rua r-i»l|C.«LiJ ^ ^vC?. : nt A '1 \ \,V < f ( < /r fc^'<^ '( ( (i rr, r <<<-'€ ii car oc < cc^f^ ( ((( <('( <1€ ''^r ^ii. c c ( < C ( ^ , > ft*; i iC (< * ' «Rrrvi Fortieth Annual Report OF THE Entomological Society ciiiuiiiuiu^icai ouciciy n OF ONTARIO 1909 Published by the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO %\Z^^^ TORONTO Printed by L. K- CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 1910 4M ^ Fortieth Annual Report OF THE Entomological Society OF ONTARIO 1909 Published by the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO TORONTO Printed by L. K- CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 1910 v Printed by WILLIAM BRIGGS, 29-37 Richmond Street West, TORONTO To the Honourable John Morison Gibson, K.C, LL.D., etc., etc., etc., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Ontario. May it Please Your Honoub: The undersigned begs to present herewith for the consideration of your Honour the Eeport of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1909. Eespectfully submitted, JAMES S. DUFF, Minister of Agriculture. Toronto, 1910. [3] CONTENTS. Page. Letter of Transmission 5 Officers for 1909-1910 6 Canadian Members • 7 Annual Meeting 9 Reports on Insects of the Year: Division No. 1, Arthur Gibson 9 Division No. 3, J. B. Williams 14 Division No. 4, C. W. Nash 15 Observations on a few Insects of the Season: L. Caesab 16 Nests of the Brown-tail Moth on Imported Nursery Stock: Arthur Gibson 19 The Larch Saw Fly: C. Gordon Hewitt 20 Nursery Work in Ontario: R. C. Treherne 21 Some Guests at the Banquet of Blossoms: P. J. A. Morris 23 House Flies and their Allies: C. Gordon Hewitt 30 Report of the Council 36 Montreal Branch 39 " Toronto Branch • 40 " Treasurer 41 Curator 41 Librarian 42 Delegate to the Royal Society of Canada 42 Address of the President: Tennyson D. Jarvis 44 The Origin and Diffusion of Entomological Errors: Henry H. Lyman 46 Conflicts between Ants : G. E. Sanders 51 The Spruce Bud-worm : Arthur Gibson 54 The Snow-white Linden Moth: A. F. Winn 56 Notes on Fruit-tree Scolytids: J. M. Sw-aine 58 Observations on Ontario Insects in 1909: C. J. S. Bethune 63 Injurious Insects of Quebec in 1909 : W. Lochhead 67 Anisota virginiensis : T. W. Fyles 73 Adaptations in the Structure of Insects: T. W. Fyles 76 The Acarina, with a Host Index to the Species found in Ontario: T. D. Jarvis. . 82 The Entomological Record, 1909: Arthur Gibson 110 In Memoriam, Dr. Wm. Brodie: Frank Morris 129 Index 131 [4] FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Entomological Society of Ontario 1909. To the Honourable James S. Duff, Minister of Agriculture. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith the Fortieth Annual Eeport of the Entomological Society of Ontario, which contains the proceedings of the forty- sixth annual meeting of the Society, which was held at the Agricultural College, Guelph, on the 4th and 5th November, 1909. The report includes the papers read and the reports submitted by the various officers and branches of the Society. " The Canadian Entomologist," the monthly organ of the Society, has been regularly issued during the past year, and has now completed its forty-first volume, which has maintained the high scientific standard of its long series of predecessors. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, Charles J. S. Bethune, Editor. Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. [5] Entomological Society of Ontario. OFFICERS FOR 1909-1910. President — Tenkyson D. Jabvis, B.S.A., Lecturer in Entomology and Zoology, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Tice-President — Edmund M. Walkek, B.A., M.D., Lecturer in Biology, University ot Toronto. Secretary-Treasurer — J. Eaton Howitt, M.S.A., Lecturer in Botany, O. A. College, Guelph. Curator — Lawson Caesae, B.A., B.S.A., Demonstrator in Entomology and Plant Dis- eases, 0. A. College, Guelph. Librarian — Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M,A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C., Professor of Entomology and Zoology, O. A. College, Guelph. Directors: Division No. 1. — Arthur Gibson, Department of Entomology, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Division No. 2. — C. E. Grant, Orillia. Division No. 3. — J. B. Williams, Toronto. Division No. 4. — C. W. Nash, Toronto. Division No. .5. — F. J. A. Morris, Port Hope. Division No. 6. — R. S. Hamilton, Collegiate Institute, Gait. Division No. 7. — ^R. C. Treherne, Grimsby. Directors (Ex-Presidents of the Society). — Professor Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., LL.D.^ F.R.S.C, F.L.S., Director of the Experimental Farms of the Dominion of Canada, Ottawa; Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C, Guelph; W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C, Ottawa; Professor John Dearness, Vice-Principal Normal School, London; Henry H. Lyman, M.A„ F.E.S., F.R.G.S., Montreal; Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, D.CL., F.L.S., Hull, P.Q.; Professor Wm. Lochhead, B.A., M.S., Macdonald College, P.Q.; John D. Evans, CE., Chief Engineer, Central Ontario Railway, Trenton. Editor of the " Canadian Entomologist '' — Rev. Prof. Bethune, Guelph. Delegate to the Royal Society — Rev. Dr. Fyles, Hull, P.Q. Auditors — Prof. S. B. MoCready, and J. W. Crow, B.S.A., O. A. College, Guelph [6] CANADIAN MEMBERS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Province of Ontario. Abbott, Dr. A. R Toronto. Aiton, Miss A Highland Creek. Baker, A. C, O.A.C Guelph. Baker, A. W., O.A.C Bethune. Prof., C.J.S., O.A.C. Black, Davidson Toronto. Blackmore, Miss E " Bock, H. P London. Bowman, J. H " Brodie, Miss Toronto. Buchanan, Dr. G. C Beamsville. Caesar, Lawson, O.A.C Gruelph. Calvert, J. F London. Clark, Gregory Toronto. Cockburn, Miss A Hillside. Collingwood, J. H Kintore. •Cosens, A Toronto. Dearness, Prof. J London. Dunlop, James Woodstock. Eastham, J. W., O.A.C Guelph. Evans, J. D Trenton. Eraser, R., O.A.C Guelph. Gibson, Arthur Ottawa. Orant, C. E Orillia. •Groh, H Ottawa. Hahn, Paul Toronto. Haight, D. H Sudbury. Hallam, R Toronto. Hamilton, R. S Gait. Harrington, W. H Ottawa. Hewitt, Dr. C. G Holland, W. H Toronto. Howitt, J. E., O.A.C Guelph. Hugh, W Matheson. Ivy, M Toronto. Jarvis, T. D., O.A.C Guelph. Johnston, James Hamilton. Jones, D., O.A.C Guelph. Kilman, A. H Ridgeway. King, R. W Toronto. Laing, J " Law, John London. McCready, Prof. S. B., O.A.C. Guelph. Miller, A Toronto. Moore, T. J Guelph. Morden, J. A Hyde Park Corners. Morris, F. J. A '^ort Hope. Mosey, Miss Toronto. Munro. M " Nash, C. W Neville, S. J., O.A.C Guelph. Pearson, Gerald London. Saunders, H. S Toronto. Saunders, W. B London. Silcox, Sidney Toronto. Slater, A. E., O.A.C Guelph. Smith, Arthur Toronto. Tothill, J. D., O.A.C Guelph. Treherne, R. C, O.A.C Walker. Dr. E. M Toronto. Watson, Dr. A. H. R Port Hope. Webb, J. H Toronto. White, James Snelgrove. Williams, J. B Toronto. Wood, S. T Young, C. H Ottawa. Zavitz, E. J., O.A.C Guelph. Province of Quebec. Barwick, B. C Montreal. Begin, Rev. Abbe, P. A Sherbrooke. Bickell, Miss Quebec. Boulton, A. R. M Boulton, Capt. J. G " Boulton, Mrs " Brainerd, Dwight Montreal. Burgess, Dr. T. J. W Verdun. Campbell, J. G Magog. Chagnon, Gustave Montreal. Clark, Rev. Wylie C Quebec. Cutler, G. H Macdonald College. Darling, H. M. E Montreal. Delisle, A. M Denny, E " Dunlop, G. C *' Fosberry, C. S " Freeman, Miss L H Quebec. Fyles, Mrs Hull. Fyles, Rev. Dr. T. W Gerth, W. G Montreal. Gibb, Lachlan " Griffin, A Hedge, Miss Louisa Levis. Huard, Rev. Victor Quebec. Johnston, Miss M. G Bedford. Kollmar, E. J Montreal. Lindsay, Col. Crawford Quebec. Lochhead, Prof Macdonald College. Lyman, H. H Montreal. MacLeod, Miss E Quebec. Moore, G. A Montreal. Norris, A. E Parkins, F., Jr " Poston, Mrs. T. A Levis. Robertson, Miss Quebec. Rowland, A IWindsor Mills. Southee, G. R Outremont. Swaine, J. M Macdonald College. Symonds, Rev. Dr Montreal. Tourchot, A. L St. Hyacinthe. Turnbull, Lt.-Col. F Quebec. Turner, Hon. Richard " Turner, Mrs. R " Wade, Miss New Liverpool. Weir, Douglas Macdonald College. Winfield, Mrs Quebec. Winn, A. F Montreal. [7] THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36 CANADIAN MEMBERS.— Co nt in UKl. Albebta. Baird, Thos High River. Dod, F. H. Wolley Millarville, Bkitish Columhia. Abercronibie. Miss Ivy Vancouver. • Anderson. E. M Victoria. Anderson. J. R " Bryant, T J^ady-mitli. Bush, A. H Vancouver. Cockle, J. W Kaslo. Crolier, A. J Victoria. Dashwood-Jones, W. H New West- minster. Day, G. Duncan's Stn. Draper, R Hillcrest. Elliott, B. R Victoria. Grassham. R. T Keithly Cr'k. Hanham, A. W Duncan's £tn. Harvey, R. V Victoria. Keen, Rev. J. H Metlakatla. Luscombe, P Cowichan Bay. Marrion, H Vancouver. Mason, J., G.T.P Copper River. Reed, E. Baynes Victoria. Sherman, R. S Vancouver. Skinner. E. M Duncan's St'n. Taylor, Rev. G. W Departure Bay, Nanaimo. Van Steenweyk. Miss Vancouver. Venables, E. P Vernon. Wilmot, E. S Wilson, T Vancouver. Manitoba. Criddle, Norman Aweme. Heath. E. F Cartwright. Hunter, Rev. A. J Teulon. Wallis, J. B Winnipeg. Nova Scotia. Chase, W., Jr Wolfville. Hervey, C. L. G Round Hill. Mackay, Dr. A. H Halifax. Payne, H. G Granville Ferry. Russell, John Digby. Saskatchewan. Androchowicz Humboldt. Willing, T. N Regina. Honorary Members. Cockerell, Prof. T. D. A Boulder, Col. Cresson, Ezra T Philadelphia, Pa. Howard, Dr. L. O Washington, D.C. Scudder, Dr. S. H Cambridge, Mass. Smith, Prof. J. B New Bruns- wick, N.J. Uhler, P. R Baltimore, Md. Webster, F. M Washington, D.C. Wickham, Prof. H. F Iowa City, Iowa. Life Member. Saunders, Dr. William Ottawa. Director of the Experimen- tal Farms of the Dominion. Entomological Society of Ontario. ANNUAL MEETING. The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Society was held at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, on Thursday and Friday, November 4th and 5th. During the day meetings the chair was taken by the President, Mr. Tennyson D. Jarvis, and at the evening session by Dr. Bethune. Amongst those present were Messrs. H. H. Lyman and A. F. Winn, Montreal; Dr. C. G, Hewitt and Mr. Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa ; Mr. John D. Evans, Trenton ; Mr. F. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope; Dr. E. M. Walker and Messrs. C. W. Nash and J. B. Williams, Toronto; Mr. E. C. Treherne, Grimsby = President Creelman, Profs. C. A. Zavitz, R. Harcourt, S. B. McCready, C. J. S. Bethune, Messrs. Jarvis, Howitt, Caesar, Eastham, Crow, Klinck, of the staff, and a large number of the students of the Ontario Agricultural College and th£ Macdonald Institute, Guelph. Letters expressing regret at their inability to attend were received from Prof. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario; Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa; Eev. Dr. Fyles, Hull, P.Q.; Messrs. Paul Hahn and A. Cosens, Toronto; G. Ohagnon, Montreal; C. E. Grant, Orillia; W. E. Saunders and J F. Calvert, London; R. S. Hamilton, Gait; iProf. W. Lochead and Mr. J. M. Swaine, Macdonald College, P.Q., and others. A business meeting of the Council was held in the Biological Building, at which their report was drawn up and various matters discussed. On motion it was decided to contribute the sum of fifty dollars to the fund for the erection of a memorial drinking fountain to the late Dr. James Fletcher at the Experimental Farm, Ottawa. In the afternoon the Society met at 2 o'clock in the Biological Lecture room, where there was a goodly attendance of members and students. The firs^ order of proceedings was the reading of the reports of the Directors on the noteworthy insects of the year in their respective districts. Owing to various circmnstances, none were received from Mr. C. E. Grant, of Orillia, representing Division No. 2, nor from Mr. R. S. Hamilton, Gait, of Division No. 6. REPORTS ON INSECTS OF THE YEAR. Division No. 1. — Ottawa District. By Arthur Gibson", Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. The season of 1909 in the Ottawa District, although cool and late in spring, was an excellent one for growth of all kinds. The rainfall during the whole season was rather above normal, and there was, comparatively speaking, but little hot weather, and this not until the middle of August. Injurious insects, as a whole, were not so troublesome as they were in 1908, The following notes probably cover those insects which were most complained of in the District during the past season. 10 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 Attacking Field Ckops, The Hessian Fly {Mayeiiola destructor, Say.) which was troublesome near Ottawa in 1908, was not reported as present in 1909. On the Central Experi- mental Farm, where it occurred last year, no trace of its work could be detected this year. Grasshoppers were decidedly destructive in many localities near Ottawa, par- ticularly in places where the soil is light. On June 31st I received a report that these insects were causing much anxiety to farmers near Buckingham, Que., about 83 miles from Ottawa. It was stated that they were present in that district in "countless millions." Up the Gatineau River grasshoppers were enormously abund- ant, and many complaints were made concerning their ravages. On July 29th I drove from Maniwaki to Baskatong, Que., a distance of about 40 miles, and saw the insects in great swarms. Oats, which are largely grown in the Gatineau country, were much damaged, also timothy; the crops in some fields being entirely eaten. At Baskatong I visited a large field of turnips, the tops of many of which had been completely eaten, and what remained was rapidly being devoured by the grass- hoppers. At Castor, Que., which is about half way between Baskatong and Mani- waki, one farmer had sown turnips twice and had lost both crops. On July 30, the grasshoppers were working in his oat and wheat fields. I was much amused at a method which was being adopted to save the crop of turnips at Baskatong. A s mall boy was kept walking up and down the rows of turnips with a branch in his hand, with which he endeavoured to drive off the grasshoppers. Of course, almost as soon as he had passed, the insects immediately swarmed back to the plants and continued their work of destruction. The species which was responsible for the damage was the Lesser Migratory Locust, Melanoplus atlanis, Eiley. I advised them to try the Griddle mixture, which had given such remarkable results in Manitoba. The following quotation is from a letter I recently received from Mr. Griddle, of Treesbank, Man., who devised this mixture: "There has been another rather bad outbreak of locusts here, which has necessitated several appli- cations of the Griddle mixture. The result has been entirely satisfactory, the mix- ture having undoubtedly prevented much damage. I was beginning to be afraid that I had over-estimated the value of horse droppings as an attraction, but I am glad to find that such is not the case. ' The Grain Aphis (Macrosiphum granaria, Kirby) was present in large num- bers in the Ottawa District. In the Gatineau country I saw many fields, at the end of July, which were infested. Fortunately, the outbreak, as usual, was attended by parasites which greatly reduced the numbers of the plant lice. Some fields of oats, however, at the above date, looked as if they had been much weakened by the attacks of this insect. The Greater Wheat-stem Maggot (Meromyza Americana, Fitch.) was con- spicuously present in wheat near Ottawa. Larvae collected on July 9th were apparently full-grown, being about a quarter of an inch in length. In some experi- mental wheat plots on the Central Experimental Farm the "silver tops" or "dead- heads," as they have been called, were rather abundant, but were not present, how- ever, in sufficient numbers to affect materially the resultant crop. They were especially noticed among wheat of the variety called "Bishop." The Apple-leaf Hopper (Empoasca mali, LeB.) which did so much harm in eastern Ontario in 1908, was again present on potatoes in injurious numbers in the Ottawa district. Its work was supplemented very much this year, however, by the Potato Aphis and the Potato Flea Beetle, particularly the former. On October 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 11 6th, I was present in a field when the potatoes were being harvested, and was sur- prised to see the crop so poor. I was told that the above insects were largely responsible for the small crop. On the 14th of September, when examining some potatoes, I noticed many of the nymphs of the Apple Leaf Hopper, and on the same day in an orchard close by, the adults were flying in thousands around apple trees. On July 14th some of the mature insects were noticed on potatoes on the Experimental Farm. Up to tliis date I had not heard of any damage in the Ottawa district by this insect. The Potato Flea Beetle (Epitrix cucumeris, Harr.), besides injuring potatoes, as above mentioned, attacked to a very noticeable extent a number of plants of the Wonderberry which were growing a short distance away. The Flea Beetle M^as not present in the district in such numbers this year as it was in 1908. As a rule it is more numerous in hot dry summers. Eoot Maggots were not much complained of in the district during 1909. They were present, of course, as they always are, but as far as I can learn, not much damage has been done by them. On the Experimental Farm, for instance, hardly an onion was destroyed by these larvis. On September 14th I saw them working to some extent in an experimental row of winter radishes. Cutworms were present, as usual, m injurious numbers. At Carp, about 30 miles from Ottawa, an outbreak occurred towards the end of June. Mr. Sirett, the resident representative of the Ontario Department of Agriculture, reported the matter to me, but unfortunately specimens of the larvae were not received. Mr. Sirett thought, however, that the species was the Variegated Cutworm, Peridroma saucia, Hbn. Injury was done to field crops, but just what these crops were, I did not hear. About the middle of July the Eed-backed Cutworm was present in fair numbers in a large field of mangels on the Experimental Farm. The larvae on the 15th July were about full-grown. An application of poisoned bran soon stopped any further injury. The Striped Cucumber Beetle (Diahrotica vitfata, Fab.) was particularly numerous during the past season. It appeared on some cucumbers in my garden on June 15th, just as the plants were up nicely. On July 3rd I saw many in copu- lation. At Billings Bridge, near Ottawa, it was particularly reported to be injur- ing squashes. It also to some extent attacked melons, and was complained of by many of our market gardeners. As this beetle is very active, any application of poison must be frequently renewed. The leaves should be dusted with Paris green mixed with land plaster or lime in the proportion of one pound of the poison to fifty of the diluent, if necessary every second day. Bordeaux mixture is also a useful remedy for this insect as well as for the Cucumber Flea Beetle which often does serious injury. The Black Blister Beetle (Epicauta pennsylvanica, DeG.) appeared suddenly at several places in the district, and did locally noticeable damage, particularly to potatoes and tomatoes. Plants in flower gardens were also attacked, and in some instances the foliage completely eaten. In one garden near Ottawa 100 splendid Clematis plants were defoliated, the beetles appearing on the 23rd June. On June 28, they were present in conspicuous numbers in the Arboretum of the Central Experimental Farm and were attacking plants of the genus Thalictrum, in the perennial border. As is well known, these beetles in their larval form are predaceous on the eggs of grasshoppers, so generally speaking' it is not advisable to destroy them with arsenical sprays. They can often be driven from a crop by several boys walking across it and waving from side to side a bough of spruce or other conspicuous branch. As these beetles are easily disturbed they will fly ahead, and on reaching the edge of the crop will disperse and as a rule not return 12 THE REPORT OF THE No. 30 Attacking Fruit Crops. The fruit crop in the Ottawa district was on the whole a very fair one. Weather conditions have been excellent for the maturing of fruit. Insects have not been especially destructive, and growers who sprayed their trees regularly were not much troubled. The Codling Moth (Carpoccupsa pomonella, L.) did a good deal of damage in unsprayed orchards in Eastern Ontario. The intelligent fruit growers of the district, however, were not troubled to any serious extent by this insect. A friend who lives at Aylmer, Que., about 9 miles from Ottawa, told me that every apple in his garden was wormy. He had, of course, neglected to spray his trees. Plant lice were the insects which were most abundant in orchards in the district during the past year. The season has been a remarkable one for plant lice of all kinds. Apple and plum trees were badly attacked, and where small trees were infected, serious damage resulted. During the early part of June the plant lice were enormously abundant in orchards near Ottawa, but towards the end of the month it was noticed that important parasites were appearing and doing splendid work in reducing their numbers. When orchard trees become badly infested with plant lice, it is a difficult matter to destroy the insects, on account of the curled up condition of the leaves, making it almost impossible to reach the insects with any contact insecticide. In eastern Canada, fortunately, these insects do not, as a rule, seriously injure apple trees, but in British Columbia, the Apple Aphis is in some years decidedly destructive, and frequent treatment is neces- sary. The Woolly Aphis of the Apple was fairly prevalent in the Ottawa district during the past season. On September 14th, I saw a number of young apple trees which were much infested. The Pear-tree Slug (Eriocampa cerasi. Peck.) was again noticeably present on plum and cherry. The foliage of some trees examined in September was much eaten by the slimy dark coloured slugs of this sawfly. The insect is one which is easily controlled by spraying with any of the arsenical poisons. The Currant Worm {Pteronus rihesii, Scop.) was complained of by growers of currants. The second brood of larvae were very numerous in a large patch of red and white currants near Ottawa on July 12. They first appeared a few days before this date, and were quickly stripping the bushes of their foliage. The first brood of this insect, which appears when the leaves are attaining full size, are easily controlled by Paris green or arsenate of lead, but for the second brood, which appears just as the fruit is ripening, white hellebore is recommended, either dusted upon the bushes, or applied as a spray, one ounce in two gallons of water. The first brood should be treated thoroughly so as to reduce the numbers of the sec- ond brood. The Currant Aphis (Myzus rihis, L.). Almost wherever currants were grown the past season they were attacked by large numbers of this plant louse. In eastern Ontario we received many complaints of the work of this insect. Unfortunately, unless the bushes are sprayed with kerosene emulsion or whale-oil soap, as soon as the aphides appear, and before they cause the* leaves to blister and curl, it is difficult to get good results from the vv^ork. It is necessary to force the liquid well up beneath the leaves. This can be done by attaching a piece of bent pipe, bearing the nozzle at the end, to the rod of the sprayer. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13 Attacking Forest and Shade Trees. Cankerworm larvae were more abundant in the spring of 1909 than they were in 1908. On the 4th June they were half grown. At Beechwood, just outside of Ottawa, beech trees were badly attacked, the result of their depredations being easily seen. When ornamental trees are attacked by these caterpillars, it is import- ant to apply the arsenical poison while they are small. They can then be easily killed at the ordinary strength used for leaf-eating insects. When they are more than half an inch long they are a good deal more difficult to kill, and consequently much stronger sprays must be used. The Spiny Elm Caterpillar (Euvanessa antiopa, L.) was abundant on elm trees throughout the district. On June 21, larvae about one and a quarter inches long were noticed. Specimens which were collected had become full grown and changed to chrysalids by July 10. The species is intermittently abundant at Ottawa, and some years it is not an uncommon sight to see small elm and willow trees entirely stripped of their foliage. Elm trees seemed to be particularly attacked by insects during the past sea- son. The Woolly Elm-leaf Aphid was very aibundant and many enquiries were received concerning it. By the middle of June the conspicuous colonies were much noticed. The Cockscomb Gall was also, numerous in the district, the leaves of many elm trees being covered with these galls. Near Maniwaki, Que., on July 29, I saw large numbers of the Plum Gall, Pemphigus ulmi*fuscus. The galls were large and on most of the leaves of the infested trees there were at least two and very often three or four galls present. The Spruce Budworm (Tortrix fumiferana, Clemens.) This insect caused much anxiety among the lumbermen of the Ottawa district. Reports were received from the upper Gatineau that some insect was ravaging the spruce and balsam forests, and as a result I was sent up into the infested area to find out tlie nature of the trouble. The result of this investigation is given in a separate paper which I hope to present shortly. At Ottawa, thousands of the moths were noticed flying around bushes and trees of all kinds on July 20th. They were even abundant all through the city, and on almost any bush or tree being disturbed, many of the moths would fly out from the foliage on which they were resting. The Larch Sawfly (Nematiis Erichsonii, Hartgn.) was also very prevalent wherever larches were growing. It was noticed in considerable numbers on some ornamental larches on the Experimental Farm, on July 20, and at this time the larva? were about full grown. Up the Gatineau River from Ottawa as far north as Baskatong, I noticed all through this area at the end of July the results of the work of this larvae. Many trees were entirely stripped of their foliage. Along the railway, between Ottawa and Montreal, the defoliation of these handsome trees was also conspicuous. The work of the Spruce Sawfly was also noticed to some extent north of Maniwaki, and larvae were found to be full grown on July 30. At this date most of the larvge had disappeared. The Bronze Birch Borer {Agrilus anxkis, Gory.) is serio,usly injuring birches in the Ottawa district. The result of the work of this insect is easily seen at the Central Experimental Farm, where practically all of the cut-leaved birches are dying. This insect has not been mentioned very much in Canada as yet, but in northern portions of the United States it has done a good deal of damage. The presence of this borer is soon shown by the dying of the tops of the trees. This 14 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 is owing to the fact that the insect first attacks the tops, which results in the kill- ing of the upper limbs. The Fall Webworm {Hyphantria textor, Harr.) was again present in con- spicuous numbers throughout Carleton County. Larvae were seen to be just emerg- ing from the eggs at Ottawa on July 8, and a small nest on lilac was observed on July 14, the caterpillars in which were only a day or two old. Full grown larvae were noticed as late as the 6th October. Attacking Garden Plants. The Tarnished Plant Bug {Lygus prafensis, L.) was very troublesome in gardens the past season. As is well known, this insect not only does injury by sucking the juices from the leaves, but it also pierces the flowers of many plants, thus destroying them. In September the adults were present in thousands around apple and other trees. As they pass the winter in this state, beneath almost any surface shelter, it is important that all garden rubbish be burned in autumn, so as to reduce the hibernating quarters for this and other kinds of injurious insects. The Destructive Pea Aphis (Nectarophora pisi, Kalt.) was again present in 1909 in the district, on sweet peas in gardens. The first colonies were noticed on July 26. At this date I could not find any winged specimens. The attack, how- ever, was not nearly so severe as the outbreak of 1908. In early September I noticed that the parasite Megorismus Fletcheri, Crawford, which was described in the Canadian Entomologist last March, from Ottawa material, was present in goodly numbers. From parasitized plant lice collected on September 2nd, I secured a further series of the parasites, the specimens emerging on September 15. Many plants in gardens were seriously injured during the past season by Red Spider. At the Central Experimental Farm, towards the end of July, Phloxes particularly were seen to be dying from the work of this mite. Few garden plants are free from its attack, and as these creatures are so small, their work is generally unnoticed until a good deal of harm has been done. Flowers of sulphur are use- ful in destroying Red Spider and may be applied in the proportion of one ounce to every gallon of water. As the mites occur chiefly on the underside of the leaves, the spray should be forced up from beneath so as to reach them. The interesting and rare little Tortrix (Sparganothis flavihasana, Fern.) was again rather destructive on a few bushes of I^onicera of the Caprifolium group at the Central Experimental Farm. This is the third year in succession that this insect has appeared on the same bushes. This year the larvae were mature on June 15. Division No. 3. — Toronto District. By J. B. Williams. The Tussock Moth has been, as usual, quite plentiful on many of the shade trees in the city streets. At the beginning of the summer the Park Commissioner had many of the trees sprayed with arsenate of lead, and later on, towards the fall, several gangs of men were employed to collect the cocoons; but the city appropriation was not sufficient to do the work thoroughl}^ and as a further grant was refused, the work of collecting the cocoons has come to an end for the present year, just at the time when it might be most successfully pursued. Early in the summer one of the Park Commissioner's men brought me a sample of Elm bark covered with a scale that was doing much damage to several 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15 trees. I sent it to Mr. Gibson at Ottawa, and lie determined it as the Woolly Elm- Bark Aphid (Schizoneura Rileyi). They have treated some of the infested tree< with whale oil, as Mr. Gibson recojnmended, and found the results satisfactory. The Aphid seems, at first, to have been confined to small trees; but Mr. Cameron, the Park Commissioner's assistant, says that it has also begun to attack the small branches of the larger Elm trees, and he fears that it will give them a good deal of trouble before it is eradicated. Prof. Eamsay Wright had during this summer a good many of his dahlias injured by a bug, which pierces the plant just below the flower bud, and so spoils the blossom. He brought a specimen down to the Museum, but it was mislaid somewhere so that I cannot give the name of the species. I asked another gentleman, who grows dahlias in the west end of Toronto, if his plants had been injured in tliis way. He replied that he had not seen any bugs on them, but his dahlias had been a failure this year. Perhaps the bugs may have done some of the mischief without being detected in it. Division No. 4. — East Toronto District. By C. W. Nash, Toronto. The summer of 1909 was remarkable for the dearth of insect life in this neighborhood. Even such butterflies as the Cabbage White, Clouded Yellow and Monarch were remarkably scarce and little or no damage was done by the larvae of the Cabbage butterfly in the large market gardens of East York, The Monarch (Anosia archippiLs), which usually appears early in June was not seen until the first week in July. From that time to early September, when the southward flight lakes place, only an occasional specimen was visible. No great host of these insects passed from east to west when migrating as in former years, so that if they do not breed in the south this winter it would seem probable that the species would be very rare in Canada next summer. Papaipema cataphracta, the larvae of which, by boring into the stems of plants, have during the last few years done much mischief in flower and vegetable gardens, were not noticed at all this season nor did I find P. purpurifascia in the roots of Aquilegias. It would be interesting to know the cause of the almost total disappearance of Cosmopepla carnifex. For some years this insect increased yearly with astonish- ing rapidity, reaching its maximum in 1907, when the stems of all the Aquilegias, Penstemons and some few other plants grown near here were literally covered with them. In 1908 their numbers were greatly reduced and this last summer I only saw one specimen. There were no evidences of parasites having attacked them. It seems probable, therefore, that weather conditions of last winter were unfavour- able and that they perished while hibernating. The larvae of the Tussock Moth though extensively parasitized in 1908 were about as abundant as usual on the shade trees of Toronto. Various matters referred to in the Directors' Eeports were discussed by Messrs. Caesar, Treherne, Hewitt, Bethune, Jarvis, Tothill, Nash, Gibson and others. The Woolly Aphis was stated to be rarely found on the roots of apple trees in the Niagara district; it hibernates as a stem-mother in the crevices 'of bark, and early in spring new colonies are produced. It was reported that in many parts of Ontario, where grasshoppers were so abundant this year, the Criddle mixture was found to 16 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 be entirely effective, though in one or two localities complaint was made that the grasshoppers would not touch it. This failure may have been caused by some defect in making the mixture or in the mode of application. In Manitoba this year it has proved to be an excellent remedy. The Tussock Moth was said to be on the increase in country districts, though largely kept in check by its parasitic enemies. In Toronto the methods employed for its control were much criticized; spraying was done towards the end of July when a large proportion of the caterpillars had ceased feeding; those in charge of the operation had so little experience that they used nozzles that were too coarse, and allowed the pavement and roadway to receive more of the arsenicals than the trees. Subsequently the gathering of cocoons was begun much too soon and then tlie appropriation was exhausted and further supplies refused when this part of the work might have been performed most effectively. OBSERVATIONS ON A FEW INSECTS OF THE SEASON. By Lawson Caesar, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. A year ago last June, when in the vicinity of Niagara-on-the-Lake, I hap- pened to notice a number of white pine trees that seemed to me to have an abnor- mally large number of dead twigs. On investigation it seemed evident that some sort of borer had been the cause of their death as every twig had a longitudinal hole in the wood and a considerable amount of castings at the entrance. No insects, however, were found in the tunnels or on any of the twigs examined. On the 21st of June of the present year I was in the same district and again examined the same trees. Once more it was clear that borers had been at work. After exam- ining as many twigs as time permitted four specimens of beetles were found in the tunnels. Two of these belonged to one species and the other two to another, but they were all apparently Scolytids. The larger species was not more than about half the size of the Shot-hole Borer (Scolytus rugulosus) , and the smaller species was only half the size of the larger. Not having seen this injury elsewhere I thought that it might be the work of some dangerous pest that had just crossed the border and might later on spread through our pine forests. Accordingly I sent specimens of the injured twigs to Dr. Hopkins, of Washington, who has charge of Forest Insect investigations. No beetles were gent with the twigs because I supposed he would be perfectly familiar with their work and could tell me the cause without them. His letter is as follows : "I have your letter of the 22nd. instant and the specimen of white pine twig that has been injured by a beetle. I examined the specimen and find the work of the beetle, but to my great disappointment no insect could be found. This is a most interesting example of injury, differing from anything I have seen in the East, although I have seen something like it on the Pacific Goast and in the Rocky Mountain region. Therefore I wish you would send a good supply of infested twigs in order that I may be sure to get the beetle. It is evidently a scolytid, but without specimens it cannot be identified. The blighted appearance of the twig is similar to that which was very prevalent through- out northern New England last summer, but in our quite extensive investigations, in which many different causes were found for the dying of the twigs, we did not find evidence of the work of this insect. Therefore the matter is of special interest, and I hope you will send us plenty of specimens without delay, for fear that they may leave the twigs. After we have made a study of the matter we will be very glad to give you further information on the subject." 1910 EI^TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17 On receipt of this letter I at once sent all the specimens I had with a request that he keep one of each species and return the other two. A considerable num- ber of twigs were also sent through the kindness of Mr. Alfred Eastham, who hap- pened to be about to visit the infested district. Dr. Hopkins in reply to my note accompanying the specimens said : "I have your letter of the 1st. inst., and two spcimens of balsam mounts, also two specimens of beetles mounted on card points, and have just now received a bundle of pine twigs collected July 6'th, at Niagara-on-the-Lake. " The beetles in balsam are evidently a species of Pityophthorus, but it is impossible to identify them beyond the genus when mounted in this way, and even the genus is uncertain. They are far better for identification mounted dry. The other two specimens on card points represent an undescribed species, evidently of the genus Conophthorus, and is allied to a number of species that we have found to be injurious to the living twigs of pine, Douglas fir, etc., in the Western States. I am retaining one of the speci- mens for further study, and am returning the others to you as requested. " The specimens of twigs are of unusual interest. A superficial examination seemed to indicate that they represented the common troubles investigated in New England last season, which were found to be due to several causes. A more thorough examination, however, revealed the fact that certain of the twigs with a peculiar grayish appearance were infested with living larvae, apparently a Pityophthorus, and in one dead twig an adult Pityophthorus was found. We shall have no trouble in rearing these larvae to the adult stage, after which we shall be able to identify them and shall write you further. " One or two forms of the twig blight are also represented by the specimens sent, one associated with a light yellow spot on the twig, which is believed to result from the presence of the nymph of spittle insects, which are often very abundant on pine twigs. Some of the twigs are also thickly infested with Chermes pinicorticis, which reduces the vitality of the twigs and trees. These Chermes are of special interest, because they have alternate hosts, that is, one or more genei'ations will develop on pine and then migrate to spruce, where they cause galls on the twigs, from which they migrate back to the pine, larch, etc., and there is one form of twig blight which is commonly met with where the white pine and spruce grow together. If, later in the season, you find that twig blight is developing under such conditions, I shall be very glad indeed to have specimens of the twigs." It is too soon yet to expect any further word from Dr. Hopkins. I have not had much chance to visit districts where the white pine is found so that I cannot at present say just how far this insect has spread through the province, but since Dr. Hopkin's last letter I have found its work in a pine grove about three miles south of Stoney Creek, and Mr. Jarvis has found it in Peel county near Inglewood. It is quite clear that if these beetles were to become very abundant they could do enormous damage to our pines. So far they can hardly be said to be very serious, although about five per cent., or possibly more of the twigs have been killed. Trees that were infested last year did not seem any worse infested this year. It must not be supposed that all the dead twigs seen on pine trees are killed by these insects, because in several districts numerous twigs had died, but on exam- ination there was no evidence of any insect work. Last year when in Prince Edward County I observed what was to me a new kind of injury on apples. It took the form of small, circular, brown, dead areas about one-quarter of an inch in diameter and one-eighth in depth. The skin over these cavities was always ruptured in the centre. Apples thus damaged were shown last year at our annual meeting, but no one seemed to know the cause. A few weeks after the meeting on looking over Prof. Crandal's excellent bulletin on the Plum Curculio I felt convinced that this insect had done the injury; consequently this autumn I asked Mr. McVannel, the Agricultural Representative at Picton, to see whether he could find any of the Curculios at the work. He discovered two early in September, and on the twenty-fifth of the same month, while in the same county, I found four of the insets at these cavities, two of them having just finished making fresh ones. 18 THE REPOKT OF THE No. 3G The apples worst attacked so far as I could discover by a very limited inspec- tion were Golden Eiisset, Cranberry Pippin, Ben Davis and Snow. Spy and other- varieties with very glossy surfaces seemed to escape. Some of the above mentioned varieties had as many as twenty injuries on a single apple, the majority of them usually being found near the calyx. Orchards that were not cultivated were, as one would naturally expect, much worse damaged than cultivated ones. This sort of injury is done by the newly emerged beetles before they hide away for the winter and seems to begin about the third week in August and continue to the first week in October or possibly a little later. It is rather remarkable that there is not considerable loss from this cause in the western counties of Ontario when it is so common in Prince Edward county and, as I have lately been informed, in the counties further east. Prof. Crandal states that in Illinois apples are often severely damaged by these feeding punctures, and Prof. Quaintance says that this sort of injury is especially common in the colder states and districts of North America. A few interesting cases of parasitism have been observed during the season. For the previous two years the Shot-hole Borer {Scolytus rugulosus) has beep doing great destruction to cherry, peach and plum trees in the Niagara district. Some fruit-growers lost as high as sixty trees in a single year. Many were afraid that the destruction would increase year by year and endanger the fruit industry. Very fortunately this year the borers have not done nearly so much damage. The reason for this seems to be solely the great increase in parasites. Early in the season, from a small piece of branch only a few inches long, I reared fourteen parasites. In September, while visiting St. Catharines and the surrounding district, numerous parasites could be seen on trees that had been attacked by the borers. A number of these were brought back and proved to be the same as most of those reared in the spring. All the parasites obtained so far are Chalcids, and much the commoner species is, so far as I have been able to determine it, Chiropachys colon. On the trip on which the parasites of the Shot-hole Borer were found in abund- ance I was also requested to have a look at a maple tree that was said to be covered with some species of scale. On examining it I saw that the insect was the much dreaded Terrapin Scale {Eulecanium nigj-ofasciatum) . On first sight I felt sure that the tree would have to be cut down and burned, but on closer evidence it was seen that nearly all the adult scales had been parasitized and there were only a comparatively small number of the living immature scales present. As it was quite clear that the parasites were looking after the scale in a satisfactory manner I informed the owner of the tree that he need not do anything except leave these friends to fight the battle for him. One regrets to have to report that two of our worst insects have spread to new districts. The San Jose Scale has been found in one orchard in Prince Edward county and has come safely through the winter on nursery stock planted there last year. Efforts are being made by the provincial authorities to stamp it out before it can become well established and spread. The other insect is the Eailroad Worm. I have received specimens of apples infested by it from Bowmanville and from Cobourg, the latter having arrived only a week ago. One new pest, the Blackberry Miner (Scolioneura capitalis) is becoming very abundant, especially in the Niagara district, and threatens to cause great loss to growers of this fruit unless a remedy can soon oe found or parasites come to the rescue. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19 NESTS OF THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH IN IMPORTATIONS OF FRENCH NURSERY STOCK, 1909. By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. The inspection work in Canada which was necessary in view of the finding of nests of the Brown-tail Moth in shipments of nursery stock from France, is treated of fully in the annual report of the Division of Entomology and Botany for 1908-1909, which is now in press. A short statement, however, of the work which was done in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec may be of interest to the members of the Society attending this meeting. Nests of the Brown-tail Moth containing living larvae were discovered earlv last January in New York State on apple, pear and cherry seedlings and quince stocks imported from France. This fact was at once communicated to the Division of Entomology, and a circular giving this information and asking for advice of shipments coming into Canada was at once prepared by the Director, Dr. W. Saunders, and sent out to nurserymen and others who would be interested, as well as to the press generally. On February 5th, after undoubted nests had been found in Ontario, a second circular, giving further information on this threatened invasion of such an injurious insect, was prepared by the Director and the writer, and sent to nurserymen. The first nest found in such imported nursery stock in Ontario was on a plum seedling on 37th January. This was in the first shipment of stock examined. From this date until May 20th, every shipment of nursery stock coming into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec was examined carefully, either by me or by Mr. Harry Arnold, the Provincial San Jose Scale Inspector, lof Pelham Centre, who had been instructed by Mr. P. W. Hodgetts to assist me on certain dates in this work. Every nurseryman who im.ported such stock was visited, as well as a number of seedsmen and florists. Thirty different firms or individuals in all were visited, 26 in the Province of Ontario and 4 in the Province of Quebec. A complete list ■of these and the nature of the stock examined and the number of nests found will be found in the report of the Division above referred to. Many of the nurserymen had to be visited several times, immediately on the arrival of stock. The examination of this imported stock had, of course, to be made very care- fully. Generally speaking, the whitish nests were easily detected, but occasionally small nests would be found, or some which had become broken. The nests mostly occurred between two or three of the twigs or along the main stem of the seedlings, and in size varied from less than half an inch in length and about the same in width, to about nearly three inches in leug-th and over an inch in width. In the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, 1,503,129 plants were examined. These consisted largely of apple, pear, plum and cherry seedlings, to be used either for grafting or budding. In the province of Ontario, 188 nests of the Brown-tail Moth were found, and in the province of Quebec, 8, making a total of 196. These were found as follows : 100 on pear, 56 on apple, 28 on plum, 5 on quince, 1 on cherry, 2 on rose, 2 on spiraea, 1 on sugar maple and 1 on Prunus pissardi. We have reason to expect, owing to the way in which the consignments of nursery stock were examined, that every nest of the Brown-tail Moth present was found. No report has come to the Division since this inspection work, of any larvae of the Brown-tail Moth having escaped from these shipments and established themselves. Nurserymen and others were strongly advised to burn all packing, etc.. 20 THE REPOET OF THE No. "36 m the cases in which the nursery stock was shipped, as well as the cases. After the trimmings from the fruit seedlings had been burned, as an extra pre- caution the importers were advised to dip the stock in kerosene emulsion, or a standard miscible oil as was being done in New York State. Tf the packing, etc., from these cases wej-e not destroyed before spring, it can be readily seen how some of these caterpillars might have got out and established themselves. In the report of the Division now in press there will also be found a state- ment of some experiments with hydrocyanic acid gas to kill the larvse of the Brown- tail Moth. These experiments were conducted in a fumigation box having 128 cubic feet of contents. Varying strengths of gas were tried, from the one used in the federal fumigation houses to destroy the San Jose Scale, viz., 1 ounce of cyanide of potassium, 1 ounce of sulphuric acid and 3 ounces of water to every 100 cubic feet of air space, exposure 45 minutes, to three times this strength, the exposure being lengthened to 2 hours. In these experiments many of the larv?e had left the nests and were active on the sides of the glass jars, with cheese cloth coverings, in which they had been kept. These experiments, although not very extensive, went to show that fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas evidently can- not be relied upon as a practical remedy for this insect when in its winter condi- tion. Even when the strength of the gas was three times that used in our federal fumigation houses, and the exposure very much lengthened, only a very small per- centage of the larvae which had left the nests were killed. It would certainly require considerably greater strength and much longer exposure to kill the larvse when within the nests, and owing to the tough, closely woven nature of these nests the outcome would be very doubtful. In this work of fumigation I was assisted by Mr. Herbert Groh. THE LAEGE LAECH SAWFLY. (Nematus Erichsonii, Hoirtig.) Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt^ Dominion Entomologist, gave a brief description of his work on this insect in England, where it is becoming a serious forest pest. Its distribution in Canada is also increasing and the larches (Larix americana) as far west as Winnipeg, are now suffering from the attacks of this sawtly, which destroyed most of the larches in Eastern Canada subsequent to its appearance in 1882. Only one brood was found to occur — the deposition of the eggs and the emer- gence of the larvae extended over a considerable period, and might give the im- pression that the species was double brooded. The chief parasite was found to be Mesoleius aulicus, Grav., and investigation showed that in 1908 the average number of cocoons parasitised was 6 per cent., in the present year it was found to have doubled. Another ichneumon, Microcrypius labralis, Grav., was bred out and this insect is probably a hyper-parasite on (M. aulicus.) One of the most potent factors in the natural control of the insect was the Field Vole {Microtus agresiis,) which extracted the larva from the cocoons during the winter, during which season the larvae form a large portion of their food. In one plantation about 50 per cent, of the cocoons were emptied in 1908 by these rodents. 1910 E:f^TOMOLOCTlCAL SOCIETY. 21 Certain species of birds, such as the starling, rook, jackdaw and tits were of great importance in destroying the larvae in large numbers. A scheme of attracting these species of insectivorous birds by means of nest-boxes was initiated and the results of the experiment were very gratifying, 33 per cent, of the boxes being utilized in the first year. A species of Cordiceps, a fungous parasite, was found to be destroying a large number of the pupating larvae, and as the probable method of infection is terres- trial, this fungus may prove to be an important means of natural control. The eradicative measures which were carried on against the larvae on the young trees were spraying with lead arsenate and crushing the larvae when they are in the "clustering" stage of their life-history, both of which measures were very effective in preserving the foliage of the trees under 8 feet high. Such measures of course cannot be employed in the case of large tracts of young self-sown larches, such as occur in many places in Canada ; in such places natural means of control must be relied on. NUESERY WOEK IN ONTAEIO. By E. C. Treherne, Grimsby. It is with a great deal of pleasure that I am enabled to give you a report on the Nursery work in Ontario. This year the Ontario Government, for the first time since 1902, instituted a general summer inspection of the nursery stock of Ontario, with a view to more effectually check the increase, distribution and rav- ages of the San Jose Scale and other pernicious insects which are prevalent in the nurseries, and also to gain a more precise idea of the nature of these attacks and the extent of their prevalence. A report, such as I am attempting to present to you at the present time, must necessarily be of a somewhat general character for the reason that the work is not yet finished and the final report is not yet com- pleted. Nevertheless I will endeavour to outline to you the course adopted by the Government, which ultimately led to the formation of this summer inspection. The inspection is principally aimed at the San Jose Scale, but other insects, fungi 'and plant diseases are alsio included. For the last three years sub-inspectors were appointed in the Niagara Penin- sula where the bulk of the nursery stock is grown, and to quote from last year's report, "It was the duty of these men to watch closely to see that all nursery stock was properly fumigated before being shipped' out, and also to report any instances of scale being found in the nurseries." Presumably the work of these inspectors was sufficient to show that the scale had become localized in many nurseries, and, in order to effectually combat the insect and prevent its spread it was expedient to discover its breeding places and distributing centres. With that view, then, the course of summer inspection of all nurseries was adopted ; the Act which had already been passed prohibiting the sale of scale-infected stock was enforced, and inspectors were authorized to break down, or otherwise prevent from sale, affected stock in the nursery row. The work was started in the Niagara District early in August of this year with two, and sometimes three, inspectors employed. They commenced at Stoney Creek and worked through to Queenston and at the present time (Nov. 4), are engaged in the Welland and Fonthill Districts. 22 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 The work lias been delayed somewhat owing to the enormous amount of stock that is being grown and is ready for sale at the present time. According to last year's Fruit Branch Eeport, there were well over two million fruit trees growing in the nursery rows, to say nothing of grape and small fruit cuttings and the various ornamental shrubs that are being propagated. This year, I believe, the amount is still larger when all saleable stock is computed. It is the duty of the inspectors to make a tree to tree inspection, locate the scale and dig up and destroy affected plants; and since a single man can only examine 15,000 to 20,000 trees a day, according to the nature of the stock and the care it has received, it can be imagined that the work is assuming great pro- portions. But it is work along the right line, and the nurserymen realize this. Here it might be desirable to lay greater stress on the work of the local inspec- tors, w^hose duty it is to examine and enforce the law on those orchards found to he infested by scale throughout the country, but specially in the neighborhood of nurseries. For it is only by destroying the root of an evil that we can hope to accomplish results, and so long as infested orchards remain, just so long will the scale be found in the nursery. From observation this summer it appears that the orchardist in very many cases neglects his duty to the Peninsula, and that the nurseryman in nearly every case is anxious to reduce the scale to a minus quantity. Speaking generally, the San Jose Scale has been found in nearly all the nur- series ihus far examined, and is found to be present in greater or less quantities, varying from one tree to several hundred, dependent on the locality. Bul little- scale was found in the nurseries of the Stoney Creek District, but a considerable amount was found in the old Niagara District. A varying quantity was found between these two districts with a gradual tendency to increase from the former towards the latter. Scale is also very prevalent in the Fonthill District — greater infestation being to the north and north-west of the village. , • Birds, nut] the procuring of scaly bud-sticks appear to be the principal means of the distribution within the nursery, while shipment after faulty fumigation seems to increase the area of infestation outside. It is peculiar that sometimes a three year old tree literally encrusted from the twigs to the ground, will be the only tree in a row affected, thus proving the necessity of a tree to tree inspection. Eemedial measures most commonly in use in the nursery are the Lime Sulphur Spray, Whale Oil Wash and the Carlson Mixture. Besides the San Jose Scale, there is a long list of insects found on nursery stock. The most important, the most frequent and the most evenly distributed being Pear-Tree Slug, Leaf-Hopper, Eed Spider, Oyster-shell Bark Louse, Blister Mite, Woolly Aphis, Bucculatrix, and the Trumpet Leaf-Miner. From the botanical standpoint, the Cherry Mildew, Black Eot of Grape, Fire Blight, Bear Scab, Black Knot, Crown Gall and Hairy Eoot, are the most fre- quently observed fungous diseases. It is hoped that future years will see this scheme of summer inspection con- tinued. A fuller and more complete account of this year's work will probably be published in the Eeport of the Fruit Branch, Department of Agriculture. During the discussion that followed, attention was drawn to Clause 2 of the Nursery Inspection Act, which states that: ''The Council of any city, town, township, or incorporated village may, and upon the petition of 15 or more ratepayers shall, by by-law, appoint at least one inspector to enforce the provisions of this Act in the municipality." 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23 It was considered that there is a v;eakness in the clause which authorizes a Council to appoint an inspector, chiefly because the local man, from the very fact that he is a local man, does not inspire confidence. The fruit-growers and farmers, with whom, in the performance of his duty, he comes in contact, ask one another the questions : " What does he know about the scale ?" " Does he know the scale better than we d'o?" And further, the local inspector does not wish to risk disputes and wrangles and loss of his popularity by condemning a neighbor's orchard. On this account it would seem better to appoint as inspectors outside men, and that the Government should assume entire control of the work. ,, The following resolution was then unanimously adopted : ' Moved by Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt^ Dominion Entomologist, seconded by Mr. A. F. Winn (Province of Quebec), "that this Society, having heard from Mr. Treherne an account of the methods and work being done by the inspectors, wishes to express its great appreciation of the Ontario Government's arrangements for the inspection of nursery stock this season, and hopes that this important work will be continued with equal, or even greater, zeal in the future." SOME GUESTS AT THE BANQUET OF BLOSSOMS. By F. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope. In 1905, my first season of collecting, I went over to England at the end of June on a botany trip. I had already begun to watch for beetles on blossoms before leaving Canada, though my chief hunting ground had b'een the bark of trees. In England I knew that the latter game-preserve was practically out of the question, as timber is far more scarce, and nearly all the woods are kept too clean for fallen timber to lie or wood to rot. If I meant to do any beetle-hunting, it must be by some other method, and I naturally made up my mind to combine hobbies by carrying a collecting-bottle out with me on my daily botanical rounds. My first stay was on a small estate in Chislehurst, Kent. Here, in this garden within a garden, while wandering through a wood of hazel and oak, I came on a large clump of tall umbellifers in full bloom. I knew already from Fowler's and other books that such blossoms were a favourite haunt of certain beetles, and I made my way cautiously along a hedge of rhododendrons towards the clump. As I did so, there rose from between my feet a dark brown hawk-like bird, that flew up into my face and hovered for some moments in^ front of me; it was a nightjar, the famous goat-sucker of popular superstitton, menacing, but powerless to fulfil a threat, being, indeed, cousin-german to our night-hawk and whip-poor-will, with all the furtive movements and ghostly silence of the creatures that fly abroad by night and, hawk beneath the light of the moon. Like the nighthawk, it builds no nest, but there among the round flint pebbles by an oak lay its pair of eggs. When first I got to the clump of flowering plants and scanned their broad white discs of blossom, among^ numerous diptera and hymenoptera, nothing was to be seen except a few butterflies, but presently I saw a large black and yellow Longicorn settle on an umbel some distance off. On approaching I found two of the beetles feeding and succeeded in catching one in my hand. They were very active, as quick as sunflies and almost as wary, so that capture was far from easy, I managed, however, to get a second specimen some time after. They proved to 24 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 be Strangalia aniiata ; later on in the season I captured in iSTorth Wales a pair of Strangalia niclanura, one on a composite, the other on a small umbellifer; and in Somerset, on the slopes of the Quantocks, I captured the more rare Strangalia quadrifasciata, sunning itself on a hazel leaf. The genus Strangalia is closely re- lated to Leptura, and, like that genus, with its near allies frequents blossoms. So far I have not found any in Canada, though some species are, I believe, not un- common. From the wood I passed into the kitchen garden, for I remembered a bed of orpine or livelong (Sedum telephium) where, 25 years ago, 1 could be sure of some Red Admirals (Pyrameis atalanta) and an occasional Peacock (Vanessa io), but alas! King Orpine's days were numbered, and Salpiglossis and Montbretia reigned in his stead. However, I spied a bed of asparagus and went over to review its ranks. I soon found that ladybirds were glutting themselves on a small dark grub about the foliage; it was probably the grub of the asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi), for I found a number of the mature insects on the leaves. Though very small, this beetle is extremely beautiful when alive, the ver- tical lines and cross-bars which appear black in cabinet specimens being of a rich dark green in the living insect. I^ has a curious habit when alarmed of thrusting its antennae straight forward in front of the head and remaining motionless like a pointer ; this habit isi found in not a few of the Chrysomelians, as in some of the Longicorns, notably the Saperdas. I saw no trace of the 12-spotted species (Crio- ceris 12-punctata; indeed, at the time I did not know it occurred in Great Bri- tain; but in September, 1907, I found both species on some asparagus in the late Dr. Brodie's garden in Toronto, and the last two years I have found the latter species abundant in Port Hope. In Dr. Bethune's day, I understand, it had not yet appeared there. During the rest of my stay in England I did not do much collecting, as the month of August forms a sort of interregnum in insect activity between the early and the late broods. But I returned to Canada fully determined to prosecute my search among flowers and foliage in the coming season. I knew, of course, that I should thereby restrict my captures mostly to two or three families of beetles — the Scarabs, Longicorns and Chrysomelians, but to some such form of amateur specialism I was not at all averse. Accordingly, from early April in the spring of 1906, I was out and about whenever I got the chance. It was not till May that my efforts met with much reward. A species of ffidemeris that frequents the dogtooth violet was almost the only capture. I had been told that a somewhat rare Longicorn was to be met with on the blossom of the trillium, but my informant could not tell me its name, nor did patient search in trilliums yield me any specimens of this family. About the 20th of May, however, blossomed the early elder, and though I wasted a great deal of time over elder clumps 'growing far away from woodlands, I did at last, by good luck, direct my steps to some growing on the edge of a wood about four miles north of the school. Here I found a new species of Scarab, leaden-gray in colour, though disguised for the nonce in a light yellow coat of pollen, with which it was thickly dusted over; it had long crooked hind legs that looked too clumsy to be of much use to their owner, and were, indeed, trailed along after it when it crawled. It was the male of Hoplia trifasciata, and I found it abundant for two or three weeks on the early elder, the choke-cherry, and the haw- thorn; at first only the males were to be found, but about a week later the females became oommon; these at first I took for a distinct species, as they are very different in colour, yellowish-white, with three irregular bands of brown across 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25 the back ; on the hawthorn, however, where the female was in preponderance, I more than once found a pair. The same mistake appears to have made its way into print, and the two sexes were at one time assigned to distinct species, the male figuring as Hoplia tristis, and the female as Iloplia trifasciata. I found also on this clump of elder a few specimens of one of our earliest Lepturas, L. ruficoUisj and, by way of a new illustration to the old adage that " it never rains but it pours," three specimens of M'hat at first I took to be an ant, till on looking closer I saw the straight line down the back formed by the suture of the wing-covers and the gracefully curving antenna? that mark the Longicorn beetle. It was quite new to me, and my fellow-collector, though several seasons older than I, had nothing like it in his collection. There was nothing specially remarkable about its colour, which was blackish or dark gray, relieved by some transverse pencilled lines of white, and it was only 1-3 of an inch in length, but there was an elegance of form and outline that made it long a' favourite in my little collection. This enthusiasm in a grown man doubtless seems absurd to the uninitiated, and I must admit, somewhat ruefulty, that I found myself an object of pity rather than envy when I "talked beetles" to a brother of mine who has misspent the last 20 years of his life tiger-hunting in Madras and bagging lions in Ehodesia, in fact, generally making ducks and drakes of all his golden opportunities to collect rare Longicorns from tropical blossoms. In the identification of this insect occurred an episode that I hope Dr. Bethune will pardon me for introducing here. At the close of this season of 1906 I pur- chased a copy of LeConte & Horn's key to the genera of N". A. Coleoptera. By a somewhat rough process of elimination I had decided my beetle belonged some- where in the tribe Clytini, whose most familiar representative is probably the famous sugar-maple borer, Plagionotus speciosus. LeConte & Horn's book made it prob- able that in the third group of this tribe, the Anaglypti, it would find its place. This group contains four genera, Mioi'odytus, Cyrtophoi^us, Tilloniorpha, and Euderces. Only one of these genera was at all known to me, and that from a single species {Euderces picipes) somewhat resembling the subject of my examina- tion. I found first of all that the beetle I was trying to place had no ivory marks on the elytra, which put Euderces out of the question; the eyes were oblique and emarginate instead of round, which excluded Tilloniorpha ; it must be either Micro- clytu^ or Cyrtophoru^, and the book gave one no choice, for in Microclytus the second joint of the antennae was equal to the fourth, while in Cyrtophorus the second joint was much shorter, as it obviously was in my specimens. My fellow-collector had already sent a box of unidentified specimens to Guelph to be named, and when they came back I was naturally eager to learn the result. To my chagrin I found my little favourite christened Microclytus gazellula. This so mystified me that at last I wrote to Dr. Bethune, explaining the quandary I was in. To my great relief I got an immediate reply, that the beetle sent him had been identified from a cabinet specimen named by an older collector. LeConte & Horn were right, my beetle was Cyrtophorus verrucosus, as were those in the Guelph cabinet, though hitherto wrongly named. I have examined a number of cabinets, and in none of them yet have I found more than an odd specimen of this beetle, nor have I met a Coleopterist who had captured it, except accidentally, as it were. But on the blossoms of the early elder, still more those of hawthorn, sometimes of choke-cherry, dogwood, spiked maple, viburnum and New Jersey tea, from the 'middle of May till early in July, I have found it abundant. It is then replaced by its near relation, Euderces picipes. 26 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 which frequents blossoms all July, especially those of New" Jersey tea and milkweed, though often met with also on certain of the Rosasese and composites. It closely resembles Cyrtophorus, though considerably smaller and not so elegant in form; on the side of each elytron is a transverse white band, technically termed an ivory vitta; in the first specimens captured I did not recognize a new kind till I took them out of the killing-bottle. This finding of a new species acts as a great incentive to the collector, not merely through the stimulus and encouragement of filling gaps in his cabinet, but through the interest and education of comparing closely-allied species and genera, and gradually following out the relationship of distinct tribes as the series of intermediate forms grows more and more continuous ; thus retracing, as it were, the steps of natural evolution. It was, I know, a great encouragement to me to find the wide gap between, say, the Cyllenes and the Lepturas being gradually filled in and the various stages of the transition emerging, so to say, from the un- known. I believe it was the consequent redoubled efforts made by my fellow- collector and myself the next season, more than mere luck, that brought us an interesting discovery in the middle of June. On a certain Sunday morning I captured on spiked maple a specimen of an ant-like beetle, obviously belonging to the Anaglypti group, but neither Cyrtopliorus verrucosus nor Euderces picipes, and in the afternoon of the same day on hawthorn, my friend captured a specimen of an ant-lik^ beetle neither Cyrtopliorus verrucosus nor Euderces picipes. Neither of us noticed his discovery till we came to turn out the contents of our killing- bottles on returning home. Stranger still, the new species we had captured, when we came to compare notes, proved different from one another. By a close exam- ination of my friend's capture, I found he had at last got a genuine specimen of Microclytus gazellula. My capture has not yet been identified, but it may be re- ferred almost certainly to the genus Cyrtopliorus. I have been led into something of a digression here, and for purposes of this paper I may remind you that we are in the month of May, and searching for beetle guests on the blossoms of the early elder. Through the middle of the wood where I made these first discoveries flows a small stream that has eaten out for itself quite a deep ravine through the limestone, clay and marl. About 100 yards up this glen grows a large shrub of early elder that opens about the end of May; on its blossoms we got several more of the Leptura ruficollis, but nothing new that season. In 1907, however, while my fellow-collector was examining the blossoms, he spied a new Longicorn, of which he captured three specimens, and a day or two later, from the same shrub, I managed to get two. Though there were several other elder bushes in the wood, we have found this beetle on none of them, only on this one tree, and it has yielded us from 3 to 5 specimens every season since. As far as our experience goes the beetle is active from the end of May till nearly the end of June. In 1907, from another locality I took two speci- mens on dogwood blossom; in 1908 I got three or four specimens on dogwood and on the thimble-berry, and in the season just over we both saw specimens feeding on hawthorn blossoms. It is the Pachyta monticola, a very pretty insect with pale yellow elytra, boldly marked with black or deep crimson. This genus is closely related to the Lepturas, but broader across the base of the el3^ra, and thicker through the sternum; its thorax, too, instead of being rounded at the sides, is armed with an excrescence known to Coleopterists as a "process." In 1907 and 1908 I succeeded in capturing a few specimens of two more species of Pachyta, smaller than monticola, and inconspicuous in colour, black, or black with dark 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 ■■ ■— ■ — — — - — ■ ■ - , ■ , brown streaks on the wing-covers. They were taken late in June, feeding on the blossom of dogwood. And with every fresh discovery I swelled with pride as I found myself getting more and more intimate with this royal family among beetles, the Longicorns. With the passing of May the early elder came to an end, but before it was over the hav^thorns began to bloom all over the neighbourhood. Our first field of investigation was a field, an extensive pasture bordered ion one side by a wood of pine, beech and maple. At first I went all about the farther end of the field wherever the snowy mass of hawthorn bush in full bloom drew me, but I soon found that it was only near the wood that my search was rewarded; the first captures were a couple of Scarabs called Trichius piger, a beetle looking very much like a small bumblebee and extremely active ; it is abundant on blossoms from early in June till the middle of July, and may be found on a great variety of flowers, l^hen I got my first specimen of Dichelonycha elongata, another Scarab, which is particularly fond of basswood foliage, and becomes some seasons a veritable plague. Finally I came to hawthorns on the border of the wood, and here I found several Longicorns feeding. Among them three Lepturas that were new to me, Leptura pub era, L. mutdbilis and L. vibex, of the last two only a single specimen. About the same date I paid a visit to the wood four miles away, to see what guests the hawthorns there were entertaining. On one bush at the edge of the wood I found both sexes of Hoplia trifasciata plentiful, two or three specimens of Dichelonycha, and a lot of Leptura ruficoUis and Cyrtophorus verrucosus; and besides these a new insect that at first I passed over for a fly, till the long antennae betrayed it; these in the female were about the length of the body, in the male twice as long; it was the more easily mistaken for a fly in that its wing-covers were reduced to a mere pair of epaulets or shoulder pads. It proved to be the Longicorn Molor- chus himaculatus, and was very abundant throughout June on several sorts of blossom. On another bush at the edge of the wood I found a regular colony of Chrysomelians busy in the blossoms. I sent three of these to Guelph, where they were identified as varieties of Orsodacna atra; in June, 1907, I found the same beetle on hawthorn blossom at Lakefield, and I have taken it also on viburnum; in no case did I find the normal form of 0. atra, though a few of my specimens approximated very closely to it. A curious feature about the hawthorn and its guests is that some shrubs apparently as favourably situated as others and in full bloom, were deserted and others crowded. It may prove that some species attract beetles and others do not; Gray's New Manual enumerates 65 species of hawthorn in N. A., while in Sar- gent's Monograph on the Crataegus in some parts of Ontario alone (as published in last year's Wellington F. N. Bulletin), no less than 95 species are distinguished. The results of closer determination in the species of plant hosts might prove in- teresting. An encouraging thing about this sort of collecting is that seasons vary in the maturing of both hosts and guests, so that often you will find species frequenting blossoms that the year before they did not visit, and sometimes you will come across an entirely new insect. Two seasons ago, for instance, early in June, we found a strange beetle abundant on dogwood; it proved to be CalUmoxys, a first cousin of Molorchus; in this genus the wing-covers are not short as in Molorchus, but awl shaped, so that the inner margins do not lie together in a straight line. Again this last season I made a new find on hawthorn in the shape of a small oak- pruner (ElapMdion). Much, too, may result from search in a new neighbourhood; 28 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 in 1906 I found scores of Lehiu furoacta ( a small Carab of the Bombardier group) feeding on golden-rod about the margin of a swamp at Lanark, and last July I captured two fine specimens of the large blister beetle, Pompliopa'a Saya, in Mus- koka, upon nannyberry {Viburnum lentago). When the hawthorn began to bloom in 1907, I went eagerly back to work my claims, for the bloom of a hawthorn last barely a week, and seems to attract insects for only a day or two. I had already ruled out the shrubs growing in the open; so I went first to the edge of the wood, but this faced west, and was exposed to a chilly wind. There was nothing to be found, and I followed the gleam of hawthorn north across some stump lands to a large wood ; skirting its west and north border, I came presently to a stretch of low swampy ground that penetrated the wood in a southerly direction, and was entirely out of the wind. It was thickly grown with dogwood and spiked maple, both of which were in the prime of their bloom, and in full sunshine. The numher of insects feeding on the blossoms was astonishing; in an hour or two I must have captured several hundred beetles. Besides L. rvficoUis (with its variety sphcericoUis) , L. vibex was plentiful and so was L. mutabilis, whose name now for the first time became clear to me, both forms being abundant, the light brown and the dark gray; I found also a very small Leptura that was new to me (L. svhargentata) , and the beetle, Ency- clops cceruleu; theire were also a few specimens of C. verrucosus, and it was then that I got my unidentified species of Cyrtophorus. There were, of course, other families of beetles; in particular, Elaters, of which I captured four new species, one of which I have never seen except on spiked maple, the head and thorax dark brown, ending in a reddish-brown base, the elytra yellow-green, tipped with dark bro\\^n. On the same blossom in another locality I have taken three more Elaters, Corymbites liieroglypliicus, C. propola, and a third species not yet identified, prettily marked with dark wavy lines across' the wing-covers; besides these, yet another Leptura ( L. 6-inaculata) . L. vibex seems fairly to revel in these moist woody hollows, and later on in the same place on black elder I found L. lineola abundant. It is evidently addicted to black elder, and partial to moist woodlands. As June drew to its close we extended our search to the south slope of a. long ridge of high land, some 6 miles north of P. H. On this slope grew the New Jersey tea, and as there were many groves of standing timher, as well as berry patches and thickets of small trees and shrubs, we felt confident that we should make some finds. Our first visit to this place (which we dubbed "the Rocky Moun- tains") found the New Jersey tea still some days short of blossoming, but there was dogwood in bloom on the slopes, and almost the first bush we visited brought us three or four new beetles, among them Gauroies cyanipennis, of the Lepturoid group, a stout, robust beetle, resembling in form Pachyta monUcola, very handsome and of a brilliant dark green hue, and L. capitatm, a beetle we at first took for ruficoUis, but more tapering in outline, and with head crimson as well as thorax. With the first days of July, along the southern slope of our local Rocky Moun- tains the New Jersey tea and late elder expanded to the sun, and the whole hillside became a revel of insect life. The delicate fragrance of the New Jersey tea would no doubt at any time attract guests to its dainty white clusters, but coming, as its blossoms do, jump with the height of insect activity, and in the most glorious weather of the year, the sun blazing through a breathless atmosphere, the number and variety of guests swarming to the feast were almost beyond belief. Some- 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 29 times an altercation would arise, when some blundering glutton (like Bombus or Trichius) tried to elbow his way into a blossom where there was no longer standing room. But "with them," as Wordsworth points out, "no strife can last." " For why? — because the good old rule SufRceth them — the ancient plan That they should get who have the power And they should keep who can," — and the weakest go to the wall. Among the many new species we met with in these happy hunting-grounds were several members of the group Clyti, between the Cyllemes and the Anaglypti; of this group we found an occasional specimen of Xylotreclius colonus, and a small Neoclytus, while Glytanthus ruricola was abundant. In the Lepturoid group we took many specimens of a genus we had not found at all before, Typoccras, of which we met with three distinct species, one black {T. luguhris), one black and yellow, banded like a wasp {T., sparsus) , and a third mottled with patches of straw- colour and reddish brown (T. vehdinns) . In midsummer heat, insects seem to grow nervously alert and restless and we found the Typocerus often defied capture; they would hover at a blossom without settling, like miniature humming birds, their tiny wings fanning with marvellous velocity, while their flight from one point to another was of the swiftest. A small beetle in flight is never conspicuous, and some of them when they settle on a blossom seem to have stepped out of the infinite, and when they take to flight again they pass away into a 4th dimension, as though, like Wordsworth's skylark, they too enjoyed a "privacy of glorious light," but one that needed no soaring to gain. More than once we found with birds of this feather that one in the hand was by no means worth two in the bush; there proved many a slip between the cup of one's closed fist and the lip of the cyanide bottle. To the Lepturas themselves, already a long list, we added L. subhamata, zebra, vagans, proxima, biforis, vittaia, Canadensis, and three species at least unidentified. Of these, proxima and subhamata seem to prefer the elder, and Canadensis the milkweed. In the same neighbourhood, from the heart of a dogrose I flushed an Oberea bimaculata, and from plants of the wild bergamot, with its sweet fra- grance and delicate lavender blossoms, a whole covey of some smaller Oberea that I have not yet identified. I say ''flushed" advisedly, for in the first instance I did not bag my bird; indeed, I chased it for two years before I caught it (the species, that is, not the individual). It is a small insect, of very narrow outline and black in colour; when flying it is almost invisible, only the practised eye can make out a minute and swiftly-moving shadow. You will get some idea of the hunter's difficulties when I say that I found it fatal to wink the eye while marking its flight; the creature simply disappeared like the skylark at the last point of vision. For one thing, it has a dodging flight, like that of a snipe, and to make its assurance of escape doubly sure it never settles on the upper side of a leaf, but always underneath. Even then it is seldom off its guard ; if you cast so much as a shadow, it is off like a trout in a pool. I tell you there was rejoicing in the camp, if not feasting, when I came home with the scalp of Oberea bimaculata at my belt. But in so fair a scene as the Port Hope "Rocky Mountains," disappointments cast but a passing shadow. The place was a perfect Paradise of flowers, and as we wandered in sunshine beneath the vaulted blue, over beds of New Jersey tea, through thickets of raspberry and thimbleberry, among brackens and orange lilies. 30 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 by fences festooned with grapevine and smothered in dogrose, everywhere a riot of blossom and insect life. Nature transfigured with the glory of the July sun, we thought of the wonderful interdependence of all living things on earth, and felt — I hope I may say it without irreverance— that it was good to be there. " Such life there, through such lengths of hours. Such miracles perfonned in play, Such primal naked forms of flowers. Such letting Nature have her way, 1 While Heaven looks from its towers!" EVENING SESSION.— THUESDAY, NOVEMBEE 4. At 8 o'clock p.m., a public meeting was held in the Massey Hall auditorium, which was well filled with students, both male and female, and a number of visi- tors from the town as well as members of the Society. The chair was taken by Dr. Bethune, Professor of Entomology. The proceedings were much enlivened by musical selections excellently rendered by the College Orchestra under the direc- tion of Mr. J. D. Tothill, fourth year student in Biology, and a piano solo by Mr. Eoy Eraser, another student in the same department. After a few remarks by the Chairman on the origin and progress of the Society which was celebrating its forty-sixth anniversary and the near approach of its .jubilee, he introduced the speaker of the evening. Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, the newly appointed Dominion Entomologist, who was taking up the work at the Experi- mental Farms so long and so ably conducted by their lamented friend, the late Dr. James Fletcher. It was a great pleasure to welcome Dr. Hewitt to Canada, and to have his kindly assistance during the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Entomological Society. HOUSE-FLIES AND THEIE ALLIES. Being the major portion of a lecture delivered before the Entomological Society of Ontario, on November 4th, 1909, by C. Gordon Hewitt, D.Sc, F.E.S., Dominion Entomologist, Ottawa. It is an especial pleasure to me to have this opportunity which the Entomol- ogists of Canada, in inviting me to give this address, have afforded me, of address- ing my first remarks in public in Canada to the Entomological Society and the students of the Ontario Agricultural College and the Macdonald Institute. It is, in a sense, my official introduction to you, and the cordial reception which I have been accorded on all sides, and especially during the meeting, have been most encouraging, and I can only say in reply to it all that while, I have the honour to be Dominion Entomologist it will be ever my object to further the science of entomology, especially Canadian entomology, and by the application of the results of scientific research to deal with those varied problems, both great and small, which confront the entomologist when dealing with injurious insects and their control. The subject of my address this evening is one that is familiar to you all. In Canada I find you know the house-fly only too well. It is man's most constant com- 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31 panion and the most truly "^domestic" animal in the world. Wherever man has gone the house-fly has followed in his steps, from the arctic circle to the burning tropics it dances in constant attendance, the uninvited guest. And yet, in spite of all tliis, notwithstanding the fact that no living creature paid him so much attention, he did not trouble himself about it beyond a most cursory enquiry into its habits and life. This is not infrequently the case in zoological science; we write monographs of inordinate length on species of animals whose chief recommendation is that they are rare, whereas on the other hand, those animals, frequently of great interest and importance, that are waiting on the threshold of our laboratories for inquiry are passed over. The house-fly is one of the greatest examples of this. In 1790, Keller made an excellent study of the "Stubenfliege ;" he studied the life-history and anatomy and anyone who has seen the beautiful memoir which he wrote and the charming illustrations will be filled with admira- tion and wonder that so much could have been done with the scientific apparatus then at the investigator's disposal. Previously and subsequently to that, those great naturalists, Reaumur, DeGeer and Bouche, all included a short description of this insect and its habits in their classic works. Since that time the only investi- gators who contributed really valuable information have been Packard and Howard, who have studied the life-history and habits in the United States. There is no need for me to call the attention of Canadian entomologists to the great importance of Dr. Howard's work, the value of which lies in the fact that he, above all in- vestigators, showed the people of the United States, and of other countries too, the serious role which the house-fly plays in our national life. I need only refer to the excellent work which is being done by the New York Merchants' Association to combat this danger from flies — than which such an association could do no work more worthy — as an illustration of the manner in which a corporation has taken the warnings, has proved them beyond dispute for itself and is applying the results of such knowledge as it has gained to the amelioration of public life. It has been my good fortune during the past few years to be able to add a little to our knowledge of this insect by a detailed study of its anatomy of which we had no previous account, and its life-history and habits. The result of that work has now been finished, though like most investigations it is not complete and it is my intention to-night to give you briefly and in a popular manner some of the results of my woxk and of the work of others who have been studying the habits of this insect. First of all, you must understand that several species of flies inhabit houses, some of these are frequently mistaken for the true house-fly (Musca domestica). This species is easily recognizable by having on the dorsal side of the thorax four almost black longitudinal stripes on a dusty grey ground which in certain lights has a golden shimmer ; the ground colour of the abdomen is a buff yellow and there is a dark brown median dorsal stripe; the whole of the dorsal side of the abdomen, however, is overspread with a reflecting grey which gives it a blotchy appearance. The average size of this species is 6-7 mm., but unfavourable conditions in the larval life tend to produce dwarf specimens of the adults. The occurrence of these smaller specimens was no doubt partially responsible for the popular idea that they were young house-flies and this in turn led to the mistake that many non-etomo- logical people make in believing the other species of fly which occurs in houses, namely, Homalomyia canicularis, to be a young M. domestica. This lesser house-fly differs on examination very considerably from M. domestica. In the venation of the wings the fourth longitudinal vein of the wing of H. canicularis goes straight to the margin as in all the members of the group Antliomyidoe, whereas in M. domestica 32 THE EEPOET OP THE No. 36 it is bent up at an angle before reacliing the margin which it joins close to the termination of the third longitudinal vein ; not only is it smaller, but in form and colouration H. canicularis differs from M. domestica. The dorsal surface of the thorax of the male is greyish black with three indistinct longitudinal stripes, the male's abdomen is slender and tapering compared with that of M. domestica; it is bronze black with three or four pairs of translucent yellow lateral areas. The body of the female is coloured a dark ash-grey and the thoracic stripes are more distinct, the abdomen shorter and more robust. Musca domestica forms by far the major portion of the fly population. How- ard's, Hamer's and my own observations shov^ that the percentage is usually DO- GS per cent, of the total fly population. Another fly that sometimes occurs in houses, especially country houses in the- fall, and also in the spring in England, and whose habits have frequently led to the popular erroneous idea as to the ability of the house-flies to bite, is the blood- sucking Stomoxys calcitrans, known by various popular names such as Storm-fly, Stable-fly, Fall-fly, all of which names are equally inapplicable to one species. ]t can readily be distinguished from M. domestica by the sharp awl-like piercing proboscis which projects forward horizontally from beneath the head. This type of proboscis enables it to pierce the skin of animals and thereby suck the blood of the same. It is interesting to note in passing that S. calcitrans is allied to those tropical blood-sucking Diptera of the different species of Glossinas, which are re- sponsible for the deadly disease of sleeping sickness and Nagana. They carry the Trypanosomes, the organisms which cause the diseases, and by their blood-sucking habits infect man and other animals. The former disease has reduced in a few years the population of Uganda by two-thirds and Nagana has rendered central and sub-tropical Africa practically impassable to horses. Musca domestica possesses a proboscis that is quite incapable of piercing the skin. It is only of use in absorbing fluids and this process of absorption is one of great interest. The proboscis is extended in the following manner. The vacant spaces in the head are filled with capacious air-sacs and blood; by the inflation of these air-sacs of the head the blood is driven into the cavity of the proboscis which is thereby extended and the two lobes which form the oral disc are distended by means of the blood. These oral lobes are traversed on their inner sides by a very large number of channels which are kept open by minute rings open at one side — and owing to their tracheal appearance are called pseudotracheae. The oral sur- face is applied to the fluid-moistened surface and by capillary action and the pul- sating movement of the oral lobes the fluid runs along the pseudotracheae into the oval pit and thence into the pumping pharynx — the pumping action of the latter keeping up the constant inward flow of the solution. In the case of such solid food as sugar this is first rendered soluble by the secretion of the lingual or salivary glands. The surface of the oral lobes is kept ir a moist condition by the secretion of a small pair of labial glands. If the abdomen of a mature female fly is opened it will be found that it is almost filled by the enormously distended ovaries; the alimentary tract occupying a small trough-like cavity between them and the dorsal region. In the posterior region of the abdomen the ovipositor will be seen usually in a retracted telescopic condition. When exserted the ovipositor is about equal in length to the abdomen and the female fly is thus enabled to deposit her eggs deep down out of the light in the crevices of whatever substance, decaying vegetable or excremental, it may have chosen as a nidus for the larvae. About 120 to 150 eggs become mature at the same time and these are deposited in clumps, as many as sixty or seventy may 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33 be found packed together in one clump. The eggs are pearly white in colour, marked with very fine sculpturing; they are 1 mm. in size, slender and cylindrioally oval, one end being more pointed than the other and along the dorsal side of the egg there are two curved rib-like thickenings of the chorion. The eggs of M. domestica have not the appearance of the grooved wheat grain as stated by several writers. It has been found that horse manure is the special breeding place of flies, but they -wall deposit their eggs and the larvse are able to feed on almost any kind of excremental products and in decaying vegetable substances such as kitchen refuse, especially if such substances are in a fermenting condition. They will also deposit their eggs in decaying fruit and certain food stuffs such as moistened bread, egg, broth, etc. The most important factor which governs the development of the larvse is tempera- ture; a high temperature accelerates the development. It is also affected by moisture, diminution in the amount of moisture retards development and by the character of the larval food and fermentation. The shortest time which I was able to obtain for the development of M. domestica was eight days. This was obtained by keeping the larvae at a constant temperature of 35 degrees C., and the times occupied in the different stages were as follows : — Qgg from deposition to hatching, 8 hours ; whole larval or "maggot" stage 5 days ; the larvae moult twice and the times occupied in the three larval stages were 24 hours, 24 hours and three days respectively; the pupal stage lasted three days. These times are probably as short as will be found \isually under natural conditions. Under unfavourable conditions, with regard to temperature, moisture, etc., the development has been found to extend over several weeks. In no case, however, was it found possible to keep the insects in the pupal stage during the winter nor do I know of any other observer who was able to do so. They invariably pass the winter as adult flies, and under suitable conditions of temperature and the presence of larval food, are able to breed during the winter months. The newly hatched larva measures 2 mm. in length and the average length of the adult larva is 12 mm. It is a typical, conically cylindrrcal, muscid larva, or "maggot," consisting of thirteen segments. It progresses by means of seven pairs of locomotary pads on the ventral side of the body and these are covered with small spines. The intestine of the full-grown larva is very com- plicated as will be seen from the figure thrown on the screen. When the larva is full-grown it retracts the anterior and posterior ends to form a barrel-shaped pupal stage lasted three days. These times are probably as short as will be found from a creamy yellow to a, dark chestnut brown. When the fully develope'd fly emerges from the pupal case it pushes off the front end of the case in two sections by means of an inflated sac in front of the head; this sac is afterwards withdrawn into the head. After emerging from the pupal case the fly crawls about until its wings have attained their permanent form and the body has hardened and dried. In my experiments I found that the flies became sexually mature in ten to fourteen days after their emergence from the pupal state, and four days after coitus with the male they began to lay their eggs which was possible therefore from fourteen days after emergence from the pup*. It will be seen from actual observations and experiments that in hot weather the progeny of a fly may be laying eggs in about 3 weeks from the time the eggs from which they were hatched were deposited, and as a fly may deposit about six hatches of eggs in a single season, it is not difficult to realize the millions of flies which a few flies may produce in the hot summer months. These observations indicate two important points : first, the necessity of destroying the first flies that appear in the season, and secondly, the abolition of their breeding places. In our towns and cities owners of stables should be compelled to either remove collections of manure 34 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 within seven daj^s or to treat the manure with such a substance as chloride of lime or mineral oil as each lot is thrown on the heap to prevent the breeding of the flies and such manure should be kept in a chamber to which flies cannot obtain access. The first method is the best and most effectual and certain cities have now by- laws enforcing such periodic removal of manure. All cities and towns should enforce such removal or treatment, nor should they allow the accumulation of rubbish and substances on which flies can breed as many local authorities are accustomed to do. It is invariably found in such cases that the maximum number of cases of zymotic diseases such as typhoid and epidemic diarrhoea are located around such places. The change of attitude of people towards house-flies during the last few years has been remarkable. Public opinion on such subjects is slow in changing and although we had known for years from the work of Celli, Nuttall, Hoffman and many others that flies were in the habit of carrying the bacilli which cause certain of our infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, ophthalmia, tuber- culosis, etc., it was not until medical men as a whole began to realize the important role that house-flies play in the dissemination of these diseases that we really began to move. But now there are fortunately few who do not realize the danger of the house-fly. What could be more probable than the transference of dipease-earrying bacilli by flies when they have access to the dejecta of incipient or carrier cases of typhoid on the one hand and food materials on the other. Several observers during recent campaigns and also in military camps in time of peace have observed flies frequenting the food in the mess tents and carrying on their bristle-covered legs the white disinfectant from the camp latrines. Such an observation is sufficient to convince the most obstinate sceptic as the relation that flies may have in the trans- ference of disease germs. Take, for instance, the flies in unsanitary localities ; they are accustomed to frequent every kind of filth in the way of kitchen refuse and excremental substances and to spend a portion of their time regaling their palates with the food stuffs in the houses, especially such articles of food as sugar and milk. It has been proved that milk to which flies have had access becomes seriously contaminated with and infected by the bacilli which the flies have obtained from filth of different kinds and milk is an excellent mediuni for the gTOwth of bacilli,, especially during warm and hot weather. What are the methods, then, which we have of combating this most serious menace, for, to my mind, the fly problem in our cities is far more important than the mosquito problem towards the solution of which thousands of dollars are spent annually — and compared with which the suppression of the fly danger is indeed as simple. They are these. First, the abolition of their breeding places; the re- moval within seven days in the summer, of collections of horse manure, decaying and fermenting vegetable substances on wiiich the flies can breed. The substitu- tion of the more sanitary system of sewage disposal by water instead of the older and generally insanitary and dangerous methods of conservancy. The protection of collections of manure or kitchen refuse; keep the lid on the refuse chamber. Do not allow flies to have access to food, especially such foods as milk, sugar, etc., but, where flies occur, keep all such food covered with a muslin covering. Farmers and dairymen should not leave milk about exposed and accessible to flies. A man would not be willing that flies should have access to a glass of milk intended for his own consumption, and why should he leave milk exposed in pails in cow- sheds and similar places where the flies have a maximum opportunity of covering their legs and bodies with bacilli of all kinds, especially putrefactive bacilli. " Pre- vention is better than cure " is almost a truism, but the welfare of the future will depend almost entirely on that one word. Prevention. Nature is yielding up her 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35 secrets one by one through tlie toil of men of science, and it is by the application of the knowledge thus gained that we shall be able to avoid that great rod of chastisement of Nature, disease, which is inflicted on those who disobey or trans- gress her unwritten laws. And while we have these insects arrayed against us there are others allied to them v^hich, by assisting in the maintenance of a balance in nature take up their position on our side. These are the Tachinid flies, many of which, to the casual observer,, have a superficial resemblance to the house-fly. There are a very large number of species of Tachinidae and considerable variation in size and struc- tural characters. The larvse of most of them are parasitic on lepidopterous larvae, and in certain cases these parasites increase to so great an extent that they may suppress completely an exceptional increase of caterpillars. It is largely owing to these parasites and the Ichneumons that our vegetation is not completely eaten up by lepidopterous larvae. The Tachinid maggot feeds inside the caterpillar and gradually destroys the tissues of the host. In some cases the maggot leaves the caterpillar before it pupates, in other cases the caterpillar pupates and the Tachinid maggot pupates inside the cocoon or pupal cell. Their life-histories are extremely diverse and this is frequently found to be the case in the life-histories of the members of a group of animals which has assumed parasitic habits, whether it be insects, Crustacea or more lowly organisms. Parasitism induces profound changes in the life-history of animals, and we find great variations in so small, compara- tively, a group as the Tachinidae. Whereas some of the insects deposit their eggs upon the skin of the caterpillars, from which position on hatching the larvee bore into the interior of the host; others deposit their eggs upon the leaves of the plant as, I believe, is the case in Ugimyia sericaria, Eond, which is the cause of the most serious " Ugi " disease of the Japanese silkworms. The caterpillars, on feed- ing on the leaves, take the eggs in biting off the portions of leaf to which they are attached, into their digestive tracts where the maggots emerge and bore through into the tissues of the body. A third class is exemplified by the species Eupeleteria magnicornis, Zett, which, as Townsend has shown, deposits living maggots not on the caterpillars, but upon the green shoots, leafribs, etc., on which caterpillars were present and usually on the silken thread spun by the caterpillar on its trail over the plant. It will be recognized that the first method is the one in which the maggot is least sure of success in entering the host, for it not infrequently happens that the caterpillar moults before the eggs of the Tachinid hatch and thus rids itself of the danger. So that although we may find Tachinids depositing their eggs freely upon caterpillars, it is unsafe to predict beneficial results. Howard, for example, mentions a case in which 226 moths and only four Tachinid flies were obtained from 235 caterpillars of the Gipsy Moth, upon each of which 1 to 33 Tachinid eggs had been observed. In another case, 252 caterpillars, all bearing Tachinid eggs, were reared and not a single fly emerged. These cases illustrate well the advantage to an insect larvae of such a method of growth by the moulting of the old skin. Once inside the caterpillar the maggot bores its way into the body cavity or blood cavity and immediately attaches the breathing pores at the posterior end of its body to one of the breathing pores of spiracles of its host and thus obtains its air direct from the outside. In this position it remains during the whole of its larval life, until it is full grown. It moults twice and the old skins remain attached at the posterior end of the body as the maggot does not leave the spiracle of the caterpillar to which it has once attached itself, until it flnally leaves it to pupate. Allied to these insects are the Anthomyidae, some of whose larvs are the de- structive root-maggots, which feed on the roots of many vegetables, such as cabbages, 36 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 radislie.5, onions, beans, etc. A few 3'ears ago I found, when studying tlie life- history of Musca domestica, that the flies of the root-maggot (Anthomyia radicum, Meigen), were especially fond of laying their eggs on horse manure in which the larvae were reared. This fact may account frequently for the presence of root maggots on crops, as it has been found that fields heavily manured suffer more from the attacks of root maggots than those on which there is less manure or which have been manured some length of time. Such facts as these have to be borne in mind in cultivating infested areas. These few cases of the economy of certain allied insects will illustrate to yon the benefits and injuries that are the result of different modes of life of insects somewhat closely allied and show how the knowledge gained from a careful study of the life-histories and habits of life or bionomics can be applied to further the welfare of man. At the close of Dr. Hewitt's lecture, which was illustrated by a number of beautiful lantern slides of the life stages of various species of flies and of their structural and anatomical details (Plate F, page 141), a hearty vote of thanks was ^iven him. President Creelman, in proposing the vote, and Professor McCready, in seconding it, spoke in high terms of the excellence of the address and the gratifi- cation that all felt in the appointment of so well qualified a successor to the late Dr. Fletcher. The chairman referred to the measures that had been put in operation for reducing the number of disease-bearing flies in the city of New York, and the encouraging diminution in the percentage of cases of sickness and death during the later months of summer, especially amongst children. The meeting wa=^ brought to a close with a musical performance by the orchestra and the singing of '' God Save the King." SECOND DAY'S SESSION— FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, 1909. The President, Mr. Tennyson D. Jarvis, took the chair at 9.30 a.m., in the Biological lecture-room of the Ontario Agricultiiral College. There was a good attendance both morning and afternoon, including many of the students as v/ell as members of the Society. The first order of the day was the reading of the reports of the Council, the Branches at Montreal and Toronto, and of tlie different officers of the Society. The Montreal Branch was represented by Mr. A. P. Winn, and Toronto by Mr. J. B. Williams. The report of the Delegate to the Royal Society was read by Mr. A. Gibson, of Ottawa. This was followed by the election of officers for the ensuing year, 1909-1910 (see page 6). EEPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The Council of the Entomological Society of Ontario begs to present the report for the year 1908-09. The forty-fifth annual meeting of the Society was held at the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, on the 5th and 6th of November, 1908. There was a very satisfactory attendance of members from a distance as well as those locally resident ; a considerable number of tiie students of the College were also present. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 The first afternoon was occupied with the reading of the reports of the Directors on the insects of note in their respective districts, and a conference was held on the chief insect pests of the season, which was participated in by many of those present. In the evening a public meeting was held in Massey Hall, and a popular lecture was delivered by Dr. E. P. Felt, of Albany, State Entomologist of New York, on "The Interpretation of Nature," illustrated by lantern pictures. A paper was also read by Prof. Lochhead, of the Macdonald College, St. Anne de Bellevue, P.Q., on "Entomology in the Graduate School of Agriculture at Cornell University." The morning and afternoon of the second day were occupied with the reading of the reports of the various branches and officers of the Society. Papers were also read on a variety of subjects, both scientific and practical. All of these'have been published in the annual volume. This volume, the " Thirty-ninth Annual Eeport to the Legislature of Ontario," was published in March last, and contained 153 pages and 18 half-tone plates of gall insects, also a portrait of the late Dr. James Fletcher. The papers were further illustrated by over 40 figures in the text. Besides those already mentioned, it included the folloAving articles : " What Entomology the Farmer and Fruitgrower should know," "The Strawberry Weevil," and "Injurious Insects of Quebec in 1908," by Prof. Lochhead; "A Catalogue of the Gall Insects of Ontario," "Apparatus for Collecting small Arthropods," and " Notes on the Coccidse of Ontario," by Mr. T. D. Jarvis, Presi- dent of the Society. Among the popular papers were, " Beetle Haunts," by F. J. A. Morris ; " A Farmer's Wood Lot," by Dr. Fyles ; " The Importation of Parasites of the Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths," by Dr. L. 0. Howard, Chief of the Bureau of Entomology, Washington. The remaining papers were of a more or less scien- tific character, viz: "Hydroecia Micacea in Canada," and "The Entomological Record," by Mr. Arthur Gibson ; " The Life History of Euchffitias Oregonensis," by Mr. H. H. Lyman; "Observations on the Sorghum Midge," by Mr. E. C. Treherne; "Enemies of Ontario Coccidse," by Mr. A. Eastham; "Two Butterflies added ta the Montreal List," by Mr. A. F. Winn ; " Collecting with a Lantern Trap," and " Notes on Lachnosternas," by Mr. J. D. Evans ; " The Tussock Moth in Toronto," by Mr. P. Hahn ; " The Economic Importance and Food Habits of American Gall Midges," by Dr. E. P. Felt; "Injurious Insects of the Year," by Dr. Bethune and Mr. Gibson. A few days after the close of the meeting the members of the Society and a host of friends all over the continent were shocked and deeply grieved at the sad tidings that our much loved President, Dr. James Fletcher, was no more. His death took place at Montreal, on Sunday, November 8th, 1908, after an operation from which he had not the strength to rally. A great man, a master mind, an enthusiastic student of nature, a most lovable personality has been taken from us. In our last report a full obituary notice was given. It is therefore unnecessary to enter into any further account of the work of our lamented friend. " The Canadian Entomologist," the monthly magazine of the Society, has been regularly issued at the beginning of each month. The fortieth volume was completed in December last, and eleven numbers of the forty-first volume have already been published. The volume for 1908 consisted of 471 pages, and was illustrated by 11 full-page plates and 20 figures from original drawings. The contributors numbered 69 and included writers from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, England, the United States, Brazil, Norway, and the Hawaiian Islands. The articles are, as usual, largely of a scientific character, and 38 THE REPOET OF THE Ko. 36 contain nmeli liigbly valuable matter. No less than 33 new genera were described, 282 new species and 9 varieties or subspecies of insects belonging to various orders. The reports from the branches of the Society, at Montreal, Quebec, and To- ronto, are highly satisfactory, meetings having been regularly held and many papers read and discussed. Owing to the absence of the Secretary in England no report was received from the British Columbia Branch. Meetings of the Society were held from October to March at the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, on alternate Wednesday evenings. The attendance in- cluded a number of the more advanced students and a gratifying .amount of interest was shown by all who attended. The following papers were read during the season: "The Sorghum Midge in Louisiana," by E. C. Treherne (4th year stu- dent) ; "A Classification of Muscoidean Flies," by W. E. Thompson (4th year student) ; " Eearing Pomace Flies," by E. W. Stafford (4th year student) ; " Sug- gestions for Field Inspection," by E. C. Treherne (4th year student) ; " Notes on Eriophydse," by J. Tothill (3rd year student) ; " Memoir of the late Dr. Fletcher," by Dr. C. J. S. Bethune (Professor of Entomology) ; " Some Notes on Mites," by T. D. Jarvis (Lecturer in Entomology) ; " The Chalcidid Subfamily Encyrtineae," by Alfred Eastham (4th year student) ; '' Eemarks on the External Anatomy of Chalcids," by A. C. Baker (2nd year student); "The Genus Tetranychus," by R. C. Treherne ; " The Entomological Department at Macdonald College," by A. G. Cutler (4th year student) ; " Spiders," by Dr. C. J. S. Bethune; " Injurious Insects of the Season," by L. Caesar (Demonstrator in Entomology). It is with deep regret that the Council have to record the death of Dr. William Brodie, of Toronto, who died on the 6th of August last, in his seventy-eighth year. He had recently been contributing a series of papers on Gall insects to the pages of the " Canadian Entomologist," and was occupied with the duty of looking after the collections in the Museum of the Department of Education. One of the oldest honorary members of the Society, Mr. William H. Edwards, died in the early part of the year. He had been one of the most regular contributors to the pages of the "Canadian Entomologist" during a long series of years and was known to the scientific world as the author of three most beautifully illustrated volumes on " The Butterflies of North America." We have also to deplore the loss of another contributor in the person of Prof. M. V. Slingerland, of Cornell University. Obituary notices of these gentlemen have already been published in the pages of the " Canadian Entomologist." Efforts are now being made to hold an International Congress of Entomologists at Brussels, in August of next year. A large Committee has been formed to repre- sent the Dominion of Canada, including members of our Society in all the different provinces. It is much to be hoped that we may be represented by one or more delegates, and that the forthoming meeting may be a precursor of a long series in years to come. It is with much regret that the Council has learned that the Eev. Dr. Fyles, for so many years the active President of the Quebec Branch, has resigned his position as Chaplain to the Immigrants and removed to Hull, P.Q. The rest and retirement which he has so well earned by many years of laborious work will, it is hoped, be long enjoyed by this veteran entomologist. Mr. A. E. M. Boulton has been elected President of the Quebec Branch, which will, no doubt, continue as active and enthusiastic as heretofore. The Council has great pleasure in welcoming Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, the newly-appointed Dominion Entomologist for the Experimental Farms. It is a 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39 great satisfaction to know that we have a successor to the late Dr. Fletcher who has had a thorough scientific training and is evidently quite competent to take up and continue the work of his illustrious predecessor. The country is to be congratulated on the acquisition of so able a man and it is trusted that he will long continue to work out and develop the various phases of economic and syste- matic entomology which will devolve upon him. We welcome him most cordially also to the ranks of our Society. Eespectfully submitted, Tennyson D. Jar vis, President. REPORT OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The 302nd regular, and 36th annual meeting of the Montreal Branch was held at 74 McTavish Street on May 8th, 1909. The members present were: Messrs. Geo. A. Moore, in the chair; Plenry H. Lyman, G. Chagon, G. A. Southee, E. C. Barwick, A. E. Norris, L. Gibb, F. Parkins, Jr., W. G. Gerth, A. ,M. Delisle, A. F. Winn. The minutes of the April meeting and last annual meeting were read and con- firmed. St. Hilaire was selected as the locality for Victoria Day outing. The Secretary read the following Report of the Council. During the season eight regular meetings have been held, the average attendance being eight members. Six new names have been added to the roll, and it is hoped that after the collecting season that they will help make our meetings interesting by bringing specimens of their captures as well as notes and queries on certain species. At the beginning of the present year, the Mount Royal Entomological Club was amalgamated with our Society, their books, pamphlets and funds being handed over to us. To take the place of part of the work of the late club, it was decided to hold informal meetings between the regular dates or during the summer. Two of these meetings have been held; one in January was devoted to examining the collection of lepidoptera of the Secretary; the other in April at Mr. Barwick's, at which he showed his new cabinet and collection, and microscopic slides of insects were exhibited under three of the members' instruments. The following is a list of the papers read : Annual Address of President, Geo. A. Moore. A Supposed Addition to Montreal Lists (Incisalia Henrici), Henry H. Lyman. More Recollections, H. F. Winn. Captures of Hemiptera at St. Hilaire, May 24, Geo. A. Moore. " Go to the Ant, thou Sluggard," Henry H. Lyman. Two Additions to the List of Montreal Butterflies, A. F. "Winn. Note on Junonia Coenia in Maine, A. F. Winn. On Water-Striders, Geo. A. Moore. Respiration in Caterpillars, Henry H. Lyman. A Trip to Gardiner, Maine, A. F. Winn. A Small Collection of Insects from the Yukon, G. Chagnon. The Genus Triphleps (Hemiptera), G. A. Moore. Notes on a few Butterflies from the Yukon, Henry H. Lyman. Notes on Hepialidae, A. F. Winn. Unnamed Oapsidse, Geo. A. Moore. 40 THE KEPOET OF THE No. 36 Pseudohazis Shastaensis, A. F. Winn. The Shores of Ponds and Creeks as Collecting Grounds, G. Chagnon. Note on Capture of Colias Philodice, var. Luteitincta, A. P. Winn. A Card-Index Chart for Life Histories of Insects, A. F. Winn. Butterfly Collecting in Manitoba (selected), Capt. J. G. Boulton, Quebec. On Spittle-Insects, Geo. A. Moore. Remarks on Prof. Poulton's Paper on Mimetic Species of Limenitis, Henry H. Lyman. Structural Characters of Our Species of Agrilus, G. Chagnon. On Luck, A. F. Winn. The report of the Treasurer shows a balance on hand of $73.86. The incoming Council are reminded of one or two matters not j^et finished, viz., the selection and purchase of a suitable bookplate, the completion of bound sets of the Canadian Entomologist for our library, as well as the arrangement of outings for the summer and a programme for winter months. Eespectfully submitted. (Signed) Geo. A. Moore, President. The President read the annual address, after which the election of officers was proceeded with, resulting as follows : President, Henry H. Lyman ; Vice-President, G. A. Southee ; Secretary-Treas- urer, A. F. Winn; Librarian and Curator, L. Gibb; Council, G. Chagnon, G. A. Moore, E. C. Barwick, F. Parkins, Jr. Mr. Lyman read a paper, entitled, "A Spring Outing," describing a trip to Washington^ D.C., and other places, made about April, 1908, illustrating his remarks by specimens of Lepidoptera and pressed plants. The meeting then adjourned. (Signed) A. F. Winn, Secretary. REPORT OF TORONTO BRANCH OF ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR 1908-1909. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Society was held on Thursday, June 10th, 1909, in the Provincial Museum, St. James' Square. The President, Dr. Brodie, was in the chair, and the following members were present: Miss Blackmore, Mr. Smith, Mr. Miller, Mr. Williams, Mr. Cosens, Mr. Laing and Dr. Abbott. The following officers were elected for 1909-1910: President — Dr. Brodie. Vice-President — Dr. E. M. Walker. Secretary -Treasurer — Mr. J. M, Laing. Librarian — Mr. J, B. Williams. Curator — Mr. J. M. Laing. Council — Mr. S. T. Wood, Mr. A. Cosens, Mr. T. J. Ivey and Dr. A. R. Abbott. During the past year meetings were held with an average attendance of eight members. The Society held an excursion to Niagara Glen, which proved both profitable and enjoyable 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCl F/rV. 41 The membership of the Society is now twenty-seven. Diirin,c; the past winter the tussock-moth and galls have received much attention, as the list of papers appended will show. The Librarian reports that publications have been received from the Entomolo- gical Bureau at Washington, from the Ohio and Connecticut Experiment Stations, and from the New York State Museum; and, as in former j^ears, the Society have subscribed for a copy of the Entomological News. The Treasurer's report shows the finances to be in a satisfactory condition with a balance in hand of $1.35. Eespectfully submitted, J. M. Laing, Secretary-Treasurer. List of Papers Read: Galls, Dr. Brodle; The Tussock Moth, Dr. Brodie; Collectinjik in England, Mr. Williams; Galls, Dr. Brodie; Characteristics of the Order Orthoptera. Dr. Walker; Insect Mimicry and Evolution, Dr. Brodie; Ferns, Mr. Ivey; The Tussock Moth, Dr. Brodie. TREASURER'S REPORT. Receipts. Balance from 1907-1908 $779 74 Late Treasurer to March 16, 1908 89 25 Back numbers 181 50 Annual Reports 19 25 Refund of s-alary 33 00 Advertising 12 48 Members' fees 397 62 Interest 7 40 Printing extras 26 70 Supplies, pins, etc 134 40 Expense: sale of cash-book and case 7 50 Government grant — 10 months. . 