I
Entomological News
VOLUME VII, 1896.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE :
GEO. H. HORN, M.D. EZRA T. CRESSON. CHARLES A. BLAKE.
Rev. HENRY C. McCooK, D.D. CHARLES LIEBECK.
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OK
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
1896.
INDEX TO VOLUME VII.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT.
Academy of Natural Sciences,
Phila., Ent. Section 58, 148, 283,
American Ent. Soc. . 119, 120, 213
Attacks of the Year, Insect . 309
Biological Studies in Ento'gy . 231
Chicago Academy of Sciences,
Entom. Section of, . . 22, 119
Cleveland Natural History Club 310
Conservative, A 179
Crest of the Continent, Col-
lecting on 162
Cyanide bottle, A new . . . 230
Dendrolene 177
Doings of Societies 21, 55, 93, 117,
146, 183, 212, 252, 280, 317.
Economic Entomologists, As-
sociation of . . . 245, 269, 307
Economic Entomology 10, 45, 46,
68, 82, 86, 106, 137, 14!, 177, 204,
245, 269, 307.
Economic Entomology, Evolu-
tion of 245
Editoria's 9, 45, Si, 105, r 3 6, 176,
203, 243, 268, 306.
Elkhart, Indiana, Collecting at 104
Entomological Collections:
Berlin 131
British Museum .... 4
Brussels 97
California Ac. of Sciences. 253
Cambridge (England) . . 67
Cambridge (Mass.) ... 49
European 4, 66, 97, 131, 195, 258,
289.
Fall's, H. C 253
Florence 291
Genoa 258
Naples 290
Oxford 66
Turin 289
U. S. National Museum . 13
Vienna 195
Wright's, W. G 253
Entomological Literature 17, 50, 88,
114, 141, 1 80, 206, 249, 274, 312.
Feldman Collecting Social 21, 55,
93, 117, 129, 146, 183, 212, 252,
280, 317.
Fitch, Asa 65
Fourth of July Excursion . . 205
Georgia and Florida, April col-
lecting in 300
Harris, T. W i
Insecticides 269, 270
Insect pins 21, 197
Kerosene, A new way to use . 10
Largest insect egg .... 244
Luther's saddest experience . 16
Mt. Washington, Insects of . 262
Music, Effect of on spiders . . 38
Newark Entomological Society 282
Newspaper Entomology . . . 305
Notes and News 13, 49, 86, in, 140,
178, 205, 247, 273, 310.
Obituary:
Ashton, T. B 96
Bergenstamm, J. v. . . .128
Eppelsheim, E 256
Flohr, J 192
Fuller, A. S 192
Gundlach, J 128
Lembert, J. B 224
Orrnerod, Miss G. E. . . 256
Ragonot, E. L 31
Salle", A 192
Schoenborn, II 256
Skuse, F. A. A. . . .
Tief, W 2SS
Tugwdl, \V. H 64
11
INDEX.
Peach Insects I0 7
Photographs of entomologists 49,
iir, 140.
Plants, Identification of by in-
sect remains T 4 r
Pollen distributing insects . 272
Ranpenleim 1 77
Ridings,] i6r
Snake bites, Remedy for . .112
Tangier, Insects at .... 266
Temperature effects on house-
hold insects 245
Trees, Insect enemies of . . 307
Tumble-bug, To the . . . . 248
Zoological Record for 1894 . . 42
ARACHNIDA.
Red bug 2, 40, 80
Spider eggs, Parasites of . . 319
Spider farming 239
Spiders, Effect of music on . 38
COLEOPTERA.
Americo-Asiatico European C. 70
Anthonomus grandis . ... 48
Buprestid synonymy .... 247
Carabus vinctus, Food of . . 135
Carnivorous larvae oiMelanotus 200
Cicii/dt'/a lepida -284
Coccinellidae, Superstitions about
77-
Collecting notes for 1895 . . 33
Copris gopheri 286
Crioceris 281
Cryptohypnus 21
Cut worms 83
Cyckrus 21
Cyllene pictus 141
Death watch beetle .... 75
/>,/ in,\./( i s I'ulpinus in cork . 68
/ >irtii-a I'i/ta/a, a green-
hoilx- prst 138
/~;'i/!(i ritic'ula 82
Grape-root worm 82
Illinois, C. of central .... 234
iMtnfimliiza niii'it/ii/ii 213, 281,294
Lampyniist'c/>/i/>.v in Florida 140
IV
INDEX.
Imitative faculty of Catocala . 274
Lencania unipnncta .... 204
Limenitis arthemis '. . . .113
Melitcza colon, Aberration of . 267
M. phceton, Aberration of . . 87
Nathalis iole, Food-plant and
!arva 15
Neumoegen collection, Types
in 35, 22 7
N. Hampshire, L. of . . 240, 297
New species . . 26, 125, 134, 284
Noctua treatii 22
Noctuidae desc. by Guen^e 7, 288
Noctuidie, New species ... 26
Oneonta, N. Y. L. at in 1894 . 72
Phryganidian, The imprudent . 174
P/ it si a insolita n. sp 30
Prodenia exquisita .... 242
Rhododipsa masoni n. sp. . . 284
Sannina exitiosa 107
Saturniid, New African . . . 133
South Dakota, L. of . . . . 298
Sphingidae of N. Hampshire . 297
Swarm of butterflies .... 285
Syntomeida minima .... 69
Thecla shendanii ...... 15
Thyreus abbotii larva . . .178
NEUROPTERA.
Chrysopa, Cecidomyid on . . 238
Mcleoma, On the genus . .175
Jf. slossonce n. sp 95
Termites destroying cable-cov-
ering 268
ORTHOPTERA.
Grasshoppers in Minnesota . 46
Nemobius mexicanus . . . 297
Periplaneta orientalis, Breed-
ing habits of 148
Praying mantis hard to kill . . 232
AUTHORS.
Aich, H 247
Ashmead, W. H., . . 25, 218, 320
Baker, ,C. F., . . . 59, 156, 231
Banks, N. 95
Blanchard, F., 173
Bowditch, F. C., 35
Britton, W. E 141
Bruce, D 15, 162
Calvert, P. P., . 4, 31, 66, 97, 131,
195, 258, 289.
Castle, D. M., 300
Chittenden, F. H., . . 107. 138
Cleveland, G. F., 72
Cockerel!, T. D. A., . . 221, 242,
247, 255, 274, 297.
Coquillett, D. W., . . . 220, 320
Cc ry, Mrs. C. B., 140
Croos, E. W., . . . . 274, 297
Cunningham, B. L., . . 112, 267
Davidson, A., . . .22, 216, 319
Davis, H. N., 242
Dunning, S. N., 287
Dyar, H. G., 69, 218
Fernald, C. H., 87
Fisher, W. K., 135
Fiske, W. F., ... 87, 179, 240
Foote, W. F., 193
Fox, W. J., . . . 131, 171, 206
Fyles, T. W., 44
Guldhorn, L. B., 248
Hamilton, J., . . 2, 70, 286, 291
Heilprin, A., 266
Higbee, E. E., 249
Hills, C. T., 205
Holland, W.J., . . 32,68,133
Horn, G. H., . 50, 192, 203, 247
Howard, L. O., . . 14, 48, 141, 244
Hunter, W. D., ... 215, 305
Johnson, C. W., 15
Johnson, W. G., . . . 106, 150
Kellogg, V. L., 174
King, G B., 167
Klages, E. A 12, 13, 197
Knab, F., 113
Knaus, W., 96
Kunze, R. E., 9, 86
Lafler, H. A., 62
Laurent, P. 300-
Letcher, B., 223
Lyman, H. H., 172
McLachlan, R., 175
INDEX.
Moore, I. F., Jr., 80
Oestlund, O. W., 225
Ormonde, F., 200
Ottolengui, R., . . . 35, 124, 227
Patton, W. H., . . . . 202, 248
Pergande, T., 63
Pilate, G. R., 15
Ricksecker, L. E., . . . . 230
Ridings, J. H., . . 119, 120, 214
Schaus, W. T., 288
Schmitz, T. H., 22, 58, 95, 119, 184,
213, 255, 282, 319.
Seiss, C. F., 148
Sharp, D., 44
Skinner, H., . 59, 150, 279, 284
Slosson, Mrs. A. T., . 40, 238, 262
Smith, J. B., 10, 26, 46, 82, 106, 137
177, 204, 245, 253, 269, 284, 307. '
Snyder, A. J., . . . . 99, 119
Stanley, H. M. 232
Stetson, C. P. 179
Truman, P. C 298
Webster, F. M., 139
Weith, R. J., 104
Wenzel, H. W., 294
Wheeler, W. M., 121, 152, 185, 189
Whiton, J. M. 16
Wil listen, S. W., 184
Wolcott, A. B. 234
EXT. NEWS, Vol. VII.
PI. I.
THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS, M.D.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. vii. JANUARY, 1896. No. i.
CONTENTS:
Thaddeus William Harris, M.D i Notes and News i;
Hamilton The Red Bug 2 Entomological Literature 17
Calvert Notes on European entomo- Doings of Societies: 21
logical collections 4 Entomological Section 22
Schaus Notes on the Noctuidse, etc.... 7 Davidson On the nesting habits of Au-
Editorial 9 thidium consimile " 22
Economic Entomology 10 Smith Desc. of new sp. of Noctuida..
THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS, M.D.
This month we present our readers with a picture of one of
the greatest entomologists America has produced. We suppose
but few of our readers have already seen a picture of Dr. Harris
and that is our reason for publishing it. He was born in Dor-
chester, Mass., Nov. 12, 1795, and died on Jan. 16 1856, at the
age of sixty. Dr. Harris graduated from Harvard College in
1815, and took the degree of M.D. in 1820. He published about
one hundred and fourteen papers on entomological subjects, but
his principal work was " Insects Injurious to Vegetation," which
is a classic, and also of value to the present day; and it is doubt-
ful whether the beginner can have any better general work on
entomology than the Flint edition of this book. It is not < mi-
purpose to say much about Dr. Harris, as this has aln.ulv been
ably done; we merely present his likeness to those who have not
seen it.
DURING one of my last collecting trips in September (Queens County.
N. Y.) I found on sprouts of white birch, all from one root aiul not over
thirty inches high, thirty-eight larvce of Paonin a/its. I'sii.tlly this
species does not oviposit more than three or four ova on one busli.-
R. E. KUNZE.
2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ January ;
THE RED BUG.
By JOHN HAMILTON. M.D.
Trombidinm (Lcf>tus) irritans Riley. This, for the informa-
tion of the unitiated, is not a beetle, nor a butterfly; in fact,
judging from its size, it is, so to speak, not much of anything.
It is said to be the larva of some species of Trombidium of
which is yet unknown; it is scarlet red, about the size of a pin
point, say the one thousandeth part of an inch in length and has
six legs (for its figure see Riley's Missouri Reports, vi, p. 122).
A small thing, but mighty; a torturer a murderer of sleep the
tormenter of entomologists, botanists and others who encroach
on its domains;. not that it bites or stings it does neither; worse
than either, it just tickles. In olden times, when torturing was
in vogue, the very acme of human suffering is said to have been
induced by a tickling machine, some of which seem to be yet
extant in some museum collections of such implements.
It is thought to be a vegetarian, inhabiting the coarse grasses
growing along ditches and low grounds. Its mode of action is
about this: it gets on the clothing, perhaps by accident, and
from its minuteness, readily passes through garments, even ol
the finest texture, till it reaches the skin, over which it crawls
till it comes to one of the larger sweat tubes or pores; say, one
six hundred and seventieth of an inch in diameter, and not
knowing what kind of territory it has traveled to, it starts down
on a tour of investigation ; as the tube is very tortuous and
scarcely longer than the Red Bug (by which name it is univer-
sally known) its progress is necessarily slow, requiring from
about 1 8 to 36 hours to reach the end of the tube which is closed,
and which becomes its tomb. The victim is not aware of what
is in store till disrobing for the night, when, if there has been no
former experience, there is suddenly developed a bad case of
hives, nettlerash, urticaria, all blamed on the oyster, fish and
pastry diet of the hotel; a rigid course of dieting and medication
is instituted next day, the young hotel doctor always, to his great
gain and reputation, confirming the diagnosis of the sufferer.
The phenomena following its entrance into the tube is about this:
a large circular elevation similar to that in nettlerash forms in a
few hours, which on being exposed to the air by dissolving be-
comes intensely itchy; don't scratch; if you do, you are undone,
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEV.'S. 3
the more you scratch the more you want to. In about thirty -
six hours a little blister appears, succeeded by a scab the size of
a split pea, the irritation gradually subsides, the scale falls in
about six weeks leaving a deep and permanent pit as in small-pox.
Such is the usual course, but there are some more serious
records. A Georgia newspaper gives an. account of a death from
blood poisoning caused by this Red Bug. Medical journals con-
tain notices of erysipelas of the lower extremities from the same
cause, and the writer knows of a certain gentleman, who shall be
nameless, who lay last Spring near two weeks in a Florida hotel
with his lower limbs soaked with tannin in glycerin and done up
in iodoform. Entire or comparative immunity from the Red Bug
is enjoyed by many of the long-time residents of southern
Florida, why, has not been ascertained absolutely, but as they
seldom acquire flesh, and their skin become swarthy with a
leathery appearance, it may be that the larger sweat tubes con-
tract too greatly to admit of its entrance.
As palliatives of the horrible itchiness, camphor, ammonia,
Pond's extract, etc., are used with more or less success. If taken
in time the bug can be killed and the itch arrested. According
to an old gardener a good lathering with a strong soap before
retiring does the business, if used in the evening of the day of
infection, it being his opinion that the soap closes the pores and
smothers the bug before it has done much mischief. An effectual
mode of abortion if done in .time, as the writer has witnessed, is
a good sponging with a solution of carbolic acid, one ounce in a
quart of water, after a good soap bath.
The Red Bug is known from Florida to Texas, and northward
to Missouri and along the Atlantic coast to New Jersey, though
I never met with it there. My friend, Rev. Prof. Jerome Schmitt,
had a little engagement with it in southern Missouri. Mr. H. F.
Wickham felt one or two in Texas. It seems to have entirely-
neglected Mrs. Annie Trumbull Slosson, as she does not mention
it, an omission highly improbable, as she always speaks in an
inimitable way of the many curious incidents attending her en-
tomological tours. Had she had an encounter with the aggres-
sive Red Bug, the narrative would doubtlessly have been in
sportive iambics or tragic verse, probably the latter.
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
NOTES ON EUROPEAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
By PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D.
It having been suggested that readers of the NEWS would be
interested to know something of European entomological mu-
seums, the opportunities which the writer has enjoyed of per-
sonally examining some of these have been availed of to gather
some data of a general character which are here presented.
I. THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
The Natural History collections of the British Museum were
formerly also contained in the classical building on Great Russell
St., Bloomsbury, London, W. C. , which is now devoted to art
and literature. They were removed to the present handsome
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington,
London, S. W., rathe'r more than a decade ago, under the direc-
torship of Prof. (Sir) Richard Owen. The present director is
Sir William Henry Flower.
While the Insects are represented in the show collections open
to the public by specimens selected to illustrate their anatomy,
development, habits, classification and such special subjects as
mimicry and melanism, the valuable material " for students only"
is to be found in the Department of Insects, lodged in the base-
ment in a continuous series of rooms between the front wall and
a corridor parallel thereto. Light is afforded by the windows
facing Cromwell Road, having a southern exposure; before these
are the tables for the use of the Museum entomologists and stu-
dents. The cases containing the collections are in that part of
each room which lies next to the corridor, and are not so well
lighted as one could wish, since the only source of light is the
above-mentioned row of windows at the other end of the rooms.
The specimens are preserved in drawers with glass tops, enclosed
in cases with solid doors.
The staff of the Museum at the present time includes the fol-
lowing entomologists, well known by name to the readers of the
department of Entomological Literature of this journal: Messrs.
A. G. Butler (Assistant Keeper), C. O. Waterhouse (in charge
of the Department of Insects), E. E. Austen, C. J. Gahan, G.
H. Hampson, F. A. Heron, W. F. Kirby and R. I. Pocock.
There are also four boy attendants. While the Department can
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5
not and does not undertake to identify insects for those who might
desire such a favor, it will answer inquiries addressed to it as to
whether specimens sent are or are not of such and such a given
species, the type or types of which are presumably in the British
Museum collections.
Thanks to the kindness of a friend, the following list mentions
some of the more important contents of these collections.
GENERAL.
The original Museum collection quoted by Fabricius more than
a hundred years ago.
Sir Joseph Banks' collection of about the same date, kept as
a separate collection in Fabrician order.
Dr. Leach's collection.
Hope, Rev. F. W. Types of species described in Gray's Zoo-
logical Miscellany.
Curtis, J. Types of species collected by Capt. King, in South
America.
Kirby, Rev. W. Types of his "Century of Insects" and of
North American species.
Stephens, J. F. His entire collection (British).
Gray, G. R. Most of the species described in Griffith's
" Animal Kingdom."
Newman, E. A considerable number of types of N. American
and Australian species.
Walker, F. All those described in the Museum Catalogue.
COLEOPTERA.
Laferte. A first selection of his Lamellicorns (4000), includ-
ing types from Reiche's collection.
Clark, Rev. H. Entire collection of Hydradephaga and Phv-
tophaga.
Bowring, J. C. Entire collection, 230,000 specimens, includ-
ing Chevrolat's Longicornia intact, Jekel's Rhynchophora ami
Tatam's Geodephaga.
Saunders, E. Buprestidre entire, 7200 specimens.
Bates, F. Heteromera entire, 22,000 specimens.
Wollaston, T. V. His collections from the Canaries, M.ulnr.i,
Cape Verde Is., St. Helena.
6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Murray, A. Nitidulidae, and a considerable portion of his
Old Calabar collection.
Baly, J. S. Phytophaga entire, except Cassidae.
Crotch, G. R. A collection made in the Azores by F. Ducane
Gcdman and named by Crotch.
Blackburn, Rev. T. Collection made in the Hawaiian islands.
Waterhouse, G. R. Nearly all his types.
Pascoe, F. P. Entire collection, about 3000 types, 48,000
specimens.
Godman & Salvin. " Biologia Centrali- Americana. " As the
different portions of this work have been completed, Messrs.
Godman & Salvin have presented to the Museum the specimens
referred to; so far 61,800 specimens have been received, including:
the
Geodephaga described by H. W. Bates.
Lamellicornia and Pectinicornia described by H. W. Bates,
Buprestidse described by C. O. Waterhouse.
Eucnemidae described by Dr. G. H. Horn.
Heteromera descrided by G. C. Champion.
Bruchidae described by Dr. D. Sharp.
Phytophaga described by M. Jacoby.
Longicornia described by H. W. Bates and C. J. Gahan.
Parry, Major. Portions of his Lucanidae.
Gorham, Rev. H. S. Endomychidae.
Wallace, A. R. Portions of his Cetoniidae, Euryomia, etc.
Walker, F. Numerous types of Ceylonese species, and species
from Vancouver.
NEUROPTERA.
Hagen, H. A. Types of Termites collected by Bates on the
Amazons.
Pictet, F. A series of typical Phryganids.
HYMENOPTERA.
Kirby, Rev. W. Bees described in his " Apium Angliae."
Smith, F. A first selection from his collection of exotics, in-
cluding many types described by de Saussure.
Devignes. British Ichneumonidae.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 7
LEPIDOPTERA.
Haworth. Types of his " Lepidoptera Britannica."
Stainton, H. T. Entire collection, 27, 300 specimens.
Hewitson, W. C. Entire collection of exotic butterflies, 24,600
specimens.
Moore, F. Collection of Indian Lepidoptera.
Frey. European collection, 18,000 specimens.
Zeller. European collection, 31,000 specimens.
The writer would feel that he were lacking in courtesy were he
to omit to record his grateful appreciation of the fact an im-
portant one in this connection of his being received here and
elsewhere in entomological circles in London with the greatest
kindness, and afforded the opportunities of examining such in-
sects and books as he desired for his studies. Nay further, his
experience in Europe generally has been of such a pleasant char-
acter as to lead him to state that the American entomologist has
nothing but a kindly welcome to expect from his European co-
laborers.
BERLIN, Oct. 26, 1895.
Notes on the Noctuidae Described by Guenee in the
Saunder's Collection.
By WILLIAM SCHAUS.
While working at Walker's American types in the Oxford
Museum I have come across the species described by Guenee
from the Saunder's collection, and I think the following notes of
interest to American Lepidopterists.
Perigea turpis Gn., spec, gen., Noct. i, 232.
This species is a small specimen of Perigea sutor Gn., the type
of which I have recently examined through the kindness of Mr.
Oberthiir, and both refer to P. claufada Walk. - fabrefacta
Morr. The species will stand in North American lists as /'.
sulor Gn.
/'.riopits monetifera Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 295.
Now placed in the genus Mctathorasa Moore.
Ingura lunodes Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 310.
Correctly identified in collections. The species is widely
spread, common in Mexico, and will probably be found in Te
8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Ingura oculatrix Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 313.
Correctly identified in collections.
Diastema tigris Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 317.
The types are with Mr. Oberthiir and at Oxford.
Gonodonta serix Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 370.
This is a synonym of G. pyrgo Cr.
Gonodonta holosericea Gn., sp. gen., Noct. ii, 371.
Correctly identified in most collections.
Gonodonta sinaldus Gn., sp. gen., Noct. ii, 372.
A well-known species.
Achantodes cerusicosta Gh., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 387.
This is a Pyral, and is correctly named in the Brit. Museum.
Anomis grandipuncta Gn., spec, gen., Noct. ii, 400.
The synonymy of this species is correctly given by Prof.
Smith in his catalogue of Noctuidae, p. 243.
Coenipeta lobuligera Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 32.
The type agrees perfectly with C. lilacina Btl., which has been
placed in the British Museum as a synonym of C. serapis Cr. ;
this last being the oldest name.
Stictoptera vitrea Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 53.
Correctly identified in collections.
Bolina novanda Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 64.
B. lucigera Wlk., B. agrotoidcs Wlk. , B. evelina Btl. and B.
agrotipennis Harvey are synonyms of this species. Prof. Smith,
in his catalogue of Noctuidae, considers B. agrotipennis Harvey
as a dark form of B. jucunda Hiibn. I have good series of both
species, and have carefully examined the specimens in the British
Museum, and believe them to be quite distinct.
Bolina heliothoides Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 76.
A synonym of H. andremona Cr.
Peosina saundersii Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 133.
This is the 9 of P. mexicana Gn., spec, gen., Noct. iii, 132.
Stonia opistographa Gn., sp. gen., Noct. iii, 212.
A distinct species, arid not a synonym of 6". lignaris Hiibn.
Qphisma ablunaris Gn., spec, gen., Noct , iii, 237.
A variable species.
Athyrma donnitri.r Gn., spec, gen., Noct., iii, 263.
A synonym of A. adjutrix Cr.
'Azeta tineas Gn., spec, gen., Noct., iii, 359.
A variable, but well-known species.
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Published monthly (except July and August), in charge of the joint
publication committees of the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and the American Entomological
Society. It will contain not less than 300 pages per annum. It will main-
tain no free list whatever, but will leave no measure untried to make it a
necessity to every student of insect life, so that its very moderate annual
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ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 81.00, IN ADVANCE.
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of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, Logan Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., JANUARY, 1896.
WITH this number the NEWS begins another year and another
C3 ^
volume, and it has been decided by the joint Publication Com-
mittee of the American Entomological Society and the Entomo-
logical Section of The Academy of Natural Sciences to so con-
tinue it and maintain the same low price, which is about one-third
what the publication would cost if the services of those gentle-
men devoting their time to it were paid. We think we give more
for the money than any kindred journal in the world, and we are
willing to continue the good work with a view of advancing the
study of entomology. Our monthly edition this year will be
six hundred copies. To accommodate those who contribute
articles we should have at least fifty pages a month, so that all
articles can promptly appear in print. Turn in and help us
increase our subscription list and we will give you a littv-
page illustrated monthly journal of entomology that all may be
proud of.
DURING July of 1895, I took on flowers of swamp milkweed,
carnosa, and pasture thistle, two fine Ilcniaris ///r.viV. var. u>ii/nni*. in
two localities of Westchester County, N. V. 1 also received from a col-
lector in Manitoba three specimens of the same variation, which seem to
be the prevailing firm in that Northern region. Dr. K V.. Kr.x/K.
io ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J,
Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor, Prof John.
B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
A Correction. The peculiar combination of letters in the title of Mr:
Johnson's note in the NEWS for December, page 324, is intended for
Ephestia kuhniella. I have been afraid to try to pronounce what the
letters, as they are printed, actually do spell; but of course the mistake is
chargeable against the "devil." The word "sprouts" in the same article
should read "spouts."
Monocrepidius vespertinus Injuring Beans In the December number is
a short note in the proceedings of the Feldman Collecting Social, made
by Mr. Wenzel, to the effect that the above species was found at Dacosta,
N. J., feeding on beans in such numbers as to ruin the crop for market
purposes. This insect is not usually a very common one in general col-
lecting; but according to Mr. Wenzel's story, corroborated by Mr. Bland,
any number of them were to be found in this field of beans. They were
feeding upon the pods, nibbling little holes here and there, around which
a black spot then made its appearance, causing the beans to become unfit
for market. I have never had such a case brought to my attention before,
and have never found these insects in any numbers on cultivated land. It
seems an exceptional habit; but possibly there may be other records that
I have not noticed, and if so, this department of the NEWS would be a
good place to call attention to them. I have frequently seen black spots
on wax beans, but these have been always due to the "Bean spot," a
fungus disease.
A new way to use Kerosene. A few days ago, after lecturing to my class
on scale insects and the best methods to be adopted for their destruction,
one of the students informed me that he had a very much simpler method
of using kerosene than that described by me, and which always proved
throroughly successful. According to him, when a tree on his father's
farm became scaly, or covered with lichens or other vegetable growth,
the trunk was drenched during the Winter with kerosene, to which they
then set fire. The kerosene burnt off clean, taking with it scales and all
abnormal vegetable growths and leaving it perfectly clean to the sound
bark. He assured me that in no case were trees thus treated injured; but
also said that it was the trunk and perhaps a few larger branches only
that were treated in this way. I happened to have a number of twigs,
and branches that were badly covered with the Scurfy Scale, in my labo-
ratory, and on two of these I tried the experiment. I dipped the speci-
mens into pure kerosene and almost immediately set them a lire-, placing
them upright on the steam radiator. The kerosene burnt ofi without
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IF
touching the wood, except where it was dry and withered, and on cutting
into the bark afterward I found that apparently no injury had been done
below the outer surface; in fact, except for the smudgy appearance on the
outside of the bark it was entirely normal. As for the scales, they had
been burnt away nearly Clean; here and there a partial cluster of eggs
could be found, and occasionally a fragment of a scale still remained on
the surface. Had I allowed the kerosene to penetrate a little before set-
ting it afire, I have no doubt the scales would have been burned away
completely. This seems like a very heroic remedy, but after all it may
not be as bad as it looks. On living tissue a thin film of kerosene will
burn away rapidly without developing heat enough to injure the bark
itself, while at the same time it would probably take with it all surface
excrescences and attachments like scales. The method is worthy of trial
at any rate, and this note is published to induce those who may be in a
position to test it, to do so. The tree should be sprayed with pure kero-
sene through a Vermorel nozzle, and then, after allowing the material to
remain, say ten to fifteen minutes, it could be lighted at the bottom. Pos-
sibly some of the yet lighter and more inflammable oils might also find a
use in this way. A sound tree during the Winter season will stand a good
deal of application to the outer bark without showing injury. If any ex-
periments are made in this direction I would be obliged to hear of the
results through this department of the NEWS.
Scolytus 4-spinosus. The article in the November number of ENTO-
MOLOGICAL NEWS on Scolytus j-spinosus Say, was of special interest to
me.
There are three species of the genus found near Crafton, Allegheny
County, Pa., namely j-spinosus Say, muticus Say, and rugulosus Ratz.
The injury done by the former and latter of these species in this locality
is such as to warrant the belief that unless some practical and efficient
method for checking their ravages is adopted, that it will not be long be-
fore the several varieties of hickory about here, as well as certain kinds
of fruit trees in young orchards, will be extirpated.
In this locality hickory is not very abundant; just one here and there as
it were. In March, 1894, I selected several trees conveniently located,
and deadened a greater or less portion of each for the purpose of rearing
insects. Among the trees was a large hickory, the upper twenty feet or
so being deadened, but not cut down till about the first of April of this
year, when I placed it in tight barrels with a piece of muslin serving as
the top, it being held down by the hoops. For more accurate observa-
tion I placed the twigs, large branches and trunk in separate barrels,
which afterwards proved of some significance more particularly with
other kinds of wood, such as ash and butternut, in which it is even advi-
sable to separate the trunk where the rough bark ends and the smooth
bark begins. It might be well to state that none of the wood has ever
been moistened since being barreled, or rather since being taken in.
I do not intend to enumerate the various species so far emerged, but
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
will confine myself to Scolytus, two species of which were reared from
this tree, principally from the trunk. They were S. ^.-spinosus and 6". rn-
gulosus, there being but a few of the latter. As to the former species, a
detailed account is appended showing when and how many emerged.
My own observations go to show that trees in full health and vigor are
not so liable to be attacked by Sco/ytns. I do not mean to imply that it
is always necessary for some other insect to start the work of destruction,
but on the contrary the effects of a severe drought is sufficient excuse for
these beetles to start their work on any trees that may have suffered from
the lack of water.
The Summer of 1894 witnessed a severe drought in this locality; a few
of our trees began to wither, and three of these were then attacked by
Scolytus, who hastily completed the deadly work by eating holes in the
bark, apparently for no other purpose but food. One of these trees was
wild cherry, it being killed by 5. rugulosus; the other two were " Black
Tartarian" cherries, and were killed by 6". f-spinosus.
Sco/ytns inuilcus does not seem to be a pest here; I have found it very
rare, save on the occasion of which I shall now speak. On the fifth of
August, 1895, I ran across a tree which had been burned in the early part
of the previous year. The fire had charred it to a considerable height,
and upon examination I found that it contained a number of living in-
habitants, among them being the larva and imago of 6". nuiticits. Being
in need of the latter I sawed off one of the main lower branches and
barreled it. The following list gives the dates of the emergence of the
specimens:
Scolytus 4 spinosus. Raised from hickory.
May 26 i June 7 2 June 17 6
" 29 2 "83 " 1 8 2
" 30 8 " 9 n " 198
" 31 3 " 10 10 " 20 5
June i 10 " ii 15 21 i
" 2 8 " 12 14 " 227
"39 " 13 5 " 263
412 " 14 8 " 281
" 5 i " 1612 July 20i
Scolytus ntiiticiis. Raised from burnt tree.
Aug. 6 10 Ai'g. 13 12 Sept. 3 6
750 "149 " 43
825 "15-8 "5-2
920 ' 16 3 " 62
10-14 " 17 4 " 7-3
11 15 " IS 2 " 92
12 12 "31 2 " 104
HOWARD A. KLAGES.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13
Lixus concavus Say, as an Injurious Insect. In Allegheny County, Pa.,
the natural food-plant of this beetle is the common Burdock, the insect
breeding in the stem of the plant. It is indeed unfortunate that this spe-
cies is rapidly acquiring a decided taste for Rhubarb, upon which it already
depredates to a considerable extent. These beetles being of some size
and quite sluggish in movement may be readily picked by hand; they
occur from early Spring until late in Fall, being more abundant about the
first of June. EDWARD A. KLAGES.
Mr. Klages' communication on the Lixus is interesting. This particular
species is a common eastern form, and is numerous on the Rhubarb in
New Jersey ; yet it rarely does any severe injury, because the growers
find it profitable to keep the plants trimmed up in good shape, and to
use up the leaves about as fast as they mature. Most of them have
learned, by practical experience, that it does not pay to allow them to
rot on the plants and therefore except in an abandoned patch here and
there, the leaves are generally found to be in good condition. This is not
an insect that need be much feared, provided reasonable care is exercised
in keeping down those leaves in which the larvae can develop. Although
the beetles are not active, yet they frequently evade capture by dropping
to the ground when disturbed, and when this is among grass they are not
easily found unless the place where they dropped is carefully noted.
Notes and.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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 circumfei-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy' 1 into the hands of the printer, for each number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for 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. ED.
THE staff of the Deparment of Insects of the U. S. National Museum
has been reorganized as a result of the sad death of the former Honorary
Curator, Professor C. V. Riley.
The reorganization has been effected by the appointment of Mr. L. O.
Howard, Entomologist of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, to the
position of Honorary Curator of the Department of Insects; of Mr. \Vm.
H. Ashmead to the position of Custodian of Hymenoptera; and Mr. D.
W. Coquillett teethe position of Custodian of Diptera. All museum cus-
todians are honorary officers. Mr. M. L. Linell will remain as general
assistant to the Honorary Curator.
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
The Department is at present in excellent condition. It contains a very
great amount of material in all orders, and in many directions surpasses
any collection in the country. Among others the following are of espe-
cial interest:
The large collection, in all orders, of the late Dr. C. V. Riley. All of
the material gathered during the past eighteen years by correspondents,
field agents, and the office staff of the Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture. Part of the collection of the late Asa Fitch.
The large collection, in all orders, of the late G. W. Belfrage. The col-
lections in Lepidoptera and Coleoptera made by Dr. John B. Smith down
to 1889, together with the types of the Noctuidae since described by Dr.
Smith. The collection of Lepidoptera of the late O. Meeske. The col-
lection of Lepidoptera of G. Boyer. The collection of Coleoptera of M.
L. Linell. A part of the collection, in all orders, of the late H. K. Mor-
rison. The collection of Diptera of the late Edward Burgess. The type
collection of Syrphidse made by Dr. S. W. Williston. The collection of
Ixodidae of the late George Marx. The collection of Myriapoda of the
late C. H. Bollman. Sets of the neo-tropical collections of Herbert
Smith. The collection of Hymenoptera of Wm. J. Fox. The collection
of Tineina of Wm. Beutenmuller. The large Japanese collection, in all
orders, of Dr. K. Mitsurkuri. The African collections, in all orders, of
Dr. W. L. Abbott, Wm. Astor Chanler, J. F. Brady, the last "Eclipse"
expedition to West Africa, and of several missionaries. The large col-
lection from South California of D. W. Coquillett, in Coleoptera, Hy-
menoptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. The Townend Glover manu-
scripts and plates. In addition to this material there are minor c llections
which have been the result of the work of government expeditions, or
are gifts from United States Consuls and many private individuals.
This enormous mass of material is being cared for by the active and
honorary force of the Department, and the perpetuity of the collection is
assured. The National Museum building is fire-proof, and this, together
with the fact that it is a national institution, renders the Department of
Insects a good place for the permanent deposit of types by working spec-
ialists in entomology. The policy of the Museum at large, with regard
to the use of its collections by students is a broad and liberal one. Stu-
dents are welcome in all departments, and every facility is given to sys-
tematists of recognized standing. L. O. HOWARD.
IN the Century Dictionary, under Chrysops, there is an error that would
be misleading to any one not familiar with Diptera. Three figures are
given with the following explanation: " i, Female of common cleg (Chrv-
sops ccecutiens}; 2 and 3, other species of same genus (all natural size)."
Now, number i is not C. ccecutiens, but a Hcematopota, probably H. pin-
2'itt/is, a species almost identical with our H. americana. Number 2 is
C. coecutiens, and number 3 is Tabanus bovitins. All are European spe-
cies. The figures are good and readily referable to the above species
which I have in my collection. There is also a statement in the generic
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15
definition that has probably been derived from the description of the larva?
of the genus Chrysopa, viz., " Their larvae are useful in destroying plant-
lice." Although little is known of the larvae of the genus Chrysops, it is
certain that this statement is incorrect. Like other members of the family
Tabanidae they are carnivorous, and live in damp earth. The larvae of
many of the Tabanids are subaquatic. C. W. JOHNSON.
FOOD-PLANT AND LARVA OF NATHALIS IOLE Bdv. In Mr. Osborn's
interesting notes of the Rhopalocera of Tennessee, he writes of N. io/e,
"food-plant unknown." Permit me to give this information: The eggs
are laid on the "Fetid Marigold," Dysodea chrysanthemoides Lag., a
very ill-scented annual with yellow flowers. The eggs hatch in three days
(the quickest of any butterfly eggs I am acquainted with); they are tall
and slender like the eggs of Colias, but smoother. The mature larva is
shaped like that of oleracea, but has two bristle tipped projections in
front of second segment, the surface of body is also covered with stiff
hairs arising from pale green tubercles, color of head and body dark
:green, with broad, purple-black dorsal stripe, and two fine lines of yellow
and black along the spiracles; duration of larval period ten to thirteen
days; the pupa is .38 in. long, slender, the abdomen tapering, head-case
produced, rounded bluntly at top, and rounded at sides; mesonotum
rather prominent, the top narrow, but not carinated; color of dorsum and
all the abdomen yellowish green, dotted thickly with yellow-white, ven-
tral sides of wing-cases dark green; duration of pupa stage six to eight
days. In Colorado there are several broods in the year, the last hiber-
nating in pupa state, but frequently the frosts in September will destroy
the plants and whole colonies of half-grown larvae, and the insect is not
seen in the same locality again for a year or two. DAVID BRUCE.
Thecla sheridanii Edw. This pretty species was first taken in Mon-
tana, near the Yellowstone, and described by Mr. Edwards in " Field and
Forest" in 1877. I believe the type remained unique until 1890, when I
turned up a few examples near Palmer Lake, Colorado. I have taken
one or two specimens every year since. I also detected it in a small col-
lection made near Denver by my friend, Mr. E. Oslar, of Colorado Springs,
and Prof. Gillette has met with it near Fort Collins. It is a small species,
dark grayish brown on upper sides, the under sides of all wings a dark,
yet rich green, with a very distinct common white line cut into spots by
the veins and edged inwardly with black; it occurs in April and July, and
frequents low flowers in grassy slopes and meadows. Mr. Strecker, in
his "Synonymic List," has devoted twelve lines to an amusing critique
of the trivial name of this insect, which, however, he failed to spell cor-
rectly. DAVID BRUCE.
I WOULD like to ask two questions to be answered through subscribers
to the ENT. NEWS: What is the best way to kill and preserve Coleoptera
and to pack them away for mailing without mounting them ? What is the
best and surest remedy for snake and spicier bites and for scorpion stings,
that can be carried along on a collecting trip ? G. R. PILATE, Tifton, Ga.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
LUTHER'S SADDEST EXPERIENCE.
Luther, he was persecuted,
Excommunicaied, hooted,
Disappointed egged, and booted;
Yelled at by minutest boys,
Waked up by nocturnal noise,
Scratched and torn by fiendish cats,
Highvvayed by voracious rats.
Oft upon his locks so hoary
Water fell from upper story;
Oft a turnip or potato
Struck upon his back or pate, Oh!
And wherever he betook him,
A paper bull was sure to hook him.
But the saddest of all
I am forced to relate;
Of a diet of worms
He was forced to partake,
Of a diet of worms
For the Protestants' sake;
Munching crawling caterpillars,
Beetles mixed with moths and millers;
Instead of butter, on his bread
A sauce of butterflies was spread.
Was not this a horrid feast
For a Christian and a priest?
Now if you do not credit me,
Consult D'Aubigne's history.
You'll find what I have told you
Most fearfully and sternly true.
NOTE. The above stanzas appeared in the "Yale Literary Magazine"
in or near the year 1852, from the pen, I believe, of a student. This
transcript from memory is believed to be nearly accurate.
J. M. WHITON.
The following lines "to a spider which inhabited a cell," are from the
Anthologia Borealis et Australis:
In this wild, groping, dark, and drearie cove,
Of wife, of children, and of health bereft,
I hailed thee, friendly Spider, who hadst wove
Thy mazy net on yonder mouldering raft:
Would that the cleanlie housemaid's foot had left
Thee tarrying here, nor took thy life away;
For thou, from out this scare old ceiling's cleft,
Came down each morn to hede my plaintive lay;
Joying like me to heare sweete musick play,
Wherewith I'd fein beguile the dull, dark, lingering day.
Cowan s Curious Fads.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IJ
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions : ist, The number of species
to be limited to twenty-five for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans-
portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor,
who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with aU insects
for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. Ill,
Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan
Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North
and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs, or con-
taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of
insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded.
1. LE NATURALISTE CANADIEN, xxii, 10. The last descriptions of
L'Abbe Provancher (cont.). Ibid, xxii. Continuation of same artitle.
2. THE OTTAWA NATURALIST, ix, 8. Pamphila peckius, }. F. Sphinx
liiscifiosa, J. F.
3. ZOOLOGISCHER JAHRBUCHER (Abtheilung fur Systematik, Geo-
graphic und Biologic cler Thiere), viii, Heft 5. New experiments on the
seasonal dimorphism of butterflies, A. Weismann. The genus Dorylus
Fabr. and the systematic classification of the Formicidae, C. Emery. Or-
thoptera of Paraguay collected by Dr. J. Bohls, E. Giglio Tos.
4. JENAISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT FUR NATURWISSENSCHAFT. HERAUSGE-
GEBEN VON DER MEDISINISCH-NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHEN GESELL-
SCHAFT zu JENA, xxx, Heft i. The development of the spinning appa-
ratus in Trochosa singoriensis Laxm., with regard to the abdominal
appendages and the wings in insects, A. Jaworowski.
5. SCIENCE, New Series, ii, No. 46. Katydid orchestration, E. Coues
and A. P. Bostwick.
6. PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE NOVA SCOTIAN INSTITUTE
OF SCIENCE. Halifax, vol. viii, pt. 4. Notes on Nova Scotian Zoology,
No. 3 [note on Acheta abbreviata}, H. Piers.
7. TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin No. 36.
Insect enemies of the sweet-potato, R. H. Price. Insecticides, ibid.
S. ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, JAHRGANG, xxi, Heft 20. Ethio-
pian Rhopalocera ii (conclusion), F. Karsch. Ibid. Heft 21. Review
1 8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
of the species of toe Coleopterous genus Necrophorus Fabr. of -the pake-
arctic fauna, E. Reitter.
9. JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, September,
1895. New genera and species of the Tachinidce, D. W. Coquillett. New
North American Tettiginae, ii, A. P. Morse. The eversible repugnatorial
scent glands of insects, A. S. Packard. Some Acarians from a sphagnum
swamp, N. Banks. Larva of Demas propinquilinea; its systematic posi-
tion, H. G. Dyar. Note on the Smerinthinse, A. R. Grote. On the cor-
relation of habit in Nemoscerous and Brachycerous Diptera between
aquatic larvae and blood-sucking adult females, C. H. T. Townsend.
Descriptions of the preparatory stages of Ennomos Alniaria (Linn.), W.
Beutenmuller. Note on Hyperchiria io var. liliffi, ibid. Insects at
Watchogue and Beulah Land, Staten Island, N. Y., VV. T. Davis. [Note
on] Thecla acadica, Catocala coccinata, Phyciodes nycteis and Dichelo-
iivcha fuscula, W. B. Proceedings of the New York Entomological So-
ciety (May 31 and June 4, 1895).
10. ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGER, No. 488. The coxal gland of Tely-
phonus caudatns, T. Adensamer.
11. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, ii, 6 On a case of pre-
sumed protective imitiation, F. A. A. Skuse.
12. REVUE SUISSE DE ZOOLOGIE ET ANNALES DU MUSEE D'HISTOIKE
NATURELLE DE GENEVE, Tome lii, fasc. 2. Revision of the Tribes Panes-
thini and Epilamprini (Orthoptera of the family Blattidas), H. de Saussure.
13. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY,
xxvi, pt. 4. Descriptions of certain Lepidop'terous larva;, H. G. Dyar.
14. THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY, iv, No. 2. Two remarkable
genera of Diptera, S. W. Williston. On Toxotrypana of Gerstaecker,
\V. A. Snow.
15. Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture, 1894.
Some scale insects of the orchard, L. O. Howard. The more important
insects injurious to stored grain, F. H. Chittenden. Insecticides [direc-
tions for their preparation and use].
16. PSYCHE, a journal of entomology, December, 1895. On the Ephe-
meridae and venation nomenclature, Y. L. Kellogg. On the nests and
parasites of Prosopis varifrons Cresson, A. Davidson. The number of
stages in Apatelodes torrcfacta, H. G. Dyar. Deidamia inscripta, C. G.
Soule. Schistocera americana in New England, F. H. Sprague. Insect
collection of the U. S. National Museum. Proceedings of the [Cambridge
Entomological] Club. New Homoptera received from the New Mexico
Agricultural Experiment Station,,!, C. F. Baker. The grape-vine Typh-
locybids of the Mesilla Valley, T. D. A. Cockerell and C. P. Gillette.
Some new insects, T. D. A. Cockerell.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ig
17. OFVERSIGT AF KONGL. VETENSKAPS-AKADEMIENS FORHANDLIX-
GAR, Stockholm, 1895, No. 7. Contributions to the knowledge of the
insect fauna of the Cameroons, iv. Catalogue of the Hemiptera gathered
by Yngve Sjostedt in northwest Cameroons, C. J. E. Haglund.
18. MlTTHEILUNGEN DER SCHWEIZERISCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GK-
SELLSCHAFT( Bulletin de laSocie'te' Entomologique Suisse), Schaffhausen,
ix, pt. 5. Dr. Standfuss' experiments on the influence of extreme tem-
peratures on butterflies, F. Ris. Continuation of Coleoptera Helvetia?.
Ibid., ix, pt. 6. The Papilionidae of North America in their relation
to those of the Old Worle, H. Christ. Review of the other N. American
Diurnals in their relation to those of the Old World, ibid.
19. THE ZOOLOGICAL RECORD, volume the thirty-first, 1894, 8vo. Lon-
don, 1895.
20. ANNALES DBS SCIENCES NATURELLES, ZOOLOGIE, T. xx, Nos. 4-6.
Male genital apparatus of the Hymenoptera (cont.), L. Bordas.
21. LEPIDOPTERA INDICA, F. Moore, part xxiii (deals with part of grcup
Charaxina of the Nymphalinse).
22. ARCHIVES ITALIENNES DE BIOLOGIE, Turin, xxiv, fasc. 2. The
weight of the cocoons of Bombyx niori, from the commencement of their
weaving to the birth of the moth, L. Luciana and L. Tarulli. [Brief ex-
tract from Atti della R. Accademia dei Georgofili, xviii, fasc. 2, 1895.]
23. THE ENTOMOLOGIST. London, No. 391. On the vertical distri-
bution of the Rhopalocera of the Alps, \V. Harcourt-Bath.
24. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST, December, 1895. The classification
of the Lepidoptera on larval characters, H. G. Dyar. Steinmatoiiilus as
an ordinal type, O. F. Cook.
25. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA, second series,
1895-96 [Extract] Presidential Address: Practical Entomology, J.
Fletcher.
26. BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Zoology, part 124. Arachnida-
Araneidea, pp. 145-160, O. P. Cambridge. Coleoptera, vol. iv, pt. 6, pp.
49-80, pi. 3, D. Sharp. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, vol. ii, pp. 233-248, pis.
61 and 62, H. Druce. Rhyncota-Homoptera, vol. ii, pp. 89-112, pi. 7,
\V. W. Fowler.
27. Frail Children of the Air: Excursions into the World of Butterflies.
By Samuel Hubbard Scudder. Houghton, Mifrlin & Co., Boston and
New York. Price $1.50. The book is composed of a number of essays
on butterflies under many different titles, such as " Butterflies in Disguise;
a Study in Mimicry." " Deceptive Devices among Caterpillars." " But-
terflies as Botanists." " Butterfly Sounds." " Nests and other Structures
20 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
made by Caterpillars." "The Eggs of Butterflies." " How Butterflies
pass the Winter." " Aromatic Butterflies." " Antigeny, or Sexual Di-
versity in Butterflies." " A Budget of Curious Facts about Chrysalids."
" Butterflies of the Past, etc." As far as possible these papers have been
divested of technical details, and in many cases revised or extended, to
bring them up to date. These fragments will show, as well as a more
elaborate treatise, that there is much to be learned from the study of the
lives and structure of our every-day butterflies as can be gleaned in any
other branch of natural history. This is a book that can't fail to interest
and instruct students of the Lepidoptera.
INDEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT.
Packard 9, Davis 9, Sharp 19.
MYRIAPODA.
Cook 24.
ARACHNIDA.
Jaworowski 4, Banks 9*, Adensamer 10, Cambridge 26*.
ORTHOPTERA.
Giglio-Tos3, Coues and Bostwick 5, Piers 6, Morse 9*, deSaussure 12*,
Sprague 16.
NEUROPTERA.
Kellogg 16.
HEMIPTERA.
Baker 16*, Cockerell and Gillette 16*, Cockerell 16*, Haglund 17,
Fowler 26*.
COLEOPTERA.
Reitter 8, W. B, 9, Sharp 26*.
DIPTERA.
Coquillett 9*, Townsend 9, Williston 14*, Snow 14.
LEPIDOPTERA.
