THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 195 



NOTE ON BASILARCHIA. 



BY A. R. GROTE. 



Some time ago, in speaking of the discovery of Mr. Gray of inter- 

 mediate specimens showing a connection between the species of Basilarchia 

 (pubUshed in the Can. Ent.) I suggested that artheiiiis was the older 

 form, a view which I have recently been glad to know is held by Mr. 

 Scudder. In examining Southern specimens of nrsula or astymiax and 

 Eros (the latter the Southern form mimetic of Danais) I think it possible 

 that Eros stands in a nearer relation to astyanax than to archippus, although 

 the latter is a prevalent form in Alabama. In studying this group we 

 seem really to have to do with series of individuals scarcely hardened into 

 species. It will I think be the most profitable genus to take up in con- 

 nection with developmental studies. We have here a group which seems 

 to exhibit the effect of various outside forces upon a comparatively plastic 

 organization, and can thus measure perhaps the extent of the different 

 influences brought to bear in moulding external characters in our butter- 

 flies. How much climate, selection and mimicry can effect may be here 

 determined, and which works quicker or at the shorter distance in succes- 

 sion. It will be very interesting if the facts bear out the offspring of Eros 

 from astyanax as well as archippus, and not the two " mimetic " forms 

 from each other. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES. 



LACHNOSTERNA FUSCA. 



At the last meeting of the Entom. Soc. of Ontario, Mr. J. M. Denton 

 reported that he had seen near Delaware, Co. Middlesex, Ont, a ten-acre pas- 

 ture field almost destroyed by the larvte of this beetle, and he exhibited 

 some specimens he had brought. The roots of the grass were completely 

 eaten through, and the sod on being lifted came away easily in large 

 patches, showing the larvae underneath at their work of destruction. The 

 owner of the land said that this spring the beetles were hovering in dense 

 swarms over the pasture. 



