44 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [Nov., '08 



present in the tested cecropia. In June a host of secondary 

 parasites emerged. John A. Grossbeck actually counted 30,000 

 and estimated the remainder at 20,000. This averaged over 200 

 parasites per cocoon. 



Our observers had little information on the life history of 

 secondary parasites. In one instance the life from egg to imago 

 emergence was ten days. Prof. Silvestri explained that the 

 hyperparasite attacks its host only when full grown in the lar- 

 val state. 



At the conclusion of the meeting the society and visitors 

 were entertained at supper by George Franck. 



R. P. Dow, Recording Secretary. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL 

 SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Meeting November 21, 1907. Dr. D. M. Castle in the chair. 

 Six persons present. Dr. Skinner exhibited specimens of 

 Argynnis astarte and spoke of the habits and distribution of the 



species. 



HENRY SKINNER, Recorder. 



Meeting December 26, 1907. Dr. P. P. Calvert in the chair. 

 Eleven persons present. Dr. Skinner exhibited Halter ameri- 

 cana, a fossil insect described by Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell. 

 Mr. E. Daecke made some remarks on the predaceous habits 

 of Asiliidae and said he had observed Proctacanthns philadel- 

 phicus catching species of Bombus. He exhibited specimens 

 of Somatochlora tenebrosa taken in coitu at Bambur, New 

 Jersey. Dr. Calvert referred to the large appendages of the 

 male in this species. He also spoke of the general belief in 

 the richness of tropical countries in insect life, but said the 

 Odonata are not a striking example of this richness. Of all 

 the Mexican States, Vera Cruz is the one which has been most 

 thoroughly examined in regard to its Odonata. It extends 

 from 17 to 22-f- north Latitude and from sea level to 18,000 

 ft. elevation, has an area of 29,200 square miles and 1 18 known 

 species and races of Odonata. The State of New Jersey ex- 