J. F. 2, Weismann 3, Karsch 8, Dyar 9, 13, 16, 24, Grote 9, Beutenmiiller
9 (three), Skuse n, Soule 16, Ris 18, Christ 18 (two), Moore 21, Luciani
and Tarulli 22, Bath 23, Druce 26*, Scudder 27.
HYMENOPTERA.
Provancher i ;; (two), Emery 3, Davidson 16, Cockerell 16*, Bordas 20.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Price 7 (two), Howard 15, Chittenden 15, Fletcher 25.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10, 1895.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1509 S. i3th Street.
Members present : Messrs. Bland, E. Wenzel, Johnson, Castle,
Hoyer, H. W. Wenzel, Fox, Schmitz and Boerner. Honorary
members : Prof. John B. Smith and Dr. Henry Skinner. Meet-
ing called to order at 9.10 P.M., President Bland presiding. The
Committee on Photograph made a final report, the same was ac-
cepted, and, upon motion, the committee was discharged. Dr.
Skinner called attention to difference of opinion among collec-
tors as to the proper season for collecting Cychrus, desiring the
members views thereon; the habits of the species were discussed
by Messrs. Wenzel, Bland, Johnson, Smith and Fox, the data
mentioned ranging from the end of February to the last of Oc-
tober. Mr. H. W. Wenzel exhibited the following species of
Cryptohypnus, stating that out of fifteen specimens of Cryptohyp-
nus obliquatulus collected at Anglesea, N. J., only three speci-
mens had color markings on the elytra, the other being unicol-
ored, he also mentioned that Cryptohypnus chert-is had been taken
in numbers below south Camden, N. J., by himself and Crypto-
hypnus exiguus at Westville, N. J., by W. Reineck. All the
species mentioned were collected during the month of May.
Dr. Skinner suggested the idea of the Social advocating the
adoption, among collectors, of a uniformity in the length of pins,
specifying certain lengths for different orders, and after a discus-
sion made the following motion. The F. C. S. advocates among
collectors a general uniformity in the length of pins, and recom-
mends 35 millimetres for pins under No. 6 Klaeger in all orders
except Orthoptera, Neuroptera and Lepidoptera and for these
orders 38 millimetres under No. 6, the motion being seconded by
Prof. Smith ; it was carried by the members- present without
dissent.
Mr. Johnson stated that in going over a lot of Chrysops re-
cently received. from Dr. W. A. Nason, and the material coller
in North Carolina and Virginia last June, he found it to be very
full on account of the large number of males it contained. Tin
first lot contained eleven specimens, seven species; the second
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
seven specimens, four species. Osten Sacken, in his Monograph,
describes twenty-four species, but of these only five have the
description of both sexes; the species are based entirely on the
females. As the wing and abdominal markings vary considerably
in the two sexes of the same species, it is sometimes quite diffi-
cult to determine the males. Of the twenty-two species in his
collection, he had the males of twelve. The females are very
common during June and July, while the males are rare and
usually found on flowers. The specimens taken in North Caro-
lina were caught on the flowers of the " Chinquapin," or dwarf
chestnut.
Prof. Smith stated that among the moths collected by Laurent,
in Maine last Summer, were two very poor specimens of Noctua
treatii, which is very rare, of which he knew of but one other
specimen which is in the collection of the National Museum.
No further business being presented the meeting adjourned to
the annex at 10.45 P - M -
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF
SCIENCES. The regular meeting was held in the Matthew Laflin
Memorial Building, Lincoln Park, November 15, at 8 P.M. The
Recorder of the Section, Mr. A. J. Snyder, gave an address,
illustrated by maps and stereoptican views, entitled " Snap Shots
taken by an Entomologist in Utah, Idaho and Yellowstone Park."
Xtie Kntornological Section
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
ON THE NESTING HABITS OF ANTHIDIUM CONSIMJLE.
By A. DAVIDSON, M.D., Los Angeles, Cal.
I discovered this bee three years ago, having captured my first
specimen in the process of building its nest in the crevice of a
rock near this city. Since that time I have gathered numerous
specimens of its nest in various parts of San Bernardino and Los
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Angeles Counties. These nests are built either in the crotches
of the terminal branches of shrubs, as shown in the illustration,
or in depressions or angles of stones or boulders lying on the
ground. The nests vary in size according to the number of cells;
if containing six or seven they may be as large as a walnut; it
FIG. i. FIG. 2. FIG. 3.
i. Mass of cells of A. consisnile Ashm.
2. A. consiinile Ashm. on twig.
3. Cell showing cocoon in situ, with nipple-like projection.
only one, little more than a quarter of an inch long; but all are
of the same composition, whether plastered in a crevice of a rock
or cunningly perched on a twig. The main mass in which the
cells are somewhat irregularly arranged is composed of a tough
glue-like substance very copiously intermixed with comparatively
large grains of sand.
Each cell when completed is covered over with these sand
grains closely cemented over its surface, and the next cells placed
alongside and similarly treated until the whole mass which is ulti-
mately neatly rounded off, looks like a fragment of sandstone,
or a miniature conglomerate through which the twig had pushed
its way. The outside, by exposure becomes almost as brittle as
the rock itself, but internally the mass is always soft, though quite
tenacious. The grains and stony fragments utilized to build and
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
cover it externally are those of the immediate neighborhood and
may consequently be either sandstone or granite.
The bees make their exit in the first two weeks of June, and
very soon after commence the construction of their cells, each
nest being, I believe, the product of one bee. The food is the
usual pollen-like mass of medium consistency, and I believe it is
simply deposited in the cell, as with other members of this family,
although in its habit of building this bee forms a strange and
unique contrast to its congener, Anthidium emarginatum, the
life-history of which I have already detailed in these pages.
The larva, when mature spins a cocoon, as shown in the illus-
tration; in form it closely resembles that of A. emarginatum, but
is thinner, and of a somewhat transparent texture, with a promi-
nent nipple. The cell measures rather more than one-fourth
inch long by one-eighth inch wide; the nipple like projection is
one line long and touches the opposite wall of the cell, the larva
in consequence not filling the cell. The nipple is, as usual, on
the side nearest the outer wall of the nest.
In making its exit the bee has a difficult task to accomplish,
and it is not a matter of surprise that it should sometimes be
unable to force its way through the tenacious mass of cement.
From the contour of the point of exit I feel assured that the
exit is accomplished by the aid of a secretion that softens the
cement and allows the bee to force its way out. No fragments
were ever found that would indicate that the bees had gnawed
their way out, nor does it seem possible that such material could
be bitten through by a bee.
The hymenopterous parasites affecting this species are, on ac-
count of the usually exposed situation of the nests, probably
quite numerous, but so far only four have been discovered. The
most common of these is a small bee identified as Alddamea
producta Cress., of which seven emerged in one instance from
one group of cells. Many of the other parasites were unable to
cut their way out, and were discovered dead in situ on breaking
open the cell. Of these, Monodontomems montivagus Ashm. is
tin most common. Leucospis affinis Say, was found once. A
new species named Torymus anthidii Ashm. occupied two cells.
Of the last there were twenty in each cell, the larvit having at-
tacked tlu-ir host just after the cocoon had been spun.
While collecting at Palm Springs on the Colorado desert in
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
April, 1893, I gathered a large nest of this bee from one of the
desert shrubs; the nest had evidently been constructed the pre-
vious season. Some of the occupants found their way out in the
following June, and the remaining cells lay unmolested in my
cabinet until this Spring, when my curiosity prompted me to
examine them. On dissection I found in two of the cells dead,
but apparently full-grown, specimens of Trichodes ornatus var.
tenellus with the thin membranous shroud with which the larvae
had surrounded themselves. In two others larvae were found, one
of which was of a dark vermilion hue, and is probably the larva
of this Trichodes; the other was enclosed in an Anthidiuin co-
coon. I put these two larvae carefully aside, and the bee, which
proved to be a typical A. consimile, issued in July. The beetle
larva is still active and crawling around its prison with apparently
no disposition to reveal its identity.
The Anthidram last to emerge must have remained in the larval
stage for nearly three years, the egg having probably been de-
posited in the Autumn of 1892, and having remained in my pos-
session since April, 1893. This, although unique in this family,
is not the only instance of long continued existence in the larval
state; the historic Osmia of the British Museum having furnished
an example of the same kind.
Instances of bees remaining for more than one season in the
larval state are probably not so very rare. It seems reasonable
to suppose that those species inhabiting such arid districts as
Palm Springs must have some such natural provision to preserve
them from extinction, as it frequently happens that in two succes-
sive seasons absolutely no rain falls, and food must, of necessity,
be very limited.
The beetles found, and the larva still under observation, are
probably of the same species, and present the same peculiarity
as the bees in question, in that some of them remain for an ex-
tended period in the larval state. Of the habits of these beetles
( Trichodes) I know nothing, although I believe some members
of this genus have been found in the nests of bees.
Appended is Mr. Ashmead's description of the two new species:
Anthidium consimile Aslim. n. sp. Female. Length 7 mm. Black,
punctate; a line before front ocellus, the clypeus, the anterior nrhit
widened at clypeus, a small triangular spot on middle of face just Ixluu
insertion of antennae, a stripe on posterior orbits, two l;iri^<.- spots mi an-
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
terior margin of mesonotum, the anterior margin of tegulas, a spot on the
large dilated scale in front of tegulae, a spot on the anterior margin of
mesopleura, hind margin of axillae and scutellum, stripe beneath the an-
terior and middle femora, the tips of all femora, and the anterior face of
tibiae, a spot at base of hind tarsi, the posterior margin of first abdominal
segment dilated laterally, bands on margins of segments 2 to 5 interrupted
medially, and two spots on the sixth segment, all lemon-yellow. The
lateral middle of the yellow abdominal bands are all emarginated by a
quadrate or quadrilateral black spot. The hind coxae beneath are armed
with a small whitish spine. Wings hyaline, the marginal cell and the
apices broadly fuliginous.
Allied to A. parvum and A. simile Cr.
Torymus ailthidii n. sp. 9- Length 1.75-2 mm.; ovipositor nearly a'?
long as the abdomen. Dull bronzy green, finely sericeous, the collar an-
teriorly and beneath bluish. Head and thorax finely shagreened; scape
and tibiae brownish yellow, tarsi whitish, the hind tibire, except tip?,
s imetimes embrowned; coxae and femora metallic; flagellum brown, the
joints, except the conical last joint, all wider than long. Head transverse,
very little' wider than the thorax, antereo-posteriorly not very thick, flat
behind the eyes; viewed from in front almost round, not longer than wide,
the frons with a slight antenna! impression; eyes large; ocelli subtriangc-
larly arranged, the lateral closer to the margin of the eye than to the front
ocellus; mandibles ferruginous; antennae inserted a little below the middle
of the face. Thorax a little more than twice as long as wide, the para[ -
sidal furrows distinct, but not deep or sharply defined; scutellum convex,
longer than wide, rounded posteriorly, the axilke a little nearer to each
other than their width at base; metanotum very short, without a median
carina, the spiracles very minute, round. Wings hyaline, the veins brown-
ish yellow, the postmarginal vein twice as long as the stigmal, the mar-
ginal vein one-half longer than the postmarginal. Abdomen short, sub-
compressed, viewed laterally it appears nearly as deep dorso-ventrally as
it is long, the first body segment is fully two-thirds as long as the whole
abdomen, the second segment as long as the third and fourth united, the
fourth being longer than the third, while the following segments are short.
Described from several 9 specimens, reared by Dr. A. David-
son, from the cells of a bee, Anthihium consimile.
-o-
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF NOCTUID/E.
By JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D.
(Continued from vol. vi, p. 340.)
Acronyeta pyralis n. sp. PI. xv, fig. i.* Ground color a very dark
powdery gray; head and thorax without distinct markings, but the tip of
the collar grayish and the patagiae indefinitely black margined. The pri-
* The references are all to Plate XV in the December number of Volume VI.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27
maries have all the ordinary maculation evident, but not sharply defined.
Basal line single, black, and marked on the costa only. T. a. line nearly
upright, outcurved between the veins, black, preceded by a few pale
scales. T. p. line widely outcurved over the cell and a little incurved
below, usually remote from the center of the wing; black in color, lunate
between the veins and followed by a paler gray shade. S. t. line obscure,
and marked only by an irregular and incomplete preceding dark shade.
There is a series of blackish terminal lunules and a very evident, blackish,
somewhat diffuse shade across the median space close to and parallel with
the t. p. line, somewhat obscuring the reniform. Orbicular large, oval,
obscurely defined by black scales, with or without a dark central spot.
Reniform broad, upright, a little incurved; outwardly a little paler than
the ground color, but inferiorly obscured by the median shade. Secon-
daries smoky, with an indefinite extra-median line and pale fringes. Be-
neath, smoky and powdery; both wings with an outer line. Expands
31-34 mm.; 1.24-1.36 inches.
Hab. Calgary, July 13.
Two specimens, both females, were sent me by Mr. Dod under
the number 31, and this is said to represent his stock. The spe-
cies is the darkest of all those known to me, resembling lithospila
in this respect, but quite different in markings.
Hadena (Xylophasia) versuta n. sp. PI. xv, fig. 14. Ground color dull,
dirty, blackish gray; the surface rough and powdery. The head is some-
what paler; the collar gray tipped, and with an indistinct dusky central
line. The primaries have all the ordinary marking, but all obscure and
indistinct. Basal line geminate, blackish, marked by a little incurve to
the base. T. a. line geminate, the defining line scarcely contrasting; as
a whole outcurved and only a little irregular. T. p. line geminate, the
inner defining line made up of a black or blackish lunules, the outer line
even and only a little darker gray; as a whole, nearly parallel with the
outer margin. S. t. line formed of white scales, more or less broken, but
forming an obvious W, on veins 3 and 4. There is a series of black ter-
minal lunules, and the dark fringes are pale spotted on the veins. Beyond
the t. p. line the s. t. space is a little paler, shading however to the same
dull gray color before the s. t. line. Ordinary spots obscure, but all
traceable. Claviform outlined by black scales and with a narrow streak
extending from it to the t. p. line. Orbicular large, defined only at the
sides, and a little paler in the center. Reniform also very large and in-
completely defined, paler powdered through the center. Secondaries
whitish, semi-transparent towards the base, more smoky outwardly.
There is an obscure discal lunule, and the veins are dark marked. On
the underside the wings are powdery gray, the secondaries with a discal
lunule and a vague outer shade. Expands 40 mm.; 1.60 inches.
Hab. Calgary, June 26 and July 2 " at Treacle."
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Mr. Dod sent me two females and said they were the only ones
taken in 1894. Both specimens are females, and represent an
obscure species which I had previously seen, but had been afraid
to name from lack of sufficient material. I now believe it to be
a good one, and finds its allies near centralis, though it bears at
first sight the appearance of a very much faded and poor castanea.
There are several species belonging near the present, that yet
remain to be described, and three of them at least are in my own
collection at the present time.
Hadena (Xylophasia) contrsdicta n. sp. PI. xv, fig. 13. Ground color a
rich, rusty, red-brown. Head and thorax immaculate. The primaries
have the median and terminal spaces like the thorax, of the darker ground
color, while the basal and subterminal spaces are distinctly paler, with a
more yellowish cast, and the wings are thus somewhat contrastingly col-
ored. The ordinary lines are all distinct. Basal line black, with a little
inward loop to the base of the wing, above the submedian vein. T. a.
line broad, black, a little irregular, outwardly oblique, but a trifle curved;
preceded inwardly by a somewhat marked paler shade. T. p. line dis-
tinct, black, even, abruptly outcurved over the cell, and then evenly ob-
lique to the hind margin. S. t. line irregular, marked by a following
dusky shade, which becomes more prominent and broader, acutely in-
denting the line opposite veins 2 and 5. Through this space the veins are
black marked, while preceding the dusky shade there is a distinct paler
line. There is a series of small, dusky, terminal lunules, and the fringes
are dark cut in the interspaces. Claviform very small and pale, very
narrowly blackish ringed. Orbicular round or nearly so, without distinct
defining line, and of the pale ground color. The same may be said of
the reniform, which is of moderate size and upright; only a little kidney-
shaped. A fairly distinct median shade crosses the median space out-
wardly, closely margining the inner edge of the reniform, and from that
point running parallel and close to the t. p. line. Secondaries pale,
whitish with a reddish suffusion, which becomes quite marked in the
fringes. There is a distinct, blackish, extra-median line, and the terminal
shading as well as a small discal lunule. Beneath, the wings are reddish
powdered; the primaries a litle dusky centrally and both wings crossed
by a very prominent, black, outer line. Expands 42 mm.; 1.68 inches.
Hab. Calgary, June 22, "Treacle."
Mr. Dod says this is a unique, and it certainly is a very pretty
species and different from anything that I have seen. It is best
placed in the group vultuosa, but has some affinity with the next,
or finitima group. It is, however, more broadly and contrast-
ingly colored than any other species in this series, and should,
therefore, be rather easily recognizable.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29
Homohadena stabilis n. sp. PI. xv, fig. 15. Ground color obscure red-
brown, with a smoky suffusion. Collar tipped with pale gray; otherwise
the head and thorax immaculate. On the primaries the median lines are
present, narrow, a little darker brown, not distinct in any specimen seen
and sometimes almost obsolete. T. a. line 'slightly outcurved in one
specimen, a little angulated inwardly at the center. T. p. line rather
broadly outcurved oxer the cell, and only a little incurved below that
point. It is a little relieved in some specimens by a faintly paler shade.
S. t. line wanting. There is no distinct terminal line; though there is a
slight darkening at the base of the fringes. Secondaries dull, smoky
brown, without markings of any kind, but the fringes are paler. Under-
side uniform, dull, smoky brown, a little paler toward the base. The
ordinary spots on the upperside are vaguely traceable in some specimens,
but usually wanting. Expands 27-32 mm.; 1.08-1.28 inches.
Hab. Calgary, in July.
Mr. Dod sent me five specimens representing both sexes, all
in good condition except the one from which the figure was made.
This was used, because it was mounted on a low pin like the other
specimens photographed, and will serve only to give the general
outline. It seems not uncommon, and besides the specimens
sent me, I have seen a number of others sent to the late Mr.
Neumoegen. The insect belongs with figiirata in the synopsis,
but differs from it by not having the median lines connected and
being much more obscure in color. There should be no difficulty
in lecognizing this simply marked form.
Deva trabea n. sp. PI. xy, fig. 16. Ground color a pale whitish gray,
overlaid by ocherous, golden and silver scales. Head and thorax pale,
but the scales and hair are black and brown tipped, forming on the pa-
tagiae margining lines. Tuftings prominent, the vestiture entirely loose
and divergent. The wings are mottled, difficult to describe, but all the
ordinary markings are present. Basal space more or less silvery, crossed
by a yellow-brown basal line, that is single and outwardly limited by the
geminate t. a. line. This line is silvery, margined on each side with yel-
low-brown, and as a whole rather evenly outcurved. T. p. line geminate,
the defining brown lines distinct, the included space silver gilt. As a
whole the course of the line is parallel with the outer margin, but it is
irregular and more or less incurved between the veins, or angulated.
There is a distinct, brown, median shade line, extending almost through
the center of the wing, and parallel with the outer margin. S. t. line
marked by the difference in shade between the s. t. and the termin il
spaces. Terminal space very gray, and this invades the s. t. space in the
costal region, where the line is marked only by a small costal spot. Op-
posite the cell there are two brown dashes, below which the s. t. space is
darker than the terminal space, though paler than the center of the wing.
30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Blackish, scale powderings cover the surface throughout, but are most
prominent in the paler parts of the wing. There is a continuous, brown,
terminal line. The orbicular is round, broadly ringed with silver, and
the center is somewhat gilded. Below this spot is a U-shaped mark,
broadly silver margined and centered with the ground color. The reni-
form is obscure, scarcely outlined, and so nearly like the ground color
that it is recognizable only on close examination. Secondaries whitish
with a smoky suffusion and somewhat iridescent. Fringes whitish, set
off by a continuous, blackish, terminal line. On the underside the wing
is whitish, powdered with gray, and on both pairs there is a more or less
obvious median line and a subterminal shade; also a continuous, blackish,
terminal line. Expands 39 mm.; 1.56 inches.
Hab. Calgary, 1894.
The specimen is numbered 20, and is said by Mr. Dod to be
unique. The species is a strongly marked one, quite different in
character from thos"e heretofore described, and it agrees with
them in the enormously long palpi which project for half their
length above the vertex.
Plusia insolita n sp. PI. xv, fig. 17. Ground color a rich golden brown
with metallic reflections. Head uniform, rusty brown in color. Collar
is tipped with bluish gray, beneath which is a rusty brown band, inferiorly
margined by another gray line, and the lowest portion is yet paler; more
grayish. Thoracic vestiture gray tipped, the usual tuftings prominent.
Abdominal tuftings also well marked, prominent, and brown. Taken as
a whole the primaries have a brown base, velvety in parts, and with golden
reflections when turned obliquely to the light. Along the costa and in
the basal space is a suffusion of lilac gray scales, and beyond the t. p. line
is a broad lilac band. In the terminal space are other lilac shadings.
Below the silvery mark, which extends through the median space, is a
yellowish streak, broadest at the t. p. line. Basal line silver gilt, preceded
by a few black scales, and joining the base in the submedian interspace.
T. a. line silver gilt, followed by black scales and preceded by golden
brown. It is outwardly bent from the costa, touches the orbicular, and is
then inwardly oblique, reaching the hind margin very close to the base.
T. p. line yellowish, a little silvered, preceded and followed by narrow,
brown, defining lines. It is acutely angulated on the costa, then evenly
oblique inwardly to the silver mark, where it makes an abrupt angle over
the submedian vein, and is thence evenly oblique to the inner margin.
S. t. line very irregularly sinuate, with a broad outward tooth nearly op-
posite the middle of the outer margin. There is a narrow, terminal,
brown line, and a slender line through the fringes. The ordinary spots
an- fairly evident; the orbicular elongated, oval, decumbent, deep brown,
with a slender silver outline, and it rests upon the beginning of the silvery
.mark which extends from that point in the form of two lines which unite
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31
before they reach the angle of the t. p. line. The reniform is narrow,
oblique, faintly outlined by silver gilt scales outwardly, black shaded, but
this shading crossed by the gilded veins. Secondaries of the usual smoky
color, with a yellowish tint, as is also the underside. There is a vague
paler line through the secondaries, and the wings are dusky outwardly.
Expands 35-40 mm.; 1.40-1.60 inches.
Hab. Calgary, in 1894.
Two specimens, both females, were sent me by Mr. Dcd, who
says "they are rare." The species of Plusia are difficult to de-
scribe, and a reference to figure 17 will be perhaps more satisfac-
tory than the description. The species is unlike any known to
.me, and I cannot identify it with the descriptions of any species
not in my collection.
Neuronia americana Smith.
It was quite a surprise to me to receive a specimen of this in-
sect, numbered 61, and marked Calgary, Aug. 28, 1894. It is
a female, larger than the specimens I had seen before, and ex-
pands 37 mm. or 1.50 inches. Mr. Dod writes concerning it,
' rather common at light August, '94."
THOSE who recognized General Count " Dejeau" and ; ' the late Joseph
O. Westwood" in the NEWS for November last, in spite of their disguises,
may have read, with some amusement, in the same number (p. 302) cer-
tain statements attributed to me, likewise in disguise, regarding Mal-
pighian " tubercles" without recalling that the proper term was employed
in a paper in the NEWS for June, 1895, p. iSi. PHILIP P. CALVERT,
Berlin, Germany, Dec. 16, 1895.
OBITUARY.
Monsieur EMILE Louis RAGONOT, President de la Socit-tt- Entomolo-
gique de France, Officier D'Acaclemie. It was with feelings of the most
profound sorrow that I received quite recently a letter deeply bordered
with black announcing the sad departure from this life of Mons. Emile
Louis Ragonot, the distinguished President of the Entomological Society
of France, one of the most widely known and accomplished entomolo-
gists of the latter half of this century. Mons. Ragonot died at his home,
No. 12 Quai de la Rapee, on October 13, in the fifty-third year of his age.
My departed friend will he known forever in the annals of entomological
science as the most accomplished and faithful student of the Phycitida?
and Pyralidae, who has appeared upon French soil during the present
32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
century.' His labors have been extensive and various, but they find their
crown in the magnificent Monograph of the Phycitinte of the World, the
first portion of which comprises the seventh volume of the " Me"moires
sur les Lepidopteres," which are being edited and published by His Im-
perial Highness, the Grand Duke Nicholas, of Russia. The second vol-
ume was in course of preparation at the time when death overtook the
indefatigable laborer, but it is hoped that the work is so well advanced
that it may be brought to a successful and worthy completion, even with-
out the guiding hand and controling mind of the distinguished author.
Monsieur Ragonot was a banker, possessed of the means to enable him
to prosecute his researches widely and thoroughly. He had succeeded
in bringing together one of the most important and complete collections
representing his favorite groups which is in existence, and his well-known
reputation for strict probity and scientific ability led to his being entrusted
with the treasures of most of the private and public collections of both
hemispheres in order to facilitate his labors upon the monumental work
which he had undertaken.
In early life he had been actively engaged in business in the city of
London, having resided there for many years. In consequence he was a
perfect master of the English tongue, and some of his friends have been
in the habit of regarding him as more typically English than French in his
style of thought. No one corresponding with him in English would have
imagined from the style of his letters that he was other than English, so
pure was the idiom and so genuinely English was the style. But he was
as intensely French as he was English, and no one familiar with the pleas-
ant life of his home, can fail to remember it as a typical French household,
full of the brightness and vivacity which characterize the life of that people.
In person, Monsieur Ragonot was of an engaging presence, modest,
affable, earnest, yet never so deeply engaged in the absorbing duties of
his calling, or the favorite recreations of his study, as to fail to have a
moment for the interchange of quiet pleasantries. Bright, quick, precise
in speech, instantly ready to grasp an idea, it was a thorough pleasure to
be thrown, if even for only a short time, into his society. In his death
science has lost one of its leaders.
\V. J. HOLLAND.
NEWS for December, was mailed November 30, 1895.
ENT. NEWS, Vol. VII.
PL III.
ANDRENA VICINA LOADED WITH POLLEN.
(From a photograph, enlarged 8 diameters i
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. VII.
FEBRUARY, 1896.
No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Bowditch Coleoptera collecting notes
for 1895 33
Ottolengui Types in the Neumoegen
collection 35
The effect of music upon spiders 38
Slosson More about the Red Bug 40
Zoological Record 42
Editorial 45
Economic Entomology 46
Notes and News 49
Entomological Literature 50
Doings of Societies 55
Entomological Section 58
Baker Notes on Oxybelus, etc 59
Lafler A new parasite 62
Pergande Desc. of a new species of
Idolothrips 63
COLEOPTERA COLLECTING NOTES FOR 1895.
By FRED. C. BOWDITCH, Boston, Mass.
The early Spring gave one good day for collecting on the ice,
the conditions most favorable being a south slope free from ice or
snow, with a small pond or flowed meadow at the foot covered
with ice, a bright warm sunny day and a gentle wind from the
slope over the ice at the foot; the insects take wing and are borne
onto the ice; or the little streams of water which trickle from the
slopes carry minute species down to the ice edge, the collector's
work is only walking over the ice, picking up the fallen, or
searching the grass blades just at the edge of the little rivulets
for minute forms which gather in clusters as they are brought
down by the water. Almost any patch of melting ice in a
meadow will reward the collector who searches the edge?, but
the south slope gives the best field. Fresh hard wood sap was
also good last Spring and furnished very fine series of two species
of Nitidulidse, the best place being between the bark and the
stump where the former had just begun to warp away from the
latter.
My store of twigs and branches produced a fine lot of Ceram-
bycidce, chief among which were about fifteen Xylotrcchus 4-
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
maculatus Hald., which emerged from beech branches gathered
in August, 1894. The species operates in branches of an inch
to an inch and one-half in diameter, making a clumsy cut very
different from that of ElapJiidion, but which weakens the branch,
so that it falls after a severe wind, the curious part of it, being
that several specimens may come from a single limb, while only
one makes a breaking cut on the branch; whether any remain in
the stump left on the tree I have not yet determined; the species
in its mode of operations is midway between Elaphidion, which
makes a clean cut and fails, and Goes, which makes no cut at all
and remains.
Hickory twigs yielded a fine pair of Purpuricenus humeralis
var. axillaris Hald. I am inclined to think it a common species,
but comparatively seldom seen as it prefers the tops of trees. A
pair of Ichnea laticornis Say also appeared for the first" time in
my hatching-box. I later took a third specimen on the branch
of a fresh ly fallen red oak (Winter of 1894).
Leptostyhis macula Say occurred plentifully on dead poison
dog wood (Rhus glabra).
About a dozen or fifteen of a species, called for the present
Acanthocinus obsoletus Oliv. , occurred on freshly-cut white and
Scotch pine logs, about the same number of specimens were
taken in 1894 under similar circumstances; it seems very short
lived, only appearing for a few days about June i5th. Two
Chrysobothris azurea Lee. were taken from alder on June 8th;
on the 23d I captured a third on recently-cut twigs of red oak;
about a week later I saw a fourth in the same place, but failed to
take it; I find it the liveliest of our Buprestidee, and withal one
of the rarest, and its beauty always makes the loss of a specimen
cause for regret.
Dying black alder bushes yielded both sexes of Dicerca pu-
gionata Germ, and Acoptus suturalis Lee. ; two specimens of
Hormiscus saltatcr Lee. were picked off a hickory twig, one in
June, the other in August. The Summer drought made the
early September water beetle collecting uncommonly good,
specimens being concentrated in the few places not dried up,
mere numbers were excessive; from the mass I got quite an
amount of picked material. The Autumn collecting on fungi
was excellent, and I took many small Silphidae and Nitidulidae,
among them many good things which I have not had an oppor-
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35
tunity to study. What pleased me most was the capture of a
pair of Mycetophagus tenuifasciatiis Horn in a small brown fungus
growing on wild cherry; the specimens were taken August 24th
and September 29th; since then I have found the same fungus
on white oak.
The early part of the season was favorable for Chrysomlidce,
and yielded many good things, but the drought cut vegetation
so that the latter part of the season was poor.
-o-
TYPE8 IN THE NEUMQEGEN GOLLECTION.-III.
WITH A FEW NOTES THEREON.
By Dr. RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI.
THYATIRID^E.
Euthyatira lorata tf Grt. Washington Terr., Morrison.
Bombycia semicircularis tf Grt. Washington Terr., Morrison.
NOCTUIDyE.
Acronycta quadrata $ ($) Grt. Nebraska.
Acronycta edolata tf 9 (^9) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Rhynchagrostis bimarginalis $ (9) Grt. Hot Springs.
Rhynchagrostis crenulata cf (9) Smith. California.
Adelphagrotis stellaris 9 (J 1 ) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Abagrotis erratica $ ( 9) Smith. California.
Pachnobia monochromatea $ Morr. Boston, Mass., Morrison.
Pachnobia manifesto. $ Morr. Locality not given. Morrison.
Pachnobia elevata tf Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
Pachnobia scropulana 9 Morr. Mt. Washington, Morr.
A note by Mr. Neumoegen says that this is a synonym of
Pachnobia wockei Moeschl.
Pachnobia clavifonnis rf Morr. New Hampshire, Morrison.
A note says this is a synonym of Pachnobia salicarum Walk.
Setagrotis planiformis 9 Smith. British Columbia.
A note says this is a synonym of Noctua vocalis Grt.
Peridronia grandipennis < Grt. Hot Springs.
Peridroma tenuescens $ Smith. Nebraska, Morrison.
Noctua clemens $ Smith. California.
.\octiia invenusta 9 Grote.
This is a synonym of Noctua vocalis Grt., which was rechrist-
ened Setagrotis planiformis by Smith. Thus Grote named it
twice, and Smith once, verily quite a baptism.
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Chorizagrotis terrealis 9 Grt. Hot Springs.
Rhizagrotis proclivis $ Smith. Arizona, Morrison.
Smith's check list credits this name to Morrison, but the type
label is in Smith's writing, and bears his name. Mr. Doll con-
siders proclivis to be a synonym of acclivis. The type of pro-
clivis is a 9 , while acclivis is represented in the collection by
, which were taken at the same time by Mr. Morrison. Mr.
Doll has recently received specimens from same locality, taken
at the same time, and all of the males are of the form acclivis,
while all of the females zxz proclivis. This seems significant.
Rhizagrotis albicosta $ ($) Smith. Arizona, Morrison.
Rhizagrotis apicalis $ Grt. California.
Feltia longidens dM9) Smith. New Mexico.
Feltia stigmosa cT (?). Cambridge, Mass., Morrison.
A note declares this to be a synonym of Feltia volubilis Grt.
Porosagrotis satiens $ $ Smith. N. W. British Columbia.
Porosagrotis dollii $ $. Arizona, Doll.
Carneades neomexicana cf 9 Smith. New Mexico.
Carneades niveilinea $ 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Carneades insertans c? Smith. British Columbia.
Carneades brevipennis <$ ($ 9 $ ) Smith. Nevada.
A type is also in the Doll collection.
Carneades oblongostigma 9 Smith. Montana.
Carneades flavidens 9 Smith. Arizona, Doll.
Carneades perexcellens 9 Grt.
Carneades infelix $ Smith.
The types of perexcellens and infelix are both present. They
are synonyms.
Carneades cogitans $ 9 Smith. California.
Carneades atristrigata $ Smith. British Columbia.
Carneades atomaris <$ 9 Smith. California.
Carneades moerens tf (9) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Carneades muscosa 9 Grt. Colorado.
This is a synonym of ccenis Grt.
Carneades xyliniformis 9 Smith. New Mexico.
Carneades conjuncta $ (c?9) Smith. New Mexico.
Carneades teleboa 9 Smith. New Mexico.
Carneades murdockii c? (9) Smith. British Columbia.
Carneades fernaldi 9 Morr. Maine, Morrison.
Carneades tristicula $ Morr. Maine, Morrison.
Carneades basiflava $ (cJ 1 ) Smith. British Columbia.
Carneades spectana 9 Smith. California.
Carneades fur/iris $ 9 Smith. California.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37
Agrotiphila rigida 9 Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
Agrotiphila Colorado 9 Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
Eutolype depilis 9 Grt. Ohio. [rondacks.
Earathra occidenta $ (9) Grt. Type from Hot Springs; 9 from Adi-
Srnith's check list gives this occidentata, but occidenta is the
reading on type label.
Mamestra gnata $ Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Mamestra prodendiformis $ (9) Smith. Arizona, Morrison.
Mamestra hadeniformis ^ Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
Mamestra infolitvar. oregonica $ (9) Grt. California.
Mamestra glaciata <$ Grt. Arizona.
Mamestra bella 9 Grt. New Jersey.
A note says that this is a synonym of Mamestra ectypa Morr.
Mamestra spiculosa $ Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Mamestra incurva $ ($) Smith. Arizona, Doll.
Mamestra longiclava $ Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
Mamestra vittula rf Grt. Hot Springs.
This name occurs twice in Smith's check list, once under
Mamestra numbered 1894, and again at the end of that species,
but below the asterisks, which I believe means that its proper
place is doubtful. Here it is numbered 1954.
Scotogramma submarina $<$ 9 Grt. Montana.
The type label calls this an Anarta.
Ulolonche orbiculata $ Smith. Colorado, Bruce.
This name also appears in Smith's list under Mamestra.
Ulolonche dilecta tf Hy. Edw. Arizona, Doll.
The type label reads Perigea, but Mr. Neumoegen places it
here, though with a (?).
Hadena perpensa rf Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Hadena transfrons $ Neum. British Columbia.
Hadena chryselectra cT (cf 9) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
This is a synonym of Perigea bcnigua Hy. Edw.
Hadena smaragdina r? Neum. Arizona, Morrison.
Hadena misera 9 Grt. Arizona, Morrison.
With only a part of one antenna remaining this poorly spread,
lonely representative of a species, seems admirably named.
Pseudanarta falcata <$ Neum. Arizona, Morrison.
This is probably a Heliotliis.
Oligea grisea 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
This was omitted from Smith's check list.
Perigea loculosa cf (?) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Perigea periplexa $ 9 (9) Grt. Arizona, Doll.
3$ ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February.,
Perigea pulverulenta 9 (cfcf?) Smith. Arizona, Doll.
Perigea dilecta $ Hy. Edw. Arizona, Doll.
Perigea benigna <$ Hy. Edw. Arizona, Morrison.
This is a synonym of Hadena chryselectra.
Homohadena inconstans tf 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Homohadena epipaschia $ Grt. Hot Springs.
Homohadena vulnerea <$<$ Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Oncocnemis umbrifascia o 71 (?) Smith. British Columbia.
Oncocnemis levis <$ (c? ? 9) Grt. Colorado, Doll.
Oncocnemis pernotalis 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Smith's check list calls this pernotata, but the type is labeled'
pernotalis.
Oncocnemis extremis 9 Smith. British Columbia.
Oncocnemis major cf ( ? ) Grt. Colorado.
Oncocnemis curvicollis <$ 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Smith's check list declares that -major and curvicollis are syn-
onyms, but judging by superficial characters they seem to be
quite distinct.
Oncocnemis griseicollis 9 Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Hadenella pergentilis $ Grt. No locality label.
Trichopolia dentatella r^ Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Trichopolia ptilodonta $ Grt. Arizona, Doll.
Eupolia licentiosa $ Smith. Utah.
This is a type of a new genus, Smith, as well as new species
Smith, though I cannot find it in his catalogue, Bulletin 44...
Possibly it has been described since that publication.
Polia cedeon $ Grt. California.
Polia contadina <$ Smith. British Columbia.
-O-
THE EFFECT OF MUSIC UPON SPIDERS.
Illustrative of the singularly pleasurable effect of music upon
spiders, in the Histoire de la Musique ct de ses Effets, we find the
following relation :
"Monsieur de - , captain of the Regiment of Navarre, was con-
fined six months in prison for having spoken too freely of M. deLouvois,
when he begged leave of the governor to grant him permission to send
for his lute to soften his confinement. He was greatly astonished after
four days to see, at the time of his playing, the mice come out of their
holes, and the Spiders descend from their webs, who came and formed
in a circle round him to hear him with attention. This at first so much
surprised him, that he stood still without motion, when having ceased to
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL XE\VS. 39
play, all those Spiders retired quietly into their lodgings; such an assem-
bly made the officer fall into reflections upon what the ancients had told
of Orpheus, Arion and Amphion. He assured me he remained six days
without again playing, having with difficulty recovered from his astonish-
ment, not to mention a natural aversion he had for this sort of insert--,
nevertheless he began afresh to give a concert to these animals, who
seemed to come every day in greater numbers, as if they had invited
others, so that in process of time he found a hundred of them about him.
In order to rid himself of them he desired one of the jailors to give him
a cat, which he sometimes shut up in a cage when he wished to have this
company and let her loose when he had a mind to dismiss them, making
it thus a kind of comedy that alleviated his imprisonment. I long doubted
the truth of this story, but it was confirmed to me six months ago by M.
P , intendant of the duchy of V- , a man of merit and probity,
wjhio played upon several instruments to the utmost excellence. He told
that being at - , he went into his chamber to refresh himself after a
walk, and took up a violin to amuse himself till supper time, setting a
light upon the table before him; he had not played a quarter of an hour
before he saw several Spiders descend from the ceiling, who came and
ranged themselves round about the table to hear him play, at which he
was greatly surprised, but this did not interrupt him, being willing to see
the end of so singular an occurrence. They remained on the table very
attentively till somebody came to tell him that supper was ready, when
having ceased to play, he told me these insects remounted to their wtl.s,
to which he would suffer no injury to be done. It was a diversion with
which he often entertained himself out of curiosity." (Hist, dc la Mns. i,
The Abbe Olivet has described an amusement of Pelisson du-
ring his confinement in the Bastile for refusing to betray to the
government certain secrets intrusted to him by a friend who was
a leading politician at the court of Louis XIV, which consist. <1
in feeding a Spider which he discovered forming its web across
the only air-hole of his cell. For some time he placed his flies
at the edge of the window, while a stupid Basque, his sole com-
panion, played on a bagpipe. Little by little the Spider r
itself to distinguish the sound of the instrument, and issued from
its hole to run and catch its prey. Thus calling it always by the
s;une sound, and placing the flies at a still greater distance, he
succeeded, after several months, to drill the Spider by rug'
exercise, so that at length it never failed appearing at the first
sound to seize on the fly provided for it, at the extremity of the
cell, and even on the knees of the prisoner. To this account,
in the " History of Insects," printed by John Murray, 1830, i,
40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
*
269, is added: "The governor of the Bastile hearing that this
unfortunate prisoner had found a solace in the society of a Spider,
paid Pelisson a visit, desiring to see the manoeuvres of the insect.
The Basque struck up his notes, the Spider instantly came to be
fed by his friend, but the moment it appeared on the floor of the
cell, the governor placed his foot on its body and crushed it to
death."
At a ladies' school at Kensington, England, an immense spe-
cies of Spider is said to be uncomfortably common, and that
when the young ladies sing their accustomed hymn or psalm
before morning and evening prayers, these Spiders make their
appearance on the floor, or suspend overhead from their webs in
the ceiling, obviously attracted by the ' ' concord of sweet sounds. ' '
Cowan s Curious Facts in the History of Insects.
o
MORE ABOUT THE REO BUG.
By ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON.
On the eve of my departure for Florida I received the January
NEWS, and read Dr. Hamilton's interesting paper on the Red
Bug. As soon as I saw the title I knew that I ought to close the
magazine and forego the pleasure of perusal. But there was a
horrible fascination in the theme and I read on to the bitter end.
I have known little peace of mind since then. An absence of
eight months from Florida had somewhat dulled the memory of
certain agonizing experiences there, but this article has revived
them all. I wish the good doctor had been correct as to my
immunity from the little scarlet pests, but he is sadly mistaken;
I have known them long and intimately. That I have not made
mention of them in my occasional papers is owing to the dislike
I feel to dwelling upon painful topics. But I can vouch for the
truth of all the learned doctor says of this little fiend. Its diving,
head first, into a sweat pore, its subsequent decease there, and the
unhappiness ensuing, are described with painful accuracy. As
for the remedies spoken of I have tried them all, and many more
but with little benefit. Residents assure me that kerosene rubbed
over the body just as soon as the tickling sensation shows tin-
presence of the bugs will kill the little pests and prevent further
trouble. I have not tried this, but I have seen excellent results
from certain heroic treatment. One of my friends always resorts
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 41
to the knife. He cuts open the swelling or pustule, and takes
out its contents, perhaps removing the bug itself, but of this I am
not sure. It is a severe remedy, but certainly seems to shorten
the period of discomfort. A darkey told me that rubbing a piece
of salt pork on the "rising" his name for the swelling was a
sure cure.
Two years ago I captured some of these tiny creatures on my
arm and examined them closely; then I put them into alcohol
with some spiders and ticks I had collected for Mr. Banks. I
omitted telling him what they were and they appeared in the list
he returned simply as Trombidium sp. (young). My own opinion
is that there are several species included under the popular name
of Red Bug and having the same unpleasant habits.
I am now en route to South Florida, but I sincerely hope that
I may have no opportunities for investigating this matter. I
gladly leave all discoveries in the life-history of this young
Arachnid to others.
This subject is too serious to put into verse, as Dr. Hamilton
suggests, or I might try my hand at something like this:
I sing of the Red Bug,
You know that this said bug
Doth e'en as a dead bug
Sting, tease and inflame;
A sweat pore doth enter
And dive to the centre,
There, flat on its venter
It dies, but dies game,
For it gives up the ghost
At expense of its host.
It's far beyond telling
Save by groaning or yelling
The itching and swelling,
The burning and heat,
From your head to your feet,
Which this little Arachnid-
Nay, the subject's too hackneyed,
I must stop it
And drop it.
ERRATA.
In Dr. Hamilton's article page 2, last XKWS, line 14 from bottom, for
longer read wider ; also line 2 from bottom for dissolving read disrobing.
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
ZOOLOGICAL RECORD.
The amount of entomological work recorded in the present
volume is apparently greater than that of any previous year, the
titles numbering 1173 against 1069 last year. We have, however,
to record but little extensive systematic work on any group of
Insects. Handlirsch's monograph of the Hymenopterous genus
Bembex being, perhaps, the most important work dealing with
Insects of all the world. Brauer and Bergenstamm's tables of
some Calyptrate Muscidae have been completed. A large num-
ber of new species have been described in faunistic works ; God-
man and Salvin's great work on Central America continues to
occupy a predominant position in this respect. Berthoumien has
commenced a work on the Ichneumonidae of Europe, a subject
that has been treated hitherto in a very piece-meal style. Three
volumes of Dalla Torre's Catalogue of Hymenoptera have ap-
peared ; as well as a second volume of the general Catalogue of
Hemiptera. We are glad to find that M. Severin announces his
intention of continuing this work, notwithstanding the lamented
decease of his co-laborer, M. Lethierry. A great deal of work
has been expended on Hamilton's Catalogue of the Coleoptera
common to Europe, Northern Asia and North America; it is
accompanied by tables intended to elucidate the origin of these
widely distributed forms, and will be of considerable assistance
to those studying geographical distribution in the region it deals
with. Leech's work on the butterflies of China and Japan has
been completed.
The series of papers by Fox, Uhler, Ashmead, Pergande and
Horn that of the latter being a memoir of considerable extent
makes a very large addition to our knowledge of the Ento-
mology of Lower California, a region that has been heretofore
much neglected by entomologists, though of considerable impor-
tance. The series of faunistic papers resulting from the work
of the W. India Committee has received a remarkable addition
in the memoir of Riley, Ashmead and Howard, in which no less
than 340 species of parasitic Hymenoptera are recorded from the
island of St. Vincent. Large as it may appear, this is far from
being the total number to be found there, as certain of the sub-
families still remain to be worked out. It is remarkable that only
6 new genera have been proposed, although 299 new species are
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
described in the paper. In Lepidoptera, on the other hand, the
number of new generic names is very large, 170 having been
proposed in one paper by Warren.
Hubbard's sketch of the Insects inhabiting the burrows of a
tortoise, points out a new field of observation; Wachtl's paper
on the larva of "the nun," suggests an important function dis-
charged by some of the hairs; -while Blanc has given an elaborate
study of the head of a Lepidopterous larva, conveying much
anatomical and physiological information. This paper was pub-
lished in 1891, a periodical devoted to technical rather than to
scientific matters, and has only recently come to the Recorder's
notice. Hansen's paper on Hemimerus shows that enigmatical
insect in quite a new aspect, and introduces us to what appears
to be a mode of viviparous reproduction previously unknown in
Insects. Binet's memoir on the structure of the ventral chain
of nerve ganglia is accompanied by experimental observations.
C. Janet has given excellent descriptions and figures of the
stridulatory organs in one of our common ants. Gonin's lucu-
bration on the metamorphosis of Lepidoptera, and the formation
of their wings is interesting, and touches some very important
and difficult points.
Considerable attention has been devoted to the anatomy and
morphology of the terminal segments of the abdomen and their
sexual modifications by Verhoefly Escherich and Peytoureau.
This last memoir includes a summary of the subject, with criti-
cisms and suggestions.
Nassonovv has been able to elucidate, to some extent, the very
obscure question of the development of Strepsiptera; and Nagel's
paper makes a valuable addition to the subject of the senses and
sense-organs of Insects. Lowne's comprehensive work on the
blow-fly, designed by the author as a resume of the principles
of anatomy, physiology and morphology as applied to Insects,
has been completed.
Bateson's work on variation includes several entomological
sections, and will be found valuable even by those who are not
prepared to become disciples of " discontinuity," until that term
shall have received a more definite application.
Plateau has contributed some sensible remarks on the subject
of the "protection" of Abraxas grossulariata. Redtenbacher's
paper on the different kinds of migratory locusts gives informa-
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
tion that will be of interest in many parts of the world; it is to
be regretted that it should have appeared in an almost inaccessible
publication. Wasmann's Catalogue of Myrmecophilous and Ter-
mitophilous Arthropods is a very useful work that has involved
an enormous amount of labor.
Brongniart's work on early fossil Insects is certainly one of the
most valuable of its kind that has ever appeared, if only in con-
sequence of the number and excellence of the illustrations; one
of these represents, of the natural size, an insect of over two feet
in expanse of wing. The text of this work is in large part de-
voted to a review of the question as to the origin of wings, and
the nomenclature of their nervures. This discussion, however,
does not deal with the chief difficulty of the subject, viz., our
insufficient knowledge of the histology and development of wings.
Scudder's work on fossil Tipulidse appears to be one of the best
monographs that has yet been produced on a special family of
fossil Insects.
Last year the Recorder called attention to the insufficient way
in which new species and genera are frequently indicated to be
such, and he takes this opportunity of alluding to a practice of
the opposite kind that appears to be rapidly extending, viz., the
publication of descriptions as ;< new species," or "gen. nov.."
although diagnoses or descriptions have previously appeared in
some other work. In these cases it is not infrequent that all
reference to so important a fact is suppressed. The Recorder
will venture to suggest that societies and editors should endeavor
to render such a proceeding less feasible than it appears to be at
present. D. Sharp's Introduction to Insecta, Zoological Record
for
PICKAPACK. On the ist of July last I found a yellow geometrid cater-
pillar that had, what seemed to be, a bunch of bluish green follicles, just
at the bend of the back. This proved to be a batch of larva?, compressed,
and having their nozzles buried in the skin of their victim. In a day or
I\\M the caterpillar succumbed, and the larvse spread themselves over its
under parts and drained its remaining juices; they then spun their cocoons.
