bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NOTES ON THRIPIDÆ, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES
Authors: Osborn Herbert
Published: February 2010

The family Thripidæ, though possessing many characters of peculiar interest, and being of no little importance economically, has received but very little attention from American Entomologists, either systematic or economic. With the exception of a few notes upon their habits, and descriptions of some four or five species by Dr. Fitch, and also a few notes by Mr. Walsh and Prof. Riley, concerning their food habits, scarcely anything has been written of our native species.

Without going into a discussion of the classification of the group, or the peculiar characters which seem to ally it to different orders, it will be sufficient here to state that the wings are entirely membranous and folded flat upon the back, which, with the general conformation of the body, would seem to place it with the Homopterous division of the Hemiptera. The mouth parts, however, are free, composed of both mandibles and maxillæ, and the maxillæ and labium are palpigerous—characters very diverse from those of the group just mentioned.
LIST OF GEOMETRIDÆ TAKEN AT QUEBC AND MONTREAL
Authors: Bowles G. J.
Published: February 2010

In order to make the following list as complete as possible, I have included the species in the cabinets of Messrs. H. H. Lyman and F. B. Caulfield, of Montreal, with those in my own collection, taken at Quebec, and also those credited to Mr. Belanger, of Quebec, in Packard's “Monograph.” When a species is found both at Quebec and Montreal, no locality is given; when found only at either place, Quebec is indicated by a “Q,” Montreal by an “M.” The list comprises 115 species and 3 varieties. The names and arrangement are those of Packard's “Monograph.”
ORGYIA LEUCOSTIGMA, Smith
Authors: Clarkson Frederick
Published: February 2010

The foliage of the trees in this city is undergoing spoliation by the larvæ of this moth. Many of the trees are entirely denuded of their leaves, particularly the Silver-leaf Poplar, the Ailanthus alone escaping attack. The writer suggested to the authorities last spring that handpicking of such cocoons as contained the deposit of ova was the only sure way of exterminating these insects. Had such service been rendered the trees at that time, this damaging visitation would have been prevented. There is good reason to believe, however, that what the authorities have failed to do, a young army of parasites, “Pimpla,” which have put in an appearance during the last fortnight, are now actively attempting, and we shall probably be rid of this moth another year. The ova commenced to hatch out about the 25th of May, and the larvæ began to assume the pupa form about the 21st of June; ten days thereafter the imago was discovered depositing ova. Out of twelve cocoons gathered on the 15th of July, four yielded the parasite already referred to. I would note here in connection with this parasite a circumstance very commonly observed among the Lepidoptera. I discovered two ♂ parasites upon a cocoon containing the pupa of this moth. I drove them away several times, but they as frequently returned.
PREPARATORY STAGES OF EPILACHNA BOREALIS, Fab.
Authors: French G. H.
Published: February 2010

Egg.—Length .06 inch by .02 in width. In shape elliptical, rather narrow. Color dingy yellow, somewhat pulverulent. There were 56 of these found on the under side of a leaf, set on one end and about .05 inch apart. They were found September 9, 1883, at which time they were hatching, hence the length of the egg period is not known.

Young Larve.—Length .06 inch. Color dull yellow, more or less brownish at the ends, the sides of the head distinctly brownish. Each joint bears six branching spines concolorous with the body. In outline somewhat elliptical, the head being nearly as broad as the middle of the body, but the anal joint is not. Length of this period 5 days.
ON THE VARIATION OF THE ELYTRAL MARKINGS IN CICINDELA SEX-GUTTATA
Authors: Townsend C. H. T.
Published: February 2010

In this species of the genus Cicindela there are several very marked varieties, differing in the number, size and, manner of disposing of the markings on the elytra; while other less marked, yet distinct forms, coming between the more marked ones, constantly occur. Being struck with the considerable differences between the specimens I have collected of this species, it occurred to me that my observations on the subject might be of interest to some others; and with that view I give them.
AN EXTRAORDINARY HABITATION FOR A MOTH
Authors: Clarkson Frederick
Published: February 2010

Among a number of cocoons of the family of Bombycidæ collected on Long Island this autumn, I have one of P. cecropia of light weight. As the examination of this cocoon revealed conditions unknown to me, I have thought it desirable to make a record for your invaluable journal. The absence of the loose silk of a reddish hue which characterizes the appearance of the new made cocoon, indicated that it was a manufacture of the previous year. On opening it I found within a cocoon of O. macrurum, the parasite that commonly attacks the Potyphemus caterpillar. The parasite had emerged from its cocoon, as evidenced by the usual lid opening at one end, and had escaped into the outer air through the open passage that exists in the cocoon of the moth.
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLIES
Authors: Edwards W. H.
Published: February 2010

Argynnis Lais.

Male.—Expands 2 inches.

Upper side uniform bright red fulvous, slightly brown about bases of wings; the black markings all delicate; both wings bordered by a double line.

Under side of primaries pale cinnamon-red, buff in upper outer part of cell and from costa to first median nervule; a brown patch at apex and another before apex, on which are two silver spots; the upper submarginal spots silvered. Secondaries have the area from base to outside second row of spots yellow, mottled with dark brown; the belt beyond same spots clear yellow, the margin dark brown; all the spots well silvered, rather small, those of the discal and second rows slightly edged on upper side by black.
NEW SPECIES AND NOTES ON STRUCTURE OF MOTHS AND GENERA
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

Catocala Coelebs Gr.

