76 PROCEEDINGS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



In June of the previous year a similar epidemic of fungus 

 among the related C/i. marginatus Fab. was observed, first 

 by the senior author, and afterwards independently by F. H. 

 Chittenden, on the experiment station farm at Norfolk, Vir- 

 ginia. A small chinquapin tree, which was at the time in full 

 bloom, was noticed to be covered with thousands of these 

 beetles. On closer examination the fact was disclosed that 

 all were either dead or dying from the attacks of a fungus. 



The beetles were attached by the tightly closed mandibles 

 to the rachis of the catkin and held the wings raised as if about 

 to fly. As many as six or seven were found on many of the 

 catkins. Some were attached to the leaves, and like speci- 

 mens were found on surrounding plants. 



Identification of the fungus could not be obtained at that 

 time. 



In this connection it may be noted that, although the various 

 species of Chauliognathus feed, as adults, almost entirely on 

 the pollen of flowers, in the larval stage their food is com- 

 posed of various small, soft-bodied insects, largely aphides 

 and other forms living near the ground. The usual great 

 abundance of these beetles no doubt acts as a check to the in- 

 crease of several species of injurious aphides, such as the pea 

 aphis (Macrosiphum pisi1&&\\.}, and the two species mentioned 

 may thus be considered of distinct economic value. 



Epidemics of fungous disease may thus so decimate the 

 numbers of these useful insects as to render possible such out- 

 breaks of aphides as have been experienced in the tidewater 

 region of Virginia in the last three years. There seems little 

 doubt that wholesale destruction of the adults of Chauliogna- 

 thus by fungous disease would destroy the balance maintained 

 in insect relations and permit a great increase in the various 

 aphides that are preyed upon by their larvae. 



REDISCOVERY OF RARE SPIDERS. 



During a recent collecting trip in the vicinity of Ithaca, 

 New York, in conjunction with Prof. J. H. Emerton, the 

 writer took several specimens of two spiders that were de- 

 scribed, each from one male specimen, from this region some 

 years ago. Erigonoplus gigas was taken in swamps at Free- 

 ville and on South Hill. The female resembles the male in 

 color, but lacks the enlarged white anterior metatarsi. Ha- 

 brocestum parvulus was found among leaves in a small ra- 

 vine (Coy Glen) near Ithaca. The female has a dull brown 

 abdomen, but the marks of the cephalothorax are similar to 

 the male. N. BANKS. 