In the beginning of August the perfect flies appeared. Mr. Ashmead
kindly identified them for me as specimens of Enplectus frontalis Howard.
Rev. THOMAS W. FYLES, South Quebec.
iS 9 6.] 45
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Published monthly (except July and August), in charge of the joint
publication committees of the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and the American Entomological
Society. It will contain not less than 300 pages per annum. It will main-
tain no free list whatever, but will leave no measure untried to make it a
necessity to every student of insect life, so that its very moderate annual
subscription may be considered well spent.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 81.00, IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada $1.2O.
J8^ All remittances should be addressed to E. T. Cresson, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.; all other communications to the Editors
of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, Logan Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY, 1896.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
WE find that many of our subscribers are interested in prac-
tical or economic entomology, and we are receiving letters like
the following: "If Prof. Smith, in the Economic Department,
would put in some articles pertaining to insects that do or are
likely to injure the peach and plum especially, they would in-
terest the fruit growers in this locality (Tifton, Ga.)."
Prof. Smith says he will gladly answer any questions that may
be asked by farmers and fruit growers, and that they will be an-
swered in his department of the NEWS. He also says he will
publish from time to time, articles on insects injurious to peach
and plum trees, and also on kindred subjects of interest to the
agriculturist and horticulturist.
OWING to illness, Mrs. A. T. Slosson has been ordered by her physician
to give up entomological work for a time. Hard and persistent collecting
in New Hampshire has had an injurious effect. Mrs. Slosson has done
an enormous amount of work in supplying specialists with material ami
now needs a rest, and the attention of her correspondents is called to this
fact. The work covered by Mrs. Slosson lias been the entire field of
Entomology, and some of us who only study a single order find we have
plenty of work on hand, thus showing what her efforts have been.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY,
Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor, Prof. John
B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
(See Editorial, page 45.)
Grasshoppers in Minnesota. Dr. Otto Lugger has sent us a very inter-
esting account of his operations against the migratory grasshoppers in
his State, the essential points of which are as follows: Very early in July
letters were received from Taylor Falls, Minn., in which it was stated that
great damage was being done by grasshoppers, and that farmers in that
region feared to lose their entire crops. After consulting with the proper
authorities it was agreed tlfat steps should be taken to assist the farmers
against this insect, that all possible means should be employed to prevent
the pest from extending over a larger area than already occupied. It was
found that a space from 36 to 40 square miles was more or less badly
infested with grasshoppers; in some places the ground was perfectly black
with them, while in. others near by but few could be detected. This
showed that the young were still in the vicinity of the place in which they
were born. The damage at that time was slight, as apparently only pas-
ture land had yet suffered; but the young hoppers were moving towards
Timothy and grain fields, so that no time was to be lost. It was con-
cluded to utilize " hopper-dozers" and kerosene oil, as no other remedies
could well be applied at that late period. Consequently 230 hopper-
dozers were made and operated near Taylor's Falls, Rush City and
Duluth, which required in all 95 barrels of kerosene oil. Besides this,
smaller amounts were bought at the beginning of the work, in all about
ten barrels, and in some cases the farmers also furnished some oil. The
hopper-dozers were made as follows: A piece of ordinary sheet iron such
as is used for stove pipes was turned up i^ inches around the edge and
riveted at the corners. This made a shallow pan about 8 feet long, 2 feet
broad and \ l / 2 inches deep. To the bottom of this were riveted six small
strips which could be fastened to the three runners on which the pan
rested. At the rear of the pan was screwed a light wooden frame as long
as the pan and \y 2 feet high over which canvass was stretched. This
frame has the important office of throwing back into the oil all those
grasshoppers that would otherwise jump clean over the pan. The run-
ners were usually made from sapplings, or small pieces of board curved
upward in front to prevent them from catching in the ground. The front
ends of the runners were fastened by screws to a cross piece which was
drawn in turn by two ropes; one at each end. These ropes were joined
in front and fastened to a single tie. Sometimes two hopper-dozers were
fastened to a long pole by means of short ropes and this was very easily
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
drawn by one horse. Just in front of the pan was fastened a piece of
rope which swept the ground a few inches in advance and served to stir
up the hoppers to jump into the pan. In the pan was also a piece of
cloth thoroughly saturated with water and about a pint of kerosene was
then thrown in, the upright backing of canvass being also moistened with
oil. The machine was then drawn slowly over the pastures where the
hoppers were thickest, and in a short time it was partially filled with dead
and dying insects. The slightest touch of kerosene either from the pan
or the canvass sheet means death to the hopper, for the oil spreads over
his body as a single drop does over a large surface of water. It seems
to produce a paralysis, which is first shown by the stiffening of the legs.
A very large proportion of the hoppers that come into contact with the
oil in the pan immediately jump out again, but they invariably die in the
course of a few seconds or minutes. The nature of the ground in the
infested region did not in many places admit of using more than one
hopper-dozer at a time. The farmers watched with great interest the
operation of the first few hopper-dozers, coming from far and near for
that purpose, and when they saw the possibilities of these simple ma-
chines they were not slow to realize that by faithful work they could
largely protect their very promising crops. Generally speaking, the far-
mers showed a very commendable spirit to fight their enemy and they
went to work with a will. Yet notwithstanding all this, the grasshoppers
would have done a vast amount of damage if the climatic conditions had
not been very favorable to the farmer. At the time when the grasshop-
pers are most voracious, and when they usually move about in large armies
from field to field, a great number of light rains fell at short intervals,
assisting the plants most wonderfully in their growth, while greatly damp-
ing the ardor of such warmth loving insects as the grasshoppers, which
are not fond of moisture. These rains helped the plants and retarded
the growth of the grasshoppers. Later, when these rains ceased to fall,
the rye, oats and wheat were so close and rank that the ground was
thoroughly shaded and retained the moisture for a long time. This con-
dition of the grain fields was not at all to the liking cf the grasshoppers;
they wandered about the edges of such fields, but did not enter. Only
in cases where the growth was poor, or the stand of grain irregular, did
they enter or cause damage; chiefly to. the oats. As a general rule, how-
ever, the grain escaped unhurt, and only pastures, meadows and some
old Timothy fields suffered. This state of affairs assisted farmers greatly
in fighting the enemy, as they did not have to use the machines in the
grain itself, but only along the borders. Immense numbers of grasshop-
pers were killed before they caused much damage. How many were
killed by a hopper-dozer is difficult to say, as 9 out of 10 that jump into
it jump out again, only to die soon after in the field; but if only 5 or 6
bushels of the small grasshoppers are swept off the dozer during a day's
labor, this would mean 50 to 60 bushels killed by a single machine. This
is by no means an exaggerated estimate, but if only 10 per cent, of this
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
amount were killed it would well pay for the work. Kerosene has this
additional advantage : it leaves a strong odor behind, which is very apt
to spoil the appetite of the grasshoppers which escape destruction and
which drives them away to less heavily scented pastures. As this oil
kills plants as well, proper care in handling must be had, otherwise much
injury can be caused by careless work.
Hopper-dozers, though very good machines upon level ground cannot
be used in all places. Some farmers living upon newly cleared land
managed their machines very ingeniously. Instead of moving the hopper-
dozers, they drove the hoppers themselves into the pan which in this case
was used in the same way as a coral is used to capture cattle or horses.
Though much slower they still succeeded in killing the greater number
of their enemies and saved their crops.
But after all, no matter how useful hopper-dozers may be against grass-
hoppers, they are only a make-shift to be employed when other remedies
can no longer be employed. In many places they cannot be used at all
for instance the hill-sides of Duluth upon which immense numbers of
grasshoppers have found a home. Here other remedies might be used
to capture the grasshoppers in bags, and in which the insects are ground
up by rollers. Poison could also be applied where cattle or chickens can
be kept away. The true remedy consists in plowing, as has been shown
before, and wherever grasshoppers are numerous this method must be
resorted to. Of course it would be best to plow the soil containing eggs
during the Autumn, as by so doing the surface of the plowed ground
becomes thoroughly compacted by rain and snow. Plowing in Spring,
if well done and as early as possible, will also be successful, though in
most cases a few grasshoppers may succeed in reaching the surface.
In regard to the " Rocky Mountain Locust." it is possible that a small
swarm of this destructive species has again settled in our State. At least
it was stated in some newspapers published in the Red River Valley that
a swarm had been observed, some time during the middle of August,
flying in a southeasterly direction over Polk County. Inquiry failed to
decide positively whether they had settled in our State or not. If they
have they will be found south of Crookston, and farmers located in that
region should watch carefully and give timely warning of their presence
so that steps can be taken to prevent their increase.
INASMUCH as Anthonomus grandis Boh. has now thoroughly established
itself as a member of the south Texan fauna, collectors of American Co-
leoptera will naturally be glad to get specimens. We have now in the
Department of Agriculture a large series, and will be glad to send speci-
mens to Coleopterists. L. O. HOWARD, United States Department of
Agricuhure, Division of Entomology, Washington, D. C.
lSg&.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49
Notes and.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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 number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for 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. ED.
WE call the attention of our readers to the journal devoted to wild
flowers (see advertising column), botany and the higher branches of
general gardening, edited by Prof. Thomas Meehan, the well-known
horticulturist and Pennsylvania State Botanist. The publication is beau-
tifully illustrated, and should be in the hands of all lovers of flowers and
plants.
PICTURES for the album of the American Entomological Society have
been received from Mrs. Annie Trumbull Slosson, W. C. Wood, George
A. Ehrmann, J. M. Aldrich, C. S. McKnight, H. C. Fall, G. R. Pilate
and Dr. John Hamilton. This is the most interesting collection of the
pictures of entomologists in the world, and was started thirty-five years
ago. Remember, we wish the pictures of all persons interested in ento-
mology. It is not necessary to have published anything, as we want the
pictures of " little bugs" as well as the so-called " big " in bugology.
A VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE. Some months after the death of Dr. LeConte
I considered it a duty to assist in fulfilling his will by suitably preparing
his cabinet and transporting it to the Museum at Cambridge. Annually,
since, I have made one or two visits for the more accurate study of its
types after a thorough study of my own material had been completed.
In that collection I find not only the bare facts, for which I seek, but much
besides. In the more than thirty years of our association there is not a
box which has not been before us the topic of discussion or for consulta-
tion. Every one recalls its memories, and even particular specimens
recall incidents of interest. To me such a visit is therefore more than
the comparison of specimens, it puts me again in touch with a friend.
A visit in December last found the collection in excellent condition, and
the careful custodian, Mr. Henshaw, is rapidly arranging the specimens
in a neater manner, the types defined, and, in those cases in which t\ pi -s
are in other cabinets, specimens have been obtained through our united
efforts, so that very few remain unrepresented.
The means for the preservation of the specimens from danger arising
50 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
within are as perfect as it is possible to have them, and at the same time
hold the specimens accessible for study. All museums are at times liable
to have specimens stolen, but it is to be hoped that no one who studies
that collection will be found so devoid of honor as to rob it.
I regret greatly that many of the traditions of the collection are known
only to me. Frequently specimens have something about them indicating
their origin and types from Chaudoir, Mannerheim, and others, even
including Dejean, may be known thereby. As many of these traditions
concern individual specimens it is hardly possible to give any general
data. In a collection of the character of that of LeConte it is important
th it no label attached to a pin, however unimportant it may seem, should
be removed. GEO. H. HORN.
EWLIN, in his book of Travels in Turkey, has recorded a singular tra-
dition of the history of the Flea and its confraternity, as preserved among
a sect of Kurds, who dwelt in his time at the foot of Mount Sindshar.
"When Noah's Ark," says the legend, " sprung a leak by striking against
a rock in the vicinity of Mount Sindshar, and Noah despaired altogether
of safety, the serpent promised to help him out of his mishap if he would
engage to feed him upon human flesh after the deluge had subsided.
Noah pledged himself to do so; and the serpent coiling himself up, drove
his body into the fracture and stopped the leak. When the pluvious ele-
ment was appeased, and all were making their way out of the ark, the
serpent insisted upon the fulfillment of the pledge he had received; but
Noah, by Gabriel's advice, committed the pledge to the flames, and scat-
tering its ashes in the air, there arose out of them Fleas, Flies, Lice,
Bugs, and all such sort of vermim as prey upon human blood, and after
this fashion was Noah's pledge redeemed." Hist, of Ins. (Murray, 1838)
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
N
Specimens will be named under the following conditions : ist, The number of species
to be limited to twenty-five for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans-
portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor,
who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects
for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. Ill,
Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan
Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North
and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs, or con-
taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of
insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded.
i. BULLETIN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL HIS-
TORY, vol. iv. On the entomology of the Illinois River and adjacent
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 51
waters, C. A. Hart. Description of three new parasitic Hymenoptera
from the Illinois River, W. H. Ashmead.
2. OHIO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, BULLETIN 62. The
grape root worm, Fidia viticida Walsh, F. M. Webster.
3. DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT HERAUSGEGEBEN VON
DER DEUTSCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, 1895, Heft 2.-
Paecilophana nov. gen., Cetonidse, erected for Cetonia ochroplagiata
Heller, G. Kraatz. On termitophilous Cicindelidae, E. Wasmann. Re-
view 'of the species of the Coleopterous genus Magdalis Germ, known
to me, E. Reitter. Epiphanops nov. gen., Curculionidse, E. Reitttr.
Review of the species of the Coleopterous genus Strophomorphus Seidl.
known to me, E. Reitter. Review of the species of the Coleopterous
genus Pholicodes Schonh. known to me, E. Reitter. On some new spe-
cies of the Melonthid genus Dicrania Serv., G. Kraatz. New Chryso-
melida?, with synonymical remarks,]. Weise. New species of Cicindelidae,
W. Horn. On the Carabid genus Imaibins Bates, G. Kraatz. New spe-
cies of exotic Cetonidae, G. Kraatz. Atgyrophegges nov. gen., Golia-
thidae, G. Kraatz. Acanthovalgus nov. gen., Valginidae, G. Kraatz.
4. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, xxvii, 12. The plum-twig gall-
mite, M. V. Slingerland. Partial preparatory stages of some moths, G.
H. French. Curious behavior of Eudwnns py lades larva, H. H. Lyman.
Note on Aphilanthops, C. F. Baker. The larvae of North American saw-
flies, H. G. Dyar. Two new Crocotas found in western Pennsylvania,
G. A. Ehrmann. The life-history of Pamphila maniloba Scudder, F. \V.
Fyles. Note on the setae of the larvae of Thyatiridse and a correction,
H. G. Dyar. A new genus and species in the Aphelininse, L. O. Howard.
5. ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER, xi, No. n. The tracheal end-ramifica-
tions in the spinning glands of Lepidopterous larvae, E. Holmgren.
6. ANNALES AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, No. 96. New
genera and species of Phyralidae, Thyrididae and Epiplemidas, W. War-
ren. Australian entomophytes, or entomogenous fungi, and some ; c-
count of their insect hosts, A. S. Olliff.
7. SlTZUNGSBERICHTE DER NATURFORSCHENDEN GESELLSCHAFT /\'
LEIPZIG, 1892-1894. New exotic Hymenoptera of the family Ichneu-
monidae, Kriechbaumer.
8. ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE, Berlin, 61 Jahrgang, i Band, 2
Heft. The male sexual organ of Vespa gcrmanica, H. E. Kluge. Com-
parative morphological researches on the abdomen of the Endomychidae,
Erotylidae and Languriidae (in the old sense), and on the muscling [Mu<-
kulatur] of the sexual apparatus of Tripla.v, C. Verhoeff.
9. BULLETIN OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERI-
MENT STATION, No. 104. Climbing cutworms in western New York, M.
V. Slingerland.
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
10. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (2),
vol. v, pt. i. On the power of adaptation in insects, H. H. Behr. Some
Mexican Neuroptera, N. Banks. Some parasitic Hymenoptera from Baja
California and Tepic, Mexico, W. H. Ashmead. The California Phry-
ganidian (Phryganidia californica Pack.), V. L. Kellogg and F. J. Jack.
Explorations in the Cape Region of Baja California in 1894 . . . , G.
Eisen. [Other entomological articles contained in this volume were noted
previously].
11. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
1895, part 4. On a probable explanation of an unverified observation
relative to the family Fulgoridae, W. L. Distant. Contribution towards
the history of a new form of larvae of Psychodidae (Diptera), from Brazil,
F. Miiller. Remarks on the homologies and differences between the first
stages of Pericoma Hal., and those of the new Brazilian species, C. R.
Osten Sacken. Supplementary notes on Dr. Fritz Muller's paper on a
new form of larvae of Psychodidae (Diptera) from Brazil, A. E. Eaton.
New species of North American Tortricida?, Lord Walsingham.
12. MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE EXPERI-
MENT STATION, BULLETIN, No. 36. Insects injurious to corn, H. E.
Weed.
13. THE ENTOMOLOGISTS' RECORD AND JOURNAL OF VARIATION,
London, vii, 6. The " Basket Caterpillar" and " Bagworm," J. W. Tutt.
14. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, xxii,
pt. 4. Catalogue of the Coleoptera of southwestern Pennsylvania, with
notes and descriptions, J. Hamilton.
15. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST, January, 1896. On the girdling of
elm-twigs by the larvae of Orgyia leucostigma, and its results, J. A.
Lintner. ,
1 6. Notes from the Leyden Museum, xvii, Nos. 1-3. On a new species
of the family Cicindelidae from Argentina, W. Horn. Description of two
new Brenthidae, A. Senna. New digger-wasps in the collection of the
Leyden Museum, A. Handlirsch.
17. BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Zoology, pt. 125. Coleoptera,
vol. iii, pt. i, pp. 377-400, pi. 17, G. C. Champion. Coleoptera, vol. vii,
pp. 209-216, H. S. Gorham. Hymenoptera, vol. ii, pp. 369-376, P.
Cameron. Lepidoptera-Rhopalocera, vol. ii, pp. 401-416, pi. 87, F. D.
Godman and O. Salvin. Lepidoptera-Heterocera, vol. ii, pp. 249-272,
pi. 63, H. Druce. Rhyncota-Homoptera, vol. ii, pp. 113-120, W. W.
Fowler.
1 8. PSYCHE, a journal of Entomolgoy, January, 1896. Notes on the
Arrididse of New England, ii-, Tryaxilinae i, A. P. Morse. The Arctic
Lymantriicl larva from Mt. Washington, N. H., Dasychira rossii Cm t.,
H. G. Dyar. Notes on the species of Exorista of Temperate North
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53
America, C. H. T. Townsend. Note on Sincrinthus cerysii Kirby, F. L.
Harvey.
19. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, 1895, pt. 3 [Extract]. Synopsis of the North American species
of Gorytes Latr., W. J. Fox.
20. UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STA-
TION, BULLETIN viii, 4. The Chinch Bug, C. E. Chamblis.
21. DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT HERAUSGEGEBEN VON
DER GESELLSCHAFT IRIS zu DRESDEN, Jhg., 1895, 2es lepidopterolog-
isches 'Heft (Iris, Dresden, Bd. viii, H. 2). Descriptions of new Lepid-
optera from Tibet, O. Staudinger. On Lepidoptera from Uliassutai, ibid.
New exotic butterflies, ibid.
22. ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xxi, Heft 23 and 24. Ethiopian
Heterocera, ii, F. Karsch. Corrections on species of Agrias, O. Staud-
inger.
23.' Report of the Secretary of Agriculture, 1895. The Mexican cotton
boll weevil. The San Jose" scale. Appearance of insect pests.
24. ZOOLOGISCHE JAHRBUCHER. ABTHEILUNG F. SYSTEMATIK, GEO-
GRAPHIE UND BiOLOGiE DER THiERE, ix, i. On the morphology and
physiology of the ovaries of the worker-ants, E. E. Bickford.
25. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE, 60 Bd., 3 H.
The double-spermatozoa of the Dytiscidae, E. Ballowitz.
26. LE NATURALISTE CANADIEN, xxii, 12. The last descriptions of
1'Abbe Provancher (cont), Hymenoptera.
27. ANNALES OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, viii, 6-12.
The Arachnida of Colorado, N. Banks. Coleopterological Notices, vi,
T. L. Casey.
28. JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, December,
1895. The life-histories of the New York slug caterpillars, H. G. Dyar.
On the probable origin, development and diffusion of North American
species of the genus Diabrotica, F. M. Webster. Final note on the
Platypterygidse, A. R. Grote. A new Datana, H. G. Dyar. Schrank's
genera, A. R. Grote. Early stages of some Bombycine caterpillars, A.
S. Packard. Preliminary Handbook of the Coleoptera of Northeastern
America (cont.), H. F. Wickham. Correction of a misidentification
Atfacus sp/endidus, H. G. Dyar. Egg-capsules of Chrysochns aitratits
(Fab.), J. L. Zabriskie.
29. REVIEW. There has recently appeared from the press of MacMillan
& Co. (London and New "York) Volume V of the Cambridge Natural
History series with the modrst title of " Peripatus, etc." which certainly
deserves the careful perusal of all students of the articulata.
The book begins with a s< Ix nu- of classification i,to be continued in a
54 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
succeeding volume) giving the most recent results of taxonomic study,
extremely useful to those whose restricted special studies make it difficult
to keep in touch with all that is being done on lines unrelated to their own
work.
Peripatus, which serves as a title for the volume, occupies but twenty-
six pages, is well-nigh exhaustively treated. The discussion of its Ar-
thropod affinities seems conclusive, and the anatomical details, embry-
ology, habits and the complete bibliography leave very little to be desired.
Chapter ii, treating of the Myriapoda, will be read with greater interest
by our students from the fact that we have them abundantly about us.
Beginning with chapter iii, Dr. David Sharp enters on a discussion of
the Insecta.
In the treatment of the details of the Insecta many widely scattered
facts are brought together and discussed. Fortunately, prolixity has been
avoided, a difficult point to attain with such an extensive knowledge of
detail and the tendency to seek reasons for, or causes of, modification
which Dr. Sharp has so often shown.
The Aptera are briefly treated in chapter viii, of great interest in many
ways, but difficult of study from the fragility of many of the species.
The Orthoptera occupy chapters viii to xiv, and the Neuroptera xv to
xxi, and give, in a summary manner, the accepted arrangements of the
families composing those two orders.
The next two chapters treat of the Hymenoptera.
The volume concludes with an abundant index, without which a book
of this character suffers greatly.
To the naturalist, whether teacher or student, the entire series of which
this volume forms a part, has great value, and the general reader will find
an abundance of interesting and easily assimilable information. G. H. H.
I3DEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT.
Hart :*, Olliff 6, Behr 10, Eisen 10. No. 29.
ARACHNIDA.
Slingerlancl 4, Banks 27*.
ORTHOPTERA.
Morse 18*.
NEUROPTERA. ,
Banks 10*.
HEMIPTERA.
Distant ir, Fowler 17*, Chamblis 20.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 55
COLEOPTERA.
Kraatz 3 (six), Wasinann 3, Reitter 3 (four), Weise 3, Horn 3, 16, Ver-
hoeff 8, Hamilton 14, Senna 16, Champion 17*, Gorham 17*, Ballowitz
25, Casey 27*, Webster 28, Wickham 28, Zabriskie 28.
DIPTERA.
Miiller n, Osten Sacken 11, Eaton 11, Tovvnsend 18*.
LEPIDOPTERA.
French 4, Lyrnan 4, Ehrmann 4*, Fyles 4, Dyar 4, 18, 28 (three)*,
Holmgren 5, Warren 6*, Slingerland 9, Kellogg and Jack 10, Walsing-
ham ii*, Tntt 13, Godman and Salvin 17*, Druce 17*, Harvey 18, Staud-
inger 21* (three), 22, Karsch 22, Grote 28 (two), Packard 28.
HYMENOPTERA.
Ashmead i*, 10*, Baker 4*, Dyar 4, Howard 4*, Kriechbaumer 7,
Kluge 8, Hancllirsch 16, Cameron 17*, Fox 19*, Bickford 24, Provancher
26*.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Webster 2, Slingerland 9, Weed 12, Linter 15, Chamblis 20, Howard
23 (three).
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 1896
A stated meeting- of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1509 S. I3th St. Mem-
bers present : Messrs. Bland, H. W. Wenzel, Boerner, Fox,
Castle, Laurent, Trescher, E. Wenzel, Johnson and Schmitz.
Honorary member: Dr. Henry Skinner. Meeting called to order
at 9 P. M., President Bland presiding. The Secretary and Treas-
urer read their annual reports, which were, upon motion, accepted
as read. The President then made his annual address, reviewing
the history of the Social, and it was moved that the same be
incorporated in the minutes:
"To-night being the anniversary meeting of the 'Feldman
Collecting Social,' another year has been added to its life and
history; it has been one in which the members have worked with
zeal and determination; looking forward to our monthly meetings
with pleasure, vicing with each other in exhibiting their trophies
and imparting the knowledge gained in the fields, woods and
mountains, in pursuits of their favorite study and pastime.
56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
' The display of specimens has been creditable, showing spe-
cies captured within a short distance of our city that in former
years were obtained for our cabinets from remote sections of the
country. I have noticed that species frequently taken in this
locality in former years were not among the exhibits made; many
that were desirable for cabinet exchanges seem lost to us. I refer
to favorites in Coleoptera, such as My as coricinus, Cychriis, two
specjes; Calasoma, one; Platynus, two or three; Elateridse, two;
Lucanidae, two; most all of the large species in Cerambycidae are
seldom taken; are they becoming extinct? or has the breaking
up of their haunts by the tide of improvement in extending the
city driven them to sections we have not yet been able to locate;
perhaps the collectors in other orders have met with the same
results. My own experience in collecting has given me the
knowledge that many species which may be widely distributed
and are outlined in a geographical fauna and habitat of great
extent are very local in a State or even county within that area.
In our immediate district the woods are being cut down, as a
sequence, the timber feeders are destroyed or driven to new
fields; with them we lose their natural destroyers; where have
they gone ?
" To solve these mysteries I believe is part of the work of the
collector; also to know the fauna of his district, making a note
of any loss or addition, recording it where it can be used for
reference. We do not pretend our Social to be a scientific body,
but I do claim it is an auxiliary one to science, obtaining infor-
mation that is brought forth by field work.
" It has been a great source of pleasure and information to us
in having our honorary members meet with us ; each is well
known to the devotees of Entomology throughout the country,
being eminent in their special studies; they have made our meet-
ings attractive; they have joined freely in the conversational part
of our meetings in the way of verbal communications, question-
ing the collector and bringing forth facts which otherwise would
not be recorded. They have increased to a great extent the in-
terest in our work by their impromptu remarks on the anatomical
differences of genera and species, illustrating them by drawings
on the black-board. Seeing we are thus encouraged I feel that
the members appreciate the advantage of our Social and will con-
tinue individually their efforts to make our meetings pleasant and
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
profitable to each other. I know much has been done; ours ap-
pears to be an inexhaustible study, as we advance a fresh mine
opens with an enchanting charm to seek further to satisfy the
desire for new material and knowledge. In view of the fact that
our records are being published by one of the prominent ento-
mological monthlies of the^ world, we should maintain a high
standard of work. That our Social endeavors to hold the favor-
able position which it now occupies is the desire of your presiding
officer."
Dr. Skinner, in reply, complimented the President on his ad-
dress, stating that on behalf of the honorary members he desired
to express their appreciation of the hospitality of the Social, and
that they had undoubtedly been benefited by the transactions
at its meetings,
Mr. Laurent stated that he had received a letter from Dr.
Rodrigues Ottolengui, inviting the membeis to attend his first
annual sale of insects, which takes place in New York City on
January 25th. Mr. Laurent exhibited two specimens of Lepid-
optera, Acronycta afflicta, from Jamesburg, N. J., and Hadena
durgessi&om Arlington Beach, N. J., which were identified for
him by Prof. Smith, and which he states were not before recorded
from the State of New Jersey.
Mr. Fox exhibited two nests of Polistes annular is collected bv
J
Mr. C. W. Johnson at Denison, Texas. The nests were unusu-
ally large, one measuring 1 1 x 6 inches, being larger by far than
any nest of the species of the genus Polistes heretofore seen by
the speaker.
Dr. Skinner spoke of the importance of arranging males on
the left hand side and females on the right in the columns in the
drawer of the cabinet. Too little attention is paid to the neces-
sity of having females where antigeny or secondary sexual dif-
ference is not marked, or does not exist. Females, as a rule,
are much harder to get than males, and there is no special effort
made to get them where the sexes are alike in markings. If
specimens are arranged in the cabinet as above advocated the
absence of females will be at once noticed. There is great ne-
cessity for having both sexes in many interesting entomological
studies, and the speaker hopes the above-mentioned method will
be used more generally.
58 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,,
The following officers were elected to serve another year:
President, JAMES H. B. BLAND.
Vice- President, Dr. DAVID M. CASTLE.
Treasurer, H. W. WENZEL.
Secretary, THEO. H. SCHMITZ.
Dr. Skinner extended an invitation to the members, inviting
them to hold the next meeting at his residence; so ordered, the
secretary being instructed to notify the members previously of
the place of meeting. No further business being presented the
meeting adjourned to the annex.
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
Errata. In the December minutes the name C. charts should
be C. choris.
The Entomological Section
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
Nov. 21, 1895.
A regular stated meeting of the Entomological Section of the
Academy of Natural Sciences was held in the Hall, S. W. cor.
Nineteenth and Race Streets, this evening, Dr. Geo. H. Horn,
director, presiding. Members present: Seiss, Fox, Skinner,
Ridings, Liebeck. Associates: Reinick, Gerhard, Castle. Mr.
C. Few Seiss stated that he had been experimenting with a cap-
tive specimen of Prionidus cristatus Linn, in relation to its killing
other insects. A red legged grasshopper (M. femur-rubrum )
struggled violently when first seized, but almost instantly after
the beak of the Prionidiis was inserted its struggles ceased, and
in thirty seconds the grasshopper, to all outward appearances,
was dead. In the case of a yellow-bear caterpillar, two inches in
length, all evidence of life and motion disappeared in thirty-five
seconds after seizure by the Prionidus.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59
A business meeting was held December gth, and the following
gentlemen were elected to serve as officers for the ensuing year :
Director, G. H. HORN, M.D.
Vice- Director, C. S. WELLES.
Treasurer, E. T. CRESSON.
Conservator, HENRY SKINNER, M.D.
Secretary, W. J. FOX.
Recorder, HENRY SKINNER, M.D.
Publication Committee, C. W. JOHNSON, J. H. RIDINGS.
Dr. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
NOTES ON OXYBELUS, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF
NEW SPECIES. I.
By CARL F. BAKER, Fort Collins, Col.
All of the species mentioned below belong to that section of
the genus having the squama terminating in a strong curved
point. The spine is entire in all but the last one, and in all ex-
cept this is either gradually narrowed to tip or with the sides
nearly parallel. These species all have the pleura in front of
middle coxa distinctly crested, as in many species of Crabro.
All have black or piceous mandibles. I have followed Mr. Rob-
ertson's method of describing quite closely in order that the de-
scriptions given may be readily and rapidly compared with those
in the "Synopsis of N. A. Oxybelus."
Oxybelus cornutus Rob. Occurs at Fort Collins, throughout
August, on Solidago. Mr. Robertson mentions a male with the
mesonotum rufous in front. I have a female which also shows
the same peculiarity. The females measure about 10 mm. in
length.
Oxybelus rejectus n. sp. $. Head and thorax densely coarsely punc-
tured. Ocelli as in cornutus. Tubercle on vertex behind ocelli entirely
wanting. Prothorax, scutellum and postscutellum, carinate ; squama
arising from posterior lateral edges of postscutellum, produced into long
incurved points ; spine long, narrow, sides nearly parallel, tip obtusrly
rounded. Metathorax reticulate above ; median area triangular, open
60 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
above, transverse striae within, below passing into a long median carina;
lateral faces striato-punctate, the striae transverse. Abdomen long trian-
gular, rather strongly constricted between the segments, coarsely punc-
tate, with four pairs of lateral spines; last segment trapezoidal, evenly
emarginate at tip. Color black; flagellum dark rufous; silvery pubes-
cence thin on face, sparse on thorax and abdomen. Tegulae rufous; tu-
bercles, squamae, widely separated spots on sides of abdominal segments
1-4, and two faint discal spots on segment 5, lemon-yellow. Legs black,
small spots at tips of fore and middle femora beneath, and a line on out-
side of all tibiae, lemon-yellow; tarsi rufous towards tips. Wings hyaline,
nervures quite dark. Length 7 mm.
Fort Collins, August. This species is nearest cornutiis, with
which I at first placed it as a well-marked variety. It, however,
shows specific differences as above described.
Oxybelus striatas n. sp. $. Thorax coarsely punctured, on mesothorax
more coarsely. Occiput up to back of posterior ocelli coarsely trans-
versely striato-punctate. Face very finely sparsely punctured. Ocelli
nearly normal, but showing a tendency towards the position in cornntus.
Vertex behind posterior ocelli with a distinct median tubercle. Prothorax
carinate, sharp angled at the sides. Mesonotum, scutellum and postscu-
tellum, carinate. Posterior margins of mesonotum and scutellum coarsely
rugose; squamae arising from lateral edges of postscutellum, rather sud-
denly narrowed to a point, which is strongly bent inward. Spine long,
narrow, slightly larger towards the tip. Metanotum above reticulated;
median area large, triangular, nearly smooth within, tip approximating
apex of metanotum and passing into a very short median carina; lateral
faces finely transversely striato-punctate. Abdomen broad oval, slightly
constricted between the segments, punctures of medium size, rather
sparse, especially on discs; with three pairs of lateral spines. Last two
segments very coarsely punctured, the last nearly rectangular, gently
emarginate at tip. Color black; pubescence of face brownish in certain
lights, on rest of body silvery ; flagellum deep chocolate. Tubercles,
spot on tegulae, squamae, tip of spine, and narrow fasciae on abdominal
segments 1-5 (slightly interrupted on 1-4), whitish. Posterior margins
of abdominal segments silvery. Legs black; foie tibiae and all tarsi ru-
fous, stripes on outside of all tibiae white. Wings hyaline, nervures
rufous. Length 6.5 mm.
Fort Collins, August. This species is near subcornutus Ckll.
Among other differences, however, the scutellum is strongly
carinate, and the squamae are confined to the sides of the post-
scutellum.
Oxybelus punctatiis n. sp. rj\ Closely related to striatns, but differing
.as follows : Mesothorax closely punctured. Extreme vertex coarsely
punctured. Occiput more strongly punctured, the striae not nearly so
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 6 1
distinct; postscutellum rugose, not carinate; squamae more Haring, points
not so strongly incurved; spine tapering very gradually to tip. Abdomen
more closely and coarsely punctured.
Fort Collins, August. This species, in color and form, is
almost the exact counterpart of striatus. But with the material
at hand it is impossible to unite them.
Oxybelus ^.-notatus Say. I have a large series of this variable
species from Michigan and Colorado. It is common at Fort
Collins in August, on Solidago. The variety montanus Rob.
occurs with the typical form.
Oxybelus subulatus Rob. Specimens collected in Michigan
(Agric. College, 6-29-88, on flowers of Spir&a sorbifolia) do not
differ from the common Colorado form (Fort Collins, August,
on Solidago). I have one female resembling the variety from
Colorado described by Mr. Robertson. This specimen has,
however, all of the abdominal bands interrupted, and two yellow
spots on the scutellum.
Oxybelus acutus n. sp. 9- Head and thorax densely coarsely punc-
tured. Prothorax indistinctly carinate, punctured, rounded at the sides.
Mesonotum in front, scutellum and postscutellum carinate ; squamae
nearly joining behind, points short not strongly curved; spine very short,
but little exceeding the tips of the squamae, base broad, rapidly narrow-
ing to an acute tip. Metanotum above with polygonal reticulations; me-
dian area subtriangular, sides rounded, partly closed above, rugose within,
passing below into a short carina; lateral faces coarsely rugoso-punctate.
Abdomen ovate, coarsely punctate, strongly constricted between the seg-
ments, last segment triangular, very coarsely punctured. Color black;
pubescence silvery, except on last two abdominal segments; flagellnm
deep chocolate. Tubercles, tegulae, squamae, two oval spots on segment
i, two transverse spots on segment 2, and narrow continuous bands on
segments 3-5, yellowish white; hind margins of abdominal segments 2-5
silvery. Legs black; anterior tibire rufous, middle and posterior piceous,
all tibiae with whitish stripes outwardly; tarsi rufous towards tips. Wings
hyaline, slightly smoky on distal margins, nervures rufous. Length 6.5 mm.
Foot-hills west of Fort Collins, 6-30-95. This species is
nearest subulatns. It differs from all known North American
species in the extraordinary form of the spine. It may also be
separated from subulatus by other characters as above described.
Oxybelus COCkerellii n. sp. rf\ Vertex and thorax coarsely, rather
closely punctured. Face finely and more sparsely punctured. Occiput
transversely striato-punctate, but not strongly so. Vertex with a mt-dian
tubercle. Prothorax carinate, rather sharp angled at the sides. Mtso-
notum in front, scutellum and postscutellum, strongly carinatL-; squama-
'62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
arising from basal sides of postscutellum, the rather short points not
strongly curved; spine of medium length, narrow at the base, strongly
broadened to a thin emarginate tip. Metathorax above with fine oblique
carinae, reticulate at immediate base of spine; median space short and
broad, triangular, open above, smooth within, passing below into a long
carina: lateral faces finely sparsely punctate, with few indications of striae.
Abdomen ovate, rather finely closely punctate, not strongly constricted
between the segments, last two segments very coarsely punctured, the
last rectangular and truncate at tip; with three pairs of distinct lateral
spines. Color black; pubescence silvery, thick on face, sparse on rest
of body, that on face brown in certain lights; flagellum rufous beneath at
tips. Tubercles, tegulae, squamae, tip of spine and transverse spots on
sides of abdominal segments 1-5 (all narrow and widely separated),
whitish. Legs black; fore tibiae and tarsi rufous, all tibiae with a whitish
stripe outwardly; middle and hind tarsi with first joint whitish at base,
last joint rufous. Wings hyaline, nervures dark brown. Length 5-7 mm.
Fort Collins in August, on Solidago. This species belongs to
a group of this section of the genus, which contains but one
other species, cressonii. It is separated from that species, most
noticeably, by the strong scutellar carina, closely punctured ab-
domen, color of antennae and mandibles, and larger size. I have
dedicated this species to Prof. Cockerell, in recognition of his
successful labors in American Hymenopterology.
-o-
A NEW PARASITE.
By H. ANDERSON LAFLER.
During the past season I have studied, somewhat, our com-
monest " digger wasp" here (De Witt, Neb.) identified as Bei-
bex uubilipennis. This species digs burrows about 18 inches in
length in the dry, compact earth of roadways, paths and bare
places in suitable localities, which they provide with flies upon
which the egg is laid.
A seemingly new fact in regard to this species or any of the
genus Bembicnm, is that this species is parasitized by a Tachina.
Of a large number of burrows which were dug into, all were
found to contain in the cavities in which was the larva of the
wasp, the larvae of a Tachina. There were from four to twelve
in each cavity. They were feeding on the provisions made by
the wasp for her own larva. In one instance no larva of the
-wasp or empty pupa case was found, but the cavity contained
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63
eight of the Dipterous larvae and an abundant supply of food.
Pupae were also found in same place as the larvae.
Specimens of full grown larvae which were secured were placed
in earth, pupated and gave out the imago in eighteen days be-
tween August 1 8th and September 5th. Of another lot secured
on September 5th only one has emerged to date. A specimen
was submitted to Prof. S. W. Williston, who was unable to de-
termine the species, it being " in all probability yet undescribed."
It belongs to the genus Prosphorysa.
No flies resembling these at all were noticed about the holes
or wasps, and I do not know how the flies gained access to the
larval cavities, as in almost every instance the mouth of the bur-
row is carefully covered with earth by the wasp both when leav-
ing the hole or remaining in for some time. In the latter case
the dirt is pushed up from below, the angle of descent being small,
so that the earth does not run down into the hole. The state-
ment that no parasites are known that feed upon provision of
flies in the nests of any of the species of the genus Bembecinus
is upon the authority of Prof. L. O. Howard.
-o-
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF IDOLOTHRIPS.
By THEO. PERGANDE, Washington, D. C.
Idolothrips coniferarum n. sp. Length 3.6-4.8 mm. General color
black and polished; the head and legs with a faintly bluish, and the pro-
thorax with a slight purplish reflection. Eyes dark brown; ocelli color-
less. Antennae black, with the basal two-thirds of the third, basal half
of the fourth and base of the fifth and sixth joints yellow; anterior tibiae,
especially in the male, frequently yellowish brown; tarsi dark brown to
black; sutures of the abdomen, if extended, dark red. Wings clear and
colorless, the veins and a short streak at base of costa of front wings
brownish or blackish; fringes dark brownish. Head about three times as
long as broad, cylindrical, its sides parallel; conical in front of eyes and
fringed along each side with sparsely set, short and stiff hairs; eyes oval
and slightly projecting; antennae slender and somewhat longer than the
head; third joint longest, the fourth slightly shorter, the following joint-;
gradually diminishing in length; joints 3 to 5 clavate, the last three fusi-
form; all are furnished with a few very slender hairs around the apex, the
hairs becoming somewhat more numerous on the last three joints. Pro-
thorax conical, anteriorly as broad as the head, arcuate and broadest
posteriorly and with a prominent lateral angle beyond the insertion of the
legs, each of which bears a rather long and stiff hair or bristle, while the
64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
posterior margin is provided each with two or three short and stiff hairs;
meso-metathorax quadrangular, longer than broad, slightly broadest and
arcuate anteriorly, and with a prominent lateral angle each side. Abdo-
men much elongated and longer than the rest of the body, broadest in
front, tapering gradually towards the end, the tube or last segment cylin-
drical and about as long as the posterior tibiae and tarsi combined; each
joint of the abdomen is furnished each side near its posterior margin,
with apparently three slender and radiating, pale brownish hairs, which
gradually grow longer and more bristle-like towards the end of the body,
while the apex of the tube is surrounded by six long and radiating bristles
alternating with short and reflexed hairs. Legs rather long and stout,
with the anterior femora, especially those of the male, much inflated to-
wards the base; tarsi of the female simple, while the anterior pair of the
male bear a large and stout, acute tooth at inner side of base; all legs are
sparsely furnished with short and stiff hairs. Wings narrow, of equal
width throughout, rounded at the apex, gently and uniformly curved and
reaching nearly to the tube; veins of both pairs scarcely one-fourth the
length of the wing; surface of the head transversely striated, the thorax
finely granulated; prothorax with a shallow, impressed, median line and
a shallow, more or less elongated fovea or puncture each side of it ante-
riorly.
Described from numerous specimens. Found in the vicinity
of Washington, D. C., during the Spring and early Fall on green
and dry branches, and during late Fall and Winter under the
loose bark of Pinus mops, Juniperus virginiana and Abies sp.
OBITUARY.
WILLIAM HENRY TUGWELL died on Sept. 20, 1895, at Lewisham Road,
near London, England, aged 64 years. He was interested in Lepidoptera.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for January, 1896, was mailed December 31, 1895.
EXT. XEWS, Vol. VII.
PI. II.
DR. ASA FITCH.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. vii. MARCH, 1896. No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Dr. Asa Fitch 65
Calvert Notes on European Entomo-
logical collections 66
The " Death-watch" beetle 75
Superstitions about " Lady-birds' 1 77
Editorial 81
Holland Ravages of Dermestes vul- | Economic Entomology 82
pinus in cork 6S
Dyar Another Euchromiid to be
added to ouf list 69
Notes and News 86
Entomological Literature 88
Doings of Societies 93
Hamilton A review of T. L. Casey's.. 70 j Banks A new species of Meleoma.. .. 95
Cleveland A List of Lepidoptera. etc. 72
Dr. ASA FITCH.
Dr. Asa Fitch was a son of Hon. Asa Fitch, M.D., and was
born Feb. 24, 1809, at Fitch's Point, Salem, Washington County,
N. Y. , and died at his home April 7, 1879, aged 70 years. In
the death of Dr. Fitch Economic Entomology, in this country,
lost one of its ablest votaries, who spent the larger part of his
life in the untiring and successful study of the insects injurious to
agriculture and horticulture. While his earlier writings were
contemporaneous with those of Harris, and his later ones with
those of Walsh, he will, judged by the work he did, take a high
rank among the fathers of applied entomology in America. He
practised medicine for eight years, but in 1838 gave it up to as-
sume the management of his father's business. From this time
on he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, which gave more
opportunities for investigations in entomology. He was ap-
pointed State Entomologist of New York, which position he held
for seventeen years, and among other things published fourteen
reports on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State
of New York.
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
NOTES ON EUROPEAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
By PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D.
(See the NEWS for January, 1896, vol. vii, p. 4.)
II. OXFORD.
The entomological collections of the University of Oxford are
contained in a series of rooms on the second floor of the Univer-
sity Museum, which also accommodates the zoological collections
in general, the zoological laboratories and library. Prof. Edward
B. Poulton, the present occupant of the Hope Professorship of
Zoology as successor to the late Prof. J. O. Westwood, and
Curator of the Entomological Department, has kindly furnished
the following notes on the insects :
"The foundation of the Oxford- Collection is the Saunders'
Collection bought by the Rev. F. W. Hope and presented by
him with his other collections and a very complete library to the
University, together with the endowment of the Hope Chair and
a small endowment for keeping up the collections. Other im-
portant collections now in the Hope Department are tiiose of
Miers and of Burchell ; all these three extend into all Insect
Orders, but the Coleoptera are probably the most complete.
There is also the Bell Collection of Crustacea, containing numer-
ous Bell types. In the Saunders' Collection are many thousand
Walker types; how great a number will not be known until the
collections have been carefully studied and each one marked
plainly. This we are doing as quickly as possible, but of course
it is a tremendous task. The Coleoptera are rich in Hope types.
All orders are rich in Westwood types, gradually described by
him during his long tenure of the chair and published in his
' Thesaurus,' ' Cabinet of Oriental Entomology,' ' Revisio Man-
tidarum,' etc. These, too, will require the same careful marking.
It is now a mattef of investigation to make out the types when
any one desires to study them.* There are also some of the
types of Haworth's ' Lepidoptera Britannica.' Many of the ob-
* I can personally testify to the truth of this remark of Prof. Poulton's. Mr. McLachlan
had told me of the existence, at Oxford, of Rambur's types of Odonata described from
the Marchal collection, and these I desired to see. Unfortunately, Prof. Pouiton was ab-
sent at the time of my visit, but his Assistant, although unable to give information con-
cerning them, veiy obligingly gave me full access to the cabinets, and, after some search,
guided by a peculiar style of label, and by the French handwriting, I found the specimens
in question. They agree with the information given by Rambur concerning the />/-
uti.'s he described.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 67
scure groups of insects, such as the Membracidae, are very rich.
There are also many types of Stoll, Boisduval, Saunders and
others, but really we do not yet know at all fully the treasures
of the collection until it has been gone through and arranged
properly. The late Professor, who knew it thoroughly, n'ever
left a complete account of it and a great deal will require learning
over again. The Pierinae and the Sphingidae are now rearranged,
but these groups contain few types, and the moths generally have
been studied, the Oriental by Col. Swinhoe, the American by
Mr. W. Schaus. The Cicadas are now being done, and the
Membracidae by Canon W. W. Fowler; the former contain some
types of Stoll.
Many of our specimens are of great interest, being Wallace's
Malay specimens, and many collected by Bates, on the Amazons,
and by Belt, in Nicaragua, but the Wallace are the richest and
the most interesting in this collection."
III. CAMBRIDGE.
Here, as at the sister University, the University Museum build-
ing shelters the Entomological collections, as well as those of
other branches of zoology and the zoological laboratories. To
the kindness of Dr. David Sharp, Curator of Insects, the fol-
lowing notice is due :
"The Museum has a general collection of British Insects
which, however, is in certain groups of a deplorably minus char-
acter. It possesses the European collection of Coleoptera of the
late G. R. Crotch, and his typical collection illustrating his works
on Erotylidae and Coccinellidae There is also a small lot oi
exotic insects, most of which were presented by the late Neville
Goodman, and were collected by him in the Amazons Valley and
in South Africa.
" At present we have in the Museum a quite wonderful collec-
tion of Termites and parts of their Termitaria, formed by Mr.
Haviland, chiefly in Borneo and Singapore. This collection
differs from all others as it was made entirely from the nests
themselves, and thus contains the various forms of each species
which are wanting in all other collections so far as I know. I
hope Mr. Haviland may be able to describe this collection which
consists of about 90 species, of which probably as many as 75 or
So are new. ' '
68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
RAVAGES OF DERMESTES VULPINUS IN CORK.