The fore wings are black with a grayish white subterminal shade. A strongly marked variety of Badia with the fore wings brown, was mistaken for Coelebs by Mr. Strecker, and was the occasion of its reference to Badia. But a sight of many specimens leads me to believe that the true C. Coelebs, with black fore wings, grades into Badia, and is only to be regarded as a variety of it. But this could not have been predicated of the type. The two extremes are exceedingly distinct and different looking.

Exenterella Grote.

I propose this generic term for Exentera Gr.; preoccupied in Insecta. Now that we have Mr. Scudder's work on genera, there will be more certainty about generic names. I notice that Rhododipsa is not included in Mr. Scudder's list. In speaking of the omissions in my review of it, I did not intend that any idea of purposed favoritism should be conveyed by my words. I merely regretted that some authors should have been so fully and others so sparingly represented. Had the proof of my paper been sent to me, I think I should have changed the wording to a simple expression of this regret.
MOTHS INJURIOUS TO VEGETATION
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

Under this head one might arrange nearly the whole of our moths, except, perhaps, a little species, the Euzephora eoccidivora, which Professor Comstock has discovered to be predaceous, and to live upon plant-lice in the larval state, and one or two others, which, perhaps, have similar habits. A good many species become unusually numerous, however, in certain years and localities. Almost always this seems to be owing to the temporary cessation of action of the checks which keep down species from excessive multiplication, and disturbing the order of things. When we cultivate a large quantity of any cereal or plant of economic value, we in effect afford abundant food for the insects which habitually infest it. Many will recollect that the maple and other shade trees in Brooklyn and New York used to be completely defoliated by the middle of summer by the common Brown Drop or Measuring Worm, Eudalimia subsignaria. The English sparrow rid us of this nuisance; it eat every one of them. This Measuring Worm sought refuge in the cities from the birds which attacked it, and kept it down in the country. In the cities the birds were less plentiful and, this check being removed, they throve exceedingly.
NOTES ON THE EARLY STAGES OF XYLOTRECHUS ANNOSUS, Say
Authors: Coquillett D. W.
Published: February 2010

In the mouth of April, 1880, I cut down a willow tree and cut it up into “sled-lengths,” when no traces of borers could be seen. Early in March of the following year, while cutting this wood for the stove, I found it to be infested with the larvæ of some species of longicorn beetle; I placed some of the sticks in one of my breeding cages where it remained undisturbed until the 7th of May following, when I found that nearly all the larvæ had assumed the pupa form. The next examination was made two weeks later, when nothing but perfect beetles were found. From this it would seem that this species requires only one year to complete its transformations.
A MYSTERY AND ITS SOLUTION
Authors: Holland W. J.
Published: February 2010

Seated at my desk this evening, with a copy of Vol. I. of Edwards' Butterflies of North America before me, I am forcibly reminded, as I turn to the magnificent plate designated as “Argynnis I.,” of an experience of my boyhood. My home, from 1858 to the fall of 1863, was in the village of Salem, N. C., famous as one of the most successful of the settlements made by the Moravian Brethren under the lead of the good Count Zinzendorf, and well known throughout the South as the seat of an excellent seminary for young ladies. The war broke out and the hopes cherished of sending me to the North to be educated were in conseqnence disappointed. I was left to pursue my studies under a tutor, and to roam the neighborhood of afternoons in quest of insects, of which I gathered a large collection. Unfortunately my stock of books upon entomology was limited, and aside from an original copy of Say's work, of no especial value. My determination of species was therefore very imperfect.
NOTES ON BUTTERFLIES OBTAINED AT CARBONEAR ISLAND, NEWFOUNDLAND, 1832–1835
Authors: Gosse P. H.
Published: February 2010

1834, July 25.—A friend, A. E., caught for me an example of the Black Swallowtail, in torn condition, on Carbonear Island, a high rocky islet, about a mile in length, lying off the mouth of the harbor, uninhabited, uncultivated, partly covered with bushes—visited occasionally for summer picnics. This is my first cabinet specimen; but I had possessed an old rubbed and patched specimen which had been captured in the same locality several years before I began to collect.
ON THE GENUS AGROTIS
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

In the Reports of Dr. Harris and Prof. Riley and some other State Entomologists, the structural characters of the genus Agrotis are not given, and the term is evidently loosely applied to cover certain Noctuidæ known as “cut-worms.” In Dr. Harris's Report, as I have shown, the moth Hadena devastatrix (the Agrotis devastator of Brace) is considered to be an Agrotis, while Agrotis Clandestina, which has the structural characters of Agrotis, is referred to the old Linnean gents Noctua, now without standing in our lists. The three genera to which the “cut-worms” are referable, Agrotis, Hadena and Mamestra, are separated in the Preface to my list of the Noctuidæ, p. 3. April, 1874, by their characters.
ON THE GENUS LEUCOBREPHOS
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

In my Check List (1876) I proposed three new generic names, Conservula, Oxylos and Leucobrephos. I have since discarded Oxylos and given the character which separates Conservula from Trigonophora Led. There remains Leucobrephos, which, owing to the kindness of Mr. Butler, who has examined Walker's types for me, I now describe as follows:

Leucobrephos Grote; Type: Anarta Brephoides Walk.

