1892.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 47 



HYMENOPTERA. 



New species of Crabronidae and Pompilidae, P. Cameron, Biol. Centr.- 

 Amer. pt. xcvii. 



DIPTERA. 



New genera and species of Dolichopodi, Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 

 1890, pp. 261-296. 



Doings of Societies. 



THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1891. Under 

 short notes Mr. Howard recorded the capturing on the window-sill of his 

 residence, November i6th, an active female of J\ fa/it 'is (Stagnionnuttis} 

 Carolina Burm., thus giving a record of occurrence later than that previ- 

 ously recorded by Mr. Lugger, viz., November nth. 



Dr. Marx read a paper entitled " Life-history of Tholyphonus giganteus 

 Lucas," in which, after dwelling on the importance of even fragmentary 

 records of the history of little known or rare animals, he gave an account 

 of his having kept in confinement the young of this arachnid for over a 

 year. The specimen came from Florida to Prof. Riley, and was, when 

 received, in its first stage and newly hatched. It fed readily on roaches 

 and refused flies. A description was given of the first stage and also after 

 the first skin had been cast, which did not occur for over a year. 



Discussed by Messrs. Mann, Marx, Test, Ashmead, Schwarz, Howard, 

 Banks and Marlatt. 



Mr. Pergande presented a note on the " Peculiar Habits of Ammophila 

 gryphus Smith." A very interesting description was given of the actions 

 of a female of this insect about the site of a completed and closed bur- 

 row, in which later examinations showed that she had deposited the full 

 grown larva of Heterocampa (sub-albicans Grt.) inanteo Doub., having 

 first deposited an egg about mid-way of the body of the host larva. A 

 figure was exhibited showing the larva with the egg in situ together with 

 the specimen itself and an example of the Ammophila. 



Discussed by Messrs. Fox, Ashmead, Schwar/ and Marlatt. 

 Mr. Linell presented a note on the N. A. species of Valgus, in whirl], 

 after a reference to the bibliography of the three N. A. species of the 

 genus, a table for their separation was given. Discussed by Mr. Schwarz. 

 Mr. Banks gave some notes on Prodidomits nifus Hent/, a spider which 

 has not been seen since Hentz's time. His remarks comprised a refer- 

 ence to the bibliography of the species, a statement of its relationship 

 and characteristics together with a careful description based on immature 

 specimens found in a drawer among loose papers last Summer. I >is- 

 cussed by Messrs. Fox, Gill, Marx, Howard and others. 