By W. J. HOLLAND, Ph.D., F.Z.S., Etc.
Messrs. Armstrong, Brothers & Company, of Pittsburgh, who
are the largest manufacturers of cork in the United States, re-
cently sent me a couple of specimens of cork which had been
completely riddled by Dcrmestes vulpinus. A bottle cork one
inch in diameter and one and one-third inches in length had in it
five burrows, or tunnels, each containing an adult Dermestes
with the larval exuvium closing the orifice by which entrance
had been gained. Messrs. Armstrong Brothers reported to me
that a large invoice of cork from Spain had been found to be
infested by these insects, occasioning a loss of fully two per cent.
The destructive character of this beetle is too well known to
require any comment, but its presence in cork, which is so largely
used as a lining material for the drawers in insect cabinets, sug-
gests the propriety of thoroughly poisoning all cork before it
is used as the lining of cabinets. In doing this I have found that
the best medium is carbon bisulphide, and I have made it a rule
in recent years, when I have any cabinet drawers constructed, to
have the cork, before it is placed in position, immersed for a time
in carbon bisulphide, after which the sheets are allowed to remain
in the open air until the fluid has evaporated. This method of
destroying not only Dermestes, but specimens of Anobiwn and
other cork-infesting beetles is far preferable to the method which
has been sometimes recommended of painting the cork or satu-
rating it with an alcoholic solution of corrosive sublimate. The
effect of corrosive sublimate upon the pins is not good, and in
the second place it is a dangerous substance to use, inasmuch as
the cork in all properly constructed drawers after it has been
glued to the bottoms should be sand-papered by machinery, in
doing which clouds of fine dust are raised, some of which inevit-
ably enters the nostrils and lung passages of the workmen and
is liable to produce irritation. In fact, one builder positively
refused to construct a cabinet for me some years ago using cork
which had been steeped in a saturated solution of corrosive
sublimate.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
ANOTHER EUCHROMIID TO BE ADDED TO OUR LIST.
By HARRISON G. DYAR.
Another Cuban moth has occurred in southern Florida. It is
Syntomeida minima Grote, and is represented by a pair in Dr.
Ottolengui's collection, captured in coitu at Miami, Fla., on
March 12, 1895.
The specimens are somewhat larger than Mr. Grote' s original
example, expanding 29 mm. in the male, 26 mm. in the female.
There is an additional white spot on the primaries below the me-
dian vein at basal third of cell, narrow, elongate. In the female
the basal white spot on secondaries is wanting, and the white
abdominal dots vary in the two examples, the male having two,
the female four on each side above. These variations do not
warrant a varietal name, as the whife spots are variable in the
other species of the genus.
In his original description in 1867, Mr. Grote remarks that in
the then state of the subject, this species could be put in the
genus Hippola ot Walker. Hippola is now made a synonym of
Syntomeida by Kirby; but Mr. Grote' s remarks remain as true
to-day as when first written nearly thirty years ago, for they
imply the unsatisfactory condition of the genera of the Euchro-
miidae, which still need revision.
6". minima agrees structurally with our other species of Symto-
mcida, except that the hind legs are long and tufted as in Phyl-
Icecia. The type of Phyllcecia is, however, not known to me {P.
punctata Guer.), nor that of Callicams (C. pennipes Grt.) placed
in the synonymy by Mr. Kirby. Our P. texanus agrees with
S. minima in the tufted legs, but differs in the presence of an
accessory cell, which, however, I find is not constant. Still
minima may remain in Syntomeida at present, I think, as its
pattern of maculation corresponds, and it falls there in the syn-
opsis of genera (see Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc., i, 100, 1893).
The following synopsis will separate our species of the genus:
Abdomen banded with fulvous and black ipomceae.
Abdomen not banded.
Abdomen with a red tip; expanse 45 mm epilais.
Abdomen without red tip; expanse 29 mm. or less .... minima.
70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
A Review of T. L. Casey's Reasons for Striking Certain Spe-
cies of Coleoptera from the American-Asiatico-European
Catalogue.
By JOHN HAMILTON, M.D.
Conurus (Conosoma) pubescens Payk. was placed as one of
the species common to the two hemispheres in the first edition
of the catalogue of the Coleoptera common to these regions on
the authority of investigations made by Dr. Horn and others,
and on the authority of comparisons made by myself with sev-
eral Swedish examples. There seemed no difference whatever,
except a little tendency in the Swedish to color variation. Mr.
A. Fauvel published a French edition inserting pubescens and
extending its American distribution. Now comes T. L. Casey,
in Coleopterological Notices No. vi, recently published, with the
announcement that pubescens is not American. This is done on
the strength of a comparison with what he says are well authen-
ticated European types. From what is said of these types they
probably belong to an extreme variety known in Europe as crp-
ticola, which is in my collection, and which is so different in as-
pect from pubescens as to be readily convertible into a new species
by any one on the lookout for such opportunities. The weight
of the evidence is not favorable to Mr. Casey's view.
Anthicus basillaris Say. Mr. Casey, in the work cited,
unites this with floralis Linn, placed in his new genus Hemantus.
I fell into the same error in the first edition of the catalogue re-
ferred to, as it was considered at that time to be the 9 of floralis.
In the French edition Mr. A. Fauvel rectified the error and
added basillaris to the list of common species, uniting with it
quisquilius Thorns. Since that time a new European catalogue
has made its appearance in which an older name, formicarius
Goeze, has been resurrected with which quisquilius has been
united, consequently carrying with it basillaris. The species
now stands in the Catalogue: A. formicarius Goeze, basillaris Say.
Any one conversant with Say's mode of describing will see at
once on turning to his description of basillaris that he had not
before him examples of floralis, as it is highly improbable he
would have- omitted so prominent a character as the two tuber-
cles on the apex of the thorax. Those not caring to adopt Mr.
Casey's genera will now find two species in Anthicus, each with
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 7 1
the name form icar ius, and as Laferte's species is the more recent
it may be known'by the name myrmecoides.
Some of Mr. Casey's remarks under floralis seem a little ne-
phelic. He states that the American form is the true floralis of
Linne, "but quite possible that it [the American form] may be
different from the Anthiciis floralis of European authors." If
he means that he has not seen the European floralis, which seems
the more obvious interpretation, he may rest assured that they
are identical, as I have made the comparison more than once.
Lepyrus colon Linn. = palustris Scop, (an older name;. In
the Notices cited, Mr. Casey strikes this species from the Amer-
ican list for scarcely any.other reason, if he is rightly understood,
than that he has never seen an American example. This will
scarcely be accepted as a scientific procedure, and that Mr. Casey
should have resorted to this method of getting rid of an Europco-
American species is only to be understood in connection with his
often expressed unwillingness to admit the identity of European
and eastern American forms not imported.
Lepyrus colon was considered by Mr. Kirby, Schoenherr and
others, as well as Dr. LeConte, to be common to the two hemis-
pheres, and it can scarcely be doubted that they all saw examples
from both countries and knew what they did see; yet Mr. Casey
consigns into synonymy with a single sweep of the pen all their
determinations, for the reason that he had not seen an American
example, therefore they had not. Mr. Casey does not verify his
assertion by any examination of a type; some of Kirby 's are
probably extant yet in the British Museum, while some of Dr.
LeConte' s as determined for the Canadian Explorations and Sur-
veys, are deposited according to Mr. Harrington, in the Museum
of the Natural History Society of Montreal. Mr. Casey's " hy-
pothesis," as he styles his reasons for uniting the colon of the
above mentioned authors vnfa geminatus Say, cannot be accepted.
INSECTS AND FLOWERS are more or less closely connected in the study
of Nature, and especially is this true with those interested in Hymenop-
tera and Lepidoptera; we therefore feel sure that Success icitli /7<;,- >ts. Bisulphide of carbon was used with only very moderate success,
and Mr. Webster calls attention to a fact that has not been mentioned, so
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 83
far as I am aware, in connection with recommendations made for using
this material; that is, that the soil must be neither too wet nor too dry.
In either case the action will be unsatisfactory, and possibly this may ac-
count for some failures of which I have learned in an endeavor to use this
material for other purposes. We are constantly discovering new and
important factors that must be reckoned with if we want to obtain uniform
results in the use of any insecticide. Mr. Webster finally makes as his
most practical recommendation the suggestion that during the season of
gg-laying and the hatching of the young larvae the ground beneath the
vines be kept constantly stirred and turned up towards the rows, so that
roots and stem may be as deeply covered as possible by an unbroken
surface making it necessary for the larvae to dig down rather than crawl
through some crevice to reach the roots. Any method of cultivation that
induces the plant to send its roots down deeply is to be preferred to one
which keeps the roots near to the surface. This particular insect has been
known for a very long time, and not until the last year or two has it made
its appearance in destructive numbers. It is quite likely that in the course
of another short period it will disappear as abruptly as it became an
injurious pest.
Cut-Worms. During the season of 1895 worms seem to have been un-
usually abundant in many localities, and Bulletins on the subject were
issued in New Jersey, Kentucky and New York. These same insects
have been referred to more or less incidentally in other Station publica-
tions, and in the discussions before the various society meetings ; and
practically much the same species have proved troublesome in all the
States. It is a matter of interest that difference in surroundings influence
the habits of the insects, and that almost all species will climb trees and
eat buds when they fail in obtaining a sufficient supply of low vegetation.
In young orchards " climbing cut- worms" can do an enormous amount
of irreparable damage, while even on larger trees they may affect the
crop of fruit. In the New York Bulletin these "climbing cut-worms" of
the orchard are especially treated, and considerable reference is made to
experiences in Michigan, in dealing with similar insects. It seems toler-
ably easy to prevent the insects from climbing the trunks by means of a
band of cotton batting several inches wide, tied at the bottom and then
turned down so as to form a sort of cone. This appears to be absolutely
[insurmountable for the cut-worms, and the trees can be protected from
them without much trouble or expense; but they seem also inclined to
chew the bark of the young trees at the surface and girdle them, causing
even more damage than if they had been allowed to ascend and feast
upon the buds. In such cases it seems to me that the " Raupenleim," or
" Dendrolene," would serve a very much better purpose. A band of
this material extending from the surface, or even a little below it, for
eight, ten, or twelve inches up to the trunk, would be unsurmountabie by
cut-worms, unless they were numerous enough to cover the material so
completely as to form a bridge for those coming after. In such a case a
84 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
cotton band on top of the " Dendrolene" would serve as a complete pro-
tection. There are two other ways of avoiding injury to trees : one is by
sowing crimson clover in the orchards believed to be infested, which early
in the Spring will furnish an abundance of food for the cut-worms and;
render them disinclined to crawl up the trunks for feeding purposes ; the
other is a ring of poisoned bran placed around every tree, which will be
fed upon before the insects undertake to climb ; and the quantity to be
applied must depend somewhat upon the number of cut-worms supposed
to be in the orchard. Probably a combination of the " Dendrolene" band
extending to the surface of the ground, and a ring of poison bran would
be the most satisfactory, providing for a mechanical protection to the
trees in the first place, and for the destruction of the caterpillars in the
second. Mr. Davis claims that it is not necessary to sweeten the bran
mixture in order to render it attractive to the larvae, and he is probably
correct ; but the addition of sugar keeps the mixture moist for a some-
what longer time and renders it a little more adhesive, so that it does not
so readily drop apart when it dries out a little. Prepared with sugar-
water the poisoned bran ought to remain effective for at least three nights,
except where exposed uncovered directly to the sun, in which case it will
last only during the one night and will dry during the following day so as
to lose its attractiveness to the insects.
Economic Entomology. I have on more than one occasion called atten-
tion in this Department and elsewhere, to the danger lurking in the ever-
increasing search for new varieties of fruits to be grown in the United
States. Fruit trees are everywhere subject to insect enemies, and it is an
easy matter to introduce these with the plants themselves. The matter
has been discussed in the Association of Economic Entomologists, and
while the importance of a concerted effort to keep out foreign pests was
freely admitted, it was just as universally felt that we could not hope to
get at present any satisfactory supervision over imports where ports of
entry are as numerous as in our country. Prof. Cockerell, the energetic
entomologist of the New Mexcio Station, refuses to be discouraged by
the apparent difficulties in the way, and has prepared the thin end of the
wedge which is explained in the following :
Copy of resolutions concerning the Introduction of Injurious Insects
from the South, drawn up by the Entomologist of the N. M. Agricultural
Experiment Station and adopted by the council of said Station Jan. 9,
1896.
Resolved, (i) That great injury has already been clone to the Agricul-
tural and Horticultural interests of the Southern States by the introduc-
tion of injurious insects, as witness the various scale-insects on Citrus
trees in Florida and Louisiana and cotton-weevil in Texas.
(2) That it is well known through recent investigations in the West
Indies and Central America, that numerous scale insects and other pests
exist in the countries to the south of us, but have not yet reached the U.
S. Thus for example, the Aspidiotus scutiformis on Citrus trees iti
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 85
Mexico, the A. articu/atus on Citrus trees and many other plants in the
West Indies, the A.personatus on numerous plants in the West Indies,
etc.
(3) That past experience shows that these Mexican and West Indian
species are likely to be introduced in the United States, if no precau-
tionary measures are taken; and that some of them, at least, may be
found to flourish over a considerable portion of N. A. Witness, for ex-
ample, the West Indian Diaspis amygdali now injuring peach trees as far
north as the city of Washington.
(4) That the results obtained by the horticultura4 quarantine officer of
California show that it is possible to prevent by due vigilance, the intro-
duction of numerous insect pests. Thus Mr. Craw has quite lately found
on plants which were about to be landed at San Francisco a number of
species of scale insects foreign to this country, several of them undoubt-
edly quite pernicious.
(5) That when the immense interests at stake are considered, the sum
of money required to support a system of inspection and quarantine along
the southern border of the United States appears quite insignificant. If
but one serious pest were kept out of the country in a year, the saving
would more than equal the cost.
(6) That there should accordingly be appointed horticultural quarantine
officers at Nogales, El Paso, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Galveston, New Orleans,
Mobile and Key West.
i"j That these officers should be empowered by the laws of their re-
spective States and Territories to examine all plants introduced through
their several localities, and destroy all found to be infested by insects.
(8) That when the quarantine officers have examined and passed a
plant or collection of plants, they should issue a certificate to that effect
to the importers, and that it should be made illegal to possess imported
plants without such certificate.
(9) That the quarantine officers should be appointed by the Agricul-
tural Experiment Stations of their several States and Territories and paid
out of the funds of said States and Territories the necessary amount
being appropriated to the Agric. Experiment Station for that purpose.
(10) That while much good could be accomplished as above, it is also
very necessary to learn what injurious insects exist in all the regions to
the south of us, so as to be warned of their probable advent in this
country; and also to ascertain their natural distribution and life-histories,
parasites, etc., so as to be prepared to meet them intelligently.
(n) That while observing with much satisfaction the recent temporary
appointment of an agent by the Department of Agriculture to travel in
Mexico and determine such points as the above, and freely acknowledging
the importance of the results thus obtained, we cannot regard this as
more than a beginning of an investigation which should at least occnp\
in in v years. Thus for example, we are still ignorant of the injurious
insects inhabiting the whole west coast of Mexico south of Giuumas, of
86 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, [March r
Yucatan, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, etc., while at no
locality did the agent of the Department remain long enough to obtain
more than a very superficial knowledge of the insects there existing.
(12) That we therefore recommend the appointment of a permanent
agent who must be a skilled Entomologist, well informed about scale
insects, to travel in Mexico, Central America and the West Indies, and
make collections of injurious insects and such observation as are above
indicated.
(13) That such agent should be appointed and paid by the Department
of Agriculture, and b 4 e regarded as an official of the Division of Ento-
mology, to which he should report and transmit all his collections, the
latter to be finally deposited in the United States National Museum.
(14) That while thus in the service of the Department of Agriculture
he should be instructed to cooperate with the several Agricultural Ex-
periment Stations, and advise the quarantine officers concerning their
work, in the light of the experience gained by his researches.
Notes and News.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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 eaoh 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 circumfei-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy" into the hands of the printer, for each number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for 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. ED.
DURING July of 1895, I took on flowers of Swamp Milkweed, Asc/epias
caniosa, and Pasture Thistle, two fine Hemaris thysbf, van nnifonnis, in
two localities of Westchester County, N. Y. I also received from a col-
lector in Manitoba, three specimens of the same variation, which seems
to be the prevailing form in that northern region. Dr. R. E. KUNZE. '
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS received. I am very much pleased with the
volume for 1895. I have taken several entomolcgical journals, but never
saw one so handsome in its make up or more useful to students in the
field. The NEWS aims high and invites its readers, who are in the amateur
field, to come up higher. I find it constantly helpful, and if there is any-
thing in my line I do not understand I take pleasure in studying it out.
A. \V. P.
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO EVERGREENS. Tne spruces in some parts of
the United States are attacked by a gall-forming insect belonging to the
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 87
coccid genus Adelges Vallot. On the grounds of the Massachusetts Ag-
ricultural College it has become quite abundant doing serious damage.
We are making studies on this insect and hope to be able to publish a
complete account of it before long. There seems to be smut- doubt
whether \ve have more than one species in this country. Some specimens
do not agree with Thomas' Adelges abieticolens, which he described from
Illinois. If the insect occurs in your locality, will you kindly send me
some of the gall infested twigs? At this season of the year only dead
galls can be found, and they are dry and shrunken, with numerous open
cells. Even these dry galls wills prove useful. C. H. FERNALD, Am-
herst, Mass.
A CURIOUS ABERRATION OF 3IelitN. T. xli (1894).-
Nests and metamorphoses of insects, Fifth Memoir, ('apt. Xambeii.
go ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
12. ACTES DE LA SOCIETE LlNNEENNE DE BORDEAUX, 56 SCrie, T. vii.
Zoological Notes, J. Perez.
13. ENTOMOLOGISK TIDSKRIFT UTGIFVEN AF ENTOMOLOGISKA FORE-
NINGEN i STOCKHOLM, xvi, H. 1-2. Diagnoses of new Lepidoptera from
Africa, C. Aurivillius. Contribution to the knowledge of the Capsid
genus Fulvius Stal, O. M. ReuUr. Ibid, xvi, H. 3. Contributions to
the knowledge of the insect fauna of Cameroons, ii, Rhopalocera, C.
Aurivillius (continued in H. 4 of same volume).
14. ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xxii, H. 2. Two new Odonata
captured by Mr. G. Zenker in Cameroons, F. Karsch.
15. PSYCHE, a journal of Entomology, February, 1896. Habits and
parasites of a new Californian wasp, A. Davidson. Notes on the Winter
insect fauna of Vigo County, Indiana, iv, W. S. Blatchley. Final rotes
on Orgyia, H. G. Dyar. Notes on the Acrididae of New England, ii,
Tryaxilinae ii, A. P. Morse. New species of Papirius, }. W. Folsom.
Some new insects, T. D. A. Cockerell. A Ceroplastes and its parasite,
ibid. Preliminary diagnoses of new Coccidae, ibid.
16. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF
ENTOMOLOGY, Bulletin No. 2, new series (Proceedings of the Seventh
Annual Meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists). Ento-
mological notes and problems, J. B. Smith. Notes on insecticides, C. L.
Marlatt. Some experiments with the knapsack kerosene attachment, H.
E. Weed. A modification of the kerosene knapsack sprayer, C. M.
Weed. Spraying without a pump, J. M. Aldrich. " Raupenleim" and
" Dendrolene, " J. B. Smith. A city entomologist and insecticides, E. B
Southwick. Insects of the season in Michigan, G. C. Davis. Herbivor-
ous habits of certain Dermestidu?, F. H. Chittenden. Some shade-tree
insects of Springfield and other New England cities, L. O. Howard. The
elm-leaf beetle in Washington, C. L. Marlatt. The elm-leaf beetle in
Albany, J. A. Lintner. Notes on the Gypsy Moth in Massachusetts, C.
H. Fernald. The striped cottomvood beetle, J. A. Lintner. On the study
of forest-tree insects, A. D. Hopkins. The importation and repression
of destructive insects, F. M. Webster. Insects of the year in Ohio, F.
M. Webster. On the natural conditions which affect the distribution and
abundance of Coccidae, T. D. A. Cockerell. How shall we improve otir
collections?, C. P. Gillette.
17. ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, 1894, pt.
i, fasc. i. The genus Dysides Pert. (Apoleon Gorh. in part), P. Lesne.
Descriptions of new species of Lampyridae, E. Olivier. Note on the role
of the sternal spatula in the larvae of Cecidomyans, J. J. Kieffer. On the
seminal receptacle of the wasp (Vespa gennanica}, P. Marchal. De-
scriptions of Nocturnal Lepidoptera, P. Thierry-Mieg. Of sex in the
Scydmaenidas, J. Croissandeau. Determination of the sex of Coleopter-
ous insects of the same species, M. Martin. Note on the cave- inhabiting
Arthropoda of the Transvaal, E. Simon. The copulatory male organ of
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 91
the Hymenoptera and its taxonomic value, J. Perez. Note on the large
Trombidions of the warm countries, E. Trouessart. Study of the neura-
tion of insects applied to the description of fossil paleozoic insects, C.
Brongniart. On the stridulatory apparatus of Myrmica nthra I.., C.
Janet. Description of a new species of Tineid ( Trichophaga coprobiella]
from Obock (Red Sea), E. L. Ragonot. J. J. Kieffer describes three new
genera of Cecidomyidae (no title). Ibid, pt. i, fasc. 2. Synonymical
notes on the Microlepidoptera and descriptions of little-known or unpub-
lished species, E. L. Ragonot. Voyage de M. E. Simon in austral Africa:
Haliplidre, Dytiscidse and Gyrinidae, M. Regiinbart. Ichneumonidae of
Europe and surrounding countries, i, G. V. Berthoumieau. Descriptions
of some species of the family Phalacridae in the collection of M. A. Grou-
ville, F. Guillebeau. On the group Epidosis of the family Cecidomyidae,
J. J. Kieffer (continued in pts 2 and 3 same volume). Ibid, pts. 2 and 3.
Contributions to the study of the African Brenthidse, A. Senna. Bu-
prestidae collected in tobacco by the diligence of M. A. Grouvelle, C.
Kerremans. Nests and metamorphoses of insects, Fourth Memoir, Capt.
Xambeu. Ichneumonidce of Europe (cont.), G. V. Berthoumieu. M.
Fairmaire describes a new genus of Coleoptera (no title). Ibid, pt. 4.
Ichneumonidae of Europe (cont), G. V. Berthoumieu. M. Leveille de-
scribes some new species of Coleoptera (Temnochilidae) (no title). J. J.
Kieffer gives a preliminary note on the genus Campyloniyza and describes
four new genera (no title). M. F. Guillebeau describes a new genus of
Phalacridae (no title). M. E. Abeille de Perrin describes two new genera
of Coleoptera (no title).
18. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, February, 1896. The Coleoptera
of Canada, xiv (Meloidae), H. F. Wickham. The North American spe-
cies of Gnathodus, C. F. Baker. Prosopis subti/is, T. D. A. Cockerel!.
New Culicidae from North America, D. \Y. Coquillett. In reply to criti-
cism, H. G. Dyar. The American species of Isotoina, A. D. Macgillivray.
19. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 1895,
pt. 3. On a small collection of butterflies sent by Mr. Richard Crawshay
from the country west of Lake Nyasa, A. G. Butler. A monograph of
the Bornean Lycosnidae, H. H. Druce.
20. BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT (published by Entomo-
logischer Verein zu Berlin), Bd. xl. H. 3, 4. New exotic Coleoptera, A.
F. Non fried. Dipterological studies, iii, Lonchaeidse, Th. Becker. .1/it/us
or Hfydas?, C. R. Osten Sacken. Supplement to my recent paper on
Lipcneuridae, ibid. List of Sphingidae collected by John Fruhstorfer
during his residence in Java from 1891 to 1893, A. Huwe.
21. ATTI DELLA REALE ACADEMIA DELLE SCIENCE FISICHK MATE
MATICHE, Naples (2), vol. vii. Review of the Italian Hymenoptera, iii
A. Costa.
22. ANNALI DEL MUSEO civico DI STORIA NATTKALE DI GENOVA
92 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
xxxiv. A list of the Longicorn Coleoptera collected by Signor Fea in
Burma, . . . with' descriptions of new genera and species, C. J. Gahan.
Hemiptera of the subf. Plataspidince collected by L. Fea in Burma and
adjacent regions, A. L. Montandon. Voyage of L. Fea in Burma, etc.:
Curculionidae, J. Faust. Elateridoe collected by Dr. E. Modigliani, . . .
in Sumatra, E. Candeze. Contribution to our knowledge of the Diplopoda
of Laguria, R. I. Pocock. New species of Anthicidae . . . , M. Pic.
Chilopods and Diplopods of Papuasia, F. Silvestri. List of some Col-
lembola of the Argentine Republic, E. Parona. On Chilopods and Diplo-
pods of Sumatra, etc., F. Silvestri. Chilopods and Diplopods collected
by Capt. G. Bove and Prof. L. Bazan in America Meridional, ibid. The
Myriopoda of Burma, iv (Polydesmoidea), R. I. Pocock. Ibid, vol. xxxv.
Exploration of Guiba and the surrounding countries by Capt. V. Bot-
tejo . . . Zoological results: Orthoptera, H. deSaussure; Plataspidinae,
A. L. Montandon: Rhynchota, A. DeCarlini; Diptera, E. Corti; Hymen-
optera, P. Magretti; Formicidae, C. Emery; Dytiscidae and Gyrinidae, M.
R^gimbart; Staphylinidae, E. Eppelsheim; Melolonthini and Rutelini, E.
Brenske; Anthicidae and Pseudoanthicidoe, M. Pic; Curculionidae, J.
Faust; Coleoptera, R. Gestro; Chilopoda and Diploploda, F. Silvestri;
Arachnida, P. Pavesi; Acaria, C. Parrona.
INDEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT,
vom Rath 5, Gillette 16, Brogniart 7.
MYRIAPODA.
Verhoeff 6, Scudder 10*, Pocock 22 (two), Silvestri 22 (four).
ARACHXIDA.
McCook i, Scudder 10*, Simon 17, Trouessart 17*, Pavesi 22, Paronna
22.
ORTHOPFERA.
Scudder 7, de Saussure, 22.
THYSANURA.
Macgillivray 18*, Parona 22.
NEUROPTERA.
Karsch 14, Folsom 15*.
HEMIPTERA.
Montandon 2*, Maskell 4, Slingerland 9 (two), Scudder 10*, RCUUT
13*, Cockerel! 15* (two), 16, Baker 'iS' :; \ Montandon 22 (two), DeCarlini
22.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL XEV.'S. 93
COLEOPTERA.
Belon 2, Lewis 3, Wickham S, 18, Slingerland 9, Scudder 10*, Xambeu
ii, 17, Blatchley 15, Chittenden 16, Regimbart 17, Guillebeau 17* (two),
Lesne 17, Olivier 17, Croissandeau 17, Martin 17, Senna 17, Kerremans
17*, Fairmaire 17, Leveille 17, Perrin 17, Nonfried 20*, Gahan 22, Faust
22 (two), Candeze 22, Pic 22 (two), Regimbart 22, Eppelsheim 22,
Brenkse 22, Gestro 22.
DIPTERA.
KiefFer 17 (four), Coquillett 18*, Osten Sacken 20 (two), Corti 22.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Butler 3, 19, Warren 3*, Dyar 4, 15, 18, Smith 4, Johnson 4, Tutt 4,
Slingerland 9, Aurivillius 13 (two), Ragonot 17 (two), Thierry-Mieg 17
(two), Druce 19, Huwe 20.
HYMENOPTERA.
Evans 4, Cockerell 4*, 15* (two), 18, Perez 12, Davidson 15*, Morse
15*, Berthotimieu 17, Marchal 17, Perez 17, Janet 17, Costa 21, Margretti
22, Emery 22.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Slingerland 9 (four), Smith 16 (two), Marlatt 16 (two), H- Weed 16, C.
Weed 16, Aldrich 16, Howard 16, Lintner 16 (two), Fernald 16, Hopkins
1 6, Webster 16 (two).
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. u, 1896.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Dr. Henry Skinner, No. 716 N. 2Oth Street.
Members present: Messrs. Laurent, Trescher, Hoyer, H. W.
Wenzel, Johnson, E. Wenzel, Griffith, Bland, Fox, Seiss, Castle,
Boerner and Schmitz. Honorary members: Drs. Horn, Smith
and Skinner. Visitors: Messrs. Lancaster Thomas, W. J. Ger-
hard, Charles Liebeck and Dr. W. E. Hughes. Meeting called
to order at 9 P.M., President Bland presiding. After the reading
of the minutes of the previous meeting, Dr. Horn, referring to
Dr. Skinner's suggestion of his method of arranging males and
females for their better identification, gave his views on the matter
.... stating in conclusion that, in his opinion, every specimen
should be marked with sex labels. In a later discussion between
Horn, Smith and Skinner, regarding the labeling, numbering
94 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
and use of vari-colored papers for the easy determination of
species, localities, etc. Dr. Skinner stated that, in his opinion,-
the most important thing was to mark the date and locality, as it
has frequently occurred in going over collections of deceased
collectors where specimens were mounted with colored labels,
numbered or lettered in reference to lists, such lists could gener-
ally not be found.
Prof. Smith exhibited proofs of illustrations which are to
appear in his next annual report, explaining his method of pre-
paring his plates, whereby he obtained such clear, sharp prints
with almost a pure white background.
Mr. Johnson exhibited specimens of Sargus nebeculosus Zett. ,
an introduced European species; about fifty specimens were col-
lected near Newark, N. J., June 12-16, 1892; they were identi-
fied by comparison with some European specimens in the U. S.
National Museum. The speaker states that they are the only
North American specimens he has seen.
Mr. Liebeck exhibited a case of Melandrydae and Pyrochroidae,
which he states is very near a complete collection. In habits
these insects infest the bark and fungus on trees and logs. The
collection was viewed with much interest.
Dr. Griffith exhibited a. number of Curculionidae from Brazil,
which represents part of a large collection sent him.
Mr. Laurent exhibited what he termed the Lancaster Thomas
exhibiting cabinet, which consisted of a case made in the usual
way, having looking-glass placed in the bottom; the specimens
are mounted on pieces of cork cemented to the glass; by this
method all markings can be seen underneath the specimens at a
glance without removing them from the cabinet.
Mr. Fox referred to a former communication by Prof. Smith
on certain modifications of the hairs of bees and Diptera. The
speaker had made an examination of a number of the fossorial
Hymenoptera and found in most species the hairs are simple.
In some Mutillidse, however, the hairs are barbate, and the Sco-
liidae, in which family the hairs are short and stout, some species
have them translucid medially and crossed by oblique striations.
No further business being presented the meeting adjourned to
the annex at 10.45, where Dr. Skinner 'again showed his hospi-
tality in a substantial way. Mr. Bland presided at the banquet.
Dr. Skinner, as toast master, called on Messrs. Bland, Horn
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 95
and Smith to respond to the toasts on Entomology past, present
and future, other toasts following in order.
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
TPtie Entomological Section
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
The following paper was read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
A NEW SPECIES OF MELEOMA.
By NATHAN BANKS.
Meleoma slossonae n. sp. Length 18 mm. Pale green, an indistinct
yellowish stripe on middle of thorax, black stripe on cheek from eye to
mouth, palpi mostly black, in $ a small black dot on innerside of basal
joint of antennae; antenna? wholly pale, a brown mark at each anterior
corner of the pronotum, veins of wings green, some of the cross-veins
partly black, pterostigma opaque. Bases of antennae widely separated,
basal joints diverging, in the $ the third joint is swollen on the innerside
and concave outside, and much larger than in the $ ; between the an-
tennae in the $ is a short horn, about as long as broad, trifid at tip, the
median part slightly longer and acute; on the middle of the face is a
bunch of pale hairs; in the 9 there are only some sutures indicating some-
what the shape of the horn of the $; above on the vertex, in both sexes,
is a rounded transverse ridge; on the pronotum a somewhat elevated
portion each side as in M. signoretti; wings slightly acute at tips, venation
as in M. signoretti.
Several specimens from Mt. Washington and Crawford Notch,
N. H., collected by Mrs. Annie T. Slosson.
This species is separated from J\f. signoretti Fitch:
First, by its larger size, the latter being about 16 mm. long.
Second, M. signoretti has no marks on the cheeks, and the
palpi are pale.
Third, the horn of M, signoretti is as long as the basal joint
of the antennae, in M. slossonce it is not half as long; in the former
the tip is deflected, bifid and with a recurved median tooth.
Fourth, on the face of M. signoretti are two smooth brown
elevations, not present in M. slossonce.
96 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Fifth, the third joint of the antennae of M. slossoncs is enlarged
and curved, my only male of M. signoretti lacks the antennae,
except the basal joints, but Fitch does not mention any such
character.
Sixth, Fitch says antennae brownish, in M. slossonce they are
pale.
A 9 , probably of M. signoretti, from Mt. Washington, has
much resemblance to Chrysopa nigricornis, but is smaller, and
the basal joints of antennae are more slender and farther apart
than in Chrysopa; there is no dot on the basal joint, the rest of
antennae is brown; there is a black dot each side near the base
of the clypeus, the palpi are pale.
Since the presence of the horn in Meleoma is a secondary
sexual character, the genus can best be separated from Chrysopa
by the widely separated and more slender basal joints of the
antennae. M. signoretti has fine vertical hairs on the front of the
horn, giving it the striated appearance Rioted by Fitch. M.
slossona; appears to be the more common form.
OBITUARY.
T. B. ASHTON, of Tonganoxie, Kans., died Dec. 28, 1895, aged 69 years.
A native of Washington County, New York; he was always interested in
Entomology, and was especially devoted to the Coleoptera. He was one
of the charter members and assisted in organizing the Entomological
Society of Philadelphia, the latter part of February, 1859, an d was the
personal friend of such eminent entomologists as Dr. John L. LeConte,
E. T. Cresson, of Philadelphia; Dr. Asa Fitch, of New York, and was
also well acquainted with many of the leading entomologists of America.
He was a skillful and persistent collector of Coleoptera, and gathered a
large and valuable collection, which was largely increased by exchanges.
Although not a voluminous writer, he occasionally contributed articles to
eastern entomological publications, an interesting paper appearing in
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, vol. iv, May, 1893. He had great mechanical
ingenuity, making his own cases for his collections. One daughter sur-
vives him. WARREN KNAUS.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for February, was mailed January 31, 1896.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. vii. APRIL, 1896. No. 4.
CONTENTS:
Calvert Notes on European Entomo- Entomological Literature 114
logical collections 97 Doings of Societies 117
Snyder Local list 99 American Entomological Society 119
\Veith Insect coll'ng at Elkhart, Ind.. 104 Wheeler The genus Ochthera 121
Editorial 105
Economic Entomology 106
Notes and News 1 1 1
Ottolengui A comparison of the North
American species, etc 124
NOTES ON EUROPEAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
By PHILIP P. CALVERT.
(See the NEWS for January, 1896, vol. vii, p. 4.)
IV. BRUSSELS.
The governmental Musee d'Histoire Naturelle in the Pare
Leopold in Brussels, opened in 1891, and famed for its skeletons
of gigantic Jurassic and Cretaceous Reptilia, contains an exten-
sive collection of Insects on the uppermost floor. The large
room in which -they are contained is lighted from above, and,
although not separated by partitions from parts of the same floor
to which the public is admitted, is open only to students and to
special visitors. On an adjoining corridor are smaller rooms for
study.
The specimens are contained in rabbeted, glass-topped, wooden
boxes arranged as drawers, but with a considerable interval be-
tween each one and that next above. The drawer-cases are open
in front except for a strip, about three inches wide, at one side by
which the drawers of each case are locked in place.
The specimens are being carefully labeled, and a very con-
siderable part of this work has already been completed. The
labels employed are of two kinds (i ) individual and (2) specific.
98 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
1. The individual labels, or those attached to the pin of each
specimen, comprise (a) a colored locality label, (b) a label giving
the name of the collection in which the specimen formerly was,
together with the-name of the specialist by whom this specimen
was referred to the species in question in the course of a mono-
graphic revision, and (c} a label bearing a number. In those
cases where the specimen has been used by several successive
monographers there are several labels of the kind (b).
2. The white specific labels, attached to the bottom of the
drawer below the specimens to which they refer, bear the name
of the species, a number corresponding to that on label (<:), and
at the right hand end a miniature map of the world on a Mercator
projection, about 20 mm. x 12 mm., on which the area of distri-
bution is shown in red.
The policy of the Museum is to devote especial attention to the
acquisition of insects of those groups of which collections do not
elsewhere exist in Belgium. Thus the Odonata and the Elateridae
are not so extensively represented here for the reason that they
are to be found in the collections of the eminent Belgian special-
ists Baron de Selys-Longchamps and Dr. E. Candeze respectively.
In this way a duplication of labor is avoided.
Mons. G. Severin, Aide-Naturaliste in charge of the Insects,
who very kindly conducted the writer through the building and
pointed out the chief features of interest, stated that the Coleop-
tera, the Hymenoptera and the Hemiptera are well represented
here, the other groups much less so.
The most important contents are :
COLEOPTERA.
Carabidae. Coll. Putzeys.
Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, etc. Coll. Chevrolat, with many types
of Aube, Sharp and Regimbart. A list of these has been pub-
lished by M. Severin (Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xxxvi, pp. 469-478,
1892), in which he estimates the total number of species of these
aquatic Coleoptera as 2129, of which the Museum possesses 1301
(299 types) in 6000 specimens, exclusive of the duplicates.
Scarabaeidae, Coprophaga, Melolonthidae and Dynastidae.-
Coll. Thompson.
Malacodermata. -*-Coll. Guerin-Meneville.
Heteromera. Coll. Thompson, very rich.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 99
Curculionidae. Coll. Castelnau, including specimens from
colls. Dejean, Laferte and Roelofs.
Longicornia. Coll. Lacordaire, good but not very rich.
Chrysomelidae. Colls. Chapuis, Saintpierre.
HYMENOPTERA.
Ichneumonidae, Braconidae. Coll. Wesmael.
o
LOCAL LIST.
By A. J. SNYDER, Evanston, 111.
The lists of insects taken by collectors in various localities are
always interesting to me. We desire to know where and when
to look for certain species. If such lists were more common,
and were studied more, much valuable time would be saved by
not looking for things in wrong times and seasons. Beginners
are discouraged because they think it is impossible to secure a
collection of any size unless one can travel or live in the tropics,
hence I have made notes of my season's captures and give the
species which I have taken within the past season and within a
radius of one mile from my house.
North Evanston is thirteen and a half miles from one of the
main depots of Chicago. Native timber abounds oaks ashes,
elms and basswoods are predominant forest trees. In my own
yard are numerous trees which are kept smeared with molasses
and vinegar during the insect season.
My collecting must be done at night and on occasional Saturday
afternoons when my duties as teacher will permit. From June
1 9th to August 8th, my vacation occurred, and I collected in
Utah, Idaho and Yellowstone Park. As to this trip I hope to
have something to say in the future, but I can never know how
many species might have been added to my list had I been at
home.
Besides the species named I have taken probably twenty kinds,
mostly micros, which are yet unidentified. The Catocalas, usu-
ally abundant from June to October, were conspicuous by their
absence this year. I have been amazed at the method of ap-
pearance and the stay of certain species.
Aletia argillacea appeared in abundance one ni^ht; a few were
seen the following evening, and that was the last of the species.
100 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Hadena arctica for a time crowded every other species away
from the bait and then gave place to thousands of Leucanias. At
the beginning and close of the season Xylinas were here in count-
less numbers; during the middle of the season not one was seen.
Amblyscirtes samosel is perhaps the rarest butterfly in this sec-
tion. A little girl brought me a dandelion blossom one evening,
to which a fresh specimen was clinging. Another evening, on
coming in with dark lantern and bottle from collecting, another
A. samoset was clinging to my clothing. Several more of the
species were taken later on blackberry blossoms.
The dates I have given represent the first appearance of the
species, or else give the time during which the species was found
here. I beg to again recommend to collectors the planting of
flowers which are attractive, especially to the Noctuids.
The Verbenas, Petunias and Nicotiana, have rendered me the
best service. The first capture of the season was made February
2ist; the last, November I4th. On this last date three species
were taken: Orthosia ferruginoides, Xylina unimoda and Peri-
droma sancia.
RHOPALOCERA.
Danais archippus, June n, common Pieris protodice, August, few
Argynnis idalia, June u, one " rapas, May, abundant
cybele, June 10, common Meganostoma csesonia, May and
alcestis, August, rare September, abundant
bellona, May 5, common Colias eurytheme, August, two
Phyciodes nycteis, May 24, one philodice, May 6, common
tharos, May ro, common Terias nicippe, August, one
Grapta interrogationis. Papilio ajax, June 6, common
" a fabricii, August, common " turnus, June 2, one
" b umbrosa, August, com. cresphontes, June 2, several
" comma, April 20, few " asterias, May 3, several
Vanessa antiopa, April 20, few troilus, August, two
Pyrameis atalanta, June 12, few " philenor, May 30, several
huntera, Sept. 10, com. Ancyloxypha numitor, Aug., sev'l
cardui June 15, rare Pamphila zabulon, May 29, com.
Limenitis ursula, August, one peckius, May 29, com.
disippus, May 29, several ." cernes,- June, common
Neonymphaeurytris, June 4, abund. Amblyscirtes samoset, May 23, five
Libythea bachmani, Aug., one seen Nisoniades martialis, May 31, one
Thecla melinus, Aug. 23, two juvenalis, May 3, two
Chrysophanus thce, Aug. 23, two Pholisora catullus, June 10, one
Lycaena neglecta, May 30, abundant Eudamus pylades, June 7, one
comyntas, Aug. 23, two tityrus, August, one
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
IOI
TAKEN IN OTHER YEARS, SAME LOCALITY.
Euptoieta claudia, one
Argynnis mynna, several
aphrodite (?)
Grapta j-album, common 1893
Junonia ccenia, two 1894
Neonympha canthus, common '94
Thecla calanus, common 1894
Thecla titus, several
Feniseca tarquinius, one 1893
Pamphila egeremet, several 1894
manataaqua, several '94
verna, common 1894
metacomet, several 1894
HETEROCERA.
Hemaris thysbe, May 3, several
Amphion nessus, June 7, one
Thyreus abbotii, June 7, one
Deilephila lineata, April 29, abund.
Chcerocampa tersa, August, one
Ampelophaga chcerilus, May, sev'l
myron, June, several
Protoparce celeus, August, scarce
Carolina, Aug., scarce
Sphinx kalmiae, July, one.
eremittus, August, one
Stnerinthus geminatus, June 12, four
Paonias astylus, June 12, several
Alypia octomaculata, June, several
Ctenucha virginica, June, one
Euphanessa mendica, June 8, sev'l
Utetheisa bella, Sept. 21, abundant
Arctia rectilinea, June 10, one
nais, June 12, one
virguncula, June 12, many
Leucarctia acraea, May 24, one
Spilosoma virginica, June 12, one
latipennis, June, one
antigone, June 12, sev'l
Halisidota tessellata, August, one
Datana contracta, June 12, several
Nadala gibbosa, June 12, several
Lophodonta georgica, June 12, one
Platypteryx arcuata.
Attacus cecropia, June 15, two
Actias luna, July 17, one
Telea polyphernus, June, one
Hyperchiria io, June 12, three
Dryorampa rubicunda, July, one
Prionoxystus robinio.-, June 3, two
Arsilonche henrici, May 23, one
Acronycta occidentalis, May, one
lobelia, May 30, several
hamamelis, one
haesitata, June 4, several
retardata, June 3
oblinita, June 3, one
Microccelia diptheroides, May 31,
several
Bryophila lepidula, June 4, one
Agrotis badinoides, Sept. 3, many
ypsilon, April to Oct. 14,
many
Peridroma saucia, April 5 to Oct. 14,
many
Noctua baja, August, many.
normaniana, August, many
bicarnea, August, many
c-nigrum, May 22, many
haruspica, August, few
clandestina, June T, several
Feltia subgothica, August, many
jaculifera, August, many
" herelis, August, few
venerabilis, September, few
Garneades scandens, Aug. 24, one
messoria, Sept. 2, one
Mamestra meditata, Aug., abund.
detracta, June 6, one
atlantica, one
grandis, one
trifolii, May 24, several
latex, June 7, one
beanii, May 24, one
renigera, through season
common
olivacea, Aug., abund.
IO2
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[April,
Mamestra lorea, May 22, abundant
Hadena sputatrix, May to Sept.,
common
Hadena impulsa, June n, one
devastatrix, May, abund.
arctica, June 3, common
cariosa, June, several
vulgaris, June 6, several
lignicolor, June, several
quaesita, June, one
modica, June, common
fractilinea, June, several
Oligia festivoides, May 30, two
" grata, June i, one
Perigea luxa, May 30, one
fabrefacta, 1895, one
Dipterygia scabriuscula, May, sev'l
Hyppa xylinoides, May 17, several
Laphygma frugiperda, Sep., abund.
obscura. Sept., several
Prodenia lineatella, Sept., common
Euplexia lucipara, May 30, one
Nephelodes minians, var., May,
common
violans, Aug., common
Helotropha reniformis, Aug., sev'l
atra, August, several
Hydrcecia immanis, Sept. 2, com.
Monodes nucicolora, Aug. i, one
Leucania pallens, May 22, several
albilinea, May 24, several
phragmatidicola, May 22,
common
commoides, June, com.
unipuncta, May 6 to Nov.
14, common
pseudargyria, June i,
several
var. stolata, June, one
Nolophana malana, June 6, one
Caradrina miranda, May 30, one
Pyrophila pyramidoides, Sept., one
Orthodes infirma, May 24, several
cynica, September, one
Taeniocampa oviduca, May 30, one
alia, April 6, common
Pyrrhia umbria, April 6, one
Orthosia ferruginoides, Sept. to
Nov. 14, abundant
Glaea inulta, Sept. 20, common
Xanthia flavago, 1895, one
Cirrhoedia pampina, Sept., abund.
Scoliopteryx libatrix, May 2, one
Scopelosomatristigmata, Sept., one
walkeri, Feb. 28, one
morrisoni, Feb., five
devia, April 6, sev'l
Xylina bethunei, April 6, several
" antennata, Oct., several
" laticinerea, April and Nov. r
several
" unimoda, Nov., abundant
" pexata, April n, one
Calocampa nupera, April IT, sev'l
curvimacula, April ir,
several
Cucullia asteroides, May 7, one
Ingura abrostoloides, June 3, one
Aletia argillacea, Sept. 18, abund.
Ogdoconta cinereola, June, abund.
carneola, May 22, com.
Devia purpurigera, Aug. 13, one
Plusia biloba, June 12, several
" verruca, Sept. 20, one
" dyaus, Sept. 20, one
" precationis, common
" ou, Sept. 19, one
" pedalis, Sept. 20, one
" brassicae, August, common
" oxygramma, Sept., one
" simplex, May, common
Plusiodonta compressipalpis, M.-\
30, one
Heliothis armiger, May 27 to Oct.,
common
Acontia erastrioides, May 24, com.
Chamyris cerintha, May 27, one
Erastria apicosa, May, several
Galgula subpartita, Sept. 24, one
Drasteria erechtea, April 19, com.
erichto (?), May 2, sev'L
Hypocala hilli, Sept. 21, one
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
103
Euclidia cuspidea, June i, several
Grammodes smithii, May and Sep-
tember, two
Catocala uxor, June 12, several
unijuga, June 12, one
cara, June to Nov.. sev'l
nurus, June to Nov., sev'l
communis, 1895, one
angusi, June 7, one
Celiptera frustulum, June 3, several
Parallelia bistriaris, June, abundant
Remigia latipes, June, several
Zale horrida, May 22, several
Pheocyma lunifera, May 17, several
Homoptera edusa, May 10, several
a saundersii, June, sev'l
b lunata, June, several
edusina, June, several
a atritincta (?), June,
Yysia undularis, June 4, one
Pseudanthroecia coracias, May, one
Homopyralis tactus, May 10, com.
Pseudaglossa lubricalis, Aug., com.
Epizeuxis aemula, June 7, one
americalis, Aug., several
Herminia petrealis, Aug. 13, one
Pityolita pedipalalis, June, one
Philometra eumelusalis, June, one
Palthis angulalis, June 15, several
Heterogramma rurigena, May, one
Renia flavipunctalis, May 30, one
Hypena huninli, June 8, several
Hypena scabra, August, several
Caberodes confusaria, June, several
Endropia serrata, June 12, one
hypocharia, June 7, com.
Thernia fervidaria, Sept. 2, several
Angerona crocataria, June 7, sev'l
Aplodes mimosaria, May 24, one
Eucrostis chloroleucaria, May, one
Ephyra myrtaria, June 6, one
Phasiane mellistrigata, June 12, one
Haematopis grataria, May n, sev'l
Boarmia polygrammaria, Aug., one
Tephrosia canadaria, May 24, one
Phibalapteryx latirupta, Aug., com.
