XXXli, '21] K.\TOM()I.o<;IC.\l. XK\VS 233 



of the Division of Entomology, N. C. State Dept. Agriculture. 

 In December. 1919, the junior author was engaged primarily 

 for this project, since which time the work has gone forward 

 with increased rapidity. 



Each species (or recognized variety) of insect known to exist 

 in the state is listed on a 5x8 inch card. One side of the card 

 is closely lined, on the other side is an outline map of the state. 

 On the lined side is written (at top) the name of the species, 

 its nunYber, page or other designation in some recognized check- 

 list, (if such), and a brief indication of its general distribution 

 in the United States and elsewhere. On the lines below are 

 listed the localities in the state at which adults have been taken, 

 dates of capture, etc., all in condensed form. Very brief notes 

 on food-plants and transformations may be included. ( hi tin- 

 map (on back) we place a plainly-visible clot at each locality 

 where the species is taken in the state. We do not number tin- 

 list of localities and number the dots to correspond, postal- 

 guide makes this unnecessary. 



The front of the card will hold entries for from 15 to 20 

 localities. P.y the time the card is filled the entries will give a 

 general idea of the distribution (both geographical and sea- 

 sonal) of the species, and by the time a second card is filled one 

 can outline with fair positiveness the status of the species. 



In this work one soon learns that every species of insect does 



not occur everywhere and at all times. While there are many 



common species which our records show to occur throughout 



our state (equally common everywhere ?), yet there are very 



many other species which have been taken only in well-del med 



areas, and (adults) often only in a very limited portion of the 



year. And many species, even some of the larger and more 



conspicuous ones, have been taken in only one or two localities. 



One soon grasps the idea of life-zones (1) that there are 



such zones, and that a balanced conception of them is helptul 



and enlightening to the mind; (2) that their boundaries arc 



i usually ) not sharply defined and that there are many instances 



of a species belonging typically to one zone intruding itselt into 



the territory of an adjoining zone. This has its application in 



our economic work in outlining the areas in which certain 



economic insects are. or mav be, abundant. 



