LES 5 John Lawrence Le Conte, = 1825-1883, PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Editor. ape eie __E. T. CRESSON, Jr., Associate Editor. ss - HENRY SKINNER, M.D., Sc.D., Editor Emeritus. ae FE phos _ ADVISORY COMMITTEE: : EZRA T. CRESSON. . * J. A. G. REHN. | PHILIP LAURENT, ERICH DAECKE. H. W. WENZEL, a3 PHILADELPHIA : Tre ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, LOGAN SQUARE. Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as Second-Class Matter. logical Section of the Academy of Natural Seiahiees Philadelphia, 4 ; and the American Entomological society eee ee ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, $2.00 IN ADVANCE. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS $1.90 IN ADVANCE. 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Wain cin ecios staciofeisinie ciapietone 178 Cresson— Descriptions of new Genera Cook—What the House Fly Did....... 178 and Species of the Dipterous Fam- McDermott—The Unusual Prevalence ily Ephydridae—III. .............. 147 of Ground Beetles (Harpalus) dur- Girault—A new Genus of Eulophidae ing the Summer of 1913, at Hehlant, from the United States (Hym.).... 152 (AM ((Go bNsoscondgagnencaunodadas . 179 Johnson—Insect Notes for the Season Cockerell—The Biota of Nantucket.... 180 Of 1915 (Lep:, Coll, Dipt:):=-<<.<.0.6 154 | Cockerell—The Cactus-feeding Volu- Cockerell—A new Phalangid from the Gellines: (Dips )ien oases s' oT yy a 7 ao a - - : . : : = ao “ 1 & e - 4 T f ‘ \ ‘ - . ' s = = Py = = ee ’ 2 = : i * ° i ¥ * : » . yi . %. gs © i i ee « _— - - - Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 169 Abdomen slender; 1 yellow, light brown above to level of the auri- cles, except at the extreme base which is pale; 2 similar, dorsal pale brown narrower on anterior half of segment, extreme posterior border brown on the sides as well as above; 3 brown, fading out anteriorly into clear light yellow, especially on the sides which are nearly one- half the lighter color, while on the dorsum the brown, grown very pale, reaches the anterior border of the segment; 4-7 black, bright yellow at base of each segment, where it is very narrowly divided by black in the mid-dorsal line, this black line a narrowed continuation of the apical black which occupies two-thirds to three-fourths of each segment; the yellow and black encircle each segment; 8-10 dull obscure brown with- out definite markings, sides slightly paler, yellowish; 7 similarly paler basally; 8-10 dark at extreme apex. Superior appendages pale dull green, black beneath and basally; inferior black or dark brown. Stigma brown; venation black. Femora brown, first pair greenish beneath, all alike armed with numerous short equal spines; tibiae and tarsi black (right hind tibia and tarsus pale brown). First hamule and horizontal shaft of second hamule very pale brown or flesh colored, second hamule at the subapical elbow shading darker, becoming black at the apex. The hamules are both remarkable, but the first probably more so. It consists of a short cylindrical, truncated base, the inner side of which is produced in a large, thin, shell- or leaf-like expanded plate with its concave face directed outward, and its apex bilobed. Described from a single male in my collection, taken near Wismar, British Guiana, January 31, 1912. Between Wismar and Christianburg is a small stream flowing into the Demerara River and crossed by the footpath between the two towns. In the afternoon the backward flow of the river due to tides makes this stream almost unwadable near its mouth. We were attracted to this muddy, log-choked creek by the beautiful Diastatops dimidiata which we found nowhere else. The banks of the creek are generally covered with impenetrable brush and the exposed margins are slippery and treacherous, due to the rise and fall of water over them. At places logs are piled so indiscriminately in the creek that progress is slow and difficult; and at places the overhanging bushes completely shade the stream. While working through one of the log piles I flushed the only Cyanogomphus seen, which flew weakly to a bush on the bank, alighting on a leaf at an elevation of 10 or 12 feet. The specimen is apparently young, though I believe 170 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ' [April, ’16 fully colored, and has suffered an injury at emergence, by which the fifth segment is spread out flat and bent at a right angle. Apparently the body cavity is completely separated at this point. The injury will explain its weak flight. C. conchinus, as a comparison of the figures will show, has the peculiar characters of the genitalia and appendages of waltheri still more exaggerated. It is separated at once by these characters from waltheri. From démerarae it is separ- ‘ated at once, so far as I can judge from the description, by the sectors of the arculus less widely separated, by the convex distal side of the triangle of the front wings, and by the 3- celled, not 2-celled, anal triangle. There are some differences in the color of the abdomen, and the striking hamules of cen- chinus could hardly have escaped de Selys’ notice. From tumens it is separated at once by the venational character mentioned above under tumens—the position of the arculus relative to the proximal angle of the subtriangle. C. deme- rarae, hind wing 23, is a smaller species than waltheri, hind wing 27, and is separated from the latter by the anal triangle, 2-celled in demerarae, 3-celled in waltheri. Apparently both are separated from tumens by the closely approximated sec- tors of the arculus of twmens. In the figure of the wings of waltheri the cross-veiu shown in the supertriangle is undoubtedly not normally present. ‘The brace vein at the stigma is less marked in conchinus than in waltheri; in waltheri the sectors of the arculus are widely separated at their origin, in conchinus they are still separated but are very close together; conchinus has the proximal angle of the subtriangle more basal, relative to the arculus, than waltheri, which in turn has it more basal than tumens; in the number of distal rows of cells posterior to Cu2 in the front wings, twmens and conchinus are alike with 2 rows, waltheri has 3 rows; but in the hind wings waltheri and tumens have 3 rows, while conchinus has but 2; in waltheri there are 2 rows of postrigonal cells in the hind wings, and 1 row in tumens and conchinus. The grand genre Gomphus of de Selys has long been a prob- Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOL OGICAL NEWS, 171 lem to taxonomists. De Selys in 1873, largely on the size and form of the male abdominal appendages, divided ihe asso- ciated genera into 2 major groups, the latter of which was di- vided into 5 subgroups, one of these being in turn divided into 2 groups and one of these subdivideda on geographical grounds. I believe that these groupings have little basis in fact, but that two groups of real taxonomic value can probably be distin- guished on the basis of the number of cross-veins between M1- 3 and M4. In the larger number of genera the number is re- duced in the front wings and in the hind wings there is nor- mally only one, which is strengthened and definitely placed. In the remaining genera the number of these cross-veins is relatively larger (the complexity cf venation must be taken into account), and in the hind wing there are always two or more, instead of one definitely piaced cross-vein. These genera known to me are Macrogomphus, Microgomphus, Lep- togomphus, Epigomphus, Cyanogomphus and Agriogomphus —a group of striking and remarkable forms. Microgomphus and Agriogomphus have much in common, including the un- symmetrical forking of M1-2 and M3, and the single row of cells in the anal area of the front wings; in Microgomphus there are two rows of postrigonal cells, one row in Agriogom- phus. The remaining genera have a basal antenodal cf the second series present in all wings. In only one, Cyanogom- phus, has the stigma a brace vein, aud in this genus alone the distal thickened antenodal is the fifth. being mere distal in the others. In Epigomphus and Macrogomphus there are two cubito-anal cross-veins in addition to the inner side of the sub- triangle. To summarize, the genus Cyanogomphus, as a member of the legion Gomphus, may be venationally defined briefly as follows: Cross-veins between M1-3 and M4 numerous; stigma with a brace vein; M4 and Cur divergent; basal subcostal cross-vein of second series present; one cubito-anal cross-vein in addition to the inner side of the subtriangle; anal area of front wing proximally one cell wide, distally two or three cells wide; three postanal cells in hind wing, distal to postanal 172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 16 cells two or three rows wide, two rows of postrigonal cells in front wing, one or two in hind wing; distal thickened ante- nodal the fifth; anal angle well developed in the male, the tri- angle 2- or 3-celled (the venation of C? demerarae known to me only from de Selys’ brief description). The figures of C. waltheri have been prepared for me by M. Menger at Bruxelles through the good offices of Dr. F. Ris. EXPLANATION OF PLATES VIII anv IX. All the figures are of males. 1. Wings of Cyanogomphus conchinus, n. sp. 2. Wings of Cyanogomphus waltheri. 