666 00 Expenditures. Late Treasurer's Exp., Nov. 16, 1909 $S7 6a Printing 1,328 64 Annual Report Ill 00 Salaries 20O 00 Expenses, Postage, etc 62 60 Annual Meeting 80 81 Exchange on checks 5 10 Library books and binding 41 51 Supplies, pins, etc 114 44 Balance 373 06 ,354 84 ,354 84 Examined and found correct. J. E. HowiTT^ Treasurer. S. B. McCready, J. W. Crow, Auditors. EEPORT OF THE CUEATOE. The Society's collection during the last year has been increased by the addition of one hundred and eighteen new specimens. Of these, ninety w^ere contributed by Mr. Charles T. Eamsden, Guantanamo, Cuba; twenty-two by Mr. T. Baird, High Elver, Alberta, and the rest by friends who do not wish their names pub- lished. Mr. Eamsden's contribution consisted of eighty-five specimens of Lepi- doptera, chiefly butterflies and Spinx moths, one Orthopteron, three Diptera, and one Hymenopteron. These insects being almost solely exotic species have been placed in a case by them&elves. All of Mr. Baird's specimens were moths, principally 42 ' THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 belonging to the Noctuidae. These have been distributed among the different cases according to families and genera. The other insects presented consisted of four rare species of moths and two specimens of a rather rare scale insect. The Society is greatl}'- indebted to the contributors, especially to Messrs. Eamsden and Baird, for their generosity. While gifts of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera are always welcome, there is great need of properly named species of Orthoptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Diptera and Hvmenoptera, and specimens of these orders are specially solicited from members or oli.cr collectors. The collection has been thoroughly inspected from time to time and precautions taken to prevent loss from museum pests or from other causes. They are all in good condition and show no signs of deterioration. Eespectfully submitted, L. Caesar, Curator. EEPOET OF THE LIBEAEIAN. During the year closing September 30, 1909, twenty-nine bound volumes have been added to the library, making the total number on the register exactly two thousand. There are also a very large number of periodicals, pamphlets and bul- letins added to the shelves, many of which, it is hoped, will be bound during the next few months, No new book of any very great importance has appeared during the past year. Several parts of Wytsman's " Genera Insectorum " have been pur- chased and others will be added from time to time. Forty-three volumes have been taken out by members during the year, and the books have been largely used for con- sultation by students and members of the Society almost daily during the College terms. Eecently the work of making a card catalogue has been resumed and will be carried on steadily throughout the winter. It is expected that a complete catalogue both of subjects and authors will be accomplished by the annual meeting next year. This will render the books in the library much more accessible and useful to the members. Eespectfully submitted, Charles J. S. Bethdne, Librarian. EEPOET TO THE EOYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. By Arthur Gibson, Delegate, Ottawa. I have the honour to report that the Entomological Society of Ontario has had a most successful year during 1908. It was with very great regret, however, that we had to record the death of our beloved friend and president, Dr. James Fletcher, which occurred at the Eoyal Victoria Hospital, on Sunday morning, November 8th, 1908. The forty-fifth annual meeting of the Society was held at the Ontario Agricul- tural College, Guelph, on Thursday and Friday, November 5th and 6th last. An interesting discussion took place at the first session on the chief insect pests of the 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43 season. The annual report of the Society which recentl}^ appeared contains a full account of the proceedings, with the papers presented at the meeting published in full. This is a report of L52 pages and is one of the most valuable ever published by the Society. Among the papers which are here printed, the following may be mentioned : The Interpretation of Nature. By E. P. Felt, Albany, N.Y. The Economic Importance and Food Habits of American Gall Midges. By E. P. Felt, Albany, N.Y. Observations on the Sorghum Midge. By R. C. Treherne, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Hydroecia Micacea, Esp. in Canada. By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Further Notes on the Coccidae of Ontario. By Tennyson D. Jarvis, O. A. College, Guelph. Some Enemies of Ontario Coccidse, By J. W. Eastham, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. " Some Beetle Haunts," by an Amateur Botanist. By P. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope. A Catalogue of the Gall Insects of Ontario. By Tennyson D. Jarvis, O. A. C, Guelph. Entomological Record, 1908. By James Fletcher and Arthur Gibson. Insects of the Year 1908 at Ottawa. By Arthur Gibson, C. E. F., Ottawa. Present Condition of the Work Connected with the Importation of the Foreign Parasites of the Gipsy Moth and Brown-tail Moth. By L. O. Howard, Washington, D.C. What Entomology the Farmer and Fruit Grower should know. By Wm. Lochhead, Macdonald College, Que. Injurious Insects in Ontario in 1908. By C. J. S. Bethune, Ontario Agricultural Col- lege, Guelph. Injurious Insects of uebec in 1908. By William Lochhead, Macdonald College, Que. The Parmer's Wood Lot. By Rev. Thos. W. Pyles, Levis, Que. Life History of Euchtetias Oregonensis, Stretch. By Henry H. Lyman, Montreal. The Society's branches at Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Guelph and Vancouver all report a most active year. They have all held regular meetings at which papers have been read and specimens exhibited for discussion. The British Colum- bian Branch publishes a Quarterly Bulletin, which gives concisely the work of the local members. Valuable notes on captures are included from time to time. The library of the Society, at its headquarters in Guelph, is continuously growing. During the year ending August 31st, 1908, 49 bound volumes were added to the Library, making the total now on the register 1,971. The books of the Society are consulted almost daily by members and also to a considerable extent by the students of the Ontario Agricultural Society. Some interesting donations have been made during the year to the Society's collections of insects. These collections are now being gone over and many old specimens have been replaced by fresher examples, bearing fuller particulars as to locality, date of collection, etc. The Canadian Entomologist, under the continued able editorship of the Rev. Prof. C. J. S. Bethune, completed last December its fortieth volume. This is a much larger volume than usual, containing 471 pages. Its articles are of the greatest value to entomologists, in fact it is absolutely necessary for anyone who studies insects to any extent, to subscribe to it. Sixty-nine different entomologists contributed to its pages last year, and a number of full page plates appeared as well as numerous figures in the text. It is impossible here to give a list of the papers published, but the following are some of the more important: British Columbia Syrphidse, New Species and Additions to the List. By Raymond C Osborn, Columbia University, New York. New Histories and Species in Papaipema (Hydroecia). By Henry Bird, Rye, N.Y. Studies in the Genus Incisalia. By John H. Cook, Albany, N.Y. 44 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 Notes on the Lepidoptera of Kaslo, B.C., with Descriptions of Seven New Species. By George W. Taylor, Wellington. B.C. New Species of Colorado Aphididee, with Notes upon their Life-Habits. By C. P. Gillette, Fort Collins, Colo. Notes on NoctuidiB. By Sir G. F. Hampson, British Museum, London. List of Hemiptera taken by W. J. Palmer, about Quinze Lake, Que., in 1907. By E. P. Van Duzee, Buffalo, N.Y. New Species of Dolerinse. By Alex. D. MacGillivray, Itbaca, N.Y. Type and Typical. By Henry H. Lyman, Montreal. Further Notes on Alberta Lepidoptera. By F. H. Wolley-Dod, Millarville, Alta. Notes on Tenthredinoidea, with Descriptions of New Species. By S. A. Rohwer Boulder, Colo. New Species of Therididae. By Nathan Banks, East Falls Church, Va. Notes on the Species of Rhynchagrotis Sm., with Descriptions of New Species. By John B. Smith, New Brunswick, N.J. Recent Work among the Borers. By Henry H. Lyman, Montreal. Remarks on Some New Pselaphidse. By Thos. L. Casey, Washington, D.C. Blennocampinse — Descriptions of New Genera and Species — Synonymical Notes. By Alex. D. Macgillivray, Ithaca, N.Y. Notes on the Pterophoridse or Plume-Moths of Southern California, with Descriptions of New Species By Pordyce Grinnell, Jr., Pasadena, Oal. Some Remarks on the Phylogeny of the Hemiptera-Heteroptera. By G. W. Kirkaldy, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. A Key to the North American Species of Aeshna found North of Mexico. By E. M. Walker, Toronto. Notes on the Coccinellidae. By Thos. L. Casey, Washington, D.C. " Some Beetle Haunts, by an Amateur Botanist. By F. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope, Ont. ADDEESS OF THE PRESIDENT. By Tennyson D. Jarvis, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. It is my happy privilege to preside over the present meeting and very thank- fully do I accept the position which you have so kindly imposed upon me. I have the peculiar privilege of succeeding the late lamented Dr. Fletcher, -whose labours and abilities need no words of praise or encomium from me, as they are so well known and so thoroughly familiar to you all. Besides the late Dr. Fletcher, who so eminently strove to advance the interests and welfare of this Society, we also most sincerely deplore the loss of the activities in our behalf of the late Dr. Brodie, of Toronto. In the neighbouring States William Ashmead, Prof. Slingerland and W. H. Edwards have departed since our last meeting, and the entomological world suffers an immeasurable loss. The results of their untiring zeal and labours to discover what we might know, and what we should know, of the science of entomology have impressed their effects deeply and indelibly upon the minds and in the hearts of all students of this exten- sive and intricate science. In the interests of entomology I must congratulate this Society and the country at large on the arrival of Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, of England, now active at the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa, and one whose reputation for good work in scientific and economic Entomology had preceded him to this country. Since the decease of the late Dr. Fletcher the department over which he presided has been divided, the Entomological division being taken charge of by Dr. Hewitt, ably assisted by Mr. Gibson, and the Botanical division by Mr. H. T. Gussow,. assisted by Mr. Groh. I regard with pleasure the many new and effective methods which have arisen and have been adopted during the past few years for the diffusion of the know- 1810 E^TTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 45 ledge of the science of Entomology. The work of the agricultural experts attached to High Schools in several counties of Ontario, will give a great stimulus to the study of Entomology. The office of the experts includes the teaching of the science in the high school, the conducting of experiments in farmers' orchards and elsewhere, giving advice on agricultural matters and establishing libraries in each county which -will contain work largely devoted to Nature Study. Teachers of high and public schools have taken up the subject with more or less success and their work has been very prolific of good results. Another method, and one which may in course of time be a most powerful one to increase the study of entomology, is the three months' course at the Ontario Agricultural College for Normal School students. Nearly two hundred students have during the past year availed themselves of this opportunity, and the number promises to be largely increased in future years. There is also the nursery and orchard inspection conducted through the horticultural branch of the Department of Agriculture by wliioh an intimate know- ledge of injurious forms of insects is obtained and remedies are applied to prevent their increase and spread through infected fruit or stock. The Natural History Societies, with their publications on Nature Study, their excursions, their periodical meetings where eminent scientists are frequently invited to address the members, and in many other ways, have made great strides forward in obtaining and dif- fusing the knowledge of insects. Another attractive method for the enlightenment of the farmer, nurseryman and others upon this subject of insects, is found in the bulletins issued from time to time by experimental stations and agricultural col- leges, by which the quintessence, as it were, of the subject is brought to easy view within a few pages of reading matter. I must also acknowledge the good work of the Farmer s Advocate, Canadian Horticulturist, and the WeeMi/ Fruitgroiuer for their assistance in the diffusion of knowledge and the instruction of their readers. These periodicals merit highly the splendid patronage accorded to them. From the position which I at present occupy I feel impelled to acknowledge that a large share of the means of disseminating a knowledge of the workings of our Society throughout the world is due to the Canadian Entomologist, our monthly magazine edited by Dr. Bethune. This publication has long since attained a posi- tion of celebrity in literary and scientific circles for the thorough information it imparts and the high standard of excellence it has attained and achieved. The graduates from this College in the Department of Biology also deserve to be mentioned as a potent factor in the gathering of facts and diffusing know- ledge in this science. Their studious and untiring researches and investigations, the zeal and energy with which they enter into their task, and the interchange of ideas resulting from them have greatly assisted in attaining a thorough knowledge of certain families of insects under all kinds of climatic conditions. We should not overlook the work of this College and of kindred institutions in the diffusing of the J^nowledge of Entomology and the stimulus they impart to research. Hundreds of students therein, undergraduates, are during the most favourable season of the year engaged in the gathering of insects and in the study of their life histories, their habits and their workings. A great deal is done for the spread of information regarding insects by the professors at the Colleges where the science of Entomology forms part of the cur- riculum, by correspondence with people of various pursuits making inquiries. There have been many hundreds of such enquiries answered during the past year by Dr. Bethune of this College, and his colleagues, and no doubt the same may be said respecting the correspondence in other Colleges of a similar character. 46 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 The lectures given by professors and graduates of Agricultural Colleges, and by others who have given the matter thought and study, upon all branches of Nature Study at meetings and gatherings of various kinds, also greatly assist in disseminating in a more or less successful way, the knowledge of this science and the useful application of what we know about insects. Among some of the latest and best works upon the subject of insects published during the past year may be mentioned "Our Insect Friends and Enemies,'^ by Dr. J.-B. Smith; "Insects and other Allied Pests, etc.," by Fred V. Theobald; and "Fruit Trees and Their Enemies," by Spencer W. Pickering. It is to be regretted that in the cause of research the methods employed are not always calculated to bring about the best possible results. Persons engaged in this work are often too easily contented with the discovery of individual insects and fail to profit by the study of a family group of them. In this regard the pur- suit of research should be continued with more and better system and it would be well to inculcate into the minds of all entomologists that this science must be studied, not from individual insects alone, but also from observing the life history, the habits, the qualities and working of whole families. However, the proper methods have been adop^ted by a number of eminent scientists in this country and the United States as we learn from the reports of their successful researches. It is to be hoped that the governments of the day will be as generous, or even more so, in giving aid for the benefit of the science of entomology as they have been in the past, so that the work or research and the diffusion of information may not suffer from want of the means to carry them on. When able men, aided by the necessary means, are active, great results may be expected, and with the stimulus of new discoveries constantly before them, there is no fear that we should suffer disappointment; the benefits to our country and its people derived therefrom, will in all probability be equal to, if they do not surpass, any investment of energy and means in other causes. In closing my remarks I desire to thank j^ou very heartily for your attendance here, for the excellence of your addresses, and the patience and close attention you have exercised during this meeting. If the enthusiasm for the science of ento- mology which you have displayed during this session is a true exponent of the spirit within you, it augurs well for profitable and successful years to come for the Entomological Society of Ontario. THE OEIGIN AND DIFFUSION OF ENTOMOLOGICAL EERORS. By Henry H. Lymaist, Montreal, Que. Though using the word entomological, I shall confine my remarks to the Lepidoptera as the only order which I have studied, but doubtless similar condi- tions have given rise to similar errors in the other orders. Anyone who_has looked over many collections of North American Lepidoptera must have been struck by the number of mis-identifications of species, or trans- positions of names to be found in them, and an interesting study could be made of the numerous popular errors which have become current in time past, and which in many cases still persist. Indeed, their universality and persistence is quite remarkable and it seems almost hopeless to try to eradicate them. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47 Their origin can in most cases only be surmised, but their diffusion and per- sistence can be easily accounted for. In Europe they have always been much better supplied with illustrated works on Entomology than we have been on this con- tinent, and this is easily accounted for. In the first place the science was studied there long before it was here and many North American insects were described by European authors. Then there has always been a much larger number of col- lectors in Europe than in America, and if many of them have done nothing else to advance the science, their subscriptions have at least rendered possible the issue of well illustrated works, which was also assisted by the much cheaper rate at which such works could be produced in Europe than in America. i The earliest important work devoted to the Lepidoptera of North America was the magnificent work by AbBot and Smith, in two large folio volumes on "The Natural History of the Karer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia," which was pub- lished in London in 1797, but this was a costly work and only found its way into the more important libraries and to a few wealthy collectors. Thomas Say, who has been called the Father of American Entomology, wrote between 1818 and his death in 1834, but it was only in 1859 that his complete writings on Entomology w^ere collected by Dr. John L. Leconte, and issued in two volumes. Of the 54 coloured plates, only 12 were devoted to the Lepidoptera, most of the others being given to the Coleoptera. In 1841 appeared the first edition of Dr. Harris' classic work on the "Insects of Massachusetts Injurious to Vegeta- tion," and other editions were issued in 1842 and 1852, and the revised edition by Flint in 1861. But from none of these works could the names of more than a very few of the moths of this continent be learned, and, therefore, collectors were depend- ent upon the leading authorities in the various branches for the determination of their captures. As Mr. Grote was tlie leading authority upon the Noctuidse, he was probably the one most frequently appealed to for determinations, indeed, he once advertised that as his time was so much taken up with this work he would for the future make a charge for naming specimens, which probably had the effect of materially reduc- ing the applications. Another who did a great deal of this work was Dr. Herman Strecker, who advertised his readiness to determine material sent him. Under such conditions it can be easily understood that mistakes would be sure to arise. In many cases duplicate specimens would be numbered and sent for name, corresponding numbers being placed on other specimens, which were retained by the collector. Unless specimens were rare, their return would often not be asked, in order to avoid the return express charges, but a list with numbers and the names would be returned. Mistakes might happen in many ways. As has been said, "no one is infallible, not even the youngest of us," and these high authorities would certainly have some errors in their collections, and so name these species wrongly for others. Again, in handling the specimens, the numbers of a couple might drop off and then be accidentally transposed in replacing them, and this might occur either in the hands of the one who named, or the collector who sent them. Or the collector might make a mistake and think two closely allied fornis the same and send one for name, while retaining the other as his numbered specimen. Given an initial error, its spread would be inevitable. John Brown, who had had his specimens determined by so high an authority as the celebrated Dr. Blank, would at once become an authority among those of his acquaintance whose speci- mens have not been so authoritativelv determined, and these collectors would be 48 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 only too willing to have him name their specimens for them, and these in turn corresponding and exchanging with others would still more widely diffuse the error. One error which has become very widely diffused is the transposition of the names " Gortyna nitela Guen." " Gortyna nebris Guen." The author of those names described nebris first mentioning the white spots and then in the description of nitela wrote: "Taille et couleur de la Nebris, dont elle ne differe que par I'absence complete des taches blanches," and yet in most collections the white marked one is called nitela and the one without white spots nebris. Another common error is the transposition of the names petulca and ferrealis in the genus Xylina, which was current in all our Montreal collections from the time that Grote and Strecker were naming material for the late Mr. Caulfield, until I discovered the transposition when studying the genus a few years ago. That that error must also have been widespread may be inferred from the fact, pointed out by Dr. J. B. Smith, that Dr. Holland figured ferrealis under the name petulca. Of course, an error could not become almost universal unless some prominent authority were himself in error, and that has undoubtedly frequently been tlie case. Dr. Scudder's writings afford several curious instances of this. In 1863 he published in the Proceedings of the Essex Institute of Salem, Mass., "A list of the Butterflies of ISTew England," in which he describes as new Meliima CEnone and Melitcea Harrisii, the latter being the species which Harris had placed hesitatingly under the name Melitsea Ismeria, Boisd. and Lee. Subsequently he ascertained by comparison of his Q^none with types of M. Nycteis, Doubl, and he had redescribed the latter species, so in his "Supplement to A List of the Butterflies of ISTew Eng- land," published in Proc. Bos. Soc. ISTat. Hist. XL, 1868, he corrected his error in regard to it, but in some way which he was never able to explain, made another error in saying that M. Ismeria? Harris was a synonym of Nycteis and not of M. Harrisii Scudder. In his magnificent work on the Butterflies of New England he made three transpositions. On plate 3, he transposed the numbers of the figures of Graipta Interrogationis var. Umbrosa and var, Fabricii, this he corrected in the appendix. On plate 10, he transposed the numbers of what he called Atrytone Zabulon male and female, but which is really Hobomok, and to this I called his attention, and in his third volume, in the part devoted to butterflies not found in New England, he transposed the descriptions of Brenthis Freija and Chariclea. '' More recent examples of curious transpositions are well known to most of us occurring in Holland's beautiful "Moth Book," and these, unfortunately, will have a wider effect on account of the thousands who will use the book, not one in ten of whom will ever see the corrections which have been published. Another class of errors is composed of those which have a purely typographical origin. A curious one of this kind, which, however, has no importarj^e, occurs in a paper by C. E. Worthington, formerly of Chicago, 111., entitled "Notes on Argyn- nis Alcestis." (Can. Ent. X. 38.) After saying that both Alcestis and Aphrodite were found in the neighbourhood of Chicago, but generally at different localities, he says : " I have been greatly surprised at the readiness with which a strong aphrodite upon the prairie can be distinguished, while on the wing from the surrounding alcestis, etc.," and I feel sure he wrote "stray," but that it was misprinted "strong," and this error was reproduced by Edwards in his magnificent work on the " Butter- flies of North America." More serious errors of typographical origin, or perhaps merely through careless transcription, are those in connection with names. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49 c^ ^ c^ M o oq > •=: > so" Co °» .. CO - § i § s S s s s s 8 ■" S e s e OBqo > > X X > > e e CO > > X X X X X X S3*] 05 •= a ^ .a^ §31= s H K m a a -5 « ^a? K H ^ d ^ d^ o ffid X O-^ s 1^ m X-^ e* fl — M eg ~ r CO =0 s 3 o s S " a -^ 531 e o CO OJ ■>• i;^ v»j p-^ '♦^ '^ (i) Gn o S5, a ^^ ^ t-^ ?5..^ so • d >5J Bg eq ^* -qj ^ ^' tq \^ oj KS "^ 03 o, *- c3 - > e e 'K. O gs o 5 ?i C eo CO S e '2- si e 00 e e ' o o S ^ e o ,oqOO^ e .Si -a c ■ OQi CO •§ -H S^ a V. « . 1^ •« ^ e o eo ■;~ ^ 00 -^:^ SI X f^x X '^ X 50 THE KEPORT OF THE No. 36 cq o ra o bo X X 8 a > - X > X X X cc »i' 3 s ;^ « V fiq 12; s ♦^ e 8 o M Q- ^ <0 a o s S3- 8 '^ 2 § w 8 See V .5 o '$^~ h^ 6: O: ■S.e i, 8 2 ^ S S 8 s S o o ?5. o ^' rs •£ ^ o ' QHonnKli e 8 ;|l e ; 3^ 8 . S « e £ s « 2 Ci ■h >> ==> ^ ei e >.1 8 o KJ .d C£> 4^ Cn) f1 u H 03 > > ^ O > CO m 03 CS J- — ^ O ;-,^ 'p iH P=< g 03 ^ rt oT aj .22 b3 03.: w +j tn "O cS 03 y o - M t|_| ' S-1 t, 03 03^1*2.2 pg 03 ft k! -M .. .. +^ CQ M S ^' S ^ § f- ^ ^ CO 03 .2 ffi, 9i 03 03 O ^, i^ ^ rt 03 t- g^pLl P-I Qft 03 o a a oo Oh CQ o -d d ..d OK a Isf 5 cs 2 .rH ^ «M fl-t-> O 03 ..isi'd ral inc ate 03 33* ^m^ - 2 ^ "^ 03 M 03 rj >.s-. "^ WpH^ 4-> +j t|_i "O o o d eS+J W=^g . P-^^ m .-d s^ 03 < Irt 5 O n O O X o iH O ,^ J 03 ^. 02 C) > 03 .„ 03 ^^:R P. 1 w fl .|-H f^^ £C 03 03 t^ .^' C 03 03 *; 03 O O <1 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 51 Most collectors know the pretty moth named Plusia J^r&a, Hubn, and the one so much like it that it was named ^reoides by Grote. The name of the latter was cor- rectly printed up to the issue of Dr. Smith's Catalogue of ISToctuidse in 1893, in which it appeared cut down to Oroides, but whether through the error of author or printer, I am unable to determine, and since then I have hardly ever seen it cor- rectly spelled anywhere. Dr. Dyar fell into the same error in his catalogue of 1903, though he gave the correct spelling in his index, and Dr. Smith, in his check list of 1903, repeated the error, and everywhere the same erroneous spelling is copied, including publications issued by Dr. E. P. Felt, State Entomologist of New York, and in the lists of British Columbian Lepidoptera recently issued. In order to render my copy of Dr. Holland's Moth Book as correct as possible, I have tabulated the corrections which have been made from time to time in differ- ent publications by different writers, and have myself discovered five discrepancies between names on plates and in the text. If any corrections have been made which I have not noticed, or if any of the corrections have been proved erroneous, I would greatly appreciate being informed of the facts. CONFLICTS BETWEEN ANTS. By G. E. Sanders. Following are notes on a series of conflicts between two species of ants — Myrmica scabrinodes sahnleti, Meinert, and Lasius niger Americanus: While making night observations on the Corn-root ant, Lasius nig or Ameri- canus, in August, 1909, Mr. W. P. Flint and myself accidentally caused a very curious conflict between the workers of a Lasius nest, and those of a nest of ]\Iyrmica. For the three nights following we were fortunate enough to have it repeated and to get several variations in the original procedure of Myrmica. It is on these variations in the actions of Myrmica that I intend to dwell particularly, and I will leave it to the reader to decide as to whether we had an unusual series of accidental happenings, or if Myrmica is endowed with a certain amount of reason. To describe the situation: — The Lasius nest, containing about 250 workers, was situated under the edge of a wide furrow which we had plowed through a corn field ; the furrow was 6 inches deep, and the bottom of it cleaned out with shovels, leaving a smooth surface, one foot in width. The Myrmica nest, containing about GO workers, was situated in the bottom of this furrow, about 8 inches away from the opening of the Lasius nest; 6 inches beyond this, and in the bank opposite the first Lasius nest, was a second Lasius nest, containing about 150 workers. Both species of ants are for the most part nocturnal, at least in their movements on the surface. During warm nights throughout the summer one will find from 1-10 to 1-4 of the workers of a Lasius colony on the surface, foraging within two feet of the entrance to the nest; a few individuals forage at greater distances, but the majority forage near the nest. This enal^les them to attack and kill, by force of numbers, almost any small insect, up to the size of the common Carabid, Agono- derus paUipes, which is unfortunate enough to fall among them. They exhibit great courage and skill in attacking these insects, which are often 13 to 15 times as heavy as a Lasius worker. Myrmicas seldom forage near their nest; they forage 52 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 singly at great distances, often 10 feet from the nest, and seldom attack living insects. It often happens that a Myrmica, in foraging, will wander into a migrating line or band of Lasins foragers. Several Lasii will immediately attack it, one holding to each leg or antenna, and will drag it from the vicinity of the nest or line, as it happens to be, and there leave it to go as it will, making no attempt to kill it. The Myrmica, in such cases, offers no resistance whatever, and will remain almost motionless while being dragged away. Occasionally a solitary Myrmica and a solitary Lasins will meet, and while the Lasins will usually avoid the Myrmica, it will sometimes attack the larger ant. In such cases the Myrmica will stand higher in the air than usual, moving about slowly, keeping the Lasius, which is attempting to get a hold on its legs or antennae, a little to one side and slightly in front of its head. They will often fence in this manner for a minute or more until the Lasius gets in the proper position, when the Myrmica, with a spring, swifter than one would imagine such an ungainly ant capable of, will seize the Lasius, usually by the petiole from the upper side, and lifting it in the air, will carry it to the nest, possibly for food. Myrmica, while a very sluggish and awkward ant, shows itself in cases such as the two mentioned (and probably 100 of each were observed during the summer), to be a very cool, deliberate, and, if such a term may be used, calculating ant. Lasius moves more quickly, and apparently more blindly than Myrmica. On the night of August 18th and 19th, while feeding the foragers about the larger Lasius nest, some of the food insects dragged themselves near the opening of the Myrmica nest* before they were overpowered. In the excitement of capturing the insects, 75 to 100 Lasius had come out from their nest and were busily engaged near the Myrmica entrance in dragging the dead insects back to their own nest. At this moment a single Myrmica appeared at the opening of its nest, and in a second disappeared. In less than a minute three more Myrmicse appeared and after running about on the surface for a few seconds in an excited manner, dis- appeared into their entrance. A few seconds later the whole colony of Myrmicse, with the queen, came pouring from their nests^ many of them carrying j^oung, and very evidently prepared to migrate. A few of the Myrmicse attacked the Lasii nearest them, while the rest ran about aimlessly for a few seconds, and then re- turned the young to the nest. The majority of the Myrmica workers now began an earnest attack on the Lasii, driving them slowly away from the insects which they had captured, and in the course of 15 minutes had them all driven back into their nest, leaving the insects near the Myrmica nest where they had abandoned them. The queen Myrmica remained on the surface only a few moments after the young were returned to the nest; she did not go more than three inches from the entrance and took no part in the battle. After the Lasii had all been driven in, most of the IMyrmic^e returned to their nest, leaving about 20 of their number, apparently standing guard, about the Lasius entrance, where they remained for some time, the last ones leaving and returning to their own nest about twenty minutes after the last Lasius had dis- appeared. The Myrmicse in returning to their nest scarcely noticed the dead insects, two of them dragged a dead back-swimmer about for a moment and abandoned it. The remains of the insects were found at their entrance the next morning, showing that during the night they had dragged them in and devoured them. On the night of August 19th-20th, the Lasii were brought near the Myrmica nest by feeding with living insects, this time purposely. The Myrmicae in appearing on this night were somewhat less excited than on the previous night, 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53 most of them attacking the Lasii as soon as they emerged from the nest. A few young, less than ten, were brought to the surface, as they emerged, and immediately returned to the nest. The queen remained in the nest throughout this battle. The time occupied in driving the Lasii into their nest was about fifteen minutes. After they were driven in, a number of the Myrmicas — -about 20 — remained at the en- trance as before, the last of them leaving the entrance fourteen minutes after the battle proper closed. On the night of August 20th-21st, the Lasii were enticed out near to the Myrmica nest in the same manner as before. Their presence was discovered by two Myrmica workers which alarmed the nest. The Myrmicfe, in appearing on this occasion, did not bring their young with them, but among the last of the ants which came pouring from the entrance, the queen appeared. The Lasii were at once attacked and driven away from their captures and in about fifteen minutes were all driven into their entrance. The queen Myrmica remained on the surface not more than two minutes; her presence there was probably accidental. It is possible that she was caught in the swarm of workers emerging and carried along with them. She took no part in the battle, not going more than an inch from the entrance to her nest. The Myrmics on this night did not remain at the Lasius entrance more than two minutes after the last Lasius had disappeared. On the night of Aug. 22nd-23rd, the drawing out of the Lasii and the emergence of the Myrmica workers was exactly the same as on the previous nights, excepting that the queen did not appear. No young were brought to the surface by the Myrmicse on this occasion. The Lasii were driven from their food and into tlieir nest in approximately the same time as on the two previous nights. After the Lasii had all disappeared the Myrmicae scarcely remained at their entrance at all, returning to their own nest almost immediately. On the night of Aug. 23-24th we had an exact duplicate of the proceedings of the previous night, until the battle was well under way, when we drew out the second and smaller nest of Lasius. By using insects which they were particularly fond of we drew them up to the rear of the line of fighting Myrmicae, about as near the Myrmica nest as the first nest of Lasius had been when the Myrmicae attacked them. When this second nest of Lasius came near so that the Myrmicae began to notice them the last of the large nest of Lasii were disappearing. The appearance of this second nest seemed to demoralize the M3rrmic8e, which were already in some disorder, and instead of attacking, as we expected they would, most of them ran around the cluster of Lasii and disappeared into their nest; a few of them attacked the Lasii, but not being supported, fell off and returned to the nest, leaving the second nest of Lasius in full possession of their insects, which they dragged to their nest. On account of the nights becoming suddenly colder, we could not get Lasius to come out, and so had to discontinue the observations. One of the most curious things was the apparently regular battle formation of Myrmica. In every case, soon after the conflict began the Myrmicae would form in a somewhat irre- gular line, with only a few workers behind, and a few in front of this line, those behind fighting with the straggling Lasii, and those in front being attacked by several Lasii and seldom moving, simply allowing the Lasii to pull at them. The line was always thickest at the centre, and thinnest at the ends where the Lasii were least numerous. The ends in all cases advanced faster than the centre, so that towards the end of the battle the line would assume the shape of a horseshoe. On the night of the 23-24th when we brought up the second nest of Lasii behind this apparent formation, which was already partially broken up in driving the 54 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 first nest of Lasius into its entrance, the Myrmicae apparently did not know what to do. A few put up a weak fight and in a few moments all retreated, leaving the Lasii in possession of their insects right at the Myrmica entrance. There were plenty of Myrmica workers out to drive off the Lasii, for there were not nearly as many of the second nest out as there had been of the first. Does this indicate that the Myrmicae fight in a more or less regular formation, and being surprised . when this formation was broken up, they retreated rather than fight ? Another thing: On the night of August 18-19th, when the Myrmicae were first disturbed they brought all of their young to the surface with them. From having seen dozens of Myrmica migrations, we can say positively that they were fully prepared to migrate. On the second night we find only a few young brought to the surface and immediately returned, showing them to be less excited over the presence of Lasius than on the previous night. On the third, fourth and fifth nights no young were brought to the surface at all. It was fear that induced them to bring their young to the surface the first night; on the second night we find that fear greatly abated, as fewer young were brought to the surface and kept there for a much shorter time. On the third, fourth and fifth nights we find no young brought to the surface; so, evidently, they had no fear of their nest being raided by Lasius. Can we conclude that this nest of Myrmica was profiting by ex- perience? It certainly was showing a degree less of alarm over the appearance of Lasius after each successive conflict. Again, on the first night of the battle, the Myrmicae stood about the entrance of the Lasius nest for 20 minutes after the last Lasius had disappeared. Whether they were simply wondering where they had gone, or, whether they expected them back, and so were picketing the entrance to prevent their reappearance, we cannot say. On the second night we find them waiting about this entrance for less than 15 minutes. On the third night we find them waiting less than two minutes, and on the fourth night, scarcely waiting to drive the last Lasius in. Does this indi- cate that they slowly proved to themselves the futility of waiting; that they re- membered their earlier experiences, and so did not wait at all on the night of the 22-33rd ? The notes on these conflicts were taken at the same time, separately by Mr. Flint and myself, and later compared. The notes on the behaviour of Myrmicae, when in ordinary conflicts with the Lasius, are from hundreds of observations, and go to show the cunning of the Myrmica in battle. The questions which I am not attempting to answer, are those which sug- gested themselves to Mr. Flint and myself when taking the notes. THE SPRUCE BUD-WORM, TORTRIX FUMIFERANA, CLEMENS. By Arthur Gibson, Chief Assistant Entomologist, Experimental Farm, Ottawa. During the early part of the past summer the Spruce Bud-worm was especially abundant in Canada. Towards the end of July the Deputy Minister of the Department of Agriculture was informed by the Hon. Senator Edwards that some kind of an insect was doing much damage to spruce and balsam trees in the above district, and as a consequence I was instructed to proceed at once to the infested locality, to investigate the outbreak. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55 Early on the morning of July 29th, therefore, I left Maniwaki, Que., in com- pany with Mr. M. Boyle, of the W. C. Edwards Company, and' drove to) Baskatong, about 40 miles due north, which place we reached about 5.30 in the afternoon. Around Baskatong the injury to spruce and balsam was very apparent, owing to the conspicuous reddening of the tops of the trees. Early the following morning we left Baskatong and spent the whole day examining trees at different points. As soon as the first tree was cut down I saw at once that a lepidopterous insect had been at work. Thousands of the empty pupal cases of the moths were present on the trees, and these, with the partly eaten and discoloured dead foliage, together with the excrement from the caterpillars, gave the conspicuous reddish appearance to the tops of the trees. The injury for this year, of course, had stopped before the time of my visit. The caterpillars had evidently become full-grown during the first and second weeks of July. Moths which had issued some days before the end of July were present in large numbers on the trees, and from fairly good examples collected, I saw that the species was Tortrix fumiferana, Clemens, which is known popularly as the Spruce Bud-worm. The caterpillars had fed chiefly at the tops of the trees, although some injury was done towards the ends of many of the lower branches. The foliage for about four or five feet from the tops of the infested trees was almost wholly destroyed, being either partly or completely eaten by the caterpillars. This, with the exposed pupal cases above referred to, gave the trees the conspicuous reddish appearance, and caused the rather wide- spread report among lumbermen that the trees were dying. In looking over a valley on the opposite hillside, the trees appeared as if fire had swept through the region. Other than loss of foliage and the consequent setback thus caused, the trees did not seem to be seriously injured. The tops were perfectly green under the bark. The outbreak of the Spruce Bud-worm this year has been most remarkable and very widespread. N"ot only has this insect done much damage all through the Upper Gatineau country and other adjacent districts, where there are large tracts of spruce and balsam trees, but even in British Columbia reports have been received of much injury by the Tortrix. Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Ento- mologist, when in British Columbia, in October last, saw the conspicuous work of the insect and received reports from local entomologists concerning its ravages. The Spruce Bud-worm, when mature, is nearly an inch in length, tapering slightly from the middle to the end. In colour it is dark brown and bears con- spicuous whitish-yellow piliferous tubercles, and along the side of the body there is a yellowish stripe. The eggs of the insect are scale-like and are deposited in clusters overlapping each other. The partly grown caterpillars pass the winter among the terminal shoots of the trees, completing their growth the following year. The moth expands about 7-8 of an inch when the wings are spread. In colour it is dull gray, the fore wings overlaid with bands, streaks and spots of brown. In the middle of the upper margin of the front wings there is a rather large conspicuous whitish spot. In British Columbia, this year, the moths were of a distinct reddish .colour, but all the eastern specimens noticed were of the gray form. When an insect attacks forest trees, such as has been the case with the Spruce Bud-worm the past summer, it is, of course, impossible to do anything in the way of applying remedial treatment, such as is done for leaf-eating insects when at- tacking orchard or ornamental trees. Fortunately an outbreak of such a nature, however, is generally attended by natural parasites, which sooner or later restore the balance of nature. From observations made, and from parasites reared in 56 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 the Division of Entomology from material collected in the Baskatong District, we have reason to hope that the Spruce Bud-worm will not next year continue to any serious extent its work of destruction. Undoubtedly, too, birds will help materially to reduce the numbers of the hibernating caterpillars. In the forthcoming annual report of the Division of Entomology of the Dom- inion Experimental Farms, covering the injurious insects of the year 1909, it is purposed to give a much fuller account of the injury done to spruce and balsam trees by the above insects not only in the Upper Gatineau country of the Province of Quebec, but also in British Columbia. THE SNOW-WHITE LINDEN MOTH. (Ennomos SiLbsignarius, Huhn.) By a. F. Winn, Westmount, Que. Poor as the summer of 1909 has been for most species of butterflies and moths in the neighborhood of Montreal, conditions must have been favourable for this White Geometrid Moth, for during August swarms of them about the electric lamps in our streets attracted the attention of many persons who do not usually take much heed of insects that do not sting them. For at least twenty years, prior to 1908, the moth might well be considered a rarity and my captures of it in that period did not exceed an average of one specimen per annum, and these were all taken in the woods flying among linden, beech and maple trees. In 1908 there were great numbers of larvse in June, in the woods at the eastern end of Montreal Island, feeding on the leaves of the trees above mentioned, as well as birch, completely stripping the lower branches of their leaves, the dropping of the frass on the leaves and ground sounding like the patter of a smart shower of rain. I was out of town the last two weeks of July, during which time the principal part of the flight of the moths occurred, but scores of dead moths in store windows and spider webs, and broken-off wings in little heaps at base of electric light poles and in gutters, showed plainly that the flight must have been one of myriads. The Entomological Eecord for 1908 tells of the occurrence at Ottawa, July 23rd. : Dr. Felt's 24th Eeport records its abundance through New York State and Massachu- setts, with figures of larvae and pupge and plate of eggs and imago; and Mr. W. H. Broadwell in the Canadian Entomologist (XL. 327) gives, under title of "A July Blizzard," an interesting account of the flight of swarms of moths at Newark, N.J. The last writer has again an article in the November number of our maga- zine mentioning that the 1909 crop of moths was even greater than that of the previous year. The same thing has occurred here and doubtless in many other places, and as Mr. Broadwell aptly remarks, it is " very unusual for an insect ordinarily rare to appear in great numbers for two succeeding seasons." If this insect's periods of visit in swarms are always separated by such a long term of years it cannot have many parasites peculiar to itself, or they would surely starve during all the lean years. Toads, bats, cats and sparrows undoubtedly had a sumptuous repast in the cities, but they have quite a choice of diet. It will be 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 interesting to note whether there are any of the moths next year; if not, we may have to leave future observations to our successors, as the astronomers do with the comets. On the morning of August 2nd, on my return from a vacation, large numbers of the moths were seen clinging, with their wings closed over their backs, to the office buildings down town, particularly at, or near, the street corners where the arc lamps had evidently attracted them the previous night. The following day there were still some moths about town, and all taken and seen on both days were males. On August 9th they were again plentiful at the lights during the evening — every lamp passed by in a three-mile walk had its swarm of white moths about it. An incandescent lamp on my gallery attracted many of them, the numbers in- creasing as it became later, and about 11 p.m. there were often between 20 and 30 flying around and the brick wall of the house was spotted all over with white. On the 14th, the moths were again noticed down town, in good condition, on walls and windows of buildings and all were males so far as noticed. On August 24th, after 10 days apparent freedom from them, they were again plentiful and in equally good condition. Evidently there had been a large flight to the lamps the previous evening. Dr. Bethune happened to be in Montreal in the evening of the 23rd and in crossing the city from the Windsor to the Hace Viger Eailway Station, observed and wondered at the great quantities of white moths around nearly every lamp, capturing some to make sure what they were and was surprised to find E. subsignarius swarming at so late a date — a full month later than in 1908. Among my captures on 24th August, was one female, the only one seen attracted to light among several thousands observed of the male sex. On September 4th, a couple of females were found on tree trunl<:s in Mt. Eoyal Park, but they were worn and nearly dead — too weak to lay any eggs. These were the last that I noticed alive. Wings and dead moths still adorn many corners and basement window sills that are not swept out so carefully as they might be. The simultaneous appearance of unusual numbers of any insect always makes one suspect migration from distant warmer parts, where they have been drawn up into the upper air and carried along by the wind, certain numbers dropping off here and there, as is the case with such moths as the Cotton Moth (Alabama argillacea) , Erebus odoratus and many of the Southern Sphingidfe. I am inclined to think that in this case all the insects were bred in the neighborhood, but it is difficult to account for their excessive abundance on certain nights and absence on others over such a long period unless certain weather conditions are necessary for the final transformation from pupa to moth, or that only under favourable conditions are the male moths inclined to visit the lights. A study of the McGill College Ob- servatory report of the local weather for the month throws no light on the subject, neither temperature, humidity, direction, or velocity of the wind, nor rainfall ap- pearing to show any relation to the flights; but of course, a west wind might bring the moths from a tract of woods lying west of the city on one evening, while an east or a north wind might have the same effect on other evenings on those bred in the respective directions. It is quite certain the swarms of moths seen in St. James Street did not breed within a mile radius of Montreal General Postoffice. It is a curious coincidence that our other species of Ennomos, E. magnarius, usually so plentiful in September, has been scarcely seen at all either in 1908 or 1909.' 58 THE EEPOET OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. No. 36 NOTES ON FRUIT TREE SCOLYTIDS. By J. M. SwAiNE^ Macdonald College, Que. There are three species of scolytid beetles occasionally injurious in parts ol* this country to orchard trees. Two of them, Eccaptogaster rugulosus, Ratz., and Phlceotribus liminaris, Harris, have recently caused considerable uneasiness in certain fruit districts of Ontario, and the third, Xyleborus dispar, Fabr., has been a well-known pest of Nova Scotian apple orchards for some years. Apparently these insects are not serious pests in Quebec Province. X. dispar is found here commonly in Betula lutea and other forest trees, but I have not yet taken it in Quebec from orchard trees. The first two species are at least rare in the Montreal district. Inquiries have come to this Department recently for an easy method of sep- arating these three forms, and the following notes are to that end. The Shot-hole Borer, Xylehoriis dispar, cuts round, black tunnels deep into the wood; in small branches or stems one division of the tunnels partially girdles Fig. 1. Tunnels of E. rugulosus in peach: (e) entrance hole; (e.t.) egg tunnel cut by- adult ; (l.y.) larval gallery ending in p.c. — the pupal cell. the wood. The eggs are laid free in the galleries early in June, and the larvae feed upon the fungus which grows upon the tunnel walls, and gives the dark stain just referred to. The larvae do not enlarge the tunnels, and emerge when matured, through the entrance hole cut by the mother insect. In the other two species each individual beetle, when ready to emerge, cuts a separate hole through the bark. This species breeds in various forest trees and in fruit trees. Of the latter it apparently prefers the apple, and does harm chiefly to the young stock. The remedies aim to repel the tunnel-cutting females, which do the entire damage, or to destroy the food-fungus and the brood within the tunnels. Good results have been obtained in Nova Scotia from the use of a wash made of 3 gallons of water, 1 gallon of soft soap, and half a pint of crude carbolic acid. This wash is ap- plied several times while the beetles are prevalent, the first application being made about the first of June. Badly infested trees should be burned, and those still of value may be treated with carbolic wash, and should receive good cultivation and plenty of fertilizer. Trees in good health are less liable to attack. Diseased Fig. 2. Tunnels of P. liminaris : («.n.) egg-niche. Fig, 3, Xyleborus dispar from the side, legs removed. Fig. 4. Eccoptogaster rugulosus from the side, legs removed. Fig. 5. Phloeotribus liminaris from the side, legs removed. [59] 60 THE EEPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Xo. 36 and dying branches should be removed and burned before the first of June. When fresh holes of this beetle are found in small trees, it is an easy matter to inject into the holes a little kerosene or other oil. The oil kills the insects which it wets, and destroys the food-fungus, with fatal results to the beetles and larv^. The adult female is black, cylindric, and about one-eighth of an inch in length. The pronotum is bent very strongly ventrad in front, so that the anterior opening is nearly horizontal. The head is globular and deeply sunk in the pronotum. The antennal club is sub-globular and truncate distally. The venter of the abdo- FlG. 7. Figs. 6 and 7. Work of E. rugulosus in apple ; (p.c.) pupal cells sunk into the wood ; {f.h.) exit holes of matured beetles. These holes lie usually immediately over the pupal cells. The smaller holes in figure 7 were cut by pai-asites. men is evenly rounded. The truncate club and the strongly bent pronotum, as well as its larger size, distinguish it instantly from the other two. The males are much smaller than the females, wingless, and of a curious hump-backed shape. The Peach-tree Bark-beetle, Phloeotribus liminaris, cuts all its tunnels be- tween the bark and the wood. An egg-tunnel is cut by the adult and the eggs laid in niches along the sides. The larvse bore away from, the egg-tunnel, keeping between the bark and the wood, eventually following the grain of the wood, and pupate in the enlarged end of the larval galleries thus formed. Later they appear through holes cut in the bark above the pupal cells. The egg-tunnels of this species Fig. 8. Exuded Peach Sap from punctures of Fruit Bark-Beetle, (after Lowe, N.Y. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. 180). Gl] 62 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 are distinguished from those of rugulosus \i\ a short side-branch which forms, with the short tunnel leading to the opening in the l)ark, a Y-shaped end to the main division, (See Fig. 2). The adults are brownish-black, about one-tenth of an inch in length. The pronotum is not bent strongly ventrad in front, so that the an- terior opening is oblique. The head is large and visible from above. The an- tennal club is lamellate, divided into three separated, laterally produced segments. The venter of the abdomen is not bent strongly dorsad behind. The damage inflicted by this beetle is mainly to the cherry and peach. Trees in apparent good health are attacked in the fall by the hibernating adults, and from the short tunnels then cut much sap exudes during the following season. Healthy trees are also attacked by the adults during the egg-laying season, but the vigorous flow of sap invariably drives them away. The brood can be reared only in weakened and dying trees. Successive attacks, however, will so weaken a tree that eventually the egg-tunnels can be cut and the brood reared, the result of which is the utter destruction of the inner bark. Slightly injured trees from which the beetles have been driven by the flow of sap should be well fertilized and protected from further injury, by a repellant wash. All dead and dying limbs and trees should be removed and burned before the emergence of the con- tained brood. Seriously injured trees are improved by a severe pruning. Mr. H. F. Wilson recommends the use of thick whitewash as a repellant, to be applied before the attack of the borers (Bull. 68, part IX., U.S. Bureau of Entomology). Good results seem to have been obtained in Ontario with lime-sulphur wash and with "Sanders' Wash" applied to the trunk and bases of the branches early in spring, about the first week in March, and again in Julv before the second attack. Fig. 9. Tunnels of Xyleborus in beech, arrow points to eggs. Fig. 10. Tunnels of Xyleborus in beech, arrow points to female in characteristic position guarding the entrance. The Fruit-tree Bark-beetle, Eccoptogaster rugulosus, Eatz., is of the size and general appearance of P. Uminarisj but the venter of the abdomen is bent sharply dorsad beyond the first segment, and the antennal club is solid, flat and marked by strongly angulated sutures. The galleries of this species are entirely between the bark and the wood; the ends of the larval galleries, which form the pupal cells, are often sunk a few millimeters into the wood. This species agrees with P. Uminaris in general habits. It breeds in dying limbs and trunks, but like 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 63 liminaris, injures living trees by driving short tunnels into the bark through which the sap flows copiously, later to harden and form the gummy masses which char- acterize the work of P. liminaris and E. riigulosus in healthy bark. This species attacks the apple, cherry and peach, and is often found working with P. liminaris in the same limb. The three washes mentioned above are also useful against this species Clean culture is absolutely essential if these borers are to be controlled. Diseased and dying fruit trees furnish breeding grounds for these beetles and for numerous other insect pests, and should be burnt to prevent the spread of the insects beneath the bark and in the wood. The following key will enable anyone to separate quite easily the three forms discussed. A hand-lens is needed for examining the antennse, but the other characters are visible to the naked eye. The beetles are easily distinguished by their tunnels, as indicated by the diagrams. A. Venter of the abdomen with the caudal portion bent abruptly dorsad. An- tennal club flat and marked by angulated sutures. (Bark-borers) Eccoptogaster rugulosus (The Fruit-tree Bark-beetle). AA. Venter of the abdomen normal, regularly curved. B. Antennal club lamellate, of three separate, laterally produced segments. Head visible from above. (Bark-borers) Phloeotribus liminaris, Harris. (The Peach-tree Bark-beetle). BB. Antennal cliib globular, truncate at the tip. Head deeply imbedded in the prothorax, the anterior margin of which is nearly horizontal, invisible from above. (Wood-borers, tunnels stained deep black). Xyleborus dispar, Fabr. (The Shot-hole Borer), OBSEEVATIONS ON ONTARIO INSECTS IN 1909. By C. J. S. Bethune, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. As Mr. Gibson and Mr. Caesar have already presented reports upon the insects of the season, it only remains for me to refer to some that have especially come under my observation, or that have been a source of trouble to many corres- pondents. The weather during spring and early summer seemed peculiarly favour- able to the multiplication of Plant-lice (Aphids). They were to be found in more than usual abundance swarming upon a great variety of trees, shrubs, and plants, and causing a great deal of injury by checking the growth and impairing the vitality of everything they attacked. Cabbage and turnip plants were affected by them early in the season, but they ceased in most cases to be much trouble later on, in marked contrast to last year when they were a very serious plague till the frost came and destroyed them. In the vegetable garden peas, potatoes and lettuce were especially attacked and in the flower borders roses, asters, hollyhocks, etc., and even ferns; currant bushes had their leaves covered with wart-like swellings be- neath which swarms of aphids were huddled; plum and cherry trees showed signs of the intruders by the crinkled and twisted leaves at the ends of the branches enclosing multitudes of black lice; on the leaves of apple trees green aphids were al)undant, while twigs were soft and foliage tender, but later on they migrated to more succulent plants, probably to the wheat fields. Many elm trees looked sadly out of sorts from shrivelled and distorted leaves covered with disgusting woolly 64 THE REPOKT OF THE No. 36 lice, which were to be seen also wherever a scar was to he found on trunk or limb; great colonies of open feeding woolly aphids were also frequent on haw- thorns. A clump of European lindens on the College lawn were so beset with lice that the leaves looked as if varnished owing to the incessant dripping of tiny drops of "honey dew/' the sweet excretion from the hosts above; happily a couple of days of heavy rain washed the foliage clean and checked the increase of the aphis army. A handsome copper-beech on a friend's lawn in Hamilton was alarmingly attacked hy another woolly form (the so-called wool is really wax), and its owner feared that permanent injury would result. In other places, maples, birches and various shade and ornamental trees were beset with these minute foes, while on firs and spruce were to be found the giants of the race, great black aphids, a hundred times bigger than the familiar green plant lice, belonging to the genus Lachnus. Widespread and varied indeed were the enemy, but their own foes speedily came to the rescue; Lady-bird beetles, yellow and orange and black, were to be seen in great numbers, and their larvae also were busily engaged in devouring the sweet morsels. The quaint, spiny chrysalids, sticking by their tails to the bark of trees, and occurring in masses, even fifty or more huddled together, were often sent in by ^observers fearing that they might be a new foe, and well pleased to learn that the formidable creatures were veritable friends. Syrphus fly larvae and those of Lace-winged flies, aided by various other aphid eaters, comhined to reduce the swarms, and these with a change of weather conditions, stayed or entirely removed the plague; during the latter part of the summer com- plaints almost ceased to be made. The standard remedies for these insects that live by sucking the juices of plants are kerosene emulsion, tobacco wash or strong soap-suds, preferably that made with whale or fish-oil soap. Besides the scale insects referred to by others, there has been a widespread attack made upon trees in northern parts of the city of Toronto by the elm- tree scale (Gossyparia spuria). Last year it only came under my observation from its occurrence on the elms in a single garden, but it must also have been established unnoticed upon many others to have become so abundant this year. It would probably yield to treatment with the lime-sulphur wash applied at the usual time in early spring, but city dwellers with small gardens and few trees have no spraying outfit nor would they like to make use of a remedy so dis- agreeable to those who handle it. In their case much may be done by clearing off the scales with a scrubbing brush dipped from time to time in strong soap- suds. Where the elm-trees in parks, on boulevards and the sides of streets are attacked it is certainly the duty of those employed by the city to have the affected trees properly and thoroughly treated. Any neglect now may result in a wide- spread loss of these beautiful trees which grow so luxuriantly and are so attractive in and around Toronto. The Cottony Maple Scale {Pulvinaria innumerdbilis) which is essentially a town insect, attacking many other shade trees beside the maple, and when at its height spreading to plants of almost all kinds in parks and gardens, has been noticeable in several places this year. Like several other injurious insects it has its cycles of abundance and scarcity; increasing in numbers for some years and becoming a veritable plague, and then rapidly diminishing till it ceases to be noticed. This change is due, no doubt, to the attack of parasites combined with unfavorable climatic conditions. Eepeated sprayings with kerosene emulsion when the lice are hatching out from the eggs contained in a waxy, cotton-like mass would keep the insect in check, and should be resorted to as soon as the scale is observed on the trees. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 65 The oak trees in the neighborhood of the town of Gait have been stripped of their foliage both this year and last by the caterpillars of the Senatorial Moth (Anisota senatoria) ; the attack has been going on for four years and must result in serious injury to the trees if nature's checks do not soon come to the rescue. The caterpillars, when full-grown — which they were after the middle of Septem- ber — are black with four ochre-yellow stripes along the back and two on each side. On each segment of the body there are six black spines or prickles, and behind the head two long slender horns projecting out on either side. The cater- pillars feed together in great swarms, several hundred on a branch, and devour the foliage, beginning at the end of the twigs and moving downwards till they have completely stripped off all the leaves; then they move on to another limb. When at rest they huddle together in masses and if disturbed raise the fore part of the body and shake their heads in a threatening manner. They make no webs or cocoons, but descend into the ground to pupate and remain buried in the soil till the following June; the chrysalids then work their way to the surface and the moths emerge to lay their eggs and provide for a new generation. The eggs are laid in large clusters on the underside of oak leaves near the tips of the branches and the young caterpillars are hatched during the month of August. The moths are handsome creatures, ochre-yellow in colour with a shading of reddish-purple on the front and hind margins of the wings; an oblique narrow purple-brown band crosses the wings, and near the middle of each there is a con- spicuous round white spot. The male moth is much smaller than the female and more tinged with purple, the expanded wings measuring about an inch and three-quarters; the female moth is fully two and a half inches in expanse, and often is entirely yellowish with no tinge of red or purple. During the height of summer and throughout the autumn season numerous complaints have come in from many parts of the Province respecting White-ginibs and Wireworms. The former have been more than usually abundant this year and have caused a great deal of loss by their attacks upon the roots of corn, grain of various kinds, strawberries, etc. The most remarkable and uncommon attack has been upon the tubers of potatoes, in which they have bored great holes and rendered them unfit for marketing or table use. Generally they feed upon the fibrous roots, but this year their numbers were so great that after consuming these the only food for them was the potato itself. As I have stated in the Ontario Crop Bulletin for November: "White grubs are the larvae of what are familiarly known as May beetles or June bugs. They breed for the most part in old pas- tures and require three years to attain to maturity. Crops that are planted when an infested field has been broken up are usually attacked by these grubs. During the first year they feed to some extent upon the remains of the sod that has been turned under, but during the second year, there being nothing else, they attack the roots of whatever crop there may be. The best remedy for them is a short rotation of crops, so that there will be no time allowed for their attaining maturity. An infested field may be fairly cleared of them by permitting hogs to roam about; they will root the grubs up and eagerly devour them. Late plowing is desirable in order to break up iheir winter quarters and expose them to the weather and their various enemies. Working underground as they do, it is not practicable to apply any poisonous remedies. Dependence must be placed upon the methods referred to." Wireworms, the larvae of Click-beetles (Elateridse), have a somewhat simi- lar life-history to that of the White Grubs, except that the beetles pass the winter under the shelter of rubbish, tufts of grass, etc., and appear during the first warm 4 66 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 days of spring, whereas the May-beetles, the adult form of White Grubs, remain buried in the ground during the winter and come out in May or June. Com- plaints of injury to the roots of many plants by the attacks of Wireworms have been received from various quarters, in fact never a year goes by without much loss from their depredations. The methods referred to above for the control of White Grubs seem to be the only effective remedies for Wireworms also. Grasshoppers, which have already been referred to by Mr. Gibson, were ex- tremely abundant and destructive this year, attacking oats and other cereals, and injuring vegetation of almost all kinds. In this case, also, old pasture fields, where the soil is dry and sandy, are the favorite breeding grounds, and hot, dry weather the most suitable for their growth and increase. The worst attacks were reported from the counties around the Georgian Bay. At the l^eginning of August Mr. Cecil Swale, Secretary of the North Bruce Farmers' Institute, Wiar- ton, wrote as follows respecting the Grasshopper plague: t " We have had these pests for four years in succession, each year worse than the preceding one. This year, I can go to farmers who off, say, 30 acres, have only got a load of fodder, counting hay, grain and everything. Many cut their oats three weeks ago to save what was left. I know fields to-day that are just standing oat stubs, the grain all on the ground. Nobody can quite credit the destruction they can do and are doing; you have to see for yourself. These pests breed in old pastures, roadsides and old meadows. Lots of these pastures cannot be plowed for rock, while being well adapted to this par- ticular use. Then, again, you may have a first-class farm, and your neighbour has fifty acres of pasture alongside; the hoppers cross over and eat you out. You have no remedy. I have a pasture farm divided from the main farm by lOO^acre swamp. I have not many hoppers, as all the home farm is pretty much under cultivation; but my neighbour on the other side of the pasture farm has been cleaned out by the hoppers off my pasture. My cattle have been starved off the fifty acres of pasture, and I have taken them up into my hardwood bush. My neighbour has not two loads of anything off a forty-acre clearance. Oats and barley and grass are their chief food. Peas they seldom touch. " We have been thinking a few experiments might be tried to destroy the eggs of the grasshoppers in the fall, such as lime, salt, or a mixture of both, used as a top dress- ing on pastures. Possibly a spraying of formalin and water might destroy those now living. The eggs are laid in September by the grasshoppers depositing them in small bunches of twenty or thirty eggs stuck together just below the surface. Skunks dig up great quantities of them in October. I opened a number of grasshoppers yesterday that seemed very large. Nine out of ten were filled with thread-worms, white, six inches long, which would seem to point out a possibility of the brutes dying soon. They are also infested with a bright red parasite. There are thousands of dead ones all over the meadows, but there would be no room for the living if some of them did not die. Nat- urally dry weather favours their increase, and as the last three summers have been dry we have had an extra hard ci^ack from them. Matters are so serious with the farmers of the townships of Albemarle, Amabel and Keppel (in Grey) that I know many farmers will leave their farms, and many more would go if they could. We all thought last year would be the last of them, but the contrary was the case. Nobody cares to venture an opinion about next year now. " As the grasshopper dies in the fall, the remedy appears to lie in getting after the eggs. The Griddle mixture, as recommended by one of the bulletins, does not work here; they won't eat it. They don't seem to eat anything which has been dosed with Paris green. I am sure the careful consideration of this matter will be most acceptable to all of us who are unfortunate enough to live in this district." The Criddle mixture has been so often tried and found effective on a large scale in Manitoba and in many places in Ontario, that we are surprised to learn of its failure in this case. Mr. Criddle himself states that many applications of the mixture have beei^ made this year and that it has proved entirely effective. It may be that some error was made in its preparation or mode of distribution. The white worms found inside the bodies of some Grasshoppers are com- monly called "Hair-snakes" (Gordius) and are well-known parasites of both crickets and grasshoppers. They evidently destroy large numbers, but amongst such hosts as above described, it would require an enormous army of the worms to 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 67 appreciably reduce the swarms. Scarlet mites, the red parasites referred to, are also commonly to be found clinging to their hosts and. helping to destroy them. The destruction of the egg masses by breaking up the soil in which they are laid is by far the best method of getting permanently rid of the pests. INJUEIOUS INSECTS OF QUEBEC, 1909. By William Lochhead, Macdonald College, Que. The season of 1909 was in many respects abnormal. Spring was tardy throughout the Province and the crops were sown later than usual, on account of the cold rains. Summer weather conditions also differed in different parts. On the Island of Montreal there were timely showers throughout the summer, so that the crops at no time suffered from drought. Over a large part of the Eastern Townships, however, little or no rain fell during June, July and August, and the late sown crops suffered from lack of water. In the latter part of August rains fell which interfered with and delayed the harvesting of the crops. The autumn has been unusually free from frost. Very few of the outside flowers were nipped by the frost until the 20th of October. Orchaed Pests. Orchards in Quebec are not well looked after as a rule. The majority of them are not pruned regularly, and as a result, the trees have too many twigs and branches, and the excessive foliage does not allow of the proper access of sun- light. Such conditions are congenial for the development of Apple Scab and the Brown Rot of Plums. Spraying is a practice indulged in by but few, and these are the up-to-date fruit growers, usually active members of the Quebec Pomo- logical Society, who make money out of their Fameuse and St. Lawrence apples. Cultivation of the orchard is sadly neglected, consequently there is ample op- portunity for the safe hibernation of the more injurious insects, such as the cur- culio and the codling moth. The Codling Moth. — This is undoubtedly the worst insect pest of the apple. It causes an enormous loss in orchards over the entire Province, and one sees no hope of abatement until the people learn to take better care of their orchards; by pruning, spraying, cultivation and destruction of the rubbish. Much good could be done if practical demonstrations w^ere carried on by the Government to show how and when to spray and the value of spraying. I believe the time is fast ap- proaching when the people will be ready to profit greatly by such demonstrations, for Quebec is well adapted climatically for the growing of apples of superior quality. Its Fameuse apple is known most favourably in all the great markets. In spite of all that has been written, the life-history of the codling moth is not Avell enough known to the average farmer and fruit-grower. We entomologists must keep hammering away year after year until the fruit-grower can fight this enemy successfully by taking advantage of the weak spots in its life-history. In Southern Quebec, including the border counties, there is in all prob- ability a partial second brood; and it is the worms of this second brood that produce the wormy apples late in the season. The fruit may be entered at any point, and often an ugly scar is made on the surface, by the larvse. A thorough 68 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 spraying with lead arsenate just as the petals have fallen, and another applica- tion ten days or two weeks later should kill the great majority of the first brood. To intercept the larv/e that escape these two treatments it would be advisable to apply a burlap bandage about the trunk in late June. The worms in escaping from the fruit find the burlap a convenient place to hide and to spin cocoons. To prevent the small portions that pass through a partial brood from doing in- jury the burlaps should be removed every ten days, and replaced after all larvae and cocoons have been destroyed. The Bud Moth. This enemy of the apple was quite prevalent about Abbots- ford, and perhaps in other localities. The Oyster-shell Scale or Bark Louse. As one would naturally ex- pect, Oyster-shell Scale is quite prevalent in the apple orchards of Quebec. This insect may be looked upon as the enemy of half-tended and neglected orchards. It is not a difficult insect to control, yet it does annually a great amount of damage. Many owners of orchards when asked if the Oyster-shell Scale is present in their orchard will state that they are not acquainted with it. They have not yet come to recognize it as an insect and as a serious enemy. The insect passes the winter in the egg state under the gray-brown, oyster-shaped scales on the bark of the twigs and branches. The eggs hatch early in June; the yellowish lice crawl about for a few days and then settle and secrete a scale over themselves. There is but one brood each season. An application of whitewash to the trunk and large branches during the winter will remove the scales and leave the branches clean in the spring. The Apple Aphis. This insect was reported as abundant about Abbotsford, and in the Montmagny and Kamouraska districts below Quebec. It was observed on some of the trees in the young orchard at Macdonald College. The American Tent Caterpillar. This insect, which was so abundant and injurious a few years ago, was again in evidence in many localities. It would be advisable for farmers to be on the look-out for the ring-like clusters of egg masses which encircle the twigs of apple and other trees during the fall and winter months, and to destroy them. The Plum Curculio. Curculios were very prevalent in Quebec orchards in 1909. In some orchards a large percentage of the apples were deformed by the numerous curculio punctures, and were rendered practically useless. This widespread injury to the apple crop demands attention ; this note is written with this purpose in view, and at the same time to outline concisely our knowledge of the liabits of this most destructive insect enemy of plums and apples, and the best remedies that are being used elsewhere to control it. At the outset it may be said that this pest is no new enemy. For many years it has given more or less trouble to orchardists, making itself more conspicuous by its injuries some years than others. There are probably two species of curculios that are responsible for the injury in our orchards. The Plum Curculio ( Conotrachelus nenuphar, Herbst) and the Apple Curculio (Anthonomus quadrigibbus. Say). It is believed, however, that the former does the greater amount of injury, although no careful observations have been made in Quebec to determine their relative abundance. The Plum Curculio is a native of America, and fed originally upon the wild plum, wild crab-apple, and the hawthorn. With the advent of the cultivated apple it took readil}" to the new fruit, which it continues to infest. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 69 Life History. The adult curculio beetles winter over in rubbish on the ground, under bark and elseM^iere^ and emerge from their hiding places about the time the plums and apples are in blossom. The eggs are deposited within punctures partiall}' surrounded by a crescent-shaped slit in the newly-formed apples and plums. The eggs hatch in less than a week and the larva? proceed to make channels in the fruit. Infested fruit soon falls, and in about three weeks the mature larvae emerge and enter the ground. There they pupate, and in about four weeks emerge as beetles. These soon fly to the fruit and continue feeding upon it, until the fruit is picked from the trees, marking it with the characteristic cylin- drical punctures. As winter - advances they hide themselves under rubbish and bark to hibernate until spring. The adults that emerge in summer deposit no eggs, all the eggs being laid by the over-wintering beetles. The injury to apples is done mostly by the beetles that mature in summer, as they make deep punctures when they feed upon the fruit. It is rather a strange thing that curculio larva? develop only in small apples, and will not reach their development unless the apple has fallen. A single mother curculio may deposit between 200 and 300 eggs, extending over a period of three months, hence is capable of doing a great deal of injury. This great egg-laying and puncturing power of the beetles explain the greatly dis- torted condition of many of the apples observed this year at Brome, Abbotsford, and elsewhere. In the great majority of apples examined there were as many feeding-punctures as egg-punctures. Not in every case did the eggs develop when deposited within the crescent-shaped mark, for we found many apples that showed the crescent slit but had no trace of larvae. Treatment. Observations made in Illinois and elsewhere show that unculti- vated orchards suffer most from curculios, and our Quebec orchard conditions would favor drawing the same conclusion. And such is what we might naturally expect, for the conditions of the uncultivated orchard, with the excessive amount of grass and weeds and rubbish, and the absence of pruning, furnish ideal con- ditions for the development of the curculio. Besides, the proximity of neglected orchards is a menace to clean orchards. There are four ways of treating the curculio : 1. The destruction of fallen fruit, so as to kill the larvae before they make their escape into the gTOund. The early small apples should be specially looked after in June and July, for these contain a large percentage of the larvae. The later and larger fallen fruit do not, as a rule, contain many larvae. The presence of hogs in an orchard is strongly recommended, if no other means can be found to clean up and destroy the fallen fruit. 2. Suitable cultivation, so as to destroy many of the larvae and pupae in the soil. It has been found that the larvae and pupae are extremely sensitive to physical disturbances of any kind, as well as to light and air. Cultivation permits their exposure, for a short time at least, to sunlight and to the attacks of their enemies, birds, ants, and predaceous insects. As a rule, orchardists prefer to cultivate up to the middle of July, but where curculios are doing much harm this cultivation should be continued for a month longer, in order to do effective work to the larv^ and pupte in the soil. 3. Spraying with Paris Green or Arsenate of Lead, to destroy the adult beetles. This treatment has not given good results, and it is doubtful if the practice war- rants the trouble and expense. 70 THE REPOET OP THE ^o. 36 4. Jarring the trees, to collect the beetles that fall on sheets under the trees. This method also is slow, and it is doubtful if the practice warrants the trouble and expense, save with young apple trees and with plums and cherries. Farm Crop Insects. Grasshoppers and Blister Beetles. Grasshoppers and Blister Beetles appeared in alarming numbers in August and September in many districts of the Eastern Townships. The former swarmed in oat fields and the latter in clover and mangel fields, and considerable loss was incurred. The increasing amount of permanent pasture land in Quebec furnishes undis- turbed breeding grounds for grasshoppers. The eggs are laid in masses belov^ the surface of the sod in late summer and early fall, and hatch the following spring. As a rule, the young grasshoppers are not numerous, and confine their attention to the pasture lands, but should conditions at any time favor their multiplication they spread to the adjacent grain fields where food is more plentiful. It has often been observed that grasshoppers are seldom abundant two years in succession. The reason for this is that their very great abundance allows their numerous enemies to multiply very rapidly. Among those enemies are : (1) Parasitic mites, bright red creatures often seen at the bases of the wings, which not only suck the blood of their hosts, but also later destroy the egg masses. (2) Hair-ivorms, which live within the bodies of the grasshoppers and destroy large numbers. (3) Tachina flies, whose maggots live within the bodies of the grasshoppers. (4) The young of Blister beetles, which devour the egg-masses in the ground. (5) Fungous diseases that often spread with great rapidity. It is quite probable, therefore, that grasshoppers will not be much in evi- dence next year, and that there will be a rest from their ravages for a few years. It is possible to guard against such losses as have occurred this year, by watching the pasture lands, and if grasshoppers are very numerous, it would be advisable to make applications of poisoned bait in the pastures, if it is safe to do so, along the edges of adjacent grain fields. This poisoned bait may be made by mixing 1 pound of Paris green in 50 pounds of bran, made into a mash with water and sweetened with cheap molasses. This is distributed in handfuls to in- fested areas. In Manitoba a bait known as the Griddle Mixture is used with great success. It is made by mixing 1 part Paris green, 2 parts salt, and 100 parts of horse manure. Enough water is added to make a soft, not sloppy, mash. The mash is scattered over the field where the grasshoppers are thickest. Black Blister Beetles, called by the farmers "Blue Beetles," were quite des- tructive this year on clover, mangels and beets. They are often found feeding on other plants, such as the golden-rod, aster, pigweed, corn, beans and potatoes, and in the days before the arrival of the Colorado Beetle, this and allied species were the main insect enemies of the potato crop. The adults are soft-bodied, with long, slender legs. They occur from August to October. The females deposit their eggs in the ground, and from these hatch out active, long-legged larvge called " triungulius," that feed on the eggs of the grass- hopper. It will be observed, therefore, that while the adult Blister Beetles are in- jurious to some of our crops the young of these are decidedly beneficial. It is a 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 71 difficult matter to decide sometimes whether it is advantageous to poison the adults, for if this is done there will be no larvge to devour grasshopper eggs. Should the adults become sufficiently injurious to warrant action, applications of Paris Green or arsenate of lead will readily kill them. On account of the abundance of grasshoppers this year, we may expect a large number of blister beetles next year. Wireworms and White Grubs. Among the list of injurious insects of farm crops, none perhaps surpass Wireworms and White Grubs, in the amount of damage inflicted. They work away unseen underneath the soil, and on this account are unknown to the casual observer. They are peculiarly the enemies of the careless farmer, and their pres- <^nce indicates that something has not been done properly and at the right time. It may be that the pastures and meadows have been allowed to remain down too long; that a suitable rotation of crops is not practised; or that there is little or no fall plowing done. Wireworms are the grubs of click-beetles or "skipjacks," and White Grubs are the grubs of June beetles, with which most persons are quite familiar. Wireworm.s. The adult beetles appear frequently in the spring and the females deposit their eggs close to the roots of grasses or weeds. The Wireworms, however, do not confine their attacks to the roots of grasses and cereals, but often devour the roots of other crops and even the seeds of corn, wheat and other grains. In fact there is no plant that is immune from their attacks, so far as we know, although many farmers in England claim that buckwheat, mustard and rape escape. The Wireworms, of which there are many species, are hard, smooth, shining, yellowish-brown, wire-like grubs, and possess three pairs of short legs, hence they are readily identified. Many attempts have been made to devise some reliable method of destroying them. Some years ago Professors Comstock and Slingerland, of the Cornell Agri- cultural Experiment Station, and Professor Forbes, of the Illinois Station, con- ducted a very complete series of experiments extending over a number of years, and found that insecticides were practically of no value. They ascertained, how- ever, that certain cultural operations were valuable in destroying large numbers of the transforming pupae and adults before they emerged from the cells in the ground. Wireworms spend from three to five years in the ground and transform to pupge and adults in the late summer and autumn. But the adults remain in the pupal cells, and do not emerge until the following spring. It was de- termined that these pupse and adults wintering in the pupal cells were very sensitive to distributions such as late plowing produces. Plowing infested or suspected sod-land twice — once in August, with a good harrowing a week later, and again in late September or October — will break up many of the pupal cells and expose the beetles during the winter to conditions which they cannot survive. This cultural process will not interfere with the Wireworms or those in the grub stage. When a sod-land is broken there will naturally be Wireworms in dif- ferent stages of development, some in the first year larval stage, some in the second year, and some in the third year, and others ready to pupate. Only those ready to pupate will in all likelihood be killed by the fall plowing. In the follow- ing season, however, the young grubs are growing rapidly; and if the dying roots of the sod furnish sufficient plant food, they will not do much feeding on the roots of tiie new crop, but will be more injurious the year following. Now certain crops, such as clover, barley, wheat and rye, are not so liable to attack as are corn, 72 THE REPORT OP THE No. 36 potatoes, mangels, oats ; hence, they are better adapted to follow sod. Clover can be sown with barley and rye and plowed down after a cutting has been taken. This may be followed by corn or roots. Such a rotation will gradually exterminate the Wireworms, and furnish crops that give a good yield. Short crop rotations will never allow Wireworms or White Grubs to make headway and develop, for there is too much disturbance of the soil and change of food plant. The best method of breeding these insects is to allow pastures to go unbroken for a series of years, for then conditions are particvilarly favourable for their development. Sometimes it is possible to force the crops through an attack of Wireworms, by the application of mineral fertilizers to stimulate the plants. White Grubs. White Grubs, as already stated, are the larvte of June beetles, and are large, soft, whitish or yellowish grubs, with brown heads and three pairs of legs. The bodies are larger towards the hind end, and usually appear half- coiled. Like the Wireworms they require about three years to complete their development from egg to beetle. The adults appear in May and June, often in large numbers, to feed on the foliage of certain trees, such as plums, willows, etc.,. and to deposit eggs below the surface of the ground, usually on the roots of grasses and many other kinds of plants. The grubs on hatching begin to feed on the roots, and often do considerable damage. Dr. Forbes, of Illinois, who has given a great deal of study to White Grubs, is of the opinion that the grubs do not change to pupae until June or July of the third season; that they change to beetles a few weeks later, but that these do not emerge from the pupal cells until the following spring. He is also able to identify several distinct species of Lach- nosterna, of which fusca is the most common. As with Wireworms, remedial measures are difficult. Special rotations are advisable. Fletcher says: "A short rotation in which clover follows grass or is grown at short intervals, will prevent the increase of these insects. In this special rotation the small grains should follow clover before corn or potatoes.^' When a field becomes infested with White Grubs a portion of the clover field, for example, might be broken and planted to com instead of planting corn after timothy or grass. To make up for the deficiency of clover, that portion of the sod field which would have been devoted to corn could be sown with oats, vetches, etc., for green feed and hay. It is perfectly safe to put mangels, turnips and rape after old sod, although one will have to be on the guard against cutworms nipping off the young plants. Cutworms and Flea-heetles. Considerable damage was done in June by cut- worms on turnips, carrots and mangels, before they were detected, but the appli- cation of poisoned bait prevented further action. In the Experimental Plots at Macdonald College the Wheat Aphis and the Wheat-Stem Maggot again made their appearance, but not in such numbers as in 1908. Flea-beetles were observed on some plots but they did no serious damage. Root Maggots. These were numerous on many kinds of plants, viz., radish, cow-peas, soy beans, cabbage, onions and turnips, and caused considerable loss. Cucumber Beetles. These appeared about June 10th at Macdonald College, and did more harm to squash than to cucumber, pumpkin or melon. Mr. Swaine reports that Bordeaux Mixture seemed effective, but they return to the new leaves and flowers. Leaf Miners. Beets and spinach at Macdonald College were injured by leaf- miners. They attacked small leaves, and had practically disappeared by July 4th. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 73 Currant Borer. (Sesia tipuliformis, L.). Mr. Swaine reported considerable injury to stems of both black and red currants. In some cases the stems were dying, and the leaves dried and discoloured. The larva bores in the pith sometimes for over six inches ; it remaiais in the wood all winter, and in the following summer, in June, the bluish-black fly-like moth emerges to lay her eggs at the buds on the young wood. Gooseberry Span-worm. (Cymatophora ribearia. Fitch). The moths were ob- served July 24th, not only on the gooseberries, but also on the currants, in the Mac- donald College plantation. They fly readily m day-time when disturbed, and are attracted to light at night. 'The larvae or caterpillars are to be found in June; they are white, dotted with black, with yellow stripes about an inch in length when full grown. There is but one brood in a year; the eggs are deposited in July on the twigs, where they re- main all winter. This insect is capable of doing considerable injury to the leaves of gooseberry and currant. Arsenate of lead will control it. Currant Aphis. (Myzus ribis, L.). The reddish blisters on the leaves of currants — the work of the currant aphis — were much in evidence in many Quebec plantations this past season. Inasmuch as the deformations interfered with the proper functioning of the leaves, considerable injury was undoubtedly done. Care- ful examination for the presence of aphids on the young leaves should be marie, for it is much easier to kill the insects when they are few in number and before the leaves have become deformed, by applications of whale oil soap or kerosene emulsion solutions. The Carrot Rust Fly. (Psila rosce). This insect did considerable damage in some of the truck gardens about Montreal. Mr. Swaine received on July 14th, from McKinnon & Son, a package of small carrots which were riddled by the maggots of this insect. The Fall Web-worm. The unsightly webs of the Fall Web-worm were very abundant both on forest, shade and fruit trees throughout the Province. Mr. J. M. Fisk, of Abbotsford, reports it as prevalent in his district, and Rev. Brother Liguori states that it was abundant at La Trappe. AN'ISOTA VIRGINIENSIS, DRURY. By Thomas W. Fyles, D.C.L. Anisota virginiensis is one of the insects injurious to the oak. In some years its ravages are very apparent. I have succeeded this year (1909) in bringing its larvae through their successive stages. I had tried, on several previous occasions, to raise the species, but had failed. I attribute the failures to the fact that oak-spray, severed from the tree, dries very rapidly; and, as there were no oaks growing near my former residence, I could not keep the larvae supplied with sufficiently tender food. In my present place of abode I am better situated, as the White Oak, Quercus alba, is common in the neighbourhood. I have taken the precaution too, of placing every fresh supply of food for the Anisota under the water-tap, and drenching it thoroughly, before placing it in my insect breeding-cage. This plan has proved very successful. 74 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 A. virginiensis is widely distributed in tlie Province of Quebec. Mr. A. E. M. Boulton, President of the Quebec Branch of the Entomological Society has two specimens ( ^ & $ )that were taken, I believe, at Cape Tourment in Montmorency County. I have frequently met with larvae of the kind on the Island of Orleans, and, on the 16th of last June, I found a beautiful male moth of the species, lying under an arc-light, near some oak trees, on Front Street, Hull. On the 29th of the same month, Miss M. G. Johnson, a member of the Entomological Society, sent me from Miranda, Missisquoi County, some oak-leaves laden with the eggs of the species, and also one of the moths that she had found laying the eggs, and a male of the same species. The eggs lay close together, in broad patches which in several instances covered the under-side of the leaf — none were laid on the upper side. They were of a roseate light brown tint, but here and there was a pale green egg seemingly un- fertilized. The egg of A. virginiensis is globular in shape; but as the larva within advances in growth it becomes depressed, and loses its roseate tinge, till at length the little black-headed larva, snugly coiled, is plainly visible within the shell. The egg is one-twenty-fourth of an inch in diameter. Doubtless the eggs sent me were deposited by several females of the same kind, and at slightly different intervals, for they hatched irregularly. The first of the young larvffi to appear left the shell the day after the eggs reached me — i.e., on June 30th, and the others appeared at intervals for the next fortnight — consequently, some of them had reached the third stage while others were only in the first. In these notes I have followed the larvte first hatched. The newly-hatched larva was one-eighth of an inch in length. Its head was large in proportion to its bod}^ and jet black. The mouth-organs were yellow. The body was yellow, and set with short spines. The legs were pale yellow and semi- translucent. The larvae are gregarious. They eat away the substance of the leaf, leaving only the mid-rib and some of the larger veins. When they have finished with one leaf, they proceed to another on the same twig, and, having stript it, they advance to a third, and so on — moving from leaf to leaf and from twig to twig. The first moult took place on the 6th of July. After it the larva was a quarter of an inch long. Its head and fore-legs were black ; its body was pale yellow ; it had on the third segment two seven-jointed black horns. Along the middle of each of the following segments on the upper side was a row of small warts — each wart bearing a short bristle, A few white hairs extended from the black head. Towards the end of this stage in the larva's existence the segments of the body became more distinct and assumed a bluish green tint, with slightly darker longi- tudinal stripes. The larva moulted again on the 14th of July. The old skin broke at the head to allow the larva to escape from it. When it made its fresh appearance the head, horns, anal segment and fore-legs of the larva were green, but they soon changed to black. The body colour in this stage was sage green, with yellow sub-dorsal, side, and spiracular lines. There were several black, pointed tubercles along the middle of each segmejjt, on the upper side. The spiracles were black. The black, glossy horns on the third segment extended beyond the head. There was a black granu- lated plate on the second segment, and before the horns on the third. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 75 The larvae again moulted on the 23rd of July. Their vacated skins were left in rows adhering to the mid-ribs of the leaves which they had skeletonized. Their body colour was now black. As in the previous moult the head, etc., were green at first, but soon changed to black. The whole body was firm and glossy. There was a double line of yellow along the back ; and the sub-dorsal, side, and spiracular lines w^ere yellow. There was a row of spike-like protuberances around the seg- ments on the upper side — on the anal segment there was a cluster of such protuber- ances. In this stage the larvae attained a length of one and one-sixth inches. They moulted again on August the 4th. Their length after the moult was one inch and five-twelfths of an inch. The larvffi reached their full growth by the second week in August. They were then two and a quarter inches long, cylindrical, glossy black with very con- spicuous yellow lines. The spiracles were black. There was an oblong yellow spot over each of the prop-legs and a similar spot on either side of following segments. The thorny protuberances on the segments were well developed, and at the end of the body there was a cluster of such protuberances. The larvae began to enter the soil on the 10th of August; and before the end of it, all in my keeping had -buried themselves; but, so late as the 13th of Sep- tember, I found in the woods a solitary straggler of the species. The pupa is finely sculptured. Its abdominal segments are boldly outlined ; and from the last of them projects a stout spine forked at the end. This probably serves as a lever, to enable the chrysalis to work its way to the surface of the earth, when the imago within it is nearing perfection. In rearing the larvae of A. virginiensis two particulars drew my attention specially. One was tliat, in the later stages of their growth, some of the caterpil- lars were much smaller than the others. In the fmal stage the smaller ones were only two-thirds the size of the larger, I should say that these were the undeveloped males, for the male moths of the species are much smaller than the females. Fig. 11. Oak leaves skeletonized by Anisota virginiensis : (a) vacated skins of larvae ; (h) Larvae bunched together for mutual protection. The other particular was, that the larvae in their later stages, had the habit of grouping themselves into clusters at the ends of the mid-ribs of the leaves which they had skeletonized. In these positions they somewhat resembled the small webs, that, in August, are so frequently to bo seen on forest trees. (Fig. 11). 76 THE EEPOET OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. ^o. 36 ADAPTATIONS IN THE STPtUCTURE OF INSECTS. By Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, D.C.L. On a certain occasion last summer, a friend of mine was standing on a bridge, which spanned a shallow creek that had a muddy bottom. His attention was taken by the proceedings of a large dragon-fly that was hovering close to the surface of the sluggish stream, at the shallowest part of it. The insect repeatedly thrust its abdomen down through the water, and into the mud. My friend could see the slight disturbance in the mud as the point of the insect's abdomen entered it and was again withdrawn. The fly was depositing its eggs. Here then was revealed one reason why the dragon-fly has so lengthy a tail. It is interesting to see one of the "Demoiselles" — Agriontdae — alight on a floating leaf of a Pond Lily, and bend its long abdomen round the edge of the leaf to affix its eggs on the under side — the side in contact with the water. The perfect fitness of every part of an insect for the functions it has to serve will always be admired by the inquiring and thoughtful observer. In our early lessons in Entomology certain facts were impressed upon our mind, viz. — that an insect is a creature that is cut into or notched ; that the notches mark out the head, the thorax, and the abdomen; that the insect passes through four stages of existenc'e — the Egg, the Larval, the Pupal and the Imago stages. In this short article I purpose to offer a few desultory remarks on the several features of the insect form, and on the several stages of insect life — endeavouring to show the. admirable fitness of the insect to meet, at all times, the exigencies and requirements of its existence. The Head. In the head of an insect the striking and important features are the eyes, the mouth organs, and the antennge. In the larger dragon-flies (Fig. 12), such as those in the genera .^shna and Anax — insects of extremely rapid flight — the eyes occupy the main portion of the head space. The huge compound eyes of Anax Junius are contiguous; yet they allow room for three ocelli. Nothing seems to escape the glance of these splendid insects ; and in the bright sunshine, when they are most active, the ease with which they evade the sweep of the net of the entomologist, though it may be provoking to the sportsman, must nevertheless awaken his admiration. FIG. 12. Dragon Fly. FiG. 13. Damsel Fly. In the Agrionidoe or Damsel-flies (Fig. 13),— insects of less rapid flight— which can take a more leisurely view of things — the head, as Wood remarks,* * " Insects at Home," page 275. Fig. 14. Giant Water Bug. Fig. 15. Diving Beetle. FIG. 16. Giant Water Fly (Corydalis cornutus), (a) larva ; (b) pupa ; (c) male fly ; (d) head of female fly. [77] 78 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 reminds one of that of the Hammer-headed Shark; and the eyes project from the sides of it. These dragon-flies, like others of the Odonata, can turn their heads half round on the neck, and so look over their shoulders. Another insect with large and protruding eyes is the Giant Water Bug, Bel- ostoma Americana (Fig. 14). So far do the eyes of this insect protrude one might almost expect that, in the wild dashes of the insect through the upper air, and into and under the water, they would be swept from their position. But a remark- able provision prevents the danger; from the centre of the saucer-like eye-socket arises a stput support, flattened out a little at the top — somewhat spool-shaped — and around this the eyelets of the compound eye are compressed. (Fig. 15). In the Diving Beetle, Dytiscus Harrisii (Fig. 15), an insect of very similar habits to B. Americana, the eye is so placed in the side of the head that the creature can see both above and below; and the organ is protected by a curved extension of the pro-thoracic shield. The like protection is afforded to the eye in water-beetles of other genera — Hydrocharis, Colymbetes, Acilius, etc., while in Dineutes the eye appears to pass through the substance of the head, so that the insect seems to have four eyes — two above and two below. That widely different and very minute insect the White Fly of the greenhouse appears to have eyes similarly arranged to those of Dineutes. In the fly the eyes appear as two black dots above, and two black dots beneath the head. The mouth organs of insects vary considerably to suit their different habits. There is a striking difference in the mandibles of the male and female imagos of the Giant Water Fly, Corydalis cornutus (Fig. 16). This is the more remarkable because in the larval and pupal stages of the sexes the organs apparently are alike. Some years ago I traced the life-history of this species through its metamorphoses. I saw the nymph draw itself about in its cyst, by means of its formidable mandibles; and I expected that, when the change to the imago came, the insect would prove to be a female; but lo, when it came, and tlie imago burst from the nymphal case, the mandibles were extended (I presume by inflation) into the preposterous organs we see in the male. Why is this difference between the male and the female mandibles ? It is that the male may be able to give a loving embrace to the well- defended neck of its mate. How strangely the lips and jaws of the dragon-fly work, in masticating its food, as if they were at cross purposes, the lips perpendicularly, the jaws horizon- tally — they are two pairs of very effective cutting knives. Belostoma Americana lives by sucking the life-fluids of its prey, and is fur- nished with a stout beak-like proboscis, about a quarter of an inch long. This pro- boscis consists of an outer pointed case, having a longitudinal slit in front, and of an awl-shaped sucking instrument enclosed in a divided sheath barbed at the extremity. It is a formidable weapon. The bug clings, by means of its powerful front legs, which are terminated with sharp claws, to the fish or other creature that it assails, and thrusts its pro- boscis into its victim. The Eeduviidse, or " Assassin Bugs," are furnished with beaks of like con- struction. The stories told us of the "Kissing Bug" have led us to understand how dangerous, under some circumstances, these weapons may become. The proboscis of the House Fly is terminated by two ridged valves with which the insect scrapes up its food. Those who have volumes bound in sheep-skin, and exposed in open cases, will soon find, from the roughness and loss of gloss in the binding, that the flies have been at work upon the dressing of the leather. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 79 How different, and how wonderful, are the trunks of the nectar-sipping moths and butterflies! They lie curled up so compactly within tlie sheltering palpi, and can be extended so far when occasion requires. The length of the pro- boscis in these cases enables the insect to take its food, as it hovers over the blos- soms, without injury to its wings. Of the purposes served by the antennae of insects we know but little; but it is obvious that they are fitted to the requirements of the species they adorn; the bee, which enters blossoms in search of pollen and nectar would find antennae like those of Paniscus geminatus unmanageable and entangling; and Geotrv/pes Black- lurnii, would have difficulty in delving in the earth, if it were burdened with anten- nae like those of Monohammus tUillator. The Thorax. To the thorax of insects are attached the legs and wings. Passing amongst the Golden Rod, this Fall, I came across three species of insects that secure their prey by means of their fore-legs, viz. — Mantispa hrunnea (Fig. 17), AchoIIa multispinosa, and Phymata erosa. Like the Praying Mantis of which Hood speaks, in his "Ode to Rae Wilson, Esq.," as — "An insect, of what clime I can't determine, That lifts its paws most parson-like, and thence, By simple savages — through sheer pretence — Is reckoned quite a saint amongst the vermin," />.'«r /f^/- Fig. 17. (a) Mantispa brunnea ; (/') Wing of M. brunnea much enlarged to show the venation. Fig. 18. Bat Flea. 80, Mantispa Irunnea lifts its paws, with sweet "petitionary grace," lying in wait amongst the flowers. When Argynnis myrina, or some other incautious inno- cent butterfly comes within its reach, M. hrunnea secures it with its outstretched arms — which are truly arms of offence. Aeholla multispinosa is a creature of like habits to M. hrunnea; and its fore limbs are set thickly with sharp spines (hence the name), which enable it the more readily to secure its prey. But the most remarkable of the three species is, I think, Phymata erosa. This insect in its colours closely resembles the flowers of the Golden Rod in which it lies in wait. On occasion, the tarsi of its extended fore-legs spring back into a toothed groove in the large and powerful tibiae, and hold a captive as in a vice. In Dytiscus Harrisii the upper portion of the foot in each of the J^re-legs is expanded into a disk or pad, supplied on the under surface, with suckers which exhaust the air, so that the insect can attach itself firmly where it is inclined. 80 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 These appendages are not found in the female. Moreover, while the male Dytiscus is remarkably smooth and slippery, the female is roughened with striae. In Acilius f rat emus a like provision is found in the foot of the male, to that in the foot of the male Dytiscus; and in this species also the female has rough- ened elytra. The powerful hind limbs of the insects that have been named Saltatores, such as the crickets and locusts, are worthy of observation. But other insects beside these Orthoptera have great powers of leaping: — On the 24th of May of this year I was sitting on the veranda of Mr. Garriooh's house, on Front Street, Hull, when I saw a bat fall from a tree on the lawn. The little animal was in a very weak condition. While I was examining it I saw a flea creep from the fur, and then bound upwards one hundred times its own height. (If an acrobat could leap 600 feet into the air, he would draw multitudes to witness the feat.) (Fig. 18.) I put the bat in a box, and obtained from, it thirteen other specimens of the same kind of flea. No wonder the little animal was in a weak condition. This Pulex vespertilionis was different from P. initans and P. serraticeps. It was about two millimetres long. Its dorsal parts were of a light chestnut colour, and its ventral parts of a pale amber. The legs were translucent. The trocanters were grooved. The femur in each of the middle and hindmost legs was large, flat, and cleaver-shaped. Around it, near the edges, was a slight indentation. The tibia was striated and bristly. The tarsus had five joints with two bristles at each joint. The abdomen was hairy. Of the wings of insects, fine examples of venation are afforded by the water- flies Pteronarcys proteus and Polystoechotes punctata; of elegance of form by Actios luna and Hyloicus cliersis — and of splendour of colouring by PJiilampelus achemon and Plusia halluca. The Abdomen. How great a difference there is between the telescopic ovi- positor of the house-fly which is concealed in the abdomen of the insect, but can be extruded by pressure, and which is fitted to penetrate the manure from the stable in which the Isltyss of the fly luxuriate — and that of Thalessa lunata, which in some instances extends for four inches beyond the extremity of the abdomen, and is fitted to be passed along the tunnel, choked with frass, at the end of which the larva of Tremex columha is working. The young larva of Thalessa follows up and preys upon the larva of the Tremex. The ovipositor of the last named insect proceeds from the. middle of its abdomen, and not from the end. It is shorter and stouter than that of Thalessa, and is adapted to penetrate the bark and white wood of the trees suitable for the sustenance of the larvge of its species. The Egg. Some years ago I found a huge boulder in a swampy wilderness. In a slight hollow, in the top of this, some vegetable mould had accumulated; and a thick pad of moss covered it. On lifting the moss, I found some hundreds of eggs of the Red-legged Locusts packed together in the soil. The locusts had found in the position a suitable nursery for their young. The life of the Day-fly is very brief — as its name implies. It does not allow much time for oviposition. One act of extrusion consigns its eggs, in a boat- shaped mass, to the surface of the water. The Cockroach frequents the house, but is highly objectionable to the house- keeper. Its eggs are laid in brown packages — oothecoe — in the crevices about the kitchen-ranges and the cellar-furnaces. In these they escape notice. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 81 The ovipositor of tlie Domestic Cricket has a divided sheath — each half of it having a spoon-shaped termination. When closed these terminals hold tihe egg, as in a casket, till a fitting nook for its deposit is reached ; and then, they open and discharge it. The cat shakes the eggs of the fleas that infest it into the lap of its mistress, or upon the rug on which it sleeps. The larvaB of Pulex serraticeps feed upon the particles of food that they find in the cracks of the flooring of the dwelling-place — but if the sheep-tick were to lay eggs that could be shaken from the wool of the sheep, her progeny would perish. Against such a contingency she retains her young till it reaches the pupal stage. The abdomen of the tick is unsegmented, and vellumy, and therefore very strong. The Larva. The resemblance by which some species of Lepidopterous larvae deceive their foes, and the threatening attitudes assumed by others, to drive their enemies away, are very familiar to all of us. But the very remarkable pro- vision for the safety of the larvae of Harrisimemna trisignata is not so well known. And here we must call to mind that many caterpillars — those of H. trisignata among them — when undergoing the usual moult, withdraw the head from its old case, at its junction with the second segment — at the neck-opening — as a knight of old withdrew his head from the helmet. I raised a brood of larvae of Anisota virginiensis last season. With them the head case was hard and black; but the head when it was withdrawn was soft and green. However, it speedily became rigid and dark as before. Fig. 19. HaiTisimemua trisignata. (Walker). Now in the case of the grotesque larva of H. trisignata (Fig. 19)) on the thoracic segments there are some long stiff hairs which seem to have lain under the skin before the previous moult, and to have been attached, by their tips, to the inner side of the head cover. When the change of skin took place the hairs were erected, retaining their hold upon the head-case. At the slightest disturb- ance the larva agitated the bristles and the attached case is swung backwards and forwards with great rapidity. I raised this insect some years ago, and subsequent observation has con- vinced me that we may see in this a natural provision, to protect the larva from troublesome ichneumons. 82 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 Cassida viridis appeared in this country a few years ago. It feeds on the Burdock and lies exposed on the plant. A curious provision is made to preserve the larva from the heat of the sun, and to render it unattractive to predacious in- sects and birds. By a fork-like appendage to the anal segment, the foeces are retained and supported over the dorsal parts of the larva, and form a protective wad, or shield. The Pupa. In the month of September, larvae of the Saw-fly^ Cinibex Am- ericana, may sometimes be seen curled up, helix-fashion, on the ground, under the trees on which they fed. It will generally be found that they are parasitized — victims of Opheltes glaucoptenis. They may have strength remaining to enable them to creep into some retreat; they may even attempt to spin the cocoon in which under normal conditions, they would spend the winter months; but they fail. Within them is the foe that is exhausting their vitality. This creature undergoes the pupal change within "Ihe frame of its host, and, at length, bursts from it as a perfect fly. The fine ichneumon Tragus fulvipes undergoes the pupal stage within the pupa of the beautiful butterfly Papilio troilus. I may cite the following as a remarkable instance of the instinct of a larva about to undergo the pupal change : — There was a needle-book, formed of alternate leaves of white and golden flannel, lying open on a shelf in my study. One night a larva of Samia cecropia escaped from the box in which it had been brought to me, and disappeared. Sometime afterwards I found that it had spun a cocoon in the needle-book, and had fastened a white fold on one side of its cocoon, and a yellow fold on the other. To disguise its work more effectually it had secured in the meshes of the cocoon, frayings of the white flannel on the one side, and frayings of the yellow on the other. Volumes might be written upon the adaptations in structure which fit the insect for its environment, which enable it to supply its wants, and which ensure the perpetuation of. its species. The Naturalist delights to look into these things. Considering them he feels, as David felt, that the Divine Designer of the Universe "hath so done His marvellous works that they ought to be had in remembrance." " The melancholy days" have now come — "the saddest of the year ;" but we still can find pupge of insects in their snug retreats; and we know that, when "Heaven shall repair her rural seat," objects of beauty will burst from cocoon and chrysalis, to gladden the hearts of the beholders. THE ACARINA, WITH A HOST INDEX TO THE SPECIES FOUND IN ONTARIO. By Tennyson D. Jarvis, Ontario AptRtcultural College, Guelph. There is probably no more widely distributed order of Arthropods than the Acarina; in economic irnportance there is none of greater value; and within the range of the whole animal kingdom there is no study so varied and fascinating as that of the Acarids, commonly termed Mites. The relation of these to other Arthropods has never been clearly defined, but in many respects they bear a close 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 83 resemblance to Spiders and Scorpions in the Arachnida, and by the best authorities have been put in one order of this class. However, in structure they are so unlike and in habits they are so varied that one never loses interest in his researches. Perhaps one of the most interesting features in the study of mites is shown in the manner in which they protect them- selves against their enemies Uy special adaptations. The species belonging to the genus Nothrus are found on the bark of spruce and pine and appear in colour and shape like tiny bits of bark and lichen. A species of Analgesid, found on the wings of the Baltimore Oriole, presents precisely the same shade as the feathers of the wing. Tetranychus spinosa, which feeds in the upper surface of the leaf of the basswood, is identically the same colour as the leaf, and the writer found it impossible to detect the difference except by use of the microscope. In the Gall Mite family the young mites are almost as translucent as are the trichomes, but when with age tliese trichomes turn brown and then black, the mites also assume the same colours in the same manner. Any number of similar examples might be mentioned if space permitted, but sufficient has been s^id to indicate the adaptation of these animals to their colour environment. Another species of Nothrus may be mentioned as demonstrating protection from dryness and heat. In this case the mite accumulates a covering of dust upon its back. Similarly at the approach of cold, the mite surrounds itself with particles of any substance within reach. Further illustrations of adaptation to environment are seen in a species of mite found upon the roots of Yarrow, with legs broadened, mole-like, fitting it for digging and burrowing in the earth. In the genus Chey- letus, the palpi are large and branched, fitted for grasping, and the mouth parts are long and piercing, providing the mite with suitable weapons for a predaceous life. Aquatic species are greatly modified forms of land mites, with flat and hairy legs, enabling the mite to propel himself quite freely in the water. The parasitic mites attacking all kind of animals have many special devices for attaching them- selves to their host and adequate provision for obtaining nourishment from the body of the victim. The curious shapes and odd looking appendages found in many of these creatures appear to the observer to be more ornamental than useful. The bird mites with their angular construction and long tail-like appendages afford the best examples of this class. The sugar mite Glyciphagus with its fan-like attach- ments is another instance of apparently useless equipment. In richness of colour and beauty of marking, the Tetranychids and Analgesids are most noticeable. Indeed, some of these handsome species are worthy of the attention of any one interested in the field of Nature. Am,ong the most remark- able phases of animal architecture are the abnormal constructions of vegetable tissues produced by species belonging to the family Eriophyidfe. About seventy different species of these worm-like creatures inhabit trees, shrubs and herbs of Ontario flora. Not the least wonderful of the habits exhibited by the Acarids are their modes of distribution. As will be shown in our discussion of the dung beetles, many species of the scavenger mites make use of dung beetles and flies to bear them to new feeding grounds. A few species are specially provided with a cord, secreted by glands in the body, by means of which they fasten themselves to their carriers. Another interesting feature in this connection is their friendship to other animals, a few species sharing the home of many of the common species of ants. Here we find the ants repaid for their hospitality to the homeless mites by having 84 THE EEPOET OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. No. 36 their quarters kept in cleanly condition by getting rid of the cast-off skins which are largely devoured by these active little scavengers. Because of their relation to disease, their parasitic habits upon man, animals and plants, and their beneficial effects as scavengers, it is hard to over-estimate their importance. There are at least eight well-defined diseases of man and domestic animals, all isolated within the brief period of five years, which are trans- mitted from host to host by means of these mites. Numerous species spread the spores of bacterial and fungous diseases from affected organisms to healthy plants. As animal parasites they are found upon insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, turtles, birds and mammals. As plant parasites, almost every known plant is attacked by one or more of these hungry mites; and as scavengers they are found on all decaying matter. In spite of their vast importance, not much has hitherto been done in Canada in working out the different species and determining their habits. This is in part due to their very minute size and also to the, difficulty in locating them. For the little we do know, we are indebted to Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, of Ottawa, for his investigations on Analgesids, and to the late Dr. Fletcher for his contributions on the habits of some of our common species of vegetable pests. In the United States much has been done in a systematic way by Mr. Nathan Banks, Bureau of Entomology, Washington. The species in the list outlined in this report were in almost every case collected in the vicinity of Guelph. This study was first taken up in 1904 and since that time the writer has collected, examined and studied to some extent the habits and characteristics of upwards of three hundred species, one hundred or more of which are new and many of them belonging to genera new to North America. Mites are known to exist and to cause trouble in every part of the world, but in the temperate zones the largest numbers of species abound. Usually they are found in semi-dark localities, but a few species seem to enjoy full sunlight, being found upon the upper surface of leaves. On account of their minute size, certain species can be obtained only by use of special devices, such as mite traps; others again, such as bird mites, which are nocturnal in habits, must be gathered at night ; still others, as the Eriophyes, which closely resemble their surr.oundings, require several days of constant search. Special emphasis should be laid \vpon the con- struction and operation of the mite traps. The trap consists of a copper cone-shaped vessel lined with tin, affording a smooth surface, to prevent the mites from attaching themselves to the sides of the cones. Within the body of the outer cone are four smaller cones, to the ends of which are attached small bottles, and in these the material under examination is placed. The outer vessel is then filled with water at a temperature much higher than the normal habitat of. the mites. The discom- fort thus produced causes the mites to leave their host or habitat, and as almost without exception. Arthropods when disturbed travel downwards, they slide down the smooth inner surface of the cone into the bottle below, where they are readily available for examination. Sometimes they are preserved in alcohol, some- times mounted in glycerine jelly or balsam, and if intended for life history study they are transferred to artificial media. The aquatic apparatus is made of the same materials as the terrestrial one, viz., tin and copper. It works upon much the same principle as the one just des- cribed, i.e., when an Acarid becomes uncomfortable the tendency is to go downwards. But instead of applying heat as in the case of the land trap, a few drops of formalin or alcohol is added to the aquatic material. The trap with the proper fittings may be taken to a pond or stream where various kinds of material are available, and in the course of a single day's work many species may be captured. JE?