70 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



bark, leaving but a very thin layer unbroken ; it then retires within 

 its burrow, and having enclosed itself within a loose, silky cocoon, changes 

 to a brown chrysalis. A short time before the moth escapes the chrysalis 

 wriggles itself forward, and pushing itself against the thin papery-like 

 layer of bark, ruptures it and the chrysalis protrudes as shown in the 

 figure. Soon afterwards the imprisoned moth in its struggles ruptures the 

 chrysalis and escapes. 



This insect appears to be increasing in numbers every year, and is very 

 destructive, especially to young maple trees. Many of our shade trees in 

 London are much injured by it, and where very numerous it is liable to 

 completely girdle the tree and kill it. It is also found throughout the Middle 

 States. To prevent the moths from laying their eggs the trunks of the 

 trees should be painted about the first of June with a mixture of soft soap 

 and lye about the thickness of paint, or with a mixture of lime and soap. 

 When once the larvae obtain an entrance it is very difficult to discover 

 them, and they will then carry on their destructive work all through the 

 summer. 



PTEROPHORID^. 



BY CHARLES FISH, OLD TOWN, MAINE. 



About three years ago I commenced the study of the " feather- 

 wings," with the intention of preparing at some future time a monograph 

 of the North American species of this family. While adhering to my 

 original intention, I have decided to so far modify it as to publish in 

 advance certain new species which have accumulated on my hands, and 

 I am induced to this course the more because it may be a considerable 

 time before sufiicient material will have been obtained to justify me in 

 publishing my general paper. In the meantime I wish to obtain as many 

 examples of this family as possible from all parts of North America, and 

 any aid that may be given me by collectors I shall try to reciprocate. 1 

 prefer to have the examples pinned, but not spread, and great care should 

 be observed in pinning, that the wings be not denuded or the legs broken 

 off. The upper surface of the wings should never be touched with the 

 fingers, nor should the specimens be allowed to roll about in the cyanide 

 bottle and become denuded in this way. The very excellent directions 



