound about the shoe tops of a person who walked through holds and between decks. This method proved ineffectual for trapping purposes, though it is followed with success when fleas are plentiful. The claim made—perhaps on unsubstantiated evidence—that live fleas invariably leave the dead body of a rat is considered untenable. I have found fifteen live fleas on the carcasses of forty black and brown rats. These had been cold for thirty-six hours, showing signs of de- composition. Dr. Hobdy, Chief Quarantine Officer of the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, lo- cated a number of dead rats in a stable near the harbor. Four of these were examined by him and showed about sixty live fleas in the cervical region of each. These rats had been dead for at last forty-eight hours, infested as they were with half- grown larvae of blow flies. At the City Board of Health head- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 357 ters and the district plague sub-stations live fleas have been fom numerous rats (as many as ninety-seyen from a le rat) which had been dead from periods ranging from to sixty hours. The British Indian Plague Commission has demonstrated md a doubt the method of rat flea plague transmission. reds of plague rat fleas have been carefully dissected and ternal organs minutely inspeeted for any evidence of xe bacilli. The salivary glands, the theoretical centre of were, after many painstaking attempts, successfully i from the body cavity. These were examined and a re like organism was found within the secretory ducts. In va yn, many fleas were crushed and inoculated into healthy 54 . These latter, in every instance where the fleas had been ie: fon. yed from plague rats, succumbed to typical plague lesions. Itw gy for granted upon experimental evidence that the is, n mission was due directly to the co-operation of the salivary gland: fe ‘the action of the blood-sucking mandibles and Lee ats GS G roa t wi i ge . Ina cond series of experiments the commission attempted t further the validity of this theory. Live fleas were re- d from septicemic Plague Rats and placed in small als covered with flea net gauze. A flea-clean healthy animal ’ selected and from a small area on the back the hair was cs ey The mouth of the vial was then placed against the ' smooth skin and the flea permitted to bite through the gauze, Bz er biting, the insect was immediately withdrawn and the animal placed in a flea-proof cage and observed. A similar ry a was taken and treated in an identical manner, but im- bai si on withdrawing the flea, after it had bitten, a plati- auth needle loopful of a plague flea’s intestinal evacuation was _ tubbed into the bite. These experiments were duplicated and _ the results showed a marked uniformity. In no instance did 4 the flea bite alone prove fatal, but in a large percentage the bites which were accompanied by the inoculation of the intes- tinal discharges caused a rapid death with post mortem plague positive verifications. It appears, then, that the disease trans- a ; a an a “7 358 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’o8 mission from rat to man is due essentially to the introduction of the intestinal evacuations into the bite of the flea. It is the “rubbing it in” which is significant. In the first experiments performed by the British Indian Plague Commission a technical oversight was suffered in their premature conclusions concerning the infectivity of the sali- vary glands. In this instance the investigators neglected to provide control measures, there were counted approximately two hundred ad forty ‘fines. Three of these rats were autopsied and one to have a pronounced case of plague, verified by Dr. dy, av. ‘s A., clinically and bacteriologically, Under nor- $c litions and in districts removed from plague, the rats harbor an average of three or four fleas. e tions were taken to determine whether rat fleas will bite the human. Baker states (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. ’05) tha rat fleas in America were never known to bite man. Since ___we know definitely how the plague is transmitted from rat to man it must be taken for granted at the outset that man has 1 1 ten rat flea bitten in many instances, as the San Francisco __ Official plague records will show. Specific instances can be é cited hy the improvised bacteriological laboratory of the San o ar » Health Department hundreds of dead and live ro- 4 0 toa were brought daily. Fleas from these rats hopped freely about the floors and work tables, making things irritable for 2 4 attendants and health officers. On shipboard nine specimens of rat fleas were collected preying on one of the surgeons in the United States Public Health Marine Hospital Service. My harem experiences contribute the fact that rat fleas taken Bp rectly from live rats or even rats which have been dead for eae hours, will not bite the human until they have been per- » mitted to starve in a test tube for two days or longer. 360 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’o8 Notes on Tiger-Beetles and Elevations. FRANKLIN SHERMAN, JR., Dept. Agric., Raleigh, N. C. In company with Mr. C. S. Brimley, I spent the first two weeks of May this year (1908), in the southern part of the mountainous region of western North Carolina, for purposes of zoological exploration. This region contains some of the highest peaks and ranges of the entire Appalachian mountain system, and as it is near the southern terminus of the system, it furnishes an excellent field for observations on the effect of elevation upon distribution. During the trip the counties of Transylvania, Jackson, Macon and Cherokee were collected in to greater or lesser extent, the localities ranging from 2,000 to 4,300 feet elevation. The season was undoubtedly too early for the best observa- tions on some species of Tiger-beetles, but certain ones which were observed, especially C. purpurea, seemed to show such definite limits of distribution, that it seems worth while to place these observations on record. Cicindela repanda. Already recorded throughout all the western two-thirds of the state, and at various elevations, but is generally restricted to lighter-colored soils, gravels, sands, etc., in vicinity of streams. One specimen was taken along roadside on moun- tain at Andrews at about 2,500 feet elevation. The only water near was small rills, hardly large and deep enough for me to find opportunity to drink. At Lake Toxaway, 3,000 feet ele- vation, several specimens were taken along shores of lake. Cicindela sexguttata. The specimens collected on the trip may belong to the variety harrisi. The species was frequently taken, and still more fre- quently seen, at various elevations from 2,000 to 3,500 feet. At Andrews in Cherokee County it was a common species on the lower parts of a mountain road, being mingled at the high- er elevations with splendida and purpurea, It was also com- mon at an elevation of 2,500 to 3,000 feet along road from Highlands to Franklin, in Macon County, and was also taken at Blantyre, Transylvania County, and at Aquone, Macon County. :-——_ -. ++ 08) ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 361 ne ela vulgaris. : is species which is found throughout at least’the greater f the state occurs principally in early spring and in fall. one specimen was taken,—at Andrews, Cherokee County ‘mountain road at about 2,500 feet elevation. This Jes - record from so many parts of the state that it was spe tially sought for or noticed on this trip. It was probably a at other places. a $ species has been recorded from our N. C. mountains but this was the first time I had ever taken it. Four ms were taken at Andrews, at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 feet. In accordance with the observations of _ others we did not find it in hot, open, sunny places, but in shady _ corners, or where shade was close at hand. Possibly it does t usually become active until dusk. denshaw’s check-list gives this as a variety of 6-guttata, but ng, in his Revision, regards it as distinct. It averages larger at has the middle band complete, and in this state teed from the mountain region while 6-guttata has en in all sections. One specimen of patruela was taken antyre, Transylvania County, at the very top of a mountain 3,000 feet elevation. I do not recall ever having taken hi pest es than 2,000 or 2,500 feet, and I have come to r it as a strictly mountain species in this state. splendida. Henshaw lists this as one of the many varieties of purpurea, at recognizes it as a distinct species, with which my observations agree, though the two may be connected by in- termediate forms in other sections. Splendida averages small- ef, is quite local in its distribution, is decidedly different in - color, (the dorsum of prothorax being bright green, and not _ cupreous as in purpurea) is found (in this State) at lower ele- vations, and is in my experience a quicker, more wary species and harder to capture. Several were observed along the road from Highlands to Franklin in Macon County. But it was < “~® 2 a 362 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’o8 ona road going up a mountain at Andrews that we found it most common. Here it was abundant between elevations of about 2,500 to 3,500 feet. At the lower part of this range it was mingled with about equal numbers of sexguttata, and at the higher elevations a few purpurea were found with it. My first specimens were taken in this same part of the State several years ago and I have come to regard it as mainly a mountain species, though I have taken it at two localities fully a hundred miles east of the mountains. Cicindela purpurea. Even before this trip, I had come to regard purpurea as one of the typically northern insects which ranges in our state only along the higher ridges. I first took it here (six years ago) at an elevation of about 4,000 feet, and it reminded me forcibly of western New York State where I first knew it. I have on other occasions taken it at other places in North Carolina but only at high, cool elevations. On this trip I took special note of its occurrence. It was taken at five different localities but in every case at elevations of not less (as best I could deter- mine) than 3,000 feet. At Sapphire, (Jackson County) where the whole county is a plateau of about 3,000 feet elevation, it was found at ordinary levels. At Aquone, which is a much broken section it was found on ridges above the valleys at about 3,000 feet and upwards. At Blantyre, our only specimen was taken at about 3,000 feet on the top of the same mountain with our one specimen of patruela. In driving from Highlands to Franklin (Macon County) we traversed country ranging from 2,200 to 4,000 feet. Purpurea was encountered several times at the higher elevations but not seen at all at the lower levels. At Andrews in ascending a mountain road we found our first specimens at about 3,000 feet and it was found from there to the top at about 4,000 feet. It is of course unsafe to draw sweeping conclusions from the casual observations of a few weeks, but my experience on this trip, as well as others before, leads me to believe that in | our mountain section many interesting facts can be worked out in regard to the distribution of insects (of all kinds) at varying elevations. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 363 Occurrence of the Remarkable Braconid Genus _____Helorimorpha in America. ~ By Ci ARLES T. Brues, Public Museum, Milwaukee. Nn 1907, Professor Otto Schmiedeknecht described a very pe- le species of Braconida’to which he gave the name imor egregia (Hym. Mitteleuropas, Jena, 1907, p. : kee he new to science and for its reception, its jor establi the subfamily Helorimorphine, which he *d between the vores ed and Leiphroninz in the scheme classification adopted in that work. The single specimen upon I ich ] Prof. Schmiedeknecht based his description seems to have been the only one so far recorded, and I was therefore very irprised recently to receive from my friend Professor Mielander, a second specimen which represents a very istinct but closely allied ies collected by him some years _ 8g0 at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Like its European con- _ gener, the American species is probably very rare, as the pres- ent specimen is the only one taken during several summers ¢ collecting in the vicinity, by both Professor Melander es me great pleasure to dedicate the species to its dis- bverer, in remembrance of the many entomological excursions lich we have taken together into the interesting territory sur- 1 : ir : Woods Hole. % — . Helorimorpha melanderi sp. nov. malé—Lenath 4 mm. Honey-vellow; the head. except mouthparts, 1 the antenr black. Head seen from above, transverse, two nd one-half times as wide as thick, and full behind the eves. Eyes , nearly circular, no longer than the large, broad cheeks. Front sly excavated on each side above the insertion of the antennz, pressions separated by a strong median carina which extends below the base of the antennx nearly to the median ocellus. Ocelli | placed in a small cquilateral triangle which is distinctly raised ind bordered by a raised line. Head margined behind on the occiput. - temples and checks. Clypeus transverse, elliptic. very broadly and Slightly emarginate anteriorly; mandibles long, acute, apparently with a | broa¢ tooth some distance before the tip. Surface of head faintly le above, very closely so below, clypeus sparsely punctate, cheeks, S and occiput smooth and polished. Antennz 18-jointed; scape as the first flagellar joint, pedicel small, subglobose: flagellar it: lly shortening to the ninth which is ovoid, following moni- ort Maxillary palpi 4-jointed. Entire thorax, including pleura, cul: or coarsely pitted with large, almost confluent thimble- ed punctures. Metathorax short, abruptly declivous behind; longi- tudinally concave on the posterior slope. Abdomen smooth and highly polished. inserted very low down between the hind coxa, its | petiole long and slender, curved and dilated at the tip as in some males of the Cryptine, with a few delicate strie at the base. Remainder 364 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’o8 of abdomen narrowly ovate, second segment concealing all the others, the ovipositor barely projecting beyond its tip. Legs rather stout, all the femora and the posterior tibize clavate, tips of posterior tibize and their tarsi black; posterior tibiz with two short, subequal spurs. Wings hyaline, with dark stigma and pale venation. Stigma large and broadly ovate, as long as the. marginal cell. Radial vein bent at a right angle, its second section regularly arcuate. First transverse cubitus as long as the first section of the cubitus, second very short, almost interstitial with the first section of the radius; submedian cell a little longer than the median, second cubital cell two and one-half times as long as wide. Helorimorpha melanderi sp. nov. Described from one female, Woods Hole, Mass. (A. L. Melander) July 21, 1902. The present species differs from H. egregia Schmied. by its honey-yellow thorax and abdomen, and more strongly clavate abdominal petiole. The abdomen is also less distinctly truncate and the wing venation slightly different. The genus Helorimorpha is the representative of a truly re- markable group and reminds one strongly of certain Euphor- inze, except for the well developed wing venation, longer sec- ond abdominal segment, and more distinctly moniliform an- tenne. I cannot but think that it must be an archaic form re- lated to the stock from which the modern Euphorine have de- veloped. In fact, I have a typical member of the Euphorine, probably representing an undescribed genus with an abdomen almost exactly like that of Helorimorpha. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 365 2 the ‘Aphis-Feeding Species of Aphelinus. By L. O. Howarp. toa comparatively recent date, the only Chalcidoid of family Aphelininae known to parasitize Aphididae was linus mali Hald., described by Haldeman in the Proceed- gs of the Boston Society of Natural History, Volume VI, Pages 402-403, under the name of Eriophilus mali. It ™ $ reared by Haldeman from Schisoneura (Eriosoma) lani- k, and is referred to under this name by Comstock in his Re- ‘ ish as eecmnclogist for the United States Department of Ag- tic Iture for 1879, and is figured at Plate VI, figure 6, from :; reared by the writer from Schizoneura lanigera oc- upon apple upon the grounds of the Department of at Washington. The species had apparently also reared from the same host by Walsh in Illinois and by in Missouri. Since then it has been found to be a rather parasite of Aphididae, and the following records oc- in the writer's Revision of the Aphelininae of North _ America (Technical Series No. 1, Division of Entomology, U. __ §. Department of Agriculture, 1895) where it was placed in its ‘proper genus, Aphelinus; by F. M. Webster from Glyphina era- at Lafayette, Indiana, September 6 to ro, 1885; by the same observer from Aphis brassicae on turnip; by T. A. Williams, at Lincoln, Nebr., from Pemphigus fraxinifolii, June 10, 1890; by the same observer from Aphis monardae at Ash- land, Nebraska, May 24th, 1890, and by W. H. Ashmead from ‘Siphonophora rosae at Jacksonville, Fla., in April, 1881 (de- scribed by Doctor Ashmead as Blastothrix rosae, unfortunately placing it in the wrong family). Still later and as yet unre- corded rearings of this interesting species have been made by Zehntner from Aphis sacchari at Pasoroean, Java, and in the insectary at Washington by Pergande from Tetraneura colo- __ phoidea, November 7, 1897, from Cabin Johns Bridge, Mary- _ land. The species seems, therefore, to be not only a very gen- “eral parasite of Aphididae, but also seems to be of wide distri- ” Aphelinus mali was at once set off from the other species 366 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’o8 of Aphelinus, with one exception, by the possession of hairy eyes, and this character, taken in connection with its different host relation, has suggested the advisability of erecting a new genus to contain it and the allied forms that have since been discovered. It also differs in its black color from the Coccid- iihabiting species. A single individual of an Aphelinus having hairy eyes and being black except for the head and extremities of the abdomen was collected by Koebele in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California, and has been described by the author (Technical Series No. 1) as A. flaviceps, the statement being made at the same time that the species would probably ulti- mately be found to be parasitic upon some Aphidid, this con- clusion being reached from the prevalence of the dark color and from the possession of hairy eyes. A. flaviceps, however, has never since been reared, and the accuracy of this theoretical suggestion has not been proved or disproved. Comparatively recently however two additional species have been reared from Aphididae, which are also characterized by the possession of a preponderance of black in the coloration and by eyes that are hairy. These species, A. semiflavus n. sp. and A. nigritus n. sp. are described below. TABLE SEPARATING THE APHELINUS PARASITES OF APHIDIDAE. FEMALES. Eyes obviously hairy. Head black, base of abdomen yellow, hind femora pallid . mali Hald. Head yellow, abdomen yellow at base and tip, all legs orange- yellowed ey. cd fo ele alin ie lee flaviceps How. Head and abdomenentirely black. ......... nigritus n. sp. Eyes obscurely hairy. Abdomen light yellowish, darker at margins, all legs yellowish or sliptithy Masky 6202.05 Fe Se semiflavus n. sp.’ MALES. Third funicle joint twice as long as pedicel and six times as long as broad ; club one-fourth longer than third funicle joint semiflavus n. sp. Third funicle joint very slightly longer than pedicel, and slightly more than three times as long as broad; club rather more than twice as long as third funicle joint ........ mali Hald- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 367 h 1.08 mm.; expanse 1.87 mm.; greatest width of wing Antenne short, excluding scape about the length ce; pedicel long, more than three times as long as wide; funicle $ 1 and 2 subequal in length and width and each slightly less than hird length of pedicel; joint 3 two-thirds length of pedicel and t as wide as its tip; club slightly swollen, ellipsoidal, and about ce of pedicel. Eyes faintly hairy. General color black; shining, scape and pedicel dusky, flagellum pallid, club somewhat dusky at tip; front and middle femora and all dusky; hind femora straw yellow. Abdomen light around margin with brownish. Wings rather short, th o85 mm.; expanse 1.58 mm.; greatest width of fore Differs from female in having antennz nearly uniform slightly darker, and in the proportions of third funicle Third joint cylindrical, twice as long as pedicel and six broad; club one-quarter longer than third funicle joint, shape. = i from 14 @ @ specimens reared by C. P. Gillette, Collins, Colo., July 15, 19, 1908, from Mysus persicae, 1 reared at Washington from the same host sent in by Pro- Gillette. The parasitized host turns black. | eat 3 type No. 12031. ‘« y n. Sp. nth, 0.68 mm.; expanse, 1.7 mm.; greatest width of fore 5 os6 mm Flagellum of antenne short, not as long as face; = obconical, about twice as long as wide; first and second funicle er: is very short, together less than half as long as pedicel ; third funicle . at about as long as thick, and about as long as, or slightly shorter ae n pedicel ; club about three times as long as third funicle joint, ab as long as broad, obliquely truncate at tip. Body uniformly rf shining, Mesoscutum, including parapsides, with faint, sparse, = irregular punctures. All legs and antennz pale yellow except _ for a duskiness of the hind tibi and the tip of the antennal club. - _Male—Unknown. _ __ Described from six @ specimens reared by G. G. Ainslie, 1 of Entomology, Spartanburg, S. C., from Toxoptera ‘-~ i a B ‘ * U. S. N. M. type No. 12032. 368 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 An Interesting new Agrilus from Cincinnati, Ohio. By CHARLES Dury. Agrilus ferrisi n. sp. Color, shining cupreous. Head coarsely, strigosely punctured. An- tennae serrate from the fourth joint. Front densely pubescent with white hairs, and with a deep median groove. Prothorax slightly broader than long. Sides almost parallel, rounded at front angles and sinuate in front of obtuse hind angles, which are carinate in both sexes. Disk coarsely punctured and strigose, with a dense patch of white pubes- cence each side, extending from base to apex. Scutellum transversely carinate. Elytra costate from humeri nearly to tip. Sides slightly sinuate behind the humeri and dilated behind the middle, thence taper- ing to tip, which is serrulate and prolonged into an acute spine. The surface of elytra is muricately punctured and transversely wrinkled. The elytra project beyond the tip of last abdominal segment in both sexes. The pygidium is not carinate. Beneath, the entire thorax, sides of meso- and metasterna, and a large patch on the sides of each ventral segment, densely white pubescent. Claws bifid. The sexual organs are very peculiar. The male organ is composed of three pieces, the middle one being longest and bluntly pointed at tip. The shorter side pieces are acute at tip, and with a fringe of long hairs each side. There is a channel down the centre of the tip of the middle piece. The tip of last ventral segment is bluntly rounded and has a deep groove running around it near the edge. In the female the last segment is squarely truncate, and the projecting ovipositor is tapering and emar- ginate each side, and squarely truncate at tip. The segment has a feeble longitudinal carina at middle and a curved groove each side. Length, 10-11 mm. Fifteen specimens. Beaten only from Hackberry Celtis occi- dentalis. Cincinnati, Ohio, June 7 to July 2. This species leads to a large group of forms found in Mexico and Central America, in which the elytral apices are prolonged and other- wise curiously modified in various ways. I am unable to find anything like it described in the Biologia, or Dr. Horn’s paper, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., xviii, p. 277. : Named in honor of Miss Phoebe Ferris, in whose woods I found all of the specimens. During her lifetime she was a devoted lover of our virgin forests, and realized the import- ance of their preservation. A specimen deposited in U. S. Nat. Museum, m i . _ RHOPALOCERA. api: thoas. wo he _“ polyxenes. ae. a ep ahi H “of Local Lepidoptera found at Decorah, Iowa. * 369 a By A. F. Porter. 223 Junonia coenia. 236 Basilarchia astyanax. 237 arthemis. 239 > archippus. 244 Chlorippe celtis. 248 * clyton. 238 Cercyonis alope. 238 ~ nephele. 286 Enodia portlandia, 299 Cissia eurytus. 308 Anosia plexippus. 311 Hypatus bachmani. 347 Thecla calanus. gB4 Strymon titus. Feniseca tarquinius. 390 Gacides dione. 303 Chrysophanus thoe. 309 Heodes hypophieas. 440 Cyaniris ladon. 440 bo marginata. 442 Everes comyntas. 484 Atrytone hobomok, $12 Hylephila campestris. 516 Thymelicus brettus. $23 _ cernes. $26 Polites peckius. 528 Euphyes verna. 584 Epargyreus tityrus. Gor Thorybes pylades. 605 Pholisora catullus. 625 Thanaos juvenalis. 617 = brizo. 642 Hesperia tessellata. 643 aa montivagus. HETEROCERA. 653 Hemaris diffinis. 656 “ — thysbe. 667 Amphion nessus. 670 Deilephila gallii. 671 7 lineata. 37° 672 Theretra tersa. 678 Pholus pandorus. 67906 “*-— ss achemon. 681 Ampelophaga choerilus. 682 4 myron, 686 Dilophonta ello. 696 Phlegethontius quinquemacu-. lata. - sexta. 700 Sphinx kalmiae. 701 i drupiferarum. 706 . chersis. 713 % canadensis. 716 ” eremitus. 720 Chlaenogramma jasminea- rum. 721 Ceratomia amyntor. 722 ng undulosa. 728 Marumba modesta. ‘729 Smerinthus jamaicensis. 731 Paonias excaecatus. 732 m myops. 734 Cressonia juglandis. 739 Samia cecropia. 747 Tropaea luna. 748 Telea polyphemus. 753 Automeris io. 2806 Catocala epione. 2865 % ilia. 2826 . relicta. 2827 3 cara. 2828 8 NULUS. 2831 % californica. 2890 © whitney. 2864 i“ celia. 2907 “5 lineella. 2877 f desdemona. 2892 i crataegi. 2851 ¥ mariana. 2854 3 briseis. 2857 id parta. 2830 ¥ concumbens. 2848 " unijuga. 2902 Ss grynea. 2872 fe cerogama. 2868 és piatrix. 2900 praeclara., ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 2907 Catocala nerissa. 2911 Euparthenos nubilis. 874 Apantesis virgo. 892 * figurata. 882 it arge. 879 5 rectilinea. 875 a virguncula. 895 " vittata. 878 cs parthenice. 8905 FP phalerata. 3226 Oreta rosea. 3123 Nadata gibbosa. 3124 Nerice bidentata. 771 Anisota rubicunda. 767 “4 stigma. 770 “ virginiensis. 4008 Caberodes majoraria. 3214. Malacosoma americana. 3090 Apatelodes torrefacta. 2448 Stiria rugifrons. 1053 Harrisimemna trisignata. 2986 Homoptera lunata, 2986 edusa. 851 Estigmene acraea, 840 Haploa lecontei. 840 “ militaris. 842 s contigua, 3180 Euthyatira pudens. 3922 Ennomos subsignarius. 3023 pseudargyria. 1953 * unipuncta. 3120 Lophodonta ferruginea, 3121 * angulosa. 1295 Pyrophila pyramidoides. 3327 Eucymatoge intestinata. 3173 Habrosyne scripta. 3071 Euchlaena kentaria. 4516 Pyralis farinalis. 3208 Tolype velleda. 2469 Panchrysia purpurigera. 3034 Hyperitis nepiasaria. 3468 Haematopsis grataria. eee Xylina disposita. “ innominata, “a Sciagraphia mellistrigata, 3031 Plagodis phiogosaria. 3929 “ — fervidaria. 787 Scepsis fulvicolilis. 2300 Heliothis armiger. 1370 Adita chionanthi. 2206 Eucirroedia pampina. 1464 Peridroma astricta, 3117 Notodonta simplaria. 294s Phurys perspicua. 1454 Agrotis ypsilon. 1455 “ —— geniculata. 2179 Papaipema nitela. 2183 " cerussata. 2187 ™ cataphracta. 2190 . rutila, 2230 Orthosia helva. 2222 “ _ bicolorago. 2536 Abrostola urentis. 3916 Eugonobapta nivosaria. 3850 Cleora pampinaria. 1267 Polia diversilineata. 372 3487 Synelys ennucleata. 3881 Phigalia titea. 3245 Paleacrita vernata. 4016 Sabulodes lorata. 4011 Tetracis crocallata. 39086 Metanema quercivoraria. 3913 Metrocampa praegrandaria. 4007 Caberodes confusaria. 3950 Euchlaena obtusaria. 3057 re effectaria. 3964 a mar ginata. 3960 © johnsonaria. 3886 Cingilia catenaria. 792 Lycomorpha pholus. 2149 Sphida obliqua. 2204 Trigonophora periculosa. 1054 Microcoelia dipteroides. 2197 Pyrrhia wmbra. 2920 Panapoda rufimargo. 2979 Pheocyma lunifera. 2915 Phoberia atomaris. 2760 Euclidia cuspidea. 836 Utetheisa bella. 2131 Cucullia speyeri. 957 Panthea furcilla. 1422 Eueretagrotis sigmoides. 2165 Gortyna immanis. 2161 <4 velata. 2162 . nictitans, 2060 Tricholita signata. 1297 Heliotropha atra. 2456 Plagiomimicus pityochromus. 968 Raphia frater. 2328 Schinia cumatilis. 1300 Prodenia ornithogalli. 2551 Marasmalus inficita. 4208 Sesia tipuliformis. 2389 Dasyspondaea lucens. 1289 Trachea delicata. 3177 Pseudothyatira expultrix. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. » 3095 ' 3111 Hyperaeschra stragula. 1087 Crambodes talidiformis. 2618 Galgula partita. 2044 Graphiphora garmani. 2015 sh oviducta. 3065 Bomolocha baltimoralis. 2556 Anomis erosa. 1921 Ulolonche modesta. 1481 Noctua c-nigrum. 1496 1 clandestina. 1491 “ — collaris. 3100 Datana angusii. 3008 As ministra. 3106 8 perspicua. 3108 rd integerrima. 3118 Pheosia dimidiata. 3092 Melalopha apicalis. 3096 #2 albosigma. 6: strigosa. 3148 Schizura ipomoeae. “cc | 3151 unicornis. ' 3150 * semirufescens. 3153 “ — badia. ' 3149 &§ concinna. 3133 Heterocampa obliqua. ' 3136 a umbrata, i 3137 2 manteo, | 3138 € subrotata. _ 1290 Dipterygia scabuscula. - 1375 Eutolype rolandi. ' 1885 Morrisonia sectilis. b 1885608 vomerina. 2261 Ipimorpha pleonectusa. : 3145 Ianassa lignicolor. . 3164 Harpyia scolopendrina. 3162 id cinerea, 3160 Cerura occidentalis. 4142 Cossus centerensis. 3438 Gypsochroa designata. 1049 Arsilonche albovenosa. {Oct., ’08 Note.—Names are taken from H. G. Dyar’s “List of North American Lepidoptera,’ and the numbers preceding specific lames correspond to those in the above mentioned work. I should be pleased to receive exchange lists from all parties de- siring any of the species on this list. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 373 ~~ Colorado Bembicidae. By S. A. Jounson ann S. A. RoHWER. © ‘The main object of this paper is to give the distribution, lin the State, of the species which are known to occur ind to add a few species which have hitherto not been Tepor The notes are based principally on the collection ‘of the Colorado Agricultural College, but a few species have taken by the junior author. make the paper more complete, tables to separate the _ The family may be separated into two distinct subfamilies be e- le bie with two spurs at apex ; ocelli normal, round. . . Stizina. with one spur at apex ; ocelli more or less abnormal, espe- Cially the anteriorone......4...... BEMBECIN-. Srizin &. cell much longer than the first cubital ; species large. a ak ete eS et both large and small NS TS TRE ee Stizus Latr Ae & SPHECIUS Dahlb. ae This 2 0 small genus, containing but four species in the United States. These are all southern forms. There is but __ ome species known from Colorado, S. sfeciosus Drury. We ie _ Ihave two females and a male from Las Animas, Col., August os ‘aes The thorax is rufous. & STIZUS |atr. Species large ; metathorax not emarginate posteriorly ( Megastizus). . Species smaller, about 10 mm. ; sretatboatice:-aeneaihdaanlaa aan (Stizus) 1, Wings mostly blue-black ; first and second transverse cubiti meeting, or nearly so, on the radial ; second dorsal abdominal segment : with a rufous band, other segments black. . . unicinctus Say. _ Wings hyaline ; first and second transverse cubiti distinctly separated on radial ; abdomen with many pale spots or bands. . brevipennis Walsh. ¥ e 3 374 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 Stizus (J/egastizus) unicinctus Say. We have not seen this species. It is recorded from Colo- rado by Cresson (cat.), and Ashmead (Colo. list). Stizus (/egastizus) brevipennis Walsh. We have a male of this species from Ft. Lupton, Colorado, July 22, 1900. Stizus (S/zzvs) subalpinus Ckll. This was described as a variety of favus Cam., but inasmuch as all the northern ones are as pale as subalpinus, it may be called a species; Two males, Ft. Collins, Col,, Aug. 7, 1904. Stizus (S/zus) godmani Cam. Two males, Boulder, Col. Aug. 30, 1907, fls. of Helianthus pumilis (Roh.). ‘This species is common at Las Cruces, New Mexico. We have seen many specimens collected by C. H. T. Townsend from flowers of Solidago canadensis. BEMBICIN. Mandibles simple ; maxillary palpi 3-jointed, labial palpi 1-jointed ; spe- cies about 1omm. long... ....... Microbembex Patt. Mandibles armed with a tooth; species longer than iomm. ..... # 1. Metathorax emarginate posteriodly SEMEN tae Bembidula Burm. Metathorax not emarginate posteriorly, flatorconvex....... 