Biston ursarius, May 23, one
Rheumaptera unangulata, May, one
Ochyria designata, May 4, several
Eupithecia implicata, June, several
Nomophila noctuella, 1895, rare
Pyrausta octomaculata, May, sev'l
insequalis, May 4, one
Pyralis farinalis, June, several
" olinalis, June 8, one
Crambus albellus, May 23, com.
vulgivagellus, 1895, com.
inteiminellus, 1895, com.
Platyptilia carduidactyla, June, one
Cacoecia rosaceana, June, several
Paedisca scudderiana, June 12, one
Carpocapsa potnonella, Feb., one
Stenoma schlaegeri, May 30, one
Since writing the article for the NEWS, giving list of specimens
taken at Evanston, 111., during 1895, it has become necessary to
make an addition. Twice since completing the article the mer-
cury has been to 3 below zero. A heavy snow covered the
ground for several weeks, but now the weather is warm, the
mercury stands at 53 to-night. The snow has disappeared, and
on Christmas eve I have taken twelve moths at sugar.
The moths captured at this, so far as I know, unprecedented
late date for this latitude, were as follows:
Xylina unimoda
Scopelosoma walkeri
morn so ni
Peri drama saucia ,
9 ,
3
i
7
i
Total
. 12
104 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
INSECT COLLECTING AT ELKHART, IND.
R. J. WEITH.
During the Summer of 1895 I had been busy collecting the in-
sects of all orders, and thought it would be of interest to record
some of the species that were new to this locality. Having prom-
ised some specimens of Amphion nessus, on May 29th, I went to
the locality where they are usually found; stationed myself on a
piece of ground where numerous elm and sugar-maple trees had
been cut down a few weeks before, and very soon an A. nessus
made its appearance, feeding in its nervous flight on the sap still
oozing from the stumps. A sweep of the net and I thought an
A. nessus was mine, but the unevenness of the ground allowed it
to escape from the net, as this species, contrary to the habits, of
other Lepidoptera, does not fly upward, but gets out at the
bottom.
Numerous specimens of Muscidae, Vespa, etc., were feeding
on the sap, as was also a single Hololeptafossularis, the only one
taken here by me during twenty years' collecting. A specimen
of Galeruca externa, an unusual species so far east, taken under
loose bark on a fallen tree trunk. The capture of an apparent
Hymenopterous insect flying past proved to be the rare Gnori-
imis maculosus. I have taken two each of Calosoma frigidum
and peregrinator at the electric lights, and plenty of C. scrutator
and C. wilcoxi, never very abundant here before.
Lachnosterna prunina was also plentiful. Water beetles weie
very scarce, except Hydrophilus ovatus, of which I could have
filled a basket, but very few H. triangular is. Donacia subtilis*
another new species, very plentiful.
Occasionally an Asilus sericeiis, preying on Pompilus sp. on
the margin of the pond, would find its way into my water-beetle
net. Have taken over fifty specimens of Neonympha canthus,
usually scarce here at other seasons, and, contrary to their usual
habits, on an open marsh in the glaring suri. Also sixty-nine
specimens of Satyrus alope, in about two hours, on a little patch
of marsh bordering the lake.
Other new Lepidopterous species taken during the season were
six specimens of 'Argynnis ida/ia, one of Euptoieta claudia ami
two of Philampelus pandora. Have not seen a specimen of
Calopterix maculata in four years, previously an abundant spe-
cies. All orders were fairly scarce during the season, doubtlessly
on account of excessive heat and drvness.
1896.] 105
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Published monthly (except July and August), in charge of the joint
publication committees of the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and the American Entomological
Society. It will contain not less than 300 pages per annum. It will main-
tain no free list whatever, but will leave no measure untried to make it a
necessity to every student of insect life, so that its very moderate annual
subscription may be considered well spent.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION $1.00, IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada $1.2O.
g^" All remittances should be addressed to E. T. Cresson, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.; all other communications to the Editors
of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, Logan Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., APRIL, 1896.
DUST.
ONE of the greatest " bug-a-boos" to the bugologist is dust.
Dust on the glass or the drawers of cabinets; dust on the boxes
containing insects; .dust everywhere. Wooden cabinets, unless
extraordinarily well made, will admit large quantities of dust.
They are apt to warp, and the cracks in the back widen and dust
enters. Dust is not such a serious matter in private collections,
but in large museum collections, where it is hardly possible to
have some one constantly cleaning, it is a great nuisance. In
handling boxes or drawers one's fingers soon become black, and
often it is difficult to see through the glass of a drawer. The
entomological cabinet of the future, whether for drawers or boxes,
will undoubtedly be made of metal (tinned sheet iron or alu-
minum) w r ith a front of the same material closing on rubber.
Such a case is used by the ornithologists, and they find it a
improvement over old methods.
^ILK-PRODUCING LEPIDOPTERA. Dr. Dusuzeau, Directeur du Lahora-
toire d'Etudes de la Soie, Rue St. Polycarpe 7, Lynn, France, desires to
obtain, either by way of exchange or purchase, specimens belonging to
the groups Saturnides, Bombycides, Lasiocampides, etc., from all parts
of the world; the eggs, larvae and cocoons are also desired, together with
information of the food-plant.
106 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
DEPARTMENT OF EGONOMIG ENTOMOLOGY.
Edited by Prof. JOHN B, SMITH, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor, Prof. John
B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
The Flour Moth in Mexico. Since the discovery of the flour moth,
Ephestia kuehniella Zell., in bran, meal and cakes in the Mexican exhibit
at the World's Fair (" Insect Life," vol. vi, p. 221), we have suspected its
presence in Mexico, but have had no positive information regarding it. I
am now (March 5, 1896) in receipt of a package of matted flour from a
flouririg-mill in Saltillo, Mexico, which is literally alive with larvae and
pupae of the flour moth. The insect has been established in the mill for
over a year, and is an alarming pest. The climate is so even there is
little or no difference in the attack at any time of the year. It infests all
parts of the mill, but is most troublesome in spouts, elevator legs, puri-
fiers and hoppers. VV. G. JOHNSON, Urbana, 111.
The Hymenopterous Parasite of the Angoumois Grain Moth. In the year
1883, Mr. F. M. Webster described a parasite of the Angoumois grain
moth (Sitotroga (Gelechia) cerealella Ol.), giving it the name Pteromalus
gelechice (i2th Rept. St. Ent. 111. p. 151). The subfamily to which this
species belongs, Pteromalina?, contains many minute forms of very similar
appearance and difficult to separate. Recently parasites were reared at
the Department of Agriculture from moth-infested corn from Sharpsburg,
Texas, which have been compared by Mr. Ashmead with a series in the
National Museum from Europe identified as Dibrachys boucheanus Ratz^
and pronounced by him to be indistinguishable from that species. Further
comparison with one of Mr. Webster's types, kindly loaned by Prof.
Forbes, and with much other material bred from this moth, shows all of
these parasites to belong to one and apparently the same species.
Mr. Ashmead expects soon to give the Pteromalinae the careful study-
that they deserve, and it is to be hoped that he will find characters for the
separation of the grain moth species from the European boucheanus since
the former is undoubtedly a primary parasite of Sitotroga and has always
been considered a very useful auxiliary in the reduction of its grain-de-
stroying host, while the latter, according to Brischke, is invariably hyper-
parasitic, preying upon the true parasites of such pernicious species as the
gypsy moth. Indeed, it was originally described from material bred from
a Microgaster living upon that moth, and, if it has continued as active, as
noted by its describer, must be placed in the category of injurious species.
Ratzeburg observed (Ichn. Forstins, 1844, vol. i, p. 196) that this was the
most abundant of all the parasites of the gypsy moth, and that from the
clusters of Microgaster cocoons only about half of the Microgaslcrz
issued.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 107
What appears to be the same species has been several times reared at
this Department under circumstances indicating hyperparasitism, includ-
ing rearings from the imported cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapes}, also from
a number of other insects including the imported currant worm (Nematus
ventricosus) and codling moth, upon which the species was probably also
secondary in attack. F. H. CHITTENDEN.
Peach Insects. The peach tree, as cultivated at present, is short lived.
It comes into bearing more quickly than most other fruit trees, and after
bearing a few crops dies, or is taken out to be replaced in newly set or-
chards. For this short life there are several reasons, all of them more or
less under the control of the farmer. There is frequently an absence of
knowledge as to the treatment required by the tree, of the proper kind
and quantity of plant-food to le furnished, and of the special factors-
conducive to the best and most vigorous growth in this species.
Accompanying any adverse natural conditions and intensifying them
are the attacks of insects of which several species are seriously destruc-
tive. Perhaps the most important, take the country -through, is the
"Peach-borer," the larva of a clear-winged moth, Sannina exitiosa.
This larva is a white, wrinkled caterpillar, with a brown head and power-
ful jaws or mandibles, and it works in the sap-wood and partly also in the
bark of the trunk at or just below the surface of the ground. There it
lies in a mass of gummy exudation and works around the larger roots and
trunk, not boring much if any in the wood itself. The flow of sap is, of
course, interrupted at these points, and worse than all the profuse " bleed-
ing" tends to seriously impair the vitality of a small tree when even a
single larva is at work. On larger trees, in which several may be feeding
at one time, the result is correspondingly serious; the fruit sets heavily,
perhaps, but the tree is unable to hold it and we get the heavy "June
drop." What remains is often enough for a good crop, provided the tree
is able to carry it to perfection; but it is rarely able to do even that, and
undersized, unsatisfactory fruit results. As injury increases, less fruit is
properly matured and the tree becomes unprofitable and is taken out.
The parents of this borer are much less known to the farmer generally.
They are on the wing from May to July, their first appearance determined
by latitude and are slender, black and wasp-like in appearance. In the
male both pairs of wings are transparent and narrow, only the veins being
narrowly black marked. In the female, which is somewhat larger and
more robust, the fore wings are bluish black, and the abdomen has a
broad orange band at about its middle. Eggs are laid, soon after the
moths appear, on the bark as near to the surface of the ground as possible.
The larvje hatch in about two weeks, and at once bore into the bark, and
in a few days reach the sap-wood, where they continue their feeding until
cold weather sets in. In the Southern States they are nearly full grown
at that time and do little more feeding in Spring before they form a con >< >n
out of chips and silk, attached to the trunk close to the surface. In the
Northern Slates the borer becomes little more than two-thirds grown in.
IOS ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Fall and feeds in Spring until well along in June before forming a cocoon.
The development is not by any means regular, and often some specimens
of a brood live over until much later in the season so that larvae of two
separate generations may occur in a tree at one time.
The usual remedy is " worming," i. e., cutting out the larvae in Spring
and Fall, and if carefully and thoroughly done it checks injury to a great
extent. But an objection is that it is almost impossible to get all the
larvae and enough adults mature to continue the infestation each year.
Another is that a careless man may do more harm with his knife than the
borer would have done, and in all ways it is much better to attempt to
keep the borers out altogether. It may be stated that killing the borers,
once in the tree, is practically impossible. No mixture that can be ap-
plied so as to come into direct contact with and kill them in their burrows
can be safely used on the trees. Our best plan is by mechanical means
to keep the borers out altogether, and there are several ways of doing
this. It must be remembered that the parent moth cannot dig under-
ground, has no mouth parts for gnawing into the bark, and no ovipositor
for piercing it. Hence she must lay her egg on the bark above the sur-
face and glew it fast there. If we prevent this our trees are safe. The
simplest of all measures is to wrap the base of the tree with newspapers
to a height of from 18 inches to 2 feet. Use at least three or four thick-
nesses of paper, be sure that it is tied tightly and hill up against it so as
to cover at least two inches. The moths will not voluntarily lay eggs on
this paper, and if they do the young larvae will not recognize it as food,
and will make no attempt to eat through it. This application should be
made in May and kept on through July; and usually the paper will last
that time. It should be removed in August, and it may then happen that
some borers will be found at the upper edge of the part covered by the
paper; but if so they can be easily seen and cut out without injury to the
tree. Tarred paper may be used instead, and is equally effective; indeed,
the use of any textile fabric will answer the same purpose. Wrapping
the trunks with cheap cotton material painted with tar paint will serve
equally well and should cover the entire trunk. Essential in all these
cases is care in putting on the material that the moth cannot reach bare
bark at any point.
Some growers prefer to use whitewash with or without Paris green, and
this is effective so long as it remains intact; but it washes off readily, and
is so apt to become imperfect that it is not entirely reliable. Whale oil
soap-suds with an admixture of lime and carbolic acid is also used, but is
open to the same objection. White-lead paint has proved satisfactory in
many hands, and has the merit of lasting well, but many who have used
it claim that it injures the trees, and especially when young. One rens< >n
for that is that turpentine is used in thinning the paint. If white-lead is
used at all, only the best quality should be employed, and it should be
.mixed with linseed oil only.
Finally, and perhaps best of all, " Raupenleim" or " Dendrolene" can
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
109
can be employed. If this is carefully applied it will last an entire season,
and if applied on infested trees below the surface so as to cover the points
beneath which the borers are at work, or where pupae are formed, it may,
under favorable circumstances, prevent the issuance of the adults.
Briefly re-stated, the best method of dealing with this insect is to pre-
vent its entrance into the tree by means of a mechanical covering of any
kind. The covering should be put on early in May; it must be maintained
in good condition throughout July.
Next after the borer the most important insects troubling peach trees
are plant lice, and in particular that species which has been described as
Aphis persices-niger. This insect lives during a large portion of the year
on the roots of the trees, but very often in the Spring, and sometimes in
the Fall, they may also be found in considerable numbers on the branches.
If they attack the branches in any numbers they usually gather near the
tips on the tender shoots with the result that these curl, the leaves shrivel
and the spur is aborted. Of course no fruit matures on a shoot of that
kind nor on the twig from which it starts. On the roots the lice exhaust
the vitality of the tree and the latter turns yellow, becomes feeble and
eventually dies. Usually, it is then sajd, the tree had the "yellows."
This kind of trouble is more often found in light 'soils and is generally
more harmful where land is naturally poor. If, early in the season, black
plant-lice are noticed on the young shoots of the trees, and later the trees
are noticed as being weakly, an attack of root-lice may be suspected.
The remedial measures to be adopted are of two kinds. Where the
insects are noticed upon the shoots, fish-oil soap, used at the rate of one
pound in six gallons of water and two ounces of carbolic acid added,
will usually prove satisfactory. In connection with this treatment a very
heavy top dressing of kainit should be made on the surface of the soil at
a time when it will wash into the ground readily. In other words, just
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[April,
before or during a rain, or just after a soaking rain, when the ground is
thoroughly wet. This will help to feed and nourish the tree, to stimulate
it into renewed activity, and it will also destroy the root lice themselves.
The application should be made at the rate of at least a thousand pounds
to the acre, and a ton to the acre would be none too heavy. Instead of
kainit, ground tobacco may be used with good chances of success. In
this case a trench should be dug around the tree at a distance of about
two feet from the trunk, and in this trench, which may be of spade width,
two inches of tobacco dust may be placed. The tobacco, like the kainit,
is a good fertilizer, and is rich in potash. It will become active only when
thoroughly wet, and the nicotine coming into contact with the roots of
the plants and the insects feeding on them will result in their death. Of
the two measures the use of the kainit is to be preferred in my experience.
******
Attacking the peach and the plum, though much the most injurious on
the latter is the plum curculio, an insect so well known to all growers of
fruits that it needs no description. The signs of the injury are noticed on
.the fruit when it becomes as large as a hazel nut or a little larger, and we
get then small crescent-shaped marks numbering from one to a dozen on
a single fruit peach, plum, cherry, apple or pear. In each of these
crescent marks an egg is deposited and in a short time the larva hatches
and works into the fruit. Most varieties of plums and many peaches drop
when infested by the curculio larva?, but most apples and pears do not
fall as the result of curculio injury, but rather the curculio can develop
only in such fruit as falls to the ground from other causes. The object
of the crescent mark made by the larva is to prevent injury to the egg.
If we cut out the cresent itself we notice that a little flap is loosened, and
in cutting through this flap we see that the egg is laid in its middle. It
can be seen readily that in this position the loosened tissue ceases grow-
ing, but it does not wither or die rapidly, hence no pressure is exerted
upon the egg, which is very soft and white. The rapid growth of a vigor-
ous apple is more than the insect can stand, and only in rare instances do
larvae develop; but if the apple falls to the ground and growth ceases
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Ill
there is nothing to prevent the insect from feeding undisturbed and com-
ing to maturity. Dealing with this insect is an unsatisfactory matter.
We cannot in any way reach the larvae by means of a poisonous spray,
because it never at any time feeds exposed. When it leaves the fruit it
drops to the ground, and at once bores beneath the surface, where it is
again out of reach. The beetle goes into Winter quarters long before
mid-Summer, and is not again seen until the Spring following, when it
attacks the young leaf and flower buds. Here we have an opportunity
of reaching it with a poisonous mixture, and the most satisfactory results
have been obtained with Paris green, one pound in 175 gallons of water,
used when the buds are full and before they have opened. At that time
the curculio feeds both on the leaf and flower buds, and there is a good
chance of killing the adult before the fruit sets and before it can lay eggs.
In many large plum orchards the old remedy of jarring the trees is still
resorted to and works satisfactorily. It means that every morning, or at
least every other day, depending upon the number of beetles, the round
of the orchard must be made, and by a sudden jar on the trees the startled
beetles will be induced to drop into a sheet or other receptacle spread
ready to receive them. Good practice is to have all the windfalls in an
orchard destroyed as fast they drop. In other words, all fallen fruit must
be kept cleared up, this can best be done by pasturing hogs or sheep in
the orchard. There is no danger in this practice, even if the trees are
sprayed, because not enough of the poison falls to the vegetation under
the trees to make it at all dangerous to stock of any kind. In feeding
upon the windfalls the animals destroy the larvae, which would otherwise
develop in them. It means persistent work to lessen the number of these
insects, but if there could be such a thing as cooperation among the fruit-
growers and all would adopt these same measures, the injury done would
be materially reduced.
Notes and. Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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 circumfei-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy'' into the hands of the printer, for each number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for certain issue. Twenty-five "extras" without change in form will be
given free when thev are wanted, and this should be so stated on the MS. along with the
number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. ED.
PICTURES for the album of the American Entomological Society: E. T.
Cresson, Philadelphia; L'abbe V. A. Huard, Chicoutimi, P. Q. Can.; H.
A. Morgan, Baton Rouge, La.; E. A. Smyth, Jr., Blacksbur^, Yn. ; Trevor
Kincaid, Seattle, Wash.; F. I). T \vogood, Riverside, Cal.
112 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
" I am very much pleased to notice the growth of your journal (ENTO-
MOLOGICAL NEWS), as it certainly deserves to grow and flourish; it is
the cheapest and best entomological paper published, European journals
not excepted. Wishing you further success, I am,
"H. A., Elberfield, Germany."
AT a meeting of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, February 2oth,
the secretary was unanimously instructed to correspond with the societies
of other States with reference to sending delegates to a national convention
to discuss the best means for preventing the introduction and diffusion
of insect and fungus pests, and measures for destroying both these and
such as are indigenous to the country.
A young man and his friend of Utoptera,
Went one day to catch Lepidoptera.
He saw one sail by,
Jumped for it too high,
And landed amidst Hymenoptera.
He used words that are found in Theology,
And then to his friend made apology.
I am sorry to say
I must bid you good day,
For I've had quite enough Entomology. (Anonymous)
SNAKE BITES. In reply to Mr. G. R. Pilate's inquiry for a sure remedy
for snake bites I beg to state that a man who makes a business of collect-
ing rattle snakes for the Chinese doctors, says that the gall of a rattle
snake is a sure cure for their " bites." He has been bitten a half dozen
times and the gall from a rattler has never failed to work a complete cure,,
except once, when he could not get at all the punctures, when medical
aid had to be summoned. He says that after applying the gall there is
no more pain than from a bee sting. BURTON L. CUNNINGHAM, Fort
Klamath, Oregon.
DOBELL, in his travels in Kamtschatka, relates when the Chinese wish
to enjoy a cricket fight they place two males in an earthen bowl six or
eight inches in diameter. The owner of each tickles his prize-fighter
with a feather, which makes them run around the bowl in different direc-
tions; they frequently meet and jostle each other as .they pass. After
several such meetings they at last lose their temper, and ere long, be-
coming greatly exasperated, they fight with such fury that both are literally
torn limb from limb.
WHOLESALE MASSACRE. The French war office has recently been oc-
cupied with a large number of inventions for the wholesale massacre of
the enemy in the next great war. One of the inventors proposes that the
Minister of War should subjugate and train squadrons of horse flics
These novel warriors, it is suggested, would be fed on blood smeared
beneath a thin skin covering on dummy figures dressed as soldiers of the
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 113
Triple Alliance. When diplomatic relations were near a breaking point
the flies would have the juice of certain poisonous plants added to their
daily food, and when \var should be declared the French army would
merely have to send them as an advance guard in the path of the enemy.
Neivspaper.
THE TRANSACTIONS of the American Entomological Society for Jan-
uary-March, 1896 (vol. xxxiii, No. i), soon to issue, will contain the fol-
lowing papers: The Taxonomic Value of the Antennae of Lepidoptera,
by Donaldson Bocline; New North American Spiders and Mites, by Nathan
Banks; Supplement to the Crabromnae of Boreal America, by Wm. j.
Fox ; The Dipterous genera Tachytrechus and Macellocerus by J. M.
Aid rich; A monograph of the genus Synergus Hartig, by C. P. Gillette.
LIME.NITIS ARTHEMIS. This species was seen here this season for the
first time. On June 3oth a 9" arthemis and <$ Ursula were taken sitting
together on leaf of shrub by the wayside no hill of any size within four
miles. On July 23d another specimen, much worn, was seen near the
same spot. On July 26 and 2jth a number of specimens were seen, much
worn and evidently the last of the brood, in the hill country about Cum-
mington, twenty-five miles northwest of here.
Strangalia bicohrwas also taken this season for the first time; it easily
escapes the notice of the coleopterist on account of its extreme shyness
and resemblance to a Hymenopter in flight.
Saperda obliqua is generally found near the tip of an alder branch, but
easily escapes notice on account of its great resemblance to a withered
leaflet. It also differs from the other members of its genus, which are
shy insects, in that it sits perfectly motionless with antennae extended
forward and clinging tightly to the branch when seized. I have also found
it on birch.
Purpuricenus huineralis I had heretofore only taken on willow, but
this season I took a number of specimens at different times from a wounded
branch of scrub oak; one specimen was taken on flowers and one on a
cluster of black raspberries; the writer could not help being struck by
the similarity of the colors of the beetle with those of the ripe and ripen-
ing berries.
MyodUes stylopides. This curious beetle had only been found by the
writer on two occasions on wild flowers until two years ago. It was then
found in some numbers on the flowers of thorough wort in a ravine i
Montgomery, Mass. This season the locality was visited again on July
2oth, and although the plant was not yet in blossom, several specimens
were taken on the flower buds.
Is not Chl&nius prasinus a Southern species ? I took it this season at
electric light. FRED. K.XAB, Chicopee, Mass.
4*
114 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April r
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions.: ist, The number of species
to be limited to twenty-five for each sending ; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans-
portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor,
who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects
for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. III.
Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan-
Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Eritorriological Literature.
Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North
and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs, or con-
taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of
insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded.
1. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, xix,
pt. 2. Notes on Victorian and other Blattariae and descriptions of new
species, J. G. O. Tepper. Descriptions of new genera and species of
Australian Coleoptera, T. Blackburn.
2. MlTTHEILUNGEN AUS DEM ROEMER-MUSEUM, Hildesheim, No. 3.
The Apatelidae, A. R. Grote.
3. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY, xvii.
Some peculiarities of the mouth-parts and ovipositor of Cicada septen-
decem, ]. D. Hyatt.
4. ARCHIVES DE BIOLOGIE, xiv, fasc. 2. Physiological studies on the
Orthoptera, L. Cue"not.
5. MEMOIRES DE L'ACADEMIE ROYALE DES SCIENCES, etc., de Dane-
mark (D. Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskab Skrifter), viii, No. i.
The lateral organs of the larvae of the Scarabaeidae, F. Meinert.
6. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
1895, pt. 5. President's address: The Speculative Method in Entomology,
R. Meldola.
7. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY AND NATURAL SCI-
ENCE, pt. 29. Predaceous and parasitic enemies of Aphides (including a
study of hyper-parasites), pt. 3, H. C. A. Vine. The origin of insect
transformations, G. H. Bryan.
8. JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB, ii, No. n.
Description of a new genus and species of Proctotrypid bred by Mr.
F. W. Urich from an Embiid, W. H. Ashmead. The cattle fly (Coinp-
somyia macellaria], C. W. Meaden.
l8q6.] ENTOMOLOGICAL XKVYS. 115
9. THE ENTOMOLOGIST, London, No. 393. Descriptions of previously
undescribed species of Dimorphina in the Natural History Museum, A.
G. Butler. New experiments on the seasonal dimorphism of Lepidop-
tera, A. Weismann (from the German by W. E. Nicholson). Senses of
insects, G. A. K. Marshall. A new scale-insect infesting date-palms, T.
D. A. Cockerell.
10. THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY, iv, No. 3. Bibliography
of North American Dipterology, 1878-1895, S. \V. \Villiston. Fissicorn
Tachinidae, ibid. List of Asilidse, supplementary to Osten Sacken's
Catalogue of North American Diptera, 1878-1895, W. A. Snow.
11. PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCI-
ENCES, vi, [Extract]. A list of Coleoptera from the southern shore of
Lake Superior, with remarks on geographical distribution, H. F. Wickham.
12. ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, February, 1896.
New genera and species of Pyralidae, Thyrididae and Epiplemiidae (com. ),
W. Warren. Atta (OEcodoma) cephalotes Latr., "The Soldier." J. H.
Hart. On the. presence of Wood-Mason's stridulating-organ in Trechona
zebrata, R. I. Pocock.
13. THE BOTANICAL GAZETTE, February, 1896. Flowers and insects,
C. Robertson.
14. PSYCHE, a journal of entomology, March, 1896. The hibernation
of Aphides, C. M. Weed. Oviposition and hatching of Thanaos juve-
tia/is, }. W. Folsom. Preliminary diagnoses of new Coccidae (cont.), T.
D. A. Cockerell. Some species of Oxybelus found in New Mexico, T.
D. A. Cockerell and C. F. Baker. New Homoptera received from the
New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, ii, C. F. Baker.
15. ARCHIVES DE ZOOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE ET GENERALE (3), iii, No.
4. Study of the lymphatic glands of some Hemiptera, A. Kawalevsky.
16. LE NATURALISTE CANADIEN, January, 1896. The last descriptions
of 1'Abbe Provancher (continued in February number).
17. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST, March, 1896. On certain Geophilidae
described by Meinert, F. Cook.
18. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, March, 1896. Ceutorhynchus napi
or Ceutorhynchus rapes, F. M. Webster. Remarkable work of insects,
W. Trealease. A few new spiders, N. Banks. A reply concerning
Noctita and Agrotis, A. R. Grote. The Coleoptera of Canada, xv, H.
F. Wickham. Canadian Hymenoptera (No. 7), W. H. Harrington. On
the structural affinities of the genus Demas, J. W. Tutt. A new Coccid
from Texas, T. D. A. Cockerell. Photographs without shadows, W. E.
Rurnsey. A new Typhlopsylla from Mexico, C. F. Baker.
Il6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
19. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
(Division of Entomology), Bulletin No. 43. Insects injurious in 1895,
Otto Lugger.
20. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD, etc., March, 1896. The resting
habit of insects as exhibited in the phenomena of hibernation and aesti-
vism, \V. S. Riding. The type of Angronoma, A. R. Grote.
21. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE, March, 1896. An
experiment bearing on the number of larval instars, and the distinctness
of larval and pupal instars in Lepidoptera, T. A. Chapman.
22. BULLETIN DE LA ACADEMIE ROVALE DE BELGIQUE, xxx, No. n.
How flowers attract insects, F. Plateau.
23. CATALOGUS HYMENOPTERORUM, . . . vol. x, C. G. de Dalla Torre,
Leipzig, 1896. This part deals with the bees united under the head
Apidae. Workers will probably be surprised to see Andrena changed to
Anthrena; Noinia and Eunomia united as one genus; and the synony-
mizing of Diadasia, Emphor, Melissodes, Synhalonia, Tetralonia and
Xenoglossa with Eucera. Podalirius is to replace Anthophora, Entech-
nia, Clisodon and Habropoda, the three latter, however, being regarded
as subgenera. Bombomclecta is regarded as a synonym of Melecta.
Heriades is spelled Eriades, and includes Chelostoma. Too much faith
cannot be placed in the localities given for some of the species inasmuch
as Epeolns rufoclypeus, said to come from Cuba, and Megachile viarlin-
dalei, multidens andpeda/is, said to come from Indiana, were all described
from Jamaica, West Indies ! Ammobatcs is to replace Phileremus, the
latter being a synonym of the former. While much of this uniting of
genera is no doubt justified, yet we venture to predict that many of the
so-called synonyms will yet stand as distinct genera. The work is quite
voluminous, including 643 pages, and brings the list of species and bib-
liography down to the end of 1893. F.
INDEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT.
Meldola 6, Vine 7, Bryan 7, Marshall 9, Robertson 13, Rumsey 18,
Riding 20, Plateau 22.
MYRIAPODA.
Cook 17.
ARACHNIDA.
Pocock 12, Banks 18*.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 117
ORTHOPTERA.
Tepper i, Cuenot 4.
HEMIPTERA.
Hyatt 3, Cockerell 9*, 14, iS w , Weed 14, Baker 14*, Kowalevsky 15.
COLEOPTERA.
Blackburn i, Meinert 5, Wickham ir, Webster 18.
DIPTERA.
Meaden 8, Williston 9 (two), Snow 9.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Grote 2, 1 8, 20, Butler 9, Wasmann 9, Warren 12, Folsom 14, Trealease
18, Tutt 18, Chapman 21.
HYMENOPTERA.
Ashmead 8*, Hart 12, Cockerel! and Baker 14*, Provancher 16*, Wick-
ham 1 8, Harrington 18*, Dalla Torre 23.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Lugger 19.
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, March 10, 1896.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1509 S. i3th Street.
Members present : Messrs. Bland, H. W. Wenzel, Johnson,
Boerner, Seiss, Castle, E. Wenzel, Laurent, Hoyer, Fox and
Schmitz. Honorary members: Dr. Geo. H. Horn and Prof.
John B. Smith. Meeting called to order at 9 P. M., President
Bland presiding. Under written communications Mr. Fox i< -ad
a paper giving the history of the founding of the Social which
he had prepared for publication in the NEWS.
Dr. Horn spoke on some studies in Ludius made at the request
of Mr. Champion, who is engaged on writing up a history of
Elateridae, which showed that our Northern species are distinct
from those of Mexico. L. hepaticus and texanus have the pros-
ternum oblique, and when seen in profile, uninterrupted; there
is a species from Lower California and Arizona closely resembling
texanus, which has an emargination when seen in profile. Dr.
Horn continued with remarks on some of the difficulties encoun-
Il8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
tered in a study of Oedemeridae, and showed that while a char-
acter may be admissable for the separation of genera, it would
be found in a nearby genus that species must be admitted with
and without the same character. It was indicated that Calopus
and Oxacis must be each separated in two genera.
Relative to a discussion on the question of the possibility of
evolution in some orders of insects, Prof. Smith remarked that
even the classification of the orders themselves and their mode
of evolution or descent was not yet satisfactorily settled. As a
result of his studies he believed that a branching of the insects
took place in the Thysanura, and that from them were developed
on one side the Hemiptera, and on the other side all other orders;
that is to say, that the one order, Hemiptera represented a branch
of equal value, though not equal in development to all other
orders. The Hemiptera type proved well adapted to sustain
itself, but had little power of variation, thence there is a remark-
able similarity in certain structural characters throughout the
order. The mandibulate type proved to possess unlimited powers
of variability and branched in every direction. The best com-
parison to make would be a tree branching from the seed, of
which one shoot extended upward without branches and with
only a few short spurs or twigs and a crown of leaves at the tip,
while a second trunk branched soon after reaching above ground
and sent off vigorous shoots from all the branches in every direc-
tion, making a symmetrical tree at the side of the flag staff.
Apropos of Dr. Skinner's remarks at the January meeting in
reference to arrangement of the females in the cabinets, Mr.
Laurent remarked that he thought it made but little difference
how the specimens were arranged, that personally he preferred
to arrange the larger species one above the other, and to indicate
in his check-list by the use of the characters, denoting male and
female, as to what sex or sexes were represented in his collection,
by which means he has but to look over his list when he can
easily ascertain what species or sex he is short of by simply
noting those which are unmarked.
Dr. Horn stated that he thought every collector should arrange
his specimens to suit his own fancy or convenience and purposes
of study.
Mr. Fox moved that a vote of thanks be extended to Dr.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I 19
Skinner for entertaining the Social so pleasantly at the last
meeting.
No further business being presented the meeting adjourned to
the annex at 10.30.
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF
SCIENCES. The regular meeting was held in the Matthew Laflin
Memorial Building, Lincoln Park, Friday, March 20, at 8 o'clock
p. M. The genus Phyciodes was studied, and members were re-
quested to bring species of that genus for comparison.
ARTHUR J. SNYDER, Recorder.
American Entomological Society.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
DECEMBER 9. 1895.
The regular annual meeting was held this evening at the Hall
S. W. cor. igth and Race Streets. Meeting called to order at
8. 20 P. M., President, Dr. Geo. H. Horn in the chair. Members
present: Dr. Horn, E. T. Cresson, Welles, Skinner, Liebeck,
Johnson, Seiss, Heilprin, G. B. Cresson, Fox, Ridings. Visitors:
Reinick, Castle, Luccareni. This being a business meeting such
details are herein omitted. Mr. Haimbach and Dr. H. G. Grif-
fith were duly elected members. At the annual election the fol-
lowing were elected to office and committees:
President GEO. H. HORN, M.D.
Vice-President PHILIP P. CALVERT.
Treasurer E. T. CRESSON.
Recording Secretary J. H. RIDINGS.
Corresponding Secretary WM. J. Fox.
Librarian GEO. B. CRESSON.
Curator HENRY SKINNER, M.D.
( PHILIP LAURENT,
Executive Committee: CHARLES LIEBECK,
V C. FEW SEISS.
E. T. CRESSON,
Committee: \ C. A. BLAKE,
j V^. JT.. AJ
IB. H. SMITH.
!}. W. MCALLISTER,
C. S. WELLES,
CHAS. C. CRESSON.
J. H. RIDINGS, Rec. ScSy.
120 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,.
FEBRUARY 27, 1896.
Meeting held this evening at 8 P. M., in the new quarters at
The Academy -of Natural Sciences, President Horn in the chair.
Members present: Dr. Horn, E. T. Cresson, Liebeck, Dr. Skin-
ner, Laurent, G. B. Cresson, Seiss, Welles, Johnson. Fox, Rid-
ings, Dr. Griffith. Visitors: Dr. Castle, Prof. Holt, Reinick,
Luccareni, Kemp, Westcott, Mr. Lancaster Thomas and Mrs.
C. B. Aaron. Dr. Skinner, Curator, reported that almost all the
property of the Society had been removed from the rooms in
the lower hall formerly occupied. The amount of space now
secured, and the distribution of material, show how very inade-
quate were our former quarters. The Publication Committee
reported in favor of the publication of a paper by Dr. J. L. Han-
cock, on the Illinois grouse locusts. Dr. Skinner spoke in regard
to the proper labeling of specimens. He stated that fully seventy-
five per cent, of the insects in the collection of the Society were
without locality labels to show where the insects had been taken.
It was claimed that such labels were a necessary adjunct to the
proper study of collections by those interested, and they should
be placed on the pins of all specimens. The speaker asked the
President his opinion of political boundaries in the make up of
scientific collections, and especially in reference to Lower Cali-
fornia. The President replied, explaining why Lower California
had been included in the fauna of this country. How Dr. Le-
Conte in his descriptions of insects from that locality had been
led to include them with our own, and gave instances of the use-
fulness of so doing. He further stated that a smaller percentage
of tropical insects are found there than in Texas. Dr. Skinner
exhibited a book presented to the Society in 1877 by Mrs. Lucy
Say. It represented local Lepidoptera prepared by gumming
them on to paper and then peeling ofif the membrane leaving the
scales. This, when neatly done, looks like a perfect colored
drawing of the insect. Two bound volumes of papers by Dr.
John Hamilton were presented by the author. The thanks of
the Society were voted to the kind donor. The President an-
nounced the death of Mr. T. B. Ashton, of Tonganoxie, Kans. y
one of the early members of the Society, and spoke of the in-
terest shown by the deceased in its welfare in its younger days.
I. H. RIDINGS, Rec. Secy*
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 121
The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
THE GENUS OCHTHERA.
By WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER, Ph.D.
(University of Chicago.)
The genus Ochthera is noteworthy in several particulars. It is
the most striking, and, probably for that reason, the oldest genus
in the family Ephydridae, having been founded by Latreille as
early as 1804. The most conspicuous character of the flies of
this genus is the peculiar development of the fore legs, which
have taken on a raptorial function. The fore coxa is greatly
lengthened and thickened and very mobile, the femur enormously
enlarged, and the tibia, which is curved and provided with a
strong spine at its tip, may be closed up tightly against the bulg-
ng face of the femur. This is essentially the same structural
modification which is met with in the fore legs of the Mantidae
(Orthoptera), Mantispidae (Neuroptera), Nepidae, Belostomidae,
Naucoridae (Hemiptera) and in the second maxillipeds of the
stomatopod Squilla among the Crustacea. Undoubtedly these
are true cases of parallelism, the legs having assumed the same
raptorial form under the stress of similar conditions, but inde-
pendently in the different orders.
The genus Ochthera is poorly represented in Europe (two spe-
cies) as compared with North America. Besides O. mantis De-
geer, which is common to both continents, Loew described
(Monog. I, pp. 159-162) three species from this country. Prof.
Williston has discovered another species from St. Vincent, W. I.*
A description is here given of a sixth species with notes on some
of the known forms:
Ochthera lauta n. sp. $. Length 3.7 mm.; length of wings 3.5 mm.
Antennae of the usual form, black; clypeus very small; face very narrow,
silvery-white, with scarcely a tinge of yellow; in the middle just below
the antennae a shining black, rather low and rounded protuberance, from
which a median black groove extends nearly to the clypeus. On either
side of this median groove there is a somewhat broader and curved lateral
groove, and another of a similar trend running close to the orbit. On
either side a series of eight linear black depressions radiates mesially
* Prof. Williston has generously loaned me his type specimens of this species. I am
also indebted to Mr. W. A. Snow for several specimens of ('. mantis from different locali-
ties.
122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
from the orbital groove. Front and occiput shining metallic blue, the
former with a small velvety black spot on either side near the upper orbit.
Cheeks, thorax and posterior pleurae metallic silvery, not very shining;
anterior pleurae shining black, with a steel-blue reflection. The dorsal
surface of the thorax with three longitudinal ferruginous vittse of about
equal length, but not reaching to the metallic silvery scutellum. Ground
color of the abdomen shining coppery, somewhat dimmed by a layer of
whitish dust. Fore coxse blue-black on the outer faces, with a thick patch
of golden yellow dust at their bases; femora and tibiae of all the legs dark
steel-blue dusted with white; hind tibiae decidedly arcuate. Inner sur-
faces of the raptorial fore legs shining black with little dust; tarsi red,
except the last joint, which is black, and the considerably swollen first
joint of the hind tarsi, which is concolorous with the femora and tibiae.
Wings hyaline, with light yellow veins, only the costal vein darker where
it rounds the tip of the wing; halteres pale yellow.
One specimen taken in sweepings near Milwaukee, Wis. , June
23, 1895.
This species is readily distinguished from other described forms
by the conspicuous, ferruginous bands on the thorax, and by the
peculiar facial markings, al-
though in the latter character
it resembles O. exculpta Loew
from Cuba. The radiating or-
Fig. i. Face of Ochthera lauta \\. sp. Fig. 2. Hind leg of Ochthera lavta n. sp.
bital grooves, however, are replaced by ' impressed, rather
coarse dots" in the Cuban species, which, besides a marked dif-
ference in the color of the front and legs, has the first joint of
the hind tarsi " very little swollen."
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 123
Ochthera mantis Degeer.
This species is widely distributed over the United States.
Specimens from the following localities have come under my
notice: Connecticut (S. W. Williston), Wisconsin, Illinois and
Nebraska (W. M. Wheeler), Lusk, Wyoming (W. A. Snow and
W. M. Wheeler); Little Wind River, Wyoming (W. M. Whee-
ler); Douglas County, Kansas (University of Kansas coll. :
California (Baron). Although the color of the face varies in the
different specimens a fact which Loew also observed they all
belong to one species. In some individuals the three ferruginous
bands of O. lauta are represented by faint, opaque, brown stripes.
O. mantis is the largest of our species, many specimens measur-
ing 5 mm.
O. cuprilineata Williston. The three thoracic bands are me-
tallic-violet bordered with cupreous; the middle of the face has
a rather low and somewhat wrinkled metallic-green protuberance
with a depression in its middle, but otherwise the face is smooth
and yellow, resembling the face of the preceding species.
O. tuberculata Loew. One specimen from Milwaukee, Wis.,
agrees well with Loew's description. The polished steel blue
outer surface of the upper half of the middle tibia is a character
which I do not find in my specimens of O. mantis. The first
joint of the hind tarsi is considerably swollen, like that of O.
lauta.
The North American species of Ochthera may be tabulated as
follows:
1. Thorax with ferruginous or metallic vittae ..... 2.
Thorax without, or with very indistinct vittse 3.
2. Face with impressed black lines radiating from an orbital groove.
lauta n. sp.
Face without such impressed lines . . cuprilineata Williston.
3. Face with black furrows and dots . . . exculpta Loew.
Face without black furrows and dots ...... 4.
4. First joint of hind tarsi but little swollen .. . mantis Degeer.
First joint of hind tarsi considerably swollen 5.
5. Face broad, tarsi black . . . . . rapax Loew.
Face narrow, tarsi red tuberculata Loew.
124 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
A COMPARISON OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF
ARACHNIS, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES.
By Dr. RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI.
(See Plate IV.)
In ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, vol. iv, p. 140, is a description ol
a new Arachnis\>y Messrs. Neumoegen and Dyar. At this place
it is called a new variety of Arachnis picta, and the name citra
is given. In " The Revision of the Bombyces" citra is called a
lacal race of picta.
From material before me I believe that I can establish the tact
that citra is nof a variety of the California!! picta, but is much
more closely allied to another species, which I have decided to>
call Arachnis maia.
In this connection I may make a statement of some interest.
I believe that citra is a distinct species, as is also maia, its nearest
ally. Nevertheless I have specimens of picta, reared from a
single brood of larvae, among which is one in which the creamy
ground color gives place to yellow, and this difference in color is
one of the prime distinctions between citra and maia, so that it
may be proven by future discoveries that one of these forms is
either a variety or a local race of the other. With this possi-
bility in mind I may quote from the original description of citra
the following paragraph: " Mr. Bruce, who caught these charm-
ing insects and who suggested the varietal name, writes as lo.-
lows: 'This form (citra) is found nearly on the western border
of Colorado, at low elevation (6000 feet), and is very constant in
color. I have them even a little pinker, and not quite so yellow.
The ordinary form is not found at that place at all, yet is common
120 miles east of there, and I have- reared a good many from
females taken in Arkansas Valley, all being the ordinary form.
It (citra) is so local and constant in color it is surely worthy of a
name.'
By " ordinary form" in. the above paragraph Mr. Bruce meant
picta, but it happens that the true picta does not occur in Colo-
rado at all, and what he mistook for picta is what I am about to
describe as maia.
Should it be learned hereafter that citra and maia are but va-
rieties, one of the other, I understand that, according to the rules,
the spec. fie nime would ordinarily be citra, and the varietal name
ENT. NEWS, Vol. VII.
PI. IV.
^T" - 0> "'-
fe*>
M ^
^ . .
SPECIES OF ARACHNIS.
(See page 124.)
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 125
maia. But it seems to me that this would be a foolish adherence
to rule, because, in the first place, we have aulea and picta, both
gray forms, in the latter of which, at least, we have an occasional
tendency towards yellow.
But more especially because of the following: citra was de-
scribed from the Neumoegen collection, and was called a variety
of picta, after comparison with the specimens in the Neumoegen
collection labeled picta. Now I find that these specimens, 'supposed
to be the Californian picta, are really the Colorado maia. Thus
it would seem but proper to correct this error at the start, and
if one be the variety of the other, the gray form should be the
ground form, as it is throughout the genus.
After close study of the material at hand, which embraces
three pairs of each citra, maia and picta, I am convinced that
we have to do with three distinct species, and I will first describe
the new species maia, and then point out differential character-
istics:
Arachnis maia nov. spec. Male. Head gray between the eyes, white
above, a black line between. Palpi vermilion, with a few whitish scales.
Prothorax white, each half having a gray spot heavily outlined with black;
patagiae gray, outlined with black, white showing along outer margin.
Thorax gray, bordered with black, and a double median black line, sepa-
rating posteriorly, showing white between (the ground color of this genus
is white, but the gray pattern is so heavy that it will be easier to describe
it reversely). Primaries: upper side gray; all veins white, faintly outlined
with black and terminating at the margin in a minute triangle of white,
the base at the margin. The whole surface of the wing is reticulated with
white spots, dashes and bars, there being three more or less continuous
bands outwardly. All these white markings are heavily bordered with
black, the submarginal band being solidly black in places. The marginal
band is sharply dentate, one tooth extending between each vein and
reaching nearly to the outer margin. Reverse: the under side is slate
color, crossed by bands which practically agree with the upper side. The
marginal band is white, and the submarginal band is white near the costa;
otherwise the bands are orange, but there is a tendency in this species
towards vermilion, replacing the orange except at the costa, where the
orange persists. In one male before me (Las Vegas) there is no vermil-
ion, while in another (Colorado) the vermilion has replaced the orange,
except the narrowest streak along the costa. Secondaries: upper side
pale vermilion, the middle third hyaline; along the costal margin three
large gray spots margined with black, the spaces between being orange.
The outer margin is a narrow black band occasionally broken up into
spots, nearly or quite disappearing, two spots (the outer being the larger)
126 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
at the termination of the submedian veins being apparently constant.
Reverse: the under side is the same, except that between the costal spots
the color is white instead of orange. Abdomen vermilion above, with a
narrow dorsal median band of black, of uniform width ; below white;
laterally a narrow band consisting of gray spots margined with black.
Female. Head, thorax and primaries same as male, the replacing of
the orange with vermilion on the under side of primaries, except along:
the costa, being more marked than in the male. The secondaries are
vermilion, bordered at the outer margin by narrow band of gray, which
is broken, so that a spot shows at the termination of the second subme-
dian vein. The wing is crossed by three irregular gray bands, of which
the outer is the widest, the three becoming confluent near the anal angle.
These bands are bordered with black; the basal area is vermilion. On>
the under side the secondaries show similar markings, the vermilion giv-
ing place to white in places, and to orange along the cor.ta, more espe-
cially near the base; otherwise the basal area is vermilion. The abdomen
is vermilion above and white below. On the dorsal aspect of each seg-
ment is a gray spot, margined with black, together forming a median band
in width equaling one-third of that of the abdomen; laterally a row of
minute gray spots. On the last segment the dorsal and ventral surfaces
are divided by an orange spot. On the ventral surface two sublateral
and one median row of three gray spots, the former small, and the latter
united into a triangular spot of considerable size. Expanse: ^ 45 mm.;
9 from 55-60 mm. y\ 1 1^ ( P*^
Types: male from/JMexico, and' female from Colorado, in col-
lection of the author. Male coll. Mr. Doll, and female in coll.
Mr. Dyar, both from Colorado. With the exception of the Las
Vegas specimen these insects were captured by Mr. Bruce.
In the plate which accompanies this article the upper figures
are male and female of aulea, the second pair are typical picta,
the third maia and the last citra.
The following is a comparison of the species showing the chief
marks of distinction:
COLORATION.
Aulea. Primaries,, upper side, dark slate and creamy-white. Seconda-
ries crimson and blackish ; under side crimson and blackish, with
white along the costa of secondaries in females.
Picta. Primaries, upper side, pale slate and creamy-white. Secondaries
pale slate and carmine; under side pale slate and orange, the latter
replaced with carmine on lower half of secondaries.
Maia. Primaries gray and white, latter outlined heavily with black.
Secondaries vermilion and gray, hyaline in males; under side gray,
vermilion, white and orange, the colors predominating in the order
named.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 2J
Citra. Primaries light gray and lemon-yellow, with black outlines.
Secondaries vermilion and gray; under side: primaries yellow and
gray, with white outer band ; secondaries : costal third yellow, rest
vermilion, bands gray. Males, secondaries subhyaline.
BANDS.
Aulea. Primaries: bands distinct near costa, fading away below; mar-
ginal band faint. Secondaries: blackish bands very wide; bands one
and two confluent, except at costa.
