PROCEEDINGS

Entomological Society

WASHINGTON

Volume II, No. i

(JANUARY gth, 1890, to DECEMBER 4th, 1890.)
(ISSUED APRII, 2, 1891.)

WASHINGTON, D. C. :
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

1891.

U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM

LIBRARY OF

Henry Guernsey Hubbard

AND

Eugene Amandus Schwarz

DONATED IN 1902

PBOCEEDINGS

OF THE

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

OF

WASHINGTON

Volume II.

1890-1892.

WASHINGTON, D. C. :

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

lS 93 .

DATES OF ISSUE OF THE PARTS OF VOLUME II.

No. i (pp. 1-147), April 2, 1891.
No. 2 (pp. 148-269), June 30, 1892.
No. 3 (pp. 271-358), December 31, 1892.
No. 4 (pp. 359-438), June , 1893.

Publication Committee for Volume II.

C. L. MARLATT. E. A. SCHWARZ. L. O. HOWARB.

B : PICKMAN MANN. NATHAN BANKS.

M. L. LINELL.

\

PROCEEDINGS

Entomological Society

WASHINGTON

Volume II., No. i
(JANUARY gth, 1890, to DECEMBER 4th, 1890.)

WASHINGTON, D. C. :
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

PRESS or GEDNEY & ROBERTS
WASHINGTON, D. C.

Entomological Society of Washington,

LIST OF MEMBERS.

ACTIVE MEMBERS.

, W. B., 1887-89. MARX, GEO., 1884- .

} ASHMEAD, W. H., 1889-90. f MORRIS, J. G., 1884-90.

AUSTIN, AMORY, 1891- . fMuRDocK, J., 1884-85.

BANKS, NATHAN, 1890- . OERTEL, T. E., 1884-88.

* BARNARD, W. S., 1884-85. PERGANDE, THEO., 1884- .

JBRUNER, L., 1884-85. RILEY, C. V., 1884- .

DODGE, C. R., 1884- . SCHAFHIRT, A. J., 1884-85.

FERNOW, B. E., 1890- . SCHWARZ, E. A., 1884- .

Fox, W. H., 1887- . SEIFRIZ, P., 1888.

HEIDEMANN, O., 1885- . fSHUFEi^DT, R. W., 1884-89.

HOWARD, L. O., 1884- . SMITH, E. F., 1890- .

KUEHLING, J. H., 1887- . t SMITH, J. B., 1884-89.

LACY, R. S., 1884. STEDMAN, J. M., 1890- .

LINELL, MARTIN L., 1889- . STEWART, A. H., 1884-86.

J LUGGER, O., 1884-89. TOWNSEND, C. H. T., 1887- .

MALLY, F. W., 1890- . TYLER, E. R., 1891- .

MANN, B. P., 1884- . UH^ER, P. R., 1884.

MARLATT, C. L., 1889- .

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

ALWOOD, W. B., 1890- . HUBBARD, H. G., 1886- .

ASHMEAD, W. H., 1891- JOHNSON, L. C., 1884- .

ANGEU,, G. W. J., 1890- KOEBELE, A., 1884- .

BOI/TER, A., 1886- . LUGGER, O., 1890- .

BRUNER, L., 1888- . OSBORN, HERBERT, 1886- .

CASEY, T. L., 1884- . SHERMAN, J. D., JR., 1886- .

*Ew,ioT, S. L-, 1889. SMITH, J. B., 1889- .

FLETCHER, J., 1890- . WEBSTER, F. M., 1890- .

HAMILTON, J., 1890- . WENZEL, H. W., 1890- .

*Dead. f Resigned. | Transferred to Associate Membership List.

PROCEEDI N GS

JANUARY QTH, 1890.

Nine persons present. President Schwarz in the chair.

Mr. H. W. Wenzel, of Philadelphia, was elected a corres
ponding member.

The election of officers for 1:890 resulted as follows :

President, George Marx ; ist Vice-President, C. V. Riley ;
2d Vice-President, L. O. Howard ; Recording Secretary, C. L.
Marlatt ; Corresponding Secretary, C. H. Tyler Townsend ;
Treasurer, B. P. Mann ; Members of Executive Committee,
K. A. Schwarz, Otto Heideinann, Wm. H. Fox.

The retiring President delivered his Annual Address :

ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.

NORTH AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS ON ENTOMOLOGY.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

Since the year 1876 w r e have witnessed or taken part in the
celebration of several centennials the Centennial of the Decla
ration of Independence, the Yorktown Centennial, the Wash
ington Inauguration Centennial, and others all in commemo
ration of the political birth of the American nation. But I
have never read nor heard that, during this time, the American
entomologists have celebrated the centennials in their own
science. In the year 1880 we should have remembered that
two hundred years ago the first paper on insects was written
in America, viz : John Banister's "Some Observations concern
ing Insects, made in Virginia, A. D. 1680," which was pub
lished, with remarks, by Petiver, in 1701, the paper being
written before the modern conception of scientific research, and
therefore only of historical interest. On July 27, 1887, we

6 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

should have commemorated the one-hundredth anniversary of
the birthday of Thomas Say, who was the first to make a deter
mined effort to create an American literature on American insects.
It is just a hundred years ago that the first scientific collections
of insects were made by Peck and the older Melsheimer, many
of the insects from the latter collections being still preserved.
Above all our American scientific literature on insects is now
about one hundred years old. To whom the honor belongs
of being our first entomologist depends largely upon individual
opinion. William Dandridge Peck, who commenced to write in
1795, was, no doubt, our first scientific entomologist; but the
various articles on insects by the few earlier authors, and
notably by Barton, the Bartrams, and others, are by no means
inferior in scientific character but their authors cannot be
called entomologists. This centennial of our literature should
not be celebrated by a centennial speech simply praising the
great progress made within a hundred years, but by giving a
full history of American Entomological Science. And such
history is a desideratum ; " for the knowledge of the evolution
of a science is to the student of the same importance as to the
architect a thorough knowledge of the foundation upon which
he intends to erect his building." To be sure we have a
history, viz : the ' ' Contributions toward a History of Ento
mology in the United States, ' ' by our fellow member and senior
of American entomologists, Dr. J. G. Morris, read before the
National Institution in 1844 ;* but, although containing many
interesting facts, this history was written at a time when the
study of entomology was at very low tide in this country and
when many data regarding literature and entomologists were
still unknown.

American Entomology offers a most inviting field to anyone
who is willing to write its full history. It should explain the
reasons why in the earliest time entomological science was cul
tivated here so much later than Botany, Ornithology, Ichthy
ology and other branches of natural history ; it should point
out how this neglect resulted in a long period when American

* Published in Silliman's Jour. Am. Arts and Sc. , 1846, pp. 17-27.

OF WASHINGTON. 7

Entomology was in utter dependence upon European writers ;
it ought to extol the struggles timid at first but gradually
becoming bolder and more and more successful of a whole
generation of American writers to throw off this slavery, until
we come to a time when American insects can be studied from
American literature, and where at least one branch of Ameri
can entomology has attained a state of perfection which is not
paralleled in any other country.

I am by no means competent to undertake such work, nor
could it be presented in a short address, except in the most
general outlines ; and I have contented myself with an exceed
ingly modest and insignificant part of such history, viz : to
enumerate the various ways in which the American contribu
tions of one hundred years to entomological science have been
presented to the public.

The oldest, and, taken as a whole, most satisfactory way of
presenting to the public the results of scientific research is in
the form of separate books published and sold through the
regular book trade. Since this mode of publication is a com
mercial enterprise on the part of the publisher, or has to be
done at the expense of the author, it is not surprising that
with the few entomologists in the earlier part of this century
the number of separate books is exceedingly small. The very
first book exclusively devoted to North American insects is
that which goes by the name of Smith & Abbot on the lyepi-
doptera of Georgia, printed in 1798, but this was published
in England. The first book on insects ever published in
America is the Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Pennsylvania,
by the older Melsheimer, in 1806, if this little pamphlet may
properly be called a book. From that year we have to go
down to 1824 to find the next work, viz : Thomas Say's well-
known "American Entomology," of which three volumes
were published between 1824 and 1828.* This is, in reality,
the first great work produced in America by an American en
tomologist. From this work to the next there is another in
terval of more than ten years, for I fail to find a separate book

* A few copies of a portion of the first volume were printed in 1817.

8 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

on insects before the year 1839, when Dr. Nathaniel Potter
published, in Baltimore, a small book on the Periodical
Cicada.* The publication of the great work on North Amer
ican L,epidoptera, by the older Leconte, in conjunction with
Boisduval, was commenced some years previously, but it was
printed in France. But even counting in this and Abbot's
work, we find that up to 1840 only seven books treating
on North American insects were published, and this small
number strikingly contrasts with the splendid series of most
important works produced during the same period by the en
tomologists of Europe. A mere enumeration of these would
take a long time, but I think that this unprecedented activity
in producing separate works has not been maintained in Eu-
rope in the latter half of the century, and is now largely
superseded by society publications. Regarding the oldest
North American books very little seems to be known ; I fail
to find in the whole literature any early notice of Melsheimer's
Catalogue : it seems to have been little distributed here, as
well as in Kurope, and is now extremely rare. Say's Amer
ican Entomology attracted considerable attention in Europe,
and there are several notices thereof in European, but none so
far as I can see in the contemporaneous American literature.
We ought to suppose that the appearance of this work was
hailed with joy by our few entomologists of those early
days, but all I can find is a short passage in one of Dr. Har
ris' letters, in which he briefly announced to his friend, Prof.
Hentz, the publication of the third volume of the American
Entomology, in the same dry way as we would mention to
each other the appearance of a number of the Canadian Ento
mologist or any other regular periodical. Mr. Ord, in his
" Memoir of Thomas Say," written in 1834, calls this work
11 the most beautiful publication of this kind which has ever
been issued from the American press," and informs us that
the expenses were furnished by the enthusiastic publisher,

*Mr. T. R. Peale's contemplated "Lepidoptera Americana" has re
mained a fragment, and only a few pages and plates thereof were dis
tributed in 1833, but apparently never placed on the regular market.

OF WASHINGTON. 9

Mr. S. A. Mitchell. Dr. Morris, in 1844, calls it the most
costly but not the most valuable work of Say.

The publication of North American entomological books pro
ceeded at the very slow rate of one in every decade of years
until a quite recent period, when they have become much more
numerous as a sign of the great interest taken in entomological
studies, but it is no exaggeration to say that a single person
could easily carry all books on insects that have hitherto been
published in this country in the way I speak about. However,
after the year 1840, and more especially since 1852, the number
of books on insects has been largely increased by the assistance
from three sources, viz : the governments of several States, the
general Government of the United States, and the Smithsonian
Institution.

Some of the States have been very liberal in promoting and
assisting economic entomology, but they have not done much
in assisting the publication of separate works on entomology.
In fact I can name only two such works : the first is Dr. Harris'
classical " Report on the Insects of Massachusetts Injurious to
Vegetation, published agreeably to an order of the Legislature,
by the Commissioners on the Zoological Survey of the State."
American entomology can justly be proud of this work, which,
although possessing a distinct practical bearing, is, in the opin
ion of all, of still greater value as an introductory work in the
study of American insects. Kven now, after the lapse of nearly
fifty years, this work, unchanged regarding the text, but ren
dered more attractive in its third edition by some plates and
numerous figures, has not become antiquated, and is still by far
the best work to be placed in the hands of the beginner.
Harris himself seems to have felt that his work was of greater
and more general value than indicated by the original title,
and in that part of the first edition which was printed ' ' at the
charge of the author, ' ' he changed the title to " A Treatise on
some of the Insects Injurious to Vegetation," etc.

Just the opposite must unfortunately be said of the second
work printed at the expense of a State, viz : Mr. Emmons'
Natural History of New York (1854), m which the insects
occupy an entire quarto volume illustrated with fifty plates.

10 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

There are several instances on record where useless books
have been printed at the public expense, but there has never
been a more striking illustration of waste of money. The
work is utterly worthless from whatever side it may be consid
ered; it " remains a permanent example of misplaced confidence
and liberality : an equal disgrace to the legislation, the science
and the art of the great State in which it was published."

Like most other civilized governments, that of the United
States has largely promoted and subsidized in various ways
scientific research, and assisted in or undertaken the publica
tion of scientific books. Up to the middle of the present cen
tury its efforts in this respect cannot be said to be very pre
eminent, but this has greatly changed since, and the number
of splendid and valuable volumes issued by the government in
all branches of natural history, as well as the liberality with
which these volumes are made accessible to the public, consti
tute a peculiar American feature, and have never been equalled
in any other country. Entomology has largely profited by
these government publications, but most of the numerous
papers published in the various surveys must be considered
under the head of serials, and the Annual Reports of the U.
S. Entomologists come unfortunately also in the same cate
gory. But we have Packard's Monograph of Geometridse and
Thomas' Acrididse, which both may be considered as separate
volumes ; further the four reports hitherto issued by the U. S.
Entomological Commission are to be included here, and also
the special publications on insects issued by the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture. The Bulletins of the U. S. National
Museum are comparable to the British Museum lists, and must
be included under the head of separate volumes ; the Bulletins
of the U. S. Entomological Commission and those of the
Entomological Division of the Department of Agriculture are
difficult to classify bibliographically ; they occupy an inter
mediate position between separate works and serials.

The Smithsonian Institution is something entirely unique.
There is nothing comparable thereto in Europe or anywhere
else, and its eminent services to natural sciences, and more
especially to zoology, have always called forth the universal

OF WASHINGTON. 11

admiration of the scientific world. To its liberal policy Amer
ican entomology is deeply indebted, for we owe to it a splendid
series of the most valuable and indispensable works on classi
fication of North American Insects, which -are too well known
to be enumerated here. It suffices to say that while a few of
these catalogues and synopses could possibly have been pub
lished by societies or through other channels, most of these
Smithsonian works could not have been presented in any other
way. The Monographs of North American Diptera, by Dr.
H. Low, for instance, would probably not have found a pub
lisher in this country, and certainly not in Kurope, because
they were written by the greatest authority on Diptera. This
would seem to be a strange and paradoxical objection, but I
shall explain it presently.

Another and not inconsiderable series of separate volumes
on North American entomology we owe to what are known
as "authors' extras," which I consider amongst the greatest
inventions, so to speak, of modern science. The study of en
tomology and that of any other science would, in fact, be
completely blocked without "authors' extras," and rendered
possible, and this under great difficulties and inconvenience,
only to the few living in cities with very large libraries. I am
too ignorant in bibliographical matters to know when and
where this praiseworthy custom originated, but at any rate we
are enabled thereby to add to the list of separate works, or at
least to consider as such, all the Reports of the State and
United States Entomologists : and what a blessing it is to
handle and quote them as such, instead of as parts of awkwardly
large and long-titled Transactions, most of us will know. It
is certainly to be regretted that that splendid series of Reports
which constitutes a unique feature in the American entomolog
ical literature and which embodies a branch of our science in
which America has become a model for other countries, could
not be published originally as separate volumes ; for the Agri
cultural Transactions of which they form a part have not
always attained a very high scientific standard, and are, most
of them, by no means attractive samples of typographical art.
The paper is miserable, the printing poor, and of the beauty

12 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

and scientific accuracy of the illustrations in trie Missouri Re
ports no one can form a conception who knows them only
in their original edition.*

I have now enumerated the sources through which separate
works on North American entomology have been published.
The works themselves do not present any distinguishing fea
tures : Harris' Treatise went through three editions, a fact
which is not often repeated in entomological literature ; and the
number of editions of Dr. Packard's well known Guide, has,
so far as I am aware, never been equalled by any other ento
mological work here or in Europe. I do not believe that, with
the possible exception of Peale's work on L/epidoptera, there
ever was a book written by an American entomologist which
had to be left unpublished for want of a channel for publication.
Some instances of this sort are known in the European litera
ture, e. g., a great and elaborate work by the great explorer of
Russia, Pallas, on the Insect Fauna of Russia, has not been
published for want of a publisher. The famous Dipterist, Dr.
Hermann Low, had the misfortune to be a most prolific
writer on an order of insects which by no means belongs
to the favorite ones.f For a long series of years he flooded
and overstocked all German entomological as well as other
scientific periodicals with his contributions to descriptive
Dipterology, besides publishing as man}^ separate volumes
as he could find publishers for. His Monograph of the Euro
pean Asilid<z, which nearly fills three entire volumes of the
I/innaea Entomologica, caused the financial bankruptcy of the
Stettin Entomological Society, for there was no sale for these
volumes. His MS. of the fourth volume of the European
Diptera, in continuation of Meigen's work ; his second
volume of the African Diptera ; his great work on Diptera in
Amber all works representing years of assiduous and consci-

* By an accident one of the Reports of the State Entomologists,
viz : the Second Illinois Report, has been published as a separate
volume.

t Dr. C. A. Dohrn says that Low was the owner of a steam factory of
fly-paper ; no one could deny the excellent quality of this fly-paper, but
unfortunately there was never a market for it.

OF WASHINGTON. 13

entious labor have never been published, because no pub
lisher could be found for them.

By far the largest portion of contributions to natural history,
including entomology, has not been published in the form of
separate books, but in the Transactions or Proceedings of
societies, or in whatever form the periodical literature has
assumed. This class of literature originated at a very early
period, and nourished in America long before there were any
entomologists here. The enormous and still increasing extent
of periodical literature is one of the most characteristic features
of modern science : in the Zoological Record for 1887 I
counted the number of Journals and Transactions of learned
societies which for that year contain zoological papers, and
found the number to be. not less than seven hundred and fifty;
and if we deduct therefrom those which restrict themselves to
limited branches, as the ichthyological, ornithological and
similar journals, and which are, therefore, not likely to contain
entomological papers, there remain about six hundred and
fifty scientific periodicals appearing in one year, and which
contain or may contain contributions to entomological science.
Where would be our science without authors' extras ? Of this
number there are credited to North America eighty-five, but
this does not include a single one of the Transactions and
Proceedings of our numerous Agricultural and Horticultural
Societies, which no doubt are legitimate channels for the pub
lication of a certain class of entomological contributions.
Moreover the editors of the Record, for 1887, have overlooked
quite a number of American scientific periodicals, and if we
add the number of those periodicals which have started since
1887, and those which have flourished at the beginning of this
century, or later, and have now become extinct, the number of
American serials is swelled to about one hundred and fifty.
When, a hundred years ago, entomological science began to be
cultivated here, the earlier authors found of course only a limited
number of such periodicals at their disposal, but few as they
were, they fully sufficed to accommodate all entomological arti
cles. The trouble is that these early periodicals were issued
in excessively small editions, and since there w r ere no authors'

14 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

extras known at that time the writings of the earlier entomolo
gists became practically inaccessible a few years after they
were published. This had, of course, a great, depressing in
fluence upon the development of entomological science in
America. The writers, up to the middle of the present century,
are full of complaint at the difficulty and impossibility of be
coming acquainted with the literature, and this inaccessibility
of the early literature is certainly characteristic of American
entomology. The few persons that persevered in the study of
entomology had to take recourse to a most desperate means to
remedy this evil, viz : to copy the writings of Say, Harris,
and even later authors when they had occasion to visit large
libraries. The many manuscript volumes filled with such
copies, and made by the younger Melsheimer and by Dr. Fitch,
are mementoes of the difficulties under which the study of en
tomology labored at their time ; and even now, I think, many
of us, especially those who have dwelled in the West, have
done, more or less, a little copying of older papers so as to be
able to refer to them. An interesting illustration of this diffi-
culty s may be found in Dr. Morris' " Contributions to the His
tory of Entomology in the United States (1844)," where, in
order to be able to give a list of Say's writings, he was obliged
to copy a list published in Kngland by Doubleday in 1839.
Of Harris' papers Morris was able to enumerate only eighteen
numbers (up to 1844, when Harris was still living and working),
while Scudder, in 1869, could enumerate fifty-one numbers up to
1844. Hagen's Bibliotheca, published in 1862, gives ninety-one
numbers as the total of Harris' writings, while Scudder, seven
years later, was able to give one hundred and five, one of these
papers still being lost, and only known from the title. In our
times some of these old authors are not more readily accessible,
but their writings are no longer of such importance to us as they
were to the entomologists of forty or fifty years ago. Moreover,
we have now reprints of some of the most inaccessible papers,
and more especially of those of Say. Very few persons who
us.e the L,eConte edition of Say are aware that they handle a
unicum in entomological literature, for although single works
or articles by various authors have been reproduced on many

OF WASHINGTON. 15

occasions, there is no similar collection and reproduction of the
writings of a single entomologist to be found anywhere in the
literature.

So far as I am aware this difficulty has not been experienced
by the European entomologist, at least not to that degree, and
it is surprising to see from booksellers' catalogues how much
of the old periodic literature of Europe is still to be had at very
moderate price, whereas most of our older serials are now
utterly out of print, or can only be obtained at exorbitant cost.
To increase the difficulty of studying entomology, some of the
older authors had the regrettable custom of publishing strictly
scientific papers in utterly out-of-the-way places, which were
inaccessible even to their contemporaries. What induced Say
to print, between the years 1830 to 1832, four important de
scriptive papers in the "New Harmony Disseminator," the
most obscure village paper that could be found in this country,
even in those early times, has not yet been explained ; but to
any one who understands how to read between the lines of
Ord's biography of Say it becomes apparent that just about
that time there was a great coolness between Say and his former
friends in the East, and that Say, in his isolated position in the
West, had probably no other place for publication. Among
these papers is that on the North American Heteroptera,
of which, according to Scudder, only one copy is known to
exist in this country, viz : that which came into possession of
the Boston Society of Natural History from Harris' library.
It was finally republished by Fitch in 1857, and LeConte's sec
ond republication in 1859 is a reprint of Fitch. Dr. Harris did
the same thing, and what makes the case against him worse is
that he knew and acknowledged that he did something wrong.
He printed, in the years 1828 and 1829, a series of purely tech
nical descriptions, entitled " Contributions to Entomology," in
what Dr. LeConte, many years afterwards, called a "vile
sheet. ' ' This is the way in which Dr. Harris excuses himself
(see letter of Harris to Hentz, dated November 19, 1828): " I
am aware that the ' New England Farmer ' is not likely to
be much circulated among men of science, and therefore will
not be considered the best authority, but it is a convenient

16 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

vehicle at present, and such is the ambition of European ento
mologists to anticipate Americans, that I willing^ yield to the
solicitations of several friends in publishing what may possi
bly contain many new species; and in doing so I am not actu
ated so much by personal considerations as a desire to aid
several young entomologists in this vicinity, and by the wish
to promote American science in general: pro patria. The
' Farmer ' is taken at New Harmony, and will therefore
come under the eye of Prof. Say. It is my intention, after these
descriptions shall have undergone his rigid scrutiny, to repub-
lish them, either by themselves or in some respectable scien
tific journal." And the same Dr. Harris had, a short time
previously, informed the same Prof. Hentz (see letter of Har
ris to Hentz, January 19, 1827), that the Journal of the Acad
emy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, was sadly in need
of MS., adding: "If you could assist the publishers of the
journal in this emergency by accounts of any of your unde-
scribed objects of natural history, you will do them a thank
ful service, and they will furnish engravings for such drawings
as you may send." Harris never kept his promise to repub-
lish these papers in a more accessible form, and they remained
unknown until 1869, when they were reprinted by Scudder.
Fitch also hid some of his purely technical papers so that they
practically remained inaccessible; one of them, that on Winter
Insects, has lately been reprinted by Lintner, while another,
the ' ' Catalogue of Homopterous Insects, ' ' ought to be repub-
lished. Walsh again sinned in this respect, but he was con
siderate enough to republish himself the papers in question in
the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History.
This custom has, unfortunately, not ceased in our time, and in
spite of the fact that entomological and other natural history
journals go around begging for MS., as they did in olden
times, an occasional technical paper is printed in what is but
little better than a newspaper. I do not see that this custom
has ever prevailed to any extent among the European ento
mologists, although much annoyance and inconvenience in the
literature has been caused there by the practice of certain
authors of issuing papers on separately printed sheets, without

OF WASHINGTON. 17

date, and containing one, or, at most, a few pages. Kvery one
knows what mischief and confusion in the nomenclature and
classification of Lepidoptera have been brought about by
Jacob Hiibner's Tentamen and Verzeichniss, of which, up to
our days, and in spite of much discussion and investigation,
nobody knows when they were published, or whether they,
should be considered as publications, or whether the author
himself ever considered the former as such. In Switzerland
the custom prevailed for a series of years among the scientists
of presenting new year or birthday congratulations in the form
of a privately-printed, tract, and since these were issued only
in a single, or, at most, a few copies, no one knows whether
or not to consider them as publications. Also in the form of
university programs and dissertations, and in the programs of
gymnasiums and high schools, which never came into circula
tion, many entomological papers by the older authors have
been completely buried out of sight.

The most satisfactory and most accessible form of publication
of smaller articles is undoubtedly in journals exclusively de
voted to a particular branch of science. Such serials were
either issued by societies or single individuals or publishing
firms. This last-mentioned form antedates in entomological
science by far the society publications, and the honor of having
produced the first entomological journal of this kind belongs
to Switzerland, where, as early as 1778, an enthusiastic ento
mologist and bookseller, Mr. J. C. Fiiessly, started the "Maga
zine for Amateurs of Entomology, ' ' of which several volumes
were issued, and this was quickly followed by others, e. g, ,
Illiger's Magazine, Germar's Magazine, etc.. To-day quite a
number of such journals flourish in England, Germany, France
and Austria. I count as the total of such European journals no
less than twenty-eight, of which sixteen are extinct and twelve
still living. In North America this class of literature did not
make its appearance until quite recently, and the efforts made to
introduce it have hitherto been very short-lived, not on account
of the poor quality of these journals, but from lack of support on
the part of the entomologists. In fact, one of the most striking
characteristics of the North American entomologists is that

18 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

they do not subscribe to the entomological journals of their
own country. Thus the American Entomologist, edited by
Walsh and Riley, lived only for two volumes (1868-1870), but
revived afterwards (1880) for a third volume ; the second
periodical of this kind, the North American Entomologist,
edited by Grote, was starved to death in the first year of its
existence (1881). The Practical Entomologist, edited by
Walsh, was published by the Entomological Society of Phila
delphia, and occupies, therefore, an intermediate position be
tween the serials I am speaking about and the Society publi
cations. At any rate, it has been the first periodical exclusively
devoted to economic entomology, and is in every respect the
predecessor of the American Entomologist. As a continuation
of this last may be considered ' ' Insect Life, ' ' edited by Prof.
Riley, and which, since it is published by a government in
stitution, constitutes a unique feature in the entomological
literature. These three monthlies, the Practical Entomologist,
the American Entomologist, and Insect Life, devoted almost ex
clusively to the biography and economy of insects, form a
unique series to which there is nothing comparable in the
European literature ; and all I can name of similar works,
is a French monthly, the " Bulletin d'Insectologie agricole,"
and perhaps also the Hungarian " Rovartani Lapok."

Entomological societies were formed at a very early time,
and London, in England, can boast of having harbored the
first seven societies of this kind. The oldest of them, the
Societas Aureliana, is said to have flourished as early as 1745,
but nothing is known of it except that in 1748 a fire destroyed
its library and collection, and that this conflagration was also
the end of the Society. Of the three following societies we
also know nothing except their names, but the Societas Ento-
mologica, in London, founded in 1806, was the first to issue a
periodical under the title ' ' Transactions of the Entomological
Society of London," edited by Haworth, one volume thereof
being completed between 1807 and 1812. But in 1813 the
Society disbanded, for reasons unknown to me. After a long
interval the Entomological Club of London started, in 1831,
"The Entomological Magazine." After that date entomolog-

OF WASHINGTON. 19

ical societies were rapidly formed in almost every country in
Kurope, and there are now no less than seventeen societies,
distributed as follows : Germany, six ; England, four ; Switzer
land, two ; Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Russia and Italy, one
each. I count only those which have published anything,
but there are no doubt many more in existence. One of the
German societies represents the very rare phenomenon of a
bifurcation, having split in two different societies. In 1856 an
Entomological Society was founded in Australia, and is pub
lishing the Transactions of the Entomological Society of New
South Wales.

In North America entomological society life did not begin
to develop until 1842, when the Entomological Society of
Pennsylvania was founded. It never published anything ; it
never had any regular meetings nor a constitution : neverthe
less it accomplished a great deal of good by planning the prep
aration of several papers by its members, and more especially
by attracting the attention of European entomologists. We
owe to this society thq first and still the only reference Cata
logue of North American Coleoptera, which was published by
the Smithsonian after many years of delay. Society life in
earnest began in 1860, when the Entomological Society of
Philadelphia was founded, which, in 1861, began to publish its
Proceedings (six volumes), and since 1868, having changed its
name to the American Entomological Society, its Transactions.
It has also published the Practical Entomologist (two volumes),
the Synopsis of North American Hymenoptera, and a Check List
of North American Coleoptera. Other societies were rapidly
organized afterwards : the Entomological Society of Ontario, .
which has published, since 1868, an Annual Report and the
Canadian Entomologist ; the Cambridge Entomological Club,
founded in 1874, which is publishing Psyche, and has also
issued bibliographies of some of our prominent entomologists ;
the Brooklyn Entomological Society, organized in 1872, pub
lished, between 1878 and 1884, seven volumes of its Bulletin,
and, since 1885, after its union with the New York Entomo
logical Society, the Entomologica Americana ; it also pub
lished two Check Lists of North American Insects (one of the

20 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Lepidoptera, the other of the Heteroptera) ; the New York En
tomological Society, which published, between 1881 and 1884,
four volumes of Papilio, but finally merged into the Brooklyn
Society. It is, however, unique from being the first to publish
a journal devoted exclusively to a single order of insects, a
somewhat premature venture, but which will no doubt be fol
lowed by other societies in a future not so very far remote.
Finally the Entomological Society of Washington, organized
in 1884, is vigorously publishing, since several years, the first
volume of its Proceedings. Besides the above-mentioned pub
lishing societies, there is flourishing the Entomological Club
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
which is admirably adapted for promoting personal intercourse
among our entomologists and mutual exchange of expe
rience ; there is, further, an Entomological Society in New
ark, N. J. ; and lastly, there is the Association of Official
Entomologists, which is still in the embryo stage. If we leave
out of consideration all those societies which have not con
tributed to literature, we find that we have, or have had, in
North America, six entomological societies with publications,
in comparison with nineteen in Europe. This gives us an ex
cellent showing, considering' that North America has about
seventy millions of inhabitants to more than four times that
number in Europe, not to speak of the cheaper printing, the
much greater number of subscribers, and other advantages en
joyed by the European entomologists. As to variety of sub
jects treated and the quality of articles, our entomological
serials are certainly not inferior to the European serials ; and so
much can be said in praise of our periodicals that, as a rule,
they have been kept free from those quarrels of a personal
nature which fill page after page in certain European journals ;
nor have they ever assumed that excessively local character
which prevails in some other European serials.

I have hitherto not spoken of the entomological publications
of the Agricultural Experiment Stations, because they form
such a striking and exceptional feature in American ento
mology. I consider the reorganization of these stations, as
effected in 1888, by what is known as the Hatch bill, as one

OF WASHINGTON. 21

of the most important events in the history of American
entomology. With the perfection of this organization we will
ultimately not only have as many official entomologists as we
have States, but with them just as many centers for instruc
tion and diffusion of entomological knowledge, so that the
beneficial influence of these stations on the future study of
entomology cannot be estimated high enough. And even if,
for the present, an exclusively popular and practical treatment
of entomological subjects is required from these stations, a
great deal of purely scientific matter naturally must be, and,
in fact, has already been accumulated in the Bulletins of the
stations.

We all remember that at the very start one or two of these
bulletins were not of a promising nature, but we have now a
large number which are excellent in their popular and practi
cal bearings, and at the same time valuable contributions to
purely scientific entomology. And this high standard will be
maintained and still increased in future by the combined force
of ambition and competition.

Considered as publications these bulletins are difficult to
classify ; they are neither separate books nor can most of them
properly be placed in the periodicals. But this is a matter of
very subordinate importance, and since these publications are
of very recent date their proper status will sooner or later be
regulated. Intrinsically, they are no doubt fully comparable
with, and fully equal to, the Reports of the State Entomolo
gists, and I was amazed, therefore, at a resolution recently
passed at a representative assembly of the official entomologists
to the purport that descriptions of new species should be ex
cluded from the bulletins, whereas there has never been any
doubt expressed regarding the propriety of such descriptions
whenever they became necessary in the reports of the State
officers. It seems to me that the entomologists have overlooked
the fact that, scientifically, there is not the slightest difference
in the value of a description of a new species and the descrip
tion of an hitherto unknown or but imperfectly known life
history of some insect. The one is a novelty for systematic,
the other a novelty for biographic entomology. Such bio-

22 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

graphic matter cannot possibly be excluded from the bulletins,
and I think a reconsideration of this resolution should take
place at the next opportunity.

In conclusion I would beg leave to devote a few words to a
certain class of entomological articles, which is also character
istic of our country, viz : that which appears in the columns of
our daily or weekly press and in allied journals. That there
is no better means for widely disseminating information than
through the press there can be no question, and a well-
written article on some insect, occupying say one-half or one
whole column of a newspaper, is infinitely more read and does
infinitely more good than an elaborate treatise on the same in
sect occupying hundred or more pages and published in the
bulky volumes of official reports. In fact, so evident is here
the importance and usefulness of the press that the official en
tomologists should make it their duty to use its columns as
often as possible, and I am glad to see that most of our ento
mologists consider the subject in this light. But it assumes a
different aspect from the fact that these newspaper articles are
included in the bibliographies of economic entomology, which
nowadays have become a conspicuous element in our literature,
and without which almost any article is considered incomplete.
With this practice economic entomology places itself in direct
contrast and conflict with the rules now universally adopted by
zoological bibliography. While it is, of course, not possible to
discriminate sharply between what is to be considered a sci
entific journal and a newspaper, and while it must largely be
left to common sense to draw this dividing line, science can
not possibly recognize as fit places for scientific publications
such papers as the " The Evening Star," " Daily News," etc.
Scientific zoology, including entomology, cannot possibly re
cede from its position without opening the door to all sorts of
annoyances and abuses; and if the economic entomologists per
sist in this practice, practical entomology will be in danger of
drawing apart from scientific entomology, and so a breach
be opened between the two branches of the science which
would rapidly widen until it be no longer possible to bridge it.
This would be a calamity, and would tend to lower economic

OF WASHINGTON. 23

entomology from the high standard of a science to the level of
journalism. It is to be hoped, therefore, that considerations
for the general welfare and standing of economic entomology
as a science will prevail and that a way will be found to avert
the impending danger.

FEBRUARY 6TH, 1890.

Eight persons present. President Marx in the chair.
Mr. Schwarz read the following paper :

A LIST OF THE BLIND OR NEARLY EYELESS COLEO-
PTERA HITHERTO FOUND IN NORTH AMERICA.

BY B. A. SCHWARZ.

In his exhaustive treatise on the Cave Fauna of North
America (Memoirs Nat. Ac. Sc., Vol. iv, No. i), Dr. A. V S.
Packard has given a list of the blind or nearly eyeless insects
from North America and other countries, but since this work
is not in the hands of many entomologists, I have thought it
worth while to present herewith another list, confining myself,
however, to the Coleoptera.

I. CAVERNICOLOUS SPECIES.
a Caves of the Green River Basin, in southern Kentucky.

Anophthalmus Tellkampfi Er. Quite common in most caves.
Anophthalmus interstitialis Hubb. Mammoth cave and Cave City cave.
Anophthalmus audax Horn. Hitherto found only in Ronald's cave

(Hubbard).

Anophthalmus Menetriesi Mots. Found abundantly in most caves.
Anophthalmus pubescens Horn. Cave City cave ; Walnut Hill Spring

cave ; Lyon cave ; Saltpeter cave ; Ronald's cave ; Downer's cave.
Adelops hirtus Tellk. Common in most caves. Eyes feebly developed.

b Caves of southern Indiana.

Anophthalmus tenuis Horn. Wyandotte cave ; Bradford cave.
Anophthalmus eremita Horn. Wyandotte cave.

24 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

c Caves of the Alleghany Mountain District.

Anophthalmus pusio Horn. Erhart's cave, Montgomery Co., Va. ; Luray
cave, Luray Co., Va. ; X cave, Carter Co., northeastern Kentucky.

d Alabaster cave. El Dorado Co., CaL

Anillus explanatus Horn. This species will no doubt be found also
under large stones or deep layers of old leaves outside of the cave.

II. NON-CAVKRNICOLOUS SPECIES.

Anillus debilis Lee. Found under stones at San Jose, Cal. (LeConte) ;
under old leaves at San Antonio, Texas (Schwarz). The only speci
men from the latter locality is in the LeConte collection at Cam
bridge.

Anillus fortis Horn. Mountains of eastern Tennessee ; Mountain Lake,
Montgomery Co., Va. (Ulke) ; Penuington Gap, Cumberland Moun
tains, Va., under old leaves (Hubbard) ; Washington, D. C., under
deeply interred stones (Ulke).

Anillus Dohrni Ehlers. Described from Florida without more precise
indication of locality. It has, to my knowledge, never been taken
by any American entomologist, and I cannot suppress some doubt
regarding the correctness of the locality.

Platvpsyllus castoris Ritz. The well-known parasite of the beaver.
Specimens are known from Alaska, Canada, Nebraska, southwestern
Texas and southern France.

Leptinus testaceus Mull. Parasitic on wood-mice and other small
rodents; known from Iowa, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia and
northern and central Europe.

Leptinillus validus Horn. Parasitic on the beaver. Originally described
from the Hudson Bay region, it has subsequently been found on
beaver skins from Alaska. The species has feebly developed eye-
spots.

Pinodytes cryptophagoides Maunh. Originally described from Sitka,
Alaska (found under a stone), it has subsequently been found in
large numbers in northern and southern California, in the mountains
of Virginia (Mountain .Lake, Ulke) and Maryland (Deer Park,
Schwarz), and at Washington, D. C. (Ulke, Schwarz). The speci
mens found by myself occurred under deep layers of decayed leaves.

Pinodytes n. sp. A large and as yet undescribed species found by Dr.
Hamilton, near Pittsburg, Pa.

Scydmtenida. An undescribed species of this family, and forming a new
genus, has been found by Mr. Ulke at Mountain Lake, Montgomery
Co., Va., in the ground under decaying leaves. The eyes are rudi
mentary.

OF WASHINGTON. 25

Cephcnnium anophthalmicum Brend. Found under vegetable debris in
Alameda Co., Cal.

Adranes coecus L/ec. Virginia, Pennsylvania and Western States.
vStrictly myrmecophilous. The specimens found by myself occurred
in a colony of Lasius alienus under the loose bark of an old pine
tree.

Adranes Lecontei Brend. Michigan, Illinois, Iowa. Strictly myrme
cophilous. Specimens were found by Mr. Hubbard in a rotten log
among Lasius umbratus*

Eutyphlus similis Lee. ( Nicotheus tibialis Casey). Mountains of Virginia
(Mountain Lake, Ulke ; Pennington Gap, Hubbard) and Maryland
(Deer Park, Schwarz) ; Washington, D. C. Occurs under deep
layers of old leaves. The eyes are more or less rudimentary, some
times almost entirely absent.

Ptinclla pini Lee.

Ptinclla quercus Lee. These two closely allied species live under moist
bark of old stumps, and are widely distributed in the Atlantic and
Western States, occurring from Canada and Michigan to Alabama
and Florida. There are blind and wingless specimens among them,
as well as winged ones provided with distinct eyes. These latter
specimens are, according to Mr. Matthews, the females, and the blind
specimens the males. Mr. Reitter asserts the contrary, while Mr. K.
Flach (Wien. Bnt. Zeit., viii,, 1889, p. 218) concludes that both forms
occur in both sexes, but so that a stationary, blind and wingless gen
eration alternates with a migrating generation which is winged and
provided with eyes. P. quercus usually occurs in large colonies, of
which, in my experience, the majority of the specimens are blind
and wingless, while in each colony always a few specimens with eyes
and wings can be found. This would seem to speak against Mr.
Flach 's theory.

Ptinellodes Lecontei Matth. Under bark of deciduous and coniferous
trees, as well as under old leaves in Georgia and Florida. It does not
seem to live in large colonies, but, as the preceding species, occurs in
two forms, one provided with distinct eyes, and the other entirely blind.

Limulodes paradoxus Matth. Of this only blind specimens are known.
A strictly myrmecophilous species (among Lasius aphidicola and no
doubt other species of Lasius}, and widely distributed in the Atlantic
and Western States.

Colydiidcz. A remarkable undescribed species with rudimentary eyes,
and constituting, no doubt, a new genus, f has been found in middle
California. I know nothing of its habits.

* A remarkable blind genus of Pselaphidez , allied to Batrisus, has re
cently been described by Dr. Brendel as Anops amblyoponica. It occurs
in Pennsylvania in the nests of a blind ant, Amblyopone pallipes.

t Since described by Capt. Casey as Megataphrus tenuicornis.

26 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Aglenus brunneus Gyllh. No doubt artificially introduced from Europe
with potted plants. Specimens have been found at St. Louis, Mo. ,
and San Francisco, Cal. (Casey). It lives under vegetable debris.

Alaudes singularis Horn. No doubt strictly myrmecophilous ; specimens
are known from California (Horn) and Oregon (Wickham).

Compared with the large number of blind or nearly eyeless
Coleoptera known from Europe, the North American fauna
appears to be an extremely poor one. The absence of blind
Staphylinidce and Curculwniake * is more especially noticeable.
Regarding the cavernicolous species, it may be said that a suf-
ficently large number of our caves have been explored by com
petent investigators to show that we cannot reasonably expect
any important additions to our fauna. A few new species of
Anophthalvms will probably still be discovered, but hardly any
new or striking genera such as Lcptoderus, Pholeuon, etc., of the
European fauna. As to the non-cavernicolous species, how
ever, the scarcity of species in our fauna is no doubt largely
due to the lack of proper and careful investigation. Many of
the most interesting blind species have been found in Europe
under large and deeply interred rocks a mode of collecting
which, to my knowledge, has never been attempted in North
America and I venture to predict that the southern parts of
the Alleghany Mountains, southern California and other por
tions of the Southwest will, in future, yield many interesting
additions to our list of blind Coleoptera.

Mr. Schwarz had introduced some general remarks on the
blind insects of other orders, in the discussion of which Mr.
Howard stated that two of the three genera of eyeless Chal-
cididae belong to the Fig insects, and that in ants, in many
genera, one or other form is blind, and in Eciton the workers
are blind.

In this connection, Mr. Schwarz called attention to the fact
that the soldiers in termites are always blind. He also
stated that there are but two blind Diptera known, aside
from the many blind fleas. In Hemiptera blind forms are
limited to full-grown female Coccids and to the male of
L eca n iu m h esperidu m .

* By an unfortunate clerical slip in a synoptic table, Prof. L/acordaire
(Gen. d. Col., vii, p. 328) places the genus Lymantes among those with
out eyes, but from L/acordaire's own description, as well as from those
given by Schonherr and Gyllenhal, it is evident that the genus is provided
with eyes.

OF WASHINGTON. 27

Mr. Howard held that the eye-spots of some of the Coccids
ought to be called true eyes, and in this was supported by
Prof. Riley, who stated that the young all have eyes.

Prof. Riley further stated that vision must be very feeble in
insects such as larvae having eye-spots only, and also called
attention to the somewhat remarkable fact of adult insects with
highly complex eyes coming from eyeless larvae, as is especially
the case in Diptera.

Prof. Riley presented the following :

NOTES ON* THE LARVA OF PLATYPSYLLUS.

BY C. V. RII.KY.

The discrepancy in size between the larva of Platypsyllus,
as hitherto described, and the mature insect, has led me to sus
pect that the last larval stage as well as the pupa remained to
be discovered.

A specimen recently obtained and described and figured by
me (Eritomologica Americana for February, 1890, pp. 27-30),
as the ' ' Ultimate Larva, " is in general appearance strikingly
Mallophagous, and a few points may be mentioned as not suf
ficiently emphasized in the published description. The ar
rangement of setous hairs on the venter recall that in the adult,
while the raised dorsal points, though unarmed, foreshadow
somewhat the setous points on the dorsal abdominal joints of
the adult. Remnants of the anal cerci of the earlier larval
stages are noticeable in the two slight swellings on penul
timate joint, each surrounded by a series of short spinous hairs.
The spiracles are small and lateral, but may be detected with
difficulty at the inner angle in the notch between the abdomi
nal joints. The prothoracic spiracle has not been detected.

I have, in the paper alludea to, raised a parenthetical ques
tion as to this being the final form of the Platypsyllus larva,
but the position and character of the mouth parts, and particu
larly the single -jointed tarsi exclude it from the Mallophaga,
while its general characteristics, though departing in so many
respects from the earlier larva, have caused me to refer it to
Platypsyllus a reference which its occurrence on a beaver, in
connection with other stages of Platypsyllus and with no other
similar insect, strengthens. The principal feature that would
shake one's faith in this reference is the presence of ocelli,
since none occur in the earlier larva nor in the imago, and

28 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

while such a feature is abnormal under the circumstances, it is
no more so than many of the other features of Platypsyllus.

In the discussion of this subject, Mr. Schwarz held that, if
not the ultimate larva of Platypsyllus, it is certainly Coleopter
ous, and cannot be referred to the Mallophaga, In the Coleop-
tera, the Staphylinid genus Amblyopinus is known to be par
asitic on terrestrial rodents, two species having been found
in the fur of mice and rats, one in South America and the other
in Tasmania. We might reasonably expect to find this genus
in North America under similar circumstances, but a glance
at Prof. Riley's larva shows that it cannot possibly belong to
the Amblyopinus nor to any other genus of Staphylinidae.

Dr. Marx read the following paper :

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF NORTH
AMERICAN SPIDERS.

BY DR. GEO. MARX.

In a large collection of natural history objects from all parts
of this country the student will find some specimens, which,,
by their peculiar and strange morphological features, he cannot
place in any of the established families. They lie, conse
quently, buried in the collection, and are thus lost to science.

I possess in my collection of North American Arachnida a
number of such new forms, which I have hitherto been unable
to place in any established family. The principal cause of this
difficulty is that the American Arachnologist has still to fol
low the classification of the European Arachnida, and that no
attempt has so far been made to work out, independently, a sys
tematic arrangement, based upon the spider fauna of America.
Mr. B. Simon has lately published a list of families of extra-
European Aranese in a systematic order,* and he has promised

f * Simon, in his " Remarques stir la Classification des Araignees "
(Etudes Arachnologiqu.es, 22e memoire, Annales Soc. Bnt., France,
1890, p. 79), presents a "succinct tableau " of the families of Aranece,
including those which he had to establish for extra-European Spiders.
He withdraws two of his former suborders, the GnaphosfC and Ocu later
(L,es Arachnides de France, Vol. I, p. 14), leaving only the Theraphosce
and the Aranece verce. These latter denominations Simon prefers in
place of Tetrapneumdnes and Dipnemuones, as these names indicate
some characters which are subjected to some exceptions, e. g., Hypochi-
lidce, which he places amongst the Aranefe vera. The author divides
the hitherto described spiders into thirty-nine families, of which eighteen
are established upon exotic genera.

Proc. Entom. Soc., Washington, Vol. II.

PLA TE I.

Fig.3.

***' Jiff*.

NEW SPIDERS FROM NORTH AMERICA.

Tig.5.

OF WASHINGTON. 29

to present in the near future a complete classification -of the
exotic Araneae, which, no doubt, will be of the greatest useful
ness for the study of the North American fauna.

In order that some of the new forms in our fauna, which
have accumulated in my collection, can be referred to by
the student of general classification of spiders, I present here
with the descriptions and illustrations of three new genera,
whose affinity and relationship have remained obscure to me,
and also avail -myself of this opportunity to add descriptions
of some other new genera, which I have had no difficulty in
placing systematically, but which I deemed interesting enough
to be put on record.

Homalonyclms, nov. genus.

Cephalothorax nearly as broad as long, flat ; pars cephal. not
higher than thorax, narrow and pointed anteriorly ; clypeus less than
one-half as broad as the width of pars thorac., high and perpendicu
lar ; pars thorac. nearly circular, with a long and distinct median
fissure.

Eyes eight in two rows. Anterior row straight, short, M. E. nearly twice
as large as the I,. E. of this row, as large as those of the posterior row, and
about their diameter apart from each other, while the I,. E. are closer to
them. Space between anterior row and margin of clypeus about five
times as large as the diameter of the A. M. E. Posterior row very much
recurved, eyes of equal size, space between p. M. E. larger than that be
tween them and the P. I,. E.

Mandibles cylindrical, attenuated at tip, of medium size and slightly
pointed backward, more slender than femur I, parallel and contiguous
throughout ; claw small and weak.

Maxillcs longer than broad, strongly inclined over labium, outer
side straight, inner side emarginate to fit around the tip, in front
squarely truncate, nearly meeting in front of labium.

Labium two-thirds the length of the maxillae, longer than broad, sub-
ovate, rounded at tip.

Sternum arched, circular, with impressions opposite the coxae, and
drawn out between coxae IV.

Palpal claw toothless, long and curved.

Legs stout, rather long ; the fourth pair the longest, the first nearly
as long : 4. i. 2. 3 ; femora somewhat inflated at bise. Tarsi with two
long, slender, smooth daws without teeth ; hypopodium of dense, fine,
short, not clavate hairs. Metatarsi and tarsi of all legs with scopula, the
terminal spines of the scopula long and projecting over the hypo-
podium.

Abdomen rhomboid, truncate at base, flat at dorsum, terminating in
the spinnerets.

30 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Honigjonychus selenopoides, nov. species. Plate I, fig. i.

Cephalothorax long, 4 mm. ; broad in front of clypeus, 1.3 mm. ; broad
at middle, 3.6mm. Abdomen long, 4mm. ; broad at base, 2 mm. ; broad
at the widest part, 3.5 mm.; total length, 8mm.

L,eg i Femur 4.5 Patella 1.6 Tibia 4.4 Metatarsus 3.2 Tarsus 2.2 Total 15.9 mm.

" ii " 4.2 " 1.6 "4 "3 "2 " 14.8 mm.

" Hi " 3.5 " 1.2 " 3 " 2.4 " 1.8 " ii. 9 mm.

" iv " 5.0 " 1.7 " 4.6 4 " 2.3 " 17.6 mm.

Cephalothorax brown, with three black small spots on each side near the
lateral border ; pars cephal. a little lighter in color, trophi and sternum
yellowish brown. Mandibles covered with dense dark -brown and short
hairs. Abdomen light grayish olive-brown, with a row of six black spots
on each side and three black, transverse, short lines on the posterior area.
The whole abdomen and the legs densely covered with very short stiff
bristles. Legs more yellowish, with indistinct indications of darker
rings at base, tip and middle region of the femora and a few similar
rings on the other joints; all joints, especially the tibiae, metatarsi
and tarsi, provided at the under side with long spines standing upon
black basal points; the short stiff bristles on all metatarsi and tarsi, and
on the tibise of two anterior pairs arranged in distinctly separated longi
tudinal lines. These are at the under side denser and longer,, forming
thus a scopula. A hypopodium, or cushion of soft, dense hair between
and below the tarsal claws, triangular and very prominent. There is
also a peculiarly formed auxiliary claw below the hypopodium and pro
jecting over it ; it is bent upward, and its under side is provided with a
dense row of teeth or stout hairs. See figure i f.

This spider shows affinities with the family Sparassidce by
the arrangement of the eyes (Parhedrus, Simon) and by the flat
body and toothless claws (Selenops). But in other structural
features it deviates from the characters of this family, e. g. , in
the relative length of the legs, and in the fact that here the
maxillae are strongly inclined over the labium.

Habronestes L> Koch.*

Cephalothorax long, high, with nearly parallel sides ; pars cephal. two-
thirds of the length of Cephalothorax, anteriorly broad, nearly as broad as
thorax ; clypeus high and rounded, median fissure very small.

* Since the presentation of this paper to the Society I have discovered
that this spider, to which I had given a new generic name, belongs
without doubt to the genus Habronestes L> K., family Enyoidcc. This
genus is very closely allied to Storena Walck, and has hitherto only been
collected in Australia (thirteen species). My specimen, which consti
tutes a new species, was collected in 1882, at Cohuta Springs, Murray Co.,
Ga., by my late friend, Iv. D. Ferguson, of Philadelphia ; he found it in

OF WASHINGTON. 31

Eyes 8 in two rows, which are so strongly procurved that they
appear to form three rows. The first row consists of two eyes, which
are twice their diameter distant from each other and about three times
their diameter from the margin of the clypeus. The second row, con
sisting of four eyes, is straight and a little broader than the first ; the two
contiguous M. E., which are slightly larger than all other eyes, stand in
front of the free space between the two eyes of the front row ; the lateral
eyes stand about the length of their diameter from the M. E. and close
to the eyes of the first row. The two eyes forming the third row stand
closer together than their diameter and a little farther from the M. E. of
the second row, with which they form a quadrangle a little longer than
broad.

Mandibles cylindrical, as stout as femur I, of moderate length, vertical
and parallel. Claw small and weak.

Maxillcc longer than broad, slightly broader at base, inclined over
labium ; truncate at tip ; outer side straight, inner side emarginate.

Labinm two-thirds the length of maxillae, longer than broad, with
rounded sides. *

Sternum long, narrow, oval and arched, without impressions.

Legs 4. i. 2. 3, short and stout. Three tarsal claws, the superior with
6-8 teeth, inferior prominent.

Abdomen short, oval. Inferior spinnerets the longest, two-jointed,
contiguous; superior pair shorter and farther apart.

Habronestes americanus, nov. species. Plate I, fig. 2.

9 Length of cephalothrorax 4.2 mm., width at clypeus 2.2 mm.,
width in the middle 2.5 mm. Length of abdomen 3.8mm. ; total length
8 mm.

Leg i Femur 2.5 Patella 1.4 Tibia 2.2 Metatarsus 1.7 Tarsus i Total 8.8

" ii "2 " i " 1.6 " 1.6 " i " 7.2

" iii " 2 " 0.8 " 1.2 "2 " i "7

" iv " 2.8 " 1.3 " 1.8 " 2.5 " 1.5 " 9-9

Cephalothorax reddish testaceous, glossy ; mandibles dark brown,
densely covered with short bristle-like hairs ; maxillae pale yellow,
lighter at tips ; labium and sternum reddish ; legs reddish yellow ; abdo
men sparsely covered with soft black hairs, greenish yellow, with a broad
black spot occupying the base and dividing posteriorly into three branches,
the middle one extending back about two-thirds of the length of abdo-

a dark corner of an old abandoned stable. It is certainly a remarkable
and noteworthy fact that an Australian genus is represented in the
Apalachian mountains of the Southern States in the same region where
Hypochilus Thorellii occurs, while the other known species of Hypo-
chilus (ft. Davidii Simon) lives in China. I have not suppressed my
description of the genus, as the original description of Koch is not
readily accessible, having been published in the "Arachniden Aus-
traliens," Vol. I, p. 299.

32 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

men, having three equally distanced serrations at the outside border ; at
the second tooth-like lateral projection the band divides longitudinally and
is continued to the apex as three pairs of small round spots. The two
lateral branches run close to the sides only a short distance backward and
are then broken up each in a row of three larger spots. The under side
of the abdomen is pale gray, with two small black spots at the base of the
inferior spinnerets.

Legs sparsely covered with a long and soft pubescence, which is par
ticularly long at the underside of metatarsi and tarsi but not dense enough
to form a scopula ; the two anterior pairs of legs without spines, except
ing a spinous bristle on femur I at the inner side near apex ; femur III
and IV with a few scattered bristles. Patella, tibia and metatarsus of
these legs covered with short spines all around. Tarsi III and IV with
out spines. Tarsal claws with from six to eight small teeth. Byes
grouped close together, occupying less than the whole middle third of
anterior cephalic region. Coxae IV as long as the width of sternum,
coxae I longer.

nov. genus.

Cephalothorax long, rather narrow, anteriorly two-thirds of the width
of thorax ; cephalic part high, very distinct and rounded. Clypeus trun
cate, median fissure very short.

Eyes 8 in two rows, anterior row a little shorter than the posterior ;
both rows slightly procurved when seen from above ; when viewed from
the front the posterior row is very much procurved. The A. M. E. the
largest, subcontiguous ; distance between them and the A. i,. K. equals
the diameter of the latter. Eyes of posterior row subequal, the median
closer together than they are from the lateral.

Mandibles perpendicular, moderately long, as thick as femur I. Claw
small.

Maxilla triangular, longer than their basal width, strongly inclining
over the labium.