2. 2. Anterior ocellus linear ; maxillary palpi 4-jointed, labial palpi 2-jointed. Bembex Fabr. Anterior ocellus round or elliptic; palpiotherwise ........ 3. 3. Maxilla long, reaching hind coxz; maxillary palpi 3-jointed, labial palpi 1-jointed ; anterior beatin elliptic . . . . Steniolia Say. Maxilla short; maxillary palpi 6-jointed, labial palpi 4-jointed ; an- terior ocellus round or reniform. ....... Stictia Illiger. MICROBEMBEX Patt. This genus is quite distinct. There is apparently but one species known, but it has at least five distinct forms, some of which may at a later time be raised to specific value. They may be separated as follows: Clypeus and labrum mostly black. 3). 2... 0% 2 (5°. 47 I. Clypeus and labrum entirely yellow... ............. 2. 1. Posterior face of metathorax with a large pale spot on each side; a large pale spot on pleura; two pale parallel lines on middlé of miesonotum » 2... 1 Aare aE monodonta occidentalis. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 375 eric TE i eithlelca sR aehogt 0 pale spot on each eldel annie a a very small one; spot on pleura small or wanting ; no lines eemememesonotum ............-.... monodonta. ater black, except a smail spot on each side of second and third _-—sS@gments ; band on first abdominal segment dentate in mid- dle ; markings greenish or pale yellowish. 4 eee monodonta argentifrons. <3 monodonta monodonta 5). sips This subspecies seems to be eastern. The female described he (p. 362, v, Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey) was from os (loc. cit., p. 363) describes the specimens from Kanies as dif- . x from the eastern ones in much the same way as occiden- re monodonta occidentalis subsp. n. 1e characters in the above table will separate this subspe- from monodonta monodonta its nearest ally. The markings Dee cecaess before us are greenish. The silvery pile § usually quite dense. We have specimens from Paris, Tex. . © R. Jones), and Colo. 2 ce Ai SUMMiahes menstenta neemexieana subsp. 1. : 2 4 This subspecies seems quite distinct. The dentation of the _ first abdominal band, the mostly black venter, the yellow cly- __- peus and labrum make it easily recognized. The markings | vary from greenish-white to pale yellow. On the average it ) is smaller than the two preceding subspecies. Many speci- mens from Las Cruces New Mexico, August 3oth, at flowers of Solidago canadensis (C. H. T. Townsend). Microbembex monodonta deltaensis subsp. ». The table will separate this from the other subspecies. The _ markings are lemon-yellow. The sides of the venter beyond "the second segment, and the second ventral segment except 376 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 the spine are yellow. The abdomen above is mostly yellow. The pale markings on the head and thorax are large. Length 10 mm. Many male specimens from Delta, Colo., July 29, 1898. Microbembex monodonta argentifrons Cress. This subspecies was described as a distinct species from Cuba by Mr. Cresson. BEMBIDULA Burm. This genus is not well represented in Colorado, there being but two species, but an apparently new one is added here. It is from New Mexico. ‘The table is based on the males. Larger (about 18 mm.) ; postscutellum black ; spots on the abdominal segments much wider at the sides, spots eight in number, growing smaller towards apex. ..... quadrifasciata Say. Smaller (about 14 mm.) ; postscutellum marked with yellow; spots of abdomen not or but little wider at the sides, spot on all the segments narrowly separated inthe middle... ...... I. 1. Clypeus black; punctures of dorsulum close; tibiae with a black stripe ; bands on abdomen rather narrow . . . ventralis Say. Clypeus with a large pale spot; punctures of dorsulum larger and more separated ; tibiae entirely pale; bands on the abdomen Draenei ae ete oman meliloti Roh., n. sp. Bembidula ventralis Say. . Female, Cope, Colo., Aug. 19, 1905 (S. A. Johnson). Bembidula quadrifasciata Say. Female without a label, but probably from Ft. Collins, Colo., having been picked up by a student. Bembidula meliloti Roh., n. sp.—%. Length about 14 mm. ; clypeus finely closely punctured, along the anterior margin are a few larger punc- tures; mandibles with two rather small teeth within; front punctured similar to clypeus ; first joint of the flagellum a little longer than 2 + 3; apical joints slightly produced beneath ; apical joint obliquely truncate ; dorsulum punctured with rather large punctures, which are separated (not widely so, however) on the posterior part, the anterior part and near tegule they are closer; scutellum punctured like posterior part of dorsulum, if anything, more sparsely so; mesopleura with large, sepa- rate punctures ; metathorax sculptured like scutellum, or perhaps the punctures are a little closer ; angles broadly, obtusely rounded ; first joint of anterior tarsi emarginate at base beneath; middle femora with a strong, stout spine at base beneath ; abdomen distinctly reticulate, apical a nes curved ; itiitiad aiidute teeed, cole a blad but not very sharply pointed ; at apex and sides with a ‘fringe of hairs; ventral segments beyond first with some large T ss among the close fine ones. Black ; spot on base of mandibles, insve irregular spots on clypeus, inner orbits for two-thirds of clypeus, narrow line on lower two third of posterior orbits, ‘on pronotum, tubercles, tegulae, a line above, spot on each line on postscutellum, angles of metathorax, legs below je middle of femora, broad bands on dorsal abdominal segments ally narrowly interrupted in middle, small spot on each side of cree in venesiongoee 95. paltenes + the color of the legs is bright yellow, the other mark- re more or less greenish ; stripes of genitalia reddish-yellow ; wings hyaline, nervures brown ; head and thorax with white pubes- =< on the head the longest ; in one wing the second tr. cu. is , ‘J _ _ Hab.—Pecos, New Mexico, Sept. 2nd, at fis. of Melilotus ‘Ck ). his species is close to B. ventralis Say, but may be known m it by the characters given in the above table, and in — first joint of anterior tarsi emarginate at base BEMBEX Fabr. Males. of sixth ventral segment bifid atapex. . . . . amoena Hdl. . e of sixth ventral segment simple atapex. .. . . 2... I. -& Dors ICES Siig ig 6 ote -s, © ein 9riele See sayi Cress. ig ___ Dorsulum not spotted, or at least not notably so . \a > nes 2. “s a Markings of abdomen bright yellow; femora yellow, except base = oO sometimes; larger (20mm.). ..... . nubilipennis Cress. . _ Markings of abdomen greenish-white femora largely black ; smaller, spinolae St. F va can. Females. esa with a good deal of yellow; larger... . . .. row * Met black, or with a little yellow; smaller... ....... 2. ~ & Wingsatbaseclouded ............. nubilipennis Cress. ESE ee sayi Cress. €é 1, Pleura black, without spots ; bands of abdomen continuous. a spinolae St. Farg. ae EE Rr ee ea AT palin 3. 3 Bands of abdomen separated ; mesopleura with two spots. re ng Bands of abdomen continuous ; mesopleura with one large spot . 378 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 4. Length 20 mm.; abdomen hardly pubescent (Utah) . . connexus Fox. Length 14 mm.; abdomen distinctly pubescent . . primaaestate n. sp. Bembex nubilipennis Cress. Male, Rocky Ford, Colo., July 4, 1904; female, labeled eRe Cr Bembex sayi Cress. Female, Salida, Colo., Oct. 3, 1898; 2 females, Cope, Colo., Aug. 9, 1905 (S. A. Johnson). Bembex amoena Hdl. Male, Alamosa, Colo., Aug. 6, 1903; male, Rocky Ford, Colo., July 4, 1904. Bembex spinolae St. Farg. Two females, Pueblo, Colo., Aug. 10, 1907 (Hite) ; female, Sept. 12, 1907, fls. Chrysothamnus graveolens, also Oct., 6, 1907, Boulder, Colo. (Roh.). The Boulder ones have a very small spot below tegulae. 4 Bembex primaaestate John. and Roh., n. sp.—-2. Length 14 mm.; clypeus rather irregularly punctured with shallow punctures ; mandibles with a small tooth, about one-fourth from apex ; front impunctate, or if punctured, very finely so; ocellar region with some distinct punctures ; vertex and occiput straight ; scape and first flagellar joint of about equal length, first joint of flagellum fully as long as 2+ 3; dorsulum with rather indistinct, close punctures, sparse on posterior part; scutellum with punctures more distinct and separated ; mesopleura finely punc- tured ; metathorax punctured as scutellum ; anterior tarsi strongly flat- tened, base of first joint emarginate beneath ; pulvilli large and somewhat bent toward apex ; abdomen above rather strongly reticulate, apical seg- ments punctured ; ventral segments finely reticulate, with some large punctures. Black; clypeus, labrum, mandibles, except apex, which is piceous, scape and flagellum beneath, inner orbits to ocelli, intercellular spot, spot: between antennae, a large spot on each side of first abdo- minal segment above, segments 2-5 with broad bands, which are dentate at the sides (second and third more strongly so), and spot on ventral segments 2, 3, 4, greenish-white; posterior orbits, prothorax except a spot in the middle, tegulae, spot above, a spot on each side of scutellum, line on postscutellum, large spot on mesopleura, spot above middle coxae, a large and small spot on metapleura, spot on trochanters, most of femora (more deeply so at sides), tibiae except a small spot beneath at apex, and tarsi, bright yellow ; wings clear hyaline iridescent ; head, thorax and abdomen with long white pile. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 379 “Denver, Colo., 1889 (S. A. Johnson). ecie fruné ta) Fou's table (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1895, p. 354) to B. connexus Fox, but it is not that spe- It probably is more closely related to 2. spinolae or B. a, but may be separated fcoen these species by the fore- STENIOLIA Sey. and tarsi simple ; markings bright yellowish. r duplicata Prov. le iia and tarsi ated markings greenish-white . obliqua Cress. jolla duplicata Prov. vo females, Cortez, Col., Aug. 10, 1903 ; female, Boulder, 7, 1907 (Roh.). We have also seen this species s Cruces, New Mexico, Aug. 30th, at fis. of Solidago aden: (Townsend). This species has so far only been the plains. It is probably a southern form, finding sno tf limit in Colorado. obliqua Cress. le and female at Florissant, Col., June and July, some at nia americana (Roh.) ; Ward, Col., July, 1905, at oy (Ckll.) ; Wet Mountain Valley, Custer Co., Col. “This is the most common Bembicid in the mountains. ar it is not been reported from the plains. , 57 — i. @ STICTIA Illiger. v } Males. SE ects becenth ; pulvilli distinct ; second ventral abdo- __ minal segment without spines beneath. . . . . pectifrons Sm. ile femora carinated or spined beneath... ......... I. 4, Second ventral segment unarmed ; pulvilli distinct . Rese, pay __ Second ventral segment with two small tubercles... . . . .. . a P large, distinct ; larger ; femora mostly black. aluaiiaiian — li small, indistinct ; femora black at base only ; smaller. 3 Females, Pema nts ation wigs son hi ami ee , EE ee ee ee re pulchella Cress. a See my eye 2a) ad A oy ee ee 1. th nt corres ew mat Coen monty reseed speciosa Cress. 380 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 2. Femora largely black ; metanotum black ; larger . . emarginata Say. Femora mostly yellow ; metanotum in part yellow ; smaller, pictifrons Sm. Stictia pictifrons Sm. Female, Livermore, Col., July 8, 1900. Stictia emarginata Say. Female, Livermore, Col., July 15, 1900. Stictia speciosa Cress. Female, Sterling, Col. ; female, Lamar, Col. Stictia pulchella Cress. There are no specimens of this species in the collection, but it has been reported from Colorado by Fox, Cresson and Ash- mead. <0 » which they will cling for support, and it is only neces- - Sary te » draw up the cloth and reap the harvest. On one occa- 1 Mr. Roberts collected by actual count seven hundred bee- n this manner after stirring up about two feet of sand and E. -, — i. a i wr it. am pe He also spoke of the absolute necessity of mounting small =~ ¢ Coleoptera from the side, i. ¢., by bending the tips of the 6 downward at an angle to conform to that of the side of aan ne beetle and attaching the specimen in such a way as to leave € center and one-half the under side free. Color is often de- = r in the identification of water beetles ; but the characters aa a underside are good and reliable, hence the necessity of e* ‘this method of mounting. ee ‘Mr. Brehme exhibited a box of Hemileuca electra, showing q thes tendency toward black individuals, and Mr. Wasmuth ex- hibited a specimen of Telea polyphemus with almost black sec- Mr. Doll showed specimens of Papilio acauda Oberth. and a - spoke of the differences between that species and P. philenor. aie Joun A. Grosspeck, Secretary. 394 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | [Oct., ’08 OBITUARY. PROF. PAUL BIOLLEY. Among the numerous naturalists which Switzerland has given to the world the late Paul Biolley occupied a noteworthy place. Born at Neufchatel, February 15, 1862, the son of Prof. August Biolley, he studied in his native city, taking his degree in letters. In 1885, after teaching two years in Holland, he was selected with two other compatriots, by the government of Costa Rica to organize in the capital of that republic a college—the “Liceo de Costa Rica.” There he remained many years, also occupying a professorship at the Girls’ College—“Liceo de Sefioritas,” as well as teaching in the city of Cartago. In the years of his teaching he trained many young men who are now prominent citizens of the republic of Costa Rica. Prof. Biolley’s right to our recognition rests, however, not upon his work as a teacher, but upon years of indefatigable natural history field work in his adopted country, the inverte- brate fauna of which he undoubtedly knew better than any liv- ing man. Soon after his arrival in the country he began study- ing its natural history, preparing collections of botanical speci- mens, insects, reptiles, etc., his spare time for years being thus occupied. His excursions yielded material of very great value and the results enriched the two scientific institutions of the republic, the “Instituto Fisico Geografico” and the “Museo — National,” while collections of great value were sent to special- ists and museums in Europe and the United States. His work was continuous, from early morning until late at night, both in the field and in his room. All of his excursions, even those to distant places, were made on foot and his work was not merely collecting, but with his keen powers of observation he noted many facts concerning the life of the animal, and the labels placed by him on his material bear witness to the intense interest he had in his work. He maintained a valuable correspondence with prominent naturalists and his numerous collections sent to them gave rise to a number of publications, forming, no doubt, the most com- plete series of papers on the natural history of Costa Rica. _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 395 his work many new species were made known to sci- nd a considerable number were named after him. The iar roach, Biolleya alaris, taken by him, was’ dedicated the late Dr. Henri de Saussure in recognition of his work. weral books on botany and zodlogy were published by , while numerous zodlogical papers came from his pen, of the last being a study of the mollusca of Cocos Island. public instruction his opinion was held in high esteem and amon other things he published a Greek and Latin grammar for use in the Costa Rican schools. For the Paris Exposition 1900 he prepared an interesting and unbiased work on Costa ica, and he was the mainstay of the National Society of Agri- culture, contributing valuable papers to every Bulletin pub- - lished. Death came just as he was preparing a resumé of his _ twenty-one years of continudus work and study, and, as he was a man of order, it will be possible at any time to publish Nei His demise occurred at San José, January 16, 1908, pneumonia. eel knowledge of Prof. Biolley’s work compels us to some tribute, in addition to the facts given above, if only ee. for the very valuable collections which he transmitted us for study, work on a particularly extensive sending hav- | jing occupied our attention when news of his death reached us. .. _ With the greatest generosity and most hearty spirit of co-opera- tion this energetic and enthusiastic colleague sent specimens, q ‘ot upon lot, unconditionally, supplying most complete cap- ture notes, while at the same time he stirred up and sustained interest in the same field in others around him. We who have ___ good libraries and abundant opportunities to do that in which ___We are interested, do not fully realize and appreciate what de- _ yotion and energy in the cause are necessary to produce a man like Paul Biolley under the circumstances in which he worked. Most of the notes in the above article concerning Prof. Biol- fey’s life have been very kindly furnished by his intimate col- league, Prof. J. Fidelio Tristan, of San José, and E. H. Lanke- 4 ster, Esq., who during his residence in Costa Rica, became » acquainted with Prof. Biolley. The portrait was kindly sup- plied by Prof. Tristan. L.AGR. 396 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Oct., ’08 SIMON H. M. SEIS It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Simon H. M. Seib, of Jersey City, who died at his home on August 27th. Mr. Seib was an ardent collector and breeder of Lepidoptera who took great pains in mounting his speci- -mens. He was one of the original members of the Newark Entomological Society ; was its first president and held the office of treasurer at the time of his death. MONSIEUR P. A. P. FINOT. In the death of Monsieur Pierre Adrien Prosper Finot, sys- tematic entomological science has lost one of its most devoted adherents. He was “Chevalier de la légion d’honneur” and “Capitaine d’état major en retraite.’ A most befitting tribute to his memory printed by his relatives in the form of a memor- iam has been sent out to his correspondents in foreign lands. Monsieur Finot was 70 years old at the time of his death, April 14, 1908, and he lived at Fontainebleau, 27 Rue Saint-Honore. His published papers were mostly devoted to Orthoptera. His monographs were prepared with painstaking care and were often embellished with exquisite drawings made by his own hand. His plates and figures were works of art, showing a great refinement of the art sense as well as close devotion to his subject. He will be remembered more, perhaps, by his well-known monograph on the Orthoptera of France, which is a model of its kind, though his other works are none the less valuable contributions to Orthopteran literature. He was always kindly and courteous toward correspondents, and his letters indicate a man of sympathetic scientific feeling. J. L. Hancock. Biological Experiment Crcuaille Lakeside, Berrien Co., Michigan, July oth, 1908. PROF. GUSTAV MAYR. Professor Dr. Gustav Mayr, the distinguished Hymenopterist and special student of the Formicide, died July 14th, 1908, at his home in Vienna, after a prolonged illness, in his 78th year. Ewr. News, Vou XIX THE LATE PROF PAUL BIOLLEY. Plate XV. Ent. News, Vou. XIX. Plate X VI. THE LATE DR. WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD. 1 i EEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOL OGICAL SECTION OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. NOVEMBER, 1908. No. 9. CONTENTS: HH. As Mandvegdcessqreses mm Wile a ee penelde CD as “Coleopte eS sew aay OS gin Baltimore Co, Ma. rom "saeco, <5 of the Subfamily. ..........c++ce00« canes cbsbeus 45 | Fox—Ceratophyllus niger n. sp........ au Siccinis sadbene PU, sccnccaccccecésnekolll a Weece 417 | Doings of Societies ..........++....00 49 eS Dr. Wm. H. Ashmead. m Harris Ashmead died in Washington, D. C., Octo- ae ceed fifty-three years. He was descended from an 4 om —- mg tiphia family and was born in that city September p_ His father was Captain Albert S. Ashmead and his h (Graham). Educated in private and public | tecaived the degree of A. M. from the Florida ita eeieee i in 1901, and the honorary degree of D. = Western University of Pennsylvania the same le in Philadelphia he was with the large publishing ay B. Lippincott & Company, which he left in 1876 8 brother established a publishing house in Jackson- da. They specialized in agricultural books and pub- a lished dar Seitienteural weekly journal and a daily paper. Dr. d ead | edited the scientific department of the weekly, devot- : Ai nself chiefly to the investigation of injurious insects. | excellent work attracted attention, and in 1887 he was e special field entomologist of the United States Depart- . howe nt tof Agriculture. From this time his career as an ento- mok ‘was rapid and he occupied the following positions: 4 mologist, Florida State Agric. College (1888), Lake City, ‘Florida ; Assistant Entomologist and Investigator, U. S. Dept. 397 398 es ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 Agric. (1889). During the winter of 1890 he went abroad and studied in Berlin, After this he returned to the United States Department of Agriculture, and in July, 1897, was made as- sistant curator in the department of insects of the United States National Museum, which position he retained until his fatal illness. At various times he occupied important posi- tions and was honored by different societies, having been a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; corresponding member American Entomological So- ciety ; vice-president Biological Society of Washington; presi- dent Cambridge Entomological Society ; president Washington Entomological Society; vice-president Washington Academy of Sciences; honorary member Entomological Society of On- tario; vice-president Association Economic Entomologists. He was a prolific writer, his larger productions being Orange insects; a Bibliographical and Synonymical Catalogue of the Cynipidae ; Hymenoptera of the Harriman Alaskan Expedition ; Classification of the Ichneumonoidea; Parasitic Hymenoptera of the Island of St. Vincent; Monograph of the Proctrotry- pidae ; Classification of the Chalcid Flies and various classifica- tions of the Hymenoptera published in the Canadian Entomolo- gist. In all, he published over two hundred and fifty papers. Dr. Ashmead had a profound love for entomology, and his great traits were enthusiasm and industry. He was clearly the leader of students of the Hymenoptera in this country during his career. He was thoroughly a gentleman, being courteous, generous and thoughtful of the rights of others. His manuscripts were always carried with him when he vis- ited Philadelphia, as he never lost an opportunity to add to their completeness. As an officer of the United States Na- tional Museum he encouraged work among younger men and was quick to recognize ability and secure material to aid their studies. He had the general esteem and love of his co-work- ers and friends, and will be universally missed and mourned. In 1878 he married Harriet, daughter of Thomas O. Holmes, who, with a daughter, survives him. | Siibopters of St. Lawrence Co, N. ¥—. a By C. O. Houcuton, Newark, Del. * IE Girenent list of beetles embraces only those species that have been taken by the writer in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., at odd times during the past fifteen years. No systematic col- lectin g has been done at any time, and during the past nine month’s time—have been spent in St. Lawrence County, and _ but very little of this time has been devoted to collecting. , This list is, therefore, very incomplete and some families, st _ which should be represented by many species, are hardly repre- a Seated at all. However, it is thought that the list, incomplete as it is, may be of some interest to collectors, and of value as _ giving some data relative to the geographical distribution of __ our Coleoptera; for so far as the writer is aware, no list of Bs ee o* Pee section of New York State has ever bess fi to the Adirondack Mountains and their. foot-hills at distances n Potsdam varying from ten to fifty miles. The village of Potsdam, which is situated in the township bearing that name, is in latitude 44 deg. 40 min., longitude 74 deg. 58 min. The *In the “News” for October, 1902 (p. 247), Dr. A. D. ). MacGillivray and the writer published a list of Coleoptera taken at Axton, N. Y.; and for Feb., 1905 (p. 50), the writer published a list of beetles collected by Dr. MacGillivray and himself on the summit of . ¥. These places are in Franklin, Co., which ad- joins St. Lawrence. None of the species which were collected only at these places are given in the following list. 400 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., 08 usually have their sources in springs in the foot-hills of the Adirondack Mountains. My collecting has been done in the fields and woods and along roadsides and water courses, where some dredging has been done. No collecting with trap lanterns has been at- tempted, but a few specimens have been taken at various times at light. The determinations of the species given in this list have been largely made by Mr. Chas. Liebeck, to whom my thanks are due; the writer is responsible for the remainder. CICINDELIDAE. vulgaris Say. repanda Dej. 12-guttata Dej. Cicindela Linn. 6-guttata Fab. purpurea Oliv. CARABIDAE. Calosoma Web. Tachys Schaum. calidum Fab. nanus Gyll. Elaphrus Fab. ruscarius Say. Blethisa Bon. julii Lec. multipunctata Linn. Notiophilus Dum. semistriatus Say. Leistus Froh. ferruginosus Mann. Dyschirius Bon. globulosus Say. sphaericollis Say. incurvus Say. Pterostichus Bon. adoxus Say. honestus Say. coracinus Newm. lucublandus Say. convexicollis Say. caudicalis Say. corvinus Dej. mutus Say. vitreus Dej. luczotti Dej. Schizogenius Putz. crenulatus Lec. Nomius Lap. pygmaeus Dej. Bembidium Lat. ustulatum Linn. picipes Kirby. variegatum Say. versicolor Lec. mutatum G. & H. quadrimaculatum Linn, graciliforme erythropus Dej. patruelis Dej. Amara Bon. latior Kirby. angustata Say. pallipes Kirby. impuncticollis Say. cupreolata Putz. interstitialis Dej. Badister Clairv. notatus Hald. bipustulatus Fab. ae 6-guttata, Common on fences, stone walls, along the rads and on sidewalks in town. _ Cicindela purpurea. 1 once found this species abundant the ane facing south, in an open pasture _ Sear Potsdam. _ Cicindela vulgaris. This species seems rather rare at Pots- dam. I have taken but one or two specimens there ; one taken = in the Adirondacks. 402 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 Cicindela repanda. Not at all common at Potsdam. Cicindela 12-guttata. Fairly common; abundant in the Ad- irondacks, principally along the roads. Elaphrus ruscarius. Have taken but two specimens of this species: these were on wet ground at the edge of a brook. Blethisa julii. Have taken but a single specimen of this spe- cies. This was, I think, taken under stones on the river bank, not far from the water. Notiophilus semistriatus. Have taken two or three in pas- tures. Co Bembidium graciliforme. One taken in the Adirondacks. Amara augustata. Abundant at Potsdam. Taken princi- pally by sweeping grass on fairly low ground. They are often high up on the grass-stalks, near the heads. Calathus gregarius. Quite common at Potsdam: usually found under boards, rails, stones, etc., in the fields. Generally several will be found together. Platynus pusillus, One taken in the Adirondacks. Platynus retractus. One taken in the Adirondacks. Lebia pumila. One taken in the Adirondacks. Metabletus americanus. Very common: have taken dozens about stones in open pastures. Cymindis cribrata. Rather rare: have taken five or six at the base of mullein stalks, under the leaves, in a dry pasture. 40> Collecting in Baltimore Co., Md. By Epw. A. Puitt, Baltimore, Md. Although we should think that in and around so large a city as Baltimore there would be very few butterflies and moths, yet I have found that nearly all of the various species of the Middle Atlantic States are here represented. One of the best places for an ardent collector is the well known Clifton Park, situated near the outskirts of the city. The presence of innumerable southern flowers and shrubs, cul- tivated in the nurseries of the park, is a great attraction for thousands of insects, butterflies and moths. a" ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 403 the months of June and August I am at this place morning till late at night collecting butterflies and Between nine o'clock in the morning and four in the afternoon is about the best time for this purpose. During these hours I have collected beautiful specimens of Argynnis idalia ‘and aphrodite, Limenitis ursula, Papilio philenor, turnus, jucus and troilus, some of which have an expanse of from four to five inches. One of the finest specimens taken last season was a Papilio glaucus, which had two bright yellow “spots on the upper wings and whose lower wings were almost _ completely yellow like those of turnus. Besides these there "are great numbers of others, such as Vanessa antiopa, atalanta, ———huntera, cardui, etc. __ Inthe evening just as it isigetting dark, this same place be- somes a regular paradise for a collector of moths, etc. Going a: Sy the beds of Phlox, I have caught great numbers of the different species of the Sphinx family; but these always fly so very fast that it is extremely difficult to get at them with the net, for the slightest noise made by the breaking of a twig or the rustling of a leaf will frighten them, and off they go. ____ As s6on as night has settled, the larger moths, i, ¢, Cith- ——— eronia regalis, imperialis, polyphemus, cecropia, cynthia, pro- _ methea, Actias luna and great numbers of Catocalas, among which aré the red, yellow, white and black kinds, begin to fly __ around the lamps and electric lights of the park, which attract them in so great numbers that the collector is kept busy with his net and jar, until he returns home, weary with a good day’s work and the proud possessor of a fine collection for his vy oi this park there is another fine place, called Druid Hill Park. Here I have taken great numbers of Papilio ajax, _ Apatura clyton, Grapta comma, Terias nicippe, Anisota sen- _ atoria and virginiensis, also many other kinds peculiar to swampy and wooded regions. a The only difficulty in collecting at this place is the presence | of large numbers of copper-head snakes, which make this af region very dangerous for a collector, for he has to be very - a. c. i. 404 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 careful where he places his foot. Even such a danger as this will not be thought of when one is chasing a fine specimen. I clearly remember on one occasion when I surely thought my last hour had come. I had been collecting for a good while, when a beautiful wrsula crossed my path, flew over the tops of some trees, across a small brook and over a field. It did not take me long to get up to the place where it had alighted, but instead of letting itself be caught, it flew up and then across a wide stream. My mind was quickly made up as to what to do. I waded through the stream, scrambied up on the other bank and ran toward the bush on which it had alighted. I quickly threw the net over my prize, and, stepping closer, wanted to transfer it into my jar. Just as my foot touched the ground I heard a fearful hissing, and before I could look for the cause of it a large snake jumped out at me from under the bush. Thanks to my net, it did not strike me, but got entangled in the bag. Now instead of getting one specimen, I had two, one of which I could not kill very well with my jar. The first thing I did was to get a good strong stick, with which I managed to kill the serpent, which proved to be about five and a half feet long, of a dark brown color, but fortu- nately for me, not a copperhead. Thus we see that although collecting here is a little danger- ous, Baltimore County ranks high in the production of butter- flies and moths, which will always be the delight of our collec- tors and admirers of Nature. Mr. Henry L. Viereck has accepted a position as entomologist with Parke, Davis & Co., Detroit, Mich. THE collection of butterflies and moths made by the late Dr. Her- man Strecker, of Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, has been sold to the Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois. ButrerrLy Bootu.