3 and 4. Abdominal segment 10 and appendages, in profile and dor- sal views, of C. waltheri. 5. Abdominal segment 2, in profile, of C. waltheri. 6. Diagram of thoracic color pattern of C. conchinus, n. sp. 7. Abdominal segment 2, in profile, of C. conchinus, n. sp. 8. Abdominal segments 9 and 10 and appendages, in profile, of C. - conchinus, n. sp. g and 10. Dorsal and ventral views of abdominal appendages of C. conchinus, n. sp. Notice in fig. 10 the curved basal projections of the superior appendages which overlap the broadened base of the inferior; apparently the only way in which the superiors can be released is by a wide spreading in the dorso-ventral direction of the superiors above and the inferior below. 11. Tarsal claw of C. conchinus, n. sp. Prof. Herbert Osborn Research Professor, Ohio State University. The Ohio State University has recently inaugurated a plan providing for Research Professorships which enables the holders to devote their time especially to research work, and Professor Herbert Osborn has been elected Research Professor in the Department of Zoology and Entomology. He will be relieved from routine, class and department duties, devoting his time to researches, especially in the line of Entomol- ogy, but will continue to have direction of research work of graduate students in his particular field. Notice of Disposal of Manuscripts, etc. Manuscripts and originals of figures which have been published in the News during recent years and galley proofs of the same to and including the number for December, 1915, will soon be disposed of. Any one desiring any of these manuscripts, drawings or proofs may have such on application to the Editor, 4515 Regent St., Philadelphia, before June 1, 1916, if postage for transmission be enclosed. Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 173 Some new Species of Athysanus and Related Genera (Homoptera). By, B.D. BALL, Lagan, Utah. In working with the leaf hoppers the writer has found that the species are as a rule either confined to a single plant or else to a group of closely related plants. The few exceptions to this rule include many of our most injurious species. These forms being able to change from one plant to another are not restricted in location or season. Fortunately for us the num- ber of these polyphagous forms is very small compared with the total number of leaf hoppers. Some of our most injuri- ous species are on the other hand very restricted in their food habits. The grape leaf hoppers and beet leaf hoppers are ex- amples of the latter class. The beet leaf hopper is a striking example of a rare and almost unknown insect becoming a seri- ous pest under the influence of civilization. This insect is a native of the alkali deserts of the Southwest and was unknown until 1895. Soon after this, sugar beet raising was introduced into the region and this insect quickly transferred its affections from the desert plants of the beet family to the beets them- selves, causing losses running into the millions of dollars in favorable seasons. The writer is attempting to work out the food plants of all the leaf hoppers of the Western region, and in doing so has discovered a number of new forms that must be named before they can be included in the list. The types of these new species are in the writer’s collection. Athysanus calvatus n. sp. 9. Resembling symphoricarpae, but with a broader and much more inflated vertex and front. Straw color. Length 5 mm. Vertex distinctly broader than in symphoricarpae, the apex obtusely roundly inflated, about two-thirds the length of the pronotum; front very broad, much inflated, the margins only slightly narrowing until just before the apex, where they are abruptly constricted to the clypeus. As seen in profile the apex of the front is distinctly above the clypeus and bulges so that it meets the rounding vertex margin at almost a right angle. Elytra rather long, venation simple, as in vaccinit, often an extra nervure or two on clavus to the suture and occasionally an extra cell in the outer anteapical, apical cells long. Female segment 174 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. | April, ’16 moderately long, the outer angles prominent, the posterior margin with a slight median production, margins usually dark-marked. Color: vertex bright straw, or lemon yellow, a pair of angular black spots well back of the ocelli and a pair of smaller ones behind these near the base, occasionally a trace of transverse brown band on disc. Face bright straw, sutures dark and occasionally a trace of brownish arcs on front and a pair of spots near apex. Pronotum all clear straw or dirty straw with the anterior light margin set off by dark spots. Elytra pale subhyaline straw, the nervures inclined to be lighter. Described from four females from Logan and Richfield, Utah, collected by the writer. The inflated shining front and vertex gives this insect a distinctly “bald-headed” appearance, which is its most distinctive character. Athysanus shastus n. sp. Size and form of varus, nearly resembling striatulus in pattern, but with fewer markings. Stout, rusty straw with darker margins. Length 4.5-5 mm. Vertex broad slightly roundly right-angled, with the apex narrowly actitely produced, three-fourths the length of the pronotum. Front broad not inflated, narrowing regularly into the broad clypeus. Face in profile almost flat, acutely angled with the vertex. Pronotum long, the anterior margin curving deeply into head. Elytra very broad and ex- tending well beyond the pygofers, broadly rounding behind with short apical cells. Venation strong, resembling arctostaphyli, but with a large number of irregular cross nervures on clavus and occasional super- numerary cells in the outer anteapicals, second cross-nervure often present. Female segment broad, moderately long, truncate, the apical angles slightly produced, pygofers very short strongly angularly in- flated. Male plates together spoon-shaped, narrowed apically. Color: vertex dirty straw, a transverse black band just back of ocelli, another just before this broken forward in the middle, both bands inclined to be emphasized at the end and against a narrow median line which bisects them; occasionally nothing is left but these enlarge- ments. Front black with a triangle at apex and short arcs straw color. The rest of face straw color with sutures and an oval spot on clypeus dark. Pronotum rusty straw, darkening posteriorly to a dusky cloud on disc, anterior submargin with a few irregular black marks. Elytra smoky subhyaline, the nervures light, very narrowly lined with fuscous, emphasized in the smaller cells. Described from two females and two males from Dunsmuir, California, collected by the writer. The broad form with short inflated pygofers renders this distinct species somewhat of a connecting link between the obsoletus and striatulus groups. — Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 175 Athysanus escalantus n. sp. 9. Resembling simplarius, but much shorter and stouter, straw col- ored, The vertex margin with a black line above and below. Length 4 mm. Vertex twice wider than long, margins almost parallel, disc flat, an- terior margin between the dark lines broadly rounding to the flat, re- treating front. Front rather narrow, wedge-shaped, margin continu- ous with the clypeus margin. Pronotum scarcely longer than vertex, distinctly narrower than the head with eyes. Elytra broad and short, just equalling the pygofers, narrowing apically. Venation deltocepha- loid, the central apical cell elongate, slightly constricted, apical cells short. Female segment short, apparently truncate. Color: vertex straw yellow, a spot on each side against the eye and just back of the margin, a pair of elongate, partly coalescing spots in- side these on each side, forming a slightly interrupted sub-marginal black band. Pronotum and scutellum soiled straw color. Elytra pale greenish subhyaline showing the rusty straw of the dorsum set off by two round black spots on the pygofers. Face straw yellow, slightly tawny, a narrow dark line under the vertex margin with a black spot just below and against each eye. Described from a single female taken at Richfield, Utah, by the writer. In its broad head this species resembles parallelus and its allies, but in other characters it is distinctly allied to osborni. Athysanus lassus n. sp. Resembling sexvittatus in size and form. Brown and white with a pair of large, round, black spots on each of vertex, pronotum and scutellum. Length 4 mm. Vertex obtusely angled, the apex rounding, shorter than sexvittatus, only a little longer on middle than against eyes, two-thirds the length of the pronotum, slightly acutely angulate with the front, the margin blunt. Front broader than in sexvittatus, margins slightly rounding but continuous with those of clypeus. Elytra equalling or slightly exceeding pygofers, nearly parallel-margined, flaring. Venation delto- cephaloid, the central anteapical slightly constricted, sometimes divided, but not extending much beyond the adjacent cells. Female segment short, lateral angles rounding, posterior margin excavated with a broad, short, median tooth. ‘Male plates broad at base obtusely tri- angular, the apices acutely