Entomological News
PROCEEDINGS
AND
OK THE
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
OF THE
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
VOLUME XVI,
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE :
K/,RA T. CRKSSON IIKNRV I.. VIERECK J. A. G. RUIN
PHILIP LAURKNT WILLIAM I. FOX CHAKLKS U loHNSON
PHILADELPHIA :
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS UK
THE ACADEMY OF NATIKAI. SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
1905.
P. C. STOCKHAUSEN
PRINTER 53-55 N. ?TH ST., PHILADELPHIA
INDEX TO VOLUME XVI.
(Notes and articles on geographical distribution are indexed under tin- names "i thu States or countries concerned, and wo/ undei th listrii th.
ni nr\\ in re-described species. .NVv <l \\itha*.)
GENERAL SUBJECTS.
Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila., Entom. Section 23, 55, 56, 205, 311.
Amazon, Collecting on the . . 30 American Entomological So- ciety, 27, 28, 56, 62, 206, 341. Association of Official Entomo- logists of the Cotton Belt . . 245 Association of Economic Ento- mologists, 56, 157, 333. Associations of different species 12 Biologia Centrali-Americana . 317 Brooklyn Entomological So- ciety, 28, 90, 206, 342. Cambridge Entomological Club 334 Cedar Point Lake Laboratory,
Entomology at 201
Central America, Williamson
et al. collecting in 299
Changes in entomological effort 208 Chicago Academy of Sciences, Entom. Section, 31, 63, 124, 128.
Colorado, Skinner and Lau- rent collecting in 99
Cotton-boll weevil 246
Destructiveness of Australian
roach 183
Directory of entomologists,
Junk's 183
Disease and fleas 143
from caterpillar hairs 203 Doings of Societies, 23, 55, 121, 203, 245, 311, 340
Earth-pearls 96
Editorials, 21, 54, 87, 120, 155, 199. 239, 273, 332.
Entomological Club, A. A. A.
S 58
Entomological Literature, 22,
89, 200, 203, 241, 264, 274, 316,
3 '7, 334- 336.
European ignorance of Ameri- can entomology 199
Feldman Collecting Social, 24, 56, 61, 95, 123, 159, 245, 247, 3H, 340. Glossaries, Bibliography of I-'.n
torn., 105, 221.
Glossaries of terms, 61, 202, 221, 343 Gundlach's collection .... 60 Hawaii, Entomologists of . . 121 Hawaiian Entom. Society . . 122 Inadequate descriptions, 155, 276.
Inheritance of colors 200
Invertebrata Pacifica 267
Jamesburg, Joint field meeting
at 199
Joke *4
Kellogg's American Insects . -'74
Log, Just one 67
Mechanical form of insect-cata- logues, etc
Medical entomology . . 309
.Mexico, Tower collecting in Mimicry, 23, 327.
Mount Royal Kntom. Club 94
Mosquito Extermination So- ciety, 278, 306.
Names, Insect . . 157
National As^od.tlion of K;
moloi;ist> .... Newark Kntoiuolo^. S 25, 93, 203, 204.
11
INDEX.
North Carolina Dep't. of Agric., Div. of Entom 308
Obituary:
Brauer, F. M 160
Brenske, E 160
von Hopffgarten, G. M. 160
Landois, H 160
Packard, A. S. . . . 88, 97 de Saussure, H. L. F. . 160 Tallant, W. N. . .. 96
Wright, A. A. . . . 160
Pacific Coast Entom. Society. 95
Parasitic insects (see Hymen- optera, Parasitic).
Personals :
Aldrich, J. M 310
Barber, H. G. . ... 275 Barrett, O. W. . . 121, 263 Bentley, G. M. ... 308
Bergroth, E 310
Beyer, G 275
Castle, D. M 275
Cockerell, T. D. A. . . 333
Daecke, E 201
Grinnell, F., Jr 274
Hardenberg, C. B. . . 280
Hebard, M 274
Hine, J. S 167
Junk, W. . ... 183
Kearfott, W. D 121
Morgan, H. A 156
Rehn, J. A. G. . . . . 274
Schaeffer, C 275
Sherman, F. , Jr. . . 280, 308
Skinner, H 201, 275
Slosson, Mrs. A. T. . 201
Snow, F. H 277
Torre Bueno, J. R. de la 53
Tower, W. L 137
Van Dyke, E. C. . . . 275
Viereck, H. L 275
Wen/el, H. A. . . 201, 275 Wenzel, H. W. . . . 201 Williamson, E. B. . 51, 299 Woglum, R. S. . 308
Plants attacked by Insects.
Achillea 231
Acorns . 24
Actcea . .... 65
Arabis 132
Artemisia . .... 231
Baneberry 66
Bayberry 55
Birch 55
Blueberry 55
Bursera 67
Cardamine 132
Catalpa . 280
Centaurea 231
Cerastiuin 231
Cerasus 153
Chusquea 161
Cirsium 231
Cotton bolls 18, 246
Currants 62
Date . . 18
Dendrium 13
Diospyros 254
Eriophyllum 20
Ground Cherry 69
Gumbo-limbo 67
Helenium 20
Huckleberry 12
Lime 18
Lupine 20
Maples . . .124, 159, 248
Maytenus ? 163
Oaks . . . . 55, 124, 248
Orange 18
Persea 70
Persimmon 254
Physalis 69
Pine . . .248
Red bay 70
Scilix 162
Sand myrtle 73
Scabiosa 231
Sweetfern 55
Sycamore 78
Taraxacum ... 231
Water melon . 18
INDEX.
in
Protective coloration 327
Review of a Review ... . 316
Say's types 60
Selys entomological collections 240 Sporadic publications . . . 239, 264 Staining of wood by beetles . .124 Texas, Snow collecting in ... 277
Trays for phials . 343
Types .... .54
Types, Kinds of 196
Unisexual classifications . . . .273 Utah, Engelhardt and Doll col- lecting in 91
Utah, Skinner, Laurent and
Snyder collecting in 99
Variation in frequency of spe- cies 207
ARACHNIDA.
California, A. of . 233
Cteniza californica 233
Cyptobunus* . .' .251
" cavicolus* . . . 252
Montana, A. of ... . . 251
Phalangids, Classification of . . 253 Trap door spider, Enemy of . . 233
COLEOPTERA.
Acanthocinus linearis * .... 290 Adirondack Mts., C. of . 50
Ambrosia beetles .... 124, 248 AnthonomuSt Egg-parasites of . 288
Aphodius . 95, 129
' ' blaisdelli * 1 29
" /cuausii 130
Arizona, C. of 289, 311
Balaninus 24, 245
California, C. of . . . . /', 95. I3°
Canada, C. of 35
Ceracis sallci 25
Cerambycidae 35
Cicindela 128, 202, 344
Clerus bimaculatuS* 291
Connecticut, C. of 53
Conotrachelus, Egg-parasite of 220 Cytnatodera tricolor . . 292
Delaware, C. of 210
District of Columbia, C. of . . .90
Dysta.via 72, 73
' ' elegans * 71
s of C., Number of 62
Florida, C. of 68, 69, 70
Galeruca pomonce 230
" tanaceti 230
Glyptoscelimorpha 72, 73
Hawaii, C. of 123
Hypomolyx pineti 340
Illinois, C. of . . . . 53, 125, 230
Indiana, C. of 125, 230
Iowa, C. of 126
Kansas, C. of 131
Light, C. attracted by 210
Lina, Inheritance in 200
Lycus fernandezi 23
Lvfisiniena tigrina* 291
Massachusetts, C. of 53
McCracken on Inheritance of
colors 200
\i;/ii abdoniina/is, Parasite of 123 New Jersey, C. of . 25, 26, 93, 159,
204, 245, 248, 311, 342. New York, C. of . ... 50, 344
Ohio, C. of 230
Oncideres quo-cits* . . . . 291
Orientation of Cicindela . 202
/'at iti riridicyaneu 26
Pennsylvania, C. of . . i-t
P/usiotis beycri'" . . 289
Pu/yci-sta .... -73
Prioitns /afico/lis 62
Ptinus 26, So.
Sraralui'ida- wanted 280
Sc/iir-cf>ns '73
Sifratiux snrhiaiiicusis 62
Spliu-ridinin St at Texas, C. of . . 290,
Tiger beetles, Variation in Utah, C. Of. 93
Water 1 ••imTging fnun
water . . . Winter C
IV
INDEX.
DIPTERA.
Aldrich's catalogue of North Amer. D .......... 241
American dipterology ..... 63
Arizona, D. of ....... 139
Australia, D. of ........ 116
Chlorops pulvera ....... 62
Chrysops amazon* ..... 250
bistellatus * ..... 249
eye maculation of . . 341 Connecticut, D. of .... 24, 80
Culex brittoni * ....... 79
labeculosus * .116
Culicidae . . .24, 79, 116, 281, 312 District of Columbia, D. of . . 333 Eristalis ......... 140, 141
Fleas and disease ....... 143
Florida, D. of ..... 69, 70, 312
Georgia, D. of ...... no, in
Helophilns . . . 141. 142
Leskia thecata .... ..... 62
Louisiana, D. of . . . no, in, 333 Megarhinus portoricensis . . . 281 Melanoconion ........ 283
Mexican D. in U. S ...... 333
Milesia ........... 139
mida* . : ..... 138
Mississippi, Mosquitoes of . . .281 Mixogaster breviventris . . . .83
Mosquito extermination . 278, 306 New Jersey, D. of 62, 159, 201, 249,
310, 341, 342. New York, D. of .... .83
Oscinis I08
four new spp.
. no, 111
Pennsylvania, D. of . . 62, 311, 341 Syrphus .......... I42
Wyoming, D. of .
HEMIPTERA.
Aleyrodes acteas * . . .65
Aradidae .......
Arizona, H. of ........ 7^
Aspidiotus river cs* . .161
Australia, H. of ...... 263
Ceroplastes sanguiiu us : . .162 schroitkyi * . . . .162
Ceylon, H. of 262
Cicada grossa 76
townsendi* 74
Connecticut, H. of 65
Icerya purchasi 1 8
Ido/of /trips tibialis * 20
Lac insects 52
Leptoglossus zonatus 18
Margarode?, 96
Mexico, H. of . . 18
Micr onecta 260
nn. spp* 260
New Jersey, H. of .... 159, 247
New Mexico, H. of 52, 75
North Carolina, H. of 7
Pergande on Phylloxerinas . . 336 Philippines, H. of . . . , . 20, 262
Pnlvinaria 52
innumerabilis . 159, 247 South American Coccidae . . . 161 Tachardia glouierella* . . . . 52 Water bugs, Swimming of . 53, 88 Woolly vs. Wooly Aphis . . .22
HYMENOPTERA.
Anagrus hydrophilus * . . . 21^, Anaphes conotracheli* .... 220
Anomalous H 14
Anthophora corvicolor * . . .81
curia peritoituc* .272
Ants and caterpillar associated . 12
Apanteles pergandei * .... 133
Arizona, H. of 10
Botnbomelecta joluisoiri* . . . 270 Bombus rufosuffusus * . ..271 California, H. of . . Si, 82, 83, 233
Ceratina dupla 4^
Colorado, H. of 270
Coloration in J'a/isfi-s, Ente-
man on 89
Cryptohalictoid.es spin if er us . .21 Development of parasitic H. . 243 Emphoropsis nuiriliirta *. . . . Si
INDEX.
Exotnalopsis 10
Gonatoceros anthonomi* . . .288
Grotea anguina 44
Habrocryptus grccnicheri ... 46 Ha/ictus armaticeps var. y * . . .9
Hibernating H 95
Illinois, H. of. . . 126, 145, 168, 293
Marchal on parasitic H 243
Megachile agustini* 82
Monidia* 9
Nest of Vespa germanica . . . 207
New Jersey, H. of 25, 133
New York, H. of . . . . .18, 207 New Mexico, H. of . . .9, 83, 272
Odynerus 10
Paracentrobiaflavipes* .... 287 Parapompilus planatus .... 233 Parasitic H. . 43, 133, 145, 168, 213,
220, 243, 287, 293. Peckhams on Solitary wasps . . 200
Perdita 331
xanthismcz* 331
Polisies 89
Polynema bergi* 214
Prenolepis parvula 12
Proterosphex* 165
Ropronia 14
ashmeadii* 17
Roproniidae 17
Russian Turkestan, H. of . . . 213
Sphex, Type of genus 163
Swarming hive bees 344
Synhalonia astragalina* . . .271
Texas, H. of 331
Venation of H 60
Vespa 25, 95
LEPIDOPTERA.
Anisota rubicunda 91
Anthocharis 28
genutia 131
Arctia virgo 128
Argynnis 342
Arizona, L. of 209, 232
Beinbecia inarginata 117
California, L. of, 20, 29, 33, 86, 96, 116, 134, 153. 235, 257, 283, 336.
Callimorpha 154, pi. vii
Callithea optima 33
Callosune zoe 33
Calosaturnia mendocino . . . .153
Catagramma atacama 33
cynosura . . . i, 33
Caterpillar and ants associated . 12
hairs causing disease 203
Catocala double-brooded . . . 344
Evolution in 30
Catopsilia statira 334
Cecropia 144
Ceratoinia catalpa: 280
Cingilia catenaria 55
Cocoons of Telea polyphcinus 275, 3io, 333.
Colorado, L. of 278
Crinodes biedermani* 209
Cyrestis elegans i , 33
Cystineura amymone 12
Desmia 121, 159, 2^S
Dimorphism in Papilio, Cause
of in
District of Columbia, L. of . . .90
Dyamine dionis 1 1
Eggs of L., Number of . . . 167
Elachistidae . 326
Eronia phoccea i, 33
Erycinidae 200
Eubagis dionis 1 1
Eureina albula 335
Fall web worm ....
Florida, L. of . . 7°
Gelechidse 326
Generic fantasies -17
Habrosyiit' rcctau^ida 94
Harrisimemna trisignata . 254,311' Heincrocainpa leucostigma . .167 Hesperid genera . 317
Hepialus sequoiolus . .19.153. : I Irtt'ropia nit'/on ari:t»n->i^!^~ . 232 Hibernation of L. . . . 90.
Holland's Moth P,o..k
VI
INDEX.
Hyphantria, English names of 238
Illice fauslinula 257
Illinois, L. of i, 31, 126
Indiana, L. of 31, 126, 280
Lemonias virg ulii 86
Lyccena emigdionis * 115
Mabille on Hesperidae . . . 199
Mamestra anguina 94
Maryland, L. of 91
Megathymuspolingi* . . . .232
Jlfelicleptria fanbria* 237
Memythrus spp 94
Mengel's Catalogue of Erycini-
dae 200
Mestra amymone 12
Microlepidoptera . . . . i, 323, 340
Migrations of L 334
Mounting L 245
Mt. Diablo, L. of . . . 235
New Hampshire, L. of .... 323
New Jersey, L. of . . 26, 83, 90, 91,
94, 131, 159, 2°i. 207, 248, 311,
340.
New York, L. of ...... 90, 207
Nomenia * 343
North Carolina, L. of . . 254
Oecophoridae 2, 326
Panthea fur cilia 94
Papilio 91, in, 312, 328
Pennsylvania, L. of . 248, 311, 340 Preparing wings to show vena- tion 28
Prionapteryx nebulifera . ... 12 Pseudotamila cartninatra . . . .88
Pterophoridae 324
Pyralidae 2
Rhodophora florida 329
Sainia gloveri . 156
Satyrus beJirii* 33
Sciapteron sinmlans 27
Sphinx luscHiosa 83
sequoia: 153
Swarming of L 90, 334
Temperature changing colors of L 340
Terias mexicana 31
Texas, L. of u
Thanaos pernigra * 34
Tineidae 326
Tortricidae 2, 324
Triprocris constant 23
Utah, L. of 92
Vanessa antiopa 340
Varina ornata 144
Vemtsia 342
Virginia, L. of 90
Washington, L. of 117
Week's Illustrations of Diur- nal L 274
West coast of U. S., Butterflies
of 336
West Virginia, L. of 85
Winter L 95, 245
Wisconsin, L. of 31, 126
Wright's Butterflies of West
coast U. S 336
Xylorictidae 326
Yponomeutidae 326
Zerene catenaria 55
NEUROPTERA.
British Columbia, Odonata of . 184 Central America, Collecting
dragonflies in 299
Color variation in Hesperag-
rion 312
Cordulegaster obliquus 3
Decoying dragonflies . . . . . 209
Illinois, Odonata of 3
Indiana, Odonata of 255
Ischnura erratica i ss
New Jersey, N. of . . 201, 248, 311 Oviposition of Odonata . .113, 255
Somatochlora linearis 6
Synipetrum spp 194, 195
Termites 29
ORTHOPTERA.
Antilles, O. of 173
Atlanticus 201
Brachypterism 22
INDEX.
VII
Costa Rica, O. of . .... 313
Destructiveness of Australian
roach 183
Florida, O. of 70, 216
Georgia, O. of 28
Melanophts itnpudicus 23
Mestobregma 259
Montreal, Blattidae of ...... 98
Morse on N. Amer. Acrididae . . 22 New Jersey, O. of .... 247, 312
New York, O. of 201
Orpliulella 341
balloui* 178
punctata . . . . 177, 178
Paraguay, O. of 37, 215
Pcriplaneta australasia: . . . .183
Plectrotettix varipes* 214
Radinotatum brevipennis . . . .28
Scolocephalus * 315
mirabilis * . . .315 Taxiarchus septentrionalis* . .314 Tenodera sinensis . . 247, 292, 311, 312, 341-
Tropinotus 215
" gracilis* 216
regularis* . . . .215 Utah, O. of . . 92
Zygoclistron* 39
trachystictum * . . .39
THYSANURA.
Entomobrya albicollis * Massachusetts, T. of . .
77 73
AUTHORS.
Adams, C. F. . 108
Ashmead, W. H 20, 213
Baker, C. F. . . 143, 264
Banks, N 251, 333
Billson, J. E 55
Blaisdell, F. E. . . 96
Bradley, J. C. . . . . 14, 6t
Brimley, C. S. . . 88
Britton, W. S 65,336
Brooks, F. E. . . 85
Brues, C. T 11, 89
Bruner, L 214,259,313
Buchholz, 0 27, 94, 204
Calvert, P. P., 318 and Index.
Caudell, A. N 216
Chagnon, G 35
Cockerel!, T. D. A., 9, 18, 52,
81, 88, 161, 270, 308, 331. Coverdale, G., 154 and PI. vii.
Daecke, E 12, 249
Davidson, A 233
Dyar, H. G 310
Fall, H. C 71, 129
Felt, E. P 79
Fernald, H. T 163, 196
Fox, W. J 25, 62, 95
Franklin, H. J 77
Girault,A. A., 105, 167, 220, 221, 287.
Graenicher, S 43
Grinnell, F., Jr., 33, 115, 134, 235,
340-
Grossbeck, J. A. . . . . 131
Haimbach, F., 121, 124, 245, 248
3u, 341-
Harbeck, H. S 310
Hardenberg, C. B 276
Herrick, G. W. . . . 281
Holland, W. J 278, 280
Houghton, C. 0 50, 210
Howard, L. 0 156
Jeheber, E in
Johnson, S. A 156
Kearfott, W. D 238
Kirkaldy, G. \V. 260
Knab, F 53, 230
Kolinsky, J 123
Kwiat, A 32, 64, 128
Laurent, P 89, 99
Lawrence, W. H 117
Lutz, F. E 202
Lyman, H. H 238
Melander, A. L 243
Moodie, R. L. . 138
Moore, R. M 203
Morrill, A. W. . 247
Vlll
INDEX.
Nason, W. A. . . i, 145, 168, 293
Needham, J. G 3
Osburn, R 184
Paxson, 0 327
Pilate, G. R So
Rehn, J. A. G. . . 23, 37, 173, 206
Riley, W. A 244
Ris, F 113
Sherman, F., Jr 7, 254
Skinner, H., 21, 24, 27, 28, 54, 55, 57, 63, 84, 87, 97, 120, 183, 199, 206, 209, 232, 239, 272, 274, 289, 312, 316, 336, 338, 342.
Slosson, A. T 67
Smith, E. J 88, 277
Smith. J. B 202, 308
Soule, C. G. . . 275, 333
Stevenson, C 94, 98
Summers, H. E 157, 333
Torre Bueno, J. R. de la . . 53, 83
Uhler, P. R 74
Van Duzee, E. P 263
Viereck, H. L 155
Weeks, A. C. . . . 31, 93, 208, 344
Weeks, H. C 279
Westcott, O. S 209
Wild, W 144
Wormsbacher 83
Williams, F. X., 19, 153, 235, 257,
283. Williamson, E. B. . . . 255, 299
JANUARY, 1905".
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVI. No. 1.
Cryptohalictoides spiniferus Viereck.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVE RT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
F.ZKA T. CRESSON. HENRY L. VIKRKCK. J. A. G. REHN.
PHILIP LAURENT. WILLIAM ]. FOX. CHARLES W. JOHNSON.
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as Second-Class Matter.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Published monthly, excepting July and August, in charge of the Entomological
Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,
and the American Entomological Society.
ANNUAL, SUBSCRIPTION, $1.OO IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada, $1.20.
Advertising Rates: 30 cents per square inch, single insertion ; a liberal discount
on longer insertions. No advertisement taken for less than
60 cents — Cash in advance.
All remittances should be addressed to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.
EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA.
ERNEST SWINHOE,
Cat. No. 13 for 1904 free. 37 Addison Gardens, London W , England
The only dealers' list giving authors' name throughout. As the varrous species are arranged under their generic names, this list affords an excellent reference for museums and collectors. Explanatory catalogue with over 300 descriptions and many interesting notes, 12 cents.
Fine series, illustrating "Mimicry" and "Seasonal Dimorphism," 100 named specimens, ist qua!., ex. Assam., 40 different species in papers, includ- ing P. bootes, gyas, etc., mailed free on receipt of Post Office Order, $4.00
QOIC _Noctuidae collected during UnLL October and November in lots of 25 specimens, including 2 each of Scopelosoma mof- fatiana, tristigmata, walkeri, morrisoni, Xylina grotei, etc., $2.00, prepaid by mail.
HENRY ENGEL, Box 35, Oak Station P. P., Allegheny Co., Pa.
SUPPLEMENT
TO
ENTOMOLOGISTS' DIRECTORY
OK MARCH, 19OO
has now been published. It contains Changes in Ad- dresses, Special Study, etc., New Names, with addresses, etc., and other information. A copy will be sent gratis to those who have subscribed to the Directory, copies of which can still be had at 50 cents each. Address
E T. CRESSON, Treasurer,
American Entomological Society,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.
When Writing Please Mention " Entomological News."
NEWS, Vol. XVI.
PI. I.
EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVI.
JANUARY, 1905.
No. i.