Male antennæ with longer pectinations than Brephos, and broader. Palpi concealed by the beard-like hair, more thickly hirsute than in Brephos. Eyes narrower, smooth, naked. The neuration differs by veins 3 and 4 of primaries arising from a common foot-stalk. On secondaries veins 3 and 4 arise from a long stem, diverging near the margin.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPARATORY STAGES OF NEONYMPHA CANTHUS, Linn. (EXCEPT THE CHRYSALIS.)
Authors: Howards W. H.
Published: February 2010

Egg.—Sub-rotund, broadest at base, and there flattened; surface slightly rough, but without definite markings under a pretty high power; color greenish-white. Duration of this stage about 7 days.

Young Larva.—Length just from egg, .09 inch; color yellow-white; but in a few hours changes to pale green; shape cylindrical, long, slender; the last segment bluntly bifurcated; on each segment a few tubercles, each of which gives out a clubbed white hair; head, at first, nearly twice as broad as 2, obovoid, truncated and depressed; on each vertex a small rounded prominence, indented at top, and from the middle of the hollow rises a little tubercle, with a bristle; color light brown; the surface shallowly pitted, and sparsely pilose; ocelli reddish brown.
ON THE NORTH AMERICAN CALPINÆ TO HELIOTHINÆ
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

Since the groups are very difficult of scientific definition in the Noctuidœ, the present must not be considered as standing on more than a comparative basis. In my New Check List the genera are arranged between the Calpinœ and Heliothinœ. The arrangement I would only modify by restricting the Calpinœ to the North American genera—Calpe, with one species, perhaps the same as the European, and Phiprosopus, with the species callitrichoides, called a Geometrid by Zeller, and which in outline has a resemblance to the aberrant Noctuid genus Doryodes, which I have placed among the Nonagriinœ, or Nonagriadœ of Dr. Harris. The group which I have called Stiriinœ is in some measure intermediate between the Calpinœ and Plusiinœ. The fact that the tibiae are often armed with a claw (Stiria, Basilodes) may be taken as an approximation to the Heliothinœ, where the tibiae are usually armed and have the tibiae spinose.
THE PARASITE OF PHYLLOXERA VASTATRIX, AND THE GALL INSECT OF THE NETTLE TREE
Authors: Fyles Thomas W.
Published: February 2010

Upon request, I sent to Dr. H. A. Hagen specimens of the parasite of the Phylloxera, Diplosis (?) grassator. At the same time I sent him specimens of the Psylla described on page 198 of vol. xiv. Dr. Hagen favored me with information as follows:—

“The fly is a Cecidomyia; I think it is not sure that it belongs to Diplosis. At least the reticulation of the wing differs in having the median vein straight, and the fork at the hind margin wanting. You will see in Osten Sacken's Catalogue that the museums do not possess this type for Cecidomyia. I have gone through the literature, and find till now your species is not described. The larva is shrivelled up, therefore the trophi are not visible.
NEW SPECIES AND NOTES ON STRUCTURE OF MOTHS AND GENERA
Authors: Grote A. R.
Published: February 2010

Vanessodes fuscipes, n. s.

♂. Allied to Clarus, but the body entirely griseous, concolorous with the fuscous gray wings, which are sub-diaphanous and differ only from those of Clarus by being a little wider, more irrorate and dusted by dark scales. Same size as Clarus, but easily separated by the abdomen not being yellow. One specimen. Coll. B. Neumoegen, Esq. Arizona. The antennæ are not so heavily pectinated. There are no perceptible marks on the wings, which are not exactly of the same shade as those of Clarus, being more grayish.
PAPILIO WALSHII AND ABBOTII, Edw.
Authors: Mundt A. H.
Published: February 2010

There seems to be a great lack of historical knowledge about the above insects in this State, at least as far as my observations are concerned. In several collections, even in that of the State Normal, have I found Papilio telamonides labeled Walshii; this, however, was in the year 1878 and '79.

Subsequent observations will show that it is no wonder that this insect has escaped the notice of many of our best collectors.
OBSERVATIONS ON ANTHRENUS VARIUS Fab., ANTHRENUS MUSÆORUM Lin., TROGODERMA ORNATA Say, AND SITODREPA PANICEA Lin.
Authors: Hamilton John
Published: February 2010

Anthrenus VariusFab.—Entomologists generally are well enough acquainted with the appearance of this insect, and but too well with the work of its larvæ; but as to the time required for its development there is not the same unanimity of knowledge,—some stating that it requires a year for its various transformations; others, that only a few weeks are necessary. The following is my experience: May, 1879, I placed a female in a paper collar box with some refuse Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. This box stood on the mantel-piece in my office, and consequently the temperature was nearly uniform summer and winter. An examination two months afterwards revealed several small larvæ. These were inspected monthly, and appeared to have attained their growth by the 1st of December, though they remained active during the winter. The first pupæ were observed March 5th, and the first beetle on the 26th. From that time to May 1st thirty-five developed in all,—the product of this one beetle. Three females and two males were left in the box, and six weeks afterwards young larvæ were observed. They were inspected monthly, and followed the same course as observed the previous year. From April to May, (1881), seventy-five beetles were taken from the box. How many were left in unknown.
NOTES ON THE EARLY STAGES OF CALOPTERON RETICULATUM, Fabr.
Authors: Coquillett D. W.
Published: February 2010

On the 10th of July I found a pupa of this species suspended by the hind end of its body beneath a log. The 1arval skin was rent and worked backward, but still retained nearly its original shape and color, and by comparing it with certain larvæ which I have frequently met with in similar situations, there is no doubt in my mind but that these latter belong to the above species.