Picta. Primaries: bands more distinct; marginal band slightly dentate
at apex and disconnected at vein six; oand two the widest, crossing
the wing uninterruptedly and forming somewhat the figure of an in-
terrogation mark (?). Secondaries: inner band continuous, median
and outer bands disconnected, but confluent near anal angle; in the
female the inner band is widest, and all three are confluent at anal
angle.
Maia. Marginal band the most conspicuous, dentate throughout and
connected at vein six; band two often disconnected and constantly
narrowed by a heavy, triangular, black spot at the bifurcation of the
median vein. Secondaries of male hyaline, of female crossed by
three continuous gray bands, of which the outer is the widest; the
three bands united near anal angle.
Citra. Primaries: all the bands continuous across the wing; marginal
band the most conspicuous in the male, and marginal and band two
equally so in the female; marginal band dentate; band two as in
picta, but showing the triangulate black spot of maia. Secondaries
of male subhyaline, of female crossed by three bands; the inner band
is continuous, the median band is sometimes continuous and occa-
sionally broken into two parts; the outer band is divided into three.
BASAL SPACE.
Aulea. Base of secondaries blackish; inner margin blackish.
Picta. Base of secondaries carmine and pale slate; inner margin slate.
Maia. Base of secondaries vermilion; inner margin vermilion.
Citra. Base of secondaries vermilion; inner margin vermilion.
ABDOMEN.
Aulea. Dorsal surface solidly dark slate; ventral white, with sublateral
and median gray bands.
Picta. Dorsal surface : male carmine, with wide, median, gray band;
female: each segment chiefly slate, carmine showing like stripes be-
tween the segments; ventral surface white, with three median and
three sublateral small spots, all about equal ; the lateral spots are
large.
128 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
Ufaia. Dorsal surface vermilion, with narrow median band in male; the
female has a wider median band, minute lateral and small sublateral
spots; the ventral aspect is white, with three confluent gray spots
making a large triangular blotch.
Citra. Dorsal surface is vermilion in the male; in the female it is ver-
milion with a narrow median band of gray, increasing in width as it
extends posteriorly, and is widest on the hindmost segment; the -lat-
eral and sublateral spots are small, the median spots on the ventral
side being larger, but disconnected.
EXPANSE.
Aulea: male, 45 mm.; female, 60 mm.
Picta: male, 40 mm.; female, 50 mm.
Maia: male, 45 mm.; female, 60 mm.
Citra: male, 50 mm.; female, 70 mm.
OBITUARY.
Dr. JUAN GUNDLACH, the well-known German naturalist, in Cuba
passed away at the age of 85 years. Dr. Gundlach was a German, but
had been 58 years in the island, which were unceasingly devoted to his
studies of nature in mountains and swamps, up to seven years ago, when
failing strength limited his activities. Some time ago he made a gift of
a valuable collection of vegetable, animal and mineral specimens to the
Institute. He had received an offer of $15,000 for this collection. The
remains lay in state in Science Hall, and were buried this afternoon,
March i6.
J. VON BERGENSTAMM, of Vienna, the entomologist, is dead.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for March, was mailed February 29, 1896.
ENT. NEWS, Vol. VII.
PI. V.
HENRY FELDMAN.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. vii. MAY, 1896. No. 5.
CONTENTS:
Fox The Feldman Collecting Social.. 129 I Doings of Societies 146
Calvert Notes on European Entomo- Entomological Section 148
Johnson Preliminary notes on five new
logical collections 131
Holland A new African Saturniid 133
Editorial 136
Economic Entomology 137
Notes and News 140
Entomological Literature 141
species of scale insects 150
Wheeler Two Dolichopodid genera
new to America 152
Baker Notes on Oxybelus 156
THE FELDMAN COLLECTING SOCIAL
(See Plate V.)
An evidence of advancing interest in the study of insects is
indicated in the fact that Philadelphia, which may well be called
the home of American Entomology, sustains two entomological
societies, namely, the American Entomological Society and the
Feldman Collecting Social. The former society now works in
conjunction with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia, having rooms in the building of the Academy, and was
organized in 1859. ^ ^ s not the writer's intention, however, to
deal with this society, other than by way of comparison, in order
to show that the more recent organization is not intended to work
inharmoniously with the older, but was formed to stimulate a
social acquaintanceship among the collectors of Philadelphia
without eliminating the advancement of their study. Sociality
and the advancement of natural science were to be promoted
hand in hand, neither to be sacrificed to the other.
While the members of the Feldman Collecting Social recog-
nize fully the worth of the American Entomological Society, and
are proud of its prestige in the entomological world, many of
them being members of it, yet it long ago became apparent to
130 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
the younger entomologists of Philadelphia that there was still
room for another society having for its object the fostering of
social features which they seemed to recognize would not be in
keeping with the dignity of a society of world-wide reputation.
In December, 1887, a call was sent to the local workers, invi-
ting them to be present at the residence of Mr. Henry W. Wen-
zel, 1115 Moore Street, on the evening of the 26th instant, to
discuss plans of organization. The invitation met with a gen-
erous response, and a temporary organization was made, a com-
mittee consisting of Messrs. D. M. Castle, H. W. Wenzel and
C. E. Seeber, being appointed to formulate a constitution, by-
laws, etc.-, and to report at a meeting to be held on Jan. 10, 1888.
At this meeting the committee's report was accepted, and a per-
manent organization effected and called the Feldman Collecting
Social, the following persons constituting the original members:
J. H. B. Bland, D. M. Castle, H. W. Wenzel, Edw. Wenzel,
Frank Hoyer, Albert Hoyer, C. E. Seeber, Chas. Steiger, Philip
Laurent and Chas. Liebeck. It was intended that the society
should have a broad scope, its aims being restricted to no par-
ticular subject, but, on the contrary, the meetings were to be
' ' free and open to the discussion of all branches of natural
science." In late years, however, its scientific transactions have
been almost entirely entomological, owing to the fact that all its
present members are interested to a greater or lesser degree in
that study. Active membership is restricted to fifteen, and there
is at present but one vacancy. Three honorary members are on
the roll.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, ex-
cepting July and August, and the interest felt in the meeting by
the members is evinced by a full attendance at almost every meet-
ing. The verbal communications are as a rule, local in character,
such as reports of captures and exhibition of specimens, but
matters more technical and results of systematic work are not
infrequently given. Much information is acquired by the mem-
bers from the general discussion that invariably follows a com-
munication, and adjournment is to "the annex," so-called be-
cause it is an after-attachment to the meeting. For the benefit
of non-members, "the annex" means a collation.
The Feldman Collecting Social is so-called in honor of Henry
Feldman, a one-time prominent Philadelphia collector, who
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 131
worked contemporaneously with LeConte, Ridings, Newman
and others whose names are familiar to the entomologists of
to-day as belonging to men who, in spite of public prejudice and
accompanying adversities, bravely adhered to their favorite pur-
suit, and who were really the pioneers of Entomology in America.
Mr. Feldman was born in Celle, Hanover, Germany, in 1814,
and came to the United States at an early age, where he carried
on his entomological endeavors, and at the time of his death
had accumulated a large collection of Coleoptera, which were
his favorites. He died Nov. 12, 1887. F.
o
NOTES ON EUROPEAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
By PHILIP P. CALVERT.
(See the NEWS for January, 1896, p. 4.)
Y. BERLIN.
The entomological collections of the Royal Frederic William
(Konigliche Friedrich-Wilhelm) University in Berlin are con-
tained in the Museum fur Naturkunde, Invalidenstrasse 43, in
the same extensive building with the Zoological and Paleonto-
logical collections and the Zoological Institute. The Director
of the zoological collection is Prof. Karl Mobius. The entomo-
logical staff consists of Dr. Ferdinand Karsch (Orthoptera,
Odonata, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera), H. J. Kolbe (Coleoptera,
Neuroptera), Dr. H. Stadelmann (Myriapoda, Arachnida, Hy-
menoptera), Dr. B. Wandolleck (Diptera), Dr. R. Lucas (Hy-
menoptera), E. W. Rubsaamen (Cecidiae), and E. Schmidt and
M. Ude, preparators.
The collection of Insects forming a part of the "show" col-
lections in Zoology and Paleontology, open freely to the public
on three days in the week, is on the ground floor, and consists
of a general systematic collection and one of German insects of
all orders with the various developmental stages, preparations of
insect anatomy, galls and their producers, specimens of insect
architecture, two revolving cases for displaying metallic colors
of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, and, in some of the windows,
photographic lantern slides of insect parts, and a series of de-
nuded Lepidopterous wings to show venation.
The "study" collections occupy a room 34 x 16 metres
(111.5 x 5 2 -5 f eet ) on tne third floor ("zweiter stock" of Ger-
132 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
man nomenclature), having the full width of the southern wing
of the building and well lighted by a row of windows on each of
the two long sides, north and south respectively.
Dr. Karsch, to whom the writer is greatly indebted for the
freest use of the collections during a six months' stay in Berlin,
has kindly furnished the following data regarding their more
important contents:
GENERAL.
The foundation of the collection was that of Graf Hoffmann-
segg, purchased in 1818 for 22,000 thales, consisting of 18,504
species and 550,000 specimens.
Ehrenberg's collections from Abyssinia and Egypt.
Charpentier's collection, more especially Orthoptera.
The results of the Royal Prussian Expedition to Eastern Asia
in 1860-62, obtained in the Dutch East Indies, China and Japan.
E. P. E. Friedrich Stein's collection of Palaearctic insects,
particularly of Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera and Hymen-
optera.
Dr. Feodor Jagor's collections from the Philippines, Java and
Singapore.
Dr. Theophilus Studer's collections made on the voyage of
the " Gazella" in the Atlantic Ocean, Kerguelen Land, the west
coast of Australia and Magellan's Straits.
Dr. Franz Hilgendorf's collections from Japan.
Dr. Peter's collections from East Africa.
Dr. Rosenhauer's biological collection of larvae, pupae and the
objects serving the former as food, the insects mainly raised by
Rosenhauer himself.
Types from all orders described by Klug, by Gerstaecker up
to the time of his removal to Greifswald in 1877, and by Dr.
Karsch.
North American species in all the orders are not numerous.
Of late years the African collections have increased greatly in
consequence of the activity of explorers in the German^ posses-
sions.
COLEOPTERA.
Types described by Schaum, Erichson, Harold and others.
Haag Rutenberg's types, especially Tenebrionidae.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 133
LEPIDOPTERA.
Collections of Maassen, of Herman Davids (including many
African types), of Stiibel (especially from Colombia, studied by
Maassen and Weymer).
Types of Plotz in Hesperidae, of Staudinger, of Aurivillius and
others.
The older collections of Lepidoptera were determined by
Hopfer, first curator for Lepidoptera.
OTHER ORDERS.
H. Loew's collection, with the exception of the North Amer-
ican species.
Beren's European Hemiptera-Heteroptera.
Klug's Arachnida.
Types of Orthoptera described by Schaum.
-o-
A NEW AFRICAN SATURNIID.
By W. J. HOLLAND, Ph.D., F. Z. S., etc.
I have just received a beautiful collection of African Lepidop-
tera collected by the late Dr. A. C. Good during the last months
of his life in the interior of the Cameroons at Efulen, a mission
station founded by him among the Bule tribe, about one hundred
and twenty-five miles inland from the Great Batanga. While
there are very few diurnal Lepidoptera which have not been
hitherto described, there are a number of moths, some of them
bred specimens, which are apparently new to science. One of
them, reared as Dr. Good tells me from a chrysalis found by him,
is a most remarkably beautiful insect, which I am unable to refer
to any genus or species catalogued by Kirby or mentioned in the
" Zoological Record" since that list was published. I believe it
to be new to science, and I take pleasure in dedicating the genus,
which I propose to found upon it, to my honored friend, Mr.
Andrew Carnegie, whose recent gift of a million of dollars, the
income therefrom to be annually expended in the purchase of
works of art and collections for the Art Gallery and Museum,
which he has founded in the city of Pittsburgh, well entitles him
to be regarded as one of the foremost promoters of science in
this country.
134 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
Family SATURNIID^.
Genus CARNEGIA.
Somewhat allied to genus Teratopteris Hiibner, and to Ho/o-
cera Felder.
9 . Body robust, anal extremity a trifle longer than the anal
angle of the secondaries. Antennae short, not longer than the
width of the thorax, finely pectinated at the base, setose at the
extremity. Legs short, tibiae clothed with short, closely ap-
pressed hairs. The primaries have the costa straight for three-
fourths of their length from the base, then abruptly rounding
and continued to the outer angle by a straight line parallel to the
line of the inner margin. The outer angle is strongly produced,
giving the wing a strongly falcate appearance, which is inci eased
by a deep excavation of the outer margin just below the outer
angle. A similar deep excavation occurs on the outer margin
between the extremities of veins 3 and 4. The inner margin is
approximately straight, but projects downwardly over the sec-
ondaries by a broad tooth beyond the base. The secondaries
have the costal margin curved to near the extremity of vein 8.
The outer angle is slightly excavated; the outer margin is ir-
regularly crenulate, deeply excavated between veins 3 and 4. At
the anal angle there is a long, somewhat narrow tail-like projec-
tion directed inwardly. The inner margin is straight for the
greater part of its length, curving inwardly rapidly as it ap-
proaches the anal angle. The cells in both wings are bisected
by a fine nervule running from the discocellulars to the base.
The wings are ornamented by a number of irregular, translucent,
scaleless patches, distributed about the ends of the cell. Type
Carnegia mirabilis Holland.
Carnegia mirabilis n. sp. (Plate VI) ? .Antennae fulvous. Body above
and below dark brown, slightly paler beneath. Legs concolorous, tarsi
annulated with pale gray. The primaries are ornamented with eight or
nine diaphanous spots located at the end of the cell on either side of the
discocellulars, five of which are large, the others small. Of the large
spots, one is subtriangular, lying just below the costa between the origins
of veins 6 and 7. Below this, between veins 5 and 6, is a large oblong
spot, separated by the discocellulars from an equally large spot located
at the extremity of the cell. The inner outline of this introcellular spot
is irregular. Below these two large spots are two unciform spots, with
their small ends directed upwardly, one without the discocellulars between
veins 4 and 5, the other within the cell. Between veins 3 and 4 near their
PLATE VI.
CARNEGIA MIRABILIS.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 135
origin below the outer angle of the cell is a small round spot, and on
either side of vein 5 near the lower outer angle of the large, oblong,
quadrate spot are two similar round, small spots. Beyond the subtrian-
gular spot near the costa is a small, round, translucent point. The base
of the primaries is dark brown, the brown tract being defined externally
by a twice curved paler violaceous line, beyond which there is a \
irregularly dark violaceous band defined externally by a pale line exceed-
ing^ irregular in shape and closing in its upper portion a dark maroon-
brown spot, which bounds the translucent spots at the end of the cell on
their inner margin, and is continued downwardly across the middle of the
wing to the inner marging, widening toward the inner margin. This dark
fascia of rich brown is succeeded by two crenulate and irregular pale dis-
cal bands, separated by a darker brown line between them, the outer one
accentuated by some dark brown patches between veins i and 3 and veins
4 and 6. The outer portion of the wing beyond these lines is pale wood-
brown marked with some obscure submarginal acuminate brown cloud-
ings. There is a subtriangular dark brown spot on the costal margin just
before the apex. On the underside the primaries are plain, the transverse
bands and lines and dark markings of the upper surface being obsolete
for the most part; the secondaries have the costal region near the base
pale brown, the outer margins laved with purplish brown, the middle
area, especially toward the inner margin, dark maroon-brown, interrupted
by the translucent spots clustered about the end of the cell. Of these
spots there are ten, four of them large, the others small and circular.
From this cluster of spots there runs inwardly to the inner margin a gemi-
nate pale greenish waved line. The underside of the secondaries is plainly
colored like the primaries, being dark wood-brown with lighter reddish
markings about the translucent spots, as is also the case to some extent
on the primaries. Expanse 85 mm.
DURING a biological trip to the Dismal Swamp in October, 1895, I was
impressed by the great numbers of Carabid beetles ( Carabus vinctus]
which swarmed everywhere in the vicinity of the shores of Lake Drum-
mond. That which interested me most about them was a food habit I
had not before noticed. All kinds of refuse animal matter, whether from
fish, flesh or fowl, was attacked and greedily devoured by these voracious
insects. As many as a dozen were seen feeding about an old fish head,
or grouped around a bit of fresh skin or muscle. I soon found though
that they were not an unmixed blessing, because small mammals left in
the traps long after sunrise were certain to be more or less damaged.
Some specimens were so badly mutilated that only the skulls could be
saved. Never before have I seen them feeding on anything except insects
which they had captured. \V. K. FISHER.
136 [May,
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Published monthly (except July and August), in charge of the joint
publication committees of the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and the American Entomological
Society. It will contain not less than 300 pages per annum. It will main-
tain no free list whatever, but will leave no measure untried to make it a
necessity to every student of insect life, so that its very moderate annual
subscription may be considered well spent.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION $1.00, IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada $1.2O.
SSif All remittances should be addressed to E. T. Cresson, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.; all other communications to the Editors
of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, Logan Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., MAY, 1896.
THE collecting season is opening and nets, cyanide bottles and
other apparatus are being prepared for action. Work on the
cabinet is postponed until cooler weather and all our interest
centres on the insect in the field. There are several things our
field workers can do to advance the study of entomology and the
opening of the season is a good time to begin. We refer to
getting material in good condition and putting dates on paper
or pin. Every collector should also have his pin labels contain-
ing his name and locality, and should never fail to have his or
her specimens properly labeled. The time is coming when an
insect will mean more than a name, as many biological studies
of interest will be taken up in the near future, and an insect
without date or locality will be considered worthless for every
purpose other than as an individual of a species. Also re-
member it is just as easy for a student to study from a faultless
specimen as it is from one that looks as though it had been
struck by a cyclone.
NOTICE. The Regents of the N. M. Agricultural College having ar-
ranged to dispense with my services after June 3oth, correspondents are
requested to send me no more insects to determine, as I shall not be able
to attend to them. T. D. A. COCKEKELL, Agricultural College, Mesilla
Park, N. M.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 137
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N, J,
Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor, Prof. Jnhn
B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
Transplanting Insects. The spread of the San Jose" Scale has been al-
luded to in this department on several occasions, and also the methods
of treatment recommended and other details concerning the species. At
the last session of the New Jersey Legislature, in response to a request
by the State Board of Agriculture, an appropriation of one thousand dol-
lars was made for the purpose of introducing into the State of New Jersey,
if possible, such predaceous insects as are proving useful in California to
check the increase of this pernicious scale. In the effort to carry out this
intent with the best chance of success, the writer will go to California
during the early days of May, with the view of studying the habits of the
predaceous insects which keep this species in check in that State. Send-
ings will be made to the East of all species found feeding upon the San
Jose Scale, in all their different stages, to increase the chances of their
safe arrival and of becoming used to their new surroundings. To add to
the chances of success the cooperation of Prof. P. H. Rolfs, in Florida,
and of Mr. L. O. Howard, Entomologist to the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, has been secured. Prof. Rolfs has agreed to look after cer-
tain colonies of these insects in Florida, and will place them in the regions
infested by the scale to the best advantage. Mr. Howard will receive
other sendings and will place them in orchards in Virginia or Maryland
as seems to him most desirable. In New Jersey there will be from eight
to twelve orchards in which the insects will be received and liberated and
where they can be watched to the best advantage. It is intended to ob-
tain specimens from as many different localities in California as possible,
and particularly to secure them from the most Northern localities at which
they occur.
Whatever the outcome, this experiment will be a most interesting one.
The climate of the Pacific coast differs so radically from that on the At-
lantic that it would seem as if the experiment was foredoomed to failure,
yet we can never tell what possibilities of adaptation an insect contains,
and it is not at all impossible that some of the species will develop an
ability to become completely dormant during the Winter and yet reap-
pear in good condition and ready for work the following season. One of
the great drawbacks to our eastern predaceous insects, is the slowness
with which they breed. This puts them at a great disadvantage as against
species like the San Jose Scale which has generation after generation
during the entire season and where the number of young seemed to be
practically unlimited. What is most needed is an insect that will become
138 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May r
active early in May at the latest, if possible even during April, will then
feed upon the hibernating scales, produce larvae which become active
before the middle of May, and full fed about the beginning of June. The
San Jos6 Scale does not begin to reproduce in New Jersey until the first
days of June, and if we could get a month of feeding on the hibernating
adults by some predaceous species the check would be the most effective
possible.
The Grain-feeding Palorus found in the United States. Palorus depressus
Fab. My attention has been called by a paper by Dr. G. C. Champion
in the "Entomologist's Monthly Magazine" for February (vol. xxxii. p.
26) to the fact that the Palorus occurring in this country and hitherto
mentioned by the writer and others as depressus Fab. or melinus Hbst.
resolves itself into two species, viz., ratzeburgi and subdepressus. The
melinus of Fabricius, according to Champion, turns out to be a true
Hypophlceus, therefore not, as stated in the Munich catalogue, synony-
mous with depressus. The latter I have not yet seen, and as it does not
seem to be known as an indoor pest perhaps does not occur in America.
Palorus ratzeburgi Wissm. This is the commonest species found in
flour, meal and grain both in this country and abroad. It is of the same
size and general appearance as subdepressus, but is distinct from that spe-
cies by the structure of the head and particularly of the eyes. The latter
are smaller and more finely granulated, the ventral portion being very
much narrower; the sides of the front are only moderately elevated and
do not extend backward so as to conceal any portion of the eye and the
prothorax is noticeably broadened anteriorly.
I have seen specimens from Detroit, Mich., New York city, Lebanon,
Ind., Kansas and Georgia, and have found it in abundance in flour, grain
and refuse from bakeries and feed-stores in the District of Columbia.
Palorus subdepressus Well. This species lives in granaries in Europe,
and is said to have occurred in a shipment of ground nuts at Rouen. It
will doubtless in time be found to have similar habits in this country, but
at the present writing, so far as I know, has been taken only under bark.
Specimens in the National Museum are from Tallahassee, Fla., Texas and
Fresno County, California. A single example was taken by Mr. Linell
in a pharmacal -laboratory at Brooklyn, N. Y., and Mr. Schwarz has a
series taken years ago at Washington, but evidence is wanting to show
that the species has yet gained a foothold so far north. It is the species
observed by the writer at the Columbian Exposition in meal from Brazil.
In this species the sides of the front are Strongly reflexed and extend
backward concealing the anterior margin of the eye as seen from above
and the prothorax is only slightly broader anteriorly. F. H. CHITTENDEN.
Diabrotica vittata as a Greenhouse Pest. The depredations of this pt st,
both adults and larvae, on Cucurbs of the garden and truck farms is too
well known to require explanation. I have known them to appear sud-
denly and in great numbers in early Spring and attack young cucumber
plants growing under glass when this was removed from the plants during
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 139
the day. Late in Autumn, after all vines have been killed by the frost,
the adults congregate in considerable numbers about the unripe pump-
kins and squashes eating holes in them, and I have also found them in
October, in woods far .from where their favorite food-plants had been
cultivated, feeding on the belated flowers of a species of Aster. For
myself I have never been able to account for the great numbers of these
beetles that appear every season, as if they developed on the roots of
Cucurbits alone it would be impossible to secure plants at all.
Dr. Henry Shimer, who first published the life-history of this insect in
the "Prairie Farmer" of Aug. 12, 1865, stated that the insect wintered
over the pupal stage, but Prof. Riley, in his "Second Missouri Report,"
p. 66, says that he observed both pupae and adults Nov. 8, 1869, about
vines that he had isolated early in October, and reasoned from this that
the species hibernated both as pupae and adults. This, so far as I am
aware, completes our knowledge of the whereabouts and condition of
this insect from October until April.
For some time I have been receiving complaints of a worm destroying
cucumber plants, growing in greenhouses for the purpose of securing the
vegetable for Winter use, but was unable to secure specimens until Dec.
28, 1895, when I visited the infested greenhouses located at Hyde Park,
near Cincinnati, Ohio, and identified the depredator. The young cucum-
ber plants were first started in small pots, and grown there until the third
leaf began to appear, when they were transplanted in rows in the benches,
the soil contained in these having been removed from the surface sod out-
side during the preceding August. At the time of my examination these
young plants were being rapidly destroyed by larvae varying in size from
one-half, or a little less, to two-thirds grown. I took many of them in
the very act of gnawing off the tender stems just below the surface of
the soil, which caused the plants to fall over and suddenly wither and in
one case found a larva that had made its way full length up an amputated
stem. A very few adult beetles were observed in the act of feeding on
the leaves. The roots of many plants that were large enough to fruit
were grooved and scarred in a way to indicate that the Diabrotica larvae
had been at work on these also, the effect being to weaken them and
prevent fruiting. Altogether the loss caused by these larvae was very
serious, and the owner of the greenhouses quite ready to give up in
dispair.
It seems probable that the eggs from which the larvae observed by me
originated, were deposited in the greenhouses by females coming in from
without, as in the greenhouse where I observed them destroying young
plants, a crop of cucumbers had already been reared since the soil was
brought in and this crop only suffered to a slight degree by scarring of
the roots, thus indicating, but not by any means proving, that tht- larva
came from eggs deposited late in the Fall by females that might have
entered after all vines outside had been destroyed by the frost.
F. M. WEBSTER.
140 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
Notes and Ne\vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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
i n 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 circumfei-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy 1 ' into the hands of the printer, for each number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for 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. ED.
PICTURES for the album of the American Entomological Society have
been received from B. L. Cunningham, Fort Klamath, Oregon; Philip P.
Calvert.
Mr. Philip Laurent and Dr. D. M. Castle are spending a month in Florida
on a collecting tour. We hope they may succeed in getting all they de-
sire in the way of insects.
Mr. Lancaster Thomas and Mr. H. W. Wenzel contemplate a trip to
Roan Mountain, Mitchell County, North Carolina. The former frill col-
lect Lepidoptera and the latter Coleoptera, especially looking out for
Cychrus.
Mr. GRAF-KRUSI, of Gais, near St. Gall, Switzerland, has recently sent
us a sample of his excellent butterfly net. This is a strong folding net,
and is so arranged to fit any size stick. The whole net may be readily
carried in the pocket and yet can be put into condition for use in a mo-
ment. . The netting is made of bolting cloth and is exceedingly strong,
and will not tear, and can be used for a long time. These nets are also
extremely reasonable in price.
A SPECIMEN of Hypolimnus misippus Linn, was taken near Oceanus,
Banana River, Florida, Dec. i, 1895, and is now in my collection. I be-
lieve this butterfly has only once before been recorded from Florida.
Mrs. CHAS. B. CORY.
Mr. GEO. W. PECKHAM, 646 Newstead St., Milwaukee, \Vis., asks for
information on several points:
i. - Have you ever seen wasps sting their prey ? Is the spider or insect
stung in any particular spot, or wherever opportunity offers ?
2. In opening nests have you ever noticed whether the insects or spiders
stored up were all alive, or whether they were partly dead and in various
stages of preservation ?
3. Do you know of any solitary wasps that mutilate their prey before
storing it ? In opening mud-dauber nests I have frequently found some
of the spiders all dried up; others dead, but plump; and others still alive.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 14!
A NEW USE FOR INSECTS. Prof. Lester F. Ward recently received a
request from Prof. Sargent, of Cambridge, for information as to the Win-
ter appearance of Sa/i.i' ~cardi Bebb, an interesting willow which occurs
on the Potomac flats. He yesterday (March 22, 1896) visited the locality
where this willow grows, but was unable, in the absence of leaves, to
distinguish it from other willows. After some search he found a few
specimens, the leaves of which had been webbed to the twigs by the larva
of Centra cinerea Walker. This enabled identification of the plant, and
he secured specimen twigs which were forwarded to Prof. Sargent. Prof.
Ward was greatly pleased with the result of his trip, and says that he has
a new interest in the subject of entomology. The experience suggested
to him that doubtless in many cases deciduous plants could be determined
in the Winter time by one familiar with the remains of insects specifically
affecting such plants, or with their work. L O. HOWARD.
THE PAINTED HICKORY BORER. On March 8th beetles were brought
to me by a lady who was mnch afraid that her dwelling might be infested
with some terrible household pest. She stated that several beetles had
been killed about the house, and even asserted that she had been bitten
by one of them. The insects were specimens of the Painted Hickory
Borer, Cyllene pictus Drury, and their presence in the house in Winter
was regarded as a great mystery by the inmates. Upon inquiring if any
hickory wood had been brought into the house an affirmative answer was
given; and that the wood had lain for some time in a closet to dry. I
explained that the larva was a borer of the hickory, that the adults had
probably emerged from the wood, and that the insect was never serious
as a household pest much to the relief of my friends. According to
Packard* the adult usually emerges in June out of doors; and that this
species attacks the black walnut and butternut as well as the hickory.
W. E. BRITTON, New Haven, Conn.
Identification of Insects (Jmagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions : ist, The number of species
to be limited to twenty-five tor each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans-
portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor,
who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects
for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. III.
Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan
Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North
and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs, or con-
taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of
insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded.
i. JAHRESHEFT DES NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHEN VEREINS, TRENCSEN,
1894-95. New African and Australian Orthoptera, C. Brancsik.
* Fifth Report U. S. Entomological Commission on Forest Insects, p. 287.
142 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
2. TERMESZETRAJZI FUZETEK, xix, i. New magnificent species of Hy-
menoptera in the collection of the Hungarian National Museum, A. Moc-
sary. Monograph of the bee genus Ceratina (Latr.) (Palsearctic species),
H. Friese.
3. ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGER, No. 497. Geophilidae and Scolopendri-
dae from Portugal, and table of the European species of Geophi/us, C.
Yerhoeff.
4. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE, Ixi, 2. On the
post-embryonal development of the efferent ducts and the auxiliary
glands of the male sexual apparatus of Bombyx inori, E. Yerson and
E. Bisson.
5. PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, No.
149. On Apatela, A. R. Grote. The Hypenoid moths and allied groups,
ibid.
6. BtOLOGiA CENTRALI-AMERICAXA, Zoology, Pt. 126. Chilopoda,
pp. 1-24, pis. r, 2, R. I. Pocock. Coleoptera, vol. iii, pt. i, pp. 401-440,
pis. 18, 19 (Elateridse), G. C. Champion. Coleoptera, vol. iv, pt. 6, pp.
81-96 (Scolytidae), VV. F. H. Blandford. Rhynchota Homoptera, vol. ii,
pp. 121-128, pi. 8 (Polyglypta, etc.), W. W. Fowler. Diptera, vol. ii,
pp. 265-272 (Sarcophaginae), F. M. v. d. Wulp. Ibid. pt. 127. Chilo-
poda, pp. 25-40, pi. 3, R. I. Pocock. Coleoptera, vol. iii, pt. i, pp. 441-
472, pi. 20, G. C. Champion. Coleoptera, vol. iv, pt. 6, pp. 97-112, pi.
4, W. F. H. Blandford. Rhyncota Homoptera, vol. ii, pp. 129-136, \V.
W. Fowler. Diptera, vol. ii, pp. 273-280, pi. 7, F. M. v. d. Wulp.
7. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, 1896, i [Extract]. The bees of the genus Perdita F. Smith,
T. D. A. Cockerell.
8. ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, 1895, H. 22. Aethiopische Het-
erocera, i, F. Karsch.
9. FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin 34. In-
sect enemies of truck and garden crops, A. L. Quaintance.
10. ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, March, 1896.
Notes on the anatomy of some scorpions, and its bearing on the classifi-
cation of the order, M. Laurie. Descriptions of five new species of Cas/nia
from tropical South America, H. Druce.
11. RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, ii, 7. Sfcp/iaiiocircus Sk. :
a rejoinder, F. Skuse.
12. BOLLETTINO DEI MuSEI DI ZOOLOGIA ED ANATOMIA COMPARATA
DELLA R. UNIVERSITA DI TORINO, x, No. 210. Voyage of Doctor Al-
fredo Borelli to the Argentine Republic and Paraguay, Opiliones Lania-
tores, \V. Sorensen. Ibid. No. 219. Voyage of Doctor Alfredo Borelli
to the Argentine Republic and Paraguay, Hemiptera-Heteroptera, A. L.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 143
Montandon. Ibid. No. 220. New species of Dytiscidce collected in
Darien by Dr. E. Festa, A. Griffini. Ibid. No. 224. A new genus of
Tabanidas collected in Darien by Dr. E. Festa, E. Giglio-Tos.
13. LA NATURALEZA. PERIODICO CIENTIFICO DE LA SOCIEDAD MEXI-
CANA DE HISTORIA NATURAL (2), ii, 8. New Mexican species of Trom-
bidiuin, A. Duges.
14. CICADIXEN (Hemiptera-Homoptera) VON MITTEL-EUROPA von Dr.
L. Melichar. 8vo., Berlin, Felix L. Dames, 1896. Price 20 Marks. This is
a volume of 364 pages and 12 well-executed plates. The external anat-
omy and biology are discussed and directions for collecting and preser-
ving given, as well as the literature and a historical review of the subject.
Geographically, the work includes Austro-Hungary, the German Empire
and Switzerland. Fieber's division of the Homoptera into eight families
is accepted by the author, and the most of those families erected by J.
Edwards stand as subfamilies only. Each genus and species is fully de-
scribed and figured in detail, and keys to the genera and species are not
wanting. The synonymy is apparently also very complete. The work
is important to Hemipterology, and students of Homoptera will no doubt
find it indispensible. F.
15. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
Technical Series, No. 2. The grass and grain joint-worm flies and their
allies : a consideration of some North American Phytophagic Euryto-
mina?, L. O. Howard. Ibid. No. 3. The San Jose" Scale, . . . L. O.
Howard and C. L. Marlatt. Circular No. 14. The Mexican cotton-
ball weevil, L. O. Howard. Ibid. General work against insects which
defoliate shade trees in cities and towns, L. O. Howard.
16. Twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Entomological Society of On-
tario, 1895. Insects injurious of the year 1895, J. Fletcher. The growth
of the wings of a Luna moth, J. A. Moffat. Observations on the season
of 1895, ibid. Variation, with special reference to insects, ibid. Some
Winter insects from swamp moss, \V. H. Harrington. Birds as protec-
tors of orchards, E. H. Forbush. The Rocky Mountain locust and its
allies in Canada, S. H. Scudder. Seventh Annual Meeting of the Asso-
ciation of Economic Entomologist (these papers were previously noted
in these columns).
17. HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICUL-
TURAL COLLEGE, Bulletin No. 36. The imported elm-leaf beetle; Maple
Pseudococcus; Abbot Sphinx; San Jose Scale, R. A. Cooley.
18. THE ENTOMOLOGIST, April, iSg6.Peri/>/a/te/ii auslralasiu- and
P. americana (illustrations), \V. J. Lucas. Meteorological and other con-
ditions influencing the appearance of moths, B. N. Menshootkin. New
experiments on the seasonal dimorphism of Lepidoptera, A. Weismann
(translated from the German by \V. E. Nicholson). Irrorhotides: a new
genus of Ateuchidze, . . . J. W. Shipp. Collecting in New England, \V
F. Fiske.
144 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
19. JOURNAL OF THE NEW YORK ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, March,
1896. The life-histories of the New York slug-caterpillars, ii, H. G.
Dyar avid E. L. Morton. Synopsis of the species of Nysson inhabiting
America, North of Mexico, W. J. Fox. Some notes on locust stridulation,
A. P. Morse. Both sides of butterflies, ibid. A new Gloveria, H. G.
Dyar. Literature on defensive or repugnatorial glands of insects, A. S.
Packard. Preliminary handbook of the Coleoptera of Northeastern North
America, H. F. Wickham.
20. DELAWARE COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bul-
letin No. 30. The San Jose" scale, M. H. Beckwith. Present status of
the San Jos6 scale in Delaware, ibid. Status of the San Jose' scale in the
United States, ibid.
21. ILLUSTRIERTE WOCHENSCHRIFT FUR ENTOMOLOGIE, Jhg. i, No.
i. A new classification of the Muscidae based on the bristles of the tho-
rax and the segmentation of the abdomen, E. Girschna-Torgau.
22. PSYCHE, a journal of entomology, April, 1896. The New England
Melanopli, S. H. Scudder. On Colecptera found with ants (third paper),
H. F. Wickham. New Homoptera received from the New Mexico Ag-
ricultural Experiment Station, ii (cont.), C. F. Baker. New species of
Prosapis, T. D. A. Cockerel 1.
23. Report of the Entomological Department of the New Jersey Agri-
cultural College Experiment Station for 1895, by John B. Smith (contains
numerous articles relating principally to economic entomology).
24. THE AMERICAN NATURALIST, April, 1896. The segmental sclerites
of Spirobolus, O. F. Cook.
25. LE NATURALISTE CANADIEN, March, 1896. Lepidoptera of Sher-
brooke and vicinity (cont.), L'Abbe P. A. Begin.
26. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, April, 1896. A contribution to
the knowledge of North American Syrphidae, W. D. Hunter. Pieris
rap(Z and Agraulis vanities, W. G. Wright. On the position of the genus
Demas, H. G. Dyar. Some Argynnids of Park City, Utah, A. J. Snyder.
Luna eggs a correction, W. H. Harrington. A Canadian Trigonalys,
ibid. Ithy cents novaboracensis Forst., ibid. Aidos Hiibner == Brachy-
codion Dyar, H. G. Dyar (no title). Notes on New Mexico and Arizona
Hymenoptera, C. H. T. Townsend.
27. NOVA ACTA ACADEMIAE Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Ger-
manicae Naturae Curiosorum (Verhandlungen der Kaiserlichen Leopoldi-
nischen Carolinischen Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher), Halle,
62er Bd. Revision of the genus Chilosia Meigen, Th. Becker. Ibid.,
64er Bd. Systematic revision of the Geometridae of the northern tem-
perate zone, Part 7, C. v. Gumppenberg.
28. REISEN IM ARCHIPEL DER PHILIPPINEN von Dr. C. Semper, 2er
Theil, vi, Bd., i L. Moths, G. Semper.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 145
29. LEPIDOPTERA INDICA, F. Moore, pt. 24. This part concludes vol-
ume ii, and includes part of the group Charaxina of the Nymphalinse.
Plates 181-190.
30. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (2), v,
pt. 2. Mexican Formicidae, T. Pergande.
31. TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
1896, pt. i. On the heteromerous Coleoptera of St. Vincent, Grenada,
and the Grenadines, G. C. Champion. New and little- known Palaearctic
Perlidae, K. J. Morton. On the relation of mimetic patterns to the original
form, F. A. Dixey. The rhynchophorous Coleoptera of Japan, pt. iv, D.
Sharp. Notes on flower-haunting Diptera, G. F. Scott-Elliot.
32. NOVITATES ZOOLOGIC^E, iii, No. i. Lampyridae captured in Para-
guay by Dr. Bohls, E. Olivier. Notes on Heterocera, with descriptions
of new genera and species, W. Rothschild and K. Jordan.
33. British Moths. By J. \V. Tutt, F. E. S. George Routlege & Sons,
publishers, London and New York. This is an elementary treatise on
the moths of Great Britain and contains 508 pages, 12 colored plates and
numerous wood cuts. This is a book appealing to the beginner, and
presents the subject up to date. The colored figures are crude, but an-
swer the purpose. Most of our entomological works are too expensive
and prohibitive thereby to the young naturalist. The author says in the
preface: " In spite of the large number of books relating to British moths
that have been published in recent years, it yet remains a serious but un-
doubted fact that there are only two completed books in which even the
species are correctly named. It is with the intention of pointing out to
young collectors and students the present condition of entomological
science that these pages have been penned. The lines of classification
adopted are those of the most recent authorities on the subject, and are
based on evolutionary lines." We have no such work as this on Amer-
ican moths, and while it does not treat of American species, yet it would
be useful in every other way to the student on this side of the water.
INDEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
THE GENERAL SUBJECT.
Moffat 16, Harrington 16, Packard 19, Dixey 31.
MYRIAPODA.
Verhoeff 3, Pocock 6* (two), Cook 24.
ARACHXIDA.
Laurie 10, Sorensen 12, Duges 13*.
146 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
ORTHOPTERA.
Brancsik i, Scudder 16, 22, Lucas 18, Morse 19.
NEUROPTERA.
Morton 31.
HEMIPTERA.
Fowler 6* (two), Montandon 12, Melichar 14, Baker 22*.
COLEOPTERA.
Champion 6* (two), 31*, Blandford 6* (two), Griffini 12, Shipp 18,
Wickham 19, 22, Harrington 26, Sharp 31, Olivier 32.
DIPTERA.
v. d. Wulp 6* (two), Skuse ir, Giglio-Tos 12, Girschner-Torgau 21,
Hunter 26*, Becker 27, Scott-Elliot 31.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Verson and Bisson 4, Grote 5 (two), Karsch 8, Druce 10, Moffat 1.6
(two), Menshootkin 18, Weismann 18, Fiske 18, Dyar and Morton 19,
Morse 19, Dyar 19*, 26 (two), Begin 25, Wright 26, Snyder 26, Harrington
26, v. Gumppenberg 27*, Semper 28, Moore 29, Rothschild and Jordan 32.
HYMENOPTERA.
Mocsary 2, Friese 2, Cockerell 7*, Howard 15*, Fox 19*, Harrington
26*, Townsend 26, Pergande 22*, 30*.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Quaintance 9, Fletcher 16, Forbush 16, Cooley 17 (four), Beckwith 20
(three), Smith 23, Howard and Marlatt 15, Howard 15 (two).
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, April 14, 1896.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1509 S. i3th Street.
Members present : Messrs. Bland, H. W. Wenzel, Johnson,
Trescher, Boerner, Seiss, Fox, Schmitz, E. Wenzel, Griffith and
Haimbach. Honorary members: Drs. Geo. H. Horn, Henry
Skinner and John B. Smith. Visitors: Mr. Lancaster Thomas,
Dr. W. E. Hughes, Prof. Frederick Prime and Edwin Bischoff,
of Newark, N. J. Meeting called to order at 9 p. M., President
Bland presiding. Written communications were received from
Dr. D. M. Castle from Savannah, Ga., and from Mr. Philip
Laurent from Wildin, N. C. ; these two members being on a col-
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 147
lecting trip through the South, Gulf Hammock, Fla., being the
terminus.
Dr. Hughes spoke to the members in reference to dust proof
cabinets, recommending them to those who needed new ones;
the ones referred to are made of sheet-iron, the grooves for the
drawers being so arranged as to make them interchangeable and
put together so as to make them absolutely dust proof and air
tight. The doctor considered it an ideal case for the preservation
of specimens, it having been found so, especially for ornithologi-
cal specimens.
Dr. Horn spoke of his progress in the study of Oedermericlae,
stating that there was no longer a doubt but that the two species
at present called Calopus must be separated, angustus belonging
to the genus as typified by serraticornis of Europe. The other
species, aspersus, may be placed in Sparidrus, there being no
discoverable characters to separate it as they are now published.
Dr. Skinner read a paper on the variation in the Lepidoptera.
Prof. Prime, who occupies the chair of Natural History at
Girard College, addressed the members to find if any of them
would be willing to furnish him with a few specimens of different
orders, it being his object to obtain a collection for the purpose
of interesting and teaching the boys at the College in Entomology,
Mr. Fox presented a box of cocoons of Oiketicus townsendi
which he had received from Mr. Cockerell for distribution among
the members who desired them; those who accepted the cocoons
desired Mr. Fox to thank Mr. Cockerell for his donation.
Mr. Johnson spoke of those Diptera that have their eyes pe-
dunculate, including the genera Diopsis, Sphyracephala, Plagio-
cephala and Achias. The different forms and position of the
antennae were referred to also their distribution.
Specimens of Sphyracephala brevicornis Say from Natrona,
Pa. , and Diopsis sp. from eastern Africa were shown.
Prof. Smith moved that a committee be appointed to commu-
nicate with the committees from other societies to. arrange the
minor details for the 4th of July field meeting at Newark. The
president appointed the following committee of three : Dr. Griffith,
Mr. Fox and Mr. Johnson.
Dr. Dixon president of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of
Philadelphia, sent word to the members of the Social, asking if
they would be willing to provide a local collection for the use of
148 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
the Academy, he agreeing to furnish all the boxes needed for
this purpose. The members readily accepted this proposition,
and were advised to collect all orders and to mark the dates and
localities on all such specimens plainly.
Prof. Smith presented each of the members with a copy of his
annual report.
No further business being presented the meeting adjourned to
the annex at u P. M.
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
Tne Entomological Section
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
MARCH 26, 1896.
A regular stated meeting of the Entomological Section of the
Academy of Natural Sciences was held in the Hall, S. W. cor.
Nineteenth and Race Streets, this evening, Dr. Geo. H. Horn,
director, presiding. Dr. Horn stated that he had recently re-
ceived a letter from Mr. Champion in relation to the synonymy
of some Elateridae found in our fauna and in Mexico, more par-
ticularly in regard to the prosternum of Ludiiis. The speaker
stated that a Lower Californian form had a differently shaped
prosternum from that found in the other members of the genus,
and that the mesosternum was more protuberant. This will
probably be referred to Probothrium notwithstanding the fact that
texanus and the other form are almost exactly alike otherwise.
Mr. Welles exhibited specimens of the peculiar larva of Har-
risimemna trisignata as well as the pupa, perfect insects and lilac
branches showing borings in the wood. The larvae, when full
grown, bore into the solid wood to change into a chrysalis. Mr.
C. Few Seiss read a paper on "The Breeding Habits of Peri-
planeta orientalist On the 2Oth of April, 1895, one male and
three female cockroaches, Periplaneta orientalis Linn., were
caught and placed in a large shallow jar, in the bottom of which
was a layer of garden soil about one inch in thickness. A small
box with an aperature or doorway at one end was also provided,
which was regularly used by the roaches as a home, dormitory
and place of retreat. Throughout their captive lives they were
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149
regularly fed on bits of bread, cheese, crackers, sugar, table
scraps, and also supplied with water. On the 3ist of July one
female died and was found partly devoured; the male died Au-
gust 1 5th; the second female August 25th; and the third and
last female died September 6th, soon after dropping an egg cap-
sule. The three females during their lives in the jar deposited
twenty-five egg-cases (oothecae); or about eight for each female.
As one egg-case contains just sixteen eggs, eight in a row on each
side, twenty-five would represent a new generation of four hun-
dred cockroaches in one season of about four and a half months.
The first egg-case hatched Nov. 9, 1895, and the second a few
days later, but whether these were the first two dropped, viz.,
May 5th and May I4th I am not positive, but suppose they
were. Prof. C. V. Riley says ("The Standard Nat. Hist." vol.
ii, p. 171): "The female cockroach carries the egg-case about
with her until the young are ready to emerge, when it is dropped. ' '
This you will notice does not coincide with my observations.
The length of time in which the female carries her egg-case, from
the first appearance of the bulb to the moment of dropping, I
have never observed to be over five days, and generally only
four, but Edw. A. Butler says ("Our Household Insects," Lon-
don, 1893): " When full, the case protrudes from the end of the
abdomen of the female, and is carried about by her in this posi-
tion for about a week, after which it is dropped into a suitable
crevice in a warm situation." On three different occasions I
saw the females scoop out a shallow cavity in the loam, using the
head and legs in digging; in this the egg-case was deposited and
carefully covered up with loose earth, In most instances, how-
ever, the egg-cases were dropped promiscuously, with no attempt
at concealment. The development of the ootheca or egg-cap-
.sule is interesting. It first appears at the tip of the abdomen as
a soft hemispherical bulb, of a creamy white color, in marked
contrast to the deep brown color of the body. On the second
clay it becomes oblong and somewhat compressed, and changes
to a dull yellow or clay color. It subsequently assumes a dark
brown tint, scarcely differing from that of the color of the parent.
The sixteen little Periplanetas that emerged from the eggs on the
9th of November were delicate in form, semi-transparent, and ot
a pale amber color. Their eyes were their most conspicuous
features, being comparatively very large, and of deep brown
150 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
color. As the mothers of these young Periplanetas were dead
long before they came into the world, it is not probable that the
offspring ever receive maternal care or protection.
Mr. Lancaster Thomas exhibited a net frame made of a con-
tinuous piece of aluminum wire. The coiled ends of the wire so
twisted as to form a threaded arrangement into which a handle
might be screwed. It was very inexpensive, costing only fifteen
cents. He further stated that he believed a round net frame
preferable to one made from material like a clock-spring, as
the latter had a tendency to cut off leaves and twigs and thus
fill the bottom of the net with debris. Mr. Westcott showed a
substitute for cork to be used in boxes or drawers. It is what is
known as linoleum, and he believed it to be preferable to cork.
Mr. Wenzel suggested that if it would corrode the ends of the
pins it would interfere with its usefulness. Dr. Skinner called
attention to a material known as Polyporus betulinus, a fungus,
which could also be used for the same purposes as cork as far as
entomology is concerned. Mr. Fox stated that he had been
studying the Hymenoptera caught in Northeast Africa by Dr. A.
