60 Entomological Society. 



Dendi'ophiius Cooperi, taken in numbers in a decayed apple-tree at 

 Hammersmith. 



Mr. Ingpen exhibited a specimen of Pcecilus cuprcus, taken in a 

 pea- field, carrying a piece of a pea in its mouth. 



The following memoirs were read :— 



"Description of the habits of Plectropteron Diance (B. Selene), a 

 large Indian moth." By Captain Hutton. 



In this communication the author gives a careful detail of his ob- 

 servations upon a brood of this splendid moth, a female of which had 

 deposited 246 eggs whilst in his possession, the caterpillars of which 

 are hatched in 18 days. The changes which the insect undergoes 

 in this state are described ; the food consisting of a tree called by 

 the native Indians " Munsooree." The peculiar mode in which the 

 insect makes its escape from its cocoon is remarkable : a sharp 

 scraping noise is first heard issuing from the cocoon, produced by a 

 sharp instrument drawn across the threads for the purpose of cutting 

 a hole, the black point of which is occasionally thrust through the 

 cocoon ; the cutting proceeding in two directions, so as to form a 

 cross, through which a passage is effected by the inclosed and newly- 

 hatched moth. 



" Descriptions of the eggs and young larvae of Sialis lutarius." By 

 W. F. Evans, Esq., by whom living specimens were exhibited. 



The eggs of this insect are observed upon the rushes in the mar- 

 gins of ponds, in patches from two to three inches long, encircling 

 the rush near the top; 100 eggs were counted in a square line, so 

 that each patch contains between 2000 and 3000 eggs, which are of 

 a singular form and arranged in a slanting direction. The larvae 

 are hatched at the beginning of May : they tumble about with 

 their bodies erect like the Staphylinidce and swim with great ac- 

 tivity, wriggling their bodies about, and at the same time using their 

 long legs. Their heads are of a large size. 



" Notes on the habits of Osmia Tunensis and bicolor, which occa- 

 sionally construct their cells in the shells of snails." By F. Smith, 

 Esq., by whom specimens of the nests and insects were exhibited. 



June 3rd. — G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Thrupp exhibited some pieces of lime-trees infested by a 

 species of Coccus from the neighbourhood of London. 



The President exhibited some specimens of a species of the same 

 genus which attacks the orange-trees in the Azores, which led to an 

 extended discussion, and to the appointment of a committee to in- 

 vestigate the nature of its attacks, and also to suggest the means of 

 preventing the injurious effects of this insect. 



The following memoirs were read : — 



** Notes on the Habits of Odynerus Antilope." By F. Smith, Esq. 



On the 10th of August 1843, the author observed several females 

 of this insect burrowing into a sand-bank. At the termination of 

 one of the burrows he found a circular chamber about half an inch in 