These larvæ very closely resemble that figured by Packard on page 465 of his “Guide” (fig. 432), which in the text on the succeeding page is referred to Photuris. The dried specimens now before me measure about 12 mm., and are of a dull purplish-brown color; venter pale yellow, tinged with pink and marked with a brownish stripe on each outer edge, and with two rows of brown spots, these not extending upon the first three segments; head retractile, dull blackish, the region of the jaws polished brown, and furnished with four black prickles, the upper two of which are placed transversely, the lower two longitudinally.
THYRIDOPTERYX EPHEMERŒFORMIS, Haworth
Authors: Clarkson Frederick
Published: February 2010

By the kindness of Mr. Donnelly, the very efficient head gardener of the Central Park, of this city, I am put in possession of sixty cocoons of the “Basket-worm.” They were taken from the terminal twigs of a sapling Sycamore Maple and Horse Chestnut growing on the low land in the immediate vicinity of the zoological garden. The cocoons hung in clusters on every twig, and as they had excited considerable curiosity, the gardener permitted them to remain until about the period of egg-hatching. I have supposed it might be of interest to the subscribers of the Canadian Entomologist to have the result of my examination of these cocoons. The of them had been occupied by the male, as attested by the puparium within. In about an equal number I found the broken shell-case of the female, all else having been devoured by parasites, some of which, in pupa condition, were found within the cocoons.
NOTES ON ANT LIONS
Authors: Moffat J. Alston
Published: February 2010

One day on my late visit to Ridgeway, a party of four went on an entomological excursion by boat to a place about four miles west, called Point Abino. After taking a survey of the situation and lightening our lunch basket, we went to work. Each had his specialty; one desired beetles, another butterflies. Seeing Myrmelion on the wing, I turned my attention to the Ant Lions. I did not succeed in securing many of them, for although the funnel-shaped pits of the nymphs were in surprising numbers, very few of the mature insects were to be seen, it being probably a little too early for them. I captured but four specimens, one obsoletus, and three of what was kindly determined for me by Dr. Hagen, of Cambridge, Mass., as Myrmelion abdominalis Say, whose figured-gauze wings are charming objects seen through a lens. The slight acquaintance I have with them has been acquired during my visits to Ridgeway, none of them having ever been seen about Hamilton so far as I know. Mr. J. Pettit secured an obsoletus while he was collecting at Grimsby, but I think he never got a second, although no doubt they were there to some extent, but probably very scarce. Fine loose sand is evidently a necessity of their existence in any locality, and I would suppose comparative seclusion; both of these they have in perfection at Point Abino.
THE PARASITISM OF EUPELMUS ALLYNII, French
Authors: French G. H.
Published: February 2010

The fact that this species is a parasite in its larval state does not seem to be questioned, but that it is a parasite on one or more species of Isosoma is, I understand, doubted by some entomologists. For the past two years the writer has had no doubt that such was the case; but it is possible the evidence upon which such a conclusion is based may not be generally known. For this reason a brief summary of observations may not be out of place.

That it is a parasite on Isosoma hordei seems evident from the following: A single joint of rye containing several galls formed by Isosoma hordei was put into a bottle and corked up so that no insects could get out or in. In due course of time a specimen of E. Allynii was found in the bottle, and the hole from which it had gnawed its way out of one of the galls was plainly to be seen. Afterward the other galls gave forth I. hordei. In this case there could be no question but that the specimen of E. Allynii came from the gall made by I. hordei. If no hordei had hatched from the other galls, this would have been evident, for the galls made by this species are too characteristic to be mistaken by any one at all familiar with their work.
NOTES ON CHRYSOMELA
Authors: Horn Geo. H.
Published: February 2010

Chrysomela scalaris Lec. The question asked by Dr. Hagen in the June number concerning the name of this insect, is more easy to answer than to arrive at a definite conclusion. Stal, in his monograph, did not recognise many of the genera into which Chrysomela had been divided; among them were Doryphora and Leptinotarsa. Finding that Olivier in 1807 had described a D. scalaris, and the Maj. LeConte in 1824 a Chrys. scalaris, Stal superseded the latter name by multiguttis. Recent authors are in accord in adopting many of the genera rejected by Stal, and the name originally given our species becomes valid and has been adopted by Jacoby (Biol. Cent. Am., vi, pt. i., p. 197, pl. xi., fig. 6). That the name should remain in future Calligrapha scalaris is fortunate, since we have lately received from Arizona a specimen of Calligrapha multiguttata Stal (in cab. Lec.), which is well figured in the work above cited, pl. x., fig. 5.
ON TROGODERMA ORNATA, PHYSONOTA UNIPUNCTATA AND TANYSPHYRUS LEMNÆ
Authors: Hamilton John
Published: February 2010