produced. Color: vertex creamy, a pair of round black dots just back of the apex, a pair of large round black spots on the margin between the dots and the ocelli, sometimes another pair of black dots behind the first and often traces of brown stripes towards the base. Pronotum 176 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 16 milky, a pair of large, round, black spots on the anterior margin behind the two on vertex, usually two pairs of brown stripes, the inner pair arising some distance behind the eyes and curving slightly to join the inner pair just over a pair of black spots on the scutellum partly hidden by the pronotum. Elytra milky, an indistinct brown stripe on each clavus and usually two on the corium omitting the WEIS)" Described from two females and two males from Quincey, California, collected by the writer. The three pairs of black spots will at once distinguish this species. Platymetopius compactus n. sp. Q. Resembling abruptus and nasutus but broader, with the short vertex of a brevis. Broad, short, dark above and below. Length 4.5 mm. Vertex scarcely longer but somewhat narrower than in brevis, form- ing a slightly sharper angle, length slightly more than the basal width, about equalling the pronotum, angle with the face about as in brevis, the face in profile almost straight. Elytra broad and rather short, venation normal except that the fourth apical cell is extremely wide, due partly to the first reflexed veinlet being placed far forward and partly to the extremely narrow base of the third apical which appears to be cut off by a dark marking to form a small circular cell. Female segment very short and almost truncate, disc slightly convex with the posterior margin raised, giving a concave effect. Color-pattern of nasutus nearly, vertex heavily irrorate with fuscous, omitting a transverse light band before the eyes narrower and more uniform than in nasutus, and an ivory spot at apex. Pronotum paler, irregularly irrorate with fuscous, omitting the anterior margin. Scutel- lum irrorate with fuscous, omitting a pair of spots on disc and the apical margin. Elytra milky, nervures and coarse vermiculations dark, the reflexed ones margined with black. A dark irrorate cloud on clavus and in the apical cells, omitting two pairs of round spots along the sutural margin, the first apical cell, a round spot at the base of the other apicals and one in each end of the anteapicals as well as the costal margin before the middle of the fourth apical. Whole face heavily irrorate with brownish fuscous, omitting a narrow margin against the vertex and a triangle below the apex. Below dark except the disc of female segment. Described from a single female taken at Dunsmuir, Califor- nia, by the writer. The short vertex and wide apical cells will separate this from any other species. (to be continued) ~~“ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. PHILADELPHIA, PA., APRIL, I9I6. How many languages must an Entomologist know? It would seem to one who lays no claims tq successful pre- diction or seership that the present European conflict will re- tard progress toward internationalism, cosmopolitanism, the adoption of a universal language, the Parliament of Man. It will continue the effects alleged to have been caused when the Tower of Babel was checked in its upward growth and will in- tensify the use of its peculiar tongue by each of the many tribes inhabiting this terrestrial ball. We were never especially at- tracted by Esperanto and similar artificial dialects and evident- ly entomologists must make up their minds that they must, individually or by proxy, enlarge their acquaintance with Euro- pean and Asiatic languages. We are moved to these reflections by the recent receipt of an installment of a large and ambitious monograph on the Odonata of Russia and neighboring coun- tries, whose scope, in spite of the title, appears to be wide enough to include the description of a new species from Ohio in six lines of Latin and forty-four lines of Russian, follow- ed by twenty-one lines of comparative notes, also in Russian. To be sure there are two figures of details, but We blame neither the Russians nor the Japanese for using their own vernaculars; we do the same. But the languages of science are a heavy burden to us whose memories balk at the acquisition of words utterly unlike those of western Europe in form and spelling. SE oe A Dipterous Larva Parasitic in Earthworms. At the meeting of the Biological Society of Washington, Dec. 4, 1915, Dr. L. O. Howard called attention to the cluster-fly (Pollenia rudis), an insect resembling the house-fly but collecting in houses in autumn and leaving a yellow stain when crushed. Its life history was unknown until recently a foreign entomologist has shown that the larvae are parasitic in earthworms in France. Dr. Howard is having large numbers of earthworms examined for such larvae, but so far without success. He hoped that anyone finding any grub parasitic in earthworms would communicate with him. (Science, March 3, 1916, Pp. 330). 177 178 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 716 Notes and News. ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE. New Muscoid Genera (Dip.). The characters of the following new genera are given in a paper which has been submitted for publication, but which will be consider- ably delayed: nat Myocerops gen. nov.—Genotype, Musca carinifrons Fall—Europe. Sumichrastia gen, nov.—Genotype, Hystrichodexia aurea Gig.-Tos— Mexico. he Pilatea gen. nov.—Genotype, Masicera celer Cog.—Louisiana. Masiceropsis gen. nov.—Genotype, Masicera pauciseta Coq.—So. Cali- fornia. Cnephalogonia gen. nov.—Genotype, Gonia distincta H. E. Smith— Connecticut. Dichoceropsis gen. nov.—Genotype, Dichocera orientalis Coq.—Mass- achusetts. Megistogastropsis gen. nov.—Genotype, Megistogaster wallacet BB.— East Indies. Pseudoservillia gen nov. Java. Sericotachina gen. nov—Genotype, Paratachina vulpecula Wulp—W. ava. SHE gen. nov.—Genotype, Euthera mannii Mik—So. Europe. Gerocyptera gen. nov.—Genotype, Trichoprosopa marginalis Walk.— Amboyna. Genotype, Echinomyia flavopilosa Big.— Cuaries H. T. TowNnsenp, Washington, D. C. What the House Fly Did. Last year our class in Zoology began a campaign against the fly, We started out with the idea that advertising would be our main means of getting the campaign started, and we were right, for very soon the campaign seemed to fairly take care of itself. Students from the class made speeches before all the Patrons’ Clubs in the city during the month of February. One of our prominent daily papers promised to print everything we handed in on the subject. The class working to- gether wrote weekly articles that were spicy and interesting. These attracted such attention that other papers demanded articles on the house fly. An insurance company requested that they be allowed to print pictorial posters on the subject, and that these be distributed about the city. The Electric Company asked to be allowed to give away fly swatters. One of the local theatres presented moving pic- tures of the fly, especially for the school children. Later the various clubs of the city asked to be represented in the movement. Finally a federation of clubs was formed to make this campaign an annual event, But right here is where disaster came to the enterprise, for the work of last year at least. Two factions arose, each demanding that certain officers be elected and certain policies be carried out. The feeling wax- ed so strong that when officers were finally elected, and policies were finally presented, everyone was far too angry to carry out anything, This smacks somewhat of other campaigns in our national affairs where very little is accomplished for the general good. This all goes to show that even though the teacher interests the parents most keenly, the parents are harder to work with than the children—Nett1e Coox in School Science and Mathematics, xv, 146. February, 1915. —— Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 179 The Unusual Prevalence of Ground Beetles (Harpalus) During the Summer of 1913, at Ashland, Ohio. (Col.). While in Ashland, Ohio, during the summer of 1913, the writer ob- served that there was a rather unusual number of the common ground beetles, mainly Harpalus pennsylvanicus and its near relatives, and a few specimens of what appeared to be Diplochila major, to be found under stones, bark, etc, in the surrounding country. Small stones would frequently hide a dozen or more, often representing one insect to every two square inches of ground covered by the stone. Unusual frequency in the city of Ashland was not noted until about a week after this observation; then one evening about the first of August, swarms of the insects appeared around the arc-lamps in the business part of the city, and during the following two evenings spread to the other sections. The house at which the writer was staying was about a quarter of a mile from a wooded patch of a few acres, and about seventy-five feet from an arc-lamp, the latter being the last one out in the direction of the woods. On the second evening of prevalence the insects struck this section of the city, and the arc-lamp near the house was the center of a swarm. The side of the house