^-"!^-" Fig. 21. Apparatus for collecting FIG. 20. Apparatus fcr collecting small terrestrial Arthropods. small aquatic ArLhiopods. [85] 86 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 At the College over one thousand kinds of material were examined and almost all were found to contain one or more species of mite, in some cases as many as twelve different species were procured from a sins^le substance. To give some idea of the kinds of materials tested, we might mention the following: manure, moss, deca3dng vegetables and leaves, dead and living animals, herbaceous plants, bark anil leaves of trees, tubers, bulbs and roots, bone, stone, nests of birds and mam- mals, soil, pine and spruce cones, ensilage, fleshy fungi, all kinds of grocery com- modities, clothing, fruits of all kinds, and sawdust. Some of the living mites obtained from the mite machines were transferred to pure cultures in order to study their habits and life history. It was found that on proper media it was possible to keep them alive through several generations. Some of the media used are as follows : — First, for living animals — mosquito pupa extract and beef peptone. For living plants — extract of the same plant and on the living host plant. The extract of the plant was made by using two parts by weight of water to one of plant material, and the two heated one hour in a sterilizer and filtered. For mites living on dead matter, the cultures were made in three ways, first, for mites living in nitrogenous substances the culture consisted of whey-pep- tone, whey 80 per cent., agar 10 per cent., and gelatin 10 per cent. Two other cul- tures for the nitrogenous feeders were cheese extract and beef extract. On sacch- arine and acid fruits the media consisted of apple juice. On vegetable matter a culture of potatoes and potato extract gave best results. The gratitude of the writer cannot be too strongly expressed to Mr. Nathan Banks, Acarologist of the Bureau of Entomology, Washington, for his able and ready assistance in identifying a large number of species sent to him, and to Messrs. W. E. Thompson, B. Barlow, George Chadwick, Geological Hall, Albany, N'.Y., and Dr. Bethune, for assistance rendered in various ways. I.— HABITS OF THE CLASS ACARINA AS AGENTS IN THE TRANS- MISSION OF DISEASE. Spread of Bacterial and Fungous Diseases. In pathological and bacteriological laboratories, mites are a great nuisance by inoculating pure cultures. Four species were found at the Ontario Agricultural College, — Tyroglyphus Americanus and T. longior feeding upon non-nitrogenous media, and Cheyletes clavispinus and C. longipes feeding on nitrogenous cultures. They make their home in the incubators, and gain entrance to the pure cultures through the cotton wool in the test tubes and between the fittings of the Petri dishes, ^he spores of bacteria and moulds attached to the appendages of the mites are left behind in the pure cultures, where they multiply rapidly and cause no end of trouble. The spread of bacteria and moulds in root houses is not duly appreciated. More than a dozen species have been found at Guelph inhabiting turnips, beets, carrots, mangels, parsnips, potatoes, spreading spores of affected roots to healthy ones. Especially noticed in cellars of this kind are Galumna moesta, Rhizoglphus phylloxerae and G. depressa on turnips; Orihatta depressa and T longior on mangels and turnips, and Gamasus species on sugar beets and on parsnips, pota- toes, celery, etc. On fruit trees the spread of brown rot, cankers, pear blight, etc., are carried to a large extent by such species as Tetranychus telarius, T. hicolor, Bryobia pi-atensis, Orihatella pallida, and 0. formosa. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 87 Here it might be mentioned that the fruit grower may do much in the way of avoiding diseases of the kind mentioned by frequent applications of the common insecticides. In Grocery stores cleanliness cannot be too strongly emphasized, as this is one of the favourite resorts of mites. A few examples of the spread of bacteria and fungi will give an idea of their destructive habits to the groceryman. They crawl underneath the lids of manufactured jams and jellies, carrying with them spores which multiply and bring about putrefaction. In dried fruits, sugar, and other sweets, flour, bread, cheese, etc., they carry a number of species of moulds and often cause tremendous loss, which might easily be avoided if the proper care were prac- tised. T. longior, T. Americanus, Aleurohtis forvnm, Carpoglyplivs sp. are ex- amples of G-rocery pests. In horse stables and other buildings, mites are found abundantly, especially where imperfect lighting and cracks and crevices of concealment are features of the buildings. T. longior might be mentioned as the commonest house mite. It is found from cellar to attic and practically on every object, thus we see the prob- ability of its spreading spores of bacteria and fungi. The ensilage mite which makes its home in the silo is a good example of a stable mite. It, no doubt, spreads spores of some of the numerous bacteria and fungi found in ensilage. Another example of how mites may spread disease from stable to house is the case of the house-fly mite which travels on the backs of flies and may be transported from the manure of the stable to the food in the pantry, ejg., Histiostoma Mtiscarum. Spread of Protozoan Diseases. Nearly all of the diseases belonging to the genus Piroplasma are transmitted from animal to animal by means of these ticks or mites. In the United States there are two very well known pathogenic diseases which belong to this group. The Texas Fever {Pirdplasma higeminum) and Spot- ted Eocky Mountain Fever (Piroplasma sp.) In Asia and Africa six other well known diseases, Piroplasma ovis of sheep, P. canis known as Piroplasmosis of dogs, P. equi, Piroplasmosis of the horse, Piroplasma Sp. — Rhodesia fever, and Haemo- glohinurina of Finland. Space will not permit of discussion of this important phase of the subject. At present we have no record of any diseases spread in this manner in Canada, but since we have hete numerous species of ticks associated with animals it is not unlikely that in time we shall find examples of diseases car- ried in this way. As Parasites of Animals. Man. — Among the mites that are injurious to man might be mentioned, first, those that are parasitic and spend the whole of their existence in the host ; second, those like the ticks that are casual visitors; and, third, those that inhabit his house and clothing and cause annoyance by their presence. The first is exemplified in the follicle mite which lives on the secretions of the follicles of the skin, such as Demodex follicularum and the " Jigger " of the Southern States. Examples of the second class are the numerous species of ticks. These are found in the tropics, and are abundant in fields, woods and pastures. They leave the herbage to attach them- selves to man and other animals, where they burrow into the skin and create considerable irritation. In Ontario ticks are not so abundant, but in some parts the wood tick leaves its common habitat to attack man in the way just described. The harvest mites, found in grass, hay and cereal crops, when found in large numbers also cause much irritation. The species known as Carpoglyphus paS' sularum found in sugar in grocery stores often leaves the sugar to attack man, causing what is known as grocer's itch. The most common species found in 88 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 houses are the Clover Mite (Bryohia prate^isis) and the Cheese Mite ( Tijroglyphus longior). The Clover Mites often swarm in houses in the fall of the year, where they frequently hibernate through the winter. They get into the cracks and crevices of chairs, windows, doors, etc., and cause great annoyance to the occu- pants of the house. The Cheese Mite is even a more serious pest, intruding itself into all the darker parts of the house. It is found in the cellar, on fruits, tubers and other food products; in the pantry on cheese, butter, flour, meat, pastry, etc.; in the wardrobe, particularly on worn and stained clothing; in the library on the paste of the book bindings ; in upholstered furniture in all the niches and hollows where they can conceal themselves. Still more annoying is their habit of crawling from the clothing to the body, and in many cases, while not actually on the person, the imaginary discomfort is just as effective. The species is not parasitic. Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid has given fairly satisfactory results as a remedy for this mite. Domestic Animals. Most of the injurious parasites of domestic animals, such as sheep scab, mange, ticks, follicle mites, belong to the Acarina. The sheep scab caused by the mite known as Psoroptes communis, var. ovis, is a serious disease of the sheep throughout the world. In Ontario it has occurred in Manitoulin Island and a few other parts, but by proper precautions it has either been exterminated or kept in check. They live in the skin, and obtain blood or lymph as food from the host, and in this manner give rise to considerable irritation, resulting in inflam- mation, scab formation, and finally in loss of wool and hair. The best treatment consists in using some external applications, such as dipping, which will kill the parasites. The disease known as mange is caused by species belonging to two different genera, Sarcoptes and Chorioptes. The Sarcoptes when ,young burrow in the tissue, where they feed and develop. The species of Chorioptes do not burrow in the skin, but produce a scab similar to sheep scab, but it is restricted to certain parts of the animal, as the feet, the ears and the neck. A species of Sarcoptes causes eruptions and inflammation of the skin of horses, which becomes intensely itchy, the animal at this stage refusing food and becoming much emaciated. A species of Chorioptes is found on the horse, cattle and goat, the one attacking the horse being the most common. Scarcely any of the domestic animals escape the attacks of the mites known as ticks. The ticks are large mites with tough, leathery skin, and possessing mouth parts fitted for sucking and legs fitted for holding on to the host. They are true external parasites and cause much annoyance by getting into the ears, around the eyes, and other places where they can avoid the efforts of the animals to dislodge them. They are most abundant in the tropics, but a few species are native to Ontario, and others again, such as the Southern cattle tick (Boophilus bovis), are imported to this country along with the stock. The follicle mite of swine (Demodex phyloides) is the chief member of the mite class attacking swine. They live m the follicle and cause white tubercles on the skin from the size of a pin-head to that of a pea. Wild Animals. — These, of course, are not of so great economic importance, but when further studied they may be found to play a part in the transmission of disease from wild to domestic animals or man. It is astonishing to find on some animals such vast numbers of these pests. The ground hog is especially a victim to a number of species. The muskrat, the squirrel, the bat, the mole, the mouse, the 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 89 moose and deer all must siiffer considerable annoyance from the presence of these pests. In the study of this group several new genera were established for North America. Only a' few a^mphibians were examined, and on one, the Leopard frog, a species of Gamasid was found in abundance attached to the skin, apparently doing no harm, but perhaps considerably annoying its host. Several Ontario reptiles were examined, but the writer found no indication of parasites at work. However, in the United States an interesting species of tick has been known to attack snakes. Practically all the domestic birds suffer from the attacks of one or more species of mite. The chicken mite, Dermanyssiis gallinae, is the commonest and most destructive pest of poultry. It is noctural and rests during the day in the crevices of roosts and nest boxes and other places of concealment. It multiplies rapidly and, unless checked by insecticides such as kerosene, will soon ruin a flock of poultry. An interesting species is found in the nasal chambers of domestic and wild birds. The injury they do has not yet been fully ascertained, but in many cases where they are very numerous they cause suffocation by choking the nasal pas- sages. In Ehode Island a species of mite has been found in the air sacs 'of turkeys in every part of the State. It is again doubtful in this case as to just how much damage they cause. On the pigeon several species are found, some attacking the feathers, some the skin and others the legs and feet. These are only a few examples of the many species found on domestic fowl. It might also be mentioned here that through the agency of large shows, as the International held in Canada and the States, the tendency will be to exchange and distribute the various species of North America. Our native birds are among the most favoured by the mite pests. In our study so far, we have found over fifty species in Ontario. Their habits vary, some living parasitically, such as Liponissus sp. ; others s5mibiotically as in case of Analgesids ; and still others merely as guests. Since many of our common birds associate and feed with our domestic birds, they may easily pass from one to the other. These again are of little economic importance so we need not discuss them further. Fanciers of caged birds are not exempt from troubles arising from the attacks of these parasites. A species known as Dermanyssus avium is very com- mon everywhere caged song birds are kept. Their habits are similar to those of the chicken mite, hiding in crevices of the roosts by day and sucking the blood from their victims at night. As Parasites and Guests of Insects and Other Mites. A striking example of the manner in which mites assist in maintaining the balance of nature is afforded by these parasitic and predaceous creatures. It is a well known fact that many of our most injurious insect pests of fruit, garden and farm crops are controlled more effectively by the Acarids than in any other way. A notable example of this kind is found in the Locust Mite, Trombidium locus- tarum. The mite is generally found attached to the base of the second pair of wings, although it is also found on the wing itself and on any other part of the body, where it cannot be easily detached by the locust. A favourite position upon the body is between the segments of the thorax and abdomen, and also behind the upper joints of the legs, in such position their only means of attachment to their host is apparently by their mandibles. As many as a dozen or more of these mites may be found upon a single insect. These little mites render good service in 90 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 checking the spread of locusts, as ahuost every locust upon which one is found appears to be feeble and sickly. Another species, Celaenopsis latus, attacks the larva of Passalus cornutus, and still others, attacking garden pests are found on the larva of Lachnosterna, Attacking fruit tree pests may be mentioned Hem- isarcoptes malus on San Jose Scale and Oyster Shell Bark Louse; RJujnchoIophus ^p. feeding on San Jose and New York Plum scale; Cheyhtes pijriformis on the larva of the Codling Moth. On forest tree insects we have a species destroying the Cottony Maple Scale and another species attacking the Maple Plant Louse. On household pests we have Histiostuma muscarum parasitic on the house-fly and other species on mosquitoes. The mites themselves are largely kept in check by predaceous and parasitic species belonging to this group. Sejus macro phyhis, found in the Aspen Eriopliyes gall, and Gamasid species attacking Pear Leaf Blister mite. Here we might also mention that a large number of the aquatic insects are parasitized by Hydrachnids (water mites). Besides the species found prey- ing upon insects there are a large number which attach themselves to the body of the insect without causing any apparent harm or annoyance. Examples of these are the following: Uropoda sp. on Eough Osmoderma, Ceramibycids, Skin Beetles, Tumhle Bugs, Darkling Beetles, etc. ; and Macroclieles sp. on Carrion beetles, Silpha, and Horned Passalus. As Parasites of Water Insects. The water beetles and bugs are mostly parasitized by a species Hydrachna helostomae which attaches itself to the ventral surface of the Electric Light bug. As Parasites and Guests of Mollusks. A number of species of water mites have been collected from the gills and attached to the bodies of bivalves but the identification of these have not yet been completed. As Scavengers. As a means of elimination of waste materials, there is probably no more effective agent than the mites. There is no kind of filth or decaying matter which is not relished by some species or other of the Acarids. In manure, sewerage, decaying vegetable matter, decaying animal matter and all forms of dirt, mitea are to be found actively engaged. Of Manure. Samples of nearly all kinds of manure were used in the mite machine, and in almost every case mites were obtained. Histlostoma ralida is a common example in horse manure. Of Decaying Vegetable Matter. Decaying potatoes, mangels, turnips, parsnips, carrots, kohl rabi, corn stubble, cabbage, lettuce, decaying leaves, humus in the soil, sawdust, rotten stumps, fleshy fungi were all found to be hastened through the stages of decomposition by these busy creatures. Of Decaying Animal Matter. Almost every particle of thrown-off material from the animal body such as epidermal scales of birds and mammals, moulted skins of insects, are readily consumed by some species of these scavengers. Bone, horn, flesh and hair are also their foods, and it is next to impossible to find a single bit of any of these substances without finding along with it certain kinds of mites. Of Mineral Matter. Mites were found upon rock ancT stone in all cases of weathering, in every little crevice where the wearings from the rock had lodged. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91 Again, specimens were found even in the solid rock, where, without any apparent means of sustenance, these active little/ creatures seemed to thrive. An example of this species is Scutovertex petrophagus, found at Trahanic Falls near Ithaca, N.Y. Bush and Fruit Tree Pests. In Canada and other countries mites that attack bush and fruit trees are among the more serious pests of the fruit growers. In Canada they are found on the apple, plum, pear, etc., and in tropical countries they are very destructive to citrous fruit trees. Examples attacking the apple tree are the Pear Leaf Blister mite, EriopJiyes pyri, which is widely distributed throughout most of the apple growing region. They form red blister-like spots about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, which turn brown in late summer, the tissues becoming hard and corky. Three or four other species belonging to the genus Eriophyes have not such economic importance. The same species found on the apple are found attacking the pear and other trees belonging to the genus Pyrus. Another injurious species attacking the plum tree in the Niagara district is the Plum Twig Gall mite, Eriophyes pklcco copies. It is an European species which has been imported into this country witliin recent years. The mites form small sub- spherical galls in clusters at the base of the buds. Pocket-like galls belonging to the genus Eriophyes are found on the leaves of the cherry, plum, and grape. Two species of red spider, Tetranychus telarius and Bryohia pratensis, are found on the under side of the leaves of the plum, pear and apple, and when in large num- bers, as they usually are in dry seasons, they do a considerable amount of injury to the common fruit trees. One species confines its ravages to the secretions on the surface of the apple. The red spider is also found on the raspberry. On currant bushes in England a species known as the Black Currant Gall mite, Erio- phyes ribis, has long been known to horticulturists in that country, and as it is spreading rapidly in England and other countries, its presence here may be expected any day. In shape this particular species is easily recognized by the distinct globular or swollen-like appearance of the buds. When the buds are badly attacked they never open into leaf, but for a time they retain their green colour, later becoming brownish, dry, gall-like bodies, more or less open at the apex. Another species of considerable economic importance in the tropics is Erio- phyes oleivorus, the rust mite of the orange and the silver mite of the lemon. It occurs in California and lives on both leaves and fruit. On the foliage the mite causes the leaves to become curled and to lose their gloss. On the fruit of the orange the mite produces a hardening of the rind, which becomes brownish in colour. The infested orange, although injured in appearance, is better able to stand long shipment and is more juicy than the clean fruit. Upon the lemon the mites cause the rind to become silvered, the fruit is better for shipment but the rind is injured for commercial purposes. As Pests of Farm and Garden Crops. As enemies to the growing grain and also to stacked roots such as turnips, carrots, mangels, potatoes, and even ensilage, mites are considerably destructive. Yet they are not responsible for so much damage as they are often credited with. In the field the Clover mite, Bryohia pratensis, is of most importance, attacking clover and other leguminous crops. Another species is found on Timothy and causes distortion of the inflorescence. In the root cellars there are hcts of species too numerous to mention, some parasitic, some saprophytic, and a few finding it a favourite place to live, but doing no harm. THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 As Pests of Vegetable Crops. Only a few species have been found, but the enormous numbers of individuals make up for the fewness of the species. Myriads of Tetranychids are found feed- ing on the leaves, and the Tyroglyphids are everywhere present on the stored roots. Tetranychus telarius is the most common species on the outside crop, and Tyro- glyphus longior and Gamasids are most troublesome inside. As Pests of Shade Trees and Ornamental Shrubs and Herbs. Scarcely a tree or shrub escapes the attacks of one or more of these species. Some indeed, such as the maples, have as many as twenty-five or more species, feeding and absorbing nourishment from the leaves, twigs, bark, stem and roots. ]\Iost of the injuries of the trees are due to species of the Eriophyidse, but in case of the shrubs and herbs the Tetranychids do most damage. The type of injury on the trees takes the form of galls. These are beautiful structures and at certain seasons of the year where they are not too abundant, appear more ornamental than destructive. As examples of these might be mentioned the Top Gall of the Soft Maple, the Pocket Gall of the Basswood, the Frost Gall (Erineum) of the Maple and Beech. On the shrubs we find the Tetranychus species again in evidence — the Privet, Garden Bell, Lilac, Spirea, Eoses and Dogwoods. Among the ornamental herbs that suffer most from the attacks of Tetranychids are the perennial Phlox, Petunias, Nasturtium and Malva. As Pests of Forest Trees. The Ontario forest flora affords suitable hosts for over fifty species of gall-making mites. A few of the more important ones have been discussed under Shade Tree Pests, but a large number of the species are not met with except on forest trees. These variously shaped galls are found on the flowers, fruits, leaves, twigs, and stems of such trees as the Elms, Poplars, Willows, Oaks, Chest- nuts, Hawthorns, Maples, Lindens, etc. They not only do injury to the develop- ment of the tree but cause unsightly vegetable deformities sometimes literally covering the tree. The Witches Broom of the Hackberry, Willow, etc., is also the result of the work of these mites. Much difficulty is experienced in treating the trees for these pests as they are protected by the tissue of the gall which forms around them. The lime-sulphur wash which is found most effective for the Pear- Leaf Blister mite is about the best remedy where it is practicable to spray. Eed Spiders of the Tetranychus genus almost equal the Eriophyes in abundance on forest trees. Only a few species have been determined but the excessive numbers of these species which are found make up for the fewness of the species. When closer study is made of this genus, it is altogether likely that a far larger number of species will be discovered. Tetranychus spinosa, which is found on the Linden on the upper side of the leaves is often sufficiently abundant to consume the whole of the chlorophyll, changing the appearance of the tree from green to yellow in midsummer. Tetranychus hicolor produces the same effect on leaves of Oaks and Hawthorns as T. spinosa does to the Linden. T. telarius is also found on the leaves of many forest trees. As Greenhouse Pests. The florist is only too familiar with the work of the Eed Spider and the Bulb mite, which are invariably present in large numbers attacking most of his flower- 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 93 ing plants. Two species of Red Spider, Tetmnychus himaculatus and T. telarius, are the common species of the greenliouse of Ontario. They are found on suqji plants as primulas, chrysanthemums, carnations, cinerarias, tomatoes, etc. The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus hyacinthi, is responsible for an enormous amount of damage in hothouses. They burrow into the healthy tissue, thereby giving a chance to the destructive soil bacteria to bring about decay. It is found on hyacinths, narcissus, orchids, and other bulbous plants. Affected bulbs should be burned as soon as the mite is discovered. T. pallidus is sometimes found on leaves of Chrysanthemum and Rhizoglyphus heteromorphus, which cause injury to the stems of carnations, are found in New York state. Other species are found on the pistil of Banana flowers in the tropical greenhouses, and on the leaves of Latania palm. As Pests of Flour Mills, Stores, Etc. Flour mills, grocery stores, dru^ stores, butcher shops, libraries, laundries, restaurants, confectioneries, seed stores, furriers and furniture stores all afford hospitality to a species or more of Acarid. The flour mites, Aleurohius farinae and Tyroglyphus longior are the chief pests of the flour mill, the grocery store, the seed store and confectionery store. The sugar mite, Carpoglyphus passularum is chiefly found on raw sugar. TL— CLASSIFICATION. The mites belong to the Phylum Arthropoda, to the class Araohnida and to the order Acarina. In a general way mites are readily identified by their one- piece or sac-like bodies, but a much greater difficulty is encountered when it comes to differentiate them from their allies, the spiders and scorpions. Scorpions have segmented bodies and spiders have a marked constriction between the cephalo- thorax and the abdomen, and when these characteristics are present they can be easily separated from the Acarids. They are mostly very small and some are even microscopic. It has been found that in the embryo eight legs are present, but at birth and during larval development they have only six, and after moulting a few times develop a fourth pair. Exceptions are found in the large family, Eriophyidae — the worm-like mites — where they have but two pairs throughout life. The legs are provided with hairs and spines, sometimes much modified, fitting them for special adaptations in life. In some groups organs are found on the anterior legs which are supposed to be sensory. The last Joint of the leg is commonly terminated by from one to three claws. The mouth parts take the form of a truncate cone or beak, and in some families it is partially or completely reversible. The mandibles and palpi are of various types and peculiarly modified according to the habits of the mite. In some families there is a lingula or tongue which is usually not visible except by careful examination, but in the Ixodidae it is large and roughened with sharp teeth. On the cephalothorax there are usually one or more pairs of simple eyes which are sometimes elevated on short pedicels. The reproductive organs open on the ventral surface of the abdomen, and in this respect they are like their relatives, the Arachnids. 94 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Family Eupodidae. Only three species have been found in Ontario. In chopped grain, under bark of wood and under boards are the principal habitats of this family. They are predaceous, soft-bodied, small mites with very long legs, and mandibles cheylate like their relatives, the Cheyletidje. In many respects they are primitive in that they possess characters similar to those of the spiders. Eupodes variabilis. Found abundant on barley seed in experimental grain cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Eupodes sp. Found under bark of Ironwood associated with other sp. of mites. T. D. J., Guelph. Linopodes attenuipes Bks. Found under boards on College campus. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Bdellid^. There are also three species of this family found in Ontario. Under bark of balsam, crabapple, soft maple, apple, hard maple, in mangel seed, cavities of stone and in ground spelt in Experimental grain cellar, are some of the places inhabited by this family. They are closely related to the Eupodidae and Chev- letidae in that they are predaceous with cheylate mouth parts and eephalothorax partially distinct from the abdomen. They are red in colour with long, slender legs and a well developed beak or rostrum. Bdella cardinalis, Banks. Under bark of Balsam, Abies balsamge, Crabapple, Soft Maple, Pyrus sp. In cavities in stone. T. D. J., Guelph. Bdella tenclla, Banks. Under bark of Hard Maple. In Mangel seed in the Experimental grain cellar, T. D. J., Guelph. Bdella sp. Found in ground Spelt in Experimental grain cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Cheyletid.^. This family is more or less largely represented in the Ontario fauna, contain- ing eight species, some parasitic and predaceous upon birds, rodents, and insects. Other predaceous species may be found almost anywhere in search of mites and other insects. They are characterized by having very large palpi and are dis- tinguished from the previous families by the absence of the demarcation between the eephalothorax and the abdomen. Myohia caudata, Banks. Abundant on little brown bat. T. D. J., Guelph. Myohia musculi, Derges. Found in abundance very closely attached to the hairs of the house mouse. T. D. J., Guelph. ' Cheyletes pyriformis, Banks. Found on larvs of Codling Moth in winter nest. T. D. J., Guelph. Cheyletes longlpes, Banks. Several specimens found in gelatin culture in Bacteriological laboratory., T. D. J., Guelph. . Cheyletes clavispinus, Banks. Several specimens were taken under bark of lilac. T. D. J., Guelph. Cheyletes ferox. In hay, Ontario Agricultural College Barns. Mangel seed, Experimental office. Grain in grain cellar. Barley seed, 0. A. C. barn. Ground Spelt, Experimental Department. Cheyletielle Canadensis, Banks. Found on Bluebird, Sialia sialis. T. D. J., Guelph. Sorergates sp. Parasite on house and field mouse in cavities or little cells just beneath the skin. J. B. T., Ottawa. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 95 Family Tetranychidae. Five species of this family have been found in Ontario up to the present time. These are distinguished from the three preceding families by 'being fitted for existence entirely on vegetable matter. Trees, shrubs, and herbs are usually infested with one or more species of this family. Both sides of the leaves are attacked by mites of this family, probably the under side being their most favourite resort. Greenhouse plants as well as outdoor plants are subject to their attacks. Several species are capable of spinning a silken thread and weaving a home, and from this habit are called spinning mites. The commoner species are red in colour and from this they get the name of "red spiders.'^ Other species are found in green, brown, and mottled colours. They all have one or two conspicuous ocelli o'n the cephalo- thorax and the body and legs usually have a few long scattered hairs. Fig. 22. Tetranychus telarius- " Ked Spider." Fig. 23. Trombidium irritaus — Harvest-mite. Tetranychus telarius, L. (Fig. 22). Found under bark of Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), Crabapple (Pyrus sp.). Cultivated Alder (Alnus glutin- osa). T. D. J., Guelph. Tetranychus hicolor. Feeding on upper side of leaf of Hawthorn (Crataegus) and Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarp®). T. D. J., Guelph. Tetranychus spinosa. On leaves of Basswood (Tilia americana). T. D. J., Guelph. Bryobia pratensis. In houses. On window pane of Experimental basement, Ontario Agricultural College. On clover and plum. T. D. J., Guelph. Tetranychus himaculatus. In greenhouse. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Rhyncholophid.^. Four species occur in Ontario, all belonging to the genus Rhyncholophus. They are of much economic importance since most of our species are predaceous on scale insects. Most of our species are red in colour and possess very long legs. Rhyncholophus pilosus. Feeding on eggs of Ichneumon; a parasite on Cecropia moth ; found at base of old stump in woods ; on apple tree feeding on Canker worm; on large black willow and other trees running over leaves in search of insects. T. D. J., Guelph. 96 THE EEPOKT OF THE No. 36 Eliyncliolophus parvus, Banks. Under leaves in woods. T. D. J., Guelph. RhzjnchoJophus sp. Feeding on San Jose Scale. T. D. J., Guelph. Rhyncholophus sp. Feeding on New York Plum scale. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Teombidiidae. Although only three species have been studied, one of them, Microtromhidum locustarum, is of great importance, as it is parasitic upon the eggs and adults of locusts. The "Harvest mites," as they are popularly called, are recognized by Fig. 24. Trombidium locustarum. — (a) mature larva, when about to leave the wing of a locust ; (b) pupa ; ((•) male adult fresh from the pupa ; {d) female — the natural sizes are indicated by the short lines on the right ; (e) palpal claw and thumb ; (/) pedal claws ; (g) a barbed hair ; (A) the striations on larval skin (after Riley). Fig. 25. Trombidium locustarum. — (a) female with her batch of eggs ; (6) newly-hatched larva — natural size shown by I ^ the dot in a circle.on the right ; (c) egg ; (d, e) emptVj egg-shells (after Riley). ,FlG. 26. Dermanysus avium. the body being divided into two parts, the anterior the smaller and the posterior the larger. (Fig. 23). They are always red in colour and most of them quite large. The body is covered with a coijipact mass of bristles or branched hairs which gives tliem a velvet-like appearance. Trombidium scrioeuni. Say. On decayed log; cedar moss. T. D. J., Guelph. Microtromhidium locustarum, Say. (Figs. 24 and 25). Parasitic on several species of locust in all parts of Ontario. T. D. J., Guelph. Tromhidium sp. On eggs of Forest Tent Caterpillar. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 97 Family Hydrachnidae. Many species belonging to this family have been obtained by means of the aquatic mite trap, but so far only two species have been identified. They are closely related to the Trombidiida>, but are distinguished from them by means of their flattened and hairy legs and other adaptations for their aquatic existence. The young of this family are usually parasitic on water bugs and beetles, but the adults, as a rule, live free in the water. Hydrachna helostomae, Eie. Attached to ventral surface of electric light bug. T. D. J., Guelph. Hydrachna sp. Gills of Fresh Water Mussel. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Ixodid^. Five species of this family have been found in Ontario. They are the largest of the mites and most familiar to ordinary people. The body is covered by a tough leathery skin, which in the female when filled with eggs is shown to be quite elastic by its great distension. They are usuallv known as ticks and are frequently parasitic upon birds, reptiles, turtles and mammals. Their chief importance is that they are transmitters of disease of man and domestic animals. Ixodes Marxi, Banks. On Eed Squirrel. T. D. J., Guelph. Ixodes Coolci, Pack. On Groundhog. T. D. J., Guelph. Boophilus hovis, Eiley. On imported cattle. T. D. J., Guelph. Dermacentor variabilis. Say. Dog tick. T. D. J., Guelph. Dermacentor alhipictus, Pack. Taken from moose. T. D. J., Northern Ont. Family Gamasoid^. Over thirty species are included m the Ontario fauna. Their habitat is of the most varied character of all the Acarids, some parasitic, some predaceous, some vegetarians, and some scavengers. The anatomy of this family is also very much varied. Some have a hard cariaceous integument, others again are quite soft bodied. Their legs are short and usually flat and broad. Gamasus attenuipes, Banks. Feedmg on turnip in Ontario Agricultural Col- lege root cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus posticatus, Banks. Under decaying maple leaves in College wood lot. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. Abundant in Ontario Agricultural College herbarium on pressed specimens of Pear-leaf Blister-mite. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. On decaying squash in Ontario Agricultural College garden. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. Under decaying tree in Ontario Agricultural College wood lot. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. Abundant on fruiting bodies of Brown Eot of Cherry (Sclero- tinia fructigena). T. D. J., Grimsby, Ont. Gamasus sp. Under decaying hard maple leaves in Ontario Agricultural College .wood lot. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. In gall of Eriophyes on Aspen. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. In horse manure at Ontario Agricultural College. T. D. J., Guelph. 5 E. s. 98 THE EEPORT OP THE No. 36 Gamasus sp. On sugar beet in Ontario Agricultural College root cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Gemasus sp. Common or Red Squirrel, Ontario Agricultural ■College. T. D. J., Guelph. Gam-asus sp. Under New York Plum Lecanium on Elm, Ontario Agricul- tural College. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. In Pine cone. T. D, J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. Abundant on body of Ijeopard Frog. T. D. J., Guelph. Gamasus sp. On stored celery in College cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Lcelaps pedalis. Banks. On Chipmunk, Ontario Agricultural College. T. D. J., Guelph. Lcelaps multispinosus, Banks. Very abundant on Muskrat, Ontario Agricul- tural College. T. D. J., Guelph. Liponyssus Canadensis, Banks. On English sparrow; Meadow Lark; King- bird; Wood Pewee; White Bellied Nuthatch; Red-eyed Vireo. T. D. J., Guelph. Lo'laps longisita, Banks. Carrion beetle, Ontario Agricultural College. T. D. J., Guelph. Lcelaps propJieticus, Banks. Groundhog, Ontario Agricultural College. T. D. J., Guelph. Seju^ macrophilus. Banks. Predaceous; found in gall of genus Eriophyes of Large-toothed Aspen. T. D. J., Guelph. Dermanyssus gallinae, Redi. Abundant on domestic fowl. Guelph and all through the province. T. D. J., Guelph. Dermanyssus avium (Fig. 26). Domesticated caged birds. T. D. J., Guelph. Ccelcenopsis latus. Attached to beetle (Passalus cornutus). T. D. J., Guelph. Liponyssus sp. On Star-nosed Mole. T. D. J., Guelph. Caelaenopsis pedalis, Banks. Attached to larva of Spotted Pelidnota. T. D. J., Guelph. Uropoda sp. On mangel seed in Experimental basement. T. D. J., Guelph. Uropoda sp. On leaves of Rananculus acris. T. D. J., Guelph. Uropoda sp. On Rough Osmoderma; Long-horned Borer; Skin Beetle; Horned passalus; Tumble Bug; Tenebrio. T, D. J., Guelph. MacrocheJes sp. On Horned passalus; Carrion beetle; Large Silpha. T. D. J., Guelph. Lcelaps sp. On Mangel in Ontario Agricultural College root cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Liponyssus sp. Attacking dipterous larva feeding on samara of Silver Maple. T. D, J., Ontario Agricultural College. Guelph. LcBlaps sp. On White-bellied Nuthatch. T. D. J., O.A.C., Guelph. Dermanyssus sp. Abundant on Screech Owl. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Oribatid.^. This family is also well represented in our fauna, containing about twenty-four species. They are often called Beetle mites on account of their horny-like integu- ment which in appearance is like the elytra of the Coleoptera. The food of the Oribatidffi is mostly of a vegetable nature, but some species are found on decay- ing matter and others again on the eggs of scale insects. Their habitat varies yery considerably. Some are found under the bark of trees, others on stacked roots, in cavities of stones, on gall tissue, under beards, on decaying leaves, in moss 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 99 and various other places. They can easily be recognized by a bristle arising from a small indentation on the posterior corners of the cephalothorax, and abdomen is well marked. The mouth parts are obscure and the palpi very small. An interest- ing thing about this family is the manner in which some of the nymphs collect and carry moulted skins, dirt, moss, etc., on their backs. The shapes and appendages cf this family are strikingly peculiar in many species. Galumna emarginata. Banks. In cavities in stone. T. D. J., Guelph. Galumna moesta, Banks. Cavities in stone. On mangels in root cellar, O.A.C. Turnip in root cellar, O.A.C. T. D. J., Guelph. Nothrus excisus Banks. Under bark of Austria Pine and Norway Spruce T. D. J., O.A.C, Guelph. Orihatella pallida, Banks. Under bark of Hard Maple, Norway Spruce, Apple, Crab Apple. T. D. J., Guelph. Hoploderma granulata, Banks. Harrington, Ottawa. Orihatella formosa, Banks. Under bark of Catalpa, Norway Spruce, Lom- bardy Poplar, Mountain Ash. T. D. J., Guelph. Ercm.aeiis pilosus, Banks. Under bark of Catalpa, Buckthorn, Balsam, Cut- leaved Alder, Austria Pine, Mountain Ash. T. D. J., Guelph. Galumna affinis, Banks. Under board on College campus. T. I). J., Guelph. Galumna- depressa, Banks. On turnip and mangel, in O.A.C. root cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Orihata depressa, Banks. On mangel in O.A.C. root cellar. T. D. J., Guelph. Galumna hirsuta. Banks. Under bark of walnut. T. D. J., Guelph. Galumna sp. Under Lecanium scale. T. D. J., Guelph. Oribata sp. In cavities in stone. T. D. J., Guelph. Nothrus sp. Under bark of Soft Maple. T. D. J., Guelph. Orihata sp. On large fungus gall of grape. T. D. J., Niagara Falls. Pelops terminalis. Under bark of Ironwood. T. D. J., Guelph. Notaspis Burrowshi, Nuch. Western Ontario. T. D. J. Notaspis Canadensis, Banks. W. H. Harringto^i, Ottawa. Galumna sylvicola. Among fallen leaves in the forest. T. D. J., Guelph. Liacarus panulus. From moss on a stump. T. D. J., Guelph. Orihata Canadensis. Under bark of Ironwood. T. D. J., Guelph. Orihata perolota. In corn stubble. T. D. J., Guelph. Orihata neosota. From decayed leaves. T. D. J., Guelph. Cymheremaeus parvula. Under bark of Ironwood. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Tyroglyphid.ij. We have found ten species in our fauna. They are great destroyers of pro- perty, for, although very minute in size, their enormous numbers make up for their minuteness. The list of species tabulated below will give some idea of the varied habits and habitat of this family. The hypopol stage is a resting one, and at this period in their life history they often attach themselves to other animals, but as the mites do no feeding at this time they cannot be called true parasites. In this stage their chief object is to migrate to new feeding grounds. They are usually pale coloured or slightly tinted with pink, with soft bodies and prominent cl^eylate mandibles. There are no eyes and no special breathing organs. Tyroghjpliv^ longior, Germans. In all parts of houses. On cheese in cheese factories, barley seed, whole wheat, turnip and mangel in O.A.C. root cellar; bulb of Gladiolus; under Oyster-shell scale. T. D. J., Guelph. 100 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 Tyroglyph'us siro, Linnaeus. (Fig. 27.) On cheese in cheese factories in various parts of the Province. Smoked hams. T. D. J. Tyroglyphus Americanus, Banks. In test tube of Bacteriological laboratory. In jar of raspberry jam. T. D. J., Guelph. Rhizoglyphus hyacinthi. Bos. Bulb of Gladiolus, common Daffodil. T. D. J., Guelph. Rhizoglyphus rhizoglyphus, Banks. On hay, O.A.C. barn; decaying potatoes and parsnips, decaying heart of celery. T. D. J., Guelph. Rhizoglyphus phylloxerce, Riley. (Fig. 28.) On turnip in root cellar, Guelph; on decaying heart of celery, Guelph; on roots of grape, London. T. D. J., Guelph. Carpoglyphus passularum, Hr. On raw sugar from store in Guelph; on smoked ham in pork packing house. T. D. J., Guelph. Histiostoma muscarum. Attached to housefly. T. D. J., Guelph. Histiostoma valida, Banks. In horse manure, Guelph. T. D. J., Guelph. Aleurobius farinae. Fairly common in flour in flour mills. T. D. J., Guelph. Fig. 27. Tyroglyphus siro — Cheese mite. Fig. 28. Rhizoglyphus phylioxerae. Family Canestrinid.!,. Only one species so far found in Ontario. It, however, is of much economic importance, as it is predaceous upon the San Jose Scale. They are small, short- legged mites, closely related to the Sarcoptidge and also apparently to the Tyroglyphidse. Heniisarcoptes malus, Sch. San Jose Scale, St. Catharines. T. D. J. Family Analgesid.^-. Forty-three species have been taken in this Province. They inhabit the feathers of birds and apparently do little or no injury to the host. They are extremely email and found in great abundance on the feathers of the wings and other parts of the bird. W. R. Thompson, B.S.A., of the Gypsy Moth Laboratory of Boston, has made a special study of the anatomy and characteristics of this family in Ontario, using the collection of the writer. In this connection I wish to emphasize the patient and painstaking work of Mr. Thompson on this family, while a pupil of the Zoological Department of this College. A full list of these species will be published in the annual report of this Society for 1910. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 101 Family Listkophoridae. These are closely related to the bird mites and live upon mammals. Our species was found on the muskrat. They also are small, soft-bodied mites, with short legs terminating in a sucker. Similar to the bird mites they feed upon the hairs of the small mammals. Listrophorus validus. Banks. Taken from muskrat. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Sarcoptidae. These are the itch mites of man and domestic animals, birds, etc. They, in' some cases, burrow within the skin and thereby produce intense itching, and in many cases a diseased condition of the host, commonly known as scabies or mange. The mites are very small, white and semi-globular in shape. Several species of this family have been found in Ontario. Sarcoptes scabies, Itch mite. (Figs. 29 and 30.) Host, horses. Ontario, T. D. J., Guelph. Fig. 29. Male Itch Mite. Fig. 30. Tunnel of Female Itch Mite beneath the skin — adult at left end, eggs throughout the tunnel. Chorioptes symhiotes, var. equi, Verheyen. On legs of horses. T. D. J.. Guelph. Chorioptes symhiotes, var. lovis. On cattle. T. D. J., Guelph. Psoroptes communis, Furst. On sheep. Manitoulin Island. T. D. J. Family Eriophyidae. This is a family of microscopic mites, which are quite curious and unusual in structure. They have only two pairs of legs and the abdomen is long and striated. These striations, which differ in the different species and differ in number on the dorsal and ventral surfaces, are of considerable importance in the classification. The galls produced vary in form, but are always open or provided with an opening through which the mites pass in and out. They are generally lined with minute hairs (trichomes), which may be simple or branched. The different types of Eriophyid galls are shown in figures 31 to 39. Sixty-six species occur in Ontario. Fig. 31. Erineum on leaf of beech ; natural size and highly magnified. /I6. • Fig. 32. Capsule Gall : Upper and lower surfaces ; interior and opening of capsule, highly magnified. [102] 1910 THE EEPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 103 Host — Alder. Eriophyes sp. A white, frost-like erineum on under side of leaf in the axils of the veins. Trichomes dense, pellucid. (Fig. 31.) Alnus incana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A small, red or green pubescent pocket gall on leaf. Alder Pocket Gall. (Fig. 34.) Alnus incana. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Ash. Eriophyes fraxini (Garman). Small, irregular, smooth, more or less spherical capsule gall, protruding on both sides of the leaf. Ash Mite Gall. (Fig. 33.) Fraxinus americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Pinkish-white, elongated capsule galls on the veins of the leaf. Ventrally the galls appear as white, hairy projections following the veins. Ash Vein Gall. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A deformation of the terminal buds, tlieir development arrested, producing a mass of small twisted leaf ends. Fraxinus americana. (Fig. 37.) T. D. J., Guelph. Fig. 83. Dimple Gall and section of interior FiG. '34. Pocket Gall : Upper surface of leaf ; greatly magnified. interior of gall, much magnified. Eriophyes sp. Leaves dwarfed and distorted in a bundle. Resembles some- what Cecidomyia solidaginis. Ash Bunch Gall. Fraxinus americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Small, irregular, more or less spherical capsule gall, protruding on both sides of leaf. Galls hairy. Fraxinus pubescens. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Basswood. Eriophyes ahnormis, Garman. Balloon-shaped galls on the upper surface of the leaf. Apex of gall usually serrated. Basswood Balloon Gall. Tilia americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Irregular, circular, dark reddish-brown spots 4-5 mm. in diameter, having in their centre very characteristic tufts of whitish hairs. Bass- wood Tufted Gall. Tilia americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Fig. 35. Pouch Gall en upper surface of leaf ; interior of gall, much magnified. Fig. 36. Leaf-margin Gall. Fig. 37. Leaf-distortion Gall, different stages. [104] I 1910 THE REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 105 Eriophyes sp. A white erineum or shallow dimple on underside of leaf, much like the Erineum on Acer negundo. Tilia europea. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Beech. Eriophyes sp. A frosty, white erineum in large patches on the under side of the leaf. Trichomes spherically capitate. Fagus americanus. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Birch. Eriophyes sp. A bud deformation, crowded and irregular, often in bunches of large size. Birch Bud Gall. (Fig. 38.) Betula lutea. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A rosy-pink erineum in large patches on the upper side of the leaf. Betula lenta. T. D. J., Guelph. Fig. 38. Bud-like Galls. 7 Fig. 39. Serpentine Gall. Eriophyes sp. A yellowish-white to brownish erineum forming large patches between the ribs on the under side of the leaf. Betula papyrifera. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A transparently white, granular erineum on the surface of the leaves. Betula pumila. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A capsule gall, very small, yellow to brown. Paper Birch Cap- sule Gall. (Fig. 32.) Betula papyrifera. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A nodular pocket gall, occurring upon both faces of the leaf; yellowish, or reddish to purplish. Paper Birch Pocket Gall. Betula papyrifera. (Fig. 34.) T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Buttonbush. Eriophyes cephalanthe (Cook). Clusters of small dimples on the upper side of the leaf, 1 to 3 mm. high. Buttonwood Dimple Gall. Cephalanthus occidentalis. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Chestnut. Eriophyes sp. A small, capsule gall on the leaf, more or less spherical and 2-8 mm. in diameter. Chestnut Capsule Gall. Castanea sativa, var. araericana. T. D. J., Guelph. 106 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Host — Elm. Eriophyes ulmi (Garman). Small green to yellowish pocket-galls, more or less spherical, usually on the upper side of the leaves. Elm Pocket Gall. (Fig. 34.) Ulmus americana and U. racemosa. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. An erineum on the undr-r side of the leaf; white at first, chang- ing to brown. Trichomes simple, tangled. Rock Elm Erineum Gall. Ulmus racemosa. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A very large pouch-gall on the leaves, commencing as a cone or deep dimple. (Fig. 35.) Ulmus pubescens. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Grape. Eriophyes sp. A white erineum on the underside of the leaf, Trichomes simple. Wild Grape. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Small, semi-circular or nearly circular capsules along the veins, about 2 mm. in diameter, and but slightly elevated on either surface. On upper surface paler than the leaf; below, with a white nipple surrounded by a furrow. Yitis cordifolia. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Hawthorn. Acarus craiaegi vermiculus. A fold of the leaf making long, irregular, wavy projections on the upper surface of the leaf. From the midrib to the edge of the leaf in the general direction of the gall. Serpentine Gall. Crataegus sp. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Small, round swellings (capsules) protruding very slightly on both sides of the leaf. About .5-1 mm. in diameter. Galls very numerous where they occur — sometimes more than 100 on a single leaf. Speck Gall. Crataegus sp. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Very small, monothalmous, conical structures, 1 to 3 mm. high and 1-1.5 mm. wide at the base; formed anywhere on either surface of the leaf and sometimes on the stem of young twigs. Cone Gall. Crataegus sp. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Hazel. Eriophyes sp. This gall is found only along the main veins of the leaf. The part of the leaf around the affected portion of tbe vein becomes crimped, the crimps all radiating towards the vein as a common centre. Hazel Leaf Crimp Gall. Corylus americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes avellanae. A bud deformation, which attacks bud as soon as it ex- pands, and checks its subsequent development. Hazelnut Bud Gall. Corylus americana. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Genus Juglans. Eriophyes sp. A brown, velvety erineum surrounding the leaf stalks, or on the main veins, causing a swelling or bending of the stalk or vein. "Walnut Cushion Gall. Juglans nigra and probably J. cinerea. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A green pocket-gall on the upper side (usually) of the leaf. Walnut " Wart " Gall. Juglans nigra and probably J. cinerea. T. D. J., Guelph. 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 107 Host — Juneberry. Eriophyes sp. Small, nearly globular, dark brown, pocket galls, averaging 2 mm. in diameter, singly or in clusters on the upper side of the leaf. Juneberry Ball Gall. Amelanchier rotundifolia. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Maple. Eriophyes sp. A whitish frost-like erineum with scattered spots of rosy-pink, on the upper surface of the leaf, sometimes nearly covering it. Acer rubrum. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A pale yellow or white erineum on the under side of the leaf. Trichomes capitate. Acer saccharinum. T. D. J., Guelph. Phlcecoptes quadripes. A nearly spherical pocket gall on the upper surface nf the leaf, varying from light green through red or purple to black. Acer sacchar- inum. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A white or whitish erineum in patches on the under side of the leaf, often limited by the veins. Trichomes capitate. When old, the trichomes assume a brown colour. Acer saccharum. T. D. J., Guelph. Phlcecoptes aceris. A green, Teddish or purplish, slender, pouch-gall project- ing from the upper surface of the leaf, Acer saccharum. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A white or whitish erineum on the under side of the leaf. Acer nigrum. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Irregular wart-like swellings (Dimple) on the upper surface of the leaf. The swellings are green at first and turn gray when mature. The average diameter is about 3 mm. Manitoba Maple Wart Gall. Acer negundo. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A white, whitish, or pale yellow erineum on the under side of the leaf, in patches often in the axils of the veins. Trichomes long, tangled and distorted. Acer spicatum. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Oak. Eriophyes querci. An irregular dimple upon the blade of the leaf. From be- neath it appears as an irregular cavity, lined with a tangled mass of white vegetable hairs. Oak Dimple Gall. Quercus macrocarpa. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A dense mat of brown hairs growing in large patches upon the under side of the leaves. Oak Hair Gall. Quercus sp. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Poplar. Eriophyes sp. Circular, fiat or slightly convex, frost-like patches varying from 2-3 mm. in diameter, on the upper side of the leaf. Large-toothed Aspen Frost Gall. Populus grandidentata. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Circular depressions dimple always on the lower side of the leaf. On the upper side it appears as a reddish circular elevation. Large-toothed Aspen Convex Gall. Populus grandidentata. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Dimple-like galls en the upper side of the leaf of the Aspen. Aspen Dimple Gall. Populus tremuloides. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Irregular tubercular masses of closely-packed small reddish- green protuberances on the stem. Unsightly Poplar Gall. Populus tremuloides. 108 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Eriophyes sp. A depression on the lower surface of the leaf, 4-12 mm. in diameter and 2-5 mm. in depth. Under surface of gall is orange-yellow. Populus italica. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Margin of leaf distorted and curled. Populus tremuloides. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Genus Prunus. Eriophyes sp. Reddish, slender pouch-galls, somewhat irregular and pubes- cent, }i mm. long and .5-1 mm. in diameter. Pin Cherry Pouch Gall. Prunus pennsylvanica. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Green on ros3'-red pouch-gall on the upper side of the leaf .5-6 cm. in length. The gall is constricted about half way to the leaf. Black Cherry Pouch Gall. Prunus serrotina. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Green or reddish pouch gall on the upper side of the leaf, differing from the Black Cherry Pouch Gall in that the aperture is not funnel- shaped. Choke Cherry Pouch Gall. Prunus virginiana. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A very long, slender, pouch-gall, green or whitish on either side of the leaf. Wild Plum Pouch Gall. Prunus americana. T. D, J., Guelph. Eriophyes phlceocoptes. A tubular growth, encircling base of buds and shoots. Plum Bud Gall. Prunus domestica. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Genus Pyrus. Apple, Crab Apple. Pear and Chokecherry. Eriophyes sp. Dimple galls, with the concavity on the upper surface of the leaf. Internal surface corrugated. Apple Dimple Gall. Pyrus malus. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes pyri. Capsule Galls on the upper side of the leaf. Apple and Pear " Leaf-blister " Gall. P3^rus malus, P. coronaria and P. communis. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Capsule Galls, very small. When mature, brown "in color. Chokecherry Speck Gall. Pyrus arbutifolia. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Sumac. Eriophyes sp. The leaf margin rolled tightly upward and inward on both sides. Sumac Leaf-margin Gall. Elms typhina. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Irregular, rounded, dimple gall, convex on the upper or under side of the leaf. Green to red or purple in color; inside clothed with white tri- chomes. Poison Ivy Dimple Gall. Ehus radicans. T. D. J., Guelph. Host — Willow. Eriophyes sp. A pale green or purple capsule gall, projecting either above or below the leaf, or both ; I3/2 to 2 mm. in diameter. Salix cordata. T. D, J.,. Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Small, irregular, serrate and roughened pocket-galls or semi- capsules, green or red, strongly pilose above and thickly pubescent beneath. Usually on the upper side of the leaf. Salix discolor. T. D. J., Guelph. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 109 Eriophyes sp. Small, crimson pocket-galls or semi-capsules on the upper side of the leaf. 1^ to 2^ mm. in diameter. Salix amygdaloides. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A small capsule gall, irregularly hemispherical, greenish yellow, with a projecting aperture usually on the lower surface of the leaf, 1 to 2^ mm. in diameter. Salix nigra. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Small, irregular, serrate capsule gall, green or red, usually on the upper side of the leaf; beneath sometimes impressed, more often projecting. 1 to 2 mm. in diameter. Salix bebbiana. T. D. J., Guelph Eriophyes sp. Small, irregular, serrate capsule gall, projecting on both sidc'i of the leaf, 1 to 2 mm. in diameter. Salix petiolaris. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. A bud deformation of the flower catkins and leaf buds or parts of leaves, producing a large, irregular, crumpled mass. Salix nigra. T. D. J., Guelph. Eriophyes sp. Rosette-like structures on the leaves and stems. Unsightly Willow Gall. Salix sp. T. D. J., Guelph. Family Demodecid^. This again is a small family, only two species being found in the Province, one parasitic upon man and the other on swine. They are small and worm-like and resemble the gall mites. Demodex folliculorum, Simon. Parasitic on man. T. D. J., Guelph. Demodex phylloides, Croker, On hog. T. D. J., Guelph. Bibliography of Canadian Literature. Banks, Nathan. New Canadian Mites. Proceedings Entomological Society of Washington. Vol. XL, 1909. Brodie, W. Mites on Grasses in the Counties around Toronto. Eeport of Entomologist and Botanist, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, p. 10, 1887. CHADV7ICK, Geo. A Catalogue of the Phytoptid Galls of North America. 23rd Report of the State Entomologist on Injurious and Other Insects of the State of New York, Oct. 15th, 1909. Dearness, John. A parasite of the San Jose Scale. Thirty-first Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1900. Fletcher, James. The Locust Mite. Report of Entomologist and Botanist,. Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, p. 240, 1896. Jarvis, Tennyson D. The Phlox Mite, Tetranychus bimaculatus. Thirty- sixth Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1905. Mites affect- ing Farm Homesteads. The Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXA'IIL, No. 7, 1906. The Locust Mite. The Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXVIIL, No. 10, 1906. Apparatus for trapping small Arthropods. Thirty-ninth Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1908. Gall Insects of Ontario. Thirty-seventh, thirty-eight and thirty-ninth Annual Reports of the Entomological Society of Ontario. Saunders, William. Destroying eggs of Clisiocampa sylvatica and C. Americana on Nursery Stock in Ontario. Ninth Annual Report of the Entomo- logical Society of Ontario. THE ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD, 1909. By Arthur Gibson, Ottawa. The weather conditions of 1909, on the whole, in Canada, were particularly well suited for the growth of vegetation of all kinds. In eastern Ontario, com- paratively speaking, there were few really hot days, and these not until about the middle of August. Injurious insects were not complained of to such an extent as they were in 1908. Many collectors have commented on the scarcity of insects, even of many of the commoner forms. As is always the case, however, desirable species have been collected by those who have worked assiduously throughout the season. In Manitoba, Mr. Norman Criddle reported that the season was a most peculiar one, the evenings being particularly bright, for which reason it was almost impossible to attract any moths to lights. In the early part of the season, too, there was an exceptional outbreak of plant lice of all kinds, and it was noticed that night- flying moths frequented trees, mostly Manitoba maples and oaks, which were in- fested by the aphides, to feed upon their honey dew. The past season was cer- tainly a most remarkable one for plant lice all over Canada. During 1909 a good deal of material, collected in previous years, has been worked up by specialists, and notes on some of these are included in this year's Record. Unfortunately, a number of our Canadian collectors have not been as active in 1909 as they were in other years. Undoubtedly the great loss sustained by entomologists generally throughout Canada in the death of Dr. James Fletcher, has had some effect on systematic work. We should, however, now even strive all the more to continue the work he so ardently encouraged. Since the appearance of the Entomological Record for 1908, the writer has received letters from many collectors, all of whom expressed the hope that the Record would be continued from year to year. He begs to thank his correspondents for their continued interest and help. During 1909 few important expeditions have been made in Canada, as far as the writer knows, for the purpose of collecting and studying insects. Mr. J. B. Wallis, of Winnipeg, Man., spent most of the summer in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, and while there collected several thousand specimens which will be gradually worked up. Mr. C. H. Young, of the Geological Survey, Ottawa, while at Ucluelet, B.C., from May to August, collected a good many insects of interest. His work there, however, with Prof. John Macoun, of the same institu- tion, was chiefly connected with the collection and preservation of star fish, crabs and other salt water objects. Mr. Geo. A. Moore, of Montreal, collected hemiptera almost exclusively at North Hatley, Que., in July, and secured much interesting material. The writer spent the whole of August in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and brought back collectionts in all orders. In 1907 Messrs. Ernest Thompson Seton and E. A. Preble brought back with them from the Great Slave region a small collection of lepidoptera, among which were some interesting species. Mr. Wm. Beutenmuller, of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, has very kindly sent me a list of the species, and mention is made of several of them in this Record. As in previous years, Canadian students have again to acknowledge the great help which they have received during the year from specialists in the United States and elsewhere. Those who have specially helped, in 1909, are: Dr. L. 0. Howard, with his assistants, at Washington, D.C. ; Dr. J. B. Smith, of New Brunswick, N.J. ; Sir George Hampson, of the British Museum; Prof. H. F. [110] 1910 THE REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Ill Wickham, of Iowa City, Iowa ; Mr. W. D. Kearfott, of Montclair, N.J. ; Mr. E. P. Van Duzee, of Buffalo, N.Y. ; Mr. Wm. Beutennniller, of New York, N.Y. ; Dr. Henry Skinner, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Dr. E. M. Walker, of Toronto, Ont.; Col. Thos. L. Casey, of Washington, D.C.; Mr. Charles Leibeck, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Rev. G. W. Taylor, of Departure Bay, B.C. LiTERATUEE. Among the publications which have been received during the year, and which are of interest to Canadian students, mention may be made of the following ; — Back, Ernest A. The Robber-flies of America, North of Mexico, belonging to the subfamilies, Leptogastrinse and Dasypogoninge. Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc, Numbers 2 and 3, April-September, 1909, pp. 137-400. In this splendid paper 194 species, and 36 genera are described; 20 species and 1 genus are new. Eleven plates, illustrating a number of the species, appear at the end of the paper. Only 12 species are recorded from Canada. Many others have doubtless been taken in the Dominion, but these were not available for study by the author. The paper is a welcome one and will be of much value to dipterists. Banks, Nathan. Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects. Washing- ton; Smithsonian Institution, Bulletin No. 67. This valuable bulletin was re- ceived on Oct. 14, 1909. It takes the place of the work prepared in 1892, under the direction of the late Dr. C. V. Riley. Many new features occur in this bulletin, and a large number of notes are included which have been furnished by specialists in the different Orders. 188 figures in the text appear, as against 139 in Riley's publication. The Bulletin will be most useful as a means of reference. Beutenmuller, William. The Species of Holcaspis and their Galls (issued 17th Feb., 1909) ; The Species of Amphibolips and their Galls, (issued March 9, 1909) ; The North American Species of Diastrophus and their Galls, (issued March 19, 1909) : American Museum of Natural History, New York. These papers on gall insects are most useful. The illustrations accompanying each are beautifully drawn, and with the descriptions of the galls and the makers, afford an easy means of identification. We hope to see more of these articles by this well-known author. Many of the species included in the above papers occur in Canada. Blaisdell, Frank E., Sr. A Monographic Revision of the Coleoptera be- longing to the Tenebrionid Tribe Eleodiini, inhabiting the United States, Lower California and adjacent Islands. United States National Museum, Bulletin 63, Washington, issued June 24, 1909. This important monograph of 524 pp. and 13 plates, represents an enormous amount of work for which coleopterists generally will be very grateful. 124 species and varieties are treated of, each at considerable length. It is to be hoped that this bulletin will be freely used by Canadian cole- opterists, so that we may soon know more about the beetles of this tribe occurring in the Dominion. Hampson, Sir George F. (Bart). Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the British Museum; Vol. VII., pp. 709, plates cviii. to cxxii., received Feb. 8tli, 1909; Vol. VIII. , pp. 583, plates cxxiii. to cxxxvi., received Sept. 1st, 1909. These two volumes which appeared during the year are of great interest to students of the lepidoptera. Vol. VII. is the first part of ''the classification of the very large sub-family Acronyctince, which comprises some 3,000 species be- longing to over 300 genera The sub-family is characterised by the trifid neuration of the hind wing combined with spineless tibiae and smooth eyes not surrounded by bristle-like hair, and it is the least specialised of the sub- 112 THE EEPORT OF THE No. 36 families of the Noctuidce Trifince/' A"ol. A'lII. is the second part of the Acro- nyctince; 104 genera are treated of, comprising 730 species. In Vol. VII., 843 species belonging to 96 genera are dealt with. The third and final part of the subfamily is prepared and it is expected will be issued very soon. The beautiful coloured plates which accompany each volume of the Catalogue, are of immense service to students. Those which refer to Vols. VII. and VIII., are of the same degree of excellence. Many of the species figured occur in Canada, and are at once recognized. We are glad to see the names of several Canadian collectors in the text, all of whom have sent material for the collection of the British Museum. Sir George Hampson is very grateful for noctuids from Canada, and all who can should assist him as far as possible in his valuable work. Hopkins, A. D. The Genus Dendroctonus. (Contributions toward a mono- graph of the Scolytid beetles). United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology; Technical Series No. 17, Part 1, issued June 30, 1909. The results of Dr. Hopkins' studies in this important genus will be of much use to coleopterists generally, and of particular interest to the economic entomologist. This first part of the bulletin is one of the best of the many valuable publications of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology. In the introductory chapter it is stated that, "It is the purpose of this paper to revise and bring up to date the available information on the described species, to describe those that appear to be new to science, and to record the results of original investigations relating to the more technical details that can not well be included in the paper which is to follow as a part of a bulletin in the regular series and which will give full information on the bionomic features." Twenty-four species are treated of, seven of which are new to science. Smith, John B. Our Insect Friends and Enemies — The Relation of In- sects to man, to other animals, to one another, and to plants, with a chapter on the War Against Insects. Philadelphia and London, J. B. Lippincott Company, 1909. This splendid work of 314 pp., by the above recognized authority, is a very welcome addition to the literature of Entomology. Dr. Smith has divided the book into 12 chapters, viz.: (I) Insects in theij Relation to the Animal King- dom; (II.) Insects in their Relation to Plants as Benefactors; (III.) Insects in their Relation to Plants as Destroyers; (IV.) Insects in their Relation to each other; (V.) Insects in Relation to the Animals that feed on them; (VI.) Insects in their Relation to Weather and Diseases that affect them; (VII.) Insects in their Rela- tion to other Animals; (VIII.) Insects in their Relation to Man as Benefactors; (IX.) Insects in their Relation to Man as Carriers of Diseases; (X.) Insects in their Relation to the Household; (XI.) Insects in their Relation to the Farmer and Fruit Grower; (XII.) The War on Insects. The book is full of information and will doubtless have a very wide sale. It is illustrated by many figures in the text, and at the beginning there is a full-paged coloured plate of some of the commoner insects which are troublesome in houses. The work is well printed, and we congratulate the author on this latest of his many publications. Snodgrass, R. E. The Thorax of Insects and the Articulation of the Wings : Proc. U. S. Nat. Museum, Vol. XXXVI., pp. 511-595; separates published June 18, 1909. This paper will be found of much interest to entomologists generally. It represents a good deal of careful work and will no doubt be of much use to stu- dents. The author states that the paper is an attempt to show the unity of thoracic structure that prevails throughout all the orders of insects. Thirty plates ap- pear at the end of the paper and there are, besides, some figures in the text. 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 113 SwAiNE, J. M. Catalogue of the Described Scolytidge of America, North of Mexico. Appendix B., 24th Eeport of the State Entomologist on Injurious and other Insects of the State of New York, 1908, received Sept. 30, 1909. This cata- logue covering 84 pages practically includes, the author states, all the literature published on tlie North American species of the family. 191 species are listed. It will be of much value to entomologists, especially those engaged in economic work. The author is to be congratulated on the result of his labour, and students generally will be grateful to Dr. Felt for publishing the catalogue. The following is a list of the names and addresses of collectors heard fn-in during 1909: — Anderson, E. M., Provincial Museum, Victoria, B.C. Baird, Thomas, High Eiver, Alta. Baldwin, J. W., 74 Besserer Street, Ottawa. Bethune, Eev. Prof., 0. A. C, Guelph. Boulton, A. K. M., care King Brothers, Quebec, Que. Bush, A. H., 1105 Ninth Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Chagnon, Gus., Box 186, Montreal. • ^ Cockle, J. W., Kalso, B.C. Criddle, Norman, Treesbank, Man. Dawson, Horace, Hymers, Ont. Day, G. 0., Duncans, B.C. Dent, W. A., Sarnia, Ont. Dod, F. H., Wolley, Millarville, Alta. Evans, J. D., Trenton, Ont. Fyles, Eev. T. W., Hull, Que. Gibson, Arthur, Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Groh, H., Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Hahn, Paul, 433 Indian Eoad, Toronto. Halkett, A., Fisheries Museum, Ottawa. Hanham, A. W., Duncans, B.C. Harms, J. F., Treesbank, Man. Harrington, W. H., P.O. Department, Ottawa. Harvey, E. V., Victoria, B.C. Heath, E. F., Cartwright, Man. Hudson, A. F., Millarville, Alta. Jarvis, T. D., 0. A. C, Guelph. Keele, Jos., Geological Survey, Ottawa. Keen, Eev. J. H., Metlakatla, B.C. Letourneau, Jos. A., Experimental Farm, Ottawa Lyman, H. H^ 74 McTavish Street, Montreal. Marmont, L. E., 2553 Second Ave. West, Vancouver, B.C. Mcintosh, W., St. John, N.B. ' Metcalfe, W., 288 Bank Street, Ottawa. Moore, W. H., Scotch Lake, N.B. Moore, G. A., 850 St. Hubert Street, Montreal. Morris, Frank, Port Hope, Ont. Nelles, Douglas H., Dept. Interior. Ottawa. Perrin, Jos., McNab's Island, Halifax, N.S. Eowland, Alton, Windsor Mills, Que. 114 THE KEPORT OF THE No. 36 Eussell, John, Bon Accord, jSTew Westminster, B.C. Sanson, N. B., Banff, Alta. Sannders, Henry, 21 Harbord Street, Toronto. Sherman, E. S., 2285 Sixth Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. Simpson, W., Dominion Observatory, Ottawa. Southee, G. E., Sherbrooke, Que. Swaine, J. M., Macdonald College, Que. Taylor, Eev. G. W., Departure Bay, B.C. Tipping, E. Dalton, Bluff Centre, Alta. Venables, E. P., Vernon, B.C. Walker, Dr. E. M., Harbord St., Toronto. -Wallis, J. B., Machray School, Winnipeg, Man. Willing, T. N., Eegina, Sask. Wilmot, E. S., Vernon, B.C. Wilson, W. J., Geological Survey, Ottawa. Winn, A. F., 32 Springfield Ave., Westmount, Que. Young, C. H., Geological Survey, Ottawa. Zavitz, E. J., 0. A. C, Quelph, Ont. NOTES OF CAPTUEES. Lepidoptera. . (Arranged according to Dyar's List of North American Lepidoptera, U.S. N.M. Bull. No. 52). (Dyar's number). 5. Ipliidicles ajax L. Pt. Pelee, Ont., 1 specimen, Sept. 6, (P. T. Taverner). On August 18, 1904, Dr. W. W. Newcomb, of Detroit, Mich., found this butterfly common at a patch of Papaw near Windsor, Ont. 15 eggs, 64 larvge and chrysalids were found and 7 imagoes seen. 34. Pintia sisymbri Bdv. Fort Smith, Mackenzie, June 15, (Thompson and Preble). 63. EurymMS hecia Lefbx. On Island, north shore of Great Slave Lake, July 23, Long. 110°, (Thompson and Preble). 73. Eurymus pelidne Bdv. East end of Clinton-Golden Lake, Aug. 10 ; Artil- lery Lake, Aug. 13, (Thompson and Preble). 104. Argynnis Cornelia Edw. Golden, B.C., June 24, (Wallis). 139. Br^nthis polaris Bdv. On Island, near north shore of Great Slave Lake, July 23, (Thompson and Preble). 248. Chlorippe clyton. B. & LeC. Pt. Pelee, Ont., common, Aug. 14, 6 speci- mens taken, (P. A. Taverner). 289. (Eneis maoounii Edw. On Island, north shore of Great Slave Lake, July 23, (Thompson and Preble). A new locality for this interesting butter- 290. (Eneis nevad&nsis Felder. Vernon, B.C., one specimen in the valley; tlie first I have seen, (Venables). 29~5f. (Eneis taygete Hbn. East end of Clinton-Golden Lake, Aug. 10; on Island, north shore of Great Slave Lake, July 23, (Thompson and Preble). 362. Mitoura dwmon Cramer. Pt. Pelee, Ont., May 31, (Dr. W. W. Newcomb). Writing of this spe< ies. Dr. Nev"V)mb says: *'In walking along and dis- 1910 EXTOMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY. 115 turbing low vegetation, mostly Juniperus communis, I discovered this handsome little butterfly. In about an hour in the middle of the day I secured 13 specimens, and my friend, Taverner, also caught several. One male was very dark above with just a suggestion of the brownish- yellow scales on the disk of the four wings and a trace of the same above and between the tails. I should class this as Brehme's pater- sonia, or at least as coming very close to it." 469. Pamphila paloemon Pallas. Sherbrooke, Que., July 1, (Southee). 644. Resperia centaur ece Eamb. Fort Smith, Mackenzie, July 2, (Thompson and Preble). 683. Ampelophaga versicolor Harris. Britannia, near Ottawa, July 26, (Bald- vi^in). €99. Phlegethontius convolvuli L., a cingulata Fab. Trenton, Ont. (Evans). 702. Sphinx perelegans Hy. Edw. Wellington, B.C., June 6, 7, (Taylor) ; Peach- land, July 6, (Wallis). 704. Sphinx luscitiosa Clemens. Britannia, near Ottawa, July 9, 22; 2 speci- mens, (Baldwin). 728. Marumha modesta Harr. Artillery Lake, Aug. 13. (Thompson and Preble). A very northern record. 778. Baisilona imperialis Dru. Go-Home-Bay, Out., one specimen found in water, July 12, (Williams); Trenton, Ont., 1 sp. June 27, (Evans). 869. Neoarctia yarrowi Stretch. One female at rest on a rock in the hot sun on Mt. Huber, B.C., Aug. 9, about 8,000 feet above sea level, (Lyman). 960. Panthea acronyctoides Walk. Montmorency Falls, Que., June 23, (Ly- man). 981. Apatela cretata Smith. Millarville, Alta., June 22 to July 16th, about 20 specimens at treacle, (Dod). 1,008. Apatela funeralis Grt. McNab's Island, Halifax, N.S., emerged June 20, (Perrin). 1,029. Apatela sperata Grt. Eegina, Sask., June 15, (Willing). 1,042. Apatela lanceolaria Grt. Larva found on cherry at Saskatoon, Sask,; green with yellowish bristles from tubercles, one and three-quarter inches long; fed it on some rose leaves; pupated Aug. 1, moth emerged April 28, (Willing). 1^,050. Merolonche lupini Grt. Duncans, B.C., one at light, (Hanham). 1,063. Harrisimemna trisignata Walk. Windsor Mills, Que. (Eowland) ; Hull, Que., full grown larva on ash, Aug. 28, (Groh). 1,075. Baileya douhledayi Gn. Windsor Mills, Que., (Rowland). 1,141. Oligia grata Hbn. Trenton, Ont., Oct. 18, (Evans). 1,147. Hillia discinigra Walk. Cartwright, Man., Aug. 24, (Heath). 1,211. Hadena stipata Morr. McNab's Island, Halifax, N.S., Sept. 13, (Perrin). 1,220. Hadena vuUuosa Grt. Millarville, Alta., June 28, (Dod). 1,223. Hadena morna Strk. High Eiver, Alta., (Baird). Hadena commoda Walk, = alberta Smith. Millarville, Alta., June 22 to July 24, about 20 specimens at treacle. I have seen the type of com- moda in the British Museum, and agree with Sir George Hampson in referring Prof. Smith's species here, (Dod). 116 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 1281. Hyppa brunneicrista Sm. Millarville, Alta., June 21 to 30, about 20 speci- mens at treacle, being more than I had ever seen altogether; mostly worn; I saw fewer xylinoides, (Dod). 1,286, Momophana comstocki Grt. McNab's Island, Halifax, N.S., June 11, (Perrin). Oncocnemis poliochroa Hamp. Penticton, B.C., Aug. 10; Peachland, B.C., Aug. 7, (Wallis). A record for B.C., (Dod). 1,401. Rhynchagrotis vittifrons Grt. Penticton, B.C. (L. A. De Wolfe). 1,409. Rhynchagrotis crenulata Sm. Penticton, B.C. (L. A. De Wolfe). 1,413. Adelphagrotis indeterminata Walk. Duncans, B.C., August, at sugar, rare, (Hanham). 1,480. Noctua conchis Grt. Eegina, Sask., July 11, (Willing). Noctua patefada Sm. Millarville, Alta., July 8 to Aug. 9, a few at treacle. The type of juncta Grt., which Sir George Hampson treats as ■ distinct, came from Nova Scotia, and has a pale head and thorax, with dark, pale tipped collar. Patefacta has these parts dark, and nearly unicolorous. The variation, however, is towards juncta, and I doubt their distinctness, (Dod). 1,507. Noctua flavotincta Sm. TJcluelet, B.C., (Young). 3,514. Noctua luhricans Gn. Mt. St. Hilaire, Que., June 30, (Chagnon). Noctua dislocata Sm. Millarville, Alta., July 10 to 24, a few at treacle, (Dod). 1,530. Rhizagrotis alhicosta Sm. The specimen recorded from High River, in 1906, is the red costal form of flavicoUis Sm., recorded in the next line from the same place. Specimens named alhicosta, by Prof. Smith, in the British Museum, are an entirely dissimilar species, which I have not yet seen from Canada, (Dod). 1,682. Paragrotis fuscigera Grt. The specimen so recorded in the Record for 1908, from Olds, Alta., is the species listed as pleuritica, from Calgary. Both names are wrong for the species, which Sir George Hampson will shortly describe as new, (Dod). 1,724. Paragrotis oheliscoides Gn. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 5, 1 sp. July 10, (Evans). Mar}%estra artesta Sm. Winnipeg, Man., June 26, (AYallis). 1,782. Mamestra lustralis Grt. Sudbury, Ont., (Evans). 1,789. Mamestra capsularis Gn. Aweme, Man., June 18, 28, two specimens, (Criddle). 1,806. Mamestra rubefacta Morr. Millarville, Alta., one at treacle, June 25, (Dod). 1,827. Mamestra ohscura Sm. Trenton, Ont,, June 2, (Evans). 1,874. Mamestra tacoma Strk. Ottawa, June 6, (Gibson) ; Trenton, Ont,, (Evans). 1,877. Mamestra drcumvadis Sm. Millarville, Alta., one male at light, July 10 (Dod). 1,951. Nephelodes pectinatus Sm. Millarville, Alta., Aug. 17, at light, (Pod). 1,983. Leucania calgariana Sm. Millarville, Alta., a few at treacle, July 5 to 20, (Dod). 2,012. Graphiphora cuUu Gn. Trenton, June 14, (Evans). 2,072. Aporophila yosemitae Grt. Hymers, Ont., Sept. 12, (Dawson). 1910 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 117 2,111. Xylina tha.vtcri Grt. Hymers, Ont., Sept. 2, (Dawson) ; McNab's Island, Halifax, N.S., June 12, (Perrin). CuculUa indicia Sm. Millarville, Alta., one male, at Bnrgamot, Aug, 1, rare ; this will probably prove to be synonymous with ohscurior of Smith, (Dod). Gortyna pallescens Sm. Millarville, Alta., one about Sept. 8, disturbed from a bunch of hay, a frequent method of capture in some previous years. My note in the Eecord for 1906 should have referred to this species and not medialis Sm., of which I have seen typical specimens from Colorado which look distinct, (Dod). Gortyna tlialictri Lyman. Aweme, Man., Oct. 1, (Criddle) ; a poor speci- man of what I think is this species was taken this year at Winnipeg by Mr. Wallis. The variety perohsohta, Lyman, was collected the past season at Hymers, Ont., by Mr. Dawson. Gortyna nepheleptena Dyar. Ottavv^a, Sept. 23, (Fletcher) ; Oct. 17, (Gibson). The first Canadian records. 2,200. Xanthia pulchella Sm. Duncans, B.C., Sept., over 20 specimens taken at sugar. During previous residence of six years on Vancouver Island, had only taken two specimens, (Hanham). 2,214. Tapinostola variana Morr. Britannia, near Ottawa, July 28, (Baldwin) ; Trenton, Ont., another specimen taken July 31, (Evans). 2,221. Orthosia ralla G. & E. Trenton, Ont., Aug. 20, (Evans). 2,301. Heliothis phlogophagus G. & E. Winnipeg, Man., Oct. 2, (Wallis). PoIycJirysia trahea Sm. Millarville, Alta., July 23 to Aug. 9, about thirty specimens, principally at flowers of Larkspur, on which the larva in all probability feeds. I have clusters of these flowers in my garden, but those growing w^ild attracted by far the greater number. These captures are an interesting discovery, as the food plant of moneta in Europe is Monkshood, which belongs to the same family. The only constant dif- ference between the European and North American forms appears to be that the latter is slightly paler in colour. I have not seen typical Siberian esmeralda, (Dod). 2,481. Eosphoropteryx thyatiroides Gn. Duncans, B.C., a single specimen at bloom in my garden in 1908 and another in 1909; a rare visitant on Vancouver Island, (Hanham). 2,494. Autographa ruhidns Ottol. Millarville, Alta., June 23 to July 5, six specimens, five of them at treacle. It is unusual for this genus to come to treacle in this district, and the capture of five specimens by this means suggests that I might have found the species common had I dis- covered its favourite flower, as I did trahea, (Dod). 2.528. Autographa sacheni Grt. Millarville, Alta., one worn specimen flying in sunshine, Aug. 1, (Dod). 2.529. Autographa snowi Hy. Edw. " Head of Pine Creek, Calgary " (the lo- cality usually cited in this Eecord, with equal correctness, as "Millar- ville"), Jiily 23, 1905*, (Dod), and Mt. Athabasca, Alberta Eockies, July 31, 1907, (Mrs. Nicholl). Both specimens are in the British Museum and agree fully with the description and with Ottolengui's figure. So far as I know these are the first correct records from Canada. The resemblance to sacTceni is very close, (Dod). 118 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Syngrapha microgmmma Hbn. Millarville, Alta., July 1 to 12, 1903 and 1904. This is the species erroneously recorded by me as snowi in Can. i ■ Ent., xxxvii, 45. I took a specimen to the British Museum and found 1^. ^ that it fully agreed with European specimens, so that the name must now be added to our lists, (Dod). 2,540. Ogdoconta cinereola Gn. Cartwright, Man., 1 sp. Sept. 24, very rare here, (Heath) y Winnipeg, Man., Sept. 20, (Wallis). 2,682. Tarache cretata G. & E. Trenton, Ont., June 14, 25, (Evans). 2,724. Phalaenostola lareniioides Grt. Trenton, Ont., July 3, (Evans). 2,728. Hyamia perditalis Walk. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp. July 2, Aug. 3, (Evans), 2,76^. Meliopotis Umholaris Geyer. McNab's Island, Halifax, July 16, (Perrin). 2,777. Cirrhoholina deducta Morr. Millarville x\lta., one worn female at treacle, July 5; new to Alberta, and, I believe, a great rarity in Canada, (Dod). 2,825. Catocala elda Behr. Duncans, B.C., (Hanham). 2,836, Catocala luciana Hy. Edw. Cartwright, Man., Aug. 22, very rare, (Heath). 2,868. Catocala piatrix Grt. Pt. Pelee, Ont., Aug. 14, (P. A. Taverner). 2,990. Homoptera minerea Gn. Trenton, Ont., June 7, (Evans). Pheocyma largera Sm. Penticton, B.C., (L. A. De Wolfe). 3,006. Erebus odora L. Pt. Pelee, Ont., Sept. 8, (P. A. Taverner) ; Quebec, Que., July 28, (Fyles) ; Brandon, Man., record sent by Mr. Willing. 3,038. Philometra hanhami Sm. Trenton, Ont., July 11, 29, (Evans). This is only the second time this species has been taken in the East. 3,136. Heterocampa umbrata Walk. Winnipeg, June 24, (Wallis). 3,159. Cerura scitiscripta Walk., a. multiscripta Eiley. Winnipeg, June 22, (Wallis); Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 3,193. Olene achatina S. & A. Trenton, Ont., July 19, (Evans). 3,238. Opheroptera boreata Hbn. Trenton, Ont., Oct. 28, 29, two specimens, (Evans). 3,240. Rachela bruceata Hulst. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). New to British CoIum- bia, (G. W. T.). Bacliela pulchraria Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). 3,272. Eupithecia luteata Pack. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 22, Aug. 6, (Evani). 3,282. Eupithecia albicapitata Pack. One specimen labelled " E. Ontario," (Evans). Eupithecia pacJcardata Taylor. Trenton, Ont., Aug. 16, (Evans). Eupithecia placidata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). Eupithecia agnesata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). Eupithecia terminata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). Eupithecia slocanata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). Eupithecia minorata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). ! Eupithecia adornata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). Eupithecia hanhami Taylor. Ucluelet, B.C., (Young), Eupithecia harveyata Taylor. Ucluelet, B.C., (Young). Eupithecia casloata Dyar. Ucluelet, B.C., (Young). Eupithecia compactata Taylor, MS. Ucluelet, B.C., (Young). Eupithecia albipunctata Haw. Ucluelet, B.C., (Young). This species is recorded in Canadian Entomologist, Dec, 1909, p. 428. I had not seen it from Vancouver Island before, (G. W. T.). Eucymatoge togata Hbn. Departure Bay, B.C., (Taylor). 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 119 3,328. Eucymatoge vitalhata D. & S. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). New to British Columbia, (G. W. T.). Eutepliria lagganata Taylor. Laggan, B.C., (Dod). Eutephria taJcirata Taylor. Takir E., B.C., (T. Bryant). Aplodes unilinearia Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle); Victoria, B.C., (Harvey). Scmgraphia piuroellata Taylor. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). 3,706. Cymatophora Utactata Walk. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). New to British Columbia, (G. W. T.). 3,734. Cymatophora denticulodes Hulst. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle); Similkameen, B.C., (Harvey). 3",767. Caripeta aequaliaria Grt. Departure Bay, B.C., (Taylor). 3,835. Selidosema separataria Grt. Kaslo, B.C., (Cockle). New to British Columbia, (G. W. T.). 3,922. Ennomos subsignarius Hbn. Another visitation of these moths appeared at Ottawa on Aug. 5 and 6. Although great swarms were seen, the numbers did not seem so large as last year, (Groh). Mr. Winn, also, reports that the moths were abundant at Montreal, at intervals, in August. 4,0-10. Leucohrephos hreplioides Walk. Winnipeg, Man., April 17, (Wallis). 4,043. Callizzia amoraia Pack. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., June 18, Aug. 1, (Evans). 4,274. Lipocosma fidiginosalis Fern. Trenton, Ont., 6 sp., July 2, 5, 11, 18, 29, (Evans). Blepliaromastix nympliulalis Haimback. St. Johns, Que., July 24, (Chagnon). 4,400. Perispasta caeculalis Zell. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., June 14, 25, (Evans). 4,484. Lineodes Integra Zell. Trenton, Ont., Sept. 13, (Evans). ParaKpsa terrenella Zell. Trenton, Ont., June 24, (Evans). 4,514. Pyralis cuprina Zell. Trenton, Ont., July 11, (Evans). 4,519. Pyralis cohortalis Grt. Trenton, Ont., June 27, July 29, (Evans). 4,546. Schoenohius chmensellus Bob. Trenton, Ont., July 1-29, (Evans). 4,560. Cramhus liamellus Thunb. Kamoaraska, Que., Aug. 19, (Winn). 4,566. Cramhus unistriatellus Pack. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 9, 26, (Evans). 4,574. Cramhus alboclavellus Zell. Trenton, Ont., July 2-25, (Evans). 4,587. Cramhus ruricolellus Zell. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., July 3, (Evans). Thaumatopsis gihsonella Kearf. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., Sept. 5, (Evans). Second Ontario record. 4,599. Cramhus oregonicus Grt. Departure Bay, Bi.C, (Young). 4,622. Argyria auratella Clem. Trenton, Ont., 3 sp. July 6, 9, (Evans). 4.632. CMlo forhesellus Fern. Trenton, Ont., 4 sp. July 11, 14, 27, 29, (Evans). 4.633. Chalcoela aurifera Zell. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp. July 22, (Evans). 4,698. Mineola tricolor ella Grt. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 2, 11, (Evans). 4,734. Nephopienyx ovalis Pack. Trenton, Ont., July 2-17, (Evans). 4,748. Meroptera unicoloreUa Hulst. Trenton, Ont., June 18, July 11, Aug. 17, (Evans). 4,835. Euzophera ochrifronteUa Zell. Trenton, Ont., July 9, (Evans). 4.871. Homceosoma mucidellum Bag. Trenton, Ont., June 13, 20, July 25, Aug. 2, 23, (Evans). 4,886. Moodna ostrinella Clem. Trenton, Ont., June 17, (Evans). 1,888. Moodna pelviculella Hulst. Trenton, Ont., July 24-30, Aug. 14, (Evans). 120 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 4,973. Pterophorus paleaceus Zell. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., June 20, 21, (Evans). 5,033. Olethreutes capreana Hbn. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., July 2, (Evans). 5,057. Olethreutes constellatana Zell. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., June 18, 22, (Evans). Olethreutes removana Kearf. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 3, 4, (Evans). 5,121. Eucosma juncticiliana Wlsm. Trenton, Ont., 3 sp., July 17, 23, Aug. 1, (Evans). 5,134. Eucosma trigeminana Steph. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., June 20, (Evans). 5,140-1, Eucosma ohfu^cana Eiley. Isle of Montreal, Que., June 13, (Chagnon). Closely allied to E. scudderiana Clem., and, like this species, the larvue will be found making galls in the stems of aster, or goldenrod, (W. D. K.). Eucosma landana Kearf. Redvers, Sask., (A. J. Crocker). 5,142. Eucosma otiosana Clem. Trenton, Ont., 7 sp., June 25, Aug. 30, (Evans). 5,167. Thiodia aspidiscana Hbn. Trenton, Ont., 5 sp., June 7, 13, 14, 22, (Evans). Thiodia essexana Kearf. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., June 12, (Evans). Epinotia plumbolineana Kearf. Departure Bay, B.C., (Young). 5,248. Ancylis hurgessiana Zell. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., June 18, Aug. 6, (Evans). 5,253. Ancylis angulifasciana Zell. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., July 11, (Evans). Enarmonia vanooui^erana Kearf. Redvers, Sask., (A. J. Crocker). 5,295. Melissopu^ latiferreanu^ Walsm. Mt. St. Hilaire, Que., June 25, (Chag- non). The larvffi may be found during the winter in fallen acorns, usually in company with a Buprestid larva, also an Holocera larva. Sometimes all three may be found in the same acorn, (W. U. K.). 5,353. Sparganothis flavibasana Fern. Ottawa, larvae again abundant on a few cultivated Loniceras, mature June 15, (Gibson), 5,387. Platynota sentana Clem. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., June 27, (Evans). 5,396. Tortrix pallorana Rob. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., Aug. 29, Sept. 5, (Evans). 5,406, Tortrix fumiferana Clem. Ottawa, thousands of the moths flying around trees and shrubs in the district, July 20, (Gibson). 5,435. Phalonia smeathmanniana Fab. Trenton, Ont., 7 sp., June 22, July 17, (Evans). Histerosia cartwrightiana Kearf. Trenton, Ont., 1 sp., June 27, (Evans). 5,496. Cerostoma cervella Wlsm. Departure Bay, B.C., (Young). 5,661. Trichotaphe nonstrigella Cham. Trenton, Ont., 6 dates, June 21-Sept. 23, (Evans). Gelechia viduella Fab. Banff, Alta., 1 sp. (Sanson). An arctic species, very rarely found, described as labradoriella by Clemens, from specimens collected by Packard. There seems to be no other record of its capture since 1863," (W. D. K.). 5,818. Gelechia ornatifimbriella Clem. Trenton, Ont., 9 dates, June 14 — July 2. (Evans). Psilocorsis fletcherella Gibson. Ottawa, 2 sp. emerged from larvae found on Populus tremuloides June 10, (Gibson). 6,110. Scythris iiiipositella Zell. Ottawa, Mer Bleue, (Young). 6,495. Tinea biflavimaculella Clem. Trenton, Ont., 2 sp., July 3, Sept. 5, (Evans). 6,606. Sthenopis thule Strk. Macdonald College, Que., larvae and pupae found near here in bases of the stems of Salix petiolaris, June 29, (Swaine and Chagnon) . 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 121 COLEOPTEEA. 1 (Arranged according to Henshaw's List of the Coleoptera of America, North of Mexico). 28. Cicindela fulgida Say. Peachland, B.C., (Wallis). 30fl. Cicindela limhata Say. Eadisson, Sask., July 27, (Fletcher). 34a. Cicindela terricola Say. Westbourne, Man., Aug. 24, (Wallis). New to Manitoba. 167. Loricera caerulescens L. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 305. Bemhidium cannula Chd. Winnipeg Beach, Man., July 9, (Wallis). 351. Bemhidium lucidum Lee. Winnipeg, Man., May 6, (Wallis). 569. Pterostichus caudicalis Say. Winnipeg, May 8, (Wallis). 623. Amara avida Say. Winnipeg, Sept. 9, (Wallis). 626. Amara rufimanu^ Kirby. Westbourne, Man., Aug. 5, (Wallis). 629. Amara laticollis Lee. Winnipeg, Aug. 8, (Wallis). 650. Amara apricarius Payk. Trenton, Ont., 4 specimens, July 4, 11, 23, Aug. 5, (Evans). 742. Calathus gregarius Say. Westbourne, Man., Aug. 14, (Wallis). 777. Platynus anchomenoides Eand. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 804. Platynus hasalis Jjec. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 836. Platynus nigriceps Lee. Eadisson Sask., July 29, (W^illing). 871. Lehia divisa Lee. Last Mountain Lake, Sask., June 5, (G. C. McBean). 898. Lehia depicta Horn. Makinak, Man. Eecord sent by Mr. Chagnon, of Montreal. Colymhetes riigipennis Sharp. Winnipeg, Sept. 19, (Wallis). Mr. Eoberts, of New York, who identified the species, writes: "You will find this placed as a synonym of sculptilis; this is an error. I can prove it to be a good species." 925. Callida purpurea Say. Wilkie, Sask., July 16, (Willing). 947. Cymindis horealis Lee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 1,450. Agahus claratus Lee. Vernon, B.C., (Venables). 1,484, Dytiscus marginicoUis Lee. Winnipeg, April 24, (Wallis). . ; 1,500. GrapJioderes occidentalis Horn. Winnipeg, (Wallis). 1,505. Gyrinus minutus Fab. Winnipeg, Sept. 11, (Wallis). ' 1,551. HelopJiorus inquinatus Mann. Winnipeg, May 5, (Wallis). 1,597. Hydrocharis ohtusatus Say. Winnipeg, June 3, (Wallis). 1,679. Cercyon unipunctatum L. Eegina, Sask., in house, Nov., (Willing). 1,729. Choleva hasiUaris Say. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 1,735. Ptomaphagus consohrinus hee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 1,743. Ptomapliagiis hracliyderus Lee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 1,866. Ceophyllus monilis Lee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). Coccidula occidentalis Horn. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 2,098. Quedius explanaius Lee. Olds, Alta., in a turnip, Sept. 12, (Willing). 2,234. Philonthu3 aurulentus Horn. Vernon, B.C., (Venables). 3,037. Megilla vittiger Mann. Saskatoon, Sask., June 1 ; Olds, Alta., Sept. 12, (Willing). 3,072. Harmonia 12-maculata Gebl. La^t Mountain Lake, Sask., 3 specimens, each a different colour, June 5, (G. A. McBean). 132 THE KEPORT OF THE No. 36 3,095d. Brachyacantha albifrons Say. Meota, north of Battleford, Sask., Aug. 8, (Willing). 3,122. Hn/peraspis Jf-vittata Lee. Last Mountain Lake, Sask., June 5, (G. A. I , ^ McBean). • I Hyperaspis inflexa Casey. Last Mountain Lake, Sask., June 5, (G. A. ' McBean). 3,189. Mycetina testacea Ziegl. Eegina, Sask., Aug. 28, (Willing). 3,238. Tritoma calif ornica Lee. Olds, Alta., (Willing). 3.355. Telmatophilus americana Lee. Aweme, Man., (Griddle). 3,421. Derm'estes talpinus Mann. Olds, Alta., (Willing). 3,425^. Dermestes signatij.s Lee. Olds, Alta., (Willing). 3,477. Hister harrisii Kirby. Aweme, Man., June, July, (Griddle) ; Westbourne, Man., Aug., (Wallis). 3,505. Hister sedecimstriatus Say. Aweme, June, (Griddle). 3,508. Hister per plexus "Lee. Aweme, Man., June, (Griddle). 8,615. Saprinus sominitens hec. Aweme, Man., July, (Griddle). 3,617. Saprinus fraternus Say. Aweme, Man., July, (Griddle). 3,895. Byrrlius murinus Fab. Aweme, Man., (Griddle). 4,282. Agriotes fucosus hec. Winnipeg, July 7, (Wallis). 4,322. Melanotus fissilis Say. Westbourne, Man., Aug. 14, Wallis). 4,382. Pity ohitis anguinus Jjec. Winnipeg Beach, Man., July 9, (Wallis). 4,607a. Buprestis langii Mann. Banff, Alta., July 16, (Sanson). 4,810. Lucidota atra Fab. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 5,235. Gihhium scotias Scop. Montreal, June, (Ghagnon). 5,296. Xyletinus lugubris Lee. Aweme, Man., (Griddle). 5,337. Endecatomus rugosus 'Rand. Aweme, Man., (Griddle). 5.356. Amphicerus hicaudatus Say. Eegina, Sask., Sept. 17, Oct. 6, (Willing). 5,428. Canthon praticala Lee. Mortlach, Sask., in dead gophel's. May 31, (Willing). 5,705. Diplotaxis ohscura Lee. Vernon^ B.C., (Venables). 5,960. Prionus pocularis Dalm. Trenton, Ont., July 13, (Evans). 6,007. Merium proteus Kirby. Vernon, B.C., (Venables). 6,184. Xylotrechus annosus Say. Regin?, Sask., June 12; Strathcona, Alta., May 20, (Willing). 6,253. Anthopliylax m-alachiticus Hald. Mt. St. Hilaire, Que., May 24, (Ghagnon). 6,266. Acmceops subpilosa Lee. High Eiver, Alta, June 27, (Willing). 6,278. Gaurotes cressoni Bland. Vernon, B.C., on wild rose flowers, Aug., (Venables). 6,358. Leptura scripta Lee. Vernon, on wild rose, (Venables). 6,385. Monohammus titillator Fab. Trenton, Ont., Aug. 9, (Evans). 6.488. Saperda moesta Lee. Garden Hill, near Port Hope, Ont. Middle July, on poplar, (Morris). 6.489. Saperda concolor Lee. Bethel, near Port Hope, Ont. Middle June, on willow, (Morris). 6,659. Pachyhrachys litigiosus Suffr. Aweme, Man., July 9, (Griddle). 6,684. Pachyhrachys nigricornis Say. Aweme, Man., July 19, only one specimen taken, (Griddle). 6,707. Diachus auratus Fab. Aweme, Man., Aug. 18, 25, (Griddle). 6,742. Chrysochus colaltinus Lee. Enderby, B.C., Aug. Several on heads of timothy grass, (Venables). 1910 ENTOMOLOCxICAL SOCIETY. 123 G.79G. Chry>i'omcla conjuncta Rog. Last Mountain Lake, Sask., June 5, (G, A. McBean). 6,968. Flaltica evicla Lee. Aweme, Man.. (Criddle). 7,032. Mantura floridana Cr. Aweme, Man., May 28, on Rnmex venosus, (E. Criddle). 7,096. Physonota nnipunctnta Say. Qu'Appelle Valley, July, (Halkett). 7,402. Haplandrus femoratus Fab. Montreal, (Chagnon). Yanoniis wickhami Casey. Trenton, Ont., July 18, (Evans). 7,464. Tribolium madens Charp. Vernon, B.C., (Venables). >\ "" 1 8,224. Attclahus analis 11] . Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 8,228. Attelahus rhois Boh. Aweme, Mftn., (Criddle). 8,334. Scythropus elegans Coup. Vernon, B.C., beaten from pine trees, (Venables). 8,430. Phytonomus comptus Say. Aweme, Man., on Rum ex venosus, (Criddle) ; pupa on head of grass, Indian Head, emerged Eegina, Sask., Aug. 1, (Willing). 8,540. Grypidius equiseti Fab. Winnipeg, Man., May 23, (Wallis). 8,641. Anthonomus sycophanta Walsh. Eegina, Sask., June 10; reared from gall on willow leaf. Olds, Alta., Sept. 5, (Willing). 8,688. Encalus decipiens hec. Aweme, Man., May 28, (Criddle). 8,943. Limnobaris proHxa Jjec. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 8,948. Lirnnoharis prolexus Lee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 0,199. Hylurgops pinifex Fitch. Winnipeg, May 9, (Wallis). 9,207. AUandrus bifasciatus Lee. Aweme, Man., (Criddle). 9,315. Philhydrus hamiltoni Horn. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). Actium retradum Casey. Queen Charlotte Island, B. C, (Keen). Oropus keeni Casey. Metlakatla, B.C., (Keen). Oropus brevipennis Casey. Metlakatla, B.C., (Keen). Batrisodes albionicus Aube. Metlakatla, B.C., (Keen). Baryodma rotundicolUs Casey. Queen Charlotte Island, B.C., (Keen). Baryodma insulana Casey. Queen Charlotte Island, B.C., (Keen). Eucharina sulcicollis Mann. Queen Charlotte Island, and Metlakatla, B.C., (Keen). Megista granulata Mann. Queen Charlotte Island, B.C., (Keen). Thinusa fletcheri Casey. Queen Charlotte Island, B.C., (Keen). Amblopusa borealis Casey. Queen Charlotte Island, (Keen). DiPTERA. (Arranged according to a Catalogue of North American Diptera, by J. M. Aldrich, Smithsonian Misc. Coll. XLVL, No. 1,144. The numbers refer to the pages of the catalogue.) Collectors who other years devoted a good deal of time to these insects have omitted to send in records. It is hoped, however, when the past season's collections are worked up, that notes relating to the rarer species will be sent for inclusion in next year's Eecord. 87. CMonea nivicola Doane. Banff, Alta., on snow, March 29, (Sanson). 105. Dixa centralis Loew. Banff, Alta., June 22, (Sanson). Anopheles occidmtalis D. & K. Valley of Mayo Eiver, Y.T., Lat. 63° 45', Long. 136°, 1904, (Keele). Probably the most northerly record for an Anopheles (H. G. D.) ; Aweme, Man., April 23, 24, (Criddle). 124 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 127. Aedes canadensis Th. Youghall, N.B., July, (Gibson). 129. CuUseta impatiens Walk. Valley of Mayo Eiver, Y.T., Lat. 63° 45', Long. 136°, 1904, (Keele). 129. CuUseta inornatus Will. Aweme, Man., May 17, 21, Sept. 27, Oct. 12, 14, (Griddle). 131. Aedes provacaiis Walk. Youghall, N.B., July, (Gibson). Aedes sansoni D. & K. Banff, Alta., June 22, (Sanson). Aedes punctor Kirby. Banff, Alta., June 22, (Sanson). ■ Aedes pagetonotum D. & K. Ottawa, May 20, 1905, (Fletcher) ; Chelsea, Que., May 17, (Gibson) ; Aweme, June 3, (Griddle). Aedes riparius D. & K. Aweme, Man., June 1, 2, 24, (Griddle). 131. Aedes sylvestris Th. Aweme, Man., June 25, July 19, (Griddle) ; Youg- hall, N.B., July, (Gibson). 133. Aedes spenceri Th. Aweme, Man., May 17, June 10, (Griddle). Mansonia perturbans Walk. Aweme, Man., June 30, (Griddle). 182. Straiiomyia hadia Walk. Beaver Lake, Alta., July, (Halkett.). 185. Odontomyia hinotata Loew. Aweme, Man., Aug. 25, (Fletcher). 359. Platychirus ch.(Etopodus Will. Metlakatla, B.G., (Keen). 360. Melanostoma angustatum Will. Kaslo, B.G., Aug. 16, (Fletcher). 363. Didea laxa O.S. Fort Simpson, B.G., Aug. 18, (Keen). 365. Syrphiis diversipes Macq. Hampton, P.E.I. , Aug. 20, (Gibson). Syrplius perplexus Osburn. Millie Lake, Hudson Bay Slope, July 27, (Wilson). 367. Syrphm protritus O.S. Metlakatls, B.C., (Keen). 368. Syrplius xantlwstoma Will. Hampton, P.E.I., Aug. 20, (Gibson) ; Ottawa, Sept. 4, (Groh). 382. Sericomyia chrysotoxoides Macq. Youghall, N.B., July 6, (Gibson). 393. Helopliilus hamatus Loew. Ottawa, May 13, (Fletcher). 568. ScatopJiaga furcata Say. Banff, Alta., on Sulphur Mountain, May, (San- son). Hemiptera. In this order some good work has been done during the year by Mr. Geo. A. Moore, of Montreal. Other collectors who previously have devoted considerable time to collecting hemiptera have either omitted to send in records, or have not as yet been able to work up their season's catch. Mr. Moore spent the latter half of July at North Hatley, Que., and among the material which he collected the following, although most of the species may not be particularly uncommon, are of interest, as few definite records from that part of the Province of Quebec are available. All the specimens were collected between the 17th and 31st July, at North Hatley, and were not of common occurrence: Entilia sinuaia, Fab. Podisus modestus, Dall. Lamenia vulgaris, Fitch. Mormidca lugens, Fabr. Laccocera vittipennis, Van D. Perihalus limbolaris, Stal. Pissonotus marginatum, Van D. Elasmostethus cruciata, Say. Aphrophora quadrinotata. Say. Corizus nigrosternum, Sign. Agallia J^-punctata Pro v. Corizus novae-boracensis, Sign. Oncometopia lateralis Fab. Nysius angustatus, Uhl. Gypona quehecensis Prov. Oedancala dorsalis, Say. Corimelaena unicolor, P. B. Lopidea media, Say. Perillus circumcinctus, Stal. Eesthenia insignis. Say. Homoemius aeneifrons, Say. Lygus pahulinus, L. 1910 EJ^TTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 125 Neurocolpus nubilis, Say, Rhinocapsus vanduzei, Uhl. Poeciloscytus hasalis, Eeut, Coriscus suhcoleoptratus, Kirby. Capsus ater, L. Gerris rufoscutellatus, Latr. Dicyphus famelicus, Uhl. Rhagovelia ohesa, Uhl. Diaphnidia pellucida, Uhl. Salda ligata. Say. PilopJiorus amoemis, Uhl. Salda pallipes, Fabr. Besides the above, the following records are of interest, those species taken by Mr. Metcalfe, being new to the Ottawa list : Livia maculipennis Fitch. Ottawa, on pine, April 30, (Metcalfe). Livia vernalis Fitch. Ottawa, on pine, April 30, (Metcalfe). Aphalara calthae Linn. Hull, Que., May 10, (Metcalfe). ;■ Aphalara marginata HsLVTis. Hull, Que., June 7, (Metcalfe). Psylla carpini Fitch. Hull, Que., on ironwood, Aug. 25, (Metcalfe). (The above species of Psyllidae were named by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of Washing- ton. A number of other species besides these were collected, but Mr. Schwarz re- ported them to be undescribed.) Gypona albosignata Uhl. Trenton, Ont., Sept. 5, 1 sp., rare, (Evans). Atliysanus striola Fall. Trenton, Ont., June 18, 3 sp., rare, (Evans). Athysanus instabilis Van D. Trenton, Ont., 5 sp., June 23, July 21, 23, 28, Aug. 1, (Evans). Sehirus cinctus P. B. Large numbers of this insect were seen by Miss A. M. Rand, at Canaan, N.S., in early April, chiefly being clustered on old leaves under, and near, apple trees. Its occurrence in such large numbers seems to me should be recorded, as it is not a common habit among the Pentatomidge. Mr. Van Duzee eays this is the second instance known to him of this insect appearing in large numbers. Corynocoris distinctus Dall. Sudbury, Ont.; Eldorado, Ont., Sept. 1, (Evans). Alydrus pluto Uhler. Crow's Nest Pass, B.C., (W. S. Drury). Alydrus conspersus Mont. Trenton, Ont., (Evans). Alydrus scuteUatus Van D. Crow's Nest Pass, B.C., (W. S. Drury). Protenor helfragei Hagl. Sudbury, Ont.; Eldorado, Ont., Sept. 1, (Evans). Phlegyas ahdreviatusJJhleT. Belleville, Ont., (Evans). Corizus crassicornis L. Sudbury, Ont., June 23 ; Hastings Co., Ont., June 26, (Evans). Cymus luridus Stal. Trenton, Ont., Aug. 17, (Evans). Ligyrocoris diffussus Uhler. Trenton, Ont., Sept. 1, (Evans). Ligyrocoris contracta Say. Crow's Nest Pass, B.C., (W. S. Drury). Geocoris bullatus Say. Belleville, Ont., (Evans) ; N.W.T., (J. Macoun) ; Crow's Nest Pass, B.C., (W. S. Drury). Resthenia insitiva Say. Belleville, Ont., (Evans). Diaphnidia dehilis Uhler. Trenton, Ont., Sept. 3, (Evans). Labops burmeisteri Stal. Sudbury, Ont., 1 sp., (Evans). Mr. Van Duzee remarks, " is new to the Canadian list, and, in fact, new to this continent, so far as published records are concerned. I have seen one more specimen, which was taken in the Adirondacks last summer. It was described from specimens taken in Siberia and Kamschatka." Reduviolus roseipennis Rent. Trenton, Ont., June 7, Sept. 16, (Evans). Pygolampis pectoralis Say. Trenton, Ont., (Evans). Orthoptera. During 1909, Dr. E. M. "Walker has examined several small collections of Orthoptera for Canadians. Among these are some species which he considers should \\a ■ranr.r'AaA Via-ra onrl r\f vtrlninh Ina Vi Q o conf mo rid f CI T'VlPSP nrp flS fnllnWR! 126 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Labia minor Burm. Aweme, Man., June 18, 28, 29, 3 males, 2 females; Sept. 11, 5 males, 2 females, (Griddle). Chloealtis abdominalis Thomas. Regina, Sask., Sept. 5, 1 female, macrop- terous, (Willing). Arpliia xwnthoptera Burm. There is a specimen of this insect in the collection ■ of the late Dr. Wm. Brodie, labelled Toronto, 1880. It does not appear to be found about Toronto at the present time, but will doubtless be found on the southern strip along Lake Erie. New to Canada, (E. M, W.). Spharagemon holli Scudd. Aweme, Man., July 27, 1904, 1 female, (Griddle). Spharagemon aollare Scudd. Aweme, Man., Aug. 2, 1904, 1 male, (Griddle). This specimen is remarkably uniform in coloration, closely resembling 8. holli in appearance, (E. M. W.). Ceutliophilus latens Scudd. There is a male of this species in the collection of the Ontario Agricultural Gollege, Guelph, labelled, London, Ont. New to Cknada, (E. M. W.). Oecanthus quadripunctatus Beut. Aweme, Man., Aug. 21, 26, (Griddle). Odonata. Dr. E. M. Walker, of Toronto, has been good enough to send the following notes, all of which he thinks are worthy of recording in the Eecord : Calopteryx aequahilis Say. Kenogami River, Hudson Bay Slope, Ont., July 7, 8, Aug. 7, 8, 1904, 4 males (Wilson). These specimens are somewhat stouter than those from more southern localities. They belong to the form described by Hagen as C. hudsonica. Agrion resolutum Selys. Regina, Sask., June 20, (Willing). Ischnura cervula Selys. Peachland, B.G., Aug. 20, (Wallis). OphiogomphiLS occidentis Hagen. Peachland, B.G., Aug. 6, 2 males, Aug. 17, 1 female, July 8, 1 male, (Wallis). New to Ganada, (E. M. W.). GompJim descriptus Banks. Guelph, Ont., May 27, 1908, 1 male, (A. W. Baker). New to Ganada, (E. M. W.). Gomphus externus Selys.; Aweme, Man., June 22, 1 male, (Griddle) ; Win- nipeg, Man., (Wallis). New to Ganada, (E. M. W.). Aeshna umbrosa Walker. Winnipeg, Man., Sept. 6, (Wallis). Aeshna eremita Scudder. Peachland, E.G., Aug. 3, 2,500 ft., 1 female; Aug. 7, 1 female, (Wallis). Aeshna sitchensis Hagen. Winnipeg, Man., Sept. 6, 1 male, (Wallis). Macromia magnifica Selys. Peachland, B.G., July 24, 31, 2 males (Wallis). Determined by Mr. E. B. Williamson. New to Ganada, (E. M. W.). Tetragoneuria canis McLachlan. Sudbury, June 26, 1892; June 11, 1893, 2 males, (Evans). Sonvatochlora alhicincta Burm. Aweme, Man., June 22, 1 female, (Griddle). Cordulia shurtleffi Scudder. Sudbury, Ont., June 11, 1893, 2 males, (Evans^. Leucorhinia frigida Hagen. Sudbury, Ont., June 26, 1892, 1 male, 1 female, (Evans). Leucorhinia hudsonica Selys. Winnipeg, June 19, 1 male, 2 females, (Wallis). Leucorhinia proxima Galvert. Winnipeg, June 19, 1 male, (Wallis). Leucorhinia horeulis Hagen. Banff, Alta., (Sanson) ; again taken at Aweme, Man., June 4, 9, 2 females, (Griddle). Leucorhinia intacta Hagen. Winnipeg, June 19, 2 males, (Wallis). In addition to the above. Dr. Walker has written that he has several undeter- mined species received from Mr. J. B. Wallis, of Winnipeg, Man. Most of these 1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 137 have been examined, also, by Mr, E. B. Williamson, but seem for the most part to be undescribed. They include an Argia from Peachland, B.C., (several specimens), a single female of a peculiar Gomphus, from the same locality, and 3 females of a Somatochlora, related to franJclini and macrotona, but probably distinct. Dr. Walker also adds : " Among a number of Odonata used for class purposes, in the collection of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, are a single Perithemis domitia Drury, and several specimens each of Libellulcu vibrans Fab., and L. auri- pennis Burm. These specimens are unlabelled, but Mr. Caesar, of the Entomo- logical Department, thinks that they vrere certainly taken in the vicinity of Guelph. They cannot be recorded as undoubted inhabitants of Ontario, but should be looked for by collectors in the southern part of the province. Neueopteeoid Insects. (Except Odonata.) With the publication of the list of some Canadian neuropteroid insects, ex- clusive of Odonata, in the Eecord for 1908, it was hoped that more work would be done in these groups in 1909. Mr. J. B. Wallis, of Winnipeg, has made another small collection, but all of these have not, as yet, been worked up. During the past year a miscellaneous lot of specimens has been determined by Dr. Banks, and it has been thought advisable, owing to the few authentic records of these insects in Canada, to include the entire list. There is much work to be done yet before we will have even a fair idea of the range of species which occur in Canada. The numbers below refer to the pages in Banks' Catalogue, published in 1907, by the .-\merican Entomological Society. Aechipteea. 15. Polymitarcys alius Say. Winnipeg, Man., Sept. 6, (Wallis). 15. Hexagenia hilineata Say. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 16. Hexagenia limhata Pict. Winnipeg, July 3, (Wallis) ; Norman, Ont., subimagoes, July 19, (Wallis). 16. Ephemera simulans Walk. Ottawa, June 5, (Groh) ; Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 20. Heptagenia interpunctata Say. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 21. Heptagenia terminata Walsh. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 27. Chrysopa chlorophana Burm. Winnipeg, Man., Sept. 8, (Wallis). 27. Chrysopa coloradensis Banks. Peachland, B.C., Aug. 8, (Wallis). Meleoma verticalis Banks. Penticton, B.C., Aug. 11, (Wallis). 29. Myrmeleon immaculatus De G. Penticton, B.C., Aug. 11, (Wallis). 30. Brachynemurus abdominalis Say. Okanagan Falls, B.C., Aug. 13, (Wallis). 31. Brachynemurus hrimneus Currie. Peachland, B.C., Aug., (Wallis). Neuropteea. 33. Panorpa rufescens Eamb. Ottawa, July 14, (Gibson). Teichoptera. 35. Phryganea cinerea Walk. Eostrevor, Ont., Sept. 11, (Gibson) ; Eegina, Sask., July 15, (Fletcher) ; Winnipeg, Man., June 25, (Walii^;). 35. Phryganea vestita Walk. Sable Island, Aug. 16, (collector unknown). 35. Neuronia angusiipennis Hagen. McLeod, Alta., June 30, (Fletcher). 35. Neuronia postica Walk. London, Ont., July 7, (A. P. Saunders) 36. Lininephilu-s lateolus Banks. Peachland, B.C., Aug. 8, (Wallis). 37. Limnephilus suhmoniUfer Walk. Ottawa, Sept. 19, (Gibson), Sept. 26, (Letourneau) ; Eostrevor, Ont., Sept. 5, (Gibson). 128 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 38. Pycnopsyche scahripennis Kamb. Eostrevor, Ont., Sept. 4, (Gibson). 39. Stenophylax pacificus Banks. Peachland, B.C., Aug. 21, (Wallis). 39. Platyphylax suhfasciata Say. Ottawa, Sept. 31, (Letourneau). Platyphylax dlaskensis Banks. Bartlett Bay, off Glacier Bay, Alaska, June 1, (Nelles). 41. Apatcmia pallida Hagen. Winnipeg, Man., Oct. 1, (Wallis). 42. Brachycentrus nigrisoma Banks. Winnipeg, Man., May 28, (Wallis). 45. Molanna cinerea Hagen. Eostrevor, Ont., Sept. 2, (Gibson). 45. Triaenodes flavescens Banks. Ottawa, June 25, (Gibson). 46. Mystacides sepulcJiralis Walk. Ottawa, Aug. 8, (Fletcher) ; Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 47. Macronema zehrata Hagen. St. Anne de Bellevue, Que., July 23, (Fletcher). 47. Hydropsyche scalaris Hagen. Norman, Ont., July 19, (Wallis). 47. Hydropsyche sordida Hagen. Ottawa, July 15, (Gibson). Akaneida. The Eev. J. H. Keen, of Metlakatla, British Columbia, made a small collection of spiders, which were submitted to Dr. Nathan Banks. The list of determinations is of interest, owing to the locality, and to the fact that it adds considerably to the known range of some of the species. Dr. Banks considers the records all worth publishing. Unfortunately, no dates are given on which the specimens were col- lected. There is a good deal of work to be done yet in Canada in finding out what species of spiders we have, and many of our collectors, particularly those living in little worked localities, could help very much in adding to the known distribu- tion of these creatures. The following, all of which were found at Metlakatla, con- stitute the list : Epeira patagiata, Clerck. Epeira dispUcata, Htz. Epeira calif or niensis, Keys. Zilla calif ornica, Bks. Lahulla altioculata Keys. Not common, (N. B.). Linypliia phrygiana, Koch. Lin/yphia marginata, Koch. Pedanosteilius laticeps Keys. Previously known to me by a few specimens only, (N. B.). Lopliocarenum fiorens, Cambr. Tetragnatha extensa, Linn. Tetragnatha laboriosa, Hentz. Apostenus cinctipes, Banks. Previously known to me by a few specimens only, (N. B.). Clubiona pacifica. Banks. ^ Thanatus rubicundus, Keys. Cyhaeus reticulatus, Simon. Amaurohius pictus, Simon. Lycosa brunneiventris. Banks. Pardosa glacialis, Thorell. Dendryphantes bifida, Banks. Sclerobunus brunneus, Banks. Ideobisium threveneti, Simon. m MEMORIAM— DR. WILLIAM BRODIE. We regret to have to record the death of another veteran entomologist, in the person of the late Dr. William Brodie, who has recently been contributing a series of articles on galls found in the neighborhood of Toronto. On Saturday, July 31st, he complained of feeling unwell on his return to his home, and a few days later became seriously ill. On Friday, August 6th, he expired. He was born in Peter- head, Aberdeen, Scotland, and came out to Canada with his parents when a child. His father settled on a farm in the County of York about thirty miles from Toronto, and there hewed out of the forest a home for his family. From his earliest years Dr. Brodie exhibited an ardent love of nature in all its aspects, and became an omnivorous reader. This habit formed in childhood continued with him through- out his life. While fitting himself for the profession of dentistry he taught school for a time and became one of the first graduates of the Dental College in Toronto. There he practised his profession very successfully for a long series of years. In 1903, he gave up his work and took charge of the Biological Department of the Provincial Museum. While fully occupied during most of his time with the work of his profession, he most industriously devoted every spare moment to his much- loved study of Entomology. Galls and their inmates had a special fascination for him, and he made large collections of these and many other forms of insect life. His enthusiasm was infectious and inspired many of his younger friends with a love for nature, and especially for the collection and observation of insects. He died at the good old age of seventy-eight years and will be very much missed, not only by the members of his family, but by a large circle of friends. His work at the Museum was most congenial to him, and gave him a happy occupation when his age prohibited him from carrying on his ordinary work. Of his family of six children, three daughters alone survive. To them we extend our deepest sympathy. [129] Ah! you who own the sovereign sway Of commerce and the busy mart, You knew him not, he lived apart. The Iting who passed in state to-day. A king who recked not worldly gear, A pauper — you who rate by gold. But rich in knowledge manifold, In Nature's lore without a peer. He lived his threescore years and ten ; He had his court of liegemen true; They loved him, like that chosen few Who served the Master scorned of men. "He is no king of ours," you say, "We know him not"; yet bare the head, Pay you your tribute, he is dead, I saw him pass in state to-day. II. To bow the knee he was not planned With willowy grace and pliant form; Like stalwart oak he faced the storm And bore the brunt — a monarch grand. A shock of rebel locks upreared Above the forehead bold and high; 'Neath shaggy brow the deep-set eye Challenged enquiry; grizzled beard Part hid his lip; a man endued With power of thought, you read the face; The Maker moulds in some for grace, For strength those rugged features hewed. In mind and will maturest man, A boy at heart; his eager quest Of Nature's ways the boy confessed, But through it all endurance ran. Trinity College School, Port Hope . Bend as they might the sturdy frame And quell the lustre of the eye, Not years could daunt the purpose high Or quench the ardent spirit's flame. III. Greybeard and youth, a thoughtful throng. Would gather round their Scottish sage. Right gladly youth give place to age. Listen and learn and ponder long. Was life's dark riddle hard to read? His vibrant tones would cheer. Were there Who questioned truth? who fought despair? He welcomed all, nor asked their creed. Did ihey in earnest seek? He sought In earnest too. From bounteous store He loved with lavish hand to pour Jewels of knowledge and of thought. Responsive hearts, unwavering eyes His steadfast gaze compelled again; He loved the truth, his speech was plain, He could not stoop to compromise. IV. Oh! all too rare the thoughtful mind That keeps abreast of Science way And still reveres the older day, The simpler faith that lags behind. Dead now, but while the ages run His work shall live; 'tis such as he Alone inspire posterity. Fathering their kind from son to son. "We know not when our days are sped, And I, who through his friendship stand. Would lift some falterer by the hand Ere I lie nerveless with the dead. —Frank Morris. ri3oi THE LATE DR VVM. BKODIE. i;n Plate A. 1. Vein GaiJ on White Ash. Eriophyes sp. 2. Chokecherry Mite Gall. Eriophyes sp. 3. Hawthorn Serpentine Gall. Eriophyes 4. Manitoba Maple Wart Gall. Eriophyenyp. 