CONTENTS:
Frontispiece i
Nason — Micro-lepicloptera from Algon- quin, Illinois... i
Needham — Two Elusive Dragonflies. .. 3 Sh-rman— The Flat-bugs (Aradidse) of
North Carolina 7
Cockerell — Some Amer. Hymenoptera 9 Brues — The Occurrence of a Tropical
Butterfly in the United Sta'es 11
Daecke — Notes on Prionapteryx nebuli- fera Steph 12
Bradley — Ropronia, an Anomalous Hy-
menopteron 14
. Williams — The larva of Hepialussequo-
iolus Behrens 19
Ashrnead — A new Thrips from the Phil- ippine Islands 20
Editorial 21
Entomological Literature 22
Doings of Societies 23
Our frontispiece this month was made direct from specimens in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- delphia, by the Photo-chromotype Company of Philadelphia. This is one of the largest companies in America doing this line of work. The specimens represented are as follows : Rronia phocfca Felder, from the Philippines. Cyrestis elegans Bois- duval, from Madagascar. Catagramma cynosura Doubl.-Hew., from Brazil.
Micro-Lepidoptera of Algonquin, Illinois.
By \VILLIAI\I A. XASON, M.D.
- The following list includes species of Lepidoptera of the families of Pyralidte, TortricicUe and other '• micros' ar- ranged in the order given in Dyar's " List of North American Lepidoptera." The list is interesting from the fact that it adds to our knowledge of the geographical distribution of species; and also from the fact that the place of capture is peculiar in its faunal relations.
The town of Algonquin is situated fifty miles northwest, of the city of Chicago, and less than thirty miles, in a direct line,
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
west of the shores of L/ake Michigan. It is located on the Fox River, which flows south, through the Illinois River, into the Mississippi. Hence the fauna partakes in charac- ter more of that of the Mississippi Basin than that of the Great Lake region— a fact which is proven by comparing the list as given below with the localities as given by Dyar in the work quoted above.
Mr. W. D. Kearfott kindly determined the species.
PYRALID^E.
Glaphria glaphryalis Guenee. Pyralis farinalis Limucus.
Desmia funeralis Hubner. Herculia cohortalis Grote. Evergestis straminalis Hiibner. olinalis Guenee.
Crocidophora serratissimalis Zeller himonialis Zeller.
Nomophila noc\.u&\\a.Denis&Schiff Schcenobius tripunctellusfiobinson.
Phlyctaenia ferrugalis Hubner. Crambus laqueatellus Clemens. Pyrausta aeglealis Walker. alboclavellus Zeller.
thestealis Walker. albellus Clemens.
penitalis Grote. \\ori\ie\\usHnbner.
borealis Packard. vulgivagellus Clemens.
Nymphula badiusalis Walker. ruricolellus Zeller.
obscuralis Grote. interminellus Walker.
obliteralis Walker. caliginosellus Clemens.
Elophila magnificalis Hubner. Argyria nivalis Dntry.
fulicalis Clemens. Plodia interpunctella Hiibner. Scoparia basalis Walker.
TORTRICID^.
Exartema fascia tanum Clemens. Epagoge sulfureana Clemens.
Olethreutes nimbatana Clemens. Capua furcatana }}7alker.
hebesana Walker. Coelostathma discopunctana Clem-
coruscana Clemens. ens.
constellatana Zeller. Archips rosaceana Harris.
instrutana Clemens. cerasivorana Fitch.
Eucosma strenuana Walker. obsoletana Walker.
illotana Walsingham. fervidana Clemens.
otiosana Clemens. clemensiana Fernald.
Thiodia signatana Clemens. Platynota sentana Clemens.
Proteopteryx deludana Clemens. Pandemis limitata-J?odinson.
spoliana Clemens. Tortrix pallorana Robinson. Ancylis comptana Fr lich. albicomana Clemens.
Cydia pomonella Linnceus. fumiferana Clemens.
CECOPHORIDyE. Depressaria heracliana De Geer. Semioscopsis packardellaCtemens.
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
Two Elusive Dragon-flies.
BY JAMES G. NEEDHAM.
During three summers spent in Lake Forest I have been much afield, and have always kept a sharp lookout for dragon- flies, which, after the first of June, are very common. Each year I have seen the shadowy form of one I could not capture. Sometimes I would flush it beside a woodland path, and it would disappear at single sweep among the treetops. Some- times it would be seen speeding along high over head, appar- ently coursing for insect prey, but I never saw it at rest, and I could not distinguish its type of coloration. From its size and manner of flight I concluded it must be either a Cordnlc- gastcr or a Afacroniia, and there the matter rested for five years, with often a flash of wings and a vanishing shadow among the trees to remind me of a task of observation incom- pleted.
During the past spring I have collected from a number of the puny streams that enter Lake Michigan along the ' ' North Shore," and in all of them have found nymphs of Cordnlc- gaster. Grow^n specimens were repeatedly taken during May in a seine drawn for minnows, and on May 24th, while seining out a small pool in a stream, a single newly transformed adult was found upon the bank. It was Cord nlc^ aster obliquus Say.
On June 26th I was surprised to see one sitting on a reed close to the ground in a w^ood in front of my house ; I was still more surprised at being able to capture it /;/ my hat. A careful bit of stalking and a good stroke did it. This was a a female that had wrandered at least two miles from any stream suitable for the abode of its offspring.
As this specimen was fully mature I thought that perhaps, by visiting the stream in which I had found the nymphs most abundant, I might be able to make some observations on the habits of the adult. Such observations are much needed. So good an observer of dragonflies as the late Professor Kelli- cott wrote of the Cordulegasterinae in his Odonata of Ohio, p. 74, " I have seen so few specimens on the wing that I do not feel justified in giving anything of their habits in the field," and among the few notes concerning C. obliyitHs, there are
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
chance remarks indicating that others have likewise found it elusive (see Williamson: ENT. NEWS, Vol. XIII. p. no). So on the afternoon of the following day, June ayth, I betook myself to the largest of our north-shore streamlets, called by courtesy Pettibone Creek, whose south branch flows through a fine bit of native oak woods. In this south branch are many deep and shadowy pools overhung with spreading clumps of witch hazel, and the connecting streamlet is hardly more than a rivulet, winding among small moss-grown boulders or cut- ting under green banks of grass and sedge.
The pools are the home of the Cordulegaster nymphs. They lie on the bottom covered by the silt. They do not bur- row, but descend into the silt by raking it out from beneath with their legs. Then when deep enough they kick it up over their backs and hide themselves absolutely against observation, having only the sharp upper angles of the eyes, the sensitive antennae and frontal fringe, and the respiratory aperture at the tip of the abdomen exposed. Thus they lie in ambush, wholly inactive, unless the wandering near of some mayfly nymph (here Leptophlebia p&pcdita Etn.) or gnat larva in- vites a thrust of the enormous grasping labium. They have competitors for this food, also dwelling in the pools, chiefly the red-bellied minnow, and the black-nosed dace.
I hoped this afternoon to discover cast nymph skins beside the stream, to find the male which had as yet escaped me, and to observe the female ovipositing, as well as to attend to another matter to be mentioned further on. On first approach I saw a fine male sitting upon a stout reed over the stream, at once he dashed off into the woods. Soon I saw another coursing low over the narrow part of the stream, here almost blocked with overgrown clumps of cowslip and water plantain. His beat was the narrow and sinuous lane which the stream cuts through the deep and bottom land herbage. I let him pass once and then took my place beside this lane ; presently back he came, after the manner of his kind, directly over the water. A quick sweep of the net brought lip from behind just as he was pas^ ing, and I had my first male specimen fluttering inside. I caught another on another beat, but the half dozen or more
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5
that I flushed from sunny openings in the bottomland gave me no chance whatever of capture.
I found cast skins, also, half a dozen of them in all ; but these were unusually hard to find, being heavily covered with bottom silt, which matches well the trash in which they lie. All were within a foot of the water's edge, and all but one lay flat upon the ground.
The nymph of C. obliquus is in general appearance very like those of half a dozen other species of the genus. It agrees with the brief description given by Dr. Hagen for a Texas specimen (from the collection of the late lamented Mr. Me- Lachlan) which he referred to "this species (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., XI, 291, 1885), except in size. The largest female nymph I found measures in total length 39 mm., abdomen 25 mm., hind femur 6 mm. ; width of head 8 mm., of abdomen 10 mm. The whole body is densely clothed with stiff hairs, and these hold a complete investment of silt. When one cleans a nymph carefully with a soft brush (it is a prolonged and tedi- ous operation), he finds beneath the silt quite as much of color pattern as is usually shown by dragonfly nymphs. The frontal fringe of stiff radiately arranged bristles comes out more clearly also, and a tuft of black bristles above each lateral ocellus. The " epaulets" of the prothorax are large, obliquely oval, and are fringed on their external margins with stiff bristles. The legs are short, yellowish, with interrupted apical and subapical rings of fuscous appearing on all the femora. The wing tips reach the base of the fifth abdominal segment. The abdomen is without dorsal hooks, but there are stout straight lateral spines on segments eight and nine, the one on the ninth segment slightly larger and equaling in length half the length of the segment. Dr. Hagen mentiom-d these spines, but he omitted to notice the other diagnostic characters, which are in the armature of the labium. There are six lateral seta?, and about thirteen seta- on the mentum each side, the outermost eight stronger and in a close set series. The bifid middle tooth of the labium is much as in C. dia stii top*.
I did not observe the female ovipositing, as 1 had hoped to do.
6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
But I had another errand dragonfly at Pettibone Creek this afternoon. In May I had found a single nymph of a species of Somatochlora in the rapid portion of the stream between two pools. I took it home alive, and a visitor to my labora- tory (who meant well), fed it to the fishes in the aquarium. I went again to the creek, and with considerable searching, found three more. All were clinging to matted sedge roots in the edge of the current, and were obtained by stripping the mats upward with a little sieve dipper. I had never seen a live imago of Somatochlora in Illinois and I thought this after- noon I might find one, or, more probably, find some empty nymph skins to supplement my scanty supply of the nymphs.
Dame fortune was kind. On the very bank that trailed in the undercutting stream the root mats from which I had taken the nymphs, there sat a fine male of Somatochlora lincaris beside its recently abandoned skin ; a few feet distant sat sim- ilarly an equally fine female, and I took them both in out of the weather.
Within ten feet of the two images I found a dozen nymph skins of the same species, clinging to the grass up which they had climbed none of them more than a foot above the surface of the water.
These proved to be the same species as the nymph I have already described (in Bull. 68, N. Y. State Museum, p. 269), as Somatochlora sp. No. 2, a live specimen of which came into my possession at Ithaca eight years ago, and was lost through my own ignorance. They are older, and dirtier, and do not show the color pattern I there described ; but they are no doubt the same species ; no other images were seen. But I had enough for one afternoon. Any naturalist who has been long baffled in seeking acquaintance with some little resident of his own neighborhood will understand my feeling of satisfaction at having made some progress knowing these two shy favorites of mine. How delightful had been this afternoon. It had yielded me new life history material ; it had furnished the keys to long standing puzzles, and it had provided me choice specimens to be shared with my friends who love them, and who have generously shared their own treasures with me. Are not these the abiding pleasures of a naturalist ?
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 7
The Flat-bugs (Aradidae) of North Carolina. BY FRANKLIN SHERMAN, JR.
(Entomologist Dept. Agr., Raleigh, N. C.)
Although the following list is no doubt incomplete it is thought well to publish it at this time, as it represents consider- able work that has been done in collecting the Aradidae of this State. Two species are included on the authority of Bergroth ; all the others have been collected in the last two or three years, the identifications having been made by Mr. Otto Heidemann, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Mr. W. F. Fiske, of the Bureau of Entomology, has col- lected this family to a considerable extent in the vicinity of of Tryon, N. C., and Heidemann has recently described several new species from his material (in Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash- ington). The author has collected considerably at Raleigh and on Cape Hatteras, and these three localities represent, respectively, the mountain, middle, and sandy coast regions of the State, and should make a good exhibit of the diversity of forms found.
I regret that I am not able to present this list entirely in the order of their natural sequence. The signs (W), (C), and (E), immediately after the name of the locality denote whether it is in the west, central, or eastern portions of the State.
1. Aradus robustus Uhl.
Cape Hatteras (E), January, 1903, F. Sherman.
2. Aradus similis Say.
Goldsboro (E), May 2, 1901, Sherman.
Tryon (W), April 9, December 14, 1903, under bark of gir- dled elm, \V. F. Fiske.
3. Aradus quadrilineatus Say
North Carolina (E) Bergroth (see Proc. Ent. Soc. of YVush'n, Vol. II., p. 335).
4- Aradus rectns Say.
Raleigh (C), June 30, 1902, F. Sherman. 5. Aradus fallen! Stal.
Raleigh (C), June 28, 1903, May, r, 7, 1904, F. Sherman.
Tryon (\Vj, May 30, 1903, at light, YV. F. Fiske.
8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
6. Aradus niger Stal.
Southern Pines (S. E. >, January, 1904, F. Sliennan.
7. Aradus acutus Say.
Southern Pines (S. E.), March, 1904, very dark specimens, F. Sherman.
Tryon (W), April 17, 1903, beneath bark of rotten oak, W. F. Fiske.
8. Aradus crenatus Say.
Tryon (W), April 4, 7, 17, 1903, under bark of dead tulip tree, W. F. Fiske.
9. Aradus cinnamomeus Panzer.
Tryon ( W), 1903, common in spring and early summer, on large pine tree. Many caught in pitch from wound, W. F. Fiske.
10. Brachyrhynchus lobatus Say.
Raleigh (C), April 6, 1902, dead when taken, F. Sherman.
1 1 . Brachyrhynchus granulatus Say.
Cape Hatteras (E), January, 1903, F. Sherman.
Littleton (N. E.), April 2, 1902, F. Sherman.
Tryon (W), March 6, April 9, 1903, numerous on yellow pine, dead some years, and under bark of dead maples. No- vember 17, 1903, under bark of chestnut felled last spring, \Y. F. Fiske.
12. Brachyrhynchus simplex Uhler.
Cape Hatteras (E), January, 1903, many under bark of fallen log, F. Sherman.
Raleigh (C), March 17, 1902, under bark of fence post, F. Sherman.
13. Brachyrhynchus moestus Stal.
Cape Hatteras (E), January, 1903, abundant under bark of fallen log, F. Sherman.
14. Brachyrhynchus ovatus Stal.
North Carolina (E) Bergroth (see Proc. Em. Soc. of \Vush' n, Vol. II., p. 336),
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 9
15. Neuroctenus pseudonymus Bergroth.
Mr. Heideman states that this species was originally de- scribed from North Carolina.
Saluda ( W), May 20, 1903, beneath bark of decaying chest- nut, W. F. Fiske.
1 6. Neuroctenus elongatus Osborn
Try on (W), April 3, 1903, beneath bark of decaying chest- nut, W. F. Fiske.
17. Neuroctenus hopkinsi Heidemann.
Hendersonville (W), May 26, 1903, under bark of fallen white pine, W. F. Fiske.
1 8. Neuroctenus simplex Uhler.
Tryon(W), March 9, November 17, 18, 1903, beneath oak bark, \V. F. Fiske.
Saluda (W\ March 25, 1903, W. F. Fiske.
19. Aneurus fiskei Heidemann. Tryon, May 21, 1903, W. F. Fiske.
Some American Hymenoptera. By T. I). A. COCKERELL.
Halictus armaticeps Cresson, var. 7.
Smaller than usual, and more or less reddened ; sometimes the first two abdominal segments of the female bright ferruginous ; head of the female large, broader than thorax.
Because of the large head, this cannot well be referred to var. /e.ran/is (Cresson). It has rather a distinct aspect, but I find no satisfactory characters for specific separation.
Ilab. — La Cueva, Organ Mts., New Mexico, about 5300 feet, Sept. 3 and 4, both sexes (C. H. T. To^nsend} ; Mesilla, New Mexico, June 24, one 9 (Cockerell).
Monidia, n. n. (!\Ionia, Westwood, Tr. Knt. Soc. London, 1875; not Gray, 1849). Type Monidia g-risca {Mouia ^risea, Westwood). Mexico. Length about 8 mm.
Dianthidium parvum (Cresson).
A cell found at Las Vegas, N. M., consisting of resin and small stones, contained an immature but quite recognisable
10 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
D. parritin. This affords further support to the opinion that all species of Dianthidium make resin nests.
Exomalopsis verbesinae Ckll.
Tempe, Arizona, one 9 at flowers of Hctcrothcca , in October (Cockerell). This species is certainly not an Anthophorida ; it is allied to E. solani, but smaller and narrower, with redder tegulae and more brightly-colored antennae. It is new to Arizona.
Exomalopsis solidaginis Ckll.
La Cueva, Organ Mountains, New Mexico, about 5300 feet, September 5, at flowers of Lippia u>rightii, 3 £ (C. H. T. Toivnscnd}. These are a little larger than the type, with the hair averaging paler. It is not impossible that they represent the male of E. solani .
The three forms of Exomalopsis s. str. found in the United vStates may be separated thus :
Abdomen thinly but copiously hairy, the bases of the segments not contrasting, nor the hind margins with white bands ; flagellum not brightly colored beneath ; males solidaginis Ckll.
Abdomen with narrow white marginal hair-bands ; females. . . . . i i. Larger and broader; tegulae piceous solani Ckll.
Smaller and narrower ; tegulae dark brown or reddish , antenna; more brightly colored verbesiiur Ckll.
All the others (sides Ckll., coquillctti Ashm., tcxana Friese, bruncti Crawf., coinpactulus Ckll.,) have in the male the light clypeus of the group Anthophorula. Odynerus rufinodus Cresson.
I took this at Mesilla Park. New Mexico, June 14. The insect is closely allied to O. bellulus Cresson, and has been confused with it. The females of the two are easily separated as follows, the notes on bellulus being derived from Cresson' s type in the U. S. National Museum.
O. ruji nodus Cr. Second abdominal segment without the lateral yellow spots of bellulus ; post scutellum black ; meso- thorax with a median black line ; front without a yellow mark ; rlvpeus black ; head and thorax larger. New Mexico.
O. bellulus Cr. Second abdominal segment with a yellow spot on each side; post-scutellum ferruginous; mesothorax
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II
without a median black line ; front with a yellow mark ; cly- peus rufous, upper margin broadly yellow. Texas.
Both have ferruginous legs, a yellow patch on pleura just below tegula, and four-dentate mandibles, the innermost tooth rudimentary.
«•»
The Occurrence of a Tropical Butterfly in the
United States.
By C. T. BRUES.
During the month of October, 1899, while collecting insects along the bed of a dried up creek near Austin, Texas, I noticed among the large numbers of butterflies which frequent such places a peculiar species which later proved to be AWw;>7.v {Dynamine) dionis Hubn.** ** (I have examined specimens of the species in the American Museum of Natural History, and there can be no doubt of its identity). This was the first and last time that I have observed it, although the three following years were spent collecting in the same vicinity. At the time there wrere numbers of them flying about the mud holes still remaining along the course of the stream, which annually dries up during the summer months. All were in fresh condition, and there can be no doubt that they had been breeding in the locality. What may have been their larval food plant I can- not suggest, as their normal one seems to be unknown.
The genus Eubagis is strictly neotropical and is represented by some thirty species from Mexico, Central America and South America. According to a note under the species in question in the Biologia Centrali Americana, this form is re- stricted to Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and the opinion is held that it is peculiar to Central America.
Whence came the numerous specimens in central Texas would be hard to say, especially since they seemed to be breed- ing there. Apparently the summer had been very favorable for the development of insects as Hymenoptera and Diptera were more abundant than I have ever seen them in that part of the country. Among the butterflies, another southern spe-
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan. , '05
cies Jllestra (^Cysthicura) amymonc which is usually restricted in its northern distribution to the extreme southern portion of Texas was very common about Austin. In fact dozens of them could be captured hovering about the bushes of Eisenhardtia on the University campus. In former years they were much less numerous although an occasional specimen could be found.'
So far as I could ascertain no especially severe or protracted southerly winds had been experienced there during the summer, such as.those which sometimes serve to carry large L/epidoptera for great distances.
Whether the Enbagis will ever establish itself as a perma- nent inhabitant of this locality remains to be seen.
Notes on Prionapteryx nebulifera Steph. By ERICH D.-ECKE, Phila., Pa.
(See Plate II.)
The stunted growth of an isolated patch of huckleberry bushes attracted my attention while collecting at lona, N. J., May 26, 1902. The bushes were hardly eight inches high growing on a stretch of white sand so commonly found on the pine barrens of southern New Jersey. The partial absence of leaves on the bushes evidently indicated the work of some insects, and looking closer I found that almost every stem was thickened by a tube of white sand loosely spun together, lead- ing from the ground and diverging to the various branches. Whenever a branch was defoliated the sand tubes were rather dilapidated and partly missing, but the sand tubes leading to fresh clusters of leaves looked as if they were of recent con- struction. I opened one of these tubes, searched downward, and reached a nest of minute black ants Prcnolcpis parvula Mayr., about three inches below the surface of the ground. It did not seem probable that these little ants could consume the leaves of huckleberry, and the fact that the sand of these tubes was put together by fine silken threads, left no doubt that some Lepidopterous caterpillar was responsible for the con- struction of these tubes, but I could not find a trace of a raU-rpillar that day. I visited the place again, and after searching diligently, found a very active and evasive cater-
ENT. \K\VS. Vol. XVI.
PI. II.
ON PRIONAPTERYX NEBULIFERA STEPH. DAECKE.
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13
pillar eagerly trying to conceal itself under the sand. Search- ing further I found one sand tube leading underground and terminating into a bag-shaped cocoon which contained a healthy Lepidopterous pupa, and from which emerged a fine specimen of Prionaptery.\' ncbulifera, June 26, 1902.
The identity of the moth was established, but there re- mained one physiological question unsolved. Why do the ants and caterpillars live together in these sand tunnels ? The caterpillars undoubtedly do the spinning, but it does not seem
to be the nature of a caterpillar to carry sand, especially as it had to be done seven or eight inches in a ver- tical direction. An ant cannot spin, but is particularly adapted to carry- ing grains of sand. Here I was con- fronted with a strange and interest- ing proposition, namely : do these ants and caterpillars co- operate in the building of this structure ?
To ascertain this I visited the place once more, but every trace of the colony had disappeared. I searched in vain for specimens all summer of 1903. At last, it was May 21, 1904, one more specimen was found at Brown's Mill Junction, N. J. This time the food plant was sand myrtle, Dcndrimn bn. \ifo- liitm Desv. The caterpillar was there and the ants were there. I carefully opened the burrow and found as before that it lead to a small cavity underground inhabited by ants, but close examination proved it to be nothing else but a chamber in which the caterpillar deposited its excreta and the ants act- ing as some sort of scavenger. This cavity is built on an angle, while the cocoon is built vertically from the tube as soon as the caterpillar is ready to pupate.