illuminated most strongly by the arc had hundreds of the beetles running over it, and for perhaps an hour the sound of them alighting on the walls, floor and tin roof of the front porch was suggestive of rain or scattered hail. Parties out for automobile rides were forced to return on account of the inconvenience produced by the number of beetles flying about. The writer attempted to walk up the road toward the wooded path (going away from the arc-lamp), but the insects were encountered in such numbers coming toward the arc, that after going only a few hundred feet and extracting several beetles from his hair and collar, he decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and returned to the house. After the third evening of unusual prevalence, the number of these beetles seemed to diminish rather suddenly, and while quite common, they did not appear in excessive numbers during the rest of the writ- er’s stay, to August 17th. It is reported that the insects were very plentiful also in the Pittsburgh district about the same time. The only unusual condition which seems to have prevailed in the places where these swarms were noted, was the heavy rains and following floods in March previous; the Ohio district had also had a very heavy rain and flood on the 13th of July, previous. That the flood conditions should admit of an abnormal number of these insects coming to maturity does not seem probable, or at least the connection is not very clear at this time. The writer was again in this town during about the same period of 1915, but there was nothing resembling what had occurred during 1913, nor was there any report of similar conditions during 1914. The summer season of I915 was very rainy in this locality. F. Avex. McDermott, Washington, D. C. 180 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’16 The Biota of Nantucket. For a number of years past Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell has been publish- ing in the Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club a series of papers on the vascular plants of Nantucket, in which he has brought out a num- ber of very interesting facts. Intensive study has not only yielded much of interest in connection with distribution, but has brought to light a number of new species, belonging to such genera as Amelan- chier, Ilex, etc., conspicuous members of any Flora. It can hardly be doubted that a similar study of the animals, and particularly the in- sects, would yield like results. Sorting over some material which 1 collected on Nantucket several years ago, I found some species which it may be worth while to record. Hymenoptera (bees): Halictus capitosus Smith, 9, smaller than usual; H. pilosus Smith, 9. Neuroptera: Chrysopa harrisi Fitch, det. Banks. Araneina (Spiders, all very kindly determined by Mr. N. Banks): Epeira pratensis Hentz, E. trivittata Keys., Zilla atrica Koch, Plectana stellata Hentz, Theridium frondeum Hentz, Ceratinella emertoni Cam- bridge, Agelena naevia Walck., Clubiona sp., juv., Xysticus triguttatus Keys., Phidippus podagrosus Hentz—T. D. A. CocKErELL, Boulder, Colorado. The Cactus-feeding Volucellines (Dip.). South Coronado Island (Lower California) is extensively overgrown with cactus, apparently Opuntia littoralis. When my wife and I visited the island on Aug. 21, we found what appeared to be a single variable species of Volucelline fly very abundant. Several were collected, and on examination prove to represent two genera and species, namely Volucella avida O. S. and Copestylum marginatum Say. At Boulder, Colorado, July 19, I collected a superficially similar insect (more like the Copestylum than V. avida) at flowers of Helianthus annuus; this is Volucella fasciata Mcq., a variety with dark reddish antenne. On looking up the literature, I find that all these three insects feed in the larval state on cacti. They form a peculiar group, and in all respects appear to be closely related, except for the extraordinary antenne of Copestylum. The latter genus surely evolved from Volucella, but who can say how the change came about, or what purpose it serves? There was, so far as we know, no change in habits. One is reminded of cer- tain strange modifications of the antenne of chrysomelid beetles, pro- duced by Professor Tower under experimental conditions at Chicago, and whoily without functional significance, so far as we can learn. One of the females of V. avida from S. Coronado is quite small, no larger than V. fasciata. The Atriplex bushes on S. Coronado carried many galls, doubtless belonging to Asphondylia atriplicis Twns., as no difference was appar- ent—T. D. A. CockEreLt, Boulder, Colorado. Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 181 Proportion of the Sexes in Uloborus geniculatus Walck., with a Few Notes (Arach., Aran.). The collections tabulated below were made in a single dwelling house in Nelson (Cairns), Queensland, Australia. The sex in the young is recognizable after one or two molts, but the very young were ignored. The individuals were killed after being recorded. MALE FEMALE Dates Adult Young Total Adult | Young Total April 26, 1913 17 22 39 49 19 68 May 1, se 16 19 35 58 28 86 May 20, ‘ 4 3 7 10 9 19 May 23, “ 8 25 33 15 58 73 June 2, se 3 3 8 8 Sept;27,, “‘* 10 5 15 6 3L 37 Oct. 14,. .‘‘ 13 3 16 5d 42 ey Dec. 8, at 1 1 10 11 21 sees 1 i 4 5 9 ZS a 1 3 4 3 2 5 May 5, 1914 1 1 2 5 1 6 LA 3 ee 3 12 15 13 22 35 Totals 7t3) 96 171 228 236 464 Out of 635 individuals 171 were males, or about 27 per cent., less than a third. In 303 adults, 75 or about 24 per cent. were males; 96 males occurred in 332 young, or 28 per cent. Males appear to be more num- erous when young. I haven’t any notion how mating occurs with this species, but the sexes from an early age inhabit separate nests and the males being less numerous, cannot be wasted. The males differ in coloration, but on ac- count of their scarcity, wastage in sexual selection would seem poor economy. Yet, one selected male might fertilize many females and more than offset any wastage. The egg-sacs of this species are of a lilac color and star-shaped, one side flat, the other conically raised centrally into a blunt cone or nipple. There may be from five to eight points to these star-shaped sacs and some of the points are occasionally bifid at apex. When just hatched the young spiders are white, with lilac abdomens. The young escape from the sac through a single hole. The eggs are white, gradually turning to lilac when the embryo is perfect. All females do not make their egg-sacs alike, for in one nest three sacs were found bearing 6, 7 and 8 points, respectively. The young can live considerable periods without food. Six of them isolated from birth lived 20, 23, 30 and 34 days. Six others lived in this manner, 27, 29 and 32 days. Two adult females taken when feeding and kept without food, lived slightly over a month. The egg stage is about eleven days (one case).—A. A. GirAutt, Washington, D. C. 182 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 716 Note on use of antennae in Collops vittatus. (Col.: Malachiidae). Dr. George H. Horn described* the structure of the curiously modi- fied second (or as he says really the third) segment of the antennae in males of the genus Collops in 1870, and assumed their function to be grasping the female antenna during copulation. Another use to which they certainly are put appears from an incident observed by the writer on Plummer’s Island, Maryland, on July 7, 1912. A male and female of Collops vittatus (Say) were found on a leaf over the surface of which they advanced and retreated, constantly maintaining a head-to-head contact. Upon close inspection, it was seen that the female had her mandibles widely spread and that the tips - of them rested in depressions in the anterior surfaces of the modified antennal joints of the male, the antennae of the latter being held straight out in front and approximately parallel. Ii one of the pair re- treated, the other followed, preserving the relation of the parts as de- scribed. They were also observed to separate and to resume the same posture. This behavior probably is a mating ceremony, and may per- haps be properly regarded as a Collopid soul-kiss—W. L. McATEE, Washington, D. C. = Additional Iowa Pentatomoidea (Hem., Heter.). During the past two years the writer has indicated from time to time some Pentatomids that have not before been recorded within the borders of the State. As a partial result of collecting done during the past summer the following additions to the State fauna may be given at this time. Cydnus obliquus Uhler. This fine Cydnid, which commonly occurs in the western States and which has recently (1910) been recorded from Nebraska by Zimmer, was found in some numbers in a sand area near the Iowa River, two miles north of Iowa City. All the speci- mens collected were found among the roots of a Rush Grass, Sporo- bolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray, which grows in considerable abund- ance in this small uncultivated area. In two instances, four individuals were found about the roots of a single plant, but usually not more than one or two were found under one plant. None of the bugs were ob- served on the open sand. On May 31 a pair of these bugs was