Labium subtriangular, higher than its basal width, rounded at tip.

Sternum broadly oval, nearly as broad as long.

Palpi of female with a four-toothed claw and a horny groove at the
tip of the tarsal joint, beneath the claw.

Abdomen small, oblong oval, smooth and narrow. Only two long and
cylindrical spinnerets (the superior), the others aborted and only indi
cated by tufts of long hairs.

Legs 4. 3. i. 2, short, slender, with three tarsal claws. Anterior leg
not thicker than the others.

Indian name for spider.

OF WASHINGTON. 33

maculata, nov. species. Plate I, fig. 3.
Female. Length of cephalothorax 2.5 mm. Width at clypeus i mm.
Width of thoracic part 1.4. Length of abdomen 2.8 mm. Total length

5.3 mm.

L,eg i Femur 1.5 Patella and Tibia 1.6 Metatarsus 0.8 Tarsus 0.8 Total 4. 7 mm.

" ii " 1.4 " i.i " 0.4 " 0.5 " 34mm.

" iii " 1.6 " 1.4 " i '' i "5 mm.

" iv " 1.8 " 1.8 " 1.4 " 1.2 " 6.2ttim.

Cephalothorax, trophi, palpi, sternum and legs pale yellow testaceous ;
cephalic part marked at the sides by a brownish band, leaving the
median area light. Abdomen mottled with white and gray ; a black
band surrounds the base in front and at the side to about the end of the
first third of its length, and is then broken up on each side into two
short oblique stripes. Three rows of small black dots run over the dor-
sum back to the apex ; the first dot of the middle band is connected with
the transverse basal band by a small stripe. Anterior two pair of legs
not spined, femora III and IV only at their tip, and all other joints of
them covered with short spines, at the terminal extremity of the meta
tarsi a circle of long spines. Superior tarsal claws long, slender, curved,
with eight and ten long teeth ; inferior claw extremely minute.

One female from Lake Klamath, Oregon.

The principal feature of interest in this spider is that it pos
sesses only two spinnerets (the superior) ; the other four are
aborted, and only indicated by tufts of hair. There are at
present only three genera known which possess only one pair
of spinnerets : Palpimanus, Stenochilus and Cryptothele. These
genera are in all other respects so widely differing from each
other that for each a separate family had to be established. To
none of these genera Lutica shows any special affinity, only the
peculiar form of its maxillae resembles those of Cryptothele.

Another noteworthy character of rare occurrence in Aranecs
is that the third leg is longer than the first, and the second leg
the shortest.

Neophanes, nov. genus.

Cephalothorax a little longer than broad, anteriorly about half as
broad as in the middle region, truncate in front, rounded posteriorly, p.
cephal. high, prominent, two-thirds of the whole length of the cephal
othorax ; dorsum highly arched ; median fissure distinct.

Eyes 6, in two groups of three each, separated longitudinally by a
space whose width is about equal to twice the diameter of a single eye ;
the three eyes of each cluster form a triangle, the inner side of which is
the longest. Eyes equal and round, anterior pair close to the margin of
the clypeus.

34 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mandibles strong, cylindrical, inflated in the middle region, slightly
diverging, without teeth at the claw-groove. Claw long and curved.

Maxillcz slightly longer than broad, inclined over the labium, a little
broader at the truncated tip.

Labinm about two-thirds the length of the maxillae, subtriangular, as
long as the basal width, rounded at tip.

Sternum round-ovate, a little longer than broad, pointed between the
coxae IV.

Legs short, fourth pair the longest, without spines, moderately stout.
Three tarsal claws, superior with from 8 to 10 long and very slender
teeth. Calamistrum distinct.

Abdomen ovate, pointed at tip. Cribellum oval, undivided.

Neophanes pallidus, nov. species. Plate I, fig. 4.

Female. Cephalothorax long, 0.6 mm. ; abdomen long, I mm. ; total
length, 1.6 mm. Leg I, 1.3 mm. ; II, 1.2 mm. ; III, I mm. ; IV, 1.5 mm.

Cephalothorax and trophi pale orange yellow ; abdomen and legs yel
lowish white. Body and legs sparsely covered with grayish hairs ; no
spines. Cephalothorax one-fourth longer than broad, dorsum high and
arched, the highest point at the middle region, from where it evenly
slopes to both margins ; p. cephal. two-thirds the whole length. An
terior eyes about their diameter away from the margin of clypeus. The
six eyes surrounded by black pigment, which fills out the interspaces be
tween them ; the four middle eyes form a quadrangle, which is higher
than broad and slightly broader in front. The front eyes are nearer to
the lateral than the latter to the posterior eyes.

The male is smaller than the female, but resembles it in all
other respects. The patellar and tibial joints of the palpi are
together shorter than the femoral joint, and the spoon-shaped
tarsus is a little longer than the two preceding joints combined.

Several specimens of both sexes from the District of Colum
bia, Long Island, N. Y., New Hampshire and Tennessee.

Prodalia, nov. genus.

Cephalothorax longer than broad, anteriorly half as broad as in the
middle region ; p. cephal. prominent, high and rounded ; clypeus trun
cate ; no median fissure.

Eyes 8 in two rows, anterior row close to the margin of the clypeus,
straight, shorter than the posterior ; A. M. E. very small, much smaller
than the obliquely set A. i,. E. ; the distance between them equals their
diameter ; distance between A. M. E. and A. L. E. smaller. Posterior row
strongly procurved, so that the p. I,. E. are contiguous to the A. I,. E.,
while the p. M. E. are at least the length of their diameter apart from
the A. M. E. Distance between the p. M. E. greater than that between
them and the p. i,. E.

OF WASHINGTON. 35

Mandibles rather long and stout, thicker than femur I ; vertical, par
allel, but at the inner side at apex obliquely cut ; claw small and weak.

Maxilla; longer than broad, subparallel, straight, hardly inclined over
labium ; anteriorly slightly rounded.

Labium two-thirds the length of maxillae, square, a little broader than
long, and slightly broader at base than at the rounded apex.

Sternum very prominent, cordiform, anterior margin truncate ; drawn
out considerably between coxae IV.

Legs 4. i. 2. 3, weak and short, anterior and posterior of equal length ;
without spines. Calamistrum about halt as long as metatarsus IV ;
tarsal claws three, superior with six teeth, inferior very strong, without
teeth.

Abdomen oval, truncate at base. Cribellum long, narrow and undi
vided ; spinnerets stout, short, of equal size, superior two-jointed.

Prodalia foxii, nov. species. Plate I, fig. 5.

Cephalothorax long, 0.5 mm. ; abdomen long, 1.3 mm.; total length,
1.8 mm. Leg I and IV, 2 mm. long ; II, 1.5 mm. ; III, 1.3 mm.

Cephalothorax yellow testaceous ; trophi, sternum and legs pale yel
low ; abdomen grayish white with dark gray markings at the dorsum,
consisting of about five transverse angular lines pointing to the front ;
underside pale, region before the spinnerets darker ; abdomen and legs
sparsely covered with long, darker pubescence.

The A. i,. K. and the p. M. E. and p. i,. E. form a cluster as in Neo-
phanes, but in Prodalia two minute A. M. K. are present. The spaces be
tween these eyes are filled out by black pigment. The mandibles have
no claw groove, but a short row of dark bristle-like hairs running longi
tudinally over the front.

This spider and Neophanes belong undoubtedly to the family
Dictynida ; it was collected by Dr. Fox in Tennessee, where
it seems to be rare.

Usofila, Keyserling, nov. genus.*

Cephalothorax a little longer than broad, anteriorly moderately nar
rower than in the middle region ; p. cephal. prominent, strongly arched ;
clypeus high ; median fissure indistinct.

Eyes 6 in two rows, anterior row consisting of four eyes, shorter and
slightly recurved, the two M. K. contiguous ; the two eyes of the posterior
row closely behind the lateral of the first row.

* Count Keyserling, who examined this interesting spider, named it
Usqfila, and intended to publish the description in the eighth number of
his "Neue Spiunen aus Amerika," but was prevented by his untimely
death. I received from his publishers, amongst his other manuscripts,
also the description of Usofila, and present it herewith in translation with
that of the only species, U. gracilis.

36 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mandibles small and weak, vertical, not much arched in front,
obliquely truncate at the inner side of apex ; claw weak.

Maxillce not quite twice as long as broad, inclined over labium, at the
outer side a little emarginate, at apex obliquely truncate.

Labium triangular, a little longer than broad, rounded at the tip, and
about two-thirds as long as the maxillae.

Sternum flat, triangular, longer than broad.

Legs i. 2. 4. 3. very long and slender, without spines, but sparsely pro
vided with fine hairs ; three tarsal claws.

Abdomen globose, four stigmata at the ventral side ; spinnerets short
and equal.

Usofila gracilis, Keyserling, nov. species. Plate I, fig. 6.

tf Cephalothorax loug,o, 5 mm. ; abdomen long, 0.6 mm. ; total length,
i.i mm.

Leg i Femur 1.2 Patella and Tibia 1.4 Metatarsus and Tarsus 1.4 Total 4 mm.

i " 1.2 " i " 3.2 mm.

0.8 " 0.9 " 0.8 " 2.5 mm.

i.i " i.o " 1.2 " 3.3 mm.

Cephalothorax, palpi and legs yellow ; abdomen dirty white, with a
few long darker hairs at the dorsum.

Cephalothorax hardly longer than broad ; in front about half as wide
as in the middle ; posteriorly broadly rounded. Seen from the side the
dorsum is highly arched, and the highest point is a little behind the
eyes ; the median fissure absent ; clypeus as high as the length of the
mandibles.

Eyes in pairs, forming two rows, the anterior row a little recurved ;
the two median eyes contiguous and not much more than their diameter
separated from the also contiguous i,. E.

Mandibles diverging, rather porrected and weak ; obliquely truncate
on' the inner side near apex. Claw in the male long and thin.

Maxilla about two-thirds longer than broad, curvatedly inclined,
partly embracing the triangular labium..

Sternum triangular ; narrower in the male than in the female.

Legs very long and slender, sparsely provided with short pubescence.
Three tarsal claws. The patellar joint of the male palpi shorter than
the tibial joint, and both together longer than the very slender and
slightly bent femur. The tarsal joint emarginate at the underside, near
the base, shorter than the pyriform prominent bulbus, which terminates
in a curved projection.

Abdomen hardly longer than broad, globose, projecting a little over
the spinnerets, of which the inferior pair seems to be a little thicker than
the superior.

OF WASHINGTON. 37

One male and several undeveloped females from Alabaster
Cave, El Dorado Co., Cal.

The female resembles the male ; the legs are considerably
shorter. On the abdominal apex, just above the spinnerets,
is a round white spot. The four stigmata are distinctly visible
in one female, which is a little darker colored than the others.

The three last-named genera belong, no doubt, to well-
known families ; Neophanes and Prodalia will find their place
in the Dictynida. The presence of a calamistrum and cribel-
lum, the elevated, rounded head and the form of the maxillae
and labium place these genera in close relationship to the
genus Dictyna.

The genus Usqfila was placed by Keyserling in the Dys-
deridtz on account of the four ventral stigmata and the six
eyes.

EXPLANATION OF PIATE I.

Fig. i Homalonychus selenopoides Marx : #, female, enlarged 2 times ;
, eyes seen from above ; c, maxillae, labium and sternum ; d,
epigynum ; e, tarsus ; f, auxiliary claw.

Fig. 2 Habronestes americamts Marx : a, female, enlarged 2 times ; b,
face ; c, maxillae, labium and sternum ; d, epigynum.

Fig. 3 Lutica maculata Marx : a, female, enlarged 3^ times ; b, face ;
c, maxillae, labium and sternum ; d, spinnerets.

Fig. 4 Neophanes pallidus Marx : a, female, enlarged 12 times ; b, face ;
c, maxillae, labium and sternum ; d, epigynum ; e, male palpus,
from the side ; f, the same, from above.

Fig. 5 Prodalia foxii Marx : #, female, enlarged 12 times ; b, face ; c,
maxillae, labium and sternum ; d, epigynum.

Fig. 6 Usofila gracilis Keyserling : a, male, enlarged 15 times ; b, max
illae, labium and sternum ; c, male palpus ; d, female, enlarged
15 times ; e, maxillae, labium and sternum of female.

Considerable discussion followed relating to the advisability
of erecting monotypical families. The conclusion reached
was that generally it would be better to give isolated species
sub-family importance in the nearest related existing family.

Mr. L,inell then gave an account of some observations
which indicate the identity of Megapenthes limbalis, Herbst,
and M. granulosus, Melsh., hitherto considered to be distinct
species. He had found these beetles in coitu on several occa
sions, and as only males of limbalis and females of granulosus
have been known previously, the identity of the two forms
was fully established. The males, having been first charac
terized, will give the name to the species.

38 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mr. Schwarz stated that errors, such as the one corrected by
Mr. L,inell, could only be discovered by field observation.

Prof. Riley thought that the occurrence of females only of
the one and males of the other might be taken as evidence of
the identity of the two forms, when these occur under similar
circumstances.

In connection with the discussion of sex in insects, Prof.
Riley called attention to Mr. Blanchard's paper on double and
triple cocoons of silk worms, in which the author supposed
that the larvae had associated on sexual grounds, as the
moths hatching from these cocoons were largely males and
females. Prof. Riley thought that the exceptions were suffi
ciently numerous to contradict this theory. Sex, he stated, is
almost, if not entirely, wanting or undeveloped in larvae ; and
he also stated that the production of males or females at will,
by starving or over-feeding, as held to be possible by Mrs.
Treat, was entirely out of the question. If starving were
attempted, the female larvae requiring most food would more
frequently perish, and the males would necessarily predomi
nate. In the case of the orders of insects in which meta
morphosis is incomplete, especially in the pupal stage, the
sex could be easily determined.

Mr. Howard stated that the ovaries are readily distinguished
from the testes in the later stages of some lepidopterous and
other larvae.

MARCH 6TH, 1890.

Eight persons present. President Marx in the chair.

Dr. Fox stated that Mr. B. W. Maslin, of California, had
lately transmitted to him a copy of the "Citrus Belt" of
November yth, 1889, containing an article by Mr. Maslin on
" Fig Culture and Seedling Smyrna Figs."

Mr. Schwarz explained that the paper referred to repeated
attempts on the part of Mr. Maslin to raise in California the
Smyrna Fig from seedlings. The trees grew admirably, but

OF WASHINGTON. 39

in spite of all care in cultivation the fruit remained small and
contained no seed at all, or only a few. Such results were to
be foreseen, for the Smyrna Fig in its native home has, since
time immemorial, been cultivated with caprification. Its fruit
owes its superiority in quality solely to the fact that the seeds
are fertilized b)^ the fig-insects. If the tree is cultivated
without caprification, a change in the character of the fruit
necessarily takes place ; and that this change is to the worse
and not to the better, is shown by Mr. Maslin's experiment
with Smyrna seedlings, as well as by previous attempts made
in California with layers and cuttings. If the California fruit
growers are desirous of raising the genuine Smyrna fig in
their State they must introduce from its native home the
Caprifig, containing living fig-insects in its seeds. This would
be no difficult task, nor is there any reason to doubt that the
fig-insects could be easily acclimatized in California.

Mr. Howard remarked that Mr. C. E. Hawley had told him
that the Peruvian Figs were the finest he had ever eaten, and
that these were grown without the aid of caprification. Mr.
Hawley is now endeavoring to introduce them into the United
States.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited the following species of Coleoptera,
which must be added to the North American fauna : Lath-
ridius (Coninomus) nodifer, Westw. (family Lathridiidse), pre
viously known from Europe and New Zealand, and lately
found along the Pacific Coast from Washington to Middle
California, and also in the District of Columbia ; Actinop-
teryx fucicola, Allib. (family Trichopterygidse), recently men
tioned by Flach as inhabiting North America, and taken on
the beach near Fortress Monroe, Va., by Mr. Schwarz;
Arrhipis lanieri Guer. (family Elateridae), and Probatius um-
bratilis, Duv. (family Cerambycidae), both described from
specimens collected in Cuba, were found at Cocoanut Grove,
Dade Co., Fla.

Mr. Schwarz also exhibited specimens of Temnochila
hubbardi, Lev., and Teretriosoma hornii, Lewis, recently de
scribed in European journals from the semi-tropical region
of Florida, and pointed out the secondary sexual characters of

40 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

the latter species, consisting of a row of long hairs in the
male on the first antennal joint. He called attention also to
Dr. Horn's recent revision of the North American species
of Ochthebius, and spoke of the remarkable geographical
distribution of these aquatic insects. Species of this genus
occur in Florida, western Pennsylvania, Vermont, Michigan,
and throughout the western part of the country, but not a
single specimen had hitherto been found east of the Alle-
ghanies from Maine southward to Georgia.

Mr. Marlatt presented the following communication :

THE XANTHIUM TRYPETA.

Trypeta cequalis L/w.
BY C. L. MARI, ATT.

Trypeta cequalis L/oew : Monog. Dipt. N. A., I, p. 86 ; Tab. II, f. 20,

1862 (description of male).
Trypela cequalis Loew : Monog., etc., Ill, p. 308; Tab. X, f. 20, 1873

(description of male and female ; referred to sub-genus Euaresta].
Trypeta (Euaresta] cequalis Lw. Osten Sacken : Cat. Dipt. N. A., 1878,

p. 194.
Trypeta (Euaresta) aqualis Lw. Osten Sacken : Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv.

Ten, Vol. Ill, No. i, p. 345 (species mentioned as very like T.

cequalis L/w.).

The species of Xanthium are such notorious weeds, and are
so widespread and troublesome, that a knowledge of any im
portant insect enemy becomes of interest. The enemies of
noxious weeds, whether insects or fungi, are, I am aware, of
second-rate economic importance, as it is only in connection
with careless and negligent culture that such plants are
allowed to multiply, and thus furnish opportunity for the in
crease of their insect and other enemies. That such plants
are and always will be allowed to flourish, renders any natural
check important. This consideration, together with the scien
tific interest attaching to a knowledge of the habits of the in
sect, leads me to put the following facts on record.

Some years ago my attention was drawn to the fact that the
larvae of a dipteron, bred in the seeds of a cockle-bur, or
Xanthium, by Mr. W. T. Swingle, of the Kansas State Agri
cultural College at Manhattan, Kansas, who came across the
larvae while making some studies, I believe, of the germination

OF WASHINGTON.

41

of the seeds of this plant. I afterwards repeatedly found
these larvae at Manhattan and vicinity but failed to rear any
of the parent insects, although efforts to do so were continued
for several seasons.

In November, 1889, the seeds of a Xanthium, probably X.
canadense, which occurs abundantly in the vacant lots in
Washington and on the Potomac flats, etc., were found to be
infested with a larva apparently identical with those previously
noted in Kansas. Better success was had in breeding these
larvae, and from seeds collected in the fall of 1889 and spring
of 1890 the mature insects named above were secured. The
exact date of emergence was not noted the flies being found
dead in the breeding cage about the ist of September.*

FIG. i. Trypeta czqualis : a, Xanthium bur in longitudinal and cross
section, showing work of larva ; b, larva enlarged, with de
tails of anterior and posterior extremities still
more enlarged (original).

The perfect insect appears, without doubt, chiefly in
August, during which month the burs of the Xanthium are
just forming, and can be easily pierced by the female in ovi
positing.

In no case was more than one larva found in a bur, which
normally contains two seeds separated by a distinct and strong
septum. The seed proper of the Xanthium is rich in oil, and
possesses somewhat of the characteristic pungent odor of the
plant.

The larva inhabits and feeds on this seed, which, in most
instances, was nearly consumed. (See Fig. i, a.) Full larval

*The rearing and determination of this insect was recorded at the
October, 1890, meeting of the Society.

42 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

growth is attained late in the fall or in early winter, after
which the larva remains unchanged until shortly before the
appearance of the fly. Examination in June and July showed
no alteration in the larva. The fly must escape from the
tough bur with difficulty, and probably only succeeds when
the latter is softened by moisture or is opened by the germina
tion of the adjacent uninjured seed. It is probably by the
latter means chiefly that the fly effects its escape, and this
affords an explanation of the fact noted that the parent insect
oviposits in but one of the two seeds contained in a bur.

The larva (Fig. i, b) is apparently i3-jointed, and when full-
grown is about 5 mm. long by 2 mm. wide, and is consider
ably flattened. The general color is light straw-yellow and

FIG. 2. Trypeta tzqualis : female (original).

the surface of the body is smooth and shining. The first seg
ment is plate-like, with radiating ridges, which form the central
oval opening, as shown at Fig. i, b ; the edges of the radiating
ridges are dark brown and the oral opening is almost black.
The thoracic stigmata are 8-branched and are situated in
oblong excavations at the upper (dorsal) corners of the plate.
A dark area surrounds the stigmata. The character of the
anal stigmata is shown in the illustration. The anal opening
is apparently on the nth segment. All the larvae examined,
including those collected early in the fall and apparently not
full-grown, had the general form indicated in the description
which, however, seems to be half-way between the larval
and pupal state as known in allied flies.

The mature insect, the female of which is represented at
Fig. 2, is pale yellowish in color with whitish pile and bristles

OF WASHINGTON. 43

and has the wings marked with brownish black, as shown
in the figure. The ovipositor of the female is brownish and
as long as the last three abdominal segments taken together.

An extended and general discussion followed relating to
the unusual abundance of insects during the past winter.
Sitones hispidulus had been observed by Mr. Schwarz all
winter in enormous numbers in the grounds of the Agricul
tural Department, on the pavements, etc., indicating that it
did not go into winter quarters at all. The abundance of plant
lice had been particularly noted by several members.

Mr. Marlatt also presented a note on the food habits of a
large, handsome Buprestid (Psiloptera drummondi, L. and
G.). He stated that in central Kansas this insect occurred
abundantly in late summer and early fall on the common hill
side plant Pctalostemon multiflorus, usually resting on the
spikes of whitish flowers, but was also frequently observed
to gnaw the bark just below the spikes, sometimes denuding"
the stem for a considerable distance. The beetle was never
found on other plants, and it was therefore surmised that its
larval stage might be passed in the large perennial root of the
Petalostemon. Large numbers of the roots of this plant
were dug up and examined carefully, but no evidence of such
habit could be found.

In the discussion Mr. Schwarz said that nothing was known
of the breeding habits of this or allied genera. He thought
that the larvae would be more cylindrical than with other
Buprestid larvae.

Mr. Townsend read ' ' Some Notes on Acrididse in the
vicinity of Constantine, Michigan," of which he furnished
the following abstract :

A color variety of Melanoplus femur-rubum, Deg., taken
September 6,* has the head, face, thorax and upper parts of
hind femora of a soft crimson purple, i 9

First specimen of M. bivittatus, Scudd., was taken August 7.
Not common. Encoptolophus sordidus, Scudd., first seen Sep
tember 6, the two sexes appearing in nearly equal numbers.

*The September 6 above referred to was the first pleasant day after a
week of rainy weather.

44 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The peculiar stridulation indulged in on the wing was noticed
to be dispensed with when the sun became low, individuals at
that time flying silently, while the stridulation is invariably
exhibited in flight in the strong heat of the sun. Not rare.
Seen as late as October 4.

A pair of Chloealtis conspersa, Harris, was taken in coitu Sep
tember 7, the first specimens being seen September 6. Un
common.

Tettigidea polymorpha, Scudd., Tettix triangularis , Scudd.,
and granulatus, Scudd., are frequently found hibernating as
images under logs, sticks, stones, bark, and even found in
those situations in the spring and late in summer.

Mr. Mann queried if dates of first appearance might not
have some relations to the dates of going out into the field.
Mr. Townsend showed, however, that in going to and from
work he had had daily opportunity to make observations. Mr.
Schwarz said that any date \vas important and valuable as
furnishing a basis for future observations.

APRIL 3RD, 1890.

Nine persons present. President Marx in the chair.

A letter of resignation from Dr. R. W. Shufeldt was read,
and the resignation was accepted.

Mr. B. E. Fernow was elected an active member of the Society.

Dr. Fox read a paper on the genus Ceratinella {Erigone}.
He showed drawings and specimens of all the known Ameri
can forms except C. brunnea* Km. and C. pygmcea Em., and
also described the following new species :

NEW NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS
ERIGONE.

BY DR. WM. H. Fox.

Brigone (Ceratinella) alba, n. sp.

$ Closely resembling C. fissiceps, but distinguishable by its lighter
color and very small palpus. Length, 1.5 mm.

* I have since examined a specimen of C. brunnea, thus leaving C.
pygmcea the only one unknown to me. WM. H. Fox.

OF WASHINGTON. 45

The color is nearly white, and only slightly darker in eye region, not
extending back on cephalothorax as in fissiceps.

Femur of male palpus long and very narrow, not enlarged at distal end.
Palpal organ much as in fissiceps, but proportionally smaller.

Locality : District of Columbia ; August.

Erigone (Ceratinella) alticeps, n. sp.

(J 1 Head abruptly raised from thoracic portion ; groove between
median eyes reduced to a nearly horizontal fold, thus bringing the p. M.
E, nearly vertically over A. M. E.

Tibia of male palpus short and rather broad. Tarsal hook short,
broad, bent nearly at right angles at its end', with a prominent tooth at
about its middle. Palpal organ as in fissiceps.

Color, orange. Length, 1.5 mm.

Locality : District of Columbia ; April. Three males.

Brigone (Ceratinella} melanocnemis, n. sp.

<$ Head as in emertonii, but p. M. E. less than diameter apart (more
than diameter in emertonii}.

Palpus much smaller than in emertonii. Tarsal hook, seen from
above, extremely narrow ; from the side, broad, bent at right angles at
tip, with prominent tooth. Tube of palpus small, and without the long
curved process of emertonii.

9 Much like fissiceps, but epigynum with a broad plate in center, with
openings on each side.

Color, orange ; tibia of fourth legs much darker than other joints.
Length, 1.5 mm.

Locality : District of Columbia ; May and October.

Ifrigone (Ceratinella} parvula, n. sp.

$ Size, i mm. Head rounded and elevated. .Cephalothorax falls off
abruptly at posterior half. Abdomen with dorsal and anterior shield,
the latter almost entirely above pedicle of body.

Palpus, patella as broad as long ; tibia broader than long, with tooth
in center and short process at outer side. Palpal organ simple, tube
coiled upon itself at the end.

Colors, soft parts gray, hard parts dark brown ; legs, yellowish brown.

Locality : Hollis, N. H. ; August.

Erigone (Ceratinella) tibialis, n. sp.

$ Resembles C. minuta, but differs markedly in the palpus and size.
Head narrow, raised ; eyes equal, much more than diameter apart.

Tarsal hook very long, strongly curved, with strong tooth at its first
third. Palpal organ resembles fissiceps.

Color, red-brown, darker around eyes. Legs, light yellow. Size, i.5mm.

Locality : District of Columbia ; March.

46 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

A collection of these spiders was exhibited, together with
drawings of the specific characters.

Dr. Marx stated that the group included many species, and
was a very difficult one to classify, as there were good charac
ters only in the male sex.

Mr. Schwarz said that the distinctive male characters were
constantly being used to distinguish species in other groups
of insects where the females could not be separated.

Mr. Schwarz then read the following paper :

LABELING SPECIMENS.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

Without a collection valuable observations on insects can no
doubt be made, but they will always remain isolated and of
limited value without the means for determination and com
parison afforded by a collection. A good and serviceable col
lection, however, does not consist merely of an accumulation
and arrangement of specimens in boxes or vials, but also of
the record to be attached in some way to the specimen, and
which is to inform us regarding the name of the insect, the
locality, mode of life, authority for determination, etc. in
short, everything that may belong to the history and natural
history of the specimen.

This information can be recorded and made available for
practical purposes by the following systems : ist. By numbers
attached to the specimens, and which refer to notes kept and
arranged in various ways ; 2nd. By written or printed labels
attached to the specimens ; 3rd. By a combination of these
two systems.

For an economic or biological collection the labeling system
alone is not practicable ; for the information derived from the
study and observation of the life-history and economy of a
single species or specimen usually covers so much ground that
it cannot be written on one or several labels attached to the
specimen in the collection. A numbering system is here in
dispensable, or, still better, a combination of the two systems,
since certain shorter information, e.g., locality, date of cap
ture or breeding, etc., can conveniently be written on labels
attached to the specimen.

A systematic collection kept in alcohol, e. g., a collection of
Arachnida, is evidently well adapted to the labeling system ;
for the vials are almost always of a size sufficient to allow the

OF WASHINGTON. 47

insertion of one or several large labels containing the full
record.

I do not propose, however, to speak of alcoholic collections
nor of the numbering system of an economic collection, but
beg leave to offer a few and short remarks on systematic col
lections of dried specimens, which are by far the most
numerous kind of collections in existence. For such col
lections the numbering system is evidently less desirable, for
the usefulness of the collection as a means of reference and
comparison would be greatly impaired by the loss of time in
volved in referring from the numbers on the specimens to the
corresponding numbers of the note books. The labeling sys
tem alone is here advisable.

It is difficult to give general rules for what ought to be con
sidered a correct method of labeling specimens : too much de
pends upon individual taste and experience, and on the
purpose for which a collection is intended by its owner. There
are hardly any collections which have too many labels, but
most collections which I have seen have too few and too
indefinite labels. As a general rule it may be said that the
labels should be plainly written, or printed whenever practi
cable, so that the}'- are intelligible to everyone. Some
collectors are in the habit of using labels of various forms and
colors, and more or less covered with mysterious hieroglyphs
to which the owner alone possesses the key. In the course of
time they are apt to become just as unintelligible to the owner
as to the outsider, and the specimens usually lose much of
their value if the collection changes hands. The labels
should be as small as possible, or at least proportionate to the
size of the specimen. The importance of this rule will have
been experienced by all who frequently handle the specimens
of their collections. If the labels are disproportionally large
the lower ones cannot be read without taking them off the pin,
and further, it becomes a matter of great difficulty to handle
the specimens without breaking, or at least endangering, the
adjoining specimens. It may be urged that the latter diffi
culty can be obviated by placing the specimens sufficiently
apart to allow the use of larger labels, but the necessity of and
advantage in economizing space are too evident. A compactly
arranged collection will always be found more useful for work
ing purposes than a collection in which much space is wasted.

The following labels should be employed in a collection :

i. The locality label. This should be as explicit as possible,
for a great deal more can be learned of a specimen with an
exact indication of locality. The importance of this point has
often been pointed out by others, so that it is hardly necessary

48 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

to add anything further. I only regret to see that so many of
our entomologists still use the old and indefinite State labels
originally issued by the Smithsonian Institution, and unfor
tunately reprinted by the Brooklyn Entomological Society.
Some entomologists who are aware of the insufficiency of these
labels still use them, but add in writing various signs thereon
to give a more definite indication of locality, e. g., one of the
four corners is marked with a red or black dash, to indicate re
spectively the northern, southern, eastern or western part of
the State. It is, however, at once apparent that this is a
much less satisfactory mode of labeling than the use of definite
localities, e. g., Los Angeles, Cal., instead of Southern Cali
fornia ; Lake Worth, Fla., instead of Southern Florida.

2. Date of capture. This is very useful, and sometimes
quite important in various ways. It indicates at what time
additional specimens of some rare species may be secured ; it
greatly helps to construe the life-history of species which
cannot be bred in captivity ; and in some instances, e. g. , the
Cerambycidous beetles Cyllene picta and robinitz, assists in
correct determination. It can be abbreviated in various ways
according to individual taste, and conveniently written on
small labels or combined with other labels.

3. Label to indicate the sex. Since the sexual differences
have recently acquired such importance for the distinction of
species, this label will be found of great convenience and
time-saving by all entomologists. The well-known signs for
male, female and worker, printed in convenient form, are well
adapted for our collections. They need not to be attached to
specimens of large size where the sexes can be distinguished
at a glance ; and further, it has been found out by ex
perience that only one sex, the male, needs to be labeled, it
being understood that all not-marked specimens are females or
species in which the two sexes cannot be distinguished exter
nally. In the few families containing more than two sexes
each specimen should be labeled according to sex.

4. Name of the collector. This will be found of importance
in many instances, e. g., a specimen simply marked ' ' Ari
zona " does not furnish much information, but if by another
label it is indicated that the specimen has been collected by
Mr. Morrison, everyone knows that there is some doubt
regarding the locality. Those entomologists who are active in
the field usually do not attach their own name to the specimens
collected by themselves, and they are, of tourse, always able
to recognize in their collections these specimens. Still, this
practice should be discontinued, since the record is lost when
the collection comes into other hands. Specimens received in

OF WASHINGTON. 49

exchange or by purchase should be labeled with the name of
the person from whose collection they come, so as to preserve,
as much as possible, the history of the specimens.

The above mentioned labels should be on every specimen in
a collection, while the following are to be attached only
to certain specimens :

5. Name of the species. Most of our collections are now
arranged in vertical columns, and this label can either be
attached to the first specimen of a set or separately pinned
above or below the set of specimens belonging to the same
species. The latter method is largely used in collections of
Macrolepidoptera or other large-sized insects, but I prefer the
first-mentioned method, viz : to attach the name to the pin of
the first specimen, which should be the best determined or the
best marked specimen. The substitution of check-list num
bers for written or printed labels is by no means to be recom
mended.

6. Typical specimens, i. e., such from which a description
has been drawn up and published, should be designated by a
special label written by the author himself.

7. Specimens which have been determined by an authority
in a special group or order should be furnished with a special
label. If such authority returns specimens sent him for de
termination with labels in his own handwriting, they should be
left on the specimens ; if too large, they have to be folded.

8. Special labels, which either refer to the food-plant or life-
history of the specimen, or which indicate some peculiarity of
the specimen, e. g., a monstrosity, a hermaphrodite, etc. This
is the only label which, in my opinion, will be found necessary
to be replaced in some instances by a number referring to
notes kept in note books with corresponding number.

As a matter of course it will never be found necessary to use
on a specimen all of the above-mentioned labels ; most private
collections will contain few, if any, types ; few specimens will
have been determined by authorities ; and to few specimens
the collector will have notes worth preserving regarding food-
plants or habits.

As to the remaining labels, their number can still be reduced
by a sysiem of combination. A combination label which has
given general satisfaction to all to whom it has been communi
cated is a two-line label printed in diamond type, on heavy
writing paper. The upper line consists of the name of the
locality, e. g., " Washngtn " (a name consisting of more
than eight letters to be abbreviated), and the lower line has at
the right hand corner " DC " (interpunctuation and spacing to
be avoided so as to save space). This leaves on the second

50 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

line sufficient room for inserting the date, which can be quickly
and neatly written with ink if the labels are printed in columns
of ten or more repetitions. The label thus combines locality
with date of capture. Or the upper line reads " Arizona,"
and the lower line "Morrison," the label thus combining
locality with name of the collector. In large specimens, e. g.,
most Lepidoptera, many more labels can, of course, be con
veniently combined into one. In short, it will be found that
even in a very carefully labeled collection the number of
labels on most specimens averages not more than two or three.
I am far from pretending that the above remarks contain
anything that has not appeared in print before, but I was
prompted to offer them because the subject has been but
slightly touched or entirely neglected by American writers on
arranging insect collections ; and further, because I know
from experience that many of our collectors do not sufficiently
appreciate the fact that the value and usefulness of a collection
is greatly enhanced if the specimens are carefully labeled, and
that this can be attained by very little additional expenditure
of time and money.

Mr. Mann assented generally to the scheme presented by
Mr. Schwarz, but thought that a three-line label would be
preferable.

Mr. Schwarz said that three-line labels would be trouble
some in the case of minute specimens mounted on triangles.

Prof. Riley, while agreeing generally with Mr. Schwarz,
stated that the method of labeling would depend on the char
acter of the collection. He held that there was no particular
disadvantage in a large label or in folded labels. In visiting
foreign collections he liked to use on the specimens identified
large labels of thin paper that would contain a good deal of
information and could be folded up into small compass. Square
labels were not thought to be necessarily awkward. He
stated that he would alwaj^s retain the provisional number
attached to specimens sent to specialists to be identified, and
these specimens should also bear the name of the determiner
and the date of determination so that it would be possible to
refer to letters, etc. He further stated that the reverse of the
label might be employed for notes relating to food-habits, etc.
With reference to the numbering of specimens to refer to notes

OF WASHINGTON. 51

he favored using red ink on the labels to distinguish the num
bers referring to biological notes. He considered sex labels
important even in the case of large specimens. He would pin
the name of the species to one of the specimens rather than
place it above or below the series.

Mr. Schwarz said that his paper dealt chiefly with the label
ing of the private collections of specialists, and that it was not
his intention to speak of large public museums, where various
other points had to be taken into consideration.

Dr. Marx stated that he used onion-shell paper in labeling
spiders, writing with water-proof ink such as Higgins' Draw
ing Ink and placed the label in the vial with the specimens.
There was in this method some danger of the specimens being
injured by the settling of the labels against them, but this
could generally be avoided. He used a cork stopper in
preference to rubber stoppers. The following preserving fluid
is used by him : Glycerine and Wickersheimer fluid, i ^
ounces each, well mixed with three ounces of distilled water,
and then 30 ounces of alcohol (95%) added. Alcohol
previously used for preserving spiders, and in which, there
fore, some of the fatty matter of the specimens is dissolved, is
preferable to pure alcohol, but in this case a smaller quantity
of distilled water should be added. This liquid keeps the
specimens flexible, preserves their color, and never evaporates
entirely.

Prof. Riley preferred the rubber stopper, as cork stoppers
allowed evaporation, and would write the label in pencil,
which was practically permanent. Concerning water-proof
inks, he stated that the oak-gall ink was the best.

Mr. Mann explained a convenient abbreviation for month
labels, Ja, F, Mr, Ap, My, Je, Jl, Ag, S, O, N, D, and said
that in numbering specimens to be determined he would use
the same numbers but once.

52 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

MAY IST, 1890.

Nine members present. President Marx in the chair.

The committee having in charge the preparation of a list of
the insects occurring within the District of Columbia made a
partial report.

It was moved by Mr. Howard that the name of Mr. Town-
send be added to the sub-committee on Diptera, and that of
Mr. Marlatt to the sub-committee on Hymenoptera.

The prosecution of the work was urged by Prof. Riley, and
in the general discussion it was shown that considerable work
had already been done.

Mr. Townsend then read the following paper :

HEMIPTERA COLLECTED IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

BY C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND.

During my collecting in Michigan I made a small collection
of Heteroptera and Homoptera, which is now in the National
Museum. Bighty-five or ninety species of Heteroptera were
collected in the neighborhood of Constantine, which this list
is intended to record. About half of these were very kindly
named for me by Mr. Uhler some years ago. The remainder,
collected since then, have been worked over with the aid of
Prof. Riley 's identified material in this group. The localities
in parentheses are those given in the Uhler list.

Corimelcsna atra Am. and S.

nitiduloides Wolff. April 18, a live, unmutilated specimen
taken in the rubbish on the top of an ant-hill belong
ing to Formica schaufussi. This species is commonly,
however, with the preceding and the next two species,
found on flowers.

lateralis Fab.

pulicaria Germ.

PEN.TATOMID^.
Podisus cynicus Say.

placidus Uhler. Flowers of golden rod, September 15.
spinosus Dall. Larvae, probably this species, often found with
imagos on various plants in early summer.

OF WASHINGTON. 53

Brochymena arborea Say. (Atl. St.)

annulata Fab. I have also taken this species in Lawrence,

Kansas. (Atl. St.)
Neottiglossa sulcifrons Stal. (S. St.)

Cosmopepla carnifex Fab. Numbers flying in late summer.
Mormidea, lug ens Fab. On oak leaves, May 23.
Euschistus fissilis Uhler.

servus Say. On dandelion bud, May 16.
tristigmus Say. On holly-hock seed-cups, August 7.
variolarius Pal. Beauv. About raspberry bushes in gardens,
from May 30 to July 13, both nymphs and images on
latter date on the ripe fruit (see Insect Life, II, p. 44).
Nymphs and images on mullein stalks and in fields
through July to September. A specimen taken on a
mullein stalk September 27 was ferruginous above and
greenish-yellow below.

Lioderma ligata Stal. ? Nymph referred to this species.
Peribalus limbolarius Stal. The old Cimbex platychilus Uhler appears
to be a synonym of this.

Euthoctha galeator Fab. On various weeds in May and June.

Anasa tristis Deg. The matured insects become active in sunny weather

about the last of August.
Alydus eurinus Say. Flying, July to September.

quinque-spinosus Say.
Protenor belfragei Hagl.

Neides muticus Say.
Corizus lateralis Say.

Nysius angustatus Uhler.

Ischnorhynchus didymus Zett. Flying, in May.

Geocoris punctipes Say. On soil of garden, June 3 to 14. (S. St.)

bullatus Say. On soil of garden, June 12.
Ligyrocoris sylvestris Linn. A pair in coitu, July 28, on flower of Rud-

beckia sp., and one on a leaf of Asclepias tuberosa.
Myodocha serripes Oliv.
Megalonotus unus Say.
Peliopelta abbreviata Uhler.
Melanocoryphus bicrucis Say. Rather common.
Lygtzus turcicus Fab. Common on Asclepias tuberosa, the stems and

pods of which it punctures (see Entom. Amer., Ill,

53-55)-

54 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Brachytropis calcarata Fall.

Miris affinis Reut. In grass, June 4.

Hadronema militaris Uhler.

Oncognathus binotatus Fab.

Lygus pratensis L,inn. On cowslip flowers April 30; flying, June 10 and

July 14.

Tropidosteptes cardinalis Uhler. One specimen, June 5.
Pcecilocapsus lineatus Fab. Numerous on catnip, June 24.
do. Bright red color variety.
goniphorus Say.
affinis Reut.
marginalis Reut.

sp. ? One on potato plants, June n.
Capsus ater Linn.

n. sp. ? One taken June 8, in grass. This was the first specimen
of the season. Two or three others taken in former
years.

sp. ? Flying, in June.

Hoplomachus mcerens Uhler MS. Not in the Uhler list.
Stenidea scutellata Uhler. Flying, in May and June. Not in Uhler list.

r eg alls Uhler. Not in Uhler list.

A small blackish, unnamed Capsid was taken flying, July 3, and on
leaves of raspberry, July 13. A still smaller, almost
minute, unnamed Capsid was taken on garden soil
June 8.

An unnamed Anthocorid was taken on garden soil, May 5.
Acanthia lectularia L/inn.

Piesma cinerea Say. Flying, June i.
Corythuca ciliata Say ?

Aradus robustus Uhler.
acutus Say. .
crenatusSay. (S. St.)
rectus Say. Flying, April 21.

Phymata erosa H. Sch. (Mex.)

acutangula Guer. (W. Ind.)
wolffii Stal.

OF WASHINGTON. 55

Coriscus inscriptus Kirby. On garden soil, July 14. (Br. Am.)
ferus Ivinn.

Sinea diadema Fab.

Acholla multispinosa Deg.

Milyas cinctus Fab.
zebra Stal.

Diplodus luridus Stal. Not uncommon. A number were taken on
foliage of oak sprouts in May, where they were doubt
less looking for prey. Euagoras viridis Uhler MS., is
a synonym of this species. Mr. Uhler, in his paper on
the Heteropt. of the Harris coll. (Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H.,
XIX, 427), says he regrets that before meeting with Stal's
description of Diplodus luridus he had sent specimens
to his correspondents, both in this country and in
Europe, labeled with the MS. name Euagoras vitidis.
(Mex.)

Emesa longipes Deg. One taken in October. (Atl. St.)
Cerascopus errabundiis Say. One on window, May 31. (Atl. St.)

HYDROBATID^.

Hygrotrechus remigis Say. In coitu on water, April 25. (Atl. St.)
Limnotrechus marginatus Say. One under drift-wood along river,

April 25. One taken, May 28, on a tub of water a half

mile from any pond or creek.

Galgulus oculatus Fab. On submerged logs and sticks in edge of St.
Joseph river, April 27.

NAUCORID^.

Pelocoris femorata Pal. Beauv. I/arge numbers found April 27 on
water-soaked logs in edge of St. Joseph river.

Zaitha fluminea Say. On submerged logs. Not uncommon. (Atl. St.)

fusciventris Stal. In water or on water-soaked wood.
Belostoma americanum L,eidy.

Nepa apiculata Uhler. One taken, April 27, under drift near the river.

(Atl. St.)

56 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Ranatra quadridentata Stal. A single specimen dipped up in a net from
a stagnant pool in August.

Notonecta americana Fab.

fabricii Fieb. Under drift or in water along the edge of St.
Joseph river, in April. A pair in coitu, April 27, cling
ing to a water plant. I have also taken a variety of this
species at Lawrence, Kansas. Not in Uhler list.

Plea striola Fieb. On submerged wood in St. Joseph river, April 27.

Corisa calva Say. In pond in April. In June in a barrel of water a long
way from creek or pond.

Mr. Schwarz stated that the Heteroptera named were all
widely distributed forms, and did not present any local
feature, as would have been the case in a list of any
other order of insects of equal length. The presence of the
Corimekzna in an ant's nest, mentioned by Mr. Townsend, was
stated by Prof. Riley to be without doubt an accidental occur
rence. Mr. Townsend said that the specimen was taken from
the rubbish on the top of the nest.

Mr. Dodge read a paper entitled " Artificial Silk," in which
he described, as illustrated at the late Paris Exposition, the
Count de Chardonnet's process of producing from cellulose an
artificial fibre resembling in all its characters and uses the true
silk of Bombyx mori. The cellulose experimented with was
principally of cotton and the pulp of soft woods. The process
of dissolving and converting the cellulose into a collodion,
and producing from this fine threads closely resembling silk,
was described, and the capillary tube, by means of which the
threads are drawn out, was figured. Mr. Dodge said that the
elasticity of the artificial silk is claimed to equal that of the
natural silk, and in lustre and brilliancy the former is said to
surpass the latter. It is also claimed that it can be produced
at from one-third to one-fourth the cost of the natural silk. A
sample of the silk was exhibited.

Prof. Riley said that this artificial silk attracted great atten
tion at the Exposition, but was generally thought to be a

OF WASHINGTON. 57

fraud. He had always been of the opinion, however, that
man could duplicate nature in many of her products, as is
illustrated in the manufacture of artificial silk, but he thought
that this product would never compete with true silk.

Mr. Philip Walker said that the statement had been made
to him in Paris that the artificial silk was only one-third as
strong as true silk, but a much greater strength than that
named was now claimed for it. He believed, however, that
the single strand, as drawn from the capillary tube, could not
possibly have the strength of the compound thread of the
natural silk. He had been informed by the editor of the
"Silk Journal" that a New York company had undertaken
the manufacture of this silk. By recovering the solvents used
in producing the collodion, which could doubtless be effected,
the cost of manufacture would be greatly reduced.

The claim made by an Englishman that he had patented the
same apparatus several years previously was also referred to.

Mr. Amory Austin thought that they were making silk of
a single strand only, and Prof. Riley stated that so far as he
knew this was the case.

The use of Ramie as an adulterant in the manufacture of
black silk was mentioned by Mr. Walker, and Mr. Dodge ex
hibited a large series of stuffs manufactured from the Ramie
fibre.

Mr. Howard said that Paul Camboue, of Madagascar, had
again brought up the subject of the utilization of spiders' silk,
and had recently corresponded with Prof. Riley on the sub
ject. Mr. Howard thought that success was doubtful, in view
of past failures.

Prof. Riley reiterated what he had said years ago relating to
the possible use of other substances in lieu of the product of
the domesticated silk-worm, mentioning the artificial silk noted
above and silk of spiders ; but he called attention particularly
to the silk of the common bag-worm, Thyridopteryx ephemerce-
formis, hitherto ignored and neglected, which he said was
firmer, stronger, and more easily spun as carded silk than
that of most other silk cocoons, and which, in his opinion,
could be made to take the place, in part, of other silk. The

58 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

fact that the insect was already widely distributed, removed
the objection of spreading a pest, while within its range it
could be readily propagated and controlled out-doors.

Mr. Ashmead said that the habits of insects, as in the spin
ning of spiders, could be used in classification if anatomical
study indicated structural differences corresponding with the
habits.

Mr. Dodge exhibited some unpublished drawings by
Townend Glover, representing some of his best w r ork.

JUNK 5TH, 1890.

Twelve persons present. President Marx in the chair.

Mr. Schwarz, on behalf the Publication Committee, stated
that No. 4 of Volume I of the Proceedings was mailed to the
correspondents of the Society on May i5th. He also called
attention to the following typographical errors : on page 217,
lines 5, 6 and 7 from top, substitute labrum for labium ; the
two notes on page 253 should be credited to Mr. Schwarz.

Mr. Ashmead, under general notes, announced the discov
ery of a genus of Proctotrupidce new to the United States. The
insect, Iphitrachelus americanus, is interesting, as furnishing a
connecting form between the sub-families Ceraphronince and
Pla tygasterincs.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited a specimen of Throscus pugnax,
which species is new to the fauna of the District.

Prof. Riley presented the following communication :

ON THE DIFFICULTY OF DEALING WITH
LACHNOSTERNA.

BY PROF. C. V. RILKY.

Mr. Smith's studies, supplementing as they did Dr. Horn's,
had resulted in the separation of the old termfusca into sev
eral species, which appeared more or less in succession, so
that for a considerable period one or another species would be

OF WASHINGTON. 59

present. I have recently been much interested in the attacks
of these beetles on certain large trees, between thirty and forty
feet high, which I transplanted last February to my new
home, Sunbury, on Washington Heights. The trees specially
attacked were a swamp oak and a chestnut, both of these trees
being on the west of my residence. It so happens that the
ground on the east was largely filled-in or made ground, while
that on the west was, on the contrary, simply leveled off. This
proved to be badly infested with Lachnosterna, and I have
had great difficulty in preventing the entire defoliation of the
two trees mentioned. The first species to appear was L. hir-
ticula, and this was by far the most abundant and injurious
species the only other species noticed being fusca. It was
evident from the beginning that the trees in question could not
withstand the combined check resulting from the transplant
ing and the defoliation by the insects, so that I made strenu
ous efforts to thwart the latter. Smudges would doubtless
have been efficacious if they could have been employed, but
they were rendered impracticable owing, first, to the height of
the trees and then to the prevalence of winds. With the assist
ance of Mr. Marlatt I made various experiments with insecti
cides, the chief of which were as follows :

(1) The trees were sprayed with a strong whale oil and
tobacco soap solution about five o'clock in the evening. The
spraying was satisfactorily and thoroughly done by means of
the bamboo extension rod. A rain which followed during the
night somewhat interfered with the experiment, but not until
after the beetles had appeared and cut off a quantity of
the leaves showing the practical inutility of the appli
cation.

(2) London purple was applied at the rate of one pound to
one hundred and twenty-five gallons of water, a stronger mix
ture not being advisable, owing to the tender character of the
foliage, especially' of the oak. This application was also
satisfactorily and thoroughly made, not a leaf having escaped
the spraying. There is no doubt but that this spraying
resulted in the destroying of a considerable number of beetles,
since two dead ones were found under the oak tree next day.
It did not, however, limit the onslaught, and I made up my
mind that it would be futile to endeavor to prevent the attacks
of the beetle by any insecticide or other means at command,
for the simple reason that the beetles would escape nightly
from the soil, swarming more or less numerously around these
two trees.

(3) I also endeavored to attract the beetles by lamps float
ing in a tub of water having a scum of kerosene. The num-

60 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

ber so attracted was so few in comparison with those that
swarmed to the trees, that I have been led to reverse my
opinion as to the value of this mode of destroying the beetles.

The experience has a certain value, and I would draw the
following conclusions from it :

First. That it is impossible to protect large and tall trees
from these beetles, when, as in this instance, these are issuing
in large quantities from the ground immediately under and
around the trees.

Secondly. It confirms the fact that these insects, as do so
many other species, show a predilection for newly transplanted
trees, in which the growth is less vigorous and the foliage
more tender than it is in healthy forest trees.

Thirdly. My place is well isolated from other forest trees,
the nearest woods being nearly half a mile away, with no other
cultivated trees of consequence in the immediate vicinity. It
occurred to me, therefore, that my trees suffered from a con
centration of the beetles from other parts of the neighborhood
on to these isolated trees, but I became convinced that such
was not the case, but that they all came from the ground in
the immediate vicinity. This conclusion was emphasized by
the fact that another large oak not two hundred feet away,
but on the east side of the house, and in ground from which no
beetles issued, was scarcely touched. The practical inference
is that if we can keep the ground in the immediate vicinity of
our trees free from the larvae, little injury will be suffered
from the beetles.

The injury was not done through devouring of the leaves,
but almost entirely through the gnawing of the petiole near
the base or junction with the twig, the ground being covered
each morning with fresh leaves, 95 per cent, of which had
hardly been eaten at all. This preference for the gnawing of
the petiole is, so far as I am aware, a new experience, and may
be one of the habits peculiar to hirticula. It is an interesting
point, which, I regret, time did not permit me to solve satis
factorily, whether the same beetles re-enter the ground and
re- visit the tree day after day, or whether, on the contrary,
they are short-lived, and, after their first nocturnal havoc,
pair and re-enter the ground only to propagate. The ap
pearance of fresh holes daily would indicate the latter alter
native, and I am inclined to believe that the injury was done
by a succession of beetles, and also by a succession of species,
as it continued for the period of nearly a month, gradually
diminishing, however, and being worst during the first few
nights and especially in warm and calm weather.

OF WASHINGTON. 61

Mr. Schwarz said that I+achnosternas were rarely observed in
the daytime except in cities, where they cannot enter the
ground, and that it was difficult to estimate their life-period,
which however probably extends over several weeks.

He said, also, that in Europe the damage occasioned by the
larvae was important, while in this country the adult was most
feared. He thought that good results could be obtained by
planting low shrubs, which would attract the beetles and from
which they could be collected nightly. He instanced in this
connection the collecting of Mr. Smith and himself in the
summer of 1888.

Mr. Fernow spoke of the allied beetle of Europe, Melolontha
vulgaris, and said that similar methods of collecting were
there employed. He said that ground had been flooded for
five months without killing the larvae.

Mr. Riley said that the idea put forth by Mr. Schwarz to
the effect that these beetles swarm preferably upon the lower
limbs of trees and upon small trees, and the conclusion then
reached that these trees can be materially protected by beating
the beetles must be abandoned in the light of his experience.
The trees affected on his place were the tallest upon it, while
none of the numerous smaller trees he had planted were in
any way affected or attacked. Thus, besides a number of
fruit trees, including Peach, Pear, Cherry and Apple, he had
also the Sugar Maple, Norway Maple, Tulip, Gum, Linden,
Willow, Poplar, Ash, Elm, Beech, and various shrubs and
conifers, all accessible to the beetles, and from which they
could have been easily beaten. He considered the experience
of Schwarz and Smith in collecting from young oaks planted
by the Park Commission to be exceptional, and instanced
other cases of the beetles attacking particular trees Poplars,
Oaks, etc. indicating the frequently local nature of their work.
He said also that Europe, in methods of controlling these
insects, was behind the times, mentioning in this connection
the available means against the larvae practiced here, but un
known or not practiced in Europe, such as the use of kerosene
emulsions and fallow ploughing.

Mr. Howard referred to the experience of Messrs. Schwarz

62 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

and Smith, in 1888, when the beetles occurred abundantly on
young trees, and could be easily collected, and stated that in
the summer of -1887 they were abundant in the Department
grounds, but occurred in numbers only on the largest trees
and on the topmost branches, thus confirming Prof. Riley's
experience.

Mr. Fernow, replying to Prof. Riley, said that in Europe
they spread rapidly and ' ' became local everywhere, ' ' so that
all measures were ineffective on account of the enormous area
to be covered and the consequent cost. The only way was to
collect the imagines and burn them, the cost of which was met
by the Government.

Prof. Riley admitted the impracticability of the various
means under the circumstances mentioned by Mr. Fernow.

Mr. Mann thought that attracting to light would be
effective at times, and referred also to the damage to grass
lands in New England occasioned by the larvae.

Mr. Schwarz thought that light, unless electric, would be of
little value.

Mr. Schwarz presented the following paper :

NOTE ON THE FOOD-HABITS OF XYLEBORUS TACHY-
GRAPHUS AND X. DISPAR.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

Last Sunday in May, while on an entomological excursion
in the hills along the Virginia side of the Potomac, Mr. Theo.
Pergande called my attention to some holes, evidently made
by a Scoly tid beetle, in young shoots of Liriodendron bushes.
These bushes had greatly suffered from a fire which last fall
had run through that part of the woods, but they were still
green, and would, in all probability, have recovered but for
the attacks of these Scolytids. Dead or nearly dry shoots, or
those which were less than 18 mm. in diameter, were not
attacked. The holes occurred singly, usually just beneath
the origin of a small twig, in some instances also just above
such places, and very rarely also remote from the base of a
twig. In a shoot of six or more feet in height sometimes four
or five holes were thus found, but often only two or a single one.