D. Smith, and presented by him to the Academy. There were
about ninety species, of which perhaps a half dozen were new to
science. Dr. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
PRELIMINARY NOTES ON FIVE NEW SPECIES OF
SCALE INSECTS.
By W. G. JOHNSON, University of Illinois, Champaign.
The Elm Chionaspis (Chionaspis americana). This species is
very abundant throughout Illinois on white elm ( Ulmus ameri-
cana), and as I believe it is a native American insect, I have so
named it. It has been very abundant and destructive to shade
trees in our cities throughout the State the present season, and
is also very common on native timber in central and southern
Illinois. The scale of the female is larger and more convex than
that of the scurfy bark-louse, Chionaspis furfnrus, is yellowish
brown at first, but becomes lighter with age and exposure; those
that remain over Winter shielding the purplish eggs become
nearly white by Spring. The male scale is pure white and does
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 151
not differ from those characteristic of the genus. There are two
broods in this latitude. The young of the first brood begin to
appear about the last of April or the first of May, and the second
in July. The adult males are peculiar, in the fact there is a
winged and a wingless form. The wings in the former are well
developed, while in the latter they are represented by mere stubs.
The attack is confined usually to the trunk and branches, but the
males often cluster on the u-nderside of the leaves. This is a
very important pest, from the economic point of view, and is
mentioned here in order that entomologists may be on the lookout
for it.
The Cherry Aspidiotus (Aspidiotus forbesi}. This species is
by far the most destructive scale I have yet found in Illinois, and
unless its spread is checked I believe it will rival the dreaded
San Jose scale, Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock, in its destruc-
tion of fruit trees. It has killed many cherry trees in this State
the present season. I have seen this species colonated as thickly
on nine-year old trees in this State as ever I saw the San Jose
scale on trees in the Santa Clara Valley, California. I have found
it also on currant, apple, plum, peach, pear and honey locust.
Cherry, however, seems to be its favorite, and I have therefore
proposed the above-mentioned popular name. I have also found
it very abundant on native wild cherry in central and southern
Illinois, and I am of the opinion that this was its original food-
plant. It confines its attack principally to the trunk and larger
branches, but is often found on the leaves and fruit. It is pretty
generally distributed over this and adjoining States. It ap-
proaches Aspidiotus ancylns Putnam, but differs from that spe-
cies in size, color and number of lobes and spinnerets of the last
segment of the female. The half matured female hybernates; I
believe the species is both oviparous and viviparous, as I have
found eggs under scales, and have observed fully developed em-
bryos within the body of the females. The specific name pro-
posed for this insect is in honor of Prof. S. A. Forbes, State
Entomologist of Illinois.
The Maple Leaf Aspidiotus (Aspidiotus comstocki}. -This in-
sect has been very abundant on sugar maple (Acer saccarhinum \
on Mt. Carmel, 111., the present year. It attacks the leaves,
living in great numbers on the underside, causing yellowish
152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
spots on the upper surface. The spots become more conspicuous
as the insects mature, and the leaves fall prematurely. The spe-
cies is related to Aspidiotus uvcz, but is easily distinguished from
that insect by its yellowish gray or whitish scale and concolorous
exuviae. The half mature females hybernate under the leaf buds.
I have not found this insect on any other tree than maple, and as
it attacks the leaves, principally, I have proposed the above
popular name. Its specific name is proposed in honor of Prof.
J. H. Comstock, of Cornell University, who first instructed me
in this most interesting group of insects.
The Elm Aspidiotus (Aspidiotus ulmi}. This species has been
found on the trunk of white elm ( Uhmis americand) on the Uni-
versity campus, in rather limited numbers. So far as my obser-
vations go it does not attack the branches, twigs or leaves. This
scale is not so important, economically, as the preceding species.
The Buckeye Aspidiotus (Aspidiotus czsculi}. I found this
species very abundant on buckeye (Aesculus californica) in Santa
Clara County, California, two years ago. It attacks the trunk,
branches and smaller twigs, but so far as I have observed the
scale, I have never seen it on the leaves. It is a very prolific
creature, and often colonates to such an extent as to completely
cover the branches. The color of the scale conforms to that of
the bark, and where not abundant is difficult to detect.
-o-
TWO DOLICHOPODID GENERA NEW TO AMERICA.
By WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER, Ph.D.
(University of Chicago.)
While looking through a lot of Dolichopodidae collected during
the Summer of 1895, I happened on two species which represent
genera that have long been known to occur in Europe, but whose
presence in America has not been noted.
Of the first genus, Xiphandrium^ Loew (Monog. ii, p. i-jj
believed that he had seen a single female specimen from North
America, but it had lost its antenna-, so that he could not be cer-
tain of its systematic position. My specimens agree in most
respects with the generic characters given by Loew, although the
sudden constriction of the long third antennal joint near its base
and the long beard of cilia on the inferior orbit might lead one
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 153
to make it the type of a new genus. I have refrained from this,
however, because the limits of the genera Porphyrops, Rhaphinm
and Xiphandrium are by no means perfectly definite < Conf.
Schiner Fauna Austriaca Diptera i, p. 194) and the founding of
a new genus could only add to the confusion. A careful study
of the structure of the hypopygium in these genera may give
more satisfactory characters, but the small size of the species and
the difficulty of obtaining sufficient material will, I fear, delay
such a study for some time. Adopting Schiner' s definition of
the genera Rhaphium and Porphyrops he abandons Loew's
genus Xiphandrium I am in doubt where to place the American
species; I prefer, therefore, to accept Loew's view and to recog-
nize his ^enus as distinct from the other two.
The second species may be placed without difficulty in Wahl-
berg's genus Thinophilus as defined by Loevv (Monog. ii, p.
148-149) and Schiner. According to Loewthe male Thinophilus
has six, the female Jive abdominal segments, whereas Schiner
says that the abdomen is "in beiden Geschlechtern fimfringlig. "
The latter author also claims that the first and second abdominal
segments are of equal length. Neither of Schiner' s characters
will apply to the American species, and here, too, I suspect
that Loew is the more accurate.
The American Thinophilus is remarkable in two respects.
First, its occurrence in the Western States and its absence in the
Atlantic States for I can hardly believe that so large and con-
spicuous a Dolichopodid could have been overlooked in the
latter region is another example of the similarity of the fauna
of the Western States to that of Europe. Baron Osten Sacken
long ago called attention to this interesting resemblance in the
distribution of several insects (see his Western Diptera, p. 351
et seq.']. A second peculiarity of the American Thinophiluf is.
its occurrence in Wyoming, far from the sea-shore or any body
of salt water. The European species ( T. flavipes Zettst., riifi-
cornis Haliday and versutus Walk. ) are described as occurring
along the sea-shore. Concerning this interesting difference in
the American form, two suggestions may be made: either the
species has become adapted to living along the shores of alkali
streams and ponds, or it may be actually a salt water -
which has its center of distribution in the vicinity of the Great
Salt Lake. These are matters for further investigation.
154 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
I append descriptions of the two new species:
Xiphandrium americanum n. sp.
Male. Length 2.5 mm.; length wings 2.25 mm. Slender species; pro-
boscis small, black; palpi rather large, yellow, with several stout black
hairs. Face metallic green, with golden reflection, covered with an almost
imperceptible layer of white dust. Antennas black, nearly as long as the
head and thorax; first joint slender, without hairs; second joint rounded,
transverse, with a few stout black hairs; third joint about two-thirds the
breadth of the head, broad at the base, but suddenly narrowing to a long,,
thin and very gradually tapering apical portion; the whole joint covered
with long and distinct gray hairs; the thick and distinctly pubescent arista
bent at an angle with the third joint and about one-third its length. Front
rather bright metallic green; inferior orbit with a long and conspicuous
beard of white cilia. Thorax and scutellum bright metallic green with
golden reflection; in some specimens considerably dimmed by a layer of
whitish dust; pleurae metallic green with a layer of light-colored dust;
scutellum naked, with only the usual bristles. Abdomen bright metallic
green with golden reflection, somewhat darker towards the posterior end;
covered with short black hairs; base of the small embedded hypopygium
black, the tips of the appendages yellowish or piceous; posterior pair of
appendages short and conical, directed at right angles to the long axis of
the abdomen, with long and conspicuous hairs; anterior pair of appen-
dages considerably larger, spatulate, less hairy and directed forwards;
coxae black, with whitish dust; fore coxae with yellow tips and glistening
white hairs on their anterior surfaces. Legs plain, covered with short,
but distinct black hairs; fore and middle pairs yellow; fore femora with a
conspicuous black streak along their outer faces; hind femora black with
a metallic greenish tinge, covered with whitish dust and with yellow tips;
all the tarsi infuscated from the tips of the first joint. Wings hyaline,
distinctly narrower towards their bases; posterior cross-vein distant about
one and one-half times its own length from the posterior margin, forming
a right angle with the third longitudinal vein; apical segment of the fourth
vein perfectly parallel with the third and terminating in the tip of the wing;
tegulae white, with pale cilia; halteres lemon-yellow.
Female. Length 2 mm.; length of wings 2 mm. Face considerably
broader and less brilliantly metallic than in the male, with a thicker layer
of pale dust; first and second antennal joints like those of the male; third
joint hardly longer than broad, with the same kind of glistening gray
hairs as in the male; the apically inserted arista strongly pubescent, much
longer than that of the male, being nearly two-thirds the breadth of the
head in length and exhibiting the same S-shaped curvature as the elon-
gated third joint of the male antenna. The white beard of cilia on the
inferior orbit nearly as conspicuous as in tne male; the black stripe on the
fore femora less distinct; all the tarsi black from the tip of the first joint.
Wing not narrowed at the base; anal angle prominent; posterior cross-
vein somewhat further removed from the margin than in the male.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 155
Described from seven males and one female taken in sweepings
in the following localities: Milwaukee, Wis. , June 26: Chicago,
111., June 6; Whiting, Ind., July 13.
Thinophilus pectinifer n. sp.
Male. Length 5.5 mm.; length of wing 5 mm. Proboscis greatly
swollen, dark colored, covered with a thick layer of gray dust; palpi very
large, flat, of a clear yellow color, with a very delicate layer of silvery
dust, and with several prominent black hairs scattered over their surfaces.
Face short and broad, its lower border far above the lower edge of the
eyes; widening somewhat below; with two transverse wrinkle-like swel-
lings, one near its middle, the other near its lower border; ground color
greenish coppery, covered thickly with tawny dust; antennae small, yel-
low, the broadly rounded end of the third joint somewhat brownish;
arista black; eyes with the white pubescence particularly distinct on their
lower portions; cilia of the inferior orbit long and rather dense, yellowish
white; front and thorax greenish coppery, covered with a thick layer of
rich tawny dust; the thorax with two opaque gray lines down its middle;
pleurae covered with a dense layer of tawny dust; scutellum coppery,
somewhat brighter than the thorax. Abdomen with six apparent seg-
ments; the first distinctly shorter than the second; the second to sixth
subequal; all the segments metallic green with coppery reflection and
gray dust, thickest on the sides; whole upper surfaces of abdomen beset
rather uniformly with short black hairs; hypopygium black, its embedded
base covered with whitish dust; lamellae directed forward, of uniform
thickness, shining black, without dust and with a few weak hairs at their
anterior ends; fore coxae yellow, scarcely infuscated at their extreme bases,
with some prominent black hairs on their anterior faces; middle and hind
coxae dark, with white dust and yellow tips. Legs yellow, with black
huirs; the short tarsal joints individually blackened at their distal ends;
fore tibiae with an uninterrupted series of black spines along the whole
inner face, three prominent black spines at their distal ends and three
smaller and equidistant bristles on the middle of their outer faces; first
joint of the fore tarsi with a plantar concavity near its proximal end, where
there is also a dense cluster of short black spines; extending from the
concavity to the distal end of the joint is an uninterrupted series of short
stout spines, which gradually increase in length; these spines are inserted
at right angles to the long axis of the joint like the teeth of a comb; mid-
dle and hind tarsi plain, the latter with the basal joint only one and one-
third times as long as the succeeding joint. Wings of uniform breadth
and with prominent anal angle; distinctly yellow along the costal region,
more grayish towards the apex and posterior margin ; veins near the costa
yellow, elsewhere brown. The posterior cross-vein, which is twice its
length from the posterior margin, is covered with a dark gray or blackish
cloud, and there is a distinct spot of the same color on the middle of the
apical segment of the fourth vein; this vein shows a very faint curvature.
156 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
its tip running parallel with the termination of the third vein; tegulse white,
with glistening white cilia; halteres honey-yellow.
Female. Length 4-5.5 mm.; length of wings 4.5-5.5 mm. The face is
somewhat broader than that of the male; the abdomen, which has only
five apparent segments, is broader and flatter. The fore tarsi are plain,
the concavity of the first joint, the cluster and series of spines on the
plantar surface are much less conspicuous than in the male. The same
is true of the three black spines or spurs, at the distal end of the fore tibia.
For the two male and three female specimens from which this
description is drawn, I am indebted to Mr. W. A. Snow, who
collected them on Old Woman Creek, Wyoming (twelve miles
north of Lusk) in July. The five specimens show a considerable
variation in the color of the wings and body, some of them being
much more yellow than others. There can be no doubt, however,
that they all belong to the same species.
-o-
NOTES ON OXYBELUS.-II.
By CARL F. BAKER, Fort Collins, Colo.
The species mentioned in this paper possess squamee having
lateral curved points. In all previously known species belonging
to this group the spine is emarginate at tip. Three of the new
species described herein (robertsonii, varicoloratus and hirsutus)
form a new group of this section, having the spine entire at the
tip. The new species are all Rocky Mountain forms, taken very
near or within the hills. Several of them, like Prof. Cockerell's
dadothricis \ have a much greater extent of rufous on the abdomen
than has so far occurred among eastern species.
Oxybelus robertsonii n. sp. $. Vertex and thorax finely, somewhat
sparsely punctate, the occiput finely transversely striato-punctate. Pro-
thorax transversely carinate, not sharp angled at sides; mesonotum in
front, and scutellum and postscutellum medially carinate; squamae nearly
joining behind, with very large', strong, lateral points but little bent, their
tips somewhat exceeding tips of squama?; spine rather long, narrow at
base, towards the truncate tip flat and broadened to twice its width at
base, sides of apical third parallel; metathorax with median space long
triangular, passing into a short median carina, within transversely striate;
above and lateral faces finely transversely rugose; pleurae transversely
striate. Abdomen oval, finely, somewhat sparsely punctate, scarcely
constricted between the segments; last two segments coarsely punctate,
the apical trapezoidal, truncate at tip; without lateral spines. Color black;
pubescence silky, very thick on face, finer and thinner on rest of body;
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 157
mandibles piceous for a short distance at middle. Antenna: black, shad-
ing into light chocolate towards tips; tegulae piceous; squama- at base
and spine at tip very pale yellowish; narrow apical margins of abdominal
segments 1-5 brilliant silvery, these bands narrowly margined inwardly
(basally) with bright fulvous; apical segment piceous. Legs black, ante-
rior tibiae at base and apex, and all tarsi piceous. Wings hyaline, nervures
brown. Length 4.75 mm.
Foothills five miles west of Fort Collins, Colo., August 4th.
I dedicate this very distinct species to Mr. Charles Robertson,
the author of the " Synopsis of N. A. Oxybelus."
Oxybelus varicoloratus n. sp. $ . Head finely closely punctured, occiput
somewhat transversely striato-punctate; hind ocelli tending towards the
position in cornutus. Pronotum with a transverse carina, not angled at
sides; mesonotum rather coarsely and closely punctured; mesopleurae
sparsely punctured; scutellum with a weak median carina; squamae long,
narrow, nearly joining behind, with a very strong short lateral tooth, which
is not curved and does not exceed the tips of the squamae; spine very
obtusely rounded at the tip, rather short, channeled above, sides nearly
parallel; metanotum above and lateral faces striato-punctate; pleurae
transversely striate; the ovate median area convex above within and punc-
tate, concave below and smooth, passing below into a rather long median
carina. Abdomen oval, closely, finely punctured, scarcely constricted
between the segments; apical segments very coarsely punctured, sides
curved and narrowed to a truncate point. Color black; pubescence silky,
fine and rather thick all over the body, more so on face and base of m eta-
thorax; mandibles piceous at middle; scape black, yellowish at tip be-
neath, fiagellum brown, lighter below; tegulae and postscutellum yellow;
rather broad apical margins of abdominal segments 1-4 silvery, these
bands narrowly margined inwardly with yellow, which is interrupted at
middle by a spot of rufous; on segments 3-4 the yellow band is very nar-
rowly margined inwardly with rufous; fifth and sixth segments entirely
rufous; ventral segments 2-3 with narrow yellow bands. Legs black,
fore tibiae and middle and hind tibiae at extreme base yellowish rufous;
fore tarsi yellow, middle and hind tarsi black at base to light brown at
tip. Wings hyaline, veins piceous. Length 6 mm.
Fort Collins, Colo. , on flowers of Solidago canadensis in Aug.
Oxybelus hirsutus n. sp. ? . Nearly related to varicoloratus. Differing
as follows: pubescence very unusually thick all over body, especially on
the head. Pronotum back of carina except spot at middle, tubercles,
and spot on either side of scutellum, yellow. The yellow on abdominal
segments 1-2, and on ventral segments 2-3, very broad. Abdomen long
oval, apical segment triangular, sides straight, tip slightly emarginate.
Legs black; middle trochanters beneath at tips and hind coxae beneath,
yellow; fore and hind femora beneath at tips, and middle femora broadly
158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
the whole length beneath, yellow; anterior tibiae and tarsi yellow, middle
and hind tibiae at base and apex, and the hind tibiae outwardly yellow;
middle and hind tarsi brown at base to sordid white at tips. Length 5.5
mm.
Fort Collins, Colo., August. This species differs from vari-
coloratus as above described. With that species it differs from
robertsonii in having the last two segments of the abdomen ru-
fous, in having yellow bands on the abdomen back of the silvery
bands instead of reddish, in being otherwise much more highly
colored, especially on the legs, and in various structural charac-
ters as described. By the form of the spine and squamae, and
by the coloration, these three species form a very distinct and
conspicuous group.
Oxybelus abdominalis n. sp. <$. Head, mesonoturn and scutellum,
coarsely sparsely punctured, more thickly so on the occiput, and finer on
the face. Pronotum with a transverse carina, sides scarcely angled;
mesonotum with a median depression posteriorly; scutellum and post-
scutellum with indistinct median carinae, the former with lateral margins
membranous, the latter alike in structure and half the width of the
squamae ; squamae very large, hemispherical, separated behind, lateral
points minute and not exceeding tips of squamae; spine short, broad,
broader at tip, evenly rather deeply emarginate; metanotum above, lateral
faces and pleurae strongly punctato-striate; median area small, triangular,
having within three strong transverse carinae, passing below into a long
median carina. Abdomen broad oval, scarcely constricted between the
segments, not as coarsely punctured as the mesonotum, rather closely on
segments 1-2, more sparsely on 3-5; segments 3-6 with strong, broad,
blunt lateral spines; last two segments very coarsely punctured, the apical
long trapezoidal, truncate at tip. Color black; pubescence silvery, nor-
mal; mandibles yellow, with black tips; scape piceous, yellow at tip, fla-
gellum light brownish yellow; spot on either side of pronotum back of
carina, tubercles, tegulae, membranous margins of scutellum, squama?
and most of spine, whitish or somewhat, yellowish white. Abdominal
segments 1-4 with apical margins broadly silvery, these bands narrowly
edged inwardly with yellow; segments 1-2, most of 5, and 6-7 bright
rufous. Legs black; fore and middle femora at tips, fore and middle
tibiae, and hind tibiae at base, yellow; fore tarsi yellow, middle and hind
tarsi more dusky. Length 3.75 mm.
Fort Collins, Colo., on flowers of Solidago canadensis in Au-
gust. This species is very distinct from any described North
American form in the membranous margins of the scutellum and
coloration of the abdomen. It seems to be more nearly related
to mexicanus than to any other species. Although there is a
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL XF.XVS. 159
great variation in size, yet the specimens are identical in other
respects.
Oxybelus emarginatus Say.
I have numerous specimens of this very variable species from
the East and from Colorado. The following, which I find com-
monly in specimens contained in my collection, may be added to
the specific characters given by Robertson. Lateral point of
squamae minute, not exceeding (rarely attaining) tip of squama ;
spine usually somewhat longer than broad, sides gently rounded;
rnetanotum above with strong oblique striae, reticulate immedi-
ately below the spine, with a small, well-defined, triangular area
above and joining the large, median, triangular area. Lateral
faces closely finely punctate or striato-punctate; median area long
triangular, smooth or faintly striate within; metapleurae finely
punctato-striate, sometimes smooth at the middle ; last dorsal
segment in female short, triangular, very slightly emarginate at
tip; last dorsal segment in male short trapezoidal, truncate api-
cally.
O. sparideus Ckll. (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. xxii, 292) as it
stands at present, is a synonym of emarginatus. There is nothing
in the description to separate it. In a note below, the description,
Mr. Fox says it differs in the form of the spine and coarser punc-
turing. A detailed drawing of the squamae and spine of spa-
rideus received from Prof. Cockerell, shows the form usual in
emarginatus. The difference in the puncturing as here exhibited
would not alone be sufficient to separate them.
I have found three forms in Colorado, all very closely allied to
emarginatus, but presenting structural characters which render
it impossible for me to unite them at present. I give herewith
comparative descriptions of these three forms. Such is the wick-
divergence in structural characters that I do not believe either
intermedius or dilutus will prove to be the female of coloradcnsis.
Material collected by Prof. Cockerell, in New Mexico, and de-
termined by Mr. Fox as emarginatus, should probably be referred
to one of these forms,
Oxybelus dilutus n. sp. Differs from cniarginafns as follows: Female:
mesonotum and scutellum sparsely punctured; squama; with lateral points
large, strong, nearly straight, scarcely equaling tips of squama.-; spine
strongly narrowed to the base; metathorax above with oblique stria-, m>
l6o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May,
reticulations below the spine; median area widely open above, passing
into a very short carina below; lateral faces more strongly striate. Length
4.25 mm.
Fort Collins, Colo., August.
Oxybelus intermedius n. sp. Differs from emarginatus as follows:
Female: head and thorax densely, but very coarsely punctured; squama?
with lateral points acute, very large and long, half the length of the whole
squama? and much exceeding the tips; spine narrowed to the base, sides
straight, apical third yellowish brown; metathorax above punctate, re-
ticulate below the spine; median area triangular, point attenuate, passing
into a very short carina; within smooth at the center, reticulate around
the margins. Length 6 mm.
Fort Collins, Colo., August.
Oxybelus COloradensis n. sp. Differs from emarginatus as follows:
Male: position of ocelli tending towards that in comutus; puncturing of
the head and thorax as coarse as in intermedius; mesonotum in front and
behind with a median carina, medially the surface is depressed; postscu-
tellum with two large circular depressions behind on either side, in front
of these a median transverse carina; lateral points the squamae short,
strong, blunt, somewhat curved inwardly, but little exceeding the tips of
the squamae; spine much longer than in emarginatus, rather strongly nar-
rowed towards the base, apical half yellowish brown; metanotum above
with oblique carina?, reticulate below the spine; median area long trian-
gular, smooth or faintly striate within, extending below into a very short
carina; lateral faces rugose. Abdomen more slender than in emarginatus,
last dorsal segment nearly rectangular; hind tibiae black, yellowish at base.
Length 3.75-4.5 rn-
Fort Collins, Colo., August.
ERRATA.
In article by Dr. Ottolengui, page 126, present volume, one type is
credited to Mexico. This should read New Mexico.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for April was mailed March 31, 1896.
EXT. NEWS, Vol. VII.
I'l. VII.
JAMES RIDINGS.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. VII.
JUNE, 1896.
No. 6.
CONTENTS:
An industrious Philadelphia collector.. 161
Bruce Collecting on the " Crest of the
Continent" 162
King Mixed colonies of ants 167
Fox Oxybelus sparideus 171
Lyman On the occurrence of Chiono-
bas tarpeia in North America 172
Blanchard " A new parasite" i?3
Kellogg The imprudent Phryganidian 174
Editorial 176
Economic Entomology 177
Notes and News 178
Entomological Literature 180
Doings of Societies 183
Entomological Section 184
Williston A new gen. of Hippoboscidae 184
Wheeler A new genus and species of
Dolichopodidas 185
Wheeler A new Empid with remark-
able middle tarsi 189
AN INDUSTRIOUS PHILADELPHIA COLLECTOR.
James Ridings was born at Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire, Eng-
land, April 30, 1803, died in Philadelphia, July 29, 1880, aged
77 years. His early years present the usual uneventful history
of an English boy. In 1830 he came to this city and soon be-
came acquainted with Drs. Rush and McClellan, who knowing
his tastes urged him to pursue his studies and gave him every
encouragement. He continued collecting in this locality, and,
by his example, stimulated others, and thus assisted in forming
the nucleus of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, which
was founded in 1859, the name of which was subsequently changed
to the American Entomological Society.
He did not confine himself to this vicinity in collecting, but
made numerous journeys, more or less distant, to Colorado and
Kansas in 1864, Georgia in 1865, and many times to the Shen-
andoah Valley, of Virginia, which was always a favorite locality
with him.
Mr. Ridings was always glad to be of assistance to others, and
many among us remember his kindly advice and gifts of speci-
mens. Distrustful of his own ability, and naturally retiring, he
l62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
never entered the field as a writer, but allowed the numerous new
species discovered by him to be made known by others.
Although not a young man at time of the organization of the
American Entomological Society, he lived to see it firmly estab-
lished and occupying a prominent position among kindred socie-
ties. He was for a time vice-president of the Society, and for
several years curator of its cabinet.
-o-
COLLECTING ON THE "CREST OF THE CONTINENT."
By DAVID BRUCE, Rockport, N. Y.
I extract the following notes from my journal, thinking they
may interest some readers of the NEWS who have never breathed
"the difficult air of the iced mountains' top:"
June 24. Left Breckenridge (Colorado) at 4 A.M. and had a
pleasant walk to the top of the range, the weather had been cold
and stormy the day before, but it cleared in the night and the
sun rose bright and beautiful, the clouds and mist caps soon dis-
appearing from the peaks. As I went along I picked off a num-
ber of fine examples of Argynnis eurynome and Melitcza anicia
from the undersides of the flowers of Actinella grandiflora, where
they had passed the night. As I was anxious to reach a silver
mining camp in Summit County, where I intended to stay a few
days, I did not stop to collect much on my way, but sat down a
few minutes and watched the antics of a pair of white-tailed
ptarmigan that were disturbed by my presence. I was evidently
in close proximity to their young brood. The male flew to a rock
a few rods distant, and loudly chuckled and cackled as if to en-
courage his spouse, who went through the usual performance of
birds of her kind when the young are threatened with danger,
she fluttered across my feet as if almost disabled, sometimes
rolling over and gasping as if dying. I had seen these manceu-
vers several times before and knew what it all meant; the chicks
were doubtless close by, lying motionless among the broken
rocks. I have on several occasions come suddenly upon a brood,
and it is quite surprising how soon and successfully they will con-
ceal themselves even on the bare ground, the mother simulating
the cries and actions of a' wounded bird to divert the attention
of the intruder from her progeny.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 163
I reached the cluster of cabins that constituted the camp. The
mine itself was at some distance and difficult of access, every-
thing being taken to and fro on the backs of the "burros" or
jacks, as they are more generally called here; a long string of
them was just then descending the mountain side by the ' ' Winter
trail" the quantity of snow even at this late date rendering the
shorter but more precipitous route of the " Summer trail" still
unavailable. It was nearly noon, a respectable family kept the
boarding house, which was clean and roomy and the dinner,
nearly ready, gave forth its unmistakable fragrance, finding a
ready response in my hungry stomach. I came with a good
"recommend" from the brother of the proprietors. I had
boarded with him at another station lower down, and he had
suggested to me this place as the best I could find if I wished to
collect at highest elevations and so I found it. I was warmly
welcomed, and told to make myself thoroughly at home. When
the men, fifteen in number, came to dinner "Brother Jim's"
letter was read before them all, and my status as a collector of
"specimens" was explained and quickly understood, and every-
thing was pleasantly arranged in a few minutes; one good fellow,
who had quite an interesting collection of minerals, claimed me
as ' ' chum ;" he had a large cabin of his own and a spare ' ' bunk, ' '
so I had a good time at this place for seven days on this occasion,
and have made several pleasant visits since. The camp itself was
about 13,000 feet above sea-level, the peaks close in the western
front ranging from more than 1000 feet higher. Bright sunny
mornings and cool cloudy afternoons were the general rule. I
usually worked the peaks and upper plateaus until noon, then
after dinner I went below into the valleys as far as timber line,
which here was at nearly 12,000 feet, always returning to my
mountain eyrie in the evening; it froze sharply every night and a
good fire was absolutely necessary soon after sundown. The
only way to make a thorough investigation of the mountain
ranges is to reside in them for a time, and in Colorado the mining
camps afford facilities for this purpose generally, although it is
not at every one that a stranger would care to stay long. This
camp was indeed a notable exception, everything being clean ami
orderly, and a regular supply of fresh beef sent by contract from
Denver every week made a marked contrast to the menu of salt
pork or ham, and canned stuff usually found in such places.
164 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
Collecting at 14,000 feet altitude is fatiguing work. " At this
far height the cold thin atmosphere" is so rarified that respiration
becomes difficult and painful to many people after the slightest
exertion. The intense cold every night and occasionally by day,
when a piercing wind storm, generally accompanied by blinding
hail or snow will come on suddenly after hours of the brightest
sunshine, sometimes a dense vapor will come creeping up the
mountain sides un.til everything in enveloped in it. This is a
source of real danger, for the chilly white mist is so thick that
nothing can be seen a yard away; the sense of utter loneliness
that overwhelms a visitor to these desolate regions when so over-
taken, if far from camp, is apt to bewilder him entirely, and he
is in danger of getting lost. These are considerations that deter
many collectors from attempting the higher levels or from being
very successful if the summit is reached. I have taken com-
panions at various times to these elevated regions, but could
never persuade one to stay a second night there. As to " camp-
ing out" in the open air " on the top" I have had varied expe-
riences, some comical and laughable enough, and some nearly
tragical, but I long ago made up my mind that the best way to
" camp out" is to have a good roof over your head; also that an
elevated " bunk," if the boards are ever so hard, is preferable to
a " lodging on the cold cold ground."
I have said nothing of the convenience of having your meals
prepared for you, yet it is decidedly an advantage, and when the
tired collector is pleasantly waited upon, and has his coffee sweet-
ened by such an agreeable housekeeper as was the hostess of our
camp in Summit County, I am sure he will not sigh for the lone-
some camp kettle, the inevitable frying-pan, and the fire that
needs constant replenishing yet never burns, and I may feelingly
add, the doubtful fun of camping-out alone.
I give a list of the principal Lepidoptera I captured in seven
days, at this place, from the tops of the peaks over 14,000 feet
down to timber, the lowest elevation being damp and boggy,
partly covered with dwarf willows, the numerous creeks and
sloughs being plentifully bordered with flowers.
The following list includes a few species taken on a later visit,
August 1 2th; quite a number of interesting Pyralids were also
taken.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 165
Euptoieta claudia, occasionally at any elevation, very large.
Argynnis cipris, occasionally on flowers at lower levels.
" eurynome, everywhere among flowers from highest to lowest
places.
triclaris, rather common in boggy valleys below, very partial
to flowers of Polygonuin erectnm.
helena, common everywhere above timber.
freya, not rare on grassy slopes everywhere.
Melitcea anicia, very common and in great variety everywhere.
pa/la, a smoky colored alpine race, very wild and difficult to catch.
Phyciodes Camillas, everywhere abundant.
Grapta zephyrus, rather common among willows below.
" safyrus, occasionally among willows below.
Vanessa californica, abundant on top of range feeding on flowers of
Saxifraga cespitosa; also rather common below among willows.
Limenitis weidemeyeri, occasionally among willows below.
Ceonyuipha ochracea, a few on dry side hills below, very large and bright.
Erebia epipsodea; this with the form brucei Elwes, taken in about equal
numbers in a rather wet location near the camp, 13,000 feet alti-
tude. This is the highest station I have known for this insect
anywhere.
Erebia callias, common on grassy mountain sides in company with Colias
meadii in August.
Erebia magdalena, seen every day on precipitous and cliffy rocks at
highest elevations, very difficult to get at generally, owing to the
character of its habitat; caught eleven fine examples one day at
one favorite spot, a gravelly tract made very damp by the melting
snow just above it.
Chionobas brucei, abundant on elevated grassy slopes.
asno, abundant on highest peaks.
chryxits, occasionally anywhere in barren spots.
Chrysophanus snowii, not abundant, yet found about every elevated point;
extremely wary and difficult to take, more so than any other
mountain species ; found a full-fed larva on Oxyria digyna
(mountain sorrel).
Lyccsna sapiolus\ on flowers below.
antiacis,
podarce,
" shasta, on gravelly tracts and bare stony spots at highest altitude.
Pieris calyce, a few on highest peaks, strangely different in behavior to
the Occidentalis found below. They have the same impetuous
spiteful flight after intruders that characterises most of the true
alpine species ; then circling round and returning to the same
rock like Chionobas a-no. The change of habitat in this insect
and M. palla is remarkable.
Anthocharis julia, a few on flowers at timber line.
1 66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
Anthocharis coloradensis, a few on flowers at timber line.
Colias meadii, not many seen on my first visit, but very abundant in Au-
gust; females generally on flowers.
Colias alexandri, occasionally one would sweep over the top of the range
as if lost.
Colias scudderii, common among willows below.
Parnassius smintheus, abundant and in great variety of size and color.
Pamphila Colorado and manitoba, abundant on flowers everywhere.
draco and Pyrgus, plentiful on highest grassy slopes.
Heinaris brucei, rare on flowers of Mertensia sibirica below.
Deilephila lineata, at flowers everywhere, even to top of range.
Albuna montana, common on yellow Composites, and frequently on bare
rocks.
Alypia lorquinii, frequent below on Spilobium and willows.
Anafolmis grotei, on yellow Composites.
Gnophfsla vermiculata, on yellow Composites.
Platarctia hyberborea, on example on rock below.
Arctia cervinoides, occasionally on bare ground at top, running about,
looking extremely like a Cicindela at first sight.
Nemeophila petrosa, flying in sunshine over willows below.
Antarctia brucei, the types taken here one r? on rock near camp and one
9 flying near by; reared a small brood from the eggs laid by this
individual.
The following Noctuids and Geometrids were taken mostly on
flowers by day; the only thing I could attract by light were two
very worn Glaucopteryx.
Pachnobia manifesta Cucullia montana
Rhizagrotis albicosta Plnsia snowi
Agrotiphila montana angulidens
" rigida " hochenworthi
Colorado ' ' divergens
Hadena morna " sackeni
alticola Copablepharon album
auranticolor Thyreon rosea
semilunata Triocnemis saporis
Pseudanarta singula Schinia separata
Perigea albolabes brevis
Oncocnemis dayi Dasyspoudea lucens
" tenuifascia var. luxuriosa
Polia theodori meadii
Nephelodes violans Pseudanthrcecia tumida
Hydrcecia obliqua Melaporphyrea oregona
Leucania bicolorata Heleolonche modicella
adonea Heliaca dimimttiva
Xylina carbonaria Anarta cordigera
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 167
Anaria nielanopa Gnophos haydenata
quadrilunata Caripeta cequaliaria
" richardsoni Acidalia californiata
" impingens rubrolineata
Litocala sexsignata Glaucopteryx sabinii
Lithostege virginata polata
Philereine meadiata caesiata
RhciuHaptera hastata magnoliata
lugtibrata
and several yet unidentified species.
-o-
MIXED COLONIES OF ANTS.
By GEO. B. KING, Lawrence, Mass.
Considerable has been written by naturalists and others about
slave-making ants, but nothing of any importance about the
mixed colonies we find associated together living in perfect har-
mony, and not being enslaved, just the same as the human family
in this country and many others, mixed races living in one com-
munity, and many of them speaking the same language, under-
standing each other, and where intelligence prevails, laboring
and caring for one another; so likewise do some of our species
of ants. Each species of ants has a separate and distinct lan-
guage of its own, and is also capable of teaching it to other
species of ants differing from themselves in color, shape and
structural characters, and not only are they capable of teaching-
it to ants of other forms, but can teach it to the hundreds of
other Myrmecophilous insects that are found to inhabit their
nests, and in many instances can be only found to be associated
with ants. I will not discuss at this time how ants communicate
with each other, and teach others their peculiar language. This
would require more space than would be allowed for this article.
I will therefore only m-ention a few points that may be of some
value to any one who may take exceptions as to whether ants can
talk and teach others or not.
The first labor that is taught to all young ants is the especial
care of its young in all its stages of development. It is quite
natural, therefore, when they are out foraging, away from their
own colony, they come across other species of ants, and seeing
some of their young larva or pupa, they take some of them
l68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
home with them to their own colony, where they are cared for as
though they were one of their own. In this way many colonies
become mixed. In animated nature there is nothing that has so
much affection for and takes so much care of, its young, as do
the ant family. The young forms of ants that are captured in
this way are tenderly cared for, and taught the language of the
colony in which it is living, and so lives in peace and happiness;
but if we should take any of the adult species from a strange
colony and put them with another foreign to their own, they will
be immediately attacked, killed, or driven out, in most cases the
former. It would make but little difference with which species
we may experiment, it will terminate with the like results. On
the other hand, we may put strange larvae and pupae with other
ants, and of an entirely different species; the young forms will be
taken in and tenderly cared for as if they were their own, and
reared up with that colony, and be able to speak their language
and will live perfectly contented with them. We may take again
the Aphides, properly called the ant's cows, of which Dr. Bree
said that all of the stories told about Aphides being treated as
milk cows are myths, by reason of inaccurate observations,
" Nature,'' vol. vi, p. 279, 1872. Aphis is of a different order
of insects, widely separated from that of the ants, and most as-
suredly use a different language from that of the ant tribe. That
ants are endowed with the highest degree of intelligence, of all
the insect kingdom, is a well proven fact. Collect particular
species of Aphides and their eggs, place them in their nests where
the Aphides are provided with natural food, and their eggs in a
place of safety ; this is usually done in the Fall of the year.
Some of these eggs will hatch in the ants' nests, and are cared
for by the ants, and those that do not hatch are again carried out
when the weather permits, in Spring, together with the adult
Aphides and placed upon such food-plants as are necessary for
them. This they keep on year after year, associated together,
understanding each other, the Aphides rendering to the ants their
sweet nectar, and the ants in turn providing food and shelter and
protection to them. Ants seldom collect adult species of insects
for the purpose of domesticating them. They prefer in most
instances to obtain the egg, larva or pupa, so that they may be
more easily brought up in their way, and more easily taught
their language. In some instances they do collect the adult spe-
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 169
cies of other insects to propagate from. In such cases they are
guarded very closely by the ants. All ants are not endowed
with a high degree of intelligence, no more than all of the human
family are. Some are degraded, thieves, and lazy, good-for-
nothing insects, and one would be surprised at times to see how
they can get their living.
A great deal more could be said, but this will have to suffice
for the present. The following is a list of ants that I have found
to be associated together, but it should be remembered that
Ponera coardata Latr. sub. sp. pennsylvanica Buckley, Solen-
opsis molesta Say, Monomorium minutum Mayr, var. minimum
Buckley, are Myrmecophilous ants. Formica sajiguinea Latr.
sub. sp. rubicunda Em. is a slave-making ant, and may be classed
as a Myrmecophilous sp.
Camponotus castaneus Latr. sub sp. americanus Mayr, have
associated with them Lasius niger Linn., L. niger \^. ameri-
tanus Em.
Ponera coarctata Latr. sub sp. pennsylvanica Buckley, Solen-
opsis molesta Say, Camponotus herculeanus Linn. sub. sp. and
var. pictus Forel. Workers of Tapinoma sessile Say and For-
mica fusca Linn. var. subsericea Say.
Formica pallide-fulva Latr. have associated with them Lasius
niger Linn., L. niger Linn. var. americanus Em., Formica pal
lide-fulva sub sp. nitidiventris Em., Prenolepsis parvula Mayr,
Formica pallide-fulva sub sp, fuscata Em., Aphanogaster fulva
Rog. and Solenopsis molesta Say.
Formica fusca Linn, have associated with them Ponera coarc-
iata Latr. var. pennsylvanica Buckley and Solenopsis molesta Say.
Formica fusca Linn. var. subsericea Say have associated with
them Formica pallide-fulva sub sp. nitidiventris Em. and Solen-
opsis molesta Say.
Formica pallide-fulva sub sp. nitidiventris Em. have associated
with them Premcetis parvula Mayr and Solenopsis molesta Say.
Formica sanguinea Latr. sub. sp. rubicunda Em. have asso-
ciated with them as slaves Formica fusca Linn. var. subsericea
Say.
Lasius flavus Linn. sub. sp. my ops Forel, have associated with
them Aphcenogaster fuha Rog., Lasius niger Linn., americanus
Em. and Tapinoma sessile Say.
Lasius niger Linn, have associated with them Tapinoma ses-
sile Say and Solenopsis molesta Say.
170 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June r
Lasius niger Linn. var. neoninger Em. have associated with
them Formica pallide-fulva Latr. sub sp. nitidiventris Em., La-
sius daviger Rog. , L. flaviis Linn, sub sp. myops Forel and /,,
niger Linn. var. americanus Em.
Lasius daviger Rog. have associated with them Monomorium
minutiim Mayr, var. minimum Buckley, Solenopsis molesta Say
and Myrmecina latreillei Curt. var. brevispinosa Em.
Lasius niger Linn. var. americanus Em. have associated with
them Formica pallide-fulva Latr. and Solenopsis molesta Say.
Prenolepis parvula Mayr have associated with them Monomo-
rium minutum Mayr var. minimum Buckley and Solenopsis mo-
lesta Say. Aph-
sodocadion Ganglb., B. E. Jakowleff.
20. BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA, Zoology, pt. 128. Arachnuln
Ar.ineidea, pp. 161-168, pi. 19 \Epeirotypus to C/iibionia}, O. P. Cam-
lS2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
bridge. Coleoptera, vol. iii, pt. i, pp. 473-496 (Pyrophorus to Tomo-
cephalus], G. C. Champion. Coleoptera, vol. iv, pt. i, pp. 113-120
(Platypus to Sco/ytus], W. F. H. Blandford. Lepidoptera Rhopalocera,
vol. ii, pp. 417-424, pi. 88 (Camptopleura to Gorgythion nov.), F. D.
Godman and O. Salvin. Lepidoptera Heterocera, vol. ii, pp. 273-298,
pi. 64 (Cataclysta to Prionapteryx), H. Druce. Rhynchota Homoptera,
vol. ii, pp. 137-144 (Antianthe nov. to Telamona), W. W. Fowler. Dip-
tera, vol. ii, pp. 281-288 (Sarcophaga to Onesici], F. M. v. d. Wulp.
21. JOURNAL OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BENGAL, Ixiv, pt. 2, No.
3. A list of the butterflies of Sumatra . . . , L. de Niceville and L.
Martin.
22. ANNALES AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, May, 1896.
Notes on the Pierine butterflies of the genus Daptonura, with descrip-
tions of new species, A. G. Butler. On Odonata from the Province of
Szechuen in Western China, and from Mauphin in Eastern Thibet, R.
McLachlan. A further revision of the species of scorpions belonging to
the South African genera Uroplectes, Lepreus and Tityolepreus, R. I.
Pocock.
23. THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY QUARTERLY, April, 1896. Bibliography
of North American Diptera, S. W. Williston.
24. BULLETIN OF THE OHIO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,
No. 68. Some destructive insects, F. M. Webster. Ibid. No. 69. The
chinch bug, F. M. Webster.
25. NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CONNECTICUT AGRICUL-
TURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, pt. ii. Injurious insects, W. C. Sturgis.
26. ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, xl, No.
3. Odonatological comments, E. de Selys-Longchamps.
27. PSYCHE, a journal of entomology, May, 1896. The Mallophaga,
V. L. Kellogg. Notes on the Winter insect fauna of Vigo County, In-
diana, v, W. S. Blatchley. Notes on the types of Papirius texensis Pack,
and description of a new Sniynthurus, }. W. Folsom. The larva of Cau-
tethia grotei Hy. Edw., H. G. Dyar. New catalogue of bees, T. D. A.
Cockerell. Chrysobothrisfemorataand Clerusq-guttatus, F. C. Bowditch.
28. Species des Hymenopteres d' Europe and d'Algerie, E. Andre.
Chrysidas (cont.), R. du Buysson.
29. THE ENTMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE, May, 1896. Notes on
some Hemiptera-Homoptera, with descriptions of four new species from
the Vienna Museum, W. W. Fowler.
30. The Crambidse of North America, C. H. Fernald, Svo. T. Massa-
chusetts Agricultural College, January, 1896.
31. MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, vii. Mono-
graph of the Bombycine moths of America, North of Mexico, including-
their transformations and origin of the larval markings and armature, pt.
i (Notodontidce), A. S. Packard.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 183
INDEX TO THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
The number after each author's name in this index refers to the journal, as numbered
in the preceding literature, in which that author's paper is published ; * denotes that
the paper in question contains descriptions of new North American forms.
MYRIAPODA.
Cook 14 (four).
ARACHNIDA.
Pocock 8, 22, Banks 10*, Cambridge 20*.
NEUROPTERA.
Reuter 13 (two), Folsom 15*, 27*, McLachlan 22, de Selys-Longchamps
26.
HEMIPTERA.
Bergroth i, Webster 2, Green 4 (two), Kellogg 9*, 27, Fowler 20*, 29*.
COLEOPTERA.
Faust T, Schoch 3, Blandford S, 20*, Meinert 12, Hamilton 15, Wandol-
leck 16, Semenow 19, Champion 20*, Blatchley 27, Bowditch 27.
DIPTERA.
Aldrich 10*, Stokes u, v. d. Wulp 20*, Williston 23.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Grote 5 (two), Chapman 5, Johnson 7, Bodine 10, Fletcher 15, Godman
and Salvin 20*, Druce 20*, Niceville' and Martin 21, Butler 22, Dyar 27,
Fernald 30*, Packard 31.
HYMENOPTERA.
Fox 10*, Gillette 10*. Cockerell 15, 27, Baker 15*, Robertson 15*.
Townsend 15, Friese 17, Benton 18, Morawitz 19, Cholodkovskoy 19,
Jakowleff 19, Buysson 28.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
Johnson 6, 7, Webster 24 (two). Sturgis 25.
Doings of Societies.
PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 1896.
A stated meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social was held
at the residence of Dr. D. M. Castle, 2007 Arch Street. Mem-
bers present: Messrs. Bland, Hoyer, E. Wenzel, Laurent, Fox,
Trescher, Griffith, Johnson, H. W. Wenzel, Haimbach, Seiss,
Castle, Boerner and Schmitz. Honorary members: Drs. Geo.
H. Horn and Henry Skinner. Visitor, Mr. Frank Hoyer.
Meeting called to order at 9.05 P.M., President Bland presiding.
Dr. Castle gave a detailed account of the southern collecting
184 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
trip from which Mr. Laurent and he had just returned, it em-
braced their experience up to their arrival at Enterprise, Fla.,
from which place they returned to Jacksonville; the doctor re-
turning home and Mr. Laurent continuing on to Gulf Hammock,
Fla. The doctor exhibited, by request, some of the Coleoptera
captured, he having otherwise intended deferring the exhibition
of the same until he had completed mounting the entire collec-
tion. Mr. Laurent also exhibited the dragon flies taken, and a
number of interesting photographs of incidents and localities
visited. The success of the trip can only be ascertained when
the whole of the collection is carefully gone over and mounted,
as they have gathered quite a variety and quantity of material.
The next meeting will be postponed until the return of Mr.
Wenzel from the South.
No further business being presented the meeting adjourned at
10.30 P.M. to partake of a sumptuous banquet provided by Mrs.
Castle, at whose request the meeting was held at the doctor's
residence in welcome of the return of the collectors from Florida.
THEO. H. SCHMITZ, Secretary.
Th.e Entornologica.1 Section
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS.
The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for
publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS :
A NEW GENUS OF HIPPOBOSCID/E.
ByS. W. WILLISTON.
BRACHYPTEROMYIA. gen. nov.
Allied to Oxypterum Leach (Anapera Meigen, Chelidomyia
pt. Rond.), but the wings rudimentary and functionless. An-
tennae inserted laterally, porrect, projecting nearly as far forward
as the proboscis, subcylindrical, the distal portion clothed with
long black hair. Eyes very small, oval, situated on the sides of
the head; ocelli wholly wanting. Legs stout; claws tridentate;
pulvilli elongate; empodium slender. Abdomen narrow ();.
hypopygium protruding, subcylindrical, and moderately dilated
distally. Wings rudimentary, scale-like, subtriangular in shape,
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 185
about as broad as long and protruding but a short distance be-
yond the margin of the scutellum, with indistinct indications of
veins, the costal portion provided with black hair; the distal
portion convex in outline; femora stout.