Trogoderma ornata. Since the publication of the remarks in vol. 15, p. 91, more has been learned concerning this pest. That it disclosed without entering the earth was eventually made evident by several of the beetles being found in a large, close box, just emerging. Why they should disclose in a large box and not in a small one was not very obvious. At last the thought occurred that hygrometric differences in food and atmosphere might account for it. Having some of the larvæ reared in a small wooden pill box, at the usual time for pupation some of these were placed in another box of the same size, and their food moistened. In a few days they were found to have pupated, the beetles emerging about ten days thereafter. Their companions left unmoistened in the other box never developed. This is sufficient demonstration. Their entering the ground to pupate is exceptional, and the inference that they do so normally is erroneous.
NORTH AMERICAN TORTRICIDÆ, BY LORD WALSINGHAM, M. A., F. L. S., &c.
Authors: Fernald C. H.
Published: February 2010

The above is the title of a very interesting paper which his Lordship had the kindness to send to me, and which was published in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for April, 1884.

This paper of 27 pages and one colored plate contains descriptions of 24 new species and one new genus (Pseudoconchylis), with copious notes on others. These insects were collected by Mr. H. K. Morrison in Mexico, Atizona, Montana, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Florida, and the paper is also of value in giving the distribution of many well known species.

His Lordship calls attention to the fact that Conchylis bimaculana Robs. is distinct from Hübner's Pharmacis sartana, although placed as a synonym in my Catalogue of the Tortricidæ. I had already reached the same conclusion from material which I received from Florida, but had not published the fact.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF HEMARIS TENUIS, Gr
Authors: Fischer Ph
Published: February 2010

Head light green, around which is a ring of bright fine yellow granulations. Body light green whitish at the dorsal region; a whitish subdorsal line on each side running from caudar horn to third segment, also a dorsal green line running from caudal horn to 3rd segment, where they both become indistinct. Under side and legs chocolate brown, prolegs brack, with a narrow white band near base. Caudal horn thin, slightly curved forward, flanked at base with bright yellow. Stigmata on first, and from third to tenth segments, dark blue. Length about two inches. Larva finely granulated with white. It is found from middle of June to end of July. Of these, some of the earliest larvæ will, after pupating, hatch within about two weeks, (the balance staying over till next spring) which will deposit their eggs and also grow to maturity towards the latter part of September; so that the larvæ may be found almost continually from June to October. The eggs are small, round and green, and hatch in about ten days; they are found on the under side of the leaves of Symphoricarpus, Lonicera (different species), and Triosteum perfoliatum, its food plants.
PHYTONOMUS PUNCTATUS, Fabricius: The Punctured Clover-leaf Weevil
Authors: Kilman A. H.
Published: February 2010

A curculio new to Canada has appearecl in this locality. Prevailing east winds about Aug. 10th wafted this nerv clover pest to our shores. This beetle, as far as I know, has not been mentioned in the Entomologist. It was introduced from Europe little more than three years ago. Appearing on the eastern seaboard, and taking the continent in the inverse order to the movement of the Colorado Potato Beetle, it is working rapidly westward. Last year no specimens were reported west of Rochester, while in Eastern New York the clover crop was destroyed by this insect. On the date above mentioned it appeared in Buffalo in such numbers that thousands were crushed on the pavements by the feet of passers-by. Simultaneous with this was its appearance in Ridgeway. I picked them from the fences and sidewalks, and found them in the grass on my lawn. Mr. Reinecke could have gathered them by the quart along the lake shore at Buffalo, where they had stranded after being carried by the wind far out upon the water. They have the extraordinary faculty of closing their tracheæ and suspending respiration while in the water, and an hour's sunshine on the sandy beach leaves them none the worse for a good soaking.
LIST OF SYRPHIDÆ TAKEN IN FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA, PA., DURING THE SUMMER OF 1884
Authors: Keen E. L.
Published: February 2010

The species in the following list were taken in Fairmount Park during the past summer, and mainly during May and June, which is the best time for Syrphidæ; then there are some which only appear in the fall months. Of all families of Diptera the Syrphidæ seem to be better represented in the Park than any other families of this order, perhaps with the exception of the Dolichopodidæ. The Syrphidæ seem to prefer damp and somewhat open woods, especially a small wood that has a small rivulet running through, near the border, and where there are patches of May apple, with the sun shining through the trees on the plants. This only applies to some species, for others prefer the borders of woods, fields, etc. I never found many Syrphidæ in a hot and sandy county, for instance like New Jersey, but what it lacks in Syrphidæ it makes up with the Bombylidæ, for last summer I took about ten species of the latter family in one day, while I only took about seven species the whole summer in Fairmount Park.
SYNONYMICAL NOTES
Authors: Horn Geo. H.
Published: February 2010

Lamesis Westw. Tijdschr. voor Entom. xxvi., p. 67. I would call attention to the possible identity of this genus and Xenorhipis Lec. The figure given by Westwood (pl. 3, fig. 8) certainly bears a very close resemblance to that published by me of Xenorhipis (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1882, pl. iv., fig. 7, 8). If the two should prove identical, the name given by LeConte (Proc. Acad. 1866, p. 384) should have priority.
REMARKS ON THE FAMILY BOMBYCIDÆ
Authors: Bowles G. J.
Published: February 2010

