124 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



is stored the beetle soon attacks and riddles the stems, trans- 

 forming them into a mass of dust-like borings. This does not 

 destroy the rubber, but fills it so full of small fibres of wood, 

 from which it can not be separated, that it is worthless. About 

 20 per cent is lost in this manner. The insect loses its eco- 

 nomic importance, however, because it has been found im- 

 practical for other reasons to store the plant for any length 

 of time. 



In the discussion Doctor Hopkins stated that the beetle 

 mentioned by Doctor Lloyd is evidently Pityophthorns nigri- 

 cans Blandf., which has also been reported to the Bureau of 

 Entomology by H. Pittier, who found it injuring the same plant 

 at Correen, Coahuila, Mexico. The insect is of special interest 

 because of its habit of attacking a plant of such commercial 

 value, and on account of its being the largest representative 

 of the division of the genus to which it belongs. The species 

 of Pityophthorus fall into two divisions, which are distin- 

 guished by both morphologic and bionomic characters ; those of 

 one infest coniferous trees only, while those of the other, to 

 which this species belongs, infest only the broad-leaved plants 

 and trees. The rubber-plant beetle evidently attacks the plant 

 after it is dead, or soon after it has been cut and, as has been 

 shown by the specimens in the forest-insect collection of the 

 Bureau of Entomology, may continue to breed in the same bark 

 and wood for several years. It is evident that the prompt 

 utilization of the plant for the manufacture of rubber within a 

 few days after it is cut would prevent all losses from this 

 source. 



Mr. Schwarz called attention to the fact that the jalap 

 (Ipomcca purga) of commerce is more valuable when it has 

 been eaten by the jalap beetle (Ernoporns [Coccotrypcs] 

 jalap pee Letz.), a scolytid. For some reason, its medicinal 

 qualities are improved by being eaten by the beetle. 



SPECIAL MEETING, OCTOBER 19, 1908. 



A special meeting of the Society was held in room 6, Bureau 

 of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, to take ap- 