Upon investigation these holes proved to be made by two
species of Scolytids, Xyleboms tachygraphus and X. dispar,

OP WASHINGTON.

63

both often occurring in the same I^iriodendron shoot, and their
galleries are entirely undistinguishable. The galleries were
in various stages of perfection, and in
each only a single female beetle was found
at work. The accompanying figure (kindly
drawn for me by Dr. Geo. Marx) illus
trates a complete, or nearly complete,
gallery, from which a female specimen of
X, tachygraphus was taken, and hardly
needs any further explanation. It con
sists of a horizontal gallery nearly en
circling the core of the shoot, and of
one, or two, or more, vertical galleries of
considerable length. The walls of the
galleries are coated with a black, granular
substance, apparently consisting of excre
ments permeated with exuding sap, and
this is again covered in places with a
whitish, glistening substance the "am
brosia" of Schmidberger which is sup
posed to be the food of the larvae. Only
in the vertical galleries eggs or young
larvae of the Scolytids were found at this
season, their number in each gallery vary
ing from two to six, but in many instances
they were replaced by another and quite
diiferent Coleopterous larva which proved
to be that of Bactridium cavicolle. Some
times the vertical galleries were crowded
with them, and wherever they occurred
there was no trace left of the Scolytid
eggs or larva. I presume, therefore, that
this Bactridium larva devours or crushes

the eggs or larvae of this Xyleborus ; but it is also possible that
they crowd into the galleries before the parent Xyleborus has
commenced ovipositing.*

Xyleborus tachygraphus is one of our rarest Scolytids, and
nothing was hitherto known of its food-plants and habits ; but
of hardly less interest is the occurrence of X. dispar (pyri
Peck) in Liriodendron tulipiferum. In Europe, its native

* In the hope of obtaining the hitherto unknown male of X. tachy
graphus, which is presumably of the same form as that of X. dispar, I
carried home several infested shoots cut up in pieces of convenient
length, but in the breeding-jars they at once commenced to mould and
the Scolytid larvae perished. Some specimens of Bactridium cavicolle
were, however, bred.

Fig. 3.-Work of Xyleborus
tachygraphus in Lirio
dendron tulipiferum.
Upper figure : trans
verse section ; lower
fi g u r e : longitudinal
section. Natural size.

64 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

home, this species is known to live in all sorts of deciduous
trees, whereas in North America it has heretofore been found
only in cultivated apple and pear trees. Its occurrence in
tulip trees is, therefore, not only an interesting scientific fact
but of considerable economic importance, because the only
available remedy, viz : cutting off and burning the infested
branches, naturally loses a great deal of efficacy in view of the
fact that new beetles come from their wild food-plant or food-
plants and restock our orchard trees. The only preventive of
this new danger is a greater attention to clean forest culture on
the part of the farmers, and more especially the discontinuance
of the pernicious custom of burning the woods. If it is a de
plorable fact that the various borers in orchard trees are by far
more injurious in this country than their congeners are in
Europe, the burning of the woods is one of the principal
causes of this prevalence. The half-scorched trunks and
branches of our forest trees and shrubs form the most perfect
nidus for all sorts of borers, e. g., Chrysobothris femorata,
Amp/iicerus bicaudatus, Saperda Candida, and a host of others.
These insects thrive for one generation in the scorched wood,
and since this, after the lapse of one year, becomes too dry for
them, they have to oviposit in healthy trees, and naturally
choose our cultivated orchard and garden trees, because these
are more attractive to the beetles, more tender and less resist
ant than the healthy forest trees.

From the nature of the burrows of these two Scolytids it
can at once be seen what amount of damage the beetles are
capable of inflicting : the burrowing of a single specimen is
necessarily fatal to a twig of considerable thickness. Of
Xyleborus tachygraphus nothing further is known ; but X.
dispar is known to oviposit not only in branches, but also in
the trunks of large trees. In this case the nature of the bur
row is changed : the gallery does not encircle the core of the
tree, but only enters the wood for a comparative^ short dis
tance, and branches out in perpendicular galleries. The
vitality of the tree is then in no way affected unless the beetles
are very numerous. This mode of attack has been described
by Dr. Fitch in his third New York Report (pp. 327-328), and
a good figure thereof is given by Eichhoff (Europ. Borken-
kafer, p. 271).

Prof. Riley discussed briefly the question of the food-habits
of the larvae of Xyleborus (which he said was being investi
gated by Miss Ormerod), and took issue with Mr. Schwarz in

OF WASHINGTON. 65

the latter's view that cultivated trees were more susceptible to
the attacks of insects than were wild trees, and also that
insects bred in burned trees go of choice to cultivated ones.
The idea that cultivated trees, when properly cared for, are
more tender or more liable to attack, was very common but
fallacious. As a rule they were more vigorous of growth,
and, as a consequence, less subject to attack.

Mr. Fernow sustained Prof. Riley in this view, and, while
agreeing with Mr. Schwarz in that the burning furnishes
favorable conditions for the multiplication of the beetles, he
held that cultivated forest trees were not especially liable
to attack unless they had been previously weakened and
injured from some other cause.

In reply, Mr. Schwarz called attention to the frequent forest
fires and the consequent enormous multiplication of Scolytids,
which did not result in the overrunning of unburned areas
with these beetles. He said that in 1876, at Lake Superior,
he had seen on a large tract of burned white-pine land perfect
clouds of Pityophthorus puberulus and other Scolytids which
had developed in the half-burned trees, yet the adjoining
forest did not suffer subsequently. In the cultivated forests of
Europe a single acre left in such neglected condition would
bring destruction to a large extent of surrounding forest.
According to Mr. Schwarz, the only explanation of this differ
ence is that the wild forest trees possess a greater power of
resistance to the attacks of Scolytids, which is partly or
wholly lost in the cultivated trees of forest and orchard.

Mr. Ashmead related his experience with Scolytids in Flor
ida orange groves, and agreed with Prof. Riley that cultivated
trees were equal, if not superior, to wild trees in their power
ot resistance to insects. He mentioned a case of an orchard
scorched by fire, in which a common Scolytid appeared the
following year in great numbers, and stated that the work of
these beetles always followed injury resulting from some other
source.

Prof. Riley wished to be recorded as agreeing with Mr.
Schwarz' s conclusions, except as to the explanation of the
effect on cultivated trees of the burning of forests, accom-

66 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

panied with the consequent increase of wood-boring insects.
He strongly held that our cultivated trees are more vigorous
in growth than their natural congeners in the natural forest,
while the trees of North America, as a rule, grew more vigor
ously than those of Europe ; and that the view that insects
attack cultivated trees because these are more tender is en
tirely erroneous.

Mr. Howard read the following paper :

THE HABITS OF EURYTOMA.

BY L. O. HOWARD.

From the close morphological relationship of Eurytoma with
the only phytophagic chalcidid genus, Isosoma, it has been
questioned as to whether the former genus might not be in-
quilinous, or at least contain inquilinous species. From the
fact that Eurytoma is reared almost exclusively from the
habitations of endophytic insects, the correctness or incorrect
ness of this surmise is difficult to ascertain ; and while the
general opinion is to the effect that Eurytoma is parasitic, still
no conclusive observations concerning the gall-inhabiting
forms are on record, so far as I know ; and we must remember
that general opinion has always, until very recently, considered
Isosoma as a parasite, solely from a supposed necessary uni
formity of habit in the family Chalcididse, or the series
Parasitica.

Eurytoma is reared commonly from hymenopterous (Cynipid
and Tenthredinid) and dipterous (Cecidomyiid, Trypetid and
Agromyzid) galls, as well as from the burrows in wood of
beetles of the families Curculionidse and Scolytidae, and of wood-
boring bees and wasps. But two exceptions to this general
statement are known to me. Mayr reared E. appendig aster
from a Microgaster cocoon, and Giraud reared E, nodularis
from a burrowing wasp's nest, and noted that it was hyperpar-
asitic upon Cryptus bimaculatus .

In order to absolutely prove the actual habits of the species
so commonly reared from galls, it will be necessary to open a
gall at the proper time, note what the larvae are doing, and
watch them to maturity, and thus determine that you have
Eurytoma larvae and not those of some other of the very
numerous gall-inhabiting Chalcidids.

Somewhat by accident, and certainly by good fortune, I
have just been able to accomplish this result : In August,

OF WASHINGTON. 67

1889, I picked a handful of galls of Cynips quercus-prunus
(determined for me by Dr. Riley) from the ground in Covers'
Lane, Georgetown, D. C., and placed them in a beaker on my
office desk. May 17, 1890, I cut open one of the galls and found
six apparently full-grown parasitic larvae and the remains of a
larva which they had nearly devoured. I was very doubtful
as to my success in rearing these larvae after they had been
thus disturbed, but I put them away without covering the
hole. May 31 I again examined them and found that all had
transformed to white pupae, which on June i had turned to
the natural black color, and which were at once recognizable
as those of a species of Eurytoma. June 2 another gall was
cut open and similar larvae were found not as yet transformed.
No more conclusive proof will, I think, be needed as to the
parasitism of this species, at least, of this genus.

Walsh reared from C. quemis-prunus his Eurytoma prum-
cola, and I find from Prof. Riley 's notes that in February,
1879, he bred a species of Eurytoma from galls of C. q.-prunus
collected by Mr. E. A. Schwarz at Hearne, Texas.

Examination of these latter specimens, which I found in the
National Museum collection, shows that the Texas Eurytomas
belong to a new species, which may or may not be the same
as that found in the District of Columbia. Future rearing of
the latter only can determine this point.*

Prof. Riley stated that the parasitic habit of Eurytoma had
been practically proved in his experience long since, and that
its being thus conclusively shown in this instance was inter
esting. The concensus of observation was so overwhelming
that doubt was hardly justified ; the larvae of Chalcids are
easily distinguished from those of Cynipids, and he had often
had proof that was satisfactory to himself of the fact. He
mentioned the much more justifiable doubt of some whether
Isosoma orchidearum was truly phytophagic, and described
having watched day after day the feeding of the Isosoma
larva on the plant tissue.

Mr. Ashmead said that Eurytoma were frequently reared
from Cecidomyiids and that the National Collection was rich
in such rearings.

It was decided to dispense with the July and August meet
ings.

*June 6, 1890. Two of specimens issued to-day, and proved to be
Eurytoma prunicola Walsh. L,. O. H.

68 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

SEPTEMBER /J/TH, 1890.

Nine persons present. President Marx in the chair.

A publication committee was appointed, consisting of the
following members : Messrs. Howard, Schwarz, Marl art and
Mann ; Mr. Marlatt, as secretary, to act as chairman. Mr.
Mann gave notice of the desire of Rev. Dr. J. G. Morris, of
Baltimore, to resign his active membership in the Society
because of his inability to attend and participate in the
meetings. His resignation was accepted.

Mr. Heidemann presented the following note :

NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A RARE CAPSID,

NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C.
BY OTTO HEIDEMANN.

During the past summer I have been fortunate enough to
discover in the vicinity of Washington quite a number of new
or rare Capsidcz, of which Cylapus tenuicornis Say is by no
means the least interesting species. The general appearance
of this remarkable Capsid is admirably characterized in the
original description of Thomas Say (LeConte edition, I, p. 377)
in the following \vords : ' ' Readily distinguishable by the
tenuity of the antennae and the very prominent eyes ; the
head also is almost vertical and the feet are long. In the
magnitude and prominence of the eyes it resembles Salda and
Acanthia"

As I am not aware that this species has ever been found
again in any part of the United States (it proved to be new to
Prof. Uhler's cabinet) since the days of Say, whose specimens
came from Indiana, I think that a few words regarding its
mode of occurrence will not be out of place.

In the earlier part of August Mr. Schwarz and myself, while
on an excursion near Bladensburg, Md., in a very moist and
shady part of the woods along the Eastern Branch, came
across a small dead oak tree, which had been half-broken down
by a storm a year or so ago. From the upper part of the tree
two or three specimens of the Cylapus were beaten, but we
discovered afterward that the part of the tree close to the
ground was literally swarming with these insects. Their color
perfectly harmonizes with that of the bark, and they can hardly
be distinguished as long as they are quiet. When disturbed
they run with the greatest agility along the bark and take

OF WASHINGTON.

69

wing rapidly. The best way of capturing them was to place
our umbrellas on the ground close to the tree and to jar the
latter with a heavy stick. Some forty or fifty specimens were
thus brought down on the umbrella, and, though most speci
mens escaped, I secured a good series of both sexes. The males
are at once distinguishable from their smaller size and more

FIG. 4. Cylapus tenuicornis Say (original).

elongate form, aside from the differences in the last abdominal
segment. Larvae and pupae occurred in company of the
imagos, but no eggs could be found in spite of diligent re
search. The bark of the tree was covered with lichens, moss
and small fungi, from which the insect probably derives its
nourishment. The species continued to be abundant on the
same tree up to the last week of August, when they gradually
became scarcer.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Choragus nitens found
on the small dead white oak on which Mr. Heidemann's Cap-
sid occurred, and remarked that this species had hitherto been
found but once, viz : at Lowell, Mass., by Mr. Blanchard, and
is therefore an interesting addition to the fauna of the District.
It breeds in the soft wood directly beneath the bark, and pos
sesses considerable leaping power. The same oak tree yielded
a specimen of an undescribed genus allied to Xenorchestes.

In response to a question by Prof. Riley regarding the leap
ing Rhynchophora, Mr. Schwarz said that the genus Orchestes,

70 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

and all genera of the tribes Artzocerini and Xenorchestini, pos
sess jumping power. The smaller species of Cceliodes can also
leap very well, and this power is possessed by other Coleopter
ous families, including some species of Olibrus, of the family
Phalacridse, of which the possession of this power is appar
ently not recorded. He said also that with many jumping
beetles the hind legs were not thickened.

Mr. Howard said that the Chalcidids that jump best do not
have thickened femora, but possess large apical tibial spines
on their middle legs. Prof. Riley referred also to the jump
ing power of Psyllidae, which did not depend on incrassated
femora.

Mr. Schwarz further exhibited a specimen of Hymenarcis
nervosa with abnormal antennae. The right antenna was nor
mal, while the left had but four instead of five joints, the sec
ond and third being much thicker and shorter than the corres
ponding joints in the right antenna, and the terminal joint
being very short and clavate.

Mr. Schwarz also exhibited a branch of Carpinus ameri-
canus, one side of which was healthy and the other dead, and
thickly infested with a Curculionid, Acoptus suturalis. It was
supposed that the eggs were deposited in living wood by the
parent beetle, and that this species is therefore injurious.

Mr. Schwarz called attention also to a paper by Dr. A.
Vceltzkow on the fauna of Vituland (Bast Coast of Africa),
published in Das Ausland, 1880, No. 28, pp. 441-445, in which
the statement is made that certain small Gryllotalpas captured
were always stylopized. Mr. Schwarz said that there was no
reason for doubting the correctness of this statement, which
added a new order of insects to those (Hymenoptera and
Homoptera) known to be infested by Stylopidse.

Dr. Marx described having recently found a number of
specimens of Lathrodectus under a board devouring Carabids,
of which fragments garnished the web of the spiders.

As possibly throwing light on the subject, Prof. Riley men
tioned having been greatly surprised this summer at the large
number of insects, Xylocopa, Bombus, Lachno sterna, Anthrax
and L,epidoptera, particularly Sphingids, that he had found

OF WASHINGTON. 71

about his grounds at Sunbury, with large perforations and
apparently killed by birds, and probably by the house wren.
In one instance a species of Attus was observed feeding on the
remnants of one of these gutted insects, and he suggested that
the beetles observed by Dr. Marx may, in part at least, have
been killed by birds.

Dr. Fox thought that the birds would snap off the wings
and head of the insects mentioned and swallow the balance
entire, and believed that the holes had probably been eaten
out by spiders.

Prof. Riley described his recent investigations of the life-
history and habits of Sp/iecius speciosus, exhibiting specimens
of the egg in situ on Cicadas, and of the young and full-grown
larvae and cocoons.

Careful drawings were also shown illustrating the different
stages and habits of the insect.

He stated that Sphecius was always rather common in the
District, but this year was particularly abundant in the De
partment grounds from the last week of July into August.
Advantage was taken of this to endeavor to work out the full
life-history of this insect. This had been traced from the egg
to the cocoon. The transformation to the pupal state would
not take place till later, probably not much in advance of the
appearance of the adults next year. An interesting point men
tioned was the rapidity of the development of the larva. This
had not been fully followed, but the larval period was judged
not to exceed a week. It was stated also that Sphecius
undoubtedly requires dry ground in which to undergo the
transformations. Excessive moisture induces mould in the
Cicadas, and many specimens unearthed were destroyed by
this agent ; and Cicadas in burrows in dryer earth were found
one year old, and apparently perfect.

Prof. Riley described the habit of the Sphecius larva in con
structing its cocoon, which is silken, with enough earth incor
porated to make a dense pod.

The egg was described, and also the frequently many-
branched burrows excavated by the adult insect.

72 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

In the same connection, Prof. Riley presented to the Society
a female Megilla metadata which he had found recently
devouring the egg-masses of Hyphantria, and which subse
quently laid a batch of eggs. Neither the eggs nor the larvae
of this very common ladybird have hitherto been described or
recorded, and he will take occasion to refer to them more fully
at some future meeting.

Relating to the notes on Sphecius, Mr. Schwarz said that in
the literature this insect is always treated as an enemy of the
Periodical Cicada, and asked if Sphecius had ever been
observed to attack C. septendecim. He said that the Periodical
Cicada always appears several weeks earlier than C. pruinosa
or any other Cicada, and that Sphecius appears in conjunction
with C, pruinosa, from which it was unlikely that this wasp
has an opportunity of preying upon Cicada septendecim.

Prof. Riley showed that the periods of Sphecius and C. septen
decim, and also the common Dogday Cicada, overlapped, and
that the general belief that 5. speciosus attacks the Periodical
Cicada, while not based, as far as he recalled, on observation,
was probably well founded.

He said that in 1885, when the C. septendecim was abun
dant, he had been interested in the comparison of the notes
of the two species. He believed also that Sphecius often
occurs in June or before C. pruinosa, though he had never seen
it using any other species than this last. So far as there
might arise a question based on the smaller size of the Period
ical Cicada, Prof. Riley said that in the case of Sphecius and
other parasites the larva adapted itself, to a great extent, to
the amount of food supplied by its host.

Mr. Howard exhibited specimens of the Sand Cricket,
Stenopelmatus fasciatus, which had recently been sent to Prof.
Riley by one of his correspondents. Mr. Howard stated that
they occurred abundantly in the southwest, and were reported
erroneously to be extremely poisonous. He quoted Prof.
Riley, in the Standard Natural History, to the effect that they
are carnivorous in habit.

Mr. Schwarz stated that these crickets are very common
under stones in the west, occurring in company with a

OF WASHINGTON. 73

species of Galeodes of similar appearance, and perhaps poison
ous, which would account for the fear of the natives.

Mr. B. P. Mann stated that he had decapitated some living
Caloptenus femur-rubrum to utilize the remains as food for
tortoises, and that he had observed that while the bodies were
upon the ground in natural posture they exhibited apparently
normal powers of sanitation. Some ants having seized the
tarsi of the decapitated locusts, the latter sprang away with
vigor and alighted upon their feet again. The experiment
was repeated several times with the same and with different
individuals. When the locusts were confined so that they
could not jump, they kicked vigorously and flung the ants
away from them. Locusts confined but not mutilated did
likewise for a time, .but after awhile yielded to the ants, and
allowed themselves to be bitten without resistance.

Mr. Schwarz read the following paper :

COLEOPTERA ON BLACK LOCUST (Robinia pseudacacia).

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

Early in May, Mr. H. Ulke found a rare and interesting
Cucujid beetle, Ino reclusa, on dead branches and trunks of
black locust trees, and as I was desirous of finding this
vSpecies myself, I made during May and June a rather
careful investigation of a few small trees which had recently
died from the combined influence of fire and insect attacks. A
few of the most promising pieces of the trunks and larger
branches were carried home by me, and an astonishing num
ber of specimens bred from them. The following list includes
the species that have been bred up to the middle of June, as
well as those which were cut from the trees in the field. All
come from a small locality in the vicinity of Washington
known among the resident entomologists under the name of
"red-bug meadow," and where, besides the Acarid which
furnished the name, a host of rare insects of all orders can be
found throughout the whole year.

Oligota n. sp., common. Sinoxylon dinoderoid.es, two spec-
? Leptusa sp. , not rare. imens.

Sacium lunatum, common. Cyrtinus pygni<zus> several speci-
Lcemophloeus adustus, common. mens.

74 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Lcemophlosus modestus, several spec- Leptostylus commixtus, common.

imens. Liopus fascicularis, two speci-
Ino reclusa, common. mens.

Lathropus vernalis, not rare. Ecyrus dasycerus, common.

Soronia undulata, several speci- Mycetochares haldemani, one spec-

mens. imen.

Antphicrossus dllatus, one spec- Zaglyptus strialus, common.

imen. Plocamus hispidulus, not rare.

Trogosita corticalis, not rare. Hypothenemus eruditus, common.

Agrilus egenus, common. Micracis rudis, one specimen.

Petalium bistriatum, common. Eusphyrus walshii, not rare.*

Any one who is in the least acquainted with the food-habits
of Coleoptera will at once see that the above list contains very
few species which may be peculiar to the Black Locust. The
Staphylinidcz and the Trogosita are probably predaceous ; all of
the Cerambytidtz and some of the other species are known to
live in other trees ; some other species are sap-beetles, not
particular in the choice of trees, and there remain only the
following, to be briefly commented upon : Sinoxylon dinode-
roides there is no previous^ record of food-habits, but judging
from the polyphagous habits of allied species it is not likely
that it will prove to be confined to Black Locust. Ino reclusa,
previously known only from Texas, where it occurred on
Hackberry. Zaglyptus striatus breeds in great numbers, in the
outer layers of nearly dead wood and is possibly peculiar to
this tree. Plocamus hispidulus is known to me only from Black
Locust, but is also not an injurious species since it lives like
the preceding. Micracis rudis I failed to discover the gallery
of this, and from the single specimen obtained it would be
premature to draw conclusions as to food-habits. It has pre
viously been recorded as boring under bark of Hackberry.
Agrilus egenus has frequently been bred before from branches
of Black Locust, and is the only species on my list which may
be injurious to the tree.

The Black Locust is very abundant in the vicinity of Wash
ington but almost exclusively in the form of bushes or small
trees, while larger trees are very scarce except in protected
places, and still scarcer are healthy large trees. It is evident
that the growth of the tree must have one or several serious
checks, and while the frequent fires no doubt largely con
tribute to prevent a healthy growth of the tree I have become

*Two species of Elaterid larvae,, a Buprestid larva (Chrysoboihris ?\ a
Melandryid (?) larva and several Cerambycid larvae dried up, and were
not bred.

OF WASHINGTON. 75

convinced that the principal cause of this failure is the work
of a single insect, the Lepidopterous gall-maker Ecdytolopha
insitiana. Dr. T. W. Harris gives a 'good account of what he
found as the most destructive enemy of the tree, viz., the well-
known Cyllene robinice, and attributes to it the complete disap
pearance of the tree in. some of the Western States. He is no
doubt correct in this opinion for the localities referred to by
him, but in the vicinity of Washington this Cerambycid yields
the first rank to the Ecdytolopha. This is an extremely abundant
species, and it is only to be wondered that its destructiveness
to the Black Locust did not attract the attention of Harris or
the other older authors. It oviposits in vigorous young
shoots, which usually die soon after the moth has issued from
the gall, or which at best remain sickly and never grow up to
a large tree. The wound rarely heals over ; on the contrary,
it is usually enlarged by the action of numerous sap-beetles or
other insects which invade the deserted gall.

Cyllene robinics comes next in importance as an enemy of
this tree. Although a very common insect near Washington,
it is not so universally distributed as the gall-moth and seems
to live in large colonies, affecting all trees of small groves,
while long hillsides full of locust trees are not infested by it.
There are always numerous larvae in a single trunk, and a tree
once infested is usually occupied by two or three successive
generations of larvae until it dies. Xyleutes robinice would be
equally destructive but is much rarer here, and apparently
prefers other trees. Whether or not Agrilus egenus is to be
classed among the important enemies of the Black Locust
must be left undecided, but it certainly prefers to breed under
the bark of branches of small trunks which have already
greatly suffered from various other causes.

The host of insects feeding on the leaves may be divided in
two classes. Those which feed externally on the leaves (nu
merous Lepidoptera, various Tenthredinidcz and Coleoptera)
do not seriously injure the tree. Total defoliation by them
hardly ever takes place, and the damage caused by all of them
combined is certainly much smaller than that done by the
second class, the leaf-mining species (various Tineidce and
Odontota dorsalis). These produce almost every year that
burnt appearance of the locust trees so noticeable in July or
later in the season, -and the premature loss of all or most
leaves naturally weakens the trees. The Elm trees in our
parks, when defoliated by the second generation of Galeruca
xanthomel<zna, produce a new growth of leaves and are green
in the autumn ; but the Black Locust, if once defoliated, re
mains so for the rest of the season. These leaf-mining species,

76 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

and more especially Odontota dorsalis, were exceptionally rare
this season, and no appreciable damage was done by them.

There is some confusion in the statements of various authors
regarding the species of Apion. which breeds in the seeds or
feeds on the leaves of the Black Locust. Say states that
Dr. Melsheimer found Apion rostrum on the leaves ; Dr.
Harris says that A. rostrum breeds in the seeds of Bap-
tisia tinctoria, and that "a smaller kind somewhat like it
inhabits the pods and eats the seed of the locust tree ;" Dr.
Fitch, in -his 5th Report, enumerates A. rostrum among the
locust tree insects, and remarks that the species is very varia
ble in size and sculpture, that it eats holes in the leaves, and
that it probably breeds in the seeds ; Dr. LeConte, in the
" Rhynchophora," simply says that the species from Black
Locust is different from A. rostrum; Dr. Packard, in his
Bulletin on Forestry Insects, has again A. rostrum among the
Black Locust insects, and generally follows Fitch's account.
I have myself never found A. rostrum on the Black Locust,
but the species so commonly found feeding on the leaves of
this tree is undoubtedly A. nigrum Herbst (as redescribed by
Prof. J. B. Smith), and I feel confident that this is the same
species which is said by Harris to breed in the seeds of the
tree. At any rate, A. rostrum should no longer be included
among the Black Locust insects.

Spermophagus robinice should be omitted from the list of
Black Locust insects, since it cannot possibly live in the seeds
of the tree, for the reason that the larva is at least five times
larger than the seed. Its only food-plant is the Honey Locust
(Gleditschia triacanthus) , the seed of which corresponds in size
with that of the larva.

Mr. Howard stated that so far from there being no large
locust trees in the vicinity of Washington, they were very
abundant in old yards in Maryland near Washington, where
this tree seemed to have been a favorite. Of leaf-miners, he
mentioned Gelechia pseudacaciella Chamb. as of chief import
ance, the leaves frequently being whitened by the work of
their larvae. He had particularly noted this appearance in the
case of young trees bordering fences during a recent drive of
a few miles into the country.

Prof. Riley stated that approaching and up to Hagerstown,
Md. , the trees were seared by Odontota dorsalis. He agreed in
general with Mr. Schwarz as to the cause of the failure of the

OF WASHINGTON. 77

locust to attain considerable size, but that the increase of the
locust-borer, Cyllene robinice, was largely the cause of this.

He said, further, that the nature of the soil had much to do
with the successful growth of the tree, instancing in this con
nection that at Davenport, Iowa, and other localities that he
was aware of, on high and dry land with a limestone subsoil,
it became a large tree, but in low, moist ground it was seriously
attacked.

Mr. Schwarz stated, in reply to Mr. Howard, that his paper
had been prepared two months previously, and he admitted
that the various leaf-miners, and particularly those mentioned
by Messrs. Riley and Howard, had greatly increased outside
of the District. He stated also that in Europe the tree was
a magnificent one.

Mr. Howard stated that the freedom of the locust trees in
the grounds of the Department from leaf-miners was doubtless
owing to the fact that the leaves were regularly raked up and
disposed of in the fall.

Prof. Riley called attention to the curious fact that in the
case of the L,ocust and Hickory Cyllene the larva of one was
footless and the other was provided with feet, and that this
marked structural difference in such closely allied species also
occurred in the case of the genus Prodoxus and Pronuba, and
forcibly illustrated the folly of attaching too great classi-
ficatory value to larval characters.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited the burrows of some Scolytid
beetles, and explained them by the following remarks :

NOTES ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF SOME
SCOLYTIDS.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

XYLOTERUS POUTUS. This is an abundant, and, at the
same time, very destructive species, yet very little seems to be
published of its food-habits. Mr. J. W. Randall, who de
scribed it as Tomicus gularis, found it ' ' about the sap of
newly-cut maple trees in April," and Dr. J. A. L,intner found
it "depredating upon maple trees." Some years ago it
attacked and killed, within less than two years, two beautiful
trees of silver birch (Betula alba) in the grounds of Mr. Bela

78 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Hubbard, at Detroit, Mich., the only other injurious insect
associated with it being Agrilus torpidus. The present year
X. politus infests, in large numbers, large trees of Negundo
aceroides and Fraxinus sambucifolia growing along the Potomac
near Washington, and which had been partially decorticated
or dislocated by the great freshet of June 2, 1889. Many of
the trees show already unmistakable signs of decay. Last
August I found at Bladensburg; Md., a moderate-sized soft
maple tree which had been thrown down by the wind, and in
which the beetles were at work. I made a cross section
through one of the burrows, and it can be seen therefrom that
there is a slightly undulating main gallery leading horizontally
into the wood for a distance of about 70 mm. A longitudinal
section through this gallery shows that at about its middle,
and both above and below, it is intersected by a number (5 in
the specimen exhibited, but the number no doubt variable) of
rather closely placed perpendicular galleries (larval cradles),
averaging each about 15 mm. in length. They are of the
same width throughout as the main gallery, thus showing
that they have also been excavated by the parent beetle. The
whole work resembles that of Monarthrum mali, but in
Xyloterus the perpendicular galleries are a little longer. The
walls of all galleries are stained with black, and this serves to
distinguish the work of Xyloterus from that of a Ptinid beetle,
Ptilinus rujicornis, which was boring in the same maple tree,
and which excavates a simple gallery also leading deep into
the wood, but without any branches, and its walls never
stained black.

XYLEBORUS FUSCATUS AND X. PUBESCENS. A very large
colony of these Scolytids was found by Mr. Ulke and myself
in the mountains at Pen-Mar, Pa., on August 2, infesting a
stump of a large butternut tree (Juglans dnerea) which had
been felled at least one year before.* Both species are true
wood-borers, and I am unable to distinguish their galleries,
which occurred promiscuously in the stump. Owing to the
want of proper instruments, and on account of the hardness of
the wood, only fragmentary portions of the galleries could be
secured. The work of the beetles consists of a long hori
zontal gallery leading straight, or slightly obliquely, or
slightly undulating, into the wood for a distance of at least
60 mm. Branching off at nearly right angles to the right or
left, and at intervals of about 1-5 mm., are several (two or
three, and perhaps more, on each side) lateral horizontal gal-

* The stump was at first taken by me as that of a walnut, but I am in
formed by our best authority, Mr. B. E. Fernow, that it is a butternut.

OF WASHINGTON. 79

leries in which the larvae develop. One of these branch gal
leries measured 12, and a second more than 20 mm. in length.
At several points within the main and lateral galleries are
short (from 5 to 8 mm. in length) vertical galleries, made by
the beetles to reach a lower level from which to construct
another story of horizontal galleries. The largest piece of
wood cut from the stump shows three stories of galleries, and I
presume that in this instance several specimens of female
beetles participated in the work of excavation. The work of
these two Xyleborus closely resembles that of the European
X. dryographus, as described and figured by Eichhoff. Large
numbers of Hypophlceus thoraticus were found among the
Xyleborus, and no doubt depredate upon their larvae.

I may add that in the same stump a single male specimen
of the rare Xyleborus planicollis was found (unfortunately not
recognized at the time of collecting), and that Mr. Ulke found
therein a colony of Dryoccetes granicollis, but no notes were
taken of its' mode of work.

CNESINUS STRIGICOLLIS. This is a widely distributed
(occurring from Michigan to Florida and Texas) though not
very abundant species, and probably not of economic import
ance. Of its food-habits I find nothing recorded excepting a
short note by Dr. Hamilton (Can. Ent., 19, 1887, p. 66),
stating that the species ' ' occurs here [Allegheny, Pa.] on
Osage Orange, which it probably followed from the south."
At Columbus, Texas, it occurred exclusively on the "Gum
Elastic tree " (Bumelia lanuginosa], while near Washington I
found it last July and August on a felled Black Gum (Liqui-
dambar styraciflua] . As often as I passed the tree I beat quite
a number of specimens from it so that I felt confident to -find
the burrows of the Scolytid in the tree. I went to work tear
ing off the bark, but since the tree was quite large and the
bark most tenaciously adhering I made but little progress.
Finally, I noticed from a small hole in a branch about 30 mm.
thick some sawdust dropping and ascertained that this was
pushed out by a Scolytid, which proved to be a female of
Cnesimis. A cross section through the branch revealed a
gallery which, after piercing the bark, entered the wood for a
distance of nearly 6 mm., and then abruptly bending followed
an undulating course parallel to the bark, the whole length of
the gallery being 17 mm. and its terminal point 5 mm. from
the outer surface. There was no trace of secondary or branch
ing galleries, nor of eggs or larvae. That this burrow had
been excavated by the Cnesinus there can be no doubt, but it
is either incomplete or made by the beetle only for the pur
pose of feeding on the wood. I am inclined to believe the

80 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

latter alternative, since by far the greater majority of the tribe
Hylesini are known to be bark-borers. At any rate I feel con
fident that Liquidambar styraciflua will prove to be one of the
food-plants of this species.

OCTOBER 2ND, 1890.

Thirteen persons present. President Marx in the chair.

Messrs. J. M. Stedman, Nathan Banks and F. W. Mally
were elected members.

Dr. Fox exhibited a specimen of a small spider belonging
to the genus Episinns, which Dr. Marx stated was unde-
scribed.

Dr. Marx called attention to two spiders new to our fauna
one belonging to the European genus Histopona, taken at Pen-
Mar, Pa., and also received from southern Florida, and the
other a new genus of uncertain position, but possibly allied to
the Agalenidcz, represented by a single specimen, taken on
the grounds of the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Marlatt exhibited a specimen of Trypeta cequalis Lw.,
which he had bred from the seed pods of Xanthium, and the
larval habit of which he had described at a previous meeting
of the Society.*

Mr. Marlatt read the following paper :

OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF VESPAS.

BY C. L,. MARLATT.

While residing in the suburban village of Takoma, Md.,
during August and September last, my attention was forcibly
drawn to the enormous abundance of certain of the smaller
Vespas, notably Vespa germanica Fabr. and Vespa cuneata Fabr.
The former of these wasps greatly predominated, and was to
be seen in numbers on every tree or bush and in the neighbor
hood of houses, where it was attracted by moisture about wells
or to refuse fruit or melon rinds, etc.

* See pp. 40-43.

OF WASHINGTON. 81

People on porches were not infrequently stung by them, and
constant precautions had to be taken to prevent their gaining
access to dining-rooms. In houses of the poorer sort unpro
vided with screens, these wasps, on account of their numbers
and pugnacious disposition, rendered the meal-taking a pro
ceeding of positive danger.

In the woods they were observed running over foliage, which
they appeared to examine carefully, doubtless in search of
larvae and spiders. None were observed to seize insects of
any sort, however, and they were further repeatedly seen to
pass with utter indifference colonies of aphids.

I discovered a number of the nests of these insects myself,
and was directed to a considerable number by woodmen and
others. All of these belonged to V. germanica with the ex
ception of one underground nest of V. cuneata, found late in
the season.

The nests of V. germanica may be classified as (i) above
ground ; (2) in or beneath stumps or stones ; and (3) in excava
tions in open ground. The latter form greatly predominated.
Contrary to the habits of closely-related European species the
yellow-jackets of this country build almost exclusively in the
ground and rarely, if ever, attach their nests to trees or stumps.
One of the nests brought to my attention was said to have
been originally attached to a stump a few inches above the
ground, but had been disturbed and broken up and a new nest
had been formed in the base of the stump. A number of nests
were found beneath stones and stumps, but no preference
seemed to be shown for such protected situations as the ma
jority were, as stated, in open ground.

These nests consisted of spherical excavations of a capacity
of from one peck to half a bushel or more, and reached within
an inch or two of the surface of the ground. Access to the
nest is gained by a single (rarely two) circular or oval opening
about y inch in diameter, which, in open-ground nests, leads
directly from the centre of the nest. The nest itself is too w r ell
known to require minute description. Briefly, it consists of a
loose outer papery covering, which must furnish very slight
protection, and does not compare at all with the tough, firm
outer covering of the tree-nests of the larger Vespas, as that of
V. maculata. Within this are four to eight horizontal stories
or tiers of combs attached to each other by strong supports.
In the larger nests opened these combs had a maximum
diameter of twelve inches, and there were as many as eight
tiers.

The life-cycle, also well known, is briefly as follows : The
fully developed females and the males are produced in special

82 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

cells of large size, chiefly in the lowest or last constructed of
the combs, during the month of September. Pairing takes
place, and the females winter over and originate new colonies
the following spring. Workers only are produced during the
summer, or until the perfect females and the males of the suc
ceeding Fall are developed.

No honey, wax or pollen is stored in their nests, but the
young are fed by the workers on a liquid derived from larvae
or other substances eaten. These insects are not honey-gath
erers and are not attracted particularly by flowers, but seem
to be especially fond of the sweets of fruits and melons.

No evidence of the presence of parasitic insects was noted
in the nests examined, and I believe no parasites of these
wasps have been recorded in this country. A number of in
sects were found associated with the Vespas, none of which,
however, can be considered inquilinous. They comprised a
number of Dipterous larvae occurring in the mass of debris
about the exterior- of the nest in the decaying musty matter
which they breed ; also, a number of partly-grown roaches and
some Elaterid larvae and beetles the presence of which latter
was probably accidental. Two species of Asilid flies, Mallo-
phora orcina Wied. and Deromyia discolor L,w. , were observed
to prey on the Vespas in open places in woods. The interest
ing fact that these flies, to prevent their being stung, always
seize and hold the Vespas while feeding on them with the
abdomen of the latter pointing forward is mentioned in the
American Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 140.

In addition to these insect enemies, I was informed by wood
men that foxes and skunks frequently dig out the ground-nests
and feed on the larvae and pupae contained in the combs.

The nuisance of these insects about houses and the danger
to teams, arising from the frequent proximity of the nest to
roads, makes man their principal enemy. The method com
monly followed to break up the nests is to build a fire of
brush, etc., over them after all the Vespas have come in for
the night. This plan I saw repeatedly tried, but subsequent
examination showed that in every case it had been only partly
successful the upper tier of combs only being affected. In
my own investigation a few spoonfuls of chloroform were
introduced into the opening of the nest in the evening after
all the hornets had come in, and in a few minutes the nest
could be opened and examined with entire safety. A better
method of destroying the nests than burning would be to
introduce into them bisulphide of carbon, which would be
cheaper than chloroform and equally effective. Either of
these substances could also generally be applied in the case of

OF WASHINGTON. 83

nests protected beneath stones or stumps, where burning would
be out of the question.

In the course of my examinations of the nests I was stung
in the hand by germanica several times the resulting pain
being very slight and of short duration. I was unfortunate
enough also to be stung in the ear by cuneata, and the result
ing pain was not only extremely severe but lasted for twelve
to fourteen hours in spite of all attempts to allay it. The
severity of the sting in the latter instance was in part, and
perhaps altogether, due to the greater sensitiveness of the
locality stung, but I cannot but believe that the sting of
cuneata, which is the larger insect, is under the same circum
stance more severe than that of germanica.

Mr. Howard stated that the locality of the sting had much
to do with its severity, and he doubted if much difference
would be found in the pain resulting from the sting of either
species, if in the same place, on the subject.

Mr. Schwarz said that in Europe foxes were known to feed
on the ground-nests of Vespas, readily eating the comb for the
contained larvae and pupae.

Mr. Howard called attention to some interesting observa
tions on the power of sight in Vespa by Mr. Scudder, which
seem to indicate that these wasps see but poorly. This defec
tive sight was shown in that they were frequently observed to
.attack the shadow of flies rather than the flies themselves.

Referring to the absence of parasitic or inquilinous insects
in the nests examined by Mr. Marlatt, Mr. Schwarz said that
this was remarkable in view of the number of insects associ
ated with Vespa in Europe. He mentioned particularly an
interesting parasitic Coleopter {Metoecus paradoxus) quite com
mon in the nests of Vespa in Europe, and wondered that no
similar parasite had been discovered in this country.

Dr. Fox asked if the sting of Vespa was barbed as with the
honey bee, and Mr. Marlatt replied that the sting was but
slightly barbed, and ordinarily remained with the insect in
stead of tearing out and holding in the flesh.

Mr. Dodge related his experience with a species of yellow-
jacket in Colorado, and called attention to the rapidity of the

84 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

wasps to give the alarm following- any disturbance at the
mouth of the nest. He described the habit of the insects,
when alarmed or disturbed, of clustering in dense masses or
rows at the mouth or opening leading to the nest ready to
attack the culprit en masse.

Mr. Stedman asked if benzine would not serve very well to
destroy the nests and wasps.

Mr. Howard said that he had used kerosene very success
fully for this purpose.

Mr. Howard then read a paper of which he has furnished
the following abstract :

A NEW REMARKABLE GENUS OF ENCYRTIN^E.

BY L. O. HOWARD.

The only Bncyrtid with ramose antennae ever found prior to
last year, was the single male specimen found in 1837, in
Coombe Woods, England, upon which Westwood founded his
genus Tetracnemus.

Mr. Ashmead announced to this Society, February 7, 1890,
that he had found in Florida a male Kncyrtid which corre
sponded exactly to Westwood' s description of Tetracnemus
diver sicornis.

I exhibit herewith a second genus of Encyrtinse which
shows this antennal peculiarity, so that Tetracnemus no longer
remains the striking abnormality which it has hitherto been
considered.

This new form of which we are also extremely fortunate to
possess the female sex, while bearing a strong superficial re
semblance to Tetracnemus, differs from it and from all other
genera of the subfamily to which it plainly belongs by the
possession of two ring joints to the antennae, by the propor
tions of the antennal joints, by the fact that the ocelli are
placed in a straight line across the top of the head, by the fact
that the whole surface of the female abdomen is densely
punctate, by the fact that the ovipositor is directed dorsally at
right angles to the plane of the abdomen, and by the fact that
the stigmal vein is long, straight, and descends almost verti
cally into the disc of the wing. From this last character
I have called the new genus Tanaostigma^ and have drawn up
full descriptions of both sexes, \vhich it will be unnecessary to
read at this time.* The species I have named T. courseticz. It

^Published in full in Insect Life, Vol. Ill, No. 4, pp. 145-148, Nov. 1890.

OF WASHINGTON. 85

was found in quite large series in the ovaries of Coursetia (?)
mexicana, a rare leguminous plant collected in the Alamos
Mountains, Mexico, by Dr. Edward Palmer.

Dr. Marx then read a paper of which he has furnished the
following abstract :

ON THE EFFECT OF THE POISON OF LATHRODECTUS

MACTANS WALCK. UPON WARM-BLOODED

ANIMALS.

BY GEO. MARX, M. D.

In the early part of last October I came accidentally in pos
session of quite a number of living specimens of this spider,
so notorious on account of its supposed poisonous properties,
and I concluded to make some experiments as to the effect of
its poison on warm-blooded animals, in order to settle defi
nitely, if possible, the question whether the bite of this
spider may be fatal to man. This question, which some time
ago had agitated scientists of many countries, was raised
again by the recent publication of a case of alleged poisoning
of a man in North Carolina with fatal results within less than
twelve hours.*

As objects for the experiments of inoculations of the virus
the following animals were selected : a rabbit, four Guinea
pigs and a mouse, all healthy and well fed, which were
kindly furnished by the Bureau of Animal Industry of the
Department of Agriculture. The spiders, nearly all mature
females, were fed copiously with flies and some Carabid
beetles, which were devoured with great relish.

In dissecting the spiders the mandibular (poison) glands
were found to be extremely small in comparison to those of
other spiders. The walls of these glands being composed of
both muscular (striated) and fibrinous bundles, are so thick
that only a very narrow channel is left as a receptacle for the
poison, and which would hold only about y-ioooth part of one
cubic millimeter. As the spider possesses two such glands,
which both are used always in biting, the quantity of poison
which might be introduced into the body of the victim by the
bite would therefore not be more than 14-1000, or about
i~75th of a cubic m.m., equal in bulk to the i-5oooth part of
a drop of distilled water.

*See Insect Life, I, pp. 204-211 (i

86 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The first experiment consisted in the inoculation of a pair of
unbroken poison glands into the region of the groin of the
rabbit. An incision was made through the previously shaved
off epidermis and the underlying adipose tissue to the muscles ;
then the poison bags were introduced and left intact for ab-
sorbtion. The result was negative ; the rabbit continued to
eat its food in ten minutes after the operation, and lived for
over two weeks in perfect health, when it was used by one of
the scientists of the Bureau of Animal Industry for other ex
periments, during which it died. The post-mortem examina
tion of the infected part showed a hardly noticeable external
scar, while the location of the deposition of the poison bags
showed a slightly reddened area.

The next experiments were made with three Guinea pigs.
Here the poison bags were introduced in the wound, made in
the same region of the body as in the rabbit ; they were then
carefully opened and the contents squeezed out. In the third
Guinea pig four glands were thus used. The result was the
same as with the rabbit : the animals did not seem to be at all
disturbed by the operation and lived for weeks until they
were disposed of in the same manner as the rabbit.

The fourth experiment was made with the mouse : the
poison glands the largest ones of all were here also care
fully opened in the wound. Result, the same as in the
previous cases ; the mouse seemed to enjoy particularly good
health after the operation.

In the last trial another method was used for introducing
the virus into the system of the Guinea pig. A full-grown
female spider, which had been well supplied with flies and
beetles for a couple of days before the experiment was made,
was held by a pair of forceps at one of its posterior legs and
was thus approached to the nose of the victim, which it imme
diately seized and wounded. After removing the spider from
this place two small punctures could be distinctly noticed, as
a little blood oozed out, which proved that the mandibular
fangs had penetrated the epidermis. This operation was re
peated once more, with the same result. The little victim
was at first very much frightened and sat for awhile with
head bent low down, its panniculus carnosus shivering vio
lently. In an hour, however, it was quiet again and took
food. It lived for three weeks in good health, when it had to
follow the fate of its comrades.

These experiments, in which Dr. Moore,. of the Bureau of
Animal Industry, kindly assisted, showed conclusively that
the poison of Lathrodectus mactans is not sufficiently strong
to harm a small animal.

OF WASHINGTON. 87

Mr. Schwarz said that Mr. H. Lucas had already performed
this experiment on himself repeatedly without experiencing
any effect.

Dr. Marx called attention to the fact that the opening lead
ing from the chelicera to the poison sac is extremely minute,
which, in connection with the small size of the latter, would
indicate that a very small quantity of poison only could be in
jected into the wound made by the spider.

Dr. Fox inquired how long the spiders experimented with
had been kept in confinement.

Dr. Marx replied three to four weeks, during which time
they had been fed on flies.

Mr. Howard said that the first experiment was unsatis
factory and inconclusive. In the introduction of the poison
sacs entire, it was very uncertain whether the poison was
liberated before it had itself lost its toxic quality, if in fact,
as Dr. Marx himself stated, it was not thrown out with the
pus arising from the wound.

Dr. Marx promised to continue his experiments.

Discussion followed on the possibility of this spider, with
its comparatively small jaws, piercing the skin of man, the
conclusion arrived at being that in the usually exposed
parts of the body this would be well nigh out of the
question.

Mr. Ulke gave an interesting account of the habits of
Tachys incurvus Say, which he had found in large numbers at
Pen-Mar, Pa. , in the nests of Formica exsectoides^ and which is
the first North American Carabid known as truly myrmecoph-
ilous. He also spoke of the habits of a myrmecophilous
Staphylinid observed at the same locality. A large under
ground colony of an undetermined species of Formica was
accidentally disturbed, and among the multitude of ants rush
ing forth from the entrance hole there were numerous speci
mens of this Staphylinid, which rapidly took wing and
escaped. Only two specimens could be secured, which proved
to be an undescribed species allied to Myrmedonia, and not
mentioned by Schwarz in his list of myrmecophilous Coleo-
ptera.

88 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mr. Schwarz said that Tachys inciirvus was first found
among Formica exsedoides by Mr. Blanchard at Lowell, Mass.,
and afterward among the same ant by Mr. Beutenmiiller, near
New York. The occurrence of the beetle in large number
among ants at three different localities leaves no doubt that it
is a true myrmecophilous species. In reply to a question by
Mr. Howard, Mr. Schwarz said that no observations on the
relationship of this Tachys to the ants had been made so far,
and it was not known whether or not it fed on the eggs or
young larvae of the ants.

Mr. Ulke exhibited also a collection of Coleoptera made the
present year by his son, Mr. Titus Ulke, in the Black Hills
district of South Dakota. He said that the insect fauna of
this region generally resembled that of Nebraska, but with a
greater admixture of boreal forms. He remarked on the
value of local collections of this sort to enable us to form
correct ideas of geographical distribution.

Dr. Marx stated that of nine spiders received from Mr. T.
Ulke, from the Black Hills, four were known and five were
new species.

Mr. Schwarz said that he was glad to learn that Mr. Titus
Ulke was collecting material toward a general catalogue of the
insects of the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The only
catalogue of insects of all orders that has hitherto been pub
lished in this country was that by Prof. J. B. Smith on the
insects of New Jersey, but there were serious faults to be
found with this work. In order to be useful to the collector
as well as to entomological science, a catalogue should be
based upon actually collected material. In Mr. Smith's cata
logue, however, we find except in Coleoptera, Lepidoptera
and Orthoptera hundreds of species enumerated which have
never been collected in New Jersey. It appeared that, in the
absence of collections, Mr. Smith selected from general cata
logues and check-lists all such species which he thought
likely to occur in his State. As a consequence this portion of
the catalogue does not represent our actual knowledge of the
insect fauna of New Jersey and fails, therefore, to accomplish
the principal objects of a work of this character, viz : to form

OF WASHINGTON. 89

a basis and guide for future exploration of a certain region,
and to be a contribution to our knowledge of geographical
distribution of insects.

Mr. Howard stated that in the Hymenoptera Prof. Smith
had largely followed Cresson's Catalogue, and had included
as from New Jersey those species against which Cresson has
placed "U. S." In many cases Cresson, however, has re
corded the United States as the habitat of species only actually
found in two or three rather widely separated localities, so that
to record, such species as from New Jersey is very rash.
Moreover, among the parasitic Hymenoptera both Cresson and
Smith seem to have taken it for granted that where a parasite
has been bred from a host, its geographical range is the same
as that of the host insect. The fallacy of this is shown in the
fact that Cresson catalogues Euplectrus comstockii Howard, a
common parasite of Aletia xylina Say, as from " U. S.," and
Smith consequently catalogues it from "N. J.," whereas this
parasite occurs only, so far as we know, in the breeding region
of Aletia, viz : the southern States.

Mr. Townsend presented the following paper :

THE NORTH AMERICAN GENERA OF CALYPTRATE
MUSCID^E.

PAPER i.
BY C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND.

The super-family name MUSCINA may be used with much
propriety to designate the whole natural division of the
Diptera comprehended in the term Muscidtz sens. lat. This
division has long been divided, for convenience sake, into two
great sections : the Muscidce caly pirates (also written calyptertz),
as opposed to the M. acaly >ptrat<z . The former are commonly
supposed to be distinguished from the latter by the possession
of large and well developed tegulse, which in the acaly ptrat&
are defined as rudimentary or absent. In reality, however, no
true line of separation can be drawn ; for, as Mr. van der
Wulp very aptly remarks, ' ' when the numerous species are
examined, the tegulse are found to decrease gradually in size
till they finally disappear altogether" (Biol. Cenrr.-Amer. ;
Dipt., II, p. 2). It was thought at one time that another

90 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

character might be of some service here. Haliday drew atten
tion to the transverse suture of the thorax, which he believed
to be usually of the same depth through its whole extent in
the Calyptratce, but generally distinct at each side and imper
ceptible in the middle of the thorax in the Acalyptratce (L,cew,
Mon., I, p. 33). This character, likewise, can not be relied
upon. Similar difficulties arise in the separation of these flies
into groups or families. Distinguishing characters are not so
apparent here as in other families, nor are the characters most
to be relied upon so constant. It is therefore difficult to arrive
at a just decision concerning the location of some forms, until
one becomes familiar with the genera. The best plan to follow
in all doubtful cases is that of comparing the specimen with
generic descriptions until its affinities are clearly ascertained.

I have followed Brauer and von Bergenstamm's work (to be
presently noticed) in the inclusion of the CEstridce with the
Calyptrate Musddcz. This scheme is not original with these
authors. Lcew expressed this idea in 1862 (1. c.). The
CEstridce have always been recognized, especially so in more
recent years, as possessing many characters in common with
the Musddce. Their rudimentary proboscis is about the only
character upon which they can be isolated. Their pilosity,
though not seen in the calyptratce, is paralleled in the
acalyptratce (Cordyluridce) . They possess its Muscid facies, the
same venation, the undeveloped empodia, and the dorsal never
terminal arista. The question of their parasitism naturally
links them with the calyptrate Muscidtz, the first five families of
which are, without exception, parasitic in their habits ; while
the infliction of this parasitism on the higher animals, and
even man, is analogous to the pseudo-parasitism of Comp-
somyia, and the true parasitism of Sarcophaga on Reptilia. In
this connection it should be noticed that Ctenostylum (^CEstridce}
has the tegulae very small, almost wanting ; this fact, however,
does not invalidate the present conception of the family, as all
the other genera possess usually large, but sometimes smaller
ciliate, tegulae. I can see no reason why the Q^stridce should
not be admitted into the Calyptrate Musddce as a sub-section on
an equality with the Creophilce, AnthophilcE, etc., and for
which the term Mammophiltz might be proposed. The
Tachinidce sens. lat. may also very appropriately constitute a
separate sub-section, distinguished from the Creophil<z (as thus
restricted) by the absence of hair on the arista, and for which
I coin the name Entomophilce. This gives us four natural,
and nearly equal, sub-divisions of the Calyptrate.

The super-family MUSCINA, then (understood to embrace all
the Musddce sens, lat., including the CEstiidd], may be known

OF WASHINGTON. 91

by the following characters : Antennae 3-jointed, the third
joint always simple and with a dorsal arista ; proboscis present
(except in some bot-flies), usually short and fleshy, but some
times long, horny and adapted for piercing ; only one sub-
marginal and always three posterior cells present, discal cell
usually present but sometimes absent ; pulvilli present, the
empodia never developed pulvilliform. They have a true
coarctate puparium, from which they emerge through a curved
seam or lid in the anterior end (not through a slit in the
back).

By far the most important works on our Calyptrate Muscida?
are two very recent ones : That of Mr. van der Wulp in the
Biologia Centrali-Americana (Diptera, vol. II), begun in 1888
and still being published ; and that of Messrs. Brauer and von
Bergenstamm on the Muscaria schizometopa, published in
1889 in Vienna. The latter attempts a revolution in the
classification of these flies, and though there are some good
points in it there is much that ought not to be accepted. I
have followed it in some minor particulars, but I do not adopt,
even in the main, the views of these authors, who have
brought forth a system that is in many respects more unnat
ural than the old one. Yet the plates of this work (n plates ;
310 figures, mostly of heads alone) are well drawn, and may
be found useful.

Mr. van der Wulp's work is particularly valuable as collect
ing all the tropical North American forms so far known,
and presenting the full results not only of the rich collections
made under the direction of the Biologia publishers, but also
of the collection of Prof. Bellardi in Turin. The work gives
excellent synopses of all the genera and species, and includes
many forms not before known as inhabiting this country.

Though the Acalyptrata have been studied in this country
(by Loew), the Calyptrate have received no systematic atten
tion from American students. Not that they are an unat
tractive group, for many of them are our most interesting and
showy flies, and always invite the attention alike of the col
lector and the student. But incomplete, wrongly referred
and scattered descriptions in works difficult to obtain, detail
ing insufficient or misinterpreted characters and involving a
complex and intricate synonymy, have unfortunately deterred
many workers from devoting their attention to this section of
the MusddcE. This paper, it is hoped, will, with others to
follow it, serve the important object of bringing together all
the North American genera described and recognized up to
the present time, and at the same time enable their separation
with a fair degree of certainty. Many new forms will have to

92 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

be added in the future, but such can more easily be recognized
when the known ones are tabulated.

I have given the groups of Schiner family rank to which I
believe they are entitled.

As to the larval habits of the Calyptrata the general state
ment can be made that they are parasitic, pseudo-parasitic,
creophagous, necrophagous, coprophagous and vegetarian.
The sub-sections may be summarized as follows : Mammophilcz,
parasitic exclusively on mammals ; Entomopkiltz> parasitic ex
clusively on other insects (Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemi-
ptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera); Creophilce, including all
the true flesh flies, some species being pseudo-parasitic on
mammals, others coprophagous, some even parasitic in lepi-
dopterous larvae, and a few breeding in vegetable matter ;
Anthophilce, breeding as a rule in decaying vegetable matter,
but being also largely coprophagous and even parasitic.

TABLE OF FAMILIES.

Super-family MUSCINA.

Section MUSCID^ CALYPTRAT^.

1. Mouth parts rudimentary, wanting or deeply sunken ; palpi rarely

present ; vibrissae and macrochaetae absent ; apical (first pos
terior) cell wide open, narrowed, or closed and petiolate ; usually
piliferous flies (subsection Mammophilce} ............ fain. CEstridae

Mouth parts well developed ; palpi rarely wanting ; vibrissae present ;
bristly or bare ; never piliferous flies ....................................... 2

2. Fourth longitudinal vein bent up toward the third, forming an apical

cross- vein, thus closing or more or less narrowing the apical cell.. 3

Fourth longitudinal vein straight, the apical cell wide open, not nar

rowed in the border (subsec. Anthophilce) ...... fain. Anthomyiidae

3. Arista naked,* or with only a very delicate and usually scarcely per

ceptible pubescence (subsec. Entomophilcc] ............................ 4

Arista distinctly hairy and usually feathered (subsec. Creophilcz] ...... 8

4. Abdomen almost naked or with irregular, short, bristly hairs, never

with long, regularly arranged macrochaetae (true or stout
bristles)f ..... ....................................................................... 5

* Rhynchomyia and Gymnostylina, European genera usually classed
with the Muscidcs s. sir., have a nearly naked arista ; they have not yet
been recognized in this country. On the other hand, some genera of
TachinidcE s. sir. have the arista very distinctly pubescent but not hairy.

f Miltogramma and some allied genera, of the Tachinidcs s. sir., are
without macrochaetae ; but they all have a short conical, arched abdo
men, and may thus be distinguished from the Gymnosomatida', which
have the abdomen spherical.

OF WASHINGTON. 93

Abdomen bristly or hairy, in either case with regularly arranged
macrochaetae, sometimes spiny 6

5. Abdomen with five or six segments, rounded or elongate, usually

more or less flattened, but sometimes cylindrical in the 9 >
wings broad and large fam. Phasiidae

Abdomen with only four segments, short oval, almost spherical, never

flattened ; wings proportionately short and small

fam. Gymnosomatidae

6. Abdomen with five segments (the first often indistinct),* elongate,

cylindrical, more rarely short oval, either gently incurvate its
whole length or the final segments strongly contracted and
drawn in ; genitalia strongly protruded 7

Abdomen with only four segments, short oval, conical, less often
cylindrical, in the last case not incurvate behind and the geni
talia not protruded fam. Tachinidae s. str.

7. Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, contracted at the base, incurvate its

whole length, the last segments not conspicuously narrowed and
not drawn in fam. Ocypteridae

Abdomen short oval or cylindrical, not contracted at the base, not in
curvate its whole length, the last segments conspicuously nar
rowed and drawn in fam. Phaniidae

8. Arista bare on the apical half ;f macrochaetae present at least on the

last two segments of the abdomen fam. Sarcophagidae

Arista feathered or pubescent to the tip 9

9. Abdomen cone-shaped, cylindrical or elongate oval, with macrochaetae

on each segment ; legs usually elongate fam. Dexiidae

Abdomen short oval, moderately broad and almost always somewhat
compressed, without macrochaetae on any of the segments, + at
most with bristly hairs on the last segments ; legs always pro
portionately short fam. Muscidee s. str.

* If the first segment is indistinct, the other four segments will be
found always of the same length ; whereas if only the last three seg
ments are of equal length, then the shortened forward segment is the
first one.

t Onesia, belonging in the Sat cophag idee, has the arista feathered more
than half its length, but may be distinguished by the macrochaetae on
the last two segments.

t In very rare instances, as in a single European species of Lucilia,
there are macrochaetae on the middle segments.

94 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

TABLES OF GENERA.

Fam. CEstridae.
The larvae of these flies are true bots.

1. Proboscis geniculate, deeply sunken in a long, narrow, oral slit ;

palpi wanting ; arista plumose on the upper side (sub-fam.

CuterebrincE] 2

Mouth parts wanting, or rudimentary and lying in a slight concavity,
the head below having a closed appearance ; palpi sometimes
present; arista naked (sub-fam. CEstrincs} 3

2. Third antennal joint short, oval or elliptical ; front not strongly pro

duced ; abdomen vaulted, oval ; tarsi broad and flat, bristly

gen. Cuterebra

Third antennal joint much elongate ; front strongly produced over
the face ; abdomen flat ; tarsi thin and delicate... gen. Dermatobia

3. Face with a median furrow, with or without a longitudinal dividing

ridge 4

Face with a broad, shield-shaped surface 5

4. Median furrow very narrow ; apical cell widely open, not narrowed in

the border gen. Gastrophilus

Median furrow wide ; apical cell distinctly narrowed, or closed 6

5. Palpi wanting gen. Hypoderma

Palpi small, spherical. sub-gen. GEdemagena

6. Median furrow without a dividing ridge its whole length ; apical cell

closed aud petiolate, no stump of a vein at the bend of the

fourth longitudinal ; body almost naked gen. CEstrus

A narrow median ridge dividing the median furrow longitudinally ;
apical cell narrowly open, a stump of a vein at the bend of the
fourth longitudinal ; proboscis somewhat developed, with
labellae and large palpi ; body pilose g eu - Cephenomyia

The following table for the determination of the larvae is
transcribed from Brauer's Mon. CEstr., 1863. It includes all
the North American genera.

Larvee in Third Stage.

i. Larvae with two pairs of jaws: two curved upper jaws, the so-called
mouth -parts, and two straight, horny lower jaws between the
^first ; body abruptly truncate behind, wider than in front ; stig
mata on the last segment in a cavity which opens outwardly
through a transverse fissure, concealed, in the form of three

OF WASHINGTON. 95

pairs of longitudinal slits in the so-called arches ; antennae with
one ocellus-like dot ; anterior stigmata sunken, not visible on
the outside gen. Gastrophilus

Larvae in the last stage with membranaceous oral margins, without
jaws (very young larvae are cylindrical, with microscopic mouth-
parts, between which is a straight process ; in the second stage
they have horny oral margins in the shape of a V, with the
body behind thin, tail-like) ; two horny rings above the mouth
as rudiments of the antennae ; body at anterior end thinner than
behind, but sometimes the last ring also very thin ; stigmata on
the last ring in the form of horn-like plates, free ; anterior stig
mata like minute dots, scarcely visible 2

Larvae with one pair of jaws, membranaceous oral margins and small
membranaceous antennae 3

2. Spines differently disposed on the upper and under sides ; body much

less spiny above gen. Hypoderma

Spines developed and distributed almost alike on the upper and under
sides subgen. CEdemagena

3. Last abdominal segment free, but never deeply cut off from the pre

ceding one, perhaps forming an appendage, but narrowly joined
to the preceding and not drawn within it, posteriorly truncate or
deeply hollowed above and elongated into a trunk below ; stig-
matal plates on the last segment either free or lying in a cavity
formed entirely by this segment, horny ; anterior stigmata
small, round, almost button-shaped, horny 4

Last abdominal segment drawn into the preceding one, much nar
rower and shorter than the latter, the larva thereby appearing to
have one segment less (in young larvae the last segment often
forms a cup-shaped appendage) ; antennae with two ocellus-like
dots ; dorsal surface convex longitudinally, ventral surface con
cave in the same profile ; anterior stigmata in the form of a long,
narrow, transverse slit with wrinkled edges 5

4. Antennae widely separated at the base ; posterior stigmatal plates

irregularly 5-sided, roundish, the false opening entirely enclosed

in the plate ; two ocellus-like dots on each antenna

gen. CEstrus

Antennae contiguous at the base, each with two ocellus-like dots ;
stigmatal plates moderately free, situated on the slightly con
cave, truncate, posterior side of the last segment

gen. Cephenomyia

5. Larva oval, thick, densely beset with spurs or scales, only the first

and last segments' almost naked ; stigmatal plates on the last
segment horny, semi-lunar gen. Cuterebra

96 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Larva elongate pear-shaped, thicker in front than behind, beset with
only a few transverse rows of spurs ; stigmata on the last seg
ment in the form of three longitudinally cleft arches of the
Gastrophilus type gen. Dermatobia

Cephenomyia Latrieille, Fam. Natur. (1825). Ga.; N. W. Terr.; Cal.
Parasitic in necks of deer. Reported found in hogs in W. Va. (See
Insect Life, U. S. Dep. Agr., Ill, 161-162). Also, reported from nose
of man (1. c. II, 116).

Cuterebra Clark, Essay on Bots. (1815.) Syn. Trypoderma Wied.
U. S. ; Nova Scotia ; Vancouver ; Mexico ; Guatemala. Rodents.

Dermatobia Brauer, Verb. Z. b. Ges. (1860.) D. cyaniventris Mcq.
is known from Central America. This genus is parasitic on man, dogs.
A larva, doubtfully, and probably incorrectly referred to this genus, was
reported from Mississippi by Verrill (Insect Life, I, 226).

Gastrophilus Leach, Gen. sp. Eprob. Ins. (1817.) Syn. Gastrus Meig.
Nova Scotia ; N. A. ; Jamaica. Horses.

Hypoderma Clark, Essay on Bots. (1815.) Nova Scotia ; N. A. Oxen,
buffalo, sheep ?, deer, man. (See Insect Life, II, 238-239).

CEdamagena Latreille, Fam. Natur. (1825.) N. A. Reindeer.

CEstrus Linne", Fauna Suecica. (1761.) N. A. Sheep.

Fam. Phasiidae.

The larvae are parasitic, as far as known, on plant-bugs and
beetles.

1 . Abdomen elongate oval or oblong, often cylindrical in the , beset at

least toward the extremity with moderately long, generally

irregularly arranged, bristly hairs 2

Abdomen shorter, rounded, almost naked or with only fine and short
pubescence 3

2. Hind tibiae lashed or ciliate ; antennae short ; epistoma prominent ;

apical cell closed ; hind cross-vein doubly arcuate ; abdomen of

9 cylindrical; claws of (^elongate gen. Trichopoda

Hind tibiae not ciliate ; apical cell closed (in our species) ; antennae
short, third joint somewhat elongate ; front not produced, epi
stoma prominent ; hind cross-vein curved ; abdomen swollen ;
claws strong, nearly alike in both sexes gen. Xysta

3. Apical cell open ; abdomen broader than the thorax ; wings very wide,

almost triangular ; fourth longitudinal vein bent at an angle ;
hind cross-vein twice curved ; third antennal joint not longer
than the first and second together, the arista distinctly 3-jointed.

gen. Phasia

OF WASHINGTON. 97

Apical cell closed in the border at the apex of the wing ; wings longer
than the abdomen, not widened and triangular ; flexure of the
fourth longitudinal vein rounded ; hind cross- vein somewhat
curved; antennae half as long as the face, third joint nearly
twice as long as the second gen. Acaulona

Apical cell closed and petiolate 4

4. Fourth longitudinal vein bent at an angle to meet the third ; petiole

of the apical cell very long ; hind cross-vein near the middle of
the apical cell ; face with a median carina....gen. Himantostoma

Fourth longitudinal vein nowhere bent at an angle, but describing a
curve to meet the third ; wings very wide (gen. Alophora sens.
Schin.) 5

5. Hind cross- vein nearer to the bow of the fourth longitudinal than to

the small cross-vein ; petiole of the apical cell moderately long,

first longitudinal vein elongate g en - Alophora s. sir.

Hind cross-vein situated at or before the middle of the distance be
tween the bow of the fourth longitudinal and the small cross-
vein ; petiole of the apical cell long, first longitudinal vein not
elongate subgen. Hyalomyia

Acaulona v. d. Wulp, Biol. Centr.-Am., Dipt., II, 4. (1888.) Mexico
(Orizaba ; Vera Cruz). Larval habits unknown.

Alophora Rob. Desvoidy, Myod., 293-4. (1830.) Nevada, Rocky Mts.
[Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1888, 255.] The habits of the European A.
dispar were discovered by L. Dufour. The larva lives parasitically in the
body of Brachyderes lusitanicus (Schiner). The species referred to this
genus by Bigot perhaps belong to Hyalomyia. We have no other au
thority for its occurrence in North America.

Himantostoma H. Lcew, Centur. IV, No. 87. (1863.) tf. Illinois.
Larval habits not known.

Hyalomyia Rob. Desvoidy, Myod., 298. (1830.) New York ; District
of Columbia ; Dakota ; Pacific Coast. Larval habits probably same as
Alophora.

Phasia Latreille, Hist. Nat. Crust, et des Ins., XIV, 379. (1804.) The
larval habits of a European species are known. L. Dufour found the
pupa in the body of a Pentatoma grisea. The, larvae are parasitic on the
adults of other insects (Schiner). This genus has been wrongly identified
as occurring in North America.

Trichopoda Latreille, Cuv. Regne An., V. (1829.) United States ; Mex
ico ; Guatemala ; West Indies. This genus, rich in species, is peculiar to
the American continents. Its habits have never been recorded.

Xysta Meigen, Syst. Beschr., IV, 181. (1824.) Illinois. Larval habits
unknown.

98 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Fam. Gymnosomatidae.

Cistogaster is placed in the Phasiidtz by Brauer and v. Ber-
genstamm. I consider the number of abdominal joints a
better character than the slight facial differences employed by
these authors for family characters, and retain it with Gymno-
soma.

The larvae of these flies, so far as known, are parasitic on
plant-bugs.

Antennae reaching almost or quite to the epistoma ; abdomen globose,
having a decidedly inflated or swollen appearance ; apical cell
closed andpetiolate gen. Gymnosoma

Antennas reaching only half way to the epistoma ; abdomen short oval,
sometimes nearly round ; apical cell petiolate, closed in the
border, or even narrowly open gen. Cistogaster

Cistogaster L/atreille, Cuv. Regne An., V. (1829.) Nova Scotia ;
United States. The larval habits of this genus are unknown.

Gymnosoma Meigen, Illig. Mag., II, 278. (1803.) Nova Scotia;
United States. The larvae, on the authority of v. Heyden, are parasitic
in the bodies of Pentatomidcz (Schiner).

It is rather remarkable that neither of the above genera
has ever been found in Mexico or Central America, although
Gym.filiola H. I/w. has been identified by Mr. v. Roder from
Porto Rico. With this single exception, the family seems to
be peculiar to the north temperate zone.

Fam. Ocypteridae.

The larvae of these flies have so far been found parasitic
only on Pentatoma and Cassida.

1. Apical cell open (sometimes very narrowly) 2

Apical cell closed and petiolate ; third antennal joint flattened, once

or twice as long as the second ; epistoma more or less promi
nent ; apical cross-vein angulate at its origin gen. Ocyptera

2. Third antennal joint longest 3

Second antennal joint longer than the third 4

3. Third antennal joint only about three times the length of the second,

widened into an equilateral triangle in the tf, much widened at
the apex in the 9 > hypopygium not bent under the abdo
men gen. Lophosia

OF WASHINGTON. 99

Third antennal joint five or six times the length of the second, of
equal width ; second aristal joint three times as long as the first ;
hypopygium bent under the abdomen gen. Hemyda

4. Apical cell opening before the tip of the wing ; face a little oblique ;
antennae of medium length gen. Ervia

Apical cell opening at or very near the tip of the wing ; face straight ;
antennae reaching the epistoma, the third joint narrow, obtuse...

gen. Ancylogaster

Ancylogaster Bigot, Bull. Soc. Bnt. Fr., 1884, 69-70. J*. Mexico.
Larval habits unknown.

Ervia Rob. Desv., Myod., 225. (1830.) Carolina. Larval habits un
known.

Hemyda Rob. Desv., Myod., 226. (1830.) Philadelphia; Missouri (v.
Roder, Berl. Ent. Zeitschr., XXV, 212). Larval habits unknown.

Lophosia Meigen, Syst Beschr., IV, 216. (1824.) California. Larval
habits unknown.

Ocyptera Latreille, Hist. Nat. Crust, et des Ins., XIV, 378. (1804.)
Newfoundland ; Nova Scotia ; United States ; Mexico ; W. Indies. The
larval habits of the European O. bicolor (coccinea Meig.) are known ; the
larva is parasitic in the body of Pentatoma grisea. The larva of a second
species was found in the body of a Cassida (Schiner).

NOTE. Robineau Desvoidy's genus Parthenia was separated from
Ocyptera on very insufficient grounds, and I have not revived it.

Fam. Phaniidae.

The larvae have been found parasitic only in the adults of
beetles.

Hind cross-vein nearer to the flexure of the fourth longitudinal than to
the small cross-vein, curved ; apical cell open at the tip of the
wing ; third antennal joint two or three times as long as the sec
ond (gen. Phania sens. Schiner) ; vibrissae short and fine, not
decussate subgen. Evibrissa

Hind cross-vein about half way between the small cross-vein and the
flexure of the fourth longitudinal, which is arcuate ; apical cell
closed and petiolate ; antennae short, third joint only once or
twice the length of the second gen. Wahlbergia

Evibrissa Rondani, Prod. Dipt. Ital., IV, 74-75. (1861.) Washington
Territory [Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1888, 256]. Larval habits un
known. This is properly a subgenus of Phania. The species which has
been referred to this genus may possibly belong to Wahlbergia.

100 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Wahlbergia Zetterstedt, Dipt. Scand., Ill, 1223-1224. (1844.) Ne
braska ; Indiana (Say, Ocypterd] ; District of Columbia. Larval habits
unknown.

The habits of Uromyia* and Gymnopeza, genera of Phaniid<z, are
known. Boheman bred the European U. curvicauda from larvae which
lived parasitically in the bodies of Harpalus aulicus and H. ruficornis ;
and a species of Gymnozega supposed to be identical with G, denudata
Zett. was bred by Mr. v. Tacchetti from the body of a Carabus scheidleri,
which he had found dead in a highw r ay (Schiner).

It is also remarkable that none of the Phaniidce have been
reported from Mexico or Central America, although represent
atives of them have been described from South America.

NOVEMBER 6TH, 1890.

Fourteen persons present. President Marx in the chair.

Mr. Erwin F. Smith was elected an active member of the
Society.

Under exhibition of specimens and notes, Mr. Schwarz ex
hibited a larva of the genus Carabus, with singularly deformed
maxillary palpi. The right palpus is normally formed except
that the suture between the first and second joints is nearly
obliterated ; the left palpus is only three-jointed, with the
joints nearly transverse, as in Calosoma. This remarkable
larva, apparently a full-grown specimen, was found early in
September near Washington, D. C.

Mr. Marlatt presented the following :

*The genus Uromyia w r as described by Meigen in 1838 for a Phaniid.
Robineau Desvoidy had already described (1830) his genus Uramya for a
Dexiid, a species of which, U. producta R. D., originally from South
America, is recorded from Central America by Brauer and v. Bergen -
stamm, who spell the genus the same as Meigen's (Muse, schiz., 130).
These two genera should not be confounded ; it w r ould be well for some
European author to substitute another name for Meigen's genus, which
does not occur in this countrv. C. H. T. T.

OF WASHINGTON. 101

NOTES ON THE GENUS METOPIUS, WITH DESCRIPTION
OF A NEW SPECIES AND TABLE OF SPECIES.

BY C. L. MARI.ATT.

Prof. Riley recently received from Mr. Lawrence Bruner a
peculiar Ichneumonid which had been collected in South
Dakota by Mr. J. M. Aldrich. An examination showed at
once that it was a female belonging to the genus Metopius. I re
called having collected two specimens of a closely allied, if not
the same, insect in Kansas, and had them forwarded to me.
They were duly received, and proved to be identical with the
Dakota specimen, and were both females. These three females,
together with two additional females received later from Mr.
Aldrich, while belonging undoubtedly to the genus Metopius,
differ in a very striking manner from males of several species
in the National collection there being no females represented
and might even be considered to belong to an entirely distinct
genus. So strikingly do they differ from the males seen, and
from the description of the genus by Gravenhorst, and later
by Brulle, and also from all the descriptions of females, most
of which I have been able to consult, that it struck me very
forcibly at first that perhaps a female of this genus had never
been characterized, and that the supposed females described
were in reality males ! Examination, through the kindness of
Mr. Cresson, of the specimens of this genus in the collection
of the American Entomological Society at Philadelphia, sub
sequent to the reading of this paper, showed me that I was in
error in this, but indicated very plainly that my specimens
differed very materially from all other described species and
also in important particulars from the genus as at present
understood.

The genus Metopius is perhaps better characterized and more
distinctly separated from other genera than any other genus of
Ichneumonidae. The peculiar features are the very prominent
shield on the face, the antennae, the character of the thorax
and venation of the wings, in all of which particulars my
specimens agree ; but the description of the genus by Graven
horst and Brulle, and also of all the species which I have been
able to consult, agree in describing the abdomen of both the
male and female as completely depressed at first with the
sides nearly parallel, and then slightly widening posteriorly.
The ovipositor is said to be nearly concealed, and in the case
of the females examined by me, and so far as indicated by the
descriptions of the others, is of small size, not exceeding,
when fully exserted, one-fourth the length of the abdomen.

102

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

In the case of the specimens under discussion, however, the
abdomen tapers rapidly from the base to the apex, which is
pointed and decidedly compressed. The ovipositor is enor
mously large in comparison with the size of the insect, being
of sufficient size to nearly fill the abdomen from base to apex,
and when fully exserted, as it is in the case of two specimens,
is with the large basal portion nearly twice the length of the
abdomen. With the other specimens the ovipositor is but
slightly exserted, or almost entirely redrawn into the abdomen.

The striking character of the ovipositor of this insect is
shown in the accompanying illustration. The ovipositor in
cludes with supports the yth and 8th abdominal segments, and

FIG. 5. Metopius rileyi : a, female from side ; b, abdomen of same, show
ing ovipositor partly exserted ; c, same, with ovipositor entirely
exserted ; d, f and g, terminal segments of abdomen and
parts of ovipositor still more enlarged (original).

all these parts are uniformly shining and reddish-black in
color. The connection between the base of the support (9)
and segments 7 and 8 is very intimate the lines in the illus
tration indicating the union of the plates appearing as
scarcely perceptible sutures. The support (9) is deeply
grooved beneath, or rather consists of two plates, and the ovi
positor proper (10) closes into it like the blade of a knife. At
the extreme base of the support and projecting slightly pos
teriorly, are the hairy sheaths, and at the tip of the 8th seg
ment are the minute stylets found in most Hymenoptera.

The ovipositor proper consists of the customary three parts,
viz : the sheath or lower envelope (10) and two spiculae (n).
The base of former is enclosed by and quite firmly at
tached to the apex of the support, with which it forms a sort
of ball and socket joint (Fig. 5, d, f and g). The spiculae
branch near the base of the sheath ; the inner branches unite,

OF WASHINGTON. 103

forming a loop, and the outer pass over the enlarged base of
the sheath, and continue along the upper edge of the support
and unite with plate 9'. The parts are shown somewhat
separated at g, to better indicate their relation. The open
spaces between the spiculse and the support are enclosed by a
membrane which forms with these parts a closed passage for
the egg from the abdomen to the ovipositor proper.

Another peculiar feature is the great size and abnormal
position of what apparently corresponds w r ith the yth ventral
arc of the abdomen 7'. The outer portion of this arc or plate is
tough, and in texture and color resembles segments 7 and 8
and the support 9 ; the inner portion is thinner and more
flexible and lighter in color, becoming membranous at the
point of attachment. It is attached within, and is, when the
ovipositor is entirely redrawn, nearly concealed by the 3rd
to 5th ventral arcs, as shown at a. As the ovipositor is
thrust out this arc is considerably drawn out, as represented
at b, and to thrust the ovipositor quite out, as represented at
c, it would seem that this sheath must necessarily be rup
tured ; but this is not the case with the two specimens col
lected having the ovipositor fully extended, and probably
never occurs. The explanation undoubtedly is that as the
ovipositor is pushed out this sheath-like plate slips back and
the terminal segments extend and separate at the same time
sufficiently to free the ovipositor.

Nothing is known of the breeding habits of the American
species of Metopius; the specimens collected by me were taken
in the fall on Solidago bloom and in company with Trypeta
solidaginis, and it is possible that the Metopius is parasitic on
this Dipteron, the powerful ovipositor of the female being
well suited for piercing the Trypeta galls. The breeding
records of Kuropean species ascertained for me by Mr. How
ard do not support this belief, as they show that the rear-
ings have been from various Bombycids, a Noctuid, and one
doubtful one from Lophyrus pini.

I have altered the characterization of the genus Metopius
to allow of its including this anomalous species, which I take
pleasure in dedicating to Prof. C. V. Riley, whose interest and
work in the parasitic Hymenoptera are well known.

Metopius Gravenhorst. Head transverse, short ; face scutatiform,
sub-concave, with elevated margins ; eyes oval. Antennae ranging from
short and somewhat spindle-shaped to long and of nearly uniform thick
ness throughout. Thorax convex ; scutelltim quadrangular, with prom
inent posterior angles and carinate lateral margins. Wings medium,
areolet large and rhomboidal. Abdomen sessile, usually compressed

104 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

throughout aud widening posteriorly ; in some species, however, narrow
ing uniformly from the base to apex, which is somewhat compressed ;
ovipositor capable of being almost entirely redrawn into the abdomen,
and generally of small size occasionally exserted, however, and large
and powerful. The males have attached to the terminal ventral plate of
the abdomen two curved appendages, forming a sort of pincers, which is
supposed to be of service in copulation. Legs medium, posterior
femora thickened ; tarsi longer than tibiae, which are armed with two
spurs at tip.

Metopius rileyi, n. sp. <j? Black ; spot beneath the antennae, scape
beneath, line on inner orbit, line below base of wings, apex of scutelluin
and line behind, two spots at side of meta-thorax apex of all the abdo
minal segments, exterior of anterior tibiae and apex of posterior femora,
lemon yellow ; base and apex of antennae and legs fusco-ferruginous,
posterior femora almost black, trochanters reddish ; antennae one-third
length of body, thickened toward apex ; wings fuliginous, distinctly
darker on anterior half, hind apical portion hyaline ; thorax and abdo
men coarsely punctured ; abdomen narrowing uniformly from base to
apex and compressed at apex, oviposits extremely large and with large
basal portion or support when retracted almost entirely filling the ab
domen. Length 8-10 mm.

Described from five specimens all females collected in
Kansas and South Dakota.

The following table will assist in the determination of the
North American species of this genus :

TABLE OF SPECIES.

i. General color black 2

General color yellow and ferruginous .pulchellus Cr.

2. Abdomen entirely black hageni Cr.

Abdomen more or less marked with white or yellow 3

3. Wings hyaline or yellowish hyaline 4

Wings more or less fuliginous 6

4. Abdomen mostly yellowish white or ferruginous ; scutellum basal ly

black 5

Abdomen mostly black ; scutellum entirely yellow. scitulus Cr.

5. Abdomen sulphur yellow ; segments more or less black basally

montanus Cr.

Abdomen with base of segments 1-3 and middle of 4 ferruginous

comptus Cr.

Abdomen pale yellow ; base of segments 1-3 black ; remaining seg
ments each with two black spots at base beUns Cr.

6. Costal margin distinctly darker 7

Costal margin not distinctly darker 12

OF WASHINGTON. 105

7. First segment of abdomen entirely yellow 8

First segment black at base g

8. Following segments yellow and ferruginous mirandus Cr.

Following segments with basal black band, widest on segments

2 and 3 concinnus Cr.

9. With yellow spot at side of apex laticinctus Cr.

With broad yellow or white band at apex 10

10. Scutellum white, legs marked with black robustus Cr.

Scutellum yellow, legs rufous rufipes Cr.

Scutellum black at base u

ii. Second segment black with lateral yellow spots edwardsiidr.

Second segment with yellow band at apex rileyi n. sp.

12. Second, third and fourth segments of abdomen rufous

^terminates Ashm.

Second and third segments black, marked with yellow 13

13. Stigma fuscous, first segment with broad yellow band at apex

pollinctorius Say

Stigma yellow, first segment with two yellow spots at apex

xanthostigma Ashm.

Mr. Howard read the following paper :

THE HABITS OF PACHYNEURON.

BY L. O. HOWARD.

Pachyneuron is a genus of hymenopterous parasites of the
family Ckalcidid&, sub-family Pteromalina , and tribe Sphegi-
gastrides. It is composed of small species, all under 3 mm. in
length, of metallic colors usually rather dull large heads,
flat, oval abdomens, and not very active habit. Six European
and six North American species have been described. Three
of the six European species were described from captured
specimens, and nothing is known of their habits. Of the
other three Bouche evidently reared his P. aphidis from some
plant-louse ; Ratzeburg says of his P. coccorum : ' ' i 9 from

* This species is certainly wrongly referred to the genus Metopius. In
addition to the fact, noted by Mr. Ashmead, that the facial shield is en
tirely wanting, it differs from the genus in venation the areolet being
small, triangular and petiolate instead of large and rhomboidal and
also in character of thorax and abdomen. The scutellum approaches
that of Metopius but is longer and narrower than in any described
species known to me. This insect may be referred to the genus Tryphon,
with which it agrees in every particular except that the metathoracic
spiracles are slightly oval instead of round.

106 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Herr Reissig, who reared it with Encyrtus&neus, from Coccus.
Later I reared a male from Chermes picecz ' ' ; and of the third,
Foerster says : ' ' I have reared it from a plant-louse a
Pemphigus and Herr v. Heyden, at Frankfort, reared it most
probably from the same plant-louse on Pinus sylvestris. ' ' This
is all the information we get from European entomologists on
the habits of Pachyneuron.

The genus was first recognized in this country when I found
it in 1884 among some parasites reared by Mr. Hubbard, at
Crescent City, Florida, during his work on orange insects.
This species, which I described as P. anthomyice in Mr. Hub-

FIG. 6. Pachyneuron micans Howard. Female enlarged.

bard's Report on Orange Insects, was reared from the
puparium of a dipterous insect, the larva of which fed upon
Aphis citrulli, and which Dr. Williston was unable to deter
mine as other than a probable new genus of Anthomyiida. (It
is figured and described on page 185 of the report just men
tioned). Mr. Hubbard kept the puparium of the fly, with the
hole from which the Pachyneuron had emerged, and there was
not the slightest doubt of the accuracy of the observation.

A few months later Prof. A. J. Cook sent me another species,
which he wrote he had reared from a bark-louse on Blue Ash.
For this I sent him the MS. name P. altiscuta (which he used
in his next published report), and (having Mr. Hubbard' s ex
perience in mind) I asked him whether there had not been
syrphid larvae among his bark-lice, and whether this parasite
might not have come from such a syrphid rather than from
the coccid. He replied that there were syrphid larvae among
the lice, but that he thought the parasite had issued from the
latter.

Soon after other material of Mr. Hubbard' s came to my
notice, and another species of Pachyneuron was found, which

OF WASHINGTON. 107

had issued in large numbers from the puparia of Baccha
babista, a syrphus-fly whose large larvae he had found feeding
also on the Orange Aphis. Another series he had reared from
the large puparia of another Baccha, the larvae of which had
fed upon the Cotton Aphis (A. gossypii), and naturally both
of these instances only confirmed my suspicions that Prof.
Cook's species had come from syrphid larvae and not from
bark-lice. The idea was becoming fixed in my mind that
Pachyneuron is normally a parasite of dipterous larvae of the
family Syrphidae and its close allies, my experience with
other groups of Chalcididae having apparently shown me that
speedy generalizations of this particular character are not
rash.

Subsequent developments, however, speedily proved that no
such absolute rule could be founded, and that, while the para
sitism of Pachyneuron is not of the miscellaneous or heteroge-
nous character found with Pteromalus or Eupelmus, species of
each of which have been bred from hosts of four or five
different orders, the former from larvae and pupae, and the
latter from eggs, larvae and pupae of many widely differing
insects, yet it is also not of a uniform, unvaried character. It
may be said, in fact, to be of a dual nature, its species attack
ing, apparently indiscriminately, insects of two entirely dis
tinct and well-defined groups, each belonging to a distinct
order, and, curiously enough, and very unfortunately for the
economic reputation of Pachyneuron, these two classes of
hosts partake of the mutual relation of prey and predator
injurious insects and their direct and peculiar enemies thus
counterbalancing the benefits which our parasites might have
produced had their tastes restricted them to the former class.
Such instances have been very rare in my experience, and I
only recall one other in the case of Elasmus, which attacks
both microlepidopterous larvae and the Microgasters which
parasitize them. These two classes of the host-insects of
Pachyneuron are, first, the closely-related homopterous families
Coccidtz, Aphidida and Psyllid<z, and second, their predatory
dipterous enemies the Syrphida and (in one instance) Antho-
myiidce. When infesting Aphididce, in no case has more than
one parasite issued from a single plant-louse, but in the case of
Mr. Hubbard's anthomyiid two specimens emerged 'from the
host puparium, while with the large Baccha, according to Mr.
Hubbard's published statemenf, the parasites "issue from the
puparium in numbers varying from six to eighteen, through a
number of small holes which they gnaw through its top and
sides." A glance at the specimens, however, contradicts the
latter portion of this statement, for there is but one hole

108 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

in each puparium, all of the parasites which have issued (and
there are as many as nine in some cases) having utilized the
orifice made by one hard-working individual.

The extended list which follows (extended in view of the
paucity of our previous knowledge) Dr. Riley has permitted
me to draw up from the National Museum collection, recently
rearranged at his direction by Mr. Ashmead, and it is safe to
say that there nowhere exists a collection of Microhymenoptera
which exhibits such a wealth of bred forms. Collected speci
mens are also present which, from their labels, indicate that
the species fly from February to October, while such notes as
are at hand indicate that they are rapid breeders.

THE HOST-INSECTS OF PACHYNEURON IN THE UNITED

STATES.

ON PSYWJD^.

Pachyneuron sp. From Psyllid on Arbutus (undetermined) ; reared by
Koebele, at San Mateo, Cal.

ON COCCID^).

Pachyneuron altiscuta Howard. From Coccid on Blue Ash ; reared by

A. J. Cook, at Agricultural College, Mich.
Pachyneuron sp. From Kermes gall&formis Riley ; reared at Washing

ton, D. C.
Pachyneuron sp. From Dactylopius citri Boisd. ; reared at Washington,

D. C.

ON

Pachyneuron sp. From Aphis pruni ; reared by H. Osborn, at Ames,

Iowa.
Pachyneuron sp. From Siphonophora viticola ; reared at Washington,

D. C.
Pachyneuron micans Howard. From Siphonophora avencs ; reared at

Lafayette, Ind., by Webster.
Pachyneuron micans Howard. From Toxoptera graminum, from Ten

nessee ; reared at Washington, D. C.
Pachyneuron aphidivora Ashmead. From Aphis brassicce; reared by

Ashmead at Jacksonville, Fla.
Pachyneuron sp. From Chaitophorus on Populus ; reared at Washing

ton, D. C.
Pachyneuron sp. From Phylloxera vastatrix (leaf-galls) ; reared at

Washington, D. C. (Specimens collected across the Potomac in

Virginia).

OF WASHINGTON. 109

ON ANTHOMYIID^.

Pachyneuron anthomyicc Howard. From puparium of au anthomyiid,
larva feeding on Aphis citrulli ; reared by H. G. Hubbard, Crescent
City, Fla.

ON

Pachyneuron sp. From syrphid feeding on Myzus ribis ; reared by

Webster, at Lafayette, Ind.
Pachyneuron sp. From syrphid feeding on Aphis brassiccs ; reared by

Koebele, at Alameda, Cal.

Pachyneuron sp. From syrphus puparium ; B. D. Eastman ; loc. ?
Pachyneuron syrphi Ashm. From syrphid puparium ; reared by Ash-

mead, at Jacksonville, Fla.
Pachyneuron allograph Ashmead. From puparia of Allograpta obliqua,

larvae of which had been feeding on Aphis brassicce ; reared by

Ashmead, at Jacksonville, Fla.
Pachyneuron sp. From puparia of Baccha babista, larvae of which had

been feeding on Aphis citrulli ; reared by Hubbard, at Crescent

City, Fla.
Pachyneuron sp. From puparia of Mesograpta polita, larvae of which

had been feeding on corn pollen ; reared at Washington from speci

mens received from New Jersey ; also reared by Ashmead, at Jack

sonville, Fla.
Pachyneuron sp. From puparia of Baccha? sp., larvae of which had

been feeding on Aphis gossypii ; reared by Hubbard, at Centreville,

Florida.

Thus we have records of twenty distinct rearings of species
of this genus, and find that it is an enemy of such well-known
pests as the grapevine Phylloxera, the grain plant-louse and
the cabbage plant-louse, so that the Dr. Jekyll side of its two-
faced character is extremely philanthropic. In addition to
placing on record the anomalous features of the habits of the
insects of this genus of parasites, the short historical summary
of my own impressions will serve to point the old, old warn
ing as to the danger of attempting a generalization without
broad foundations and extended material.

Mr. Schwarz read the following paper :

CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIFE-HISTORY OF CORTHYLUS

PUNCTATISSIMUS, AND DESCRIPTION OF

C. SPINIFER N. SP.

BY K. A. SCHWARZ.

The food-habits of Corthylus pundatissimus remained un
known until, in the fall of 1882, Dr. C. Hart Merriam discov-

110 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

ered that in northeastern New York it lives in the sub
terranean part of the stems of young Sugar Maple saplings,
and that this hitherto supposed rare Scolytid is, at least in
northeastern New York, greatly injurious to that valuable
tree. This discovery was certainly a most interesting one, but
did not fully settle the question of food-plants, for I knew that
specimens had been captured in places where there are no
Sugar Maples ; and this tree does also not grow in the vicinity
of Columbia, S. C., where Dr. Zimmermann in all probability
found the original specimens. It was to be suspected that this
Scolytid had another food-plant, and this was unexpectedly
discovered toward the end of September almost within the
city limits of Washington, where the beetle was found in
abundance in the roots of the common Huckleberry. The
fact that it is the first Coleopteron known to affect the
Huckleberry, and that it is one of the few Scolytids known to
live in plants which are not tree-like, induced me to spend
some Sunday's excursions during October to study the habits
of this Corthylus. The observations are of course only frag
mentary so far, since they were made at a season when the in
sect is already in its winter rest and in its winter quarters.

From Dr. Merriam's excellent account and figures (Amer.
Nat., 17, 1883, pp. 84-86) it can be seen that the beetle, after
entering the stem just at or very near to the surface of the
ground, constructs a circular burrow within the wood close to
the bark, but so that the furthest end of the burrow is always a
little above or below the entrance hole. From this circular
burrow a varying number of straight, short galleries lead off
perpendicularly either upward or downward. Sometimes the
beetle uses the bottom of one of these shorter galleries to dig
deeper down in the stem, and to construct then a second circu
lar gallery parallel with the upper one and possessing also the
vertical shorter galleries. In rare instances Dr. Merriam ob
served also a third story of galleries. The vertical galleries
are also excavated by the parent beetle, and are the larval
cradles ; one egg is laid in each, and the larva remains station
ary, does not enlarge the cradle, and is a sap-feeder.

The work of the beetle in the roots, or rather subterranean
stems, of the Huckleberry differs but slightly from that in
Sugar Maple. The largest root of Huckleberry which I found
to be infested me'asured not quite 10 mm. in thickness, and the
smallest but little over 3 mm. It is, indeed, quite astonishing
to .see how this comparatively large beetle manages to make
its circular burrow in such a narrow space ; but I have also
found infested stems where the beetle, after entering the stem,
found it too thin, and left it on the shortest way, viz : by eat-

OF WASHINGTON. Ill

ing its way out just opposite the entrance hole. Most infested
roots measure from 4 to 6 mm. in thickness. In this narrow
space it is impossible for the beetle to make the circular gal
lery as nearly in the same plane as in the thicker Sugar Maple
saplings, and the gallery is constructed in a more descending
or ascending way along the axis of the root. It thus resem
bles usually the windings of a corkscrew, and is sometimes
quite steep. The arrangement of the short vertical galleries
or cradles in the Huckleberry is much less regular than in the
Sugar Maple ; the whole interior of the infested portion of the
root appears to be honeycombed with them. A second or
third story of galleries occur also in Huckleberries, but not
often, and they are usually much less plain than in Dr. Mer-
riam's figures. Since the Huckleberry roots are rarely verti
cal, but either more or less arched or crooked in various ways
or horizontal for a long distance, and since the burrows of the
beetle may occur in any part of the root (except in the thin
ner tip), from near to the surface of the soil to five or six
inches beneath it, the galleries are directed sometimes upward,
sometimes downward, and sometimes they are horizontal, but
usually they run from the entrance hole in the direction of the
tip of the root.

A novel feature in the knowledge of our Scolytid burrows is
exhibited in a long, straight gallery through the core of the
root, beginning at the top of the honeycombed portion and
extending always upward, sometimes even above the surface
of the soil. This gallery is never coated with the black sub
stance seen in the regular galleries, and in it from three to
six or even more beetles, one close behind the other, are met
with. I have called it the hibernating gallery, for it is evi
dent that it is made (of course only by the foremost beetle,
the others can only help by pushing the sawdust behind them
selves) solely for the purpose of having dry winter quarters
remote from the regular galleries, where the wood becomes
rotten and damp. This hibernating gallery occurs, however,
not in all infested roots.

In the course of my observations I examined the roots and
subterranean stems of all sorts of plants growing among the
huckleberry bushes but without finding hitherto any other
food-plant. The beetle appears to live only in the common
Huckleberry of our markets, Gaylussacia resinosa, and I failed
to find it even in two allied species, Vaccinium stamineum and
V. corymbosum. It occurs, however, by no means wherever
the Gaylussacia grows, but there are here and there infested
areas of plants of larger or smaller extent, more especially in
shady places, where the plants grow on a deca) T ed log or

112 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

where the soil is covered with a thick layer of old leaves. On
such places infested roots are by no means rare : every fourth
or fifth will be found either to contain the beetles or to have
been infested by a previous generation. The beetle is com
mon in the localities thus far visited by me, viz : the hills
along the Kastern Branch of the Potomac near Benning's
Station, and along Rock Creek, and I have no doubt that it
will be found equally abundant in other localities around
Washington and elsewhere. In view of this fact it is strange
that neither Mr. Ulke, in his thirty years' assiduous collecting
near Washington, nor myself have ever found before a single
specimen of the beetle here. The only explanation for this is,
in my opinion, that the beetle is strictly subterraneous ; that
it appears only rarely above ground and rarely makes use of
its wings, although both sexes are provided with such. The
beetle seems to be perfectly at home in the soil and digs
through the same with astonishing rapidity, while specimens
which I took from their burrows and placed in a pill-box were
all dead after less than twenty-four hours. Both sexes appear
to be nearly equally represented : of fifty-six specimens, twenty-
five were males and thirty-one females.

Although quite abundant the beetles are by no means easily
found. The best way is to carefully inspect a patch of huckle
berry bushes in places indicated above, and if there are dead
plants or plants with wilted leaves they are sure to be infested
by the insect. No attempt should be made to pull out such
plants for they break off invariably just at the top of the in
fested portion, and it is then usually very difficult to find,
among the tangle of other roots, the underground continua
tion of the plant containing the burrows and the beetles. The
earth should be carefully removed from the suspected plants,
and the infested part of the root will at once be recognizable
from some yellow sawdust adhering to it.

From the observation made thus far but little can be said re
garding the annual life-cycle of this species. The perfect beetles
hybernate either in the larval cradles or in special hybernating
galleries. Among the many specimens I found during Octo
ber there were only two larvae and three pupae, and these
would no doubt have changed to imagos before the beginning
of the winter. In early spring the beetles will no doubt
emerge from the plants, copulation taking place outside of the
burrows because there is no room therefor within. The female
beetle will then bore into fresh plants and commence to lay
one egg in each of the larval cradles excavated by herself.
If the plant is thin only three or four cradles are excavated,
and the beetle probably attacks a second or even a third plant.

OF WASHINGTON. 113

In larger plants more cradles are usually made, and the largest
number I found in a single plant was fifteen, but it is of course
impossible to say whether this corresponds with the largest
number of eggs which a single female is capable of laying.
The beetle dies within its galleries, and her dead body can
still be found when the next generation of beetles has under
gone their transformation. Whether there is one or two
annual generations can only be determined by future observa
tions.

That this insect is a formidable enemy to the Sugar Maple
is evident from Dr. Merriam's account. He says " in I,ewis
county [N. Y.] alone hundreds of thousands of young sugar
maples perished from the ravages of this Scolytid during the
summer of 1882." As to its injury to the Huckleberry but
little observation is necessary to find that every gallery is fatal
to the plant above the infested place. In view of its abund
ance the beetle would seem, therefore, to act as a serious
check to the growth of the plant, but the latter is so exceed
ingly common and the vitality of the root so indestructible as
to fully counterbalance the loss suffered. For while digging
in the ground and examining every stock it will be found that
the root itself is never killed by the w r ork of the beetle ; the
plant above the ground dies but the root below the infested
part sends forth one or two new shoots.

Supposing that Corthylus punctatissimus has no other food-
plants besides the Sugar Maple and the Huckleberry, the
question arises which of the two is its original food-plant and
which represents an acquired habit ? A satisfactory answer
cannot be given as long as we are ignorant of the food-habits
of the beetle in the more southern localities, and more
especially whether or not it feeds on the Sugar Maple in South
Carolina and further south. The great damage to Sugar
Maples in northeastern New York, as reported by Dr. Mer-
riam, has every appearance o/ resulting from one of those
sudden invasions or irruptions which we are accustomed to
see in recently introduced insects. Had this beetle been living
in the Sugar Maples of New York for many years, its ravages
could hardly have failed to attract the attention of the resident
entomologists. The species is evidently an immigrant from
the south ; it belongs to a genus of tropical origin. Five
species have been described from South America ; others will
no doubt be found in the Antillean region ; and one, presently
to be described, occurs in semi-tropical Florida. C. puncta
tissimus is the only one which extends into the boreal region
of North America, and I fully believe that the food-plant

114 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

which enabled it to reach the Sugar Maple district of New
York is the common Huckleberry.

Upon careful comparison I fail to find the slightest differ
ence between specimens breeding in Huckleberry and others
sent by Dr. Merriam, but I take this opportunity to describe
another species of Corthylus which occurs within the political
boundaries of the United States, but which evidently belongs
to the colony of West Indian species in southern Florida.

Corthylus spinifer n. sp. Form oblong, robust ; color piceous or
reddish-brown ; legs and antennae pale-reddish. Byes large, transverse,
deeply emarginate in front, antennae inserted in front of the emargina-
tion. Thorax and elytra glabrous excepting a few hairs on the front
margin of the former. Thorax slightly longer at middle than wide, an
teriorly much rounded ; sides parallel when viewed from above ; basal
marginal line well marked and forming an obtuse angle with the lateral
line, which nearly reaches the front margin ; asperities smaller than in
C. punctatissimus and indistinctly arranged in concentric rows ; poste
rior half of thorax smooth and tolerably shining. Scutellum semicir
cular, smooth. Elytra barely as wide as and but little longer than the
thorax, cylindrical, broadly rounded at tip, surface shining, finely and
rather sparsely punctulate, the punctures irregular except on the disc,
where they are distinctly seriate ; declivity nearly vertical, slightly
retuse, irregularly punctulate, on each side with a longitudinal series of
three small cusps, and margined on each side at its apical third by a
rather well-defined smooth ridge ; suture elevated on the declivity ; su-
tural space not perceptibly excavated and densely punctured. Front
tibiae nearly linear, straight, outer edge finely serrulate and with two
larger teeth near the tip, terminal uncus rather blunt and curving out
wardly. Abdomen rather densely punctured and hairy. Length, 2 mm.

Male : Surface of head flattened and depressed, the depression rather
deep in front, gradually shallowing posteriorly and covered with rather
dense yellowish, but not very long, pubescence, sculpture concealed by
the pubescence on the anterior part of the depression, posterior portion
moderately shining and finely punctulate. Antennal scape greatly
dilated toward the tip, triangular, apical edge straight ; funicular joint
very small, transverse ; club very large, nearly circular in outline,
densely punctulate and hairy and with three distinct sutures, of which
the basal one is nearly straight but distinctly angulated near the anterior
end, the two outer sutures decidedly, almost semicircularly, arched ;
from the base of the inner surface of the club arises a slender spine
which, following at first the curvature of the posterior edge of the club,
projects above the club and curves inwardly, the projecting portion of
the spine being as long as or longer than the whole antenna. If the
antennae are applied to the sides of the head the tips of the two spines
overlap each other.

Female : Unknown.

OP WASHINGTON. 115

Described from two specimens found by myself on April
i gth, in the semi-tropical hammock of the island of Key West,
Fla. ; precise food-plant unknown.

In the female of C. punctatissimus the antennal scape is
much more slender than in the male, not dilated, and with the
terminal edge rounded ; the club is smaller, longer than wide,
and more regularly oval. The female of C. spinifer will pre
sumably participate in these characters, and further differ
from the male in the sculpture and vestiture of the head and
in the absence of the antennal spine. Aside from the differ
ence in size and sculpture the two species of Corthylus may be
distinguished as follows :

Klytral declivity simple ; antennal club with two straight sutures, and
unarmed in both sexes .punctatissimus

Elytral declivity retuse, margined at apical third, and provided each side
with three small tubercles ; antennal club with three sutures (the
two outer ones curved), and armed, in the male, with a long, curved
spine spinifer

Mr. Marlatt presented the following paper :

THE FINAL MOLTING OF TENTHREDINID LARVAE.

BY C. L. MARLATT.

In my experience in rearing the larvae of various Saw-flies,
I have been repeatedly struck with the surprising and appar
ently anomalous change, just before spinning up or entering
the ground to pupate, in coloration only in the case of the
smooth-bodied forms, and with spiny larvae in the loss of the
spines, accompanied with similar colorational changes. The
variation of larvae in this particular was so marked that it was
difficult to believe that one was dealing with the same species.
The larvae of totally distinct species could not present more
decided differences.

At first the nature of this change was not comprehended,
but later it was found that after full growth is reached and the
usual four meltings are undergone, what I have termed the
final molting takes place. This molting is as complete as any
of the others the entire skin being shed, including that of
the head and thoracic feet and I believe has no counterpart
in any other family of insects. In L,epidoptera the hairs
in many species, or fleshy appendages, as in certain of the

116 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

CochliopocUs, are shed, and a decided change in color is the
general rule, but no true molting occurs.

In general, after this molt the larvae of different species of
Saw-flies become strikingly alike in coloration, assuming a
dull greenish or slate color on the dorsum and sides and
yellowish below the stigmata and bordering the anterior mar
gin of the first segment. The shining black head of some Saw-
flies, as, for instance, Monophadnus bardus Say, after this molt,
becomes in general whitish, with a smoky shade above ; the
black thoracic feet also become light.

This molt is not accompanied, as in the earlier ones, with
an increase in the size of the head, and after it the larva does
not feed, but wanders about in search of a suitable place to
form its cocoon.

The loss of spines and tubercles has been noted particularly
in the case of the Raspberry Saw-fly, Monophadnus rubi Harris
and allied spiny larvae feeding on the ash and oak, the loss of
efflorescence in Harpiphorus varianus Nort, and the alteration
in color in the species mentioned and a considerable number of
additional species.

The first reference to this feature in the history of Saw-fly
larvae in American writings on Tenthredinidae occurs, I be
lieve, in an account of the Ash Saw-fly {Monophadnus bardus
Say) by Prof. Popenoe and the writer, in the annual report of
the Kansas Experiment Station for 1888.

Mr. J. G. Jack also notes this feature in his recent account
of the Dogwood Saw-fly {Harpiphorus variamis Norton) in
Garden and Forest (Vol. II, p. 520).

A somewhat extensive examination of European works on
Tenthredinidae leads to the belief that this final molting has
been generally overlooked. As an illustration of this, Andre,
in his very valuable and complete Monograph of the Tenth
redinidae of Europe and Algiers, certainly does not refer to it.

Cameron, however, in his Monograph of the British Phyto
phagous Hymenoptera, states that such change is undergone
by most Tenthredinid larvae, and that with certain species the
larvae become brighter colored rather than duller and less con
spicuously marked. I have not observed this latter to be the
case in any of our American species, and the assumption of a
more showy coloration is certainly the exception. His expla
nation of this molt, with accompanying change in appearance,
is on the ground of protection, which he argues is especially
needed during the period in which the larvae, after abandoning
their food-plant or galls, are wandering about before entering
the ground or otherwise concealing themselves. The dull
coloring protects the edible forms from enemies by rendering

OP WASHINGTON. 117

them less conspicuous, and those that become more brightly
colored and these are, he says, commonly protected from in
sectivorous animals by the power which they possess of eject
ing acid or otherwise distasteful fluids are protected by
becoming more noticeable, and hence less liable to be mistaken
for edible species.

I cannot believe that this explanation is the true one, as this
shedding of the skin affords but slight protection, if any ; and
after this molt, which, in fact, frequently does not occur until
after the food-plant has been abandoned, the larva imme
diately conceals itself either in earth, rotten wood, rubbish,
etc., or spins up, so that protection from enemies is entirely
unnecessary.

Most Saw-fly larvae, also, are gregarious in habit, including
those in which this change is most marked, and from this fact
and their manner of feeding are very conspicuous throughout
their larval life, and are therefore of particularly easy access
to their parasitic and other enemies. For these reasons, I am
convinced that this molt has no protective significance, but
has its explanation in the fact that generally Tenthredinid
larvae remain for a long period in a dormant-larval or pseudo-
pupal state most of them being single-brooded. This molt
is analogous, then, to the one before pupation proper in in
sects, which in Tenthredinidae is commonly undergone a few
days only before the emergence of the mature insect.

The contraction of Saw-fly larvae in the ultimate larval or
pseudo-pupal state is very marked, and the close approach to
the pupa is shown in the case of some species by the eyes of
the adult insect appearing as oval dusky spots on the larval
head.

These larvae, then, undergo a supplemental molt preparatory
to the long larval hibernation, and the contracted dormant
larva during this period corresponds in a sense to the pupal or
resting stage of most insects, which is always preceded by a
shedding of the larval skin.

Mr. Townsend read the following paper :

NOTE ON THE GENERA TRIPTOTRICHA LW. AND
AGNOTOMYIA WILL.

BY C. H. TYLER TOWNSEND.

The L,eptid genus Agnotomyia was described in 1886 by Dr.
Williston (Knt. Am., II, 106) for a fly formerly placed in the

118 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

genus Lomatia (Stygia) iruthe Bombyliidtz, and which is now
known as Agnotomyia elongata Say. This species was for a
long time an enigma to dipterologists. The genus is closely
related to Triptotricha, from which it is described as differing
in having only one spur on the front tibiae, only four posterior
cells in the wings, and the last posterior vein arising from the
discal cell. In the above paper Dr. Williston calls attention
to the fact observed by Lcew that specimens of T. fasciventris
often occur in which there is an abbreviation of the third pos
terior vein, and adds that he has observed also that rarely the
last posterior vein arises from near the base of the discal cell.
Supposing the bare possibility of a Triptotricha with the neu-
ration of Agnotomyia, he notes that the two spurs on the front
tibiae would serve to distinguish the former, and says that in
the three species of Triptotricha known to him all the tibiae
have two spurs. It will be seen that Dr. Williston had not at
that time critically examined T. rufithorax Say, which has
only one spur on the front tibiae. I have found that in this
species also the third posterior vein is often abbreviated, while
in two instances I have seen the last posterior vein arising
from the discal cell, being well removed from the second basal.
It is frequently the case that this vein (last posterior) is con
tinuous with the cross- vein that separates the discal and sec
ond basal cells. Twenty-four specimens of rufithorax that I
have examined possess at least an abbreviation of the third
posterior vein. One of this species collected near Rock
Creek, D. C., June 15, is peculiar for possessing an extra
cross-vein in the left wing, which cuts off the outer one-
eighth of the first basal cell, and is parallel with the small
cross-vein of the wing.

The three species of Triptotricha above referred to by Dr.
Williston as having two spurs on all the tibiae I infer to be
fasciventris, discolor and lauta all Lcew's species. I have
seen the last species, and it possesses two front tibial spurs.
L,oew, in his description of lauta, either overlooked the two
spurs or, what is more likely, believed Say's rufithorax to also
possess two, for he mentions the points of difference between
the two without noticing this distinction. The genus Tripto
tricha must be accepted, in the strict sense, as including the
three forms which L,cew described, for which he erected his
genus, and all of which possess two front tibial spurs. Say's
species falls in another natural division as it has only one front
tibial spur. I have seen also a single 9 of an undescribed
species from the Pacific coast which has only one front tibial
spur, and differs from rufithorax chiefly in its larger head.
These constitute a separate group, but as there are yet only a
few species to be located here, and as these two groups do not

OF WASHINGTON. 119

seem otherwise to differ in structure, it would be premature to
accord them generic separation. The character of the single
front tibial spur should not of itself, I believe, be entitled to
generic value.

From the data above given it will be seen that the genus
Agnotomyia stands chiefly on neurational characters, which
are not very constant in this group. It is wholly unlikely,
however, that an aberrant Triptotricha will ever be found to
exhibit the neuration of Agnotomyia; but should such a case
occur, comparison with typical specimens will be necessary to
divStinguish it.

I may add that Dr. K. Bergroth has pointed out that Lcew's
genus Triptotricha is a synonym of Dialysis Walker (Wien.
Ent. Zeit., VIII, 296). In the same paper Dr. Bergroth has
given a synopsis of the species, the two sexes being tabulated
separately, and has described D. disparilis n. sp. $ 9 from
Vancouver Island.

Mr. Schwarz asked if anything was known of the habits and
early stages of these Diptera. Mr. Townsend replied that he
knew nothing of the habits and early stages except the state
ment made by Dr. Williston that the larvae live in decaying
leaves. The adults occur on low vegetation in woods.

Mr. Fernow called attention to the ravages of Psilura
monacha in the pine and spruce forests of Germany, particu
larly in Bavaria.

DECEMBER 4TH, 1890.

nff^iU^ ,

Fourteen persons present. President Marx in the chair.
The following paper, by Mr. P. R. Uhler, was read by the
Corresponding Secretary :

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME REMARKABLE FORMS OF
CAPSIDiE.

BY P. R. UHI^ER.
Heidemannia. New genus.

Form elliptical, resembling Salda in contour, nearly flat above. Head
exceptionally small, projecting above the pronotum, appearing hemi-

120

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

spherical from above ; eyes unusually large, enclosing the sides of the
head, feebly convex, not prominent ; vertex triangular, narrowed towards
the base, at which point the carina is distinctly elevated ; face oblong,
curving backwards beneath, convex on the transverse diameter ; lower
division of front triangular above, sub-conical below, with the tylus
small and narrow. Antennae attached beneath the inner angle of the
eyes, the basal joint very short, thick, but not as stout as the second
joint, the second gradually thickened towards the tip, as long as the ver
tex and pronotum united, the third and fourth very slender, conjointly
not as long as the second, the third longer than the fourth, and the
fourth subfusiform, acute at tip. Rostrum reaching almost to the tip of

c ^ d

FIG. 7. Heidemannia cixiiformis Uhler : a, female ; b, front view of
head ; c, side view of head ; d, antenna (original).

the venter, the third joint compressed, fourth joint acute. Anterior sin-
uated border of prosternum raised into a high collar ; mesosternum with
a tumid prominence. Pronotum transverse, depressed each side, with
the lateral margins oblique and recurved, almost concurrent with the
sides of the head ; the anterior margin arcuated, posterior margin sinua-
ted on the middle, with the humeral border oblique. Scutellum large
and flat, wider at base than the sinus of the pronotal margin. Hemelytra
flat, thick, opaque, of nearly sub-equal width from inner angle of clavus
to base of membrane, costal margin feebly curved, broadly reflexed,
with a long embolium beneath ; cuneus large, well separated from the
corium, scarcely incised, forming a continuous oblique line with the

OF WASHINGTON. 121

apical border of the corium ; membrane blunt, sub-trapezoidal, with the
inner angle moderately acute. Legs short, anterior femora wide, and
moderately compressed.

The loral pieces are so obscure in the specimen studied that
I cannot now describe their forms.

If. cixiiformis. New species.

Dull black, finely sericeo-pubescent, with a narrow white band across
the base of the cuneus, the upper surface minutely scabrous and punc
tate, very sparsely punctate on middle of hemelytra. Head convex,
somewhat grayish above, marked with a pale triangle on upper part of
face, followed beneath by pale rufo-piceous to the base of rostrum. Ros
trum and sternum piceous. Antennae black, with the two apical joints
pale fuscous. Venter red or piceous. Membrane pale, tinged with
fuscous.

Length to tip of hemelytra, 2^-2/4, millims. Width of base of pro-
notum, i millimetre.

Only three specimens of this remarkable insect have yet
been discovered. One of them was captured near Washing
ton, on the i5th of June, by Mr. Heidemann ; a second was
taken at Oakland, Md., July 12, and the third one was secured
near Fort Pendleton, W. Va., July 10, in the wooded district
adjacent to the fork of the great branches of the Potomac
river.

Other specimens are needed for dissection to work out the
elements and affinities of this antique pattern of the Capsidcc.
It is remarkable for having the head pressed back upon the
sternum, as in the Homoptera, and its general figure distinctly
recalls the form which prevails so commonly in many of the
Cixiidte.

Peritropis. New genus.

Ovate or sub-elliptical, acute in front. Head oblique, contracted and
conical in front of the eyes ; eyes large, oval, nearly vertical, as long as
the thickness of the head, prominent, but not strongly projecting above
the vertex ; vertex moderately convex, having an impressed line in the
middle, which is continuous with that upon the pronotum ; face sub-
cylindrical, the tylus prominent, extending up .to the level of the an
tennae ; upper gena broad and short, inferior cheeks narrow ; antennae
nearly as long as the head, pronotum and scutellum united, the basal
joint thickest, cylindrical, about as long as the face to tip of tylus, second
joint stout, as long as the head and pronotum united, third and fourth
abruptly slender and very short ; rostrum slender, reaching to behind
middle of venter, the basal joint barely shorter than the throat. Pro-

122 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

notum transverse, strongly sloping towards the head, almost flat, shield-
like, with the callosities proximate, central, and abruptly tumid ; the
lateral margins oblique, reflexed, the posterior margin broadly sinuate,
undulate, and trituberculate, the middle tubercle linear, humeral angles
oblique and blunt. Scutellum large, sub-equilateral, convex near the
base, basal lobe widely exposed. Mesosternum deeply sunken. Legs
short, the femora stout, compressed, subfusiform, and the tibiae very
slender. Hemelytra thick, opaque, with the veins strongly defined, the
corium w T ide behind the middle, curved and reflexed on the costal bor
der, posterior margin almost concurrently oblique with the cuneus, the
cuneus small, triangular, feebly incised at base, slightly curved on the
basal margin, embolium long, broad and flattened. Membrane large,
broadly rounded at tip, the basal cell very large. Female more elong
ated than the male.

P. saldseformis. New species.

Ovate, broad, blackish-fuscous, or very dark brown, opaque. Head
from above almost sharp-pointed, brownish-yellow, marked with fuscous
behind and on the sides, the throat piceous. Antennae blackish-brown,
paler on the first joint and base of second, the two apical joints pale
brownish ; eyes blackish ; rostrum pale piceous, or dull testaceous.
Pronotum brownish-yellow, with an angular black spot each side of the
callosities, anteriorly, and a smaller spot on the indentation between
them, the surface rugose and pointed with fine black dots, especially on
the outer reflexed margins, the posterior margin with three white, small
tubercles. Scutellum moderately rugose, and with a feebly raised, short
line each side next the basal angles, the apex minutely testaceous.
Sternum blackish, pale along the middle and on the outer margin,
sometimes with a large testaceous band which includes all of the coxae.
Hemelytra dull blackish-brown, very sparsely pubescent, the costal edge
sharp, interrupted with small white dots, the adjoining border broadly
depressed throughout, base of the cuneus and some faint lines on the
border next the membrane pale, embolium dull brownish-yellow, mar
gined exteriorly with black, which is interrupted by minute pale flecks.
Membrane blackish-fuliginous. Legs piceous-blackish, the femora paler
at either end, the tibiae twice-banded with testaceous ; tarsi more or less
testaceous.

Length to tip of hemelytra, 2^-3 millims ; width at base of pronotum,
i-iX millims.

Five adults and two nymphs have been examined ; but of
the former all have been too shriveled to permit exhaustive
examination. The males are broader than the females, and
more brightly colored.

Specimens were submitted to me for examination by Mr. O.
Heidemann, which he obtained from dried branches of trees in

OF WASHINGTON. 123

the region near Washington, July 20 to 28. Others have been
captured near Chicago and in other parts of northern Illinois.

NOTE ON CYLAPUS TENUICORNIS SAY.

The recent discovery of Cylapus tenuicornis Say, by Mr.
Otto Heidemann, in the neighborhood of Washington, recovers
for entomological science one of the long-lost genera and
species of Say's work upon the Hemiptera. This form is of
peculiar interest at the present time, since it forms the only
member of this division which has thus far been found in the
United States. Upon close comparison with Stal's description
of his Valdasus famularis and with the figure of the same
given by Mr. Distant in the Biologia Centrali- Americana,
plate 24, figure 7, we perceive that they refer to this insect,
and consequently that the later names, both generic and
specific, employed by these authors must give way to those of
Mr. Say. The species is now seen to have a wide range of
distribution. Dr. Stal's specimens were captured in Mexico ;
Mr. Say's types were found near New Harmony, Ind. ; and,
latest of all, Mr. Heidemann discovered numerous individuals at
Bladensburg, in August and September, upon fungi attached
to dried bark of trees. This species proves to be very varia
ble, both in color and structure. The males, as usual, have
the eyes more prominent than the females, although one speci
men of the female has those organs more widely separated
from the pronotum than in any male yet examined. In no
specimen yet studied is there a contact of the eyes with the
pronotum.

Mr. Howard read the following :

THE PARASITES OF THE HEMEROBIIN^E.

BY L. O. HOWARD.

The insects of this group are singularly well protected
against the attacks of natural enemies, the adults by their
offensive odor, the pupae by their strong cocoon, the larvae of
some by their coating of aphidid skins and of others by their
own strength, ferocity and agility, while the eggs are safely
mounted at the tip of long foot-stalks. They do not, however,
lack their characteristic hymenopterous parasites. In Europe
four primary parasites are known, viz : Microg aster ater, He-

124 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

lorus ater, Anacharis ensifer, and Ephialtes gracilis. The first
three have been reared by Brischke from undetermined species
of Chrysopa, and the last by Ratzeburg from an undetermined
species of Hemerobius. Of secondary parasites five species of
ffemiitleS) H. castaneus, H. areator, H. limbatus, H. testivalis,
H. sp., have been reared by Brischke, Giraud and Ratzeburg
from cocoons of either Chrysopa or Hemerobiiis.

In this country >we have an egg-parasite of either Chrysopa
or Hemerobins. I exhibited specimens of this an exceedingly
minute Telenomus at the first meeting of this Society, April 3,
1884. Three secondary parasites have also been reared from
larva or cocoon by Prof. Riley. These are Hemiteles heme-
robiicola Ashm., H. rufiventris Riley MS., and Mesochorus (f)
chrysopce Ashm. Precisely what their primary parasites are in
America, however, has not been previously known, although
it is fair to suppose that our species of the abnormal procto-
trupid genus Helorus (of which we have several) will be
ultimately found to have this habit. The recent unpublished
notes of the Division of Entomology, however, indicate that
we have one most interesting and widespread primary parasite
in Isodromus iceryts M., originally described (without doubt
erroneously) as a parasite of Icerya purchasi. This handsome
little Chalcidid has been reared since 1887 from Chrysopa
cocoons received from Los Angeles, Cal., from Kirkwood, Mo.,
and from Umatilla, Fla., as well as from others found upon
the grounds of the Department of Agriculture at Washington.
Moreover, I am rather of the opinion that this is the insect
illustrated by Glover at figure 45, plate III, of his report for
1877, an d concerning which he says (p. 99) :

" Aphelinus is a small parasitic fly, which was found de
stroying Chrysopa, a neuropterous insect, which was bred in
Maryland and formed a cocoon on a small shrub. ' '

The figure could not have been drawn from a true Aphclinus,
but it is quite possible, from structural detail and general ap
pearance, that Glover had Isodromus before him. I described
this latter genus in the Annual Report of the Department of
Agriculture for 1886 (p. 488), and the type is illustrated at
figure i, plate III, of the same report.

Mr. Schwarz remarked that in consequence of the extraor
dinary abundance of Aphids during the past spring and early
summer, the larvae of Chrysopa and various Coccinellids were
likewise unusually numerous on the trees in the Smithsonian
grounds. On one Linden tree the supply of Aphids gave out,

OP WASHINGTON. ' 125

and he had seen the larva of Anatis i^-pundata attack and
feed upon a Chrysopa larva. Cocoons of the latter genus were
also found which had evidently been eaten into by some in
sect, and he suspected that this was also the work of Anatis.

Mr. Howard said that at Toronto he had been bitten, to his
surprise, by the larva of Chrysopa, and had noted with con
siderable curiosity the peculiar action of the insect in pumping
up the blood.

Mr. Marlatt presented a note in which he proposed the
specific name unicolor for a species of Monoctenus, the larvae of
which feed on the Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana. This
Saw-fly had been described by him in the Transactions of the
Kansas Academy of Science, Vol. X, page 82, as M.juniperi^
but this name had long since been applied to a European
species of the genus by Linnaeus.

Mr. Banks presented the following paper :

ON THALAMIA PARIETALIS HENTZ.

BY NATHAN BANKS.

The subject of this paper is a small spider, two millimeters
long, two specimens of which [ $ and $ ] I found in the cor
ners of my room while in Texas last September.

Thalamia parietalis was described by Hentz in Proc. Bost.
Soc. Nat. Hist., in 1850, along with his other spiders. The
spider seemed so peculiar to him, that for it he erected the
genus Thalamia, and placed it between Mimetus and Scytodes,
two genera which he placed in the Theridiidcz . The spider .has
not been recorded since Hentz' s time. Hentz gave as the
characters of the genus Thalamia, which by the way he called
a subgenus, the following: "Eyes 8, subequal, in two rows
on each side of the front part of the cephalothorax, each row
strongly curved inward above and outward below ; maxillae
wider at base, inclined over the lip ; cheliceres very small,
feet 2. 3. 4. i." Hentz further states that the spider forms a
tubular dwelling of silk in the crevices of walls, protected
from the sun and rain. He believed it had some affinity with
Theridion. The species parietalis is characterized as follows :
c< Obscure ; cephalothorax pale with a bifurcated blackish line,
abdomen with several dusky small spots ; feet slender, 2. 3. 4.
i." Locality, South Alabama.

126 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

My specimens agree with Hentz's description and figure,
except that Hentz figures the posterior median eyes as round ;
whereas in my specimens they are peculiarly elongate and
curved. Still I do not doubt that this is the species referred
to by Hentz.

On examining the spider one is immediately struck not only
by its general peculiar appearance, but more especially by
several strange structures. The cephalothorax is somewhat
circular and quite low. The posterior lateral eyes are large,
those of the lower row much smaller. The posterior median
eyes are close to the posterior lateral, and are elongate, curved,
and somewhat pointed behind ; the) 7 project but slightly above
the surface of the head. The mandibles are small, and are
partially united at the base. The lip triangular and the
maxillae surround it. The principal other peculiar features
are at the opposite end of the animal : these are the spinnerets
and some hairs surrounding the anus. The spinnerets are six
in number ; the superior pair is two-jointed, the distal joint
much the longer and somewhat curved ; they project quite a
little beyond the tip of the abdomen, and are seen in Hentz's
figure. Between these spinnerets the abdomen is raised into a
slight cone ; near the top of this cone, and almost surround
ing it, is a row of hairs which are strongly bent near their
middle and enlarged slightly at their tip. The four other
spinnerets are short ; near their base is apparently a somewhat
simple cribellum, but I can see no calamistrum on the hind
metatarsi, so do not feel sure that it is a cribellum. I can find
but two claws to the tarsi; these have about six teeth. They
appear somewhat separate from the tarsus and may, perhaps,
be considered "as forming a claw-joint, as is found in the
Pholcida and other allied forms.

From a study of the figure and description by Hentz, Dr.
Marx in his catalogue has placed it in the family Urocteid<z.
The eyes are apparently the same as in CEcobius. But, as I
have said, I can find but two tarsal claws, while the Urocteidff
have three ; neither does this family have a cribellum, which
Thalamia apparently possesses. Blackwall described a species
of CEcobius, CE. navus, as having two tarsal claws and cribel
lum and calamistrum. Thorell throws this out of the family
UrocteidcE on the above characters, and erects for the species a
separate family, the Omanoidce, and changes the name of
Blackwall's spider to Omanus navus. Thalamia w r ould seem
to be related to this spider.

But in my short study of Thalamia I have come to other
conclusions as regards its position, as well as the position of
other spiders more or less closely related to it. Duges in 1863

OF WASHINGTON. 127

united Scytodcs, Pholcus, Uroctea, Hersilia, Enyo and Filistata
into one group, the Micrognathes, on account of their small
mandibles. Thorell, though holding a separate family for
each of these genera except Pholcus, which he places in the
ScytodoidcE, admits that they are closely related to each other,
not only by the structure of their mandibles but also by the
similarity in the shape of their maxillae, these being curved
around the lip. In speaking of the subject, Thorell says :
"These genera (Enyo, Uroctea and Filistata} in fact show no
small affinity with the ScytodoifUc."

I have had no specimens of either Enyo or Hersilia to study,
but in studying Thalamia in connection with the Pholcida,
Scytodidce and Filistatida I have come to the conclusion that
their relation is a close and important one. Of such import
ance that they should be united in one group of family rank,
and for this family embracing the Filistatidce , the Pholcidce,
the Scytodidce, the Urocteidce, the Enyoidce and the Hersilidce
I propose Duges's name Micrognathes, now changed to the
form Micrognathidce \

I can divine no reason why Filistata should be separated
from Pholcus. There certainty is no vital difference between
them. Different as is their general aspect, they are remarka
bly alike in structure., Thalamia, though differing from
Filistata in the spinnerets, shows plainly by the great simi
larity of cephalic structure that Filistata is one of its nearest
relatives. Scytodes and Loxosceles are very closely related to
Filistata in that the lip is joined to the sternum ; also in pal
pal structure are they related. Thorell says that the Enyoidce
have eyes like the Urocteidce. This family is also very closely
related to Scy iodides. The Pholcidce, Enyoidcz and Hersilidcc
all have an extra claw-joint, which certainly marks their rela
tionship.

There are scarcely any of the Micrognatkida but what pos
sess some peculiar structure. The Scytodidce have but six
eyes, arranged in three groups ; Loxosceles, one of the genera
of Scytodidce, has a conical spine between the lower spinnerets.
Pholcus has an extra joint to its long legs, and Thorell says of
P. pullulus Hentz, that the tarsi are divided up into ten to
twelve joints. Thalamia and (Ecobius have a circle of peculiar
spines around the tip of the abdomen, while the posterior
median eyes are also peculiar.

Yet many peculiar structures are possessed by a number of
these genera, forming such a network of relationship that I
think it impossible to separate them in distinct families. As I
have previously said, they all have small mandibles somewhat
united at the base ; also the maxillae surround the lip. There

128 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY-

i$ t a slight variation from this in Loxosceles, the maxillae being
more parallel, in our species ; yet Thorell says of the European
species that ' ' the Scylodoidce [Pholcus, Spermophora, Scytodcs
and Loxosceles} agree with all these genera \Enyo, Uroctea and
Filistatd\ in having the maxillae closely encircling the lip."
The eyes in all the genera are not so much on the front part
of the head but more on the dorsal part of it, and situated at
a distance from the anterior margin of the cephalothorax.
The cephalothorax in some forms projects more or less in
front ; this is the case with Pholcus, Thalamia, Filistata and
Loxosceles. The upper spinnerets are long and two-jointed in
Thalamia, GEcobiiis and Uroctea. The extra claw-joint is present
in Hersilia, Pholcus, Spermophora , Scytodes, Loxosceles, Enyo
and Zodarium. The cephalothorax is nearly circular or sub-
cordate in all of the forms. In Filistata and Loxosceles the $
palpus is quite embryonic ; in Scytodes it is more developed ;
in Pholcus it is quite complex.

Thus, to sum up, besides the characters of the mouth parts,
Filistata is related closely to Loxosceles in the form of the $
palpus, and through Loxosceles to Scytodes. Filistata is related
to Pholcus in the position of the eyes, and through Pholcus to
Spermophora. It is related to Thalamia in the position of the
eyes and in the structure of the cephalothorax, and through
this genus to Uroctea and (Ecobius. Pholcus is related to
Enyo in the position of the eyes and in the possession of the
extra claw -joint, while Hersilia is related to both of these
genera by the latter character. Thus these genera not only
possess certain peculiar characters in common, but they also
possess such interrelations, as I believe, require a separate
family for their reception. The Micrpgnathida may be charac
terized as follows :

Spiders of lo\v rank ; mandibles small, more or less united
at the base ; maxillae surrounding the lip, which is sometimes
united to the sternum ; eyes six to eight ; cephalothorax
round or subcordate ; claws two or three ; upper spinnerets
frequently long ; claw -joint often present.

Typical genus Filistata; other genera Scytodes, Loxosceles,
Dictis, Pholcus, Spermophora, Thalamia, (Ecobius, Uroctea,
Hersilia, Hersiliola, Enyo, Zodarium, Storena, Asceua, Laches.

In answer to a question by Dr. Fox, Mr. Banks stated that
he should describe the eyes of Thalamia parietalis as forming
two longitudinal rows rather than as four transverse rows.

OF WASHINGTON. 129

Prof. Riley read an interesting letter from our fellow-
member, Mr. Ashmead, relating to various entomological
matters, and describing his [Ashmead 's] experiences and
work at Berlin, and particularly his first impressions of the
enormous extent of the insect collections of the Royal Mu
seum. Prof. Riley remarked that he was particularly pleased
at the statement that ' ' The large collections here have had a
depressing effect upon me, and I cannot conceive how one
little brain can take in all in one order," because it showed
that Mr. Ashmead realized the necessity of concentration in
order to do the best work.

Prof. Riley also read a letter from an old correspondent, Mr.
S. S. Rathvon, of Lancaster, Pa., relating to certain unde
termined Phytonoimis larvae which occurred on the campus at
Lancaster, as well as other matters, and called attention to the
clear chirography and diction and the unflagging interest in
and knowledge of the entomology of to-day somewhat re
markable in a man over eighty years old, and suffering from
various severe bodily ailments.

Prof. Riley then presented the following paper :

A VIVIPAROUS COCKROACH.

BY C. V. RII.EY.

I present to the Society alcoholic specimens of a female
cockroach with her young, received recently from Dr. Carl F.
Gissler, of Brooklyn, who found it a little more than a year
ago in Brooklyn on a cabbage, and informed me, in communi
cating it, that it had given birth to the young viviparously.
I also present enlarged drawings of the female and of the
young. The species is Panchlora viridis, common in South
America, and peculiar as compared with our own cockroaches
in being of a light green color. The specimens interested me
greatly, because, so far as I have been able to ascertain, there
is no record of a viviparous Blattid, and after a careful exam
ination, -involving dissection of the abdomen of the specimen,
I see no reason whatever to doubt the accuracy of Dr. Gissler' s
statement. Several of the young had already been born, as
stated by him, but still others were in the abdomen ready to

130 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

emerge, with no trace of either eggs or egg-case. The signifi
cance of this exceptional fact is that the extrusion of the eggs
in a compact ootheca is supposed to be one of the distinguish
ing features of the family BlaHidce, and such cases serve to
show how difficult it is to lay down any rule in reference to
the characteristics of any group that may not involve excep
tions. So far as other family characteristics are concerned
there is nothing peculiar in this species of Panchlora. It is a
rather soft-bodied species, with ample wings. I would call
attention, however, to the fact that the young have either lost
or never had the green color of the parent. They are pale
brownish, and are further peculiar in that the body broadens
posteriorly, the abdominal joints being strongly contracted
and telescoped into each other the eighth and ninth so
strongly drawn into the seventh as to give the abdomen an
unnatural, foreshortened, truncated appearance. Whether
this feature is due to the alcohol, or is normal, it is impossible
to say ; but there is no evidence of any other portion of the
body having shrunken or contracted on account of the pre
servative liquid.

Prof. Riley gave an account also of his additional study of
Platypsyllus. He said that since his former communication he
had been particularly anxious to secure other specimens of the
ultimate larvae and also specimens of the pupa of this insect,
and had had two or three persons at work in different places
with this end in view. In all some twenty Beavers had been
examined, and additional larvae and adults had been secured,
but no pupae. He had, however, been able to add quite a list
of insects, etc., which are associated with the Beaver, either
accidentally or as parasites or guests. These are : a Mallo-
phagan of peculiar form (Trickodectcs near crassus Drury) ;
four genera of mites ; seventeen species of Coleoptera (Staphy-
linidae, Histeridae, Silphidae and Elateridae), none of which
are supposed to be at all parasitic ; a Julus and a Geophilus ;
Bibionid and Culicid larvae; a Cricket ; a Tettix; three spiders ;
a Trombidium and a small roach.

Mr. Schwarz asked how the insects associated with the
Beaver had been found, many of the forms mentioned being
such as would occur in masses of rubbish, dry leaves, etc.

OF WASHINGTON. 131

Prof. Riley said that most were taken in the Beaver dens or
houses, which always contained a mass of material which
might attract the insects in question, and they were sifted
either from the material of the nest or the earth underneath
it. He said that the dens and nests were commonly con
nected with the banks of the stream under water, and with
the air at some other generally hidden point, thus affording
opportunity for the entrance of the insects, or that these
might also be introduced with the material used in the con
struction of the den. With reference to the pupa of Platy-
psyllus he said that he was forced to the opinion that this stage
is passed underground, in which belief Mr. Schwarz coincided.

Prof. Riley said, also, that the Mallophagan and the mites
were found on the beavers themselves.

Prof. Riley also called attention to the Minutes of the Pro
ceedings of the lyondon Entomological Society for October i,
1890, as published in the Entomologist* s Monthly Magazine for
November, 1890, and elsewhere. It is there stated that Mr.
C. J. Gahan exhibited a "curious little larva-like creature "
found in the mountain streams of Ceylon, and that there was
a discussion as to what the larva was. From the brief charac
teristics- given by Mr. Gahan it struck Prof. Riley that the
larva referred to is that of some species of the Dipterous family
Blepharocetidce : He stated that good figures of a South Ameri
can species, genus Paltostoma, have been published by Fritz
Mueller, and that he (Prof. Riley) is familiar with the larvae
and pupae of two North American species and has for many
years had drawings of the same, which are not yet published.

He also called attention to an article in Entomological News
for October last, in which, under the head of ' ' What can it
be?" Mrs. Julia P. Ballard, of Easton, Pa., describes a larva
which has puzzled her because, while having some of the
characteristics of Citheronia regalis^ with which she is quite
familiar, it nevertheless materially differs from that species.
Her description leaves no doubt that the larva which so puz
zled her was that of the only other congener, namely, Cithe
ronia sepulchralis . This larva is not uncommon in the vicinity
of Washington and along the lower Potomac, where it feeds

132 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

on Pinus inops and P. tceda ; and fine blown and alcoholic
specimens are in the Museum, collected by Mr. Koebele.
Prof. Riley then presented the following :

ON THE TIME OF TRANSFORMATION IN THE GENUS
LACHNOSTERNA.

BY C. V. RILEY.

At the late meeting of the Association of Economic Ento
mologists, at Champaign, one of the most interesting papers
read was that by Prof. S. A. Forbes on the larvae of Lachnos-
terna the paper being a summary of several years' study of
the larvae of different species. Prof. Forbes had found certain
satisfactory larval characteristics that permit the distinguish
ing of the different species in the arrangement and character
of the stiff hairs on the underside of the anal segment. This
fact will prove of great value to us, for it has always been
extremely difficult to refer any particular L,achnosterna larva
to its species. I have heretofore endeavored to do so by the
characters of the head and trophi, but have never felt great
confidence when it came to closely-allied species. How gen
erally applicable the distinguishing features recorded by Prof.
Forbes will prove to be experience alone will determine ;
but his studies cover several well-known species that occur
in Illinois. The feature, however, of Prof. Forbes' s paper
which I wish more particularly to call attention to relates
to the time of year when transformation takes place in this
genus. From recent experiments, Prof. Forbes is inclined
to believe that the history of the White Grub, as given by
authors, is a comedy of errors, and that the transformation
invariably takes place in late summer or early autumn.
The fact that transformation in some species, notably fusca,
takes place normally in the fall has been quite generally
known, at least to the members of this Society, and was
brought out in a discussion of Mr. Smith's paper, presented
before the Society at its October (1888) meeting, in which he
showed the value of the genitalia in determining the different
species. In my earlier writings onfusca, notably in the first
Report on the insects of Missouri, (1868), I mentioned the
spring transformation as the normal and the fall transforma
tion as the exceptional, having up to that time had more
occasion to obtain the insect in spring, with the turning up of
the ground, than in the fall. In later articles (notably in the
New York Semi -Weekly Tribune of November 12, 1875) I

OF WASHINGTON. 133

drew more attention to the fall transformation, and for many
years have been convinced that, so far as the latitudes of St.
Louis and Washington are concerned, this last is the more
common. Prof. Forbes himself, in 1883, followed closely my
statement in 1868. In looking up my MS. notes, however, I
find positive evidence that fall transformation is not the uni
form habit, as Prof. Forbes' s conclusions would lead one to
suppose ; because what has been taken for fusca has some
times been found in the spring, and in one instance the full-
grown larva of what was in one case fusca and in the other
either fusca or ephelida, was found and pupated in spring.
Considering all the facts, I am inclined to believe that those
species which appear early in summer transform, as a rule,
the previous autumn, such for instance as arcuata, hirticula,
fraterna and tristis. These have all been found in the imago
state at Washington in the fall or winter, and Mr. Schwarz
tells me that the same is true of dubia and hirticula in Michi
gan. The later-appearing species, i. e,, gracilis, gibbosa and
crenulata, are not found as beetles in the ground, in the fall,
the legitimate inference being that they transform as a rule in
spring. According to Mr. Schwarz' s experience some of the
early appearing species, viz : inversa and micans, which are
quite common in Washington, have not yet been found in the
fall, and, so far as the negative fact goes, it would militate
against this generalization and indicate that in these instances
the transformation is vernal. Of the undetermined larvae, a
certain number collected near Washington in the fall of 1888,
all of the same size, remained untransformed during the
winter one having changed to pupa in May and the others
having died during the spring.

Prof. Fofbes records in his paper having found pupae or
larvae beginning to pupate in the month of June, the species,
if I recollect rightly, being inversa, which is one of those
which appear early with us ; but such early pupation, if of .a
late-appearing species, would not necessarily argue that the
imagos would remain inactive until the following year, but
might apply to late-appearing species, such as gibbosa and
ephelida, which are recorded in the latitude of Washington as
late as August. In fact, a well advanced pupa of what is
without doubt the latter species (it is a $ , and shows the
characteristic tibial spur) is in the collection taken in August.
The records, as published by Smith, show that ephelida occurs
in July and August, being our latest species, and it is safer to
assume that the imago from* this pupa would have issued and
paired the same season, than that the imago would have re-
. mained practically inactive till the subsequent July. The

134 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

whole question is interesting and somewhat involved, on ac
count of the length of time covered by the appearance of the
different species, and while I felt impressed, on hearing the
paper, with the fact that a great deal of excellent original
work had been done at Champaign, and that the statements in
the current literature (which is so largely unacknowledged
compilation) would be effectually modified thereby, yet the
authoritative statements, which have been based on observa
tion, have not been materially impugned.

Further investigation will doubtless show that the fall or
spring transformation is dependent to some extent upon lati
tude, and that, on this account, great irregularity may be
looked for. There is here a rich field for careful study and
experiment in different parts of the country, and it may turn
out that the three-year period, which is pretty fully sub
stantiated for the full life-cycle of some of the commoner
forms, may be either shortened or lengthened according to
latitude or species.

In this connection I would also put on record the fact that,
according to Mr. Webster, from whom specimens have been
received as having been obtained from Lachnosterna larvae, an
undescribed Tachinid and Ophion bifoveolatum maybe added
to the list of parasites which I have already recorded as
attacking the larva of fusca.

Mr. Townsend presented the following paper :

NOTES ON NORTH AMERICAN TACHINIDiE SENS. LAT.,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.

PAPER I.
BY C. H. TYLER TOWNSKND.

In the first families of the Tachinida s. lat. much confusion
has resulted from the descriptions of the earlier authors, due
in great part to the fact that the two sexes of these flies ex
hibit marked differences, which would lead one to consider
them distinct species. From a critical study of descriptions
and material I have collected a considerable number of notes,
synonymical, relating to distribution, etc., which I here pre
sent, together with descriptions of some new species.

Phasia atripennis Say. This is not a Phasia. The descrip
tion shows that the apical cell is petiolate, and compares the
venation to that of Phasia semicinerea Meig., which however

OF WASHINGTON. 135

is an Alophora sens. Schiner, of the sub-genus Hyalomyia*
Meigen's figure misled Say. This species probably does not
belong in the Phasiid<z at all. I am inclined to refer it to the
genus Wahlbergia in the Phaniidce. The description agrees
well with W. atripennis (see description of latter in this paper),
yet there is room for doubt, as it entirely omits mention of the
most important characters. Under these circumstances, I be
lieve it advisable to indicate Phasia atripennis Say as a doubt
ful synonym of Wahlbergia atripennis nov. sp., and it may be
so considered until it is identified as distinct.

Hyalomyia occidcntis Wlk. and H. triangulifera H. Lw. I
can identify none of the following four new species with either
of the above.

Hyalomyia punctigera n. sp.

Male Eyes reddish-brown, rather closely approximated just in front
of the ocelli ; front narrow, widening toward the antennae ; vitta black,
obsolete in front of the vertex, much widened at the base of the
antennae, being thus triangular, with a row of fine black bristles on each
side ; sides of front silvery ; face and ocellar borders silvery, the epistoma
very strongly, unusually produced ; antennae blackish ; proboscis and
palpi blackish, the latter slender, rather elongate, and much enlarged at
the tip ; occiput black, silvery pollinose on the sides and below, brownish
near the vertex, gray hairy below ; cheeks silvery, gray hairy below.
Thorax above black, slightly brownish pollinose, with short black hair ;
shoulders and pleurae slightly brownish or cinereous ; scutellum shining
black ; thorax and scutellum with black bristles on the sides and behind.
Abdomen black, with an interrupted, somewhat indistinct, median black
vitta ; first two segments shining, with a metallic greenish luster,
covered with short black hair ; last two and anal segments, and median
hind border of second segment, metallic, cinereous pollinose, covered
with short, black, scattered hairs, each one arising from an opaque black
dot, this punctation rather more distinct than in other species ; venter
concolorous, slightly cinereous on the posterior half. Legs black, black
hairy, especially the femora, which are considerably enlarged ; pulvilli
whitish, claws black, elongate. Wings hyaline, broadly tawny at base ;
tegulae tawny, forward scales partly whitish ; halteres tawny.

Length of body, 5 mm. ; of wing, 4 mm.

One specimen. Dixie Landing, Va. (D. C.). This is a
very distinct form in the unusually prominent epistoma, the
club-like palpi and the enlarged femora. No doubt further
specimens will vary from the above in the extent of the
cinereous on the abdomen.

* Mr. E. Girschner has referred this to a new sub-genus, Paraloplwra.
See Zeitschr. fur Naturw., Bd. LX, 1887. Separate, 1888, p. 38.

136 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Hyalomyia aldrichii nov. sp.

Male Black. Byes brown, closely approximated in front of the ocelli,
thus very much narrowing the front at this point ; vitta nearly or quite
obsolete, only showing as a triangle at base of antennae, brownish or
nearly black ; sides of front silvery, extending to the vertex as a silvery
vitta, with a row of fine black bristles on each side ; face and ocellar
borders black, cinereous pollinose ; antennae black, slightly cinereous ;
proboscis black ; palpi blackish, thread-like, very slightly or scarcely at
all enlarged at the tip ; cheeks black, silvery pollinose, gray hairy ; occi
put black, black hairy on upper border, silvery pollinose on sides and
below. Thorax and scutellum shining black, of a metallic, very dark
greenish luster, with black bristles on the sides and behind ; shoulders
and pleurae coucolorous, very slightly, almost imperceptibly, cinereous.
Abdomen black, metallic, with a median interrupted, or almost obsolete,
black line ; first segment shining, with a dark greenish reflection, clothed
with short black hair ; remaining segments cinereous pollinose, with
scattered black "hairs, each arising from a black dot ; venter concolorous,
anal half more or less cinereous. Legs black, black hairy, especially at
enlarged femora ; pulvilli whitish. Claws black, rather elongate. Wings
hyaline, slightly yellowish at base ; tegulae nearly pure white, hind scale
faintly grayish ; halteres slightly yellowish, more or less dusky.

Female Differs from the male in having the eyes still more closely
approximated, almost contiguous, and the claws very short. The frontal
vitta is more distinct, and continued to the vertex as a narrow line. The
shoulders and pleurae also are more cinereous. The anal or fifth 'seg
ment, present in the <j\ is wanting.

Length of body, 3 to 3^ mm. ; of wing, 3 mm., or slightly more.

Described from 2 9 and 2 $ specimens. Brookings, South
Dakota. From Mr. J. M. Aldrich. A third $ from the same
locality differs in being smaller and much narrower, but is
probably the same species.

Hyalomyia robertsonii n. sp.

Female Byes almost contiguous in front of the ocelli ; front cin
ereous, bristly on each side of the black vitta, which is widened towards
the antennae ; antennae black, third joint cinereous ; face and cheeks
cinereous, the latter with fine whitish hairs ; proboscis blackish, palpi
rather short, slender, not enlarged at tip, tawny, blackish at base ; occi
put cinereous, with short black hairs, becoming whitish below ; vertex
with a posterior pair of bristles directed backward, one at each vertical
angle, and an anterior pair situated between the three ocelli, directed for
ward. Thorax black above, cinereous on the sides, with black bristles
on the sides before the wings, and on the posterior part of the dorsum ;
scutellum black, with four black bristles. Abdomen slightly cinereous,

OF WASHINGTON. 137

the basal segments more or less metallic, black or greenish, the terminal
segments more or less distinctly black punctate ; venter slightly cinere
ous. Legs black, with a very faint grayish shimmer in some lights ;
claws short, pulvilli small, whitish or testaceous. Wings nearly hyaline,
basal and costal portions deep tawny ; tegulae tawny, forward scale some
what lighter ; halteres tawny.

Length of body, 4 to 4^ mm. ; of wing, 3^ to 4 mm.

Two females from Mr. Charles Robertson, Carlinville, Ills.
This species is easily to be distinguished from punctigera by
the much less prominent epistoma and the rather short, not
club-like palpi. The femora also are scarcely enlarged. From
aldrichii it may be distinguished by its slightly larger size, by
the tawny tegulae, which are white in that species, and by the
palpi being largely tawny instead of wholly black.

Hyaloinyia purpurascens n. sp.

Male Face and front black, cinereous pollinose ; eyes rather widely
separated, brownish or reddish ; frontal vitta as a narrow line between
the eyes but widened towards the base of the antennae, black, with a
row of fine black hairs on each side ; antennae very small, black, third
joint cinereous ; proboscis blackish, palpi very small, tawny or testace
ous ; cheeks and occiput black, cinereous pollinose, the former below the
eyes with fine whitish hairs, the latter with short black bristly hairs ;
vertex with short bristles. Thorax black, shining, slightly cinereous on
the sides, with bristly hairs on the sides and bristles on the dorsum be
hind ; scutellum black, with four bristles. Abdomen metallic, very dark
green, usually with a decidedly purplish tinge on the second and third
segments, the fourth segment, and sometimes the sides of the others,
more or less ashy, black punctate ; venter black, more or less cinereous.
Legs black, the hind tibiae with a few black bristles, the femora slightly
enlarged ; claws long, pulvilli whitish. Wings hyaline or grayish, basal
portions tawny ; tegulae tawny or whitish ; halteres tawny.

Female Differs from the male in the eyes being contiguous just in
front of the ocelli, the claws short, and the abdomen not purplish, more
broadly punctate.

Length of body, 2^ to 3^ mm. ; of wing, 2 to 3 mm.

Described from four males and four females, from Mr.
Charles Robertson, Carlinville, Ills. This is a much smaller
species than the three preceding.

Trichopoda ciliata P A ab. Wiedemann's description of this
species makes it very evident that he was describing the 9 .
Brauer and von Bergenstamm (Vorarb. Mon. Muscaria Schiz.,
147) indicate this to be the 9 of pcnnipcs. I believe this
synonymy to be correct.

138 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

T. rilipesWied. This is Fabricius's Thereva pennipes (Syst.
Antl., 219, 8). The description is of the $ . I believe this
species to be the $ of hirtipes. I have a pair, taken in coitu
June 22, which, with several other specimens taken singly,
correspond with these two descriptions. The males have the
wings milky and tawny radiate, the tawny being more or less
in the form of a blotch.

T. flavicornis Rob. Desv. Robineau Desvoidy described
the $ .

T. formosa Wied. I have 3 $ and 2 9 of this species from
this vicinity. It is very near radiata, but is somewhat less
robust. (See T. radiata and T. lanipes.}

T. hirtipes Fab. All the descriptions of this (Fab., Wied.,
Rob. Desv.) are of the 9 , and I believe it to be the 9 of cilipes.
(See T. cilipes.}

T. lanipes Fab. Wiedemann, Fabricius and Robineau Des
voidy describe its 9 Brauer and v. Bergenstamm (1. c.) indi
cate this to be the 9 ofcfot.mosa F. I know of no formosa de
scribed by Fabricius. If Wiedemann' s species is meant, the
synonymy is- incorrect. That author mentions both sexes, in
which he was evidently mistaken, for he describes only the $ .
The 9 of formosa Wied. has the abdomen orange on the basal
half, while lanipes is entirely coal-black.

T. pennipes Fab. This is Fabricius's Dictya pennipes (Syst.
Antl., 327, 5). It is found over the eastern half or more of
the United States and in Mexico. All the descriptions are of
the $ . Say's Phasia jugatoria is the 9 of this species. Baron
Osten Sacken, in his note on Say's description, has the sexes
changed. Say described the 9 . It is the $ that has the fer
ruginous or yellowish patch on the front of the wing, and the
abdomen entirely ferruginous, though males also occur which
have the abdomen faintly tipped with black. This (Say's
jugatoria) is probably the same sex of the same species which
Fabricius described as ciliata.

T. plumipes Fab. All the descriptions (Fab., Wied., Rob.
Desv.) are of the 9 . The only difference between this species
and lanipes seems to be that this has golden and lanipes white
lines on the thorax. If this difference does not exist they are
probably the same. I have never seen this species.

T. pyrr/wgasterWied. The description seems to be of the 9 .
Mr. van der Wulp records this species from Guatemala (Biol.
Cen tr.- Am.), and Mr. von Roder records it from Porto Rico.

T. radiata H. Lw. This is our largest and most striking
species. Loew described the $ . I am confident that I have
the 9 in two specimens which have the sides of the face silvery
instead of golden, the wings entirely black and the abdomen

OF WASHINGTON. 139

cylindrical, red, with the tip black. I was at first much in
clined to regard this as a synonym offormosa Wied. I have
noticed that the broad-bodied $ $ , when fresh and first cap
tured, have the abdomen of a very distinct red as well as
purplish hue, which settles into a dull purplish black as the
specimen becomes older. The reddish bases of the femora
vary much also, in some of my specimens being just percepti
ble, while in others the whole basal half is red. In one speci
men the palpi are darker than in the others. My specimens
offormosa have the palpi reddish or nearly black ; all but one
have the bases of the femora perceptibly red, while some of
the males have the abdomen purplish, and it nearly always
becomes purplish-black after drying for some time. There
fore, the distinguishing characters which Loew pointed out
between his species andformosa are not constant enough to be
of much service. The two species are, however, both valid,
and are easily distinguished, when a series of each is com
pared, by the wider abdomen in the $ , and the wider head
and thorax and general greater robustness in both sexes of
radiata. T. formosa uniformly has a narrower head and body,
and is less robust. There are no constant and well-marked
colorational differences between the two, but formosa as a rule
has darker palpi, less red on the femora, and less purplish on
the abdomen of the $ .

T. trifasciata H. Lw. I have a $ of this species from Kansas.
It agrees well with Lcew's description, though the anal seg
ment, as well as the three preceding, has a golden or brassy
fascia, which is less interrupted in the middle than the others.

T. haitensis Rob. Desv. The 9 is described. Mr. V. v.
Roder (Dipt. Insel Portorico, Stett. Knt. Zeit, 1885, 344)
makes this a synonym of pyrrhogaster. The latter seems to
be somewhat larger than haitensis, and they are both evidently
the same sex. I feel safe, however, in accepting Mr. v.
Roder' s synonymy as correct.

T. mexicana Macq. I have not seen the description of this
species.

T. nigricauda Bigot. I believe this to be the 9 .

T.flavav. Roder, 1. c., 343, 344. Porto Rico. This is a
remarkable and exceptional species in its coloration, as it is
almost entirely yellow, including the wings. From the fact
that the face is golden, and from the general showy coloration,
it is probably the $ that is described. The 9 is always the
more sombre of the two.

T. histris Walker, List. IV, 697, without locality. I have
little doubt that this is T. trifasciata H. Lw. The description
agrees in every particular, except that Walker's specimen

140 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

seems to have had only two abdominal fasciae, while Loew's
had three, and a specimen of my own four. (See trifasciala.')
Walker describes the $ , and his description is sufficiently
recognizable to stand, certainly so if the locality had been
appended. The species, however, cannot fail to be American,
as I know of no Trichopoda from any other part of the world.

Trichopoda aurantiaca nov. sp.

Male Black and orange ; like T. formosa Wied., but smaller and less
robust. Head rather wide, eyes large, brownish ; front about one-fourth
the width of the head, the velvety black vitta occupying its entire
width at the vertex and a little widened at the bases of the antennae ;
sides of front and borders of eyes below golden yellow ; face silvery pol-
linose, a blackish shining surface just above the epistoma ; antennae, in
cluding bristle, blackish, slightly silvery in some lights ; cheeks yellow
ish, silvery pollinose and gray hairy ; mouth parts light, proboscis black
or brownish, palpi very dark brown ; occiput black, silvery pollinose.
Thorax black, with four short longitudinal brassy, slightly whitish, lines
in front running back to a transverse one, the inner pair and the trans
verse line very delicate, the outer pair heavy and somewhat golden ;
thorax with black macrochetse on the sides and hind portion, hind bor
der silvery ; scutellum black, silvery behind, with a black macrocheta on
each side and a pair at the hind angle ; pleurae silvery pollinose. Abdo
men flattened, rather square oblong, not very wide, of a light orange
color shading into rusty toward the tip, its extreme base more or less
black, everywhere covered with short black bristly hairs ; anal segment
with a silvery reflection ; venter concolorous. Legs black, thickly
clothed with short black bristles, the bases of the femora orange ; coxae
silvery ; hind tibiae thickly black ciliate, or feathered ; claws and pul-
villi yellow, elongate, surmounted with a few fine, black, bristly hairs.
Wings black, slightly white radiate, with an elongate longitudinal yellow
or tawny spot in the middle near the front border ; inner margin of
wings narrowly hyaline, not reaching the apex; tegulae light orange,
forward angle pure white ; halteres orange.

Length of body, 1 1 mm. ; of wing, 9 mm,

One specimen. Dixie Landing, Va. (D. C.). July 6, on
sumach bloom. This species is near formosa. It differs from
it in being less robust, in the much smaller and narrowed ab
domen, which is orange-colored. From cilipes (syn. hirtipes)
it differs in the smaller, rather square oblong abdomen of
equal width, not bulging on the sides, and the delicate
whitish brassy, not heavy golden, markings of the thorax. Of
course, in the above differences I refer only to the $ $ . I
have a single 9 that may belong to this species, but it is
doubtful. The abdomen is narrower, more cylindrical, more

OF WASHINGTON. 141

pointed at the end than in the 9 9 of other .species, and is
broadly tipped with black. The claws are shorter, hooked,
and the tips black. This is the case with the 9 $ of most
species ; the claws of the $ $ are usually linear and entirely
yellow.

Acaulona costata v. d. Wulp, Biol. Centr.-Am., Dipt., II, 4.
This exceedingly interesting new genus and species of
Phasiidfs is founded on the description of two specimens,
which Mr. van der Wulp refers with a query to the $ sex.
The very short claws and pulvilli mentioned would indicate
the 9 The genus has much the facies of Trichopoda, as may
be seen from the excellent colored figure.

Gymnosoma filiola H. L,w. I have taken this species here,
and have also specimens from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota
(Aldrich), and Minnesota (Lugger), while Loew described it
from Texas, and Mr. v. Roder has determined it in a collection
of flies from Porto Rico (1. c., 344). Loew mentions in his
description that he had not observed any 9 9 to have the
widely dilated abdominal spots so frequently seen in larger
species. I have, however, 9 9 in w r hich the black markings
extend over nearly the whole abdomen.

G. fuliginosa Rob. Desv. This is our largest and most
robust species. It is abundant here, and I have taken it in
Michigan. The 9 , as in all Gymnosomas, has black on each
side of the front, the face with a silvery reflection, the thorax
wholly black shining, and the abdominal markings dilated.
The $ has only the lateral angles of the vertex black, the
face with a golden reflection, the forward part of the thorax
with yellowish or brassy pubescence, and the abdominal
markings confined to several small, round black spots. The
claws are nearly the same length in both sexes, but the wings
of the $ are as a rule slightly smaller than those of the 9 .
Desvoidy described the $ . It is perhaps a question whether
this is not the same as G. rotundata L. of Europe (see v. d.
Wulp, Tijd. v. Knt., 2d ser., II, 136).

G. occidua Wlk. This is, without doubt, as Dr. Williston
has pointed out (Tr. Am. Knt. Soc., XIII, 296), the 9 of
Cistogaster divisa H. Lw. But Dr. Williston seems, in his
paper, to accept Loew's name, whereas Walker's, as it is ac
companied by a recognizable description, ought to stand on its
priority.

G. par Wlk. This may best be placed as a synonym of
fuliginosa R. D., until some one decides from examination of
the type in Cambridge that it is not identical. There is little
doubt of its being the same.

142 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

G. latreillei l.ob. Desvoidy, Myod., 237. The description is
accompanied by the remark : " I do not know the country of
this species ; observed in the collection of the Count Dejean."
I venture to rescue this from the fugitive list and refer it to
North America, probably Carolina. From Desvoidy 's de
scription I have little doubt that it is the 9 of fuliginosa.

G. atra Rob. Desv., Myod., 238. This is another of Des
voidy 's fugitive species, which he found in Dejean' s collection.
I strongly suspect that it is the same as Cistogaster pallasii
n. sp., described in this paper. If it is the same, I am rather
surprised that Desvoidy did not refer it, on account of its
short antennae, to his genus Pallasia (syn. of Cistogaster]. If,
however, he trusted to the appearance of the specimen, its
habitus is strikingly like Gymnosoma.

Cistogaster divisa H. L/w. This should be known as octidua
Wlk. Lcew described the $ of Walker's species. It is
found from Connecticut and District of Columbia to South
Dakota (Aldrich), Colorado and California (Williston). There
is little reliance to be placed on the character of the apical cell
in this genus. While Gymnosoma uniformly has it petiolate,
twenty-two specimens of C. occidua that I have examined have
it petiolate (all $ ), and eleven have it closed in the border
(seven 9 9 and four $ $). The females of this species vary
very much. I have one in which the abdomen is of the same
bright ferruginous as that of the $ , while a small specimen
has the abdomen of a uniform black, nearly V^L^ pallasii n. sp.,
but not shining as in that species. In some females also the
black on the sides of the front is of much greater extent and
very pronounced. While the claws in Gymnosoma are nearly
the same length in both sexes, those of the $ are much
elongated in Cistogaster.

C. immaculata Mcq. I have not seen the description of this
species.

Cistogaster pallasii nov. sp.

? Syn. Gymnosoma atra Rob. Desv.

Female Wholly black. Front about one-third the width of the head,
shining black on the sides with black hairs ; vitta dark reddish-brown,
of nearly equal width ; face and borders of the eyes silvery white, polli-
nose ; antennae short, brownish, black at the tip ; second joint reddish
on the sides, slightly silvery in some lights, with a few black hairs on its
dorsum ; third joint a little longer than the second, reddish at base, the
remainder black ; proboscis blackish, palpi light reddish-yellow ; cheeks
and occiput cinereous pollinose, gray hairy on the sides and particularly
below, with black hairs on the upper border. Thorax shining black,

OF WASHINGTON. 143

without opaque on polliuose lines ; humeri and pleurae cinereous polli-
nose, the former slightly brassy in certain lights ; scutellum shining
black, with black bristles. Abdomen round, shining black, with thin
black depressed pubescence becoming thicker on the edges ; venter
black. Legs wholly black, femora hairy, tibiae hairy with a few bristles ;
pulvilli reddish, claws short. Wings small, hyaline, yellowish or tawny
at base, the apical cell petiolate ; tegulae white, hind scale faintly tawny ;
halteres yellowish.

Length of body, 5 mm. ; of wing, 4 mm.

One specimen. Brookings, South Dakota. From Mr. J. M.
Aldrich. Further material will perhaps show specimens with
the apical cell closed in the border, not petiolate.

Ocyptera arcuata Say. This must be known as Wahlbergia
arcuata. I had referred it to this genus from the description
alone, without examination of specimens. I^ater I received
from Mr. Charles Robertson, of Carlinville, 111., two $ $ and
two 9 9 that I am able to identify as this species, which has
remained unknown since Say described it in 1829. Say's de
scription was probably made from a female. The female differs
from the male in having the dorsum of the thorax in front
blackish in the middle, with the golden pubescence in a broad
band on each side ; in the face and sides of the front being
silvery ; and in the abdomen being pointed at the extremity,
more conspicuously and compactly marked with black, the tip
being wholly black above. The male has the thorax in front
with golden lines, also in the middle ; the face and sides of
front golden ; the abdomen blunt at the extremity, and the
segments with the black slightly separated at the sutures.

O. (Hemyda)aurata Rob. Desv. The genus Hemyda
is very distinct from Ocyptera. (See v. Roder, Berl. Knt.
Zeitschr., XXV, 212; and Williston, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc.,
XIII, 297.)

O. Carolines Rob. Desv. This is very near Walker's dosiades.
Desvoidy states that the tegulse are sub-fuliginous, and the
thorax dull black tinged with brownish. The tegulse of
dosiades are white, and the thorax is shining, polished black.
The other characters given by Desvoidy agree well with speci
mens which I refer to Walker's species.

O. dosiades Wlk. I have four $ and three 9 specimens
from this vicinity which I refer to this species, though the
third antennal joint is scarcely twice as long as the second. I
have also one $ from Minnesota (?) and two 9 9 from here,
which are smaller, but are likely .the same species. The males
have the claws elongate, while in the female they are very
short. This seems to be our smallest form of Ocypteia.

144 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

I

O. epytus Wlk. I can see very little difference between the
descriptions of this and the following species. This descrip
tion was probably drawn from a small specimen of euchenor,
and I should regard it as a synonym of that species, the de
scription of which is better applicable to most of the speci
mens.

O. euchenor Wlk. I identify one $ from this vicinity, one
$ from Iowa, two $ $ from Minnesota (?), and two $ $ and
three 9 from southern Illinois (Robertson), with this
species.

O. liturata Olivier. I fail to identify this species in my
material. It is, without much doubt, an Ocyptera, though the
description of some of the parts, especially the wings, is won
derfully like Trichopoda.

O. dotadas Wlk. The description says that the abdomen is
linear, which doubtless here means slender. The only differ
ences I can perceive between the descriptions of this species
and dosiades are that in this the median black abdominal vitta
seems to be obsolete, the wings are longer, and the balancers
are black instead of taw r ny. If I have put the right con
struction, upon these points, the species is no doubt valid.
The descriptions are exactly alike in all other particulars.

O. binotata Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1878, 44. This ap
pears to be the same as euchenor Wlk. It is a much larger
species (10 mm.) than dosiades Wlk.

Ocyptera argentea nov. sp.

Male Black, silvery pollinose. Byes dark brown ; front nearly or
quite one-third the width of the head, not nearly so broad as the face ;
vitta black, of equal width, with a row of black bristles on each side ;
sides of front borders of the eyes and face silvery-white pollinose, gray
ish in some lights ; antennae black, third joint only a little longer than
the second ; proboscis black ; palpi undeveloped ; cheeks and occiput
gray hairy, silvery-white pollinose ; a pair of long black bristles on the
vertex, one on each side of the ocelli. Thorax black, with a silvery re
flection, covered with black macrochetse ; shoulders and pleurae silvery
pollinose, also three* longitudinal, abbreviated silvery vittae on the mid
dle of the front portion of the thorax ; scutellum black, with a faintly
silvery reflection, four-sided, narrower posteriorly, with black macro-
chetae on its sides and behind. Abdomen black, shining, with lateral
and dorsal pairs of black macrochetae always near the hind margin of
the segments ; second segment and front half of third obscurely red on
the sides, the red often hardly perceptible from above ; forward half of
third and fourth segments broadly silvery-white pollinose on the sides ;
venter black, second segment and a part of third red. Legs black, coxae
and the hind surface of the front femora silvery-pollinose, femora and

OF WASHINGTON. 145

tibiae with black macroclietae ; pulvilli tawny or testaceous ; claws
black, elongate. Wings smoky, gradually sub-hyaline on the inner
margin, more or less yellowish at base ; tegulae white, sometimes faintly
yellowish on the internal or the whole border ; halteres black.

Female Differs from tllo $ in the very short claws, and in the more
nearly equal width of the front and face when viewed from before.

Length of body, 10 to n mm. ; of wing, 7 mm.

Three $ $ from District of Columbia and one 9 from Iowa.
It differs from euchenor in the sides of the second and third
abdominal segments not being clearly red, but the third seg
ment covered with silvery- white pollen in front like the fourth.
The whole insect is more deeply black and the antennae are
entirely black.

Wahlbergia atripennis nov. sp.

? Syn. Phasia atripennis Say.

Male Black and light orange. Head wider than the thorax ; eyes
large, brown ; front nearly one-third the width of the head, with a broad,
deep black, velvet-like vitta occupying the entire width at the vertex,
but narrower towards the antenna;, at the bases of which it widens again;
sides of the anterior three-fourths of the front, with the borders of the
eyes, bright golden, face light yellow ; antennae short, blackish, third
joint nearly the same length as the second, reddish at base, the second
joint shading to reddish and black bristly ; proboscis black or brownish,
geniculate, the upper membranous portions whitish ; palpi light reddish-
yellow, black hairy ; cheeks and occiput silvery, with grayish hairs be
low and black hairs on the upper border. Thorax velvet black, with
black bristles, the transverse suture golden, irregularty defined in front,
humeri broadly golden ; posterior margin of mesoscutum golden, ex
tending forward nearly to the transverse suture.; pleurae silvery, upper
portions golden in certain lights ; scutellum black, with black macro-
chetse. Abdomen cylindrical, of a clear light orange-yellow, covered
with short black depressed bristles, becoming thinner on the sides and
venter ; first segment deep black at base, in some specimens nearly all
black, in others just touched with black ; fifth and sixth segments and
posterior or greater part of dorsum of fourth, with median dorsal spots
of second and third segments, usually much darker, of a light rusty or
pale ferruginous ; a median dorsal pair of sub-erect short black macro-
chetae near the posterior border of each segment ; venter of first three
segments and often a portion of the fourth light yellow, at tip blackish.
Ivegs black, basal third to half of front and middle femora and three-
fifths of hind femora orange-yellow ; coxae yellowish, covered with
silvery pollen ; femora evenly covered with short depressed bristly
hairs ; rest of legs gather more finely hairy, tibiae in addition with a few
strong bristles, usually about 8 or 10 on each hind tibia and from i to 5
or 6 on the front and middle pairs ; claws long, of equal length with the

146 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

pulvilli, which are dusky. Wings smoky, almost black on the costal
half and at base, the inner margin gradually sub-hyaline ; apical cell
rather long petiolate, hind cross-vein more or less bowed out ; tegulse
light orange-yellow, the anterior half and smaller forward scale pure
white, with the borders faintly yellow ; halteres light orange-yellow.
Length of body, 6 to 7 mm. ; of wing, 5 to 6 mm.

Dixie Landing, Va. (D. C.). Four specimens taken Oct. 5,
on flowers of aster, etc.

This species at first sight exactly resembles a small Tricho-
poda, but is easily distinguished from that genus by the bare
hind tibiae, long-petiolate apical cell, and the short abdominal
pairs of macrochetae.

Schiner defines Besseria (syn. of Wahlbergia] as having the
hind cross-vein straight. Lcew's description of W.'brevipennis
states that vein to be strongly oblique. In the above species
it is arcuate, and the fourth longitudinal vein is flexed or
rounded, not angulated, where it bends to meet the third.

Mr. Schwarz presented the following note :

FEEDING HABIT OF A SPECIES OF EMPID^.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

That the Empidce are predaceous Diptera is well known, but
since I do not find in the more accessible literature (although
no particular search has been made) any published record re
garding their mode of feeding, I venture to communicate a
little observation made by myself the present summer. A
species of the genus Syneches (probably an undescribed species)
was very abundant in the mountains at Ft. Pendleton, Md.,
during the first part of July. During daytime these flies rest
on the under side of leaves, etc., in the shadiest parts of the
woods. Toward evening they fly about in the more open
places and capture little gnats and other minute Diptera.
Holding their pre}^ between the legs, and their body being in
vertical position, they slowly fly toward the nearest bush, and,
without alighting, most dexterously manage to take hold of
the edge of a leaf with the claws of the right or left front leg.
The long and very sharp claws are well adapted for taking a
firm hold on the surface of the leaf, and the long pulvilli
assist in the operation by pressing on the edge or the under
side of the leaf. Thus vertically suspended by a single leg,
the fly uses its five free legs for manipulating the gnat.
Within ten or fifteen seconds it has sucked out its prey, then
drops the same and flies away. On a single shrub alongside

OF WASHINGTON. 147

a road I could see at the same time thirty or more specimens
of the fly all suspended in exactly the same way, while
numerous others were constantly going or coming.

With reference to the manner of flight described in this note
on Empidce, Prof. Riley said that long-bodied insects of slow
flight must necessarily hang more or less vertically, instancing
the flight of long-bodied L,epidoptera, L,ampyrid9e, Tipulidse,
etc. With reference to the hanging of these flies while feed
ing, he said that it was not uncommon for Bombi to hang sus
pended by their jaws to plants while asleep.

Mr. J. M. Aldrich mentioned having observed a large Asilid
apparently asleep hanging from a blade of grass by its fore
feet, and holding a large beetle.

Mr. Marlatt mentioned having noticed a wasp (Cerceris
fumipennis Say) for two days in succession hanging to a par
ticular plant of Solidago. Examination showed that the
wasp, which was hanging by its jaws, was. dead, it having
evidently died during sleep.

Mr. Mann said that he had found a bee sleeping in this posi
tion. Attention was also called to Mr. Emerton's figure in
Psyche, Vol. 5, of Vespa maculata hanging by a single hind
foot and feeding on a fly.

Mr. Howard mentioned Thaxter's figure of Chauliognathus
pennsylvanicus infected by an entomophthorus disease hanging
by its jaws to the edge of a leaf (Mem. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist., v. 4).

Mr. Schwarz called attention to a recent publication by
Ed. Fleutiaux and A. Salle in the Ann. Soc. Ent. de France
for 1889 (1890), on the Coleoptera from the Island of Guade
loupe, West Indies. Of five hundred and seventeen species
there enumerated not less than seventy occur also in the
United States, and these can be classified as follows : twenty
are cosmopolitan species ; twenty- eight are more or less
widely distributed in North America, and more especially in
the southern States ; twenty-two belong to the colony of semi-
tropical insects in North America, most of them occurring in
the semi-tropical belt of Florida and a few in the extreme
southwestern region of the country.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

PAGE

LIST OF MEMBERS 2

BANKS, NATHAN: On Thalamia parietalis Hentz 125

Fox, WM. H. : New North American Species of the Genus Erigone. 44

HEIDEMANN, OTTO : Note on the Occurrence of a rare Capsid near

Washington, D. C. (illustrated) 68

HOWARD, L. O. : The Habits of Eurytoma, 66 ; A New Remarkable
Genus of Encyrtinse, 84 ; The Habits of Pachyneuron (illus
trated), 105 ; The Parasites of the Hemerobiinae 123

MARI,ATT, C. L. : The Xanthium Trypeta, Trypeta sequalis Lw.,
(illustrated), 40 ; Observations on the Habits of Vespas, 80 ;
Notes on the Genus Metopius, with Description of a New
Species and Table of Species (illustrated), 101 ; The Final
Molting of Tenthredinid Larvae 115

MARX, GEO. : A Contribution to the Knowledge of North Ameri
can Spiders (illustrated), 28; On the Effect of the Poison
of Lathrodectus mactans Walck. upon Warm-blooded Animals. 85

Rii,EY, C. V. : Notes on the Larva of Platypsyllus, 27 ; On the Diffi
culty of Dealing with Lachnosterna, 58 ; A Viviparous Cock
roach, 129 ; On the Time of Transformation in the Genus
Lachnosterna 132

SCHWARZ, E. A. : Annual Address of the President, North American
Publications on Entomology, 5 ; A List of the Blind or nearly
Eyeless Coleoptera hitherto found in North America, 23 ;
Labeling Specimens, 46 ; Note on the Food-habits of Xyle-
borus tachygraphus and X. dispar (illustrated), 62 ; Coleoptera
on the Black Locust (Robinia pseudacacia), 73 ; Notes on the
Breeding Habits of some Scolytids, 77 ; Contribution to the
Life-history of Corthylus punctatissinms and Description of
C. spinifer n. sp., 109; Feeding Habit of a Species of Empidse..i46

TOWNSEND, C. H. TYI.ER : Hemiptera collected in southern Michi
gan, 52 ; The North American Genera of Calyptrate Muscidse,
Paper I, 89 ; Note on the Genera Triptotricha Lw. and
Agnotomyia Will., 117; Notes on the North American Tachi-

nidai sens, lat., with Descriptions of New Species 134

, P. R. * Observations on some remarkable forms of Capsidae
(illustrated) 119

PROCEEDINGS

Entomological Society

WASHINGTON

Volume II , No. 2.

(JANUARY 4th, 1891, to DECEMBER 3rd, 1891.;
D JUNK 30, 1892.)

WASHINGTON, D. C. :

PriiMSIIKI) Y THK SOCIETY.

PRICE OF PROCEEDINGS.

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The above will be mailed on receipt of price. Address

Iv. O. HOWARD, Corresponding Secretary,
Department of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C.

PROCEEDINGS

Entomological Society

WASHINGTON

Volume II, No. 2.

(JANUARY 4th, 1891, to DECEMBER 3rd, 1891.)
(ISSUED JUNK 30, 1892.)

WASHINGTON. D. C. :
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

1892

PRESS OF GEDNEY & ROBERTS Co.
WASHINGTON, D. C.

OF WASHINGTON. 147

a road I could see at the same time thirty or more specimens
of the fly all suspended in exactly the same way, while
numerous others were constantly going or coming.

With reference to the manner of flight described in this note
on Empida, Prof. Riley said that long-bodied insects of slow
flight must necessarily hang more or less vertically, instancing
the flight of long-bodied Lepidoptera, Lampyridae, Tipulidae,
etc. With reference to the hanging of these flies while feed
ing, he said that it was not uncommon for Bombi to hang sus
pended by their jaws to plants while asleep.

Mr. J. M. Aldrich mentioned having observed a large Asilid
apparently asleep hanging from a blade of grass by its fore
feet, and holding a large beetle.

Mr. Marlatt mentioned having noticed a wasp (Cerceris
fumipennis Say) for two days in succession hanging to a par
ticular plant of Solidago. Examination showed that the
wasp, which was hanging by its jaws, was dead, it having
evidently died during sleep.

Mr. Mann said that he had found a bee sleeping in this po
sition. Attention was also called to Mr. Emerton's figure in
Psyche, Vol. 5, of Vespa metadata hanging by a single hind
foot and feeding on a fly.

Mr. Howard mentioned Thaxter's figure of Chauliognathus
pennsylvanicus infected by an entomophthorus disease hanging
by its jaws to the edge of a leaf (Mem. Boston Soc. Nat.
Hist., v. 4).

Mr. Schwarz called attention to a recent publication by
Ed. Fleutiaux and A. Salle in the Ann. Soc. Ent. de France
for 1889 (1890), on the Coleoptera from the Island of Guade
loupe, West Indies. Of five hundred and seventeen species
there enumerated not less than seventy occur also in the
United States, and these can be classified as follows : twenty
are cosmopolitan species ; twenty-eight are more or less
widely distributed in North America, and more especially in
the southern States ; twenty-two belong to the colony of semi-
tropical insects in North America, most of them occurring in
the semi-tropical belt of Florida and a few in the extreme
southwestern region of the country.

148 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

JANUARY 4TH, 1891.

The sixty-eighth regular meeting and Sixth Annual
Meeting.

President Marx in the chair. Eleven members and two
visitors present.

The officers for the past year were re-elected as follows :
President, George Marx ; Vice-Presidents, C. V. Riley and L-
O. Howard ; Recording Secretary, C. L,. Marlatt ; Correspond
ing Secretary, C. H. Tyler Townsend ; Treasurer, B. Pickman
Mann ; Executive Committee, E. A. Schwarz, Otto Heide-
mann and William H. Fox.

The President, Dr. Marx, delivered his Annual Address :

ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.

A LIST OF THE ARANE^E OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.

BY DR. GKO. MARX.

In selecting a theme for my presidential address, I was
induced by several reasons to choose as such a paper on the
local Spider-fauna of the District of Columbia.

First, I wanted to avail myself of the opportunity to report
my part as a member of a committee of this Society, appointed
two years ago to prepare faunal lists of the District for the
different branches of Entomology.

Secondly, I hoped that by presenting to you a list of the
Spiders collected by me in this region I could induce my
co-laborers in Arachnology to follow my example and con
tribute such additions to my incomplete work as would reflect
a greater value upon it.

The third reason was the importance of the subject ;
for the first and most important foundation-stone for the
knowledge of the limits of those cosmic conditions under
which a biological species is able to exist, or, in other words,
its geographical distribution, is a well determined list of a
local fauna. May such a list be ever so small and incomplete,
providing the determinations are correct, it will serve as a

OF WASHINGTON. 149

starting point for further workers ; it will stimulate others to
augment and enhance its scope.

With a number of such local Spider lists put side by side,
thus covering a large area of territory, great results have been
achieved in European countries, not alone in regard to the
knowledge of the geographical distribution of the Aranese,
but also to the general advancement of the science of Arach-
nology.

In England nearly every indigenous Spider is now known ;
every new addition immediately recorded the result accom
plished by the numerous lists of local faunas. France, Ger
many, Sweden and Austria owe their advanced states of the
knowledge of their Spider-fauna to the same sources, and even
Russia has a great number of local lists on the same subject.

In this country we have only a small number of occasional
papers on local Spider-faunas, prepared mostly by European
writers from material sent to them from one locality or another.

The first and most comprehenive work, which would have
served under other circumstances as an excellent starting
point in this direction, is Abbot' 's Georgia Spiders, a catalogue
of over five hundred new species, carefully illustrated, and
nearly all collected in the State of Georgia. Unfortunately
this very valuable work fell into the hands of Europeans, and
the species were described by Baron Walckenaer 1 in such
vague and insufficient manner that only a small number could,
up to the present time, be recognized.

In 1869 Prof. C. G. Giebel 2 published a list of seven species
from Illinois, and J. Blackwall 3 a list of nine species from
Montreal, Canada. ThorelH described in 1875 ten species
from Labrador, and the same authors published a list of thirty-
three species which were collected by Packard in Boulder

1 Walckenaer Histoire natur. des Ins. Apteres, I and II, 1837.

2 C. G. Giebel Ueber einige Spinn. a. Illinois. Zeitschr. fges. Natur-
wiss. XXXIII, 1869.

3 Blackwall Notice of Spiders captured by Miss Hunter in Montreal,
Can ; Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., VIII, 1871.

4T. Thorell Notice of some Spiders from Labrador. Proc. Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist., XVII, 1875.

5T. Thorell Araneae collected in Colorado. Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey
Terr., Ill, No. 2, 1877.

150 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

County, Colorado. In 1881 Rev. O. P. Cambridge 1 described
three species from Newfoundland, and in 1885 Mr. F. W.
Cragin 2 published a list of ten Spiders from Kansas.

These are all the local lists of Spiders published heretofore
in this country.

Washington, the seat of many scientific institutions, . can
also boast of quite a number of professional entomologists,
and adding to them the little flock of amateur naturalists,
who find pleasure and recreation in the study of entomology
outside of their daily occupations, this city can be proud of its
number of representatives of this branch of natural science ;
but I must state here that the amateur naturalists are greater
enthusiasts, more diligent workers, possess larger collections,
and have in general done more to explore the territory of the
District in regard to its entomological fauna than their profes
sional brethren.

All of our entomologists seem to prefer certain old localities
for collecting, where they are sure to be rewarded for their
labors, instead of hunting for new fields. Our oldest ento
mologist in the District, who accumulated during the thirty-
five years of his residence here one of the finest collections of
Coleoptera, has always visited his few old hunting places over
again, and can hardly be induced to try a new locality. The
consequence is that the territory of the District of Columbia is
by no means fully explored, and to speak of a list of Spiders
from here means only a list of a part of this territory.

For over ten years I have been the sole collector of Arach-
nida in the District of Columbia, and I must confess that I
have followed the example of my entomological colleagues and
visited generally the same localities, viz., Soldiers' Home, the
Virginia border of the Potomac and the Rock Creek valley,
with a few excursions to Bladensburg, the lower Potomac, and
Great Falls and Cabin John's Bridge.

Cambridge On some Spiders from Newfoundland. Proceed. Royal
Physic. Soc., iSSi.

2 F. W. Cragin First Contrib. to Knowl. of Arachn. of Kansas. Bull.
Washburn College, I, No. 4, 1885.

OF WASHINGTON. 151

For the past two years I have had in my friend, Dr. Wm.
H. Fox, of this city, a valuable colleague in Arachnology,
who has, by untiring and systematic labors, acquired quite an
extensive collection of Araneae, although he has confined his
hunting grounds almost exclusively to a small area in the
Rock Creek valley, and I owe to this gentleman some valuable
additions to my own material in compiling this paper.

Quite lately another Arachnologist, Mr. N. Banks, has to
be added to the force which explores the Spider-fauna of the
District.

There exist two principal conditions by which the territory
of the District of Columbia has become particularly favorable
for a rich representation of insects and Arachnida. These
conditions are its geographical situation and its peculiar
topography.

The District is located at one of those interdigitations of the
two great faunal zones of our continent the Boreal and the
Sonoran, or, to be more definite, of the most easterly of the
boreal branches, the Alleghanian, and that sub-region of the
Sonoran zone, known as the I^ouisiauian or Austroriparian
branch. Both of these regions meet and intermingle here,
and we find here, therefore, representatives of the Arachnidan
fauna of both zones.

The second favorable condition we find in the diverse and
peculiar elements of its topography. A large river the
Potomac flows through its entire length from north to south,
coming from the mountains of West Virginia and western
Maryland, and bringing many forms to us which otherwise
would hardly be found so far south ; on the other hand, by its
course into the Chesapeake Bay, this great waterway opens
the road for many southern species.

The large tributary of the Potomac, the Kastern Branch,
with the almost stagnant waters at its lower course, only
moved by the ebb and tide, with its swampy and, for the most
part, uncultivated shore, offers an excellent breeding place
and habitation for palustral genera.

Another tributary in the District the Rock Creek, with
its many small branches, by its course through hill and dale,

152 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

through meadows and rocky cliffs, gives a beneficial influence
to a large part of the territory of the District for the subsist
ence of the many and varied elements of its Spider-fauna.

Water, either stagnant or flowing, always exerts a great
influence upon the existence and prolific livelihood of the
Spider-fauna of a region, as such a condition secures and
promotes an abundant supply of insects, which serve as food
for Spiders.

The surface of our territory is undulating and in some parts
rather broken. Many of the elevations ,are covered with
dense woods of various kinds ; and these, with the verdant
meadows and the barren hills in their varied alterations, offer
a most suitable abode for the many forms of Arachnida.

Of course we cannot expect to meet representatives of all
the seven orders of this class in the territory of the District ;
such forms as the Galeodes, the Pedipalpi and the Scorpions are
by climatic reasons excluded from our locality, while the
orders Aranece, Opiliones, Chelonethi and Acari are here well
represented. It may, however, be proved in future that the
Scorpion is also an inhabitant of the District of Columbia, as
one species of this order, the Centrums vittatus Say has been
found near Fortress Monroe, Va., in Talbot county, Mary
land, and in one instance in Baltimore county, and it seems
to me quite possible that we may also meet with it here, as it
prefers in this latitude the half loose bark of the Southern
L,ong-leafed Pine (Pinus tcedd] as a habitation.

The result of my collecting of A ranees in the District for
the last twelve years is as follows :

The total number of species collected in the limits of the
District of Columbia is 370, of which 62 are new and unde-
scribed ; the remaining 308 have been described and recorded
as coming also from other parts of the United States.

OF WASHINGTON.

153

The families, according to their richness of species, may be
arranged as follows :

Fam. Theridiidae, 21 genera, 83 species.

Epeiridae,

13

43

Thomisidae,

ii

35

L,ycosidse,

7 "

32

Clubionidae,

7

28

Attidae,

17

25

Dictynidae,

5

12

Agalenidae,

5

12

Drassidae,

4

IO

Tetragnathidae,

4

9

Theraphosidae,

3

4

Pholcidae,

2 ".'

3

Uloboridae,

2 "

3

Oxyopidae,

i genus,

3

Dysderidae,

2 genera,

2

Scytodidae,

i genus,

I

Calommatidae,

i "

I

LIST OF THK DKSCRIBKD SPECIES OF ARANE^E COI^ECTED IN THE DISTRICT

OF COLUMBIA.

The letters used before the dates signify as follows : A, found once only ; B, rare ; C, not
very frequent ; D, common ; E, very common.

A Aug.

A May.

A June.

A Aug.

A Sept.

Fam.

1. Atypus abbotii Walck. near Bladensbnrg,

Fam. THERAPHOSID^;.

2. Pachylomerus audouini Luc. near Prospect Hill cemetery,

3. Brachybothrium marxii Atk. Occoquan Falls, Va.,

4. robustum Simon. Occoquan Falls, Va. ,

5. Myrmekiaphila atkinsonii Simon. Fort Washington,

Fam.

6. Dysdera crocata C. K. D. C., under shelter, C all yr.

7. Ariadne pallida C. K. Cabin John's Bridge, Potomac hills, C all yr.

1-M KNTOMoi.o<;irAi. soniTY

Run. ScvTonin.-K.
mfi's thorarica Lair. Soldiers' Home, in web, between shrubs, A Aug.

Fain. PHOI.CID^.
o. Pkolc*s pkcd**gioides EnesL D.C., in dark places in buildings, K Mch.-Oct.

10. cornutns Keys. Washington, in a cellar, A July.

11. Sf>cnu&t>hom meridionaJis Hz. D. C., in buildings aiul under clilTs,

lv May Oct.
TUBITELAR1.K.

Fain.
i .\ Miearia aurata Hz. Smithsonian and Agricultural grounds, Poto-

uiac hills, B Apr. July.

i ;,. montana Em. Rock Creek. Great Falls, C June-Ang.

\.\. /(iH^ipes I'^m. Potomas hills, first cascade, B Sept.

15. nrasstis robust us /\tn. Soldiers' Home, A Sept.

16. iicg'lcdus R'tys. Agricultural grounds, under hoards, A C">ct.
1 7. rivstficshiia atra Hz. I). C. D Sept.-Nov.
iS. ccclcsiastica Hz. Potomac hills, Great Falls, Ft. Washington, C.
10. dcfircssa Em IMadensbnrg, A June.
jo. l\rdhichroa rarigatu Hz. Potomac hills, Soldiers' Home, C.
21. bili neat a Hz. Great Falls, between the rocks. B.

Fain.

22. Dictyna volupis Keys. D. C., in webs on walls, D May-Oct.

rolucripes Keys. Ft. Washington, in old barracks, C.

24. arunditiaceoiiies Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Sept. -Oct.

25. pallida Keys. Cabin John's Bridge, B June.

26. seJentaria Keys. Potomac hills, tow-path to Alexandria, B Je.-Jy.
fmndca Em. Rock Creek, C.

^S. cruciata Em. Rock Creek, C.

^.stolathys pallida Mar.r. Rock Creek, in winter. C Dec. -Feb.

;^o. rrodalia fo.rj) ^far.\. Rock Creek. B.

v }i. THathrea brunuea /f;;/. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B Oct. Nov.

^2. . Imaurobius' fei'O.v C. A'. IX C., on walls, hibernating, C Mch. Oct.

claustrariits C. K. IX C.. viaduct under canal. Va.,

hibernating, 1> March.

Fain.

^4. Anyphtrna suMurida Hz. Potomac hills, Gicsboro Point, B June.

,vS. ealearata Em. Wocxllv I v ane, A Sept.

36. fallens Hz. Potomac hills, Great Falls, n ^lay-Sept.

peetorosa L. K. Bladensburg, near creek, A Aug.

v v s . : .1is Hz. D. C., D May-Sept.

J9- in cert a Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Woodly I^ane,

C May Sept.
4^- inclusa Hz. Alexandria, Potomac hills, C July-Oct.

OK WASHINGTON. 1 -V)

41. Anyphtrna saltabunda Hz. Potomac hills, A nalostati Island, C June.

42. Clubiona ahhotii L. K. Hlndensburg, Cabin John's Br., Soldier's II., I) Aug.

43. crassipalpis Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C May-July.

44. minuta Em. D. C, D Jan.

45. rubra Keys. Hladensburg, St., Elizabeth, C June -Oct.

46. pallens Hz. D. C., sweeping, also in leaves with cocoon,

D May-Oct.

47. tibialis Em. On border of swamp of the Eastern Branch, C Jan.

48. riparia L. K. Bladensburg, Soldier's Home on trees, B Aug.

49. Chiracanthium albens Hz. D. C., D May-Oct.

50. viride Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C June-July.

51. Trachelas tranquillus* Hz. D. C., on ground, I) May-Oct.

52. Thargalia cingulata C. K. Ft. Washington, on a tree, A Aug.

53. crocata Hz. Bladensburg and Potomac hills, C June-Sept.

54. ornata Hz. Great Falls, Occoquan Falls, B June- Aug.

55. trilineata Hz. Occoquan Falls, near the falls, B Aug.

56. longipes Em. Rock Creek, B May.

57. Agrteca tristis Keys. Agricultural grounds, under boards, A May.

58. rhrurolithus alarius Hz. D. C., E May-Sept.

59. dubius Hz. Carp ponds garden, on leaves of I^otos, A Sept.
f*i. pugnatus Hz. D. C., E all year.

Fam.

6r. Agalena ntfvia Hz. D. C., E May-Oct.

62. hentzii Becker, Potomac hills, Gr. Falls, betw. the rocks, C Je-Aug.

63. Tegenaria derhami Scop. D. C., D Spring-fall.

64. brevis Em. D. C., B May.

65. ('icurina arcuata Keys. D. C., I) Apr. S^pt.
f/,. pallida Keys. Rock Creek, near Pierce mills, C June.

67. ('.(dotes calcaratus Keys. Potomac hills, near old fort, C July-Aug.

68. lamellosus Keys. Bladensburg, old mill creek, \) June Sept.

69. urbanus Keys. Smithsonian grounds, on larch tree, B June.

70. Hahnia agilis Keys. Rock Creek, Great Falls, B April-Aug.

71. bimaculata Em. D. C.,

72. cinerea Em. 1). C.

RKTITKLARLH.
Fam. THERIDIJJ,

73. Theridium different //?. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, D July-Oct.

74. flavonotatum Becker. Agricultural grounds, A July.

75. frondeum Hz. D. C., I) May-Xov.

76. globosum Hz. Great Falls, in grass, li Aug.

77. Kentuckyense Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C May.
murarium Em. D. C., fv May-Xov.

* Trar.he.la... rubtr Keys, is identical with Hentz's Clubiona tranquilla, which name is the
older, and has to be substituted therefore for Keyserlin^'s.

156 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

x

79. Theridium nicoleti Keys. Agricultural grounds, A June.

80. pundosparsum Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Mch.-Oct.
Si. spiraleEm. Rock Creek, Potomac hills, Gr. Falls, DJe.-Sept.

82. studio sum Hz. Carp pond garden, Bladensburg, near

old mill creek, C June-Aug.

83. tepidariorum C. K. B.C., % E all year.

84. unimaculatum Em. Rock Creek, Potomac hills, Gies-

boro Point, D May-Sept.

85. zelotypum Em. Potomac hills, tow-path to Alexandria, C June.

86. Achcea ignota Keys. Occoquan Falls, on web between trees, A Aug.

87. Steatoda borealia Hz. D. C., E Jan. -Dec.

88. nigra Em. Rock Creek, Potomac hills, C June-Sept.

89. Teutana triangulosa Walck. D. C., in houses, E

90. grossa C. K. Occoquan Falls, in grass, A Aug.

91. Lithyphantes corrolatus Linn. Rock Creek, C May.

92. marmoratus Hz. D. C., D April-Nov.

93. Lathrodedus madans Walck. D. C., under stones, D May-Nov.

94. Spintharus flavidus Hz. D. C., D May-Oct.

95. Argyrodes argyrodes Walck. Potomac hills, Agricultural grounds,

C June-Sept.

96. cancellatus Hz. Potomac hills, on tow-path to Alexandria, B Sept.

97. Episinus truncatus Walck. Rock Creek, Potomac hills, B Aug.

98. Asagena americana Em. Potomac hills, Great Falls, C May-Sept.

99. Mimetus interfedor Hz. D. C., D Apr.-Oct.

100. Ero furcata Vill. Rock Creek, B June.

101. Theridula sphcsrula Hz. D. C., on trees, D June-Sept.

102. Ulesanis americana Em. Potomac hills, nr. Fort Meyer, Glenwood, B Aug.

103. Crustulina stida Keys. D. C., E June -Nov.

104. Dipcena buccales Keys. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B June.

105. Euryopis argentea Em. Soldiers' Home, Rock Creek, C May-June.

1 06. funebrisHz. D. C., E May-Oct.

107. Linyphia angnlata Em. Rock Creek, B March.

108. autumnalis Hz. Department of Agriculture grounds, on

Magnolia tree, B April

109. communis Hz. D. C., E Apr.-Nov.
no. concolor Reuss. Great Falls, between the rocks, B Aug.
in. drassoides Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C May-Nov.

112. galbea Keys. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B Sept.

113. insignis Keys. Potomac hills, Department of Agriculture

grounds, B June.

114. mandibulata >//. Potomac hills, Bladensb'g, Rock Creek, C Je.

115. marginata C. K. D. C., D June-Sept.

116. micaria Em. Rock Creek, Cabin John's Bridge, E May-Nov.

117. nebulosa Sund. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, D May-Oct.

118. nigrina Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Apr.-Oct.

119. phrygiana C. K. D. C., sweeping, E May-Sept.

120. pusilla Sund. Rock Creek, Fort Washington, D Sept.-Nov.

OF WASHINGTON. 157

121. Linyphia socialis Sund.. Potomac hills, on tow-path to Alexandria, B Sept.

122. sabulosa Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C May

123. Front inia clathrata Sund. Potomac hills, Soldiers' Home, Giesboro

Point, C May-Sept.

124. coccinea Hz. Occoquan Falls, near the falls in web be

tween shrubs, B Aug.

125. Phlocomma hirsulum Em. Potomac hills, B Nov.

126. rostratum Em. Potomac hills, B Nov.

127. Erigone alba Fox. Rock Creek, A March.

128. alticeps Fox. Rock Creek, B March.

129. atriceps Cambr. Rock Creek, Potomac hills, C Mar.-Sept.

130. autumnalis Em. Rock Creek, C Oct.

131. bulbosula Keys. Giesboro Point, A Sept.

132. depressa Em. Rock Creek,

133. directa Cambr. Potomac hills, A Aug.

134. enter tonii Cambr. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Giesboro

Point, D Mar.-Sept.

135. fabra Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Soldiers' Home,

D Mar. -Oct.

136. fissiceps Cambr. D. C., Soldiers' Home, E Feb.-Nov.

137. florens Cambr. Beltsville, Md., Potomac hills, D June-Sept.

138. formica Em. Potomac hills on tow-path to Alexandria, B Sept.

139. interpres Cambr. D. C. , D Aug. -Nov.

140. lactabilis Cambr. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, D March.

141. melanocnemus Fox. Rock Creek, . C March.

142. micropalpis Em. Rock Creek. C March.

143. minuta Em. Rock Creek, B March.

144. montifera Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C March-Nov.

145. nigriceps Em. Soldiers' Home, Department of Agriculture

grounds, C April-June.

146. pallida Em. Rock Creek, C March.

147. persica Keys. Department of Agriculture grounds, Analos-

tan Island, B June-July.

148. persoluta Cambr. Rock Creek, B March.

149. rostrata Em. Rock Creek, C March.

150. rubens Em. Rock Creek, C Oct.

151. spiral-is Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, B March-June.

152. tibialis Em. Rock Creek, C Feb.

153. tridentatus. Rock Creek, B March.

154. viaria Blackw. Rock Creek, Soldiers' Home, D June-Nov.

155. ~j:if/0 Keys. Department of Agriculture grounds, on trees, B June.

ORBITELARLE.
Fam.

156. Acrosoma gracile Walck. D. C., in web, E July-Sept.

157. reduvianum Walck. D. C., in web, E July-Sept.

158. sagittatum Walck. Potomac hills, Cabin John's Bridge,

in web, C Aug.

158 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

159. Argiope cophinaria Walck. D. C., in web, E June-Oct.

1 60. argyraspis Walck. D. C., in web, C June-Sept.

161. Wixia ectypa Walck. Potomac hills, Occoquan Falls, Zoological

Park (in the ground), B May -June.

162. Carepalxis tuberculifera Walck. Occoquan Falls, Ft. Washington,

in web, B June.

163. Mahadeva verrurosa Hz. D. C., in web, D June-Sept.

164. Ordgarius bisaccatus Em. Department of Agriculture grounds, Po

tomac hills, C June-Aug.

165. cornigerus Hz. Department of Agriculture grounds,

Bladensburg, Cabin John's Bridge, D June-Aug.

1 66. Gea heptagon Hz. Arlington, Va., A June.

167. Epeira arabesca Walck. D. C., D May-Oct.

1 68. angtdata Cl. Ft. Washington, B Aug.

169. benjamina Walck. D. C., in web, E May-Oct.

170. carbonaria L. Koch. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, C May-Dec.

171. conspicellata Walck. D. C., E May-Dec.

172. cornuta Clerk. D. C., hibernating, E.

173. displicata Hz. D. C., D June-Oct.

174. eustala Walck. D. C., E April-Oct.
T 75- folifera Marx. Bladensburg, Potomac hills, C June-Sept.

176. gibberosa Hz. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, in web, D June-Aug.

177. globosa Keys. Potomac hills, Giesboro Point, Auacostia, B June-Aug.

178. labyrinthea Hz. D. C., in web, D May-Oct.

179. maculata Keys. D. C., C June-Aug.
i So. patagiata Cl. D. C., D.

181. placida Hz. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Great Falls, C June-Nov.

182. pratensis Hz. Potomac hills, Analostau Island, B June-Aug.

183. sclopetaria Cl. D. C., in web, E June-Oct.

184. scutulata Hz. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Soldiers' Home,

C June-July.

185. stellata Hz. D. C., D June-July.

186. thaddeus Hz. D. C., D May-Sept.

187. trifolium Hz. Potomac hills, Great Falls, in web, C June-Aug.

1 88. volucripes Keys. Potomac hills, B June.

189. Cyclosa caroli Hz. Potomac hills, tow-path to Alexandria, A June.

190. turbinata Walck. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, D May-Sept.

191. Sing a maculata Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Mar.-Summer.

192. maura Hz. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B June.

193. pratensis Em. Potomac hills, Analostan Island, C Sept.

194. rubella Hz. Potomac hills, tow-path to Alexandria, B Sept.

195. variabilis Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Mar.-Nov.

196. Zilla notata Cl. Potomac hills, near free bridge, B Aug.

197. Argyroepeira hortorum Hz. D. C., in horizontal web, E Juue-Oct

198. Theridiosoma radiosum McC. Potomac hills, cascade, Rock Creek,

near Pierce's mills, in web, C Jy.-Aug.

OF WASHINGTON. 159

Fam. TETRAGNATHID^.

199. Tetragnatha elongata Linn. D. C., in web, D July-Oct.

200. extensa Linn. D. C., iu web, D July-Oct.

201. fluviatilis Keys. Giesboro Point, A July.

202. laboriosa Hz. Potomac hills, Great Falls, Fort

Washington, C June-Sept.

203. Eucta caudata Em. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B June.

204. Eugnatha straminea Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, Great Falls, C

205. Pachygnatha furcillata Keys. Potomac hills, Bladensburg, B March.

206. tristriata C. K. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Nov.

207. xanthostoma C. K. Potomac hills, Rock Creek,

D Nov.-Dec.-Feb.
Fam. UI,OBORID^.

208. Hyptiotes cavatus Hz. D. C., D June-Dec.

209. Uloborus americanus Walck. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, D June-Oct.

2 10. plumipes Lucas. Potomac hills, near old fort, C June-July.

LATERIGRAD.E.
Fam. THOMISID^.

211. Xysticus emertonii Keys. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge, B Nov.

212. feroculus Keys. Potomac hills, Fort Washington, Bladens

burg, C Aug.

213. funestus Keys. D. C., E May-Nov.

214. gnlosus Keys. D. C., E May-Nov.

215. limbatus Keys. Potomac hills, D July.

216. 4-lineatus Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C June-Sept.

217. 5-punctatus Keys. Potomac hills, Bladensburg, Cabin

John's Bridge, D Sept.

218. sabulosus Koch. Beltsville, Md., in pine woods, Gt. Falls, C Aug.

219. stomachosus Koch. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C Sept.-Nov.

220. triguttatus Koch. D. C., male only, E Juue-Oct.

221. Oxyptila monroensis Keys. D. C., C July.

222. Coriarachnc versicolor Keys. D. C.. E May-Nov.

223. Synema bicolor Keys. Giesboro Point, on Sycamore tree, B Aug.

224. nigromaculata Keys. D. C., D June-Oct.

225. Misnmena americana Keys. Soldiers' Home, Potomac Hills, C May.

226. dubia Keys. Cabin John's Bridge, B June.

227. georgiana Keys. D. C., C May-Oct.

228. mexicana Keys. Cabin John's Bridge, B June.

229. oblonga Keys. Giesboro Point, in grass, B June-July.

230. rosea Keys. D. C., E May-Oct.

231. vatia Cl. D. C., E May -Sept.

232. Rnncinia aleatoria Hz* D. C., E May-Oct.

* Ruuciuia brendelii Keys.=aleatoria Hentz.

160 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

233. Tmarus griseus Keys. Cabin John's Bridge, on tree, B June.

234. Ebo latithorax Keys. Glenwood Cemetery, Soldiers' Home, C Mar.-Jy.

235. Tibellus oblongus Walck. D. C., D June-Sept.

236. duttonii Hz. Fort Washington, B June.

237. Thanatus rubicundus Keys. Cabin John's Bridge, Soldiers' Home,

Chain Bridge, C Sept.-Oct.

238. Philodromus aureolus Cl. Glenwood Cemetery, B May.

239. clarus Keys. Fort Washington, D June-Sept.

240. imbecillus Keys. Giesboro Pt, Analostan Island, D June.

241. infuscatus Keys. Potomac hills, Rock Creek,

Soldiers' Home, D May-Oct.

242. keyserlingii MX. St. Elizabeth, B June.

243. marxii Keys. Rock Creek, B Apr.

244. rttfus Walck. Cabin John's Bridge, C July.

245. vulgaris Hz. D. C., in 1878-79, has almost entirely

disappeared.

CITIGRAD^.
Fam. LYCOSID^S.

246. Dolomedes sexpunctatus Hz. Potomac borders, Rock Creek, D Summer.

247. tenebrosus Hz. Potomac borders, Rock Creek, D May-Sept.

248. urinator Hz. Potomac borders, Rock Creek, C May-Sept.

249. Ocyale nndata Hz. Potomac hills, caught at night by sugaring

trees, May-June.

250. Trochosa cinerea Fabr. Dept. of Agriculture, in hot-house, A Sept.

251. helvipes Keys. Bladensburg, B Aug.

252. rubicunda Keys. Giesboro Point, B June.

253. Lycosa arenicola Scudder. Potomac hills, near old fort,

Bladensburg, D Hibernating.

254. carolinensis Hz. D. C., . D Apr.-Oct.

255. communis Em. Potomac hills, Glenwood Cemetery. C Juue-Oct.
2 5 6 - frondicola Em. Cabin John's Bridge, Great Falls, C June-Aug.

257. kochii Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek. D May-Sept.

258. Htoralis Hz. Giesboro Point, Chain Bridge, C June-July.

259. maritima Hz. Bladensburg, C June-July.

260. nidicola Em. D. C., E May-Sept.

261. nigroventris Em. Rock Creek C

262. ocreata Hz. Chain Bridge, Rock Creek, C June-Sept.

263. polita Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, C June-Sept.

264. punctulata Hz. Potomac hills, Cabin John's Bridge,

Soldiers' Home, C July- Aug.

265. ruricola Hz. Potomac hills, Bladensburg, C July-Aug.

266. scutulata Hz. Potomac hills, Bladensburg, Soldiers'

Home, C July-Aug.

267. tigrina McCook. Potomac hills, near Chain Bridge,

St. Elizabeth, C June-Aug.

268. Aulonia aurantiaca Em. Rock Creek, nr. Catholic Univ. C Aug.-Sept.

OF WASHINGTON.

161

269. Aulonia funerea Hz. City, running on pavements,

270. Pirata insularis Em. Rock Creek,

271. minuta Em. Rock Creek,

272. piratica Cl. Soldiers' Home, Arlington,

273. Pardosa albapatella Em. B. C.,

274. bilineata Em. Rock Creek,

275. brunnea Em. Potomac hills, Rock Creek,

276. lapidicola Em. Rock Creek,

277. montana Em. Rock Creek,

278. nigropalpis Em. B. C.,

Fain. OXYOPID^.

279. Oxyopes salticus Hz. B.C.,

280. scalarisHz. B.C.,

B July.

B May.

C Apr.
C Apr. -July.

B Apr.

C Apr.

C Apr.
I) Apr. -June.
B Apr.-July.
B Mar.-June.

B May-Sept.
B May-Sept.

281.
282.
283.
284.

285.

286.
287.
288.

289.
290.
291.
292.
293-
294-
295-
296.
297.
298.
299.
300.
301.
302.
303-
34-
305-
306.
307-
308.

SALTIGRAB.B.
Fam. ATTID^.

Phidippus morsitans Walck. B. C., B Hibernating.

galathea Walck. B. C., C June-July.

cardinalis Hz. Fort Washington, Occoquan Falls, B June.

rufus Hz. B. C., B May-Sept.

Philccus farneus Peckh. Potomac hills, on tow-path to

Alexandria, C May-Aug.

militaris Hz. B. C. , B May-Oct.

Plexippus puerperus Hz. Potomac hills, C May-Sept.

Denryphantes albomaculatus Peckh. Cabin John's Bridge,

on a fence, A July.

capitatus Hz. B. C., B June-Oct.

elegans Hz. Potomac hills, in pine wood, B Aug.

Icius palmarum Hz. B. C., B June-Oct.

lineatus Ksl. Analostan Island, Smithsonian grounds, B June-Sept.

mitratus Hz. B. C., B May-Oct.

Habrocestum peregrinum Peckh. Rock Creek, Woodly Lane, C June.

cristatum Hz.

splendens Hz. Soldiers' Home, Agr. grounds, C July-Aug.
Saitis pulex Hz. Soldiers' Home, Woodly Lane, C Sept.-Oct.

Astia vittata Hz. Giesboro Point, Analostan Island, B June.

Cyrba tczniola Hz. Bladensburg, B Aug.

Neon nellii Peckh.

Prostheclina cambridgii Peckh. Agr. grounds, Soldiers' Home, B Je.-Sept.
Epiblemum scenicum Cl. B. C., B Hibernating.

Hyctia pikei Peckh. Potomac hills, Rock Creek, B July.

Marptusafamiliaris Hz. B. C., B May-Oct.

Homalattus cyaneus Hz. Bladensburg, Soldiers' Home, C June-Aug.
Zygoballus bettini Peckh. Soldiers' Home, C June.

Sy nemo syna formica Hz. B. C., B May-Sept.

Synageles picata Hz. Cabin John's Bridge, Agricultural grounds, C Je.-Jy.

162 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Discussion of the address followed by Messrs. Riley, Fernow,
Marx, Schwarz, Smith, Dodge, Banks, and others.

FEBRUARY 5TH, 1891.

President Marx in the chair. Nine members present.

Messrs. Amory Austin and K. R. Tyler were elected active
members of the Society.

Under General Notes, Mr. Schwarz exhibited samples of the
fruit of Solatium carolinense which had been infested by a
Tineid, probably 'Gelechia beneficentella, and said that this
species seems to have been very abundant the past year in the
vicinity of Washington. He asked whether this and other
insects known to live in the fruit of Solanum carolinense had
ever been observed to infest the fruit of the cultivated potato.

Prof. Riley said that he believed that the fruit of the culti
vated potato was usually free from insect attack, and this was
accounted for by the fact that the fruit of the wild Solanum
spp. remains on the vines over winter, while in the case of the
potato the vines are destroyed and the fruit with them. Prof.
Riley also called attention to the fact that the potato fruits
more abundantly in this country than in Kurope.

Dr. Marx exhibited from his collection fourteen species of
the genus Pholcus Walck., all of which had been found within
the limits of the United States. He remarked that heretofore
only two species had been known to inhabit this country,
namely : Pholcus phalangioides .F. {Ph. atlanticus Hentz.) and
Ph. pullulus Hentz. (Theridium pullulum). Of the other
twelve species two have been collected in Washington, D. C.,
one of which has been described by Keyserling as Pholcus
cornutus (Neue Spinneu aus Amerika, 1887, No. 7). This
very remarkable species bears a pair of thorn-like promi
nences upon the front side of the mandibles, and was found
by the speaker in his cellar ; the other species from the District
of Columbia is yet undescribed, but has been found quite

OF WASHINGTON. 163

frequently on fences and stone walls in the country. Three
other species have been described as inhabiting other parts of
the globe ; one, Pholcus tipuloides, has been described by Koch
in (Arachn. Australiens, p. 281). Dr. Marx, however, recog
nized the same amongst a number of Spiders from the Bermuda
Islands (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. Phil., 1889). This species was
collected by Mr. K. A. Schwarz at Biscayne Bay, Fla. Another
species, Pholcus gibbosus, from Santa Fe de Bogota, has been
described by Keyserling (Verh. d. Botan. Zool. Gesellsch.
Wien, 1877). This species seems to be rather common in
southern California and Arizona. The third species, which
was collected in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico (Prof. Tyler
Townsend, Las Cruces), seems to be closely related, if not
identical with a species of Pholcus which Vinson collected at
the Isle of Reunion, and named it Pholcus. Of the seven
remaining species one was captured in State of Washington,
one in Idaho, two came from South Dakota, two from Cali
fornia, and one from Arizona. Dr. Marx stated that he had
a paper in preparation, giving descriptions and illustrations of
all these species.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Casnonia ludoviciana,
found this winter in great abundance at the edge of the exten
sive swamp along the Eastern Branch of the Potomac within
the city limits of Washington. The species was originally
discovered by its describer, Mr. Aug. Salle, in southern Lou
isiana, where it has subsequently been found by various ento
mologists, but always as a great rarity. In 1875 and in
subsequent years it was found abundantly in Florida, especially
in the Indian River country, occurring as far south as Biscayne
Bay. Many years ago Mr. Ulke captured a single specimen
near Washington, but this was thought to be an accidental
importation from Florida. C. pennsylvanica occurs in dry and
wet places, but C. ludovidana lives exclusively in wet ground.
The swamps along the Eastern Branch are inaccessible in
summer time, and the beetle can only be found in winter, when
it retires for hibernation upon drier ground. It will no doubt
be found in similar localities all along the Atlantic Coast as
far north as New Jersey.

164 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Professor Riley laid before the Society an interesting card,
which he had recently received from Mr. McLachlan, referring
to the Blepharocerid larvae mentioned at a previous meeting
of the Society. Mr. McLachlan fully confirmed Professor
Riley's reference of the larvae in question.

Mr. Townsend read a paper on a " Remarkable New Hip-
poboscid," received from Dr. Alfredo Duges, Guanajuato,
Mexico, which had been taken on a bat. It was described as
Trichobius n. g. dugesii n. sp.*

Mr. Townsend also presented a paper on a " Muscid bred
from Swine Dung," which he described in its larval and imago
states as Cleigastra suisterci n. sp.f This case of breeding had
shown a larval hibernation, and Mr. Townsend expressed the
belief that in more northern latitudes most coprophagous
Diptera {Hcematobia, Lucilia, etc.) winter equally as well as
larvae or pupae and only exceptionally as perfect flies.

In the discussion Dr. Fox mentioned a curious instance of
the hibernation of the house-fly in numbers about wasps.

Mr. Banks stated that he had found mosquitoes and gnats
under bark in mid-winter in New York.

Mr. Schwarz said that winter collecting had not been much
practiced, and a failure to find various flies during this season
is simply because no careful search by Dipterists has been
made.

Professor Riley mentioned that by means of the modern
sleeping car the house-fly, even should it be destroyed by a
severe winter in the North, would be introduced again in
a very short time from the southern States. Professor Riley
stated also that he had formerly done considerable early
spring collecting and had found a large number of puparia in
moist and sheltered situations, and hence it is known that
many flies do hibernate in the puparium. He believed also
that the larvae of many species could be found during winter,
and that these are hardy and can stand a considerable degree
of cold. In reference to the house-fly he said that he had
found the puparia in great numbers at his residence (Sun-

* See Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXIII.
fSee Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXIII.

OF WASHINGTON. 165

bury), but believes that under proper conditions the larvae
may also pass through the winter.
Mr. Schwarz presented the following :

NOTE ON PHYTOBIUS.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

At a previous meeting of our Society (see Proceed. I, No. 2,
pp. 75, 76) I exhibited a species of the Curculionid genus
Phytobius found near Detroit, Mich. From a comparison with
European specimens, which were given me as Ph. velatus, I
had come to the conclusion that our species was different from
that described by Dr. LeConte (Rhynchophora, p. 281) as
Ph. velatus. Subsequently I discovered that my European
specimens were incorrectly named, and that the specimens
from Michigan perfectly agreed with Thomson's excellent
description of that species (Scand. Col. VII, p. 232). More
over, Dr. Horn upon a recent visit to Cambridge found that
the Michigan specimens were specifically identical with the
unique type in the L,eConte collection.

Phytobius velatus is readily known among our Ceutorhynchini
from its singular resemblance to the genus Bagous, which is
not only exhibited in the structure of the tarsi but also in the
form of the thorax which is almost square, and with the
tubercles but feebly developed. In the best preserved speci
mens before me the median line and the sides of the thorax t as
well as the suture and the sides of the elytra are covered with
sulphur-yellow scales, but this striking color is of an evanes
cent nature, and in most -specimens these scales are dirty
greenish-yellow.

A- second North American Ceutorhynchid with narrow tarsi
and very long claw-joint, and which must be referred to the
genus Phytobius as defined by LeConte, is known to me and
may be described as follows :

Phytobius griseomicans n. sp. Form of body as in Ceutorhynchus
rapce, but transversely more convex and more rounded behind. Opaque,
general color pitchy black, antennae and legs, excepting the knees, red
dish-yellow, apical edge of elytra reddish ; upper surface densely covered
with small closely-applied scales which form a water-proof covering,
under side clothed with larger and less densely placed scales.

Beak a little longer than the thorax, gently curved, cylindrical, densely,
finely punctulate, scales on upper side small and greyish, those on sides
and under side larger and white. Antennae inserted at the middle of the

166 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

beak, scape not attaining the eyes, funicle six-jointed, first joint much
thicker than the following but not much longer than the second, joint 3
shorter than the second but longer than wide, joints 4 and 5 as long as
wide, joint 6 slightly transverse, club rather small, elongate-oval, pointed.
Head densely punctulate, flattened between the eyes, posteriorly slightly
convex and with finely elevated median carina, scales on upper side small
and glistening grey, those on the sides and under surface white. Thorax
at base much wider than long, sides rapidly widening from apex to very
near to the base, basal angles rectangular, base slightly sinuate each side,
apical constriction short but well marked, apical tubercles nearly obso
lete, posterior tubercles large and acute, disc densely and finely granu-
lato-punctate, covered with brownish scales, median line broadly im
pressed and covered with ochreous scales ; a vague transverse impression
each side in front of posterior tubercles ; scales on sides and under side
whitish or ochreous. Elytra transversely convex, at base much wider
than the thorax, shoulders well-marked but rounded, sides straight to
beyond the middle, then narrowing, posteriorly declivous and separately
rounded at apex ; surface striate, striae moderately broad and deep ; in
terstices slightly convex, the third a little more elevated, the fifth at
basal half much more prominent and subcarinate ; surface densely cov
ered with small greyish-black scales, which, when viewed from the side,
show a beautiful greyish- white, velvety lustre ; a 'large post-scutellar
patch of whitish or ochreous scales, scales along the middle of lateral
margin also whitish. Pygidium triangular, with a fine longitudinal
median carina. Under side covered with large, round, yellowish-white
scales ; legs less densely clothed with smaller and more hair-like scales ;
tarsi as long as the tibiae, without swimming hairs, third joint much
shorter and hardly wider than the second, claw-joint fully as long as the
rest of the tarsus. Length, 2.2 mm.

Described from two specimens in Mr. Ulke's collection one
from Kansas, the other from Dakota.

In the specimen from Kansas there are a few whitish scales
scattered among the dark scales of the elytral surface. The
species is evidently closely allied to the European Phytobius
(Lithodactylus) leucogaster but differs by its larger size, more
convex form, the third tarsal joint being narrower and the
elytral scales smaller and denser.

The more obvious characters, aside of coloration, size and
form of body, distinguishing the two North American species,
. may be tabulated as follows :

Thorax almost as wide as long, sides straight from base to beyond the
middle, posterior tubercles small aud rounded ; beak short and

OF WASHINGTON. 167

thick ; fifth elytral interval not elevated ; tarsi with long, sparse

swimming hairs velatus.

Thorax at base much wider than long, sides strongly convergent anteri
orly, posterior tubercles large and acute ; beak slender ; fifth elytral
interval elevated at base ; tarsi without swimming hairs. griseomicans.

Referring to the cocoon of Phytobius previously mentioned
by Mr. Schwarz, and also of other Coleoptera, Prof. Riley said
that lie would restrict the definition of " cocoon." He thought
this term should not be applied to cells formed by the hollow
ing out of plant substances, such as the bud, stalk or crown
of plants, or to cells made in the earth. The word cocoon he
thought, should signify a structure, i. e., something actually
built up, either of silk, or some glutinous substance, or of
welded or interwoven matter of any other kind. The others
could be more properly termed cells or cradles.

Mr. Schwarz presented the following note :

A CORRECTION.

BY K. A. SCHWARZ.