In the American classification of the Lepidoptera, the Bombycidæ occupy a place between the Zygænidæ and the Noctuidæ. They include a large number of genera and species, and are well represented on this continent. The principal characteristic of the family is that from which it derives its name of Bombycidæ,—or spinners,—the power the caterpillars have of producing a silken fibre, which they use in spinning a cocoon in which to pass the pupa stage of their existence. The Silk-worm moth, Bombyx mori, is the typical species of the family. Some genera, however, do not produce silk in any quantity. They are also remarkable as a family for the imperfectly developed mouth parts in the perfect insect. In nearly all of them the tongue is short, and in some species wanting, and the other parts of the mouth so imperfect that it is not probable the insects feed at all in the perfect state.
THE CROTON BUG IN QUEBEC PROVINCE
Authors: Fyles Thomas W.
Published: February 2010

One morning last November I went to the Chaudiere Curve, to meet the train from Halifax, which had been delayed for some hours. I found two men in the waiting-room who had spent the night there. They complained that swarms oi black beetles had troubled them all night so that they courld not sleep. Upon my questioning the correctness of the statement, they said, “Well, here they are in all the cracks,” and they forthwith commenced to poke the creatures out'. The insects were numerous enough, but they were not beetles, nor were they black. They were specimens of the German Cockroach, Ectobia Germanica. I afterwards enquired of one of the railway employes as to the time of the first appearance of the insects. The man told me that he first noticed them in 1882. I asked if they had appeared anywhere else in the neighborhood. “Yes,” he answered, “in my own house last winter; but,” he added, “I am not there in the day time, so I left the windows open and froze them out.”
NOTES ON SPHINGIDÆ CAPTURED AT ORONO, MAINE, AND VICINITY
Authors: Fernald C. H.
Published: February 2010

Lepisesia flavofasciata, Barnst.—Very rare, taken in the hottest part of the day, on lilac and apple blossoms; also on Amelanchier Canadensis.

Hemaris diffinis, Boisd.—Common on Tartarian honeysuckle and lilac, in the middle of the day.

Hemaris gracilis, G. & R.—Quite rare, found on the same flowers and at the same time as H. diffinis, and also flies about sunset.

Hemaris thysbe, Fabr.—Very common, flying in company with H. diffinis.

Amphion nessus, Cram.—Quite common in company with the last named species.
ABNORMAL SPECIMEN OF THE GENUS SAMIA
Authors: Kirby W. F.
Published: February 2010

This remarkable specimen, which has puzzled every entomologist who has seen it, was bred by M. Alfred Wailly from a cocoon received from some part of North America. It may be a hybrid between S. cecropia and some other species, but if so, it is so different from all the other known species, that it is difficult to guess with what it could have been crossed. It is equally difficult to imagine that it is a new species. The specimen is a female, and equals the largest specimens of S. cecropia in size, measuring fully 6¾ inches in expanse; and the wings are more rounded and less oblique than in cecropia. The body resembles that of cecropia, except that the abdomen is banded with yellowish gray and black. The base of the fore wings is brown, thickly scaled with white towards the costa; below this is a brick-red blotch, longer and narrower than in cecropia. Beyond this is a white space, extending nearly from the base to one third of the length of the wing on the inner margin, but curving up to the costa in a rather narrow stripe.
THE PROPORTION OF THE SEXES IN CICINDELA VULGARIS, Say, AND OTHER NOTES ON THE SPECIES
Authors: Townsend C. H. T.
Published: February 2010

The proportion of the sexes in insects often throws much light upon the habits and appearance of the species. Having had good opportunity to make observations of this kind ttpon Cicindela vulgaris Say, in collecting a large number of the beetles, I have made out the appended table, which will explain itself. The dates I give, as they will show how the sexual proportion varies at different times of the season. From my observations it would seem that when the insects first appear in spring the females are much the more numerous; but that when they first appear in fall the males outnumber the females as two to one. I have taken this species here from 3rd March (1882) to 25th October (1884).
NOTES ON A VARIETY OF ANTHEREA (TELEA) POLYPHEMUS
Authors: Conradi Adolph
Published: February 2010

During the early part of last spring I obtained from a small maple tree three cocoons of Anth. polyphemus. In due time two fine females made their appearance, and a few days later, on examining the box again, I found suspended from the lid (wire gauze) a black looking specimen, which at first sight appeared to be a ♂ promethea. On closer inspection, however, I found it to be a beautiful aberration of Anth. polyphemus ♂. As it is the first one I ever found or heard of during nearly twenty years collecting, I send you herewith a meagre description, which may be the means of bringing another specimen like it to the notice of the entomological world.
THE CRANBERRY FRUIT WORM. (Acrobasis vaccinii. N. sp.)
Authors: Riley C. V.
Published: February 2010

Acrobasis vaccinii, n. s.—General color and appearance of A. indiginella Zell. (nebulo Walsh) but a somewhat smaller species, with primaries usually narrower. It may be distinguished by the following differences as compared with indiginella:

