THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. I5l 



When young they usually keep pretty well clustered together or on the 

 same leaf, but later scatter quite generally, the early clustering being due 

 no doubt to the eggs being laid near together and on the same leaf. The 

 worms moult at least three or four times before reaching maturity. 



The worms leave the trees before entering the chrysalis stage, and 

 while I have not succeeded in tracing this stage, it is reasonably certain 

 that it is passed under ground, or at least below the surface mould. It is 

 quite certain also that the winter is passed in the chrysalis stage. 



The imago has been observed abundant from April 15th till into the 

 month of May, and also in the month of June. AV'hether these are two 

 distinct broods or simply the result of great irregularity in appearance, 1 

 cannot say. It is certainly possible, however, considering the time that 

 the first larvae require to attain their growth that they may pupate and 

 issue as a second brood in the month of June. These adults are black 

 throughout, except the upper part of the thorax, which is honey yellow or 

 sometimes orange or reddish, the amount as well as the shade differing 

 somewhat in different individuals. The males are more slender and 

 shorter than the females. In some specimens the front legs are partially 

 yellowish. 



They appear to be most active during the heat of the day, and can be 

 caught without much difficulty in the hand during cool evenings. 



PARASITES. 



Tacliina Flies. On trees where these worms were plenty I observed 

 numerous specimens of the friendly Tachinas, and I also found their eggs 

 on great numbers of the worms. So numerous were they indeed that I 

 felt that the worms could safely be left to their attention. 



Icfuieumon Fly. A small Iclinciimon occurred also in pretty good 

 numbers, and though I obtained no direct evidence of their preying upon 

 the worms, the habits of the Ichneumons are so well known that there can 

 be little doubt of the meaning of their presence. 



The Spined Soldier Bug (Arma spinosa) was observed with the Ash 

 worms impaled on its beak, so it can be counted upon to assist in destroy- 



ing them. 



REMEDIES. 



London Purple. The trials I made with this substance proved that it 

 is deadly to these insects, and where it can be used without too great 