On a former occasion (see Vol. I, pp. 163, 164), I referred a
species of Pityophthorus bred from L,iquidambar twigs to P.
annectens L,ec. Having subsequently procured males of the
latter species I see now that I was mistaken in my determina
tion, and that P. annectens is quite different from the species
boring in lyiquidambar. The latter is identical with what I
consider to be P. consimilis, which is also known to live in
various species of Sumac. The females of the two species
resemble each other so closely that they can hardly be dis
tinguished, but the males are readily distinguished by the
nature of the pubescence of the head. In the male of P.
annectens the pubescence is yellow, very long, forming a circu
lar fringe and usually concealing the sculpture of the head.
In the male of P. consimilis the pubescence is much shorter, of
grayish color, sparse anteriorly and more brush-like on the
posterior part of the head. I have very little doubt that even
Dr. L,eConte in his letter addressed to Dr. Packard (see Bull.
No. 7, U. S. Knt. Comm., pp. 260, 261) has also confounded
the females of the two species, and fully believe now that P.
annectens will prove to live exclusively on Pinus palustris and
allied species of the same genus.

The genus Pityophthorus is, in our fauna, the largest as well
as the most difficult genus of Scolytids. The species having

168 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

the elytral declivity dissimilar in the two sexes (P. carinulatus,
pullus, plagiatus, etc.) should, in all probability, be removed
from this genus and placed near Tomicus. P. minutissimus and
allied species form another well-defined group which could
easily be elevated to the rank of a subgenus. The remaining
species, still very numerous, are very homogeneous in structure
and can be distinguished with certainty only by the secondary
male characters, as exhibited in the sculpture or pubescence of
the head. Very often even the determination of the males is
rendered very difficult without dissection, because in many
cabinet specimens the head is retracted within the thorax and
entirely concealed from view. To obviate this difficulty it will
be advantageous, I think, to use chloroform or acetic ether in
killing the specimens instead of cyanide of potassium.

MARCH 5, 1891.

President Marx in the chair. Nine members and two visitors
present.

Mr. Schwarz was elected to the position of Corresponding
Secretary made vacant by the departure of Mr. Townsend, who
had been called from the city to take the position of Kntomolo-
gist in the New Mexico Agricultural College.

Mr. Fernow was elected a member of the Executive Commit
tee vice Mr. Schwarz, resigned.

Mr. Banks called attention to specimens of Scolopendrella,
Machilis and Lepisma, in different stages, taken this winter in
Rock Creek Valley, D. C.

Two papers by Prof. Riley were read in his absence, the first
being as follows :

NOTE ON THE LIFE HABITS OF MEGILLA MACULATA.
BY C. V.

In accordance with my promise at a previous meeting (Sep
tember 4, 1890,) I present herewith a comparative description,
with specimens, of the larva of Megilla maculata, simply because
it furnishes another illustration of a very common insect that
has never been described or figured in its adolescent states. I
have had the larvae, obtained at St. L,ouis, ever since 1870,
where they were found abundantly in connection with the adult

OF WASHINGTON. 169

upon maize. In 1872 I also reared the beetle from pupae found
on Croton. We have long known that the imago in this species
departed from the normal habits of the family, in that it feeds
upon various substances and approaches more nearly in this
respect the genus Kpilachna. Its food habits have been pretty
well investigated and recorded by Forbes (i2th Illinois Ento
mological Report, 1883), and it was found devouring the pollen
of Taraxacum densleonis by Mr. Webster (American Entomolo
gist, Vol. Ill, 1880, p. 173), while I have recorded its injury
to blades of corn and its eating the eggs, larvae and pupae of
Lina scripta (American Naturalist, 1881, p. 326). I have also
shown in the same periodical for 1883, pp. 322, 323 that the
beetles in confinement did not eat various kinds of leaves
offered them. They have, however, been found eating into the
soft kernels of corn, and quite extensively by Mr. Pergande in
some observations he made on corn insects for me. He found
both adults and larvae eating into the soft kernels of sugar corn.
Mr. Webster has also found both the imago and larvae of Dip-
losis tritici and the imago on the wheat blossom. So many
insects belonging to genera or families which are essentially
plant feeders will also feed upon soft insects and vice versa, that
this combined habit in the adult Megilla is not so strange as
would at first appear, and there is, so far as I know, no evidence
to show that the larva is ever anything else than entomopha-
gous.

The larva of Megilla maculata closely resembles that of M.
13-pundata, for which it might easily be mistaken. That of
i^-punctata is, however, paler, with black markings of the pro-
thorax distinctly bi-lobed posteriorly, whereas in maculata the
posterior margin is entire. It also closely resembles the larva
of Coccinella bipunctata, the tuberculation and thoracic mark
ings of which are almost identical, though the general color is
darker, more dingy and without the bright band across the
fourth abdominal segment. The larva of C. y-notata is also
very similar, but the hairs of the tubercles are distinctly en
larged and not simple as in maculata. In the markings of the
pro-thorax the larva of maculata is almost identical with that
of C. bipunctata.

Mr. Schwarz remarked that the life histories of our Cocci-
nellidae do not seem to present any special features, and the
only peculiarity in Megilla maculata that occurred to him was
the habit of congregating or huddling together in great num
bers under stone, bark, boards, etc. , during cold weather, not
only in winter-time, but also in spring and summer. The

170 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

species also seem to be more numerous on plants growing in
swamps than on those growing on dry land. The wide geo
graphical range of this beetle was also pointed out, as well as
the fact that in the more northern climates it is remarkably
constant in coloration, but quite variable in more southern
latitudes.

Mr. H. W. Turner stated that he had seen in California a
Coccinellid, probably Megilla vittigera, which likewise congre
gates in enormous numbers.

Mr. Howard said that Mr. C. D. Walcott at a recent meeting
of the Biological Society of Washington had called attention to
the congregation in large numbers of a lady bird (probably
Hippodamia convergent) on rocks just at the snow line in the
Rocky mountains. Mr. Schwarz replied that this should not
be considered as a voluntary congregation ; the beetles were
carried upwards by ascending currents of air along the slope of
the mountain and falling upon the snow fields either perished
from cold or managed to reach rocks or other objects projecting
from the snow. While in Colorado he had seen at an alti
tude of about 12,000 feet the snow fields thickly covered with
such multitudes of Phyllotreta pusilla and Hippodamia conver
gent that the glare from the snow, otherwise so trying to the
eyes, was perceptibly diminished.

Mr. Mann said that he had not been able to get Cocdnella
bipunctata to feed indoors in winter-time on Aphides, and that
this species did not occur very abundantly in houses.

Prof. Riley's second paper was as follows :

ON THE LARVA AND SOME PECULIARITIES OF THE
COCOON OF SPHECIUS SPECIOSUS.

BY C. V. RlLKY.

In elaboration of some former remarks on the life-history of
Sphecius spedosus made at the meeting for September 4, 1890,
I wish to submit a more detailed description of the larva, and
at the same time to draw attention to a remarkable peculiarity
of the cocoon. The larva in form, color and general appear
ance resembles the typical larvae of the fossorial wasps, so far
as we already know them. It possesses great extensile and
contractile power, the anterior segments, more particularly,

OF WASHINGTON. 171

having great power of elongation, so that in life and when
feeding it reminds one of some great Syrphid larva. When at
rest, with the head bent over on the breast, it measures at full
growth about one and one-eighth inches to two inches. The
skin is nearly smooth, but with a slight rugosity and flecked
more or less with whitish spots, especially between the seg
ments. There are ten pairs of reddish-brown spiracles, one for
each segment from the first to the tenth. The head is resinous
in color, and the mouth-parts are remarkably well-developed as
compared with other aculeate hymenopterous larvae. The
clypeus, labrum, mandibles, maxillae and labiu'm are quite as
prominent and perfect as in many Coleopterous larvae. The
mandibles are very strong, somewhat obtusely pointed, and
have, a short distance below the 'apex, a prominent tooth.
They are dark brown, almost black at tip, paler at the base.
The maxillae are large, fleshy organs, terminating in two
brownish horny processes, one of which doubtless represents
the maxillary palpus. The labium is also a fleshy organ and
bears two horny processes representing the lingula. It has
also a spinneret. The antennae are very rudimentary and are
represented by two minute whitish elevations on the front.

The cocoon is constructed very rapidly, not more than two
days being required for this purpose. Irregular threads are
first thrown out and attached to whatever they may touch
both the Cicada and the surrounding wall of the cell. The
cocoon, which at first consists of an open cylinder, is con
structed of silk, with enough earth incorporated to make a
rather dense pod, and is of an irregular elongate-ovoid form,
tapering somewhat toward the posterior end, and varying
in length from one and one-half to three-quarters inches.
The interior is loosely lined with a coarse yellow silk, except
for an area in the middle, covering from one-half to two-
thirds of its inner circumference, where it is densely covered
with a fine white silk. In this light area, and covered by the
silk, are to be seen from eight to twenty dark-brown slightly
elevated spots. These spots are caused by a resin-like sub
stance employed to cap certain very anomalous hollow tubercles
which project from and open on the exterior of the cocoon.
These tubercles are constructed of the same resin-like brownish
substance, and in their perfect form and size greatly resemble
spiracles. They are capped, as described, evidently after the
completion of the cocoon. These curious little tubes I have not
noticed in the cocoons of any other sand or fossorial wasp, and
their purpose is somewhat problematical. My first impression
was that they were little pellets of excrement, being the last
faeces excreted by the larva about the time of completing its
cocoon, and that, having viscid and solvent qualities, they had

172 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

penetrated the walls of the cocoon and from the inside had been
covered up with a new lining of silk by the larva in order to
prevent moulding or the access of moisture from the surround
ing earth. But a more careful examination shows them to be
too perfectly tubular and too uniform to fully justify this ex
planation, and I am forced to the conclusion that they are made
purposely by the larva, doubtless by the labium, and that they
are intended for some special purpose, possible of ventilation
and respiration. This hypothesis brings up the interesting
general question, so far as it relates to insects, of the need of
ventilation in the cocoons or other protective retreats in which
they hibernate and undergo their transformations. It is a most
interesting question, which I cannot discuss at length in this
connection.

Mr. Mann stated in the discussion of this paper that Trouve-
lot had tried the experiment of shellacking the cocoon of Bom-
bycids without any difficulty in breeding therefrom. General
discussion followed on the breathing of larvae and pupae espe
cially in the case of sub-aquatic Coleoptera.

Mr. Fernow presented a paper on Psilura monacha, of which
he has furnished the following abstract :

THE RAVAGES OF LIPARIS (PSILURA) MONACHA IN
GERMANY AND MEANS OF DEFENSE.*

BY B. B. FKRNOW.

[AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT.]

Mr. Fernow spoke of the alarming increase of Liparis mona
cha in Germany, and especially Bavaria, during the last year,
and the anticipations of still greater damage in 1892, and hence
the diligent search after effectual remedies. He pointed out
that such ravages in German pine and spruce forests meant not
only many thousands of dollars loss in depreciation of wood
values, but also most inconvenient disarrangement of working
plans, which are necessarily laid for 100 or more years in ad
vance. He brought forward further statistics to show the
significance of the pest, and then described such life habits as

*See Insect Life, Vol. Ill, pp. 379-82, for full author's abstract of this
article.

OF WASHINGTON. 173

were suggestive of remedies. Among these the great mobility
of the larva and the tendency to migration of the imago were
most prominent.

Various methods of checking the ravages have been proposed
and practiced. The sweeping and collecting of larvae are found
ineffective on account of numbers, and undesirable because
enemies are destroyed at the same time ; gathering of eggs,
because all over the tree, high up, and difficult to get at ; col
lecting pupae, too few on the ground ; breeding of Tachina
monachce, too difficult and uncertain. Ditches have been found
a good aid to check migration of the larvae and confine it. One
of the most ingenious but costly and ineffective propositions has
been the steam and electric exhauster, the invention of a
socialist, an illustration of which was shown and described.

The most effective remedy had been demonstrated by a trial
over 2,000 acres and at an expenditure of $12,000, including
the cutting of infested trees, etc. , to be an application of a glue,
to which Mr. Fernow gave the name ' ' Insect I^inie ' ' (from
analogy to bird lime). This material has long been used
against a number of other insects, among which the gypsy
moth. The mobility of the young larvae, which although
hatching all along the trunks to the top, are apt in windy or
rainy weather, or when the food supply on the tree becomes
scant, to let themselves drop, suggested to prevent their re-
ascent by applying a band of insect lime, which has been found
absolutely effective, the larvae being starved to death.

Particulars as to the nature, method of application and cost
of the remedy were given, and its introduction as a cheap
means of protecting orchard and park trees against a number
of depredators was suggested.

In answer to a question by Mr. Howard, Mr. Fernow said
that the lime referred to in his communication could be im
ported, and if stored in covered barrels would keep for a con
siderable period. It would cost about $2 per 200 pounds.

Mr. Howard called attention to the fact that this and other
European moths were subject to the attacks of an immense
number of parasites as compared with allied American species,
and gave the following data of parasites of several important
European moths : Gastropacha neustria, 60 ; Ocneria dispar, 28 ;
Psilura monacha, 21 ; Lasiocampa pini, 55 ; &&&Larialeucoma,
32. He said also that the great increase of Psilura monacha

174 'ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

the past year was possibly explained by the fact of the occur
rence of a wet season, which was inimical to the increase of
parasites.

Mr. Schwarz said that Mr. Fernow deserved the thanks of
the Society for calling attention to a very valuable, and by
Americans seldom consulted, source of entomological informa
tion, viz., the forestry journals of Europe, and particularly of
Germany and Austria.

Mr. Howard said in regard to the work in Kurope against
insects, that in the matter of insecticide machinery France took
the lead, and that in means of controlling plant lice and Coccids
Italy ranked first.

Mr. Schwarz called attention to the concerted action against
insects in Kurope by means of which many very simple meas
ures are successful which, in this country, for lack of general
application and combined action, are a failure.

APRIL 2, 1891.

Vice-President C. V. Riley in the chair. Kleven members
and two visitors present.

The Publication Committee " reported the issuance on this
date of No. i of Vol. II of the Proceedings, and\ presented a
number of copies for the inspection of the Society. A copy was
ordered sent to each of the scientific societies of Washington.

The President announced the sudden death of the recently
elected member, Mr. K. R. Tyler, and appropriate action was
taken by the Society.

Mr. Banks presented the following paper :

MIMICRY IN SPIDERS.

BY NATHAN BANKS.

The cases of mimicry in the spiders of the United States may
be arranged in two groups, and, in fact, are so grouped natur
ally. One group comprises the mimicking Drassidae ; the other,
the mimicking Attidae. While the latter group stands at the
head of the spiders, the former is near to the bottom of the

OF WASHINGTON. 175

series. Both mimic ants, and so it is interesting to compare
these two groups of cases and see how nature has arrived at
similar results by using different paths. The mimicking Attidae
belong to the genera Salticus, Synageles and Synemosyna. The
mimicking Drassidse belong to two genera which are somewhat
widely separated, one in the Drassinse, Micaria ; the other in
the Clubioninse, Thargalia. Of the five genera mentioned,
Synemosyna and Micaria most closely resemble ants.

On comparing a Drassid with an Attid one will notice very
striking differences of important structures ; differences which
have led to their wide separation in modern classifications of
spiders. Yet these differences are masked and covered by cer
tain resemblances which are of no important value for classifi
cation, but which nature has found admirably suited for the
deceptions she wishes to produce. They are both ground
spiders wandering for their prey ; this is a necessary habit in
order that they may mimic ants. The plan of markings on the
abdomen consists, in both groups, of transverse bands ; in each
of these families there are, of course, plenty of exceptions. But
throughout the higher genera of the Attidse one can trace quite
accurately a tendency for transverse markings. The exceptions
are found in the lower genera, Marptusa, Menemerus, Itius.
This style of markings is also the predominating one in the
Drassidse.

There is one great difficulty to overcome in the mimicking of
an ant by a spider ; that is, in the former the body is divided
into three portions, while in the latter it is composed of two.
But nature can overcome this by contracting the abdomen of the
spider, and in many cases this is done ; but she can also deceive
the eye by color. Given the tendency for transverse markings,
it is easy for a transverse interrupted white band to be devel
oped on the abdomen so as to give the appearance of a. con
traction ; this is especially deceiving when it is developed in
connection with, and at the same place, as a slight constriction.
Two or more bands may be present and this tends to destroy
the real contour of the body and to make it look narrower.

In Synemosyna formica the deception may be said to be per
fected. Usually blackish at each end and slightly reddish in
the middle ; a constriction near middle of the cephalothorax
and another on the front half of the abdomen ; at each constric
tion an interrupted light band, slender light-colored legs.
Sometimes the spider is almost wholly reddish-yellow. Its
habits are not very much like an ant; it is quite slow and
deliberate. Synageles lacks the cephalic constriction and the
abdomen is broader, yet it resembles an ant very closely. It is
very active and its movements supply what it lacks in structure.
Salticus does not structurally so closely resemble ants, yet there

176 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

is an approach to it ; its motions are very illusive. In Micaria
the cephalothorax is elongated, but not constricted ; the abdo
men has a slight constriction near the front end. The legs are
very long and slender. But the best effect is produced by its
scales, most beautifully iridescent. A white band sometimes
interrupted is at the constriction sometimes another behind
this one. I have seen M. longipes running on the ground near
ants of similar size, though it was more often seen alone.
Another species of Micaria I took on the flowers of a Solidago,
among ants of the same size, and in my net both ran around in
the same manner. The Micaria seemed a little over-anxious.
Though Thargalia has not been modified in structure as much
as the other forms, its mimicry of an ant is extremely close.
In central New York there is a black species with one white
band which lives among the large black ants that are common
under leaves in the woods. The Thargalia is of the same
size, when adult, and its movements are quite similar. In
Texas I have seen another species of Thargalia which mimics
the ' 'Agricultural Ants ' ' that are common on the ground in
that locality. It is of the same red color, is of the same size,
when adult, and can move as rapidly and irregularly as the
ant. Several times have I seen it in "ant clearings," and it
was not disturbed by the sagacious inhabitants.

I have never yet seen any of these spiders eating ants, and I
do not believe that they do, for an ant has a pretty hard skin
for a spider to bite through. Their mimicry is of the most
value to them as a protection. Thus, in review, one sees that
these forms have not had any of their important characters
modified for the purpose of deception, but similar results have
been reached by modifications of some unimportant .parts. The
deception is superficial, they remain good at heart.

Mr. Schwarz remarked that Thargalia resembled ants, and
since on Mr. Banks' statement it was found only in company
with these insects, it may be considered as truly myrmeco-
philous, deriving more benefit from the ants than is implied in
the term protective-mimicry.

In answer to a question by Mr. Howard, Mr. Banks stated
that the resemblance of these spiders to ants was not especially
protective, although it may protect them from the attacks of
wasps. The benefit probably comes in enabling them to more
easily approach and seize their prey.

OF WASHINGTON. 177

Prof. Riley stated that he doubted if they could be termed
myrmecophilous, since they did not get their prey with the
ants ; and also that their resemblance to the ants was hardly
mimetic because no or little advantage results, and mimicry is
always of a protective significance.

Prof. Riley presented a note on the life history of the Dia-
brotica 12 punctata* which was called forth by a recent paper
in Psyche on the insect by Mr. H. Garman. He first referred
to an article on the food habits of the beetle, in Vol. I, p. 59
of Insect Life, in which by a typographical error the insect is
stated to have "bred" upon melons instead of "fed" upon
melons, the first statement being justly called in question by
Mr. Garman.

He followed with a record of his notes on the corn-feeding
habit of the larva of this insect, which was first brought to his
attention in the spring of 1883. During this year and in 1884
and in 1886, he had succeeded in bringing together a full
record of the larval habits, an account of which was given.
Figures of the egg, larva, pupa, adult insect and nature of the
injury to young corn were exhibited, and descriptions of all
stages were given.

Two dipterous parasites were referred to, one obtained from
the larva and the other coming from the adult.

In the discussion Mr. Schwarz remarked that the history of
this insect presents a very interesting but not unusual experi
ence, viz., that a certain species may live year after year in the
neighborhood of cultivated plants without doing injury, and
then suddenly develop an extremely injurious habit. He
believed that the wild food-plants would be found to be
numerous.

Prof. Riley held that the fact that it is now injurious does
not argue that the habit is of recent formation, although the
presumption is always strong that this is the case, especially
in view of the attention hitherto paid to corn insects.

Mr. Kuehling said that ten years since he had known young
corn to be destroyed by probably the same insect near Mt.
Vernon, Va.

Prof. Riley then presented the following communication :

* Published in full in Insect Life, Vol. III.

178 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

MEXICAN JUMPING BEAN.

The Determination of the Plant.

BY C. V. RlLKY.

In the Transactions of the St. I/ouis Academy of Science for
December, 1875, Vol. Ill, page CXLI, I gave some account of
Carpocapsa saltitans Westwood, and the manner in which it
produces the motions of the well-known Mexican Jumping
Seed or "Devil's Bean," and I there called attention to the
fact that the particular Buphorbiaceous plant, upon which
these seeds occur, was not known or determined. The poison
ous nature of the plant, and the fact that it is used by the
Indians to poison their arrow-points, have long been known,
and, in fact, the plant is called Arrow Weed ( Yerba de flechd)
by the Mexicans. The shrub was described to me in a letter
from Mr. G. W. Barnes, then President of the San Diego Soc.
Nat. Hist., in 1874, as small, branchy, from four to five feet in
height, bearing in the months of June and July seeds, a pod
containing from three to five. The leaf was described by Mr.
Barnes as resembling that of Garambullo, being one-half inch
in length and one-quarter inch in width, a little more or less.
He described the bark as ash-colored and the leaf as perfectly
green during all seasons, and stated that it bore seed only once
in two years. In a later letter he stated that, according to his
information, it grew only in the region of Mamos in Sonora ;
that it is called Brincador (Jumper), and the seeds " Brinca-
deros." Westwood, in his original description of Carpocapsa
saltitans, states that the plant is known by the Mexicans as
Colliguaja, and my old friend, Prof. B. P. Cox, informed me
some years ago that the shrub has a wood something like the
Hazel or Wahoo, and that the leaf is like a broad and short
willow leaf. He confirmed the statements as to its poisonous
character and its use to poison the arrow-heads of the Indians,
and said that a stick of the shrub, when used to stir the
" Penola" of the natives (ground corn meal parched), purges.
I have taken every occasion possible during the last fourteen
or fifteen years to endeavor to get specimens of this particular
plant, with the view of having it accurately determined, and I
was very much gratified, therefore, in receiving last Novem
ber from M. P. Chretien, a member of the French Entomo
logical Society, an interesting communication in 'Which, in
asking for copies of my articles upon this insect, he referred to
his own rearing of it, and to the plant as a Mexican Euphor-
biaceous plant by the name of Colliguaja odorifera Moline,
which is a synonym of Croton colliguaja Sprengel. This letter

OP WASHINGTON. 179

was still on my desk when Mr. J. M. Rose, of the Botanical
Division, brought me specimens of plants which had recently
been collected by Dr. Bdw. Palmer, who, with the plants, sent
specimens of the capsules, thus rendering it quite certain that
the "Jumping Bean" occurs on this particular plant. It
turns out to be undescribed, and has been finally referred to
the genus Sebastiania, and Mr. Rose intends to describe it as
6*. palmeri. Naturally, as in so many Kuphorbiaceous seeds,
the carpel splits into two parts in dehiscing, but when infested
with the Carpocapsa larva the silk lining which the latter spins
prevents the seed from dehiscing. The general aspect of the
leaf is not unlike that of a broad-leafed willow, the length
varying from one to three inches, and the width from about
one-half to one and one-quarter inches. The reference given
by M. Chretien in his letter would appear to be erroneous.
At all events, Bentham and Hooker give Colliguaja odorifera
as from South America, and I can find no record of its occur
ring in Mexico. Comparison of the specimens in the Depart
ment herbarium shows that, while evidently allied, Colliguaja
is quite distinct from Sebastiania, which fact renders it rather
remarkable that the name given by the Mexicans to the plant
should be identical with that adopted for the genus of a South
American plant, and the inference may properly be drawn that
this name is applied by the inhabitants indifferently to various
Euphorbiaceous species which occur, whether in Mexico or
south of the Equator.

If Colliguaja does occur in Mexico and is also a host of
Carpocapsa saltitans, it may readily be distinguished from the
species of Sebastiania here mentioned by its small, thickish
leaves, which are strongly glandular-toothed ; the male flowers
form long slender spikes, with very many stamens. The cap
sule is described as nearly one inch broad.

A closely allied species of Sebastiania, coming from the same
localities, and also yet undescribed (but which Mr. Watson
intends to describe as Sebastiania pringlei) and which has
previously been referred to the genus Gymnanthcs, also shows
evidence of being infested with Carpocapsa, and indeed an
esteemed correspondent, M. Eugene Duges, of Guanajuato,
Mexico, has reared the moth from the capsules of this par
ticular species. Still a third species (S. bilocularis Watson) is
interesting because the capsules are bi-coccous instead of tri-
coccous, and the capsule is withal much smaller and more
rounded.

It is also infested by a larva which, if not the same, is closely
allied to that of Carpocapsa saltitans. A single moth was ob
tained by Mr. Rose, but was lost, so that I have not been able
to examine it. So far as its general appearance is concerned,

180 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

however, Mr. Rose thinks it showed close resemblance, al
though smaller, to that produced from the seeds of 5". palmeri.
There is, therefore, good evidence that the insect develops
in the capsules of several different species of the genus Sebas-
tiania, if not in those of other closely-allied genera. The plants
differ not only in the general appearance and foliage, but in the
inflorescence and seed, and the following synopsis, prepared for
me by Mr. Rose, will prove interesting :

SEBASTIANIA. A large genus of Euphorbiacese, of some forty species,
confined mostly to South America ; mostly shrubs ; rarely herbs ; leaves
alternate, entire or slightly toothed ; flowers monoecious ; the male
flowers forming slender terminal spikes at the base of which are 2 or 3
female flowers ; female flowers with small bract-like calyx, 3 to 5-parted ;
fruit a capsule, globular or 3-lobed ; the capsule separates in age into 3
cocci each of which contains one small seed which more or less fills the
cavity.

Sebastiania bilocularis Watson. (Proc. Amer. Acad. XX, 374, 1885).
A shrub i to 2 feet high with upright slender branches, glabrous and with
light-gray bark ; leaves linear-oblong or narrowly lanceolate, I to 2 inches
long, obtuse to acuminate, abruptly cuneate at base, obscurely glandular
toothed ; ovary two-celled, with two stout revolute stigmas ; capsule
broadly ovate, acute, bi-coccous, about 5 lines long ; seed sub-globose,
3 lines broad.

It grows in dry water courses on the hills and mountains of North
western Sonora, and has been reported from Lower California.

Sebastiania palmeri Rose n. sp. iued. A loose-growing shrub, 5 to 8
feet high, or even sometimes 10 feet high, glabrous, with reddish bark ;
leaves narrowly-lanceolate to lanceolate, 2^ to 4 inches long, slightly
dentate ; ovary 3-celled, with 3 spreading slightly united styles ; capsule
oval, obtuse, 3-celled, 3 lines in diameter.

Collected in various places in the mountains about Alamos, Sonora, by
Dr. Palmer in 1890.

Sebastiania pringlei Watson n. sp. ined. A small shrub with spreading
branches and brownish bark ; leaves lanceolate i to 3 inches long, acumi
nate, obtuse at base, minutely toothed ; ovary 3-celled, with spreading
slightly united styles.

Collected by Pringle in San L/uis Potosi, and in Sonora by Duges in
1890.

It is difficult to say which of the species Mr. Barnes re
ferred to in his letter from which I have already quoted, but
the reference to the seed is somewhat misleading, and the refer-
erence to the pod containing from three to five seeds is also
somewhat ambiguous and probably erroneous. Bach of the
carpels contains one seed, which, when the fruit is young in
all probability fills up the entire space and the young Carpo-
capsa larva doubtless hatches from an egg laid externally on
the capsule and penetrates the same while it is yet quite
young, eating into the true seed very much as in the case of
the larva of the common Pea Weevil {Biuchus pisi.} The
plant described by Prof. Cox, whom I have quoted, corresponds
fairly well with S. pringlei. Dr. Palmer found that ,5". palmeri

OF WASHINGTON. 181

was limited in its distribution to certain canons about Alamos.
He states that it is known as the Palo de la flecha, cuero de las
simellas, brincaderos, (Arrow tree which produces the jumping
bean). The plant exudes a good deal of milky juice, which is
what the Indians use on their arrow heads. He found the
plant in several places, but it is reported that the "jumping
beans ' ' are found only in an arroya near Alamos. It is not
easy to obtain- the infested capsules, because boys are always
on the lookout for them and gather them for sale, as they find
a ready market. He describes the shrub as a loose-growing
plant, five to eight feet high, the wood very hard, and the
milky juice readily crystallizing into a clear white brittle
substance.

Professor Riley also called the attention of the Society to
some interesting anomalies in the following species. They are
two Noctuids, both from the same locality and both from a
rather small collection recently received, which show a short
ening of the wings on one side (the left) of the body. The
species are Agrotis pladda Grote and Agrotis introferens Grote.
In neither of these species is there anything to show that this
is due to gynandromorphism, as they are both females, with
no indication of male character on one side. The deformity or
aberration is undoubtedly due to chance.

The other case is more interesting. It is a remarkable
bifurcation of the terminal joint of the left antenna in a speci
men of the common Cerambycid Tragidwn armatum. The
bifurcation is from the base of the joint, and in fact, the abnor
mal growth has all the appearance of a thumb growing out
from the base of the terminal joint, the thumb being somewhat
longer than the joint itself.

Mr. Schwarz remarked in answer to an inquiry by Mr. Mann
that bifurcation of the antenna was not infrequent in Coleoptera
and may be of a single joint only, as in the specimens exhibited,
or of the entire antenna.

Mr. Schwarz presented the following paper :

182 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

NOTE ON THE FOOD-HABITS OF SOME HALTICIDS.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

The North American Halticini were not monographed until
the year 1889, when Dr. Horn published his excellent "Syn
opsis of the Halticini of Boreal America." Prior to that date
we had, in the more intricate genera, only isolated descriptions
from which an accurate determination was, in most instances,
not possible, the result being that not only our collections were
full of wrong determinations or undetermined specimens, but
that such erroneous determinations were also published in
faunal lists or records of food-habits. Since many Halticids
are of greater or smaller economic importance, it is certainly
desirable to know whether or not the published records of
food-habit, life-history, etc., are reliable, i. e., based upon cor
rect determination of species. I have thought it worth while
to briefly review those of the more important records to which
I have access in my private library. In the absence of typical
specimens I am, of course, unable, in most instances, to correct
the records, and my only object is to point out where, in my
opinion, the determinations are open to doubt and to recom
mend that such doubtful records should not be used in future
unless they be verified by renewed observation or by examin
ation of the typical specimens. Those species, the records of
which appear to be based on correct determination, are not
mentioned in the following notes.

In speaking of the food-plants of Halticids (and of many
other phytophagous Coleoptera) we must discriminate between
the food-plants of the larva and those of the imago. In many
species the imagos feed, often in vast number of specimens, on
a variety of plants which are not the food-plants of the larva,
and it may be said that, as a rule, the imagos are by far more
polyphagous than the larvae. The true food-plant of a species
is, of course, that upon which the larva feeds. Some observers
have failed to make this discrimination and give, in many in
stances, a certain plant as the food-plant of a species whereas,
in reality, they mention only one of the food-plants of the
imago.

Disonycha pennsylvanica and quinquevittata and their varie
ties were formerly often confounded, the large and pale varieties
of the former species, with feeble or obsolete elytral sulci, being
more especially the cause of confusion. Thus the records of
the food-habits of the two species are by no means reliable.
The larva of D. pennsylvanica undoubtedly feeds on various
species of Polygonum and Rumex, and the imagos occur and
feed also on Salix, but whether the larva also feeds on the
latter plant is still somewhat doubtful. Mr. Bruner states

OF WASHINGTON. 183

(Bull. 14, Exper. Stat. Nebr., 1890, p. in) that the larvae are
common on Salix, but they have not been bred and may belong
to D. 5-vittata. That the real food-plant of the latter species
is Salix was first proven by Walsh (Proc. Hnt. Soc. Phil. Ill,
pp. 404, 405 ; 1. c. VI, p. 270). Various other records of these
two species refer apparently only to the food-habit of the imago.

D. caroliniana. Whether Mr. W. H. Harrington's statement
(Can. Knt. XVI, 1884, p. 97) that this species feeds abundantly
on Rumex verticillatus refers to the imago only, or also to the
larva is uncertain. Nor is it certain that he had the true D.
caroliniana before him.

Haltica chalybea. All references to this species as a grape
vine pest in the eastern United States are no doubt correct,
while those from the Southwest and the Pacific slope are, to
say the least, open to doubt.

Some uncertainty prevails regarding other food-plants of the
larva. That the latter lives on Alnus serndata seems to be
certain, but its occurrence on Ulmus and Prunus is doubtful,
and these latter records refer probably only to the imago. The
species must have still another true food-plant since the images
are abundant on various trees in the semi-tropical hammock of
Florida, where Vitis, Alnus, etc., do not occur. The imago
was found by me in great numbers on Carpinus at Ft. Pendle-
ton, Md., but no larvae were seen among them.

H. ignita. This variable species has often been incorrectly
determined in former times, and the bright aeneous or copper-
colored varieties were usually named H. carinata in collections.
Most of the references to the latter species should therefore be
transferred to ignita. The imago appears to be more poly-
phagous than any other species of this genus. The food-plants
recorded are : Kalmia latifolia, K. glauca, CEnothera biennis,
Erechthites hieracifolia, Vitis (?), cultivated strawberries and
cultivated Fuchias. Quite a number of other plants could be
added to these, but how many of them are the food-plants of
the larva remains doubtful. The larvae have been bred from
CEnothera biennis by Prof. Riley (Amer. Knt. Ill, p. 200), and
this seems to be the only true food-plant ascertained so far.

H. carinata. From the geographical distribution as given
by Dr. Horn it is evident that all references to this species
from the more southern portion of the Atlantic slope are based
upon incorrect determination and should be referred to some
other species, probably always H. ignita. Mr. W. L. Deve-
reaux (5th Rep. U. S. Hnt. Comm. p. 276) gives Ulmus as the
food-plant, but since he describes the imago as being "of a
greenish hue ' ' there is considerable doubt as to correct deter
mination. Dr. Horn (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. XVI. 1889,
p. 223) states upon authority of Mr. D. W. Coquillett that this

184 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

species injures the grapevines at Los Angeles, Cal., but this
record probably refers only to the feeding habit of the imago.

H. foliacea and punctipennis. There is undoubtedly some
confusion in the references to these closely allied species which
can be unraveled only by examination of the typical specimens.
The species injurious (both as larva and imago) to apple trees
in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, and variously referred to as
H. foliacea or punctipennis is in all probability punctipennis.
H. foliacea is stated by Dr. Horn to injure the grapevine.
Gaura parvifolia and other Onagracece (Popenoe) and Cucurbita
perennis (Cockerell) are given as wild food-plants oiH.folicacea,
but these records are probably also referable to H. punctpennis.

Epitrix cucumeris. It is certainly strange that we do not yet
know the food-plant of the larva of this common species which
is so often referred to in economic literature, and which in the
imago state is almost omnivorous. Its true food-plant will no
doubt prove to be one of the Solanacese, and the larva is prob
ably a root-feeder. E. fuscula is" in the more southern States
just as common as cucumeris and has no doubt occasionally
been confounded therewith in the records.

Phyllotreta albionica. The species mentioned under this
name as injuring cabbages in Colorado (C. V. Riley, Ann.
Rep. Comm. Agric., 1884, p. 308) is in all probability Ph.pusilla
which is much more abundant in that State than albionica.
Before the publication of Dr. Horn's Synopsis these two species
were not separated' in our collections.

Prof. Riley remarked, in discussing this paper, that little
difficulty would be experienced in referring any species of
particularly economic importance to food-plant by comparison
with material in the National Collection. He was glad that
Mr. Schwarz had gone over the records in the light of Horn's
latest revision, but asked whether it was certain that Dr. Horn
is right in all the reference of species.

Mr. Schwarz stated that Dr. Horn's work was of such an
excellent character that his determinations should be adhered
to. He stated also that the important species had often been
incorrectly referred, and that even in the case of such species
some of the records were open to doubt. The National Collec
tion would serve to verify Prof. Riley 's own writings, but not
those of others.

OF WASHINGTON. 185

MAY 7, 1891.

President Marx in the chair. Thirteen members and two
visitors present.

Mr. C. H. Roberts, of New York, was elected a correspond
ing member, and Messrs. F. H. Chittenden and A. B. Cordley
active members of the Society.

Mr. Howard exhibited specimens of a species of Bombus
which had been attracted in great numbers to the blossoms of
a large horse-chestnut near his house from April 2yth to date.
He had watched them with some interest on account of their
crazy actions, which were of such a character that- he at first
suspected a toxic effect in the nectar of the blossoms. Many
of them passed the night in a drunken position on the ground
near the tree while others entered his house, and he had found
as many as six on a single window-sill on opening the shutters
of a morning. They readily revived and flew away. He had
noticed the toxic effect of Fox-glove and Wistaria on Bombus,
but was not sure whether the curious actions of these individ
uals could be ascribed to this source or to some other. He
desired the opinion of the members.

Prof. Riley suggested that the cool weather then prevailing
might have something to do with their peculiar actions, and
stated that he had observed Lachnosternas exhibiting torpor
and languor in the same way. He identified the species ex
hibited by Mr. Howard as Bombus virgin icus.

In reply, Mr. Howard stated that their peculiar actions were
not confined to the cool period, but were equally marked in
warm weather.

Mr. Marlatt referred to the similar actions of bees that had
fed on the juices of partially fermented and decayed mul
berries, which had resulted in actually making the insect
drunk, and was of the opinion that some toxic principle in the
nectar of the horse-chestnut was the cause of the peculiar
actions of the bees in the present instance.

Mr. Ashmead had observed similar effects resulting from the
feeding of robins on chinaberries, the birds becoming thor
oughly inebriated.

Mr. Mann said that he had seen the statement that the
horse-chestnut is intoxicating to bees.

186 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mr. Schwarz remarked that the bumble-bees found thus
early in the season are necessarily all hibernated females, and
it would not seem to be impossible that among them there are
specimens that had not been impregnated in the fall. Such
specimens cannot possibly found a new colony in the spring,
and would naturally act differently from the impregnated
females.

Mr. Schwarz exhibited and briefly remarked upon the fol
lowing Coleoptera : Charistena lecontei, found at Fortress
Monroe, Va. ; Bagous sellatus, found at the same place ;
Spharius politus, found in Michigan and Alabama, and Lu-
trochus luteus from Michigan.

Dr. Marx presented the following paper :

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE SPIDER FAUNA
OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS.

BY GEO. MARX.

The demands of some groups of Arachnida upon nature for
their existence appear to be very simple, and seem to have no
regard to climatic, geologic or other physical influences, but to
depend solely on one condition, namely, the presence of
suitable food, for amongst the Arthropod fauna in the arctic
region, where ten months of the year is winter with a tempera
ture often falling to 100 degrees below freezing point, we find
three orders of Arachnida the Aranae, Opiliones and Acari
well represented by many genera and species, and by such
genera and species as exist and prosper at the same time under
entirely different conditions, as in the regions of the Sonoran
and even subtropical zones.

These three orders seem especially adapted to a life in the
polar zone, for they not only exist in quite a number of species,
but also in a great number of specimens of each species.
General then Lieutenant Greety, commanding the late Lady
Franklin Bay expedition, states that he met in the summer
months at Ft. Conger (81 44 north latitude) with a rich insect
fauna: "Spiders, mosquitoes, flies, caterpillars, moths, and
Opiliones were frequently found in the immediate neighborhood
of our camp."

My friend H. Biederbeck, the hospital steward of that expe
dition, informed me that they had prepared at Ft. Conger a
large collection of entomological specimens, amongst which
which were a great number of Arachnida. This valuable col-

OF WASHINGTON. 187

lection, with so much other precious scientific material, had
unfortunately to be left behind on the retreat of this ill-fated
party.

The Arachnida of the polar region have attracted the atten
tion of the earlier European scientific explorers, for we find as
early as 1772 species of spiders recorded from Iceland and a few
years later from Greenland. We possess at the present time
the description of 175 species of arctic and sub-arctic Aranese
from the Eastern Hemisphere.

The Arachnida of the American arctic continent and its
islands are comparatively little known, as only three species
from the polar and ten from the sub-arctic or the extreme
nothern boreal zone* had been described before Count Keyser-
ling published twenty-three species of the families Theridiidse,
Dictynidse and Thomisdae from the arctic regions of North
America, which material I had sent him from my collection.
My collection contains, besides these twenty-three species,
eighty-five additional ones, the descriptions and illustrations of
which I hope to be able soon to lay before this Society.

I gladly avail myself here of the opportunity to acknowledge
my most sincere thanks to the following gentlemen, through
whose kindness I came into possession of such a large and valu
able collection from the distant polar regions of our Western
Hemisphere : Mr. L,ucien Turner, who presented me with his
rich spider collection, which he had prepared during the four
years of his stay at Ft. Simo, Ungava Bay, North Eastern Lab
rador (near 58 N. L.)> tne same gentleman presented me also
with some species from Unalaska ; Dr. T. H. Bean, from whom
I obtained several species from Wrangle, St. George and Schu-
magln Islands and Plover Bay ; Dr. Stejenegar, to whose gen
erous kindness I owe a number of species from Commander
Island on the coast of Kamschatka ; Dr. Ulysses Browne, of
Scotland, who presented me with a great part of his collection of
Arachnids, not only from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands,
but also from the coast of Washington, Oregon, California and
Central America ; Mr. Murdoch, through whom I obtained a
specimen from Point Barrow.

Prof. Simon has published in Bull. d. 1. Soc. Zool. d. France,
1887, a list of the principal works on the Arachnida of the
arctic region, which I quote in the following. The localities
from which the spiders have been observed are as follows :

* The ten species which Prof. Thorell described were collected by Prof.
Packard in the southern part of Labrador, a region considerably south of
the arctic belt. Many of the spiders which Dr. Koch described from
Siberia come from a region not precisely arctic, but belonging rather
more to the boreal zone.

188 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Greenland, Iceland, Lapland, Finland, Spitzbergen, Siberia
and Nova Zembla.

1. OivAFSEN, E. Bggert Olafsen och Biarne Povelseus Resa igiennem

Island. 1772.

2. MuijvER, O. F. Zoologise danicae prodromus. 1776.

3. FABRICIUS, O. Fauna groenlandica, etc. 1780.

4. NORDMANN, A. v. Erstes Verzeichniss der in Finnland und Lappland

gef. Spinnen. 1862.

5. THOREU,, T. Om Arachnider fran Spitzbergen och Beeren Eiland.

Kongl. Vet. Akad. Handl. XXVIII. 1871.

6. ID Om nagra Arachnider fran Greenland, Ibid. XXIX. 1872.

7. CAMBRIDGE, O. P. On some new and little-known spiders from the

arctic region. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1877.

8. KOCH, L. Die zweite deutsche Nordpolfahrt in den Jahren, 1869-70.

Wissensch. i Abtheil., pp. 400-403.

9. THOREW,, T. Notice of the Spiders of the Polaris Expedition, Green

land. 1878.

10. KOCH, L. Arachniden aus Siberia und Novaja Semlja, ges. d.

schwd Expedition. Kongl. Vet. Akad. Handl. 1879.

11. VAN HASSEivT Spinnen dor Dr. Tenkate noordl. Lappland verz.

Tydschr. voor. Entom. Vol. 27. 1884.

12. SIMON, E. Liste des Arachn. recueill. en Laponie, Bull. Soc. Zool.

d. France. 1887.

13. ID Arachn. de Greenland. Ibid. X. 1889.

Besides these thirteen works, which treat exclusively upon
arctic spiders, the following five publications contain also de
scriptions of many polar Aranese :

14. SUNDEVAI,!, Svenska Spindlarnes Beskrifuing Kongl. Vet. Akad.

Handl. 1829.

15. WESTRING Aranese suecicse descriptae. 1861.

16. KOCH, L. Die Arachnideu-familie der Drassiden. 1866-67.

17. THOREU,, T. Remarks on synonyms of European Spiders. 1871.

18. ID. Descriptions of several European and North African Spiders.

Kongl. Vet. Akad. Handl. XIII. No. 5. 1875.

All these authors have had under consideration the Arctic
Spiders of the Eastern Hemisphere.

The spiders of the American polar region have been collected
from the following places : Melville Island, Cornwallis Island,
Labrador, Alaska, the Aleutian, some Islands in the Behring
Sea, and the Commander Island on the coast of Siberia.

The list of the authors is as follows :

19. KIRBY Capt. Parry's voyage for the discovery of a Northwest

passage, 1819-20. London, 1824. Appendix X.

20. WHITE, A. Sutherland's Jour, of a voyage in Baffin's Bay and Bar

row Straits, 1850, Vol. II.

OF WASHINGTON.

189

21. THOREI/L Notice of some Spiders from Labrador. Proceed. Boston

Nat. Hist, 1875.

22. KEYSERUNG Neue Spinnen a. Amerika, V, Verhandl. zool. hot.

Gesellsch. Wien, 1883.

23. IBID. Die Spinnen Amerikas, II., Theridiidae.

24. ID. Neue Spinnen a. Amerika, Verhandl., VII, zool. bot. Gesellsch.

Wien, 1887.

25. MARX Description of some Arctic Spiders from the Western Hemi

sphere (in preparation).

In the following list are enumerated all of the species which
have so far been found and described from the Arctic regions
of the globe. I have included the new and undescribed species
of my collection. As a large part of the literature was inac
cessible to me, it was impossible to compare the different
descriptions, and there ma)^ be some species enumerated which
are synonyms.

The species which belong to the Western Hemisphere are
marked with an asterisk ; the numbers after the author's name
indicate the numbers of the bibliographical list.

TUBITELARI^.
Fa'm. DRASSID^.

Gnaphosa borealis, Thor.
bilineata, L. K.
lapponum, L. K.
L. K.

muscortim, L. K.
L. K.

montana, L. K.

brumalis, Thor.

Thor.

Thor.

tricuspida, Marx.
Marx.

turner ii y Marx.
Polaris, Marx.
conspersa, Thor.
Thor.

frig id aria, Marx.
tristis, Marx.

Prosthesima pediverii, Scop.
siberiana, Marx.
tristis, Marx.

Drassus infuscatus, Westr.
cognatus, Westr.
stu.rbergii, L. K.
*Micaria labradoriensis, Marx.
*Pytkonissa pallida, Marx.

Lapland, Thorell, 18.

Siberia, 68, 25, 10.

Lapland, L. Koch, 16.

Finland, Simon, 12.

Lapland, L. Koch, 16.

Siberia, 69, 15, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Labrador, Thorell, 21.

Ungava Bay, Labrador, Marx, 25.

Allognagik Lake, Alaska, Marx, 25.

Ungava Bay, Labrador, Marx, 25.

Sitka, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Unalaska, Marx, 25.

Fort Yukon, Alaska, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Commander Island, Marx, 25.

Sitka, Marx, 25.

Lapland, Nordmauu, 4.

Nova Zeinbla, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Sitka, Marx, 25.

190

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Fam.

Dictyna hamifera, Thor.
borealis, Cambr.

* ^keyserhngii, Marx.

polaris, Marx.
Titanceca siberica, L. K.

Fam.

Clubiona erratica, C. K.

germanica, Thor.

* frigidula, Thor.
ungavensis, Marx.
labradoriensis, Marx.
arctica, Marx.
alascensis, Marx.

Agrczca brunnea, Thor.

chrysea, Thor.

maculata, Thor.
* Phrurolithus polaris, Marx.
*Hina notata, Marx.
*Liccranum boreale, Marx,

Fam.

Argyroneta aquatica, Clk.
Clk.

Cryphceca silvicola, C. K.
C. K.
Tegenaria detestabilis, Cambr.

derhami, Scop.
*Cybczus algidus, Marx.
borealis, Marx.

*Ccelotes labradoriensis, Marx.
*Cicurina arcuata, Ksling.
*Agalena hentzii ? Becker.

Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Commander Island, Marx, 25.
Siberia, L,. Koch. 10.

Siberia, 62, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, 63, 30, L. Koch, 10.

Labrador, Thorell, 21.

.Labrador, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Allognagik, Alaska, Marx, 25.

Cape Smith, Marx, 25.

Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, L,. Koch, 10.

Unalaska, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Commander Island, Siberia, Marx, 25

Lapland, Nordmanu, 4.
Siberia, 62, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Lapland, Nordmaun, 4.
Siberia, 63, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.

RETITELARI^e.
Fam. THERIDIID^E;.

Theridium varians, Halm.

umbraticum, Hahn.
serratosignum, Hahn.
bellissimum, L. K.
oleatum, L. K.
pictum, Walck.

Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 66, 25, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 66, 25, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 66, 25, L,. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L,. Koch, 10.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

fKeyserling described this species as borealis, a name which Cambridge had
already used.

OF WASHINGTON.

191

Theridium sisyphum, Clk.
Clk.

marxii, Ksling,
Ksling.
Ksling.
*Linyphia emertonii, Thor.

turbatrix, Cambr.

moniana, Clk.
Clk.

sobria, Thor.

Thor.

'" Thor.

approximata, Camb'.

claikrata, Sunder.

alticeps, Sunder.

insignis, Blackw.

scdpigera, Grube.

nebulosa, Sunder.

index, Thor.

conspersa, L. K.

cultrigera, L. K.

mordax, L. K.

.albula, L. K.

investa, L. K.

trucidans, L. K.

latebricola, L. K.

luteipes, L. K.

picturata, L. K.

prole 'taria, L. K.

vidua, L. K.

hutnilis, L- K.

polita, L. K.

semiatra, L. K.

luminis, L. K.

similior, L. K.

simillima, L. K.

terrena, L. K.

ingloria, L. K.

decipiens, L. K.

nigriventris, L. K.

hebescens, L. K.

/#ra, L. K.

concinna, L. K.

desolata, L. K.

sitkaensis, Keys.

arctica, Keys.
* ungavensis, Marx.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Greenland, Fabricius, 3.
Unalaska, Keyserling, 23.
Yes Bay, Alaska, Marx, 25.
Allognagik Lake, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Thorell, 21.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Siberia, 61, L. K., 10.
Spitzbergen, Thorell, 5.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Siberia, 61, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 61, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 10, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 62, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 64, 40, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 64, 40, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 65, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 63, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 69, 15, L. Koch. 10.
Siberia, 63, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 62, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, 72, 40, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 63, 30, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 69, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 71, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 70, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 65, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 65, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 62, 50, L. Koch. 10.
Siberia, 63, 30, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 63, 17, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 63, 17, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 63, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 64, 25, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 70, 39, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 71, 20, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 62, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 10, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Alaska, Keyserling, 23.
Alaska, Keyserling, 23.
Labrador, Marx, 25.

192

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

*Linyphia nivalis, Marx.

adspersa, Marx.
*Satilatlas marxii. Keys.
Pedanosthetus lividus, Blackw.

Blackw.
" Blackw.
Steatoda bipunctata, Linn.
Linn.
Linn.
Linn.
Linn.
Lithyphantes corrolatus, Linn.

warmoratus, Hentz.
sobrius, Thor.
alascensis, Marx.
Erigone dentipalpis, Wid.
tirolensis, L. K.
L. K.

arctica, White.
White.
White.
White.

retusa, Westr.
Westr.

atra, Blackw.
" Blackw.
" Blackw.
remold, L. Koch.
rurestris, L. Koch.
borea, L. Koch.
aquilonaris, L. Koch.
L. Koch.

granulosa, L. Koch.
vexatrix, Cambr.
" Cambr.

Cambr.

psychrophila, Thor.
Thor.
Thor.
Thor.
Thor.
Thor.

mirabilis, L. K.
taczanowskia, L. K.
incerta, L. K.
mendica, L. K.

Unalaska, Marx, 25.
Cape Smith, Marx, 25.
Aleutian Island, Keyserling, 23..
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Alaska, Keyserling, 23.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Iceland, Muller, 2.
Greenland, Fabricius, 3.
Iceland, Olaffsen, i.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Ungava Bay, Labrador, Marx, 25.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 72, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 72, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Cornwallis Island, Baffin's Bay,

White, 20.

Siberia, 70, 39, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, u.
Siberia, 72, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch. 10.
Siberia, 70, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 69, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Spitzbergen, Thorell, 5.
Greenland (Polaris), Thorell, 9..
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 45, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 45, L. Koch, 10..
Siberia, 72, 13, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 71, 40, L. Koch, 10..

OF WASHINGTON.

Erigone mendica L. K.

oxycephala, L. K.

L. K.

succinea, L. K.-
calicinosa, L. K.
vulnerata, L. K.
semifiavci) L. K.
barbata, L. K.
L. K.

pelifrons, Iv. K.
leviceps, L. K.
barbigera, L. K.
incondita, Iv. K.
formosa, L. K.
submissa, L. K.
cesopea, L. K.
proterva, L. K.
hyperborea, L. K.
faceta, L. K.
brachyopsis, L. K.
deserta, L. K.
imula, I/. K.
mollicata, L. K.
diversa, Iv. K.
repudiata, Iv. K.
longipalpis, Sund.

Sund.
- Sund.

Sund.

dentipalpis, Suud.
affinis, Black w.
tufus, Wid.
rujipes, Linn.
helmgreenii, Thor.
spitzbergenensis, Thor.

Thor.

glacialis, Thor.
frigida, Thor.
vaginata, Thor.
macrochaera, Thor.
herniosa, Thor.
whymperii, Cambr.
provocans, Cambr.
venatrix, Cambr.
penessa, Thor.
polar is, Key si.
vacerosa, Key si.

Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 72, 15, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 50, L,. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 10, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 45, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 45, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L- Koch, io_
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, Iv. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Lapland, E. Simon, 12.
Finland, Van Hasselt, n,
Lapland, Nordtnann, 4.
Spitzbergen, Thorell, 5.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, u..
Greenland, Fabricius, 3.
Spitzbergen, Thorell, 5.
Spitzbergen, Thorell, 5.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Lapland, Thorell, 18.
Lapland, Thorell, 18.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Greenland, Polaris, Thorell, 9.
Alaska, Keyserling, 23.
Unalaska, Keyserling, 23.

194

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

*Erigone simillima, Keysl.

schumaginensis, Keysl.
* siberiana, Keysl.

famelica, Keysl.
umbraticola, Keysl.

prcepulchra, Keysl.
ululabilis, Keysl.
usurpabilis, Keysl.
urusta, Keysl.
famularis, Keysl.
falsifica y Keysl.

formica, Emert.
viaria, Blackw.
turnerii, Marx.
frigidula, Marx.
viaria, Blackw.
tristis, Marx.
murdochii, Marx.
alascensis, Marx.
mystacea, Marx.
septentrionalis, Marx.
nivicola, Marx.
beanii, Marx.

algens, Marx.

Unalaska, Keyserling, 23.

Aleutian Island, Keyserling, 23.

Commander Island, Siberia, Key
serling, 23.

Sitka, Alaska, Keyserliug, 23.

Sitka, Alaska, Aleutian, Keyser
ling, 23.

Unalaska, Keyserling, 23.

Alaska, Keyserling, 23.

Aleutian Islands, Keyserling, 23.

Aleutian Island, Keyserling, 23.

Alaska, Keyserling, 23.

Kanaka, Aleutian Island, Keyser
ling, 23.

Unalaska, Keyserling, 23.

Allognagik, Keyserling, 23.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Commander Isl., Siberia, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Wrangel Island, Marx, 25.

Point Barrow, Marx, 25.

Fort Yukon, Marx, 25.

Commander Island, Marx, 25.

Allognagik, Marx, 25.

Unalaska, Marx, 25

Port Althrop, St. George Island,
Marx, 25.

Commander Island, Marx, 25.

ORBITELARI.E.
Fam.

Epeira silvicultrix ; C. K.
marmorea, Clk.
Clk.

cornuta, Clk.
* patagiata, Clk.

Clk.
Clk.

* " . Clk.

diademata, Clk.
quatrata, Clk.
cucurbitana, Clk.
umbratica, Clk.
carbonaria, L. Koch.
* -\strix, Hz.

Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, 66, 45, L. Koch, 10.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

Siberia, 66, 25, L. Koch, 10.

Labrador, Thorell, 21.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Sitka, Cape Smith, Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Iceland, Olaffsen, I.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Labrador, Thorell, 21.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

f Since I have carefully compared the form of the epigynum of Epeira strix,
Hz., with that of the European cornuta, Bl., I am convinced that both are distinct
and separate species.

OF WASHINGTON.

195

*Epeira silvatica, Emert.
incestifica, Key si.
borealis, Marx.

Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx, 25.

Fam. TETRAGNATHID^.

Tetragnatha extensa, Linn.

* " Linn.