Average expanse, 15 mm. Colors of a colder gray with less reddishbrown or tawny on the inner portions of primaries, and with the pale costal parts nearly pure white, so as to contrast more fully with the dark shades, and to more fully relieve the basal branch of the forked shade on inner part of first or basal line, this basal branch being also usually darker than the outer or posterior branch. The triangular costal patch from the basal line is obsolete. The transverse pale lines are less clearly defined and the terminal is nearer the posterior border of the wing, i. e., the median field is wider. The geminate discal dots are always well separated and the inner one well relieved by the white which extends around it on the darker ground and often forms an annulus. The oblique shade from apex is less clearly defined.
NOTE ON INEQUALITY OF THE ELYTRA IN ALAUS OCULATUS
Authors: Townsend C. H. T.
Published: February 2010

On 19th October, 1884, I took from a decaying hickory stump a specimen of Alaus oculatus (Linn.), which had its left elytron .75 mm. shorter than its right. This seemed to me a curious and very noticeable deformity, and one I had never before observed. But on 13th December ensuing I discovered that a fine, robust specimen which I had taken from decaying hickory the day previous had its left elytron .25 mm. shorter than its right, this time the difference being much less, but still noticeable. I then examined fifteen other specimens of this species in my collection, with the following result: One with left elytron .25 mm. shorter than right; one with left .20 mm. shorter than right; one with left shorter than right, but the difference hardly appreciable; one (small specimen) with right .20 mm. shorter than left; and one in which the right was so slightly less than the left that the difference could scarcely be seen. The remaining ten showed no appreciable differences in this respect.
NOTES ON THE LARVA OF PANTOGRAPHA LIMATA, Grote
Authors: Fernald C. H.
Published: February 2010

On the 27th of September, 1882, while riding through Mt. Hope Cemetery, near Bangor, the leaves on several trees of Basswood (Tilia Americana) were observed to be rolled in a peculiar manner, and to contain a green larva with a black head, which I supposed at the time to be that of some Tortricid; but it quite puzzled me, as it was larger than the larva of any Tortricid in this region with which I was familiar. Miss Murtfeldt, who was riding with me at the time, said that she had seen the leaves of Basswood attacked and rolled in precisely the same manner in Minneapolis, but failed to secure any of the larve.
LIFE HISTORIES OF FIVE SPECIES OF SCOPELOSOMA
Authors: Thaxter Roland
Published: February 2010

During the spring of the past year I was fortunate enough to procure eggs of the following species of Scopelosoma, and succeeded in rearing a sufficient number of each to ensure an accurate observation of their larval differences. The matter is of some interest, as it settles beyond question the specific difference between the two species known in collections as S. Walkeri and S. vinulenta, which have been enumerated as varieties of the mythical sidus in recent lists. That one of these species is really sidus I think there can be little doubt; but which should be referred to it is somewhat uncertain.
THE HAIRY LARVÆ AND THEIR PARASITES
Authors: Clarkson Frederick
Published: February 2010

It is generally acknowledged by Entomologists that the hairy larvæ, such as the Arctians and their allies, very commonly escape parasitic attack, a circumstance attributable to the fact, that in order to permit the deposit of ova, these caterpillars must be discovered by the parasites in favorable postures, or else worried by them into such, that the spines separating, give the only opportunity for the insertion of the ovipositor. This was clearly demonstrated in an attack made by an Ichneumon upon a larva of Apatela Americana Harris, which came under my observation in the early part of last autumn. This genus belongs to the family of the Noctuidæ, the larvæ of which, like the Arctians, are clothed with dense spinular hairs. The caterpillar had secured itself by its abdominal legs to the midrib of a maple leaf, having the fore part of its body elevated, similar to the attitude common to the larvæ of the Sphingidæ.
LARVA OF DOLBA HYLÆUS?
Authors: Harrington W. Hague
Published: February 2010

On the 29th July last, while beating along the margin of a small stream, I found on my net a larva which had apparently fallen from an alderbush and which was unknown to me. I took it home, but it refused to feed upon alder, and I was unable to identify it and find out upon what to feed it. The only descriptions I had at hand were those of Mr. Reed in Annual Report for 1881, and no one of these seemed to answer. Finding that it refused every plant which I offered to it, and yet did not seem prepared to pupate, I put it in spirits, which, however, so discolored and shrivelled it that I threw it away. While it was alive I made the following brief note of its appearance: Light green, whitish on back, covered all over with white dots edged with black, but these most conspicuous on thoracic segments and substigmatal surfaces. Head granulated, margined by yellow and black line. Legs pink, stigmata orange fawn-color.
THE ENTOMOLOGY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND: Notes on Eighty Species of Hymenoptera Collected near Victoria, Vancouver Island, in 1882
Authors: Taylor George W.
Published: February 2010

A11 the insects mentioned in the following notes were captured by myself during the season of 1882, which was my first year in this island, and were taken for the most part on flowers in the course of my rambles. Some of the Ichneumons, however, were bred from the pupæ of Lepidoptera, and a few species were taken at rest, at light, or in other more or less usual ways.

The eighty species here enumerated have been examined and determined for me by Mr. W. Brodie, of Toronto (to whom I am much indebted for this and other kindnesses), and they are therefore nearly all of them included in the check list issued last year by the Natural History Society of Toronto. In fact, the only names that I do not find in that list are Halictus lœvipennis and Eurra albitarsis, but they may perhaps be there under other names which in my ignorance of synonymy I fail to recognise.
NOTES ON BUTTERFLIES, WITH DIRECTIONS FOR BREEDING THEM FROM THE EGG
Authors: Edwards W. H.
Published: February 2010

I am asked to write for the Can. Ent. a paper on breeding butterflies, and on taking observations of the larval stages, and I comply with pleasure, hoping that what I shall say may be the means of inducing some collectors to cultivate this field. There are many local collections of butterflies in Canada and the United States, and a few general North American collections, more or less complete. But their owners are mostly satisfied with mere collecting and accumulating specimens of the imago. Very few know anything of the larval and other stages of the butterflies, unless of some of the common species. And where anything is known, very little is given to the world. Some collectors, however, have also been breeders of butterflies, sphinges and moths on a large scale. As for example, our friends, John Akhurst and Professor Julius E. Meyer, of Brooklyn, each of whom could fill a good-sized volume, if they would relate one half of what they know on these subjects. Such an one was the late William Newman, of Philadelphia, who lived to a good old age, and had spent his spare hours for many years in collecting and breeding lepidoptera. But none of these gentlemen have published a line that I am aware of, and the entomological world is not much the wiser for their private experience. So that practically here is a great field almost unworked.
THECLA NIPHON
Authors: Fletcher James
Published: February 2010

About the middle of May, 1883, Mr. A. W. Hanham took a ♀ T. Niphon a few miles from the City of Ottawa. This was the only specimen at that time seen.

On the 4th May last, when walking along the Chelsea Road, near the village of Chelsea, P. Q., with Mr. Harrington, he called my attention to a small butterfly which had just alighted on the bare road in front of us. This I was delighted to recognise as Niphon. Having no nets with us, a too near approach was only rewarded with the mortification of seeing the coveted prize flit lightly up to the top of some high pine trees. Subsequent to this date the weather was cold aud wet for some time, and I had no opportunity to visit the locality until the 22nd of the month.
PRIONUS BREVICORNIS, Fabr
Authors: Clarkson Frederick
Published: February 2010

These beetles were very abundant at Oak Hill, Columbia Co., New York, during the months of July and August, in the several years of 1875 to 1882. Harris states that the larvæ feed on the trunks and roots of the Balm of Gilead and Lombardy Poplar. Oak Hill is a part of the old Manor of Livingston, and is notable for the variety and age of its oaks. Upon the lawn immediately in front of the dwelling are two ancient trees of the black oak variety, one of which is supposed to be two hundred years old. From the roots of these o1d trees these beetles would emerge during the first two weeks in July, usually appearing just after sun-down, or in the darkness preceding a shower. During the sun-light, the closest observation of the short cut lawn skirting the trees, would not reveal a beetle, but so soon as the sun rested behind the towering Catskills, these revellers of the twilight and the darkness would come forth. Their presence is quickly realized by the odor of the ♀, which is very powerful, and can readily be detected twenty feet distant.
ENTOMOLOGY BY THE ELECTRIC LAMP
Authors: Claypole E. W.
Published: February 2010

During the past winter an installation of about 100 arc-lamps was established at Akron, O. They haug as usual over the middle of the street. Early in the summer it was evident that they would afford a fine huntinggorund for the entomologist, and accordingly several members of the Natural History society of Akron resolved to turn the opportunity to account by making collections of the insects attracted by the light and compariirg and noting the results.
NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NORTH AMERICAN XYLOPHAGIDÆ AND STRATIOMYIDÆ
Authors: Williston S. W.
Published: February 2010

Xylophagus decorus, n. sp.

♀. Length 13 mm. Black, legs yellow. Front convex, but little shining, thinly brownish dusted. Antennæ black, the tip of first joint and the second more reddish brown; elongate, the first joint rather longer than the distance from the insertion to the ocelli. Proboscis black Dorsum of thorax shining on the sides, in the middle with two broad brownish pollinose stripes, separated by a shining linear space. Pleuræ shining black. Abdomen blackish brown, shining. Legs, including the coxæ, reddish yellow, the tips of all the tarsi black. Wings nearly hyaline, a broad brownish band, near the middle, narrowed and evanescent posteriorly, the outer cross-veins clouded and the outer part of the wing cinereous.

One specimen, Washington Territory (H. K. Morrison). The abdomen probably varies in depth of color.
ON THE HESSIAN FLY IN ITALY
Authors: Hagen H. A.
Published: February 2010

As I have stated (p. 90, May, 1885), I had made inquiry of Dr. Anton Dohrn about the existence of the Hessian Fly around Naples, Italy. His kind answer, together with interesting notes by Dr. Paul Mayer, gives the following information.

From the two old books quoted by Sir J. Banks (p. 88), Corti is not represented in the library at Naples. Ginnani (Dr. Giuseppe Fatta writes Giannini), Part ii., cap. lx., p. 127-209, gives: “Osservazioni ed esperienze particolari intorno all'infestamente degli insetti.” He speaks in this chapter on several flies which attack the grain, among them one which attacks the roots, but his statements do not allow us to decide with certainty whether some of the flies belong to Cecidomyia. Dr. P. Mayer draws my attention to another work which was entirely unknown to me; the copies published are all lithographed: “A. Costa.—Lezioni di Entomologia agraria precedute da un quadro generale della classi del regno animale raccolte ed autografate degli alumni M. Pilato e M. Montanari. Portici R. Scuola Superiore d'Agricoltura 1880, 4to., pg. 528, pl. 9.”