For further observation I secured the caterpillar and dug out a small bush of sand myrtle, which, reaching home, I planted in a flower pot, released the caterpillar thereon and covered the pot with a glass closely fitting to the edge of the pot. The caterpillar began to work immediately, and in two days had built a tube along the stem of the myrtle high enough to reach the nearest leaves for food. This proved
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
conclusively that the auts had nothing to do with the tube building. I observed the caterpillar for two weeks. The tube being added to only in the forenoon at the rate of one to two inches per day. At no time was the caterpillar visible, and it would build all around the leaves before feeding. One inter- esting fact seemed to me worthy of note, that when no twig was available to the nearest cluster of leaves, it would erect the tube free in a straight line towards it, though the sense of sight must be out of question. By some instinct the direction of the nearest food is known though the caterpillar is encased.
Ropronia, an anomalous Hymenopteron.
By J. CHESTER BRADLEY, Ithaca, N. Y. In every natural scheme of classification in zoology one must expect to find intermediate forms between the groups that tend to link them together. Were all such forms that have existed still in existence, classification would be impossible. It is only by the loss of connecting links that we are able to define groups at all. This loss may occur in two ways, either by total extinction, or the link although in main preserved to us may itself have specialized at least along certain lines during the ages, so that the resulting form to-day may be very far different from what the original link was.
Let us consider a diagram in which A represents a type of B c animal in past ages. At D suppose a divergence
in descent which by multiplication along success- ful lines of specialization has formed two large families, B and C. Then D represents a form which is a connecting link between these families. This may in rare cases be preserved to us at E without change, in which case the determination of 'its true relations becomes a comparatively simple matter. But suppose the link D has continued to specialize along unsuccessful lines so that it has not flourished as B and C have. Many characters of B, and many of C, may be retained, and others once characteristic of A, may be retained, but lost in B and C. These latter may
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15
still be preserved in far distant groups. Other characteristics may be acquired different from either B or C. L,et us suppose that the old form D and most of the line D-E has been so un- successful as to be entirely lost, and we find two large families, B and C, but along D-E only a single form left. Such a rem- nant is termed aberrant or anomalous, and it becomes a great problem to systematists to understand its peculiar relations. Such forms are found in every large group, and it is with one such that we have here to deal. The older systematists gen- erally threw all such occurring in a group together, thus form- ing an unnatural heterogeneous sub-group, which is unques- tionably the easiest way to treat them, although admittedly a temporary makeshift. This treatment has also been induced by the fact that such forms are apt to retain certain ancient characteristics in common which may have become lost by the groups to which they are really most nearly related. Another almost equally great, although less artificial mistake, is to in- clude them as aberrant members of some family with which they have some character in common, or which they seem most nearly to approximate. It is far more apt to be the case that these so called aberrants, as in the case of E in the diagram, are the sole remnants of a perhaps never large or successful group, but equally distinct from B and C. To the objection that to recognize all such groups as distinct would multiply to un wieldly proportions our classification, we answer that the purpose of classification is not merely to act as a convenience for students in determining species, but to express conceptions of natural relationship.
The true relations of such anomalies as we have been dis- cussing can only be determined, if, at all, by exhaustive study of the taxonomic value of all, or at least the most important characters of the animals forming the groups in question. Only in this way can a conclusion fairly be drawn. In the Hymen- optera it is probable that no character would shed such light as the wing venation. But so great is the complex in the Parasitica that it means years of labor before their classifica- tion can be properly worked out from that basis and correlated with other characters.
l6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
Some years ago Mr. W. Hague Harrington collected near Ottawa, Canada, a strange Hymenopteron which somewhat resembled an Evania with a red abdomen. This he sent to L/Abbe Provancher who described it as generically and speci- fically new to science under the name Ropronia pcdiculata. It was very evidently an anomaly, and Provancher in an attempt to account for it placed it in a group of Braconidae which he called Flexitiventres. He considered it allied with the Ichneu- mons from its general appearance, and on account of the ab- sence of the second recurrent nervure he placed it as a Braconid. But there is no known member of the Ichneumonoidea that has the costa and radius separate, thus forming a distinct costal cell, except Stephanidee, and the small and peculiar family Evaniidse, which has been generally used as a dumping ground for almost any anomalous Hymenopteron that would not fit elsewhere. Provancher felt that Braconidae was not the right group, for a little later he changed its position to the Helorinse in the Proctotrypidae. This explained the presence of a costal cell. In fact the whole wing venation bears a superficial resemblance to Helorus. But when Dr. Ashmead seven or eight years later came to write his monograph of the Proctotrypidae, he gave voice to the belief that it was a Bra- conid of the subfamily Pachylomatinse. This conclusion was based on Provancher's description and figure of the wing. L,ater Dr. Ashmead described from males two new species and erected the family Heloridae in the Proctotrypoidea, containing two subfamilies and three genera. The second subfamily, Monomachinae, contained Ropronia, and also the highly anoma- lous South American Monomachus. That is what has been done with Ropronia to date, and that is where it is apt to stay for a while. But we all have a right to our own opinion, and I must confess to inability to agree with Dr. Ashmead.
My attention was first called to the insect in 1903 while col- lecting near Philadelphia. I was so fortunate as to take a 9 of garmani Ashin. The description and figure of this appeared in the June, 1904, number of the " NEWS," the first figure of the genus ever published except Provancher's cut of the wing. Last July while collecting near Ithaca, N. Y. , Dr. Mac Gilli-
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 1 7
vray took a 9 of a species new to science which he has kindly permitted me to describe below.
There remains for Ropronia only a choice of the Ichneumo- noidea or Proctotrypoidea or of a new superfamily between them. In the Aculeates and Proctotrypoidea the arrangement of the abdominal segments is such as to make the sting-like ovipositor arise from the apex of the abdomen ; in the Ichneu- monoidea it arises apparently from the ventral surface anterior to the apex, caused by a modification of the ventral segments. A study of the two 9 's of Ropronia proves to my satisfaction, although not beyond the limits of doubt, that the arrange- ment in Ropronia is of the Ichneumonoid type, but other char- acters, such as the chitiuization of the ventral segments, the nature and insertion of the petiole, the head and the wing venation are not like those of Ichneumonids, excepting per- haps Evaniidse. It is evident to me that we have an old type perhaps greatly modified, as in the hypothetical case of E in the diagram. Its true relations will continue a matter of doubt until some one works out from exhaustive and system- atic study the phylogeny of the parasitic Hymenoptera. Until this be done, I shall personally consider it as representing a distinct family, — ROPRONIIDAE between Ichneumonidae and Evaniidae. Of one thing I am certain, that it has no close affinities with Monomackus in which the type of abdomen is Proctotrypoid, and the shape utterly different ; in fact there are no characters in common except a superficial similarity in wing venation, which may mean, so far as we know, perhaps much, perhaps nothing at all.
Ropronia ashmeadii n. sp.
9 Dull black, abdomen except petiole, front femora except basal third, front tibia and base of tarsi bright red.
/ Head seen from above transverse quadrate, the eyes prominent, the distance behind them considerable ; occiput rather sharply angled ; man- dibles black, bidentate, clypeus evenly rounded ; face in front slightly swollen mesally below the antenna-, very irregularly roughened by sharp irregular wrinkles, interspersed with shallow punctures i>l var i<>u> sixes, in a row around the edge of the rather small eyes and on the temples and cheeks sub-regularly quadro-reticulate ; above the antenna- the wrinkles are less irregular, drawn out into long reticulations, again shallow
l8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
and irregular on the occiput, with a tendency toward radiation from the ocelli ; antennae filiform, fonrteen-jointed, scape shorter than fourth joint, second joint about half the length of the third joint, latter longer, than fourth.
Collar rather broad, pronotum extending back to tegulse ; humeral angels rounded ; mesonotum with large roundish punctures, almost reti- culate with broad meshes, a small area in the middle of the front mar- ginal portion with numerous very fine elongate punctures ; parapsidal lines distinct ; pleura rather similarly sculptured to dorsum, a hollowed area above the middle legs which is nearly devoid of punctures and smoothly polished ; venter minutely and shallowly punctate ; rest of dor- sum and propodeum punctured about as mesonotum ; post-scutellum mesally raised into a distinct peg-like vertical short spine, sides of post- scutellum more or less smooth polished ; propodeum very convex, over- hanging the insertion of the petiole ; legs short, claws without more than one or two fine bristle-like pectinations, which are perhaps mere bristles.
Wings tinged slightly smoky, a darker spot beneath the stigma, vena- tion as normal in the genus. Abdomen polished, ovipositor not exserted. Length 6.5 mm.
One female, taken 'by Dr. A. D. Mac Gillivray while collect- ing in company with the author along the side of a wooded road, in the Larch Meadow, just south of Ithaca, New York, July 9, 1904. I am much indebted to Dr. Mac Gillivray for permitting me to study this interesting specimen.
I take pleasure in dedicating this species to Dr. Ashmead, who has already made known to science two species of the genus. The species differs from pediculata Prov. most dis- tinctly in the process of the post-scutellum.
Type in the collection of Cornell University.
It is possible that this species and calif arnica Ashm. with elevated post-scutellum and non-pectinated claws are generi- cally distinct f rom garmani and pediculata.
LEPTOGLOSSUS X.ONATUS Dallas. — Professor R. H. Forbes has sent me a number of specimens of this species (kindly identified by Mr. Heidemann) which he collected at San Ignacio, Lower California. He also reports the insect from Santa Agneda, and concludes from his obser- vations that it is a very dangerous pest. Its habits appear to be similar to those of the closely allied L. phyllopus ; Prof. Forbes observed it to attack limes, oranges, watermelons, dates, and in one instance a green cotton boll. At the same time Prof. Forbes sent some insects which were said to be killing the orange trees at Hermosillo, Sonora. They are Iccrya f>nrchasi Maskell. — T. D. A. COCKERELL.
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 19
The Larva of Hepialus sequoiolus Behrens. By FRANCIS X. WILLIAMS, San Francisco, Cal.
The larva of this interesting moth has, so far as I know, never been found or described, so I give herewith the result of my observations upon the species.
Mature larva — Head slightly bilobed, rounded, partly retracted under segment i, shining reddish-brown black towards mouth-parts; antenna' normal, spinneret slender. Ocelli 6 in two parallel rows. Width of head 4 mm. A few hairs arising from head. Body cylindrical, much wrinkled, slender ; segments 2 and 3 somewhat swollen, 12 and 13 tapering. Larger abdominal segments subdivided into four distinct wrinkles, other seg- ments subdivided less distinctly. Thoracic segments, first wrinkle of first abdominal and last half of segment 12, segment 13 and prolegs of a dirty white color, rest of body wood-brown. Body adorned with plates and tubercles, all bearing brownish hairs, and regularly arranged. The substigmatal tubercles are smaller than the superstigmatal. Thoracic legs yellowish, darker towards tips, and bearing a few hairs. A small hair caudad of each leg ; prolegs normal. A large amber-colored dorsal plate on each thoracic segment, that of 2 and 3 smaller and darker on edges. Segment i. — Dorsal plate roughly trapezoidal, extending laterad almost to stigma, stigma black, oval, larger than following. Above stigma on plate a large black piliferous spot. Directly between spot and stigma on plate, a small hair. On anterior portion of plate extending laterad a transverse row of five superstigmatal hairs, the two lowest close together. One substigmatal tubercle bearing two hairs. Segment 2.— Dorsal plate on wrinkle 2, oblong, pointed, bearing two hairs ; behind dorsal plate two large bilobed subdorsal plates each bearing four hairs. Extending laterad, two rows of tubercles of two tubercles each ; one, large and conical on fold, one on fold 2 and other two on fold 3. Segment 3. — Dorsal and subdorsal plates smaller than in segment 2, and two large tubercles be- tween subdorsal plates ; lateral arrangement same as in segment 2. Ab- dominal segments. — On each side of segments, except 13, four super- stigmatal tubercles in two transverse rows on fold 2 and 3 respectively. On segments 6-9, two oblique rows of substigmatal tubercles of two and four tubercles each, the first row beginning almost on the stigmatal line, found also on segments 4, 5, 10 and u ; the second row encircling the outer base of prolegs. Between prolegs two hairs. One larger dorso- lateral two-haired tubercle on segments 4, 5, 10, n and 12. Between tubercles, a transverse row of small ventral tubercles four on segments 4 and 5, two on 10, 1 1 and 12. On segments 5 and 10 an additional row of two very small flat tubercles. On segment 12 three lateral tubercK-x .1 continuation of second superstigmatal row. Segment 13 : anal plate roughly triangular bearing two pairs of subdorsal hairs and two ant' ones; a few ventral hairs, some on prolegs. Length of body 44 mm.
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
Width 5.90 mm. Described from one- living larva and several alcoholic specimens. Measurements taken from a large specimen, some larvse being only 34 mm. long when fully grown ; this is not surprising, how- ever, as the imagos also vary greatly in size.
Have found the larva in the stems of Eriophyllum- stffdifo- linm and in the root of Helenium pubernhon but most fre- quently in the large yellow lupine. The larva bores longitu- dinal passages just above ground or a little under, turning its burrow at right angles and usually closing its opening with excrement. I have taken from the same plant, Hepialns larvae some about one-third and others full grown ; I should judge therefore that the larval life is about two years. Have found larvae in last stage from June to this date, December. They are very active, moving backwards easily. They should be put in separate vials or receptacles when collected other- wise they will invariably bite off each other's thoracic legs, and otherwise mutilate each other. H. sequoiolus is not rare in the vicinity of San Francisco where I collected larvae of the same ; it is also taken in Alameda and Mendicino counties.
A New Thrips from the Philippine Islands.
By WILLIAM H. ASHMEAD, M. A., D. Sc. Among some parasitic Hymenoptera sent me by Father Robert E. Brown, of Manila, I found a single specimen of a Thrips, and, since these insects are still unknown in the Philip- pines, there being none recorded in Uzel's Monographic der OrdungThysanoptera, I submit below a brief description of it.
Genus IDOLOTHRIPS Haliday.
Idolothrips tibialis n. sp.
9. — Length 2.4 mm. Coal-black, smooth and shining, but with all tibiae and tarsi, except the pulvilli, yellowish-white ; the basal four joints of the antennae are black, the three following joints whitish towards the base, but brownish at apex, the small terminal joint wholly brown. The head is very nearly three times as long as wide, the sides parallel ; eyes pale. The thorax laterally, in front of the insertion. The wings have a row of four or five short, spine-like bristles. The abdomen is elongate, pointed at apex, and has numerous long, bristly hairs above.
Type.— No. 8,132, U. S. N. M.
Manila, (Father Robert Brown).
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., JANUARY, 1905.
Cryptohalictoides spiniferus* 1 is remarkable for the peculiar and elaborate production of the legs into processes and spines fairly well show in the illustration. It is on this account
possibly farther removed from the usual than any other insect de- scribed during the past year. The structures are symmetrical and cer- tainly serve some special purpose which it remains for some energetic biologist and physiologist to dis- cover. There was almost no inter- est shown in the selection of an insect for the cover of the NEWS by our subscribers and we made the selection. In the January, 1904, NEWS we stated that the most remarkable insect described during the preceding year would be placed on the cover of each January NEWS and asked for suggestions from our readers.
A subscription blank has been placed in each number of this issue of the NKXVS. It does not mean that you have not paid for 1905, but is a gentle reminder if you have not paid, and affords you an opportunity of promptly doing so if you have failed to attend to this very important matter. — TREASURER.
>; Yiereck, KNT. NEWS, xv, 261, 1904.
21
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
NEW TREATMENT FOR THE WOOLY APHIS. — Simply use Christian Science. There is no such insect ; it is an invention of mortal mind. This is readily demonstrated by consulting Webster's or the Century. The proper spelling is woolly, and there is no word wooly, — hence no wooly aphis, and no need of bulletins on the subject. Missouri and Georgia entomologists, and all agricultural editors, please take notice.— MRS. EDDY (I don't think).
Entomological Literature.
RESEARCHES ON NORTH AMERICAN ACRIDIID.E. By Albert Pitts Morse. Publication No. icS, Carnegie Institution of Washington. 53 pp., 8 pis., 13 text figures.
In the presentation of this paper to the entomological world Prof. Morse has given us one of the most interesting and important papers pub- lished in recent years on American Orthoptera. The subject matter has been gleaned from a large series of specimens collected in the south- eastern states by the author on a trip made in the summer of 1903, under the auspices of the Carnegie Institution. The territory covered extended from Norfolk, Virginia, to the vicinity of Pensacola, Florida, special attention being paid to the mountainous region of western North Carolina.
The paper is divided into a number of sections, the most interesting and important of which are "Zonal Distribution, Locust Societies and Habitats, a Comparison of Campestral and Sylvan Locusts, Macropter- ous and Brachypterous Species of Locusts, Brachypterism in other Or- thoptera," and finally an annotated list of species and localities for each.
Under " Zonal Distribution" (p. 13) by a rather peculiar lapse Eritet- tix is omitted from a list of genera of austral origin not restricted to the eastern states, and Scirtetica is said to be confined to the east while the reverse is true. The section on locust societies is worthy of special note as it furnishes a basis for future work in this intensely interesting field. The table of societies presented on page 14, while preliminary and ten- tative, is evidently the product of considerable study, and, while a con- sideration of these divisions is unnecessary, it may be remarked that to the few hygrophilous phytophiles given there should be added Linoce- p/ia/us e/egans, which species is typically halophilous in New Jersey.
After a discussion of the relation of brachypterous and macropterous species to their habitats, the author sums up his evidence in the statement that : " Brachypterism in locusts is a more complete adaptation to a K ap- ing mode of progression brought about by life in situations where flight is difficult or impracticable, and consequently disadvantageous." While this appears to be more plausible than any theory hitherto advanced on the subject, it has numerous exceptions, one of the most striking of which Prof. Morse's limited stay in the south did not permit him to observe, namely the great abundance of the macropterous Ainblytro- occidentalis in typical sylvan surroundings.
Under the list of species the records of ( 7i/tr<!//is consfifrsa, Sfenobo-
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 23
thrus cnrtipennis and Podi&ma glacialis variegata from the mountains of North Carolina are extremely interesting. The remarks on the two "spe- cies " of Schistocerca, S. alutacea and nibiginosa are noteworthy, the former being considered an inhabitant of grassy swamps and the latter found in drier situations, while in New Jersey the two forms are found by the reviewer in the same surroundings, myrtle thickets on the beaches, and scrub pine and oak in the "barrens," seldom occuring in tin- swamps. Another interesting fact is that Melanoplus iinpudicns is in the south said to be an inhabitant of "dry, grassy fields," while in New Jersey it is a sylvan geophile, found in surroundings similar to those frequented by Mclanoplns luridus. These remarks are not made in a derogatory sense, but merely to call attention to the fact that conclusions regarding a spe- cies in one section are not always true of it in another.
It is to be regretted that considerable more time for field work was not at Prof. Morse's disposal, as some of his remarks require a little modifi- cation when spring and fall observations are considered. The illustra- tions of the work are quite good and well represent the types of country studied, except that figure 2, plate 5 can hardly be considered " pine bar- rens," at least not such as the reviewer is acquainted with in Florida, Georgia and New Jersey.
For a very substantial addition to our knowledge of the Orthoptera of the southeastern, or rather eastern states, we must thank Prof. Morse, one which is also of great value as a work of reference to the working Orthopterist, and a material advance in faunistic and ecological ento- mology. _ J- A. G. R.
Doings of Societies.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, was held November the iyth. In the absence of the Directors, Mr. Frank Haimbach presided. Eight persons were present.
Dr. Skinner made some remarks on mimicry or protective resemblance, and stated that the Academy had recently re- ceived specimens of the beetle Lycus feniandr-Ji Duges. belonging to the family Lampyridae and the moth Tn'pwris constans Hy. Edwards, belonging to the family Pyromorphidse. When in their natural position with the wings unexpaiukd these two insects have a perfectly marvellous resemblance. They are taken to be the same species by nearly all observers until their attention is called to the difference in structure. It would be very interesting to find out the significance of any of these likenesses. Some naturalists think they are purely
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
accidental on the theory that there are so many forms in nature that it is not strange for some to resemble each other.
Mr. Viereck spoke of the distribution of Cn/c.v anrifer, and said it was abundant on the south meadows near Hartford, Conn. He said it was as abundant there as sollicitans is in New Jersey. Where trees were present, the larvae were much more abundant in the shaded depressions. They flourish about the 2oth of May, and none were found a month later nor through the remainder of the summer. Sollicitans is found on the coast but does not extend as far inland as in New Jersey, which is accounted for by the natural barrier of the hills. The possibility of an invasion into Connecticut from Long Island was mentioned. Some of the other species found in Connec- ticut were alluded to. Specimens of aurifcr were exhibited.
Mr. Daecke said C. triscriatus appeared to take the place of aiirifer in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The larvae were found in shady places.
Mr. W. J. Coxey was elected an Associate of the Section.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social, held No- vember 16, 1904, at the residence of Mr. H. W. Wenzel, 1523 South Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, thirteen persons were present.
Mr. Wenzel announced the death of F. G. Schaupp, and spoke of his personality and interest in entomology.
Mr. Dickerson spoke of the Newark Entomological Society and its recent anniversary meeting.
Mr. H. Wenzel stated he had been studying the insects in- festing nuts, acorns, etc., especially Balanhnts, and exhibited acorns from seven species of oaks. In only one kind of acorn had he been able to observe the ovipositing of the female, the acorn being punctured after it is well developed. He was not aware that the hibernation of the larva in the acorn was on record, but in the present instance it seems that the larva will probably pass the winter in the nut. The larva is small, either being undeveloped or belonging to a spivii-s even smaller than confusior.
In reply to Dr. Skinner, Mr. XVcn/.el said that the egg was
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 25
probably shoved into the nut by the proboscis of UK- female. When two larvae inhabit one nut, they are separated by the median membrane or partition which divides the nut into equal parts.
Mr. Dickerson stated that in Northern New Jersey the chestnuts seem to have escaped infestation this fall.
Mr. Haimbach exhibited 76 species of Tineids, representing a portion of his collection.
Mr. Daecke stated that a nest of ] Tcspa genuanica recently examined near Delair, New Jersey, contained numerous females and males, with comparatively few workers, and the larvae in all stages, with pupae ready to hatch, all of which seemed to be hibernating. . Dipterous larvae were also present feeding on dead wasps.
Dr. Skinner reported that a nest of Vespa macnlata collected in the dead of winter and brought into the house was found to contain live wasps.
Mr. Dickerson said that in a nest of V. gcrmanica examined by him the nest was of temporary character, not being com- pletely covered and was starting to decay.
He also showed specimens of Ccracis sallci, a small fungous beetle from Chester and Arlington, New Jersey, which was only recorded heretofore from the Northern part of the State.
On motion, a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Haimbach for entertaining the members at the last meeting.
Mr. William S. Huntington was elected a member of tin- Social .
WILLIAM J. Fox, Secretary.