found in copula. Thirty-six specimens are at hand, collected in May and No- vember. Euschistus tristigmus var. pyrrhocerus H. S. This variety seems much less common than the typical tristigmus Say. Five Iowa speci- mens, collected in August and November at Iowa City and Solon, are at hand. The specimens collected in August were taken on wild rasp- berry; those in November from under dried leaves. All five speci- mens have the antennae entirely pale, the humeri spinose and average somewhat smaller than tristigmus. *Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. III, p. 80, June, 1870. Ue a Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 183 Prionosoma podopioides Uhler. Two specimens of this western species have been taken in Iowa. One was collected in June at Ft. Madison, near the extreme southeastern corner of the State. The im- mediate region bordered a wooded area and was somewhat sandy and overgrown with rank weeds. Later in the season, October, a second specimen vas found under the leaves of a mullein plant in a cultivated sand area near Iowa City——Dayton Stoner, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Ia. Entomological Literature. COMPILED BY E. T. CRESSON, JR., AND J. A. G. REHN. Under the above head it is intended to note papers received at the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, pertaining to the En- tomology of the Americas (North and South), including Arachnida and Myriopoda. Articles irrelevant to American entomology will not be noted; but contributions to anatomy, physiology and embryology of insects, how- ever, whether relating to American or exotic species, will be recorded. The numbers in Heavy-Faced Type refer to the journals, as numbered in the following list, in which the papers are published. 4 All continued papers, with few exceptions, are recorded only at their first installments. : The records of systematic papers are all grouped at the end of each Order of which they treat, and are separated from the rest by a dash. Unless mentioned in the title, the number of new species or forms are given at end of title, within brackets. : For records of Economic Literature, see the Experiment Station Record, Office of Experiment Stations, Washington. Also Review of Applied En- tomology, Series A, London. : j For records of papers on Medical Entomology, see Review of Applied Entomology, Series B 1—Proceedings, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- phia. 2—Transactions, American Entomological Society, Philadel- phia. 3—The American Naturalist. 4-The Canadian Entomologist. 5—Psyche. 8—The Entomologists’s Monthly Magazine, London. 9—The Entomologist, London. 11—Annals and Magazine of Nat- ural History, London. 12—Comptes Rendus, L’Academie des Sciences, Paris. 18—Comptes Rendus, Societe de Biologie, Paris. 16—Bulletin, Societe Nationale d’Acclimation de France, Paris. 18—Ottawa Naturalist. 87—Le Naturaliste Canadien, Quebec. 68 —Science, New York. 1538—Bulletin, The American Museum of Natural History, New York. 166—Internationale Entomologische Zeitschrift, Guben. 179—Journal of Economic Entomology. 195— Bulletin, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge. 200—Bul- letin Scientifique de la France et de la Belgique, Paris. 216—Ento- mologische Zeitschrift, Frankfurt a. Main. 267—Memorias, Real Sociedad Espanola de Historia Natural, Madrid. 285—Nature Study Review, Ithaca, N. Y. 3138—Bulletin of Entomological Re- search, London. 836—Board of Agriculture, Trinidad. 344—U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 3894—Parasitology, Cambridge, England. 401—Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae 184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’16 in the British Museum, London. 411—Bulletin, The Brooklyn En- tomological Society. 447—Journal of Agricultural Research, Wash- ington. 479—Washington University Studies, St. Louis. 522— Association Francaise pour l’Avancement des Sciences. GENERAL SUBJECT. Bagnall, R. SA note on Mr. Walsh’s observations on the survival, etc., of insects, 8, 1915, 267. Blaisdell, F. E.—Minutes of meetings of Pacific Coast Entomological Soci- ety, 12 pp. Herrick, C. W.—The need of a broad, liberal training for an economic entomologist, 179, ix, 15-23. Loyer, M.—L’Expo- sition internationale d’insectes vivants, de poissons...., 16, 1915, 355-65. Russell, F. W.—Obituary notice, 5, 1916, 25. Webster, F. M.—Obituary by S. A. Forbes, 179, ix, 239-41. Zukowsky, B.—In- sekten und bliiten, 166, ix, 119-20. PHYSIOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY. Dehorne, A.—Sur les chromosomes de “Corethra plumicornis” (Dipteres Nemocere), 522, 1914, 527-9. Fernandez-Nonidez, J—Los cromosomas goniales y las mitosis de maduracion en Blaps lusitanica y B. Waltli, 267, x, 149-87. Lecaillon, A.—Sur la ponte des oeufs non fecondes et sur la parthenogenese du Bombyxae du murier (Bombyx mori), 12, clxii, 234-6. Wenrich, D. H.—The spermatogenesis of Phryno- tettix magnus, with special reference to synapsis and the individu- ality of the chromosomes, 195, 1x, 57-133. MEDICAL. Shircore, T. O.—A note on some helminthic dis- eases with special reference to the house fly as a natural carrier of the ova, 394, vili, 239-43. Townsend, C. H. T.—Recent questioning of the transmission of Verruga by Phlebotomus, 318, vi, 409-11. ARACHNIDA, ETC. Cummings, B. F.—Note on the thorax in Anoplura and in the genus Nesiotinus of the Mallophaga, 11, xvii, 171-4. Dow, R. P.—The weaver of the web, 411, 1911, 6-10. Nuttall, G. H. F.—Relating to the genus Ixodes and including a description of three n. sps. and two var., 394, viii, 294-337. NEUROPTERA, ETC. Howe, R. H., Jr.—A preliminary list of the Odonata of Concord, Mass., 5, 1916, 12-15. Patch, E. Mi—A Psyllid gall of Juncus (Livia maculipennis), 5, 1916, 21-2. Snyder, T. E.Termites, or “white ants,” in the U. S.; their damage, and methods of prevention, 344, Bul. 333. ORTHOPTERA. Urich, F. W.—Locusts or grasshoppers, 336, Bul. XIV, 120-28. Rehn & Hebard—Studies in American Tettigoniidae, VII. A re- vision of the species of the genus Atlanticus (Decticinae) [1 new], 2, xlii, 33-100. Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185 HEMIPTERA. Baker & Turner—Morphology and biology of the green apple aphis, 447, v, 955-93. Leonard, M. D.—The imma- ture stages of Tropidosteptes cardinalis (Capsidae), 5, xxiii, 1-3. Paddock, F. B.—Observations on the turnip louse (Aphis pseudo- brassicae), 179, ix, 67-71. Parker,-J. R—The western wheat aphis (Brachycolus tritici), 179, ix, 182-7. Patch, E. M.—Concerning problems in aphid ecology, 179, ix, 44-51. Rosen, H. R.—The de- velopment of the Phylloxera vastatrix leaf gall, 68, xlili, 216-7. Weiss, H. B.—The Coccidae of New Jersey green-houses, 5, 1916, 22-4. Whitmarsh, R. D.—Life-history notes on Apaleticus cynicus and maculiventris, 179, ix, 51-3. Abbott, J. F.—A biological reconnaissance of the Okefeenokee swamp in Georgia. The Corixidae [4 n. sps.], 479, ii, 81-6. LEPIDOPTERA. Ainslie, G. G.—Notes on Crambids, 179, ix, 115-119. Briggs, F. J—Means of expansion of wings of L., 9, 1916, 38-39. Brittain & Gooderham—An insect enemy of the parsnip (Depressaria heracliana), 4, 1916, 37-41. Felt, E. P—Climate and variations in the habits of the codling moth, 179, ix, 107-110. Gerould, J. H.—Mimicry in butterflies, 3, 1, 184-192. Hoffmann, F. —Das ei von Vanessa antiopa, 216, xxix, 86. Keith, E. D—The dance of the ghost moth (Hepialus argenteomaculatus), 411, 1916, 21-2. Meder, O.—Gibt es geschlechtsunterschiede bei schmetter- lingseiern, 166, ix, 118-119. French, G. H.—A n. sp. of Catocala, 4, 1916, 72. Hampson, G. H. —Catalogue of the Amatidae and Arctiadae (Nolinae and Litho- sianae) in coll. of Br. Mus., 401, Suppl. Vol. I, 858 pp. Wolley Dod, F. H.—Noctuid notes from western Canada, with descriptions of two n. sps. and a variety, 4, 1916, 58-70. DIPTERA. Fitzsimons, F. W.—The house fly: a slayer of men, 89 pp. (Longmans, Green & Co.). Guppy, P. L.—Breeding and colonizing the Syrphid, 336, Bul. xiii, 217-26. Hodge, C. F.—Con- trol of flies as a nature study problem, 285, 1916, 79-95. Hyslop, J. A—The host of Zelia vertebrata (Dexiidae), 5, 1916, 24-5. Keilin, D.—Recherches sur les larves de dipteres cyclorhaphes, 200, xlix, 25-198. Lagendre, J.—Sur un nouveau mode de transport des larves de moustiques, 18, Ixxix, 26-7. Schoene, W. J—The econom- ic status of the seed-corn maggot (Pegomya fusciceps); Notes on the biology of P. brassicae, 179, ix, 131-3; 136-9. Alexander, C. P.—New or little-known crane-flies from the U. S. and Canada: Part 2 [many species], 1, 1915, 458-514. New nearctic crane-flies (Tipulidae) [11 new], 4, 1916, 42-53. A biological recon- naissance of the Okefeenokee swamp in Georgia. The Tipulidae 186 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, ’16 [1 n. sp.], 479, ii, 97-8. Cresson, E. T., Jr.—Studies in American Ephydridae. 1. Revision of the species of the genus Paralimna, 2, xlii, 101-124. Lutz, A~-Commissao de Linpas Telegraphicas Estra- tegicao de Matto Grosso ao Amazonas. Annexo No. 5. Hist. Nat. Zool. Tabanideos, 9 pp. Malloch, J. R.A new gen. & sp. of Helomyzidae, 411, 1916, 14-16. Townsend, C. H. T.—New and note- worthy Brazilian Muscoidea collected by H. H. Smith, 158, xxxv, 15-22. Van Duzee, M. C.