—At the State Fair Pavilion the Most Interesting Section in Big Hall—The collection of butterflies being displayed this year at the pavilion by Fred Burns, of Reno, Nev., attracted hundreds of people daily, and well it might, as they have been sent Mr. Burns from all over the world—Newspaper. wee eee lg & a es a Fa aK . - : e ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 405 in the Wing Venation in some Tipulidae. R. W. Doane, Stanford University. © hd : (Plate XVIL) al In 1 all systematic work on the Diptera the wing venation is _ accharacter that is used perhaps more than any other in sep- , SIIIEGe aivens and in memy instances ie of coal et ty cg eer eoce i of ral Oa type. In the families with the more generalized type of however, there is more or less of a tendency to varia- EENtliy in the relativelength and position of some of the glee rg oat ae In the Tipulidae the presence or absence of the second pos- oc peetiseniea tar __ the discal call are characters that are largely used, The cell __ is always present in normal specimens of Tipula. I have be- fore me a pcinen of simplex Doane, in which this cell ta pet Pee Se Wine) ocearvins Se be i: tly normal (See Fig. 1; in all the figures only the out- Bs B of the wing and the venation is shown, as the marking i in some instances obscure the point that we wish to ow). The wings of the male of this species are subject toe ite variation in size and shape and intensity of the "markings, but the venation is, as a rule, quite constant. (Com- ee = One of the principal characters that is often used for separat- a ing the genus Tipula from Pachyrhina is the presence or ab- ___ sence or short length of the petiole of the second posterior cell. In Pachyrhina this cell is sessile or with a very short petiole, j _ while in Tipula the petiole is usually longer. There is con- 38 siderable variation in this respect in both genera, however, even ___ within the species, and indeed sometimes in the two wings of the same individual as shown in figures 4 and 5, which are the fight and left wings of a specimen of Pachyrhina ferruginea, __ more or less variation is often shown. In the right wing, Fig. 4, the second posterior cell has a very distinct and, for a Pachyrhina, rather long petiole. In the left wing, Fig. 5, this A x a 406 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 cell is sessile. Fig. 6 is from another specimen of the same genus showing this cell broadly sessile. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show the variations that occur in the length of the petiole of this cell and also variations in the size and shape of the discal cell in Tipula aequalis Doane. The position of the posterior cross-vein is a specific character that is often used and is quite constant in some species, In other closely related species it may be of no value on account of the variations that occur. Fig. 10 shows the wing of Dicranomyia badia O. S. with the posterior cross-vein in its normal, that is, most usual, position, but it is é6ften found much anterior to this as shown in Fig. 11. Figs. 12 and 13 show the variations that may occur in the position of this vein in the right and left wings of the same individual. (Limnobia trio- cellata O. S.) In certain groups we often find extra or “supernumerary” cross-veins that may or may not occur in all the individuals of the species or they may be present in only one or in both of the wings. Whenever they do occur their position is quite constant for the species and sometimes for the genera. Fig. 14 shows such a vein occurring in the sub-marginal cell of both wings of a specimen of Limnobia triocellata O. S. A short stump of a vein often occurs near the origin of the praefurca in some species. In Fig. 11 (Dicranomyia badia O. S.) and Fig. 15 (D. Stigmata Doane) two such veins are shown. Fig. 15 also shows a remarkable case of a distinct piece of a vein occurring in a part of the wing where a vein never oc- curs normally All or a part of a vein may sometimes be wanting in species. where it normally occurs. Fig. 10 shows two such veins in the region of the discal cell. Only rarely do we see interpolated cells as shown in Fig. 16 (Limnobia sciophila O. S.) and Fig. 17 (Tipula simplex Doane). Both of these aberrations occur in the right wing only of these two specimens. These few examples selected from many that might have been used show two things: first, the ever present tendency to . EA te deneer of drawing wrong coudlbslons e ithe eydieniatic position ofa specimen of = species en represented by only one or two individuals. These varia- tions are doubtless of no value in the history of the species, as pe y probably disappear in the next generation, although I 4 cs ere rearawn from photographs. The markings on the wings, if any, are not indicated in the drawings. ExrLanation oF Pirate XVII. &. Tipula simplex Doane, and posterior cell wanting in both wings. 2 and 3. ee Ce oo ee Serene bn sinn:end, ape: wits the species. 4 and 5. Pachyrhina ferruginea Fabr, right and left wing from same specimen. Note presence of petiole of 2nd posterior cell in f & § : : 2 and 13. Limnobie triocellate O. S. Mote dierenie in the ieee of the posterior cross-vein in the right and left wing of the same specimen. Sd Limnobie trieccilete 0. S. Note supernumerary cross veins in Ps a vi alet Adit — ¢ a) . . ta _ _ ee ee ° fe, : ' a i ie "AS eee Td: P a , i : 0) 4am : submarginal cell. 15. ee stigmata Doane. Note short piece of vein in spurious 6. De cteptie 0. 5 Note two interpolated cells. 17. simplex Doane. Note interpolated cell. Ma. Davin T. Futtaway, of California, has received an appointment - to the Hawaiian Experiment Station at Honolulu. Prince Ferornanp, now King of Bulgaria, is an entomologist of note and a member of some of the European societies. An article on the __ King appeared in a recent number of Rovartani Lapok. We believe a "good entomologist should make a good ruler. 408 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 Notes on the Early Stages of some Pamphila. By Puitip LAuRENT. Several years ago the writer on observing a species of Pam- phila depositing her eggs on a blade of grass made up his mind to try and see if he could not do something towards un- raveling the life history of some of these interesting butter- flies, a genus of butterflies of which there is comparatively little known of their early stages—and yet so easy to find out if one will but go to the trouble. The reason that the preparatory stages of many of the species mentioned in this article are not complete, is not because the species are hard to raise; but to the fact that business or something else always called me away about the time I should have been at home attending to my larvae. It is true that, on several occasions I took my larvae along with me, but as a rule I had very little success when I did this; this is particularly true of Pamphila aaronii, the larvae of which I carried from Philadelphia to Johnson City, Tenn., only to loose them on my arrival at the latter place by the lid of the jelly jar becoming loose. The eggs of Pamphila are easily secured; the larvae are easy to raise; and the food plant (grass in nearly every, if not in every case) can be found by every one. With care in keeping the cages (which should consist of test tubes or jelly glasses during the early stages) free from moisture, there is no reason why one should not be successful in rearing Pamphila, To secure the eggs, plant a small piece of grass sod in a flower pot and cover the same with netting—the high, wire fly-traps answer admirably for this purpose. In the cage place your female “skipper,” and the chances are that in forty-eight hours or less time eggs will be found on the blades of grass. As a rule, the eggs are deposited during the night. In securing the butterflies I follow the same method as if I was collecting specimens for my cabinet; with the exception that, when the butterfly has suc- cumbed to the effects of the cyanide, I immediately remove the insect from the jar, placing each one in a separate pill box. On arriving home you will find that your butterflies have recov- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 409 posit fertile eggs. The eggs should be placed in cardboard xes until they hatch; by no means place them in glass or meta boxes, as they are apt to mildew. The larvae seem to a gained mrmellall imee: this is rtic true after they have passed the second moult. I SE obs several interesting facts concerning the breed- ing of Pamphila, as 1 do not wish to consume too much of eB) - the valuable space of the News. a + Pamphila massazolt, a ae the larvae are of a dirty yellow color, and rather slen- ae der; body sparsely covered with long yellow hairs. Head nearly smooth, and of a light chestnut color. First moult oc- _ ctirred on July twenty-eight. The larvae are now of an olive green color, otherwise same as when first hatched. This spe- Found ; cae white. alte dellges ‘ihona When first hatched brood. I have never seen the butterfly on the wing before the fifteenth of June, or later than the fifteenth of July. It is very common in southern New Jersey about the fourth of July, and at that time the butterfly can be found on the flowers of the button-ball bush, as well as on the flowers of the cranberry and A female of this species was confined in a cage on May the twenty-fourth, and the next day several eggs were laid. The egg is of a pale green color and somewhat broader than high; the egg is covered with numerous fine depressions, and the apex is slightly flattened. The eggs hatched on the eighth of June. When first hatched the larvae are of an opake white color, but this changes to a dark green twenty-four hours after 410 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 the larvae start to feed. Head and collar dark brown, the head being roughly corrugated. The first moult occurred on the sixteenth of June, the larvae now being of a yellowish green color, otherwise the same as before. June the twenty-fourth the second moult occurred. Larvae are now of a grass green color, and are sparsely covered with numerous dark colored stiff hairs and also with numerous white spots, a greenish dorsal line is also in evidence, along with a sub-dorsal line of the same color. The head is light, or chestnut brown, with the suture very distinct. July third, the third moult occurred. The larvae are now of a darker green, and the anal shield shows a pinkish tinge, otherwise same as before. On July the thirteenth the larvae moulted for the fourth time. I noticed no difference in the larvae since the third moult. July the twenty-fourth the larve went into the chrysalis state, first forming a resting place in which to undergo this change by drawing two or more blades of grass together. On August the fourth a female butterfly emerged, the next day two males made their appearance. This species is double-brooded in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. 3. Pamphila hobomok. A description of the egg and larval stages of this species would be almost identical with that of P. zabulon, so I omit the description. However, some of my larvae went into the chrysalis state after the fourth moult, while others passed a fifth moult. The larvae when full grown are somewhat larger than those of P. zabulon, and somewhat darker. Have had this species to hibernate over winter in the egg, larval and chrysalis states. The species is double brooded in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 4. Pamphila metea. , On the fifteenth of May, at Clementon, N. J., I secured sev- eral females of this species. The eggs were laid on the seven- teenth of May. The egg is of an opake color, and covered with very fine reticulations ; the egg is nearly hemispherical in shape, and has the apex slightly flattened. The eggs hatched EBEOUOLOGICAL NEWS. 41 ‘ninth, or twenty-two days after they had been laid. m ft ached the larva ar of an oaks. white, but y-four hours after starting to feed they were of a dark n color, with the body sparsely covered with long, light fayish hairs. The head and collar are nearly black, and shiny. et and prolegs of an opake white color. The first moult curred on June the nineteenth. Shortly after moulting the assumed a clear green color, otherwise I see no change. he second moult occurred on June twenty-eighth. The body is now of an oil green color, otherwise can notice no change Since last moult. Third moult occurred July the ninth, but I _ notice no change in the appearance of the larvae. Fourth I ccrred Jaty the tignocath, The larvae are now of a very dark green color, almost approaching a brown, Fifth moult occurred on July the thirty-first. The larvae are now of _ a dark brown color, and covered with numerous brown spots he a darker color than the body; a distinct narrow dorsal line | a greenish color is also noticed. August eleventh. The yae are now about full grown, and are about one and an P inches in length when body is extended. August twelfth. _ First of the larvae changed to chrysalis to-day. The chrysalis r about three-quarters of an inch in length, at first of a light green color which two days afterwards gives way to a drab color. I kept the chrysalids under my eye until the first of pS. October, when no imagoes having emerged, I placed the cage containing the chrysalids in a cool, dry part of the cellar. I yg ee cae from the cellar about the first of May of SERIA ated the eleventh of May. I believe the species is single brooded in southern New Jersey. 5. Pamphila leonardus. Secured several females of this species at Atco, N. J., on September the third, fertile eggs were laid on the fifth of Sep- tember. The egg is half again as broad as high; of an opake white color, and very finely punctuated. Eggs hatched on the sixteenth of September. The larva when first hatched is of ~ an opake white color, and sparsely covered with long hairs. 412 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [Nov., 08 The head and collar are brown, and but slightly reticulated. The first moult occurred on October fourth ; twenty-four hours after moulting the larvae were of an oil green color, and thickly covered with dark brown spots; an almost indistinct dorsal line is also present. My larvae now refused to eat, al- though they remained alive until November first. The butter- fly is single brooded in southern New Jersey. 6. Pamphila otho. From a female confined on the fourth of July I secured one egg on the sixth of July. The egg is yellowish white; apex slightly flattened, and is somewhat broader than high. On July the fifteenth the egg hatched. The larva when first hatched is of an opake white color, this color giving way to that of an oil green after the larvae had been feeding for twenty-four hours; the larva is also covered with dark brown spots, and short, dark colored, spine-like hairs, The head is very finely reticulated, and of a blackish color. The first moult occurred on July the twenty-fourth, but I notice no difference in the appearance of the larva. On August the third the larva moulted for the second time, but I notice no difference except in the size. The third moult occurred on August the sixteenth. The larva is now about a half inch in length, and of a greenish brown color; a distinct dorsal line is visible. October fourth my only larva died. 7. Pamphila mystic. On July the seventh I secured a few eggs of this butterfly from Mr. H. E. Wilford, of Batavia, New York. The egg is almost hemispherical in shape, and is covered with fine reticu- lations; the color of the egg is pale green. Larvae emerged on the ninth of July, two days after I received them from Mr. W. Shortly after emerging the larvae assume a light yellow color. Head and collar are black and shiny, and covered with very fine reticulations. The first moult occurred on July the eighteenth. Twenty-four hours after moulting the larvae were light green in color, and covered with numerous white spots. Second moult occurred on July the twenty-sixth. The body is ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 413 1 color is also in evidence. Third moult occurred on the seventh. The larvae are now about a half inch in igth, with the body of a dark brown color; otherwise, same - —) + = wo females placed in the cage on May twenty-fourth de- _ posited some thirty eggs on the twenty-fifth. The egg is al- lost round, of an opake white color, and finely reticulated. first larvae appeared on the eighth of June. The larvae when first hatched are of the same color as the egg, but twenty- ir hours after feeding they assume a dark green color. The head and collar are almost black, and but slightly punctuated. First moult occurred on June seventeenth. Shortly after moulting the larvae were of a yellowish green, and covered ___ with numerous brown spots. A dorsal line is plainly visible. Second moult occurred on June the twenty-eighth, but I no- tice no change in the larvae since first moult. The third moult occurred July the sixth. With the exception that the larvae are larger, and the dorsal line more distinct, I notice no _ change since last moult. July sixteenth the fourth moult oc- curred, but I notice no change in the appearance of the larvae since the third moult. On July the twentieth a number of the color. The first imago made its appearance July twenty- eighth. Between July the twenty-eighth and August fifth some twenty imagoes made their appearance. The species is double- brooded in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 9. Pamphila manataaqua. A female of this species was placed in the cage on June four- teenth, and during the fifteenth she deposited a number of eggs. The egg is somewhat broader than high, and is of a pea green ' color; distinctly marked with numerous punctuations, and the __ apex is slightly flattened. I was successful in raising this spe- _ © cies, but aside from this description of the egg I cannot give the 414 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 other early stages, as I have lost my notes. A number of the butterflies emerged from the chrysalis state from August the twenty-eighth to September the first. The species is double- brooded in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 1o. Pamphila verna. From a female caged on June twenty-ninth, I secured a. number of eggs on July first. The egg is of a light green color ; slightly wider than high; finely punctuated, and apex flat- tened. The larvae hatched on July the thirteenth; when first hatched they are of an opake white, but twenty-four hours after feeding the larvae were of an oil green color; the body is marked with numerous brown spots.. Head and collar almost black, with slight punctuations. First moult occurred on July the twenty-second. The larvae are now of a lighter green, with numerous black spine-like hairs scattered over the body; a faint greenish dorsal line is present. Second moult occurred on August second ; twenty-four hours after moulting the larvae showed a heavy, greenish dorsal line, as well as a sub-dorsal line on each side of the body; the body is also covered with numerous white spots. August eleventh, the larvae moulted for the third time. Twenty-four hours after moulting the larvae assumed a lighter shade of green, otherwise I see no difference since last moult. Fourth moult occurred on August twenty-second. I notice no change since last moult. A fifth moult occurred on September fourth. The only change noticed since last moult is in the color of the body, which is now of a yellowish green. After carrying this insect successfully through its five moults, I lost them by a windstorm which blew my cage over, thus allowing the larvae to escape. 11. Pamphila panoquin. Secured three female specimens of this butterfly at Anglesea, * New Jersey, on June eighteenth; from these females I secured some twenty fertile eggs on the nineteenth. The egg is of a pea green color, and is about as high as broad, with very fine reticulations. June twenty-seventh the eggs hatched. When first hatched the larvae are of an opake white color, and rather ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 415 eens bead-ie-of 2 light brown color, and is much tr than any part of the body. Twenty-four hours after MTGE, Serves nenuned 0 reesich, yellow color. le seventh my last larva died. I gave the larvae grass rom tl Tita aa, weil as ovase toms axy. garden 1 0A ry, and the larvae ate both, so the food plant had nothing to ith their death. The species is double-brooded, the first od being at its height about the fifteenth of June, while the Ee o> beg about the fifteenth of August. It : y a maritime species, although, a specimen was cap- ti hema arg Reece by Mr. Haimbach xs of this species were sent to me by Mr. H. E. Wilford, New York. The egg is light green in color, and y reticulated; somewhat broader than high, with apex y flattened. The eggs did not hatch. pontiac. females of this species were secured on the fifth of SEs Sting deposited cn July seventh. The egg is y different from any other Pamphila egg that I have ever ie sashes fer, and half again as broad as high, and of a ight lemon color; finely reticulated, and apex slightly flat- is fo The eggs hatched on July the nineteenth. The larvae when first hatched are of a light lemon color. Head dark Grown and finely reticulated. The first moult occurred on July eoeeeeny eighth. Shortly after moulting the larvae assumed a very light green color. Numerous dark brown, spine-like hairs are scattered over the body. The head is now of a light brown. The species appears to be single brooded in Eastern cies and southern New Jersey. I have never observed | the batterly before the end of June or later than the middle of July. ey ‘Pamphila dion _ Eggs of this species were sent to me by Mr. H. E. Wilford, f Batavia, New York. I received the eggs on the eighth of e 416 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 July. The egg is of a light green color, and finely reticulated, and is somewhat broader than high; the apex is slightly flat- tened. On July the sixteenth the larvae emerged from the egg. The body of the larva twenty-four hours after hatching is of a yellowish green, and is sparsely covered with yellowish hairs. Head and collar shiny black. Larvae moulted for the first time on July twenty-sixth. A few hours after moulting the body of the larva became a light green. 15. Pamphila aaronii. Brought home from Anglesea, New Jersey, on June the twelfth, three females of this butterfly. The eggs were laid on the thirteenth of June. The egg is slightly wider than high, and of an opake white color, finely reticulated, and the apex is slightly flattened. Eggs hatched on June twenty-sec- ond. The larvae when first hatched have the body the same color as the eggs, but twenty-four hours after starting to eat the larvae were of a greenish drab color, otherwise I notice no change in the appearance of the larvae. First moult occurred on July the first; twenty-four hours after moulting the larvae assumed a beautiful, light green color; all the legs are the same color. This species is strictly a maritime one, being very com- mon on the salt meadows of southern New Jersey. The spe- cies is double-brooded, the first brood being at its height about the fifteenth of June, and the second brood about the fifteenth of August. It is often found in company with P. panoquin, both species having the same habit, and both appearing on the wing about the same time. The August brood of both these species will outnumber the June brood by ten to one. 16. Pamphila fusca. A female secured on August the seventeenth deposited eggs the same day. The egg is shiny, pearl white, and not opake white as is so often the case with the eggs of Pamphila. The surface of the egg is very finely reticulated, and the apex of egg is decidedly flattened. Eggs hatched on August the twenty-seventh. The larvae when first hatched are of an opake white color. Head and collar very light brown. This ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 417 —" onal case for me, as I could not induce the ® feed. The species is double-brooded in eastern Penn- ia and southern New Jersey. t viator. d a number of eggs of this species from Mr. H. E. of Batavia, New York. The eggs were laid about seventh. The egg is grayish in color; finely reticu- d, and somewhat wider than high, with apex but slightly « The eggs hatched on July the sixteenth. The larva is Pamphila i is entirely different from the larvae of any heey that I have ever seen. Twenty-four hours after thing the larvae were of a grayish color, and covered with ner oe dark-colored, spine-like hairs. The head and collar peeow and covered with numerous dark brown spots. st moult occurred on the twenty-fifth of July. Twenty-four afer moulting the larvae were of a brown color, other- : ees ore the nn nace a =f y the er. Four new rice. _ By S. A. Ronwer, Boulder, Colo. sepeerensts n. Sp. 5 mm. Anterior margin of clypeus produced in middle ECG crocsen. ot the side of which lo 0. amalipothi 8 shining, without punctures; head finely granular; behind the She shallow, smooth depression; on the vertex behind the ait of each eye is an angular protuberance; pronotum rounded, pital or dentate; dorsulum sculptured like the head, scutellum new more coarsely $0; mesopleura sculptured about as the scu- am et tegula there is a deep vertical furrow; squamz linear, at- hed to the postscutellum for their entire length, slightly rounded on the ova margin, perhaps a little broader anteriorly; spine very ' short; posterior face of metathorax bounded on the sides by distinct rine which are abruptly truncate above, irregularly obliquely striated, a vertical carina; marginal cell pointed at apex, widest closely, finely punctured; pygidium broad, rounded at apex, with large separate punctures, color black; two spots on chee tip of femora, tibix beneath creamy-white; spot apex, flagellum beneath somewhat, and tarsi tes- 418 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 taceous; tegule, narrow apical margin of abdominal segments, yellow- ish testaceous; pygidium red; wing dusky hyaline, nervures dark brown; face, clypeus, side of thorax with silvery pubescence. Habitat——Larimer Co., Colo., between 8000 and gooo feet, July 18, (C. P. Gillette). Co-types in collection of Colo, Agri- cultural College and in author’s collection. This may be the female of B. forbesii Rob. but differs as follows from his description of that species: no depression on posterior face beneath spine, sides of abdomen are not parallel, the wings are strongly dusky, nervures brown. Crabro (Paranothyreus Koll.) gillettei n. sp. @. Length about 7 mm. Clypets broadly truncate, very finely punc- tured. some large punctures near margin, carina very low and broad; mandibles with a small subapical tooth, at apex obtusely truncate; width of eyes at the clypeus a little more than the width of the clypeus; facial basin smooth, shining, not strongly margined above; between the ocelli and the facial basin the head is striated with irregular strie; outer orbits and head back of ocelli shining, with sparse, fine punctures; ocelli in a low triangle, the distance between the lateral ones and the nearest eye margin about the same; lateral ocelli back of a line drawn between the superior orbits; furrow from lower ocellus distinct, strong, extend- ing to base of antenne; pronotum not carinated or dentate, anterior angles sharp, but without teeth; most of dorsulum and scutellum shin- ing, sparsely punctured with rather small punctures; anterior margin of dorsulum with short longitudinal strie; middle of dorsulum from anterior margin with a distinct carina; mesopleura shining, punctured like dorsulum, below tegule there is a distinct pit; enclosure and sides of metathorax not strongly defined; enclosure with a few longitudinal strie; middle furrow shallow, not extending on posterior face, slightly broader at apex; posterior face with a triangular fovea, apex beneath; finely reticulate; metapleura finely, transversely striate; longest spur of hind tibiz not as long as the first joint of hind tarsi; abdomen im- punctate; pygidium broad, flat, sparsely punctured with large punctures. Black; ocelli (dry) reddish; two spots on pronotum, tubercles, spot on scutellum, line on postscutellum, four anterior tibize, except within, posterior tibiz at base, spot on each side of first three abdominal seg- ments (the two apical segments have faint indications of spots), yellow; tarsi testaceous; wings at base yellowish at apex hyaline, nervures and stigma testaceous; the usual pubescence undoubtedly occurs, but the specimen is somewhat worn and it is wanting. Habitat.—Larimer Co., Colo., between 8000 and gooo feet, July 18, (C. P. Gillette). Type in the collection of Colorado Agricultural College. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 419 This belongs to Fox's group hilaris Sm. The black clypeus, ibfes and venter are good superficial characters to separate is species from its allies. The sculpture is much finer than fA any allies except snowii from which it differs in the wider pace between the eyes at the clypeus and other characters. ro (Xylocrabro Ashm.?) besseyae n. sp. % at apex tridentate, at base within with two large teeth; ridt iia ies at the clypens-a little greeter than. the width of the ; eee Scent Seaetier joints oqnel; head closely punctured ith rather large punctures, more sparsely so on vertex and posterior lala geting ant distance between the lateral ocelli Nearest cye margin about the same; furrow from anterior ocellus —: indistinct; pronotum rather feebly carinated, anterior angle with @ small tooth; dorsulum punctured with rather large, strong punctures; —— sparsely punctured; mesopleura anteriorly sharply a ae a a more finely so; furrow of metathorax extending to below eae posterior face; metapleura very finely, transversely striate; anterior femora at base beneath with a small tooth; first rec. rather one ee cneet oot: shdomen, both dorsal and ventral sur- : red with rather small, distinct, well-separated punctures; twice as long as width at base; apical half strongly narrowed, basal half broad, punctured with large ; scape at apex, spot on mandibles, two spots on pronotum, anterior femora beneath, four posterior femora beneath for J half, spots on dorsal abdominal segments 2-5 bright yellow; clypeus, cheek and inner orbits with dense silvery pubescence; thorax Habitat—Boulder, Colo., May 26, 1908, at flowers of Bes- séya plantaginca (S. A. Rohwer). This species is nearest to stirpicolus Pack., but differs as . follows: metathorax above and behind not coarsely striated, t ete. The shape of the pygidium should distinguish this species at once. e Ichneutidea secunda n. sp. @. Length 4% mm; length of anterior wing 4 mm. Head shining, impunctate; ocelli in a low triangle; a a furrow from lower ocellus to occiput; antennal fover quite distinct, wider above the antennz; an- 420 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 tenn 25-jointed, third joint but little longer than fourth, the last five joints but little longer than wide; sides of the superclypeal” area de- pressed; clypeus round on anterior margin; mesonotum shining, im- punctate, except anterior lobe, which finely punctured; scutellum with well-scattered, small punctures; mesopleura shining, impunctate; meta- thorax smooth, shining, without an areola; posterior femora rather robust; posterior tibie tapering from base to apex; first joint of hind tarsi a little longer than 2. .3; tarsal claws simple; stigma angulate beneath; first abscissa of radius a little longer than second, but not as long as the oblique transverse cubitus; second transverse cubitus about equal to the second abscissa of radius; second cubital cell pointed at base beneath; basal nervure bent; transverse median more than half its length beyond basal nervure; abdomen impunctate; lateral carine of first dorsal segment more or less developed. Color, reddish- yellow; antennz, eyes, black spot enclosing ocelli, middle lobe of mesonotum. scutellum, metathorax, mesopleura and mesopectus; spot on apical dorsal segments of abdomen, sheath, black; apex of hind tibie and their tarsi infuscated; wings hyaline, iridescent, apical third a little darker, nervures and stigma pale brown; dorsulum of abdomen and legs with short reddish-yellow pubescence. Habitat—Geneva, Nebraska. Type in the collection of the University of Nebraska, paratype in author’s collection. This species is quite distinct from I. abdominalis Cress. the only other species of this genus, being known at once by the different color—abdominalis has the head and thorax black. One Day’s Collecting, with a Description of a new Noctuid. By ALEx. Kwiat, Chicago, IIl. On Decoration Day, May 30, 1908, the writer, with Messrs. Beer and Kidlica, went on a collecting trip to Hessville, Ind., where we were joined by Will Hartman, Jr., who resides there, making a party of four, all Lepidopterists. Hessville, Indiana, is just four miles east of the Illinois line and about four or five miles south of Lake Michigan. It is not strictly in the sand dune region, although there are occa- sional blow holes and shifting ridges. Generally speaking, it may be described as a succession of sloughs and sandy ridges, the latter usually covered with stunted oak, hop elm, cotton- wood, the small-leaved poplar, some willow, birch, sassafras, -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 421 iiviatyal idw-wody pereanials on the Gis of the of our collecting is done on the Hartman Farm, which i wooded. Drainage and a little care has resulted in a «larger timber growth and grassy sloughs. The woods are over- grown with ferns. The open ridges are covered with black- - berries and lupine, phlox, goldenrod, milkweed of various ____ kinds and other flowering plants abound here and on the edges ee of the sloughs. There is also a lot of flowering spurge (Ewu- _ phorbia corollata). The ride from Chicago, about 23 miles, occupies an hour's time, and after depositing the greater part of our luggage at the Hartman home, we got after the butterflies. It was a dy and more or less cloudy day. In exposed places the and moths would not rise unless disturbed and would then be difficult to capture, for the wind would carry them One object we had in mind was to locate Lycaena scudderi and if possible observe its ovipositing habits.. We found the butterflies, a few of them including several females, but they would not lay an egg, even though we entreated them and coaxed them to do so. A little farther on where the sloughs were somewhat pro- . tected by timber along the sides collecting was better. In the + woods there was practically nothing to be had and we spent Toward the middle of the afternoon we were more or less discouraged, for nothing particular had been taken except a . tattered specimen of Cirrhobolina deducta by Mr. Beer, and we were trailing back to the house when the writer caught a glimpse of a small moth resting on the common field phlox (Phlox pilosa), which was in full bloom. The flower was swaying wildly in the wind and the moth seemed to disappear immediately. A call brought the others running and while they stood ready to bag it with the net if necessary, the speci- | men was bottled without difficulty. 422 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’o8 The moth was such a fine example of protective resemblance that even when the exact spot was pointed out where it rested, Mr. Beer and Mr. Hartman were unable to see it. Immediate search was instituted for more and during the balance of the day we took twenty-three specimens, some of them in coitu. The moth has since been sent to Prof. John B. Smith, who de- clared it to be a new species and has described it as Heliolonche indiana, It seems paradoxical that a new species and seemingly a com- mon one should be found in such a well-collected territory as this near Chicago. It can perhaps be explained by the habits of the moth, which are decidedly sluggish, specimens usually drop- ping to the ground when disturbed. This, coupled with its close resemblance to the flowers upon which it rests, may account for it. Following is a list of the other species taken during the day: Argynnis myrina Acontia candefacta Neonympha eurytris Metathorasa monetifera Chrysophanus hypophlaeas Pangrapta decoralis Lycaena scudderi ; Euclidia cuspidea Lycaena pseudargiolus Apaecasia detersata Papilio polyxenes Apaecasia defluata Papilio troilus Xanthotype crocataria Pamphila hobomok Loxostege chortalis Nisoniades icelus Tholeria reversalis Nisoniades juvenalis Crambus laqueatellus Eubaphe brevicornis Stenoma schlaegeri Plusia aerea Pamphila cernes Erastria malaca Cirrhobolina deducta Prothymia semipurpurea and several unidentified Micros. All perhaps not exceptional, but the new species enlivened an otherwise dull way, which was therefore declared a successful one. This, however, was not the end of the trip for us, for we came prepared to. spend the night in the woods with lights and sugar to attract the night fliers. This, while not a long story, will be reserved for another occasion. Professor Smith’s description of the new species is as fol- lows: ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 423 indiana n. sp , Smith. net here anal tuft. Beneath the hair is finer and more sparse, The primaries at first sight appear to be almost uniformly pur carmine. Closer examination of a large series shows that the narrow even terminal space is decidedly paler with a purplish wash ove a luteous base, while the median area is paler and decidedly more times almost absent. Fringes whitish. Secondaries black, immacu- Tate, fringes white. Beneath; primaries black on disc, costal margin r it : : : : : Expands 62 - .72 inches or 15.5- fe _ “Habitat—Hessville, Indiana, May 30th, June 6, 13. i‘ 2. “Ten males and nine females, all in good or fair condition > _ from Mr. Alexander Kwiat, at whose request I have prepared _ the above description and who will give further details concern- SEINE Rahits of the species and the circumstances relating to its capture.” On the upper side there is little variation. On the underside __ there is a considerable range in the proportion of the black and purplish areas. Sometimes the black predominates, leaving BE vcrcich or carmine costal and apical ares: the other extreme is where the wing has a carmine wash over a yellowish base, the black restricted to a large discal spot a sub- terminal band and a basal shade extending somewhat through the centre of the wing. In structural details the species agrees in most details with ___ modicella. The front is not protuberant and there is a nar- gow thickened frontal ridge along the inferior border, The ) anterior tibiae are somewhat shortened, broad and flattened with a very long curved claw-like spine at the inner side of tip and two stout spines above it : at the outer side there is a shorter and smaller curved spine at tip and two others not much smaller 424 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 above it. The spines of the middle tibiae are long and distinct in the hairy vestiture; those of the posterior tibiae are small, scanty and concealed so that the member seems unarmed to ordinary examination. Note.—To complete the information on this species the writer and Mr. Arthur Herz found on July 4th, what we take to be the larvae of this species feeding on the seed pods of the Phlox. Unfortunately they pupated before a description could be taken. Abas A Hunt for Saldoida Osborn. By e¢ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOsSON. In the winter of 1898-99 I was in Punta Gorda, on the west coast of Florida. One day while out collecting I sat down on a fallen tree to rest. It was a damp, grassy spot and there were many ants running over the ground. While idly watch- ing them I noticed one which seemed different from the others and stooped to pick it up for examination. To my surprise as my hand approached it the supposed ant, instead of running away, skipped, jumped or leaped like a flea or cricket and disappeared in the grass. I was puzzled and excited. Had I discovered a saltatory ant new to science? I searched carefully but saw no more of the odd creature that day. Returning to the spot a few days later I again saw it and with much difficulty captured it. It was an Hemipter but quite new to me and I thought it immature. A tiny, reddish- brown insect, its disproportionately large eyes and long, con- spicuous antennae gave it a queer brownie-like look. I saw no more specimens and soon after left Punta Gorda. In the following spring as I was sending some Hemiptera to Prof. Uhler I included this curious unique. He was much interested in it, told me it belonged to the Saldidae and possi- bly represented a new genus. But he did not care to found such a genus on one specimen alone. The next winter 1899-1900 I spent a few days in Jackson- ville, Florida. Wandering one afternoon in the suburbs of the city I stooped to examine a plant growing in a sort of ditch ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 425 ae side of the road. There was no water in this but the il was i and again ants were running over the surface. shed them not thinking at all of my former experience ¢ little Saldiid, when suddenly I saw an alien among the Si bebe captured it It was the same big-eyed little pa had taken at Punta Gorda or seemed so to me. But 1 vainly for other specimens. That summer when some Hemiptera to Prof. Herbert Osborn I put into the box my two Saldiids. Prof. Osborn at once decided that ____ they represented an undescribed genus and also two different species. These he described—Can. Entom. Vol. xxxii, p. 181. The genus he named Saldoida, the two species, respectively, ___ slossoni and cornuta. I visited Florida every winter after this and always searched for my agile, mud-loving treasures but in vain. I had, however, discovered in an old box of duplicates, _-—s one damaged specimen of Saldoida, about whose capture I fe could remember nothing. It was labelled simply “Florida.” At this specimen I often looked to refresh my memory as to the 7. genera appearance of the rare insect and with ardent hopes that I might sometime again find similar species. _——s dT. was detained in the North during the two winters of 1904- | . ‘Tobe 1905-06 and thought that I should never again visit : But an attack of grippe last December changed my > ideas and I decided to go a little later to the west coast, select- ing Belleair on Clearwater Harbor for my headquarters. This “is about twenty-five miles west of Tampa and a charming spot. ____ FT reached there on January 22d, found few signs of spring and almost no insects. _____ It was an unusually backward, tardy season, the nights cold and even frosty until late in February. But just before the advent of March the warm weather came very suddenly and __ animal and vegetable life became abundant. g A few weeks before coming South I had received a letter ; from Dr. Otto Heidemann telling me that Prof. Reuter of Finland was anxious to examine specimens of Saldoida while engaged in study of the family. I dared not risk sending my precious unique across the seas and told Dr. Heidemann so. . = ; a. = — & £ ‘ = My 426 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 But I added that I should soon be in Florida and hoped to find again specimens of the rare little creatures. As I had looked for them already for ten years with no success this hope seemed an uncertain and feeble thing. I cherished it, how- ever, and searched often in the most promising spots for the tiny Saldiid but always vainly. As often happens in this odd life of ours I found it at a time when I was not hunting for it, not even thinking of it. I had been delighted to discover for the first time a colony of Atta, one of the ants which make fungus-gardens. I had read with great interest of their habits and Mr. William T. Davis had told me of watching colonies at Lakehurst. I was much excited over my own recognition of the little gardeners. For several days I spent hours at a time bending over the nest and watching the ants returning from their quest with ma- terial for planting or keeping up the fungus-garden. It was while I was trying to keep track of one of those on its cir- cuitous, wandering way that I noticed a strange looking ant on the damp soil. Not thinking of Saldoida, interested at the moment in ants and ants only, I wet my finger and lifted the creature to drop into my bottle. As I did so I was conscious that I had crushed it. Now ants do not crush easily and the _ apparent softness of this one’s body surprised me. But | forgot it in a minute as I intercepted the next little agriculturist and robbed him of his small burden. I was much occupied for the rest of that day and so did not even look over the con- tents of my various alcohol and cyanide bottles. But lying awake that night and living over, as one often does, the field experiences of the day I thought suddenly of the crushed in- sect. In a flash I remembered Saldoida and felt that I had again found one of the genus. I could not wait but struck a light, poured out the contents of the cyanide bottle and with my magnifying glass searched for the specimen. I found it, broken and crushed but plainly recognizable as what I had so long sought. Of course I went to the spot next morning; in fact I went nowhere else, spending hours at the damp piece of ground ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 427 ——————— rAtte’s iia, with eyes bent steadily upon the surface re soi where ran scores of ants, watching for sign of a » One single specimen of what I wanted rewarded my h and I went home, cramped, stiff, with aching eyes and ' gown but a contented mind. I spent many days in a ke manner I soon learned to recognize at a glance the t of a Saldoida. The little creatures have quaint ways ~ own not at all ant-like. Their long, conspicuous an- © are waved from side to side as they run swiftly about. ‘They never as far as I know, leap except when startled. os recognize this insect is one thing, to capture it is quite aoa I lost many, more, I think, than I secured. I tried varying methods, the most successful one being the holding a near the prey and “shooing” the spry little fellow into ihe - But this often failed. However I succeeded in securing Osborn found both the described species, slossoni Of slossoni there were one or two males, not = ¢ Prof. sas B. the association of Saldoida with ants is accidental Leann say. I only know that I never found one except in as their company. But again I never saw either ant or Saldiid take the slightest notice of one another or seem conscious of a each other's presence. ae _ As is almost always the experience of a persistent and close Ecco for a particular thing, I was rewarded, not only by : in finding what I was seeking but by discoveries and in other lines. Finding that the most likely spots “were damp, grassy places especially where the little sun-dew ear (Drosera) was growing, I frequented such localities. The Pan Saldoidas were apparently often in hiding among the low grass ‘and herbage. To start them out I pulled up the plants by the roots. This would often send out a swiftly running little imp, waving his long antennae as he went. But it showed me other © things as well. Many small coleoptera were turned up. Heter- 428 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 ocerus pusillus not common in any other locality visited by me was frequently seen, and Haltica rufa was so abundant about the roots of grass as to be a nuisance. An unknown Acalles was hailed with delight when the first specimen appeared, but it soon grew rather common and proved to be ventrosus. Another weevil was abundant, its brassy hue shining in the sun as I stirred it up from the soil, Tyloderma aereum. Two or three species of Tachys, many small Staphylinids and scores of Limnichus nitidulus were taken thus. Several specimens of a carabid new to me with odd deeply pitted elytra proved to be Selenophorus fossulatus and I took three specimens of Hydrochus rugosus which I had never found before. Some- times a pupa was found in the soil, or the whitish grub of some scarabid beetle. So my search was not a monotonous one but full of interest and excitement and I shall never regret the long hours I spent so near the earth itself in my hunt for Saldoida. A new Dragonfly (Odonata) belonging to the Cor- dulinae, and a Revision of the Classifi- cation of the Subfamily. By E. B. WILLIAMSON. (Plate XVIII.) In the past, two groups of Cordulinae have been recognized and defined by the following characters: crossed or free super- triangles, and united (stalked) or distinct (separate) sectors of the arculus. These groups and the sub-groups are familiar to students of Odonata and need not be discussed here, except to call attention to the fact that the classification resulting from the use of these characters has been an altogether artificial one, resulting in an unnatural assemblage of genera. The sub-family Synthemiinae, proposed by Needham and Hart* but not defined, by inference includes the second legion or group defined by de Selys and later authors, but only the Illinois genera of this legion are mentioned. Later Needhamy *Bull. Til. St. Lab. Nat. Hist. Vol. VI, Sept., 1901, p. 5. + Aquatic Insects in the Adirondacks, N. Y. St. Mus. Bull. 47, Sept., IQ0I, p. 479. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 429 omiinae (— Synthemiinae*) but only the faunal Ta a, two in number, are considered and the contents of the ~far m ly are not indicated. The genera segregated by his i aracter, the triangle of the hind wing placed consider- ly beyo the erculus, are not identical with the genera segre- ated by his second character, theanal loop well developed and ly longer than broad. The third character, with more 2 cubito-anal cross-veins, like the characters on which the t > groups of de Selys were founded, is not a character ubich major groups can be based. In A Genealogic Se of Dragonfly Wing Venation, 1903, Needham indicates themis as belonging to the Macromiinac. orm for the present the three Corduline genera with i triangles in the front wings, on venational characters r eg oups of Cordulinae of approximately co-ordinate rank, may be defined. The contents of these groups are as a a L Hemicordulia, Procordulia, Somatochlora, Paracordulia, Doro- , ia, Cordulia, Helocordulia, Tetragoneuria, Epicordulia and heca; represented in the Oriental, Australian, Ethiopian, Palae- " Nearctic and Neotropical regions, . Neurocordulia, Aeschnosoma and Libellulosoma; represented in e Nearctic, Neotropical and Ethiopian regions. ' , Syncordulia, Neocordulia and probably Gomphoma- q fepresented in the Australian, Palacarctic and Neotropical — Iv. Nesocordulia, Idomacromia, Idionyx and probably Macromidia; * Ss repre d in the Ethiopian and Oriental regions. : - Epephthalmio, Macromia, Azuma, Didymops, Phyllomacromia id Synthemis ; represented in the Oriental, Australian, Ethiopian, retic and Nearctic regions. alac i 7 Some of - characters upon which this grouping is based 7 iq M and Cu, j in front wing convergent. Group L M and Cu, in front wing parallel. Group III excepting Gom- = ? wy phomacromia. ~My and Cu, in front wing slightly divergent. Groups II and IV and Gom phomacromia. ae ae Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvii, i, page 608, foot-note a. ag at vtbg orderly arrangement of the genera within each 4 owe F Fr 430 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 M, and Cu, in front wing widely divergent, Cu, strongly curved. Group V. 2. M, and M, in front wing distinctly divergent. Group III. M, and M, in front wing convergent or only slightly divergent. Groups I, II, IV and V. 3. Anal loop long, apex widened. Groups I and II. Anal loop long, apex rounded, not widened. Groups III and IV (obscured in Gomphomacromia and Macromidia). Anal loop rounded. Group V. 4. Proximal angle of the subtriangle in front wing proximal to, on level of, or only slightly beyond arculus. Groups I, II and III. Proximal angle of the subtriangle in front wing distal to the level of the arculus by at least the length of the anterior side of the subtriangle. Groups IV and V. (In Group IV the postanal cell* forms more of the posterior side of the sub- triangle than the cell just proximal to the postanal cell; in Group V, excepting in Phyllomacromia where they are about equal, the postanal cell is mych the shorter). 5. In front wing the postanal cell* divided (2-celled). Groups I and II, -In front wing the postanal cell* undivided. Groups III, IV and V. 6. Proximal side of triangle in hind wing on level of or proximal to arculus. Groups I and II. Proximal side of triangle in hind wing distal to arculus by less than length of arculus. Group III. Proximal side of triangle in hind wing distal to arculus by at least the length of arculus. Groups IV and V. The consideration of these characters and the resulting groupings makes it impossible to reduce the sub-family to a smaller number of co-ordinate sub-groups than five. The stalking or distinct origin of Mj, and My, at the arculus has not been used because of its indefinite character in many cases. The origin is generally distinct in Group I and in Neurocordulia and Oxygastra and stalked in all others reaching the extreme development in Phyllomacromia, Didymops and Idionyx. Other characters.not here mentioned are available for defining groups or genera. For example, Group III has 3-5 cross-veins between M,-3 and Ma in front wing and 2 in * Postanal cell—a small distinct area in the front wing posterior to the subtriangle, homologous with the anal loop of the hind wing in the Cordulinae. Vo" 98] ENTOMOLOGICAL News. 431 ; Group IV has 8-12 cross-veins in front wing and in hind wing. vf i¢ three genera with 4-sided triangles in the front wing, Cordul: is remarkable by the great divergence of M 5 laps and the convergence of M, and Cu, in the front , and the reduction of wing area. It suggests Syncordulia. ya is its exact opposite in all these characters and sug- Idionyx. Pentathemis has as little in common with the & er two as they have with each other, the 4-sided triangle of _ the front wing resulting from an entirely different switching of veins. It is related to Aeschnosoma and perhaps should be em er. PLATYCORDULIA new genus.* -_ Related to Neurocordulia, Aeschnosoma and Libellulo- soma, Distinguished at once from all by the apically broad- ny and rounded anal loop which is widely sep- a from the wing margin by 2 rows of cells (one row te inall the others). Of the four genera it has the densest reticula- : tion. The two genera Aeschnosoma and Libellulosoma are close- Wy rlated to each other and are distinguished from the other two, _ among other characters, by the strongly waved Ms and M , _ in both front and hind wings and the unsymmetrical and pecu- “tae fering of 3 and M, in both front and hind wings. _ Two species of Newrocordulia are known. The venational dif- 4 ference between them is slight, consisting of a greater number of antenodals in both front and hind wings in yamaskanensis __ a§ compared with obsoleta and scarcely definable differences in the form of the anal loop (differences in the form of the two _ distal angles and the direction of the distal side with reference to the long axis of the wing). Some of the venational differ- _ _@nces between the two species of Neurocordulia and Platy- _ ¢ordulia xanthosoma n. sp. are discussed below. The denser _ reticulation of Platycordulia is a striking character, recognized _ at once by the increased number of rows of cells between the __ sectors at a relatively proximal position in the wing. Type of Platycordulia: P. xanthosoma, n. sp. " ©The name refers to the broadened anal loop in the hind wing. ia est 432 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 Platycordulia xanthosoma n. sp. Length of abdomen, including appendages, 38 mm.; hind wing, 36 mm. ; hind femur, 9 mm. Entire insect yellow or yellowish. Abdomen, excepting segment 1, basal half of 2 and all of 10, darker than thorax; 5-8 or 9 each with a Platycordulia xanthosoma 3—Profile view of segments 9 and Io. lateral basal paler spot. Head rounded, eyes contiguous for a distance about equal to the width of the vesicle. Wing membrane pale yellow- ish with clear yellow markings as shown in the figure of the wings (the photographic process produced in the figure a greater contrast ; Profile view of accesory genitalia of Dorsal view of appendages. abdominal segment 2, above. Ventral view of inferior appendage, below. in the color of the membrane in general and the yellow markings than appears to the eye.) Membranule white, posterior third dark brown, this brown color in the hind wing extending across the anal triangle and broadly margining cross-veins in the immediate wing area, not extending into the anal loop. Some venational characters may be briefly compared with the two species of Neurocordulia. Certain characters of 10 males and 7 females of N. yamaskanensis were kindly furnished me by Prof. E. M. Walker. The supertriangle of front wing is free in 20 wings ¢ and 12 wings 2 yamaskanensis, and 1 wing ¢ and4wings ? N. obsoleta; crossed in 2 wings $ and 4 wings 2 yamaskanensis, 1 wing 6 and 1 wing 2 obsoleta and 4 wings ¢ of P. xanthosoma. Supertriangle of hind wing free in 22 wings é and 16 wings 9 yamaskanensis, 2. wings é and ta O - ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWs. 433 obsoleta, ‘iia 4 wings é xanthosoma; crossed in 1 ge obsoleta. Two cubito-anal cross-veins in*front wing 21 wings é and 16 wings @ yamaskanensis, 2 wings é sacs @ obsoleta; 3 cross-veins in 1 wing ¢ yamaska- sis and 3 wings é xanthosoma; 4 cross-veins in 1 wing ¢ a | One cubito-anal cross-vein in hind wing in 1 ben $ yamaskanensis; 2 cross-veins in 21 wings $ and 16 % yamaskanensis, and 2 wings é and 5 wings ? obso- _ Teta; 3 cross-veins in 4 wings 8 xanthosoma. In 2 males yama- _ Skanensis and 1 2 obsoleta the anal triangle is 2-celled, in 2 __ @ #anthosoma 3-celled. Antenodals in front wing—yamaska- — nensis 9-11, obsoleta 7-8, xanthosoma 7-8; postnodals in front J — kanensis 6-9, obsoleta 7-10, xanthosoma 7-8 ; ante- in hind wing—yamaskanensis 6, obsoleta 5 (rarely 6), 5: postnodals in hind wing—yamaskanensis 7-10, obs 8-10, xanthosoma 7-8. Rows of cells after triangle in ___ front wing—yamaskanensis 2, obsoleta and xanthosoma 2 or 3: in hind wing—yamaskanensis 2 or 3, obsoleta 2, and xanthoso- ‘ma 2-4 indefinite. Material studied by me—yamaskanensis 2 8, ‘I 9; obsoleta 1 &, 2 @ and wings figured by Martin p. 38, __ Cordulines, Coll. Zool. Selys Longchamps; and xanthosoma 38. « The abdominal appendages of Platycordulia xranthosoma are figured. They are separated at once from species of Neurocor- Msc ct F. sewhesonc a ny coleod oe ice two males of P. xanthosoma in my collection were taken § at Wister, Oklahoma, one of them on June 4, 1907, by myself, _ the second on August 2, 1907, by Frank Collins, a boy who “5 ad Choctaw Nati Wister is situated in the northeast of the Choctaw Nation, a few miles south of parallel 35 3 N., near the Poteau River, a southern affluent of the Ar- 4 Ssocbay About a mile north of the town is a lake lying on the west side of the railroad. I was informed that this lake is artificial, caused by the fill for the railroad grade. At the present the lake has a surprising Odonate fauna. __ To mention two cases, Libellula cyanea and Ischnura __ ellicotti, hitherto not known west of Indiana, were here in 434 _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 abundance. The gap in the known distribution of these two species is thus over 500 miles. The overflow from the lake is a small stream averaging when I saw it 2 or 3 feet in width. Its length from the lake to its mouth in the Poteau River is possibly half a mile. A short distance below the lake, in passing some bushes which overhung the stream bed, I dis- turbed the only specimen I saw alive of P. xanthosoma. This flew a short distance along the stream and alighted in a well concealed spot in bushes overhanging the water. Its flight, manner of alighting and position at rest suggested a teneral Libellula. The specimen taken by Frank Collins is somewhat worn; he wrote on the envelope “Yellow one.” His home in 1907 was a camp along the Poteau River and his collecting was done along the river, at the lake and at intermediate points. Professor Walker has recorded the interesting fact that N. yamaskanensis is entirely crepuscular in its habits, spending only a brief period of the day on the wing. It is not improbable that N. obsoleta and P. xanthosoma similarly are abroad only in the evening. mutiliinss —— Ceratophyllus niger n. sp. (Siphonaptera), By Carrot Fox, P. A. Surgeon, P. H. and M. H. S., San Francisco. Female—Head gently rounded to frontal notch which is distinct. Three stout bristles in lower genal row; three more slender in upper row. Genae acutely pointed posteriorly. Eyes oval. About nine hairs on second antennal joint, longer than third joint. One large bristle on disc of vertex behind middle of antennal groove. ‘The usual bristles on hind margin of head and one large one at lower angle. Numerous min- ute hairs along posterior margin of antennal groove. Labial palpi five jointed and extend almost to end of anterior coxae. Maxillae triangular. Thoracic nota with two transverse rows of bristles; the principal with about eight bristles. Ctenidium on prothorax of about twenty- six spines. Second, third and fourth abdominal tergites with two stout teeth, fifth with one tooth on each side. Two rows of bristles on abdominal tergites, the posterior row consisting of about twelve bristles; the anterior row fewer in numbers and smaller, and irregularly disposed. Abdominal sternites with one row of about eight’ bristles. A few smaller along median line on ventral surface. Style slender with ®, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. . 