232 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Sept., '02 



Dr. Skinner reported that Cicada septendecim had been seen 

 at Fairville, Chester County, Penna., on April igth. This 

 is the earliest record for the appearance of this insect in this 

 locality. Discussed by Messrs. Daecke, Boerner and Skinner. 



Prof. Smith said he had noticed Cicada cones to be most 

 abundant in burnt over areas and the suggestion had been made 

 that the heat caused them to appear earlier than they would 

 under natural conditions, and finding upon reaching the top 

 that it was too early they would most likely stay in their 

 burrows for a few more days. He also stated that observa- 

 tion seemed to show that the adults do not eat. He spoke 

 about the fungus which is a parasite on the testes of the Cicada 

 and in time this seems to rot the abdomen which drops off. 

 This has only been noted upon this one species. Discussed by 

 the members. 



Dr. Castle, in speaking about his recent trip to Florida, said 

 that he collected twenty-four days at Enterprise and spent a 

 short time at a number of other places. He secured a very 

 large amount of material which is especially rich in Chrysome- 

 lidae. He also spoke of the manner of collecting in the dis- 

 tricts visited. 



Dr. Skinner spoke about the insects sent to the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences by Mr. Viereck who is collecting in New 

 Mexico and Texas. Some very rare species have been sent 

 home. 



Mr. Laurent exhibited cocoons of Attacus cecropia. His 

 specimens seemed to show that the females weave the loose 

 cocoons while the males weave the tight ones. 



W. R. REINICK, Sec" y pro fan. 



A meeting of the Entomological Section of the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was held May 22d. Fifteen 

 members were present. 



Dr. Calvert exhibited two curious larvae belonging to the 

 family Syrphidae, genus I\Iicrodon. They were found in an 

 ants' nest near Moosehead L,ake, Maine. The colors of the 

 specimens had been altered by being kept in alcohol. 



Extracts were read from various works which describe these 

 larvae. Mr. Johnson said he had found pupre but not larvae. 