—A biological reconnaissance of the Okefeenokee swamp region in Georgia. The Dolichopodidae [5 n. sps.], 479, ii, 87-96. COLEOPTERA. Davis, A.—The genus Pleocoma, 411, 1916, 11-12. Dow, R. P.—Note on Psenocerus supernotatus, 411, 1916, 20. Germain, F.—Buprestidae known to occur in the Ottawa district, 18, xxix, 129-30. Histerides capturés a Ottawa et dans les environs, 37, xlii, 103-5. Hayes, W. P.—A study of the life-history of the maize bill-bug (Sphenophorus maidis), 179, ix, 120-130. Herrick, G. W.—Observations on the life history of the cherry leaf beetle, 447, v, 943-9. Hyslop, J. A.—Prothetely in the Elaterid genus Me- lanotus, 5, 1916, 3-6. Johnson & Ballinger—Life history studies of the Colorado potato beetle, 447, v, 917-25. Lameere, A.—Les car- acteres sexuels secondaires des Prionides, 200, xlix, 1-14. Walsh, G. B.—Observations on some of the causes determining the survival and extinction of insects with special reference to the C. (cont.), 8, 1915, 257-61. Sell, R. A.—A migration of beetles, 285, 1916, 55-6. Casey, T. L.A new sp. of Baryodma, 4, 1916, 70-1. Fall, H. C. —Three new C. from Washington state, 411, 1916, 13-14. Hyslop, J. A.—Elateridae and Throscidae of the Stanford University expe- dition of 1911 to Brazil, 5, 1916, 16-21. Leng, C. W.—A list of the families of C. in America north of Mexico, 411, 1916, 1-5. HYMENOPTERA, de la Baume-Pluvinel, G.—Sur les formes larvaires de certains Hymenopteres parasites internes des larves de Dipteres, 522, 1914, 510-14. Howard, L. O.—Further notes on Frospaltella berlesei, 179, ix, 179-81. McColloch & Hays—A pre- liminary report on the life economy of Solenopsis molesta, 179, ix, 23-38. Wheeler, W. M.—[Review of] British ants, their life- history and classification by Donisthorpe, 68, xliii, 316-18. Cockerell, T. D. A.—The bees of the Coronado Islands [3 new], 4, 1916, 54-58. Two new bees from New Jersey, 411, 1916, 11. Gaige, F. M.—The Formicidae of Charity Island, Lake Huron, 507, No. 5, 29 pp. Wheeler, W. M.—Ants collected in British Guiana by the expedition of the American Museum of Natural History during 1911, 158, xxxv, 1-14. Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAT, NEWS. 187 Doings of Societies. American Entomological Society. Meeting of December 13th, 1915, at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. Seven persons present. Dr. Philip P. Calvert, President, in the chair. The annual reports of the Treasurer, Librarian, Curator and Corres- ponding Secretary were read and ordered filed. The death of Charles Kerremans, a corresponding member, was an- nounced. A new Agreement with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- delphia was adopted and the President and Recording Secretary auth- orized to sign the same. It was voted that House of Representatives bill no. 528, to discontinue the use of the Fahrenheit scale thermometer in Government publications, be endorsed. Dr. Witmer Stone was proposed for membership in the Society. Mr. R. C. Williams, Jr., and Prof. Clarence E. McClung were elected members. The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: Prest- dent, Henry Skinner; Vice President, J. A. G. Rehn; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson; Curator, Henry Skinner; Corresponding Sec’y, Morgan Heb- ard; Recording Sec’y, R. C. Williams, Jr.; Librarian, E. T. Cresson, Jr. Executive Committce, Philip Laurent, D. M. Castle and H. W. Wen- zel; Finance Committee, J. A. G. Rehn, D. M. Castle and Morgan Hebard; Publication Committee, J. A. G. Rehn, E. T. Cresson and P. P. Calvert—HENry SKINNER, Recording Sec’y. Feldman Collecting Social. Meeting of December 15, 1915, at the home of H. W. Wenzel, 5614 Stewart St., Philadelphia. Ten members present; Pres. H. A. Wenzel in the chair, Coleoptera—Mr. H. W. Wenzel said it was surprising that a very large insect could remain in collections for years wrongly identified but such is the case with what we have known as Cotinis mutabilis Gory. Col. Casey, in his Memoirs, vi, has pointed out that this species never reaches as far north as the United States and our form is really two species which he describes as new: arizonica with narrow yellow mar- gin and texana with half yellow elytra. Adjourned to the annex. Meeting of January 19, 1916, at the same place. Eleven members present; Pres. Wenzel in the chair. The present officers were re-elected to serve for 1016. Coleoptera—Mr. Daecke exhibited a specimen of Soronia ulkei LeC. from Rockville, Pennsylvania, v-14~11._ Mr. Wenzel has a speci- men from the District of Columbia and H. A. Wenzel has collected it 188 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 16 at Tybee Island, Georgia. There are several records from New Jersey —Ins. N. J., p. 273, 1910. Mr. H. W. Wenzel said the only specimen he had seen of Buprestis connexa Horn was the type in the Horn Collec- tion, but recently he had received a specimen labeled Corvallis, Ore- gon, collected by G. F. Moznetti; this was exhibited. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera—Mr. Kaeber exhibited Liopus fascicularis Harr. bred from sumac collected at Clifton, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, v-23-15. The Liopus began emerging May 27 and continued to about June 2. The first parasite noticed was on June 2 and continued emerging for about one week. Of all the specimens reared about 15 per cent. were parasites; these were identified by Mr. Rohwer as Capitonius ashmeadu D. T. Adjourned to the annex. Gro. M. GREENE, Sec’y Chicago Entomological Club. Meeting of December I9, 1915, at home of Charles Krueger. Fifteen members present. Coleopterists had as a subject the families Endomychidae and Erotylidae. Notable among local captures reported were Rhymbus minor Crotch, Rhamis unicolor Ziegl., Phymaphora pulchella Newm., Mycetina perpulchra Newm., Stenotarsus testaceus Ziegl., Langura uhlerii Horn, Mycotretus sanguinipennis Say and Tritoma mimetica Crotch. Mr. A. B. Wolcott also exhibited the type of Symbiotes duryi Blatchley, described in 1910 in The Coleoptera of Indiana. The same species was later re-described as new by Mr. L. B. Walton in The Ohio Naturalist, Vol. XII, p. 463 (Feb. 1912) under the same name, giving locality as Gambier, Ohio, and making no mention of the real type lo- cality, Lafayette, Indiana. Lepidopterists had the Notodontidae as a subject, local captures reported (other than Datana and Melalopha) being as follows: Schizura ipomoeae angelica telifer Hyperaeschra stragula cinereofrons georgica (rare) semirufescens Odontosia elegans unicornis Notodonta simplaria (1 A. Kwiat) 3 badia Pheosia dimidiata leptinoides (rare) Apatelodes torrefacta oe Lophodonta angulosa Nadata gibbosa Nerice bidentata Symmerista albifrons Heterocampa obliqua eo biundata guttivitta bilineata Tanassa lignicolor oe ce Hyparpax aurora Cerura multiscripta (1 E. Beer) e occidentalis Harpyia borealis (rare) 4 cinerea scolopendrina (rare) Fentonia marthesia (1 A. Kwiat) Gluphysia septentrionalis Ellidia caniplaga “ WAGE b FP rer Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 189 Meeting of January 16, 1916, at home of Mr. Frank Psota. Sixteen members present. Coleopterists reported 44 species of Histeridae as having been taken locally. Mr. Wolcott showed the type of Saprinus illinoisensis and also a gigantic species of the same genus, the description of which, he stated, will soon appear. Lepidopterists exhibited their specimens of Liparidae and allied species, local captures reported being as follows: Habrosyne rectangula Malacosoma.americana Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides " disstria i expultrix Heteropacha rilevana (C. Krueger) Orgyia leucostigma Gastropacha americana Parorgyia plagiata (Fox Lake, Enudeilinea herminiata Illinois. A. Kwiat) Oreta rosea Tolype velleda “ marginata 7 laricis (Millers, Indiana. : irrorata (2 A. Kwiat) E. Liljeblad) Drepana arcuata = gemcula A. Kwrat, Secretary. Newark Entomological Society. Meetings held in Newark, New Jersey, Public Library, December 12, 1915, and January 9, 1916. Pres. Buchholz in chair; average attendance, Ir members. At the December meeting, the following officers for 1916 were elected: Pres., Otto Buchholz; Vice-Pres., Henry H. Brehme; Sec., H. B. Weiss; Fin. Sec., T. D. Mayfield; Treas., G. J. Keller; Librarian, Louis Doerfel; Curator, Chas. Rummel; Trustee, Geo. Stortz. At the January meeting, Mr. Herman H. Brehme:read a paper on. Collecting at Morgan, New Jersey, during I9g15. Lepidoptera—At the December meeting, Mr. Rummel exhibited Lycaena pseudargiolus (ladon Cram.) taken May 14 and the forms lucia Kirby, marginata Edw., violacea Edw., taken from April 16 to July, and also Nonagria oblonga Grt., all from Montclair, New Jersey. At the January meeting, Mr. Lemmer recorded the following captures in New Jersey; Glaea inulta Irvington, Oct. 21; Epiglaea pastillicans Morr., Lakehurst, Oct. 17, (Buchholz and Lemmer) ; E. tremula Harv., Lakehurst, Oct. 17, (Buchholz and Lemmer); E. apiata Grt., Lakehurst, Oct. 18; Coenocalpe magnoliata Gn., Lake Hopatcong, July 15; Eois demissaria Hbn., Elizabeth, Aug. 15; Orthofidonia exornata Wlk., Ly- ons Farms, April 29, May 2; Pero marmoratus Grossb., Irvington, Aug. 10; Homochlodes fritillaria Gn., Irvington, July 27, Aug. 12. Mr. Weiss exhibited Japanese postal cards decorated with Colias hyale ., Radena vulgaris Butl., and Junonia lemonias 1,., the color and markings having been transferred perfectly to the cards. Hemiptera—Mr. Weiss exhibited specimens of Stephanitis 190 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 716 pyrioides Scott (azaleae Horv.) which is firmly established in different parts of New Jersey and which feeds on the foliage of hardy azaleas, this species having been introduced from Japan; also Leptoypha mutt- ca Say which was taken in large numbers while feeding on the fringe plant during the past summer at Hammonton, New Jersey. This spe- cies is recorded as rare in Smith’s list. Harry B. Weiss, Rec. Secretary. A New Entomological Club. Editor of Entomological News :—I wish to call to your attention the formation of the “Boston Entomological Club.” Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 8 o’clock P. M. at the home of Prof. William Reiff, 366 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, Massa- chusetts. Although an entomological club we are especially interested in the collection of Lepidoptera. Entomologists visiting Boston will be welcomed at the Club meetings. At the annual meeting the following were elected officers for the coming year: Rudolph C. B. Bartsch, pres- ident; W. F. Eastman, vice president; E. F. Knight, secretary; H. J. Law, treasurer; Prof. William Reiff, superintendent of sales; Ernst Grebner and Nathaniel Stowers, members at large-—E. F. KNicut, Secretary, 9 Fairfield St., North Cambridge, Mass. The New Ecological Society of America. A meeting of ecologists was held at, Hotel Hartman, Columbus, Ohio, December 28, 1915, under the chairmanship of Prof. J. W. Harsh- berger, for the purpose of considering the organization of an ecologi- cal society. About fifty persons were present, nearly all of whom were enthusiastically in favor of forming such a society. Over fifty. others who could not be present had notified the Secretary of their in- terest in the movement. In view of these facts it was definitely voted to organize under the name The Ecological Society of America. The new society has an initial membership of more than one hundred bot- anists and zoologists interested in ecology. The constitution adopted declares that membership “shall consist of persons interested in ecol- ogy,” that an annual meeting and field meetings shall be held and fixes the annual dues at $1.00. The officers chosen were President, Prof. V. E. Shelford, University of Illinois; Vice-President, Prof. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University; Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Forrest Shreve, Desert Laboratory, Tucson, Arizona. The charter membership has been doubled since the Columbus meet- ing, and there is every prospect for an active and influential organiza- tion. The roster of names indicates that the collective interests of the society will be of the broadest character, embracing every phase of the relation of organisms to their environmental conditions. The Ecologi- Vol. xxvii} ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I9I cal Society represents the union and co-operation of men who are in- terested in animal and plant material, in marine and terrestrial organ- isms, in the broader floristic and faunistic problems, and in the precise experimental study of organisms or the exact measurement of environ- mental conditions. Such an organization will be able to do much toward emphasizing fundamental problems of general ecology, and toward placing this science in a position correlative with that of gen- eral physiology. The constitution admits of great freedom with regard to the holding of field meetings, and it would be difficult to overestimate the value that they may be made to possess. There will be an added stimulus to travel, there will be profit for every ecologist in seeing new regions under the guidance of men who know them well, and there will be profit for the science of ecology if the students of plants and animals can unite frequently for a consideration of the biota as an indivisible unit. There will be a field meeting at Chicago in June, under the leader- ship of Dr. H. C. Cowles; one on the Pacific Coast in August, probably at San Diego. The Secretary will give early announcement of the de- tails of these and of any others that may be initiated by different groups of members. The first regular annual meeting will be held in New York during the next Convocation week. The Secretary is gathering information from the members as to their past ecological work and that in progress, their specialties, their willing- ness to undertake identification of material, their knowledge of various geographical areas and kindred topics, all to be published as a Hand- book of the Society. The membership of all interested in ecological work is desired. [From circulars issued by the Secretary, Dr. Forrest SHREvE, Tuc- son, Arizona; temporary address, 2753 Maryland Ave., Baltimore, Md.] OBITUARY. Miss ADELE Marion FIErnpdeE died in Seattle, Washington, February 24, 1916. Born in East Rodman, New York, March 30, 1839, and graduated from a New York State Normal School in 1860, she taught in her native State for some years and then went out as a Baptist missionary, first to Siam in 1866, and later to China, especially in Swatow. Having become deeply interested in the theory of evolution she returned to America in 1883 and, at the suggestion of Dr. David Starr Jordan, pursued studies in biology in Philadelphia, especially 1g2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ April, 16 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Here she made the ac- quaintance of Dr. Edward J. Nolan, librarian of the Academy, who has paid a warm tribute to her memory in the columns of the Philadelphia Public Ledger for February 28, 1916. Dr. Nolan relates that it was Miss Fielde’s desire for work in biology that led to the foundation of the Biological Department of the University of Pennsylvania, although she never became a student therein. She returned to China in September, 1885, but in October, 1892, engaged in science teaching in New York and studied and lectured during the summers of 1900-07 at Wood’s Hole These years witnessed her chief entomological work—on the senses, activities and behavior of ants. She set forth the view that “the antennae of the ant are a pair of compound noses, certain segments having each a special function,” restating it in a paper On certain vesicles found in the integument of ants in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia for January, 1915, accompanied by a list of twen- ty-three papers which she had published, chiefly in the same Proceedings and in The Biological Bulletin, on this group of insects. Her interest in the olfactory sense developed by these researches is to be seen in two other short papers in the Pro- ceedings for 1915, one concerning dogs, the other entitled 4 new hypothesis concerning butterflies. These were not Miss Fielde’s only contribution to entomolo- gy, however, for during her second period of residence in China she addressed to the Academy brief communications on the preparation of Fishing lines from the Silk-Glands of Lepidop- terous Larvae by the Chinese (Proceedings, 1886, pp. 298-9), On an Aquatic Larva [Hydropsyche?| and its Case (1887, pp. 293-4), An Aquatic Insect, or Insect-Larva having jointed dor- sal appendages (1888, pp. 129-130, plate viii) and On an Insect- Larva Habitation (I. c., pp. 176-177), all recording observa- tions made at Swatow. PS eae —_——————<9 > ——___ Correction. ENt. News, vol. xxvi, p. 445, 13th line from bottom, for “1892” read “1852.” EXCHANGES. This column is intended only for wants and exchanges, not for advertisements of goods for sale. Notices not exceed- ing three lines free to subscribers. 4as- These notices are continued as long as our limited space will allow; the new ones are added at the end of the column, and only when necessary those at the top (being longest in) are discontinued Wanted—Bibliog. Amer. Econ. Entom., I-IV ; Tech. Ser. Bul., 2-7 ; Entom. Circ., 1, 10, 17, 27, 40, 41, 44, 46, 89; Insect Life, Vols. 4-6; Nomenclator Zool. Cash or exchange.—Philip Dowell, Port Richmond, New York. Wanted—/apilio pilumnus, palamedes, aliaska, nitra, brevicauda, bairdi, ajax, in exchange for Lepidoptera from my vicinity.—Adolph Mares, 2524 S. Homan Ave., Chicago, III. For Exchange—lIllinois and Indiana Coleoptera for North American species new to my collection.—C. Selinger, 1338 South 50th Avenue, Cicero, IIl. Wanted—Living pupae of Papilio asterias, P. zolicaon, S. cynthia, S. cecropia, promethea, io, polyphemus, regalis, imperialis, augulifera, rubra and other Saturnidae in exchange or for cash.—A. F. Porter, De- corah, Iowa. Wanted—A person in the vicinity of New York City who can spread butterflies skilfully.—W. Tonnclé, 200 W. 72d St., New York City. Carabidae of genera Omophron, Nomaretus, and especially Elaphrus wanted for cash. Specimens other than those from N. E. States more desired.