435 oy cal spine and proximad to this one smaller on upper and one . Sub stylar flat with about seven bristles on margins. bristles on each side, the middle one in each group pygidium on cach side are two bristles. f on inner side of hind coxae. Six hairs on lateral ect of hind femur. Five spines all in line on each side of fifth al jc rrangement of spineson fore tibia as usual in Cera- ) Apical spines on second tarsal joint not longer than third it. Length of joints of hind tarsi: 20-15-10-5-10. olor, very dark brown. Length, 3.5 mm. Two long just above the insertion of claspers large with a stout pedicle, and with the described very well as gourd-shaped. On the upper e male from Mus decumanus. ‘Octo ber issue of the Ewromotocica, News, on page 385, I find by one signing himself “H. S.” with a serious, but obvi- Mr. Dean and partly published by him in 1903 (see Tireanasitione of the Kansas Academy of Science”). Station, Bulletin No. 154 was planned and written by me. In my desire to give Mr. Dean full credit for his work, I inserted the footnote which Gg » accusation —T. J. Heavier. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL News solicit and will thankfully receive 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 bibliographers.] ’ 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 recep-- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put ‘‘ copy’ into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, 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 number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.—Ep, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., NOVEMBER, 1908. The following letter has been received: “A strange animal has made its appearance in the Department of the City Hall. The head of the Bureau thinks a large spider has changed by metamorphosis into a large green moth. I know this to be impossible, but I am anxious that an expert shall investigate the matter, as I am no ,authority on such subjects. The moth is undoubtedly a very strange one, and is entirely unfamiliar to me. “Tf you can call and look at it, I think you will be interested.” There are so many things to know these days that consider- able discrimination should be used in making a selection for school children. They are probably taught some things less useful than an elementary knowledge of Entomology and other branches of natural history. There may be some excuse for the grown people of to-day who know nothing about the trans- formations of insects, but the children of the present time should be better taught. The large spider mentioned in the letter was Argiope riparia and the moth Pholus pandorus. TRIGONALYS AND RoPRONIA IN VircIn1A.—Three species of Trigon- alide I have taken near Falls Church, Va. Lycogaster pullata at Glen- carlyn, Va., 4 May, and Falls Church, 29 May, Lycogaster costalis at Great Falls, Va., 25 June, and 31 July. Trigonalys pulchellus, Great Falls, Va., 12 and 25 June. Schulz in the Trigonalide of the Genera Insectorum puts costalis as a synonym of pulchellus. This is entirely wrong; both were described from males, and costalis has the male ven- tral structure as in Lycogaster, just as originally stated by Cresson. Last winter I left a peculiar Hymenopteron with Mr. Crawford, to- gether with some bees. Later he identified it as Ropronia, probably R. garmani, This season I have taken two R. garmani, Falls Church, 7 June, and Great Falls, Va., 25 June; and one R. ashmeadi at Falls Church, 5 July—NatHan BANKS, 436 rey ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 437 eg Notes and News. rest Saamnes maou a11, Quaneme a OF THE GLOBE. frit, further notice, Dr. P. P. Calvert will be unable to undertake ification of Odonata. Correspondents will please not send im specimens for thie prpne. afnual flight southward of Anosia plexippus began on October Eli Raetinsiog for severe! days, during which many. stores in the busi § district were invaded by these interesting creatures. Their number, , was probably a trifle short of what it has been on former oc- Tey plexippus was taken by the writer ‘ing the flight. Catopsilia eubule also seemed less in evidence than forme y. Ulolodes hyalina was taken here last July at a light. Calop- lerys maculata was quite abundant. Not a few collectors took Stiria ‘season's catch. A somewhat worn specimen of Pamphila delaware was SIE Tailed cc the Missouri side of the “Father of Wotera” but con- aes cr oe Mlnsoer sds of he “Pas Collecting Lepidoptera here this summer and fall was somewhat of a disappointment, as there 1 to be a dearth of everything, except Debis portiandia and Nath- jole. The latter fairly swarmed, especially about sandy railroad s, for the vicinity of which it seems to entertain a particular fond- o. little insect, similarly plentiful in 1904, seemed to have dis- from here entirely during the following years, only to re- Remarxaste Ovreeeax or Trruta Larvae—Early in February, f Tipuwla larvae were sent in to our laboratory from California. The letter accompanying them said occurring in immense numbers and devastating the wheat fields. The following from a letter from Dr. Stanley, of Hornitos will show something of their abundance: present time in all pasture lands you cannot overturn a stone, of cow manure anywhere without finding from five to each. A few days since, at sundown, I sprinkled a square with a solution of cyanide of potassium, a grain to the Next morning I went to the place and found the ground liter- with larvae. You could not put down the point of a pin . anywhere without touching one; I counted twenty-eight on one square . This was on a hillside where three weeks ago the ground was a i EG an He a 2 t : 438 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 covered with green thrifty grass, but now the whole hillside is bare as a pavement.” Other reports show that the insect is occurring in destructive num- bers in several other counties throughout the interior valleys of the State “where great tracts of pasture land have been rendered worth- less, resembling land after a prairie fire has swept over it.” The larvae sent to us seemed identical with the larvae of Tipula simplex Doane, and adults issuing a few days since shows this identi- fication to be correct. Mr. W. F. Derby, an assistant in the Ento- mology laboratories here, very carefully worked out the life history of this and other species here last year and has his results ready for publication, and Prof. H. J. Quayle, of University of California, is investigating the extent and seriousness of the outbreak, so I will not - dwell on these points. I only wish to call attention to the remark- able fact that in this species which has so suddenly leaped into promi- nence the female is practically wingless, the wings being reduced to mere vestiges and serving in no way as organs of locomotion. In Ento. News, Vol. 18, No, 1, I described the female and gave some notes on their abundance at Stanford. Although practically all the members of this genus have rather large, well developed wings, none of them are strong flyers, many of them indeed using their wings quite awkwardly and flying only short distances. Nevertheless, these wings are much better than noth- ing when it comes to the species distributing itself. The female of T. simplex can only move about by crawling slowly and laboriously over the grass. From observations made here they rarely travel more than a few feet before they deposit their eggs in the ground, after which they soon die. Occasionally some of the females or the larvae or pupae are washed away in the little temporary streams that drain these lands during or after a hard rain and this doubtless helps some in distributing the species. However, this wingless condition may have come about, whether by natural selection, heterogenesis or what not, the fact that this species is so widely and abundantly distributed over the State when we would naturally expect it to occur in limited numbers and restricted areas shows that the adaptation is an extremely successful one. It is inter- esting to note in this connection that in another species of this same genus, Tipula vestigipennis Doane MS. both the male and female are practically wingless, yet the species is very abundant in certain locali- ties, but has only been reported from San Francisco and nearby regions. I find records of two other outbreaks of Tipulid larvae in California, but in neither instance was the species identified—R. W. Doane, Stanford University, Cal. i ! af 8 mM fell irate al LTE begehdy fieiist ll boge EF E : ib a fF | ios | Doings of mobseuak "The Brooklyn Entomological Society met June 4th at 55 Ave., Brooklyn, with 21 members and 9 visitors ppnaon including Prof. Silvestri, the eminent Italian entomolo- _ gist and Prof. Wm. Morton Wheeler, of Harvard University, r. J. J. Schoonhoven, president of the Brooklyn Institute, de- nent of Microscopy, was elected an active member. ____ Prof. John B. Smith exhibited enlarged microphotographs of genitalia of the European Hydroecia nictitans taken by F. WN. Pierce of England. The latter scholar has divided the ___ Species into four, largely on constant characters of genitalia. In his revision of the American nictitans a few years ago Prof. Smith split the species in three, much on the same grounds. ____ Prof. Smith spoke on observations on cecropia cocoons. Of these 1052 had been collected for data, the sound ones being for the most part purposely rejected. Of one lot 9 were healthy, 42 parasitized and 233 dead of disease. In a second _ lot 152 were parasitized and 305 died before pupation. The parasites were Ophion and two species of Pimpla. The inference was that in the campaign against insect pests __~ most important results might be obtained through study of __ disease inoculation. Two species of bacterial disease were 440 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 present in the tested cecropia. In June a host of secondary parasites emerged. John A. Grossbeck actually counted 30,000 and estimated the remainder at 20,000. This averaged over 200 parasites per cocoon. Our observers had little information on the life history of secondary parasites. In one instance the life from egg to imago emergence was ten days. Prof. Silvestri explained that the hyperparasite attacks its host only when full grown in the lar- val state. At the conclusion of the meeting the society and visitors were entertained at supper by George Franck. R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. Meeting November 21, 1907.—Dr. D. M. Castle in the chair. Six persons present. Dr. Skinner exhibited specimens of Argynnis astarte and spoke of the habits and distribution of the species. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. Meeting December 26, 1907.—Dr. P. P. Calvert in the chair. Eleven persons present. Dr. Skinner exhibited Halter ameri- cana, a fossil insect described by Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell. Mr, E. Daecke made some remarks on the predaceous habits of Asiliidae and said he had observed Proctacanthus philadel- phicus catching species of Bombus. He exhibited specimens of Somatochlora tenebrosa taken in coitu at Bambur, New Jersey. Dr. Calvert referred to the large appendages of the male in this species, He also spoke of the general belief in the richness of tropical countries in insect life, but said the Odonata are not a striking example of this richness. Of all the Mexican States, Vera Cruz is the one which has been most thoroughly examined in regard to its Odonata. It extends from 17° to 22°-+ north Latitude and from sea level to 18,000 ft. elevation, has an area of 29,200 square miles and 118 known species and races of Odonata. The State of New Jersey ex- ee ao. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 441 ds from 39 to 41 degrees north latitude and upward to but 90 ft. with an area of 7800 square miles, and has 108 species. ine species are common to the States of Vera Cruz and New . They are Hetaerina americana, Argia translata, Isch- i, Anomalagrion hastatum, Anax junius, A. longi- auripennis, Pantala flavescens, Sympetrum cor- iptum. Mr. Daccke said 34 species of Chrysops had been re- ‘a sd from New Jersey and only 22 species from Africa. The fo officers were elected for the year 1908: Director, Philip Laurent. ee Director, H. W. Wenzel. Treasurer, E. T. Cresson. Conservator, Henry Skinner. Secretary, J. H. Ridings. * — Henry Sxinner, Recorder. | Meeting January 23, 1908—Dr. D. M. Castle presiding. were present. Dr. Skinner exhibited a geometrid SRI ties captured ot the Falle of Schuyfiill by the Rev. _ LF. Stidham. It was a Plagodis probably new to science. Mr. J. A. G. Rehn exhibited a large roach, Blaberus atropos ___ Stoll, taken at Key West, Florida. This species is common in Cuba and widely distributed through Central and South Amer- _ ica, this record however being the first from the United States. _ Its occurrence is probably due to accidental importation from Cuba. Mr. Rehn also exhibited specimens of the Acridid genus ____ Proctolabus, which for over forty years had remained a mon- EE se, ca oi watch cue ohne Te Pin a to the type, all of which were exhibited. The type species, P. mexicana came originally from Toluca, Mexico, _ the new forms being from Jalisco, Mexico, Costa Rica and the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes. The speaker then ex- Bi cpecieens of three genera of Acrididee posecosing somewhat similar development of the median carina of the _ pronotum, although from widely separated localities and be- ~ longing to two distinct sub-families. The genera shown were 442 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 Tropidolophus from the Great Plains and semi-arid country of the West, Pyrgodera from Central Asia and a new genus from Central Brazil. Dr Calvert exhibited paraffine sections of prawns which had been injured by book-lice (Atropos). He placed naphthaline in the box and found it was fully effective in killing the book-lice. Dermestids also attack these sections. Mr. Bradley exhibited stereoscopic pictures, photographs of Oryssidae and various genera and species. Some of the pic- tures were of anatomical details of these insects. A method of making stereoscopic pictures with an ordinary monocular lens was explained. This is done by using a diaphragm perforated on one side and then reversing it. He also showed moth parts (slides) of Siricidae. The mouth parts of Parurus and Tre- mex columba were described. The sub-family relations of Tremex, Teredon, Xerias, Sirex and Parurus were given. Henry SKINNER, Recorder. Meeting of March 26, 1908.—Philip Laurent, Director pre- siding. Nine persons were present. Prof. Calvert compared the Odonata found in the West Indies with those in Mexico and Central America, stating that the species common to the two areas include a number of weak-flying, and also strong-fly- ing species. Although the prevailing wind blows from the West Indies toward the continent, there are a number of strong-flying dragonflies found in the West Indies, and not in Mexico and Central America. » Mr. Rehn mentioned the oc- currence of a species of walking-stick of the West Indian genus Aploplus, on Swan Island which is nearer to the coast of Hon- duras than to any island of the West Indies. Dr. Skinner said that the geographical distribution of some species appeared in-. explicable and cited a number of interesting cases. Mr. Philip Laurent, referring to Circular No. 97 issued by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, entitled the Bag-worm, stated that it seemed strange that the willow, one of the com- monest food plants of Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis was not mentioned in the list of food plants. Mr. Laurent stated that next to arbor-vitae, the commonest food plant of the larva of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 443 Fim question was the various species of willow, at s far as the vicinity of Philadelphia is concerned. Frank Harmpacn, Secretary pro tem. y of han 28, 1908.—Dr. Philip P. Calvert in the chair- s and two visitors present. Mr. Daecke spoke ig trip to Browns Mills, New Jersey, on May 27th. 1 the following species: Pamphila hianna Scudder. the # than this and his Iona records there is no other actual cord for the State. The difficulty of capturing Poaphila a wadrifilaris was mentioned. The other records in the New y list for this moth are all Newark. Euherrichia granitosa en. one specimen from the same locality captured a year ‘oa 9 was the first record for the State. Orthofidonia —-vestaliata Gn. Two records, one from northern Jersey and one - from Ocean County. Crambus daeckellus Haimbach, recently _ described. Chrysops indus, a new locality for this insect. mo ety bipunctata a rare Hemipterous insect. A _ female «Heme is was observed ovipositing on huckle- berry. A living ant-lion (larva) was exhibited. The species i. nkn It was described as follows; Head, thorax and first 3 ominal segments, brick-red; next segments. with a Py Saapiccronband, the remainder of abdomen grayish-white Pie a longitudinal row of black spots. . Calvert spoke of the genus Somatochlora and the species & 3 and filosa as having been recorded from North Caro- “Tina by Brimley. Mr. Brimley had sent him specimens and al- _ $0 a cast skin of tenebrosa. Mr. Brimley’s determinations of pm were found in accord with his own. . Daecke said Tabanus mexicanus flew around cattle to- igiew ‘tight. He said the fact that Diachlora ferrugatus and = Dorcas brevis had been found at Weymouth, New Jersey, _ made the locality an interesting one. — i v = Henry Skinner, Recorder. i 7 Meeting of September 24, 1908.—Vice-Director, H. W. _ ~ Wenzel, presiding. Eleven persons present. Mr. Rehn ex- hibited a wingless katydid, Cyphoderris monstrosus, collected 444 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., ’08 by Prof. Stewardson Brown, on the Saskatchewan river, Al- berta, Canada. It has also been found in Montana. He also exhibited Hesperotettix brevipennis described by Uhler. In 1891 Prof. Morse took one at Wellesley, Massachusetts, and at subsequent dates during four or five years, he took quite a number. The speaker captured nine specimens at Stafford’s Forge, Ocean County, New Jersey, during August and early September. The species was taken in a very limited area. Dr. Skinner exhibited Pieris napi acadica Edw, from New- foundland, new to the collection and presented by Dr. Wil- liam Barnes. Mr. Haimbach spoke of the great abundance of a noctuid moth, Galgula hepara throughout the city at the present time. He had never seen it in such numbers previously. Dr. Calvert exhibited a specimen of the moth Erebus odora- tus Linn. which had been found in the second story of Biologi- cal Hall, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Aug. 27, _ 1908, during a storm which is said to have come from the Gulf of Mexico; an immature male of Libellula incesta Hag. from Clementon, N. J., June 4, 1908, interesting for possessing a pale fuscous streak in the first post-nodal space of the wings suggesting L. axillena Westw.; a male of L. axillena, type form, from the same place and date, the first record from New Jer- sey; Argia translata Hagen from Chester Creek, Glen Riddle, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1908, and Lake Hop- atcong, New Jersey, July, 1906, this last by Mr. S. N. Rhoads; Lestes disjunctus Selys, Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Penn- sylvania, September 18th, 1906, by Mr. Bdyard Long, first record for Pennsylvania; Gomphus spiniceps Walsh, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, June 27th, 1906, Chester Creek at Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania, July 16th, 1908, with their exuviae, by Mrs, Calvert, and Crum Creek above Strathaven, Pennsylvania, July 28th, 1908; this Gomphus is an addition to the Odonate fauna of Eastern Pennsylvania; many more of its exuviae were found than imagos seen. Mr. Chas J. Cole, Jr., was elected an Associate. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. Ent. NEws, Vou. XIX. Plate XIX. JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D. ee a oe _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS SDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION _ ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. < > DECEMBER, 1908. No. 1o. j CONTENTS: be asaseseocevccace Weitee-Fupuing Faedn Beguetieg Sirstesseos Insects; and some Insects are PORGOROUS. 04 oc cctboovseabecvecascte Life History of Culex pertubans 473 Williams—The History of Lycacna ee PR ee antiacis Bdv., with other notes on Other Species ..-....cceecnecsceseee peapenanciecdecccese i a ote te McAtee—Notes on an G08 Ree eso vccdccncensaccasceses ae ED con en ah pntcseghsdunadddiucecées 492 ) Notes and News. .......s.cccsceseveces wn Doings of Societios.........ceescce eee ory JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D. hae (Plate XIX) ie ther died in the Royal Victoria hospital, Montreal *r Sth, following a surgical operation. He was born oh England, March 28, 1852. His education was ob- t the King’s School, Rochester, England. He came to ¢ when a young man as a junior officer in the"Bank of America, and soon began to devote his leisure aie teady of insects and plants Finding the work of a 1k by no means congenial to his literary and scientific tastes, b 1 a position as assistant in the Library of Parliament ta’ It was not long before his talents and attainments in y and entomology became widely known, chiefly through to the “Canadian Entomologist” and the Il reports of the Entomological Society of Ontario. His irst paper in the latter was an article on Canadian Buprestidae, Ahn was published i in 1878, while his first contribution to the appeared in January, 1880. During all the years that have followed no volume of either publication has been issued without some valuable articles from his pen. _ . In 1878 he became a member of the Council of the Entomo- 445 446 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 logical Society of Ontario, and every year since he has been elected to hold some office in the Society, being four times vice- president, and for three years, 1886-88, president. In 1879 he was one of the originators of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club, the most successful society of the kind in the Dominion, and more recently he suggested and by his influence and energy accomplished the promotion of the important Association of Economic Entomologists of North America. The first official recognition of his attainments was in 1885, when he was appointed Honorary Entomologist to the De- partment of Agriculture at Ottawa, and in that capacity, though much hampered by his duties in the Library of Parliament, he published a valuable report on the injurious insects of the year. Two years later the position of Entomologist and Botan- ist to the Experimental Farms of the Dominion was con- ferred upon him. In the years that have gone by, he has done an enormous amount of valuable work, as shown in his annual reports and evidence before the standing committee of the House of Com- mons on Agriculture, his voluminous correspondence with farmers all over the Dominion, and his addresses to Farmers’ Institutes and other gatherings. No one in Canada has done so much to instruct the people in a practical knowledge of the worst insect foes and the best methods of dealing with them, while probably no one but he could have given the Province of Manitoba the information and advice that he has repeatedly afforded by his lectures, addresses and publications on the noxious weeds of that portion of the Dominion. . He was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Queens College and was a fellow of the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science; fellow of the Canadian Royal Society; fellow of the London Linnean Society and of the Entomological Society of America. He was first vice- president of the latter Society in 1907 and took a great interest in its formation. In 1891 he was the president of the Associa- tion of Economic Entomologists and always took an active part in its affairs. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 447 f. Fletcher was a remarkable man in many ways and the great expresses what he has done to encourage and teach te i ekidcabrencioky andboteny in, the Domialit He had a contagious enthusiasm and kept up t of a host of correspondents by aiding them in y way in his power. He was an excellent and lucid teacher, tr of unusual ability and a graceful writer. His name household word among entomologists not onl in Can- but throughout North America, and in many parts of the i besides. He traveled extensively and had a large ac- intance wherever he went, and made many trips across m1 Saeeatinent, collecting principally along the line of the Can- ac Pacific Railway. He was a large and handsome man of vin; presence and had the love and respect of a host = trends and admirers. His loss will be keenly felt and our is the thought that his grand work and ex- will live and be a beacon light to those that follow. He a widow and two daughters one of whom is married. oa a _ wo >. - _ DR. FRANCIS HUNTINGTON SNOW. r th a year 1866 there came to the University of Kansas college a young man of twenty-six, full of enthusiasm, eager to do his part in the upbuilding of the school then beginning its frst year's work, and pleased with the fresh- ‘ness and beauty of the new country. He spent the remainder oh his life in the service of the institution and the state which Gad had thus early adopted as his own. For forty-two years he _ gave the best that was in him to this service which, for ten ab ears, called him from his scientific pursuits to the Chancellor's chair. In this position, through a lean and trying period, he " guided the destinies of the state university during its transition from a small college to a university. In no uncertain way he thus gave directly from his life, for : the: ssomeness of the administrative work finally undermined s health and he was obliged to resign his position at the - Born at Fitchburg, Mass, June 29, 1840. Ay he 2 + 448 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 head of the school. After some months’ rest he returned to his old school work and for five years was happily engaged in the scholarly pursuits which he so much loved. But the old injury to his health was too severe to be overcome and again he was forced to relinquish his work. For ten weary months he fought a good fight, but at last on September 20 was forced to yield—and so passed away. Such, in brief, is the history of Dr. Francis Huntington Snow’s connection with the University of Kansas. What he accomplished for science during this time is known, at least in part, to most entomologists. As an enduring monument to his devotion there is now in the museum of his school one of the largest and most complete collections of insects in this country. Most of this is the result of his own personal efforts, the extent of which may be judged by the fact that he led twenty-six expeditions into the field. Some idea of the com- pleteness and value of the collections may be gained by noting that the number of type specimens is about 1,500. The largest number of types is found among the diptera where there are 1,026. The coleoptera and lepidoptera are well represented, the former having 11,000 species, and the latter 4,800 species, and 114 types. There are altogether about 250,000 specimens distri- buted among 21,000 species. | These collections represent what came to be Dr. Snow’s chief scientific interest, but during the many years when he had more or less of the entire science work of the school in charge, he promoted and encouraged the formation of museum exhibits in general zoology, paleontology, botany and mineralogy. Much of the strong scientific bias of the school is due to his personal interest in these branches of learning which, strangely enough, claimed his attention only after he had been obliged to re- linquish his early ambition to teach Greek. Scarcely second to his entomological bent was his leaning toward ornithology. In 1872 he published the first check list of Kansas birds to which he added from year to year until in 1903 he published the fifth and last revision. Not content with the purely scientific aspect of his work he -ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 449 de: ored to render it of practical service to the lc of his state. For several years, during the chinch bug of Kansas, he labored heroically to aid the farmers extremity. However much question there may be the practical effects of his labors there can be none r his devotion and singleness of purpose toward the ¢ of those into whose service he thus entered. Many are their belief of personal indebtedness to Doctor Snow assistance in their time of trouble. more might be said of this excellent man, but it would ¢ of the same kind and tenor. He was one of Nature's i tarnest, sincere and devoted; full of optimism, ; ome and courage. He lived a life of simple earnestness and hundreds of devoted students have felt and acknowledged its influence for good. The University of Kansas honored _ itself by formal memorial services devoted to his memory on _ November 10, at which time his old friends and students spoke — of his services to science and to the state. C. E. McCune. 4 : “Two new species of the genus Phthiracarus. By H. E. Ewrne, Urbana, IIL. ‘ “The genus Phthiracarus is one of the two genera which a the subfamily Hoploderminae, of the family Ori- batidae. The members of the subfamily Hoploderminae are of their small predaceous enemies. Up to the present time only four species of the genus Phthiracarus have been recorded from North America, the two described in this article making ' six known to this country. The writer is indebted to Mr. oS al for the collecting of one of the species. 450 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 Phthiracarus flavus n. sp. Light yellow, darker parts light slicolak brown; integument of cephalothorax and abdomen pitted. Cephalothorax one-half as long as abdomen and twice as long as high, rounded in front. The cephalothorax bears three pairs of prominent bristles; anterior pair about two-thirds as long as the cephalothorax is high; middle pair, which is situated at about the middle of the dorsal surface of the cephalothorax, slightly larger; posterior pair, which is situated above the pseudostigmata, two-thirds as long as the cephalo- thorax. Pseudostigmata situated approximate to the posterior ventral surface of the cephalothorax, oval in shape; pseudostigmatic organ two-thirds as long as the posterior pair of bristles; without head, but slightly pectinate towards the distal end. Mouth parts large, stout, and prominent. There is a very slight ridge running forwards from the pseudostigmata to the anterior margin of the cephalothorax. Fig. 1.—Phithiracarus flavus n. sp., side view, x 80. Abdomen pointed behind; ventral margin strongly convex, anterior margin with a deep notch to allow room for the pseudostigmata and pseudostigmatic organs. The abdomen is deeply pitted; pits of about the same size and arranged in longitudinal rows. Abdomen with at least nineteen pairs of prominent bristles above; a row of five bristles on either side of the median plane; another row of five bristles just below this row on either side of the abdomen; a pair of bristles just posterior to the notch in the anterior margin of the abdomen; a similar pair situated about their length posterior to this pair; a pair siuated about one-half the distance from the anterior to the posterior end of the abdomen and their length above the ventral margin of the same; three pairs of bristles situated towards the ventral margin of dorsum, and three pairs on the posterior ventral margin. The genital and anal covers together extend almost the entire length of the abdo- men; inner margin of genital covers straight; inner margin of anal ENTOMOLOGICAL NEws. 451 tab ee ie aaa The cephalothorax bears two pairs of erior pair being shorter than those of Pig. 2.—Phithiracarus rotundus n. sp., side view, x So. __ the posterior pair. Pseudostigmata round, disk-like; in diameter each * jual to the width of tibia I; pseudostigmatic organ about twice as as the diameter of the pseudostigma. Palpi very prominent. omen almost as high as long; the upper half of the anterior concave, the lower half of the anterior margin straight. The part of the abdomen is rounded; ventral margin of abdomen The abdomen bears about twelve pairs of small hairs on the Legs about as long as cephalothorax; all subequal; tarsus longer than ; unguis large and stout, almost as long as the tarsus, from _ it extends, and tridactyle, dactyles equal. Length, 0.76 mm; TRE & ig Collected by the writer near Batavia, Ill. 452 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 A new genus of the Siphonaptera. By Past AssIistANT SURGEON CaRROLL Fox, P. H. & M. H. S. Seven specimens in all, 2 males and 5 females, a description of which follows, have been obtained, from the Scapanus californicus taken in San Francisco. Believing them to be new, I sent them to Mr. Rothschild, who kindly looked at them and pronounced them representatives of a new genus, point- ing out certain characteristic features. CORYPSYLLA gen. nov. Spines on the head, structure of head, spines on back of abdomen, mesothorax not divided by a vertical suture, epister- num of metathorax fused with the metanotum. Hind coxae with a patch of spines on inside. All tarsi with four pairs of lateral spines on fifth segment. Corypsylla ornatus spec. nov. Head very gently sloping towards the front to just above the root of the first genal spine where it rather abruptly changes its direction and curves downward and backward forming an angle. This anterior border of the frons is more decidedly curved in the female. The gena is broad from above downwards and in the posterior border is a dis- tinct notch. Starting well up on the frons and extending downward so that the last one partly overlaps the maxilla is a row of spatulate spines six in number. They have their origin close to the anterior margin of the head. The first, or highest of the group extends to the anterior margin of the antennal groove, and terminates with a square end. The second is a little longer and slightly overlaps the anterior margin of the antennal groove and terminates with a bluntly rounded end. The third is still longer and overlaps the anterior mar- gin of the antennal groove, the end being as it were, cut off at an angle. The fourth is by far the longest extending to the prosternum. Its end is much enlarged and terminates with an acute angle. The fifth is longer and narrower than the third, having somewhat the shape of the blade of a penknife. The sixth is shorter than the fifth and rather indistinct in outline. ‘The maxilla is short, broad and tri- angular in shape with the posterior border distinctly serrate. Eyes absent. The maxillary palpi are four jointed, not as long as the labial palpi. The labial palpi are five jointed and extend almost to the end of the fore coxae in the females, but are somewhat shorter in the males. Just above the first genal spine is a row of four bristles running ae ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 453 iquely upward from the root of the first genal spine to the edge of per part of the antennal groove. In front of the roots of the ines is a row of three smaller bristles. In the femalé along the terior margin of the antennal groove at the termination of the upper ce sf is a row of about four stout bristles, Along the dorsal the occiput on each side of the median line is a row of about Back of the base of the antenna is one bristle and there bristles, the upper the larger, back of the third joint of the about its middle. Midway between the termination of the groove and the lower posterior angle of the occiput is a large above and behind this bristle, another bristle, and in line bristles, and alternating with them are three hairs. In the margin of the occiput, dorsally, is a deep notch and on the antennal groove is short and extends nearly to the upper margin of the The anterior and posterior margins are markedly thickened. 5 a eS borders of this notch are six bristles placed rather close together. The second antennal joint is short and contains about four small hairs. club is short and nine-jointed. The distance between the anterior border of the frons and the end of the antennal groove is only a little * greater than the distance between the end of the antennal groove and _ the posterior margin of the head, in both sexes. On the posterior border of the pronotum in the female is a ctenidium 454 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. _ [Dec., ’08 of about fourteen spines. This ctenidium is continued downward on each side by about nine very indistinct pseudo-spines, these shadowy spines overlapping the mesothorax. At the lower border of the prono- tum is a long bristle, above this another smaller one and near the dorsal margin one more. In the male there is a pronotal ctenidium of about thirty-eight spines. The bases of these spines form a com- pound curve, above the convexity being anterior while laterally the anterior margin is concave, and this concavity is filled in by appar- ently a duplicate set of shadowy pseudo-spines, and between each of these pseudo-spines is an indistinct bristle. The mesonotum is short and contains on its dorsal median surface a thickened chitinous patch, ‘this patch being prolonged over the metanotum and containing a few long hairs. The metanotum is the longest of the thoracic nota, thick- ened on its dorsal median surface and contains in this thickened patch an anterior and posterior row of about six long hairs placed very close together and on its lateral surface is a long bristle. ; The mesothorax is not divided by a vertical suture and has, a little anterior to its middle, one long bristle in the female and two in the male, and on its posterior border two long bristles one above and one below the second thoracic stigma. The episternum of the metathorax is fused with the metanotum and contains one short and one long bristle, the metasternum has one short, stout bristle placed high up’ and the epimerum in the male has four or five large bristles and in the female four. The Abdomen.—The abdominal tergites from the first to sixth, have in the median line of the dorsal surface a distinct saddle-shaped chitin- ous patch and a set of short, stout teeth or spines. These spines over- hang the chitinous patch of the next posterior segment. The first, second and sixth have five teeth each, and the third, fourth and fifth seven each. The three middle teeth are in each case the larg- est and blackest . The seventh tergite contains the thickened patch, but in place of the teeth has at its apex, in the female, two short, stout antipygidial bristles and in the male one bristle on each side. Anterior to the spines in each tergite, in the median line are several hairs. Laterally on each tergite are two bristles, one below and one above the stigma. The sternites in the male from the third to the eighth con- tain a single row of six bristles while in the female there is on the third a row of four bristles and on the second sternite only two bristles. The eighth tergite has just at the upper edge of the pygidium a small hook-like process and laterally in the female there are four bristles placed one above the other. Below there is a patch of about seven bristles, more or less in line, on each side and above these close to the margin about eight small bristles. The eighth sternite is very narrow. The stylet is long, narrow, cylindrical, as wide at the tip as at the base, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 455 << istles, on the tenth tergite and sternite. d Segments in Male—The manubrium is nafrow, points ward, is slightly curved to a pointed end. The process is very ige, gently rounded at its lower margin where at the distal extrem- __fext joint. On the anterior surface of all of the tarsi ___ Of bristles. The fifth tarsal joint of each leg has four z= en of tarsi, hind leg, 10-7-4-3-6; mid. leg, 5-5-3-2-6. ss Length of female, 266 mm; length of male, 2 mm. Color, pale brown. ret > ‘ete . _A Dragon-fly Puzzle and its Solution. = By T. D. A. Cockerett. | _____ Inthe summer of 1907, Mr. Geo. N. Rohwer found the hind __ wing of an Aeschnine dragon fly in the miocene shales of __ Florissant, Colorado. In the process of going over the ma- terial, I came upon half the specimen, the rock having split so __ a8 to divide the wing longitudinally. Having before me only the inferior part of the wing, and ignorant of the fact that the ___ costal and stigmatic region had been preserved, I set out to de- ___ termine the affinities of the fragment. It seemed a good op- portunity to ascertain whether it was possible to settle the gen- ___ efie position from parts usually considered of minor import- > ‘ome I had very well preserved the ends of the radial sector and radial supplement, the ends of the third and fourth branches of i 456 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’o8 the media, with accompanying supplement, and the ends of the branches of the cubitus. It appeared evident that the best char- acters were in the media and supplement, and attention was concentrated on these. At the very outset it was noticed that the medial supplement was very strong, only zigzagged at its very end, and its apical half was strongly curved. Taking the genera with a strong supplement, it was easy to construct a- table in Hiind Wings. One row of cells between supplement andM,...........-. I. More than one row of cells between supplement and M,....... 2. 1. Seven double cells between M, and M,. . Planaeschna, Oligoaeschna (Dolaeschna) ; also, but with two double cells (at apex) be- tween supplement and M,, Telephlebia. Three or four double cells between M, and My. Ten cells on margin between Cu, andM,....... Brachytron. Fourteen cells on margin between Cu, and M,. . . . Nasiaeschna. At most one double cell between M, and M, (head no doubt Lith- aeschna, but the region partly obliterated). Two strong veins running from supplement to margin. Perithemis (Libellulid). No strong veins running from supplement to margin. Gomphaeschna. 2. Supplement bent so that a point near middle is nearer the margin than a point begormd, 46%. as see aes Anax, Hemianax. Supplement not.thus bent... aise wis). Gh were 3. 3. Not more than two rows of cells between M, and supplement. Boyeria, Aeschnophlebia. More than two rows of cells between M, and supplement, at least in part of their COMMPSE: 6h. eile one 9 cleo eee 4. 4. M, with a little bend or deflection not farfrom theend ...... 5 This bend absent or barely suggested. Basiaeschna; see also Aeschna juncea. 5. Cells between M, and M, double from bend of M, on..Hoplonaeschna. Cells between M, and M, double at bend, but mostly or all single beyond 2. a seks 6 ee He oul lets te ae 6. 6. Where supplement and M, are widest apart, six rows of cells between. Stauropblebia, Amphiaeschna. Where supplement and My, are widest apart, not over four rows of cells between. . ... .. . Gynacantha, Aeschna californica. In this scheme, the fossil ran straight to Basiaeschna, with which it agreed well, except that the cells between Cu, and Cu, were somewhat different, and especially in the arrange- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 457 ‘ment of the cells below Cu, where two or three large penta- al areas were marked out by stronger veins. On the whole, r, there did not seem to be any reason why the fossil ‘not go in Basiaeschna, and it could certainly not go in ay of the other genera, unless it were Acschna of the type of this point the other half of the wing was found, and it ‘Was seen at once that the radial sector was branched, throwing ‘it decisively out of Basiaeschna, and into Aeschna or some | closely related genus. Further investigation showed that _ it was in fact the hind wing of Aeschna solida Scudder, based on a single anterior wing. Another front wing of Ae. solida was found by Mr. S. A. Rohwer in 1907 (Station 14, Floris- - Sant). I would not have recited the above merely to record the birth and carly death of a mistaken idea; it is given be- cause it seems to be really significant in relation to the evolu- ee Seve insects. Dr. Needham (Proc. U. S. Natl. Mu- xxvi. p. 735) writes that in Aeschna and its nearest S: "Phere is this added feature—the radial sector has become forked. It will be observed that the anterior branch of this fork is separated from vein M , by a single row of cells, and th; in the same place in Basiaeschna there is a line of cross- =» veins tending to straighten out. The anterior branch of the fork is developed out of this line of cross-veins. In the Austral- ee * suee of ib oe may be found in a series of specimens.” _ The study of other features of the wing shows that Basiae- has indeed much in common with Aeschna, so that they doubtless stand together as the connecting links of the oe with branched and unbranched radial sectors. In Aeschna itself, however, we have two types of branching ee eadial sector. In Ae. juncea, Ae. constricta and the fos- sil Ae. solida, the upper branch comes off from the lower quite t abruptly, and has all the appearance of being but a branch. In Ae. californica and in Coryphaeschna the effect is reversed, and the upper branch actually appears to be the continuation ~ 458 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 of the main vein. According to the doubtless correct explana- tion of the origin of the branch cited above, the first group is the primitive one (at least as regards this character), the sec- ond being a later development. In this and some other points Ae. californica stands far from such species as Ae. juncea, and thereby nearer to, but not in, Coryphaeschna. It probably de- serves subgeneric rank. Aeschna solida Scudder. Some of the more interesting characters of this species are here described: (1). Stigma of hind wing comparatively short, bounding three cells below (in Basiaeschna it is much longer, and bounds 434 cells). (2.) Postnodal cross veins 15 (Scudder’s figure) to 16 (our speci- men) in front wing; 17 in hind. ‘The number is less in modern 4¢schna, especially in californica. (3.) Doubling of cells between M, and M, begins two cells below base of stigma. Almost exactly this condition is found in 4i. constricta; in juncea it begins under apical half of stigma, in californica and Coryphaeschna beyond stigna, Thus there is a reduction of the doubling in the supposed line of evolution. In Basiaeschna the doubling begins under anterior half of stigma. : (4.) The bend of M, is distinctly more gentle than in Basiaeschna. This agrees with Aischna. ‘The highest point of the bend is distinctly before the stigma; in 4. constricta it is a little further on, but nearly the same; in Ay. juncea it is under the stigma; in californica under apex of stigma. (5.) My, has a decided kink in anterior wing, but in posterior this is scarcely suggested. This practically agrees with the sup- posed primitive section of A/schna, but differs greatly from As. californica. In Coryphaeschna the disturbance has gone so far that M, looks as if it ran into M,;, whereas it is really widely deflected in the contrary direction. (6.) The branches of the cubitus in hind wing spread apically, so that the single cells between them give way to dou- ble or treble cells forming an irregular network. In Ai. constricta and juncea there are no single cells between the cubiti; in californica all those between the apical halves of these veins are single; in Coryphaeschna there are no double cells, or only one or two. Epiaeschna heros agrees essentially with 4. solida. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 459 f ea. i SNNNTT ai the todlal seckor occurs ‘cousligsabiy aati to ___ the stigma, especially in the hind wing. This is like 22. con- ‘stricta and californica, not like juncea. 1 am much indebted to Mr. E’B. Williamson for the loan a number of photographs, which greatly facilitated the fe comparisons. The recognition of the identity of Dolae- 8 with Oligoaeschna is due to Dr. Calvert. iliisiiind ot Southern Pines, N. Carolina. Turee Mounp BuILvers. ‘ou ; By Apram Hersert Manee, A. M. Y Bee (Plates XX and XX!) ____ As reported to me by Mr. E. A. Schwarz through Dr. L. _ QO. Howard, the genus Bradycinetus is confined to Central and rth America, the only species in the Atlantic States is ; nothing hitherto known of habits save that in ‘it is taken late at night as it is attracted to light; iz | of 1904-5 I found a fragment of a male with thorax ri under a board. This was probably the first specimen*taken in ees. About 9 P. M., on June 5, 1905, two males to our window as we were light hunting for moths. On 16, 1906, our discovery of the haunts of Strategus antaeus gest’ to my wife the probability of finding more of our not yet identified and which I classed as a Bolboceras. a four-inch mound in our yard, Mrs. Manee soon | ion pair of B. ferrugineus and a few minutes later _ two other mounds each disclosed a pair, and that summer we [pamrerthed over sixty specimens. During the three seasons of ; 7 and ‘o8 we have taken over 100 specimens, whereas _ SEat known the day haunts our entire find would have _ comprised not more than 4 specimens and those all males. _____‘The beetles fly and evidently mate at night. I have ob- i served a male moving about but a few inches above the earth a's io a7 ¢ a 460 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 as if scenting out its next day’s habitat. Its goal is a small rotten or semi-decadent root of oak. With its fore-tibiae it digs a half-inch perpendicular shaft to a depth of from four to nine inches and in its work it is not bradycinetus, slow-mov- ing, but very rapid. The excavated soil is pushed to the sur- face where it forms a mound two inches in median depth and four inches in diameter. This mound is like a pile of broken encrinite stems or “ropes of sand.” When a pair are at work together the shaft is (as in illustration) packed with soil at the top to a depth of an inch. Usually when a male is work- ing alone the shaft is open to the surface as if awaiting a female and reciprocally this is often so when the female is alone. I have never found two of the same sex under the same mound. The season for working is here from early June to late August, but from a hundred diggings I have seen no sign of a nest nor have I found even one egg. Moreover, I have examined many females freshly killed and have only one mass which I take to be an egg. It is white, globular and one-sixteenth inch in diameter. I have not seen any species of Bradycinetus except fer- rugineus. I have not seen any species of Bolboceras except lazarus. Yet I feel sure that these two species should be placed in the same genus and the generic name be Bolboceras as the antennae of ferrugineus are as truly bulb-shaped as those of Jazarus and they are not Bradycinetus or slow-moving. The two species are more nearly alike except as to size than splendens and antaeus the two species of Strategus which oc- cur here. Moreover, Bolboceras lazarus builds a mound and shaft precisely like ferrugineus except that they are propor- tionately smaller, the mound two inches in diameter of stems or ropes of soil and the shaft a quarter inch. B. lazarus is reported to me as: Common in both Hemi- spheres; a scavenger; nothing known of habits except that it has been found under decadent leaves. My illustration will disclose what little I have learned of this species. It may guide observers in other localities to a larger knowledge. Though it must propagate in decadent matter it cannot truly 4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 461 @ scavenger, as it does not convey its larval food > surface, but, like ferrugineus and the species of slegus and Dynastes, it seeks under-ground debris which — nghaatg Indeed, S. antaeus buries dead leaves I D. tityus revels amid over-ripe and rotting fruit in the har These are more nearly scavengers though not so ke in form of wing-case to the Geotrupes. Am lus muticus. 1 mention this cricket because its mound, very common here, so nearly resembles the mound of B. lasarus. The latter is formed of stems, the former of “erumbs, but they are alike in size and shape. A. es a 7 ota | ; builds near some small weed whose leaves furnish s RIRAG etalon wvieontal” chante, and the shaft where the insect insect lodges may extend in any one of the three positions indicated in our illustration. ‘Om April 16th, in a sandy road we found several mounds _ almost exactly like those of A. muticus. At the base of the vertical quarter inch shaft from eight to ten inches deep We took in each case one or two specimens of the Carabid e, Geopinus incrassatus. nce my paper in the June News, I obtained a new date rd for Strategus antaeus having dug out a female, June 15, or five weeks earlier than my previous first record. How- ever, this has been throughout a much earlier season than usual. I am also on the track of S. splendens. I find that it out for a promenade just after nightfall, walking slowly over paths where its polish may reflect the lantern rays. Its SMMMAcds are rare 2nd far apart, but where one is fae are traces of others. It is bradycinetus or slow-mov- a and thus is seldom found perfect or entire. The voracious $ eagerly disintegrate and mutilate any beetle alive or dead bE ey tener of rcs I took a splendens at near noon 7 about the grass as if blind, but as it was minus one as I conjectured that its unusual diurnal wandering was cng its one-sided sense of smell and sound. The brooding haunt of splendens is still in part a mystery, but from certain * hints from loc4l diggings, I am more than guessing that it does 462 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 not make a mound or shaft, or nested chamber as does an- taeus, but burrows horizontally beneath dead oak roots some- what as does Dynastes tityrus, but not so deeply. Its life course as imago is from January 1, to July 1. At least these dates are the extremes of my record. P.S. The male of the Bradycinetus ferrugineus has a profile resembling a pig. It should have been called porcus. <3r How a Hungry Flea Feeds. By M. B. Mirzman, B. S., Entomological Laboratory, Univer- sity of California. A male squirrel flea (Ceratophyllus acutus) was starved for five days and then permitted to roam at will on the back of the writer’s hand. He took four strides and settled on a hairy space, and taking firm hold, ceased abruptly in his locomotion, projected his proboscis and commenced to clear for action. A space was drilled by the picking epipharynx and the saw tooth mandibles supplemented the movement by lacerating the cavity formed. The two organs worked alternately, the middle piece boring and the two lateral elements executing a sawing move- ment. The mandibles, owing to their basal attachment, are “capable of independent action, sliding up and down but main- taining their relative position and preserving the lumen of the aspiratory channel.” The labium doubled back, the V-shaped groove of this organ guiding the mandibles on each side like an arrow from a bow. The action of the proboscis was executed with a forward movement of the head and a lateral and downward thrust of the entire body. As the mouth parts were sharply inserted the abdomen raised simultaneously. The hind and middle legs were elevated like oars resting above the surface of water. The forelegs were doubled under the thorax, the tibia and tar- sus resting firmly on the skin and serving as a support for the body during feeding. The maxillary palpi were retracted sharply beneath the head and thorax. The labium continued to bend at first acting as a sheath for <—s) T° _ 2 Vie Bees ee dd & Oe Sia ee hh cme ‘ene cc alla se lal iii Sal ia) Se, « a > e : re Va rm” > a rh. EITOMOL-OGICAL. NEwSs. 463 naw Setiedibles sad ea these were more deeply inserted t beneath the head with the elasticity of a bow, forcing ma libles into the wound until the obtuse maxillae were ded in the epidermis. When the proboscis was fully nserted the abdomen ceased for a time its lateral swinging. d ) acute pain was felt when the mandibles had half way ne 1 and subsequently during each distinct movement of abdor The swinging of the body continued at inter- : of one to three minutes during the first fifteen minutes. In the next twenty minutes the lateral movement ensued every _ eight minutes and toward the end of the process the abdomen moved once very slightly. After the first twenty minutes the sting of the biting was not discernible; indeed, after the first sensation of pricking the pain became duller. This was experi- “enced quite distinctly four times during the process. The gnlysintimation received that the parasite was pursuing its f bloody quest toward the end of the experiment was a feeble re thrust of the springy bow-like labium accompanied | ‘the feebler oscillations of the elevated abdomen, through the translucent walls of which could be discerned a peristal- : flow of blood, caudally from the pharynx. uring the prehensile function the antepygidial bristles 5 eed once quite perceptibly, and the mid-tarsi maintained a 4 constant rhythmic: acrial vibration. At the end of fifty-nine = the victim tired of maintaining the hand in one posi- = changed the attitude too abruptly, jarring the indus- re | flea, which quickly withdrew its proboscis by lowering i" re sat eg snd sinking thn head Seat _____ Prior to being bottled this untiring guest appeared much at the interference with its sanguinary feast. It ~ wandered about seeking for another inviting spot—an oasis for i five day thirst. ; A Cocxroacu New to tue Unrren Srates—Among some undeter- e was material from Arizona in the collection of the National Museum has turned up an adult female of Steleopyga rhombifolia Stoll. This ' _ constitutes a new record for our fauna. The specimen was taken by _ “Mr. E. J. Oslar, at Nogales, Arizona, in 1905, June 14.—A. N. Caupett. 464 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 Notes on the Egg and Larva of Goniops chrysocoma (O, S.). By W. R. Watton, Harrisburg, Penna. (Plate XXII) The first fly of this species seen by me was presented by Mr. Warren S. Fisher, of Highspire, Pa., who took a female in the act of ovipositing on a leaf of what proved to be Angelica sp? on July 4, 1907, near the above mentioned place. The plant overhung a small, more or less permanent ditch of water and we naturally inferred that the larva might be aquatic in habit, in common with others of the family. However, during the present year on the 14th of June, while collecting on a dry hillside, in a brush patch, some five miles to the eastward of the former locality, I was attracted to a small oak sapling by a peculiar buzzing sound. After several minutes of stalking and intent observation, a female of Goniops chrysocoma was discovered in the act of ovipositing on the under side of one of the leaves.- She made no effort to escape, indeed it required considerable force to remove the insect from her position near the eggs. The’ immediate locality was a hill- side pasture lot, half covered with scrub oak and berry bushes, dotted here and there with clumps of false indigo. The near- est water was a small overgrown ditch some 60 feet distant. On the 18th of the same month I visited the spot near High- spire mentioned above, in hope of securing-additional data and was rewarded by finding another fly in a similar position on a leaf of the wild cherry, some thirty feet distant from the water. The two batches of eggs were placed in breeding jars and on the evening of July 25th the first larvae made their appear- ance. The second lot appeared two days later. The eggs are yellowish-white when deposited and change but little if any in color before hatching. The larvae are quite lively when hatched and it was a curious sight to see them come tumbling out of the eggs by dozens when the cluster was brought under the bright light. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 465 ——————— ie larvae I divided into three lots, the first was placed in mtirely submerged in water, the second in»dampened put food of any kind, the third in a jar of damp earth Twel hours later the first lot were all dead, both of the r Toups were lively and apparently in good condition, the ‘group continued to live without food for about ten days id then died. The remaining group lived for some weeks but lly died also, the angle worms being alive and unin- as 2 Scncinde, coat in al probability the larva is eS en oe ee Prof. J. S. Hine kindly determined the fly for me. The adhere Aiea teen tig hetero of various herbaceous plants and trees, in a three-sided heap, are yellowish-white in color, about 1.5 mm. in der slender, slightly curved and resemble those of many / e flies in general appearance. One of the heaps contained | by actual count. freshly hatched larva is slightly more than 2 mm. in ks slender but capable of contracting its body into an al- a a regal in color it is pale yellowish-white, semi- _ translucent. The head, which is capable of being entirely with- _ drawn into the first thoracic segment, bears several pairs of an- EE eee nd an. obtusely pointed chitinous, Bock. _ On each side of the median line of the body, within the sec- | ond thoracic segment there is a distinct pinkish spot, also on 7 last segment there is a pair of round black spots resembling ; elsewhere the body seems to be absolutely devoid of ot tubercles. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIL 466 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 A new Bee from Tahiti. By T. D. A. CocKERELL. When Mr. R. W. Doane wrote that he was starting for Tahiti, 1 begged him to look out for bees; as, to the best of my knowledge, not a single species had been recorded from that locality*. He has brought home two species; the larger, respresented by three females, proves to be Lithurgus atra- tiformis, Ckll., the smaller is a new Megachile. All were collected in August, 1908. L. atratiformis has hitherto been known only from the warmer parts of Australia; the speci- mens from Tahiti are about I mm. smaller than the type, but otherwise identical. Megachile doanei n. sp. é Length, about 10 mm., with a large head and short abdomen; gen- _ eral appearance almost exactly like that of the S. African M. latitarsis Friese, though the abdomen is shorter. Black, without any red color except that due to pubescence; head large; eyes dark purplish; an- tennae long and slender, entirely black, not expanded at apex; man- dibles tridentate, and with the usual basal inferior tooth; face densely covered with long creamy-white hair, tinged with ochreous about the level of the upper part of the clypeus, and from this level upwards black along orbital margins; vertex dull and very densely punctured, with pale yellowish hair, except about ocelli, where it is black; thorax with yellowish-white hair, but it is pale ochreous on scutellum, and black on disc of mesothorax and middle of pleura; mesothorax and pleura dull and very densely and minutely punctured; tegulae black; wings strongly dusky, the nervures and stigma black; legs black, the hair on femora pale, on tibiae black or almost, on hind tarsi black on outer and copper red on inner side; on middle tarsi, copper red on both sides, except a little pale yellowish at base beneath; anterior tarsi a little flattened and broadened (basitarsus not much over twice as long as broad), with a strong yellowish-white fringe of hair; claws cleft at apex; abdomen broad and short, rather shining, the first segment with long pale ochreotts hair, and indications of a red apical fringe; third to fourth each with narrow orange-red apical hair bands; fifth covered with orange-red hair, except at extreme base of middle; sixth with orange-red hair at sides and paler in the middle; apex of sixth segment produced into two widely separated prominent blunt teeth, the interval between them strongly concave; seventh segment with- out teeth or spines. Tahiti, Aug., 1908, 2 males. (R. W. Doane). This species is related to several which inhabit Australia. It also appears to be close to M. diligens Smith, from Hono- lulu; differing in the black hair on the thorax, and other par- ticulars. * I find, however, one record of a bee from Tahiti: Lithurgus albofimbriatus Sichel, Reise der Novara, 1867. This species is also known from Samoa. 708) —__-—sENTOMOLOGICAL News. 467 rt Fallacies Regarding Insects; and some Insects that are Poisonous. By W. R. Watton, Harrisburg, Pa. a the paper which I shall present for your consideration Ras vats cf eataueay 7 clr OE ai without the pale of entomology. I refer to the hair m, but as the economic entomologist is often called upon to ans | regarding this and other forms not included in the Insecta we think it quite proper that some of them _ be mentioned in the present paper. _ When the speaker was a boy some ten years of age, his family moved from a large city in the middle west, to a _ farm in the southeastern corner of New York State. 2 He had never been in the country before and the book of Mature now opened to him for the first time became a source of wonder and delight. But this delight was'not unmixed with dread because of the tales which were told, of this insect or that reptile, whose bite was instant death, or whose diabolical Lc ty enabled it to sew up one’s ears or perform other theard of and monstrous deeds of aggression. And from the t that many of these wonderful stories, emanatéd from in whom he had the utmost confidence, they became SE tit for 2 time But as months passed _ Om and neither he nor his companions were attacked by the f whom the terrible tales were told, he began to (being nothing if not curious), at last to experi- them. The results of the experiments tended to upset all of his lately acquired lore, but this gave him great __ prestige in the eyes of his companions, who, still believing in the old yarns, looked on with awe as he juggled garter ‘snakes, or wooden horses (Phasmidae), or held devil's darn- ing needles by their wings while they champed their jaws in fury a s : sew up his fingers. _ One of the most wonderful of the tales current among the country folk of that region and one which I believe to be very” and curled their venomous tails in fruitless efforts to (a oe 468 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 widespread, was the fable of the “Hoss Hair Snake.” We often came upon the snakes, as they were called, in little puddles of water left by the rain or in watering troughs and sometimes in spring houses. We were told that they were originally hairs from the mane or tail of the horse, and some persons declared that these wriggling creatures were also pro- duced from human hair. The bite of the hair snake was said to be very dangerous to man and was likely to cause the loss of the member bitten. One species of hair worm which is white in color, and is sometimes found in cabbage heads is reputed by the country people to be very poisonous. Prof. Surface has been called upon a number of times to refute this fallacy which seems to be a common one in some parts of Pennsylvania. An excellent article on this species is Mr. F. H. Chittenden’s treatise published as Circular No. 2, of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology. I shall not forget my first attempt to rear a hair snake. Taking a long horse hair. I placed it in a pail of spring water and set the same in the sun as per directions, where it was to remain for seven days, no more, no less; visiting it daily, my hopes gradually sank until the seventh day, when I took it out, examined it, and while limp and wet, never a wriggle or squirm could I get it to make, it was still a horse hair and nothing more. When I related my experience to the initiated, the oracle informed me that “O’ course ye can’s make no ‘hoss’ hair snake out of a hair that hain’t got no roots on it; what ye wanter do is to pull one out by the roots and put it in the water right off, then ye’ll git a hoss hair snake sure.” Alas for the credulity and the credibility of man! I was again doomed to disappointment, for on the sixth day there was no change in the hair and on the morning of the seventh day when I looked, behold some thirsty creature had drunk three- fourths of the water including the hair. And it was some years later that I first read of the natural history of the hair worm or Gordius. Dr. Jos. Leidy of Philadelphia, published in the Entomolo- gist and Botanist, 1870, Vol. III, No. 7, a partial life history ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 469 nematode, by which it was shown that the larger por- Nall its life is passed within the body of some,nsect in a if manner to the “Guinea worm” and other round worms man and the lower vertebrates. spider, and especially the “black spider,” was con- as a deadly poisonous creature. The only exception rule that I can recollect was the “daddy long legs” irvest man, which no one seemed to fear, and which the used to dismember (young savages that we were) to _ see the legs kick after they were severed. However, there is if Ra denying the fact that some few species of spiders are of inflicting dangerous bites. This was brought out a | Life some years ago when an exhaustive dis- as n of the subject, almost world wide in its scope, was a on. It was shown beyond cavil that spiders of the a. Lathrodectes had caused the death of human beings in a number of instances. Especially in New Zealand, where the Katipo, a member of this group, is greatly feared and justly $0, its bite is known to have caused serious results in kd of cases. Tal 4 species occurring on the Atlantic sea board as far _ north as North Carolina, which is reported in a number of ap- well authenticated cases, as having produced in- tense suffering and even death, by its bite. We find a good ___— account of this in /nsect Life, Vol. 1, No. 7, Page 204, where an illustration of the species is supplied. Notwithstanding _ the fact that the late Dr. Marx of Washington, secured en- tirely negative results from his experiments with the poison ___ of this creature when applied to the bodies of the smaller mam it behooves us to observe the utmost circumspec- _ tion in handling black spiders having red and yellow spots on their abdomens. The members of the genus Lathrodectes are $0 marked and regarded with dread by both savage and civil- ized man alike throughout the world, wherever they occur. The same story is told by all. “It bites and its bite is pain- _ ful and dangerous.” Going on up the scale of invertebrate life, the next form that 470 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 I remember as terrorizing the exemplars of the simple life, was the “devil’s darning needle,” “snake feeder or snake doc- tor,’ as it is called hereabouts. We are all familiar with the story that this singular insect is capable of sewing one’s ears up, for what purpose has never been divulged, which leaves us to assume that it was for “pure deviltry.” Of course, no credence is placed in this absurd story at the present day by “grown ups,’ but the children in some parts of the country still cling to the fallacy. One of the peculiar local myths with which we were fa- miliar in boyhood, was that of the wooden horse, a local name for the walking stick insects. Its bite was said to be peculiarly fatal, one could not expect to live long enough to murmur even a short prayer if bitten by one of these creatures; you simply turned up your toes and died instanter. It is inconceivable that this sluggish, fragile creature could ever harm a human being, as it is incapable of biting anything but leaves, which form its ordinary food. Another fallacy more widespread and popular than the last is the one regarding the ability of the 17 year Cicada to in- flict a poisonous bite. This fable will not down. In this re- spect it reminds us of the old line in our copy book, “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again.” It is counterfeit, however, ° and there is not a particle of truth in the yarn. There existed for some years a spirited discussion among entomologists, as to whether or not the cicada ever made any use whatever of its formidable beak, but the question was at last settled by Prof. Quaintance of Washington, who discovered a cicada in the act of feeding, with its beak in the sap wood of a tree. He killed it in situ and making a section thereof, proved with the help of a microscope, the facts above mentioned. It seems strange to me that in spite of the tendency of the people at large to attribute poisonous qualities to harmless in- sects, of many kinds, there should exist in considerable numbers in practically all parts of the country, insects that are capable of inflicting painful bites, but of which one seldom hears except through scientific publications, I+refer especially to the Hem- a er Bie le eae =e. ee 9° -. era Fe we a | » j - ms . _ 2? r a } "27 bo jae Piao } a. — ee 5 x eee a. | ’ * ‘ ’ ; : _ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 471 pptera, the true bugs. The speaker has had person- rience of a painful nature with at least two species of se insects ; the first of which was a pair of Notonectidae, ‘Swimming bugs. Having scooped up a pair of them ¢ hollow of my hand, on attempting to grasp them, one he insects inserted its beak into the ball of my thumb. ‘ Wis an immediate burning pain in the member, which vee arene to swell; this pain and swelling extending to ie ebow in a short time. The soreness remained for several ‘and was much more severe than the result of any bee ting I ever received. The other insect was a species of as- _ $gassin bug (family Reduviidae), which bit me between the = ‘fingers and caused swelling and pain to no mean extent. There | Me many other species which:are known to inflict painful and dangerous bites; among which may be mentioned Conorhinus sanguisuga, sometimes known as the big bed bug. es a southern species and is quite troublesome at times. Also, — Rasahus biguttatus, a western species, said to inflict a severe wound, and two species which abound in Pennsylvania are * Melanolestes picipes and Opsecoetus personatus. In fact all the bugs of the family Reduviidae should be handled with the utmost care. There is no doubt in the mind of the:speaker, that the giant water bugs, Belostoma americana and Benacus _ griseus, are capable of inflicting severe bites, as they are known to be able to kill small fish almost instantly by means of the _ beak. However, we must admit that no report of their hav- Ps Sen tay cos bas cone to oar notice y _ Many of us will no doubt recollect the kissing bug scare _ which swept over the country some few years back; of the } _ insects reported as having done the kissing, fully 75 per cent. _ were true bugs which belonged to the family spoken of above. _ Another famous hoax of childhood was the “ear wig”; this P dilectionate insect, which by the way carries a pair of forceps at the end of its tail, was supposed to crawl into the ear of a _ fleeping person where it remained to torture him till “king- _ dom come.” Of course, the story is a myth, although insects ” bo occasionally enter people’s ears accidentally and are a source 4 472 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [Dec., ’08 of intense pain and annoyance until removed. As a matter of fact, the ear wig appears to be rather an uncommon insect in collections and is seldom seen in nature. The forceps are used in arranging the true wings in folding them upon the back, the insects being harmless to the last degree. What were usually pointed out to me as ear wigs were several kinds of centipedes or millipedes. Some of the larger of these centi- pedes can and do bite severely when roughly handled. The house centipede or skein centipede, a really beneficial creature which feeds largely on roaches, should never be grasped with the bare hand as it is capable of inflicting a wound. We still retain a vivid recollection of an occasion upon which there had been a wholesale sacking of bumble bees nests and the slain bees strewed the ground in considerable numbers. Upon picking up one of the dead bees for a good look, we were very much pained and grieved because the headless corpse stung us on the finger quite badly. She was dead, but it had not occurred to her as yet. We cannot pass the Diptera by without saying a word re- garding the mosquitoes. It is only a few years since the mosquito was regarded as merely a troublesome insect, annoy- ing but not to be regarded in any way as dangerous. To-day, thanks to Economic Entomology, the mosquito is known to be the transmitter, if not the source of yellow fever, malaria, and elephantiasis; three very serious diseases, all of which are on the wane in civilized countries, because of rational treat- ment made possible by the sacrifices of heroic scientific investi- gators. When the relation of the common house fly to disease shall have been fully studied we expect revelations more as- tounding than the facts mentioned above. There is an old ex- pression and I believe it is a verp ancient one, “As harmless as a fly.” Go back for a few hundred years to the time when the first rays of the light of modern hygiene had not as yet penetrated the inky gloom of ignorance. During the early part of the 17th century, in the immense city of London, be- fore the coming of the “Great Plague,’ and the fire that fol- lowed it, sanitary sewers were unknown, the gutters ran filth E ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 473 ah, = Eetcdivabic kind, and it necessarily follows that flies y millions ; they swarmed everywhere. Window screens : own or only within the reach of the rich. We need *r that 68,000 men, women and children paid the pe for the frightful conditions which must have d at that time. But we have before us an example t recent than the one just mentioned in testimony against ly. I refer to the frightful rate of mortality which pre- iled among our soldiers at Chickamauga. There is not the least doubt now in the minds of persons who have studied the — questic that the terrible typhoid scourge which occurred wall is directly traceable to flies, these insects flying from the © latrans or closets, to alight upon the very food which _ Was being eaten by the men at mess. It is revolting to think Upon, but it is nevertheless true. a _ And we are convinced that if the effects of the house fly and EE stone eon the destiny of man, could be shown at a gl to the people at large, the world would stand ap- by the vision and the elimination of the house fly would W as a matter of course, es Midiitonal Notes on the Life History tf x By Joun A. Grosspecx. Ata (Plate XXI11) SUI Tikdaey munsber of this journal, page 22, the discovery 2 Sas larva of Culex perturbans in nature is reported by Pro- fessor J. B. Smith and in the report of the New Jersey Ex- ' Periment Station for 1907 the life history as far as then known _ ig given by the present writer in some detail. The method of __ egg laying and the habits of the larva were worked out, but 2S hd ¥ : It was with some interest therefore that the ap- | of spring was awaited and early in March the first __ Perturbans bunt was made at Trenton, N. J.,—not for the pur- pose of securing pupe but to gather in a host of larvae that ie ee ea ue on Y : 7” ne aa 474 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec. , 08 pupation might be observed in the laboratory and the duration of the pupal period thus determined. Over a hundred larvae were soon under observation, but separated from their vegetable attachments they showed an evi- dent disposition to rise to the surface, there to become sluggish and finally die. Single strands of roots or even small bits of sod taken from the swamp were ignored by the larvae and we ultimately found that if we would bring any to maturing we must secure for them conditions as nearly natural as pos- sible. Accordingly an entire grass tussock was brought from the swamp and, with a new supply of larvae, was placed in a large battery jar. Soon the larvae disappeared, all of them hay- ing worked their way in among the roots of the tussock. From day to day this jar was watched but no pupae were observed until on May 20th two dead male adults still attached by their feet to the pupal skins were on the water’s surface. The sod was now removed from the jar for examination and four living and two dead larvae were taken from the vegetable mass; also two living and one dead pupa._The two living pupae were transferred to clean water and unlike other Culex pupae im- mediately sank to the bottom and aside from an occasional flap of the anal paddles showed no: signs of life. At the bottom they rested with the abdomen curved under the thorax, the paddles closely appressed to the “face”? (upon which it stood) and were most generally tilted to one side, though occasion- ally they assumed an erect position. For three days the pupae remained in this death-like attitude and were then placed in al- cohol, supposedly dead. In general build and appearance the pupa of C. perturbans resembles the normal Culex type but a strikingly characteristic feature is found in the long, slender air tubes which converge apically and finally meet at a common apex. In color it is light brownish with the head and thorax, except those portions inclosing the metanotum and eyes, soiled whitish. The length of the thorax is about 2.5 mm. and including the extended abdomen, which is unusually long, about 7 mm. The air tubes measure I mm. in length or slightly over, are strongly in- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 475 BET tis 6- over tey-thids lates See ee an constricted toward tha tip: cantons ct with the air tube of the larva and evidently for hilar purpose. The entire pupa is destitute of external ‘except for two small hairs situated near the base of es sond abdominal segment. “The anal paddles are long t four times as long as broad, and have finely serrated is re oO ST do 4 os sous callgtand in the Tromeo oats an on the sth two others were taken. They were washed from the bottom mud and vegetable debris and like those in a "the laboratory showed scarcely any signs of life. They grad- ‘ ee of Lahaway, however, was able to continue ee ee from ey s rctcene Senate 1907. These now in the hands of Professor Smith will be collated in id published in the Report of the New Jersey Experiment for E itis. Brakeley collected the first pupa on May 28th and on the gist of month three others were taken. From these ___ he secured three male adults on the rst and 2d of June, his ____—s pupae having been apparently more advanced than those col- lected by myself and therefore maturing in spite of unnatural conditions. Additional pupae were collected at intervals _ From what has been observed it is certain that the pupae MMII ©. tke surtace for sir as do the other fonne of Culex (sens. lat.) of which the early stages are known. It _ is almost equally certain that the air tubes used in unity are inserted into the grass roots and like the larva oxygen is secured | through the tissues of the plant. That these tubes are not _ . permanently fixed in one position is shown by the fact that ee i bt) es cae rye” | > 4 ¥ ‘ > oo oe Lae 476 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 they separate when immersed in alcohol, and that they can be independently moved at the will of the pupa has been demon- strated by Mr. Brakeley who has observed them with one tube projected through the surface film of the water and with the other propelling itself in a rotating movement around the first which served as a pivot. An interesting fact in connection with the larva was also demonstrated by Mr. Brakeley when on July 31st he obtained a small lot of young wrigglers apparently in the second stage of development together with a full grown larva which clearly belonged to last year’s brood. Thus is the record established of the continuous prevalence of larvae throughout the entire year. This had been previously suspected because of the capture of newly emerged adults from May to September. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIII. Fig. 1. Pupa of Culex perturbans, lateral view. Fig. 2. Pupa of Culex perturbans, rear view, showing convergence of air tubes. Fig. 3. One of the air tubes highly magnified. Fig. 4. Swimming paddles of pupa. The Life-History of Lycaena antiacis Bdv., with other Notes on other Species. By Francis X. WILLIAMS, San Francisco, Cal. The fact that antiacis has exactly the same habitat as verces, and that there are immediate forms making nice stepping stones between the two would leave no doubt to my mind that they are one and the same species. However, being desirous of further satisfying myself on this point, I reared a number of larvae which, at different periods in 1908, proved to be all antiacis. I am still satisfied however that rerces is dimorphic, antiacis being the other form, and that this dimorphism may be dependent on weather conditions. A good series of the two will show from the under surface of the wings, not only intermediate forms, but aberrations as well; whereas viewed from the upper surface the two insects are indistinguishable. Xerces is easily recognized from the under side of the wings m ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 477 e large white unpupilled or scarce-pupilled spots. The : e may be light gray to dark stone color, usually dark- females ; and the basal area and inner margin of the plentifully sprinkled with greenish scales, and with long white hairs. There may be a white dash, ainest on the primaries from the discal arc to the base of the ngs. Above in the male, the color is lilac blue, with usually ra wide black border. The female is dusky, with blue ales about the base of the wings. iacis (from San Francisco) is the same above as -rerces. selow, the white spots form a wide margin to the black pupils, which may be quite small, especially on the secondaries, or _ quite large and more or less reniform on the primaries. The * ‘form mertila is antiacis with the white dash from the discal spot to the base, and with small black spots on the secondaries. _ The insect figured in Wright's “Butterflies of the West Coast” _ as mertila apparently lacks the white dash to the discal spot _ (a character of mertila), and is therefore not mertila, but _— antiacis, I have a female rerces in my collection with four of t seven white spots on the underside of the primaries unpu- " , and the pupils on the secondaries are almost obsolete. Several other specimens in my series show these white spots _ with their pupils becoming obsolete. A male antiacis which | possess has two indistinct, unpupilled white spots below on the _ fight primary, none at all on the left one, and but four (pu- pilled) spots on each of the secondaries. It is very plain there- fore that these “blues” are subject to much variation, and this has not been sufficiently considered. _ Lycaena behrii, as described by Edwards, is typically repre- _ sented in a “blue” frequenting the San Francisco Bay region, _ but is not found within the city and county of San Francisco. z sep insect is also lilac blue, but the lilac tint is not so strong as in @ntiacis and xerces. It differs also from these two in the n of the wings; in behrii they are more rounded, therefore 7 oo er, and of greater breadth. The female behrii is duskier than that of antiacis and xerces, and has little if any blue at | the base of the wings. On the underside the wings are “uni- _ form dark brownish-gray” as described by Edwards, with the ~ A - 478 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 black spots more narrowly encircled with white and usually larger than in antiacis. The ground color underneath is us- ually much more uniform than in the latter, less plentifully sprinkled at the base of the wings with metallic scales, and not having the suffusion of white markings occurring both in antiacis and xerces. Like them however it is a spring butterfly, flying in March and April, and sometimes even in February. It seems to me that behrii is a distinct species and not a variety of antiacis, for it can be readily distinguished from the latter in the adult and larval state, and also by its habitat. I have not taken behrii in northern central California, but a form quite distinct but closely allied to it. It flies a good ways south of San Francisco, but I have not taken it in Monterey county, about a hundred miles south of the city where there is a “blue” very close to if not identical with the southern L. polyphemus, figured in Wright’s book as antiacis but quite different from the latter. ; Lycaena xerces is said by Boisduval to inhabit the Yuba Mountains (“Montagnes de la Juba”); this appears unlikely,. but cannot be discredited until that region is well explored entomologically in the proper season. It may fly locally in Marin Co., north of San Francisco. Both antiacis and xerces were formerly quite abundant in the Western Addition of the city ; and this is where most probably xerces now in collections come from. Here however it is nearly extinct, owing to the progress of civilization, but it is still present as a small col- ony in a limited area on the hills near the ocean, at the southern boundary of the city and county of San Francisco. It is found not on the sand dunes proper, but about sandy soil with rather low and scant vegetation, where its food-plant, Lotus glaber grows. Xerces always flies with antiacis. The latter is given a wide range, but as far as I can ascertain, it is not the same species of antiacis of other states or of other parts of this state. There remains much to be done in this group, as anyone can see who has a good series of these insects. Lycaena antiacis. Egg—Of the usual echinoid form, depressed at the top; micropyle in a pit. A raised white net-work, the meshes quadrilateral, and sur- ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 479 tach angle by a short rounded process, somewhat obliter- 4 pale green ground color. Diameter about 65 mm. f exceptions the egg is strongly glued to the dorsal surface (rarely terminal) of Lotus glaber, a prostrate legume common fh pe Though several eggs are sometimes found on one leaf, was probably laid by a different female. : —The larva in escaping from the egg eats a large ragged of the top, but consumes no more of the shell. of moderate size, blackish, and retracted under the first seg- body in freshly hatched larvae of a pale yellowish green; ob- 2 — a hairs arranged as follows: A double row side of the median line, the inner hairs the longest, some three- a urt the width of the body; three infra-spiracular hairs on each seg- men the middle one the longest ; and a row of short clavate supra- _— stign al hairs. Cervical shield pale gray, with minute hairs. A sort of ¢, possibly an osmaterium dorsad on the fused ultimate segments. ngtl Eemmencement of instar, 1.5 sm. cater in instar larvasbe- I secs, ted crt inotcaa e instar —Body plum color; median (heart) line of a darker plum, with a bordering band of dull lilac. Oblique latero-dorsal dash | Segments, dull lilac, then below, two indistinct bands of the same "color, and finally the dull lilac lateral band. Long hairs as in instar I, and in addition short whitish pile. Length at commencement of instar m. end of the instar the pattern becomes more distinct, nd the larva assumes a dull green, or more rarely a dull gray color. The dull green larva has a dark green median band (brownish on seg. 2), with a yellow or yellowish-green bordering band. The oblique dashes and the two following bands are rather indefinite, and the pale lateral band has a darker ventral border. The dull gray larva has Cervical shield gray. Length at end of instar 5.3 _ Third imstar—AM markings much plainer now. General appearance gray, median line purple, bordering band whitish yellow; oblique lichen gray, the following sub-horizontal and horizontal bands color; lateral band pale lilac with yellowish tinge, darker Dorsal plate (?) on seg. 10, and a pair of whitish evers- seg. tt. Length at commencement of instar 6.75 Sumniene Of instar the larva is of a delicate pale green (sometimes Owish-green) color; median line dark green, bordering band yel- rish reer fading out at segment 10, the median line going beyond; dashes (which proceed dorsad anteriorly and form an acute | with the median line) pale green, and indistinct after seg. 10. and following the oblique dashes is sub-horizontal, and the next 9 it — 7 4 480 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 horizontal. Both are pale green and indistinct. Lateral band pale creamy yellow. Head small; blackish; legs pale brown with a pale green band along their base. A well-marked dorsal ridge. Length 9 mm. Fourth instar—Length at commencement of instar about 9.3 mm. Piliferous tubercles whitish; some smaller dark tubercles present. At the end of the instar the body is pale green; median line dark green, broad bordering band yellowish-green, oblique dashes distinct, yellow- ish-green, the following sub-horizontal and horizontal bands of the same color but more ebscure, the whitish spiracles running along the upper edge of the latter band. Lateral band yellowish-white, ventrad becom- ing indistinct pale lilac, present on all the segments, plainest from seg. 2-10, and of a pale green color around the last segments. A pale green- ish-yellow band on four prolegs. A long transverse plate (?) on seg. 10, with some dark tubercles. Eversible sacs whitish. Long hairs on each side of dorsum, some laterad and others on the sub-lateral fold. There are some small dark piliferous tubercles especially anteriorly, and the whole body is covered with a whitish pile. The larva is slug-shaped, with the posterior portion flattened, the segmentation is distinct, and the small black head usually deeply inserted into the apparently hori- zontal first segment. There is a distinct dorsal ridge, and some depres- sions along the sides of the body. Length 15. mm., width 4.75 mm. There is color variation here as in the preceding stages; the larvae are sometimes greenish yellow, while those reared in tin boxes are more brightly marked than those taken in the field (on which specimens the descriptions are made), being of a more lilac tone. Pupa.