The October meeting of the Newark Ent. Society was held on the 1 3th, with Pres. Keller in the chair and 13 members present. The election of officers resulted as follows :
For Pres. Mr. Geo. J. Keller, re-elected ; for Vice Pres. Mr. Geo. Stortz, re-elected ; for Secretary Mr. Otto Buchhol/., re- elected ; for Treasurer Mr. S. H. M. Seib, re-elected; for Librarian Mr. Wm. Broad well, re-elected ; for Curators Mr. J. Angdman i I<ep.), Mr. E. A. Bischoff, re-elected (Col. ), Mr. A. J. Weidt (Dipt).
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
Mr. Broadwell reported the capture of the following L,epi- doptera : Semioscopsis merriccclla, Hydria undulata, Hydrio- incjia itndtiferata, Phlyct&nia tertialis and Schoe.nobius mellinel- lus at Denville, N. J.
Mr. Bischoff reported the capture of Ptinus fur L,inn (Col.) in chamomile boxes, but was not certain whether the specimens were feeding on chamomile, as all were found be- tween layers of paper. A vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Broadwell for an enlarged photograph of the membership.
Mr. Eugene Winship of L,ong Branch was unanimously elected to membership. The advisability of keeping a record book of local species was discussed at length, so that observa- tions and dates in rearing and capturing of the rarer spe- cies might be entered for the benefit of other collectors ; Mr. Buchholz volunteered to take up the Lepidoptera portion of it providing the members would deliver their experiences in writing. Mr. Bischoff agreed to take care of a Coleoptera book on the same lines.
The November meeting of the Newark Entomological Society was held on the nth, with President Keller in the chair and 23 members present. Visitor Mr. J. Kueuzler of Paterson, N. J.
Prof. Smith promised to send two copies of his " Insects of New Jersey," and on motion it was decided to have the same bound with double interleaves for records of captures, obser- vations, etc. Mr. Hy. Rummel presented a pair of Cicin. nuipunctata (Col.) to the Society.
He also reported the capture of Paria viridicyanea (Col.) at Plainfield, N. J., in July, on wild morning glory.
Prof. Smith read an article written by Mr. Brehme in which the latter stated that the vicinity of Newark was by far the best collecting place of any part of the State that he had seen and worked over during the last two years while in the employ of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. He de- plored, however, that collecting around this section was getting poorer every year, first, on account of the rapid building up of good hunting grounds, and second on account of vandalism exer- cised by some collectors while searching the plants for eggs
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27
and larvae, and urged the members to leave the food plants in as good condition as they find them.
He also asked the members to collect all larvae unknown to them, blow one or more of each species and by rearing the rest of them find out what they are ; then present some of them to the Society, and by placing them with the images give the collection a more scientific value.
Mr. Grossbeck exhibited some pieces of amber in which were imbedded different species of insects.*
The Sesiidae (L,epidoptera) were brought up for comparison and discussion ; they were pretty poorly represented, except with Prof. Smith and Mr. Engelhardt, both of whom had large series to show. Quite a number of specimens were named and corrected in different collections, and Mr. Engel- hardt gave an interesting talk on the life habits of some species and stated that he had bred 21 species in one season. He also showed specimens of an unnamed variety of Sciaptcroii siinn- lans, on which the abdomen was deep orange instead of yellow.
On motion it wyas decided to bring up the genus Xylina (L/epidoptera) for next meeting. Messrs. Brehme, Stortx, Seib, Dickerson and Bischoff were appointed a committee on field meetings.
Mr. J. L,androck of Hoboken and Mr. George Engelhardt of Brooklyn were unanimously elected to membership.
OTTO BUCHHOLZ, Secnian-.
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held June 23, 1904. Mr. H. W. Wenzel, Vice-President in the chair. Ten persons were present. Mr. Rehn exhibited the Tettiginse and Eumastacinse belonging to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the U. S. National Museum and Mr. Morgan Hebard. There are a number of new genera and species in this material. Dr. Skinner spoke of the col- lecting possibilities of the swamp lands west of Essington, Pa., on the B. & O. Railroad. Mr. Rehn mentioned some ex- periences in collecting in that locality.
HENRY SKINNER,
* Rutgers College collection.
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
A meeting of the American Entomological Society April 28, 1904. Dr. P. P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Nine persons were present. The Executive Committee reported negatively to the Society in regard to the request for the loan of books from the library. Mr. J. A. G. Rehn exhibited an extensive collection of Orthoptera presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences by Dr. Henri de Saussure of Geneva, Switzerland, numbering 800 specimens, 50 genera and 300 species being new to the collection.
He also showed specimens of Radinotatum br_evipenne described by Thomas. It remained unique for a long time. , Mr. Rehn's specimens were obtained at Thomasville, Georgia. He stated that they are found among the pine needles, and that they re- semble them in a remarkable manner, and can't be seen until they move. The species is a common one at Thomasville. Mr. Haimbach reported success in collecting Microlepidoptera. He had taken many species, among which were Eulia triferana and Paralcchia cristifasciella. Dr. Calvert exhibited some Lepi- doptera in Riker mounts especially prepared to show the neu- ration. He adopted a new plan, taking the wing and placing it in caustic potash solution for twenty-four hours, then washed in water for fifteen minutes, then in a watery solution of Bor- deaux red for twenty-four hours, then washed in water and floated on cards and dried. Both sides of the head were also shown, to note the presence or absence of a proboscis. The following persons were elected correspondents of the Society. Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, the University of Colorado at Boul- der ; Nicolas von Adelung, St. Petersburg, Russia ; Hofrath Carl Brunner von Wattenwyl, Vienna, Austria, and Ignacio Bolivar, Madrid, Spain.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
Minutes of meetings of Brooklyn Entomological Society, held at the residence of Mr. George Franck, 1040 De Kalb Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
April 7, igoj.. — Sixteen persons present, the Vice-President in the chair. Mr. John Land rock of Iloboken, N. Y., was elected a member. Mr. Kranek presented a paper on " Notes on Anthocharis," illustrated by an extensive series of sped-
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29
metis especially relating to the groups ausonides, variations hvantis and coloradensis , and sara, variations reakirtii (stelld) and julia. While hyantis and coloradensis differ in size from ausonides, being rather less, the distinction between the varia- tions only depends upon slight changes in maculation, viz., in hyantis the central spot on the primaries is larger than that of coloradensis, while the underside of the secondaries in hyantis is rather more richly decorated than in coloradensis. This would seem to confirm the propriety of the retention of only one of these names, hyantis, as Dr. Skinner has done. As to group sara, Mr. Edwards in his description of reakirtii states that there are no yellow females. This would appear to be erroneous, since among a large series of this variation re- ceived from sundry localities in California, Nevada and Utah, both white and yellow females of reakirtii were found, includ- ing white males of julia. As no other forms were taken, this would seem sufficient to obliterate the distinction between reakirtii and julia and these so called variations should be treated as identical, represented by white males and yellow females, the slight differences in maculation being insufficient to entitle either to be treated as a distinct variation. On the other hand, stella would seem deserving of recognition since in a series of some 300 specimens from Plumas County, California, only yellow males and females occurred, which corresponds with the statement in Mr. Edward's description that both sexes are yellow. This constancy of color certainly entitled it to be distinguished as a local variation of sara.
May 5, 190+. — Sixteen persons present, Dr. Zabriskie in the chair. Relation by various members' of the circumstances which led them to become interested in entomology. Dr. /.a briskie stated that his attention was attracted among other things to a number of clay tubes, some six inches in length, pendent from the rafters of an old barn situated on the home- stead in Klatbush, L. I. These, he subsequently learned, were constructed by termites. He knew of no record of a similar formation by these insects.
Mr. Weeks stated that he desired to correct some erroneous opinions published in the March Journal of the New York
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
Entomological Society and elsewhere concerning his paper on 'Evolution of the Secondaries of the Catocala," which ap- peared in the Journal of December, 1903, in which opinions it was alleged that he had stated that the coloration had origi- nated by reason of the pursuit of these insects by birds, which, it was asserted,' could not possibly distinguish the colored secondaries to such an extent during flight as to be directed by them, and hence the theory that they had developed under such conditions and for such purpose was untenable. Mr. Weeks called attention to the fact that the article nowhere made such an allegation, and that he had repeatedly stated therein that these secondaries were only displayed as a diversion when the insect was feeding and therefore at rest ; also that due allow- ance must be made for changed faunal conditions and environ- ments to which these insects had been subjected through vast periods of time, when the forests swarmed with creeping ene- mies much more rapacious and numerous than any which now survived and when birds had not as yet developed, and that it was totally incorrect to base any deductions upon the premise that present conditions had always prevailed or contempora- neously existed.
June 2, 190+. — Six persons present, the Secretary in the chair. The members were entertained by the relation of the experi- ences of a collector who had recently returned from a }?ear's sojourn at Obidos some 2000 miles up the Amazon River. The natives were hospitable and trust}-. Mosquitoes made col- lecting almost impossible. Tarantulas swarmed in the huts of the natives and were captured with pincers and forked sticks. The narrator was blinded for several months by loose hairs from these creatures. Ticks and various insects gave great annoyance, and snakes were permitted to run at large within the huts to destroy the vampires, which were dangerous at night. Ants were a most formidable pest, sometimes locating in such numbers beneath the dwellings as to cause their abandonment. The height of the trees and parasitic vines and the density of their combined foliage at the top cast the surface beneath in deep shadow so that few insects could be there taken. At the top the trees and vines bloomed luxuri-
Jan., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 3t
antly and here, far out of reach, gorgeous butterflies and other insects occurred in multitudes, and could only be induced to descend by various lures. One species, I\forpJw hccnba, one of the rarest of this genus, refused every enticement for a long time until, quite by accident, it was discovered that it could be attracted by the reflection of a small piece of looking glass lying upon the ground. Butterflies of various species occa- sionally congregated in such numbers in moist places that not even space remained to insert a finger between them. At such times one could sit down and select what he wished. Some of the tributaries of the Amazon were infested with poisonous weeds which impregnated the water to such an extent that dangerous and even fatal effects resulted from wading in them. . During the dry season the river was lowered some thirty feet, having broad sandy shores on either side. Many of the Lepi- dopterous larvae, instead of consuming an entire leaf, had the curious habit of biting out of it a series of holes of various sizes, but of constantly recurring form at regular intervals, so that the final effect was that of a lace pattern. The narrator exhibited a number of leaves thus bitten showing many inter- esting designs.
ARCHIBALD C. WEEKS, Secretary.
The October meeting of the Entomological Section of the Chicago Academy of Sciences was held as usual at the John Crerar Library on the 2oth, eight members and one visitor being present. The recorder read a letter from Mr. John Coin- stock enclosing a specimen of Terias mexicana which he had taken October gth at Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This is unusually far north for this species, but the recorder has since learned that Mr. Beer also captured two specimens this year, one October gth within the Chicago city limits and one at Hessville, Indiana, south-east of Chicago, on October 1 6th. Mr. Higley announced the arrival of twenty Comstock cases for the Academy collection.
Mr. W. L. Tower gave a very interesting talk on his expe- riences while collecting in Southern Mexico about sixty iniks south-east of Mount Orizaba. The locality was a fertik valley,
32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Jan., '05
lying between high, forest-clad mountains, these in turn being surrounded by low-lying plains.
He found it a veritable zoological oasis, various species of Lepidoptera, etc., being taken, which had not been recorded farther north than Honduras. Mr. Tower's subject was " In- sects in Tropical Forests," and he paid particular attention to the habits of the butterflies including Morphos, Papilios, Heli- conidae, Pieridae, etc. Coleoptera were few and occurred principally at the edge of the forest. Here also, numerous mosquitoes congregated, especially near the river which skirted the base of the mountains. Stegomyia predominated in the morning and during the day, its place being taken by Culex, . [iiophdes and others at night. The Morphos and Papilios were found to roost low down in the dense forest between the buttresses of the trees, and upon awakening, at first fly low, gradually^ mounting higher as the day advanced. By tenor eleven o'clock they were high up, flitting about the flowers of the vines which formed a veritable carpet over the tree tops. This he was able to observe only from a projecting ledge, which overlooked a portion of the forest. He described the scene as extremely beautiful with hundreds of brilliant Morphos and Papilios to be seen within a comparatively limited area.
Mr. Tower also spoke of the difficulties to be met with on a trip to such a locality. Disease, including yellow-fever and malaria ; vermin, wire- worms, bot-flies, chigres, etc., and fre- quent and unexpected electrical storms were discouraging features. He stated also that, although species and specimens were often numerous, they were by no means easily caught, as they were usually either inaccessible or of swift and deceitful flight.
He made several trips to th'is locality, but considered the beginning of the rainy season May ist to July ist as the best for collecting.
Those present expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the entertaining talk of Mr. Tower. The meeting adjourned at 9.50 P. M.
A. KWIAT, Recorder.
FOR SALE CHEAP
for cash— collection of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera. 5000 species, 25,000 specimens contained in 250 Schmitt and other boxes. All in first-class condition. Determinations by best Amer. and Europ. specialists
WM. A. NASOIM, ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS.
HARPALUS and BRACHYNUS.
Wanted North American examples of Harpalus and Drachymis (except 1083 and 1087 Henshaw).
F. C. BOWDITCH, 164 Rawson Rd., Brookline, Norfolk Co., Mass.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS WORTH $1.000
My beautiful collection of Lepidoptera representing seven years of patient collecting and purchases in the U. S. and foreign lands offered for $275 CASH.
SUITABLE FOR MUSEUM, SCHOOL OR PRIVATE EXHIBITION
956 U. S. diurnals, many rare forms of which 752 are classified after Smith's check list ; 1080 nocturnals, all orders, many rare and unamed ; 464 Lepidop- tera from India, Africa, South America, Australia, very fine ; 700 in papers, U. S. and foreign, to be mounted. Total, 3200.
For full information, address
HENRY W. EUSTIS
N. W CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
.A limited number of cocoons of Samia Columbia, pupae of P. crcsphontcs, P. ajax, D. hal&us See exchange column.
FOR SALE
W. W. NEWCOMB, M.D.
347 TRCMBULL AVENUE, DETROIT, MICH.
MEXICAN COCOONS.
Attacus orizaba .... 25 cents each, $1.80 a dozen jorulla . . . . 25
U U
Also native cocoons and pupae. List on application
0. FULOA. 816 Broadway, New York City, New York
When Writing Please Mention " Entomological News."
AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COMPANY
1040 DE KALB AVE., BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
PRICE LIST No. 6
READY FOR DISTRIBUTION DECEMBER 1, 1904
Classification of N. Am. Lepidoptera according to Smith's List, 1904.
Price List of Coleoptera, No. 2, of N. Am. species. Complete and New Catalogue of Entomological Supplies.
Many new features and illustrations added.
List of School Supplies : — Collections, Biological Material, Mimicry, Color Protection, Dimorphism, Polymorphism, etc.
MANUFACTURERS OF THE ONLY
GENUINE SCHMITT INSECT BOXES.
Builders of Cabinets and Exhibitian Cases.
Manufacturers of the New Improved Metal Cases for Schmitt Boxes. Manufacturers of the American Entomological Co's Insect Pins.
Elbow Pins are added to our line.
PRICE OF LIST 1O CTS.
To odr patrons List will be forwarded when issued. All previous Lists cancelled.
THE KNY SCHEERER CO.
DEPARTMERT OF NATURAL SCIENCE. Q. LAQAI, Ph.D.
225-233 FOURTH AVE. - - NEW YORK, N. Y.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SPECIMENS.
North American and
Exotic Insects
at Reduced Prices.
School Collections.
Metamorphoses.
Biological Models.
Wall Charts. Write for Special
Quotations
ENTOMOLOGICAL SUPPLIES.
fiaturnia anona Ottol.
(Arizona) cf and ? $3.00 ; 2 pairs, $3.00.
Lantern Slides.
Boxes.
Cases.
Cabinets.
Forceps.
Pins. Nets.
Dissecting
Instruments.
Museum Supplies.
New Illustrated Catalogue on Application
When Writing Please Mention "Entomological News."
P. C STOCKH AUSr N. PRINTER SS N 7 TH ST. PHILADELPHIA
FEBRUARY, 190?.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVI. No. 2
Cryptohalictoides spiniferus Vier'eck.
EDITOR ;
HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
EZRA T. CRESSON. HENRY L. VIERKCK. J. A. G. REHN.
PHILIP LAURENT. WILLIAM J. FOX. CHARLES W. JOHNSON
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as Second-Class Matter.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Published monthly, excepting July and August, in charge of the Entomological
Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,
and the American Entomological Society.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, $1.OO IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada, $1.20.
Advertising Rates : 30 cents per square inch, single insertion ; a liberal discount
on longer insertions. No advertisement taken for less than
60 cents — Cash in advance.
All remittances should be addressed to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.
EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA.
ERNEST SWINHOE,
Cat. No. 14 for 1905 free. 37 Addison Gardens, London W , England
The only dealers' list giving authors' name throughout. As the various species are arranged under their generic names, this list affords an excellent reference for museums and collectors. Explanatory catalogue with over 300 descriptions and many interesting notes, 12 cents.
Fine series, illustrating "Mimicry" and "Seasonal Dimorphism," 100 named specimens, ist qual., ex. Assam., 40 different species in papers, includ- ing P. bootes, gyas, etc., mailed free on receipt of Post Office Order, $4.00
_Noctuidas collected during » October and November in lots of 25 specimens, including 2 each of Scopelosoma mof- fatiana, tristigmata, walkeri, morrisoni, Xylina grotei, etc., $2,00, prepaid by mail.
HENRY ENGEL, Box 35, Oak Station P. 0., Allegheny Co., Pa.
SUPPLEMENT
TO
ENTOMOLOGISTS' DIRECTORY
OK MARCH, 19OO.
has now been published. It contains Changes in Ad- dresses, Special Study, etc., New Names, with addresses, etc., and other information. A copy will be sent gratis to those who have subscribed to the Directory, copies of which can still be had at 50 cents each. Address
E T. CRESSON, Treasurer,
American Entomological Society,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.
When Writing Please Mention "Entomological News."
ENT. NEWS. VOL. XVI.
PI. Ill
1. f
B
V '.
EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVI. FEBRUARY, 1905. No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Grinnell — Two new butterflies from Mt. : Houghton — Coleoptera of Mt. Seward,
Tamalpais, California 33
Chagnon — Canadian Cerambycidse. .. 35
N. Y 50
Cockerell — A new Lac-Insect 52
Kehn — Records of some Paraguayan Knab — The spreading of Spha-ridium Orthoptera with the description of Scarabseoides L 53
a new genus and species 37
Graenicher — On the habits of two Ich- neumonid Parasites of the Bee Cera- tina Dupla Say 43
Editorial 54
Doings of Societies 55
Our frontispiece this month was made direct from specimens in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- delphia, by the Photo-chromotype Company of Philadelphia. This is one of the largest companies in America doing this line of work. The specimens represented are as follows : Eronia p/wca-a Felder, from the Philippines. Cyrestis clegans Bois- duval, from Madagascar. Catagramma cynosura Doubl.-Hew., from Brazil. The butterflies represented on Plate I, in the January NEWS were Callosunc zoe Grandid, from Madagascar. Callithea optima Butl., from Peru. Cafa^ranuna atacama Hew., from Ecuador.
- -+•+- •-
Two New Butterflies from Mt. Tamalpais, Calif. By FORDYCE GRINNELL, JR., Palo Alto, Calif.
Satyrus behrii n. sp.
$ expands 43 mm. Upper surface entirely Front's brown, darker towards inner margin (probably somewhat fad^d from the age of the specimens). Primaries have two ocelli placed in the usual position, equally distant between the costa and inner margin ; the upper ocellus is 2.5 mm. in diameter, of a very dark brown or black, has a small, distinct, white, central dot, and is surrounded by a ring of lighter color than the
33
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
adjacent area. The lower ocellus consists of a single black spot, rather indistinct, and without white central point and surrounding ring. A very faint, submarginal black line and a marginal streak ; secondaries same as primaries, an ocellus in the same position as the second one on primaries and resembling it.
Underside : primaries woodbrown but much mottled with other shades, many irrorations of darker color ; submarginal to the two ocelli is a wavy, distinct brown band formed into crescents toward the inner margin ; the upper of the two ocelli is like the one on the upperside,' the lower is exactly like it only somewhat smaller. Between the ocelli and the margin is a comparatively broad, dark brown band ; a marginal and submarginal distinct lines close together.
Secondaries : more mottled with grayish than the primaries ; a very broad fascia in the center of the wing, extending from costa to base parallel to outer margin ; the row of six ocelli placed in the usual posi- tion, the first is rather small, with a minute white dot in the center ; next is much larger with distinct white central point ; next consists of a small, black point only ; next is a small one, with a distinct white central point ; next is as large as the second and like it ; the last one like the first. These ocelli are very constant, more so .than in any other species. Be- tween this row and outer margin is a brown band corresponding to that of the primaries ; a marginal and submarginal fine, distinct streaks. Fringes all brown.
9 expands 46 mm. Resembles the $ in all particulars except the fol- lowing : the two ocelli on upperside of primaries are exactly alike and are like the upper one of the male. The one on the secondaries is larger and with a distinct, white central point.
Underside : the two ocelli on the primaries are slightly large and of same size. The row of ocelli on secondaries are practically like those of the male.
Habitat : Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, California. Right across the bay from San Francisco, collected by Dr. Behr many 3'ears ago, probably between 1860 and 1870.
Types, 2, S , 2 9 , collection California Academy of Sciences. Several cotypes.
This species is readily distinguished from any other by its small size, darker color and very distinct markings. Named for Hans Herman Behr, the beacon light of Californian Lepi- dopterology, whose name will be held in strong remembrance as long as Californian butterflies are collected and studied.
Thanaos pernigra n. sp.
Upperside : primaries entirely blackish-slate, with a very thin sprinkling of grayish hairs ; three very small, white dots arranged diagonally, in the
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35
costo-apical part of the wing. Secondaries : entirely seal-brown, with Jong hairs along the inner margin and basal part of wing. Underside of both wings entirely Van Dyke brown ; the three costo-apical white spots visible through the wing. Abdomen and thorax same color as adjacent parts of the wings. Palpi clothed with long hairs. Antennae entirely of same color as the primaries on the upperside.
Habitat : Mt. Tamalpais, Marin Co. , California. Collected by Mr. F. X. Williams, May 19, 1904, in Mill Valley, on the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais. Only a few were captured but others were seen ; the species is no doubt extremely local in distri- bution.
Type i £ , to be deposited in the collection of the Cali- fornia Academy of Sciences.
This species is very distinct from any other by its small size, and very dark, almost uniform color. Owing to a curious asymmetry in the clasps of the single male I possess, the de- scription of these organs will have to be deferred till more spe- cimens are available.
— • <»» • —
Canadian Cerambycidae.
The species of the past season. By G. CHAGNON, Montreal, Canada.
Acm&ops proteus Kirby. Montreal, 14, vii. Entirely black.
Asemum mtestum Hald. St. Hilaire, Que., 24, v. under pine bark.
Callidium janthimim Lee. Val Morin, Que., common 10 to 25, vi.
Clytanthus ruricola Oliv. Common ; vi and vii.
Cirtophorus verrucosus Oliv. St. Hilaire, Que. 24, v.
Calhmoxys sanguinicollis Oliv. St. Hilaire, Que. tf1 and 9 24> v.
Criocephalus agrestis Krby. Montreal, vii, viii. They are generally taken at the electric lights.
Desinoccnis pat/iatus For'st. Montreal, 48 specimens on Elder ; 28, vi.
Euderces picipcs F. St. Hilaire, Que., i, vii.
Graphisurus fasciatus DeG. Montreal, A few chrysalids from beech.
Hoplosia nubila Lee. Montreal 18, vii. This species breeds in Linden.
Hyperplatys aspersus Say. Montreal, vi and vii. Taken several spe- cimens on dead branches of willow, in which it must breed.
Leptura nitcns Forst. Montreal, 27, vi.
Leptura exigua Newm. Common from 24, v to 15, vi.
Leptura htnnatites Newm. Montreal, 12, vi.
Leptura biforis Newm. St. John's, Que. 8, vii.
Leptura canadensis F. Common, vii.
Leptura villain Germ. Common, vi, vii.
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
Leptura lineola Say. Common, vi, vii.
Leptnra pubera Say. Common, vi, vii.
Leptura proximo, Say. St. Hilaire, Que., St. John's, Que. vi, vii.
Leplit>-a niutabilis Newm. Montreal, 10, vi.
Leptura chrysoconia Kirby. Val Morin, Que., common 19, vi.
Lepturges querci Fitch. Montreal, 25, vii.
Monohammus conf/isor Kirby. Montreal, 23, viii.
Neo clytus muricatulus Kirby. Le"vis, Que., 12, viii. On spruce logs.
Oberea bimaculata Ol. Common on raspberry, 8, vii.
Obt'iiini riibnnn Newm. Montreal, 25, vii.
Parandra brunnea F. Montreal, 25, vii.
Pogonocherusmixtus Hald. Montreal, 14, vii, on dead branch of willow.
Pachyta mon/icola Rand. Val Morin, One., 17, vi.
Psenocerus supernotatus Say. Common on wild grape vine, 12, vi.
Phymatodes amcenus Say. Montreal, 12, vi. On wild grape vine.
Stenosphemis notatns Ol. Montreal, 12, vi.
Saperda puncticollis Say. Montreal. On woodbine 12, vi.
Saperda mulica Say. Montreal ; several specimens on willow, 14, vii.
Saperda lateralis F. Montreal, 12, vi.
Saperda vestita Say. Montreal, chrysalids from linden.
Tragosoma harrisii Lee. Montreal. One specimen at electric lights,
17, vii.
Typocerus velutinus Ol, Common, vii. Tetraopes tetraophthalmus Forst. Common, vii. Toxotus trivittatus Say. Montreal. Common, 12, vi. Xylotrechus undiilatus Say. L6vis, Que., 12, viii, on spruce logs.
The above species, which number 44, were all taken during the past summer.
I was at Quebec in August last and took advantage of my trip to examine the material in some local collections there. Amongst the most important species I saw, were the following :
Rhopalopus sangiiinicollis Horn. This species seems to occur frequently at Quebec and Levis.
Phymatodes maculicollis Lee? There is a specimen of Phv- matodcs in the collection of Abbe Roy, Levis, which I think can be referred to maculicollis. I regret that I did not have the opportunity of studying it more fully.
Piodes coriacea Lee. This species is in the Provancher col- lection without locality label. I have seen specimens from Rigaud, Que.
Monohammus marmorator Kirby. I saw several specimens of this species in collections at Quebec and at Levis. I noticed, in the Laval University collection, specimens of this species labelled iitillator F.
Sapi rda cretata Newm. Two specimens in the Laval Uni- versity collection without locality label.
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 37
Records of some Paraguayan Orthoptera with the Description of a New Genus and Species.
I5y JAMKS A. G. REHN.
The following records have been made from a small collec- tion of Orthoptera taken at Sapucay, Paraguay. The mate- rial is the property of Mr. Morgan Hebard of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.
Family
Ischnoptera marginata Brunner.
One female (December 20, 1901).
Giglio-Tos has recorded this species from northern Argen- tina and the Bolivian Chaco.
Ischnoptera vilis Saussure.
Two males (one November 30, igoi).
Family Brunneria brasiliensis Saussure.
One male.
Family ACRIDIIXK.
Ossa bimaculata Giglio-Tos.
One male and one female. October 31, 1902 and January
27, 1903.
This species was described from Resistencia nel Chaco, Argentina.
Tropinotus discoideus Serville.
Two females.
These specimens agree with a female individual from Para- guay referred to discoidi'ns by Giglio-Tos, and a male and female from Brax.il and Rio Grande do Sul received from Dr. Saussure. One of the Sapucay specimens is blackish brown in color with the maculations rather faint, the other is wood brown, the anal area of the tegmina pale, the maculations of the tegmina barely visible. Originally described from " Bresil," this speeie^ lias >inre been recorded from Hueiios Ay res and the province of Jujuy, Argentina, Cai/a in the Cham of Bolivia and Asuncion, Paraguay.
38 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
Tropinotus regularis Bruner.
One male.
This specimen was examined by Prof. Bruner, who pro- nounced it a representative of a species at present undescribed and which he proposed to call regularis. In appearance it is quite distinct from the other forms of the genus, but I prefer to leave all remarks, however desirable, aside pending the description.
Elaeoclilora viridicata (Serville).
One female.
This is inseparable from females from Carcarana, Argentina, except that the caudal tibiae and tarsi are not washed with pinkish red, but are uniform dull greenish in color.
Chromacris stolli (Pictet and Saussure).
One male, one female.
While this species has been recorded from a number of localities in northern Argentina, this is apparently the first record from Paraguay.
Zoniopoda omnicolor (Blanchard).
One male (February 18, 1902), one female.
This beautiful species is here recorded from Paraguay for the first time. The Sapucay specimens are inseparable from individuals from Carcarana, Argentina.
Zoniopoda iheringi Pictet and Saussure.
One male (October 29, 1902), one female.
These specimens have been compared with an authentic female specimen from Rio Grande do Sul collected by Dr. Ihering and presented by Dr. Saussure. Except that the Paraguayan female is of smaller size, no important difference can be detected. In the male the caudal femora are obscurely bi-annulate with blackish fuscous.
Stenopola puncticeps (Stal).
One female (December 19, 1902).
This species has been recorded from Caiza and San Fran- cisco in the Bolivian Chaco ; San Lorenzo in Jujuy, Argen- tina ; Resistencia in the Argentina Chaco and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39
Aleuas vitticollis Stal.
One male (March 7, 1903).
This species was described from Sao Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Aleuas gracilis Stal.
One male (March 7, 1903).
The difference between this species and .1. vitticollis is very apparent on comparing them, the slenderer build, more pro- duced and acute fastigium and the form of the pronotum are the principal characters which readily distinguish gracilis from vitticollis. The original locality was Brazil.
ZYGOCLISTRON- n. gen.
Allied to the. Alciue and Vilermv, partaking of characters of both, but probably more closely related to the former and the genus Paralcuas Giglio-Tos in particular.
Form elongate, slender. Head with the fastigium acute, sharply cariuate, excavated ; frontal costa regularly expand- ing from the base of the antennae to the clypeus ; facial carinae diverging to the same extent and parallel to the costa. Pro- notum rugoso-tuberculate ; median carina distinct, intersected thrice ; ventral margin of the lateral lobes very slightly emar- ginate. Intervals between the mesosternal and metasternal lobes exceedingly narrow. Tegmina reaching the apex of the abdomen ; area between the discoidal and ulnar veins with numerous transverse veins mesad. Posterior femora witli very slight dentate points on the dorsal carina ; tibiae with eight spines on the external margin ; second tarsal joint not quite half as long as the metatarsus. Subgenital plate com- pressed, produced into a moderately recurved process ; supra- anal subequal proximad, acuminate distad ; cerci long, slender, parallel in the proximal half, sharply incurved at the middle, the apex directed caudad and acute.
Zygoclistron trachystictumt n. sp.
Type : $ ; Sapucay. Paraguay. March 20, 1902. Hebard collection.
* Zvyov void, TrXtLTo-pov bat'.
^/i, O-TIKTOI' punctured .
40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
2
ZYGOLISTRON TRACHYSTICTUM n. gen. and sp. Type, fig. i, lateral view; fig. 2, cephalic view of head; fig. 3, dorsal view of abdominal appendages.
Head rather large, occiput rounded and slightly elevated above the pronotum ; vertex slightly descending, interspace between the eyes dis- tinctly exceeding the greatest width of the frontal costa ; fastigium slightly descending, acute, the marginal carina? sharp, shallowly and broadly excavated, foveolse large, trigonal, facing dorsad ; frontal costa a simple sharp carina immediately below the fastigium, dividing at a line with the upper base of the antennae, carince regularly and very distinctly diverging to the clypeal margin, shallowly but wholly sulcate ; accessory facial carime distinct and diverging at the same angle as the margins of the frontal costa ; eye ovate in outline, quite prominent, very slightly shorter than the infra-ocular portion of the genae ; antennae slightly ex- ceeding the head and pronotum in length, slightly depressed. Pronotum narrow, subequal, rugoso-tuberculate except the ventral portions of the lateral lobes which are rugose ; cephalic margin rotundato-angulate, caudal margin obtuse-angulate, the angle narrowly rounded and the margin slightly sinuate ; median carina distinctly sub-cristate on the pro- zona and severed by each sulcus ; no lateral carina present, a moderately marked shoulder present on the metazona ; inferior margin of the lateral lobes slightly sinuate cephalad and caudad. Prosternal spine short, com- pressed, blunt, directed caudad. Interspace between the mesosternal lobes very narrow, the lobes sub-contiguous ; interval between the me- tosternal lobes cuneiform, the lobes sub-contiguous at the narrowest (caudal) point. Tegmina not exceeding the apex of the abdomen, rotundato-truncate apically, discoidal field proximatl irregularly reticu- late, mesad with the portion between the discoidal and ulnar veins occu- pied by numerous parallel cross veins, those of the medio-discoidal area more numerous than those in the medio-ulnar section ; no intercalate- vein present. Wings equal to the tegmina in length. Last segment of the abdomen dorsal with triangular branches of the furcula ; supra-anal plate equal proximad, acute and produced distad ; subgenital plate pro- duced, compressed, apical process recurved and exceeding the apical margin by a distance equal to half the length of the entire plate ; cerci
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 41
elongate, narrow-, straight and parallel proximad, at the middle with a short mesad curve, and near the apex with a distinct caudad bend, the apex acute and slightly depressed. Cephalic and median femora short, inflated, the tibia? of the same limbs not exceeding the femora in length. Caudal femora slightly exceeding half the tegmina in length, tapering evenly but not gracefully to the genicular region, dorsal carina with several sub-obsolete dentiform serrations ; tibia3 with eight spines on the external margin, ten or eleven spines on the internal margin, external apical spine present on one tibia and absent on the other ; metatarsi over twice the length of the second tarsal joint.
General color ochraceous, the gence, ventral part of the pronotum and the pleura gamboge yellow, a post-ocular streak, which is indistinct on the head and well marked on the pronotum and pleura, blackish ; eyes and dorsal surface of pronotum tawny ; antenna; with the apical half in- fuscate. Tegmina hyaline with a faint greenish yellow tinge, the costal region with the veins obscurely yellowish, the base of the discoidal field with several distinct quadrate spots of blackish, and the axillary field saffron yellow. Abdomen with the lateral face of each segment with a diagonal blackish marking, which in form is crudely oval. Limbs of the general color, the caudal femora with blackish blotches along the carina? ; tibiae saffron yellow, washed with blackish at the very apex, spines blackish apically, those of the internal margin with the whole internal face blackish.
MEASUREMENTS :
Length of body, 39. mm.
Length of pronotum 75 "
Greatest width of pronotum, 4-5 ''
Length of tegmina, 28. ''
Greatest width of tegmina, 4.5 "
Length of caudal femora 16.5 "
The type only has been examined.
Schistocerca infumata Scudder.
One male (January 15, 1903), one female.
This species has only been recorded from Montevideo, Uruguay and Bra/.il. This species is closely related to .5*. flavofasciata, of which a pair from Demerara have been ex- amined, and with it possesses a pale flavous bar of the proxi- mal portion of the costal margin of the tegmina. The form of the cerci of this species is quite different from that seen in 6*. flavofasciata.
Dichroplus bergii St.il
One female 'January 27, 1903 i.
This specimen was compared with females from Rosario and
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
Carcarana, Argentina, received from Prof. Bruner, and one female (Resistencia nel Chaco, Argentina), received from Dr. Borelli.
Dichroplus exilis Giglio-Tos ?
Two males (January 16, 1903, and March 9, 1902).
These specimens do not wholly agree with the original description of exilis, the caudal femora being greenish, above and without any black except in the genicular regions,* while the cerci are subequal in the incurved apical portion. They are readily separated from D. elongatus Giglio-Tos by the shorter and less produced subgenital plate, the broader fas- tigium and vertex as well as the coloration.
Scopas obesus Giglio-Tos.
One female.
This individual fully agrees with the original description. This species is only known from Paraguay, Asuncion being the type locality.
Osmilia violacea (Thunberg).
Two males (December 20, 1901 and February 20, 1903), and one female.
Recorded from Asuncion and Colonia Risso in Paraguay by Giglio-Tos.
Osmilia obliqua (Thunberg).
One female (July 26, 1901).
Recorded from Asuncion by Giglio-Tos, and also from Re- sistencia nel Chaco, Tala and San L/orenzo,in Argentina, and San Francisco and Caiza in the Bolivian Chaco. Thunberg's original specimen was from Brazil, and the Stockholm Museum contains Rio Janeiro material mentioned by Stal.
Family TETTlGONlDJB.
Isophya borellii Giglio-Tos.
One male (January 18, 1903).
This species has previously been recorded from Asuncion, Paraguay, and Santa Rosa, Salta, Argentina.
Hyperophora aiigustipennis Brunner.
One male (March 19, 1903), one female (March 20, 1902), This species has been recorded from Salta and Cordoba
provinces, Argentina.
Family GRYLJJD^. Eneoptera surinamensis ( He Geer).
One male (March 4, 1903 i, two females \ Muy 9 and Novem- ber 8, 1903).
Previously recorded from Guiana, Brazil and Peru.
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43
On the Habits of Two Ichneumonid Parasites of the Bee Ceratina Dupla Say.
BY S. GRAENICHER, Milwaukee, Wis.
During the summer of 1903 eggs and larvae of an Ichneu- monid were noticed in several nests of Ceratina dupla, a rather common bee in our region. I was thus enabled to study the life history of this parasite, and to obtain a number of mature insects, the latter emerging in the spring of the following year. L/ast summer while examining some nests of Ceratina dupla in search of additional material, a second Ichneumonid was found passing its larval stage in the nest of the bee, and of this spec- ies also mature insects were bred. These two Ichneumonids were sent to Mr. Henry L,. Viereck, of Philadelphia, for identifi- cation, with the result that one of them was recognized as Grotea angiiiua Cress., while the other proved to be a new species, which Mr. Yiereck has named and described as Hab- rocrvptns gm-nichcri (ENT. NEWS, Vol. XV, p. 333.) My sincere thanks are due to Mr. Viereck for his kind assistance in this matter.
To my knowledge no Ichneumonida- have as yet been reported from the nests of bees. Besides, one of the parasites under consideration, Grotea anguina, is still the more remark- able from the fact that its larva, during a certain period of its development, leads the life of a vegetarian, subsisting for a few days on the mixture of pollen and nectar, the so-called bee- bread stored away by the bee. In regard to the habits of the Ichneumonidse, Sharp (The Cambridge Natural History, Vol. V, p. 557, 1895) makes the following statement : 'Although the Ichneumonidae are perhaps the most purely carnivorous of all the great families 'of Hymenoptera, there is nevertheless reason for supposing that some of them can be nourished with vegetable substances during a part at any rate of the larval existence, Giraud & Cameron (Ent. Month. Mag. XIII, 1879, p. 200) having recorded observations that lead to the conclu- sion that sonic species of the genus Pinipla may inhabit galls and live on the substance, or juices thereof." It is interesting to note that our species Grotca au^iihia, whose larva during a
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
part of its life feeds on vegetable matter, is also a representa- tive of the Ichneumonid subfamily Pimplinae, while Habro- cryptus grcniicheri, the second parasite to be considered in this paper, belongs to the subfamily Cryptinae.
Before dealing with the habits of these parasites, I prefer to briefly consider the habits of the bee Ceratina dupla, as observed in our surroundings. Both sexes pass the winter together in hollow stems, and copulate in the spring, but not very early. L/ast season (1904), which was an exceedingly late one, they were seen copulating on the flowers of the dandelion on May igth and 2oth, although some bees of other genera (An- drcna and Halidns} were preparing their nests already at the end of April. In this same locality the Ceratina bees did not take up the work with their nests until about June i4th. The pithy stems of various plants are hollowed out, sometimes to a considerable depth, and cell after cell is furnished with the food supply and an egg, each cell being separated from its neigh- bors by a partition of its particles. Around the beginning of August the first young bees appear in the cells at the bottom of the nest, and these have to wait, as Comstock has observed, until all the others above them (sometimes 15 or more) have emerged, whereupon the whole f amity is led out of the nest by the mother bee. This does not take place before the second half of August or even the beginning of September. Coin- stock witnessed two broods in his surroundings, but in our region I have never seen these bees produce more than one brood .
Grotea amjuina Cress.
Altogether 16 nests of Ceratina dnpla containing either the eggs or the recently hatched larvae of the parasite Grotea anguina were obtained.
The eggs of parasitic insects are often remarkable on account of their small size, and in this particular case the difference in size between the egg of the parasite and that of the bee is at once noticeable. The egg of the latter is about 21.- mm. long and i mm. broad, while that of (.irotca aiiguina hardly reaches more than one-half of the length and one-fourth of the breadth of the bee's egg. As a rule the egg of the parasite is placed
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
lengthwise on top of the egg of the bee. The larva of the parasite may emerge earlier or a trifle later than the bee larva, but in either case it proceeds to suck the contents of the egg or of the young larva of the bee, mostly securing a hold on the anterior part. Within a short time a shrivelling of the egg or larva may be observed, and at the end of about 24 hours the anterior portion has been emptied of its contents. Thereupon the parasite turns around, and empties the remaining portion, so that at the expiration of 2 days on the average only the dry remains of the egg or larva of the bee are visible. The para- sitic larva now takes up a position on the bee-bread and feeds on this for the next 3 or 4 days as eagerly as if it were a bee larva. It thereby increases considerably in size, and then forces its way through the partition into a neighboring cell, sooner or later killing and eating up the bee larva of this cell. It usually invades a third cell, also destroying the resident of the latter, and sometimes even a fourth cell is entered with the same result. At the age of 13 or 14 days the parasitic larva is full grown, measuring from 12 to 14 mm. in length, and it then begins to spin a cocoon. At first the pith particles, remains of destroyed bee larvae, pieces of bee-bread, etc., are cleared out of the way for a length of 3 or 4 cm. so as to make room for the future cocoon, This having been done, a solid, hard partition is spun at the upper end of the canal, and one placed at the lower end. These are very resistent, and protect the larvae from attacks coming from above or below. The chamber between these two plug-like partitions is furnished with a lining of a thin white membrane, the larva finally deposits its excreta at the lower end of the chamber, and lives throughout the winter as a "resting larva." In the spring pupation takes place, and the mature insect comes out in time to deposit its eggs in the nests of Ceratina dtipla.
From the larvae kept in a heated room throughout the winter 5 $ and 6 9 specimens of Grotca aiigidna were obtained, the earliest one, a $ , emerging on March gth, and the latest one, a 9 , on May 23rd. These insects appeared for good reasons earlier than those hibernating under natural conditions.
As a rule the egg of this parasite is deposited in the lowest
46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
cell of the nest, less frequently in the next lowest, but occa- sionally also higher up. In the majority of the nests one cell only contains a parasitic egg, although in 4 out of the 16 nests 2 cells were infested. One nest, collected July 2jth, 1903, was kept under observation with especial interest, as it contained 2 parasitic eggs on the egg of the bee in the lowest cell, and in addition to this a parasitic egg on the bee's egg in the adjoin- ing cell. One of the parasitic larvae in the lowest cell killed the other one, it then pursued the usual course of eating up the bee's egg and feeding on bee-bread, and then entered the next cell and there destroyed the somewhat smaller parasitic larva. This occurrence shows that the larva of this parasite instinctively attacks any other larva it may come in contact with inside of the nest.
The normal position of the egg of the parasite is on top of the bee's egg, but in two instances it was placed some distance from the latter on the bee-bread. This, however, did not interfere with the development of the parasite in either case, as the young larva crawled around until it reached the egg of the bee.
Habrocryptus graenicheri Vier.
On June 23, 1904, a Ceratina nest was found with a cell containing the small eggs of a parasite on the top of the bee's egg. This egg resembled rather closely that of Grotea angui.ua, and it was thought to belong to that species until the larva made its appearance. The form of the latter, as also its habits made it clear that we were dealing with some other parasite. Later on 5 additional nests with the eggs of this parasite, ffabrocryptusgrtsnicheri, were obtained, the last one on July 4th.
In size and form the egg of this species agrees with that of Grotea anguina, although it is a trifle smaller and somewhat more pointed behind. It produces a cylindrical larva with a large head and distinctly constricted segments, quite different from the more elliptical larva of Grotea anguina with a small head and without constricted segments. The feeding habits of the larva of this Habrocryptus are peculiar. It moves around on the egg and later on the young larva of the bee, now and then sucking superficially, but without inflicting any damage
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
to the egg or the larva, and evidently obtaining a small amount of food, as is shown by its very slow growth. These sucking movements are performed in a characteristic manner. The parasite brings its mouth-parts in contact with the surface of the egg or the young larva, and sucks for a few moments, whereupon it releases its hold with a jerky upward movement of the head and crawls forward a short distance to repeat the same performance. As already stated, the bee's egg shows no ill effects whatever, it produces a normal bee larva, and the latter partakes of its food-supply, and thrives as well as any other bee larva. A remarkable feature is the tolerance displayed by the bee larva towards the small parasite crawling around on its body and sapping its juices. The bee larva keeps on feeding and does not seem to be inconvenienced in the least by the pres- ence of the parasite. On one occasion the latter was observed to take up a position on the side and within easy reach of the mandibles of the bee larva. It might have been destroyed with but little effort on the part of the bee larva, but nothing of the kind happened.
The parasitic larva increases very gradually in size, especi- ally during the first 4 or 5 days of its life, but at the age of about 8 days it makes a serious attack on the half grown Cera- tina larva, killing it, and sucking its contents. This brings about a rapid growth of the parasite. It soon invades a neighboring cell, destroys the bee larva therein, and occasion- ally raids 3 or 4 cells in the same wray. At the age of about 13 days it is ready to spin its cocoon, and for this purpose it makes use of the space occupied by 2 or 3 of the broken up cells. The cocoon is hurriedly and lightly constructed, and is not protected by any plug-like partitions as in the case of (h <>/«i anguina. About 6 days later pupation takes place, and at the end of ii more days the perfect insect emerges. So that the entire development from the appearance of the larva to that of the imago is accomplished within 30 days on the average. From the 6 nests under observation 4 perfect insects were bred.
REVIEW.
Although these two parasites represent two distinct types of Ichneumonidse, one being a Pituplinc and the other a Crvpfii/c,
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
they both adopt the same method of depositing their eggs on the egg of their host Ccratina dnpla. But in the development of the larva at the expense of the egg or larva of the bee, each of them pursues a different course. The larva of Grotea anguina first increases its size by taking up the contents of the egg or young larva of the bee, but it is still rather small and feeds for several days on pollen and nectar before undertaking the task of breaking through the partition into a neighboring cell in search of a bee larva for food. It starts out as a carni- vorous larva, thereupon it passes over to the diet of a vege- tarian, and finally returns to carnivorous habits. Habrocyptus gfu-nicJieri, on the other hand, does not destroy the egg of the bee, and furthermore it spares the life of the bee larva until the latter has reached a considerable size. During more than one- half of its larval existence it partakes of a very small amount of food, derived superficially from the egg or the larva of the host, and it grows extremely slowly. But finally, by killing the bee larva and feeding on its contents it enters a period of rapid growth, and later on it invades one or more of the bee cells in pursuit of prey in exactly the same manner as does the larva of Grotea anguina. The time necessary to complete the growth of the larva is about the same in either of the species, being 12 or 13 days, but in the later development there is a great differ- ence between the tw^o. After completing its cocoon, the larva of Grotea anguina remains as a so-called resting larva in a state of inactivity until the spring of the following year, when it pupates, and appears as a mature insect at about the time the Ceratlna bees start to build their nests. During this entire period, lasting at least 10 months, the resting larva might suffer injury from different sources (attacks of parasites, inclemency of the weather, etc.) if not properly protected, and we understand the importance of the strong defensive parti- tions erected at the upper and lower end of the cocoon cham- ber. Furthermore, the parasite does not always deposit its egg in the lowest cell, but sometimes as high up as the jth cell, as observed in one of the nests. In such a case there may be several young bees emerging from the lower cells in late summer. These, in order to leave the nest would have to break
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 49
through the cocoon of the parasite, and thus endanger the life of the latter, if not held back by the very effective barrier of a defense partition. I have come across two old nests of Cera/ in a with an empty cocoon-chamber of the emerged parasite, and several dead Ceratina bees below the lower partition. The parasite is able to gnaw its wray through the partition but the bees can not overcome such an obstacle.
There is no period of a "resting larva' in Habrocryptus grccnirheri. Very shortly after the spinning of a cocoon a pupa is formed, and u or 12 days later the imago makes its appearance in advance of the young Ceratina bees, necessity exists for the construction of defense partitions at the ends of the cocoon-chamber, the later being protected by the still occupied bee-cells, and the cocoon is a simple affair, as compared with that of Grotea anguina.
It takes Grotea anguina about a year to pass through its entire development, and of its habits throughout the year we are pretty well informed. Not so with Habrocryptus gr&nicheri. This parasite goes through the different stages within a month, but as to its doings and whereabouts during the remainder of the year we know nothing.
The mode of oviposition has not been observed in either of the species, although I have repeatedly seen Grotea anguina flying around in the neighborhood of the nests of Ceratina dupla. The ovipositor of Habrocryptus gramichcri is 3 mm. in length, and that of Grotea anguina over 4 mm., and in both species it is strong and well developed.
In the Eastern States several small Hymenopterous parasites have been bred from the nests of Ceratina dupla, but in our region the two Ichneumonids considered above are the only para- sites of this bee so far observed. It has been shown that the larva of either of these Ichneumonids is a very destructive inhabitant of the bee's nests, always killing more than one of the bee larvae. Such a parasitic larva when full grown is longer than a cell of the Ceratina nest, and consequently it has to occupy at least two of the cells. But notwithstanding tin- destructive tendency of the parasites, they do not seem to occur in sufficient number to interfere materially with the frequency of Ceratina dupla.
50 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
A List of Coleoptera.
Taken on the Summit of Mt. Stward, N. Y.
BY C. O. HOUGHTON.
On June 22, 1901, the writer, accompanied by Dr. A. D. MacGillivray of Cornell University, spent a short time in col- lecting insects upon the summit of Mr. Seward, one of the highest peaks in the Adirondack Mountains.*
This mountain lies ten or twelve miles to the east of Axton and rises to a height of about 4500 feet above the sea level. The sides are quite heavily wooded and in places very precipi- tous and the top is thickly studded with dwarfed spruce and balsam trees, so small that one can almost walk over the tops of them although they have attained a considerable age.
The trip to this mountain was made from Axton, on the last day of our outing at that place f and owing to the roughness of the road and the difficulties in the ascent only about a half hour was available for collecting purposes at the summit ; and this was about all we could endure, for the black flies (Siiini- liinn sp.) simply swarmed there and rendered collecting well nigh impossible. In all of our collecting in the low lauds about Axton, although tormented a great deal by the black flies and mosquitoes, we had experienced nothing like it and I think that fully as much time was expended in trying to fight off these pests as in our collecting operations.
Near the point where we reached the top and from which we did not venture far, as the trail ended there and the walk- ing was very difficult, there was an old signal station which had been made use of some time before. This was simply a tower-like frame built up to a height of perhaps 15-20 feet with poles cut from the sides of the mountain, and upon this we secured a number of the beetles listed below. Our atten- tion was chiefly directed to the collection of Coleoptera and indeed, with the exception of the black flies, but few other insects were seen.
*Mt. Marcy, the highest, has an elevation of 5379 feet.
fSee " A List of Insects Taken in the Adirondack Mountains, New York — I." By Alex. MacGillivray and C. O. Houghton — HN TOMOLOGI- CAL NEWS, Vol. XIII, 1902, p. 247.
Feb., '05]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
The following list embraces only those species taken on the summit, some of which were also taken at Axton ;:;: when taken at both places it is so designated. The number follow- ing the name indicates the number of specimens taken on Mt. Seward. Most of the material was determined by Mr. Chas. Liebeck ; the writer is responsible for the remainder.
STAPHYLINID/E. Hoinalota sp. , i. Alceocharid, undetermined, i. Xantholinus cepalus Say, i.
COCCINELLID.E. Harmoiiia picta Rand., I. Hyperaspis bigeminata Rand., 60- 75-t
CUCUJID.E.
Lcemophlteus convexulus Lee., i. CRYPTOPHAGIDyE.
Cryptophagussp., 3.
ELATERID^E. Elater socer Lee., 2.
nigricans Germ., i. Agriotes limosus Lee., i.J Limonius pectoralis Lee., 9. Corymbites spinosus Lee., i.
appressus Rand., i.
BUPRESTID^E. Dicerca divaricata Say, i.J
MALACHITE. Attains iiigrellus Lee., i.
CLERID^E. Thanasinius dubius Fab., i.
CERAMBYCID.E. Asemum moestiun Hald., 4. Tetropium cinnamopterum Kirby, i Pachyta monticola Rand., 2.J AcTHfgops pratensis Laich, i.
CHRYSOMELID.E. Galerucella decora Say, i.j Disonycha pennsylvanica 111., i.
MELANDRYID^E.
Xylita l/zvigata Hellw., i.
OEDEMERID^E. Asclera puncticollis Say, 2.
CEPHALOID.E.
Cephaloon lepturides Newm., i.J
CURCULIONID.E.
Apion walshii Smith, i.
SCOLYTID^E.
Pityophthorus materiariusY'ilch, i.
" sparsus Lee., i.
Xyleborus ccclatus Eich., i. Polygraphus rnfipennis Kirby, 6.
Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Williamson, of Bluffton, Indiana, left home on Deeember 31 for Guatemala, where they will collect insects. Mr. Will- iamson, who is favorably known for his papers on dragon flies, will pay special attention to that group.
* By an oversight, all of the species taken on Mt. Seward were included in the list of Coleoptera taken at Axton and vicinity.
t These were all taken on, or close to, the old signal tower; many others could have been secured.
J Taken also at Axton.
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
A New Lac -Insect.
By T. D. A. COCKERELL.
The lac-insects ( Tachardia) are for the most part members of the tropical fauna, and only a few species occur within the boundaries of the United States. In New Mexico T. cornuta Ckll. has long remained unique, and I did not expect to see a second species from that region. However, one has come to hand, and from a locality in which I have collected many times, without finding it. It must be extremely local ; the explanation of this fact is sufficiently evident when on boiling up the material received, I find it severely attacked both by a fungus and a chalcidid.
Tachardia glomerella n. sp.
Crowded on the sterns of Gutierrexia gloim~rclla Greene the indivi- duals coalescing in large numbers, but not (in the material received) en- tirely surrounding the stems ; color very dark, with translucent shining orange-red rounded bosses, suggestive of guava jelly ; scales smooth and roundec, without (even when young) any distinct projection such as is seen in T. cornuia ; female when boiled and mounted colorless, about 3 mm. long ; the crimson pigment produced on boiling very abundant, making the liquid extremely dark ; caudal process yellowish-brown, only moderately chitinized, very broad basally, emitting no hairs from its apex ; dorsal excretory processes cylindrically slightly broadened to the base, colorless.
Larva with antennae 6-jointed, joints 3 and 6 long (6 longest), the others short, 4 and 5 with a stout spine subapically, 6 with a similar but larger spine at about the beginning of its last third ; apex of 5 with two ex- tremely long hairs, nearly twice as long as the sixth joint.
• Found on the mesa near Little Mountain, Mesilla Valley, Ne\v Mexico, Oct. 6, 1904, by Dr. David Griffiths. Commu- nicated by Professor E. O. Wooton.
Larger and darker than T. cornuta, and without the protu- berance. Much darker and otherwise different from T. fi/l- gcns Ckll. ; without the stripes and lateral foot-like processes of T. fulvaradiata Ckll. The Guticrrc.ia is very abundant in
the Mesilla Valley.
— -i <»> i —
PUI.YIXAIUA KICUS Hempel. — Thiscoccid was recorded from the \\Vst Indies by Maxwell-Lefroy, who gave measurements of the antenna- and legs. An examination of the data presented shows that the species was not P. ficns at all, but /'. inf>a)iia- Ckll. The true /'. Jicus is known only from Brazil. — T. D. A. COCKKKKU..
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53
The Spreading of Sphaeridium Scarabaeotdes L.
BY FREDERICK KNAB.
This beetle is not only spreading through the Eastern States, as shown by Mr. C. O. Houghton, in the last volume of ENT. NEWS, p. 310, but also to the westward. Upon a recent visit to Chicago I was suprised to see a fine series of this insect among the local captures in the collection of Mr. A. B. \Vol- cott. Although Mr. Wolcotthascollectedindustriouslyabout Chicago for a number of years, he had never seen this species until he met it on October 9, 1904. Upon that date he captured 23 specimens and could have taken many more. The speci- mens were all found on the lake-shore embankment in the northern part of the city where they doubtless crawled after being washed ashore. They were very active and would readily take flight after running a distance of one or two inches. Mr. Wolcott also captured a single specimen on November 2. 1904, so that it would seem that the species is established about Chicago, though evidently a very recent arrival. The above specimens show considerable variation in the color-markings of the elytra, and also in size, the specimens measuring from 4.5- 7 mm.
It is an interesting feature in the spread of the species in the East that it seems to have invaded the Connecticut River valley from the southward. The writer took a single specimen near Mount Tom, Mass., in the summer of 1902. and the fol- lowing season encountered it at various points in Hamden County, Mass., while the Rev. C. Crozet had already found the species plentiful about Hartford, Conn., in 1901.
1 should be obliged to you if you would call attention in Notes and News to the fact that I shall be glad to examine and name any Crvptocc- rate Heiniptera sent to me, except Corixas. I am working on these groups for the North American fauna, and find it extremely difficult to get material. There is so very little known about them that even our accepted text books contain glaring errors. I should be glad to answer any queries regarding these insects.
I see that my friend, Mr. G. W. Kirkaldy, implies that I might give you some information regarding the method of " oaring " in water bugs. Quoting offhand from casual observation, I would say that /!t-/os/onm. Cori.va and Xolonecta move the hind legs together. Ranatni I have observed several times, and that curious insect paddles through the water in a very curious way. It uses the second and third pairs of legs, which it moves alternately, first one pair and then the ether. It is a vei \ slow and awkward swimmer. — J. R. in-: LA TOKKI I'n MI, _>s I'.road St., N Y
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit and will thankfully receive items of news likely to interest its readers from any source. The author's name will be given in each case, for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors. — All contributions will be considered and passed upon at oui earliest convenience,. and, as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy " into the hands of the printer, for each num- ber, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or important matter for a certain issue. Twenty-five "extras," without change in form, will be given free, when they are wanted ; and this should be so stated on the MS., along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., FEBRUARY, 1905.
If in the evolution of species there had been no breaks or gaps it would be impossible to differentiate species, and even now complete series would make it very difficult to draw lines and separations. Our tools, so to speak, for the identification of species may be divided into figures, word descriptions and types. Some very distinguished entomologists believed in the former two tools only, as they did not care to go beyond the failure or the possibilities of the tools. A carpenter may say feet and inches are fine but millimeters are of doubtful value and micromillimeters perfectly idiotic. . We can sympathize with that carpenter as micromillimeters are of no value to him. Figures and more particularly words may appear equally idiotic to some entomologists because they are inadequate to describe or differentiate some of the minute differences in in- sects. In other words, in some instances the study has gone beyond the standards of measurement. When we are stranded in this way recourse must be had to types, and that is why types are becoming more and more worshipped every day. Would it not be infinitely better to wait until the tools or standards of measurement become delicate enough to measure all differences and not let the mi hi itch run away with our •sound judgment?
To make the thing clearer and perhaps to illustrate and ex- aggerate a tendency we cite the following : The celebrated mammologist, Dr. Coyote, discovers a peculiar beetle among
54
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 55
some skins and is very curious to know the species and asks an entomological friend what it is. Mr. dear Dr. Coyote the genus to which that species belongs was monographed by Dr. L/ectularius, his types are in the Royal Museum at Khartoum, and it is simply impossible to identify that species from either his figures or descriptions ; you must personally examine his types.
Dr. Coyote lived in New York and his father was the owner of the Metropolitan Traction Company. So the next day at 8 A. M. he started for the State of Kordofan.
For the past two years I have noticed that the larvae of one of our Geometrid moths, Zerene (Cingilia] catenaria was doing considerable damage to some of our small shrubs and bushes in certain localities. On August 15, 1903, in one place within the city limits I saw quite a large area where there was scarcely anything but bayberry bushes, that had the appearance of having been swept by a fire, the leaves having been com- pletely eaten leaving nothing but the thick ribs, which had turned brown. At this time the larvae were beginning to pupate, many having already done so. On July 22, 1904, in another locality, some five miles away. I found these larvae in great abundance, being about half or two thirds grown. They had stripped many bushes and shrubs of their leaves ; in this place their food was more varied ; I noticed them on bayberry, sweet fern, low blueberry, young white birch trees, and on a few young oaks. About the same time I noticed them in still another locality about mid- way between the two last ; here also they were feeding on bayberry, sweet fern and to some extent on young white birch trees, and had stripped many of them. — JAMES E. BILLSON, Providence, R. I.
Doings of Societies.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held December 22, 1905. In the absence of the Director, Dr. Castle presided. Fourteen persons were present. The following were elected officers to serve for the year 1905 : Director, Philip Laurent : Vice- Director, H. W. Wenzel ; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson ; Recorder, Henry Skinner; Secretary, Frank Haimbach ; Con- servator, Henry Skinner ; Publication Committee, C. \V. Johnson, J. H. Ridings.
HKN K v S K i N N K K , /
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[Feb., '05
A joint meeting of the Association of Economic Entomolo- gists, the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the American Entomological Society and the Feldman Collecting Social was held in the Entomologi- cal rooms of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia on December 29, 1904. Dr. Philip P. Calvert was elected Chairman of the meeting and Dr. Henry Skinner acted as Secretary. Among those present were :
Levi W. Mengel, Pennsylvania. J. H. Matthews, Pennsylvania. J.'A. G. Rehn, Pennsylvania.
E. M. Walker, Ontario. J. G. Saunders, D. C.
H. L. Viereck, Pennsylvania.
F. C. Bishopp, D. C. C. S. Mead, Ohio.
H. A. Surface, Pennsylvania. J. F. McClendon, Pennsylvania. C. P. Gillette, Colorado. James Fletcher, Ontario. L. O. Howard, D. C.
C. O. Houghton, Delaware
W. S. Huntington, Pennsylvania. M. V. Slingerland, New York. E. L. Dickerson, New Jersey. Henry C. MrCook, Pennsylvania.
E. P. Felt, New York.
T. H. Schmitz, Pennsylvania.
D. M. Castle, Pennsylvania. H. E. Summers, Iowa
G. M. Bentley, North Carolina. Frank Benton, D. C. Umekichi Nawa, Japan.
H. A. Snydei, Pennsylvania. Frank Haimbach, Pennsylvania. H. W. Wenzel, Pennsylvania.
F. Weigand, Pennsylvania.
C. T. Greene, Pennsylvania. H. N. Poole, Pennsylvania. G. M. Greene, Pennsylvania. H. A. Wenzel, Pennsylvania. J. F. Strauss, D. C. A. A. Girault, D. C. L. Martin, D. C. J. B. Smith, New Jersey. J. J. Repp, Pennsylvania.
E. S. G. Titus, D. C. W. A. Riley, New York.
A. F. Satterthwait, Pennsylvania. Herbert Osborn, Ohio. W. D. Hunter, Texas. W. M. Scott, D. C. G. W. Martin, Tenn.
F. D. Sanderson, New Hampshire. F. W. Rane, New Hampshire.
E. Daecke, Pennsylvania.
C. W. Fenninger, Pennsylvania.
J. C. Bradley, New York.
A. F. Burgess, Ohio.
A. L. Ouaintance, D. C.
H T. Fernald, Massachusetts.
W. E. Britton, Connecticut.
F. L. Washburn, Minnesota.
C. E. Chambliss, South Carolina. Henry Skinner, Pennsylvania. P. P. Calvert, Pennsylvania.
W. J. Coxey, New Jersey.
Dr. Calvert gave an account of his method of work in the differentiation of the species and genera of Odonata for the Biologia Centrali- Americana.
Dr. Skinner spoke of the classification of the based on the costal ?f old.
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
Prof. J. B. Smith discussed the value of characters used in classification and specially referred to his work on the genitalia of Lachiwstcrua.
Dr. L,. O. Howard complimented Dr. Calvert on his work and referred to the value of larval characters. He also men- tioned the utility of genitalic characters in elucidating other smaller differences.
Prof. Ouaintance talked of his studies in the Aleyrodidse, and said the classification of the family was based on larval characters.
Dr. Felt alluded to his recent work on mosquitoes and said exact illustration by the aid of photo-micrographs was of very great importance.
Prof. E.D. Sanderson said he had used a method similar to that of Dr. Calvert and found it very useful in the study of plant lice.
Dr. Henry C. McCook spoke eloquently of the great value of entomological studies and contrasted the early days with present universal recognition of the value of such studies.
Prof. H. E. Summers gave an account of a method of mathe- matical differentiation of species, trying to elucidate by a single character the expression of the others.
Mr. H. L,. Viereck gave a resume of his studies in Andrenidse.
Mr. Rehn gave an address on the extralimital species of Orthoptera.
Mr. E. M. Walker commented on Mr. Rehn's communication and spoke of the Canadian species.
Dr. James Fletcher spoke lovingly of Canada and referred to his studies of rare Canadian butterflies, such as Ar^. as/at'/i', Chion. alberta and Erebia "ddlcri.
Prof. Ouaintance said he wished to thank the Philadelphia Entomological Societies in behalf of the visiting entomologists for their hospitality and the good time shown them.
Dr. Calvert made some remarks on the value of organizing a National Entomological Society. After discussion, Mr. Bradley moved that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to consider the matter. The committee appointed con- sisted of E. I). Sanderson, H. T. Fernald and J. C. Bradley. After the meeting some time was spent in social intercom st- over the refreshments provided by the local committee.
HENRY SKINNKK, Sn-
58 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
A meeting of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement of Science was held in the rooms of the American Entomolgical Society, in the building of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, on Friday evening, December 30, 1904. The following were present : F. Benton, F. C. Bishopp, J. C. Bradley, D. M. Castle, C. E. Chambliss, M. T. Cook, E. Daecke, C. W. Fenninger, H. T. Fernald, W. J. Fox, C. P. Gillette, F. Haimbach, W. D. Hunter, L,. Martin, A. D. MacGillivray, J. H. McGregor, U. Nawa, J. L. Phillips, A. L,. Quaintance, J. A. G. Rehn, W. A. Riley, E. D. Sanderson, W. M. Scott, H. Skinner, R. M. Strong, H. E. Summers, E. S. G. Titus, H. L. Viereck, F. L. Washburn, H. A. Wenzel, H. W. Wenzel.
In calling the meeting to order the President, Dr. Henry Skinner, spoke of the meeting of the Entomological Club held twenty years before in the Hotel Lafayette, in Philadelphia. In the absence of the Secretary, Mr. E. Y. AVilcox, Mr. J. C. Bradley was elected to take his place. Mr. H. A. Morgan was then elected President, and Mr. G. W. Herrick Secretary for the New Orleans meeting in 1905. Dr. Skinner was elected per- manent Secretary, whose duty it should be to notify officers of their election and see that the business of the club is attended to.
At a joint meeting of the Association of Economic Ento- mologists and the American Entomological Societj^ the pre- vious evening, a committee had been appointed to report at this meeting on the advisability and means of establishing a national association of entomologists. The following report from this committee was read :
Report of the Committee on a National Association of
Entomologists.
Your committee believes that there is room in America for
•
an association of entomologists wherein all divisions and all branches of entomology shall be represented ; an association which shall bring together all aspects of the science and throw its influence in favor of harmony and uniformity of practice. Such an association will be a success, however, only if it is estab- lished on a broad basis, and with a membership which shall be truly American rather than sectional.
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59
Your committee therefore recommends the selection by this meeting of a committee of three, not members of any of the societies named below, whose duties shall be :
1. To communicate with the American Entomological Society, the New York Entomological Society, the Entomolo- gical Society of Washington, the Cambridge Entomological Club, the Entomological Society of Ontario, and the Pacific Coast Entomological Society, requesting each to select some member to represent his society on this committee.
2. As soon as four of these socities shall have elected mem- bers of the committee, the entire committee shall prepare a constitution and by-laws and plan of work for a proposed American Society of Entomologists, and report them at such time and place during 1905 as shall seem to them most likely to find the greatest number of entomologists assembled. Notice of this meeting to be first published in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS and the Canadian Entomologist.
3. This committee shall also arrange a program of discus- sion on some entomological topic for the proposed meeting.
(Signed) J. CHESTER BRADLEY, H. T. FERNALD, E. D. SANDERSON.
The President and Messrs. Summers and Titus spoke their appreciation of this movement. On motion the report was adopted, and the chair instructed to appoint a committee, which was done as follows : John B. Smith, C. P. Gillette and J. G. Needham.
The President spoke of the history of American entomology, especially of Thomas Say. The " Father of American Ento- mology " had lived under peculiar conditions ; it was recorded that at times he had slept under specimens in the museum and lived on eight cents per day. The speaker exhibited a book which had belonged to Say and was presented to the American Entomological Society by his wife, Lucy W. Say. In this book was the imprint of a butterfly's wing which had been made by transferring the scales on to a pasted surface. The only extant type of any of Say's species was shown. The Academy of
60 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
Natural Sciences in Philadelphia had been censured for the loss of Say's types, but in justice to the Academy it was explained that at that time there was no entomologist in Phila- delphia, and the Academy had sent the collection to T. W. Harris to be cared for, and while in his hands it was destroyed.
A set of several albums belonging to the American Ento- mological Society was shown, which contained photographs of very many of the older as well as contemporary entomologists. All were invited to contribute photographs who had not already done so.
Mr. Rehn exhibited some old and rare books from the library of the American Entomological Society and that of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.
Mr. Cook stated that the Gundlach collection of insects was in excellent state of preservation in Havana, Cuba. Mr. Cresson and others in Philadelphia had at one time worked on this collection ; twenty-three years ago it had been put in her- metically sealed boxes, only a few of which had become broken. There were over 2000 species. The speaker had the proof of a catalogue of the Coleoptera which had never been finally pub- lished. Mr. Fox stated that many of Cressou's species were in Poey's collection. Mr. Cook said that that collection was in the University of Havana where were also Poey's fishes.
In speaking of the Comstock-Needham system of wing venation, Dr. MacGillivray stated that Prof. Comstock had been successful in homologising the wing veins in most of the different orders of insects. From the study of iVanoura he had derived a hypothetical primitive type of venation, which had closeh' corresponded with wings observed later. He showed by diagrams the definite way specialization by reduc- tion had taken place, as illustrated by the Radius. In the case of saw-flies the radial sector arises from the base of the stigma while in the higher Hymenoptera it appears to arise from near the apex ; but he had recently proven that in reality the base of the radial sector has been lost in all higher Hymen- optera, and the radial cross-vein has assumed its function. Mr. Daecke inquired how this system applied to such orders as Odonata, where the veins were very numerous. Dr. Mac-
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 6 1
Gillivray replied that in that case there had been another type of specialization, by addition, the definite methods of which were just as clearly demonstrable. Dr. Riley said that he had taken up the study of the system with a strong prejudice against it ; but as he studied it he had become filled with enthusiasm. He mentioned the successful work that had been done in applying the system to different orders, — by Prof. Coin- stock in Lepidoptera, by Dr. Johannsen in Chironomidse, by Dr. Needham in Odonata, by Dr. MacGillivray in Hymenop- tera, — and said that their work showed that there was a solid ground work of truth, although details had yet to be worked out in different groups. Dr. MacGillivray stated that Prof. Comstock had derived a classification of the Lepidoptera from their wing venation, which had been corroborated by Mr. Bodine from a study of the scales, Mr. Kellogg from the antennae and very closely by Dr. Dyar from a study of the tubercles of the larvee.
Dr. Fernald complained of the inaccuracy and vagueness of the terms used in the question of mimicry. He placed on the board a tentative table classifying those phenomena. A simi- lar table was placed on the board by Mr. Summers. The sub- ject was discussed at length by Messrs. Skinner, Gillette, Bradley, Fox, Riley, Fernald, Summers, Rehn and Mac- Gillivray.
Mr. Washburn spoke upon the attractions of Minnesota for the entomologist.
It was ordered that the minutes be published in both the Canadian Entomologist and the ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. The Club then adjourned.
J. CHESTER BRADLEY, Secretary pro
At the meeting of the Feldman Collecting Social held Decem- ber 21, 1904, at the residence of Mr. H. \Y. \Venzel, 1523 S. Thirteenth St., Philadelphia, ten persons were present.
Prof. Smith spoke of his work in connection with a glossary of entomological terms, and stated that the terms will be more than doubled as compared with the list issued by the Brooklyn Entomological Society some years ago, and will number at
62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
least 5000. He referred to a recent work on insect variation and doubted the value of counting the spots and shape of maculation in 1000 specimens of one variable species. It simply indicated an indefinite variation which students already are aware of.
Discussed by Messrs. Castle, Harbeck and Wenzel, who spoke of the variation of Cryptocephalus maculation.
Prof. Smith remarked that in some seasons certain insects are more constant than usual, and that variations are very local.
Mr. Wenzel referred to variation in Pterostichus , which bears out Prof. Smith's remarks as to local variation. He also showed a piece of wood from southern Arizona which was perforated by insects. A specimen of Zygops seminiveus was found inside.
The incompleteness of analytical tables of species by Le Conte was referred to by Messrs. Wenzel and Smith. To use these tables properly it is necessary to have an almost complete collection of the genus in question, owing to the indefiniteness of most comparisons.
Mr. Harbeck recorded the capture of Chlorops pidvera from Fern Rock, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1904, and Leskia thecatazk Clementon, N. J., September 5, 1904, both new to this region.
Mr. Laurent exhibited a butterfly showing effects of cyanide on the yellow coloring. He had examined the abdomens of 10 specimens of Prionus laticollis and found that they contained an average of 383^ eggs.
Mr. Daecke showed a beetle, Silvaniis snrinamensis, which was found commonly in barrels of currants imported from Greece. WM. J. Fox, Secretary.
A meeting of the American Entomological Society was held December 22, 1904. Dr. Philip P. Calvert, President, in the chair. Fourteen persons were present. The following were elected to serve as officers for the year 1905 : President, P. P. Calvert ; Vice-President, H. W. Wenzel ; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson ; Recording Secretary, Henry Skinner ; Correspond-
Feb., '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63
ing Secretary, Frank Haimbach ; Curator, Henry Skinner ; Librarian, J. C. Bradley ; Publication Committee, E. T. Cres- son, C. Few Seiss, B. H. Smith ; Executive Committee, Philip Laurent, H. W. Wenzel, Frank Haimbach ; Finance Committee, J. W. McAllister, C. S. Welles, D. M. Castle.
HENRY SKINNER, Secretary.
A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Chicago Academy of Sciences was held November iyth, at the John Crerar Library, nine persons present.
Dr. C. F. Adams, of the University of Chicago, took the floor, his subject being 'American Dipterology." His talk was of a historical nature, naming the epochs through which the study of American Diptera had passed, its principal de- votees and collections, and partly describing the work being done by present students.
Thomas Say, the so-called father of American Entomology, was the first American to write of the Diptera, but nothing of great magnitude or importance was accomplished until Osten- Sacken and Loew, both Europeans, entered the field. Their work extended over many years, and has proved invaluable to later students. Walker, of the British Museum, described a large number of species, but his descriptions were poor and many of the species proved to be synonymous with others pre- viously described. The first real American Dipterist, as Dr. Adams put it, to enter this field of research was Prof. S. W. Williston in 1879. He described three new species in 1880, and published a monograph of the Syrphidae in 1886. This was the first publication by an American Dipterist of a revi- sional character and gave new impetus to the study. The first edition of Prof. Williston's " Manual of North American Dip- tera," appeared in 1888, the latest revised edition, in 1896. Since then Prof. Williston has devoted most of his time and attention to tropical Diptera, and his latest work appears in the " Biologia Centrali Americana."
Present workers mentioned by Dr. Adams include :
Mr. D. W. Coquillet, of the National Museum, an earnest student and prolific writer.
64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Feb., '05
Prof. W. M. Wheeler of the American Museum, N. Y., who has done considerable work in the Dolichopodidae and Empididse.
Mr. C. W. Johnson, of the Boston Society of Natural His- tory, who is interested particularly in the Stratiomyidae and Leptidse.
Dr. J. B. Smith, whose work among the mosquitoes is well known.
Prof. J. S. Hine, of the University of Ohio, interested prin- cipally in the Tabanidae.
Prof. Aldrich, of the University of Idaho, interested in the Dolichopodidae and working on a catalog of North American Diptera.
Mr. A. L,. Melander, of the Experiment Station, State of Washington, Empididse.
Mr. C. T. Brues, of the American Museum, N. Y., Phoridae.
Dr. O. A. Johannsen of Cornell University, Nematocera.
Dr. Adams considers the collections of the United States National Museum, the University of Chicago, Harvard Uni- versity, and the University of Kansas as the best in the United States. The collection of the University of Chicago consists principally of the former Dr. Hough Collection, and is rich in Muscidae. The material on Anthomyidse is very good, having been revised by Stein, a European authority, and returned and includes numerous types. This collection is also rich in Micro- Diptera. In Chicago literature on the Diptera is very complete, as almost every book or periodical on the subject can be found at either the University of Chicago, the John Crerar Library, or in Professor Williston's private library.
Dr. Adams was heartily applauded at the close of his dis- course. He was followed by Prof. Williston who added a few words, mentioning Edward Burgess, an American, who wrote on Diptera in 1878 or 1879, before Prof. Williston did and wThose collection is now in the National Museum. Prof. Wil- liston also stated that the National Museum contained over 100 types of Stegiomyia, and he considered it by far the most complete collection of American Diptera.
A. KwiAT, Recorder.
FOR SALE CHEAP
for cash— collection of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera. 5000 species, 25,000 specimens contained in 250 Schmitt and other boxes. All in first-class condition. Determinations by best Amer. and Europ. specialists
WM. A. NASON, ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS.
HARPALUS and BRACHYNUS.
Wanted North American examples of Harpalus and Brachynus (except 1083 and 1087 Henshaw).
F. C. BOWDITCH, 164 Rawson Rd., Brookline, Norfolk Co., Mass.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS WORTH $1.000
My beautiful collection of Lepidoptera representing seven years of patient collecting and purchases in the U. S. and foreign lands offered for $275 CASH.
SUITABLE FOR MUSEUM, SCHOOL OR PRIVATE EXHIBITION
956 U. S. diurnals, many rare forms of which 752 are classified after Smith's check list ; 1080 nocturnals, all orders, many rare and unamed ; 464 Lepidop- tera from India, Africa, South America, Australia, very fine ; 700 in papers, U. S. and foreign, to be mounted. Total, 3200.
For full information, address
HENRY W. EUSTIS
N. W. CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
BRITISH mm LEP1PTERH FOR SflLE.
Noctuidae in 25 lots, 2 of kind, from following genera \-Xylina,
Xvlomiges, T&niocampa, Stretchia, Litholomia. and Scope losoma.
£2 50; Geometers. 60-30 kinds, $3.00; Micros, 100-20
kinds, $2.00, all postpaid. The lot, $6.00.
THEO. BRYANT, Wellington, B. C., Canada.
BREHME COMBINATION INSECT BOXES.
Similar to the Schmitt box: 9x13 in. plain edge, 85 cts. ;
8X x 13, protruding edge, 90 cts.
Orders filled promptly. Any size or style box made to order. Cabinets made to order of any design.
H. H. BREHME, 583 18th AVENUE, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.
When Writing Please Mention «• Kiitoiunloi;ical New*."
AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL COMPANY
1040 DE KALB AVE., BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
PRICE LIST No. 6
READY FOR DISTRIBUTION DECEMBER 1, 1904
Classification of N. Am. Lepidoptera according to Smith's List, 1904.
Price List of Coleoptera, No. 2. of N. Am. species. Complete and New Catalogue of Entomological Supplies.
Many new features and illustrations added.
List of School Supplies: — Collections, Biological Material, Mimicry, Color Protection, Dimorphism, Polymorphism, etc.
MANUFACTURERS OF THE ONLY
GENUINE SCHMITT INSECT BOXES.
Builders of Cabinets and Exhibition Cases.
Manufacturers of the New Improved Metal Cases for Schmitt Boxes. Manufacturers of the American Entomological Go's Insect Pins.
Elbow Pins are added to our line.
PRICE OF LIST 1O CTS.
To our patrons List will be forwarded when issued. All previous Lists cancelled.
THE KNY SCHEERER CO.
DEPARTMERT OF NATURAL SCIENCE. G. LAGAI, Ph.D., 225-233 Fourth Ave., New York, N. Y.
PARIS EXPOSITION: gfHQlL PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION :
Eight Awards and Medals ^i^K/W^S^ Gold Medal
ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION : Grand Prize and Gold Medal
ENTOMOLOGICAL SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS
North American and exotic insects of all orders in perfect condition.
Single specimens and collections illustrating mimicry, protective coloration,
dimorphism, collections of representatives of the different orders of insects, etc.
Series of specimens illustrating insect life, color variation, etc.
Metamorphoses of insects.
We manufacture all kinds of insect boxes and cases (Schmitt insect boxes, Lepidoptera boxes, etc.), cabinets, nets, insects pins, forceps, etc..
Riker specimen mounts at reduced prices.
Catalogues and special circulars free on application.
Rare insects bought and sold.
When Writing Please Mention "Entomological News."
P. C SrOCKHHUSFN. PRINTER SB N T TH ST. PHILADELPHIA
MARCH,
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Vol. XVI. No. 3
Cryptohalictoides spiniferus Vie^eck.
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D. PHILIP P. CALVERT, Ph.D., Associate Editor.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
EZRA T. CRKSSON. HENRY L. VIERECK. J. A. G. REHN.
PHILIP LAURENT. WILLIAM J. FOX. CHARLES W. JOHNSON.
PHILADELPHIA:
ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
LOGAN SQUARE.
Entered at the Philadelphia Post-Office as Second-Clasi Matter.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
Published monthly, excepting July and August, in charge of the Entomological
Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,
and the American Entomological Society.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, $1.OO IN ADVANCE.
Outside of the United States and Canada, $1.20.
Advertising Rates: 30 cents per square inch, single insertion ; a liberal discount
on longer insertions. No advertisement taken for less than
60 cents — Cash in advance.
All remittances should be addressed to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.
EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA.
ERNEST SW1NHOE,
Cat. No. 14 for 1905 free. 37 Addison Gardens, London W , England
The only dealers' list giving authors' name throughout. As the various species are arranged under their generic names, this list affords an excellent reference for museums and collectors. Explanatory catalogue with over 300 descriptions and many interesting notes, 12 cents.
Fine series, illustrating "Mimicry" and "Seasonal Dimorphism," loo named specimens, ist qual., ex. Assam., 40 different species in papers, includ- ing P. bootes, gyas, etc., mailed free on receipt of Post Office Order, $4.00.
NORTH AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA
Wanted in exchange for others. Have hundreds of specimens
to exchange. Send lists to
JOS. H. READING
775 N. Rockwell Streets, Chicago, Illinois.
A FEW COPIES LEFT OF HEN5HAWS LIST OF COLEOPTERA
of America, North of Mexico, published in 1885, and Supplement to same, including all additions and correc- tions up to end of 1894.
Price Of List (slightly soiled on outside) 50 cents.
" Supplement 50 cents.
Mailed on receipt of price. Address
E T. CRESSON, Treasurer,
American Entomological Society,
P. O. Box 248, Philadelphia, Pa.
When Writing Please Mention " Kiitomological News."
ENT NEWS, VOL. XVI.
ALEYRODES ACTE/E BRITTON.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. XVI. MARCH, 1905. No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Britton— Some New or Little Known Aleyrodidae from Connecticut — I.. 64
Slosson — Just One Log 67
Fall — Notes on some Californian Bu- prestidse 71
Cockerell— Three new bees from the Southwest 81
de la Torre Bueno — Notes on Mixogas- ter breviventris Kahl 83
Grundel — Life History of Lemonias Uhler — Recognition of two N. Ameri- virgulti ............................ 86
can species of Cicada Latr ......... 74 j Editorial .............................. 87
Franklin— A new species of Entomo- brya ............................... 77
Felt — Culex brittoni n. sp .............. 79
Pilate — Note on the finding of Ptinus fur and brunneus ................ 80
Notes and News 88
Entomological Literature 89
Doings of Societies 90
Obituary : W. N. Tallant 96
Some New or Little known Aleyrodidae from
Connecticut. I. BY W. E. BRITTON, Ph. D., State Entomologist of Conn.
(Plate IV.)
Aleyrodes acteae sp. nov.
Egg. — Unknown.
Larva. — Early stages not found. Specimen examined was about 0.99 mm. by 0.66 mm. Shape oval like pupa case. Color uniform light yel- lowish green, medio-dorsal region not clouded. Yasiform orifice brownish or slightly darker than the other portion. Segmentation apparent with a median crest on each segment. Surface more or less wrinkled, with no wax rods or papillae. Larva thin and flat though slightly convex.
Pupa case.— Size about 1.5 mm. by i mm. Broadly oval in shape, pale yellow or greenish white near the margin with a medio-longituclinal area of dark brown. Dorsum, especially the dark portion, highly con- vex, most abrupt at cephalic extremity ; marked transversely with rather deep furrows corresponding to the adult segmentation. Each segment has a median crest which is darker in color than the surrounding por- tion. Marginal area radially corrugated or wrinkled. Margin finely crenulate. A pair of setse 43// long at anal extremity, with a second pair 30/7. long situated at a distance from therfirst pair nearly twice as great as the distance between the first pair. Entire dorsal surface shiny, and wholly destitute of papillae, wax rods or secretion of any kind. A low
65
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
wall of wax on the underside, just inside of the margin connects it to the leaf, and remains upon the leaf as an oval ring of wax after the pupa case has disappeared. Vasiform orifice subtriangular, about 8o/j> long and nearly as broad as long, with angles rounded and sides bulging. Operculum rhomboid-ovate, half the length of orifice, two-thirds as long as broad, base nearly a straight line, sides bulging, apex concavely trun- cate. Lingula spatulate with a pair of prominent spines or setse 40^ long, one each side of distal extremity, which is not lobed but obtusely pointed or rounded. A transverse fold or carina reaches entirely across the broadest portion. Free end is densely papillose with short hairs.
Aduli. — Wings white, with a two-lobed dusky spot more or less dif- fused and irregular at the extremity of median vein ; the vein is dark grey or black through this area which appears equal on the upper and under sides of front and rear wings. Legs and antennae yellow. Two rows of prominent spines on the front or under side of hind tibiae, the length of the spines being about equal to the thickness of the tibia. Eyes divided by wax secretion. Entire insect more or less covered with a mealy or granular secretion of wax. Abdomen bears two latero-ven- tral tufts of white wax.
Female. — With the charactersjust mentioned. Length about 1.4 mm. ; forewing about 1.63 mm. by 0.88 mm. ; hind tibia 0.56 mm. ; thorax dark on dorsal and ventral surfaces ; abdomen with a suffused dusky spot on dorsum at base ; a large brown spot at anal extremity on dorsum, and a small brown oval spot just in front of the large one ; and a pair of small dark spots on ventral surface near anal extremity.
Male. — Length about 1.3 mm. ; forewing about 1.52 mm. by o.yomm. ; hind tibia 0.48 mm. ; hind tarsus 0.27 mm. ; antennas about 0.41 mm. Spots on wings are less distinct than in 9- Thorax dark above, yellow beneath. Abdomen yellow without prominent markings, more slender than in $ and terminating in the genitalia. Latero-ventral wax tufts smaller than in $.
The characters of this insect are shown on the accompanying plate.
Types. — No. 8253 U. S. National Museum.
Cotypes. — Collection of Connecticut Agricultural Experi- ment Station, New Haven, Conn. Described from 12 9,2 £ and hundreds of pupa cases.
Habitat. — Found on the leaves of a single plant of bane- berry (Actcea) at Mount Carmel, Connecticut, September 24, 1904. Several other baneberry plants growing in the vicinity were examined but not found infested. Collected by Mrs. W. E. Britton.
A striking and handsome species, not resembling any other
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 67
that I have seen in the Northern States. It occurs on the under sides of the leaves, seventy-five or eighty larvae, pupae and pupa cases being found upon a single lobe of the com- pound leaf.
Named from the genus of plants upon which it was found.
From a comparison of the descriptions, actece appears to be allied to aureocincta Ckll. and aninicola Bemis, but I have not examined material of those species. It differs from the former in the markings of the adult, and in the shape of the oper- culum ; it does not have the prong-shaped black markings on the pupa case like amnicola. It is also somewhat larger than either of these species.
I am indebted to Prof. A. L. Quaiutance of the Bureau of Entomology, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., for examining the specimens and manuscript, and to my assistant, Mr. B. H. Walden, for making the photographs (5 and 6) shown on plate.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE.
1. Pupa case x 30.
2. Vasiform orifice x 325.
3. Margin of pupa case x 400.
4. Forewing x 46,
5. Larvae and pupa? on leaf, photographed from dried specimens x 4.
6. Adults, from photograph x 4.
Just One Log.
BY ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSOM.
It was a very big log, some twelve feet in length and two feet in diameter. It was of gumbo-limbo wood — Burseragum- m if era — and had evidently been lying where I found it for many months, for the underside w^as deeply imbedded in the powdered disintegrated coral — or coral-like rock — found along Biscay ne Bay. Every new comer notices the gumbo-limbo on his arrival in southern Florida. Its bark is of a deep brownish red, or mahogany color, and the outermost layer, of very thin delicate tissue, flakes off and hangs in loose ragged strips, making the tree an odd and conspicuous object in the tropical hummock.
68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
There was a new bridge built last year over the Miami River, more accessible than the old one and taking one directly into the rich hummock growth so delightful to a naturalist. Across this bridge I went almost daily through the winter and early spring, and one day, in a road or trail cleared through the woods, I found my log. What a treasure house it proved to an entomologist !
At first I feared it was too recently felled, the bark too fresh and hard to be easily examined. But presently I found at one end a loosened fragment of bark which, after some tugging and pulling, I succeeded in removing, and at once my efforts were rewarded. A half dozen specimens of the singular Brenthid, B. anchorage, were lying there in a sort of mass, apparently half torpid, though the weather was not cold to northern blood. On being stirred up they stretched their long awkward legs and strode away, though in no unseemly haste. This long-nosed, shining, slender fellow is very variable in size, fully as much so as the Cucujid, Catogenus rufus. I find specimens not only under bark but on flowers in the bright sunshine. Scores of Cossonus imprcssifrons mingled with the Brenthids and the Scolytid, Xyleborus piibescens, lay in characteristic galleries near by.