—Alan S. Nicolay, 416a Grand Ave., Brooklyn, New York. Liberal exchange given for Lepidoptera needed for the collection of the American Entomological Society, 1900 Race St., Phila., Pa. For Exchange—Insect Life, Vol. I, Nos. 4, 5, 6; Vol. II, Nos. 7, 8, 9, to; Vol. III, Nos. 4, 5,9, 10; Vol. 7, bound; U.S. Bur. Ent. Bull. (N. S.), Nos. 31, 44. Wanted 5th Ill. Report, and Riley’s 9th Mo. Report.— E. G. Kelly, Wellington, Kansas. Lepidoptera—I have for exchange Eastern U. S. Noctuidae and Geo- metridae mounted on pins, including Cafocala elonympha, similis, prae- clara, gracilis, coccinata, epione, relicta and varieties. Also cocoons of P. cynthia and C. angulifera.—John H. West, 2057 East York Street, Phila., Pa. Wanted for cash—Lucanidae in perfect condition.—Joseph Brunner, Missoula, Montana. For exchange—Entomological News, 1909, 1910, Ig11, also Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Insecten Biologie, 1910, I911, 1912.—Henry Worms- bacher, 1357 St. Charles Ave., Lakewood, Ohio. Wanted—rz2 pair of Argynnts idalia, 3 pair Arg. diana, 2 pair Arg. edwardsii for exchange or cash.—A. F. Porter, Decorah, Iowa. Wanted—Will pay cash for fertile females of the genus Hudaphe or give other Lepidoptera in exchange. Specimens from west and north- west especially desired. Write for details.—Alex. Kwiat, 2445 Eastwood Ave., Chicago, Ill. Orthoptera—Especially from the mid-west examined for collectors. Correspondence invited.—M. P. Somes, Box 226, Mountain Grove. Mo. TO MUSEUMS, SOCIETIES, ETC. An experienced collector, now residing in the tropics, who has made a special study of tropical work, is in a position to accept, on moderate terms, a collecting commission from any Museum or Society wishing to make the very interesting and highly requisite addition of a full series of Neotropical Insects to their existing collection. Special data with every specimen, all guaranteed fresh taken and free from mould, acari, etc. Acurate ink or color drawings made from the living specimen if required. W.BUTHN, Cedros, Trinidad, British West Indies. Cresson’s Synopsis of the Families and Genera of the Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico. $7.50. AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 1900 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA New Enlarged Catalogue (60 pages) post free. ERNEST SWINHOE 4 Gunterstone Road, West Kensington, London, England FO R SAL Dr. Lang’s European Butterflies, 2 vols., col. plates (pub. $19.50), $10.00. Kirby’s Furopean Butterflies and Moths, col. plates ($8.50), $3.00. Captain Brown’s Butterflies, 140 col. plates ($10.00), $2.50. Die Raupen Schmetterlinge Europas, 2 vols., col. plates, $6.00. Postage extra. 200 others, lists. Also cheap lots of British Lepidoptera, Cole- optera, etc. A perfect pair of Ornithoptera victoria-regis and O. alexandra, etc. Lists fom A. FORD, 36 Irving Road, Bournemouth, Eng. LIVING EXOTIC PUPAE To scientist8 and collectors—I can send regular, weekly supplies of living pupae of South American Rhopalocera ‘and Heterocera (the latter especially rich in genera and species; many quite new), un-named, but otherwise full data; accurate color-drawings of the larvae if required. Also splendid series of imag- ines Orthoptera, Hymenoptera (with nests if necessary), Arachnida, etc. Ex- pert packing —W. BUTHN, Cedros, Trinidad, B. W. I. SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO THE AMAZON VALLEY NEEDS ENTOMOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT, COLLECTING APPARATUS, ETC., IN EXCHANGE FOR WHICH IT WILL COLLECT IN ALL ORDERS OF LEPIDOPTERA, ETC.—Additional Information, Address C. W. WEIDEN- BACKER, Haverford, Pa. FOR SALE Large collection of Lepidoptera of North American and European specimens, in excellent condition, mounted and named, in walnut cases under glass, with library relating to collection. For further information address Lieutenant H. F. SCHOENBORN FORT TRUMBULL, NEW LONDON, CONN. x si] 4 . As successors to the American Entomolo- T he Celebrated Original Dust and Pest-Proof METAL CABINETS FOR SCHMITT BOXES These cabinets have a specially constructed groove or trough around the front lined with a material of our own design, which is adjustable to the pressure of the front cover. The cover, when in place, is made fast by spring wire locks or clasps, causing a constant pressure on the lining in the groove. The cabinet, in addition to being abso- lutely dust, moth and dermestes proof, is impervious to fire, smoke, water and atmos- pheric changes. Obviously, these cabinets are far superior to any constructed of non- metallic material. . ay es ; The interior is made of metal, with upright partition in center. On the sides are metal supports to hold 28 boxes. The regular size is 423 in. high, 13 in. deep, 187 in. wide, inside dimensions; usually enameled green outside. For details of Dr, Skin- ner’s construction of this cabinet, see Entomological News, Vol. XV, page 177. METAL INSECT BOX has all the essential merits of the cabinet, having a groove, clasps, etc. Bottom inside lined with cork; the outside enameled any color desired. The regular dimensions, outside, are 9x 13 x 23 in, deep, but can be furnished any size. 2 d WOOD INSECT BOX.—We do not assert that this wooden box has all the quali- ties of the metal box, especially in regard to safety from smoke, fire, water and damp- ness, but the chemically prepared material fastened to the under edge of the lid makes a box, we think, superior to any other wood insect box. The bottom is cork lined. Outside varnished. For catalogue and prices inquire of BROCK BROS., Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass. WARD'S - Natural Science Establishment 84-102 COLLEGE AVENUE. ROCHESTER, N. Y. gical Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y., we are the sole manufacturers of the genuine ‘sCowitt insect boxes and the American Entomological Co.’s insect pins. Cata- ' logue No. 30 of Entomological Supplies - free upon request. | North American and exotic insects of all orders furnished promptly from stock. Write for our special lists of Lepidop- tera and Coleoptera. -Our live pupae list is now ready. Let us -. put your name on our mailing list for all of our Entomological circulars. Le Ward’s Natural Science Establishment FOUNDED 1862 INCORPORATED 1890 When Writing Please Mention ‘‘ Entomological News.” K-S Specialties THE. KNY-SCHEERER COMPANY Department of Natural Science 404-410 W. 27th St., New York : North American and Exotic Insects of all orders in perfect condition | 4 Entomological Supplies ‘Catalogue gratis INSECT BOXES—We have given special attention to the manufacture of insect cases and can © .5 se : guarantee our cases to be of the best quality ane ‘workmanship obtainable. « — Sars NS /3085—Plain Boxes for Duplicates—Pasteboard boxes, com- pressed turf lined with plain pasteboard covers, cloth — hinged, for shipping specimens or keeping duplicates. These boxes are of heavy pasteboard and more carefully 5 _——- made than the ones usually found in the market. C &, - Size 10x15}4 in.......... Cat tout ee a arg +7... Each $0.26 : NS 73085 Size 8x10 in........... denen suavvnwsbesine «poo bach? iG. NS /3091—Lepidoptera Box (improved museum style), of wood; cover and bottom of strong pasteboard, covered with bronze paper, gilt trimming, inside covered with white glazed paper. Best quality. Each box in extra carton. Size 10x12 in., lined with compressed turf (peat). Per AOZEN. 06 vs cs Hie Sa bie Samp e ne pee T CRT ees -- 5,00 P Size 10x12 in., lined with compressed cork. : 7 Se Per dozen Sige cate ote Ba fs cab els Fabs OEP 6.00 Se rea Caution :—Cheap imitations are sold. See our name and address NS eas ee in corner of cover. Peeper) Sa NS /3121—K.-S. Exhibition Cases, wooden boxes, pines < cover fitting very tightly, compressed cork or eat lined, cov- — ered inside with white glazed paper. Class A. “Stained imitation oak, cherry or walnut. Size 8xt 1x24 in. (or to order, 834x1034x2% in.).... Size 12x16x2' i in. (or to order, 12X15x2%4 facies Pee | SACLE COAL Size 14x22x2%% i in. (or to order, 14x22x2¥% in.)......- 2. Special prices if ordered in larger quantities. NS /3121 - THE KNY-SCHEERER co. - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCE. __ oe G. LAGAI, Ph.D., 404 W. 27th Street, New York, N. % Z PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION = Gold Medal PARIS EXPOSITION: Eight Awards and Medals ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION: Grand Prize and Gold Medal ENTOMOLOGICAL SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS North American and exotic insects of all orders in perfect condition. Single specimens and collections illustrating mimicry, protective coloration, © dimorphism, collections of representatives of the different orders of insects, etc. Series of specimens illustrating insect life, color variation, etc. ; Metamorphoses of insects. We manufacture all kinds of insect boxes and cases (Schmitt insect boxes, Lepidoptera boxes, etc.), cabinets, nets, insects pins, forceps, etc.. Riker specimen mounts at reduced prices. Catalogues and special circulars free on application. Rare insects bought and sold. FOR SALE—Papilio columbus (gundlachianus), the brightest colored American —: very rare, perfect specimens $1.50 each; second quality $1.00 each. Me When Writing Pleme Mention “Entomological “News.” = t+ eS P, C. Stockhausen. Printer, 5355 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia.