• :
Entomological News
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION
OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
OF
PHILADELPHIA.
o-
VOLUME III, 1892
EDITOR :
HENRY SKINNER, M. D.
ADVJSORY COMMITTEE :
GEO. H. HORN, M.D. CHARLES A. Bi AKI .
EZRA T. CRESSON. PHILIP P. CALM K i
O
' PHILADELPHIA . ENTOMOLOGICAL ROOMS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIEN LOGAN SQUARE.
[892.
INDEX TO VOLUME III.
GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY.
Abundance of insects . . 16, 17 Agricultural Exper't Sta'ns. . 152 Alaska, insects in . . 74, 139, 256
Analytic Keys 121
Angus Collection . . . . 60, 97
Cholera and flies 210
Colorado, Ento'y of 136, 202, 246
Deformities 166
Doings of Societies 22, 47, 72, 103,
128, 164, 190, 239. Economic Entomology 97, 119, 122,
123, 152, iSr, 206, 209, 229, 261. Editorials 41, 93,95, 118, 152, 165,
179, 205, 228, 260.
Edwards (Hy.) Collection . . 62
Entomological Literature 19, 42, 64,
71, 98, 123, 157, 183, 212, 235, 265.
Greenland, insects in . . . . 263
Incidents of work 119
Jamesburg, N. J., insects at. . 36
Mailing insects 41
Mexico, entomologizing in in, 131
Migration 234
Mimicry 208, 233
Mt. Washington, Ent'g on 232, 243 Newspaper Entomology . .120 Notes and News 15, 38, 60, 93, 119
154, 180, 209, 232, 263. Obituary.
Bates, H. W 72
Bunker, R 104
Hurmeister, H. C. C. ." . .191
Dohrn, C. A 192
Resistance to cyanide . . . 16
Variation 25
Winter insects 40
ARACHNIDA.
Atypidce 147
New N. Am. species 163, 216,
Theraphosida- 147
Tholyphonus giganteus ... 47
COLEOPTERA.
Aspathinns ovatus 24
Hei'ibidinm, To collect . . .155 Blapstinus coronadensis n. sp. 242 Jj ruth us alhoscntellatns . . . 253 California, C. of . . . i^.jii Carabus neinora/is .... 60
Cicindcla 25
Coccinellida; in California . . 143 Cazliodes acephalics .... 253 •Corymbites ll'cidtii \\. sp. . Crioceris iz-punctatus . . .207
Cychrus 6, 61
Dorcas parallelus 73
Eleodes inter nipla n. sp. . .241 A'/w/.v colitmbiensis n. sp. . . s.j Jamesburg, N. J., C. at . . . 37
Leplinns testaceus 96
Macrodactylus subspinosns 122, 156
Mianis hispiduliis 25,;
New N. Am. species 12, 13, 21, 46,
51, 70, 84, 102, 127, 163, 189, 241,
268.
l\ he .\-tdins ii
A'. intiTineiiins n. sp. . . . 13 R. trogasteroidesn. sp. . . . 12
Rose chafer 122.
Seym nns lophanllue n. sp. . . 51 Strawberry weevil .... 262
T/ii>iol>ii<s u. sp -"51
Time of flight of Scarabaeids . -M
f 7/i s /a/n.^ n. sp
of • olor markings .
DIPTERA. vanderwulpi &, s|>.
11
INDEX.
Atrophopalpus n. gen. . . .130 A. angusticornis n. sp. . . - 131 Blepharipcza nigrisquamis n.
sp So
Cholera and flies 210
Criorhinia coquilletti n. sp. . 145 Dalinaunia ritiosa n. sp. . . 150 Deformities in Tachinidse . .166 Gastrophilns iiasalis .... 227 Hcematobia serrata .... 206
Horn fly 206, 261
Jamesburg, N. J., D. at . . . 37 Loewia globosa n. sp. . . . 129 Merisns in Eur. and Am. . . 97 Miltogramma decisa n. sp. . Si Myothyria vanderwitlpi n. sp. 131 New N. Am. species 47, 69, So, 102,
127, 129, 146, 163, 189, 216, 239,
268. Pachyophthahnls floridensis n.
sp So
Pseudohystricia e.vilis n. sp. . 146 Syrphidce, synonymy of . . . 145 Tachinida;, New N. A. 80, 129, 146
Throat bot 227
Trichobins ditgesii .... 177
HEMIPTERA.
Acanthia pipistrelli .... 154
Centrodontus n. gen 201
Efticocephalus schwarziin, sp. 191
Gargara atlas n. sp no
Jamaica, H. from 59
Membracidas, Studies in N. A.
108, 200. New N. Am. species 102, 108, 163,
189, 191, 200, 239.
Platycotis niinax n. sp. . . . 109 J'otnia usixfa/is n. sp. . . .no Pnbli/ia Incinctura n. sp. . . 200 Stictocephala gillettei n. sp. . 108 Stictofn-lta niannorata n. sp. . 201
S. nova n. sp no
Telanioiia rilcyi \\. sp. . . .108
HYMENOPTERA.
Amniophila gryplnis .... 47
Animophila, Habits of ... 85
Andricus celliihirins n. sp. . . 247
A.frequens n. sp 247
Aiithophora 61
Ants, Slave-making . . . .178
Ant, strength of 259
Astiphroninia pectoralis n. sp. 107
Bombus fervidus 181
Crabro excavatus n. sp. . . . 10
C. nitidinervis n. sp 9
Cynipidas, Colorado .... 246
Cynips Q-globulus 104
Formicidse from Jamaica . . 226
Fossorial H., new 170
Hexaplasta zigzag . . . 61
Jamaica, Formicidae from . . 226
Jamesburg, N. J., H. at . . . 36
Larradas 89, 138
Larropsis n. gen 90
Liris cox alls n. sp. . . . 90, 138 New N. Am. species 9, 22, 29, 47,
69, 90. 104, 107, 127, 163, 170, 189.
197, 216, 239, 247.
Odynerns aidrichi n. sp. . . 197
Ophionids, Two new .... 105
Plan iccps p/a>ia tus n. sp. . . 171 Plesiophthalmus paniscoides n.
sp 107
Pseudagenia blaisdelli n. sp. . 171
Slave-making ants 178
Sph<zrophthalmus antliracina
n. sp 172
Sphc.v ( Priononyx) fcmtgi-
neits n. sp 170
Tachytes 263
Thynniis ccilifornicus n. sp. . 104
Xy/ocopa, Calif, species of . . 17
7. t- thus s lo s son cr n. sp. . . . 29
LEPIDOPTERA.
Adirondacks, L. of .... 87
Africa, new Xeptis from . . 24*
Anthocharis gknutia .... 240
. li»i n. gi'ii 258
. /. noctitifornns n. sp. . . . 258
. \rclia iiihu'ii n. sp 257
.... 218
JNDEX.
in
A. charic/ca 49
Arkansas L 13
Arzama obliquata larva . 195, 217
Attacus cynthia, Intrd. in U. S. 193
( \illimorpha 52
Calocampa briicei n. sp. . . . 252
Calosaturnia mendocino . . 165
Calpodes ethlins 78
Catocala insolabilis .... 180
C. near Pittsburg, Pa. ... 168
Cithcronia scpnlcralis . 165, 232
Colias hecla 49
•Cossus brucei 165
Crambidia pallida 245
Danais archippus, swarms of . 234
Dasychira gronlandica ... 49
Datana ininisira 129
Drasteria erichto 63
Elementary Entomology 35, 53, 82,
114, 172, 198, 220.
Elliot Collection 97
Erebia. soft a 255
Erebus odor a 16
Felder Collection 154
Franconia, N. H., L. of . . . 155 ;
dlorcria ari~onensis .... 165
G/itp/iisia quinquelinea n. sp. . 158
G rapta v-albnm 239
Gunning for butterflies . . .211
Hulst Collection 38
Hydrcecia media/is, senilis,
nniuioda n. sp 251
Hyperchiria painina .... 165
H. zcphyrea 165
Hypoprcpia niiniafa .... 246
lihthyura bifiria 5
Is a fcxinla I
Larva hunting in Winter. 195, 217
Limacodidae i, 38, 62
Liincnitis arthcinis .... 17
Lotna sayi 23
Long-lived basket maker, A . 49
Lophopteryx elegans .... iSo
Mameslra fuscolutea n. sp. . 250
Mclitara dcntata, eggs of . . 208
Mimicry in moths 233
pha initchellii ... 49
biafra n. var. cuntin-
nata 249
A', uit'hriiira, ini.vophyt's, ni('n-
bule n. sp 249
New N. Am. species 22, 46, 69, KO.
158, 162, 174, 1 88, 216, 222, 250. Nociua flavotincla n. sp. . . 252 Noctuidae, synonyms of . . . 16
Oiketicus abbotii 49
Oncocnemis in Colorado . . 136
O. extranea n. sp 251
O. nigrocaput n. sp 250
Pachylia Jicus, larva .... 4
Patnphila aaroiii 49
Carolina n. sp 222
errans n. sp. . . . 174, 175 leonardns n. sp. . . 209, 240
viaiiataaqiia 77
massasoit var. suffiisa . . 15
zabnlon 49
Papilio cresphontes .... 240
mylotes 105
polydainas 105
sinon 105
rcridroma nigra \\. sp. . . . 252 rieronia apposita n. sp. . . . 252 Protoparce cingulata . . . .217 Ptcrophora inclshciincrii . . i^ / \ntiiifis a fa/a a fa . . . .232 l\ancora slrigata n. sp. . . . 25.;
Sphinx rustic a 193
Suggestions to Lepidopterists . 121 Thymelicus poweshiek . . . 232 Yentuivsonu.- Initterllics . 232, 264 Vosemitt.', coll. butt«:rt]u-s in .
MYRIAPODA.
Nc\v X. Am. spt-cii-s ....
NEUROPTERA.
Albania colKvtioii .... Nc\\- N. Am. species . <><>. i Odonata of Maiiu- . . . 8, 91, " of Massarlui-ii-Us .
I \intala liytnauca
IVathcmis triniacii/afa . . .
Sonmtochlora r.'./AV/// . . ,
Tetragoneuria cynosura . . .
IV
White ants, Ravages of . .
ORTHOPTERA.
Crickets, oviposition of . 261
Mantis Carolina 47
New N. Am. species . .69, 189 ()(-canthns, species of ... 33 Orc/ic/iiniiin, change of name in 264
THYSANURA.
Smynthurusb-maculatan.sv. . 169 Tcmplclonia anicricana n. sp. . 57
CONTRIBUTORS TO VOL. III.
Aaron, C. 15., . . .264
Aaron, S. F., 4°
Ashmead, W. H., 105
Banks, N., . . • J47
Bergroth, E ]54
Blaisdell, F. E., . 51, '43- 24' Blatchley, W. S., . . . m, 131
Brendel, E., l J
Bruce. D., l6, ^6
Bruner, L, . . . • ... 264 Calvert, P. P. (see 228), . . 264 Cockerell, T. D. A., . . 4, 78, 202
Coquillett. D. W., 150
Daggett, F. S., i?
Dunnington, F. P. 259
Dyar, H. G., 5, 3°. 62' l68> J75, 180,
245-
Ehrman, G. A., 168
Fisher, E. R., 209
Fox, W. J., 9, 17, 36, 59, ^S, 170,
i S3, 197, 226.
Gillette, C. P 246
Coding, F. W., . . . 108, 200 Hamilton, J., . . %. . . .253
Hart, C. A., 33
Harvey, F. 1 57, 91, Il6> l69
Hitchings, E. F., . . . . 39 1 1. .Hand, \Y. I-, 248
INDEX.
• 233
Horn, G. H., . . . 25, 60, 73 Johnson, C. W., . . . -37-59 Kellicott, D. S., . . . 18, 123
Kellicott, W. E. iSo
Kunze, R. E., . 97, i95> 217, 263 Laurent, P., . . . . 15, 37, 77
Mason, J. T 52
McKnight, C. S., . . 87
McLachlan, R., . . . 259
Mofifat, J. A., . 1 6
Morse, A. P., 121
Morton, Miss E. L., i
Neumoegen, B. 258
Nolan, E. J 195
Ottolengui, R.., . . 223, 232. 243. Patton, W. H., 61, 89, 97, 104, 181
Pilate, G. R., 209
Robertson, C., . . . . . 263 Rowley, R. R., . . 13
Ryder, J. A., ... 210
Sharp. Miss A. M., . ,120
Skinner, H 174-222
Slingerland, M. V., 63
Slosson, Mrs. A. T., . 49- J55- 257 Smith, J. B., 1 6, 35, 38, 53, 62, 82,
94, 114, 156, 172, 198, 206, 220,
229, 250, 261.
Strecker, H., ... 39, 2l8, 255 Troop,].,. • 122
Tough, J., -63
Townsend, C. H. T., 71, 80, 129,
146, 1 66, 177, 227, 234. \Yadsworth, Miss M., Walton, L. B., . . . 155
Webster, F. M 232, 234
Weed, H. E., . . . .119 \\Vnx.el, H. W., . 61
Wickham, H. F., . . 6, 139, 256 Willard, H. G., . . 232 Williston, S. W., . . -85, [45 Wright, \Y. G., 74
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. in. JANUARY, 1892. No. i.
CONTENTS:
Morton — Notes from New Windsor i
Cockerell — Note on the Larva of Pa-
chilia ficus 4
Dyar — Preparatory stages of Ichthyura
bifiria 5
Wickham — Note on Cychrus 6
Wadsworth — Second Additions and
Corrections to the list of Dragonflies 8
Fox — Hymenopterological Notes 9
Brendel — Rhexidius n
Rowley — Notes on Ark. Lepidoptera.... 13
Notes and News 15
Entomological Literature 19
Doings of Societies 22
NOTES FROM NEW WINDSOR.
EMILY L. MORTON, New Windsor, N. Y. ISA TEXTULA H.-S.
Reading the last number of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS (October) I noticed a short paragraph by Mr. Dyar on the genus Isa. Dr. A. S. Packard having identified a small Limacodes for me as Isa textula, and as the moth seems but little known, I have written •a short account of the species, which I have raised from the eggs and back again through all its changes.
Isa textula is a small moth nine-tenths of an inch in expanse, of a very satiny texture, with long fringes to all the wings, the color a pale wood color as light as white pine; on some specimens there is a faint indication of a t. p. and t. a. line broken and ex- tending only half across the forewings, but in many specimens this is entirely wanting. The eggs are laid singly, scattered about, and, like most of the Limacodes eggs which I have seen, are without form, looking like tiny drops of gelatine, or coagu- lated dew, invisible to the naked eye on the leaves, but on white paper having a slightly yellowish tinge, increasing with the growth of the larva within, but nothing more than a tiny, irregular shin- ing speck on the leaves, and hatch in from eight to ten days.
2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
The young larva when first hatched are also almost invisible, and, even after the first moult, look only like a small, colorless aphis on the leaf. The third moult shows a lilac mark in the centre of the dorsum increasing with the growth, until the last moult, when it resembles a rude maltese cross, of a pinkish or purplish brown, surrounded by a yellow border with a central square dot on the elipse-shaped pea-green larva.
The food-plants are the chestnuts, both horse and Castania, visca, English and wild cherry, oak, basswood, and probably other trees, as most of the Limacodes are very general feeders. On wild cherry the larvae take from eight to ten weeks to come to their growth; on chestnut a somewhat shorter period, but it depends on what may be the heat or cold more than the food- plant. I have usually fed the larva on wild cherry, as it is not infested with aphides, and during the long period of growth from egg to cocoon it does not require so much time and attention to keep the food-plant clean and sweet. The larvae spin their co- coons about September 5th to 2oth, a small, roundish, brown, pod-like cocoon, with the usual lid of the Limacodes, and the moths hatch the following season from the 8th to the 25th of July, almost always in the afternoon, and remain hanging from the lid or side of the cage, until between half past eight or nine o'clock in the evening, when the males begin to seek their mates. Isa textula hangs with its abdomen curled over its back after the manner of Pterophora diversilineata.
Reading recently a number of the English monthly, " The En- tomologist's Record," I was greatly interested in an account of "assembling," and never having seen the process described be- fore in any of our journals, I will describe my method, which I hope may prove of interest, as the habits of the Limacodes seem to be so little known. I use a large gauze-wire cage about 20 x 15 inches, and 1 8 or 20 inches high, a door in the front and back, and painted a dark red or green, and place the newly-hatched female textula therein. About 8.30 P.M. I station myself by the cage with a glass tumbler and piece of pasteboard and watch for the males to come. If the Limacodes is a common one, like E. stimulea, P. fraterna, or .S. inornata, there will usually be a score or more of males suddenly appearing, fluttering about the cage, always settling on the top or side, where the 9 is resting, hust- ling each other with their wings and endeavoring to reach the
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
coveted 9 inside the gauze. Now, if you want specimens, y<>u catch them by putting the tumbler over them slipping the paste- board under and transfer them to the cyanide bottle, but if you want fertile eggs you shake the males from the glass into the cage by the door opposite the lightest part of the horizon. After the female has once paired no more males will be attracted, so you must make up your mind beforehand whether it is specimens or eggs you most desire. I never use a light if breeding is my object, as there are scarcely any moths that will mate where a light is used; this is the reason the cage is painted a dark color, as you can see even in a very dim light the pale colored wings of the tiny males as they flutter around and over the dark gauze. Isa textula is a rare moth here, and I have rarely seen more than three males attracted in one evening; a dark, still, warm evening is always better for assembling, but even if it blows quite freshly some of the Limacodes will be attracted provided your cage is a little sheltered by trees or shrubbery, on the side from which the wind is coming. With some of the Bombycidae and Sphingidae, you may keep your cage in the house; in an open window, but I have never had any success with the Limacodes unless the cage was in an open space away from the house. I do not see how Sisyrosea inornata, however small, could ever be mistaken for Isa texhda, being a very differently constructed Limacodes, a very much slenderer and lighter built insect, the thorax only one- tenth of an inch across while in inornata it measures half as much again, and the abdomen of inornata is fully twice the size of that of textula. I think it probable / textula has been confounded with Limacodes flexuosa, but Dr. Packard has also identified tliis for me, and my specimens are darker colored with shorter fringes, narrower wings, the primaries more produced at the apex, espe- cially in the 9 . The larva of S. inornata, Dr. Packard says in his "Forest Insects," was first described in the Harris Corre- spondence; it is one of the most beautiful of the Limacodes, but though I have repeatedly had the eggs from captive frmak-s, I have never yet succeeded in rearing more than two or three Ian .1 back again to the pupa. I, however, know its whole history, and will some day write it out for the readers of K\ i o.\tm.o<;irAi. NEWS. The larva bears not the slightest resemblance to that of Isa textula.
4 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Note on the Larva of Pachylia ficus (L.)
By T. D. A. COCKERELL, Kingston, Jamaica.
Pachylia ficus (Linn.) — Length about So mm. Head shiny jet-black, except the mouth parts, which are pale greenish. Thoracic shield dull black; the short caudal horn and the anal plates are black. Spiracles blackish. Body: back dull red, sides and under part dull pale bluish green, the two colors sharply denned; with a pale red longitudinal line near the lower edge of the red color on each side. On each of the last eight segments is an obscure narrow whitish oblique line on the green sides, crossing the spiracles. Legs pale bluish green, like the underside; sides of body wrinkled.
Food-plant, Ficus sp.
Described from a mature specimen about to pupate, found in Kingston, July 21, 1891. The moth emerged August i3th. Another mature larva, also found in Kingston, was brought to me by Anna Ashburn on the 2d of September.
The larva of this species is glaucous-green, whitish above, with a narrow yellow stripe on each side; until shortly before it changes to a pupa, when it assumes the very different coloration described above. This change of color is almost certainly protective, the red back being less conspicuous than whitish or green, as the larva crawls about in search of a suitable spot to pupate in.
In Weismann's "Studies in the Theory of Descent," p. 232, there is a foot-note by Prof. Meldola, in which this change is de- scribed from Burmeister. This account does not quite agree with the Jamaica larva, and if in South America the larva really changes after the third stage, and lives on the tree and feeds after assum- ing the red coloration, it apparently affords an instance in which a phase of color has arisen as protective at larval maturity, and has become so strong in the organization of the insect as to ap- pear in some districts earlier in the life of the larva than is actually of use. It would be a curious case if it could be shown that this character had first appeared as useful, and had at length become injurious by reason of its excessive development! However, it is not so in Jamaica, and if the account of Burmeister' s larva is correct, it may still be that there are some special conditions of environment in the district where it was found, that render the red useful not only at pupating time, but also on the tree. This might be the case, for example, if it fed on a tree whose leaves turned red at a certain time.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 5
PREPARATORY STAGES OF ICHTHYURA BIFIRIA Hy. Echv. By HARRISON G. DYAR, New York.
Egg. — Hemispherical or slightly conoidal, the base flat, but rounded at its edges; smooth under a lens, but under the micro- scope, covered with numerous, crowded, shallow depressions, which form by their edges narrow, roundedly, hexagonal reticu- lations. The color is dark gray before the egg hatches. Diam- eter 7 mm.
First stage. — Head shining black, labrum pale; width 35 mm. Body slightly flattened, whitish, cervical shield black; a few pale hairs; joints 5 and 12 are slightly enlarged dorsally; the lateral region, and joints 5, 7 and 12 dorsally are wine-red. Thoracic feet large, pale; the abdominal normal, all used in walking. Length 2.5 mm. The larva hatches by eating a round hole in the vertex of the egg, leaving the rest of the shell untouched. It lives, singly, in a shelter constructed by spinning two or more leaves together.
Second stage. — Head black and shining, the central suture deep; width 6.5 mm. Body flattened, pale whitish yellow, with narrow triplicate dorsal, and very broad lateral bands of dull wine color, as are also the humps on joints 5 and 12. Cervical shield and anal plate black; venter dull greenish; legs black.
Third stage. — Head flat in front, slightly bilobed, brownish black, but paler centrally around the clypeus; a few dark hairs; width 1.4 mm. Body pale yellow, joints 5 and 12 a trifle dorsal line, broad lateral and confused triple subventral lines, all dark brown. Cervical shield and anal plate blackish; scattered pale hairs arise from smooth, low, round tubercles, concolorous with the markings.
Fourth stage. — Head pale brown, shaded with black in Inmt; jaws and ocelli black; a white shade on each side of the clyprus; width 2.6 mm. Body as before, but the lateral band is faintly divided by a double yellowish line, and joint 13 is nearly all yellowish. The round, smooth, piliferous tubercles are distinctly yellow in the yellow markings. Cervical shield small, bisrctol. pale brown; anal plate not distinguishable. Hair whitish, l>»th from body and head. As the stage advances the colors become quite pale, and the appearance is much chun^-d; humps (.11 joints 5 and 12 very slight, dark purple. <'.n>und color \\luti-h
6 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
gray, becoming pale purple, a triplicate dark purple dorsal line, the central one most distinct, the others broader and diffuse. All these lines are more or less broken into mottlings. A similar stigma tal line with some purple mottlings subventrally; venter paler; spiracles black. The piliferous tubercles are normal in arrangement, much as the warts in Halesidota, row (4) small, posteriorly to the spiracles, row (7) apparently absent. The head is held out flat, as in Gluphisia.
Cocoon. — Composed of several leaves spun together and lined with threads.
Pupa. — Nearly cylindrical, flattened a little ventrally, gradually tapering posteriorly, but of nearly even width, no part enlarged; last abdominal segments rounded, cremaster long and slender, terminating in a knob that, under the microscope, is seen to con- sist of a row of radiating, strongly recurved hooks, which hold firmly to the silk of the cocoon. Color dark red-brown, the thorax and cases nearly black. Length n mm.; width 3.5 mm.
Food-plant. — Willow (Salix').
Larvae from Yosemite Valley, Cal. These larvae had but four stages, and there are two broods in a year.
Ichthyura bifiria, as well as / brucei Hy. Edw. , must come very near to /. vau Fitch, if they are not merely western forms of it, but the larva of / van is still unknown, so that it is impos- sible to compare the early stages.
-o-
A NOTE ON CYCHRUS.
By H. F. WICKHAM, Iowa City, Iowa.
' ' Arizona has not, to my knowledge, furnished even a speci- men of Cychride;" (Dr. Horn, in Notes on the Biologia Cen- trali-Americana, monthly Proc. of Ent. Sec. A. N. S. June, 1886, p. ix.) During the Summer of 1890, while in the Final Mountains, about eighty miles from Tucson, my friend and com- panion, Dr. E. D. Peters, took four or five specimens of a Cy- chrns (^Scaphinotus), which I thought to be Snowii Lee., near a little spring. Later in the day a search by myself resulted in the finding of another specimen.
Our knowledge of the distribution of Cychrns has been won- derfully extended during the thirteen years that had elapsed since
l8Q2.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
the publication by Dr. Horn of his Synopsis in the " Transactions of the American Entomological Society." At that time but three species of the division Sphtzroderus were known, all from the Atlantic region, none of them ranging farther south than North Carolina. Since then the labors of Mr. Ricksecker have re- sulted in the discovery of two more species (relictus and regu- laris) from the Spokane River region of Washington, both ot these having been also taken by myself at Cceur d'Alene, Idaho, in company with the third western species only lately described by Dr. Horn (" Ent. Am." vol. vi, p. 71) as Merkelii. This shows Sph&roderus to be northern rather than northeastern in its distribution, an equal number of species having been found on each side of the continent, "none, however, being southern forms.
Scaphinotus, as is shown by the first paragraph, extends into Arizona besides covering in its distribution the region assigned to it by Dr. Horn, in his paper cited, from New York south to North Carolina and thence west to Colorado a range afterwards extended some distance southwards by the discovery of C. {Scaphinotus} Snowii in New Mexico.
Doubtless, the division Pemphus will remain characteristic of the north Pacific coast fauna, though Brennus supposed, until lately, to be confined to the coast fauna proper, has been shown by me (ENT. NEWS, vol. i, p. 33) to inhabit parts of Montana. The species recorded, C. marginatus, has heretofore been reported only from the stretch of coast from Oregon to Alaska, and its occurrence in Montana is of great interest, adding, as it does, another species to those common to the great central chain ol mountains and the far north. During the glacial epoch, or ju-t following it, this species probably inhabited the stretch of country from the Rockies to the coast, but the gradual northward retreat of the face of the glaciated area so changed the climate of this intervening region that marginatus was unable to retain its place. The Montana form already shows some minor differences from those found on the coast, and only time seems needed to dillrr- entiate it as a distinct species.
Until the discovery of C. Rickseckeri, the species of Cychrus proper were limited in our fauna to two strictly Pacific forms, angitlatus and tuberculatus, and one from Utah, C. Hcmphillii; but the first-mentioned insect is reported by Mr. Ricksrckrr, in a letter to me, to occur as far east as Clark's Ford, Mont. , though
8 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
I believe the centre of its distribution to be the Cceur d'Alene district of Idaho, where I took it on my visit in 1889. C. tuber- culatus, reported from Vancouver Island, occurs also in the main- land at Portland, Oreg. , and Tacoma, Wash., but is still rare.
A perusal of these lines will show that in this genus every one of the divisions, except Pemphus, which contains but a single species, has been found to have a distribution much wider than that known to science when last written up, and I await further developments with a great deal of interest. Cannot some of the readers of ENT. NEWS furnish -us with more notes on geographical distribution ? Too little attention seems to have been paid this part of our science, and it is something in which every one can
help.
o
Second Additions and Corrections to the list of Dragonflies (Odonata) of Manchester, Kennebec County, Maine.
BY MISS MATTIE WADSWORTH. (See ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, vol. i, pp. 36, 55, and vol. ii, p. n.) 5a. Amphiagrion saucium Burm.
1891, June 24, one 9 in road. 6c. Enallag-ma cyathigerum Charp. race annexum Hag.
1891, June 1 6, one $ in meadow. 6d. Enallagma exsulans Hag.
1891, June 26, one £ near Lake Cobbosseecontee. 6e. Nehalennia Irene Hag.
1891, June 9, one 9 in road, near meadow; June 15, three 9 9 in woods; June 19, one 9 in woods. 24a. Macromia illinoiensis Walsh.
1891, July 10, one 9 near brook.
32. This species called " Cordulia cynosura variety," in vol. ii, p. 11, is C.
(Tetragoneuria) spinigera Selys.
All taken in 1891 have been identified, as all others have been, by Mr. PhiHp P. Calvert, of Philadelphia.
During the seasons of 1890 and 1891, additional specimens have been taken of several species noted as quite rare in the pre- ceding lists. These are mentioned below. 6n. Enallagma ebrium Hag.
1891, June 16, two £ £ in meadow. 66. Enallagma civile Hag. 1891, June 26, two $ 1 , one 9 near Lake Cobbosseecontee.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 9
13. JEschna (Basiaeschna) Janata Say.
1890, June 21, one £ taken near brook. 1891, June 5 to 15, seven 9 9 . six £ £ taken near woods; June 15, a & devouring a 9 GompJms exilis was taken.
17. Gomphus parvulus Selys.
1891, June 25, one 9 near brook.
25. Epitheca (Somatochlora) Walshii Scud.
1891, July 30, one £ in meadow near brook; August 5, one seen flying.
26. Epitheca (Somatochlora) forcipata Scud.
1890, Aug. 14, one £ in meadow.
28. Cordulia (Somatochlora) lepida Selys.
1891, June, one £ ; June 26, one 9 by roadside.
29. Cordulia (Somatochlora) libera Selys.
1890, June 19, one £ in woods. 1891, June 5 to 30, quite common in and near woods.
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HYMENOPTEROLOGICAL NOTES.-H.
By WM. J. Fox, Phila., Pa.
Crabro nitidiventris n. sp.
9. — Black, shining; first two joints of the antennae entirely, line on pro- thorax above, broadest laterally, tubercles, an elongated spot behind them, dot on tegulze, spot at base of wing, line on the basal half of the scutel- lum, two transverse spots on the upper surface of the metathorax, the apex of anterior and medial femora, the tibiae and tarsi, and a large macula on each side of segments 2-5, all yellow, the extreme apex of the posterior tibiae and the apical tarsal joints, brownish. Head quadrate; clypeus, front behind the antennae, and the posterior orbits witli bright silvery pubescence, most dense on the former; head clothed with pale fuscous hairs, finely and sparsely punctured, the punctures on the cheeks very delicate, strongest on the front; vertex depressed, with a stn.n-, pear-shaped pit on each side near the top of inner eye margin; trtmtal impressed line deep; clypeus feebly carinated medially, the anterior m.ir- gin armed with three teeth, which are widely separated; apical halt of mandibles ferrugineus, the apex bidentate; scape of antenna- narrow longer than the first three joints of the flagellum united, second joint ,.| the flagellum nearly three times as long as the preceding one, and about two and a half times longer than the succeeding one. Thorax aiul sparsely clothed with pale fuscous pubescence, pertaining t« i sih ery 01 pleurae and pectus; the thorax with fine, separated punctures, very line on the pleura;; prothorax slightly emarginate above; postscutellum part. by an impressed line; metathorax with two transverse enclosures on the
jo ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
upper surface, the medial sulcus very strongly marked, and is deepest basally and on the posterior face, all the sulci marked with strong fovese, the posterior face with the lateral edges marked with a series of rugae, before the apex there are several very strong, transverse striae; the top of the metapleurce marked by a series of strong foveae, which form an angle at about the middle; wings hyaline, tinged with brownish along the costa, nervures brown, the stigma black. Abdomen glabrous, sparsely clothed with pale fuscous hairs, most dense beneath and on segments 4- 6 above; last segment above with a longitudinal, medial carina, which does not extend beyond the middle. Length n — 12 mm.
Two specimens, Camden County, N. J., July 5, 1891, and Il- linois (coll. Amer. Ent. Soc.). The specimen from Illinois has the middle clypeal tooth indistinct. Related to C, obsciirus and C. contiguus.
Crabro excavatus n. sp.
9. — Black; head transversely quadrate; front subopaque, with fine and exceedingly close punctures; near the inner orbits, before the anterior ocellus, there is a short, oblique sulcus; vertex shining, with deep sepa- rated punctures; face very narrow in the region of the antennae, the space between the eyes at this place is a little broader than the length of the third antennal joint; clypeus well carinated, the anterior margin entire, rounded out; antennas short, the third joint about two and a half times longer than the second, and is a little longer than the two following joints united; the ocelli situated in slight, but distinct, depressions; mandibles strongly bidentate at apex. Prothorax emarginate medially; dorsulum with very strong punctures, the punctures confluent anteriorly; scutellum and postscutellum with strong, separated punctures, those on the post- scutellum feeblest; metathorax roughened, with a strong medial sulcus, which extends to about the middle, where it is interrupted by a transverse ridge, the posterior face rugose, depressed medially; mesopleurae rugose; wings subhyaline, nervures blackish. Abdomen shining, the segments depressed at base and apex, with distinct, separated punctures, beneath segments 2-5 smooth, with the exception of a series of strong punctures, which extend from side to side at about the middle; the last segment above strongly excavated; mandibles, except base and apex, prothorax above, tubercles, an elongated oblique spot on the mesopleurae beneath the tegulae, scutellum and two spots on the dorsulum at the anterior-lateral angles of the scutellum, the postscutellum, legs, the tarsi lighter, the first abdominal segment above, except the apical margin, which is black, the second above and beneath, except apical portion, all reddish brown;* scape and following two antennal joints, and a large, ovate spot on the second abdominal segment, situated at about the middle, yellow; head
* This may be due to being left too long in the cyanide bottle, but as part of the antem.ae and two spots on the abdomen are yellow, it is probable that it is the natural color.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. II
and thorax above clothed with short, erect, fuscous hairs; the clypeus, face, cheeks and thorax beneath with silvery pubescence. Length 9 — 10 mm.
cf . — Differs from the female as follows: joints five and six of the an- tennas roundly emarginate beneath, the seventh joint slightly so; the third antennal joint very slightly, if any, longer than the fourth; the metanotum with eight or nine strong ridges, which extend from the base to the trans- verse ridge; wings darker along the costa. Abdomen strongly punctured, the punctures closer than in the female, the first segment, except the base and apex, and a transverse fascia on segments 2-5 above, reddish brown, the fascia on the third segment narrowest; beneath the abdomen is fun-h- and rather closely punctured. Length 9 mm.
Described from two females and one male specimens. Col- lected by Mr. Chas. W. Johnson, in Florida, in the vicinity of St. Augustine.
(To be continued.)
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RHEXIDIUS.
BY EMIL BRENDEL, M. D.
This genus belongs to the second group of the tribe Trichonyni according to the arrangement of Mr. Achille Raffray, the first group having the posterior coxse distant and the first ventral seg- ment large, including the genera Trichonyx and Amauronyx, while the remaining genera, or the second group, have the pos- terior coxse contiguous, or nearly so, and (the first ventral seg- ment very short, in some hardly visible. Among the latter group my attention is called to the genera Trogastcr, Rhexidius, Oropns and Prorhexiics.
Trogaster is characterized by having the first ventral segment visible (according to Mr. Raffray), while in the others it is said to be invisible, except as a button between the coxae. But this, according to my investigation, does not apply to Rhexidius and Oropus, on which, by lifting the femur it can be traced to tin- sides of the abdomen, where it is even more vnsible than in tin- middle. Thus the difference between the four genera is ratlin- inconspicuous.
With the genus Trogastcr I am not acquainted, but by the description of Dr. D. Sharp, it should have an analogous I'.uni with Oropus and Rhexidius, and Capt. Casey indicated to in< the differences: the pronotum having the lateral spinou^ tul».
12 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
nearer the middle, the frontal sulcus not reaching the occipital foveae and having different forms of the antennae in the sexes.
The only difference between Oropus and Rhexidius lies in the possession of a minute spinous tubercle at the sides of the pro- notum in a line with the lateral foveae. The length of the second ventral segment, which ought to be measured at the sides, not in the middle, where commonly intubation takes place, is larger, but in length not much more than subequal to the third and fourth ventrals; therefore Prorhexius is identical with Rhexidius.
Now I will describe a new species of Rhexidius which makes the difference between the other two genera very doubtful, and perhaps brings them very near to Trogaster.
Rhexidius trogasteroides n. sp.
<3\ — The forms of the several parts of the body is exactly like Oropus; uniformly reddish brown. Length 1.66 mm. Head and prothorax granu- lated (as in Rhexidius granulosus), elytra densely punctured, abdominal dorsum nearly smooth. The head very transverse, though less so than in R. granulosus, occiput triangularly impressed at its base, occipital fovese large, near the eyes and in a line with the anterior part of the eyes; the frontal ridge and the subjacent arcuated sulcus limited half way be- tween foveae and the supra-antennal swelling, the sulcus ending in a deep puncture just in front of the respective fovea (Trogaster). Antennae as long as the head and half of the prothorax; joint i as thick as the width of the eye, cylindrical, longer than wide; 2 globular, two-thirds as thick as the first; 3 and 4 equal, rounded, somewhat transverse, much smaller; 5 projecting inside in form of a wedge, half as long outside, and three times as wide as the fourth; 6 as wide as 5, inflated inside, here as long as the first joint, and outside at the insertion as long as second; 7-10 gradually increasing in width, transverse, trapezoidal, together as long as the second, third and fourth conjointed; 7 as wide as the second; the loth, or the base of the last joint as wide as the first; n as long as the four preceding, and beyond the middle more than twice as wide as the first joint ( Trogaster). Palpi as in Oropus. Prothorax as in Rhexidius in sculpture, but the median sulcus has a deeper place in the anterior third, and the sides are rounded anterior to the line of the foveae, here sud- denly forming a sharp edge with a very short emargination producing a tubercle similar to Oropus, except that the tubercle is not as sharply pointed. Elytra as in Oropus, with four basal punctures. and the respec- tive lines, the third longer than the second, the fourth short and recurrent. Abdomen as in Oropus, with the dorsal border punctured, the penultimate ventral with a transverse impressed line; 9 unknown.
Three specimens were discovered on Chestnut Ridge, Pa., by P. Jerome Schmitt, who deserves great honor as a circumspect entomologist.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 13
A comment as to the generic differences is unnecessary, but there are two more specimens, £ and 9 , which were discovered in Franklin County, Pa., by my friend, H. Ulke, who kindly loaned them to me a year ago; they are in his cabinet, and may bring these genera still nearer together.
Rhexidius intermedius n. sp.
Uniformly brown. Length of $ 1.5 mm.; $ 1.66 mm.
$ . — Head as transverse as in Oropus, somewhat punctulate. Antennae, without the last joint, as long as the width of the head, the last joint as long as the first and second together. Eyes very much smaller than in Oropus; occiput perpendicularly declining toward the neck in an angu- lated line from the sides to the middle of the base. Prothorax little wider than the head with a twice interrupted median sulcus and a straight trans- verse sulcus, which is triangularly dilated in the middle, ending in pubes- cent foveae laterally situated inside of a slightly ovate depression, the base strongly punctured, the disc slightly uneven, impunctate; no crenulation or a spine at the sides. Elytra as in Oropus. Abdomen at the base in the middle depressed, the depression divided by a short carina; the bor- ders of the first visible segment divergent; the first three visible segments equal, one-quarter of their width long, fourth and fifth shorter; ventrals nearly equal in length.
<$. — Has the ninth and tenth joints of the antennas shorter, more trans- verse, and the last longer than in the female. Head, prothorax and elytra, more visibly punctulate. Eyes somewhat larger. Prothorax with the median sulcus not interrupted, but abbreviated in the anterior third. Ab- domen as in the female, but the junction of the fourth and fifth segments transversely impressed.
o
NOTES ON ARKANSAS LEPIDOPTERA.
By R. R. ROWLEY, Fort Smith, Ark.
Five hundred miles to the southwest of Curryville, Mo., where the writer has spent half a score of years in the study of Ento- mology and Geology of a most interesting region, is the " Bor- der City," Fort Smith, Ark. A residence here since the middle of September has given him but limited opportunity to niter into the study of nature, but he could not, if he wished, close his eyes on the fairy-like creatures that flit from blossom to blossom in this city of flowers. The first finds. were two splendid larvae of that magnificent moth, Citheroniaregalis, on a persirnmon tree, whirr, from indications, a number of other caterpillars had been feeding; t\vo larvae of Eacles imperialis on maple; two of Ccratomia
14 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
amyntor and one of Telea polyphemus on elm; larvae and cocoons of Actias luna on pecan, and one wandering caterpillar of Dei- lephila lineata. A fine pupa of Macrosila cingulata was found in a sweet-potato patch and several ragged images, brought to the class-room by pupils, indicate an abundance of this beautiful moth.
The first butterflies noticed were Neonympha sosybius, flitting aimlessly about the streets, and occasional specimens of Papilio philenor and Limenitis iirsula. While Colias eurytheme was quite common, C. philodice, Pieris protodice and P. rapes seemed much less abundant.
In October, Callidryas eubule, Terias nicippe, T. lisa, Na- thalis iole, Euptoieta claudia, Phyciodcs phaon, Pamphila huron, P. phylceus and Pyrgus tessclata were plentiful, the first two spe- cies at cultivated flowers and the others at the blossoms of He- lenium tenuifolium, a thrifty weed about the streets and roads here.
Three fine examples of Colias ctzsonia were taken at flowers, one Grapta inter rogationis in the woods, one Paphia troglodyta at mud, four Junonia ccenia by the roadside and on flowers, sev- eral specimens of Pyrameis cardui, one P. huntera, two Erisia texana, a few Phyciodes tharos and a number of Danais archippus on Helenium tenuifolium blossoms.
A single 9 Agraulis vanilla was taken on Geranium flowers in the shade, about five o'clock P.M., late in October. One dark specimen of Pyrgus, probably a variety of Tesselata, was cap- tured November yth. The last butterflies seen, were Terias lisa, T. nicippe, Pyrgus tesselata and Nathalis iole on the i6th of September. Spring and Summer will doubtless add many more species to this list. The food-plant of Iole here is probably Helenium temiifoliiim.
For assistance in the identification of a few of the species men- tioned above, the writer is indebted to Mr. Wm. H. Edwards, of Coalburgh, and Dr. Henry Skinner, of Philadelphia.
For the determination of a plant to Prof. Geo. Vasey, of Washington, D. C.
" An electric insect killer is the latest novelty in that line. It is formed by a cover of wire> gauze, which is placed over a lighted candle. The gauze is an electric circuit, and when insects touch it they are killed."
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 15
Notes and. Ne^vs.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE.
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OWING to the sickness of the editor, we are unable to publish a plate with this number of the NEWS. Correspondence attended to soon.
AFTER many unexpected and unavoidable delays, the new Check List of Lepidoptera of Boreal America, by Prof. John B. Smith, has been com- pleted, and is now ready to mail to applicants. The price is $1.00 per copy.
WILL the contributor who favored the NEWS with the interesting paper " On the species of Oecanthus Serv." kindly communicate with the editor, as his letter has been mislaid and his name is not attached to the manu- script of the paper referred to ?
A VERY good suggestion comes to us from a progressive subscriber, viz.: to give each month a list of species added to the insect fauna of North America. This information will be appended to the " Literature" column, and we trust that it will be an improvement that will be appre- ciated by entomological workers.
A NEW VARIETY OF PAMPHILA. — Paitiphila »iassasoit, var. suffusa Laurent. The describing of the many variations of Lepidoptera caught in the field is of value as well as of interest to the entomological world, but the attaching thereto of a name to burden our already over-crowded catalogues, seems to me to be little less than an entomological sin, but where the form described teems in numbers, or is known as a local varia- tion, I think the same should be given an appropriate name. In the Pamphilas, particularly, there are several such forms or variations occur- ring among the species found around Philadelphia. One of tlu-sc. l\un- phila massasoit, var. suffusa, makes its appearance about July 4th. It is
16 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
found in low meadow- or swamp-lands. The variation consists principally in the yellow markings of the under surface of the posterior wings being almost obliterated by a suffusion of dark brown, while the under surface of the anterior wings is of a uniform dark brown, the light colored margin found in the normal form being entirely wanting. About one in every ten specimens caught will be found to be snffusa; the variation is gener- ally found among the males, but also occurs in the females, but more sparingly where it occurs in the females. The insect is without the usual yellow spots on the upper surface of the wings. — PHILIP LAURENT, Phila.
SYNONYMS OF NOCTUID^E. — Mr. W. H. Patton has given in ENTOMO- LOGICAL NEWS, vol. ii, p. 206, a synonym of ^Homohadena infixa Wlk." which requires correction. I have seen Walker's type, in the British Mu- seum, and find it exactly like the type of Mr. Grote's H. kappa, which is also in the British Museum. H. incomitata and H. badistriga are both as good species as are usually found in the Noctuidae, and come at exactly opposite ends of the synoptic table in my revision of the species (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. xiii, 399). Harvey's type is not rubbed, and I have seen any number of specimens just like it. That Xylophasia infixa Wlk. probably referred to a species of Homohadena I indicated in my revision of Xylophasia (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. xiii, 446), but was not able to fix it positively. It would be interesting to know upon what Mr. Patton bases his synonymy. — JOHN B. SMITH, New Brunswick, N. J.
Prof. KELLICOTT'S " Note on Exceptions" brought vividly to my mind the number of interesting varieties of Caberodes confusaria that had es- caped from my collecting-bottle by its remarkable powers of resisting the action of cyanide. I have often sought for an explanation, but without definite results. In my observations, Hymenoptera and Diptera are the most sensitive to the fumes of cyanide, which I have thought might arise from their nervous activity producing rapid respiration. Water beetles as a rule are slow to yield to its influence, which is probably the result of their having a supply of pure air under their elytra which would last for a while. Newly-hatched beetles may remain for a whole day in a strong bottle and revive again when exposed to the air, the result of their partially dormant condition. Caberodes confusaria is an active in- sect, and therefore ought to breathe rapidly, and so get the full benefit of the poison, but in its case neither the principle nor the poison works satis- factorily.— I. ALSTON MOFFAT, London, Ontario.
I THINK a "wave" of Erebus odora must have struck Colorado this Summer. I have occasionally met with this species in the State before, but not more than one example in a season. This year, however, was a notable exception; one day last June I took one on the sidewalk at Colo- rado Springs; the same evening I found one on the platform at Canon City Depot. The next morning I reached Salida just at daybreak; during the two days I stayed there I took about a dozen pretty fair examples. These were resting on the lamp-posts, or on the ground close by. It was
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NKUS. iy
quite a rainy time in this part of Colorado, and I saw fragments of a good many in the mud. The lamp trimmer told me they had been quite a nuisance for more than a week, flying into houses and stores where tliere was a bright light, in many instances causing alarm (lie called them hats). On my return from southwest Colorado, two weeks later, our train stopped at Salida at 9 A.M. ; during the "twenty minutes for refreshments" I looked round under the lamps. In a coal-box, near one, were two battered ex- amples of E. odora, but on the lamp-post, about seven feet from the ground, was a specimen of the silken, gray beauty zoiobia, the first I had seen alive. I have visited this district many times in the last seven years, and my late friend, W. S. Foster, a keen collector, resided there tuo years, yet we never saw either species there before, and I feel pretty cer- tain that their occurrence this year is something unusual.
DAVID BRUCEj Brockport, N. V.
A SPECIMEN of Xylocopa. received from Mr. H. F. Wickham, bearing the label Fort Yuma, Cal., turns out to be the Cuban A"", cubaccola Lucas. To the best of my knowledge, this species has not been recorded from any other locality, although it occurs, probably, in Mexico. The following table will assist in determining the California!! species of Xylocopa: Abdomen bottle-green, bronzed ; front in $ with a strong projection. Length 22 — 25 mm. . . . californica Cr.
Abdomen bronze-purple ; frontal projection almost obsolete, having the appearance of a faint tubercle. Length 18 mm. . purpurea Cr. Entirely black 9 \ c? °f cubaccola entirely fulvous, with fulvous pubes- cence; e? of orpifex with the face and clypeus yellowish. Ventral abdominal segments strongly carinated ; clypeus with the punctures becoming somewhat obsolete medially; rf" fulvous. Length 9 cf 18—23 mm. . . . cubaecola Luc.
Ventral segments of the abdomen faintly carinated ; clypeus equally punctured throughout; <$ with the thorax clothed with pale pu- bescence. Length 9 c? 17— i S mm. . . orpifex Sm.
WILLIAM J. Fox.
WHILE on a trout fishing trip on the Nepigon River last July we broke camp some forty miles up river, after three days' of showery weather, and, with birch-bark canoes, started for Red Rock, the 1 [udson I'.ay Company'- post at the mouth of the river. There are a number of rapids around which canoes and camp equipage must be carried, and at whirl) tin- dil- ferent meals are usually cooked, while the Indians are making the port On July 1 4th, a hot day following the rains, we were p»rtaging around Cameron Pool and rapids, when one of the party, who had descended the higher land to the bank of a little creek, came rushing back with an ordinary fish landing-net containing ten fluttering Lii'it he had caught with one stroke. Of coin were mined, but the
entomologist of the party, upon investigation, found the ashes, where camp fires had been made upon the banks of the creek, completely cov-
18 ENToMoLocicAL NEWS. [jariuafy,
iered with this beautiful butterfly, one space of about four and a half feet in diameter being entirely hid by a gorgeous coloring of purple, black and white, which shone beautifully in the bright sun. The first stroke of the net disturbed them, but 47 specimens were taken as they hovered about without moving from the spot, and over 100 were taken within a space of 30 feet square. They seemed to be attracted by the brine or water thrown from the pans after freshening bacon and salt pork at the camp fires. Paddling down the creek we passed another congregation of like proportions, but we had a forty-mile canoe voyage to complete by ten o'clock that night in order to catch a steamer at Port Arthur, so they were not disturbed. It is not often an entomologist stumbles upon a sight so beautiful. — FRANK S. DAGGETT, Duluth, Minn.
Perophora mclshcimerii. — This elegant case bearing larva was taken at Sugar Grove, O., September 26th, feeding on oak. The single larva examined differs from that described by Harris in the absence of the an- tenna-like appendages at the side of the head; this is also characterized by Packard in "Forest Insects." It is also slenderer than others de' scribed, nor are the "spiracles so situated as to be visible from above,'- except the last pair. The prothoracic segment is not dark like the head, but concolorous with the whole anterior third, i.e., pale brown with diffuse lateral stripes. The case, too, whilst of the same general type as that figured by Harris, is a more finished piece of architecture. One side, the floor, is elliptical and plane; the opposing piece, the roof, is also elliptical, but both longer and wider and cut with the mid-vein in the longer diam- eter, so that when the edges of the two are sewn together it arches up, forming a roof; the mid-vein thus forms the ridge of the roof; this also projects at the ends constituting the verandas over the round openings. The dimensions are: length, 28 mm.; width, 8mm.; height, 6mm.; di- ameter of openings, 4 mm.
I have not seen the artificer at work. It would certainly be interesting to observe how, with the simple tools at his disposal, so wonderful a house is built. I imagine that the plan of procedure is about as follows: two closely parallel leaves are selected; these are spun together along the elliptical outline of the finished product, the plane one being first strength- ened by a silken lining; then by cutting away the leaves about the outside the case is set free. — D. S. K.
Identification of Insects (Imagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: ist, The number of speci- mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta- tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an- nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor, who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects for return of names. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ig
Entomological Literature.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGER (Leipzig), Nov. 2, 1891. — The lateral eyes of spiders, by K. Kishinouye, figs. On the anatomy of the male sexual organs of the Honey Bee, by G. Koschewnikoff.
TRAVAUX ET MEMOIRES DBS FACULTES DE LILLE. I, No. 4, 1891. — The wax of Bees (analysis and adulterations), by A. and P. Buisine.
LE NATURALISTE (Paris), Nov. r, 1891. — Protective resemblance in Eu- ropean Lepidoptera, by F. Plateau; figs. Description of new Lepidop- tera,* by P. Dognin; Lafajana n. gen. Development of Hydrophilns piceus, by L. Planet; figs. — Dec. i, 1891. — Diagnoses of new Lepidop- tera,* by P. Dognin. Habits and metamorphoses of Corczbus amethys- tinus Oliv., by Capt. Xambeu.
COMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Oct. 3, '91. — Two new species and a new genus of African Lepidoptera,* by F. J. M. Heylaerts; Gymnelema n. gen. Melanges Entomologiques: VII. Diagnoses of Coleoptera from the Congo,* by A. Duvivier; Djabiria, Phrynctoides n. gen. Dichotomous table to aid in determining the Bel- gian species of Coleoptera Heteromera (last part), by L. Coucke. Enu- meration of the Hemiptera of Belgium, by E. Coubeaux; Heteroptera. Papilio tnachaon var. marginalis, by M. Robbe.
NOTES ON CALOSPASTA Lee., by G. H. Horn, M.D. (reprint from Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. xxix, pp. 99-102), Oct. 27, 1891. A synoptic table of the species is given. C. histrionica, C. morrisoni, S. Cal., n. sp.
REVUE DES SCIENCES NATURELLES DE L'OUEST, 4, October, 1891, Paris. — General considerations on the classification of the Acarines, fol- lowed by an attempt at a new classification, by Dr. Trouessart (to be con- tinued).
COMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE DE BIOLOGIE (Paris), Nov. 20, 1891.— Or- ganization of a thoracic ganglion in some Coleoptera of the tribe Melo- lonthina, by A. Binet. A peculiar Acariasis on Paduan fowls produced by a new Acarine species, Lophopies patavinus, by P. Megnin; figs. On the intermediate host of Echinorhynchus gig as in America, by C. W. Stiles \_Lachnosterna\.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN (Berlin), xvii, 21, November, 1891. — Some remarks on the German species of Calathus* by C. YcrhoHl. List of a collection of Coleoptera from Cordoba in Argentina, by Dr. Frenzel. On doubtful species of Rhizotrogus, a clear answer to Hen 1 •:. Brenske, by Dr. G. Kraatz.— No. 22, November, 1891 .--A new contribu- tion to the knowledge of the German Saldcc* by C. VerhoefT. Dipt* ru collected by Herr F. Grabowsky in Hartz Mountains, by V. von K order- * Contains new species other than North American.
2o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
New Singing Cicada; from Cameroon collected by Dr. Paul Preuss,* by Dr. F. Karsch; Trisiiiarcha, Nablistes. n. gen.
DENKSCHRIFTEN DER KAISERLICHEN AKADEMIE DER WISSENS- CHAFTEN. MATHEMATISCH-NATURWISSENSC.HAFTLICIIE CLASSE, Ivii. Wien, 1890 (1891). — Comparative Studies on the Germ-band (Keimstreif) of Insects, by V. Graber; 12 plates, 38 figures.
ERGAENZUNGSHEFT ZUM 68. JAHRESBERICHT DER SCHLESISCHEN GE- SELLSCHAFT FUR VATERLANDiscHE CULTUR. Breslau, 1890 (1891). — Con- tributions to the knowledge of the European Zoocecidae and their distri- bution, by G. Hieronymus.
VERHANDLUNGEN DES NATURHISTORISCHEN VEREINS DER PREUS- SISCHE RHEINLANDE, WESTFALENS UND DES REG.-BEZIRKS OSNABRUECK. xlviii, i. Bonn, 1891. — Biological Aphorisms on some Hymenoptera, Dip- tera and Coleoptera, by C. Verhoeff; 3 plates.
OFVERSIGT AF FINSKA VETENSKAPS-SOCIETETENS FORHANDLINGAR, xxxii, 1889-90. Helsingsfors, 1890 (1891?). — Contributions to the know- ledge of the Coleopterous Fauna of Southwestern Siberia — Curculionidae,* by J. Faust
BERICHTE DER NATURFOKSCHENDEN GESELLSCHAFT zu FREIBURG I. B., v, i. Freiburg I. B., 1890 (1891). — On reproduction of the Diplopods (Chilognatha), by O. von Rath; i plate.
AXTI DELLA R. ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE DI TORINO, XXVI, 2, 1890-
91. — The European species of the genus Chiysotoxum Meig.,* by Dr. E. Giglio-Tos; i plate.
JAHRBUCHER DES NASSAUISCHEN VEREINS FUR NATURKUNDE, 44. Jahr- gang. Wiesbaden, 1891. — Observations on the manner of living and de- velopment'history of some indigenous species of beetles, by Dr. Budde- berg. Macrolepidoptera of the lower Rhine country, 2d part, by A. Fuchs. Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Japan, 2d supplement, by H. von Schoen- feldt.
LA NATURALEZA, 2d series, II, i. Mexico, 1891. — Description of indig- enous Coleoptera, by Dr. D. Eugenio Duges (for new species, see post)\ 2 plates.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 2d series' III, i. Sept. i, 1891. — Description of the larva of Dascy/lus darhisonii Lee., and a record of its life-history, by J. J. Rivers; i plate. New species of Scarabseidae, id (see post).
BULLETIN OF THE BUFFALO SOCIETY OK NATURAL SCIENCES, v, 3, 'gr. —List of the Macrolepidoptera of Buffalo and vicinity, by Edw. P. Van Duzee.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 21
LIST OF LEPIDOPTERA OF BOREAL AMERICA, by John II. Smith, as- sisted by Henry Skinner, M.D., Geo. D. Hulst, Ph. D., C. H. Fernald, Ph. D., C. V. Riley, Ph. D. Philadelphia, Amer. Ent. Soc. 1891, 124 pp., 6020 species listed.
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A MONOGRAPH OF THE NOCTUID.K OF TEM- PERATE NORTH AMERICA. — Revision of the species of Mann.-stra, by John B. Smith (from Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns. xiv, pp. 197-276, pi. viii-xi), Wash- ington, 1891 (for new species, see post).
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW CYNIPID/E IN THE COLLECTION OF THE ILLI- NOIS STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL HISTORY, by C. P. Gillette, is«.,i ; i plate (see post).
JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF JAMAICA, I, i, Kingston, November, 1891. — Notes on the transformations of some Jamaica Lepidoptera, by T. D. A. Cockerell.
NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
COLEOPTERA.
Calospasta histrionica Horn, Proc. Amer. Pliilos. Soc. \.\i.\, p. 100, San Diego, Cal. C. morrisoni, p. 102, So. California.
Biiprestis jimenezi Duges, La Naturaleza, 2cl series, II, p. 7, fig. 10, Jalapa.
Melanophila nigra Duges, 1. c., p. 8, rig. II, Tupataro ( Guanajuato).
Acmczodera moesta Duges, 1. c., p. n, fig. 17, Guanajuato. A.jncn p. 14, fig. 20, Acapulco. A. sinalocnsis, p. 14, fig. 21, Motag,-, SinaKa.
Chrysobothris sobrina Duges, 1. c., p. 19, Guanajuato. C. arinala, \>. 19, fig. 29, Chiapas. C. i^nofa, p. 20, fig. 30. Tupataro, Guanajuato.
Agrilus albofasciatus Duges, 1. c., p. 23, fig. 35, Guanajuato. Borrei, p. 24, fig. 36, id. A. Sa/Ifi, p. 24, fig. 37, id. p. 26, fig. 39, id. A.parviis, p. 26, fig. 60, id. A. hiniaci ?. p. 40, id. A.fossulatus, p. 27, fig. 41, id. . /. xcxnutculatu f, p. 27. ''.- id. A. rnbrovittatus, p. 28, fig. 44, id. A'. ca/i^i>n>s r, p. Tupataro. A. 'igneosigiiadis, p. 29, fig. 47, id. • !'•
30, fig. 48, id. A. tHpatarcnsis, p. 31, fig. 59- "'• '• I'- •
fig. 51, id. A. A'cririnansi, p. 3-', fig. V, "'• '• I'- 3'i
53, Guanajuato. A. tarrascus, p. 33, fig. 54, Michoacan. p. 33, fig. 55, Guanajuato. A. naints, p. 33, tig. 56, Tupataro. inhieHS, p. 34, fig. 57, id. A. nonts, p. 34, fig- 5s, i(1- fig- 59, id-
22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Taphrocerus leoni Duges, 1. c., p. 35, fig. 61, Siloa, Guanajuato, Mi- choacan. T. Kerremansi, p. 35, fig. 62, Tupataro.
Brachys chapusi Duges, 1. c., p. 36, fig. 63, Tupataro. B. hexagonalis, p. 36, fig. 64, Guanajuato.
Lygirus Bryanti Rivers, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. (2), III, p. 97, Lower California.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Carphoxera n. gen. (Acidalinoe) Riley, Insect Life, iv, p. 112. C. ptelearia, p. 112.
Maniestra delerminata Smith, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. xiv, p. 209, Col. M. desperala, p. 221, Me., N. H., Cal. M. invalida, p. 225, Cal. M. u~scripta, p. 228, Cal. M. quadrata, p. 248, Cal. M. circumcincta, p. 253, Cal. M. longiclava, p. 265, Col. M. orbiculata, p. 266, Col.
HYMENOPTERA.
Diastrophus scutellaris Gillette, Bull. 111. State Lab., N. H. ?, p. 192, 111. Antistrophus silphii, p. 192, 111. A. laciniatus, p. 194, 111. A. ntfits, p. 195, 111. A. minor, p. 196. A. bicolor, p. 197, 111. Acraspis coni- pressus, p. 197, Iowa. Dryophanta lanata, p. 198, Iowa. Chilasphis ferrugineus, p. 200, Iowa. Aulax bicolor, p. 201, 111. Synergus mag- nus, p. 202, Mich. S. villosus, p. 202, Iowa. Coptereucoila inarginata, p. 203, 111. Eucoila "j-spinosa, p. 204, 111. Eucoilidea ritjipes, p. 205.
Doings of Societies.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. — A regular meeting was held in the Hall, Oct. 22, '91, Director Geo. H. Horn, M.D., presiding. Meeting called to order at 8.20 P.M. Members present: Martindale, Laurent, Ridings, Horn and Skinner. Associates: Fox and Liebeck. The Publication Committee reported favorably on papers No. 255 and 256, entitled " Notes on North American Tachinidae, sens, str., with Descriptions of New Genera and Species," by C. H. Tyler Townsend, and "Random Studies in North American Coleoptera," by Geo. H. Horn, M.D. Paper 257 was presented for publication. Mr. Nathan Banks, of Washington, D. C., was duly elected an Associate of the Section. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
A regular meeting was held in the Hall, Nov. 25, 1891. The meeting was called to order at 8.20 P.M. In the absence of the Director, Mr. Blake presided. Members present: Messrs. Ridings, Laurent, Blake, Skinner and Welles. Associates: Calvert, Nell and Haimbach. The report of the Executive Committee was read and received. A number of American and European Odonata were presented by Mr. Calvert; also the Jamaican Odonata collected by Mr. Wm. J. Fox. Donations to the library were
I892.j
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 23
read. The Publication Committee reported favorably on a paper entitled "A Revision of the North American species of Phlepsius" by Ed\v. P. Van Duzee. Papers Nos. 258, 259 and 260, were presented for publication.
Mr. Calvert stated that in the Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. xvii, p. 33, 1890, he had first described the supposed female of Sor,ia!ochlora Walshii Scud. , remarking then that it was much like the female of S. forcipata Scud., specimens of which he had not then seen. During; the Summer of 1891 he had received the female and three males of forcipata from Prof. F. L. Harvey, at Orono, Me. A comparison of the females of Walshii and forcipata showed that the former was distinct. He knew of no evidence that the female Walshii was other than he had described it to be. Miss Wadsvvorth took a second male of Walshii at Manchester, Me., during the season of 1891; the first male which she had taken was now in Mr. Calvert's collection.
Dr. Skinner, Mr. Ridings and Mr. Laurent, were appointed a committee to make nominations for the coming year. Mr. Ridings moved that, when the Section adjourn, it adjourn to meet on the second Monday in De- cember. HENRY SKINNER, Recorder.
A regular meeting was held in the Hall, Dec. 14, 1891, Director Geo. H. Horn, M.D., presided. Members present: Messrs. Horn, Welles, Martindale and Ridings. Associates: Calvert, Fox and Johnson. In the absence of the Recorder, owing to sickness, Mr. J. H. Ridings acted as such. The reports of the Treasurer and of the Joint Committee on K.\- TOMOLOGICAL NEWS were read. The committee on nominations named the following to serve as officers for the ensuing year: Director, Geo. H. Horn, M.D.; Vice-Director, Isaac C. Martindale; Recorder, Henry Skin- ner, M.D.; Treasurer, E. T. Cresson; Conservator, Henry Skinner, M.D.; Publication Committee: J. H. Ridings and Philip Laurent. On motion, the Recorder was directed to cast a ballot for the Section, and the above were- declared elected. J. H. RIDINGS, Recorder, pro ton.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, November 5, 1891.- Messrs. Theo. Gill and C. W. Stiles were elected active members of the Society, and Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, of Port Hope, Canada, and Prof. H. A. Morgan, of Baton Rouge, La., corresponding members.
Under short notes, etc., Mr. Schwarz exhibited some fine and complete examples of the galleries made by Hylesinus sericeu s in the bark of .lines menziesii from the Wahsatch Mountains of Utah. These galleries closely resemble those made by the species of Scolytus.
The Secretary read a note by Mr. Wm. D. Richardson, of Fredericks- burg, Va., corresponding member of the Society, on the life-history <>f Loma Sayi. The food-plant of this species is Commolyna rirghiica; tin.- eggs are laid singly on the leaves, and the larvae usually bore in the flower stalks, ejecting their fcces from the entrance hole of the burn.w. Dis- cussed by Mr. Schwarz.
24 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January,
Dr. Marx exhibited two remarkable spiders occurring in our fauna: (i) a representative of the South American genus Nops characterized by hav- ing but two eyes; (2) a puzzling species, the affinities of which he pointed out. It resembles an Epeira, but is altogether different in characters.
Mr. Schwarz read a paper on the time of flight in Scarabceid beetles, in which he related an observation made last June by Mr. H. C. Hubbard and himself concerning an undescribed species of Lachnosterna which flies before sunset in the alpine regions of Utah. He added remarks on the flying habits of other species of Lachnosterna and of Scarabaeid bee- tles in general. It appears that in this family the unity in habit regarding the time of flight is generally maintained so far as genera are concerned, and that there are comparatively few exceptions to this rule.
Mr. Schwarz also exhibited a species of the family Monommidas col- lected on Key West and at Biscayne Bay, Fla., and stated that after a careful study he has come to the conclusion that it is identical with Aspa- f /lines ovatns Champion recently described from Central America, which adds a new genus to our fauna. Discussed by Messrs. Marlatt, Howard, Mann and Schwarz.
Mr. Howard read a paper on the " Habits of Molittobia," suggested by Mr. Ashmead's communication at the proceeding meeting. He gave a comprehensive review of the literature, showing all of the hosts of this genus of parasites, proving that it is both parasitic and hyperparasitic. He added an account of the rearing of M. pelopczi Ashm. from dipterous puparia found in Pelopaeus cells by Mr. A. N. Caudell. Discussed by Mr. Ashmead.
Mr. Banks read a paper entitled "A new genus of Phalangiidse from North America," in which, under the name Caddo nov. gen. agilis n. sp., he described a peculiar Phalangid collected in woods near the seashore on Long Island. Figures representing the peculiar features of the insect were exhibited.
Dr. Marx gave some remarks on the geographical distribution of spiders, and stated that the Drassidae, formerly supposed to be boreal in habitat, were now found to occur in the tropics in abundance, and that in fact we have not a single family that is entirely northern in range. In the Attidse, however, certain genera may prove to be altogether boreal, but the family is not well worked up. C. L. MARLATT,
Recording Sccrclarv.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NKWS for December was maili'd December 2, 1891.
ENT. NEWS. Vol. III.
PI. I.
CICINDELA.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. in. FEBRUARY, 1892. No. 2.
CONTENTS:
Horn — Variations of Color-markings in
Coleoptera 25
Fox — Hymenopterological Notes 29
Smith — Elementary Entomology 35
Insects collected at Jamesburg, N. J., July 4, 1891 36
Dyar— Collecting Butterflies in the Yo- ; Notes and News 38
Semite Valley 30
Hart — On the species of O^canthus 33
Entomological Literature 42
Doings of Societies 47
Variations of Color-markings in Coleoptera.
By GEO. H. HORN, M.D.
Recently the subject of variation in coloration has been dis- cussed before the Society of American Naturalists with the view of eliciting an expression of opinion as to whether color variation proceeded in a regular course, or was hap-hazard and accidental.
My observations have been that variation proceeds in regular lines, easily demonstrable with sufficient material, produced by external influences which are at present but partly understood.
There is probably no branch of zoology better fitted to illus- trate this point than Entomology, from the abundance of species and the frequent occurrence of genera with large numlxTs of species in which a greater or less similarity of marking is ob>< r vable.
As a beginning, in the illustration of this subject, it is brst to select a genus well known to all collectors by the numbers of spe- cies possible in most- collections. Cicmdela has therefore bcni chosen.
Any one in glancing over his series will perceive that there is a great similarity of marking between many species. This simi-
26 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
larity, which may be considered as the type of marking and illus- trated by fig. i of the plate, representing vnlgaris is the under- lying pattern from which all the forms observed in our Cicindelae have been derived.
Before going further it is well to present the following propo- sitions that the argument and the illustrations may be understood.
i. — The type of marking is the same in all our species.
2. — Assuming a well marked species as a central type the markings vary,
«, by a progressive spreading of the white.
b, by a gradual thinning or absorption of the white.
c, by a fragmentation of the markings.
d, by linear supplementary extension.
3. — Many species are practically invariable. These fall in two series.
a, those of the normal type, as vulgaris, hirticoUis and tenui-
signata.
b, those in which some modification of the type has become
permanent, probably through isolation, as marginipennis, togala and lemniscata.
4. — Those species which vary do so in one direction only. That is, supposing a species begins typically with markings similar to vulgaris, the variation may be either in the direction of thickening and increase of white as in hyperborea, generosa and others, or in the direction of thinning or fragmentation of the white with perhaps an entire loss of markings as in h<zmor- rhagica, splendida, or obsoleta.
The first two propositions must be considered as applying to the species of the genus collectively, the last two to the species separately.
The accompanying plate has been prepared to illustrate these propositions. It must, however, be understood that, in tracing the derivations from the typical, it is not possible to use one spe- cies as these modifications go on gradually through a number of species, one sometimes beginning where another ends.
In the plate fig. i represents vulgaris, which is a fairly typical species, following through generosa (2-3), pamphila (4), hyper- borea var. (5), togata (6), gratiosa (7), canosa (8), we finally arrive at a perfectly white elytron as seen in some varieties of dorsalis.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 27
Following in the other direction through tenuisignata (9), marginipennis (10), Hentzii (n), sexguttata (12), heemorrJiagica (13), and splendida van (14), it will be observed that through a gradual thinning or absorption of the markings, or by their fragmentation and obliteration we arrive at the opposite result of elytra without any white markings whatever, as in many forms of obsoleta, scutellaris, pimdulata and hczmorrhagica.
Those species which vary from the type in having the markings broken into spots, as iz-guttata or Hentzii, may lose the spots by a gradual decrease of size, so that they all seem to disappear nearly at the same time, or the spots may disappear successively, those on the disc being the first to go, while the marginal spots remain.
From our series it would be difficult to say which spot is the most persistent, but it is probably the apical lunule, as there are more with entirely dark elytra with slight traces of this spot than with any other, as shown in abdominalis z\\& punctulata.
Forms like lemniscata (16) seem very far removed from the type, but many forms of imperfecia (15) show how the markings gradually leave the margin and tend by fusion to form a vitta at first somewhat oblique, but finally becoming nearly median.
The last two figures on the plate represent the markings of Gabbii (17) and Saulcyi (18), in which the ends of the bands or lunules are greatly prolonged. The latter form, which represents dorsalis as well, is but rarely seen so perfectly marked, the ten- dency being toward a greater extension of the white. The other species is scarcely variable, although equally a coast form.
Those species which retain a permanent divergence from the normal standard, such as togata (6) or lemniscata (16), are doubt- less descendants from a normal type which has varied, and in which a variety has become isolated and perpetuated itself.
One result of an examination of my species with ideas here explained has been the discovery that C. lunalonga Schaupp is merely a variety of pusilla with markings a little better defined. Specimens before me establish the lead very distinctly.
In view of all the facts here presented the question mi-lit be asked, why do some species vary while others do not ? \Yhilc this matter is worthy of some thought, it is not pos>il>K' to ^ive a satisfactory answer. Some species doubtless vary from climatic causes. A notable instance will be seen in hui/ion-lhi^ica, which
28 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
extends from San Diego and Yuma in California northward to the head-waters of the Yellowstone, passing through about all possible varieties of climate and habitat, from sea-coast to 'moun- tain. On the other hand hirticollis occurs from Hudson's Bay to Arizona without variation, and the specimens of lepida from the New Jersey shore are not separable from those found in Ne- braska. It seems hardly possible to make any generalizations on the subject. Doubtless the coast species vary to a greater extent taking them collectively than do the inland species, but it is impossible to go further in speculation as too many exceptions arise on all sides.
The subject of variation might be considered at much greater length with profit and more fully illustrated, but the desire to bring the article within NEWS limits has caused me to be brief.
The figures have been drawn to illustrate markings only, and no regard has been had to the form of the elytra, which varies considerably, and would introduce an element not pertinent at this time.
Should the method of thought which gave rise to the preceding remarks produce in some others thoughts as to the possibilities of variation, not only in color, but almost equally in form and sculpture there would be less 'synonymy to be corrected and a more truly scientific basis established for species.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.
i. — C. vulgaris 10. — C. marginipennis
2 . — C. generosa 1 1 . — C. Hentzii
3. — C. generosa 12. — C. sexguttata
4. — C. pamphila 13. — C. h&morrhagia
5. — C. limbata || 14. — C. splendida
6. — C. togata 15. — C. imperfecta
7. — C. gratiosa 1 6. — C. lemniscata 8. — C. canosa 17. — C. Gabbii
9. — C. tenuisignata 18. — C. Saulcyi
A writer in Engineering says "that in sinking plumb lines down shafts the accuracy of the work is often seriously impaired by spiders attaching their webs to the lines and drawing them toward the walls, often with sufficient tension to introduce material errors in the position of the plumb bobs."
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 29
HYMENOPTEROLOGICAL NOTES.-III.
By WM. J. Fox, Phila., Pa.
(Continued from page n, vol. iii.)
Galliopsis abdominalis Cress.
A variety of this species occurs rather commonly in Gloucester County, N. J. It differs from typical abdominalis as follows : the thorax, with the exception of the tubercles and tegulae, is entirely black; the abdomen has the base of the first segment above and base of the second only, reddish fulvous, the apical margins of segments i — 5, broadly testaceous; the male has the abdomen reddish fulvous, the segments each with a black fascia.
Numerous females and several males taken in Gloucester Co., N. J., from August i6th to September gth, 1891.
Epeolus pusillus Cress.
E. pusillus Cr., Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila. vol. ii, p. 398, 9.
The male of this insect, which has hitherto been undescribed, differs from the female by its smaller size; the clypeus being cov- ered with pale pubescence; the eyes more strongly converging towards the mouth; the antennae, first three joints excepted, testaceous beneath; tip of the abdomen reddish; nervures and stigma testaceous; the antennae are shorter and stouter. Length 6 mm.
A male and female of this species taken in Gloucester County, N. J., August 1 6th and September 5th.
Epeolus compactus Cress.
This species has only been recorded from Texas, Colorado, Nevada, California. I have a specimen taken in Camden County, N. J., during May.
Melissodes fimbriata Cress.
A male specimen of this insect was taken at Cape May, N. J., on June i4th. It has only been recorded from Texas.
Zethus Slossonae n. sp.
9- — Black, a spot on each side of the clypeus, two transverse elongate spots behind the base of the antennae, a dot in the eye nnargination, |>»s- terior orbits, line on the collar, much narrowed and slightly interrupted medially, a large spot at the top of the mesopleunr, two small spots mi the scutelluni and postscntellum, two large ones on the posterior face <>f the metathorax, an irregular line on the apical margin of the petiole, which extends up a little way along the sides, line on anterior femora behind, and the middle tibiae, more or less, all yellow; the scape and fol-
30 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
lowing two antennal joints, the mandibles, except apex, the tegulae, the legs, except the posterior femora medially and the coxae, reddish brown; clypeus rounded laterally, with sparse, shallow, punctures, its anterior margin armed with three widely separated teeth, the middle tooth largest; just above the antennae there is a strong, transverse ridge; the antennae are situated just beneath each end of this ridge, and are therefore widely separated; front with very large, deep, in some places confluent punctures, the punctures becoming less strong on the vertex and are sparse and shallow on the cheeks. Thorax punctured as on the front, on the sides and beneath with silvery-sericeous pile; scutellum with an impressed line, the punctures sparse; postscutellum with the posterior margin produced into a strong angle; metathorax subopaque, with a medial impressed line, with a few oblique, widely separated striations towards the sides, the metapleurae with indistinct, shallow punctures; wings fuscous, with a vio- laceous reflection, which is especially strong on the apical portion, brown- ish along the costa, stigma yellowish, nervures black, second submarginal cell very narrow at the top, the third submarginal cell broader above than beneath; legs clothed with silvery pile. Abdomen clothed with sericeous pile, the petiole much swollen medially, and is contracted before the apex, a little broader than high, and with large, sparse, punctures above, the pedicle of the second segment takes up less than a quarter of the seg- ment, the base of the pedicle black; the remainder of the abdomen claret-brown, shining, smooth above, beneath with large, sparse punctures. <3\ — Differs from the female as follows: the clypeus is entirely yellow, the medial tooth not so large; the third antennal joint black, and is more than a third longer than the fourth, joints 10-12 reddish, the hook black; the eye emargination is narrower; the medial impressed line of the scu- tellum is stronger; the legs without any trace of yellow; the second sub- marginal cell is broader above than in the female. Length 9cT J6 mm.
Three specimens, one female, two males. Collected by Mrs. Annie Trumbull Slosson, near Punta Gorda, So. Florida. It is most closely allied to Z. azteca S., from which it differs by the transverse ridge behind the antennae. It differs from Z. Poeyi S. , from Cuba, by the toothed clypeus and the shorter pedicle of the second abdominal segment.
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Collecting Butterflies in the Yosemite Valley.
By HARRISON G. DYAR.
My wife and I spent four months of last year in the Yosemite Valley, Cal., to enjoy the grand scenery and the pure air of the Sierra Nevada and make collections of the Lepidoptera of that region, and it has occurred to me that some notes of our expe- riences might interest the readers of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 31
The valley, as may be seen from a map, is situated on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, and through it the north branch of the Merced River flows. The general course of the river is southwesterly at this point and it plunges over two falls called the Nevada and Vernal to a depth of about 3000 feet below the gen- eral level of the surrounding country and flows, with but slight descent, for a distance of five miles between nearly vertical walls which are, on an average, a mile apart. This canon is the Yose- mite Valley, and its level floor would be covered with fine trees and shrubs were it not for the work which is being done by those in charge of the valley, who, I am sorry to say, have already succeeded in spoiling the once picturesque beauty of Mirror Lake by means of a dam and Other improvements (?).
Lepidoptera were abundant during the first part of our stay, more especially the butterflies; we found but few moths. Later in the season they became much less common, and it was more and more difficult to obtain larvae as nearly all the small plants died by reason of the dry season which set in soon after we ar- rived. We collected forty-nine species of butterflies, but not all were found on the floor of the valley. Papilio nitulns and P. eurymedon were common, but P. indra, which is a true mountain species, and occurred about the edge of the valley at an altitude of 7000 feet above the sea, was seldom seen there, although a few examples wandered down. Neophasia mcnapia was common towards the end of Summer flying slowly about the tops of the Pinus ponderosa, or alighting on flowers. Picris beckcrii and P. sisymbrii were found in considerable abundance on the summit of Cloud's Rest, a peak 10,000 feet high, overlooking the vall'-v. but I did not see them elsewhere. Several species of Antho- charis occurred, but not in the valley proper. A. lanceolate \\ as found on the talus at different altitudes, but they did not appear in the valley, and it is surprising how closely they confined them- selves to the rocks, as if aware that the marbled colors ot the lower surface of their wings were only fitted to harmonize with the gray granite of the broken rocks. The ubiquitous Colias eurytheme was to be seen all Summer, and I captured one male specimen of C. behrii\ to which I shall again refer, /lit /tin's archippns was not uncommon, and two eggs of this speeie.s were found on a wild gooseberry bush, where they had ITCH laid ap- parently by accident (there was no milkweed mar). The lar\\e
32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
that hatched from them refused gooseberry, and would certainly have died had I not supplied them with their ancestral food. Of Argynnis, three species occurred, A. epithore in the Spring, followed by what is probably A. monticola, though there seemed to be two very closely allied forms, perhaps only varieties, in one of which the marginal spots on the lower side of hind wings were narrower than in the other and sometimes slightly touched with silver. Both these forms were taken in coitu and always with a mate of the same form. A. leto appeared still later, the first male being seen July loth, and first female July 2ist.
Of the other species captured, I will notice only the most in- teresting. Lemonias virgulti was common in the Summer on flowers and sage brush bushes, more especially on the talus around the valley and above Vernal Fall.
Thecla grunus occurred in swarms around the live oak trees {Quercus chrysolepis} first appearing about July ist and continu- ing all Summer. The full grown larvae were found in abundance on young shoots of this tree about the first of June. Pyrgus ericelorum was seen on only one day when we captured several examples feeding on the flowers of the Pussy's Paws (Spraguea umbellata), but saw none afterward, though we went to the same place the next day.
About the middle of September, after nearly all my larvae had stopped feeding, we took a trip to the high Sierras to climb Mt. Lyell, a peak 13,000 feet high. We left Yosemite on hore-back with Mr. J. B. Lembert, as guide, who owned a small farm at Soda Springs, high in the mountains, near the head of the Tuo- lumne River before the place was included in the National Park. On September 2oth we made the ascent of the peak, and when about a quarter of the way up on a spur of the mountain over- looking the end of the glacier, a specimen of Colias bchrii was started up which I succeeded in capturing. No more were seen that day as the weather soon became threatening, and by the time we reached the top of the glacier, the clouds had begun to float in over the peaks. On another day, September 22d, we went to some mountain meadows, 10,000 feet high, where Mr. Lembert had formerly seen some of the " little green butterflies" (C behrii), but met with no success, and were obliged to return almost immediately in a dense snow storm.
When we returned to the vnlley after a day's ride from Soda
1892.]
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
33
Springs, I found that most of the larvae, which had not ceased feeding when I left and which I had tied out in bags on their food-plants, had been cut off and destroyed by a crazy Indian, called " Loco" by the children of the valley. This made a rather disastrous ending to an otherwise quite successful collecting season.
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ON THE SPECIES OF OECANTHUS Sen. By CHAS. A. HART, Champaign, 111.
Although the snowy, or tree cricket is commonly referred to .as (Ecanthus niveus, there are three or four species quite com- mon and widely distributed, one of which, CE. fascialus, is in this State (Illinois) more abundant than niveus. I have just had occasion to examine a large series of specimens in the collection of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History including all the species yet recorded from Illinois. After a fairly satisfactory assortment of the specimens with the aid of the characters indi- cated by Prof. Jerome McNeill in " Psyche," vol. vi, p. 6, I noted
that the coloration of the antennae in each species had a perfectly dis- tinct and invariable pattern of its own in all specimens examined. This character is not affected by sex, and seems to be the most re- liable and ready means of separa- ting the species. Some of these changes of pattern were noticed by Dr. Fitch in his description of CEcanthus niveus (Third Report on Insects of N. Y. p. 95) as char- acterizing varieties of that spcri<-, but the specific identity of these forms seems now wll established. CE. bif>nnctiifns De G. has the apex of the- scape prolonged be-
[EXPLANATION OF cur.J Basal joints of antenna; of O-.canthiis, under surface. (The difference in the su- tures is due to the changing appearance neath forming an acute blackish of the sutural membrane in different po- sitions of the antennae) i and z, fZ./oj- tooth. The lore \\ings are CO
ciatHS ; 3, CE. bipunctatus ; 4, CE. niveus: 5, CE. angustipennis ; 6, CE. latipennis.
jointly marked with a fuSGOUS spot near middle, and .1 lartM- basal spot. CE. fascia/us Fitch, presents an extraordinary range in depth
34 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
of color, without, however, any actual change of pattern. In the palest specimens, approaching niveus in color, the scape has on its under surface an inner black longitudinal line, straight, or with the basal end turned slightly outward. Exterior to this and near the apex of the joint is a black dot. The second joint has a similar pattern. The flagellum is luteous or olivaceous, never annulated with darker wings exteriorly as in angustipennis and niveus, though the sutures are often slightly paler. The legs vary correspondingly from pale greenish to black. As the color deepens, the outer dot in the antennae coalesces with the end of the line, forming Dr. Fitch's var. b. The lines also thicken, the dot enlarges, the black extends around the apex, and from the dot toward the base, until the antenna becomes entirely black. This species has strong hind tibial spines, the last joint of the maxillary palpus is clavate, and the fore wings in the male are wider than in angustipennis.
In CE. angustipennis Fitch, the scape has on its under side a longitudinal black vitta, the basal end of which curves distinctly inward; the second joint has a black oval spot beneath. The flagellum is pale, the outer part annulated with brownish at the tips of alternate joints. This species is also known by the very narrow fore wings of the male and the weak spines of the hind tibia.
Our palest species is niveus DeG. , which is almost colorless, but in all specimens seen possesses a nearly circular black spot on the under side of the first and second joints. The flagellum is pale, usually annulated as in anguslipennis. The tibial spurs are as \r\fasciatus, and the fore wings are moderately broad.
Our largest species, CE. latipennis Riley, lacks any distinct markings on the first two joints. The flagellum is decidedly suffused with reddish brown basally, but the outer portion is not annulate with darker. The male has the fore wings slightly wider proportionally than in niveus.
Pasciatus was very abundant this fall along the roadsides; niveus and ang^lstipennis were taken this Summer at sugar in the evenings; our specimens of latipennis are all from the southern part of the State.
"I wish I was human," said the centipede. "It would ruin you," re- turned the cricket; "just think of having to buy shoes for yourself."- York Herald.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 35
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA-HETEROCERA (Moths). By Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, New Brunswick, N. J.
All the Heterocera are commonly termed moths, and moths as distinguished from butterflies rarely have a distinctly clubbed an- tennae, and do not usually carry the wings upright, the upper surfaces opposed, when at rest. In some of our Geometridae the wings are sometimes carried butterfly fashion, but here there is no trace of a club to the antennae, and where the antennae might be called clavate, the posture of the wings is distinctly decum- bent. The term " heterocera" means variously horned, and, in- deed, all kinds of variation in antennal structure is found in the series, save that in American forms there is no distinctly clavate type represented. The terms expressive of antennal modifica- tions are best explained when the necessity for their use arises.
Perhaps the most important character for the higher divisions is found in the venation, and under our present system a know- ledge of this is absolutely essential to a proper understanding of relationships, or to enable an insect to be referred to its proper family. Experience brings a certain knowledge of superficial appearances which serves to place most specimens,' but even ex- perienced lepidopterists have been not infrequently misled by trusting too much to such appearances. Wings can be prepared for the study of venation in various ways. On larger moths a deft operator can remove enough of the scales with a camel's-hair brush to enable him to make out the course of all veins readily. Smaller moths, where the wings are for temporary use only, can be soaked for a few minutes in carbolic acid, which will render all but the veins transparent. The wings may be afterward thrown away or mounted in balsam without further preparation. \Yhnv permanent specimens are desired the wings are first placed in alcohol a few moments to extract grease, then placed in a satu- rated solution of chloride of lime until all color disappears. They are then washed in clean water, dried, and are ready t<> mount on cards with gum, on slides with balsam, or in any other way fancy dictates. Where rapid bleaching is desired, a drop or two of hydrochloric acid to the chloride of lime solution will lil» rate chlorine gas and cause an almost instantaneous bleaching. will also cause an odor that will drive well disposed persons out
36 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
•of the room, and will further, unless watched carefully, eat into the membrane of the more delicate wings. My practice, when I want rapid results, is to get the wings into the lime solution, set the dish on the window-sill outside, drop in my acid, and close the window until chemical action ceases. The wings are then ready for study. It is by no means necessary to go through this process with every new form. When the general course of the veins is known a few scales removed on the underside, at the right spot, determines the matter. Where a wing is mounted in balsam after bleaching, great care must be exercised lest weak veins be rendered so transparent that they are overlooked, and folds must not be mistaken for veins. A fold is often much more •distinct than a vein, but looks solid, with irregular edges, while a true vein has clean cut edges and is a tube. For forty years even the best European students had mistaken a fold for a vein in some Zygcznidce until I pointed out the error, and on the other hand I was caught napping and failed to see a true vein in Cera- thosia because made too transparent in balsam.
If I have been somewhat diffuse on the subject of preparing wings for study, it is only because in venation we have the key to the present classification, and without it determination of family is guess work, more or less correct according to the expe- rience of the guesser.
In a normal heterogeneous wing the primaries have 12, rarely 13, the secondaries 8 veins. On the secondaries the number may t>e increased to twelve or reduced to four, and it is in the secon- daries that we find some of our most useful characters.
In the next paper the usual type of venation will be figured and described.
o
Some of the Insects collected at Jamesburg, N. J., July 4, 1891.
HYMENOPTERA.
By W. J. Fox. (The rarer species.)
Elis 4-notata Trypoxylon tridentatum
Pompilus fuscipennis Odynerus birenimaculatus
Pompilus virginicus
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
DIPTERA. By C. W. JOHNSON.
Pachyrrhina incurva Argyramaeba analis
Tipula fasciata Geron macropterus
Chrysops vittatus Psilocephala albifrons
univittatus pictipennis
callidus Psilopus scobinator niger " patibulatus
fallax Syrphus americana
flavidus Sphaerophoria cylindrica
obsoletus Eristalis dimidiata
Therioplectes trispilus Mesograpta geminata
Leptogaster favillaceus Platychirus hypoboreus
Stichopogon trifasciata Xylota anthereas
Dasyllis tergissa Rivellia conjuncta
flavicollis Tephronota humilis
Erax furax Colobata antennipennis
Proctacanthus rufus Lauxania obscura
Bombylius atriceps Trypeta bella
sp. Sapromyza compedita Anthrax lateralis
COLEOPTERA.
By PHILIP LAURENT.
(Those species marked f were quite common.)
Cicindela punctulataf Podabrus rugulosusf
Gyrinus lugens ? f Telephorus scitulusf
Dineutes vittatusf Collops 4-maculata
Coccinella g-notataf Onthophagus hecatef
Scymnus terminatus Serica trociformis
Melanotus cribulosus ? Anomala lucicolaf Limonius basillaris oblivia
Agrilus ruricollis Strigoderma pygmaea
Brachys aerosa Chlamys polycocca
Lucidota atra ? f Cryptocephalus venustusf Pyropyga nigricans f congestus
decipiens Pachybrachys binotatus Photuris pennsylvanica atomarius
Chauliognathus marginatusf Chrysochus auratusf
38 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Paria 4-notata Cistela sericea
" aterrima Mordella scutellarisf
Graphops pubescens Macrobasis unicolorf
Colaspis flavida Eugnamptus angustatusf
costipennis (rare) Pterocolus ovatus
Diabrotica i2-punctataf Lsemosaccus plagiatus
Haltica foliacea ? Centrinus scutellum-album
Dibolia aerea Eurymycter fasciatus (rare) Odontota dorsalis
Notes and.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit, and will thankfully receive items of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author's name will be given in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors.— All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy'1 into the hands of the printer, for each number, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im- portant matter for certain issue. Owing to low subscription rate, " extras" will be charged for, and when they are wanted, it should be so stated on the MS. along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
ON a Continental forty-five dollar bill, issued on the i4th of January, J779) is represented an apiary in which two beehives are visible, and bees .are seen swarming about. The motto is " Sic floret Respublica — thus flourishes the Republic." It conveys the simple lesson that by industry and frugality the Republic would prosper. — Harpers Monthly.
Dr. GEO. D. HULST has donated his collection of Lepidoptera to Rut- gers College. He will retain for the present the families in which he is working, but everything else goes to the college. The collection is one of the richest in Catoca/a, and contains a very large number of types in the Geometridae and Pyralidina. There are nearly 2500 named species and much undetermined material, some yet undescribed. — J. B. SMITH.
FOOD-PLANTS OF LIMACODID^;. — So far as I have observed, the larvae of moths of this family feed on the leaves of nearly all, if not all, decidu- ous trees and shrubs, and readily change from one food-plant to another. This is in accord with the observations of Dr. Kunze (ENT. NEWS, vol. ii, p. 208) on Parasa chloris, as it will be noticed that all the plants mentioned are deciduous trees, except the Bayberry (Myrica ccrifera), which is a shrub. — HARRISON G. DYAR.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 39
"I HAVE never looked at this lovely thing (Papilio marchandii} with its delicate form and brilliant hue, without my thoughts reverting to the long past builders of the temples and altars of Palenque and Copan; the butterfly flitted through the tropical groves in their day, as now, but the inhabitants of the old dead cities have passed away, their names, their history unknown! Birds, reptiles and insects now alone tenant the forest where once stood the populous cities, the kings and priests of which, with their slaves, sycophants, long ages ago have gone to rest; naught remains of their past greatness but the moss-coated and time-worn ruins of altar and idol, and the frail, golden butterfly hovers, suspended in mid-air, over the monster face of some fallen dagon, which far back beyond even ' the night of time,' received its meed of human sacrifice; in imagination, we can see the temples restored, the long train of devotees, all the para- phernalia of pagan worship, we can hear the sound of music, the shrieks of the agonized prisoner about to be offered as a propitiation to some monstrous conception of barbaric superstition; but all now is hushed; priest, cacique and victim alike, are gone, fallen are the idols, giant trees grasp with their roots the ruins of the temples, and creeping vines and gorgeous flowers mingle with the sculpture of the marvelous shrines; scarce a sound is heard save the rustling of some snake gliding stealthily to its hole, or shimmering lizard running over leaf or twig." (Lepidoptera, Rhopaloceres and Heteroceres, H. STRECKER.)
LIST OF DRAGONFLIES taken at Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester, Mass., during the seasons of '89 and '90.
1. Calopteryx czquabilis Say 21. Cordulegaster macnlatus Sdys
2. Argia putrida Hag. 22. Macrouiia illinocnsis Walsh
3. Isch ultra vcrticalis Say 23. Cordnlia seiniaqnca Hurm.
4. Enallagma Hageni Walsh 24. princeps Hag.
5. civile Hag. 25. cynosura Say
6. " signatnm Hag. 26. Libcllula e.viista Say
7. Nehalennia irene Hag. 27. quadrimaculata L.
8. Lestes hamata (Hag. 1862) 28. pitlchclla Dru.
9. " rectangularis Say 29. quadruplet Say
10. " vigilax Hag. 30. inccsta \ lag.
11. " nngniculata Hag. 31. Celithcmis cponina Dru.
12. " .forcipata Ramb. 32. clisa Hag.
13. Anax junius Dru. 33. Platheinis irimaculata De Geer
14. sEschna Janata .Say 34. Mesothemis simplicicollis Say
15. " coHstricta Say 35. longipcnnis Uurm.
16. " verticalis Hag. 36. LeucorhiniaproximaCaAv.
17. " herosYsb. 37. Dipla.v costifcra \ 'liler
18. Neuraschna vinosa Say 38. rubicundiila Say
19. Complins e.vilis Selys 39. scinicincia Say
20. " spinosus Selys 40. Perithemis domitia Dm. They were identified by Miss Wadsworth, of Hallowell.
E. F. HITCH INGS, Bucksport, M<-.
40 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,.
THE most beautiful as well as pleasing emblem among the Egyptians was exhibited under the character of Psyche — the Soul. This was origi- nally no other than a butterfly, but it afterwards was represented as a lovely female child with the beautiful wings of that insect. The butterfly, after its first and second stages as an egg and larva, lies for a season in a manner dead, and is enclosed in a sort of coffin. In this state it remains a shorter or longer period; but at last bursting its bonds, it comes out with new life, and in the most beautiful attire. The Egyptians thought this a very proper picture of the soul of man, and of the immortality to which it aspired. But they made it more particularly an emblem of Osiris, who having been confined in an oak or coffin, and in a state of death, at last quitted his prison and enjoyed a renewal of life. This symbol passed over to the Greeks and Romans, who also considered the butterfly as the symbol of Zephyr. — Cowan, Curious Facts.
WINTER INSECTS. — On a Winter day,, when the sere landscape is enli- vened by an unclouded sun, let his genial rays tempt the reader to a stroll in the Pennsylvania woods. He may be cheered by no bird song; no plants except a few evergreen leaves may brighten his path, but insect life will be there to welcome him.
Those merriest of dancers, the gnats, come forth from the moist earth at the call of the sun. Mosquito-like, they have passed their immature life in the water, and the cases of the little wrigglers are ready to burst open and liberate the winged insects whenever the sun peeps forth from the clouds. This may occur on a sunny day, even when the temperature of the air is far below the freezing point.
Arctic explorers tell us that as far North as they have gone, away up in the icy fields of Greenland, even where there is no vegetation, these gnats, or species so closely resembling them that only naturalists can detect the difference, are found dancing on wing in the sunlight or clinging to the sides of boats and sledges.
As we continue our walk through the Winter woods we turn over a log and find crawling about beneath it small, black beetles, a few tough- skinned, hard-headed grubs, and now and then a spider. If the sun shines brightly, even though snow may lie deep on the ground, wasps will be tempted forth from crevices of bark in which they have lain dormant with the cold, and after becoming thoroughly warmed they will take wing through the woods.
A butterfly known as the Mourning Cloak, richly dressed in brown and blue velvet, bordered with gold, comes forth from its snug retreat when the Winter sun is bright and wings his way through the woods as gayly as he would in mid-summer. His hiding-place has been in the wind-cracks of an old chestnut tree or a bunch of clinging leaves. He may be seen flitting about even when the snow lies several inches deep. Far off in the Rocky Mountains and among the Alps of Switzerland butterflies of various, species may often be seen flying over the snow and glacier ice.
If we displace the rustling leaves that cover the ground in the woods-
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 4!
we notice now and then a large black beetle running quickly from under our feet. If snow is on the ground we shall not see him, but in its ab- sence we shall find him even on the coldest day. He evidently knows where to hide himself when the unwelcome snow and ice appear.
This torpor of insects is a very different condition from the hibernation of warm-blooded animals, such as the bear and the marmot. In the latter a slow and feeble circulation and respiration are kept up, and the creature lives on the fat that had been stored up in its body before the Winter sleep came on.
Different insects are affected by cold in very different degrees. Many, like the common house-fly, become torpid before the temperature falls to the freezing point. Long before frost comes they succumb to the mod- erate cold of autumn. There is no doubt that severely cold Winters are attended with great loss of insect life, which in a milder season would have survived. — S. F. A. in Philadelphia Times.
Identification of Insects (Jmagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: ist, The number of speci- mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta- tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society ; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an- nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor, who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects for return of names. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natura Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Insects have been named for W. W. Newcomb, Henry C. Denslow, Geo. Miller, D. S. Harris, W. M. Hill, J. H. Talmage, J. H. Bomberger.
ON SENDING INSECTS BY MAIL OR EXPRESS.
We receive so many insects in a broken condition, especially those sent to the NEWS for determination, that we think a few words on packing and transportation will be appropriate. We also think we should receive some reward for our trouble in naming and not be compelled to drop the speci- mens in the waste basket. Never send pinned or spread specimens by mail in a single box without an outer cover. Have the box which is to contain your specimens as light in weight as is consistent with strength; a good plan is to glue little square uprights in each corner of the box and it will then stand much pressure. Have the bottom of the box lined with quarter inch cork and drive the pins well in; should one heavy specimen loos< n it will ruin all the rest. I lave the si/e of box proportionate to the number of your specimens, and pin them in as closely as you can without injury. This box should then be placed in a larger one and the spare brtween the two filled with some springy material such as hay, cotton, e\celsi«>r packing, etc., loosely packed in. Don't use an outer box without having sufficient space between it and the inner, as it is a waste of time and nn >ne\-
42 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
as it will be useless. Don't pack the springy material so tightly between the two that it is useless as a preventive of jarring. Don't have them come in contact on one side or on the bottom. If the specimens are many and the box large, send by express. Small packages may be sent in comparative safety by packing the box containing your specimens in a large amount of excelsior cotton, etc., loosely around the box and then making into a bundle by enclosing the whole with hardware paper or other strong and heavy paper; in this way the postage on the heavy outer box is saved. It is a good plan to always put a nice layer of raw cotton over the cork, but never put this over the top of the specimens. When send- ing Coleoptera with heavy bodies, or moths, always secure the body by a wisp of cotton, which should be put on as follows: Take a wisp the re- quired length and tease it out about one-half inch in width; run the pin through on end and give it a couple turns around the pin so that it holds tightly and lies close to the place where the pin issues from the thorax, then bring it around the end of the abdomen and then fasten to the pin above by a couple of turns. If the bodies are very large, as in the Sphinges, a pin should be placed on either side to prevent them swinging around on the pin. Always remember if one becomes loose it ruins many, and that "one fine, faultless specimen is worth no end of trash." Neuroptera Odonata should always have a bristle passed through the ab- domen into the thorax when fresh, otherwise they are almost always broken oft in transportation. Always put your name and full address on the box.
Entomological Literature.
HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE GOSSIP (London), December, 1891. — An intro- duction to the study of British Diptera, E. Brunetti, figs. European but- terflies, R. B. P.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY (London), December, 1891. — On the structure of the ocelli of Lithobius, V. Willem.
MONOGRAPH OF ORIENTAL CICADID^E by W. L. Distant. Part iv, pp. 73-96, pis. 7-9.* London, Calcutta, Berlin, September, 1891.
COMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Nov. 7, '91. — Causeries Odonatologiques, No. 5: Two new groups of Agrionina from Madagascar, Nesolestes and Nesocncuiis* E. deSelys Longchamps. Note on Amara convexior Steph. or confitnia Thorn., A. P. de Borre.
CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, December, 1891. — List of writings of the late Henry Edwards, W. Beutenmiiller. [This list does not contain Mr. Edwards' paper " Inguromorpha Slossonii Hy. Edw.," published in ENT. NKVVS, vol. ii, pp. 71-72, April, 1891, and which was probably the last he ever wrote.] A catalogue of the Thysanoura of North America, A.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 43
D. Macgillivray. The genus Packardia G. & R., H. G. Dyar. I tescrip- tions of some butterfly larvae from Yosemite— iv., id. ( >n Cutocn/n /// A///.V and C.fratercu/a, A. R. Grote. On some British Columbia Cok-<>ptrr,i, Rev. J. H. Keen. Notes.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN (Berlin), xvii, 23, December, 1891.— On the capture and preparation of Gallflies, E. H. Ruebsaamen. On a Syrphus developing on Cirsimn* C. Verhoeff. Rhizotrogits atcr and fiiscus, a reply to Dr. Kraatz, E. Brenske. No. 24, December. On Ger- man Psocidae, H. Tetens.
MlTTHEILUNGEN DER SCHWEIZERISCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GESKLL-
SCHAFT. viii, 8, Schaffhausen, December, 1891. — Some new Orthoptera,* A. Pictet and H. deSaussure; Phannacus n. gen.; two new species of Gryllacris are described from "America!" Description of some new Snout Beetles,* Dr. G. Stierlin. Description of an unpublished species of the genus Anaspis Geoffroy,* M. Guillebeau. Coleoptera Helvetia?, pp. 225-256, Dr. G. Stierlin.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST (London), November, 1891. — Tortrix done/ana Carpenter, R. South. The Diamond-back moth (Plntella crucifenini»i\, ]. Arkle. Captures at the electric light, R. Adkin. Notes on the syn- onymy of noctuid moths, A. G. Butler (includes some N. American spe- cies). Coleoptera collected by Mr. Pratt on the upper Yang-tsze-kiang, and on the borders of Tibet, 2d notice,* H. W. Bates.— December, 1891. Early stages of Argyrolepia maritimana Guen., G. Elisha, i pi. Insect pigments, T. D. A. Cockerell. Rearing Limenitis sibyl/a and Pararge egeria, }. H. Fowler. Cure for the ravages of the larvae of Ncniatus ribesii and Abraxas grossiilanata, }. N. Still. Reunion between the same moths, R. Adkin. — January, 1892. Mr. Butler's notes on synonymy of North American Noctuidae, J. B. Smith. Local British lists, notes and captures.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE (London), November, '91. —Entomological notes from Port Darwin, J. J. Walker. Note on three Australian Carabidae,* H. W. Bates; Eitrylychntis n. g. Sexual charac- ters in the palpi of Mordellistena abdonrinalis F., G. C. Champion. N< >u s on the British species of Haltica, }. Edwards. Further remarks on the genus Eugaster Serville,* W. F. Kirby. Life-history of //r/>.v//V/V.v > n- berata, N. M. Richardson. Addition to the list of British Ik-mipUTa, V.. Saunders. An earlier name for Tiuagina bctitlu-, II. T. Stainton. Mi- cropteryx caledoniella: another new species, probablyfrom birch, ':: A. !•'. Griffith. Notes on Enpcecilia sodaliana Haw. (auiandana II. S. i, with description of the larva, W. G. Sheldon. Some new, etc., Lepitloptera from Chili, \V. Bartlett-Calvert.— December, 1891. Life-history of Pin- fella aiunt latclla Curt., N. M. Richardson. A new genus of HisU-i i.la-, G. Lewis; Epiechinns. An Asiatic /'.vnV/u/A/.v i /'.v. Innnana n. sji.i. I\. McLachlan. A new species of Alenrodes* J. \\'. I )nugl.is, ti-s.
* Contains new species other than North American.
44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
tated list of British Tachinidae, R. H. Meade. Change of habit induced by local conditions, R. McLachlan. — January, 1892. Stylopized bees, R. C. L. Perkins. Neuroptera observed in the Channel Islands in Septem- ber, 1891, R. McLachlan. Two new British Hemiptera, E. Saunders. On a toad killed by the larvae of blow-flies, L. G. Guthrie. Observations on Coccidse, A. C. F. Morgan. Double-broodedness: whether influenced by the state of the food-plant?, F. Merrifield. Local British lists, notes and captures.
ANALES DE LA SOCIEDAD CIENTIFICA ARGENTINA, xxxii, 5, Buenos Aires, November, 1891. — New Hymenoptera of the Argentine and Uru- guayan faunas,* Dr. C. Berg (continued); Procleticus, Lobepomis n. gen. Argentine Dipterology (Syrphidse),* F. L. Arribalzaga (continued).
LEPIDOPTERA INDICA by F. Moore. Part viii, London, 1891, pp. 153- 176, pis. 57-64.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGEK (Leipzig), Dec. 14, 1891. — Remarkable de- velopment of Lucilia sylvanim Meig., G. Duncker. — December 28th. The reproduction of Peripatus Lcuckartii Sanger, A. Dendy. On the embryology of insects, N. Cholodkovsky. Observations on the successive coloring, etc., of the pupal wing cases of Vanessa urticez and lo, Dr. F. Urech.
DIE TAGFALTER-RHUPALOCERA, von Georg Semper (Reisen im Ar- chipel der Philippinen von Dr. C. Semper. Zweiter Theil. Wissenschaft- liche Resultate, v, 6) Wiesbaden, 1891,* pp. 239-270, pis. 39-46.
MONOGRAPH OF THE BRITISH CICAD/E OR TETTIGID.E, G. B. Buckton. Part vii,* London and New York, Macmillan & Co., July, 1891. Vol. ii, pp. 97-128, pis. 59-68.
DIE SPINNEN AMERIKAS— BRASILIANISCHE SPINNEN von Graf. E. Keyserling nach dessen Tode herausgegeben von Dr. George Marx. Dritter Band. Niirnberg, 1891. Verlag von Bauer & Raspe (Emil Kuester), 278 pp., 10 pis. Ten new genera and many new species are described in this volume which treats of the Territelariae.
LEHRBUCH DER VERGLEICHENDEN ENTWICKLUNGSGESCHICHTE DER WIRBELLOSEN THIERE von Dr. E. Korschelt und Dr. K. Heider. Spe- cieller Theil. Zweites Heft. Mit 315 Abbildungen im text, Jena. Verlag von Gustav Fischer, 1891, pp. 309-908. This textbook of Comparative Development-histories of Invertebrate Animals has been very favorably reviewed by Prof. E. Ray Lankester (" Nature," Dec. 17, 1891), who states that an English translation is in preparation. This second number of the special part treats of the Crustacea, Pakeostraca, Arachnoidea, Penta- stomida, Pantopoda, Onychophora, Myriopoda and Insecta, and concludes with general statements on the Arthropoda. The Insecta occupy pp. 761-890. To each of the above eight groups a chapter is devoted in which
* Contains new species other than North American.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 45
the respective subgroups are discussed as regards their i, Embryonal development; 2, Metamorphoses; 3, Parthenogenesis, Paedogenesis and Heterogony; and 4, Summary of the group.
ATTI DELLA SOCIETA TOSCANA Di SciENZE NATURALI, vii. Processi verbal!. 10 May, 1891. List of the Cicindelidae and Carabidce collected near Livorno by Sign. N. Stoecklin and Dr. C. Lopez, C. Lopez. Con- tribution to the study of the digestive tube of Arthropoda — Histologiral and physiological researches on the digestive tube of Orthoptera, O. Visart.
OREGON AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin No. 14, En- tomology, F. L. Washburn, Corvallis, Or., 1891.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 1891, Part III, Oct. i, 1891. — On the Lycaenidse of the Solomon Islands,* H. H. Druce, 2 pis. On an interesting example of protective mimicry dismv- ered by Mr. W. L. Sclater in British Guiana, E. B. Poulton, i pi.
HIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA. Part xcvii, November, 1891. — Co- leoptera: vol. iv, pt. 2, pp. 345-360, G. C. Champion, pis. xiv, xv; pt. 3, pp. 137-168,1 D. Sharp; vol. vi, pt. i, supplement, pp. 273-280^ M. C. Jacoby. Hymenoptera: vol. ii, pp. 153-176, P. Cameron, pi. x. Lepid- optera-Heterocera: vol. ii, pp. 9-24, H. Druce.
SOCIETE LINNEENNE ou NORD DE LA FRANCE (Amiens), 231, Septem- ber, 1891. — Entomological notes [Hymenoptera], L. Carpentier.
ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD (London), ii, 12, Dec. 15, 1891. — Contains usual numerous notes on variations and captures of British insects.
BUTTERFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA, W. H. Edwards, 3d series, part xii, 1891. — Contains Papilio americus, zolicaon, Chionobas U/ileri, vamna.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE (6), x, u- Tri- mestre, Aug. 8, 1890. — Descriptions of new or little-known Microkpidop- tera,* A. Constant, i pi. Lepidoptera from the voyage of M. Ch. Allaud to Assinie, West Africa, in 1886,* P. Mabille, 2 pis. Descriptions of four new Lepidoptera,* id., Parnia n. gen. Formicida; from the voyage of M. E.Simon to Venezuela, 1 887-88,* C. Emery. On Arachnids from Temen, i E. Simon. Arachnids from the expedition of Comte S. Teleki in eastern equatorial Africa in 1887-88,* id. Arachnids from the Marian Isk-s from M. A. Marche,*f id. Bulletin of Proceedings. — 2e Trimestre, Nov. 26, 1890. Orthoptera from the voyage of M. E. Simon to \Vmvnela, *t '• Bolivar, figs. Hemiptera-Homoptera from the same,* L. Lethirm. Contributions to the Indo-Chinese fauna (ColeopU-ra),*t J. Bourgeois. Description of the larva of Jtntomoscelis adonidis. Pall, and tin- nymph of Quedius tristis Grav., P. Lesne, figs. Malachida? of Europe and neighboring countries, E. Abeille de Perrin, 4 pis. (continued in the next
* Contains new species other than North American. t Contains new
46 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
two Trimestres). New or little-known Diptera, J. M. F. Bigot (Doli- chopodi)*f. Bulletin*-)-: Olfactiou in Lepidoptera, S. Alpheraky and in 36 Trimestre. — 36 Trimestre, Feb. 25, 1891. Pselaphidae from the voyage of M. E. Simon to Venezuela, *f A. Raffray. Essay on the classification of Pyralidae,* E. L. Ragonot (continued in 4e Trimestre), 5 pis. Bulletin*!. —46 Trimestre, June, 1891. Supplementary note on the Coleoptera of Obock,* L. Fairmaire. Chrysomelidse from the voyage of M. Ch. Allaud to Assinie,* E. Allard. Bulletin.*!
THE LIFE-HISTORY OF SPALGIS S-SIGNATA HOLL. by W. J. Holland (" Psyche," January, 1892, pp. 201-203, i pi.
ATTI BELLA SOCIETA VfiNETO-TRENTINA DI SCIENZE NATURALI RESI-
DENTE IN PADOVA, 1891. — Araneids of Lesina, G. Castelli. New species of Phytoptus* G. Canestrini.
BULLETIN DE LA SOCIETE ZOOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE (Paris), xvi, 7, July, 1891. An error of sense in some insects of the family Dytiscidae, X. Raspail.
IL NATURALISTASICILIANO (Palermo), ix, i, October, 1891. — On Sicilian Orthoptera, G. Riggio.
NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN INSECPS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
LEPIDOPTERA.
Copteodes Candida Wright, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (2), iii, p. 34, S. W. Calif.
New species of Geometridae, H. Druce, Biol. Centr. Amer. pt. xcvii.
Ulophora, U. Groteii, N. Car., p. vii; Glyptocera (type consobrinella Z.) p. vii; Laodainia (type fcecella Z.), p. vii; Lcetilia (type coccidivora Comst.), p. viii, new genera of Phycitidae, Ragonot, Bull. Soc. Ent. France, 1890.
New genera and species of Pyralidae, Ragonot, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1890, pp. 435-546.
COLEOPTERA.
In Biologia Centrali-Americana, pt. xcvii (see ante), new species of Mordillistena and Rhipidophoridae are described by G. C. Champion, of Rhyncophora by Dr. D. Sharp, of Phytophaga by M. Jacoby.
Chevrolati Grouvellei, Croissandeau Bull. Soc. Ent. France, 1890, p. clvi, Mex.
Temnochilodes, T. Dugesi, Leveille, Bull. Socr. Ent. France, 1890, p. clxxxiii, Morelia, Mex.
* Contains new species other than North American. t Contains new genera.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47
HYMENOPTERA.
New species of Crabronidae and Pompilidae, P. Cameron, Biol. Centr.- Amer. pt. xcvii.
DIPTERA.
New genera and species of Dolichopodi, Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1890, pp. 261-296.
Doings of Societies.
THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1891. — Under short notes Mr. Howard recorded the capturing on the window-sill of his residence, November i6th, an active female of J\ fa/it 'is (Stagnionnuttis} Carolina Burm., thus giving a record of occurrence later than that previ- ously recorded by Mr. Lugger, viz., November nth.
Dr. Marx read a paper entitled " Life-history of Tholyphonus giganteus Lucas," in which, after dwelling on the importance of even fragmentary records of the history of little known or rare animals, he gave an account of his having kept in confinement the young of this arachnid for over a year. The specimen came from Florida to Prof. Riley, and was, when received, in its first stage and newly hatched. It fed readily on roaches and refused flies. A description was given of the first stage and also after the first skin had been cast, which did not occur for over a year.
Discussed by Messrs. Mann, Marx, Test, Ashmead, Schwarz, Howard, Banks and Marlatt.
Mr. Pergande presented a note on the " Peculiar Habits of Ammophila gryphus Smith." A very interesting description was given of the actions of a female of this insect about the site of a completed and closed bur- row, in which later examinations showed that she had deposited the full grown larva of Heterocampa (sub-albicans Grt.) inanteo Doub., having first deposited an egg about mid-way of the body of the host larva. A figure was exhibited showing the larva with the egg in situ together with the specimen itself and an example of the Ammophila.
Discussed by Messrs. Fox, Ashmead, Schwar/ and Marlatt. Mr. Linell presented a note on the N. A. species of Valgus, in whirl], after a reference to the bibliography of the three N. A. species of the genus, a table for their separation was given. Discussed by Mr. Schwarz. Mr. Banks gave some notes on Prodidomits nifus Hent/, a spider which has not been seen since Hentz's time. His remarks comprised a refer- ence to the bibliography of the species, a statement of its relationship and characteristics together with a careful description based on immature specimens found in a drawer among loose papers last Summer. I >is- cussed by Messrs. Fox, Gill, Marx, Howard and others.
48 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [February,
Mr. Chittenden presented by title a paper on " Food-habits of Chryso- melidse."
Mr. Schwarz called attention to a statement by Dr. M. Busgen (in the latter's work on the honey-dew of Aphids) to the effect that the honey- dew is not secreted from the nectaries as hitherto supposed, but ejected from the anus. He also referred to an interesting work recently pub- lished by C. A. Piepers on migratory movements of butterflies on the island of Java, and gave a brief resume" of the author's explanation of these phenomena which are comparable to the nuptial flight observed in other insects.
January 7, 1892. — Election of officers for 1892 resulted as follows :
President, C. V. Riley; First Vice-President, C. L. Marlatt; Second Vice-President, Wm. H. Ashmead; Treasurer, E. A. Schwarz; Recording Secretary, Nathan Banks; Additional members of Executive Committee, Wm. H. Fox, Geo. Marx and B. E. Fernow.
The retiring President, Dr. Marx, delivered his annual address on "An Introduction to a Monograph of the American Ticks (Ixodidae)." In an introductory chapter the author drew attention to the absence of mono- graphic works which would attract and facilitate the work of the begin- ners in Arachno ogical studies, and also the inherent difficulties in the obscurity of many of the classificatory characters. He pointed out the nature and extent of the work already done in the various groups of Arachnida and followed with a reference to the bibliography of the writings both foreign and American on the ticks of this country.
A full chapter on the morphology of ticks followed, and also extended notes on the biology of these parasites in which personal observations were recounted, showing that ticks are not necessarily parasitic on warm- blooded animals, but may reach full growth, and in fact complete the cycle of their existence on a strictly vegetable diet, and also that ticks, after being gorged with blood, may revert to vegetable food. The address was discussed by various members.
C. L. MARLATT, Recording Secretary.
ERRATA.
Vol. II, p. 102, line 17 from bottom for not read but.
" " line 15 from bottom for at most read almost.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NHWS for January was mailed December 31, 1891.
~
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. in. MARCH, 1892. No. 3.
CONTENTS:
Slosson — A Long-lived Basket Maker... 49
Johnson and Fox — List of Hemiptera
Blaisdell— A new species of Coleoptera collected in Jamaica 59
from California 51 j Notes and News 60
Mason — Notes on Callimorpha 52 Entomological Literature 64
Smith— Elementary Entomology 53 Review 71
Harvey — An American species of Tem-
pletonia 57
Plate II represents some butterflies and moths selected to test this method of illustration. The dark Hesperids in the centre row do not show up very well, as they needed a longer exposure than the remainder to bring out sufficient detail for proper iden- tification. Some of the species represented are from Greenland, and will be discussed in a paper to appear in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The list of species is as follows : i, Dasychira gronlandica 9 ; 2, D. gron- landica £ ; 3, D. gronlandica £ var. (this species has never been in any of our American lists); 4, Colias heda var. pallida, nom. in litt. ; 5, Pamphila zabulon £ upper side; 6, same, under side; 7, Pamphila Aaroni £ ; 8, same, under side; 9, Argvnnis chariclea var. gronlandica; 10, same, underside; n, Neonympha. Mitchelli; 1 2, same, under side.
o
A LONG-LIVED BASKET MAKER. By ANNIE TRUMBULL SLOSSON, New York City.
In the early part of February, 1890, at Punta Gorda, Fla., I found a half finished "basket" of Oikcticus Abbotii Grt. The larva was still at work, and I took him with his uncompleted log-cabin to my room at the hotel. There, in a glass tumbler
3
50 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
covered with a bit of mosquito netting- and supplied with food and building materials, he lived and throve during the rest of my stay there. His food-plant was oak, but I have found this species upon so many different trees, shrubs and herbs, that it may be considered omnivorous. He ate freely and worked busily at the construction of his home. He was not particular as to the sort of building material, using bits of dried leaves, small twigs or leaf petioles indiscriminately. When I left Punta Gorda I carried the larva and case with me, going to Ormond and other parts of Florida. Early in April I returned to New York. The larva was then full grown and its case apparently finished. I could procure no oak leaves at that early season, so tried various other things, house plants of different kinds, and the dried leaves found in boxes of pressed figs. Of all these the larva ate sparingly, but enough to keep him alive and well. About the middle of May I went to Franconia, N. H., and of course took my case bearer along. He had, some days before I left home, suspended his basket from the mosquito netting at top of tumbler and been perfectly quiescent since. The journey by train and carriage did not disturb him, nor did he show any sign of life for several weeks after arriving in the mountains, I thought him dead or trans- formed, but made no examination. Under these conditions I ceased to cater for him, and he was entirely without access to food for some weeks. One day in June I took off the netting which covered the glass and forget to replace it. When I returned an hour later and took up the piece of netting the basket had dis- appeared. Every one in the house was questioned, but no in- formation obtained, and I finally gave my Oikcticus up as lost. That evening my eye was suddenly caught by a dark spot on the white window curtain and there was my basket fastened neatly by a strong silken cord, and hanging quietly. From that time the life of Oiketiais was a series of surprises, and the unexpected was always happening. For weeks he would remain utterly motionless within his hanging case, then he would crawl down to some dried leaves at bottom of the glass, bite off, one after another, large semi-circular pieces and fasten them irregularly to his basket Only at long intervals did he ever eat a particle as far as I could see, though constantly supplied with fresh food. In this \\ay he spent the whole Summer. He traveled with me from place to place, was on the summit of Mt. Washington for
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 51
several days, went to the Thousand Islands and Montreal and returned to New York in October.
In the latter part of January I went again to Florida, and Oi- keticus accompanied me. He had shown no sign of life for nearly a month, and even the return to his native place did not at first revive him. But in a few days I saw him crawling about, and occasionally nibbling at a piece of dry leaf. Fresh food he scarcely ever tasted. Again I returned North, and again my larva came with me; after this he refused all food, but crawled about his glass prison, and from time to time added a bit of deco- ration to his house. Then he became quite motionless, and thus remained, hanging from the netting for some six weeks. In that state I carried him once more to Franconia. On a cold morning in early May, among the northern hills, his lagging, prolonged, creeping existence terminated, and he flew out a fine winged imago, nearly fifteen months from the day I first found him in southern Florida.
-o-
A NEW SPECIES OF COLEOPTERA FROM CALIFORNIA.
By F. E. BLAISDELL, M.D., Coronado, Cal.
Scyniuus lophanthae n. sp. — Oval, slightly elongate, punctulate, pubes- cent. Head, pronotum, and entire under surface rufo-testaceous. Mouth parts piceous. Pronotum with a faint discal cloud occupying central por- tion, reaching quite to apical border; sides parallel in posterior half, ar- cuate anteriorly with apical angles slightly rounded. Elytra black, with a strong metallic lustre; pubescence dual, consisting of blackish, erect and recumbent flavo-cinereous hairs. Abdomen rather thickly set with semi- recumbent hairs.
Female. — Under parts testaceous. Length 2.2 mm.; width 1.7 mm.
Hab. — San Diego. There is considerable variation in the dis- tinctness of the pronotal cloud, it may be absent or very decided. In many specimens examined the sternal and central abdominal areas were quite dark; as a rule the color is lighter in tin- female. My attention was first attracted to this very interesting species by Wm. Vortriede, gardener in charge of the parks at Con>nad<>. He had observed them feeding upon the San Jose Scale (.-/.</>/<//- otus perniciosus) infesting the Acacia lophctnthct. Subsequent observation fully confirmed his statements. The scale was ex- ceedingly abundant, as was also the beetle in all stages of de- velopment.
52 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
NOTES ON CALLIMORPHA.
By J. T. MASON, Houston, Texas.
During the past season I learned something new, to me, about Callimorphia LeContei* which may be of interest to some of your readers, and if it is not out of place here, I would like to suggest that if collectors would give their various experiences in the field in non technical language, so that we unscientific readers can understand and profit by it, it would prove both interesting and instructive. I was anxious to get as many varieties of Le- Contei this season as possible for my own collection. I have over seventy, no two exactly alike, and I knew of a place in the suburbs of this city, not more than four acres in extent, where I had last year caught a large number, but all of the lemon variety. I was anxious to find the white, and a friend told me that the white came out first, and that I had missed the first brood last year; I had made a note of the date, and I commenced watching the place three weeks before the time I had set for their appear- ance; they showed up on time, but were all lemon as before. I caught what I wanted and then went to see my friend; he told me that he had caught his white ones at the Crosstimbers, some six or seven miles from town. The following day I drove down to the place and made a thorough search, but failed to find a single specimen. Towards evening I turned homeward, discour- aged. In crossing the prairie the road passes through a few scattered pines, and while driving through them I saw one cross the road, a pure white one; I caught it and searched around there, but found no more. I had not driven over two hundred yards when another crossed in front of me, also white. I got out and searched again, and found them in quantities. Now I come to the. peculiar feature: while the first were all lemon, so these were all white. Idid not find, out of possibly a thousand caught, one single lemon one, notwithstanding that a few days afterwards I found another lot of lemon on this same prairie no-t over one mile distant from the latter, and there was no white amongst them. Now the question I ask myself is, why do the two colors keep separate? they are undoubtedly the same moth. Here are two separate colonies within a mile of each other, on
* The two insects herein mentioned are C suffusa Smith and C. lactata Smith, which are probably forms of Colona Hbn. = Clymene Esp. — ED.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 53
the open prairie, absolutely no barrier between them, why do they not mingle ? I caught among the lemons some that appeared to be pure white, but when compared with the white, of the white variety, they are a cream-white, and readily distinguished. I note still another peculiarity. I have, as I said before, over seventy with no two exactly like. We will take say the lemon, we have the fully marked upper wings and the markings de- crease gradually until we come to the pure white, or rather cream upper wing and lemon under wing, and then the all cream, both upper and under; the same is true of the white variety, ex- cept that the pure white are by far the most plentiful. Still in all this large variety of markings or parts of them if continued would make the perfect pattern, as a friend remarked while look- ing at them, that they looked as if the wing originally was white and the color afterwards stenciled on, the feebly marked repre- senting where the brush was full of coloring matter, and clown through all the degrees of dashes and dots until finally we come to the one without a mark.
-i i-
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA-HETEROCERA (Moths). By Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, New Brunswick, N. J.
In examining the denuded wings, one of the first things noticed is, that more supporting veins reach the outer margin than reach the base; that while a very few trunks extend from the base to the margin of the wing, two large trunks start from the base, but rarely extend beyond two-thirds of the distance to the outer mar- gin, giving off at that point a variable number of branches. These main trunks that reach the base are called veins, whether or no they reach the margin as well. The branches, which reach the margin, but do not reach the base, are called venules. rieginning at the anterior edge of the primaries we find a vein close to the thickened front margin, extending from the base to tin- margin always before the tip of the wing. This is the costal vein; it is almost universally present, is never branched in my experience, and has no modifications of systematic value save that there may 'be a cross branch extending between it and the costa. Next below the costal vein at base is the subcostal, running parallel and some-
54
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[March,
times very close to the costal, but rarely extending much beyond the middle of the wing. This vein gives off, normally, six branches, which are called the subcostal venules. Of these, one or two usually separate from the main trunk before the end, and the others are grouped at the tip. Sometimes, to facilitate this grouping, a cell is formed around which the branches start, and this, when present, is termed the accessory cell, marked a in the figure. Sometimes, instead of all the branches reaching either the vein or the accessory cell, a stalk may be sent out, which in turn branches. So in the figure, branches 8 and 9 are from a stalk out of the tip of the accessory cell; 6, 7 and 10 are out of the accessory cell, while 1 1 is out of the subcostal itself. The accessory cell is present in comparatively few families only, and its presence or absence is of systematic value. The arrangement of the subcostal venules is also used in classification, and quite frequently some of them are wanting.
Below the subcostal at base is the median vein running parallel to, but more or less diverging from the subcostal, and extending
usually about as far into the wing. The space between the sub- costal and median veins is called the median cell. Quite usually a slender transverse veinlet extends from the tip of one to the tip
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
of the other, and the cell is then said to be closed, as in the figure. When this transverse veinlet is wanting, the cell is said to be open. The median vein gives rise to four branches — the median venules — the first of them usually some distance before the tip, the others, grouped more or less closely, from the end. The arrangement of these veins is of systematic value, and especially the position of the last of the branches, marked 5 in the figure. This sometimes severs connection with the series to which it belongs and arises, apparently out of the cross-vein; or, where there is no distinct cross-vein out of the tissue itself, and it is then called the independent. Sometimes it is nearer to 6 than to 4, but never becomes one of the subcostal series; sometimes it is altogether wanting, and it is one of the most valuable from the systematic standpoint of the venules of the primaries.
Below the median vein at base is the submedian, extending par- allel with the hinder or inner margin to the anal angle. It is rarely absent, and never branches. It sometimes becomes forked at the base, and this furcation is given great systematic value. It is one of the distinctive characters of the Noctuidae, and its absence Ivould be sufficient in most cases to exclude a species not so characterized; sometimes a supplementary vein will be present running parallel with the submedian, and between it and the median. This is the second submedian, and its presence charac- terizes a small number of families.
This makes the normal 12, or exceptional 13 veins of the pri- mary. For convenience they are numbered as they reach the margin, beginning at the anal angle. The submedian is number i, the second submedian is ia; veins 2 to 5, inclusive, are median branches; veins 6 to u, inclusive, are subcostal branches, and vein 12 is the costal. The numbers are more convenient to use in descriptive work, and, as the plan is so uniform, it is quite as accurate and scientific.
Beginning at the base of secondaries, along the anterior margin we find first the costal vein, usually reaching quite close to the tip of the wing. This affords good characters. Sometimes it i> entirely wanting; sometimes it is connected with the subcostal \<\- a cross-vein; sometimes it does not reach the I>;IM- at all, 1-ut unites with the subcostal, and sometimes it unites and separates again, forming a small cell at the base as in the figure.
56 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Below the costal is the subcostal vein running- parallel with it a variable distance and then forking at the tip, never into more than two branches. One of these branches may also be obsolete, and there may then be a single vein running from base to outer margin.
Below the subcostal at base starts the median vein, and this in its branchings is exactly like the corresponding vein of the pri- maries. The median cell is also formed in the same way, and may also be either open or closed. As in the 'primaries, vein 5, the last branch of the median, is very variable in position, and furnishes good characters. Below the median there may be one, two or three submedian veins, and these furnish bases for large divisions. The Tortricids and Pyralids, for instance, all have three internal or submedian veins, while the macros rarely have more than two. Sometimes one or the other of these veins forks at the base, and this also is a good character. Counting all the median veins as one, the secondaries have eight veins, the sub- costal system being little developed as compared with the prima- ries. Here also the numbering system is most generally used, the numbers in the figure being those generally adopted.
At the base of the secondaries next the primaries, there is fre- quently a spine or spur, which fits into a more or less evident loop on the under side of the primaries, and serves to hold the wings together. This is called the frenelum or frenum. There is a curious sexual modification in this structure. In the males it is always a single spine only. In the female it is never simple, but there are two. three, or even four weaker spines, or even a little bunch of stiff hair only.
The above is the typical venation to which all modifications found in the Lepidoptera may be reduced. A few aberrant types only, like the Hepialidae and Psychidae, will need special explana- tion.
(To be continued.)
A St. Louis physician states that he has discovered peculiar microscop- ical insects in cigarettes. This may account for the wormy look so many ot" their consumers wear. — }]ras]iington Post.
A canary with a swollen hind toe was brought to a bird fancier recently, and he pronounced the trouble poisoning from a mosquito bite. He said the thing was not uncommon. — .\<T. ' York Situ.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 57
AN AMERICAN SPECIES OF TEMPLETONIA.
By F. L. HARVEY, Orono, Maine.
Templetonia americana n. sp.
Mr. Macgillivray, in his recent catalogue of the Thysanourons of North America (Can. Ent. December, 1891), makes no men- tion of the occurrence of Templetonia in America. Having studied a species of this genus the first season that is quite com- mon about Orono, Me., we record the following observations upon it :
Generic characters in every particular as recorded by Lubbock (Mom >- graph Collembola and Thysanoura p. 142).
Specific characters. — Silver}7 white, sometimes pale, brownish or rusty color, laid on in spots and streaks; a delicate pink reflection, especially from young specimens; clothed with silvery iridescent scales; eye patches very small, pale brown. Head nearly round, somewhat pointed in front, broadest behind and somewhat longer than broad. Antenna; white, five jointed, basal joint short, about one-fourth the length of the second; terminal joint nearly or quite as long as the third and fourth together, slender, and, in mature specimens, composed of seventeen sub-joints, the basal and terminal sub-joints each one-fifth the total length of the joint; the middle three-fifths composed of fifteen nearly equal sub-joints; in younger specimens the terminal joint seems shorter and composed of fewer sub-joints. Body elliptical and rounded anteriorly, widest at the fifth segment; first, fifth and sixth segments long, third segment short. Legs white, rather long; larger claw long and slender; elater long, basal joint four-fifths the total length. Thoracic collar of numerous bowed, club-shaped hairs; similar ones on the head, and a dense tuft of hairs projecting forward between the antennae and reaching to the third joint; scattered long hairs on the segments of the body.
Measurements. — Total length 1.65.; head, .345 mm. long, .292 mm. broad; antennas, .718 mm.; length of the joints in the ratio of 1-4-5-6-1 1 ; elater, .8mm.; basal joint, .367 mm.; claw, .046111111. long; segments of the body in the ratio of 15-10-6-10-15-13-7-3 in one specimen, and in another 11-6-2-6-8-15-5-2.
The above measurements were made from the largest specimens seen,
Remarks. — This is a smaller species than T. crystalline MiilK-r. The largest ones we saw did not measure over 1.65 mm., while the majority were never over 1.5 mm., and many less. I.ul>l»>< k gives the length of T. crystillina Muller as two and a quarter millimetres. Our specimens are not obovate, but more elliptical oblong, and widest at the fifth segment. The- antenna- of Lul>- bock's species as figured in his monograph are considerable im .1 -<•
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
[March,
than half the length of the body and head, and quite slender. In this species the antennae are thick and about equal to or less than half the length of the body and head. The terminal joints of the antennas as shown in Lubbock's figure are made up of fully twenty-Jive sub-joints of about equal length; while this spe- cies has in the largest specimens only seventeen joints and a less number in smaller ones, while the basal and terminal sub-joints are as long as described above.
Some of our specimens when alive showed traces of rusty streaks and spots, but after being in alcohol for three months there is no evidence of the reddish spots said to develop under
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
such conditions upon T. crystallina. Balsam specimens are a beautiful pink color. The movements of this species are sluggish, and though provided with a well developed spring it does not seem disposed to use it, unless absolutely necessary.
We have not examined T. crystallina. Muller, but the smaller size, shorter, thicker antennae with fewer sub-joints to the terminal
[1892. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 59
segment, the more elliptical form of the body and the fact that it does not develop red spots in alcohol, would seem to separate this form from that species. Figs, i, 2 and 3 represent the dorsal, ventral and side view of a young specimen i.i mm. long, magni- fied forty-five times; i and 2 show the general form of the body, somewhat too broad, and the terminal joints of the antemue in all the cuts have fewer sub-joints than occur in adult specimens, and the short basal or fifth joint to the antenna does not show. The figures were made for the writer from line specimens by Mr. J. H. Emeston, of Boston, Mass.
Found under boards at several places on the college campus at Orono, also in abundance in the writer's garden in potato hills, about the tubers affected by potato scab and potato rot. Some- times nearly a dozen would be found on a single tuber in the de- pressions made by the scab. Associated with Iratonia tricolor, Lipura ambulous, Lepidacyrtis mctallicns, Tomocerus plumbeus and an undetermined Achorutes. Many specimens examined during September, October and November, '91, by F. L. Harvey.
-o-
List of Hemiptera Collected in Jamaica, W. I.
By C. W. JOHNSON and WM. J. Fox.
The following Hemiptera were collected in Jamaica during April and May, 1891. Most of the species were obtained at Kingston, Morant Bay, and Port Antonio; those of common occurrence are indicated by an asterisk (*). We are indebted to the kindness of Prof. P. R. Uhler for the determination of the species, which have been placed either in the collection oi the American Entomological Society, or the Wagner Free Institute of Philadelphia.
Sephina maculata* Dallas, Leptoglossus stigma Herbst, Anasa bcllator Fab., A. scorbiitica Fab., Accratodes bijida:- Say, . /. meditabunda Fab., Nezara marginala Bv., A<i/ms ni^crriiints Dallas, Proxy s victor* Fab. , Thyanta perditor* Fab. , ( \itorliiutlia gtittrita Fab., Euchistus crenator* Fab., Mormidca pict Stal, Zicca t&niola Dallas, Alydns pallctccns Stal, Lygaw i- color Fab. (var.), L. pulchcllns^ Fab., L. aulicus Fal>. , I., san- darachatus* Say, Dysdercus mini its** Say, D.andrece* Linn., /' sanguinarius Stal, Zc/us rubidit^- St. Farg., Harmosifs ncbit-
6o ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
losus Stal, Corizus sidce* Fab., Megaccelum rubrinerva Dist., Lygus sp. , Corimelcena minutd* Uhler, Plagiognathus indis- tinctus* Uhler (MS.), Pycnoderes insignis Rent., Collatia expli- cata* Uhler, Salda humilis Say (var. ), Rhogovelia collaris* Burm., Parmera bilobata Say, P. parvula Dallas, Geocoris dis- paratus Uhler (MS.), Tettigonia herbidd* Guer., T. flaviceps Riley, T. robusta* Sign., T. robusta* Sign, (var.), T. n. sp. ?, Agallia n. sp. ?, Ormenis pallescens Stal, Dascalia acuta Uhler (MS.), Paroristes humilis* Uhler (MS.), Bothriocerus sp., Copi- cerus thoracicus Guer. , Centrotus havanensis Guer. (var.), Ophi- derma scutellatus* Uhler (MS.).
Notes and.
ENTOMOLOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF THE GLOBE.
[The Conductors of ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS solicit, and will thankfully receive items of news, likely to interest its readers, from any source. The author's name will be given in each case for the information of cataloguers and bibliographers.]
To Contributors.— All contributions will be considered and passed upon at our earliest convenience, and as far as may be, will be published according to date of recep- tion. ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS has reached a circulation, both in numbers and circumfer- ence, as to make it necessary to put " copy1' into the hands of the printer, for each number, three weeks before date of issue. This should be remembered in sending special or im- portant matter for certain issue. Owing to low subscription rate, " extras" will be charged for, and when they are wanted, it should be so stated on the MS. along with the number desired. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged. — ED.
Mr. JAMES ANGUS, of West Farms, New York City, has presented his fine collection of insects to the American Museum of Natural History.
TRANSACTIONS of American Entomological Society. — Of volume xix (1892) twenty-four pages have been printed, containing " Studies in Chryso- melidas," by Dr. G. H. Horn, and the first pages of "A Study of Amara, s. g. Celia," also by Dr. Horn. This volume promises to be an unusually good one, and we propose to notice the progress made from month to month.
CARABUS NEMORALIS Miill. — In the Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1875, p. 126, I made mention of having seen a specimen of C. hortensis Fab. ( == ne- moralis Mull.} in the cabinet of Mr. A. Murray, of London, with the label Hudson's Bay. Being unwilling on the evidence of one not very well authenticated specimen to admit the species to our lists, no other record than that above recorded has been made. In December last I received
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 6l
through the kindness of Mr. Henry S. Harbeck, of New York City, two specimens of this species with the following information, which I tran- scribe: "While on a business trip to St. Johns, N. B., in April and .May, 1890, Mr. C. B. Riker, of Maplewood, N. J., devoted his leisure time to collecting Coleoptera, and among his captures were fourteen Carabits nemoralis, which, as you say, is the first authentic case of its occurrence in North America. He says that the beetles were quite common and those that he took were collected in less than an hour." From this it is evident that nemoralis is fairly naturalized in America, and should now be added to our list and placed after limbatits. — G. H. HORN.
HEXAPLASTA ZIGZAG (Riley). — Although first made known as a native of the cotton-growing States, this insect is a familiar inhabitant of New England, being found during the first warm days of Spring upon the dan- delion blossoms, and in July upon windows in company with two species of Phora. The radial cell varies in being either open or closed. The disc of the scutellum is convex. — YV. H. PATTON, Hartford, Conn
NOTE ON CYCHRUS. — In the January number of ENT. NEWS, Mr. H. F. Wickham gives a note on the geographical distribution of Cychrus, which is very interesting, and an invitation to the readers thereof to fur- nish more notes on geographical distribution. This brings to my mind a little incident which may be of interest to the readers. In the early part of Spring, 1890, while collecting on an island, situated on the beautiful sandy New Jersey coast, I was pleasantly surprised by the capture of Cychrus clevatus Fab. I did not expect to find the genus inhabiting this locality. Although carefully searching I could only find the one. The next day, about one-half mile from where I found the first, I had the re- ward of capturing the second. The specimens differ very much from those found on the mainland proper, as they are minus that beautiful lustre, and the thorax is not so well developed, in all they resemble somewhat more the Pacific coast fauna. As these are the only specimens of Cychrus that I know of as having been found on the New Jersey coast, it is very interesting, and I should be pleased to hear if other species have been found inhabiting the islands along the coast. — H. \Y. WKNZEL, Phila.
Mrs. A. T. SLOSSON by this time has probably started on a trip t<> the Southwest, taking in Louisiana, Texas, and perhaps Mexico. We suppose that many bugs in those regions will have to deliver up some of their interesting secrets.
THE Anthophora described by me in Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv. v, is . /. Ha/s/iii ?. I took A. Stni//iii in Kansas in iSSi, and have rovivnl specimens of it from California, riistotrichia Mora \vitx, is a synonym of Ant/i flphora; it differs merely in the individual aberration of the venation described by me in Anthophora and Clisodon.— \Y. H. Patton, Hartford. Ct.
62 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
THE following has been extracted from a circular which has been sent to entomologists and others. We hope the collection may be obtained and provision made for its preservation: " Dear Sir, — An effort upon the part of a few professional and personal friends of the late Harry Edwards, to purchase and present to the American Museum of Natural History (of the city of New York) his magnificent Entomological Collection, has met with so much encouragement that the Committee in charge ventures to call your attention to the matter. A number of gentlemen have already subscribed one hundred (|ioo) dollars each towards the sum required, fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars, and it is hoped that you will be willing to contribute a similar amount. The object of the movement is not only to secure for the city of New York a treasure of inestimable value, but to make smooth the declining years of the widow of our friend, and to raise to the memory of an excellent actor, a distinguished scientist and a good man, a worthy and lasting monument.
" (Signed) Edwin Booth, Jos. Jefferson, Theo. Moss, S. P. A very, YY. C. Prime, Lawrence Hutton, A. M. Palmer, Treas., 29 \V. 3oth St., New York City."
IN a letter from Mr. W. F. Kirby, of the British Museum, the following may interest the readers of the NEWS, premising that everybody knows that Mr. Kirby is at work on a catalogue of the Heterocera of the world. " My first volume (Sphinges and Bombyces) will run to about £00 pages, and include, I think, 28 families, some of them numbering over 200 genera. All but four are now in the printer's hands, so that I hope the publication of the book will not be much longer delayed." * * * "I have relegated the Sesiidae to the neighborhood of the micro-lepidoptera. I doubt if you have any Heterogymdae in America. Heterogynis is a small Euro- pean genus with males like Procris, but with apterous females." Mr. Kirby's book, when published, will form one of the most useful assistants the working entomologist can have. — JOHN B. SMITH.
A BIT OF HISTORY. — Miss Morton's very interesting notes in the Jan- uary number of ENT. NEWS show that there is some confusion among the names of the smaller Limacodidae, and it may be interesting to briefly go over the literature of these forms. In 1854, Herrich-Schaffer published three figures as Limacodes texula, L. pallida, and L. flavula. In 1864, Packard erroneously identified a specimen in the Harris collection as L. t ex tula, and, believing it separable from the genus Limacodes, created the genus Isa for it. In the same year he also described Heterogenea shurtleffii, and made the genus Tortricidia for Herrich-Schaffer's species pallida and flavula. In 1866, Grote & Robinson described Limacodes iiioniata, and in 1876, Grote created the genus Sisyrosea for it. Finally, in 1880, Grote described the species Limacodes cczsonia and L.fle.vuosa. Now, as far as I know, there are but four species for all these names. The larva of the first one was figured in Harris' "Entomological Correspon- dence," and has been described by Mr. Hulst and by myself. The moth
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63
was first described as inornafa, but is the species for which the genus ha was made, and should be known as Isa inornafa. The larva of the second is unknown. It is Heterogenea shurtleffii, of which c&sonia Grt. is a variety. The larva of the third is also unknown. It is the textula of Herrich-Schaffer (not of Packard), and was redescribed by Grote as flexuosa. It should be known as Heterogenea textu/a. The larva of the fourth species is the one described by Miss Morton. It has also been described by myself, and should be known as Tortricidia pallida H.-S. T. flavula is only a variety of it, and represents the form without marks on the wings which Miss Morton describes. These species are correctly arranged in Prof. Smith's new List. — H. G. DVAR.
DRASTERIA ERICHTO.— Has this noctuid been satisfactorily identified since Guenee"'s description of a single female in 1852 ? Some of our col- lections, I am aware, contain specimens labeled erichto, that were deter- mined by Mr. Grote. However, specimens of our eastern Drasteria sent to Mr. Grote just before he left this country, and also those sent to Prof. Smith since he became our recognized authority on the Noctuids, have all been referred to erechtea. In 1873, Mr. Grote, in Bull. Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci. i, p. 155, admitted that he could not separate the two spe- cies except in size, referring the specimens of the smaller Spring brood to erichto. Of two specimens, a $ and 9 , in the University collection de- termined by Mr. Grote as erichto, the 9 proves to be an erechtea. I pre- sume other collections contain similar specimens. Recently Prof. Smith wrote me that he had not tried to identify erichto and had not the slightest doubt that erichto is the same as erechtea. During the past year I have bred what I believe to be erichto. I thought I was breeding erechtea, but recent study and comparisons of my bred specimens and a large series of Drasteria caught in trap-lanterns has shown that \ve have two species of Drasteria in our eastern fauna, both about equally common I think, and differing considerably structurally and rather closely grading into each other in markings. The structural differences are marked and very con- stant. The genitalia of the males and the seventh abdominal segment of the females differ strikingly in size and form. I find that the species are easily separable by these characters and typical strongly marked speci- mens of either sex may be quite readily identified by the markings on the front wings. I hope soon to be able to illustrate some of these differences, but I desire to make further observations upon the range of variability of erechtea. — M. V. SLINGERLAND, Cornell Insectary, Ithaca, X. V.
A PLEA FOR THE COLLECTOR. — Prof. J. B. Smith's list of "The Lepid- optera of Boreal America" came to hand a short time ago, ami lias afforded me a great deal of pleasure and instruction. If I understand it aright, this is the first complete list of the kind that has lu-.'ii published in this country, and I am sure that 1'rof. Smith and tin- other learned gen- tlemen who were associated with him in getting it up have -i\vn students of this department of Entomology a work that may be relied upon as
64 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
being as near complete and correct as can be got at present. Bearing in mind the article entitled "Rocks," which appeared in the NEWS some time ago, would not this list be a good foundation for a descriptive work on the Lepidoptera of North America ? Could not the gentlemen who got up this list be induced to publish a work, in monthly parts, containing descriptions and plates of the Heterocera at least, if subscribers enough could be got to ensure them against financial loss ? We already have good works on the Butterflies, and they might, therefore, be left out, as also the very small moths. The plates, of course, could not be colored, except at a great cost, but plates such as have been appearing in the NEWS, with a description attached, are every bit as good. A great many who study this subject are business men who have not the time and skill to identify their specimens without the help of plates, and I take it their number would become legion compared to what it is now if such a work could be got at a moderate cost. It may be objected that such a work, when finished, would be incomplete on account of the new species that are being constantly discovered, but if we were to wait ten or even twenty years, the same objection would still hold good. In Europe, where the Lepidoptera have been studied for a great number of years, new species are still being discovered, and in spite of that a new work on the Lepid- optera of Great Britain is just being commenced in London. If you will kindly give this a place in the NEWS it may be the means of helping to make such a work as I suggest a possibility at least, if not a probability of the near future. — JAMES TOUGH, Chicago, 111.
Identification of Insects (Jmagos) for Subscribers.
Specimens will be named under the following conditions: ist, The number of speci- mens to be unlimited for each sending; 2d, The sender to pay all expenses of transporta- tion and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society; 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an- nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the Editor, who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects for return of names. Address all packages to ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, Academy Natural Sciences, Logan Square, Philadelphia, Pa.
Entomological Literature.
NEUNZEHNTER JAHRESBERICHT DES WESTFAELISCHEN PROVINZIAL- VEREINS FUR WISSENSCHAFT UND KUNST FUR 1890. Muenster, 1891.— Observations on the occurrence of melanism among the macrolepidoptera of the vicinity of Dortmund, K. Meinheit.
LA NATURE (Paris), Dec. 26, 1891.— Influence of artificial lights on in- sects, G. A. Poujade; figs.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 65
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Division of Entomology. Bul- letin No. 24. — The Boll worm of cotton. A report of progress in a sup- plementary investigation of this insect. Made under the direction of the Entomologist by F. W. Mally, Washington, iSgr, 50 pp. Hcliolhis aniii- gera Hiib.
REVUE SCIENTIFIQUE (Paris), Dec. 26, 1891. — Insects destructive to forests according to M. A. S. Packard, anon. A means of destroying grasshoppers according to M. Decaux, anon.
COMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE, Dec. 5, '91. — Heterocera exotica, new genus and species from the Dutch East Indie F. J. M. Heylaerts; Gnophrioides n. gen. Melanges Entomologiqiu-s: VIII. Diagnoses of Coleoptera from the Congo,* A. Duvivier. Notes on indigenous Coleoptera malacoderma, E. Rousseau. Additions and anno- tations to the lists of indigenous Larnellicorn and Carnivorous Coleoptera, A. P. de Borre.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINXEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (2), vi, i. Sydney, Sept. 9, 1891. — Notes on a small collection of Hymenop- tera from Narrabri, N. S. W., \V. \Y '. Froggatt. Description of a new species of Tortricidce,* J. H. Durrani. Stray notes on Lepidoptera, A. SO. lliff.
CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, Jan., 1892. — Can insects survive freezing? H. H. Lyman. Descriptions of some butterfly larvaj from Yosemite (v), and the life-history of Callidryas eubitle, H. G. Dyar. Revision of the Bombylid genus Epacuws (Lcptochihis), 1). \V. Coquillett. Hctccriihi americana [in Ontario], |. A. Moflfat. Canadian Cialls and their occu- pants— Aulax nabali N. S., W. Brodie. Entomology for Beginners, No. i, J. Fletcher. An explan ition, A. R. Grote. MeUttea phaston, /<•/;•<>- phora silaceala, J. A. Moffat. Prof. J. B. Smith's list of Lepidoptera, ( '.. H. French. Larva of Anccryx fasciata Swains., T. D. A. Cockerell.— February, 1892. — Entomology for Beginners No. 2, J. Fletcher. Two new Orthoptera from Indiana, \V. S. Blatchley. Some Indiana Acridid.r II, id. Further notes on Gelechia galleediplopappi, and description of a new species of I>racon, Rev. T. \V. Fyles. Notes on tin- life-history of Agallia sanguinolenta Prov., H. Osliorn and II. A. Gnssard. On the Orthopterous fauna of Iowa, II. Osborn. How the female of (\n-<vcia semiferana protects her egg clusters, C. P. Gillette. Notes on Coleoptera No. 9, Dr. J. Hamilton. Notes on the Aegeridae of central Ohio, 1 >. S. Kellicott.
ANNALEN DESK. K. NATURHISTORISCHKN HOFMUSI-:UMS, \i. .;, 4. \\'ien. 1891. — To the knowledge of the Hymenopterous genus 1'lrilanthns I'aln. (sens lat.),"-' F. F. Kohl. Bumble-bee Studies, A. Handlirscli, figs. African Lepidoptera of the k. k. Natnrhistorisclie Hofinuseum,* A. !•'. Kogeiihot. -i . i pi. •
* Contains new species other than North A inn i< an. 3*
66 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE GOSSIP (London), January, 1892. — Famous collecting grounds for Dragonflies [by W. H. Bath].
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 1891, pt. iv, December, 1891. — New species of Heterocera from the Khasia Hills,* Col. C. Svvinhoe, i pi., Kalmina micronissa, Anthyperythra (War- ren MS.), n. gen. On some cases of Dimorphism and Polymorphism among Palaearctic Lepidoptera, S. Alpheraky. Effect of change of climate upon the emergence of certain species of Lepidoptera, G. F. Mathew. Descriptions of new species of holophthalmous Ascalaphidae,* R. Mc- Lachlan; Campylophlebia n. gen. Descriptions of four new species of the genus Fulgora* W. L. Distant, i pi. On the South American spe- cies of Diabrotica, appendix, C. J. Gahan.
INSECT LIFE, iv, 5, 6, December, 1891. — Wheat and Grass Sawflies, C. V. Riley and C. L. Marlatt, figs. The importation of a Hessian Fly para- site from Europe, S. A. Forbes. The origin and development of para- sitism among the Sarcoptidse, H. Garman. Origin and development of the parasitic habit in Mallophaga and Pediculidae, H. Osborn. The use of grape bags by a paper-making wasp, Mary E. Murtfeldt. The methods of pupation among the Chalcididse, L. O. Howard, figs. Notes on grass insects in Washington, D. C., H. Osborn. An interesting aquatic bug. Hominivorous habits of the screw worm in St. Louis, Mary E. Murtfeldt. Another spider egg parasite, L. O. Howard.
BRITISH NATURALIST (London), January, 1892. — Portrait and sketch of Lord Walsingham. Notes and lists of captures of British insects.
NEUE ODONATEN VON ECUADOR,* von Dr. F. Karsch (Reprint from Societas Entomologica vi, 14-16) Neuragrion n. gen.
BULLETIN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE LABORATORY OF NATURAL HIS- TORY, vol. iii, art. xii. — Sixth contribution to a knowledge of a life-history of certain little known Aphididae, C. M. Weed. — Vol. iv, art. i. Bacteria normal to digestive organs of Hemiptera, S. A. Forbes.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZooLOGiEliii, 3, Leipzig, 1891. -The development of the female sexual organs of Phyllodroinia (Blatla) gertnanica L., R. Heymons, 3 pis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, 1, 303, London, Jan. S, 1892.— A new mode of respiration in the Myriapoda, F. G. Sinclair.
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY (6), 49, January, 1892. —Notes on Longicorn Coleoptera of the group Cerambycin:e, with de- scriptions of new genera and species,* C. J. Gahan. On some Japanese species of ParoiiKtl/ts* G. Lewis. Descriptions of two new genera of Scorpions, with notes upon some species of Pa/ain/i<rns*-\ R. I. Pocock, i pi. Description of a new trap-door spider from Ceylon,* id.
* Contains new species other than North American. t Contains new
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 67
WIENER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITUNG, xi, i, }anuary, 1892.— On the pretended present decline of Entomology, E. Reitter. Analytical revision
of the European species of the Tenthredinid — genus Schizocera Latr.,* F. W. Konow. A new Leptis from Switzerland,* T. Becker. Colenp- terological notes,* E. Reitter.
REVISTA DEL MUSEO DE LA PLATA, I, La Plata, 1890-91.— Argentine Dipterology [Culicidce], F. L. Arribalzaga.
STUDIES FROM THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES OF THE OWENS COL- LEGE II, Manchester, England, 1890. — The pupal stage of Cnlex, Dr. C. H. Hurst, i pi.
REVUE BIOLOGIQUE DU NORD DE LA FRANCE, iv, 4, January, 1892.— Study on some galls from Syria [Acarocecidae],* Dr. H. Fockeu, figs.
NOTES FROM THE LEYDEN MUSEUM, xiii, 3, July, 1891. — Description of a new Curculionid,* W. Roelofs, i pi. New genus and species of the group of Oxyopisthen* id. A new genus of Calandrinae, C. Ritsema Cz. A new species of Rhyncophorus * id. Two new species of the genus Helota from Borneo,* id. Synopsis and alphabetical list of the described species of the Coleopterous genus Helota McL., id. Polyctcsis i^crro/a, a new species of Buprestidae,* K. M. Heller. Contributions to the know- ledge of the family Brenthidae,* Dr. A. Senna. On the Ceylon Cetonikku collected by J. Z. Kannegieter,* J. R. H. N. van de Poll and J. Z. Kanne- gieter. A new species of the Longicorn genus Neopharsalia v. d. Poll,* J. Z. Kannegieter. Four new species of Gyrinidce of the genus Orccto- gyrns* M. Regimbart. — No. 4, October, 1891. Two new species of the Lucanoid genus Cyclommatus Parry, C. Ritsema Cz. A new Oriental species of the Coleopterous genus Chelonarium* id. Further contribu- tions to the knowlege of the Helota species of Burma,* id. Loniotropa vellerialis, new species of Pyralidae,* P. C. T. Snellen. Description <>\ nine new Elateridae from the Leyden Museum,* E. Candeze.
ENTOMOLOGISCHE NACHRICHTEN, xviii, i, Berlin, January, 1892. — De- scription of some new varieties of butterflies from Bucovina and the \ i- cinity,* C. von Hormuzaki. On some rare Tracheata from Rheinlancl, C. Verhoeff. Five new African Mantodea,* Dr. F. Karsch; l\n'lyIopL n. gen. Some biological fragments, C. Yerhoeff.
ZOE, ii, 4, Jan. 12, 1892. — Some biological peculiarities of the l'liylli>\ and a method of utilizing them for the protection of vineyards, H. H. l.dir.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSIKAUX, \i\. Adelaide, July, 1891.— Description of a new species of Co Tepper, i pi. Further notes on Australian Coleoptera, \vilh de-scrip! of new genera and species,*f Rev. T. Blackburn. Descriptions • Australian Lepidoptera,* E. Meyrick; Momopohi n. gen.
* Contains new species other than North Anui ic:m. t Contai:
68 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
DIE KAEFKR VON MITTELEUROPA. — Die Kaefer der oesterreichisch- ungarischen Monarchic, Deutschlands, der Schweiz, sowie des franzoes- ischen und italienischen Alpengebietes, Bearbeitet von Luclwig Gangl- bauer. Erster Band. Familienreihe Caraboidea. Wien, Carl Gerold's Sohn, 1892, 557 pp., 55 woodcuts.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Bulletin 33, Entomological Division, Ithaca, N. Y., November, 1891. — Wireworms, J. H. Comstock and M. V. Slingerband; figs.
NOTES UPON THE TRANSFORMATIONS OF SOME AFRICAN LEPIDOPTERA by W. J. Holland (from Psyche, vi, pp. 213-216, pi. 5).
ARCHIVES DE ZOOLOGIE EXPERIMENTALE KT GENERALE (2), ix, 4, Paris. — Note on the Pantopod genera Phoxichilus Latr. and Tanisty- him Miers, W. Schimkewitsch.
BIOLOGISCHES CENTRALBLATT (Erlangen), Dec. 31, 1891. — The amitotic nuclear division in Arthropoda, H. E. Ziegler and O. von Rath. — Jan. 15, 1892. Contribution to the anatomy and embryology of the PhalangicUe, V. Faussek.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEiGER (Leipzig), Jan. n, 1892. — On sense organs in the palpi and first pair of legs of Solpugidae, Dr. P. Bertkau, fig.
COMPTE RENDU. SOCIETE DE BIOLOGIE (Paris), Jan. 9, 1892. — The wandering cricket (Schistocera peregrina Oliv.) and its cryptogamic para- site (Lachnidium acridioruin), E. A. Giard.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST (London), February, 1892. — The past wet Summer and its probable effect upon the development of Lepidoptera, R. Adkin. Evolution of colors in the Vanesscz, W. W. Smith. Evolution of insect colors, F. H. P. Coste. Us^ of the hairs of Acronycta alni, M. Fitz- Gibbon. Notes on British insects, etc.
BOLLETINO DEI MuSEI DI ZOOLOGIA ED ANATOMIA COMPARATA DEI. LA
R. UNIVERSITA DI TORINO, 108, Sept. 20, 1891. — Diagnoses of four new genera of Diptera, Dr. E. Giglio-Tos.
UNTERSUCHUNGEN UEBER GLATTE UND VOLLKOMMEN QUERSTREIFTE MUSKELN DER ARTHROPODEN von Dr. Julius Vosseler, Tubingen, 1891, H. Laupp, pp. xii, 150, 6 plates.
THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE (London), February, '92. —A new genus and species of Aleurodidae,* A. C. F. Morgan, T pi.; Aleiirodicus n. g. Description of three new species of the genus riia- naens Macleay,* B. G. Nevinson. Annotated list of British TurliinuU\ R. 1-1. Mcadr. Stylopized bees, F. V. Theobald. Oviposition of .Me/a viridclla, T. A. Chapman. On the rearing of I'achctra Iciiiopluca from the egg, VV. R. Jeffrey. Notes, etc.
* Contains new species other than North American.
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 69
BULLETIN OK THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE Zool.ocv AT HARVARD
COLLEGE, xxii, 3, Cambridge, January, 1892. — Amitosis in the embryonal envelops of the scorpion, H. P. Johnson, 3 plates.
MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE KXPKKIMKNT STATION, Bulletin No. 17. — Insects injurious to stored grain, H. E. \Vi--d. December, 1891.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIKTY, .\\iii, 4, September-December, 1891. — The species of Agri/iis of Boreal America, G. H. Horn, M. D., i pi. On a collection of Hymenoptera made in Jamaica during April, 1891, W. J. Fox. Notes on North American Tachinidae sens. sir. with descriptions of new genera and species, C. H. Tyler Townsend.
NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS DESCRIBED IN THE PRECEDING LITERATURE.
NEUROPTERA. Ptynx furciger McLachlan, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., '91, p. 509. \\\/..
LEPIDOPTERA. Albuna modes/a Kellicott, Can. Ent. xxiv, p. 46. Ohio.
HYMENOPTERA.
Aulax nabali Brodie, Can. Ent. xxiv, p. 13. Ontario.
Cephus occidentalis Riley and Marlatt, Insect Life, iv, p. 177. Cala.
Acoloides emertonii Howard, Insect Life, iv, p. 202.
Bracon furtivus Fyles, Can. Ent. xxiv, p. 35.
Pompilus propinquus Fox, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xviii, p. 339; /'. iciico- pitypnrcits, p. 339; Salius opacifrons, p. 340; A^cuiii fompirsMi. p. 340; Planiccps euferalis, p. 341; Epeolits mfoc/ypetts, p. 344; M,\^iiclnlc Mar- tindafei, p. 344; M. multidens, p. 345; M. pcdalis, p. 347; all from Jamaica.
ORTHOPTERA.
Xiphidium Scuddcri Blatchley, Can. Ent. xxiv, p. 26. Indiana. ApHhcs Mc.\\-illi Blatchley, 1. c. p. 27. Indiana. Pezottetti.r hoosieri Blatchley, 1. c. p. 31. Indiana.
DIPTERA.
Jtcrisinyia n. Ren., Stratiomyida.-, (iiglio-Tos, l'>i>ll. Mus. /.mil. Anat. Comp. Aniv. Torino, vi, ioS, p. 2, lig. Type lift i^ aincrii ana Bell.ndi.
ti/iopa/osyrp/i/ts, p. 3, 1'igs. ; Onu-^asyrp/it/s, p. 4, tigs.; M^miifpo p. 5, figs., n. gen. Syrphida-, C.iglio-Tos, 1. c. Types to be hereaftei described.
yo ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
Epacmus concinnus, pellncidus, fumosus Coquillet, Can. Ent. xxiv, p. 9. California.
Tachinidas: Siphoplagia n. gen., Townsend, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xviii, p. 349; S. anomala, p. 350, N. Mex. Goniochceta n. gen., p. 351; G. pla- gioides, p. 352, N. Mex Tachina spinosula, p. 353, 111. Pachyophthal- nius anrifrons, p. 354, 111. Miltogramma flavicornis, p. 355, 111. M. argentifrons, p. 357, 111. M. cinerascens, p. 358, 111. Masicera nigrita, p. 358, 111. M. sordicolor p. 359, 111. Hypertrophocera n. gen., p. 360; H. parvipes, p. 361, N. Mex. Aphria ocypterata, p. 361, S. Dak., Minn.? Exorista ciliata, p. 363, 111. Laccoprosopa n. gen., p. 365; L. sarcopha- gitia, p. 366, 111. Frontinaacroglossoides, p. 367, 111. Siphona illinoensis, p. 368, 111. Phasioclista n. gen., p. 369; P. inctallica, p. 370, 111., S. Fla. Ennyomma n. gen., p. 371; E. clistoides, p. 371, 111. Clytia flava, p. 372, 111. Atrophopoda n. gen., p. 373; A. singularis, p. 374, 111. Epigrymia n. gen., p. 375; E. po/ita, p. 376, Va. Drepanoglossa n. gen., p. 377; D. lucens, p. 378, N. Mex. Ceratomyiella n. gen., p. 379; C. conica, p. 380, 111. Leucostoma atra, p. 380, 111. Vanderwulpia n. gen., p. 381; V. atrophopodoides, p. 381, N. Mex.
COLEOPTERA.
Phanceus Flohri Nevinson, Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), iii,, p. 33. Jalapa, Mex. Agrilus. — Synoptic table of species and twenty-one new species de- scribed, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xviii, 4.
BITTEN BY A TARANTULA. — Bridgeport, July 2oth. As Louis Pastine, a fruit dealer of Main Street, was moving a bunch of banannas at his store, Saturday, a huge tarantula jumped out and stung him on the thumb of the left hand. Pastine ran to the office of Dr. C. W. Fitch, who has lived in Central America, and is an expert on the tarantula. Before he reached the doctor's office the thumb had swollen to twice its natural size. Mr. Pastine says that immediately after the sting the most excruciating pains shot through his arm and both sides. In a moment the pains had pene- trated even to his liver, which was seriously affected. Dr. Fitch cauter- ized the wound, and expects that Mr. Pastine will recover. The Doctor says that the tarantula's bite is not very dangerous, except when it is in an excited condition, and that the one which bit Mr. Pastine was in a rather torpid state. During his fifteen years in Central America he was bitten twenty times by them. He knew how to treat the sting, and at- tended to it immediately, which is essential. "If," said the Doctor, " you can imagine yourself suffering a pain one hundred times as intense as a wasp sting, you can realize what it is to be bitten by a tarantula. To test the ferocity of the spider, I once cut a round hole in the centre of a news- paper and placed the tarantula in the hole. Then I set fire to the paper, and the insect finding itself hemmed in on all sides, threw its tail over, and stinging itself on the back died instantly."
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 71
RKVI EW.
DIE ZVVEIFLUGLER DES KAISERLICHEN MUSEUMS ZU WlEN, V. VORAR- BEITEN ZU EINER MONOGRAPHIE DER MUSCARIA SCHIZOMETOPA (EXCLU- SIVE ANTHOMYID.E). PART II. By Prof. Dr. Friedrich Brauer and J. Edlen v. Bergenstamm. Wien, 1891. — I am indebted to the authors for a copy of the above work, which has recently been published. It consists of 140 quarto pages (no plates), and is in continuation of their work begun in Part I, under same title, and published in 1889.* About 100 new genera are erected, and not quite as many new species, these being entirely ad- ditional, be it understood, to the new genera and species published in Part I. One can only deplore the lack of order, uniformity and comprehen- siveness displayed in the body of the work, which consists entirely of corrections and additions to be interpolated at designated intervals throughout Part I. The genera of other authors have been mercilessly used. Mr. v. d. Wulp's recent genera (published in the Biol. C.-A.) are torn to pieces bodily, and patched up from other quarters. The authors are to be complimented on presenting at the end of their work a syste- matic list of all the groups, genera and species which they have proposed in Parts I and II. This is put in very comprehensive form, and is followed by a still more convenient index of specific names leading to the genera in which the authors have placed the species, and designating the genera to which the latter were originally referred by their describers. The ruth- less deposition of genera, in which the authors indulge, should not be countenanced. Echinomyia is decapitated, and Tachina installed in its place. Eutachina is created to fill the vacancy thus left by Tachina. Numerous new genera are erected on trivial or insufficiently designated grounds, at the expense of former well-to-do ones; or genera long ago abandoned are raised from a condition of comparative obscurity, and made to supplant those which have long been in use. Why the generic term Latreillia should be preferred to Belvosia, when both were described on adjoining pages by the same author in 1830, is beyond explanation, and especially when we consider the time-honored usage of Belvosia, and the fact that Latreillia was proposed by Roux, in 1827, for a genus of Crus- tacea. The name Metopodia is applied to a new genus; this is apt to become confused with Mctopodus Am. Serv. (Hem.) or witli Mctafiodius Westvv. (Hem.) If the genus be a valid one, I would propose the use of the term NEOMETAPODIA for it. As nearly as I can form an opinion, without actually cataloging and classifying all the names, the new -CIICIM and species proposed (usually insufficiently characterized) are divided geographically as follows: N. Am. gen. 25, spp. 17; So. Am. gen. i\ spp. 18; Extra Am. gen. 59, spp. 61. If the authors would present full descrip- tions, properly and systematically arranged, of their neu -I-IK r.i and spe- cies, their work would be much more comprehensive and productive «{ good. As it is, their labors can scarcely be appreciated by one who lias not access to the collections in the Museum in Vienna. — C. 1 1. T. Tc >u -\si -ND.
* For a notice thereof by Dr. Williston, sec ENT. NEWS, vol. i, p. 77.- I '
72 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March,
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL, SECTION OF THE A. N. S. was held at the Hall Jan. 28, 1892. Dr. Horn, Director, presiding. Dr. Horn donated to the cabinet a number of Mexican Coleoptera. Mr. Calvert presented the second installment of European Odonata, number- ing 29 specimens. Mr. Nell presented a specimen of Odonata new to the collection. Mr. Martindale called attention to a paper by Dr. W. J. Hol- land on a peculiar Lycsenid chrysalis from Africa, which had a Simian aspect. Dr. Horn mentioned a paper he had recently written, on some variations in the markings of Coleoptera, and spoke of some interesting- points brought out. Dr. Skinner exhibited a pair of Parnassius sininthens showing interesting variation from the normal. Mr. Martindale spoke of a method of preparing naphthalin cones by heating the head of a pin and thrusting it into the fused balls to be obtained at the druggists'; they are clean, leave no debris, and cost about five cents per hundred. Mr. Cal- vert stated that the dragonfly presented by Mr. Nell was GouipJius dilita- tus, and was caught in the streets of the city in May, 1891; it is a Southern species, and he had never heard of its being found before in this locality.
OBITUARY
HENRY WALTER BATES, F.L.S., F.Z.S., etc., died in London, Febru- ary ijth. In this death England loses one of her ablest entomologists. Beginning in 1848 his entomological contributions have been continued, with interruption only during his long sojourn on the Amazons, until very recently. His studies were limited to the Lepidoptera-Rhopalocera, and to three large and difficult families of Coleoptera: Carabidae, Scarabaeidae and Cerambycidae, in all of which he had accumulated much material, especially rich in Amazon species. His industry and ability are well shown in the volumes with their supplements in the " Biologia Centrali- Americana" on his favorite families. His narrative of his sojourn on the Amazons is filled with notes showing his acuteness of observation in the field. For many years he has filled the position of Assistant Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society. Those who knew him personally will mourn the loss of a cultured man, a kind friend, and a genhil companion.
ERRATA.
On page 5, line 9, for 35 mm. read .35 mm.
5, line 18, for 6.5 mm. read .65 mm.
5, line 24, insert a comma (,) after joints 5 and 12.
5, line 24, for trifle, read triple.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NKWS for February, was mailed January 29, 1892.
0) O
cc O Q
of £
W
ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS
AND
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION,
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA.
VOL. in. APRIL, 1892. No. 4.
CONTENTS:
Horn — Dorcus parallelus 73
Wright— In Alaska 74
Laurent — Preparatory stages of Pam-
phila manataaqua 77
Cockerell— Notes on the life-history of
Calpodes ethlius 78
Townsend — New N. Am. Tachinidse.... 80
Smith — Elementary Entomology. 82
Angell — Two n. sp. of Coleoptera 84
Williston— Notes on the habits of Am-
mophila 85
McKnight — Lepidoptera of the Adiron- dack Region 87
Patton — Notes upon Larradae 89
Harvey — Odonata of Maine 91
Notes and News 93
Entomological Literature 98
Doings of Societies 103
Dorcus parallelus Say. By GEO. H. HORN, M. D.
The plate forming the frontispiece of this number has been prepared from material which, for the most- part, belongs to the American Entomological Society. The reasons for presenting it are : to settle finally the relationship existing between the names parallelus, costatus and brevis, now in our lists — to illustrate the possibilities of variation in form and sculpture, and, finally, to ascertain by experiment the adaptability of the various photo- plate processes for illustrations taken from the objects themseh < 5. Periodically the question is discussed, what is Dorcus brci-it, and is it distinct from parallelus f It need hardly be said that this question arises principally among those young in experience and with small series, although species are frequently deseribed as new with far less claim to distinctness than the extreme specimens on the upper row. D. brevisis founded on males of full develop- ment, broad thorax and smooth surface. The first t\v<> \\^\\ accurately represent Say's idea. As a rule the males have quite a smooth thorax, while the females are rather closely punn In the brevis form the elytra are also quite smooth, but the trausi-
74 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
tion from this to the striate sculpture is gradual, and can readily be traced even in the plate. D . costatus, although merely a cata- logue name, is based on those females in which three of the in- tervals on each elytron are a little wider and more prominent, as faintly shown on the fifth figure in the second row. The terminal figure is an exceptionally small female collected by Mr. Henry Wenzel. The six specimens on the upper row and two on the lower are males, as will be known by the more prominent mandi- bles with a tooth on the upper side. Regarding the possibilities of variation, the plate shows for itself, although far less than the specimens themselves, and Dorcus parallelns is by no means a good species for the illustration of varietal possibilities. The use of any photographic method usually causes a loss of some detail, but when form alone is to be illustrated more accurate results for comparison can be obtained.
-o-
IN ALASKA.
By W. G. WRIGHT, San Bernardino, Cal.
One might suppose that a trip to Alaska would afford an ento- mologist abundant material for collecting, and that he might write a book about what he saw through his entomological glasses, and experienced in pursuit of his pet hobby. But having made the trip, I am obliged to say that the results, both actual and theoretical, were very meagre.
To begin with, the country from the Strait of San Juan de Fuca to Yakatat Bay is all of a piece. The ground is all solid rock, if I may so speak, islands and mainland alike, and the channels through which the steamer sails most of the way are mere cracks in the hard, black rock, some of them so deep that it is imprac- ticable to anchor in them. How a tree can manage to find root-hold upon such solid rock is a continual mystery, but they do, and the whole country, whether level 'or side-hill (and most of it is tilted up an angle frequently acute), is covered with the same endless ranks of sombre fir trees, the very sight of which at length becomes a weariness; and the trees, with horizontal limbs down to the ground, come clear down to the water's edge, so that a landing becomes a difficulty. The Japan current, or some other cause, gives to Sitka about the same temperature as
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS.
at Victoria. To that current the whole coast from Yakatat Bay to the Columbia River owes a liberal allowance of fog and misty rain, more at the North and less at the South, but otherwise the thousand miles of northing from Puget Sound gives no notable climatic difference. Therefore, it is easy to see that, with the same geological formation, the same flora, and the same climate, the same fauna must prevail; and so I have found it. So far as my insect captures are determined I did not get a specimen in Alaska but what is found about Puget Sound in greater abun- dance than in Alaska. One Pieris, from Sitka, bears another name from those of Puget Sound, but I regard it as the same species; I will "lump" that much. The country inland is well- nigh impenetrable, being, as I have said, mostly up edgewise, and sometimes almost to the perpendicular, and densely wooded; and underneath, a network of fallen trees thickly covered with sphagnum or moss, which apparently never gets dried out, be- cause of the rain and the dense shade. Five miles a day is good traveling through these thickets. There are no clearings or ranches, or farms; no room for a butterfly to stretch its wings. In Coleoptera it is as bad. I got one Cychms marginatus at Metlakahtla, and one at Loring, and a pair of C. angnsticollis at Junean, but nothing of interest anywhere.
Wrangel is a green spot in my memory, because there I got my first Alaskan butterflies. To be sure they were only a com- mon Pieris, but it is noteworthy to get any butterflies in such a rainy country. These poor Pierids were nearly starved by the long season of rain, and were crawling about upon an umbel of daucus trying to feed; they could not fly, because of the rain, so I picked them off the flowers with my fingers, and took them in out of the wet. Numbers of little geometrid moths were flying about, but I had no net out in the rain, so I did not get them. I met here, by chance the usual way, an eastern naturalist who was skinning birds. He told me that he had seen in the vicinity one specimen of Limenitis Lorquini. From that item we may set down Fort Wrangel as the northern limit of that species.
About the town of Junean I caught a lot of Pierids, of the same old species, but no other butterfly was seen. Then I fol- lowed a mining road out into the country as far as time would permit, but found nothing else. By the roadside lay some pine blocks left by the axe-men. Under one of these I found the tine
76 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
pair of C. angusticollis before spoken of, but no other beetles worth naming.
Chillkat is the most northern of all the stopping places on this Alaskan route; it is close to the 6oth degree of North latitude. Here is a narrow grassy border along a moraine, and at the shore line, and I forthwith went ashore with my net. A half dozen Pierids were taken and then came a lull. Presently I began to sweep the grass for beetles, and lo ! some Pterophoridae. So I spent most of the time in getting that little thing, of which there seemed to be several species. This was the most unexpected find of the whole trip.
At Sitka I remained sixteen days, seven of which were mostly sunny, a remarkable thing, as the people told me, as sunny days are exceptional there. One species of Pieris was common about the streets, P. Bryoncs. One gentleman excited my curiosity by saying that the real Japan silk-worm moth was found there, and so one day he showed me the " moth" flying about his cabbage plants; it was this Pieris. I was also informed that this same butterfly was found all along the vast chain of Aleutian Islands, nearly to Siberia, in great numbers; that it feeds on honey-dew, which is found on the leaves and twigs of Alder bushes, and that he had seen the bushes white from the abundance of the butterfly; all of which is credible. But about Sitka I found butterflies very scarce. Beside this Pieris, I got only one other species, Chryso. helloides, small in size, and almost black. The female, especially, was so dark I could hardly believe it was that species, but the male was rather more like the Southern form, and showed the violet gloss faintly \_Chrys.florus? — ED.]
Near Sitka, a few miles back, is a mountain, Mt. Verstovia, 3600 feet high. One fine day I climbed this mountain to above timber line; here, at 3500 feet altitude, to see if a Parnasshts or a Chionobas could not be found. Upon the alpine slopes above timber line was a most lovely butterfly place. Some old snow- banks yet remained here and there, but on many of the drier slopes grass and flowers grew luxuriantly, and the air was so mild, and the sun shone so delightfully, that it seemed as if there must be a dozen Parnassius in sight at any moment, but not one did I see; not a butterfly of any color. I never felt so disgusted and discouraged in my life before. I just gave a big growl of displeasure, and threw down my net and other butterfly traps in
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 77
anger, and went off to a snow-bank and ate snow, and tried to eat the waxen white blossoms of a heather which grew all about; but it all didn't pay, so I came back to where the guide was lolling on a dry bank by a spring, and ate lunch with him instead. After that I felt better, but not to this day have I regained my serenity of mind as to the outcome of that day's work. Every thing was so favorable, so promising, and the possibilities so great, and not even one poor little butterfly to bless myself with; it was too bad.
North of the great chain of Aleutian Islands, about Norton Sound, and even north of Bering Strait, and under the icy zone of the Arctic Circle, at Kotzebue Sound, it appears that more butterflies are found than at Sitka, because the islands deflect the Japan current to the east and south, so that the more northern regions mentioned are more free from the fog and rain than Sitka is. But even Kotzebue Sound is not a good field for the ento- mologist, and if any enthusiast should desire to go there, my advice would be, " don't."
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Preparatory Stages of Pamphila manataaqua.
By PHILIP LAURENT, Phila., Pa.
On June 24, 1891, I secured two female Pamphila manataaqna , which I placed in a small cage containing a piece of grass sod; during the night nine eggs were laid. The eggs are hemispher- ical in shape, excepting that the apex is somewhat flattened. In color the eggs are of an opaque-white with a greenish tinge. When observed with the naked eye the egg appears to be smooth, but observed through a glass of ordinary power it will be seen that the egg is covered with minute depressions. On July sth the young larvae emerged from the egg. The larvae are slender and more cylindrical than those of most Pamphila. In color they are the same as the egg, excepting the head, which is of a dark brown color. The head, when observed through a strong glass, is found to have a corrugated appearance. On the ii| .pel- part of first segment immediately back of the head, a narrow band of dark brown is observed. July 25th: Larva- are now about a half inch in length; the body is of a dark or oil-gn en color, while the head still remains brown, but of a lighter .shade than when first observed.
78 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
August 2d: Larvae are now about three-quarters of an inch in length. On examining the larvae with a strong glass, it will be seen that the larvae are covered with numerous irregular spots of a dark lavender color; the body is also seen to be thinly covered with hair, that on the sides of larvae being somewhat longer than that on the top.
August 1 3th: Larvae are now full grown, and are about one inch in length. In appearance there has been but little change since August 2d, excepting in the fore feet, which are now dark brown instead of light brown.
August 1 4th: The first larva changed to chrysalis to-day. The chrysalis is of a greenish white color, the space occupied by head and thorax, and wing-cases being somewhat darker than the ab- domen. The eye space is very prominent; the tongue case is of a light brown color and extends almost to the tip of abdomen. The chrysalis is fastened among the grass stalks, and is dusted over with a white silky powder.
Aug. 2Oth: The last of the larvae changed to a chrysalis to-day.
•August 2gth: The first imago emerged to-day a male.
August 3oth: Another male appeared.
September ist, two males; September 2d, one female; Septem- ber 3d, one male. The others are probably dead.
At no time was I able to discover the exact time of moulting, or could I ever find any of the remains of cast-off larva skins; it may be that the larvae devour the cast-off skins, but of this I am not certain, so much of their life is spent in the little grass houses that they construct for themselves, that it is hard to keep an eye on them at all times. I thought perhaps the moulting took place within these houses, but was never able to find any cast-oft skins
within them.
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Notes on the Life-history of Calpodes ethlius.
By T. D. A. COCKERELL, Kingston, Jamaica.
Mr. Scudder, in his "Butterflies of New England," p. 1750, gives an interesting account of this species; a description of the mature larva and pupa has also been published by the present writer in the "Journal of the Institute of Jamaica," No. i, p. 29. Mr. I. I. Bowrey has kindly supplied me with eggs found on Canna in his garden in Kingston, from which I have obtained
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 79
the young larvae. Very many of the eggs never produce larva-, but fall victims to a small hymenopterous parasite. This was first observed by Mr. Bowrey, and is specially interesting, because hitherto no parasite of C. ethlius seems to have been recorded. I have not very carefully examined these egg parasites, but they are evidently of the genus Trichogramma, or closely allied thereto. A specimen, compared with Riley's figure of T. pretiosa, has a broader head, and the thorax is larger in proportion to the ab- domen (my specimen is probably a male); the upper wings are apparently more truncate, and the lower seem more slender. With the Trichogramma I found a broken specimen of a different Chalcid, with a broad abdomen about a third longer than wide, a thorax much the same size and shape, wings stretching con- siderably beyond the tip of the abdomen, submarginal vein rather stout, marginal curved away from the costa, stigmal long, with a distinct, though small knob, last pair of legs very long, stretching beyond the tips of closed wings. These notes, al- though so fragmentary, may serve for comparison with parasites of C. ethlius that may be found elsewhere. Certainly, these egg parasites do much towards keeping down the Canna butterfly in Jamaica. The Trichogramma is the important one; whether the other species is common remains to be seen. Eggs of C. ethlius brought to me by Mr. Bowrey on Oct. 24, 1891, were laid singly on a leaf of Canna* They are, as stated by Dr. WittfiVM, plainly visible. The egg is rounded, in section forming rather more than half a circle, smooth, shiny, opaque, with fine im- pressed microscopic punctures or lines, but no ribs. Diameter \]^ mm., color white, with a purple-gray tinge, especially aboVe. The egg-shell is white after the exclusion of the larva, lately-hatched larva is 4 mm. long, and rests on the underside of the leaf, near the edge, which it bends by spinning a transv< thread 4 mm. long. It is pale green (Scudder says pale yellowish brown) with a black shiny head, which has a deep longitudinal sulcus on the crown. Thoracic shield black; body with onlv a few very short and inconspicuous hairs. Thesha]"- is rylindnral, with a large head; different from P. zabulon as figured by Fren.-h. On November 30! the larva was 13 mm. long, cylindrical, looking
* On the same leaf I found the eggs of an unknown moth; these are smaller, and laid in a group of eighty or more, very regularly in rows. f<|iiidi*tant, n«> tw<« t^s t.. tailing, They have about twenty-four well-marked ribs. The larva: proved to be l.i,,|,mi; tuids. but the imago was not reared.
80 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
quite like a Pyralid. Head now brown instead of black, but the narrow thoracic shield black; body pale glaucous-green; dorsal vessel showing as a darkish line. Each segment has several transverse grooved striae or wrinkles dorsally. There is very little variation in the imago so far as Jamaican examples are con- cerned. In a series obtained by Mr. Bowrey I find the expanse varying from 53 to 61 mm. The largest vitreous spot on the fore-wing is often subquadrate, as described by Scudder, but often elongate, considerably longer than broad. Mr. Scudder calls this "The Brazilian Skipper," but the Canna butterfly, or Canna Skipper, would be a more appropriate name.
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NEW NORTH AMERICAN TACWNiD/E. By C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND, Las Cruces, N. Mex.
The following are descriptions of South Florida and Jamaica forms, collected respectively by Mr. Charles Robertson, of Car- linville, III, and Mr. Charles W. Johnson, of the Wagner Insti- tute, Philadelphia.
Blepharipeza nigrisquamis n. sp. <$. — Eyes brown; frontal vitta blackish brown; face, cheeks, and sides of front silvery white pollinose, darker in some lights; facial ridges bristly half way up, sides of face bare, except for descending frontal bristles; antennae and arista black, third antennal joint about three times as long as the somewhat elongate second ; pro- boscis black, labella large, brown; palpi rather stout, bristly, rufous, blackish at base; occiput silvery, gray-hairy. Thorax purplish black, faintly silvery pollinose, with four narrow black vittae interrupted at suture, the outer pair more so than the inner pair; scutellum black, very bristly. Abdomen wholly dense black, with a bluish or purplish reflection, thickly set with macrochaetae. Legs black, claws and pulvilli a little elongate, pulvilli tawny. Wings grayish hyaline, broadly and abruptly black at base; tegulae and alulae black, halteres brownish. Length of body, 9 mm.; of wing, nearly 9 mm.
Described from one specimen; Portland, Jamaica, April (C. W. Johnson). This species differs from B. leucophrys in its smaller size, blacker bases of wings, and somewhat stouter palpi.
Pachyophthalmus floridensis n. sp. J1 •— Eyes brown; frontal vitta nearly black, velvety, narrow, about one-third width of front, front about one- fifth width of head; frontal bristles in double row; sides of front, face, and cheeks silvery whitish, with slight brassy tinge on front; vibrissae dis- tinct, decussate; antenna; black, third joint hardly one and a half times as long as second, arista black; proboscis brownish, palpi blackish; oc- ciput cinereous. Thorax and scutellum silvery cinereous, with three broad
1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. Si
black vittae, which are continued over scutellum. Abdomen shining black, anal segment rufous, whole abdomen clouded with silvery cinereous, giv- ing the appearance of three broad, irregular, blackish vittee, interrupted at the sutures; first two segments with a lateral pair and a median mar- ginal pair of macrochsetae, third and anal with a marginal row. Legs black, femora silvery cinereous, claws and pulvilli short. Wings slightly grayish, nearly hyaline; tegulae whitish, halteres light brownish. Length of body, 5 mm.; of wing, 4 mm.
Described from one specimen; So. Florida (Robertson).
Miltogramma decisa n. sp. $ . — Eyes reddish brown; front brassy golden; less than one-third width of head, the frontal vitta nearly obsolete in front; two orbital bristles; face and cheeks pure silvery white; antennae pale rufous, third joint one and a half times as long as second, arista blackish; vibrissae distinct, decussate; proboscis black, palpi rufous (so far as can be seen); occiput cinereous, short and sparsely bristly. Thorax cinereous, silvery pollinose, with three narrow median vittae and a heavier outside one; scutellum more or less cinereous. Abdomen shining black, first segment on sides and second segment entirely, except triangle in middle, rufous; bases of segments two to four silvery white pollinose; first seg- ment without macrochsetae, second with a median marginal pair, third with a lateral pair and a median marginal pair, and with a marginal row. Legs black, front femora silvery on outside, claws and pulvilli very short. Wings grayish hyaline, tegulse white, halteres brownish. Length of body, 4^ mm.; of wing, 3^ mm.
Described from one specimen; So. Florida (Robertson).
Anisia vanderwulpi n. sp. tf (?).— Eyes cinnamon brown; frontal vitta velvet blackish brown; sides of front and orbital margins of occiput brassy golden; two orbital bristles; face and cheeks silvery white; antenna- ru- fous, the third joint brownish distally and on front edge, arista brownish; proboscis brownish, short, fleshy, labella large, pale tawny, palpi pale tawny; occiput silvery, gray-hairy below. Thorax silvery white pollinose, with four blackish vittae, the outer ones heavier and interrupted at suture, humeri and pleune silvery white ; scutellum silvery white pollinose. domen black, more or less silvery white pollinose, but particularly so at bases of segments and more broadly on vertex, terminal portion of anal segment pale rufous; first two segments with a lateral macrochaeta- and a median marginal pair, the second segment with a median discal pair also; third with a median discal pair, and a marginal row of about ten; anal segment with a marginal and discal row of about eight, those in discal row strongest. Legs black, coxa? and distal inferior half <>f f.-ni..ra light rufous, femora more or less silvery; claws and pulvilli short, pulvilli whitish. Wings grayish hyaline, tegulae transparent like isinglass, halteres yellow. Length of body, 6 mm.; of wing, 5/2 nun.
Described from one specimen ; Portland, Jamaica (C.
Johnson).
(To be continued.)
82 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April,
ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY.
LEPIDOPTERA-HETEROCERA (Moths). By Prof. JOHN B. SMITH, New Brunswick, N. J.
The first of the Heterocerous families is the Sphingidae. This family comprises moths of rather large size, the thorax robust, the abdomen elongate and tapering in most cases, and usually considerably exceeding the anal angle of the secondaries. The head is well developed as a rule, and the antennae are usually fusiform and more or less prismatic; that is to say, they are rather thicker in the middle