158 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, '13 



These general observations show how gradual is the com- 

 mencement of activity in insects after hibernation, how each 

 kind becomes active in its own time, and how even within a 

 small amount of latitude there is a wide difference in times of 

 appearance for each species. The effect of cold spells on in- 

 sect activity is also shown. In Texas, the mean temperature 

 is above 43 deg. Fahr. during the winter. 



In Texas, in 1904, the following specific observations were 

 noted; Diabrotica 12-punctata was active at Corpus Christi on 

 February I, at Paris not until March 7. D. vittata was not 

 seen at Paris until March 17. Mosquitoes were first observed 

 at Paris on March 12, but did not become noticeable until 

 April 25 ; (according to Mr. G. H. Searles of Paris they were 

 very numerous and annoying at Houston on March 20). Lep- 

 tinotarsa lo-lineata was not observed at Paris until March 23, 

 its larvae not until May. A hemipteron which I identified as 

 Blissus leucopterus, the common chinch-bug of cereals, was 

 noted several times once hibernating (Feb. 27) in rubbish, 

 edge of road near woods and under a stump standing in a 

 cornfield (Paris), and a second time captured from grass at 

 Paris on March 24 ; it was noted to be active the previous day. 

 A species of Gryllus did not become adult until April 13, 

 though insect activity had long since commenced. Mcgilla 

 maculata De Geer was found hibernating at Paris on February 

 25 ; they could move. They were not observed to be active un- 

 til March 17; the mean temperature on the former date could 

 not have been much less than eight degrees lower than at the 

 March date. 



Malacosoma americanai was first observed in the eggstage at 

 Sherman, January 29. On March 7 at Paris, the fruit trees in 

 general bloom, the larvae of the first stage were present and 

 hatching was general. On March 27 at Paris, larvae 3 cm. 

 long were noted in orchard trees and on March 31 the larvae 

 were preparing to pupate, since large ones measuring 4 cm. 

 were found wandering about by themselves. But on April 3, 

 many small nests were found along roads leading out from 