5. Poison Ivy Mite Gall. Eriophyes sp. 6. Birch Bud Gall. Eriophyes sp. [133] I Plate B. 1. Eiiophyes sp., Betula papyrifera. 2. Eriophyes sp., Pruims Aiiiericaua. 3. Eriophyes sp., Rhus Cotinus. 4. Eriophyes sp., Salix discolor. 5. Eriophyes cephalanthae, Cephalanthus occidentalis. 6. Eriophyes pyr' sp., Pyrus communis. [134] Plate c. Eriophyes sp., (under^surface) Populus grandidentata. Eriophyes sp., (upper surface) t Populus grandidentata. 3. Eriophyes sp., Populus treuiuloides. 4. Eriophyes sp., Tilia Europea. 5. Eriophyes sp., Betula papyrifera. (i. Phloeeoptes aceris, Acer sacchariiium. [135] Plate D. 1. Sugar Maple Pink Frost Gall. Erlophyes sp. 2. Manitoba Maple Frost Gall. Eriophyes sp. 3. Rock Elm Frst Gall. Eriophyes sp. 4. Beech Frost Gall. Eriophyes sp. 5. Elm Mite Gall. Eriophyes ulmi. 6. Elm Mite Gall. Enlarged opening on under surface. j [137] Plate E. 1. Eriophyes sp., Amelanchier Canadensis. 2. Eriophyes sp., .Juglans nigra. 3. Eriophyes sp., Populus italica. 4. Eriophyes sp., V^itis cordifolia. 5. Eriophyes sp., Salix Iragilis. [139] 4 ^§ h3 TS 2 * fa fa 5 fa [m; INDEX. Page Acarina as disease carriers 86 " as parasites of animals. 87, 94, 97 " as parasites of insects, etc.. 89, 95 as pests of trees and crops. 91 " as scavengers 90, 97 " classification of 93 Acarina (mites) of Ontario 82 Adaptation in structure of insects. . . 76 Agrilus anxius 13 Alder, galls affecting 103 Anisota senatoria 65 virginiensis 73 Ants, conflicts between 51 Aphids (plant-lice).. 12, 13, 14, 63, 68, 73 Apple aphids 12 " galls affecting 108 " leaf-hopper 10 Apples attacked by plum curculio. .17, 68 Araneida, captures of 128 Ash, galls affecting 103 Back's Robber-flies of N. America.. Ill Bank's directions for collecting and preserving insects Ill Bark-beetles 16, 18, 58, 113 Basswood, galls affecting 103 Bat-flea 79 Beech, galls affecting 105 Beetle-mites 98 Beetles found on flowers 23 Bethune, C. J. S., article by 63 BeutenmuUer's Holcaspis and their galls Ill Birch-borer, the Bronze 13 Birch, galls affecting * 105 Bird-mites 100 Blackberry miner 18 Blaisdell's Revision of Eleodiini .... Ill Blister-beetles 11, 70 British Museum, Catalogue of Lepi- doptera Phalsenje Ill Brodie, Dr. Wm., obituary notice of. 129 Browntail moth in Canada 19 Buttonbush, galls affecting 105 Caesar, L., article by 16 Canker worms 13 Carrot rust-fly 73 Ca3sida viridis 82 Cerambycid beetles at flowers 25 Cheese mites 99 Cherry, galls affecting 108 Chestnut, galls affecting 105 Codling moth 12, 67 Coleoptera, captures of 121 Collecting and preserving speci- mens of Insects: Banks Ill Cosmopepla carnifex 15 Cottony maple scale 64 Criddle mixture for grasshoppers . .10, 66 Cucumber beetle, the striped 11 Currant aphis 12, 73 " borer 73 " worm (sawfly) 12 Page Diabrotica vittata 11 Diptera, captures of 123 Dogwood, beetles frequenting 28 Eccoptogaster rugulosus 16, 58 Elder blossoms, beetles frequenting. 26 Eleodiini, monograph of: Blaisdell.. Ill Elm caterpillar, the spiny 13 Elm, galls affecting 13, 106 Elm-leaf aphis 13 Elmtree scale 14, 64 Empoasca mail 10 Ennomos subsignarius 56 Entomological errors, origin of ... . 46 Entomological record 110 Epicauta Pennsylvanica 11 Epitrix cucumeris 11 Eriophyes (gall-mites) 101 Eulecanium nigrofasciatum 18 Fall webworm 14, 73 Field crops, insects injuring 10, 70 Flea beetles 11, 72 Forest and shade trees, insects at- tacking 13, 73 Fruit crops, insects affecting 12 Fruit-tree bark-beetle 62 Fyles, T. W., articles by 73, 76 Gall mites 83 Galls on eim-trees 106 Garden plants, insects affecting. .14, 65, 72 Gibson, A., articles by 9, 19, 42, 54, 110 Gossyparia spuria 64 Grain aphis 10 Grape, galls affecting 106 Grasshoppers 10, 66,70 Hampson's Catalogue of British Mu- seum Phalsense Ill Harrisimemna trisignata 81 Harvest mites 96 Hawthorn bloom, beetles frequenting 27 Hawthorn, galls afliecting 106 Hazel, galls affecting 106 Hemiptera, captures of 124 Hessian fly 10 Hewitt, C. G., articles by 20, 30 Holland's Moth Book, corrections of errors in 49 Hopkins: Monograph of Dendroc- tonus 112 Hoplia trifasciata 24 House flies and their allies 30 Insect Friends and Enemies: Smith 112 Itch mites on man andanimals .... 101 Jarvis, T. D., articles by 44, 82 Juneberry, gall affecting 107 Larch sawfly 13, 20 Lasius niger ant 51 143" 144 EEPOET OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1910 Page Lepidoptera, captures of 114 Literature, Entomological Ill Lochhead, W., article by 67 Locust, the Lesser Migratory 10 Lygus pratensis 14 Lyman, H. H., article by 46 Macrosiphum granaria 10 Mantispa brunnea 79 Maple, galls affecting 107 Maple, the spiked, beetles frequent- ing 28 Meromyza Americana 10 Mites, apparatus for collecting 84 M'.tes (see Acarina). Morris, F. J. A., articles by 23, 129 Musca domestica 30, 141 Myrmica scabroides 51 Myzus ribis 12 Nash, C. W., article by 15 Nectarophora pisi 14 Nematus Erichsonii 13, 20 Neuroptera, captures of 127 New Jersey Tea, beetles frequenting 28 Nursery work in Ontario 21 Oak, caterpillars attacking 65, 73 Oak, galls affecting 107 Obituary: Dr. Wm. Brodie 129 Odonata, captures of 126 Ortlioptera, captures of 125 Oyster^shell scale 68 Pea aphis, the destructive 14 Peach-tree bark beetle 60 Pear-tree slug 12 PhlcEotribus liminaris 58 Plant-bug, the Tarnished 14 Plum curculio 17, 68 Plum-galls 13, 108 Poplar, galls affecting 107 Potato flea-beetle 11 Pteronus ribesii 12 Pulvinaria innumerabilis 62 Page Red spider mite 14, 95 Robber-flies of N. America: Back ... Ill Root-maggots ii Sanders, G. E., article by 51 San Jose scale 18, 22 Scale insects 18, 22, 62, 64 Scolioneura capitalis 18 Scolytids attacking pine 16 Catalogue of N. American: Swaine 113 " Monograph of: Hopkins... 112 Notes on fruit-tree 58 Sicolytus rugulosus 16, 18, 58 Shot-hole borer 16, 18, 58 Smith's Insect Enemies and Friends 112 Snodgrass: The Thorax of Insects. . . 112 Sparganothes flavibasana 14 Spiders, captures of 128 Spiked maple, beetles frequenting. . . 28 Spruce, budovorm 13, 54 Sumac, galls affecting 108 Swaine's Catalogue of Scolytidse. . . . 112 Swaine, J. M., article by 58 Tachinid flies 35 Tarnished plant-bug 14 Terrapin scale 18 Tortrix fumiferana 13, ^A Treherne, R. C, article by 21 Tussock moth 14, 16 Walnut, galls affecting 106 Water-bug, the Giant 78 Webworm, the Fall 73 W'heat-stem maggot 10 White grubs 65, 72 Williams, J. B., article by 14 Willow, galls affdcting 108 Winn, A. P., article by 56 Wireworms 65, 71 Wood-boring beetles on flowers 25 Xyleborus dispar 58 ■a. 7 . TTTHTiaTOr - FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Entomological Society OF ONTARIO 1910 I PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO) PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO TORONTO : Printed by L. K. CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 19 11. FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Entomological Society OF ONTARIO 1910 (PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO) PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO TORONTO : Printed by L. K. CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 19 11. Printed by WILLIAM BRIGGS, 29-37 Richmond Street West, TORONTO. To the Honourable John Morison Gibson, K.C., LL.D., etc., etc., etc. Mat it Please Youk Honour : The undersigned begs to present herewith, for the consideration of your Honour, the Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario for 1910. Respectfully submitted, JAMES S. DUFF, Minister of Agriculture. Toronto, 1911. [3] CONTENTS. Page. Lettee of Transmission 5 Officers fob 1910-1911 '. 9 Canadian Members 9 Annual Meeting 11 Reports on Insects of the Year: Division No. 1, Akthuk Gibsox 11 Division No. 5, F. J. A. Morris 16 Division No. 2, C. E. Grant 18 Division No. 6, R. S. Hamilton 18 Division No. 3, J. B. Williams 19 Division No. 7, R. C. Treherne 19 Insects of the Year in Ontario: L. Caesar 21 The More Injurious Insects in Canada in 1910: C. Gordon Hevv'itt 27 Notes on the Season of 1910 : T. W. Fyles 30 Report of the Council 32 First International Congress of Entomology: H. H. Ly.man 32 Report of the Montreal Branch 37 " " Toronto Branch 38 " " Librarian 39 Curator 39 " " Delegate to the Royal Society 40 The Role of Insects in Water-life: J. G. Needham 42 [Exhibit of Specimens 43 Beetles found about Foliage: F. J. A. Morris ' 45 The Pool: T. W. Fyles 51 The Bean Maggot in Ontario in 1910: J. E. Howitt 56 The Horse-radish Flea-beetle: A. F. Winn 59 The Migration of some Native Locusts: Norman Criddle 60 On the Practical Importance of the Study of Parasitic Insects: C. Gordon Hewitt 62 The Coccidae of Canada: T. D. Jarvis 64 Aleyrodidae of Ontario: T. D. Jarvis 78 Some Insects of the Larch: J. M. Swaine 81 Insect Notes from iSte. Anne's: J. M. Swaine 88 Basswood or Linden Insects, IV: Arthur Gibson 99 The Entomological Record, 1910: Arthur Gibson 101 Financial Statement 121 : Index 122 [4] FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Entomological Society of Ontario 1910 To the Honourable James 8. Duff, Minister of Agriculture. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith the Forty-first Annual Eeport of the Entomological Society of Ontario. The Forty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Society was held at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, on Thursday and Friday, November 3rd and 4th, 1910. The proceedings are given in full in the following pages, and include the reports of the various officers and branches of the Society, together with the addresses delivered and the audited financial statement of the Treasurer. The " Canadian Entomologist," the Society's monthly journal, has been issued regularly during the past year, and has now completed its forty-second volume. It continues to maintain the wide circulation and high scientific value which have characterized it in the past. I have the honour to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, Edmund M. Walker, Editor. Biological Department, University of Toronto. [5] Pbofessob Tennyson D. Jaevis, B.S.A. (Ontario Agricultural CJoUege, Guelph). President of the Entomological Society of Ontario, 1908*1910. [6] «»▼<> f. A PiATE A. — 1. Work of Lesser Apple Worm. Note the large area injured. 2. Feeding punctures of Plum Curculio made by the new beetles in autumn. 3. Cherry Fruit Flies. (Natural size.) 4. Opened Cherry showing maggot about full-grown Inside. (See pages 21 and 24.) m Plate B.— 5. Sweet Cherry tree on the left almost completely defoliated by the Slug; tree on the right only slightly injured. 6. Galls on White Spruce caused by Chermes similis. 7. Galls on Norway Spruce caused by Chermes abietis. (See pages 24 and 26.) [8] Entomological Society of Ontario. OFFICERS FOR 1910-1911. President — Dr. Edmund M. Walker, Lecturer in Zoology, University of Toronto. Vice-President — Db. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Secretary-Treasurer. — ^Mr. J. Eaton HowriT, M.S.A., Lecturer in Botany, O. A. College, Guelph. Curator — Mb. Lawson Caesar, B.A., B.S.A., Lecturer in Entomology and Plant Dlsj- eases, 0. A. College. Librarian — Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C, Professor of Entomology and Zoology, O. A. College. Directors — Division No. 1, Mr. Arthur Gibson, Dept. of Entomology, Central Experi- mental Farm, Ottawa; Division No. 2, Mr. C. E. Grant, Orillia; Division No. 3, Mr. A. CosENS, Parkdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto; Division No. 4, Mb. C. W. Nash, East Toronto; Division No. 5, Mr. F. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope; Division No. 6, Mr. R. S. Hamilton, Collegiate Institute, Gait; Division No. 7, Mr. R. C. Treherne, Grimsby. Directors (Ex-Presidents of the Society). — Professor Wm. Saunders, C.M.G., LL.D., F.R.S.C, F.L.S., Director of the Experimental Farms of the Dominion of Canada, Ottawa; Rev. C. J. S, Bethune, M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C, Guelph; W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C, Ottawa; Professor John Dearness, Vice-Principal Normal School, London; Henry H. Lyman, M.A., F.E.S., F.R.G.S., Montreal; Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, D.CL., F.L.S., Hull, P.Q.; Professor Wm. Lochhead, B.A., M.S., Macdonald College, P.Q.; John D. Evans, C.E., Chief Engineer, Central Ontario Railway, Trenton; Professor Tennyson D. Jabvis, B.S.A., Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Editor of the "Canadian Entomologist " — Dr. E. M. Walker, Toronto. Delegate to the Royal Society — Professor J. M, Swaine, Macdonald College, P.Q. Auditors — Professors S. B. McCready and J. W. Crow, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. LIST OF CANADIAN MEMBERS. Province of Ontario. Abbott, Dr. A. R Toronto. Arlidge, M. R Meaford. Baker, A. C, O.A.C Guelph. Baker, A. W., O.A.C Bock, H. P London. Bowman, J. H " Brodie, Miss Toronto. Buchanan, Dr. G. C Beamsville. Caesar, Lawson, O.A.C . . Guelph. Calvert, J. F London. Cosens, A Toronto. Dearness, Prof. J London. Dunlop, James Woodstock. Eastham, J. W., O.A.C ..Guelph. Evans, J. D Trenton. Gibson, Arthur Ottawa. Grant, C E Orillia. 2 E.S. Groh, H Ottawa. Gummer, A Toronto. Hahn, Paul Haig'ht, D. H Sudbury. Hamilton, R. S Gait. Harrington, W. H Ottawa. Hewitt, Dr. C. G Howitt, J. E., O.A.C Guelph. Hugh, W Englehairt. Inglis, John Hamilton. Ivey, M Toronto. Jarvis, Prof. T. D., O.A.C. Guelph. Johnson, G. S Meaford. Johnston, James Hamilton. Jones, D., O.A.C Guelph. Kilman, A. H Ridgeway. King, Vernon, O.A.C Guelph. Laing, J Toronto. McCready, Prof . S.B., O.A.C. Guelph. [9] 10 THE EEPOET OP THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. No. 36 CANADIAN MEMBERS.— Con^inwed. Province of Ontario — Continued. British Columbia. Miller, A Toronto. Montizambert, E " Morden, J. A London. Morris, F. J. A Port Hope. Munro, James Toronto. Nash, C. W Pettit, Morley, O.A.C Ouelph. Sanders, G. E Ottawa. Saunders, H. S Toronto. Saunders, W. E London. Silcox, Sidney Stratford. Smith, Arthur Toronto. Treherne, R. C Grimsby. Walker, Dr. E. M Toronto. Watson, Dr. A. H. R Port Hope. White, James Snelgrove. Williams, J. B Toronto. Wood, S. T Young, C. H Ottawa. Zavitz, E. J., O.A.C Guelph. Province of Quebec. Barwick, E. C Montreal. Begin, Rev. Abbe, P.A. . . Sherbrooke. Bickell, Miss Quebec. Boulton, A. R. M Brainerd, Dwight Montreal. Burgess, Dr. T. J. W Verdun. Campbell, J. G Magog. Chagnon, Gustavo Montreal. Cutler, G. H Macdonald Coll. Darling, H. M. E Montreal. Delisle, A. M Denny, E " Dunlop, G. C Fosberry, C. S " Fyles, Mrs Hull. Fyles, Rev. Dr. T. W " Gerth, W. G Montreal. Gibb, Lachlan Griffin, A " Hedge, Miss Louisa Levis. Huard, Rev. Victor Quebec. Johnston, Miss. M. G Miranda. Kollmar, E. J Montreal. Lindsay, Col. Crawford ..Quebec. Lochhead, Prof Macdonald Coll. Lyman, H. H Montreal. Moore, G. A " Norris, A. E " Parkins, F., Jr Poston, Mrs. T. A Levis. Rowland, A Windsor Mills. Southee, G. R Outremont. Swaine, J. M Macdonald Coll. Symonds, Rev. Dr Montreal. Tourohot, A. L St. Hyacinthe. Weir, Douglas Macdonald Coll. Winn, A. F Montreal. Alberta. Carr, F. B High River. Baird, Thos Edmonton. Dod, F. H. Wolley MiHarville. Abercrombie, Miss Ivy ..Vancouver. Bryant, T Ladysmith. Burns, Wm Vancouver. Cockle, J. W Kaslo. Croker, A.J Victoria. Day, G. Duncan's Station. Draper, R Hillcrest. Elliott, B. R Victoria. Hadwen, Dr. S Vancouver. Hanham, A. W Duncan's Station. Harvey, R. V Victoria. Keen, Rev. J. H Metlakatla. Reed, E. Baynes Victoria. Ruham, Max Vernon. Russell, John Hope Stn., C.P.R. Scott, W. E Victoria. Sherman, R. S Vancouver. Skinner, E. M Duncan's Station. Taylor, Rev. G. W Departure Bay, Nanaimo. Venables, E. P Vernon. Winslow, R. M Victoria. Manitoba. Criddlp, Norman Aweme. Heath, E. F Cartwrigbt. Hunter, Rev. A. J Teulon. Wallis, J. B Winnipeg. Nova Scotia. Chase, W., Jr Wolfville. Hervey, C. L. G Round Hill. Mackay, Dr. A. H Halifax. Payne, H. G Granville Ferry. Saskatchewan. Androchowicz, E Humboldt. Willing, T. N Regina. Neville, S. J Cottonwood. Honorary Members. Cockerell, Prof. T. D. A. . . Boulder, Col. Cresson, Ezra T Philadelphia, Pa. Howard, Dr. L. O. Scudder, Dr. S. H. Smith, Prof. J. B. Uhler, P. R Webster, F. M. . . Wickham, Prof. H. F . .Washington, D.C. . . Cambridge, Mass. . .NewBrunswick.NJ . .Baltimore, Md. . . Washington, D.C. . . Iowa City, Iowa. Life Members. Saunders, Dr. William . . .Ottawa. Director of the Experimen- tal Farms of the Do- minion. Bethune, Rev. C. J. S Guelph. Professor of Entomol- ogy, Ontario Agricul- tTirai College. The Entomological Society of Ontario. ANNUAL MEETING. The forty-seventh annual meeting of the Society was held at the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, on Thursday and Friday, November 3rd and 4th. Pro- fessor Tennyson D. Jarvis, President of the Society, occupied the chair during the day meetings, and at the evening session the mxeeting was presided over by Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario. Amongst those present were Mr, H. H. Lyman, Montreal; Dr. C. G. Hewitt, Mr. Arthur Gibson and Mr. Groh, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa; Prof. Swaine, Macdonald College, St. Anne's, P.Q. ; Mr. John D. Evans and Miss Evans, Trenton; Mr. F. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope; Dr. E. M. Walker and Messrs. C. W. Nash, J. B. Williams and A. Gummer, Toronto; Prof. Needham, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. ; President Creelman, Professors C. A. Zavitz, W. H. Day, S. P. Edwards, E. J. Zavitz, C. J. S. Bethune, Messrs. J. E. Howitt, J. W. Eastham, L. Csesar, D. H. Jones, Morley Pettit, of the staff; and a number of the students of the Ontario Agricultural College. Letters expressing regret at their inability to attend were received from Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa; the Eev. Dr. Fyles, Hull, P.Q.; Prof. Wm. Lochhead, Macdonald College, P.Q.; Messrs. E. C. Treherne and G. E. Sanders, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa; Messrs. A. P. Winn and G. Chagnon, Montreal ; Dr. Watson, Port Hope ; Mr. C. E. Grant, Orillia; Mr. A. Cosens and Miss Brodie, Toronto; Mr. E. S. Hamilton, Gait; and Prof. J. Dearness, London. On Thursday morning a meeting of the Council was held, at which the report of the proceedings during the past year was drawn up, and several questions con- cerning the welfare of the Society were discussed. Amongst others was the con- sideration of a proposal to hold the next annual meeting at either Macdonald Col- lege, P.Q., or the Experimental Farm at Ottawa. This was referred to the Execu- tive Committee for further action. Dr. Bethune was elected a Life Member, in " recognition of his services to the Society since its inception 47 years ago. In the afternoon the proceedings began with the reading of reports by the Directors on the insects observed in their respective districts during the past season. No report was furnished by Mr. C. W. Nash, Director for District No. 4, East Toronto. REPOETS ON INSECTS OF THE YEAR Division No. 1, Ottawa Disteict — Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Throughout the Ottawa district, injurious insects were remarkably abundant during the season of 1910. Most of the regularly-occurring pests were present in greater numbers than usual. The season, on the whole, was much drier than that of 1909, the rainfall being below the average; July and August were particularly dr}'. [11] 12 THE REPOKT OF THE No. 36 Attacking Field Crops. The Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor, Say) was conspicuously present in wheat fields in the district. In 1909 no trace of it could be detected in fields where it did noticeable injury in 1908. During the past season large numbers of broken- down straws were seen in the middle of July, and all examined contained the well- known " flax seeds." In one plot on the Central Experimental Farm fully 10 per cent, of the plants were infested. The " flax seeds " were just above the first and second joints of the stems. I The 'Greater Wheat-stem Maggot {Meromyza americana, Fitch) again attacked many of the varieties of wheat in the plots on the Central Experimental Farm, but as in 1909, the infestation was not serious. The so-oalled " silver-tops," OT " dead heads," were easily detected in July. The larvae were full grown about the middle of the month. The insect was present in larger numbers in the varieties of Durum and Emmer wheats. Cutworms. The Red-backed Cutworm (Paragrotis ochrogaster, Gn.) and the Greasy Cutworm {Agrotis ypsilon, Rott.) were responsible for much damage throughout the Ottawa district. Rows of young beets were entirely destroyed, radishes were_freely attacked, and young cabbages and cauliflowers were cut off soon after planting out. In larger fields many mangels were rendered useless. The cutworms were present in particularly large numbers in the first week of June. "White Grubs were reported as doing some injury, especially to potatoes. A friend of mine, living at Meach Lake, lost many of his potatoes from the work of these larvse, which ate into them, making large holes and rendering them useless. Wireworms were also destructive in the district. On one farm, a few miles from Ottawa, land Which had been in sod fox many years was used for growing celery. Just recently the ovvmer of the place mentioned to me that his celery plants had been practically all destroyed by the wireworms. Some injury by the Clover Root-borer (Hylastinus ohscurus, Marsh.) was observed on July 14th. At this time the larvse were nearly full grown; at one place they had done a good deal of barm to Red Clover. The Green Cloyer Weevil {Phytonomus nigrirostris. Fab.) was also present in injurious numbers in the district. The work of the larvae was very apparent towards the end of June. On 29th June some mature larvse were collected; these spun their pretty little cocoons soon afterwards, and the beetles emerged on July 9th; at this date larvse were still to be found. The Turnip Flea Beetle {Phyllotreta vittata, Fab.) was noticed to be very abundant on young turnips and radishes, particularly the former, on May 27th. These small, very active, shining black beetles are responsible for much damage, but they can be controlled by dusting the plants with Paris green and flour, or Paris green and land plaster, one pound of the former to 20 lbs. of the latter. Root Maggots. During the present year these very destructive insects have been extremely abundant in eastern Ontario. On the Central Experimental Farm the Radish or Cabbage Maggot destroyed radishes, cabbages and cauliflowers. Onions on the Farm were not attacked by the Onion Maggot, but in my own garden in the city about half of my onions were infested. The Corn-'seed Maggot (Phorhia fusciceps, Zett.) did a good deal of injury to beans. In some fields examined towards the end of June, where pea beans had been planted, it was seen that the maggots first attacked the cotyledons, but as the plants grew and these were pushed up above the ground the maggots left them, and, in most plants examined, entered the stem, mostly near the roots. In some oases, however, the maggots had bur- 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 13 rowed down through the stem from the cotyledons. The important injury caused by this maggot, of course, is in the destruction of the primary shoot. Some white beans, which were planted near these pea beans, were not injured by the maggot. An interesting result obtained in our rearing of these maggots this season was the discovery that root maggots were not altogether responsible for the damage done. From infested radishes we also obtained, in early July, large, numbers of the larger fly, Muscina stahulans, Fallen. A few specimens were also reared from pea beans. The food of Muscina stabulans is chiefly decaying vegetable matter, but it is known to attack growing vegetables. On the 14th October, mature larvae and puparia of the Radish and Cabbage Maggot were found at the roots of cabbage plants. Attacking Fruit Trees. The Oyster-shell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi, L.) is very prevalent through- out the district. Apple trees are especially attacked. Tihis autumn large num- bers of the fruit bear many of the characteristic scales. The Cherry and Pear Slug (Eriocampa cerasi, Peck.) has this year been again abundant around Ottawa. In September, many of the dull-coloured slimy larvae were present on plum and cherry trees, as well as on mountain ash. This late brood seldom does serious damage. The foliage of some of the ornamental mountain ash trees on the Experimental Farm was conspicuously eaten, and when the skeletonized portions turned brownish the trees showed the attack very plainly. The Apple-leaf Hopper (Empoasca mali, LeB.) was fairly abundant in apple orchards, and although it apparently did not do any very noticeable injury, its work could be easily seen on the leaves late in the season. The American Tent Caterpillar {Malacosoma americana, HjarE^^--^ ^^ spring and early summer many nests of this Tent Caterpillar were observed. The egg clusters were seen in the end of July to be very abundant, and for this reason we will most probably see next year a very much increased outbreak of the insect. Orchardists would do well to look for the nests of this caterpillar next spring, and as soon as they are noticed, cut them off and destroy them. The Eye-spotted Bud-moth {Tmetocera ocellana, Schiff.). This well-known apple pest was abundant in the district the past season, and did much injury in some orchards. At Ottawa this year the larvae were noticed to be almost full- grown on July 9th. Other such well-known pests of the apple as the Codling Moth {Carpocapsa ponionella, L.), the Woolly Aphis of the Apple (Schizoneura lanigera, Hausm.), and the Apple Aphis {Aphis mali. Fab.) were, as usual, present in injurious numbers. Attacking Forest and Shade Trees. The Fall Webworm (Hyphantria textor, Harr.) w^s extremely numerous during the season. During my residence in Ottawa, since 1899, I have never seen Bo much injury by this well-known pest, as was done this year. Apple and wild cherry were the trees principally attacked ; some of the smaller trees were entirely defoliated and rendered very unsightly by the many nests they bore. The work of this caterpillar was particularly noticeable in August. The Fall Webworm ha« been abundant this year all through eastern parts of Canada and the United States. In Maine, in the same month, I saw large numbers of the nests, dozens on a single tree. On July 6th I took from a raspberry bush near Ottawa a large nest, and by actual count it contained 318 larvfp. These varierl in size from % of an inch to i/> an inch in lenofth. 14 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 The Spruce Bud-woem {Tortrix fumiferana, Clemens). In my report last year I mentioned an outbreak of this insect, w'hich occurred particularly in the Upper Gatineau district, north of Ottawa. We had hoped that the outbreak of 1909 would not be repeated in 1910, but most unfortunately the insect was again present in enormous numbers during the past season, not only in the Upper Gatineau district, but throughout other areas in the Province of Quebec. In the immediate vicinity of Ottawa the larvae could be found without difficulty on spruce trees, but they were not present near the city in numbers sufficient to do noticeable injury. At Ottawa, this year, many larvse were mature in the first week in June, and specimens collected at that time produced the moths about two weeks later. On June 27 many empty chrysalides were seen on spruce trees on the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm. Female moths collected on July 16th deposited eggs on July 18, the larvae hatching 7 days later. On July 23 thousands of the moths were present in store windows on Sparks Street. The liARCii Sawfly (Nematus erichsonii, Hartg.), is continuing its ravages all "hreugh tli; district. Many trees were seen which had been entirely defoliated. At Ottawa I found the clusters of the eggs on May 28 and at that time some of the young larvae were just appearing. Two other insects were very abundant on larches this year, viz., the Larch Case-bearer (Ooleopliora laricella, Hbn.), and the Woolly Larch Aphid (Chermes strdbilohius, Kalt.) The Larch Case-bearer made its first appearance at Ottawa, as recorded by the late Dr. Fletcher, in 1905. Since then it has not been abundant until the present year. The attack this year was very apparent early in May. The moths began to emerge towards the end of that month. On June 15, moths were seen in numbers around the trees. This autumn the larvae are plentiful on the trees, in their small incomplete cases. On May 27, the larches on the Central Experimental Farm were abundantly infested with the Woolly Larch Aphid. Clusters of the brownish eggs were found at the fascicles of the leaves on this date, and the young woolly aphids were scattered all over the leaves, the white woolly secretion being very conspicuous. The young were small and had only recently hatched. From one egg mass brought into the Division, some young emerged May 31. The White-cedar Twig Borer (Argyresthia tJiuiella, Pack.) is this 3^ear again present in numbers throughout the district. It is not, however, as numerous as it was in 1905 and 1906, The tiny green larvte of this species bore inside of the young tips of white cedar, causing the same to die, which injury, of course, is conspicuous and gives the trees a sickly appearance. The partly grown larva passes the winter within the twig where it has been working. The Maple Phenacoccus {PJienacocciis acericola. King). On many of the trunks and lower branches of maple trees along the streets of Ottawa there are, at the present time, small, but conspicuous deposits of a cotton-like waxy secre- tion beneath which are colonies of this insect. Towards the end of SeptembL-r adult females, which are light yellow in colour and about one-fifth of an inch long, were tound and large numbers of eggs. These latter were noticed to be hatching on Oct. 13. The young larvje, which winter on the trees, were, on hatching, white with a yellowish tinge on the dorsum. As yet the trees are not seriously in- fested but the insect has increased abundantly this year and, as it is capable of doing important injury, if this continues, the trees may, of course, require some treatment. This is the first record of the Maple Phenacoccus occurring in the Ottawa district. \ 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 15 An interesting outbreak of the small Curcnlionid beetle, Orchestes rufipes, Lee., occurred locally on willow toward the end of May and during the first half of June. The beetles were first noticed on a large laurel-leaved willow, (Salix 'pentandra, L.), on the Experimental Earm, on May 31; four days later the beetles were more plentiful and by the 15th of June they were quite numerous and their work very noticeable. While the beetles did not do any serious injury their habit of eating small, round holes into the epidermis on the underside of the leaves, destroyed, of course, the beauty of the foliage to a marked degree. In one leaf, which measured 21/^ inches long by 1 inch wide, at its widest part, I counted 339 of these little holes. When standing beneath a tree and looking up among the foliage the work of this insect is very conspicuous. The Butternut Tingis {Corythuca arcuata. Say.) At Chelsea, Que., Mr. Herbert Groh found a pretty little lace-bug in large numbers on butternut on June 30, The species answers to the description by Eitch of C. arcuata which appears in "Packard's Eorest Insects." The species is known to occur also on birch, willow and other trees. The injury is done by the insects puncturing the leaves and sucking the juices. The Pine Baek Aphid {Chermes pinicorticis, Eitch.) This insect is abund- ant on some white pine trees at the present time near Ottawa. The trunk of one large tree recently under observation is much infested with the aphid, and the patches of the flocculent downy matter give the trunk a very white appearance not unlike snow. A Syrp'hid larva is present in numbers feeding upon the aphides. Plant Lice were extremely abundant on shade trees. The large green aphis on cut-leaved birches occurred in great numbers. In the middle of September the trees showed conspicuously the result of the attack. Manitoba maples were heavily infested with plant lice. The Elm Leaf Woolly Aphid was again injurious. The Snowball Aphis rendered unsightly the foliage of many beautiful Virburnums in gardens. The' Eall Cankekworm (Anisopteryx pometaria, Harris) was noticed in numbers on basswood and other trees. At the end of May the work of the larvae was very apparent. The Birch Leaf Skeletonizer (Buccnlatrix canadensisella, Chamb.). The presence of this insect on cut-leaved birches was apparent in August and Septem- ber; on September 16th some full-grown larvae were seen. The small white pseudo- cocoons, which are made by the larvae as temporary shelters during the time they are moulting, were conspicuous on the leaves. Greenhouse and Elower Gardens. Of the greenhouse insects which were specially troublesome in the district, the following may be briefly mentioned: The Greenhouse Leaf-tyer (Phlydamia ferrugalis, Hbn.) occurred in large numbers in the houses of one of our local florists; roses were chiefly attacked. In the same house, last month, a small black Thrip was doing considerable injury to the buds of roses. The White Ely is troublesome in some houses, attacking a large variety of plants; it was noticed to be worldng particularly on Coleus and Primula. In flower gardens the worst insect of the year was the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus pratensis, L.). This insect does a tremendous amount of damage almost every year to all kinds of flowering plants. It takes a special delight in destroy- ing the tender buds. 16 THE KEPOllT OF THE No. 36 The Four-lined Leaf Bug {Pcecilocapsus Uneatus. Fab.) was found destroy- ing dahlias in July; it attacked the leaves and buds. Many of these insects, as well as of the TarnisJied Plant Bug, can be destroyed by spraying the infested plants with either kerosene emulsion or whale-oil soap. They can also be jarred from the plants into an inverted umbrella and then put into a receptacle contain- ing coal oil and water. The Grape-vine Leaf-hopper (Typhlocyha) occurred abundantly the past season. Virginia creepers all through the city of Ottawa were severely infested, and before the middle of July much of the foliage had turned whitish in places, owing to the attack of the insect. The Destructive Pea Aphis {Nectarophora pisi, Kalt.) was again present in the district, but wais not particularly injurious. Small colonies were seen on field peas at the end of July, but later it was found in numbers on sweet peas in gardens. In my own garden, the parasite Praon cerasapliis, Fitch, did good ser- vice in reducing the numbers of the plant louse; the lady-bird beetles (Hippodamia convergens, Guer., Adalia bipunctata, L., and Coccinella transversa guttata, Fab.)- were also present in fair numbers, feeding upon the aphis. The Curled Rose Worm (Emphytus cinctipes, Fort.) was more than usually abundant, and infested roses could be seen in many gardens. The larvae were particularly noticed in the middle of July, when they were about full-grown and when their work was easily detected. This is an extremely easy insect to control, and there is no reason why beautiful rose bushes should be rendered unsightly by the attacks of this false caterpillar. A weak Paris green mixture sprayed over the bushes will quickly destroy all the larvae on the leaves. Household Insects. All of the worst household insects were present in Ottawa during the year. Cockroaches were complained of from many sources. The Buffalo Carpet Beetle was abundant in some 'houses, and caused a good deal of anxiety. Both of the two common Clothes Moths were especially numerous, and much havoc was wrought in houses where woollen clothing, furs, etc., had carelessly been left to hang in cupboards during the summer. A few weeks ago I saw a beautiful Persian lambskin coat, which had been practically destroyed by the larvae of the Southern Clothes Moth (Tineola biselliella. Hum.). Although called the Southern Clothes Moth, this insect, unfortunately for us, does not confine its work of destruction to localities to the south of us. The Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus piceus, Oliv.), during the winter of 1909-1910, was present in destruc- tive numbers. In one instance, that came under my notice, these insects did serious injury. In two cupboards, the contents of which had not been examined for some months, damage was done to woollen goods, and also to a beaver collar of a fur-lined coat. Larvae noticed in the early part of April were from 6 to 10 mm. in length. Division No. 5, Port Hope District — F. J. A. Morris, Port Hope. Owing to prolonged absence I have had little opportunity of direct observations.' At the end of September I interviewed a young farmer east of the town, whose orchards two or three seasons ago were badly infested with the Oyster-shell Bark- louse. He tells me that the pest has almost entirely disappeiared in the ndgh- bour^hood; and this good result he believes is due to careful cleaning and spray- ing under advice from the Agricultural Department. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17 Mr. Hume, a well-known seedsman in Port. Hope, who is a large grower of peas, informs me that a greenish hlack louse (presumably N ectarophora destructor) has been abundant this year, far more so than he has ever found it before; he thought that it was mosit prevalent just after damp spells in the hottest part of the season; this would be rather contrary to the habit of most plant lice whicb multiply in dry seasons. The insect had destroyed a great many of his pea-vines. The larva of the Saw-fly (Selandria cerasi) has been abundant in our neigh- bourhood this season, and has completely destroyed the foliage of some trees. Mr. Mitchell, of the Ontario Gardens, had some young pear trees stripped; a neighbour some cherry trees ; and in one orc'hard the larva was found prevalent on plum trees, as well as cherry and pear. The damage in all cases was done by the later brood at the end of August and in September. The larva of Rhagoletis pomonella (the Apple Maggot) has been quite a severe pest in our neighbourhood, chiefly affecting the early apples; a great many of the apples that ripen in September were attacked by this fly, and the fruit fell to the ground spoiled. In the east section of Port Hope the apple-pickers com- plain of the damage done by the " Eailroad Worm," or by some disease that turns the flesh of the apple to a \wody consistency and causes the fruit to develop irregu- larly ; on the outside the apple has a gnarled and deformed appearance. This does not appear to be caused by an insect, though one apple-picker assured me that " the railroad worm" was not a grub, but a name given to the green fibrous thread that sometimes showed in the flesh of the apple wlhere it had turned woody. In some orchards the entire crop was ruined; in all the affected area the apples tliat were gathered were marked second grade. It was first noticed in Snow apples, but Talmon Sweets we're also affected, and the worst sufferers were Spies. The day after returning to Port Hope I examined a large field of asparagus north of the town, and found both species of asparagus beetle fairly abundant; it was three years ago that I first found Crioceris 12-punctatiis so far oast, and this season of 1910 is the first in which the other species (C. asparagi) 'has come under my notice. The spotted kind was more abundant than the more recent arrival in the neighbourhood. I examined two other asparagus beds, east and north-east of the town; in each case the two species were present. Larvse as well as beetles were observed in the foliage as late as the 20th of September. They do not appear to do much harm to the full grown plant, and there was little sign of the spring brood 'having wrought havoc; the asparagus rows appeared well filled, as though few heads had been destroyed at the beginning of the season. To turn from- economics, some remarkable gatherings of butterflies were noticed thi-i year; Mr. Mitchell, of the Ontario Gardens, saw great masses of a yellow butterfly along the road sides while driving through the country. This was doubt- less one of the Clouded Yellows (CoUas philodice). In August, too, were noticed in two or three parts near Port Hope, millions of the Milkweed Butterfly (Anosia plexippus) . In one case a small beech wood was filled with swarms of this butter- fly, so that the branches of the trees appeared as if covered with brown foliage ; if a stick was thrown up, myriads of the insects rose into the air and settled down again. In the order Coleoptera, nothing new was taken by myself, and Dr. Watson, my fellow-collector, noticed nothing much that was unusual in our collecting grounds, though few of our old friends about the blossoms and foliage failed to return to their haunts as usual. On June 26th were captured one or two specimens of Acmceops proteus settling on a pine trunk; and between that date and July 13th were taken some five or six specimens of Neochjtvf< erytltroccphaliis on the trunk 18 THE EEPOET OF THE Ao. 36 I of a felled oak. From the" latter date till August 7 were found some specimens of Leptostylus resorting to a pjle of oak billets at the same spot; they appeared to be about to oviposit between the bark and the wood at the ends of the billets, probably attracted by the smell of fermenting sap. Two species of Oherea were captured between June 26 and July 13, one feeding in dogwood blossom, the other resting on raspberry foliage. About raspberry foliage, too, as well as about bass- wood leaves there were more specimens of Agrilus than usual seen, mostly of two species, ruficollis and anxius. Among Hymenoptera, the Horn-tails seem to have been active on the young elms bordering some of our residential streets; I found in October as many as three females of Tremex columha imprisoned in the bark of one young elm. Division No. 2, Oeillia Distkict — C. E. Grant. The season of 1910 was again, like 1909, very cold and late in spring, the warmest weather 73° in the shade occurred in March, in which month the tempera- ture was over 70° on three different occasions (though we did not have much warm weather until near the middle of June), and several species of moths were taken by me at light in March, an unusual occurrence here. Injurious insects were not remarkably plentiful. Complaints were made of the turnip-root maggot, in fact late sown turnips were almost a failure from the depredations of this insect. The Easfberry Cane-Girdler {Oherea himaculata) was noticeably abundant; in some gardens the broken tops of the canes looked as if someone had been going through the patch with a stick. The apple crop was almost a failure here; I have reason to suppose that it was caused by the very wet weather Miich occurred during the time the trees were in blossom, and in consequence the bees had no chance to carry the pollen for fertilization. Carpocapsa pomonella should be rare next year if scarcity of food lessens their numbers. Canker Worms were very common here this spring; the moth of these and of Erannis Uliaria are in great numbers around my lamp as I write this, October 25. Nematus rihesii, the Currant Worm, was very prevalent, and the first brood coming in the wet season of this year made it almost impossible to keep any in- secticide on the plants long enough to check their ravages. On a hedge of hawthorn a species of Sohizoneura was so plentiful that the trees appeared as if they had been whitewashed. On examination it closely re- sembled the alder louse, on which Feniseca tarquinius feeds. During a wind storm in July a large quantity of maple trees, or large limbs of the same, were broken. This occurred particularly in two or three localities where the trees were full of the burrows of the Pigeon Tremex {Tremex columha), and many of the grubs and even parts of the perfect insect were present; tliere seemed to be no other reason for their rotten appearance except what might be from heavy top pruning. I have taken some moths this season which are rare to me, viz., Fentonia martesia, Elida caniplaga, Notodonta simplaria, Flusick oxygramma, Syneda Alleni, etc. Division No. 6, Galt District — E. S. Hamilton. The weather conditions in this district during the past spring and summer have not been favourable for insect life, and as a consequence fruit growers, nurserymen and the farming community in general have had little to contend against in the way of insect pests. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19 It is rather remarkable that plant lice, which were responsible for consider- able damage in the orchard and field in 1909, were scarcely in evidence this season. The same is true of the cutworms and the codling moth. Slight exceptions to the general freedom from insect pests were the Colorado potato beetles, which were unusually abundant. Some complaint was also made of the ravages of the Cankerworm {Paleacrita vcrnata), which did some injury to the beech, maple and apple trees. Maple trees in Gait and vicinity have been attacked by the Pigeon Tremex (Tremex columha), but investigation showed that no very serious injury has been done. Division 'No. 3, Toronto District — J. B. Williams, Toronto. I have been away in England most of the summer; so that the only matter on which I can report anything is the well-worn subject of the Tussock Moth. These insects have been very numerous in Toronto during the past summer, and I have noticed quite a large number of trees that have been seriously damaged by tliem, notliing being left on large portions of the foliage, except the veins of the leaves. Our Park Commissioner obtained, this autumn, a grant of $3,500 for the purpoee of collecting the egg masses of the cocoons; and, I believe, he is employ- ing three gangs of men in this work as long as the fund lasts; but the egg masses must be more generally collected in the private grounds and gardens of t!he city if the work is to be really successful. Great numbers of the cocoons this year were found on two apple trees in the garden of the house where I live, though there were no signs that the caterpillars had been feeding on the leaves of these trees. I picked a large handful of the egg masses off them a few days ago ; and so did a little towards the destruction of this troublesome pest. Division No. 7, Niagara District — E. C. Treherne. I have the honour to present my first report as representative for the Niagara District. I regret to say that my report must be lacking in detail, for the reason that I have been absent from the district for a greater part of the summer, consequently I am compiling this report with the assistance of friends residing in the district and from a few notes I had in hand previous to leaving the district. The fruit-growers of the Niagara district are still greatly troubled by several very serious insect pests. There are four insects which are present every year, and which, I regretfully have to believe, are yearly increasing over a larger area. These four are — 1. The Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella). 2. The Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar). 3. The San Jose Scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus). 4. Shot Hole Borer {Scohjtus rugulosus). In none of these cases am I able to give figures or statistics, showing effects of spraying or degrees of infestation. I can merely mention them as being the most serious pests with which the fruit-grower has to contend. The Codling Moth has been more than ever abundant this year, especially so in unsprayed orchards. Even in cases where orchards have been sprayed at the 20 THE EErOKT OF THE No. 36 correct time and with the right mixtures two or three times during the summer, the results have been disappointing. In orchards where the trees are attended to several years in succession satisfying results with sprays have been obtained, thus demonstrating that combined and continued attack on this insect results in success. The Plum Curculio during this last summer has been more plentiful than usual, at least not perhaps in point of numbers, but in comparison with the fruit crop, which has been light. The early spring and blossoming period was cold and wet, and it was hoped that these climatic conditions, while reducing the fruit yield, would also afl'ect the numbers of this insect. Later reports show, however, that it was as much in evidence as usual, if anything, attacking a larger proportion of the fruit crop. This insect attacks a variety of fruits, and the members of the Entomological Society should be urged to regard this insect witli more attention. More obser- vations are needed on the best time to spray. It is considered best to use an in- soluble poison in a spray and to coat the leaves and the small developing fruits with it. But whether to spray early or late is the point to be determined. If spray is applied too early the calyx cup protects the young plum and when, in course of a few days, the calyx cup drops off, the plum is left clean and free for attack. The San Jose Scale is steadily increasing, despite the greater number of men who are spraying, and if my information is correct, spreading to new orchards. I saw an excellent result of a spraying with lime sulphur (commercial) on a tree well encrusted. The Shot Hole Borer is well on the level with the above insects in the matter of destructibility. "We have no definite practical means of fighting it, and its attack iisually means death to the tree. Such injury cannot be said of the other insects which we can fight with a more reasonable hope of success. The destruc- tion of worthless trees and the cleaning up of lumber piles and fence corners cannot be too strongly advised. There are other insects which have been more or less plentiful this year. Tlie Pear Tree Slug (Eriocampa cerasi) has been particularly abundant on young cherry trees throughout the entire district. The Currant Aphis [Myzus rihis), an insect causing currant leaves to discolour and fall prematurely, has been com- monly seen. The Snov^^y Tree Cricket {CEcanthus niveus) has been more abund- ant than usual attacking in particular the raspberry. The Grape Berry Worm is reported from St: Catharines vineyards. Apliids common to the apple, which weie reported in numbers last year, were present in considerably reduced numbers this year. The Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera), considered to be one of the worst pests of the apple in more temperate climes, is fortunately by no means abundant in the Niagara District. It is present, however, throughout the entire district, making itself shown in pruning soars and cracks and crevices of the hark. Its numbers are very small, but perhaps 25 per cent, of tlie apple trees of the dis- trict harbour, to a greater or lesser extent, a few of these insects. My observations, in this regard, only extend over comparatively few orchards. One other insect might be mentioned as causing considerable annoyance to certain fruit-growers who were planting out sweet cherry trees this spring. It is a species of wood-boring wasp, the name of which has not yet been determined. This spring, on my own farm, I had occasion to set out upwards of 500 sweet cherries of various varieties. After they had taken a fair hold of the ground I pruned them, leaving merely a straight stem sttanding. The central portion of the stem is soft and pithy, and it is not for several weeks after pruning that the 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 21 exposed surface hardens. One da_Y, going over these trees, I noticed small, round holes bored down the soft, central pith and some castings of wood on the leaves be'low. Over 300 of my 500 trees were attacked in this way, the holes extending down the stem upwards of three inches. Stored snugly and tightly in some of these holes were numerous aphids. The cause of this injury was, apparently, one of the \vood-))oring wasps. Adults were captured and taken to Ottawa for identification.* I heard of two other cases, within a radius of three miles of Grrimsby, in which young cherry trees were attacked, and while the injury was not serious, it was distinctly annoying to have to rehead your trees. I punched out the aphids and filled the holes with a lime and lead arsenate paste as remedies. 1 have to thank Messrs. Tennyson D. Jarvis and Wilfred Ryan for their assist- ance in this report, and also Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, who has kindly allowed me to incorporate a few notes, which were obtained under his authority. Insects of the Year in Ontario — Lawson Caesar, B.A. ; B.S.A., Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Orchard Insects — Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella). The apple crop was very light this year and, as usually happens m such cases, a large percentage of the fruit was wormy. Many would place the amount of damage in unsprayed orchards at 50 per cent, of the total crop ; it will probably be safe to estimate it at iit least 40 per cent. Much more spraying than usual was done and fruit-growers are gradually learning that to get the best results they must do the work not only at the i-ight time, but also very thoroughly. In every case very satisfactory results have fol- lowed good work ; in fact it is a long time since the beoiefits of spraying were so clearly demonstrated. This is partly because the season was so favourable to the development of Apple Scab that only in sprayed orchards in many districts could any clean fruit be purchased. Lesser Apple Worm (Enarmonia pninivora), Plate A, Fig. 1. While prob- ably not more than 2 to 5 per cent, of the wormy apples of the Province could be attributed to attacks of the Lesser Apple Worm, individual orchards were dis- covered where the percentage was much higher. For instance, in one orchaTd near Guelph, fruit on the ground in October showed that 38 injuries out of a total of 80 had been caused by this insect ; the rest were due to Codling Moth. Fruit pur- chased on the market from farmers in the vicinity of Guelph showed a consider- able number of Lesser Apple Worm injuries. It is easy to find the larvee in haws in this district up to almost the end of October. Specimens for class study each year are obtained from this source. The same spray as for Codling Moth seems to control this pest fairly well. It is just probable, however, that an additional spray with arsenate of lead ahout the first week in August would help greatly. Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar), Plate A, Fig. 2 (p. 7). Ob- servations the last two years in various parts of the Province show that the damage to apples from the fall feeding of the new adults is veiy great in many districts. Wherever orchards are neglected or are situated near good hiding-places for winter quarters, such as woods, a large percentage of the apples, especially of the rougher skinned varieties, are rendered unsaleable by feeding punctures made from about the middle of August up into October. Thorough cultivation of the soil and the ♦This insect, through the kindness of Dr. L. 0. Howard, of the Bureau of Entomology, Washington, has been determined by Mr. S. A. Rohwer as Cemnnus inornatus Say. 22 THE EEPOET OF THE Xo. 36 removal of rubbish of every kind has been observed in many cases to be quite as important as spraying in controlling this pest. Mr. Gibson: What is the largest hole you found? Mr. Caesar : There are often several small holes close together which may be worked into one large hole. The injured area is usually from % "to ^/4 of an inch, in diameter, and quite circular. Dr. Hewitt: "We have had a number of cases of where the holes are large. In some cases I think wasps have been responsible for the enlargement. Apple Maggot or Eailroad Worm {Rhagoletis pomonella). It has usually been supposed that this insect was found only in Prince Edward County and in a few orchards not far away on the mainland. In reality it is much more extensively distributed than has been suspected, and can probably be found here and there throughout most of the Province, though there are many orchards quite free from it. Infested apples have either been sent in from the following counties, or have personally been observed by the writer in them : Prince Edward, Hastings, North- umberland, Durham, Ontario and Lincoln. The insect seems to be worse on trees in villages or towns, wherever there is good shelter. In such places it has - been seen to be very severe on Spy, Snow, Alexander and Tolman Sweet varieties, almost every apple being so badly attacked as to be much deformed and useless. Adults did not appear until July 15th this year east of Toronto. Methods of con- trol in co-operation with the fruit-growers are being planned for the coming season. At present the prompt destruction of fallen fruit from August 1st to the end of the season is the remedy commonly advocated. Mr. Nash : We have found as yet that the only method of control is abso- lutely rigid destruction of the fallen fruit. Mr. Caesar: Has it been proven that the larvae never emerge from the fruit before it falls? Mr. Swaine : The evidence points that way. Mr. Caesar: Have all the maggots come out after the apples have fallen in your tests ? Mr. Swaine : I do not think any come out till then. Sometimes the maggots are very small, but I have always had the impression that they did not come out until a short time after the apples drop, but I am not certain about it. \ Mr. Caesar : I have seen a number of cases this 3^ear that seem to me to make that doubtful. Mr. Jarvis: Have you made sure it was the Apple Maggot in the Niagara district ? Mr. Caesar : The external injury and the appearance of the larva itself corre- sponded so exactly with the genuine thing that I have no doubt that it was the Apple Maggot I found in that district. Dr. Hewitt: The way to breed them is to get apples that have just fallen and put them in a box containing soil, and allow the maggots to come out. Mr. Caesar: I saw, I suppose, one hundred in Michigan that had changed to pupae even without any soil. They came out of apples that had been placed in a vessel for another purpose. This merely shows how readily they change to the pupal stage. Mr. Howitt: Do the apples always fall when attacked? Mr. Caesar : They often remain on the trees until quite late. Some Tolman Sweets that are attacked might be still found on the trees, but as a rule they fall earlier than they otherwise would. Dr. Hewitt: They ripen prematurely. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 23 Mr. Caesar: I have seen some orchards where Spies nearly all fell two or three weeks prematurely. Dr. Hewitt: I could give you a practical illustration in regard to control by destruction of the fruit. One of the most serious places for the Apple Maggot has been in the orchards around Como, in Quebec, and Mr. Shepherd told me that he had cleared them out of his own orchard by destroying the fallen fruit. Mr. Stvaine : That case is the standard one quoted for the Apple Maggot all over the northern part of Eastern United States. Mr. Caesar: I was aware of Mr. Shepherd's experience, and was much in- terested in it. Mr. Swaine: He was particularly careful in his work. Apiiids of the Orchard. These insects were not nearly so abundant this year as last, and only in a few cases were there any complaints of damage. Our most common species of green apple aphis is evidently Aphis avence. Fab. In a few orchards specimens of a rosy aj^liip, probably Ayliis pyri, Boyer, were seen. On the sweet cherry the Black Aphis {Myzus cerasi. Fab.) was fairly abundant in the early part of the season, and caused considerable loss. The Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera) was rather more abundant than usual. So far as I know tliis pest does not attack the roots to any appreciable ex- tent. On the branches it can easily be destroyed by a spray of kerosene emulsion forcibly applied. Mr. Caesar: Have you got the Eosy Apple Aphis at Montreal, Mr. Swaine? Mr. Sttaine : It is fairly abundant this fall. Dr. Hewitt: Aphis sorbi is quite abundant in the West. J\lR. Caesar: What is your common green aphis on the apple? Mr. Swaine: Aphis pomi (DeGeer). Oyster-shell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi). This pest is rapidly being brought into subjection in all the best apple districts by the use of the lime-sulphur wash. This spray is rapidly displacing all others for this purpose, and wherever it is continued year after year it completely frees the orchard from the scale. San Jose Scale {Aspidioius perniciosus) . Though specimens of San .Tos6 Scale have been sent in this year from Northumberland County and last year from Prince Edward County, it is still doubtful whether it is capable of establisliing itself firmly in these colder districts. Lime-sulphur is the standard remedy. Blister Mite (Eriophyes pyri). This mite is now to be found in almost every district in the Province, although many orchards here and there are still exempt. It may prove a blessing in disguise, as it will in many cases force the farmer to spray his trees rather than let them look so unsightly and be so greatly injured. Lime-sulphur applied just as the buds are bursting has given very satis- factory results both last year and this. Mr. Jarvis: Do you think it has spread so rapidly, or are people just open- ing their eyes and noticing it? Mr. Caesar: In my brother's orchard there were only two pear trees, on which this had evidently been brought in. Those two trees two years ago were com- pletely infested. To-day almost every tree in the whole orchard is attacked. Mr. Jarvis: Five or six years ago I found it nearly everyvehere in the Pro- vince. Mb. Caesar: The fruit-growers tell me that in orchards where they are not spraying with lime-sulphur it has been spreading very rapidly. It certainly is all 24 THE KEPOET OF THE No. 36 over the Province, though not in every orchard, by any means, but in every district. Me. Gibson: Dr. Fletcher used to say that where you can find a pear tree you will find a Blister Mite all over Canada. Mr. Caesar: It is probably found now more on the apple than on the pear. Anametis Grisea. Specimens of this Snout Beetle and of apple leaves in- jured by it were sent this year from Albury, Prince Edward County, and Grafton, Northumiberland County. In the latter place it was suspected also of feeding on the bark of apple twigs. The beetles are nocturnal in their habits, so far as could be learned. In the day time they hide under loose bark on the tree. Specimens of injured leaves obtained at Albury, early in July, showed that they fed around the margin, causing it to become very jagged. Pear Psylla (Psylla pyricola). It is several years since this tiny pest has been so abundant in the Niagara district as this year. In many cases the spring application of lime-sulphur should have been supplemented by the use of kerosene emulsion soon after the leaves had opened. Pear and Cherry Slug (Eriocampoides limacina), Plate B, Fig. 5. Neglect to control this pest has led to its becoming exceedingly abundant the last two years. Many otherwise good cherry orchards have been rendered unsightly by the feeding of the slugs on the leaves. Young trees are most subject to attack, and are usually the ones most likely to be overlooked until the damage has been done. Plum trees were attacked in some places, as well as sweet and sour cherries and pears. Arsenate of lead readily controls the insect. €herry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cingulata), Plate A, Pigs. 3 and 4. When the sour cherries were ripening I paid a visit to an orchard near Homer village, where it was said some grub, evidently not that of the Plum Curculio, was to be found in the cherries. As was suspected, the culprit proved to be the Cherry Fruit Fly. Many adults, chiefly males, were seen on the leaves and fruit, and not a few of them were captured with comparative ease. On examining the ripe fruit, mag- gots, very like those of the Eailroad "Worm, were found inside, some of them nearly or quite full grown. A few wormy cherries were brought back and put in a breed- ing cage. On examination of the soil in the autumn eight puparia were found about one inch below the surface. No experiments on control have been tried yet, but evidently care should be taken to gather all the fruit, so that none of it may fall to the ground and give the larvae a chance to escape into the soil. All wild cherry trees in the neighbourhood should be cut down and burned, as these doubt- less iserve as breeding quarters. Discing the orchard and allowing chickens to run in it should be very helpful. Prof. Pettit, of Michigan, tells me that in that State the pest seems to disappear almost entirely from time to time. This is encourag- ing news, if it be true of Ontario as well as of Michigan. Mr. Caesar: Does anyone know of any other district where this pest occurs? Mr. Swaine : I have not heard of it down our way. Mr. Howitt : It is in New York State, especially on cherries which have gone wild on the roadsides. Fruit Bark-beetles (Eccoptogastrr ruguJosus and Phleotrihus liminaris). These troublesome little beetles are not nearly so abundant as they were a few years ago. This apparently is to be attributed chiefly to the numerous parasites which are found to be attacking them. There are clearly two broods of E. rugulosus, the adults of the first appearing about the middle of June, and of the later brood about the middle of August. This species is much more common than P. Uminnrif^. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 25 Mr. Jones has discovered that E. rugulosus is frequently the cause of the spread of the Pear Blight germs {Bacillus amylovorus) . The best means of control is clearly the destruction by fire of 'all dead and dying branches, and of all old brush heaps early in spring. If any trees are seen to be attacked during July they should be burned shortly before the end of the first week in August, to destroy the -larvae and pupse. After this date it is better to leave dying or attacked trees in the orchard to act as traps and entice the beetles from healthy trees. Those thus left should, of course, be destroyed next spring early. The Blackberry Leaf-miner {Metallus (Scolioneura) ruhi). This saw- (ly larva has spread over most of the Province, and in some districts has done much damage to blackberries by mining in the leaves; sometimes almost every leaf is severely attacked by one or more larvae. This year the adults appeared in the Niagara district by about July 1st, and egg-laying at once began, the eggs being placed, so far as I could observe, just under the epidermis, and not being visible externally. When full grown the larvse enter the earth. There are almost cer- tainly two broods each year, living larvae of the last being found in the leaves as late as November 16th last year. The winter is passed in the larval (not pupal) stage in tiny oval earthen cases, about one inch below the surface of the ground. (Apparently this point has not been observed before.) These earthen cases are not held together with silk, but with some mucilaginous substance. Sometimes they seem to be hard to break open, and sometimes easy. Kerosene emulsion was tested on the leaves, but was clearly useless, as it could not penetrate through the epidermis, even though this was dead. The only remedy that seems practicable where the pest is severe is to stir the soil frequently with a hoe around the base of the plants very late in autumn and in spring up to July, so as to break the oases and destroy the larvae or pupae inside. If there are only a few leaves attacked these can be either pulled off towards the end of July or the larvae crushed inside with the fingers, using a leather glove to protect against the thorns. Raspberry Sawfly (Monophadnoides ruhi). The larva^ of this sawfly were more abundant than usual. Arsenate of lead should easily control them. WiREWORMS AND White Grubs. The cold, late spring retarding the growth of grain after it came through the ground seemed to give Wireworms and White Grubs a chance to do much more damage than usual. During the farmers' excur- sions in June I was almost constantly being asked for information on how to com- bat these pests. About all the remedy I could give was the old-time one of fall ploughing and rotation of crops. On enquiries I found that only in a very few cases were peas attacked. Frequently where peas and barley were sown together, the barley was destroyed and the peas left. This experience could be made use of by farmers where they feared attacks from Wireworms if they sowed oats or barley. I recommended that the new remedy originated by Prof. Fernald for preventing Wireworms from attacking seed corn be tried on a limited scale. Prof Fernald puts tar on the seed in the manner practised to keep off crows, then, to dry it so that it will go through the seeder, he places it in a large bucket containing fine dust and Paris green mixed in such proportions that the corn, after being shaken up in the bucket, shows a greenish color. The corn in his two years' experiments never failed to germinate and was quite uninjured by the Wireworms, which, he thinks, were probably repelled by the covering substance rather than killed by it. Mr. Nasii : Prof. Slingerlanrl investigaterl a number of remedies and found that they were of no use. Me. Caesak: Yes, but he did not use the tar and Paris green combined in this way. 3 E.S. 26 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 Mr. Nash: You can understand that it will not act as a preventive, because the Wireworms will eat ofE the rootlets as quickly as formed. Mr. Caesar: The Wireworms attacking the kernels have been in this way a great pest, and never give the corn a chance at all. Mr. Nash : It does not seem at all practicable. Dr. Hewitt : It protects the kernel, but will not protect the roots of the plant. Mr. Caesar: Possibly the odor of the tar has something to do as a repellant. Mr. Nash : We know quite well that the tarred seed does not protect the plant at all. 'Mr. Caesar: Prof. Fernald has been worldng on this for two years, and he claims that he has got excellent results. I was reading the other day results from further trials, and the writers claim that they did not care how badly the field was infested the corn would not be attacked if treated with the tar and Paris green. As for Prof. Fernald, it is well known that he is a thorough man in his work. Mr. Nash: They got hold of a susceptible breed of Wireworms. Mr. Ho WITT : Have you found the Wireworm attacking potatoes to any ex- tent? I came across a district around London where about 30 per cent, of the potatoes were bored through with the Wireworms. Mr. Caesar: Yes, quite often. Have you known of the above method of controlling them, Mr. Swaine? Mr. Swaine: I have known it to be reported upon favorably a number of times. Pea Aphis (Nectarophora destructor) . This very serious pest was only found locally, but in a few districts it destroyed whole fields of peas. One farmer thinks its presence on the vines has led to the death of some of his cattle by poisoning. This scarcely seems possible. EooT Maggots (Pegomya hrassicw and P. cepetorum). These troublesome pests have been about as abundant as usual. Late cabbage has been almost free from them. Cabbage Aphis (Aphis hrassicce). Fortunately this species of insect is at last being brought under control by its natural foes, and this year in most parts of the Province did comparatively little damage. Spruce Galls (Chermes sp.,) Plate B, Figs. 6 and 7. Some attention has been given to spruce galls this year, chiefly by my summer assistant, Mr. W. A. Eoss. It has been found so far that we have on spruce in the Province, Chermes abietis, C. similis, C. pinifolice, and a species that seems to be C. pinicorticis, but was not studied early enough in the season to get the adults, and so make sure of its identity. Of these, Chermes ahietis is the most abundant, and is found on Nor- way, Black and White Spruce. Chermes similis is very abundant on White Spruce, and is doing much damage. Chermes pinifolice has been found by us only at Port Hope, where I saw it on one tree, which I think was White Spruce, although it might possibly have been Black. Experiments on the control of C. abietis showed that because of its exposed condition it could be destroyed by an application of whale-oil soap or lime-sulphur in April. Excellent results have been obtained from the latter, both this year and last. So far we do not know when C. similis can be best attacked. It looks as though it would be a much harder species to combat than C. abietis. In spring it is so enveloped in a flocculent mass that lime-sulphur has no effect on it, and prob- ably an oil spray would likewise be ineffective. Dr. Walker: Did you say you found Chermes pinifolice on the White Spruce? 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 Mr. Caesar : I have been looking for it wherever I have gone, and only found it in Port Hope. Dr. Walker : I have seen it at Nipigoii, on the north shore of Lake Superior, confined to a single tree, and had to hunt a good deal to find as many as eight or ten specimens. I took it to be C. pinifoliw, but may be mistaken. I think it was also this species that was sent to me from Snelgrove. I have found C. similis only on Wliite and Black Spruce, never on Norway. Mr. Jarvis : There is a species very common in the far west ; it is about half nil inch in length. Do 3^ou know that one? Dr. Hewitt : I have collected that same one all through Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia this fall. It seems to be a more compact and more regular species. I have got here about six different species of Chermes. The box has been arranged for me by Miss Patch. I find that floccus and similis are far more common than heretofore supposed. Floccus, I think, occurred in Quebec this year, too. Mr. Caesar : We have not found C. floccus in Ontario yet. THE MORE INJURIOUS INSECTS IN CANADA DURING THE YEAR 1910. C. Gordon Hew^itt, D.Sc, DoMiNicyN Entomologist, Ottawa. As reference has already been made by the directors of the various districts in eastern Canada, and by Mr. Caesar, to those insects which have been brought to their notice as being more or less prevalent and injurious, it remains for me to briefly mention those insects which have occurred in other parts of Canada, or whose injuries have been more than usually serious. In the northern districts of Saskatchewan considerable damage has been caused by the Red-backed Cutworm (Paragrotis oclirogaster, Gn.), the injuries being chiefly to wheat. Another cereal pest, especially upon oats, which seems to be spreading is a species of Thrips. Oats which had been injured by this insect were received from Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. It produces a characteristic whitened appearance of the ears. The Western Blister Beetle {Cantliaris nuttalli, Say) was very abundant in the western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, where it was re- ported as injuring chiefly peas. The Potato Beetle (Lepfdnotarsa decemlineata, Say) is gradually working its way north in Alberta, its northern limit at present being somewhere in the neigh- borhood of Edmonton. The Hop Flea-beetle (Psylliodes punctulata, Melsh.) was again serious in British Columbia, but on some of the ranches the Red Spider was a much more serious pest. The manager of one hop yard stated that it was compelling them to cease growing hops. In one locality, where a crop of six or seven hundred pounds of hops to the acre is usually produced, they were reduced to two hundred pounds to the acre by the ravages of the spider, and the resulting hops were of very poor quality. The destruction of the mite wintering in the hop poles would appear to be the best method of controlling it, as they were found there in large numbers. This can be accomplished by dipping the poles in a caustic solution, such as lye, or in coal oil. 28 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 One of our most serious pests in Canada at present is the Brown-tail Moth, now established in Kova Scotia. During the last summer we have also received the first record of its breeding in New Brunswick, a single egg mass having been found at St. Stephen, N.B. This was not surprising nor unexpected, in fact it is singular that it has not been found breeding in numbers in that locality before, in view of the fact that it extends along the coast of Maine as far north as the Ste. Croix River. In July a visit was made to the eastern States, for the purpose of studying the distribution of the Gipsy and Brown- tail Moths, and the means tliat were being taken to control them and to prevent their spread. One object of this visit was to ascertain to what extent nursery stock and other vegetation shipped from these States into Canada was liable to be infested with these two insects: on account of the conditions which prevailed a regulation was passed under the new Destructive Insect and Pest Act, providing that all nursery stock from the six eastern States: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont shall be inspected at the point of destination. Reference may be made here to the passing of the " Destructive Insect and Pest Act " during the last session of Parliament. With the Brown-tail Moth and the San Jose Scale already within our borders there was urgent need for legislation which would enable tlie Federal Department of Agriculture to take such measures as would insure, so far as is humanly possible, the freedom of nursery stock and other vegetation from serious pests which are liable to enter Canada by .«uch means. It was also necessary for the Minister of Agriculture to be empowered to carry out such eradicative measures as shall be considered necessary to combat those insects which have already established themselves in the country. Briefly, then, the new Act provides for the fumigation of imported stock when it is necessary for the San Jose Scale, the in- spection of European and certain other classes of imported stock for Brown-tail and Gipsy Moths, the carrying on of such work as shall be necessary for the eradi- cation of those pests scheduled and the compulsory treatment on the part of the owners of trees and other vegetation infested. The insects at present scheduled are the San Jose Scale, the Brown-tail and Gipsy Moths, the West Indian Peach Scale and the Woolly Aphis. Armed with this machinery we hope to be able to fight against the introduction of those pests to which Canada, as a rapidly-developing country, is specially subject. Reverting to the Brown-tail Moth, the result of the last season's inspection in Nova Scotia would indicate that, although in certain localities the winter webs were numerous, on the whole the area infested was more restricted, thanks to the energetic action of Prof. Gumming, the Secretary for Agriculture for Nova Scotia. During the coming winter season we intend to co- operate with the Provincial Government and carry on an active campaign. It was interesting to find that the only batch of eggs discovered in New Brunswick was parasitised by a small egg parasite, apparently a species of Triclio gramma. Another alien which, unfortunately, has been added to our gradually increas- ing fauna of injurious insects, is the Narcissus Fly (Merodon equestris, Fab.). This was reported from Victoria, B.C., and during my recent visit to the district I had the opportunity of looking into the matter. It was probably introduced on Dutch bulbs. The fly somewhat resembles the Drone Fly, belonging to the same family, the Syrphidse, and the maggot feeds in the centre of the bulb, thereby causing its death. The bulb-grower who reported this insect to the Division of Entomology had about 50,000 bulbs of narcissus and daffodils destroyed last year by the fly. On account of the habits of the larvge it is difficult to devise effectual preventive or eradicative measures ; some benefit resulted from spraying with an arsenical. Further details of the life-history and habits of the fly in Canada must be elucidated before measures can be suggested. 1911 EiNTOMOLOGlCAL SOCIETY. ^i> Last year Mr. Gibson called the Society's attention to the outbreak of the Spruce Bud- worm {Tortrix fumiferana, Clem.), which had been reported to the Division of Entomology as causing serious defoliation of the spruce and balsam trees in the Province of Quebec, about 100 miles north of Ottawa. During my visit to British Columbia, in October of last year, it was found to be defoliating the Douglas fir on Vancouver Island, and when that region was revisited a month ago I found that the attack had been more serious this year, many young five-year old and older trees of the second growth having been killed. The area of infestation in Quebec appears to have spread also, and reports have been received from a num- })er of owners of timber and pulp-wood limits as to the seriousness of the defolia- tion, which is very conspicuous from Mattawa across to the Saguenay Eiver in Quebec. It has also been recorded from other districts in Quebec. What the re- sults of this defoliation will be cannot be foretold. It is known that the insect was chiefly responsible for great destruction among the spruces in Maine some years ago. ISTow that it has spread over so wide a stretch of country nothing of a practicable nature can be done to control it. We are, therefore, studying the parasitic means of control, to which I hope to refer to-morrow, and we are also clearing up some obscure points in the life-history of the insect. The White-marked Tussock Moth (Hemerocampa leucostigma, S. and A.) has been unusually abundant in the Maritime Provinces during the past year, especially in Nova Scotia. In Halifax and Charlottetown it has caused consider- able alarm on account of its defoliation of the shade trees in those cities. The citizens appear to be fully alive to the danger of the repeated defoliation of their shade trees, and it is hoped that timely destruction of the egg masses in the win- ter and, if necessary, spraying in the summer will be resorted to. Mr. Caesar has already referred to the occurrence of the Forest Tent Cater- pillar. These insects occurred in very large numbers in New Brunswick, and also in British Columbia, where whole tracts of country were defoliated. We also re- ceived them from Edmonton, Alberta. The great abundance of the Fall Web- worm, especially in some localities, was very noticeable during the past season. Another caterpillar, of wbich I do not think we have yet heard the last, is the Green- striped Maple Worm (Anisota ruhicunda, Fab.). This species was re- ported to the Division last year as defoliating the maples in a sugar bush, and this defoliation was stated to have caused a decrease in the amount of sap obtained from the trees. During the present year it was reported as defoliating maples in the Rideau Lakes, and along the northern shores of Georgian Bay the maples were stripped of their leaves. Mr. Caesar: Have you seen much of the Thrips in Ontario? Dr. Hewitt : I have not had any cases of the Thrips to which I refer reported es yet from Ontario. Mr. Caesar: Does the whole of the wheat get that silvery appearance? Dr. Hewitt: It is on oats that we have found it. The white and silvery- appearance of the head and stem of wheat is usually due to the wheat-stem maggot. Mr. Nash: Is the Rose Beetle generally reported? Dr. Hewitt: I do not think that we have had many reports. Mr. Caesar: It is fairly abundant round 'Clarkesville. Mr. Swaine: I might mention. Dr. Hewitt, that I found the Spruce Bud- worm at Hudson, P.Q., this season. Have you had it reported as far south as that? Dr. Hewitt : We have had it reported from a number of localities in Quebec, other than those which I have mentioned. I have found it within a few miles of the Vermont boundarv. 30 THE EEPOET OF THE ^o. 36 NOTES ON" THE SEASON OE 1910. Eev, Thomas W. Fyles, D.C.L,, Hull, Que. The season of 1910 has been a very fine one, interrupted, however, with heavy thunderstorms. Some interesting species of insects have come under my notice in the course of the season. EucosMA ScuDDEEiANA, Clemens The galls of Eucosma scudderiana have been very abundant. They begin to appear on the Golden Eod early in June. They are somewhat irregular in shape, and are covered with a rusty-looking scurf. The larva is greenish-white. Its head is of a dark madder-brown; and the plate on the second segment is spotted with brown. On the body are numerous oval tubercles or plates. The spiracles are small and brown. This species continues in the larval stage through the winter, and does not go into pupa till May. I have opened galls in March and April and found the larvae active. They feed on the pith above and below their galls. The moths appear at the end of May. Holland, in his beautiful and very useful work, " The Moth Book," telling of Eucosma scudderiana^ says — " The insect is not uncommon in western Pennsylvania, and is possibly an in- quiline or intruder in the galls which are produced by another species, Gnorimo- scJiema gallce-solidaginis, Eiley." — The Moth Booh, p. 418. The author is mistaken here. The galls of G. gallce-solidaginis begin to ap- pear at the same time as those of scudderiana, at a time when the moths of both p])ecie3 have passed away. It is not likely that a scudderiana larva would leave its own gall to go in search of one of the other kind. The galls of G. galla'soUdaginis may be readily known: they are of the shape of a half-grown turnip-radish; and they have not the rusty apearance of the Eucosma gall. The moths from them appear in the month of August. Tetrastichus gelechiae, Aslmiead. I have found two' galls of G. gallcB- solidaginis this season — one at Abercorn in the eastern townships, and the other at Hull — in which the pupse appeared abnormally large. By aid of the microscope I found tliat the enlargement was caused by the closely-packed chrysalids of a parasite Tetrastichus gelechice. The flies in due time appeared. Camponotus pennsylvanicus, DeGeer. On June 14th — a very hot da}^ — there was a remarkable flight of the large, black Carpenter Ants {Camponotus pennsylvanicus) . The creatures were everywhere in the streets of Hull; but they were not abundant long, for the sparrows regarded a Black Ant as a lonne louche, and banquetted upon the unexpected provision to their hearts' content. Useful sparrows! May the memory of Colonel Ehodes, who introduced them to Canada, be honoured ! A Strange Butterfly. On August 8th I captured a curious melanic form of Argynnis myrina, Cramer. Both the primaries and secondaries of this insect were suffused on the upper side with sooty black; but in the secondaries the inner mar- gins, and a few spots in the centre of each, were of the normal color. On the under side the primaries were dusky brick red, with sooty black patches between the veins. The marginal silvery spots appeared. The secondaries on the under side were of a rich chocolate red. The black spot towards the base of each was en- closed by a narrow silvery ring. The spots were as usual. The body was black above and yellow beneath. MONONYCHUS vuLPECULus, Fab. At Quyon, Province Quebec, on August 17th, I found that the seed-pods of the Blue Flag (7m versicolor) were much infested 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 31 with a small beetle [Mononychus vulpeculus), in all its stages. The larvse and pupse were waxen in appearance. The beetle was a trim and handsome little in- sect. The following is a description of it : — Length, 5 millimetres ; breadth, 3 mil- limetres. Color above, deep seal-brown. Elytra and thorax bordered with yellow. Thorax granulated. Elytra roughly striated. Eyes small and black, close to the proboscis . Color beneath, that of burnt sienna on the sides, and grey under the abdomen and between the legs. Femora and tibise furry. Femur stout, somewhat flask- shaped. Tarsi ending with two pads or cushions, side by side, with a claw between them. Joints of tarsi very distinct. Proboscis extending between the front pair of legs, as far as the middle pair; blunt, scaly — the upper part sienna-colored; the lower, dark grey. I am indebted to the kindness of Dr. Howard and Prof. Schwarz, of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology, for the determination of the beetle. I obtained from the affected Iris pods a considerable number of specimens of the parasite Pimpla inquisitor, Say. Hemiptera on the Milk Vetch. On September 1st, on a small patch of Milk Vetch (Astragalus canadensis), growing at Aylmer, Province Quebec, I found no less than six kinds of bugs. Amongst them were: — Alydus conspersus, Mont., and Megalotomus quinquespinosus, Say. A. conspersus is black with an orange patch on the abdomen above. This can be seen only when the wings are spread. M. quinquespinosus is a handsome insect, of a neat ochreous color. Its abdo- men has black edges marked with pale yellow spots. It was named from the five spines on the femur of each of its hindmost legs. For the identification of these two bugs I am indebted to Prof. Heidemann. Basilona imperialis, Drury. On October 2nd, Miss Effie Garrioch sent me, from Marshall's Bay, on the Ontario side of the Ottawa, three larvae of Basilona imperialis. They were full fed, and went into the earth on the evening of their arrival. Two of them were of the deep green of the pine foliage; the other was of a rich rosy brown. They changed to pupae on the 10th of the month. The following is a description of these remarkably handsome caterpillars: — Length, 3 inches; diameter, 5-6 inch. Head lobed, black, with clay-yellow upright markings in front, and paler yellow marks on the sides. Forelegs, clay-yellow with black tips. Prop-legs, dark brown with a clay- yellow bar across them. Body color a dark green — sometimes a rosy brown — ^with a purple dorsal-line, and a broad faintly purple band along each side. The second segment has a black shield with four glossy warts on the front edge of it. On the third, and again on the fourth, segment are two prominent warts, one on each side of the dorsal-line, pale yellow at the base and tip, and black, spotted with yellow, in the middle. In line with each of these pairs of warts, and on the seven next following segments, are creamy-white, pointed warts — one on either side of each of the segments. On the twelfth segment, at the top, is a glossy black, 32 THE KEPOKT OF THE No. 36 prominent wart, tipped with yellow; and, a little behind it, are two small black warts. On the top of the thirteenth segment is a small black wart, faced with yellow. Along the purplish sideband, from segment three to segment twelve, there is a row of creamy -white, pointed, warts; and along the base, above the legs, from segment two to segment thirteen, on either side, is a row of similar, but smaller warts. The spiracles are conspicuous, large, creamy-white, bordered with black. The claspers are remarkably large. They are surmounted by a large triangular shield, edged on two sides with clay-yellow, and dotted with white. The claspers are bordered and dotted in the same way. The creature is sparsely set, with light, brownish-yellow, bristles. Pelopaeus cementarius, Drury. Adjoining the Matthews' Factory at Hull there is an electrical sub-station, belonging to the Hull Electric Company. In this station, three yards from a window, a telephone is affixed to a wall. One day, in August last, the man who occasionally visits this sub-station found that the telephone was out of order, and gave notice of this at the head office. The super- intendent, Mr. Alfred Gale, went to see what was wrong, and, on opening the magneto-box, found a number of Mud- Wasps at work, piling up their cells upon the bar, which terminates on the outside of the box in the hook, or fork, in which the receiver is placed. Within the box, the spring, under the bar, was not strong enough to raise the additional burden; and consequently, no pressure was brought to bear upon the contact points, and the telephone failed to work. The wasps found ingress to the magneto-box through the slot in which the bar plays. REPOET OF THE COUNCIL. The Council of the Entomological Society of Ontario begs to present its report for the year 1909-1910. The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Societ}'^ was held at the Ontario Agri- cultural College, Guelph, on Thursday and Friday, November 4th and 5th, 1909. There were a goodly number present from a distance as well as a large attendance of students and others connected with the College. During the first afternoon the reports of the Directors on the insects of the year were read and discussed, papers were read by Mr. L. Caesar on " A few insects of the season " ; by Mr. A. Gibson on " Nests of the Brown-tail Moth in importa- tions of French nursery stock " ; by Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt on " The large Larch Sawfiy"; by Mr. E. C. Treherne on "Nursery work in Ontario," and by Mr. F. J. A. Morris on " Some Guests at the Banquet of Flowers." In the evening a public meeting was held in Massey Hall, which was well filled with members and students from both the Agricultural College and the Macdonald Institute. A very interesting lecture on " House Flies and their Allies," illustrated with excellent lantern pictures, was delivered by Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, the newly appointed Dominion Entomologist. The morning and afternoon of the second day were occupied Avith the reading of the reports of the various branches and officers of the Society, and a number of papers on a variety of stibjects, which have all been published in the Annual Eeport for 1909. This volume, the fortieth of the series, was issued in May last and con- tained 144 pages, illustrated with 6 full-page plates, 39 figures in the text and a portrait of the late Dr. William Brodie. In addition to the papers already men- 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 33 tioned, the volume contained the following articles: "The origin and diffusion of Entomological Errors," by Mr. H. H. Lyman ; " Conflicts between Ants," by Mr. G. E. Sanders ; " The Snow-white Linden Moth," by Mr. A. F. Winn ; " Notes on Fruit-tree Scolytids," by Mr. J. M. Swaine ; " Observations on Ontario insects in 1909," by Dr. Bethune; "Injurious Insects of Quebec in 1909," by Prof. Loch- head ; " Adaptations in the structure of insects " and " Anisota virginiensis," by Dr. Fyles; "The Acarina, with a Host Index to the species found in Ontario," by Prof. T. D, Jarvis ; " The Spruce Bud-worm " and "' The Entomological Record for 1909," by Mr. Arthur Gibson ; concluding vith a sympathetic obituary notice of the late Dr. Brodie, by Mr. Frank Morris. The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly magazine of the Society, has been regularly issued at the beginning of each month. The forty-first volume was com- pleted in December last; it consisted of 440 pages, and was illustrated with 11 full-page plates and 13 figures from original drawings. The contributors num- bered 73, and included writers in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, England, sixteen of the United States, the Hawaiian Islands, Panama Canal Zone; Calcutta, India ; and Eussia. During the year seven new genera were described and 239 new species, sub-species and varieties. At the close of the volume, Dr. Bethune resigned the position of editor, which he had held since October, 1886, owing to the disability caused by impaired eye- sight in addition to the weight of advancing years. His place has been ably filled by Dr. E, M. Walker, Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Toronto, and the magazine has continued to be issued with unimpaired excellence. Meetings of the Society were held during the winter months at the Ontario Agricultural College on alternate Wednesday afternoons. The attendance included several of the more advanced students and much interest was taken in the papers and discussions. The following subjects were taken up during the course of the meetings : " Achievements in Economic Entomology," illustrated with lantern pic- tures, by Prof. Bethune ; " Insects as causes of disease, with special reference to the Protozoa," by Prof. Jarvis ; " The Insects of Saskatchewan," by Mr. S. J. Neville ; "Aphids," by Mr. A. C. Baker; "An account of the Meeting at Boston of the Ameri- can Association for the Advancement of Science," by Mr. L. Caesar ; " Notes on the Calliphorinean Genus Lucilia," by Mr. J. D. Tothill. The unveiling of the drinking fountain erected in the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm at Ottawa in memory of our late President, Dr. James Fletcher, took place on Tuesday afternoon, July 19th, and was largely attended. Our Society was represented on the occasion by two former Presidents, Dr. William Saunders, Director of the Dominion Experimental Farms, and Dr. Bethune, of the Ontario Agricultural College, who both took part in the proceedings by giving short addresses. There were also present a number of our members resident in Ottawa and the neighborhood. The first International Congress of Entomology was held during the month of August last at Brussels and was in every respect a complete success. Our Society was represented by our former President, Mr. Henry H. Lyman, of Montreal, who read a paper on Nomenclature. He has furnished us with an interesting report of the proceedings. It is with much regret that the Council has learned that the members in Quebec have been unable to maintain the branch of the Society which for many years was in successful operation there. The removal of the Eev. Dr. Fyles has taken away the most active member whose enthusiasm inspired the rest of the members and kept 34 THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 up the meetings with great interest. No one has so far been found to take his place, and accordingly the operations of the branch have been suspended. A similar fate, we regret to say, has befallen the branch of the Society in British Columbia. Mr. E. V. Harvey, Headmaster of the University School at Victoria, has found his time so much occupied that he has been unable to give any attention to the work of the branch. Its operations have on this account been sus- pended for the time being, but it is hoped and expected that before very long its operations will be resumed. The great difficulty consists in the geographical distri- bution of the members, who are very widely separated from one another and conse- quently are unable to hold meetings. The Council has to deplore the loss of Mr. G. W. Kirkaldy, of Honolulu, who died in San Francisco on the 2nd of February last. He was a very able and energetic entomologist and contributed frequently to the pages of our magazine. He especially devoted himself to the Hemiptera, and had begun a catalogue of the species through- out the world, the first volume of which has just been issued. Eespectf ully submitted, Tennyson D. Jarvis, President. FIEST INTEENATIONAL CONGEESS OF ENTOMOLOGY. Henry H. Lyman^ Montreal^ Quebec. If anyone entertained any doubts of the possibility of making a Congress de- voted exclusively to Entomology a success, such doubts must have been dispelled by the results of the First International Congress of Entomology held at Brussels from August 1st to 6th, 1910. A correspondent of the London Times writing of the Congress said: "Ento- mology is at last recognized officially as an important science. The study of insects, so long looked upon with disdain as a pastime for children and old men, has at last vindicated its claim as a valuable branch of human mental activity. That is to say, from being a purely intellectual exercise, entomology has developed a most important practical aspect that will, in the near future, have a profound and far reaching effect upon the lives and fortunes of millions. The discovery of the astonishing phenomenon that one species of mosquito, and one only, is the vehicle for the transmission of yellow fever, another of malaria, while a single kind of biting fly communicates sleeping sickness to the teeming millions of the African continent, has a direct and vital influence upon tropical medicine; and the Americans have long since realized that an accurate knowledge of the habits of one kind of beetle may save agriculturists from damage that may result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Thus entomology has won the serious attention of practical men who, acting together with the purely academical devotees of the pure science, have demonstrated their attachment to and ap- preciation of their study by organizing an International Congress that has re- ceived the hearty support of institutes, departments and governments." The following important bodies were represented at the Congress: the British Colonial Office, the Tropical African Entomological Eesearch Com- mittee. Cambridge University, Oxford University, the Board of Agriculture, 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 35 t]ie Eoyal Colonial Institute, the Imperial Department of Agriculture in the West Indies, the British (Natural History) Museum, the Eoyal Society, the Lin- nean Society, the Zoological Society, the Entomological Society of London, the University of London, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Commonwealth of South Africa; the Eoyal British Arborieultural Society, the University of Edin- burgh, the East of Scotland College of Agriculture, the Eoyal College of Science of Dublin, the Agricultural Eesearch Institute of Pusa, Bengal; the Carnegie Insti- tute of Pittsburg, the Entomological Society of America, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the Entomological Society of Ontario, etc., etc. Besides entomologists residing in Brussels, delegates were also present from other parts of Belgium and from Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, The Plague, Leyden, Amsterdam, Berlin, Zurich, Konigsberg, A'^ienna, Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Luxemburg, Paris, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Budapest, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Columbus, Montreal, Tokio, Buenos Ayres, etc. On the evening of Sunday, July 31st, a reception was held by the Entomo- logical Society of Belgium for those attending the Congress and accompanying ladies at the Maison des Medicins, while the first meeting of the Congress was opened the following morning at the Salle des Fetes of the Exhibition by the Presi- dent of the Congress, Prof. Auguste Lameere, Eector of the Free University of Brussels, the Secretary being Mr. G. Severin. The meetings were divided into general sessions and sectional meetings, ten sections being arranged for as follows: — 1. Systematics. 2. Nomenclature and Bibliography. 3. Muscology and History of Entomology. 4. Zoogeography. 5. Bionomy, CEcology, Cecidiology and Mimicry. 6. Physiology and Psychology. 7. Economic Entomology 8. Medical Entomolog}'. 9. Anatomy and Ontogeny. 10. Phylogeny, Palseontology and Evolution. Members were given a very handsome silvered bronze badge of Gothic design, having on the obverse an illustration of the Hotel de Ville and " Bruxelles," "1910," and on the reverse " Ir Congres International d'Entomologie," and, by the courtesy of the Exhibition Committee, passes to the Exhibition for the term of the Congress. The more serious work of the Congress was varied by visits to the Exhibition, museums, excursions and receptions. At the Eoyal Museum of Natural History an excellent portrait group was taken. Among the most important papers read may be mentioned a lecture by Dr. E. Blanchard, of Paris, on Medical Entomology, dealing with the transmission of malaria, yellow fever and sleeping sickness, and it may be mentioned that there was a most interesting exhibit in connection with these subjects in the Exhibition. Mr. Theobold, of Wye College, gave a lecture on the distribution of Stegomyia fasciata, the conveyer of yellow fever. Sir Daniel Morris described the methods employed by the Imperial Department of Agriculture in the West Indies to pre- vent the introduction of insect pests by fumigation and quarantine. Dr. G. H. Carpenter, of the Eoyal College of Science, Dublin, gave an instructive account of the warble fly, Hypoderma hovis. He declared the so-called preventive washes quite useless, but had not concluded his investigations. 36 THE REPORT OF THE • No. 36 Dr. R. Stewart MacDougall, of Edinburgh University, described the ravages of a .small beetle, Galerucella lineola, that has done an immense amount of damage to the osier beds in the Midland and Eastern counties of England, and recom- mended arsenical sprays for its control. Good lectures on Ants and their guests and enemies were delivered by Father Wasman, S.J., of Luxemburg, and Mr. H. S. K. Donisthorpe, of London, with lantern slides, showing the various domestic animals kept and used by the ants. The highly interesting study of mimicry was dealt with by Prof. E. B. Poulton, of Oxford, who exhibited a large number of boxes of butterflies, all caught in one small patch of forest in Uganda, showing the common species which are distasteful to birds and other enemies, and the rarer species which, though belong- ing to a totally different group, and in no way related structurally, enjoy a rela- tive immunity from attack by a very close resemblance to the distasteful forms. Dr. F. A. Dixey, Mr. Frederick Merrifield, and Dr. K. Jordan also spoke on tlie same subject. Prof. Y. Sjostedt, of the Natural History Museum, of Stockholm, gave an account of the Swedish expedition of twelve months to Kilimandjaro and its pro- lific results. Mr. J. N. Hewlett, of Pusa, Bengal, described the difficulties of preserving collections of insects in the climate of India. Dr. Holland spoke on the preserva- tion of type specimens, and Dr. Henry Skinner read a paper on One Hundred Years of Entomology in the United States, but ignoring the influence exerted upon it by tlie Canadian Etitoinologist. He referred to the steady and great growth of Economic Entomology during recent years and the very large sums appropri- ated l)y the Federal and State Governments for the control of injurious insects. On the last afternoon a brief paper was read by Mr. Lyman, urging the im- portance of an authoritative pronouncement upon the correct use of such terms as type, co-type, etc., and of universal adhesion to such use and protesting against changes by some authors in the spelling of scientific names. The number of adherents reported was 270, but the list of those reported as attending the Congress gave 141 names of gentlemen, many being eminent in the science, and 32 ladies accompanying delegates. And of all countries represented the British Empire had the largest number of delegates. The representatives of the United States were Dr. Holland, Dr. Skinner and Mr. Osboru, while Mr. Lyman was the only representative from Canada. At the last General Session on the morning of Friday, August 5th, the election of a Permanent Committee took place, and it was decided to hold the next Con- gress in the summer of 1912, and on the invitation of the gentlemen from Oxford that ancient seat of learning was selected as the next place of meeting, and Prof. Poulton was chosen President. The Permanent Committee for the United States consists of P. P. Calvert, T. D. A. Cockerell, J. H. Comstock, H. C. Fall, C. P. Gillette, W. J. Holland, A. D. Hopkins, L. 0. Howard, C. W. Johnson, V. L. Kellogg, H. Osborn, J. B. Smith, C. W. Stiles, C. Wellman, W. M. Wheeler, and for Canada C. J. S. Bethune, C. G. Hewitt, H. H. Lyman; while the Permanent Executive Committee consists of M. Burr, K. Jordan, W. Horn, P. Lesne, G. Severin and H. Skinner. The conclusion of the Congress was celebrated by a grand banquet on Friday evening at the Taverne Royale, participated in by the ladies accompanying some of the delegates, when after the inner man (and woman) had been satisfied with the excellent repast served in the best style, many speeches were made and good fellowship prevailed. The gathering broke up before midnight, as all-day excnr- 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 37 sions had been arranged for the next day, the majority going to Bruges and Ostend. The concluding reception was the grand one given at the old and wonderful Hotel de Ville by the Burgomaster, Mons. Max, on Sunday evening, August 7th, when that magnificent building, so rich in beautiful architecture, tapestries, pic- tures, frescoes and bric-a-brac, was thrown open to the guests of the city. Thus, amid scenes of brilliance and splendour in this stately mediaeval building, came to an end this First International Congress of Entomology, all looking forward with pleasure to the next meeting at Oxford in 1912. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH. The thirty-seventh annual meeting of the Montreal Branch was held at 74 McTavish Street, on Saturday evening. May 14th. Members present: Messrs. H. H. Lyman, in the chair; 0. A. Southee, G. Ohagnor, E. C. Barwick, Geo. A. Moore, A. E. Norris, W. G. Gerth, and A. F. Winn. The minutes of the April meeting, and of the last annual meeting, were read ami confirmed. Mr. H. Earby was elected a member of the Branch. The Secretary read the following Report of the Council. Nine meetings have been held during the season 1909-'10, the average attend- ance being a fraction over 9, which is an improvement on the previous year; but, considering that the population of Montreal is over 600,000, there should be more than a score of persons interested in Entomology. Three new names have been added to our roll, but three others have resigned. Below is a list of the papers read (most of which were illustrated by specimens), and the discussions following them were of interest. Annual Address of the President, Geo. A. Moore. A Spring Outing, H. H. Lyman. Lepidoptera taken at St. Hilaire, May 24th, 1909. A. F. Winn. Notes on Coleoptera taken at St. Hilaire, May 24th, 1909, G. Chiagnon. Life History of Philometra raetonalis, H. H. Lyman. How can we increase the interest in our meetings? H. H. Lyman. My Best Captures in 1909, G. Chagnpn. Occurrence of Ennomos subsignarius at Montreal, A. F. Winn. Hemiptera taken at St. Hilaire, G. A. Moore. Proposed List of Insects of the Province of Quebec. A. F. Winn. Account of Annual Meeting and a Visit to Trenton, A. F. Winn. On Panthea and Demas, H. H. Lyman. A New Scolytid Enemy of White Spruce, J. M. Swaine. The Winter Qaiarters of Doryphora clivieollis, A. F. Winn. Our White Butterflies, A. F. Winn. Calligrapha rowena, G. Chagnon. Paonias astylus at Biddeford, Me., A. F. Winn. The Berytidae, or Stilt-bugs, G. A. Moore. Random Notes on Lepidoptera, A. F. Winn. An Hour at Montmorency, H. H. Lyman. The Noctuidas and how to Collect Them, L, A. F. Winn. Butterfly Collecting in British Columbia (by John Russell, Hope, B.C.), read by A. F. Winn. The Cydnidse or Burrowing Bugs, G. A. Moore. The North American Copper Butterflies, H. H. Ly-man. THE EEPOET OF THE No. 36 The annual outing at St. Hilaire, on Victoria Day, was well attended, but the backward season made the captures of insects much smaller than usual, but among the Coleoptera several good catches were made and the Lepidopterists had the pleasure of finding two specimens of a little Heliothid moth, probably undescribed, closely resembling Heliaca nexilis of the Eocky Mountains. No species of the genus have hitherto been recorded from the East. At the January meeting we had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. F. H. "Wolley Dod, of Millarville, Alberta, who gave an account of his visits to collectors of N'octuidaa throughout Canada. It was hoped that the Eev. Dr. Fyles would be able to attend our meeting this evening, but it could not be arranged. The annual meeting of the parent Society at Guelph was attended by the President and the Secretary. The report of the Treasurer shows a balance on hand of $76.79. The Curator reports that the specimens in his charge are in good condition but that no additions have been made to the collection and that the members have made little use of either the specimens or the books. It is probable in connection with the preparation of the List of Insects of the Province of Quebec that a con- siderable number of specimens of the more neglected orders will be collected, determined and eventually find their way into our collection. The books added to the library consist of a copy of Pierce's " Genitalia of British Noctuidge," the current volume of the Canadian Entomologist, and the entomological publications of N.Y. State. Eespectfully submitted on behalf of the Council. (Signed) Albert F. Winn, Sec.-Treas. Mr. Lyman then read his annual address, after which the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, and last year's officers were all re-elected, namely: Henry H. Lyman, President; G. A. Southee, Vice-President; A. F. Winn, Secretary-Treasurer; L. Gibb, Curator and Librarian; Members of Council — G. Chagnon, G. A. Moore, E. C. Barwick, F, Parkins, jr. ANNUAL EEPOET OP THE TOEONTO BEANCH. The 51st regular and 14th annual meeting of the Toronto Branch was held in the Biological Department of the University of Toronto, on June 9, 1910. During the year eight meetings have been held with an average attendance of seven members. The place of meeting has been changed from the Normal School to the Biological Building, and library and collections have been moved. The following papers were read: — White Pine Weevil, Dr. E. M. Walker. Structural Peculiarities of Galls, A. Cosens. A Month at the Biological Station at Go Home Bay, J. B. Williams. The Relation between Parasitism and Structure in Insects, Dr. Walker. Wing Venation, Arthur Smith. The Work of Scolytid Beetles in Queen's Park, Toronto, Dr. Walker. The Oriental Moth, H. H. Lyman, of Montreal Branch. A Hunt and What Came of It: Discovery of Copidosoma Lymani, H. H. Lyman, of Montreal Branch. Some Types of Saw-flies, A. Cosens. The Larch Saw-fly, Dr. Walker. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 39 The following officers were elected for the next year : — ]'*resident— Dr. E. M. Walker; Vice-President, A. Cosens; Secretary-Treas- urer, Arthur Smith; Librarian- Curator, J. B. Williams; Council — Messrs. Wood, Laing, Ivey, and Dr. Abbott. The Treasurer's report shows a balance on hand of $0.20. Arthur Smith, Secretary-Treasurer. EEPOET OF THE LIBEAEIAN. During the year ending September 30th, 1910, eighteen bound volumes have been added to the Library, making the total number on the register 2,018; there are besides a number of volumes of periodicals in the hands of the bookbinder, which should have been ready for inclusion in this report. The Library continues to receive by exchange a large number of serial publications, bulletins, and pamphlets from many different countries and in a variety of languages, many being of great scientific value. A card catalogue of the bound volumes was made during the winter, but has not yet been finally completed for reference; to make it entirely useful it will be necessary to rearrange all the books in the Library on a definite system; it is hoped that this may be accomplished before very long. Among recent additions may be mentioned the following works: Sir George Hampson's Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalfense in the British Museum, volume viii. ; Eothschild and Jordan's Eevision of American Papilios; Needham's General Biology and Lefroy's Indian Insect Life. The Library is constantly made use of by the senior students and members of the staff during the College year and is highly appreciated by them. EespectfuUy submitted, Charles J. S. Bethune, Librarian. THE CUEATOE'S EEPOET. The Society^s collections have been carefully examined from time to time throughout the year and the necessary precautions taken against injury from museum pests or from other causes. Since the last annual meeting, 268 new speci- mens have been added. Of these 262 were contributed by Mr. John D. Evans, of Trenton, 134 belonging to the order Hymenoptera, and the remainder to the Hemi- ptera. As these orders are not at all fully represented in the Society^s collections, Mr. Evans' gift is very valuable and will be much appreciated by the members. The remaining 6 specimens were contributed by the curator from insects of some economic importance not found in the collections. EespectfuUy submitted, L. Caesaf, Curator. 40 THE REPORT OF THE No. 36 REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, D.C.L., Hull, Que. I have the honour to present the following report from the Entomological Society of Ontario : — This Society held its forty-sixth annual meeting in the Ontario Agricultural College, Gudph, on the 4th and otih days of November last. There was a large attendance — members from Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Port Hope, Trenton, Grimsby and Guelph being present. Important subjects were brought before the meeting by the district directors and discussed: The destruction of cut-leaf birch trees by the Red-necked Borer : attempts to control the Tussock Moth ; the extension of the San Jose Scale to Prince Edward County ; the work of the Blackben-y Saw- fly; that of the Spruce Gall-louse; the importation of Brown-tail Moth larvae on Frendh nursery stock ; and other matters of interest to fruit-growers and foresters. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Massey Hall auditorium, which was well filled with students of the College, both male and female, and a number of visitors from the town, together with members of the Society gathered in session. "Dr. C. Gordon Hewett, the newly-appointed Entomologist at the Experimental Farms of the Dominion, gave a highly interesting and instructive address, illus- trated by a series of admirable lantern pictures, on 'House Flies and Their Allies.* The College orchestra added much to the enjoyment of the evening by the musical selections they rendered." {Can. Ent., vol. xli., p. 429.) In the forthcoming Annual Report of the Society, the papers read before the meeting will be found in full. The titles of them denote their interest to naturalists and to the agricultural community. They are : — Observations on Insects of the Season, L. Caesar. Injurious Insects of Ontario, C. J. S. Bethune. Injurious Insects of Ottawa, A. Gibson. Injurious Insects of Quebec, W. Lochhead. The Origin and Diffusion of Entomological Errors, H. H. Lyman. Some Guests at the Banquet of Blossoms, F. J. A. Morris. Nests of the Brown-tail Moth, A. Gibson. Nursery Inspection Work in Ontario, R. C. Treherne. House-flies and their Allies, C. G. Hewitt. The Larch Saw-fly, C. G. Hewitt. Conflicts between Two Species of Ants, G. E. Sanders. Snowy White Linden Moth, A. F. Winn. Adaptations of Insect Structure, T. W. Fyles. The Life-history of Anisota virginiensis, T. W. Fyles. The Acarina found in Ontario, T. D. Jarvis. Notes on Fruit-tree Scolytids, J. M. Swaine. Entomological Record for 1909, A. Gibson. The Spruce Bud-Worm Tortrix, A. Gibson. Memoir of Dr. Brodie, F. J. A. Morris. The Report is illustrated with a portrait of the late Dr. Brodie and with five half-tone plates. There are also thirty-nine illustrations in the text. The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly organ of the Society, maintains its, well-earned reputation. From its mail list for last month it appears that the magazine is not only circulated in Canada, but is taken in the United States, in fourteen countries of Europe, in India, Japan, the Philippine Islands, Egypt, Cape Colony, Natal, Portuguese E, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, Uruguay, Haw^aii, and in five of the West Indian Islands. 1911 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 41 The volume for 1909^ the forty-first volume, contains articles from seventy-three contributors. Amongst these are correspondents in Calcutta, Honolulu, Panama, and St. Petersburg. These facts show how widely the influence of the Socnety extends. In this volume no less than two hundred and twenty-eight newly discovered species of insects are brought into notice and named, together with fourteen sub-species and eight varieties. The following are the titles of some of the more important of the articles that appear in the volume : — Preparation of Beetles for the Microscope, H. P. Wickham, Iowa City. Lepidopterous Galls collected in the Vicinity of Toronto, Dr. "Wm. Brodie. Notes on Tenthredinoidea, with Description of New Species, S. A. Rohwer, Boulder, Colo. New Histories and Species in Papaipema (Hydroecia), Henry Bird, Rye, N.Y. The Fruit-infesting Forms of the Dipterous Genus Rhagoletis, with One New Species, J. M. Aldrich, Moscow, Idaho. Some North American Jassidae, E. D. Ball, Logan, Utah. On the Orthoptera of Northern Ontario, E. M. Walker, Toronto. New Coleoptera from the South-West, H. C. Fall, Pasadena, Calif. Some New Bees, and Other Notes, T. D. A. Cockerell, Boulder, Colo. Some Curious Californian Leaf-hoppers, E. D. Ball, Logan, "Utah. The Hepialidse, or Ghost-moths, Albert F. Winn, Westmount, Que. Some New Species of N. A. Geometridse, John A. Grossbeck, New Brunswick, N.J. List of Siphonaptera of California, M. B. Mitzmain, San Ifrancisco, Calif. A Summer with Chrysophanus Dorcus, William W. Newcomb, M.D., Detroit, Mich. New Geometrids of the Genus Hydriomena, L. W. iSwett, Boston, Mass. Notes on Pachybrachys, and Descriptions of New Species, Fred. C. Bowditch, Brook- line, Mass. Studies in the Caraboidea and Lamellicornia, Thomas L. Casey, Washington, D.C. Some Recent Contributions to Hemipterology, J. R. De la Torre Bueno, White Plains, N.Y. Coccidse from the Society Islands. R. W. Doane and Evelyn Hadden, Stanford University, Calif. New Pseudoscorpionida, Nathan Banks, East Falls, Church, Va. Notes on the Larva and Pupa of Sthenopis thule, J. M. Swaine, Macdonald College, P.Q. A New Genus and Some New Species of Tenthredinidae, Alex. D. Macgillivray, Ithaca, N.Y. Notes on the Preparatory Stages of Philometra metonalis, Henry H. Lyman, Montreal. Synonymical and Descriptive Notes on North American Heteroptera, Edward P. Van Duzee, Buffalo, N.Y. Notes on Lachnus caryae, H. P. Wilson, U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Entomology. Hemiptera, Old and New, G. W. Kirkaldy, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. Some Guests at the Banquet of Blossoms, P. J. A. Morris, Trinity College School, Port Hope, Ont. Phylogeny of the Lithocolletid Group, Annette F. Braun, Univ. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Eupitheciae of Eastern North America, George W. Taylor, Nanaimo, B.C. The volume also contains obituary notices of Mr. G. W. Peck and Professor M. V. Slingerland, and a memoir of William Henry Edwards — all well-known entomologists. Eleven plates and thirteen other illustrations add interest to the volume. At the close of last year the Eev. C. J. S. Bethune, who had conducted the Canadian Entomologist for many years with great care and ability, found it neces- sary to retire from active editorial work, much to the concern of the members of the Society, who have highly appreciated his services. However, a worthy successor in the editorship of the magazine has been found in Dr. E. M. "Walker, of the Biological Department of Toronto University. Dr. Bethune has been appointed editor emeritus by the executive of the Society. In the Society's library at Guelph there are more than two thousand bound volumes and a very large number of unbound publications, bulletins, proceedings of societies, etc. 4 E.S. 42 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 The Society's cabinets contain a very complete collection of the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera of the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec and a good number of representatives of the other orders. In addition there are many very beautiful specimens of exotic Lepidoptera. The Branch Associations connected with the Society are doing excellent work. They spread the knowledge of economic entomology to the great benefit of the farmers, horticulturists, and fruit-growers, in their several localities. EVEN"ING SESSION— THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd, 1910. A public meeting was held at 8 o'clock p.m. in the Massey Hall Auditorium, at which there was a good attendance of students and representatives of the College staff, as well as of members of the Society. The chair was taken by Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister of the Ontario Department of Agriculture. The pro- ceedings were enlivened by some musical selections given by members of the College Philharmonic Societ3^ After a few remarks by the Chairman congratulating the Society on reaching its forty-seventh annual meeting, and referring to the amount of good work that it has accomplished, he introduced the speaker of the evening. Professor James G-. Needham, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., who occupies the chair of Limnology in the Department of Entomology. His subject was '' The Role of Insects in Water-life," illustrated with many beautiful lantern pictures. The following is an abstract of his remarks : — THE ROLE OF INSECTS IN WATER-LIFE. Prof. James G. Needham {Abstract). Aquatic insects are not found in all the waters of the earth, but are mainly restricted to shoal parts of fresh water and to the shelter of rocks and vegetation. There are but few found inhabiting even the bottoms of our deeper lakes and streams, a few blood worms, caddis-worms and the burrowing nymphs of May-fiies, and there is but one, Corethra, that is strictly free-swimming in habits and a constant denizen of the open water. Moreover, it is mainly the larval stages of insects that are aquatic; only these breathe by gills, and the larvae are tied by parentage to the shores. Alongshore, however, insects constitute a very important part of the sub- merged population, being present often in inconceivably vast numbers. Sometimes a species, like the great May-fly, Ilexagenia, that is synchronous in its habits of transformation, comes forth in swarms that darken the air on a midsummer evening, but the vast majority of aquatic insects are not thus concerted in habits and give us no visible demonstration of their abundance. Yet they abound in all aquatic situa- tions in shoal water. Some groups, like the stone-flies, are fitted for life in rapid waters only, but most of the larger groiips, like the flies and the beetles and the dragon-flies, contain representatives expressly adapted to situations of the utmost diversity. The rapid-water forms are usually flattened and depressed in body for attachment to the surface of stones where the water glides over them. And, on the other hand, those in stagnant waters usually possess devices for protecting their delicate gills from the accumulation of sediment. 1911 EJsTTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43 The collector who knows something about the habits of the insects he gathers alongshore is usually struck with the apparent preponderance of carnivorous forms. All of the dragon-flies and bugs, nearly all of the beetles and the larvae of many flies, are of strictly carnivorous habits and are very much more in evidence than the herbivorous May-flies or midge larvae or those algae-feeding beetle larvae of the