—Stout; venter nearly straight; dorsum rounded; thorax and wing covers pale grayish green; abdomen pale wood brown, minutely reticulate; median line appearing through cuticle as a rough rusty- brown line, broad on the abdomen, narrow on the mesothorax, where it is nearly black, and wide again and dark on the wood-brown pro- thorax, where it diffuses along its margin heavily anteriorly and lat- erally. A very fine greenish line runs through the dorsal line of the thorax. A latero-dorsal brownish-black blotch on the anterior portion of the mesothorax, and just lateral of this a roughened shoulder blotch. Another dusky patch in the basal angle of the primaries, and a more compact one on the first abdominal segment in the angle of the second- aries. Abdomen in strongly-marked specimens has the pale dorsal area emphasized by the dusky subdorsal to ventral reticulations and blotch- ings; in paler pupae the dorsum is not well differentiated from the rest of the abdomen. On segs, 2-6 of abdomen are latero-dorsal depressions their centers ringed with black. Spiracles brownish, and on segs. 5-8 in pale yellowish-brown areas. A smooth transverse slit on dorsum of the seventh abdominal segment. Head pale wood-brown with an- tennae, maxillae and wing-veins peppered or blotched with dusky. A i ee 4 . Sea —— _ few short airs on stigmatal areas of segs. 6 and 7 of abdomen and enter of the last two (fused) segments. Length 10 mm., width & 3 of abdomen, 5 mm. Some pupae are quite pale, the general gtay-green; others are quite heavily marked. ntiacis larvae bred in tin boxes transformed to pupae about rty-eight days after hatching from the egg, or from early iril to the end of May. Mature larvae obtained in the field did it pupate until the first part of June or even later. The young- r la vae merely bite pits into the leaves, but older ones will devour the leaf entire. Though Lotus glaber is the usual food- at of this “blue,” I have found one larva of antiacis on arboreus, and they will readily devour the leaves and kta micranthus and Astragalus menziesii. co veral days before pupation the larva loses its clear color and markings and assumes a dull sea-green shade, or more _ farely becomes dull bluish-green, and semi-transparent in _ ¢ither case. It is now somewhat shortened, and choosing a _ convenient surface, spins a mat of silk where it later girdles _ itself for pupation. The silken girdle is rather weak, and where = ‘it joins the mat on either side the several strands are commonly united into one thread, but usually break up into several near _ the dorsum of the insect, so that it is wide in that region. In the larva, this girdle, starting from the mat at about the sec- __ ond abdominal segment, proceeds anteriorly and dorsally so as to support the third thoracic segment. Three days after | girdling it sheds its exuvium and becomes a pupa. The larger hairs of the larva dry up and lie appressed to its body, and the latter in assuming the shape of the-pupa becomes somewhat _ constricted in its middle. The larval skin, tightly drawn over the thorax, is loose and wrinkled over the abdomen. It splits on the thorax as in other larvae and exposes the pallid pupa, which in time assumes its proper shade. By the beginning of June, I had about twenty pupae from which I obtained sixteen butterflies, nine males and 7 females. "They were all antiacis, though several had the white dash of | mertila. With one exception they came out quite late as com- pared with antiacis in nature, emerging from the end of April ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 481 aS _ = 482 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., 08 to the 7th of July. The exception came out in midwinter. The pupae were kept most of the time in a warm dry room. Three hymenopterous parasites were found preying upon the larva, and they all emerged the same season. One, presumably a braconid, spun a bright yellow cocoon but the adult escaped unobserved. But one larva parasitized each caterpillar, as was the case with the other two species. A single specimen of an ichneumon was reared from a pupa, but the commonest of the three parasites pupated within its host, when the latter was at the end of the third instar. Before pupating, the parasite in the now dead and elongate larva securely fastens the latter to some object by piercing the exuvium below the head and cementing it through this aperture with some secretion. But the perfect insect makes its escape not through the anterior portion of the skin, but through a hole in the dorsum of the posterior end, Fig. 1 represents a larva of L. antiacis two days prior to pupation; Fig. 2 dorsal view of a pupa of the same. Lycaena behrii. Mature larva—Head black; body very pale coffee color; still paler below the spiracles; median line reddish brown, with a purplish tinge. Pattern similar to that of antiacis, the oblique dashes whitish, the sub-horizontal and horizontal bands more obscure, all three being visi- ble from segs. 2-9. Lateral line white, purplish ventrad. Long, pale, roughened hairs on body, longest dorsad and laterad, and of a darker shade on seg. 1. Shield grayish green. Length 15 mm., width at seg. 7, 5.7 mm. Another mature larva of this species is darker in color than the preceding, and is pale greenish sub-laterally; the median line blackish spotted, with a greenish tinge, broadest and purplish on seg. 2 and invisible on seg. 1, where its course is indicated by a few piliferous dots; bordering band paler than dorsal ground, oblique dashes and two following bands pale drab, the lowest with a greenish- ilar in size and form to that of antiacis, but the ground ‘is darker, being wood-brown with paler meta-thorax and wing- fers. The distribution of markings is the same as in antiacis, but Ore Obscure, thus giving it a more uniform coloration. The eggs and larvae of this insect were taken in Marin Co., on the small annual blue lupine (L. micranthus). The eggs _ are laid on the flower buds, or more rarely on the young leaves. _ The larvae feed upon the tenderer parts of the plant, and when ~ of large size eat through the wall of the pod and devour the __ seeds. They are not very particular as regards food-plants and will readily eat Lotus glaber, Astragalus, and the large yellow Se es eve cbtsined (Jung roth), 1907, dleqgeed a male on March 22, 1908. ~ This, like the following “blue” is an early summer species. ____ It was first described by Boisduval, and its habitat given as the environs of San Francisco. This is therefore its typical hab- ___ itat, and as the food-plant of the larva is Lupinus chamissonis, a large maritime blue lupine, true pheres is to be found near the $a in the vicinity of these plants, which are common on the sand dunes. No larvae of this blue were reared, but the fe- males were observed ovipositing on the densely tomentose _ stems of the lupine, some distance below its summit, but always __ in the vicinity of young leaves and sometimes upon them. The ___imsect flies in May and early June. ‘There is undoubtedly some confusion as to what pheres ___ feally is, and it is probable that it has a more restricted range ___ than it is accredited with. Comma in the region about San Francisco, having the same habitat as behrii, but appearing much later. The larva like- _ wise feeds upon Lupinus micranthus, but it could not be in- duced to eat other legumes. ' 434 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’o8 Pemphigus tessellata: Alternate Host, Migrants and True Sexes.* By Epira M. Patcu. (Plate XXIV) Ever since Fitch recorded in his brief, original description in 1851 “I have searched in vain for winged individuals of this species,” the alder blight has been from time to time an object of speculative interest to aphid observers, although if any real attempt has been made to trace the flight of the migrants and locate the winter eggs it has been heretofore unrecorded. With a species so conspicuous and of such wide distribution, the absence of a knowledge of its different stages for the half century or more since it was described would seem strange were it not that the species certainly gives as defiant a dare to the life history detective as a Pemphigus can and that is saying a good deal. To begin with there seems to be no place in the apparently closed cycle of alder blight' for an alternate host and winter eggs. According to the observations of the writer for the past five years, apterous viviparous forms of Pemphigus tessellata are present on the alder branches (Alnus incana) from about April 20th to late October, weather permitting, and the rest of the year hibernating as young apterous viviparous forms in clusters or singly among the fallen leaves at the base of the alder. The return of these hibernating young to the alder branches in the spring completes an apparent cycle for a single host plant and certainly suggests no need for variety in diet. It was not then with any thought of an alternate host that these observations were begun for this species in Maine but with the hope of finding at some time during the year a sexual gener- ation upon the alder. Protected under the flocculent mass secreted by this Pemphigus the presence of a winged gener- ation is not revealed (unless special collection and search for forms with wing pads is made) until the form is mature. From late August until the middle of September at the same time the * Papers from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station: Ento- mology, 30, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 485 TC flsignsous. géueration-is matarkig and) tekighne rt ae excessively numerous progeny which winter among the . s on the ground, a generation of large winged forms ap- ear 5 upon the alder stem in flocculent masses containing some- mes a few apterous forms and sometimes in clusters where the apterous forms are the more numerous. wT winged forms take flight without producing young upon the alder, and early in September in those seasons when decies is'particularly numerous the flight of this Pemphigus SUE Misiderable a6 t0 give the appearance of a slight now _ $torm in the air. The bodies of the migrants are dark but the SE ate whitish and powdered and much of the flocculent wax A aaa anettod abe age oe such flight was noticed September 1, 1905 and several in I August and early September, 1908. On account of the ex- __ essive numbers of syrphus maggots and the larvae of the wan- __ derer butterfly, Feniseca tarquinius* in 1906 the alder blight Be _ Was nearly exterminated in the vicinity of Orono that season and during 1907 the colonies were not plentiful. This present ___ Season, however, they are again numerous and at the time of | BEE 8 winged Pemphigus wes seen to be congreghting 4 (tcl numbers upon the trunks of maple on the cam- puis, particularly Acer dasycarpum Ehrh. and the ornamental suit leaved maples. Microscopic examination showed no distinc- tion between the Pemphigus newly alighting upon the maple trunks and these taking flight from the alder and it was with intense interest that the following observations were made. August 27, 1908. Winged viviparous Pemphigus covering = . of cut leaved maple. They are seeking the crevices Seer s- August 28, Pieces of bark torn back from maple trunk show te winged viviparous Pemphigus and their numerous progeny, minute forms which under a lens prove to be the sexual forms, _many of them being in copulation. 7 August 28. Winged Pemphigus tessellata removed from ¥ ‘alder before flight and placed in cage upon twigs of maple * Me. Agr. Exp. Sta, } Bul. No. 134, pp. 216-217. > it 2 c os 486 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 in laboratory. They settled contentedly upon the twigs. Aug- _ust 30. The progeny of winged P: tessellata placed on the maple twigs in laboratory are sexual forms proving upon mi- croscopic examination to be exactly like those collected from under bark of maple on campus. September 3. Numerous yellow eggs are present under bark among the Pemphigus on maple trunks on the campus. September 4. Pemphigus tessellata numerous on wing and observed floating in the air on campus. Individuals were watched and seen to alight on the maple bark where they set- tled and sought rough places in the bark. * xk * * * X* * * * * * We have, then, unquestionably the oviparous females and males of Pemphigus tessellata deposited upon maple trunks by the winged migrants from the alder and the eggs of this spe- cies deposited under the bark of the maple. Coupled with the fact that P. tesellata hibernates also in the young apterous vivi- parous form among the leaves at the base of the alder clumps this would seem rather to complicate matters than to prove a missing link. On the basis of these observations it seems safe to hazard the following guess as a working hypothesis. Pemphigus aceri- folii Riley, a flocculent species on maple leaves is very common from spring until mid July. A winged generation then appears and disappears. Pemphigus acerifolii has been known only upon the maple leaf,—the rest of the cycle never having been recorded. With this in my mind my aphid notes were searched for these two species with the following suggestive coincidence: “No. 19-05. Pemphigus acerifolii Riley, Orono. July 15, 1905. Winged forms present in great numbers on leaves of maple along river. Ready for migratory flight.” “No. 30-05. Pemphigus tessellata. Orono. July 18, 1905. Single viviparous winged forms scattered about on the alder leaves (mostly on under side), followed by a group of young apterous viviparous forms present on the alder branches in great numbers, producing young.” The foregoing record of viviparous winged forms on the alder leaves at the time it was taken seemed puzzling, as no ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 487 ns little reason to doubt that these sporadic winged forms » leaves of the alder are the return migrants from the sple, and that Pemphigus acerifolii Riley is merely the maple 1 for Pemphigus tessellata Fitch, the stem mother of which rates from the bark to the leaf upon hatching in the spring. Im accordance with my custom for five years, specimens of _ aphids have been saved, for every record made, either in balsam mounts or as alcoholic material, so that they are ready for reference at any time. During the winter of 1905-06 I ____ made a careful comparison of all the winged species of Pem- phigus taken in Maine up to that time, and was particularly ___ struck by the fact that mounted specimens of P. tessellata and ____ P. acerifolii were indistinguishable and made the grumbling comment “If these are two species there is no structural basis for systematic work with Pemphiginae.” However, there _ seemed no place in the tessellata cycle for acerifolii, several at- to colonize maple with apterous forms of tessellata were ‘a unsuccessful and for the next two falls the species was es ‘$0 scarce that the migrants were not much in evidence, and no clue was forthcoming until this fall. - The life cycle of the alder blight is by no means solved by _ the location of the sexual generation. The true association of _ P. tessellata and acerifolii yet remains to be established upon the alder. With the clues now at hand these species (two or one) can unquestionably be traced in time. The abundance of alder and maple at Orono and the usual presence in great num- bers of P. tessellata and acerifolii make it an ideal situation for work with these forms and favor my plans for thorough study of the Pemphigus upon the alder and maple. ___ There is no need of crowding with further details from notes | now at hand this preliminary paper, the object of which is merely to place the sexual forms of P. tessellata for which the _ following brief description will suffice. a Oviparous female—A pale yellowish form, apterous and non-rostrated, measuring 1.33 mm. in length. Antennae of = 488 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 four segments. Two eyes with three separate dark globular pigmented masses. Abdomen ovoid. Deposited by viviparous migrant from alder, in crevices of bark on trunk of maple. Shortly after birth this form sheds a thin white membranous skin which commonly adheres to caudal tip of abdomen. After copulation the female deposits a single large egg. Male——Darker than female and greenish. Apterous and non-rostrated, measuring .68 mm. in length. Antennae of four segments. Two eyes with pigmented area in one large irreg- ular mass. Abdomen linear. Sheds skin after birth as does the female. This form is smaller than the egg it fertilizes: Egg—Comparatively large egg filling most of the abdomen of the female and measuring about .83 mm, It is yellow and glistening and deposited usually with a downy white secretion. 40> > a ve ‘ ; ee . ee BP on ars ——— ; ‘ar ear he also referred : : ties of Rhipiphorus, probably dimidiatus, which he i numbers at National Park, N. J. on Monarda punc- Be Hlartieck said that he found Rhipiphorus species quite amon at Trenton, N. J. this year. Mr. . H. W. Wenzel said that Cychrus viduus had been very re for many years until within last two or three years, since time a few specimens have been taken in the vicinity of } hia. The same speaker reported the capture of a es of Chlaenius prasinus at Philadelphia on July 14th and = a9 This species was not known to the speaker from this Fo y, being a mountainous species. f. Calvert exhibited a specimen of Erebus odoratus, hich was found alive, resting on wall in room of Biological Hall" University of Pennsylvania, on August 27, 1908. On the same day a specimen of the same species flew into the win- dow at the Academy of Natural Sciences. On this and the ac g preceding day a storm said to have come from the Gulf of occurred. ee Mr. Geo. M. Greene exhibited a block made of peat, used : ‘ as a setting board for Coleoptera. aa Dr. Skinner called attention to the fact that small species of insects from the tropics have been almost entirely neglected, and that these should be more studied. Prof. Smith suggested that window screens should be painted _ with kerosene to prevent mosquitoes from coming in through aphaelgaret however, proves effective for a while only. a Mr. Viereck after having made further investigations with — Cullicid larvae in fresh water from the “Philadelphia Neck,” a funeend the most of the specimens to be solicitons, and some . e “Mr. Charles Greene exhibited specimens of the following im > Ceraturgus cruciatus Say, taken at Germantown, Phil- J 3 , July 2, 1908; Heteropogon gibbus Loew., Glenside, Pa, Sept. 1, 1908 ; Myiolepta varipes Loew., Roxborough, Phil- June 7, 1908, by George M. Greene; Trichopoda cilipes Wied., Newtown Square, Pa., August 23, 1908, by 496 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 George M. Greene; and Spogostylum cephus Fab., German- town, Philadelphia, July 2, 1908. Dr. Castle exhibited two specimens of Clerus quadrisigna- tus taken at Linglestown, Dauphin Co., Pa., June 27, 1908. Mr. Fisher said that he found the same Clerid very common at night, running around dead hickory trees near Harrisburg. Mr. Daecke reported Euaresta aequalis Loew. very plentiful at Philadelphia on August 30th and September 5th this year, having taken twenty specimens in one sweep on clotbur, Xan- thium strumarium L. while heretofore he had taken but two specimens, one of these at Baltimore, Md. Also the Geometrid, Euchoeca albovittata Guen. was very common this year, and particularly at Castle Rock, Pa., on May 26th. The same speaker reported the capture of Atteva aurea Fitch at Nation- al Park, N. J. on August 2nd and 4th, resting on Asclepias cornuti, which is probably a new record for the State; at the same place and date he found Culex jamaicencis very common. He also reported the capture of a specimen of Bembex spinolae with a Tabanus nigrivittatus in its grasp. FRANK HatmBacu, Secretary. At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held on October 22, 1908, at the residence of Mr. C. Few Seiss, 1338 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, fifteen members were pres- ent. Mr. Laurent exhibited a breeding cage consisting of the old fashioned high fly trap, placed over a flower pot. The speaker stated that he had been very successful in rearing Pamphila larvae in these cages. Mr. Laurent also pointed out some de- ficiencies in certain naphthaline cones which have been re- cently placed on the market. Dr. Skinner spoke of the great value of melted naphthaline as an insecticide for all household insect pests. Wherever in- sects hide in houses, due to defective woodwork or poor car- pentering, naphthaline may be used with entire success. It melts at a very low temperature and.on being poured into cracks or crevices sets immediately and hermetically seals them. It is most effective used this way against ants, roaches, fleas and bedbugs. Care should be taken to prevent flame coming in contact with the melted substance or the fumes as it is very inflammable. ; FRANK HAIMBACH, Secretary. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 497 ‘meeting of the American Entomological Society was held bber 22, 1908, Mr. Philip Laurent presiding. »Nine per- were present. t. Daecke exhibited a specimen of Argynnis cybele en- ed in a Riker mount which had been partially destroyed by an Ant though the mount was tight. Fite Skinner exhibited butterflies that had been mounted between sheets of mica 163 years ago. He also showed the ale of Plagodis schuylkillensis Grossbeck, taken at the Falls Dr. Skinner exhibited both sexes of Trogolegnum pseu- Mexico, by Mr. H. T. Van Ostrand. The sexes iy degree. Mr. Hornig said he had recently seen a number of Odonata _ mating and asked if it were not late in the season for this. _ Mr. Laurent remarked that he had Pamphila hobomok hibernate as egg, larva and chrysalis. Dr. Castle exhibited a naphthaline cone covered with a ‘paper cover to prevent soiling the box. A tuft of cotton was put in the small end of the paper cone. The death of Dr. Wm. H. Ashmead on October 17th was announced, He was a corresponding member of the Society. Henry SKINNER, Secretary. The June meeting of the Heink Entomological Club of St. Louis, Mo., occurred on the 20th at the residence of Mr. C. L. Heink, who presided. Mr. Schroers spoke on collecting pupae of Ecpantheria de- florata, which, he said, are found only where logs or trunks of - trees are infested with ants. His opinion is that the ants pre- _-yent the intrusion of parasites that might injure the pupae, which are themselves protected from the attack of ants by the silken web in which the pupae are encased. Mr. Heink took the members through his “butterfly farm,” a building he had erected with the sole purpose of rearing Lepidoptera. Instead of the usual breeding cages, he uses “e? oo c- 498 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 twelve gallon carboys, cutting out the top so as to leave a cir- cular opening about ten inches in diameter. A mixture of sand and dirt to a depth of two inches is then put in the bot- tom of the carboy. When in use, this is thoroughly moistened and the stems of the food plant are placed therein. The top is then tightly coved with wax paper. Whenever the moist- ure becomes excessive a screen is used to cover the top, instead of the wax paper. In this way the twigs retain their freshness for weeks, in fact, until every vestige of foliage has been con- sumed by the larvae. Auc. KNeETzGER, Secretary. The September meeting of the Heink Entomological Club took place on the 12th at the residence of Mr. A. C. Kelbly, St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Heink in the chair. Mr. Julius Meyer was elected a member. Mr. Kelbly exhibited a lot of Heterocera, comprising sev- eral hundreds of specimens, which he took at the electric lights of the West End Hotel. Among them are a monstrous pair of Marumba modesta and several varieties of Apantesis. Mr. Graf gave an account of his visit to Cliff Cave, five miles south of the city. He found no insects in the cave. AuG. KNETZGER, Secretary. The October meeting of the Heink Entomological Club oc- curred on the 31st at the residence of Mr. Schroers, St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Heink presiding. Mr. Heink reported that while on a collecting trip to Cliff Cave last summer he saw a grasshopper feeding on parasites in the skin of a larva of Dolba hylaeus which was feeding on a pawpaw leaf. Mr. Schroers exhibited an aberration of Neonympha eurytus, which he took at Cliff Cave. This specimen has two ocelli, placed side by side on the upper surface, near the anal angle ot each secondary. The under surface of the wings is beautifully striated, while the arrangement of the ocelli differs from that of a normal specimen, Mr. Kelbly exhibited a specimen of Pyrameis kershawu from Australia and a specimen of P. cardui caken here, which showed hardly a trace of difference in markings. AucG. KNETZGER, Secretary. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 499 regular IGEN meeting of the Pacific Coast pag! was held on November 23rd, 1907, at Je Blaisdell, 1632 Post street. Presi- is: President, Dr. E. C. Van oe Treasurer “a , Dr. F. E. Blaisdell; Assistant Secretary, Leon Pits. Edw. Ehrhorn made remarks of appreciation for the vice rendered to the Society by the retiring President, Mr. Phen. Pochs Mr. F. X. Williams reported the result of his collection trip to Siskiyou Co. during the last summer. ___ Mr. R. W. Doane reported some entomological work at San 7 ieee Sot Also results in collecting there in April, stating some interesting Tipulidae were taken. On foggy nights Mr. J. C. Huguenin reported results of collecting Coleoptera ‘in San Francisco Co. Mr. J. G. Grundel gave an account of his collecting trip to Eureka. _ Mr. Ehrhorn spoke on the photographing of insects, and | photographs. . C. Van Dyke t then entertained the Society by report- ing | recent trip to the Aleutian Islands. The results will be published later, when the material shall have been worked up. Dr. Blaisdell exhibited several species of Coleoptera taken in Alpine Co., California. Among which were Cicindela sierra, showing variations in color from dark with a small apical lunule to the fully marked, bright green examples; Deretaph- rus oregonensis, Bius estriatus, Mycetina hornii, Liodes bi- color, Platycerus opaca Fall, and Quedius debilis. ; Dr. Van Dyke exhibited two boxes of Coleoptera from the 7 — many not heretofore recorded from that re- laisdell reported that the 24th and 25th meetings of were not held on account of the car strikes. F. E. Bratspett, M. D. Secretary. Br a 500 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Dec., ’08 The 27th regular quarterly meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society was held on February 22nd, 1908, at the residence of Dr. F. E. Blaisdell, 1632 Post .street, Presi- dent Van Dyke in the chair. President Van Dyke delivered an address, reviewing the progress of Entomology on the Pacific Coast, after which Percy Baumberger presented a gavel to the President with a few appropriate remarks, FE. T. Cresson, Jr., spoke of the work done’ by Osten Sacken in the Seventies and also that of Pilate in Collecting of Diptera in Louisiana. Mr. Edw. Ehrhorn talked on the parasites of Phryganidia californica, two new species being bred. Chas. Fuchs reported a collecting trip to St. Helena and Placer Co. Mr. F. X. Williams exhibited a box of Sesiidae. Mr. E. T. Cresson, Jr.. and G. R. Pilate were elected to membership. F. E. BiarspEti, M. D., Secretary. The 28th regular meeting or Field Day of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society was held at Muir Woods, Marin Co., California, on May 17th, 1908. Eight members and eight guests participated in the outing. The Coleopterists collected the following interesting species: Dendroides picipes, Platycerus oregonensis and agassizi, Me- gapenthes elegans, Ernobius sp., Phymatodes aeneus, Pteros- tichus scutellaris, Bembidium spectabile, Leptalia macilenta, Trichochrous laticollis, Corphyra bivittata, Trigonurus sp., Amnesia granicollis, and Desmocerus cribripennis. The Lepidopterists found very little in their line, Mr. E. T. Cresson, Jr., found many good Diptera. Mr. Ehrhorn took a few Coccidae and Mr. Fuchs a few Pselaphides by sifting. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by the members and the several interesting catches made them enthusiastic. F, E. Brarspetrt, M. D., Secretary. Ewr. News, Vou. XIX. Pi. I. SCHIZONEURA POPULI N. 5p. Ent. News, Vou. XIX. ERIOCRANIA CYANOSPARSELLA Nn. sp. , AS aa iy 4 CULEX PERTURBANS CULEX PERTURBANS Vou. XIX Ent. NEws, oriven be us¥O90L8 VLOSTIO VIVOOLVD ORTALIDAE AND TRYPETIDAE (cresson). Ent. News, Vor. XIX. Pl. VII. APHIS FOLSOMI! (pavis). Ent. News, Vou. XIX. Pl. VIII. : PITCHER-PLANT INSECTS (Jones). j » Ent. Ntws, Vou. XIX Pl. IX. PITCHER-PLANT INSECTS (Jones). Ext. News Vor XIX EUDAMUS TITYRUS. PAPILIO AJAX (BIFORMED). SMYTH Ewr. News, Vou. XIX ORIBATIDAE—ewimna. Ent. News, Vou. XIX Pl. XIL NONAGRIA OBLONGA GRrROTE. Ent. News, Vou. XIX. Pl. XUL CROCIGRAPHA NORMANI GROTE. Plate XIV. Ewr. News, Vou. XIX. A NEW CECIDOMYIID ON OAK—RUSSELL AND HOOKER. i ’ j ‘ . mt i e 5 4 4 Ree 44 s ¢ VARIATIONS IN THE WING VENATION IN SOME TIPULIDAE.—DOANE. > re. yA on tt Ewr. News, Vow. XIX. Plate X VIII. WILLIAMSON ON ODONATA, Above. .Vewrecorduhta ramastancnsis 4. Ottawa, Canada. Below, Platycordulia xanthosoma 2. Wister, Oklahoma. From type. | é ae hla oe 3 ; ‘ 7: r +2 Oe Secs, SAE re ty « > 4 Ent. News, Vou. XIX. Plate XX. MANEE ON BRADYCINETUS FERRUGINEUS. Env. News, Vou. XIX. Plate XXI. MANEE ON BOLBOCERAS AND ANUROGRYLLUS. a. Rolboceras lacarus. b. Mound and shaft of Jererus. c. Anurogrylius muticus. d. Mound and shaft of seaticus. ¢ Horizontal chamber of aruticus. t. Retreat shafts of seaficus. Ent. News, Vou. XIX Piate XXII. GONIOPS CHRYSOCOMA (0. S.).—watrTon. Ent. News, Vou. XIX. Plate XXIII. Fal ; a : ~ ' 3 ee) - 4 41 + z2 t = += <5 - - == — “Ff A 3 ty GROSSBECK ON CULEX PERTURBANS. ’ ENT. News, Vou. XIX Plate XXIV PATCH ON PEMPHIGUS TESSELLATA. Showing masses of alder blight, containing both mature and apterous viviparous forms and migrants already winged und ready for fight Ent. News, Vou. XIX. 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