144 THB CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



tibiae are unarmed. The antenrue have from six to twenty-eight segments. 

 Members of this group have a characteristic appearance, which, once 

 recognized, enables one to easily separate most of the species from allied 

 forms. 'The adults are usually yellowish or reddish, though some of the 

 species are dark brown or even black. 



Representatives of this family may be found at almost all seasons of 

 the year, and in nearly every conceivable place. Some breed in decaying 

 wood or under bark, others subsist upon low plant forms, such as fungi 

 and lichens, some upon decaying vegetable matter, while a number of 

 our better known species produce the familiar vegetable deformities so 

 frequently associated with this family. Gathering the galls at the time 

 when the insects are nearly ready to transform, often results in obtaining 

 excellent specimens, though special collecting from various food-plants has 

 proved far more prolific in species, but this latter method does not permit 

 the definite association of the insect with its food-plant. Certain species 

 appear to be closely limited to one plant, while others are capable of 

 subsisting upon a variety. Some forms require an entire year to complete 

 the life cycle, and others may produce several generations in a season. 

 Field collecting is most successful in sheltered spots, or when there is 

 comparatively little wind, and is apt to be more productive a day or two 

 after a rain. We have found a window in an open shed a very satisfactory 

 collecting place, provided it was kept free from cobwebs, and have 

 succeeded in taking lo species therefrom in as many minutes. 



We have undertaken a serious study of this interesting group, and it is 

 desired to enlist the co-operation of all interested in the advancement of 

 science, as we wish lo secure specimens from different sections of the 

 country, in order that our studies may more adequately represent the 

 American fauna. Adults may be taken in a close net, and from this trans- 

 ferred to a cyanide bottle, in the bottom of which there is a loose wad of 

 absorbent cotton so that the insects will not shake around ; they should 

 then be i)Ut into either pill boxes containing absorbent cotton or placed in 

 small vials with 50 per cent, alcohol. The latter should be filled with 

 fluid, or, better still, a small amount of cotton may be inserted so that 

 the insects can not float about, and in this way lose the terminal 

 segments of the appendages. 



E. P. Felt, State Entomologist, Albany, N. Y. 



Mailed April 5tli, 1907. 