* " Linn.
" Linn.

elongata, Walck.
greenlandii, Thor.
borealis, L. K.
Pachygnatha clerkii, Sund.
listerii, Sund.

* tristriata, C. K.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Aleutian, Commander Isl., Siberia,.

Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Sitka, Ounalaska, Marx, 25.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Siberia, 63, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 10, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.
Sitka, Marx, 25.

LATERIGRADJE;.

Fam. THOMISID^:.

*Xysticus borealis, Keysl.
austerus, C. K.
bifasciatus, C. K.
cristatus, Clk.
luctuosus, Blackw.
labradoriensis, Keysl.
stomachosus, Keysl.
triguttatus, Keysl.
polar is, Marx.
Oxyptila horticola, C. K.

septendrionalis, L. K.
Philodromus decorus, Westr.
blandus, L. K.
aureolus, Clk.
alascensis, Keysl.
rufus, Walck.
turne.rii, Marx.
nebulosus, Marx.
Tibellus arcticus, Thor.

formicinus, Clk.
Clk.

oblongus, Walck.
Walck.

* Thanatus rubicundus, Keysl.
arcticus, Thor.
formicinus, Clk.

Fort Yukon, Alaska, Keyserling, 22.

Siberia, 60, 50, L. Koch, 10.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Sitka, Marx, 25.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Siberia, 60, 55, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, 66, 25, L. Koch, 10.

Siberia, 68, 55, L. Koch, 10.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

Sitka, Alaska, Keyserling, 22.

Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Commander Isl., Siberia, Marx, 25.

Greenland, Thorell, 6.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

Greenland, Cambridge, 7.

Lapland, Simon, 12.

Unalaska, Commander Isl., Marx, 25.

Labrador, Marx, 25.

Greenland, Thorell, 6.

Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

196

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

CITTGRAD^.
Fam, LYCOSIDJE.

Dolomedesfimbriatns, Clk.
Clk,
JLycosa sylvicola, Sund.

ruricola, De Geer,
t&niata, C. K.
pulverulenta, Clk.
Clk.

insignata, Thor.
Thor.

exasperans, Cambr.
imams, L. K.
furcifera, Thor.
fuscula, Thor.
grcenlandrica t Thor,
turnerii, Marx.
polaris, Marx.
Marx.
* " arx.

longipatella, Marx,
alascensis, Marx.
beanii, Marx.
septentrionalis, Marx.
Marx.
Marx.

stejnegerii, Marx.
nivicola, Marx.
* " Marx.

jPardosa, monticola, Clk.
Clk.

agricola, Thor.
lignaria, Clk.
Clk.

amentata, Clk.
Clk.
Clk.
Clk,
Clk.

ligubris, Walck.
pernix, Thor.
atrata, Thor.
guerneii, Simon.
raboti, Simon.
hyperborea, Thor.
paludicola, Clk,

I/apland, Simon, 12.
Siberia, L/. Koch, 10.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Labrador, Thorell, 21.
Labrador, Thorell, 21.
Labrador, Thorell, 21.
Ungava Bay, Labrador, Marx, 25.
Allognagik Lake, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Fort Yukon, Marx, 25.
Allognagik Lake, Marx, 25.
Fort Yukon, Marx, 25.
Plover Bay, Mark, 25.
St. George Island, Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx, 25.
Schumagin Island, 25.
Commander Island, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Yukon River, Marx, 25.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, u.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, n.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, n.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Lapland, Simon, 12.
Greenland, Muller, 2.
Greenland, Fabricius, 3.
Lapland, Van Hasselt, n.
Iceland, Olaffsen, i.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Norway, Simon, 12.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Finland, Simon, 12.
Lapland, Nordmann, 4,

OF WASHINGTON.

197

Pardosa, grcenlandica, Thor.
Thor.

glacialis, Thor.
Thor.
Thor.

eisenii, Thor.
cequinolarus, L. K.
L. K.

giebellii, Pov.
pallustris. Linn.
" Linn.

lasciva, L. K.
indecora, L. K.
alalanta, L. K.
melvillettfis, Kirby.
insularis, Marx.
albopatella, Em.
montana, Em.
luteola, Marx.
t " Marx.

Marx.
pt/osa, Marx.

> " Marx.

Marx.
Marx.

> " Marx.

Marx.

capitata, Marx.
Marx.

> (< Marx.

Marx.

ricevia, Marx.
ferox, Marx.
nivalis. Marx.

borealis, Marx.
Marx.

nngavensis, Marx.
simmo, Marx.
tnrnerii, Marx.
undata, Marx.
Marx.

pellita, Marx.

" Marx.

Marx.

Marx.

Marx.

Marx.

Pirata piratica, Clk.

Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Greenland, Thorell, 6.
Greenland, Cambridge, 7.
Greenland, Thorell (Polaris), 9.
Lapland, Thorell, 18.
Greenland, L. Koch, 8.
Greenland, Simon, 13.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 68, 30, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 69, 15, L. Koch, 10.
Siberia, 65, 55, L. Koch, 10.
Melville Isl., Kirby, 19.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx, 25.
Kanaka Isl., Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Yukon, Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx, 25.
Commander Isl., Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Alloguagik, Marx, 25.
Commander Isl., Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Allognagik, Marx, 25.
Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Point Barrow, Marx. 25.
Allognagik, Marx, 25.
Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Labrador, Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Sitka, Marx, 25.
Allognagik, Marx, 25.
Ft. Yukon, Marx, 25.
Sb George Isl., Marx, 25.
Unalaska, Marx, 25.
Schamagin Isl., Marx, 25.
Nova Zembla, L. Koch, 10.

198 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Fam.

Heliophanes auratus, C. K. Siberia, L. Koch, 10.

Attus rubicola, C. K. Siberia, 61, 50, L. Koch, 10.

tereoratus, Clk. Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

" Clk. Greenland, Muller, 2.

Hasarius falcatus, Clk. Norway, Simon, 12.

Epiblemum scenicum, Clk. Lapland, Nordmann, 4.

" Clk. Greenland, Muller, 2.

*Epiblemum.scenicum, Clk. Labrador, Marx, 25.

*Phiddipus morsitans, Walck. Labrador, Marx, 25.

The results of a close study of the polar spider fauna of
both hemispheres can be summarized as follows :

1. The arctic spider fauna is composed of the ten families
which we may term the common ones, their species constituting"
the main bulk of the entire spider fauna of the world. They
are cosmopolitans, and are found almost wherever animal life
is possible.

2. The genera of the arctic spider fauna are, without excep
tion, those which also occur in other regions of the world, and
there has been found so far not one genus which is original to
that zone of eternal ice and snow. This is a very remarkable
fact, since in all other Arthropod orders and those of higher
rank the polar fauna is distinguished by special and peculiar
forms.

3. Even among the species a vast number occur which live
in milder climates and under entirely different conditions and
influences, and we find some families represented by only such
forms, lacking entirely original arctic species.

4. The differences between the faunas of the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres are slight, and generally speaking, those
forms which are the most frequently represented in the one are
also found in the larger proportion in the other.

Another question, however, arises in connection with the
study of the arctic life of spiders, namely : What are the
influences which enable these species to endure and overcome
such severe conditions as an arctic winter of ten months' dura
tion with a temperature at which all organic life under other
circumstances would perish ? The answer would be, the ability
to accommodate their habits to those circumstances.

Although we know very little of the life habits of the Spiders
in the polar region, we can infer from the few points known to
us that such is the fact.

Prof. Nordenskiold informs us, that the arctic spiders live in
colonies under stones or other protected places. This fact has
however also been observed in the high Alpine regions near

OF WASHINGTON. 199

the snow border. In a region where the highest plants do not
reach over six inches, as at Ft. Conger, (Lady Franklin Bay
Expedition), Hospital Steward Biederbeck observed large-sized
spiders which looked like the Kreuzspinne {Epeira diademata)
of Germany having made webs between the Saxifragas from
four to six inches high . (This was probably E. patagiata . ) Now
these orbweavers never constructed their webs so close to the
ground under ordinary circumstances.

These two points prove therefore, from actual observation, that
the spiders are capable of accommodating their habits to the
surrounding conditions.

The curriculum of plant and lower animal life is limited in
these northern regions to the few weeks of arctic summer, and
what takes generally weeks to develop under other conditions
is here accomplished in days, for the time is short a whole
life has to be lived through in this short space of time and
nature is now in busy haste.

The polar spider leaves its egg-shell at the first sign of the
thawing, and crawls out of its cocoon at the first warm ray
of the sun. Its development is so rapid that the collector
rarely catches an immature form. It finds ample food in the
swarming Diptera, Neuroptera or Lepidoptera and it has
attended to all its material duties before the parting sun-rays
have ceased to spend their warmth upon the freezing earth.

These duties consist principally in preparing the eggs for the
perilous stage of hibernation. If we look upon the ways in
which the spider under more favorable conditions preserves its
eggs, we find two principal methods : First the cluster of
eggs, generally many in number, the inner ones protected by
those on the outside, and always surrounded by a bundle of
silken threads, the product of the spinning organs ; this cocoon
is covered by a strong, paper-like, and waterproof sheath and
then fastened in a recess on the underside of a stone which is
half sunk into the ground, as in the Drassidae. Thus the
dormant life of the embryo is protected from the perils of
external influences, for buried under the ground it is secure
from rain and frost by means of a non-conductive fabric of
sufficient thickness, for we may well presume that these layers
are in those regions made much thicker than with the same
species in a warmer climate.

The other method by which the spider hibernates is the
following : Many forms spin around the egg-mass a quantity
of loose threads without the waterproof paper-like covering,
but these are none the less securely protected by the fact that
they are spun on the leaf of a plant, and the leaf is wrapped
around the cocoon and its edges securely fastened by glue or
threads so as to make the whole also waterproof. Although

200 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

in the warmer climates not all spiders need to be so careful in
the preparation and protection of their cocoons, it seems
natural, too, that they should use more care in such dangerous
conditions, and this presumption is verified by the observations
of two men who have lived for two winters in the high arctic
region and who have communicated to me the following facts.
These men are Biederbeck and Lieut. then Sergeant Brai-
nard, of the late Lady Franklin Bay Expedition. Both noticed
that a great many leaves, ( Biederbeck said nearly all ) which
in fall lay loose on the ground around the camp were peculiarly
curled and in opening them, which required some skill and
exertion, they found them filled with a white mass of stuff
which resembled threads, saturated with a glue-like matter.
The same informants remembered, on having their attention
drawn to the fact by the writer, that similar leaves were
fastened upon the stems of the Saxifrage and other bushes.
I say that they were fastened, because they stuck to the
stems in spite of the fierce fall storms.

Here we have the explanation of the possibility of the
survival of spiders through the long inclement winter season
in the arctic belt.

The reason why so few specimens and species of the large
family Attidae, a family of decidedly cosmopolitan character,
have been found to inhabit the arctic region is in my opinion
due only to the fact that their mode of hibernating is not
suited to the severity of arctic winter. They select, at least
in the temperate climates, the spaces between the bark and
the wood of large trees ; here they spin a thin silken tent or
tube which gives ample protection from 'the frosts of a com
paratively light winter. As the opportunity of following this
method is wanting in the polar zone, the spider has no chance
to preserve its species under the prevailing circumstances.

In answer to a question by Professor Riley, Dr. Marx said
that spinning spiders are rare in Arctic regions, and are repre
sented by a few small species. But two Orb- weavers have been
found. The occurrence of spinning species was discussed also
by Dr. Fox and Mr. Banks.

Mr. Schwarz remarked that the Arctic region not only har
bors the so-called circumpolar species, but besides these many
species which are local in distribution. In fact the Arctic region
is divided into several more or less strongly marked sub-regions,
each possessing a number of peculiar species. He said that
there must be natural barriers which prevent the spread of these

OF WASHINGTON. 201

species and favor the development of local races and distinct
species. While, in some instances, the barriers are plainly
indicated by intervening stretches of the ocean, it is not easy to
point out the barriers on the continents, viz. , those which pro
duce the difference between the faunas of eastern and western
boreal American or between those of eastern and western
Siberia.

Mr. Fernow remarked that animals are dependent on plant
life, and, as the latter is much influenced by climate, the local
faunas noted probably resulted from climatic conditions, which
would vary considerably within prescribed districts, as, for
instance, on the east or west coast of continents.

Dr. Gill said that his attention had been forcibly drawn to
similar cases of extremely local distribution in Arctic species in
other classes of animal life. He mentioned in fishes a distinct
order and family, the Delidse, which have a very restricted
habitat, being confined to Lake Baikal, Siberia, and are not
known to occur elsewhere, and other similar cases.

Mr. Marlatt presented the following communication :

A STUDY OF THE OVIPOSITOR IN HYMENOPTERA.

BY C. L. MARLATT.

A study of the peculiar and, in a measure, abnormally de
veloped ovipositor of Metopius rileyi together with an examina
tion of the nature of its attachment to the terminal segments
of the abdomen led to some interesting results already recorded
in this volume of the Proceedings * and induced the writer to
make a series of dissections of the terminal segments and ovi
positor of other Ichneumonids and representative species of
other families of Hymenoptera. A brief summary of the out
come of this work is given in this communication.

The older writers seem not to have very carefully studied
the ovipositor in this order of insects, with the exception of
Westwood, who gives a measurably accurate description and
figure of this organ in Pimpla instigator, \ which he says will
be found to agree with Uroceridse and Cynips. Of other
writers, he says that Reaumur, De Geer, Curtis, Latreille,
Gravenhorst amd Burmeister, who have figured and described
this instrument, have failed to trace its true structure.

* Notes on the genus Metopius^ etc., pp. 101-105.

t An Introd. to the Mod. Class of Ins., etc. Vol. ii, p. 139.

202

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

As a basis for a full understanding of the subject I will re
produce Westwood's characterizations of the ovipositor of
Pimpla, referring for illustration to my drawings of Pimpla
conquisitor Say (Fig. 8) :

FIG. 8. Pimpla conquisitor : a, side view of abdomen, showing oviposi
tor partly extended ; b, anterior extremity of ovipositor and supports,

showing method of attachment; c, ventral view of same
enlarged side view of eighth segment and ovipositor ;
same, with eighth dorsal arc removed, to show shape of
support and manner of attachment of the spicule-
plate to the latter all enlarged (original).

d,

' ' Figure (8) represents a lateral view of the abdomen of the
female, * * * exhibiting the eight dorsal arcs (numbered
i to 8), the seven basal ones being spiraculiferous, the eighth
furnished at the tip with two minute styles. On the under
side of the abdomen there only exists seven ventral arcs
(numbered i to 7), from the last of which arises on each side
a corneous elongate plate (9) which is the basal portion of the
outer sheaths of the ovipositor ; the apical part of these sheaths
varies greatly in length in the different species, but the articu
lation always takes place near the extremity of the body.
When at rest these two demi-sheaths (which are externally
convex and pilose, but internally concave and polished) are
brought into contact, and enclose between them the terebra
or borer itself, which is a compound instrument formed (like
the borer of Urocerus) of three parts, the superior (10) being
nearly cylindrical and channeled beneath for the reception of
the two slender, rigid, filamentous spiculae (n), with mem-

OF WASHINGTON.

203

branous edges transversely striated at the extremity ; the union
of these three pieces forms a central passage * * * for
the protrusion of the egg. ' '

He also exhibits a more highly magnified view of the base
of the ovipositor, to show, as he correctly states, ''that the
superior channel (10) originates from the base of the basal part
(9) of the outer sheath."

So far as the ovipositor proper is concerned the foregoing
description is correct ; but in the manner of the attachment of
the latter to the so-called basal plates, and of the latter again
to the abdomen, considerable additions and modifications must
be made.

The general relationship of these parts was shown in my
article already referred to in the figure of Metopius rileyi, which
I reproduce (Fig. 9). In this insect the ovipositor includes,
with supports, the yth and 8th abdominal segments.

PIG. 9. Metopius rileyi: a, female from side ; b, abdomen of same,

showing ovipositor partly exserted ; c, same, with ovipositor

entirely exserted ; d, f and. g, terminal segments of abdomen

and parts of ovipositor still more enlarged (original).

The connection between the base of the support (9) and
segments 7 and 8 is very intimate, the lines in the illustration
indicating the union of the plates appearing as scarcely per
ceptible sutures. The support (9) is deeply grooved beneath,
or rather consists of two plates, and the ovipositor proper (10)
closes into it like the blade of a knife. At the extreme base
of the support, and projecting slightly posteriorly, are the
hairy sheaths, and at the tip of the 8th segment are the minute
stylets found in most Hymenoptera.

The ovipositor proper consists of the customary three parts,
viz : the superior channeled piece, (10) and two spiculae (n).
The base of former is enclosed by and quite firmly attached to
the apex of the support, with which it forms a sort of ball and

204 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

socket joint (Fig. 5, d, /, and g). The spiculse branch near
the base of the sheath. The inner branches unite, forming a
loop, and the outer pass over the enlarged base of the sheath
and continue along the upper edge of the support and unite
with the triangular plate 9', which may be termed the spicule-
plate. The parts are shown somewhat separated at g, to better
indicate their relation. The spaces between the spiculae and
the support are enclosed by a membrane, which forms with
these parts a closed passage for the egg from the abdomen to
the ovipositor proper.

It will be seen that what Westwood terms the base of the
support, which is, however, really its apex, and to which the
main piece of the ovipositor hinges, is free and does not origi
nate or attach to the yth ventral arc except by a loose mem
brane. In fact it is strongly attached only to the 8th dorsal arc,
and the two pieces, or plates composing it, are united at the
base, forming a true arc, homologous with and doubtless a modi
fication of a 9th dorsal arc, while the spicule-plate attaches to
the 8th dorsal arc and corresponds with the 8th ventral arc.
The spiculse are so intimately connected with the latter that
they would seem to appertain to the same arc of the 8th segment.

The great size of the parts of the ovipositor in this species
make it an excellent example for study and enables one to trace
the parts without any difficulty.

An examination of the figure of Pimpla conquisitor (Fig. 8)
reveals an exact correspondence in structure and relationship
of the parts, accompanied, however, with considerable modifi
cation in the size of the different pieces of the ovipositor and
supports. The comparatively much shorter basal plate (9)
greatly reduces the length of the outer branch of the spiculse
as compared with Metopius, and brings the spicule-plate (9')
almost to the apex of the supports. The sheaths are much
larger and their continuity with the support (9) is shown at d
and e. The manner of attachment of the superior channeled
piece of the ovipositor (10), shown enlarged at b and d, and of
the spiculse, together with the peculiar forking of the latter, is
found to be exactly similar to the same features in Metopius.
In Pimpla and most other species examined the inner branches
widen and become more or less thin and unicolorous with the
surrounding membrane with which they coalesce.

A study of this organ in other Ichneumoids, including the
enormously developed organ of Thalessa, shows a practical
agreement in structure in all.

The Chalcid ovipositor, while exhibiting considerable modifi
cations in the matter of supports and attachment of the superior
piece of the ovipositor and spiculse to the latter, is found to
agree in important particulars, as does also that of Cynips.

OF WASHINGTON. 205

A full agreement was also found in Tenthredinidae, Vespidse
and Apidse the Honey-bee (Apis mellifica) being the species
particularly examined in the latter family. In the case of the
latter two families the terminal seventh and eighth segments
and parts of ovipositor with supports are entirely enclosed and
concealed in the so-called terminal sixth segiment, which forms
a sort of hood or cloaca over them.

We may naturally expect, therefore, to find this structure of
ovipositor to be uniform in the Hymenoptera, and it is the
writer's intention to study and figure these parts in representa
tives of all the families of this order for some future paper.

Professor Riley remarked on the homology of the parts
described, stating that he had given the subject considerable
attention in earlier years. The parts figured indicated, he said,
very clearly the nine joints and subjoints of a typical insect
abdomen. .

The paper was also briefly discussed by Messrs. Howard and
Ashmead.

Mr. Ashmead presented a paper, of which he has furnished
the following abstract :

THE INSECT COLLECTIONS IN THE BERLIN MUSEUM.

BY WM. H. ASHMEAD.

The Royal Berlin Museum, or " Konigliches Museum fur
Naturkunde zu Berlin," is a large, substantially built, stone,
fireproof building, three stories high, and occupying nearly a
square of ground, situated on the north side of Invaliden Strasse,
almost diagonally opposite Louisen Strasse and the Neuer
Thor.

The style of architecture is not remarkable except for its sim
plicity and good taste. The building is situated some distance
back from the street, with a small flower garden in front, with
plaster or cement walks, and separated from the street by a
high iron-railed fence, the entrance being through three large
iron gates, one in the middle and one on each side. At the
right side of the Museum is a High School, at the left the Geo
logical and Mineralogical Institute, the back portion of the
Museum extending back of both of these buildings in the form
of wings, the left wing being occupied by the Zoological Insti
tute, under the direction of Dr. Schulze, the right wing by
offices, a library, laboratories, and the insect collections.

206 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Naturally, the Museum is well filled with Natural History
specimens usually found in such places : stuffed animals, birds,
alcoholic specimens of fish, reptiles, and amphibia, and minera-
logical, geological, paleontological and ethnological specimens,
et cetera, and th6se interested in such things will find here
one of the largest collections in the world, but which I cannot
treat of here, as the object of my paper is to give some idea of
the insect collections.

The Director of the Royal Berlin Museum is Prof. Dr. K.
Mobius, a distinguished savant, a good manager, and a most
amiable and agreeable gentlemen, who, after reading my letter
of introduction from Dr. Riley, showed me every possible atten
tion and virtually placed the collection at my disposal. He intro
duced me to the custodian, Dr. Karsch, and his assistant, Dr.
Kolbe, and I was at once admitted to the collections ad libitum.

The insect collections are contained in two large, well-
lighted rooms, each 86 feet long by 53 feet wide, on the second
and third floors in the left hand wing of the building ; the one
on the second floor being for the display collection for the public,
arranged according to the different orders, in large glass show
cases, in which are displayed some of the larger and more
showy exotic insects, somewhat similar to the display collection
in our National Museum. On this floor, contiguous to this col
lection, are the office of Dr. Mobius, the library, and the offices
of other officials.

The systematic collection, the offices of the custodian Dr.
Karsch, his assistant Dr. Kolbe, and others are on the floor
above, and to which no one is admitted without special per-*
mission. The room occupied by the systematic collections in
the different orders, contains several hundred thousand speci
mens, and one can imagine my wonder and delight on viewing,
for the first time, so large and wonderful a collection of exotic
insects.

Down the center of this room is a row of pillars against which
are built, a short distance apart, iron show cases with large
glass doors, in which are shelves of thick glass, upon which is
placed the biologic and alcoholic material, viz., lepidopterous,
coleopterous, dipterous larvae, pupae, eggs, etc.; also, the col
lections of Arachnida (spiders and scorpions) and the Myriopoda.
They certainly make a beautiful display on the glass shelves.

On either side of these cases are the wooden cases containing
the systematic collections, arranged in the following order :

Right side Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Hemip-
tera.

Left side Coleoptera, Neuroptera, and Orthoptera.

All are arranged in the same size drawers, about 50 by 2 1
centimetres, or about the size Dr. Riley has adopted for the

OF WASHINGTON. 207

arrangement of the Lepidoptera in the National Museum, only
the}' are much more cheaply made, being of white pine, and
costing, with glass cover, but five marks ($1.25).

The Lepidoptera begin with the Papilionida and end with
the Tineidce, and fill many hundred cases, the species being
from all parts of the world ; those from Madagascar, Africa,
and Brazil being especially handsome and the most gorgeous I
have ever seen.

The collection had been greatly increased recently by the
Peter Maassen collection, valued at several thousand dollars.
It contained many rare North American species, besides all the
types described by Maassen and Weyner in their recent beauti
ful work, " Lepidopteren gessammelt auf einer Reise durch
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brasilien, Argentinien und Bolivien
in den Jahren, 1868 '77, von Alphons Stiibel."

The Hymenoptera are well represented, except in the families
Chalcidida and Proctotrypidtz, although I found some very in
teresting forms among them. All of Klug's types are here,
and many from Westwood, Mali day, Walker, Forster, and
others.

I saw a 9 Dichthadia glaberrima Gerst. pinned with a $
Dorylus, evidently captured in coitn, and proving these are
sexes of the same species. Dichthadia is a large wingless ant,
not unlike Thynnus, and I think the females of our Labidus
will yet be found to be something similar, and not the female
ant Eciton, as suggested by Dr. Mayr.

Two species of the genus Megalyra seen here and described
from New Holland, lead me to differ from the authorities in
placing it with the Evaniidce. It appears to me to be a Bra-
conid, exhibiting strong affinities with the Oryssidce.

Among the unnamed material in the Chalcididse and Procto-
trypidae, it was my good fortune to recognize some very rare
and interesting species, only a few of which can be mentioned
here.

I found Chalcis denticornis Fonsc. placed as the 9 of Hippota
pectinicornis Labr., recognized Thysanus atertt&l., Tetracnemus
diversicornis Westw., and Hybothorax Graffii Ratzeb. T. diver-
sicornis Westw. has not before been reported on the continent,
while H, Graffii Ratz. is not in the British Museum. Kirby,
in speaking of the genus Hybothorax, in his revision of the
subfamily Chalcidinse, says :

' ' Further observations are much wanted on this curious
genus, which is parasitic on Myrmeleon ; the peculiar form
of its metathorax might appear to indicate some affinity to
Dirrhinus, but it is difficult to form any opinion in the absence
of either specimen or figure. ' ' The genus is, however, nearer
to Halticella, but is easily distinguished from it by the lateral

208 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

projections of the metathorax, the unusually short tar sal joints
and in venation ; thz. submarginal vein is davate and does not
reach the costal edge ; the marginal vein is therefore absent.

Another rare Chalcid which I was charmed at discovering
was Eunotus cretaceus Walk. Walker described it in the En
tomological Magazine (vol. ii, p. 298) and placed it with the
Pteromalina . Ratzeburg in Forstinsecten, Band iii, p. 227,
1852, redescribed it under the name Tritypus areolatus, from a
specimen reared from a Coccid on Salix aurita. Forster, in his
Kntomologische Studien, 1856, ii, p. 63, rechristened it under
the name Megapelte, as the name Eunotus had been given
previously by Dejean to a genus of beetles, and briefly de
scribed what he supposed was a new species under the name
.Megapelte nigridavus reared from Coccus vitis. Sixteen years
later (1872) Walker in his Notes on Chalcidiae, pt. v, p. 100,
restores the name Eunotus > and briefly dismisses the subject by
saying : " Megapelte Forst. is another name for Eunotiis which
has also been named Tritiphus and is an example of a small
but distinct family."

After a careful study of the species I have arrived at a dif
ferent conclusion from these authorities. I believe there is but
a single species, and it is neither a Pteromalid nor the type of a
new family but falls naturally in the subfamily Aphelinince, al
though in its cephalic, antennal and scutellar characters it
shows a strong affinity with the Encyrtinae. It is a closely
connecting link between these two groups with the antennae of
an Encyrtid, but with the weak middle tibial spur and the
mesonotal furrows of an Aphelinid.

Forster evidently saw its relationship to this group and
probably excluded it only because it had ii -jointed antennae
for he remarks : ' ' Nicht bios die eilf-gliedrigen Fiihler sondern
auch die Kopf und Hinterleibsbildung geben ihr ein eigen-
thiimliches Geprage. Der ganze Habitus erinnert nicht un-
deutlich an Agonioneurus Westw. (==.Myina Nees)."

Walker also as early as 1847 (Annals of Mag. Nat. Hist., p.
229) .said that it was allied to Choreius ineptus Dalm. and
Encyrtus eucopiformis Kollar.

At some other time I shall probably give additional notes on
the Hymenoptera.

Just behind the Hymenoptera are the Diptera, all well ar
ranged and containing many thousand named species, as well
as a large amount of new and unworked material awaiting the
specialist.

The Hemiptera, except in three or four families, are badly
arranged, and a large portion is still unnamed, especially in
the Homoptera. Dr. Karsch is making strenuous efforts to
bring all into systematic order, but with his other work it

OF WASHINGTON. 209

moves on slowly. He has arranged the Cicadidtz and Fulgoridce,
and these giants of the order make a most beautiful display ;
some of the tropical forms being really superb. The collection
contains over 600 species of Cicadas.

On the opposite side of the room the cases begin with the
Coleoptera, and they take up more room than the Lepidoptera.
They are entirely under the care of Dr. Kolbe, are well arranged
and determined, and in the number of the species lead all the
orders, there being over 50,000 species. The most attractive
were the longicorns, in which the collection is exceedingly rich.
Dr. Horn had recently added to the collection by donating a
large series of his types.

Next to the Coleoptera are the Neuroptera, and as this was
the first large collection of this order I had ever seen, it was
particularly attractive, the African forms being especially fine
and showy. It is inexplicable why we have so few students of
this order in America.

These were followed by the Orthoptera, and to thoroughly
appreciate the great complexity of forms in this order one must
visit the Berlin Museum, where unique forms are brought to
gether from all parts of the world, monsters of deformity and
no doubt of depravity.

All the families are well represented, especially in the Phas-
midce, Mantidce, Acridities, and Locustida. There are pretty
Katydids with ocellated hind wings, cockroaches from Africa
that strikingly recall the fossil trilobites, grasshoppers that look
as though a big spider (Gasteracantha) were being carried about
on their backs, and other oddities that would require a Scudder
or a Bruner to describe.

It would pay any one to visit the Museum, and I regret I
have not a more facile pen to describe the wonderful richness
of the collections.

In conclusion, I give below the number of species in the dif
ferent orders in the Museum as furnished to me by the custo
dian, Dr. Karsch :

Lepidoptera 30,000

Coleoptera 50,000

Hymenoptera 25,000

Diptera 16,000

Orthoptera 10,000

Hemiptera 10,000

Myriopoda 2,000

Arachnida 8,000

Total 15,100

210 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Professor Riley said that he had personally examined this
and other large insect collections in Europe, and was of the
opinion that the British Museum collection was richer and
fuller and of more value to the student than any other. Prob
ably none of these collections have increased more rapidly than
that of the U. S. National Museum, but this was solely due to
the richness of material and the great activity among col
lectors. Unfortunately the Museum seems to have no funds
for the purchase of material and he was constantly under the
necessity of declining valuable additions offered, from lack of
means to purchase them. Therefore the collection was poor
in exotic material and American students were, as a conse
quence, under the necessity of visiting Kurope whenever they
wished to do any thorough work a state of things which is
greatly to be regretted, and which we should endeavor to
remedy.

Mr. Schwarz said that considering the age of the public
collections of the United States they compared very favorably
with the much older collections of the European countries.

In answer to a question by Mr. Howard, Prof. Riley said that
salaries given the Official Entomologists or Curators of entomo
logical collections at Berlin are very much lower than at the
British Museum or in this country. The subject of salaries and
the relation of these to living expenses was discussed by Messrs.
Fernow, Ashmead and others.

Prof. Riley, under the head of ' ' Miscellaneous Notes, ' ' read
short papers, as follows :

ON THE INSECTS AFFECTING THE AGAVE.

BY C. V. RILEY.

I have recently received from a valued correspondent in Texas
a series of insects obtained from the Century Plant, or Agave.
They were all obtained from the flower-stems of A. dasylyrium,
the specimens, which I exhibit, including the following :

i. An interesting Cossonid, which evidently forms a new
genus and species. I sent the specimen to Dr. Horn, who
says it is certainly not one of the described species. He
further writes that it appears to be congeneric with the
species referred by him with some doubt to Amaurorhinus

OF WASHINGTON. 211

2. A Coleopterous larva (Buprestidae) with its imago, Thrin-
copyge alacris.

3. An interesting Dipterous pupa belonging to the Bom-
byliids.

4. An Ichneumonid in all stages, Labena grallator, which
was undoubtedly parasitic upon the Buprestid, Thrincopyge.

5. The cocoon of a Mutillid.

6. The male of Elis quadrimaculata, showing some slight
variation.

A PROBABLE MICROGASTER PARASITE OF ELEODES IN
THE IMAGO STATE.

BY C. V. RlLEY.

The number of Microgasters which affect Coleoptera is com
paratively small. In Marshall's Monograph of the Braconidse
the following species are mentioned as affecting insects of this
order, though there is no record as to whether they have been
reared from the larva or the imago.

Apanteles hoplites on Rhynchites betuleti.

on Lina tremulae.

breviventris on Orchestes quercus.

impurus on Anthonomus pomorum.

" lacteus, on " "

sericeus, on Hypera variabilis.

In each case it will be noted that these parasites belong to
the genus Apanteles in the Microgasters. I present a speci
men of Eleodes suturalis, recently received from Mr. C. K.
Ward, of Belvidere, Neb. He was out collecting on the 2yth
of April and found this specimen in the roadway. Benzine did
not kill it, so he brought it home alive, keeping it in a cigar
box. The next night Mr. Ward found that the edges of the
cigar box were lined with cocoons, which I believe to be those
of some Microgaster, and which are also exhibited. The habit
here illustrated of spinning cocoons in a linear manner along
the angles of the box is doubtless exceptional. If my surmise
prove true, I believe this is the first parasite of this sub-family
recorded in this country as affecting a mature beetle, as the
Microgasters ordinarily affect Lepidopterous larvae. A dissec
tion of the beetle showed that the contents of the abdomen
had been pretty well absorbed, and when compared with a
normal pinned specimen taken from the cabinet they confirmed
the accuracy of Mr. Ward's statements.

212 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

OUR AMERICAN OX WARBLES.
BY C. V. RlLEY.

I desire also to present to the Society a few interesting data
in reference to the species of Hypoderma which affect cattle in
the United States. I have for some time had figures made of
Hypoderma lineata with a view of more particularly pointing
out the differences in habit between it and the better known
Hypoderma bovis, and the receipt of Dr. F. Brauer's recent com
munication * is my excuse for bringing the matter now before
the Society. Dr. Brauer makes it clear that lineata should be
considered a distinct species from bovis, though other authors,
especially Clarke, have considered lineata but a variety of bovis.
An interesting point brought out by Dr. Brauer, however, is,
that through some discoveries of the late Dr. Adam Hand-
lirsch (who, by the way, made some most interesting Diptero-
logical observations and discoveries) he has been enabled to
prove that linaeta occurs in Europe often in the same regions
and sometimes on the same animal with bovis. It has in fact
been obtained from Brescia, near the Tyrol, in Norway, in
the Crimea, in the Balkans, in the Caucasus, in Dalmatia, and
in England. In North America Brauer quotes it from Texas,
and, on Williston's authority, as ranging to Arizona and
Northern California, while Walker described it as Oestris sup-
plens, from Nova Scotia. Another interesting fact which he
brings out is that it inhabits our buffalo. The material in the
U. S. Nat'l Museum includes some specimens actually bred
from the larvae which I received from Dr. Salmon, and ten
specimens received from correspondents, as the Heel Fly from
various points in Texas, and two by the same name from New
Jersey, one of which was reported to have "been seen ovi
positing just above the hoof of a cow. I have five collected
specimens from Colorado, one of which differs from the normal
type in having a very scanty pubescence on the face. One of
the specimens was collected in Southern Georgia, and three
are without any locality label. Of the larvae of different sizes
(all agreeing with Brauer's description of lineata and the larvae
which are actually connected by breeding with lineata] one is
from Arkansas, four without date or locality, two from Texas,
and two from Illinois. All these data confirm the reference
of the so-called ' ' Heel Fly ' ' to lineata.

Another interesting question is brought up in this connec
tion, viz., that so far as the material in the Museum is con
cerned it indicates that lineata is by far the most common

* Verhaudlungen der Kaiserlich-koeniglichen Zoologish-Botanischen Gesellschaft in
Wien. Wien, 1890. Page 590, " Ueber die festellung des Wohnthieres der Hypoderma
lineata Villers durch Dr. Adam Handlirsch uud andere Untersuchungen und Boobach-
tungen an Oestriden."

OF WASHINGTON. 213

species with us ; in fact, not a single typical specimen of bovis
is accessible. From these facts Dr. Cooper Curtice has, in con
versation with me, expressed the belief that bovis does not
occur in North America, but this would be in my judgment an
unjustified and rather rash conclusion to draw from the
specimens and experience which I have referred to. In con
nection, however, with the question raised in Insect Life by
Dr. Cooper Curtice as to whether the larvae are taken through
the mouth and subsequently penetrate to the skin, it may be
said positively that all his larvae found in the oesophageal walls
are of lineata, and this exceptional position of the larvae of this
species may have some connection with the exceptional habit
of the perfect fly of affecting and probably ovipositing upon
the heels of cattle.

FURTHER NOTE ON CARPOCAPSA SALTITANS AND ON A
NEW GRAPHOLITHA PRODUCING JUMPING BEANS.

BY C. V.

In connection with my communication on this subject at a
previous meeting of the Society, I present an interesting letter
recently received from Professor Sereno Watson, of the Botanic
Gardens at Cambridge, Mass., as follows :

' ' I enclose herein some ' critters ' that I found the other day
in an envelope containing the fruit of a Kuphorbiaceous shrub
from Northern Mexico, which we know for the present as
Sebastiania (?) bicapsularis. This fruit is very much like that of
a similar shrub which is reported to be the host of Carpocapsa
saltitans. Now, I am curious to know whether this is that in
sect or any relation to it, and I would also like to know whether
it is probable that these species of insects confine themselves
each to a single species or genus of plants, or whether they do
not more probably make use without distinction of the several
Kuphorbiaceous genera, which bear nearly identical capsules.
I have not ready access to the literature of the subject, and
now that Dr. Hagen is suffering from ill health I am sure that
you will pardon my troubling you with my questions."

Prof. Watson's specimens enable me to speak with cer
tainty of the species which was referred doubtingly in my
previous communication to Carpocapsa saltitans as infesting the
capsules of what is marked in the Department Herbarium as
S. bilocularis, but which is doubtless the same as referred to by
Prof. Watson as bicapsularis. The specimens which h sends,
though rubbed, proved to be not C. saltitans, but an unde-
scribed species of Grapholitha, the Ian- a of which genus is
known to commonly infest seeds. It is not absolutely certain

214 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

that the moth seen by Mr. Howard and Mr. Rose, to which I
referred in the previous note, is specifically the same as those
sent on by Prof. Watson, but the presumption as to identity is
justified, for the work in the capsules is the same in both cases
and different from that of C. saltitans in the capsules of the
other species of Sebastiania to which I have referred. The
species may be known as Grapholitha sebastiani<z , and I sub
mit a description :

Grapholitha sebastianise, n. sp.

Average expanse, 12 to 16 mm. General color, dusky gray, primaries
with the costal median area brighter bluish-gray, and with a faint
metallic luster ; the ordinary eye-patch on the posterior third of the
wing circular and not distinctly separated from the rest in color. The
costa is conspicuously marked with about eight dark-brown posteriorly-
obliquing dashes, alternating with geminate white streaks, the dark dashes
broadening towards the apex. The third of these dark dashes from the
apex curves uniformly toward the posterior margin and then extends
along the margin until it meets a branch of the fifth, the two together bor
dering the eye-spot and making almost a perfect circle of it. Secondaries
quite uniformly blackish-gray.

Described from three specimens reared from the seed capsuls
of Sebastiania bicapsularis , Watson, from Northern Mexico.

The species is closely related to Grapolitha caryana Fitch,
from which it is distinguished, however, by the prominent
furcate dark streak extending from the fifth costal streak count
ing from the apex. The coloration of the hind wings in
caryana is also not uniform, but whitish along the anterior
border.

The species would seem to belong, according to Heine-
mann's Tables, to the sub-genus Coptoloma, the principal
character of which is a truncation of the hind wings between
the anal angle and vein 2 ; but as I cannot consider this of
generic value, I prefer to describe it under the better defined
genus Grapholitha. .

FIG INSECTS IN MEXICO.
BY C. V. RlLEY.

In connection with the a.bove, and in the same letter, Prof.
Watson sent me a fig full of galls, with the following inquiry :

" I also enclose what may interest you, the fruit of a Ficus
from Mexico, in which you will find the gall-insect in its perfect
winged ' state. I have examined the fruit of a considerable
number of species of the wild figs of Mexico and this is the only
instance in which I have found the gall-insect, though the gall-

OF WASHINGTON. 215

form of the pistillate flower is always very distinctly developed.
Is there more than one species of insect that does this work, and
how nearly alike are the New World and Old- World species ? "
The specimen interested me greatly, and I had the insects
carefully cut out, and although dried and more or less imper
fect, they showed in comparison with those collected by Mr.
Schwarz from the wild figs in Florida, as follows :

1. Blastophaga, apparently congeneric with the species from

Southern Florida, but specifically distinct.

2. Another wingless form generically distinct from No. i.

3. A winged form belonging either to No. i or No. 2.

4. A Chalcid parasite, also distinct from the species found in

Florida.

JUNE 4, 1891.

President Marx in the chair. Fourteen members and* one
visitor present.

William D. Richardson, of Fredericksburg, Va., was elected
a corresponding member.

Mr. Howard exhibited a specimen of Cruderus columbiana,
Ashm., a little Chalcidid of the sub-family Tetrastichinae, and
stated that he had observed the flight of this insect with con
siderable interest. It is capable of strong sustained flight, and
hovered about his hand for some moments before alighting,
holding itself in about the same position, and then darting
forward with great rapidity. As it flew between his eye and
the light he noticed that the body was held at an angle of
about 60 degrees from the horizontal. He is not familiar with
any published observations on the flight of the Chalcididae.

He also exhibited a very minute Chalcidid, an Bntedonid,
from the collection made by Mr. H. Smith on the Island of St.
Vincent, which bore a label stating that the species had the
power of emitting a marked odor which was perceptible at a
distance of one foot.

Mr. Marlatt said it was certainly very remarkable, if not
almost incredible, that so minute an insect should be able to
emit an odor sufficient to constantly fill a space two feet in
diameter.

Mr. Schwarz said that this was not impossible, and that
certain minute beetles also possessed this power.

216 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Prof. Riley mentioned other examples of very minute insects
possessing a very pungent odor, instancing Corimel&na and
Anthocoris on raspberries and blackberries, the odor of which
may be detected long before the insect is seen, and this is
frequently from very young and consequently very minute
specimens.

Mr. Ashmead remarked that the odor on raspberries was also
frequently caused by Triphleps insidiosus as well as by Corime-
l&na. The young of the former insect is much smaller than
even Corimelcena and is not much more than half the size of
the insect exhibited by Mr. Howard.

Mr. Howard said that Mr. Smith was a very careful observer,
and that his statement as to the peculiarity could be implicitly
relied upon.

Dr. Fox showed a specimen of an undescribed species of
Phrurolithus, in which the palpi were intermediate between the
normal male and female, the tarsal joint being without pro
cesses, as in the female, while the tibial process was distinctly
present, but much smaller than in the male. He considered
the malformation to be due to a lack of development.

Dr. Marx observed that this monstrosity resulted from an
injury to the specimen, which had caused a retardation of the
development of the palpi.

Prof. Riley asked whether such an injury would result in a
change of the sexual characters, to which Dr. Marx replied
that the palpi, which in the young are very simple and alike
in both sexes, take on the characteristic enlargements and mod
ifications peculiar to the male sex on the maturing of the insect.

Mr. Fernow made some additions to his previous communi
cation on Psilura monacha. He stated that the government of
Germany has recently appropriated $350,000 to fight this moth,
most of which will be spent on the lime treatment. He also
called attention to a monograph on the May beetles of Europe
(Melolontha spp.), which he said contained a great many facts on
the habits and means of treatment of these pests. He mentioned
a fact given in this publication, viz., the migration of the
larvae, which he believed to be a new observation. The only
method of treating these insects of any value is the collection
of the full-grown larvae, pupae and adults. He also mentioned

. OF WASHINGTON. 217

the influence of deforestation on the multiplication of locusts in
connection with the recent invasion by these insects of the Island
of Cyprus, and similarly also on the multiplication of Melolon-
iha, such deforestation favoring the development of these in
sects.

Prof. Riley remarked that he had no hesitation in saying
that the reason given for the increased multiplication of these
insects, viz., deforestation, was entirely valid. He referred to
the allied question which came up before this Society some
time since of the increased multiplication of wood-boring insects
resulting from forest fires, and said that it is now well known
that the multiplication of many insects, such as May beetles,
locusts, etc. , is greatly facilitated by the opening of forests by
any means, either by the clearing of large tracts or by burning.
He referred to the migration of the larvae of Melolontha, men
tioning the now well-known fact that such migration is gen
erally due to the undue multiplication of the species, and that
the larvae of May beetles are the last insects that he would
have suspected of assuming such a habit. He thought that the
migration of these larvae must have been very limited, as L,a-
mellicorn larvae are very sluggish, and cannot go more than a
few rods at most, unless when, as in the case of Allorhina, the
larva has the habit of crawling on its back.

Mr. Fernow referred also to the very serious damage of these
insects to garden crops in Kurope, and mentioned a recent
method adopted in France of compassing the destruction of
these pests by disseminating a fungus parasite.

Mr. Howard said that it would be very interesting to know
whether the migration followed or occurred in a wet season,
referring to the traveling of the larva of Allorhina nilida after
heavy rains.

Mr. Fernow thought that wet weather would have no in
fluence, as the larvae in question have been found to be able to
live in submerged earth for months. He believed also that the
migration was in the soil rather than on the surface of the
ground.

Mr. Schwarz called attention to the much greater damage
occasioned by the larvae of Melolontha in Europe to forests than
is occasioned by the Lachnosterna larvae to the forests of this

218 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

country. The latter feed for the most part upon the roots of
grasses and cultivated plants and do scarcely any damage in
forests.

Prof. Riley said Mr. Schwarz was in error as to the small
amount of damage occasioned to various trees and shrubs in
this country, and referred to the fact that he had seen oaks and
lombardy poplars defoliated by the beetles over large tracts,
of many square miles in the Mississippi Valley. He said also
that in nine cases out of ten where grass lands had been
destroyed (and the destruction in patches of greater or less,
extent was of common occurrence), the injury resulted from the
presence of the larvae of Lachnosterna. Prof. Riley also called
attention again to the cutting of the petiole of leaves by Lach
nosterna, referred to in a former paper read before the Society,
and stated that the damage this season had been very much
less than last year.

Dr. Fox presented a paper entitled "A Collection of Spiders
from Indiana, ' ' in which he gave notes on a number of the spe
cies recorded. He stated that quite a number of the species had
not before been found in that part of the United States, but that,
he had not as yet had time to go over the material thoroughly.* 1

Professor Riley presented some miscellaneous notes, as follows:

He called attention to the injury done to roses in his own and
in the grounds of his neighbors by a small beetle, Colaspis tristis.

He stated that he had first noticed the injury from this in
sect the present year, and that the roses had been very largely
blighted by its attacks. The nature of the damage consisted
in boring or eating into the buds and partly expanded flowers.

He stated that this experience furnished another illustration
of a common insect suddenly assuming a new injurious habit.

In connection with the remarks of Professor Fernow, reported
above, he gave a brief account of the work of the Commission
in Massachusetts on Ocneria dispar. He stated that the Com
mission now has 150 men at work, and that Mr. Sessions, the
Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, is very earnest and
anxious to leave nothing undone that will help in the exterm
ination of this threatening pest. Professor Riley also referred

* It was Dr. Fox's intention to prepare this paper for publication, but.
he has not found time to do so.

OF WASHINGTON. 219

to the prejudice against the use of the arsenicals, which has
interfered somewhat with the work of the Commission, and
which, at the request of Mr. Sessions, he had done his best to
remove by a statement of the facts regarding these insecticides,
-showing that their use, with ordinary care, is free from dan
gerous consequences to live stock or man. He stated that he
believed that most of the cases reported of animals being poi
soned by these arsenicals are hardly to be relied upon, and that
in most instances he believed the death had resulted from some
other cause. He said, in reference to the work of the Commis
sion, that however carefully it might be done, the extent of
the territory covered by the insect and the inherent difficulties
of the task, made him very doubtful of ultimate success in
eradicating the pest. He gave some facts which he had gath
ered from conversation with Prof. Shaler during his recent trip
to Boston, regarding the manner in which this insect had been
allowed to escape by Trouvelot. Prof. Shaler had known
Trouvelot very well, and said that Trouvelot had left a batch
of eggs on a window-sill and allowed them to be blown away.

He also referred to a spider, determined by Mr. Banks as
probably Pardosa albomaculata Em. , which had been found by
Mr. Wm. H. Edwards to seize butterflies on the wing. He
referred again to the parasite obtained from Eleodes suturalis,
the cocoons of which parasite he had exhibited and described
at .the previous meeting of the Society. He mentioned that the
imago had since been obtained and turned out to be a species
of Perilitus, a fact of considerable interest because of the close
relationship of this parasite with the one bred from Megilla
maculata, and described and figured in Insect Life, Vol. I, as
Perilitus americanus. This parasitism of Eleodes was not so
exceptional, therefore, as Perilitus affected a number of Cole-
optera in the imago state.

Mr. Howard referred to the Rose insect mentioned by Prof.
Riley, and said that the common Rose Chafer had never been
brought into the Department from the District, and that
although it had occurred abundantly in neighboring localities
it seemed rarely to do much damage in the immediate vicinity
of Washington. He accounted for this partly by the nature
of the soil of the District.

220 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Mr. Schwarz exhibited specimens of Trichotheca vagans
(Chrysomelidae, Eumolpini) and pointed out that the femoral
tooth of this species is merely a sexual character, the female
being entirely unarmed. He also showed specimens of Xan-
thonia lo-notata and villosula having a very small, but distinct
femoral tooth. It would appear, therefore, that the two genera,
at least as far as the species in our fauna are concerned, are
hardly distinct, the only difference left being the somewhat
longer antennae in Trichotheca.

Mr. Schwarz also presented the following paper :

VERDIGRIS IN COLEOPTERA.

BY E. A. SCHWARZ.

Every entomologist knows what verdigris is. He will have
found by experience that it is an almost greater destroyer of
valuable pinned specimens than the Anthreni and other
museum pests. Several remedies and preventives have been
recommended: i. The washing of the affected specimens with
chloroform or some ether. This is, however, only a temporary
remedy and involves, moreover, for the possessor or keeper of
a large collection incessant work. 2. Not to pin anything,
but to. glue even large specimens on to card paper. This pre
cautionary measure is almost universally carried out, but has,
of course, many drawbacks, especially in the larger-sized
specimens. 3. To use iron pins instead of the common brass
pins. This is, of course, a perfect protection, but unfortunately
these pins are on account of their softness difficult to handle,
and on account of their greater roughness almost unfit for pin
ning specimens with a hard covering. 4. To use heavily
silver-plated pins. This is no doubt also a good preventive,
but such pins do not appear to be readily obtainable, and as a
matter of fact are not used with us. The Carlsbad pin appears
to be less subject to verdigris than the Klager pin, but the
former is objectionable on account of the too soft point. The
Klager pins are most commonly used with us, but it would
appear to me that in former years they were of a better quality
and less subject to verdigris than they are now. With the
Vienna pins, the Deyrolle pins and the English pins I have had
no experience.

In the preservation of Coleoptera I have adopted the method
of mounting on points of card paper all such species, even those
of pretty large size, which, in the experience of others and my
self, are subject to verdigris. The families which are not subject

OF WASHINGTON. 221

to verdigris are the following : All Adephagous families,
Hydrophilidae, Coccinellidae, Byrrhidae, Parnidse, Hetero-
ceridae, Dascyllidae, Lampyridae, Malachiidae, Melolonthinae,
Chrysomelidae (excepting Donacia}, Tenebrionidae (excepting
Platydema and other fungus-inhabiting genera), Lagriidae,
Anthicidae, Meloidae, Rhipiphoridae, Rhynchitidae, Attelabidae,
Otiorhynchidae, Curculionidae. The families consisting exclu
sively of small-sized species (Pselaphidae, Scydmaenidae, etc.),
which no one would think of pinning, are omitted from this
list, and thus the number of those families where precautionary
measures should be adopted is in reality not so very large.

A few generalizations which I have drawn from my expe
rience with verdigris in insects may perhaps be of some interest
to our younger entomologists :

1. Coleoptera, which, in the larva state, live in the interior
of woody and other plants, including fungi, or those which de
posit their eggs within such plants, are liable to verdigris. On
the other hand, all phytophagous Coleoptera, the larvae of
which live openly on the plants, do not verdigris. So far as
my experience goes this rule holds good also for the other
orders. Thus the Rhopalocera do not verdigris, excepting the
genus Megathymus and those Hesperids which are ' ' inside-
feeders." The Sphingidae are free from verdigris, the Sesiidae
badly subject thereto. The Bombycidae do not verdigris, ex
cepting Cossus, Hepialus and allied genera. In Noctuidae only
Nonagria, Arzama, etc. , verdigris. In Hymenoptera the wood-
boring Uroceridae are badly subject to verdigris, and the same
holds true in the Tenthredinidae, the eggs of which are inserted
within plants, although most larvae live free. In Neuroptera
(taken in the old sense) the only inside-feeding families are the
Termitidae and Kmbidae, which, when pinned, are speedily
ruined by verdigris. In Orthoptera all families are either not
or only slightly subject to verdigris, excepting those Gryllidae,
the eggs of which are laid in the wood. In Diptera such
families as Trypetidae and Xylophagidae are more subject to
verdigris than most other families, and the same may be said
of the Aradidae and Cicadidae among the Hemiptera.

2. All aquatic families of Coleoptera are free from verdigris.
In the Dytiscidae I do not know a single exception from this
rule ; in Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae and Parnidae a slightly ver-
digrised specimen will occasionally be found in collections, but
probably only on account of an exceptionally poor pin. If the
Chrysomelid genus Donacia (including Macroplcea) be counted
among the aquatic Coleoptera it forms a striking exception to
this rule, for these beetles are among the worst to verdigris.
There are no other truly aquatic (i. e., aquatic in all stages)
families in the other Orders except in Heteroptera, and, so far

222 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

as my experience goes, these are likewise less subject to verdi
gris than the other families.

3. All dung-inhabiting Coleoptera, no matter to what family
they belong, verdigris badly. So far as I can see there is no
exception, and this rule can also be extended to the other
Orders.

4. Terrestrial predaceous Coleoptera do not verdigris. In
Carabidae the species of Lebia and allied genera form an excep
tion, though not a very marked one, but in the predaceous
Staphylinidae the genus Staphylinus and certain species of Phi-
lonthus verdigris badly. It will be seen, however, that these
are species the larvae of which live in dung or decaying fungi.

5. Coleoptera, which in the larva state live in the ground and
feed externally on the roots of plants, are either free from ver
digris or at least rarely so badly infested that they are ruined.
Here belong the phytophagous Scarabaeidse, a portion of Chry-
somelidae (Eumolpini, etc.), a portion of the Tenebrionidae and
the Otiorhynchidae.

6. Myrmecophilous Coleoptera, no matter to what family they
belong, verdigris badly. This holds also true of myrmecophi-
lous species of other orders, e. g., the Dipterous genus Merodon
and the Orthopterous genus Myrmecophila . On the other hand
Coleopterous parasites of bees do not verdigris. It will be no
ticed that there appears to be here a correlation between the
hosts and their parasites, the Formicidse being among the worst
insects for verdigris while the Apidse are almost the only fam
ily of Hymenoptera w r hich are free therefrom.

7. Old alcoholic specimens, /. <?., such as have been kept in
alcohol for a year or longer, never verdigris. I have also been
informed from reliable source that specimens left in alcohol for
a day or two are less subject to verdigris than the same species
killed in cyanide of potassium.

8. If many specimens of a species known to be badly subject
to verdigris are pinned it will almost always be found that a
few specimens remain free from verdigris.

Prof. Riley said that the experience of Mr. Schwarz in the
matter of verdigrising was similar to that of all entomolo
gists who had much to do with pinned specimens, and corres
pond with his own, as exemplified in the national collection.
He said that in general endophytous larvae are subject to greas
ing, and that greasing was almost always accompanied by the for
mation of verdigris. In reference to the statement made by Mr.
Schwarz that water-bugs do not grease, he remarked that this
was only partially true and that certain species grease very

OF WASHINGTON. 223

badly, notably Notoneda. He stated that the fact of verdigris-
ing being invariably associated with endophytous larval life
was very interesting, and he believed it to be accounted for by
such species having a preponderance of oily or fatty matter.
With reference to Mr. Schwarz's objections to iron pins on
account of their softness and clumsiness, he stated that he had
been impressed with the freedom of a collection mounted on
iron pins from verdigris, referring to the collection of Mulsant
in France, and stated that if the pins were properly made they
can be safely used. The insertion of the pins in hard-bodied
Coleoptera may be aided by first piercing the beetles with a
sharp-pointed needle, after which the iron pin may be safely
inserted. He would recommend the use of iron or black pins
wherever there was a t