On my knees in the warm white coral powder I gathered in my harvest till my cyanide bottles were well filled and the hour of luncheon approached. Of course I went logging again next day and many to-morrows found me hard at work. Num- ber and variety proved almost inexhaustible and the unex- pected was always happening. It was not easy work. The bark was very hard and tough. Blade after blade of my knives snapped as I tried to cut into it, and for weeks my hands were always blistered. Sitting or kneeling there for hours at a stretch I grew stiff and cramped, warm and weary, but I had a beautiful time ! A tiny Europs ran about in dozens, a little Sacium prettily marked and probably an uncle- scribed species was not uncommon and there were two or three species of Lccmophloeus ; L. tnodestus the most abundant.
There were also many specimens of a Ditoma which I had collected in former seasons under the bark of various trees and
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
which I had supposed to be a color variety of D. j_-gnttata. Now I seemed to detect decided differences and have been since assured by good authorites that this is a distinct species, perhaps West Indian if not quite new. One clay I found that by digging away the white soil in which my log was embed- ded I could reach a portion of the underside of the wood where the bark was softer from partial decay. Here I dis- covered abundant insect life. There were scores of odd mag- got-like things which I knew must be Dipterous larvae. I carried some home to my room with plenty of the soft, moist, decomposed wood in which I found them, hoping to breed the imago and learn its identity. But they all dried up and died. However one morning in March the puzzle was apparently solved when I found several specimens of the tropical Strati- omyid, Cyp/ionu'a inarginata, crawling on the log, their wings scarcely dry. I do not know whether anything has been recorded concerning the habits or life history of this species, nor can I prove indisputably that the "maggots" of which I have spoken were the larvae of C. marginata, but I feel sure of it myself. In this same decayed wood were many small Staphylinicls, hundreds of the slender little Lispinus tencllus, and among them another seemingly allied species new to me. This proved to be, according to Mr. Frederick Blanchard, a Hypotelus, a genus not hitherto recognized, I think, in North America. Erichson described H. pu sill us from Brazil, which Mr. Blanchard considers very near the Florida species. Dr. Sharp says that the genus is found " under sappy bark."
I sent some specimens of the Enrops to Mr. Blanchard who discovered among them one specimen of a Badridium sp., which I had overlooked, confusing it with the Europs. I found also among the specimens of Cossonns impressifrons a small black species of the same genus, COSSOHI/S, which appears to be undescribed, though it may possibly be West Indian.
When cramped and aching from my uncomfortable position on the ground I often changed my posture and seating myself on the log rested in the sunshine. Then I sa\v many tilings I should have missed had I kept to my cortical collecting. A pretty little Pfiysalis or ground-cherry, of the nightshade-
yo ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March '05
family, grew all about me. This proved to be the food-plant of a tropical Lcma, the confusa of Chevrolet, a pretty orange and black beetle, and I gathered many specimens. Deer flies— Chrysops flavida — buzzed about my head, shining golden-green Dolichopids alighted on the leaves near by, and one morning a gorgeous fly of metallic blue came to my very hand, allowing me to capture it and learn that it was Microdon scitulus Will. Even Lepidoptera sought out my log, rare species too. One hot noon as I sat resting there before starting homeward I saw an oddly shaped object of silvery white, touched with black, on the smooth red bark at my side. Bending to examine it I found it was a small moth with folded wings and placed a cyanide bottle — quickly emptied for the purpose — over it. It was a fine fresh specimen of Mieza igninix, the pretty moth of Yponomeutidse, whose curious larva I was so fortunate as to discover at Punta Gorda years ago (jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc. , Vol. IV, p. 86.) A small tree, the red bay — Persea catesby- ana— grew just within reach of my hand as I sat there and one day I pulled some of the aromatic leaves to rub between my fingers while I sniffed the spicy odor. As I did so a larva dropped into my lap, an odd looking thing, with forward por- tion near the head swollen and enlarged. Searching I found several others and carried them home. They fed well, pupa- ted, and in early April became moths of the species ' Bronchelia horfaria, a handsome Geometer.
Hymeuoptera also, Hemiptera, Odonata, Orthoptera all, at one time or another, visited me at my log cabin and met with a warm soothing welcome there. That singular little Gryllid or cricket, Mogosiplistus slossoncz, ran swiftly away as I lifted the bark under which it lay hid, spiders crawled off from dark corners, hundreds of mites crowded thickly together there, and ants of two or three species seemed to have their abode in wood or bark.
Among the mites were some small roundish black creatures which I at first took to be also Acarina. But on examination they proved to be beetles, and Mr. Blanchard identified them as Acritus atomus L/ec. , a Cuban species, not previously recog- nized in our fauna.
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 71
Do you wonder that day after day of the winter and early spring found me at this happy hunting ground and that when I am remembering the busy hours in far off Miami and wish- ing, now it is too late, that I had kept a fuller record of my field work there, a journal, a calender, a daily diary, I satisfy my New England conscience by saying to myself in nautical phrase, " Well, at any rate, I kept a log."
Notes on some Californian Buprestidae.
BY H. C. FALL. •
One of the rarest and finest of the Californian Buprestides is the beautiful green Dysta.\ia murrayi. This species is rather widely dispersed in the southern part of the State, occuring on live oaks both on the desert and seaward sides of the mountains, but is not often taken by collectors. Imagine then the satisfaction of the writer when on a visit to Dr. F. E. Blaisdell of San Francisco, the Doctor in exhibiting his treasures opened a box containing a fine series of Dystaxias taken by himself at San Diego, from which he generously selected a set for my own collection. On placing the new specimens beside my single previous example I noticed that they were of a somewhat more brilliant green but made no further comparison at the time. Later 1113- attention was called by Dr. Fenyes to the fact that Blaisdell's species, of which he had just obtained specimens, did not agree with his supposed murrayi, and a very brief comparison sufficed to show that they were indeed unmistakably distinct, though superficially remarkably similar.
On examining the series of Dystaxia at the National Mu- seum the past summer, the new species was found as I had anticipated, mixed with murrayi, and it is not unlikely that it stands thus in other collections. It may be briefly char- acterized by comparison with murrayi as follows :
Dystaxia elegans n. sp.
Very similar to murrayi in size, form, color and sculpture, but when compared more attentively the present species is seen to be slightly smaller on the average, the color a more brilliant j;iten, the elytra widest
72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
more posteriorly, the fine, soft, erect, whitish pubescence of the upper sur- face a little longer and more evident. Antennae (cf ) fully attaining the middle of the elytra, pale at base, blackish and distinctly serrate from the fifth joint, the triangular joints strongly compressed, gradually in- creasing in width to the seventh or eighth, then decreasing in width to tip, the wider joints nearly as wide as long. In the female the antenna- are much shorter, not passing the humeral umbone, but the joints though narrower are proportioned nearly as in the male. In innrrayi the antennae are nearly filiform in both sexes, the outer joints (5-11) very feebly serrate, mutually equal in width and nearly three times as long as wide. There is the same sexual difference in length, and the outer joints are blackish as in elegans.
In the 'Transactions," 1893, p. 137, Horn describes the genus Glyptoscelimorpha and takes the opportunity of present- ing the differential characters of the Schizopini to which the genus belongs. The three genera comprising the tribe are there separated as follows :
Antennae slender, nearly filiform, scarcely at all serrate. Claws entire at tip, slightly thickened at base ; last joint of antennae nearly one-half shorter than the tenth . . . Glyptoscelimorpha. Claws cleft at tip, last joint of antennae very little shorter than the tenth. . Dystaxia.
Antennae flattened, the joints 4-10 broader than long and distinctly ser- rate ; claws cleft at tip ; last joint of antennae oval, longer than the tenth. Schizopus.
From the above table it would appear that a mistake had been made in referring elegans with its flattened serrate anten- nae to Dystaxia, and that it would more properly be placed in Schisopus. Murray i and elegans are, however, too nearly iden- tical in every feature of structure and facies, with this one ex- ception, to warrant their assignment to distinct genera. The table given by Horn must then be modified, and in so doing attention should be called to an extraordinary character, which somewhat curiously escaped both Le Conte and Horn. In Dystaxia and also in Glyptoscelimorpha the antennae are 12- jointed ; in Schisopus they are n-jointed, as indeed they are in every other known genus of the Biipresiida if we may de- pend upon Kerremans, who so describes them without naming any exceptions in his late work on the family in Wytsman's Genera Insectorum. These three genera may then be more properly characterized thus :
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 73
Antennae i2-jointed, attaining the middle of the elytra, at least in the
male.
Claws simple, last joint of antennae two-thirds as long as the eleventh.
Glyptoscelimorpha.
Claws cleft at tip ; last joint of antennas barely visibly shorter than the eleventh. ... ... Dystaxia.
Antennae n-jointed, stouter, scarcely passing the hind angles of the pro- thorax in either sex ; last joint a little longer than the tenth ; claws cleft . Schizopus.
The fourth and fifth joints of the antennae in Schizopus are both longer than wide in the only specimens at hand, and not wider than long as indicated by Horn.
It is pertinent to say in passing that Kerremans in the work above cited has badly bungled the characters of this group, the antennal characters of Schizopus and Dvsta.via being inter- changed, while the antennae of Glyptoscelimopha are said to barely reach the middle of the pronotum. Such mistakes are especially unfortunate in a work of such (supposedly) high authority as that of the Belgian specialist.
POLYCESTA.
There can be no doubt that the Texan P. data, now recorded on our lists as a variety of californica, should be restored to specific standing. The former differs from the latter quite constantly in its more obviously concave front, finely carinate median thoracic impression, slightly less obtuse hind angles of the prothorax and the less densely more unequally punc- tate intercostal interspaces of the elytra. In addition to the above differences, which were given by Le Conte, the formation of the last ventral segment is conspicuously different, being angulate at tip in californica and lobed in data
Our third species — tr/a^-r-differs somewhat from both the above in the sculpture of the upper surface as heretofore de- scribed, but a more important means of separation exists in the first ventral suture. Our species are separable as below :
First ventral suture broadly rather strongly posteriorly arcuate ; protho- rax with a strong median and well defined lateral impressions ; elytra strongly costate.
Apex of last ventral angulate at middle, the sides of the angle scarcely sinuate. californica.
74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
Apex of last ventral produced in a nearly parallel-sided lobe which is
obtusely rounded at tip elata.
First ventral suture straight ; prothorax without well defined lateral im- pressions ; the alternate elytral intervals only slightly more elevated velasco.
The form of the last ventral does not vary much in the sexes of calif arnica and elata, though the apical lobe is a little less prominent in the female of the latter species. In a male of velasco from Yuma, California, the last ventral is sinuate and subacuminate at apex ; while in a female from Texas it is angulate. I unfortunately have not both sexes from the same locality. In a female from Oak Creek Canon, Arizona, re- cently submitted by Prof. Snow, the last ventral is more acutely angulate and the elytral costse more pronounced. This is pos- sibly a distinct species, but more specimens of both sexes should be seen before passing judgment. It is not possible at this time to express any opinion as to the validity of P. cavata Lee. and P. obtnsa L/ec. The former, described from Alabama, has been placed as a synonym of data ; and the latter, de- scribed from Philadelphia, is referred to velasco.
Recognition of two North American Species of
Cicada Latr.
BY P. R. UHLER.
i. Cicada townsendii n. sp.
An unusually robust form appearing to be closely related to C. monle- zuma Dist. Color of head and pronotum greenish (fading to pale tawny), marked with black ; the ground color of mesonotum and tergum brown- ish black, marked with reddish brown and greenish, the middle and sub- marginal curved lines being green and powdered with white bloom, as is also the surface beneath. Head stout, as wide as the front of pronotum, if the obliquely set eyes be included ; front tumidly prominent, black, having a pale line down the middle and a spot of the same color each side, superiorly, and a larger pale spot on the cheeks, sulcations of the cheeks obliquely and deeply grooved ; the rostrum extending behind the middle coxae, the eyes prominent. Pronotum greenish, or pale tawny when dried, the posterior border with a greenish band and the anterior margin more narrowly greenish, a large triangular black spot is on the middle back of the front margin, and on this a short greenish, longitudi- nal line runs back a little more than half the length, each side of the black
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 75
are two uneven pale spots, followed outwardly by larger spots between the dark sutures, and nearer the sides are two long curved pale lines ; the lateral margins are broadly curved, greenish, bluntly rounded on the anterior angles and almost rectangular on the basal angles, the posterior margin is strongly curved, the sutures mostly black. Mesonotum piceous black, sometimes tinged with rufous, the middle line pale greenish or tawny, sometimes obsolete, on each side of this are two short, pale curved lines, and still further outwards two longer pale curved lines, and the lateral border usually pale, all of these lines are commonly covered with whitish bloom ; flaps behind the crux broad luniform, pale greenish, covered with bloom. Wing-covers sometimes tinged with whitish, mod- erately ovately, but not acutely rounded at tip, costal vein flat, thick, pale green, or testaceous, veins from base to end of middle series pale green, apical series dark brown, the areoles mostly large and wide, the costal areole short and wide, widest abont one-fourth from the apex, terminating in an acute triangle, basal areole five-sided, longer than wide, com- paratively long, areoles of the discoidal series long and wide, placed very moderately oblique, slightly infuscated apieally, those of the apical series wide and not very long, mostly acutely triangular at base, the basal vein of the second areole strongly twice bent ; areoles of the wings long, not much curved, widening apieally, the second-vein forking widely towards the outer end. Underside of body greenish, tinged with piceous, or fulvous tinged with green. Exterior valves of the male white or pale greenish, sometimes dusky at base covering a little more than one-half the length of the venter, each valve obliquely narrowing on the inner border, and formed less obliquely on the outer border, overlapping a little at base. Margins of the abdominal segments pale brownish. Legs green or pale brownish, piceous at tip of tarsi, including the nails. Length to tip of abdomen 27-30 mm. Width of base of pronotum 13-14 mm. Expanse of spread wings 98-100 mm.
Seven specimens, three of which were males, have been in my charge for examination. A pair of these were collected in Arizona, not far from the Mexican border, by Dr. Edward Palmer, and four others were sent to me by Mr. C. H. Tyler- Townsend, from the vicinity of Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The density of white bloom upon the surface of these in- sects, particularly beneath, so hides the surface that the pat- tern of marking is almost unrecognizable.
The mesonotum is particularly convex and the almost con- current high curve of the abdomen has the effect of causing the wings to appear placed at an unusually low level.
Upon clearing off the bloom from one of the specimens the markings are disclosed as follows : tawny lines form two loops
76 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
arising from the fore-margin and exterior to these, each side, is a longer loop of the same color, the crux being also pale fulvous. One male from Arizona is much smaller than any other specimen, and the valves over the drums are narrower and un symmetrical.
2 C. grossa Fab.
This species has recently been brought to light in the British Museum, where, through the courtesy of Dr. G. R. Water- house, I was permitted to examine the types of Fabricius in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks. They proved to be two specimens of the large form, of which I have specimens from North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, New York City, northern New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. These largest females have been taken in North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and southern Missouri ; those which I have met with in the Atlantic States north of North Carolina are in varying de- grees smaller. When collected in alcohol, their green color becomes rusty or dark brown. This last is the color to which Fabricius has given the term nigcr. These types were re- ported to have come from Brazil ; but no collector has thus far found the species in South America, nor has it been met with in the West Indies or Central America. Incorrect localities for species in the collections of authors of the last century have been frequently remarked, as better knowledge has accumulated.
Variations in size, color and pattern of marking are, per- haps, responsible for the exaggerated synonymy which has accumulated upon this species. The synonymy stands as follows: Tettigonia grossa Fab., Ent. Syst. iv, p. 16, Syst. Rhyng. p. 33, No. 2 ; Cicada marginata Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada. v. iv, p. 330 ; Cicada anlctcs Germar. Silbermann, Rev. Ent. v. ii, p. 65 ; Cicada grossa Germar. Thorn, Ent. Archiv. v. ii, p. 5 ; Cicada tn/psilon Walker, Brit. Mus. List. Homopt. v. i, p. 103; C. rcsonans Walk., Brit. Mus. List, Homopt. p. 1 06 ; C. consonant Walk., Brit. Mus. List. Homopt. p. 1 06 ; C. vi brans Walk., Brit. Mus. List. Homopt. p. 107 C.
The synonyms of Mr. Walker art- s^iveii on the authority of Dr. Stal, as I did not have the time to examine those speci-
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 77
metis in the British Museum. I feel much doubt as to the one which is recorded as from the West Coast of America. Cer- tainly, the Pacific coast of either America would be decidedly unsuited to the nature of this insect, which lives on the roots of our forest trees in the loam of the Piedmont licit and that of the Mississippi plateau country.
A New Species of Entomobrya, BY H. J. FRANKLIN, B.Sc.,
(Plate V.) Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass.
Entomobrya albicollis sp. nov. To the unaided eye the adult insect appears to be very dark in color with a light band across the dorsum of the body just posterior to the head. This species is very variable in its coloration in different stages, and the adults also seem to vary somewhat in this respect. The anterior portion of the body, as well as the head, seems to be very constant in its coloration, there not being a single speci- men among all the adults and young as well, which I have examined which departs very far from the typical coloration seen in the adults. The long fourth segment of the abdomen, however, may appear light brown or yellow.
Under the microscope, the insect has quite a different appearance, especially as regards color by reflected light from that which it has by transmitted light.
By reflected light in bright sunlight the head appears light translucent brown with dark eyespots connected more or less with each other, and with the side margins by dark irregular bands. Mesothorax of same color as head but with a thick hypodermal pigmentation of pure white, anterior margin very dark. Metathorax, as well as first three segments of abdomen, with the exception of their very narrow anterior edges, dirt brown in color. Fourth segment of abdomen sordid brown with a slight tinge of blue, its anterior border marked with large, light yellow, elon- gate-oval spots the anterior ends of which coalesce more or less to form an irregular light yellow anterior margin ; fifth and sixth segments of same color as fourth, the fifth with a conspicuous light yellow spot on each side near the anterior margin — in this respect resembling I-'., hicolor Gtithrk-. Antennae very variable, as a rule, with the first three segments fernigim-- ous, a little lighter toward the tips which are rather dark ringed ; terminal segment lighter. Legs quite constant, with femora and trochanu-rs blue, tibiae very light yellow, the anterior ones occasionally spotted somewhat with blue. Manubrium of same color as femora, lighter at distal end. Denies very light yellow with a slight tinge of brown at the base, yellow fading out toward the apex.
78 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, '05
By transmitted light, the dark band connecting the eye-patches with each other and with the margin of the head as well as the dark anterior margin of the mesothorax and all the parts of the retnaing portion of the body appearing brown by reflected light become deep blue. The termi- nal segment of each antennae appears light blue by transmitted light.
Antennae about three times as long as the head or one-quarter shorter than the body without head and furcula ; relative length of the segments, on the average, as follows : -^3, -fo, &, TO-
Legs slender, of about the same length as the antennae, with tibiae con- siderably longer than femora, each tibia bearing one long clavate hair near the tip. Large claw of tarsus, bearing three teeth within, all on the distal half, the one nearest the middle being much the largest, the other claw unarmed and lanceolate. Denies, as usual, in the genus, serrate beneath. Mucrones provided with three teeth, a stout middle and distal one and a very slender basal one, all acute pointed. Each mandible with four teeth at the cutting tip and a many-toothed grinding surface.
On the surface of the body as a whole there are found three kinds of hairs: first, small simple hairs which are scattered over the entire surface of the body and all the prominent appendages except the dentes and mucrones ; second, spinulose hairs which are apparently the only kind borne on the dentes and mucrones, which surround the base of the manu- brium and are found mixed with the simple hairs on its surface, and which are also very sparsely scattered over the body, legs and antennae being somewhat numerous about the bases of the latter and on thefrons ; third, large hairs which appear truncate at the tip, being somewhat thickly placed on the dorsum of the body, especially of the thorax, and which are densly covered with hairs on the truncate surface and on the side of the truncation.
There seems to be considerable variation, according to instar, in the relative lengths of the third and fourth segments of the abdomen. It is difficult to state the typical size of an adult of this species ; it seems, on an average, to be about 1,75 mm. in length. I have one specimen 2.25 mm. in length.
Described from nine cotypes, three of which I have retained and of the remaining six deposited three in the U. S. N. M. and three in the collection of the Massachusetts Agricultural College.
This species has been found in considerable numbers under the bark of the Sycamore throughout the year at Amherst, Mass. The young were always present, but seemingly more abundant during August and September.
During the summer of 1903, I found a large number of
ENT. NKWS, Vol. XVI.
PI. V.
ENTOMOBRYA ALBICOLLIS FRANKLIN.
March, '05] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79
specimens of E. ditellaria Guthrie on a pile of lumber located beneath a clump of pine trees (Pimts rigida} in Amherst.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE V.
(all figures greatly enlarged). Fig. i. — End of furcula. Fig. 2. — Ocelli of left side. Fig. 3. — One of the tarsi.
Fig. 4. — Ventral aspect of the apex of the left mandible. Fig. 5. — Dorsal aspect of the distal half of the left mandible.
Culex brittoni n. sp. BY E. P. FELT.
Clllex brittoni n. sp —Female. — Probscis over half the length of the body, dark brown, minutely flecked with gray scales, apex yellowish gray. Palpi distinct, 5-segmented, basal two subglobular, the first very dark brown, the second brown, both sparsely clothed with hairs ; third to fourth thickly clothed with scales and ornamented with rather sparse, long hairs ; third joint yellowish, fourth and fifth dark brown, the latter yellowish at apex. Antennae filiform, dark brown, rather thickly clothed with short, grayish hairs and with sparse, basal whorls of long setae. Eyes dark brown or black, rather coarsely granulate. Occiput rather sparsely clothed with short, curved, yellowish scales and with numerous long, curved, black fork scales. Mesonotum with a pair of subdorsal, light brown, naked stripes extending to the posterior third, the median line and the lateral areas and posterior portions being dark brown and clothed with sparse, long, black bristles and numerous finer, golden yel- low ones. Laterally there are a few longer, yellow bristles. Scutellum grayish, sparsely clothed with light golden yellow, curved scales, a few longer ones posteriorly, and its posterior margin crowned centrally and laterally with long, black setse, those on the sides forming distinct groups ; patches of similar setae occur at the base of the wings. Metanotum yel- lowish, smooth. Halteres yellowish, transparent. Abdomen clothed with very dark brown, almost black scales with distinct basal bands of yellowish white scales, those of the second and following segments being slightly broader than the others. Ventral surface of abdomen yellowish. Wings rather large, venation distinct, scales very thick, brownish, almost black along the costal margin, fringe slaty gray. Petiole of anterior fork cell about one-half its length, that of the posterior fork cell shorter and a little over half the length of its cell. Posterior cross vein about its own length from mid cross vein. Basal third of the third longitudinal vein with most of the linear scales appressed. Outer portion of fringe com- posed of scales of several lengths, giving a distinctly uneven border. Coxae and basal portion