Brachypteromyia femorata n. sp. $. Brownish yellow in color, the ab-
domen, save the basal portion, appearing black beneath the dense black
hair. Hair everywhere black and usually long; on the top of the head
it forms two long rows, beginning on either side of the base of the antennae
and convergent posteriorly. On the sides of the mesonotum it is some-
what tuft-like in front and behind, and forms a long, dense row on the
scutellum; the hair of the narrow portion of the abdomen very abundant
and shorter; that of the femora rather sparse. The color of the claws,
save the basal tooth, is black. Length 6 mm.
One specimen, Wyoming, on Macropis melanoleucus. Col-
lected by Mr. R. C. Gowell, of the University of Kansas.
The genus is, as already stated, closely allied to Oxypterum,
and it is possible that the difference between the elongated and
pointed wings of that genus and the short, functionless, rounded
ones of this may not be considered generic. From Lipoptena,
the presence of three teeth on each of the claws and the struc-
ture of the antennae will at once distinguish the genus.
I wish to record here the following genera of Diptera which I
have recognized from North and Central America, known hitherto
only from South America, Europe, India, Africa and the Radak
Islands : Miastor Meinert, Camptocladius Wulp, Orthocladins
Wulp, Polymera Wiedemann, Mongoma Westwood, Lolphoteles
Loew, Analcocerus Loew, Campeprosopa Macquart, Damalis
Fabricius, Dicranus Loew, Leiomyza Meigen, Willistoniella
Mik. The greater part of them are represented by species yet
undescribed.
o
A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF DOLICHOPODID/E.
By WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER, Ph.D.
PARHYDROPHORUS nov. gen.
Face broad in both sexes, but little narrower in the maU- than
in the female, reaching to the lower corner of the eyes, with a
small swelling on either side of its lower third near the orbit.
Eyes distinctly pubescent; cheeks narrow. Antennre like those
of Hydrophorus: first joint without hairs its dorsal surface, sec-
ond joint short and transverse, third joint rounded, with a dis-
1 86
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[June,
tinct ventral notch and a dorsally inserted, two-jointed, bare
arista. Front excavated behind the antennae, with the usual
bristles; palpi of moderate size, incumbent; proboscis not very
prominent; inferior orbit conspicuously bearded. Thorax rather
deep and long, convex above, with a slight but distinct depres-
sion in front of the scutellum. On either side of the dorsum
there is a row of long bristles, and between these rows there are
several series of small weak bristles. Posteriorly there is a large
and conspicuous bristle on either side of the prescutellar depres-
sion ; scutellum bare, with the usual four bristles. Abdomen
with five visible segments in both sexes, short, somewhat flattened
dorsoventrally, especially in the female; hypopygium embedded,
Parhydrophorus canescens , ; a, face of ^ ; b. face of 9
but with its appendages frequently exserted and visible. The
most prominent of these consist anteriorly of two pairs of slender
hook-like processes directed downwards and forwards, and pos-
teriorly of a median spoon-shaped structure which is directed
downwards and backwards; middle and hind legs slender, much
longer than the fore legs ; fore femur enlarged throughout its
length in the male, with a broad deep notch near the apical end,
and a series of spine-like bristles along the under surface near
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 187
its base; fore femur of the female thickened at the base, but
tapering to the apex, without the deep notch, and with several
stout bristles along its under surface; inner side of hind trochanter
of male armed with a thick and pointed spur; first joint of hind
tarsi without bristles, twice the length of the second joint; pul-
villi of all the tarsi dilated. Wings long and of rather uniform
width, with prominent anal angle; cross-vein oblique, only half
its length from the posterior margin; third and fourth veins lyrate,
more parallel at their terminations; sixth vein small and indistinct.
The genus Parhydrophorus is closely allied to the genera Scellus
and Hydrophorus, especially to the latter. The male may be
readily distinguished from the male Hydrophoriis by the deep
notch in the fore femur, the prominent spur on the hind trochan-
ter, and the structure of the hypopygium. The unpaired spoon-
shaped appendage of the latter organ is represented in Hydro-
phorus by a pair of small appendages. The whole hypopygium,
too, in the latter genus is smaller and much more concealed.
Both the male and female of Parhydrophorus lack the spur-like
projection at the tip of the fore tibia, a character which is strik-
ingly developed in Scellus, and also faintly developed in many
species of Hydrophorus. In general appearance the flies of the
new genus differ from the species of Hydrophorus in the longer
and whiter hairs covering the legs and the greater portion of the
body.
Parhydrophorus canescens nov. sp.
Male. Antennae black, basal joint more brownish in a certain light;
arista thick, black, with a white tip. Face so thickly covered with white
dust that the ground color is invisible. Palpi grayish, with rather long
white hairs; front covered with an extension of the white dust of the face,
but less thickly, so that the coppery green ground color may be seen;
frontal bristles and the stout hairs of the superior orbit black, the rather
dense beard on the inferior orbit glistening white, or in some specimens
more yellowish; occasionally also with an admixture of black hairs above.
Thoracic dorsum metallic-green, with four narrow cupreous villa- ; in
many specimens these are indistinct and seem to have fused to form a
large cupreous patch posteriorly. The small hairs arranged in rows d> <\\ -n
the middle of the thoracic dorsum are white, the bristles in the lateral
rows black. Pleurae dull metallic-green anteriorly, blackish posteriorly,
covered with a rather thick layer of gray dust. There is a conspicuous
tuft of delicate white hairs just above the insertion of the fore coxa and
another tuft of longer and sparser white hairs above the insertion of the
middle coxa ; scutellum metallic-green or coppery, with black bristles.
188 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June,
Abdomen metallic-green, with a more or less pronounced coppery reflec-
tion on the dorsal surface; laterally it is thickly dusted with white. The
black depressions forming a series along either side are small and circu-
lar. The whole surface of the abdomen is clothed with silky white hairs,
which are conspicuously long on the sides of the segments. Anterior, or
inner appendages of the hypopygium yellow ; spoon-shaped posterior
appendage with a faint ridge along its convex dorsal surface black, with
white hairs and dust. Legs dull metallic-green, rather thickly clothed
with white hairs; coxae with white hairs, longest and most conspicuous
on the anterior faces of the fore pair; fore femur with from four to six
equidistant truncated black spines like bristles on its under surface. The
proximal edge of the broad and deep notch is furnished with a dense row
of minute black spines; the distal edge is smooth and black on its inner
surface. The tip of the fore femur on its inner side bears a small tuft of
yellow hairs, on its outer side a series of graduated black bristles. The
fore tibia is bent near its middle and armed with three small black bristles
on its outer surface; its inner surface bears a short series of minute spines
near the proximal end; towards the tip of the fore tibia the white hairs
are longer, and on the inner side at the extreme tip form a short dense
fringe; fore tarsi plain, first joint about twice the length of the second;
middle and hind legs slender and beset with short black bristles at inter-
vals. First joint of middle tarsi about twice as long as the second, last
joint distinctly enlarged, subtriangular, black ; hind trochanter armed
with a sharp spur, which projects downwards at right angles to the hind
femur. This spur is striated, and seems to consist of several agglutinated
black bristles. The first tarsal joint is distinctly thicker than the corre-
sponding joint of the middle leg; pulvilli of all the legs white. Wings
grayish hyaline, yellow at the base, and for some distance along the costal
border; veins yellow basally, brownish distally, the costa often yellow for
fully two-thirds of its length. The third and fourth veins diverge with a
gentle but distinct curvature and then converge to pursue a more parallel
course towards the tip of the wing, at which they again diverge very
slightly; halteres clear light yellow; tegula; knob shaped, light yellow,
with a dense tuft of silvery white cilia. Length of body 4-4.5 mm.;
length of wings 4.5-5 mm.
Female. Face with a thick layer of golden-yellow dust, which extends
up over the metallic-green front; dust on the thorax thicker than in the
male and more yellowish. Abdomen broader and flatter. Legs plain,
hairs on the fore coxae shorter, fore femur with only the faintest indication
of a notch, the under surface armed with several pointed and irregularly
arranged bristles. The three black bristles on the outer surfaces of the
fore tibia weaker than in the male; middle and hind legs quite plain, tin-
former without the dilatation of the fifth joint and the latter without tin-
spur on the trochanter; pulvilli of all the tarsi somewhat smaller than in
the male. Length of the body 4-5.5 nun.; length of wings 4.5-6 mm.
Described from twelve male and twelve female specimens.
These were collected in part by Mr. A. W. Snow about forty
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
189
miles north of Lusk, Wyoming, during July, 1895. and in part
by myself, in the same locality, during August of the same year.
The flies were found running about in swarms on the sunny sur-
face of small pools wh.ch were rapidly drying up in the bed of
Little Lightning Creek. Their habits resemble those of Hydro-
phorus, with species of which they were found associated. They
were very agile and not easily captured.
-o-
A NEW EMPID WITH REMARKABLE MIDDLE TARSI.
By WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER, Ph.D.
Rhamphomyia scaurissima nov. sp.
Male (Fig. i). Black. Face very broad for a male, with a few bristles
along either orbit. Antennae velvety black; first and second joints with
rather stout hairs; first joint short and cylindrical; second joint spherical;
third joint cylindrical, gradually tapering to a bluntly rounded tip, on
which the short style is inserted. Palpi slender, black, with prominent
black hairs. Proboscis as long as the head, yellowish at the tip, labella
fuscous, hairy; bristles of the front and hairs of the posterior and inferior
orbits prominent, black. Thorax opaque, dusted with gray, especially
on the pleurae and just in frcnt of the scutellum; bristles prominent, con-
fined almost exclusively
to the dorsal and humeral
regions; scutellum dusted
with gray and beset with
several black hairs. Ab-
domen usually more shin-
ing than the thorax, and
covered with shorter black
hairs; hypopygium large,
porrect and gaping, frin-
ged with long black or
brownish hairs, which are
usually directed back-
wards ; central filament
long and whip-like, almost
completely disengaged.
Legs black, in some speci-
mens more piceous, hairy;
tips of coxz-e frequently
yellowish ; first joint of
Fig. 1. Rhamphomyia scaunssima . .
fore tarsi perceptibly m-
crassated; middle tibia shortened and thickened, with very long and con-
spicuous hairs; joints of the middle tarsi (Fig. 3) curiously modified as
follows: First joint consisting of two parts, a globular base articulating
190
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[June,
with the tibia, and a large scale-like appendage attached to the outer sur-
face of the globular base. This scale-like appendage is concave on its
inner and convex on its outer surface and overlaps the second joint. The
globular base is beset with prominent hairs radiating out in all directions;
the hairs on the scale-like appendage are shorter and stouter. The sec-
ond joint, which articulates with the globular base of the first joint, is
large and cylindrical and sends out from its proximal end a long poste-
riorly directed club-shaped appendage, clothed with a pencil of long hairs.
The hairs on the shorter limb of the joint are smaller and more or less
recurved on the anterior face. The third joint is enormously enlarged
transversely to form a boat-shaped structure. Its hairs are limited to
certain portions of its surface. The fourth and fifth joints are compara-
tively small, the former being perceptibly swollen, the latter resembling
the corresponding joint
of the fore and hind tarsi.
Hind legs plain, except
for the fringe of long hairs
on the tibiae, especially on
their posterior surfaces.
Wings rather long and
narrow, grayish hyaline,
with brown veins ; costa
near its middle with a
prominent black thicken-
ing, just beneath which is
a long and narrow brown
stigma; second vein with
a small thickening just
before its junction with
the third vein; discal cell
of medium size; halteres
fuscous, capitulum some-
what darker. Length of
body 3.5 mm.; length of
wings 4 mm.
Female (Fig. 2). Face somewhat broader than that of the male.
Thorax with a thicker layer of gray dust and shorter bristles. Legs plain,
with much shorter hairs. Wings with somewhat paler veins and with the
discal cell greatly enlarged, so that the gently sinuous cross-vein which
forms its outer boundary lies near the posterior margin. This cross-vein
does not send out a vein to the margin as in the male. Length of body
3.5 mm.; length of wings 3.75 mm.
This species was described from ten male and six female speci-
mens kindly loaned me by Mr. A. W. Snow. They were col-
lected at Palo Alto, Cal. , March 30, 1895.
The species is an unusually striking one on account of the re-
Fig. 2. Rhamphomyia scaurissima
1896.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEV.'S.
markable development of the secondary sexual characters, espe-
cially in the male. The peculiar modifications of the fore tarsi
in the males of many Dolichopodidae are well known, and Mr.
Snow has given a good account of the singular hind tarsi of
Platipeza calceata Snow and P. ornatipes Towns.,* but no Dip-
teron known to me has such peculiar middle tarsi as the Rham-
phomyia just described. In the case of the Dolichopodidae it is
certain from the observations of Dahlf and AldrichJ that the
ornamental tarsi are vibrated before the females during a kind of
courtship. It has been inferred that these ornaments very prob-
ably answer the same purpose as the remarkable plumes of many
male birds, e. g. the ocellate feathers of the peacock, Argus
pheasant, etc. As Rhamphomyia scaurissima probably flies in
swarms with a peculiar dancing movement like other species of
the genus, we may suppose that at such times the unusual tarsi
of the males would be dangled conspicuously and thus attract
the attention and stimulate the appetency of the inornate females.
In the female of Rh. scaurissima the great enlargement of the
discal cell must be regarded as a secondary sexual character,
since the moderate dis-
cal cell of the male is
almost certainly of a
more generalized and
conservative nature.
Most species of Rham-
phomyia retain this
conservative type of
discal cell in both
sexes, but a certain
n u m b e r of species
present the peculiar
enlargement in the fe-
male. It occurs in the
European Rh. spissi-
rostris Fall., Rh. ni-
gripes Fab. and Rh.
serpentata Loew, and
among the North American species in Loew's Rh. limbata, litit-
* American Platipezidae, Kans. Univ. Quart, vol. iii, No. 2, 1894, pp. 143-1^2.
t Die Insekten koennen Formen unterscheiden. Zool. Anzeiger 12 Jahrg. iSSg.pp. 243-247.
t Courtship among the Flies, Am. Naturalist, vol. xxviii, 1894, pp. .'5-37.
. ''>. Eight middle fuot of A'//.
seen from the inside.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [ June,
rata and irregularis. I have also observed it in three undescribed
species from Wisconsin, Kansas and Colorado respectively. Rh.
scaurissima, however, differs from all of these excepting some
specimens of the Colorado species in lacking the vein which runs
from the posterior cross-vein to the margin. This is all the more
remarkable because the male has this vein well developed.
OBITUARY.
JULIUS FLOHR, Coleopterist, died on February 8th, last, at Vera Cruz,
Mexico. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, on Feb. u, 1837, and
went to Mexico in 1859.
AUGUSTE SALLE. On the fifth of May, in Paris, there died a man
whose loss will be sincerely regretted by every American entomologist
who had visited that city. Speaking our language fairly well, he was al-
ways ready to devote his time in assisting those in need of an interpreter.
As an entomologist of no small capacity, and with a large personal ac-
quaintance among entomologists, he has proven of immense assistance
to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. It is to be regretted that
lack of time, owing to the demands of the press, prevent me in giving an
extended notice of his services. G. H. HORN.
ANDREW S. FULLER, widely known as a writer on subjects related to
agriculture and horticulture, died suddenly of heart failure on Monday,
May 4th, at his home in Ridgewood, N. J., in the sixty-eighth year of his
age. Mr. Fuller was agricultural editor of the New York Weekly Sun for
more than a quarter of a century, and at different times he had been con-
nected with The Rural New Yorker, The Tribune, The Agriculturist
and American Gardening. He was the author of several popular books
on arboriculture, small fruit culture and the propagation of plants, and he
had recently completed a treatise on nut-culture, which he considered his
most important work. He was an authority in some branches of ento-
mology, an enthusiastic student and experimenter in his chosen field, and
was absorbed in his favorite occupations until the very hour of his death.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS for May was mailed April 30, 1896.
ENT. NEWS. Vol. VII.
PL VIII.
FENISECA TARQUINIUS (Chrysalis).
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. vii. SEPTEMBER, 1896. No. 7.
CONTENTS:
Foote Aromatic butterflies 193
Calvert Notes on European entomo-
logical collections 195
Klages A plea for an improvement in
entomological pins 197
Ormonde Carnivorous larva of Me-
lanotus communis 200
Editorial 203
Entomological Literature 206
Doings of Societies 212
American Entomological Society 213
Hunter A new sp. of Tropidia, etc 215
Davidson Alcidamea producta, etc.... 216
Dyar Notes on the white Callimorphas 218
Coquillett A new subfamily of Ephy-
dridse 220
Economic Entomology 204 | Cockerell Three new bees, etc 221
Notes and News 205 I Letcher A new Drasteria 223
FENISECA TARQUINIUS.
Our illustration shows one aspect of the chrysalis of this in-
teresting species. It \vas photographically enlarged from a
drawing made by Mrs. Mary Peart for Mr. W. H. Edwards'
' Butterflies of North America." The species is a carnivorous
one, the larvae feeding on plant lice.
o
AROMATIC BUTTERFLIES.
By W. F. FOOTE, Most Yard, N. H.
Scudder, in his " Butterflies of New England," speaks of sev-
eral species as being aromatic, but I do not think that he men-
tions Debis portlandia in this respect. This species is quite com-
mon in this immediate locality, and is the most aromatic butterfly
with which I am acquainted, far exceeding' Argvnnis atlantis. I
had noticed a peculiar, but not unpleasant odor upon opening
my cyanide jar, but it was some time before I traced it to pori-
landia. I have frequently taken this species on the sugaring
patches when making my rounds just before dusk with fresh
194 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
sugar. It is an early as well as a late flyer, appearing soon after
sunrise on the eastern borders of woods, and as the day advances
retreating into them. In the middle of the day it may be found
around patches of sunlight in thick woods, and when possible it
loves to congregate around some moist place in a wood-road
where the cart wheels have turned up the rich, damp mould.
In one such locality I have frequently started up eight or ten
usually in company with several Satyrus alope and nephele.
One afternoon while collecting along a wood-road I flushed a
fine specimen of Grapta j- album. I gave chase, and, after a time,
thinking I saw my chance, made a stroke and missed. The but-
terfly startled struck out a bee-line for space when, to my surprise,
a large dragonfly attacked, and, after a brief struggle, over-
powered it. Folding back its victim's wings this terror of the
insect world settled on a pine limb about ten or twelve feet from
the ground, there to suck its juices. In this object it was de-
feated, for a club, suddenly starting from the ground near my
feet, struck the branch on which it was resting, whereupon it
dropped its prey uninjured from an entomological point of view
and made off. I have frequently seen smaller butterflies captured
in this manner, but never before one so large and powerful.
Perhaps the most social butterfly in this locality is Phyciodes
nycteis. I had always counted this species a great rarity until
one day when I noticed a specimen while walking along a country
road. I at once gave chase and captured it. A few steps farther
along and another started up and before I had taken this two
more were in sight. Before I captured these two I found myself
surrounded on all sides by them. In a space less than a rod
across I counted over forty, and perhaps there were twice that
number besides in the immediate vicinity. There seemed to be
no especial attraction as they were variously employed, some on
the flowers of milkweed and dog-bane, some on mud, and many
without apparent occupation of any kind.
Colias phihdice and Papilio turnus frequently congregate in
numbers after a rain, but in such cases evidently with a common
purpose and not for the mere sake of each other's society. I
once saw Vanessa antiopa in quantities under an apple tree in a
cow-path where the apples had been crushed by passing cows.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. IQ5
NOTES ON EUROPEAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.
Bv PHILIP P. CALVERT.
VI. VIENNA.
The Kaiserlich-Koniglich. [Imperial-Royal] Naturhistorisches
Hofmuseum in Vienna is probably the most magnificent building
in the world devoted to the natural sciences, not only as regards
its external appearance, but also by its elaborate interior decora-
tions. Imposingly situated on the Burg Ring, it is the archi-
tectural counterpart of the Kunsthistorisches Museum on the
opposite side of the Maria Theresa Platz. Dr. Franz Ritter
von Hauer is Intendant, Dr. Franz Steindachner Director of the
Zoological Collection, and the entomological staff embraces Dr.
Friedrich Brauer Custodian (Diptera, Neuroptera), Messrs.
Karl Kolbel (Arachnida, Myriapoda), Dr. L. Ganglbauer (Co-
leoptera, Orthoptera), F. F. Kohl (Hymenoptera), Dr. Anton
Handlirsch (Hemiptera), Dr. H. Rebel (Lepidoptera).
The two lower floors are open to the public and comprise
(below) the geological and mineralogical, (above) the zoological
rooms; of the latter, a large and well-lighted section contains
excellent systematic and biological illustrations of the Insects.
The important entomological collections are to be found on
the uppermost floor in rooms between a central court and the
north facade. Unfortunately the (north) light afforded by the
few windows in the larger room is less than necessary. Thanks
to the kindness of Dr. Handlirsch in gathering, and of his col-
leagues in furnishing the necessary data, the following list men-
tions the principal contents.
COLEOPTERA.
The Coleoptera collection comprises about 25,000 determined
species in more than 300,000 specimens. Its richness consists
chiefly of palaearctic, and especially of mid-European material,
revised or determined by Dr. Ganglbauer in the preparation of
his work on " Die Kafer von Mitteleuropa," each specimen being
so labeled. The collection also contains numerous specimens
of older date from the hands of Schaum, Hampe, Miller, v.
Heyden, Chevrolat and others, and types of species described
by Kollar, L. Redtedbacher and Ferrari. From Chevrolat' s
196 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
collection were purchased the Paussidae, Rhysodidae and Euc-
nemidae. Of recent years numerous species have been described
from the collection by Reitter and Ganglbauer, Abeille de Perrin,
Baudi, Escherich, Fairmaire, Heller, W. Horn, Kraatz, Kuwert,
Joh. Schmidt, Schilsky, Aug. Schultze, Seidlitz and others.
ORTHOPTERA.
Types of Bormans, Brunner von Wattenwyl, Herm. Krauss,
Josef Redtenbacher and H. de Saussure.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Old collections of Abbe Mazzola and Podeoin; later the entire
collections of Ziegler, Baron Ransonnet, Schadenberg, Dorf-
meister and others were acquired. Best represented are the
palaearctic Microlepidoptera, contained in the rich collections of
Mann and Rebel.
Types of Hiibner, Treitschke, Kollar, Zeller, Mann, Lederer,
Felder, Rogenhofer, Rebel, etc.
RHYNCHOTA.
The foundation of the collection was formed by those of Nat-
terer and Schott from Brazil, Ulrich from Europe, Mann from
Southern Europe, Bilimek from Mexico, and of the " Novara"
expedition.
To these were added, in 1890, the great collections of Signoret
(30,000 specimens) and of Low (16,000 specimens), so that at
present there are about 15,000 species and far more than 100,000
specimens here.
The chief value of the entire collection lies in the enormous
number of types of Signoret, Low, Mayr, Forster, Stal, Reuter,
Spangberg, Distant, Bergroth, Berg, Puton, Horvath, Ferrari,
Lichtenstein, Lethierry, Fieber, Frauenfeld, Sahlberg, Riley,
Fitch, Uhler, Amyot, Hagen, Fowler, etc.
HYMENOPTERA.
Old collections of Winthem and Megerle.
Results of the "Novara" expedition, described by de Saus-
sure, Mayr and Sichel.
Tschek's collection (types of Ichneumonidas).
Collections of Kohl, Handlirsch, Kolazy.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 97
Forster's collection of Ichneumonidae.
Types of Handlirsch, Kohl, Mayr, deSaussure, Sichel, Rein-
hard, Forster, Giraud, Lucas, Mocsary, Friese, Morawitz,
Schmiedeknecht, Konovv, Stein and Ruthe, Tschek, Schletterer.
DIPTERA.
The so-called " Hauptsammlung" arranged by Schiner with
numerous old, original specimens of Meigen, Wiedemann,
Schummel and others; in great part revised by Brauer.
The collection of Winthem with types of Meigen, Wiedemann,
Egger, Dr. Adam Handlirsch and T. Bergenstamm.
Part of Becher's collection.
Low's collection of Cecidomyidae.
The chief value of the collection is the great number of orig-
inal specimens of Schiner, Brauer, Low, Bergenstamm, Egger,
Meigen, Rondani, Schummel, Wiedemann and many others.
NEUROPTERA.
Collection determined and arranged by Brauer, and contains
types of this author as well as some of Hagen, de Selys, McLach-
lan, Pictet, Karsch, etc.
-o
A Plea for an Improvement in Entomological Pins.
By EDW. A. KLAGES, Crafton, Pa.
The Feldman Collecting Social, at a recent meeting, having
advocated the adoption, among collectors, of a uniformity in
the length of pins, the writer regarding this of much importance,
has taken advantage of the long desired opportunity of present-
ing some facts about the pins we now use, at the same time sub-
mitting tables showing what dimensions would be best suited
for the different orders.
In insects, as a general rule, increase in size means increased
length, breadth and thickness, hence it follows that, if for a
small specimen, a thin pin of a suitable length will be correct;
that for a larger specimen, a proportionately thicker and longer
pin should be used. It is needless to say that pins made with
this object in view would be best suited for all orders in which
the thickness of the body varies to a considerable extent, like in
the Coleoptera, but in orde r s where this variation is not so great,
198
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[September,
such as the Lepidoptera, it may be best to use pins of a uniform
length throughout, long enough, however, to answer for the
largest.
The time dawns upon us when collections are of little value
scientifically, in which the individual specimens have no other
label except the name. Each pin supporting an insect should
be long enough to also support two, or perhaps three data labels
at a sufficient distance apart that they may be read without
removal.
Through purchases and samples of pins received from several
dealers, the writer has been enabled to carefully compare the
leading makes. A rather singular thing in connection with this
is that Carlsbader pins procured from different dealers vary
greatly in diameter and manner of numbering. To make this
apparent, the dimensions of pins procured from two dealers are
appended.
Except in the case of the small sizes of the Klaeger japanned
pins, in which a number are as much as 8 mm. short, the lengths
given are about the average for each size. The diameters are
given in even 2OOOths of an inch, expressed decimally.
Schleuter Pias, black.
Nos.
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
Nos.
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Diam.
in.
Increase in diam. over
preceding number.
.0125
in.
.0125
.014
.0015
0155
.0015
.018
.0025
.02
.002
.0225
.0025
.025
.0025
.027
.002
Carlsbader
Pins, bright.
Diam.
in.
Increase in diam. over
preceding number.
.0165
.0185
in.
.002
.02
.0015
.022
.OO2
.024
.026
.OO2
.OO2
.027
.OOI
.0275
.0285
.0005
.OOI
0305
.002
Length
mm.
35
Length
mm.
37
38
37
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Carlsbader Pins, bright ; procured from another dealer.
199
Nos.
Diam.
Increase in diam. over
Length
in.
preceding number.
mm.
.0115
in.
33
I
.012
.0005
1C
2
.013
.001
37
3
.0145
.0015
38
4
0155
.001
5
.0185
.003
39
6
.019
.0005
38
7
.022
.003
it
8
.025
.003
9
0255
.0005
10
.0275
.002
Klaeger Pins,
bright; "35mm. length."
Nos.
Diam.
Increase in diam. over
Length
in.
preceding number.
mm.
00
.0125
in.
33
.013
.0005
ii
I
.014
.001
34
2
.017
.003
33
3
0195
.0025
34
4
.023
-0035
35
, 5
.0265
0035
( (
Sizes larger
that number 5 are similar to those of the ' ' 39
mm. length."
Klaeger Pins,
bright ; " 39 mm. length."
Nos.
Diam .
Increase in diam. over
Length
in.
preceding number.
mm.
00
.013
in.
38
o
0135
.0005
ii
i
.0145
.001
it
2
.017
.0025
39
3
.02
.003
ii
4
0235
0035
it
5
0255
.002
11
6
-3
.0045
ii
7
0305
.0005
40
8
034
0035
11
Klaeger Pins, japanned ; " 35 mm. length."
Nos.
Diam.
Increase in diam. over
Length
in.
preceding number.
mm.
00
.013
in.
34
.013
(
I
.015
.OO2
35
2
.0165
.0015
34
3
0195
.003
( (
4
.0245
.005
35
5
.0265
.OO2
I (
6
.0285
.OO2
42
7
.0285
.000
11
8
0315
.003
K
200 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
With the exception of the Klaeger japanned pins, which are
made of steel with a brass head, all of the above are made of
brass-wire, either plated or japanned ; the latter, if properly
done, prevents corroding, which is a great advantage.
The writer's own experience goes to show that steel pins may
not have as much spring as in some of the hard brass pins, but
they are superior in stiffness, and not so liable to clinch on the
point.
As a perusal of the above tables will show considerable varia-
bility and uncertainty in the individual grades, and inconsistency
in the gradation, I would suggest as a standard the following
table of dimensions :
ios. Diam. Increase in diam. over Length Increase in le
in. preceding number. mm. preceding i
I
.013
in.
35-
mm
2
.015
, .002
35-5
0-5
3
0175
.0025
36.5
i.
4
.0205
.003
33.
i-5
5
.024
0035
40.
2.
6
.028
.004
42-5
2.5
7
0325
.0045
45-5
3-
8
0375
.005
49-
3-5
9
043
0055
53-
4-
A uniform length of 38 mm. is suggested for such orders in
which the body does not vary to a great extent. In this case
the diameters should be the same as in numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and
7 in the above table.
It is to be hoped that entomologists will become aroused to
the advisability of adopting a properly graded standard, and
using no other. Manufacturers would no doubt undertake to
supply the demand if entomologists can be induced to unite in
this movement.
-o-
CARNIVOROUS LARVA OF MELANOTUS COMMUNIS.
By FREDERIC ORMONDE.
Probably one of the most exhaustive series of experiments
relative to the economy, life-history, etc., of the Elateridae ever
made in this or any other country, was that of Professors Corn-
stock and Slingerland, of the Cornell Experiment Station, the
results of which were given to the public in Bulletin 33 of that
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2OI
station. Yet the only occasion suggestive of any carnivorous
tendency noticed by them was a large larva of Asaphes decoloratus
Say with a smaller one in its jaws,* which they suggest as being
in all probability, accidental.
The special experiments, with the object of ascertaining any
carnivorous habits, were all with negative results. They placed
larvse of Asaphes decoloratus and earth-worms together in a
breeding-jar, but no such tendencies were seen. Experiments
with Melanotus communis Gyl. likewise tailed, as did those made
with Drasterius elegans Fab.t The result of my own observa-
tions on the subject are as follows : Early in the season I found
a number of the larvae of several species among the decaying
matter and refuse in the base of a hollow oak which I took to-
gether with an amount of the substance in which they were found.
Upon my return home, not having any idea of their being de-
voured by one another, they were all placed in one breeding-
cage. My surprise was very great, therefore, upon examining
them the next morning to find one of the Melanotus communis
gorging itself upon one of Ludius sp. The body had been
severed at the third segment and the canabalistic individual was
found with head and thoracic segments submerged within the
body of its victim. These I immediately placed in alcohol as
proof positive for future reference. I then placed in a separate
cage another M. communis larva with one of a species unknown
to me. On looking at these the following day all that remained
of the undetermined species was the head, thoracic appendages,
with a few fragments of the other segments. Having found, also,
the larvae of a species of Uloma infirmis Mels., I believe, with
these in the same location I wished to see what would be the
result of placing them together in the breeding-cage. As I ex-
pected, it was the same as before, and since then the carnivorous
species have been in separate jars along with the material in
which they were found. Several species of this family, in the
larval form, are said to be carnivorous.
Dr. Riley reared Hemirhipis fascicnlaris Fab. from the larva-
preying on them of Cyllene pictus Drury; Elater luduosus Lee.
from larvae that fed on those of Dendroides canadensis Latr. and
Cucujus clavipes Fab. ; Melanotus communis fed on the larvae of
* Bulletin 33, Cornell Experiment Station, page 259.
t Bulletin 33, Cornell Experiment Station, pages 259, 263, 268.
202 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
Chrysobothris fcmorata Fab.* He has also found the larvae of
Drasterias amabilis Lee. preying on locust eggs.f
It will be observed that Dr. Riley's experiments were made
with larvae of other families, as the food, whilst with one excep-
tion, mine have been confined to the same as the devourer. The
larval stages of this family present an ample field for study as at
present comparatively little is known concerning them, a very
grievous fact when their economic importance is taken into con-
sideration.
For those who may wish to enter into a study of this family,
I would suggest a close perusal of the before-mentioned Bulletin
of the Cornell Station as well as the table of species to be found
in the Eighteenth Report of Prof. S. A. Forbes, together with
the synoptic tables of the family by Drs. LeConte and Horn.
RANK IN THE HETEROPTERA. The common view that the aquatic
bugs are of lower rank than the Scutelleridae, etc. (see H. E. Summers,
p. Si, Bull. Tenn. Exper. Station, July, 1891, vol. iv, No. 3), is not evident
from a study of their characters. In fact, the reverse of the present order
of succession of the families is the true gradation from the lower to the
higher. Thus, the large head of Corisa and Galgula, the modified an-
tennas, the reduced number of joints in the tarsi and beak, as well as in
the antennae, the reduced size of the membrane of the hemelytra and the
shorter abdomen, all indicate the high specialization and cephalization of
the families hitherto considered the lowest. The true succession of fami-
lies, from the lower to the higher, is Coreidae, Nabidse, Reduviidae, Phy-
matidae, Scutelleridae, Nepidae, Notonectidae. The large scutellum of
the water bugs and the position of the antennae show their relationship to
the Scutelleridae, the high rank of both being evident from the small num-
ber of segments in the abdomen (the above was penned several years
ago before the publication of Comstock's "Manual," where, p. 128, rec-
ognition is made of the high rank of the Scutelleridao and Hydrocorisa,
but without giving characters). \V. H. PATTON.
THE collection of native and foreign Lepidoptera made by the late Rev.
J. G. Morris, of Baltimore, Md., is for sale. According to Prof. Uhler
the collection is in very excellent condition. Many of the specimens were
collected and mounted by Dr. Morris, who, at the time of his death, was
probably the oldest entomologist in the United States. It would be a
pity for this collection to go to destruction for want of care, and it should
fall into the hands of some individual or institution where it would receive
the care it merits.
* First Report U. S. Entomological Commission, page 304.
t American Entomologist, vol. iii, page 247.
1896.] 203
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Published monthly (except July and August), in charge of the joint
publication committees of the Entomological Section of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, and the American Entomological
Society. It will contain not less than 300 pages per annum. It will main-
tain no free list whatever, but will leave no measure untried to make it a
necessity to every student of insect life, so that its very moderate annual
subscription may be considered well spent.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION $1.00, IN ADTANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada $1.2O.
figg" All remittances should be addressed to E. T. Cresson, Treasurer,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.; all other communications to the Editors
of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, Logan Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1896.
THE meeting of the entomologists of New York, Philadelphia,
Brooklyn and Newark on the fourth of July at the latter city was
an interesting one in many ways. The people gathered to-
gether had in common a love for natural science, but differed in
many other respects. Many trades and a number of professions
were represented. The greater number were either German, or
German descent, and if it were not for the interest taken in en-
tomology by these people, who evidently inherited this taste from
ancestors who derived their knowledge from the wisdom displayed
in teaching German school children natural history, we would
have little entomology in America. We hope to see the time
when such studies will be taught in our schools. It was Gladstone
who said the present fault of our school system is the lack of
teaching in natural history.
WHILE not an author, the late Julius Flohr has been of assistance in
aiding the accumulation of material for others, notably for the authors of
the " Biologia. " In his journeys between Mexico and England he never
failed to visit Philadelphia to see the fine specimen of Heterosternus bu-
prestoidcs in our cabinet which seemed to have an irresistible attraction.
G. H. HORN.
204 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
DEPARTMENT OF EGONOMIG ENTOMOLOGY,
Edited by Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
Papers for this department are solicited. They should be sent to the editor, Prof. John
B. Smith, Sc.D., New Brunswick, N. J.
The Army Worm, Leucania unipuncta, has formed the subject of many
newspaper paragraphs in the Eastern States during the present Summer.
It has appeared in destructive numbers in parts of New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Massachusetts, New Jersey and other States, but was most serious
in the two first named. Dr. Lintner writes that he has "record of it in
38 of the 56 counties, and it is probable that only the extreme northern
counties were exempt from it." I have received word of its presence
from several counties of eastern and central Pennsylvania, and newspaper
accounts speak of it from more western points. In New Jersey it was
reported from the more southern counties as early as May 26th as inju-
rious to grain and grass; but it was exceedingly local, and after the mid-
dle of June nothing more was heard of it from the points first infested.
Its injuries were comparatively slight, though, of course, severe to the
farmers directly concerned. About the middle of July there was a very
local outbreak in Atlantic County, but the principal complaints came
during the latter part of June and early in July, from two or three of the
northern counties. Leucania unipiincta is always a common insect
throughout the eastern and central United States and seems, under or-
dinary conditions, to be very evenly distributed. The interesting feature
in the New Jersey part of the outbreak is its extremely local character.
A field here and there proves to be badly infested, while all intervening
lands are clean. Near Egg Harbor City a single field only was attacked,
though all about were others in much the same condition as to situation,
character of crop and nature of rotation employed. So, also, I was sur-
prised to note the differences in the amount of parasitic infestation in the
specimens sent me. In some sendings every caterpillar had eggs of
Tachinid flies attached to it; in others a small proportion or none at all
were infested. The climatic conditions in New Jersey during the early
Spring of 1896 were those accounted most favorable to this insect, i. e.,
dry and warm. As to the remedial measures adopted, they were gen-
erally of the most perfunctory and unsatisfactory character. Some simply
sat and wailed, others tried insecticides indiscriminately, a few gathered
the crop as it was for fodder and somewhat under-ripe, and only in occa-
sional instances was destruction of the infested field resorted to. Fur-
rowing was resorted to in some cases, and in one instance a ditch was dug
on low ground, until water stood in it and this effectually confined the
creatures to their original point of infestation.
Mosquitoes were also the subject of much newspaper comment in the
Metropolitan press, and in some places near New York they were certainly
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 205
excessively numerous. Of course this could be readily accounted for by
the numerous heavy rains, keeping ditches, puddles and swamps full, and
by the hot weather favoring the development of the low forms of animal
and vegetable life upon which the mosquito larvae feed. It is interesting
to note that mosquitoes are becoming much more common in Southern
California as one of the results of irrigation. Ditches, sluggish or partly
choked, or little basins formed here and there, afford excellent places for
them to breed. Prof. A. J. Cook has made the interesting observation
at Clermont, Cal., that mosquito larvae are able to stand considerable
drying up without injury, and when, after a dry period the water supply
is renewed, they resume their activity.
New Jersey has an enviable reputation for the quality of its mosquitoes,
but I believe that the foreign product, on the plains of Manitoba, is supe-
rior in size, and at least equal in numbers and blood-thirsty disposition.
Notes and.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS
OF THE GLOBE.
[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 circumfei-
ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy 1 ' into the hands of the printer, for each number,
three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im-
portant matter for 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 ali papers will be acknowledged. ED.
WHILE collecting on the Humber Plains on the nth of June with un-
friend, Mr. C. H. Tyers, we took a number of specimens of Colias cczso-
nia. This is the first time it has been taken in this locality and has only
been once recorded from Ontario. C. T. Hills, 18 Sussex Ave., Toronto,
Canada.
THE Fifth Annual Excursion of the Entomologists of New York,
Brooklyn, Newark and Philadelphia was held near Newark, N. J., on
July 4, 1896, and was successful in every way. In spite of the disagree-
able weather of the early morning a large party participated, and every
one seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the outing, which may aptly be
called a social gathering. The following persons were present: NKWARK:
Bischoff, Stortz, \Veidt, Reinicker, Seib, Cetz, Brehme, Kircher, Angel-
man, Weier, Deitze. NEW YORK : Palm, Merkel, Dietz, Ottolengui,
Beyer, Beutenmuller, Love, Schaeffer, Groth, Bennett, Soltati, Walker
(Jamaica, L. I.), Fischer (Buffalo), Steffens (Shelton, Conn.). PHII.A-
206 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
DELPHIA : Boerner, Schmitz, Skinner, Gerhard, Reinicke, Laurent, John-
son, H. Wenzel, E. Wenzel, Griffith, A. Hoyer, F. Hoyer, Trescher,
Nell, Schneider, Castle, Fox, Mengel (Reading, Pa.). F.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: ist, The number of species
to be limited to twenty-five for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of trans-
portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ;
3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an-
nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor,
who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects
for return of names. Please put date of capture and exact locality on each specimen.
Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. Ill, Address all packages
to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomology of the Americas (North
and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs, or con-
taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of
insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded.
1. Occasional Papers of the Natural History Society of Wisconsin, vol.
iii. Spiders of the family Attidae from Central America and Mexico, G.
W. and E. G. Peckham.
2. ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGER, No. 502. On the secondary spiracles on
the legs of Opilionidas, J. C. C. Loman.
3. ANNALES DES SCIENCES NATURELLES, Zool. et Paleon. Se serie, i,
4-6. Study on locusts, J. H. Fabre.
4. JOURNAL OF THE CINCINNATI SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY, xviii,
Nos. 3, 4. Catalogue of the Odonata of Ohio, pt. ii, D. S. Kellicott.
5. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILA-
DELPHIA, 1896, pt. i. Report on extermination of tussock moth, H.
Skinner and W. J. Fox.
6. VERHANDLUNGEN DES VEREINS FUR NATURWISSENSCHAFTLICHE
UNTERHALTUNG zu HAMBURG, 1894-1895. Contribution to the knowl-
edge of the Lepidopterous fauna of Rio de Janeiro, V. von Bonninghausen.
7. THE BOTANICAL GAZETTE, May, 1896. Flowers and insects, xvi, C.
Robertson.
8. TERMESZETRAJZI FUZETEK, BUDAPEST, xix, 2. Contributions to a
knowledge of the Hungarian Braconidae, V. Szepligeti. A new enemy
of the fir of the Class Insecta, G. Horvath.
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 2OJ
9. BOLLETINO DEI MUSEI DI ZOOLOGIA . . . DELLA R. UNIVERSITA DI
TORINO, vol. xi, No. 229. Formicidae collected by Dr. E. Festa in the vi-
cinity of the Gulf of Darien, C. Emery. Ibid. No. 230. Some new ants
of the genus Azteca Forel and biological notes, ibid. Ibid. No. 232.
Orthoptera collected in Darien by Dr. E. Festa, i, A. Griffin. Ibid.
No. 234. On an anomalous Pristes tuberosus collected in Darien by Dr.
E. Festa, ibid. Ibid. No. 239. Travels of Dr. A. Borelli in the Ar-
gentine Republic and Uruguay, Odonata, R. Martin. Ibid. No. 240.
On the Odonata collected by Dr. E. Festa in Darien and Cuenca, ibid.
10. ARCHIV FUR ENTWICKELUNGSMECHANIK DER ORGANISMEN, iii, 2.
An antenniform extra appendage in Dilophtts tibia/is Loew, \Y. M.
Wheeler.
11. ARCHIVES DE ZOOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE ET GENERALE, 1896, No.
i. The production and evolution of the social wasps, P. Marchal.
12. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 1895, pt.
4. Report on the parasitic Hymenoptera of the island of Grenada, com-
prising the families Cynipidae, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae and Proctotru-
pida?, W. H. Ashmead, On the color variations of a beetle of the family
Chrysomelidae, statistically examined, W. Bateson. On the Orthoptera
of the Sandwich Islands, B. v. Wattenwyl. On the classification of the
Schcenobiinae and Crambinse, two subfamilies of moths, of the family
Pyralidas, G. F. Hampson.
13. PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, xviii
[Extracts]. List of the Lepidoptera collected in Eastern Africa by Dr.
\V. L. Abbott, . . . W. J. Holland. Revision of the North American
Empidas a family of two- winged insects, D. W. Coquillett.
14. PSYCHE, a journal of entomology, June, 1896. Neelus murinus,
representing a new thysanuran family, J. W. Folsom. New species of
Prosapis (cont.), T. D. A. Cockerell. List of Mt. Washington Coleop-
tera, F. C. Bowditch.
15. MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE EXPERIMENT STATION,
Bulletin No. 132. Some injurious insects: climbing cutworms; control of
the common granary insects; carpet beetles and clothes moth, G. C.
Davis.
16. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD AND JOURNAL OF VARIATION, viii,
2. The relationship of the lower Lepidoptera with Trichoptera, J. W.
Tutt.
17. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (Division of En-
tomology), Technical Series, No. 4. Some Mexican and Japanese inju-
rious insects liable to be introduced into the United States: Introduction,
L. O. Howard; Report of a trip to investigate insects of economic im-
portance in Mexico, C. H. T. Townsend; Insects injurious to stored cereal
and other products in Mexico, F. H. Chittenden; Notes and descriptions
2o8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [September,
of new Coccidae collected in Mexico by Professor Townsend; A list of
the scale insects found upon plants entering the port of San Francisco,
A. Craw; Some Coccidae found by Mr. Craw in the course of his quaran-
tine work at San Francisco, T. D. A. Cockerell. Some new species of
Japanese Coccidae collected by O. Takahashi, ibid. Ibid. No. 3. Re-
vision of the Nematinae of North America, C. L. Marlatt.
18. ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, 1896, H. 9. The Hollandidae or
W. J. Holland's Ethiopian Arbelidae, F. Karsch. Ibid. H. 11. The
mouth-parts of Rhynchota (Homo-Heteroptera), R. Heymons.
19. ILLUSTRIERTE WOCHENSCHRIFT FUR ENTOMOLOGIE, i, 2. On
Coccinellidae and their varieties, A. Reichert. A new system of Muscidae
. . . (cont.), E. Girschner.
20. VERHANDLUNGEN DBS NATURKORSCHENDEN VEREINES IN BRUNN,
Bd. xxxiii. Revision of the coleopterous genus Danaccea Laporte of the
palaearctic fauna, J. Prochazka. Analytical table of the bark-beetles
(Scolytidae) of Europe and surrounding countries, E. Reitter.
21. THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, June, 1896. The larger species
of Argynnis and the mystery of their life-history, H. H. Lyman. Try-
chosis tunicula-rnbra n. sp., T.. W. Fyles. The Coleoptera of Canada,
xvi, H. F. Wickham. Five new bees of the genus Calliopsis, T. D. A.
Cockerell. New Hampshire Hesperidse, W. F. Fiske. On two inter-
esting new genera of scale insect parasites, L. O. Howard. The mutillid
genus Chyphotes, T. D. A. Cockerell. A moth out of place, J. A. Moffat.
! Ibid. July. The Coleoptera of Canada, xviii, H. F. Wickham. Notes
on some moths from the collection of Mr. A. Bolter, H. G. Dyar. Note
on Trigonogenius farcins, E A. Schwarz. The smaller bees of the genus
Andrena found in New Mexico, T. D. A. Cockerell. Lepyrus alternans
and capitcinus. Limits fossus, Cremastochilus harrisii and Polypleuris
nitidiis, J. Hamilton. Two new Hespends, H. Skinner. Notes: Colias
cczsonia; Papilio ajax.
22. THE ENTOMOLOGIST, June, 1896. Fungi parasite on butterflies, J.
C. Rickard. New experiments on the seasonal dimorphism of Lepidop-
tera (cont.), A. Weismann.
23. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE, June, 1896. An an-
notated revision of the British Chrysididse (concluded), F. D. Morice.
Supplement to "A Synopsis of British Psychodidae," A. E. Eaton. On
the structure and development of the lepidopterous wing. D. Sharp.
24. The Gypsy Moth, Porthetria dispar (Linn.). A report on the work
of destroying the insect in the commonwealth of Massachusetts . . . , by
Edward H. Forbush and Charles H. Fernald, Svo, Boston, 1896.
25. Nineteenth Report of the State Entomologist on the noxious and
beneficial insects of the State of Illinois, S. A. Forbes (relates chiefly to
experiments for the extermination of the chinch bug).
1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 209
26. Tenth Report of the New York State Entomologist for 1894 [Ex-
tract]. The scorpion flies, E. P. Felt.
27. ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIOUK, xl, 5.
The ants of tropical America, A. Forel. Analytical key of the genera
of the family Formicidae for the determination of the neuters, C. Emery
Revision of the species of the genus Ulocerus Dalman, A. Senna.
Ibid, xl, 6. Descriptions of new genera and species of Phytophagous
Coleoptera obtained by Mr. Andrews in India, M. Jacoby.
28. BlHANG TILL KONGL. SVENSKA VETENSKAPS-AKADEMIENS HAND-
LINGAR, xx, 4. Researches on Arachnida from Java and adjacent places,
. . . with descriptions of new South Asiatic and South American species,
T. Thorell. The Myriapod fauna of Cameroons, C. O. von Porat.
29. BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, xx, 3. De-
scriptions of some Lower Californian spiders forming part of the collec-
tions of Dr. Geo. Marx, E. Simon.
30. ANNALES AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, June, 1896. On
some Odonata of the subfamily Aeschnina, R. McLachlan.
31. NATURAL SCIENCE. Lond